Napoleonean army

The Napoleonean armed with the First empire includes/understands units of infantry, Cavalerie, artillery, of genius, services and commands.

Infantry

One distinguishes three types of infantry: the infantry of line, the light infantry and the infantry of the guard.

Infantry of line

The infantry of line is the basic infantry which constitutes large troops. The regiments of infantry of line were numbered from 1 to 156 but there was a score of numbers which were not allotted. The composition of the regiments were variable. She was generally from 2 to 3 battalions but sometimes of 4 even of 5 but this fifth battalion was then a battalion of deposit. The battalions of line included/understood six companies including two companies of elite, one of pomegranates and one of acrobats and four companies of fusiliers. These last were called company of the center because, in battle, the companies of elite were placed on the sides, the pomegranates on the right, the acrobats on the left.

A company of fusiliers (with complete manpower) included/understood:

three officers: a captain, a lieutenant and a second lieutenant
five warrant officers: a quartermaster-sergeant and four sergeants
eighty eleven troops: a corporal-furrier, eight corporals, eighty soldiers, two drums

The companies of elite had, organically, a less manpower and the companies of fusiliers were seldom complete. The acrobats had horns (small hunting horns) instead of drums.

The pomegranate companies of the infantry of line should not be confused with pomegranates of the imperial guard. If the first are the elite of their regiment, the seconds are the elite of the army. In spite of its name, the pomegranate is not any more, as at its origin, a launcher of grenades. It is selected among the soldiers of the companies of the center on the basis of of its bravery, its seniority (minimum four years of service) and its big size. The pomegranates of the infantry of line did not wear the bearskin but a shako higher and more decorated than that with the other companies. They also wore shoulder pads to fringes of red color.

The companies of acrobats of the infantry of line were create only in 1805. In theory, the acrobat is a soldier able to jump in croup of a rider in order to increase his mobility. Napoleon however opposed this practice because it estimated that it was incompatible with the execution of the missions of the cavalry. It wished however which the acrobats are more mobile than the other infantrymen. For that, they were to be equipped with a lighter rifle but it was seldom the case. Just like the company of pomegranates, that of the acrobats was of elite and it pay was also higher. The acrobats were generally of small size. They carried collars of yellow color (chamois) and shoulder pads to green fringes. The acrobats could according to the circumstances act like scouts or protect the left side from the battalion, the right side being defended by pomegranates.

Light infantry

In theory, the light infantry is intended to operate in the difficult grounds (wood, crossed river, mountainous ground) but, in fact, it is used like the infantry of line. It differs from the latter only by name and the uniform. Its armament, its equipment, its drive and its missions are the same ones. The number of light regiments, apparently, never exceeded forty. Each regiment includes/understands 2 to 3 battalions (even 5 during the Hundred Days). Each battalion includes/understands six companies including two of elite: police officers and acrobats. The units of the center are called companies of hunters. They should not be confused with the hunters with foot of the Guard. The organization is similar to the infantry of line. The principal vestimentary difference lies in the drill plate which is dark blue in the light infantry whereas it is white in the infantry of line.

The police officers correspond to pomegranates of the line and also wear red shoulder pads. The high size is not however necessary. Considering their name, the police officers should be armed with a rifle but they generally have a rifle. They are however selected among the most qualified gunners.

The acrobats were used as model with their homonyms of the line since they were created one year before, that is to say in 1804. They wear the green shoulder pads.

Infantry of the guard

The infantry of the guard is, by definition, intended for the protection of the sovereign. In fact, it constitutes a reserve of elite. With its apogee, it included/understood units of the following type: pomegranates, hunters, riflemen, acrobats.

The regiments of pomegranates and the hunters contituaient the infantry of the old guard. Certain authors make however a distinction and use average name keeps for the last regiments.

To belong to pomegranates of the guard, it was necessary to have shown bravery and much of them were decorated with the legion of honor. It was also necessary to have a minimal size of 5 feet and 5 inches (1 m 76) but, considering the lack of large men, one cheated sometimes of a few centimetres. A 12 years minimum service in the imperial army was required to belong to the 1e Régiment so that all these pomegranates carried at least a rafter of seniority; the first being obtained at the end 10 years, second 15 and third 20. The average age was 35 years. The pomegranates wore the bearskin trimmed with a brass triangle on the front one. It was of use to carry the moustache and especially, with each ear, a ring of gold. The companies were strong from 150 to 200 men.

