Archive of Russian uniforms. Russian infantry uniform Russian uniform 1812

Uniforms of the Russian infantry during the War of 1812

Russian infantry during the Patriotic War of 1812 was divided into line (or heavy), light, naval and garrison. The main combat unit was the regiment. The regiment consisted of three battalions of four companies each. The first company of each battalion was called a grenadier company and consisted of a grenadier and a rifle platoon. The remaining companies in the infantry regiments were called infantry (musketeers), in the grenadiers - fusiliers, in the Jaegers - Jaegers. Each company consisted of two platoons. Two regiments made up a brigade: infantry, grenadier or jäger. The division consisted of four brigades. In the grenadier division there are three grenadiers and an artillery division, in the infantry division there are two infantry divisions, a Jaeger division and an artillery division. During the war, regiments often operated in reduced strength: grenadier companies were withdrawn from their composition and temporarily combined into combined grenadier brigades and divisions. Two divisions made up the corps.

The line infantry (L-guards Preobrazhensky, Semenovsky, Izmailovsky, Litovsky, grenadier and infantry regiments) were dressed in dark green double-breasted closed uniforms with tails and a stand-up collar. In l-guards. The Lithuanian regiment's uniforms had red lapels. In the remaining regiments, the uniforms were fastened with six rows of buttons. The coattails were trimmed with red instrument cloth. The collars and cuffs of uniforms in the infantry and grenadier regiments were made of red instrument cloth. In the guards regiments, the color of the collars differed: in Preobrazhensky and Litovsky - red, in Semenovsky - light blue with red piping (piping), in Izmailovsky - dark green with red piping. The cuffs are red, the cuff flaps are dark green with red piping. All lower ranks of the Guards regiments had buttonholes made of yellow braid with a red stripe in the middle on their collars and cuff flaps. At first, the collars were high, supporting the cheeks, and a black tie was visible in the neckline of the collar. At the beginning of 1812, the cut of the collars was changed; they became lower and began to be tightly fastened with hooks. But by the beginning of hostilities, the uniforms were not altered in all regiments, so uniforms of both samples were found. The shoulder straps of the lower ranks in all guards and grenadier regiments were made of red instrument cloth. On the shoulder straps of the grenadier squads, a code was sewn from yellow braid - the initial letters of the name of the regiment. In infantry regiments, the color of the shoulder straps indicated the regiment's place in the division: the first regiment was red, the second was light blue, the third was white, the fourth was dark green with red piping. On the field, the shoulder strap was laid out from yellow (on white - from red) braid the division number.

Knickers (pants) were made from white cloth in winter, and from unbleached linen in summer. Shoes – boots. Winter trousers were worn with black leather leggings.
In winter, the lower ranks were required to wear single-breasted overcoats made of coarse gray cloth with a stand-up collar and shoulder straps, the same as on the uniform.
The combat headdresses of the infantrymen were shakos, as well as uniforms, of two models: 1811 and 1812. The shakos were built (the production, sewing of uniforms and equipment for soldiers and officers was then usually called construction) from black cloth with black leather trim. Copper emblems were fixed on the front of the shako: in the guard - the state emblem, in infantry companies and fuselier companies - a grenade (grenade) with one fire, in the grenadiers - a grenade with three lights. In addition, the shakos were decorated with white etiquettes, colored burdocks, and copper scales on the chin straps. The shakos of the lower ranks of grenadier regiments and grenadier companies of infantry regiments were worn by black sultans.

The exception was the Pavlovsk Grenadier Regiment. The lower ranks of the grenadier companies of this regiment wore high grenadier hats with copper foreheads, a red top and a white band. The band was decorated with small copper grenades. Fusiliers were given fusilier hats similar to those of the grenadiers.

When not in formation, the lower ranks (soldiers and non-commissioned officers) wore caps - peakless caps. The company number was etched on the band. The main weapon of the infantry soldier was a smoothbore flintlock rifle with a triangular bayonet and a red shoulder strap. The metal parts of the gun were either iron, such as the barrel, lock, etc., cleaned until white (bluing was not used in gunsmithing at that time), or made of yellow copper (bronze or brass), for example, the butt and stock fittings. The shoulder strap is made of red leather. There was no single model of guns; in one regiment there could be up to forty calibers of weapons. The problem of supplying soldiers with appropriate ammunition was solved simply: each soldier cast round lead bullets for himself, fortunately this could be done right at the stake, and equipped himself with paper cartridges. For cartridges, bullets, gunpowder, as well as gun accessories, there was a pouch made of black hard leather with a copper plaque (coat of arms) on the lid, which was worn at the back on a bleached belt over the left shoulder.
On his left side, the soldier wore a half-saber (cleaver) in a brown leather sheath. The hilt and scabbard frame were made of yellow copper. The half-saber hung from a bleached leather sword belt over his right shoulder. The bayonet sheath tilted on the same sword belt. A lanyard was attached to the hilt. The warrior's personal belongings were placed in a leather backpack. During the warm season, during a hike, overcoats were rolled up into a roller (roller), and this roller was worn over the shoulder. In this case, the backpack was put on over the roll. Some of the small things were worn behind the lining of the shako.
In the Russian army there was no clear system of insignia of ranks and ranks. By the appearance of a warrior, one could only determine the category of rank: privates, non-commissioned officers, chief officers, generals.
According to unverified data, the corporal's uniform was distinguished by a cuff trimmed with yellow braid.
A sign of non-commissioned officer dignity were galloons on the cuffs and collar, specially colored burrs and (in the grenadier regiments) the pommel of the sultan. The top of the plume was white, with a yellow vertical stripe.

The musicians were distinguished by a uniform trimmed with white with a blue stripe in the middle (in the guard - yellow with a red stripe) with braid along the seams and sleeves and (in the grenadier regiments and in the grenadier companies of the infantry and ranger regiments) with a red plume. Musicians of non-commissioned officer rank also had all the distinctions required for non-commissioned officers.
The non-combatant lower ranks in the Russian army included clerks, paramedics, artisans, orderlies, etc. Non-combatants had a special uniform: a cap with a visor, a single-breasted uniform with six buttons and leggings, all made of gray cloth. There was piping along the band and crown of the cap, the free edge of the collar, cuffs and cuff flaps of the uniforms. The color of the line infantry's piping was red, while that of the rangers was dark green. Shoulder straps the color of the cap band of combat ranks were only worn in the Guard. In addition, in the guard, buttonholes made of yellow braid were sewn on the collar in one row and on the cuff flaps in three rows. Non-combatant non-commissioned officers wore gold braid on their collars and cuffs. Overcoats and knapsacks were of the same cut as those worn by combat troops. Non-combatants were armed only with cutlasses.
Officers' uniforms were made of higher quality cloth, had longer tails and gilded buttons. Generals and guards officers wore gold embroidery on their collars and cuffs: regiment officers; generals in the form of oak leaves. In addition to the general general's uniform with embroidery in the form of oak leaves, generals who were chiefs of regiments or assigned to guards regiments could wear the officer uniform of their regiment, but with general distinctions, which will be discussed below. Instead of shoulder straps, officers wore epaulettes. The epaulettes of chief officers (warrant officers, second lieutenants, lieutenants, staff captains and captains) were without fringe; staff officers (majors, lieutenant colonels, colonels) - with thin fringe; generals - with thick fringe. The color of the epaulette field corresponded to the shoulder straps of the lower ranks. Only the guards and generals had epaulettes with a field of gold braid. Regimental and general adjutants wore an epaulette only on the left shoulder; on the right shoulder they had a cord with an aiguillette. In addition to being decorative, the aiguillette had a purely practical use: lead pencils were embedded in its tips. Regimental adjutants wore the uniform of their regiment, and generals either the uniform of the regiment whose chief was the general, or the uniform of the regiment where the officer served before being seconded to the general. In addition to the uniform, generals and guards officers were entitled to a vice uniform of a similar cut, but without sewing. When not in formation, officers and generals wore double-breasted closed frock coats.

The officers wore white trousers and boots. In the summer, officers in the ranks were given linen trousers, similar to those worn by the lower ranks. Those officers who were supposed to be on horseback in the ranks wore cavalry leggings. For ballroom uniform - white culottes (short trousers down to the knees) with stockings and shoes.
The headgear for the formation was a shako, the same as that of the rank and file, but made of higher quality materials and with special type of burrs. Officers of the Pavlovsk Grenadier Regiment also wore shakos, unlike the lower ranks of this regiment. Out of order - a cap with a visor or a hat with a plume of black and orange rooster feathers. The hat was decorated with a braided buttonhole, a round cockade made of orange and black ribbon and tassels. Generals were not entitled to a shako. The general's hat had a twisted buttonhole instead of a braided one.

The officers' overcoats were made of gray cloth with a cape. They could be lined with either cloth or fur, depending on the condition of the officer.
A special sign of officer dignity was a scarf - a belt made of white and silver silk with orange and black splashes. The ends of the scarf ended in tassels. The scarf was tied on the left side.
In addition, in the ranks, officers were entitled to an officer's badge in the form of a crescent, with a state eagle in the middle, which was worn on the chest. The rank of the officer could be determined by the color of the badge: the ensign's badge was all silver, the second lieutenant's badge had a gilded rim, and the lieutenant's badge had an eagle; The staff captain has both an eagle and a headband; the captain had a silver-plated eagle and rim on his gilded badge, the staff officers had the entire

the sign is gilded.
Horse riding gear for infantry officers was similar to that of cuirassiers. Saddle cloths and pigs (cloth covers for saddle holsters) are dark green, lined with red cloth with golden braid in two rows. In addition, they are in the guard

decorated with the image of St. Andrew's star. In the Jaeger regiments, the gap between the braids was made dark green. The generals' horse harnesses were made of bear fur and were also decorated with St. Andrew's Star.

