In 1800 the Experimental Corps of Riflemen was formed. In 1803 it became the 95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot (ultimately three battalions).

Riflemen were different, in many ways, to the soldiers that made up the bulk of the British Army. Instead of the classic ‘redcoat’ with white cross belts worn by most infantrymen, the Rifles wore a distinctive ‘green jacket’ and black leatherwork. This was the first attempt at camouflage by the British Army and was a reflection of the very different role expected of this new soldier. Of course the other most notable difference between a Rifleman and most of Wellington’s redcoats was the weapon he carried, the Baker Rifle. Redcoats were generally issued with the ‘Brown Bess’ musket, capable of wavering accuracy at 75 yards. The ‘Baker’ was able to hit a man-sized target 200 yards away,

The Rifles were masters of the battlefield and second-to-none at skirmishing in particular. They were held in high esteem by the French and Allies alike. One officer, Major John Blackiston of the Portuguese Cacadores said, I never saw such skirmishers as the 95th. They could do the work much better and with infinitely less loss than any of our best light troops. They possessed an individual boldness, a mutual understanding, and a quickness of eye in taking advantage of the ground, which, taken altogether I never saw equaled. They were as much superior to the French Voltigeurs as the latter were to our skirmishers in general.

All three battalions of the 95th fought together, unsupported, for the first time during the closing weeks of the Peninsular War at the Battle of Tarbes. The Regiment independently swept the forces of Marshal Soult from the path of Wellington’s army as it advanced into France. The Battle of Tarbes went some way to dispelling the myth that rifles were slow to load and therefore could not operate alone.

The 95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot served throughout the Peninsular War in Spain and Portugal, seeing action in many battles like Bussaco, Salamanca and Vittoria. They saw action in America during the War of 1812, and oversaw the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

The Regiment remained the 95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot until 1816, when they were renamed the Rifle Brigade in honour of their achievements during the Peninsular War and Waterloo campaigns.

Excerpts from the History of the 95th Rifles courtesy of Adam Paylor.
Images: 95th Rifles Shako (from the Sharpe TV series). La Haye Saint 1815 by David Higham.