PREY - MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES Napoleons Dragoons and Ligers EMIR BUKHARI Colour plates by ANGUS McBRIDEMEN-AT-ARMS SERIES EDITOR: MARTIN WINDROW Naipoleons Dragoons and Lancers Text by EMIR BUKHARI Colour plates by ANGUS McBRIDE OSPREY PUBLISHING LIMITEDPublish Osprey Publishing Led, Long Acre, London WC2E gLP Member Company of the George Philip Group © Copyright 1976 Osprey Publishing Lt Reprinted 1977, 198 2, 1984, 198 This book is copyrighted under the Berne Convention. All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study permitted under the Copyright Act, 1956, no part of this publication may rical, chemical, mechanical, optical ph pying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Enquiries should be addressed to the Publishers, ISBN 0 85045 088 8 The author gratefully acknowledges the considerable jebt owed by some of the illustrations to the publish ff M. Lucien Rousselot, He also wishes to » Gerry Embleton, Jean d xpress his thanks Gerlache de Gomery, Michel Risser and the staff of the Musée Royale de I'Armée (Bruxelles), the Musée de I’Armée (Paris) and the National Army Museum This book is for Sue A Printed in Hon,Napoleons Dragoons and Lagucer Tie Men From the great victories of Marengo and Hohenlin- den in 1800 to the terrible defeat of Waterloo in 1815, France was to call up a total of 1,600,000 men Little perhaps, in comparison to the giant levies and losses of whom a mere 600,000 were to survive of the wars of this century, but what matter cold statistics to the man who has to do the soldiering? Whether armed with pike, musket or anti-tank gun, the grisly reality remains the same. In 1803, undeclared war was renewed between the principals of the near-farcical Peace of Amiens France and Great Britain, and the Frenchman once called up Conscription had existed for some while in post- again found himself liable to be revolutionary France. Introduced originally by decree of the Convention on 14 February 1793, the law had been both modified and extended by order of the Directory on the 8th Fructidor An VIIL twenty-five, our potential conscript was now obliged to present himself at his local depot for the draw, a ‘lucky dip” designed to select which out of every seven prospective candidates would actually join the ranks. Let us suppose that our man was A bachelor aged between twenty and unlucky This young Frenchman, along with the other seventh of the conscripts, was now destined to serve under the nation’s banner indefinitely: until old age, crippling wounds, death or the cessation of hostilities culled him from the therefore far from’ bright ranged and pledged to destroy th inks. Prospects were since all Europe was young republic of France. But it was this same democracy so feared. by France’s neighbours that had reinforced her soldiers with the necessary idealism and had maintained her inviolate for the last cleven years, Our conscript was fired with the revolutionary a notion that France belonged to her people and was no longer the plaything of a jaded aristocracy, and it was this that gave him the will to win. This was no army of embittered conscripts. Born under the Monarchy, raised during the turbulence of successive revolution: -y régimes, this generation had a sense of freed n—a possession worth dying for. To them, neighbouring rulers were prepared to go to any lengths to preserve their thrones from the free-thinking philosophies which had so recently and Great Britain’s stemmed from the Americas ‘The skirt of lancers, showin the turabecks. the French line f the back and trumpeters’ tunic, the lancer’ is devoid of false pockets and all the Sttendant piping and lacing, Instead, it has only slim piping of Fegimental colour forming points above each of the waist- height buttons, the Imperial lace decorating the rear of the ‘tunic proper, and further lengths of the same lace along the ‘turnbacks, In this case plain, the turnbacks might easily bear Yellow or green eagle patches (depending on the colour of the Ecings) or the flaming grenade device if the owner was trumpeter to an lite company. (National Army Museum) alike the rear of the dragrenewed hostility was proof that the slowly coerced peoples of all Europe were bei into obliterating the fledgling republic that could What might have been dull resignation to military service was, provide them their own salvation. both the motherland and the freedom which was the birthright of France’s oppressed neighbours. Having been inoculated against smallpox, the conscripts next presented themselves at their barracks for roll call and food hand-out. The following day they would be issued their equipment and, soon after, their uniforms. The pay book of one Claude Defrére itemizes the issue as follows: one tunic; one fatigue jacket and cap; one chemise; one pair of linen trousers; one and one black collar white four handkerchiefs: cotton and one of woollen stockings: three pairs of shoes; one grey and one white pair of gaiters; one cloth bag and a hide haversack; and include a finally, two cockades. Equipment wou cover for the cartridge-pouch, a screwdriver, a needle for piercing cartridges and clearing the touch-hole of the musketoon, and an instrument for extracting musket balls; as well as a helmet c bayonet and musketoon wwidge-pouch, sabre All these items were the conscript’s personal and absolute responsibility; were any article lost or damaged, he was obliged to repair or replace it out of his The durability of such things as the webbing being no less than twenty years, it was clearly very difficult to serve without having to pay the army for the pleasure, as the following extracts from the 28th Dra my record of Trooper Clavieux of the bons attest 01.1, 1810:—Boot repa 0.90F yet One pair of shoes 6.00F 0.2 ‘One pair of overalls 6.50F 8 Leather wax & harness buckles 0.85F 2 One pair of gaiter straps........0.60F One harness buckle, a tin of grease and a grease brush... 1.29F 07-3 One sponge 0.80F 16.3 One copper brush & boot repairs ».75k One pair of scissors 0.98F One pair of grey gaiters 2.20F One of the many slightly different types of copper helmet worn by the rank and fle of the chevan-legers lanciers. Basically no more than a dragoon helms peal and large horsehair crest. On nd buckle with which co secure the chis jaw, rather chan the more common lengths 0 ‘National Army Museum) Boot repairs One pair of shoes One horse brush & a scabbard One headband for helmet One tin of grease and a brush One plume holder, two scales and a rosace for the chinscales One feed bag Repairs to bed linen Repairs to musketoon Soldering of new guard to sabre One chemise ie does, however, boast a rear model we note a strap14 Resoling of shoes 2.50F Grease, shoe repairs and an attachment to the horsecloth 0.70F Thus, in twenty-six weeks, Trooper Clavieux was down 46.08F in equipment alone; add to this his punishment fines and he was out of pocket a total of some 126 francs as against an earning of approximately 54.60 fran The list below, drawn from Trooper Defrére’s pay book, indicates the official estimate as to the durability of items of dress and equipment Dress Habit-veste Shakos yrs Gilet & manches Greatcoat 3 yrs stable jacket Fatigue-cap yrs Trousers: tyr Bearskin 6 yrs and overalls would have pink facings and lace respectively ‘The red epaulettes inform us that he ix = member of the élite company while the red chevrons on his left upper sleeve Equipment Swordbelt 20 yrs. Musket-sling: 20 yrs Cartridge-pouch: 20 yrs. Drumvand sticks: 20 yrs Crossbelt 20 yrs Horns and trum- pets 0 yrs Poor indeed was Clavieux and his like put theirs was one great among the conscripts. edeeming consolation : they were cavalrymen The barracks (or stables as they were more aptly called) were cole as likely confiscated following the damp and drab establish 4s not converted church properties repudiation of direct Papal authority by the Constituent Assembly’s Ac of 1790. At least a quarter of their total area was all- important mounts were housed, whose care and confined to the stables proper, where the maintenance were entrusted to the dragoons. Jimet appears to have a leopard skin turban, which suggest he has lost his own and has made do with an Cfiicer’s retrieved from the field. (National Army Museum) 5A trumpeter of a centre tunifornt decreed by the Imperial Livery adopted after i812. The facings at spany of the 1st Lancers in the ‘Regulations. His tunic is the all musicians of line regiments Scarlet, as is the piping on the trempettebrigadior or trempetteannjer: (Notions! Araty Museum) The horses were acquired by each regiment independently in one of two fashions: by direct purchase from bloodstock merchants or local farmers, or by requisition against a promise of future settlement. By t e latter means, up to 500 head of four years or less were frequently stripped 6 from individual départements, ruining many citizens who were left with but a paper pledge that the authorities would one day pay them as much as 400, francs per horse—if and when albeit often unpaid, these animals were rightly considered more valuable than the men who rode At such cost, them and therefore, when not being instructed as to how to remain seated upon them, the recruits were obliged to lavish considerable care on the grooming of the beasts and the mucking-out of their stalls However, no amount of care makes up for substandard horseflesh and, by and large, the Flemish and Norman breeds ridden by dragoons, though of great strength, were both too slow and too heavy These, then, were the men and their re- sponsibilities. But they were not just any band of individuals sorted and labelled cavalrymen; they were mounted infantrymen, trained to be equally adept with musket and sabre, and proud of that distinction. Though their role was to become increasingly similar to that of heavy cavalry, theirs was a distinguished heritage. Originally mounted for the sake of mobility but generally fighting on foot, they evolved into an army equally at home sabring at the charge as firing dismounted, becom- ing neither light nor heavy but medium cavalry by the time of the Revolution Dragoon Uniform OF the sixty-two regiments of cavalry inherited from the ancien régime, only eighteen were dragoon regiments, but the re-organizations of 1791 and 1792 raised the number to twenty, then to twenty- one. Only in 1803 did Napoleon Bonaparte, as