NAPOLEON'S INFANTRY 1809 - 1815
[420-840 men]
In 1808 Napoleon ordered the organization of war battalion [Bataillon de Guerre] being changed from 9 to 6 (stronger) companies. These changes were implemented in troops on primary theater of war while those on secondary theaters (Spain and Italy) would keep their 9-companies battalions for some time. Between 1808 and 1815 the battalion was 840 men strong. (Davout's opinion, in a letter dated 10 Sept 1811, was that a battalion of 960 men was too large to be managed properly.)
In reality tye strength of battalion was between 400 and 600 men. For example in 1809 at Wagram were 255 btns. with an average of 556 men each. Many line regiments formed their 4th field battalions. In 1811 Napoleon ordered that majors-in-second be named for all regiments with 4-6 war battalions. Between 1808 and 1815 the line battalion had:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chef d'bataillon (mounted)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Adjudant-Major - in the rank of captain
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Sous-Adjudant-Major - in the rank of lieutenant
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Adjudant Sous-officer - in the rank of senior NCO
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Drum-corporal
. . . . Voltigeur Company - Grenadier Company (Carabinier Company in light infantry)
. . . . Fusilier Company - Fusilier Company (Chasseur Company in light infantry)
. . . . Fusilier Company - Fusilier Company (Chasseur Company in light infantry)
Company
[70-140 men]
The company was an administrative unit, the tactical unit was the platoon (peloton). The French company consisted of one platoon. The war battalion had 9 (before 1808) or 6 (after 1808) companies. Until 1808 the grenadier company had 80-90 men and the center companies were 120 men each. In 1808-1815 each company consisted of 140 men:
- 1 captain
- 2 leutenants
- 1 sergeant-major
- 4 sergeants
(They were gritty, hard-bitten lads who kept the troop well under control.)
- 1 furrier
- 8 corporals
- 2-3 drummers
- 121 privates
This is interesting that prior to going into battle, a battalion would have all companies equalized by the Chef. If the grenadier or voltigeur company was short on men, then selected fusiliers were accpted to help fill out their ranks. It was important to maintain the frontage of the troops not only by the above described process but also by taking the men of the third rank. Sometimes the 3rd rank would dissolve as the men were drawn to fill out the files in the 1st and 2nd rank.
Sometimes the grenadier companies were detached from their parent battalions and formed so-called grenadier battalions and even entire divisions. Already in 1796 Bonaparte formed a special advance guard by detaching the grenadier and carabinier companies from most of his demi-brigades and forming them into a provisional division (4,000 men) under General Dallemagne. It consisted of two brigades commanded by Lannes and Lanusse, horse battery and light cavalry.
[70-140 men]
The company was an administrative unit, the tactical unit was the platoon (peloton). The French company consisted of one platoon. The war battalion had 9 (before 1808) or 6 (after 1808) companies. Until 1808 the grenadier company had 80-90 men and the center companies were 120 men each. In 1808-1815 each company consisted of 140 men:
- 1 captain
- 2 leutenants
- 1 sergeant-major
- 4 sergeants
(They were gritty, hard-bitten lads who kept the troop well under control.)
- 1 furrier
- 8 corporals
- 2-3 drummers
- 121 privates
This is interesting that prior to going into battle, a battalion would have all companies equalized by the Chef. If the grenadier or voltigeur company was short on men, then selected fusiliers were accpted to help fill out their ranks. It was important to maintain the frontage of the troops not only by the above described process but also by taking the men of the third rank. Sometimes the 3rd rank would dissolve as the men were drawn to fill out the files in the 1st and 2nd rank.
Sometimes the grenadier companies were detached from their parent battalions and formed so-called grenadier battalions and even entire divisions. Already in 1796 Bonaparte formed a special advance guard by detaching the grenadier and carabinier companies from most of his demi-brigades and forming them into a provisional division (4,000 men) under General Dallemagne. It consisted of two brigades commanded by Lannes and Lanusse, horse battery and light cavalry.
French company (platoon) formed on 3 ranks and battalion (of 6 companies) formed in line.
When the Chef of Battalion gives order "Forward !":
the left and right battalion guide ("guide generaux") and the first rank of fanion's (or flag's) guard
place themselves 6 paces ahead of the line of battalion. They set up the alignement of the battalion.
Then the Chef of Battalion gives second order: "March !" and the entire battalion starts marching
If there are several battalions advancing side by side the intervals between them are 15,6 m.
When the Chef of Battalion gives order "Forward !":
the left and right battalion guide ("guide generaux") and the first rank of fanion's (or flag's) guard
place themselves 6 paces ahead of the line of battalion. They set up the alignement of the battalion.
Then the Chef of Battalion gives second order: "March !" and the entire battalion starts marching
If there are several battalions advancing side by side the intervals between them are 15,6 m.
I have tried to reduce the size of the French Battalion. It is actually only 31 cm wide and about 2 deep.