User:Coldstreamer20/List of French Imperial Army units and formations
ARegiments
[edit]Abbreviations
[edit]Abbreviations used in the lost below include:
- IF -> Initial Formation (date which the unit was formed, but not necessarily the name it is known as)
- FD -> Formation Date (date which the unit was formed as it would be known, ie: date where the Light Cavalry of the Guard becoming the Mounted Grenadiers) – also used when a unit is adopted into a certain corps or the French Army
- F1 -> First Formation (date which the unit was first formed) [up to whatever number is needed]
- D1 -> First Disbandment (date which the unit was first disbanded) [up to whatever number is needed]
- RF -> Reformation Date (date which the unit was reformed)
- FR -> First Bourbon Restoration note
- SR -> Second Bourbon Restoration note
Imperial Guard
[edit]Note: units will not include the suffix 'of the Imperial Guard" for this list.
The Imperial Guard (La Garde Impériale) rather ironically contained some of the youngest regiments in Napoleon's army. Their history is thus relatively short and simple compared to the ancient regiments of the line, many of which were raised in the 1500 and 1600s. The life span of most of the Guard regiments was also very short, while certain units were attached to the Guard in 1813, for example the Saxon Life Grenadier Guard Regiment (Sasiche Liebgrenadiergarde Regiment) and a battalion of Polish grenadiers, but therese were not part of the guard and in-turn, didn't wear the guard button.
Whilst in 1804 all the existing Guard regiments (those of the Consular Guard) were presented with colours, it seems that in 1813 this was not the case. According to some accounts, only the 1st and 2nd Grenadiers; 1st and 2nd Chasseurs; Mounted Grenadiers; Mounted Chasseurs; Mamelukes; and the 1st and 2nd Lancers were given new colours in the 1812 style. Colours or standards (but no eagles) were presented to the 3rd Foot Grenadiers (ex Royal Dutch Guard), in addition to the Empress's Dragoon Regiment, Mounted Chasseurs, 3rd Lancers, and Elite Gendarmes, which all had standards but no eagles or new regimental colours of the 1812 variant.
Guard Cavalry
[edit]| Guard Cavalry | |||||||||||
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| Unit Information | Image | Precedence (Old, Middle, or Young) | Unit History | Notable Personality(ies) | |||||||
| Corps | Sub-Corps | Name | |||||||||
| Predecessor Unit | Formation Date(s) | Disbandment Date(s) | Successor Unit | Notable Battles | |||||||
| Heavy Cavalry | |||||||||||
| Mounted Grenadiers Regiment | 
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Old Guard | Light Cavalry of the Consular Guard[a] | IF: 2 December 1799[b]
FD: December 1800 RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: 23 July 1814
SR: 23 November 1815 |
Royal Cuirassiers Corps of France |
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| Dragoon Regiment (Empress's) | 
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FD: 15 April 1806
RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 12 December 1815 |
Royal Dragoon Corps of France |
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| Light Cavalry | |||||||||||
| Light Cavalry Regiment | .jpg)
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Old Guard[c] | 2 March 1807 | 7 July 1809 | 1st Light Cavalry-Lancers Regiment (Polish) |
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| Light Cavalry–Lancers Regiment[d] | Old Guard | Elba Squadron (1st Polish Lancers) and Royal Lancers Corps | 8 April 1815 | 20 September 1815 |
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| 1st Light Cavalry–Lancers Regiment (Polish) | 
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Light Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Guard | 7 July 1809 | 12 May 1814[e][f] |
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| 2nd Light Cavalry–Lancers Regiment (Dutch) | 
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Middle Guard | Hussars and Cuirassiers of the Dutch Royal Guard (Kingdom of Holland)[g] | FD: 13 September 1810
RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814[h]
SR: 20 September 1815 |
Royal Corps of Light Cavalry–Lancers of France[i] |
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| 3rd Light Cavalry–Lancers Regiment (Lithuanian) | 
|
5 July (or 12 September) 1812 | 22 March 1813 | absorbed into 1st Light Cavalry–Lancers (Polish) |
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| Mounted Chasseurs[j] | 1st Mounted Chasseurs Regiment[j] | 
|
Old Guard | Mounted Chasseurs of the Consular Guard | IF: 2 December 1799
FD: 1813[j] RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: 28 July 1814
SR: 26 October 1815 |
FR: Royal Mounted Chasseurs Corps of France
SR: Chasseurs Regiment of the Royal Guard |
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| 2nd Mounted Chasseurs Regiment[j][./User:Coldstreamer20/List_of_French_Imperial_Army_units_and_formations#cite_note-Chasseur_split-10 [lower-alpha 10]][lower-alpha 11][lower-alpha 11] | 
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Young Guard | 1813[j] | FR: 28 July 1814
SR: 26 October 1815 |
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| Guards of Honour | Corps Staff | 
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Young Guard | 3 April 1813 | 12 May 1814 | ||||||
| 1st Guards of Honour Regiment | 
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3 April 1813 | 12 May 1814 |
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| 2nd Guards of Honour Regiment | 
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3 April 1813 | 12 May 1814 |
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| 3rd Guards of Honour Regiment | 
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3 April 1813 | 12 May 1814 |
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| 4th Guards of Honour Regiment | 
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3 April 1813 | 12 May 1814 |
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| Scouts | Corps Staff | Young Guard | 29 March 1813 | 12 May 1814 | |||||||
| 1st Regiment of Scouts (Scouts-Grenadiers) | 
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29 March 1813 | 12 May 1814 |
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| 2nd Regiment of Scouts (Scouts-Dragoons) | 
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29 March 1813 | 12 May 1814 |
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| 3rd (Polish) Regiment of Scouts (Scouts-Lancers) | 
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29 March 1813 | 12 May 1814 |
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| Mamelukes | 
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Old Guard | Kléber's Mamelukes – Mamelukes of the Republic | IF: 25 September 1799 (as Kléber's Mamelukes)
FD: 13 October 1801 (as Mameluke Squadron) RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: May 1814[k]
SR: N/A |
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| Auxiliaries | |||||||||||
| Cossacks | Lithuanian Tatars | 
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Unaffiliated | October 1812 | April 1814 |
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| Krakow Light Cavalry Regiment | 
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before August 1813 | April 1814 |
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| Light Cavalry Regiment of the Grand Duchy of Berg (Grand Duchy of Berg) | 
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21 May 1807 | 1813 |
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| Gendarmerie Troops[l] | Elite Gendarmerie Legion[m] | 
|
Old Guard | FD: 19 March 1802
RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: 23 April 1814
SR: after June 1815 |
| |||||
| Ordnance Gendarmes | Company of Old Guard Ordnance Gendarmes | 
|
Old Guard | 6 companies | 23 September 1806 | 23 October 1807 | |||||
| Company Middle Guard Ordnance Gendarmes | Middle Guard | ||||||||||
Guard Infantry
[edit]| Guard Infantry | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Information | Uniform | Precedence (Old, Middle, or Young) | Unit History | Notable Personality(ies) | ||||||||
| Corps | Sub-Corps | Name | ||||||||||
| Battalions | Predecessor Unit/Former Names | Formation Date(s) | Disbandment Date(s) | Successor Unit | Notable Battles | |||||||
