Le Chevau-Legere Lanciers

Part 2:
The Third Line Lancers:
Regimental History

by Stephen E. Maughan and Gunter Franke


Formed in 1811 from the 8th Regiment of Dragoons.
Battle Honours on the Flag: ULM, AUSTERLITZ, JENA, EYLAU.

Campaign of 1812

Commanded by Colonel Lebrun in the 3rd Cavalry Corps under Grouchy, 3rd Heavy Cavalry Division of Dournec. 3rd Brigade under Doullembourg with the 14th Cuirassiers, later attached to the 2nd Cavalry Corps. They fought at Borodino and Polotsk where Colonel Lebrun was killed, also at the Beresina during which action they lost their eagle.

Campaign of 1813

Commanded by Colonel Hatry in the Ist Cavalry Corps under Latour- Maubourg, Ist Division under Bruyeres, 2nd Brigade under Montmarie. Their actions were similar to those of the 1st Lancers. At the 15th August they had two squadrons with 16 officers and 280 men and 8 officers and 195 men on the way from the depots to join the regiment.

Campaign of 1814

Under Marshall Macdonald in the 2nd Cavalry Corps of Exelmans, in the division of Dommanget, with 390 men. The 3rd Regiment is the only one listed in the order of battle for 1814. At Berry au Bac the 2nd Cavalry Corps with the 2nd Division of Guard Cavalry stormed the bridge against the Cossacks. Renamed 'Lanciers du Dauphin' under the Bourbons.

Campaign of 1815

Commanded by Colonel Masrtigue, in the Ist Infantry Corps under d'Erlon, in the 1st Cavalry Division under Jacquinot, in the 2nd Brigade under Gobrecht with three squadrons, 27 officers and 379 men. Marching with d'Erlon between Ligny and Quatre Bras they failed to get into action on either battlefield. At Waterloo they were placed on the extreme right of the French line, their first action being in the counter attack against the Union Brigade, which, after having ripped through the French Infantry spurred on into the French gun line where they were attacked in front by the 6th and 9th Cuirassiers and on their left flank by Jacquinot's Lancers who decimated the British Cavalry. Jacquinot's Lancers were withdrawn back into the 2nd line near the village of La Haye until being thrown against Zieten's encroaching Prussians on the right, where they were forced back.

Le Chevau-Legere Lanciers Part 2 Uniforms and Regimental Histories

Part 1: Polish Lancers

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