"French grenadier question" Topic

Were French grenadiers routinely brigaded together? I had previously understood that the French army didn't strip greandier companies from the line regiments, but I can't seem to find a source to confirm this.

I don't think an Ordonnance forbade the practice, but OOB of major battles ans contemporary Memoires show that the French army formed neither semi-permanent grenadiers battalions Prussian fashion, nor 'grenadiers corps' on the day of battle as Austrians often did.

Grenadiers were occasionally converged in 'task forces', to storm fortifications / defended positions (their main initial role: that's why in French infantry the first pioneers -charpentiers: carpenters- with their leather apron and big ax, appeared in the grenadier companies, to clear obstacles, break down doors &c.) or to seize an important hill, a bridge… De Saxe in the 'Reveries' hence condemned the formation of grenadiers companies, which deprived the other companies of their best elements, and were 'wasted' suffering a far higher casualties rate.

Then after the WAS the grenadiers of the disbanded regiments were converged in the 'Grenadiers de France', a permanent brigade-sized corps. But this was different from stripping the battalions from their grenadiers.

check out oudinot's grenadiers. they are grenadier and voltigeur coys converged from depot sent to enhance the army.

What do you mean, brigaded together? For instance, in 1760, Clostercamp battle, we have records that all grenadiers and chasseurs companies of the Auvergne brigade were put together (I guess you would say "battallioned" together to be correct) to make an elite batallion to defend a forward position. They stay at the command of their original brigade.

I actually meant converged, but I went blank on the proper term. Also, Oudinot's boys are a bit after the time period in question :) Thanks for the info folks!

So yes, usually converged for battle while staying under the command of their original brigade, together with chasseur companies as well, at least in Broglie's army, Germany, 1760-62.

In North America Montcalm brigaded his grenadiers at the battle of Ticonderoga.