MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES

EDITOR: MARTIN WI DROW

LJ oleon's

Text by PHILIP HAYTHORNTHWAITE

Colour plates by BRYAN FOSTEN

OSPREY Pl;BLlSHI\"G 1.0:-':00:-':

Published in 1983 by
Osprey Publishing Ltd
Member company of the George Philip Group
1'2~14 Long Acre, London ',VC2E gLP
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© Copyright 1983 Osprey Publishing Ltd tl
Reprinted 1983. 1984
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Dala
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Haythormhwaitc, Philip s
Napoleons line infamry.-(Men-at-Arms series; 141) o
I. Franee .4fflt.e.t hifanlerie 2. F ranee- \'

History 178g-1815 J
1. Title I I. Series t
:l.i6·.II·u~44 VA705 r
c

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Filmset in Great Britain
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Printed in Hong Kong
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Dedication
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To my mother (

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 lVapo/eoll'sLil/eIllfal/flJ'

Orgallisatioll units provided fire-cover while Others charged; the

system was potentially in\'incible until the French
encountered opponents equally innovative.
l'\apoleol1's line infantry was founded upon that of Demi-Brigade battalions termed 'de Bataille' ror
the Ancien Rigim., eomprising (in 1789) 79 Freneh line infantry and 'Legere' for light each comprised
and 23 foreign regiments, each of twO battalions eight fusilier companies and one of grenadiers, the
(the .8th had rour), with 'he artillery ranking as the latter no longer armed with grenadcs! being in
64th line, and 22 provincial regiments and 78 theory the battalion elite, the most steadfast and
garrison battalions as the 97th. often largest men; there was in addition a
A total re-organisation began on I January 1791 regimental artillery company equipped with six
with the abolition of the old regimental titles, and 4-pdr. fieldpieces, reduced to three in 1795. The
over the next (wo years an increasing number of original 198 Demi-Brigades de Bataille increased to
conscript and volunteer battalions were formed, 211, but on 8 January 1796 a further re-
culminating with the leuee en masse of 1793. Their
quality varied rrom the proficiency or the early
National Guard regiments to the untrained and ill- c
equipped rabble ofthe levee, whose main tactic was a
headlong rush, even basic manoeuvre being quile S
S L SM S SL
beyond them. To combine the discipline and
steadiness of the regular army with the rev-
olutionary fervour of the new army, the Amalgame
was decreed on 2 I February I 793 and enacted on 8
January 1794; by this measure each regular
battalion became the nucleus of a Demi-Brigadc, a
new term to replace 'regiment', which was es-
chewed for political reasons.
To every regular battalion (now the 2nd or
centre battalion ofa Demi-Brigade) was added a 1st
and 3rd battalion from a newly-raised corps; for
example, on 8 December 1794 the .nd Demi-
Brigade was created from the 1st Bn. of the old 1st
Regl. (Regl. Picardie), with the 5th Paris and 4th
Somme volunteer battalions. The tactical impli-
S===: L

SM

cation was obvious: the centre regular) battalion

could manoeuvre in line and concentrate its
firepower, while the conscripts on either flank
could make rapid advances in column. Born of .Iool't', a company in line: first section (right), second (left), each
three ranks deep. Positions marked: C - captain;
necessity, this system developed into the classic L -lieute.nant; SL = sous-lieute.Da.Dt; 8M _ sergeant-major; 8
sergeant. Brlou'. a company in collUDD., each section three
Napoleonic tactic of L'ordre mixle, operating at all ranks deep, key as above.
levels from battalion to division, by which alternate
3
 corporal), eight corporals, two drummers and 1°4
I'--------'v__l l_--=G_.. . . .I fusiliers, and each grenadier company likewise
except that there were four sergeants and 64
grenadiers. Throughout the entire period, however,
I_......:.F__I I_---:.F__I aClUal strengths often bore little relation to the
official establishment; for example, instead of the

I F I I F I regulation 96 officers and 3,300 men, in February

1795 the I09th Demi-Brigade numbered only 92
officers and 1,239 men.
The term 'regiment' was re-instated on 24
September ,803, 'demi-brigadc' being applied
henceforth only to provisional units; the regimental
artillery was disbanded at this time, being res-
urrected in 1809 but generally dispersed again in

v v v 1812. Ninety infantry regiments existed in 1803, 19

with four battalions and the remainder with three.
Although some regiments had possessed 'lighl
G I companies' as early as 1800, on 20 September 1804
a company of voltigeurs (literally 'vaulters') was
added to each battalion by the conversion of a
F fusilier company; theoretically these were the
smallest and most nimble members of the battalion,
I_----'-F__I most adept at scouting and skirmishing.
A decree of ,8 February 1808 confirmed a
change in establishment which seems to have been
I F I in motion already, by which each regiment was to
comprise four bataillons de guerre and one depot
I_----'-F__I battalion, the latter offour companies commanded
by the senior captain, with a major in command of
the depot itself. Each bataill." de guerre was com-
.Ibou, battalion colwnn, six-eompany establishment, IN by manded by a chif de balaill." and comprised four
elite cODlpanies. Each cOInpa..ny three ranks deep; frontage 75
yards, depth 15 yards. Key: V.roltignm; G_grenadiers; fusilier companies and one each of grenadiers and
F _ fusillen. 8tlou'. alternative battalion colwnn, Siz-cODlpany voltigeurs, each company composed of a captain, a
establish.nJ.enL Five companies in colwnn, each three ranks
deep, preceded by screen of uoit.gntn as skirnlishers. lieutenant, a sous-limtenant, a sergeant-major, four
Grenadiers could lead the column or bring up the rear if other
companies were likely to waver. sergeants, a caporal-Jourrier, eight corporals, two
drummers and 121 privates. The regimental staff
consisted ofa colonel, a major, four chefs de bataillon,
organisation reduced the number to 100, with the five adjutants and five assistants, ten sergeant-
weaker corps broken Up and amalgamated; for majors, an 'Eagle'-bearer and two escorts, a drum-
example, on ,8 February '796 the 3rd, 91st and major and drum-corporal (caporal-tambour), a band-
'27th Demi-Brigades de Bataille were together master, seven musicians, four craftsmen, a quarter-
formed into a new 3rd Demi-Brigade de Ligne, the master, paymaster, surgeon-major and four assis-
term 'de Bataille' being discontinued. On 30 March tants, the regimental establishment being 108
1796 the number of Demi-Brigades de Ligne was officers and 3,862 other ranks. I n each bataill." de
increased to I 10. guerre were four sapeurs (pioneers) as pan of the
In a Demi-Brigade, each fusilier company grenadier company, with one sapeur corporal per
officially comprised a captain, a lieutenant, a sous- regiment. The grenadiers occupied the right of the
lieutenant (2nd lieutenant), a sergeant-major, five line, the voltigeurs the left.
sergeants, a caporaL-fourrier (quanermaster- In the later campaigns the Line infantry was
4
 v v v v v v v v v

A A
increased by the creauon of 5th, 6th and even 7th 'L'o"Jrr mUIr': three battalions (establislunent of nine compan-
ies per battalion). Key: A = battalions in colUDJ..DS of divisions
battalions of existing regiments, and by the for- (two company frontage, each cODlpany occupying appro-
malion of new corps, including some from foreign xi.m.ately 25 yards, each three ranks deep). Depth of battalion
in colUDJ..D approximately 25 yards. B _ battalion in line.
personnel. As progressively younger conscripts were V _ oolt1lrur companies of all three battalions deployed as
slrirn:J.isbers.
called, culminating with the teenaged <Marie-
Louises' of 1813-14, the standard of recruits
declined markedly. subject has been covered by a previous Men-at-
Formations for manoeuvre wefe flexible, and the Arms title (MAA 77, Flags alld Stalldards <if the
accompanying diagrams show typical examples Napoleonic Wars (I)), the briefest note will suffice
from company to brigade strength; the terms here. Though the sculpted eagle was each
'division', 'platoon' and 'section' referred not to battalion's symbol, a flag was usually attached
sub-units but LO formations, a 'division' being a (though often removed on campaign). The .804
tactical unit of two companies. The decree of pattern consisted ofa white diamond with alternate
February 1808 noted that when the elite companies corner triangles of red and blue bearing the
(grenadiers and uoltigeurs) wefe present, a banalion regimental number within a laurel wreath, the
would act by divisions, and when they were diamond inscribed in gold lettering, on one
detached, by 'platoon', each company constituting side 'L'Empereur/des Fran~ais/au-~ Regiment/
a 'platoon' and each half-company a 'section', Such d'lnfanterie de Ligne', and on the other 'Valeur/et
detachment of clites might be caused by the Discipline' and the battalion number. In 1808, due
deployment as skirmishers of the voltigeurs, or by the partly to the number lost in action, it was decreed
consolidation of the elites of several regiments into that an 'Eagle' was to be carried by only one
composite battalions of selected personnel, as battalion per regiment, other battalions having
employed by Gudino!. (The screen of skirmishers simple marker-flags. In 1811 the design of flag for
which covered many manoeuvres was not necess- the 'Eagle' was changed to one based upon the
arily composed exclusively of voltigeurs, as whole 'tricolour', one side bearing the presentation-
regiments could be employed thus; light infantry inscription as before but the other emblazoned with
tactics will be covered in depth in the companion battle-honours, reverting to the practice used by the
title, Napoleon's Light bifantry.) Demi-Brigades. A third tricolour pattern, issued
hastily in ,8'5, lacked almost all the magnificent
T etes de Colonne embroidery of the previous types.
The Tiles de Colonne (literally 'heads of column') In 1808 the 'Eagle'-escort was ordered to consist
comprised the musicians, sapeurs and colour-escort. of a lieutenant or sous-lieutenant as premier porte-algie,
The varicd flags of the Demi-Brigades (usually in with two veterans whose illiteracy had prevented
the national colours of red, white and blue and their promotion as deuxienu and troisieme porte-aigles,
bearing republican symbols such as hcwrs' fasces paid as sergeant-majors and ranking as sergeants.
and the Phrygian cap or 'bonnet of liberty') were They were usually armed with pistols and a halberd
replaced in ,804 by 'Eagles': gilt-bronze sculpted bearing a coloured pennon (often red for the 2nd
Imperial eagles atop a standard-pole, serving not and white for the 3rd, with' apoleon' on one side
only as the conventional rallying-point, but sym- and the regimental number on the other). Many
bolising the unit's honour and fidelity. As this were dressed as grenadiers, but from 1812 some

5
adopted versions of the carabinier helmet, a units with drafts of men sent from their depots.
practice probabl) never widespread. Togcthcr with uniforms made by local manufac-
turers and modifications made of necessity on
campaign, this rendered the appearance of

Uli/on7lS Napoleon's infantry very divergent from the reg-

ulations. Examples of regimental variations are
In the following sections it should be noted that recorded below, these often being only discernible
official dress regulations were frequently not from contemporary descriptions and illustrations
obeyed. In lhe 17905 materiel was so deficient lhal unsupported by other evidence; it is not unusual for
French forces resembled a ragbag; and under the sources to conflict, non-regulation examples con-
Empire regimental variations were legion, even ceivably representing a single uniform worn out or
between battalions ofthe same regiment and within necessity or executed on the whim oran individual,
each battalion, due to thc praClice of reinforcing as some officers and :"lCOs enjoyed considerable
freedom in their dress. Others may represent
L~l Blallo~' It! Blruf: French infantry wearing both the new blue
unUorDl and the white coat of the ex-Royal army. Detail after
transient variations instigated by the regimental or
Hippolyte Lecomte's Enlr" d~ f'.lrllli~ Frol/foist d .\fonJ. battalion commander.

6
 Table A ('79')
Rtgls.
Collar,
(a) (b) (c) (d) (t) (f) (g) lAptis cuffjldps Cuffs Blltlons
I, 7 13, 19 25.3 1 37,43 49,5 6 67, 74 82, 102 X X x yellow
2, 8 14. '20 26, 32 38, 44 5°,57 68,75 83 x x yellow
3,9 15. '21 27, 33 39, 45 51, 58 70, 78 84 x x yellow
4. 10 16, 22 28, 34 4°,46 52,59 7 1, 79 go x x x white
5. II 17. 23 29.35 4 1 ,47 54,60 72 ,80 91 X x white
6, 12 18, 24 30, 36 42,48 55. 61 73,81 93 x x white

Colours: (a) black, (b) violet, (c) pink, (d) sky blue, (e) crimson, (f) scarlet, (g) dark blue. First ofeach pair of
regiments had horizontal pockets, second venical.

The '79' Unifonn was unpopular. The 9th Demi-Brigade kept their
The white uniform which gave the regulars their helmets at least until 1798; but the 46th, receiving
nickname (/es biancs, contrasting with les bleus of the them in 1793, found them so noisome by t 796 that
volunteer and conscript battalions) was designed in in a mass demonstration the entire regiment pitched
1779 and confirmed on I October t 786, with facing their helmets into the river at Strasbourg, replacing
colours borne on the lapels, collar, cuffs and them with bicorns at five francs per man! Grenadier
turnbacks of the long-tailed coat. Considerable caps had a red rear patch bearing a white lace cross,
laxity ofstyle included high or low collars, and cuffs a brass plate bearing a grenade or regimental
with lhree- or four-button flaps or with a piped insignia, a red plume and white cords, and in some
opening instead of a flap; headdress was the bieorll cases a peak.
hat, with the white Royal cockade replaced on 27
The 1792 Unifonn
May t 790 by one ofthe national red, white and blue
New regiments were formed in 1792 and on '5
<tricolour' in concentric rings of varying arrange-
January new facing colours were specified for
ments of colours. The fur grenadier cap was re-
regiments numbered higher than 48 (see Table B);
introduced in t 789. the short life of the t 79t facings for these regiments
In '791 some regiments were renumbered and a
must cast doubts upon their use.
new sequence of facing colours introduced, with a
Other innovations in 1792 included sky-blue
three-button cuff flap (though the other types still
greatcoats with facing-coloured collars for officers,
persisted); fusiliers had while shoulder straps piped
and the general replacement on campaign of
in the facing colour, grenadiers wearing the red
grenadier caps and officers' helmets in favour of the
epauleues which remained their distinction
bicorn, which had a white lace cockade+loop (silver
throughout the period. (For facings, see Table A.)
for sergeants and sergeant-majors).
The '791 headdress was a peaked leather helmet
resembling the British 'Tarleton') with an imitation The 1793 Unifonn
fur lurban and a fur crest; this was often of shoddy To eradicate the difference between ltS blanes and lts
manufacture, with the crest being sometimes only a bleus, an egalitarian blue uniform was introduced
straw-filled fabric 'sausage'. The skull had metal universally in 1793, based upon that ofthe National
reinforcing-bands, a tricolour cockade and a white Guard, created in t 789. But due partiy to shortage
plume with facing-coloured tip, feathers for full of cloth and partly to reverence for the traditional
dress and a woollen pompon on other occasions. colour, it was some years before the white uniform
The 'Tarleton' was apparently never received by disappeared, it being not uncommon for regular
some regiments (which retained the bicorn) and officers and COs to retain their white uniform

