"La Légion du Midi (15mm AB Figures)" Topic

As recently discussed, I've been rummaging around in cupboards and boxes and digging out some old, forgotten Napoleonics of mine. Here's another unit that I've dug out and it's probably my favourite:

The Légion du Midi was formed in 1803 chiefly from Piedmontese personnel. Initially envisaged as a brigade-sized force of three line battalions, two light battalions and a battery of artillery, only the two light battalions were actually raised. These were initially sent to the Caribbean, though in 1808 were brought back and redeployed to Spain.

In Spain the Legion was brigaded with the Légion Hanovrienne and 26e Légère and by 1811 had been reduced through losses to a single battalion (in common with the Légion Hanovrienne).

Each battalion was ordered to be organised of five companies – 4x Chasseur Companies and 1x Carabinier Company. In 1804 one Chasseur company in battalion was converted to Voltigeurs. However, some sources record them as serving in the Caribbean with 9x companies per battalion and in Spain with 6x companies per battalion, thereby matching the French organisations of the period.

Uniforms were 'Capucin' brown (apparently actually looted from a Capucin monastery) with light blue facings. Although light infantry, the uniforms were cut in line infantry style, with square-ended lapels. Carabiniers had bearskins with plates and red decoration. Chasseurs had green epaulettes and plumes. Voltigeurs had green/yellow distinctions. Metalwork was gold/brass.

The Legion was issued with an Eagle and like the Hanoverians, carried a flag of the 1804 pattern with silver corner-medallions.

Now that is a nice looking unit! Also one I have never heard of – great work

Lovely figures yet again. They look a little like the Chasseurs de Montagne.

There were also a few units knocking around in the 1790s with 'brown' (actually captured red coats badly dyed black) coats faced light blue. One close to my heart is the 2e Legion des Francs that 'fought' at Fishguard in 1797, though similarly-dressed units also served in Ireland, the Vendee, Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland.

Very beautiful. Also I have made the Legion du Midì (in 6mm).

link

Greetings from Piedmont.
Marco

You do like your weird and wonderful don't you

Not really… :)

When we were doing the AB Figures Wargames Weekends 1999-2001, Mike H had all the 'basic' troops needed for particular scenarios, but lacked the 'odd' units. Consequently, I ended up painting all the weird stuff for him, which then came back to me when he decided to sell up.

So I ended up doing loads of Bavarians, Badeners and Wuerttembergers for Eggmuehl, Prussian Guards for Auerstaedt and all this weird stuff for Fuentes… :)

just let us have a look at the Prussian Guards please

Sadly Mike sold those to someone in Scotland. :(

It consisted of 4x 32-figure Guard Battalions, 4x 8-figure guard grenadier companies, 8x guard schuetzen, 64x Jaegers (one battalion formed up and the same broken down as skirmishers), a pair of 32-figure grenadier battalions for the Reserve Corps, a pair of 34-figure cuirassier regiments, a 12pdr foot battery and a 6pdr horse battery, plus generals. I'd have MUCH rather ended up with that stuff, to be honest! :(

The Bavarians also got sold. :(

Well you'll just have to paint more then!

Unless you want me and Paul to start doing house to house searches to get them back for you ;)

Auerstaedt is my next project after Waterloo. :)

I think it's great to see some of the rare, unique units like the Legion. Excellent!