Napoleon's Guard Cavalry

rm:m MILITARY

MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES

NAPOLEON'S GUARD CAVALRY

83

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109

E\IIR BlXI L\RI

.\~GLS

\IcBRIDE

EDITOR: MARTIN WINDROW

r;mm I1llITAIlY

MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES

NAPOLEON'S GUARD CAVALRY Text by EMIR BUKHARI Colour plates by ANGUS McBRIDE

83

First published in Creal Britain in 197B by Osprey, an imprint of Reed Consumer Books Limited ~Iichelill House,81 Fulham Road, I.ondon SW3 6R B and Auckland, ~Iclbourne, Singapore and Toronto

r Copyright 1978 O:.prey Publishing Ltd Reprinted 19'31, 19'32. 19'33. 19'34, 19'35, 1986, 19'37. 1988, 19B9, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1991 All rights reserved. Apan from any fairdcaling for the purposc ofprivale study, rcscarch, criticism or rcview, as permitlcd undcr the Copyright Designs and Patents Act, IgBS, no part oflhis publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic. electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical, pholocopy ing, recording or olhcf\\ise, wilhout the prior permission of the copyright O\\ller. Enquirio should be addressed to the Publishers.

Filmsel by BAS Printers Limited, Over Wallop, Hampshire Printed in Hong Kong

The author would like to express his gratitude for lhe assistance rendered him by the following persons in thc preparation of this book: the members of staff of the Musce de l'Armee, I>aris, and the National Army Museum, London;Jean and M.le Baron dc Gcrlache de Come')'; ~hrtin Windrow and Gerry Embleton; and Sue Armitage. The author would also like 10 acknowledge the works ofComndt. Bucquoy and Lucien Rouuelot, in particular, ujX)n whose research this and all previous tides in the ~ries have depended.

:lY!P0leoJl's guard(i!valry

Dress and EquipDl.ent The habit .. In 1804 the grenadiers' habits required the changing of the bultons LO types bearing the Imperial eagle with their passing into the Imperial Guard. The garmelll was dark blue with like-

7lle :lief/V)' @valr)' THE GRENADIERS A CHEVAL Organisation 1799: Raised as a regiment of light horse on 1800:

180 5:

1811:

1812:

2

December. Became Grtnadiers Cheval in December and named the Grenadiers Cheval de fa

a

a

Garde des Consuls. Renamed the Grenadiers aCheval de la Garde Impmale on 18 May. Their strength was 1,018 troopers organised in four squadrons of two companies each. Squadron ofvililes added on 17 September, followed by a second squadron latcr in same year. ViLile squadrons disbanded and the regiment reorganised into five regular squadrons. Following disastrous Russian campaign, the number of grenadiers acheval recorded in February 1813 being only 127 all laid, the regiment was reduced to roursquadrOils.

181 3:

Further to the decree of I oJanuary, a fifth and later a sixth squadron of vilites was formed and designated as Young Guard. With the First ResLOration, the regimelll was disbanded :23 July and then lhe original four Old Guard squadrons were re-formed and redesignaled the Corps

ROJ'at des Cuirassiers de France. Resumed its Imperial lide on 8 April for lhe Hundred Days campaign, al a strength of 1,04:2 officers and men. Disbanded on :25 November.

Trooper's lIab~tacb~, Chasse..r. bed with a p:ai.
3

CII n.r in. full drell" IlIo3~l+ Reade" ..... melTed to the t t for details. The oorat.. wUform. was wo.... thJ'OU&bout the Empire P"iod would. be as farniliaJ. on the battlefi",1d as _ th.. parade J""lD"I. The saddle-doth a.ad portemanteau ..... darlt ve- ...... trim...eel in. .uro.... lace. (TOU....in.L Court...,. De Gerlaclle d .. Golnery CoUectio.)

coloured collar, scarlet cuflS (with white cuff flaps) and turnbacks, and white lapels. The turnbacks were originally simply foldi.-d back and stitched togcther but, after 1808, they were sewn back and butted·up; they were ornamented with aurore grenade devices mounted 011 white patches. The shoulders were originally augmented by aurore trefoil epaulettes but, around 1806, these were replaced by the aurore fringelcss epau)ette variety; both patterns were funher embellished by the addition of an aurore aiguilleue to the right shoulder. The buttons were copper. The surtout.' A single-breasted surtout was worn on all occasions savc flill dress in a bid to save weal' and tear 011 the hahit. Constructed of cheaper materials and with plain rounded cuffs of dark blue, it was otherwise identical to the habit. At the very

4

beginning of the Empire, it closed by means of seven copper buttons, but during 1808 this was augmented to ten. As of IBog, these surtouLJ were distributed solely to NCOs, and the troopers were issued an ho.hit de /Htile uniforme consisting ofa replica of the full-dres.s habit but with the plain dark blue cuffs of the surtoui. The epaulettcs and aiguillettes were identical to those described for the habit and were probably the self·same articles. The stahle jacket: Worn for all fatigues and offduty wear, this gannent was entirely dark blue and single-breasted, closing by means of nine copper buttons prior to IBog and eleven thereafter. Tlu hahit·vate.' With the First Rcstoration in 1814, the grrnadi"s, now cuirassitrs, were issued habit-wstesofcujrassitr pattern. They were dark blue with scarlet cuffs and shon turn backs; the cuff-flaps were white, the grenade ornaments of the turnbacks aurore, and the breast was embellished by a slim scarlet piping. The buttons were copper and bore the j/eur-de-iys. The complementary cuirasses and helmets were never received and the regiment was therefore obliged to pursue the Hundred Days campaign of 1815 dressed in this rathcr humble outfit. Epaulettes and aiguillcttcs remained the same as those worn on the old SlirtouLJ and habits. Deerskin breeches were worn in full dress and sheep's-hide pairs replaced them forall other duties. White duck·c1oth overalls, openjng laterally by means of sixteen bone buttons down each outer seam, protected the riding breeches on the march. As of 1813, grey cloth overalls were issued; the inside leg was reinforced by a double layer of the same grey cloth and the outer leg bore a patch of identical cloth to sustain the continual chafing of the sabrc and musket. For stable duty, overalls of rough, undyed cloth were adopted, whjcl\ opened laterally by means of eightcen bone buttons down each outer seam. Thegrrnadi"s at first carried the familiar cavalry cape, the manteau trois·quarLJ, cut of while thread mixed lightly with sky-blue. The collar was dark blue and the from opening and rear vcm were lined on both sides with scarlel serge. As of 1813, howevcr, thc grenadiers wcrc issued the manteaucapote, a sleeved greatcoat with short shoulder-cape attached. It was of the same colour as its predecessor but cmbellished with a strip ofdark blue lace

The grenadiers' fatigue-cap (bonnet de police) was about the shoulder-cape and all other exterior edges. Further ornamentation consisted of aurore cut of dark blue cloth with a 35mm wide strip of lace brandenbergs, complete with fringed tassel aurore lace about the turban, including the rear and 23mm in width, about the three uniform- vent, and aurore piping down the seams of thc pattern buttons of the shoulder-cape. The coat jlamme, which terminated in an aurore tassel. The prupl:r fa.:;tl:lll;U hy lIlcam uf ~jx dul!l-l;UVl:ICU fronL uf the Lurhau was oruamented by an aurorc buttons. wool grenade device. The grenadiers were shod in a choice of three The webbing included a cartridge-pouch and regulation issue boots: the totally smooth and crossbelt, a sword belt and bayonet-frog, a musket highly polished rigid, one-piece full-dress patlern; strap and swordknoL The black leather cartridgethe semi-rigid campaign boot with soft-leather pouch was embellished with a copper grenade b<xI.y and stiff knee-section; or the fully soft -leather device similar to that employed by the mounted two-section foot-duty and walking-aut-dress vari- carabinitrs of the Line prior to 1806; thereafter, a ety. Another pattern, non-regulation, frequently employed in walking-out dress was the calf-length Hungarian type which the grrnadiers purchased privately. Grmadiers' spurs were bronzed iron and fastened by means of black leather straps both above and below the fool. The grenadiers' prize headgear was the tall blaek bearskin, common to the foot grenaditrs of both the Line and Guard and the mounted Line carabiniers prior to 1812. In accordance with the An X regulations pertaining to this style of headgear they were sUPJX>sedly 318mm tall, but it seems likely that, in keeping with the mounted carabiniers of the Line, they would have but rarely been under 35 0mm . The crown was inset with a patch of scarlet cloth bisccted by two strips of aurore lace in the form of a cross. The head-dress was held in place by twin leather chinstraps reinforccd with copper scale, and ornamented by an au rare cord, tassel and raquette. This ornamental cord pre-dated the chinscales and initially served to keep the head-dress from loss at a time whcn the headgear was secured by a leather strap hooked beneath the wearer's queue. Finally, the scarlet plume was inserted in a socket hidden behind the tricolour cockade. The cockade was hemispherical and bore an Imperial eagle embroidered in yellow wool at its centre. Li"'utenant l;tandard.b<earf;r of CIuu.e..... in full dr""8fl, 1808. In walking-out dress, the grenadiers sported a The dr"'.... of office... was _ _ntially Iiimila.. to thai of the black bicorn chapeau complete with tricolour troop bV'" in quaHty and d",ta.it. Where the In>ope...·lac''', cord and braid was a ......re, the o81u...' was gotd; wbite fur cockade held in position by a loop of aurore lace replacitd the sboddy black fur trim. of the peli8fle; a firl", wbite phune ado...... the bea...kin. The additiow urip of lace in about a uniform bUlton, vertical aurore piping chevron about th", adl's of both dohnan and peli.."", p ..oclaims (although this disappeared POSt-J811) and scarlet the wearer'1Il rank, as do the personal touch... of decorative liab.... and leopardskin saddlf;-Cloth. The saddlf;-Clotb is wool pulls in the corners. This bicorn was also the fringf;« with da.... &r"""n doth and trUnm.f;« with lIold lac",_ Th", habitual headgear of the vtliles, who were not issued standard ill .. pidoN p ......""'tf;« to each of the cballlseu.. squadrons and carrif;« between 18o.t and 18111. (Benign.'. bearskins. Counesy De Ge.. lache de Golnery Collection)

5

Eagle and standard of the Clt4ueur8 « Cheval, 1813 14. Further to the decree of I July 181). the gwidoru of the separate chasseur squadrons were aboJis.bed and replaced by the above standard to be carried by the first squadron. The silk tricolor measures 55 x Sscm overall and is embdlisbed with gold lace, eDlbroidered hnperial motifs and fringe.

lozenge-shaped device bearing a crowned Imperial eagle motirwas adopted in its stead. The crossbelt was ofwide white buffand stitched along either side of its length; all fillings) from buckles to suspension rings, were of copper. The waistbelL, sword slings and bayonet-frog were the same variety issued the Empress's Dragoons and the Line carabiniers after 1809 (see Napoleon)s Cuirassiers and Carabiniers) P.27). The whole was of white buff with copper fittings, including the large square buckle at the waist which was emblazoned with a grenade device. The waistbelL and bayonet-frog were stitched along their entire exterior edges. The musket strap was of white buff, and the sword knot either white buff or lacquered deerskin. Although certain German engravings contemporary to the early Empire period illustrate the grtlladiers wi th a second crossbelt for the musket, this seems incompatible with its length. \Vhere cavalry are armed with carbines or musketoons, such a

6

The pole d blue and topped. by a gilded cagle, beneath which a tricolor scarf, embroidered in gold thread with hnperial DlOtifS and Dleasuring 16 X9:IC:Dl. i. tied with gold cord. The gold fringe of the scarris scm long. (Hilpert. Courtesy De Gerlacbe de Gom.ery CoUection)

crossbelL would serve to suspend the weapon at waist-height, ready for immediate use j the musket with which both the grenadiers and the dragoons of the Guard were armed was so long as to preclude such suspension, save perhaps when mounted, although its length would still prove cumbersome in this position. No trace of this crossbelt can be found in the inventories pertaining to this regiment and French contemporary prints, including the authorities Henschel and Lejeune) certainly do not represent it. It is nonetheless only with reluctance that one dismisses an eye-witness report, however unlikely. The grenadiers were initially armed with the old, straight -bladed Carde des Consuls sabre. The hilt was copper and the black leather scabbard encased in a three-section copper sheath. As of 1806, however, they were issued the familiar lightly curved grelladier a cheval pattern, with which the Empress's Drag. oons were also anned, with a blade ala A101llmOrency 97.5cm long and a copper hilt bearing a grenade

device and black leather scabbard sheathed in a protective layer of copper. This copper sheath was composed of three sections held together by the two copper bracelets. The centre section had a CUl-out through which the black leather of the scabbard was visible; this substantially reduced the strength of the whole and it was later deemed necessary to replace this large cut-out with two smaller ones in an effort to render the scabbard less flexible. The musket of the grenadiers iz cheval is open to some question: it is certain that they carried a pattern l44cm in overall length and with a l06cm barrel, issued in accordance with the First Consul's decree of 14 April 1803 (in which he specifies '... a fine musket model. the most attractive possible, of the same length as those issued dragoons, with bayonet, and which will permit fire from a depth of three ranks . . .'). The regimental magazine's inventories reveal 160 muskets in September of 1803 but 150 muskets and bayonets in 1804, and the official inventory of muskets manufactured from the ler Vendimiairt An Xl through 1820 notes, in 18°7, I • • • 50 musketoons of grenadiers a cheval pattern'. It is therefore possible that the grmadiers received some form of musketoon during the early years of a pattern and date of issue of which we are entirely ignorant: this would justify the German engravings' evidence of a musketoon crossbell (see above). Alternatively, the loss of ten muskets during 1803/4 may have been natural wastage and the (grenadier cheval pattern' muskeLOons described in the industrial manifests of 1807 destined for another unit. Thegrmadiers were also equipped with a brace of pistols of either All XI or All XIII model.

a

1808:

IBog: 1810: 1812:

regular squadrons numbered 476 men while that of velites counted 296 troopers, commanded by 60 officers in total. Presented by the Emperor to his wife and named the Regiment de Dragons de l'lmperatn·ce. Following the engagements of Eylau and Friedland the regiment was augmented by two squadrons, bringing the total of eH'ectives to 1,26g men. Service in Spain. Engaged at Essting and Wagram. Two squadrons returned to Spain. On I January, squadron of vi/iles disbanded. On 23January, a sixth squadron of 300 men formed and named the 2tmt Dragons de Jeulle Garde; disbanded later in the year and incorporated into existing squadrons. Service in Russia. Foughl at Bautzen, Wachau and Leipzig. Augmented 9 December by a regiment of eclaireurs. Defence of Champagne, engaged at Brienne, Champaubert, Montmirail, Chateau-Thierry, Vauchamps, Montereau, Rheims, Craonne, Arcis, Saint Dizier and Paris. Disbanded 3 April. Renamed the Corps Royal des Dragons de France, 12 May, under First Restoration. Resumed Imperial title as of 8 April and mustered 935 officers and men. Took pan at Ligny and Waterloo, losing a total of 300 men and 25 officers. Dissolved 16 December.

