"Bavarian Regiments" Topic

I would be grateful if anyone could provide a source for the various changes in Regimental title for the Bavarians during the Napoleonic wars. I have the Osprey and Tessin but these disagree at times.

Any help you can give would be much appreciated.

Thank you !

Phil

The Empire.Histofig site has got a table showing the changes for the line regiments here: link

Details for the Lights can be found here: link

In 'Uniforms of the Napoleonic Wars', Digby Smith gives as list of regimental titles for 1811 that are essentially the same as those on the above site. There are a couple of very minor differences in that he calls regiment no. 7 Lowenstein-Wertheim and doesn't say that Kinkel were disbanded that year. Elsewhere, he mentions that new 12th and 14th regiments were raised in 1814 but he doesn't give any further details.

In "With Eagles to Glory' John H. Gill gives the Bavarian organisation for 1809 and mentions that at this time three regiments had no title. These were 4 (formerly Salern), 13 and 14. There was no 12th regiment because the 12th had mutinied in 1806 and the number was stricken from the rolls. It was not reinstated until 1814.

Just typing "Bavarian Army Regiments in the Napoleonic wars" into Google will yield a wealth of useful information.

Nick, that would be cheating ;-)

Thank you chaps ! The Histofig site is very useful.

>>Just typing "Bavarian Army Regiments in the Napoleonic wars" into Google will yield a wealth of useful information.<<

Strangely enough, I have tried that ! ;-))

Unfortunately, even Google couldn't find the info I was looking for so I thought i would approach the TMP community.
There's usually someone who can help.

I do appreciate the responses, however.

Thank you.

Phil

Here is my listing taken from various sources 9but could of course still be wrong:

Bavarian Regimental Names 1790 -1814

Guard
1790
Liebgarde der Trabanten (Palace Guards)
Leibgarde der Hartschiere (Royal Bodyguard)

1814
Grenadier-Garde-Regiment – 3 battalions, each of 4 companies of 168 personnel, regimental HQ 47 personnel.
Gardes du Korps – 2 squadrons, each of 132 personnel. Regimental HQs 17 personnel.

Line Infantry

1790:
A regiment consisted of 2 battalions, each of 4 companies of 150 men and 180 men on mobilisation. Regimental HQ comprised 16 personnel.

1st Grenadier-Regiment und Leib-Infanterie-Regiment
2nd Grenadier-Regiment Kurprinz
3rd Grenadier-Regiment Graf Ysenburg
disbanded 1799
4th Grenadier-Regiment Baden
disbanded 1799
1st Fϋsiler-Regiment Herzog von Zweibrϋcken
2nd Fϋsilier-Regiment Prinz Wilhelm von Birkenfeld
3rd Fϋsilier-Regiment Rodenhausen
4th Fϋsilier-Regiment de la Motte
5th Fϋsilier-Regiment von Wahl
6th Fϋsilier-Regiment Pfalzgraf Max
7th Fϋsilier-Regiment von Zedtwitz
disbanded 1799
8th Fϋsilier-Regiment von Rambaldi
9th Fϋsilier-Regiment von Weichs
10th Fϋsilier-Regiment Joseph Hohenhausen
disbanded 1799
11th Fϋsilier-Regiment von Preysing
12th Fϋsilier-Regiment von Belderbusch
disbanded 1799
13th Fϋsilier-Regiment Moritz von Isenburg
disbanded 1799
14th Fϋsilier-Regiment von Kling
disbanded 1799

1799:
Regiments were now known by their title (e.g. Leib-Regiment).

1st Linien-Infanterie-Leib-Regiment
2nd Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Kurprinz
3rd Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Herzoh Karl
4th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment vacant von Weichs
1804 renamed "von Salern"
5th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Graugeben
1800 renamed "von Preysing"
6th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Herzog Wilhelm
7th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Zedtwitz-Stengel
1804 renamed "von Morawitsky"
8th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Herzog Pius
9th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Graf von Ysenburg
10th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment von Junker
1800 renamed "Pompei-Dalwigk";
1804 renamed "von Junker"
11th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Schlossberg
1801 renamed "von Kinkel"
12th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment von Löwenstein-Wertheim (raised in 1803)

May 1803 battalions were increased to 5 companies – 1 grenadier and 4 fusilier.

1806:
Regiments were now known by their numbers as well their titles.

