Orders, Decorations and Medals

Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Egypt, Corunna (James Slugg, 28th Foot) nearly extremely fine, Egypt very scarce to the regiment £800-1000

James Slugg was born in Bradford-Upon-Avon and enlisted ‘for life’ on 10 October 1798, aged 24 years. He enlisted for the 37th Foot but was immediately transferred to the 28th Foot, in which regiment he served until 29 July 1817. He served with Captain Moore’s Company during General Sir Ralph Abercromby’s expedition to Egypt and was present at the battle of Alexandria on 21 March 1801, being wounded in the head.

In the initial phase of this engagement, the 28th Foot held an unfinished redoubt against General Sylly’s brigade attack, led by Napoleon’s “Invincibles”. Four columns were thrown against the redoubt but the 28th stood firm, halting the enemy with precise volleys and foiling attempts by the enemy cavalry to outflank their position. For four hours the 28th and the 42nd Highlanders, on their right flank, held on but a fresh squadron of enemy cavalry finally overran the 42nd, and formed up to attack the 28th from the rear. Lieutenant-Colonel Chambers, who had assumed command of the regiment after Colonel Paget had fallen seriously wounded, now faced a simultaneous attack from front and rear. As the enemy galloped forward, sabres at the ready, the historic order was given: “Rear Rank, 28th! Right about face!”. One disciplined volley brought horses and men crashing down, breaking the momentum of the attack. Sergeant Coates later recalled: “I was astonished at the execution which had so instantaneously been done. After the volley the 28th faced about again and resumed their fire on their assailants in front, such as had ammunition; but many, having now expended all, resorted to throwing stones.”

For their gallantry on this occasion, the 28th were granted the distinction of wearing a ‘Back Badge’ on the rear of their headdress. Just 5 officers and 22 other ranks of the 28th survived to claim the Egypt clasp.

As a Corporal, Slugg took part in the Peninsular War and was present during the withdrawal to Corunna in 1809. He served in Captain English’s Company as a Sergeant during the Waterloo Campaign and was wounded in the left temple at the battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815.