= MEN-AT-ARMS SERIES

NAPOLEON'SDRAGOONS AND

:""LANCERS>"'--

EMIR BUKHARI ANGUS McBRIDE

55

First published in Great Britain in 1976by Osprey, an imprint ofReed Consumer Books LimitedMichelin House, 81 Fulham RoadLondon SW3 6RBand Auckland, Melbourne, Singapore and Toronto

© 1976 Reed International Books Limited

Reprinted 1977, 1981 , 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987,1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993

All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for thepurpose ofprivate study, research, criticism or review,as permitted under the Copyright Designs and PatentsAct, 1988, no part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmittedin any form or by any means, electronic, electrical,chemical, mechanical, optical, photocopying,recording or otherwise, without the prior permission ofthe copyright owner. Enquiries should be addressed tothe Publishers.

ISBN 0850450888

The author gratefully acknowledges the considerabledebt owed by some of the illustrations to the publishedresearches of M. Lucien Rousselot. He also wishes toexpress his thanks to Gerry Embleton, Jean deGerlache de Gomery, Michel Risser and the staff ofthe Musee Royale de l'Armee (Bruxelles), the Museede l'Armee (Paris) and the ational Army Museum.

This book isJo1' Sue A.

Printed in Hong Kong

:Af!!!oleon's "Dragoons andi!!Jzcers

From the great victories ofMarengo and Hohenlin­den in 1800 to the terrible defeat of Waterloo in1815, France was to call up a total of I ,600,000 menof whom a mere 600,000 were to survive. Little,perhaps, in comparison to the giant levies and lossesof the wars.of this century, but what matter coldstatistics to the man who has to do the soldiering?Whether armed with pike, musket or anti-tankgun, the grisly reality remains the same.

In 1803, undeclared war was renewed betweenthe principals of the near-farcical Peace ofAmiens,France and Great Britain, and the Frenchman onceagain found himself liable to be called up.Conscription had existed for some while in post­revolutionary France. Introduced originally bydecree of the Convention on 14 February 1793,the law had been both modified and extended byorder of the Directory on the 8th Fructidor AnVIII. A bachelor aged between twenty andtwenty-five, our potential conscript was nowobliged to present himself at his local depot for thedraw, a 'lucky dip' designed to select which out ofevery seven prospective candidates would actuallyjoin the ranks. Let us suppose that our man wasunlucky.

This young Frenchman, along with the otherseventh of the conscripts, was now destined to serveunder the nation's banner indefinitely: until oldage, crippling wounds, death or the cessation ofhostilities culled him from the ranks. Prospects weretherefore far from bright, since all Europe wasranged and pledged to destroy the young republicofFrance. But it was this same democracy so fearedby France's neighbours that had reinforced hersoldiers with the necessary idealism and hadmaintained her inviolate for the last eleven years.Our conscript was fired with the revolutionary

notion that France belonged to her people and wasno longer the plaything of a jaded aristocracy, andit was this that gave him the will to win.

This was no army of embittered conscripts. Bornunder the Monarchy, raised during the turbulenceofsuccessive revolutionary regimes, this generationhad a sense of freedom-a possession worth dyingfor. To them, neighbouring rulers were prepared togo to any lengths to preserve their thrones from thefree-thinking philosophies which had so recentlystemmed from the Americas; and Great Britain's

The skirt of the hnperial Livery as worn by the French linelancers, showing the decoration of the SlDall of the back andthe turnbacks. Unlike the rear of the dragoon trumpeters'tunic, the lancers' is devoid of false pockets and all theattendant piping and lacing. Instead, it has only slim piping ofregitnental colour fortning points above each of the waist­height buttons, the hnperial lace decorating the rear of thetunic proper, and further lengths of the SaIne lace along theturnbacks. In this case plain, the turnbacks tnight easily bearyellow or green eagle patches (depending on the colour of thefacings) or the flaming grenade device if the owner wastrumpeter to an elite cOlDpany. (National Anny MuseUID)

3

01.1. 1810:-Boot repairs 0.goF

renewed hostility was proof that the misguidedpeoples of all Europe were being slowly coercedinto obliterating the fledgling republic that couldprovide them their own salvation. What mighthave been dull resignation to military service was,in fact, more a dogged determination to preserveboth the motherland and the freedom which wasthe birthright of France's oppressed neighbours.

Having been inoculated against smallpox, theconscripts next presen ted themselves at theirbarracks for roll call and food hand-out. Thefollowing day they would be issued their equipmentand, soon after, their uniforms.

The pay book ofone Claude Defrere itemizes theissue as follows: one tunic; one fatigue jacket andcap; one chemise; one pair of linen trousers; onewhite and one black collar; four handkerchiefs;two pairs of cotton and one of woollen stockings;three pairs ofshoes; one grey and one whi te pair ofgaiters; one cloth bag and a hide haversack; andfinally, two cockades. Equipment would include acover for the cartridge-pouch, a screwdriver, aneedle for piercing cartridges and clearing thetouch-hole of the musketoon, and an instrument forextracting musket balls; as well as a helmet,cartridge-pouch, sabre, bayonet and musketoon.All these items were the conscript's personal andabsolute responsibility; were any article lost ordamaged, he was obliged to repair or replace it outof his pay. The durability of such things as thewebbing being no less than twenty years, it wasclearly very difficult to serve without having to paythe army for the pleasure, as the following extractsfrom the army record of Trooper Clavieux of the28th Dragoons attest:

One ofthe many slightly different types ofcopper helmet wornby the rank and file of the chevau-Iegers landers. Basically nomore than a dragoon helmet, it does, however, boast a rearpeak and large horsehair crest. On this model we note a strapand buckle with which to secure the chinstraps under thejaw, rather than the more common lengths of leather thong.(National Army Museum)

-Boot repairs 0.7SF-One pair of shoes 6.ooF-One horse brush & a

scabbard 6.2SF-One headband for helmet.. o.3SF-One tin of grease and a

brush o. 7gF-One plume holder, two scales

and a rosace for the chinscales o.gSF-One feed bag 2.ooF- Repairs to bed linen o. loF-Repairs to musketoon o.37F-Soldering of new guard to

sabre 1.2SF-One chemise 4.ooF

26·S·

04·4·11.4·27·S·

-One pair of shoes 6.00F-One pair of overalls 6.soF- Leather wax & harness

buckles 0.8SF-One pair of gaiter straps 0.60F-One harness buckle, a tin

of grease and a grease brush 1.2gF-One sponge 0.80F-One copper brush & boot

repairs o.7SF-One pair of scissors 0.g8F-One pair of grey gaiters 2.20F

24·3·03·4·

4

Ig. 1 .

10.2.18.2.

07·3·16·3·

- Resoling of shoes 2.50F-Grease, shoe repairs and an

attachment to the horsecloth 0.70F20 yrs20 yrs20 yrs

Equipment:Swordbelt:Cartridge-pouch:Crossbelt:

Musket-sling: 20 yrsDrum' and sticks: 20 yrsHorns and trum-pets: 20 yrs

Poor indeed was Clavieux and his like among theconscripts, but theirs was one great redeemingconsolation: they were cavalrymen.

The barracks (or stables as they were more aptlycalled) were cold, damp and drab establishments,as likely as not converted church propertiesconfiscated following the repudiation of directPapal authority by the Constituent Assembly's Actof 1790. At least a quarter of their total area wasconfined to the stables proper, where the all­important mounts were housed, whose care andmaintenance were entrusted to the dragoons.

4 yrs3 yrs2 yrs6 yrs

Shakos:Greatcoat:Fatigue-cap:Bearskin:I yr

2 yrs2 yrs

Thus, in twenty-six weeks, Trooper Clavieuxwas down 46.08F in equipment alone; add to thishis punishment fines and he was out of pocket atotal of some 126 francs as against an earning ofapproximately 54.60 francs!

The list below, drawn from Trooper Defrere'spay book, indicates the official estimate as to thedurability of items of dress and equipment:

Dress:Habit-veste:Gilet amanches :(stable jacket)Trousers:

An NCO of the 3rd Lancers in action. His mediwn-green tunicand overalls would have pink facings and lace respectively.The red epaulettes inform us that he is a member of the elitecompany while the red chevrons on his left upper sleeve

denote a period of between sixteen and twenty years service.His helmet appears to have a leopard skin turban, whichwould suggest he has lost his own and has made do with anofficer's retrieved from the field. (National Army Musewn)

5

A tnunpeter of a centre cODlpany of the 1st Lancers in theuniforDl decreed by the 1812 Regulations. His tunic is theImperial Livery adopted by all Dlusicians of line regiInentsafter 1812. The facings are scarlet, as is the piping on theshoulder-straps, and the tnunpet cord. There were two suchtrUDlpeters in every squadron of lancers, bringing theregiInental effective to a total ofeight under the cODlDland ofatroDlpette-brigadier or troDlpette-Dlajor. (National ArDlYMuseUDl)

The horses were acquired by each regimentindependently in one of two fashions: by directpurchase from bloodstock merchants or localfarmers, or by requisition against a promise offuture settlement. By the latter means, up to 500head of four years or less were frequently stripped

6

from individual departements, ruining many citizenswho were left with but a paper pledge that theauthorities would one day pay them as much as 400francs per horse-if and when ... At such cost,albeit often unpaid, these animals were rightlyconsidered more valuable than the men who rodethem and therefore, when not being instructed as tohow to remain seated upon them, the recruits wereobliged to lavish considerable care on the groomingof the beasts and the mucking-out of their stalls.However, no amount of care makes up forsubstandard horseflesh and, by and large, theFlemish and Norman breeds ridden by dragoons,though of great strength, were both too slow andtoo heavy.

These, then, were the men and their re­sponsibilities. But they were not just any band ofindividuals sorted and labelled cavalrymen; theywere mounted infantrymen, trained to be equallyadept with musket and sabre, and proud of thatdistinction. Though their role was to becomeincreasingly similar to that of heavy cavalry, theirswas a distinguished heritage. Originally mountedfor the sake of mobility but generally fighting onfoot, they evolved into an army equally at homesabring at the charge as firing dismounted, becom­ing neither light nor heavy but medium cavalry bythe time of the Revolution.

Vragoonllni/ormOf the sixty-two regiments of cavalry inheritedfrom the ancien regime, only eighteen were dragoonregiments, but the re-organizations of 1791 and1792 raised the number to twenty, then to twenty­one. Only in 1803 did Napoleon Bonaparte, as FirstConsul, bring the number to thirty: thirty on paperthat is, for the additional nine regiments weredragoon in name only. Formed of six of the old'cavalry' regiments and three of hussars, the menremained for some while dressed and equipped asthough their old units had never been disbanded;as late as 1805 the three former hussar regiments(the 7eme(bis), I Ieme and I2eme Hussards) had stillnot received their full quota of dragoon uniformsand accoutrements. Thereafter, however, all regi­ments were more or less uniformly dressed andequipped. The regiments were distinguished not

only by their number but also, more readily, by thecolours adopted for the facings of their tunics.

TunicsThe middle-green tunic or 'habit' of dragoons was

contrasted by areas of cloth of a distinctive colour.These regimental colours, their position and thedirection of the false pockets on the skirt of thehabits distinguished the regiments, as the tablebelow portrays:

Pockets: Table of regimental facings Position:Scarlet Crimson Pink Yellow Orange

I 7 13 19 '25Lapels, turnbacks,cuffs & flaps, collar

Horizontal '2 8 14 '20 '26Lapels, turnbacks& cuffs

3 9 15 '21 '27Lapels, turnbacks,cuff-flaps & collar

4 10 16 '2'2 '28Lapels, turnbacks,cuffs & flaps, collar

Vertical 5 I I 17 '23 '29Lapels, turnbacks& cuffs

6 1'2 18 '24 30Lapels, turnbacks,cuff-flaps & collar

Wherever the facings were of one of the distinc­tive colours, they would be piped in the samemiddle-green as the tunic; where a facing remainedmiddle-green, as for example the cuffs of the 18thDragoons, it would be piped in the regimentalcolour (in this case pink).

A total of thirty-three pewter buttons ornamen­ted each habit. Embossed with the regimentalnumber, the buttons came in two sizes: twenty-twosmall ones of which seven were placed on eachlapel, one on each shoulder (to which the shoulder­strap or epaulette would attach) and three on eachcuff-flap; and eleven large ones, of which threewere at the top of the right hand skirt, two were inthe small of the back and one was in each angle ofthe two trefoil pockets on the skirt.

From 1804 until 181 '2, the habit changed slightlyin its cut, becoming 'sharper' under the influence ofcivilian dress as the years passed; however, the 181 '2pattern was distinctly slimmer and shorter than the1804 model. The appearance of the turnbacks wasthe most obvious alteration: at first genuinely

folded back and secured by stitching to one anotherat their angle, they became false and stitched alongtheir entire length. The illusion of a true turnbackwas at first maintained by the retention of thetriangle of middle-green visible beneath theirjuncture, but towards 18 IO this practice ceased,leaving the fake turnbacks flush with the bottom ofthe skirts.

A white waistcoat was worn beneath the habitand the cutaway front of the habit revealed its twinpockets at the waist, and single row of pewterbuttons.

An alternative to the habit was the middle-greensurtout worn in everyday wear, exercise and, despitethe frowns of superior officers, frequently oncampaign. Regulation until 1809, it was single­breasted 'with six to nine pewter buttons, and hadno lapels, pockets, cuff-flaps or, often, shoulder­straps or epaulettes. Occasionally decorated withthe regimental colour on the same facings as thehabit, it was more often entirely middle-green. Itscut was slowly modified, as was that of the habit. It

7

was worn in conjunction with either the waistcoatdescribed above or a similar but round-fronted,and occasionally double-breasted type.

Dated 8 February 1812, a regulation altering thedress of all line troops ordained the abolition of theold-fashioned habit and the introduction of thehabit-veste. The habit-veste differed in that itfastened to the waist and had a considerably shorterskirt, but the basic colour and the regimental facingcolours and their positions remained identical tothose of the old issue. The regulation furtherspecified that the old pointed waistcoat was to bereplaced by a round-fronted model, invisiblebeneath the habit-veste. However, contemporaryillustrations show many troops wearing the oldhabit after 1812 and, of those clad in the habit­veste, the points of the old waistcoat frequentlyprotrude beneath the fron t of the tunic: the ordersof the Ministry of War should therefore not betaken too Ii terally.

