The voltigeurs were French military skirmish units created in 1804 by Emperor Napoleon I . They replaced the second company of fusiliers in each existing infantry battalion.
61-399: Voltigeurs ([vɔltiʒœʀ], English: "vaulters") were named after their originally conceived mode of operation: although they were foot soldiers, on the battlefield they were intended to jump onto the croup of cavalry horses to advance more quickly. This proved unworkable and they were trained to be elite skirmishers , but they retained their original name. Voltigeurs formed an integral part of
122-505: A British officer on the harrowing retreat of John Moore 's army prior to the Battle of Corunna . The French had much the advantage of us in these petty warfares, for I have frequently seen their light troops mounted behind their dragoons, so that when they came to a favourable place to make an attack, these fellows dismounted quite fresh, and our light troops who had been always marching, had to oppose them; still we managed to beat them off. With
183-545: A few troops from the initial force remained, and the army had to be rebuilt using Peninsular War veterans. Napoleon himself, called them "The Immortals Of France." Raised in 1806 from veterans of the Grande Armée , the 2 Régiment de Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Impériale was a unit within the Middle Guard. This particular unit was disbanded in 1810 and was replaced by the so-called Dutch Grenadiers until in 1811, upon
244-600: A further creation of units for the Guard that included Régiment de Flanqueurs-Grenadiers de la Garde Impériale and Flanqueur-Chasseurs Regiment ( Régiment de Flanqueurs-Chasseurs de la Garde Impériale ). The Imperial Guard cavalry constituted a corps in itself and had its own commander, with seasoned cavalrymen like Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bessières and generals Frédéric Henri Walther or Étienne Marie Antoine Champion de Nansouty successively at its helm. Augustin Daniel Belliard
305-581: A yellow brush. By 1807, all Voltigeurs had a shako which could be plain black, and have a yellow top or bottom band, or have yellow chevrons , green cords, and an all-green plume or a green plume with a yellow tip. Line voltigeurs had white trousers and lapels , while light voltigeurs had blue trousers and lapels. In 1809, the French Imperial Guard's corps of Chasseurs formed the Tirailleurs-Chasseurs and Conscrit-Chasseurs regiments, part of
366-401: Is a mounted reconnaissance unit. Its A and B Squadrons have a voltigeurs platoon for dismounted reconnaissance. Rump (animal) The rump or croup , in the external morphology of an animal, is the portion of the posterior dorsum – that is, posterior to the loins and anterior to the tail . Anatomically , the rump corresponds to the sacrum . The tailhead or dock is
427-447: Is traditional for tails to be cut off ( docked ) at the dock. In bird anatomy , the rump is the body immediately above the tail. The color of plumage on the rump is a characteristic widely used by ornithologists to distinguish between related species, and sometimes also between males and females of the same species. Similarly, the silhouette of the tailfan is a characteristic widely used for purposes of identification, particularly in
488-524: The 2 Régiment de Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde Impériale was disbanded in 1809 and re-raised in 1811 for the invasion of Russia. As part of the Middle Guard, they engaged in numerous battles and by 1813 they were finally raised to be part of the Old Guard. The 3 Régiment de Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde Impériale briefly existed during the 100 days campaign after Napoleon's escape from Elba . The 4 Régiment de Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde Impériale
549-789: The Old Guard , Middle Guard and Young Guard . The Young Guard was virtually annihilated in the Battle of Krasnoi during the French invasion of Russia . The Guard had its origin in the Consular Guard ( Garde des consuls ), created on 28 November 1799 by the union of the Guard of the Directory ( Garde du Directoire exécutif ) and the Grenadiers of the Legislature ( Grenadiers près de la Représentation nationale ). These formations had for principal purpose
610-556: The Egyptian Campaign in 1799. They were inducted into the Guard, and usually attached to the Chasseurs à Cheval . The squadron was never increased to a regiment in strength. Over the years their casualties were replaced from French cavalry regiments, or from any vaguely Middle Eastern related nationalities. Although technically classed as cavalry of the Guard, Legion de Gendarmerie d'Elite troops invariably served in detachments with