| Grenadiers | ||||||||||||
| Foot Grenadiers | 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers | 
|
Old Guard | 1 battalion /
2 battalions (1804, 1815) / 3 battalions (1813) |
Guard of the National Assembly (1789) → Grenadiers of the National Gendarmerie (1792) → Grenadiers of the National Convention (1792) → Grenadiers of the Directorate (1795) → Grenadiers of the Consular Guard (1799) → Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard (1804) | IF: 20 June 1789
FD: 10 May 1804 |
11 September 1815 | Royal Grenadier Corps of France |
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| 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers | Middle Guard | 2 battalions (1809, 1811, 1815) /
3 battalions (1813) |
1F: 15 April 1806
2F: 18 May 1811 RF: 8 April 1815 |
24 September 1815 |
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| 3rd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (Dutch) | 
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2 battalions | Grenadiers of the Dutch Royal Guard (Kingdom of Holland)[g] | 13 September 1810 | 11 May 1811 |
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| 3rd bis Regiment of Foot Grenadiers |
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8 April 1815 | 24 September 1815 |
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| 4th Regiment of Foot Grenadiers | 9 May 1815 | |||||||||||
| Veterans | Old Guard | 1 company /
2 company (from 1807) |
1 July 1814 | 1 July 1814 | ||||||||
| Grenadiers | ||||||||||||
| Fusiliers | Fusiliers–Grenadiers Regiment | 
|
Middle Guard | 2 battalions /
3 battalions (1813) |
Vèlites–Grenadiers Regiment (1806) → 2nd Fusiliers Regiment (1806) → Fusiliers–Grenadiers (1809) | 19 September 1806 | 12 May 1814 |
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| Fusiliers–Chasseurs Regiment | Fusiliers Regiment (1806) → 1st Fusiliers Regiment (1806) → Fusiliers–Chasseurs Regiment (1809) | 15 December 1806 |
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| Vélites | Florence Battalion of Vélites | 1 battalion | 24 March 1809 |
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| Turin Battalion of Vélites | ||||||||||||
| National Guard Regiment | Young Guard | 2 battalions | 1 January 1810 | 15 February 1813 | 7th Voltigeur Regiment |
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| Regiment of Pupils[1] | 
|
3 battalions /
9 battalions (1812) / 4 battalions (1813) / 2 battalions (1814) |
Dutch Legion of Vélites (1809) | IF: 1809
FD: 1 September 1810 |
12 May 1814[n] |
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| Light Infantry[o] | ||||||||||||
| Chasseurs | 1st Regiment of Foot Chasseurs | 
|
Old Guard | 1 battalion /
2 battalions (1804, 1814, 1815) / 3 battalions (1813) |
Light Infantry Company of the Consular Guard (1799)[2] → Foot Chasseurs of the Consular Guard (1800) → Foot Chasseurs Regiment of the Imperial Guard (1804) → ranked 1st from 1806–1809 and again from 1811–1815 | IF: 2 December 1799
FD: 1804 RF: 8 April 1815 |
11 October 1815 | Royal Foot Chasseur Corps of France |
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| 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs |
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Middle Guard | 2 battalions (1806, 1811, 1815) /
3 battalions (1813) |
1F: 15 April 1806
2F: 18 April 1811 RF: 8 April 1815 |
1D: 1809
FD: 11 October 1815 |
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| 3rd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs |
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2 battalions | 6 April 1815 | 1 October 1815 |
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| 4th Regiment of Foot Chasseurs |
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9 May 1815 |
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| Tirailleurs | Tirailleurs–Grenadiers | 1st Regiment of Tirailleurs–Grenadiers | Young Guard | 2 battalions | 16 January 1809 | 30 December 1810 | 1st Regiment of Tirailleurs |
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| 2nd Regiment of Tirailleurs–Grenadiers | 25 April 1809 | 2nd Regiment of Tirailleurs |
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| Tirailleurs–Chasseurs | 1st Regiment of Tirailleurs–Chasseurs | Young Guard | 2 battalions | 16 January 1809 | 1st Regiment of Voltiguers |
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| 2nd Regiment of Tirailleurs–Chasseurs | 25 April 1809 | 2nd Regiment of Voltigeurs | ||||||||||
| Tirailleurs (regiments) | 1st Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
1st Regiment of Tirailleurs–Grenadiers | FD: 30 December 1810
RF: 28 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1815
SR: after June 1815 |
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| 2nd Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | 2nd Regiment of Tirailleurs–Grenadiers | FD: 30 December 1810
RF: 28 March 1815 |
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| 3rd Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | 1st Regiment of Conscript-Grenadiers | FD: 10 February 1811
RF: 29 March 1815 |
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| 3rd bis Regiment of Tirailleurs | elements from Regiment of Pupilles | 17 January 1813 | March 1813 | |||||||||
| 4th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
2nd Regiment of Conscript-Grenadiers | FD: 10 February 1811
RF: 28 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: after June 1815 |
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| 4th bis Regiment of Tirailleurs | elements from Regiment of Pupilles | 17 January 1813 | March 1813 | |||||||||
| 5th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | 18 May 1811 | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: after June 1815 |
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| 5th bis Regiment of Tirailleurs | elements from Regiment of Pupilles | 17 January 1813 | March 1813 | |||||||||
| 6th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
FD: 28 August 1811
RF: 28 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: after June 1815 |
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| 6th bis Regiment of Tirailleurs | elements from Regiment of Pupilles | 17 January 1813 | March 1813 | |||||||||
| 7th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | 17 January 1813 | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: after June 1815 |
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| 8th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | 23 March 1813 |
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| 9th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
6 April 1813 | FR: 12 May 1814 |
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| 10th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png |
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| 11th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png |
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| 12th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | |||||||||||
| 13th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
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| 14th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | Raised from the old Grenadiers of the Spanish Guard (Kingdom of Spain) | 11 January 1814 |
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| 15th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | |||||||||||
| 16th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | |||||||||||
| 17th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) | |||||||||
| 18th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | 21 January 1814 | ||||||||||
| 19th Regiment of Tirailleurs | File:1er Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Imperiale.png | |||||||||||
| Voltigeurs | Voltigeurs (regiments) | 1st Regiment of Voltigeurs | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
1st Tirailleurs–Chasseurs Regiment | FD: 30 December 1810
RF: 28 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 July 1815 |
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| 2nd Regiment of Voltigeurs | 2nd Tirailleurs–Chasseurs Regiment |
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| 3rd Regiment of Voltigeurs | 1st Conscript Chasseurs Regiment | FD: 10 February 1811
