2-913-742 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Prince Albert, the Emperor of the French, and staff, at the Review at Marquise, 1854. Exercises of the British and French armies in northern France during the Crimean War. 'The manoeuvres were to consist of a regular sham battle; the enemy to be commanded by General Schramm, the Imperial troops by the Emperor in person...The sun shone gloriously bright, and thousands of bayonets glistened in its rays...A cloud of blue smoke, a flash, and a loud report, announced that the battle had commenced...An artillery officer next me was thrown violently, and his horse rolled over him: he was, happily, able to get up again...Aides-de-camp galloped to and fro on both sides...About ten yards in front of the staff rode the Emperor. His charger, a splendid dark chestnut, pawed the ground...Close behind him, also on a chestnut, in a Field-Marshal's uniform, rode his Royal Highness Prince Albert...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.