1st Linien-Infanterie-Leib-Regiment
1811 renamed "König"
2nd Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Kurprinz
1806 renamed "Kronprinz"
3rd Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Herzoh Karl
1806 renamed "Prinz Karl"
4th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment von Salern
1811 renamed "Sachsen-Hildburghausen"
5th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment von Preysing
6th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Herzog Wilhelm
7th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment von Morawitsky
1806 renamed "Löwenstein-Wertheim"
8th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Herzog Pius
9th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment Graf von Ysenburg
10th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment von Junker
11th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment von Kinkel
1806 transferred to Grand Duchy of Berg;
1807 new regiment raised;
1811 disbanded
12th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment von Löwenstein-Wertheim
disbanded in 1806 as a result of a mutiny.
13th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment
1805 raised;
1811 renumbered as 11th
14th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment
1806 raised;
1811 renumbered as 13th

15 September 1806 company strength increased to 185 men.

1809 regimental strength 2 field battalions each of 5 companies (1 grenadier and 4 fusilier); 1 fusilier company from each battalion served as a depot company. Companies comprised 185 personnel including 20 schϋtzen (supposedly rifle armed); in March numbner of schϋtzen increased to 36 (only 7 of whom were rifle armed).

29 April 1811 regimental strength now 2 field battalions each of 4 fusilier companies, 1 grenadier company and 1 "Schützen-Kompanie". Each regiment also had a depot battalion of 4 fusilier companies.

In 1814 new 12th and 14th regiments were raised.

Light Infantry

The light infantry battalions were formed in 1804 with the amalgamation of several existing units of Feld-jager-korps, and were given official line status., and was commanded by a Oberstleutnant, with a major as 2IC and a reduced staff. Company strengths were as for the line regiments.

1790:
1st Feld-Jäger-Regiment von Schweicheldt
2nd Feld-Jäger-Regiment Fϋrst Ysenburg

1799:
1st Leichte Infanterie Bataillon Metzen
2nd Leichte Infanterie Bataillon Clossmann
1804 renamed "Vicenti"
1805 renamed "Ditfurth"
3rd Leichte Infanterie Bataillon 1st Salern
1804 renamed "von Preysing"
4th Leichte Infanterie Bataillon 2nd Salern
1804 renamed "Stengel"
1803: two further battalions raised
5th Leichte Infanterie Bataillon de la Motte
6th Leichte Infanterie Bataillon Lessel
1804 renamed as "Weinbach"

March 1804 companies had an operational strength of 250 men. In peacetime this was reduced to 155 men, and during wartime the field strength was 200 men (reinforcements were reservists), the other 50 men went into the reserve company.

1806:
1st Leichte Infanterie Bataillon Metzen
1807 renamed "Habermann"
1809 renamed "Gedoni"
1811 renamed "Hertling" then "Fick"
2nd Leichte Infanterie Bataillon Ditfurth
1808 renamed "Wreden"
1811 renamed "Treuberg" then "Merz"
3rd Leichte Infanterie Bataillon von Preysing
1808 renamed "Bernclau"
1811 renamed "Scherer"
1814 formed new 12th Linien-Infanterie-Regimentwith Wurzburg Infantry Regiment
4th Leichte Infanterie Bataillon Stengel
1806 renamed "Zoller"
1807 renamed "Wreden"
1809 renamed "Donnersberg"
1810 renamed "Theobald"
1813 renamed "Cronegg"
5th Leichte Infanterie Bataillon de la Motte
1807 renamed "Dalwigk"
1808 renamed "Buttler"
1812 renamed "Herrmann"
1814 renamed "Treuberg"
6th Leichte Infanterie Bataillon Weinbach
1806 renamed "Taxis"
1809 renamed "La Roche"
1812 renamed "Palm"
1814 renamed "Flad"
1814 formed new 14th Linien-Infanterie-Regiment with Frankfurt Infantry Regiment
7th Leichte Infanterie Bataillon Gϋnther (raised in 1808)
1809 renamed "von Treuberg"
1811disbanded).

1806 September company strength increased to 185 men.

1809 a battalion comprised 5 companies – 1 'Karabinier-Kompanie' & 4 centre companies (Ordinarkompanien); 1 centre company served as a depot/reserve company. Companies comprised 185 personnel including 20 schϋtzen (supposedly rifle armed); in March number of schϋtzen increased to 36 (only 7 of whom were rifle armed).

1807 Tiroler-Jager-Bataillon raised with 4 'Ordinar-jäger-kompanie'. Company strength as for the line or light infantry plus 20 men rifle armed designated as sharpshooters. In 1808 its personnel were absorbed into the new 7th Leichte Infanterie Bataillon.

