Sortie of 1st April


Cunliffe's painting of the Sortie from Jellalabad on 1st April shows the men of the 13th Light Infantry adopting an all round defensive stance as camp followers round up the animals to herd them back to the fort, while the cavalry engage with any Afghans who came too close. This monochrome detail from the painting, which was painted in 1851, gives a good idea of how soldiers at that time adapted to the climate. Most of the men are in shirt sleeves, but the man in the foreground has a scarlet shell jacket. The caps are green with a yellow cap-band and a brass bugle badge on the front. A modern illustration of a bugler based on this painting shows the clothing in more detail.


Regimental Details


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by Stephen Luscombe