British Riflemen, 1812

Aquatint by J C Stadler after Charles Hamilton Smith, 1812.

Regular units of Rifles were formed in the British Army in 1800. Both the 60th Regiment of Foot and the 95th Regiment of Foot served during the Peninsular War (1808-1814). Riflemen were armed with Baker Rifles, which were more accurate and of longer range than muskets. They fought in pairs ahead of the main infantry who operated in close formations. Riflemen moved around freely, were trained to use natural cover and could pick off the enemy with aimed shots.

From Charles Hamilton Smith's 'Costumes of the Army of the British Empire, according to the last regulations 1812', published by Colnaghi and Company, 1812-1815.