RF: 28 March 1815 |
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| 3rd bis Regiment of Voltigeurs | elements from Regiment of Pupilles | 17 January 1813 | March 1813 | |||||||||
| 4th Regiment of Voltigeurs | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
2nd Conscript Chasseurs Regiment | FD: 10 February 1811
RF: 28 March 1815 |
RF: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 July 1815 |
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| 4th bis Regiment of Voltigeurs | elements from Regiment of Pupilles | 17 January 1813 | March 1813 | |||||||||
| 5th Regiment of Voltigeurs | FD: 18 May 1811
RF: 28 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 July 1815 |
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| 5th bis Regiment of Voltigeurs | elements from Regiment of Pupilles | 17 January 1813 | March 1813 | |||||||||
| 6th Regiment of Voltigeurs | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
FD: 28 August 1811
RF: 28 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 July 1815 |
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| 6th bis Regiment of Voltigeurs | elements from Regiment of Pupilles | 17 January 1813 | March 1813 | |||||||||
| 7th Regiment of Voltigeurs | National Guard of the Imperial Guard | FD: 15 February 1813
RF: 12 May 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 July 1815 |
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| 8th Regiment of Voltigeurs | FD: 23 March 1813
RF: 12 May 1814 |
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| 9th Regiment of Voltigeurs | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
6 April 1813 | 12 May 1814 |
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| 10th Regiment of Voltigeurs | ||||||||||||
| 11th Regiment of Voltigeurs | ||||||||||||
| 12th Regiment of Voltigeurs | ||||||||||||
| 13th Regiment of Voltigeurs | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
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| 14th Regiment of Voltigeurs | 11 January 1814 | 12 May 1814 | ||||||||||
| 15th Regiment of Voltigeurs |
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| 16th Regiment of Voltigeurs | ||||||||||||
| 17th Regiment of Voltigeurs | Young Guard | 2 battalions / 3 battalions (1813) /
2 battalions (1815) |
21 January 1814 | 12 May 1814 | ||||||||
| 18th Regiment of Voltigeurs | ||||||||||||
| 19th Regiment of Voltigeurs | ||||||||||||
| Flankers | Regiment of Flankers-Grenadiers | Young Guard | 2 battalions | 4 September 1811 | 12 May 1814 |
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| Regiment of Flankers-Chasseurs |
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Guard Artillery
[edit]| Guard Artillery Corps | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Information | Image | Precedence (Old, Middle, or Young) | Unit History | Notable Personality(ies) | ||||||||
| Corps | Sub-Corps | Name | Uniform | |||||||||
| Size | Predecessor Unit/Former Names | Formation Date(s) | Disbandment Date(s) | Successor Unit | Notable Battles | |||||||
| Guard Artillery Corps Headquarters | Guard Artillery Headquarters | Old Guard | Headquarters of the Artillery of the Consular Guard (1799) | (Commanders-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard Artillery):[3]
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| Artillery of the Old Guard | ||||||||||||
| Horse Artillery | Horse Artillery Regiment of the Old Guard | Old Guard | 3 squadrons (6 companies) /
4 companies (from 1808) |
Light Artillery of the Consular Guard (1799) → Light Artillery of the Imperial Guard (1804) | IF: 2 December 1799
FD: 15 April 1806 RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 7 November 1815 |
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| Horse Artillery of the Young Guard[p] | Young Guard | 1 company (attached to Horse Artillery Regiment of the Old Guard) | late 1813 | 12 May 1814 | ||||||||
| Foot Artillery | Foot Artillery Regiment of the Old Guard | Old Guard | 4 companies /
8 companies (1810) / 9 companies (1812) / 6 companies (1815) |
FD: 7 April 1808
RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 29 October 1815 |
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| Foot Artillery Regiment of the Young Guard[p] | Young Guard | 3 companies /
16 companies (1813) |
June 1809 | 12 May 1814 |
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| Artillery Support | ||||||||||||
| Guard Artillery Park | Artillery Train | Guard Artillery Park | FD: 1807
RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: after June 1815 |
| |||||||
| 1st Artillery Train Regiment | Old Guard | 1 battalion /
2 battalions (1808 [1st and 1st bis][q]) / 3 battalions (1813) |
Artillery Train Company of the Consular Guard (1800) → Artillery Train of the Imperial Guard (1804) → Artillery Train Battalion of the Imperial Guard (1806) → 1st Artillery Train Battalion of the Imperial Guard (1808) → 1st Artillery Train Regiment of the Imperial Guard (Old Guard) (1813) | IF: 8 September 1800
FD: 10 May 1804 |
12 May 1814 |
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| Artillery Train Squadron[r] | 10 companies | 8 April 1815 | 1 December 1815 |
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| 2nd Artillery Train Regiment[s] | Young Guard | 2 battalions /
3 battalions (1813) |
2nd Battalion, Guard Artillery Train | 1808 | 12 May 1814 |
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| Military Equipment Train Battalion | Old Guard | 6 companies | 5th (Transport) Company, Guard Artificer Battalion | FD: 24 August 1811
RF: 8 April 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: after June 1815 |
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| Materiel Park | FD: 1813
RF: 8 April 1815 |
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| Company of Artificers and Pontoniers | Artificiers | Old Guard | 1809
RF: 8 April 1815 |
12 May 1814 | ||||||||
| Pontonniers | ||||||||||||
| Artillery Veterans | Young Guard | 1 company | January 1812 | 12 May 1814 |
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Guard Support
[edit]| Guard Support Troops | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Information | Image | Precedence (Old, Middle, or Young) | Unit History | Notable Personality(ies) | ||||||||
| Corps | Sub-Corps | Name | Uniform | |||||||||
| Size | Predecessor Unit/Former Names | Formation Date(s) | Disbandment Date(s) | Successor Unit | Notable Battles | |||||||
| Guard Corps of Engineers[t][4] | ||||||||||||
| Battalion of Sappers | Sappers Staff | 
|
Old Guard | 1 company / 2 companies (1813) / 4 companies (1814) | Paris Fire Brigade | FD: 1810 (since 1804 as Engineers)
RF: 15 April 1815 |
FR: 14 May 1814
SR: returned to civilian service |
Paris Fire Brigade |
| |||
| Sappers of the Old Guard | 2 companies | |||||||||||
| Sappers of the Young Guard | Young Guard | 1 company /
2 companies (1814) |
FD: 1813 / 1814
RF: 15 April 1815 | |||||||||
| Miners | Old Guard | FD: 1810
RF: 15 April 1815 | ||||||||||
| Drivers of Engineers[u] | ||||||||||||
| Support Arm | ||||||||||||
| Imperial Guard Staff | Administration Staff | Administration Workers | Old Guard | 15 April 1806 | unknown | |||||||
| Imperial Navy | Imperial Naval Corps | Sailors Battalion[5] | 
|
Old Guard | Sailors Battalion of the Consular Guard | IF: 3 June 1803
FD: 29 July 1804 RF: 19 May 1815 |
FR: 23 April 1814
SR: 4 September 1815 |
|
| |||
| Commissariat & Supply Department | Battalion of Artificers | Old Guard | 5 companies / 4 companies (1812) | Services of the Imperial Guard | 1806 | 5th Company made independent as the Guard Equipment Train | ||||||
| Medical Service | Medical Train | 
|
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Cavalry
[edit]Heavy Cavalry
[edit]Carabiniers & Cuirassiers
Among the cavalry regiments that Napoleon took over when he became First Consul of France in late 1799 were 25 of heavy cavalry (cavalerie de battaille), literally "Cavalry of Battle" and two of carabiniers (carabiniers à cheval) literally "Carabiniers on Horse". Originally big men on tall, powerful horses, the heavy cavalry had declined greatly in efficiency during the Revolutionary Wars: France could not provide them with suitable remounts and – compared to the showier hussars and chassuers – they had trouble attracting recruits.
