Le Chevau-Legere Lanciers

Part 2:
The Fourth Line Lancers:
Regimental History

by Stephen E. Maughan and Gunter Franke


Formed 1811 from the 9th Dragoons
Battle Honours on the Flag: ULM, AUSTERLITZ, JENA, EYLAU.

Campaign of 1812

Commanded by 1st Chef de Escadron Deschamps, 2nd Cavalry Corps under Montbrun in the 3rd Brigade under Ornano, later Bouvier, with the 1st Cuirassiers. They fought at Borodino with the 2nd Cavalry Corps (see 2nd Lancers) also at Mojaisk and Winkovo, they were not engaged at the Beresina and returned from Russia with one officer and 17 men.

Campaign of 1813

Commanded by Colonel Deschamps their actions were the same as the 2nd Lancers. The order of Battle of the 30th September lists three squadrons with 29 officers and 399 men, 28 men in hospital.

Campaign of 1814

As the 1st Lancers, also present at Champaubert on the 10th February and Vauchamps on the 14th. renamed 'Lanciers de Monsieur, under the Bourbons.

Campaign of 1815

Commanded by Colonel Bro, in Drouet d'Erlons Ist Corps, in Jacquinots 1st Cavalry Division of Gobrechts 2nd Brigade, with three squadrons, 2 officers and 274 men. The 4th Lancers had the same actions as the 3rd. It was Marshall de Logis Urban of the 4th Lancers Elite Company who killed General Ponsonby at Waterloo. After breaking through the Scots Greys and attacking the Innerskilling Dragoons, Colonel Bro of the 4th Lancers spotted one of the Innerskillings with the Eagle of the 55th Line and retrieved it, giving it back to the regiment.

Le Chevau-Legere Lanciers Part 2 Uniforms and Regimental Histories

Part 1: Polish Lancers


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