LegwearThe calf-length, off-white, coarse hide ridingbreeches common to dragoons were as often as notreplaced for all but parade dress by overalls ofhighly diverse cut, pattern and colour. Mostfrequently made of unbleached fabric with sim­ilarly coloured cloth-covered buttons along thelength of the outside leg, overalls were also made ofalmost any combination of grey or middle-greencloth, with cloth-covered or white metal buttonsand regimental coloured piping or lace. The insideleg and crotch were often reinforced with leather,cut straight, or into 'wolves' teeth', along the lengthof the leg and forming a cuffofvarying height aboutthe calf. The 1812 Regulations, for the first timeofficially recognizing the use of this garment,specified that they would henceforth be of un­bleached (almost any tone of greyish-beige) clothwith cloth-covered buttons down the outer leg.There is no reason to suppose that this decreewas regarded with any more reverence than anyother.

Greatcoats and capesThe three-quarter length, sleeveless greatcoat­cum-cape worn until at least 1812 was often in anoff-white fabric (white thread mixed sparingly withblue) though middle-green versions were not

8

unusual. A short, elbow-length cape was attachedabou t the base of the collar to protect the webbing(worn over the coat) from the elements. Theinterior was lined on each side of the single backvent and the front opening with serge of theregimental colour. The 1812 Regulations in­troduced a more sophisticated model: sleeves wereadded, with large cuffs; the front was equippedwith five buttons with which to fasten it, while thecape was given four for the same purpose; two hip­height pockets were put in and, finally, thecoloured serge of the lining was removed.

HeadgearThe distinctive headgear of dragoons was their

An officer and dragoon in walking-out dress, Consulate period.On the left, an elegant officer draws tight his kid-skin gloves inpreparation for a night on the town. The dark waistcoat, blackcaslunere breeches and black woollen stockings are distinc­tive of winter wear; in the SUDlDler he would sport a whitewaistcoat, line linen breeches and silk stockings. Otherwisethe costuIne would remain the SaDle froD> his silver-tasselledfelt bicorn to his silver-buckled shoes. Note the straight epee inlieu of the cUDlbersoD>e sabre.On the right, a dragoon trooper Dlakes off for his particularhaunt. The uniforDl differs froD> parade dress only in the useof shoes and stockings in place of gaiters and knee-lengthboots. Ofinterest is the fuller D>ane ofhorsehair on these earlyhelDlets and the considerably baggier cut of the tunic incontrast to later patterns. (National ArDlY MuseUDl)

helmet: a copper* cap encircled by a fur turban,with a heavily embossed copper crest supporting ablack horsehair mane, a peak, and chinstraps ofeither plain leather or copper scale, attached by arosace. Many models existed, some of which areillustrated, and there were variations on each:copper-edged or plain peaks; copper-edged orplain, round or pointed turbans; and innumerablevarieties of crest ornament.

For parade dress, a plume was inserted in thecopper holder just forward of the left handchinstrap rosace. The length, volume and colours ofthese plumes appear, like most details appertainingto uniforms, to vary endlessly not only fromregiment to regiment, but from squadron tosquadron and year to year. The table below,compiled from the contemporary evidence ofMartinet and the information contained in theAlsation Collections for the year 1807, de­monstrates bu t a fraction of the inconsistencies andcontradictions available to anyone patient enoughto tabulate the existing records:

PIUDle coloursWhite: 4th, 5th, 8th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 21st,

23rd, 24th, 28th and 29th.Red: I st, 2nd, 9th, 17th, 22nd and 30th.Crimson: loth.Green base with top oj regimental colour: I st, 2nd, 6th,

19th, 20th and 25th.Red and green: 7th, 8th, 12th and 13th

• Throughout this text the literal translation 'copper' for cuiure is used,but note that this term refers in this context to a yellow alloy ratherthan a pure red copper.

Red and white: 12th and 18th.t red, ~. white and t red: 3rd.White andyellow: 20th, 22nd and 24th.Base black with top if regimental colour: 7th and 23rd.Green with ayellow top: 23rd.

Contemporary portraits confirm some, butproduce still more possibilities for the aboveregiments, and the present writer does not feel he isshirking any responsibility by leaving it to theindivid ual reader (or conglomerates for thatmatter) to complete the catalogue of possibilities attheir leisure.

The 1812 Regulations, no doubt recognizing thedifficulty, ordered plumes to be replaced by discs ofthe following colours for each company of eachsquadron: first company: red, sky-blue, orange orviolet; second company: as the first but with a whitecentre. This rather thoughtfully narrows the odds,but, given that plumes were retained for some whileby many regiments, only widens the range ofpotential combinations within anyone regiment atany given date.

Replacing the helmet for fatigue dress was thebonnet de police, a middle-green cloth cap. I twascomposed ofa 'turban' and 'flame': the uppermostedge of the turban was edged in white lace andpiped in the regimental colour; the flame was pipedin the regimental colour and ended in a whitetassel. The front of the cap bore a white orregimental coloured grenade badge. The 18 I 2Regulations introduced an entirely new model offatigue cap called the Pokalem.

The middle-green Pokalem cap consisted of aturban, a large, round, flat top and ear-flaps, allpiped, laced and decorated, with either a grenadeor the regimental number, in the appropriatecolour.

I!!JtcerUniformThe organizational Decree of 15 July 181 I alsospecified the dress of the chevau-Legers lanciers. As fordragoons, the regiments were distinguished by thecolours of the facings of the tunic.

TunicsThe habit-veste of the lancers differed just a littlefrom that adopted by the dragoons in 1812, the only

9

large difference consisting in the cuff being pointedrather than straight with a buttoned cuff-flap. Thelapels were reversible-that is, they could be eitherbuttoned back and joined by hooks and eyes downthe front to reveal the facing colour fully; orbuttoned across, to right or left, to cover all but anarrow strip of regimental colour. This middle­green tunic was lined in white and had collar,turnbacks, cuffs and lapels of the following distin­guishing colours:I st Regiment: scarlet.2nd Regiment: orange.3rd Regiment: pink.4th Regiment: crimson.5th Regiment: sky blue.6th Regiment: madder red.

The turnbacks were supposed to be decoratedwith Imperial eagle patches but were frequently

TruDlpeters of a regiment of dragoons of the ancien regime,c.178g. The livery seen here was abolished with the Revolutionand the dress of truDlpeters becaIDe, until the issue of theIInperiai Livery in 1812, a matter left to the discretion of eachregimental colonel. The result was colourful if not a littleconfusing since, as colonel replaced colonel, truDlpeterstended to be dressed in whatever fabric was locally mostplentiful and cheap, with complete disregard (for the mostpart) of any precedent, as long as the colour sufficientlydistinguished the truDlpeters from the men. (National ArmyMuseum)

10

devoid of any ornamentation whatever. None ofthe facings were decorated with piping. All thirty­two buttons were of yellow metal.

A sleeveless white waistcoat, round-edged, wasworn beneath the habit-veste and was fastened by arow of yellow metal buttons. A sleeved, plainmiddle-green shell-jacket was worn in stable andfatigue dress.

LegwearThe lancers' equivalent of the off-white breechesworn by the dragoons were middle-green Hun­garian breeches. These were laced down the outerleg and the edges of the front flap in yellow. Theornament of the flaps consisted ofa sim pIe invertedarrowhead device for the 1st to 4th Regiments,while the 5th and 6th favoured a fairly complicatedHungarian knot.

Middle-green overalls, reinforced with blackleather, with a strip oflace of the regimental colourand yellow metal buttons down the outer leg werethe most common campaign dress in the periodimmediately following the creation of the lancerregiments. As the wars progressed, however,variations still more diverse than those of dragoonsbecame apparent. Contemporary illustrationscapture the men of the 2nd Regiment wearing, in18 I 4, grey overalls otherwise conforming to order;troops of the 4th clad in overalls of middle-greenwith leather reinforcements and two parallel stripsof lace down outer seams devoid of buttons; andfinally, men of the 6th sporting patterns r:"lade ofmadder red cloth, without piping or lace butcomplete with buttons. With this garment it wasvery much a case of ,anything goes' as but a cursoryglance at the colour plates will reveal.

GreatcoatsThe greatcoat common to all lancers was the modelalready described for dragoons after 1812; asleeved and caped, white-threaded-with-blue,button-up overcoat over which the webbing wouldbe worn.

Head-gearThe distinctive head-dress of lancers was no morethan the dragoon model helmet with modifiedembellishment. Where the dragoons' copper crestbore a horsehair mane, the lancers' supported a

This tnunpeter of the elite com.pany of the 21st Dragoons,c.18IO, is colourfully dressed in a yellow surtout with m.editUIl­green facings. The surtout tunic often replaced the habit oncampaign, being m.ore coII1fortable and less expensive. Thebearskin has a scarlet plum.e, white cords and tassels andcopper ebinscales. An unusual feature is the use of whitetrefoil shoulder straps instead of the m.ore usual red, fringedepaulettes distinctive ofelite com.panies. The tnunpet cord ishere a mixture of white and green thread, where yellow and,green would be m.ore com.m.on. Note the knot in the horse'stail, a fairly widespread practice. (National Army Museum.)

neo-Grecian horsehair crest; where the rear of thedragoons' copper cap was simply rounded, thelancers' received a second, rear peak to protect theback of the neck from cuts and rain.

These were the differences, but there is in theircomparison one striking similarity: a great deal ofperplexity concerning the plumes. Contemporaryillustrations portray red and white ones entirelysimilar to those of dragoons soon after the creationof the regiments, but increasingly few helmets arerepresented with any plumes at all as the end of theEmpire approached; indeed, many existing lancerhelmets have no plume holders whatsoever. Do we

assume that, upon conversion to lancer regiments,the troopers retained their old dragoon unitplumes? A possibility, as long as the colour did notclash with the new regimental colours, whichwould account for the recording ofso many red andwhite ones. But then what of the 1812 Regulations'order to replace plumes with company-coloureddiscs? The writer has yet to find a period drawingdepicting a lancer's helmet with such a pompon. Itis perhaps possible that with the order abolishingthe plume, lancer regiments never received the discpompons and were quite happy, if not relieved, todo without both them and their tall plumes.

The fatigue-cap was identical to that of thedragoons, with the exception of the grenade patchat the front. As of 1812, they too were issued theflat-topped Pokalem model with the substitution ofcrossed lances for the grenade badge.

Having now completed a superficial exam­ination of the basic dress of both dragoons andlancers, it would be interesting to delve a littlefurther into the more specific dress of the differentranks of both arms, but space requires this be left tothe illustrations and captions. Instead, we shallturn our attention to the much-neglected subject ofsaddles and harness.

:JIOrse qurnitureDragoonsA Decree dated the 4th Brumaire An X prescribedthe form ofhorse furniture of dragoons as compris­ing French saddle, complete with holster covers,horse-cloth and portemanteau; bridle; snaffie­bridle and parade halter; and stable halter andbridle.

The saddle, including the pistol holsters and seat,was of plain leather while the girth was of fabric;the stirrup leathers and the martingale were ofwhite Hungarian leather; the stirrups were ofblackened iron; the breastplate, securing strapsand crupper were of black leather. The bridle andreins were also of black leather, as were the snaffie­bridle, the parade halter and their reins.

The pistol-holster covers and the horse-clothwere of middle-green fabric, edged with white lace4smm wide. The middle-green portemanteau,strapped upon the saddle behind the rider, bore the

II

Attached to the elite cODlpany, this Chefde Sapeurs ofthe 30thDragoons would cODlDland a force of eight sappers whoseduties lay in clearing the way for the colUDln and protectingthe regiD1ental standard. The rank and service stripes aresilver, piped in red, and the cords and tassels adorning hisbearskin are Dlixed silver and red thread, as are hisepaulettes. He wears a long hide apron and crossed-axepatches, faDtiliar syDtbols of his status. (National ArD1yMuseUDl)

regimental number and lace 27mm wide on itsrectangular ends.

The 1812 Regulations gave official sanction tothe 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 cov­ered in green fabric. Green leather holsters andbronzed stirrups differentiated them further fromthose of the troops. The horse-cloth was middle­green and edged with a single stripe ofsilver lace forsubalterns; and two stripes (the inner being thinnerthan the outer) for more senior officers.

Like the men, officers employed sheepskinshabraques, but of only half-size and in black. Itwould seem that their use was never officiallyrecognized but their popularity is well established,protecting, as they did, not only the pistols and

12

holsters, but the greatcoat which was tied over theholsters, and the lower body of the rider.

LancersThe saddle of lancers was of entirely differentcomposition to that of dragoons. Beechwood,reinforced with metal bands, formed the base and,with the suspended seat, was covered in leather. Allthe reins and other accessories were of blackleather, bar the straps for the greatcoat and thepistol, which were of white leather, and themusketoon securing strap, which was of yellowleather.

The bridle was of the Hungarian pattern asadopted by all light cavalry and made of blackleather with copper ornaments throughout, exceptfor the iron bit. The watering, snaffie-bridle was ofwhite Hungarian leather.

-- ,....~---Sapper of the 1st Dragoons, 1806-18II. This relaxed fellowwears the standard sappers' uniforDl, but for a couple ofeDlbellishDlents : his bearskin has been adorned with a coppergrenade badge, a popular syDtbol aDlong the elite dragoons,and his crossbelts have not only siDlilar badges but also largecopper buckles and accessories. His apron has been rolled up,no doubt to facilitate DlOunting and disDlounting, and is heldin place by his swordbelt. It should be reDleDlbered that onlydragoon regiD1ents were accorded the use of sappers out ofrespect for their traditional role as Dlounted infantry.(National ArDlY MuseUDl)

The portemanteau, middle-green and laced inyellow, was strapped behind the cantle while thegreatcoat was tied over the pommel and holsters.The whole was covered by a white sheepskinshabraque (frequently black for trumpeters), edgedin 'wolves' teeth' of regimental colour.