Napoleon solved this problem by dissolving the 7 highest numbered regiments and reassigning their men and horses to the remaining 18. The strongest horses and men of all 25 regiments went into the first 12, which he converted to cuirassiers. The remaining 6 regiments became dragoons. The 2 carabinier regiments were retained and built up with men from the elite companies of the disbanded regiments.
As originally uniformed, the first 6 cuirassier regiments had scarlet facings, the other 6 bright yellow. The 13th and 14th Regiments (added between 1808 and 1810) were assigned lees of wine. During 1810–12 the colours of the original 12 were changed to: 1st–3rd scarlet; 4th–6th golden orange; 7th–9th yellow; and the 10th–12th rose pink. The 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th normally had blue collars.
Because all cuirassiers and carabiniers were considered elite troops, their regiments had no elite companies. Their uniforms, therefore included the usual indications of elite status: scarlet plumes and epaulettes, and the flaming-grenade insignia on their coattails, saddle clothes, and belt buckles.
Dragoons
Dragoons appeared during the 17th Century's wars as a sort of mounted infantry that could be used for all types of odd jobs, including outpost and pioneer work. Their horses being small, cheap nags, they frequently were ridden over when enemy cavalry caught them mounted. Consequently, dragoon officer in all European armies sought to improve their men's swordsmanship and get them better horses. Thus the 20 dragoon regiments in the French Army in 1800 had evolved into another type of cavalryman, with practically no aptitude for dismounted service.
Napoleon gradually increased the number of his dragoon regiments to 30: in 1800 a Piedmontese dragoon regiment was taken in French service as the 21st; during 1803–04, the 22nd–27th (heavy) Cavalry Regiments and three Hussar Regiments were also converted to dragoons. At various times Napoleon formed provisional dragoon regiments, but these were always absorbed into the regular regiments once the need for them had passed. In 1811, with war in Russia apparently inevitable, Napoleon ordered to conversion of the 1st, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 29th Dragoons into regiments of 'Chevauléger Lanciers' or Light Horse Lancers.
In part because he could not find horses for all his dragoons, Napoleon had them trained during 1802–05 in dismounted action. Success was limited; when all these "foot dragoons" (two full regiments of which were formed) were mounted on horses captured by the Austrians and Prussians during 1805–06, they proved rather indifferent cavalrymen. Beginning in 1808 Napoleon, therefore, sent 24 regiments of them into Spain where they learned their trade thoroughly; in 1813–14, these "Dragoons of Spain" were the most effective cavalry with Napoleon's armies.
| Heavy Cavalry | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Information | Image | Unit History | Notable Personality(ies) | ||||||
| Name | Uniform | ||||||||
| Predecessor Unit/Former Names (from 1789) | Formation Date | Conversion Date | Disbandment Date(s) | Successor Unit | Notable Battles (bold for those on the reg. colours) | ||||
| Carabiniers | |||||||||
| 1st Regiment of Mounted Carabiniers | Pre-1810:
|
Carabiniers de Monsieur → 1st Regiment of Mounted Carabiniers (1791) → 1st Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers (1796) → 1st Regiment of Mounted Carabiniers (1803) | FD: 1 November 1693
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 14 May 1814
SR: 30 August 1815 |
FR/SR: Carabiniers de Monsieur (2 x regiments) |
|
| ||
| 2nd Regiment of Mounted Carabiniers | Pre-1810:
|
2nd Carabiniers de Monsieur → 2nd Regiment of Mounted Carabiniers (1791) → 2nd Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers (1796) → 2nd Regiment of Mounted Carabiniers (1803) | FD: 17 March 1776 (division of Carabiniers)
RF: 1 March 1815 |
|
|||||
| Cuirassiers | |||||||||
| 1st Cuirassier Regiment | 
|
Colonel–General's Regiment of Cavalry → 1st Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 1st Cavalry-Cuirassiers Regiment (1801) → 1st Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 24 April 1657
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: King's Cuirassier Regiment |
|
| |
| 2nd Cuirassier Regiment | 
|
Royal Cavalry Regiment → 2nd Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 2nd Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 2nd Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 1635
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: Queen's[v] Cuirassier Regiment |
|
| |
| 3rd Cuirassier Regiment | Commissaire General's Regiment of Cavalry → 3rd Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 3rd Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 3rd Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 25 May 1654
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: Dauphin's[w] Cuirassier Regiment
SR: Duke d'Angoulême's Cuirassier Regiment, later renamed as Duke of Bordeaux's Cuirassier Regiment Nr. 3 (from 1820) |
|
| ||
| 4th Cuirassier Regiment | .jpg)
|
Queen's Regiment of Cavalry → 4th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 4th Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 4th Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 4 July 1643
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: Duke d'Angoulême's Cuirassier Regiment
SR: Duke of Berry's Cuirassier Regiment Nr. 4 |
|
| |
| 5th Cuirassier Regiment | Royal Polish Cuirassier Regiment → 5th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 5th Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 5th Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 30 May 1653
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: Duke of Berry's Cuirassier Regiment
SR: Duke of Orléans' Cuirassier Regiment Nr. 5 |
|
| ||
| 6th Cuirassier Regiment | King's Regiment of Cavalry → 6th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 6th Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 6th Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 27 May 1635
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: Colonel-General's Cuirassier Regiment
SR: Prince of Condé's Cuirassier Regiment Nr. 6 |
|
| ||
| 7th Cuirassier Regiment | 
|
Royal Foreign Cavalry Regiment → 7th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 7th Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 7th Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 3 February 1657
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: 7th Cuirassier Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 8th Cuirassier Regiment | King's Regiment of Cuirassiers → 8th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 8th Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 8th Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 24 January 1638
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: 8th Cuirassier Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 9th Cuirassier Regiment | 
|
Artois Cavalry Regiment → 9th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 9th Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 9th Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 7 December 1665
