5th Cuirassiers 1812

Depicted here is a Brigadier of the 5th regiment of Cuirassiers, he is wearing the full dress uniform not normally worn on campaign. Napoleon had made it clear that all regiments should wear their impressive parade uniforms during the battle of Borodino. The 5th, together with 8th and 10th Cuirassiers belonged to the 2nd Cuirassier division under the command of General de Division Watier de St. Alphons. At the height of the battle, led by General Auguste de Caulaincourt (following the death of Montbrun) the 5th and 8th regiments led the famous mass cavalry charge against the Grand Redoudt.