Uniform of a Sargeant and Privates of the 87th or Prince of Waless own Irish Regiment on Service Charles Hamilton Smith (1776-1859)

The composition presents a scene of military engagement, rendered with meticulous detail in what appears to be a colored lithograph. Here we see a group of soldiers positioned on a slight rise, overlooking a distant line of opposing forces. The foreground is dominated by three figures: a sergeant and two privates, all clad in the distinctive red coats and dark trousers characteristic of British infantry uniforms. The sergeant stands centrally, holding a pike aloft – a somewhat unusual weapon for this period – and exhibiting an assertive posture that suggests leadership and command. He appears to be addressing his men with a gesture of authority.
To his left, a private carries a flag bearing the Union Jack, its colors rendered vibrantly against the muted tones of the landscape. The third soldier, positioned further back, holds a rifle at the ready, maintaining a vigilant stance. A fallen figure lies prone in the immediate foreground; he is dressed similarly to the soldiers standing upright, but his posture and the disarray of his uniform suggest injury or death. His face is turned away from the viewer, obscuring any expression that might reveal his condition.
The background depicts a larger battle scene unfolding at some distance. A regiment of opposing troops can be discerned in the hazy distance, their movements implied rather than explicitly detailed. The terrain itself is rendered with careful attention to topography – the rise upon which the soldiers stand is clearly defined, and the ground slopes down towards the battlefield.
Subtleties within the work suggest a complex narrative beyond a simple depiction of military action. The inclusion of the pike, while historically plausible, introduces an element of theatricality or perhaps symbolic representation. It could signify a ceremonial role or highlight the regiments unique identity. The fallen soldier in the foreground serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict; his obscured face prevents sentimentality and maintains a degree of detachment, emphasizing the impersonal nature of war.
The artist’s choice to focus on the uniforms – rendered with remarkable accuracy – indicates an interest in documenting military attire and regimental distinctions. The overall effect is one of controlled realism, tempered by a sense of formality and distance that prevents overt emotional engagement. Its likely intended as both a record of military life and a display of national pride.