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: 9th Cuirassier Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 10th Cuirassier Regiment | 
|
Royal Croatian Cavalry Regiment → 10th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 10th Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 10th Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 16 August 1643
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: 10th Cuirassier Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 11th Cuirassier Regiment | 
|
Royal Roussillon Cavalry Regiment → 11th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 11th Cavalry–Cuirassier Regiment (1802) → 11th Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 13 October 1652
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: 11th Cuirassier Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 12th Cuirassier Regiment |
|
Dauphin's Regiment of Cavalry → 12th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 12th Cavalry–Cuirassiers Regiment (1802) → 12th Cuirassier Regiment (1803) | FD: 24 March 1668
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1803 (to Cuirassiers) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 24 December 1815 |
FR: 12th Cuirassier Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 13th Cuirassier Regiment | 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Provisional Regiments of Heavy Cavalry | 1807 | 1808 (to cuirassiers)[x] | July 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 14th Cuirassier Regiment | 1st Dutch Heavy Cavalry Regiment (1795) → 1st Dutch Light Dragoon Regiment (1803) → 2nd Dutch Dragoon Regiment (1805) → 2nd Dutch Cavalry Regiment (1806) → 2nd Dutch Cuirassier Regiment (1807) (all former units of the Batavian Republic, later Kingdom of Holland) | 1 January 1795 | 15 November 1807 (to cuirassiers in French service) | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
|||
| 19th Cavalry Regiment | Royal Champagne Cavalry Regiment → 19th Cavalry Regiment (1791) | 1 October 1682 | 1803 | disbanded and personnel distributed to 1st Carabiniers and 9th, 10th, and 11th Cuirassiers | |||||
| 20th Cavalry Regiment | Royal Picardie Cavalry Regiment → 20th Cavalry Regiment (1791) | 16 September 1652 | 1803 | disbanded and personnel distributed to other regiments | |||||
| 21st Cavalry Regiment | Royal Navarre Cavalry Regiment → 21st Cavalry Regiment (1791) | 6 January 1647 | 1803 | disbanded and personnel distributed to 2nd Carabiniers and 24th, 25th, and 26th Dragoons | |||||
| 22nd Cavalry Regiment | Royal Guyenne Cavalry Regiment → 23rd Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 22nd Cavalry Regiment (1792) | 29 January 1779 | 1803 | disbanded and personnel distributed to 8th, 9th, 11th, 24th, and 27th Dragoons | |||||
| 23rd Cavalry Regiment | Master of Camp's Regiment of Cavalry → 24th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 23rd Cavalry Regiment (1792) | 1635 | 1803 | disbanded and personnel distributed to other regiments | |||||
| Dragoons | |||||||||
| 1st Dragoon Regiment | 
|
Royal Dragoon Regiment → 1st Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 14 June 1656
RF: 1 March 1815 |
18 June 1811 | converted to 1st Light Horse–Lancers Regiment |
|
| ||
| 2nd Dragoon Regiment | Condé Dragoon Regiment → 2nd Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 16 May 1635
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1776 (to Dragoons, from heavy cavalry) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 4 December 1815 |
FR: 1st King's Dragoon Regiment
SR: 2nd Doubs Dragoon Regiment |
|
| ||
| 3rd Dragoon Regiment | 
|
Bourbon Dragoon Regiment → 3rd Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 17 January 1649
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1776 (to Dragoons, from heavy cavalry) | 18 June 1811 | converted to 2nd Light Horse–Lancers Regiment |
|
| |
| 4th Dragoon Regiment | 
|
Conti Dragoon Regiment → 4th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 8 July 1667
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1776 (to Dragoons, from heavy cavalry) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 4 December 1815 |
FR: 2nd Queen's[v] Dragoon Regiment
SR: 4th Gironde Dragoon Regiment |
|
| |
| 5th Dragoon Regiment | .jpg)
|
Colonel General's Regiment of Dragoons → 5th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 2 April 1668
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 4 December 1815 |
FR: 3rd Dauphin's[w] Dragoon Regiment
SR: 3rd Garonne Dragoon Regiment |
|
| ||
| 6th Dragoon Regiment |
|
Queen's Regiment of Dragoons → 6th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 14 September 1673
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 4 May 1814
SR: September 1815 |
FR: 4th Monsieur's Dragoon Regiment
SR: absorbed into 3rd Garonne Dragoon Regiment |
|
| ||
| 7th Dragoon Regiment | 
|
Dauphin's Regiment of Dragoons → 7th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 14 September 1673
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: September 1815 |
FR: 5th Duke of Angoulême's Dragoon Regiment
SR: absorbed into 7th Manche Dragoon Regiment |
|
| ||
| 8th Dragoon Regiment | 
|
Penthièvre Dragoon Regiment → 8th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 1 March 1674
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1776 (to Dragoons, from heavy cavalry) | 18 June 1811 | converted to 3rd Light Horse–Lancers Regiment |
|
| |
| 9th Dragoon Regiment |
|
Lorraine Dragoon Regiment → 9th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 14 September 1673
RF: 1 March 1815 |
18 June 1811 | converted to 4th Light Horse–Lancers Regiment |
|
| ||
| 10th Dragoon Regiment |
|
Mestre-de-Camp's Regiment of Dragoons → 10th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 25 March 1674
RF: 1 March 1815 |
18 June 1811 | converted to 5th Light Horse–Lancers Regiment |
|
| ||
| 11th Dragoon Regiment |
|
Angoulême Dragoon Regiment → 11th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 8 December 1674
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: September 1815 |
FR: 6th Duke of Berry's Dragoon Regiment
SR: Loire Dragoon Regiment Nr. 6 |
|
| ||
| 12th Dragoon Regiment | 
|
Artois Dragoon Regiment → 12th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 5 February 1675
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: September 1815 |
FR: 7th Duke of Orléans' Dragoon Regiment
SR: absorbed into Dragoons of the Seine Nr. 10 |
|
| ||
| 13th Dragoon Regiment | Monsieur's Dragoon Regiment → 13th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 4 October 1676
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: September 1815 |
FR: 8th Dragoon Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |||
| 14th Dragoon Regiment |
|
Chartres Dragoon Regiment → 14th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 3 March 1672
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1776 (to Dragoons, from heavy cavalry) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: September 1815 |
FR: 9th Dragoon Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 15th Dragoon Regiment | .jpg)
|
Noailles Dragoon Regiment → 15th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 20 December 1688
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1776 (to Dragoons, from heavy cavalry) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 November 1815 |
