From L'Moniteur
E-mail to the Editor
from First Empire Readers
 |
On Neapolitan Army Posted by J Lewis Any knowledge of black troops serving under Murat? William Hubble responds: They were formed from the French Army's "Corps des Pionniers Noirs" - Haitian refugees, amongst others, and were used in fatigue duties until a shortage of line troops forced their use in the siege of Gaeta in 1806. They then served as marines in the Neapolitan Navy before being officially reorganised into an infantry regiment - #7 Reggimento Reale Africano. Down to a little more than 400 at the end of 1808 they gained an extra 200 recruits by the end of 1809 and by the end of 1810 totaled 768. After 1810, recruitment was opened to non-coloureds, #7 gradually losing its distinctive nature. Only major campaign was in 1812-3 as garrison troops in/around Danzig, before the survivors were repatriated after Murat changed sides. Polish Napoleonic Uniforms Posted by Richard Cudzilo I have always been interested in Napoleonic warfare,but especially the uniforms of Polish units.The ones i'm most interested in are the imperial guard. Can anyone tell me of any prints that can be obtained,i'm also interested in action type paintings of this same type. Thank you. Steven H. Smith responds: There is an excellent book in French: "Les Polonais de Napoleon" by J. Tranie and J. C. Carminiani. This book is 224 pages with 64 pages of illustrations and is available from the following for 330 Francs plus postage: Tradition - LCV Services 15, Rue Bargue 75015 PARIS They take VISA cards. I have no connection to this firm other then as a satisfied customer! "Bengal Artillery" and "Malays" Posted by Paul Morillon I have several accounts of the so called Kandyan wars (1796-1815) in Ceylon, mentionning the valuable contribution of the Bengal Artillery and the Malays of the "Company" who fought alongside the 19th 73rd foot and others, against the Kandyans. Unfortunately I have no idea of the possible uniforms, or at least, pieces of uniforms that those tough troops may have worn. If anybody can help... Dutch Napoleonic uniforms Posted by B.Spiecker Does anyone know if there's a book showing color illustrations of uniforms worn by Dutch troops in the service of the l'Empire, roughly between 1805 - 1815? Also, most of the books I have on Napoleonic uniforms contain illustrations that are at best so-so. Any suggestions? Thanks. A. R. Charles responds: You might try Osprey's Men at Arms Series, #98 "Dutch-Belgian Troops of the Napoleonic Wars." By Otto Von Pivka with colour plates by Chris Warner. Osprey Publishing Ltd. 59 Grosvenor Street London W1X 9DA (or from First Empire!) A.R. Charles Steven H. Smith responds: "De Nederlandse Infanterie" by H. Ringoir (1967) and "De Nederlandse Cavalerie" by P Forbes Wels have several color illustrations of uniforms from this period. Several Rigo plates also cover the 1806-10 period. From 1810 to 1813 the Dutch regiments were in French service and wore French uniforms. From mid 1813 on a new "Dutch army was formed. Presumably, you have seen the excellent series in "First Empire" concerning the Dutch army of 1806-10. You may contact the "Dutch" Army Museum, which has a bulletin, at : Koninklijk Nederlands Leger en Wapenmuseum 'Generaal Hoefer', Armamentarium, Korte Geer 1, 2611 CA Delft, The Netherlands. King´s German Legion Posted by Torsten Riotte Hello FE, Undertaking research work on the King's German Legion and on Hanover during the Napoleonic Wars I am still looking for a copy of Daniel S.Gray's book and articles on that subject. Is the "Consortium on Revolutionary Europe" (State University Florida) on the Internet? I'd like to join the discussion about Germans in the English and in the French Armies. Steven H. Smith responds: Try: http://www.fsu.edu/~napoleon/ I have a copy of the regimental history of the 128e ligne as well as the regimental archives for this unit from the SHAT. Portuguese Artillery October 1813 Posted by N.Portas Hello I am looking for a painting guide on the above, Portuguese Artillery, I know that they where supplied by the British with the guns ect but i am usure about the uniforms, if anyone can help with a web site that might have a painting plate on or a book that might have a refrance i would be most appreciated, please email me with any info Cheers everyone! happy gaming! Nigel ps check out my web site, http://www.geocities.com/timessquare/battlefield/8529 Memorial for Cantiniere at Waterloo Posted by Terri Julians: I am trying to find out about a memorial to a cantiniere of the Guard which once stood near the wounded eagle memorial to the guard at Waterloo. She died with the Guard and a small plaque bearing a short poem dedicated to her was erected. It has long since disappeared. Any info will be gratefully received Terri, 28th Regiment Posted by Alain CHAPPET On the 25 of July 1813, in Peninsula, William Thornton Keep (1791-1884) officer of 