Ahem...don't wish to detract from the Scots Grey history and that lovely painting too...but the charge of the Union Brigade did not mean that everyone belonged to a co-operative working men's organisation! Along of the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons and their pedestrian passengers were the Skins and the 1st (Royal) Regiment of Dragoons.
The charge has been bigged up over the years but it didn't "turn the battle". It was another "Great British Cavalry Feck-up of the 19th Century". Unleashed against a disorganised infantry corps, the charge initially went well. It is estimated 5000 French casualties were inflicted but tactically it didn't change the price of fish.
However heavy cavalry is hard to stop once unleashed and the Brigade got into a bit of trouble. The Scots Greys apparently ignored the ârecallâ and losing impetus charged on in disordered groups. Some of these got to the French batteries across the valley but their horses were blown. Two regiments of the French cavalry, a lancer (4th) and Chasseurs a Cheval (Hussars) piled in and did terrible excution.
Out of the initial strength of 1186, 572 other ranks and 35 officers were killed including the brigade commander Major General Ponsonby. Ponsonby incidentally was a 5th Dragoon and an Irish aristocrat. This was the action in which Sgt/Ensign Ewart captured an eagle so earning immortality and the right to have a pub on the Royal Mile* named after him!
*I know, it is on the Lawnmarket really and yes it is a cack pub and yes given the choice I would rather eat or drink in the Jolly Judge, the Deacon or the Bow Bar if I was up that end of town with a droughth on me.