Campaign Groups and Pairs Campaign Groups and Pairs 839


A rare Napoleonic Wars Guelphic Medal group of four awarded to Corporal Frederick Armstadt, 1st Hussars, King’s German Legion, for gallantry in the cavalry action at the bridge of Gallegos in July 1810 and also at the battle of Toulouse in April 1814


Guelphic Medal for Bravery 1815 (Ferdinand Armstedt, Corporal im 1t. Hus. Rt. K.D.L. zu polle), a few letters of naming obscured through contact wear; Military General Service 1793-1814, 9 clasps, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes D’Onor, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse (Fredk. Armstadt, 1st Hussars, K.G.L.); Waterloo 1815 (Frederick A-mstadt, 1st Reg. Hussars, K.G.L.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension, one letter of surname obscured through contact wear; Hannoverian Medal for Volunteers of the K.G.L. 1814, unnamed as issued, edge bruising and contact marks to the earlier awards, fine or better, the M.G.S. nearly extremely fine (4) £12,000-£15,000


Guelphic Medal for Bravery announced in the 1819 List, for bravery at Gallegos, 4 July 1810, and Toulouse, 10 April 1814.


The citation published in Beamish’s History of the German Legion reads: ‘At the bridge of Gallegos, 4th of June (sic) 1810, when the rear-guard under captain Krauchenberg, opposed the superior numbers of enemy with such persevering bravery, corporal Almstedt particularly distinguished himself. He was always one of the foremost in repelling the attacks, and saved the life of serjeant Bergmann, who, surrounded and wounded, was rescued by his cutting down several of those who were taking the serjeant away a prisoner, and putting the rest to flight. In general, upon all occasions when volunteers were required, Almstedt was the first to offer himself.’


The citation published in German by von Wissel also adds, ‘This exceptionally brave soldier was always first to step out when volunteers were needed and he also distinguished himself at the battle of Toulouse 1814’.


The affair at Gallegos, a contemporary account from Lectures on the Tactics of Cavalry, by Friedrich Wilhelm Graf von Bismark:


‘Unremitting vigilance of the out posts, is the only means of defeating any attempt which the enemy may make to surprise an army. To such vigilance was the light division, under General Craufurd, indebted for its preservation, when, in July 1810, the French attempted a surprise of the troops stationed near Marialba and Gallegos. A squadron of the 16th light dragoons, under the command of Captain Belli, furnished the extreme advanced posts, and was stationed near the village of Marialba. The 1st hussars of the King’s German Legion, were stationed at Gallegos, a village about half a league in rear of Marialba, and were supported by the horse artillery under Lieutenant (now Colonel) Alexander Macdonald. The greatest precautions were taken, the cavalry was every night bridled up, the artillery horses were put to, and every morning, half an hour before day-break, the cavalry turned out, and formed in front of Gallegos.


On the morning of the 4th July, three-quarters of an hour before day-break, the picquets of the 16th dragoons were attacked by the enemy, in such superior force [nearly three regiments of cavalry] that they were forced to give way, and retire towards Gallegos; the enemy followed up his attack with such rapidity, that the dragoon who was entrusted with the report of the French advance, could not reach Gallegos before them, and both appeared at the same moment in front of the 1st German hussars, who were already formed. Captain Krauchenberg, whose squadron was posted a little in advance of the regiment, immediately led it on at full gallop, to within fifteen paces of the enemy’s line, where he formed the whole squadron into a line of skirmishers. The hussars thus being brought so near the enemy, poured a most destructive fire into his ranks, and supported by a few well-served discharges from Lieutenant Macdonald’s guns, succeeded in checking the pursuit of the French, and defeating the intended surprise. Strict orders having been given, not to engage any superior force of the enemy, the retreat was commenced to Alameda, and Captain Krauchenberg’s squadron formed the rear-guard. The enemy formed all his cavalry into a column, and attacked the hussars with the greatest impetuosity, who retired, skirmishing, step by step, until arrived near a bridge, which led over some marshy ground; in order to pass this bridge without loss, Captain Krauchenberg put his squadron into a trot, ordering the skirmishers to follow him as soon as possible; the enemy’s column advanced at a gallop, and passed the bridge, immediately behind the rear-skirmishers of the hussars. Captain Krauchenberg now re- formed his squadron, and continued his retreat, until the enemy had passed the bridge; about fifty paces from which, he suddenly wheeled about, charged the French, who were three times his force, and completely overthrew them, driving them over the bridge, and into the marsh. The gallant hussars were soon after supported by a battalion of riflemen, who had been judiciously placed in ambuscade by General Craufurd, and who saluted the enemy with so destructive and unexpected a fire, that he thought it prudent to retire to Gallegos, and give up the pursuit.’


Ferdinand/Frederick Almstedt/Armstadt joined the 1st Dragoons (Hussars from 1814) K.G.L., as a recruit from England, on 28 February 1807. He fought with his regiment in Portugal, Spain and France from June 1809 until the end of the war in 1814, and the campaign of 1815 in France and Flanders, including the battle of Waterloo. He returned to Hannover shortly afterwards and was discharged there on 24 February 1816, when the regiment was disbanded.


Sold with full research including extracts from medal roll and muster and pay lists. www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 20% (+VAT where applicable)


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