7
 Table B (1792)
Regis.
Col/or,
(aj (6j (ej (dj (tj Laptls cuffflaps Cuffs Buttons
49,55 61, 72 79,87 93, 102 108 x x x yellow
5°,5 6 62, 73 80,88 94, 10 3 109 x x yellow
51, 57 67, 74 81,89 9 6, 1°4 110 x x yellow
52 ,58 68, 75 82, go 98 , 1°5 III x x x while •
53,59 70, 77 83,9 1 99, 106 x x white
54,60 71, 78 84,9 2 101, 1°7 x x white

Colours: (oJ crimson, (b) scarlet, (e) dark bluc, (d) dark green, (e) light green. First of each pair of regimen IS
had horizontal pockets. second vertical.

even though their men were dressed in blue, a total disregard of uniform regulations; a soldier
practice causing criticism from republicans. might consider himself lucky to receive a hat and
Early National Guard uniform was varied; while coat, irrespective of style, and leg'-vear and waist-
blue coats with white lapels, cuffs and turnbacks coats were almost unknown as 'issue' items, the
and red collar was the eventual dress of the Paris individual having to scavenge for civilian garments
ational Guard (their original red lapels and cuffs to supplement his wardrobe. In place of the
seemingly never, or only brieAy, adopted), pro- regulation breeches and gaiters, loose trousers as
vincial corps WOfC such varied styles as the scarlet worn by the sans-culottes of the Revolution were
with black facings of the Brest unit, the red faced usual, white with red and/or blue stripes being
with blue of Avignon and the white faced with red I
of Pont-St.-Esprit. Typical colouroflate 18th--ce.Dtury lityle: National Guard ofthe
J
The National Guard uniform standardised in District de SaiDt-Magloire, Paris (9th 80., 4th DivisioD), 1790. I
White colour with gold scrolls aDd cypher, g~D leaves, red
179t and copied as the dress of the Demi-Brigades ribbon, silver sword with gold hilt, brown lDusket with silver
in 1793 consisted of a long-tailed dark blue habit metalwork.
(coat) with scarlet collar and cuffs piped white;
white lapels, lurnbacks and cuff Aaps piped red; red
pocket-piping, and brass bultons (though old
regulars often transferred their old buttons onto the FAIT MA GiO
new uniform). Blue shoulder straps piped red were If&,
specified, but red epaulcttes we[e often worn
indiscriminately, no longer restricted to grenadiers;
and numerous cuff designs existed, including those
with red or blue Aaps, or the t786 flapless version
with piping on the opening. The bicorn bore the
tricolour cockade, often with a yellow loop, and red
or red-and-white pompon; but a drooping plume of
red horsehair was popular, not just for grenadiers,
and was used as late as J800, when it was banned by
Gen. Belliard when commandant of Cairo. Officers
continued to weaf gorgets and melallic lace
epaulettes, as described later. Appalling shortages
of everything throughout the I 790S led to almost
8
popular. Footwear was so scarce that lucky men woollen pompon on top; grenadiers had brass
might aspire to wooden clogs stuffed with straw, grenade badges on each side of the cap and
while the majority of some French armies weill sometimes all-red poufs (e.g. the 25th Demi-
barefoot. Uniformity ofinsignia was equally neglec- Brigade). Legwear usually consisted of cotton
ted; grenadiers might wear the regulation red trousers and shon gaiters, or one-piece 'gaiter-
grenade badges on the turn backs, but other devices, trousers'.
including hearts, numbers or mottoes, were legion. Shortage of cloth in autumn 1799 occasioned the
Plumes occurred in all varieties of 'tricolour', both so-called 'Kleber Ordinance' by which infantry
upright and drooping. Even such major variations received uniforms of the J 798 pattern but in any
as coats with red lapels or without turn backs were colour of cloth available; numerous variations are
not uncommon, the whole ensemble often in a state recorded (descriptions of the same colour perhaps
of total dilapidation. varying as the uniforms faded), and it is possible
that lapels and madder-red trousers may have been
The 'Egyptian' Unifonn contemplated, but there is no evidence that they
Ordinary uniform was worn at the outset of the ever existed. Among recorded variations are the
Egyptian expedition, at least four Demi-Brigades pointed cuffs instead of round) and white bastion-
(18th, 251h, 32nd and 75th) wearing red-and-white shaped collar-loop of the 88th Demi-Brigade, and
striped trousers. As the campaign is covered by the green breeches (or red trousers with green
MAA 79, Napoleoll's Egypliall Campaiglls, briefdetails stripe) of the 9th's ollicers. Table C lists examples of
will suffice here. In autumn 1798 Bonaparte the 'Egyptian' uniform.
introduced a shon-tailed, single-breasted jacket
dyed with local indigo, with scarlet collar and cuffs The pre-,806 Unifonn
and white turnbacks, and blue shoulder straps (red Confirmed by several regulations around J 800-0 I,
epaulettes for grenadiers); the wooden buttons were the uniform evolved gradually from the 1793
covered in cloth, brass buttons being reserved for pattern. The dark blue coat (habit alafrallfaise. was
elite units, and so scarce as to serve as currency! A given shoneI' tails with false turnbacks, but which
peaked leather cap, the pelil casquelle or casquelle a did not extend to the bottom edge of the tails until
pouf, was worn with a tricolour cockade on the left, a about J81O, and the lapels received an accentuated
Rap to be lowered as a neck-shade, and a pouf or curve. The regulations specified red collar and cuffs

Table C ('Egyptian')
Reg/. Coal Col/ar/Piping Cuffs Tumbacks Pipillg Pou!
91h scarlet blue/red white white blue red
13 th cnmson dark blue/white puce puce while blue
181h scarlet brown yellow yellow blue black
25 th cnmson sky-blue/white sky-blue sky-blue white white/red
32nd brown scarlet/blue orange orange• white while/blue
61st cnmson dark blue/yellow dark blue dark bluc yello\\ white/black
6gth brown scarlet/blue white white white white! yellow
75 1h scarlet sky-blue/white sky-blue sky-blue white red: blue
85 th brown scarlet/blue yellow yellow white red/yellow
88th violet blue/white green green white blue/yellow

Recorded alternatives: 9th, green facings piped white; 18th, yellow facings piped white, or blue facings and scarlel
collaron brownjacket; 32nd, crimson faced blue; 6lst, light green cuffs and turnbacks piped white, brown faced
yellow, or brown with yellow collar and light green cuffs and turnbacks piped blue; 69th I scarlet facings piped
white; 88th, crimson jackets; 13th, green piping; 18th, scarlet collar and cullS, white turn backs and piping; blue
piping for 69th, 75th, 85th; violet jackets for 32nd and 61st.

9
 An order of06 October 1801 confirmed the usc or
the bicorn, but grenadiers were allowed to wear fur
caps, usually for parade or combat, the bicorn with
red plume serving at other times. Made or bearskin
(hence its name ourson) or goatskin, the cap's cloth
rear patch (nicknamed cul de singe or 'monkey's
backside'!) was officially quartered in red and blue,
but seems to have been almost invariably red with a
A LA ~ white lace cross. The bonnet had a brass plate
usually embossed with a grenade and sometimes a
number (for example, the 45th had lhe number
below a grenade, or 'No.' and '45' at either side);
and officially a red plume and partially braided
cords, though white cords were not uncommon (e.g.
LOI
the 3rd, 18lh, Olst and 57th), while the 8th wore
peaks similar to lhe I 791-pallern cap. Red epau-
leues and turn back grenades remained grenadier
distinctions. The undress cap or bonnet de poLice was a
Colour of the sud Regt., 1'93' White throughout with tricoJour pattern used since the 17805, the bonnet aLa dragonne,
border and canton; grecn wreath; gold DUnlcrals and letter-
ing. Tricolour loxcnges cover the original fleurs..cle--Iys in
having a tasselled stocking-end rolded up and
accordance with aD instruction of 28 November 1792 which tucked behind the right-hand side or a stiffened
obliterated previous Royal insignia.
headband. The blue cap had red lace edging,
piped white, white turn backs and lapels, and blue piping and tassel and a company-badge ror elites
cuff flaps, fusiliers' shoulder straps and horizontal (red grenade, or yellow hunting-horn ror valtigturs) ,
pockets piped red; but variations included red flaps and when not in use was rolled and strapped under
or white Aaps piped red, and the relenLion of the the cartridge box.
flapless cuff (perhaps as late as 1810 by clements or Officers' uniforms were of finer material, with
the 8th Line). An order or 13July 1805 noted that: gold lace headdress ornaments, and rank indicated
'Many colonels have abolished the red piping on by gold lace epaulettes in a scheme specified in 1786
the lapels, others have made vertical pockets instead and continuing through the Empire:
or the horizontal ones.' Turnbaek badges included Coloncl-epaulelles with bullion rringes on both
stars, diamonds and hearts, eagles (after 1804L and shoulders; major (a rank created in 1803)-as
regimental devices such as the 8th's red diamond colonel with silver straps; chefde bataillon-as colonel
bearing a white '8' and inner diamond, or the 48th's but rringe on lert only; eaptain-gold lace rringe on
blue '4' on one lUrnback and '8' on the other. left only; capitaineadjutant-major-Iace fringe on right
The bicorn hat, worn across the head (en balaillt) only; lieutenant-as captain but red stripe on
or fore-and-aft (01 COlOTl1le) bore a tricolour cockade; straps; sous-lieutenant-two red stripes; adjutant-sous-
'ties' (laces to hold the sides erect) were usually officier red straps with two gold stripes and mixed
black, sometimes coloured, and orange for the 4th red-and-gold lace rringe on lert. (A popular rashion
Line, a distinction awarded for gallantry at Arcola. was to have the red stripes on the straps in the form
ShorI plumes or pompons began to appear to or interlocking diamonds).
distinguish companies or baualions; on '21 June The gorget was worn principally on 'dress'
1805 Gen. Vandamme ordered '. . . only round occasions, in gilt with silver devices incorporating
pompons and rorbid the usc orthose as worn by the lhe eagle (arler 1804) and/or elite badges and
57th, which place an undue strain on the hats and regimental number. Officers' undress uniform,
give generally a bad effect'-that regiment wearing often worn on active service, included a single-
carrol-shaped battalion plumes orsky-blue, orange breasted blue surtout without lapels, often with a red
or a violet shade known as Lie·de-uin (literally, 'wine collar or (as worn by the 8th) a red cuff piping.
dregs'). NCOs' rank-distinctions were generally in the form
10
ofdiagonal lace bars on the lower sleeve: two orange
bars for corporals, a gold bar on red for sergeants,
and two for sergeant-majors, and often with gold
intermixed in the epaulette fringes, shako cords
109
and sword knots and gold lace epaulelle-edging for 109
sergeants and above. Service chevrons were worn
point uppermost on the upper arm, usually of red
lace (gold for senior ICOS).
Hairstyles originally ranged from the dressed and
powdered queues ofthe Rnyal army to the unkempt
styles of the sans-culottes, the queue declining in use
around 1803. Variations were permitted, largely
according LO individual taste, though as late as
February 1804 cutting the hair short was an
imprisonment offence in the 64th Line! Side-
whiskers became popular from the early 1800s 109 J09
(though prohibited by the eccentric 64th), and
moustaches were obligatory for elite company
personnel. Colour of the 2nd 8n., logth Dem.i.8rigade, 1795- White ground
with tricolour border; tricolour bonnet over brown fasces with
\Vaistcoats and legwear remained basically un- silver axe-heads, green oa.IiAeaves; t.ricolour canton (signify-
changed, with loose trousers restricted to active ing 2nd 8n.); while labels, gilt leiters and numerals. Successive
p:lnerns of colour will be illuslrated in the companion MAA
service. \"'hite breeches with black gaiters were 146, \apo!tfJ1/'J t"fnt Itifontry.
universal, non-regulation white gaiters being worn
by many regiments in summer and on parade; off- plumcs, sword knots and shako cords, with green or
white or grey linen were often used for everyday yellow bugle-horn turn back badges and similar
wear. The sleeved, single-breasted waistcoat had devices on the shako plate, Originally voltigeurs wore
red collar and cuffs for some regiments (yellow for the bicorn with yellow or green pompons, but in
uoltigeurs), and doubled as a drill-jacket. Walking- February 1806 the first Line infantry shako was
Out dress included white stockings and gloves and authorised, replacing the bieorn generally by 1807.
buckled shoes, gloves being prohibited for rank- (The formation of light companies or 100 carabiniers
and-file under arms, A black stock was worn for per battalion around August 1800 in the 12th, 35th,
parade and service dress and a white one for 45th and 64th Demi-Brigades caused the issue of
ordinary dress, often replaced unofficially by a light infantry style shakos in that November to the
cravat which protruded above the collar. Smocks 5th, 6th, 35th and 64th.)
might be used for fatigues, but nOl until 1805 were The 1806 shako had a felt or board body,
greatcoats issued, and even then only to troops on widening slightly IOwards the top; a waterproofed
active service and purchased by regimental funds; crown) leather peak and bands around the top and
before this, civilian overcoats, cloaks or capes had bottom; and usually a leather chevron stitched as
been provided by the individual. In April 1806 the strengthening to each side. On the front was borne a
issue was formalised, all members of balailloTlS de tricolour cockade above a lozenge-shaped brass
guerre receiving a coat. There seems to have been plate bearing an embossed, crowned eagle above
lillie standardisation, coats being either single- or the regimental number, though many regimental
double-breasted, coloured from beige through grey patterns were also used. Brass chinscales were often
to brownish-maroon, with epaulettes transferred worn even before their official sanction, with
from the habit by elite company men. circular bosses bearing a five-pointed star or elite
The creation ofvolligeurs in 1804 introduced new badges. Many regiments adopted coloured pom-
distinctions, initially a chamois or yellow collar (often pons, with plumes for elites, and braided cords for
piped red), virtually universal until 1815, and soon full dress in white (fusiliers), red (grenadiers) and
afterwards green or green-and-yellow epaulellcs, yellow/green (uolligeurs). Officers' shakos had gold
II
lace and cords and gilded fiuings. necessarily the whole regiment), of which the 13th,
t5th, 46th and 53rd were not officially designated to
The ,806 Unifonn receive the while. The 4th, 8th, 12th, 19th, 22nd,
On 25 April 1806 it was decreed that uniforms 24th, 25th, 27th, 28th, 34th and 36th were
would be styled as before but reverting to the white scheduled to receive it, but may not have done so;
colour of the previous century, with coloured the 4th had theirs manufactured but perhaps never
facings piped white and cuff flaps, turn backs, issued them. Among recorded variations, such as
pockets and shoulder straps piped in the facing cuffs without flaps and coloured turn backs, are the
colour, with company distinctions as before, though following:
not all voltigeurs appear to have had chamois collars. 3rd Lint: Green or white cuffs with green flaps,
Regimental differences were officially as in Table D. apparently without buttons for voltigeurs, whose
It is believed that only lhe following received the chamois collars were piped white; white buttons; red
white uniform: 3rd, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, turnback badges of'3' on one side and five-pointed
18th, 21st, 32nd, 33rd. {6th and 53rd (not star on the other.
4th Lint: \Vhite uniform perhaps never issued to
'The raising of the siege of Thionville', 16 October 1792; uter rank-and-file, but officer shown with green cuff
Hippolyte Lecomte. mustrates the use of differeDt uniforms flaps and turnbacks.
within the same regiment; grenadiers in the foreground wear
bicorn hats, the remainder the 'Tarleton' helmet. 13th Lint: Suhr shows a voltigeur without cuff naps,

