The Ambulatory Hussar was hailed as a triumph of Imperial engineering and design upon its introduction. However, the reputation of this fighting machine was to descend into infamy following the shameful use of mechanised troops against a peaceful political meeting in St Peter's Field in Manchester in 1869.
This engraving from the Times shows the strength of the national outcry over the use of the troops. The Prime Minister was shouted down by Opposition members in the House of Commons during an emergency debate, and the Press was highly-critical of Imperial Army Command for allowing "the deployment of armoured titans against a legitimate assembly of the very people they were sworn to protect".
Further images of this infamous mechanical contraption may be viewed here.