Infantry

Some gentle readers might wonder why there is a picture of British soldiers as a backdrop to a Frenchman's quote. Two reasons: 1) I like the irony. 2) It is a good pictoral example of relatively unfree men of the British Infantry at Waterloo holding off equally relatively unfree Curuissiers of Naploeon's Grande Armee in order to keep France (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, but only if you obey the Emperor) from taking freedom from Europeans (so they could go back to expanding monarchical power). Oy. The irony of the whole thing is making me giddy.

I am also fond of the painting because it grasps the essence of the Infantry, the age-old "ground pounders," the "Queen of Battle." The British regiment is formed in square: tight packed formation, providing protection from attacking cavalry by only offering the points of bayonets to any horsemen silly enough to approach. The men are tired, dust-covered, have endured hours of artillery fire in the open, and are in the midst of a cavalry charge. Yet they still are indefatigueable. Some manage to even laugh, as others cry. Some yell as they discharge their weapons at the foe. Yet most hold the so-called "thousand yard stare." The picture forms an idea of solidity in our minds: no one will get through those men.

That, of course, is the idea that the artist wanted to depict. Some might call it propaganda, I suppose, but it still displays the essence of the Soldier: courage, obedience, and endurance. It is this that distinguishes the 18th and 19th century Infantry from the romantic dash of the Cavalry or the thunderous power of the Artillery. And I believe that this still holds true today.