Dress and Equipment The habit: The full-dress tunic consisted of a dark green habit, with dark green collar, white lapels and cuff-slashes, and scarlet cuffs and turn backs. The skin was ornamented with pockets simulated by scarlet piping and the turnbacks bore aurore THE EMPRESS'S DRAGOONS grenade devices mounted on white linen patches. Organisation The bUIlons were copper. The shoulders each bore ,806: Created further to the Imperial decree of an aurore fringeiess epauleue, while the right 15 April from cavalry regiments of the shoulder also boasted an aurore aiguillene. Line (officers culled from the gmladim ii The surtout: This was a plainer and cheaper tunic cheval and the chasseurs ii cheval of the reserved for everyday wear. It was single-breasted, Guard) and comprised three squadrons, closing by means ofnine copper buuons, with green of which one was of velites. The two collar and cuffs. Its simulated pockets, turn backs

1!iec3r(edium @valry

7

discontinued and a grey linen type issued in their stead. For stable dress and general fatigues, rough, und)·ed overalls, opening laterally by means of eighteen bone bultons, were employed. Initially, the dragoons were issued the manteau trou-quarLJ, the large cavalry cape with short shoulder-cape of white cloth mixed with blue thread, lined at front and on either side of the rear vcnt in red and with a green collar. As of 18t3, they were equipped with the manteau-capote, a sleeved greatcoat wilh shoulder-cape, of the same colour as the cavalry cape. The short shoulder-cape was fastened by three butlons and these were equipped with aurore wool brandenbcrgs. Dragoons' boots were constructed of semi-soft black leather and were of the high riding-boot variety with knee-section. The spurs were detachable and made of blackened iron. In walking-oUl dress, calf-length boots of Hungarian pattern were adopted, although non-regulation issue. The dragoons' helmet was of the neo-Grecian Minerva style: the copper cap inclined to the rear while lhe copper-plated crcst swept forward. The black horsehair manc passed beneath the coppcrplaling and was gathered at the tip oflhe crest inlO a bulb from which the very tips of the hairs protruded in a fonn of aigrette; as the years passed, T ....... peter of the CJ...n_r,. CliI..-lia. _pair dru., ,8'3so the horsehair mane eme~ed from an increasAI~" we Inisln tnO.... ..-.lily ~ .. tnunpeta- i.u ingly low point at rear of the crest. The cap and _ p u p d.nu to adopt .. black bearskia aDd -....u., we c:aa ~ tlois fdlow irn.mediately prior 10 joi.a.iaA: t..ttl~ •• peak were enveloped in an imitation lcopardskin wlaidl polal_ woaid rftIIOVC ltd Ireal cape aDd roU it ewer Ioi. turban. JUSt forward of the copper chinscale fur ri&lu ....-Jder .... ali&bl profeetioft fro... ftls:~ W"-poIlL His white bearUin colpado has • scarlet Jfcmm4 with sold rose on the left of the helmet was a copper plume.......... "'Q: aDd .. crirn_ OVa" _ky-bl_ pJUDJ"'. 1'10" tnunpct corel .. lolel n:u..ed with .. I.hird of crirnso.. th~ HU holder into which the scarlet plume was inserted. bf'ftC:bu are .ky-blue wiLh mi...d I"0ld ..... crimson lace. ffi. The dragoons employed a plain black bicorn black boou are oraamented wicJo lold lace and fa,"," while the saddle-doth i.- trimmed with .W'o.... la.ce. Tb...... w ...... "iJE chapeau in walking-out dress, of the variety illusIUch trurnfH'1 ..... per lK(uadron, mounted on lreya, and \U1d"r Lhe command of. 'romp4t1e-naaj_ who fomted paM of th.. trated in Napoleon'S Dragoons and Lancers, p. 30. Its Et.,.Majo.., (Touisaun. Coun...y ()., Gerlach.. d" Gomery sole ornamentation consistcd ofa tricolour cockade CoU«tio.) held in place by a loop of allrore lace auachcd to a and cpaulcnes were identical to the habit. Around copper button of the same patlem as those utilised 1809, it was replaced by an habit de petitt unifomu, on the unifo·nn. sometimes also called a surtout, which was identical The bonnet de police was dark green with aurore LO the full-dress habit but manufactured from piping on the seam lines of the jianlRle and aurore cheaper materials and with the plain, round cuflSof lace about the turban. The front was embellished with an embroidered aurore grenade device. the old surkJulJ. TJu stabkjacket: The gild d'icum was plain dark Towards the end of the Empire, it would seem that green with copper buttons. an additional slrip of white piping was added to the The hide riding breeches were reserved for full oULSidc edge of the turban. Dragoons' webbing comprised a black leather dress and replaced for the march with overalls of whitc duck cloth. Around lSI I, these overalls werc cartridge-pouch and white buff crossbclt; a white

8

buffswordbelt, bayonet-frog and slings; and white buff musket strap and sword knot. The cartridgepouch bore a copper, lozenge-shaped device stampcd with a shield bearing an Imperial eagle surmounted by the Imperial crown. The crossbelt was stitched along its sides, in the usual Guard cavalry manner, and had copper fittings. The sword belt was designed for use either about the waist or slung over the right shoulder. It was constructed of three separate sections linked by copper rings to which the scabbard slings of the sabre attached. The bayonet-frog was stitched behind the first of these rings. The square copper buckle was stampL--d with the same device as the cartridge-pouch. although a simpler version, bearing solely an Imperial cagle, was also in service. Further to instructions from the COT/seit d'Administration dated 1 December [812 that ' ... it is deemed necessary that each NCO and trooper have the lock of his musket sheathed in a leather cover ...' an order for 1,000 black leather cases was placed with the master-saddler for issue to the dragoons. Thc dragoons' sabre was of the same pattern issued to the grenadiers acheval with a lightly curved • lHonlmorency bladc mountcd III a grenadeornamenled hill. The scabbard was black leather covered by a brass envelope composed of three sections joined by copper bracelets to which the sword slings aUached. The sabre had an overall length of [. 15m. -"",j~':""1.:. Dragoons were issued the [777 model dragoon -~ musket, as modified in An IX and An XI. ManufacChIU6e.... on piquet e5COrt duty, foul weather kit, .806-07. tured to a total of450,000, its characteristics wcre as Although, further to the orden dated 11 October 180]., on .".cort duty with the Emperor were required to follows: length, [41. 7cm; wcight, 4.275kg; calibre, cloaSlOf:UN; wear the peHsse and yellow hide riding breechn in order that 17.5mm. They were further equipped with either the Emperor's pany mighl he ..-.d.iJy discernihle at all tim.n, the rigours of the 1805 campaign were such that the pelilHI the An IX or An XIII model pistols. The An IX badly needed attention. The 001'1 of this garment, however, al 5~ for the troops and no le511 than •• 2.SOF for NCOs. was such cavalry pauern pistol replaced the 1766 mood thal it waljl deemed necesnry to conduct the can>paignli of 1806 which was manufactured and issued until as late as and lao, in the lurbit, normally rnerved for No.2 drnl'. Chasfturs on escort duty were further required never to wear 1802; it had the following characteristics: length, their cal"'" or grealcoatli, 1", il conc:eal their identily, and 33cm; weight, 1.3kg; calibre, q.lmm. A total of were therefore obliged to ulOf: only the detachable shoulde.... cape in inclement weather. This trooper is so attired and we 33,000 was manufactured. The An XIII model was can go 1'0 far as 10 tis the time of day as be,w_n 6pm and bam, only between those hour5 were the elilcort c:haslieu... inspired by the 1786 marine pattern pistol and was since permitted 10 luck the jI,,1t11?14. of their colpaclts within the a simplified version of the An IX pattern with the headgear and put on the protective black top (described in the text). (Benigni. Courtesy Dc: Gerlache de Gomery CoUeetion) following specifications: length, 35cm; weight, 1.23kg; calibre, 17.lmm. Both patterns are illustrated in Napoleon's Cuirassiers and Carabiniers, p. 20.

-

9

'lfte £igltt @volr)' THE CHASSEURS A CHEVAL Organisation 17g6: A mixed corps created by Ceneral Bon· apartc from various units, including the old Compagnie de Guides Ii Pid tile Armet

or

l)gB: 1800:

des Alpes, and named the Guides de [,Annie d'flalie. Renamed the Guides de l'Annie d'Orienl. Became the Chasseurs aCheval de ia Garde des Consuls, 13 January. Comprised of onc squadron of two companies, 8 Septem-

IBell:

be,. Augmented 10 two squadrons OflWO companies each, 6 August. Designated a regiment on 14 November.

1802: ,804: 1805: 1806:

180g:

,812:

1813:

1814:

10

Raised to a total of four squadrons on I October. Became the OIQSSeMS a Glltllal de fa Garde Imperiale on 18 May. A squadron of four companies of vililts added, 17 September. VeNus formed into a second squadron, 15 April. December, l'eWes reduced 10 a single squadron of two companies.

-'

.. r

j

.

-

__

~~._._-~­

-

Regiment augmented to a total of five CA..,_.. ... ea.m.paip dres., ,8.2. 'I1oe .bo...e ...uconn .. squadrons of chassrors and the vilius Iutown to have bc!nI WOrD withou. esceptioD thro
A detachment in Spain: Elione. \\lith the Grall& An"ee at Malojaroslawetz. With the Grantk Armel! at Reichenbach. Dresden, Leipzig. Weimar and Hanau. Chateau·Thierry. CraQlme and Valcourt. Courtrai and Waterloo.

181 1-1812: 1812: 1813: 1814: 181.):

Dress and EquipDl.ent

The dolman was cut of green cloth, with green collar, scarlet cuffs and aurore lace and braid. It closed by means of eighteen hemispherical copper buttons acting as toggles for the eighteen loops of corresponding brajd. The bultons of this central row were larger than those disposed along the four other rows down the breast. The pelisse was cut of scarlet cloth, the garment was lined in white flannel and trimmed in frizzy black fur. Lace and braid were identical to those of the dolman, as was the copper button arrangement. The collar boaswd an aurore lanyard or loop and toggle by means of which the garment was suspended from the shoulder. When worn normally. only the top four buttons could be closed. the jacket falling open thereafter; the loops of the remaining bUllons were considerably shorter and purel) decorative. The hab;1 was a throwback to the old Guida days, but was retained and worn throughout the Empire period. Cut of green cloth, it had green collar and cuffs, lapels and tumbacks, all piped in scarlet. The tum backs borc aurore hunting·horn dcvices mounted on a scarlet patch. The left shoulder carried an aurore aiguillette terminating in two brass needles, while the right had a simple aurore trefoil epauletle mounted on green cloth. The hemispherical bultons were copper. The stable jacket was cut cmircly of green cloth, double-breasted, with twin rows of ten copper buttons. Two patterns of Hungarian breeches were worn. the one of yellow deerskin and the other of green cloth, both of identical cut, very tight-fitting and ending at mid-calf. The fanner variety were worn for full dress while the lattCT were reserved for NO.2 dress. Those of green cloth were omamemed along the outer scams by a band of aurore wool lace which also served as decoration for the front flap, describing Hungarian knots.

On the march generally and when on campaign, the chasseurs adopted overalls of varying patterns to save these breeches from wear and tear. In the early years green ovcralls wcre commonly employed; reinforced with black leather, with a scarlet band of lace down the outer seams, they opened laterally b) means ofeighteen copper buttons. As of 1808. these were adapted to similar pairs with lace of aurore wool the length of the outer seams. Around 181 I a new variet) appeared; no longer reinforced with

om..... orLtoe cJo.••~....... Clte.,.l in .....rehi.nc orel...... 812-'f-

0 0 _ 0 " wiLto Lto~ nurJr. a.ad 61e. offi",,", dilJC&l'dNl pelisses LtoroUpoul Lto~ aunpaisoos of .8.~ 'f. Ia Ltoe usual onanner for ca.mpaip draos,l.hd colpado i. withoul Lto~ deco...Live ptu.me and cordJI aDd taJlHh., aDd Ltoe~_-. i....doNl_way wilhUr Ltoe beadCeA'". Hi. es-pensive &rea> Morocca_In.Lto.... crossbdt is protectNl by _ cover of<:rinuo.. In.Ltoer, likewise Ltoe costly c:ar1ridse-pouch.. or COIUIid~ble Lal"""l .re ILis ov~ of cb.... I"'ftl rei.aforced a~11 the adf of l.he trouser-les wiLto black IsLtoer, _ ...lbn- ..-roe .~bt, doubtle.. wiLto a double LiUckaes. of C.--..o doth .boul Ltoe inAoie les, aDd the m,;le .nip of cold lace down Ltoe ouler -..n. Tbe saddJe-cloth a..d pon.,......lsll are dark 1"-" aDd uinunNl wiLto scarlft pipiatl; aDd ,oLd la«. (8eOI.ipi. eo..nesy De Gerlache de eo-ery CoUectioa)

Ia

II

Superior officer of the Polish Lancers in special full dress and tnunpeter in full dress, 1809. The ntentoirs ofJoseph Zaluski, a fonner officer of the regiJnent, reveal that '. . . At the beginning, when the volunteers had a greater taste for costume than war, we adopted two colours for the unifonn: that for full dress was white while that for service dress was dark hlue.' The full-dress uniform was therefore envisaged as COntprising white kurtka and cri.tDson trousers. That this applied only to the officers is borne out by a note front Major Dautancourt to Cluj tf'Escrulron Kozietulski dated 21 Decentber 1811 which specifies that cri.tDson trou~rs we~ to be worn by all officers. This illustration is based. on a sketch by Pierre Hess 6eeuted in 1813 during the great parade of the Guard in Dresden. The individual officer is either the Colcnul or the ColO'lUf..Major as only these two officers wore twin fringed epaulettes. The tnunpeters' unifonn, according to Zaluski, was originally entirely CrimoSOD with white facings and lace of zn.i..:.:ed silver and crimoson thI"ead. This gave way, c. lBo9t to that illustrated, COntprising white kurtka faced in cri.tDson., with crU:nSOD trousers laced in while. The lace, epaulettes, aiguillettes and piping were zn.i..:.:ed silver and cri.tDson. Note that the tnu:npeters' webbing was covered in CrUnSOD cloth and tri.m..med in silver lace, and that his czapska was covered in white cloth with cri.tDson piping. (Gem.barzewski. Courtesy De Gerlache de Gomery Collection)

12

leather and devoid oflateral buttons, they boasted a double thickness or green cloth on the inside leg and a double band of aurore lace down the outer seams. As of late 1813, a new pattern cut of grey cloth appeared, reinforced with either black or fawn leather on the inner leg and with twin strips of scarlet lace along the outer seams. The First Restoration saw the chasseuTs issued green overalls, reinrorced in black leather with a single band or scarlet lace down the outer leg. Fatigue overalls were or undyed cloth, and closed by means or eighteen bone buttons down each leg. Initially, the chasseuTs wore a voluminous cape with short shoulder-cape, both orgreen cloth. As or 1802, however, their kit was augmented by a longer, detachable shoulder-cape ror use over the cape when on the march, and without the cape beneath in two instances: when on foot duty (e.g. guard duty), and for those occasions when the chasseuTs were acting as escort piquets to the Emperor, for which duty the use of capes was strictly rorbidden. As or 1810, a green, sleeved manteau-capote (a greatcoat with short shouldercape) was issued. The barrel-sash comprised threads orgreen wool held together by scarlet barrels. I t was passed three times about the waist then tied by means of a loop and toggle orscarlet cord; the ends or the doubledover cord were slung round to the front of the girdle where they were threaded through the belr proper, knotted, then left to swing free, ending in tassels of scarlet with green fringe. ChasseuTs wore Hungarian-pattern boots of black leather. The heart-shaped top edge was bordered with aurore lace and had a similarly coloured tassel. The spurs, screwed to the heel or the boot, were initially of bronzed iron, but these were replaced as or 1806 with copper-tipped versions owing to the high cost or the bronzed originals. The chasseurs were at first issued a fur-covered shako or the same style as that illustrated previously ror the ond Hussars (see Napoleon's Hussars). Thereafter, the classic black colpack was worn: issued from 18°3, it comprised a rigid leather frame covered in bearskin, 25cm tall at front, '27.7cm at rear and 25cm in diameter at top j a scarletj/amme piped and tasselled in aurore fell from its top, though this was LUcked in and covered with a waxed, black circular cover when on campaign

(this rigid cover was attached by means of eight hooks which corresponded to eyes let into the top of the headgear). A green-tipped scarlet plume, about the base ofwhich was festooned a set ofshort aurore cords and tassels, was inserted above the hemispherical cockade; on the march it would be sheathed in a black) waxed-cloth cover. There was also a pair of leather, copper-scaled chinscales, which might be either tied beneath the wearer's chin or hooked to the back of the headgear by means of a small black leather strap and button. For off-duty or walking-out dress, chasseurs would favour a black, goat's-hair-bordered felt bicome chapeau, dating back to Guides days and previously worn for all dress. The cockade loop, corner tassels and slim (from 3 to 5mm) vertical slashes were aurorc. The dark green bonnet de polite was lavishly ornamented with aurore wool lace, scarlet piping and an aurore hunting-horn device. The longjfamme was piped aurorc and terminated in an aurore tassel.

