CB11 Royal Saxon Army 1792-1814

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Armies of the Confederation of the Rhine
The Royal Saxon Army

1792 – 1814
W. J. Rawkins
Copyright © W.J.Rawkins 2016
The right of W.J. Rawkins to be identified as Author of this work has been
asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
mechanical or online, without permission from the Author in writing.
This work was first published in Great Britain in 1979 as ‘The Army of Saxony 1806-14’ by The HMR
Group Ltd, Maidenhead, England www.thehistorybookman.webeden.co.uk
Copyright © W J Rawkins 2016 not for public distribution or resale. Protected by SECUDOC™
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CONTENTS
Introduction to the Armies and Uniforms Series 4

The Confederation of the Rhine 6
The Saxon Army in the Revolutionary & Napoleonic Wars 12
The Feld-Infanterie Regiments 62
Schützen-Bataillon & Leichte-Infanterie-Regimenten 99
Jägerkorps 1809-1814 111
Garnison & Halbinvalidenkompagnien 116
Bürger-Nationalgarde zu Dresden 1809-1814 119
Bürger-Nationalgarde zu Leipsic 1809 126
Bürger-Nationalgarde Jäger zu Wittenberg 1809 126

Sächsischen Landmiliz Bataillonen 1813-1814 127
Sächsischen Feldjäger-Kompagnien 132

Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen 133
Leib-Grenadier-Garde 157
Schweizerleibgarde 172
The Kavallerie 176
The Schwere-Kavallerie 178

Dragoner-Regimenter & Chevauxléger-Regimenter 203
The Uhlanen-Regiment 1813-1815 225

The Husaren-Regiment 230
Stabs-Dragoner-Kompagnie 1813-1814 247
The Artillerie, Führwesen & Train-Bataillon 248

Ingenieur-Korps 275
Proviant-Führknecht 283
Regimental Non-Combatants 286
Kadettenkorps 290
General Officers and Staff 292
Flags & Standards 299
Notes on Research and Sources 309
4
Preface
The earliest edition of this small work was originally published in 1979 as ‘THE
ARMY OF SAXONY 1805-1814 and has been out of print since 1984 when my book
selling and publishing business interests were temporarily put on hold due to near
critical health issues owing to undiagnosed diabetes, a salutary lesson for all middle
aged men.
Finding myself with a lot of spare time on my hands I decided to undertake a major
personal project which had been on the back burner for several years, putting
together a solo ‘what if’ wargaming campaign at corps level using 300th scale
miniatures for the major battles and sub-sets of 25mm miniatures for fast play
skirmish games. I chose for my gameplay period the 1809 campaign in Austria and
one of the army Corps that I selected for the French army was the IX ‘Saxon’ Corps
which had a high potential for skirmish scenarios. Having convinced by wife that the
project was ‘stress free’ it was a minor mission to arrange for some of my research
material and regular consignments of bags of tiny figures to be couriered by family
and friends to our temporary ‘sunshine’ home in the Balearics. The game was
designed, the research was completed and most of the figures required for the
opening stages painted and ready by the time that we returned full time to the UK
and the campaign was finally played out over five years on a large permanent table
that I had purpose built on the top floor of my office building.
One of the spin-offs of researching the project was that I began to think about the
need to re-write and expand some of the now out of print earlier editions of the
‘Armies and Uniforms’ books and the Saxon Army was one of the first that I began
work on in the late 1990s bringing together new research material with the help of
Dom Werner, an ex-patriot Berliner historian who I met purely by chance in 1987 at
a loncheria in Sta. Eulalia and who shared my interest in Napoleonic armies. I am
greatly indebted to Dom who became a good friend and corresponded regularly about
his research into the Saxon and Prussian armies until he passed away in 2015.
I began work revising this completely new edition ‘The Royal Saxon Army 1792-
1814’ in 2011. Correspondance and enquiries from website customers and browsers
revealed a strong renewed interest in the earlier years of the Revolutionary and
Napoleonic Wars and in particular the 1809 campaign, so the original draft was re-
written to include more information on the historical background and additional
material added before this new edition could be released.
The Royal Saxon Army has been much maligned over the years by historians
recording the Napoleonic Wars, some of the criticism is justified but much is less so,
certainly the Saxons did not lack courage but were often poorly led and German and
French sources differ greatly. To try and explain some of this historical bias and
Napoléon’s personal prejudice I have given this new edition a somewhat expanded
chapter on the campaigns of the Saxon army compiled from those sources which are
less predisposed in either opinion.
My sincere thanks goes to Dom Werner who proof read the earlier drafts and to
our mutual friend Conrad Katz of Dublin who took over for the final manuscript.
W. J. Rawkins January 2016
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Introduction to the series

This series of small reference books designed for the war gamer, military modeller and
enthusiast originated some forty+ years ago and the first volumes published from 1972
were a series of short, illustrated pamphlets produced to order, on various uniforms and
flags of the Napoleonic Wars, many with artwork by the late Pat Evans some of whose
work appeared in the later books until 1979. At that time there were virtually no easily
available reference works on many of the uniforms of Napoleonic armies and so a small
publishing company ‘The Historical and Military Research Group Ltd’ was formed with
the intention of trying to fill the gap in low cost, no frills, easy to use uniform guides. In
1978 we relocated to Norwich and the publishing was absorbed into my bookselling
business and the HMR Group ceased to exist as a separate entity.
In 1977 thirty odd pamphlets were combined into the first two larger and more
comprehensive studies of the uniforms of the Russian, and the Austro-Hungarian Armies;
subjects which had never been adequately covered in the English language. Unable to
find a main-stream publisher who was willing to take on the project as the subject
matter was ‘obscure with no discernible market’ I decided to publish the books in a
duplicated booklet format and printed an initial 500 copies of each. The booklets were
‘cheap and cheerful’ and not without flaws but the entire 1000 copies had sold out within
two weeks and I saw no business reason to change the format or look elsewhere for an
outside publisher. By the time that the final print runs were made in 1984 the series
consisted of twenty-two in-print titles, with a further five titles in the draft stage of
preparation. Most titles had been reprinted multiple times and several of the earlier
works had been substantially revised and updated with newly acquired information and
in total the ‘Armies & Uniforms Series’ had sold over 200,000 copies. By 1984 my own
health was deteriorating rapidly and I was forced to withdraw from daily business
activities and only returned to the book trade after a ‘sunshine’ break of some years.
It had always been my intention to update and re-issue the series in one format or
another and perhaps finish the unpublished manuscripts; the publication of these books
was always totally customer driven and so the advent of E-publishing seems to be an
ideal medium to be able to offer the books to modern enthusiasts at low cost in keeping
with my original principals of fifty years ago. It is intended to re-publish all 30+ of the
original titles in time and I hope that these new editions are of interest to the modern
generation of war gamers and enthusiasts.
W. J. Rawkins October 2013
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THE CONFEDERATION OF THE RHINE

The political foundation on which the Rheinbund was built was the war of the
Third Coalition. In late 1805 Napoleon had persuaded the rulers of Baden,
Württemberg, Hesse-Darmstadt and Bavaria to join his coalition against the might
of Austria, Great Britain and Russia. They had already been softened by the
compensations given them and they had also shown their positive attitude to
Napoleon when they came to meet immediately preceding his coronation at Notre-
Dame. Austria added to German dissention by, invading and annexing parts of
Bavarian territory and pushing the Prince-Elector of Bavaria ‘Maximilian IV Joseph’
into firmer alliance with Napoleon in his outrage.
Following the defeat of Austria and Russia in 1805 at Ulm and Austerlitz,
Napoleon sealed his alliances by making the rulers of Württemberg and Bavaria
kings and the rulers of Baden and Hesse-Darmstadt Grand Dukes. The alliance was
strengthened by the marriage of his step son Eugène de Beauharnais to Maximillian
Joseph's daughter Augusta Amalia and Josephine's niece, Stephanie de Beauharnais
to the Crown Prince of Baden spring of 1806. The stage was thus set for the creation
of a German confederation of states on the right bank of the Rhine.
On 12 July 1806, on signing the Treaty of the
Confederation of the Rhine (Rheinbundakte) in
Paris, sixteen German states all previously part of
the Holy Roman Empire joined together in a
confederation (the états confédérés du Rhin) with
Napoleon Bonaparte named as "Protector of the
Confederation of the Rhine". On 1 August, the
members of the confederation formally seceded
from the Holy Roman Empire, and on 6 August,
following an ultimatum by Napoleon, Francis II
was forced to make a declaration that the Holy
Roman Empire was dissolved. The Habsburg
dynasty continued to reign as emperors of Austria-
Hungary but was made to relinquish the title of
Holy Roman Emperor.
Instead of a monarchical head of state, as the
Holy Roman Emperor had been, its highest office
was held by Karl Theodor von Dalberg, the former
Arch Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire, who
was appointed by Napoleon to the title of Prince-
Primate of the Confederation. As such, he was President of the College of Kings and
presided over the Diet of the Confederation, created to be a democratic
parliamentary body though it never actually assembled. According to the principals
of treaty, the confederation was to be governed by common constitutional bodies,
but the individual German states, and in particular the larger monarchies wanted
unlimited independent sovereignty and from the beginning resisted political
interference from the Diet of the Confederation.
The Confederation of the Rhine was above all a military alliance devised by
Napoleon. The member states had to maintain substantial armies for mutual
defense and supply France with large numbers of troops and military facilities. The
balance of power in Germany was effectively transferred from the Austrian led Holy
Roman Empire to a new alliance of German states bound to support the military
endeavours of France, and presented a strong buffer zone between France and
Russia.
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In return for their co-operation some existing rulers were, by Napoleon’s Imperial
authority, given a higher status; Württemberg and Bavaria became kingdoms;
Baden, Hesse and Kleves-Berg were elevated to grand duchies. Many states were
also made larger by combining some of the smaller ‘Zwergstaaten’ or small former
imperial member states. As events played out, however, the members of the
confederation found themselves more subordinated to Napoleon than they had been
to the Habsburgs; financially, politically and militarily.
Following Jena and the Prussian defeat by France in 1806, Napoleon cajoled most
of the remaining smaller states of Germany into the Rheinbund. Eventually, an
additional twenty-three further German states joined the Confederation. The
Confederation of the Rhine in 1808 included thirty-six member states—four
kingdoms, five grand duchies, thirteen duchies, seventeen principalities, and the
Free Hansa towns of Bremen, Hamburg, and Lübeck. This did not include, the west
bank of the Rhine and Principality of Erfurt, which were annexed by the French
empire.
The Confederation of the Rhine in 1806 included a congeries of minor states the
‘Zwergstaaten’ or dwarf-states; duchies, principalities, bishoprics and city states
which had been part of the former Holy Roman Empire. Many of these independent
entities had populations of less than 300,000 and their commitment to the Holy
Roman Empire in times of war had previously been to supply small levies of troops,
or more often a financial contribution to the ‘Kreis Regimenter’ the combined
regional regiments formed from small contingents from a multitude of states.
Membership of the Confederation of the Rhine brought with it a commitment to

supply troops to Bonaparte’s Army of Germany regardless of the size of the member
state and many of the smaller principalities found themselves obliged to recruit or
conscript a much larger armed force than previously. Despite the expanded troop
numbers imposed by Bonaparte many of the German states could raise only a single
battalion or in some cases a single company of infantry and these were organised
into seven ‘Regimenter der Rheinbund’ which combined the small units into
manageable sized regiments. As always Bonaparte was concerned with the issues
caused by foreign troops having different organisation and drill systems and the
intention was that all the German troops would be re-organised along the French
lines and drill and weaponry would be brought into line with the French army system.
The reluctant German princes were promised that the troops recruited from their
small communities or by hiring costly foreign mercenaries would serve only as a
defensive force in Germany. It is unlikely that Bonaparte ever intended that this
promise be kept and almost immediately contingents from several German states
were dispatched to serve with the French army in Spain. In 1810 several of the
German principalities were forcibly absorbed into Metropolitan France which further
acerbated the concerns of the remaining independent rulers whose confidence in
French promises had never been strong. The soldiers of the ‘Regimenter der
Rheinbund’ fought courageously and with great loyalty and distinction despite being
almost immediately disillusioned with Bonaparte’s broken assurances which
ultimately led to the regiments being easily swayed to the upsurge of German
nationalism which led to the War for German Independence in 1813 and some of
the smaller principalities were the first to defect to the allies.
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The College of Kings

State Year of Entry Notes
Kingdom of Bavaria 12 Jul 1806 Co-founder; former Prince-Electorate
Grand Duchy of
12 Jul 1806 Co-founder; former Margraviate
Baden
Grand Duchy of
12 Jul 1806 Co-founder; absorbed Kleves, both former Duchies
Berg
Grand Duchy of
12 Jul 1806 Co-founder; former Landgraviate
Hesse-Darmstadt
Co-founder; formerly Prince-Archbishopric and

Grand Duchy of
12 Jul 1806 Electorate of Regensburg; after 1810 elevated to
Frankfurt
Grand Duchy of Frankfurt
Kingdom of
12 Jul 1806 Co-founder; former Duchy
Württemberg
Grand Duchy of
23 Sep 1806 Napoleonic creation
Wurzburg
Kingdom of Saxony 11 Dec 1806 Former Duchy & Electorate
Kingdom of
15 Nov 1807 Napoleonic creation
Westphalia
The College of Princes

Year of
State Notes
Entry
Duchy of Anhalt-Bernburg 11 Apr 1807
Duchy of Anhalt-Dessau 11 Apr 1807
Duchy of Anhalt-Köthen 11 Apr 1807
Duchy of Arenberg 12 Jul 1806 Co-founder; mediatized by France & Berg 1810
Principality of Hohenzollern-
12 Jul 1806 Co-founder
Hechingen
Principality of Hohenzollern-
Sigmaringen
Principality of Isenburg-
Birstein
Principality of Leyen 12 Jul 1806 Co-founder; former Graviate
Principality of Liechtenstein 12 Jul 1806 Co-founder
Principality of Lippe-
11 Apr 1807
Detmold
Duchy of Mecklenburg-
22 Mar 1808
Schwerin
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Year of
State Notes
Entry
Duchy of Mecklenburg-
18 Feb 1808
Strelitz
Union of Nassau-Usingen and Nassau-Weilburg,

Duchy of Nassau 12 Jul 1806
both co-founders
Duchy of Oldenburg 14 Oct 1808 Annexed by France 13 December 1810
Principality of Reuss-
11 Apr 1807
Ebersdorf
Principality of Reuss-Greiz 11 Apr 1807
Principality of Reuss-
11 Apr 1807
Lobenstein
Principality of Reuss-Schleiz 11 Apr 1807
Formerly Salm-Salm and Salm-Kyrburg. Co-

Principality of Salm 25 Jul 1806
founder; annexed by France 1810
Duchy of Saxe-Coburg 15 Dec 1806
Duchy of Saxe-Gotha 15 Dec 1806
Duchy of Saxe-
15 Dec 1806
Hildburghausen
Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen 15 Dec 1806
Duchy of Saxe-Weimar 15 Dec 1806
Principality of Schaumburg-
11 Apr 1807
Lippe
Principality of Schwarzburg-
11 Apr 1807
Rudolstadt
Principality of Schwarzburg-
11 Apr 1807
Sondershausen
Principality of Waldeck 11 Apr 1807
Not only did the obligation to supply troops to Napoleon cause a serious drain on
the resources and manpower, but the rulers of the larger states in particular began
to complain that they were getting nothing in return for their commitment and
loyalty. The member states also began to suffer financially. After the introduction
of Napoleon’s ‘Continental System’ designed to prevent British goods entering the
continent (Berlin Decree of 21 November, 1806), smuggling began to be a serious
problem in the states of the Confederation of the Rhine, many of whom had long
standing commercial ties with Great Britain and her allies. As a result, Napoleon
decided to pass the Trianon Decree and the Fontainebleau Decree in 1810 fixing
heavy tariffs on raw materials such as cotton and on colonial produce such as sugar,
coffee, tea which had mostly been sourced from Britain. This decree ordered the
destruction of all British merchandise found in territories occupied by Napoleon,
including his German Allies within the Confederation. The smuggling problem was
so acute by the end of 1810 that it was a contributing cause of the complete
annexation of territories which were once full and independent member states of
the confederation.
10
On 13 December, 1810 Napoleon annexed the Duchy of Oldenburg, the two

Principalities of Salm, and the Duchy of Arenberg making them part of Imperial
France and removing them from the Confederation of the Rhine. This caused
further dissent as it was felt that the annexed states were being denied their
German identity and made even the larger states nervous that they could be
candidates for annexation.
Disaffection was to lead to defection. On the eve of the Battle of Leipzig,

Maximillian-Joseph the King of Bavaria, agreed to join the allies against Napoleon.
On 8 October 1813 he signed the Treaty of Ried between Bavaria and Austria. By
this treaty, Bavaria left the Confederation of the Rhine and agreed to join the Sixth
Coalition against Napoleon in exchange for a guarantee of her continued sovereign
and independent status. On 14 October, Bavaria made a formal declaration of war
against France. The treaty was passionately backed by the Crown Prince Louis and
by Karl Philipp Josef Wrede, 1st Fürst von Wrede, the commander of the Bavarian
Army. Similarly, Frederick of Württemberg became disaffected particularly as he
had made an enemy of his father-in-law George III by his alliance with the French.
Frederick changed sides in 1813, joining the Allies. The fact that he was brother-in-
law to the British Prince Regent helped his status with the allies and after the fall of
Napoleon, he attended the Congress of Vienna and was confirmed as King of
Württemberg.
The Confederation of the Rhine collapsed in 1813, with the aftermath of

Napoleon's failed campaign against the Russian Empire. Many of its members
changed sides after the Battle of Leipzig, when it became apparent Napoleon would
lose the War of the Sixth Coalition. On 4 November 1813 the Rheinbund was
officially dissolved by the Allies. On 30 May 1814 the Treaty of Paris declared the
German states independent. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna redrew the
continent's political map. In fact, most surviving members had only minor border
changes, and the resulting German Confederation, a body called the Central
Administration Council (Zentralverwaltungsrat), consisted more or less of the same
members as the Confederation of the Rhine, with the important addition of the two
great Germanic powers; Austria and Prussia.
WJR 2011
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THE SAXON ARMY IN THE REVOLUTIONARY AND

NAPOLEONIC WARS
Throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras the Kurfürstentum Sachsen,

the Electorate of Saxony, was a political and military remnant of an earlier age, a
leftover from the era of Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great which had hardly
changed since the Seven Years War. The Saxons existed in an 18th Century isolation
antiquated even when compared to its larger reactionary neighbours Prussia and the
Habsburg Empire. Internally Saxony remained an absolutist feudal state still
dominated by the nobility and serfdom was widespread on the rural estates; labour
in the commercial and slowly developing industrial areas adhered to the practice of
bondsmen and indentured service. The fast growing commercial middle class was
centred mainly in the towns and cities and had little part in national government.
The government bureaucracy was chaotic, a reactionary multi-headed hydra
dominated by self-seeking nobles and their representatives concerned only with
their own local interests and exhibiting a total lack of understanding of the
revolutionary changes that were sweeping aside the Ancien Régime in the outside
world.
The Kurfürstentum Sachsen was historically composed of a federation of ancient

duchies and minor principalities, the domains of branches of the minor houses of
the Wettin dynasty, most of which still retained some governmental autonomy with
the result that the state had over twenty different constitutional administrations,
seven treasury departments, thirty-six different legal and judiciary tiers and thirteen
separate regional tax, customs and trade revenue systems.
At the head of this roiling multi-factional administrative beast was the Kurfürst
Friedrich August Josef Maria Anton Johann Nepomuk Alois Xavier Wettin, (1750-
1827). Succeeding his father in 1763 as the Kurfürst Friedrich August III, he is best
remembered for bringing some semblance of order and efficiency to his country’s
finances and administration. Kurfürst Friedrich August III was an honest, shy and
simple man of high moral values, a devout Roman Catholic. He believed the office
of elector to be a sacred trust and was an advocate of the divine rule of princes, who
regarded his population as ‘meine geliebten Kinder’, children to be guided by their
betters with no place in government. His greatest fault was his generosity of
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sentiment, his willingness to believe in the honesty of those around him to whom he
gave his trust and regarded his word and loyalty as a ‘sacred honour’ never to be
broken or retracted. Napoléon named him as “…the most honest man ever to hold a
royal sceptre…”.
Friedrich August, unfortunately

owned none of the qualities
demanded by a ruler of his age. He
was indecisive and hesitant,
unwilling to make any decision
without the consultation of his
advisors who constantly
manipulated him or plied him with
administrative trivia to divert his
attention away from major issues.
The elector was sentimentally loyal
to the ministers and generals who
composed the Dresden court and
could never be persuaded to
dismiss even the most incompetent
or felonious and so mediocrity and
undisguised abuses of power and
favouritism proliferated.
In foreign policy, he was

neutralist but was tentatively allied
to Prussia, whose side he took in
the Bavarian succession dispute in
1778–79, when it opposed
Bavaria’s cession to Austria. For his
cooperation he received substantial
financial compensation from Prussia
and in 1785, Friedrich Augustus
was persuaded to join the
Fürstenbund, the League of German
Princes, supported by Prussia but
remained neutral during the Austro-Prussian dispute in 1790 not wishing to offend
either of his major allies. Offered the Polish crown in 1791, he declined as he feared
that German politics may cause further damage to the fragile Polish state, which
was already weak and eventually ceased to exist in 1795. Friedrich August remained
a loyal supporter of the Polish cause frequently expressing his feelings of personal
guilt that he had failed the Poles by his indecision.
The obsolete policies of the Kurfürstentum Sachsen, was nowhere more obvious
than in the Saxon military. Friedrich August inherited an army which had evolved
from the military disasters of his father’s rule. The Electorate of Saxony had been
ravaged by the Seven Years War, the Prussians under Frederic II had occupied
Dresden and the Saxon army had been surrounded at Pirna and taken prisoner,
many of the Saxon soldiers being pressed unwillingly into the Prussian army. Anti-
Prussian sentiments were so strong at the time that many officers of the Saxon army
resigned and went into exile in Austria or France where they took service in the
Saxon émigré regiments. It is interesting that during the years of Prussian
occupation large numbers of the normally very passive Saxon soldiers deserted and
joined their former officers in foreign service. Friedrich August II was forced into
14
exile in Poland and the Saxon homelands were occupied by the Prussians until the
Peace of Hubertusberg on 15 February 1763.
In 1792 with the outbreak of the Revolutionary Wars the Saxon army had
remained virtually unchanged since the ‘new’ structure and regulations of 1 July
1763 reforming the army following the end of the Prussian occupation. The army
organisation was unchanged from the 1740s and was based on the Austrian and
Prussian armies of that time. Regiments were ‘owned’ by their inhaber, or patron,
usually a general officer or nobleman, who gave his name or title to the regiment as
colonel-in-chief, but did not usually serve with the regiment in the field. Everything
to do with the regiment was the prerogative of the inhaber, he had the right to
appoint an Oberst-Kommandant to command the unit in the field, the right of veto
on all officer and non-commissioned-officer appointments. Officer commissions
could be bought and sold, with the inhaber and the senior officers of the regiment
receiving fees to take young men into their regiment or company. The regimental
treasury, in particular the pay-chest and ration funds were administered by the
inhaber and commandant and it was common practice to manipulate the paper
strength of the regiment so that monies could be siphoned into the pockets of the
officers at a regimental and even company level. In peacetime it was not unusual
that anything up to 80% of the rank and file of the regiment could be sent on
furlough at half or even quarter pay for most of the year, the regimental officers
pocketing the difference. When the regiment took the field, the state paid a
subsistence allowance for the Oberst-Kommandant and the regimental staff,
however, in practice this was traditionally diverted to the inhaber who seldom
allocated all of the funds to the regiment and an Oberst-Kommandant whose
regiment was deployed during wartime, often incurred large debts as he would be
required to find the funding for his regimental staff personally. At a company level,
taking the field was also a financial burden for the captains commanding companies,
as men on active service required full pay plus subsistence reducing the amount that
officers could personally tap from the regimental treasury. The corrupt
administration was regarded as ‘traditional’ and officially overlooked if not
sanctioned by the elector and his government. The system led to an issue when the
army took the field that many regimental commanders were reluctant to recall their
soldiers from furlough or march out from barracks as either would reduce their
personal income drastically and the whole was not conducive to enthusiastic
campaigning. If the regiment was successful in war then the inhaber would expect
to reap the benefits of 80% of any loot or rewards, the remainder to be shared
amongst the regimental officers at the Oberst-Kommandant’s discretion. The
inhaber and officers likewise would share in the financial liabilities of any military
disaster and so it was in their best interests to avoid unnecessary combat.
The Saxon army was burdened with an officer corps drawn exclusively from the
nobility whose commissions were purchased or inherited and whose promotions
were dependent upon the good favour of their commanding officer and inhaber or
their family status. The best of the old Saxon officer corps had made their homes as
émigré soldiers in Austria or France and never returned to their homeland. Many of
the senior regimental officers and virtually all of the general officers in 1806 were
men of advanced years who seldom left their estates other than to attend ceremonial
functions and parades and had not seen active service for forty years. The Saxon
general Ferdinand von Funck comments in his memoirs that the general staff was
characterised as one of “atrophied pedantry…ignorant of military fundamentals and
realities…”, and adds “the officers of the staff and many captains are too old to
devote themselves to His Majesty’s service with mental and physical vigour; the
average age of the Oberst was 65, regimental staff officers 60 and company Kapitäns
15
55….” The regimental officers were considered adequately trained if “…they dressed
precisely according to the dress regulations and knew enough to swear, thrash and
count ninety-six paces to the minute…”. General von Funck gives the example of
Generalleutnant Heinrich von Boblick the commandant of Königstein who was 90
and so frail that he was allocated a deputy, Generalmajor Friedrich von Burgsdorff
a youthful 72 years old.
The common soldiers of the infantry regiments were recruited almost exclusively
from the lands and estates of their inhaber and were considered as ‘bondsmen’
signed to service for up to twenty years or more to their inhaber unless they could
find the means to purchase their release. Discharged soldiers were often deeply in
debt to the regimental treasury and had no choice but to work off their debt by
returning to indentured service on their owner’s estates. In rural regions serfs could
simply be transferred to their owner’s regiment for service in time of war and
returned to the estate in peacetime without over having drawn military pay.
Therefore even at the lowest level there was a substantial social chasm between the
professional non-commissioned-officers, the volunteer soldiers and the pressed
soldiers. The infantry regiments in particular attracted the worst elements of society
as magistrates were encouraged to sentence felons and particularly poachers to
military servitude ‘until dead or discharged’.
Perhaps unsurprisingly the drill and tactics of the Saxon army also remained
unchanged from the mid-18th Century. The infantry manoeuvred and fought in line
with high importance being given to absolutely precise adherence to the drill
regulations both on the parade ground and the battlefield. There were two different
line formations, the ‘parade formation’ used for drill and manoeuvring troops on the
battle field, and the ‘firing line’ which was formed for battle. Changing between the
two formations took time and a huge number of evolutions. Unlike most European
armies the officers and senior NCOs of the battalion were integrated into the line
rather than positioned at the wings or rear. Standard Saxon tactics were simple;
delivery two volleys of musketry followed by the bayonet charge. The column was
an alien concept to the Saxon tacticians and changing from line to square when
repelling cavalry was long winded and cumbersome and most infantry regiments by
1809 had still not adequately mastered the complicated drill off the parade ground.
In 1792 light infantry was non-existent in the Saxon army and no provision was
made for skirmishing or open order manoeuvres. The following year 1793 each
infantry company was required to provide one officer, one corporal and 8 men to
form rifle armed ‘Scharfschützen’ sections which provided a skirmish ‘cloud’ at
regimental or battalion level. In 1809 these sharpshooters were combined into two
field battalions and a volunteer Jäger-Korps was formed from hunters and
gamekeepers.
The cavalry arm was the finest part of the Saxon army. The Saxon cavalry had
always been regarded as some of the best in Europe, despite their antiquated
appearance in the earlier years the cavalry were well trained and well mounted with
a high number of volunteer recruits. Following the 1806 campaign the fine horses
for which the Saxon cavalry were renowned were mostly seized by the victorious
French army and by 1809 the cavalry were for the most part mounted on young,
partially trained mounts but were still highly regarded by their contemporaries. The
cavalry employed the standard battlefield tactics used by most armies except that
squadrons were formed in three lines instead of two.
The artillery was the poorest element of the Saxon army with the guns and
artillerists dispersed to a multitude of garrisons throughout the country and were
16
theoretically under the direct command of the elector. During peacetime the various
batteries were assembled once a year for a training exercise which was the only
time that the gunners could work with, manoeuvre and actually fire the guns. In
wartime four six gun field batteries of foot artillery could be assembled each of four
field guns and two howitzers. The artillery train was perhaps even worse served.
The führwesen or train was completely stood down in peacetime and was only
assembled at the outbreak of war when the field batteries were formed and was
hastily recruited by a draft in the local area often no more than an emptying of the
local prisons. The result was that the drivers and handlers had no experience or
training in working horses or vehicles and the movement of the artillery was
ponderous and inefficient. Although an artillery school had existed since 1766 the
training was mostly theoretical and any practical instruction carried out with the
positions batteries at the fortress and officers and NCOs had virtually no experience
of mobile artillery in the field.
The majority of the artillery ‘batteries’ were assigned to the infantry regiments as
‘regimental artillery’ in the traditional 18th century style, each Feld-Regimenter, line
infantry regiment, was assigned four 4 pdr field guns and the Leib-Grenadier-Garde
Regiment was assigned the only regular train company which was maintained in
peacetime. In practice most regimental artillery batteries only fielded two guns
when the regiment marched out to war the other two pieces being designated as
the ‘reserve’ and remained at the regimental depot to reduce costs.
Despite his best efforts to remain neutral when the wars of the French revolution
erupted Kurfürst Friedrich August, as a Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire
found himself obliged to support Austria in the war against revolutionary France. On
19 October 1792 an announcement was made that Saxony would provide a
contingent to serve with the forces of the ‘First Coalition’ and orders were issued to
mobilise a field force to join the Imperial Army although in true Saxon style the army
was not assembled until 12 December 1792 and then did not actually march out for
the Rheinlands until 10 February 1793.
Saxon Field Army 12 December 1792
Regiment / Unit Strength Horses

1.Bataillon, Feld-Regimenter Kurfürst 687 45
1.Bataillon, Feld-Regimenter Prinz Clemens 687 45
2.Bataillon, Feld-Regimenter Prinz Anton 676 40
2.Bataillon, Feld-Regimenter Prinz Gotha 676 40
Grenadier-Bataillon Christiani 672 40
Karabinier-Regiment – 8 Kompagnien 695 698
Kurland Chevauxléger-Regiment - 8 Kompagnien 696 698
Husaren-Regiment – 4 Kompagnien 325 321
Artillerie & Führwesen [1] 365 280
Kommissär, Waffenlager & Feldlazarett [2] 481 697
NOTE: [1] The artillery consisted of ten regimental 4pdr guns with the infantry and a battery of
two 7 pdr howitzers.
NOTE: [2] The Commissary included many civilian contractors craftsmen, bakers, cooks and
waggoneers as well as the Army Paymaster, Quartermaster-general and field hospital and medical
staff.
17
The slow moving columns finally joined the allied army at the Siege of Mainz on
23 March 1793 where the Saxon’s were integrated into the Prussian force and served
without special distinction until the fortress capitulated on 22 June. The Saxon
cavalry were involved in a number of small skirmishes with the French but were
participants in no major actions. In early August the Saxons-Prussians and
Austrians under the command of General Fürst Friedrich von Hohenlohe advanced
into the Saar and on 14 September the force encountered a French detached division
of 15,000 men and eight guns. The French attack initially rolled back the
unprepared Saxons until the Saxon Karabinier-Regiment under Oberst von Ferber
and a squadron of the Husaren-Regiment advanced on the French infantry at the
trot and cleared a passage for the Prussian Crousaz Infanterie-Regiment to move
forward. The Saxon cavalry then wheeled to attack the French cavalry with such
force that they were thrown back in disarray and the French were forced to withdraw
for the loss of one gun and over thirty prisoners. Meanwhile, two Prussian battalions
and the battalions of the Feld-Regimenter Prinz Anton and Prinz Clemens supported
by seven guns and two squadrons from the Karabinier-Regiment and Kurland
Chevauxléger-Regiment made a bold frontal attack on the French at Neunkirchen
driving the French out of their position in full retreat. On 23 September the Prussian-
Saxon force found itself facing a strong French force at Bieskastel with supporting
artillery positioned on the heights above the town. The Saxon infantry battalions
advanced against the French infantry whilst the regimental guns opened fire on the
French artillery and managed to drive them from the higher ground. The cavalry
supporting the infantry advance, two squadrons of the Karabinier-Regiment and a
company of hussars, charged the French infantry and routed one battalion when
they came under fire from a French battery and were attacked on the flank by French
cavalry who had been concealed in nearby woods. The Karabiniers counter-attacked,
routing the French dragoons and capturing the field.
The Saxons continued to be engaged in minor actions and skirmishes until 29

November 1793 when major battle was joined at Kaiserslautern. The Duke of
Braunsweig's allied army in the Saar consisted of thirty-six infantry battalions, fifty-
four squadrons of mixed cavalry and ten artillery batteries, a total of 26,000
Prussians, Saxons and other allied troops. There were three Prussian divisions led
by General-Leutnants Ludwig Karl von Kalckstein, Nikolaus Heinrich von Schönfeld
and Friedrich Adolf, Count von Kalckreuth, one Saxon division, an Advanced Guard
led by Oberst Szekely and a Prussian Guards brigade under Generalmajor Friedrich
Adrian von Roeder. The Advance Guard included five squadrons of the Prussian
Combined Cavalry Regiment, two squadrons of the Saxon Husaren-Regiment, the
2nd Battalion of the Vietinghof Infantry Regiment Nr.38 and two field pieces.
Roeder's Guards brigade consisted of three battalions of Prussian Guard Infantry.
The Saxon Division comprised one battalion each of the Infantry Regiments Kurfürst,
Prinz Anton, Clemens and Gotha and five companies each of the Carabinier, Leib-
Kürassier and Kurland Chevauxléger Regiments.
Braunsweig's army was deployed with its right flank resting on the city of
Kaiserslautern and its flank covered by the marshy banks of the Lauter River. On 28
November the French army advanced in three columns against the Prussian position.
The Saxon regiments saw no action on the first day except for some minor exchange
of artillery fire but on the morning of 29 November the Kurfürst and Prinz Anton
Bataillonen occupying the Morlautern Heights were attacked by two columns of
French infantry. The Kurland Chevauxléger-Regiment counter charged the French
but itself was attacked from the rear only the timely intervention of the Karabinier-
18
Regiment at the French flank drove them back. The following morning the 30
November, the battle was renewed and the battalions of the Kurfürst and Prinz Anton
regiments, despite their heavy casualties the previous day, supported by the
Clemens and Gotha Battalions launched a furious attack against the French of
Hoche’s Division rolling them back into the Erfenbach woods. A French assault on
the Saxons was driven off and at the end of the day the Saxons had lost 1 officer
and 31 men dead or fatally wounded, and 11 officers and 139 men wounded or
missing of a total allied list of some 1,250 casualties. The following day the Saxon
Husaren-Regiment captured the French train of some 60 baggage and provisions
wagons and the army treasury of 100,000 livres.
On 4 January 1794 the Saxon corps on the Rhine was recalled to their barracks
to reform and were replaced with a new force of similar strength from regiments
that had not yet seen action in the field.
Saxon Field Army 3 March 1794
Regiment / Unit Strength Horses

1.Bataillon, Feld-Regimenter von Lindt 652 37
1.Bataillon, Feld-Regimenter Prinz Maximilian 652 37
2.Bataillon, Feld-Regimenter Prinz Langenau 646 37
2.Bataillon, Feld-Regimenter Prinz Xaver 650 39
Grenadier-Bataillon von Thümmel 672 40
Kurfürst Kürassier-Regiment – 8 Kompagnien 633 ?
Albrecht Chevauxléger-Regiment - 8 Kompagnien 640 ?
Husaren-Regiment – 4 Kompagnien 313 317
Artillerie & Führwesen [3] 365 280
Kommissär, Waffenlager & Feldlazarett [3] 446 680
NOTE: [3] The artillery and Commissariat remained with the field army unchanged except for re-
enforcements.
Elements of the refreshed Saxon army were present at the battle at Kaiserslautern
on 13 July 1794 but were not significantly engaged and in October the entire force
was withdrawn to Mainz where it was again re-organised into four brigades in
preparation for the commencement of the 1795 campaign.
Saxon Field Army 30 December 1794
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Zezschwitz

Zezschwitz Kürassier-Regiment 4 Schwadronen
Von Gersdorff Chevauxléger-Regiment 4 Schwadronen
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Rechten

Grenadier-Bataillon ‘Schonberg’ 1 Bataillon
Grenadier-Bataillon ‘Barnekow’ 1 Bataillon
Feldartillerie-Kompagnie 8 x 8pdr Guns
19
3. Brigade – Generalmajor von Wiedermann

Feld-regiment von Nostitz 2 Bataillonen
Feld-regiment von Zanthier 2 Bataillonen
Feld-regiment von Wiedermann 2 Bataillonen
Howitzer Battery ?
4. Brigade – Generalmajor von Rosler

Von Rosler Chevauxléger-Regiment 4 Schwadronen
Husaren-Regiment 4 Schwadronen
The Saxon division remained as part of the garrison at Mainz until May 1796 when
the structure was again amended with fresh units sent as replacements, and the
army finally moved out with the Austrian advance.
Saxon Field Army 30 May 1796
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Zezschwitz

Zezschwitz Kürassier-Regiment 4 Schwadronen
Karabinier-Regiment 4 Schwadronen
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Nostitz

Grenadier-Bataillon Brandenstein 1 Bataillon
Feld-regiment Kurfürst – 2.Bataillon 1 Bataillon
Feld-regiment Prinz Anton – 1.Bataillon 1 Bataillon
Sachsen-Weimar Jäger Bataillon [4] 1 Bataillon
Feldartillerie-Kompagnie 8 x 8pdr Guns
3. Brigade – Generalmajor von Sanger

Feld-regiment von der Heyde 2 Bataillonen
Feld-regiment Gotha - 1.Bataillon 1 Bataillon
Feld-regiment Prinz Clemens – 2.Bataillon 1 Bataillon
Grenadier-Bataillon Glassey 1 Bataillon
4. Brigade – Generalmajor Dehn-Rothselser

Dragoner-Regiment Gotha 3 Schwadronen
Chevauxléger-Regiment Albrecht 4 Schwadronen
NOTE: [4] See companion volume CB5 The Rheinbund Contingents 1806-1814 Vol 1
On 2 June 1796 the Saxon corps engaged the French briefly at Kirn, von Sanger’s
regimental artillery exchanging fire with the French batteries until the artillery were
driven off by the Husaren-Regiment. On 15 June they were engaged again at
Wetzlar the Saxon infantry driving a emplaced French force out of the village of
Altenberg and the cavalry of von Zezschwitz’s brigade engaged and decisively
defeated a larger force of French cavalry until coming under heavy artillery and
20
musket fire and having to withdraw. Whilst not a major action the battle was
claimed as a victory by the Saxons and drew praise for the courage of both the
infantry and cavalry of the corps. By September 1796 the Saxon corps had
withdrawn to their Feldlager at Mainz where they received orders to return to
barracks in Saxony. The army saw no further action and following Kurfürst Friedrich
August’s decision of withdraw from the alliance and remain neutral the army was
stood down and most of the soldiers furloughed.
On 9 October 1806, Saxony joined a renewed coalition, fearing the rise in French
power after the defeat of Austria and establishment of the French-sponsored
Confederation of the Rhine. Prussia, Russia, Sweden, Great Britain and Saxony
mobilized for a fresh campaign, and Prussian troops massed in Saxony. Despite
popular belief Kurfürst Friedrich August was not forced or pressured into joining the
alliance other than the elector’s earlier sworn promise to support the cause of the
coalition against France which he believed to be binding even after the Holy Roman
Empire ceased to exist. As before the Saxon army was fully integrated into the
Prussian army structure and by early October had been involved in a number of very
minor cavalry skirmishes with the French as part of Hohenlohe’s Army Corps.
HOHENLOHE’S ARMY CORPS OCTOBER 1806
General of Infantry Frederick Louis, Prince of Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen
o Chief of Staff: Oberst Christian Karl August Ludwig von Massenbach

o Advance Guard Division: General-Leutnant Prince Louis Ferdinand
o Strength: 8,300 at Saalfeld, 5,300 at Jena, 33 of 44 guns lost at Saalfeld
including regimental guns
o Brigade: General-Major von Bevilaqua
o Müffling Infantry Regiment Nr. 49, two battalions
o Prinz Clemens Saxon Infantry Regiment, two battalions
o Kurfürst Saxon Infantry Regiment, two battalions
o Hoyer Foot Artillery Battery, six 4-pound guns
o Brigade: General-Major Karl Gerhard von Pelet
o Rabenau Fusilier Battalion Nr. 13
o Pelet Fusilier Battalion Nr. 14
o Rühle Fusilier Battalion Nr. 15
o Masars and Valentin Foot Jäger companies
o Reimann Foot Artillery Battery, six 6-pound guns
o Cavalry Brigade: General-Major Christian Ludwig von Schimmelpfennig
o Schimmelpfennig Hussar Regiment Nr. 6, ten squadrons
o Gause Horse Artillery Battery Nr. 2, eight 6-pound guns
o Cavalry Brigade: General-Major von Trützschler
o Saxon Husaren-Regiment, eight squadrons
o 1st Division: General-Leutnant Julius von Grawert

o Strength: 9,630 total, 7,500 infantry, 1,900 cavalry, 230 gunners, 22 guns
o Brigade: General-Major Johann Friedrich Wilhelm von Müffling
o Hahn Grenadier battalion
o Hohenlohe Infantry Regiment Nr. 32, two battalions
o Sanitz Infantry Regiment Nr. 50, two battalions
o Giasenapp Foot Artillery battery Nr. 7, six 12-pound guns
o Brigade: General-Major Christian Friedrich von Schimonsky
o Sack Grenadier battalion
o Grawert Infantry Regiment Nr. 37, two battalions
o Zastrow Infantry Regiment Nr. 39, two battalions
o Wolframsdorf Foot Artillery battery Nr. 8, six 12-pound guns
21
o Cavalry: General-Leutnant Friedrich Jacob von Holtzendorff

o Cavalry Brigade: General-Major Elias Maximilian von Henckel
o Krafft Dragoon Regiment Nr. 11, five squadrons
o Henkel Cuirassier Regiment Nr. 1, five squadrons
o Holtzendorff Cuirassier Regiment Nr. 9, five squadrons
o Steinwehr Horse Artillery battery Nr. 9, six 6-pound guns
o Light Brigade: Oberst von Erichsen
o Erichsen Fusilier battalion Nr. 10
o Gettkandt Hussar Regiment Nr. 1, ten squadrons
o Studnitz Prussian Horse Artillery battery Nr. 14 , four 4-pdr guns
o 2nd (Saxon) Division: General der Kavallerie Joachim Friedrich von Zezschwitz
o Strength: 9,750 total, 8,200 infantry, 1,250 cavalry, 300 gunners, 41 guns
o Brigade: General-Major von Burgsdorff
o Thümmel Saxon Infantry Regiment, two battalions
o Prinz Xaver Saxon Infantry Regiment, two battalions
o Haussmar Saxon Foot Artillery battery, eight 12-pound guns
o Ernst Saxon Foot Artillery battery, eight 12-pound guns
o Brigade: General-Major von Dyherrn
o Low Saxon Infantry Regiment, two battalions
o Niesemeuschel Saxon Infantry Regiment, two battalions
o Bevilaqua Saxon Infantry Regiment, 2nd battalion
o Bonniot Saxon Foot Artillery battery Nr. 8, ten 12-pound guns
o Cavalry Brigade: General-Leutnant von Kochtitsky (General-Leutnant
Joachim Friedrich von Zezschwitz)
o Carabinier Regiment, four squadrons
o Kochtitsky Saxon Cuirassier Regiment, four squadrons
o Prinz Albrecht Saxon Chevauxléger Regiment, four squadrons
o Grossman Saxon Horse Artillery battery, ten guns
o Light Brigade: General-Leutnant von Polenz (Oberst Karl Anton Andreas
von Boguslawsky)
o Boguslawsky Prussian Fusilier battalion Nr. 22
o Polenz Saxon Chevauxléger Regiment, four squadrons
o Studnitz Prussian Horse Artillery battery Nr. 14, five guns
o Reserve Division: General-Leutnant Wolfgang Moritz von Prittwitz

o 8,090 total, 6,900 infantry, 1,000 cavalry, 190 gunners, 23 guns in
batteries
o Brigade: General-Major Karl Wilhelm von Sanitz
o Losthin Grenadier Battalion (38/49)
o Dohna Grenadier Battalion (40/43)
o Borck Grenadier Battalion (28/50)
o Kollin Grenadier Battalion (39)
o Schulenburg Foot Artillery Battery, eight 12-pound guns
o Brigade: General-Major Heinrich von Cerrini di Monte Varchi
o Thiolaz Saxon Grenadier Battalion
o Lecoq Saxon Grenadier Battalion
o Liechtenhayr Saxon Grenadier Battalion
o Metzsch Saxon Grenadier Battalion
o Hundt Saxon Grenadier Battalion
o Tullmar Saxon Foot Artillery Battery, eight guns
o Brigade: General-Major August Friedrich Erdmann von Krafft
o Prittwitz Dragoon Regiment Nr. 2, five squadrons
o Prinz Johann Saxon Chevauxléger Regiment, four squadrons
o Hahn Horse Artillery Battery, seven guns
22
o Left Flank Corps: General-Major Bogislav Friedrich Emanuel von Tauentzien

o Strength: 6,300 total, 6 guns
o Brigade: General-Major Johann Christian von Zweiffel
o Herewarth Grenadier Battalion
o Zweiffel Infantry Regiment Nr. 46, two battalions
o Brigade: General-Major von Schöneberg
o Winkel Saxon Grenadier Battalion
o Rechten Saxon Infantry Regiment, two battalions
o Prinz Maximilian Saxon Infantry Regiment, two battalions
o Kotsch Howitzer Battery, six howitzers
o Light Brigade: General-Major Rudolph Ernst Christoph von Bila
o Rosen Fusilier Battalion Nr. 7
o Werner and Kronheim Foot Jäger companies
o Prinz Clement Saxon Chevauxléger Regiment, four squadrons
o Bila Hussar Regiment Nr. 11, five squadrons
On 9 October 1806 the Advance Guard Division clashed briefly with the French at
Schelitz, but on 10 October the Saxon Brigade under the command of Generalmajor
von Bevilaqua were engaged in a major action at Saalfeld. The two infantry
regiments were ordered to assault the French position by the village of Beulwitz
where they came under heavy musketry fire and after suffering heavy casualties
were forced to withdraw. The Feld-regiment Kurfürst suffered a similar fate later
in the day when a bayonet charge against French barricades at the village of Krosten
was also repulsed and the Saxon infantry were only able to withdraw under the
cover of a counter attack by the Saxon Husaren-Regiment.
It was during this action that Prinz Ludwig Ferdinand Hohenzollern was tragically
killed. When he saw his forces beginning to rout, Ludwig Ferdinand led a charge
against the French cavalry. He was surrounded and killed in personal combat by
23
Jean-Baptiste Guindey, a Fourier of the French 10th Hussar Regiment, after having
refused an offer to surrender and wounding the French NCO he was killed with a
thrust to the chest. With the death of their popular commander the disheartened
Prussian–Saxon force withdrew from the battle. Four days later on 14 October 1806
the Prussian-Saxon Army arrived at Jena and took up their positions to engage the
French army under Napoléon. [5] The Saxons were dispirited and low in morale as
poor administration had left them without provisions since Saalfeld and many
infantry units were short on ammunition.
The French entered the battle with 50 battalions of infantry and 30 squadrons of
cavalry, some 55,000 men. At about 11am a further 14 battalions and 45 squadrons,
about 22,000 men arrived, and by 12pm Napoléon was reinforced by a further 18
battalions, giving the French a total of 95,000 men. The Prussian-Saxon army had
about 35,000 men under Hohenlohe and were later joined by Ruechel's Corps of
about 18,000 giving them little over half the numerical strength of the French army.
Bonaparte ordered Lannes V Corps to attack the village of Closewitz whilst Soult’s
IV Corps advanced up the Rau valley and the VII Corps under Augereau moved up
the valley to occupy the plateau. Marshal Ney with the VI Corps was ordered to
support Lannes on his right flank. The Guard remained in reserve to the east of
Cospeda and behind them were the Reserve Cavalry.
Generalmajor Tauentzien deployed his division between the villages of Leutzeroda

and Closewitz. At 6 am with fog covering the fields so thickly that neither side could
see what was before them, Suchet commenced the attack with a division of the V
Corps and a limited fire-fight carried on for two hours. Tauentzien could now see
that he was greatly outnumbered. The French continued to push forward with
determination; allied losses mounted and the ammunition had almost run out when
Hohenlohe ordered a withdrawal on Klein Romstedt. The Prussian light infantry and
Jägers in the Isserstedt Forest fell back on the village and Tauentzien's withdrawal
was accomplished in good order. The Herewarth and Winkel Grenadier-Bataillonen
from the right flank fell back on the Isserstedt Forest but as the French troops
pursuing the Prussian fusiliers had already penetrated it, they were attacked from
two sides and dispersed; falling back on Apolda in poor order and the Saxon Howitzer
Battery, under Kapitän Tullmann which had fought until all ammunition was
exhausted got stuck in a ditch and was captured by French Chasseurs a’ Cheval
when it was abandoned by its train company and Prussian cavalry escort.
Lannes ordered General Claparède in pursuit of Tauentzien with the elite

battalion, formed from the corps' grenadier and voltigeur companies and the 34e
Ligne Infanterie Regiment and the Corps followed up in two lines until its vanguard
met unexpected resistance at the Windmill Hill to the north of Krippendorf.
Tauentzien had turned to counter-attack his pursuers despite his Saxons having
suffered heavy losses and at the same time, two Saxon regiments from his corps,
the Rechten and Prinz Maximilian Feld-Regimenter appeared to the south of
Vierzehnheiligen. Napoleon ordered the 40e Ligne Infanterie to take Vierzehnheiligen
but this attack was repulsed by the Saxons and was not renewed leaving the Saxons
in possession. Desjardin's Division from the VII Corps which had just arrived at
Leutzeroda was sent in support with 18 guns from the V Corps and the Guard
Artillery Reserve were deployed in a massed ‘Grand Battery’ to the south-east of
Vierzehnheiligen. Tauentzien, having vigorously repelled the French pursuit,
continued his withdrawal to Klein Romstedt, leaving Vierzehnheiligen unoccupied by
either side.
24
General-Leutnant von Holtzendorff assembled his provisional cavalry and light

brigades on hearing the noise of battle coming from Closewitz but encountered St.
Hilaire's Division from IV Corps moving against him and a delaying action in the
woods south-west of Lehesten and Roedigen ensued until Holtzendorff saw that he
was well outnumbered and decided to withdraw. This was not problematical as a
ravine near Nerkwitz was to his rear. In order to gain time, he had his infantry make
a limited attack from the right flank, covered by skirmishers, sent his artillery battery
along with one battalion to a covering position behind Nerkwitz and had the
remaining battalions withdraw from the left flank. As his cavalry moved off, the
French cavalry brigade under Guyot from the IV Corps attacked the Saxon Prinz
Johann Chevauxléger-Regiment who were thrown back and rode down parts of the
Prussian cuirassiers, allowing Generalmajor von Sanitz to be captured. The Saxon
Grenadier-Bataillonen remained in good order and continued their march. As the
French were already close to Krippendorf, Holtzendorff felt unable to rejoin
Hohenlohe by a direct route, so he fell back to Apolda. Hohenlohe had therefore
lost a sizeable part of his troops in two preliminary skirmishes leaving him only about
28,000 men.
Generalleutnant Julius von Grawert's 1. Division broke camp at about 8am and
moved up so that its left flank was near Klein Romstedt. To cover the advance of
the infantry, the Prussian cavalry swept around both sides of the unoccupied
Vierzehnheiligen and the horse artillery unlimbered in front of the village and started
to fire at the French artillery line south-east of the village which could only be placed
through the fog from the muzzle flashes from the gunfire.
Ney's vanguard consisting of two battalions of grenadiers and voltigeurs and 25e
Infanterie Légère moved up along with his corps cavalry brigade but the two
divisions were well to the rear. The French 10e Chasseurs á Cheval, made a surprise
attack upon the Prussian Horse Battery Steinmetz and seized its guns; the cavalry
escort, two squadrons of the Holtzendorff Kürassier-Regiment, were thrown back
and took parts of the Henckel Kürassier-Regiment and Krafft Dragoner-Regiment
with them. They rallied quickly however and counter- attacked and broke the French
light cavalry. In the pursuit, the Prussians reached the squares of the grenadiers
and voltigeurs which opened fire at close range causing many casualties, rode past
them into the Guard artillery which fired canister, and even pressed on close to the
where Napoléon himself was positioned. Only the cavalry brigade of V Corps stood
in the way of the advance. The Prussians withdrew and rallied, then fell back in good
order, taking a number of captured French chasseurs with them. The recaptured
cannon of Steinmetz's Battery had to be left as the French light cavalry had made
off with the horses and limbers.
During this time the Prussian infantry of General-Leutnant von Grawert’s, 1.

Division had moved up and was following the cavalry at a fast pace. The morale of
the troops was high and they thought that the misfortune of Saalfeld was to be put
right and they advanced in good order with beating drums. When the left flank was
about 500 paces from Vierzehnheiligen, the Prince ordered a halt as he believed it
unwise to advance further into the thick fog without good intelligence. His existing
orders were to cover the march of the Main Army to the River Unstrut, but not to
engage the enemy in major action but he was now faced with a dilemma. The Duke
of Brunswick had ordered him not to go on the offensive, but his tactical training
urged him not to withdraw in the face of an uncommitted enemy. Furthermore,
French skirmishers had now occupied Vierzehnheiligen and a small wood on the right
flank, and were sniping into his lines and so he ordered skirmishers of the Regiment
Grawert and sixty fusiliers from the Battalion Pelet drive them out. In response
25
Lannes' skirmishers were ordered to drive the Prussians out of Vierzehnheiligen and
the wood and occupied it in force.
Hohenlohe order four battalions of Saxons moved up under the command of

Generalmajor von Cerrini and the rear of the left flank, four and a half of
Tauentzien's battalions were advanced, having received fresh supplies of
ammunition at Klein Romstedt; in reserve was the brigade of Generalmajor von
Dyherrn and three Prussian fusilier battalions with the cavalry covered the flanks.
The French artillery bombardment grew in intensity and started to cause

significant losses to the lines of Saxon infantry. When the fog started to disperse
the French remained concealed in the undulating countryside, behind the villages
and woods, and to the Prussian observers they did not appear to be present in large
numbers. At about 9.30am, Hohenlohe ordered the attack. The Prussian infantry
formed up in echelons of two battalions from the left flank and forced back the
French line until it came to Vierzehnheiligen where the advance it came to a sudden
halt, receiving a vigorous fire from the French skirmishers in the hedges and village
gardens. The Prussians responded by sending in their own light infantry which failed
to make headway and were soon repelled. The Prussian-Saxon lines then opened up
with volley fire and then continued with independent fire but failed to follow through
with the bayonet charge. This firefight by troops standing in line in the open against
an enemy using the available cover was almost one-sided; to remain stationary
when attacking was a contradiction to all Prussian military principles and was not
intended by Hohenlohe. A report by Major von Marwitz Adjutant to the Fürsten zu
Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen provides some insight into the causes of the disastrous error
of judgement [6].
“….No enemy troops were visible other than those right in front of us in
Vierzehnheiligen and behind the village. The Prince decided, seeing this as
the very last effort needed, to send in two of battalions of grenadiers to take
the village with the bayonet when General Grawert rode up to him and
congratulated him on a battle won. The Prince declined the praise and
advised General Grawert of his decision to storm the village. The General
Grawert then requested that this should be delayed pointing at our half-
ruined battalions which had been standing under continuous fire for two
hours, with no reserve, and at Tauentzien's and Dyherrn's beaten troops who
could not be counted, with so many gaps that they could hardly be called a
formation, and concluded with the remark: "In this position we must halt
until General Ruechel arrives with his corps and then we can complete the
victory"”.
Hohenlohe appears to have accepted this suggestion as he was aware that General
von Ruechel was marching via Kapellendorf to the battlefield so he could not be far
distant. He was also counting on the arrival of General von Holtzendorff as he had
been sent an order to rejoin the main body and his direction of march would lead
him to the flank and rear of the French position behind Vierzehnheiligen, unaware
that Holtzendorff was already marching off in the opposite direction. Lannes
attempted to throw back Grawert's left flank with two regiments of Gazan's Division
but was repelled by charges from the Saxon Kochtitsky Kürassier-Regiment and the
Prinz Albrecht Chevauxléger-Regiment. On Lanne’s left, Desjardin’s Division moved
forward between Vierzehnheiligen and Isserstedt, forcing Grawert to extend his right
flank by moving up the Saxon grenadier battalions of Generalmajor Cerrini di Monte
26
Varchi’s Reserve Brigade against Isserstedt to support the Fusilier Battalions

Erichsen and Rosen along with Jäger-Kompagnien Werner and Kronheim who were
hard pressed and had almost run out of ammunition. The six Saxon infantry
battalions of the Feld-Regimenter ‘Low’, ‘Niesemeuschel’ and ‘Bevilaqua’ forming
Generalmajor von Dyherrn’s brigade formed up in the rear of Cerrini.
By now the heavy Prussian bombardment of Vierzehnheiligen had set the village
alight although the exchange of musketry continued unabated with terrible slaughter
around the entrance to the village as one volley followed another. The French
artillery fire was however having an increasing effect on the closed lines of the Saxon
infantry and the skirmishers dared to edge ever nearer, shooting into the ranks and
cutting down the officers and NCOs as their targets causing the chain of command
to weaken in the fragile Saxon lines with their traditional reliance upon precise
adherence to the drill regulations and commands and almost total lack of battlefield
experience.
Having earlier driven off von Tauentzien’s corps, the division of St. Hilaire was
now advanced to the north of Vierzehnheiligen with three regiments of infantry and
Guyot's Cavalry Brigade, to threaten Grawert's left flank. To the south of
Vierzehnheiligen, Desjardin moved to the offensive and quickly overran Cerrini di
Monte Varchi’s Reserve Brigade on Grawert’s right flank capturing the supporting
batteries of Prussian cannon. Dyherrn's Brigade was moved in to support the
buckling line and the Henkel Kürassier Regiment made a valiant charge to throw
back the French cavalry, a corridor was opened between Grawert's crushed right
flank and the Saxon Division on the Schnecke. Ney’s divisions and part of
Augereau's Corps, moved forward and through the gap a large body of cavalry
became visible to the south of Krippendorf.
At midday, Napoléon ordered the decisive attack. The French artillery moved up
to canister range and poured a devastating hail of shot into the exhausted Prussian
and Saxon lines, already at less than half their original strength and almost out of
ammunition. Over three French corps smashed into Grawert's remaining ten
decimated Saxon battalions, the French pushing forward on the entire front,
outflanking the Prussian left and right flanks, their forward echelons consisting of
skirmisher lines, the rear echelons in columns by battalion. At about 1pm, the allied
lines began to waver. Hohenlohe rallied the remnants of the ‘Sanitz’ Regiment
himself, but the lines were overrun by a flood of retreating units and he was forced
to order a general withdrawal but almost as soon as the orderly withdrawal had
started Murat's cavalry divisions charged, routing Grawert’s right flank and taking
many prisoners. The artillery guns could not be moved and were left behind. The
Saxon grenadier battalions maintained excellent order as Grawert fell back on
Tauentzien where he reformed. Finally Ruechel's vanguard appeared but too late
to alter the outcome of the battle.
Ruechel's Corps had been encamped in Weimar when at 9am, Hohenlohe's first
request for support arrived. Ruechel set off for Jena immediately and sent to
Hohenlohe for more precise orders. At 10.30am, a message from Hohenlohe was
received advising that the enemy was being driven back on all fronts. Ruechel sent
his cavalry with a horse artillery battery as an advance guard but as he advanced
Ruechel came across the wounded trickling back from the battlefield. As they
approached Kapellendorf, the Prince's adjutant, Major von der Marwitz arrived with
an urgent request for support and reported that Hohenlohe's Corps was already
totally beaten. At 1pm Ruechel's infantry passed through Kapellendorf and formed
up for the attack in echelons by regiment. Hohenlohe arrived shortly after and took
27
command of the troops which along with part of his own cavalry made a courageous
attack to gain time for his broken divisions to fall back. The forward echelon reached
the peak of the Sperlingberg to the south of Gross-Romstedt and made to attack
Soult's artillery positions when Murat's dragoon brigades and Guyot's light cavalry
charged. Regiments Alt-Larisch, Strachwitz and Winning threw them back with
battalion volleys, the retreating French being hotly pursued by the Gettkandt and
Koehler Hussars. The infantry, despite grievous losses, continued to advance,
throwing back the skirmishers protecting the French batteries and came to within
200 paces of them causing the guns to cease fire and limber up. At this point, St.
Hilaire's Division attacked the Prussian left flank. Ruechel and many of the staff were
wounded, the line of command was lost control was lost and soon the Prussians fell
into disorder. Despite their losses some battalions tried to press home with the
bayonet, but were beaten back with canister fire from the French Guard Artillery,
the losses to the already weakened battalions were horrific. In a short space of time,
Regiment Winning lost 17 officers and 764 men, the French 1st. Cuirassiers routed
it an then rode it down; Regiment Wedell was likewise attacked and finally ridden
down by French cuirassiers; Fusilier Battalion Rabenau was surrounded by French
cavalry and wiped out; the Erichsen and Rosen Bataillonen fought on but suffered
the same fate once they had run out of ammunition. Niesemeuschel’s Saxon
grenadiers attempted to fall back in square and the Grenadier-Bataillon ‘Winkel’
became the protective escort for Prinz Hohenlohe and his staff. The Prussian Oberst
von Höpfner recounts [5]:
“The troops withdrawing on Weimar were in full flight; only one unit
remained steady; the Saxon Grenadier-Bataillon ‘Winkel’ with whom the
Prinz Hohenlohe was and had taken command. The battalion stood like a rock
in this terrible moment of defeat and confusion; surround be fleeing allies who
had discarded their weapons and who no longer heeded the commands of their
officers. The men of this battalion withdrew in full order at regular pace and
with their band playing. The battalion had formed an open square and halted
whenever the enemy came near to give battle; neither the charges of the
French cavalry, nor the relentless fire of the French skirmishers caused them
to waver. As soon as they had won a respite the drummer beat ‘column of
platoons’ and the battalion marched off with the band playing as if on the
parade ground and whenever the enemy approached the battalion stood ready
to receive them once more.”
The French victory did not come without a cost, the Saxons had fought well and
bravely but were hampered by poor leadership, outdated tactics and logistical chaos,
many units exhausting their ammunition and had to face the final fight with only
fixed bayonets but most fought with distinction until the last. The Battle of Jena
effectively ended the Saxon participation in the campaign and Kurfürst Friedrich
August was swift to make a separate peace with Bonaparte and once again declared
Saxony’s neutrality.
Napoléon had always recognised the strategic value of Saxony and the historical
link with Poland and his treatment of the Electorate following the Battle of Jena was
perhaps less magnanimous as politically adroit. The emperor had the defeated
Saxon officers assembled in the great hall at the University of Jena where he
addressed them personally portraying himself as the liberator of the German states
enslaved by the overbearing Prussian ambitions, skilfully playing on the historical
resentments that still existed between the Saxon nobility and the Hohenzollern
kingdom since the Seven Years War and giving parole to the 7,000 Saxon prisoners
28
held by the French. The proclamation was carried to Dresden by Major von Funck
along with the Emperor’s terms of surrender requiring the Kurfürst Friedrich August
to pay an indemnity of one million francs for each 1,000 Saxon troops who had
served with the Prussians, a total of approximately 25 million francs.
On 11 December 1806 realising that the future survival of his country as an

independent state depended upon an alliance with Napoléon, Friedrich August took
Saxony into the Confederation of the Rhine and accepted the Imperial elevation to
king.
This change of alliance was not an easy transition as many Saxons, particularly
the military establishment harboured strong anti-French and anti-revolutionary
sentiments. Amongst the civilian population and administration the influx of large
numbers of French officers and officials at Dresden appears to have been at first
resisted but very quickly accepted with Davout and Talleyrand being feted as visiting
princes and French envoys and officials treated with the utmost deference. The new
alliance however, brought about very few changes; the Saxons remained ensconced
in their comfortable 18th Century bubble of obsolete practices and formalised society.
Membership of the Confederation of the Rhine brought a commitment for the new
Königreich Sachsen to immediately provide 6,000 troops to Napoléon’s army in
Germany. The Saxons quickly put together a small contingent to immediately join
the French for the 1807 campaign in Silesia as the 1st Division of Léfèbvre’s X Corps,
however, the contingent appears to have been distributed piecemeal throughout the
operational army at various stages of the campaign.
29
Saxon Field Army April 1807 [7]
Divisions-Kommandant: General-Leutnant von Polenz

Chief of Staff: Major von Egidy
Generalstabs: Kapitän Gersdorff, Leutnant von Geobrig, Leutnant von Moritz
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Oebschelwitz

Grenadier-Bataillon von Cerrini 1 Bataillon 601 Men
Feld-Regiment Prinz Anton 1.& 2. Bataillonen 2 Bataillonen 1196 men
Feld-regiment Bevilaqua 1. Bataillon 1 Bataillon 601 men
Feldartillerie-kompagnie (Detached) 8 x 8pdr Guns + 2 x 7pdr Howitzers
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Glaffrey

Grenadier-Bataillon Süssmilch 1 Bataillon 601 men
Feld-regiment von Sanger – 1. & 2.Bataillon 2 Bataillonen 1197 men
Feld-regiment Prinz Maximilian – 2.Bataillon 1 Bataillon 598 men
Feldartillerie-Kompagnie (Detached) 8 x 8pdr Guns + 2 7pdr howitzers
Kavallerie-Brigade – Generalmajor von Besser

Kürassier-Regiment ‘König’ 4 Schwadronen 687 men
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Johann [8] 1 Schwadron 199 men
Detached to Silesian Border – Oberst Feilitzsch

Kürassier-Regiment ‘König’ [9] 1 Schwadron 203 men
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Johann 3 Schwadronen 565 men
NOTE: [5] My gratitude to Dom Werner, Berlin, who provided translated extracts concerning the
Saxon Army participation in the Battle of Jena from various scarce accounts published in Germany
during the 19th century and put together the source notes from which the preceding chapter has
been formed.
NOTE: [6] (Published in `1806 Das Preussische Offizierkorps und die Untersuchung der
Kriegsereignisse` issued by the Grossen Generalstab by ES Mittler, Berlin 1806) Translation kindly
supplied by Dom Werner.
NOTE: [7] Some French and German sources for the Saxon contingent composition differ and
this appears to have been caused by the traditional Saxon policy of rotating units in the field
instead of simply sending replacements to the field army. I am indebted to Dom Werner who
provided notes from his extensive research to compile a feasible organisation table for the period
of the Siege of Danzig.
NOTE: [8] Also given as a combined provisional squadron of 199 troopers for the Prinz Johann
Regiment and 60 troopers from the Chevauxléger-Regiment von Polenz under Major von
Schindler, the latter believed seconded as personal escort and Stabsgarde to General-Leutnant
von Polenz their inhaber.
NOTE: [9] Given as a squadron of the Leib-Kürassier-Garde (Kürassier-Regiment ‘König’ in
early 1807) but one source shows this squadron as being rather dubiously from the Garde du
Corps.
The Saxon troops were assembled at Poznań, prior to marching out to Danzig,
however the continued anti-French sentiments particularly strongly held in the
Saxon military at all levels surfaced quickly once the German troops were brought
under French command and was aggravated in a multitude of small incidents
between Saxon and French soldiers who regarded the Saxons as archaic and treated
30
them with mocking contempt, whilst the Saxon soldier saw his French counterpart
as undisciplined and lacking in the formality found in the German armies. The
tensions came to a head with the threatened mutiny by some Saxon battalions which
was only resolved after General-Leutnant Polenz arrived at the head of the Kürassier
squadrons. As a result of the issues desertions from the Saxon battalions were high
but as the German and French became accustomed to serving together morale
increased and the division served with merit at the Siege of Danzig until the
capitulation on 27 May 1807. On 10 June 1807 the Saxons became the 3rd Division
of Lannes’ corps and fought with distinction at the Battle of Hejlsberg where the
Kürassier-Regiment König saved the 72e Regiment de Ligne from certain annihilation
by a gallant charge against the Russians and a few days later again covered
themselves with glory at the Battle of Friedland on 14 June 1807. For their heroic
service during the campaign the regiment was elevated and became the ‘Leib-
Kürassier-Garde’.
Following the signing of the Peace of Tilsit in July 1807 the Saxon army returned
home with their somewhat tarnished reputation restored. Napoléon described the
Saxony army as “good soldiers…” but it was the general opinion of the French
command that the Saxons would be useful allies if closely integrated with
experienced French units and only if they acquired a much higher level of experience
in the ‘modern’ style of warfare. The Saxon cavalry were highly regarded as
courageous, well trained and efficient, but the infantry were considered to be
hampered by their outdated drills, tactics and poor weaponry. Likewise the French
had little good to report about the Saxon commanders who attitudes were for the
most part considered to be archaic.
As part of the Treaties of Tilsit, König Friedrich August gained three former
Prussian territories but was also named Ksiąžę Warszawie, Duke of Warsaw.
Although he had previously rejected the offer of the Polish crown in 1795 he could
not bring himself to refuse his ‘Polish responsibilities’ for a second time particularly
as it brought about his long time desire for Polish autonomy. The constitution which
Napoléon dictated to Saxony joined the Duchy of Warsaw hereditarily to the Royal
House of Saxony and made the Freistadt Danzig a joint protectorate of France and
Saxony.
Consistent with Saxon historical policy the bulk of the army was stood down and
furloughed in 1808 and was caught unprepared when Napoléon demanded two full
divisions of troops for his campaign in Austria on 15 January 1809. True to form
König Friedrich August failed to endorse the command and issue his own mobilisation
orders until 25 February recalling the soldiers on leave to their regiments. It was yet
another month before a provisional division, under the command of General-
Leutnant Joachim Friedrich von Zezschwitz was assembled at Dresden. By 24 March
the force had been joined by additional infantry battalions, cavalry and artillery and
totalled some 19,000 men and was designated as the IX Corps, Armée de
l’Allemagne, and was placed under the overall command of a French officer,
Maréchal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte with a French staff. Despite the year that the
Saxon army had been free to organise themselves, virtually every infantry battalion
was understrength when called for service, the Leib-Grenadier-Garde-Regiment
needing to re-organise and merge two battalions into a single field battalion. Every
battalion of foot was composed of large numbers of raw recruits as many of the
older more experienced soldiers of the 1792 and 1806 campaigns had ended their
periods of service and been discharged. The cavalry was no better; most squadrons
were short of trained horses as many had been taken by the French after Jena and
most field squadrons had disproportionately high numbers of half trained mounts.
31
IX Corps Armée de l’Allemagne April 1809

Maréchal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
Chief of Staff: General de Brigade Gerard
Commandant of Artillery: General de Brigade Mossel
Commandant of Engineers: Chef de Bataillon Giradin
1. Division – General-Leutnant Joachim Friedrich von Zezschwitz
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Hartitzch

Leib-Grenadier-Garde (Combined Bataillon) 1 Bataillon 582 men
Grenadier-Bataillon von Bose [10] 1 Bataillon 592 men
Grenadier-Bataillon von Hacke [10] 1 Bataillon 573 men
Feld-Regiment König 2 Bataillonen 1175 men
Feld-Regiment von Dyherrn 1.Bataillon 1 Bataillon 519 men
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Boxberg

Feld-Regiment Prinz Maximilian 2 Bataillonen 1190 men
Feld-Regiment Prinz Friedrich August 2 Bataillonen 1181 men
Feld-Regiment Prinz Anton 2 Bataillonen 1118 men
Kavallerie-Brigade – Generalmajor Freiherr von Gutschmeid

Garde du Corps (2 combined squadrons) 2 Schwadronen 297 men
Karabinier-Regiment 2 Schwadronen 226 men
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Clemens 2 Schwadronen 456 men
Chevauxléger-Regiment Herzog Albrecht 1 & 3 Sqdn. 2 Schwadronen 994 men
Husaren-Regiment 3 Schwadronen 397 men
2. Division – General-Leutnant von Barner (von Polenz from May 1809)
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Lecoq

Feld-regiment Prinz Clemens 2 Bataillonen 1150 men
Feld-Regiment von Low 2 Bataillonen 1160 men
Feld-Regiment von Cerrini 2 Bataillonen 1179 men
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Zezchau

Feld-Regiment von Niesemeuschel 2 Bataillonen 1195 men
Feld-Regiment von Oebschelwitz 2.Bataillon 1 Bataillon 522 men
Grenadier-Bataillon von Radeloff [10] 1 Bataillon 583 men
Grenadier-Bataillon von Winkelmann [10] 1 Bataillon 579 men
Kavallerie-Brigade – Generalmajor von Feilitzsch

Leib-Garde-Kürassier Regiment 4 Schwadronen 575 men
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Johann 4 Schwadronen 589 men
32
Corps Artillery & Park Major von Birnbaum

Feld-Artillery-Kompagnie Hoyer (Heavy Battery) 4 x 8pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr howitzers
Feld-Artillery-Kompagnie Coudray (Heavy Battery) 4 x 8pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr howitzers
Feld-Artillery-Kompagnie Bonniot (Light Battery) 4 x 8pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr howitzers
Feld-Artillery-Kompagnie Huthsteiner (Light Battery) 4 x 8pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr howitzers
Artillery Park 2 x 8pdr guns (Light Battery)
Pontonnier-kompagnie 33 men
NOTE: [10] Grenadier-Kompagnien Pairings

Grenadier-Bataillon von Bose: Prinz Friedrich August & von Burgsdorff Regiment
Grenadier-Bataillon von Hacke: Prinz Clemens & von Oebschelwitz Regiment
Grenadier-Bataillon von Radeloff: Prinz Anton & von Niesemeuschel Regiment
Grenadier-Bataillon von Winkelmann: von Low & von Cerrini Regiment
Grenadier-Bataillon von Einsiedel: König & von Dyherrn regiment (In Warsaw)
Maréchal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte was a general who had exhibited considerable

talent in the early years of the revolutionary wars but his personal ambitions and
high self-esteem brought him into
conflict politically with Napoléon
and Bernadotte and he viewed his
emperor with suspicion and some
rancour which never dissipated. His
performance during the 1806
campaign cast doubts in the minds
of many French generals as to his
reliability and competence and his
attitude and vanity made him many
enemies in the French high
command.
Bernadotte was however, a
suitable choice to command the IX
Corps as he had served as the
military governor in the Hanseatic
Cities from 1807 until 1809 and had
gained a reputation for having an
empathy with the Germans and was
known for his personal courage,
diplomacy and suave charm. He
was a commander who cared for the
troops under his command and to
whom soldiers readily offered their
affection and loyalty.
The marshal, however was not
immediately pleased with his
appointment which he saw as an
intrigue of Berthier’s to further
alienate him from the emperor and
the Imperial Headquarters.
33
His request to the emperor to be relived of the command of 11 April 1809 was
ignored but Bernadotte continued to protest on the basis that be believed himself
“unequal to the task of leading foreigners…”
His initial assessments of the Saxon army were at best scathing on 22 March he
wrote to Napoléon:
“These Saxon troops will be unable to do your Majesty any service if they are not
combined with a French force superior to their own. It is my belief that the only way
to take advantage of them is to incorporate them by brigade into French divisions…”
After three days in Dresden Bernadotte reviewed the assembled IX Corps and
wrote his official report for Napoléon
“I have the honour to inform Your Majesty that I have reviewed the Saxon troops.
I have sent the Major Général their strengths and location. [11] I had them execute
the principal combat manoeuvres and I was very satisfied with their instruction which
I found unexpected. The cavalry is well trained and has as much cohesion as can be
permitted with the young horses of which it is almost entirely composed. There is a
large number of new recruits in the foot battalions but the commandants and their
officers evidence much willingness. The artillery is badly organised and the train is
greatly defective. Never-the-less, I still believe that this corps, acting unsupported,
would not be as useful to Your Majesty as they could be distributed within the French
corps by division, because affairs here are characterised by great dilatoriness.”
NOTE: [11] Bernadotte’s report to Berthier in fact included his suspicions that the Saxon high
command and regimental commandants were colluding to exaggerate the number of effective
combat ready soldiers in the IX Corps. In fact in true Saxon style many soldiers were marked
present even though they had not re-joined their regiments.
Despite the objections to his appointment Bernadotte, ever the professional

soldier, involved himself without delay in the business of preparing the IX Corps to
join the Grand Armée. By engaging with and fostering the trust of the Saxon
commanders and displaying genuine concern for the common solider Bernadotte
won the affection of the army that he did not wish to command and according to
Major von Funck was ‘idolised’ by the Saxon rank and file.
On 14 April 1809 orders were received by Bernadotte in Dresden to march the IX