FR: 10th Dragoon Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 16th Dragoon Regiment | 
|
Orléans Dragoon Regiment → 16th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 1 April 1718
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 November 1815 |
FR: 11th Dragoon Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 17th Dragoon Regiment | 
|
Schomberg Dragoon Regiment → 17th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 20 March 1743
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1762 (to Dragoons, previously volunteer mixed legion) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 30 August 1815 |
FR: 12th Dragoon Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 18th Dragoon Regiment | King's Regiment of Dragoons →18th Dragoon Regiment (1791) | FD: 1 March 1744
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 30 August 1815 |
FR: 13th Dragoon Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |||
| 19th Dragoon Regiment | 
|
19th Dragoon Regiment (1793) | FD: 24 February 1793
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1793 (to Dragoons, previously volunteer mixed legion) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 30 August 1815 |
FR: 14th Dragoon Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 20th Dragoon Regiment | 20th Dragoon Regiment (1793) | FD: 5 July 1793
RF: 1 March 1815 |
FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 30 August 1815 |
FR: 15th Dragoon Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| |||
| 21st Dragoon Regiment | 
|
1st Piedmontese Dragoon Regiment → 21st Dragoon Regiment (1801) | 21 August 1801[y] | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 22nd Dragoon Regiment |
|
Orléans Cavalry Regiment → 13th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 22nd Dragoon Regiment (1803) | 16 May 1635 | 1803 (to dragoons, previously line cavalry) | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 23rd Dragoon Regiment | Royal Piedmont Cavalry Regiment → 14th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 23rd Dragoon Regiment (1803) | 8 April 1671 | 1803 (to dragoons, previously line cavalry) | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 24th Dragoon Regiment |
|
Royal Lorraine Dragoon Regiment → 16th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 15th Cavalry Regiment (1792) → 24th Dragoon Regiment (1803) | 9 August 1671 | 1803 (to dragoons, previously line cavalry) | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 25th Dragoon Regiment | Royal Bourgogne Dragoon Regiment → 17th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 16th Cavalry Regiment (1792) → 25th Dragoon Regiment (1803) | 7 December 1665 | 1803 (to dragoons, previously line cavalry) | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 26th Dragoon Regiment | 
|
Berry Dragoon Regiment → 18th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 17th Cavalry Regiment (1792) → 26th Dragoon Regiment (1803) | 8 August 1671 | 1803 (to dragoons, previously line cavalry) | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 27th Dragoon Regiment |
|
Royal Normandy Cavalry Regiment → 19th Cavalry Regiment (1791) → 18th Cavalry Regiment (1792) → 27th Dragoon Regiment (1803) | 1 March 1674 | 1803 (to dragoons, previously line cavalry) | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 28th Dragoon Regiment |
|
1st Squadron, Liberty Hussars → 7th bis Hussar Regiment (1794) → 28th Dragoon Regiment (1803) | 1802 | 1803 (to dragoons, previously hussars) | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 29th Dragoon Regiment |
|
Light Cuirassiers, German Legion → 11th Hussar Regiment (1793) → 29th Dragoon Regiment (1803) | 1792 | 1803 (to dragoons, previously hussars) | 18 June 1811 | converted to 5th Light Horse–Lancers Regiment |
|
| |
| 30th Dragoon Regiment | Hussars of the Mountain → 12th Hussar Regiment (1794) → 30th Dragoon Regiment (1803) | 1793 | 1803 (to dragoons, previously hussars) | 12 May 1814 | FR: disbanded |
|
|||
Light Cavalry
[edit]Lancers
With one or two minor exceptions such as Marshal Maurice, Comte de Saxe's uhlan regiment of assorted foreigners, France had no lancers until the last years of the eighteen century. These again were foreigners–Polish volunteers, famous throughout Europe for their horsemanship and their skill with the long weapon.
Faced with inevitable war with Russia and its swarms of regular and irregular lancers, in 1811 Napoleon hastily converted one chasseurs à cheval regiment and six dragoon regiments to lancers and added another Polish regiment. Organised in haste, the new "French Lancers", becoming designated as light horse–lancers (chevauléger lanciers) were only partially ready when the Invasion of Russia began in June 1812. But Napoleon had picked their colonels carefully, and the six regiments served creditably enough, though full of raw recruits and remounts and new officers.
Chasseurs à Cheval
The Chasseurs à Cheval, (literally translated as "Chasseurs on Horse", but actually simply light cavalry armed with carbines), were the backbone of the French light cavalry corps. Together with the more ornate hussars, they were used for scouting, raiding, or knee-to-knee massed charges. In 1804, Napoleon had 24 regiments of chasseurs à cheval, numbered "1st" to "26th", the 17th and 18th being vacant however. Thereafter, he formed 5 more, though one of these (the 30th) was quickly converted to lancers.
Except for being green, the original chasseurs à cheval uniforms were much like those of the hussars. Between 1801–06, most regiments were put into the cheaper tailcoat (habit), though some clung to hussar-style dress or retained the caraco. The tailcoat came in two styles: a long-tailed one for full dress, and a short-tailed model (sometimes termed kinski) generally worn on campaign. Both were cut high in front, making the waistcoat necessary except in the warmest weather. The habit-veste, made regulation in 1812 but probably not general adopted until 1813, was short-tailed like the kinski, but cut much lower in the front so that the soldier's stomach was covered.
In actual fact, except for particular directives such as the assignment of facing colours, the chasseurs à cheval had no overall uniform regulations until 1812, leaving their colonels great freedom in clothing their regiments. Uniforms issued in 1813 were quite regulation, being manufactured under central direction, but some regiments still modified them to meet their own preferences. Chasseurs à Cheval regiments were assigned distinctive facing colours in series of threes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd had bad scarlet; thereafter became bright yellow, rose, crimson, orange, sky blue, aurore, capucine, garance, amaranth, and chamois. Originally the 1st regiment of each series had both collars and cuffs of its distinctive colour: the 2nd, cuffs only; the 3rd, collar only. In 1812, the 3rd regiments were also given cuffs of their colour, but this soon resulted in confusion and many of them resumed their green cuffs. Chasseurs à Cheval officers used the same insignia of grade as the dragoons and infantry, except that many of them wore only their fringed epaulettes, discarding their contre-epaulettes.