ChasseuTs' webbing included a plain black leather cartridge-pouch, cartridge-pouch and muskcloon crossbells, chasseur-style sword belt and swordknol. The plain, black leather cartridge-pouch, gradually replaced pOSl-180g by a somewhat smaller version bearing a copper Imperial eagle device, was suspended from a white buffleather crossbelt which bore copper buckles and rivets. It was worn beneath a slightly wider musketoon crossbelt, of identical construction, to which it was secured by a spherical copper button. As with all Guard unit webbing, both crossbelts were of finer manufacture than that issued to the Line, significantly so in the finish of the buckles and all metal parts, and embellished with a clearly distinguishable line of stitching along their edges. The sword bcl t was also ofwhite buff leather with t\vin sword slings and three slings to which the sabretache was attached. The materials and fittings were identical to those employed on the crossbelts. With the introduction of bayonets for their musketoons, the chasseurs were supplied separately wllh bayonet-frogs which were to be stitched immediately behind the first sword-suspension ring. The swordknoLS were inilially made of either while buff leather or lacquered deerskin. Later, these were replaced with varieties constructed of white wool, wilh white lace tassel.

I'

I

I I

\

\ t 'I

Kettledru.m.m.er of the Polish Lan«rs, 1811-14:' One of ten musicians under the COJDJD.&Dd of a mlJ,.iclud-de•.logi. recorded by Major Dautancourt as having cost the officers of the r~eJIt 1I,67s.&zF in pay, instrwneJIts and dress. II seems likely that the musicia.n.s wen none other than the trumpeters dressed incognito for the sake of splendid appearance on important occasions. This is borne out by the fact that musicians do not feature on the muster-rolls of the r~eJIt, although this could mean they were simply hired perConnance by perConnance. Of interest, and in slight support of the fonner theory, is the revelation that a deserter trwnpeter apprehended by Dautancourt was recorded by him as having made oft' with, among other valuable property of the Empire, a t.rombone. (Gembarzewski. Courtesy De Gerlache de Gomery Collection)

13

Chasseurs were armed with a carbine and a bract: of pistols. Originally either a sawn-olf musket or musketooll of foreign manufacture, the chasseurr carbine became the 1786 hussar pattern musketoon as of t803 (see Napoleon's Line Chassturs, p. 35). The bayonet was that employed with the An IX model musketoon, with a blade 48.7cm long. The scabbard was brown leather. As was the lot ofall French cavalry, the chasJturs \,'ere issued pistols of highly diverse patterns and quality, many offoreign origin and with varying calibres. From the end of the Consulate through to that ofthe Empire, these were slowly replaced by the An IX and An XIII models as illustrated in .Napoleon's Cuirassiers and Carabiniers, p. 20,. THE

'7 ft., VHLl'l .....

Trooper aDd trumpeter of the Polillh Laa«n ... rna.rchin~ ord_•• BalL The l.uo~ ..... alm __ ia... riably rq>~led in their I".rtk.u with plume. 8yin.& uuI epaulett" SI_m.i.Il«; i.a ..-lity thqo lip"'DI • &00<1 t.bre-e-q_rt"n of I-heir tUne dad .. sbowu abave. TIti. illustratioD i.......,.1 on worm.ation eo.u.med in l-h.e .. rchi,," of the Mi.nilitry of War and the eorrnpoodn>ce ofDauta.ncou", .... d .... presents their drftlli on the march from Cluuotilly to Spain in 1808. Th'"'Y both wear the zite. tl'ee.. .-u ....d cIiff" 1 paneraa of ov"ralI., on the 1",(1, the troop"''' wean what probably hill ..table overalb; OD the risht,lhe U"UInp"'ter we grey overall.., r•• leoo:d by eighteen pewter bun.... n>ounled on .. enn...on linip of lace. with ftapped hip-poc:ket.ll bearing three pewuer bUllnnli apiece ....d cnmlfOD pipiall' Note that their crllpak_ a .... "ncased in black

oillikin

d thaI the ..ddle-c1ot.h b•• been folded up under the

portern

leau 10 provide llt)me prOIec:LiOD 10 the while wool

Imperial eagle device embroidered thereon. The trumpel-eord i8 .fmised ailver and erimwon thread. (Van Huen. Courtesy De Gerlache de GoRlery Collection)

Chasseuf$ employed a light cavalry pattern sabre specifically designed for the Guard and issued from September 1803. The scabbard was black leather, enveloped by a copper sheath of three sections. The centre section was initially composed of two riveted sheets of copper, but these were later replaced by a single sheet with hol!owed.-out centre (through which the black leather of the scabbard proper was visible) and welded to the end sections beneath the copper bracelets to which the slings attached.

14

~IA~IELUKES

Organisation t 799: General Kleber created a mounted company of Syrian janissarics from Turks who took part in the siege of Acre, 25 September. 1800: Augmented by ~Iamelukcs and fonned into three companies of 100 men apiece, 7 july. Renamed the .\Iamlomks [sic] de La Rtpublique, 26 October. 1801: Decree of 13 October orders a single squadron of250 men to be formed. 1802: Previous decree annulled and a squadron of 150 ordered instead, 7january. List of cflectives dated 21 April reveals 13 officers and 155 men. 18°3: Decree of 25 December orders the Marne· lukes to form a single company attachcd to the dlasseurs cheval of the Guard. Organisation to comprisc: 1 capitai"e-cQmmmuJallf, Frcnch; I odjutollfsous-lieulenanl, French; I chiruTgien-major, French; I veterinary surgeon, French; I master-saddler, French; I master-tailor, French; 1 master-cobbler, French; I master-armourer, french; 2 capitaines, Mamclukcs; 2 litult1lonts, Mame1ukcs; 2 sous-lieutenanls, Mamc1ukcs; I mOTtchaIdes-Iogis-€hef, French; 8 mortcnaux-desLogis, of which IWO French; 1 Jourrier, French; 10 brigadiers, of which two French; 2 trumpeters; 2 martcnaux-

a

jmanls; 85 Mamclukes

1806:

1813:

1814:

a total of 9 officers and 114 men. Decree of 15 April re~establishes totals as 13 officers and 147 men, including a portettendard, four porte-queutS, a brigadier· trompetit and four French brigadiers. Squadron augmented to 250 men, 29 January. On 6 March, unit becomes tenth squadron of the d1asuurs Ii (Ju,:alof the Guard. Decree of 17 ~Iarch estab~ Iishes second company as belonging to the Young Guard. Young Guard company detached to the Amltt du Nord.

Trooper and ofticu of the Polish Lan"",,,, in ca.n.paiA"D drfllil, .llog-.4' Thi. illuiltratiOD 5erYK to convey the tar fro... all...boyant r ....lity 1Hchind the glittering full dre..... The trooper'. c"pe i. white with crim..on collar .. nd il ot the ......., ...... lroi.-q.... rt. variety. Th.. officer'. i. dark blue with crim..on collar and i. the m .... t".. u...,..pol.. patte..... Note that the lance pennant wail covered wben not in u-.e. (Getnba.... ",",wald. Court.,.y De Gerlache de Gomery Collection)

1814:

With the First Restoration, the company of ,\oJamelukes of the Old Guard were incorporated in the Corps Royal des Chassturs de France (bar seven men who followed Napoleon to Elba); the company ofMamclukcsofthe YoungCuard were incorporated in the 7mlt Chasswrs Ii Clrtml.

At this date, only some eighteen men could be counted true ~1amelukes; these retired to the port of Marseilles where they were massacred by the populace. Despite the Imperial decree Of21 March 1815, in which it is stated that no foreigners could be admitted into the Guard, Napoleon's decree of 24 April prescribed, inter alia, that the chasseurs of the Guard were to comprise a squadron of two companies of Mamelukes for the Belgian cam· paign. This is confirmed by the known fact that somc nincty-four men who did not scrve undcr the First Restoration re-cnlisted for the Hundred Days campaign. No casualties havc been recorded, however. Certain Mamelukes who attaincd officer class continued to servc France after the final abdication and the four remaining in 1830 arc known to ha\'e accompanied ~Iarshal Clauzel as intcrpreters for his Algerian campaign. Of the 583 men who passed through the musterbooks over the fifteen~year perioo, 20g were coloured as against 374 Frenchmen. From 180g through 1812, threc-quarters of the effectives were coloured, but thereafter only about a third were so. Dress and Equipment The MameJukes were originally clad in an orielllal costume of Syrian and Turkish Mameluke pattern and they retained this methoo ofdress aftcr passing inlo French scrvice. The costume comprised: a canouk head-dress, in principal of green further to the 7 January 1802 decree (which sought to demonstrate in this manner lhe new-found loyalty of these Moslems to France), surrounded by a turban; a sleeved chemise ornamented with lace and piping; an Arab sash; charoual-style trousers and boots of either yellow, red or fawn leather. The weaponry was prescribed by the Consular decree of f I Gtrminal An X (I April 180'2) and included: a carbine; a blunderbuss; a pair of pistols

15

, \

Office... of th.. Polillh Lance

ia WMlrn;• ....uonns, 1808 14.

F ron> Idt 10 risbt' ..... offic m ba.ll dress coouou.e.;..s or whit.. Iuobil raced ia Crirnsoll with .ih.·.... mce, ....mte -mcoat tri .......ed i.a .iJ~·er lace "ad bnUd, white c...lu..ir -...k"",breecb..... sill< .todtiaS. and black Pc.... with .i1v.... butto..,.; an officer i.a barrack. orde.. compri.mS criJn...... f"tipe-cap with black fu .. ll,."ban, a da..k bh... .....'ooot t..mc with crimson pipiaS and .i1v.. r-plated bUllons, and da..k blu.. lreu",... with

twin lItriPIi of c..i.mson 1acel and finally, an office.. i.a walkiagoul dress of black f..1t cluo~,..., da..k blu.......,0.. ' with crimson colla.. "ad cull's trim.med in .ilv.... lace, plaia whit.. wai.U,oal with silv.. r-plated bullO... and Whil.. collon-...k...... breecb.,. and .todtialfl. Note that th.. olli~ at ...do .KI ...... anneel with a cilt-lUlted i,.u i.a liev. orthe auaberso..... Abre. (Gembarze-.ki. Court.,.y De Ge.. lado.. d .. Gom..ry COUeCtiOn.)

mace; a lance (for a lancer company which was in fact never formed). In reality, the blunderbuss was carried and only later replaced with a musketoon. The (Wo pistols were generally both carried in the sash and the saddle-holsters concealed a second pail'". Finall), a short hand·a.'<e often replaced the mace. From 1805 through 1813, the cahouk hcad-dress was cither red or crimson with white turban. Its omamenlS are open to certain speculation. AI· though the Wurtz Collection indicates only a centrally placed cockade, othcr authorities show a

(one of which was to be carried in the sash); a .\1011Ululct sabre (a Turkish scimitar with a curved

blade 77.2cm long, wooden grip and oriental-style brass quillon; a black leather scabbard with brass fittings); a dagger (\\'ith 35.5clll blade and wooden hilt, ivory for officers; the sheath was brass); a TrJM'r, m •• trr-e....funt... and NCO ..(the Poli". Lance .... in .....dre.. ...uronns., 1808 14. The tl"OOpe.. i. in stable drKIf of de 1'O'icll:, with dark bl.."'ftam ..... piped in crim.lIOn and

00,,_'

crim._n "a..baa laced Ut silver. c..he eutirdy dark blue Kikt

4'ictlrU with pe-wtrr b .. II01lJ1 ....d the _dyed, boae-bulumed stable ov,,~. TIoO! rn.Jrt"r-crafunn.... ill CUlt",. m.if;ln be tailor, aaddler or ......o""'r aad is in rodl dark blu," ubit wilt. c...un- collar and cuff's, aU (aciD._ lrUn.med i.a ailver la«, ....d epauleue aDd aipillectft of mixed cri.m_ and ailver th",ad; the dark blu.. wai.l<:o_' i. ",rnbelli.bO!d with ailver lace and braid of rni>led .ilver and crim_... Hi. b.--cbea a", dllrk blu......d lac:M down the outer leg and on the front fbp m th., form ofllungarian Ionot., thilll"ce i. the ."me as that .bo.. t the top edge of hi. Hunpria.> boot......d i. of mUted .i1ve.. and crimson th.....d.. 110e ...."I. of hi. boollllUld .wo...u....o, ....., also of mUted thrad. Hi. cluo~... c:arri.,. a whit., ph....". Th.. fip....... th" riYat Ut NCO ia d.arlr. b1..e ov.. rcoat with crim_ pipu.s .......i1" la~ He wears th.. ~ .. da.... bl.... breecb.,. with crimsoa lace ...... the _ .. • lyl., fat;pe-cap a. the trooper. (Gemban:e-llki. Court.,.y De Ge..lach.. d .. GolD""" CoUec:tiOIl)

drq., ..