Corps south into Bavaria where Napoléon was concentrating his forces for the
campaign against Austria. The 2. Division now officially under von Polenz departed
on 15 April and the 1. Division followed the next day. With Saxony all but denuded
of troops other than the garrisons and fearing an invasion by the Austrians König
Friedrich August and his court departed for Leipsic on the 16th April.
The Kingdom of Saxony was left woefully undefended except for the regimental
depots and the Halb-Invalid-Kompagnien. In April 1809 the Army of Saxony had a
garrison stationed at Danzig; the Feld-Regimenten von Rechten and Zastrow, at
Glogau; the Feld-Regiment von Burgsdorff and the Grenadier-kompagnie Feld-
Regiment Prinz Maximilian, and Stettin was garrisoned by the 2.Bataillon – Feld-
Regiment von Dyherrn. Each garrison had an artillery detachment to man the
placement artillery. Various other smaller detachments of one or two companies
were scattered at various depots around the Saxon border.
34
In addition to the Saxon commitment to the Confederation of the Rhine, König

Friedrich August, as Ksiąžę Warszawie, Duke of Warsaw had been required to send
a force to serve with army of the Duchy of Warsaw under General de Division Prinz
Josef Poniatowski in 1808 to bolster the newly formed national army in Poland. When
the war with Austria erupted in March 1809 orders recalling this force to Saxony
were sent to Generalmajor von Dyherrn commanding the Saxon troops which
consisted of the 1.Bataillon, Feld-Regiment von Oebschelwitz; and the Grenadier-
Bataillonen von Einsiedel [10] and the Grenadier-kompagnien von Rechten;
supported by one squadron of the Husaren-Regiment and the Feld-Artillerie-
Kompagnien von Kotsch and Semder, with a total of 14 guns.
On 15 April an Austrian army of some 30,200 men crossed into Poland and
marched on Warsaw. In response Poniatowski moved the 14,000 men and 41 guns
of his Polish-Saxon force to a defensive position on the Mrowa stream to defend the
City of Warsaw with the Saxons in the centre of the line at Raszyn. The Saxon
hussars were with the Polish cavalry reserve on the right flank at Blonie. In the
afternoon the Austrians made their attack and after a two hour pitched battle driving
the Poles at the bridge at Jarowow back almost into the streets of Raszyn when
Dyherrn led his Saxon infantry in an attack on the left flank pushing the Austrians
back across the Mrowa. The Austrians renewed their attack in the early evening
finally seizing Raszyn and after a desperate struggle managed to clear the Saxons
out of the wood to the north of the village. The Saxons had lost about 300 men
killed or wounded in the action and after both sides had withdrawn to their lines for
the night Poniatowski decided to retreat on Warsaw. The following day a temporary
ceasefire was agreed and Warsaw was abandoned without the devastation of a siege
and Dyherrn finally revealed his orders to return to Saxony and the Saxons departed
to arrive back on 20 May at Dresden. Poniatowski praised the Saxon infantry and
grenadiers for having fought valiantly but many Poles saw the action as deserting
an ally despite Dyherrn having kept his troops with the Polish army some days after
receiving his orders to return home.
With concerns about possible insurrection if the Kingdom of Westphalia Napoléon

instructed the IX Corps to march via Thuringia and the Oberpfalz to provide
assistance to his brother Jérôme if required, however by the time that the army
arrived at Weimar on 23 April new orders were received to proceed south and await
further orders to continue to either the Danube valley or into Bohemia. After a day
of rest the army resumed their march on the 30th April where the Saxons were
engaged in their first combat of the campaign close by Adorf. The column advance
guard consisting of some 200 scharfschützen and picked men from the Feld-
Regiment König, and a detachment of cavalry made up of the three squadrons of
the Husaren-Regiment and a squadron from the Chevauxléger-Regiment Herzog
Albrecht under Generalmajor Christof Freiherr von Gutschmeid were ordered to
make a reconnaissance towards Eger and a detachment of some fifty hussars and
chevauxlegers were dispatched to escort a party of staff officers. The inexperienced
scouting party failed however, to take basic precautions and were ambushed by a
small patrol of Austrian lancers from the Uhlan-Regiment Nr2 ‘Schwarzenberg’ who
dispersed the Saxon cavalry following a brief skirmish and captured the officers of
the reconnaissance party. By good fortune the Husar-Regiment detachment
included two veteran corporals Galbert and Böhme who realised that the Austrians
numbered only 17 troopers and led the Saxon cavalry back at the charge and
following a fierce skirmish managed to drive off the lancers and rescue their officers
although some ten men were wounded including two of the staff officers. Minor
skirmishes of a similar nature quickly awakened the Saxon command and rank and
file to the realities of warfare and orders were issued that columns of march should
35
at all times be in readiness for action with pickets or patrols at the advance and on
the flanks, and the wiser of the Saxon officers welcomed Bernadotte’s advice on the
nuances of modern warfare, and for the first time started to realise that their
erstwhile allies, the Austrians were now the enemy.
Despite a heavy snowfall the corps continued to make relatively good time
although Bernadotte continued to beleaguer the Emperor and Berthier with reports
and requests for support. On 26 April he wrote to Napoléon:
“Your Majesty, I am quite pleased with the Saxon Army; the infantry march at a
much slower rate than ours, but they demonstrate much willingness. Never-the-less
I cannot repeat too many times that a French division is very necessary to provide
them an example and encouragement. If I had one I would not hesitate to march
directly on Prague with my corps. The Saxon generals support me and recognise the
necessity of such support….”
In contrast, General-Leutnant von Zezschwitz reported to König Friedrich August

that:
“…the soldiers are in good spirits, very well provisioned and enthusiastically
conducting very rapid, disciplined marches despite the inclement weather…. Thus
does the new style of warfare change our perceptions… Only a small time ago, I
would have thought it impossible to march from Weimar to Passau by an indirect
route without pausing for rest….”
On May 12 Bernadotte finally received a positive response to his requests and a

small French division under the command of General de Division Pierre-Louis Dupas
was added to the IX Corps, at Passau.
Division Française – General de Division Dupas
1. Brigade – General de Brigade Gency

5e Infanterie Légère 2 Bataillonen
2. Brigade – General de Brigade Vaux

19e Infanterie de ligne 3 Bataillonen
Artillery de Division
Artillerie a’ Pied 2 Batteries 12 x 6 pdr guns
As Napoléon advanced upon Vienna his concerns about the security of his left
flank caused him to order Bernadotte to move the IX Corps to Linz with the greatest
expediency and on 13 May the 1.Division departed Passau followed by the 2. Division
on the 15 May. On the 16 May Bernadotte received further orders at Eferding
advising of the fall of Vienna and requiring that he should await further instructions
from Marshal Lefebvre in the south before proceeding which were received as the
army prepared to bivouac. At about 7am on the 17th May the advance guard reached
Linz with the main body arriving during the morning wearied from the fast 20 mile
march were they linked up with the Württembergers of the VII Corps.
At about 2pm an Austrian column under Feldmarschall Johann Karl, Graf von
Kollowrat-Krakowsky appeared on the road east of Dornach where they were halted
by the Württemberg division supported by the hussars and chevauxlegers from the
36
Saxon 1. Division. Advancing with the Wurttemberg ‘Herzog Ludwig’ Jäger-zu-

Pferde Regiment the cavalry were fired upon from the flank by Austrian artillery on
a steep hill but the Württemberg cavalry charged the battery and dispersed the
Austria infantry and Uhlans beyond whilst the Saxon cavalry pressed forward to
capture the guns at the centre of Kolowrat’s line. Around 7pm Feldmarschall-
Leutnant Somariva’s column of some 3,200 arrived at the valley near Dornach
threatening the Saxons of General-Leutnant Zezschwitz’s 1.Division at Harbach. The
two Saxon batteries opened fire but were disadvantaged by the terrain and the
Austrians drove back the Saxon and Württemberger skirmishers and Bernadotte
took personal command of the Saxon infantry of the Feld-Regimenten Dyherrn, Prinz
Friedrich August and Prinz Maximilian and advanced up the heavily wooded slopes
in the rapidly gathering darkness making two furious attacks on the Austrians both
of which were repelled by the disciplined veteran troops in a strong defensive
position. The engagement was finally broken off long after dark at about 10 pm
leaving the Austrians in possession of the hill top. The Saxons returned to their
lager having fought well with relatively low casualties, 7 dead, 74 wounded and 7
missing or captured. The following morning the Austrians had withdrawn to the north.
Both von Zezschwitz and Bernadotte sent reports to their respective monarchs
praising the performance of the Saxon troops in their first real battle of the campaign.
More importantly much had been learned from the engagement highlighting the
Saxon army’s outmoded tactics and evolutions. In his memoirs Ferdinand von
Larisch comments about the battle
“ …the officers of my regiment the Prinz Friedrich August were not a little
embarrassed when Maréchal Bernadotte joined us during the battle and gave the
order ‘Allons, tiraillez!’ As our trained Schützen had been given up to the skirmisher
battalions and the other men were not trained in this method of warfare we had no
option but to order the men to fan out, remain in their files and press forward….
Many shots were loosed into the blue but since all steadfastly continued to move
forward the soldiers quickly learned what was required of them and had good success
in the manoeuvre….”
The need for re-organisation was not lost on Bernadotte who immediately set
about rectifying the lack of light infantry in the Saxon army by forming the Schützen
detachments of each of the four brigades into permanent independent Schützen-
Abteilung. On 18 May the four units were expanded by the addition of selected
troops and officers from the infantry regiments and formed into two four company
Schützen-Bataillonen, under the command of Hauptmann Albrecht von Metzsch and
Major Christoph von Egidy.
The newly formed 2.Schutzen-Bataillon von Egidy, was in action the following
day as part of a flying column consisting of the Schützen, three squadrons of the
Husaren-Regiment and the Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Clemens under the
command of Generalmajor von Gutschmeid who embarked upon a night raid against
an Austrian advance guard of hussars and Grenzer infantry close to Neumarkt. At
about 2am the chevauxlegers under Rittmeister Gecka charged the Croatian light
infantry but were thrown back by a surprise attack from the dark by the Austrian
hussars of the Hessen-Homburg Husaren-Regiment Nr.4 losing one trooper killed
and twelve wounded including Gecka. The situation was saved by von Egidy’s
Schützen who drove back the Croat scouts and fired into the hussars from the flank
and rear driving the Austrians away and then occupying the town of Neumarkt.
The success of the Schützen-Bataillonen prompted Bernadotte of remedy the lack

of mobile artillery support for his advance guard. He had already complained to
37
Napoléon about having no light artillery and the utter slowness and inefficiency of
the Saxon foot artillery and train but without constructive response and on the 20
May ordered the creation of a horse artillery battery with selected artillerists from
the foot batteries, four light 8 pdr guns from Huthsteiner’s battery and the two
matching guns from the artillery reserve. The battery was not a total success as the
gunners had no experience of horses and the mounts themselves were captured
Austrian cavalry mounts previously rejected by the Saxon hussars as remounts.
The IX Corps remained at the bridgehead at and around Linz mostly employed
as labour details on the bridges and fortifications task to which Zezschwitz
strenuously objected. The Saxon occupation of the area however had a negative
effect of the reputation of the corps. On 28 May Gutschmeid’s advance guard was
ordered to the village of Mauthausen where a patrol of Schützen had been captured
earlier by Austrian cavalry. It is unclear exactly who in the corps command
instigated the orders but the town was plundered in an open act of revenge,
although the Saxon officers present prevented any loss of civilian lives. Similar
incidents occurred elsewhere which gained the Saxons a reputation for brutality
amongst the Austrian population. On 31 May the IX Corps marched out of Linz for
Vienna, Bernadotte ordering the Karabinier-Regiment and the Grenadier-Bataillon
von Hake ahead to the town of Amstettin. Advised by the resident French
commander that the town was secure with no enemy forces in the region von Hake
failed to set pickets and at mid-night, with the collusion of the townspeople, Austrian
infantry entered the town and attacked the sleeping Saxons. By luck some fifty
Karabinier troopers under Ober-Leutnant von Seydlitz forming the column rear
guard had been delayed and arrived at the town and charged through the streets
cutting down and dispersing the Austrians and driving them out of the town. The
incident cost the Saxons some 60 casualties and caused even greater distrust
between the Saxons and the Austrian population and only Bernadotte’s arrival at
the town prevented it being plundered immediately. The corps moved out for St.
Pölten the following day but left looted towns and villages in their wake in revenge
for the civilian involvement in the Amstettin incident.
On 10 June the IX Corps was concentrated at St. Pölten and Bernadotte attended
Napoléon in person at Vienna to obtain authorisation to reorganise the Saxon Army
into a less unwieldy structure and to dismiss the surplus retinue of senior officers
and NCOs attached to each regiment. The infantry regiments were re-organised
from two under-strength battalions into a single large battalion by transferring the
2.Bataillon soldiers into the like-numbered company of the 1.Bataillon giving a
theoretical strength to each new regiment one battalion of 24 officers and 970 non-
commissioned-officers and other ranks. The two orphan battalions; 1.Bataillon,
Feld-Regiment von Dyherrn, and 2.Bataillon, Feld-Regiment Oebschelwitz were
merged into a single provisional battalion under the command of Oberstleutnant
Heinrich von Kengel, and took the commandant’s name for the remainder of the
campaign. Any surplus men of the infantry battalions were transferred to the
Schützen battalions bringing the strength up to four companies each of 175 men,
and the infantry regiment depots in Saxony were authorised to create new Bataillon-
Schützen-Abteilung of one officer and 40 men and an official system of drum and
horn signals was introduced for the skirmishers. The cavalry organisation remained
basically unchanged. At Bernadotte’s instigation a Stabs-Bataillon of some 390 men
was formed from men considered no longer fit for active duties to perform fatigue
duties, and provide headquarters guards. The elderly Generalmajor von Boxberg,
7 Obersts, 7 Majors, 78 company officers, 4 Auditors and 207 NCOs were deemed
surplus and dismissed the field army and returned to Dresden to either retire or
serve with the regimental depots and garrison companies.
38
IX Corps Armée de l’Allemagne 10 June 1809

Maréchal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte
Stabs-Bataillon – Hauptmann Karl Oehlschlägel

Artillerie zu Pferde Kompagnie – Unterleutnant von Hiller
1. Division – General-Leutnant Joachim Friedrich von Zezschwitz
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Hartitzch

Leib-Grenadier-Garde (Combined Bataillon)
1. Grenadier-Bataillon von Radeloff [12]
2. Grenadier-Bataillon von Bose
3. Grenadier-Bataillon von Hacke
4. Grenadier-Bataillon von Winkelmann [12]
1. Schützen-Bataillon von Metzsch (Detached to advance guard)
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Zezchau

Feld-Bataillon König
Feld-Bataillon von Niesemeuschel
Feld-Bataillon von Kengel (Combined battalion)
Kavallerie-Brigade – Generalmajor Freiherr von Gutschmeid

Garde du Corps (2 combined squadrons) 2 Schwadronen
Karabinier-Regiment 2 Schwadronen
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Clemens 4 Schwadronen
Chevauxléger-Regiment Herzog Albrecht 1.Schwadron 1 Schwadron
2. Division – General-Leutnant von Polenz
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Lecoq

Feld-Bataillon Prinz Clemens
Feld-Bataillon von Low
Feld-Bataillon von Cerrini
2. Schützen-Bataillon von Egidy (Detached to advance guard)
2. Brigade – Brevet-Generalmajor von Steindel

Feld-Bataillon Prinz Anton
Feld-Bataillon Prinz Friedrich August
Feld-Bataillon Prinz Maximilian
Kavallerie-Brigade – Generalmajor von Feilitzsch

Leib-Garde-Kürassier Regiment 4 Schwadronen
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Johann 4 Schwadronen
39
Corps Artillery & Park Major von Birnbaum

Feld-Artillery-Kompagnie Hoyer (Heavy Battery) 4 x 8pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr howitzers
Feld-Artillery-Kompagnie Coudray (Heavy Battery) 4 x 8pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr howitzers
Feld-Artillery-Kompagnie Bonniot (Light Battery) 4 x 8pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr howitzers
Feld-Artillery-Kompagnie Huthsteiner (Light Battery) 4 x 8pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr howitzers
Pontonnier-kompagnie 33 men
Division Française – General de Division Dupas
1. Brigade – General de Brigade Gency

5e Infanterie Légère 2 Bataillonen
2. Brigade – General de Brigade Vaux

19e Infanterie de ligne 3 Bataillonen
Artillery de Division
Artillerie a’ Pied 2 Batteries 12 x 6 pdr guns
NOTE: [12] Detached to 2.Brigade of the Division Française from 18 June 1809.
By the end of June Bernadotte was starting to move his corps east towards Vienna
and on 3 July the IX Corps was on the right bank of the Danube at Kaiser Ebersdorf.
Around midnight the Saxons began to cross the pontoon bridges that had been built
to join the bank with Lobau Island and bivouacked on the western side of the island
opposite the Mühlau. On the afternoon of the 4th Napoléon accompanied by only a
single aide appeared in the camp and addressed the nearest Saxons using von
Gutschmeid as translator
“…Tomorrow there will be a battle… I shall count on you. In four weeks I shall
return you to your homeland…. Colonel Thielmann has chased the enemy out of
Saxony!”
The announcement was greeted with cheers and shouts of “Vive l’Empereur!”
from the Saxon soldiers.
The night was one of constant bombardment as the French artillery offered a
furious cannonade to cover the army crossing at Marchfeld and the Austrians replied
with a barrage of shells which fell and exploded in an around the Saxon camp
causing over 20 casualties to the Grenadier-Bataillon Radeloff forcing them to move
their camp. By daybreak of 5 July the constant rain of the night had given way to
a clear and sunny day but the Saxons did not start to cross over the Danube until
10.30am the crossing onto the Marchfeld taking until early afternoon. The IX Corps
had been reduced by various detachments, some without Bernadotte’s knowledge,
the Grenadier-Bataillonen Hacke and Winkelmann had been assigned to the garrison
at Lobau and about midday Oudinot seconded the Feld-Bataillon Prinz Johann to
defend his artillery. By some misfortune the artillery batteries of Coudray and
Huthsteiner and Hillier’s horse artillery detachment became entangled in the
congestion at the bridges and returned to Lobau. The situation was worsened when
orders were received that von Zezschwitz’s 1. Division with von Hoyer’s artillery
40
battery were to remain at Gross Enzersdorf to guard the bridgehead until the arrival
of Marmont’s Corps.
The remaining parts of the IX Corps under Bernadotte commenced their advance
at about 2 pm towards Raasdorff which was quickly taken by the 5e Infanterie
Légère. Despite his left wing being unsupported he was ordered north to cover
Oudinot’s left wing and encountered an Austrian Kürassier division moving towards
Aderklaa and was forced to halt whilst Dupas formed square to repel the cavalry
attacks. By 5pm the IX Corp had advanced less than a kilometre but the three
squadrons of the Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Johann had now arrived to cover
this left flank. To the north of Raasdorff the Grenadier-Bataillon von Radeloff were
approached by Napoléon himself, who called out to them
“Saxons…do you feel brave?”
Before riding on to cheers and cries of “Vive l’Empereur!” from the Saxon grenadiers.
At about 5pm von Gutschmeid and the cavalry of his advance guard arrived close
to Aderklaa and was confronted by the Austrian Kürassier-Regimenten Nr.2
Erzherzog Franz Josef d’Este, and Nr.3 Erzherzog Albrecht. With the Austrian
cavalry threatening his flank General-Leutnant von Zezschwitz sent his adjutant to
Generalmajor Feilitzsch ordering him to bring his cavalry up to support the advance
guard. Simultaneously Bernadotte sent orders for von Gutschmeid to deal with the
threat to his flank. The advance guard cavalry consisted of the three squadrons of
the Husaren-Regiment and two squadrons of the Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz
Clemens who had drawn somewhat forward of the line and suddenly advanced to
the attack charging the Austrian kürassiers who received them at the halt totally
repulsing the much smaller light cavalry force who fled from the field headlong into
the advancing Leib-Kürassier Regiment of Feilitzsch’s brigade who only with some
difficulty were able to hold their formation. Gutschmeid and Feilitzsch ordered their
cavalry squadrons in echelon with the three hussar squadrons at the fore on the
right, followed by the Leib-Kürassier-regiment, the Garde du Corps; the Karabinier-
Regiment and the single squadron of the Chevauxléger-Regiment Herzog Albrecht
now less than 60 troopers, on the extreme left. On Gutschmeid’s command the
Saxon cavalry advanced to the charge, smashing into the stationary Austrian
kürassiers who received the Saxons with drawn sabres and carbine fire. A furious
mêlée followed in which the Austrian cavalry lost numerous dead and wounded and
left behind some 90 prisoners as they fled behind Aderklaa to reform. On the right
wing of the charge the Husaren-Regiment had come under heavy musketry from
concealed Austrian infantry, but the 1.Schwadron under Major von Lobkowitz swung
around and charged their attackers riding the infantrymen down and capturing their
pennon.
Perhaps more by chance than intent the cavalry had cleared the way for von
Polenz’s 2.Division to move up between Aderklaa and Raasdorff and by 7pm were
no more than 1,200 yards south of Wagram. Despite that late hour orders were
received by Bernadotte from Napoléon to attack the town in company with the corps
of Davout, Prince Eugène and Oudinot. Approaching the Ruβbach the 19e Ligne
and the Schützen-Bataillon von Metzsch of Dupas’s division joined the assault on
Baumersdorf on the right wing whilst the main body of French and Saxon infantry
advanced on the Ruβbach Heights wading the waist high stream under heavy
canister fire and charging through the Austrian artillery batteries. Dupas moved up
to join the right wing of the main assault but the white clad Saxons of the Schützen-
Bataillon von Metzsch were mistaken by the infantry of Macdonald’s right flank for
41
Austrians and the French opened fire throwing Dupas force into confusion at the
very moment that the Archduke Charles personally led a counter attack driving the
French and Saxons back over the Ruβbach. The action resulted in confusion for
part of the Saxon division. The Schützen-Bataillon von Metzsch was dispersed; the
remaining 43 men of the 1.Kompagnie under Oberleutnant Schneider finally making
their way back to Dupas bivouac the following morning. The remainder of the
battalion under von Metzsch becoming completely separated from the division and
the following morning were placed in Zeschau’s command. The Grenadier-Bataillon
Radeloff had fought with great courage in the battle and the sole remaining
unwounded officer, Oberleutnant von Buchner and about 170 grenadiers still fit for
duty wandered the battlefield during the night and finally re-joined the division at
daybreak and were incorporated in the Grenadier-Bataillon von Bose.
At Wagram on the left flank Bernadotte had halted the main force of the
2.Division to await the arrival of von Zezschwitz and the 1.Division on route from
Enzersdorf and replies from Napoléon to his repeated requests for re-enforcements.
The Saxon cavalry arrived from Raasdorff about 8pm but the 1.Division did not
appear until almost 9pm and Bernadotte immediately order an artillery barrage from
the few guns of his divisions and with the Schützen battalions to the fore advanced
the Saxon infantry in the gathering darkness across the deep stream and up to the
walls and gardens on the edge of the village. The village of Wagram had been set
alight by the Saxon artillery fire but Lecoq’s French infantry and the Feld-Bataillon
Prinz Maximilian forced an entry to the town square where they were halted by a
far larger force of Austrian infantry and a running battle ensued in the darkened
village streets. Bernadotte ordered the newly arrived brigade of Generalmajor von
Hartitzch to storm the burning village but failed to advise the elderly general that
Saxon troops were already fighting in the streets of Wagram. Led by Hartitzch the
Leib-Grenadier-Garde-Bataillon, the Grenadier-Bataillon von Bose and the
Schützen-Bataillon von Egidy waded across the Ruβbach and into increasingly heavy
enemy fire which was returned with vigour. Generalmajor Hartitzch fell mortally
wounded as white uniformed infantry poured out of the village and into the
advancing ranks of grenadiers. Tragically, the Saxon infantry in Wagram hearing
musketry from their rear assumed that they had been outflanked by the Austrians
and retreated from the village firing into their own advancing troops as they did so.
At about 11pm the Austrians counter attacked and drove out the remaining Saxons.
The Feld-Bataillonen König and Low had suffered almost 50% casualties including a
high percentage of officers; both Generalmajor Lecoq and Generalmajor Hartitzch
had been lost during the action.
The fiasco of the assault on Wagram was in no way attributable to the lack of
courage or determination of the Saxon troops although their lack of training and
experience in open order combat certainly had an effect on their performance in the
streets of Wagram. Bonaparte seems to have displayed little interest in the action
and gave virtually no guidance or instruction to his commanders. Bernadotte
himself appears to have been preoccupied with his communications to Napoléon
requesting re-enforcements which if received might have saved the day despite the
marshal’s indecisions and procrastination prior to the attack. By the following day
Bernadotte was convinced that Napoléon’s refusal to support the IX Corps was a
conspiracy and “…an act of treachery….” by Berthier and directed a tirade of criticism
at Bonaparte himself an episode which did nothing endear the Saxon troops to the
already critical emperor.
In the early morning of 6 July a patrol of Austrian Chevauxlegers reported that
Wagram was deserted except for large numbers of Saxon dead and wounded who
had not been recovered during the night. Bernadotte had fallen back on the village
42
of Aderklaa during the night but in the early hours of the morning he received orders
to close with Eugène’s Italian Corps and chose to abandon his secure position in
Aderklaa and drew up his lines to the south-east leaving Bellegarde’s Austrians to
occupy the village on his flank. Around 6.30am he positioned the Saxon artillery,
twenty-six guns, to the fore of the IX Corps and opened a barrage between his
artillery and that of Bellegarde however, the Saxons were enfiladed by the Austrian
artillery on the heights above Wagram and during the following hours fifteen of the
Saxon artillery pieces were destroyed by enemy fire and the cavalry on the flank
took substantial casualties.
At about 7.30am Bernadotte received orders to support an assault on Aderklaa

by Carra Saint-Cyr’s 2.Division of Massena’s corps and moved up three battalions,
the Leib-Grenadier-Garde-Bataillon; the Feld-Bataillon Prinz Friedrich August and
the Feld-Bataillon Prinz Maximilian, with Dupas French infantry and a detachment
of Schützen. Saint-Cyr’s Franco-Hessian division charged through Aderklaa whist
Dupas and the Saxon battalions forced their way between Aderklaa and Wagram
but were almost immediately thrown back by a strong Austrian counter attack which
routed the 24e Infanterie Légère out of the village and the French light infantry
were only saved from massacre by the intervention of the Saxon cavalry who
charged and placed themselves between the Austrians and the fleeing French
soldiers. The Saxon advance had fared no better, the strong Austrian attack forcing
the Saxon infantry to retreat in some disorder pursued by the Austrian
Chevauxléger-Regiment Nr.5 Klenau, the battalions only being saved by the
intervention of a strong Saxon cavalry force led by Bernadotte in person who
charged courageously into heavy artillery fire regardless of the high numbers of
casualties taken.
43
By 9am the French centre was in serious danger of collapsing when Napoléon
himself arrived and rode among the troops of the reforming Saxon Divisions calling
out to them
“Saxons! Do not flee! Manoeuver! Fight!”
The gap in the French centre left by the withdrawal of the Saxon Corps was filled
by Eugène’s Italians and the ‘Grand Battery’. The Saxons appear to have remained
close to Raasdorff reforming until early evening when the whole corps withdrew to
set up their lager close to Leopoldau.
The IX Corps had suffered badly at the two day Battle of Wagram, the casualties
and losses were devastating; the Saxon infantry suffering some 600 dead, 2,300
wounded and 1,360 missing or prisoners close to one third of the army strength.
Dupas French Division had lost 540 dead and 1,995 wounded. The Saxon cavalry
losses numbered some 450 but many more horses. Strangely although constantly
under fire and criticised by Bernadotte for their inefficiency the Saxon artillery lost
only 32 men, and fifteen guns destroyed but returned with the remaining guns;
none had been taken by the enemy.
Furious with Bernadotte’s prevarication and inaction on the battlefield Napoléon
dismissed Bernadotte from the command of the IX Corps and ordered him to take
leave and return to France.
The behaviour of the Saxons on the field of Wagram has become one of the highly
disputed myths of Napoleonic history, accounts of the events of the day differing
wildly according to French or German sources. Most French authorities consistently
record that the Saxon infantry routed to flee the field in total disorder on the
morning of 6 July, Napoléon himself making the opinion official by adding to his
confidential report to the marshalate
“…. The Corps of the Prince of Ponte Corvo did not remain ‘as
immobile as bronze’ as reported (by Bernadotte), it was the first to
retreat …….”
In total contrast General-Leutnant Zezschwitz reported to König Friedrich August
“….our retreat was completely controlled…in good order and only
when receiving the command to do so….”
The truth, as always probably falls somewhere between the two extremes; the
withdrawal was certainly not ‘completely controlled’ with hundreds of individual
soldiers fleeing to the rear, however this was also true of the French light infantry
of Dupas’s division and the French infantry units in Carra Saint-Cyr’s division.
Bernadotte’s disgrace and enmity with the Emperor certainly seems to have made
the Saxons the scapegoats for the collapse of the French centre. Bernadotte’s
speech to his loyal Saxons perhaps is indicative of the future reputation of
unreliability which haunted the Saxons for all time
“…….You have done all that I had the right to expect of you…but
you will receive no justice simply because you were under my
command…”
The Saxon cavalry and artillery served with exemplary courage and fortitude
repeatedly ‘saving the day’ in numerous incidents. If justification needs to be found
for the actions of the Saxon infantry it is probably that from the beginning the
archaic army was poorly led and out of its depth when thrown into the thick of
modern Napoleonic warfare but for all of that the overall performance of the corps
was one of great courage unmatched by its battlefield skills and efficiency.
44
The campaign was not however over for the Saxons despite Napoléon’s promise
on the eve of the Battle of Wagram to have them home within a month. The
dispirited Saxon corps now under the command of General de Division Jean Louis
Ebénézer Reynier was re-assembled at Gross Enzersdorf on 7 July where, with the
Württemberg divisions, it became part of Eugène’s Army of Italy, tasked with driving
the Austrians back over the River March.
On 9 July Generalmajor Gutschmeid led the advance guard consisting of the

reformed Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Clemens, the Husaren-Regiment and the
Schützen-Bataillon von Egidy on a reconnaissance in strength to Marchegg where
they were involved in a skirmish with Austrian troops but returned to Eugène with
intelligence of the enemy dispositions. Eugène, obviously more trustful of the
Saxons than his emperor selected the Saxons to spearhead the advance against the
Austrian bridgeheads over the March on the 11th again led by Gutschmeid’s advance
guard now bolstered by the addition of the three squadrons of the Chevauxléger-
Regiment Prinz Johann and the Schützen-Bataillon von Metzsch and advanced on
Pressburg and occupied Stampfen. Gutschmeid hoping for a peaceful solution sent
word to the Austrian landwehr commandant, Oberst Leopold von Trautenberg
requesting a parley but the Austrian had not been advised of the Armistice of Znaim
and instead sent a force of the Husaren-Regiment Nr 10 Stipsicz to seize the parley
party. The Austrian hussars caught a squadron of the Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz
Johann dismounted at the parley field and surrounded them without a fight but were
chased away by the other two squadrons of the regiment moments later. Spying
a force of infantry of the Infanterie-Regiment Nr 58 Beauleiu with two pieces of
artillery approaching the village Major von Egidy took the initiative and moved out
of the village with three companies of Schützen in skirmish order and after some
spirited rifle fire which caused the Austrian front rank to crumble followed through
with a bayonet charge supported by the returning Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz
Johann squadrons. The Austrian force capitulated with losses of some 84 dead or
wounded and 362 prisoners, plus the loss of their flag and two guns. The Saxon
cavalry and Schützen recorded a total of 1 dead, 1 missing and 25 wounded. A
satisfied Reynier succeeded in concluding a ceasefire with the Austrian forces in the
region and the Saxon division crossed the March and Reynier made his headquarters
at Pressburg.
The Saxon army finally marched out from Pressburg on 18 January 1810 to return
to their homeland where they were greeted with great joy and as national heroes.
Elsewhere, however, the reputation of the Saxon army was tainted by their
perceived collapse at Wagram, even Ferdinand von Funck who was a close supporter
of Napoleon recording in his memoirs
“…our Saxon troops were cheated of the renown they had fairly won and of
the rewards of their valour. It was only with the cavalry that had fought gallantly
elsewhere that the Emperor expressed his satisfaction….”
In fact Napoléon retained his poor opinion of the Saxon army even until the last
“…They are the worst troops in the army….”
He commented even from his exile on St. Helena.
The 1809 campaign in Austria did however bring about positive results for the
Saxon Army. The problems that were inherent in the army from the high command
down to the ordinary soldiers had been brought into the light of day and König
45
Friedrich August and his general staff were finally forced to face up to and address
the issues. Almost as soon as the army returned to their depots the king ordered
Generalmajor Karl Friedrich Wilhelm von Gersdorff, Adjutant-General Oberst Johann
Thielmann, and Oberst Friedrich von Langenau to oversee a review of the entire
army based on recommendations which had already been made by General-
Leutnant Ferdinand von Funck now inspector-general of the cavalry; all forward
thinking officers who met with Bonaparte’s approval. The report was submitted and
accept by the king on 7 March 1810 and orders issued that the recommendations
should be immediately implemented.
 The rejuvenation of the officer corps and command – A permanent General

Headquarters with the King as the supreme commander of the army;
Generalmajor Heinrich von Cerrini as Minister of War and Generalmajor von
Gersdorff as Chief of the General Staff. Promotion and employment of staff,
regimental and company officers to be biased towards younger candidates
with recent field experience. Re-creation of the Stabs-Bataillon as a
permanent body. (Disbanded again in late 1810)
 A program for the selection of younger men as non-commissioned-officers

based upon merit and experience rather than length of service.
 Modernisation of the military justice system discontinuing the use of

corporal punishment for minor infringements.
 Recruitment for all regiments to be nationwide not restricted to the

Inhaber’s region of influence with a fixed term of service of eight years in
the cavalry and ten years in the infantry.
 Improved quality of the military medical services based on the French

surgical and medicine precedents and a reduction of surplus surgical staff
and civilian surgeons employed by the regiments.
 Officers were no longer to carry muskets or halberds but were to ‘enter

service in battle with drawn sword’.
 New model muskets, rifles and swords to be introduced to replace the older
patterns throughout the army.
 The old pre-1792 style of uniforms to be immediately replaced with new

modern garments as worn by the French and the German allies. (Designs
had been submitted in late 1808) Long hair and queues to be abolished.
 A change from the traditional 18th century rigid linear tactics to the French
style column, line and skirmisher tactics based on the 1804 and 1808 drill
books.
 The artillery to receive their first drill regulations. The regimental artillery
to be disbanded and merged into the field artillery. Permanent field artillery
brigades and the creation of a new engineering corps.
Whilst the intentions were good the internal processes of the Saxon army
remained exceedingly slow but most of the reforms were in place by the autumn of
1811. A proposal to dispense with the ‘Inhaber’ system was quickly abandoned as
was the abolition of purchased commissions but with the number of salaried officers
in each regiment reduced and all appointments under the scrutiny of von Funck and
46
von Thielmann the corrupt practices were at least reduced to a manageable level
and the peacetime furlough system was strictly policed to ensure that all units could
be put onto a war footing quickly. In true Saxon style the priority reform was given
to the issue to the new uniforms and all units appear to have received their new
uniforms by early 1811.
As part of the re-organisation many of the older general officers were ‘retired’
including several of the regimental inhabers and the Feld-Regimenten von Cerrini,
von Burgsdorff, von Dyherrn and Oebschelwitz were disbanded and their men and
officers distributed to the field and grenadier battalions of the other regiments of
the new permanent infantry and artillery field divisions.
DIVISION DER INFANTERIE 1810-1811

1. Division – General-Leutnant von Zezchau
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Dyherrn

Grenadier-Bataillon von Brause 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment König 2 Bataillonen
Infanterie-Regiment Niesemeuschel 2 Bataillonen
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Anger

Grenadier-Bataillon von Anger 1 Battalion
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Anton 2 Bataillonen
Infanterie-Regiment von Low 2 Bataillonen
2. Division – General-Leutnant von Lecoq
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Klengel

Grenadier-Bataillon von Stutterheim 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Maximilian 2 Bataillonen
Infanterie-Regiment von Rechten 2 Bataillonen
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Steindel

Grenadier-Bataillon von Liebenau 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Friedrich August 2 Bataillonen
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Clemens 2 Bataillonen
Spezialkorps – Generalmajor von Gersdorff

Leib-Grenadier-Garde [13] 2 Bataillonen (8 Kompagnien)
Artillerie-Regiment
Ingenieurkorps
Führwesen-Militär
Halb-Invaliden Kompagnien
NOTE: [13] The Leib-grenadier-Garde was not included in the 1810 organisation of the field army
and was under the direct command of the King at Dresden.
47
1810-1812 Grenadier-Kompagnien Pairings

Grenadier-Bataillon von Brause: [14] König & von Niesemeuschel Infanterie-Regiment
Grenadier-Bataillon von Anger: Prinz Anton & von Low Infanterie-Regiment

Grenadier-Bataillon von Stutterheim: [14] Prinz Maximilian & von Rechten Infanterie-
Regiment
Grenadier-Bataillon von Liebenau: Prinz Clemens & Prinz Friedrich August Infanterie-
Regiment
NOTE: [14] In 1812 the Grenadier-Bataillon von Brause was renamed Grenadier-Bataillon
Eychelburg and the Grenadier-Bataillon von Stutterheim became the Grenadier-Bataillon von
Spiegel prior to departure for the campaign in Russia.
In 1812 the Saxon Army were to supply some 18 battalions of infantry, 16

squadrons of cavalry and 50 pieces of artillery to the French invasion of Russia as
part of the right wing of the Grande Armée under Jérôme in company with
Schwarzenberg’s Austrian Hilfkorps. The Saxons were designated the VII Corps and
were again placed under the command of General de Division Jean Louis Ebénézer
Reynier.
VII Corps 30 June 1812

General de Division Reynier
Adjutant-Commandant: Colonel Gressot
Chief of Staff: Oberst von Langenau
Commandant Artillerie: Oberstleutnant von Hoyer
Commandant Ingenieurkorps: Major Bruley

Saxon Chief of Staff: Oberst von Ryseel
Saxon Commandant Artillery: Major von Groanmann
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Steindel

Grenadier-Bataillon von Liebenau 1 Bataillon 690 men
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Friedrich August 2 Bataillonen 1378 men
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Clemens 2 Bataillonen 1392 men
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Nostitz

Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Anton 2 Bataillonen 1375 men
1. Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment 2 Bataillonen 1385 men
Divisions-Artillerie – Major von Grossmann

1. Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterie von Brause 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
1. Kompagnie-Führwesen-Militär 110 men
Regiments-Artillerie 12 x 4pdr guns
Pionier-Kompagnie 66 men
48
22. Division – General-Leutnant Ferdinand von Funck
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Klengel

Grenadier-Bataillon von Eychelburg 1 Bataillon 992 men
Infanterie-Regiment König 2 Bataillonen 1310 men
Infanterie-Regiment Niesemeuschel 2 Bataillonen 1398 men
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Sahr

Grenadier-Bataillon von Anger 1 Bataillon 675 men
Grenadier-Bataillon von Spiegel 1 Bataillon 647 men
2. Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment 2 Bataillonen 1375 men
Divisions-Artillerie – Major Auenmüller

3. Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterie Bonniot 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
Regiments-Artillerie 8 X 4pdr Guns
23. Leichte-Kavallerie-Brigade – Generalmajor von Gablenz

Uhlanen-Regiment Prinz Clemens 4 Schwadronen 578 men
Chevauxléger-Regiment von Polenz 4 Schwadronen 540 men
Husaren-Regiment 8 Schwadronen 745 men
1. Artillerie zu Pferde Batterie von Roth 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
Schwere-Kavallerie-Brigade – Generalmajor von Thielmann

Garde du Corps 4 Schwadronen 639 men
Kürassier-Regiment Zastrow 4 Schwadronen 639 men
2. Artillerie zu Pferde Batterie Hiller 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
Detached Units
Infanterie-Regiment von Low (to IX Corps) 2 Bataillonen 1295 men
Infanterie-Regiment von Rechten (to IX Corps) 2 Bataillonen 1310 men
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Johann (to IX Corps) 4 Schwadronen 639 men
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Maximilian (to XI Corps) 2 Bataillonen 1375 men
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Albrecht (to III Cavalry Corps) 4 Schwadronen ? men
Pontonnier-Kompagnie (to Engineer Park) 110 men
Leib-Grenadier-Garde (to Dresden Garrison) 2 Bataillonen 1440 men
Leib-Kürassier-Garde (to Dresden Garrison) 4 Schwadronen ? men
Jäger-Korps (to Dresden Garrison) 1 Kompagnie 102 men
49
The Royal Saxon Army was mobilised on 15 February 1812 and by early April had
reached Kalisz in central Poland where orders were received to detach Thielmann’s
Heavy Cavalry Brigade to Latour-Maubourg’s IV Cavalry Corps and the
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Albrecht to the Grouchy’s III Cavalry Corps despite
Reynier’s protest that the loss of the bulk of the Saxon cavalry would leave his corps
at a serious disadvantage. Additionally the Infanterie-Regiment von Low and
Infanterie-Regiment von Rechten with the Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Johann
were detached and sent to the IX Corps defending Pomerania, and the Infanterie-
Regiment Prinz Maximilian was sent to the XI Corps.
In early May the VII Corps accompanied by the Austrians were joined by
Ponitowski’s Poles of the V Corps and the Westphalians of the VIII Corps forming
the right wing of the Grande Armée and marched to Lublin on the Vistula facing
Bagration’s eight Russian divisions and 200 guns on the right bank of the Bug at
Tarnopol. On 28 June 1812 Napoléon led the Grande Army to the invasion of Russia
and the Saxon Corps were advanced to Kobryn on the Brest road and the town was
occupied by Generalmajor von Klengel; the only stone building a small church was
fortified as a defensive strongpoint and barricades were thrown up across the
approaching roads with three squadrons of the Uhlanen-Regiment Prinz Clemens on
the Brest and Polska roads to the flanks. A long abandoned 17th century redoubt
below the church was hastily refortified. Klengel’s brigade consisted of the
Infanterie-Regimenten König and Niesemeuschel with their regimental artillery,
eight 4pdr guns, accompanied by the battalion caissons but the brigade was
critically short of provisions as the ration train had been attacked and captured by
Cossacks the previous night.
On the morning of 27 July von Klengel was advised that the road to Brest was
“..swarming with Kalmucs and Bashkir’s…” and shortly after the reconnaissance
squadrons of the Uhlanen-Regiment Prinz Clemens were driven back on Kobryn by
the advancing Russian light cavalry and word
was received that the main body of General
Alexander Petrovich Tormazov’s force were
approaching on the road from Antopol pushing
the two flanking companies of the Infanterie-
Regiment König back into the village. By 10
am the village was surrounded by Russian
cavalry and under heavy bombardment by
Tormazov’s artillery but the Saxon infantry
were holding their positions. Realising that the
cavalry were of little use penned in the village
square von Klengel ordered Oberst Zechwitz to
break out and attempt to rejoin Reynier’s main
army; the regiment charged through the
surrounding hordes of Cossacks and dragoons
and successfully broke through and away
towards Pruszany. At about 11 am Russian
infantry columns appeared on all three roads
leading to the village and the assault on the
village began in earnest with the Infanterie-
Regiment König defending the approaches
from the Brest and Antopol roads and the
Niesemeuschel regiment occupying the southern end of the village in a frantic street
battle the Saxons courageously defending each wooden cottage as the superior
numbers of Russians advanced in the wake of heavy artillery fire. By midday Major
von Schlieben and the survivors of the Infanterie-Regiment Niesemeuschel was
50
forced to fall back to the village square and the Infanterie-Regiment König took up
defensive positions in the church, the redoubt and at the small wooden bridge. By
1 pm the Saxon infantry had been driven back into the redoubt; low on ammunition
they prepared for a last ditch stand against the overwhelming Russian army. The
Russian assault fell on the redoubt from all sides and after a furious fire-fight Kengel
with every officer in his command wounded including himself, reluctantly accepted
the offer of honourable surrender from General Markoff commanding the Russian
assault force. The small Saxon brigade lost 13 officers killed or fatally wounded,
and 288 men dead or wounded. The Russians took some 60 officers, 1,990 men
prisoner, 4 guns and the four regimental flags for some 600 men killed and many
more wounded. The Saxons had shown such determination and willingness to die
to the last man that General Tormazov himself ordered that the officers should be
allowed to retain their swords and praised the Saxons for their courage.
Reynier with the main part of the VII Corps had begun to advance on Kobryn but
upon encountering Russian cavalry patrols close to Antopol had fallen back. The
Austrians already having intelligence of the Russian strengths remained at Slonin
only joining Reynier after the Battle at Kobryn; Schwarzenberg remaining un-
sympathetic to Napoléon’s ambitions to invade Russia and was reluctant to commit
his troops against their former allies. On 10 August Tormazov had drawn up his
force between Prujany and Kobryn; his 18,500 Russian facing Reynier’s 12,000
Saxons and Schwarzenberg’s 25,000 Austrians and was awaiting the arrival of some
13,000 re-enforcements from the Russian reserve. Facing the Saxons were four
regiments of infantry with two regiments of dragoons on the left flank and 24 guns
in two batteries placed to cover the river crossing.
Reynier led the frontal assault with Generalmajor Nostitz’s 2.Brigade supported
by the two artillery batteries and the Chevauxléger-Regiment Polenz, the Uhlanen-
Regiment Prinz Clemens and the Husaren-Regiment and the Austrian Chevauxléger-
Regimenten O’Reilly and Hohenzollern, with the remaining infantry of Lecoq’s
division and von Sahr’s brigade following. The Austrian division of General-Leutnant
Siegenthal was moved to cover the road to Poddoubny where the Saxon 2.Bataillon
2.Leichte-Infantrie-Regiment had seized the crossing on the road to Tevele,
however the Austrians were checked as the Saxon light infantry were repulsed by
Kaminski who set up a strong battery of 24 guns to cover the Austrian advance.
Entering the wooded area to the Russian left Reynier forced a passage with
Gablenz’s Saxon light cavalry and deployed on the plain behind the Russian left
flank with the remaining units of Saxons and Austrians moving up in their rear.
Supported by the Saxon artillery and light infantry at the edge of the forest with the
Saxon 2.Division in reserve. The Saxon manoeuvre took Tormazov by surprise as
he had assumed his flank secured by the forest and marsh and leaving only token
regiments to guard his right moved his main force to face the Saxons and extend
his line to the river. A heavy artillery barrage was commenced and for the best part
of an hour Sahr’s grenadiers and the Austrian Infanterie-Regiment nr.19 Alvinzi
were subjected to concentrated artillery fire. The Saxon 2. Leichte-Infanterie-
Regiment with the Grenadier-Bataillonen von Anger and von Spiegel formed line
with the grenadiers in square on either flank to repel repeated charges by the
Russian dragoons, the light infantry suffering heavy casualties losing 7 officers and
some 280 men. Lecoq’s division at Zavnice came under strong cavalry attack from
the Russian cavalry consisting of two regiments of dragoons and some 10 squadrons
of Cossacks. The charge was met by the Chevauxléger-Regiment von Polenz at the
halt and was broken by the Saxon resistance and some squadrons of the Husaren-
Regiment and the Austrian Chevauxléger-Regiment Hohenzollern who took the
Russian cavalry in the flank taking over 150 prisoners as they withdrew.
51
As the artillery fire slackened in the evening Sahr’s grenadier battalions and the
Alvinzi infantry regiment supported by skirmishers from the 2.Leichte-Infanterie-
Regiment pushed through the swamp to make a savage bayonet charge into the
Russian infantry flank driving them back. A counter attack by the Russians died out
in the face of the Austrian artillery fire and at dusk the battle settled down to
desultory musketry exchanges by the skirmishers of both armies.
Tormazov had been eventually reinforced by an additional 13,000 men but as
night fell he decided that his position was too precarious to hold and began to
withdraw under cover of darkness. The Russians had lost some 4,000 men killed
or wounded and over 500 taken prisoner. The Saxon losses amounted to 3 officers
and 170 men killed, 16 officers and 650 men wounded and one officer and 5 men
missing or captured. The Saxon artillery lost 5 guns destroyed in the artillery
exchanges.
At the end of August the VII Corps were reinforced by General Kwasniewski’s
Brigade, consisting of the Duchy of Warsaw 13th Infantry Regiment and a contingent
of the National Guard of Warsaw. In early September, Admiral Tachitshagov's
arrived at Ostrog with the 34,000 strong Army of Moldavia and joined up with
Tormazov’s force. The Russians were now around 70,000 strong and by continual
pressure forced the 35,000 Saxons and Austrians to retire over the Tara and Bug
Rivers and in early October a further retreat took them over the Leona. Losses to
the retreating Saxons were high with the remaining battalions and the few men left
of the cavalry being worn away by continuous skirmishing, sickness and fatigue.
Detached from the main Saxon army, Thielmann’s Schwere-Kavallerie-Brigade,

consisting of the Garde du Corps and the Kürassier-Regiment Zastrow had been
assigned to the IV Cavalry Corps under Latour-Maubourg which was formed from
the heavy cavalry of Saxony, Westphalia and the Duchy of Warsaw and found
themselves placed before the Great Redoubt at Borodino on 7 September 1812.
About 10 am the French assault began and the heavy cavalry commenced their
advance in two columns by half-squadrons. As the Saxon Garde du Corp leading
the right column crossed the stream they encountered a Russian battery supported
by the elite Russian 2.Grenadier Division formed into square. Thielmann formed his
squadrons into echelon to the left and charged the Russian squares, breaking one
formation and driving the other back with the Saxon cavalry in pursuit. Driving
forward through the dragoons of the Russian 4.Cavalry Corps and its supporting
artillery the Saxons pushed onwards and found themselves faced with the Ismailov
and Lithuanian Guard Infantry Regiments formed in six battalion squares. Despite
their horses being blown the cavalry made a furious charge against the squares but
the Russian guard stood firm and the Ismailov Guard are reported to have made a
bayonet charge against the attacking cavalry whilst the cuirassiers and hussars of
General Borodin surrounded and attacked the Saxons from the front and flank. The
Saxons suffered severe casualties and were driven back to Semenovskya where the
cavalry division was used to fill the gap in the French line and came under heavy
artillery bombardment from the Russian batteries. At 2pm Napoléon gave the order
to resume the attack. Once ordered forward the heavy cavalry soon rode ahead of
the infantry still under heavy fire. The Division of Saxons, Poles and Westphalians
found themselves facing the Russian 33rd Jäger Regiment and the Infantry
Regiments Perm and Kixholm who opened a devastating musketry volley at 60
paces bringing them to the halt, but Generalmajor von Thielmann pressed forward
with the Saxon Garde du Corps and the Kürassier-Regiment Zastrow, advancing
directly on the redoubt breastwork. The leading squadrons of the Saxon heavy
52
cavalry galloped up and over the breastwork whilst those following forced their way
through the embrasures. Riding over the crest of the breastworks the cavalry were
faced with the tightly packed infantry with raised bayonets that occupied the
redoubt and in their raised position came under heavy musketry from the Russian
infantry on the flanks. As the bodies of troopers and horses alike toppled into the
mass of infantry a furious mêlée ensued. The capture of a high and strongly
occupied redoubt by heavy cavalry was an act unparalleled in military history.
The day was not yet over for the badly mauled Saxon cavalry. The French cavalry
had fallen back all along their front. The Russian Horse Guard and Chevalier Guard
Regiments were positioned on a ridge before the village of Knaizkov and when the
French Carabiniers broke through the Russian squares and attacked the artillery
53
battery the two heavy cavalry regiments charged down to recapture the battery and
then wheeled to engage the IV Cavalry Corps, on the flank pushing back the Polish
14th Kürassier Regiment and engaging the Saxon Garde du Corps and Kürassier-
Régiment Zastrow before being repulsed. After the Battle of Borodino Napoléon
continued to vent his spite on the Saxons and refused to acknowledge the valiant
actions to the Garde du Corps and Zastrow Kürassiers, attributing the capture of
the Great Redoubt to his own French cuirassiers who were not in fact present at the
time.
On 27 October, Tormazov detached General Prince Gottlieb von Osten-Sacken

with 25,000 men to watch the enemy, and then marched north, hoping to block
Napoleon's line of retreat at the Berezina followed by Schwarzenberg in turn pursued
by Osten-Sacken. The VII Corps had in the meantime again been reinforced, by
General François Joseph Durutte's 32nd Division, consisting of five French penal
regiments and the Würzburg Infantry Regiment. On 14 November Osten-Sacken
caught up with the VII Corps and Reynier found his battered corps facing a strong
Russian force at Wolkowysk. The Saxons fought valiantly throughout the day and
when night fell Reynier attempted to withdraw from the uneven contest but the
battle was resumed the following morning, hanging on until Schwarzenberg relieved
them two days later, VII Corps lost 1,300 Saxon dead and wounded including most
of the surviving cavalry of whom only one in three were mounted. On the
appearance of the Austrians, Osten-Sacken withdrew pursued by his erstwhile
quarry, losing most of his army's baggage to the pursuing allies.
The Infanterie-Regimenten von Rechten and von Low were in garrison in

Pomerania during the summer, but later were ordered into Russia with the
Chevauxléger-Regiment Prinz Johann and Prinz Albrecht and fought bravely at the
Berezina and Wilna, where they were wiped out only a handful of survivors returning
home to Saxony.
In early December Reynier received orders directly from Napoléon to withdraw at

his own discretion and with his corps now less than 7,000 Saxons and 3,500 French
he retreated westwards through the snow to arrive at Warsaw on 3 January 1813.
The VII Corps pressed on and on 13 February arrived at Kalisch with about 4,000
men where it was reinforced by Durutte’s French 32nd Division. Despite the
continued skirmishes with pursuing Cossacks and against the advice of the Saxon
generals, Reynier and Durutte made a careless bivouac with their troops widespread
over a number of villages, many more than an hour’s march apart. At around 3 am
on the 14 February the encampments came under surprise attack from General
Ferdinand von Winzingerode’s Russian cavalry a force of about 6,000 Cossacks,
Hussars and Chasseurs, supported by detachments of jägers. The battle in the dark
had a forgone conclusion the Saxons were unable to effectively link up although they
fought desperately as individual units and when the Russian artillery was brought
into play the casualties to the disordered army became horrific. Eventually Reynier
managed to consolidate most of the surviving Saxons around Kalisch driving the
Russians out of the outlying suburbs in an eight hour skirmishing battle. At around
9 pm after some 18 hours continuous fighting the Russians were forced to withdraw.
Both armies claimed the action as a victory. The Saxon losses were 1 General,
General Nostitz, killed in action; 3 Obersts and 36 other officers killed or wounded;
1,500 men killed or wounded, and 2,000 men listed as prisoners or missing. The
infantry regiments lost two flags and the artillery 8 guns. On the Russian side
General of Cavalry Zapolski was fatally wounded; and the losses to the infantry and
54
cavalry were recorded as over 1,500 killed or wounded. Once again despite severe
casualties and poor leadership the Saxons displayed great determination and
courage many fighting on with bayonets after being separated from their
ammunition caissons, but once again Napoléon only acknowledged the poor
judgement shown by Reynier in the organisation of his corps lagers. The remnants
of the corps evacuated Kalisch in the early hours of 15 February and reached Glogau
on 18 February 1813.
The Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Maximilian, with 6 regimental guns, was part of

the detached forces on the Baltic coast in early 1812. Eventually they joined a mixed
force under General Charles Antoine Morand, who in March 1813 was ordered to
provide a screen in front of Hamburg. Morand attacked, driving back a mixed force
of Cossacks and Hanoverian Landwehr advancing to capture Lüneburg on 1 April.
The following day the town was surrounded a large force of Russians and Prussians
who stormed it, killing or wounding some 255 Saxons and taking over 700 prisoners.
Given the choice between prolonged captivity or joining the allies, most of the Saxon
prisoners already disillusioned with the Napoléon régime opted for the latter and
became the 6.Bataillon, Russo-German-Légion serving with the Russians until the
end of the 1813 campaign.
The rebuilding of Saxon Army in the spring of 1813 progressed slowly. König
Friedrich August now finally disillusioned with Bonaparte and influenced by von
Thielmann who was becoming increasingly favourable towards the German
independence movement tried to strike a posture of armed neutrality in emulation
of the Austrians, however when threatened by Napoléon with the loss of this throne
and the dissolution of Saxony as an independent state he reluctantly agreed to raise
further divisions for the Grande Armée. Despite a dire shortage of recruits and
particularly experienced officers many of whom had been taken prisoner or defected
to the allies, a provisional division was formed on 11 May 1813.
Armée von Sachsen 11 May 1813

General-Kommandant – Generalmajor Sahrer von Sahr
Chief of Staff: Major von Cerrini
Commandant Artillery: Oberstleutnant Raabe
1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Mellentin

Leib-Grenadier-Garde 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Friedrich August 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment von Steindel 1 Bataillon
Jäger-Korps 1 Kompagnie
1. Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment von Lecoq 1 Bataillon
1. Artillerie zu Fuβ Batterie von Klengel 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
2. Brigade – Oberst von Bose

Grenadier-Bataillon von Anger 1 Battalion
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Anton 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment von Low 1 Bataillon
2. Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment von Sahr 1 Bataillon
2. Artillerie zu Fuβ Batterie von Rouvroy 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
55
Kavallerie-Brigade – Oberstleutnant von Lehmann

Uhlanen-Regiment Prinz Clemens 1 Schwadron
Combined Chevauxléger-Regiment [15] 1 Schwadron
Husaren-Regiment 1 Schwadron
NOTE: [15] Composite of depots from the Regiments, Prinz Johann, Prinz Albrecht, and Polenz.
Unable to agree with Saxon troops continuing to serve Napoléon now fighting
against fellow Germans, General-Leutnant von Thielmann, probably Saxony’s most
able soldier, resigned his command of the Royal Saxon Army, and defected to the
Russians. Thielmann’s was not a lone sentiment, many of the surviving senior
officers of the pre-1812 Saxon Army had chosen to retire to their estates or had
given their parole not to serve against the allies when released from captivity and
no longer held commands within the army.
On 11 May the new Saxon Division was combined with Durutte’s French Division
to form the renewed VII Corps and were again placed under Reynier’s command, as
part of Ney's Auxiliary Army. The corps fought well at Bautzen on May 21 1813 and
spearheaded the pursuit of the Russo-Prussian army as they fell back slowly over
the River Neisse. Saxon troops were heavily engaged in the multiple small
engagements over the next few days and by 24 May 1813 their losses were reported
as being over 40 killed, with 508 wounded and some 250 missing, of which less than
100 returned to the army the remainder assumed to have been deserted or defected
to the Prussians. During the Armistice of Poischwitz on 4 June the VII Corps was
brought up to strength, with new battalions of raw recruits joining the field army at
their camp at Görlitz giving the corps an establishment of one French and two Saxon
divisions although most battalions remained under 600 men in strength and the two
cavalry regiments could find only 1,250 mounts between them. The Corps was
assigned to Oudinot's army and when hostilities recommenced in August, marched
against the allied Army of the North protecting Berlin having dispatched a column of
several hundred sick and wounded back to the garrison fortress of Torgau.
VII Corps 1 August 1813

General de Division Reynier
1. Brigade – Oberst von Brause

Leib-Grenadier-Garde-Regiment (1.Bataillon) 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment von Rechten (2.Bataillon) 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Maximilian (1.Bataillon) 1 Bataillon
1. Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment von Lecoq 2 Bataillonen
Jägerkorps 1 Kompagnie
2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Mellentin

Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Friedrich August 2 Bataillonen
Infanterie-Regiment von Steindel 2 Bataillonen
Grenadier-Bataillon von Spiegel 1 Bataillon
56
Divisions-Artillerie – Major von Roth

1. Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterie von Kühnel 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
2. Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterie Rouvroy 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
Kompagnien-Führwesen-Militär 2 Kompagnien
Pionier-Kompagnie 1 Kompagnien
25. Division – General-Leutnant Sahrer von Sahr
1. Brigade – Oberst von Bose

Grenadier-Bataillon von Sperl 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment König (1.Bataillon) 1 Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment Niesemeuschel (2.Bataillon) 1 Bataillon
2. Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment von Sahr 2 Bataillonen
2. Brigade – Oberst von Russel

Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Anton 2 Bataillonen
Infanterie-Regiment von Low 2 Bataillonen
Divisions-Artillerie – Major Gau

3. Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterie Dietrich 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
4. Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterie Zandt 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
Kompagnie-Führwesen-Militär 2 Kompagnien
26. Leichte-Kavallerie-Brigade – Generalmajor von Gablenz

Uhlanen-Regiment Prinz Clemens 5 Schwadronen
1. Artillerie zu Pferde Batterie Probsthayn 4 x 6pdr guns
2. Artillerie zu Pferde Batterie von Birnbaum 4 x 6pdr guns
Kompagnie-Führwesen-Militär 2 Kompagnien
Schwere-Kavallerie-Brigade – Generalmajor Lessing (1st Cavalry Corps)

Leib-Kürassier-Garde 4 Schwadronen
Kürassier-Regiment Zastrow 4 Schwadronen
Reservieren Artillerie
Reservieren-Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterie Rouvroy (The Elder) 8 12 pdr guns
Artillery Park
Pontonnier-Kompagnie 33 men
Leib-Kürassier-Garde (to Dresden Garrison) 4 Schwadronen ? men
Jäger-Korps (to Dresden Garrison) 1 Kompagnie 102 men
57
According to contemporary Saxon sources the corps was not a happy one from
the outset. Many of the new conscripts were only half trained and at best reluctant;
whilst the army of 1811-1812 had been dying in Poland and Russia a wave of
German Nationalism had swept through Saxony anti-French feelings ran high and
the sympathies of the majority of young Saxons were firmly with the Prussians
fighting for German independence, to which was added the discontent of the civilian
population at the financial hardship caused by Napoléon’s Continental System.
Before even leaving Saxony desertion became a problem which increased during
the march as men fell out in the night or reported sick.
On 23 August 1813 Reynier’s advance guard of Saxon light infantry encountered
their counterparts from the Prussian army about a mile from Groβbeeren. Without
waiting for orders Reynier decided to attack the village and began a barrage of the
village with the Saxon artillery which was quickly set alight. The 25.Division of von
Sahr was were formed in column of battalion and were ordered to advance to seize
Groβbeeren. The outnumbered Prussians pulled back and the Saxons advanced
through the village flushing the Prussian skirmishers out of Groβbeeren and onto
the plain beyond. At about 4 pm Reynier decided that the action had finished for
the day and ordered the Saxons to bivouac, the 25. Saxon Division to the right of
the village with Durutte’s French division in the centre and the 24.Saxon Division
on the extreme flank. At 6pm the Prussian General Friedrich von Bülow seized the
opportunity to launch an attack against Reynier’s isolated corps and advanced
against them followed by the Swedish corps of General Curt von Stedingk covered
by a barrage from the combined 12 pdr batteries of the Prussian and Russian corps.
The Saxon artillery made a spirited duel of the exchange and managed to unseat
nine of the Prussian guns but despite this punishment the Prussian artillery
advanced to within 900 paces of the village followed closely by their infantry who
took up position on the heights to the east of Groβbeeren. On Reynier’s right
Lecoq’s 25.Division was formed in column of squares made up of the Leib-Garde-
Grenadier battalion, the Grenadier-Bataillon von Sperl and the four battalions of the
Prinz Friedrich August and von Steindel infantry regiments covered by a screen of
skirmishers and the two battalions of the Infanterie-Regimenten König and Prinz
Anton as a reserve. Reynier hearing gunfire to his right ordered von Sahr to advance
on the first enemy units he encountered.
The Prussian assault against Groβbeeren was co-ordinated with an attack on the
east flank by a combined infantry and cavalry force. The village was defended by
the Saxon Grenadier-Bataillon von Sperl now supported by a battalion each from
the French 131e Ligne and 36e Légère from Durutte’s division, who were expelled
from the cover of the village by the ferocity of the charge by the Prussian 2. Reserve
Regiment bringing the Saxons under the guns of the Prussian horse artillery. The
Prussians now charged en masse into and around the village; the Grenadier-
Bataillon von Sperl and the Infanterie-regiment Prinz Anton made a stand but the
pouring rain had dampened their powder and the volley was wasted by misfires.
The Prussians charged into the dispirited Saxons with bayonets causing them to
withdraw but their route across a small wooden bridge became congested and many
of the raw conscripts were bayoneted or taken prisoner and five of the Saxon cannon
were lost. In response Reynier ordered Lecoq’s 24.Division to advance against
Hessen-Homburg’s division at Windmühlberg but lack of training and discipline led
to a threatened mutiny by some new recruits and the attack was delayed. Once
underway the counter attack was executed with great vigour the infantry advancing
in column the Infanterie-Regiment von Low throwing back the 1.Neumark Landwehr
Bataillon but was taken in the flank by two Prussian reserve battalions and virtually
annihilated losing some 350 men as prisoners and numerous dead and wounded
58
including most of the officers, plus the flag of the 2.Bataillon was captured by the
Prussian 3.Reserve Regiment.
The Saxons were driven back beyond the woods and the Prussians only withdrew
when they came under fire from Probsthayn’s battery and were threatened by the
Uhlanen-Regiment Prinz Clemens who were engaged by the 1.Pommeranian
Landwehr-Kavallerie and in the ensuing skirmish the Uhlan commander was
captured and the lancer’s withdrawal was covered by the advance of the Husaren-
Regiment and covering fire from the infantry. As darkness fell the Prussian infantry
pressed another assault supported by a force of cavalry striking the right flank of
the Saxon line whilst the cavalry attacked the second line forcing them into square.
On the left the Saxon flank was being threatened by advancing Swedish infantry
approaching from the Ruhlsdorff Forest.
Reynier now decided that it would be folly to engage the superior Prussian force
any further and ordered Lecoq to withdraw beyond Neubeeren screened by the
skirmishers of the 2.Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment. The Husaren-Regiment were
dispatched to Wittstück to secure the bridges and the withdrawal was covered by
Oberst von Brause commanding the rear guard formed from the 1.Leichte-
Infanterie-Regiment, the Jägerkorps, and the 2. Bataillon von Rechten, supported
by Rouvroy’s 12pdr. Battery. The disorganised Saxon corps withdrew on
Lowenbrück and bivouacked for the night. Reynier’s failure to effect good
intelligence of the Prussian movements and strengths had cost the Saxons some
2,000 dead, wounded or missing including General-Leutnant von Sahr who was
seriously injured, 1,570 prisoners and the loss of 13 guns.
On 29 August 1813 the 1.Bataillon, Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Maximilian which
had been detached to Luchau as garrison with detachments of French and Italian
59
artillerists and engineers were attacked by a Prussian force under Generalmajor von
Weobeser and after a courageous defence the 600 men of the battalion were forced
to surrender when the town was set alight and could no longer be defended.
On 6 September 1813 the VII Corps now consisting of the two fragile Saxon
Divisions, the 32nd French Division and the 26th Light cavalry Brigade were part of
Ney’s army marching on Berlin. The Saxons were well down the advancing column
and so the Battle of Dennewitz had already started when they eventually arrived at
the scene. At about 2pm Reynier was ordered to support Morand’s left wing and
Durutte’s division was sent north whilst the two Saxon divisions wheeled west led
by the cavalry and horse artillery to Rohrbeck. The 25.Division was almost
immediately attacked by a strong force of Cossacks but the main bodies of the
divisions pressed on to Gohlsdorff and began to advance on the Prussians. The
village was occupied by the 3rd East Prussian Infantry and covered by an artillery
battery of the a nearby hill and a furious battle ensued between the Prussian füsiliers
and the Saxon Grenadier-Bataillon Spiegel and the Jägerkorps for possession of the
buildings and their gardens both forces gaining the village and then losing it again
to the other. Eventually the Saxons were reinforced by two battalions of infantry
and the Prussians pulled back to the village graveyard. Bülow, seeking to keep his
line intact sent a strong force of infantry and cavalry to retake the village but this
was repulsed by Saxon musketry and artillery fire from the 12pdr battery. Further
infantry were added to the Prussian assault and four battalion march on the village
supported now by three Prussian and Russian batteries who opened a furious
barrage against the Saxon artillery positions. The first Prussian attack was thrown
back but the continued artillery fire, now added to by the addition of some Swedish
batteries finally allowed the six Prussian infantry battalions to swarm into the village
and the battle became a mêlée with the Saxons contesting each house and lane
with bayonet. The Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Friedrich August was position in the
church which it defended with great tenacity and in a last ditch effort to throw out
the Prussians made a bayonet charge but were mown down by Prussian canister
fire from the flank at about 60 paces. Despite a courageous defence the Prussians
were left in possession of the village and some 400 Saxon prisoners. Seeing the
Prussians holding the village Oudinot ordered a massive artillery barrage on
Gohlsdorff driving out the Prussians and allowing the Saxons to retake their
positions inflicting and taking massive losses in the ensuing battle. The battle
swayed back and forth as each side took and lost ground, but the French were
unable to sustain the momentum and Ney ordered a withdrawal to Dahme. Ney
somewhat unfairly reported to Napoléon that the Saxons had failed at Dennewitz,
but the cause of the failure was not lack of courage but misjudged generalship
against overwhelming odds. Despite, or perhaps because of their bravery the
Saxons losses were high, certainly in excess of 3,000 men killed or wounded and
some 650 prisoners. The artillery lost 12 guns and the Infanterie-Regiment König
lost their Leibfahn after taking heavy casualties and on 23 September the remnants
of the dispirited battalion defected to the Swedish army en masse.
Battered and with low morale the VII Corps was reorganised after the disaster at
Dennewitz, the remaining Saxons merging into a single division, the 24th Division.
Durutte's division stayed under the command of Reynier, the total strength of all
three divisions being less than 18,000 men. When VII Corps re-joined Napoleon's
army at Leipsic on October 17 1813 the second day of the battle, the Saxon Division
mustered 4544 Officers and men, with 38 guns. On the 18th, the Saxons were
ordered to support the French front line at Paunsdorf.
That morning, a conference was held by the senior Saxon Officers, who reported
that their men were on the point of mutiny and that German nationalist and anti-
French sentiments were running high at all levels in the Saxon army. The deputation
60
decided to defect with their men at the first opportunity despite opposition from the
Saxon Chief of Staff von Zezchau and General von Gersdorff who were concerned
about the possible backlash to König Friedrich August and the Saxon homeland.
General von Gersdorff made a formal written reply to the committee of officers
“…..Even now all brave Saxons must fight with increased vigour for the good of
the Fatherland and for the King…”
At best his words were ambiguous and were taken by most Saxon officers to mean
that they should follow their own consciences regarding their actions that day as to
what constituted the ‘good of the Fatherland’.
On the morning on the 18 October the Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Friedrich August
were captured at Taucha without resistance, and at about 10am the Saxon light
cavalry, the Uhlanen-Regiment Prinz Clemens and the Husaren-Regiment, faced
with Russian cavalry from Korff’s force withdrew after a few pistol shots were fired
and after hasty words with the Russian commander defected and passed through
the Russian lines. According to Marbot the Probsthayn’s horse artillery battery
actually reversed their guns and commenced firing on their former French allies
before retiring behind the Russian lines. The Jägerkorps and elements of the light
infantry quickly followed the cavalry. At around 3pm the main Saxon army began
to defect to the Allies en masse. Generalmajor von Zezchau made a final
impassioned appeal for the defections to halt but the Saxon officers rode ahead of
their troops, some carrying their regimental flags, and announced their intentions
to the Allies who opened a path through their lines to allow the Saxons to pass.
The Saxons were escorted to the rear of the allied army and there were assigned
to service with the various Allied corps. Only elements of Infanterie-Regiment Prinz
Anton and a company of the Prinz Friedrich August along with Birnbaum’s horse
artillery battery were unable to defect as they were heavily surrounded by French
troops and were disarmed and made prisoners.
Generalmajor von Zezchau with the some 600 men of the Leib-Grenadier-Garde
and a handful of officers quickly left the field and took up station around the royal
palace at Leipsic as a body guard for König Friedrich August until taken into captivity
with their king by the allies after the battle was decided.
On 19 October the final Saxon units of the field army went over to the allies. The
Heavy Cavalry Brigade consisting of the Leib-Kürassier-Garde and the Kürassier-
Regiment Zastrow had fought with distinction, at Dresden where elements of both
regiments captured the Austrian Infanterie Regiment No. 62 Wacquant capturing
two flags, and a cannon. The heavy cavalry took a substantial part in Murat's cavalry
charge at Wachau, during the Battle of Leipsic but at a cost of over three-quarters
of the men killed or wounded.
After the Battle of Leipsic the Prussian-Russian alliance showed no interest in an

alliance with the Saxon king in the wider struggle against Napoleon irrespective of
offers of support from Frederick Augustus. Rather, the King was taken into captivity
to Friedrichsfelde near Berlin on 28 October and placed under Russian-Prussian
custody in the name of a General Government of High Allied Powers, and the Russian
Prinz Repnin was appointed to govern Saxony.
On 19 October the remnants of the Saxon army were sent to join Tauentzien’s
Prussian corps at Torgau where General-Leutnant von Thielmann assumed
command of the ‘liberated’ army to great applause and cheering by the Saxon
troops and on 14 November led his battered but happier army to Merseburg where
61
a major re-organisation took place. Four of the old infantry regiments, von Low,
von Niesemeuschel, von Steindel and von Rechten were disbanded and the
battalions re-organised into provisional regiments for service with the Allied army.
The regular cavalry were re-organised into a regiment of kürassiers, one of uhlans
and one of hussars. On 14 March 1814 the artillery was reformed into two ‘mobile’
batteries of six guns.
New Provisional Regiment Former Regiment New Battalion
Provisorisch-Garde-Regiment Leib-Grenadier-Garde 1.Bataillon
Infanterie-Regiment König 2.Bataillon
Infanterie Grenadier-Kompagnien 3.Bataillon
1.Provisorisch-Infanterie Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Anton 1 & 2 Bataillonen
2.Provisorisch-Infanterie Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Maximilian 1 & 2 Bataillonen
Infanterie-Regiment von Rechten & von 3.Bataillon
Steindel
3.Provisorisch-Infanterie Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Friedrich 1 & 2 Bataillonen
August
Combined surplus men and recruits 3.Bataillon
1.Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment Existing companies & Returned POWs 1.Bataillon
Regimental returned convalescents 2.Bataillon
2.Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment Returned POWs 1.Bataillon
Existing companies 2.Bataillon
Jäger-Bataillon Jägerkorps & new recruits 1 Bataillon
Leib-Kürassier-Garde Leib-Kürassier-Garde & Garde du Corps 4 Schwadronen

