"1806 Jena Question" Topic

Well, that's clear enough.

THE FRENCH WON!

I've often pondered that same question.

And I always draw a blank.

What was the question?

Brechtel

Something that had to do with what Hamilton Williams and Hofschroer wrote, I'm sure of it!

Undoubtedly!

What is that cord used to tow artillery pieces? It was designed by Hofschron Williams in 1801. It was first used (unsuccessfully) at Jena in 1806.

The battle was fought at Mont St Jena. Or was that something else?

Why? How could the Prussians let that happen?

Dang, someone deleted the wrong duplicate posting.

Here was my original question:

I have read that for the battle of Jena the French Guard Cavalry was not present and that the 1st Hussars were Napoleon's horse guard until the Chasseur a Cheval of the Guard arrived a few days later.

But I also see OBs that show the Grenadier a Cheval, Chasseur a Cheval, and Gendarme d'Elite of the Guard present.

Were the Guard cav units physically present at Jena or not?

Napoleon was escorted by the 1st Hussars up to and including the battle of Jena. The cavalry of the Guard had a long way to come, as they were in France until 19 September. The infantry made it and were at Jena.

Brechtel198, thanks for your response but I'd like to ask what your sources are. Thank you.

Sure, you can find it in Lachouque's Anatomy of Glory as well as some of the comments in John Elting's Swords Around A Throne.

Napoleon would not wait for the Guard to catch up to begin a campaign. It would happen again in 1809 with Napoleon in theater and the Guard still en route from Spain. Then Napoleon employed Bavarian and Wurttemberg light cavalry for his escort.

The guard cavalry and most of it's artillery did not rejoin the army until October 18th. (from Napoleon's Apogee)

Perfect, thank you both.

The best thing about the Guard in 1806 is you have regiments of French Dragoons serving on foot and attached to the guard.

There were two regiments left of the dragoon 'walkers' in 1806. and as the campaign against first Prussia and then Russia progressed, they were sent to a depot in Wittenberg and issued captured horses where they were reorganized. The requisite saddles, boots, sabers, saddlery and cloaks were taken from Prussian, Saxon, and Hessian depots to reequip the two regiments.

Both squadrons of the gendarmerie d'élite (all mounted, the foot companies having been disbanded in April) made the 1806 campaign. It is not surprising, as their task was to guard the person and baggage of the Empereur. At Jena there were some 20 officiers and about 260 sous-officiers and gendarmes.

The lieutenant en 1er de la 3e compagnie Jerôme Compagnon (Troyes 1773 – Montigny-Lencoup, près de Paris 1849) was wounded during the battle.

Le Breton, thanks! I've been wanting to paint up the Gendarmerie d'Elite of the Guard. Gringo40s has just the figures for that too. Really nice looking.

"Napoleon would not wait…"
I remember reading – though not where – that he actually did this deliberately: Since the Guard usually accompanied him, foreign correspondents in Paris reporting the Guard still in its quarters implied the start of any campaign was still some time in the future. Travelling ahead on his own to start operations was a way of "humbugging" his opponents.