16

brass crescent moon surmounted by a brass star; this star is represented as having cithcr five or six points (in which lalter case it resembles the Seal of Solomon star commonly borne by Moslem troops); on the other hand, Vanson opts for cockade and star and crescent device. The headgear bore a black aigrette, sometimes gathered into a bulb at the base and in other cases sprouting from amidst a second, shorter and fatter black aigrette. Thejerkin became worn closed with the sash tied on tOp of it. The variously coloured chemise developed a tall European·st),le closed collar and, in the case of NCOs, carried French-pattern rank distinctions in the form ofeither chevrons or stripes, dependcnt on the sryle ofcuff. The cartridge-pouch and crossbch were constructed of either red or green Moroccan leather; the Turkish-style sabre cord was usually red and the Mamel11kes acquired a rcd swordknoL In the course of thc campaigns, however, Frcnch-pattern cartridge-pouches, crossbelts and sword belts were frequently adoptcd. After 1813, the inAux of French nationals inro the regimenr necessirated the creation of a French. style unifonn to be worn in conjunction with the orienral dress. The Tarij des malibes employees Q la conjution drs tfftls d'habillemnl/, d'equipnnnl/, tic., Q joumir Qchaqut Mamtlu! hm dt son admission au corps

T.-ooptr or the Dutch t.a.cen ... m.arc:b.i.a& order, ," 1 12. 'I1oitI fipre ~ ... Iypieal onarchi.a.& order, with Q ua,..lc. cov.. red ... black oildotA, hi.lcwr11uo butumed over to proleet the dark hili" &cift,s., and o""ran. ...·er Q Karl"- breodoH. Tb.. ov~ are the wtdy.... dodo II...hI" p-u~ wtUch iadicates that .. ~ eith"r.-priDe or .wn.ner ....ce beooviu ""rietin ...,"", tmploy poor eathu. The lIaddJe-cIot..Io ~ dark b1l1e aad trin>med y"Uo lace or "_ difI'"r.,... width.; DOl" d .... th" bOllom co"""r """'"' IlIcked "p. Th" pon"ma"lea" i. Karl... with yeUo lace ...d pip"'S' (R......"lot.. eoun"y De G--lacb" d" Com,,1"}' Collection)

gives details of both the new oriental and French unifonns. Those already in. the ranks were only issued these new effects as and when their old gear was lost or worn out. The list includes: On'nllal dress: A cloth yaluk (the chemise) of variable colour, with spherical buttons and wool lace (mixed wool and gold for trumpeters and NCOs); a cloth jerkin of scarlet with spherical J t is uncertain but probably unlikely that the buttons and wool lace (wool and gold for trum- French dress was worn on campaign. Instead, both peters and NeOs); amaranth charoual·style tmuscrs Frenchmen and Mamelukes probably wore orienwith wool lace (wool and gold for trumpeters and tal dress but with items of equipment borrowed NCO,). from the French style. Where this 'borrowing' Frtnch drtss: An indigo habit with crimson piping included webbing, it might equally have been of and lace (NeOs to wear an indigo pclisse wirh gold either white buff or black leather. lace and braid and black fur rrim); a scarlet, double· breasted waistcoat; indigo breeches of THE GARDES D'HONNEUR Hungarian cur; indigo overalls, reinforced with black leather and decorated with crimson lace; an Returning from the disastmus Russian campaign, indigo bonntl dt poliu with crimson jiammt and the Emperor set about raising a new Grandt Annit yellow piping, lace and tassel; an indigo stable 011 an empt)' public purse. One of the most jacket and grey stable o\"eralls; a grey cloth expensive items was cavalry and he therefore conceived of raising a force of 10,000 horse at no manttau·capott. \7

expense. He would canvass the nobles and the rich bourgeois to fonn the Gord~ d'Honnmr, an elite cavalry regimem which would furnish him a personal guard of honour; they would be paid the same as thecnasstUrs Ii chtt'ol and be assured the rank of sous-lieutmont after twelve months' service-in relUrn they would mount, dress and equip themselves at personal expense. One way or another this was achieved and the 1st Regiment was raised at Versaillcs, the 2nd at Metz,

TrOOp"'r of tlte Dulch Lane.." ia marching order, 181~-1", He wears tlt......,.,6... ~.poI6 rrealcoa1 CUI ot a.ky-btue clotlt witlt Kart... coUar. The body of tlt.. _ I t.JiI-m by on.....11 ot aU: ~""rM bullOlUi whil.. tlte abo'" ahouJde.--P'" bon' tltree Urnilar bull_a tor tlte ..... e ~ . The u..ide 1"'511 ot tlt.. lleavy dark lit OVU1l1lIl.n' reiaforced witlt black lealher and acari... lace o eatll tlte oUler seanu. Ualik.. tltm Britid> cowuerparu, ~ Fn'Ddo C&...u.ry oaly rdy walked tltftr onou.ola, ulluaUy oaJy wilen aleep y-ad-i t11 coonpdled tlt...... pnor.. rrias: 10 n'on.a.ia ia tlte Noddle tor tlte d tio.. of tlte m.rch. The U.uaIl1,,-t..... WIlli tlta1 tlte lIorsea walked for tlte 6nt lIo..r after which. len m..iaul" Ioa.ll WIlli called, during which tint.. th" harnessing _ • •djusled and Ih.. pack equipmenl redill1ribule
18

the 3rd at Tours and the 4th at Lyon. They included Frenchmen, Dutchmen, Italians and Belgians. These last were the most numerous and totalled twenly·fh·e per cent of the tSt and 2nd Regiments. Unfonunately, the Gord~ d'Honnmr were badly received by the Old Guard, comaining as they did green volullleers whose experience did not merit their Guard status, replacemenlS for noblcs' sons unwilling to join up (this despite a law specifically drawn up to suppress the practice), plain conscriplS paid for with a tax specially levied on childless families. ncar-mutinous Italians and Dutchmen, and hostile noblemen and pampered bourgeois. They were therefore in the Guard but not cifit. Dcsertions were so rife thaI a spcciallaw had to b!,,= passed on 7 December 1813 La stem the tide of homeward-bound DUlchmen. Mutiny was not unheard of, and the worst case was doubtless that at Tours which, though suppressed at the outset, culminated in an attempt on the life of Ginbol de Brigade the Comte de Segur, the commanding officer of the 3rd Regiment. Once the campaign was under way, however, they acquitted themselves well.

Organisation 1813: By 13 September, 1,000 men of the four regimenlS had been gathered in the vicinity of Dresden. Fought at Leipzig and Hanau. 1814: The Gord~ were scattered all O\'er France's eastern border, largely bottled up in such towns as Mayence and Strasbourg. A division of them under General Count Defrance was raised at Rambervillicrs on 13 January, and these fought at Rheims. Another contingent, one hundred strong under General Vincent, fought at Donnans and Paris. With the abdication of the Emperor, the regiment was disbanded 14-'22 July and most of the men were incorporated in the J\1aison du Roi of Louis X VI II. 1815: Only some eighty-seven men remained of Ihe original corps and these swore allegiance to Napoleon for the Hundred Days campaign.

Dress and Equipment The four regiments were distinguished from one another by the colour of their plumes: these were dark green with tips of red for the 1st Regiment, indigo for the 2nd, yellow for the 3rd and white for the 4th. Otherwise, they were dressed and equipped in basically the same manner. The pelisse was offamiliar hussar cut and made of dark green cloth, lined in white OanncJ and trimmed with black fur. The breast bore five rows of eighteen bUltons, between which were rows of white braid. The lace about the fur trim was white. The bUllons were pewter. The dolman was also of hussar pattern, cut of dark green cloth with scarlet facings. The breast was ornamented with five rows of eightccn pewter buttons and white braid and lace. The Garda d'lJonnnJr wore scarlet breeches of Hungarian cut. White lace embellished the outer seams and the front flap in the form of bastion loops, although some varieties bore Hungarian knots in white piping instead. These were generally replaced with riding overalls of dark green woollen cloth, with a strip of scarlet lace down the outer scams, on campaign. The troopers wore the sleeved manteau-capou with both greatcoat and shoulder-cape cut ofdark green cloth. The barrel-sash was constructed of crimson threads with white barrels, cords and tassels. The sabretache was of plain black leather ~aring a pewter Imperial eagle device and regimental number. The Cardes wore an IBIO-pattern shako, '220mm tall by '27omm in diameter. It was covered in scarlet cloth and had upper and lower bands of white. The cords and tassels were also white, and the shako plate and chinscales were of white metal. The Cardts d'Hormeur took it upon themselves to wear the cords and tassels in affected ways: normally hanging on the right, most wore them on the left, and at least the 3rd Regiment took to hanging both front and rear sets of cord at the front. An existing headgear, part of the Brunon Collection, is clearly the officers' pattern of 18IO-modd shako, with interlinking rings reinforcing the leather chinstrap and lion's-head roses, but it is uncertain whether this was worn out ofdandyism or necessity. Finally, the plumes, described above, had pompons of company colour at their base.

TrDOf>U' of the Dutch Lancen ... &.tipe o_ are lJ.o.e .--noed for the repmeluaJ depoe.. They w~ the tx.-, 4e ,.lke, the Kikt l i _.... of .ky-bl_ cloth with .-rIel collar, aDd oyH1l1ls. The left-batld 61P" repreHnts wiater Or fouJ wnwr
The webbing comprised a plain black leather cartridge-pouch and plain white buff cross~It, musketoon crossbelt, sword belt of light-cavalry pattern and sword knot. Their sabres were the An Xl light cavalry pattern with copper hilt, 84smm steel blade and iron scabbard. The Gardes d'Honneur were equipped with the An lX/XI1Jpatlern light cavalry l11usketoon.

19

'lIie aCight :J-iOrse I!!Jlters THE POLISH LANCERS Organisation 1807: Raised further to decree of 2 March as the Regimml de Cltevau-Ugm Polonats de ta Garde. Organised from Polish volunteers into four squadrons of twO companies apiece, 16 April.

18og:

1811: 1812:

1813:

18'4: 1815:

Officen oftb.. Dutch Lance", in undrl'li\I unifonns, .811. The left.hand figuroo is a C"pi'a',." Adj"t,mt.Major in casual morning dress. This coosists of the bo.. ,.et de police of id~tica1 pattern and colour to the troop"'rlO' but ernbdlished with gold lac,,; th", k ..,-tka, buttoned over, with his rani< indical.,d by aiguillettn on the left shoulder and" h-.vy gold bullion epauJene on Lbe right i and the ~Ilroffic"rs'pauern scarl", trousen with gold lace. The subaltern on the righl i" clad in the plain dark bl..," .."dingo'" popular among lancer offi«rs for fOOl duty. He wearS dark bl..," pdi,,, ten.." breecheo; with ...,....1,,1 lace. Note r.b" k .. rtkll-tillyl" cut of the top of th.,

0".,,,coa1, and his black webbing. (Benigni. Coul'1esy De Ce"lac.be de Gome.,.. Collection)

20

Became the Regiment de Cluvau-Ugers LOll· ciers Polouais de ia Garde, with the introd union of the lance following the battle of Wagram. Renamed the Ier Regimellt de Chevau·Ugers Lauciers de la Garde. Fifth squadron added to regiment. A second regiment, the 3eme Regiment de Chevau·Ugers Lanciers raised on SJuly. The remains of the second regiment disbanded 22 March and, I I April, sixth squadron added LO the 1st Regiment; first three squadrons designated Old Guard while remaining three categor. ised as Middle Guard. With the dissolution of the 3eme Regiment de Cluva/lUgers Lancias de ia Garde a seventh squadron was added to the regiment in July and designated Young Guard; composed of Poles and Lithuanians. On 9 December, regiment reduced to four squadrons and a regiment of et/aireurs· lanciers attached to the corps. A single squadron accompanies the Emperor in exile to Elba. The returned squadron in exile, along with Poles who bad remained in France, re·formed the regiment and fought at Ligny and Waterloo.

Dress and Equip:rnent The Polish lancers worc a kurtka of Turkish blue with crimson cuffs, collar, lapels, turn backs and piping. Although frequently misapplied to additional areas of the facing cloth, silver lace Ismm in width trimmed only the lapels except illlhe cases of officers, trumpeters and certain NCOs. The lapels were invariably crossed over towards the shoulder bearing Ihe aiguilleue when the Iroops were in any but full dress. This revealed the dark· blue ground colour oflhe lunic and left but a single slrip of crimson piping down the free edge of the lapels to ornamenllhe breast. The aiguilleucs were white and worn on the right shoulder until 180g when, with the introduction of the lance, they were transposed with the while wool fringed cpauletle of tbe left. The buttons were hemispherical and constructed of pewter. The giiet d'ewne was dark blue with sboulder-

straps. It was single-breasted, closing by means of nine pewter buttons, and had two bunons at each round cuff. The lancers' breeches were dark blue and resembled trousers of stovepipe cut. The outer seams were embellished with a slim strip ofcrimson piping with a strip of crimson lace either side. The lower leg was adjustable about the riding boot by means of five loops ofcrimson cord. For the march, lancers adopted overalls of dark blue, reinforced about the inner leg with black leather and opening laterally by means of eighteen pewter buttons mounted on a strip ofcrimson lace down each outer seam. A patch ofleather was frequently sewn to the right OUler thigh to protect the cloth from the chafing of the slung carbine. In stable dress, lancers employed the standard rough, undyed cloth overalls common to most of the French cavalry. The lancers at first utilised a plain white cape with crimson collar, the manitau trQis-quarts, devoid of both sleeves and short shoulder-cape. The adoption of the lance necessitated their exchange for the sleeved manuau-t:apolt, constructed of the same cloths and complete with shoulder-cape. The insides of both the front opening and real" vent were lined in crimson. The lancers wore a shan, anklelength, black leather boot. The Polish lancers wore a czapska covered in crimson cloth which varied but Iiltle in fonn during the course of the Empire. Although originally 22cm in 1808, iLS height was reduced to 20cm by the end of the era. While piping ornamented the crown, while a strip ofwhite lace covered the join between the top and the black leather cap iLSclf. The peak was black leather lined in green and trimmed in silver. The front of the headgear was emblazoned with a stamped rising-sun plate with brass rays and silver centre, bearing a brass Imperial 'N' cypher. The chinstrap roses were embossed lions' heads bearing hooks and were silver-plated. The chinstrap itself was leather, in a crimson cloth sheath with protective interlinking rings of silver. In full dress, the czapska would be embellished with white cords and tassels and a white plume 47cm tall. I .... marching order the cords, tassels and plume WOUIO... ~ packed in the portemallleau and the czapska enveloped in a cloth cover-usuaJly constructed of waxed black cloth or oilskin. The equipment comprised swordbch and slings,

..

