"French Middle Guard and Young Guard uniform differences ?" Topic

Subject matter says it all any major differences in uniform style or pattern between Middle and Young Guard regiments of the 1813/14 period ?

Cheers

Goodness yes – the uniform of the Middle Guard (Fusilier-Grenadiers, Fusilier Chasseurs) was essentially the same as their parent Old Guard units, except for the shako in place of the bearskin, and the white epaulets with red stripes of the Fusilier-Grenadiers.

The later Young Guard uniforms were light infantry in cut and style, no epaulets, probably no plumes,. and of course different coloration.

Cheers Mr P :-)

Does anyone know if the "Middle Guard" infantry survived the Russian Campaign of 1812? I did not think the Fusilier-Grenadiers; the Fusilier-Chasseurs; or the Dutch Guard Grenadiers were rebuilt.

Just young Guard, as I understand?

GdeP

The Fusiliers-Grenadiers and Fusiliers-Chasseurs were rebuilt after Russia. They were still rated as Middle Guard and were reformed from qualified veterans.

They fought splendidly at Lutzen, taking part in the decisive assault at the end of the day after Drouot's large battery had gutted the allied center.

The two regiments were disbanded, along with the Young Guard, after the Bourbons 'returned' in 1814 after the first abdication. They were not reformed in 1815, Napoleon deciding to have only Old Guard and Young Guard infantry, the former being eight regiments, four of grenadiers and four of chasseurs.

As for the 3d (Dutch) Grenadiers, who were also classed as Middle Guard, they lost heavily in Russia and the survivors were taken into the 1st and 2d Regiments of Grenadiers a Pied.

They were not reformed in 1815

Where does that come from?
It is true to say that the Fusilier Grenadiers and Fusilier Chasseurs were not reformed – but there is repeated reference to the Middle Guard. Those being the 3rd and 4th Grenadier and Chasseur a Pied.

However, in the decrees that formed those four regiments, they were designated as Old Guard regardless of what the army referred to them as.

The bottom line is that the Middle Guard was not reformed in 1815, officially and otherwise. Only the Old and Young Guard were reformed.

Napoleon referred to them as the Middle Guard.

The following is taken from the bulletin Napoleon dictated at Laon on the 20th of June, and which was published in the Moniteur on the 21st,

Sur les huit heures et demie, les quatre bataillons de la moyenne garde qui avaient été envoyés sur le plateau au-delà de Mont-St-Jean pour soutenir les cuirassiers, étant gênés par sa mitraille, marchèrent à la baïonnette pour enlever ses batteries.

1789-1815.com/bulletin.htm
or
link

Thanks for the clarification! That's what I get for being totally focused on the Peninsular War!

GdeP

The decrees of 8 April and 9 May 1815 officially designated the 3d and 4th Grenadiers and Chasseurs as Old Guard.

The official decrees were issued by Napoleon.

A rose by any other name…

The Young Guard regiments did have both plumes and pompoms as well as epaulets.

The first few regiments of each type (tirailleur and voltigeur) also had elite companies, one per battalion.

Young Guard regiments were small-two battalions of four companies each and were commanded by majors.

Elite companies? Tell me more please

And don't forget that your Middle Guard cadres – NCOs and officers, were usually drawn from the Old Guard and kept their bearskins. Which brings to mind the question: how many officers and NCOs in the Middle Guard were wearing Middle Guard headgear? My guess is that it would only be officers promoted from the line, and not originals.