Uhlanen-Regiment Uhlanen-Regiment Prinz Clemens 3 Schwadronen
Husaren-regiment Husaren-Regiment 3 Schwadronen
1. & 2 Fuβ Artillerie Batterie 4 x 6pdr guns & 2 x 8pdr Howitzers
On 12 November General-Leutnant von Thielmann changed the old white cockade

worn by Saxon troops to a new tricolour cockade of green yellow and black prior to
the contingent becoming the III Army Corps on 8 December under the Herzog von
Saxe-Weimar. Throughout 1814 the Saxons were posted to the Netherlands and
took part in the Siege of Maubeuge and were involved in a number of minor
insignificant skirmishes with the French forces.
On 8 November 1814 following the decision by the Congress of Vienna the
administration of Saxony was handed over to Prussia and the Saxon army was
assembled at Köln on the Rhine. The Congress of Vienna finally decided that the
Kingdom of Saxony should be divided and those regiments of the army with a
recruitment in the Prussian portion were transferred to the Army of Prussia; some
6,800 men transferring to Prussia and 8,000 remaining with the Saxon army.
The ‘new’ Royal Saxon Army reformed at Onsabrück on 22 June 1815 consisted
of three regiments of foot, a regiment of light infantry and the three existing cavalry
regiments. As a final military act the army was part of the Prussian force in France
after Waterloo before returning to Saxony in September 1815 to be demobilised.
62
THE LINE INFANTRY
ORGANISATION In 1792 at the outbreak of the Revolutionary Wars the infantry

arm of the Saxon army consisted of the Leib-Grenadier-Garde-Regiment, twelve
regiments of line infantry, known as ‘Feld-Regiment’, a Garnison-Kompagnie and
three Halbinvalidenkompagnien. The line regiments were named for their ‘inhaber’
and ordered by seniority. Around 1789 an attempt was made to give the line
regiments permanent numbers but this was soon abandoned as impractical as
traditionally the regiments moved up the line according to the seniority and status
of their inhaber. The regimental uniform facing colours which were allotted in 1763
were originally allocated in pairs according to the seniority of the day but by 1792
several of the inhabers had changed and regiments had moved up or down the line.
Infantry Regiments 1792-1813

Leib-Grenadier-Garde Regiment 1813 Provisorisch-Garde-
Regiment
Regiment Kurfürst 1806 Regiment König 1813 Provisorisch-Garde-
Regiment
Regiment Prinz Anton 1813 1.Provisorisch-
Regiment
Regiment Prinz Maximilian 1813 2.Provisorisch-

Regiment
Regiment Prinz Friedrich August 1813 3.Provisorisch-
Regiment
Regiment Prinz Xavier 1806 von Oebschelwitz 1810 Disbanded

Regiment Prinz Clemens 1812 von Steindel 1813 Disbanded
Regiment von Lindt 1801 von Rechten 1813 Disbanded
Regiment von Niesemeuschel 1813 Disbanded
Regiment aus dem Winkel 1798 von Sanger 1810 Disbanded
1808 von Cerrini
Regiment von Low 1813 Disbanded
Regiment von Nostitz 1802 von Thümmel 1810 Disbanded
1808 von Burgsdorff
Regiment von der Heyde 1800 von Braune 1810 Disbanded
1801 von Ryseel
1805 von Bunau
1806 von Bevilaqua
1808 von Dyherrn
The internal organisation of the Feld-Regimenten had been based on the Prussian
model since 1763 and was laid down in the revised regulations of 20 October 1780
which had in fact only become fully effective on 1 May 1790. Each of the twelve
regiments consisted of two battalions each of five companies, four centre companies
Musketiere-Kompagnien and an elite Grenadier-Kompagnie. The centre companies
were numbered 1-8 consecutively, however traditionally the first company of the
first battalion was known as the Leib-Kompagnie and was commanded by the senior
captain of the regiment; the second company was known as the Oberst-Kompagnie
and these two companies formed the 1st Division of the battalion on the left of the
line. The third company was named as the Oberstleutnant-Kompagnie and with the
63
4.Kompagnie formed the 2nd Division. The Musketiere-Kompagnien of the

2.Bataillon of the regiment were simply numbered 5 – 8 and formed the 3rd and 4th
Divisions when both battalions took the line together on the left of the 1.Bataillon.
In 1793 in response to the noticeable lack of light infantry skirmishers in the
Saxon army each Feld-Regimenten was required to raise a rifle armed Schützen-
Abteilung with each musketier-kompagnien providing one korporal and eight men
to the detachment. The ‘scharfschützen’ remained part of their parent company in
peacetime and were detached to the regimental skirmisher section in the field.
From 1802 the Schützen-Abteilung from each Feld-Regiment were officially
organised into two independent battalions in wartime, however, this innovation had
not been actioned in time for the 1806 and 1807 campaigns and was only finally
organised by Bernadotte in May 1809. (See Schützen & Light Infantry Section)
The internal organisation of the Feld-Regimenten changed little between 1792 and
1809
Regiments-stabs 1791-1809
1 Oberstchef (Inhaber) 1 Oberst-Kommandant
1 Oberstleutnant [1] 2 Major [1]
2 Adjutant 1 Regimentsquartiermeister
1 Auditeur 1 Regimentsfeldscher (Senior Surgeon)
8 Fähnjunker (Cadet officers) [2] 1 Stabsfeldsher (Under Surgeon)
1 Profost (Provost) 1 Stabsprofost (NCO Deputy Provost/Clerk)
Company Establishment 1791-1809

1 Kapitän or Stabs-Kapitän [3] 1 Premierleutnant
1 Unterleutnant 1 Kompagnie-Quartiermeister-Sergent
1 Kompagnie-Feldscher 3 Sergent
8 Korporal 3 Trommler
2 Pfeifer 2 Zimmermannen
150 Musketiere or Grenadiere
Schützen-Abteilung 1793-1807
1 Stabs-Kapitän / Premierleutnant [4] 1 Unterleutnant [4]
2 Halbmondbläser after 1800 64 Scharfschützen
The two Grenadier-Kompagnien of each regiment were considered to be the elite

of the line infantry and unlike the musketiere-kompagnien who were generally
furloughed in peacetime to save costs, the grenadiers were usually kept at near to
full strength and formed the regimental garrison. With mobilisation for war the
grenadier companies were organised into independent grenadier battalions each of
four companies drawn from two of the line regiments for the duration of the
campaign and named for the Major-Kommandant.
64
Grenadier-Bataillonen 1792-1800
Grenadier-Bataillon Winkel Kurfürst & Winkel
Grenadier-Bataillon von Haussler Prinz Xavier & von der Heyde
Grenadier-Bataillon von Rittrich Prinz Friedrich August & von Low
Grenadier-Bataillon von Stammer Prinz Anton & Prinz Clemens
Grenadier-Bataillon von Reitschütz Prinz Maximilian & von Nostitz
Grenadier-Bataillon von Pistoris Von Lindt & von Niesemeuschel
Grenadier-Bataillonen 1806-1808
Grenadier-Bataillon von Winkel Prinz Maximilian & von Rechten
Grenadier-Bataillon von Thiolaz Prinz Xavier & Prinz Clemens
Grenadier-Bataillon von Hundt Prinz Anton & von Niesemeuschel
Grenadier-Bataillon von Metzsch Prinz Friedrich August & von Thümmel
Grenadier-Bataillon von Lecoq von Low & von Sanger
Grenadier-Bataillon von Leichtenstein Kurfürst & von Bevilaqua (1808 von Dyherrn)
Grenadier-Bataillonen 1809
Grenadier-Bataillon von Bose Prinz Friedrich August & von Burgsdorff
Grenadier-Bataillon von Hacke Prinz Clemens & von Oebschelwitz
Grenadier-Bataillon von Radeloff Prinz Anton & von Niesemeuschel
Grenadier-Bataillon von Winkelmann von Low & von Cerrini Regiment
Grenadier-Bataillon von Einsiedel König & von Dyherrn regiment
Grenadier-Bataillonen 1812
Grenadier-Bataillon von Brause [5] König & von Niesemeuschel
Grenadier-Bataillon von Anger Prinz Anton & von Low
Grenadier-Bataillon von Stutterheim [5] Prinz Maximilian & von Rechten
Grenadier-Bataillon von Liebenau: Prinz Clemens & Prinz Friedrich August
Combined Grenadier-Bataillonen 1813
Grenadier-Bataillon von Spiegel Prinz Maximilian, von Rechten, Prinz Friedrich
August, von Steindel
Grenadier-Bataillon von Sperl Prinz Anton, von Low, König & von Niesemeuschel
The events of the campaigns of 1806, 1807 and 1809 brought home to the Saxon
high command the inadequacies of their antiquated military organisation and the
need for modernisation. These changes were driven forward by Bonaparte’s
continued demands that the Saxon army should be re-organised more in line with
the French army however the Emperor stopped short of providing the Saxon army
with subsidies to assist the required changes. Part of the re-organisation was a
reduction in the number of line infantry regiments in 1810; the von Dyherrn, von
Cerrini, Oebschelwitz and von Burgsdorff regiments being disbanded, most of the
officers dismissed and the enlisted men were distributed amongst the other
regiments. The remaining infantry regiments were still organised in two battalions
each with four Musketiere-Kompagnien and two Grenadier-Kompagnien but the
internal organisation and administration was brought more into line with the French
system. A number of cosmetic changes took place with the re-organisation; the
infantry were no longer known as ‘Feld-Regiment’, but were restyled as ‘Infanterie-
65
Regiment’ but a proposal to dispense with the regimental names and have a simple
numbered sequence was again defeated by the traditionist officer corps but the
Oberstchef was no longer part of the regimental payroll and received his subsidies
directly from the War Department although he still held a financial stake in the
fortunes of the regiment but no longer had the same level of influence.
1 Oberst-Kommandant 1 Oberstleutnant
2 Major 2 Adjutant
1 Auditeur 1 Regimentsquartiermeister
1 Regimentsfeldscher 1 Stabsquartiermeister
1 Stabsfeldsher 1 Profost
1 Fuhrer (Regimental Sergeant-major)[9] 1 Stabs-Trommler (Korporal Drummer)
8 Musika I.Klasse [6] 12 Musika II.Klasse [6]
2 Büschenmacher [7] 1 Stabs-Schreiber (Regimental Clerk)
Musketiere-Kompagnie Establishment 1810-1813

1 Kapitän I.Klasse or Kapitän II.Klasse [8] 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
1 Leutnant II.Klasse 1 Fähnrich
1 Kompagnie-Feldscher 1 Feldwebel (Sergent-major) [9]
2 Sergent 10 Korporal
1 Korporal-Quartiermeister 3 Trommler
2 Zimmerleute 180 Musketiere (Paper strength)
Grenadier-Kompagnie Establishment 1810-1813

1 Kapitän I.Klasse 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
1 Leutnant II.Klasse 1 Feldwebel [9]
1 Kompagnie-Feldscher (1.Batalion only) 2 Sergent
1 Korporal-Quartiermeister 10 Korporal
3 Trommler 2 Pfeiffer (until 1812)
2 Zimmerleute 180 Grenadier (160 after 1812)
NOTE: [1] The Oberstleutnant commanded the regimental depot in peacetime and one of the
majors were assigned to each of the battalions. When mobilised for war, the Oberstleutnant
accompanied the regiment in the field and took command of the 2.Bataillon. When the second
battalion remained in barracks in wartime it was commanded by the regiment’s senior major.
NOTE: [2] One of the cadet officers was assigned to each of the musketiere-kompagnien in the
field during wartime and ranked as an ensign or commissioned-warrant-officer.
NOTE: [3] Each regiment had seven senior Kapitän, and three junior Stabs-Kapitän who were
given command of the companies according to their seniority. The three junior Stabs-Kapitäns
were assigned to the 4th, 6th and 7th Musketiere-Kompagnien.
NOTE: [4] The officers assigned to the Schützen-Abteilung were originally nominated from the
musketiere-kompagnien but from about 1798 were supernumerary officers attached to the staff.
NOTE: [5] In June 1812 the Grenadier-Bataillon von Brause was renamed Grenadier-Bataillon
Eychelburg and the Grenadier-Bataillon von Stutterheim became the Grenadier-Bataillon von
Spiegel prior to departure for the campaign in Russia.
66
NOTE: [6] From 1810 each of the line infantry regiments was allowed budget for a 20 piece
band including a Musikmeister. Prior to 1810 the regimental band was at the discretion of the
Inhaber who personally found the cost for the musician’s salaries, instruments and uniforms.
NOTE: [7] Prior to 1811 the regimental armourers, along with all other artisans were civilian
contractors employed at the depot. This army of civilian supernumeraries included tailors,
breeches makers, bootmakers, bakers, cooks, laundresses and waggoneers who were paid from
regimental funds. Ordinary soldiers requiring extra or replacement uniform articles were obliged
to purchase them from the depot craftsmen or from the regimental quartermaster who sold ‘slops’
second-hand items of uniform. A soldier could easily find that at the end of his enlistment he was
deeply in debt to the regimental treasury. Officer’s servants, valets, cooks and grooms were found
from the soldiers of the regiment, and it is noted at the beginning of the 1809 campaign some of
the senior officers and captains had an entourage of as many as ten personal servants and
attendants.
NOTE: [8] From 1810 the regiment had 6 Kapitän I.Klasse and 4 Kapitän II.Klasse who were
collectively known as the Hauptleute. The style of ‘Kapitän’ was traditional in the Saxon army but
by 1812 the more fashionable ‘Hauptmann’ was unofficially in common use verbally.
NOTE: [9] In 1810 the senior sergent of each regiment was promoted to the rank of Führer
or Stabs-Feldwebel, equivalent to a regimental sergeant major whose role was administrative and
reported directly to the commandant. The senior sergent of each company was elevated to
Feldwebel, company sergent-major.
After the disaster of the 1812 campaign the reformed infantry battalions retained
their former basic organisation, however, with a dire shortage of surviving trained
officers willing to serve with the French the regimental staff tended to be much
reduced and many musketiere companies had only two, and sometimes just a single
officer. Many of the new conscripts were only half trained and at best reluctant;
with anti-French feelings running high and the sympathies of the majority of young
Saxons were firmly with the Prussians fighting for German independence. Before
even leaving Saxony desertion became a problem which increased during the march
as men fell out in the night or reported sick and many companies were reporting an
active strength of between 80-100 men.
After the Battle of Leipsic and the defection of the Saxon army to the Allies the
army was re-organised for service with the Prussian army. Four of the old infantry
regiments, von Low, von Niesemeuschel, von Steindel and von Rechten were
disbanded and the other battalions re-organised into three sequentially numbered
provisional regiments, finally losing their traditional titles. Details for the period are
scarce but in theory the regimental staff and company structure of the 1-3
Provisorisch-Infanterie-Regimenten remained basically unchanged from the 1810
regulations except that each battalion now had only four weak musketiere-
kompagnie with a paper strength of 151 men although this was in reality closer to
100 in 1813. Trained and experienced officers and NCOs were at a premium and
virtually all companies accepted former officers and NCOs of other German
nationalities into their ranks in 1814 and the command structure of each company
was enhanced with the addition of four ‘Gefreite’ or under-corporals. The survivors
of the Grenadier-Kompagnien were removed from the line regiments and formed
into a single battalion which became the 3.Bataillon, Provisorisch-Garde-Regiment.
67
THE UNIFORMS
HEADGEAR 1792-1809 The headwear of the musketiers of the line infantry
in 1792 was a smallish bicorn hat similar to that worn by the Prussian army but was
not the uniquely shaped Prussian ‘casquet’ hat as mistakenly shown by some
modern sources. The hats of the rank and file were however considerably smaller
than those of most armies or indeed their own officers. The bicorn was black felt
with a white tape edging and two narrow black leather versteifen, or stiffeners at
the rear and the front and rear faces of the hat were stitched to the crown to hold
them upright even when wet. The hat tighteners were white cord and the tips were
decorated with a small wool pompon which was white with a facing coloured centre,
although these are also some times shown as all white or all facing colour. The front
of the hat was decorated with a white paper rosette cockade held with a white
leather or canvas cockade-strap and a button of the regimental button colour. In
true early 18th century tradition, the cockade was only worn during campaign as a
national identifier, or at certain specified parade occasions and not for everyday
wear. A ball shaped pompon was worn at the upper edge of the hat of white with a
regimental coloured centre, however, by 1806 a simpler white wool ball shaped
pompon with the upper third simply dyed with the distinctive colour was in common
use.
The Schützen-Abteilung wore an identical bicorn hat to the Musketiere-

Kompagnien of the regiment except that a short dark green feather plume was worn
in place of the pompon. By 1808 the feather plume appears to have commonly been
replaced with a similar plume of dark green stiffened horsehair.
The Grenadier-Kompagnien wore a bearskin bonnet of black-brown fur of a style

similar to that worn by the Austrian grenadiers with a distinctly pointed upper tip
and a brass front plate embossed with the Elector’s cipher FA within a laurel wreath
68
below an electoral cap and flanked by grenades at the corners. After 1806 the
plates were ordered to be replaced with new items with a royal crown and the cipher
FAR but most grenadier companies appear to have still been wearing the older
pattern plates as late as 1809. The rear of the bonnet had a calot, a cloth patch of
the regimental facing colour usually with a white cross although the patch is
sometimes depicted as plain. A white ball shaped pompon with facing colour centre
was worn at the top of the cap around which was looped the white cords and tassels
which were worn in the 18th century style at the rear of the bonnet rather than
draped across the front. From about 1802 some bonnets appear to have been fitted
with a black leather peak with brass trim, possibly detachable. Certainly the Feld-
Regiment von Sanger, Prinz Friedrich August and Prinz Maximilian grenadiers appear
to have been issued with the peaks / peaked bonnets between 1802 and 1806 but
this does not appear to have been universal for all regiments. For everyday wear,
the ‘Dienstuniform’, and on the march, the grenadiers wore the same bicorn hat as
the musketiers without special distinctions.
Two style of feldmutz, or fatigue cap were commonly in use by the infantry
regiments during the period. The first which had been the standard issue from 1763
was a simple white stocking cap with a facing colour headband and this pattern
continued in use until all issued articles were finally replaced about 1808. The
second pattern began to make an appearance about 1802 and was of a more modern
design and white with facing colour piping to the upper edge of the headband and
to the cap which was more pointed than the older version and had a white tassel at
the tip.
The infantry of the Saxon army continued to adhere to the 18th Century practice
of wearing the hair long and tied in a tight queue bound with black tape until 1809.
By 1793 the curling of the sides and powdering the hair for parade dress had been
discontinued in most regiments and from 1802 the queue was worn much shorter
and was generally only collar length. The soldiers of the Musketiere-Kompagnien
and the Schützen, were required to be ‘clean faced’ and were obliged to shave daily
even when in the field. The grenadiers were required to wear full moustaches and
the regulations stated that the tips should be trimmed to give a uniform appearance
for the company. The queues were finally abandoned in 1810 but only the grenadier
companies continued to be allowed to wear the moustache.
1810-1814 The reforms of the Royal Saxon Army in 1810 were immediately
visible in the changes which replaced the outdated and uncomfortable uniforms with
the design submitted in 1808. Whilst the intentions were good the internal processes
of the Saxon army remained exceedingly slow but most of the reforms were in place
by the autumn of 1811. However, in true Saxon style the priority reform was given
to the issue to the new uniforms and all units appear to have received their new
uniforms by late 1810 or early 1811 and the army that marched out for Russia in
1812 was completely dressed in the new style uniforms. The old style bicorn hats
were abandoned and replaced for all companies with a shako similar in style to that
worn by the French army. The shako was black felt with black leather trim at the
upper edge and a black leather tightener strap at the base with a small brass buckle
at the rear. Later shakos had black leather versteifen at the sides. The peak was
black leather and the chinscales were brass with a plain round boss. The front of
the shako was decorated with a brass plate in the shape of an heraldic shield
surmounted by a royal crown and embossed with the entwined FA cipher. The
white paper rosette cockade was fastened with a narrow white leather cockade-
strap with a brass button. In 1813 the national cockade was changed to black,
within green within yellow and changed again in 1815 to white with a green edging.
69
The Musketiere-Kompagnien were distinguished as before by pompons which were

now carrot shaped and white over the regimental facing colour. In 1813 the re-
raised regiments appear to have worn a mixture of the 1810 carrot shaped pompons
and ball-shaped houpette pompons facing colour with a white tuft. For full parade
dress the Musketiere-Kompagnien were prescribed white cords and flounders in
1810, however, these were officially withdrawn in 1812 prior to the departure for
Poland although some regiments may have retained them for full parade dress
uniform. The grenadiers were issued with the same pattern of shako as the centre
companies to replace both the bearskin bonnet and the bicorn hat but decorated
with a tall scarlet feather plume and scarlet cords and flounders for parade or a
carrot-shaped scarlet pompon for everyday wear, the ‘Dienstuniform’. There is
some indication that some grenadier companies, notably the Infanterie-Regiment
König and Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Friedrich August may have retained their
bearskin bonnets for full parade dress into 1811 but if this was so it was not
compliant with the dress regulations of 1810 and there is no evidence of any
bearskin bonnets being worn in 1812 or after by the line regiments.
All infantry companies were issued with canvas waterproof shako covers to
protect the shako on campaign and during inclement weather and these appear to
have been the predominant order of dress throughout the 1812 campaign. The
covers issued in 1811 were mostly either beige or tan canvas, although some of the
grenadier companies may have been issued with black or grey covers. The pompon
was usually worn outside of the cover as a unit identifier.
In 1813 and 1814 the 1-3 Provisorisch-Infanterie-Regimenten were issued with a

variety of shako patterns, Saxon, French or Prussian mostly from captured stores
distributed by the Allies and black oiled cloth covers were worn as standard to give
an appearance of uniformity with the pompons either white over facing colour or
solid facing colour; Dark blue for the 1st Regiment; Yellow for the 2nd Regiment; and
Grass Green for the 3rd Regiment.
The feldmutz worn until 1813 continued to be the 1802 pattern white with facing
colour piping and white tassel, or white with facing colour headband. In 1813 a new
feldmutz was authorised of distinctly German style similar to that worn by the
Prussian army a white round hat piped facing colour with facing colour headband
and often with the tricolour national cockade at the front of the crown. The cap was
fitted with a narrow black leather chin-strap.
70
71
COAT 1792-1809 The coat being worn by the Saxon infantry regiments at the
outbreak of the Revolutionary Wars had changed very little since it was introduced
in 1763; a white, full skirted uniformrock, of typical 18th Century appearance with
long skirts turned back to give the appearance of tails. In 1792 the pattern of coat
being worn had last been amended in 1780 and had a shallow Swedish fall collar,
and a shoulder-strap on the left shoulder only slightly to the rear of the seam. The
shoulder-strap is generally shown as plain white but may also have been piped with
the regimental facing colour.
In 1789 an order prescribed that the coats should be altered to have a short
upright collar, open with a wide V at the throat to expose the traditional red stock
worn beneath. The shoulder-strap was now moved centrally over the shoulder seam.
All other details remained the same as the 1780 coat. The collar, lapels and Swedish
cuffs were of the regimental facing colour and the turnbacks were coat colour and
held with a regimental colour button at the tips. The shoulder-strap was plain white
with a rounded tip. The lapels were fastened with seven brass or pewter plain domed
buttons and two large buttons appeared below the right hand lapel with
corresponding buttonholes on the left. The cuffs were of the Swedish ‘turned back’
style fastened with two buttons at the trailing edge. By 1793 most regiments appear
to have been issued with the new style coat with upright collar although some of the
older coats may still have been in use as late as 1795.
72
By 1803 it had become the fashion in some regiments to tailor the skirts of the
coat into slightly narrower tails by removing a wedge of material from the seam and
cutting the resultant ‘tails’ square at the bottom edge.
Regimental facing colours 1792-1809
Regiment Facing Colour on Buttons

collar, lapels and cuffs
1792 Feld-Regiment Kurfürst Mohnrot (Poppy-Red) [10] Brass
1806 Feld-Regiment König
1792 Feld-Regiment aus dem Winkel
1798 von Sanger Mohnrot [10] Pewter
1808 von Cerrini
1792 Feld-Regiment Prinz Clemens Dunkelblau (Dark Blue) Brass
1792 Feld-Regiment Prinz Anton Dunkelblau Pewter
1792 Feld-Regiment von Lindt Karminroten (Crimson) [11] Brass
1801 von Rechten
1792 Regiment von Niesemeuschel Karminroten [11] Pewter
1792 Regiment Prinz Friedrich August Gras-Grün (Grass Green) Brass
1792 Feld-Regiment von Low Gras-Grün Pewter
1792 Feld-Regiment Prinz Xavier Himmelblau (Sky-blue) Brass
1806 von Oebschelwitz
1792 Feld-Regiment von der Heyde
1800 von Braune
1801 von Ryseel
1805 von Bunau Himmelblau Pewter
1806 von Bevilaqua
1808 von Dyherrn
1792 Feld-Regiment Prinz Maximilian Dunkelgelb (Deep Yellow) Brass
1792 Feld-Regiment von Nostitz
1802 von Thümmel Dunkelgelb Pewter
1808 von Burgsdorff
NOTE: [10] The contemporary colour for the facings of the Kurfürst and aus dem Winkel
regiments is given as Madder-Red in 1765 and Poppy-Red in 1780; however 19th Century sources
such as Knötel give the colour simply as ‘red’, and some modern sources give ‘scarlet’.
NOTE: [11] The colour given as crimson was a deep wine red from 1786 but certainly not the
purple formerly worn by the Regiment von Thiele in 1763 as given by some modern sources.
73
74
75
COAT 1810-1814 The new coat ordered for the line infantry regiments in 1810
was a modern ‘Spencer’ style kollet as worn by many of the other German states of
the Confederation of the Rhine. The coat had a high upright collar, plastron lapels
fastened with eight buttons, and short tails with white turnbacks piped with the
regimental facing colour. The cuffs were of a plain squared pattern with two buttons
at the trailing edges, but are also depicted as being of the ‘German’ pattern, square-
cut with a slit at the rear and three buttons two on the cuff actual and one above. A
second variation shown by Richard Knötel and Leinhart & Humbert depicts pointed
cuffs with two buttons at the trailing edge, however, this is not confirmed by any
other sources and no known example of a surviving cuff of this pattern has been
found. The shoulder-straps were officially white with bastion shaped outer tips and
piped with the regimental facing colour, however, these are also depicted as being
plain round tipped straps of white without piping.
The Grenadier-Kompagnien wore the same kollet as the Musketiere-Kompagnien

except that the turnbacks were decorated with facing colour grenade motifs
Regimental facing colours 1810-1813
Regiment Facing Colour Buttons

1810 Infanterie-Regiment König Mohnrot Brass
1810 Infanterie-Regiment von Niesemeuschel Mohnrot Pewter
1810 Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Anton Dunkelblau Brass
1810 Infanterie-regiment von Low Dunkelblau Pewter
1810 Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Friedrich August Gras-Grün Brass
1810 Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Clemens Gras-Grün Pewter
1813 Infanterie-Regiment von Steindel
1810 Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Maximilian Dunkelgelb Brass
1810 Infanterie-Regiment von Rechten Dunkelgelb Pewter
76
In 1813 and 1814 the battalions that made up the 1-3 Provisorisch-Infanterie-
Regimenten continued to wear the uniform of their former regiment. The
1.Provisorisch-Infanterie-Regiment were issued with the coats from the stores of the
Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Anton and von Low with Dunkelblau facings; the
2.Provisorisch-Infanterie-Regiment received the uniforms of the Infanterie-
Regimenten Prinz Maximilian and von Rechten with facings of Dunkelgelb; and the
3.Provisorisch-Infanterie-Regiment wore the Gras-Grün facings of the former
Infanterie-Regimenten Prinz Friedrich August and von Steindel although some coats
with sky-blue facings and brass buttons appear to have been issued to at least one
battalion. Whilst efforts were probably made to keep the men of former companies
together the uniforms appear to have been issued almost randomly to new recruits
and so a mixture of button colours were worn and there is some indication of
‘levelling’, the transfer of men from a stronger unit to a weaker one accounting for
the reports of companies wearing a mixture of facings colours in late 1813.
77
78
BREECHES,ETC In 1792 the infantry were still

wearing the pattern of gilet, sleeveless waistcoat,
that had been prescribed in 1763 a single breasted
garment closed with a row of brass or white metal
buttons according to regimental metal colour. The
waistcoat was collarless and had small flapped
pockets at the waist and straps to support the
waistbelt. The waistcoat was worn with the shirt,
linen white overall trousers and clogs for fatigue
dress. After the introduction of the 1810 Spencer
tunic the waistcoats were officially discontinued but
continued to be worn beneath the kollet in cold
weather until 1813.
A Lagertunika, or fatigue tunic, was issued for fatigues and wear in barracks which
was a white sleeved waistcoat closed with a single row of regimental coloured
buttons and facing colour collar and cuffs. The coatee had a single white shoulder-
strap on the left shoulder and supporting straps with a bastion tip and button for the
waist belt either side of the waist. The tunics were official discontinued in 1810 but
may have been retained for some time.
Breeches were white for all companies and prior to 1810 were worn with white
high over the knee gaiters with brass buttons for parade dress and black over the
knee gaiters for winter. From about 1795 for Dienstuniform and campaign dress
tightfitting canvas trousers were issued with a row of brass buttons on the outer
seam, however by 1806 these appear to have been withdrawn for most regiments.
Around 1805 shorter black gaiters with brass buttons were issued for everyday wear
and summer campaign dress and these continued to be worn until 1814 replacing
the long gaiters for all duties in 1810. In 1813 a general shortage of equipment
and uniforms led to many soldiers being issued with the older high gaiters from the
regimental stores which were cut down to below the knee. Overall trousers were
not officially to the Saxon line infantry until 1813 but during the 1812 campaign
trousers of various shades of grey and brown were adopted by all regiments serving
in the freezing conditions of Poland
and Russia. In 1813 the re-raised
regiments were issued with white
cotton overall trousers for summer
campaign dress and dark grey
overalls for winter dress and these
became the standard wear for all
orders of dress by the 1-3
Provisorisch-Infanterie-Regimenten.
In 1792 the Saxon infantry were

not wearing a conventional greatcoat,
but instead were issued a ‘kittel’ a
form of overcoat which was worn
instead of the uniformrock not over it,
in inclement weather and during the
winter. The coat was pepper-grey
wool and closed with a double row of
seven or eight cloth covered buttons
but was generally worn with the skirts
turned back and fastened with a button at the tips to allow the wearer free access
79
to the sabre except in foul weather. The fall collar was coat colour as were the deep
Swedish cuffs and there was a single broad shoulder-strap on the left shoulder to
hold the pouchbelt. The kittel continued to be worn by the Saxon infantry until
1810 but during 1809 some battalions were issued with captured Austrian great
coats which appear to have been retained until replacement coats were issued in
1811 or 1812.
80
When not worn the Kittel was stored in

a ticking bag and carried with the
regimental baggage in the field and the
uniformrock was likewise exchanged
when the Kittel was worn.
A new pattern greatcoat was

prescribed for all regiments as part of
the 1810 uniform reforms to replace the
18th century pattern kittel. The coat was
of conventional style and could now be
worn over the kollet. The coat was dark
grey wool and double breasted with two
rows of eight regimental coloured
buttons on the breast. The high upright
collar was closed at the throat and was
coat coloured as were the deep Swedish
cuffs. The coat had two bastion tipped
shoulder-straps of dark grey. From
1812 a baton of regimental facing colour
was added to the collar.
The greatcoats issued to the re-

formed regiments in 1813 and to the
Provisorisch-Infanterie Regimenten
were of a variety of style and patterns,
Saxon 1810 pattern great coats from the
regimental stores, reworked Kittel
overcoats, French and Austrian
garments, of various shades of grey,
beige or brown and some soldiers are
recorded wearing civilian overcoats in late 1813.
EQUIPMENT The muskets commonly in use by the Saxon line infantry regiments
in 1792 were of a model first introduced to the army in 1778 and had changed little
over the intervening thirty years. The weapon was heavy with a short somewhat
curved stock more commonly seen in civilian longarms and was nick-named the
‘Kuhfuss’, or cow’s foot, because of the oddly shaped butt. The musket was short in
comparison to those of other armies of just 5 Fuβ (Saxon) only 51 inches (UK & US).
The musket was unpopular because of its weight, poor balance and notorious lack
of accuracy over 30 yards but had the redeeming feature that the weapon was sturdy,
easy to maintain and many weapons manufactured in the 1770s and 1780s were
still in use in 1809. The grenadier companies were issued with a slightly shorter,
43 inches (UK & US), version of the same weapon. The musket sling was brown
leather with brass buckles and was treated with oil to keep it waterproof and subtle
a process called ‘röten’ which turned the leather a rich, deep chestnut red-brown.
The musket slings were not dyed red as has been mistakenly described by a number
of 19th and 20th Century sources. In 1804 designs for a new musket the ‘Neuschuler’
musket were accepted, a weapon of very similar design to the 1763 model somewhat
lighter but still making use of the original pattern lock and was paired with a new
longer socket bayonet to compensate for the shorter musket which was still only 55
inches total length. As always processes moved exceedingly slowly in the Saxon
81
Army and the new muskets were not issued in any quantities until 1809 and became
known as the m.1809 musket. Initially the new musket was only issued to the Feld-
Regimenten König and Niesemeuschel and then to the grenadier companies in late
1809. In 1810 the Saxon army received a considerable number of captured
Austrian muskets of the m.1784 and m.1795 patterns the latter being probably the
best quality musket of the day and these were distributed in almost equal quantities
with the m.1809 Saxon musket. Following the 1812 campaign a dire shortage of
weapons led to the re-raised regiments being issued with a mixture of 1763, 1809
Saxon muskets, Austrian m.1795 and some French m.1777 muskets, mostly of
Italian manufacture in early 1813. By the end of 1813 most battalions of the
Provisorisch-Infanterie Regimenten were armed with Austrian or later model Saxon
muskets.
82
The regimental Schützen-Abteilung despite being styled as scharfschützen had

only received a limited number of rifles, and these were mostly personal weapons
in the hands of former gamekeepers and hunters who were skilled in their use. The
cost and the extra effort required to train rifle armed sharpshooters was not
considered a worthwhile exercise by most of the old Inhabers and therefore by 1809
most of the Schützen were still armed in an identical manner to the grenadiers with
the shorter pattern musket and bayonet, their value as light infantry relied upon
their limited training as skirmishers. With the reforms brought about by Bernadotte
in 1809 grouping the regimental Schützen-Abteilung into battalions an effort was
made to give the elite light infantry units some real skirmishing training and
Bernadotte obtained Napoléon’s leave to re-arm most of the men with captured
Austrian m.1795 rifled musket from the Vienna arsenal, a weapon which had the
advantage of accuracy with the length and ease of handling of a musket.
Prior to 1765 all companies, Grenadiers, Schützen and Musketiers had been
issued with sabre-briquets carried on a whitened leather waistbelt with a large brass
open buckle. The regulations of that year withdrew the swords from the musketier-
kompagnien and instead the bayonet for the 1765 musket was carried on the left
side of the belt in a brown leather sheath. This regulation was changed in 1785
restoring the sabre and ordering that bayonets should be carried ‘fixed’ on the
musket, however some companies appear to have not received their musketier
sabres and were still wearing the sheathed bayonets in 1795. Sabres were of two
basic patterns the m1765 Grenadier-säbel, a heavy bladed curved sabre with a solid
brass fluted grip and a brass basket hilt with a shell motif on the handguard and a
finger ring on the side of the hilt. The second pattern was the Musketiere-säbel
dating from 1785 slightly lighter than the older grenadier pattern with a curved blade
and a single bar hilt with solid brass grip. This was replaced in 1802 for some
regiments with a new pattern Musketiere-Säbel with a similar hilt but a broad heavy
straight blade. These patterns of sabre remained the standard issue for both the
grenadier and musketier companies until 1811 and were carried by many companies
into 1812. In 1810 a new musketier sabre was ordered based on the Prussian style
‘Messer’ sword with a slightly curved blade, cross bar hilt and brass handle with
either a brass or wooden grip. These sabres appear to have been issued to some
regiments prior to departure for the Russian campaign but were not common in
1813. The sabre-scabbards could be either black or brown leather with brass fittings
and heel.
In 1810 a shoulderbelt of whitened leather was issued to carry the sabre and
bayonet in a double frog however, not all battalions appear to have received sheaths
for the bayonet and
continued to carry the
bayonet ‘fixed’ to the
musket until after 1812.
The broad pouchbelt,

worn over the left shoulder,
was whitened leather and
supported a large black
leather cartridge pouch with
the capacity for 60 rounds
with twenty cartridges in a
wooden ‘ready board’. The
lid of the pouch was
scalloped and decorated
83
with a round brass badge embossed with the FA cipher and electoral cap. The
grenadier pouch additionally had brass grenade badges at each corner. There is
some indication that an older style of badge similar to that used by the Leib-
Grenadier-Garde was being used by some grenadier companies early in 1792-1795
of a round pattern with the electoral cap above and the Saxon coat of arms
embossed on the plate and picked out with coloured enamel. Prior to 1810
grenadiers are often depicted with a brass picker and chain on the front of the
pouchbelt. The same pattern of pouch was retained after the reforms of 1810 but
the old electoral cipher badge was removed and the musketier pouches had a plain
undecorated lid and the grenadiers had a simple brass grenade badge. After 1812
pouches could be of a number of patterns, the 1765 Saxon pattern as before, but
Austrian and French pouches were issued to make up any equipment shortfalls.
The packs issued to the Saxon line infantry regiments in 1792 were of un-dyed
cowhide, usually brown or tan, with white
leather straps and fittings and were carried
on a whitened leather shoulder strap to hang
on the left hip. Each man was issued a canvas
or linen bread sack, a wooden canteen, and
a set of three tin mess pans which were
strapped to the pack. After 1810 new packs
were authorised of the French pattern, larger
than the older pattern and now worn on the
back with whitened leather shoulder-straps
and the greatcoat folded and strapped to the
top of the pack. In reality, it is unlikely that
most units received the new packs and
simply converted the older articles by adding
shoulder-straps. With the loss of the large
regimental baggage trains the soldiers of the
Saxon regiments were now required to carry
their own camp utensils; each mess was issued with two cooking pots; two large
mess dishes; two large water/soup cans and assorted camp tools; axes, shovels,
billhooks and pickaxes which were distributed amongst the men on the march.
NON-COMMISSIONED-OFFICERS Prior to the organisational changes of 1810

the non-commissioned-officers of the Saxon infantry were distinguished in the same
manner as prescribed in the regulations of 1763. There existed only two official
ranks of non-commission-officer; the Sergent, sometimes referred to as Feldwebel,
and Korporal or Unteroffizier. (For purposes of clarity I have chosen to use the title
sergent for the period 1792-1806 as Feldwebel was adopted in 1810 to indicate the
senior NCO grade of warrant officer or sergeant-major. At best the terms used for the
Saxon NCO titles vary from one contemporary source to another). The seniority of the
sergents within the regiment was regulated by length of service in that rank and as
with the officers the sergents would move upwards through the companies, the
senior sergent of the regiment fulfilling the role usually associated with the
regimental sergeant-major, reporting directly to the Oberst-Kommandant and was
the keeper of the regimental tally books, the watch book, the punishment register,
and was responsible for overseeing the drill and training of the other ranks. The
other sergents were placed according to their seniority the most senior serving as
the ranking sergent of the Leib-Kompagnien, the next senior in the Grenadier-
Kompagnien, etc. There was no visible indication of the NCOs seniority on the
uniform, so as in many 18th Century armies the other ranks were expected to
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recognise the officers and sergents of the regiment by sight and be aware of their
internal status. A similar hierarchy existed for the Korporals, the longest serving
Korporal automatically being considered for any openings for a new sergent
regardless of ability or military experience, a situation which led to a large number
of sergents and korporals of age 50 and over in 1809. New korporals were chosen
from the Gefreite, or chosen men from each company an unofficial and unpaid rank
of trusted men who acted as assistant to the korporal and deputised as company
corporal in his absence. Most regiments had numerous supernumerary sergents on
the strength, some of whom were on almost permanent furlough but whose officers
were still drawing pay and allowances for them; and others who were no longer fit
for active ‘marching’ service but were kept on the strength for similar reasons and
fulfilled often unnecessary administrative roles within the unit. Johann Brecht
records in his diary that one major had four men ranked as sergents as his personal
servants in 1807. In 1809 Marshal Bernadotte reviewed the Saxon army camped
outside Vienna and 207 NCOs were deemed surplus to requirements and dismissed
the corps and were returned to Dresden to either retire or serve out their
enlistments with the regimental depots.
In 1810 the internal organisation of the infantry regiments was amended at

Napoléon’s insistence, to bring it closer to the French model, although most of the
changes were only cosmetic. The number of non-commissioned-officers was again
reduced and a new pay grade system introduced as part of the reforms. In theory
all NCOs would now be chosen for military experience and merit rather than length
of service and priority would be given to younger candidates. A selected senior
sergent of each regiment was promoted to the rank of Führer or Ober-Feldwebel,
equivalent to a regimental sergeant major whose role, as before, was administrative
and reported directly to the commandant. Likewise a senior sergent was elevated
to Feldwebel, or company sergent major in each infantry company. The number
of sergents, also now known as the Sekundieren-Feldwebel, in each company
was reduced to two but the allocation of korporals increased by two to ten. The
company quartermaster/clerk was also reduced in rank from sergent to korporal.
Prior to 1810 the non-commissioned-officers wore the same basic headwear as

the other ranks, however, the bicorn hat was trimmed with a scalloped lace edging
of gold or silver, according to the regimental metal colour. The pompons decorating
the tips of the hat tightener appear to have been white with a crimson centre for all
regiments in 1792 and by 1806 had changed to white with a black centre as for the
Prussian army perhaps in line with the Prussian NCO distinctions. The hat was
without the regimental coloured pompon and a white paper rosette cockade was
worn by the korporal with a white leather cockade-strap and regimental colour
button. The sergent wore a white silk bow cockade with a much smaller gold or
silver lace cockade strap. There is some evidence to suggest that in 1806 black
over white pompons were worn to distinguish NCOs during the association with the
Prussian army and that the sergent’s bow cockade was changed to black. The
regimental Schützen-Abteilung korporals wore the same lace on their hats as those
of the Musketiere-kompagnien and the plume was green with a black tip. The
grenadier NCOs wore the same basic bearskin bonnet as the men but the cords
were silver or gold according to the regimental button colour and the pompon was
white with a crimson centre, or white and black from 1806. The NCO grenadier
bicorn hats were identical to those of the Musketiere-Kompagnien.
The non-commissioned officers wore no special distinctions on the uniform

between 1792 and 1809, the coat, breeches and gaiters being as for the other ranks.
All NCOs carried the traditional cane of office of hazelwood with a gilt or silvered
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cap for the sergent and a strap coloured as for the sabre-straps. The cane was
carried with the strap looped over the second button of the right lapel and passed
under the arm with the end through the turnbacks. On the march the cane was
often strapped to the sword scabbard.
The Korporal was armed with the same sabre-briquet as the men and the sergent
with a straight bladed degen with brass D hilt and ball pompon carried on the
waistbelt in a black leather scabbard. Sabre-straps have long been a matter of some
disagreement by authors and illustrators and there may have in fact been some
variations over the period. Corporal’s sabre and cane straps are shown commonly
as either white or white with facing colour tassels around 1792 but are more often
depicted as either silver or gold according to the regimental button colour with facing
colour tassels by 1806. The sergent had a sword-strap of gold or silver with the
knot and tassels mixed crimson and gold/silver. The NCOs continued to carry the
traditional esponton or halberd until 1807 when these were officially withdrawn in
the field and the Korporal was issued with the same musket as the other ranks and
the sergent received a carbine. The NCOs were issued with a pistol during active
86
service which was carried in a whitened leather holster on a bandolier worn over the
left shoulder with the pistol resting at the rear of the right hip. The pistol was
attached to the bandolier with a narrow strap and brass hook. The polearms were
retained for parade only until 1810 when they were discontinued completely. The
NCOs of the grenadier companies were armed with the same musket as the men,
the sergents having the shorter carbine as issued to the officers and were armed
with a degen instead of the grenadier pattern sabre. The Korporals of the Schützen-
Abteilung were armed with the carbine or rifle.
With the uniform and organisational changes in 1810 the Saxon army adopted
rank insignia similar to those worn by the French army. The shako was trimmed at
the top with a band of either brass or white metal according to the regimental button
colour a single wide single band for the korporal and sergent and a double band for
the feldwebel. By 1812 the rather impractical metal trim had been replaced by gold
or silver lace for the senior NCOs and yellow or white lace trim for the korporals.
The shako cords were as for the company, white for the musketiers and scarlet for
the grenadiers, the regimental Führer having silver cords and flounders. The shako
was decorated with a black over white pompon for the musketiere-kompagnien and
staff NCOs which was initially of the carrot shape but could also be ball shaped and
the houpette style white with a black tuft was more common after 1812. The
grenadier NCOs had tall scarlet plumes with a black tip for parade dress and black
over scarlet pompons for everyday wear and campaign.
The kollet was as for the other ranks with the addition of French style rank insignia
worn on the left sleeve above the cuff.
Führer / Feldwebel Two diagonal stripes of gold or silver lace, according to button
colour, on a facing colour patch.
Sergent Single diagonal stripe of gold or silver lace, according to button
colour, on a facing colour patch.
Korporal Two diagonal stripes of facing colour wool.
Korporal-Quartiermeister Single diagonal stripe of gold or silver lace, according to button
colour on the upper left sleeve.
Although never officially sanctioned, by the end of 1812 many non-commissioned-

officers were wearing the rank stripes on both cuffs in the French manner. The
Führer officially wore the same kollet as the other ranks but is also depicted wearing
the long tailed officer style uniformrock but with the Führer’s sleeve insignia.
In 1810 the polearms for the NCOs were completely discarded and all were
ordered to be equipped and armed as for their company, the exception being the
feldwebels who were issued with the shorter carbine instead of the musket. The
Regiments-Führer was not armed with a longarm but retained the straight bladed
degen which was most commonly worn on a whitened leather shoulder belt and was
now the only NCO to have a sabre-strap which was gold or silver according to the
regimental metal colour. Pistols continued to be issued to the feldwebel and Führer
for campaign. The korporal had a cartridge pouch of the same pattern as the
company but sergents and feldwebels of the musketiere-kompagnien had the lid
decorated with a crowned brass entwined FA cipher badge. The cane of office was
officially discontinued in 1810 but it is likely that many of the older senior NCOs
continued to carry their canes as late as 1813.
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88
THE OFFICERS The officers of the line infantry regiments wore a bicorn hat
similar in appearance to that of the men but larger, of a more conventional size
which was trimmed at the upper edges with a band of gold or silver, fluted lace braid
according to the regimental button colour. The national cockade was predominantly
a white silk bow held with a gold or silver lace cockade-straps with silver or gilt
buttons but by 1806 rosette style white silk cockades had begun to make an
appearance and these were being commonly worn by 1809. The hat tighteners were
gold or silver cord and the pompons at the tips were white with a crimson centre for
all officers. For the Dienstuniform, the undress or service uniform officers wore a
hat of the same pattern but with or without a plain narrower metallic lace trim to
the edges and the hat is depicted without or without a cockade and cockade-strap.
The officers of the Grenadier-Kompagnien wore a bearskin bonnet of the same basic
style as the grenadiers for full parade dress and the bicorn hat for Dienstuniform.
The bearskin was of black fur with a regimental coloured calot with the cross silver
or gold lace and the cords and tassels gold or silver. The officers did not wear a ball
pompon and the cords were attached at the top of the calot with a twist of braid.
The plate at the front of the bearskin colour could be one of two patterns which do
not appear to have been specific to particular regiments. The first was of identical
pattern to that used by the men except that the plate was gilded sometimes with
the detail picked out in silver. A second style of plate which appears to have been
introduced around 1802 and was certainly worn during the 1809 campaign had an
enamelled central motif of the electoral cap above the arms of Poland and Saxony
on a crimson field with the FA cipher in silver below, all within a green wreath. A
new plate was authorised in 1806 with the electoral cap replaced with a royal crown,
however no surviving artefact of this pattern has been located and few if any may
have been purchased by officers in 1808-1809.
In 1810 the infantry officers of all ranks were ordered into a shako of the same
basic pattern as worn by the men with a gilded or silver-plated band around the
upper edge in the form of an inverted representation of the clover leaf coronet band
from the Saxon coat of arms. The front of the shako was decorated with a gilt or
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silvered crowned FAR cipher; the chinscales were gilded or silver plated and the
black lacquered peak was trimmed with a gilt or silvered edging. The shako cords
were silver or gold and the tall full dress plume, white for staff and musketiere-
Kompagnien officers and red for the grenadiers was attached with a gilt or silvered
tulip shaped socket. Officers did not wear company pompons but the tulip socket is
always shown attached to the shako. The national cockade was white silk and held
with a gold or silver cockade strap and regimental coloured button. Officially the
metalwork and decorations of the officer’s shako have been gold or silver according
to the regimental button colour, however some regiments with white buttons are
depicted with gold decorations to the officers’ shakos and so deviations may have
occurred to the rule. Another explanation for these anomalies is simply that officers
transferring from one regiment to another particularly in 1812-1813 would be
unlikely to go to the expense of purchasing a new set of shako ornaments and would
have continued to wear the original item. Officers were provided with a black oiled
canvas cover for the shako and these were commonly worn for all duties throughout
1813 and 1814 with the socket beneath giving the officer’s shako a distinctly
Germanic appearance. Officers were authorised to wear the bicorn hat for
Dienstuniform and walking out dress and these were of a more modern style from
1810 black felt with gold or silver tightener cords with a small tassel at the tip. The
national cockade was held with a large gold or silver braid cockade-strap and gilt or
silver-plated button.
The officer’s uniformrock worn from 1792 until 1809 was basically the same
style as worn by the men except that the cloth was of much finer quality with the
subsequent result that facing colours appeared much brighter, particularly the
crimson and yellows which could appear a deep pink or lemon yellow. All buttons
were gilded or silver plated and appear to have been embossed with the electoral
cap and FA cipher prior to 1806 and were gradually replaced with buttons stamped
with the royal crown after that date. The arrangement of the buttons on the lapels
appears to have varied either by regiment or the dictates of fashion; seven buttons
equally spaced as for the men was common, but the lapels are also depicted the
lower buttons in three distinct pairs and at least one example of a coat worn by an
Oberstleutnant of the Feld-Regiment von Niesemeuschel has only six large buttons
on each lapel. Officer’s uniforms were privately commissioned and purchased and
therefore small customised changes to detail would be quite common as fashions
changed. The officer’s stock was black velvet or silk and the fashion prevailed to
wear a white lace ruff at the throat although these were officially discontinued after
1806. The coat tails were somewhat narrower than those of the other ranks with
plain white turnbacks fastened with a gilt or silvered button and small horizontal
pockets with three points and three buttons. The officers of the Grenadier-
Kompagnien uniquely wore gold or silver full fringed epaulettes at the shoulders of
a common pattern with a fine fringe for all Kapitäns and Leutnants.
A second pattern of uniformrock had been authorised as early as 1765 for wear
as the Dienstuniform for everyday duties and campaign to save the expensive dress
uniform coat. The coat appeared in several variations between 1792 and 1809 and
was the most commonly worn uniform for officer on campaign during the period.
The coat was light grey and most commonly of a more modern cut than the dress
uniform, single breasted and closed with a single row of 8-10 plain silvered or gilded
buttons. The short upright collar and square-cut cuffs were of the regimental facing
colour and the long tails were cut-away with plain grey turnbacks fastened with a
button and had small vertical pockets with three points and three buttons. A
variation of the coat is depicted as being double breasted with two rows of buttons
and fuller skirts in the earlier years of the period and these may have still been in
90
use as late as 1802. The grenadier officers wore the same style of coat as field
uniform but without the epaulettes worn on the dress coat. In 1763 officers were
required to wear a gorget plate at the throat when on duty which was a large gilt
plate with a crimson velvet panel and a silver FA cipher and was often richly
embellished with silver scrolling. The orders of 1780 relegated this expensive item
to only being worn for full parade dress and later only for specific dress occasions at
which the elector or foreign rulers were present. By 1792 the fanciful gorget were
only worn every few years by most officers and by 1806 had fallen completely into
disuse by all officers except perhaps for the regimental inhaber and older officers
who already possessed one.
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With the new regulations of 1810 the officers received new modern style uniforms.
The new pattern uniformrock was similar in cut to the Spencer kollet worn by the
men but with longer tails extending to the rear of the knee. The coat was white with
regimental coloured facings on the collar, cuffs and lapels and white turnbacks piped
with the facing colour. The buttons were gilt or silver plated according to the
regimental button colour. The tails were now decorated with double pockets, a
vertical pocket at the inside of the tail with three points and three buttons and a
second, horizontal small pocket at the waist also with three points and three buttons,
both were piped with the regimental distinctive. The turnbacks were undecorated
for the officers of the Musketiere-Kompagnien and staff but had facing colour
grenade motifs for the officers of grenadiers. Rank was now shown by epaulettes
worn at the shoulders in a sequence based on the French system either gold or silver
according to the regimental metal colour.
Oberst Two full fringed epaulettes of gold/silver with heavy bullion

fringes
Oberstleutnant Two full fringed epaulettes of gold/silver with heavy bullion
fringes and the shoulder strap of reversed colour
Major Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with heavy bullion fringe
on left, contra epaulette on right
Kapitän Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with fine fringe on left,
contra epaulette on right.
Kapitän-Adjutant [12] Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with fine fringe on right,
contra epaulette on left.
Leutnant Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with fine fringe on left,
contra epaulette on right with a crimson stripe on the strap
Unterleutnant Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with fine fringe on left,
contra epaulette on right with two crimson stripes on the strap
NOTE: [12] After November 1813 the adjutant appears to have worn the epaulettes of his
substantive rank but with gold or silver aiguillettes worn at the right shoulder.
The 1810 sequence of epaulettes continued in use until 1815 although in 1814 there
appears to have been some move to unofficially introduce Prussian style epaulettes
with metallic crescents and facing coloured straps.
From 1810 officers were authorised to wear the Dienstuniform for all duties except
for parade and the uniform consisted of either the shako or bicorn hat with a steel-
grey double breasted uniformrock with long tails and two rows of eight buttons
closing the breast. The buttons and epaulettes were of the regimental metal colour
and the collar and square-cut cuffs were the regimental facing colour. Turnbacks
were steel-grey and without decoration and the tails had the same double pockets
as the dress coat which are depicted as piped with the regimental colour or plain.
The Dienstuniformrock was the most commonly worn coat after 1811 and in late
1813 replaced the white dress uniform coat completely in many units until new
uniforms were issued in 1815.
Officer’s gilets and breeches were white in 1792 and worn with white or black
over the knee gaiters with brass buttons for the junior company officers. Field
officers and staff officers were mounted and wore high over the knee cuffed riding
boots. All officers wore the sash of office when on duty which was silver silk worked
through with a crimson thread and mixed silver and crimson knot and tassels. The
regimental adjutant usually wore the sash over the right shoulder instead of at the
waist.
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In 1810 the waistsash was officially withdrawn and permission was granted for
officers to purchase and wear a gorget plate of the prescribed pattern, a gilded brass
crescent plate with a silver central motif of the Saxon arms within a wreath. Some
officers able to afford the extra cost had the badge picked out with enamels. The
gorget plates were officially withdrawn again in 1813 when the Saxons changed
allegiance and joined the Allies against the French.
The 1810 regulations prescribed white breeches worn with black leather knee
boots for parade and steel grey breeches for wear with the Dienstuniformrock. In
1811 prior to embarking for the Invasion of Russia, officers were authorised to wear
dark grey heavy twill overall trousers for campaign dress. Mounted field officers and
staff wore high cuffed riding boots.
The officer’s greatcoats prior to 1810 were commonly of the pattern introduced
about 1780 and were mid-grey and
double breasted with two rows of seven
regimental coloured buttons. The coat
had a deep fall collar of the regimental
facing colour and square cut facing
colour cuffs with two buttons vertically
at the trailing edge. The skirts were
mid-calf length and flared with a slit at
the rear for riding and there was a
vertical three pointed pocket with three
points and three button on each hip.
The coat had a slit at the left hip to
allow the sword to be accessed when
the coat was worn.
In 1810 a new greatcoat was

prescribed for the officers of infantry of
a more modern design based on that
being issued to French officers. The
coat was pewter grey and double
breasted with two rows of six or eight
brass or white metal buttons according
to the height of the wearer. The high
upright collar and deep Swedish cuffs
were coat colour and the coat had a
wide gusset and split at the rear so that
it could be worn when mounted. The
epaulettes of rank worn on the coat
were as for the uniformrock. When the
greatcoat was worn the sword belt was
worn over the coat either at the waist
or over the right shoulder.
In 1792 officers wore a whitened leather waist belt over the gilet and below the
sash which supported a straight bladed degen, or èpèe, with a gilded D hilt and ball
pommel. Swords were privately purchased by the individual officers or passed from
father to son and could be of varied but similar pattern, usually with a black leather
scabbard with gilded fittings and heel. The sabre-straps were mixed silver and
crimson as for the waist sash. All officers carried the traditional Malacca cane of
office with a silver or gold cap and cane-strap of mixed silver and crimson. Officially
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officers of the Musketier-Kompagnien were armed with the esponton with fanciful
engraved blade, often with gilt work but this ceased to be carried in the field in the
early 1790s; it was retained for formal parades until withdrawn 1806 but remained
part of the regulation arms until 1810. The officers of grenadiers were armed with
the short grenadier pattern carbine to which could be affixed a broad bladed bayonet
of the same style as the blade of the officers’ esponton. The carbine had brass
fittings and a bronzed barrel and a ‘reddened’ leather sling.
After 1810 the officer’s equipment changed very little. The officers of all
companies continued to be armed with the straight blade degen carried on a
whitened leather waistbelt which were now commonly of the pattern used by light
cavalry, narrow with a gilt S buckle for parade dress. For campaign a conventional
waistbelt was worn as before 1810 or the sword was carried on a shoulder belt over
the right shoulder of either white or black leather. The carbines were officially
withdrawn from the officers of the grenadier companies although some are recorded
as arming themselves with carbines during the 1812 and early 1813 campaigns. On
campaign most officers carried a pistol in a holster on the right hip suspended from
a narrow whitened leather strap.
95
The field officers and staff were mounted and the shabraques in 1792 appear to
have been of similar patterns for each line infantry regiment, a facing colour saddle
cloth with a squared front and slightly pointed rear corner trimmed with a wide gold
or silver lace edging, possibly a double band for the Oberst. The electoral cipher
appeared in the rear corner in gold or silver.
A new pattern of shabraque appears to have been authorised in 1802 and had
become the predominant style by 1806. The shabraque was of the regimental facing
colour with squared front and rear corners and edged with gold or silver lace piped
with the facing colour at the extreme edge. The Oberst, or possibly the Oberst-chef,
the Inhaber appears to have had an edging of a double band of gold or silver lace
piped the same with a heavy bullion fringe. The shabraque no longer had the
electoral or royal cipher decorating the corners. The 1802 pattern shabraque
appear to have been in use until 1815.
MUSICIANS Any official regulations that existed for the dress of the company
musicians prior to 1810 are unknown and contemporary illustrations of the uniforms
of drummers arte mostly restricted to a few background images in the wonderful
print by Carl Hess. As in many German armies of the late 18th century the musicians
appear to have been graded as junior non-commissioned-officers and wore the
distinctions associated with a korporal. The bicorn hat was trimmed with gold or
silver scalloped lace but the pompons on the hat tighteners were white with
regimental coloured centre. A bushy feather plume was worn on the hat of white
with facing colour tip. The grenadier drummers and fifers wore the same bearskin
bonnet as the men but with the addition of a white feather plume attached where
the pompon would have been fixed and angled to sweep down over the left side of
the bonnet. The drummers of the Schützen abteilung
The coat was of the same pattern as worn by the men the only distinction being
that ‘swallows-nest epaulettes were worn at the shoulders of white with a trim of
regimental facing colour and white lace depicted sometimes with a plain white
shoulder-strap and sometimes without a shoulder-strap. There is no accurate record
of the regimental lace patterns but these were commonly narrow white and facing
colour stripes, or diamond pattern, or chequered.
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97
The drummer’s gilet, breeches and gaiters were as for the men and the musicians
were armed with the same sabre-briquet as the company but were not issued with
muskets.
After 1810 the company and regimental musicians received mention in the new
dress regulations. The drummers wore the same style of shako was the company
without special distinctions. The only special distinction worn on the kollet was
swallows-nest epaulettes of white with a white bastion tipped shoulder-strap piped
with the regimental facing colour. The bottom edge of the epaulette was trimmed
with a band of regimental musician’s lace which was now of a standard pattern. The
lace was gold or silver according to the regimental metal colour with facing colour
piping at the top and bottom edges and a zig-zag line of black through the centre.
All other uniform details were as for the men.
The drum-carriages were

whitened leather but the
drummers were not issued
with an apron until 1810.
Drums were brass with the
hoops painted alternate
facing colour and white
diagonal stripes, although
the drummers of grenadiers
appear to have adopted a
fashion of using red and
white diagonal stripes
around 1806.
Prior to 1810 the regimental band was provided at the expense of the inhaber
and the regimental treasury and could vary in numbers from eight to twenty pieces
and sometimes included instrumentalists who could form a small chamber orchestra
for the regimental dances and functions. The uniform appears to have followed the
style worn by the company drummers except that the leading and bottom edge of
the collar, the edges of the lapels and the upper and trailing edges of the cuff were
trimmed with gold or silver embroidered lace. The shoulders of the coat were
decorated with swallows nest epaulettes edged with the gold or silver lace but
usually without a shoulder-strap. The gilet, breeches and gaiters were as for the
regiment and the musicians were armed with either the sabre-briquet or the NCO
pattern degen sword. The bandsmen were professional musicians and the band was
traditionally organised in the same manner as a civilian orchestra with the lead
musicians and the Musikmeister ranking as sergents.
In 1810 each of the existing eight regiments received a budget to employ a twenty
piece band including a Musikmeister, the bands accompanied the regiments on
campaign in 1812 and suffered the same fate as their regiment and most bands do
not appear to have been re-raised fully until 1815. The bandsmen appear to have
worn a plain black felt bicorn hat with gold or silver hat tighteners and small tassels
at the tips, a gold or silver cockade strap. The coat was in most respects the same
kollet as worn by the drummers but with silver or gold edging to the collar, cuffs
and lapels and white swallows nest epaulettes edged at the bottom with gold or
silver lace. A Musikmeister of the Infanterie-Regiment von Rechten, is shown by
Louis Braun in 1810 wearing a bicorn hat with embroidered silver lace trim, silver
tassels and a large silver cockade-strap below a tall red feather plume. The coat is
of similar cut to the long tailed uniformrock worn by officers with fluted silver lace
98
to the collar, upper and trailing edges of the cuffs and the upper and side edges of
the lapels. The lapel buttonholes are decorated with silver lace batons. The
shoulders of the coat are decorated with white swallows-nest epaulettes with silver
lace trim to the bottom edge and silver braid trefle epaulettes. The bandolier is
depicted as yellow with silver lace fringed edging and a large silver badge of the
crowned Saxon coat of arms on the breast above a silver drumstick plate. The
bandolier supports an infantry pattern sabre-briquet. Similar uniforms would have
been worn by the other regiment’s musicians.
ZIMMERLEUTE Very few details of the uniforms of the zimmerman, or regimental

pionnier, for the period before 1810 except that the grenadier style bearskin bonnet
appears to have been worn and the coat followed the style worn by the other ranks.
The only visible distinction was the leather apron worn over the gilet and beneath
the waistbelt, the leather gauntlets and the traditional woodsman’s axe. Aprons and
gauntlets appears to have been either whitened leather or buff leather, possibly for
parade or working uniform. Prior to 1810 beards do not appear to have been worn
but the sappers may have been
permitted the moustache.
From 1810 the Zimmermann wore the

same shako as the Musketiere or
Grenadiere-kompagnien without special
distinctions, although Courcelle depicts
a Zimmermann of the Infanterie-
Regiment Prinz Friedrich August in 1812
wearing a shako with a brown fur cover
and the red houpette pompon of the
grenadier company as part of the
Zimmerleute Abteilung of the Grenadier-
Bataillon von Liebenau. The traditional
full beard was now worn. The coat was
a kollet of the same pattern as worn by
the parent company with a crossed axe
badge beneath a crown worn on the left
upper sleeve only, in the regimental
facing colour. The Zimmermann’s apron
was white leather for parade and brown
leather for working dress and campaign
often with two small pockets at the front
and was worn over the coat held at the
waist be a wide whitened leather belt
with a brass buckle plate which
supported the grenadier pattern sabre.
The sapper was equipped with the
standard infantry issue pouch and
shoulder belt sometimes depicted with a
brass crossed axe badge on the lid and
was armed with the short grenadier
pattern carbine but no bayonet. The
woodsman’s axe was carried in a
whitened leather case on a shoulder belt
worn over the right shoulder.
99
REGIMENTAL ARTILLERY BATTERIES 1812 In 1811 as part of the

preparations for the Saxon army to join with the Grand Armée in the invasion of
Russia, each of the line infantry regiments was instructed to raise a regimental
artillery battery consisting of two 4 pdr guns. The artillery officer, a Leutnant or
Unterleutnant was provided by the artillery corps but the two NCOs and twenty
gunners were found from men seconded from the musketier companies and hastily
training to handle the small calibre guns and provide drivers and handlers for the
caissons and wagons. The officer appears to have worn the uniform of the artillery
regiment and the gunners continued to wear their infantry regimental uniforms with
the addition of a red band around the top of the shako and red shako cords. The
regimental artillery ceased to exist during the 1812 campaign and was not re-raised
in 1813.
SCHÜTZEN-BATAILLONEN and
LEICHTE-INFANTERIE-REGIMENTEN
ORGANISATION The light infantry of the Saxon Army had its origins in the
General Orders of 1793 issued as a response the noticeable lack of light infantry
skirmishers in the Saxon army during the early campaigns against the French. Each
Feld-Regimenten was required to raise a rifle armed Schützen-Abteilung with each
musketier-kompagnien providing one korporal and eight men to the detachment.
Two officers were found from volunteers from the Musketiere-Kompagnien and two
drummers were assigned to the section and given some instruction in basic drum
signals specific to the skirmishers. In 1800 the drummers of the Schützen-Abteilung
were ordered to be replaced with the halbmondbläser, or hornists but in reality the
drums were retained, horns issued to the drummers and the musicians instructed
to learn the required signal calls. Drums continued to be used on the march and in
camp but the horn was commonly used to transmit signals when skirmishing. The
‘scharfschützen’ remained part of their parent company in peacetime and were
detached to the regimental skirmisher section in the field.
At this point the effectiveness and tactical function of the Schützen-Abteilung was
at best questionable. Some limited training had been given to the chosen men in
open order and skirmish fighting on the battlefield with the skirmishers withdrawing
behind the rear rank of the battalion when in firing line, in two groups on the flanks
of their parent company drummers four on the right flank and six on the left. Whilst
the intention was that all Schützen-Abteilung should be trained as rifle armed
sharpshooters and the men were selected from the best shots in the regiment only
a total of 100 rifles were ordered from the Suhr gun factories. By the start of the
1809 campaign it is possible that less than 100 rifles in total had been delivered to
the army and most ‘scharfschützen’ were armed with the conventional musket and
bayonet issued to the line infantry, their value being in the training they had received
in skirmishing and their function being more akin to the Prussian füsiliers or French
light infantry.
100
From 1802 the Schützen-Abteilung from each Feld-Regiment were officially

organised into two independent battalions in wartime in a similar manner to the
grenadiers, however, this innovation had not been actioned in time for the 1806 and
1807 campaigns. On 18 May 1808 new amended orders were issued for the
organisation of the Schützen-Feld-Bataillonen and each infantry company was now
to provide one Korporal and ten Schützen to the Schützen-Feld-Bataillonen. In June
1809 under Bernadotte’s guidance the two battalions were re-organised as the
1.Leichte-Bataillon von Metzsch and the 2.Leichte-Bataillon von Egidy and any
surplus men from the re-organisation of the line infantry battalions were transferred
to the light infantry battalions bringing the strength up to four companies each of
175 men. Each Schützen-Feld-Bataillon consisted of four companies with a small
battalion staff and an official system of drum and horn signals was introduced for all
skirmishers. The depots of the Feld-Regimenter still in Saxony were authorised to
create new Schützen-Abteilung of one officer and 40 men which were detached
throughout 1809 to various garrisons and were known collectively as the ‘Schützen
der Sächsischen-Infanterie’ as part of the Mobile Defense Force charged with the
defence of the Saxon homelands and several saw service in skirmishes with the
Braunsweig ‘Schwarze-Schar’ in July 1809.
101
Schützen-Feld-Bataillonen / Leichte-Bataillon 1808-1809
Bataillons-Stabs
1 Major-Kommandant 1 Bataillons-quartiermeister
1 Bataillons-Adjutant 1 Feldscher
1 Stabsfeldsher

1 Kapitän or Premierleutnant 1 Premierleutnant
3 Halbmondbläser 3 Zimmermannen
150 Schützen
With the re-organisation of the Saxon Army in 1810 the two Leichte-Bataillonen
were enlarged and formed into two light infantry regiments the 1.Leichte-Infanterie-
Regiment ‘Le Coq’ and 2.Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment ‘von Sahr’. Each regiment
consisted of two battalions each of four companies numbered consecutively 1-8.
Leichte-Infanterie-Regimenten 1810-1813
Regiments-Stabs 1810-1814
2 Major 2 Adjutant
1 Auditeur 1 Regimentsquartiermeister
1 Regimentsfeldscher 1 Stabsquartiermeister
1 Stabsfeldsher 2 Stabs-Hornist
1 Propst 1 Stabs-Propst [1]
2 Büschenmacher
Kompagnie Establishment 1810-1813

1 Kapitän I.Klasse or Kapitän II.Klasse 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
2 Leutnant II.Klasse 1 Kompagnie-Feldscher [2]
1 Feldwebel 2 Sergent
1 Korporal-Quartiermeister 3 Hornist
2 Zimmerleute 180 Gemeiner Soldats (Paper strength)
NOTE: [1] The assistant provost (sergent) was eliminated in late 1813.
NOTE: [2] Each battalion had two assistant surgeons each of whom were responsible for the
welfare of two companies. In 1814 the company surgeons were re-assigned to the depot.
102
During the 1812 and 1813 campaigns as part of the Grand Armée the light
infantry regiments were assigned piecemeal to the Saxon brigades as support for
the line infantry and as part of the advance guard, a duty at which they excelled.
After the Battle of Leipsic and the defection of the Saxon army to the Allies the army
was re-organised for service with the Prussian army. The two Leichte-Infanterie-
Regimenten were restructured as the 1. & 2. Provisorisch-Leichte-Infanterie-
Regimenten each of eight companies in two battalions, however each battalion now
had only four weak companies with a paper strength of 151 men although this was
in reality closer to 100 in 1813. Trained and experienced officers and NCOs were at
a premium and virtually all companies accepted former officers and NCOs of other
German nationalities into their ranks in 1814 and the command structure of each
company was enhanced with the addition of four ‘Gefreite’ or under-corporals.
UNIFORMS SCHÜTZEN-ABTEILUNG 1793-1809 Prior to the creation of the

Leichte-Infanterie-Bataillonen in 1810, the Schützen-Abteilung which comprised the
Schützen-Feld-Bataillonen and the Leichte-Bataillon, wore the same uniform as their
parent regiment the only distinguishing feature being the green plume worn on the
bicorn hat. The Schützen-Feld-Bataillonen were formed as required at the
commencement of a campaign and stood down when no longer needed and the men
returned to their regiments and no records have been found of the regimental
component parts of the battalions although logically these would probably have been
drawn from the regiments of the same division.
UNIFORMS LEICHTE-INFANTERIE-REGIMENTEN 1810-1814
HEADGEAR: The first official uniforms were ordered for the light infantry
regiments as part of the orders of 1 May 1810 and these appear to have been
actioned with remarkable promptness both regiments receiving their new uniforms
by the autumn of that year. Both regiments received the same pattern shako as
worn by the line infantry with black leather trim to the upper edge, a black leather
tightener strap at the base and black leather versteifen at the sides. The national
cockade was white and held with a yellow leather cockade-strap and brass button.
The front of the shako was decorated with a brass plate in the shape of a crowned
heraldic shield embossed with a bugle horn and the regimental number in Roman
numerals. The chinscales were brass with plain round bosses.
103
For full parade dress the light infantry wore dark green cords and flounders until
these were officially discontinued in 1813 and a tall green feather plume. For
everyday dress and campaign the plume was replaced with a houpette pompon of
green with a red tuft, although plain green ball pompons were also worn during the
1812 campaign. For campaign and foul weather the shako was protected with a
black oiled canvas cover usually with the pompon worn outside and often with the
regimental number painted on the front of the cover in white or yellow in Roman
numerals. After Leipsic the 1. & 2. Provisorisch-Leichte-Infanterie-Regimenten
were issued with any replacement shakos that could be acquired quickly and to
disguise the lack of uniformity the shako covers became the normal order of dress
at all times throughout late 1813 and during 1814 until new shakos were issued in
1815.
In 1810 the initial pattern of feldmutz appears to have been a dark forest green
stocking cap with red piping and tassel, sometimes depicted with the regimental
number on the front of the headband. In 1813 a new feldmutz was authorised of
distinctly German style similar to that worn by the Prussian army a dark forest green
round hat piped red with a black headband piped red, often with the tricolour
national cockade at the front of the crown. The cap was fitted with a narrow black
leather chin-strap.
COAT There appears to have been a measure of misperception over the style of
coat prescribed for the light infantry regiments in May 1810, some 19th century
artists confusing the details of the very similar light infantry and Jäger-Korps
uniforms of the period. The original orders of dress do appear to have specified a
coat of the same pattern as worn by the line infantry of the ‘Spencer’ style with
lapels, however the pattern of tunic actually issued in the summer of 1810 was
different. The coat was a dark forest green double breasted kollet similar in style to
that worn by the
Prussian army with two
rows of brass buttons
on the breast. The
buttons were of a plain
domed pattern
embossed with the
regimental number I or
II in Roman numerals.
The high upright collar
was closed at the throat
and was black piped
with red at the upper,
leading and bottom
edges and the cuffs
were of the square-cut
pattern and black with
the upper and trailing
edges piped red and
two button, one on the
cuff actual and one
above. The short tails had double turnbacks or dark forest green piped red and were
decorated with red bugle horn motifs. The leading edges of the front of the coat
were piped red and the bastion tipped shoulder-straps were dark forest green piped
red, although Knötel shows these as being black piped red and the cuffs as being
pointed in 1812.
104
105
106
BREECHES,ETC Breeches were dark grey with a line of red piping on the outer
seam and on the centre seam at the crotch of the
garment. The front of the breeches were decorated with
small red lace spearheads. Gaiters were of the short calf
length pattern and black with brass buttons and light
grey overall trousers were issed for the feldanzug, or
campaign uniform, In 1813 the overall trousers were
being worn for all orders of dress and the grey trousers
gave way to cheap white cotton or linen trousers for the
1. & 2. Provisorisch-Leichte-Infanterie-Regimenten after
Leipsic.
The greatcoat was of the same pattern issued to the

line infantry regiments; dark grey wool and double
breasted with two rows of eight brass buttons on the
breast. The high upright collar was closed at the throat
and was coat coloured decorated with a tab of black piped
red with a pointed rear tip with a brass button. The coat
had two bastion tipped shoulder-straps of dark grey. The
greatcoats issued to the re-formed provisional regiments
in 1813 were of a variety of styles and patterns, Saxon
1810 pattern great coats from the regimental stores,
French and Austrian garments, of various shades of grey,
beige or brown and some soldiers are recorded wearing
civilian overcoats in late 1813.
EQUIPMENT The Leichte-Infanterie-Regimenten were equipped and armed

basically in the same manner as the line infantry the main difference being that all
belting was blackcleather instead of white. In 1810 the Saxon army received a
considerable number of captured Austrian muskets of the m.1784 and m.1795
patterns the latter being probably the best quality musket of the day and these were
distributed in almost equal quantities with the m.1809 Saxon musket. Following
the 1812 campaign a dire shortage of weapons led to the re-raised regiments being
issued with a mixture of 1763, 1809 Saxon muskets, Austrian m.1795 and some
French m.1777 muskets, mostly of Italian manufacture in early 1813. By the end
of 1813 the Provisorisch-Leichte-Infanterie Regimenten were armed mostly with
Austrian m.1795 or later model Saxon muskets. The musket slings are shown as
both reddened leather or more commonly after 1812 of black leather.
In 1810 the light infantry were issued with the new Prussian style ‘Messer’ sword
with a slightly curved blade, cross bar hilt and brass handle with either a brass or
wooden grip, although some m. 1802
Musketiere-säbel were issued with a single
bar brass hilt and a broad heavy straight
blade. After 1813 the reformed battalions
of 1813 appear to have mostly been issued
with the m.1802 Saxon sabre or French
manufactured infantry sabre-briquets. The
sabre-scabbards could be either black or
brown leather with brass fittings and heel
and the sabre and bayonet were carried in
a twin frog on the belt worn over the right
shoulder.
107
The light infantry pouch was of the same pattern as that used by the line infantry
regiments with a shaped lid decorated with a brass bugle horn badge and a black
leather shoulderbelt. The back packs were of the same patterns as used by the line
infantry except that the straps and shoulder-straps were black leather.
OFFICERS & NCOs In 1810 the non-commissioned-officers of the Saxon army

adopted rank insignia similar to those worn by the French army. The shako was
trimmed at the top with a band of either brass a single wide single band for the
sergent and korporal and a double band for the feldwebel. By 1812 the metal band
had been found to be impractical, making the shako top heavy and likely to fall off
when skirmishing in the decoration was changed to gold lace for the senior grades
and yellow lace for the korporal. The shako cords were as for the company, green
for the company NCOs, the regimental Führer having gold cords and flounders. The
shako was decorated with a tall green plume with a black tip for parade dress and a
pompon for Dienstuniform and Feldanzug, which could be either a plain black ball
shaped pompon or of the houpette style dark green with a black tuft.
worn on the left sleeve above the cuff.
Führer / Feldwebel Two diagonal stripes of gold lace, on a red patch.
Sergent Single diagonal stripe of gold lace, on a red patch.
Korporal Two diagonal stripes of red wool.