12
 Table D (.806)
R~gts.
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (J) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (I) (m) (n) I 2 3
9 17 2, 33 41 49 ,7 6, 73 81 89 97 10, x x X
2 10 18 26 34 42 ,0 ,8 66 74 82 90 98 106 x x
3 II 19 27 3, 43 ,1 ,9 67 7, 83 91 99 '07 x x
4 12 20 28 36 44 ,2 60 68 76 84 92 100 108 x x
(above wilh yellow bultons, horizontal pockels)
, 13 21 29 37 4, ,3 6, 69 77 8, 93 101 109 x x x
6
7 I,
'4 22
23
30 38
39
46
47
,4 62
63
70
71
78
79
86
87
94
9,
102 110
103 I I I
x
x
x
x
8 16 24
3'
32 40 48 "
,6 64 72 80 88 96 104 112 x x
(above with white buttons, vertical pockets I

Colou,,: (a) dark green, (b) black, (c) scarlel, (d) capueine, (e) violel, (J) sky-blue, (g) pink, (h) allTorc
(or~nge-pink), (i) dark blue, (j) jonquille yellow, (k) grass-green, (I) garanu, (m) crimson, (n) iron-grey.
(1) lapels, (2) cuffs, (3) collar.

and with yellow-tufted white shako pompon with proval (traditionally after seeing horrifically blood-
black centre, white cords, green epaulettes. stained uniforms on the field of Eylau), and blue
14th Line: Sapeur's bearskin with black-tipped red was restored in October 18°7, the white being
plume, buff apron with red crossed axes over allowed to wear Out before being replaced; not until
grenade in each bottom corner. ovember 1809 did Suchet report thaI 'the medley
17th Line: Red cuff flaps and turn backs; uolLigeurs, is over-there are no more hats, no more white
yellow collar piped white, green epaulettes with coats' .
yellow crescents, yellow-aver-green plume, green
cords. The pre-1812 Uniform
18th Line: Red turn backs; uoltigeur, red collar piped The most significant alteration during the 1806-12
green, yellow tufted shako pompon, yellow epau- period was the introduction of a slightly taller and
leues with green crescents. more robust shako on 9 November 1810, withoUl
19th Line: Red turnbacks. side chevrons but with chinscales, as already
21St Line: Red turnbacks. adopted by many. Cords and plumes were abol-
22M Line: Brass buttons; grenadier officer shown ished (but still continued to be worn). The plate was
without cuff flaps, with gold-laced shako including redesigned to show only the regimental number on
side chevrons, red plume with white base. a brass lozenge, though many non-regulation
30th Line: Presumed extant uniform (attribution varieties existed, including an eagle-on-crescent
perhaps doubtful) has red collar and turnbacks and plate (the 'crescent' representing the traditional
narrower, longer shoulder straps than usual. 'Amazon shield' motif) adumbrating the 1812
3JTd Line: Violet cuff flaps and turn backs; uoltigeurs, pattern and worn by the grd, 5th, I Ith, '4th, 21st,
yellow plume, cords, epaulettes and upper shako 26th, 40th, 42nd, 63rd, 75th, 81St, 94th and 121St,
band, grenadier red ditto; band wore gold-laced among others. On 21 February 1811 it was decreed
uniforms and shakos, drummers with red (or that only senior officers were to wear plumes (white
yellow) lace including bars on sleeves. a(grtUt for colonel, red-aver-white for major, red for
66th Line: Apparently wore white at least until 1808, chef de bataillon) with white pompons for other
as tropical dress in Guadeloupe. officers and staff NCOs, red for grenadiers, yellow
It soon became apparent that the white uniform for voltigeurs, and for the I st to 4th fusilier companies
was unserviceable. Napoleon expressed his disap- of each battalion, dark green, sky-blue, aurore

'3
(orange/pink), and violel respectively. Officially
there was no battalion identification, but among
observed variations were pompons or padded cloth
discs with a white centre bearing the battalion
number, or with a tuft above resembling the flames
ofa bursting grenade. Officers' shako lace varied in
width according to rank. Regimental variauons
included:
lsi Line: 1806 shako plate had a letter 'N' upon the
eagle's breast; t'OlLigtur.f plate consisted of an
eagle atop a lightning-boll.
2nd Line: 1806 shako plale believed retained unlil c.
181 3.
Jrd Line: Recorded shako plales included eagle-on-
plinth design; shield bearing eagle over '3';
czapka-slyle 'sunburst' plate; brass grenade
Gen. Duhesme rallies a company of grenadiers at Charleroi;
note the use oCCur caps and bicorns within the salDe unit. After
Reconstruction by Job ofa sergent porte-fanion of 5th Co., :lDd lkUange.
Bn., losth Dem.i-Brigade in 1796. He wears basically regulation
1793 uniform, bUI DOle cunous cuff patch details, with facing
and piping extending to second button only. badge for grenadiers; eagle-an-crescent. 111-
itially red cords and carrot-shaped plumes for
grenadiers, green for voltigeurs; fusiliers wore
tufted 'company' pompons (e.g. red over sky-
blue, with sword knots in same colours), and in
full dress blue plume with red tip over yellow
ball. Sergeants and above had gold upper
shako bands; officers' surtout had red collar and
Aapless cuffs piped white, white turnbacks
piped red with gold star on one side and '3' on
lhe olher. 2
4th Lille: Grenadiers had red shako bands and while
cords c. 180g.
5th Line: Fusilier shown c. 180g with red-tipped blue
plume, red collar without piping, red lozenge 2
turn back badge.
81h Line: Shako plale of eagle upon plinth inscribed 2
'8' or '8 me Regt.', but c. 1810 voltigeurs' plate
had '8' without a horn upon a lozenge; officers'
shakos had gold lace interlocking rings instead
of an upper band. Suhr shows a volligeur with
blue cuff flaps piped red, chamois collar, green
epauletles and plume, green-and-yellow cords
with green raqueUes and yellow sliders, yellow
sword knot with green strap and fringe. ,
10th Line: 1806 shako plate shaped as elongated
lozenge, voltigeurs' plate an eagle upon a
lightning-boll.
18th Line: Bicorn had red lace 'ties', yellow for
voltigeurs, whose plumes were green with
14
 yellow tip; red-over-white-over-sky-blue 'Rampon and the 3:lnd Demi-Brigade at Montelegino', 10 April
1796; after' Berthon. Note the lar'ge colour' bearing the motto
plumes for senior officers and drummers. I'a/l'lat ou mourir ('Victor'Y Or' Death'), and the uniform of various
member'S of the reghneol, including a saptur, right foregr'ound.
Lozenge shako plates c. ,807, but eagle-on-
crescent c. 180g; red cuff flaps.
21St Line: Voltigeurs c. 1807, green epalilenes with
yellow retaining strap, crescents piped red ball, with yellow upper shako band, cords and
(outside) and yellow (inside), green cords, epauleltC'\: or green cords) green epaulencs
yellow-tipped green plume. with yellow strap, and white or orange
22M Lint: Grenadiers) epauleues had white cres- cockade loop; c. 1810, green upper band and
cents. cords, green-over-yellow plume) green epall-
27th Line: Elites had brass-scaled epaulettes with red leues with yellow crescents) eagle-an-crescent
crescent and fringe (grenadiers), yellow cres- shako plate; officer shown with busby, silver-
cent and green fringe (voltigeurs); voltigeur laced yellow bag, silver cords, yellow-over-red
shown with green upper shako band and plume over yellow ball. Grenadier caps wilh-
cords, white lower band, green-aver-yellow out plates, red cords and plume; grenadier
plume, later version (?) shows yellow shako shakos with red upper band, cords and plume.
bands and chevrons, yellow plume over green 34th Lint: Officers) shakos with tricolour rosette
ball, yellow collar piped white. instead of plale; chef de hataillon, red-over-
29th Line: 1806 shako plate bore an eagle over a ball white-over-blue plume. Grenadiers' great-
pierced with '2g" upon a shield. coats with red collar and red cuff piping.
30th Line: Inc. 180g, brass czapka-slyle shako plates pnd Line: Fusiliers, tufted pompons) e.g. red over
of rays around an eagle over '30'. Voltigeur sky-blue; grenadier caps without plates, red
distinctions varied with banalion, plumes plume) white cords.
yellow-aver-red, over green or yellow-aver-red 54th Line: Eagle-on-crescent shako plale bearing
'5
 63rd Line: 'Capucine' facings c. 1806-08, grenadiers
with brass grenade-shaped shako plate, red notel
plume with white base; c. 1808 red plume and
upper shako band, white cords. NCO in Spain Rtgl.
shown with blue cuffs with red piping and 3 rd
c. 18
flaps, gold upper shako band, red tufted
pompon and cockade loop, large brass (?) 41h
numbers '63' instead ofshako plate. Portrait of c. 18
voltigeur officer shows dark blue overcoat with
yellow collar and red piping. 18th
64th Lint: Volligtur c. 1806 shown with bicom, red c. 18
ties and tassels, green pompon with red tuft,
red collar piped white, green epauleues with
red crescents, '64' on turnbacks.
65th Line: Officers with tricolour rosette instead of 26th
shako plate, 1810-12; blue cuffs with red flaps
and piping; grenadiers as Plate F in this book.
67th Lint: Shako cords worn diagonally; red cuffs
and flaps piped white.
71s1 Lint: Grenadiers' shako plate of grenade shape
with '71' on ball.
88lh Lint: Grenadier caps with brass grenade badge,
red plume and cords.
93rd Lint: Grenadier cap plates bore grenade with
'93' on ball.
951h Lint: Voltigturs' bicom with yellow-tufted green
pompon, 1806.
g6lh Lint: Voltigwrs had chamois culfflaps piped red;
Suhr shows green epaulettes with yellow
crescents, yellow shako bands and chevrons,
green cords and carrot-shaped pompon.
loolh Lint: shako plate of eagle upon a plinth
bearing 'I 00'.
102nd Line: 1806 shako plate bore' 'on eagle's
breast.
108th Line: Grenadier caps with triangular plate,
lnfantrytnan of c. lJ96t &f"ter Bellange. Although he wears
upper point occupied by bursting grenade,
grenadier distinctions (red epauJettes, drooping red horsehair '108' cut out below.
plume on the bicorn., in this case turned to the rear) such
distinctions were Dot always confined to elite companies in the 117th Lint: Grenadiers c. 1806-08 had grenade-
early revolutionary wars. shaped shako plates with number on ball.
1251h Lint: Formed from 4th and 7th Dutch Regts.;
bust of Napoleon and '54'. wore white Dutch uniform with pink and
56th Lint: 1806 shako plate pentagonal bearing yellow facings respectively for at least a year
eagle over number; grenadiers' plate, 1810, (see Plate G); by June 1812 only elites of
bore grenade over '56' on lozenge. ISt-3rd Bns. had received blue uniforms.
57th Line: Fusiliers, tufted pompons, e.g. red over Initially 1St Bn. had yellow facings (elites
yellow. pink), 2nd Bn. pink (grenadiers yellow), 3rd
62nd Lint: 1806 shako plate oval, bearing eagle over Bn. pink (voltigeurs and two fusilier companies
disc pierced '62'. yellow), 4th Bn. pink (two companies yellow).
en; Examples of regimental voltigeur distinctions are R'g/. Plume Shnko cords Epoul~llts
:cd noted below: 4 2nd yellow li pped green yello\\', green
.nd green, over fringe
R'gl. P'/lm~ Shako cords Epaulettts green ball
3Jn
3rd green-over- green green, yellow
.nd green li ppcd green green, yellow
c. 1807 yellow crescents 57 th
ted yellow, over crescentS
(?) 4th green, red while green, red yellow ball
t of <-IBog lip crescents
yellow shako band and chevrons 1 green-over- green yellow, green
ilh
yellow fringe
18th red with green green, or (green upper shako band)
oed c. IBog yellow tip with yellow
Jft, or VIce versa, crescentS
ilh over yellow
ball
Members of the Army of Italy of the late 1790S in typically
of 26th yellow-over- green green, yellow wretched clothing exhibiting a wide variety of styles, with
headgear including the fur-crested 'Tarleton' helme~ bicorns,
ipS green, over crescents a grenadier cap, m.irliton caps and bomuls tk poilU.
ok. green ball
1ffs

