A company of light infantry Voltigeurs (literally, "vaulters") was added to each battalion of French Line Infantry by Napoleon's decree of September 20, 1804, replacing one of the 8 Fusilier companies, with the 1st company being the Grenadiers, for a total of 9 companies per battalion. The classic French infantry battalion organization of 4 Fusilier companies and one each of Grenadiers and Voltigeurs was not established until February 1808.
These early Imperial era Voltigeurs wear the bicorne. The plumes and epaulets (the later of which were official only for the Grenadiers) were in yellow, with or without red or green.
The collars for the Voltigeurs were yellow or buff (chamois), variously trimmed in red, white or dark blue. The colored ink pens once again came in handy for doing the "stripey" trousers of the one company wearing them.
As with the recently posted Grenadiers, these troops will be added to the Fusilier companies painted 2+ years ago to complete their respective units.
These troops in Campaign Dress carry all sorts of interesting water bottles, flasks, and the like..The pack of Old Glory "Early Grenadiers in Campaign Dress"contained a mix of figures in bearskins, bicornes, and a few in forage caps. I used the figures wearing bicornes (and forage caps) to make these Voltigeur companies.
Clever use of the figure mix. Like the stripes, good tip.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joe. I enjoyed painting them!
DeleteBeautifully done, love the wounded guy...and the stripes...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil. Most Old Glory Infantry packs (30 figures!) contain at least one bareheaded figure, often with the bandaged head wound!
DeleteGreat looking early-Voltigeurs!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words, Dean!
DeleteVery nice they do look good with all that colour!
ReplyDeleteIt does give them a certain panache!
DeleteLovely work, and I think you the green has to go with the yellow. Much more iconic than just the yellow on its own.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lawrence! I agree, yellow and green, occasionally yellow with red, rarely plain yellow for the Voltigeurs.
DeleteI love the look of early French in bicorne and your voltiguers look sharp.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jon. These guys actually complete a full "Division" of early French. I plan to add a second such eventually.
DeleteGreat looking lights,I like the mass of kit they carry!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain! That's one of the fun things about these "campaign dress" figures - all the accouterments!
DeleteWell done. Love the striped trousers!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked them, and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteMagnifique! Great idea with the ink pen and very characterful figs.
ReplyDeleteMerci, Capitaine! The ink pen does work well for that job!
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