Korporal-Quartiermeister Single diagonal stripe of gold lace on the upper left sleeve.
Although never officially sanctioned, by the end of 1812 many non-commissioned-

officers were wearing the rank stripes on both cuffs in the French manner. The
Führer officially wore the same kollet as the other ranks but is also depicted wearing
the long tailed officer style uniformrock but with the Führer’s sleeve insignia.
In 1810 the light infantry officers of all ranks were ordered into a shako of the
same basic pattern as worn by the men with a gilded band around the upper edge
in the form of an inverted representation of the clover leaf coronet band from the
Saxon coat of arms. The front of the shako was decorated with a gilt crowned FAR
cipher; the chinscales were gilded and the black lacquered peak was trimmed with
a gilded brass. The shako cords were silver and the tall full dress plume, white for
staff officers and dark green for the company officers attached with a gilt tulip
shaped socket. Officers did not wear company pompons but the tulip socket is
always shown attached to the shako. The national cockade was white silk and held
with a gold cockade strap and gilded button. Officers were provided with a black
oiled canvas cover for the shako and these were commonly worn for all duties
throughout 1813 and 1814 with the socket beneath giving the officer’s shako a
distinctly Germanic appearance. Officers were authorised to wear the bicorn hat for
Dienstuniform and walking out dress of black felt with gold tightener cords with a
small tassel at the tip. The national cockade was held with a large gold braid
cockade-strap and gilt button.
The officer’s pattern uniformrock was similar in cut to the kollet worn by the men
but with longer tails extending to the rear of the knee. The coat was dark forest
green with the collar was black piped red at the upper, bottom and leading edges
108
and cuffs were square-cut and black with red piping at the upper and trailing edges
with two buttons, one on the cuff actual and one above. The tails were decorated
with double pockets, a vertical pocket at the inside of the tail with three points and
three buttons and a second, horizontal small pocket at the waist also with three
points and three buttons, both were piped with red. The turnbacks were dark forest
green with red piping and were decorated with gold buglehorn motifs. Rank was
shown by epaulettes in the same sequence as worn by the line infantry regiments.
Oberst Two full fringed epaulettes of gold with heavy bullion fringes
Oberstleutnant Two full fringed epaulettes of gold with heavy bullion fringes
and the shoulder strap silver
Major Full fringed epaulette of gold with heavy bullion fringe on left,
contra epaulette on right
Kapitän Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on left, contra
epaulette on right.
Kapitän-Adjutant [3] Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on right, contra
epaulette on left.
Leutnant Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on left, contra
epaulette on right with a crimson stripe on the strap
Unterleutnant Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on left, contra
epaulette on right with two crimson stripes on the strap
NOTE: [3] After 1813 the adjutant appears to have worn the epaulettes of his substantive rank
but with gold aiguillettes worn at the right shoulder.
109
with metallic crescents and red straps. The gorget was of the same pattern
authorised for the line infantry officers.
The 1810 dress regulations appear to have made provision for officers to wear a
Dienstuniform consisting of either the shako or bicorn hat with a steel-grey double
breasted uniformrock with long tails and two rows of eight buttons closing the breast.
There is no evidence either from surviving artifacts or contemporary illustrations to
indicate that the grey coats were ever actually worn officers of the light infantry for
the period 1810-1814 always being depicted wearing the green coat.
The officer’s Paradeanzug breeches were dark forest green with a line of gold
piping on the outer seam and a gold Hungarian knot on the thighs and were worn
with black leather Hessian boots with shaped tops and gold lace trim and tassels.
For Dienstuniform dark green breeches were worn with plain topped knee boots. In
1811 prior to embarking for the Invasion of Russia, officers were authorised to wear
dark grey heavy twill overall trousers for campaign dress. Mounted field officers and
staff wore high cuffed riding boots on campaign. The greatcoat prescribed for the
officers of light infantry was of the same pattern as worn by the line infantry officers.
The coat was pewter grey and double breasted with two rows of six or eight brass
buttons according to the height of the wearer. The high upright collar was black
piped red and the deep Swedish cuffs were coat colour. The coat had a wide gusset
and split at the rear so that it could be worn when mounted. The epaulettes of rank
worn on the coat were as for the uniformrock. When the greatcoat was worn the
sword belt was worn over the coat either at the waist or over the right shoulder.
The officers were armed with the curved light infantry pattern sabre with single
bar brass hilt and black leather scabbard with gilt heel and fittings and silver and
crimson sabre-strap. The sabre was carried on a black leather waistbelt edged with
gold lace which were now commonly
of the pattern used by light cavalry,
narrow with a gilt S buckle. On
campaign most officers carried a
pistol in a holster on the right hip
suspended from a narrow black
leather strap.
The field officers and staff were

mounted and the shabraque was of
the light cavalry style with rounded
front and pointed rear corners and
dark forest green with a black dog-
tooth edging piped gold at the inner
and outer edge. The shabraque is
usually depicted with a black leather
rubbing patch beneath the knee and
the harness and girth were black with
brass fittings and buckles.
MUSICIANS The drummers and hornists of the light infantry wore the same
basic shako as the other ranks the drummers having a dark green plume and cords
110
and the hornists are usually

depicted with either a red
plume with a dark green
base quarter or a dark green
plume with a red tip. The
drummer’s kollet was
identical to that worn by the
men except that the
shoulders were decorated
with dark green epaulettes
with red crescents. The
hornists appear to have
worn the same although
some modern sources show
swallows-nest epaulettes of
dark green edged with red
with a dark green shoulder-
strap piped red, however
this is not confirmed by
contemporary sources.
The drum apron and

carriage were black leather
with a brass drumstick plate
and horns were brass with
mixed dark green and red
cords and tassels. Drums
were brass and are depicted
with either plain black hoops
or the rims painted with
alternate black and red
diagonal stripes.
The battalion Stabs-

hornist wore the same uniform as the company hornists except that the plume was
red with a black base quarter and the upper edge trimmed with yellow lace and the
korporal’s stripes were worn on the left sleeve.
ZIMMERLEUTE The Zimmermann of the light infantry regiments wore the same
basic uniform as the men except that a red crossed axe and crown badge was worn
on the upper left sleeve. The sapper wore the traditional full beard and carried the
woodsman’s axe which was equipped with a black leather case and shoulder belt.
All other equipment was as for the other ranks except that the Zimmermann was
armed with the short carbine instead of the musket and did not receive a bayonet.
The traditional carpenter’s apron was white for parade dress and tanned hide for
working dress and campaign. The light infantry zimmerleute were normally formed
into a section and attached to the head of column on the march, returning to their
parent companies when in camp. On the battlefield the sappers formed part of the
guard for the regimental train and headquarters.
111
JÄGERKORPS 1809-1814
ORGANISATION The Jägerkorps was formed on 31 August 1809 by the
Königshof Erste Meisterjäger, von Preuss, the First Royal Court Master Huntsman,
as a volunteer company although from the outset it was part of the regular army.
Recruits were found exclusively from huntsmen and gamekeepers from the estates
of the nobility and were enlisted for an eight year term of service at the end of which
they were assured a position with the Königs Forstwirtschaft und Jagd Korps, the
Royal Corps of Hunters and Foresters. Each jäger was provided with a uniform by
the state and sufficient lead to cast his own bullets and practice as a sharpshooter
daily, but was required to supply his own rifle, and a sword and pack which could be
purchased from the corps commissariat from stocks of swords and other equipment
captured during the 1809 Austrian campaign. Command of the corps was given to
Kapitän (later major) von Carlowitz who commenced assembling and testing suitable
candidates at Dresden although the company was not equipped and ready for
presentation to the king until June 1810. The Jägerkorps was considered from the
outset to be an elite company and was attached to the garrison at Dresden and took
no part in the 1812 campaign in Poland and Russia but was attached to the Leib-
Grenadier-Garde-Bataillon as part of Generalmajor von Mellentin’s brigade in May
1813 serving with some distinction until it returned as part of the defensive force at
Dresden following the Battle of Leipsic. In November 1814 the Jägerkorps was
expanded to full battalion strength of four companies and was retitled the Jäger-
Bataillon and existed as in independent unit until late 1815 when the battalion
became part of the reformed Leichte-Infanterie-Regiment.
Jägerkorps 1810-1814
1 Major-Kommandant (From May 1810) 1 Kapitän

1 Leutnant I.Klasse 2 Leutnant II.Klasse
1 Feldwebel 1 Kompagnie-Feldscher
1 Sergent 11 Ober-jäger
3 Signalisten (Hornist-Signallers) [4] 2 Waldhornists [4]
1 Musika [4] 1 Stabs-Quartiermeister (Sergent)
100 Jägers 2 Führwesen Soldaten
NOTE: [4] The Signalisten were hornists, one assigned to each officer to transmit orders to the
company in the field. The two Waldhornists were musicians played the ‘Waldhorn’ a large
instrument which had no practical function in the field except perhaps that its deep tones could
be heard at long distances. The additional musician played the Serpent, the three probably
forming some kind of musical ensemble at parades.
HEADGEAR Virtually nothing is known about any uniforms actually worn by the
Jagerkorps between August 1809 and June 1810 the rather oblique contemporary
references stating that the company was to be ‘be dressed as infantry’. Given the
time taken to assemble the company it is likely that uniforms were not issued until
early 1810 and that the Jagerkorps would have received the uniform specified in
the 1810 dress regulations from the outset.
The headwear was a shako of the same style as issued to the light infantry of
black felt with black leather trim to the upper edge, a black leather tightener strap
at the base and black leather versteifen at the sides. The front of the shako was
decorated with a large, brass buglehorn badge and the chinscales were brass with
112
plain round bosses. The national cockade was fastened with a narrow yellow leather
cockade-strap with a brass button and a tall dark green feather plume and white
cords and flounders were worn for parade. A dark green pompon was worn on the
shako for campaign and in 1813 a black oiled canvas cover was worn with the brass
buglehorn badge pinned to the outside at the front although Herbert Knötel depicts
the cover as being of green canvas in his plate for the Uniformenkunde series. The
feldmutz is also depicted in the same illustration as being of the round later style
and dark green with red piping and a black headband with red piping, identical to
that worn by the light infantry.
COAT The Jagerkorps received a kollet of the same Spencer pattern as the line
infantry regiments with short tails and plastron lapels closed to the waist. The coat
was dark forest green with a dark forest green collar piped red with a black tab at
the leading edge piped red and pointed at the rear and decorated with a brass
button. The lapels were dark forest green piped red with seven brass buttons which
appear to have been embossed with a crowned buglehorn motif. Again, Herbert
Knötel’s plate depicts a deviation giving only six buttons on the lapels, five at the
sides and one at the shoulder point but this is not verified by other sources. The
cuffs were pointed and black with red piping at the upper and trailing edges and two
buttons, one on the cuff actual and one above. The tails of the coat had double
turnbacks of apple green piped with red and decorated with yellow bugle horn motifs
on a red patch. The tails were decorated with vertical three pointed pockets piped
red with three buttons.
The bastion tipped
shoulder-straps were
dark forest green piped
red.
BREECHES,ETC The
full dress breeches were
dark grey with a line of
red piping on the outer
seam and red spearhead
laces on the front of the
breeches and were worn
with black mid-calf length
gaiters with brass
buttons. Plain
undecorated breeches
were worn for everyday
wear and white or light
grey overall trousers
were issed for the
feldanzug, or campaign
uniform.
The greatcoat was of the same pattern issued to the light infantry regiments;
dark grey wool and double breasted with two rows of eight brass buttons on the
breast. The high upright collar was closed at the throat and was coat coloured
decorated with a tab of black piped red with a pointed rear tip with a brass button.
The coat had two bastion tipped shoulder-straps of dark grey.
113
EQUIPMENT The Jägerkorps were armed with rifles which the former huntsmen
had to provide and so the company had a variety of civilian and military weapons
including a quantity of Austrian jäger rifles from captured stores taken during the
1809 campaign. In 1814 when the unit was increased to battalion strength by
general conscription the jägers were uniformly issued with military pattern rifles of
Prussian or Austrian origin. No bayonets were officially issued for the rifles in 1810
but those jägers armed with Austrian military rifles may have had the issue sword
bayonet instead of the sabre. Each jäger was required to acquire a sabre-briquet, a
cartridge pouch and a pack at his own expense. Sabres appear to have been mostly
of the 1810 ‘Messer’ pattern with brass cross bar hilt and brass handle with a wooden
grip, and brown leather scabbard with brass fittings carried on a black leather belt
over the right shoulder. The cartridge pouch and belt were black leather and was of
the standard Saxon infantry pattern with shaped lid and is usually described as
having a brass bugle horn badge on the lid. The common pattern of packs were of
captured Austrian pattern, brown hide and carried on a brown leather strap over the
right shoulder to hang on the left hip. The jägers were equipped with a powder flask
of personal choice often of horn, brass or wood usually carried on a green cord.
OFFICERS & NCOs In 1810 the non-commissioned-officers of the Saxon army

adopted rank insignia similar to those worn by the French army. The shako was
trimmed at the top with a band of gold lace for the senior grades and yellow lace for
the korporal. The shako cords were white as for the company, the shako was
decorated with a tall green plume with a black tip for parade dress and a pompon
for Dienstuniform and Feldanzug, which could be either a plain black ball shaped
pompon or of the houpette style dark green with a black tuft. Again Herbert Knötel
differs in detail and shows a dark green plume tipped white. The kollet was as for
the other ranks with the addition of French style rank insignia worn on the left sleeve
above the cuff.
Feldwebel Two diagonal stripes of gold lace, on a red patch.
Sergent Single diagonal stripe of gold lace, on a red patch.
Ober-jäger Single diagonal stripe of red wool

Stabs-Quartiermeister Single diagonal stripe of gold lace on the upper left sleeve.
In 1810 the Jägerkorps officers were ordered into a shako of the same basic
pattern as worn by the men with a gold lace band around the upper The front of the
shako was decorated with a gilt crowned FAR cipher; the chinscales were gilded
and the black lacquered peak was trimmed with a gilded brass. The shako cords
were silver and the tall full dress plume, white the Major-Kommandant and dark
green for the company officers attached with a gilt tulip shaped socket. Officers did
not wear company pompons but the tulip socket is always shown attached to the
shako. The national cockade was white silk and held with a gold cockade strap and
gilded button. Officers were provided with a black oiled canvas cover for the shako
and these were commonly worn for all duties throughout 1813 and 1814 with the
socket beneath giving the officer’s shako a distinctly Germanic appearance. Officers
wore the bicorn hat for Dienstuniform and walking out dress of black felt with gold
tightener cords with a small tassel at the tip. The national cockade was held with a
large gold braid cockade-strap and gilt button.
114
115
The officer’s pattern uniformrock was similar in cut to the Spencer kollet worn by
the men but with longer tails extending to the rear of the knee. The coat was dark
forest green with a dark forest green collar piped red with a black tab at the leading
edge piped red and pointed at the rear. The black tab was decorated with two
horizontal batons of oakleaf embroidered lace with a small button at the rear tip.
The lapels were dark forest green piped red with seven gilt buttons which appear to
have been embossed with a crowned buglehorn motif. The cuffs were pointed and
black with red piping at the upper and trailing edges and two buttons, one on the
cuff actual and one above. The tails of the coat had double turnbacks of apple green
piped with red and decorated with gold bugle horn motifs on a red patch. The tails
were decorated with double pockets, a vertical pocket at the inside of the tail with
three points and three buttons and a second, horizontal small pocket at the waist
also with three points and three buttons, both were piped with red. Rank was shown
by epaulettes in the same sequence as worn by the light infantry regiments.
epaulette on right.
The officer’s Paradeanzug breeches were white and were worn with black leather
Hessian boots with shaped tops and gold lace trim and tassels. For Dienstuniform
dark green breeches were worn with plain topped knee boots and dark grey heavy
twill breeches may have been worn for campaign in 1813.
The greatcoat prescribed for the officers of the Jägerkorps was of the same
pattern as worn by the light infantry officers. The coat was pewter grey and double
breasted with two rows of six or eight brass buttons according to the height of the
wearer. The high upright collar was pewter grey with a black tab piped red and the
deep Swedish cuffs were coat colour. The coat had a wide gusset and split at the
rear so that it could be worn when mounted. The epaulettes of rank worn on the
coat were as for the uniformrock. When the greatcoat was worn the sword belt was
worn over the coat either at the waist or over the right shoulder.
The officers were armed with the curved light infantry pattern sabre with single
bar brass hilt and black leather scabbard with gilt heel and fittings and silver and
crimson sabre-strap. The sabre was carried on a black leather waistbelt covered with
gold lace which had a large square gilt buckle plate either the royal coat-of-arms
picked out in silver. As part of the parade uniform the officers wore a gold laced
pouchbelt which supported a small light cavalry style cartridge pouch of black leather
with gold lace edging. On campaign most officers carried a pistol in a holster on the
right hip suspended from a narrow black leather strap and the sabrebelt was plain
black leather and usually worn over the right shoulder.
The Kommandant was mounted and the shabraque was of the infantry style with
squared front and rear corners and was dark forest green with a wide gold lace
edging piped forest green at the extreme outer edge.
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MUSICIANS The Signalisten, hornists

of the Jägerkorps were dressed in an
almost identical fashion to the jägers,
except that the shako was decorated with
a dark green plume with a white tip making
the signaller easy to identify by the officer
when skirmishing.
The coat was of the same pattern kollet

as the jägers but with a grass green band
around the upper sleeve piped red giving
the appearance of a swallows-nest
epaulette from the side. Some modern
sources do in fact state that swallows nest
epaulettes of dark green with the grass
green and red trim were in fact worn at the
shoulders in 1813-1814. The Signalisten
were issued with a normal Jagdhorn, of
brass with yellow or mixed yellow and red
cords. As far as can be ascertained the
two Waldhornists and the musician who
played the serpent were dressed in a like
manner.
THE GARNISON & HALBINVALIDENKOMPAGNIEN

ORGANISATION The four companies of veterans were part of the Saxon
regular army and consisted of the Garnisonskompagnien zu Königstein, who
provided a permanent garrison for the fortress of Königstein, and three traditionally
titled 1 - 3 Halbinvalidenkompagnien who found the garrisons for the fortresses
and military prisons at Waldheim, Liebenwerda, and Colditz respectively. All four
companies were found from veteran or ‘invalid’ soldiers drawn from the line infantry
regiments who were fit for sedentary duties but were not considered fully able to
discharge full ‘marching duties’ in the field. All companies were ‘top heavy’ with older
soldiers awaiting discharge and had numerous supernumerary elderly officers and
NCOs attached to the payroll who were almost permanently furloughed. The duties
of the companies in peacetime were not onerous and consisted mainly of penal guard
duties at the major fortresses and in time of war the companies provided part of the
‘home defence’ force.
In theory the Garnisonskompagnien zu Königstein had a peacetime establishment

of the same strength as a company of line infantry with the addition of a staff
provided for the administration of the fortress, however in time of war the company
could be expanded almost exponentially with men seconded from the line infantry
as ‘unfit’, expanding the strength of the defensive forces; in 1809 the unit was
enhanced by the addition of twelve officers and close to four hundred and fifty extra
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men sent home from the infantry regiments following Bernadotte’s re-organisation
of the field army in June 1809.
Garnisonskompagnien zu Königstein (Audit of January 1810)
Festungs-stabs (Permanent Fortress Staff at Königstein)

1 Festungs-Kommandant (Generalmajor) 1 Oberstleutnant (Deputy Commandant)
1 Schlieβkapitän (Captain of the Guard) 1 Garnisonmedicus
1 Garnisonprediger (Chaplain) 1 Garnisonchirurg
1 Auditor 1 Festungswachtmeister
1 Kantor (Choirmaster) 1 Festungsquartiermeister
3 Meisterhandwerker Brunnenstreiger (Well Builder), Feuermauerkeher (Chimney sweep),
Zimmermann (Master Carpenter)
Garnisonskompagnie
1 Kapitän 1 Leutnant I Klasse
2 Leutnant II Klasse 1 Fähnrich
1 Feldwebel (from 1813) 4 Sergent (3 from 1813)
1 Kompagnie-quartiermeister 1 Kompagnie-Feldscher
10 Zimmerleute [1] 1 Propst
156 Soldaten 1 Unter-Propst (Clerk)
NOTE: [1] The Zimmerleute do not appear on the garrison returns prior to 1802 and appear to
have only been raised around 1809 and disbanded again in 1811. There is some doubt as to
whether the sappers ever existed except on paper as their function in a sedentary company was
redundant. One possible explanation is that the garrison was provided with a section of
carpenters/masons for maintenance of the buildings as all other military units had only 2 sappers
per company and that these men have been incorrectly or even fraudulently accounted for as part
of the military budget a common enough occurrence in the Saxon army.
Likewise the Halbinvalidenkompagnien stood at approximately half company

strength in peacetime but could also be expanded if required to guard potentially
large numbers of deserters or prisoners of war. From about 1802 the units were
brought up to roughly full company strength utilising many of the veteran soldiers
who had ended their term of service with the regular regiments at the end of the
war with France. The companies remained basically unchanged until 1814 when the
2. Halbinvalidenkompagnien (Liebenwerda) was disbanded.
Halbinvalidenkompagnien 1 – 3
1 Kapitän-Kommandant 1 Leutnant I Klasse
2 Leutnant II Klasse 1 Fähnrich (Until 1810)
1 Feldwebel (from 1813) 4 Sergent (3 from 1813)
1 Kompagnie-quartiermeister 1 Kompagnie-Feldscher
8 Korporal (10 from 1813) 4 Trommler
1 Steckenknecht (Hostler) 1 Propst
96 Soldaten (156 from 1810) 1 Unter-Propst (Clerk)
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THE UNIFORMS The uniform worn by all four companies between 1792 and
1809 appears to have remained virtually unchanged from the late 1770s and was
identical for both the Garnisonskompagnien zu Königstein and the three
Halbinvalidenkompagnien. The hat was an infantry pattern bicorn hat of black felt
with white tape edging and the hat tightener pompons were white with crimson
centres for all companies. The ‘regimental’ pompon worn on the hat was white with
a black centre. The coat was a white frock coat cut like the ‘kittel’ a form of overcoat
which was worn instead of the uniformrock. The coat was closed with a double row
of eight white metal buttons and was generally worn with the skirts turned back and
fastened with a button at the tips to allow the wearer free access to the sabre except
in foul weather. The fall collar and the deep Swedish cuffs were black, the cuffs
having two buttons vertically at the training edge. There was no shoulder-strap as
the garrison companies were not expected to wear the pouchbelt or serve in the
field. Around 1808 a proposal was made to issue the other ranks of the companies
with the same style of uniformrock as worn by the light infantry but the cost was
considered unwarranted and the antiquated coats continued to be worn in 1810.
The gilet and breeches were white and worn with high over the knee black gaiters
with brass buttons. The garrison and invalid companies were armed with an infantry
pattern sabre, usually of one of the old 18th century patterns which was carried on
the infantry pattern waistbelt in a brown leather scabbard. Muskets were not issued
to the companies for normal duties as soldiers guarding prisoners were forbidden to
carry firearms. Muskets were only issued in the event that the companies were
required to participate in the defense of the fortress.
The non-commissioned-officers wore the same scalloped lace, of silver, on the

hat as the line infantry and cane straps and sabre-straps were as for the line infantry
of mixed white/silver and black. The officers wore the same basic uniform as those
119
of the line regiments, the hat was trimmed with silver lace and a white bow cockade
with silver cockade-strap and the hat tightener pompons were white and crimson.
The coat was the same style of uniformrock as worn by the line infantry officers,
white with white metal buttons and black facings on the collar, lapels and cuffs. All
other details were as for the officers of infantry.
The Garnisonskompagnien zu Königstein and the three Halbinvalidenkompagnien

were ordered into new uniforms in line with the line infantry in 1810 although they
appear to have not received these until 1811. The bicorn was officially replaced with
a shako of the same pattern as worn by the line infantry but without shako cords or
plume and a plain white carrot shaped pompon was worn by all units but the bicorn
appears to have been retained for wear inside the fortresses probably for practical
reasons as late as 1813. The coat was the same style kollet as worn by the light
infantry regiments, double breasted and closed with two rows of white metal buttons
and had collar and cuffs black and the turnbacks were white without piping.
Breeches were white and continued to be worn with the high over the knee gaiters.
The non-commissioned-officers and officers wore the same distinctions as those

of the infantry with all rank lace silver on a black patch for the senior NCOs and
black wool for the korporals. Officer’s epaulettes were silver. Officers appear to
have worn the same style of grey Dienstuniform coat as the line infantry officers
with black facings and white metal buttons.
No details have been found for the uniforms of the company drummers but these
would probably have followed the same distinctions as worn by the line infantry with
silver lace trim to the headwear and swallows nest epaulettes with black and silver
lace edging probably of the same wavy line style as used by the line infantry from
1810.
BÜRGER-NATIONALGARDE ZU DRESDEN 1809-1814

ORGANISATION As the capital and royal residence of the Electors and Kings of
Saxony since 1520 the City of Dresden was guarded by a large garrison of guard
and regular troops billetted in the city and at the huge barracks at Neustadt-
Dresden. A military governor and staff was appointed in 1790 to manage the
military presence at the city and at Neustadt.
Stabs-Militär zu Dresden 1802
1 Gouverneur und Oberkommandant zu Dresden und Neustadt

1 Kommandant zu Neustadt (Generalmajor) 1 Gouverneursadjutant
1 Platzmajor 1 Stadtmajor
1 Platzadjutant 1 Auditeur
1 Gouverneurssekretär 1 Garnison-Prediger
3 Miliz Ausbilder (Militia Training Officers) 1 Militar-Sactuarius (Chaplain)
1 Militär-Gerichtswaibel (Military Lawyer) 1 Gouverneurscopisten (Governors Clerks)
120
In 1809, nervous that an Austrian army might reach Dresden, King Friedrich
August authorised a volunteer militia or Nationalgarde to be raised from citizens of
Dresden as a defensive force should the city be attacked as the Saxon homelands
had been almost totally stripped of regular army units for service with Napoléon’s
army. The Nationalgarde zu Dresden was funded by the city treasury and a special
tax levied on the business community but the force fell under the command of the
Gouverneur und Oberkommandant zu Dresden und Neustadt. The force consisted of
three companies of infantry, one Scharfschützen-Kompagnie, one of Bürgergarde-
Kompagnie, an infantry company raised from the city merchants, and one of
Hartschier-Kompagnie, or archers, a historical title derived from the ancient town
guard of the 16th Century but identical in composition to the Bürgergarde-Kompagnie.
There was a fourth mounted company of Gendarmes zu Pferde. By mid-April the
Nationalgarde zu Dresden had raised some 240 infantry and 100 cavalry who were
adequately armed and uniformed although the Scharfschützen-Kompagnie appears
to have mustered no more than thirty riflemen. The units saw service during June
1809 against the Austrian force of Generalmajor Carl Friedrich am Ende and the
Braunsweig Freikorps in defence of Dresden and despite being ill-trained if
enthusiastic amateurs gave good accounts of themselves in the skirmishes for
possession of the city in June 1809 until finally forced to stand down. On 6
December 1809 the Dresdeners were honoured by King Friedrich August for their
actions and were re-raised as the Bürger-Nationalgarde zu Dresden with a strength
of one mounted Gendarmes zu Pferde Kompagnie, and five light infantry companies,
the 1st Company being designated an elite ‘Karabinier-Kompagnie’. The jäger-
kompagnie was not re-raised but each of the infantry companies formed a rifle
armed Schützen-Abteilung of one ober-jäger and 10 men. The Bürger-Nationalgarde
zu Dresden remained virtually unchanged in its organisation from December 1809
until 1815 when the infantry companies were renamed as gendarmes. The
Nationalgarde were stood to in mid-1813 and remained on active service until
Napoléon’s abdication. The corps was present at the Battle of Dresden on 26-27
August 1813 but was concerned with the security of the city and took no direct part
in the battle. The Bürger-Nationalgarde zu Dresden remained loyal to their king and
stood ready to defend his person following the Battle of Leipsic but were ordered to
stand down and co-operate with the Prussians.
Bürger-Nationalgarde zu Dresden 1809-1815
Ober-Stabs 1810-1814
1 Kommandant 1 Adjutant
1 Auditeur 1 Quartiermeister
1 Oberfeldscher 1 Stabsquartiermeister
1 Lagerist (Storekeeper) 1 Musikmeister
10 Hautboisten I Klasse 8 Hautboisten II Klasse
Infanterie-Kompagnie Establishment 1809-1815

1 Kapitän 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
2 Leutnant II.Klasse 1 Kompagnie-Feldscher
1 Feldwebel (From 1813) 2 Sergent (1 From 1813)
1 Korporal-Quartiermeister 90 Musketiere (Gendarmes after 1815)
121
Gendarme zu Pferde-Kompagnie Establishment 1809-1815

1 Rittmeister 1 Leutnant
2 Unter-Leutnant 1 Oberwachtmeister
2 Wachtmeister 1 Korporal-Quartiermeister
10 Korporal 4 Trompet
1 Stabs-Feldscher 100 Gendarmes
HEADGEAR The uniforms prescribed for the Nationalgarde zu Dresden in 1809

remained unchanged until after the close of hostilities in 1815. The infantry
companies wore a black felt bicorn hat with black tape trim to the edges and white
tightener cords with small white tassels at the tips. The front of the hat was
decorated with the white rosette style national cockade held with a narrow yellow
lace cockade-strap and brass button. In 1815 the cockade became white with green
edging. In 1809 the Hartschier-Kompagnie wore a tall white cockstail feather plume
and the Scharfschützen-Kompagnie a bushy white plume with a green tip. From
1810 only the Karabinier-Kompagnie wore a plume, of tall white feather and the
Schützen-Abteilung continued to wear the shorter bushy plume with a green tip.
When the companies were re-styled as gendarmes in 1815 all wore a white plume
with a green tip. The Gendarmes zu Pferde Kompagnie wore a bicorn hat of identical
design to the infantry companies but with a tall white, drooping cockstail feather
plume with a green tip.
COAT The coat worn by all of the infantry companies in 1809 remained the same
until 1815. The uniformrock was a long tailed version of the spencer coat which
would be introduced to the Saxon army the following year but was already popular
with many German armies. The coat was dark blue with dark blue high upright
collar, closed at the throat and piped with scarlet. The cuffs were of the German
pattern square-cut with a slit at the rear and dark blue and the lapels and turnbacks
were dark blue without piping. The lapels were fastened back with eight brass
buttons and the turnbacks on the tails were decorated with small brass five pointed
star badges. At some point after the Saxon defection to the Allies in 1813 the collar,
cuffs lapels and turnbacks became piped with scarlet, however in late 1815 new
uniforms were ordered putting the infantry companies into Prussian style double
breasted kollets. The shoulder-strap are a matter of some dispute and may have in
fact varied between companies, most sources giving them as plain dark blue with
bastion tips, although some have them as piped with scarlet and Richard Knötel
shows them as piped yellow in 1815.
The Gendarmes zu Pferde Kompagnie wore a coat of the same basic style as the
infantry dark blue with the collar, lapels, turnbacks and pointed cuffs were all faced
with mid-blue and all buttons brass. Yellow trefle epaulettes were worn at the
shoulders and yellow aiguillettes at the left shoulder. In 1815 the epaulettes were
changed to the Prussian style of brass epaulettes with a scaled strap and the
aiguillettes were worn across the breast fastened at both epaulettes.
BREECHES,ETC The infantry were issued with white breeches for parade dress
and mid-grey breeches for Dienstuniform worn with black leather Hessian style
boots with shaped tops and black lace trim and tassels. Black gaiters with brass
buttons are also given but contemporary ledgers show that an order was placed for
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200 knee high boots in 1809 and these appear to have been worn as late as 1815.
Dark grey overall trousers appear to have been issued for foul weather and winter
wear around 1812. The mounted gendarmes wore bleached white soft leather
breeches with high, cuffed, over the knee heavy cavalry style boots.
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The infantry companies appear to have been issued with greatcoats of mid-grey
and double breasted with a double row of large cloth covered buttons closing the
breast. The high upright collar and deep Swedish cuffs were of the coat colour and
the shoulder-straps were coat colour and plain with rounded inner tips. No details
have been discovered for any riding cloak which may have been worn by the
mounted company but this would probably have followed the pattern used by the
regular cavalry and is likely to have been either dark grey or dark blue.
EQUIPMENT All equipment for the Bürger-Nationalgarde zu Dresden was

purchased privately by the Burgers and municipal government of the city although
in most part appears to have conformed to the Saxon regular army patterns.
Muskets were initially of a mixture of pattern in 1809 but after December 1809 when
the force was re-established the infantry companies appear to have been issued with
mostly Austrian m.1795 muskets and Austrian jäger rifles from captured stocks from
the 1809 campaign. Musket slings appear to have been reddened leather in early
1809 but were changed to black leather with the issue of the new weapons. Likewise
the sabres issued to the original companies in 1809 appear to have been of the 1805
French pattern but these were replaced the following year with Austrian sabres with
solid brass hilts and brown leather scabbards and white sabre-strap for all companies,
carried on a black leather shoulder belt. The pouches were of the standard pattern
issued to the Saxon army with a plain black leather shaped lid and carried on a black
leather shoulder belt with brass buckle and fittings.
The Gendarmes zu Pferde Kompagnie appear to have been issued with light
cavalry sabres, possibly French, with a three bar swept hilt of brass with a white
sabre-strap and polished brass scabbard carried on a black leather waistbelt of the
narrow light cavalry pattern. A plain black leather light cavalry pattern pouch was
carried on a black leather shoulderbelt and each gendarme was issued with a brace
of pistol to be carried on the saddle, but the company does not appear to have been
issued with carbines. The horse furniture consisted of a light cavalry style
shabraque with rounded front and pointed rear corners of dark blue with a wide
yellow edging.
OFFICERS & NCOs The non-commissioned-officers were distinguished in much

the same manner as those of the regular army. The bicorn hat was as for the men
without any special distinctions and from 1810 rank was shown by diagonal stripes
of lace on the left sleeve in the same sequence as used by the regular army.
Oberwachtmeister/Feldwebel Two diagonal stripes of gold lace on a scarlet patch
Wachtmeister/Sergent Single diagonal stripes of gold lace on a scarlet patch

Korporal Two diagonal stripes of scarlet wool.
Korporal-Quartiermeister Single diagonal stripe of gold lace on the upper left sleeve.
From late 1814 or early 1815 the Prussian influence began to be felt in the Saxon
army and the Gendarmes zu Pferde Kompagnie appear to have adopted Prussian
style rank insignia with gold lace trimmed to the pointed cuffs and discarded the
French rank stripes although these were retained for the foot companies until after
1815.
The officers wore a bicorn hat as for the men except that it was faced with silk
and had a large gold cockade-strap and gilt button. The tightener cords were silver
124
and the tips were decorated with small silver tabs. The officers of the mounted
gendarme company wore the same bicorn hat with a tall, drooping cockstail feather
plume of white with a green tip.
The officer’s pattern uniformrock was similar in cut to that worn by the men but
with long tails extending to the rear of the knee. The coat was dark blue with the
collar dark blue velvet. As for the men facing became piped scarlet in 1815. The tails
also with three points and three buttons, both were piped with scarlet. The
turnbacks were dark blue and decorated with gold five pointed star motifs. Rank was
shown by epaulettes in the same sequence as worn by the line infantry regiments.
Oberst-Kommandant [1] Two full fringed epaulettes of gold with heavy bullion fringes
Major-Kommandant [1] Full fringed epaulette of gold with heavy bullion fringe on left,
Kapitän / Rittmeister Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on left, contra
epaulette on right.
Kapitän-Adjutant Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on right, contra
epaulette on left.
Leutnant I Klasse Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on left, contra
NOTE: [1] The commandant of the corps was a major until 1814 and a colonel after that date.
Prior to 1815 officers of the mounted gendarme company wore gold aiguillettes at
the left shoulder and after 1815 when Prussian style metallic epaulettes were
adopted the aiguillettes were worn across the breast as for the men. The infantry
officers did not adopt the Prussian contra-epaulettes until after the close of hostilities
in 1815. With the adoption of Prussian rank insignia officers wore a baton of gold
lace on the collar, a single lace for company officers and two batons of lace for the
commandant.
Officer’s breeches were white and worn with Hessian boots with shaped tops and
black lace trim and tassels for the infantry officers and high cuffed riding boots for
the gendarmerie officers. The infantry company officers and the staff wore a black
leather waistbelt edged with gold lace and a gilt buckle to support the straight bladed
degen with gilded hilt and mixed silver and crimson sabre-strap carried in a black
leather scabbard with gilt fittings. The officers of the Gendarmes zu Pferde had a
wide waist belt with gold lace cover for parade and a black leather waistbelt for
Dienstuniform and a gold lace covered pouchbelt with the pouch lid decorated with
gold lace and a silver badge of the Dresden coat of arms. Officer’s shabraques were
as for the men, dark blue with wide gold lace edging piped dark blue.
MUSICIANS The drummers of the foot company wore the same bicorn hat as
the other ranks but with a tall scarlet plume. The coat was identical to that worn by
the men except that full fringed scarlet epaulettes were worn at the shoulders. From
1814 when the uniforms received scarlet piping to the lacings the drummers also
received gold lace trim to the collar and cuffs. Drum carriages and aprons were
whitened leather and the drums were brass with the hoops painted alternate
diagonal stripes of scarlet and dark blue. Details of the Musikmeister’s uniform
primarily come from the plate by Richard Knötel for 1815, who describes the figure
125
as the ‘drum-major’. The hat was a bicorn of black felt faced with black velvet and
with a wide gold lace scalloped trim to the edges topped with a deep scarlet cut
feather trim. The front and rear of the hat had four narrow gold versteifen and the
hat tightener cords were silver with small silver tassels. A tall drooping cocktail
feather plume was worn. Prior to 1814 the coat was a French style habitcoat with
squared cut away lapels and long tails of dark blue with dark blue facings on the
collar, cuffs and lapels and turnbacks all trimmed with gold lace. The buttonholes
on the lapels were decorated with gold lace batons and the sergent’s rank stripes
were worn on both cuffs. The shoulders were decorated with scarlet epaulettes.
Late in 1815 the uniform was amended to have gold fringed epaulettes and scarlet
piping to the facings with a gold lace edging and cuffs became pointed instead of
square. Breeches were white and worn with English style boots with turned over
tops exposing the tan inner lining. The musicians wore basically the same uniform
as the Musikmeister except that the hat had no gold lace just a scarlet feather trim
and the coat was as for the other ranks with gold lace edging to the lapels and cuffs
and gold litzen at the lapel buttonholes. The shoulders were decorated with gold
braid trefle epaulettes and the Hautboisten I Klasse were distinguished by scarlet
corporal’s stripes on the cuffs. The trumpeters of the mounted company wore the
same basic uniforms as the troopers except that the bicorn hat was decorated with
scarlet cut feather trim and a tall drooping cockstail feather plume. The coat was
as for the men but had scarlet full fringed epaulettes prior to 1815 and gold
epaulettes with dark blue straps after that date and the cuffs became pointed and
edged with gold lace.
The Stabs-Militär zu Dresden received a uniform in 1790 which continued to

be worn almost unaltered until 1810. The headgear was a black bicorn hat with
silver lace edging and silver braid tightener cords with small silver tassels at the tips.
The front of the hat was decorated with a white silk bow cockade held with a silver
cockade-strap and silvered button.
126
The coat was a dark blue frock coat without lapels closed with a single row of
twelve silvered buttons with silver thread embroidered buttonholes on the left front
panel. The short upright collar was dark blue velvet and cuffs were dark blue and
of the Swedish pattern with two buttons horizontally at the front of the cuff. From
about 1795 onwards the tails were worn with turnbacks fastened with a silvered
button at the points and the tails had large horizontal pockets with three points and
three buttons. The coat was worn with a scarlet gilet and breeches and the officer’s
silver and crimson waistsash and high cuffed riding boots were worn when mounted,
plain black knee boots for dismounted dress.
Around 1806 the frock coat was replaced with a more modern single breasted
uniformrock similar to that worn by the Saxon general staff of dark blue with dark
blue velvet collar, and dark blue square cut cuffs and plain turnbacks. The coat was
closed with a single row of eight silvered buttons. The Oberkommandant and
Kommandant zu Neustadt wore the epaulettes of the Generalmajor and the other
officers silver epaulettes per their substantive rank and the adjutants wore silver
aiguillettes at the right shoulder. Gilets and breeches remained scarlet.
BÜRGER-NATIONALGARDE ZU LEIPSIC 1809

BÜRGER-NATIONALGARDE JÄGER ZU WITTENBERG 1809
At least two other Bürger-National-Garde
companies were raised in 1809 although very few
details of the organisation or uniform have been
discovered. The Bürger-National-Garde zu Leipsic
appears to have been a single company of
Gendarmes zu Fuβ with a small attached mounted
section. The headwear was a bicorn hat with black
tape trim to the edges and red tightener cords with
small red tabs at the tips. The front of the hat had
a white national cockade held with a yellow cockade-
strap and brass button surmounted by a scarlet disc
pompon and a short white feather plume. The coat
was a long tailed dark blue double breasted
uniformrock closed with a double row of eight brass
buttons on the chest. The high upright collar was
dark blue piped scarlet as were the German pattern
cuffs which had two buttons vertically at the trailing
edge. The turnbacks were scarlet and the edges of
the coat were trimmed with scarlet piping. The
shoulders were decorated with green full fringed
epaulettes for the Gendarmes zu Fuβ and yellow
trefle epaulettes with yellow aiguillettes at the right
shoulder for the mounted section. Equipment
appears to have been of black leather the
shoulderbelt carrying the sabre-briquet for the foot
company being decorated with a brass crowned FA
badge. Pouchbelt and muskets were appear to have
been of similar patterns to those in use by the regular army. The foot company were
issued with 100 muskets and pouches and 120 sabres and the mounted section
127
received 20 sabres, 20 pistols and 20 carbines of unknown pattern from the burgers
of the city in 1809. (Data Courtesy of the Bayer Family diaries)
Another company known as the Bürger-National-Garde-Jäger zu Wittenberg was

raised in 1809 and appears to have consisted of s single company of scharfschützen.
Virtually nothing is known about the unit and accounts of the uniform are brief and
differ giving either a similar dark blue uniform to that worn by the Leipsic company
or a dark green uniform of similar design.
After the 1809 campaign closed the Leipsic and Wittenberg companies appear to
have been stood down and there has been no mention found of either unit after
early 1810 although the city of Leipzig does appear to have raised a company of
gendarmes again in late 1813 after the Allied occupation.
SÄCHSISCHEN LANDMILIZ BATAILLONEN 1813-1814

ORGANISATION The concerns about the ability of the depleted saxon army to
defend the homeland in 1813 following the disastrous Russian campaign resulted in
the order being given to raise a Landmiliz, or Landwehr based on similar units of the
Austrian and Prussian armies for home defense. The first battalion was raised at
Dresden in the Spring of 1813 and the intention was that seven regional regiments
of landwehr would be raised each with a strength of three battalions and a depot
company with each battalion having four companies. By October 1813 seven
regiments had been raised on paper but in reality conscription was slow and the
organisation slower and most could only muster a single battalion of understrength
and unenthusiastic companies.
LANDMILIZ BATAILLONEN October 1813
Ober-Stabs
1 Kommandant 1 Adjutant
1 Oberfeldscher 1 Quartiermeister
1 Büschenmacher 1 Stabs-Trommler
Landmiliz-Kompagnie 1813-1814 (Paper strength)

1 Kapitän 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
1 Korporal-Quartiermeister 100 Soldaten
Following the change of alliance in the wake of the Battle of Leipzic, recruitment
increased as Saxons already disenchanted with the French flocked to join the fight
against their former allies and join the crusade for German Independence. By the
end of the year most companies were able to muster between 70 and 90 men and
most battalions had formed a Schützen-Abteilung who were in theory armed with
rifles. In April 1814 after Napoléon’s abdication the landwehr units serving with the
128
Allied army returned to Saxony and the landwehr was stood down in August and not
re-raised again until July 1815 when a landwehr battalion was reformed and
attached to each of the three new line infantry regiments.
HEADGEAR The uniforms of the Landwehr battalions during 1813 and 1814 was
at best transitionary and subject to a wide number of variations on the orders of
dress as equipment and uniforms were in short supply and it is impossible to state
with any certainty which particular variations of the regulation uniforms were worn
by which battalions at a given time until new regulated uniforms were issued in 1815.
The officially prescribed shako was black felt with black leather trim at the upper
edge and a black leather tightener strap at the base with a small brass buckle at the
rear. The peak was black leather and the chinscales were brass with a plain round
boss. The front of the shako was decorated with a white paper rosette cockade in
1813 fastened with a narrow yellow leather
cockade-strap with a brass button. In November
1813 the cockades were changed to the new black
within green within yellow pattern and again in
1815 to the new white within green style. The front
of the shako was decorated with a brass badge in
the form of a ‘Landwehrkreus’ a simple equal
armed cross usually with the centre embossed and
infilled with black enamel. The pompon is generally
depicted as being a red houpette pompon with
yellow tuft. In reality, the shortage of supplies
available to the forming landwehr companies in
1813 meant that many recruits received a ‘dummy’
shako consisting of a wicker frame covered with
black canvas, a black leather peak and chinstrap
and a cross painted on the front in yellow or white.
After the change of allegiance in October 1813
supplies of equipment were received from the allies,
mostly subvention items from Prussian, Austria
and England and a considerable number of
captured French shakos, and these were
distributed to the landwehr battalions and were
mostly worn with black canvas covers in 1814 often
with the brass cross, cockade and pompon worn over the cover. Another pattern of
hat that was issued to some Landmiliz-Bataillon in early 1814 was the Swedish style
round hat of black felt with curled brim with black leather edging. Large numbers of
these hats were manufactured in England and distributed to the allies in 1813. The
front of the hat was decorated with the brass ‘Landwehrkreus’ and the national
cockade is often depicted pinned to the left side of the crown. These hats were not
distributed to all landwehr companies and initially seem to have been only issued to
the Schützen-Abteilung, although several whole battalions appear to have received
the hat in spring of 1814.
COAT The coat prescribed for the Landmiliz-Bataillonen was a dark blue double
breasted kollet of Prussian style closed with two rows of plain domed brass buttons
with scarlet piping to the edges of the coat. The high upright collar was open at the
throat and scarlet and the cuffs were squarecut and scarlet with two brass buttons
at the trailing edge. The cuffs are depicted by Neumann as being of the Germanic
style with a slit at the rear with two buttons one on the cuff actualand one above
and both variations were probably common. The turnbacks are depicted as being
either dark blue piped scarlet or in some cases solid scarlet.
129
130
BREECHES,ETC Breeches were prescribed in 1813 of dark grey to be worn with

knee-length black gaiters but all contemporary depictions of the landwehr show dark
grey overall trousers being worn after late 1813. In 1814 beige or white linen
trousers appear to have been issued to at least some units for summer campaign
dress. The landwehr appear to have been issued with greatcoat of the same pattern
as those prescribed for the line infantry in 1813 of mid-grey and double breasted
with two rows of eight cloth covered buttons, plain rounded tip shoulder-straps and
high upright collars of scarlet. Some modern sources depict the coats with small
scarlet cuffs and shoulder-straps piped scarlet but no contemporary evidence has
been found to support this. It is likely that many Landmiliz units did not received
greatcoat at all during 1813 and early 1814 as clothing was in short supply and
many probably wore civilian overcoats or blanket capes during the wet spring of
1814. When the landwehr was re-raised in 1815 great coats of similar pattern were
issued with brass buttons and coat coloured collars and plain shoulder-straps.
EQUIPMENT The equipment issued to the Landmiliz-Bataillonen appears to have

varied greatly in 1813. Beltings was mostly black leather although some companies
were wearing white leather belting in early 1814. Each man was issued with a
cartridge pouch and belt mostly of Saxon or Austrian manufacture with a plain black
leather lid and the Schützen-Abteilung wore a second shoulderbelt to support either
a sabre-briquet or a sword bayonet depending upon the pattern of rifle which they
had received. Muskets were initially of mixed patterns from the Saxon arsenals,
mostly older pattern Saxon, Austrian or Prussian types and bayonets were generally
carried ‘fixed’ as no sheaths were issued. By early 1813 new subvention arms began
to be issued mostly m.1795 Austrian muskets and the bayonet sheaths were
commonly affixed to the belt at the rear of the pouch. The scharfschützen sections
were ordered to be armed with rifles and some did receive various patterns of civilian
and military rifles, mostly Austrian or Prussian weapons in early 1814 the military
rifles usually having a long sword bayonet. Other equipment was similar to that
issued to the line infantry; packs were mostly of captured or obsolete styles in 1813-
1814 Saxon, French or Austrian and are usually shown with black leather straps. In
1815 the landwehr battalions were issued with new French pattern packs with black
straps from captured stores.
OFFICERS & NCOs The change of policy after the defection to the Allies in
October 1813 appears to have taken hold with the Landmiliz-Bataillonen earlier than
with the regular army, perhaps because they were only just receiving their new
uniforms or maybe because of the Saxon enthusiasm for the new alliance. Initially,
in early 1813 the non-commissioned-officers appear to have worn the same French
style rank insignia as the line infantry, gold or yellow lace trim to the top edge of
the shako and gold or yellow rank stripes on the sleeves. By the end of 1813 or
early 1814 the Prussian style rank insignia was already being worn by the landwehr.
The shako was decorated with a gold lace band for the sergent and a double gold
lace band for the feldwebel; the shakos of the corporals appear to have been as for
the men. The collar was trimmed with gold lace at the leading and bottom edges
and was decorated with horizontal gold lace batons, two for the feldwebel and one
for the sergent. The korporal was distinguished by a single gold lace baton on the
collar but no trim. All NCOs were armed with the sabre-briquet and sabre-straps
seem to vary, korporals certainly appear to have had white sabre-straps and the
senior grades scarlet with silver stripes on the strap and mixed scarlet and silver
knot and tassels; or alternatively are shown with black leather sabre-straps with
silver knot.
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The officers likewise followed the styles set by the line infantry in 1813 but by
early 1814 were wearing Prussian style insignia. For full dress officers were ordered
into a shako with embroidered gold lace trim to the upper edge usually in the form
of oak or laurel leaves. The shako cords were gold and the cockade was held by a
gold lace cockade-strap. The front of the shako was decorated with an oval badge
with black enamel centre, gilt rim and a gilt ‘Landwehrkreus’. The chinscales were
gilded and the black leather peak had a gilt edging. The cockade was surmounted
by a gilt tulip shaped holder for the tall white plume with a green tip worn for full
dress or a green ball pompon for everyday wear. For campaign the shako was worn
with a black oiled canvas cover. For Dienstuniform and campaign most officers
wore the bicorn hat of black felt with black tape edging and gold tightener cords
with small gold tassels. The front of the bicorn was decorated with the national
cockade and a gold lace cockade-strap.
The full dress coat prescribed for the Landmiliz officers was a dark blue double
breasted uniformrock with long tails, closed with two rows of eight gilt buttons and
piped scarlet at the edges. The collar and cuffs were scarlet and the turnbacks were
dark blue with scarlet piping. The tails are depicted with or without double pockets,
a vertical pocket at the inside of the tail with three points and three buttons and a
both were piped with scarlet. Prior to November 1813 the officers’ epaulettes of
rank were as for the line infantry, gold, and in the French sequence. With the
introduction of the Prussian style rank insignia officers now wore gold lace trim on
the collar and cuffs and Prussian style epaulettes with gilded brass crescents.
Oberst-Kommandant Two full fringed epaulettes of gold with heavy bullion fringes.
Wide gold trim to the upper and leading edge of the collar and
two gold lace batons horizontally on the collar. Cuffs trimmed
with wide gold lace at the upper and trailing edges.
Major As Oberst but a single baton of lace on the collar
Kapitän Two contra-epaulettes of gold. Narrow gold trim to the upper
and leading edge of the collar and two narrow gold lace batons
horizontally on the collar. Cuffs trimmed with narrow gold lace
at the upper and trailing edges.
Kapitän-Adjutant As Kapitän but gold aiguillettes at the right shoulder
Leutnant I Klasse As Kapitän but a single baton of narrow gold lace on the collar
Leutnant II Klasse Plain collar and cuffs with a single baton of narrow gold lace
on the collar
It was common practice for the expensive gilded epaulettes to be removed from the
coat except for full parade dress. Officers were authorised to wear a Dienstuniform
for everyday duties and campaign which consisted of the bicorn hat worn with a
dark blue double breasted frock coat, or Überrock, with two rows of eight brass
buttons and piped at the edges with scarlet. The collar was as for the dress
uniformrock but the cuffs were of the German pattern and plain scarlet with three
buttons at the trailing edge, two on the cuff actual and one above. The coat was
worn without epaulettes. It is interesting that Neumann depicts an Oberst wearing
the Überrock with the old fashioned silver and crimson silk waist sash; these had
been withdrawn in 1810 but many older officers may well have retained theirs and
worn them again after the change of alliance. Officer’s horse furniture appears to
have followed the style used by the line infantry with squared corners and dark blue
with a gold lace edging.
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MUSICIANS Very few confirmed details have been found for the uniforms of the
drummers of the Landmiliz Bataillonen. The headgear appears to have been as for
the other ranks and the coat was distinguished only by scarlet swallows-nest
epaulettes at the shoulders with a gold lace trim to the bottom edge and dark blue
shoulder-straps piped scarlet. An alternative for 1814 also depicts the swallows-
nest epaulettes as being dark blue with gold lace edging and the figure has gold lace
trim to the upper and leading edge of the collar.
The drum-carriage and aprons were black leather the belt have a brass drum-
stick plate on the breast. Drums are generally depicted as being brass with hoops
painted alternate scarlet and dark blue diagonal stripes.
SÄCHSISCHEN FELDJÄGER-KOMPAGNIEN
Virtually nothing has been found about the organisation or history of the
Feldjäger-Kompagnien during the Napoleonic era, but I am grateful to Herr Jorg
Grüber of the Polizeimuseum Dresden who provided the information below.
The Feldjäger-Kompagnien were formed in

the 1780s as a paramilitary mobile
gendarmerie responsible for border control
and the suppression of smuggling and
banditry reporting to the provincial judiciary.
The units appear to have been distributed
throughout Saxony in ‘brigades’ of two or
three men reporting to a regional corporal
who in turn was responsible to one of three
provincial officers. By 1809 the Feldjäger had
been given the task of pursuing and capturing
deserters and conscription evaders. The
companies may have been stood down or
disbanded in 1810 but were in existence again
in 1815 when at least some were absorbed
into the Prussian Gendarmerie.
The uniform consisted of a bicorn hat with

white lace edging and a white cockade with
white leather cockade-strap. The tips of the
hat tightener were decorated with blue within
white pompons. The coat was a mid-blue
uniformrock with dark green collar, lapels,
cuffs and turnbacks and white buttons with
white contra-epaulettes and white aiguillettes
at the right shoulder. The gilet was dark
green and breeches were white and worn with
high cuffed riding boots. The corporals wore
silver lace on the hat and a white bow cockade and silver aiguillettes. The Feldjäger
were armed with an infantry pattern sabre-briquet carried on a black leather
waistbelt and a brace of pistols in saddle holsters. The saddle furniture appears to
have been as for the heavy cavalry with squared front and rear corners to the mid-
blue shabraque with a plain white edging piped mid-blue.
133
BANNER DER FREIWILLIGEN SACHSEN

ORGANISATION The proclamation forming the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen,
roughly translated as the ‘The Band of Saxon Volunteers’ was made on 19 October
1813 by the Russian military governor of Saxony Prince Nikolai Repnin who had
been appointed to administer the state after the Battle of Leipsic. The edict called
upon all patriotic Saxons to volunteer to fight for their country and German
independence against Napoléon and the Saxon born Generalmajor Karl Adolf von
Carlowitz, who had formerly served with the Russian army was appointed to oversee
the raising of the Saxon Landmiliz and Freiwilliger units. The Freiwilligen units were
specifically targeted at drawing volunteers from the minor nobility and merchant
classes many of whom had been exempted from conscription by reason of birth or
occupation by appealing to the wealthier population with arguments of military glory,
patriotism and the honour of fighting for German independence from French
domination.
Recruits to the Freiwilliger units were required to supply or finance their own
uniforms and equipment and those men volunteering for the cavalry units were
required to provide their own horses. The Saxon government provided a subsidy
for the purchase of arms and fodder for the cavalry mounts. A fund was established
with contributions for the wealthier volunteers and civilian supporters to purchase
uniforms and equipment for those volunteers unable to afford their own expenses.
Unlike the regular army or landwehr units the soldiers of the Freiwilliger companies
were exempt from corporal punishment and were not required to pay fees to their
officers for the usual privileges. A soldier serving in the volunteer units was
guaranteed a position as an NCO in the Landwehr after two years’ service.
Although response to the appeal for volunteers was good, numbers still needed
to be made up from Saxon prisoners of war and deserters from the Saxon army in
French service released by the Prussians and Russians. The intention was to raise
a mobile division consisting of two full regiments of infantry, two cavalry regiments
and a corps of artillery and sappers. By January 1814 the Banner der Freiwilligen
Sachsen had mustered some 3,000 men (paper strength) consisting of two battalions
of light infantry, six squadrons of cavalry, a battery of foot artillery and a company
of sappers but despite enthusiastic recruitment the full potential strength of the
‘Banner’ was never realised. Initially the Banner was attached to the Prussian III
Army Corps but in March 1814 the Russian Czar ordered that the unit should be
seconded to the Russian Imperial Guard and the force was withdrawn to Darmstadt.
The ‘Banner’ was present at the Siege of Mainz in May 1814 but saw no other
action being used mainly for light guard and escort duties and were considered to
be of little real military value as most of the middle class volunteers had no military
experience or training and many had never fired a loaded weapon. An additional
issue was that military discipline was only lightly enforced and the volunteers,
particularly those of the hussar companies had a tendency to drift away to attend
to personal business at their whim. In July 1814 the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen
was released from Russian service and returned to Saxony where it was stood down.
The brigade was not mobilised for service in the Netherlands in 1815 but continued
to muster as part of the home defense force and in May1815 were officially dissolved
and absorbed into the Saxon Landmiliz units or the Prussian Landwehr.
134
The organisation of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen was theoretically based
upon that used by the regular Saxon infantry or cavalry units, the infantry battalion
having a shared staff with the six gun artillery battery and a sapper company
attached to the infantry brigade. On 21 March 1814 the infantry battalion consisted
of a single Fuβjäger-Bataillon of six companies, four centre Jäger-Kompagnien and
two flank Scharfschützen-Kompagnien. A second battalion was raised in July 1814
but existed for only a few weeks before being stood down.
Fuβjäger Bataillonen November 1813 – July 1814
Fuβjäger Ober-Stabs
2 Major 1 Adjutant
1 Oberfeldscher 1 Quartiermeister
1 Stabsfeldsher 1 Stabsquartiermeister
1 Profost 1 Gepackmeister
1 Büschenmacher 1 Stabs-Trommler
Fuβjäger-Kompagnie / Scharfschützen-Kompagnie
1 Hauptmann 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
18 Oberjäger 3 Trommler or 4 Signalen
1 Korporal-Quartiermeister 160 Jäger or 140 Scharfschützen
Artillerie-Kompagnie
1 Kapitän I Klasse 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
2 Leutnant II.Klasse 1 Leutnant II.Klasse
1 Feldwebel 1 Quartiermeister-Sergent
6 Sergent 3 Feuerwerker-Korporal
2 Trommler 1 Führwesen Korporal
28 Führwesen Soldaten 160 Kanoniers
Sappeure-Kompagnie [1]
1 Kapitän 2 Leutnant II.Klasse
2 Leutnant II.Klasse 1 Adjutant
1 Sappeursergent 1 Mineursergent
1 Brückenmeister (Bridging sergent) 1 Quartiermeister-Sergent
1 Stabsfeldsher 3 Trommler
12 Ober-sappeurs 1 Waggonmeister
7 Wagenfahrer 110 Unter-sappeurs / mineurs
The cavalry of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen was originally intended to
consist of two regiments each of six squadrons one each of hussars and Jäger zu
Pferde. In reality, by March 1814 only two squadrons of hussars and two of mounted
jägers had been raised and two squadrons of landwehr dragoons created from the
135
various mounted landwehr units were added to the strength of the cavalry regiment
bringing it up to six squadrons. The second regiment was never formed. As with
the infantry units the cavalry were stood down in the autumn of 1814 but were
mustered again when Bonaparte escaped from Elba but were disbanded in May 1815,
with the men and horses being absorbed into the reforming regular cavalry
regiments or transferred to Prussian service.
Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen Kavallerie-Regiment
Ober-Stabs (Found by the Husaren-Schwadronen)

1 Oberst-Leutnant 1 Major
1 Quartiermeister 2 Adjutant
1 Stabsquartiermeister 1 Regimentsfeldscher
1 Stabsfeldsher 1 Stabs-Trompet
1 Profost 6 Hufschmied (Farrier)
1 Rossartz (Veterinarian) 2 Sattler (Saddle/Harness makers)
1 Büschenmacher
Husaren & Jäger zu Pferde Schwadronen

1 Rittmeister I or II Klasse [2] 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
1 Leutnant II.Klasse 1 Stabsfeldsher
1 Kornet 1 Standartjunker (Standard-bearer) [3]
1 Wachtmeister (Sergent-major) 4 Korporal
2 Sekundieren-Wachtmeister (Sergent) 2 Vice-Korporal
1 Quartiermeister 1 Trompet
110 Husaren or Jäger
Landwehr-Dragoner Schwadronen
1 Rittmeister I or II Klasse [2] 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
2 Leutnant II.Klasse 1 Stabsfeldsher
1 Kornet 1 Wachtmeister
2 Sekundieren-Wachtmeister 10 Korporal
1 Quartiermeister 4 Vice-Korporal
1 Trompet 90 Dragoner
NOTE: [1] The Sappeure-Kompagnie is recorded as having 14 officers and 23 NCOs in March
1814 and had obviously acquired supernumerary engineers not on the official strength.
NOTE: [2] The 1.Schwadron of the Jäger zu Pferde and Landwehr-Dragoner contingents was
commanded by a senior captain who had overall command of the units.
NOTE: [3] The 2.Schwadron Jäger zu Pferde contingent had been presented with a standard
when it was created in 1814 and was the only unit to have an official standard bearer.
NOTE: No official records have been found of the exact organisation for the
battalions and squadrons of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen the tables above
have been provided by Dom Werner of Berlin compiled from his exhaustive study of
the Saxon Army from known returns and records of the overall strengths of the units.
136
Fuβjäger-Bataillonen
HEADGEAR The Fuβjäger-Bataillonen of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen
received British manufactured, Swedish style round hats of starched black felt with
a curled brim turned up at the left side. The front of the hat was decorated with a
brass ‘liberation cross’ the common symbol of volunteer units fighting with the Allies
for German Independence. The hat was draped with a thin brass chain suspended
from rivets at the front and rear of the hat and the national cockade was worn at
the left side held with a yellow leather cockade-strap and brass button. The Jäger-
Kompagnien wore a dark green plume of stiffened horsehair. The Scharfschützen-
Kompagnien appear to have initially worn a dark green plume of drooping cockstail
feathers but this was changed early in 1814 to a short white feather plume.
COAT The coat was a dark forest green double breasted kollet similar in style to
that worn by the Light Infantry with two rows of brass buttons on the breast. The
high upright collar was open at the throat and was red and the cuffs were of the
Swedish style, red with two buttons horizontally on the upper edge of the cuff. The
short tails had double turnbacks of dark forest green piped red and were decorated
with red bugle horn motifs, sometimes also depicted as yellow motifs. The leading
edges of the front of the coat were piped red and the round tipped shoulder-straps
were dark forest green piped red, although these are also depicted as plain red.
Yellow braid aiguillettes were worn at the right shoulder looped across the chest and
fastened at the second breast button on the right.
BREECHES,ETC From the outset the Fuβjäger were issued with mid-grey overall
trousers with a red stripe on the outer seam worn over grey breeches with short
calf-length black gaiters with cloth covered buttons. The great coats issued to the
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138
Freiwilligen infantry appear to have been of the same pattern as for the line infantry,
mid-grey and double breasted with a high collar and two rows of six brass or cloth
covered buttons on the breast. Cuffs were coat colour and of the deep Swedish
style and the round tipped shoulder-straps were plain mid-grey.
EQUIPMENT The Fuβjäger were equipped and armed basically in the same
manner as the light infantry with all belting black leather with brass buckles and
fittings but arms and equipment does appear to have differed in some details
between companies as all were privately purchased for the corps. Muskets appear
to have been mostly of the later Saxon model or the m.1795 Austrian musket both
weapons being issued with bayonets but no sheaths and the blade was carried ‘fixed’
on the musket. The musket slings are shown as both reddened leather or more
commonly of black leather. The jägers were armed with a sabre-briquet carried on
a shoulder belt over the left shoulder and these appear to have been for the most
part either of Austrian pattern or captured French swords with a brass hilt and black
leather scabbard with brass fittings. Pouches were either of the conventional infantry
pattern probably of Saxon or Austrian manufacture and carried on a black leather
shoulder belt or some companies appear to have worn a smaller pouch on a waistbelt
as issued to the scharfschützen. Pouches are depicted with plain shaped lids or
sometimes decorated with a brass buglehorn badge.
The Scharfschützen-Kompagnien were theoretically armed with rifles and these

appear to have been mostly of the long Prussian pattern but some Hessian rifles
captured from the Westphalian arsenals appear to have also been issued. Each man
was issued with a Hirschfanger with a brass cross bar hilt and plain pine grips with
a black leather scabbard with brass heel and fittings carried on a black leather
waistbelt. The pouchbelt was as for the jägers but an additional smaller pouch is
usually depicted at the front of the waistbelt often with a brass badge either a bugle
horn or the landwehr cross.
OFFICERS & NCOs The officers and non-commissioned officers of the Fuβjäger-
Bataillonen of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen were distinguished with a new
system of insignia similar to that in use by the Prussian army. The non-
commissioned-officers were distinguished by rank lace worn on the collar.
Feldwebel Collar trimmed with flat gold lace to upper and leading edges.
Three narrow horizontal batons of lace on the collar and gold
aiguillettes.
Sergent/Fähnjunker Two narrow gold lace batons of lace on the collar
Korporal/Oberjäger One narrow gold lace batons of lace on the collar
All other details of uniform and equipment were as for the men. The NCOs of the
Scharfschützen-Kompagnien were armed with either a carbine or the Austrian
m1795 rifled musket instead of the rifle.
The company officers of the Fuβjäger-Kompagnien wore a ‘Swedish’ hat of the

same style as the men except that the rim was trimmed with black leather. The
front of the hat was decorated with an oval badge of silver with gilt oak and laurel
wreath surround and a gilt cross in the centre. A similar badge is also depicted of
filigree gilt and several versions may have occurred as each officer probably
commissioned his own badge to be made individually. The fine chain looped around
the hat was gilt and the cockade-strap was gold lace with a gilt button. Plumes are
generally shown as being of drooping dark green cockstail feathers with orange (or
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possibly deep mustard yellow) tip and black base or a drooping plume of similar
colours of horsehair. The officers of the Scharfschützen-Kompagnien wore the same
hat but with either a plain white plume as worn by the men or a drooping white
horse hair plume. Field officers and staff officers wore the bicorn hat of black felt
with a large gold lace cockade-strap and gilt button. Officer’s coats were dark green
and double breasted with long tails and red facings as for the jäger’s kollet. All
buttons were gilt and the turnbacks were decorated with gold buglehorn motifs. The
tails had horizontal pockets piped red with three points and three gilt buttons. Rank
was shown by a system of litzen worn on the collar.
Oberst Gold epaulette on left shoulder, gold braid twist and

aiguillettes at the right. Collar trimmed with fluted gold lace
and three narrow batons of litzen on the collar.
Oberstleutnant As above, two batons of lace
Major As above, one baton of lace
Hauptmann Contra-epaulette of gold on left shoulder, gold braid twist and
aiguillettes at the right. Three narrow batons of litzen on the
collar.
Kapitän-Adjutant As above aiguillettes worn on the left.
Leutnant I Klasse As above, two batons of lace
Leutnant II Klasse As above, one baton of lace
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As in many Germanic armies during the War for Independence of 1813-1814 it

was customary for officers to wear the ‘Wendenkreuz’ as a symbol of their
commitment to the cause. In Saxony this was the ‘Grünes Kreuz’ a fabric badge
worn on the left breast of the coat over the heart. The cross was green edged with
gold for senior officers or red for the company officers.
The officer’s Paradeanzug breeches were dark forest green with a gold stripe on
the outer seam and a gold Hungarian knot on the thighs and were worn with black
leather Hessian boots with shaped tops and gold lace trim and tassels. Officers are
also depicted wearing dark grey breeches with or without gold lace stripes and
spearhead designs or dark grey heavy twill overall trousers for campaign dress.
Mounted field officers and staff wore high cuffed riding boots on campaign. The
greatcoat prescribed for the officers appears to have been as for the light infantry.
The coat was pewter grey and double breasted with two rows of six or eight brass
buttons according to the height of the wearer. The high upright collar was red with
gold lace as for the uniformrock and the deep Swedish cuffs were coat colour. The
coat had a wide gusset and split at the rear so that it could be worn when mounted.
The epaulettes and aiguillettes of rank worn on the coat were as for the uniformrock.
When the greatcoat was worn the sword belt was worn over the coat at the waist.
The officers appear to have been uniformly armed with the curved light infantry
pattern sabre with single bar brass hilt and polished brass scabbard and silver and
gold lace which were commonly of the pattern used by light cavalry, narrow with a
gilt S buckle. On campaign most officers carried a pistol in a holster on the right hip
suspended from a narrow black leather strap.
No details have been found of any shabraques used by the infantry officers but
the staff officers appear to have used a dark green shabraque of the light cavalry
style with rounded front and pointed rear corners edged with wide gold lace piped
red at the inner and outer edges. Pistol holster covers had a squared top and pointed
bottom edge and a gold bugle horn motif is shown in the rear corner of the saddle
cloth.
MUSICIANS The drummers and hornists of the Fuβjäger Bataillonen wore the
same ‘Swedish’ Hat as the other ranks except that the plume is generally depicted
as being of red, drooping cockstail feathers. The coat followed the pattern worn by
the other ranks with the Jäger-Kompagnie drummers having yellow lace trim to the
upper and leading edges of the collar and the upper and trailing edges of the cuffs.
The shoulders were decorated with red swallows-nest epaulettes with yellow lace
edging at the bottom edge. The hornists of the Scharfschützen-Kompagnie wore
the same uniform except that full fringed red epaulettes were worn at the shoulders,
although these are also shown as red with green crescents. All other uniform details
were as for the company.
Drums were brass with hoops painted red or possibly alternate diagonal stripes
of red and dark green and the drum carriage and apron were black leather with a
brass drumstick plate on the breast of the belt. The Signalen were issued with a
‘Waldhorn’ of brass which was carried on a yellow leather strap over the left shoulder
the horn being tilted over the right shoulder when sounded.
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Artillerie-Kompagnien
HEADGEAR The Artillerie-Kompagnie of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen was
found from trained artillerist from the various Saxon artillery depots and volunteers
who were former gunners. The uniforms were acquired or purchased from the
regular army and therefore were almost identical to the uniform worn by the regular
artillery units. The shako was of the same pattern as worn by the regular army,
black felt with black leather trim to the upper edge and a black leather tightener
strap at the base. The front of the hat was decorated with a brass heraldic crowned
shield badge embossed with the FA cipher as worn by the regular units above which
was a tricolour national cockade with yellow cockade-strap. For full dress a tall red
feather plume was worn and red cords and flounders. Black oiled canvas covers
were issued for campaign wear. The feldmutz appears to have been almost identical
to that worn by the Fuβjäger, dark green with a red headband and red piping and a
brass ‘Wendenkreuz’ badge at the front of the crown.
COAT The coat was almost identical to that worn by the regular artillery, a dark
green ‘Spencer’ style kollet with high upright collar, plastron lapels and German style
cuffs with a slit at the rear and brass buttons. Collar, lapels and cuffs were red and
the double turnbacks were dark green with red piping and decorated with red
grenade motifs. The cuffs had two buttons one on the cuff actual and one above.
The shoulderstraps were bastion tipped and dark green piped red and yellow
aiguillettes were worn at the right shoulder distinguishing the volunteer artillery
from the regular units.
BREECHES,ETC The artillerist are commonly depicted wearing dark grey