The officers' saddle was essentially the same,though the cantle was covered in green Moroccoleather and finished in copper. All the leathers wereblack, excepting the stirrup leathers in yellow, andall buckles and other diverse metal ornaments weregilded, save the bronzed stirrups. The officers useda cloth shabraque ofmiddle-green embellished withregimental colour piping and golden lace. Theportemanteau was of the same colour, piping andlacing.

Both the portemanteaux and the horse-cloths ofdragoons and lancers bore the regimental numberin either white or yellow lace.

Having seen, however briefly, the horse furnitureof dragoons and lancers, we shall now turn to theorganization of the regiments.

(9rganizationThe conscripts would be organized into companiesof two troops. By order of the Decree of the lerVendemiaire An XII (24 September 1803), thecompany was to total fifty-four mounted troopsand, for lack of even remotely usable mounts,thirty-six dismounted troops. The balance of thecompany was composed of one trumpeter, for themounted men, one drummer, for the dismounted,four brigadiers (corporals), one brigadier-jourrier, twosous-lieutenants, one lieutenant and a captain.

Two such companies formed a squadron: thesmallest tactical unit of cavalry. The only additionto the ranks at this stage would be a Chifd'Escadron.

Four such squadrons made up a regiment. Witheach regiment was an Etat Major which comprisedeight sappers (farriers for lancers), one brigadier­sapeur, one marechal des logis chifor marechal des logis,one brigadier-trompette, one brigadier-tambour, oneadjutant-sous-officer, one adjutant-major and, finally, acolonel. Several amendments, both official andunofficial, were made to this unit structure over theyears, including, inter alia: by the Decree of 26February 1808, the marechal des logislmarechal des logis

chifwere to be removed from the Etat Major; and, aregimental inventory dated 15 May 181 I mentionsthe acquisition ofa trumpet-major and the retentionof the marechal des logis chif (the regimental sergeantmajor) by many dragoon regiments.

But the above relates only to an ideal situation;very few regiments were, other than on paper, offull trooper strength and as for the officer and EtatMajor complement, let us let the following extractsfrom the 'Historique du 7eme Dragons' speak forthemselves of the fluctuations:

Situation d'avril 1809

Etat nominati! des officiers:Etat Major: -Colonel.-2 x Chifs d'Escadron.

-Major.-I x Quartier-Maitretresorier.

Ier Escadron:Jere Cie: I x Capitaine, I x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous­

Lieutenants.seme Cie: I x Capitaine, I x Lieutenant,2 x Sous­

Lieutenants.

2eme Escadron:2eme Cie: I X Capitaine, I x Lieutenant, I x Sous­

Lieutenant.6eme Cie: I X Capitaine, I x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous­

Lieutenants.

3eme Escadron:3eme Cie: I X Capitaine, I x Lieutenant, I x Sous­

Lieutenant.7eme Cie: I x Capitaine, I x Lieutenant, I x Sous­

Lieutenant.

4eme Escadron:4eme Cie: I x Capitaine, I x Lieutenant,2 x Sous­

Lieutenants.Beme Cie: I x Capitaine, 2 x Lieutenants, I x

Sous-Lieutenant.

Situation du ler juin 1812

Etat nominatif des officiers:Etat Major: -I x Colonel.

-I x Major.-2 x Chifs d'Escadron.-I x Quartier-Maitre.-2 x Adjutants-Major.-I x Chirurgien-Major.-I x Aide-Major.-I x Sous-Aide-Major.

13

1er Escadron:Iere Cie: 1 X Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous-

Lieutenants.seme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 2 x Sous-Lieutenants.

2eme Escadron:2eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 2 x Sous-Lieutenants.6eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 1 x Sous-

Lieutenant.

jeme Escadron:jeme Cie: 1 x Capitaine,1 x Lieutenant, 1 x Sous-

Lieutenant.7eme Cie: 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous-Lieutenant.

4eme Escadron:4eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine.8eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous­

Lieutenant.

seme Escadron :geme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous­

Lieutenants.

10eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous­Lieutenants.

Etat des officiers all" escadrons de guerre Ieler juillet 1813

Etat Major: -1 x Colonel.- 2 x Chifs d'Escadron.-1 x Adjutant-Major.

IeI' Escadron:Iere Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 1 x Sous­

Lieutenant.6eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous­

Lieutenants.

2eme Escadron:2eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 2 x Sous­

Lieutenants.7eme Cie: 1 x Capitaine, 1 x Lieutenant, 1 x Sous­

Lieutenant.o.!ficiers dont les compagnies ne sont pas encore a I'armee :

An elite company of dragoons crushing a Russian infantrysquare, 1814. The tremendous loss in horses during theRussian campaign of 1812 irreparably damaged the GrandeArmee's cavalry units with the result that however success­fully an action might be fought, it could never be followed up

14

with the decisive destruction of the retreating foe. Thus,despite the brilliant engagements executed by Napoleon'stroops, the results of the German and French campaigns of1813 and 1814 respectively were a foregone conclusion, given aco-ordinated allied cOlllDland. (National Army Museum)

Two troopers ofthe 23rd Dragoons act as escort to visiting topbrass. About them are troopers and a trumpeter of theChasseurs a Cheval of the Imperial Guard, the crack light

3eme Cie: I X Capitaine, I X Lieutenant.8eme Cie: I X Capitaine.

It is clear then that regiments, whether dragoonor lancer, were only very exceptionally fullyofficered, let alone manned, and the duties of thevacant post would fall on the man of next highestrank.

As previously mentioned, thirty-six men werewithout mounts within the early dragoon regimentsand these were formed into separate and distinctdivisions of foot dragoons.

C)Jie gOO! 'DragoonsThere were four different instances when necessityforced the formation of foot dragoon divisions: atthe camp of Boulogne in 1803; on the Rhine in1805; in Italy in 1805, and lastly in Germany in1806.

cavalry regiment of Napoleon's personal guard. (NationalArmy Museum)

Boulogne, 1803Further to the directives of Generals Baragueyd'Hilliers and Klein, two divisions of foot dragoonswere established of the following composition:

Klein's Division:-Millet's Brigade (2nd, 4th and loth 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, 9th, 12th and21st Dragoons).-Bonnard's Brigade (3rd, 6th and 8th Dragoons).(Letter of Ministry of War dated 24 October 1803)

Each regiment provided two squadrons of twocompanies and, where necessary, any mounts werereturned to the regimental depots.

Each foot dragoon was supplied with a pair ofshoes, a pair oflong black gaiters, a greatcoat and ahaversack (to which his riding boots were tied).

15

A centre company of the 16th Dragoons is devastated by firefrom Prussian infantry. On this occasion, 28 October 1806, thePrussian Grenadier Battalion 'Prinz August' defended itselfagainst no less than three cavalry regiments. Ofinterest is the

The long, heavy cavalry cloaks and any saddles andharness were packed into baggage wagons anddespatched to Boulogne for the prospective cross­ing. Only colonels and majors were permitted toretain their mounts which were to be allowed toembark.

As it was, however, hostilities with Austriaprecluded the sea-borne invasion and the regi­ments regained their respective depots as ofAugust1805 to prepare for the Bavarian campaign.

The Rhine, 1805An order issuing from the Ministry of War anddated 25 August 1805 established a single divisionof four regiments of foot dragoons at Strasbourg.The twenty-four regiments of Baraguey d'Hilliers'corps offour divisions each supplied one squadronof two companies. The six companies normallyforming a brigade now became a battalion and thetwo battalions of a division now equalled one

16

mannerinwhichthe dragoons' musketoonsareslungover theirshoulders rather than inserted in the boot slung below thesaddle and attached to the pommel of the saddle by a leatherstrap.

regiment. The four regiments produced in thismanner created an infantry division of 7,200 menequipped with ten cannon and organized asfollows:

Colonel Prive>S 1St Regiment:1st Battalion: -One squadron of the 1st, 2nd and

20th Dragoon regiments.-Guidon: that of the I st Dragoons.

2nd Battalion :-One squadron of the 4th, 16thand 26th Dragoons.

-Guidon: that of the 4th Dragoons.

Colonel Le Baron's 2nd Regiment:1st Battalion: -One squadron of the loth, 13th

and 22nd Dragoons.-Guidon: that of the loth Drag­

oons.2nd Battalion :-One squadron of the 3rd, 6th and

I I th Dragoons.

· ~o~t.--An elite trooper of the 15th Dragoons. Elite cOlnpanies werecreated following the Decree of 18 Vendellliaire An X (10October 1801) which stipulated, illier alia, 'The first cOlnpanyofthe first squadron of every cavalry regiInent shall take thenam.e of elite cOlllpany. That cOlllpany will be fOrllled of lIlenchosen frOIll throughout the regiInent who confOrlll to theinstructions of the Ministry ofWar;' Their elite status was tobe indicated by the wearing of tall bearskins basically nodifferent frolll their counterparts in the infantry; but the lIlensoon began to sport red epaulettes and even aiguillettes tofurther distinguish thelllselves, to which officialdolll turned ablind eye. (The Jean de Gerlache de Golllery Collection)

-Guidon: that of the 3rd Drag­oons.

Colonel Beckler's jrd Regiment:I st Battalion: -One squadron of the 5th, 8th and

12th Dragoons.-Guidon: that of the 5th Dragoons.

2nd Battalion :-One squadron of the 9th, 6th and2 I st Dragoons.

-Guidon: that of the 8th Dragoons.

Colonel Barthelemy's 4th Regiment:I st Battalion: -One squadron of the 15th, 17th

and 25th Dragoons.-Guidon: that of the 15th Drag­

oons.

2nd Battalion :-One squadron of the 18th, 19thand 27th Dragoons.

-Guidon: that of the 27th Drag­oons.

(Amended from a slightly erroneous list if GeneralBaraguey d'Hilliers, dated 9 Fructidor An XIII)

The above division was only provisional andcontingent on the arrival of sufficient horses tomount all the troops (the colonels were neverreplaced in their old regiments). By the end ofSeptember the first two regiments were partlyremounted and, on 20 October, the remaining twowere issued captured Austrian hussar and lancerhorses.

Though the ranks were soon refilled, these unitswere never intended to be other than temporary.

A trooper of the elite cOlllpany of the 12th Dragoons disllloun­ted to fire his piece. The tying of the greatcoat about the bodywas a COllllllon practice to protect the breast frolll sabreslashes and, to a lesser degree, lIlusket balls. While oncaIIlpaign, the hide breeches would be replaced by button-upoveralls of alIIlost every description and the plUllle of thebearskin would be packed in the saddle's portelllallteau, topreserve it for the victory parades which would, hopefully,follow. (The Jean de Gerlache de Golllery Collection)

17

A trumpeter of the elite company of the 16th Dragoons incampaign dress, 1806. He wears a pink surtout tunic and asplendid white bearskin. An interesting point is that thetassels and cords have been left on the head-gear, as has theplume, though the latter has been carefully wrapped inwaterproof fabric to protect it from the elements. He rides agrey as did all trumpeters. (The Jean de Gerlache de GomeryCollection)

The morale of the troops was low and theyconsequently shaped-up rather badly, marchingabominably and executing poorly the everydayfunctions ofinfantry from lack of both practice andgood will. The sole benefit derived from the footregiments was the. fact that the enemy eventuallypaid for their mounts and, with the end of thecampaign, the regiments were disbanded and theindividual squadrons sent to rejoin their respectivemounted regiments.

Italy, 1805In Vendemiaire of An XVI, Marshal Massenaorganized a battalion of foot dragoons drawn fromthe 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th and 30th Dragoons andattached them to General Verdier's 2nd Division.Their number never exceeded 333 troopers (asrecorded the 1st Brumaire) and the battalion wasdissolved in January of 1806.

18

Gennany, 1806In order to take advantage ofthe wasted manpowerpresent at every regiment's depot, Napoleonordered the formation of a foot corps of tworegiments offoot dragoons (12 September 1806). Inan attempt to obtain better results from the ill­humoured men than hitherto experienced, theregiments were to be attached to the ImperialGuard.

General Dorsenne created the 1st Regiment atMayence with companies of the 2nd, f4th, 20thand 26th Dragoons forming the 1st Battalion andcompanies of the 6th, 11th, 13th and 22nd thesecond. His regiment was duly appended to theGrenadiers aPied of the Imperial Guard.

Major Fredericks organized the 2nd Regiment atStrasbourg with companies of the 8th, 12th, 16thand 2 I st forming the 3rd Battalion and companiesof the 17th, 18th, 25th and 27th Dragoons the 4th.This regiment was assigned to the Chasseurs aPiedof the Imperial Guard.

The foot-slogging proved mercifully brief, forthe troops were soon mounted on captured Prussianand Saxon horses in October and November of thesame year. The squadrons were promptly des­patched to their parent regiments.

This last action marked the final official attemptto employ dragoons as infantrymen for howevershort a period, since even the honour of beingattached to the Guard did little to improve thequality of their performance and turnout. Popularreferences to officially organized units of footdragoons existing as late as 1808 are based onoriginally faulty sources.

* * *Before turning to the histories and war records of

the individual regiments, a brief word on thecreation of the lancers from dragoon regimentswould not be out of place.

The effect of the lance used by foreign cavalryregiments on Napoleon's troops was far fromdesirable and, in an effort to reassure the men ofFrench supremacy in all arms, the Emperor dulyissued the Decree of 18 June 181 I, ordering theestablishment of nine line lancer regiments. Thelast three were created from two Polish cavalryregiments and a French regiment, the 30emeChasseurs aCheval, while the first six were formed

of the 1St, grd, 8th, 9th, loth and 29th Dragoons.The lancers only came into existence by the end

of 181 1 and the eli te lancers, at length, by thesummer of 1812. The regiments took part in theRussian campaign, often ill-equipped and moun­ted, protecting the flanks of the long columns aswell as screening their movements. These lighthorse proved invaluable, the lance being a weaponof pronounced effect on the morale of both enemycavalry and infantry, and it is strange that theircreation was so tardy given their long use in othercontinental armies.