First Consul, bring the number to thirty : thirty on paper that is, for the additional nine regiments were dragoon in name only. Formed of six of the old ‘cavalry’ regiments and three of hussars, the men remained for some while dressed and equipped as though their old units had never been disbanded; as late as 1805 the three former hussar regiments the 7eme(bis), 1 1eme and 12eme Hussards) had still ved their full quota of dragoon uniforms fier, however, all regi- ments were more or less uniformly dressed and equipped. The regiments were distinguished not not re and accoutrements. Ther waa EE «LLonly by their number but also, more readily, by the colours adopted for the facings of their tunics. Tunies The middle-green tunic or ‘habit’ of dragoons was OO EE ee contrasted by areas of cloth of a distinctive colour These regimental colours, their position and the direction of the false pockets on the skirt of the habits distinguished the regiments, as the table below portrays Pockets Table of regimental facings Position: Scarlet] Grimson | Pink Yellow] Orange ; 2 - . Lapels, turnbacks, 4 5 19 | 75 Jeuffs & flaps, collar ; Lapels, turnbacks Horizontal 2 8 “4 20 ee ress | “ A Lapels, turnbacks, 3 9 5 at cuff-flaps & collar Lapels, turnbacks, ‘ a a8 a 28 cuffs & flaps, collar | i Lapels, turnbacks Vertical 1 7 23 apr Nl eee ; |Lapels, turnbacks, cee i 6 4 3° _|cuff-flaps & collar Wherever the facings were of one of the distinc tive colours, they would be piped in the same middle middle-g1 Dragoons, it would .be piped een as the tunic; where a facing remained as for example the cuffs of the 18th the regimental colour (in this case pink A total of thirty-three pewter buttons ornamen- ted each habit. Embossed with the regimental number, the buttons came in two sizes: twenty-two small ones of which seven were placed on each lapel, one on each shoulder (to which the shoulder strap or epaulette would attach) and three on each cuff-flap; and eleven large ones, of which three were at the top of the right hand skirt, two were in the small of the back and one was if each angle of the two trefoil pockets on the skirt From 1804 until 181 inits cut, becoming ‘sharper’ under the influence of civilian dress as the y the 1812 pattern was distinctly slimmer and shorter than the 1804 model the most obvious alteration the habit changed slightly scars passed; howeve The appearance of the turnbacks was at first genuinely folded back and secured by stitching to one another at their angle, they became false and stitched along their entire length. The illusion of a true turnback was at first maintained by the retention of the triangle of middle-green visible beneath their juncture, but towards 1810 this practice ceased leaving the fake turnbacks flush with the bottom of the skirts ‘A white waistcoat was worn beneath the habit and the cutaway front of the habit revealed its twin pockets at the waist, and single row of pewter buttons, ‘An alternative to the habit was the middle-green surlout worn in everyday wear, exercise and, despite the frowns of superior officers, frequently on campaign. Regulation until 1809, it was single- breasted with six to nine pewte no lapels, pockets, cuff-flaps or, often, shoulder- straps or epaulettes. Occasionally decorated with the regimental colour on the same facings as the habit, it was more often entirely middle-green. its cut was slowly modified, as was that of the habit. It Zz buttons, and had iiiwas worn in conjunction with either the waistcoat described above or a similar but round-fronted, and occasionally double-b sted type Dated 8 February 1812, a regulation altering the dress of all line troops ordained the abolition of the old-fashioned habit and the introduction of the habit-veste. The habit-veste differed in that it fastened to the waist and had a considerably shorter d the regimental facing colours and their positions remained identical to skirt, but the basic colour a those of the old issue. The regulation further specified that the old pointed waistcoat was to be del, invisible beneath the habit-veste. However, contemporary replaced by a round-fronted illustrations show many troops wearing the old habit after 1812 and, of those clad in the habit- veste, the points of the old waistcoat frequently protrude beneath the front of the tunic: the orders of the Ministry of War should therefore not be taken too literally Legwear The calf-length, off-white, coarse hide riding breeches common to dragoons were as often as not replaced for all but parade dress by overalls of highly freque verse cut, pattern and colour. Most made of unbleached fabric with sim ilarly coloured cloth-covered buttons along the length of the outside leg, overalls were also made of almost any combination of grey or middle-green cloth, with cloth-covered or white metal buttons and regi imental coloured piping or lace. The inside leg and crotch were often reinforced with leather cut straight, or into ‘wolves’ teeth’, along the length of the leg and forming a cuff of varying height about the calf. The 1812 Regulations, for the first time officially recognizing the use of this garment specified that they would henceforth be of un- bleached most any tone of greyish-beige) cloth with cloth-covered buttons down the outer leg, There is no reason to suppose that this decree was regarded with any more reverence than any Greatcoats and capes ‘The three-quarter length, sleeveless greatcoat cum-cape worn until at least 1812 was often in an off-white fabric (white thread mixed sparingly with blue) though middle-green versions were not 8 unusual. A short, elbow-length cape was attached about the base of the collar to protect the webbing worn over the coat) from the elements. The interior was lined on each side of the single back vent and the front opening with serge of the regimental colour. The 1812 Regulations in- troduced a more sophisticated model: sleeves were added, with Ia ge culls; the front was equipped with five buttons with which to fasten it, while the cape was given four for the same purpose; two hip- height pockets were put in and, finally, the coloured serge of the lining was removed Headgear The distinctive headgear of dragoons was their Anofficer and dragoon in walking-out drers, Consulate period. (On the left, an elegant officer draws tight his kid-akin gloves ia preparation for night on the town. The dark waistcoat, black Cashmere breeches and black woollen stockings are distinc- tive of winter wear; in the summer he would sport a white waistcoat, fine linen breeches and silk stockings. Otherwise the costume would remain the same from his slvertassclled felt bicorn to his silver-buckled shoes. Note the straight épée in Los of the carsbersoane sabre. (On the right, a dregeon trooper makes off for his particular haunt. The uniform differs from parade dress only in the use = in place of gaiters and knee-length fuller mane of horsehair om these early derably baggier cut of the tunic in contrast to Inter patterns. (National Army Museumhelmet: a copper* cap encircled by a fur turban, with a heavily embossed copper crest supporting a black horsehair mane, a peak, and chinstraps of cither plain leather or copper scale, attached by a Many models existed, some of which are illustrated, and there were variations on each copper-edged or plain peaks; copper-edged or plain, round or pointed turbans; and innumerable copper holder just forward of the left hand chinstrap rosace. The length, volume and colours of these plumes appear, like most details appertaining to uniforms, to vary endlessly not only from regiment to regiment, but from squadron to The contemporary evidence of squadron compiled from the Martinet and the information contained in the A 1807, de monstrates but a fraction of the inconsistencies a1 on Collections for the year contradictions available to anyone patient enough to tabulate the existing records Plume colours White: 4th, 5th, 8th, 11th, 16th. 24th, 28th and 2gth. Red: 1st, 2nd, gth, 17th, 2and and goth. . 19th, 2ist agrd Crimson: roth, Green base with top of regimental and, 6th igth, 20th and 25th, Red and green: 7th, 8th, 12th and 13th ® Throughout this text the lteral translation ‘copper’ fo ei x but note tha this ter refers in this context to yellow alloy rahe than a pure red cope Red and white: 12th and 18th 4 red, ¢white and + red: 3rd White and yellow: 20th, 22nd and 24th Base black with top of regimental colour: 7th and 2r Green with a yellow top: 23rd. Contemporary portraits confirm some, bui produce still more possibilities for the above regiments, and the present writer does not feel he is shirking any responsibility by leaving it to the individual reader (or conglomerates for that matter) to complete the catalogue of possibilities at their leisure The difficulty, ordered plumes to be replaced by discs of 2 Regulations, no doubt recognizing the following colours for each company of each squadron: first company: red, sky-blue, orange or violet as the first but with a white entre. This rather thoughtfully narrows the odds, but, given that plumes were retained for some while by many regiments, only widens the range of potential combinations within any one regiment at Replacing the helmet for fatigue dress was the a middle- composed of a ‘turban’ and “flame”: the uppermost net de poli cen cloth cap. It was edge of the turban was edged in white lace and piped in the regimental colour; the flame was piped and ended cap bore in the regimental colour The front of the ina white tassel a white or The 1812 Regulations introduced an entirely new model of fatigue cap called the Pokalem The middle-green Pokalem cap consisted of a turban, a large, round, flat top and ear-flaps, all piped, laced and decorated, with either a grenade or the regimental number, in the appropriate Licer Uniform The organizational Decree of 15 July 1811 alsc specified the dress of the chevau-légers lanciers, As for colours of the facings of the tun goons, the regiments were distinguished by the Tunics The habit-veste of the lancers differed just a little from that adopted by the dr he only 9large difference consisting in the cuff being pointed flap. The that is, they could be either rather than straight with a buttoned cu lapels were reversible buttoned back and joined by hooks and eyes down the front to reveal the facing colour fully; or buttoned across, to right or left, to cover all but