Tuesday, June 9, 2020

94e Ligne, Early French Empire uniforms


The 94e Ligne traces its origins back to the Royal Hesse-Darmstadt regiment, which was first established in  1709.


From 1805 - 1807, it formed part of the 1st Corps of the  Grande Armee, under the command of Marechal Bernadotte. 


As such, it's battles included Austerlitz, Mohrungen, Ostrolenka, and Friedland.

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During 1809, the 94e was part of the  Armee de Allemagne, and fought at the great battles of  Essling and Wagram.


From late 1809 until 1814, the bulk of the regiment served in Portugal and Spain.


Some of the regiments battalions returned to Germany in 1813 fighting at the Battle of Dresden. 


By 1814, the Spanish contingent of the 94e was part of the French forces retreating into France, and saw combat at Bayonne.


The German contingent ended the Napoleonic Wars besieged in Danzig from 1813 - 14. It does not appear to have participated in the 100 Days in 1815. 

13 comments:

  1. Lovely painting Peter and a most interesting potted history of the 94e. There is plenty of latitude to be had with some of the details on these early bicorned French isn't there?

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    1. Thanks, James, and yes indeed, quite a lot of latitude with the early uniforms!

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  2. Nice work, and another lucky one that didn't have to go on the 1812 campaign. Although they probably didn't feel that lucky being posted to Spain.

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    1. Thanks, Lawrence. I don't think a regiment serving in Spain would consider itself "lucky", but compared with the Russian debacle, perhaps so. I checked to see if perhaps it served under Suchet, which would have been a fairly different experience than the other French forces in Spain, but it appears not.

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  3. Nice work, as always. Egads, more French.

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    1. I actually have one more "Division" of French Line to paint (Foundry this time), and then I think that will be it. Since age circa 15, I will have painted at least 70 units of 18 French line each!

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  4. Another lovely, bicorne clad ligne regiment!
    Best Iain

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  5. Excellent looking Frenchman, Peter!

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