'WarcJeJ~vice ofIndividual'R&;iments

The war records of the individual regiments on thefollowing pages should be considered in theparticular light of apoleonic warfare or, morecorrectly, of the type of war apoleon waged.

A trooper of the 12th Dragoons wrapped in the large cavalrycloak issued until 1812. As of that date a slinuner, sleevedversion was issued. The plUDle of the hehnet has beenwrapped in waxed cloth as protection froDl the rain and wind.(The Jean de Gerlache de GoDlery Collection)

R:Knotel J

A trooper of a centre cODlpany of the 2nd Lancers, 1814. Hewears one of the Dlany types of overalls used to cover orreplace the tight Hungarian breeches on CaDlpaign. The pointsofhi!,! waistcoat are clearly visible beneath the front edge ofhistunic; given that the dress specifications for lancers indicatedthat a round-fronted waistcoat was to be issued, this is furtherevidence that the official decrees relating to dress shouldnever be taken too literally. (The Jean de Gerlache de GODleryCollection)

' ... if such great objects may be obtained as thedestruction of a whole hostile army, the State canafford to lose a few hundred horses from exhaus­tion,' the Emperor wrote, revealing in a couple oflines his whole philosophy towards losses in thecavalry. The incredible march to DIm and Auster­litz in 1805 set the pace for the lightning offensivesthat were his hallmark, a method of warfaresingularly unsuited to a non-mechanical army.That his troops fared so well on hopeless roads andempty stomachs is astonishing.

Though a daily ration of thirty grammes ofbread, 250 of meat and a half-litre of wine wastheoretically issued, officially sanctioned foragingwas the main source of nourishment. In columns offour, or two where poor roads demanded, thecavalry would spearhead the advance of the army,leaving increasingly far behind them the wagon-

19

loads of grain intended for their use. As they rodedeeper into generally hostile territory, so feedingboth men and mounts became a greater problemuntil direct purchase and fair exchange gave way totheft and robbery. A trooper's salary, if and whenhe received it, was a bare 0.30F a day; and it is easyto see why pillaging prevailed when one comparesthis figure to the price of foodstuffs: a pound ofsugar, 6F; a pound of rice or butter, 2.40F, and apound of bread, I .35F. These prices were recordedin Poland in 1806 at the very beginning ofhostilities; is it any wonder that as costs rose so thenumber of incidents of indiscipline increased inproportion? Matters were worse still for the horses.

With the approach of the corps of the GrandeArmee, the fleeing rural population of the invadedcountryside would frequently burn their crops,leaving little or nothing in the way of cereals withwhich to nourish the cavalry mounts. It wascommon practice for regiments to arm specialdetachments of men with scythes, and despatchthem as much as 50km from base to scour the landfor fodder. The Russian campaign provides aghastly example of the waste of horseflesh throughlack of provision.

In ] une of 1812 80,000 cavalry mounts weretaken on campaign; in no more than eight days8,000 had died through lack ofcare and, in less thana month, Murat's 22,000 mounted men werereduced to 12,000. The troopers were remountedon frequently unsuitable captured horses, but theterrible toll only increased. With the coming of thesnow during the retreat, 30,000 died within fivedays; by the time Murat's cavalry reached Smol­ensk, they numbered a pitiful 1,200 mounted men.Thereafter, the remaining horses served as food forthe now starving men. Since there was only oneveterinary surgeon for every 500 head of mounts,malnutrition over even a comparatively shortlength of time tended to be fatal.

It is with this in mind, therefore, that the warrecords should be considered, and due respectgiven a cavalry capable ofachieving so much on solittle.

The 1St RegiJnent of DragoonsCreated in Germany in 1656 following a treatyconcluded between General Montecuculli and theKing of France. amed that same year as the

20

Trooper of the 2nd Lancers, 1814. The dress specificationswere a little vague as to the exact OrnaInent of the skirts of thelancers' tunics and it would appear that the IIlatter was left inthe hands of the colonels of each regiInent; SOIne opting forpocket-less versions with piping about the back buttons,others preferring this exaInple. In this case blank, theturnbacks of SOIne lancer tunics were decorated with darkgreen eagle patches. Worthy of note is the fact that thisindividual has been issued with dragoon-style boots ratherthan the Hungarian pattern distinctive oflancers. (The Jean deGerlache de GoInery Collection)

Dragons Etrangers du Roi and renamed the Royal­Dragons in 1668, it finally became the IeI'Regiment de Dragons in 179 I. Transformed intothe Ier Chevau-Legers Lanciers in 181 1. With thereturn of the Bourbons in 18 I4, the regiment wasrenamed the Regiment de Lanciers du Roi only totake up its previous title with the reinstatement of

apoleon in 1815. After the 'roo Days' theregiment was entirely disbanded at Agen in 18 I5.

War record:1805: Part of the cavalry reserve of the GrandeArmee. Actions of WeI'tingen, VIm and Austerlitz.1806-1807: With the Grande Armee at lena,Golymin, Heilsberg and Friedland (at which theregiment so distinguished itself that the Emperor

sent his personal felicitations to its Colonel,Dermoncourt, in the heat of the battle).1807-181 I: Attached to both the Army of Spainand that of Portugal. At U des, 1809, Marechaldes Logis Priant and Brigadier-Fourrier Galletachieved the distinction of seizing an enemy stan­dard apiece. At Chiclana, 181 I, the now Sous­Lieutenant Priant captured no less than 400prisoners with his single troop.18 12: With the Grande Armee at Smolensk andBorodino.18 I 3: Present at the battles ofDresden, Leipzig andHanau.1814: Reims and Paris.1815: With the Armeee du ord at Waterloo.

The 2nd RegiInent of DragoonsCreated in 1635 and given the ti tie of Enghien­Cavalerie. In 1646, the name was changed to theConde-Cavalerie and remained so until 1776 whenthe regiment formally became dragoons as theConde-Dragons. Entitled the 2eme Regiment deDragons in 179 I. Renamed the Regimen t deDragons du Roi ( o. I) in 18 I4 and, after a briefreturn to its 179 I ti tle in 1815, was finally dissolvedat Besanc;on on 4 December 1815.

War record:1805: As part of the Cavalry Reserve of the GrandeArmee fought at Wertingen, Albeck (where Briga­dier Gigot was cited for having single-handedlymade prisoner an enemy colonel from the midst ofabattalion of the foe) and Austerlitz.1806-1807: With the Cavalry Reserve at lena(where the regiment captured an entire battalion,fifteen cannon and two flags), Eylau, Heilsberg andFriedland.1808-18 I 3: Attached successively to the armies ofSpain and Portugal and engaged at Ucles, Medel­lin, Talavera-de-Ia-Reina, Chidana and Vitoria.1809: A contingent was present at the battle ofWagram as part of the Army of Germany.1813: With the Grande Armee at Danzig, Leipzigand Hanau.1814: Part of the 2nd Corps ofthe Grande Armee atthe actions of Rambervilliers, Saint-Dizier andBrienne.1815: Attached to the 3rd Corps of the Armee duNord at Waterloo.

The 3rd RegiInent of DragoonsLevied for the Duke ofEnghien in 1649 and namedEnghien until 1686 when it was retitled Bourbon.Became a dragoon regiment in 1776 and entitledBourbon-Dragons. Renamed the 3eme Regimentde Dragons in 1791 and so remained until itstransformation into the 2eme Chevau-Legers Lanciersin 181 I.

War record:I 80S: With the Grande Armee at Austerlitz.1806-1807: Remained with the Grande Armee andwas present at]ena, Prentzlow, Karnichen (whereFourrier ]euffroy captured a standard), Eylau andFriedland (where Commandant Barbut seized twoguns and a howitzer while Capitaine Delesalle andhis company made off with an entire Russianbattery) .1808-181 I: Attached to the Army of Spain andengaged at Alba de Tormes.

A trumpeter ofa centre company of the 12th Dragoons, 1804.Dressed for parade, this trumpeter wears the commonsurtout of reversed colours with lacing about the breastbuttons, a tall plume and hide breeches. Note that trumpeters'helmets had a white rather than black horsehair mane. (TheJean de Gerlache de Gomery Collection)

21

A sapper of the 12th Dragoons in parade dress, Illog. On thisfigure we can discern that the body ofhis epaulettes have beencovered with copper scales to protect the wearer's shouldersfront sabre blows. The large axe and long apron weretradentarks of the sapper's profession, distinctions datingback to when dragoons were purely ntounted infantrynten.(The Jean de Gerlacbe de Gontery Collection)

The 4th Regintent of DragoonsLevied in July of 1667 and named the Chartres­Cavalerie in 1684. Renamed as Clermont in 1724and again, in 1771, as La Marche. Became aregiment of dragoons in 1776 with the title Conti­Dragoons. In 179 I the regiment was restyled as the4eme Regiment de Dragons-the name to which itreturned in 18 I 5 wi th the return of the Eagle, aftera short period under the Monarchy of I 8 I 4 wi th thetitle of the Regiment de Dragons de la Reine (No.2). Disbanded in July of 1815 at Moulins.

War record:1805-1807: Part of Klein's Division of the GrandeArmee at the crossing of the Lech, Wertingen,Diernstein, Golymin, Deppen, Hoff, Eylau, Heils­berg and Friedland.

22

1807- I 8 I 3 : Attached to the I st Corps of the Armyof Spain and fought at Talavera-de-Ia-Reina,Ocana, Albufera and Vitoria. Note however thatin 1807 the 4th Provisional Regiment of Dragoonswas with the Army ofPortugal, engaged at Vimieroand surrendered at Cintra; this unit was dissolvedin 1810.18 I 3: With the Grande Armee at Leipzig.1814: Part of Treilhard's Division at the battlesof Bar-sur-Aube, S6-z-anne and La Fere­Champenoise.1815: Took part in the battle of Ligny.

The 5th Regintent of DragoonsCreated out of the division of the DragonsEtrangers du Roi into two and named, that year of1668, Colonel-General and Royal-Dragons. Re­named the 5eme Regiment de Dragons with the re­organization or 179 I. Retitled the Regiment deDragons du Dauphin after the abdication ofNapoleon, it reclaimed its previous title for the' I 00Days' campaign only to be disbanded later thatyear.

War record:1805: With the Grande Armee at Wertingen andAusterlitz (at which Trooper Barbet captured aRussian adjutant-general).1806-1807: Part of the Grande Armee for theactions of asielk, Eylau and Friedland.1809-18 I 3: Service in Spain where, 6 January1809, Colonel de Sparre led twenty troopers,swimming, across a freezing affluent of the Douroto execute a spectacular charge ending with theseizure of two enemy cannon. The regiment foughtat Almonacid, Ocana and Vitoria.18 I 4: Engaged at the battles of Craonne, La Fere­Champenoise and Paris.1815: With the Armee du Nord at Ligny andWaterloo.

The 6th Regintent of DragoonsFormed in 1673, it was designated the La Reine­Dragons in 1675. Became the 6eme Regiment deDragons in 1791. Renamed the Regiment deDragons de Monsieur (No.4) in 18 I 4, but regainedits numerical title with the return ofNapoleon. Theregiment was disbanded at imes in August of181 5.

War record:180S: With the Grande Armee at DIm, Ebensbergand Austerlitz.1806: On the fields of Schleitz, Zehdenick andPrentzlov (at which both Lieutenant Jobert andTrooper Fabre captured enemy standards). De­cember 23fd, on the battlefield ofBiezun, TrooperPlet seized yet another standard while Marechaldes Logis Lecuyer, accompanied by four troopers,carried away no less than two guns, a howitzer andtwo ammunition caissons.1807: Part of the Grande Armee at the actions ofBergfried, Hoff (where Colonel Lebaron lost hislife), Eylau and Friedland.1809-1813: Attached to the Army of Spain andengaged at Alba-de-Tormes, Ciudad-Rodrigo,Fuentes. d'Onoro, Torres Vedras, Los Arapilos(Salamanca) and Vitoria.1813: Fought with the Grande Armee at Leipzig.18 I 4: Present on the fields ofBrienne, La Rothiere,Mormant and Saint-Dizier.181 S: Attached to the Army of the Moselle andengaged at Ligny and Rocquencourt.

The 7th Reghnent of DragoonsRaised by the Marquis ofSauvebceufat Tournai in1673. Named the Dauphin-Dragons in 167S.Became the 7eme Regiment de Dragons in 1791 butretitled the Regiment de Dragons d'Angouleme(No. S) under the First Restoration in 1814.Returned to their 1791 title in 181 S under therenewed Empire, but was dissolved on 16 July181S·

War record~

180S-1809: Attached to the Army of Italy andengaged at Caldiero, the crossing of the Tag­liamento and throughout the Calabrian campaign.In April 1809, at the crossing of the Piave,Lieutenant Blassel successfully led an under­manned foot detachment to the rescue of GeneralBaraguey d'Hilliers and his staff, momentarilyisolated and in imminent danger of capture. Thissame year, at the battle of Wagram, Chefd'Escadron Deberme, acting regimental com­mander in lieu of Colonel de Seron who laywounded, executed a superb charge against twoenemy cavalry regiments and siezed some 300prIsoners.

1812: With the Grande Armee at Borodino.1813: Fought with the Grande Armee at Dresden.1814: Present at the battle of La Fere­Champenoise.181 S: Engaged on the field of Waterloo.

DnunDler of an elite company of foot dragoons. Like thegrenadiers of infantry, elite foot dragoons boasted tall blackbearskins and red epaulettes. With the turning of mount-lessdragoons into infantry units, so trumpeters were replaced bydnunDlers equipped with instruments of the same pattern asthe infantry. Their equipment remained the same except forthe wearing of gaiters and shoes instead of riding boots, andthe carrying of an infantry-style pack.

23

The 8th Reghnent of DragoonsCreated I March 1674 by the Marquisd'Heudicourt and named Toulouse in 1693.Renamed Penthievre in 1737. Finally titled asPenthievre-Dragons in 1776. Became the 8emeRegiment de Dragons in 1791 and so remaineduntil 181 I when the regiment was restyled as the]erne Chevau-Legers Lanciers. In 18 I 4 this last becamethe Regiment de Lanciers du Dauphin but resumedits former title for the Belgian campaign of 1815.The regiment was disbanded in 1815.