0fIi_... or the Dutch Lance... ill ......."""• ....00......... 111. The lert-baDd 6p" i. clad ill walkinJ-out or ball cirft. eo..sJ..tin& or bladr; relt c"-/H.... wido while pl.....e aad sold on:>an>e,:ns; scarletfr_ IwtiC. with dark blae c:ufl's aad pipillsabooat the lapels attd coOar; p1aUJ D.an> w-.i"tc:c.lj while c:oI.loa breecbes and .IOC:kioSfJ, am:!. bladr; POK with Jilded buc:kles. The ri&btbam:! 6su.re i. ill iDf"orm.al dress .......rved ror quarters. II eo"'pri..... Polish bo....et, the c_J~dn.tk., or Karlet cloth with sold lace ...d pipillr;; • dark blue .NriOld twtic with scarlel collar, o:uft'l ...d pipillr; down the breast ...d .bout the turnb.ck,,; .. pl.in white w-.iucoat, ...d dark blue undrKl breeehes with Karlel lace. Note Ihe prererence ror black webbmg with thue breeMf:fi. Hi .. iiab" ill the office....• pattern or the AN XI lighl c.valry ",odel. (Rou..elol. Couru,.y De Gerl.cbe de Gomery Collection)

sword knot, cartridge-pouch and crossbelt, muskeloon crossbelt and sling, and muskcloon lockcover. The sword belt was ofwhite buffleather, with brass fittings and a large square brass buckle stamped with a crowned Imperial eagle device. The sword knot was either of white bulT' or lacquered deerskin. The cartridge·pouch was of highly polished black leather and bore a brass crowned Imperia. cagle device. It was suspended from a white buff crossbelt with brass buckle and 21

when the regiment was raised in Poland and these were replaced upon their arrival in France, in March i80g, by either the An XI light cavalry pattern sabre, with iron scabbard, or earlier patterns of hussar variety, with brass fittings and hilt. These 'hussar' style sabres might either have been the variety we associate with Line hussars or those with which the c!lasseurs Ii ellecal were issued. The weight of the An XI-pauern light cavalry sabre's iron scabbard was such as to provoke complaints LO the Ministry of War lhat copper- or brass-fitted scabbards were preferred. Tnunpet_b&tu>er oftbe Outd.. Lanc.. rs, 18.1. This rn..st..... tioa i. based on a pbotop-apla or existins tnod..1 edUbicO!d at tb.. Ka.zaB catJoedraJ i.8 St. P buFl. Ie IDeas,"," 40 x:JII'CID; ror colours, __ Pb.e.. E •. (Rou lot. Court_y Dc G..rlac:ht. .... GolDery CoUec:tioa)

Trumpete.... of the Outdo Lance....... f..11 dre.., .81]. T ....... _ peters' full..dre.. ....ifono C01:I~i.tO!d of. whit.. czapk. aJ>d Irwrlk. witJo KIlrld b.--che•. The f.cu.!. we..... KIlrlltt. The laid lace .bout tJoe collar, o;uff. aad lapd.- w-. •• widtJo aad botIt tJoe epauld'''' aad tJoe aiKUilleues we..... of ..w.O!d KIlrld aad lold tIon&cL The cold lace of tJoe b.--ches was _ ... width. Thet:zap6k. was ofid.... ticaI palin'S to that of LbO! ~ but wiLb LbO! pipinc, com aDd tassels of..u:.:O!d scarlet aDd Cold ;.. the proponiolu of two-dtirds aad ..-dUn:I ......pectively. The phunO! is It....... sho_ as KIlrlet wiLb whit.. tip, bon tlois is ........ to MlDe dou.1M aad white pllllDes wiLb .-riel Up. w-e equally possible. (Tous-u.t. Courtesy Dc Gerlache de Gorn.. ry CoUectioa)

m.DIl'"

fillings. The muskeloon crossbell was constructed of these same materials but with the addition of a steel musket clip complete with slim white buff strap. The musketoon's lock cover was also of white buff and all the buff leathers were stitched along both sidcsoftheir entire length in common with the other units of Guard cavalry. TIle steel-bladed lance introduced in December of 1809 had a blackened wood staff and steel feTTllle. The wrist-strap was of Hungarian leather. The overall length was 2. 75m. TIle pennant which auached to the top was crimson over white and measured 487mm in depth, 487mm in length from V-cut to the staff and 73cm in overall length. The lancers received rather poor quality Prussian sabres

22

.....~ r ..

Trumpeter .Cdoe Outdo I..anc:..rII'" ca.mpaip dress, 18'3- ne Cull dreg wlUle honk. of the tnampet"'... __ reseO"Y",- _Idy Cor doe "'HI Corm.al OC'eoosio... aad. NCODd Cull dress b n b of ~ .... noplac:ed it OD ID_I OCQhon... The tr\lJ:npet~ illustrated .. _ dad, with doe lapels bu.uOGed over; doe nuoic h.u Karlec collar. cuffs aad uU''II''du willo s:oId lau, aad q>auJetl~ aad aipill_ of a:W.ed lolel _d scarlet ~d.. (ROUHoeloc.. eo..nny De Gerladoe de Gom.<ery Collettioa)

The lancers also received muskctoons of dubious foreign origin and I.hese were duly replaced by the An IX-pauern muskctoon of Imperial manufacLUre. Their pistols were initially of Prussian origin, but these were found to be too long for their holsters and were exchanged for either lhe An IX or XIII patlern. THE DUTCH LANCERS

Organisation ,810: Further to the decree of '3 September, the DUldl Rigimmt de Hussards de fa Garde Q

ChnJoi du Roi became the 2tme Rtgimmt de C1m:au.-Ugn-s Lana:"! de fa Garde. The regiment comprised S8 officers, 881 men and 865 hor.ieS divided into four squadrons. Reorganisation of I October raised the existing Elat-.\Iajor from eleven to

twenty officers, including: I coLoneL, '2 majors, 4 chefs d'escadrons, I quartier-maitre, I capitaine-instructeur, '2 capitainesadjutants-majors, 4 Lieutenants-sousadjutants-majors, I porU-aigLe, 2 chirurgimsmajors, '2 chirurgims-aides-majors, and 1'2 troopers. The decree further instructed that officer-class vacancies should be filled with officers from other Dutch caval[) units, while trooper vacancies should be filled from the 3m1e Rtgimtnl de Hussards HoUandais and the Garde du Corps Holiandaise. Regiment augmented to five squadrons II March, the fifth comprising men culled from some thirty cavalry depots and a single squadron of the Dutch Garde Royale retrieved from the 1st Hussars stationed in Spain. Totals of I September include 1,406 troopers, including 58 vilites, Decree of 10 January reorganised the regiment into eight squadrons of '250 men apiece, the numbers made up with Frenchmen. On '2'2 February,asquadron of the Garde Ii ChnJaL de Paris was assimilated into the regiment ~offi.cial decree of 6 ~'Iarch), bringing it to a total of ten squadrons. On 17 March, the first five squadrons designated Old Guard and the remajning five ]eune Garde, Royal Ordnance of 1'2 May turned Old Guard squadrons into the Corps Royal des Chevau-Ugers Lanciers de France, comprising 42 officers and 60 I men. ]eune Garde squadrons dissolved. Marshal Ney's review of '2 August lists 32 officcrs and 482 mcn. With the return of Napoleon, the regiment resumed Imperial service, incorporating the single remaining squadron of Polish lancers which accompanied the Emperor to Elba, 8 April, under the name of the Rtgimmt de C!mJau-Ligm de La Garde lmpbiale, With the Second Rcstoration, the Ilolish squadron entered Russian service (I October) while the remainder were

23

bluc. Bultons werc copper and thc kurtko was usually buttoned ovcr to lhe left, towards the aiguiJIcttcs, hiding the dark blue lapels save for a dark blue piping which trimmed the open edge. The lancers' gild d'itun·e consisted of a sky.blue tunic with scarlct collar. It was double-breasted and closed by parallel rows of nine copper buttons. Likc their Polish contcmporaries, the Dutch Lancers also employed this tunic widely in march· ing order and as general campaign dress wear. The lancers worc similar lrouscrs lO their Polish counterparts bUl cut of scarlet cloth and with twin strips ofdark blue lace down the scams of the outer leg. The pattern of overall generally employed was dark blue, reinforced with black leather about the inside leg and opening laterally by means of eighlcen copper bunons set on scarlet lace down each outer seam. These same overalls were frequently embellished with hip-poc.keu with buttondown flaps; the flaps ended in three points and bore either lhree or five copper buttons. The off-white stable overalls wcre also occasionally adopted in marching ordcr dependent on the weather. The Dutch Lancers employed a sleeved mUlIleall·caPQle of sky·blue with scarlet collar. Syriaa IIor....rnlUl, 1m. The M.rn"l ..... u w " o ~.Uy Both Polish and Dutch Lancers were shod in a fonn..d from cavalry .uch as thi•. Hi. h..-d!". i. h d<. rfll with a whit" tll.r.......lrip..d ia rfllj th" ch"oniR i. whil" with black lealher, ankle·length boot described as the vnticaJ rfll piIuIlripe; til.. -;.tcoat u. dark lnat with ydlow Mameluke pattern. The spurs were copper·plalcd llalf-.lKV6 aad lace; th....... i. eobalt, aad ~ h..-do.... .,., hridt red. n .... II... aDd SCIlbb.rd .,., JOId, ...... the pialol except for the iron rowel. bo~tltrS, sti"",P" CaI.........rtiaple aad ballft". The ..dCO.... cloth ia .."....1.,. with laid lace Irirn... n ...ti..."p-I....th..r U. The Dutch Lancers' c?"opsko was modelled, as hreWil aDd ~ frilt&:e aD th.. hriCOe aad faJ .-u..p1.. i. indeed was their entire costume, on lheir Polish m;'•..d Karl .. t aDd b"'clo r..d. (Hu..... eollr' y De C ..rl....be d .. Com..ry Collec:lion) comrades' pattern. It was covcred in scarlet cloth and had yellow piping along the crown seams, and disposed of by Royal decree ofS Septem- in the form of a cross on the top, and a wide strip of ber: the srd Squadron at Castel- yellow lace disguised the join with the black Icather Sarrazin (9 November); the 4th Squad- cap. The front plate was idenlical to the Poles' ron at Crenade (16 Novcmber); Ihe version, as were the other smaller dClails of the Etat-Major and 1St Squadron at Cignac hcadgear. The plume, however, was white and the (16 December); and the 2nd Squadron cords and tassels yellow; these ornamcnts were at Agen (20 December). reserved for full dress and the hat was usually worn without accessories; in marching order the whole Dress and Equipment was encased in black oilcloth. The Dutch lancers' kurtkas were cut ofscarlet cloth The honn~t de police consisled of a dark blue and had dark blue collar, cuffs, lapels, turnbacks lurban, trimmed in yellow lace, and a scarlet and piping. In their case, lhe aiguilJettcs were j1omme, trimmed along its seams with yellow piping always worn on the left shoulder while the right and terminated by a yellow tassel. The webbing of the Dutch Lancers was in all bore a fringed cpaulette; both fonns of shoulder ornament were made of yellow wool save for the respects identical to lhal issued the Polish Lancers. eresccnt of the fringed epaulettc, which was dark Readers are referred 10 the approprialc section.

24

Trooper, Empress's Dno.~oons, marchin.!: order, 1806-1~ Tr"... peter, E... prelili'li Dra.!:oomi, ....arching ord"r, .8,0-,814 3 Oflic"r, En'pr"lilO'S Dra500ns, cape, .806-.8'3 ~

"'~GUSp,tc8R O£

A

Trooper, Gr""adi"r$" Cheval, "",n';c" dress, .806-,807 Trul1'p""'",r, Gr"..adill!r$ lI. Ch""a!, full dre"" "nd caiM', .806-.807 3 Officer, G""..adil!u Q Ch.."al, Hn';"'" dr",,,..., ,~,8 ... \I

B

ANGUS McBRIOE

Offic~r, CJIa e"~ .. a Cheval, full dre"", ,80..-11108 Troop"r, Cha: e,,~. a Clreual. canlpaign dress, ,80..-,808 J Trumpet.,r, Chasse"rs u. Cheval, can'paign dress, ,8'2

0:

A",GUS McBF
c

lJr,'N,,,UfJr-lrompelte, Polish LancerlJ. lI.. rvke drelill, ,8'D-.8'4 ,. Suh"h",rn. 1'01;';,1> Lane" ...., can'pais" drells, .8,0-,8 ... 3 Trooper, Poli..h Lane.,r". ".,rdce dr".8, .8.0-.8'4

o

ANGUS McBRIDE

Trurnpel.rn"jor, DUICh Lanc .. rs, full dr..ss, .8,. 2 Li .. utenant Sou,_adjutant_major, DUICh Lancers, carnJ.aign dr..ss, 3 Brigadier, DUICh Lanc.. rs, sunun.. r ..,arch;ng ord.. r, .8.2-.8'4

ANGUS McBRIDE

E

TrOOIH:r. G.. rman Lillhl Uorlj;... s .. n"iee rull drelj;5, ,80, '" Trun'fH:1 .. r. G .. rn,an l.iShl I-Iorlj;f'. c:-;an,paign dress, .808-,80g J Offie.. r ...Ii, .. lKJuadron (Gord, dt< Corp.). G",rman Lighl UOrfi..,

F

"NGUS'-'
3

.!!,.

..

-~

. . . . . . .aj.

r, Hil R"~I. of Garde. d'II,,,,,,ellr, (ull dr"",", ,8'3-,8'4 ler, 3rd R"I!:I. of Garde. d'lIo,m"u", ,8 ... J Officer, ]rd Re11. of G ..rd... d'lIo,,,,,,,,r, .8'4 Troo

~ Trun

A'-GUSMc8AIOE

G

3

•

Trooper, Li,hu"";"" T"rl"rli, ,8'2-.8'3 " TrOOI)",r. Lilhuanian Tar,arli, ,8'2-.8 ••, J Trooper, M"nlduk.,s, ,808-.8'J

H

""NGUSI,I,8RlO[

They were originally issued the same pattern of sabre as that reserved fOT the ChasSfurs ti ChrooJ oCthe Guard, with copper hilt and copper-sheathed black leather scabbard. As of 1813, however, these were replaced by the An Xl light cavalry pattern sabre '. with copper hilt and iron scabbard. Their lance measured a total of2.268m with an iron blade of216mm. It was mounted on a staffOf~. blackened wcxxl and lhis bore a white over scarlet serge pennant of the same dimensions as lhosegiven for the Polish Lancers; this pennant was replaced ~. for full dress by a replica in silk. The pennant was ~, enveloped in a black taffeta cover on the march. ~ i With the introduction oCthe muskctOon, the lancers found themselves hopclcsslyovcrloadcd with weap). onry and, during the course of the Russian campaign, generally disposed of their unfamiliar lances at the earliest opportunity. After 1813, the armament of the troops was rationalised in the same manner as that described for the Polish Lancers. The lancers were issued carbines during the course of 181 I. They were the An XIII pauern light cavalry musketoon see Napoleon's Line Chasseurs, p. 35), with an overall length of 115em. Although described as carbines, the musketoons of or M..IDeI.....,., .8ot-os- Ho. red beaclsesr is Striped Napoleon's cavalry in fact never had the benefit of Offi.,.,r wil.l> Sold with a sky-bl.... potnpoa,....:I while phu..e'" a JOId rifled barrels. The lancers' pistols ,,'ere either the An Itolder. Ho.IlUlJ,c is appl~ with silvu lace, the wame-t ochre with loW lace. noe _sbell is loki ....:I tbt: ..... ill IX or XIII model. white. Ho. troUMrs are red as are hill pUolol-t.obten ....:I

•

,

tfJ'.

t

--

THE GERMAN LANCERS The Grand Duchy of Cleves-Berg had been conquered by revolutionary France and was presented to Marshal Murat by Napoleon in 1806. On 12 July it entered into the alliance ofsatcllitc states of the Empire, the Confederation of the Rhine. The State was to supply a 5,OOO-strong contingent for the Grande Armee including a regiment of cavalry which ~lurat, in 1807, named the Rigimtnl de Hussards du Grand-Due de Btrg. He canvassed the colonels of the Grande Amlie's cavalry regiments to furnish him with trained, experienced, German-speaking NCOs and proposed that each regiment should also furnish him with a trooper to swell the ranks. Murat also envisaged a loo-strong corps of Gardes d'Honneur Polonais. Neither project proved too successful and the single resulting corps was in turn named the Regiment du Grand-Dm de

canridlle-pou.dl, thi. "'1 trifDfDed sold., wb.iJe the bol.teTS ave ,old OrQafDeatll. He wean Crtaon stoves. 'noe aaddI~ cloth .. sky-blue wiLh Ilokl 0...............1.; Lhe ..ddte proper i. .ppl~ a ....... the bridle and (atae-martiopl.., wiLh JOld onaamftlt•• 'noe stirrup" .... silver. A black-bamlJed .teelheaded aile i......pped to Lhe ..ddl... Hill acirn.itar i.pt-hilted ....:I Lh.. acabbard i. black leather with lih 6ninS•• (RouliMtol afler HolrmalUl. Courletly De Gerlache de Gomery CoUt'oCtiOftj

Cleves, the Cllevau-Ligers de la Grande Dllchesse and, finally, the Rigiment de Cluvau-Ugers du Grand-Duc de Berg. The unit was formed at MunSler and

comprised six companies divided into three squadrons and a sevcmh company of elite Garde du Corps. Organisation 1808: ·September saw the regiment raised to four squadrons of two companies each. The first squadron was admiued into lhe Imperial Guard and despatched to accompany King Joseph on his ill-fated journey lO Madrid. The second squadron joined Murat in Naples. The two

25

remaining squadrons slaycd in Miinslcr, and, on 29 Augusl, were incorporated into the newly raised Riginunr deChasseurs Ii CkmJI du Grand·Duc de Berg. 1Bog: On I I January, the ChL,:ou-Ugm of Berg wcre disbanded and their men divided between the Guard cavalry regiments and the new ChtWrors Q ChLt'ol of Berg. Towards the end ofthe year, the troopers were issued lances, renamed the ClmJouUgers Laru:iers de Berg and, on 17 December, admitted to the Guard. 1810-1811: The regiment was on service in Spain. 1812: In March a second regiment of light-horse lancers was raised. 1813: With the dissolution of the Confederation of the Rhine in October, the two regimenlS passed into Prussian service.