a narrow strip of regimental colour. This middle- green tunic was lined in white and had collar turnbacks, cuffs and lapels of the following distin- guishing colours 1st Regiment : scarlet ond Regiment : orange grd Regiment : pink th Regiment : crimson. sth Regiment: sky blue. 6th Regiment : madder red. The turnbacks were supposed to be decorated with Imperial eagle patches but were frequently ‘Trumpeters of a regiment of dragoons of the ascot viins ‘cx78q) The livery seen here was abolished with the Revolution tad the dreee of trumpeters became, until the issue of the Imperial Livery in s8raya:ma the dlecretion of each regimental colonel. The rer colourful if not = little Confusing since, as coloncl replaced colonel, trampeters fended to be dreosed in whatever fabric was locally most plentiful and cheap, with Complete disregard (for the most Part) of any precedent, as long as the colour sufliciently scuished the trumpeters from the men. (National Army Musecm) 10 devoid of any ornamentation whatever. None of d with piping. All thirty- two buttons were of yellow metal. the facings were decor A sleeveless white waistcoat, round-edged, was worn beneath the habit-veste and was fastened by a A sleeved, plain middle-green shell-jacket was worn in stable and fatigue dress. row of yellow metal buttons. Legwear The lancers’ equivalent of the off-white breeches worn by the dragoons were middle-green Hun- garian breeches. These were laced down the outer, leg and the edges of the front flap in yellow. The ornament of the flaps consisted ofa simple inverted arrowhead device for the rst to 4th Regiments, while the 5th and 6th favoured a fairly complicated Hungarian knot. Middle-green overalls, reinforced with black leather, with a strip of lace of the regimental colour d yellow metal buttons down the outer leg were the most common campaign dress in the period immediately following the creation of the lancer regiments. As the wars progressed, however variations still more diverse than those of dragoons became apparent capture the men of the and Regiment wearing, in 1814, grey overalls otherwise conforming to order; Contemporary illustrations troops of the 4th clad in overalls of middle-green with leather reinforcements and two parallel strips of lace down outer seams devoid of buttons; and finally, men of the 6th sporting patterns made of madder red cloth, without piping or lace but complete with buttons. With this garment it was, very much a case of ‘anything goes’ as but a cursory glance at the colour plates will reveal. Greatcoats The greatcoat common to all lancers was the model already described for dragoons after 1812; a sleeved and caped, white-threaded-with-blue, button-up overcoat over which the webbing would be worn. Head-gear The distinctive head-dress of lancers was no more than the dragoon model helmet with modified embellishment. Where the dragoons’ copper crest bore a horsehair mane, the lancers’ supported a‘This trumpeter of the élite company of the 21st Dragoons, <:btoy is calourfully dressed inn yellow surtout with medium” ireen facings. The surtout tunic often replaced the habit on Ssmpaign, bring more comfortable and Tess expensive: The iearskin has a scarlet plume, white cords and tacecls and chinscales. Am tnusual feature is the use of white {relat shoulder strape instead ofthe more usual re, fri cpaulettes distinctive of dite companies, The trumpet cord is ire a minture of white and green thread, where yellow and green would be more common. Note the knot in the horse's fail, «fairly widespread practice. (National Army Museum) neo-Grecian horsehair crest; where the rear of the dragoons’ copper cap was simply rounded, the lancers’ received a second, rear peak to protect the back of the neck from cuts and rain These were the diffe ‘comparison one striking similarity perplexity concerning the plumes. Contempo illustrations portray red and white ones entirely nces, but there is in their a great deal of similar to those of dragoons soon after the creation of the regiments, but increasingly few helmets represented with any plume Empire approached; indeed, many existing lancer helmets have no plun all as the end of the holders whatsoever. Do we assume that, upon conversion to lancer regiments, the troopers retained their old dragoon unit plumes? A possibility, as long as the colour did not clash with the new regimental colours, which would account for the recording of so many red and white ones, But then what of the 1812 Regulations’ order to replace plumes with company-coloured discs? The writer has yet to find a period drawing depicting a lancer’s helmet with such a pompon. It is perhaps possible that with the order abolishing the plume, lancer regiments never received the disc pompons and were quite happy, if not relieved, to do without both them and their tall plumes. The dragoons, » fatigue-cap was identical to that of the hh the exception of the grenade patch As of 1812, they too were issued the at the front. flat-topped Pokalem model with the substitution of crossed lances for the grenade badge. Having now completed a superficial exam- ination of the basic dress of both dragoons and cers, it would be interesting to delve a little further into the more specific dress of the different ranks of both arms, but space requires this be left to Instead, turn our attention to the much-neglected subject of the illustrations and captions. we shall saddles and harness. Ftorse Cfurmture Dragoons A Decree dated the 4th Brumaire An X prescribed the form of horse furniture of dragoons as compris- ing French saddle, complete with holster covers, antea snaflle- and stable halter and horse-cloth and. porte 3 bridle; bridle and parade halter bridle Thesadd was of plain leather while the girth was of fabric the stirrup leathers and the martingale were of of the breastplate, securing straps ncluding the pistol holsters and seat, white Hungarian leather; the stirrups wer blackened iron and crupper were of black leather. The bridle and reins were also of black leather, as were the snaffle- bridle, the parade halter and their reins. The pistol-holster covers and the horse-cloth were of middl 45mm. wide. green fabric, edged with white lace The middle-green_ portemanteau, strapped upon the saddle behind the rider, bore theee [Attached to the élite company, this Chef de Sapeurs of the goth Dragoons would command force of eight sappers whose duties lay in clearing the way for the column and protecting. the regimental standard. The rank and service stripes are silver, piped in red, and the cords and tassels adorning his bearsida are mixed silver and red thread, as are his SSeS el patches, familiar symbole ef his status. (Ns Fiuseum) ional Armay ntal number and lace 27mm wide on its regim rectangular ends. The 1812 Regulations gave official sanction to the widespread practice of placing a white, sheepskin shabraque over the whole of the saddle This shabraque would be edged in ‘wolves’ teeth’ material of the regimental colour Officers’ saddles were without cantle and cov ered in green fabric. Green leather holsters and bronzed stirrups differentiated them further from those of the troops. The horse-cloth was middle- green and edged with a single stripe of silver lace for subalterns; and two stripes (the inner being thinner than the outer) for more senior officers. Like the men, officers employed sheepskin shabraques, but of only half-size and in black. It would seem that their use was never officially recognized but their popularity is well established, protecting, as they did, 12 not only the pistols and holsters, but the greatcoat which was tied over the holsters, and the lower body of the rider Lancers The saddle of lancers was of entirely different composition to that of dragoons, Beechwood reinforced with metal bands, formed the base and with the suspended seat, was covered in leather. All of black leather, bar the straps for the greatcoat and the the reins and other accessories wer pistol, which were of white leather, and the musketoon securing strap, which was of yellow leather The bridle was of the Hungarian pattern as adopted by all light cavalry and made of black leather with copper ornaments throughout, except for the iron bit. The watering, snaffle-bridle was of white Hungarian leather Sapper of the ist Dragoons, 1806-1811. This relaxed fellow ‘wears the standard sappers’ uniform, but for a couple of cmbellishments: his beartkin has been adorned with x copper grenade badge, « popular symbol among the dite dragoons, [tnd his crossbelts have not only similar badges but also large copper buckles and accessories: His apron has been rolled up, ‘no doubt to facilitate mounting and dismounting, and is held in place by his swordbelt. It should be remembered that only dragoon regiments were accorded the use of sappers out of respect for their traditional role as mounted infantry. at to or adce Ps ia ly of The portemanteau, middle-green and laced in yellow, was strapped behind the cantle while the greatcoat was tied over the pommel and holsters. The whole was covered by a ite sheepskin shabraque (frequently black for trumpeters), edged in ‘wolves’ teeth’ of regimental colour The officers’ saddle was essentially the same though the cantle was covered in green Morocco leather and finished in copper. All the leathers were black, excepting the stirrup leathers in yellow, and all buckles and other diverse metal ornaments were gilded, save the bronzed stirrups. The officers used acloth shabraque of middle-green embellished with regimental colour piping and golden lace. The portemanteau was of the same colour, piping and lacing. Both the portemanteaux and the horse-cloths of dragoons and lancers bore the regimental number in either white or yellow lace Having seen, however briefly, the horse furniture of dragoons and lancers, we shall now turn to the organization of the regiments. Oreanation The conscripts would be organized into companies of two troops. By order of the Decree of the Ier Vendémiaire An XII (24 September 1803), the company was to total fifty-four mounted troops and, for lack of even remotely usable mounts, thirty-six dismounted troops. The balance of the company was composed of one trumpeter, for the mounted men, one drummer, for the dismounted, four b gadiers (corporals), one brigadier-fourrier, two sous-lieutenants, one lieutenant and a captain Two such companies formed a squadron: the smallest tactical unit of cavalry. The only addition tothe ranks at this stage would be a Chef d’Escadron. Four such squadrons made up a regiment. With each regiment was an Etat Major which comprised eight sappers (farriers for lancers), one brigadier- sape one brigadier-trompette, one br one maréchal des ‘or maréchal des logis, adier-tambour, one ficer, one adjutant-major and, finally, a colonel. Several amendments, both official and unoficial, were made to this unit structure over the years, including, inter alia: by the Decree of 26 February 1808, the marich es logis/maréchal des logis ‘hef were to be removed from the Etat Major; and, a regimental inventory dated 15 May 1811 mentions the acquisition ofa trumpet-major and the retention of the maréchal des logis chef (the regimental sergeant major) by many dragoon regiments. But the above relates only to an ideal situ very few regiments were, other than on paper full trooper strength and as for the officer and Ei Major complement, let us let the following extracts from the ‘Histor themselves of the fluctuations jue du jeme Dragons’ speak for Situation d’avril 1809 Etat nominatif des officier Etat Major: —Colonel.