In the Jaeger regiments, the uniform was similar to that of the infantry. The difference was that the collars, cuffs, tail linings, and winter trousers were made of dark green cloth with red piping. The belts were made of black leather. In the Guards Jaeger Regiments: Life Guards Jaeger and Life Guards Finland, the differences from the Guards Line Infantry corresponded to the differences between the Army Jaeger Regiments and the Army Heavy Infantry. Emissions in the L-Guards. Yegersky - orange, in the L-Guards. In Finnish - red. In addition, L-Guards. The Finnish regiment was given a lapel cut uniform with a dark green lapel with red piping.
The shakos in the Jaeger regiments were the same as in the infantry regiments.
The huntsmen were armed with rifled flintlock rifles - fittings.

Marine regiments were considered heavy infantry and were part of infantry divisions. The Marines wore the same uniform as the huntsmen, but with white piping and ammunition. A shako with a grenada with three lights, but without a plume. The color of the shoulder straps and the coding on them were the same as in the corresponding infantry regiments, for example, the 2nd Marine Regiment had white shoulder straps with the number 25, since it was in the 25th Infantry Division.
Life Guards The naval crew was a special military unit: on the one hand, it was a regiment of marines, on the other hand, the teams of the imperial yachts were formed from its sailors. From the form L-guards. The Jaeger Regiment uniform of the Guards crew was distinguished by white piping, a special shako coat of arms (a double-headed eagle holding crossed anchors in its paws) and long dark green leggings without piping. Officers also wore long leggings without piping.
The privates of the garrison regiments, who were in the field position, were entitled to: a dark green uniform (collar and cuffs yellow, tail lapels - maroon) with pewter (white), winter trousers - white, boots with leggings. The shako did not have an etiquette, coat of arms or sultan. Instead of a coat of arms, the shako had a buttonhole made of white braid and a round orange and black cockade.
There was no coat of arms on the pouch. The shoulder straps of all regiments were red, with white numbers. On the shoulder straps of the Moscow Garrison Regiment there was the number 19.

The Internal Guard is a branch of the military that existed in Russia from 1811 to 1864 for guard and escort duty. In addition to general military duties, the Internal Guard was also assigned special duties in relation to the provincial authorities. It could be used for the execution of court sentences, the capture and extermination of “rebels,” fugitive criminals, the suppression of disobedience, for prosecution, confiscation of prohibited goods, collection of taxes, for maintaining order during natural disasters, etc. Thus, the Internal Guard was police body, but had a military organization, approximately corresponding to the modern Internal Troops. During the Patriotic War of 1812, units of the Internal Guard were used to train recruits and militias, escort evacuated valuables into the interior of the country. As the enemy invaded, they joined the active army.
The rank and file of the Inner Guard wore gray uniforms with yellow collars and cuffs and gray trousers with cuffs, gray lapels with red piping. Instrument metal is white. Shako - like in garrison regiments.

Non-commissioned officers were uniformed in the same way as privates. There was silver braid on the collar and cuffs of their uniform.
The difference between the uniforms of the officers of the Internal Guard were dark green uniforms and flaps on the cuffs: the first battalions or half-battalions in each brigade had dark green ones; in the second - dark green with yellow edging, in the third - yellow.

1812-1813.

1812 began with minor changes in uniform. So, on February 10, the shako was ordered to be lower with an increased expansion at the top, concave on the sides and a saddle-shaped bottom. Sultans on shakos are not provided in engineering units.
The height of the collars has been reduced, their front edge is made straight rather than beveled. In addition, the collar began to be fastened at the front with hooks.
Due to the high cost of shako silver etiquettes, officers are allowed to have them made of bleached cord, and the silver elements of the epaulette (galloon, neck, fringe) are not silver, but made of white metal (copper tinned with tin).

In the picture on the left: a soldier of the 1st Pioneer Regiment (etishket and red kutas) and a chief officer of the pioneer regiments (etishket and silver kutas) in a uniform model 1812.

The same changes were made in the Engineering Corps. First of all, this concerns the shakos of soldiers of engineering teams and conductors of this corps. Let us remember that the officers of the Corps of Engineers still wear hats, so their changes occurred only in the height and shape of the collars and the permitted replacement of silver with white metal (tin) in epaulettes.

In the pontoon companies, which are still assigned to the artillery, all the uniforms and the color of the instrument metal are similar to the foot artillery.

On June 12, 1812, the army of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte crossed the Neman River and invaded the Russian Empire. A war began that would be called the Patriotic War.

From the author. For some reason, this war is considered a Russian-French war, just as the Great Patriotic War of 1942-45 is considered a Soviet-German war. But this is deceit. In both cases these were wars of a united Europe against Russia. Yes, in 1812 the basis of the invasion army was French troops under the command of the French Emperor Napoleon I, and in 1941 the basis was the German army, under the control of German Chancellor A. Hitler.
Look for yourself, in addition to the French, the “Grand Army” included Polish, Italian, Neapolitan, Bavarian, Saxon, Westphalian, Baden, Württemberg, Hessian troops, troops of the Confederation of the Rhine, troops of Prussia, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Dalmatia and Portugal.
In 1941, the Soviet Union was invaded by troops from Germany, Finland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Spain, and Italy. In addition to them, units of the former Polish army, the former army of Czechoslovakia, the French legion, and divisions of the former army of Austria (part of the Wehrmacht) took part in the invasion. And do not forget that volunteer formations from Holland, Belgium, Norway, Albania, Croatia, France and a number of other countries took part in the war as part of the SS troops.

And if you do not close your eyes to these circumstances, you will have to admit that Europe has always been deeply hostile to Russia and the main danger for us has always come from the West. Even during the time of the Tatar-Mongol yoke. Why? But because the prosperity and well-being of Europe at all times, starting from the era of the Crusades, was built exclusively on robbery and robbery of other countries. In a nutshell - the Crusades, the colonization of Africa, Asia, America, two world wars. And the great navigators (Columbus, Magellan, Cook, etc.) were driven across the seas not by a thirst for knowledge of the world, but by an elementary search for someone else to rob. Europeans elegantly call this “bringing the light of civilization to backward peoples.” Or “promote democracy and fight totalitarian regimes.”
Nothing has changed at the beginning of the 21st century. Europe's tactics are changing, but not its strategy.

Until December 1812, no changes in the uniform were noted. Obviously, the events of the Patriotic War did not allow us to be distracted by uniform art.
Meanwhile, the course of the war showed that the existing two pioneer regiments were clearly not enough to provide engineering support for the army’s combat operations. On December 20, 1812, it was ordered to form an additional five pioneer battalions. On December 27, it was decided to bring these battalions into Sapper regiment.

It was immediately determined that the Sapper Regiment's uniform was similar to that of the Pioneer regiments, with a "three-light grenada" on the shako, and not a "one-fire grenada," as is the case with the pioneers. The shoulder straps of lower ranks and the epaulette field of officers are red. There is no information about any encryption on shoulder straps or epaulettes. Obviously there were none, since the Sapper Regiment was the only one. In addition, the officers received buttonholes on their cuffs and collars, like those of the officers of the Corps of Engineers.

Let us recall that since February 1811, the trousers of the chief officers of the pioneer regiments and the Engineering Corps have been green, while the rest of the ranks have remained white for summer and gray for winter. Consequently, the same is true for the ranks of the Sapper Regiment.

In the picture on the right: staff captain of the Sapper Regiment. The rank here can be determined by the officer's badge (gorget) on the chest near the collar. The silver field and golden rim and eagle indicated the rank of staff captain. Note that the gorget was worn only on official occasions in the ranks. The rest of the time, it was impossible to determine the specific rank of the officer. Epaulets indicated only the category - chief officer, staff officer or general.

So, in December 1812, both pioneer regiments had a “one-fire grenada” on their shakos, and the Sapper Regiment had a “three-fire grenada.” Officers of the Corps of Engineers and all generals associated with the engineering troops wore a hat. The lower ranks of the Engineering Corps had a “one-fire grenade” on their shako.

In the picture on the right:
1. Shako badge of the Engineering Corps and Pioneer regiments.
3. Shako badge of the Sapper Regiment.
Below is the officer's badge (gorget) of a major in the engineering forces.

Colors of officer gorgets:
ensign - the whole badge is silver,
second lieutenant - the field of the badge and the eagle are silver, and the rim is gilded,
lieutenant - the field of the badge and the rim are silver, and the eagle is gilded,
staff captain - the field of the badge is silver, and the eagle and rim are gilded,
captain - the field of the badge is gilded, and the rim and eagle are silver,
major - the field of the badge and the rim are gilded, and the eagle is silver,
Lieutenant Colonel - the field of the badge and the eagle are gilded, and the rim is silver,
Colonel - the entire badge is completely gilded.
The generals did not have gorgets.

Regarding the pontooners, who were still on staff of artillery units and belonged not to the engineering troops, but to the artillery, the “Historical Description...” only states that they wear the uniform of army foot artillery. There is no indication of the color of the instrument metal. It can be assumed that the pontooners did not have any differences from the “pure artillerymen”, except that on the shoulder straps of the soldiers and the epaulettes of the officers, in addition to the company number, there was the letter “P”. For example - 2.P.

In the picture on the left: a non-commissioned officer of the army foot artillery in a uniform model 1812. Apparently the pontoon companies wore the same uniform. Pay attention to the shako sign - above the golden “grenada of one fire”, two crossed golden gun barrels.

The Patriotic War showed that not only infantry needed long-range firearms. On December 29, 1812, the lower ranks of the Sapper and both pioneer regiments (except for the lower ranks of the miner companies) were given dragoon-type guns.

On December 27, 1812, Emperor Alexander I ordered the formation Life Guards Sapper Battalion consisting of two sapper and two mining companies.

