The 21st Regiment of Infantry, one of the oldest French infantry regiments, was created at the time when Henri of Navarre became the popular King Henri IV. It was raised in Lorraine in 1589 at the start of the 30 years war by Henri de Vaubecourt, its first Colonel, whose name it took in the tradition of the time. It continued as a regiment of the Monarchy under the name of its Colonel until in 1752 it became known as the Regiment de Guyenne. With the revolution the regiment became known as the 21ème demi brigade de ligne and was with the Army of Italy. In 1796 at Laona, Captain Raibaud was the first man to leap into the enemy entrenchments at Rocca-Barbane, taking two cannon in the process. He was promoted Chef de Bataillon for his bravery. The regiment saw action at Montenotte, Millesimo, Dego, and the bridge at Lodi where Grenadiers of the Regiment charged over the bridge under constant fire chanting "Vive la Republique" overthrowing the Austrian defenders and capturing their Artillery. In 1799 again in Italy the Regiment saw action at Verona, Magnano, Trebbia, and Novi. During the battle of Novi, Sergeant Major Jean Georges Pauly found himself cut off by a body of Russian Cavalry and was called upon to surrender. Replying "Je Passe Quand Meme" he rallied a handful of men, and using the butt and bayonet of his musket forced his way through to rejoin the Regiment having killed or wounded more than 40 Russians. B>Redesignated The Regiment was redesignated 21ème Regiment Infanterie de ligne in 1803 before achieving possibly its greatest glory when in 1806 it became part of Marshal Davout's III Corps. Finding themselves confronting the main Prussian Army at Auerstadt whilst Napoleon was defeating what he thought was the main opposition at Jena, III Corps achieved one of the greatest victories by a single Corps. The Regiment defended the village of Hassenhausen in the centre of the French line. Corporal Boutloup with 6 voltigeurs achieved fame when he captured a Prussian Cannon and caisson, killing the crew and then turning the gun on the Prussians manned it for over half an hour until exhausted of ammunition. Later that year at Custrin, a single company of the regiment bluffed the fortress into surrender and took 4,000 Prussian prisoners. A year later the regiment was in action at Pultusk, and Eylau, before that campaign came to an end. The regiment stayed with III Corps, never visiting the Peninsula, and was in the forefront of the action again at Eckmuhl, and Wagram were further battle honours were added in 1809. 1812 brought the invasion of Russia, and still with Davout but redesignated as part of I Corps the Regiment was by this time a veteran unit. Smolensk, Valoutina, and Borodino became battle honours before the Regiment had to endure the horrors of the retreat from Moscow. Returns from Marshall Davout show that 5 Battalions, a total of 4,258, marched into Russia, but on 1st February 1813 only 92 remained under arms. Still with Davout, the regiment reformed, and saw action at Dresden, 26 - 27th August. Left at Dresden as part of the garrison, as Napoleon moved back to Leipzig, the regiment was in action at Hellendorf where Lieutenant Doignon commanding a Grenadier company took 70 Russian prisoners. The 21ème finally passed into captivity at Kulm. Reformed Reformed from the depots in France in 1814, the 21ème fought the British for the first time defending Bergen Op Zoom successfully where the Foot Guards lost a colour, now on display at the Invalides in Paris. Then came the 100 days in 1815. Back as part of 1st Corps, now under the command of Compte Drouet d'Erlon they missed both Quatre Bras and Ligny in the confusion of orders between Napoleon and Marshall Ney, but were in the forefront of the action at Waterloo. In Marcognet's Division with the 45ème, and 46ème, the 21ème reached the crest of the ridge where they took the Hannoverian guns deployed against them. Involved in a fierce melee with the 42nd Highlanders, they had to withdraw as the French column disintegrated under the counterattack of the Cavalry of Wellington's Union Brigade. The Twenty Five Year Dream The 21ème de Ligne, not only being one of the oldest regiments in France but also in Europe, have taken part in over 30 campaigns from 1610 to the present day. The 21ème have taken the field whenever France has been in danger. You can see now why the units members have chosen to this great regiment to recreate. The chosen period being 1812 to 1815, by which time the regiment was a classed as a veteran unit, serving in the first corps of the Grande Armée under the 'Iron Marshal' Louis Nicholas Davout. Our present day flag represents that used on the march into Russia in 1812. In fact the 21ème was one of the few to return with its eagle. To