Napoleon’s Line Infantry

Osprey Men-At-Arms Series 141

Napoleon’s Line Infantry, Osprey Men-At-Arms Series 141.

Napoleon’s line infantry was founded upon that of the Ancien Régime. A total re-organisation began on 1 January 1791 with the abolition of the old regimental titles, and over the next two years an increasing number of conscript and volunteer battalions were formed. Their quality varied from the proficiency of the early National Guard regiments to the untrained and ill-equipped rabble of the levée. To combine the discipline and steadiness of the regular army with the revolutionary fervour of the new army, the Amalgame was decreed on 21 February; by this measure each regular battalion became the nucleus of a new Demi-Brigade.

Contents

  • Title: Napoleon’s Line Infantry
  • Period: Napoleonic Wars
  • Type: Uniform Guide
  • Author: Philip Haythornthwaite
  • Illustrator: Brian Fosten
  • Format: 40-page book
  • Language: English
  • Publisher: Osprey Publishing, London, England
  • ISBN: 085045512X
  • Published: 1983

Chapters

  • Organisation
  • Uniforms
    • The 1791 Uniform
    • The 1792 Uniform
    • The 1793 Uniform
    • The “Egyptian” Uniform
    • The pre-1806 Uniform
    • The 1806 Uniform
    • The pre-1812 Uniform
    • Musicians
    • Sapeurs
    • The 1812 Uniform
    • The Restoration
    • Campaign Uniform
  • Equipment
  • The Regiments of the Line
  • The Plates
    • Fusilier, 34e de Ligne, 1792
    • Infantryman in campaign dress, 1795
    • Grenadier, Garde Nationale de Paris, 1792
    • Fusilier, 61er Demi-Brigade, Egypt, 1799
    • Fusilier, 1800
    • Officer, 15e Demi-Brigade, 1800
    • Grenadier, 1800
    • Sergeant-major with "Aigle", 4e de Ligne, 1805
    • 2e Porte-Aigle, 8e de Ligne, 1811
    • Sapeur, 46e de Ligne, 1808
    • Grenadier, 15e de Ligne, 1807
    • Voltigeur-cornet, 18e de Ligne, 1809
    • Voltigeur, 3e de Ligne, 1809
    • Corporal-tambour, 67e de Ligne, 1808
    • Musician, 9e de Ligne, 1809
    • Grenadier-tambour, 57e de Ligne, 1809
    • Voltigeur, 88e de Ligne, Spain, 1811
    • Fusilier officer, 34e de Ligne, Spain, 1810
    • Grenadier, 65e de Ligne, Spain, 1810
    • Major, 100e de Ligne, 1809
    • Sergeant de fusiliers, 30e de Ligne, 1811
    • Officer, 125e de Ligne, 1811
    • Voltigeur, 14e de Ligne, 1811
    • Fusilier, 70e de Ligne, 1813
    • Grenadier, 3e de Ligne, 1813
    • “Marie-Louise”, 82e de Ligne, 1814
    • Tambour, 96e de Ligne, 1814

Philip Haythornthwaite’s book is an excellent resource for wargamers and figure painters interested in recreating French Napoleonic Line Infantry in miniature. Brian Fosten’s superb illustrations show the changing uniforms, insignia, weapons, and equipment of French line infantry operating in Central Europe, Egypt, Spain, and Russia. Black-and-white illustrations and line drawings familiarize the reader with the successive patterns of the French infantry uniform.

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