ge,

ilh

:en

ed',
ow
ns,

nh

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:ie,

le-

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nd
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17
 Musicians
Governed by the whim of the colonel, musicians'
uniforms fell into two categories: those ofLhe band,
and those of drummers, fifers and voltigeur buglers
• (comets). Bandsmen usually worc uniforms with
laced facings and almost always matching trefoil
epauleucs, white shako cords and plume, laced
hussar boots or officers' boots with turned-over tops,
and were armed with light-bladed lpm, which
details should be presumed in the following re-
gimental details unless stated otherwise. Drum-
mers, fifers and comets usually wore ordinary 27
uniform with lace on facings, pockets and turnbacks
and often on the sleeves; with large 'swallows'-nest'
wings; and with ordinary company distinctions,
shako ornaments, turn back badgcs, epauleucs, etc.,
the lauer worn over the wings. Tricolour lace of
various red, white and blue designs was popular.
Drum majors usually wore laced coats, a laced
bicorn with plume and/or feather panache, usually in
red, white and blue; Austrian knot decorations on
the thighs, gauntlets, laced hussar boots , a laced
baldric to support a sabre, and a corded mace;
caporals-tambour often wore a less elaborate version of
the same uniform, with busby and smaller mace.
Drums were brass, often with blue hoops, but
sometimes tricolour diagonal stripes were used, e.g.
the 67th and 88th. Examples of recorded uniforms
are noted below:
3rd Lille: Musicians (1807), sky-blue coat faced red,
laced gold , white-plumed bicorn; drummers
etc., same, but shakos, red wings, orange or
tricolour lace.
41h Lille: Musicians (18og), blue coat, red collar,
French infantry, c. 1800, wearing a wide variety of nOD. 4'
regulation unifonn, including cavalry overalls (left); the green lapels, cuffs and turn backs laced gold;
grenadier (centre) has a large plu.me of ,stand-and· fall' sha~. drummers same with gold-laced green wings.
Print by Bartsch after Kobel!.
51h Lille: Drum major (,8og), sky-blue single-
breasted coat laced silver, seven lassel-ended
silver loops on breasl, silver-laced white (or
Rrgl. Plum~ Shnko cords Epau/~l/u
sky-blue) breeches, white plume.
65 th red-over- green, red green, red
91h Lille: r-Iusicians (18og) as Plate E, drum major
1810- green ball tassels crescents 5
with bicorn bearing red-over-white-over-blue
1812 green sword knol, red tassel
plume over tricolour panache; drummers had
green-over- green green, yello" blue coats with green facings and wings,
yellow crescents caporal-tambour's busby with green bag, red
94 th green li pped yellow green, yello\\ piping and plume.
yellow, over crescents 181h Lille: Musicians (,805), blue coat, red collar,
yellow ball sky-blue facings, gold trefoils, sky-blue wings 6
green sword knots) or elile epauleues for drummers. 1809l blue
 faced crimson, gold lace; drummers with drummers blue faced red (including wings),
lns' crimson wings, tricolour or yellow/green lace white lace, red upper shako band , cords and
.nd, including seven inverted chevrons on sleeve; plume (including fusiliers). ~1usicia", c.
lers caporal-tambour, busby with red bag and plumc, ,8" '2 as before but hlue IUrnbacks piped
I'ith white cords. white, blue cuff flaps and trousers, hlue
foil 26th Lillt: Musicians (.80g), red coat faced blue, waistcoat with red hussar braid, ..,hako with
ced gold lac~, blue breeches, blue-over-white aurort cords, plume and 'wing' wrapped
)pS, plume; drummers, blue coat faced red, red around, black upper band and no plaIe.
lich wings, tricolour lace, shako with company 65th Lint: Musicians c. 1810-12 . blue coat faced
re- distinctions (e.g. fusilier, green-tipped plume red, blue cuffs, white turnbacks, ydlo\\ lace,
.m- over green ball). yellow shako with black leather bands. \\ hite
ary 27th Lint: J\lusicians, blue coat, pale orange lapels, plume and cords: drum major. gold epauleltf'~
.cks other facings red, white piping, gold lace; wilh gold or red fringe. husby with red kH~.
est' drummers etc., same but seven inverted chev- while plume, gold cords with red ta~<;('ls
ms, rons on sleeve; drum major's bicorn with 67th Li1lt: Musicians as Plate E, but whilt' plumf'
tc., orange-over-white plume; caporal-tambour with and cords, gold lace; drummc:-rs el<' .. hlur
, of busby, red bag and plume, white cords. One Wlllgs.
source shows orange cuffs and turn backs. Line grenadiers, c. .800; contemporary walercolour. Note the
30th Lillt: Musicians (c.• 8og), red coat faced blue, long coat-tails, with handkerchiefprotruding from the pocket;
the trousers with slits for draw.slrings around the bottom;
"n brass czapka-st yle shako plate; drummers etc., and tbe civili.an waistcoat of yellow-and-white stripes worn by
on same but some with blue wings, tricolour lace; the standing 6gure.
oed drum major with red epauleues over blue
ce; wings, busby bearing brass grenade badge, red
lof bag and plume, white piping and cords;
ceo vo/ligeur comel same, yellow epauleues, busby
Jut with yellow bag, white cords and piping,
..g. yellow-over-red plume over similarly coloured
ms ball. C. • 8.0, yellow/gold lace, rcd culf flaps,
eagle-on-crescent shako plate shown, with
~d, white grenadier epauleues.
'rs .pnd Line: Musicians, sky-blue coat faced yellow,
or laced gold; drummers similar with gold-laced
yellow wings, tufted company shako pompons.
>r, 41Jth Lillt: Extant drummer's coat (.8.2) is dark
Id', blue, faced red, dark blue shoulder straps
;:So piped red, f1apless cuffs, white lace with
le- intcrw·oven red diamond pattern on facings,
ed including bulton loops on lapels and six
or inverted chevrons on sleeve; blue star on
turn backs.
or 57th Lillt: Musicians (c. ,803-{)5), blue coat faced
ue yellow, white lace and trefoils, yellow-laced
ld bicorn, red-over-white-over-sky-blue plume;
drummcrs etc., same with white-laced yellow
wings; c. 18og, band wore blue faced sky-blue,
laced gold, drummers with sky-blue wings,
.r, orange lace.
gs 6yd Lillt: Musicians (c. ,808" blue coat faced
Je aurort, gold lace, aurort trefoils edged gold;
 '11
TI
th,
im
Ja<
wi
'pi
Successive patterns of infantry coat; from left to right: (a) hahit c. 1810, red epauleues, cap with grenade- wi
with Hapless cuff, c. 1804 (b) hahlt with Happed cuff,c. 1804 10(C)
hohit with reshaped turnbacks, c. 1810-13 (d) 1812 hobit-t'tJ/t, em bossed brass plate. br
bearing company distinctions of a grenadier.
26th Line: Inc. 180g, red lapels, white sleeve badges,
red epaulettes with white crescents, busby with an
88th Line: Musicians (c. 1805), blue coat faced red bag and plume, white piping. bl
orange, gold lace, bicorn with white-over- 27tft Line: [n c. 1808-12, pale orange lapels, red ep
orange plume; drummers same but red collar, badges and epaulettes with brass-scaled straps, ur
gold-laced orange wings. Drummers allached brass cap plate bearing grenade, red plume, wi
to band had black gauntlets and aprons. white cords. co
30th LiTle: In c. 180g, red coat, blue facings and (I"
Sapeurs badges, white epauleues and cords, red plume; T'
Sapeurs normally wore grenadier uniform, with c. 1810, blue coat with red facings, lapels, A
crossed axes and/or grenade badges on the badges and epaulelles. 'p
sleeves, usually white or red; plateless fur caps, ,pnd Line: [n c. I 8og, red-tipped green plume, white m
leather gauntlets and apron, and an axe-case cords, red badges, red epaulelles with gold re
over the shoulder; beards were mandatory. crescents, green fringe. b,
Recorded variations include: 45th Line: In c. 1806--<>8, sky-blue facings piped dark
blue, red cuff Aaps, lUrnbacks, epauleues, pi
3rd Line: [n c. 180g-lo, sky-blue faced red, plume and cords, blue breeches with black
red epaulellcs with yellow crescents, red gaiters cut to resemble hussar boots with red
plume and badges, white cap cords; c. 1812,
ordinary uniform with red epauleucs, white
cords, red-over-sky-blue plume.
edging and tassel; sleeve badge of blue-shafted
axes with yellow ferrule, white blade, ouLlined
red.
(
9th Line: Green facings c. 180g, red piping and 40th Line: [n c. 1806-08, sky-blue facings, red cuff
plume, white cords. flaps, badges, epauleucs, piping; white turn-
18th Litle: Sky-blue coat faced crimson, white backs and cords, red plume with dark blue tip.
epauleues, badges and cords, red plumc, 57th Line: [n c. 180g, sky-blue facings, with or
adopted c. ,80g; revened LO ordinary uniform without orange lace, red badges and plume,
20
 white cords. into which the regimental number was cut, with
6JTd Line: In c. 1806-<>8, capucine facings, red lion-head finials sometimes replaced by grenades or
badges and epauleltes, white turn backs piped horns for elites, some voltigeurs having the number
red, blue breeches with capucine scalloped- surrounded by a horn in addition. A tricolour
edged stripe, short gaiters as for 45th above, cockade was partly covered by the eagle's head, and
black fur shako with peak, red plume, white brass chinscales were used as before, but shako
cords; c. 1808-og same, but white piping, cords were discontinued (not always in practice).
ordinary cap with same decorations. Grenadiers' shakos were slightly taller, with red
651h Line: In c. 181D-12, red badges, cords and upper and lower bands and side chevrons; these
plume, white epaulenes with red crescents. decorations were yellow for voltigeurs. Red and
67th Line: Inc. 1808, red plume and badges, white yellow plumes were re-imroduced for elites, though
cords, red epaulettes with white straps .edged tufted pompons seem to have been more popular.
red. Grenadier caps were officially discontinued.
On 30 December 181 I an attempt was made to
The 1812 Unifonn standardise musicians' uniform by introducing a
The regulations of 19January 1812, named after single 'Imperial Livery', a green coat with 'Im-
the Major Bardin responsible for their issue, perial' lace of alternate yellow and green segments,
introduced a double-breasted, short-tailed blue the yellow with an intenvoven crowned green 'N',
jacket or habil-vesle, with red collar piped blue (or the next yellow with a green cagle; drum majors
white; chamois piped blue for voltigeurs), white and bandmasters were to have double silver lace on
'plastron'-style lapels piped red, red cuffs piped the collar and musicians a single lace. Drummers
de- white, blue flaps and vertical pockets piped red, and received new 'I mperial Livery' by the 'Bardin
brass buttons. The white turn backs bore a blue regulations': a single-breasted green jacket with red
~es, crowned 'N' for fusiliers, red grenade for grenadiers, collar piped green, green cuff flaps and shoulder
ith and yellow or chamois horn for voltigeurs; fusiliers had straps piped red, and red cuffs piped white, with
blue shoulder straps piped red, with red or chamois '1 mperial' lace on breast, back and sleeves. Com-
-ed epaulettes edged blue for clites. Rank badges were pany distinctions were retaincd, and regimental
ps, unchanged, but officers' coats had longer tails. The patterns continued in use.
ne, white single-breasted waistcoat had a slightly lower Issue of the 1812 uniform was oftcn delayed until
collar, round cuffs and shoulder straps of dark blue 1813 or even 1814, and recorded variations include:
nd (red for elites and sometimes cMTTWis for voltigeurs).
ne; The black gaiters no longer extended over the knee. 1st Line: Voltigeur comet c. 1814 shown in bluejacket,
:Is, A new pattern of forage cap was imroduced, the yellow collar edged white, blue cuffs with
'pokalem', a pie-shaped blue cap with a folding yellow flaps and piping, blue lapels piped
Ite neck-flap which could fasten under the chin; piped yellow and laced with mixed white-and-sky-
lid red, it bore the regimental number or elite company blue, of which seven inverted chevrons on
badge on the front. sleeve; yellow epaulettes with green crescents;
Irk The 18f2-pattern shako had a new plate com- blue trousers with yellow stripe; red shako with
es, prising a crowned eagle atop a semi-circular plate yellow bands and chevrons, yellow plume,
ck
ed
ed
ed (
n-
p. Infaatry Dluskel of An /X -An XI// pattern.
or
Ie,

21
 white metal shako plate and chinscales and eae
brass-edged peak. Bm
3rd Line: Grenadiers as Plate H; volligturs same, wh
except yellow instead of red, yellow collar een
piped red, green epauletles with yellow cres- arc
cents..Musicians wore ordinary jackets, red· 'N'
over-sky-blue plume; fusilier drummers same, Fel
elites with company distinctions; drum major intI
wore single-breasted blue coat faced sky-blue, sha
laced gold (including seven bars on breast, unl
busby with sky-blue bag laced gold, red plume eff,
over white and blue panache. Voltigeur t814 me
shown with green tufted pompon, green rer
epauletles with red crescent, baggy brown pIe
Spanish trousers with yellow zigzag-edged 45 t
stripe.
5th Lint: Drummers worc ordinary jacket, seven Ca
inverted red-and-white chevrons on sleeve, Ur
Shako plate, 16th Line. 1806 pattern. fringeless red epaulettes for fusiliers. uti
8rll Line: Apparent retention of old lozenge plates un
NCO with a colour of 1804 pauem; print by Martinet. bearing eagle over '8'. Elites' shakos without c1e
side chevrons; red tufted pompon or plume, re!
red cords for grenadiers; blue-tufted yellow grc
pompon, yellow-over-red or sky-blue-tipped Sp
yellow plume for volfigturs; tufted pompons for bl;
fusiliers, e.g. red with blue or green tuft, blue CO'
with white tufl. Drummers wore single- lef
breasted blue jacket faced red, tricolour lace; we
musicians sky-blue habit-ueste and breeches, nu
yellow facings, gold lace, yellow plume tipped ea
sky-blue, drum major's busby with gold-laced th,
yellow bag. Ba
18th Lint: Lozenge plates bearing' 18' used as well as eli
1812 pattern. Voltigturs, green pompon, tu:
yellow-tipped green plume over yellow ball, or W1

red-tufted yellow pompon, green epaulettes ov

with yellow crescents. Musicians, blue surtout an
faced crimson, gold lace, white plume; drum-
mers etc., single-breasted bluejacket faced red, re;
laced with mixed red-and-gold or white with th
interwoven red diamonds. n<
45th Line: t81O-pattern shako plate perhaps still in E,
usc. n(

[30th Lille: Czapka-style 'rayed' shako plates. p<

m
The Restoration
Some changes were occasioned by the Bourbon so
restoration in 18 J4, some regiments being re- sa
numbered, some being assigned 'Royal' titles, and cl
22
 and each being restricted lO three baualions. The white
Bourbon cockade was restored on 13 April 1814,
arne, which often mcant simply covering the red and blue
ollar centre orthe tricolour with a white disc, with as casy
cres- a reversion upon the return of Napoleon. Fusiliers'
Ted- .~, turnback badges were removed, and on 8
arne, February a eartridge box badge of a erowned and
laJor interlaced double 'L' cypher was introduced, with a
bluc, shako piaIe bearing Bourbon symbols; bUI it is
~ast , unlikely that many alteraLions could have taken
.ume effecI before the Hundred Days, except for a
81 4) modification of the ,810-pallem shako plale by
Tcell removing the eagle, leaving only the section with
·own pierced number--e.g. Dighton shows its use by the
jged 45 th .

even CaJnpaign Unifonns

~eve) Uniforms were mcxlified on campaign for reasons of
utility or due to the rigours of active service;
lates uniforms might be made locally, from whatever
hout cloth was available and often not conforming to
lme, regulations. Loose trousers or overalls were usual,
llow grey, white or ochre in colour, with blue and (in
'ped Spain) brown not uncommon. Shako covers of
s for black, waterprooofed fabric, or of white or buff
blue colton, concealed most ornaments but sometimes
.gle- left the pompon, or even plume, visible; such covers
ace; were oftcn painted with a regimental device or
:hes, number, as in Plate F. So werc the white fabric
'ped cartridge box covers which recorded the identity of
lced the owner, I-Regiment d'lnfanterie/-
Bataillon,-Compagnie', and sometimes paintcd
II as elile company badges. The trousers might be
)011, turned up at the boltom or tied around the ankle
), or with string; the greatcoat was often worn directly Sergeant-major with the I£.agle' of the Htth Line. c. t8og; prinl
afler P. and H. Lecomle. The searlel colour-bell bears gold-
°Ues over the waistcoat, with the habit in the knapsack; embroidered foliale designs, and the staff is painled sky-blue
~tout and the bonnet de police was often worn for comfort and sludded with gill nails.
lm- instead of the shako. For action, however, a
red, regiment would often endeavour to look its best, on
vith the premise that (as one officer stated) lane can