671-457: The Grande Armée 's basic building blocks, the line and light infantry battalions. In 1804, each French Line (Ligne) and Light (Légère) infantry battalion was ordered to create one company of ninety of the best shots who would serve as elite skirmishers. The voltigeurs were skilled at sharpshooting and received specific training in marksmanship, using cover and taking the initiative. Like
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#1732848583254732-612: The Regiments de Voltigeurs de la Garde Impériale became one of the largest corps in the Guard, eventually absorbing the Regiments de Conscrits-Chasseurs to number sixteen regiments by 1814. The 14 Régiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Impériale was created from the Spanish volunteers that retreated with the French Army, and the Régiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Royale Espagnol . Created in 1809,
793-466: The amputation of the tailbone at or near the dock. These include dogs , cats , sheep , pigs , and horses . Humans have a remnant tail, the coccyx , and the human equivalent of docking is coccygectomy . Usage varies from animal to animal. Birds and cattle are said to have a rump and tailhead. Dogs are said to have a rump and dock. Horses are said to have a croup (sometimes rump), thigh or haunch, buttock, and dock. In some breeds it
854-450: The coccygeal vertebrae begin). Below the croup is the thigh or haunch. Behind the thigh is the buttock . On horses appearing in parades and other public ceremonies, the croup may be decorated with quarter marks , a grooming pattern made in the horse's hair by applying hair gel or spray, then brushing patches of hair in opposite directions. Applied to horses, the term "dock" has two additional uses. Its meaning may be extended to either
915-589: The 1813–14 campaigns the number of Regiments de Tirailleurs de la Garde Impériale was increased to sixteen although they rarely equaled the regiments of the Young Guard of 1811. The 7th, 8th and 9th were recruited from the ' Pupilles de la Garde ', childsoldiers who were to become Napoleon's son's guard and who stayed in France during the Napoleon's invasion of Russia . Created from the Tirailleurs-Chasseurs in late 1810,
976-468: The 1st and 2nd Divisions. In 1804, the Guard numbered 8,000 men. By the time of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812, it had swelled to just under 100,000 men. The Guard had its own artillery, infantry and cavalry components just like a normal army corps. The Old Guard was the elite within the wider Imperial Guard. Created soon after the creation of the Guard itself, the General Staff by 1806 included
1037-741: The 1st battalions of the Vélites of the Grenadiers and Chasseurs of the Guard; the regiment was to be 1,200 men strong. Men of the Compagnies de Reserve were added to bring the regiment up to four battalions of four companies each, 120 men to a company. In 1813, each battalion was enlarged by two more companies. They were destroyed on 12 May 1814. The first regiment to become known as the Young Guard, Tirailleurs Grenadiers ( 1 Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Impériale ) were raised in 1809 from conscripts, but they had to be able to read and write. A second regiment
1098-536: The Artillery Park of the Guard ( Parc d'Artillerie de la Garde Impériale ), the latter two created in 1807. Despite shortages in artillery ordnance , in 1813 Napoleon created the Régiment d'Artillerie à Pied de la Garde Impériale of the Young Guard ( Jeune Garde ). The Parc du materiel de la Garde Impériale was created in 1813 to supplement the meager resources of the Bataillon du Train des équipages militaires after
1159-546: The Battle of Waterloo. The retort to a request to surrender may have been " La Garde meurt, elle ne se rend pas! " ("The Guard dies, it does not surrender!"). Letters published in The Times in June 1932 record that it may have been said by General Michel. The Old Guard regiments were assigned to the Guard's 3rd Division, while the remainder of the Guard's foot regiments were assigned to
1220-638: The Bourbon kings, the surviving regiments of Voltigeurs, along with the remnants of the entire Imperial Guard, were disbanded. In 1854 Napoleon III recreated the Imperial Guard of his uncle. This included a Voltigeur Brigade of two regiments, expanded to two brigades by 1857. Drawn from experienced men with good records in the line infantry, the Voltigeur regiments of the Imperial Guard served with distinction in