1811Organisation was as for the line infantry battalions each battalion having a strength of one elite heavy company, 'Karabinier-Kompanie', 1 'Schützen-Kompanie', and four centre companies 'Ordinarkompanien'

Freiwilligen-Jäger-Korps 1805-14
1805 'Jäger-Korps-zu-fuss' was formed on a Freiwillige, volunteer basis. The unit had an intermittent existence, being stood down in 1808.
1809 re-raised as the 'Freiwilligen-Jäger-Corps zu Fuss' and stood down again in 1810.
1813 October raised once more as a 2 battalion unit. Each battalion organised on the line system of four centre companies 'Ordinar-jäger-kompanien', two elite companies Grenadier-jäger, and Schützen-jäger-kompanie.
During the 1814 campaign a 3rd battalion was raised but only attained an active strength of two elite and two centre companies.

Jäger-Bataillonen
1815 two battalions of jägers were formed. Each battalion with the normal line establishment of six companies – two elites and four centre.

Gendarmes zu Fuss 1813-14
In 1813 a small corps of gendarmes were raised and organised into reduced companies to act as military police.

Cavalry
Chevauleger and Dragoon regiments were organised into 6 squadrons, each of 132 personnel. The 7th Chevauleger Regiment formed with initial strength of 4 squadrons in 1813, increased to 6 in 1814; unlike the other Chevauleger it had 1 elite 'Flankerkompanie' flanker or skirmisher company. Regimental HQs 17 personnel.

The Uhlan Regiment had 4 squadrons each of 132 personnel. After close of hostilities in 1814 increased to 6 squadrons. Regimental HQ 17 personnel

The Landhusaren Regiment was raised in 1813 with 5 squadrons each of 147 personnel; was increased to 8 squadrons in May 1814. Regimental HQ 17 personnel

1790:
1st Kϋrassier-Regiment Minucci
1804 1st Dragoner-Regiment Minucci
1811 1st Chevau-Légers-Regiment

2nd Kϋrassier-Regiment Winckelhausen
1799 4th Chevau-Légers-Regiment then 1st Chevau-Légers-Regiment Kurfϋrst
1804 2nd Chevau-Légers-Regiment Kurfϋrst
1806 renamed "König"
1811 4th Chevau-Légers-Regiment König

1st Dragoner-Regiment Leib-Dragoner
1801 1st Dragoner-Regiment
1803 disbanded

2nd Dragoner-Regiment Fϋrst Taxis
1811 2nd Chevau-Légers-Regiment Fϋrst Taxis

1st Chevau-Légers-Regiment Prinz Leiningen
1799 4th Chevau-Légers-Regiment Prinz Leiningen
1803 3rd Chevau-Légers-Regiment Prinz Leiningen
1811 5th Chevau-Légers-Regiment Prinz Leiningen

2nd Chevau-Légers-Regiment La Rosée
1799 3rd Chevau-Légers-Regiment vacant Fϋrst Bretzenheim
1801 disbanded

3rd Chevau-Légers-Regiment Wahl
1799 2nd Chevau-Légers-Regiment Fugger
1806 1st Chevau-Légers-Regiment Kurprinz
1811 1st Chevau-Légers-Regiment Kronprinz

4th Chevau-Légers-Regiment Bubenhofen (raised 1803)
1811 6th Chevau-Légers-Regiment Bubenhofen

National-Chevau-Légers-Regiment (raised 1813) then 7th Chevau-Légers-Regiment Prinz Karl von Bayern

Uhlanen-Regiment (raised 1813)

Gendarme-zu-Pferde 1813-14

Freiwilligen-Husaren-Regiment 1813-14

Freiwilligen-Jäger-zu-Pferde
Raised in 1805 from volunteers and comprised 2 squadrons. Treated as an elite corps and drafted into the field army as officers and N.C.O.s. In 1806 served on headquarters duties and staff escort.

Following the close of hostilities in 1815 two regiments each of Kürassiers and Hussars were formed but saw no part in the actions of the Napoleonic era.

Artillery
1790 there were 2 battalions, each of 4 companies. A company served 6 cannon & 2 howitzers.

1809 – Artillerie-Regiment comprised 4 battalions, each composed of 3 foot companies, 1 light company (horse battery), and 1 depot company (Bavaria's fortress artillery).

1812 the regiment had a strength of twenty batteries – 6 light horse artillery and the remaining 14 foot batteries divided into light and heavy batteries armed with either 6 pdr cannon or 12 pdr cannon and 7 pdr howitzers, and horse batteries equipped with 6 pdr cannon.

Foot batteries generally comprised of 8 pieces each, heavy batteries: 6 x 12 pdr cannon and 2 howitzers; light batteries 6 x 6 pdr field guns and 2 howitzers. Horse batteries had 6 x 6 pdr cannon.