I in
never be too well dressed when the cannon roars'!
Exigencies ofcampaign life resulted in all manner of
Equipllzellt
non-regulation garments, from the Arab ap- Regulated by successive orders, basic infantry
pearance of the troops in Egypt to the fur-swathed equipment remained reasonably standard
masses on the retreat from Moscow; while the Ihroughoutthe period. The knapsack (haumac) was
IMarie-Louises' or conscripts of 1813-14 were often based upon Ihe 1786 and 1791 specifications,
JOn so wretchedly equipped that they reeeived nothing slightly reduced in size by regulations orthe Year X
re- save a cap and greatcoat, to be worn over civilian (An Xl of the Republican calendar (1801-00).
mrl clolhes. Made of calfskin tanned with the hair on, it was
03
 The cartridge box was suspended at the rear of the
right hip by a whitened buffleather belt over the Iefl
shoulder, with a strap at the left of the box faslened
onto the sword belt or one ofthe skirt-buttons of the
coat, to prevent the box from slipping; the flap
carried grenade or hunting-horn badges for elites,
and occasionally the regimental number.
The bayonet scabbard was carried at the front of
the cartridge box belt by fusiliers, but a belt over the
right shoulder was used by all those armed wilh
sabres, when it was usual to carry sabre and bayonet
in a combined frog. This practice led to uneven
drill, grenadiers reaching to their left and fusiliers
their right when preparing to fix bayonets. The
combined frog was prohibited in '79', all bayonets
to be carried at the right thereafter; but it seems
doubtful whether this system was ever adopted
universally, and the combined frog was restored by
the decree of 4 Bmmaire An X (27 October 1801)
which regulated equipment patterns.
on-regulation items carried on campaign in-
cluded canvas satchels slung over the shoulder,
fabric 'sausages' to contain flour, and the ubiq-
Sha.ko plate, 23rd Line, 1810 pattern.
uitous canteen, which was always provided by the
individual; there was no official issue, and canteens
carried on the back by means of buff leather ranged from wooden barrels to bottles in wicker-
shoulder straps attached by wooden toggles, with a work cases and metal flasks, usually slung over the
flap fastened by three (or two) buff leather straps shoulder by a coloured cord. Officers on campaign
and buckles. In 1806 it was provided with three sometimes carried knapsacks, but often had their
extra straps, one to pass vertically all round the equipment rolled in a greatcoat slung over one
middle, and two to secure the rolled greatcoat on shoulder, across the body, a rudimentary protection
top, this having been attached earlier by privately- from sword cuts also adopted by olher ranks.
acquired straps or string. When filled with two
packs of cartridges, spare shoes, four days' biscuit, Weapons
two spare shirts, spare trousers and gaiters, night The basic arm was the I777-pattern musket,
cap, polishing brushes, pipeclay and personal modified (in barrel bands and sling swivels) in
impedimenta, it might weigh between 15 and 20kg, Years IX and XIII. The An IX/XIII pattern was a
not including items fastened to the outside such as smoothbore flintlock ISI.scm long, of 17.smm
messtin, cooking pOl, and spare headdress in linen calibre and 4.37Skg weight; all filtings were iron.
cover. Other firearms in use incIudedJusils depaTeilles made
The black leather cartridge box was initially from spare pans of I 763, '774 and '777-patterns to
constructed around a wooden block with holes remedy the shortage of materiel in the early
drilled to accommodate cartridges; later types had Revolutionary Wars; and the An IX/XIII dragoon
box interiors. Sizes varied slightly, the 1786-pattern musket, '4I.7cm long and 4.27Skg in weighl,
measuring 32.1 x 12.2 x 6.8cm (interior), with a usually carried by voltigeurs, selected numbers of
flap 28.5 x 16.3cm; the An X pattern was similar, whom carried rifled muskets until these were
the 1812 type including an interior flap and withdrawn in 1807. Sapeurs carried light mus-
removable container; later patterns had two straps ketoonsof An IX pattern, Illcm long and with brass
underneath to accommodate the rolled forage cap. barrel bands.
flhe
elefl
I: Fusilier, 43e de Ligne t 1792
<ned
2: Infanlcyman in campaign dress, 1795
,flhe 3: Grenactier. Garde NalionaJe de Paris, 1792
flap
lites,

nL of
rthe
with
onet
even
iliers
The
meLS
::ems
pled
d by
801)

1 tn-
Ider,
tbiq-
I lhe
:eens
:ker-
r the
algn
their
one
:tion

sket,
; ) In
t/as a
)ffiffi
Ifon.
nade
ns to
'arly
~oon

ight,
rs of
were
mus-
)rass

A
 I

1: Fusilier, 61"r Demi-Brigadei Egypt, 1799

2: Fusilier, 1800
3: Oftic~r. 15" Oemi-Brigade, 1800
4: Grenadier, 1800

B
 1: Sergent-major with 'Aigle', 4 e de Ligne, 1805
2: '~ Porte-Aigle' 8 e de Ligne, 1811
3: Sapeur, 46e de Ligne, 1808

c
 1: Grenadier, IS"' de Ligne. 1807
2: Vo)tigeur cornet, 18"' de Ligne. 1809
3: Voltigeur, 3"' de Ligne. 1809

D
1: Capora.l-tambour. 67e de Ligne. 1808
2: Musician. g e de Ligne. 1809
3: G~nadier-tambour, 5~ de Ligne. 1809

E
 1: Volligeur, SSe de Lignc; Spain, 1811
2: Fusilier officer, 34 e de Lignei Spain, 1810
3: Grenadier. 6Se de Ligne; Spain, 1810

F
I: Major,looe de Ligne, 1809
2: Sergent de fusiliers.:we Ligne. 1811
3: Officer, 125· de Ligne, 1811
4: Voltigeur. 14 e de Ligne, 1811

G
 TI
and
with
and
havil
guar
a 21-
sligh,
scabl
1
pracl
diers
const
ped
disco
limitl
Janu
buto
colou
volligl
vana
carnt
often
head
lnan!
thou!
bayol
being
usual
on
bar g
from.
the c(
buff I
leath,
and!c
clasp,
carne
guaro
metal
gold I
Th
plifie<
134 0
1: Fusilier, 70· de Ligne, 1813 (voltig
2: Grenadier, 3 e de Ligne, 1813
3: 'Marie-Louise', 82" de Ligne, 1814 27 S<
4: Tambour, 96· de Ligne, 1814 (

10851

27 JOt

H
 The I 769-pattern sabre with angular brass guard
and short, slightly curved blade remained in use
with minor modifications until the issue orthe An IX
and An XI patterns of sabre-briquet, the former
having a cast-brass hilt of 28 ribs and a curved
guard ending in a pyramidal quillon, and the lauer
a 2 I-ribbed grip and a rounded quillon. Both had a
slightly more curved blade and a black leather
scabbard, the An XI with a larger chape. The '786
practice whereby lhe sabre was carried by grena-
diers, musicians and all NCOs remained largely
constam throughout; voltigeurs were initially equip-
ped with sabres, an instruction ordering their
discontinuance from 7 October 1807 clearly having
limited effect, as it had to be repeated as late as 16
January 1815. The sword knol, partly decorative
but originally for securing the sabre to the wrist, was
coloured red for grenadiers, green and/or yellow for
uoltigeurs and while for fusiliers, but regimental
variations existed. Drum majors and sapeurs usually
carried elaborately decorated sabres, those ofsapeurs
often shaped as an antique 'glaive' with an eagle-
head pommel. The bayonet was 45.6cm long,
triangular in section, and secured by a locking-ring, Shako plate, 12151 Line, of the conl.lnon but non-regulation
though in the 1790S it was common to tie the 'eagle-over-crescent' design, c. IBog 10.
bayonet to the musket with string to prevent its
being wrenched off the muzzle. The scabbard was sabres-briquet
usually of brown leather. 216 corporals: 192 muskets, 24 dragoon muskets
Officers carried a straight-bladed epee with single- (volligeurs), 216 sabres-briquet
bar guard and helmet-shaped pommel, suspended 13 sapeurs: 13 musketoons, '3 sabres
from a shoulder belt, or a waist belt passing beneath 167 grenadiers: 167 muskets, 167 sabres-briquet
the coat and front Rap of the breeches, of whitened 241 voltigeurs: 241 dragoon muskets (regt. must have
buff leather-though unofficial black or coloured abolished volligeur sabres)
leather waist belts, some with gold lace decoration 2,3°7 fusiliers: 2,295 muskets, 12 musketoons
and/or rectangular gilt plates instead of the usual S- (perhaps for 12 unauthorised musicians ap-
clasp, were popular. Officers of elite companies pearing on the rolls as privates?)
carried various types ofcurved sabre with single-bar 54 drummers, musicians and comets: 54 mus-
guard, as (unofficially) did some fusilier officers. All ketoons, 54 sabrts-bn"qutt
metal fittings were gilded, and sword knots were of
gold lace.
The variety of regimental weaponry is exem-
plified by a return of the 14th Line in 1808-Q9:
Tile RegiJ1zellfS
134 officers: 96 epetS, 38 sabres (Clites), 9 carbines
(voltigeurs)
oftileLille
27 sergeant-majors: 24 muskets, 27 sabres, 3 For reasons of space, the following list cannot cover
carbines (voltigeurs) fully all the services ofeach regiment, especially as it
108 sergeants: 96 muskets, 12 carbines (voltigturs), was common for ballalions to serve apart; thus
108 sabm-briquet elements of the same regiment might be engaged
27 fourriers: 24 muskets, 3 carbines (volligeurs), 27 simultaneously as far apart as Spain and Russia.
25
J
J
I
I
I
I
I
J
I
,
I

I
(

«
(

,
I

I
I
(

1
(

I
Only major actions are listed below and abbrev-
iated as follows:

A- Austerlitz j- lena
AA- Areis-sur-Aube L- Leipzig
AJ- Albuera Lu- Lutzen
BA- Bar-sur-Aube M- Montmirail
Bd- Badajos Nivelle
Be- Bcrezina p- Paris
8<>--- Borodino Sa- Salamanca
Br- Barrosa Sb- Sabugal
Bt- Bautzen SD- St. Dizier
Bu- Busaco Sg- Saragossa
By- Bayonne Sm- Smolensk
Ca Castalia Ta- Tarragona
Ch- Champaubert Tf- Tarifa
Co-- Corunna To-- Toulouse
D- Dresden Tr- Trafalgar
Ee-Eckmiihl Tv- Talavera
Es-Essling U- Ulm
Ey-Eylau Va- Valencia
F- Friedland Vi- Vittona
Fa-Fuentes de Onoro Vm- Vimiero
G- Gerona W- Wagram
'1812' and '1815' indicate to which Corps of the
Grande Armce and Armee du Nord respectively a
regiment was attached for the Russian and Water-
loo campaigns; '1813' and '1814' refer to service in
Germany and France respectively. 'NG' and num-
erals indicate from which cohorts of the Nalional
Guard a regiment was formed. Details are restricted
to the corps formed in 1796 by the consolidation of
the Demi-Brigades de Bataille into Demi-Brigades
de Ligne. The complexity of trus process may be
demonstrated by the lineage of the 4th Demi- 'Infanterie de Ligne en Campagne: Seatmelle': print by
Martinet, c. 1810, showing a grenadier wearing a single-
Brigade de Ligne, formed at Loano on 14 March bnasted greatcoat and a shako which features a DOD-
regulatioD 'eagle-over-c~sceaeplate and the plume within a
1796 from the former 39th, 130th, 145th and '47th waterproof cover.
Demi-Brigades de Bataille, and including among its
personnel ex-members of the old regiments of
Cambresis (20th in 1786), de Medoc (73rd), de 1St Regt. W, Sa, Lu, Bt, D, L, M, P, 1815 II
Boulonnois (82nd) and d'Angoumois (83rd), and Corps.
the volunteer battalions of Hautes- and Basses- 2nd Regt. Tr, Ec, Es, \V, G, 1812 II Corps, D, L,
Pyrenees, Haute-Garonne and I' Aude. 1815 II Corps.
:;rd Regt. , A, j, F, Ee, Es, \V, ,1812 Xl
Corps, 1813, BA, AA, 1815 II Corps.
4th Regt. U,A,j, Ey, Ec,Es, W, 1812 III Corps,
Shako of the 54th Line, c. 1810, of 1806 pattern plus chinscales,
with the aoa~regu1atioa'_gle-over-cres~t'plate bearing the Sm, Bo, D, L, 1814, 1815 II Corps.
appareatly unique device of a portrait-bust ofNapoleoa above 5th Regt. W, Va, 1815 VI Corps.
the au.mber. (Wallis Ie. Wallis)