From the author. It is generally accepted, and this is written about in the few descriptions of the history of the engineering troops of the Russian Army, that at the end of 1812, Emperor Alexander I, admiring the military exploits of Russian sappers in the War of 1812, ordered the formation of the Sapper Life Guards as a reward and in recognition of the sappers’ merits battalion. Some authors, to further enhance the significance sapper exploits, they even write that supposedly one of the particularly distinguished sapper battalions was assigned to the guard.
Alas, everything is much more prosaic.
By the beginning of the war with Napoleon, the guard consisted of six infantry, six cavalry regiments, an artillery brigade and several battery artillery companies. Of these, the Guards Corps was formed for the duration of the war. And here it turned out that while the army corps has sapper and pioneer units, there are none for the guards corps. That's all. The emperor simply ordered the addition of an engineering unit to the guard.
The usual practice when forming a new unit (it still exists today) is to order to select for this battalion “from the pioneer companies of the army the best people and the most excellent officers.” But only a few officers and 120 lower ranks could be selected from the Active Army. And as usual, the commanders acted on the principle “God, it’s no good for us.” The rest of the personnel, about 600 people, were taken from the next recruiting class.
Battalion of participation in the foreign campaign of the Russian Army of 1813-14. didn't accept. During these years he only studied and prepared for service.

The uniform of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion, established for it during this formation, did not differ from the uniform of both pioneer and Sapper regiments, with the only difference being that a silver eagle was placed on the shako, sitting on crossed axes, and on the collar and cuffs of soldiers and non-commissioned officers there were given yellow guards buttonholes. The officers received sewing on their collars similar to that of the Guards artillery, but not gold, but silver.
The collars, unlike the army ones, were not cloth, but corduroy for lower ranks and velvet for officers.

In the photo on the left: the uniform of a soldier of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion mod. 1812 The buttonholes on the collar and cuffs are clearly visible. They are exactly yellow, and not white as one might expect.
Non-commissioned officers had one buttonhole on their collar, and not two like soldiers. This is due to the fact that a silver non-commissioned officer's braid ran along the front edge and top of the collar and there was simply no room on the collar for two buttonholes.
The shoulder straps are red without any encryption. Later, invoices will be placed on the shoulder straps of the 1st company as the patron company of the emperor metal imperial monograms.
The reader should pay attention to the color of the uniform. It's hard to call it green. It is rather gray with a greenish tint. However, this is not a sign of this particular battalion. The uniforms were thought to be green, but in reality they could range in color from almost black to grass green. It all depended on what shade of material the textile enterprises managed to produce.

In the photo on the right: a shako of a soldier of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion mod. 1812 The scales covering the chin strap are raised upward.

Perhaps for the first time crossed axes, as a sign of engineering troops appeared on the shako coat of arms of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion. The source indicates that for this battalion the shako coat of arms is a model of the Guards Infantry, but with two crossed axes at the bottom.

In the photo on the left: a shako of a non-commissioned officer of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion. Please note that the cutas tassels are not red. They are woven from strands of white, orange and black colors. This is another difference between non-commissioned officers and soldiers, along with a different type of burdock.
In addition, it wears a shako coat of arms of the 1816 model. It is somewhat different from the coat of arms mod. 1812 Pay attention to this.

The field of epaulettes of the officers of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion, as in the entire guard, did not have a colored field, but the color of instrument metal, i.e. silver The edging of the epaulette is red to match the color of the battalion soldier's shoulder straps. The kutas, etiquette, coat of arms and shako scales are silver.

In the picture on the right: a headquarters officer of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion in uniform mod. 1812 The uniform is green, the trousers, unlike those of the army sapper and pioneer officers, are not gray, but green, matching the color of the uniform. The figure also shows a sample of a staff officer's burdock on a shako, sewing on the collar and cuffs.

From the author. Sewing on the collar and cuffs was very expensive because threads made of natural silver were used, and the embroidery was done by female gold seamstresses, who charged a lot of money for their work. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the black velvet collar faded quite quickly and acquired a sloppy gray-brown color.
As Count Ignatiev recalls in his memoirs, guards embroidery on collars cost more than the entire set of army uniforms. Therefore, in most cases, officers wore frock coats or uniforms, which did not require expensive embroidery. Instead of expensive and uncomfortable shakos, they preferred either hats or caps.
So, in reality, the army did not look as brilliant and ceremonial as we are used to seeing in battle paintings and films.

Let us remind you once again that during the period under review it was impossible to distinguish between ranks in any way. Based on the details of the uniform, it was only possible to distinguish a non-commissioned officer from a soldier, a chief officer from a staff officer, and officers from generals. Neck officer badges (gorgets), by which it was possible to determine the rank of an officer, were worn only in the ranks.

Let's return to the army sappers and pioneers for the period after 1812. Until May 1814, no changes in the uniform were noted.

1814 -1816.

On May 20, 1814, the officers of Sapperny, both pioneer regiments and the Life Guards of the Sapper Battalion had their gray traveling leggings with buttons and leather trim replaced with gray traveling leggings without leather trimming. Black double stripes with red piping between them were added to the leggings. The same change was made to the uniform of Corps of Engineers officers.

In the picture on the left: chief officer of the Sapper Regiment in uniform and leggings mod. 1814 The officers of the pioneer regiments had a similar uniform, except that they did not have buttonholes on the collar, and on the shako the grenade had one fire, not three.

On January 27, 1816, in Saperny and both pioneer regiments, red etiquettes and kutas were replaced with white ones.

On March 9, 1816, the lower ranks of the army sapper and pioneer battalions were replaced with dark green trousers. In addition, in addition to the battalion number, the shoulder straps of the lower ranks are made of yellow cord, and the epaulettes of officers made of silver cord are now ordered to have letters. In the engineer battalions the letters S.B., and in the pioneer battalions the letters P.B.
For example, the 2nd engineer battalion - 2.S.B., the 6th pioneer battalion - 6.P.B. Please note that numbers and letters must be separated by dots.

From the author. Today, at the beginning of the 21st century, body armor has suddenly become very popular. Printed and Internet publications are simply full of descriptions and images of various types of body armor. They are given today almost more attention than any other items of military equipment. The idea is literally driven into people’s heads that body armor is a panacea for all weapons, from pistol weapons to heavy machine gun bullets. They say that without a bulletproof vest, a soldier is naked and defenseless, and in it he does not care about any enemy fire.
Alas, body armor is far from new. They were worn by heavy cavalry soldiers back in the 18th century. Only then the body armor was called a cuirass, and heavy cavalrymen were called cuirassiers.
And any war showed that their benefits were much less than expected, and they quietly and imperceptibly left the arena, but returned to them again before a new war or already during it. This was the case in both the First World War and the Second.
The book "Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops. Part ten" describes the sapper cuirass and sapper helmet, adopted by the Russian Army on March 9, 1816. Each sapper company was required to have six cuirasses and six helmets. The book does not mention when these cuirasses disappeared into oblivion again.
23 May 1816 On the shako, the officers of the sapper and pioneer battalions have shako insignia in the form of a grenada with one (in the pioneer) and a grenade with three lights (sapper) are given a single shako insignia in the form of a white metal shield (silver), crowned with an imperial crown and a star of the Order of St. St. Andrew the First-Called on the shield. From below two crossed axes.

In the picture on the left: a headquarters officer of a sapper battalion in a uniform model 1816. To the right is the shako sign itself.

Thus, from the spring of 1816, crossed axes forever became the distinctive sign of the engineering troops. Still as an element of the shako sign. Let me remind you that crossed axes appeared on the shako coat of arms of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion in December 1812.

The same sign was given to the shako of all lower ranks of sapper battalions (only sapper battalions!) on September 26, 1817.

In pioneer battalions, lower ranks on shakos must still wear a one-light grenade in pioneer companies and a three-light grenade in sapper companies of pioneer battalions

From the author. The division into pioneers and sappers in the engineering troops is akin to the division of light cavalry into lancers and hussars. Both perform the same tasks here and there. The only differences are in the name and form of clothing.

Why am I describing in such detail and scrupulously all the changes that took place in the uniform? On the one hand, in order to enable historians, and in general, interested people, to more accurately date and identify paintings depicting soldiers and officers of the Russian Army. In those days, artists carefully drew all the elements and details of uniforms, which today makes it possible to determine with sufficient confidence who exactly is depicted in the picture and even more accurately determine the time of its painting.
And I note that having an officer rank for a nobleman in those days was as indispensable an element of image as having a son today for a new Russian. studying at Cambridge. Any aristocrat, introducing himself to a new acquaintance, would certainly say “retired lieutenant Count Tolstoy.”
On the other hand, I want to clearly show that uniform games were a favorite pastime of Russian emperors, and today Russian presidents. Let us remember what happened to army uniforms in the nineties and two thousand years of the XX-XXI centuries. The army, thanks to the cares of the first president of Russia, was dying and falling apart before our eyes, the soldiers had nothing to eat, there was nothing to dress them in, there was no fuel for the equipment, and the Minister of Defense P. Grachev proudly demonstrated new models of uniforms and joyfully announced that in its Famous fashion designers Zaitsev and Yudashkin took part in the creation, and 40 institutes worked on the development.

To ease costs, officers were allowed to have a shako badge not made of silver, but made of tinplate. Also have a silver etiquette, kutas, and the buttonholes on the collars are not silver, but made of bleached cord and braid.

1817 -1821.

January 11, 1817 The sapper and two pioneer regiments are disbanded and instead of them two sapper battalions and seven pioneer battalions are formed. The uniform remains the same, and in all battalions the shoulder straps are red, and on the shakos in the pioneer battalions “grenada with one fire”, and in the sapper battalions “grenada with three lights”.

On September 26, 1817, the shako badge of all lower ranks of engineer battalions was given a shako badge, established for officers on May 23, 1816. In pioneer battalions, the shako badge of lower ranks did not change (Grenada about one fire).

On August 23, 1918, the shoulder straps of the lower ranks of engineer and pioneer battalions were ordered to be shoulder length (from the place where the sleeve is sewn in to the collar), and 1.25 inches wide (5.6 cm). The color of the shoulder strap is red. The battalion number (encryption) is slotted with the height of the numbers and letters 1 vershok (4.4 cm) high at a distance of 0.5 vershok (2.2 cm) from the lower edge of the shoulder strap, and yellow cloth is placed underneath.