—2. x Chefs d’Escadron: Major.—1 x Quartier-Maitre trésorier rer Escadron tere Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous- Lieutenants seme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous- L muants Escadron Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 1 x Sous Lieutena 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous- Lieutenants Geme Ci geme Escadron geome Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 1 x Sous- Lieutenant 1X Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 1 x Sous- Lieutenant eme Cie geme Escadron geme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous- Lieutenants Some Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 2 x Lieutenants, 1 x Sous-Lieutenant Situation du rer juin 1812 Etat nominatif des officer Etat Major: —1 x Colonel Major. Chefs d Escadron. Quartier- Maitre Major. Major. Chirurgie Aide- Major x 2 x Adjutants x Sous-Aide-Majorer Escadron tere Cie: 1 X Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous- Lieutenants seme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 2 x Sous-Lieutenan zeme Escadron zeme Cie: 1 Capitaine, 2 x Sous-Lieutenants. Geme Cie: 1 x Capil x Lie Lieutenant. geme Escadron eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Liewtenant, 1 x Sous- Lieutenant. yeme Cie: 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous-Lieutenant Escadron geme geme Cie: 1 x Capitaine Beme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Liewenant, 2 x Sou Liewlenant. Escadron Cie: 1 x Capi Lieutenants geme x Sous- Russian campaign of Armée’s cavalry unite fully an action might be foughe, it could never be followed up, \4 the result that betrever suceese roeme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 Lieutenant, 2 x Sous- Lieutenants Etat des officiers aux escadrons de guerre le rer juillet 1813 Etat Major: —1 Colonel. 2 x Chefs d’Escadron 1 x Adjutant-Major er Escadron Gie: 1 x Capitaine, r x Lieutenant, 1 x Sou Lieutenant. Geme Cie: 1 x Capi 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous- Lieutenant 2eme Escadron 2eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous- Lieutenant: Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 1 x Sous- Lieutenant Opficiers dont les compagnies ne sont pas encore a Varmé with the decisive destruction of the retreating foe. Thus, despite the brilliant engagements executed by Napoleon's respectively were a foregone conclusion, co-ordinated allied command. (National Army Museum)of dng top brats. About them are troopers ands trumpeter of the Gharscurs 4 Cheval of the Imperial Guard, the crack light geme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant. Game Cie: 1 x Capitain Itis clear then that regiments, whether dragoon or lancer, were only very exceptionally fully officered, let alone manned, and the duties of the vacant post would fall on the man of next highest rank, As previously mentioned, thirty-six men were without mounts within the early dragoon regiments and these were formed into separate and distinct divisions of foot dragoons. “The C foot Dragoons There were four different instances when necessity forced the formation of foot dragoon divisions: at the camp of Boulogne in 1803; on the Rhine in 1805; in Italy in 1805, and lastly in Germany in 1806, cavalry regiment of Napoleon's personal guard. (National ‘Army Mastum) Boulogne, 1803 Further to the directives of Generals Baraguey @'Hilliers and Klein, two divisions of foot dragoons were established he following composition Klein's Division Millet’s Brigade (2nd, 4th and roth Dragoons Millet’s Brigade (11th, 13th and 19th Dragoons} Ferrol’s Brigade (1st, 14th and 20th Dragoons) Baraguey d'Hilliers’ Division. Louis Bonaparte’s Brigade (5th, gth, 12th and st Dragoons Bonnard’s Brigade (3rd, 6th and 8th Dragoons) Latter of Ministry of War dated 24 October 1803) Each regiment provided two squadrons of two ‘companies and, where necessary, any mounts were returned to the regimental depots. Each foot dragoon was supplied with a pair of shoes, a pair of long black gaiters, a greatcoat and a haversack (to which his riding boots were tied 15devastated by fire ‘October 1808 the Prussian Grenadier Battalion ‘Pri st” defended fself against nolese than three cavalry regiments. Of interest is the The long, heavy cavalry cloaks and any saddles and harness were packed into baggage wagons and despatched to Boulogne for the prospective cross- ing. Only colonels and majors were permitted to retain their mounts which were to be allowed to embark As it was, however, hostilities with Austria precluded the sea-borne invasion and the regi- ments regained their respective depots as of August 1805 to prepare for the Bavarian campaign. ‘The Rhine, 1805 An order issuing from the Ministry of War and dated 25 August 1805, established a single division of four regiments of foot dragoons at Strasbourg. The twenty-four regiments of Baraguey d’Hilliers’ corps of four divisions each supplied one squadron of two companies. The six companies normally forming a brigade now became a battalion and the two battalions of a division now equalled one 16 mannerin which thedragoons’ musketoonsareslungovertheir ‘Shoulders rather than inserted in the boot slung below che the pommel of the saddle by a leather regiment. The four regiments produced in this manner created an infantry division of 7,200 men equipped with ten cannon and organized as follows: Colonel Privé rst Battalion 1st Regiment One squadron of the 1st, 2nd and zoth Dragoon regiments. Guidon: that of the 1st Dragoons. and Battalion:—One squadron of the 4th, 16th and 26th Dragoons. Guidon: that of the 4th Dragoons. Colonel Le Baron’s 2nd Regiment ist Battalion: —One squadron of the roth, 13th and 22nd Dragoons. Guidon: that of the 1th Drag- and Battalion: —One squadron of the grd, 6th and rth Dragoons, CPEBTECE SOO Ep Co Coet AG caret An lite trooper of the 15th Dragoons. Elite companies were greated following the Decree of 18 Vendecsiate Aa Xo October Ber) which stipulated, nr lin, “The rst company of the frat squadron of every cavalry régiment shall thie dae ‘name of dite company. Tint company chosen from throughout the regiment whe conform to th instructions of the Ministry of War: Their elite status was to be indicated by the wearing of tall bearekins basically na disterent from their counterparts i the infantry but the men soon began to sport red epmulettes and even Liguilletes to farther distinguish themselves, to which fficialdom turned a blind eye, (The Jean de Gerlache de Gomery Collection) Guidon: that of the grd Drag- Colonel Beckler rst Battalion grd Regiment One squadron of the 5th, 8th anc rath Dragoons, Guidon: 1 iat of the 5th Dragoons. ‘One squadron of the gth, 6th and 21st Dragoons. Guidon : that of the 8th Dragoons. and Battalion Colonel Barthélemy’ 4th Re iment rst Battalion: —One squadron of the 15th, 17th and 25th Dragoons. Guidon: that of the 15th Drag- and Battalion:—One squadron of the and 27th Dra Guidon: th 8th, 19th of the 27th Drag (Amended from a Baraguey @’Hiller lightly erroneous list of General dated 9 Fructidor An XIII The above division was only provisional and contingent on the arrival of sufficient horses to mount colonels were never By the end of first two regiments were partly October, the remaining two all the troops (the replaced in their old regiments) September the remounted and, on were issued captured Austrian hussar and lancer horses, Though the ranks were soon refilled, these units were never intended to be other than temporary + company of the 12th Dragoons dismoun- The tying of the greatcoat about the body = a common practice to protect the breast from sabre slashes and, to 2 lesser degree, musket balls. While on impaign, the hide breeches would be replaced by button-ap overalls of almost every description and the plame of ie bbearskin would be packed in the saddle’s portemantenu, preserve i for the Victory parades wi Id, hopeful follow. (The Jean de Gerlache de Gomery Collection 7c company of the 16th Dragoons in campaign oh je wears © pink surtout tunte and = Splendid white bearskin, An interesting point is that the tissels and cords have been left on the headgear, as has the plume, though the latter has been carefully wrapped in f fabric to protec the elements. He rides « (The Joan de Gerlache de Comery The morale of the troops was low and they J-up rather badly, marching abominably and executing poorly the everyday consequently sh: ns of infantry from lack of both practice and d will. The sole benefit derived from the foot iments was the fact that the enemy eventually paid for their mounts and, with the end of the campaign, the regiments were disbanded and the individual squadrons sent to rejoin their respective mounted regiments. Italy, 1805 In Vendémiaire of An XVI, Marshal Masséna organized a battalion of foot dragoons drawn from oth Dragoons and attached them to General Verdier the 23rd, 24th, 28th, 2gth and 3 and Division. Their number never exceeded 333 troopers (as recorded the 1st Brumaire) and the battalion was dissolved in January of 1806. 