"compagnie d'ordonnance (1800) - What unit is this?" Topic

Looking through the index of articles published in the issues of the "Carnet de la Sabretache" journal, I found an article called "Projet de formation d'une compagnie d'ordonnance (1800)", from a 1948 edition. Does anyone have any idea of what might this compagnie d'ordonnance be?

Staff officiers and NCOs but only a project.

It is a proposal from Berthier to Napoleon to form a mounted company as follows:
1 Captain (commanding), 3 lieutenants, 1 adjutant sou officier, 1 medical officer, 3 marechaux de logis, 3 fourriers, 6 brigadiers, 3 farriers, 3 trumpeters, and 180 troopers. They are drawn from well-to-do families from the environs of Paris since the service d'ordonnaces is a "painful service should be done with exactitude and security by the regiments of the cavalry who arrive from the army to rebuild and whose men do not know all the detours of this immense city."

So perhaps a staff unit for the use of the minister of war (at this point, Berthier) for all manner of staff duties around Paris.

In any event, the editor notes that "this proposal was not followed through. There were other more important issues. Berthier left the Ministry of War on April 4, 1800, to take the command of the Reserve Army and the 'well-to-do families" of young men, to be more useful in the formation of volunteer hussars on foot and mounted that were created at this time."

The citation is Carnet de la Sabretache, No. 405. M. J. Margerand, "Projet de formation d'une compagnie d'ordonnance (1800)," pp. 28-29

Thank you guys! Was any uniform proposed for this unit?

There is no mention of a uniform in the proposal from Berthier. I am guessing since it didn't get very far as a unit, no uniform was designed… sorry.

Thank you very very much!

I do no figures of the Guard, for I specialize in the Peninsular War, with plenty of colorful non-Guard units to do.

But I recall reading of the Gendarmes d'Ordonnance, formed from wealthy and aristocratic men – and much resented by the rest of the Guard.

Here is a great selection of pictures on Pinterest. The basic uniform seems to be of he chassuers a cheval in chasseur – cut away long tailed coat – and shako.

link

GdeP