breeches with a red stripe on the outer seam and a red lace spearhead at the top of
each thigh, with black knee length gaiters with brass buttons. Dark grey overall
trousers appear to have also been issued for campaign with a line of red piping on
the outer seam. No details are known of the greatcoat but these would probably
have followed the style worn by the Fuβjäger-Kompagnien.
EQUIPMENT The equipment issued to the artillerists followed that of the regular
artillery. The gunners were issued with a musket which appears to have been of
the Austrian pattern m.1795 with a reddened sling and the bayonet was carried
‘fixed’. The pouch and sabre-belts were both buff leather with brass buckles and
fittings and the sabres appear to have been of Austrian manufacture with brass hilts,
red sabre-strap and brown leather scabbard with brass fittings. The pouch was of
the infantry pattern with plain black leather shaped lid.
OFFICERS & NCOs The officers and NCOs of the Artillerie-Kompagnie wore the
same shako was the artillerists. The non-commissioned-officers were distinguished
by lace trim to the upper edge of the shako a single width of yellow tape for the
korporal, a single width of gold lace for the sergent and a double band of gold lace
for the Feldwebel. The officer’s shako had a gilded band around the upper edge in
the form of an inverted representation of the clover leaf coronet band from the
Saxon coat of arms. The front of the shako was decorated with a gilt crowned FAR
cipher; the chinscales were gilded and the black lacquered peak was trimmed with
a gilded brass. The shako cords were silver and the tall full dress plume was red
attached with a gilt tulip shaped socket. Officers did not wear company pompons
but the tulip socket is always shown attached to the shako. The national tricolour
cockade held with a gold cockade strap and gilded button. Officers were provided
with a black oiled canvas cover for the shako and these were commonly worn for all
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duties throughout 1813 and 1814 with the socket beneath giving the officer’s shako
a distinctly Germanic appearance. Officers were authorised to wear the bicorn hat
for Dienstuniform and walking out dress of black felt with gold tightener cords with
a small tassel at the tip. The national cockade was held with a large gold braid
cockade-strap and gilt button.
The NCO’s coats were the same pattern kollet as worn by the artillerists with the
collar rank insignia in the same sequence as that of the Fuβjäger NCOs. The
feldwebel had gold aiguillettes and was armed with the curved light cavalry sabre
carried on a buff leather shoulderbelt. Officer’s coat were a long tailed uniformrock
in the same style as the artillerist’s ‘Spencer’ kollet with plastron lapels with seven
buttons on each lapel and Swedish cuffs with two buttons at the trailing edge.
Epaulettes, aiguillettes and collar litzen were all gold and as for the officers of the
Fuβjäger. The tails of the coat were decorated with horizontal pockets piped red with
three points and three buttons and the turnbacks was gold grenade badges.
Breeches were plain dark grey and worn with knee length black boots. The waistbelt
was black leather and of the narrow light cavalry style and supported a straight
infantry pattern degen sword with gilt hilt and silver and crimson sabre-strap in a
black leather scabbard with gilt fittings. Officers appear to have been mounted and
their shabraques would probably have been of the same style as those of the
Fuβjäger officers.
MUSICIANS No details have been found for the distinctives of the drummers of
the Artillerie-Kompagnie but these would probably have followed the style worn by
the Fuβjäger musicians with yellow lace trim to the collar and cuffs and red swallows
nest epaulettes with yellow trim. Drums would have been brass probably with plain
red hoops.
The uniforms worn by the führwesen, train soldiers, of the company are
completely unknown and it is speculated that either the same uniform as the
artillerists was worn or that the train conductors were provided by the regular army
and wore that uniform.
Sappeure-Kompagnie
HEADGEAR The Sappeure-Kompagnien wore an identical ‘Swedish’ hat to that
issued to the Fuβjäger companies except that all metalwork, badge, chains and
button were white metal and the cockade-strap was white. A short dark green plume
was worn above the cockade.
COAT The kollet was almost identical in most respects to that worn by the
Fuβjäger a dark green double breasted tunic with red facings, except that all buttons
were white metal, the aiguillettes were white and the turnbacks were decorated with
red grenade motifs.
BREECHES, ETC The company were issued with dark grey overall trousers with
a red stripe on the outer seam. No details have been found of any greatcoat except
that it appears to have been dark grey and of the same pattern as that issued to the
Fuβjäger companies.
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EQUIPMENT The sappers were issued with a single black leather shoulderbelt
worn over the right shoulder to support an infantry pattern sabre-briquet with plain
steel hilt and black leather scabbard with white metal fittings. Muskets or carbines
appear to have been issued for picket and guard duties but no pouch belts and were
probably carried by the company baggage train between camps. Packs were as for
the infantry and each man was issued with an entrenching tool, either a small spade,
an axe or pick which was carried in a loop on the side of the pack.
OFFICERS AND NCOs The Sappeur NCOs wore the same round hat as the men
except that the plume was dark green with a black tip. Officers wore the bicorn hat
with black tape edging and black cord tighteners with small black tassels a silver
cockade-strap and a plume of green cockstail feather with a black base and orange
tips. All rank distinctions for the officers and non-commissioned-officers were as for
the Fuβjäger companies except that distinctive lace was silver.
MUSICIANS No details have been found for the distinctives of the drummers of
the Artillerie-Kompagnie but these would probably have followed the style worn by
the Fuβjäger musicians with white lace trim to the collar and cuffs and red swallows
nest epaulettes with white trim. Drums would have been brass probably with plain
red hoops.
ARTILLERY AND SAPPER TRAIN The uniforms worn by the führwesen, train
soldiers, of the company are completely unknown and it is speculated that either
the same uniform as the artillerists or sappers or that the train conductors were
provided by the regular army and wore that uniform.
Jäger zu Pferde
HEADGEAR The Jäger zu Pferde Schwadronen of the Banner der Freiwilligen
Sachsen underwent a number of changes to their uniform during the short life of the
unit. The squadrons received British manufactured, Swedish style round hats of
starched black felt with a curled brim turned up at the left side on creation of
identical style to those of the Fuβjäger. The front of the hat was decorated with a
brass ‘liberation cross’ the common symbol of volunteer units fighting with the Allies
for German Independence. The hat was draped with a thin brass chain suspended
from rivets at the front and rear of the hat and the national cockade was worn at
the left side held with a yellow leather cockade-strap and brass button. A number
of variations to the style and colour of the plume are depicted by various artists; the
1.Schwadron appear to have had a simple short white plume in 1813 but by 1814
may have been wearing a red or black plume over a red ball pompon. In early 1814
the 2.Schwadron received shakos to replace the round hat of black felt with black
leather trim to the upper edge, a black leather tightener strap at the base and black
leather versteifen at the sides. The front of the shako was decorated with the same
brass ‘Wendenkreuz’ badge as worn on the Swedish hat surmounted by the tricolour
national cockade and a yellow cockade-strap with brass button. The white plume
was now replaced with one of dark green sometimes depicted as being of drooping
cockstail feathers. For full dress white cords and flounders were worn. For campaign
the shako was fitted with a black oiled canvas cover sometimes shown with the brass
cross badge worn on the outside. During the spring of 1814 both squadrons received
new headgear in the form a Uhlan style ‘czapka’ with a black leather cap with black
turban and dark green ‘box’ crown piped red at the edges. The brass cross badge
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and cockade with yellow cockade strap decorated the left front panel of the crown
surmounted by a dark green plume of either cockstail feather or drooping horsehair.
The peak was black leather with brass edging and the chin-scales were brass with
plain bosses. It is unclear if this later hat was ever worn in the field as it may only
have been issued in mid-1814.
COAT The coat was similar in most respects to that worn by the Fuβjäger, a dark
forest green double breasted kollet with two rows of brass buttons on the breast.
The high upright collar was open at the throat and was red and the cuffs were of the
Swedish style, red with two buttons horizontally on the upper edge of the cuff. The
short tails had double turnbacks of apple green piped red and were decorated with
yellow bugle horn motif although the turnbacks are also depicted as dark green
piped red or all red. The leading edges of the front of the coat were piped red. In
1813 the 1.Schwadron wore round tipped shoulder-straps of dark forest green piped
red, and the 2. Schwadron were distinguished by contra-epaulettes with brass
crescents and brass scales on the straps. Yellow braid aiguillettes were worn at the
right shoulder looped across the chest and fastened at the second breast button on
the right by both squadrons. In late 1814 the brass epaulettes were replaced with
shoulder-straps for the 2. Schwadron.
In 1814 a Dienstuniform was authorised but appears to have only been issued to
the 2. Schwadron consisting of an überrock, or Litewka coat, a dark forest green
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frock coat with two rows of eight brass buttons on the breast and brass scaled
epaulettes as for the kollet.
BREECHES,ETC The Jäger zu Pferde were issued with mid-grey overall trousers
with black leather inserts and cuffs and a red stripe on the outer seam with a row of
large brass buttons, worn with short ankle-length boots with screw in steel spurs.
No information has been found about any riding cloaks or greatcoats which may
have been issue but these would probably have followed similar styles to those worn
by the line cavalry and have been either dark grey or dark green.
The troopers were issued with a Lagertunika, a sleeved waistcoat, of dark forest
green closed with a single row of eight brass buttons for wear as fatigue dress. The
coatee had a high upright red collar and red Swedish cuffs with two buttons
horizontally at the upper edge.
EQUIPMENT Initially the Jäger zu Pferde were issued with a curved light cavalry
sabre with two bar, swept steel hilt of local manufacture with a polished steel
scabbard and a black leather sabre-strap. The sabre was carried on a black leather
waistbelt with a large square brass buckle plate on double slings. Two pistols were
issued to each man which were carried on the saddle. From early 1814 short cavalry
carbines, probably of Austrian manufacture were issued which appear to have been
carried muzzle forward on the saddle beneath the right knee. No evidence has been
found that carbine slings were ever issued although Dietrich depicts a steel carbine
hook attached to the pouchbelt and this may have been an innovation adopted by
the jäger. The pouchbelt was black leather and supported a small black leather
146
cartridge box which is depicted with either a shaped or squared lid with or without
a brass buglehorn badge. The front of the belt was decorated with a brass picker
and chains ensemble with an oval plate.
OFFICERS & NCOs The officers and non-commissioned officers of the Jäger zu
Pferde of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen were distinguished in exactly the same
manner as those of the Fuβjäger. The non-commissioned-officers were distinguished
by rank lace worn on the collar.
Wachtmeister Collar trimmed with flat gold lace to upper and leading edges.
Three narrow horizontal batons of lace on the collar and gold
aiguillettes.
Sekundieren-Wachtmeister Two narrow gold lace batons of lace on the collar
Korporal One narrow gold lace batons of lace on the collar
All other details of uniform and equipment were as for the men, except that the
Wachtmeister was not issued with the carbine and had a black sabre-strap with
silver knot and tassels.
The company officers wore a ‘Swedish’ hat of the same style as the men in 1813
except that the rim was trimmed with black leather. The front of the hat was
decorated with an oval badge of filigree gilt of a cross within a laurel and oakleaf
wreath. The fine chain looped around the hat was gilt and the cockade-strap was
gold lace with a gilt button. Plumes are generally shown as being of drooping dark
green cockstail feathers with orange (or possibly deep mustard yellow) tip and black
base or a drooping plume of similar colours of horsehair. Field officers and staff
officers wore the bicorn hat of black felt with a large gold lace cockade-strap and
gilt button. The NCOs and officers of the 2.Schwadron in 1814 Kompagnie wore the
same shako was the troopers. The non-commissioned-officers were distinguished
by lace trim to the upper edge of the shako a single width of yellow tape for the
korporal, a single width of gold lace for the Sekundieren-Wachtmeister and a double
band of gold lace for the Wachtmeister. The Wachtmeister had silver cords and
flounders and the tall dark green plume had either a black or possibly orange tip.
The officer’s shako had a gold lace band around the upper edge in the form of an
filigree pattern of loops and the base of the shako was trimmed with a gold lace
band. The front of the shako was decorated with a gilt badge as for the Swedish hat;
the chinscales were gilded and the black lacquered peak was trimmed with a gilded
brass. The shako cords were silver and the full dress plume was dark green cockstail
feather with black base and orange tip attached with a gilt tulip shaped socket.
Officers did not wear company pompons but the tulip socket is always shown
attached to the shako. The national tricolour cockade held with a gold cockade
strap and gilded button. Officers were provided with a black oiled canvas cover for
the shako and these were commonly worn for all duties throughout 1813 and 1814
with the socket beneath giving the officer’s shako a distinctly Germanic appearance.
Officers were authorised to wear the bicorn hat for Dienstuniform and walking out
dress of black felt with gold tightener cords with a small tassel at the tip. The national
cockade was held with a large gold braid cockade-strap and gilt button. In 1814
when the Jäger zu Pferde adopted the Polish style czapka the officers hats were
basically as for the men except that the cap was separated from the crown by a
band of gold lace and all metalwork was gilt. The officers gilt badge and plumes
were as before.
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Officer’s coats were dark green and double breasted with long tails and red facings
as for the jäger’s kollet. All buttons were gilt and the turnbacks were grass green
piped red decorated with gold buglehorn motifs. The tails had horizontal pockets
piped red with three points and three gilt buttons. Rank was shown by a system of
litzen worn on the collar
Major (After 1814) Gold epaulette on left shoulder, gold braid twist and
aiguillettes at the right. Collar trimmed with fluted gold lace
and one narrow baton of litzen on the collar.
Rittmeister Contra-epaulette of gold on left shoulder, gold braid twist and
collar.
Adjutant As above aiguillettes worn on the left.
The officer’s breeches were dark grey with a gold stripe on the outer seam and a
gold Hungarian knot or spearhead on the thighs and were worn with black leather
Hessian boots with shaped tops and gold lace trim and tassels. For campaign the
officers wore tight fitting dark grey or dark green overall trousers with a line of red
piping and a row of brass buttons on the outer seam. In late 1814 dark green
breeches with gold stripe and lace spearheads were prescribed for parade dress and
dark green overalls with brass button on the seam for Dienstuniform.
The officers appear to have been uniformly armed with the curved light cavalry
gilt S buckle. The officer’s pouchbelt was lacquered black leather with gold lace
edging and a gilt or silver plated picket and chain plate on the breast. The pouch
was of the light cavalry pattern with gold lace trim and a gilt buglehorn badge.
MUSICIANS The trumpeters wore the same ‘Swedish’ Hat in 1813 as the other
ranks except that the plume is generally depicted as being of red, drooping cockstail
feathers. The 2. Schwadron trumpeters are depicted wearing a shako covered with
red cloth and trimmed at the upper edge with yellow lace and after the introduction
of the czapka the hat was red with dark green piping. The trumpeter’s coat was the
same double breasted kollet as worn by the jägers but was of reversed colours; the
coat was red with dark green collar and cuffs and shoulder-straps and turnbacks red
piped dark green with dark green bugle horn motifs on the turnbacks. The coat was
piped dark green and the collar and cuffs were edged with yellow lace. The
trumpeters of the 2.Schwadron in 1814 are depicted wearing the same coat but with
contra-epaulettes with dark green straps and brass crescents and scales. In late
1814 the coat appears to have been enhanced by the addition of red swallows nest
epaulettes with yellow lace trim to the bottom edge. The trumpeters appear to have
been issued with red overall trousers for parade with a row of brass buttons on the
outer seam and dark grey trousers as for the troopers with red piping and brass
buttons for campaign dress. The trumpets were brass with mixed red and green
cords and tassels.
HORSE FURNITURE The trooper’s horse furniture appears to have been of a

common pattern for both squadrons from 1813 until 1815. The shabraque was dark
green with round front and elongated rounded rear corners edged with a double
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bank of red and yellow piped dark green on the outer and inner edges. The rear
corner of the saddle cloth was decorated with a yellow bugle horn motif. The valise
was rounded and dark green with red lace trim to the outer ends and decorated with
a yellow bugle horn at the tips. The trumpeters had a shabraque of reversed colours,
red with a dark green edging piped red and a gold bugle horn in the rear corners
and on the tips of the valise which was red with green trim.
Officers appear to have had at least two different patterns of shabraque. The
earlier style from 1813 was of the light cavalry pattern with round front and pointed
rear corners and was dark green with a gold dogtooth edging piped gold at the outer
edge and red at the inner. The officers of the 2.Schwadron in 1814 and all officers
from mid-1814 had a shabraque of the same shape as that of the troopers and dark
green with a wide red trim piped gold at the inner and outer edges. The rear corner
of the shabraque was decorated with a gold buglehorn motif.
HUSAREN-SCHWADRONEN
HEADGEAR The Husaren Schwadronen of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen
received a shako of similar pattern to that worn by the line infantry except that the
shako was covered with Himmelblau, sky-blue cloth and the upper edge and the
tightener-strap at the base were trimmed with yellow lace. The front of the shako
was decorated with a brass ‘Wendenkreuz’ badge with the tricolour national cockade
with yellow leather cockade-strap above. For full parade dress a tall dark green
plume of drooping cockstail feathers was worn although a plain green feather plume
sometimes shown with a red ball pompon at the base was possibly worn for
campaign dress. Cords and flounders were yellow and the chin-scales were brass
with a plain round boss. No details have been confirmed of a feldmutz for the
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hussars but this would probably have been of similar pattern that worn by the Jäger
zu Pferde squadrons and dark green with red headband and piping.
DOLMAN & PELZ The dolman was dark forest green with red upright collar open
at the throat and piped with yellow with a small trefle knot at the upper leading
corner. The edges of the coat were trimmed with yellow lace and the breast
decorated with sixteen or eighteen yellow braid galons with three rows of semi-
spherical brass buttons, according to the height of the wearer. The rear of the
dolman was decorated with yellow lace ‘trees’ on the seams and there were small
pockets beneath the elbows trimmed with yellow lace with trefle knots at the tips.
The cuffs were pointed and red piped yellow with a small Hungarian knots at the tip.
The pelz was dark forest green with white silk lining and black fur trim to the
collar, cuffs and edges. The breast was decorated with sixteen or eighteen yellow
braid galons with three rows of semi-spherical brass buttons, according to the height
of the wearer. The edges of the coat were decorated with yellow lace trim and the
rear seams had yellow lace ‘trees’ with a fork and three brass buttons at the base.
The cuffs were decorated with a baton of black fur piped yellow with a small
Hungarian knot at the tip.
A Dienstuniform was issued in 1814 consisting of a dolman and pelz of the same
cut but with only six galons of braid on the breast. Is unknown how widespread this
issue was or if the garments were issued before the close of hostilities.
A barrel sash of alternative red and yellow vertical bars with yellow cords and
tassels, worn on the right hip was worn at the waist over the dolman.
BREECHES,ETC For parade dress the hussars wore sky blue breeches with
yellow lace Hungarian knots on the thighs and a wide yellow lace stripe on the outer
seam. Boots were of the Hessian pattern with shaped tops trimmed with yellow lace
and tassel. For campaign overall trousers were worn which appear to have initially
been of dark grey with black leather inserts and cuffs and a row of brass buttons on
the outer seam. The 2. Schwadron were issued with overalls of sky-blue with black
leather inserts and cuffs, a yellow stripe on the outer seam and a row of brass
buttons, and both squadrons appear to have been wearing the sky-blue trousers by
mid-1814.
EQUIPMENT The hussars were armed with the curved light cavalry sabre with
plain steel two bar swept hilt and a black leather sabre-strap. The scabbard was
polished steel and was carried on a narrow light cavalry style belt of black leather
with brass ‘S’ buckle and fittings on double slings. The belt also supported a black
leather sabretache on triple straps with a plain black leather lid decorated with a
brass ‘Wendenkreuz’ badge. Each hussar was armed with a brace of pistols carried
on the saddle but there is not confirmed evidence that the squadrons were issued
with carbines or carbine bandoliers. The cartridge pouch was of the light cavalry
pattern with a shaped black leather lid decorated with a brass ‘Wendenkreuz’ badge
and the pouchbelt was black leather with brass buckle and fittings and a brass picker
and chains ensemble on the breast of the belt.
OFFICERS & NCOs The non-commission-officers of the Husaren Schwadronen

of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen wore the same shako as the hussars the only
distinction being for the Wachtmeister who appears to have had gold lace trim to
the upper edge of the shako and gold cords and flounders. The Wachtmeister and
Sekundieren-Wachtmeister are also depicted with a plume with black tip.
150
The dolman and pelz were of the same style as worn by the troopers but the non-
commissioned-officers were distinguished by a sequence of lace chevrons worn on
the left sleeve of the dolman and pelz.
Wachtmeister Two inverted gold chevrons worn on the left cuff
Sekundieren-Wachtmeister One inverted gold chevron worn on the left cuff
Quartiermeister One inverted gold chevron worn on the left upper sleeve
Korporal One inverted red chevron worn on the left cuff
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The officers wore a shako of the same style as the men sky-blue with a gold lace
band around the upper edge in the form of a filigree pattern of loops and the base
of the shako was trimmed with a gold lace band. The front of the shako was
decorated with a gilt filigree oval badge of the cross within a oak and laurel wreath;
the chinscales were gilded and the black lacquered peak was trimmed with a gilded
brass. The shako cords were gold and the full dress plume was dark green cockstail
feather with black base and orange tip attached with a gilt tulip shaped socket.
Officers did not wear company pompons but the tulip socket is always shown
The national cockade was held with a large gold braid cockade-strap and gilt button.
The officer’s dolman and pelz were of the same colours as those of the hussars
except that all piping and lace was gold and the gold braids worn on the breast are
sometimes depicted with five rows of gilt buttons instead of three. The collar was
piped gold and decorated with an inner band of gold filigree lace of the same loop
pattern as the shako.
Rank was shown by a system of gold lace inverted chevrons worn on the cuff the
first band trimming the edge of the cuff
Oberstleutnant Five 25 mm chevrons of lace three gold and two 20mm silver
alternatively.
Major Four chevrons of 25mm gold lace
Rittmeister Three chevrons of gold lace, two of 25mm with a 20mm

chevron between
Adjutant As above gold aiguillettes worn at the left shoulder on the
dolman
Leutnant I Klasse Two 20mm chevrons of gold lace

Leutnant II Klasse One 20mm chevron of gold lace
The officer’s breeches were sky-blue with a gold stripe on the outer seam and a
gold Hungarian knot on the thighs and were worn with black leather Hessian boots
with shaped tops and gold lace trim and tassels. For campaign the officers wore
tight fitting dark grey or sky-blue overall trousers with a line of gold piping and a
row of brass buttons on the outer seam.
pattern sabre with brass two bar swept hilt and polished brass scabbard and silver
and crimson sabre-strap. The sabre was carried on a black leather waistbelt edged
with gold lace which were commonly of the pattern used by light cavalry, narrow
with a gilt S buckle. The officer’s pouchbelt was lacquered black leather with gold
lace edging and a gilt or silver plated picket and chain plate on the breast. The
pouch was of the light cavalry pattern with gold lace trim and a gilt badge of the
cross and wreath pattern worn on the shako.
MUSICIANS The trumpeters wore the shako covered with red cloth and
trimmed at the upper edge with white lace and yellow lace at the base. The shako
cords were white and the cockstail father plumes were white with red top quarter or
white with red tips. The dolman and pelz were both sky-blue with yellow lace trim
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and braid and brass buttons. The collar of the dolman was red with yellow lace trim
with a small trefle knot on the leading corner and the cuffs were trimmed with yellow
lace at the upper and trailing edges. The breeches, boots and overall trousers were
as for the hussars and the barrel sash was yellow and red, although this is also
shown as white and red. Sabres, belt and sabretache were as for the troopers and
trumpeters do not appear to have received the pouchbelt. The trumpets were brass
with mixed sky-blue and white cords and tassels.
HORSE FURNITURE Both Husaren Schwadronen had identical shabraques,

dark forest green with rounded front and pointed rear corners edged with a sky-blue
dog-tooth border piped yellow at the inner and outer edges. The valise was sky-
blue with yellow piping and trim at the outer tips and black leather straps. The
trumpeter’s had shabraques of reversed colours, sky- blue with dark green edging
piped yellow.
The officer’s shabraques were of the same style and dark forest green with a wide
gold lace trim to the edge with a line of sky-blue piping through the centre. One
modern source suggests that senior officers may have used leopard skin saddle
covers trimmed with sky-blue ruffled edging but this is unconfirmed by
contemporary sources.
LANDWEHR-DRAGONER SCHWADRONEN
HEADGEAR The Landwehr-Dragoner-Schwadronen, also known as the
Dragoner Schwadronen of Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen, originated as mounted
detachments raised as part of the Sächsischen Landmiliz ordered in the spring of
1813, and each of the seven Landmiliz battalions was intended to have an attached
mounted squadron. In reality recruitment was slow and by the end of 1813 only six
short companies had been raised and provided with mounts. In March 1814 these
companies were brought together and re-organised with the addition of volunteers
into two squadrons and were attached to the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen. The
uniforms were basically very similar to those worn by the Landmiliz infantry
battalions.
153
154
The officially prescribed shako was black felt with black leather trim at the upper
edge and a black leather tightener strap at the base with a small brass buckle at the
rear and black leather versteifen at the sides. The peak was black leather and the
chinscales were brass with a plain round boss. The front of the shako was decorated
with a white paper rosette cockade in 1813 fastened with a narrow yellow leather
cockade-strap with a brass button. In November 1813 the cockades were changed
to the new black within green within yellow pattern The front of the shako was
decorated with a brass badge in the form of a ‘Landwehrkreus’ a simple equal armed
cross usually with the centre embossed and infilled with black enamel. In 1814 this
was changed to the same brass ‘Wendenkreuz’ badge worn by the other Banner
units. The shako cords were white and the plume is depicted as being black trailing
horsehair sometimes shown with a red ‘houpette’ or tuft at the upper tip. It is
unknown if the dragoons were issued with a feldmutz cap but these would probably
have followed the same pattern of soft round cap worn by the other units with dark
blue crown and red/scarlet headband and piping.
COAT The coat prescribed for the Landwehr-Dragoner was a dark blue double
breasted kollet of Prussian style closed with two rows of plain domed brass buttons
with scarlet piping to the edges of the coat. The high upright collar was open at the
throat and scarlet and the cuffs were squarecut and scarlet with two brass buttons
at the trailing edge. The cuffs are depicted as being of the pointed style with a slit
at the rear and two brass buttons, one on the cuff actual and one above; Knötel
shows the cuffs as being of the Germanic style with a slit at the rear with two buttons
one on the cuff actual and one above and both variations were probably common.
The turnbacks are depicted solid scarlet although there is some indication that some
companies may have had dark blue turnbacks piped scarlet in late 1813. It is likely
that those dragoon units formed in 1813 were issued with the same coats as the
regional Landmiliz battalions of infantry. Initially the companies appear to have
worn dark blue shoulder-straps piped scarlet and some companies may have
retained these into 1814 but most were replaced with contra-epaulettes with brass
crescents and brass scales on the straps. Yellow braid aiguillettes were worn at the
right shoulder looped across the chest and fastened at the second breast button on
the right by both squadrons. The right-hand epaulette is sometimes depicted as a
braid twist or trefle epaulette and several variations may have occurred.
BREECHES,ETC The Dragoner-Schwadronen were issued with either dark blue

or mid-grey breeches with a scarlet stripe on the outer seam worn with plain topped
riding boots, and for campaign wear in 1814 overall trousers were issued with black
leather inserts and cuffs and a red stripe on the outer seam with a row of large brass
buttons. No information has been found about any riding cloaks or greatcoats which
may have been issued but these would probably have followed similar styles to those
worn by the line cavalry and have been either dark grey or dark blue possibly with
a scarlet collar or collar tab.
EQUIPMENT Initially the dragoons of the Landmiliz appear to have been issued
with an assortment of sabres, pistols and belting mostly of older or captured origin.
On becoming part of the well-funded Banner the troopers were issued with a new
curved light cavalry sabre with two bar, swept steel hilt of local manufacture with a
polished steel scabbard and a black leather sabre-strap, sometimes depicted with a
scarlet knot and tassels. The sabre was carried on a black leather waistbelt with a
large square brass buckle plate on double slings. Two pistols were issued to each
man which were carried on the saddle. From early 1814 short cavalry carbines,
probably of Austrian manufacture were issued which appear to have been carried
muzzle forward on the saddle across the right knee. No evidence has been found
155
that carbine slings were ever issued. The pouchbelt was black leather and supported
a small black leather cartridge box with a squared lid with or without a brass
‘Wendenkreuz’ badge. The front of the belt was decorated with a brass picker and
chains ensemble with an oval plate.
OFFICERS & NCOs The officers and non-commissioned officers of the

Landwehr-Dragoner of the Banner der Freiwilligen Sachsen were distinguished in
exactly the same manner as those of the Jäger zu Pferde squadrons. The non-
commissioned-officers were distinguished by rank lace worn on the collar.
Wachtmeister Collar trimmed with flat gold lace to upper and leading edges.
Three narrow horizontal batons of lace on the collar and mixed
gold and dark blue aiguillettes.
Sekundieren-Wachtmeister Two narrow gold lace batons of lace on the collar and mixed gold
and dark blue aiguillettes.
Korporal One narrow gold lace batons of lace on the collar and mixed gold
and dark blue aiguillettes.
silver knot and tassels. The Wachtmeister had silver cords and flounders on the
shako and the NCO’s tall drooping horsehair plume was white with a black tip.
The officer’s shako had a gold lace band around the upper edge in the form of an
filigree pattern of loops and the base of the shako was trimmed with a gold lace
band. The front of the shako was decorated with a gilt ‘Wendenkreuz’ badge within
a oak and laurel wreath. The chinscales were gilded and the black lacquered peak
was trimmed with a gilded brass. The shako cords were gold and the full dress
plume was dark green with black or orange base and attached with a gilt tulip shaped
socket. Officers did not wear company pompons but the tulip socket is always shown
Officer’s coats were dark blue and double breasted with long tails and scarlet
facings as for the dragoon’s kollet. All buttons were gilt and the turnbacks were
scarlet. The tails had horizontal pockets piped red with three points and three gilt
buttons. Rank was shown by a system of litzen worn on the collar
Rittmeister Contra-epaulette of gold on left shoulder, gold braid twist and

collar.
The officer’s breeches were white for full parade dress and dark grey or dark blue
with a scarlet stripe on the outer seam and were worn with black leather knee boots.
For campaign the officers wore tight fitting dark grey overall trousers with a line of
red piping and a row of brass buttons on the outer seam.
156
gilt S buckle. The officer’s pouchbelt was lacquered black leather with gold lace
edging and a gilt or silver plated picket and chain plate on the breast. The pouch
was of the light cavalry pattern with gold lace trim and a gilt cross and wreath badge
on the lid as worn on the shako.
MUSICIANS The trumpeters wore the shako covered with red cloth and
trimmed at the upper edge with yellow lace. The trumpeter’s coat was the same
double breasted kollet as worn by the dragoons but was of reversed colours; the
coat was red with dark blue collar and cuffs edged with yellow lace and the coat was
piped dark blue. Shoulder-straps were red piped dark blue, or contra-epaulettes
were yellow as for the men with mixed yellow and dark blue aiguillettes. The
turnbacks were dark blue. In late 1814 the coat appears to have been enhanced by
the addition of red swallows nest epaulettes with yellow lace trim to the bottom edge.
The trumpeter’s breeches and overall trousers were as for the dragoons. The
trumpets were brass with mixed red and yellow cords and tassels.
HORSE FURNITURE The trooper’s horse furniture appears to have been of a

common pattern for both squadrons from 1813 until 1815. The shabraque was dark
blue with rounded front and pointed rear corners edged with a wide scarlet band.
The valise was dark blue with scarlet piping and a double band of scarlet trimming
the ends of the case. The trumpeters had a shabraque of the same pattern as the
dragoons until late 1814 when a shabraque of reversed colours, scarlet with a dark
blue edging was introduced.
The Wachtmeister had a shabraque of the same pattern but with the inner edge
of the scarlet trim piped gold and the sergent had the same with the piping yellow.
The officer’s shabraques were of the same style but dark blue with a wide gold lace
edging piped dark blue at the extreme edge.
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LEIB-GRENADIER-GARDE
ORGANISATION In 1792 the Leib-Grenadier-Garde consisted of two
battalions each of five companies, four centre companies and an elite
Flügelkompagnie, or ‘wing company’. The centre companies were numbered 1-8
consecutively, however traditionally the first company of the first battalion was
known as the Leib-Kompagnie and was commanded by the senior captain of the
regiment; the second company was known as the Oberst-Kompagnie and these two
companies formed the 1st Division of the battalion on the left of the line. The third
company was named as the Oberstleutnant-Kompagnie and with the 4.Kompagnie
formed the 2nd Division. The grenadier-kompagnien of the 2.Bataillon of the
regiment were simply numbered 5 – 8 and formed the 3rd and 4th Divisions when
both battalions took the line together on the left of the 1.Bataillon. Unlike the line
infantry the Flügelkompagnien were not detached from the regiment but were
positioned on the left and right wings of the regiment when formed in line.
The Leib-Grenadier-Garde had no regimental inhaber as such the Elector, later the
King was the regimental colonel-in-chief. When guarding the royal residence the
guard was nominally commanded by the Schlieβkapitän, the Palace Captain of the
Guard, a general of the royal household. The internal organisation of the Leib-
Grenadier-Garde changed little between 1792 and 1809 and was similar to that of
the line infantry regiments.
2 Major 1 Regimentsquartiermeister
2 Adjutant 1 Stabs-quartiermeister (From 1797)
1 Auditeur 1 Regimentsfeldscher
2 Fähnjunker 1 Stabsfeldsher
1 Profost 1 Stabsprofost
2 Korporal-Trommler 8 Ober-Hautboisten
12 Hautboisten 1 Musikmeister
2 Büschenmacher 1 Tambour-major (From 1809)

1 Kapitän 1 Premierleutnant
4 Pfeifer 2 Zimmermannen
100 Grenadiere
The Leib-Grenadier-Garde provided part of the garrison for Dresden and furnished
the garrison and guard for the residence of the monarch at Dresden or Leipsic at
least one battalion accompanying the ruler whenever he relocated to another palace.
The Leib-Grenadier-Garde suffered as badly from internal corruption and
malpractice as the line regiments and with their peacetime duties only requiring the
regiment to find a single duty battalion most of the grenadiers, many of whom were
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well into middle age were on almost permanent furlough and when the regiment as
called to muster in 1809 could only find a single combined battalion of some 500
men fit for active service.
With the re-organisation of 1810 the Leib-Grenadier-Garde remained at a two

battalion strength but each battalion was reduced to four companies, the two
Flügelkompagnien being absorbed into the battalions as the 4th and 8th companies.
The internal organisation remained virtually unchanged except that the company
structure was brought into line with that of the line infantry.
Kompagnie Establishment 1810-1814

1 Kapitän I.Klasse or Kapitän II.Klasse 1 Leutnant I.Klasse
1 Leutnant II.Klasse 1 Fähnrich
1 Kompagnie-Feldscher 1 Feldwebel
2 Sergent 1 Sergent-Quartiermeister
10 Korporal (7 from 1814) 4 Gefreite (From 1814)
4 Trommler 2 Zimmerleute
180 Grenadiere 1810-1812 - 140 Grenadiere 1812-1813 - 110 Grenadiere 1814
In 1813 the Leib-Grenadier-Regiment was only able to raise a single field

battalion of some 600 men and a depot battalion of two companies.
In an attempt to strengthen his links with his foreign allies, on 14 September
1813, Napoleon ordered that a new division of the Old Guard be formed to consist
of the two battalions of Velites from Florence and Turin, two battalions of the Saxon
Leib-Garde-Grenadiers, and one battalion of Polish Grenadiers. The articles of the
decree stated that the Saxon battalions, would consist of 800 men, aged 23 or over
and have served for at least 2 years; that the grenadiers would be given the same
status and pay of the 2eme Regiment des Grenadiers a Pied de la Garde Imperiale;
the cost of maintaining the Saxon contingent would remain with the King of Saxony.
On 24 October 1813, Napoleon ordered the existing Saxon Grenadier Battalion be
paraded in front of the Kings Palace at Leipsic, to be his bodyguard that day.
After the Battle of Leipsic and the defection of the Saxon army to the Allies,
Generalmajor von Zezchau with the 600 men of the Leib-Grenadier-Garde and a
handful of officers quickly left the field and took up station around the royal palace
at Leipsic as a body guard for König Friedrich August until taken into captivity with
their king by the allies after the battle was decided. Following Leipsic the army
was re-organised for service with the Prussian army and the Provisorisch-Garde-
Regiment was formed in three battalions from the existing soldiers of the Leib-
Grenadier-Garde and survivors of the Infanterie-Regimenten König and the former
grenadier battalions.
New Provisional Regiment Former Regiment New Battalion
Provisorisch-Garde-Regiment Leib-Grenadier-Garde 1.Bataillon

Infanterie-Regiment König 2.Bataillon
Infanterie Grenadier-Kompagnien 3.Bataillon
On paper the staff of the Provisional Guard regiment was unchanged but each
battalion had four companies each of 110 grenadiers.
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HEADGEAR 1792-1809 The Leib-Grenadier-Garde wore a bearskin bonnet of

black-brown fur of the style worn by the line infantry grenadiers with a distinctly
pointed upper tip and a brass front plate embossed with the Elector’s cipher FA
within a laurel wreath below an electoral cap and flanked by grenades at the corners.
After 1806 the plates were ordered to be replaced with new items with a royal crown
and the cipher FAR but most companies appear to have still been wearing the older
pattern plates as late as 1809. The rear of the bonnet had a calot, a cloth patch of
lemon-yellow usually with a white cross although the patch is sometimes depicted
as decorated with a white grenade motif which may have corresponded to issues of
bonnets with the new FAR plate. A white ball shaped pompon with yellow centre
was worn at the top of the cap around which was looped the white cords and tassels
which were worn in the 18th century style at the rear of the bonnet rather than
draped across the front. For everyday wear, the ‘Dienstuniform’, and on the march,
the grenadiers wore the same bicorn hat as the line infantry with white and yellow
pompons without special distinctions.
The feldmutz followed the same patterns as worn by the line infantry regiments,
a white stocking cap with madder-red headband which appears to have been worn
until replaced in 1810.
the design submitted in 1808. The specified changes appear to have been
implemented in late 1810 and although a new pattern of bearskin bonnet was
ordered for the Leib-Grenadier-Garde a mixture of old and new styles appear to
have been in use until after the 1812 Russian campaign. The bearskin bonnet was
now reserved strictly for full dress and parade duties and was replaced with a shako
for everyday and Dienstuniform. The 1810 pattern bearskin bonnet was similar in
appearance to the older style except that the top of the bonnet was fuller and less
pointed and the calot was yellow with a red grenade badge. In 1811 the new pattern
of plate for the bearskins was finally introduced to both battalions, with the FAR
cipher and royal crown in a wreath flanked by grenades. The plate had a rounder
top and the sides were less curved. The pompon worn at the rear of the bonnet
was now discarded and replaced with a white knot and the white cords and tassels
were now often worn draped across the front of the bonnet.
The old style bicorn hats were abandoned and replaced for Dienstuniform for all
companies with a shako similar in style to that worn by the line infantry. The shako
was black felt with black leather trim at the upper edge and a black leather tightener
strap at the base with a small brass buckle at the rear. Later shakos had black
160
leather versteifen at the sides. The peak was black leather and the chinscales were
brass with a plain round boss. The front of the shako was decorated with a brass
plate in the shape of a heraldic shield surmounted by a royal crown and embossed
with the entwined FA cipher. The white paper rosette cockade was fastened with
a narrow white leather cockade-strap with a brass button. In 1813 the national
cockade was changed to black, within green within yellow and changed again in
1815 to white with a green edging. For parade dress the shako was decorated with
a tall red plume and red cords and flounders, although some sources depict the
grenadiers in 1812 wearing plumes and cords of white. For campaign dress the
plume was replaced with a carrot shaped red pompon the guard were issued with
canvas waterproof shako covers to protect the shako on campaign and during
inclement weather and these appear to have been the predominant order of dress
throughout the 1812 and 1813 campaigns. The covers issued in 1811 were mostly
black or grey waxed canvas. The pompon was usually worn outside of the cover as
a unit identifier. In 1813 following the change of allegiance the bearskin bonnets
appear to have been withdrawn from use completely and all battalions of the
Provisorisch-Garde-Regiment wore the shako with red plume and cords.
In late 1815 following the division of Saxony the Provisorisch-Garde-Regiment

became the Leib-Regiment and received new bearskin bonnets of a very French style
which may in fact have been allocated to the Leib-Grenadier-Garde in 1813 as part
of Bonaparte’s intention to incorporate the regiment in the French Imperial Guard.
The bonnets had a yellow calot with a red grenade motif, also shown as red with a
white motif; white cords and flounders and calot tassel.
The feldmutz worn until 1813 continued to be the 1802 pattern white with red
headband. In 1813 a new feldmutz was authorised of distinctly German style similar
to that worn by the Prussian army a white round hat piped red with red headband
and often with the tricolour national cockade at the front of the crown. The cap was
fitted with a narrow black leather chin-strap.
COAT 1792-1809 The coat worn by the Leib-Grenadier-Garde was the same
1789 worn by the line infantry regiments. The coat was madder-red with the collar,
lapels, turnbacks and Swedish cuffs of lemon-yellow. The lapels were fastened with
seven pewter plain domed buttons and two large buttons appeared below the right
hand lapel with corresponding buttonholes on the left. The cuffs were of the Swedish
‘turned back’ style fastened with two buttons at the trailing edge. The shoulders
were decorated with white full fringed epaulettes.
COAT 1810-1814 The new coat ordered for the line infantry regiments in 1810
was a modern ‘Spencer’ style uniformrock with long tails extending to the rear of
the knees. The coat had a high upright collar, plastron lapels fastened with eight
pewter buttons. The cuffs were of a plain squared pattern with two buttons at the
trailing edges, but are also depicted as being of the ‘German’ pattern, square-cut
with a slit at the rear and three buttons two on the cuff actual and one above. The
coat was again madder-red with the collar, lapels, cuffs and turnbacks lemon yellow
and the turnbacks were now decorated with red grenade motifs. The shoulders were
decorated with full fringed white epaulettes until late 1815 when the epaulettes were
replaced with red shoulder-straps with yellow piping for the Dienstuniform. During
the earlier part of 1814 the 2. & 3. Bataillonen, of the Provisorisch-Garde-Regiment
continued to wear the uniforms of their former regiments although some effort was
made to standardise the uniform facing colours into company based units. The red
uniform coat as worn by the 1. Bataillon were gradually issued to all companies
during 1814.
161
162
BREECHES, ETC In 1792 the Leib-Grenadier-Garde were still wearing the

pattern of gilet, sleeveless waistcoat, that had been prescribed in 1763 a single
breasted garment of lemon yellow closed with a single row of small white metal
buttons. The waistcoat was collarless and had small flapped pockets at the waist.
After the introduction of the 1810 Spencer tunic the waistcoats were officially
discontinued for wear beneath the kollet but continued to be worn for fatigue dress.
A Lagertunika, or fatigue tunic, was issued for fatigues and wear in barracks which
was a lemon-yellow sleeved waistcoat closed with a single row of regimental
coloured buttons and facing colour collar and cuffs. The coatee had a single coat
colour shoulder-strap on the left shoulder and supporting straps with a bastion tip
and button for the waist belt either side of the waist. The tunics were official
discontinued in 1810 but may have been retained for some time.
Breeches were white for all companies and prior to 1810 were worn with white
high over the knee gaiters with brass buttons for parade dress and black over the
knee gaiters for winter. The high gaiters continued to be worn by the guard until
1815. White overall trousers were during the 1812 and campaign trousers of
various shades of grey and brown were adopted by all regiments serving in the
freezing conditions of Poland and Russia. In 1813 the Provisorisch-Garde-Regiment
was issued with white cotton overall trousers for summer campaign dress and dark
grey overalls for winter dress and these became the standard wear for all orders of
dress until after the close of hostilities in 1815.
In 1792 the Saxon infantry were not wearing a conventional greatcoat, but instead
were issued a ‘kittel’ a form of overcoat which was worn instead of the uniformrock
not over it, in inclement wearer and during the winter. The coat was pepper-grey
wool and closed with a double row of seven or eight cloth covered buttons but was
generally worn with the skirts turned back and fastened with a button at the tips to
allow the wearer free access to the sabre except in foul weather. The fall collar was
coat colour as were the deep Swedish cuffs and there was a single broad shoulder-
strap on the left shoulder to hold the pouchbelt. The kittel continued to be worn by
all Saxon infantry until 1810 when new greatcoats were issued. When not worn the
Kittel was stored in a ticking bag and carried with the regimental baggage in the
field and the uniformrock was likewise exchanged when the Kittel was worn.
A new pattern greatcoat was prescribed for all regiments as part of the 1810
uniform reforms to replace the 18th century pattern kittel. The coat was of
conventional style and could now be worn over the kollet. The coat was dark grey
wool and double breasted with two rows of eight pewter buttons on the breast. The
high upright collar was closed at the throat and was coat coloured as were the deep
Swedish cuffs. The coat had two bastion tipped shoulder-straps of dark grey. From
1812 a lemon yellow bastion tipped baton with a button at the rear tip was added
to the collar.
The greatcoats issued to the composite battalions of the Provisorisch-Garde-

Regiment were of a variety of style and patterns, Saxon 1810 pattern great coats
from the regimental stores, reworked Kittel overcoats, French and Austrian
garments, of various shades of grey, beige or brown until replaced with the official
issue coat in late 1814.
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EQUIPMENT The muskets in use by the Leib-Grenadier-Regiment in 1792 were

of the same short pattern as issued to the line grenadiers a model first introduced
to the army in 1778 and had changed little over the intervening thirty years and
were still in use in 1809. The musket sling was brown leather with brass buckles
and was treated with oil to keep it waterproof and subtle a process called ‘röten’
which turned the leather a rich, deep chestnut red-brown. The Leib-Grenadier-
Garde received the new pattern muskets in 1809 and these were retained until 1814
when the Saxon army received a considerable number of Austrian muskets of the
m.1784 and m.1795 patterns which became the predominant weapons after the
change of allegiance.
Sabres were of the m1765 Grenadier-säbel, a heavy bladed curved sabre with a
solid brass fluted grip and a brass basket hilt with a shell motif on the handguard
and a finger ring on the side of the hilt. This pattern of sabre remained the standard
issue for the guard until 1814. The sabre-straps was white for all companies. The
sabre-scabbards could be either black or brown leather with brass fittings and heel
and the sword was carried on a whitened leather waistbelt. The front of the waistbelt
carried a small pouch, which had originally contained the grenade fuses, flints and
tools during the 18th Century and was still worn as a matter of tradition by the
grenadiers. The lid of the pouch was scalloped and decorated with a brass badge of
the Saxon coat of arms flanked by a stand of banners. The cartridge pouch was of
the same pattern as those of the line infantry with a shaped black leather lid
decorated with a brass oval coat of
arms badge with a grenade in each
corner and was carried on a
whitened leather shoulderbelt.
After the 1806 campaign the waist
pouches were discontinued for the
grenadiers and only retained by the
NCOs. In 1810 the waistbelt was
discontinued and pouch and sabre
were carried on twin whitened
leather shoulder belts.
A new pattern of pouch was

authorised in 1810 but may not
have actually been issued to the
regiment until after the 1812
campaign. The pouch lid was now
decorated with a heraldic shield
badge of the Saxon royal cipher
surmounted by a royal crown.
The packs were as issued to the Saxon line infantry regiments in 1792 were of
un-dyed cowhide, usually brown or tan, with white leather straps and fittings and
were carried on a whitened leather shoulder strap to hang on the left hip. Each man
was issued a canvas or linen bread sack, a wooden canteen, and a set of three tin
mess pans which were strapped to the pack. After 1810 new packs were authorised
of the French pattern, larger than the older pattern and now worn on the back with
whitened leather shoulder-straps and the greatcoat folded and strapped to the top
of the pack.
164
NON-COMMISSIONED-OFFICERS In 1792 the non-commissioned-officers of

the Leib-Grenadier-Garde were distinguished in the same manner as prescribed in
the regulations of 1763 for the line infantry. Prior to 1810 the non-commissioned-
officers wore the same basic headwear as the other ranks, the only distinction being
that the bearskin bonnet had silver cords and tassels and a white pompon with a
black centre. The bicorn hat worn for Dienstuniform was trimmed with a scalloped
lace edging of silver, the pompons decorating the tips of the hat tightener appear
to have been white with a crimson centre in 1792 and by 1806 had changed to white
with a black centre. The hat was without the regimental coloured pompon and a
white paper rosette cockade was worn by the korporal with a white leather cockade-
strap and pewter button. The sergent wore a white silk bow cockade with a much
smaller silver lace cockade strap. There is some evidence to suggest that in 1806
black over white pompons were worn to distinguish NCOs during the association
with the Prussian army and that the sergent’s bow cockade was changed to black.

between 1792 and 1809, the coat, breeches and gaiters being as for the other ranks.
All NCOs carried the traditional cane of office of hazelwood with a gilt or silvered
cap for the sergent and a strap coloured as for the sabre-straps. The cane was
carried with the strap looped over the second button of the right lapel and passed
under the arm with the end through the turnbacks. On the march the cane was
often strapped to the sword scabbard.
The Korporal was armed with the same sabre-briquet as the men and the sergent
with a straight bladed degen with brass D hilt and ball pompon carried on the
waistbelt in a black leather scabbard.
The Korporal’s sabre-strap is usually
depicted as white with a black knot and
tassels and the sergent had a sword-
strap of silver with the knot and tassels
mixed crimson and silver. The Korporal
was issued with the same grenadier
pattern musket as the other ranks and
the sergent received a shorter carbine
similar to that carried by officers. The
NCOs were issued with a pistol during
active service which was carried in a
whitened leather holster on a bandolier
worn over the left shoulder with the
pistol resting at the rear of the right hip.
The pistol was attached to the bandolier
with a narrow strap and brass hook.
rank insignia similar to those worn by the French army. The bearskin bonnet was
as for the men except that cords and flounders were white for the korporal and
sergent, the regimental Führer having silver cords and flounders. The shako was
trimmed at the top with a band of white metal a single wide single band for the
korporal and sergent and a double band for the feldwebel. By 1812 the rather
impractical metal trim had been replaced by silver lace for the senior NCOs and
white lace trim for the korporals. The shako cords were white for the korporal and
sergent, the regimental Führer having silver cords and flounders. The shako was
decorated with a white or red plume with a black tip.
165
The uniformrock was as for the other ranks with the addition of French style rank
insignia worn on the left sleeve above the cuff.
Führer / Feldwebel Two diagonal stripes silver lace, above the left cuff, silver
epaulettes with a mixed silver and crimson fringe.
Sergent Single diagonal stripe of silver lace, above the left cuff
Korporal Two diagonal stripes of yellow wool above the left cuff
Quartiermeister Single diagonal stripe of silver lace, on the upper left sleeve.
Korporals were equipped and armed as for the grenadiers, the feldwebels were
issued with the shorter carbine instead of the musket. The Regiments-Führer was
not armed with a longarm but retained the straight bladed degen which was most
commonly worn on a whitened leather shoulder belt and was now the only NCO to
have a sabre-strap which was silver. Pistols continued to be issued to the feldwebel
and Führer for campaign. The korporal had a cartridge pouch of the same pattern
as the company but sergents and feldwebels of the musketiere-kompagnien had the
lid decorated with a crowned brass entwined FA cipher badge. The cane of office
was officially discontinued in 1810 but it is likely that many of the older senior NCOs
continued to carry their canes as late as 1813.
THE OFFICERS The officers of the Leib-Grenadier-Garde wore a bearskin

bonnet of the same basic style as the grenadiers for full parade dress and the bicorn
hat for Dienstuniform. The bearskin was of black fur with a yellow calot with the
cross silver lace, although the calot is also depicted as being without decoration or
having a silver grenade motif. The officer’s cords and tassels were silver and officers
did not wear a ball pompon and the cords were attached at the top of the calot with
a twist of braid. The plate at the front of the bearskin colour could be one of two
patterns which do not appear to have been specific to a particular time frame. The
first was of identical pattern to that used by the men except that the plate was gilded
sometimes with the detail picked out in silver. A second style of plate which appears
to have been introduced around 1802 and was certainly worn during the 1809
campaign had an enamelled central motif of the electoral cap above the arms of
Poland and Saxony on a crimson field with the FA cipher in silver below, all within a
green wreath. A new plate was authorised in 1806 with the electoral cap replaced
with a royal crown, however no surviving artefact of this pattern has been located
and few if any may have been purchased by officers in 1808-1809. Although a new
pattern of officer’s bearskin bonnet was ordered for the Leib-Grenadier-Garde in
1810 a mixture of old and new styles appear to have been in use until after the 1812
Russian campaign. The bearskin bonnet was now reserved strictly for full dress and
parade duties and was replaced with a bicorn hat for everyday and Dienstuniform.
The 1810 pattern bearskin bonnet as for the men was prescribed and in 1811 the
new pattern of plate for the bearskins was finally introduced for officers, with the
FAR cipher and royal crown in a wreath flanked by grenades. The plate was gilt
with the details picked out in silver and enamel. The calot was now red with a silver
grenade motif and cords and flounders were silver.
For Dienstuniform the officers wore a bicorn hat similar in appearance to that of
the men but larger, of a more conventional size which was trimmed at the upper
edges with a scalloped band of silver, fluted lace braid. The national cockade was
predominantly a white silk bow held with a gold or silver lace cockade-straps with
silver buttons but by 1806 rosette style white silk cockades had begun to make an
166
167
appearance and these were being commonly worn by 1809. The hat tighteners
were silver cord and the pompons at the tips were white with a crimson centre for
all officers. For campaign dress officers wore the same pattern bicorn hat but
without the expensive silver lave edging. The officers were not issued with the
shako in 1810 and received instead a bicorn hat of more modern appearance for
the Dienstuniform and walking out dress black felt with silver tightener cords with
a small tassel at the tip. The national cockade was held with a large silver braid
cockade-strap and gilt or silver-plated button. Field officers had silver lace edging
to the hat.
The officer’s uniformrock worn from 1792 until 1809 was basically the same style
as worn by the grenadiers except that the cloth was of much finer quality with the
subsequent result that coat and facing colour appeared much brighter. All buttons
were silver plated and appear to have been embossed with the electoral cap and FA
cipher prior to 1806 and were gradually replaced with buttons stamped with the
royal crown after that date.
The arrangement of the buttons on the lapels appears to have been seven buttons
equally spaced as for the men but the button holes of the lapels were decorated with
oakleaf embroidered litzen of silver lace. The collar was piped with silver and
decorated with two horizontal oakleaf batons of lace and the cuffs had two vertical
168
batons of the embroidered lace at the front buttonholes. All officers wore silver full
fringed epaulettes at the shoulders, those of the field officers having a heavy bullion
fringe. The tails of the coat are shown alternatively with either yellow or red
turnbacks, and the tails had horizontal pockets piped silver with three buttons and
three batons of the oakleaf embroidered litzen at the buttonholes.
grenadiers. The coat was madder-red with lemon yellow facings on the collar, cuffs
and lapels and yellow turnbacks sometimes shown with silver grenade motifs. The
eight lapel buttons were silver plated each with a baton of silver oakleaf litzen. The
tails were now decorated with double pockets, a vertical pocket at the inside of the
tail with three points and three buttons and a second, horizontal small pocket at the
waist also with three points and three buttons, both were piped with the silver and
the buttonholes were decorated with the silver oakleaf litzen. Rank was now shown
by silver epaulettes worn at the shoulders and all officers wore silver aiguillettes at
the right shoulder. The 1810 sequence of epaulettes continued in use until 1815.
Oberst Two full fringed epaulettes of silver with heavy bullion fringes
Oberstleutnant Two full fringed epaulettes of silver with heavy bullion fringes
and the shoulder strap of gold
Major Full fringed epaulette of silver with heavy bullion fringe on left,
Kapitän Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on left, contra
epaulette on right.
Kapitän-Adjutant [12] Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on right, contra
epaulette on left.
Leutnant I Klasse Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on left, contra
Leutnant II Klasse Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on left, contra
substantive rank but with the silver aiguillettes worn at the right shoulder.
The officer’s collar was piped silver with two horizontal batons of oakleaf litzen
and the cuffs were piped silver with two horizontal laces at the buttonholes. The
new coat authorised in late 1814-1815 was as for the 1810 uniformrock madder-
red with lemon yellow facings but was without the silver lace decorations to the
collar, cuffs and lapels.
as the Dienstuniform for everyday duties and domestic duties to save the expensive
dress uniform coat. The coat appeared in several variations between 1792 and 1809
and was the most commonly worn uniform for officers on campaign during the period.
The coat was cut as for the dress uniformrock but with full skirts and without the
silver lace decorations to the collar, cuffs, lapels and pockets. A second coat was
also worn of the same pattern as that favoured by the line infantry officers dark blue
and most commonly of a more modern cut than the dress uniform, single breasted
and closed with a single row of 8-10 plain silvered buttons. The short upright collar
and square-cut cuffs were of the coat colour and the long tails were cut-away with
plain dark blue turnbacks fastened with a button and had small vertical pockets with
three points and three buttons.
169
From 1810 officers were authorised to wear the Dienstuniform for all duties
except for parade and the uniform consisted of the bicorn hat with a madder-red
double breasted uniformrock with long tails and two rows of eight buttons closing
the breast. The buttons and epaulettes were silver and the collar, square-cut cuffs
and turnbacks were lemon-yellow and the tails had the same double pockets as the
dress coat which are depicted as piped with lemon-yellow. The Dienstuniformrock
was the most commonly worn coat after 1811 and in late 1813 replaced the dress
uniform coat completely until new uniforms were issued in 1815.
The officers of the Leib-Grenadier-Garde wore a lemon-yellow gilet, sometimes

shown with silver lace to the edges prior to 1810 with silvered buttons and an officer
wearing the blue Dienstuniform coat is depicted with a red waistcoat with silver lace
in 1806 by Hess, although this variation is not found elsewhere. Breeches were
white and worn with white over the knee gaiters with brass buttons by the company
officers, black gaiters for winter and campaign dress. Senior officers and staff were
mounted are depicted wearing high over the knee cuffed riding boots. In 1810
officers were authorised to wear a plain white gilet beneath the uniformrock and
breeches were white and worn with black leather knee boots for all orders of dress.
From about 1812 officers were authorised to wear heavy grey twill breeches for
campaign and mid-grey tight fitting overall trousers were adopted in the field during
1812 and 1813.
The officer’s greatcoats prior to 1810 were commonly of the pattern worn by the
officers of the line infantry mid-grey and double breasted with two rows of seven
pewter buttons. The coat had a deep fall collar of madder-red and square cut yellow
cuffs with two buttons vertically at the trailing edge. The skirts were mid-calf length
and flared with a slit at the rear for riding and there was a vertical three pointed
pocket with three points and three button on each hip. The coat had a slit at the
left hip to allow the sword to be accessed when the coat was worn. In 1810 a new
greatcoat was prescribed for the officers of infantry of a more modern design based
on that being issued to French officers. The coat was pewter grey and double
breasted with two rows of six or eight white metal buttons according to the height
of the wearer. The high upright collar and deep Swedish cuffs were coat colour and
the coat had a wide gusset and split at the rear so that it could be worn when
mounted. The epaulettes of rank worn on the coat were as for the uniformrock but
the aiguillettes were not worn. When the greatcoat was worn the sword belt was
worn over the coat either at the waist or over the right shoulder. From 1813 a lemon-
yellow bastion tipped tab was worn on the collar.
Officer’s arms and equipment were basically as for the officers of the line
grenadier companies. The company officers of Leib-Grenadier-Garde were armed
with the short grenadier pattern carbine to which could be affixed a broad bladed
bayonet usually with the blade engraved and silver plated, often with gilt fancywork.
The carbine had brass fittings and a bronzed barrel and a ‘reddened’ leather sling.
Swords were of the straight bladed degen pattern with a gilded or silver plated hilt,
mixed silver and crimson sabre-strap and a brown leather scabbard with gilt fittings.
The officer’s full dress pouchbelt was usually covered with silver embroidered silk
and the pouch lid was gold leather edged with silver lace, with silver grenade badges
at each corner, and a silver and enamel oval badge depicting the Saxon coat of arms
in true colours. After 1810 the officer’s equipment changed very little. The officers
of all companies continued to be armed with the straight blade degen carried on a
whitened leather waistbelt which were now commonly of the pattern used by light
cavalry, narrow with a gilt S buckle for parade dress. For campaign a conventional
waistbelt was worn as before 1810 or the sword was carried on a shoulder belt over
170
the right shoulder of either white or black leather. The carbines were officially
withdrawn for officers in 1810 and the pouchbelt was discontinued.
The field officers and staff were mounted and the shabraques in 1792 appear to
have been of similar pattern as used by the line infantry regiments, a madder-red
colour saddle cloth with a squared front and slightly pointed rear corner trimmed
with a wide silver lace edging, possibly a double band for the Oberst. The electoral
cipher appeared in the rear corner in silver. A new pattern of shabraque appears to
have been authorised in 1802 and had become the predominant style by 1806. The
shabraque was again madder-red with squared front and rear corners and edged
with silver lace piped with red at the extreme edge. The shabraque no longer had
the electoral or royal cipher decorating the corners. The 1802 pattern shabraque
appear to have been in use until 1815.
MUSICIANS 1792-1809 Any official regulations that existed for the dress of
the company musicians prior to 1810 are unknown and contemporary illustrations
of the uniforms of drummers are limited. The Leib-Grenadier-Garde drummers and
fifers wore the same bearskin bonnet as the men but with the addition of a white
feather plume with a sky-blue or yellow tip attached where the pompon would have
been fixed and angled to sweep down over the left side of the bonnet. The musicians
of the regimental band appear to have worn the same bearskin bonnet but are also
described as wearing a bicorn hat with silver scalloped lace trim and a curling white
feather plume with a sky-blue tip.
The coat the company drummers and wore the same basic uniformrock as the
grenadiers except that the colours were a special musician’s livery, a lemon-yellow
coat with the collar, cuff, lapels and turnbacks sky-blue. The shoulders of the coat
were decorated with sky-blue swallows-nest epaulettes edged with white lace at the
bottom edge and a white full fringed epaulettes with blue strap edged white The
waistcoats were sky-blue and breeches and gaiters as for the other ranks. The
drummers were armed with the same sabre-briquet as the company but were not
issued with muskets.
After 1810 the company and regimental musicians received mention in the new
dress regulations. The drummers wore the same style of bearskin or shako as the
company without special distinctions. The uniformrock was of the new 1810 pattern
but continued be of the musician’s livery, lemon-yellow with sky-blue, collar, cuffs,
lapels and turnbacks with sky-blue swallows-nest epaulettes at the shoulders edged
with white lace with a double line of sky-blue thread through the length. The
shoulder-straps were bastion tipped and sky-blue edged with the musician’s lace.
The drum-carriages were whitened leather but the drummers were not issued
with an apron until 1810. Drums were brass with the hoops painted alternate facing
yellow and sky-blue diagonal stripes, although the hoops are also shown as being of
alternate triangles of yellow and sky-blue, the yellow triangles always pointing
inwards around 1806.
The bandsmen prior to 1810 wore the same basic uniform as the drummers
except that the collar, cuffs and lapels were trimmed with a wide white lace of the
musician’s livery pattern with a double blue line through the length. The coat had
swallows-nest epaulettes of sky-blue with musician’s lace trim to the bottom edge
and fringed epaulettes with a sky-blue-strap edged with the special lace and mixed
sky-blue and white fringes. The waistcoat was sky-blue and trimmed with the special
lace at the edges.
171
The only special distinction worn on the kollet was swallows-nest epaulettes of
white with a white bastion tipped shoulder-strap piped with the regimental facing
colour. The bottom edge of the epaulette was trimmed with a band of regimental
musician’s lace which was now of a standard pattern. The lace was gold or silver
according to the regimental metal colour with facing colour piping at the top and
bottom edges and a zig-zag line of black through the centre. All other uniform details
were as for the men. After 1810 the bandsmen no longer wore the bearskin bonnet
but appear to have worn a plain black felt bicorn hat with white tightener cords with
small white tassels and a white leather cockade-strap holding the national cockade.
A tall red feather plume was worn. The coat was as for the company drummers
except that the shoulders were decorated with white braid trefle epaulettes.
A drum-major or bandmaster is depicted in 1810 wearing a bearskin bonnet with

white cords and a tall red plume with a cluster of white ostrich feathers at the base.
Another figure is shown wearing a bicorn hat with silver edging and a red cut feather
trim with a red plume and mixed sky-blue and white ostrich feathers. The coat is
lemon yellow with sky-blue collar, cuffs, lapels and turnbacks all edged with a wide
silver lace. The lapels are shown as having a wide silver lace edging and the lapel
buttonholes are decorated with batons of silver lace. The coat has sky-blue swallows
nest epaulettes at the shoulders edged with silver lace and silver full fringed
epaulettes with a blue strap. The drum major is depicted with a broad sky-blue
bandolier edged with silver lace with a brass drum-stick plate and a large badge on
the breast of a silver eagle and the Saxon arms picked out in green, black and yellow
enamel.
172
SCHWEIZERLEIBGARDE
The Schweizerleibgarde, Swiss Life Guard, were raised in 1725 as “The
Hundred Swiss Guards of Augustus II king of Poland and Elector of Saxony”, a single
company of 100 ceremonial guards recruited exclusively from Switzerland. The
Swiss mercenaries were recruited according to contracts, capitulations, between the
Elector and the Swiss cantons or individual noble families a common arrangement
for many ruling houses of Europe in the 17th and 18th Centuries. The Swiss soldier
was paid at a higher rate than his German counterpart but was subject to a harsher
disciplinary code, administered by his own officers. By the end of the Seven Years
War, the Schweizerleibgarde, although still part of the Saxon Army had become an
entirely ceremonial company and by the reign of Friedrich August were known as
the Königlich Sächsischen Schweizer Leibgarde vom Residenzschloss Dresden with
court duties little more than armed footmen. Most of the recruits to the body were
now second generation Swiss who had settled in Saxony or Poland and over a third
of the company made up the renown ‘Musikkorps’ who provided the court with a
ceremonial band, a chamber orchestra and various quintets, quartets and other
ensembles for the entertainment of the palace. The Schweizerleibgarde took no
part in any military duties other than to provide a notional royal guard for the palace
chambers and are believed to have been resident at the Royal Palace at Dresden
throughout the Napoleonic era, certainly the orchestra played for Napoléon during
his visit prior to Leipsic.
The gala uniform, worn for all formal

court duties had remained basically
unchanged since the Korps was founded
and consisted of a tricorn hat of black felt
with a white tape trim to the upper edge,
and a white silk bow cockade held with a
white silk covered button. Above the
cockade was worn a cluster of three ostrich
feathers, two yellow and one white. Curled
powdered wigs were worn until 1820.
After the Seven years War a Dienstuniform
was authorised for everyday and informal
duties the hat worn with this uniform was
a bicorn hat of the same style as that if the
military with white tape trim and white
tightener cords with small white tabs at the
tips. The cockade remained the same but
the plume was a single large ostrich
feather coloured yellow and blue. This was
replaced in 1810 with a modern style
bicorn hat which remained in used until
after 1815. The Musikkorps wore the same
hat with a wide silver lace trim and a mixed
yellow and blue bow cockade and mixed
yellow and blue feather plume.
The gala uniform consisted of a yellow

16th century style collarless doublet with
blue and white edging closed with a single
row of large white metal buttons. The
deep Swedish cuffs were dark blue with a
173
double band of white lace at the upper and trailing edges and two buttons
horizontally at the front. The shoulders were decorated with blue swallows-nest
epaulettes edged with a double white band and a dark blue shoulder-strap edged
174
white. A white starched ruff was worn at the throat with a blue cravat with a central
yellow stripe and white edging. A yellow gilet was worn beneath the doublet with
blue trim edged white and the breeches were of the puffed 16 th century style and
knee length and were yellow with blue stripes edged white and worn with blue
stockings and court shoes with a white silk bow. White silk gloves were worn at all
times.
The Dienstuniform, worn virtually unchanged until 1815 consisted of a yellow,

collarless frock coat with nine white braid galons on the breast each with a small
trefle knot at the outer tip. The Trabant, guards, wore a white trefle epaulettes at
the right shoulder and white aiguillettes. The musicians of the marching band wore
blue swallows-nest epaulettes with white trim and the orchestra musicians had a
single white cord twist on the right shoulder. The Swedish cuffs were dark blue with
two vertical white lace batons with a button at the upper tip and the tail pockets
were three pointed with white lace trim and four buttons each with a baton of white
lace. The waistcoats were dark blue with silver lace edging and white metal buttons
and breeches were of conventional pattern and dark blue and worn with dark blue
stockings and court shoes with silver buckles.
All guardsmen including the musicians wore a

wide 16th century style sword bandolier of dark
blue edged silver for the gala uniform and white
for everyday wear which supported a sabre-
briquet with brass hilt with eagles head pommel
and a shell clasp on the hilt carried in a black
leather scabbard with brass fittings. The Trabant
were armed with an esponton with a silver plated
bronze blade cast in the shape of the Polish eagle
with a wavy blade, on a black lacquered pole with
a large mixed yellow and blue tassel. The Swiss
Guard were not issued with firearms as their
function was purely ceremonial.
The officers of the corps wore a tricorn hat of

larger proportions than those of the men faced
with black silk with a silver scalloped lace edging
and a silver silk bow cockade with silver cockade-
strap and plated button. The Dienstuniform hat
was an officer pattern bicorn hat with silver edging
and a small silver bow cockade with cockade-strap.
The tightener cords were silver with small silver
tassels.
The gala coat was dark blue and cut as the

officers of the army a frock coat with short upright
collar and deep Swedish cuffs and the skirts were worn without turnbacks until 1810.
The front of the coat was decorated with nine galons of silver braid with a tassel at
the outer tips and the edges of the coat were trimmed with wide silver lace as were
the seams on the sleeves. The collar and cuffs were dark blue with a double band
of silver lace trim and the lining of the coat was yellow white showed as yellow
turnbacks on the tails after 1810. The rear of the coat skirts were decorated with
large pockets one above the other each with four vertical batons of silver lace with
a button at the upper and lower tip. Officers wore dark blue waistcoats with
175
elaborate silver lace trim and yellow breeches with white stockings and court shoes
with silver buckles.
The Dienstuniform coat was of the same style but without the elaborate lace to
the edges and sleeves and yellow collar and cuffs the cuffs being decorated with two
vertical batons of silver lace with a button at the upper tip. For gal dress the officers
wore a dark blue bandolier with elaborate silver lace embroidery covering the surface
and a silver fringe at the edges which supported a straight bladed èpèe with gilt hilt
and black leather scabbard with gilt fittings. For Dienstuniform a simple black
leather waistbelt was worn. For ceremonial occasions the officers carried a esponton
of the same style as those of the men but with a silver plated blade and a silver
tassel with heavy bullion fringe.
176
THE CAVALRY
In 1792 at the outbreak of the Revolutionary Wars the cavalry arm of the Saxon
army consisted of four regiments of heavy cavalry, four regiments of medium / light
cavalry of which two were designated dragoons and two chevauxlegers, and a single
regiment of hussars which had been raised the year previously in 1791.
Cavalry Regiments 1792-1814

Schwere-Kavallerie
Garde du Korps 1812 Destroyed in Russia and disbanded
Karabinier-Regiment 1810 Disbanded
Kurfürst Kürassier-Regiment 1806 König Kürassier-Regiment

1807 Leib-Kürassier-Garde
1813 Merged into the Provisorisch- Kürassier-Regiment
1815 Leib-Kürassier-Garde
Kochtitzky Kürassier-Regiment 1808 von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment

1813 Merged into the Provisorisch-Kürassier-Regiment
Leichte-Kavallerie
Kurland Chevauxléger-Regiment 1796 von Deinn-Rothfelser Chevauxléger-Regiment

1799 Prinz Clemens Chevauxléger-Regiment
1811 Prinz Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment
Prinz Albrecht Chevauxléger- 1812 Destroyed in Russia and disbanded

Regiment
Von Sachen Dragoner-Regiment 1791 von Gersdorff Dragoner-Regiment

1804 Prinz Johann Chevauxléger-Regiment
1812 Destroyed in Russia and disbanded
Renard Dragoner-Regiment 1793 von Rossler Dragoner-regiment

1799 Goldacker Dragoner-Regiment
1801 von Polenz Dragoner-Regiment
1804 von Polenz Chevauxléger-Regiment
1810 Vacant
1811 von Polenz Chevauxléger-Regiment
1812 Destroyed in Russia and disbanded
Husaren-Regiment Formed 1791
177
Each of the heavy cavalry regiments and dragoon or chevauxléger regiments

consisted of a regimental staff and four squadrons each of two companies. The
newly raised Husaren-Regiment was considerably larger with a staff and eight
squadrons each of two companies, however, the full strength of eight squadrons was
never fully achieved, at any one time at least two of the squadrons were without
mounts and both remounts and recruits were constantly filtered into the field
squadrons to replace the attrition from combat losses, sickness and desertion.
Traditionally the heavy cavalry rode Holstein horses, large, powerful and expensive,
the Garde du Korps riding blacks and the other regiments bays, chestnuts and
browns each squadron having like coloured mounts. The light cavalry were mounted
on Polish bred horses.
The first major blow to the cavalry came in 1806 following the defeat of the
Prussian-Saxon army at Jena, when those regiments who had been part of the field
army were stripped of their horses; taken as remounts by the victorious French
army. When the regiments returned to their depots in October 1806 each squadron
had only those horses which were the property of the officers, who had been allowed
to keep their mounts as part of the terms of capitulation. The only regiment which
could mount the full four squadrons was the Kurfürst Kürassier-Regiment which had
remained at Dresden and had not participated in the 1806 campaign. The shortage
of quality mounts hampered the development of the Saxon cavalry for the rest of
the Napoleonic era; in 1809 two squadrons of the Karabinier-Regiment, three
squadrons of the Herzog Albrecht Chevauxléger-Regiment and three squadrons of
the Husaren-Regiment were unable to leave their depots at the start of the campaign
as they were without trained mounts and the von Polenz Chevauxléger-Regiment
was denuded of their mounts to make up the numbers required for the other
regiments and forced to remain in garrison.
In 1810 the Karabinier-Regiment was disbanded and the due to the dearth of
trained troopers and horses the soldiers and mounts were absorbed into the
remaining three heavy cavalry regiments bringing each up to a full strength of four
mounted squadrons. The Husaren-Regiment was brought up to strength by
recruitment prior to the commencement of the invasion of Russia in 1812. In 1811
the Prinz Clemens Chevauxléger-Regiment was re-designated as a lancer regiment
and re-named Prinz Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment although it is rather doubtful if a
full issue of lances was made prior to the regiment departing for service with the
Grand Armée in 1812.
The Saxon cavalry fared badly in the disastrous 1812 campaign, the Garde du
Korps, the Prinz Albrecht Chevauxléger-Regiment, the Prinz Johann Chevauxléger-
Regiment and the von Polenz Chevauxléger-Regiment, being totally annihilated and
were subsequently disbanded with those survivors fit for service absorbed into the
remaining regiments. In 1813 the Prinz Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment was able to
raise four squadrons, and the Husaren-Regiment mustered only four weak
squadrons. The heavy cavalry had lost all but 20 officers and 7 men of the two
regiments that had marched out for Russia and the depots of the three regiments
were merged into the von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment to form a weak four squadron
regiment. The two Kürassier regiments were the last regiments to defect to the
allies following the Battle of Leipsic.
After the change of allegiance the cavalry were reformed into three regiments;
the Provisorisch-Kürassier-Regiment, later renamed the Leib-Kürassier-Garde in
1815 of four squadrons, and the Husaren-Regiment and Uhlanen-Regiment each of
six squadrons.
178
THE SCHWERE-KAVALLERIE
ORGANISATION The internal organisation of the cavalry regiments had been

based on the Prussian model since 1763 and was laid down in the revised regulations
of 20 October 1780 which had in fact only become fully effective on 1 May 1790.
The Garde du Korps had a slightly different composition to the other three heavy
cavalry regiments in 1792.
Regiments-Stabs 1791-1798 Garde du Korps
1 Generalkommandant (Inhaber) 1 Oberst
2 Oberstleutnant 2 Major
1 Regimentsauditeur 1 Regimentsfeldscher
1 Profost 1 Stabsfeldscher
1 Stabsprofost 1 Pauker (Kettledrummer)
Schwadron Establishment 1791-1798 Garde du Korps

1 Rittmeister 1 Sekonde-Rittmeister
2 Premierleutnant 2 Sekonde-Leutnant
1 Feldscher 1 Schwadron-quartiermeister
2 Wachtmeister 1 Standartjunker
72 Trabanten (Guardsmen) 1 Hufschmied
Regiments-Stabs 1791-1798 Karabinier & Kürassier-Regimenten

1 Oberstchef (Inhaber) 1 Oberst
Schwadron Establishment Karabinier & Kürassier-Regimenten

1 Stabsfeldsher 1 Schwadron-quartiermeister
72 Kürassier or 128 Karabiniers 1 Hufschmied
In 1799 the cavalry were re-organised following the campaign against the French
and the Garde du Korps changed to the same staff and squadron establishment as
179
the other three heavy cavalry regiments the organisation remaining unchanged until
1809
Schwere-Kavallerie Regiments-Stabs 1799-1809
1 Chef (Inhaber) 1 Oberst
1 Regimentsadjutant 1 Regimentsquartiermeister
1 Regimentsauditeur 1 Stabsquartiermeister
1 Regimentsfeldscher 1 Stabsfeldscher
1 Rossartz (Veterinarian) 1 Stabs-Sattler
1 Pauker (Garde du Korps only) 1 Stabs-Trompet
Schwere-Kavallerie Schwadron Establishment 1799-1809