18 Germany, 1806 In order to take advantage of the wasted manpower present at every regiment’s depot, Napoleon ordered the formation of a foot corps of two egiments of foot dragoons (12 September 1806). In an attempt to obtain better results from the ill- humoured men than hitherto experienced, the nents were to be attached to the Imperial Guard. General Dorsenne created the 1st Regiment at Mayence with companies of the 2nd, 14th, 20th and 26th Dragoons forming the rst Battalion and companies of the 6th, 11th, 1gth and 22nd the second. His regiment was duly appended to the Grenadiers a Pied of the Imperial Guard Major Fredericks organized the 2nd Regiment at Strasbourg with companies of the 8th, 12th, 16th and 21st forming the 3rd Battalion and companies of the 17th, 18th, 25th and 2 fh Dragoons the 4th This regiment was assigned to the Chasseurs 4 Pied of the Imperial Guard. The foot-slogging proved mercifully brief, for the troops were soon mounted on captured Prussian, and Saxon horses in October and November of the same year. The squadrons were promptly des- patched to their parent regiments. This last action marked the final official attempt to employ dragoons as infantrymen for however short a period, since even the honour of being attached to the Guard did little to improve the quality of their performance and turnout. Popular references to officially organized units of foot dragoons existing as late as 1808 are based on Before turning to the histories and war records of the individual regiments, a brief word on the creation of the lancers from dragoon regiments would not be out of place The effect of the lance used by foreign cavalry regiments on Napoleon’s troops was far from desirable and, in an effort to reassure the men of French supremacy in all arms, the Emperor duly issued the Decree of 18 June 1811, ordering the establishment of nine line lancer regiments. The last three were created from two Polish cavalry regiments and a French regiment, the 3oeme Chasseurs Cheval, while the first six were formedof the 1st, 3rd, 8th, gth, roth and agth Dragoons. The lancers only came into existence by the end and the élite lancers, at length, by the The regiments took part in the of 1811 summer of 1812. Russian campaign, often ill-equipped and moun he flanks of the long columns as These ance being a weapon ted, protecting well as screening their movements. light horse proved invaluable, the of pronounced effect on the morale of both enemy cavalry and infantry, and it is strange that their creation was so tardy given their long use in other continen Wir Service of Indhivrdual Regiments The war records of the individual regiments on the following pages should be in the particular light of Napoleonic warfare or, more correctly, of the type of war Napoleon waged. AA trooper of the 12th Dragoons wrapped in the large cavalry cloak fesued until 1812. As of that date a slims Version was issued. The plume of the helme Wrapped in waxed cloth as protection from the ra (he Jean de Gerlache de Gomery Collection) A trooper of centre company of the and Lancers, 1814. He wears one of the many typer of overalls used to’ cover oF replace the tight Hungarian breeches on campaign, The points ‘this waistcoat are clearly visible beneath the front edge of his tunic; given that the dress specifications for lancers indicated that a round-fronted waistcoat was tobe issued, this is further evidence that the official decrees relating to dress should ‘never be taken too literally. (The Jean de Gerlache de Gomery Collection) if such great objects may be obtained as the destruction of a whole hostile army, the State can afford to lose a few hundred horses from exhaus. tion,’ the Emperor wrote, revealing in a couple of lines his whole philosophy towards losses in the cavalry. The incredible march to Ulm and Auster- litz in 1805 set the pace for the lightning offensives that were his hallmark, a method of warfare singularly unsuited to a non-mechanical army That his troops fared so well on hopeless roads and empty stomachs is astonishing Though a daily ration of th grammes o bread, 250 of meat and a half-litre of wine was theoretically issued, officially sanctioned foraging was the main source of nourishment. In columns of four, or two where poor roads demanded, the cavalry would spearhead the advance of the army leaving increasingly far behind them the wagon: 19loads of grain intended for their use. As they rode deeper into generally hostile territory, so feeding both men id mounts became a greater problem until direct purchase and fair exchange gave way to theft and robbery. A trooper’s salary, ifand when he received it, was.a bare 0.30F a day ; and itis easy to see why pillaging prevailed when one compares this figure to the price of foodstuffs: a pound of sugar, 6F; a pound of rice or butter, 2.40F, and a pound of bread, 1.3, in Poland in 1806 at the very beginning of hostilities; is it any wonder that as costs rose so the These prices were recorded number of incidents of discipline increased in e worse still for the horses. With the approach of the corps of the Grande Armée, the fleeing rural population of the invaded countryside would frequently burn their crops proportion? Matters we leaving little or nothing in the way of cereals with which to nourish the cavalry mounts. It was common practice for regiments to arm special detachments of men with scythes, and despatch them as much as 50km from base to scour the land for fodder. The Russian campaign provides a gh lack of provision stly example of the waste of horseflesh through In June of 1812 80,000 cavalry mounts were taken on campaign; in no more than eight days 8,000 had died through lack of care and, in less than 2 month, Murat’s 22,000 mounted men were reduced to 12,000. The troopers were remounted on frequently unsuitable captured horses, but the terrible toll only increased. With the coming of the snow during the retreat, 30,000 died within five days; by the time Murat’s cavalry reached Sme ensk, they numbered a pitiful 1,200 mounted men. Thereafter, the remaining horses served as food for the now starving men. Since there was only one veterinary surgeon for every 500 head of mounts, malnutrition over even a comparatively short length of time tended to be fatal. Ic is with this in mind, therefore, that the wa records should be considered, and due respect given a cavalry capable of achieving so much on so little The 1st Regiment of Dragoons Created in Germany in 1656 following a treaty concluded between General Montecuculli and the King of France. Named that same year as the 20 Inncers! tunics and ie would appear that the matter ws left in the hands of the colonels of each regiment; nome opting for pocketless versions with piping about the back buttons, others. preferring thi =n this case blank, the were decorated with dare green eagle patches. Worthy of note is the fact that this Individual has been issued with dragoon-style boots rather than the Hungarian pattera distinctive oflancers. (The Jean de Gerlache de Gomery Collection), Dragons Etrangers du Roi and renamed the Royal- Dragons in 1668, it finally became the ter Régiment de Dragons in 1791. Transformed into the rer Chevau-Légers Lanciers in 1811. With the return of the Bourbons in 1814, the regiment was renamed the Régiment de Lanciers du Roi only to take up its previous title with the reinstatement of Napoleon in 1815. After the ‘100 Days’ the regiment was entirely disbanded at Agen in 1815, War record: 1805: Part of the cavalry reserve of the Grande Armée. Actions of Wertingen, Ulm and Austerlitz 1806-1807: With the Grande Armée at Jena Golymin, Heilsberg and Friedland (at which the regiment so distinguished itself that the Emperor asent his personal felicitations to its Colonel, Dermortcourt, in the heat of the battle 1807 Attached to both the Army of Spain and that of Portugal. At Uclés Maréchal des Logis Priant and Brigadier-Fourrier Gallet achieved the distinction of seizing an enemy stan- dard apiece. At Chiclana, 1811, the now Sous- Lieutenant Priant captured no less than 400 prisoners with his single troop With the Grande Armée Borodin 1812 at Smolensk and 181g: Present at the battles of Dresden, Leipzig and Hanau Reims and Paris With the Arméce du Nord at Waterlo¢ 1814 1815 The and Regiment of Dragoons Created in 1635 and given the title of Enghien- Cavalerie. In 1646, the name was changed to the Condé-Cavalerie and remained so until 1776 when the regiment formally became dragoons as. the Condé-Dragons. Entitled the 2eme Régiment de r7gt. Renamed the Régiment de ons du Roi (No. 1) in 1814 and, urn to its 1791 title in 1815, was finally dissolved after a brief at Besangon on 4 December 1815. Wear record 1805 : As part of the Cavalry Reserve of the Grande Albeck (where Brig was cited for having single-handedly Armée fought at Wertingen. dier C made prisoner an enemy colonel from the midst ofa and Austerlitz With the Cavalry Reserve at Jena where the regiment captured an entire bat battalion of the foe 1806-1807 alion, fifteen cannon and two flags), Eylau, Heilsberg and Friedland 1808-1813 Spain and Portugal and engaged at Uclés, Medel- -Reina, Chiclana and Vitoria. gent was present at the battle of Attached successively to the armies of lin, Talavera-de 1809: A cont Wagram as part of the Army of Germany 1813: With the Grande Armée at Danzig, Leipzig and Hanau. 1814: Part of the znd Corpsof the Grande Armée at the actions of Rambervilliers, Saint-Dizier and Brienne 1815: Attached to the grd Corps of the Armée du Nord at Waterloo. The 3rd Regiment of Dragoons Levied for the Duke of Enghien in 1649 and named Enghien until 1686 when it was retitled Bourbon 776 and entitled Became a dragoon regiment in Bourbon-Dragons. Renamed the geme Régiment de Dragons in 1791 and so remained until its transformation into the zeme Chevau-Légers Lancie War record. 