27
 14th Regt. U, A,j, Ey, Sg, Ta, Ca, Lu, Bt, D, AA.
15th Regt. F, Co, FO, Sa, N.
16th Regt. Tr, Ee, Es, VV, G, Ta, Va, Ca, Lu, Bt,
D, L, IBI4.
1Jth Regt. A, j, Ey, Ec, IV, D, IBI5 I Corps.
18th Regt. ,A,J, Ey, Ec, Es, \V, 1812 II I Corps,
Sm, Bo, D, L, 1814.
19th Regt. W, IBI2 II Corps, D, L, IBI4, IBI5 I
Corps.
20th Regt. Va, IBI4.
21st Regt. A,j, Ey, Ec, W, Sg, IBI2 I Corps, Sm,
Bo, D, IBI5 I Corps.
22nd Regt. Sa, Lu, BI, 1815 III Corps.
23rd Regt. W, BI, D, 1815 III Corps.
24th Regt. J, Ey, F, Es, W, Tv, FO, Bd 1811, Vi,
,D, SD.
25th Regt. A,J, Ey, Ec, \V, 1812 I Corps, Sm, Bo,
D, P, IBI5 I Corps.
26th Regt. Guadeloupe & Martinique, 1St & 2nd
Bns., 1805-14; Bu, Fa, Sa, N, Lu, D,
L.
27th Regt. U,J, Ey, F, Es, \V, Bu, Fa, Sa, N, To,
Lu, D, IBI5 VI Corps.
28th Regt. U,A,J, Ey,Tv, Vi,N,Sg, 1814,18151
Corps.
29th Regt. W, IBI2 XI Corps, IBI3, IBI5 I
Corps.
JOth Regt. A,j, Ey, Ec, W, IBI2 I Corps, Sm, Bo,
1813, IBI5 IV Corps.
JIst Regt. San Domingo IBol-04; IB04 disban-
ded and transferred 10 7th and 105th
RegIS.
32/1d Regt. V, F, Vm, Tv, N, To.
Infantry, c. 1812; print by Raffet. The shako 'pompons' are 33rd Regt. A,j, Ey, Ec, W, IBI2I Corps, Bo, 1815
discs of padded cloth bearing the Dumber of the battalion. III Corps.
34th Regt. U, A, F, Sg, Al, N, To, IBI5 III Corps.
35th Regt. U, W, 1812 IV Corps, Sm, Bo.
6th Regt. BI, L. 36th Regt. U, A,J, Ey, Co, Bu, Sb, Fa, Sa, Vi, N,
7th Regt. IBoI-{)4 San Domingo; G, Va, Ta, To, 1812 IX Corps.
Ca, Bt, L. 37th Regt. Ec, Es, W, 1812 II Corps, Bo, Lu, Bt,
8th Regt. A,J, F, Es, \V, Tv, FO, Br, Ed IBII, IBI4, 1BI5 III Corps.
Vi, :-<, BA, AA, IBI5 I Corps. ]8th Regt. 1 umber vacant.
9th Regt. A, \1', IBI2 IV Corps, Bo. 39th Regt. ,J, Ey, F, Es, W, Bu, Fa, Sa, N, To,
loth Regt. Capri IBoB, Sicily IBIO, Va, To, Lu, D.
Bt, L, IBI5 VI Corps. 40th Regt. V, A,J, W, Sg, Fa, AI, N, To, Lu, Bt,
11th Regt. U, IV, D, L, 1814, 1815 III Corps. L, Ch, P, 1815 VI Corps.
12th Regt. A,j, Ey, Ec, IV, IBI2 I Corps, Sm, Bo, 41st Regt. Absorbed into 171h Regl. IB03.
D, AA, SD, IBI5 III Corps. pnd Regt. IV, G, Ta, BI.
13th Regt. A, \1', Tyrol IBIO, BI. 43rd Regt. U, A, j, Ey, Tr, Vi, N, To, Ch, M.
28
 -- - -----

\.

I,
(

s,

"

I,

),

d
J,

),
Officer and Porte-.Aigle in .SI2-pattern unifonn, including the Sergent.rnajor Vaguemestre (regimental postman) and
red-creSled carabinier helmet of the Porte-AigJe; extant Adjut&nt-Sous-Officier in 1812 regulation uniform; print by
I cUBlples have the crest directly upon the hebnet, without a Carle Vernet. The Vaguemestre bas a gold piping between his
metal comb. The 181 I-pattern flag, shown here without its rank-bars (perhaps indicating his appointRlent); the Adjutant-
customary fringe, bears honours suitable to the 27th, 39th, Sous-Officier wears an officers'·pauern long-tailed coat with a
I 59th or 76th Regiments. Print by Carle Vernet. fringe on the right epaulette, a Don-regulation feature possibly
imitating those worn by comlllissioned adjutants.

),
44th Regt. J,Ey,Sg, Va,Ca, 1812 IX Corps, 1815 56th Regt. Ee, Es, W, G, 1812 II Corps, D, L,
1- IV Corps. ,8'4, 1815 III Corps.
h 45/h Regt. A,], F, Es, W, Tv, Fa, Bd 1811, Vi, N, 57th Regt. V, A,], Ey, Ec, Es, '·V, 1812 I Corps,
To, D, 1815 I Corps. Bo, D, 1814.
46th Regt. , A,J, Ey, Ec, Es, W, 1812 III Corps, 58th Regt. V, A, F, Vrn, Tv, AI, Bel 1812, Vi, N,
5 Sm, Bo, L, BA, 1815 I Corps. To, Lu, D, P.
47/h Regt. Bu, Sb, Fa, Co, Sa, N, To, Lu, Bt, L, 59th Regt. V,J, Ey, F, E5, 'V, Bu, Fa, Sa, N, To,
s. 1815 VI Corps. Lu, BI, D, L, 1815 IV Corps.
4fith Regt. A, J, Ey, Ec, W, 1812 I Corps, Bo, 60th Regt. Illyria and Dalmatia 1806-<>9; W, Va.
I, ,8'3, 1815 IV Corps. 61st Regt. A, J, Ey, Ec, \Y, 1812 I Corps, Bo,
49th Regt. Disbanded 1803. 1813, 1815 II Corps.
t, 50/h Regt. U,J, Ey, F, Bu, Fa, Sa, N, To, Lu, Bt, 6Jmd Regt. W, Sa, Lu, Bt, P.
D, Ch, M, 1815 IV Corps. 63rd Regt. J, Ey, F, Es, 'V, Tv, Fa, Vi, 1\, L, 1815
51st Regt. A,], Ey, F, Tv, Al, Tf, Vi, N, To, 1812 IV Corps.
>, IX Corps, D. U,A,J,Es, W,Sg,FO,AI,Bd 1812,:'1,
52nd Regt. W, BI. By, D, 1815 III Corps.
t, 53"d Regt. W, 1812 IV Corps, Bo. 65th Regt. Ee, 'V, Fa, Sa, Vi, N, To, Lu, Bt, L,
54th Regt. A,J, F, Es, \V, Tv, FO, Bd 181 I, Tf, 1814, 1815 IV Corps.
Vi, N, ,8'3, 1814, 1815 I Corps. 66th Reg/. Guadeloupe, Bu, Fa, Sa, N, Lu, Bt, L,
55th Regt. V, A, J, Ey, AI, Vi, ,To, 1812 IX P.
Corps, BI, D, ,8'4, 1815 I Corps. 67th Regt. Tr, Ee, Es, \¥, G, Lu, Bt, 1814.
29
 73rd Rtgt. Disbanded and absorbed InIO 03rd
Regl., 1803.
74th Rtgt. Disbanded 1803.
75th Rtgt. U) A,], Ey, Tv, Vi, ,To, 1814, 1815
VI Corps.
76th Rtgt. U)], Ey, F, Es, W, Bu) FO, Sa) N, To,
D, 1815 IV Corps.
77th Rtgt. Disbanded 1803.
78th Rtgt. Absorbed into ond Regl. 1803.
79th Rtgt. Tr, W.
80th Rtgt. Absorbed into 34th Regl. 1803.
81St Rtgt. A, Dalmatia 1806--09) W) Va, To.
82nd Rtgt. Guadeloupe & Martinique 1803--<l9,
Vm, Bu, FO) Sa, N, Lu, Bl, L) SD)
1815 II Corps.
8JTd Rtgt. Absorbed into 3rd Regl. 1803.
84th Rtgt. U, A, \Y, 1810 IV Corps, Bo, Be, 1815
I Corps.
85th Rtgt. A,]) Ey) Ec, W, 1812 I Corps) Bo, D,
1814, 1815 I Corps.
86th Rtgt. Vm, Co, FO, Sa, To, Lu, Bl, D, L,
1814, 1815 III Corps.
87th Rtgt. Absorbed into 5th Regl., 1803.
88th Rtgt. A,J, Ey, Ee, W, Sg, FO, AI, Bd 1810,
Vi, N, P, 1815 III Corps.
89th Rtgt. Disbanded 1803.
goth Rtgt. Absorbed into 93rd Regl. 1803.
91st Rtgt. Absorbed inlO ooth Regt. 1803.
92nd Regt. U, W, 1810 IV Corps, Bo, 1815 II
Corps.
93rd Regt. Tr, Ec, Es, W, G, 1812 III Corps, Sm,
Bo, Be, D, L, 1814, 1815 Il Corps.
94th Regt. A,), F, Es, W, Tv, FO, Tf, Vi, N) 1813.
95th Regt. A,J) F, Es, W, Tv, FO, AI, Vi, N, 1813,
1815 IV Corps.
g6th Regt. ,F) Es, W) Tv) FO, Bd 1811, N, To,
1813, 1814, 1815 IV Corps.
G~nadier in 18n,.pattern uniform.; Dote the ~teotiOD of the
shako cords and the large feather plwne. Print by Martinet. 97th Regt. Absorbed into 60th Regl. 1803.
gOth Rtgt. Absorbed into 90nd Regl. 1803.
99th Rtgt. Absorbed into 60nd Regl. 1803.
68th Rtgt. Disbanded and absorbed into 56th, looth Rtgt. U»)) Ey) F) Es, "") Sg, FO, AI, Vi, N)
18°3· 1815 II Corps.
69th Rtgt. U,], Ey, F, Es, \V, Bu, FO, Sa, N, To. IOlst Regt. Sa, N, To, Bl, L, BA, AA.
70th Rtgt. Tr, Vrn, Co, FO, Sb, Sa) N, Lu, Bl, L , I02nd Rtgt. W) Lu, L.
1814, 1815 III Corps. I03rd Reg/. U,J, Es, W, Sg, FO, AI, Bd 1810, Vi,
71St Rtgt. Disbanded 18°3, 1st & ond Bns. N) To) Lu) Bt, L, 1814.
joining 35th, 3rd Bn., 86th. I04th Rtgt. Absorbed into I Ilh Regl. 1803; refor-
pnd Rtgt. F, Ee, Es, W, 1810 III Corps, Bo, L, med 1814 from bns. of 17th, 50nd and
1814,1815 II Corps. 10ISt RegIS.
I05th Regt. J, Ey, Ec, Es, W, N, 1812 XI Corps,
1813, BA, AA, SO, 1815 I Corps.
J06th Regt. W, 1812 IV Corps, Bo.
J07th Regt. Disbanded 1803; reformed 1814 from
bos. of 6th, J olh, 20th and IO'2nd
RegIS.; 1814, 1815 VI Corps.
J08/h Reg!. A,], Ey, Ee, \V, 1812 I Corps, 80, Be,
1813, 1815 II Corps_
fOfJ/h Reg!. Absorbed into 21St Reg!. 1803.
f JOth Regl. 1St Bn. absorbed into 55th Reg!., 2nd
and 3rd into 86th, 1803.
If Ilh Regl. A,J, Ey, F, Ee, \V, 1812 I Corps, Sm,
Bo, 1813, 1815 IV Corps.
If2th Regt. W, Bt, L.
If3th Regl. Formed 1808; Ciudad Rodrigo, 1812
XI Corps, 1813, Ch, P; absorbed into
4th, 14th and 72nd RegIS. 1814.
If4lh Regl. Formed 1808 from 1St and 2nd Pro-
visional Regts.; Sg, Va, Ca, Ta.
If5lh Regl. Formed 1808 from 3rd and 4th Pro- Grenadiers in undress waistcoats, a style which could be worn
on active service in place of the habll, especially in hOI climales.
visional Regts.; Sg, Ta, N, To, 1814. The blue facings are regulation, but the grenade-shaped sleeve
badges are an unrecorded addition. Prinl by Carle Vernel.
1I6lh Regl. Formed 1808 from 5th Provisional
Rcgl.j Sg, Ta, Va, Ca, To.
fl7th Regl. Formed 1808 from gth and loth
Provisional Regts.; Sg, Ta, Va, Ca, 18 r2 I Corps, Bo, Be.
To. 128th Regl. Formed 181 I from Bremen Guard;
If8lh Regl. Formed 1808; Sa, Vi, To, AA. 1812 I r Corps, Be, r8r3; incorporaLCd
I 19th Regl. Formed 1808 from 13Lh and 14Lh into 40th and 53rd 1814.
Provisional Regtsj Sa, Vi, To, 1814. 129lh Regl. Formed 1811 from Westphalian
120th Regl. Formed 1808 from 17th and 18th troops; r8r2 III Corps, Bo, Be, ,813;
Provisional Regls.; Sa, Vi, N, To, incorporated into 127th and 128th
181 4. 181 3.
121S1 Regl. Formed 180g from 2nd Legion de l30lh Reg!. Formed r81 I; N, M, BA, AA.
Reserve; Sa, Ta, Va, Ca, Lu, Bt, D, L, 13IS! Reg!. Regl. de Walcheren became 131st
AA, P. r8r2; Lu, Bt, L, r814.
122nd Regl. Formed 180g from 1St and 2nd Sup- 132nd Regl. Regt. I'lie-de-Re became 132nd 1812;
plementary Regts., Ugion de RtstTVe; Bt, L, Ch, P, SO.
Sa, Vi, N, Lu, BA, AA, SD. 133rd Regl. 2nd Mediterranean Regl. became
12j1d Regl. Farmed 1810 from Dutch troops; 181 '2 133rd 1812; Bt, L.
II Corps, Be, 1813. 134/h Regl. Formed 1813 from Garde de Paris; Lu,
124th Reg!. Formed 1810 from Dutch troops; 181'2 Bt.
II Corps, Be, 18IJ; incorporated into 135th Regl. Formed 1813 :\'G 1,8,9, III; Lu,BA;
25th Reg!. 1814. disbanded ~Iay 1814.
125/h Reg!. Formed 1810 from Dutch troops; 1812 I16th Regl. Formed 1813 (NG 12-14,67 ; Lu, Bt,
IX Corps, Be; disbanded 1813- L, ~1, P; disbanded July 1814.
126/h Regl. Formed ,810 from Dutch troops; 1812 137th Regl. Formed 1813 (NG 2, 84-86; L;
IX Corps, Be; incorporated into r23rd disbanded 18 I 4.
Regt. 1813- ljOlh Regl. Formed 1813 (NG 44-46, 64); Lu, L,
1271h Regl. Formed 181 I from Hamburg Guard; Ch, ~1, P; disbanded August 1814.
Shako plate, 72nd Line, .812 pattern. Compare with the next Shako plate, 43rd Line, 1812 pauern. Regimental variation
illustration, and note the many small but typical differences of upon the 'standard' design-the nu.mber upon a raised oval
detail. surrounded by a wreath of laurel.