1 Stabsfeldsher 1 Quartiermeister
80 Reiter 2 Hufschmied
In 1810 the cavalry were again re-organised. The Karabinier-Regiment was

disbanded and the personnel and horse absorbed into the other three regiments
each of which now consisted of four squadrons, each of two companies. The
Oberstchef, or Inhaber was no longer part of the regimental payroll and received his
subsidies directly from the War Department although he still held a financial stake
in the fortunes of the regiment but no longer had the same level of influence.
Schwere-Kavallerie Regiments-Stabs 1810-1814
2 Major 1 Regimentsadjutant
1 Regimentsauditeur 1 Regimentsquartiermeister
1 Rossartz (2 From November 1813) 4 Sattler
1 Profost 1 Waffenschmied (Armourer/Swordsmith)
Schwere-Kavallerie Schwadron Establishment 1810-1814

1 Rittmeister I Klasse 1 Rittmeister II Klasse
1 Leutnant I Klasse 2 Leutnant II Klasse
1 Standartjunker 1 Quartiermeister-korporal
2 Wachtmeister or Unter Wachtmeister 5 Korporal
2 Vice-korporal (From November 1813) 2 Trompet
80 Reiter (75 from November 1813) 2 Hufschmied
180
After the disaster of the 1812 campaign only the Leib-Kürassier-Regiment which
had remained in Germany had four viable squadrons and a much under strength
von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment was re-raised from the regimental depots of all
three regiments, new recruits and returning invalids and sent to join Napoléon’s
Grande Armée. The heavy cavalry retained their former basic organisation however,
with a dire shortage of surviving trained officers willing to serve with the French the
regimental staff tended to be much reduced and many companies had only two,
and sometimes just a single officer. Many of the new conscripts were only half
trained and at best reluctant; with anti-French feelings running high and the
sympathies of the majority of young Saxons firmly with the Prussians fighting for
German independence. For the first time desertion became a problem in the heavy
cavalry which increased during the march as men fell out in the night or reported
sick and many companies were reporting an active strength of between 25-30 men.
Despite these issues the two Kürassier regiments fought bravely during the
campaign and were the last to desert their former French allies and change
allegiance to fight with the allies.
Following the Battle of Leipsic the remnants of the Kürassier regiments were
merged into a single four squadron regiment, the Provisorisch-Kürassier-Regiment,
later renamed the Leib-Kürassier-Garde in 1815. The organisation remained the
same as before except that the Regimentsadjutant was now a Major and received
the assistance of a Stabs-Sekretär, the position of Regimentsauditeur was
discontinued throughout the army and each company now had a Vice-Korporal
added to the strength.
181
THE UNIFORMS
HEADGEAR 1792-1809 The uniforms of the heavy cavalry regiments had

changed little since the middle of the 18th Century and in 1792 the regiments were
still wearing the bicorn hats which had been prescribed in 1780 a low black felt hat
with white tightener cords with a white wool pompon at the tips. The front of the
hat was decorated with a large rosette shaped cockade held with a white leather
cockade-strap with a brass button and a white feather plume was worn for full
parade dress. The Garde du Korps regiment had yellow tape edging to the hat. In
1799 the older pattern hats were replaced with a more modern style, slightly higher
with a smaller cockade and smaller pompons, now sometimes depicted with a
crimson centre.
The feldmutz was a simple stocking cap with a narrow headband and was of the
regimental facing colour with the headband coloured as for the regimental lace and
a facing colour tassel.
Regiment Feldmutz Headband
Colour
Garde du Korps Royal Blue Blue, Scarlet, Orange, Scarlet, Blue
Karabinier-Regiment Red Red/black diagonal, yellow, Red/black diagonal
Kurfürst Kürassier Regiment Red Red, yellow, red
Kochtitsky Kürassier-Regiment Yellow White, black, yellow, black, white
HEADGEAR 1810-1814 In 1810 the bicorn hats of the Garde du Korps,

Leib-Kürassier-Regiment and von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment were replaced with a
modern ‘raupenhelm’ of a style similar to that being favoured by many German
armies. The helmet was brass with a hollow combe embossed with a crouching lion
motif at the sides and the leading edge of the combe embossed with either a heraldic
shield or an oval cartouche with the royal crown and cipher. The base of the helmet
was trimmed with black imitation bearskin turban, usually dyed horse-hide, trimmed
with brass and the black leather peak had brass edging. Helmet was topped with a
black horsehair ‘raupe’ or caterpillar crest and a tall white feather plume was worn
on the left side of the helmet affixed with a brass socket. The chinscales were brass
and the boss was stamped with a star motif. In 1813 most replacement helmets
had a wool raupe. The crest could be removed from the helmet and a beige or black
oiled canvas cover fitted for campaign or inclement weather and this was almost
certainly the day to day order of dress throughout 1813 and 1814.
182
The heavy cavalry received new fatigue caps, the feldmutz, in 1811 which were
similar in appearance to those issued to the infantry but with a higher crown, a soft
round cap, white for all regiments with piping of the regimental facing colour and a
narrow headband of facing colour piped white. The top of the crown was decorated
with a large padded cloth ‘button’ or flat pompon of the facing colour.
COAT 1792-1809 The tunic worn by the heavy cavalry regiments in 1792 was
virtually unchanged from the pattern prescribed in 1763. The first coats were buff
leather tunics but at some time between 1785 and 1792 these had been replaced
with tunics of the same style but of buff wool for the Garde du Korps and the
Karabinier-Regiment and white for the Kurfürst Kürassier-Regiment and Kochtitzky
Kürassier-Regiment. The tunika was a simple short coatee with the skirts turned
back to form short tails on the hips rather than at the rear of the coat. The fall collar,
Swedish cuffs and turnbacks were all of the regimental facing colour trimmed with
the unique regimental lace, which also trimmed the front edges of the tunika which
was closed with concealed hooks.
Regiment Facings Lace

Garde du Korps Royal Blue Blue/Scarlet/Orange/Scarlet/Blue
Karabinier Regiment Scarlet [1] Scarlet & Black diagonal/Yellow/ Scarlet &
Black diagonal
Kurfürst Kürassier-Regiment Scarlet [1] Scarlet/Yellow/Scarlet
Kochtitzky Kürassier-Regiment Golden Yellow White/Black/Golden Yellow/Black/White
NOTE: [1] The exact colour of the facings for the Karabinier and Kurfürst Regiments varies in
both contemporary and 19th century sources and as always older watercolour illustrations can be
suspect. The shade is most commonly given as ‘scharlachtrot’ for both regiments, although ‘red’
and ‘poppy-red’ are also used for the Kochtitzky Kürassier-Regiment.
The coat is generally depicted during the period as having a single coat colour
shoulder-strap in the left shoulder with a rounded tip and brass button but a version
with two shoulder-straps in also depicted by Richard Knötel. There were two straps
at the waist with rounded tip and a brass button to support the sword belt which
was worn over the tunika; Knötel again deviates and does not show these straps.
183
All four heavy cavalry regiments were issued with the kürass, but no back-plate,
of blackened iron lined with padded felt of
yellow for the Kochtitzky Kürassier-Regiment
and red for the other three regiments,
however, the armour was seldom worn, even
in the field, the Garde du Korps and
Karabinier-Regiment being noted as having
left their breast plates at the depot during both
the 1807 and 1809 campaigns. The
breastplate was fastened with whitened
leather cross belts with brass buckles at the
rear and a narrow white strap around the
waist.
A Lager-Tunika, was authorised in 1780 for

wear as stable and barracks dress but these
appear to have been issued only to the Garde
du Korps prior to 1790. The coatee was a
short, sleeved waist coat closed at the front
with concealed hooks with a narrow upright
collar and Swedish cuffs. The tunika was of
the regimental colour, Royal Blue for the Garde
du Korps; Scarlet for the Karabinier-Regiment; White for the Kurfürst Kürassier-
Regimenten and Golden Yellow for the Kochtitzky Kürassier-regiment. The collar,
coat edges and cuffs were trimmed with the regimental lace.
184
185
COAT 1810-1814 The new uniform coat received by the three heavy cavalry
regiments in 1810 followed the same basic style as the older tunic but was of a
modern cut. The tunika was a single breasted, short tailed coat closed at the front
with hooks and was a pale buff colour for the Garde du Korps and white for the Leib-
Kürassier-Garde and the von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment with royal-blue, scarlet
and golden-yellow facings respectively on the collar, Swedish cuffs and turnbacks.
The collar, cuffs, turnbacks and front edges of the tunic were trimmed with the
special regimental lace which was of new designs for all three regiments.
Regiment Facings Lace

Garde du Korps Royal Blue Blue piped red/Yellow/Blue piped red
Leib-Kürassier-Regiment Scarlet Scarlet piped yellow/Yellow/Scarlet piped yellow
Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment Golden White/Black/Golden Yellow/Black/White

Yellow
The shoulders of the coat were decorated with contra-epaulettes with brass
scales and crescents and felt under-lay, yellow for the von Zastrow Kürassier-
Regiment and scarlet for the Garde du Korps and Leib-Kürassier-Regiment.
186
The Garde du Korps finally abandoned the kürass in 1810 for all orders of dress
although they were re-issued prior to the 1812 campaign but were left in storage at
the Dresden depot when the regiment marched out; there is no record of the kürass
being worn after 1810. The two Kürassier regiments retained the kürass for
campaign, of blackened iron lined with padded felt of yellow for the von Zastrow
Kürassier-Regiment and red for the Leib-Kürassier-Regiment. The breastplate was
fastened with whitened leather cross belts with brass buckles at the rear and a plain
brown leather strap around the waist. When the kürass was worn the epaulettes
were buttoned over the kürass straps.
A new Lager-Tunika, was authorised in 1810. The coatee was a short, sleeved
waist coat closed at the front with concealed hooks with a high upright collar and
Swedish cuffs. The tunika was of the regimental colour, pale buff for the Garde du
Korps and white for the two Kürassier Regiments. The collar, and cuffs were of the
regimental facing colour trimmed with the regimental lace and the brass faced
epaulettes were worn at the shoulders.
BREECHES,ETC Breeches were originally soft buff leather for all regiments but
by 1795 these had been
replaced with white wool
breeches for parade dress and
whitened leather breeches for
campaign, worn with high,
cuffed riding boots with strap on
spurs. Breeches continued to
be white for parade for all
regiments until 1814 but in
1810 all three regiments were
issued with dark grey heavy
twill breeches for campaign
wear with a broad facing colour
stripe on the outer seam with a
row of large brass buttons.
From 1810 the heavy cavalry
boots began to be replaced with
boots of a more modern design.
The heavy cavalry regiment troopers were issued
with plain white linen overall trousers for stable
fatigue dress and wooden clogs worn with a bleached
linen fatigue smock.
The riding cloaks worn in 1792 had been introduced
in 1780 and were white and volumous with a short
shoulder-cape lined with the regimental facing colour
and a short fall collar of the regimental distinctive.
These cloaks were worn until replaced in 1810 with a
similar garment of white with a slightly deeper facing
colour cape and a high upright collar of white with a
tab of the regimental facing colour.
Gauntlets were originally buff leather for all
regiments but were changed to white around 1795 and
remained unaltered until 1814.
187
188
EQUIPMENT Traditionally the heavy cavalry regiments of the Saxon army

performed a somewhat amorphous function as kürassiers, heavy shock cavalry and
heavy dragoons and the arms issued to the regiments reflected this historical
attitude. All regiments were issued with the long dragoon pattern cavalry musket
instead of a carbine, the m.1780 Kavallerie-Gewehr was heavy and 5 Fuβ (Saxon)
long 51 inches (UK & US) the same as the infantry musket. The cavalry weapon
was bound with brass, although some iron bound versions are noted, with a musket
sling ring at the forward hoop and a running ring on the rear. The musket was
carried on a wide whitened leather bandolier with brass buckle and fittings muzzle
forward with the muzzle in a black leather bucket on the saddle. Unlike most
Kürassier units of other armies the Saxon heavy cavalry regiments were trained in
the dismounted use of the musket and are known to have made practice of receiving
a cavalry charge at the halt with the flank companies dismounted and firing over
their saddles. A shorter carbine version of the musket was introduced in early 1813.
Each Reiter was additionally armed with a brace of pistols carried on the saddle.
189
In 1792 the four heavy cavalry regiments were armed with the m.1765
Kavallerie-Pallasch, a heavy bladed, slightly curved sabre which had been issued to
all heavy cavalry and dragoon regiments following the Seven Years War. The sabre
had a brass basket hilt embossed with the electoral crown and the FA cipher, a
lion’s head pommel and a finger ring at the back of the hilt, and was carried in a
leather bound scabbard with brass fittings and heel, black for the Garde du Korps
and brown leather for the other three regiments. A new pattern of sabre was
introduced in 1801 of similar design but with a straight blade, basket hilt with the
crown and cipher and a lion’s head pommel but the ball nut fastening the tang to
the hilt was now absent. Several variations of the hilt style appear to have existed
some larger or smaller than others and with or without the finger ring. The straight
bladed sabre was initially only issued to the two Kürassier regiments, the Garde du
Corps not receiving the new sabres until about 1809 and the Karabinier-Regiment
retaining the curved sabre until they were disbanded. The m.1810 Pallasch was
again of very similar design but the basket hilt was now embossed with the royal
crown and the FAR cipher, and versions appear to have existed with and without
a finger ring. The m.1801 and m1810 sabres were carried by all three regiments
throughout the 1810 to 1813 period and some were in use with the Leib-Kürassier-
Regiment in 1814. Scabbards are depicted as being black or brown leather with
brass fittings or plain polished steel. During the period of reconstruction in late
1813 when all equipment was in short supply the Provisorisch-Kürassier-Regiment,
is known to have been issued with stocks of captured French cuirassier sabres with
brass three bar hilts and polished steel scabbards. The sabres-straps were white
for all heavy cavalry regiments until 1809 and black leather after 1810.
The sabre was carried on
a wide whitened leather
waistbelt, worn over the
tunika with an open brass
buckle and double narrow
slings to support the
scabbard. The waistbelt
continued to be worn after
1810 but by 1812 most
troopers had received new
equipment with a large brass
buckle plate.
The pouch belt was
whitened leather with a brass
buckle and fittings and
supported a plain leather
pouch with shaped lid the
pouchbelt passing around
the bottom of the pouch held
by leather loops instead of
the usual brass rings. The pouches were originally faced with white cloth but this
was found to be impractical in the field and by 1795 most pouches were simply
painted white. In 1810 a more modern cartridge pox was introduced of a squarer
design with a plain black leather lid and these had mostly replaced the older white
pouches by 1812. When the carbine bandolier was worn over the left shoulder to
support the musket the pouch belt could be worn beneath but is also commonly
shown worn over the right shoulder to prevent entanglement with the musket stock.
190

the non-commissioned-officers of the Saxon cavalry were distinguished in the same
ranks of non-commission-officer; the Wachtmeister, equivalent to the infantry
Feldwebel, and Korporal or Unteroffizier. The seniority of the Wachtmeister within
the regiment was regulated by length of service in that rank and as with the officers
the Wachtmeister would move upwards through the companies, the senior
Wachtmeister of the regiment fulfilling the role usually associated with the
regimental sergeant-major, reporting directly to the Oberst-Kommandant and was
the keeper of the regimental tally books, the watch book, the punishment register,
and was responsible for overseeing the drill and training of the other ranks.
Supernumerary NCOs were often retained by the squadrons and the depot as
training and riding instructors. The Standartjunker and Quartiermeister ranked as
a Wachtmeister. The other Wachtmeister were placed according to their seniority
the most senior serving as the ranking sergent of the 1. Kompagnien, 1. Schwadron,
the next senior in the1. Kompagnien, 2. Schwadron, etc. There was no visible
indication of the NCOs seniority on the uniform, so as in many 18th Century armies
the other ranks were expected to recognise the officers and sergents of the regiment
by sight and be aware of their internal status. A similar hierarchy existed for the
Korporals, the longest serving Korporal automatically being considered for any
openings for a new Wachtmeister regardless of ability or military experience, a
situation which led to a large number of sergents and korporals of age 50 and over
in 1809. The problem was less in the cavalry then in the infantry regiments but
older and surplus NCOs were thinned out by Bernadotte’s reforms in 1809.
In 1810 the internal organisation of the cavalry regiments was amended at

changes were only cosmetic. The number of non-commissioned-officers was again
reduced and a new pay grade system introduced as part of the reforms. In theory
all NCOs would now be chosen for military experience and merit rather than length
of service and priority would be given to younger candidates. The squadron
quartermaster/clerk was also reduced in rank from Wachtmeister to korporal.

the other ranks, however, the bicorn hat was trimmed with a narrow lace edging of
gold for the Wachtmeister or Standartjunker and yellow lace for the Korporal, except
in the Garde du Corps where all NCOs had scalloped gold lace and cockade-straps.
The pompons decorating the tips of the hat tightener appear to have been white
with a crimson centre for all regiments in 1792 and by 1806 had changed to white
with a black centre as for the Prussian army perhaps in line with the Prussian NCO
distinctions. The hat had a white paper rosette cockade for the korporal with a
white leather cockade-strap and brass button. The Wachtmeister wore a white silk
bow cockade with a gold lace cockade strap. White plumes with a black top quarter
were worn to distinguish NCOs and during the association with the Prussian army
the Wachtmeister’s bow cockade was changed to black.

between 1792 and 1809, the coat, breeches and being as for the other ranks. All
NCOs carried the traditional cane of office of hazelwood with a gilt or silvered cap
for the sergent and a strap coloured as for the sabre-straps. When mounted the
cane was either passed under the belt at the right side or strapped to the sabre
scabbard or musket. The non-commissioned-officers were equipped and armed
191
exactly as the troopers the Korporal’s sabre and cane straps are shown commonly
depicted as gold by 1806. The Wachtmeister had a sword-strap of gold with the
knot and tassels mixed crimson and gold.
rank insignia similar to those worn by the French army. The NCO’s raupenhelm was
as for the other ranks without special distinctions except that the white plume had
a black tip. The kollet was as for the other troopers with the addition of French style
rank insignia worn on the left sleeve above the cuff, gold for the Wachtmeister of
the Garde du Korps and Leib-Kürassier-Regiment, or silver for the von Zastrow
Kürassier-Regiment.
Wachtmeister Two diagonal stripes of gold or silver lace, according to

regimental colour, on a facing colour patch.
Unter-Wachtmeister Single diagonal stripe of gold or silver lace, according to the
regimental colour, on a facing colour patch.
Korporal Two diagonal stripes of facing colour wool.
Korporal-Quartiermeister Single diagonal stripe of gold or silver lace, according to the
regimental colour on the upper left sleeve on a facing colour
patch
The Korporals were equipped and armed as for the troopers but the Wachtmeister
was no longer issued with a musket or carbine and the senior NCO is often depicted
with a pistol suspended from the bandolier on campaign. Sabre-straps were now
silver with a double crimson stripe on the strap and mixed silver and crimson tassels
for the Wachtmeister and black with a silver and crimson knot and tassel for the
korporal. In 1810 the traditional NCOs canes were discontinued but many older
NCOs may have continued to carry their canes when dismounted.
THE OFFICERS In 1792 the officers wore the bicorn hat which by 1799 had
become fashionably large, of black felt with silver tightener cords with a white
pompon with crimson centre at the tips. The front of the hat was decorated with a
white silk bow cockade held by a gold lace cockade-strap and gilt button, silver for
the Kochtitzky Kürassier-Regiment officers. Field officers are depicted with a wide
gold or silver lace trim to the upper edges of the hat and a white cut feather trim.
The bushy feather plume was white with a black base quarter for all officers.
192
In 1810 the officers received the same style of raupenhelm as the troopers often
with the metalwork gilded for senior officers. The turban and raupe were black
bearskin and the turban was decorated with an encircling wreath of gilded oak
leaves. The chinscales were gilded and had a boss in the shape of a Medusa’s head
or more often after 1812 a lion’s mask. A tall white feather plume with a black base
was worn at the left side of the helmet held in a gilded socket masked by the national
cockade, those of the field officers were often ornate in the shape of a tulip or
oakleaf design. For Dienstuniform and dismounted duties a bicorn hat of modern
design was authorised of black felt with gold or silver tightener cords with small
tassels at the tips. The national cockade was held with a large embroidered cockade
strap of gold or silver lace with a gilt or silver plated button.
The tunika prescribed for the officers of heavy cavalry in 1792 was similar in cut
to that worn by the troopers except that the cloth was of higher quality and
therefore the facing colours tended to be brighter. The collar was trimmed with a
band of gold or silver lace piped with the facing colour on the lower and leading
edges, for the junior officers and a wider band without piping for the field officers.
The cuffs were trimmed in the same manner on the upper and trailing edges as
were the turnbacks. The front edges of the coat were trimmed with gold lace. A
degree of latitude appears to have been given to officers, who purchased their own
uniforms and lace is sometimes described as flat, fluted or embroidered and this
variation was probably down to personal affluence rather than a distinction of rank.
A facing colour gilet was worn beneath the tunika with a double band of gold or
silver lace trimming the edges.
The officer’s kürass was blackened iron with brass riveting and a gilded FA cipher
on the breast with the electoral crown. The shoulder scales were gilded and
underplayed with red or yellow leather straps according to the lining colour of the
breast-plate.
The officers wore the traditional silver and crimson waist-sash but with the knots
and tassels on the right hip to prevent entanglement with the sabre hilt.
193
194
The Dienstanzug uniformrock was of the same pattern as prescribed for the
officers of infantry and was authorised for wear as the service dress for everyday
duties and campaign to save the expensive dress uniform tunika. The coat
appeared in several variations between 1792 and 1809 and was the most commonly
worn uniform for officer on campaign during the period. The coat was light grey for
the Karabinier-Regiment and the two Kürassier regiments and scarlet for the officers
of the Garde du Korps. The coat was single breasted and closed with a single row
of 8-10 plain silvered or gilded buttons. The short upright collar and square-cut
cuffs were of the regimental facing colour and the long tails were cut-away with
plain grey turnbacks fastened with a button and had small vertical pockets with
three points and three buttons. The officers received a Feld-uniform tunic instead
of the lager tunika which was of the same cut and dress tunic but plain, without any
lace trim to the facings of coat front.
Additionally the Garde du Korps officer received a Gala uniform coat for wear
when assigned to dismounted duties at the Electoral Palaces or official functions.
The coat was similar in cut to the Dienstuniform and scarlet with royal blue facings
on the collar, Swedish cuffs and the turnbacks. The collar was trimmed at the lower
and leading edges with gold lace with two gilt buttons at the bottom edge. The
breast of the coat was decorated with gold lace oakleaf batons at the each button
and buttonhole and the cuffs were decorated with two gold oak leaf vertical litzen
at the front of the cuff. The tails had horizontal pockets piped gold with an oakleaf
horizontal litzen and two buttons, the lace repeated three times below the pocket.
The right shoulder was decorated with gold aiguillettes and a gold braid trefle
epaulette. The coat was worn with a scarlet gilet edged with gold lace. For
dismounted and court duties the pallasch was replaced with a straight bladed èpèe.
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196
The new pattern uniformrock was similar in cut to the tunika worn by the men but
with slightly longer tails. The coat was light buff for the Garde du Korps officers and
white for the two Kürassier regiments with regimental coloured facings on the collar,
cuffs and turnbacks. The officers of the Garde du Korps and Leib-Kürassier-
Regiment had gold lace edging to the lower and leading edges of the cuffs, indicating
their elite guard status, and the von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment had silver lace trim
to the upper and leading edges. The cuffs were trimmed with gold or silver lace on
the upper and trailing edges as were the turnbacks. The front edges of the tunika
were edged with gold or silver lace. The metallic lace was 3cm width for the
company officers and 5 cm width for the field officers. Rank was now shown by
epaulettes worn at the shoulders in a sequence based on the French system either
gold or silver according to the regimental metal colour.
Oberst Two full fringed epaulettes of gold/silver with heavy bullion

fringes
Oberstleutnant Two full fringed epaulettes of gold/silver with heavy bullion
fringes and the shoulder strap of reversed colour
Major Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with heavy bullion fringe
on left, contra epaulette on right
Rittmeister Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with fine fringe on left,
contra epaulette on right.
Adjutant [1] Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with fine fringe on right,
contra epaulette on left.
Leutnant Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with fine fringe on left,
contra epaulette on right with a crimson stripe on the strap
Unterleutnant Full fringed epaulette of gold/silver with fine fringe on left,
contra epaulette on right with two crimson stripes on the strap
The officers of the Garde du Korps and Leib Kürassier-Regiment wore gold braid
aiguillettes at the right shoulder. These were discontinued in November 1813 and
not re-instated for the Leib-Kürassier-Regiment until 1815.
except for parade and the uniform consisted of the bicorn hat with a double breasted
uniformrock with long tails and two rows of eight buttons closing the breast, dark
blue with gilt buttons for the Leib Kürassier-Regiment and light grey with silvered
buttons for the von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment. The epaulettes and aiguillettes
were of the regimental metal colour and the collar and Swedish cuffs were the
regimental facing colour with two buttons at the trailing edge. Turnbacks are
depicted as being plain grey for the von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment and dark blue
piped scarlet for the Leib-Kürassier-Regiment with double pockets depicted as piped
with the regimental colour. The Garde du Korps had a slightly different coat of
scarlet with royal blue collar piped scarlet and royal blue cuffs and turnbacks, the
coat is most commonly depicted as being single breasted with double tail pockets,
gilt buttons and shown worn with or without the aiguillettes at the right shoulder.
The Garde du Korps wore their Dienstanzug coat with royal blue breeches with a
gold stripe on the outer seam.
The Garde du Korps officer received a modernised Gala uniform coat in 1810. The
coat was similar in cut to the Dienstuniform, double breasted and scarlet with royal
blue facings on the collar, Swedish cuffs and the turnbacks. The collar was trimmed
197
at the lower and leading edges with gold lace. The breast of the coat was decorated
with gold lace oakleaf batons at the each button and buttonhole and the cuffs were
decorated with two gold oak leaf vertical litzen at the front of the cuff. The tails had
double pockets piped gold with an oakleaf vertical litzen and three buttons. The
epaulettes and aiguillettes were as for the tunika. The Gala uniform was worn with
white breeches and stockings and buckled court shoes. For dismounted and court
duties the pallasch was replaced with a straight bladed èpèe.
Officers, breeches were white and worn with high cuffed riding boots for all duties
until 1810 when dark grey heavy twill breeches were introduced for campaign wear
with black leather inserts and a single row of gilt buttons on the outer seam. The
gauntlets were original buff leather with white cuffs but by 1799 these had become
plain white leather for all orders of dress.
The officer’s riding cloaks remained virtually unchanged from about 1780 until
1813 and were white for all regiments with a deep fall collar of regimental facing
colour which could be turned up to protect the neck showing the white underside.
The short shoulder-cape was of the regimental lacing colour and edged with gold or
silver lace and fastened at the throat with a gold or silver braid cord. In 1810 the
cloaks were remodelled to have a high upright collar of the regimental facing colour
but otherwise remained unchanged. In 1813 following the 1812 campaign the
cloaks were replaced for all duties by a double breasted ankle length greatcoat dark
blue for the two Kürassier regiments with facing colour collar and Swedish cuffs and
two rows of eight or ten brass or white metal buttons. The coat had wide skirts split
at the rear for riding. There is evidence to suggest that many officers of all
regiments had retained their cloaks into 1813 and possibly early 1814.
Officers carried several different

patterns of sword during the Napoleonic
period. In 1792 a common pattern was
similar to that of the troopers a slightly
curved sabre with a shell basket hilt
embossed or pierced with the Electoral
crown and cipher. The most favoured
pattern from the turn of the century until
1814 was the ‘coat of arms’ pattern
introduced in the late 1790s a straight
bladed pallasch with a basket hilt
embossed with the twin coats of arms
within an oak and laurel wreath with the
electoral crown above and the FA cipher
below. This pattern of pallasch
continued to be carried by many officers
until 1814. In 1811 a new simple style
of pallasch was brought in with a brass
three bar swept hilt and a lighter slightly
longer blade, similar to the French
cuirassier sabre but with a lionshead
pommel. The officer’s pouchbelts were
generally black leather for campaign and
the pouch was of the same pattern as
those of the troopers with a silver or gold
leather lid. For parade dress the
pouchbelt was faced with gold or silver
198
lace often with facing colour edging and pouches had an ornate gold or silver lid
cover embroidered with the electoral cypher or coat of arms. From 1810 the
pouchbelt was whitened leather for campaign dress with a gilt or silver plated picker
and chain ensemble on the breast and a plain pouch lid of gold or silver lacquered
leather. For parade dress a pouch belt with gold or silver lace facing was worn and
the fanciful pouch was red leather with gold or silver silk facing and a contrasting
gilt or silver badge of the Saxon coat of arms with flanking stands of trophies.
MUSICIANS Any official regulations that existed for the dress of the squadron
trumpeters prior to 1810 are unknown and contemporary illustrations of the
uniforms of trumeters are almost non-existent. As in many German armies of the
late 18th century the musicians appear to have been graded as junior non-
commissioned-officers and wore the distinctions associated with a korporal. The
bicorn hat was trimmed with gold or silver scalloped lace but the pompons on the
hat tighteners were white with regimental coloured centre. A bushy feather plume
was worn on the hat of white with facing colour tip or an all red plume.
In 1792 the coat was of the same pattern as worn by the men the only distinction
being that the tunics were of reversed colours the body of the coat being the
regimental facing colour with the collar, cuffs and turnbacks buff. The regimental
lace was as for the trooper’s coats. By 1806 the older coloured coats with buff
facings appear to have been phased out and the trumpeters were wearing the same
coats as the men with the addition of ‘false sleeves’, a tube of coat colour material
edged with the regimental ace attached to the rear of the shoulder and the waist
and perhaps swallows-nest epaulettes.
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200
With the new uniforms of 1810 the trumpeters finally received officially
sanctioned designs for new uniforms. The trumpeters of all three regiments wore
the raupenhelm of the same design as the troopers except that the raupe and plume
were red and a lion’s mask badge of brass was worn at the front of the turban. The
coats were of the same pattern as those of the men but of distinctive colours for
each regiment
Regiment Tunika Facings
Garde du Korps Scarlet Royal Blue
Leib Kürassier-Regiment Scarlet White
Von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment Yellow White
The collar, cuffs, turnbacks and front edges of the tunika were trimmed with the
regimental pattern lace and the Garde du Korps trumpeters had a band of the same
lace around the upper sleeve giving the appearance of a swallows-nest epaulette.
The trumpets were brass for the Kürassier and Karabinier regiments and silver
for the garde du Korps and the cords and tassels were of the same mixed colours
as the regimental lace.
HORSE FURNITURE A number of variations on the basic pattern of horse

furniture used by the Saxon heavy cavalry during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic
eras are illustrated by different contemporary and 19th century artists and it is likely
that replacements and re-modelled saddle cloths differed in small ways between
regiments and possibly even between squadrons. Shabraques had a tendency to
become soiled, faded or damaged but were expensive to replace and most armies
tried to repair frayed edges by trimming the cloth so rounded or elongated corners
frequently became ‘squared-off’ over a period of time.
The horse furniture in use in 1792 was a plain ‘German’ saddle usually of black
leather and all harness and straps were black leather with brass buckles and fittings.
The saddle was covered with a black sheepskin cover for everyday and campaign
use with flaps which covered to tops of the squared pistol holster covers. For
parade, there was a half-shabraque with rounded slightly elongated rear corners of
the regimental facing colour edged with the regimental lace at the rear and lower
edges and the electoral crown an cipher in the rear corners in gold or silver
according to the regimental metal colour. The pistol holster covers were squared or
with rounded bottom edges and facing colour with the regimental lace at the edges
and the cipher and electoral cap on the cover. From 1807 the half-shabraque
appears to have officially only been used for parade and full dress orders and for
campaign only the sheepskin saddle cover was used sometimes with the bleached
wool horse blanket folded as a simple saddle cloth. The musket was carried on the
right side of the saddle muzzle forward with a black leather bucket and sling
arrangement. The cloak was rolled and carried behind the saddle for parade order
with the coloured cape showing at the top. For campaign the cloak was commonly
folded and carried across the front of the saddle as a protection for the rider against
bayonet thrusts.
In 1810 the shabraques were replaced with a new pattern which now had the
royal crown and FAR cipher in the rear corner. The new half-shabraques were again
of the regimental facing colour with an edging of the new pattern regimental lace
and had rounded, rather elongated rear corners and a black leather rubbing patch
201
at the front corner beneath the rider’s knee. The black sheepskin saddle covers
were retained and all harness was black leather but the saddles were no longer dyed
black and were natural brown leather.
202
The pistol holster covers were of the facing colour with regimental lace trim and
had either a plain squared base edge or a slightly curved one. The royal crown and
cipher appeared in the rear corners of the shabraque, in gold for the Garde du Corps
and Leib Kürassier Garde and silver for the von Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment. The
troops now received a squared valise of facing colour with the regimental lace at
the outer tips and the cloak was folded and strapped above the valise with the
coloured cape showing on the outside. The when the kürass was not worn the
troopers and trumpeters wore the rolled cloak tied over the left shoulder as a
protection against sabre-cuts in combat.
The trumpeters of all regiments
during the era appear to have
received the same horse furniture
and half-shabraques as the
troopers without special
distinctions.
The officer’s half-shabraques
were similar to those of the men
in 1792 but slightly larger and
were facing colour with a wide
metallic lace edging of gold or
silver and a small gold electoral
crown and cipher in the rear
corners. The pistol holster covers
could be single or double flapped
and gold trim and the cipher on
the field.
A new pattern officer
shabraque was introduced in 1810
of similar pattern to those of the
infantry officers with squared
front and rear corners and pistol
holster covers with squared
edges. The shabraque was of the
regimental facing colour with a
wide gold or silver lace edging for
all ranks of officer. The rear
corners of the shabraque of the
Leib-Kürassier-Garde and the von
Zastrow Kürassier-Regiment were
decorated with a gold or silver
lace chevron and the pistol holster
covers were plain.
The Garde du Korps officers had the rear cover decorated with the Royal crown
and cipher in gold and red above an inverted chevron. The Oberst of the Garde du
Korps in 1812 and possible the colonels of the other regiments had a heavy bullion
fringe to the edge of the saddle cloth.
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DRAGONER-REGIMENTER &
CHEVAUXLÉGER-REGIMENTER
ORGANISATION The internal organisation of the Leichte-Kavallerie-

Regimenter had been based on the Prussian model since 1763 and was laid down
in the revised regulations of 20 October 1780 which had in fact only become fully
effective on 1 May 1790. In 1792 two of the regiments were still known as
Dragoner-Regimenter, the von Gersdorff-Dragoner-Regiment and the Renard
Dragoner-Regiment; and two as Chevauxléger-Regimenter, the Kurland
Chevauxléger-Regiment and Prinz Albrecht Chevauxléger-Regiment, although no
distinction was made between the regiments all functioning theoretically as light
cavalry although all were armed and received instruction in the mounted and
dismounted tactics normally associated with dragoon regiments. The light cavalry
were mounted on Polish bred horses lighter and faster than those of the heavy
cavalry. Each of the light cavalry, dragoon or chevauxléger regiments consisted of
a regimental staff and four squadrons each of two companies.
Regiments-Stabs 1791-1798 Leicht-Kavallerie Regimenter
Schwadron Establishment Leicht-Kavallerie Regimenter

76 Dragoner or Chevauxlégers 1 Hufschmied
In 1799 the Saxon cavalry were re-organised following the campaign against the
French the organisation then remaining unchanged until 1809. In 1804 all four light
cavalry regiments were retitled as Chevauxléger-Regiments.
Leicht-Kavallerie Regiments-Stabs 1799-1809
1 Chef (Inhaber) 1 Oberst
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Leichte-Kavallerie Schwadron Establishment 1799-1809

90 Reiter 2 Hufschmied
In 1810 the cavalry were again re-organised. The Oberstchef, or Inhaber was no
longer part of the regimental payroll and received his subsidies directly from the
War Department although he still held a financial stake in the fortunes of the
regiment but no longer had the same level of influence over policy and day to day
finances. In 1811 the Prinz Clemens Chevauxléger-Regiment was re-designated as
a lancer regiment and re-named Prinz Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment although it is
rather doubtful if a full issue of lances was made prior to the regiment departing for
service with the Grand Armée in 1812. The regiment’s staff and squadron
establishment remained unchanged after becoming lancers only the tactical
organisation altering to accommodate the new requirements for battlefield
formations.
Leicht-Kavallerie / Uhlanen Regiments-Stabs 1810-1814
1 Regimentsauditeur 1 Regimentsquartiermeister
1 Rossartz 4 Sattler
1 Profost 1 Stabs-Trompet
1 Büschenmacher 1 Waffenschmied (Armourer/Swordsmith)
Leicht-Kavallerie Schwadron Establishment 1810-1812

2 Hufschmied 2 Trompet
80 Chevauxlégers
After the disaster of the 1812 campaign only the Prinz Clemens Uhlanen-
Regiment was re-raised from the survivors of the four light cavalry regiments and
four squadrons were raised for the campaign in 1813. Following the Battle of Leipsic
the regiment was again reformed as the simply titled Provisorisch-Uhlanen-
Regiment with an initial three squadrons which served with the Allied army in the
Netherlands.
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206
THE UNIFORMS
HEADGEAR 1792-1809 The uniforms of the light cavalry regiments had

changed little since the middle of the 18th Century and in 1792 the regiments were
still wearing the bicorn hats which had been prescribed in 1780 a low black felt hat
with white tightener cords with a white wool pompon at the tips with a facing colour
centre. The front of the hat was decorated with a large rosette shaped cockade held
with central brass button, and a white feather plume was worn for full parade dress.
In 1799 the older pattern hats were replaced with a more modern style, somewhat
larger with a smaller cockade now held with a white leather cockade-strap and brass
button. The hat had slightly smaller pompons, now sometimes depicted as being
white with the outer half simply dyed the facing colour a small economy measure
introduced throughout the Saxon army. Sometime about 1808 black waxed cotton
covers were issued for the bicorn hats for campaign and inclement weather and
these are known to have been worn at least by the Prinz Johann Chevauxléger-
Regiment during the 1809 campaign.
the design submitted in 1808. All units appear to have received their new uniforms
by late 1810 or early 1811 and the army that marched out for Russia in 1812 was
completely dressed in the new style uniforms. The old style bicorn hats were
abandoned and replaced for all companies with a shako similar in style to that worn
by the infantry regiments. The shako was black felt with black leather trim at the
upper edge and a black leather tightener strap at the base with a small brass buckle
at the rear and black leather versteifen at the sides. The peak was black leather
and the chinscales were brass with a plain round boss. The front of the shako was
decorated with a brass plate in the shape of an heraldic shield surmounted by a
royal crown and embossed with the entwined FA cipher. The white paper rosette
cockade was fastened with a narrow white leather cockade-strap with a brass button.
The tall full dress plume was white and a white or facing colour ball pompon was
generally worn for Dienstuniform. From 1811 a black oiled canvas cover was
provided for wear in inclement weather and on campaign usually shown with the
white pompon and this became the most common form of dress throughout the
1812 campaign. In 1813 the re-formed Prinz Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment continued
to wear the same pattern shako almost always depicted with the shako cover and
no decorations and this continued to be worn as the Provisorisch-Uhlanen-Regiment
in November 1813 until replaced by the new 1814 uniform. In November 1813 the
national cockade was changed to black, within green within yellow.
207
Very little information exists about the pattern of feldmutz worn by the light
cavalry regiments and the only contemporary illustration found is a black and white
engraving circa 1800 which shows the same style of stocking cap worn by the heavy
cavalry which is assumed to have been madder-red with a facing colour headband.
Richard Knötel also shows the same cap of white with a plain facing colour headband.
COAT 1792-1809 The coats worn by the dragoon and chevauxléger regiments
had changed very little since the last dress regulation changes of 1778. The coat
was basically a short tailed version of the uniformrock worn by the line infantry
acknowledging the historical origins of the regiments as dragoons. In 1792 the
pattern of coat being worn still had a shallow Swedish fall collar, and a shoulder-
strap on the left shoulder only slightly to the rear of the seam. The shoulder-strap
is generally shown as plain red but may also have been piped with the regimental
facing colour. The shoulder-strap was now moved centrally over the shoulder seam..
All other details remained the same as the 1780 coat. By 1793 most squadrons
appear to have been issued with the new style coat with upright collar although
some of the older coats may still have been in use as late as 1795. The coat was
madder-red, although the dye used throughout the earlier part of the era, certainly
until 1810 had a tendency to fade very quickly and the coats weathered to a rather
light red colour. The collar, lapels and Swedish cuffs and turnbacks were all of the
regimental facing colour. The shoulder-strap was plain madder-red with a rounded
tip. The lapels were fastened with seven plain, domed brass buttons. The cuffs were
of the Swedish ‘turned back’ style with a row of three buttons at the front upper
edge. The short square-cut skirts of the coatee were worn with double turnbacks
fastened with a brass button at the tips and the cut of the coat caused the tails to
hang on the hips rather than the rear when mounted.
Leichte-Kavallerie Regimenter Facing Colour (Collar, Cuffs,

Lapels, & Turnbacks)
Kurland Chevauxléger-Regiment Poppingjay Green
1796 von Deinn-Rothfelser Chevauxléger-Regiment
1799 Prinz Clemens Chevauxléger-Regiment
Prinz Albrecht Chevauxléger-Regiment Dark Forest Green
Von Sachen Dragoner-Regiment Black with buff turnbacks

1791 von Gersdorff Dragoner-Regiment
1804 Prinz Johann Chevauxléger-Regiment
Renard Dragoner-Regiment Deep Sky-Blue
1793 von Rossler Dragoner-regiment
1799 Goldacker Dragoner-Regiment
1801 von Polenz Dragoner-Regiment
Richard Knötel rightly describes the Saxon light cavalry uniforms as ‘subject to
changing fashions’ and the light cavalry regiments did receive more changes to their
uniform than most of the other units of the Saxon army. At some point in the late
1790’s a new version of the coat began to be issued of a very modern design with
wrap over lapels which could be buttoned across the chest displaying the red inner
face and giving the appearance of a double breasted coatee, for wear during
campaign saving the coloured lapels. Illustrations of the coat worn with the lapels
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209
closed has led to some historians mistaking this for a separate double breasted
Dienstuniform coat, although there may have been some overlap with the older cut-
away coat being retained for some time. The collar of the new kollet was higher
and the lapels were now closed to the waist giving the appearance of a ‘Spencer’
style kollet when the lapels were worn outwards and two straps were added to the
rear waist to support the sabrebelt which could now be fastened over the coat.
Shoulder straps were now worn on both shoulders.
COAT 1810-1813 The new uniform coat issued to all four light cavalry
regiments in 1810 was a modern ‘Spencer’ style kollet as worn by the infantry
regiments. The coat was madder-red with a high upright collar, plastron lapels
fastened with seven buttons, and short tails with double turnbacks fastened at the
tips with a brass button. The cuffs were of a plain pointed pattern with two buttons
at the trailing edges, one on the cuff actual and one above. The shoulder-straps
were madder-red and bastion tipped and were piped with the regimental colour.
The regimental facing colours of the collar, cuffs, lapels and turnbacks remained as
before, Poppingjay-Green for the Prinz Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment; Dark Forest
Green for the Prinz Albrecht Chevauxléger-Regiment; Black for the Prinz Johann
Chevauxléger-Regiment and Deep Sky-blue
for the von Polenz Chevauxléger-Regiment.
All regiments had brass buttons. A number
of variations are recorded the Prinz Johann
Chevauxléger-Regiment is sometimes
depicted with white piping to the black
facings on the collar, lapels and cuffs, and
the buttons are sometimes given as being
white metal. The regiment is also described
as having a German cuff, black with white
piping and square-cut with two buttons in
1812.
BREECHES,ETC The gilet worn beneath

the kollet was white with a single row of
small brass buttons and a shallow upright
collar. The waistcoat had straps at the sides
to support the sabre-belt which was worn
beneath coat and over the gilet.
Breeches and boots were initially as for
the heavy cavalry, whitened leather
breeches with high cuffed heavy cavalry
riding boots and these were retained until
1809, although the leather breeches may
have been replaced with white wool for
summer wear by 1806. In 1810 the light
cavalry regiments received white wool
breeches to be worn with Hessian style boots with shaped tops and yellow lace trim
and tassels, although there is some evidence that the Prinz Johann Chevauxleger-
Regimet may have had white lace trim and tassels in 1812. For campaign dark grey
overall trousers were issued with black leather cuffs and inserts and a madder-red
stripe on the outer seam with a row of brass buttons. In 1812 the leather inserts
are sometimes depicted as having a dogtooth pattern edging.
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211
The riding cloaks worn

by the light cavalry
regiments basically
followed the same pattern
as those of the heavy
cavalry regiments, a single
style of garment issued to
all cavalry troopers
introduced in 1780 and
were white and volumous
with a short shoulder-cape
lined with the regimental
facing colour and a short
fall collar of the regimental
distinctive. These cloaks
were worn until replaced in
1810 with a similar
garment of white with a
slightly deeper facing
colour cape and a high
upright collar of white with
a tab of the regimental
facing colour.
The gauntlets were
originally buff leather for all
regiments but were
changed to white around
1795 and remained
unaltered until 1814.
Prior to 1810 the light cavalry regiments appear to have worn a version of the
infantry ‘kittel’ for fatigue dress, a form of overcoat which was worn instead of the
kollet not over it. The only known illustration of this coat is by Richard Knötel who
shows it as being worn as stable dress, stallanzug, in 1796. The coat was pepper-
grey wool and closed with a double row of seven or eight cloth covered buttons but
was generally worn with the skirts turned back and fastened with a button at the
tips to allow the wearer free access for riding. The fall collar was coat colour as
were the deep Swedish cuffs and there was a single broad shoulder-strap on the
left shoulder.
A new Lager-Tunika, was
authorised in 1810, but again the only
known illustrations found for this
garment are by modern sources and
there is some doubt as to whether the
tunics were ever issued. The coatee
was a short, sleeved waist coat closed
at the front with a single row of brass
or cloth covered buttons with a high
upright collar and pointed cuffs. The
tunika is given as being white, grey or
red, with collar and cuffs of the
regimental colour. The coatee is
described with or without shoulder-
straps or small waist pockets and
212
styles of cuff appear to have varied, those of the Prinz Johann Chevauxléger
regiment being given as ‘square’ probably of the German pattern. The light cavalry
regiment troopers were issued with plain white linen overall trousers for stable
fatigue dress and wooden clogs worn with a bleached linen fatigue smock.
EQUIPMENT Traditionally the dragoons and chevauxléger regiments of the

Saxon army performed a somewhat amorphous function as dragoons and light
cavalry and the arms issued to the regiments reflected this historical attitude. In
1792 all regiments were issued with the long dragoon pattern cavalry musket
instead of a carbine, the m.1780 Kavallerie-Gewehr was heavy and 5 Fuβ (Saxon)
long 51 inches (UK & US) the same as the infantry musket. The cavalry weapon
forward with the muzzle in a black leather bucket on the saddle their saddles. A
shorter carbine version of the musket was introduced in 1795 although the former
dragoon regiments may have continued to carry the longer musket until 1804 when
all regiments officially became chevauxlégers. Each Reiter was additionally armed
with a brace of pistols carried on the saddle.
In 1792 all four light cavalry regiments were armed with the m.1765 Kavallerie-
Pallasch, a heavy bladed, slightly curved sabre which had been issued to all heavy
cavalry and dragoon regiments following the Seven Years War. The sabre had a
brass basket hilt embossed with the electoral crown and the FA cipher, a lion’s
head pommel and a finger ring at the back of the hilt, and was carried in a brown
leather bound scabbard with brass fittings and heel. A new pattern of sabre was
introduced in 1801 of similar design but with a straight blade, basket hilt with the
crown and cipher and a lion’s head pommel but the ball nut fastening the tang to
the hilt was now absent. Several variations of the hilt style appear to have existed
some larger or smaller than others and with or without the finger ring. The straight
bladed sabre was initially only issued to the two former dragoon regiments but
appears to have been in use by all regiments by 1806. Following the disaster of the
Battle of Jena and the loss of large quantities of equipment the light cavalry appear
to have been re-issued with stocks of the 1765 curved sabre which was carried until
the end of 1809. The m.1810 sabres were initially Italian manufactured French
pattern an IX Light Cavalry sabres purchased from France and these appear to have
been issued to the first squadrons of all four regiments in late 1810. The sabre had
a brass three bar swept hilt and polished steel scabbard. By late 1811 most of the
regiments had received locally manufactured sabres copied from the French model
but with a two bar swept hilt some of brass but most of cheaper polished steel.
During the period of reconstruction in late 1813 when all equipment was in short
supply the Provisorisch-Uhlanen-Regiment, is known to have been issued with
stocks of captured French light cavalry sabres with brass three bar hilts and polished
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steel scabbards. The sabres-straps were

black leather for all light cavalry regiments
from 1780 until 1813 and white for the
reconstructed Provisorisch-Uhlanen-
Regiment in 1814.
The sabre was carried on a wide whitened
leather waistbelt, worn beneath the cut-
away kollet but over the gilet in 1792 with an
open brass buckle and double narrow slings
to support the scabbard. The waistbelt
continued to be worn after the new tunic was
introduced in 1799 until 1814 but was now
worn over the kollet.
In 1811 the Prinz Clemens Chevauxléger-
Regiment was converted to lancers and in
November 1811 was re-named the Prinz
Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment. As was
common practice only the front rank of each
squadron was armed with the lance which
had a plain wooden shaft and a green over
red swallow tailed pennon. Some uhlans
during the 1812 campaign are reported to
have been carrying lances with white over
red pennons.
The pouch belt was whitened leather with
a brass buckle and fittings and supported a
plain leather pouch with shaped lid the
pouchbelt passing around the bottom of the
pouch held by leather loops instead of the
usual brass rings. The pouches were
originally faced with white cloth but this was
found to be impractical in the field and by
1795 most pouches were simply painted white. A new pattern of pouch with a
squared lid and brass ring fittings as issued to the heavy cavalry was prescribed in
1810 but there is no evidence that these were ever issued all light cavalry regiments
still being equipped with the older pattern white pouch in 1812. When the bandolier
was worn over the left shoulder to support the musket or carbine the pouch belt
could be worn beneath but is also commonly shown worn over the right shoulder to
prevent entanglement with the musket stock.

ranks of non-commission-officer; the Wachtmeister, and Korporal. The
Standartjunker and Quartiermeister ranked as a Wachtmeister.
the other ranks, however, the bicorn hat was trimmed with a narrow lace edging of
gold for the Wachtmeister or Standartjunker and yellow lace for the Korporal. The
pompons decorating the tips of the hat tightener appear to have been white with a
crimson centre for all regiments in 1792 and by 1806 had changed to white with a
black centre as for the Prussian army perhaps in line with the Prussian NCO
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distinctions. The hat had a white paper rosette cockade for the korporal with a
white leather cockade-strap and brass button. The Wachtmeister wore a white silk
bow cockade with a gold lace cockade strap. White plumes with a black tip were
worn to distinguish NCOs, and during the association with the Prussian army and
that the Wachtmeister’s bow cockade was changed to black.

between 1792 and 1809, the coat, breeches and being as for the other ranks.
Senior NCOs were authorised to wear the long tailed version of the coat similar to
that previously worn by officers for dismounted duties as the Dienstuniform a red
uniformrock, without lapels and with collar, cuffs and turnbacks of the regimental
facing colour. All NCOs carried the traditional cane of office of hazelwood with a gilt
or silvered cap for the Wachtmeister with a black cane-strap. When mounted the
cane was either passed under the belt at the right side or strapped to the sabre
scabbard or carbine. The non-commissioned-officers were equipped and armed
exactly as the troopers the Korporal’s sabre and cane straps are shown commonly
depicted as black by 1806.
rank insignia similar to those worn by the French army. The NCO’s shako was
trimmed at the top with a band of brass, a single wide single band for the korporal
and a double band for the feldwebel. By 1812 the rather impractical metal trim had
been replaced by gold lace for the senior NCOs and yellow lace trim for the korporals.
The shako cords were white as for the squadron, the senior regimental
Wachtmeister or Führer having silver cords and flounders. NCO’s plumes were white
with a black tip and pompons were either as for the company or black over white.
worn on the left sleeve above the left cuff
Wachtmeister Two diagonal stripes of gold on a facing colour patch.
Unter-Wachtmeister Single diagonal stripe of gold on a facing colour patch.
Korporal Two diagonal stripes of facing colour wool or yellow wool on a

facing colour patch
Korporal-Quartiermeister Single diagonal stripe or chevron of gold lace, on the upper left
sleeve on a facing colour patch.
The Korporals were equipped and armed as for the troopers but from 1810 the
Wachtmeister was no longer issued with a carbine and the senior NCO is often
depicted with a pistol suspended from the bandolier on campaign. Sabre-straps
were now silver with a double crimson stripe on the strap and mixed silver and
crimson tassels for the Wachtmeister and black for the korporal. In 1810 the
traditional NCOs canes were discontinued but many older NCOs may have continued
to carry their canes when dismounted.
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THE OFFICERS In 1792 the officers wore the bicorn hat which by 1799 had
become fashionably large, of black felt with gold tightener cords with a white
pompon with crimson centre at the tips. The front of the hat was decorated with a
white silk bow cockade held by a gold lace cockade-strap and gilt button and field
officers are depicted with a wide scalloped gold lace trim to the upper edges of the
hat. The bushy feather plume was white with a black base quarter for all officers.
In 1810 the light cavalry officers of all ranks were ordered into a shako of the
same basic pattern as worn by the men with a gilded band around the upper edge
in the form of an inverted representation of the clover leaf coronet band from the
Saxon coat of arms. The front of the shako was decorated with a gilt badge,
chinscales were gilded and the black lacquered peak was trimmed with a gilt edging.
The shako cords were gold and the tall full dress plume, white for staff officers and
white with a black base quarter for squadron officers usually shown attached with a
gilt or tulip shaped socket. Officers did not wear company pompons but the tulip
socket is always shown attached to the shako. The national cockade was white silk
and held with a gold cockade strap and gilt button. Officers were provided with a
black oiled canvas cover for the shako and these were commonly worn for all duties
throughout 1812 and 1814 with the socket beneath giving the officer’s shako a
distinctly Germanic appearance. Officers were authorised to wear the bicorn hat for
Dienstuniform and walking out dress and these were of a more modern style from
1810 black felt with gold or silver tightener cords with a small tassel at the tip. The
national cockade was held with a large gold or silver braid cockade-strap and gilt or
silver-plated button.
The officer’s uniformrock worn from 1792 until 1809 was basically of similar
style to that worn by the troopers except
that the cloth was of much finer quality
with the subsequent result that colours
appeared much brighter than those of the
men, particularly the red hue of the coat.
The collar, cuffs, and lapels were of the
regimental facing colour. The coat tails
were long, extending to the rear of the
knees and had double turnbacks of the
regimental facing colour for all regiments
except the von Gersdorff / Prinz Johann
Dragoner-Regiment whose officer’s
turnbacks were pale buff a traditional
holdover from the regiment’s dragoon ‘buff
leather coat’ origins. The tails were
decorated with double pockets, a vertical
pocket at the inside of the tail with three
points and three buttons and a second,
horizontal small pocket at the waist also
with three points and three buttons, both
were piped with the regimental distinctive.
All buttons were gilded and appear to have
been embossed with the electoral cap and
FA cipher prior to 1806 and were gradually
replaced with buttons stamped with the
royal crown after that date. From 1786
officers and Wachtmeisters wore gold or
white epaulettes respectively at the
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shoulders, but the NCO epaulettes were officially discontinued in 1791. Officer’s
uniforms were privately commissioned and purchased and therefore small
customised changes to detail would be quite common as fashions changed. The
officer’s stock was black velvet or silk and the fashion prevailed to wear a white lace
ruff at the throat although these were officially discontinued after 1806.
The new pattern kollet was similar in cut to the Spencer coat worn by the men but
with longer tails extending to the rear of the knee and reversible lapels which could
be buttoned across the chest giving the appearance of a double breasted coat and
preserving the expensive coloured facings during campaign. The coat was madder-
red with regimental coloured facings on the collar, cuffs, lapels and turnbacks. The
buttons were gilt and embossed with the royal crown motif. The tails were decorated
with double pockets, a vertical pocket at the inside of the tail with three points and
three buttons and a second, horizontal small pocket at the waist also with three
points and three buttons, both were piped with the regimental distinctive. The
turnbacks were decorated with small gold grenade badges either side of the button
fastening the tips. The Prinz Johann Chevauxléger-Regiment officers continued to
have buff turnbacks and lining to the coat. Rank was now shown by epaulettes worn
at the shoulders in a sequence based on the French system commonly used by all
the regular Saxon regiments
Oberst Two full fringed epaulettes of gold with heavy bullion fringes
Oberstleutnant Two full fringed epaulettes of gold with heavy bullion fringes
and the shoulder strap of silver
Rittmeister Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on left, contra
epaulette on right.
Adjutant Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on right, contra
epaulette on left.
Leutnant I Klasse Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on left, contra
Leutnant II Klasse Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on left, contra
except for parade and the uniform consisted of the bicorn hat with a madder-red
single breasted uniformrock with long tails and a row of eight buttons closing the
breast usually depicted with only the first three buttons fastened. The collar, cuffs
and turnbacks were of the regimental facing colour and the coat is often depicted
worn with a red gilet and white breeches. No separate Dienstuniform coat appears
to have been authorised in the 1810 regulations and the uniformrock was generally
worn with the lapels closed to expose the plain red face and the bicorn hat was worn
instead of the shako.
The officer’s gilet and breeches were white in 1792 and worn with high over the
knee cuffed riding boots, except for the von Gersdorff / Prinz Johann Dragoner-
Regiment who wore light buff waistcoats and breeches until about 1795 and may
have retained the coloured gilets until 1809. All officers wore the sash of office when
on duty which was silver silk worked through with a crimson thread and mixed silver
and crimson knot and tassels. The cavalry officers wore the sash with the knot and
tassels on the right hip to prevent entanglement with the hilt of the sabre.
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219
The officer’s cloaks remained virtually unchanged from about 1780 until 1813 and
were madder-red for all regiments with a deep fall collar of regimental facing colour
which could be turned up to protect the neck showing the red underside. The short
shoulder-cape was of the regimental facing colour and edged with gold lace and
fastened at the throat with a gold braid cord. Additionally officers were allowed a
reitrock, or riding coat an ankle length greatcoat, divided for riding, double breasted
with two rows of eight brass buttons, the upper corners of the coat normally worn
turned back to expose the coloured lining. The collar was upright and open at the
throat and cuffs were square-cut with a single button at the trailing edge. The
bottom corners of the coat were normally worn turned back to expose the lining
which was facing colour for all regiments except the von Gersdorff / Prinz Johann
Dragoner-Regiment who had a light buff lining to the skirts of the coat. The reitrock
remained in use until 1810. In 1810 the officer’s cloaks were remodelled to have a
high upright collar of the regimental facing colour but otherwise remained
unchanged.
In 1813 following the 1812 campaign the cloaks were replaced for all duties by a
double breasted ankle length greatcoat of dark blue for all regiments with facing
colour collar and Swedish cuffs and two rows of eight or ten brass buttons. The coat
had wide skirts split at the rear for riding. There is evidence to suggest that many
officers of all regiments had retained their cloaks into 1813 and possibly early 1814
for the officers of the Provisorisch-Uhlanen-Regiment.
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Officers carried several different patterns of sword during the Napoleonic period
many of which were privately purchased or family heirlooms. In 1792 common
patterns were a slightly curved sabre with a shell basket hilt embossed or pierced
with the Electoral crown and cipher, or straight bladed sabres with a simple single
or double swept bar hilt with a large ball pommel. From 1807 many officers of the
light cavalry had already adopted the curved light cavalry sabre in preference to the
heavier Saxon armoury sabre and pallasch usually with a two or three bar swept hilt
of gilded brass. Sabre-straps for all officers were silver with crimson stripes on the
strap and mixed silver and crimson knot and tassels. The waistbelt was as for the
troopers except that it was usually of black leather with gold edging and gilt fittings
and is often depicted as being of red leather with gold decorations for full dress.
Traditionally officers of the light cavalry did not wear the pouchbelt prior to 1810
although the officers of the former dragoon regiments
may have still retained the pouchbelt and cartridge
pouch until 1802. From 1810 the officer’s pouchbelts
were generally black leather for campaign and the
pouch was of the same pattern as those of the troopers
with a plain black leather lid. For parade dress the
pouchbelt was faced with gold lace often with facing
colour edging and pouches had an ornate gold silk lid
cover embroidered with the royal coat of arms. The
breast of the pouchbelt was decorated with a gilt or silver plated picker and chain
ensemble.
MUSICIANS Any official regulations that existed for the dress of the squadron
trumpeters prior to 1810 are unknown and contemporary illustrations of the
uniforms of the musicians are almost non-existent. As in many German armies of
the late 18th century the musicians appear to have been graded as junior non-
commissioned-officers and wore the distinctions associated with a korporal. The
bicorn hat was trimmed with gold lace but the pompons on the hat tighteners were
white with regimental coloured centre. A bushy feather plume was worn on the hat
of white with facing colour tip or an all red plume. The Stabs-Trompeter ranked as
a Wachtmeister and wore a plume of white with black tip and white pompons with
black centres.
The trumpeter’s coats originally followed the colours worn by the troopers but by
the mid 1780’s appear to have been of ‘reverse colours’ with the coat of facing colour
and the facings madder-red for all but the von Sachen Dragoner-Regiment whose
trumpeters wore madder-red coats with black facings and buff turnbacks.
The collar, cuffs and lapels were all trimmed with a wide, flat gold lace and the rear
of the coat was decorated with ‘Schleife’, a tube of cloth stitched to the rear of the
shoulder and the coat waist to hang in a loop, with a tasselled bottom tip, often
described as ‘false sleeves’ as the origin was the loops of braid worn on the sleeves
221
of medieval doublets. The Schleife were of the coat colour with stripes of gold
bordered with black.

Renard Dragoner Regiment 1792 Dark Blue Madder-Red
Von Rossler Dragoner Regiment 1793 Deep Sky Blue Madder-Red
Kurland Chevauxléger Regiment Poppingjay Green Madder-Red
Prinz Albrecht Chevauxléger Regiment Dark Forest Madder-Red

Green
Von Gersdorff Dragoner Regiment Madder-Red Black with buff turnbacks
Breeches, gilets and boots were all as for the troopers, however, the trumpeter’s
waistcoats are shown in 1792 as being of the regimental facing colour with gold lace
trim to the edges. Trumpeters were armed with the sabre and two pistols carried
on the saddle but did not wear the pouchbelt. Trumpets were brass with cords and
tassels of mixed madder-red and facing colour.
With the new uniforms of 1810 the trumpeters received designs for new uniforms
in line with those of the regiments. The trumpeters of all four light cavalry
regiments wore the shako of the same design as the troopers except that the shako
was covered with madder-red cloth and trimmed at the upper edge with yellow lace.
The sides of the shako were decorated with black leather versteifen and the
chinscales and badge were brass as for the men. The plumes were red for all
trumpeters and the shako cords and flounders were white. The Stabs-Trompeter
was distinguished by gold lace trim to the upper edge of the shako and a white
plume with black tip.
The coats were of the same pattern as those of the men but of distinctive
musicians livery colours for each regiment. The kollet was of reversed colours with
the coat of the regimental facing colour and the collar, cuffs, lapels and turnbacks
madder-red. The collar, lapels and cuffs were trimmed with flat gold lace. The
Stabs-trompeter wore the rank insignia of the wachtmeister.
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223
Von Polenz Chevauxléger-Regiment Dark Sky-blue Madder-red
Prinz Albrecht Chevauxléger-Regiment Dark Forest Green Madder-red
Prinz Johann Chevauxléger-Regiment Light Buff Madder-red
Prinz Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment Poppingjay Green Madder-red
The full dress kollet initially had ‘Schleife’ decorating the rear of the shoulders as
previously of coat colour with gold lace edging and chevron pattern piped red, except
for the Prinz Johann Chevauxléger-Regiment whose schleifen were red with gold
edging and chevrons piped black. The schleifen appear to have been discontinued
early in 1812 and were not worn after that date. Breeches, boots and overall
trousers were as for the regiment although overall trousers of the coat colour with
a wide red stripe on the outer seam are also depicted. Trumpets were brass with
mixed red and white cords with mixed red and white tassels. The trumpeter’s waist-
belts and sabres were as for the troopers with plain black leather sabre-straps. No
pouchbelt was worn.
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HORSE FURNITURE The horse furniture used by the light cavalry in 1792 was
the dragoon pattern saddle which had been authorised in 1763, a squared half-
shabraque of the regimental facing colour with a double band of yellow trimming the
edge. The exception as the von Gersdorff Dragoner-regiment which had shabraques
of red with white lace edging. The pistol holster covers were simple cloth drapes
with a double band of lace at the base edge. A number of variations appeared
before 1810 with the half-shabraque shown as having round rear corners and being
trimmed with a single wide band of yellow or white lace. The trumpeters of all
regiments appear to have had red shabraques with the electoral monogram and
crown in the rear corners and on the pistol holster covers. There was apparently no
valise issued before 1810 but the cloak was normally rolled with the coloured cape
on the top and strapped behind the saddle, or folded and draped across the front of
the saddle for campaign.
In 1810 the chevauxléger regiments received a common pattern of shabraque of

the light cavalry style with rounded front and pointed rear corners. The saddle cloth
was madder-red for all regiments with the edges trimmed with a dog-tooth border
of the facing colour piped with yellow at the outer and inner edges. The valise was
round and madder-red with facing colour trim at the outer tips. The trumpeters had
the same pattern shabraque as the chevauxlegers or uhlans.
The officer pattern shabraque prior to 1795 appears to have been of the same
style as that of the men except that the half-shabraque was edged with gold or silver
lace and the electoral cipher and crown was shown on the holster covers. From
about 1795 a new pattern shabraque common to all regiments was introduced with
rounded front and elongated rear corners. The shabraque was madder-red for all
225
regiments with the double band of gold lace, silver for the von Gersdorff Dragoner-
Regiment, the inner band double the width of the outer for senior officers. The
electoral crown and cipher appeared in the rear corners and on the pistol holster
covers with were usually double flapped.
From 1810 the officers received a new shabraque of the same style as those of
the men, madder-red with a facing colour dog-tooth edging with a single band of
gold lace trim. Field officers are depicted with the inner edge of the trim piped with
gold.
THE UHLANEN-REGIMENT 1813-1815

After November 1813 the Provisorisch-Uhlanen-Regiment, formerly the Prinz
Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment was re-organised with a regimental staff and six
squadrons each of two companies, however with a dire shortage of surviving trained
officers and particularly a dearth of trained mounts probably no more than four
under strength squadrons were fielded in 1814. The Uhlanen-Regiment was finally
brought up to full strength in early 1815 and was retitled Uhlanen-Regiment Prinz
Clements.
Uhlanen-Regiment Stabs 1813-1814
4 Major 1 Regimentsadjutant (Major)
1 Regimentsfeldscher 1 Regimentsquartiermeister
1 Stabsfeldscher 1 Stabs-Sekretär (Regimental Clerk)
3 Rossartz 6 Sattler
1 Waffenschmied 1 Stabs-Trompet
Uhlanen-Regiment Schwadron Establishment 1813-1814

12 Ober-Uhlanen (From November 1813) 4 Trompet
80 Uhlanen (75 from November 1813) 2 Hufschmied
HEADGEAR During late 1813 and the earlier part of 1814 the Provisorisch-
Uhlanen-Regiment, continued to wear the uniform prescribed in 1810 the only
change being that the white cockade was exchanged for the new national cockade
of black, within green, within yellow. The new uniform was not issued in any
quantities until after the close of hostilities in 1814 when the regiment was issued
with a Polish style lancer cap, the czapka, with a black leather cap and ‘royal blue’
upper part usually shown piped white at the edges. The ‘box’ and the cap were
separated by a turban, a band of red-white-red piped white at the upper and lower
edges. The front of the czapka was decorated with the national cockade held with
a small white leather cockade-strap and white metal button. The tall plume was
black.
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227
In July 1815 the regiment was brought up to strength and renamed the Uhlanen-
Regiment Prinz Clemens, and received a new uniform. The czapka remained
virtually unchanged except that the plume was now white with a sky-blue tip and
white cords and flounders were worn on the hat for full parade dress and the front
of the crown was decorated with a filigree, white metal crowned royal cipher badge.
COAT The coat was the same style of kollet which had been worn by the
chevauxléger regiments, and may in fact have been coats from the Saxon arsenals
re-dyed for the regiment. The coat was officially coloured ‘royal blue’, Königsblau,
but in reality appears to have been a much darker dull blue, probably as the result
of the former red coats being re-dyed. The collar, pointed cuffs, lapels and turnbacks
were black with red piping and all buttons were pewter. The shoulder-straps were
coat colour piped red. The blue uniform was short lived and was replaced in 1815
with a new coat of the Polish kurtka style of scarlet with royal blue facings on the
collar, pointed cuffs and plastron lapels, with the collar piped scarlet. The tails were
short with single turnbacks and straight inner edges piped blue and small vertical
squared pockets with red piping and three buttons.
A kummerbund style sash was worn with both uniforms with the cloth covered
buckle plate at the front of the waist. The sash is depicted as either red-blue-red,
or black-blue-black in 1814 and black-white-black in 1815.
BREECHES,ETC In 1814 the Uhlanen are depicted wearing German style loose
fitting blue overall trousers with black leather inserts and cuffs and a line of red
piping on the outer seam. The regiment received new tight fitting overalls of royal
blue in 1815 with a broad scarlet stripe on the outer seam.
No confirmed details have been found for the style of riding cloak or greatcoat
which may have been worn by the Uhlanen Regiment but these are believed to have
been white with a blue cape and lining in 1814 and possibly a black collar piped red.
After the new uniform was issued in 1815 riding cloaks of red with royal blue cape
and lining may have been issued.
EQUIPMENT The arms and equipment remained virtually the same as had been
issued to the chevauxléger regiments before 1814. The lance was issued to the
first rank and had a blue over red pennon in 1814 which was changed to sky-blue
over white in 1815. Carbines were only issued to the rear ranks but the lancers are
often depicted with a pistol carried on the carbine bandolier. Sabres were of the
light cavalry pattern with a steel three bar swept hilt and polished steel scabbard
and the sabre-straps were white.
OFFICERS & NCOs In 1814 the Uhlanen-Regiment adopted the new Germanic
rank insignia replacing the French system of epaulettes worn on the older uniforms.
The non-commissioned-officers were distinguished by rank lace worn on the collar.
Wachtmeister Collar trimmed with flat silver lace to upper and leading edges.
Three narrow horizontal batons of lace on the collar and silver
aiguillettes in 1815
Unter-Wachtmeister Two narrow silver lace batons of lace on the collar
Korporal One narrow silver lace batons of lace on the collar
silver knot and tassels.
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Officers had silver piping to the czapka, and the front was decorated with a
sunburst plate of silver with a gilt centre cartouche embossed with the Saxon coat
of arms picked out in real colours. The kurtka was as for the men but had all buttons
silver plated and epaulettes of rank were worn at the shoulders. Front 1815 officers
wore silver aiguillettes at the left shoulder. Rank was shown by a system of litzen
worn on the collar
Oberst Silver epaulettes with heavy bullion fringe twist and silver
aiguillettes at the right. Collar trimmed with fluted silver lace
and three batons of litzen on the collar.
Oberstleutnant Silver epaulettes with heavy bullion fringe twist and silver
and two batons of litzen on the collar.
Major Silver epaulettes with heavy bullion fringe twist and silver
and one baton of litzen on the collar.
Rittmeister Contra-epaulette of silver and silver aiguillettes at the right.
Three narrow batons of silver litzen on the collar.
The officer’s overalls were royal blue without inserts but with a short black leather
cuff and a wide silver stripe on the outer seam. The officers appear to have been
uniformly armed with the curved light cavalry pattern sabre with three bar silvered
hilt and polished steel scabbard and silver and crimson sabre-strap. The sabre was
carried on a black leather waistbelt edged with silver lace which were commonly of
the pattern used by light cavalry, narrow with a gilt S buckle worn beneath the black
and silver kummerbund. The officer’s pouchbelt was lacquered black leather with
silver lace edging and a silver plated picker and chain plate on the breast. The pouch
was of the light cavalry pattern with silver lace trim and silver badge of the Saxon
coat of arms flanked by a stand of trophies.
The trumpeters of uhlans are depicted in two different uniforms in 1814, the first
shows a czapka with scarlet ‘box’ upper part piped white and a tall red plume. The
coat is scarlet with black, collar, cuffs, lapels and turnbacks all piped scarlet and a
scarlet and black kummerbund. The tight fitting overalls are shown as black with a
wide scarlet stripe on the outer seam. The second style of uniform shows a
trumpeter with the same scarlet czapka but a blue kollet as for the men with scarlet
facings and white lace trim to the collar and cuffs. These same colours were worn
on the kurtka after 1815.
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HORSE FURNITURE The Uhlanen-Regiment received new shabraques in 1814

of the light cavalry pattern with rounded front and pointed rear corners of royal blue
with a dog-tooth piping edging of white, piped white at the extreme edge. The
uhlan’s valise was round and royal blue with white piping and white edging at the
tips. The trumpeters appear to have had a special shabraque in 1814 of royal blue
with a broad black edging piped red at the inner and outer edges and red piping
and trim to the valise. By 1815 the trumpeters were using the same shabraque as
the men. The Uhlanen regiment horse furniture remained unchanged until 1817.
The officer’s shabraques were of the same style as those of the uhlans and royal
blue with abroad silver lace trim piped royal blue at the outer edge. The field
officers were distinguished by chevrons of silver lace in the rear corners of the
shabraque, three for the Oberst, two for the Oberstleutnant and a single chevron
for the major.
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THE HUSAREN-REGIMENT
ORGANISATION The Husaren-Regiment was raised by an order of 10 July

1791, the first completely new cavalry regiment to be formed in the Saxon Army
since the Seven Years War, to meet the need for true light cavalry not met by the
chevauxléger and dragoon regiments. Funding was initially allocated for the raising
of 557 hussars and 500 horses which were to be found from the depots and
volunteers of the existing cavalry regiments. The regiment was to consist of eight
squadrons, each of two companies plus a depot squadron. The larger number of
squadrons which made up the Husaren-Regiment was never fully achieved at any
given point of time, and at several times during the early history of the regiment
there were proposals two split the hussars into two regiments each of four
squadrons but this was never actioned. It is interesting to note the diary of Leutnant
Carl Sacken who served with the hussars briefly records that numbers of Polish
volunteers were taken into the regiment many of whom brought their own mounts.
Regiments-Stabs 1791-1798 Husaren-Regiment
1 Rossartz 1 Stabs-Trompeter
1 Stabs-Sattler 1 Büschenmacher
Schwadron Establishment Husaren-Regiment

1 Rittmeister or Stabsrittmeister 1 Premierleutnant
1 Sekonde-Leutnant 1 Kornet
1 Wachtmeister 1 Sekondwachtmeister
1 Standartjunker 9 Korporal
5 Ober Husaren (Vice-Korporal) 1 Trompet
110 Husaren 1 Hufschmied
In 1799 the Saxon cavalry were re-organised following the campaign against the
French the organisation then remaining unchanged until 1809.
1 Oberstchef 1 Oberst
1 Büschenmacher 1 Stabs-Trompet
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Schwadron Establishment 1799-1809