805: With the Grande Armée at Austerlitz, 96-1807: Remained with the Grande Armée and was present at Jena, Prentzlow, Karnichen (where Fourier Jeuffroy captured a standard), Eylau and Friedland (where Commandant Barbut seized two guns and a howitzer while Capitaine Delesalle and his company made off with an entire Russian battery 808-1811: Attached to the red at Alba de Tormes. Army of Spain and A trumpeter of a centre company of the 12th Dragoons, 1804 Dressed for parade, this trumpeter wears the common surtout of reversed colours with lacing about the brent buttons,» tall plume and hide breeches. Note that trumpeters* helmets had a white rather than black horsehair mane. (The Jean de Gerlache de Gomery Collection) 21‘A sapper of the 12th Dragoons in parade dre: figure we can discera that the body of his epa covered with copper scales to protect the we from sabre’ blows. large axe.and long apron. were trademarks of the sapper's profession, distinctions, dating back to when dragoons were purely mounted infantrymen (The Jean de Gerlache de Gomery Collection) ‘The 4th Regiment of Dragoons Levied in July of 1667 and named the Chartres Cavalerie in 1684. Renamed as Clermont in 1724 as La Marche ons in 1776 with the and again, in Became a itle Conti- 31 the regiment was restyled as the 1771 regiment of dr Dragoons. In geme Régiment de Dragons. returned in 1815 with the return c the name to which it the Eagle ashort period under the Monarchy of 1814 with the tle of the Régiment de Dragons de la Reine (Ne 2). Disbanded in July of 1815 at Moulins. War recor 1805; Armée Part of Klein's Division of the Grande Lech, Wertingen Hoff, Eylau, Heils- at the crossing of the Diernstein, Golymin, Depper berg and Friedland 22 1807-1813: Attached to the 1st Corps of the Army fought at ra and Vitor Talavera-de-la-Reina, Note however that Provisional Regiment of of Spain and Ocaiia, Albul in 1807 the 4 was with the Army of Portugal, engaged at Vimiero and surrendered at Cintra; this unit was dissolved in 1810. 1813: With the Grande Armée at Leipzig 14: Part of Treilhard’s Division at the battles Bar-sur-Aube and La mpenoise Ch 1815 Took part in the battle of Ligny ‘The 5th Regiment of Dragoons Created out of the division of the Dragons Etrangers du Roi into two and named. 1668, Colonel-Général and Royal-Dragons. Re t year of ment de Dragons with the re ong Retitled the Régiment de Dragons du Dauphin afier the Napo Days’ campaign only to be disbanded later seme Reg nization of 791 abdication of -on, it reclaimed its previous title for the ‘toc that War record With the Grande Armée at Wertingen and Austerlitz (at which Trooper Barbet captured a Russian adjutant-general 1806-1807: Part of the Grande Armée for the actions of Nasielk, Eylau and Frie 1809-1813: Service in Spain where 1809, Colonel de 6 January Sparre led twenty troopers, reezing affluent of the Douro to execute a spectacular charge ending with the seizure of two enemy cannon. The regiment fought at Almonacid, Ocaiia and Vitoria 1814 Champenoise and Paris, 1815: With the Armée du Nord at Ligny Waterloo. Engaged at the battles of Graonne, La Fére- The 6th Regiment of Dragoons Formed in 1673, it was designated the La Reine- Dragons in 1675. Became the 6eme Régiment de gt. Renamed the Régiment de Dragons de Monsieur (No. 4) in 1814, but r Dragons in ined its numerical title with the return of Napoleon. The dat Nimes in August of elle a ilnaeeili indie, .. enn eeeWar record: 1805: With the Grande Armée at Ulm, Ebensberg and Austerlitz. 1806: On the fields of Schleitz Prentzlov Trooper Fabre captured Zehdenick at which both Lieutenant Jobert and De- cember 23rd, on the battlefield of Biezun, Trooper nemy standards) Plet seized yet another standard while Maréchal des Logis Lecuyer, accompanied by four troopers, carried away no less than two guns, a howitzer and two ammunition caissons. 1807: Part of the Grande Armée at Bergfried, Hoff Colonel Leba life), Eylau and Friedland. 1809-1813: Attached to the engaged at Alba-de-Tormes, ¢ actions of where ‘on lost his Army of Spain and Giudad-Rodrigo, Fuentes d’Onoro, Torres Vedras, Los Arapilos Salamanca) and Vitoria. 1813: Fought with the Grande Armée at Leipzig, 1814: Present on the fields of Brienne, La Rothiére, Mormant and Saint-Dizier 1815 engaged at Ligny and Rocquencourt Attached to the Army of the Moselle and The 7th Regiment of Dragoons Raised by the Marquis of Sauveboruf at Tournai in 1673. Named the Dauphin-Dragons in 1675 Became the yeme Régiment de Dragons in 1791 but retitled the Régiment de Dragons d’Angouléme No. 5 Restoration in 1814 Returned to their 1791 title in 1815 under the under the First renewed Empire, but was dissolved on 16 July 1815, Ww 805-1809: Attached to the Army of Italy and engaged at Caldicro, the crossing of the Tag- liamento and throughout the Calabrian campaig In April 1809, at the crossing of the Lieutenant Blassel successfully led an under- manned foot detachment to the rescue of General Baraguey d’Hilliers and his staff isolated and in imminent danger of capture same the d'Escadron Deberme, acting regimental com mander in lieu of Colonel de Seron who lay wounded, executed a superb charge against two momentarily This battle of Che year, at Wagram enemy cavalry regiments and siezed some 300 prisoners. 12: With the Grande Armée at Borodino. 13: Fought with the Grande Armée at Dresden. battle of La Fére- 1814: Present at the Champenoise Enj aged on the field of Waterloc Drummer of an dite company of foot dragoons, Like the {grenadiers of infantry, site foot dragoons bonsted tall black Bearskins and red epaulets. With the turning of mount less dragoons into infantry units, 30 trampeters were replaced by dirammers equipped with instruments ofthe same pattern a4 y- Thetr equipment remained the same except for the wearing of gaiters and shocs instead of riding boots, and the carrying ofan infantry-style pack, 23The 8th Regiment of Dragoons March 1674 by the d’Heudicourt and named Renamed Penthiévre in 1 Penthiévre-Dragons in 1 Created 1 Marquis Toulouse in Finally titled as Became the Beme Régiment de Dragons in 1791 and so remained until 1811 when the regiment was restyled as the 1693. geme Chevau-Légers Lanciers. In 1814 this last became the Régiment de Lanciers du Dauphin but resumed its former title for the Belgian campaign of 181 The regiment was disbanded in 1815. A foot dragoon, c.1806, equipped essentially in the same man- neras if he were mounted. The sabre was retained and slung fon the hook of the swordbelt. Here wrapped about his body in the cavalrymen’s fashion, the greatcoat could more ea Strapped atop the pack as the fi 24 War record. 1805-1806: Part of the Grande Armée at Wertin= Austerlitz, Jena, Zehdenik, Prentzlov and Nasielk (where Colonel Beckler was struck dead 1807: With the Grande Armée at Eylau, Heilsberg and Friedland. 1808-1811: Service in Spain. Present at Burgos, Monterey Oporto, Valladolid, Guarda, Santarem and Sabugal 1812: Attached to the Armée and on the fields of Polotsk (where Colonel Lebrun lost his life) gen, Ulm, Lambach, Tudela, Braga, Grande and Berezina 1813: Still with the Grande Armée at the battles of Bautzen, Reichenbach, Dresden, Leipzig and Hanau. 1815: Took part in the Belgian campaign and fought at both Ligny and Waterloo. The gth Regiment of Dragoons Raised in the Franche-Comté by the Marquis of Originally given the title of Lorraine in 1773. Became the geme Régiment de Dragons in 1791 and consequently retitled the geme Listenois in 1673 Régiment de Cheoau-Légers Lanciers in 1811. With the return of the monarchy the regiment was renamed the Régiment de Lanciers de M. reviving its former title for the 1815 campaign, the regiment was dissolved later the same year War record. 1805-1807: With the following actions Grande Armée at the Wertingen Maupetit died leading a charge), Austerlitz (w Licutenant-Colonel Delort received two lance where Colonel wounds and the Adjutant-Major, Strolz, thirteen) Jena, Zehdenick, Jonkovo, Hoff, Eylau, Friedland, Willemsdorf and Kénigsberg 1808-1810: Service in the Peninsula and presence at Burgos, la-Reina, Ocafa, Cadiz and Busaco. 1812: Fought with the Grande Armée at Borodino, Mojaisk, and Winkovo. 1813: On the fields of Leipzig and Hanau. Talavera-de 1814: Engaged in the battles of Champaubert and ‘Vauchamps. 1815: Present at Waterloo. . eeVertin- of the dite company of the sand Dragoons, 1810 .denik, 12 Brigndier of the sath Dragoons in ‘petite temact rit 3 Trooper ofthe 4th Dragoons in campaign dress ilsberg surgos, | adolid, on the nis life) ttles of g and m and. quis of itle of rent de he geme ith the named after gn, the the lonel (where lance rteen), cdland. resence Cadiz fodino, ert andi 3 a0th, \ 3 Colonel of the 12th Dragoons in campaign dress, DThe roth Regiment of Dragoons Created in 1674 and named Mestre-de-Camp- Général in 1685. Renamed the 10eme Régiment de Dragons in 1791, it was subsequently transformed into the 5eme Régiment de Chevau-Légers Lanciers in 1811, Newly entitled the Régiment de Lanciers d’Angouléme in 1814, it reverted to its numerical title for the ‘too Days’ and was finally dissolved afier the campaign War record 1803-1804 : Stationed at the Camp de Boulogne for the proposed invasion of Great Britain 1805: With the Austerlitz 1806-1807 : Took part in the battles of Eylau and Friedland attached to the Grande Armée. 1809-1811 fought at Alba-de- Tormes, Ciudad Rodrigo and Fuentes d’Onoro (where Lieutenant Vesuty, leading the regiment’s lite company, repulsed some 400 British hussats, Grande Armée at Ulm and Peninsula service taking many prisoners, and severely mauled a battalion of British infantry 1812: Rejoined the Grande Armée for the battles of Borodino and Winkovo. 1813: Remained with the Grande Armée and fought at Wachau and Hanau 1814: Engaged in the battle of Montmirail 1815: On the fields of both Ligny and Waterloo. The r1th Regiment of Dragoons Formed by Royal commission at Tournai in 1674. In 1788 the regiment was presented to the Duke of Angou In 1791 the regiment was retitled as the 11eme Régiment de me and received his name Dragons. Following the restoration of the House of Bourbon, it was renamed the Régiment de Dragons No. 6) campaign under its numerical title de Berry After taking part in the 1815 the regiment was dissolved War record 1805: Part of the Grande Armée at the battles of Landsberg, Ulm, Amstetten, Hollabriinn, Raus- nitz and Austerlitz (where Colonel Bourdon was fatally wounded) 1806~1808 : Remained with the Grande Armée and was present at Zehdenick. Friedland. Prentzlov, Eylau and Li: am officer of an élite company wears the popular officers’ overcoat; knee-length and double-breasted, ie was entir'.y ‘middle-green and decorated with silver buttons and the sane ‘pauleties as would be worn on the tuni Biit:an officer ofa centre company in a cape of middle-green ‘embellished with silver lace. While the overcoat was malt for everyday wear, the cape was eminently more practical when mounted, ‘ook part in the following actions in Alba-de-Tormes, Busaco, Re- Ciudad Rodrigo, Los 1809-1813: T the Peninsula dinha, Fuentes d’Onoro, Arapilos (Salamanca) and Vitoria 1813; Grande Armée at Leipzig and Hanau 1814: Present battles of S: Brienne, La Rothiére and Montmirail 1815: Stationed in Strasbourg, attached to the 6th Corps of Cavalry Attached to the 5th Corps of Cavalry of the at the -Dizier 25The rath Regiment of Dragoons Formed at Maestricht in 1675 in conjunction with some ge. Presented to the Count of h Became the 12eme Régiment de Dragons in 179) ‘ompanies from Artois in 1774 and but was renamed in 1814 the Régiment de Dragons d’Orléans (No. 7) with the XVIII to the throne B15 with the the re Tours later that restoration of Louis Allotted the 1791 title once re-establishment of ‘the nent was finally disbanded at War record 1805: Attached to the 5th Corps of the Reserve Cavalry and saw action at Wertingen, Ulm and Austerlitz 1806: Part of the grd Division of Dragoons of the A regiment deployed in column, an ideal formation where Act was essential or when the field of battle was obstriace ‘Note the arrangenn squadron. Each squadron troops who rode on a front @ 26 Grande Armée at Jena, Prentzlov and Nasielk. 