By God Sir, so you have!

A study of the legendary Lord Uxbridge (the 2nd Earl Of Uxbridge) wearing period, Battle of Waterloo uniform. The ink drawing by Robert Samuel Ellis Gallon.

Size: 13.0cm x 9.0cm.

Condition report: Mounted to board. Clean condition.

Notes on the 2nd Earl of Uxbridge (Henry Paget): During the Hundred Days he was appointed cavalry commander in Belgium, under the still resentful eye of The Duke of Wellington. Uxbridge fought at the Battle of Quatre Bras, and  Battle of Waterloo (where he led the spectacular charge of the British heavy cavalry against Comte d'Erlon's column). This charge checked - and in part- routed the French Army.

One of the last cannon shots fired that day hit Uxbridge in the right leg, necessitating its amputation. The exchange between Uxbridge  and Wellington is now immortalised in Britsih Army legend:

By God, Sir, I've lost my leg! 

 Wellington allegedly replied;

By God, Sir, so you have!

According to his aide-de-camp Thomas Wildman, during the amputation the stoical Uxbridge retorted:

 I have had a pretty long run. I have been a beau these 47 years

and it would not be fair to cut the young men out any longer.

Uxbridge's amputated leg became a 'tourist attraction' in the village of Waterloo, Belgium, (where it was later interred).

Following the amputation, Lord Uxbridge went on to lead a distinguished public life: the Prince Regent conferred him the 1st Marquess of Anglesey (July 1815). In 1816, a  monument, designed by Thomas Harrison was erected at Llanfairpwllgwyngyll on Anglesey, close to his country retreat at Plas Newydd. Uxbridge was also appointed Knight of the Garter ( March 1818), and promoted to full general ( August 1819).

Notes on Robert Samuel Ellis Gallon: According to the vendor, Gallon earned a living from  his drawings between 1830-1877. It is believed, the Earl of Uxbridge ink study offered for sale has never been reproduced or published. The drawing was purchased by the vendor when Gallon's archive was broken-up and dispersed.