Errata

Swords Around the Throne

Book Review

by Col. John Elting

Permission is hereby granted by Napoleon LLC to photocopy this information we received from Colonel John Elting.

In a book such as this, packed with details, I have found that — in spite of repeated editing, I may end up seeing what should be there, rather than what actually is. Discovering such errors after your book is printed is rather like going to your bureau for a clean shirt — and opening the drawer on a coiled rattlesnake!

Also, Swords Around a Throne was published in 1988. We have learned a lot about the Grande Armée since then. This therefore is an attempt to bring Swords up to date.

Page 94 — Regarding guide unit activated 1806 for service in Germany (line 7), its history is incomplete/incorrect. "In October 1805, offering generous pay and allowances, Napoleon ordered the formation of two squadrons of retired officers and noncommissioned officers to serve as interpreters and messengers. Unable to secure enough qualified volunteers, he ordered each dragoon regiment to provide two qualified soldiers with at least eight years of service. This organization was disbanded 30 June 1807, the ex-dragoons being assigned to Berthier's guides."

Page 150 — Line 16. "1796" should be "1794" Napoleon was assigned as chief of artillery to the Army of Italy that year, serving also as the commander's brains and meeting Masséna and Sérurier.

Page 196 — 3rd paragraph. Two more Young Guard companies were added in 1814 to the Guard Genie.

Page 197 — 4th paragraph. It has now been definitively established that the flanquers-chasseurs were formed in 1811, the flanquers-grenadiers in 1813.

Page 253 — Line 15 from bottom. The veteran cannoniers also had red turnbacks.

Page 370 — Line 14. In February 1814, all "foreigners" among the velites seem to have been "sent on leave." Frenchmen were transferred to the 14th Line.

Page 371 — Line 13. "1800" should be "1802"

Page 411 — Line 14. "1800-February 1801" should be "1790-February 1791"

Page 450 — Lines 9-10. The diamond shako plate had been introduced in 1810, but not universally adopted. The 1812 plate was an "eagle on a crescent." Both patterns were worn in 1813.

Page 660 — Line 18 from bottom. "soldiers" should be "artillerymen". Barbanegne's total garrison was approximately 3,500, almost all of them reluctant National Guards.

Page 724 — XXVI. Strategy and Tactics. Note 7, line 2. "feet" should be "yards"

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