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The uniforms of the French Army under Napoleon I. (1800 - 1815) - Marshals and Generality I.

Marshal Bessières in the uniform of the Guard Horse Chasseurs. After an original watercolor by Maurice Sébastien LAURENT (1887 – 1973) in the possession of the author.
Marshal Bessières in the uniform of the Guard Horse Chasseurs. After an original watercolor by Maurice Sébastien LAURENT (1887 – 1973) in the possession of the author.

Marshal Bessières in the uniform of the Guard Horse Chasseurs. After an original watercolor by Maurice Sébastien LAURENT (1887 – 1973) in the possession of the author. Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bessières had already been granted the rank of Marshal on 09.05.1804. He was born on 06.08.1768 in Prayssac (Quercy) and died on 01.05.1813 near Rippach. In 1808 Bessières was appointed by Napoleon as Duc d’Istrie (Duke of Istria). As Colonel Général he commanded the Guard cavalry and distinguished himself particularly at Austerlitz (1805) and Friedland (1808) as well as at Wagram (1809). Here Bessières is not wearing the special uniform for marshals, but that of the Guard Horse Chasseurs. As a sign of his rank as Marshal, however, one can see the marshal's baton covered with velvet and embroidered with golden eagles.

French marshal and his flank adjutant around 1812. Original watercolor from the mid-19th century.
French marshal and his flank adjutant around 1812. Original watercolor from the mid-19th century.

The rank of Marshal was reintroduced under Napoleon I in 1804. On 09.05.1804 Napoleon initially promoted 18 officers to marshals. Further appointments followed later.

Marshals wore a special uniform. It was made of blue cloth with rich embroidery (gold threads). The embroidery depicted oak leaves. This motif was also found on the golden buttons together with crossed marshal batons.

The coatee initially worn was later replaced by an equally embroidered frock coat.

Marshal and General. Colored sketches by the French military painter Pierre Albert Leroux (1890 -1959).
Marshal and General. Colored sketches by the French military painter Pierre Albert Leroux (1890 -1959).

The epaulettes were also golden.

While on foot duty one wore silk stockings and buckle shoes; when riding one wore riding boots.

Another distinctive feature was the golden sash with tassels.

Marshal of the Empire in ceremonial uniform. From the original series: La Grande Armee De 1812, Marseille: Collection Raoul et Jean Brunon, 1959 Antoine Charles Horace Vernet, called Carle Vernet, (* 14.08.1758 in Bordeaux; † 1711.1836 in Paris).
Marshal of the Empire in ceremonial uniform. From the original series: La Grande Armee De 1812, Marseille: Collection Raoul et Jean Brunon, 1959 Antoine Charles Horace Vernet, called Carle Vernet, (* 14.08.1758 in Bordeaux; † 1711.1836 in Paris).
Marshal of the First Empire. From the original series: La Grande Armee De 1812, Marseille: Collection Raoul et Jean Brunon, 1959 Antoine Charles Horace Vernet, called Carle Vernet, (* 14.08.1758 in Bordeaux; † 1711.1836 in Paris).
Marshal of the First Empire. From the original series: La Grande Armee De 1812, Marseille: Collection Raoul et Jean Brunon, 1959 Antoine Charles Horace Vernet, called Carle Vernet, (* 14.08.1758 in Bordeaux; † 1711.1836 in Paris).
Marshals of the First Empire. From the original series: La Grande Armee De 1812, Marseille: Collection Raoul et Jean Brunon, 1959 Antoine Charles Horace Vernet, called Carle Vernet, (* 14.08.1758 in Bordeaux; † 1711.1836 in Paris).
Marshals of the First Empire. From the original series: La Grande Armee De 1812, Marseille: Collection Raoul et Jean Brunon, 1959 Antoine Charles Horace Vernet, called Carle Vernet, (* 14.08.1758 in Bordeaux; † 1711.1836 in Paris).

The bicorne served as headgear, with or without a gold braid trim. Furthermore, the inside of the bicorne was decorated with a lining of ostrich plumes.

Marshal Bessières (1768 - 1813). Original watercolor from the mid-19th century. Bessières was the son of a doctor.
Marshal Bessières (1768 - 1813). Original watercolor from the mid-19th century. Bessières was the son of a doctor.

In practice, however, some marshals created their own uniform variants.

Among the magnificent ones was also a marshal's baton embroidered with 32 golden eagles.

Marshal Bessières (1768 - 1813). Sketch by the French military painter Pierre Albert Leroux (1890 -1959).
Marshal Bessières (1768 - 1813). Sketch by the French military painter Pierre Albert Leroux (1890 -1959).
Marshal Davout (1770 - 1823). Original watercolor from the mid-19th century. Davout was the son of an officer.
Marshal Davout (1770 - 1823). Original watercolor from the mid-19th century. Davout was the son of an officer.
Marshal Mortier (1767 - 1835). Original watercolor from the mid-19th century. Mortier was the son of a farmer.
Marshal Mortier (1767 - 1835). Original watercolor from the mid-19th century. Mortier was the son of a farmer.
Marshal Mortier (1767 - 1835). Sketch by the French military painter Pierre Albert Leroux (1890 -1959).
Marshal Mortier (1767 - 1835). Sketch by the French military painter Pierre Albert Leroux (1890 -1959).
Honorary marshals under Napoleon I. (taken from: Hermann v. Francois, Napoleon I. Turning Point of Fate, Berlin 1929, p. 197 ff.).
Honorary marshals under Napoleon I. (taken from: Hermann v. Francois, Napoleon I. Turning Point of Fate, Berlin 1929, p. 197 ff.).
Honorary marshals under Napoleon I. (continued).
Honorary marshals under Napoleon I. (continued).
Honorary marshals under Napoleon I. (continued).
Honorary marshals under Napoleon I. (continued).

Les Uniformes du Premier Empire. Historical card series (published from 1907). The following illustrations are based on the original (!) card series No. 31. Les Maréchaux.

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