Mam"luke trooper, '1107-08. Hi. crUnHn h_d-drn", hall a black a;gO"elte. while turban, tricolour eockade and gold ornam_ta. Hi. tunic u gr. ....,reell with black piping; the waialcoal u indigo with black piping. The crOSlbdt i• ..,.r1et wh.ile me piatol bolat"r i. "rUn"" with !fold o .....m.entIJ. Tb.. black-ac:abbarded ~t-hilted sci..m.iUlr i. a.apnoded from • K&l"lel cord in the Turkiah whio... Hi, ...h i. aky-blue with ~old (riDsellU. trou............ brick_red and hi. boou bro_. (Rem.Hlot .rlu VIl.Il$OIl. Co..rtHy 0.. ~rlache de Gom ....,. CollKtioIl)

26

Dress and EquiplIlent The original uniform consisted of a Polish lancerstyle cream kurtka, faced in amaranth (a form of pink), with white wool epaulettes and pewter buttons. The c~apska was of the usual style, covered in amaranth cloth and bedecked with a white plume with amaranth tip. The elite company was distinguished b) white loops about the lapel buttons and a white aiguillene. The existence of this uniform was short-Lived and the troops leaving for Spain were dressed in a similar manner, but with white cloth replacing the cream. In conjunction with this uniform was a petite tenue replica constructed of grey/sky-blue cloth, reserved for day-to-day wear and marching order. The chasulir regiment, created in 1808, wore a dark green kurlko faced in amaranth and dark green Hungarian breeches, trimmed in amaranth piping and lace. Their shako was covered in amaranth cloth. The shoulder-straps were dark green trimmed in amaranth piping. Upon their receiving the lance, the uniform remajned largely the same, save that the shako bands were now white, and white wool epaulctlcs were added to the kurtka. In 1812, the uniform re\'crtcd to lancer-style, cut in dark green with amaranth facings and white epaulclles. The c<.apska was amaranth trimmed in white piping. Thc i:lite company was distinguished by a black colpack and scarlet plume and epaul-

cues. The 2nd Regiment, created in March [812, was clad in identical manncrsave lhatthcir czapskas were covcred in dark green cloth. The elite company of this second regiment did not receive the col pack but was distinguished by a scarlct plume and epaulenes. Their webbing was of French patlern and constructcd of white buff. The black leather cartridge-pouch of Ihe chasseurs bore the initials 'CLB' in brass. The lance pennant was amaranth over while for the duration of the 180g-[813 period.

-:.-

,!

(I .. :::~~'-

Matueluketrooper"807 08. Hi. "carlet head-dre... hasa wbite turhan with gold clasp, tricolour cockade and dark green aigrene. His tunic is dark grC'en with hlack la"e and bill' waistcoat i. Iiky_blue with black lace. Hi. liash, crolIsbelt and trou ....... are scarlet. The pistol bolster is brown ],_ther with gold ornalnent•. Hill scUnitar has a black scabbard with gold fitting. and i. suspended by a scarlet cord. The .addle-cloth is dark grC'en with white piping and crimson lace; the fringe is cOn>posed of altemating white and crimson "tnands. The portenaanteau iii dark green and piped in white with crint"on lace. The stirrups are iron. (Rous_lot after Wurtz. Courtesy 0.. Gerlache de Gomery Collection)

THE LITHUANIAN TARTARS The Lithuanian Tartars were the Moslem descendants of the Tartars who had seuled in Lithuania during the Middle Ages.

Chef d'E.c.dron of the Mamdukes, '809-10. His scarlet headgear has a white turban and pl.......e. gold omaDlenlS and pl.....e holder. His tunic i. white with gold lace. Hili wailitcOat is scarlet with gold lace. His sasb i. gold with intenninenl th",ads of red and dark grfl:D. Hill trOUllerllare brid< red as ill the trim to hill leopards],,;n saddle. The pistol bolster is crimson with gold ornament•. The saddle-cloth i. dark grC'en with gold ornaments and lace. The le.theu a", brown with gold ornament. and .carliet Oounce. (Taneonville after BoclIenheint. Courtesy De Gerlache de Gomery Collection)

Organisation 1812: Muslapha Achmalowicz, a licutenantcolonel of Polish cavalry, charged with raising a regiment of cavalry in July. Only one squadron was in fact formed and was given the role ofscouts altached to the 3eme Rfgimenl de Cheval/-Legen (LitllUalliells) of the Guard. This rcgiment was wiped out at Slonim on 19

27

The .laGdanI-bearer uad portu.q_. or the Manu,lukes, '807. T1ae _.Ie-be.rer .nd hi. ruard were esUobl.UJo~rurther to the hnpaia.l Decree or •S April ,806 whida also dettrm.iJ:o~ that the Mam.e1uk" were to toW t.bJ.rteao. office... _d 147 troopn"s uad NCO.. ne na.lldard itRlf w... awarded the lolameluke. after !-he batde or AualerJitz, al wbich the eompa.a.y h.ad particularly dillti.llrWah~!-hemaelves.1t wa. or IIIo.t patlera _d waa inacribcd I L"£MP£JU:UIt DU FaA.l<;CAIS A LA COloQ'AGNIIl DU MAMELUU (.ic)/DEUGARDElMPEltWL, a.lld, on the ........erae, VALEUR ET DISCII'LL"'II!. The porlee-q"e"e. bore copJH-r poln a'7OR' in heisht, aD top orwhida were horae tail. orwhida two were black while !-ho.e or the remainins pol" were red ....d yeUow respectively.

Dress and Equipment The dress and equipment oflhe Lilhuanian Tartars is as complicated as lhat of lheir fellow Moslems, the ivlamclukes. Although the subject is open to considerable conjecture and controversy, it seems possible to discern two overlapping periods of costume: the first dating from [812 through 1813 and the second from 1813 through 1814. This is borncout by Dautancourt who, in a letter dated I I July 1813, mcntions that, ofa troop of twenty-six October, but the survIving Tartars Tartars, six slill wear lheir old uniforms. Both types of uniform were based 011 the oricntal pattern and participated in the defence of ViIna. [813: Only one company remained, consisting of the delail is as follows: fifty men and thrce officers, and this 1812-1813: The headgear was a black, peaked became the 15th company of the Polish shako with a dark grecn fiaml1u ornamented with Lancers with whom they fought at scarlet piping and lassel. About its base was wound Dresden, Leipzig and Hanau. On 9 a yellow turban and its frolll carried a slar and December, those who remained were crescenl devicc in brass. The chcmise was dark incorporated along with some Poles and grecn wilh scarlet collar and cuffs, trimmed in 230 Frenchmen into the 3t"'l Edaiuursof yellow lace and wilh yellow shoulder-straps. The jerkin was scarlct and edged in yellow lace. The the Guard. 1814: The regiment was disbanded and the trousers were dark grccn, of charouaJ shape, with Tartars returned to Lithuania in June. scarlct lace down lhe OUlcr scams. The ankle-booLS

28

wcre black leather, although officers favoured )cllow oncs. The equipmcnt included a French sabre or Turkish scimitar (cenainly for officers); a brace of pistols; webbing of French paltemj a dagger and a lance. The lance pennant was red over either white or dark green. 181:]-1814: The headgearwasa black fur col pack without a peal:. The Jlammt was dark green with white cords and tassels and scarlet plume. The chemise was scarlet. The jerkin was yellow with black piping. The charoua/-style trousers were indigo. Equipment remained the same but the lance pennant became crimson over white. All references above to scarlet or crimson are open to the same vagaries as with the Mamelukes, and we are uncertain as 10 whether both colours were interchangeable or whether the fading crimson led witnesses to record the colour as scarlet. The Ma-eluke head. of coh.m.., ,8.0. Thi. ilIu.U'~(iOIl rqtreM:Dls lhe beau of co1um.a •• we m.if!:lu have espee1~ 10 '"" lhem Oil parade. Their dress i. based OD lhe paP'"-r IIaldioors oC r.he ColhctiOfU A u ~ . sod we e:a. diKera lhe Iaetd~ dn.... mer. Collowed by lhe b.-w..J~""'rornp«tI. wilh C...... tnunpeters aDd .u. .....,sicia.a. ill tail, iadudi..al two q
cnle'P/otes A 1 Trooptr ofthe EmprtSs's Dragoons in marching ordu, 1806- /809 Although dragoons are most frequently illustrated in the lapelled habil, this garment was in fact reserved solely for full-dress functions and was replaced by the surtout tunic shown here for all other duties. Single-breasted, closing by means of nine copper buttons, and with plain. rounded cuffs, it was otherwise identical to the habit but cut from less expensive cloth. POSt-ISog, it was replaced by a replica of the full-dress tunic called the habit de pttiu uniforme, again manufactured from cheaper materials. He carries a heavy cavalry pattern sabre identical to that borne by the Grenadim aChevaL and would also be armed with the 1777·pattern dragoon musket, as modified in An IX (see NapoLeon's Dragoons and Lancm, p. 32). By their very nature, dragoons were trained to serve either mounted 01'011 foot; in the lanercase. the swordbeh would be hung over the right shoulder rather than worn about the waist.

..=---

'.29

A2 Trumpeter of the Em/mss's Dragoons ill marchillg order, /8/()-J814 In the same manner as the troopers, trumpeters wore the plain surtout tunic for all occasions other than full dress. Prior to 1810, the garment was similar to the one shown but with sky-blue cuffs and collar and scarlet turnbacks. The collar and cuffs of bOlh gamlellls were edged with gold lace '2'2mm in width, and the turnbacks were ornamented with gold embroidered grenade devices. The epaulenes were gold \\~th a central stripeohky-blue, while the aiguilleues were one··third gold and two-thirds skyblue. The full-dress tunic was originally ohky-blue doth cut in the same manner as the troopers' habits. with the sky·blue replacing the dark green; the collar, cuffs. cuff-flaps, lapels and turnbacks remained identical to those ofthe troopers save that a total of 6.'2m of '23mm lace embellished them, including the fonnatioll of lace brandenbergs on the lapels. After 1810, this full-dress habit became white with sky·blue collar, cuffs, lapels and turnbacks, all trimmed with lace 34.mm in width. The epaulettcs worn with these full-dress tunics were identical to those shown but the aiguilletlcs were mixed in the proportions of two-thirds gold to one·t1urd sky-blue. The trumpeters were com· manded by a trumpet-major and three brigadierstro11lpttlu. Their dress was the same as the trumpeters with the addition of rank distinctions consisting of the twin gold stripes of a marichal· des-lagis-chef for the trompette·11Iojar and the single gold stripe of a martchal-des·logis for the hrigodierstrompelles. A3 Officer of the

Em/mss's

Dragoons ill cape,

1806- 1813.

The uniform of oflicers was precisely the same as that of the men but cut of finer cloth and with gold buttons and epaulettes. We see here an officer in the voluminous manteau trais·quarls similar to that of the rank and file but cut of dark green cloth and with gold lace trim to the short shoulder-cape. As of 1813, this would be exchanged for the sleeved manuau-!apote, an idemically coloured greatcoat with gilded butlons. Both the manteau trois-quarts and the mallteou-copote were reserved for riding and a double-breasted redingote or greatcoat adopted for fOOL duty. The officers' helmet was of the same pattern as that of the men but with browned gold

30

-Keld~uof Ma.....lukfll, ,8'0 '2. Pial< h ....dl{.... r with I{0ld onoament.s, ""kite wrba.o ....d ph....e ....d pio..lt ostrich r.... thu While lu..n.ic: with .try-blu.. c:ufr. and ~.. pio..lt collar d I{0ld lact. The wai.tcoat, saddled kettle-dnun cloth are I{reel> with I{0ld lace ....d o t •• The trouse..... and c:ro..~h are piall wilh I{0ld lac",. Th.. rihhon. on the kc:ttle-dnun cloth, the horse'. I.... the........d ostrid> plum""" an: pink. Th", la....la an: m.iJ<ed I{iII d piall thre.d. His sa.h i. _kite, a& i. the 10o......•• plume d the .tirrup. are pit. (Rou....lot afl",r Duhoi. d .. I·E.t lI. Coun"""yl),. G..rlacl>", de Gomery Collee:tioD)

plate and greatcr cmbellishmcnt. The plumc, safely packed away in the portemantcau in bad weather, would be scarlet for the company officcrs and white for those attached to the Etal·Major (regimental staff).