1 Rittmeister 1 Premierleutnant
1 Sekonde-Leutnant 1 Kornet
1 Wachtmeister 1 Sekondwachtmeister
1 Standartjunker 9 Korporal
1 Vice-Korporal 1 Trompet
In 1810 the cavalry were again re-organised. The Oberstchef, or Inhaber was no
longer part of the regimental payroll and received his subsidies directly from the
War Department although he still held a financial stake in the fortunes of the
regiment but no longer had the same level of influence over policy and day to day
finances. The Oberst Kommandant of the Husaren-Regiment is given as ‘Oberst von
Engel’ from 1791 until 1817 but this may in fact have been father and son.
1 Regimentsauditeur 1 Stabs-adjutant (Wachtmeister)
1 Regimentsfeldscher 1 Regimentsquartiermeister
1 Stabsfeldscher 1 Stabs-quartiermeister (Wachtmeister)
1 Stabs-Fahnenschmied 1 Rossartz
1 Profost 4 Sattler
1 Stabs-Sekretär 1 Stabs-Trompet
1 Büschenmacher 1 Waffenschmied
Schwadron Establishment 1810-1814

1 Rittmeister I Klasse / Rittmeister II Klasse 1 Leutnant I Klasse
1 Leutnant II Klasse 1 Kornet
1 Standartjunker 1 Stabsfeldscher
1 Wachtmeister 1 Unter Wachtmeister
8 Korporal 1 Vice-Korporal
1 Quartiermeister-korporal 1 Trompet
Following the disastrous Russian campaign of 1812 the Husaren-Regiment was

reformed around the depot squadron and the surviving veterans discharged from
hospital as fit for active service but was only able to raise four weak squadrons.
After Leipsic the Husaren-Regiment was re-organised for service with the allies and
was surprisingly quickly brought up to six squadron strength, mostly from
volunteers wishing to join the fight for German independence.
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HEADGEAR The hussars received a Mirliton shako in 1791, a conical hat of

black felt trimmed at the upper and base edges with white leather. The hat had a
wrap-around ‘wing’ which was deep sky blue on the obverse and black on the
reverse with white lace edging and tassel at the tip. The wing could be worn with
the coloured face exposed for parade dress usually left trailing on the right or rear
of the cap, or could be tightly wound around the shako with the reverse exposed
for campaign dress. For Paradeanzug, white cords and flounders were worn with
the cords draped across the front of the cap and the flounders and tassels trailing
on the right and a thick stubby white feather plume was worn at the left, sometimes
depicted with a small white cockade pinned below. A single strand of cord was
wound around the top of the shako. Around 1808 the Mirliton was issued with a
black or dark grey waxed cotton cover for wear during campaign and inclement
weather and a detachable peak of black leather and the cap was finally fitted with
a narrow black chin-strap which fitted to the inside of the shako rim. The Mirliton
shako continued to be worn until early 1811 even after the new uniforms were
issued when a conventional bell-topped shako as worn by the other light cavalry
regiments were issued. The hussar other ranks wore their hair in the traditional
three braid style until 1810 when the fashion was finally abandoned.
The 1810 pattern shako was black felt with white leather trim at the upper edge
and a black leather tightener strap at the base with a small brass buckle at the rear
and black leather versteifen at the sides. The peak was black leather and the
chinscales were brass with a plain round boss. The front of the shako was decorated
with a brass plate in the shape of a heraldic shield surmounted by a royal crown
and embossed with the entwined FA cipher. The white paper rosette cockade was
fastened with a narrow white leather cockade-strap with a brass button. The tall full
dress plume was white and a white or facing colour ball pompon was generally worn
for Dienstuniform although in 1813-1814 a white houpette pompon with red tuft or
the reverse is also depicted. A black oiled canvas cover was provided for wear in
inclement weather and on campaign usually shown with the white pompon and this
became the most common form of dress throughout the later years from 1812 the
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shako almost always depicted with the shako cover and no decorations after
November 1813 until the end of hostilities.. In November 1813 the national cockade
was changed to black, within green within yellow.
The exact pattern of feldmutz or fatigue cap is unclear but appears to have been
of the universal stocking pattern prior to 1811 and was white with a deep sky-blue
headband piped red and a red tassel. In 1811 the hussars received the same style
of feldmutz as issued to the heavy cavalry regiments, a soft round cap of deep sky-
blue with white piping and a black headband piped white. The top of the crown was
decorated with a large padded cloth ‘button’ or flat pompon of white.
DOLMAN & PELZ The uniforms of the Husaren-regiment changed very little in
design from 1791 until 1814. The dolman was initially white with, ‘dunklen
Himmelblau’, deep sky-blue collar and pointed cuffs trimmed with white lace. The
front of the tunic was decorated with five rows of eighteen to twenty small semi-
spherical white metal buttons, according to the height of the wearer with deep sky-
blue galons of braid framed within a deep sky-blue edging of lace. The rear of the
sleeves and the rear seams of the dolman were trimmed blue lace. The pelz was
dunklen Himmelblau with the lace and braid white and was lined with white and
trimmed with black fur at the collar, cuffs and bottom edge.
The new uniform prescribed in 1810 did not change the cut or design of the
dolman or pelz. The dolman was now deep sky-blue with white lace and braid and
black collar and cuffs trimmed with white lace. The dolman remained basically
unchanged except that narrow shoulder-straps were now added to the shoulders.
A barrel sash of alternate red and white vertical bars, with white cords and tassels
was worn over the dolman but beneath the pelz. The hussars were issued with white
leather wrist gloves for parade and buff gloves for campaign.
Prior to 1810 the Husaren-Regiment appear to have worn a version of the infantry
‘kittel’ for fatigue dress, a form of overcoat which was worn instead of the pelz not
over it. The only known illustration of this coat is by Richard Knötel who shows it
as being worn as stable dress, stallanzug, in 1796. The coat was pepper-grey wool
and closed with a double row of seven or eight cloth covered buttons but was
generally worn with the skirts turned back and fastened with a button at the tips to
allow the wearer free access for riding. The fall collar was coat colour as were the
deep Swedish cuffs and there was a single broad shoulder-strap on the left shoulder.
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A new Lager-Tunika, was authorised in 1810. The coatee was a short, sleeved
waist coat closed at the front with a single row of white metal or cloth covered
buttons with a high upright collar and pointed cuffs. The tunika is given as being
mid-grey or dark sky-blue, with collar and cuffs faced black, the cuffs having two
buttons at the trailing edge. The coatee is described with or without shoulder-straps
or small waist pockets. All light cavalry troopers were issued with plain white linen
overall trousers for stable fatigue dress and wooden clogs worn with a bleached
linen fatigue smock.
BREECHES, ETC Breeches were white and worn with Hessian pattern boots with
shaped tops and white lace trim and tassels which were worn for all orders of dress
until 1799. The white breeches worn for parade are depicted with a white lace
Hungarian knot at the waist. In 1799 tight fitting overall trousers of dunklen
Himmelblau with a black stripe on the outer seam with a row of large white metal
buttons, were prescribed for campaign dress often depicted with black or brown
leather inserts and cuffs. With the issue of new uniforms in 1810 the breeches
were changed to deep sky-blue with a white stripe on the outer seam and white
‘spearheads’ of lace at the waist. Overall trousers were either as before, dunklen
himmelblau with black leather inserts and a black stripe with white metal buttons,
or from late 1811 loose fitting overalls of dark grey with black leather cuffs and
inserts and a row of white metal buttons on the outer seam were issued to some
squadrons for campaign dress. This latter style of overall was most common after
November 1813 of either dark grey or deep sky-blue.
The cold weather duties the hussars wore the pelz but were also issued with a
cavalry pattern riding cloak of the same pattern as those of the light cavalry. A
single style of garment issued to all cavalry troopers was introduced in 1780 and
were white and volumous with a short shoulder-cape lined with deep sky-blue and
a short fall collar of blue edged white. These cloaks were worn until replaced in
1810 with a similar garment of dunklen Himmelblau with a slightly deeper cape and
a high upright collar of the same colour.
EQUIPMENT In 1791 the Husaren-Regiment were issued with a specially
commissioned short carbine version of the m.1780 dragoon musket. The weapon
forward with the muzzle in a black leather bucket on the saddle their saddles.
Curiously dismounted hussars are depicted with the carbine slung muzzle upwards
on the bandolier from the forward sling ring. Each hussar was additionally armed
with a brace of pistols carried on the saddle.
In 1791 the Husaren-Regiment were armed with a sabre based on the Austrian
m.1765 Husaren-Säbel a pattern of light cavalry sabre copied by many European
armies. The sabre had a heavy, strongly curved blade with a single bar brass or
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steel hilt both the Austrian and Saxon copies being depicted with a lion’s head
pommel. Some Saxon manufactured sabres had a finger ring on the rear side of the
hilt. Scabbards were commonly either black or brown leather with brass fittings
and heel. The sabre-strap was black leather. By 1807 a second pattern of sabre
was also in use to replace weapons lost during the 1806 campaign. The new sabre
had a slightly lighter blade and a plain steel two bar swept hilt and scabbards were
usually polished steel. Both patterns of sabre were in use with the hussar squadrons
from 1807 until 1813. During the period of reconstruction in late 1813 when all
equipment was in short supply the Husaren-Regiment, is known to have been issued
with stocks of captured French light cavalry sabres with brass three bar hilts and
polished steel scabbards. The sabres-straps were black leather until 1811 when
they were officially changed to white, although this may not have been effected
until 1814.
The sabre was carried on a narrow whitened leather waistbelt of the common
light cavalry pattern on two narrow slings worn beneath the kummerbund sash. The
belt also supported the sabretache on three straps which was of two patterns the
first, dress uniform sabretache was black leather with the lid faced with deep sky-
blue material, with a wide white border piped deep sky-blue at the extreme edge
and the electoral FA cipher in white with a crown in true colours. The second style
of sabretache used for everyday and campaign was plain black leather with a white
metal crowned FA cipher badge in the lid. A new sabretache was authorised in
1810 which was basically as before except that the central motif now had a royal
crown in gold and red instead of the electoral cap.
The pouch belt was whitened leather with a brass buckle and fittings and
supported a plain leather pouch with shaped lid the pouchbelt passing around the
bottom of the pouch held by leather loops instead of the usual brass rings. The
pouches were originally faced with white cloth but this was found to be impractical
in the field and by 1795 most pouches were simply painted white. A new pattern
of pouch with a plain black leather shaped lid and brass ring was prescribed in 1810
but there is evidence to suggest the some hussar squadrons were still equipped
with the older pattern white pouches until after 1812.

ranks of non-commission-officer; the Wachtmeister, and Korporal. The
Standartjunker and Quartiermeister ranked as a Wachtmeister. The Sekonde-
Wachtmeister was a recognised appointment, a junior Wachtmeister of less than
five years’ service in the rank, and was assigned to the 2. Kompagnie.
the other ranks, however, the Mirliton shako of the Wachtmeister had silver cords
and flounders and a white plume with a black tip. The korporal was distinguished
by the black tip to the plume. The non-commissioned officers wore no special
distinctions on the uniform between 1792 and 1809, the dolman, pelz, breeches all
being as for the other ranks. The Wachtmeister’s dress uniform had silver lace and
braid. All NCOs carried the traditional cane of office of hazelwood with a gilt or
silvered cap for the Wachtmeister with a black cane-strap. When mounted the cane
was either passed under the belt at the right side or strapped to the sabre scabbard
or carbine. The non-commissioned-officers were equipped and armed exactly as
the troopers the Korporal’s sabre and cane straps are shown commonly as either
white or white with black tassels around 1792 but are more often depicted as black
by 1806. From 1804 the Wachtmeisters were no longer issued with the carbine.
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rank insignia similar to those worn by the French army. The NCO’s shako was
trimmed at the top with a band of white metal, a single wide single band for the
korporal and a double band for the feldwebel. By 1812 the rather impractical metal
trim had been replaced by silver lace for the senior NCOs and white lace trim for
the korporals. The shako cords were white as for the squadron, the senior
regimental Wachtmeister or Führer having silver cords and flounders. NCO’s plumes
were white with a black tip and pompons were either as for the company or black
over white.
The dolman and pelz were as for the other ranks with the addition of French style
rank insignia worn on the left sleeve above the left cuff on both dolman and pelz.
Wachtmeister Two inverted chevrons of silver lace above the left cuff on a black
patch.
Unter-Wachtmeister Single inverted chevron of silver lace on a black patch.
Korporal Two inverted chevrons of white wool above the left cuff
Korporal-Quartiermeister Single inverted chevron of silver lace, on the upper left sleeve
on a black patch.
In 1810 the traditional NCOs canes were discontinued but many older NCOs may
have continued to carry their canes when dismounted.
THE OFFICERS In 1791 the officers wore the same style of Mirliton shako as
the hussars except that the trim to the shako and the deep sky-blue ‘wing’ was
silver lace and the cords and flounders were silver. The officer’s tall feather plume
was white with a black base quarter. For Dienstuniform the officers wore the
bicorn hat of black felt with silver tightener cords with pompons at the tips of white
with a crimson centre, those of the field officers are sometimes depicted with solver
tassels. The front of the hat was decorated with a white silk bow cockade held with
a silver cockade-strap and silver plated button. The bushy feather plume was white
with a black base quarter for all officers.
The officer’s dolman and pelz were basically as for the men, except at all lace
and braid was silver instead of white and buttons were silver plated. The Hungarian
knots decorating the lace were more elaborate than those of the hussars. The collar
was trimmed with silver lace as were the cuffs, the latter having an elaborate
embroidered lace trim and knot at the tip. There was no official insignia of rank
however the collar was usually decorated with multiple lace edging at the upper and
leading edges the senior officers having three of even four bands of lace. The
officer’s breeches were white for parade uniform and deep sky-blue for the
Dienstuniform the upper thigh being decorated with elaborate Hungarian knots of
silver lace and a silver stripe on the outer seam. Boots were of the Hessian style
with silver lace trim and tassels.
Sometime around 1795 for their undress uniform the officers were prescribed an
überrock, or ‘pikesche’ a long ankle length riding coat braided on the breast as for
the dolman except that the coat had only three rows of buttons. The collar and cuffs
were black edged with silver lace. A crimson and silver barrel sash was worn with
the dolman and a silver and crimson silk sash with the pikesche coat.
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In 1810 the new uniforms reflected the changes made for the other ranks. Both
the dolman and pelz were deep sky-blue with black collar and cuffs and all lace and
braid was silver. The pelz was trimmed with black astrakhan or black bearskin and
the lining was silver silk. Rank was shown by a system of silver lace inverted
chevrons worn on the cuff of the dolman, the first band trimming the edge of the
cuff, the sequence was repeated on the cuffs of the pelz.
Oberst-Kommandant Five 25 mm chevrons of silver lace the lowest trimming the

cuff and a Hungarian knot in silver lace trimming the upper
chevron.
Oberstleutnant As Oberst except, five 25 mm chevrons of lace three silver and
two 20mm gold alternatively.
Major As Oberst except, four chevrons of 25mm silver lace
Rittmeister Three chevrons of silver lace, two of 25mm with a 20mm

chevron between
Adjutant As above but the centre 20mm chevron gold. From November
1814 silver aiguillettes worn at the left shoulder of the dolman
Leutnant I Klasse Two 20mm chevrons of gold lace

Leutnant II Klasse One 20mm chevron of gold lace
Breeches were now deep sky-blue with silver lace spearheads on the thighs and
silver stripes on the outer seams. The spearhead designs followed the same
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sequence as the cuff insignia for parade dress and was generally only a single large
spearhead or Hungarian knot for campaign dress. The stripes on the breeches outer
seam were according to rank, three stripes for the field officers; two for the
Rittmeister and one for the Leutnants. From 1811 tight fitting overall trousers of
deep sky-blue were issued to the officers for everyday and campaign wear with buff
leather inserts and cuffs and a wide black stripe on the outer seam with a single row
of large white metal buttons.
The officer’s riding capes were of the same pattern as those of the other cavalry
officers and prior to 1810 and remained virtually unchanged from 1791 until 1813
and were white with a deep fall collar of deep sky-blue which could be turned up to
protect the neck showing the white underside. The short shoulder-cape was deep
sky-blue colour and edged with silver lace and fastened at the throat with a silver
braid cord. In 1811 the cloak became dee sky-blue with a slightly deeper cape and
high upright collar which was black edged with silver lace. The cloak remained in
use with the Husaren-Regiment until after 1815 when other cavalry officers had
adopted the riding coat, as the volumous garment allowed the pelz to be worn
beneath in foul weather.
Between 1807 and 1814 the officers adopted a variety of different uniforms for
undress uniform and walking out dress. A modernised version of the deep sky-blue
Pikesche coat was authorised in 1810 which was now shorter, knee length with the
breast decorated with three rows of eighteen black glass buttons each with a black
braid galon as worn on the dolman. The coat had a high upright collar of black
edged with silver and pointed black cuffs with silver lace trim. A similar coat is also
depicted by P. Courcelle, in 1812, probably after Forthoffer, with white lamb’s fleece
lining, cuff and cuffs as for the pelz and fleece trim to the edges of the coat. The
breast is closed with four wide black batons of leather with bastion tips with a large
white metal button at each tip. The same illustration shows the shako with a deep-
sky blue shako cover. There is no evidence that this garment was officially
prescribed and was probably privately commissioned by the wearer but doe
illustrate the type of personalised uniform often adopted by officers, particularly of
the light cavalry. Around 1809 a long tailed single breasted coat of the surtout style
was adopted for undress uniform of deep sky-blue with coat colour fall collar and
double turnbacks to the undecorated tails. The cuffs were pointed and black as for
the pikesche coat usually with silver lace trim of various widths according to rank.
The breast of the coat was decorated with three rows of white metal semi-spherical
buttons and silver braid as for the dolman. A modernised version of this coat with
black upright collar may have been worn until 1814 but with the front closed with a
single row of ten buttons and a high upright collar of black and plain black pointed
cuffs. Around 1811 a French style habit-veste was introduced for Dienstuniform
with long tails and cut-away pointed lapels. The coat was deep sky-blue with black
collar and black pointed cuffs with two buttons at the trailing edge. The lapels were
coat colour piped black with seven buttons and the turnbacks were black. The tails
also with three points and three buttons, both were piped with black. There is some
unconfirmed evidence that silver epaulettes were worn on this coat is the same
sequence as for the light cavalry officers.
Officers carried several different patterns of sword during the Napoleonic period
many of which were privately purchased or family heirlooms. In 1791 the common
pattern was an hussar sabre of similar pattern to that used by the men with a gilded
brass hilt and black leather scabbard with gilded or silver plated fittings. Sabre-
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straps for all officers were silver with crimson stripes on the strap and mixed silver
and crimson knot and tassels. The waistbelt was as for the troopers except that it
was usually of black leather with silver edging and silvered or gilt fittings and is often
depicted as being of red leather with silver lace and decorations for full dress.
The officer’s pouchbelts were red leather with silver edging and a zig-zag line of
silver piping through the length. The pouch was red leather and had a plain red
leather lid for campaign sometimes shown decorated with silver coat of arms badge
picked out in enamel colours. For parade dress the pouch had a silver or gold silk
cover embroidered with the Saxon crowned coat of arms and trophy stand in true
colours. After 1810 the officers were provided with a red velvet cover for the
pouchbelt closed along the length with a row of small silvered buttons which was
the general order of dress other than for parade.
MUSICIANS The squadron trumpeters of the Husaren-Regiment in 1791 wore

basically the same uniform as the other ranks. The Mirliton shako was as for the
hussars except that the tall bushy plume was coloured in four alternate rings of
yellow and deep sky-blue and the cords and flounders are sometimes depicted as
mixed yellow and deep sky-blue. Some modern uniformologists state that a fur
kolpack was worn around 1806 but there is no evidence for this and probably
originates from a misinterpretation of the contemporary plate by C. A. H. Hess,
which depicts the Mirliton shako rather ambiguously.
The dolman and pelz were identical to those worn by the hussar rank and file
except that the dolman was decorated with deep sky-blue swallows-nest epaulettes
edged with white lace and narrow white braid twist shoulder-straps. The field of the
epaulette was decorated with a white lace crossed double V motif. All other details
were as for the men except trumpeters were not issued with the carbine or the
pouchbelt. Trumpets are depicted as being brass with cords and tassels of mixed
blue and white or blue and yellow.
The trumpeters received new uniforms in 1810 and the Mirliton was replaced with
the same style of bell topped shako worn by the hussars but deep sky-blue with
white lace trim to the upper edge and a black leather tightener strap and versteifen
at the sides. The shako plate was brass and surmounted by the national cockade
with a white leather cockade-strap. For full parade dress a tall scarlet feather plume
and white cords and flounders were worn and for campaign and everyday dress a
scarlet houpette pompon with white tuft.
The new dolman and pelz were scarlet with white lace trim and braid and white
metal buttons and the collar and pointed cuffs on the dolman were black with white
edging. The pelz was trimmed with black fur. Breeches and boots were as for the
men, deep sky blue with white spearhead designs and stripes and the trumpeter’s
kummerbund was now of reversed colours, deep sky-blue and white alternate
vertical stripes. For campaign loose fitting overall trousers were issued of deep sky-
blue with black leather inserts and cuffs and a white black stripe on the outer seam
edged with white piping and a single row of white metal buttons.
The Stabstrompeter is depicted in 1813 by Jorg Titze wearing a black-brown
bearskin kolpack with scarlet ‘flamme’ piped white and a white tassel and tall scarlet
plume. The dolman and pelz are both scarlet but the lace and braid is shown as
being deep sky-blue and both garments have only three rows of buttons. The
Stabstrompeter wears the rank chevron of a Sekonde-Wachtmeister. The overall
trousers are given as scarlet with black leather inserts and a white stripe with a row
of large white buttons.
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HORSE FURNITURE The shabraques issued to the hussars in 1791 were deep
sky-blue with a rounded front and elongated rear corners edged with a black dog-
tooth edging piped white at the inner and outer edges. This horse furniture
remained in use until replaced in 1810 with the new pattern of light cavalry
shabraque with rounded front and pointed rear corners. The edging remained the
same a black dog-tooth pattern piped white at the inner and outer edges. The
hussars now received a valise which was round and deep sky-blue with white piping
and white edging at the ends.
The trumpeters had the same shabraque as the hussars until 1810 when they
received a distinctive shabraque of the same style but scarlet with black and white
dogtooth edging and a scarlet valise with white, black, white trim to the ends.
The officer’s shabraques in 1791 were of the same style as those of the troopers
but had a wide black edging piped silver at the inner and outer edges the edging
being wider for the field officers than those of the squadron officers. In 1799 a new
shabraque was authorised for the junior officers of the new light cavalry style with
pointed rear corners and was deep sky-blue with black dog-tooth edging piped silver
at the inner and outer edges. This shabraque remained in use for most of the junior
officers until 1814. In 1810 new shabraques were authorised for all officers but
appear to have only be issued to the senior officers before 1812. The shabraque
was dee-sky blue with rounded front and pointed rear corners with a wide silver
edging piped silver at the extreme edge with a narrow welt of blue between. The
rear corner was decorated with inverted chevrons of silver lace, 25 mm for the field
officers and 15 mm for the junior grades in a sequence of three, two and one
according to rank.
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STABS-DRAGONER-KOMPAGNIE 1813-1814
ORGANISATION Very little confirmed information exists about the short lived
Stab-Dragoner-Kompagnie. The unit was created in 13 December 1813 to provide
an escort detail and camp security for the Saxon general staff when on campaign.
The task of raising and commanding the company was given the Major von Cerrini
who appears to have recruited his company from veterans of the cavalry regiments
returning after the Battle of Leipsic.
Stabs-Dragoner-Kompagnie 1813-1814
1 Major-Kommandant (until mid-1814) 1 Rittmeister II Klasse
1 Stabmeister (Wachtmeister) 1 Quartiermeister-korporal
4 Korporal 1 Vice-korporal
50 Dragoner 1 Trompet
On 15 June 1815 the strength of the company is returned as 51 all ranks, the
unit was now commanded by the Rittmeister and had only 3 Korporals and 45
dragoons. The company was stood down with the return of all Saxon troops at the
end of 1815 and was disband as part of the army re-organisations of 1817.
UNIFORMS Descriptions of the uniform are few and sources conflict on details.
The shako was faced with buff cloth with black leather trim at the upper edge; a
black leather strap at the base and black leather versteifen at the sides. The peak
was black leather and the chinscales were brass with a plain round boss. The front
of the shako was decorated with a brass plate with royal crown and embossed with
the entwined FA cipher. The tricolour cockade was fastened with a narrow white
leather cockade-strap with a brass button.
The coat was of the same pattern as worn by the Leichte-Kavallerie a ‘Spencer’
style kollet of madder-red with a high upright collar, plastron lapels fastened with
seven buttons, and short tails with double turnbacks fastened at the tips with a
brass button. The collar, lapels and cuffs were faced black and the turnbacks and
coat lining were buff. The cuffs were of the German style, square with two buttons
were madder-red and bastion tipped and were piped with black. All buttons were
brass. The coat may in fact have been tunics formerly worn by the Prinz Johann
Chevauxléger-Regiment and taken out of storage in 1813. The only known legwear
is given as dark grey overall trousers with brown leather inserts and cuffs.
The dragoons were equipped as the former Chevauxlégers with carbines and light
cavalry sabres and all belting is described as being of buff leather.
Officers and NCOs would have worn the same distinctions as those of the regular
cavalry with rank shown by three gold lace batons on the collar for the Rittmeister
who wore silver contra epaulettes and silver aiguillettes at the right shoulder.
No details have been found for the uniforms of the trumpeter but this may also
have been as for the Prinz Johann Chevauxléger Regiment, with buff tunic faced red
and a red covered shako.
Horse furniture appears to have been of the same style as used by the light
cavalry and red with black dog-tooth edging piped yellow.
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THE ARTILLERIE
ORGANISATION In 1792 the artillery was the poorest element of the Saxon
army with the guns and artillerists dispersed to a multitude of garrisons throughout
the country and were theoretically under the direct command of the elector. During
peacetime the various batteries were assembled once a year for a training exercise
which was the only time that the gunners could work with, manoeuvre and actually
fire the guns. In wartime four six gun field batteries of foot artillery could be
assembled each of four field guns and two howitzers. The artillery train was perhaps
even worse served. The führwesen or train was completely stood down in peacetime
with the exception of the stable-hands and was only assembled at the outbreak of
war when the field batteries were formed and was hastily augmented by a draft in
the local area often no more than an emptying of the local prisons. The result was
that the drivers and handlers had no experience or training in working horses or
vehicles and the movement of the artillery was ponderous and inefficient.
Although an artillery school, the Hauptzeughaus, had existed since 1766 the
training was mostly theoretical and any practical instruction carried out with the
positions batteries at the fortress and officers and NCOs had virtually no experience
of mobile artillery in the field. The majority of the artillery ‘batteries’ were assigned
to the infantry regiments as ‘regimental artillery’ in the traditional 18 th century style,
each Feld-Regimenter, line infantry regiment, was assigned four 4 pdr field guns,
each Grenadier-Bataillonen two guns, and the Leib-Grenadier-Garde Regiment was
assigned the only regular train company which was maintained in peacetime which
was made up of young stable hands supervised by Stallmeisters, NCOs seconded
from the cavalry regiments often older men approaching retirement. In practice
most regimental artillery batteries only fielded two guns when the regiment marched
out to war the other two pieces being designated as the ‘reserve’ and remained at
the regimental depot to reduce costs.
The audit of 1797 showed the Feldartillerie-Korps to have remained virtually

unchanged since 1779 and to consist of the Hauptzeughaus, the Hausartillerie-
Kompagnie, which provided the regimental batteries, and the Feldartillerie-
Regiment, of twelve Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterien in two battalions and a single Reitende-
Artillerie-Batterie. The Führwesen, or artillery train was under the supervision of
the Büro für Pferde the department responsible for the purchase and maintenance
of the army’s horses who provided most of the officers and was technically neither
paid by nor under the direct command of the artillery and had its own reporting line
back to the Büro für Pferde even when assign to the artillery batteries in the field.
Feldartillerie-Korps Stabs 1792-1809

1 Chef der Artillerie 1 Oberst-Kommandant
2 Adjutant 1 Artillerie Quartiermeister
1 Auditeur 1 Stabsquartiermeister
1 Oberfeldscher 1 Stabsfeldsher
1 Profost (Provost) 1 Stabsprofost
1 Stabs-tambour
249
Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterie Establishment 1792-1801

1 Kapitän or Stabs-Kapitän 1 Premierleutnant
2 Unterleutnant 1 Sergent-Quartiermeister
1 Batterie-Feldscher 1 Stuckjunker (Artillery Officer Cadet)
1 Kanonier-Sergent 1 Feuerwerker-Korporal
12 Kanonier-Korporal 4 Feuerwerker
19 Ober-Kanonier 86 Unter-Kanonier
2 Trommler 2 Zimmerman
1 Waffenschmied 1 Miner
Artillerie zu Pferde-Batterie Establishment 1792-1801

1 Kapitän-Kommandant 1 Premierleutnant
1 Batterie-Feldscher 1 Stuckjunker
1 Kanonier-Sergent 2 Feuerwerker
6 Kanonier-Korporal 20 Ober-Kanonier
2 Trompeter 60 Unter-Kanonier
In 1802 having learned some valid lessons from the campaigns against the French
the artillery was re-organised although the new structures were not properly
effective until the muster for the 1806 campaign.

1 Kapitän 1 Premierleutnant
1 Batterie-Feldscher 1 Kanonier-Sergent
7 Kanonier-Korporal 1 Oberfeuerwerker (Sergent)
20 Ober-Kanonier 10 Korporal-Feuerwerker
80 Unter-Kanonier 2 Zimmerman
2 Trommler 3 Meisterhandwerker
Feld-Fuβ-Batterie Establishment 1802-1809 [1]

1 Artillerie-Kapitän 1 Premierleutnant
1 Stabs-Feldscher 1 Kanonier-Sergent
7 Kanonier-Korporal 1 Oberfeuerwerker
69 Unter-Kanonier 2 Zimmerman
1 Trommler
250
In July 1806 a second horse artillery battery was raised with the same organisation
as the first but their mounts had not been trained and the battery served as foot
artillery during the 1806 campaign.

1 Premierleutnant 1 Unterleutnant
1 Stuckjunker 1 Sergent-Quartiermeister
1 Batterie-Feldscher 1 Kanonier-Sergent
6 Kanonier-Korporal 2 Oberfeuerwerker
60 Unter-Kanonier 2 Trompet
NOTE: [1] The Hausartillerie-Kompagnie batteries which had previously been organised in the
same manner as the Foot Artillery Batteries of the Feldartillerie-Regiment was re-organised in
1802 with a slightly changed composition and were renamed as the Feld-Fuβ-Batterien. The lesser
number of NCOs and Kanoniers was made up by infantry soldiers drafted in to provide the on-site
labour for the battery.
Each battery of foot and horse artillery was supported in the field in time of war
by a Führwesen-Kompagnie and provided with a munition caisson for each 4pdr or
6 pdr gun; and two caissons for each 8 pdr howitzer. The Führwesen-Kompagnien
attached to Feld-Fuβ-Batterien additionally had a provisions wagon and a small
arms munitions caisson for each infantry battalion that it was serving.
Führwesen-Kompagnie 1792-1809
1 Wagenmeister (Sergent) 2 Schirrmeister (Quartermaster Sergent)
2 Wagenbauer (Wagon wright) 1 Schmeidegeselle (Blacksmith Journeyman)
70 Knecht (Drivers and Stable Boys) 1 Hufschmied (After 1802)
With the re-organisation of 1810 the artillery was completely transformed. The
Feld-Fuβ-Batterien and Feldartillerie-Regiment were disbanded and the guns and
artillerists reformed into sixteen batteries of foot artillery in two battalions and a
horse artillery brigade of two batteries. The battery or company organisation was
now redesigned to be closer to that of the French artillery units with officers taking
command of the gun crews in the field. Although the artillery was now organised
into two permanent brigades, in reality the batteries continued to be distributed
throughout the kingdom at the various garrisons and fortresses with peacetime
duties revolving around the defensive artillery positions and only taking the field as
mobile batteries when mustered for campaign.
The Führwesen-Kompagnien now finally came under the control of the
Feldartillerie-Korps although the horses and most of the wagons remained the
property of the Büro für Pferde. The führwesen was renamed the Train-Bataillon
and given a small staff consisting of a Major, Adjutant and Quartiermeister. As
before the train was allocated in companies to each artillery battery in the field the
only permanent train companies being those attached to the Artillerie zu Pferde
Batterien.
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Feldartillerie-Korps Stabs 1810-1813

1 Oberst-Kommandant der Artillerie 2 Oberstleutnant
1 Major-Kommandant Artillerie zu Pferde 2 Major
7 Adjutant-Major 1 Regiments-Quartiermeister
1 Auditeur 1 Stabs-Sekretär
1 Oberfeldscher 6 Stabsfeldsher
1 Profost 1 Stabs-tambour

1 Kapitän I Klasse 1 Kapitän II Klasse
2 Kanonier-Sergent 6 Kanonier-Korporal
2 Quartiermeister-Korporal 4 Meister-Artificer
12 Artificers 2 Trommler
16 Kanonier I Klasse 80 Kanonier II Klasse

1 Kapitän I Klasse or Kapitän II Klasse 1 Leutnant I Klasse
2 Leutnant II Klasse 1 Sergent-Quartiermeister
1 Kanonier-Sergent 2 Feuerwerker
8 Kanonier-Korporal 2 Trompet
20 Kanonier I Klasse 6 Korporal-Feuerwerker
80 Kanonier II Klasse 2 Hufschmied
Artillerie-Train-Kompagnie Establishment 1810-1812

1 Kapitän I Klasse or Kapitän II Klasse 1 Leutnant I Klasse or Leutnant II Klasse
1 Sergent 1 Schirrmeister
2 Korporal 1 Vice-Korporal
1 Wagenbauer 1 Schmeidegeselle
18 Soldaten 1 Hufschmied (Shared between 2 companies)
Following the disastrous 1812 campaign in Russia and Poland the artillery were re-
organised into two Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterien each of eight guns, two 8pdr howitzers
and six 6 pdr cannon; a ‘Reserve-Batterie’ of six 12 pdr guns and two 8 pdr
howitzers; and two Artillerie zu Pferde Batterien of four 6 pdr guns. The regimental
staff remained unchanged.
1. Fuβ Artillerie Battery – Kapitän Dietrich
2. Fuβ Artillery Batterie – Kapitän Zandt
1. Artillerie zu Pferde Battery – Kapitän Probsthayn
2. Artillerie zu Pferde Battery – Kapitän Birnbaum
Reserve 12 pdr Batterie - Kapitän Rouvroy
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Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterie / Reserve-Batterie Establishment 1813

1 Leutnant II Klasse 1 Kanonier-Sergent
1 Oberfeuerwerker 10 Kanonier-Korporal
1 Quartiermeister-Korporal 3 Meister-Artificer
2 Zimmermann 2 Trommler
20 Kanonier I Klasse 80 Kanonier II Klasse
Artillerie zu Pferde-Batterie Establishment 1813

1 Leutnant II Klasse 1 Quartiermeister-Korporal
1 Kanonier-Sergent 1 Oberfeuerwerker
7 Kanonier-Korporal 2 Trompet
20 Kanonier I Klasse 3 Meister-Artificer
60 Kanonier II Klasse 1 Hufschmied
Artillerie-Train-Kompagnie Establishment 1813

1 Leutnant I Klasse or Leutnant II Klasse 1 Sergent
4 Korporal (5 for Reserve-Batterie) 1 Schirrmeister
1 Wagenbauer 1 Hufschmied
55 Train-Soldaten (63 for Reserve-Batterie)
6 6 pdr or 12 pdr Caissons 4 8 pdr Howitzer Grenade Caissons
1
1 Provisions Wagon 1 Rack wagon
1 Equipment wagon 1 Field Forge
1 Field Office & Surgeon’s Cart 1 Spare Carriage and Wheels Wagon
From November 1813 the artillery was organised into two ‘Mobile Batteries’ the 1 &
2. Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterien each with its integral train company. The batteries
remained virtually unchanged except for the official addition of a Saddlemaker, a
Farrier and an under-surgeon to each battery. The mobile batteries were now
equipped with ‘wurst caissons’ similar to those used by the Austrian and Bavarian
armies on which the artillerists could ride instead of marching beside the guns. The
change in equipment also altered the batterie train structure.
Artillerie-Train-Kompagnie Establishment 1814-1815

1 Leutnant I Klasse or Leutnant II Klasse 1 Sergent
6 Korporal 1 Schirrmeister
1 Wagenbauer 1 Hufschmied
90 Train-Soldaten
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Artillerie-Train 1814-1815
8 6 pdr wurst caissons 5 8 pdr Howitzer Grenade wurst caissons
5 6 pdr caissons 8 8 pdr Howitzer Grenade caissons
1 Provisions Wagon 1 Rack wagon
1 Equipment wagon 1 Field Forge
1 Spare Gun Carriage 1 Spare wheels wagon
In 1815 the Feld-Artillerie-Regiment was increased to a strength of four Fuβ-

Artillerie-Batterien, and two Artillerie-zu-Pferde Batterien and organised into three
brigades with a Train-Bataillon and a Handwerker-Kompagnie.
The study of the Saxon ordnance and equipment is a complex one and is too
large a subject to be adequately covered in this small volume and those readers
interested in a deeper study of the artillery guns and equipment are referred to the
excellent volume ‘Saxon Artillery 1733-1827’ by Dr Stephen Summerfield
(2009) which covers the subject in detail with great authority.
The ordnance in use by the Saxon army in 1792 was of the patterns known as
the Hoyer System introduced in 1772 although many of the tubes were much older
dating for the Seven Years War era. Each of the gun sizes, 12 pdr, 8 pdr and 4 pdr
were produced in light and heavy variations, the term referring to the weight of the
barrel rather than the usage by foot or mounted artillery. Thus a light battery would
be equipped with the lighter version of the cannon. Additionally there were 8 pdr
Howitzers and a 4 pdr Granatstück a light gun similar to the Russian unicorn which
fired grenades and combined the accuracy of a field gun with the impact of a
howitzer shell.
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In 1810 a new system of guns began to be introduced known as the Raabe

system and designed by Major Raabe and Frederick Rouvroy and included new
modernised designs for the 12 pdr and 6 pdr field gun and 8 pdr howitzer with
lighter gun carriages with bronze fittings replacing the painted iron previously used.
The multiple patterns of gun carriages and support wagons were now redesigned to
have only two wheel sizes.
The woodwork of the gun carriages were painted with an oil based creosote type
preservative giving the woodwork a very dark grey-brown almost black tint. Some
of the pre-1810 guns had bronze fittings but most of the gun carriages and vehicles
of the Hoyer system had iron fittings which was painted yellow-ochre. The caissons
and wagons of the train had light blue-grey woodwork with a light brown roof and
black wheels after 1810.
THE UNIFORMS
HEADGEAR 1792-1809 The headwear of the artillerists in 1792 was of the

same style as worn by the infantry, the bicorn hat of black felt with a yellow tape
edging and the front and rear faces of the hat were stitched to the crown to hold
them upright even when wet. The hat tighteners were white cord and the tips were
decorated with a small wool pompon which was white with a black centre. The front
of the hat was decorated with a white bow cockade held with a black leather
cockade-strap and a brass button. In true early 18th century tradition, the cockade
was only worn during campaign as a national identifier, or at certain specified parade
occasions and not for everyday wear. The bushy feather plume was black with a
white tip. There is no evidence that the gunners wore a pompon in place of the
plume and the hat appears to have been worn without either for campaign. Both
the bow cockade and the more common paper rosette cockade appear to have been
worn during the 1809 campaign.
The Führwesen-Kompagnien wore the same pattern bicorn hat but without the
trim to the edges and no pompons at the tips of the hat tighteners which had a small
black knot concealed inside the fold of the hat. The bow cockade was white and
held with a black leather cockade-strap with a white metal button and full dress a
bushy dark green plume with a red tip was worn.
Two style of feldmutz, or fatigue cap were commonly in use by the infantry
regiments during the period. The first which had been the standard issue from 1763
was a simple dark green stocking cap with a red headband and this pattern
continued in use until all issued articles were finally replaced about 1808. The
second pattern began to make an appearance about 1802 and was of a more modern
design and dark green with facing colour piping to the upper edge of the headband
and to the cap which was more pointed than the older version and had a white tassel
at the tip. It is unknown if fatigue caps were issued to the Führwesen-Kompagnien.
The artillerists of the Saxon army continued to adhere to the 18th Century practice
of wearing the hair long and tied in a tight queue bound with black tape until 1809.
By 1793 the curling of the sides and powdering the hair for parade dress had been
discontinued and from 1802 the queue was worn much shorter and was generally
only collar length. The soldiers were required to be ‘clean faced’ and were obliged
to shave daily even when in the field. The queue was abolished in 1810.
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the design submitted in 1808. The old style bicorn hats were abandoned and
replaced for all Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterien and Artillerie zu Pferde Batterien with a
shako as worn by the line infantry or chevauxléger regiments. The shako was black
felt with black leather trim at the upper edge; a black leather tightener strap at the
base with a small brass buckle at the rear and black leather versteifen at the sides.
The peak was black leather and the chinscales were brass with a plain round boss.
The front of the shako was decorated with a brass plate in the shape of an heraldic
shield surmounted by a royal crown and embossed with the entwined FA cipher.
The white paper rosette cockade was fastened with a narrow white leather cockade-
strap with a brass button. In 1813 the national cockade was changed to black,
within green within yellow and changed again in 1815 to white with a green edging.
The full dress, tall feather plume was red and red cords and flounders were worn by
all batteries for parade dress. A red houpette pompon was worn instead of the plume
for campaign and everyday dress.
All artillerists were issued with canvas waterproof shako covers to protect the
shako on campaign and during inclement weather and these appear to have been
the predominant order of dress throughout the 1812 and 1813 campaigns. The
covers issued in 1811 were mostly either black or dark grey waxed canvas, although
tan and beige covers may also have been issued during the 1812 campaign. The
pompon was usually worn outside of the cover as a unit identifier.
The Train-Bataillon received the same pattern of shako as the horse artillery with
brass badge and chinscales and white cockade with white leather cockade strap held
with a brass button. The cords and flounders and tall feather plume were white and
a white ball pompon or sky-blue houpette pompon with white tuft was worn for
campaign dress. Black or dark grey shako covers were issued for campaign and
this is the most common order of dress depicted from 1812 until 1814.
The feldmutz worn until 1810 continued to be the 1802 pattern. In 1810 a new
feldmutz was authorised of distinctly German style similar to that worn by the
Prussian army a dark green round hat piped red with a red headband sometimes
shown with the tricolour national cockade at the front of the crown after November
1813. The cap was fitted with a narrow black leather chin-strap. These caps were
certainly being worn by the Artillerie zu Pferde Batterien by 1812 but may not have
been issued to all units of the Fuβ-Artillery until after the 1812 campaign. The
feldmutz worn by the Train-Bataillon from 1810 was of the new pattern and deep
sky-blue with a black headband piped red and red piping to the crown of the cap.
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COAT 1792-1809 In 1792 the pattern of coat being worn by the Fuβ Artillery
Batterien had last been amended in 1780 and was of the same cut and style as
prescribed for the infantry but was dark green with scarlet facings on the collar, cuff,
lapels and turnbacks. The coat had a shallow Swedish fall collar, and a shoulder-
strap on the left shoulder only slightly to the rear of the seam. The shoulder-strap
is generally shown as plain dark green but may also have been piped with scarlet.
All buttons were brass. In 1789 an order prescribed that the coats should be
altered to have a short upright collar, open with a wide V at the throat to expose
the traditional red stock worn beneath. The shoulder-strap was now moved centrally
over the shoulder seam. All other details remained the same as the 1780 coat. The
lapels were fastened with seven brass domed buttons and three large buttons
appeared below the right hand lapel with corresponding buttonholes on the left. The
tails had double turnbacks fastened at the tips with a brass button. The cuffs were
of the Swedish ‘turned back’ style fastened with three buttons at the trailing edge
two on the cuff actual and one above and had a slit at the rear so that the cuff could
be folded back above the wrist. By 1795 most batteries appear to have been issued
with the new style coat with upright collar although some of the older coats may still
have been in use as late as 1798. By 1803 it had become the fashion to tailor the
skirts of the coat into slightly narrower tails by removing a wedge of material from
the seam and cutting the resultant ‘tails’ square at the bottom edge.
The Artillerie zu Pferde Batterien wore a coat of the same style as worn by the
dragoon and chevauxléger regiments. In 1792 the pattern of coat being worn still
had a shallow Swedish fall collar, and a shoulder-strap on the left shoulder only
slightly to the rear of the seam. The shoulder-strap is generally shown as plain dark
green but may also have been piped with red. By 1793 most squadrons appear to
have been issued with the new style coat with upright collar and centrally positioned
shoulder-strap although some of the older coats may still have been in use as late
as 1795. The coat was dark green, with the collar, lapels and Swedish cuffs and
turnbacks were all scarlet and all buttons brass. The lapels were fastened with seven
plain, domed brass buttons. The cuffs were of the Swedish ‘turned back’ style with
a row of three buttons at the front upper edge. The short square-cut skirts of the
coatee were worn with double turnbacks fastened with a brass button at the tips
and the cut of the coat caused the tails to hang on the hips rather than the rear
when mounted. At some point in the late 1790’s a new version of the coat began to
be issued of a very modern design with wrap over lapels which could be buttoned
across the chest displaying the red inner face and giving the appearance of a double
breasted coatee, for wear during campaign saving the coloured lapels. The collar of
the new kollet was higher and the lapels were now closed to the waist giving the
appearance of a ‘Spencer’ style kollet when the lapels were worn outwards and two
straps were added to the rear waist to support the sabrebelt which could now be
fastened over the coat. Shoulder straps were now worn on both shoulders.
In 1792 the Knechten of the Führwesen-Kompagnien had been issued with a

single breasted frock coat closed at the front with a single row of eight or ten large
brass buttons, usually left unbuttoned below the third button. The coat was dark
green with the skirts folded back into turnbacks and fastened at the points with a
brass button and loop and the tails were decorated with three pointed pockets which
are depicted as being either vertical or horizontal with three button. The soft fall
collar, Swedish cuffs and turnbacks were all scarlet, the cuffs having two brass
button at the trailing edge on the cuff actual. This coat appears to have been worn
without change until 1808 when new tunics were issued to some companies. The
new coat was of a more modern ‘habit a la Kinski’ cut, a single breasted short tailed
tunika closed with a single row of eight or nine brass buttons with a high upright
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258
scarlet collar, scarlet Swedish cuffs with two buttons at the trailing edge and scarlet
turnbacks with a button at the points. It is unknown how widespread the issue of
these coats may have been but the older coats were certainly still being worn by
some companies in 1809.
COAT 1810-1814 The new coat prescribed for the Fuβ-Artillerie-Batterien in

1810 was a modern ‘Spencer’ style kollet as worn by the infantry. The coat was
dark green with a scarlet high upright collar, plastron lapels fastened with eight
brass buttons, and short tails with dark green turnbacks piped scarlet and decorated
with scarlet grenade motifs. The cuffs were of a plain squared pattern with two
buttons at the trailing edges, but are also depicted as being of the ‘German’ pattern,
square-cut with a slit at the rear and three buttons two on the cuff actual and one
above in late 1814. The shoulder-straps were officially dark green with bastion
shaped outer tips and piped with the regimental facing colour, however, these are
also depicted as being plain round tipped straps of dark green without piping.
The new uniform coat issued in 1810 to the Artillerie zu Pferde Batterien was a
‘Spencer’ style kollet as worn by the light cavalry regiments. The coat was dark
green with a high upright scarlet collar sometimes depicted as piped dark green;
scarlet plastron lapels fastened with seven buttons, and scarlet short tails with
double turnbacks fastened at the tips with a brass button and decorated with dark
green grenade motifs. The cuffs were of a plain pointed pattern with two buttons
were dark green and bastion tipped and were piped with scarlet.
259
The Train-Bataillon received completely new uniforms in 1810 of a style modelled

on that worn by the Prussian army. The kollet was deep sky-blue and double
breasted with a double row of eight white metal buttons closing the breast. The high
upright collar was black piped scarlet and the pointed cuffs were black with scarlet
piping and two white metal buttons at the trailing edge, one on the cuff actual and
one above. The edges of the coat were piped scarlet and the turnbacks were deep
sky-blue, piped scarlet with scarlet grenade motifs. The shoulder-straps were deep
sky-blue and bastion tipped with scarlet piping.
BREECHES, ETC Before 1810 the artillery were still wearing the traditional pale
buff gilet and breeches with high black over the knee gaiters with brass buttons
which had been introduced in 1763. From about 1802 the Artillerie zu Pferde wore
a white gilet and whitened leather breeches with high cuffed heavy cavalry riding
boots although by 1806 the leather breeches had been generally replaced by white
wool and by 1809 the horse artillery were wearing Hessian style boots with shaped
tops with red lace trim and tassel. The buff breeches appear to have been retained
by the horse artillery for campaign wear into 1809. The Knechten of the Führwesen-
Kompagnien wore buff breeches and dark green waistcoat and cuffed riding boots.
With the new uniform issues of 1810 the breeches became dark grey for the Fuβ
Artillerie-Batterien with a scarlet stripe on the outer seam and scarlet lace
spearhead at the waist, worn with short calf length black gaiters with brass buttons.
For campaign and foul weather dress the artillerist were issued with white or dark
grey overall trousers, which by 1812 had become common wear for everyday duties.
In November 1813 dark grey overalls replaced the breeches for all orders of dress
now with a scarlet stripe on the outer seam and scarlet spearheads at the waist.
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261
The Artillerie zu Pferde Batterien continued to wear white breeches with Hessian
boots with red trim and tassels for full parade dress in 1810 but were issued with
dark grey cavalry style overall trousers for campaign with black leather cuffs and
inserts with a dogtooth edging and a wide scarlet stripe on the outer seam with a
row of large brass buttons.
The Train-Bataillon Knechten received dark grey breeches in 1810 with scarlet
spearhead laces at the waist and scarlet piping on the crotch seam and outer seams.
The boots were now of the Hessian pattern with shaped top and were trimmed with
white lace and tassel, although there is some indication that the high cuffed boots
may have been retained for winter wear and may have been worn in Russia in 1812
by some companies. For campaign dress dark grey overall trousers with dog-tooth
edged inserts and cuffs were issued with a wide scarlet stripe on the outer seam,
depicted with or without a row of white metal buttons.
As with the infantry regiments, in 1792 the Saxon foot artillery were not wearing
a conventional greatcoat, but instead were issued a ‘kittel’ a form of overcoat which
was worn instead of the uniformrock not over it, in inclement weather and during
the winter. The coat was pepper-grey wool and closed with a double row of seven
or eight cloth covered buttons but was generally worn with the skirts turned back
and fastened with a button at the tips to allow the wearer free access to the sabre
except in foul weather. The fall collar was coat colour as were the deep Swedish
cuffs and there was a single broad shoulder-strap on the left shoulder to hold the
pouchbelt. The kittel continued to be worn by Saxon foot soldiers until 1810 but
during 1809 some infantry battalions were issued with captured Austrian great coats
which appear to have been retained until replacement coats were issued in 1811 or
1812 and this may also have been true for some of the foot artillery companies.
When not worn the Kittel was stored in a ticking bag and carried with the regimental
baggage in the field and the uniformrock was likewise exchanged when the Kittel
was worn.
A new pattern greatcoat was prescribed for all regiments as part of the 1810
uniform reforms to replace the 18th century pattern kittel. The coat was of
conventional style and could now be worn over the kollet. The coat was dark grey
wool and double breasted with two rows of eight brass buttons on the breast. The
high upright collar was closed at the throat and was coat coloured as were the deep
Swedish cuffs. The coat had two bastion tipped shoulder-straps of dark grey. From
1812 a baton of scarlet was added to the collar. The later coats in 1814-1814 are
also depicted with scarlet collars.
The riding cloaks worn by the Artillerie zu Pferde appear to have followed the
style of the light cavalry regiments, a single style of garment issued to all cavalry
troopers from 1780 and were dark green and volumous with a short shoulder-cape
lined with scarlet and a short scarlet fall collar. These cloaks were worn until
replaced in 1810 with a similar garment of dark green with a slightly deeper cape
and a high upright collar of scarlet piped dark green or dark green with a tab of
scarlet. The horse artillery gloves were originally buff leather but were changed to
white around 1795 for parade and remained unaltered until 1814.
There have been no confirmed details found for any riding cloaks or greatcoats
worn by the Führwesen companies prior to 1810, if cloaks were issued these would
probably have followed the style worn by the horse artillery for the period and would
probably have been dark green or pepper-grey. The Knechten wore buff leather
cuffed gauntlets for riding duties. From 1810 the Train-Bataillon Knechten were
262
issued with the same pattern of riding cloak as the horse artillery of either mid-grey
or deep sky-blue with a black collar and possibly scarlet lining to the cape. The
train soldiers may also have been issued with an infantry pattern greatcoat of
pepper-grey for dismounted duties.
Prior to 1810 the Fuβ Artillerie, Artillerie zu Pferde artillerists and the Knechten
of the führwesen appear to have worn a version of the infantry ‘kittel’ for fatigue
dress, a form of overcoat which was worn instead of the kollet not over it. The
coat was pepper-grey wool and closed with a double row of seven or eight cloth
covered buttons but was generally worn with the skirts turned back and fastened
with a button at the tips to allow the wearer free access for riding. The fall collar
was coat colour as were the deep Swedish cuffs and there was a single broad
shoulder-strap on the left shoulder.
For fatigues all units appear to have worn white cotton trousers usually with
wooden clogs and the horse artillery and führwesen were issued with a bleached
linen fatigue smock for stable duties. A new Lager-Tunika, was authorised in 1810,
but the only known illustrations found for this garment are by modern sources and
there is some doubt as to whether the tunics were ever issued. The coatee was a
short, sleeved waist coat closed at the front with a single row of brass or cloth
covered buttons with a high upright collar. The tunika is given as being dark green
with dark green collar and square-cut cuffs for the Fuβ-Artillerie; white or light buff
with scarlet collar and pointed cuffs for the Artillerie zu Pferde, and deep sky-blue
with black collar, coat colour pointed cuffs and white metal buttons for the train-
Bataillon.
EQUIPMENT The equipment issued to the Fuβ Artillerie-Batterien followed that

of the line infantry, except that all belting was buff leather in 1792. The muskets
commonly in use in 1792 were of the m1778 grenadier model a slightly shorter, 43
inches (UK & US), version of the infantry weapon with a buff leather sling. This
pattern of musket appears to have remained the standard issue for artillerists
throughout the 1792-1813 period. After the artillery batteries were reformed in
1813 following the losses of the 1812 campaign in Russia muskets of the same
patterns as issued to the infantry were issued of Saxon or Austrian manufacture.
The foot artillery short swords were of two basic patterns prior to 1810 and were
carried on a buff leather waistbelt with a large brass open buckle. The artillery
pattern hanger utilised the same blade as the m.1765 grenadier pattern sabre a
broad, heavy slightly curved blade, but was fitted with a solid brass cross bar hilt
with a lion’s head pommel. This pattern of hanger remained in use with some
artillerists until 1809 but from about 1805 new issues of sabres were of the m1765
Grenadier-säbel, a heavy bladed curved sabre with a solid brass fluted grip and a
brass basket hilt with a shell motif on the handguard and a finger ring on the side
of the hilt. This was replaced in 1802 with a new pattern Musketiere-Säbel with a
single bar brass hilt and a broad heavy straight blade. After 1812 many of the older
pattern hangers were replaced with French pattern sabre-briquets and the
traditional style of artillery sword was not fully re-issued until 1815.
The Artillerie zu Pferde appear to have initially been issued with m.1765
Kavallerie-Pallasch, a heavy bladed, slightly curved sabre which had been issued to
all heavy cavalry and dragoon regiments following the Seven Years War. The sabre
had a brass basket hilt embossed with the electoral crown and the FA cipher, a
lion’s head pommel and a finger ring at the back of the hilt, and was carried in a
brown leather bound scabbard with brass fittings and heel. By 1811 the older
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pattern sabres had been replaced with the new model light cavalry sabre a locally
manufactured sabre copied from the French model but with a two bar swept hilt of
brass with a polished steel scabbard. The sabre-straps were black leather. The
sabre was carried on a wide buff leather waistbelt, worn beneath the cut-away kollet
but over the gilet in 1792 with an open brass buckle and double narrow slings to
support the scabbard. The waistbelt continued to be worn after the new tunic was
introduced in 1799 until 1814 but was now worn over the kollet.
The Führwesen Knechten were issued with the infantry pattern Musketiere-säbel
dating from 1785 with a curved blade and a single bar hilt with solid brass grip and
black leather scabbard with brass fittings. Waist-belts were buff leather and as for
the foot artillery. In 1810 the train-Bataillon were re-armed with the m.1810 light
cavalry sabre with plain steel two bar swept hilt and polished steel scabbard and
black leather sabre-strap. The waistbelt was black leather with brass buckle and
fittings and of the same pattern used by the horse artillery. For campaign the belt
is usually depicted worn over the right shoulder.
The broad pouchbelt, worn

over the left shoulder by the
foot artillerymen, was buff
leather and supported a large
black leather infantry pattern
cartridge pouch. The lid of the
pouch was scalloped and
decorated with a large brass
crossed cannon badge. The
pouch remained unchanged
through 1814 although some
companies may have been re-
equipped with captured French
pouches after November 1813.
The horse artillery

pouchbelts were buff leather
and of the same pattern as
used by the light cavalry
regiments the pouch having a shaped lid of black leather decorated with a brass
crossed cannon badge. In 1810 the Artillerie zu Pferde received the new pattern
cavalry pouch with buff leather belt with brass fittings and plain undecorated black
leather lid. The Train-Bataillon were issued with pouches and shoulderbelts in 1810
of the same pattern as those used by the horse artillery but with black leather belt
with brass fittings and buckle.
The foot artillery packs were as issued to the Saxon line infantry in 1792, un-
dyed cowhide, usually brown or tan, with buff leather straps and fittings and were
carried on a buff leather shoulder strap to hang on the left hip. On the march pack
and equipment were usually transported in the batterie baggage train. After 1810
new packs were authorised of the French pattern, larger than the older pattern and
now worn on the back with whitened leather shoulder-straps and the greatcoat
folded and strapped to the top of the pack. In reality, it is unlikely that most units
received the new packs and simply converted the older articles by adding shoulder-
straps.
264
NON-COMMISSIONED-OFFICERS Traditionally the artillerists were regarded

as elite troops and this was reflected in elaborate uniform distinctions prescribed for
the non-commissioned-officers. There existed only two official ranks of non-
commission-officer in the artillery; the Sergent, and Korporal or Unteroffizier. As
with most regiments in the Saxon army the artillery had numerous supernumerary
sergents on the strength, some of whom were on almost permanent furlough but
whose officers were still drawing pay and allowances for them; and others who were
no longer fit for active ‘marching’ service but were kept on the strength for similar
reasons and fulfilled often unnecessary administrative and training roles within the
unit. In 1810 the internal organisation of the Saxon army was amended at
changes were only cosmetic and the artillery was affected less than the other
branches. The number of non-commissioned-officers was reduced and a new pay
grade system introduced as part of the reforms. In theory all NCOs would now be
chosen for military experience and merit rather than length of service and priority
would be given to younger candidates. Sergents of artillery were now ranked
equivalent to the Feldwebel, or Sergent-major, of infantry and their rank insignia
reflected this seniority and the Kanonier I Klasse was recognised as a junior NCO
equivalent to a vice-korporal. The battery quartermaster/clerk was also reduced
in rank from sergent to korporal.

the other ranks, however, the bicorn hat was trimmed with a scalloped lace edging
of gold. The pompons decorating the tips of the hat tightener appear to have been
white with a crimson centre for all NCOs in 1792 but by 1806 had changed to white
with a black centre as for the Prussian army perhaps in line with the Prussian NCO
distinctions. The white and black pompons worn by all artillerists reflected their
status as elite troops the artillerists ranking a grade above the infantry or cavalry
in seniority. The NCOs wore a white silk bow cockade with a black leather cockade
strap cockade strap and the plumes were white with a black tip.
The coat worn by the korporals was as for the artillerists without special
distinctions but the sergents wore a uniformrock with scalloped gold lace trim to the
leading and lower edges of the collar, the edges of the lapels and the upper and
trailing edges of the cuffs. The rear seams of the tails were decorated with a vertical
double baton of the same lace with a button at the upper and lower tip. There is
some indication at around 1806 korporals and sergents wore a white or possibly a
gold shoulder-strap at the left shoulder as depicted by Carl Adolph Heinrich Hess,
but there is no indication of this distinction before 1805 or from 1807 and no
mention in known official documentation. The non-commissioned-officers of the
Artillerie zu Pferde were distinguished in the same manner as those of the foot
batteries. The Wagenmeister and Schirrmeister of the Führwesen-Kompagnien
appear to have been distinguished simply by a narrow gold edging to the hat and a
white plume with a black tip.
The breeches, gaiters and boots were as for the other ranks and the pouchbelt
was decorated with a brass match case and chain. All NCOs carried the traditional
cane of office of hazelwood with a gilt or silvered cap for the sergent and a strap
coloured as for the sabre-straps. The cane was carried with the strap looped over
the second button of the right lapel and passed under the arm with the end through
the turnbacks. On the march the cane was often strapped to the sword scabbard.
The sergents were not issued with the musket but often carried a pistol on campaign.
265
266
With the uniform and organisational changes in 1810 the artillery adopted rank
insignia similar to those worn by the infantry and cavalry. The shako was trimmed
at the top with a band of brass, a single wide single band for the korporal and a
double band for the sergent. By 1812 the rather impractical metal trim had been
replaced by gold lace trim for the korporals and sergents. The shako cords were
scarlet as for the company, and plumes were scarlet with a black tip. The kollet was
as for the other ranks with the addition of French style rank insignia worn on the left
sleeve above the cuff but in a unique sequence for the artillery NCOs.
Sergent I Klasse & Two diagonal stripes of gold lace, on a scarlet patch.
Oberfeuerwerker
Sergent II Klasse Single diagonal stripe of gold lace, on a scarlet patch.
Korporal Single diagonal stripe of red wool (Foot) yellow (Horse Artillery)
Korporal-Quartiermeister Single diagonal stripe of gold lace, on the upper left sleeve.
The Train-Bataillon non-commissioned officers were distinguished in the same

manner except that rank lace was silver instead of gold and the plumes on the shako
were white with black tip.
Sergent & Schirrmeister Single diagonal stripe of silver lace, on a scarlet patch.
Korporal Single diagonal stripe of black wool
All non-commissioned-officers were now issued with the same buff belting, arms
and equipment as the artillerists.
THE OFFICERS The officers of the artillery wore a bicorn hat similar in
appearance to that of the men trimmed at the upper edges with a band of gold
scalloped lace braid. The national cockade was predominantly a white silk bow held
with a gold lace cockade-strap with a gilt button but by 1806 rosette style white silk
cockades had begun to make an appearance and these were being commonly worn
by 1809. The hat tighteners were gold cord and the pompons at the tips were white
with a crimson centre for all officers although after 1806 senior officers are
sometimes depicted with gold tassels. For the Dienstuniform, the undress or service
uniform officers wore a hat of the same pattern but with or without a plain narrower
gold lace trim to the edges and the hat is depicted without or without a cockade and
cockade-strap. Officers of the artillery did not wear plumes on the bicorn hat. Prior
to 1810 the Führwesen-Kompagnien had no commissioned officers and the
detachment was under the command of the Wagenmeister who reported to the
artillery battery commander in the field or the garrison commandant during
peacetime. In 1810 the officers of all ranks were ordered into a shako of the same
basic pattern as worn by the men with a gilded band around the upper edge in the
form of an inverted representation of the clover leaf coronet band from the Saxon
coat of arms. The front of the shako was decorated with a gilt crowned FAR cipher;
the chinscales were gilded and the black lacquered peak was trimmed with a gilt
edging. The shako cords were gold and the tall full dress plume, was scarlet and
attached with a gilt tulip shaped socket. Officers did not wear company pompons
but the tulip socket is always shown attached to the shako. The national cockade
was white silk and held with a gold cockade strap and gilt button. Officers were
provided with a black oiled canvas cover for the shako and these were commonly
267
worn for all duties throughout 1813 and 1814 with the socket beneath giving the
officer’s shako a distinctly Germanic appearance. Officers were authorised to wear
the bicorn hat for Dienstuniform and walking out dress and these were of a more
modern style from 1810 black felt with gold tightener cords with a small tassel at
the tip. The national cockade was held with a large gold or silver braid cockade-strap
a small gilt button. The officers of the Train-Bataillon wore the same shako or
bicorn hat but with silver lace and metalwork, silver cords and white plume.
The officer’s uniformrock worn from 1792 until 1809 was basically the same
style as worn by the men except that the cloth was of much finer quality with the
subsequent result that colours appeared much brighter. All buttons were gilded.
The officer’s stock was black velvet or silk and the fashion prevailed to wear a white
lace ruff at the throat although these were officially discontinued after 1806. The
coat tails were somewhat narrower than those of the other ranks with plain scarlet
turnbacks fastened with a gilt button and small horizontal pockets with three points
and three buttons. As elite soldiers the officers of the artillery uniquely wore gold
full fringed epaulettes at the shoulders of a common pattern with a fine fringe for all
Kapitäns and Leutnants and a heavy bullion fringe for the field officers. There is
some difference of opinion as to the pattern of coat worn by the officers of the
Artillerie zu Pferde at this time some modern sources indicating the short tailed
tunika was worn however most evidence suggests that officers wore a conventional
uniformrock. The coat tails were long, extending to the rear of the knees and had
double turnbacks of scarlet. The tails were decorated with double pockets, a vertical
pocket at the inside of the tail with three points and three buttons and a second,
horizontal small pocket at the waist also with three points and three buttons, both
were piped with scarlet.
as the Dienstuniform for everyday duties and campaign to save the expensive dress
uniform coat. The coat appeared in several variations between 1792 and 1809 and
was the most commonly worn uniform for officer on campaign during the period.
The coat was dark green and most commonly of a more modern cut than the dress
uniform, single breasted and closed with a single row of 8-10 plain gilded buttons
frequently depicted with only the upper three buttons fastened and the coat worn
open. The short upright collar and square-cut cuffs were scarlet and the long tails
were cut-away with plain scarlet turnbacks fastened with a button and had small
vertical pockets with three points and three buttons. The coat is depicted worn with
or without the epaulettes. In 1763 officers were required to wear a gorget plate at
the throat when on duty which was a large gilt plate with a crimson velvet panel and
a silver FA cipher and was often richly embellished with silver scrolling as for the
infantry. The orders of 1780 relegated this expensive item to only being worn for
full parade dress and later only for specific dress occasions at which the elector or
foreign rulers were present. By 1792 the fanciful gorget were only worn every few
years by most officers and by 1806 had fallen completely into disuse by all officers
except perhaps for the regimental staff and older officers who already possessed
one.
men but with longer tails extending to the rear of the knee. The coat was dark
green with scarlet facings on the collar, cuffs and lapels and dark green turnbacks
piped with scarlet and decorated with gold grenade motifs for the foot artillery
officers; plain scarlet turnbacks with gold motifs for the horse artillery. The horse
artillery officers had pointed cuffs. The buttons were gilt. The tails were now
268
decorated with double pockets, a vertical pocket at the inside of the tail with three
points and three buttons and a second, horizontal small pocket at the waist also with
three points and three buttons, both were piped with scarlet. Rank was now shown
by epaulettes worn at the shoulders in a sequence based on the French system.
Oberst & Oberstleutnant Two full fringed epaulettes of gold with heavy bullion fringes
epaulette on right.
Kapitän-Adjutant [12] Full fringed epaulette of gold with fine fringe on right, contra
epaulette on left.
with metallic crescents and facing coloured straps and collar insignia but this does
not appear to have been actioned until 1815.
The train-Bataillon officer wore a double breasted coat of similar pattern to that of
the men but with long tails with deep sky-blue turnbacks piped scarlet and silver
grenade motifs. The tails were decorated with double pockets, a vertical pocket at
the inside of the tail with three points and three buttons and a second, horizontal
small pocket at the waist also with three points and three buttons, both were piped
with scarlet. Rank was now shown by epaulettes worn at the shoulders of silver
and all buttons were silver plated.
Major-Kommandant Full fringed epaulette of silver with heavy bullion fringe on left,
epaulette on right.
Bataillons-Adjutant [12] Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on right, contra
epaulette on left.
Leutnant Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on left, contra
Unterleutnant Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on left, contra
From 1810 officers were authorised to wear the Dienstuniform for all duties except
for parade and the uniform consisted of either the shako or bicorn hat with a dark
green double breasted uniformrock with long tails and two rows of eight buttons
closing the breast. The buttons and epaulettes were of the regimental metal colour
and the collar and cuffs were as for the uniformrock. Turnbacks were plain scarlet
for the artillery officers and coat colour piped scarlet for the Train officers and
without decoration. The tails had the same double pockets as the dress coat which
are depicted as piped with scarlet or plain. The Dienstuniformrock was the most
commonly worn coat after 1811 and in late 1813 replaced the dress uniform coat
completely until new uniforms were issued in 1815.
269
270
This late 1814 or early 1815 the Artillerie zu Pferde and the Train-Bataillon officers
and non-commissioned-officers were ordered to change their rank insignia to the
new system of epaulettes and collar lace prescribed for the re-modelled army. The
lace was gold for the artillery and silver for the train officers. It is unlikely that this
was actioned until after the close of hostilities in 1815.
Officer’s gilets and breeches were buff in 1792 and worn with black over the knee
gaiters with brass buttons for all officers for parade. Field officers and staff officers
were mounted and wore high over the knee cuffed riding boots. The officers of the
Artillerie zu Pferde wore high cuffed riding boots. All officers wore the sash of office
when on duty which was silver silk worked through with a crimson thread and mixed
silver and crimson knot and tassels. The adjutant usually wore the sash over the
right shoulder instead of at the waist.
In 1810 officers of all artillery and train units were prescribed white breeches to
be worn with black leather knee boots by the foot artillery and Hessian pattern boots
with gold or silver lace trim and tassels for the horse artillery and train officers. The
waistsash was officially withdrawn and permission was granted for officers of the
foot artillery to purchase and wear a gorget plate of the prescribed pattern, a gilded
brass crescent plate with a silver central motif of the Saxon arms within a wreath.
This was not extended to the officers of the Train-Bataillon or the horse artillery
batteries. Some officers able to afford the extra cost had the badge picked out with
enamels. The gorget plates were officially withdrawn again in 1813 when the Saxons
changed allegiance and joined the Allies against the French.
The officer’s greatcoats prior to 1810 were commonly of the pattern introduced
about 1780 and were dark green and double breasted with two rows of seven brass
buttons. The coat had a deep fall collar and square cut scarlet cuffs with two buttons
vertically at the trailing edge. The skirts were mid-calf length and flared with a slit
at the rear for riding and there was a vertical three pointed pocket with three points
and three button on each hip. The coat had a slit at the left hip to allow the sword
to be accessed when the coat was worn.
In 1810 a new greatcoat was prescribed for the officers of all batteries of a more
modern design based on that being issued to the infantry officers. The coat was
dark green and double breasted with two rows of six or eight brass buttons according
to the height of the wearer. The high upright collar and deep Swedish cuffs were
coat colour and the coat had a wide gusset and split at the rear so that it could be
worn when mounted. The epaulettes of rank worn on the coat were as for the
uniformrock. When the greatcoat was worn the sword belt was worn over the coat
either at the waist or over the right shoulder. The coats issued to the officers of
the train-Bataillon were of the same pattern but coloured deep-sky-blue with black
collar and cuffs and white metal buttons.
In 1792 officers wore a buff leather waist belt over the gilet and below the sash
which supported a straight bladed degen, or èpèe, with a gilded D hilt and ball
pommel. Swords were privately purchased by the individual officers or passed from
father to son and could be of varied but similar pattern, usually with a black leather
scabbard with gilded fittings and heel. The sabre-straps were mixed silver and
crimson as for the waist sash. The officers of the horse artillery carried the curved
cavalry sabre supported by double slings from the waistbelt. All officers carried the
traditional Malacca cane of office with a gold cap and cane-strap of mixed silver and
crimson. After 1810 the officer’s equipment changed very little. The officers of the
foot artillery continued to be armed with the straight blade degen carried on a buff
271
leather waistbelt which were now commonly of the pattern used by light cavalry.
For campaign a conventional waistbelt was worn as before 1810 or the sword was
carried on a shoulder belt over the right shoulder of either buff or black leather. On
campaign most officers carried a pistol in a holster on the right hip suspended from
a narrow buff leather strap. The officers of the horse artillery and train were armed
with the curved sabre with gilt hilt and polished steel scabbard. For parade the
waistbelt was encased in a gold or silver lace cover edged with scarlet and a large
oval buckle plate of silver with the Saxon coat of arms embossed was worn. The
horse artillery and train officers wore a cavalry pattern pouchbelt with gold or silver
lace covering for parade and the pouch lid was decorated with gold or silver lace and
the royal coat of arms. A gilt picker and chain ensemble was worn on the pouchbelt
breast. For campaign plain black leather pouchbelts were worn often depicted with
a red leather buttoned casing.
MUSICIANS Any official regulations that existed for the dress of the battery
drummers prior to 1810 are unknown and contemporary illustrations of the uniforms
of drummers are virtually non-existent and vague in detail. As in many German
armies of the late 18th century the musicians appear to have been graded as junior
non-commissioned-officers and wore the distinctions associated with a korporal.
The bicorn hat was trimmed with gold scalloped lace and a bushy feather plume was
worn on the hat of white with scarlet tip. The trumpeters of the horse artillery
appear to have worn the same distinction but with an all scarlet plume.
The coat was of the same pattern as worn by the men the only distinction being
that ‘swallows-nest’ epaulettes were worn at the shoulders of scarlet trimmed with
gold lace sometimes with a plain white or dark green shoulder-strap and sometimes
without a shoulder-strap. It is possible that the collar, lapels and cuffs may also
have been trimmed with flat gold lace. After 1810 the drummers wore the same
style of shako was the battery without special distinctions. The only special
distinction worn on the kollet was swallows-nest epaulettes of dark green with a
dark green bastion tipped shoulder-strap piped scarlet. The bottom edge of the
epaulette was trimmed with a band of scarlet lace piped gold. All other uniform
details were as for the men.
The drum-carriages were buff leather but the drummers were not issued with an
apron until 1814. Drums were brass with the hoops painted alternate scarlet and
dark green diagonal stripes.
The trumpeters of the Artillerie zu Pferde now had a distinctive uniform consisting
of a dark green shako with gold lace edging at the top and black leather versteifen
at the sides. The cords and flounders were scarlet. The 1810 pattern coat was the
same kollet as worn by the artillerists but was scarlet with dark green facings to the
collar, lapels, pointed cuffs and turnbacks and scarlet shoulder-straps piped dark
green. The collar and cuffs were edged with gold lace and the turnbacks decorated
with scarlet grenade motifs.
The Train-Bataillon trumpeters wore the same basic uniform as the Knechten but
the shako was scarlet with silver lace trim to the upper edge and black leather
versteifen at the sides. The cords and flounders were white and plumes were scarlet,
sometimes shown as tricolour, white over deep sky-blue, over black in 1813-1814.
The kollet was as for the men, the only distinction being silver lace trim to the collar
and cuffs.
272
A Stabs-tambour ranking as a sergent was retained on the regimental staff but

the only known distinctive uniform dates from 1810. The hat was a black felt bicorn
with gold lace trim and a scarlet cut feather edging and tall scarlet plume. The coat
was the officer style long tailed kollet with gold lace trim to the collar, cuffs lapels
and turnbacks. The shoulders were decorated with gold braid trefle epaulettes.
ZIMMERLEUTE Very few details of the uniforms of the two Zimmermannen,

attached to the foot artillery batteries, for the period before 1810. The only visible
distinction was the leather apron worn over the gilet and beneath the waistbelt, the
leather gauntlets and the traditional woodsman’s axe. Aprons and gauntlets appears
to have been either whitened leather or buff leather, possibly for parade or working
uniform. Prior to 1810 beards do not appear to have been worn but the sappers
may have been permitted the moustache.
From 1810 the Zimmermann wore the same shako as the artillerists without
special distinctions. The traditional full beard was now worn. The coat was a kollet
of the same pattern as worn by the parent battery with a crossed axe badge beneath
a crown worn on the left upper sleeve only, in scarlet. The Zimmermann’s apron
was pale buff leather for parade and brown leather for working dress and campaign
often with two small pockets at the front and was worn over the coat held at the
waist be a wide buff leather belt with a small tool pouch at the front waist which
supported the grenadier pattern sabre. The sapper was equipped with the standard
infantry issue pouch and shoulder belt sometimes depicted with a brass crossed axe
badge on the lid and was armed with the short grenadier pattern carbine but no
bayonet. The woodsman’s axe was carried in a buff leather case on a shoulder belt
worn over the right shoulder.
HORSE FURNITURE The field officers and battery officers of the Fuβ Artillerie-
Bataillonen were mounted in the field and the shabraques in 1792 appear to have
been of similar patterns to those used by the line infantry regiments, a scarlet saddle
cloth with a squared front and slightly pointed rear corners trimmed with a wide gold
lace edging, possibly a double band for the Oberst. The electoral cipher appeared
in the rear corner in gold. The single pistol holster cover was scarlet with gold edging
matching the shabraque. A new pattern of shabraque appears to have been
authorised in 1802 and had become the predominant style by 1806. The shabraque
was scarlet with squared front and rear corners and edged with lace piped with the
scarlet at the extreme edge. The Oberst, appears to have had an edging of a double
band of gold lace piped the same with a heavy bullion fringe. The shabraque no
longer had the electoral or royal cipher decorating the corners. From 1810 the rear
corners of the field officer’s shabraques were decorated with inverted chevrons of
gold lace, three chevrons for the Oberst, two for the Oberstleutnant and one for the
Major. Some sources also describe similar chevrons for the junior officers, Kapitäns
and Leutnants but of a narrow lace. The 1802 basic pattern of shabraque appears
to have been in use until 1815.
Prior to 1810 the Artillery zu Pferde appear to have used a saddle of the same
pattern as the Leichte-Kavallerie. The demi-shabraque was scarlet with a single
wide or double narrow edging of yellow lace. The pistol holster covers were scarlet
with the same yellow lace edging. The officer’s shabraque appears to have been of
the same style as used by the officers of foot artillery. The Knechten of the
273
Führwesen had simple plain leather saddle with a squared grey wool saddle cloth
and all but the non-commissioned-officers rode on the near side team horses or on
the wagons.
In 1810 the horse artillery received new shabraques and saddles of the light
cavalry pattern with rounded front and pointed rear corners of dark green with a
scarlet dog-tooth edging piped yellow at the inner and outer edge. The artillerists
had a round valise of dark green with yellow piping and edging at the outer tips.
The officers had a shabraque of the same pattern but with gold lace piping. The
field officers had a special pattern of edging, a broad scarlet band piped gold with a
gold link design through the length. Field officers had the rear corners decorated
with gold inverted chevrons as for the foot artillery officers.
274
The Train-Bataillon Knechten now received a deep sky-blue demi-shabraque with

a white edging piped black at the extreme edge. The white band may have been
scarlet for the companies attached to the horse artillery batteries. The round valise
was deep-sky-blue with white piping and trim to the outer ends and the greatcoat
or riding cloak is usually depicted rolled and slung over the front of the saddle as a
protection against bayonet thrusts to the rider’s leg. The non-commissioned-
officers were issued with a shabraque of the light cavalry pattern of deep sky-blue
with a black dog-tooth edging piped white at the inner and outer edges. The
trumpeters received a different shabraque of the same style but with a plain white
dog-tooth edging. The Train-Bataillon officer’s shabraques were of the same style
and deep sky-blue with a plain wide silver lace edging.
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INGENIEUR-KORPS
ORGANISATION The Ingenieur-Korps was originally formed in 1631 and

during its history was periodically a subsidiary unit under the control of the general
staff and then as part of the Feld-Artillerie-Korps. In 1792 the Ingenieur-Korps was
an independent corps theoretically reporting directly to the ruler as head of the
armed forces but was administered jointly by the Generalstabs Büro who were
responsible to the corps budget and administration and the Feld-Artillerie-Korps
who managed the engineering elements as part of the Saxon army in the field. The
Ingenieur-Korps was formed into two ‘brigades’; the ‘Landbrigade’ which formed
the engineering depot and supplied engineering services to the garrisons and
fortresses and the ‘Feldbrigade’ which provided the field army with pioniers, mineurs
pontonniers when mobilised for war. Theoretically each of the brigades had a
separate fixed staff but the engineer corps like most of the Saxon army was heavy
with supernumerary officers and NCOs who were employed during peacetime in
maintenance work at the various fortresses and garrisons and used to supervise the
construction of military buildings and even civil roads and bridges.
Ingenieur-Korps Oberstabs 1792-1809

