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Napoleonic cavalry

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Napoleon’s cavalry was divided into heavy and light units. The heavy units, cuirassiers and carabiniers a cheval, consisted of brawny men on massive horses. They wore metal chest and back armor and metal helmets, both useful for fending off blows as they overran lines of enemy infantry. Each carried a pistol and a straight, heavy saber used for thrusting.

The light cavalry, used mostly for flanking maneuvers, recognizance and pursuit, wore no armor, and carried curved swords for slashing. Units of dragoons, hussars, and chasseurs a cheval each had elaborate uniforms and matching saddlehorses, and adopted fanciful names like Hussars of Death and Revolutionary Chasseurs.

Cavalry regiments consisted of 1,200 to 1,800 men and horses. Massed for the attack, they were an imposing sight. Moving towards the enemy’s troops at a walk, they patiently waited for the signal as shot and shell rained down on them.

Fifty yards from the enemy line, the order was given – "Charge!" With trumpets blaring, the men spurred their horses into a dead run, yelling wildly, sabers flashing.

The Imperial Guard was a small, elite army, directly under Napoleon’s control. Like the corps, it had infantry, cavalry and artillery. It was comprised of the best veteran soldiers from every theater of war – Egyptian Mamluks, Italians, Poles, Germans, Swiss, and others, as well as French.

They were the most feared men in Napoleon’s army. Much more than personal bodyguards, they were Napoleon's weapon of last resort, and were rarely committed in battle. British artist Benjamin Haydon recalled his impression after seeing them at Fontainebleau in 1814:

"They had the look of thoroughbred, veteran, disciplined banditti. Depravity, recklessness, and bloodthirstiness were burned into their faces… Black mustachios, giant bearskins, and a ferocious expression were their characteristics."

The most honored among them were the Old Guard, veterans of regiments formed between 1800 and 1806; next was the Middle Guard, formed between 1806 and 1809; and finally the Young Guard. The Imperial Guard grew from 8,000 in 1805 to 80,000 in 1812. Over 60,000 marched into Russia; few returned.

At Waterloo, Napoleon committed most of the Guards — twenty-three infantry battalions, 18,000 men strong. When he committed his seemingly unbeatable Old Guard battalions and they were forced to retreat, he had lost the battle. Cries of "Vive L’Empereur" changed to "Sauve qui peut!" – every man for himself – as Napoleon’s army panicked and fled.

Weapons of Napoleon's Cavalry

http://web2.airmail.net/napoleon/cavalry.html - This is a link to an outstanding site with a lot of photos!

The Fighting 7th Hussar Regiment - http://www.7ehussards.org/

3rd Cuirassier Regiment - Napoleon's Heavy Cav