/39 th Regt. Formed ,813 (NG 16, 17,65,66); Lu, /4 8th Regt. Formed 1813 (NG 72-75); 1813; dis-
Bt, L, AA, SD; disbanded June 1813. banded ,813.
/4oth Regt. Formed 1813 (NG 40-43); Lu, Bt, L, /49 th Regt. Formed 18'3 (NG 47-49, 77); Bt,
1814; disbanded May 1814. 18'4; disbanded 1814.
/4/ st Regt. Formed 1813 (NG 37, 39, 62, 63; Lu, /joth Regt. Formed 1813 (I G 68, 69, 80, 81); L;
Bt, L, P; disbanded 18 I 4. disbanded 18 I 4.
/42nd Regt. Formed ,813 (NG 5, 36, 38, 6,); Lu, /jlSt Regt. Formed 1813 (NG 7, 50-52); 1813,
Bt, D, Ch, M; disbanded May 18'4. 1814; disbanded May 1814.
/43 rd Regt. Formed 1813 (NG 28-31); disbanded /j2nd Regt. Formed 18'3(1 G 18, 19,53,54.;L,P;
18'4· disbanded 18 I 4.
/44 th Regt. Formed 1813 (:'<G 32-35); Lu, Bt, L, /53 rd Regt. Formed 1813 (NG 55-58); L; disban-
Ch, ~ I, P; disbanded 1814. ded 1814.
/4jth Regt. Formed 1813 (NG 6, 23, 24, 25); Lu, /j4 th Regt. Formed 1813 (NG 4, 20-22); L, 1814;
L, Ch, :\(; disbanded June 18'4. disbanded 18 I 4.
/46th Regt. Formed 1813 (NG 3, 76-78); ,8'3; /55 th Regt. Formed 1813 (I G 10,59,60,70); L,
disbanded 1813. 18'4; disbanded July 1814.
/47 th Regt. Formed 1813 ( G 15, 71, 78, 87); /j6th Regt. Formed 1813 (. G 26, 27, 82, 83); Bt,
, 81 3; absorbed into 154th 1813. P; disbanded 18 I 4.
 The Plates 82: Fusilier, 1&xJ
Taken from a contemporary painting, this figure
wears regulation dress.
AI: Fusilier, 43rd Lille, 1792
This representative of les blanes wears 179 I uniform B3: Officer, 15th Demi-Brigade, IBoo
with the 'Tarleton' helmet. The 43rd Regt. in Taken from an extant costume; uniform variations
1786 bore the name 'du Limosin', but renumbering include cuffs with both red and while vertical
in 1791 caused this regiment to be ranked 42nd, lhe piping, and the common practice of having coat-
number 43 passing to the old Regt. Royal tails without fixed tumbacks.
Vaisseaux, hitherto the 44th.
B4: Grtlladier, IBoo
A2: Infantryman in campaign dress, 1795 Though wearing regulation dress, this grenadier
This bleu is based in part upon a drawing by follows normal practice in having a cap with a red
Benjamin Zix, showing the dilapidation of uniforms rear patch instead or the prescribed red-and-blue
on campaign, though Zix shows a coat with quarters.
unOapped cuff, breeches, and neither gaiters nor
shoes but bare legs below the knee. Senior officer of the 52Dd Line, wea.ring .812 regulation
uniform including the waistbe.1t specified for mounted
officers. Note the rank distinctions in the form of lace bands
A3: Grenadier, Paris National Guard, /792 a.round the sha.ko.
Uniform disLinClion within the Paris National
Guard consistcd or plume colours (blue, red, white,
blue/red, red/white/blue and blue/white re-
spectively for the city's 1St to 6th 'divisions'),
insignia and even facings; for example, grenadiers of
the Versailles area are believed to have worn red
cuffs and a red-tipped plume. The cap plate bore
both monarchist and republican symbols, the
, King's Arms, Phrygian cap and malta' Vivre libre
1 au mourir', the former obliterated later. Moustaches
were usual but apparently not universal.

BI: Fusilier caporal, 61s1 DeTIli-Brigade, Egypt

This figure illustrates the 'coloured' uniform of the
Kleber Ordinance.
The 61St Line's 1St to 4lh and 6th Battalions
formed part of Com pans' Division ofl Corps in the
1812 Russian campaign, and su(fered appallingly in
the assault on the Shevardino Redoubt two days
berore Borodino. On the following day. apoleon
asked the colonel what had become or one or his
battalions: 'Sire\ was the reply, 'it is in the redoubt
of Shevardino'j the Emperor said nothing, but
passed on. Almost the entire corps of drums was
annihilated by artillery fire while bealing the
charge; Bourgogne relates how Florencia, the
regiment's young Spanish cantiniae (sutleress), was
wounded whilst searching for her father, the drum
major, whom she found mortally injured, lying
amid a heap of broken drums and slain drummers.

33
C1: Sergeant-Major with 'Eagle', 4th Line, 1805
This figure wears the orange hat lace peculiar to the
4 th .
Though losing only 18 dead, the regiment was
rOUled by Russian cavalry at Austerlitz and lost an
'Eagle' despite a heroice defence by Sgt.Maj.
St.Cyr, 'who relinquished this trophy only after he
had received a dozen wounds on his head and
arms'. As Joseph Bonaparte was the regimental
colonel, Napoleon felt the loss deeply and haran-
gued the regiment with such venom that he reduced
even a spectator to lcars. Despite pleas by its
commander and the assertion that none of the
survivors of the 1St Bn. had seen the 'Eagle' fall, it
was only with reluctance that Napoleon granted a
new onc, in return for two Austrian colours
captured by the regiment.

C2: 2' Porte-Aigle, 8th Line, 1811

The 'Eagle-guard' is distinguished by his pistol belt, Drum.mers in 1812 regulation dress, from a print by Carle
fOUf sleeve chevrons (in accordance with an Vernet. The 6gure on the left wears the all.grffn undress
uniform. withpokQl~mforage-cap ~ringthenUJDberofthe lOth
instruction of 18 February 1808, altered to two on Line. The right-hand 6gure in full uniform. has the pointed
cuffs usually associated with light infantry.
18 March 181 I), and wears the regimental peaked
cap. nounced at roll-call, whereupon the senior grena-
The 8th Line lost its 'Eagle' to Sgt. Patrick dier Jourrier was to reply: 'Dead upon the field of
Masterson of the British 87th FOOL at Barrosa, after honour.' La Tour d'Auvergne's heart was pre-
Premier POTle-Aigle Edme Guillemain was killed in its served in a silver casket, strapped to a velvet pad
defence; the :r Porte.Aigle at this time was Etienne worn upon the breast of the 1st Battalion's senior
Debette, who joined the 8th Demi-Brigade in 1793 grenadier sergeant, until deposited at Les Invalides
and died in hospital in Spain in 1812. Incredibly, it in 1904; his name was still called on the roll more
seems that the 8th attempted to conceal the loss of than a century after his death.
their 'Eagle', replying to an official circular in April
1812 that it had been broken by a cannonball at DI: Grenadier, 15th Lint, 1807
Barrosa! This figure wears the white uniform and 1806 shako
as originally issued, minus chinscales.
C3: Sapeur, 46th Line, 1808 The 15th Line bore upon its Colours a unique
This shows the usual sapeur uniform with grenadier inscription, awarded for outstanding service: 'Le IS'
distinctions and the 46th's sky-blue facings. est couvert de la Gloire'.
The 46th Line was always associated with 'le
premier gre1Uldier de France', Theophile Malo Corret, D2: Voltigeur Cornet, 18th Line, 1809
known from 1777 as 'La Tour d'Auvergne'. This This figure wears voltigeur distinctions, with the
famed and valiant officer always refused promotion regimental crimson facings and tricolour lace.
so that he could stay with his grenadier company, The 18th was one of the most distinguished
and despite long and distinguished service and his regiments in the army, bearing upon its colours a
appointment as a Deputy to the Senate, he mOllO bestowed by Bonaparte for gallantry at
continued in the army until slain at Oberhausen on Rivoli: 'Brave l~,je vousconnau. L'ennemi ne tiendra pas
27 June 1800, aged 57. General Moreau ordered devant vous' ('I know you, brave 18th; the enemy
that his place should never be filled and his name never stands before you '). This reputation was
kept upon the regimental establishment and an- maintained at Fribourg on 2 March 1798 when Sgt.
34
 Franc;ois, who wrote an entertaInIng memoir: at
Acre he stood on top of the French earthworks firing
at the enemy with muskets passed up by his
comrades, expending 17 packs of cartridges in 75
minutes, during which time ciglll balls passed
through his clothes, but escaping with no more than
a bruise. Though wounded, Franc;ois saved the
regimem's 'Eagle', rctrieving it from the body of its
bcarer and carrying it hidden throughout the
retreat from Moscow, for which he received the
Legion d'Honneur. :\Iedals were not the only
rewards obtainable on campaign; when the gth's
paymastcr died in January 1813, he was found to
have 182,000 francs hidden on his person, as
perquisitcs of his office!

£3: Grelladier drummer, 57th Line, 1&Jg

This figure wears company distinctions with
musicians' sky-blue facings and orange lace.
Musicians in the green 'hnperial Livery' of the 1812 Thc 57lh was nicknamed Le T enible from
«gulations; prinl by Carle Vernet. Bonaparte's remark inscribed on their colours after
Rivoli: 'Le T enible 57' qui rim n'a"ite' ('which
Barbe, Fourner Troch and 13 men scaled the wall, sticks at nothing'). A unique award for gallamry at
despatched the guard and let in the Frcnch army. Borodino was the badge of the Legion d'Honneur
affixed to the 'Eagle' and stamped on the re-
D3: Voltigeur,3rd Line, 1&Jg gimental buttons. Heroism even extended to the
The voltigeur illustrated wears the 'sunburst' shako female members of this superb corps: cantiniere
plate shown by Marline! c. 1808-09, though thc Madame Cazajus was cited in the order of the day
regimem is also believed to have worn other non- following GutlStadt (,807) for braving hcavy fire to
regulation plates of eagle-on-crescem form. distribute twO barrels of brandy, gratis, to the
regiment, while another lady, the widow Brulon,
£1: Caporal- Tambour, 67th Line, 1808 actually served in thc ranks under the name of
The 'drum-corporal' illustrated wears a uniform Libcrte until wounded in Corsica; she lived until
not unlike that of the drum major, with a simpler 1863, an honorary sous-lieutenant and member of
mace. The diagonal shako cords were a regimental the Legion d'Honneur.
peculiarity, believed not to have continued beyond
I Bog. FI: Voltigeur, 88th Line, campaign dress; Spain, /8/1
This figure wears typical Peninsular campaign
£2: Musician,9th Liue, 1&Jg dress, including covered shako with painted in-
A similarly magnificent light cavalry-style uniform, signia, the waistcoat worn as a jacket, and trousers
including czapka, was also worn by the musicians of made from local cloth.
the 17th Lighl Infanlry.
The 9th features in a number ofheroic exploits, as F2: Fusilier officer, 34th Line; Spain, 1810
at Vitebsk in 1812 when 300 voltigeurs, isolated from Another Peninsular uniform, showing typical
the army by the River Dvina, stood off a Russian officers' service dress including the surtout, which
cavalry attack until the dead were piled around was commonly cut so high at the front to expose a
their square; Napoleon said everyone deserved th(' considerable part of the waistcoat; note the reg-
Legion d'Honneur for so amazing an exploit. Onr imental tricolour cockade worn instead of a shako-
of the 9th'S hard-bitten veterans was Charle~ plate.
35
F3: Grenadier, 65/h Line; Spain, /8/0 •
A third Peninsular uniform, with regimental dis-
tinctions in the blue cuffs with red flaps, cap badge,
/,
and while trimming to epaulettes and sword knot.
The 65th's mOSt celebrated exploit was the
..
••
- I

defence of the Danube bridge at Ratisbon in April

1809 against two Austrian Corps. It expended all its / ), ~
ammunition before Col. Coutard capitulated, sav-
, ...,,,,
·11
ing the 'Eagle' by burying it with three captured
I I
Austrian flags; it was recovered when the prisoners
were released a few days later by the recapture of _l'f·-
Ratisbon. Marbot is critical of Coulard's defence,
claiming that he was only charged with the task so
that, as a relative ofDavoul, he could cover himself
with glory, and when surrendering arranged for the
.- -• •

65th's officers to return home immediately, aban-

Infantry escorting Russian prisooers, 1812; print by Faber du
doning their men; but the regiment's casualties (265 Faur. Note the use of the IBl2-pattern shako with tbe previous
killed alone, out of 2,087 engaged between 16 and /whit, a J:D..isture of styles probably Dot uDCOID.D:lOn; and the
covered sbako and plain surlolll worn by the officer.
22 April) testify to the stubbornness oftheir defence
of a hopeless position. G2: fUsilier sergeant, 30th Line, /811
Though a fusilier, elite-style equipment is WOrll, to
G/.· Major, /oo/h Line, / Bo9 support the sabre.
This figure shows majors' rank distinctions, silver In 1815 the 30th was cursed with a martinet in
epauleue-straps and a silver band below the upper Col. Ramaud, who treated his veterans like recruits,
shako band, riding boots, and a white plume red- making them drill for hours in deep snow. This
over-white was specified for majors in November caused much resentment, and there was delight
1810), with the regimental shako plate. when Ramaud pleaded ill·health to escape the 1815
The looth won fame at Dlirrenstein in the campaign. More laudable members of the 30th
advance on Vienna after Ulm. Overwhelmed by were those like Fourner Morin, who saved the
Russians, the looth's baualion 'Eagles' were res- 'Eagle' at Eylau by covering it with his body; with
cued by Maj. Henriot, who tried to cut his way his last breath he indicated where it was hidden on
through the enemy and rejoin the main French the following morning.
army. Addressing his men, he is reported to have
said: 'Comrades, we must break through. They are G3: Officer, /25/h Line, f8/1
more than we, but you are Frenchmen: you don't This figure wears the uniform of the old 4th Dutch
count numbers!' The shout came back: ""'e are all Line, as noted in the main text, with a French shako
grenadiers! Pas de dUlrge!' The 'Eagles' were later plate replacing the white metal numeral worn in
recovered from beneath the bodies of Henriot's Dutch service.
party, where they had fallen in their hopeless
attempt to reach safety. Napoleon's 22nd Bulletin G4: Volligeur, 14th Line, 18/1
reported that 'the action at Dlirrenstein will forever This figure wears the bonnet de police and greatcoat;
be remembered', and the looth 'se sont couverts de on campaign the shako plume was commonly
gloire'. carried in a waterproof cover, tied to the scabbard
by Ihe shako cords.
The 14th was known as an unlucky regiment;
when Col. Savary was lanced by a cossack in
Shako of the 23rd Line, believed to be authentic; lacking December 1806, he was Iheir fifth colonel killed in
chinscales, it shows the 1812-pattern plate, and a rare but action. At Eylau the 14th defended a hillock
believed genuine exa.mple of the 1812-pattern red horsehair
pluDle for grenadiers. (Wallis &. Wallis) assigned them by Napoleon, waving their 'Eagle' to

