"Eagles issued to French cavalry too?" Topic

I am aware that Louis Napoleon issued eagle standards to his infantry regiments in an effort to revive the traditions of his uncle. But were they also issued to French cavalry regiments? I'm working on some cavalry for Franco-Austrian and Franco-Prussian War.

I thought this would be straightforward but now the doubt has been sown, I cannot find anything specifically mentioning cavalry eagles and I can only find one illustration of the Cent Garde carrying a collection of eagles but with no context or explanation. Weird!

Whom, even if issued would they had been carried into the battle? Depending if you want parade or campaign feel for your troops

Yes, imperial eagles were issued to French cavalry regiments.

Dragoons of the French Imperial Guard in 1866. Take a look at the flag and eagle of the regiment. This is the monument of the regiment at the Camp of Châlons.

THIS PHOTO IS VERY LARGE. JUST COPY AND PASTE THE URL OF THE PHOTO, THEN CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT.

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Eagle of the 8th French Hussars (model 1860)

The regiments of Chasseurs à Cheval and Dragoons ("Empress Dragoons") of the French Imperial Guard received their eagles in a grand ceremony at the Champ de Mars, Paris, in May 6th of 1857. Napoleon III and Grand Duke Constantin of Russia reviewed both regiments and presented the eagles. The Chasseurs à Cheval was a big regiment… The regiment had 1,272 officers and men in 1857.

The eagle of the Dragoons in the the first photo of my last post isn't the one issued in 1857. Another imperial eagle was issued in 1860.

Imperial eagles and flags of French regiments and battalions decorated with the cross of the Légion d'honneur during the Second French Empire (1852-1870). Photo taken in 1911. The first eagle from right to left, the one without flag, belonged to the 1st Chasseurs d'Afrique (famous cavalry regiment).

Click on the image to enlarge it: link

From left to right: 3rd Zouaves (captured two Mexican flags/fanions at San Lorenzo in 1863), 51st Line Infantry Regiment (captured two Mexican fanions at San Lorenzo in 1863), 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs (captured two Mexican flags/fanions at San Lorenzo in 1863), Sappeurs Pompiers de Paris, 2nd Zouaves (captured one Austrian flag at the Battle of Magenta in 1859), Battalion of Chasseurs a Pied of the French Imperial Guard (captured one Austrian flag at the Battle of Solferino in 1859), 76th Line Infantry Regiment (captured one Austrian flag at Solferino in 1859), unknown unit and 1st Chasseurs d'Afrique (captured one Mexican flag/fanion at San Pablo del Monte in 1863).

There was more units/flags/eagles awarded with the cross of the Légion d'honneur during the Second French Empire.

Eagles were not carried by light cavalry when campaaigning.

Dragoons used to carry their eagles plus standards on the field;

Heavy cavalry only carried eagles and "cravattes" on the field, the silks were not present.

Amicalement.