France Today The greatest of all honours was bestowed upon the re-enactment unit when the present day 21ème invited them to France and presented them with an Eagle and Regimental flag. Large Version of Photo (very slow download: 154K) This means that when in uniform they represent the 21ème in its Napoleonic past and have the official recognition of the French Army. Every two years they meet their parent body to cement ties with the present 21ème Regiment. Unlike some re-enactment units the 21ème did not die with the end of the Napoleonic period. It is still in the field with the same name and the same great military traditions. The 21ème Regiment is today the largest re-enactment unit with the Napoleonic Association, and currently has a membership of 150 and still growing. In fact everyone is welcome to join their ranks, including wives girlfriends and children. The entire family can come along and join in, the 21ème are very proud of their family atmosphere. It doesn't matter who or what you are they will find a place for you within the unit. It is with this policy that they have become the largest unit. There are various parts to the Regiment that you can join. i) La ligne. Joining the line as a fusilier is the normal introduction to the Regiment. You will be taught the drill of the period (all orders in French of course), how to maintain and fire a Charleville flintlock musket. The line is lead by the "Tete de Colonne" formed from veteran members who guard the Eagle, and our "Sapeurs". ii) Les Tambours et fifres. The Drum Corps of the Regiment will teach you to play the songs and marches of the period, on drum, fife, and cymbal. Dressed impressively in Imperial green uniforms they lead the Regiment relaying the orders of the Officers to the Soldiers through the "Ordonnance" of the period. Whether waking the regiment to "La Diane" or sounding the "Pas de Charge" you will have a leading role to play. iii) Les Infirmiers. The medical team provide valuable support during battle displays tending to the wounded, and demonstrate in living history displays how the wounded of the period would have been treated. iv) Women and children form a valuable part of our activities supporting the soldiers and lead by our Cantiniere. Dressed in period costume they give the 21ème the appearance of a Company on Campaign. It is this mass of numbers that allow actual battlefield tactics to be performed at events. How would you like to experience an attack in column against an allied line or even learn what it is like to form square? The 21ème take part in Napoleonic Association Battle Spectaculars around the country, offering many opportunities to do so. All 21ème members receive our regimental journal through out the year, each journal contains articles from the unit members, and members are asked to join the Napoleonic Association and of course receive First Empire free. Out of season the Regiment will also attend, in uniform, various Wargame shows, Napoleonic displays at special interest centres, historical talks at schools, in order to promote and recruit to the unit. It has been found that members of the general public are very surprised that the 21ème contains not only musket bearing soldiers, but musicians and a medical team. When in battle the 21ème field a head of column that consists of three sappers, two Eagle guards and an Eagle bearer. This is followed by the largest body of the unit, the fusiliers. Musket training is performed under the close supervision of experienced and veteran NCOs. Unit Organisation The Regimental H.Q. is located at Algrave near Nottingham, which is good central location given that the unit recruits nation wide. The regiment is divided into 20 files that are located not only in England but also in Ireland, Belgium and the USA. Each file is coordinated by a corporal or a senior Soldat who are always willing to give help and advice. The one question always asked by new recruits is "How much will this cost?" The organisation of the 21ème caters for the new recruit. Over the years a large depot has been built up so that new members can loan equipment until they can afford their own. The 21èmes ultimate goal is to field four companies of fusiliers along with a proportionate number of Voltigeurs and Grenadiers. They aim to reach this goal by the bi-centenial of the Emperor's coronation, with 10 years to go they are well on their way to achieving this. If you want to be part of this dream then please write to Chris Durkin, Adjutant, 21ème Regiment Infanterie de Ligne, 22 Swallow Street, Oldham, Lancashire. OL8 4LD Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #21 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1997 by First Empire. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com