Mapping collected by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
Mapping collected by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
Pencil, pen and ink on paper | 25.0 x 18.9 cm (image) | RCIN 730176
A disposition of artillery from Visé up the River Meuse, 1747. War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48).
George Williamson, the author of this manuscript, had been promoted Major in the Royal Artillery just a couple of months before he drew up this list, on 22 June 1747. This document describes the location of 15 posts of artillery along the River Meuse. The locations of the first and second posts - ‘at the river side near & to ye right of Vizette [i.e. Visé]’, and ‘at the Fascine Battery to ye left of Vizette’, suggests that the writer is viewing the land looking westwards. Post number 9 is described as ‘300 Paces to the right of His Royal Highness's Quarters.’ This is presumably a reference to the HQ of the Duke of Cumberland which was at Richelle, south of Visé. Most of these batteries can be seen on RCIN 730162.
George Williamson (c. 1704-81) (draughtsman) [bottom right, signed:] George Williamson.
Watermark: Horn in shield; countermark: HR
Mark, stamped: 697
Condition: four fold lines
25.0 x 18.9 cm (image)
31.1 x 39.4 cm (sheet; folded to 31.1 x 19.7 cm)
Manuscript title:
Disposition of Artillery fom Vizette up the River Maes Sept:r the 5th OS. 47. [top]
Annotations:
George III heading: Army 16 Sept.r 1747.
Other annotations: (Recto) [top right, black pencil, in Schultz's or Mason's hand:] 112. a; [bottom right, black pencil, erased:] Richel. (Verso) [top left, black pencil:] XIII/54c; [top right, black pencil erased and illegible: an underlined word.]; [top right, black pencil, erased:] Richel; [bottom right, black pencil:] VII/36; [on verso of fold panel, ink:] Disposition of Artillery / made by General Firestein / September the 16th N:S: / 1747.
George III catalogue entry:
Army Disposition of Artillery from Viset up the River Maes, made by General Firestein 16 Sept.r 1747, by George Williamson. MS.
Probably from the collection of military and naval maps and prints formed by Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721-65), third son of George II; subsequently acquired by George III (1738-1820)
Visé, Walloon Region, Belgium (50°44'15"N 05°41'56"E)