1 Chef der Ingeneure 1 Oberst-Kommandant
1 Korps-Adjutant 1 Korps-Quartiermeister
Ingenieur-Brigade Establishment 1792-1809

1 Oberstleutnant der Ingeneure 1 Major der Ingeneure
1 Adjutant 1 Quartiermeister
3 Kapitän der Ingeneure 3 Premierleutnant der Ingeneure
5 Unterleutnant der Ingeneure 6 Sergent der Ingeneure
All officers and non-commissioned-officers of the corps were required to be

trained and qualified engineers and the staff of the Ingenieur Feldbrigade were
distributed throughout the field army as required in the time of war.
The field units of the Ingenieur-Korps in 1763 had consisted of three companies,
Pontonierkorps, the Mineurkorps and the Pioneerkorps. In 1771 the Mineurkorps
was disbanded, the officers absorbed into the Ingenieur-Brigades and the mineurs
were assigned to the artillery batteries to supervise any necessary field works and
trenches. The artillery miners were finally disbanded and the men taken back into
the pioneer company in 1807.
Pionierkompagnie 1792-1809 (From the 1799 audit returns)
1 Unterleutnant der Ingeneure 1 Schirrmeister
1 Sergent der Ingeneure 2 Sergent der Pioniere
2 Korporal der Pioniere 24 Pioniere
The Pionierkompagnie was equipped in the field with a baggage and tool wagon.
The Pontonierkompagnie in 1799 was remarkably well equipped with 62 pontoons
276
with pontoon wagons, plus a further 30 pontoons in reserve at the engineer park.
In the field the company was additionally equipped with a field forge, a coal wagon
and a tool wagon
Pontonierkompagnie 1792-1809 (From the 1799 audit returns)
1 Unterleutnant der Ingeneure 1 Schirrmeister
1 Brückenschreiber (Sergent Bridger) 2 Sergent der Pontoniere
2 Korporal der Pontoniere 48 Pontoniere
In 1810 the Ingenieur-Korps was re-organised and many of the surplus and
elderly engineering officers attached to garrisons and fortresses were dismissed.
The corps was now formed into a single corps under the field control of the general
staff. Engineering officers were assigned to field or garrison duties as required. The
Pontonierkompagnie remained virtually unchanged but the Pionierkompagnie was
retitled the Sappeurkompagnie and considerably expanded. Both units saw
considerable and distinguished service in 1812 particularly during the retreat from
Moscow.
Ingenieur-Korps 1810-1814
1 Oberst-Kommandant 2 Major der Ingeneure
3 Kapitän der Ingeneure 3 Leutnant I Klasse der Ingeneure
6 Leutnant II Klasse der Ingeneure 1 Oberfeldscher
1 Adjutant-Leutnant 10 Schürfungen-Sergenten (Trenching /
Fieldworks Sergents)
Sappeurkompagnie 1810-1814
1 Kapitän der Ingeneure 3 Leutnant I Klasse der Sappeure
3 Leutnant II Klasse der Sappeure 1 Quartiermeister-Sergent
1 Sergent der Sappeure 1 Miniermeister
18 Obersappeure 96 Sappeure
3 Tambour 1 Schmied
Pontonierkompagnie 1810-1814
1 Kapitän der Ingeneure 1 Premierleutnant der Pontoniere
1 Unterleutnant der Pontoniere 1 Quartiermeister-Korporal
1 Brückenschreiber 2 Sergent der Pontoniere
2 Oberpontoniere 48 Pontoniere
1 Tambour
UNIFORMS 1792-1809 The Ingenieur-Korps officers, including those assigned

to Pontonierkompagnie and Pionierkompagnie wore uniforms which had changed
little since they were last renewed in 1780. The hat was a black felt bicorn as worn
by the officers of infantry with a scalloped silver lace trim and silver tightener cords
with flat fringed tassels at the tips. The cockade was white silk and held with a
silver leather cockade-strap with silvered button. For Dienstuniform and campaign
officers are usually depicted wearing a plain bicorn hat without lace edging, with or
277
without the cockade and cockade-strap. The non-commissioned officers wore the
smaller bicorn hat of the other ranks pattern with scalloped silver lace trim with
silver tightener cords with tassels and a white bow cockade with silver cockade-
strap.
The pioniers and pontonniers wore the same style of bicorn hat as the infantry
but with black tape trim to the upper edges, a white bow cockade and small white
leather cockade-strap with a pewter button. The tightener cords were white with
white pompons at the tip with a black centre. There was no known company
pompon worn on the hat. Nothing has been found for any feldmutz of fatigue cap
worn by either company and if issued these would have probably been of the older
stocking pattern and dark green with scarlet headband until 1810. A diary entry by
an unknown officer of infantry reports that pontonniers were seen wearing peaked
leather skull-caps with a neck flap in 1806.
The uniformrock worn by the officers of the Ingenieur-Korps followed the same
basic pattern and remained virtually unchanged until 1810. The coat was dark
green and single breasted, closed with a single row of 8-10 plain silver buttons
278
frequently depicted with only the upper three buttons fastened and the coat worn
open. The short upright collar and square-cut cuffs were scarlet and the long tails
were cut-away with plain scarlet turnbacks fastened with a button and had small
vertical pockets with three points and three buttons. The coat was worn with scarlet
gilet with silver buttons and scarlet breeches usually worn with high cuffed riding
boots although black over the knee gaiters with brass buttons were also worn for
dismounted and garrison duties.
The coat worn by the NCOs and other ranks of both the Ingenieur-Korps,
Pontonniers and Pioniers was dark green and of similar cut but with two rows of
eight pewter buttons grouped in pairs. The leading and bottom edges of the collar
were trimmed with silver lace for the sergents and korporals and cuffs were trimmed
with silver lace at the upper edge, two bands for the sergent and a single band for
the korporal. The turnbacks were plain scarlet and the tails were without pockets.
For full parade dress the NCOs and other ranks wore red gilet and breeches, and for
fatigues a light grey gilet and tightfitting light grey canvas trousers were issued with
a row of brass buttons on the outer seam. The sergents of the Ingenieur-Korps
were mounted and wore high cuffed riding boots and the NCOs of the Pontonnier
and Pionier-Kompagnien wore black gaiters with brass buttons. All officiers and
NCO carried the traditional cane with silver and crimson strap for the officers and
black leather for the NCOs.
279
In 1792 the Pontonniers and Pionniers were issued a ‘kittel’ a form of overcoat
which was worn instead of the uniformrock not over it, in inclement weather and for
labouring. The coat was pepper-grey wool and closed with a double row of seven
or eight cloth covered buttons but was generally worn with the skirts turned back
and fastened with a button at the tips to allow the wearer free access to the sabre
except in foul weather. The fall collar was coat colour as were the deep Swedish
cuffs and there was a single broad shoulder-strap on the left shoulder to hold the
pouchbelt. The kittel continued to be worn for fatigues and general duties until
1810 and is the most common dress depicted for wear in the field.
The engineer officers and sergents were armed with the straight bladed degen
with brass hilt and silver and crimson sabre-strap carried on a buff leather waistbelt
in a black or brown leather scabbard with brass fittings. The Korporals and other
ranks of the pontonnier and pionier companies were equipped and armed as for the
foot artillery, all belting was buff leather in 1792. The muskets commonly in use in
1792 were of the m1778 grenadier model a slightly shorter, 43 inches (UK & US),
version of the infantry weapon with a buff leather sling. This pattern of musket
appears to have remained the standard issue for the engineer companies
throughout the 1792-1813 period. Sabres were of the m1765 Grenadier-säbel, a
heavy bladed curved sabre with a solid brass fluted grip and a brass basket hilt with
a shell motif on the handguard and a finger ring on the side of the hilt. This was
replaced in 1802 with a new pattern Musketiere-Säbel with a single bar brass hilt
and a broad heavy straight blade. After 1812 many of the older pattern hangers
were replaced with French pattern sabre-briquets.
UNIFORMS 1810-1814 In 1810 the Sapeurs and Pontonniers both received

the same pattern shako was worn by the infantry of black felt with black leather
trim, versteifen and tightener strap. The front of the shako was decorated with a
brass crowned heraldic shield badge embossed with the royal cipher with a crossed
axe and shovel for
the Sapeurs and
crossed anchors for
the pontonniers. For
parade both
companies wore a
tall black feather
plume and scarlet
cords and flounders.
Pompons are
described as being
of the houpette
pattern and black
with red tuft or the
reverse. From 1812
the engineers are common depicted wearing a black waterproof cover without
decorations. The fatigue cap after 1810 was of the new style a round soft topped
hat of dark green with red headband and white piping.
The Sapeurkompagnie and Pontonierkompagnie received completely new
uniforms in 1810 of a style modelled on that worn by the Prussian army. The kollet
was dark green and double breasted with a double row of eight white metal buttons
closing the breast. The high upright collar was scarlet edged with white at the
leading and base edges and had a scarlet tab piped white horizontally. The two
companies were distinguished by a white badge worn on the left upper sleeve,
280
crossed anchors for the pontonniers and crossed shovel and axe for the sapeurs.
The cuffs were of the German pattern and scarlet with white piping and two buttons
one on the cuff actual and one above. The turnbacks were dark green piped scarlet
and were decorated with white motifs of the company pattern. The shoulder-
straps were dark green and bastion tipped with scarlet piping.
Breeches were now dark grey with scarlet lace spearheads at the waist and scarlet
stripe on the outer seam and worn with short calf length black gaiters with brass
buttons. For campaign both companies received dark grey overall trousers with
scarlet spearheads and a line of scarlet piping on the seam and these were the most
common form of legwear from 1812. A new pattern greatcoat was prescribed for
all regiments as part of the 1810 uniform reforms to replace the 18th century pattern
kittel. The coat was of conventional style and could now be worn over the kollet.
The coat was dark grey wool and double breasted with two rows of eight pewter
buttons on the breast. The high upright collar was closed at the throat and was coat
coloured as were the deep Swedish cuffs. The coat had two bastion tipped shoulder-
straps of dark grey. From 1812 a baton of scarlet piped white as for the kollet was
added to the collar. The later coats in 1814-1814 are also depicted with scarlet
collars as for the uniform coat.
The equipment remained virtually unchanged, all belting was buff leather and
supported the large black leather cartridge pouch and m1778 sabre-briquet. The
sapeurs and pontonniers were issued with the same muskets as the infantry with
buff leather slings. From 1810 both companies had black leather sabre-straps.
Packs and other equipment were as for the infantry but with all straps buff leather.
With the uniform and organisational changes in 1810 the engineer companies
adopted rank insignia similar to those worn by the infantry and cavalry. The shako
was trimmed at the top with a band of white metal, a single wide single band for the
korporal and a double band for the sergent. By 1812 the rather impractical metal
trim had been replaced by lace trim white for the korporals and silver for the
sergents. The shako cords were scarlet as for the company, and plumes were white
with a black tip. The kollet was as for the other ranks with the addition of French
style rank insignia worn on the left sleeve above the cuff but in a unique sequence
similar to those of the artillery NCOs.
Sergent I Klasse and Two diagonal stripes of silver lace, on a scarlet patch.
Brückenschreiber
Sergent II Klasse Single diagonal stripe of silver lace, on a scarlet patch.
Obersapeur & Oberpontonier Single diagonal stripe of red wool

Korporal-Quartiermeister Single diagonal stripe of silver lace, on the upper left sleeve.
All officers were commonly prescribed the bicorn hat without special decoration
except for silver tightener cords with small silver tassels and a white rosette cockade
held with a silver cockade-strap and button. For full dress a tall plume of black
cocks-tail feathers was worn.
The new pattern uniformrock was similar in cut to that worn by the artillery officers
with long tails extending to the rear of the knee. The coat was dark green with
scarlet facings on the collar, cuffs and lapels and dark green turnbacks piped with
281
282
scarlet and decorated with silver company motifs for the sappeur and pontonnier
officers and are usually depicted as undecorated for the Ingenieur-Korps officers.
The buttons were silver-plated. The tails were decorated with double pockets, a
both were piped with scarlet. Rank was now shown by epaulettes worn at the
shoulders in a sequence based on the French system.
Oberst & Oberstleutnant Two full fringed epaulettes of silver with heavy bullion fringes
Major Full fringed epaulette of silver with heavy bullion fringe on left,
epaulette on right.
Kapitän-Adjutant [12] Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on right, contra
epaulette on left.
Leutnant Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on left, contra
Unterleutnant Full fringed epaulette of silver with fine fringe on left, contra
The 1810 sequence of epaulettes continued in use until 1814 although in late 1814
there appears to have been some move to introduce the new style epaulettes and
collar insignia but this does not appear to have been actioned until 1815.
The officer’s Dienstuniform was a dark green double breasted uniformrock with
long tails and two rows of eight silvered buttons closing the breast. The coat is
commonly depicted without epaulettes when worn in the field. The collar and cuffs
were as for the uniformrock and turnbacks were plain dark green. The tails had the
same double pockets as the dress coat which are depicted as piped with scarlet or
plain. The Dienstuniformrock was the most commonly worn coat after 1811 and in
late 1813 replaced the dress uniform coat completely until new uniforms were issued
in 1815.
In 1810 officers of all engineering units were prescribed white breeches to be

worn with black leather knee boots. The waistsash was officially withdrawn and
permission was granted for officers of the foot artillery to purchase and wear a
gorget plate of the prescribed pattern, a gilded brass crescent plate with a silver
central motif of the Saxon arms within a wreath. The sword belt continued to be
buff leather and sabre-straps silver and crimson. Officers and staff NCOs were
mounted and the shabraques followed the same pattern as prescribed for the foot
artillery officers with squared front and rear corners and were dark green with a
wide scarlet edging for the NCOs and a silver edging for the officers piped scarlet.
The senior officers had the same sequence of rank chevrons in the rear corners as
the artillery officers but in silver lace.
MUSICIANS There have been no records found of drummers being officially

sanctioned for the engineer companies prior to 1810. After 1810 the drummers wore
the same uniform as the other ranks except that the shako plume was scarlet and
dark green swallows-nest epaulettes with a scarlet trim to the bottom edge were
worn at the shoulders. The drum-carriages were buff leather but the drummers
were not issued with an apron until 1814. Drums were brass with the hoops painted
alternate scarlet and dark green diagonal stripes.
283
PROVIANT-FÜHRKNECHT
ORGANISATION The Proviant-Führknecht, the provisions and equipment train,
had only recently been reformed in 1789 and organised into semi-permanent
companies to replace the civilian contractors who had formerly been responsible for
the movement of the Kommisariat and engineering wagons and equipment in the
field. The drivers and teamsters now received uniforms and were organised into
loose sections to be assigned to the commissary provisions, field hospital,
administration and engineering wagons and equipment as required. The unit had
no formal military organisation and the supply of the mounts and pack animals was
the responsibility of the Büro für Pferde, whilst the wagons were purchased or hired
from civilian carters as required for each individual campaign. The hire of the
Knechten fell to the Kommissär Büro and men were recruited for a period of one to
three years during which time they were subject to military rules and discipline. The
non-commission-officers for the company were provided by the Kommissär Büro
from mostly retired cavalry NCOs with the exception of the Ingenieur-Korps who
provided their own supervising officers and NCOs for their equipment train. The
Proviant-Führknecht had only a single non-commissioned officer rank, the
Wagenmeister, who ranked equivalent to a sergent in the regular army and
supervised a ‘train’ of wagons or mules.
In 1810 the Proviant-Führknecht were formalised and received a military
organisation and staff under the control of the Kommissär Büro.
Proviant-Führknecht Bataillon 1810-1812
1 Major-Kommandant (At Depot) 1 Kapitän (At Depot)
6 Wagenmeister-Sergent 1 Schirrmeister (At Depot)
3 Wagenbauer 1 Meister-Hufschmied
13 Ober-Knechten (Korporal) 319 Knechten [1]
NOTE: [1] The structure above is for the commissariat train for March 1812 and includes the 49
NCOs and Knechten permanently assigned to the Pontonnier-Kompagnie.
In 1813 following the disastrous 1812 campaign the Proviant-Führknecht

Bataillon had ceased to exist except as a depot and their function during the 1813
with the Grande Armée was performed by the Train-Bataillon. The equipment train
was not re-raised as an independent unit again until 1817.
THE UNIFORMS The Knechten wore the bicorn hat without the trim to the edges
and no pompons at the tips of the hat tighteners which had a small black knot
concealed inside the fold of the hat. The paper rosette cockade was white and held
with a black leather cockade-strap with a white metal button and for full dress a
bushy mid-blue plume with a red tip was worn.
In 1810 the Proviant-Führknecht received the common pattern of shako as worn

by the Train Bataillon with brass badge and chinscales and white cockade with white
leather cockade strap held with a pewter button. The cords and flounders and tall
feather plume were white and a white ball pompon or mid-blue houpette pompon
with white tuft was worn for campaign dress. Black or dark grey shako covers were
issued for campaign and this is the most common order of dress depicted in 1812.
284
In 1789 the Knechten had been issued with a single breasted frock coat closed
at the front with a single row of eight or ten large tin buttons, usually left unbuttoned
below the third button. The coat was mid-blue with the skirts folded back into
turnbacks and fastened at the points with a button and loop and the tails were
decorated with three pointed pockets which are depicted as being either vertical or
horizontal with three button. The soft fall collar, Swedish cuffs and turnbacks were
all scarlet, the cuffs having two brass buttons at the trailing edge on the cuff actual.
The re-organised battalion received completely new uniforms in 1810 of a style
similar to that worn by the Train-Bataillon. The kollet was still mid-blue and double
breasted with a double row of eight white metal buttons closing the breast. The high
upright collar was black piped scarlet and the German cuffs were black with scarlet
piping and two white metal buttons at the trailing edge, one on the cuff actual and
one above. The turnbacks were mid-blue, piped scarlet. The shoulder-straps were
mid-blue and bastion tipped with scarlet piping.
Before 1810 the Knechten were wearing a mid-blue gilet and buff leather
breeches with high black riding boots for the riders and black gaiters for the walking
teamsters. With the new uniform issues of 1810 the breeches became dark grey
with a row of brass buttons on the outer seam which is sometimes shown with a
line of scarlet piping.
285
The drivers and teamsters were considered to be non-combatants before 1810

and were not officially issued with personal arms the guarding of the supply trains
being the responsibility of the military; escorts usually being supplied by an infantry
or cavalry unit. From 1810 the drivers received the infantry pattern sabre-briquet
which was carried on a black leather shoulderbelt. A quantity of muskets were
usually carried for issue to the Knechten assigned as Lager-garde.
Prior to 1810 the Wagenmeister was distinguished by a silver lace trim to the
upper edges of the bicorn hat and a white plume with a black tip. From 1810 the
Wagenmeister and Schirrmeister wore the rank insignia of a sergent, a silver lace
diagonal stripe above the left cuff on a scarlet patch and the Ober-Knechten wore a
single diagonal stripe of scarlet wool. The NCOs do not appear to have worn the
usually lace trim on the top edge of the shako but plumes were white with a black
tip.
The officers of the battalion after 1810 appear to have worn a uniform of similar
style to that worn by the Train-Bataillon although very little is actually confirmed of
the details. All officers appear to have worn a bicorn hat with silver tightener cords
and small silver tassels at the tips. The white cockade was held with a silver cockade-
strap and the tall plume was white with a black base quarter. Officers wore a double
breasted mid-blue coat of similar pattern to that of the men but with long tails with
mid-blue turnbacks piped scarlet. The tails were decorated with double pockets, a
both were piped with scarlet. Rank was now shown by epaulettes is the common
Saxon army sequence worn at the shoulders of silver and all buttons were silver
plated. Breeches appear to have been white and worn with high cuffed riding boots.
MUSICIANS No details have been discovered of the Proviant-Führknecht

employing trumpeters either before or after 1810 although it is possible that an
appointed signaller may have been provided with a trumpet when a large train was
formed. In many German armies it was traditional for junior train NCOs to carry a
trumpet or horn to pass orders to the drivers and outriders.
HORSE FURNITURE No details have been found for any special horse furniture
which may have been issued to the Knechten. The officers and senior NCOs would
have been mounted and it is likely that their shabraques would have followed the
styles used by the Führwesen or Train-Bataillon probably with a basic saddle cloth
colour of mid-blue with white or silver lace trim.
NOTE: Virtually nothing in the way of original documents or accounts has been
found about the Proviant-Führknecht and I am greatly indebted to the late Dom
Werner of Berlin who was able to fill most of the gaps in the research for this chapter
from his own notes.
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REGIMENTAL NON-COMBATANTS
All units of the Saxon army had a number of non-combatant specialists on the
regimental or corps staff who were part of the official strength of the unit. Many of
these officers and warrant officers were appointees from within the regiment and
had substantive ranks and were uniformed in the same manner as the other officers
and NCOs, amongst these were the Zahlmeister, the paymaster and the Regiments-
Quartiermeister both of whom were usually older captains no longer fit for strenuous
marching duties or with a special talent for administration. The depot was also home
to the Beklieddungsoffizier, a Quartiermeister-Kapitän responsible for the
procurement and distribution of the regiment’s uniforms and equipment and the
Rekrutierung-Kapitän, the regimental recruiting officer. Additionally each cavalry
and artillery unit had on the staff a Bereiter an officer or sometimes a senior warrant
officer who was responsible the procurement and training of mounts and draft
horses, a Pferdarzt and a Pferdarztgehilfe, a veterinary officer ranked as a Leutnant
and an assistant, usually Wachtmeister. In peacetime the Regimentsfeldscher, the
senior surgeon was based at the depot and when the regiment was on campaign
the depot hospital was run by one of the junior surgeons.
SURGEONS The medical officers fell into two categories although their functions
could sometimes overlap; the Gesundheitoffizier, physicians accountable to the
Generalstabs for the general health of the army and the surgeons who served with
the regiments and were responsible for the field hospitals. The Saxon army had a
long history of officially providing the field regiments with surgeons, in many cases
a Stabsfeldscher or Kompagnien-Feldscher was authorised for each company or
squadron. Physicians were however not part of the usual regimental budget and
Inhabers wishing to employ a doctor of medicine needed to do so privately from the
regimental treasury or his own resources. The senior surgeon of a regiment was the
Regimentsfeldscher ranked as a captain or sometimes a major but held not
command rank, who was assisted by one or more Aide-Chirurg, assistant surgeons,
ranked as Leutnants, and often two or more Stabsfeldscher, warrant officer
surgeon’s assistants, often medical students. As with many other part of the Saxon
military structure it was common for regimental surgeons, long overdue for
retirement to be retained on the regimental payroll even though they were
permanently furloughed and often practicing as civilian surgeons whilst the Inhaber
drew an allowance for them from the army paymaster.
The uniform of the surgeons had been authorised in the mid-18th century and
consisted of a black felt bicorn hat with black tape edging a white silk bow cockade
and gold leather cockade-strap with gilt button. The tightener cords were gold braid
with small white pompons at the tips with crimson centre. The Stabsfeldscherer wore
a plain bicorn with only a cockade and cockade strap.
The coat was basically of the same pattern as worn by the regular army officers a
mid-blue uniformrock with the collar, Swedish style cuffs and lapels all faced black
and all buttons were gilt. The plain turnbacks were coat colour with a button at the
tips. A second pattern of uniformrock had been authorised for wear as the
Dienstuniform for everyday duties and campaign to save the expensive dress
uniform coat. The coat could be either mid-blue or light grey single breasted and
closed with a single row of 8-10 plain gilded buttons. The short upright collar and
square-cut cuffs were black and the long tails were cut-away with plain grey
turnbacks fastened with a button and had small vertical pockets with three points
and three buttons. Surgeons wore no special rank distinctions and were not
permitted to wear the waist-sash. The Stabsfeldscher / Kompagnie Feldscher wore
287
a single breasted frock coat closed at the front with a single row of eight or ten large
brass buttons, usually left unbuttoned below the third button. The coat was mid-
blue or light grey with the skirts folded back into turnbacks and fastened at the
points with a button and loop and the tails were decorated with three pointed pockets
which are depicted as being either vertical or horizontal with three button. The soft
fall collar and Swedish cuffs, are depicted as being faced black or were plain coat
colour, the cuffs having two brass buttons at the trailing edge on the cuff actual.
Breeches and gilet were white for the Feldscher and worn with black knee length
gaiters with brass buttons for the infantry regimental surgeons who would normally
ride on the hospital / ambulance wagon. The surgeons of the cavalry regiments
were provided with mounts and wore white breeches and cuffed riding boots on the
march. By 1806 it was common practice for surgeons of all arms to be provided
with horses on campaign. The Stabsfeldscherer wore white gilt and breeches with
black gaiters for parade and mid-blue or light grey gilet and breeches for campaign.
The surgeons were armed with an officer pattern straight bladed degen with brass
or gilt hilt and black leather waistbelt and scabbard with brass fittings. The sabre-
straps were mixed silver and crimson with silver tassels. Surgeons provided with a
riding mount by the regiment and the shabraque would have been of similar pattern
to that used by the infantry officers, usually dark blue with a gold piped edge or of
regimental pattern. The Stabsfeldscher was armed with the NCO pattern degen
carried on a black leather belt with a black leather sabre-strap.
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In 1810 the surgeon’s uniform were revised and new dress regulations issued.
The hat was still the bicorn but of a more modern design and was plain black felt
with a white rosette cockade and a silver cockade-strap with silvered button. The
hat tighteners were silver with small silver tabs at the tips. For campaign the hat
is usually depicted without decoration or worn with a black oiled canvas cover. For
full dress the surgeons wore a tall feather plume of the regimental colour, white
after 1813.
The coat was now a light blue single breasted uniformrock with long tails and a
single row of eight buttons closing the breast. The high upright collar was light blue
and decorated with two horizontal embroidered palm leaf batons of silver lace. The
cuffs were squared and of the coat colour with two buttons at the trailing edge and
the full dress coat had two silver palm leaf design batons of lace at the buttonholes.
The buttons and hat decorations are commonly depicted as being of the regimental
metal colour although by 1814 all surgeons would appear to have been wearing
silver lace and buttons. Turnbacks were light blue and are shown with small silver
or gold crown badges at the tips. The tails had double pockets for the dress coat
which are depicted without piping. The Dienstuniformrock was virtually identical but
with plain coat coloured cuffs without lace and single horizontal pockets on the tails.
The breeches were white for parade and light blue for Dienstuniform and worn with
Hessian style boots with shaped tops. The surgeons now had plain gold sabre-straps.
The surgeons were now provided with a mount and the shabraque was of the same
style as the infantry officers but light blue with a silver edging piped light blue.
The Stabsfeldscher wore a plain bicorn hat with white paper cockade and a silver
or gold cockade-strap. The coat was of the same single breasted style and light blue
with brass or pewter buttons according to the regimental colour. The collar, cuffs
and turnbacks were light blue without decoration and the feldwebel’s stripes of rank
were worn on the left sleeve above the cuff.
ANCILLARY SPECIALISTS Every regiment employed a variety of specialist

craftsmen and functionaries who fell into two groupings; those who were
professional serving soldiers and tradesmen who were contracted by the regiment
for their specialist skills. In the former grouping were the quartiermeister, usually
a serving captain of the regiment often an older officer no longer capable of
commanding a company in the field but with good administrative skills; his assistant
the Stabsquartiermeister usually a senior sergent; the Profost who ranked as either
a Leutnant or a Warrant officer; and regimental specialists such as the armourer,
Gunmaker, Clerk/Secretary and farrier. Finally there was the regimental Auditeur
who was part of the regimental staff but was independently appointed by the office
of the Inspecteur aux Revues whose primary function was to ensure the adherence
to military codes and orders. In general all of these officers and NCOs wore the
regimental dress or Dienstuniform without special distinction other than the insignia
of their rank. The exception was the Hufschmied, farrier, of mounted units who
wore a silver horseshoe badge on the upper left arm.
Part of this group were the officer’s servants, cooks, hostlers and valets who were
commonly found from the regimental companies, or may formerly have been
servants on the officer’s home estate. These men were often supernumerary NCOs
who were placed on the regimental payroll; Johann Brecht records in his diary that
one major had four men ranked as sergents as his personal servants in 1807. The
servants normally wore the uniform of their regiment and rank without special
distinction but were relieved of normal military duties and usually formed part of the
baggage train guard during a battle.
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The second group consisted mainly of master craftsmen or journeymen who might
be employed by the regiment directly or be civilian contractors. These included
cooks, bakers, tailors, breeches-makers, boot-makers, carpenters, blacksmiths,
carters and teamsters for the regimental baggage train some of whom were
permanently stationed at the regimental depot and other would accompany the field
battalions on the march but had no military function when the regiment went into
battle. From about 1799 these civilian workers were authorised to wear a para-
military uniform. The diary of Johann Brecht for 1805 records a comment that an
inspecting general ordered the regimental adjutant to find uniforms for the multitude
of civilian workers at the Leipsic garrison as their appearance was “untidy and
unfitting for a military establishment”….. “if they are to be paid as soldiers then they
should appear as soldiers…” For the most part these craftsmen were dressed in a
bicorn hat without decoration, or sometimes a civilian round hat and a single
breasted frock coat closed at the front with a single row of eight or ten large brass
or tin buttons, usually left unbuttoned below the third button. The coat was of a
colour found by the regimental quartermaster and could be dark blue, grey or
pepper-grey with the skirts folded back into turnbacks and fastened at the points
with a button and loop and the tails were decorated with three pointed pockets which
are depicted as being either vertical or horizontal with three button. The soft fall
collar and Swedish cuffs, are depicted as being plain coat colour, the cuffs having
two buttons at the trailing edge on the cuff actual. These artisans were not officially
armed but undoubtedly many armed themselves with pistols or short swords if
required to accompany the regiment on campaign for personal protection.
All regiments prior to 1810 employed at least one pastor and/or priest as
regimental chaplain. The chaplain was a civilian employed from the regimental
treasury but was allowed the privilege of wearing an officer’s sword on campaign
and was provided with a horse and pack-mule for his mobile altar. The chaplain was
allowed to dine in the officer’s mess. An amusing incident is recorded by Johann
Brecht who caught sight of a wild looking chaplain from one of the infantry regiments
standing on a wagon on the eve of Jena randomly discharging pistols towards the
distant French ‘anti-Christian’ army.
After 1810 most of the functions of the civilian craftsmen were made part of the
military and each regiment employed their own warrant officer master craftsmen to
supervise the repair of weapons and equipment, manufacture and repair uniforms
with the assistance of civilian contract workers. These men now wore the normal
regimental uniform of their rank.
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KADETTENKORPS
The Königliche Sachsen Kadettenkorps had been formed in 1725 and shared the
Dresden palace barracks with the Leib-Grenadier-Garde under the direct patronage
of the Kurfürst, later the König vom Sachsen. The only active service that the school
saw during the Napoleonic era was following Leipsic when the company was stood
to as part of the defense force for the Dresden palace environs, but saw no action.
Schule-stabs 1799-1813
1 Inhaber / Chef (König von Sachsen) 1 Direktor und Lehrer der Fortifikation
1 Professor fur Moral und Geschichte 1 Ingenieur Kapitän
1 Fechtmeister (Fencing Master) 2 Ingenieurfechter
1 Unterfechtmeister 1 Tanzmeister (Dancing Master)
1 Geographie Informator 1 Vortanzer (Assistant Dancing Master)
1 Rechenmeister (Mathematician Master) 2 Sprachmeister (Speech Instructors)
1 Schreibermeister (Writing Master)
Kadettenkorps 1799-1813
1 Kapitän-Kommandant (Generalmajor) 1 Kapitänleutnant (Major)
1 Premierleutnant 1 Unterleutnant (2 after 1810)
2 Fähnrich 1 Feldwebel (after 1810)
1 Quartiermeister-korporal 1 Musterschreiber (Muster Inspector)
1 Kapitän d’armes 1 Feldscher
1 Profost 10 Korporal Kadetten
3 Tambour 1 Pfeifer
8 Musika Kadetten 120 Kadetten
THE UNIFORMS The uniforms of the officers and cadets of the Königliche
Sachsen Kadettenkorps had changed very little since the school was founded except
to follow the current fashions in military style.
In 1792 the cadets were wearing the same style of bicorn hat as the regular army
with a silver lace scalloped edging and silver tightener cords with small white
pompons with crimson centre. The front of the hat was decorated with a white silk
cockade held with a whitened leather cockade-strap and pewter button. The officers
of the Kadettenkorps wore the officer’s pattern bicorn with embroidered silver lace
edging and a white cut feather trim. The tightener cords were silver with white and
crimson pompons and the white silk bow cockade was held with a silver cockade-
strap and silvered button. The new dress regulations of 1810 simplified the
headdress. The bicorn hats were of a more modern style but were now without lace
edging for either the cadets or the officers and decorated with a white paper rosette
cockade with white cockade strap for the pupils and a silver cockade-strap and
button for the officers.
The coats worn by the cadets followed the basic style of the officers of the regular
army. The uniformrock was scarlet with all buttons pewter and the low fall collar,
lapels, square-cut cuffs and turnbacks were white. The tails were plain without
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pockets. The shoulders were decorated with white fringed epaulettes. The gilet and
breeches were white and worn with white over the knee gaiters with cloth covered
buttons for summer dress and black gaiters with brass buttons for winter. In 1810
the coat was modernised and now had plastron lapels closed to the waist and a high
upright collar closed at the throat and piped scarlet. The epaulettes were no longer
worn. White high gaiters continued to be worn for full parade dress and black knee
length gaiters for everyday uniform.
The cadets appointed as NCOs prior to 1810 were distinguished only by their
canes of office and prior to 1802 the esponton was carried for parade. After 1810
the non-commissioned officers were distinguished in the same manner as those of
the regular army with silver or white lace trim to the hat and diagonal lace stripes
of silver or white worn on the left sleeve.
The officers of the Kadettenkorps wore coats of the same pattern in 1792 but the
buttonholes of the lapels were decorated with silver lace embroidered oakleaf litzen
and the epaulettes were silver. The tails had three pointed horizontal pockets with
three silver buttons and three vertical litzen batons. From 1810 the officer’s coat
was basically as for the cadets but with three pointed tail pockets and the lace was
only worn on the full dress uniformrock. The epaulettes of rank were silver and as
for the regular army.
Cadets were armed with an officer’s degen carried on a whitened leather

waistbelt with silvered hilt and white sabre-strap. An infantry pattern cartridge
pouch was carried on a white leather shoulderbelt and the company was armed with
the short infantry carbine. The younger boys were allowed to drill with specially
commissioned miniature muskets until they were tall enough to handle the carbines.
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GENERAL OFFICERS & STAFF

1792-1809 In 1779 the multitude of general officers grades were reduced to
three ranks of General-Feldmarschall, the only active officer of that rank being the
Kurfürst Friedrich August as commandant of the army. All other general officers
now ranked as either Generalleutnant / General der Kavallerie /General der
Infanterie, or Generalmajor, although traditional titles such as Oberst-General,
General Kommandant and General der Brigade continued to be used by older officers
probably as late as 1809. In his memoirs Ferdinand von Funck records that the
general staff was characterised as one of “atrophied pedantry…ignorant of military
fundamentals and realities…”. The average age of a Generalleutnant was 75 years
old and only a handful of the general officers had seen any command service since
the Seven Years War. General von Funck gives the example of Generalleutnant
Heinrich von Boblick the commandant of Königstein who was 90 and so frail that he
was allocated a deputy, Generalmajor Friedrich von Burgsdorff a youthful 72 years
old. At the commencement of the 1806 campaign there were 91 officers of
Generalleutnant rank and 134 Generalmajors drawing full pay although only 70 of
those were fit for active service, many were invalids on permanent furlough, and
over half were the commandants or governors of garrisons or fortresses or appointed
to ceremonial court duties.
GENERAL OFFICERS The uniforms of the Saxon general staff had been
prescribed in the Neuorganisation of 1764 and had not been changed other than in
minor details of fashion since that order. All general officers wore the bicorn hat,
the full dress hat of the general officers were often faced with black silk or even
black velvet. The edge of the hat was decorated with wide embroidered gold lace
with a scalloped inner edge and a white cut feather trim. The tightener cords were
gold with small white pompons with crimson centre at the tips. The large bow
cockade was white silk and held with a gold leather cockade-strap and gilt button.
For full parade dress a bushy white feather plume with a back base quarter was
worn.
The coat had remained virtually unchanged since 1764 and was a dark blue
frocked coat worn in the prevailing fashion with only the top button fastened and
the coat open to expose the waistcoat below. The leading and bottom edges of the
dark blue fall collar, the upper edges of the deep dark blue Swedish cuffs and the
leading edges of the coat were trimmed with a specified sequence of gold
embroidered lace.
Rank Lace detail

Generalleutnant, General Collar leading and lower edges, cuff upper edges and coat front
der Infanterie, General edges piped with gold at the extreme edge. A wide gold
der Kavallerie embroidered vine designed with an inner narrower band
between. The tail pockets trimmed with this same design and
boxed with the same lace.
Generalmajor Lace and piping as above but without the narrow embroidered
band between the wide band and the piping.
The gilet was scarlet with the front and base edges trimmed with the same gold
lace as the coat. The general officers wore scarlet breeches with high cuffed riding
boots with gilded brass spurs. The traditional silver and crimson waistsash was worn
over the gilet with a large knot and heavy bullion tassels tied in the right hip.
293
At some point before 1806 a Dienstuniform appears to have been authorised field
dress consisting of a plain dark blue coat of the same cut but with scarlet collar and
cuffs trimmed with the general’s special lace and worn with the scarlet and gold lace
gilet, white or buff leather breeches and cuffed riding boots.
The same dress as the parade uniform was worn for court functions but with white
silk breeches stockings and court shoes with gilt buckles.
The general officers carried a straight bladed degen or èpèe d’combat with a
gilded hilt and silver and crimson sabre-strap with heavy bullion knot and tassels,
in a black leather scabbard with gilt fittings. The traditional hazelwood cane of office
was capped with a gold top and the strap was mixed silver and crimson and the stick
is sometimes depicted with silver and crimson cords wound around the length.
No official designs have been discovered for the general officer’s shabraques prior
to 1810 but it is believed that these followed a similar pattern to those used by the
officers of infantry with squared front and elongated rear corners and were scarlet
with gold lace edging possibly with a fringe for the senior generals. The cloth pistol
holster covers were probably double or even triple flapped and scarlet edged with
gold. It is possible that the electoral crowned cipher appeared in the rear corners
in gold and on the pistol holster covers.
GENERAL-ADJUTANT The General-Adjutant wore the same basic bicorn hat

as the general officers. The coat was of the same 1764 style and was dark blue
with a dark blue deep fall collar and Swedish cuffs. The collar was piped gold at the
leading and lower edges and decorated with two horizontal batons of a double loop
gold lace with a small heavy bullion tassel at the outer tip. The cuffs were piped
gold at the upper edge and decorated with two batons of the same lace vertically
with the tassel at the bottom point.
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295
The front of the coat was piped gold and decorated with twelve double loop and
tassel litzen either side. The tail pockets were piped gold and decorated with three
batons of the same vertical lace. The shoulders of the coat were decorated with
gold full fringed epaulettes. The gilet and breeches were scarlet the gilet having
wide gold lace edging and gold lace trim to the pockets. The silver and crimson
waistsash was worn over the gilet. High cuffed riding boots were worn when
mounted and white breeches, stockings and shoes for court duties.
ADJUTANTEN The Adjutants of the General Staff wore a bicorn hat without
lace trim decorated simply with a white silk cockade, gold cockade-strap and white
over black feather plume. Adjutants initially wore a frocked coat of same style as
those of the general officers but by 1799 a more modern coat similar to the
Dienstuniform uniformrock worn by the infantry officers was being worn. The 1765
coat was dark blue and single breasted with a single row of gilt buttons and was
usually worn with only the top button fastened. The deep fall collar and the plain
Swedish cuffs were scarlet and the coat was decorated with a single gold epaulette
of the left shoulder. The new 1799 pattern coat was dark blue and single breasted
closed to the waist with a single row of ten gilt buttons. The collar and cuffs were
scarlet as before but the skirts were now worn folded back into turnbacks exposing
the scarlet ling and held at the points with a gilt button. The gilet was scarlet with
gold lace trim to the edges and waist pockets and breeches were scarlet and worn
with high cuffed riding boots. The officer’s silver and crimson sash was worn over
the gilet in 1792 and over the closed coat after 1799.
FLÜGEL-ADJUTANTEN The Flügel-Adjutanten wore an almost identical
uniform to the adjutants except that the collar and cuffs were dark blue and the
cuffs were trimmed with a wide edging of silver lace and three large silver buttons
at the front of the cuff. The collar was edged with silver lace at the leading and
bottom edge and decorated with a silver lace baton horizontally on the collar. The
buttons of the coat were silver-plated and the edges of the coat piped with silver.
The gilet was scarlet with silver lace edging and silver buttons and breeches were
scarlet. From about 1799 the Flügel-Adjutant was wearing the new pattern single
breasted coat of dark blue with collar and cuffs as before and dark blue turnbacks
piped silver. A single full fringed silver epaulette was worn on the right shoulder
only.
1810-1814 In 1810 the Generalstabs was re-organised and reduced to 30

general officers, ranked as General der Infanterie / General der Kavallerie; General
Leutnant and Generalmajor. Of these remaining general officers only eight were
given field commands the remaining twenty-four were assigned to the commands
of garrisons, fortresses and staff duties.
GENERAL OFFICERS The general officers now received a bicorn hat of a more
modern design and a common pattern for all generals. The hat was black felt, faced
with black silk and trimmed at the edges with a wide gold scalloped lace edging and
black cut feather trim. The hat tighteners were gold cord and had small white
pompons at the tips with a crimson centre. After November 1813 the hats are
generally depicted with gold tassels instead of pompons. The large white silk rosette
cockade was held with a gold braid cockade-strap and gilt button and all general
officers wore a bushy white feather plume with base quarter black. In 1814 the
generals are often depicted wearing a white cocks-tail feather plume with black
base.
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In 1810 the new uniforms for the general staff were simplified and took on a
much more modern appearance similar to those worn by the French army. The main
change was that the traditional red breeches worn by the generals and their staff
since 1720 were now relegated to wear with the Gala uniform only and white
breeches and gilets became the order of dress for
everyday and campaign wear. The coat was a dark blue
single breasted uniformrock with upright collar closed at
the throat, long tails and squared cuffs. The collar was
piped gold at the upper, base and leading edges and
trimmed with an embroidered gold lace of oakleaf design
which edged the collar and trimmed at front edge of the
coat to the waist. The collar was decorated with a further
oakleaf lace at the upper and leading edges which
extended down the front of the coat to form a further trim.
The turnbacks on the tails were dark blue and trimmed
with gold piping and the same gold lace at the edges. The
tail pockets had three points and were edged with the gold
oakleaf lace. The cuffs were dark blue piped gold with a
band of gold oakleaf litzen at the upper edge.
The General and Generalleutnant were distinguished by
an additional band of lace on the collar and cuff and by
the epaulettes which were gold and had heavy bullion
fringes with three stars on the strap for the General, two
for the Generalleutnant and one star for the Generalmajor.
A variation to this coat is depicted by Sauerweid and in
the Augsburger Bilder for 1810 and students of Saxon
uniforms are unable to agree if this was a separate coat
issued in 1810 but replaced by 1812 or a misinterpretation
by two independent contemporary sources. The coat shows a strange combination
of two different styles of lace on the breast a looped lace on the right and a looped
vine lace on the left. No other artist depicts this coat.
The general officers continued to wear the waistsash after 1810 which is usually
depicted worn over the uniformrock with the knots and tassel on the left hip.
Two different patterns of shabraque are depicted for the general officers after
1810. Both are scarlet, the first follows the same pattern as that used by the
infantry officers with squared front and rear corners but with a with fluted gold lace
edging and squared pistol holster covers of scarlet edged gold. The Generalleutnant
is shown as having a double band of lace and the Generalmajor a wide outer band
and a narrow inner lace. The second pattern is similar but with rounded front and
rear corners and may have been a variation for the General der Kavallerie.
GENERAL-ADJUTANT The General-Adjutant wore the same basic bicorn hat as

the general officers. The coat was of the same 1810 style and was dark blue with
a dark blue upright collar and squared cuffs. The collar was piped gold at the leading
and lower edges and decorated with two horizontal batons of a double loop gold
lace with a small tassel at the outer tip. The cuffs were piped gold at the upper
edge and decorated with two batons of the same lace vertically with the tassel at
the bottom point. The front of the coat was piped gold and decorated with twelve
double loop and tassel litzen either side. The tail pockets were piped gold and
decorated with three batons of the same vertical lace. The shoulders of the coat
were decorated with gold full fringed epaulettes and heavy bullion gold aiguillettes
298
were worn at the left shoulder. The gala uniform gilet and breeches were scarlet
the gilet having wide gold lace edging and gold lace trim to the pockets. White gilet
and breeches were worn for everyday and campaign dress. The silver and crimson
waistsash was worn over the gilet. High cuffed riding boots were worn when
mounted and white breeches, stockings and shoes for court duties.
ADJUTANTEN The Adjutants of the General Staff wore a bicorn hat without
lace trim decorated simply with a white silk rosette cockade, gold cockade-strap
and white over black feather plume. The 1810 coat was dark blue and single
breasted with a single row of ten gilt buttons each with a galon of looped lace with
a tassel. The high upright collar was scarlet and decorated with two horizontal
batons of oakleaf embroidered lace. The coat was decorated with a gold epaulettes
as for the wearer’s rank, and gold aiguillettes were worn at the left shoulder. The
cuffs were plain squared pattern and scarlet and the turnbacks were dark blue piped
gold and fastened with a gilt button at the tips. The gilet was scarlet with gold lace
trim to the edges and waist pockets and breeches were scarlet and worn with high
cuffed riding boots. The officer’s silver and crimson sash was worn over the coat.
The Dienstuniform was almost the same but without the lace galons at the
buttonholes and plain dark blue turnbacks.
FLÜGEL-ADJUTANTEN The Flügel-Adjutanten wore an almost identical

uniform to the adjutants except that the collar and cuffs were dark blue and the
cuffs were decorated with three large gilt buttons at the front of the cuff each with
a vertical galon of looped lace with tassel. The collar was decorated with two
horizontal gold lace batons. The Dienstuniform was basically the same but without
the gold lace decoration to the edges of the cuffs and turnbacks and no batons of
lace on the breast. Breeches and gilet were scarlet for gala dress and white for
Dienstuniform. The Flügel-Adjutants attached to the staff of the army commander
are depicted as having collars of white instead of dark blue in 1812.
All adjutant officers wore the brassard on the upper right sleeve from 1812 until
November 1813. White with gold tassels for the adjutants attached to the army or
corps; dark blue with gold tassels for the adjutants of division and red with gold
tassels for brigade.
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FLAGS & STANDARDS
THE INFANTRY The history of the issue of regimental flags to the Saxon infantry
regiments is one that highlights the obsolete policies of the Kurfürstentum Sachsen
and the chaotic administrative system by which it was bound. With the re-
organisation of the Saxon army in 1763 new uniforms had been prescribed and
authorisation was given for new flags to be commissioned for the infantry regiments
and new standards for the cavalry. Many of the flags that had been presented before
the Seven Years War were now too fragile to be carried in the field, or were claimed
as the personal property of former inhabers, owners, of the old regiments. In true
Saxon style issues were found concerning the design of the new flags and how much
of the cost was to be found by the regimental inhaber and whether the flags, once
issued, would belong to the inhaber or to the Elector. Finally in 1782 the decision
was made to commission new standards for thirteen regiments of foot and eight
cavalry regiments, however, whilst the cavalry standards were issued in 1785-1789
the infantry flags were still not completed and only a handful of flags appear to have
been actually handed to the regiments in 1785 which were almost immediately
stood up in the regimental depots. When the Saxon Army was mobilised in 1793
for the campaign against the French authorisation to carry the 1785 flags into the
field was withheld as not all regiments had received their flags.
In September 1802 a complete set of new infantry flags was finally issued to
make up the shortfall from 1785, each infantry regiment receiving two flags, a
Leibfahn, presented to the 1.Bataillon and an Ordinärfahn to be carried by the
2.Bataillon. The flags appear to have been of the same designs intended for the
1785 issue and the intention was that they should be embroidered rather than
painted, however for reasons of economy the 1802 pattern flags were once more
commissioned to be painted on silk. The new ‘1802 Issue’ flags were carried by
some but not all infantry battalions that served in the 1806 campaign but
immediately following the elevation of the Electorate of Saxony to a Kingdom
another new set of flags was ordered to be designed replacing the electoral crown
and cipher with the new royal insignia. These new ‘Royal’ flags were embroidered,
not painted but were again subject to delays over costs and were not presented to
the eight remaining line infantry regiments and the Garde-Grenadier-Regiment until
1811. Details of the distribution of infantry flags after November 1813 is almost
non-existent but it is believed that the surviving flags were stood up and not carried
in the field again until 1815.
The 1785 / 1802 pattern infantry flags were of a common pattern for all
regiments with the field of the flag white for the Leibfahn with a coloured border of
the unique regimental design and the field of the Ordinärfahn to be of the regimental
facing colour. The flags measure approximately 157 x 145 cm and were carried on
a polished stave with a brass leaf finial. The borders were designed in pairs reflecting
the facing colours of the regiments as at 1785 and their regimental button colour.
The central motif for all flags displayed on the obverse with the royal arms of Poland
& Lithuania as for the old 1763 patterns a quartered red shield with the silver spread
eagle of Poland with gold beak and claws and the arms of Lithuania, a silver knight
with white charger and blue shield and shabraque. The arms of Saxony were
superimposed centrally. The arms were displayed on a gold stand of palm leaves
with a lion’s mask above and a Medusa head below, the whole surmounted by the
Polish crown in gold with scarlet lining. The upper fly and lower hoist corners were
decorated with a shield bearing the arms of Poland and the opposing corners with
a shield of silver with the cipher ES (for Elector Sachsen).
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The reverse of the flags had the same coloured border and corner shield motifs.
The centre of the field bore an oval cartouche of the field colour edged with gold
with a gold Saxon FA cipher supported by gold sprays of palm and oak sprigs. The
cartouche was surmounted by an electoral cap in scarlet and ermine and below was
the Military Order of St Friedrich of Saxony in gold with a light blue ribbon.
Regiment Field colour Border Design
Ordinärfahn
Kurfürst Mohnrot Leibfahn white, Ordinärfahn Mohnrot, edged
yellow inside and scarlet outside, scarlet and
König
yellow links with green leaves.
Winkel Mohnrot Mohnrot, edged yellow inside and scarlet

outside, scarlet and yellow links with green
Von Sanger, Cerrini
leaves.
Prinz Anton Dunkelblau Dunkelblau with three gold stripes and gold
ivy leaves.
Prinz Clemens Dunkelblau Dunkelblau with three silver stripes and
silver ivy leaves.
Von Lindt Karminroten Karminroten with gold tare design
Von Rechten
Von Niesemeuschel Karminroten Karminroten with silver tare design
Prinz Friedrich August Gras-Grün Gras-Grün edged with gold. Bronze oakleaf
design with gold quads.
Von Low Gras-Grün Gras-Grün edged with silver and silver
oakleaf design and quads. Also given as
silver edging and white decorations.
Prinz Xavier Himmelblau Himmelblau with yellow interlocking design.
Von Oebschelwitz
Von Der Heyde Himmelblau Himmelblau with white interlocking design.

Von Braun, von Ryseel
Von Bunau, von Bevilaqua
Von Dyherrn
Prinz Maximilian Dunkelgelb Dunkelgelb edged with orange with orange

linked hoops and green leaves
Von Nostitz Dunkelgelb Dunkelgelb edged silver on the inside and
orange on the outside. Orange and silver
Von Thümmel, von Burgsdorff
Leib-Grenadier Garde Leibfahn white with white border with
Krapprot ribbon and green cloverleaf design.
Ordinärfahn, Zitronengelb field and border
Zitronengelb
with Himmelblau ribbon edged silver and
silver laurel sprigs.
The 1802 pattern flags were carried in the 1806, 1807 and 1809 campaigns and
were stood up in 1810 when the regiments were re-organised. Following the
elevation of the Electorate of Saxony to a kingdom, new flags were ordered in 1807
for all of the existing regiments. Part of the army re-organisation was a reduction
in the number of line infantry regiments in 1810; the von Dyherrn, von Cerrini,
Oebschelwitz and von Burgsdorff regiments being disbanded and the remaining
eight regiments moved up the line in seniority the Infanterie-regiment von
302
Niesemeuschel merging with the von Cerrini and receiving new facing colours of
Poppy-Red and the Infanterie-Regiment von Rechten merging with the von
Burgsdorff changing from crimson to yellow. The standards ordered in 1807 were
finally distributed in 1811 but the colours of the flags no longer matched the facing
colours for the new regiments as had been originally planned.
The new m.1807 / 1811 flags measured approximately 151 x 145 cm and
followed the same protocol as before with each regiment receiving a white Leibfahn
and a coloured Ordinärfahn with the regimental pattern coloured border. The
obverse was centred with the Saxon royal coat of arms in true colours on a scarlet
mantel with ermine lining and surmounted by a royal crown in gold with the Military
Order of St Friedrich of Saxony in gold with a green ribbon below. The four corners
were decorated with gold heraldic shields with the RS cypher, Royaume de Saxe in
gold script.
The reverse of the new flag bore an outline heraldic shield with background of
the field colour in gold with a gold FAR cipher with the Military Order of St Friedrich
of Saxony in gold with a green ribbon. The shield is surmounted by a royal crown
in gold and flanked by wreaths of laurel and palm in natural colours. The four corners
were decorated with heraldic shields bearing the yellow, black and green Saxon coat
of arms.
Regiment Field colour 1811 Border Design
Ordinärfahn
König Mohnrot Mohnrot border, edged gold inside and
scarlet outside, scarlet and gold links with
scarlet leaves.
Von Niesemeuschel Karminroten Karminroten with silver tare design
Prinz Anton Dunkelblau [1] Dunkelblau with three gold stripes and gold
ivy leaves.
Prinz Friedrich August Gras-Grün [2] Gras-Grün edged with gold. Bronze oakleaf
design with gold quads.
Von Low Gras-Grün Gras-Grün edged with silver and silver
oakleaf design and quads.
Prinz Maximilian Dunkelgelb Dunkelgelb edged with orange with orange

Prinz Clemens Dunkelblau [1] Dunkelblau with three silver stripes and
silver ivy leaves.
Von Rechten Mohnrot [3] Mohnrot with gold tare design
Leib-Grenadier Garde Leibfahn white with white border with

Krapprot ribbon and green cloverleaf design.
Ordinärfahn, Zitronengelb field and border
Zitronengelb
with Himmelblau ribbon edged silver and
silver laurel sprigs.
NOTE: [1] The 1807 specifications stated Dunkelblau for the flag field colour for these regiments
but the actual colour appears to have been somewhat lighter than the 1802 flags, closer to a
French blue.
NOTE: [2] The colour for the Prinz Friedrich August flags is often given as dark green, however,
this would appear to have been either as the result of a poor dye or possibly weathering.
NOTE: [3] The 1807 colour prescribed for the von Rechten Regiment was crimson but the flags
appear to have been made up in the new facing colour of Poppy-red in 1811.
303
The above table reflects the official issue of standards to the eight line infantry
regiments and the Garde-Grenadier-Regiment in 1811 although there appear to
have been some anomalies the König Regiment is believed to have carried four flags
in 1812 and some units may have continued to carry their old 1802 pattern flags as
well as the new. Likewise the von Rechten Regiment appear to have received their
flags late and these were made up in Mohnrot instead of Karminroten but are also
reported as having two additional flags of a different design and these may have
been the two flags originally destined for the absorbed von Cerrini regiment.
The Grenadier-Bataillonen were not issued with flags but each company carried
a fanion from 1810. No Grenadierfanionen is known to have survived until modern
times but are believed to have been of a common pattern measuring approximately
50 cm square and were scarlet with the royal cipher in the centre and grenade
motifs in each corner in either gold or silver according to the regimental button
colour. The fanions were mounted on a wooden rod with a brass ball finial and
carried slotted into a carbine barrel.
THE CAVALRY The cavalry regiments were all gifted new standards in 1763 by
the Elector Friedrich August II, King August III of Poland, with the standards being
commissioned shortly before his death that year. A complete issue of standards to
all regiments was not made until 1785-1789 although some standards appear to
have been presented earlier which has caused huge confusion to students of the
Saxon army and there continues to be a question over the exact pattern for the
1763 / 1785 Leibstandarten. The standards commissioned in 1763 followed the
same basic pattern as those for the infantry flags each regiment of heavy cavalry
receiving four white flags one Leibstandarte and three Ordinärstandarten.
The Leibstandarten for the most part appear to have been made up to the original
specifications and measured 71cm square approximately of two separate layers of
silk with a gold fringe. The obverse was plain white, the centre of the field bore an
oval cartouche of the field colour edged with gold with a gold Saxon FA cipher
304
supported by gold sprays of palm and oak sprigs. The cartouche was surmounted
by an electoral cap in scarlet and ermine and below was the Military Order of St
Friedrich of Saxony in gold with a light blue ribbon.
The reverse of the standard was plain white with the royal arms of Poland &
Lithuania, a quartered red shield with the silver spread eagle of Poland with gold
beak and claws and the arms of Lithuania, a silver knight with white charger and
blue shield and shabraque. The arms of Saxony were superimposed centrally. The
arms were displayed on a gold stand of palm leaves with a lion’s mask above and a
Medusa head below, the whole surmounted by the Polish crown in gold with scarlet
lining. The four corners of the standard were decorated with the AR3 cipher of
King August III of Poland as per the original design.
At least some of these ‘all white’ Leibstandarten were issued probably only to the
heavy cavalry regiments and were carried in their original format until 1810. Others
may have been repainted or altered after 1785 and the AR3 cipher removed and a
decorative regimental border added to the obverse in line with the later design
amendments. One variation appears to be that the cipher on the obverse is
sometimes depicted as being of the post-1807 FAR pattern as appeared on the
later standards which could indicate that some of the standards were re-painted or
the obverse face was replaced after 1806.
The 1785 Ordinärstandarten for the heavy cavalry were white for all four
regiments but differed from the Leibstandarten in that the regimental border edged
both the obverse and reverse of the flag. The squadrons were distinguished by a
silk cravat tied at the finial; white for the 1 Schwadron; scarlet for the 2 Schwadron;
deep sky-blue for the 3 Schwadron and Deep Yellow for the 4. Schwadron.
The Leichte-Kavallerie Regimenten received the same style of standards in 1785
as the heavy cavalry. The Leibstandarten were white and the Ordinärstandarten
were scarlet with a unique regimental border and squadron coloured cravats.
305
306
New standards were ordered for all cavalry regiments in 1807 to reflect the
change of status from Electorate to Kingdom but only the Karabinier-Regiment were
issued with their Leibstandarte prior to the 1809 campaign, which was stood up in
1810 when the regiment was disbanded the other regiments did not receive their
new standards until 1811. The new 1811 standards were the patterns carried
throughout the 1812 campaign. When the Prinz Clemens Chevauxléger-Regiment
became the Prinz Clemens Uhlanen-Regiment it retained the 1811 pattern standards
with poppy-red Ordinärstandarten and it is possible that this standard continued to
be carried until the new uniforms were issued in 1814 when the regiments became
the Uhlanen-Regiment and the old standards were stood up.
The new model standards issued to the cavalry regiments in 1811 were again of
a common pattern flags carried by the heavy cavalry regiments being white and the
chevauxléger regiments receiving one white Leibstandarte and three poppy-red
Ordinärstandarten with the regimental design border and uniquely coloured fringe.
The squadrons continued to be distinguished by the coloured cravats worn at the
base of the finial.
The 1807 / 1811 standards measured approximately 57 x 66 cm except for the
Garde du Corps whose standards were slightly smaller and measured 52 x 64 cm.
The obverse of the standard displayed the royal FAR cipher in gold surmounted by
a royal crown and flanked by a wreath of laurel in true colours. The reverse was
centred with the Saxon royal coat of arms in true colours on a scarlet mantel with
ermine lining and gold cords and was surmounted by a royal crown in gold with the
Military Order of St Friedrich of Saxony in gold with a green ribbon below.
The 1807 / 1811 pattern standards were carried by the cavalry regiments until
November 1813 after which only the Leib-Kürassier-Garde retained their standards
the Uhlanen-Regiment not receiving standards again until 1817. The Husaren-
Regiment, as with the Light Infantry were considered to be ‘skirmishing’ troops and
were not issued with standards.
Regiment Border Design Fringe & Cords
Garde du Korps White with gold edging. Gold ovals with silver Sky-blue and gold
crosses, squared floral cartouche at corners
of reverse only
Karabinier-Regiment White with gold edging scarlet ‘6 & 9’ motif Silver and green
and green leaves
Kurfürst Kürassier- White with gold edging and crimson floral Crimson and silver
Regiment design
Leib-Kürassier-
Garde
Kochtitzky White with gold edging and ovals, dark green Scarlet & Silver
Kürassier-Regiment leaves
Zastrow Kürassier-
Regiment
307
Regiment Border Design Fringe & Cords
Von Gersdorff White with gold edging mid-blue and green Scarlet and white
Dragoner-Regiment leaf design
Prinz Johann
Chevauxleger-
Kurland
Regiment White with dark green edging and leaves, Popping-Jay Green and
Chevauxleger- mid-blue nuts. Gold
Regiment
Prinz Clemens
Chevauxleger-
Regiment
Clemens
Prinz Albrecht White with dark green border, dark green oak Dark Forest Green and
Uhlanen-Regiment
Chevauxleger- leaves with bronze acorns and twigs. gold
Regiment
Renard Dragoner- White with blue/gold arrow heads and laurel Deep Sky-blue and
Regiment leaves. gold
Von Polenz
Chevauxleger-
Regiment
After 1810 the individual squadrons

within each regiment continued to be
distinguished by the colour of the cravat
and tasselled cords which were tied below
the finial which were mixed facing colour
and gold.
The standard was carried on a
bandolier worn over the left shoulder and
attached with a spring hook to a running
rod on the standard stave. The
bandoliers were of the regimental facing
colour with gold heavy bullion fringes,
except for the Leib-Kürassier-Garde
whose bandoliers were crimson with
silver fringes. The front of the bandolier
was decorated with a large gilded
crowned heraldic shield embossed with
the Saxon coat of arms. This decorative
plate was silver plated for the Leib-
Kürassier-Garde.
Standards were normally carried by a
senior Wachtmeister who was known as
the Standartjunker.
308
The Landmilz, or Landwehr battalions raised for the home defense force in 1813
received no officially sanction flags until they were reformed as the reserve battalion
for the line infantry regiments in July 1815. Several of the battalions may have
carried banners made for the unit by the wives of the soldiers and these usually
followed a similar pattern to those of other Germanic landwehr units; white with the
‘Landwehrkreus’ motif usually dark green often with a wreath of laurels or oak and
a suitable inscription and sometimes a gold or green fringe.
Bürger-Nationalgarde zu Dresden were given a flag by König Friedrich August in
honour of their faithful service throughout the Napoleonic Wars but this was not
actually presented to the corps until 1817.
The only known flags or standards carried by the units of the Banner der
Freiwilligen Sachsen was a standard given to the 2 Schwadron Jäger zu Pferde in
1814 which was funded from public subscription. The standard was a very pale
cream colour, possibly originally a very light gold silk, with a gold bullion fringe.
The obverse had a scalloped gold edging with small flowers at the corners and was
centred with a gold oak wreath with pale blue ribbon and the motto FÜR RECHT
UND VATERLAND in silver. The reverse had a gold oakleaf border with laurel corner
frames with the cipher EC in gold. The centre of the field held a large cross of deep
cream with a gold edging.
It is believed that the standard was never actually carried in the field and was
stood up in June 1814 less than a month after being presented.
309
NOTES ON RESEARCH AND SOURCES
The history of the army of Saxony and its uniforms during the revolutionary and
Napoleonic wars is quite well documented even if many of the best sources are rather
obscure and almost totally unavailable to the English reader. My eternal gratitude must
be expressed to the late Dom Werner who searched out rare German books and
documents and provided me with translations of pertinent chapters.
Pictorial sources are quite abundant with the beautiful works of the likes of Sauerweid
and Hess now much more accessible to the public as well as the more standard but
equally valuable illustrations by Richard Knötel, Henri Boisellier and Louis Braun and
other 19th century artists who are less commonly published.
My gratitude is extended to the Universitäts und Landesbibliothek, Darmstadt for

their help and permission to use images from their collections and to Peter Harrington,
Curator of the Brown University Library for permission to use images in my collection
which originate from their archives.
Special thanks as always goes to the Estate of Erik Karlsen-Smythe for the continued use
of Erik’s photographic archives. Erik Karlsen-Smythe (1937-2003) of Stockholm was
a professional photographer who specialised in antiquities and archive catalogue work
and was not just a good friend but an avid collector of photographic images of military
uniforms sourced from many of the collections with which he was professionally involved
from 1960 until his untimely demise in 2003.
My gratitude must also be expressed Finally as always I am indebted to Terry Wise a

valued colleague and fellow book dealer who gave me so much help with the flag sections
of many books but particularly this one, and is greatly missed by all who knew him.
This small work is in no way intended to be definitive and errors and omissions are
inevitable.
W J Rawkins 2015
310
MAIN SOURCES (Including translations and extracts)
Am Ende E. (Vienna 1878) Feldmarschall-Lieutenant Carl Friedrich am Ende Besonders Sein

Feldzug in Sachsen 1809
Bunde, Gärtner & Stein (Berlin 2009) Die Sächsischen Armee 1810-1813
Broers, M. (London 1996) Europe Under Napoleon 1799-1815
Chandler, David (London 1966) The Campaigns of Napoléon

Connelly O (NY 1965) Napoleon’s Satellite Kingdoms
Elting J (NY 1988) Swords Around A Throne
Gill, JH (London 1992) With Eagles to Glory
Howard, Giles (NA 1977) The Saxon Army 1810-1813
Kersten F & Ortenburg G (Berlin 1982) Die Sachsische Armee von 1763 bis 1862
Knötel R & Sieg R Hamburg 1937) Handbuch der Uniformen Kunde
Marbot, Baron de (London 1905) The Memoirs of Baron de Marbot

Nafziger GF (1991)
Over K (London 1974) Flags and Standards of the Napoleonic Wars
Phipps, Ramsay Weston (1926), The Armies of the First French Republic and the Rise of the
Marshals of Napoleon I
Rawkins W J (Norwich 1979) The Army of Saxony 1805-1814
Rawkins W J & Evans P (Maidenhead 1974) Infantry & Cavalry Flags of Saxony 1811-14
Schuster & Franck (Leipsic 1885) Geschichte der Sachsischen Arrmee (Translated Excepts)
Suazey Commt.(Paris 1910) Les Allemands sous les aigles francaises 1806-1814
Von Funck F (London 1931) In the Wake of Napoleon
Von Pivka O (London 1979) & Hook R Napoleons German Allies 3 Saxony 1806-1815
Wise T (London 1997) Flags of the Napoleonic Wars 3 Vols
Articles and essays from the contributors to the following magazines and online
facilities
Heer Und Tradition, Napoleon Series, Depesche, First Empire, Carnet de la Sabretache,
Bulletin de la Société des Collectioneurs des Figurines Historiques, Tradition, Le
Passepoil, Grosser-Generalstabs, Император, Uniformes, Napoleon Online, Flags
Forum, Le Briquet, Lexikus,
The art of
H Boisselier Louis Braun Peter Bunde Pat C Evans

Scharf Leinart & Humbert André Jouineau H Knötel
R Knötel C A H Hess Perconte Rigondaud
Forthoffer J W Shäfer Alexander Sauerweid R Scollins
Edmund Wagner Hourtoulle Weiland R Hook
Aster P Geissler
311
The Royal Saxon Army 1792-1814 by W J Rawkins
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contents may be reproduced or copied for commercial or private distribution or used as part of
any other publication without the written permission of the author.
Reproduction of this disc for sale or distribution is strictly prohibited without the written
consent of the copyright holder.
The contents of the disc have been digitally watermarked to prevent unauthorised commercial
distribution. Infringement of the copyright holder's rights may lead to prosecution under the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Copyright 1974, 1979 & 1984 The HMR Group Ltd & W J Rawkins (Military Books)
Copyright 2016 E-book edition W J Rawkins
The right of W.J. Rawkins to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by him in
accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying,
recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the Author
in writing.
This work was first published in Great Britain in 1979 as ‘The Army of Saxony 1805-1814' by
The Historical & Military Research Group Ltd, Maidenhead, England
www.thehistorybookman.webeden.co.uk
The History Book Man
W J Rawkins (Military Books)
The Historical & Military Research Group Ltd
Are all trading names for W J Rawkins
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2

Armies of the Confederation of the Rhine

The Royal Saxon Army

Copyright © W.J.Rawkins 2016

Introduction to the Armies and Uniforms Series 4

Bürger-Nationalgarde Jäger zu Wittenberg 1809 126

Sächsischen Feldjäger-Kompagnien 132

The Schwere-Kavallerie 178

The Uhlanen-Regiment 1813-1815 225

The Artillerie, Führwesen & Train-Bataillon 248

W. J. Rawkins January 2016

Introduction to the series

W. J. Rawkins October 2013

THE CONFEDERATION OF THE RHINE

Membership of the Confederation of the Rhine brought with it a commitment to

The College of Kings

Kingdom of Bavaria 12 Jul 1806 Co-founder; former Prince-Electorate

Co-founder; formerly Prince-Archbishopric and

Kingdom of Saxony 11 Dec 1806 Former Duchy & Electorate

The College of Princes

Duchy of Anhalt-Bernburg 11 Apr 1807

Duchy of Anhalt-Dessau 11 Apr 1807

Duchy of Anhalt-Köthen 11 Apr 1807

Principality of Leyen 12 Jul 1806 Co-founder; former Graviate

Principality of Liechtenstein 12 Jul 1806 Co-founder

Union of Nassau-Usingen and Nassau-Weilburg,

Duchy of Oldenburg 14 Oct 1808 Annexed by France 13 December 1810

Principality of Reuss-Greiz 11 Apr 1807

Principality of Reuss-Schleiz 11 Apr 1807

Formerly Salm-Salm and Salm-Kyrburg. Co-

Duchy of Saxe-Coburg 15 Dec 1806

Duchy of Saxe-Gotha 15 Dec 1806

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen 15 Dec 1806

Duchy of Saxe-Weimar 15 Dec 1806

Principality of Waldeck 11 Apr 1807

On 13 December, 1810 Napoleon annexed the Duchy of Oldenburg, the two

Disaffection was to lead to defection. On the eve of the Battle of Leipzig,

The Confederation of the Rhine collapsed in 1813, with the aftermath of

THE SAXON ARMY IN THE REVOLUTIONARY AND

Throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras the Kurfürstentum Sachsen,

The Kurfürstentum Sachsen was historically composed of a federation of ancient

Friedrich August, unfortunately

In foreign policy, he was

Saxon Field Army 12 December 1792

Regiment / Unit Strength Horses

The Saxons continued to be engaged in minor actions and skirmishes until 29

Saxon Field Army 3 March 1794

Regiment / Unit Strength Horses

Saxon Field Army 30 December 1794

1. Brigade – Generalmajor von Zezschwitz

Von Gersdorff Chevauxléger-Regiment 4 Schwadronen

2. Brigade – Generalmajor von Rechten

Grenadier-Bataillon ‘Barnekow’ 1 Bataillon

Feldartillerie-Kompagnie 8 x 8pdr Guns

3. Brigade – Generalmajor von Wiedermann

Feld-regiment von Zanthier 2 Bataillonen

Feld-regiment von Wiedermann 2 Bataillonen

4. Brigade – Generalmajor von Rosler