07: Presi 98-1813: Service in the Peninsula and Madrid, Medellin, t at Eylau, Heilsberg and Friedland at Burgos, Talavera, Almo. nacid, Ocafa, the Andalusian expedition, Alca-la Real, Grenada, Venta-del-Baul, Huescar and Vitoria, 1813: With the Grande Armée at Danzig 1814 tat the 1815: Served with the Armée du Nord at Ligny and Namur Foug pattle for Paris, The 13th Regiment of Dragoons Formed in the Languedoc in 1676 and named the Condé-Di Renamed the Comte-de- Province in 1774, then yet again as the Monsieur Retitled the 13eme Régiment de Changed to the 8eme Régiment ons in 1724 the sa Dr de Dragons ne year ons in 179) de Condé) in 18 former title for the , but resumed its 1815 campaign. The regiment was finally dissolved the 6th of December 1815, War record 1805-18 eng, crossing of the Danube Attached to the Grande Armée and f the Rhine at Kehl, the at Elchingen, Hollabriinn Austerlitz, Nasielk and Pultusk. 1809-1812: Saw action in the Peninsula Oporto, the crossing of the and the battle of Las Rosas. 1813: With the Grande Armée at Leipzig. 1814 1815: On the battlefields of Wavre and Rocquen- fed at the crossing at Co runna, Tagus at Arzobis Fought at Mormant and Saint-Dizier The 14th Regiment of Dragoons Created 3 March 16 Named Chartres in 17; by the Marquis of Seyssac and became a dragoon regiment in 1776 under the title of the Chartres- Dragons. Became the 14eme Régiment de Dragons in 1791, but were renamed the geme Régiment de Restoration returned to its 1791 title in 1815 under the Empire Dragons under the Having briefly the regiment was disbanded in December of the War record. 1805: With the Grande Austerlitz Armée at Wertingen andThis echelon formation was frequently adopted where the terrain permitted; it enabled cavalry to attack in devastating 1806-1807: Still linked to the Grande Armée, saw action at Jena Heilsberg and Friedland. 808-1811 Golymin, Watersdorf, Eylau, Service in the Peninsula, engaged at Madrid, Medellin, Talavera, Ocafia, the siege of Cadiz, Alcanizas, La Gebora, Sabugal and Al- bufera. 1813: With the Grande Armée at the battles of Leipzig, Dennewitz and Danzig. 1814: Took part at the following actions during the French campaign: Montereau, Bar-sur-Aube and Are 1815: Fought at Charleroi, Ligny and Rocquen -sur-Aube The 15th Regiment of Dragoons Originally created as of 20 December 1688 by the Duke of Noailles, the regiment was formally listed asa dragon unit in 1776. In 1791 the regiment was Régiment de The return of the Bourbons in 1814 necessitated its renaming as the Dragons. Assuming its old number for the 1815 campaign named the 15eme Dragons. roeme Régiment de ensured the regiment's dissolution on 16 November 1815 at La Rochelle War record. 1805-1807: Attached to the Grande Armée at the battles of Ulm, Nordlingen, Austerlitz, Liibeck, Pultusk and Ostrolenka. 1808-1813: With both the armies of Spain and Portugal during the Peninsula campaign, attached to the reserve cavalry Rodrig @’Onoro and Vitoria. and present at Ciudad Busaco, Pombal, Redinha, Fuentes waves, the front squadrons drawing enemy fire in Drecisely the wrong direction from the imminent attack, 1813: Part of the 5th Corps of Cavalry on the fields of Leipzig and Hanau. 1814: Remained with the 5th Corps for the battles of Brienne, La Rothiére, Nogent-sur-Seine and Mormant 1815: Attached to the 5th Division of the Reserve Cavalry at Ligny and Rocquencourt. The r6th Regiment of Dragoons Formed of free corps and re-organized regiments’ companies for the Duke of Orléans and named after him. Renamed the r6eme Régiment de Dragons 1791 and, yet again in 1814, as the 11eme Régiment de Dragons. Returned briefly to its previous number on Napoleon’s return and was consequently disbanded later the same year War record 1805; With the Grande Armée at Austerlitz 1806-1807 : Remained with the Grande Armée and Eylau and fought at Jena, Prentzlov, Bergfried Friedland. 1808-1813 the Saw service in engaged at Arzobisp. Real, Malaga, Moralez Lieutenant d’Ussel and his troop captured three Peninsula and Ocafta, Alca- ind Vitoria. At Talavera, standards 1814: Saw action at Mormant, Valjouan, Bar-sur- Aube and Arcis-sur-Aube. 1815: Took part in the battle of Ligny The 17th Regiment of Dragoons Created by the Comte de Saxe German, Polish and Rumanian volunteers, as a in 1743, with mixed regiment comprising three brigades of 27lancers and three of dragoons. Originally named the Volontaires de Saxe, the regiment was transfor ned into an entirely dragoon unit in 1762 and dubbed the Schénberg-Dragons. Retitled the ryeme Régiment de Dragons in renumbered in 1814 as the 12eme Régiment de Dragons and yet in 1815, as the 18eme iment. The regiment was finally disbanded i War record 1805: Fought with the Grande Armée at Albeck nd Austerlitz Remained with the Grande Armée and 48 present at the actions of Eylau, Mansfeld. Spanden and Friedland. With the Army unna, Br of Spaii Amarante Madrid, Ar- 10 and subsequently Vil Valencia, Benavente, C in Estramadura in 1 fields of Albufera, and Vitoria. rt of the 10th Corps of the Grand of Magdeburg. Cc es, Saint-Parr Armée he defence 1814: Part o} Fontvannes, Tr the 6th ps of Cavalry at where Colonel Lepic captured an enemy standard), Arcis-sur Aube and Paris. 1815: Attached to the 6th Division of Reserve Cavalry during the Belgian campaign and fought at Ligny and Namur The 18th Regiment of Dragoons Metz in existing, and named Le Roi. Renamed the 18eme Régiment de Dragons in 1791. In 1814. the regiment was renumbered as the 13eme Régiment Je Dragons only to finally return, in 1815, to the title of 18eme. Disbanded shortly thereafter at Lun War re 5: Part of the 4 Reserve Cavalry of the Grande Armée and 180 Division of vragoons of the at Elchingen and Austerlitz. 96-1807: Remained attached to the ok part at Nordhausen, Sandow Graudenz, Reserve nd Mohriingen, Spandau anc Troop A 1 Comp E Troop B AM uannaans BE pA AANA 2nd Comp A SQUADRON WHEELING RIGHT 1s marched at around 67 km an hour with the = cither close behind one another or, as in this case, at frontal length distance. This enabled the companies wheel right or left into an assault Line, ready within seconds to be launched into action. As illustrated, the troops would pivot ‘on the end man, performing an arc to dress the lineA) A lancer trooper's helmet in profile and full-on. This headdress was no more than x dragon's helmet embellished rear peak and horsehair crest, 1B) The slightly modified version iasued to NCO's; nly in its ‘more elegant Ti ‘copper with a brown fur turban. ‘E)"The middle-green fatigue cap issued to dragoons and lancers prior to the adoption of the Pokalem model {F) in 182. ‘The lace was wh Tmost cases, and the regimental number fered ‘Both helmets were entirely ‘was frequently added to the front. ) The dragoon helmet in profile and full-on. The horsehair 1808-1813: With the 4th Division of Dragoons of the Army of Spain at Somo-Sierra, Madrid Corunna, the invasion of Portugal, Oporto, Arzo- bispo and Las Rosas. 181g: Attached to the Grande Armée and fought at Dresden, Leipzig 1814: Engaged at Rothiére aint-Dizier, Brienne and La The rgth Regiment of Dragoons Created by the Decree of 27 February 1793 of the Volontaires d’Angers and named the rgeme Régiment de Dragons. Renumbered as the 14eme Régiment in 1814 only to be retitled the 1geme shortly before its dissolution at Moulins in Septem ber of 1815, ‘mane became increasingly thin as the years wore on, but the ‘shape of the helmet altered but litle. The headdress, was entirely copper with a brown turban of fur. Note the plume holder justin front of the left side chinscale rosnce. E) The bearskin of élite troopers. The rear patch is red with white cross of lace upon it; the cords and tassels are aloo red, the former passing om the left side beneath « tricolour ‘cockadle. This head-gear was often fitted with chinscales identical vo the helmet. F) The Pokalem model and were buttoned to a ‘ide when not in use, 1 cap. The carlaps folded up he cloth-covered bation on each War record. 1805 Grande Part of the 4th Division of Dragoons of the Armée ged at Elchi and en; gen and Austerlitz, 1806-1807: Remained with the Grande Armée for the actions of Jena, Liibeck, Mohriingen and Friedland. 