28th (North Gloucester regiment) saved the flag of regiment in the battle of Maya. This man died at 13, Rochester Row, CamdenTown, London. Thank you very much if I can obtain some details about this engagment and to know if a tablet exist at his memory on the house. Alain Chappet - Co-author "Répertoire mondial des Souvenirs napoléoniens" FRANCE Peninsular French Armies Posted by Dan Bower Would anyone be able to provide me with a 'typical' French order of battle for the Peninsular wars. Alternatively an order of battle for a particular engagement, ie Vittoria or Salamanca, would suffice. Your help would be much appreciated. George F.Nafziger responds: I would suggest you contact: John Laing, 70 Harcourt St., Newark , Nottinghamshire NC24 1RF He can provide you with any number of peninsular OBs. However, as far as a "typical" OB, I don't think that there is such a thing. There were several field armies as well as a number of divisions and "governments" i.e., Bayonne Reserve Division
The field armies may have had some standardization, but I doubt it, and the "governments" were very strange collections of forces. William Hubble responds: Dan, The following should be of use:
Order of Battle at Boulogne
Does anyone know the Order of Battle for the Army at Boulogne? If not then any suggestion of books relating to that army, it's march to Austerlitz or the detachment that invaded Ireland would be greatfully received. Finally, does anyone agree that the Army of Boulogne in fact wasted its time in Artois/Picardy and could have been usefully employed elsewhere. Michael Pengelly responds: Hi there, I myself do not know the Order of Battle at Boulogne. However, it may be worth contacting TBA Games Ltd, a play by mail company, who runs an 'Austerlitz' game. I am sure they or their players will be able to shed some light on this matter. Eylau Orders of Battle Posted by Andy Finkel: I am trying to design a scenario based on Davout's attack at the battle of Eylau in 1807. According to my main source (F.L.Petrie's "Poland Campaign"), Davout's main attack was launched against the Russian left wing about midday. He had his III Corps, and was supported by St. Hilaire's division of Soult's IV Corps, and the dragoon divisions of Klein and Grouchy. Does anyone have an order of battle for:
b) The Russians they faced; and c) l'Estocq's Prussian Corps. Please email your reply to me at finkel@dircon.co.uk Thanks Russian Generals Uniforms Posted by Robert Epstein I am trying to get information on the uniforms of Russian generals during the Napoleonic Wars. I have seen prints of Tsar Alexander in a blue officers coat. In the Russian film version of War and Peace they show Russian generals wearing dark blue uniform coats. Was the usual color dark blue or green? All of my uniform coats show the usual regiments with infantry and artillery in green, dragoons in green, and heavy cavalry in white. Please help. I would greatly appreciate it. Simon Harrison responds: Christopher Duffy in Borodino quotes Kutusov as saying that he didn't care what his generals wore, when one turned up on the field wearing a peasant cap and smock, i.e. no uniform at all. Steven H. Smith responds: Alexander in blue: When was the portrait painted? Can you give the reference where found? Aleksandr was also an "honorary" Field Marshal in several countries (Prussia for example). "War and Peace shows some Russian generals in blue": Cossack generals wore a blue uniform with silver embroideries. Russian generals wore several different uniforms during the period: dark green (usual), white or regimental uniforms in which they were Shefs.
Alexander I: Shef of many regiments (Guards in particular). Kutuzov: None Suverov: Suvorov, Aleksandr Vasil'evich graf. 12.xii.96-27.i.97, Shef Suzdal'skii Musk. regt. Benningson: Bennigsen, Leontii Leont'evich baron. 3.xii.96-30.ix.98, Shef Rostov Dragoon regt. Barclay: Barklai-de-Tolli, Mikhail Bogdanovich. 17.i. 99 - ca. 1.ix.14, Shef 3rd Jager regt. Bagration: Bagration, Petr Ivanovich prince. 17.i.99-9.vi.00, Shef 6 eger regt.; 10.v.06- 20.x.12 Shef L.Gds Jager regt. Different branches of service and functions also had differences in their uniform, usually with different collar colors and embroideries. I can provide illustrations of these but I am not sure of the purpose to which you will put the information. Different purposes would require different details. What ever the purpose I will answer any of your questions. I can provide a detailed listing of the uniform changes and types and the dates these took place. If your goal is to paint figures, a specific date would be useful. More L'Moniteur: Gen. Thomas Dumas Note: L'Moniteur is found at the First Empire Web Site: www.firstempire.ltd.uk Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #47 Back to First Empire List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1999 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 |