1281-519: The Consular Guard, and ranked second in seniority, although it was a light cavalry regiment. It was the Chasseurs that usually provided personal escort to Napoleon, and he often wore the uniform of the regiment in recognition of this service. The regiment was not only known for its lavish uniform, but its combat history, as well. A second regiment ( 2 Régiment de Chasseurs-a-Cheval de la Garde Impériale )
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#17328485832541342-680: The Crimean and Italian campaigns. In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 they saw only limited action before the surrender of the main imperial field army at Metz. The surviving depot companies of the Voltigeur regiments were then incorporated into the provisional regiments de march of the Republican forces. Several Napoleonic French allies based their battalion formation on that of the French and had voltigeur companies in their battalions. The allies using
1403-567: The French battalion system included the following: In addition, the United States organized a " Regiment of Voltigeurs and Foot Riflemen " (1847–1848) for service in the Mexican–American War . Like its French counterpart, the American voltigeur was composed of light infantry trained to fight either in conventional formations or spread out into skirmish lines. The Jagers te Paard Battalion
1464-521: The General Staff of the Guard, Napoleon's personal headquarters, and the Guard field camps. The Legion included mounted and dismounted troops, the mounted component being two squadrons. The Guards of Honour ( Régiment de Garde d'Honneur ) were four regiments of light cavalry which Napoleon created in 1813 for his campaigns in Germany to reinforce his Guard cavalry decimated in Russia. The regiments were dressed in
1525-603: The Guard) as counterparts to the Cossacks. They were also known as Hussards Éclaireurs within the Guard. They joined the army on 1 January 1814, just in time to participate in the Six Days Campaign , and were disbanded after Napoleon's first abdication. The 1 Regiment d'Éclaireurs à Cheval was attached to the Grenadiers à Cheval , and was thus named the regiment of Éclaireurs-grenadiers . The 2 Regiment d'Eclaireurs à Cheval
1586-466: The Guard, the regiment was renamed 1 Régiment de Chevau-Legers-Lanciers de la Garde Impériale . Raised in 1810 from former Dutch Army cavalry units as the 2 Régiment de chevau-légers lanciers de la Garde Impériale , the regiment became known as the Red Lancers from their uniform. A Light Cavalry Lancers Regiment of the Imperial Guard ( 3 Régiment de Chevau-Légers-Lanciers de la Garde Impériale )
1647-511: The Middle Guard as the 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers ( 2 Régiment de Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Impériale ). It was disbanded 15 February 1813 after certain issues with staff and personnel, however was re-raised on 8 April 1815 to the replace the Fusilier-Grenadiers de la Garde Impériale. It was finally disbanded on 24 September 1815 after Napoleon's Second Abdication . The 4 Régiment de Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Impériale
1708-677: The Neo-Greek Minerve style, and a red plume. In the Russian campaign of 1812, the French Army had suffered badly from attacks by the Russian Cossack cavalry. About to fight on French soil for the first time since the French Revolutionary Wars , Napoleon decided to reorganize the Imperial Guard. In Article 1 of a decree of 4 December 1813, he created three regiments of Éclaireurs à Cheval de la Garde Impériale (mounted scouts of
1769-464: The Regiment marked the anniversary of her death. The unit's numbers rose to 1269 in 1807 with the addition of two new squadrons, and on 9 December 1813 it was attached to the Guard's 3rd regiment of éclaireurs. The dragoons' uniform and weaponry was the same as those of the Guard's mounted grenadiers, only in green rather than blue, and (in place of the bonnet à poil) a copper helmet with a hanging mane in
1830-572: The Tirailleurs, conducted a tenacious defence of the town of Plancenoit against a major Prussian flanking attack. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Young Guard, reinforced by some battalions of Old Guard Grenadiers, held the town until the defeat of the Middle Guard attack on the allied centre caused the army to collapse. After the abdication of Napoleon and the Second Restoration of