37
I •

•
show they still held, though surrounded. By the time of shaving; for such a trivial reason, perhaps, was
Marbot (Augereau's ADC) was able to reach them thc course of history changed!
with orders LO retire, the survivors were too few to
attempt a breakout, so sent a message via Marbot H4: Drnmmer, fftth Line, 1814
bidding 11[ apoleon 'farewell from the 14th of the This figure wears 'Imperial Livery' with the
Line, which has faithfully executed his orders'; they shorter, bushier plume introduced in 1812 bUI
were submerged under a host of Russians. Thirty- never adopted universally.
six of the 14th'S officers were buried in a mass grave, Best known of the 96th wasjean-Roch Coignet,
and about 590 other ranks. author ofan entertaining reminiscence. Enlisting in
the 96th Demi-Brigade in t798, he gained great
HI: Fusilier, 70th Line, 1813 distinction at Montebello by single-handedly cap-
This illustrates 'Bardin' uniform of 1812. turing a fieldpiece in 'a bloody affair of bayonets' in
~lost renowned of the 70th was LL Poiret, alias which he slew all five of the crew. His reward for this
'the saviour of France', who shielded Bonaparte exceptional gallantry was immediate: Benhier
from attack during the coup d'etat of /8 Brumaire. presented him with a piece of bread!
The 70th in the Waterloo campaign, mainly
conscripts, hardly emulated him; they broke at
Ligny and again at vVavrc) whereupon Col. Maury
snatched the 'Eagle' and shouted: '\Vhal, you
scoundrels? You disgraced me two days ago, and
again today! Forward! Follow me!' Their brief rally
ended and they Red when Maury fell, leaving the
'2'2nd Line to recover the 'Eagle' from across poor Sources
Maury's body. Apart from contemporary illustrations and extant
items ofuniforrn, the work ofseveral later artists has
H2: Grenadier,3rd Li,ie, /8/3 been studied and is recommended, including
This figure wears regulation dress, plus shako cords, Lucien Rousselot (L' Armee Fran,aise) , Albert Rigon-
and a plume including the regimental sky-blue daud ('Rigo'),j. Onfroy de Breville (job') and the
colour. illustrators of the Bucquoy cards, some of which are
reproduced in Les Uniformes du Premier Empire:
H3: 'Marie-Louise', 82nd Line, 1814 I'bifanterie (Cdt. E.-L. Bucquoy, ed. Lt.Col. L.-Y.
Based upon pictures by johann Adam Klein, this Bucquoy and G. Devatour, Paris 1979). Examples
figure shows the wretched clothing and equipment of'dress regulations' are catalogued in Guided {'usage
of the often unwilling teenaged conscripts of des Artistes et Costumiers _ .. Unifonnes de l'annie
1813-14. Both single- and double-breasted great- JraTlfaise (H. Malibran, Paris t904, reprinted Kref-
coats are recorded, some with red collar-patches of e1d 1972), while examples of unofficial insignia arc
varying styles. recorded in Aigles et Shakos du Premier Empire (C.
The 82nd had been the centre of a plot to B1ondieau, Paris t980). Details of weaponry and
overthrow Napoleon when First Consul, which tactics may be found in Weapons and Equipment oJthe
failed when their Col. Pinoleau, preparing to lead a Napoleonic Wars (P. j. Haythornthwaite, Poole
revolt at Rennes, delayed in order to make his (979), The Art iifWarJare in the AgeoJNapoleon (G. E.
toiletle. While his regiment waited impatiently, Rothenberg, London t977) and The Campaigns oj
Bonapartist gendarmes arrested Pinoteau in the act Napoleon (D. G. Chandler, London (967).

'Tete de Colonne': the Premier Porte-Aigle flanked by the two

'Eagle-guards', c. 1813. The 'Eagle' is carried without the Bag
attached, as was common on campaign. The 1817-regulation
unifonn is worn. lliustration from a print by Job.

39
Notes sur les planches en couleurs Farbtaleln
AI L'un d~ 'BlollU' IKlrlant I'unifonne rigkmelltaire de t79' ncc Ie casqut AI Ein('r d('f I~J BlllMJ in regulartr Uniform aus dem Jahrco '791 mit cillCm
appde 'Tor/tWlt' dans rllrmi't angillise. En '791, ce numero de regiment fut Helm, dtr in dtr britischtn ArlTl« als Tll,Jtto" btkannt iSI. 1791 "'urde diesc
auribue a rancien Rlglmrnt RO:JIlI VOISStOIlX. All' Un b/f/I' reproduit d'un dcs.s.in par Rtgimcntszahl dCllI alten Rlgllnrnl RfJya! 1'0uJ/'oux ZUlcH. All U" B/f/I nach ciner
Iknj:lminl.ix ITltll:lm rn f.\'idenrt It df.lf.rior;ttinn de I'unifj'rnw rn tampa~m';l'n Zeichnung von Ikrtiamin Zix; hicrsiehl man deullich den schlcch~en Zustand dcr
fail. Zix repTiscnte un habil a manchel1<:S simpl<:s et jambts nues de!; genoux Uniform nac::h dncm Fddzug: Qftmals, Mallld mit dnfachem Armelaufschlag
aux pledS. A3 Les unitd du cadre de la Garde Nalionale de Paris se dininguaielll und nackte Bcine bis hoch zurn Knit. A] Eigclllumlich fur die Eillhdten der
pard<:s panarhesde dif!i:rente:s coukuro;, et mctn(' dans cerlains c:u par dif!i:relltes Pariser Nalionalgarde waren untenchiedlkh(' Fwerfarben und manchmaJ auch
couleun de paretn('nl5 sur I'habit par exemp!e: paremenl5 rou~ pour :\Iamelbtsatze in \"erschH:denen Farbtn. z.B. role Anndaufse::hlage fur Vtnaillcs..
Versailles.
B.l,;niform im Stil d('r 50genannttn AlIM o,dmllttu in venchiedenen
B. Le- st)k d'uniforme dit 'Ordonnan« Kf/6n' dalU difli:rellles coukurs de RC!;'mentsfarbtn; SIC wunk ill Ag)'pien gcolra.';:('n_ Jahre spat('r :ceichnel(, dlCStS
rigiment5. tel que pone en Eg}-"pte. Phl$leu" anll~ plus tard. t t rigiment Ie Regiment sich bti Borodino beim Angriff'aufdie SAmulh.w-Redoutco aus Ih Die
distingua admirableme:nt d Borodino, a I'attaque de 1.11 rec:!outt SAn.,dI_. Ih regulate Vniform dic::ser lot nach cinem zcil~enossisch('n G<:mald('. BJ Von
(JniJonne entieremenl ~kmentaire a repoque, reprodull d'un lableau riner spatl':rtn Uniform;zu d('11 t)"uchen Vanallonen dec regularen AUSSlattung
contemporam. 8] O'un urufonne qui a suI"\"«u; des \'a"ames Irpesde la tenuco uhhen rol(' und "'eisse ArmeJumrandungen 5Owi(' RocltschOssc ohne pennanent
~lementaire tornponaient Ie passe-poil rougeet blanc IU' It paremelll, elle port btfestiglen Schoss. 84 Fast dit regulart Uniform; btachten Sit, dass dic::ser wit die
de basques sans pans fixCs ;1 rarricre en permanence. B.t Tellue presqut mcisten Gn."naditre eine MUlzt mil Besatz aus rotem Sioff anstdle der rottn und
rigJemcrWlirr: m:ns nOlrr 'Iut. romnl<' la I'luI),1.n dM .l;H·rl.ldir..... i1 porlC Ull blauen Viertcllragt.
oonnei ,i pieet su]Xrieure en lOilt rou!l:e ordinaire au lieu ,Ir~ (IUanirrs
C. Eigcntumlich fur dM 4. Linitnrtgiment .....,Ir die orangellt Spitze auf der
reglememalrl's rouges el bleus.
Mutu. Dell Adlcor ...erlor das. Regiment hei Austerlitz tron: der heroischl"1I
CI La dellldle orange sur la coiffure constituait un trait distinctif du 4em(' Taten des Haul'tfeld",ebtlsS, Crr. C2 Oit 'Adltl"\o"aChe' ttichnelt sieh durch dtn
Regiment dco Lip. L'aiKIt du 4eme a ete perdu a Austerlitz malgri I'htTOlsmedu Pistolengurtel und dureh dit vier Winkel .luf dem Armel aU5; durch cine
5C'rgenl ~l:Ijor St. C)'r Cll I.e ·lPrde.ai~le' se disungue par 1011 eeinturon porte- Bestimmung ;m Man 18" wurden di(' WinkeJ auf:!;wei bcschra.nkl. CJ Eine
pislolel CI 5('S quatre CWTOfU de manche I dC'o~nus deux depuis Ie rtglemenl dr ubliche Sqnrr-t:nifonn mil Kennzeichen tiner Crenadieruniform und dem
mars 181 I C3 Uniforme habituel de SIlfNln avec Ies distinctions de I'uniforme dt himmelblaucon Besau d~ RegilTl('"llIe1..
grenadiC'r tl. pour t t rqilTl('"nt, dts parements bltu cid.
D1 Ok wa.e Uniform die an btslimmte Regifll('llIer a~~btn wurde mit
DI Vnifonne blanc Iivri ;i ctnairu; rqilll('nu a\'ec dislinclion~ JOU5 forme dt farbigem Besatz ('ntsprcchend drr RtKilll('nugruppe und mil d('m Tschako aus
coultu"dt parelTl('"nts appropritts au groupe dans Iequd Ie regiment ('!;t cl:me-;tl dem Jahrt' ,806. Ih Er tragt l'flllgt1/,_AusulChnungen; beachten Sic den
It shako dt 1806. Ih Les dislillClions dt I'flh$tII' SOIll ponm COt nottr les hoc:hroten lksau des R~mtllls und die TrikoiMipitze. 03 Man \~rmut..t. dass
revf:ttmenu pourpres du rigimcnt ella dentclle IMcoloT<:. D] A pari la plaque de das Regiment ausser d,csc:m 'Sonnenslrahltn··Plallchen alii Tschako auch
shako a 'rnyonsde soleiI' Ie rigirncll1 CSI cell.sC egalemcnl avoir portc: d<:5extmples Muslcr mit Adler und I-Ialbmond trug.
du motif algle-cl-croissant.
E. DiCS(' Uniform iSI ahnlich derdes Tambour.Majors nur elwas einfach('r. Die
£1 Un uniforllle analoguc a cdui du lambour major mais plussimplt: Its cordons diagonakn Ibnder am TKhako sind charakteristisch fur diescs Regiment \or
de ~hako en diagonaJe SO'lt un trail particulier dll rigimC'nt de la p&iode avant lB09- £2 Beachltn Sic dit ltichtc Kavallerieausfuhrungder Mu ikerunifonn mit
lBog. E2 NoteT Ie Style 'ea\"lII('T;(' legere' de la tenlle des muooefll 'J compmla der C.::¥-ta-Koplbedeckung £3 Der himmelblau(' 8esa1Z und dico orangefarbtne
coiff'ure T<.lIpU. £] Paremenu bleu riel COl dtntdle oran~ idenlifiant 1<:5 musicicm Spittt kemluichnen ~hlsiker und Trommler diexr Einheit, die Kornpanie
C1les lambours de CC'lIe unilt. Les distillCtions du style gr<:naditr identiflClit 1.11 erkconnt man an dcon Crenadiermerkmakn.
compagnie',
F. Zur 1)·pi5chen Fddzugausruslung ge.horen rin Tschako-Obtnug mit
FI Ttnuedteampagne t)'pique rompn:nant un eOU\TC-Shakoa\'cc insigtlC' pcinte aufgemalten huignicn sowi<' dit abJacke gelragene "'('SIt:. F2 Offizitre lrugen 10
elle gilet portecomme une Jaquelle. Fa Lt' JWlllIIItetait un \'f:ll':lIl('nt de campagtlC' den Fddzugen haufig, t:inen s.'IlIIIJ. Beachten Slc die Triko!orkokarde anstellc:
commun pour 1l':S officitR; nIXtr ~lcme:n! la c:ocard(' tTieolore rigimtntalt da Tsehakop!al1chens. F] Eig<:llIumlic:h fur dieses Regiment'" aren bel blauen
pon&- au litu dt 1.11 plaque de shako. F] 1.c"S panicularito du rigiment sont la Armeln rotc Annelaufschlage 5Owi(' weisse Epaulettenumrandun'l; und Sabel-
p.1.Il.· de p.uf"llIcnt rouge sur la manf"hrllr bl('ue, la Karniture blancht de:s quastC und die Form des Tschd.koplallehens.
epaulrllCS 1':1 la drngonllr, .lillSi que la forme de la plaqut de bonnet.
GI Kcnn/.dchnend lilr diestn Rang sind silbtrn.. EpaulcllenJlreifen und cin
G1 LesdistinClions de ce Rr:lde SOn! It"S pattes d'i:pauleltcs argent 1':1 la bandc de silbtrnes Tschakoband sowie die weisse Feder 1)(:,111 Slabsonizier des Kegill1clll).
shako airuil que lco panac:he blanc: d'un olflCier d'C:tat·major dt regiment. Ga Bien Ga Obgldc:h cr ein f'uslll~ i)t, ist seine Ausruslung i1hnlic:h dcr \'on
qu'il soit un J"JI/~, iI porle Ie style d'equipemellt pe~nncJ relatif aux Elilekompanien, damit tr als Unlcrof!izier seinell S"btl unlerbringen kann. G]
compall:nies d'chl(, d(' f.l~Of' .4 pou\'oir rece\oir It sabre dco son grade de SOllS- Abgt:sthen \"Om TKhakopiallchen ist dies die Uniform des altcn 0\ hollandischtn
oIflCier. G3 ~Iis a part 1.l I'laqut dt shako, ccci al I'uniforme du quatriclll(' Linicn-rcgimtnt5. G4 Beachlen Sicod('n Botwt de Pfliu und dcon :\Iantel. Wah rend
rqilTl('"n! de hgtlC' Hollandaise. G4 Noter It bonnet de police COl 1a capole. En da Feldzuga: lrug man die Tschakofwer cingewickeh an dtr Degenschcidt.
campagtlC'. Ie ~nac:he d(' shako ttait porte dall5 une en\cJoppe auac:hee au Dic::se Regimenl ttichnete sie'h bcsonden bti E)'lau aus.
foulTCau, Ce rigilTl('"nl s'al bien distingue a Eylau.
H1 Die regulare 'Bardin'-Unifonn imJahre 181'2. fb Rtgulares G<:",and mil
HI L'uniforme rigkm('ntairr 'Bardin' dt ,8'2. Ha T('nue rexlcomentaire plus Tschakobandem und Feder so'" ie' den hellblautn Kennzdchen da RegilTl('"nts.
cordons, ('I panadl('de shako) eompris la dislincttOflS bleu cir! du ~ment H3 H] \'on cillCm Bild \'On Johann Adam Klein: der durftige Anbliek rino;
I)'aprcs UIlC imal;:e deJohann ,\dam Klein representanl I'asp."( I malheureux du Wehrpfiichtigen imJahre 1812 14.114 Die 'Kaiserliche Trac:ht' dtr Trommler
consent de 1813 '4.114 La 'Ii\'rtt impenalt' des tambours introduitt en 1812. sein 18,'l.