"Portrait of Colonel Baron Claude Mugnier (and a question)" Topic

This is the miniature portrait of Colonel Baron Claude Mugnier. Colonel Mugnier became the commanding officer of the 6th French Dragoons in 1813 and lead his regiment at the Battle of Leipzig. Mugnier commanded the 6th Dragoons at the battles of Ligny and Wavre (?).

Is he wearing the uniform of colonel of the 6th Dragoons in this portrait?

Thanks in advance.

The facings of the 6th Dragoons were "Scarlet lapels, turnbacks, cuff-flaps and collar with vertical coat pockets, although much of these distinctions are not in the portrait. It looks about right for the 6th but from the evidence of the collar and lapels it could also be the 1st, 3rd, or 4th Dragoons!

"… and LED his regiment at the Battle of Leipzig."

:-)

I'm no expert but it looks like the Chef d'Escadron uniform in Tenue de Parade to me – epaulette on left shoulder aiguillette on right.

The colonel's uniform has two epaulettes.

I always thought the aigulettes were a distinction of the Guard to be honest.

I would find it hard to tell this from a junior officer of the Chasseurs a Cheval of the Imperial Guard.

The pointed lower edge of the lapels on the habit also looks like Light cavalry, ie chasseurs, not dragoons. Is this not him as a younger man?

I'll grant the white waistcoat as atypical though.

Superb portrait

La Fleche and deadhead,

You guys nailed it. My two main concerns were:

1- He's not a colonel in this portrait.

2- I don't think he's wearing the uniform of the French dragoons.

Could be him as a younger man, perhaps serving in the Chasseurs à Cheval of the Imperial Guard, or this could be the portrait of another French officer. I will try to find more about Colonel Mugnier's career.

Thanks for your feedback.

Also thanks to Glengarry5.

Oh he is Guard, without a doubt frankly, but that was a great career move towards getting your colonelcy, eventually. Obviously got him the Legion d'Honneur anyway!

Hope you can learn more and thanks for posting an image that is new to me

There appears no Claude Mugnier in the Base Léonore (a – not 100 % complete – database of those who became member of the légion d'honneur):

link

Surprise frankly.

The subject of this painting has the Legion d'Honneur. (and he is 100% in C a Cheval de la G Imp rig. I was trying to be a bit less dogmatic….but that is the case, I am afraid.)

I would expect that award, of a colonel of a regt of horse, as he surely was, at some later stage.

Even if this is not CM ( who is well documented), I am puzzled, that the Col named never ever got that award.

Could be the "Given name" issue. No one has ever known me as anything but Liam. But my grandparents did my registration of birth, as my mom was so ill. They insisted William, as generations had alternated John and William. Mom and dad were furious. To this day, when I book a flight, when I pass through US immigration, I have to remember……..

Little Willy….that's me

Bet this chap had another Christian name!

According to Quintin's Dictionary of Colonels

Claude Mugnier joined the Chasseurs du Hainaut in 1788, they became the 5th Chasseurs a Cheval in 1791. Sous Lt 4/09/1793; Captain 10/03/1804 in Chasseurs a Cheval de la Garde from 6/09/1805; Chef d'Escadron 17/06/1809; colonel of line 27/02/1813; 6th Dragoons 29/03/1813. Chev Legion d'Honneur 14/03/1806; Baron of the Empire 4/12/1812

Regards

Garry
caseshotpublishing.com

deadhead,

As Oliver Schmidt stated, Base Léonore has some gaps in its database. I find it hard to believe that a French cavalry colonel and baron of the empire was never awarded the cross of the Légion d'honneur.

BINGO!

Thank you very much, Garry!

So… Claude Mugnier served in the Regiment of Chasseurs à Cheval of the French Imperial Guard between 1805 and 1813. Excellent! He probably was with the regiment at Austerlitz, Eylau and Wagram, and made the Russian Campaign with this prestigious light cavalry unit. Mugnier went on and commanded the 6th French Dragoons in the late period of the Empire.

TPMers are the best. :-)

You are most welcome,

his campaign history reads
Army of the North 1792-5, wounded 12/10/94 near Bois le Duc
Army of Sambre et Meuse 1796-7
Army of England 1798
Army of Danube 1799
Army of the Rhine 1800
Grande Armee 1805-7
Spain 1808-9 & 1810-11 & 1813
Russia 1812
France 1814
Army of the north 1815
Retired 26/01/1816

Regards

Garry
caseshotpublishing.com

Ah, but it takes an Irishman to spot a French Imperial Guardsman.

Sure, 'tis the aigulettes that give it away every time. Right shoulder fer an occifer, left fer a Guardsman or NCO.

But one thing we have not solved. A Regt colonel without the Leg d'Honneur? I accept gaps in the records, but I will bet there, as another given name!

Deadhead

As I said above he got the LdH in 1806, job done then?

Regards

Garry
caseshotpublishing.com

Deadhead,

Mugnier got the Légion d'honneur in 14/03/1806 (see Garry's post).

Garry,

Colonel Mugnier and his 6th Dragoons also served in Germany in 1813. The 6th Dragoons, under the command of Mugnier, fought at the Battle of Leipzig.

Apologies Garry. Did not read that carefully enough.

Between us all……

I wasn't around in 2018 (well not registered anyway), but nice to see another Guard officer identified.

Certainly Liam was 100% correct with the uniform identification. Now I may just have to name squadron commanders, or assign him a special post, when my, ahhh, recreation, comes to parade.

On the semantics, there are quite a few 'non-descript' officers promoted later in the period, for ahhh, obvious reasons. I think that the Emperors 'due dilligence' wasn't quite focussed on the PR side any more… hence the missing 'Officier' or better gong Liam was alluding too!

Salut!
davew≠