At the time of introduction of this sample, the encryption shoulder straps could have been as follows:
- for engineer battalions 1.S.B. and 2.S.B.
-for pioneer battalions 1.P.B., 2.P.B., 3.P.B., 4.P.B., 5.P.B., 6.P.B., 7.P. B., 8.P.B.

The same shoulder straps are assigned to the Life Guards Sapper Battalion, but without any encryption...

On January 22, 1819, burrs were installed on the shakos of battalion soldiers:
- in all sapper battalions the burdocks are red,
- in the sapper platoons of the pioneer battalions, the burdocks are red, in the mine platoons of the pioneer battalions, the burdocks are yellow.
In the Life Guards Sapper Battalion, all lower ranks are ordered to wear only red burdocks.

All non-commissioned officers have burdocks divided into four sectors. The upper and lower sectors are gray, the side sectors are white.

In the picture on the right: a pioneer battalion sapper in a shako mod. 1819 Let me remind you that since January 1816, the etiquettes and kutas in the sapper and pioneer battalions were not red, but white.

From the author. It is worth recalling that in the 19th century the mining industry was significantly different from the modern one. Today, a miner is someone who installs mines of various types (anti-tank, anti-personnel, etc.) and with their help creates minefields (minefields). In the 18th-19th centuries, neither such mines nor such minefields existed. The task of the miners was to build tunnels (underground passages) under fortifications (fortresses, forts, etc.) in order to produce an underground explosion and thereby bring down the wall or tower of the fortress and destroy the earthen rampart of the structure. Figuratively speaking, miners are military miners.
By the way, the word “mine” itself has long been synonymous with the word “mine”. In English and German, the word mine is still translated as mine. The word landmine is usually used to refer to mines as such.

On May 12, 1817, all ranks of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion were ordered to have a black lapel with red piping on their uniform. For lower ranks the lapel is velvet, for officers it is velvet.
Color of uniforms. coats and trousers are dark green.

In the fragment of the picture, from left to right, are the ranks of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion: non-commissioned officer sapper, soldier miner, staff officer in uniform and staff officer in a frock coat.
A non-commissioned officer in winter trousers, over which black leather leggings are worn. The galloons on the collar and cuff are clearly visible. It can be seen that there is only one buttonhole on the collar.
The soldier was wearing white summer trousers, which were worn over boots, and the “porches” covered the toes of the boots.
A staff officer in a uniform and white summer trousers. Shoes - high boots. The officer is belted with an officer's scarf.
The uniforms of all three have a black lapel edged with red piping. Accordingly, the buttons are spread out to the edges of the lapel.

Staff officer in a frock coat. There is no silver embroidery on the collar. It's not supposed to be on him. On the head is a hat, which was worn with a frock coat.

From the author. Pay attention to the frock coat. The fact that this is a headquarters officer of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion is indicated only by epaulettes with a silver, not a red field. In all other respects, this is an ordinary frock coat of sapper and pioneer officers. It was worn in the vast majority of cases. In everyday life (out of formation and out of service), a frock coat replaced the uniform, and being lined with cotton wool or even fur, replaced the overcoat. A frock coat is much looser in the chest than a uniform. It can be worn without an officer's scarf. The hat is softer, lighter and warmer than a shako. In addition, instead of a hat, a cap could be worn outside of service. This is approximately the same as a modern officer’s cap, only the band and crown are soft, there are no badges, badges, badges, straps, etc. on the cap.
Also note that the officers have spurs on their boots. They are reserved only for staff officers, since they are the only ones who ride on horseback in the ranks. Chief officers are not given spurs.

On January 22, 1819, another guards engineering unit was formed - Life Guards Cavalry Pioneer Squadron.

From the author. In 1822, a similar army engineering unit, the 1st Cavalry Pioneer Squadron, would be formed. Both squadrons would exist until 1862 and would disbanded, leaving practically no memory of themselves, except for differences in uniform.
It is difficult to say what caused the creation of such exotic formations. The 1982 edition of the Engineering Troops textbook indicates that in 1812, before the autumn counter-offensive of the Russian Army, the Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal His Serene Highness Prince M.I. Kuzuzov-Golenishchev ordered the head of military communications of the 1st Western Army, General P.N. Ivashov, to create a team of 600 mounted warriors (obviously from the militia personnel), who, moving ahead of the army, would quickly repair roads and bridges. The textbook claims that these were the first cavalry pioneer squadrons. In modern language, “traffic support units” (TSD). The actions of these detachments were not reflected in the history of the Patriotic War and we know nothing about what role they played.
But obviously the idea of ​​mobile engineering units did not die with the end of the war, and by 1819, enthusiasts of this cause obtained consent from the emperor to form one guards and one army cavalry pioneer squadrons. Perhaps as experimental parts. But the idea was never developed.

When forming, the Guards Cavalry Pioneers were given the following uniform:
- the uniform is completely similar to the uniform of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion,
- on the shako there is a yellow burdock and a yellow pom-pom of a pyramidal shape,
- gray flaps on the collars of the overcoat,
- waist belt for saber.

In the picture on the left: a non-commissioned officer and staff officer of the Life Guards cavalry pioneer squadron in uniform mod. 1819

Leggings, as in all engineering units (since 1814), are gray with black double stripes with a red edging between them. Unlike other engineering units, the Guards cavalry pioneers were given sabers (cavalry model 1817) and pistols instead of guns.

May 1, 1824 the pyramidal pompoms of the Guards equestrian pioneers will be replaced with spherical ones.

From the author. And about the stripes. Our uniform enthusiasts were under the impression that double stripes belonged exclusively to the general’s uniform. This is true, but only for the Red (Soviet, modern Russian) Army. And even then only from the middle of 1940. In the Russian Tsarist Army, double stripes in the 19th century were simply a decoration for the uniform of even ordinary soldiers. They will eventually disappear from soldiers' and officers' pants. Only the generals will have it. But more on that in future articles.
I note that during the Second World War in the Wehrmacht, in addition to generals, double stripes were also worn by officers of the General Staff of any rank. So stripes are not proof that a Red Army soldier captured a Nazi general. The prisoner could well have turned out to be just a major of the General Staff. However, for this the soldier was also entitled to the Order of Glory.

Let us recall once again that as of 1817, the engineering service included:
- Life Guards Sapper Battalion,
- two sapper battalions,
-seven pioneer battalions.

These are military units. In addition, the service included the so-called. Engineering Corps. Actually, it did not exist as a military formation. This is basically a collective name for conductors and officers of engineering service specialists who served under the heads of garrisons and commandants of fortresses and who performed engineering support tasks (maintaining fortifications, bridges and roads in garrisons, counter-mine measures in fortresses). They are subordinate to serf engineering teams, information about the uniform of which could not be found.

The uniform of conductors and officers of the Engineering Corps was generally similar to the uniform of military engineering units, but had its own characteristics. It is simply impossible to describe all the small and almost monthly changes. Let's focus on the larger and more noticeable ones.

On July 4, 1817, the uniforms of officers and generals of the Corps of Engineers were changed. Now they are dark green single-breasted with 9 buttons and red piping along the collar, cuffs, along the side and tail.

In the picture on the right: a headquarters officer of the Corps of Engineers in uniform mod. 1817 Let us remember that their instrument metal is silver, the headdress is still a hat (since 1809 in engineering In military units, the hat is worn only with a frock coat, and the combat headdress is a shako).

In general, during the period under review, officers can be distinguished from each other by the collars of their uniforms (uniforms, but not frock coats!):
- in the Life Guards Sapper Battalion there is special sewing on the collar,
-in the army pioneer and sapper battalions there is nothing on the collar,
-in the Engineering Corps there are two silver buttonholes on the collar.

In the portrait on the left: a general of the Engineering Corps in a uniform mod. 1817 . The uniform appears black, but is believed to be dark green.

From the author. But in general, to be honest, the uniform is really black with a green tint. The fact is that black textile paint of that time was quite resistant to fading, while green, even dark, quickly lost its color and the uniform acquired a sloppy brownish-gray tint. And fabrics that were woven on hand looms were very, very expensive. Even for generals, the frequent sewing of uniforms (which in itself was also not cheap, since sewing machines did not exist and were sewn by hand) placed a heavy burden on the personal budget.

On September 26, 1817, the uniform of conductors and cadets of the Engineering Corps was changed. They received a single-breasted uniform and an infantry-style shako. On the shako there is a non-commissioned officer's burr, grenade about one fire. The label and coat are white. dark green single-breasted uniform with 9 buttons. The collar is black corduroy with red trim and non-commissioned officer silver braid. Red shoulder straps without encryption. Dark green trousers with leather leggings.

In the picture on the right: a conductor of the Engineering Corps in uniform mod. 1817

Explanation.
The conductor is a specialist of the Engineering Corps of non-commissioned officer rank. They performed the same duties as corps officers, but usually served in small garrisons where it was not practical to have an extra officer. Or, on the contrary, they were assistants to engineering officers in large fortresses or garrisons.
Students of the Engineering School, which trained officers of the engineering troops, were also called conductors. They wore the uniform of Corps of Engineers conductors.
Junkers were the name given to nobles who voluntarily entered service in engineering military units as lower ranks. After several years of service and appropriate training, they were awarded the rank of officer.
Students of military educational institutions would be called cadets only in 1864.
End of explanation.

August 23, 1818 Conductors are equipped with red shoulder straps, shoulder length and 1.25 inches wide (5.6 cm).

On January 1, 1819, the officers of the Engineering Corps were divided into field engineers (serve under the commanders of infantry regiments and divisions) and garrison engineers (serve under the commanders of garrisons and commandants of fortresses). At the same time, the field engineers were left with the same uniform of the officers of the Corps of Engineers, and the silver buttonholes were removed from the collars of the garrison officers. In addition, the garrison engineers' epaulettes are not silver, but black cloth.

On September 22, 1819, all officers and generals of the Engineering Corps were ordered to wear a hat not “from the field,” but “in the field,” i.e. angle forward.