A foot dragoon, c.I806, equipped essentially in the same Dlan­ner as if he were DlOunted. The sabre was retlUned and slungon the hook ofthe swordbelt. Here wrapped about his body inthe cavalryD>en's fashion, the greatcoat could Dlore easily bestrapped atop the pack as the infantry were wont to do.

24

War record:1805-1806: Part of the Grande Armee at Wertin­gen, Dim, Lambach, Austerlitz, Jena, Zehdenik,Prentzlov and Nasielk (where Colonel Beckler wasstruck dead).1807: With the Grande Armee at Eylau, Heilsbergand Friedland.1808-181 I: Service in Spain. Present at Burgos,Tudela, Monterey, Braga, Oporto, Valladolid,Guarda, Santarem and Sabugal.1812: Attached to the Grande Armee and on thefields ofPolotsk (where Colonel Lebrun lost his life)and Berezina.1813 : Still wi th the Grande Armee at the battles ofBautzen, Reichenbach, Dresden, Leipzig andHanau.1815: Took part in the Belgian campaign andfought at both Ligny and Waterloo.

The 9th Reghnent of DragoonsRaised in the Franche-Comte by the Marquis ofListenois in 1673. Originally given the title ofLorraine in 1773. Became the geme Regiment deDragons in I 791 and consequently retitled the 4emeRegiment de Chevau-Legers Lanciers in 181 I. With thereturn of the monarchy the regiment was renamedthe Regiment de Lanciers de Monsieur; afterreviving its former title for the 1815 campaign, theregiment was dissolved later the same year.

War record:1805-1807: With the Grande Armee at thefollowing actions: Wertingen (where ColonelMaupetit died leading a charge), Austerlitz (whereLieutenant-Colonel Delort received two lancewounds and the Adjutant-Major, Strolz, thirteen),lena, Zehdenick,]onkovo, Hoff, Eylau, Friedland,Willemsdorf and Konigsberg.1808-18 I 0: Service in the Peninsula and presenceat Burgos, Talavera-de-Ia-Reina, Ocana, Cadizand Busaco.1812: Fought with the Grande Armee at Borodino,Mojaisk, and Winkovo.1813: On the fields of Leipzig and Hanau.1814: Engaged in the battles of Champaubert andVauchamps.1815: Present at Waterloo.

ANGUS McBRIDE

I Brigadier of the elite cOInpany of the 22nd Dragoons, 18102 Brigadier of the 12th Dragoons in 'petite tenue'3 Trooper of the 4th Dragoons in caIJlpaign dress

2

A

B

2

I Musician of the 16th Dragoons in parade dress, 18102 Marechal des Logis Chef of the 12th Dragoons, 1813

Tnunpeter ofa centre cOlllpany of the 1st Dragoonsin caIIlpaign dress, 1810

ANGUS McBRIDE

ANGUS McBRIDE

Tnunpet-Major of the 13th Dragoons in campaign dress, 1808--13Chef de Sapeurs of the 19th Dragoons, c. 1810

3 Tnunpeter of the elite company of the 25th Dragoons in parade dress, 1813

c

o

I Sous-Lieutenant of the 9th Dragoons in w • g-out dress, 18052 Superior officer of the 20th Dragoons, ClUDpaign dress, 18063 Colonel of the 12th Dragoons in ClUDpaign dress, 1814

ANGUS McBRIDE

A GUS McBRIDE

Trooper of the elite cOinpany of the 2nd Lancers in parade dress, 1811-142 Marechal-Ferrant in stable dress, 1811-143 Trooper carabinier of the 5th Lancers, early 1812

E

F

I NCO Porte-Etendard of the 3rd Lancersin campaign dress, 1812

2 Brigadier of the 3rd Lancers, 1811-143 Trumpeter of the elite company of the 1st Lancers

in campaign dress, 1813

ANGUS McBRIDE

2

ANGUS McBRIDE

I'

Trumpeter, elite company, 1St Lancers,parade dress, 181S

2 Trumpeter, centre company. 3rd Lancers.campaign dress, 1812

-.JllIl~:"IIliiPd"iIl'rf3 Trumpeter, elite company, Sth Lancers,-c*tlpaign dress, 1812

G

H

2

-

Major of the 6th Lancers in parade dress, 1811 14Sous-Lieutenant of the 5th Lancers in cantpaign dress, 1813Sous-Lieutenant of the 2nd Lancers in cantpaign dress, 1811 14

ANGUS McBRIOr

The lOth Regitnent of DragoonsCreated in 1674 and named Mestre-de-Camp­General in 1685. Renamed the Ioeme Regiment deDragons in 179 I, it was subsequently transformedinto the seme Regiment de Chevau-Legers Lanciers in1811. Newly entitled the Regiment de Lanciersd'Angouleme in 1814, it reverted to its numericaltitle for the '100 Days' and was finally dissolvedafter the campaign.

War record:

1803-1804: Stationed at the Camp de Boulogne forthe proposed invasion of Great Britain.1805: With the Grande Armee at VIm andAusterlitz.1806-1807: Took part in the battles of Eylau andFriedland attached to the Grande Armee.1809-181 I: Peninsula service: fought at Alba-de­Tormes, Ciudad Rodrigo and Fuentes d'Onoro(where Lieutenant Vesuty, leading the regiment'selite company, repulsed some 400 British hussars,taking many prisoners, and severely mauled abattalion of British infantry).1812: Rejoined the Grande Armee for the battles ofBorodino and Winkovo.1813: Remained with the Grande Armee andfought at Wachau and Hanau.18 14: Engaged in the battle of Montmirail.18 I5: On the fields of both Ligny and Waterloo.

The 11th Regitnent of DragoonsFormed by Royal commission at Tournai in 1674.In 1788 the regiment was presented to the Duke ofAngouleme and received his name. In 179 I theregiment was retitled as the I Ierne Regiment deDragons. Following the restoration of the House ofBourbon, it was renamed the Regiment de Dragonsde Berry (No.6). After taking part in the 1815campaign under its numerical title, the regimentwas dissolved.

War record:1805: Part of the Grande Armee at the battles ofLandsberg, VIm, Amstetten, Hollabriinn, Raus­nitz and Austerlitz (where Colonel Bourdon wasfatally wounded).1806-1808: Remained with the Grande Armee andwas present at Zehdenick, Prentzlov, Eylau andFriedland.

Lift: an officer ofan elite cODlpany wears the popular officers'overcoat; knee-length and double-breasted, it was entirelyDliddle-green and decorated with silver buttons and the San.leepaulettes as would be worn on the tunic.Right: an officer ofa centre cODlpany in a cape ofDliddle-greeneDlbellished with silver lace. While the overcoat was suitablefor everyday wear, the cape was eDlinently Dlore practicalwhen DlOunted.

1809-1813: Took part in the followi:lg actions inthe Peninsula: Alba-de-Tormes, Busaco, Re­dinha, Fuentes d'Onoro, Ciudad Rodrigo, LosArapilos (Salamanca) and Vitoria.1813: Attached to the 5th Corps of Cavalry of theGrande Armee at Leipzig and Hanau.1814: Present at the battles of Saint-Dizier,Brienne, La Rothiere and Montmirail.1815: Stationed in Strasbourg, attached to the 6thCorps of Cavalry.

25

The 12th Regitnent of DragoonsFormed at Maestricht in 1675 in conjunction withsome companies from Liege. Presented to theCount of Artois in 1774 and given his name.Became the I2eme Regiment de Dragons in 179 Ibut was renamed in 18 I4 the Regiment de Dragonsd'Orieans ( o. 7) with the restoration of LouisXVIII to the throne. Allotted the 179 I title onceagain in 18 I5 with the re-establishment of theEmpire, the regiment was finally disbanded atTours later that same year.

War record:1805: Attached to the 5th Corps of the ReserveCavalry and saw action at Wertingen, VIm andAusterlitz.1806: Part of the 3rd Division of Dragoons of the

1st Squadron 6666666666t:,f:'6666666666666 1st Company6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

6666666666666666666666666 5th Company6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

2nd Squadron 6666666666666666666666666 2nd Company6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

6666666666666666666666666 6th Company6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666~66

3rd Squadron 6666666666666666666666666 3rd Company6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

6666666666666666666666666 7th Company6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

4th Squadron 6666666666666666666666666 4th Company6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

6666666666666666666666666 8th Company6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

A REGIMENT OF FOUR SQUADRONS DEPLOYED IN COLUMN

A regiment deployed in colwnn, an ideal fonnation whereiInpact was essential or when the field of battle was obstruc­ted. Note the arrangeDlent of the cODlpanies within eachsquadron. Each squadron CODlpriSed two cODlpanies of twotroops who rbde on a front of twenty-five with a depth of two.

26

Grande Armee atJena, Prentzlov and Nasielk.1807: Present at Eylau, Heilsberg and Friedland.1808- I8 I3: Service in the Peninsula and presenceat Burgos, Madrid, Medellin, Talavera, Almo­nacid, Ocana, the Andalusian expedition, Alca-la­Real, Grenada, Venta-del-Baul, Huescar andVitoria.18 13: With the Grande Armee at Danzig.1814: Fought at the battle for Paris.18 I5: Served with the Armee du Nord at Ligny andNamur.

The 13th Regitnent of DragoonsFormed in the Languedoc in 1676 and named theConde-Dragons in 1724. Renamed the Comte-de­Province in 1774, then yet again as the Monsieurthe same year. Retitled the I3eme Regiment deDragons in 179 I. Changed to the 8eme Regimentde Dragons (de Conde) in 1814, but resumed itsformer title for the 1815 campaign. The regimentwas finally dissolved the 6th of December 1815.

War record:1805-1806: Attached to the Grande Armee andengaged at the crossing of the Rhine at Kehl, thecrossing of the Danube at Elchingen, Hollabriinn,Austerlitz, Nasielk and Pultusk.1809-1812: Saw action in the Peninsula at Co­runna, Oporto, the crossing of the Tagus atArzobispo and the battle of Las Rosas.1813: With the Grande Armee at Leipzig.1814: Fought at Mormant and Saint-Dizier.1815: On the battlefields ofWavre and Rocquen­court.

The 14th Regitnent of DragoonsCreated 3 March 1672 by the Marquis of Seyssac.Named Chartres in 1758 and became a dragoonregiment in 1776 under the title of the Chartres­Dragons. Became the I4eme Regiment de Dragonsin 1791, but were renamed the geme Regiment deDragons under the Restoration. Having brieflyreturned to its I79 I title in I8 I5 under the Empire,the regiment was disbanded in December of thesame year.

War record:1805: With the Grande Armee at Wertingen andAusterlitz.

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666 6666666666666666666666666

6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666 6666666666666666666666666

6666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

A REGIMENT OF FOUR SQUADRONS DEPLOYED IN ECHELON

This echelon fonnation was frequently adopted where theterrain pennitted; it enabled cavalry to attack in devastating

1806-1807: Still linked to the Grande Armee, sawaction at Jena, Golymin, Watersdorf, Eylau,Heilsberg and Friedland.1808-181 I: Service in the Peninsula, engaged atMadrid, Medellin, Talavera, Ocana, the siege ofCadiz, Alcanizas, La Gebora, Sabugal and AI­bufera.1813: With the Grande Armee at the battles ofLeipzig, Dennewitz and Danzig.1814: Took part at the following actions during theFrench campaign: Montereau, Bar-sur-Aube andArcis-sur-Aube.1815: Fought at Charleroi, Ligny and Rocquen­court.

The 15th Reghnent of DragoonsOriginally created as of 20 December 1688 by theDuke of Noailles, the regiment was formally listedas a dragoon unit in 1776. In 1791 the regiment wasnamed the I5eme Regiment de Dragons. Thereturn of the Bourbons in 1814 necessitated itsrenaming as the Ioeme Regiment de Dragons.Assuming its old number for the 1815 campaignensured the regiment's dissolution on 16 November1815 at La Rochelle.

War record:1805-1807: Attached to the Grande Armee at thebattles of Ulm, Nordlingen, Austerlitz, Lubeck,Pultusk and Ostrolenka.1808-18 I3: With both the armies of Spain andPortugal during the Peninsula campaign, attachedto the reserve cavalry, and present at CiudadRodrigo, Busaco, Pombal, Redinha, Fuentesd'Onoro and Vitoria.

waves, the front squadrons drawing enelllY fire inprecisely the wrong direction frolll the iIIlIIlinent attack.

1813 : Part of the 5th Corps of Cavalry on the fieldsof Leipzig and Hanau.1814: Remained with the 5th Corps for the battlesof Brienne, La Rothiere, Nogent-sur-Seine andMormant.1815: Attached to the 5th Division of the ReserveCavalry at Ligny and Rocquencourt.

The 16th Reghnent of DragoonsFormed of free corps and re-organized regiments'companies for the Duke ofOrleans and named afterhim. Renamed the I6eme Regiment de Dragons in179 I and, yet again in 18 I4, as the I IerneRegiment de Dragons. Returned briefly to itsprevious number on Napoleon's return and wasconsequently disbanded later the same year.

War record:1805: With the Grande Armee at Austerlitz.1806-1807: Remained with the Grande Armee andfought at Jen<;L, Prentzlov, Bergfried, Eylau andFriedland.1808-18 I3: Saw service in the Peninsula andengaged at Arzobispo, Talavera, Ocana, Alca­Real, Malaga, Moralez and Vitoria. At Talavera,Lieutenant d'Ussel and his troop captured threestandards.1814: Saw action at Mormant, Valjouan, Bar-sur­Aube and Arcis-sur-Aube.18 I5: Took part in the battle of Ligny.

The 17th Reghnent of DragoonsCreated by the Comte de Saxe in 1743, withGerman, Polish and Rumanian volunteers, as amixed regiment comprising three brigades of

27

lancers and three of dragoons. Originally namedthe Volontaires de Saxe, the regiment was transfor­med into an entirely dragoon unit in 1762 anddubbed the Schonberg-Dragons. Retitled theI 7eme Regiment de Dragons in 1791, it was againrenumbered in 1814 as the 12eme Regiment deDragons and yet again, in 1815, as the 18emeRegiment. The regiment was finally disbanded in181 5.

