Read the full transcript here: https://carter.church/writeups/the-letter-to-marmont/
During the Crimean War, a curious friendship developed between the French Zouaves and the British Highlanders. The Zouaves had originally emerged in North Africa within the French army, while the Highlanders were Scottish regiments of the British army. Both had a strong identity tied to their lands of origin, uniforms, and traditions.
As the campaign went on, soldiers from both regiments spent more time together and developed a great admiration for one another. The Zouaves were known for their bravery, while the Highlanders were known for their discipline. They also began meeting outside the battlefield, spending time together in bars and other places whenever they had the opportunity. Over time, this admiration grew into a genuine friendship based on respect and camaraderie.
This friendship had one of its most notable moments during the Battle of the Alma, when the British and French fought together against the Russians. During the assault, the Zouaves and Highlanders charged side by side against the Russian positions, advancing alongside each other and eventually driving the Russians from the heights. With this victory, the Allies opened the way toward Sevastopol.
But the battle had come at a heavy cost for the Zouaves. After the fighting, the 1st Battalion had lost 222 men and the 2nd another 74. Seeing the situation of their French comrades, the 42nd, 79th, and famous 93rd Highlanders came to their aid, rescuing wounded men and helping bury some of those who had fallen. Their help even surprised the doctors and helped save several lives.
From then on, the relationship between the two regiments continued to grow stronger. It is said that the 93rd Highlanders and the Zouaves tried to camp near each other whenever they could, and that Sir Colin Campbell developed a great sympathy for the French troops. According to some accounts, at official banquets he would toast his “dear and brave Zouaves.” Their friendship continued throughout the rest of the campaign.
[The second image represents the Battle of the Alma, showing the Zouaves and Highlanders together, preparing to charge side by side, once again showing the closeness that existed between them.]
Pick any admiral in history and say, he's gonna wake up in Velleneuve's body with all previous knowledge from his own and Villeneuve's, including the present situation, and gunnery and sailing techniques of the days. Said admiral is imminently facing Nelson. Which admiral could you pick to decisively win the battle and let Napoleon tow HMS victory to London roads and burn it?
Could Yi Sun sin have been able to do it?
In 1799, after Tipu Sultan of Mysore was defeated and killed, Dhondiah Wagh(a former soldier of the Sultan) gathered a band of remnants and began raiding and illegally collecting taxes from Maratha and British territories around Mysore. Alarmed by this threat, Arthur Wellesley was given his first independent command and sent to eliminate Wagh.
After months of pursuit, Wellesley finally cornered him, personally leading a cavalry charge (the only time he did so in his career) at the Battle of Conagul, where Wagh was killed. According to Maratha chronicles, Wellesley kept Wagh's blood-stained mustache as a trophy.
Following the battle, Wellesley discovered Wagh's four-year-old son, Salabat Khan, abandoned in the camp. Demonstrating unexpected compassion, Wellesley took the boy under his protection, ensuring his education and maintenance. Before leaving for Europe in 1805, Wellesley set aside funds for the boy's upkeep and asked his friend, Purniah, the Dewan of Mysore, to watch over him.
True to this request, Salabat Khan was later employed as an officer in the Mysore state army, living until his untimely death from cholera in 1822.
Images- Battle of Conagul, Dhondiah Wagh's body in the background on the elephant's left
Dewan Purneah, 1801
Wellesley in India, 1804
I know he used to study English Generals with stories ranging from him studying Marlborough (Churchill’s ancestor) to Oli Cromwell, even Captain Cook
I wanna know what this community thinks were 3 of his best English Heroes he was fascinated by