The hunters with foot constituted the other unit of infantry of the old guard, with also, according to the regiments, a name of average keeps by certain authors. The selection criteria were comparable with those of pomegranates, the size except. To the difference of pomegranates, the bearskins of the hunters did not carry a metal part. Most famous of the hunters to foot of the old guard is certainly the Cambronne general, a man who did not chew his words!

The riflemen and the acrobats constituted the young guard; the first were the prolongation of pomegranates and the seconds of the hunters to foot. These units carried the shako.

Cavalry

The light cavalry, the cavalry of line and the heavy cavalry are distinguished. A regiment of cavalry had a manpower from 800 to 1200 men but following the losses of the engagements, manpower could sometimes be reduced 30%. A regiment generally included/understood 3 or 4 squadrons; exceptionally 6 even 8. Each squadron was composed of two ordered companies each one by a captain. The oldest captain exerted, in office plurality, the function of commander of squadron. Each company had a manpower of 3 officers, 4 warrant officers, 4 sergeants, 74 riders and a trumpet. These figures varied slightly according to the type of unit.

Light cavalry

The Napoleonean light cavalry includes/understands Hussards, the Hunters with Horse and the Light horsemen Lancers. The light cavalry of the guard included/understood the Regiment of Horse-light Lanciers of the Guard called red Lanciers and the Regiment of Hunters with Horse of the Guard. Within this last regiment the Squadron of Mamelukes was, extremely of 250 brought back riders of the forwarding of Egypt and which carried a picturesque uniform.

In 1813 three regiments of Eclaireurs of the imperial Guard were created.

The horses of the light cavalry had a size from 149 to 153 cm. The dress of the horses corresponded to the squadron: black for the 1e (squadron of elite), bai for 2nd, chestnut horse for 3rd, gray for 4th)

Cavalry of line

One classifies in this category the lancers and the dragons.

The dragons are normally intended to move with horse and to fight with foot. The Regiment of the Dragons of the Guard was also called Dragons of the Empress and was part, of course, of the Guard. The horses of the dragons had a size ranging between 153 and 155 cm.

Heavy cavalry

The heavy cavalry of the imperial army is consisted the Cuirassiers, the Police officers and Pomegranates with Horse. In these units of elite, the riders were robust men as their mounting whose size was fixed in the regular manner between 155 cm and 160 cm.

14 regiments of cuirassiers are counted. These units are intended to create the rupture in an enemy defensive line beforehand weakened by the shootings of artillery and infantry. The cuirassiers can also charge the enemy cavalry. They assemble horses especially selected for their size and their power. They carry, as their name indicates it an armor. This sheet protection 3 mm thickness weighs 7 kg and protects the chest and the back against the blows from saber. It does not stop the bullets. The cuirassier carries a helmet with a surmounted cimier of a houpette and with, to protect the nape of the neck, long a mane black. The cuirassier is armed with a long right saber, a gun and a mousquet. This last is sometimes left with the back.

The police officers carry, since 1810, also an armor but of color yellow. This decision was made by Napoleon following the many losses, in 1809, which had with the lances of the Austrian ulhans. One counts only two regiments of police officers with horse. Their missions are similar to those of the cuirassiers.

The regiment of heavy cavalry of the guard was the Pomegranate Regiment with Horse of the Guard

Artillery

In Napoleonean artillery, one distinguishes three types of unit: the artillery company to foot, the artillery company with horse and the company of the train. Certain authors use name battery rather than company. The artillery companies to foot or horse ensure the implementation of the parts (the shooting) while the companies of the train are in load of their transport. The artillery companies to foot have a manpower of 120 men (4 officers, 10 warrant officers and 106 troops) and do not have any horse. The artillery companies with horse have a manpower of 100 men (4 officers, 10 warrant officers and 80 troops). Each man has a saddle horse. The companies of the train have a theoretical manpower of 141 men (1 officer, 14 warrant officers, 126 troops). They have 20 saddle horses and 230 horses draft. The purpose of this organization is not to leave the draft horses too much close to the parts at the time of the battle.

The pieces of artillery include/understand guns whose gauge can be 4,6,8 or 12 pounds and howitzers of 5 or 6 inches.

The battery with foot implements 6 guns and 2 howitzers; the horse battery 4 guns and 2 howitzers. The attachment of a gun or an howitzer is of 4 safe draft horses for the gun of 12 pounds which requires 6 of them. The ammunition boxes are drawn by 4 horses. Generally, 3 ammunition boxes are envisaged by part.

See too

Large army (First Empire)

External bonds

Miniature out of metal, soldiers & miniatures of lead, Napoleonean Army

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