| Light Cavalry | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Information | Image | Unit History | Notable Personality(ies) | ||||||
| Name | Uniform | ||||||||
| Predecessor Unit/Former Names (from 1789) | Formation Date | Conversion Date | Disbandment Date(s) | Successor Unit | Notable Battles (bold for those on the reg. colours) | ||||
| Light Horse Lancers | |||||||||
| 1st Regiment of Light Horse Lancers | 1st Dragoon Regiment → 1st Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811) | FD: 18 July 1811
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1811 (to lancers, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 25 December 1815 |
FR: 1st King's Lancer Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers | 3rd Dragoon Regiment → 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811) | FD: 18 July 1811
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1811 (to lancers, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 July 1815 |
FR: 2nd Queen's[v] Lancer Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 3rd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers | 8th Dragoon Regiment → 3rd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811) | FD: 18 July 1811
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1811 (to lancers, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 14 February 1816 |
FR: Dauphin's[w] Lancer Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 4th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers | 
|
9th Dragoon Regiment → 4th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811) | FD: 18 July 1811
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1811 (to lancers, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 July 1815 |
FR: Monsieur's Légion
SR: disbanded |
|
| |
| 5th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers | 10th Dragoon Regiment → 5th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811) | FD: 18 July 1811
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1811 (to lancers, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 21 November 1815 |
FR: Duke of Angouême's Légion
SR: disbanded |
|
|||
| 6th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers | 29th Dragoon Regiment → 6th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811) | FD: 18 July 1811
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1811 (to lancers, previously dragoons) | FD: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 July 1815 |
FD: Duke of Berry's Lancer Regiment
SR: disbanded |
|
| ||
| 7th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (Polish) | 1st Lancer Regiment, Legion of the Vistula → 7th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811) | 18 July 1811 | 12 May 1814 |
|
| ||||
| 8th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (Polish) | 2nd Lancer Regiment, Legion of the Vistula → 8th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811) | 18 July 1811 | 19 January 1814 | Incorporated into 7th Lancers (Polish) | Battle of Polotsk (1812)
Battle of the Berezina (1812) Battle of Lützen (1813) Battle of Bautzen (1813) Battle of Dresden (1813) Battle of Leipzig (1813) Battle of Champaubert (1814) |
| |||
| 9th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers | Chasseurs à Cheval, Hanoverian Legion → 31st Chasseurs à Cheval (1811) → 9th Regiment of Light Horse Lancers (1811) | 9 August 1811 | 1811 (to lancers, previously chasseurs à cheval) | 12 May 1814 |
|
| |||
| Chasseurs à Cheval (Light Horse) | |||||||||
| 1st Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment | Boufflers Dragoon Regiment → Alsace Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 1st Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | FD: 24 September 1651
RF: 1 March1815 |
1788 (to mounted chasseurs, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 14 June 1816 |
FR: 1st King's Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
|
| ||
| 2nd Chasseurs à Cheval | 
|
Montmorency Dragoon Regiment → Évêchés Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 2nd Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | FD: 14 September 1673
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1788 (to mounted chasseurs, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 13 November 1815 |
FR: 2nd Queen's[v][./User:Coldstreamer20/List_of_French_Imperial_Army_units_and_formations#cite_note-Queen-27 [lower-alpha 22]] Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
|
| |
| 3rd Chasseurs à Cheval | 
|
Deux-Ponts Dragoon Regiment → Flanders Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 3rd Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | FD: 1 January 1675
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1788 (to mounted chasseurs, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 16 July 1815 |
FR: 3rd Dauphin's[w] Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
|
| |
| 4th Chasseurs à Cheval |
|
Durfort Dragoon Regiment → Franche-Comté Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 4th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | FDD: 11 December 1675
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1788 (to mounted chasseurs, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 25 December 1815 |
FR: 4th Monsieur's Dragoon Regiment |
|
| |
| 5th Chasseurs à Cheval | Segur Dragoon Regiment → Hainaut Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 5th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | FD: 13 March 1676
RF: 1 March 1815 |
1788 (to mounted chasseurs, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 25 December 1815 |
FR: 5th Duke of Angoulême's Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
|
|||
| 6th Chasseurs à Cheval | Languedoc Dragoon Regiment → Languedoc Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 6th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | FD: 4 October 1676
|
1788 (to mounted chasseurs, previously dragoons) | FR: 12 May 1814
SR: 25 December 1815 |
FR: 6th Duke of Berry's Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
|
| ||
| 7th Chasseurs à Cheval | 
|
Royal Légion → 1st Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment of the Alps (1784) → Picardie Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 7th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | IF: 20 January 1747
|
Disbanded: 25 March 1776
SR: 25 December 1815 |
FR: 7th Duke of Orléans's Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
|
| ||
| 8th Chasseurs à Cheval | 
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Flanders Légion → 2nd Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment of the Pyrenees (1784) → Guyenne Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 8th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | IF: 1 August 1749
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Disbanded: 25 March 1776
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FR: 8th Bourbon Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
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| 9th Chasseurs à Cheval |
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Lorraine Légion → 3rd Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment → Lorraine Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 9th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | IF: 1 April 1757
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Disbanded: 25 March 1776
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FR: 9th Colonel-General's Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
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| 10th Chasseurs à Cheval | 
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Condé Légion → 4th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment of the Cévennes (1784) → Brittany Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 10th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | IF: 1 April 1757
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Disbanded: 25 March 1776
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FR: 10th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
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| 11th Chasseurs à Cheval |
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Soubise Légion (1766) → 5th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment of the Gévaudan (1779) → Normandy Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 11th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | IF: 11 January 1762
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Disbanded: 25 March 1776
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FR: 11th Isère Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
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| 12th Chasseurs à Cheval | Dauphin's Légion (1775) → 6th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment of the Ardennes (1779) → Champagne Chasseurs Regiment (1788) → 12th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1791) | IF: 1769
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Disbanded: 25 March 1776
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FR: 12th Marne Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
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| 13th Chasseurs à Cheval | Free Légion of the Americas (1792) → 13th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1793) | FD: 5 March 1793
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Formed through merger of the existing Free Légion of the Americas (direct predecessor) and absorbing the Hussards of the South. | FR: 12 May 1814
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FR: 13th Meuse Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
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| 14th Chasseurs à Cheval | 14th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1793) | FD: 5 March 1793 | Formed through merger of three National Volunteer units: Egalité Hussars, Death Hussars, and The Alps Légion. | FR: 12 May 1814
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FR:14th Morbihan Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment |
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| 15th Chasseurs à Cheval |
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15th Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment (1793) | |||||||
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| 21st Chasseurs à Cheval | 
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| 22nd Chasseurs à Cheval | 
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| 25th Chasseurs à Cheval |
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| 26th Chasseurs à Cheval |
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| 27th Chasseurs à Cheval |
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| 29th Chasseurs à Cheval |
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| 30th Chasseurs à Cheval |
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Infantry
[edit]Line Infantry
[edit]Light Infantry
[edit]Foreign Troops
[edit]Artillery
[edit]Horse Artillery
[edit]Field Artillery
[edit]Artillery Support
[edit]Support
[edit]Field Engineers
[edit]Pontoniers
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Raised at the strength of two light cavalry squadrons, forming the cavalry element of the Consular Guard. Two more squadrons raised and regiment subsequently reorganised as heavy cavalry, becoming the Mounted Grenadiers.