5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th Foot Batteries were light batteries, and the remainder 12 pdr Heavy Batteries, (composition of 13th and 14th unknown). The 1st to 6th Light Horse Batteries were armed with six 6 pdr field guns.

Landwehr and National-Feld-Bataillonen

1806 national militia raised to assist with the garrison duties and general service within the state borders.

1809 – in March Napoleon ordered formation of 12 bataillons de milice but due to finacial problems & the lack of qualified officers only 6 reserve battalions, each of 4 companies of 135 personnel and battalion HQ of 8 personnel were formed. They were designated Nationalgarde I Klasse (National Guard First Class). In late April a Landes-Defensionsbataillon was formed.

Gebirgsschϋtzen of 3 divisions formed – 1st division Trauenstein district (500 men); 2nd division Rosenheim district (1,000 men); & 3rd division Garmisch district (1,000 men).

Nationalgarde II Klasse (National Guard Second Class) raised. Each of Bavaria's 15 Kreis (counties – named after rivers) were ordered to organise Mobile Legionen (Mobile-Legions) of 4 to 8 battalions, each of 4 companies of 176 personnel (including 30 schϋtzen), battalion HQ 8 personnel. The counties were: main; Pegnitz; Naab; Rezal; Altmϋhl; Oberdonau; Lech; Regen; Unterdonau; Isar; Salzach; Iller; Inn; Eisach; & Etsch.

Local militias (Bϋrgergarde) were also raised as Nationalgarde III Klasse (National Guard Third Class)

1813 Mobile-Legions re-organised and renamed the Nationalfeldbataillon, (Nationalgarde II Klasse) with terms of service allowing them to serve with the regular army. At least 20 battalions, each bearing the name of its recruitment district:
Isarkreises; Salzakreises; Oberdonaukreises; Regenkreises; Unterdonaukreises; Mainkreises; Illerkreises; Wurzburg; Rezatkreises; Aschaffenburg;

Garrison Regiment

In 1809 comprised 8 stations(became companies in 1811): Rothenberg (HQ); Nymphenburg; Oberhaus; Rosenberg; Eichstadt; Wϋrzburg; Stadtamhof; & Donauworth.

Would you mind elaborating on that?

Very useful info. Thanks.

Prince,
Great info!
One point though, you suggest the foot artillery batteries had eight guns, but didn't the Bavarian artillery field six guns per battery, whether horse or foot? At least from 1809 onwards.

Ligniere,
My notes are for the organisation.

In general the Bavarians did deploy batteries of 6 guns in the field. For example in 1815 the batteries were to have 6 guns, but according to Nafziger a "rescript" of 16 January 1815 authorised batteries to consist of 6 guns plus 2 howitzers.

Thanks Prince of Essling!

I find the references to Fus regiment #7 very interesting particularly under the patronage of Lowenstein, which appears on the roster of regiments during the first decade of the 19th century.

For those interested in the Revolutionary period, some may recall the Lowenstein Chasseurs, which were amalgamated into the 5th Battalion of the British 60th Regiment in 1799. Prior to this they served under the Dutch.

What I find most interesting about the Lowenstein Chasseurs during this period – or more specifically – 1794-1795 – is that their uniform is essentially the Bavarian Rumford pattern costume.. which came as a bit of a surprise to me.

A print of the Lowenstein regiment that is contemporary to 1794 can be found in the appendices of Military History Press' recent bound release of Phipps' volume on Napoleon in Italy.

The print is noteworthy as it clearly shows a figure wearing the unique Rumford helmet and shortened, one-piece lapel cut at the chest. IIRC the facing colour is green (I will have to check this) with Bavarian grey pants and short black gaiters. The unique feature is the coat which is also grey and so does not follow Bavarian issue.

I'd be curious to know from anyone with information or access to materials in German or Dutch texts about the relationship between this unit and Bavaria.

Cheers!
Beeker

Under a Capitulation with the Duke of Bavaria the Bataljon Jagers van Loewenstein-Wertheim was created on 19 May 1794. It initially comprised 5 companies. Increased to 6 companies on 8 August 1794 and finally 7 companies on 22 November 1794. The troops were released from their contract on 27 July 1795.

@Prince of Essling

Impressive effort

Merci beaucoup indeed!

Beeker

Further, any idea if they saw action?

Wow ! Very many thanks to PoE for that exhaustive contribution. Very impressive indeed.

Thank you all again.

Phil

@Beeker,
The short answer is yes they did (info below from "The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book by Digby-Smith).

2 companies were part of the 5,000 Dutch army that fought the French 12,000 at Bommel (10-28 December 1794).
50 men were part of the 1,500 garrison of Grave (siege of 1-29 December 1794).

Excellent!

Many thanks PoE!