1891-569: The Young Guard. In 1811, these units were renamed Voltigeurs, forming the 1–4th regiments. The Voltigeurs of the Guard, along with their sister regiments the Tirailleurs (formerly the Tirailleurs-Grenadiers and Conscrit-Grenadiers regiments), provided the skirmish screen for the Chasseurs and Grenadiers of Napoleon's Old Guard. During the Battle of Waterloo the Voltigeurs, along with
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1952-594: The battle at the last minute to salvage a victory for Napoleon. Completely outnumbered, it faced terrible fire from the British lines, and began to retreat. For the first (and only) time in its history the Middle Guard retreated without orders. At the sight of this, Napoleon's army lost all hope of victory. The Middle Guard broke completely but the Old Guard (and some of the Young Guard) battalions held their formation and secured
2013-470: The beginning of the tail, where the tail joins the rump. It is known also as the base or root of the tail, and corresponds to the human sacrococcygeal symphysis . In some mammals the tail may be said to consist of the tailbone (meaning the bony column, muscles, and skin) and the skirt (meaning the long hairs growing from the tailbone). In birds, similarly, the tail consists of tailbone and tailfan ( tail fan ). Some animals are subjected to docking ,
2074-401: The combined forces of Russian artillery and cuirassiers after bearing the brunt of cavalry charges. After this period, the quality of the French voltigeurs declined as the new units lacked the experience and training to set them apart from their "non-elite" compatriots in the regular light infantry chasseur companies. The hastily reformed regiments of 1813, numbering up to 19, were not up to
2135-497: The entire tail minus the skirt (i.e., synonymous with tailbone) or the tailhead only. In other equidae, it encompasses most of the tailbone, as most of that portion of the tail does not have long hairs. A lack of long hairs can be natural, as in zebras , donkeys , and the Przewalski horse , or artificial, the result of pulling, trimming, or shaving part of the skirt (see Horse grooming and Tail (horse) ). A sponge used to wash
2196-616: The fashion of the hussars. They served alongside the other Guard cavalry, but were not technically part of the Old, Middle or Young Guard. Artillery of the Guard included the Foot Artillery Regiment ( Régiment d'Artillerie à Pied de la Garde Impériale ) batteries, Horse Artillery Regiment ( Regiment d'Artillerie à Cheval de la Garde Impériale ) batteries, the Artillery Train of the Guard ( Train d'Artillerie de la Garde Consulaire ) and
2257-412: The field. Some birds have a food reservoir pouch in the esophagus that is known as a croup (or crop), which should not be confused with the croup (rump) of a horse. In equine anatomy , the croup refers specifically to the topline of the horse's hindquarters and surrounding musculature, beginning at the hip, extending proximate to the sacral vertebrae and stopping at the dock of the tail (where
2318-541: The four Colonel-Generals of the four divisions of the Guard, all Marshal of the Empire in field rank. It also included an Inspector of Reviews, a Commissioner of War, 24 aides-de-camp, and other specialist officers, NCOs, and privates. The Old Guard regiments served in the 3rd Division of the Guard, while the rest of the foot regiments of the Guard served in the 1st and 2nd Divisions. The 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers ( 1 Régiment de Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Impériale )
2379-553: The grenadiers, this company would frequently be detached from the battalion to perform specialised light infantry tasks—operating in loose formation, forming the skirmish line and screening the battalion from the enemy. The formation instruction for voltigeurs gave no indication where they were supposed to stand in the battle line. Although the original concept of skirmishers using cavalry to transport them during battle quickly proved unworkable in any large scale, voltigeurs did on occasion ride with French dragoons to battle, as recalled by
2440-544: The guard, receiving line infantry pay. After 1811, the Conscrits-Chasseurs formed the 3rd and 4th regiments of the Voltigeurs of the Guard. This regiment was created from the National Guard companies of the northern departments of France. The regiment was organized according to the line infantry tables, and in 1813 was renamed the 7th Regiment of Voltigeurs. In preparation for the invasion of Russia, Napoleon ordered