1808-1813: Attached to the 4th Division of Dragoons with both the armies of Spain and Portugal; fought at Corunna, Morentase, Bra Oporto, Arzobispo, Las Rosas, Medina Corli and Vitoria 1813-1814: With the 5th Corps of Cavalry of the at Dresden sonnet with only ten dragoons broke through an Grande Armée where Captain Pon- infantry square and made off with no less than three 29cannon), Flemingen, Wachau, Leipzig, Danzig Saint-Dizier, Brienne, La Rothiére, Mormant, Les Trois-Maisons and the second action at Saint- Dizier. Having played a vital role in covering the retreat of the Grande Armée, Commandant Cos- nard and Lieutenant Mollard of the 1geme received a citation and the Cross of the Legion of Honour respectively Figures A through D demonstrate the changing shape of dragoon officers’ head-gear through the years A) 604.47; 8) 1806-10; C) sbob-r2and D) 1810-14. Thehelmets were of copper with leopard skin turbans, E) The officers’ model of the Pokalem fatigue cap. Prior to its introduction in 1812, a pattern identical to that ofthe troops was worn, but laced in silver rather than in white. Tite particular one is that of an officer of lancers, as evinced by the ‘crossed-lance patch on the front, but a dragoons would differ conly im the use of a silver grenade patch in its stead. It is 30 1815: Attached to the Armée du Rhin and engaged at the minor actions of Ober-Hausbergen and Mittel-Hausbergen. The 2oth Regiment of Dragoons Created in July of 1793 of the Regiment de Dragons de Hainault et Jemappes and Régiment de Dragons. Renumbered the 15eme amed the 20eme middle-green and laced and piped in the regimental colour. F) An officer's bicorn, sro. Earlicr models of this head: dress were less tall and the folded-up bien was generally of 4e way round. But, as. civil ‘G)A lancer officer's helmet. As that of dragoons, officers of lancers had more elegant helmets with turbans of leopard skin. The front plate of the copper crest differed in that it had the familiar crossed-lance device embellished upon it enemaRégiment de Dragons in 1814. With the return of Napoleon, the regiment was retitled the 20eme Dissolved in July of 181 War record 1805: With the Grande Armée at Wertingen, Memmingen, 1st Division of Dragoons of the Ne- resheim (where Brigadier Blondel seized an enemy standard for which he was subsequently presented with the Cross of the L Ulm and gion of Honour Austerlitz 1806-1807 : Remained with the Grande Armée and engaged at Jena, Pultusk, Heilsberg and Friedland. 1808-1812: Took part in the following actions in Spain: Andujar, Tudela, Ucles, Ciudad-Real, Almonacid, Ocafia, Los Arapilos (Salamanca Pampeluna and Tamames. 1813-1814: Part of the 5th Corps of Cavalry of the Grande Armée and fought at Leipzig, Dresden and Hanau. 1814: On the fields of Saint-Dizier Rothiére, Montereau and Troyes dur- ing the campaign of France 1815: Attached to the znd Corps of C Brienne, La Mormant, valry of the Armée du Nord and engaged at Ligny, Waterloo and Rocquencourt The 21st Regiment of Dragoons Originally April of Cavalerie de Légion de la Police and named the 2reme Régiment de Dragons. Disbanded in April of 1797. Recreated in 1801 from the Piedmontese 1st Regiment of Dragoons (Piedmont having been annexed to France that year created in 1796 with the and again numbered the 21eme Régiment de Dragons. The regiment was finally disbanded in August of 1814 War record 1805: With the Austerlitz 1806-1807: Remained with the Grande Armée and present at Prentzlow, Eylau and Kénigsberg. 1808-1812 sula Campaign as well as the Grande Armée at Ulm and Engaged at Almonacid in the Penin- following small actions: Massaruleque, Martos, Fuengirola, Es- tepona and Osuna 1813: With the Grande Armée at Jiiterbock and Attached to the Army of Spain and fought Leipzi at Miranda and Vitoria 1814: With the Grande Troyes and Montmirail. Armée at Fontvannes. The 2and Regiment of Dragoons Raised in Piedmont in 1635 and named Orléans. In 1647, Anne of Austria purchased the regiment for her son the Duke of Anjou and renamed it the Régiment d’Anjou. Resumed its title of the Régiment d’Orléans in 1660 only to be disbanded the following year The regiment was eventually recreated in 1665. Renamed the 13eme Régiment de Cavalerie in 1791 and yet again, in 1803, as the 2zeme Régiment de Dragons. The unit was finally disbanded in May 1814 War record 1805: With the Grande Austerlitz, 1806-1807 Armée at both Ulm and Remained with the Grande the actions of Jena, Eylau, Ostrolenka and Fried land. Armée for ‘808-1813: Took part in the following actions in the Peninsula: Baylen (where Lieutenant Ancelin captured an enemy standard), Mora, Braga Barcellos, Oporto, Valverde, Alicante, Elche Almanza and Las Rosas. 1813: Engaged at Strehla, Naumburg, Flemingen and Leipzig during the Saxon Campaign 1814 Dizier during the Campaign of France The grd and 4th squadrons fought at Saint- The 23rd Regiment of Dragoons Raised in Turin by the Duke of Savoy in 1 Royal-Piémont. following Piémont. In 1690 it returned to its previous title Retitled the 14eme Régiment de Cavalerie in 1791 and again, in 1803, as the 23eme Régiment de as the It was ceded to France the year and renamed the Prince-de- Dragons. The regiment was dissolv in 1814 War recon 1804-1806: Attached to the engaged at Army of Italy and Verona and the crossing of the ‘Tagliamento. 1806: Briefly transferred to the Army of Naples. 1809: Again with the Army of Italy, at S:cile Piave, San-Daniel and Wag 1812: With the Grande Armée at Borodino (La 31Dragoons’ equipment. A) Troopers! pattern cartridge-pouch. Suspended on blancoed crossbelt passed over the left shoulder, the black leather cartridge-pouch contained the powder-and-ball cart sliges for the ataketoon, The model Hlastrated, the Wor ‘attcra, was in use throughout the wars. 3B) The An IX pattern musketoon. This replaced the infantry ‘muskets issued to dragoons under the Consulate for lnc. of supply, and was later in turn replaced by the An XI model which differed but litle. Dragoons were alse issued pistols; the brass-mounted 1763 pattern and the stcelfurnished Republican model both saw continuous use throughout the Empire period. Moskowa 1813: Remained attached to the Grande Mojaisk and Berezina Armée and engaged at Dresden (where Captain Gegout captured two cannon and General Szecsen; Ad- jutant Agousténe seized an enemy standard; and Maréchal des Logis Brouvéres captured a Russian general) and Leipzig 1814 Campaign of France Fought at Vertus and Paris during the The 24th Regiment of Dragoons Raised in 1761 and named the Royal-Lorraine 32 ) ©) The An IV model sabre and s8ox pattern swordbelt. The sabre has iron fittings though s similar type of sabre with Copper guard ts also in use until the events! introdution of the An BS Xd or Xil patterns. Note the strap attached to the swordbelt’s first copper ring designed to hold the bayonet socket in place. The knot on the guard of the sabre was whee D) The officers’ tabre was fitted in git and came in two slightly different types, the one entirely Straight and the other ightly curved. This sabre was only worn on service and was replaced by a straight pce for everyday wear, Ey Tue Copper guard datangcle’ Gis"Aa XI! model troopers? sabre from its predecessor. The coppersitted ‘Swordbek is the s8t2 patters Renamed the 1791 and again, in 17: 1Geme Regiment de Cavalerie in 2, as the 15eme Régiment de following the defection of the 15th ex-Royal-Allemand). Be the 2geme Régiment de Dragons in 1803. Disbanded in June 1814 Cavaleric Regiment, -ame Wear record 1805: With the Army of Italy at Tagliamento and Caldiero. 1806: Attached to the Army of Naples. 1808-1813: Fought in the following actions in thePeninsula: Rosas, Cardedeu, Molins-del-Rey Wals, San-Columa, Villa-Real, Sa gonte (where Captain Devons seized a Spanish standard), Castalla and the Ordal Pass. 1813: With the Grande Armée at Jiiterbock. 1814: An unspecified detachment took part in the Campaign of F Tarragona, The 25th Regiment of Dragoons Created in 1665 and named the Bourgogne in 1685, afier the Duke of Bourgogne. Renamed Bretagne in 1711 after the Duke of Bourgogne’s son. In. 1751 Retitled Royal- Bourgogne in 1788. Became the 17eme Régiment de Cavalerie in 1791 but rem the following year. Retitled the 25eme Ré resumed its previous title mbered the 16eme Lancers’ equipment. "A) OBlicers! pattern cartridgepouch. This is one of many varieties emplayed by lancer fficers, others include thove of inc Teather, edged in gold ince and those like this oncy of scarlet but with five stripes of gold lace dow the body instead of three, The gold Imperial eagle device on the pouch Aap was often replaced by a crowned N- 1B) The tip of the lance, The lance was a otal length of .75m, ‘nding in the irom fot llastented: Note the buttons’ to which the pennant (G) attached D) The ofticers! pattern sabre. Ie differs very ttle from the troopers? model but has» gilt guard. The rwordbelt is one of ‘many adopted by the officers snd fo scarlet edged in god Ince ie gc cing ) The An EX pattern musketoon. This was at first only issued to lanciers-carabinicrs but towards the end of ti; all lancers already equipped with lances recsived one complete with crossbel and sling Ia ikely that troopers only retained ‘ther the lance or the musketoom, discardlag the sther ae = ecko borden ) The An IX model light cavalry sabre, ‘The swordbelt fe narrover dan that ioe has a'serpent-S buckle; but patterns wid used by troopers. ‘to dragoons and ‘solid or frame Was frequently decorated with ei crowned N or an imperial engle. 'G) The troopers’ cartridge-pouch and the musketoon sling and crossbele. Eee de Dragons in 1803 and finally disbanded in 1814. War record. With the Grande Austerlitz, 1806-1807: Remained with the Grande Arméc throughout the Prussian campaign and engaged at Halberstadt and Ostrolenka 1808-1813: Took part in the following actions in Baylen, Lugo, Sub- sequently attached to the Army of Portugal and engaged at Almeida, Torres-Vedras, Fuentes ’Onoro, Los Arapilos (Salamanca) and Vitoria 1813: With the Grande Leipzig (where Colonel Montigny was mortally wounded 1814: Fought at Saint-Dizier iére, Mormant, La Fer during the Campa 1805, Armée at Elchingen and Spain Alba-de-Tormes. Armée at Dresden and Brienne, La Roth- Champenoise and Paris ign of France. The 26th Regiment of Dragoons Created in and named after the province of Roussillon in 1673. Renamed Berry in 1690 after the Duke of Berry. Became the 18eme Régiment de Cavalerie in 1791 but renumbered the 17eme the following year. Renamed the 26eme Régiment de Dragons in 1803 and disbanded at Nantes in 1814 War record. 1805: Attached to the Reserve Cavalry of the Grande Armée and engaged at Wertingen, Albeck Neresheim and Austerlitz. 1806-1807: Fought at Jena, Waltersdorf, Hoff, Eylau, Heilsberg and Friedland. 1808-1813 Peninsula ngaged in the following actions in the Tudela, Uclés, Medellin, Talavera-de- Ocana, Gebora Albuquerque, Campo-Major, Puente-del-Mastro and Vitoria. 1814: Part of the 6th Corps of Cavalry during the Campaign of France and present at Craonne, Sens, Laon, La Fére-Champenoise and Paris. la-Reina, Olivenza, Badajoz, The 27th Regiment of Dragoons Created in 1674 by Count Victor-Maurice de Broglie. Named the Royal-Normandie in 17 Became the rgeme Régiment de Cavalerie in 1 to be renumbered the following year as the 18eme Retitled the 27eme Régiment de Dragons in 1803 and disbanded in August 1814 33