In the picture on the left: a general of the Engineering Corps in a hat “in the field”, and in the upper right corner a chief officer in a hat “in the field”.

1822 -1825.

Let's return to the army sappers and pioneers.

On January 17, 1822, it was prescribed that the pioneer and sapper battalions should wear round pom-poms on their shakos above the burrs (pyramidal in the Life Guards Cavalry Pioneer Squadron) of the following colors:

-lower ranks of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion, army sapper battalions - red,
- the lower ranks of engineer platoons of army pioneer battalions are red,
-lower ranks of the Life Guards of the horse-pioneer squadron, mine platoons of army pioneer battalions - yellow.

On January 23, 1822, it was prescribed that all pioneer battalions in all companies should have a grenade with three lights on their shakos, and crossed axes under it. Until this day, in the pioneer companies of the pioneer battalions, servicemen had to carry a grenada with one fire, and in the sapper companies of the pioneer battalions, a grenade with three lights.
Let us recall that since 1817, engineer battalions have worn a shako badge in the form of a white metal shield (silver), crowned with an imperial crown and a star of the Order of St. St. Andrew the First-Called on the shield. On the bottom of the shield are two crossed axes.

Thus, in January 1822 crossed axes themselves become a sign of engineering troops. For now, as a separate element of the shako sign.

In the picture on the right: a soldier of a sapper platoon (this is indicated by a red pom-pom) of a pioneer battalion in a shako model 1822. In the lower right corner is the shako emblem of the pioneer battalions model 1822.

April 20, 1822 all eight pontoon companies, which were previously included in the artillery, were disbanded, and their personnel and equipment were used to form pontoon units in engineer battalions. Thus, from this time on, the pontooners were finally transferred to the engineering department and wear the uniform of sapper battalions.

21 April 182 The 2nd Engineer Battalion was reorganized as the Engineer Training Battalion, with the mission of training non-commissioned officers and conductors for engineer units and the Corps of Engineers, as well as training drummers and signalmen. The uniform of the lower ranks remains unchanged, with the exception that the shoulder straps of the lower ranks are red and trimmed with yellow basson with red stitching, and the officers have epaulettes not with a red field, but with a silver one, as in the Life Guards Sapper Battalion.

In the picture on the right: shoulder straps of the lower rank of the Combat Engineer Training Battalion.

On April 21, 1822, the 1st Sapper Battalion, renamed the Sapper Battalion of the Grenadier Corps, was ordered to wear encryption on its shoulder straps in the form of the letter “C” instead of the previously established “1.S.”

On August 2, 1822, a new type of army engineering unit was formed - 1st cavalry pioneer squadron. It would remain the only army cavalry pioneer squadron until its disbandment in 1862. In the Life Guards, a similar squadron was formed back in 1819.

When forming, the army cavalry pioneers were given the following uniform:
-a single-breasted dark green uniform with a black collar and cuffs (whereas in the rest of the engineering troops the uniforms are double-breasted),
- edgings and edgings are white (whereas in the rest of the engineering troops they are red),
-white shoulder straps with yellow number 1. Officers' epaulette field is white, number 1 is silver,
- dark green trousers lined with leather on the inside, with black double stripes with a red edging between them,
-shako with yellow burdock and yellow pyramidal pompom.

In the picture on the left: soldiers and chief officer of the army cavalry pioneer squadron in uniform model 1822.

The shako badge of the grenadier pattern is silver with crossed axes superimposed on it. It is significantly similar to the shako badge of engineer battalions mod. 1816-17, but the axes were moved to the tower and a grenade was added below about one fire.

Cavalry saber model 1817, pistols, a belt with a blade for a bayonet scabbard, a carbine with a bayonet are the same as that of mounted rangers.

May 1, 1824 The yellow pyramidal pompoms of the army equestrian pioneers will be replaced with yellow spherical ones.

In 1823, a battalion was formed, which was first (February 21) named as the Pioneer battalion of a separate Lithuanian corps, on August 14 it was renamed the 9th Pioneer battalion, and on September 19 the Lithuanian Pioneer battalion.

On August 14, 1823, the 9th Pioneer Battalion was ordered to have uniforms modeled on the uniforms of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion (with a black lapel with red piping), but without buttonholes (sewing) on ​​the collar. The flaps on the sleeves are red, not green (as is established for the rest of the pioneer battalions. In addition, instead of leather leggings, this battalion is ordered to wear black cloth boots (actually the same leggings, but not leather, but cloth). The battalion is not given shakos red and white pompoms

On September 19, 1823, due to the renaming of the 9th Pioneer Battalion into the Lithuanian Pioneer Battalion, the code “9.P.” was prescribed on epaulettes and shoulder straps. replace with encryption "L.P."

On November 24, 1823, all pioneer battalions were ordered to have white pom-poms on their shakos rather than red ones.

Thus, from November 24, 1823, the colors of pom-poms on shakos are:
- officers of the Life Guards Sapper Battalion, Life Guards Cavalry Pioneer Squadron, Army Sapper and Pioneer battalions - silver,
-lower ranks of army sapper battalions are red,
-the lower ranks of the army pioneer battalions are white.

From the author. Please note - in January 1822, pom-poms were introduced on shakos and their colors were established. And already in November 1823, the colors of the pom-poms changed. And I’m not yet describing all sorts of small changes like the length and color of the lapels of the coat tails, their edging and lining, the colors of the drumsticks and their place on the pantaler. I don’t touch at all on the differences between the musicians’ uniforms and everyone else. Which uniform historian is able to track all these changes?

May 1, 1824 in all engineering troops the appearance of the etiquette is changing. It becomes significantly wider. This is perhaps the only noticeable change in form this year.

On March 29, 1825, the lower ranks received yellow stripes on the left sleeve of their uniform for their blameless service:
-one badge for 10 years of service,
-two stripes for 15 years,
-three stripes in 20 years

Until the end of 1825, there were no more significant changes in the uniform of the engineering troops. I would like to note that as of the end of 1825. The uniforms of all ranks of the army sapper and pioneer battalions were double-breasted, the Life Guards of the Sapper Battalion, the Life Guards of the Mounted Pioneer Squadron and the Lithuanian Pioneer Battalion were double-breasted with a black lapel. The uniforms of the ranks of the Engineering Corps and the army cavalry pioneer battalion are single-breasted.

Literature.

1. I. Ulyanov. History of Russian troops. Regular infantry. 1801-1855. Moscow. AST.1996.
2. L.E.Shepelev. Titles, uniforms, orders. The science. Leningrad.1991.
3. S. Okhlyabinin. Esprit de corps. Ranks, traditions, faces. Russian army from Peter I to Nicholas II. Republic". Moscow. 1994.
4. A.S. Domank. Badges of military valor. Publishing house DOSAAF USSR. Moscow.1990.
5.A.I.Begunova. From chain mail to uniform. Education. Moscow.1993. .
6.M.M.Khrenov and others. Military clothing of the Russian army. Military publishing house. Moscow.1994.
7.V.M.Glinka. Russian military costume of the 18th – early 20th centuries. Artist of the RSFSR. Leningrad. 1988.
8. L.V. Belovitsky. With a Russian warrior through the centuries. Education. Moscow, 1992
9.V.N.Zemtsov, V.A.Lyapin. Yekaterinburg in uniform. Middle Ural book publishing house. Ekaterinburg. 1992
10.G.I.Meerovich. Uniform of the Russian army 1797-1801. (set of postcards). Art. Moscow, 1991
11. V. Semenov. Russian military uniform of the 19th century (set of postcards). Art. Moscow. 1985
12.Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops. Part eight. Kuchkovo field. Moscow. 2011
13. Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops. Part ten. Kuchkovo field. Moscow. 2012
14. Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops. Part twelve. Kuchkovo field. Moscow. 2013
15. Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops. Part ten. St. Petersburg. 1900.
16. Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops. Part twelve. St. Petersburg. 1900.
17. Historical description of clothing and weapons of the Russian troops. Part sixteen. St. Petersburg. 1901.
18. P.I. Biryukov and others. Engineering troops. Military publishing house. Moscow. 1982
19. A.N.Kulinsky. Russian edged weapons of military, naval and civil ranks 1800-1917. Magic-Press. Saint Petersburg. 1994

As I already said, Napoleon's Grand Army was multinational. In 1812, it had a significant number of foreign contingents (historians still argue about the number of foreign soldiers who took part in the campaign to Russia in 1812: some put the figure at 30-40% of foreign soldiers from the total army, others bring their numbers even up to 50%). Some foreign soldiers joined the French army voluntarily, others were subjects of states allied to France or its satellites, forcibly obliged to supply Napoleon with their military contingents.

The fighting qualities of the foreign contingents of the French army were different: Poles and Italians were considered good soldiers. The Germans, divided at that time into many small states, fought unequally: the inhabitants of some lands were considered excellent soldiers, while others, on the contrary, were very bad.

FRANCE'S ALLIES IN 1812-13

Below is information only about the armies of those countries allied to Napoleon that participated in the campaign to Russia. Countries that did not supply soldiers to the Grand Army, or whose soldiers did not participate in the invasion of Russia, but fought in other areas, are not included in this list.

AUSTRIA
Throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. Austria and Russia were allies, but France, with the beginning of the revolution in this country, became a common enemy for Austria and Russia. However, a series of severe defeats left Austria dependent on Napoleon, as a result of which the Austrians were forced to take part in the invasion of Russia in 1812. For this purpose, the infantry corps of Field Marshal Schwarzenberg was allocated, which included 12 line infantry regiments (+2 grenadier battalions) and 1 light infantry regiment (+2 jäger battalions). The cavalry of the corps consisted of 2 dragoon, 2 light horse and 3 hussar regiments. Moreover, all parts of the Austrian Empire were divided into two types: “German” regiments, recruited specifically from Austrians, and “Hungarian” regiments, recruited in Hungary, which was part of the empire, and other regions of the “patchwork” state.
Schwarzenberg's corps operated in the southern direction against the corps of Tormasov and Chichagov. Having pushed the Russians back to Brest-Litovsk, Schwarzenberg occupied Bialystok and stopped, effectively ceasing hostilities against Russia. When the French retreated from Moscow in December 1812, after negotiations with the Russians, Schwarzenter left Bialystok without a fight, and in January 1812, he also surrendered Warsaw to the Russians without a fight. After Napoleon's defeat in Russia, in the summer of 1813, Austria joined the anti-French coalition, and Field Marshal Prince Schwarzenberg was appointed generalissimo of all allied forces.