2501-443: The hairless skin on the underside of the dock and other regions under the tail, protected by the dock, is called a dock sponge . Thus, the meaning of "dock" has been used to refer to the orifices beneath the dock, specifically the anus and vagina , creating a misapprehension that "dock" refers to the anus, as in, a horse's fundamental orifice is its dock . Middle Guard The Imperial Guard ( French : Garde Impériale )
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2562-535: The losses of the 1812 campaign. Although not deployed in combat as a unit, the Engineers ( Genie de la Garde Impériale ) created in 1804 as the engineers of the Consular Guard, participated in combat more so than the combat units of the Guard which were usually held in reserve. By 1810 the Chief Engineer officer of the Guard had a company of Sapeurs de la Garde (140 sappers), all members of the Old Guard. In 1813 this
2623-567: The presence of the Emperor, giving them the nickname Les Grognards , the Grumblers. The Guard received better pay, rations, quarters, and equipment, and all guardsmen ranked one grade higher than all non-Imperial Guard soldiers. Other French soldiers even referred to Napoleon's Imperial Guard as "the Immortals ". The Guard played a major part in the climax of the Battle of Waterloo . It was thrown into
2684-432: The reorganization of 1807 the voltigeur company was enlarged to 121 men. When the battalion was formed up in line formation, the voltigeurs took their place on the left of the line, the second most prestigious position. The top position, the right, was occupied by the battalion's grenadier company. The French voltigeurs suffered huge losses during the 1812 Russian campaign . One account described how they were decimated by
2745-429: The retreat of the remainder of the French Army before being almost annihilated by British and Prussian artillery fire and cavalry charges. The phrase " La Garde meurt mais ne se rend pas! " ("The Guard dies but does not surrender!") is generally attributed to General Pierre Cambronne . It has been suggested that this was in fact said by another general of the Guard, Claude-Étienne Michel , during their last stand at
2806-423: The same standard as the elite units of the Voltigeurs before the Russian campaign. Despite this, the Voltigeurs of the Guard performed admirably in the 1813–1814 campaigns. The uniform was made of a blue coat with yellow collar and cuffs piped red, red and green epaulettes with a yellow crescent, and yellow bugle horns on the turnbacks. From 1804, they wore shakos , but some had bicorne hats with green pompoms and
2867-566: The security of the executive and legislative branches of the French Republic and gathered a small number of soldiers, about a thousand. The Consular Guard changed its name to the Imperial Guard on 18 May 1804. Its headquarters were located at the Pentemont Abbey in Paris. Napoleon took great care of his Guard, particularly the Old Guard. The Grenadiers of the Old Guard were known to complain in
2928-489: The two Conscripts-Grenadiers Regiments ( Régiment de Conscrit-Grenadiers ), though intended to provide a reserve for the Young Guard, were not included in the Guard, receiving line infantry pay. The regiments became 3e & 4e Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Impériale in 1810. Created in 1809, the Conscripts-Chasseurs Regiment though intended to provide a reserve for the Young Guard, was not included in
2989-476: The upcoming invasion of Russia, the 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers was reraised with 1,500 veteran soldiers. By 1813, the unit was designated to join the Old Guard as a reward of their long service in both Spain and Russia. Originally raised as part of the Dutch Royal Guard when Louis Bonaparte , brother to Napoleon, was made King of Holland . In 1810 the unit was incorporated into the Imperial Guard within
3050-551: Was also interim commander for a few days in 1814, before giving command to Horace François Bastien Sébastiani de La Porta , who held it for a short while, until Napoleon's abdication in April 1814. During the Hundred Days , there was no overall commander of the Guard cavalry, with command divided between Charles, comte Lefebvre-Desnouettes (light cavalry division) and Claude-Étienne Guyot (heavy cavalry division). The Horse Grenadiers
3111-581: Was also raised during the 100 days campaign after Napoleon's escape from Elba. The Fusiliers-Grenadiers were the second regiment of Fusiliers created on 15 December 1806 from the 1st battalions of the Grenadier and Chasseur Vélites, forming a regiment that was to be 1,800 men strong. Conscripts and men from the Compagnies de Reserve brought the new regiment up to four battalions of four companies each, 120 men per company. They were disbanded on 12 May 1814. The Fusiliers-Chasseurs were created on 19 October 1806 from
