George de Lacy Evans (1787-1870) was born in Ireland and was educated at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich (i.e. the training school for the Royal Artillery, the Royal Engineers and other technical corps) before heading off to India to join the army of the East India Company. In 1806 he transferred to the British Army and secured a position in the 3rd Light Dragoons which enables him to serve in the Peninsular War. Like a lot of British Auxiliary Legion officers, he was then transferred to America, where he served as quartermaster-general to General Robert Ross, who commanded the British troops in the US until his death in September 1814. He appears to have been a staff officer at Waterloo, supposedly being the person who relayed to order to the Union Brigade to charge.
He then entered politics, and was a sitting MP for Rye when he was given command of the BAL. His political career was resumed after the war ended, but he seems to have lost and regained his seat on numerous occasions. In 1846 he was promoted to Major-General and then Lieutenant-General in 1854. In that latter rank he participated in the Crimean War as the initial commander of the 2nd Division; however, he fell sick and had to relinquish command. His political career continued - he was MP for Westminster from 1846-65 (Evans was a Radical) and consistently argued for reform of the Army, in particular the abolition of the purchase system.
His political career, especially as a Radical, no doubt contributed to the hostile treatment he and the BAL received in certain sections of the British press. As I've noted elsewhere, the BAL fought under difficult conditions, often badly supplied and ignored by the British government. Evans seems to have been a thoughtful, competent officer, always fighting the authorities on behalf of his men; one sense the BAL could have done a lot worse in their commander.
These figures are from two Perry packs - the Evans personality figure is from ISA2 and the foot figures are the rest of ISA37 (the mounted elements of which are here). This command stand finishes off my most recent Carlist War stuff, save for a regiment of Isabelino cavalry, for which I need to get the correct lance pennants.
3 figures. Painted August 2021.
6 comments:
A splendid command stand Giles. I always enjoy the potted histories too.
A handsome vignette. I like your treatment of the horse especially.
Kind Regards,
Stokes
Lovely work Giles. I had heard of him, but not the detail you provided and the snippet about the Union Brigade is especially interesting.
Great looking vignette, lovely work on some very nice miniatures. Interesting background information on the man as well.
I enjoyed reading this post. General Evans has just "arrived" in command on my wargame table. He commands young Queen Victoria's men who are most of the British Army and many of the ex-BAL too. They are facing the forces of Uncle Ernest who not content with succeeding to Hanover [Victoria being debarred by the Salic Law] is also claiming the British throne. He has the support of the Royal Navy. Entering the table for the first time are the 1st Light Infantry of Hanover - this is to encourage me to get on with the second half who are on the painting desk. An alternate history - the Victorian Civil War - gives Evans another phase to his interesting career.
I look forward to seeing more of your work for the Carlist War which also has a young Princess/Queen and a reactionary male relative!
Stephen
A lovely command stand Giles and as usual a nice background write up as well!
Christopher
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