Austrian infantry: grenadiers of the "Hungarian" infantry regiment

Austrian infantry: fusiliers of the "German" infantry regiment

Austrian Dragoons of the Duke of Tuscany's Regiment (a trumpeter in the foreground)

BAVARIA
The Kingdom of Bavaria joined the alliance with Napoleon in 1806 after Austria's defeat at Austerlitz. In 1806, when Bavaria entered into an alliance with France, it placed 10 line regiments under Napoleon's banner; by 1811 their number had increased to 13. In addition, 6 battalions of light Bavarian infantry entered Russia as part of the French army. As for cavalry, in 1806 2 Bavarian dragoon and 4 Bavarian light cavalry regiments joined the French. In 1811, the dragoon regiments were reorganized into light-horse regiments, and in 1812, 6 Bavarian light-horse regiments entered Russia.
In 1812, Bavarian troops actively participated in Napoleon's campaign in Russia; they made up the 6th Corps of General Saint-Cyr (central direction). At the end of 1813, after the defeat of the French at Leipzig, Bavaria went over to the side of the anti-Napoleonic coalition, thanks to which it retained most of its territorial acquisitions.

Bavarian infantrymen: grenadier of the 4th regiment, private of the 2nd regiment, non-commissioned officer of the 11th infantry regiment

Bavarian cavalry: cuirassier, lancer, light cavalry, hussar

BADEN
The Duchy of Baden found itself in Napoleon's path in his fight against Austria; in order not to be crushed and destroyed by a formidable enemy, Duke Karl-Friedrich of Baden, after the defeat of Austria at Marengo (1801), went over to the side of France, and already as an ally of Napoleon took part in the Battle of Austerlitz (1805).
In 1812, the Duchy of Baden sent 4 linear infantry regiments, a chasseur battalion and 2 light dragoon regiments to Napoleon's troops. These units entered the 9th Corps of Marshal Victor. At first, this corps provided security for the communications of the Napoleonic army, but when the French retreated from Russia, it was brought into the first line and repelled the attacks of Russian troops at the Berezina. At the same time, the Baden units suffered huge losses - only 1,500 people were able to return to their homeland...


Baden infantry: privates of the 3rd and 1st line regiments, voltigeur of the light battalion

BERG AND KLEVE
The Grand Duchy of Berg was an artificial formation established in 1806 by Napoleon as a “buffer zone” between France and Prussia. Initially, this duchy was headed by Joachim Murat, who sent 4 infantry and 1 cavalry regiment (the guards regiment of the Berg Light Horse, consisting of only 2 squadrons) under the banner of Napoleon. This cavalry regiment escorted Joseph Bonaparte in Spain, and in 1808 was included in imperial guard. Subsequently, Murat became the King of Naples, and Napoleon's young nephew, Napoleon-Louis, was appointed Duke of Berg.
Berg's army was too small to represent an independent force, so Berg's units were part of larger formations operating in Spain and Russia.

Infantry of the Duchy of Berg and Kleve

GRAND DUKY OF WARSAW
At the beginning of the 18th century, the Kingdom of Poland was one of the largest in Europe, but by the end of the century, the weakened state, torn by internal contradictions, collapsed and was divided between its neighbors: Austria, Prussia and Russia. Polish patriots who wanted to restore their statehood sought support from revolutionary France, and then from Napoleon Bonaparte, who destroyed precisely those countries between which Poland was divided. Therefore, since revolutionary times, the French army included many Poles who united into national units and fought bravely on the side of the French. After the defeat of Prussia in the fall of 1806, Napoleon created the Grand Duchy of Warsaw on the Polish lands taken from Prussia, which became a buffer state between France and Russia. This encouraged Polish patriots that after the defeat of Russia it would be possible to restore Poland to its previous extent, and therefore the armed forces of the new state happily joined the Great Army. Most of the Polish units were included in Poniatowski's 5th Infantry Corps, but other corps of the French army also included Polish units, which were often the most combat-ready groups of these corps. Moreover, in the Russian campaign, the Poles especially proved themselves in two directions at once: the most courageous and assertive in battle, they were at the same time the most cruel robbers and marauders, about which there is a lot of evidence from contemporaries.
In 1812, the French army included 1 Uhlan Guards Regiment (in the Old Guard), 17 Polish and 7 Lithuanian infantry regiments, as well as 20 cavalry regiments, which were not only sabers and pikes, but also the “eyes and ears” of Napoleonic troops
Unlike most of France's allies, the Poles remained loyal to Napoleon until the very end - they continued to fight in the ranks of the French army and die for the emperor even in his last battle at Waterloo...

Infantrymen of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw: sapper and fusilier of the Vistula Legion

Ulan Cavalry of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw

WESTPHALIA
The Kingdom of Westphalia was created by Napoleon for his brother Jerome Bonaparte in 1807 from territories seized from Hanover, Prussia and Hesse.
Jerome Bonaparte was able to place under the banner of his brother 8 regiments of linear infantry, 4 regiments of light infantry and an incomplete regiment of the Royal Guard, consisting of grenadier, jäger and carabinieri battalions. Most of these units were part of Jerome Bonaparte's 8th Infantry Corps.
The Westphalian cavalry consisted of guards and army units. The army cavalry included 2 cuirassier regiments (created in 1808 and 1810), 2 hussar regiments, and 1 light horse regiment (in October 1812, the 2nd light horse regiment was formed on paper). The guard included a horse guards squadron and 3 light horse squadrons (from 1811 - pikemen or lancers), as well as a French hussar regiment, called "Jerome Napoleon's Hussars". After the collapse of the Kingdom of Westphalia, this regiment joined the ranks of the French army as the 13th Hussars. On March 25, 1814, under Ferchampenoise, this regiment was completely destroyed.

Officer and soldier of the Westphalian infantry regiment

Private in the Hussars of Jerome Napoleon (later the 13th Hussars of France)

WURTEMBERG
The troops of the Electorate of Württemberg joined Napoleon in 1806. They participated under French banners in the Battle of Austerlitz, and for this Napoleon declared Württemberg a kingdom, increasing the territory of this state.
Württemberg placed 8 line regiments under the banner of Napoleon (in the French army they received numbers from No. 1 to No. 8, although in their homeland they had a different numbering). The Württemberg light infantry consisted of 2 jäger regiments and 2 light infantry battalions, which were combined into one regiment in 1813. In the French army they received the traditional numbering from No. 1, although in their homeland they had different numbers.
The Württemberg cavalry consisted of guards and army units. The Guard included 1 Guards Light Horse and 2 Guards Horse-Jager Regiments (one of which was called the Guide Regiment). The immediate protection of King Frederick of Württemberg was carried out by a Life Guards regiment and 2 squadrons of mounted grenadiers. The army cavalry included 2 light horse regiments, 2 horse-chasseurs and 2 dragoon regiments.
After the Battle of Leipzig at the end of 1813, Württemberg went over to the side of the anti-Napoleonic coalition.

Württemberg infantry: soldiers of the 1st and 8th line regiments, a light regiment chasseur and a soldier of the 1st line regiment in 1813 uniform

Württemberg Cavalry: guide, horse guard, horse grenadier

HESSEN-DARMSTADT
Just like other German rulers, Landgrave Ludwig of Hesse joined Napoleon in 1806 after Austerlitz. Basically, Hessian troops as part of Napoleonic army took part in the fighting in Spain and Russia. After Napoleon's defeat in Russia, the Landgrave of Hesse left his ally at the end of 1813 and went over to the side of the anti-Napoleonic coalition.
The Hessian infantry consisted of 2 guards and 1 army regiment, formed according to the French model from the previously existing three infantry brigades. The Hessian cavalry consisted of the 1st Guards and 1st Light Horse Regiment.

Hesse-Darmstadt infantry: corporal of the Grenadier Regiment and officer of the Life Guards Regiment

HOLLAND
The Kingdom of Holland existed from 1806 to 1810 (before that the state was called the Austrian Netherlands, and since 1794 - the Batavian Republic). For several centuries, the Dutch economically and militarily opposed England, which in the mid-18th century was able to push Holland into the background. This was precisely the reason for the alliance between Holland and France, which also sought to undermine the power of the British Empire. The result of the union was the transformation of Holland into a kingdom, whose ruler was Napoleon's younger brother Louis. However, Louis became proud of his position and tried to rule on his own, regardless of his brother’s interests. As a result, in 1810, Napoleon deposed Louis, annexed Holland to France, and merged its troops with the French. All this displeased the Dutch, who even rebelled against Napoleon in 1813, and in 1815, during the Battle of Waterloo, they made up a significant part of the Duke of Wellington's British troops.
At the time of the annexation of Holland to France, the Dutch troops consisted of 1 Guards Grenadier Regiment (incorporated into Napoleon's Old Guard), 2 Guards Cavalry Regiments (united by Napoleon into 1 Pike Regiment), 8 line infantry and 2 light infantry regiments, as well as 3 cavalry regiments .

Dutch infantry: fusiliers and grenadiers (in bearskin hats)

SPAIN
In 1812, intense fighting took place in Spain between the French, British and Spanish armies, in which Spanish partisans also took an active part. Therefore, all the military contingents of the Spanish army were occupied in their homeland. As part of the Grand Army, only 2 Spanish military units entered Russia: the King Joseph Infantry Regiment and the Pioneer Battalion. These units fought in the battles of Borodino and Krasnoye.

