MarbotsChasseurs | 15 Sep 2021 12:03 p.m. PST |
Hello everyone, The below portrait was posted on Serguei Sergeev's Facebook page, which has numerous portraits available for viewing. The officer in the portrait is Capitaine Adjudant-Major Antoine Jean Leclercq of the 8e Cuirassiers c. 1807 most likely shown as a Lieut in early 1807.
We find from his service record that his horse was killed in the middle of the cavalry charges at the Battle of Essling on May 21, 1809; while dismounted, he received seven saber wounds and was left for dead. During the second charge, the regiment was able to force the enemy to withdraw and recover Leclercq. Due to his wounds, he lost the total use of his right eye and part of the movements of his lower jaw. Most likely, the wounds to his face completely changed his appearance from the portrait above. Here is a link to Leclercq's Base Leonore file and service record below.
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SHaT1984 | 15 Sep 2021 12:57 p.m. PST |
Nice. There wasn't necessarily a huge difference between a lieutenants and a captains epaulettes, if you couldn't afford the extra metal. The red base cloth could be covered with extra silver lace on the board. Think I have a museum pic of such on a slide… somewhere. d |
MarbotsChasseurs | 15 Sep 2021 1:09 p.m. PST |
Dave, I mentioned that he most likely was an LT due to adj. major usually wearing the epaulette on the right side and counter epaulette on the left. However, who knows if the regiment decided not to follow along with everyone else! Please post a pic if you find the slide. Michael |
von Winterfeldt | 17 Sep 2021 11:50 p.m. PST |
there was a difference – the double red stripe on the epaulette strap, I agree that the adj. major he should have put the epaulettes the other way round, as to the regiment decide not to conform, this is too much far fetched in my view, you had to recognize an Adj. Major spot on, there he had different functions than a capitaine. |
Bernard1809 | 19 Sep 2021 1:33 a.m. PST |
MarbotsChasseurs, tu as raison! Vu les états de service de notre homme et vu le tableau: il porte le grade de lieutenant adjudant-major. Certes on ne voit pas le fil rouge sur l'épaulette, trop fin à représenter! De plus il porte fièrement sa légion d'honneur décernée le 1er octobre 1807. Bernard |
SHaT1984 | 19 Sep 2021 3:07 a.m. PST |
Hi I was merely citing the reaity of the situation with epaulettes, not that this is so in this case. Sorry for the confusion. Of course from such an angle/ aspect it could never be shown clearly, and I agree the 'rank' required correct uniform display. Note the powdered hair but natural sideburns. That is the first time I've noticed the cross hung on the bouttonniere! cheers d |
MarbotsChasseurs | 19 Sep 2021 3:50 a.m. PST |
Bernard, Merci pour votre réponse et j'espère que vous allez bien! Un membre de ma page Facebook a souligné que notre homme est probablement peint comme un capitaine où il a été promu en 1808. Dave, Seems it might have been the fashion for Cuirassiers to wear the LdH in this manner.
Chef d' Escadron Igace-Leopold-Elysee Scherb 11e Curiassiers 1806-1810 Original portrait of the Scherb brothers found on this link
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SHaT1984 | 19 Sep 2021 1:09 p.m. PST |
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SHaT1984 | 20 Sep 2021 1:00 p.m. PST |
I think you gave us an officer of Chasseurs with same earlier.? |
SHaT1984 | 28 Sep 2021 7:49 p.m. PST |
Hi again, Not sure from where I purloined this scan, but again an authenticated officer, even if the star is not in exactly the same position. You don't get many clear and accurate portraits of the early dress, subjected to rigorous debate in other places… TMP link .
Ofs 10e Cuirassiers_ 8185484… by DaveW, on Flickr. Check out in full size on the site, YMMV regards dave |
von Winterfeldt | 28 Sep 2021 11:11 p.m. PST |
It would be interesting to see the full article form ?Tradition magazine?Figurines. I am not that worried about placing the LdH cross – here the lapels are hooked together, again seemingly not that uncommon of about 1805 / 07, see portraits of Schwerb brothers. the pontonnier. |
SHaT1984 | 29 Sep 2021 1:58 a.m. PST |
But aren't the Scherbs in single breasted surtouts, not habit with lapels? Thats the difference? |
von Winterfeldt | 29 Sep 2021 2:46 a.m. PST |
look at the pontonnier who is a Scherb as well, wears an identical uniform in cut. |
MarbotsChasseurs | 29 Sep 2021 8:55 a.m. PST |
The youngest Scherb brother. However, it looks like the three-button on Scherbs' coat are not fastened together in the middle like the Cuirassier officer above.
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SHaT1984 | 29 Sep 2021 10:31 p.m. PST |
Is that credible? It looks more like a Dutch or Baden uniform; never seen a French foot soldier in such; or is it artistic latitude and simply copying of one design to another? |
MarbotsChasseurs | 30 Sep 2021 8:00 a.m. PST |
Dave, I would imagine it is credible as both brothers uniforms look authentic and probably was an unique uniform they wanted to document as the youngest Scherb brother transferred to his eldest brothers regiment slightly over a month after the Battle so they could have just painted him as another cuirassier officer. |
SHaT1984 | 30 Sep 2021 3:46 p.m. PST |
Pontoonier to cuirassier, that's quite a career drift. So much for Napoleons response somewhere along the lines of "keeping to corps" when recommending promotions. Of course he 'promoted' on his own terms, well outside the apparent 'rule'. cheers |
MarbotsChasseurs | 30 Sep 2021 5:45 p.m. PST |
Dave, One would imagine with a father as a general and both elder brothers in two different Cuirassiers regiments; it actually was odder for him not to have started his career with the cavalry. |
SHaT1984 | 30 Sep 2021 8:56 p.m. PST |
Ok, I don't know the history of them, ta. |