In 1778, George III visited the military camp at Warley near Brentwood in Essex. The visit included a review of the troops and a mock battle at Little Warley.

To commemorate the event, Lieutenant-General Pierson, who had led the 'attack', commissioned this painting by Philip Jakob de Loutherbourg (1740-1812). It was exhibited at the Royal Academy exhibition in 1779 and was presented to the King shortly after, where, by 1807, it was on display in the Music Room at Kew Palace.