Formed 1811 from the First Dragoons
Battle Honours on the Flag: ULM, AUSTERLITZ, JENA, EYLAU, FRIEDLAND.

Campaign of 1812

In the order of battle of 24.6.1812 only one squadron assigned to the 1st cavalry corps under Nansouty. First Cuirassier Division, 3rd Brigade under Zeunot with the 9th Cuirassiers. 267 men under arms. By the 15.7.1812 they had grown to three squadrons with approximately 900 men. Engaged at Smolensk and Borodino, the 1st Cavalry Corps attacked the village of Semenskoje at the Battle of Borodino, being repulsed by the steady squares of the Russian Foot Guards. At one point the guard infantry actually launched into a bayonet attack against the cavalry, only to be in turn stopped by a cavalry counter attack. The 1st Line Lancers were not engaged at the Beresina, and did not lose their eagle in the retreat.

Campaign of 1813

Order of Battle 25.4.1813 in the 1st Cavalry Corps under Latour-Maubourg, 1st Light Cavalry Division under Bruyeres, 2nd Brigade under Cambraceres. One squadron comprising of five officers and 124 men engaged only lightly as Lutzen where they stood between Eisdorf and Kitzen.

At Bautzen on the 21st May, positioned to the south of Bautzen with the guard cavalry. On the second day of the battle they joined with the guard cavalry in following up the enemy's retreat. At the 15.8.1813 their strength had increased to two squadrons, comprised of 24 officers and 390 men, another 12 officers and 296 men were soon to join the regiment from their depot at Sargan. They fought at Kulm and were detached with the rest of their division in September to Marmont's 6th corps.

At Leipzig the 1st Cavalry Corps stood between Stotteritz and Probsteida, taking part at 3 o'clock in the sweeping cavalry charge towards Wachau. Latour-Mauborg was wounded in the attack, the cavalry capturing six guns. On the 18th October they stood in the second line as reserve. Divisional General Ducoethosquet took over the I st Cavalry Corps in November and as of the 15.11.1813 the regimental strength was 19 officers and 207 men.

Campaign of 1814

The first Line Lancers were not listed in the Order of Battle of 25.1.1814 but some sources place them at Reims on the 13th March and at Paris on 29th and 30th March. Renamed 'Lancers du Roi' under the Bourbons.

Campaign of 1815

Under Colonel Jacquinot they were in the 1st Cavalry Corps under Pajol in the 5th Cavalry Division under Subervie, 1st Brigade of Comte Colbert. At Ligny on the 16th June they were in action alongside Exelman's dragoons, on the right wing against Tielmanns 3rd Prussian Corps. During the 17th, on the Brussels road Subervie engaged Vivian's Hussars and the 1st Life Guards of the British rearguard.

At Waterloo, Subervie stood in reserve then was dispatched to the right flank in aid of Marbot's 7th Hussars against the Prussians around Plancenoit, they bought time for French reserves to come up until forced back by overwhelming Prussian strength. At Waterloo the 1st Lancers had forty officers and 375 men.

Le Chevau-Legere Lanciers Part 2 Uniforms and Regimental Histories

Uniforms and Horse Furniture
The First Line Lancers: Regimental History
The Second Line Lancers: Regimental History
The Third Line Lancers: Regimental History
The Fourth Line Lancers: Regimental History
The Fifth Line Lancers: Regimental History
The Sixth Line Lancers: Regimental History

Part 1: Polish Lancers