B/ Troopn

of the

/806- 1807

Grmadiers

aCheval in service dress,

The dress and equipmcnt of the Grenadiers aCheval was largcly that prescribed for the mounted Garde dtJ ConsuLs and was little modified, save by usc, during thc Empire; this accounts for their rather old-fashioncd look until 1814. when the First Restoration turned the regimcn! into cuirassicrs and they were issued the cuirassier hobit-l..~ste of more

modern appearance. The individual illustrated wears the surtout tunic commonly adopted in all but full dress, for which the habit was reserved. After 180g, the surtout was replaced by a cheap replica of the full-dress habit, ahhough NCOs persislCd in the use of the garment until 1814. Theornamentsofthe surtout were identical to those of the habit and this rule extended to the NCOs, whose rank distinctions were as follows: brigadiers (corporals) were distinguished by twin stripes of amore lace on a scarlet ground above each cuff; the morechoux-des-Logis (sergeants) wore a single gold stripe mounted on scarlet ground above the cuff and, in addition, the cord and tassel of the bearskin, the trefoil and fringeless epauleue, the aiguillettc, the piping and tassel of the bonnet de police, and the swordknot were all of thread mixed one·third gold and two-thirds scarlet; finally, the marechaux-des-logis-chefs (sergeant-majors) had twin gold stripes on scarlet ground above the cuff and lhe same additional details as the marechaux-des-logis but manufactured in the proportions of two-thirds gold and one-third scarlet.

82 Trumpeter fljthe Grenadiers aChevaL inJuLl dress and cape, 1806-1807 In common with the troopers, the trumpeters wore the surtout for the campaigns of [806 and 1807, leaving their full dress habits in storage at their depot. The surtout illustrated closed by means of either sevcn or ten copper buuons, dependent upon its age; and had gold grenade devices on the turn backs, and gold lace 22mm in width about the collar and cuffs. On both the surtout and the full dress habit, the trumpeters wore epaulenes and aiguillettes of mixed gold and crimson thread in the proportions of one-third and two·thirds respectively prior to 1809 and one-seventh and sixsevenths thereafter. His cape is of the same cut as the troopers' manteau trois-quarts and this pattern was probably worn until [814 and not replaced by a sky-blue manteau·capote in 18[3. B3 Officer oj the Grenadiers

a Cheval in service dress,

J80g- 18f 4 The officers were dressed in the same manner as the men but in finer uniforms ofsuperior cut and gilded buttons. Their habits bore gold aiguilleues and gold epauleues appropriate to their rank (see Napoleon's

Line Chasseurs, p. 30). In full dress they would add a scarlet plume and gold cords and tassels to lhe bearskin; staff officers wore white plumes. In the same manner as their men, officers would adopt overalls in place of hide or linen breeches when in marching order; these were generally ofgrey cloth, closing by means ofc1olh-covered buttons, but dark blue overalls were not unknown.

C, O.Bicer oj the Chasseurs

a Cheval

in JuLl dms,

18°4-1808 This officer represents the classic chasStur of the Guard, frequently seen in contemporary paimings

Trooper of the Corp. RoytJJ d~. Drllgo". d~ F,.""u ... full dre••, .8,S' With the First Restoration, tbe Empres.'" DrlIgoon" w ..re renamed the Corp. RoytJf de. Dra:j'o.... d~ Frll""" by Loui" XVID. The dngoo"" r ..ta.ined their old unUo..uu;; and eqllipm..." with the "ub..titution, wbe.... ponible, ofalllmperial e.nbleuui fo.. RO)'1l1 onesi the b.. nonll, ....h_ buckles and <:artridg.... po..ch plate.. now bore jlnl...Je-ly. in.ignia, whil .. th.. hnperial crown which bad o ........ent..cl the front of the bel.m.et crest waa ",placed by a Gorgon'. bead .ymbol. Followiug th....e-fonnation of th......ghnent ... ,81~ art.... th .. HundrO'd Day" <:antpaign, the d""JlI wall f..rther modifiO'd by the i......e of a black....aned cre"t..cl belntet••bown above. with whit.. pt\Une in lie.. of ..<:arlet. Note al.... tbat the lmperial crown device normally embroidered ... the angle of the cloth .cl>abnq.... baa been "'Placed by the "lile g .. ~de devic.., and that bill aiguill ..Ue" bave beno mov..cl to th.. left sbould..r. Uob. Autho.... Collection)

31

,

and prints, complete with fuU ornamenlS and pclisse. In fact, such costume was the exception rather than the rule. The pelisse immediately dates this individual to before •Bog, whereafter the chaJsturJ campaigned with dolmans alone. Even previously, we know lhat the pelisses of all ranks were so damaged. during the ISo,; campaign that the campaigns of both .806 and 1807 were made without them, such was the expense of repairing them. Naturally, we might expect those of officers to have either lasted longer or to have been replaced out of private funds, unlike those of the rank and file. The gold chevrons on his cuffi indicate his officer status and their number and width further designate his precise rank in the hierarchy (see Napoleon's Line Chassellrs, p. 30, for specific dctail on this). His sabre is typical of the extremely ornate patterns affected by those of rank and the scabbard is constructed of gilded bronze. (The sabrclachc is illustrated artificially caught up and turned forwards by thc scabbard in order to show dctail.)

~F.rI,jl

a

C2 Trooper qf the Chasse/lfS Cheval ill cam/mign dress, J804-1808 Although the battle of Austcrlitz is known to have been fought in full dress by this regiment, this outfit is typical ofthc chassturson the march between Vim and Somosierra. His hide breeches have becn replaced by overalls, he wears the wann pelisse in lieu of dolman, his headgear is devoid of ornament and has iuJfi1mmL lucked into its tOp, and his cape is convcnicntly slung ovcr his right shoulder, in anticipation of cither rain or ballle, in which latter case it would provide sufficient protection to turn a sword or bayonct thrust. In point of fact this practice was employed at Austerlitz despite the troops' full dress uniform. Note the sabretache coverofstifi: varnisht.'d black cloth; a hand-painted yellow ImPerial eagle motif was frequently added.

, )\

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-.

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f..-do NCO tloe Man>elukK, late Em.~. His acarid "'_dB_r .... Sold onoan>"au.. wbile turbaa -.ad bbd< UVttle" His fWlic ~ sky-bh... wi.... bhclo la~ aad sokl ......... ...... ~ dlnToIu. His wD.1C01l1 &ad trousers a.re scarlet with black pipiftS' His ....h i. Uodiso with .carlel ........1 and sold friAr. His black...,.bt..rded aci.m.ira.. has Bold 6tt:i.nts .ad iJI ._pended OD • _rlet cord. (Ro...wot after v .......... eo"'-'''lIy 0.. c....1acl>" de Gom"T)' Collection)

32

of 1M Chassturs Ii Chn:a/ in campaign dreSJ,1812 '11e reorganisation of 1802 raised the number of trumpeters from two to three per company (i.e. six per squadron) creating a tOlal oflwelve under the command of a trumpel·major and two brigadinstrQmpttles. By 1811, they numbered thirty, whilc in 1813, with the formation of foUl" Young Guard

C3 T rV»lINln

Trooper ofth.. MameJ",keli, ,808 ,0. Thi. Mameluke wean a crimllOn caho"k b_d-drfl. with blacl< aigrette. Hi" ch..rni".. i. yellow with bJacl< wool lac.. ; th.. wai.lcoat i. incG/l:o with black lac.....d pipinlH the h i••lIIy-bl",e and th.. cluaro...d tro.. HrIl.re tlCarlel. Thi. rea view afford.... th.. opportunity 10 no ... thaI both cartridge-pouch cro".belt ...d carbin.. cro""belt an of French Iighl cavalry palle....... iad....d ill th.. cartridge-po"ch ;1HlJ', • developing lrend •• the ea.mpaign.. rolled by and th.. pas.ibmt'''' of replaciog woro uiptn..nt with oriental pattern. dec:ro:a........ n .. portem...t cut of dark p""""" cloth and h •• CrimM" lace with • •trip of whit.. piPlns: on ather .ide of the rounded .... d •. (Roo....Jot after 8a.au. Cotlrtdy De Gerlache de Comery Collo:ction)

squadrons, the) totalled fifty-four. The last five campaigns, including that of 1812 in Russia, were undertaken without pelisses and this trumpeter is therefore typical of the post-I 808 period. Trumpetmajors and brigadins-tromfHtta were clothed in the same manner but with the addilion of gold rank chevrons above the cuffs: twO fOT the tromfHlle-major and one for the brigadins-trompttta. D I Brigadiu-tromfHtte of lhe Po/ish Lanurs in snvUe drus, 1810-1814 TIle while full-dresskurtkas were so easily soiled and

damaged that the pattern shown here was issued as a senrice-dress replacement. It was distributed along with trousers of like colour, deep sky-blue, and the trumpeters therefore most frequently looked pn.-ciscly like the troopers save for the ground cloth and the additional lace aboul the collar and cuffs. The brigadiU>s rank is indicated by a silver lace chevron above each cuff. His epaulcne and aiguillenes arc composed of two-thirds crimson and one-third silver thread. We have taken the liberty of illustrating the a:.apska wilhout its protcctive cover, the better to display the white panern issued musicians, and the typical campaign ovcrallsofthe period in lieu of the sky-bluc trousers. D2 Subaltern

rif Ihe

Polish Lanctrs in campaign dress,

1810- 181 4

The dress of officcrs of thc Polish Lancers followed the general rulc of Napoleonic cavalry in that the officers were clad and equipped in similar fashion to the troopers, but in clothing of better quaHty and with silver replacing all pewter and white wool. For the sake of showing the c~apska detail, we have not shown it encased in the protective cover wc might expect in marching order. In similar fashion, the lapels arc illustrated folded back, rather than crossed ovcr in the dircction of the aiguillettcs to

! reveal the dark-bluc ground cloth. His expcnsively ornamented crossbclt has been sheathed in a cover of crimson leathcr to save it from wear and tcar. He carries the ofllcers' pattcrn of the An Xl light cavalry model sabrc, although hussar patterns were certainly not unknown. D3 Trooptr of Ihe Polish

LaTICm

in

StrUlCt

dress,

1810-- 181 4

This figurc illustratcs thc transJX>Sition of the aiguillettcs with the fringed wool epaulene which took placc aftcr the adoption of the lance in 1Bog. When thc lancers received their lances they also retained all their previous armaments, including musketoon, sabre and brace of pistols, and it was so

33

equipped thai they took pan in the Russian campaign of ,812. Aside from the enormous encumbrance of this veritable arsenal, it was pointed out that the second rank of lancers would scarcely require a lance, and in April 1813 the weaponry was redistributed among the ranks in the following manner: in each company of 125 men, the first row comprised two maTtehaux-du-logis with sabre and two pistols; four brigadins with sabre, muskctoon and bayonet, single pistol and lance; and forty-four troopers with sabre, single pistol and lance. The second rank would consist of four brigadins and forty-four men equipped with sabre, single pistol, musketoon and bayonet. Thereafter would come three trumpeters with sabre and two pistols; twO farricrs with sabre and single pistol; eightccn troopers, half of whom were armed with sabre and carbine and the remainder with sabre and lance; and a marechat-des.logis-chif, two marechaux-des-togis and a farrier armed with sabre and two pistols. Asaconsequence, Ihewebbingofthe troopers was modified and the musketoon crossbdt only issued to those so armed. E 1 T rum~r-major of the Dutch Lanars in full JrtSs, 1811

pe'i'"

Tro<tpft" orthe Ernpreu'll Dra«OoODIl in 'e....".; pi"tl•• 808. The d ... «OoODIl we.... tnLined 10 6gllt both mounted and Oa rOoOt, and 0«'.... coasequend)' anned with the 1001 "777-mOOel droolOoOa musket, •• modified in .4.. IX. ffi. per;,,, _ i... or. _rio.d t..me iD pla~ orbis rUU-d....... Moit. Note that the sword-belt __ .1""3 over the rilht dooulder whe:a aD r-. (DetaiJI,.. A"thor'. CoUectioa)

,ftl....

34

This special fuJl.-dress unifonn was introduced on 15 Augusl 1811. The tmmpet-major and the thrCf: brigadins-trom~tks were equipped with the white col pack shown here at a COSt of 51 F apiece; the trumpet-major's headgear was further embellished with a sumptuous gold and scarlet cord and tassels at a cost of 36F. The trumpet-major's rank distinctions were those of a marechal-dts-logis-dltf, a single gold chevron mounted on scarlel ground above the cuff, and, in addition, two strips of gold lace on the collar as shown in our illustration. With the existing gold lace which trimmed the facings. the lace therefore formed a depth of three on the collar and twO at the cuff. The brigadins-tromptttts had the twin gold chevrons of a mortchal-Jes-logis and an additional single stripe of gold lace on the collar: the lace would therefore have a visual depth of two at the collar and three at the cuO: Note also this t,om~ttt-majors webbing, consisting of five stripsofgold lace on a scarlelground. The tmmpetbanner is that reproduced in black and white on another page, and readers are referred to its caption for further detail.

Lancers. His rank is indicaLCd by twin chevrons of yellow lacc; a maricha/-des-(ogis would havc a single This officer was one of four of idcmical rank chevron of gold lace above the cuffs and, in altached to the Etal-.\Iajorofthe regimcnt. Officers' addition, czapska cords, cpauleue and aiguillcltcsof dress was basically the same as the troopers with one-third gold and two-thirds scarlet; a maricha/gold in place of yellow, but the Dutch Lancers des-/ogis-£htjwould be identical to thc sergeant, saYe were penniued thc latitudc common to light for twO gold chevrons above each culf. For fuJi ca\'alf) regiments and their officcrs sported per- dress, this individual would add yeJlo\\ cords and sonalised COStumes of man) varicties. The black tassels and a white plume to hisczapska, and replace and \\ hite illustrations furnish sevcral examples of thepal/ta(ol/ d'icun'eshown here with scarlet breeches this trait and we here reprcscnt a fairly typical with twin strips of dark blue lace do\\'n the seam. example of campaign dress. The white ostrich or The ponl%n d'icurie (stable overalls) were freheron fcathcr plume of his czapska has been quently authorised in lieu of the heavy, dark blue removed and the costly hcadgcar encased in a overalls in fine weather. protectivc cloth with only a gold cord pompon to designatc its wearer's status. His crossbelt is likewise F/ Trooper of the German Light Horse ill service JuU protcctcd in a shcath of ~'Ioroccan lcather. Other dress, 1807 types of overalls included a dark blue pattern with We have taken the liberty ofillusnating this figure leather reinforccmcnt to the inside Icg and a scarlet ill the corps' original uniform of cream with amaranth facings. In fact, this uniform was strip of lace down the outer leg. dropped shortly before the 1st Squadron departed E3 Brigadier of the Dutch Lanars in summer marching for Spain to support King Joseph's 'triumphant' order, 1812-18/4 entry illlo Madrid in 1808; thereafter it dilfered We have illustrated this figure without the nonnal solely in being made of white in lieu of cream cloth. cloth campaign co\'er in order to display the detail Upon Ihe rcversion of this regiment to lancer-stylc of his czapska. The scarlet headgear was othenvise similar to that worn by thc Polish Lancers. He wears his kurtka buttoned towards the aiguilleues, which were always on thc left side for the Dutch E2 Lieulmallt Sous-adjutant-major of the Dutch Lanerrs in campaign dun, /8/2

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The Emperor with.,...;on ofCIo•••" ..r •• CIo"VIIl. 18'0-14. The Memoir. of Captain Parq.un, 1803 '4> embo",'e, ' ... The M1_droll IIf CIo•••~r• • CM".l bad a .pedal dUly al the Empero.....ide. A 10tal of olle lie..le , •• mllriclo.l-d"... two bripdi 1w.... ty-twO lroope. ami • lrumpet.... fonnft! th.. Empe.ro pany. Th.. Empe.ror had bul 10 .Iop or pul a fool 10 ,round a.>d the cll.aa_... did 1iIr.ewi &:aft! bayo........... their m ......OIlIllII aDd proceedft! ... 1Iq the Empe.ror al Cftll.... Tbe corDlllandi.., offi«r of th.i. escon

wr-.