War record:1805: Fought with the Grande Armee at Albeckand Austerlitz.1806-1807: Remained wi th the Grande Armee andwas present at the actions of Eylau, Mansfeld,Konigsberg, Spanden and Friedland.1808-1813: With the Army of Spain: Madrid,Benavente, Corunna, Braga, Amarante and Ar­zobispo; in Estramadura in 1810 and subsequentlyon the fields of Albufera, Villagarcia, Valencia,Torre and Vitoria.1813 : Part of the loth Corps of the Grande Armeeduring the defence of Magdeburg.18 I 4: Part of the 6th Corps of Cavalry atFontvannes, Troyes, Saint-Parre (where ColonelLepic captured an enemy standard), Arcis-sur­Aube and Paris.18 I 5: Attached to the 6th Division of ReserveCavalry during the Belgian campaign and foughtat Ligny and Namur.

The 18th Regitnent of DragoonsFormed at Metz in 1744 with the sixteenthcompanies of the fifteen regiments ofdragoons thenexisting, and named Le Roi. Renamed the 18emeRegiment de Dragons in 1791. In 18 I 4 theregiment was renumbered as the 13eme Regimentde Dragons only to finally return, in 1815, to thetitle of 18eme. Disbanded shortly thereafter atLunel.

War record:1805: Part of the 4th Division of lJragoons of theReserve Cavalry of the Grande Armee and presentat Elchingen and Austerlitz.1806-1807: Remained attached to the ReserveCavalry and took part at Nordhausen, Sandow,Lubeck, Graudenz, Mohrungen, Spandau andFriedland.

28

>

"'-Troop A MMMMMMMMMMM/\!11\ >

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\A/\/\/\A/\/\

1st Company

"'-Troop B MMMMMMMMMMMMA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"'-Troop A AM!\MMMMMMMMMMA >

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

2nd Company

"'-Troop B MMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

A SQUADRON WHEELING RIGHT

Squadrons marched at around 6-7 Iun an hour with thecompanies either close behind one another or, as in this case,at frontal length distance. This enabled the companies towheel right or left into an assault line, ready within seconds tobe launched into action. As illustrated, the troops would pivoton the end man, performing an arc to dress the line.

A

A) A lancer trooper's hehnet in profile and full-on. Thisheaddress was no 1D0re than a dragoon's hehnet elDbellishedwith rear peak and horsehair crest.

B) The slightly 1D0dified version issued to NCO's; it differedonly in its 1Il0re elegant line. Both hehnets were entirelycopper with a brown fur turban.

C) The IIliddle-green fatigue cap issued to dragoons andlancers prior to the adoption ofthe Pokalellllllodel (F) in 1812.

The lace was white, as was the tassel in 1Il0st cases, and thepiping was of the regiJnental colour. The regilllental nUlllberwas frequently added to the front.

D) The dragoon hehnet in profile and full-on. The horsehair

1808-18 I 3: With the 4th Division of Dragoons ofthe Army of Spain at Somo-Sierra, Madrid,Corunna, the invasion of Portugal, Oporto, Arzo­bispo and Las Rosas.1813: Attached to the Grande Armee and fought atDresden, Leipzig and Hanau.1814: Engaged at Saint-Dizier, Brienne and LaRothiere.

The 19th Regitnent of DragoonsCreated by the Decree of 27 February 1793 of theVolon taires d'Angers and named the I gemeRegiment de Dragons. Renumbered as the 14emeRegiment in 18 I 4 only to be retitled the I gemeshortly before its dissolution at Moulins in Septem­ber of 1815.

E

lIlane became increasingly thin as the years wore on, but theshape of the hehnet altered but little. The head-dress wasentirely copper with a brown turban of fur. Note the plUllleholder just in front of the left side chinscale rosace.

E) The bearskin ofelite troopers. The rear patch is red witha white cross oflace upon it; the cords and tassels are also red,the fOrlDer passing on the left side beneath a tricolourcockade. This head-gear was often fitted with chinscalesidentical to the hehnet.

F) The Pokalelll lIlodel fatigue cap. The ear-flaps folded upand were buttoned to a single cloth-covered button on eachside when not in use.

War record:

1805: Part of the 4th Division of Dragoons of theGrande Armee and engaged at Elchingen andAusterlitz.1806-1807: Remained with the Grande Armee forthe actions of Jena, Lubeck, Mohrungen andFriedland.1808-18 I 3: Attached to the 4th Division ofDragoons with both the armies of Spain andPortugal; fought at Corunna, Morentase, Braga,Oporto, Arzobispo, Las Rosas, Medina Cedi andVitoria.1813-1814: With the 5th Corps of Cavalry of theGrande Armee at Dresden (where Captain Pon­sonnet with only ten dragoons broke through aninfantry square and made offwith no less than three

29

cannon), Flemingen, Wachau, Leipzig, Danzig,Saint-Dizier, Brienne, La Rothiere, Mormant, LesTrois-Maisons and the second action at Saint­DizieL Having played a vital role in covering theretreat of the Grande Armee, Commandant Cos­nard and Lieutenant Mollard of the 1gemereceived a citation and the Cross of the Legion ofHonour respectively.

181 S : Attached to the Armee du Rhin and engagedat the minor actions of Ober-Hausbergen andMittel-Hausbergen.

The 20th Regitnent of DragoonsCreated in]uly of I 793 ofthe Regiment de Dragonsde Hainault et ]emappes and named the 20emeRegiment de Dragons. Renumbered the I seme

Figures A through D delDonstrate the changing shape ofdragoon officers' head-gear through the years: A) 1804--i)7; B)1806-10; C) 1808-12 and D) 1810-14. The hehnets were ofcopperwith leopard skin turbans.

E) The officers' lDodel of the PokaielD fatigue cap. Prior toits introduction in 1812, a pattern identical to that ofthe troopswas worn, but laced in silver rather than in white. Thisparticular one is that ofan officer oflancers, as evinced by thecrossed-lance patch on the front, but a dragoon's would differonly in the use of a silver grenade patch in its stead. It is

30

IIIiddie-green and laced and piped in the regiIDentai colour.F) An officer's bicorn, 1810. Earlier lDodels of this head­

dress were less tall and the folded-up briID was generally ofequal length all the way round. But, as civilian couturedeIllanded, the bicorns of later years tend to be increasinglyhigh, stiff and with briIDs of unequal width.

G) A lancer officer's hehnet. As that ofdragoons, officers oflancers had lDore elegant hehnets with turbans of leopardskin. The front plate of the copper crest differed in that it hadthe faIIIiliar crossed-lance device elDbellisbed upon it.

Regiment de Dragons in 1814. With the return ofNapoleon, the regiment was retitled the 20eme.Dissolved inJuly of 1815.

War record:1805: With the 1st Division of Dragoons of theGrande Armee at Wertingen, Memmingen, Ne­resheim (where Brigadier Blondel seized an enemystandard for which he was subsequently presentedwith the Cross of the Legion of Honour) , VIm andAusterlitz.1806-1807 : Remained with the Grande Armee andengaged at J ena, Pultusk, Eylau, Heilsberg andFriedland.1808-1812: Took part in the following actions inSpain: Andujar, Tudela, Vcles, Ciudad-Real,Almonacid, Ocana, Los Arapilos (Salamanca),Pampeluna and Tamames.1813-18 I 4: Part of the 5th Corps of Cavalry of theGrande Armee and fought at Leipzig, Dresden andHanau.1814: On the fields of Saint-Dizier, Brienne, LaRothiere, Mormant, Montereau and Troyes dur­ing the campaign of France.18 I 5: Attached to the 2nd Corps of Cavalry of theArmee du Nord and engaged at Ligny, Waterlooand Rocquencourt.

The 21St Regintent of DragoonsOriginally created in April of 1796 with theCavalerie de Legion de la Police and named the2 I erne Regiment de Dragons. Disbanded in Aprilof 1797. Recreated in 180 I from the Piedmontese1st Regiment of Dragoons (Piedmont having beenannexed to France that year) and again numberedthe 2 I erne Regiment de Dragons. The regimentwas firially disbanded in August of 18 I 4.

War record:1805: With the Grande Armee at VIm andAusterlitz.1806-1807: Remained with the Grande Armee andpresent at Prentzlow, Eylau and Konigsberg.1808-1812: Engaged at Almonacid in the Penin­sula Campaign as well as the following smallactions: Massaruleque, Martos, Fuengirola, Es­tepona and Osuna.1813: With the Grande Armee at Jiiterbock andLeipzig. Attached to the Army ofSpain and fought

at Miranda and Vitoria.1814: With the Grande Armee at Fontvannes,Troyes and Montmirail.

The 22nd Regintent of DragoonsRaised in Piedmont in 1635 and named Orleans. In1647, Anne of Austria purchased the regiment forher son the Duke of Anjou and renamed it theRegiment d'Anjou. Resumed its title of theRegiment d'Orleans in 1660 only to be disbandedthe following year. The regiment was eventuallyrecreated in 1665. Renamed the 13eme Regimentde Cavalerie in 179 I and yet again, in 1803, as the22eme Regiment de Dragons. The unit was finallydisbanded in May 1814.

War record:1805: With the Grande Armee at both VIm andAusterlitz.1806-1807: Remained with the Grande Armee forthe actions ofJena, Eylau, Ostrolenka and Fried­land.1808-1813: Took part in the following actions inthe Peninsula: Baylen (where Lieutenant Ancelincaptured an enemy standard), Mora, Braga,Barcellos, Oporto, Valverde, Alicante, EIche,Almanza and Las Rosas.1813: Engaged at Strehla, Naumburg, Flemingenand Leipzig during the Saxon Campaign.1814: The 3rd and 4th squadrons fought at Saint­Dizier during the Campaign of France.

The 23rd Regintent of DragoonsRaised in Turin by the Duke ofSavoy in 1670 as theRoyal-Piemont. It was ceded to France thefollowing year and renamed the Prince-de­Piemont. In 1690 it returned to its previous title.Retitled the I 4eme Regiment de Cavalerie in 179 I,

and again, in 1803, as the 23eme Regiment deDragons. The regiment was dissolved in 1814.

War record:

1804-1806: Attached to the Army of Italy andengaged at Verona and the crossing of theTagliamento.1806: Briefly transferred to the Army of Naples.1809: Again with the Army of Italy, at S'_cile,Piave, San-Daniel"and Wagram.1812: With the Grande Armee at Borodino (La

31

Dragoons' equipment.A) Troopers' pattern cartridge-pouch. Suspended on a

blancoed crossbelt passed over the left shoulder, the blackleather cartridge-pouch contained the powder-and-ball cart­ridges for the musketoon. The model illustrated, the 1801

pattern, was in use throughout the wars.B) The An IX pattern musketoon. This replaced the infantry

muskets issued to dragoons under the Consulate for lack ofsupply, and was later in turn replaced by the An XI modelwhich differed but little. Dragoons were also issued pistols;the brass-mounted 1763 pattern and the steel-furnishedRepublican model both saw continuous use throughout theEmpire period.

Moskowa), Mojalsk and Berezina.1813: Remained attached to the Grande Armeeand engaged at Dresden (where Captain Gegoutcaptured two cannon and General Szecsen; Ad­jutant Agoustene seized an enemy standard; andMarechal des Logis Brouveres captured a Russiangeneral) and Leipzig.1814: Fought at Vertus and Paris during theCampaign of France.

The 24th Regim.ent of DragoonsRaised in 1761 and 'named the Royal-Lorraine.

32

C) The An IV model sabre and 1801 pattern swordbelt. Thesabre has iron fittings though a similar type of sabre withcopper guard is also in use until the eventual introduction ofthe An IX, XI or XII patterns. Note the strap attached to theswordbelt's first copper ring designed to hold the bayonetsocket in place. The knot on the guard of the sabre was white.

D) The officers' sabre was fitted in gilt and came in twoslighdy different types, the one entirely straight and the otherlighdy curved. This sabre was only worn on service and wasreplaced by a straight epee for everyday wear.

E) The copper guard distinguishes this An XII modeltroopers' sabre from its predecessor. The copper-fittedswordbelt is the 1812 pattern.

Renamed the 16eme Regiment de Cavalerie in1791 and again, in 1792, as the 15eme Regiment deCavalerie (following the defection of the 15thRegiment, ex-Royal-Allemand). Became the24eme Regiment de Dragons in 1803. Disbanded inJune 1814.

War record:1805: With the Army of Italy at Tagliamento andCaldiero.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, Tarragona, Villa-Real, Sa­gonte (where Captain Devons seized a Spanishstandard), CastalIa and the Ordal Pass.18 I 3: With the Grande Armee at J iiterbock.1814: An unspecified detachment took part in theCampaign of France.

The 25th Reghnent of DragoonsCreated in 1665 and named the Bourgogne in 1685,after the Duke ofBourgogne. Renamed Bretagne in171 I after the Duke of Bourgogne's son. In 175 I,

resumed its previous title. Retitled Royal­Bourgogne in 1788. Became the 17eme Regimentde Cavalerie in 1791 but renumbered the 16emethe following year. Retitled the 25eme Regiment

B

A

Lancers' equipDlent.A) Officers' pattern cartridge-pouch. This is one of DllUly

varieties eDlployed by lancer officers, others include those ofblack leather, edged in gold lace and those, like this one, ofscarlet but with five stripes ofgold lace down the body insteadoftbree. The gold Imperial eagle device on the pouch flap wasoften replaced by a crowned N.

B) The tip ofthe lance. The lance was a total length of 2.75Dl,ending in the iron foot illustrated. Note the 'buttons' to whichthe pennant (C) attached.

D) The officers' pattern sabre. It differs very little froDl thetroopers' Dlodel but has a gilt guard. The swordbelt is one ofDllUly adopted by the officers and is scarlet edged in gold lacewith gilt fittings.

E) The An IX pattern Dlusketoon. This was at first onlyissued to laneiers-earabiniers but towards the end of 1811, alllancers already equipped with lances received one cODlpletewith crossbelt and sling. It is likely that troopers only retainedeither the lance or the Dlusketoon, discarding the other as auseless burden.

