"Blue Trousers on French Line Infantry" Topic

I am getting back into Napoleonics after a long absence, collecting 54mm figures, mostly plastic, for a Hougoumont game in the spring. I know that French light infantry wore blue trousers, both with and without gaiters. I have also seen illustrations of French line infantry, both officers and enlisted men wearing blue trousers, especially during the Hundred Days. I'm not a stickler for accuracy, for example some of my French infantry wear the pre 1812 jacket, but I am curious whether the blue trousers were peculiar to 1815 or whether they would be out of place, say, in the Peninsula.

The Boisellier plates (said to be copied from sketches made in life) show all sorts of trousers on French infantry in Iberia. The more "uniform" among these would blue trousers on line infantry. There was also brown, the "correct" white, beige, gray, red, striped blue/white (bedding material?), patched rags, and so on.

Similarly, after Moscow, the French in 1812 were in all sorts of trousers, many civilian. Later rags and wrapped pieces of blankets.

On the other hand, I have no idea why line infantry would be in blue trousers for the Cent Jours. The would have had "correct" issued white trousers from the first restoration era.

- Sasha

On the other hand, I have no idea why line infantry would be in blue trousers for the Cent Jours. The would have had "correct" issued white trousers from the first restoration era.

I believe the French army under Louis the Fat was under strength & not that well provided for.

Napoleon certainly had to raise more troops: 15 000 volunteers came forward as well as equip much that he "inherited".

Providing for them in the limited time before the campaign was not easy:
"The army was hastily assembled, lacked uniforms and shoes".
link

I think it not impossible that blue trousers were worn in the 100 Days.

I painted my 1815 French troops with blue,grey,white & brown trousers

I game the Peninsula. Any color is appropriate after a sesson campaigning. Typically my units might be mixed with white, gray, shades of brown, dark blue and some figures white with stripes. After some campaign time, any cloth will do. Brits are the same.

Haythornthwaite shows them in "scarecrow" trousers tied round the ankles with string. I'd say anything goes, although for simple convenience of ready recognition rather than accuracy I'd probably minimise blue trousers among the linies.

What 54mm are you using BTW?

4th Cuirassier, mostly the old Airfix Waterloo figures for the British with the Belgic shako and the flank company wings, which work well for the Guards light companies. The French are a real mix, including Airfix, Call to Arms, Hat, and even Britains Deetail.

What do you do about centre companies, or don't you need any? I am putting together Waterloo stuff based on the ATKM rules and centre company guys seem non existent.

Armies in Plastic has them. Not their best sculpts, in my opinion. And they are visibly larger than the Airfix figures.But the price is right.