IrOOp

waa ..variably

al )ili1

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1\01...", or th.. P .....« of NfllCbal..t [Berth.ierJ had th.. riJllt 10 COllIe betw...... th.eIII.' Uob. A..tho.... COUect.i....)

dress in 1812, aftcr thc ckasJt'ur-st)le of the intcl"ening ycars, the uniform was similar to that shown exccpt that both kurtka and breeches were cut of dark green cloth, and the waist sash was dropped in favour of the wide waisthelt shown on figure F2. In full dress, this figure would add white eords and tassels to his c:::.apska along with a white plume tipped with amaralllh.

czupska is protected by a typical covel' and he wears ovcralls in place of thc easily soiled amaranth breeches.

1-) O.ffiCtT of tilt tlilt squadron, tilt Gardr! du Corps,

of

tht GtTman Light Horst. 1807 1809

Initially a company. the elite section of the Berg Light Horse was augmented to squadron strength in 1808 and became the Gardts du Corps who originally accompanied King Joseph to Spain. The)' were distinguished from the baJance of the regiment by the button-hole loops on their lapels and by their aiguillettes. A trooper of this same squadron would be identically clad savc that all ornamenlS iIlustratcd here in silver would be of white wool. Note thai both thc czapska plate and the bell-buckle bear the initial 'J' rather than an Imperial device.

F2 T rumptter oj the Gronan Light Horse in cllmpaign dress, 1808--1809

This figure is reconstructed as we might imaginc his dress in Spain. He retains the kurtka of thc samc pattern as that worn by thc troopers but with reversed colours and the addition of silver lace to the facings to designate his rolc and status. His

A lIquadro.. o( ....cen deployft! ... baltle ord..r. In thi. (onnuiOIl d ... lIquadroli would u:tend 10 maslm...... ( ......1&5e with. depth o( .....y IWO ........ i th.. 6rl11 company would fonn the ri&hl wia« and th.. _nod th.. tdt.. A ~""I an deployft! would ha.,., it.llquadro...........Sft!eith.... I.a ....... in ulol-kM or'" cot........ (..... colofc_ • ."-r,, order). (Deuill.,. A ..!hor'. COUeclioll)

i,.

37

,

•

j'

• ~

A ~"'u of Garde. d'Ho.... _1" ,mpge .. swann of Ru•• ian co....c..... 8'3 '4. A1thougb otley b.... ch., me c.rtle. tl'Ho__..r dUltiDpishoed thnn_lv , the battl.... of .......u, LnpuS aDd Rh..im... despite laaWipiOous ~ g . which u.duded aoc only "",unero..s m .. tiAi.... and d~rtioa... b.n a1fto COIllOpmcy I" DUlrdoo:r thdr conunaadml!: officer. Uob. A"tllar's Collecrioa)

G 1 Troo/J" of tIlL lsi Rtgimmt ofGardu d'Honniur in full dress, 181]-1814

The hussar.stylc uniform illustrated here is taken directly from a surviving uniform: sec body of text for details. G2 TrumfNler ojthe srd Rtgimmt tifGardu d'Honniur, 181 4

The dress of trumpeters of these regiments is uncertain and several sohllions are possible. That shown is the hussar style, with im"cned colours 10 the troopers', and is highly likely for at least one of the regiments. Another possibility is the regulation Imperial Livery in which all trumpeters of the Grande Annie were supposedly clad, comprising dark green tunic with the specially designed Imperial lace aboUl all lbe facings and in loops

38

about the breast butlons. The Alsatian Collections show them in sky-blue pclisses and dolmans, scarlet breeches and black fur bearskin col packs. All of the above solUlions are plausible and it is quite possible that they are all corrt'Ct in one regiment or another. G3 Offiur of tIlL 3'd Regimmt of Gardes d'fJonnmr, 181 4 The dress ofofiicers was essentially the same as that of the men save that all \vhite areas of the men's dress became silver. Rank distinctions were also silver and followed those accorded officers of chasseurs and hussars of the Line. Their headgear was either the scarlet shako shown here or a black bearskin col pack with scarlet jiamme and silver ornaments. Their plumes would be idcnucal to their men's except for staff officers whose plumes were white. Their webbing was T(:d ~Ioroccan leather trimmed in silver lace. fJ 1 Trooper ofthe Lithuanian Tartars, 18/2-1813 The oriental dress of the Lithuanian Tartars isopcn to considerable controversy and this illustration is based on the representations of Genbart;evski,

Malibran and Chehninski. We have shown the costume associated with the creation of the corps, worn throughout 1812 and to a Icsscr cxtcnt in 1813. Although the costume is Eastcrn, the equip. ment is undoubtedly French, the sabre being identical to those issued the Guard lancers. The lance pennant is variously recorded as red over dark green or white, or even white over red.

been tucked; and grey overalls of Frcnch cut with dark green lace down the outcr scams.

H3 Trooptrofthe Mamelukes, 1808-1813 This figure is based on an existing costume in the Brunon Collection with the sole major change of a green cahouk hcad-drcss in place of the yellow model included in the collection. This green pattern was ordcred by Consular decree of 7 January 180'2 to indic'peten aad sesUor NCO. __ y al. . have arquirfll tlois red lace; a wide sash into which the pistols have 5eCOIId panode waiforID.

, \:I.

J 39

'1116'97 SOURCES H. Bouchat, L' EfKJP;~ du (ostWf'll mi/itoirtfroJlfQjse Cmndt. Bucquo) Ed.,', fA C"ifrmrusdu Itr Empire frencb Mjnistry of War, HisJoriqllt tkJ corps de trou/Je th l'tmnit jrQ"f0ue Dr Hourtouille (Ed.), SoldatSlI uniformts du I" Empire Job, TtrlU.t dtS trou/JU de France H. Lachouquc, The Ana/on!)' of Glory

NOles sur

I~

., At/as de /0 GraMt Anna Col. H. C. B. Rogers, Xapolnm's Arm.! L. Roussclot, L'Armitfra1lfoise Numerous issues ohhe joumals La Gihtrnt, Lt Passt/J6ii, G~tllt dtS unifomlts and l..ts Fichu Dotumenlaim.

FarblafdD

planches en couleur

A. L.c ...I'UIU'_d.,.... ,.... pont i b platt. du ballo. pi.. don pour ~ .....-.o:a. AJris '809''~ all'K ...""l.... (·.... bit de pwt~ ""'......... runpbo;a l.. ....... A2 ill...., ru. pot«' pour-)ll-..n .....-..:ft;, porurck ,8.G. l'babit ck ID'* d" InImprtl~. lUI bla..c .'"tt parm>mll hie.- cicI. •3 Scu I< """"C:O -qUMU .... o&oen nee,'"""'''"' de dct>.dk d· C1Cllnll
L.c....-,

fi"....,..,

B, LcounoutporU' pourpl.,.;nus ............ atillUlUi Ih t.... trompell.. ponaicn. un .urloo' b1cu cid peow:bn, leo
B,

mau'..,.u ,roio-quarIJ~a"Kmblabl~ieelu, poo:.~rpar la ,roupe, Cct<>ffi
C, Lagnnd. '.n.... cl...;,q... d'un<>ffi< de o..-un aprio ,8081>. peli..,fi.n Lc oabn:C "" I)-piq .... ....... ~ "" campafl;ne '"' oeukrncn' k dol n fu, d'ol6cicn. CII Ce 1OIda, i dJc".;aJ pone un colpKk """ dtton,,,,,,, oombinaioon rtD"""",, CD"";'- par-o... III cuIoIll., une peI;-, n un....we en d.:rnio:n fj, qudq... aocucilCUlIr~"""ptdc...bn CJA parOlde ,8081>. pe_fi.nCcar1«"" ~n""""pn"""'~IKfi.n .... pon"'.., '806-'1107_ CellUap~u~m ICI>....... ad a,"« den,dIc '"""1..- .. lypoqUC da ~f-!"CI poMeneun:..

por'"

D. Lc turtb biaAc de pando 'en ru, rtmplaoi- en cam~ par 1& mode iU-.tt ici. F... rnlitC, _ ~ a ' ........ coo,n."Qt""' d'nollC quand CD ..... ~-_I'avoo.~ pow-i1I _ k<~ bLa..... de 'n)n1J'<"U'•.., mall ""'" a,"On! prot da Iobcn:.. a"n: J'bltloon, pour pouvoir dl...,...,.. lei de,aill de ccu.,~",,",.1h ApRo 'tu.la la""" fu, adovt~~" ,!log, la .. 'ual..... d~ l'q"aulcue.' do ligujIT."a ru, n:n,·c:ntt, E, Grand~l~nuup«i.ll~in"oduj'eipiOrlird~ '580'" ,8, I. Lc .. ul~be,'rol\d·or lur un food d'f,oOt mug<:. I',n,,;gll<: du ml....,.,haI-dn.logi.-cbd, al tach<: ja piOr It ~antdn. Ell T.n .... do: tampague 'ypoqu. I.. olllcicrs rUI"'" J'"1""';' un. luoi,udc conJidhabl. da.. kur ''''',,",_ Un pompon d'"," al l ..acM IU <~~ """,'en. ES Lc t~ at 1l11lSb't ". COU'"Qt\lnO de manierc i db-noosu-tt us puticuIari,... I... pln,alon d·""u COl pone ici ........... Im .... de campagne powj'Ctt

F. La I~~de ccn. hnioa ru' en:mc nee: partmenIJ&mII:aDtlII; ell~ ru. ~ i bIa a',"" J'IIft"""'lIamaDtltllll'."n, ledepan du 'cr Eacad...... en f ~ ... , f" 1.0' "'-pn~ ... ", (;I.m~ " " ~ ; iI pon~ oombiraitoon bbnquft Io. '""'PO; fS La 6m,dk our lei bouttlltllim:ln lei "'Iui/lntts idcnUMII I"aodron d .Il"" G, I.ts volonw...,. d. ce corpI p")'erm, pour leun propra ,"".... n oulilJogt: Cnl. iU...,.."""" t,t prt:piOrtt d. pI"".. d·u,"" I~nu~ .u,."'....n'._ G:lLa '~n""'d. .el""npct'. "'Ipn:ul>.ti~.;I.. uno purent pon' """. I.m.. i la "Klde doh ....rd. .. 10 au"" la I..i~r~ lmpCrial~ r
,I'0\·""""

II, La '"""",doITanal'."'",,,,",,i bca......... pde..... Celt.,..,....,., IOndft ...rGcnbancv:lL, Mal,braon OIdm".j, fur probable",n" port"" ....., audcbu. de La ,,., de en.. &acnon "" ,8'2_ fh t:_ tn'llllltrua.... de I>. IIIIldcde ,""... de' ,8,]- '+' olralle daocu,..... de Knotd, \"ernrt, Xoi.-.. n ~larboo.. I.tsdno II'IoOdto fun:D, ~, utililioalimllJtanftncn,,"S 8ea...-pdol ,-ariationo du ....UIIIot Mamdllk ....., 1lIOII"-- da".1eo ilhBln.tiono _brtlllla; en.. ,"ft'lIiooI incr....d·.....,Inluor ...""i\.,,n..da.. 1>. Col""' Bru_.lIIOdifift...... Il(IIJT ",bk:au ..... Ie......, "" dw1gnn. La couleurde de ,aune a vn1 Jdon Ie ~,.." 00n>uIam: du 7 jam..... '809. 1.'.."pIoi du <dod- vn1
40

J. C. Quennc"at, Us tTOU soldols dt Nopokrm

S-_ "'-"rOe lID St~ _ dcm ,........,.. H;abo, fiir ma.• O"-pllich.... ~ '109 wutOc dcr s.._ """ ........ andcrn "almrock. " - H. . . . ,.,.,.-/--.CIXUt, "'" Do:r ill........,~ _ _ ..-..rde MIIIeIOlC DWnMpftid..",,~; dn Gab-Habi' d<s Tf'OIItpn.... ...ar , _ ,8'0 _DIll IummdbLa..... Bes.auen. AS:-Our dcr _ ~ 0Ii>:icrt ...ar I"'n mi, 8csau JOkIcncr Spitu, ..... "...h ,I>.., \' cr.- des _ ' ..,... deo Jail... 18',. 8, Do:r s.._ rur ....... ~ D.rnIIplh die Lanze in ,808 angenom ....... wurd., die S'.l~ d... Ep"uk". und AipJlc".. "'Ilrdo: umgckd>n. £. SpWdJc Gwun,bTn ""'" 'SA...... ,8, , aufs<:bradl•. Do:r nlUlll" ~ Strnrcn auf ........ Unl.......... die A~ ..""" _KMl~[. ..~rd hoer ' ... dcm Handodluh vtthohInt Ell T,~ f~ Ofinen, wurden .....r ,.... frrihci, 1IDi. t ............. ..uubt Un g<>&dn>es Pomp"" ..-izd auf dcr Cupob ~ ES .......ma1 bat III:ItI unwlltiich die: Cupob """" Dttkc IiIr Klarhcit iU........ Ow: Pantalool d'~ oiod ... Som,%CIl t.e..... d.. Abrcioe dcr n SdIwadron ill ,808 naeh Span.... ,..,,..utlilj)A6ch~rn ",'" bcn. andcn: di.e bueriidIe Konun..uvn:. Cs Die lJ Di':wm 0Iiz>c-0, ..-arcrbdlcrtich gkKh ... m... __ den SoIda.... odben:r Spitzt " dcr wn.en und mit ~ u.;..... ~ A...mmtKt""llftl. f ocll Colpack "',' ocbarladl· _ F1anunc " .... a1~ Sdunuekn......me auch get. . . . . A. Do:r cmfaclle

"'am

gesnll,,,,,

...a....

"P"'''''''

r.iDIdhn,,,,, gt:dcd:,,,,,

ronn

l1li'

H, Die l:Di","","dcrT:uun: is> a~ ,"On ..... St"'I\~ Do.... \'..... ~ aufGmba~. Malibran u""~Chdnunbki .."me ' .... Icdl' ill 18'2 fNh in dcr Lcbmaril dcr AlMrilunc g<:'ng<:" Ih Em~ R.koroINk,,,,,, 00 ~Iode 18"-14 Un,lOnn '..... dcm KUIlII......k Knocds, V......... =-ornrtOrll """ ,\Ia,boIJgcrnlChl.lkld. Moden wurd.n vidk,,,bl glci<:hZCItig benu'''. 113 Vick V.",nd.Nng." da Mamduk._Kootumd werden in den cinr",tNg.n Ill""ra,· ion~n in d~m T~~l illu"""rl; di.... V.rsion wird vOn d" ubJdr nur mi, d..- V~rand.n,,'lI d..- hlfbe des CaItoukt ,"" gclb OU 8Nn g~m. . d~m KOflIIIlalJUncil des ]J"nUII'" 'llo9. Di. V..........ungda gN"." Caboukt wird "on lIendocltc1l in '806---07 lInd '..... Gcuolcr ill '1109-'0 ba'''''8'