F) The An IX Dlodellight cavalry sabre, as used by troopers.The swordbelt is narrower than that issued to dragoons andhas a serpent-S buckle; but patterns with solid~r fraDlebuckles were not uncoDlDlon, and where the solid squarebuckle was used, it was frequendy decorated with either acrowned N or an Imperial eagle.

G) The troopers' cartridge-pouch and the Dlusketoon slingand crossbelt.

de Dragons in 1803 and finally disbanded in 18 I 4.

War record:1805: With the Grande Armee at Elchingen andAusterlitz.1806-1807: Remained with the Grande Armeethroughout the Prussian campaign and engaged atHalberstadt and Ostrolenka.1808-1813: Took part in the following actions in

. Spain: Baylen, Lugo, A!ba-de-Tormes. Sub­sequently attached to the Army of Portugal andengaged at Almeida, Torres-Vedras, Fuentesd'Onoro, Los Arapilos (Salamanca) and Vitoria.1813: With the Grande Armee at Dresden andLeipzig (where Colonel Montigny was mortallywounded).1814: Fought at Saint-Dizier, Brienne, La Roth­iere, Mormant, La Fere-Champenoise and Parisduring the Campaign of France.

The 26th Reghnent of DragoonsCreated in and named after the province ofRoussillon in 1673. Renamed Berry in 1690 afterthe Duke ofBerry. Became the I 8eme Regiment deCavalerie in 1791 but renumbered the 17eme thefollowing year. Renamed the 26eme Regiment deDragons in 1803 and disbanded at antes in 18 I 4.

War record:1805: Attached to the Reserve Cavalry of theGrande Armee and engaged at Wertingen, Albeck,Neresheim and Austerlitz.1806-1807: Fought at Jena, Waltersdorf, Hoff,Eylau, Heilsberg and Friedland.1808-18 I 3 : Engaged in the following actions in thePeninsula: Tudela, Ucles, Medellin, Talavera-de­la-Reina, Ocana, Olivenza, Badajoz, Gebora,Albuquerque, Campo-Major, Puente-del-Ma::stroand Vitoria.1814: Part of the 6th Corps of Cavalry during theCampaign ofFrance and present at Craonne, Sens,Laon, La Fere-Champenoise and Paris.

The 27th Reghnent of DragoonsCreated in 1674 by Count Victor-Maurice deBroglie. Named the Royal-Normandie in 1762.Became the I geme Regiment de Cavalerie in 179 I

to be renumbered the following year as the 18eme.Retitled the 27eme Regiment de Dragons in 1803and disbanded in August 18 I 4.

33

Dragoons' saddlery and harness.A) Saddle and accessories oftroopers, 1801 pattern. Note the

patch attached to the skirt for a spare horseshoe and the 'hoot'for the butt of the lIIusketoon slung beneath the covered pistolholster.

AI) The headstall and reins of troopers' horses, 180llllodel.B) Saddle and accessories of troopers, 1812 pattern. The

bridle and reins relllained the sallie as the 1801 pattern.C) Saddle and accessories of officers for parade. A popular

practice was to cover the front of the saddle with a blackshabraque. War record:

1805: With the Army of Italy at Caldiero, thecrossing of the Brenta, Vicence and San-Pietro.1806-1808: Attached to the Army of Naples andengaged at Lauria and the Abruzzes campaign.1809: Returned to the Army of Italy, fought at LaPiave, Laybach, Raab and Wagram.1812: Part of the 9th Brigade of Light Cavalryattached to the 3rd Corps of the Grande Armee atKrasnoe, Smolensk, Valoutina, Borodino, Viasmaand Berezina.1813-1814: With the 4th Division of Light cavalryofthe 2nd Corps ofCavalry ofthe Grande Armee atJauer, Leipzig and Hanau.18 I4: Engaged at Champaubert, Montmirail,Vauchamps, Arcis-sur-Aube and Saint-Dizierduring the Campaign of France.1815: Part of the 6th Corps of Cavalry, then the2nd Division of Light Cavalry attached to the 2ndCorps of the Armee du Nord, at the actions ofFleurus and Waterloo.

Naples and present at Gaete, La Piave andWagram.18 I2: With the Grande Armee at Smolensk,Borodino (La Moskowa) and Berezina.1813: Fought with the Grande Armee at Dresden,Leipzig and Hanau.1814: With the 1st Corps of Cavalry during theCampaign of France and engaged at Vauchampsand La Fere-Champenoise.

The 29th Reghnent of DragoonsRaised in Turin from the I I th Hussars in 1803 andnamed the 2geme Regiment de Dragons. Becamethe 6eme Regiment de Chevau-Legers Lanciers in 181 I.Renamed the Regiment de Lan,ciers de Berry in1814 but returned to its previous titIe for the '100Days' campaign. Disbanded at Ca:rcassonne inDecember 1815.

War record:1805: Attached to the 4th Division of Dragoons ofthe Cavalry Reserve of the Grande Armee andengaged at Elchingen, VIm and Austerlitz.1806-1807: Remained with the same unit andfought at Biezun, Spanden and Friedland.1808-181 I: Part of the 4th Division ofDragoons ofthe 2nd Corps of the Army of Spain. Took part inthe invasion of Portugal and was present atCorunna, the Ave passage, Oporto, Arzobispo,Albufera, Elvas and Las Vertientes.1812-1813: With both the armies of Spain and theMidi and engaged at Villagarcia, Valencia de lasTorres and Santa-Martha.1813: Part of the 3rd Corps of Cavalry of theGrande Armee and fought at Neuss.1814: Attached to the 6th Corps of Cavalry duringthe Campaign of France and engaged at Bar-sur­Aube and Arcis-sur-Aube.

The 28th Reghnent of DragoonsRaised at Saint-Germain in 1792 and named theIer Corps des Hussards de la Liberte. Renamed the7eme Regiment de Hussards (bis) in I794. Bec~methe 28eme Regiment de Dragons in 1803 and wasdissolved in 1814.

War record:1805-181 I: Attached to the armies of Italy and

34

The 30th Reghnent of DragoonsCreated at Moulins from the 12th Hussars in 1803and named the 30eme Regiment de Dragons. Theregiment was dissolved in October 1815.

War record:1805: With the Army ofItaly at Verona, Caldiero,Olmo, Citadella, Lestizza, Morsana, Villach,

Klagenfurth and Gaete.180g: Remained with the Army of Italy andengaged at the Tagliamento crossing, Ud~ne,

Gratz, Stein-am-Anger, the Danube crossmg,Wagram, Nikolsburg and the Westernitz bridgeaction.1812: With the Grande Armee at Bautzen, Dres­den, Leipzig and the Rhine crossing.1814: Fought at Brienne, La Rothiere, Cham­paubert, Montmirail, Montereau, Arcis-sur-Aube,La Fhe-Champenoise and Paris during the Cam­paign of France.

SourcesH. Bouchot, L'Epopee du costume militaireJranfaiseCommandant Bucquoy, (ed.) Les uniformes et les

armes des soldats du 1 er EmpireFrench Ministry ofWar, Historique des corps de troupe

JranfaiseJob, Tenue des troupes de FranceJ. Regnault, Les aigles perdusL. Rousselot, L'Armee FranfaiseJ. C. Quennevat, Atlas de la Grande ArmeeJ. C. Quennevat, Les vrais soldats de NapoleonNumerous volumes of the journals La Giberne and Le

Sabretache

Lancers' saddlery and harness.A) The basic tree ofthe Hungarian-style light cavalry saddle

employed by lancers. .B) The tree covered in leather, here we see the pistol

holsters the rolled greatcoat and the spare horseshoe pocket.C) Th; saddle covered in the characteristic shabraque. The

'wolves' teeth' edging would be of the regimental colour. Themiddle-green portemanteau strapped behind the cande wasedged in yellow lace.

D) Troopers' bridle and reins as specified by the 1812

Regulations.E) The officers' saddle complete with middle-~een cloth

shabraque, edged in gold lace, and leopard skin-coveredpommel and seat.

C]!ie 'PlatesThe Dragoons

A 1 : Brigadier of the elite company oj the 22ndDragoons, 1810.

The fur bearskin and epaulettes of this NCO revealhis status as an elite cavalryman. Here scarlet, theornaments adorning the heao-dress ofelite troopersof other regiments were frequently either white orred; another regimental variation was the wearingof aiguillettes about the left shoulder. Company, ifnot individual, differences include the addition ofacopper grenade badge to the cartridge-pouch andthe adoption ofa solid belt buckle bearing the samegrenade symbol.

Troopers would be dressed more or less identi­cally, save for the rank stripes on the forearm, aswould the officers, except for silver cords and tasselson the bearskin and silver epaulettes. Trumpeterswere at this period (1810) dressed in reversecolours-lemon yellow tunic with middle-greenfacings-and sported a white plume with lemonyellow tip, for centre companies, or scarlet if elite;the facings were laced in white and white epaulettesor trefoils were worn. The regiment was at this timein the Peninsula.(Illustration after Cmndt. Bucquoy)

A2: Brigadier oj the 12th Dragoons in 'petite tenue'.

He wears the pre- 1812 fatigue-cap, the popularsurtout and overalls. This figure is unusual inseveral respects. The surtout tunic, most frequentlyplain, has here the collar of regimental colour, th.erank insignia and the shoulder-straps of the habIt(as worn by A1). The overalls are devoid of theleather-reinforced inside leg and cuffs, and buttonsthe length of the outer seams, but supplemented bytwin flap pockets.

As of 1812, dragoons were issued with fatigue­caps of the Pokalem variety, as that of E2, but witha grenade or regimental number patch on the front.At this period, troopers' would wear a similarsurtout, but from 180g it was no longer issued to anybar NCO's and officers.(Illustration after Benigni)

35

Eagle and guidon of the 23rd Dragoons. The total height of theeagle was 2.10 Dletres and the guidon Dleasured 70 x60centiDletres. Many eagles and guidons were lost during thewars at the following engageDlents:/805 campaign: Battle of Haslach:- That of the 2nd Squadron of the 15th Dragoons.-That ofa squadron of the 17th Dragoons./8/2 campaign:-At ViaSIDa: that of the 28th Dragoons.-At Berezina: that of the 3rd Lancers.PeninsuLa campaign:-At the capitulation of the Madrid arsenal: that of the 13thDragoons.

A3: Trooper oj the 4th Dragoons in campaign dress.

This trooper on campaign in the Peninsula wearsthe familiar dragoon helmet and tunic. The tunicor habi t was secured by a series of hooks and eyesdown the breast; the skirts were folded back intoturnbacks, stitched together and adorned with thegrenade symbol common to heavy troops. Hecarries the familiar An XIII pattern sabre.

Of considerable interest are his baggy saroual­style trousers. Frequently obliged to replace theirbreeches and overalls as best they could oncampaign, many French troops are represented inthe Peninsula as having trousers made of brownfabric filched from stocks destined for the fabri­cation of monks' habits; this rough and readymaterial was very hard-wearing. Short anklegaiters gather the trousers at the lower calf, apractical measure in a world without bicycle clips.The red stripes on the figure's left upper armindicate that the wearer has seen between sixteenand twenty years service.(Illustration after Fort)

B I: Musician if the 16th Dragoons in parade dress,

1810.

Musicians were attached to all regiments of thisperiod, either on a permanent basis or hired as

36

occasion demanded. The distinctive dress ofmusicians as often as not consisted of the simplereplacement of the epaulettes by trefoil shoulder­straps on a trumpeter's habit. In this case, however,he wears white-fringed epaulettes on a tunicidentical to that of the troops except for the lace onthe facings. This was no doubt a move towardseconomy, since trumpeters of this regiment worehabits of pink cloth faced in middle-green withwhite lace. Musicians were issued bicorns instead ofhelmets. These black felt head-dresses were perme­able and were therefore covered in a protectivewaterproof cloth on campaign. The tall plumeinserted behind the cockade was worn solely inparade dress and was otherwise packed in theportemanteau of the saddle.(Illustration after Fort)

B2: Marechal des Logis Chef if the 12th Dragoons,1813.

This senior NCO of the elite company de­monstrates the changes in dress of dragoons post­1812. Although the 1812 Regulations prescribedthat thereafter elite troops were to adopt the helmetcommon to all dragoons with the sole distinction ofa red plume, the Masses d'Habillement edited byMagimel in 1812 relates the retention of thebearskin for dragoons, chasseurs and hussars. Thiscontradiction left the matter to the personaldecision of the colonel of each regiment.

The figure wears the new habit-veste; fasteningto the waist (again by hooks and eyes) and withconsiderably shorter skirts, this garment was issuedto all line regiments. The facing colours remainedidentical to those of the old habit. As rankdistinctions, we note the silver lace on bothforearms and the silver crescents on the redepaulettes, distinctive of elite companies. Also ofnote is the 'wolves' teeth' cut of the leatherreinforcements of his overalls-a popular cutthroughout the Empire period.(Illustration after Benigni)

B3: Trumpeter ifa centre company if the 1st Dragoonsin campaign dress, 1810.

This fellow illustrates a fairly frequent departurefrom the normal practice of dressing trumpeters inthe reverse colours of those of the troops. The tunic

adopted is the ordinary surtout decorated on thecollar and down the breast with orange lace. Thelace is stitched around five of the nine buttons ofthis high-waisted garment. Normally devoid ofcolour on the turnbacks, this surtout has turnbacksof regimental colour and green grenade patchesthereon. He wears the usual pattern ofoveralls savefor the strip of regimental colour piping along thelength of the outer leg. He holds the standardcavalry trumpet as drawn in the Bardin MS of1812. The cord and tassels, most frequently ofyellow and green mixed thread, are in this case red.

Numbering two per squadron, trumpeters rodegreys instead ofbays or chestnuts. Their riding withthe squadron into action necessitated the numerousdifferences in dress and mount so that they might bereadily found for the speedy transmission oforders.(Illustration after the Marckolsheim MS)

CI : Trumpet-Major if the 13th Dragoons in campaigndress, 1808-1813.