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#17328485832543172-558: Was an elite guard formation of the French Imperial Army under the direct command of Napoleon . Expanding considerably over time, the formation acted as his bodyguard and tactical reserve, and he was careful of its use in battle. The Imperial Guard was divided into a general staff and infantry, cavalry and artillery regiments as well as battalions of sappers and marines. It distinguished between experienced veterans and less experienced members by being separated into three sections:
3233-603: Was attached to the Dragons de L'Imperatrice (Empress' Dragoons). The 3 Regiment d'Eclaireurs à Cheval was attached to the 1 Régiment de Chevau-Legers-Lanciers . The regiment called the Régiment de Chevau-Légers Polonais de la Garde was created in 1807 after the 1806 defeat of the Allies, and the French creation of the Duchy of Warsaw . In 1811, with the raising of the Dutch Lancers of
3294-495: Was created briefly from Regiment d'Eclaireurs Lanciers in 1815. The dragoon regiments of the line distinguished themselves in the German campaign of 1805, and so Napoleon decided (in a decree of 15 April 1806) to reorganize the cavalry of the Guard and create within it a regiment of dragoons ( Régiment de Dragons de la Garde Impériale ), made up of three squadrons, headed by 60 officers personally selected by Napoleon. The first squadron
3355-512: Was formed later in the same year. In 1810 both were renamed 1 & 2 Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Impériale . Two regiments of Tirailleurs-Chasseurs were formed at the same time as the Tirailleurs-Grenadiers, and were also included in the Young Guard. For the 1812 campaign in Russia these were expanded to six regiments. Both became 5 & 6 Régiment de Tirailleurs de la Garde Impériale in 1811. During
3416-744: Was founded from the Consular Guard Grenadiers ( Gardes des Consuls ), which had been formed from the Guards of the Directory. The battalion was made up of the Imperial French Army's most experienced and tallest men, and were essentially the army's most senior unit. One of two Imperial Guard battalions carried the Imperial Eagle into battle. After Napoleon's failure in the Invasion of Russia, only
3477-453: Was increased to two companies, and later one battalion of four companies totaling 400 sappers. The 1st and 2nd companies were classed as Old Guard, while the 3rd and 4th companies as the Young Guard. Raised from sailors of the French navy who had distinguished themselves, the battalion of Marins wore a distinctive, elaborate uniform resembling that of the hussars . Their officers bore titles of rank derived from their seagoing compatriots, and
3538-407: Was raised in Lithuania from its nobles during the invasion of Russia in 1812, but was virtually destroyed in the retreat of the same year, and the survivors incorporated into 3 Régiment de Eclaireurs . Incorporated into the regiment was a squadron of Lithuanian Tatars as the Escadron de Tartares Lithuaniens . A squadron of Mamelukes ( Escadron de Mamelukes ) returned with Napoleon from
3599-405: Was the last grenadier guard regiment to be raised. Created on 9 May 1815, it saw action at Ligny and Waterloo. It was disbanded on 24 September 1815. Being the second in seniority within the Imperial Guard Infantry, the 1 Régiment de Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde Impériale was one of the most respected regiments within the Grande Armée ; classed as part of the Old Guard. Raised in 1806,
3660-408: Was the senior cavalry regiment of the Guard, and originated from the Consular Guard. Classed as heavy cavalry, the regiment did not wear a cuirass, but was known for its distinctive bearskin head-dress and black horses. It was known by the nickname of "the Gods"; also as "the Big Heels". The Regiment of Chasseurs a Cheval ( 1 Régiment de Chasseurs-a-Cheval de la Garde Impériale ) was also created from
3721-530: Was to have 296 men, and be made up of "vélites", whilst the other two were regular squadrons of 476 horsemen. To complete this new unit, each of the 30 dragoon regiments of the line provided 12 men, each of whom had done 10 years of service, and the brigadier, chasseur, and dragoon line regiments provided the sous-officiers . This regiment quickly became known as the Régiment de dragons de l'Impératrice (the Empress' Dragoons) in tribute to their patroness, Joséphine de Beauharnais , and up until its last member died,
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