The Uniforms of the French Army under Napoleon I (1800 - 1815) - The Cavalry - Dragoons

Dragoons already belonged to the royal French army. Thus, according to the Military Almanac (1780), the French army in 1779 counted twenty-four regular dragoon regiments. In total, in 1789 there were 62 cavalry regiments, each comprising 4 squadrons. Of these, 18 belonged to the dragoon arm. During the Revolution there were various reorganizations. From 1791 the dragoon regiments were divided into three divisions, the number of which was increased again to four from 1793. Under the First Consul the number of dragoon regiments was increased to 30 units on 24.09.1803. This number still existed in 1812.

The Imperial Guard also included a dragoon regiment, called the Empress's Dragoons. It was established on the basis of an imperial decree of 15.04.1806. Its last commander was Major Laurent Hoffmayer. The unit counted a total of 880 men in 6 squadrons. The unit is discussed in a separate article.

Twenty-four dragoon regiments were already grouped into mixed formations in 1804, each consisting of three mounted and one dismounted division. Each division counted two companies.

The dismounted divisions formed a brigade with corresponding artillery support.

The surrender of horses was a severe imposition for the cavalrymen. As a factual emotional compensation they were allowed to march with the Imperial Guard. From 1808 pioneers (8) also belonged to the dragoon regiments.

In the work by Miguel Ángel and Martin Más: La Grande Armée. The History of Napoleon's Army, 2005, p. 57 ff., the authors emphasize the versatility of the dragoon arm, which could intervene successfully both on horseback and on foot.

The dragoons were employed particularly in Spain — 24 of the 30 French dragoon regiments. At the Battle of Salamanca (2 July 1812), for example, an entire dragoon division was employed with the regiments 6, 11, 15 and 25. The battle, however, was lost by the French, who suffered about 14,000 casualties, while the Allies lost only 5,173 men.

In the Russian campaign of 1812 the regiments 2, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 23, 28 and 30 were involved. At the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 thirteen dragoon regiments were in action (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20).

The dragoons wore a (dark) green coat with lapels and long skirts. The coat was cut pointed at the front. Green grenades were placed in the skirt flaps.

In 1812 the spencer with shorter skirts was then introduced. This — a kind of waistcoat-coat — was cut straight at the front and the lapels also ran straight down. The classic green base color was retained. In the Russian campaign of 1812 the old uniform was still partially worn.

Collar, sleeve cuffs, lapels, skirt flaps and sleeve patches were kept in the regiment's distinctive color to tell them apart.

These were

for the 1st to 6th Dragoon Regiment: scarlet,

for the 7th to 12th Dragoon Regiment: crimson,

for the 13th to 18th Dragoon Regiment: pink,

for the 19th to 24th Dragoon Regiment: yellow,

for the 25th to 30th Dragoon Regiment: light orange.

Various deviations from this principle, however, are documented.

Furthermore, the pocket flaps within the respective color group were used as an additional distinguishing feature and were sometimes laid longitudinally and transversely.

Green achsel flaps were worn on the coat. These had colored pipings.

The elite companies were distinguished by red epaulettes. There were exceptions to this, for example the 19th Dragoon Regiment wore white epaulettes.

Officers had silver epaulettes (and silver buttons on the coat).

Gloves were white.

A white waistcoat was worn under the coat.

The French dragoons wore the gilded metal crested helmet after the classic model of the “Voluntaires de Saxe” from 1743.

This had a brown fur trim and a black horsehair tail. Trumpeters regularly had white horsehair tails (see illustration below).

At the front on the comb there was a small tuft (also made of horsehair).

For parade purposes the helmet was adorned with a red plume on its left side. For officers this was white.

In practice there were many deviations from this.

Elite companies, pioneers and sometimes also trumpeters wore fur caps.

The leather equipment was white. For the 20th Dragoon Regiment black leather equipment is reported. The cartridge boxes for the ammunition were black.

The rectangular green (half-)saddlecloths — and also the pistol half-covers and cloak pockets — had a white edging for the rank-and-file. They also had a white sheepskin as saddle covers. The officers' saddlecloths had a silver edging. In the corners of the enlisted men's saddlecloths the regimental number was visible, for officers silver grenades. There were deviations from this as well.

The blade weapon had a brass basket hilt and a straight blade. While the tassel for the rank-and-file was white, the non-commissioned officers had ones interwoven white and red. Officers wore gold portepees.

The carbine, at a length of 1.41 m, was shorter than the infantry musket.

A musical band usually comprised 16 trumpeters, 6 horn players and 6 trombone players.

The musicians often wore coats in a base color corresponding to the regimental badge.

There were deviations from this, for example with regard to headgear.

Helmets with white horsehair were also worn. There were variations in the plume tuft, e.g. multicolored plume bushes. Furthermore, shoulder cords were worn.

For parades white breeches and black riding boots were worn. In the field grey breeches or overtrousers also occurred. The dismounted dragoons had black gaiters and were also given bayonets for the carbines.