- ^ Raised at the strength of two light cavalry squadrons, forming the cavalry element of the Consular Guard. Two more squadrons raised and regiment subsequently reorganised as heavy cavalry, becoming the Mounted Grenadiers.
- ^ Following the regiment's 'outstanding' service at the Battle of Somosierra in 1809, the regiment was incorporated into the Old Guard. Before this time, the regiment was simply part of the Imperial Guard, but didn't belong to any specific corps.
- ^ The Light Cavalry–Lancers Regiment of the Old Guard was more or less an adhoc hastily formed unit. The old 2nd Dutch Lancers were grouped with the Polish (Elba) Squadron, which was itself formed from the old 1st Polish Lancers, to form this regiment.
- ^ The Polish Lancers as a regiment were disbanded on 12 May 1814, however the senior squadron (approx. 100 men) joined Napoleon on Elba. This squadron then returned in April 1815 and formed part of the Lancer Regiment (of the Imperial Guard), however both were disbanded in 1815.
- ^ The Light Cavalry–Lancers Regiment of the Old Guard was more or less an adhoc hastily formed unit. The old 2nd Dutch Lancers were grouped with the Polish (Elba) Squadron, which was itself formed from the old 1st Polish Lancers, to form this regiment.
- ^ a b The majority of the forces of the old Kingdom of Holland (annex by France in September 1810) were transferred into the French Army at that point. Their successors are therefore Dutch.
- ^ The Light Cavalry–Lancers Regiment of the Old Guard was more or less an adhoc hastily formed unit. The old 2nd Dutch Lancers were grouped with the Polish (Elba) Squadron, which was itself formed from the old 1st Polish Lancers, to form this regiment.
- ^ The Light Cavalry–Lancers Regiment of the Old Guard was more or less an adhoc hastily formed unit. The old 2nd Dutch Lancers were grouped with the Polish (Elba) Squadron, which was itself formed from the old 1st Polish Lancers, to form this regiment.
- ^ a b c d e In 1813, the regiment was split in two, forming an "Old Guard" and "Young Guard" regiments, the "regiment" itself continued now as a corps, but was no longer a regiment.
- ^ After the first restoration, the majority of the Mamelukes joined Napoleon on Elba. They then returned in March 1815, and formed a two troops (one Old Guard (mamelukes) and one Young Guard (French)), both were disbanded after the Second Restoration.
- ^ Though the Gendarmerie are technically support troops, and not cavalry, there were grouped with the cavalry on operations and in battle, and therefore constituted part of the 'Cavalry Corps'.
- ^ The Elite gendarmes were formed in July 1801 at the size of 'one company' for duties in the Paris area. In 1804 the company was taken under the control of the Old Guard, renamed as the Elite Gendarmes Legion and expanded into four mounted companies and two foot companies. By 1809, there were four foot companies and were disbanded in that year.
- ^ Following Napoleon's Abdication in April 1814, the last two battalions of the regiment were dispersed. The 1st battalion (mostly Dutch) went into service of the new United Kingdom of the Netherlands, while the 2nd battalion (mostly Italians) went into service with the Kingdom of Naples.
- ^ The term 'Light Infantry' is used here to describe the following: Chasseurs, Tirailleurs, Voltigeurs, and Flankers.
- ^ a b During the Hundred Days, the 7th Foot Artillery Regiment was due to convert to the new Young Guard Foot Artillery. In turn, the 3rd Horse Artillery Regiment was also due to convert to the new Young Guard Horse Artillery.
- ^ Expanded from battalion of six companies to two battalions in 1808 (total of 12 companies and 2 dépôt companies). That same year, the train was split, with the 1st Battalion becoming part of the Old Guard, while the duplicate, 1st bis Battalion became part of the Young Guard. In 1813, the artillery train was completely reorganised with the 1st Artillery Train Regiment now organised into three battalions (four companies and one dépôt company each). The old Young Guard companies were separated into the new 2nd Artillery Train Regiment of the Young Guard with the same organisation.
- ^ Reformed during Napoleon's return as the direct successor to the old 1st Imperial Guard Artillery Train Regiment (Old Guard).
- ^ Because of the speed which the Hundred Days campaign was fought, the 6th Artillery Train Squadron was tasked with supporting the Young Guard. This squadron was earmarked to become the Artillery Train Squadron of the Young Guard, thereby reforming the Young Guard Artillery Train.
- ^ The 'Corps of Engineers' separated from the artillery in 1758. In 1793 they were transferred to the Army Staff to become an independent combat arm. The miners were also then transferred from the artillery to the engineers.
- ^ Having its own caisson for tools and equipment and eight horse-drawn pumps, the Sappers required 10 conducteurs (drivers) initially.
- ^ a b c d e Much like the title of 'Dauphin of France', this title remained in potentia, as Louis XVIII's wife, Marie Joséphine of Savoy (Comtess de Provence died in 1810. The use of the title 'Queen' in regiments' names was thereby used in honour of her.
- ^ a b c d e Note: Following the Bourbon Restoration, some units took the name of 'Dauphin's' (du Dauphin), however the title of Dauphin of France remained in potentia, as Louis XVIII bared no children.
- ^ Elements provided by the following other regiments: 1st & 2nd Carabiniers and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Cuirassiers
- ^ A 21st Regiment of Dragons had been raised in 1793 by merging the Dragoons of the Manche and cavalry of the Police Legion. However, because of a mutiny while in Italy, this regiment was disbanded in 1798.
Citations
[edit]- ^ [https://www.napoleon-series.org/military-info/organization/frenchguard/c_guardpupilles.html "The Garde Imperiale and Its Commanders during the Period 1804 � 1815"]. www.napoleon-series.org. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
{{cite web}}: replacement character in|title=at position 63 (help) - ^ "1789-1815 Garde des Consuls". www.1789-1815.com. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
- ^ [https://www.napoleon-series.org/military-info/organization/frenchguard/c_guardarty.html "The Garde Imperiale and Its Commanders during the Period 1804 � 1815"]. www.napoleon-series.org. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
{{cite web}}: replacement character in|title=at position 63 (help) - ^ [https://www.napoleon-series.org/military-info/organization/frenchguard/c_guardgenies.html "The Garde Imperiale and Its Commanders during the Period 1804 � 1815"]. www.napoleon-series.org. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
{{cite web}}: replacement character in|title=at position 63 (help) - ^ [https://www.napoleon-series.org/military-info/organization/frenchguard/c_guardmarins.html "The Garde Imperiale and Its Commanders during the Period 1804 � 1815"]. www.napoleon-series.org. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
{{cite web}}: replacement character in|title=at position 63 (help)