The pink surtout tunic with middle-green facings istypical of the reverse colour method ofdistinguish­ing trumpeters. The silver lace and rank insigniawould also decorate his habit, as would the silvergrenade devices on the turnbacks and the silverservice stripes on his left arm. This figure also wearsoveralls ofsimilar cut and pattern to breeches; notethe gaiters worn over them (to which attach theboot straps). His waist-belt is secured by a solidbuckle with the flaming grenade symbol embossedupon it, a popular deviation.

A trumpeter of the same regiment has beenrecorded by the pen ofEI Cuil in the Peninsula. Hisdress is identical save for the rank stripes and thesubstitution of white for silver lace. His helmet hasbeen covered by a green protective cloth and, moreinterestingly, his saddle-cloth too with black,waxed fabric.(Illustration after Fort)

C2: Chif de Sapeurs if the 19th Dragoons, C.181O.

His regular habit is garnished with silver rankdistinctions, service stripes and the famous crossed­axe patches of sappers. We notice that the redepaulettes' fringes are of mixed ponceau and silverthread. His profession is indicated by the large and

lethal axe he is engaged in sharpening, the long buffapron and the bearskin. Dragoons were the onlytype of cavalry to enjoy the privilege of sappers, atradition descended from the times when dragoonswere strictly mounted infantrymen. His bearskin iswithout its red plume and white cords; theirremoval was common practice while on activeservice lest they became unnecessarily worn ordamaged.

Ofinterest is the copper Medusa's head badge onhis axe-case crossbelt. Such ornament was notunusual on the crossbelts of both sappers and elitetroopers, though it might equally take the form ofagrenade device.(Illustration after Valmont)

C3: Trumpeter if the elite company if the 25thDragoons in parade dress, 1813.

This figure demonstrates not only the change toImperial Livery by most regiments after 1812, butalso the distinguishing features of elite trumpeters.The helmet has the white crest accorded totrumpeters with the addition of a red plumedistinctive of elite troops. The tunic is the typespecified in the 1812 Regulations, for which aspecial lace was devised. The lace was an alternat­ing design of capital N's (for Napoleon) andImperial eagles, and came in two varieties, the onefor horizontal and the other for vertical use. Thefront of the coat was fastened with nine buttonsdescending to the waist, ofwhich fiv.: had horizon­tal lace embellishment not dissimilar to that on thetunic of illustration B3; the lace employed was, ofcourse, the same as we see here decorating the rearof the habit. The epaulettes are further indicationof this trumpeter's elite status.

In this case, the trumpet cords and tassels are thefamiliar mixed green and yellow variety. Trumpetbanners, so frequent pre-I812 for parade dress,were by now discontinued owing to the imbalancebetween their cost and their utility.(Illustration after Roux from 'La Ciberne')

D I: Sous-Lieutenant oj the 9th Dragoons in walking­out dress, 1805.

This officer sports the popular surtout often worn inall but parade-dress. Peeping above the collar is the

37

starched collar of his chemise. This garment wasworn beneath a waistcoat which is in this caseround-bottomed and possibly double-breasted. Hisbreeches are plain, but Hungarian breeches, withmatching middle-green knots astride the front flapedges and lace down the outer seams, were notunusual. His boots are of the Hungarian pattern;similar ones wi th the addi tion ofsilver tassels in theV's of the front were not uncommon. The tallbicorn was worn in both walking-out and balldress. Heavy silver tassels were frequently added tothe corners to make for still grander appearance.The slim-bladed epee shown here was one ofmanypatterns carried by officers in ball and walking-outdress; of note is the finer knot attached to it thanthat tied to the sabre. This particular model ofepeewas also issued to musicians.(Illustration after Benigni)

D2: Superior officer if the 20th Dragoons, campaigndress, 1806.

This officer in pre- 1812 uniform wears a helmet ofslightly different pattern to that ofD3. As the habitsbecame ofslimmer cut with the influence ofcivilianhigh-fashion, so the helmets became increasinglyGrecian in aspect; this model has the distinctiverosaces and fur-less peak of the early varieties. Thetunic is intrinsically no different from that of therank and file, though made of finer fabric andequipped with silver buttons and grenade patches.His overalls are, unusually, buff with twin hip­height, flapped pockets secured by single, cloth­covered buttons.(Reconstruction)

D3: Colonel if the 12th Dragoons in campaign dress,1814.

This senior officer is wearing the new habit-veste ofofficer pattern. Essentially the same as that issued tothe troops, it has longer tails, is made of superiorcloth and has silver buttons and heavy bullionepaulettes. His helmet is of the more elegant andexpensive kind habitually worn by officers. Ofnoteare the fine plume and the knotted horsehair maneof this headgear which, with the leopard skinturban, speak of the rank of the owner. Worthy ofattention are his black, cuffed leather gloves andblack leather swordbelt, a departure from the norm

38

which was no doubt afforded by his position.(Illustration after Benigni)

The Lancers

EI: Trooper if the elite compaTl)i if the 2nd Lancers inparade dress, 1811-1814.

Here we see the standard uniform of troopers ofChevau-Iegers Lanciers for parade dress. Thedragoon pattern helmet is embellished with ahorsehair crest and back-peak. The red plumeindicates his belonging to an elite company, as dothe epaulettes, in lieu of shoulder-straps, on thehabit. Unlike the similar habit-veste of dragoons,this tunic could not only be fastened by hooks andeyes, but also by crossing either of the lapels acrossthe chest to button up on the oppositeside-thereby obscuring the facing colour, as onE3. The Hungarian breeches are tucked intoHungarian boots piped and adorned with tassels ontheir upper edge. The lace on the breeches wasstandard for the 1st through 4th Regiments, but the5th and 6th opted for Hungarian knots on eitherside of the front flap instead of the reversed 'arrow­head'. Of note is the copper grenade badge on thecrossbelt, a common addition by troops of elitecompanies of both dragoons and lancers.(Illustration after Rousselot)

E2: Marechal-Ferrant in stable dress, 1811-1814.

His profession is indicated by the red horse-shoepatch on the right upper arm of his plain stablejacket. The tools of his trade are convenientlytucked into the folds ofhis hitched-up apron, readyat a moment's notice to enable him to reshoe amount.

Carelessly slung on a branch behind his head ishis fatigue-cap. Of the Pokalem model, this head­dress was common to both lancers and dragoons ofthis period, proving a more practical type than itspredecessor. Its descending ear-flaps were a neatarrangement, buttoned under the jaw when in use,or to the copper buttons on each side ofthe cap withthe ends slipped inside the turban, when not. Thecrossed lances on the front were sometimes replacedby the regimental number.(Illustration based on Leliepvre)

E3: Trooper carabinier ofthe sth Lancers, early 1812.

Originally, musketoons were reserved only forchevau-Iegers carabiniers, to whom a secondcrossbelt was issued to which it might be clipped.The figure is wearing just such a belt over his leftshoulder, the musketoon clip resting against thecartridge-pouch. He carries his waistbelt in hishand and we can see the bayonet frog which wasattached to the middle section of the sabre belt. Wenotice that, unlike the elite trooper next to him, hehas simple shoulder straps instead of epaulettes onhis tunic and that the lapels have been crossed overto reveal but a narrow strip of piping of the facingcolour. The overalls are non-regulation in that theyare grey instead of the prescribed medium green,and have no lace along the outer leg.(Illustration based on Rousselot)

FI: NCO Porte-Etendard rif the 3rd Lancers incampaign dress, 1812.

This Marechal des Logis Chefstandard bearer wasaccorded the honour of carrying the regimentalstandard owing to his being the eldest NCO of theelite company. The rank insignia on his forearmsare gold, while his epaulettes are fringed withmixed gold and ponceau thread. On his left upperarm are two service stripes denoting betweensixteen and twenty years service. His swordknot isworth noting in that the tassel is ofthe same mixtureof threads as his epaulette fringing.

The standard, or Eagle as it was more correctlytermed, was a total height Of2.IO metres; the flagproper was 55 x 55cm and edged with a goldenfringe 2.5cm in width. For parades, a tricolour scarfwas tied in a bow about the Eagle socket.(Illustration after Rigondaud)

F2: Brigadier rif the 3rd Lancers, 18II-1814.

Here we can clearly see the new model overcoatissued to lancers and dragoons as of 1812. It hasfour cloth-covered buttons on the cape and five onthe body with which to fasten the whole. Thecrossbelts would be worn over the top of the coatproper, with the cape to protect them. His rank isdenoted by the chevrons oflace on each forearm ofthe tunic and by the slightly modified shape of the

helmet. His overalls are the official pattern andcolour; that is, concurring with the Decree of 15July 181 I in being of the same middle-green as thetunic, having black leather inserts and bearing abroad stripe oflace in the regimental colour downthe outer leg.(Reconstruction)

F3: Trumpeter rif the elite company rif the 1st Lancers incampaign dress, 1813.

This figure portrays nicely the front of the ImperialLivery worn by trumpeters oflancers and dragoonsafter 1812. We note the button-hole lace about fiveof the nine breast buttons, and the seven chevronsof similar lace down both arms. This fellow has, ofcourse, the red epaulettes distinctive of elite troopson his tunic, where a trumpeter of a centrecompany would have white. Of interest is theaddition of copper buttons on the regimental lacedown the outer seams of his overalls. Also, thetrumpet cord has been plaited, a fairly commonpractice infrequently illustrated by modern artists.Instead of the familiar frame or solid buckles, thistrumpeter's swordbelt is held together by a serpent­S clip more often seen on officers' belts than those ofthe troops.(Illustration after Roux from 'La Giberne')

GI : Trumpeter rif the elite company ofthe 1st Lancers inparade dress, 18IS.

With the brief Restoration of 1814, trumpeterswere issued tunics ofRoyal Livery-dark blue withwhite and crimson lace-to replace the Livery ofNapoleon. With the return of the Emperor in 1815,there was no time to change the dress again and itwas decided simply to substitute white lace, cheapand plentiful, for the Royal white and crimson. Theresult is the uniform ofthis trumpeter; the breeches,boots and headgear remain identical to those wornpre-Restoration but the white-laced, dark bluetunic reveals the hasty preparation of the unit forthe '100 Days' campaign in Belgium.

The trumpet banner, no doubt rolled up andhidden away in the regimental stores during LouisXVIII's purge of all things Imperial, has beenaffixed to the trumpet, a rare sight in post-I812cavalry regiments who could ill-afford this luxury.(Illustration after the Boersch Collection)

39

G2: Trumpeter ofa centre company ofthe jrd Lancers incampaign dress, 1812.

This and the following figure illustrate the dress oftrumpeters prior to the change to the ImperialLivery as worn by Fj. His tunic is the reverse colourof that issued to the troops and the facingsconsequently take on the basic middle-green oflancer uniforms, edged in lace. We can see yelloweagle patches on the turnbacks which, unlike thoseof the preceding figure, are devoid of decorativelace. The lapels have been buttoned to the right,obscuring the laced facings, and we can discern asmall copper button on the crossbelt indicative ofthe presence of the musketoon sling (the buttonheld the cartridge-pouch and musketoon beltstogether).

He has wrapped a waterproof cloth about hishelmet to protect the metal from the elements and itis clear that the large hair crest has been removedand placed in his portemanteau for safekeeping.Tied to the front is a second wrap-round which,when untied, would be lowered to protect thewearer's ears. The cuffs at the bottom ofhis overallsare considerably longer than those illustrated so farand are seemingly intended to give the falseimpression that he is wearing boots, a commonstratagem on overalls later in the century but fairlyrare in this period.(Illustration based on Rousselot)

Gj : Trumpeter ofthe elite company ofthe 5th Lancers incampaign dress, 1812.

He wears a single-breasted, short tunic of the samepattern as adopted by some officers for secondarydress. It is the colour of the regiment's facings but iswithout the expected middle-green collar andturnbacks. This garment was no doubt an updatedsurtout with short skirt, embellished only at thecollar-with lace-and shoulders-with the fam­iliar red epaulettes of elite troops. His swordbeltbuckle is ornamented with an Imperial eagle ratherthan the grenade or capital symbol so frequentlyseen on these solid buckles. His overalls are thoseprescribed by the Decree of 15 July 181 I, withleather inserts and stripe of regimental-colouredlace down the outer seams to which copper buttonswere sewn.(Illustration after Marckolsheim MS)

40

HI: Major of the 6th Lancers zn parade dress,1811-1814.

This figure illustrates the rear of the officers'pattern habit-veste which is, again, no differentfrom that of the rank and file other than the giltbuttons and eagle patches on the turnbacks. Theindividual's rank is indicated by the silver-bodied,heavy gold epaulettes and the four arrow-heads oflace (one of which is silver) on the front of thebreeches. His swordbelt is identical to that ofH2, asare his costly cartridge-pouch and crossbelt. Notethat, in the same manner as dragoon officers, lancerofficers' helmet turbans were of leopard skin.(Illustration after Rousselot)

H2: Sous-Lieutenant of the 5th Lancers in campaigndreSS,I8Ij.

This colourfully-dressed fellow wears the standardofficers' version ofthe lancers' habit-veste, differingfrom that of the troops solely in its finer quality andgilt buttons. His overalls follow the officers'frequent predilection for fabric of the regimentalcolour; they have scarlet lace, edged with goldpiping, and gilt buttops. His equipment is ofinterest: the pouch-belt, identical to that ofHI, hasbeen covered in a crimson wrap to save it from theeveryday wear and tear of active service; hisswordbelt and slings are ofblack leather wired withgold, an expensive foible.(Illustration after the Freyberg MS)

Hj: Sous-Lieutenant of the 2nd Lancers in campaigndress, 1811-1814.

His single-breasted tunic, identical in ornament tothe habit-veste, was a popular garment for officers,replacing the more expensive habit-veste oncampaign. His cartridge-pouch crossbelt is ofblackleather and bears gilt badges of an Imperial crownand a shield; in parade dress a gilt chain would beadded, linking the two. The swordbelt has thefamiliar serpent-S type buckle, in this case aug­mented by decorative plaques featuring the head ofHercules. The overalls are plain except for thesingle stripe of regimental coloured lace down theouter leg.(Illustration after Leliepvre)