Spanish infantry: grenadier of King Joseph's regiment and officer of the physioles

ITALIAN KINGDOM
The Kingdom of Italy was formed by Napoleon in 1805 by merging the territories of Lombardy, the Caesalpine, Cispadan and Venetian Republics, as well as areas of South Tyrol. Bonaparte's stepson Eugene (Eugene) Beauharnais became the king of the new state, and he set about creating the Italian army. By 1812, this army included 2 guards infantry regiments, 2 guards cavalry regiments, 20 line infantry regiments, 10 light infantry regiments and 10 cavalry regiments. Most of these units took part in the campaign to Russia in 1812 as part of the 4th Infantry Corps of Beauharnais; The Italians have proven themselves well in numerous battles.

Italian infantry: army grenadier, chasseur (chasseur), army grenadier officer and guard grenadier (bearskin hat)

KINGDOM OF NAPLES
In 1806, Napoleon overthrew King Ferdinand from the Neapolitan throne and appointed his elder brother Joseph king of Naples, but in 1808 he “transferred” Joseph to the Spanish throne, and made his brother-in-law Joachim Murat king of Naples.
When creating the army, Joseph was faced with the problem of a small number of volunteers willing to take arms. Joseph found an original way out of this situation: his army included a significant number of criminals who were willing to do anything just to get out from behind bars. Therefore, Murat, who subsequently became the head of Naples, was never able to completely eradicate the predatory traditions of his army until the very end of the Napoleonic wars. The general conscription introduced in 1809 only aggravated the situation: in fact, the robber units of Naples were replenished with people who evaded service and only dreamed of desertion. All this, naturally, did not increase the combat effectiveness of the Neapolitan army.
In general, by 1812, the Neapolitan army consisted of 2 guards infantry regiments and 1 guards cavalry regiment, 8 line regiments and 4 light infantry regiments, as well as 3 light cavalry regiments. Some of these regiments were part of the 33rd Division in the 11th Corps of Marshal Augereau and were mainly engaged in guarding communication lines.
After the defeat of the French in Russia and the creation of a new anti-Napoleonic coalition, Murat began negotiations with the Austrians, seeking to retain the throne in the event of Napoleon's defeat. As a result of these negotiations, in 1814, Murat went over to the side of Bonaparte’s enemies, and only the abdication of the emperor was the reason that the Neapolitans did not have to engage in battle with their former comrades in arms.

Neapolitan Infantry: Voltigeur of the 5th Line, Officer of the 6th Line and Medical Officer of the 9th Line Regiment

PRUSSIA
Prussia entered the Napoleonic Wars with outdated tactics and older generals, which played a significant role in its defeat in 1806. However, many Prussians did not want to admit defeat and fled the country to Russia or began a partisan movement in Prussia against the French. In 1812, Prussia, enslaved by the French, was forced by Napoleon to field 5 infantry and 6 cavalry regiments for the campaign in Russia, which were mainly included in the auxiliary corps of Marshal MacDonald. As a result of this coercion, the Prussians, who were generally known as brave and stubborn warriors, fought reluctantly and unpersistently in the Russian campaign, among them there was a very high percentage of desertion and transfer to the Russian army. There were so many Prussians fleeing from Napoleon that a Prussian volunteer legion was even organized as part of the Russian army, which in 1813 took part in the liberation of their homeland from the French. At the same time, the Prussian king also spoke out against Napoleon, ordering his army to begin military operations together with the Russian army.

Prussian heavy infantry: fusiliers of the 6th line regiment (privates in dress and marching uniform, non-commissioned officer in marching uniform)

Prussian light infantry: private of the Jaeger battalion and officer of the Guards Jaeger battalion

SAXONY
In 1805, the Saxon army fought alongside the Prussian army against the French at Saalfeld and Jena, but in 1806 Saxony was forced to join the Confederation of the Rhine, which was subordinate to Napoleon. For this concession, Bonaparte made the Saxon elector Frederick Augustus king. Under the command of Marshal Bernadotte, the Saxons fought bravely at Wagram, but after Bernadotte's break with Bonaparte they fell out of favor with the emperor. In 1812, Saxony, at the request of Napoleon, formed the entire 7th Infantry Corps, which invaded Russia along with the Grand Army and fought alongside the Austrians in the southern direction. The Saxons behaved very honorably in battles; their cavalry especially distinguished itself in the attacks at Borodino.
The Saxon army had 1 guards infantry and 8 line regiments, 2 light infantry regiments, 1 guards cavalry, 2 cuirassier and 5 light cavalry regiments.
The Saxons suffered very heavy losses in Russia; in some regiments only 1 battalion remained in service. After the defeat in Russia, Frederick Augustus began negotiations with the opponents of the French, but Napoleon, having arrested the king, forced the Saxons to fight on his side again. However, this ended sadly for the emperor: at the beginning of the Battle of Leipzig, an entire Saxon division (5,000 people) left the ranks of the French troops and turned their weapons against the French.

Saxony infantry: line infantry soldiers and officers (in white uniforms), light infantry soldiers (in green uniforms)

PREFABRICATED SHELVES OF SMALL GERMAN PRINCIPALITIES
The small German principalities of the Confederation of the Rhine, such as Lippe-Detmold, Anhalt-Dessau, Mecklenburg-Schwerin and others, supplying Napoleon with several hundred, at best up to 1 thousand, people, together they were able to form only 3 infantry and 1 cavalry regiment. These units were part of various French or German divisions.

Russian army of 1812

Archive of Russian uniforms of the 18th-20th centuries. (Part 1)

CHIEF OFFICER AND BOMBARDIER OF THE GARRISON ARTILLERY

Garrison artillery was established by Peter I, who ordered the development of instructions “how to maintain fortresses and where and how much of what artillery should be, and a special anstalt (headquarters).” In 1809, all fortresses were divided into large (20), medium (14) and small (15). In total, on the eve of the War of 1812, there were 69 artillery garrison companies. The artillery garrison depended on weapons that were close combat (anti-assault) and long-range combat (anti-siege). As a rule, melee artillery predominated. In addition, it was determined to maintain garrison companies not only in all fortresses, but also in places where artillery supplies were stored, as well as in gunpowder factories. Peter I called himself and his comrades bombers, from whom a bombardment company was formed in 1697. In the fortress artillery, bombardiers were appointed by individual commanders. In addition to just bombardiers, there were bombardiers-laborators, bombardiers-gunners and bombardiers-observers. They had to have knowledge of chemistry, keen eyesight, and most importantly, be smart and efficient. The bombardiers had an external difference in their uniform: the braid on the cuffs of the uniform was the same color as the device, and a pipe lad (a brass box with fuses, attached to a narrow white belt). The top epaulettes for officers and shoulder straps for lower ranks are made of black cloth with the company number sewn from yellow cord.

PRIVATE OF ODESSA AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER OF SIMBIRSK INFANTRY REGIMENT

The Odessa and Simbirsk infantry regiments were formed in 1811 as part of six battalions and included in the 27th Infantry Division of Lieutenant General D. P. Neverovsky. Four active battalions were sent with this division to join the 2nd Western Army, reserve battalions were sent to the 2nd Reserve Corps of Lieutenant General F.F. Ertel. On August 2, 1812, Neverovsky’s soldiers selflessly took the blow of the enemy cavalry near Krasnoye. Having repelled over 40 attacks by the cavalry corps of Marshal Murat and having covered a total of about 26 kilometers, Neverovsky’s 7,000-strong detachment managed to delay the French for a whole day and prevented Napoleon from suddenly attacking Smolensk. The commander-in-chief of the 2nd Western Army, P. I. Bagration, wrote in a report: “... an example of such courage cannot be shown in any army.” The Battle of Borodino was preceded by a stubborn battle for the advanced Russian fortification - the Shevardinsky redoubt. With unsurpassed courage and heroism, about 15 thousand soldiers repelled the onslaught of the forty thousand strong corps of Napoleonic army. The battle ended to the glory of Russian weapons and played a big role in preparing the Russian side for the general battle. The next day, M.I. Kutuzov reported: “From two o’clock in the afternoon and even into the night, the battle was very hot... the troops not only did not yield a single step to the enemy, but hit him everywhere...” The last to leave the redoubt was the Odessa battalion infantry regiment. Near Borodino, defending Bagration's flushes, the regiment lost two-thirds of its strength. For the campaign of 1812-1814, the Odessa and Simbirsk infantry regiments received military awards: they were awarded the “Grenadier Battle” and badges on their shakos with the inscription “For Distinction.” The Odessa regiment had red shoulder straps with the number “27”, the Simbirsk regiment had dark green with red piping and the number “27”.

ARMY FIREWORKS AND GUARDS HAND ARTILLERY GUNNER

During the Patriotic War of 1812, foot artillery, as a rule, was used in the battle line and to prepare infantry attacks. The guards artillery consisted of two battery, two light companies and two horse batteries; in field artillery - 53 battery, 68 light, 30 horse and 24 pontoon companies. Both foot and horse companies had 12 guns. The artillerymen were divided into fireworks, bombardiers, gunners and gunners. Each artillery garrison had schools in which gunners learned literacy and basic arithmetic. Those who passed the established exam were awarded the rank of bombardier (senior class private). The most capable of them were promoted to fireworks. According to the degree of knowledge, experience and combat distinction, fireworks were divided into four classes. During the Patriotic War of 1812, Russian artillerymen covered themselves with unfading glory; there are countless examples of their courage and heroism. The French officer Vinturini recalled: “The Russian artillerymen were faithful to their duty... they lay down on the guns and did not give them up without themselves.” On the day of the Battle of Borodino, Russian artillery fired 60 thousand shots. The rank and file of the foot artillery wore an infantry uniform, but the collar, cuffs, and coattails were black, with red piping. The shoulder straps of foot artillerymen were red; in army units they had a number or letters made of yellow cord sewn on them, indicating the company's affiliation. A common feature of the uniforms of the entire guard were the buttonholes: on the collar in two rows, on the cuff flaps in three. In the Guards artillery, the shako coat of arms was an eagle with an armature of cannons and cannonballs, in the army - a grenade with one fire and two crossed cannons. The artillerymen were armed only with cutlasses (half sabers).

CHIEF OFFICER AND CONDUCTOR OF THE ENGINEERING CORPS

The engineering troops were intended to use all modern military-technical means in war and perform the most complex and important work (construction of fortresses and fortifications, fortress walls, etc.). In 1802, the “Regulations on the Establishment of the Engineering Department of the Ministry of War” were adopted, which stated that officers were required to study for a year at an engineering school and, after an exam, receive a certificate “with only the knowledge that they will really know thoroughly.” In 1804 such a school was opened. It included a conductor department for training young people to become officers of the Engineering Corps and an officer class, which later became the foundation of the Engineering Academy. Private engineering schools also operated in Vyborg, Kyiv, Tomsk and other cities. They taught mathematics, artillery, mechanics, physics, topography, civil architecture, drawing “situational plans” and geographical maps, and field fortification. In 1812, the “Regulations on the Field Engineering Administration” came into force, according to which fortresses and points of important strategic importance were prepared for defense. In total, there were 62 fortresses on the western border of the Russian Empire. Bobruisk, Brest-Litovsk, Dinaburg and Jacobstadt had the greatest influence on military operations. The conductors of the Engineering Corps (as cadets) wore the uniform of combat non-commissioned officers of the pioneer regiments. They were armed with cutlasses and pistols. The officers also had a pioneer uniform, but there were silver buttonholes on the collar and cuff flaps, the epaulettes were entirely silver, a hat with a black plume, and dark green trousers instead of gray.

Non-Commissioned Officer and Chief Officer of the 2nd Marine Regiment

In Russia, the marine corps was founded in 1705, when Peter I signed a decree on the formation of the first regiment in the fleet, consisting of two battalions of five companies each. In total, the regiment had 1,250 privates, 70 non-commissioned officers, and 45 officers. In 1812, the Russian army had four naval regiments and one (Caspian) battalion. The 2nd Marine Regiment was part of the 25th Infantry Division and trained militias in St. Petersburg and Novgorod. The regiment was commanded by Colonel A.E. Peyker. In the fall, the regiment was part of the airborne corps of Lieutenant General F. F. Shteingel. The ten-thousandth corps, embarked on transport ships in Abo, Helsingfors (Helsinki) and Vyborg, was transported to Revel (Tallinn) and Pernov (Pärnu) and in September arrived at the Russian troops of the corps of General I. N. Essen defending Riga. The inhabitants of the city, who had been under siege for more than two months, were liberated from the enemy. On September 15, Steingel's corps approached the Ekau River and attacked Prussian troops. In October, on the eve of P. X. Wittgenstein’s attack on Polotsk, Steingel’s corps arrived in Pridruisk. In December, as part of Wittgenstein's army, he participated in the pursuit of the enemy outside Russia. The naval regiments had a uniform of the Jaeger type, but the piping was not red, but white, the ammunition and shakos were of the grenadier type, but without plumes. The 2nd Marine Regiment had white shoulder straps with the number “25”, which corresponded to the number of the division in which the regiment belonged. Having been formed in the grenadier position, the regiment had a “Grenadier battle”.

Horn player of the 1st Jaeger Regiment

Among the musical instruments used in the Russian army, in addition to flutes, drums and timpani, there were horns, which were used to give signals. The sounds of the French horn instilled in the soldiers a mood of solemnity and the significance of the upcoming trials. During the Patriotic War of 1812, both active battalions of the 1st Jaeger Regiment were in the 1st Western Army, 4th Corps of Lieutenant General A.I. Osterman-Tolstoy, in the 11th Infantry Division. The reserve battalion was sent to the corps of Lieutenant General P. X. Wittgenstein. The regiment was commanded by Colonel M.I. Karpenkov. The 1st Jaeger Regiment distinguished itself in a counterattack against Delzon's 13th Division, which pushed back the Guards Jaegers and captured the bridge across the Kolocha River. The concerted efforts of the soldiers of this regiment led to the complete defeat of Delzon's division, after which the enemy no longer dared to act against the right wing of our troops and limited himself to only a firefight. M.I. Karpenkov at the head of the regiment, holding the crossing over Kolocha, was severely shell-shocked. For his heroism he was promoted to major general. The regiment fought near Tarutino, drove the enemy to Vyazma, liberated Dorogobuzh, and won a victory at the Solovyova crossing. During his campaigns abroad he took part in many battles. In March 1814 he entered Paris. For the military actions of 1812-1814, the regiment was awarded shako badges with the inscription “For Distinction” and the rank of grenadier. In the general Jaeger uniform, the regiment wore yellow shoulder straps with the number “11”. The uniform of the horn player had the same differences as that of the battalion drummers.

CHIEF OFFICER OF THE GUARDS NAVAL CREW

The Guards Navy crew of four was formed in 1810 from teams of court yachts, training ships of the Naval Cadet Corps, as well as from especially distinguished lower ranks of ship crews. In 1812, the crew was in the 1st Western Army, 5th Corps of the Guards Infantry Division. The Guards naval crew was commanded by Captain 2nd Rank I.P. Kartsev. During the Patriotic War, the crew participated in work to strengthen military camps, including Drissky, build bridges, mine and destroy crossings with explosions. Often companies of the Guards naval crew worked together with pontoon and pioneer companies. In August 1812, the exhausted and tired Russian army continued to retreat east. The speed and order of retreat largely depended on the serviceability of roads and crossings, in which the guards sailors showed considerable participation. For military actions in 1812-1814, the Guards naval crew was awarded the St. George Banner with the inscription “For the feats rendered in the battle of August 17, 1813 at Kulm.” Chief officers of the Guards naval crew (lieutenants and midshipmen) wore a dark green uniform with white piping on the collar and cuffs; gold embroidery on the standing collar without bevels and sleeve flaps depicted an anchor intertwined with cables and rope. Gold braid was sewn along the edges of the collar and cuff flaps. Outside of service they wore a uniform with gold buttonholes on the collar and cuff flaps. The overcoat is army, but with a dark green collar. The weapon of the uniform was a dagger with a white bone handle and a gold device on a black belt belt; in the ranks and on parade they wore an officer's half-saber with a gilded hilt on a black lacquered belt over the right shoulder.

STAFF OFFICER AND NON-COUNTER OFFICER OF THE LIFE GUARDS JEGER REGIMENT

The Jaeger regiments were staffed by hunters who were distinguished by accurate shooting, and often operated independently of the closed formation in places “the most convenient and advantageous, in forests, villages, and on the passes.” The rangers were required to “lie quietly in ambuscades (ambushes) and maintain silence, always having foot patrols in front of them, in front and on the sides.” Chasseur regiments also served to support the actions of light cavalry. In 1812, the Life Guards Jaeger Regiment was part of the 1st Western Army, in the Guards Infantry Division. The regiment commander was Colonel K.I. Bistrom. On the Borodino field, Delzon's division acted against the life rangers. In this battle, even the clerks grabbed the guns of their killed comrades and went into battle. The battle tore 27 officers and 693 lower ranks from the ranks of the regiment. The commander of the 2nd battalion, B. Richter, received the Order of St. for his courage. George 4th grade. In the battle of Krasnoye, the life rangers captured 31 officers, 700 lower ranks, captured two banners and nine cannons. While pursuing the enemy, they captured another 15 officers, 100 lower ranks and three cannons. For this operation, K.I. Bistrom received the Order of St. George 4th grade. The regiment had military awards: silver trumpets with the inscription “For distinction rendered in the battle of Kulm on August 18, 1813”, St. George banners with the inscription “For distinction in the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from the borders of Russia in 1812.” In addition, he was awarded the “Jäger March” on the horns. With the general Jaeger uniform of the Life Guards, the Jaeger Regiment had officer sewing in the form of straight buttonholes, piping and shoulder straps of orange color. The huntsmen were armed with somewhat shortened guns with bayonets and fittings with daggers, which were reserved for the best shooters.

CHIEF OFFICER OF THE BELOZERSK INFANTRY REGIMENT

The Belozersky infantry regiment was formed in 1708. In 1812, its two active battalions were in the 1st Western Army, in the 2nd Corps of Lieutenant General K.F. Baggovut, in the 17th Infantry Division. The regiment commander was Lieutenant Colonel E.F. Kern. The regiment fought valiantly at Krasnoye, Smolensk, Dubin, Borodino. The Belozersk people also distinguished themselves in Tarutino, defeating the vanguard of the enemy armies. The Russian army, having organized defense at the turn of the Nara River, not only prevented Napoleon’s troops from entering the interior of the country, but also secured favorable positions for launching a counteroffensive. M.I. Kutuzov wrote: “From now on, its name (the village of Tarutino. - N. I3.) should shine in our chronicles along with Poltava, and the Nara River will be as famous for us as Nepryadva, on the banks of which countless people died hordes of Mamaia. I humbly ask... that the fortifications made near the village of Tarutina, the fortifications that terrified the enemy regiments and were a solid barrier, near which the rapid stream of destroyers, threatening to flood all of Russia, stopped - that these fortifications remain inviolable. Let time, and not the hand of man, destroy them; let the farmer, cultivating his peaceful field around them, not touch them with his plow; let them in later times be sacred monuments of their courage for the Russians...” For the distinction rendered in the battle of Vyazma, regiment commander E.F. Kern was promoted to major general. The battle for Vyazma lasted about ten hours. 37 thousand French and 25 thousand Russians took part in it. The French lost more than six thousand killed and wounded, two and a half thousand prisoners, left the city and hastily retreated to Dorogobuzh. The regiment also took part in foreign campaigns. With the general infantry uniform, the regiment had white shoulder straps with the number “17”.

PRIVATE OF THE 20TH AND NON-COUNTER OFFICER OF THE 21ST JAGER REGIMENTS

In 1812, there were 50 Jaeger regiments in the Russian army. The rangers acted in battle in loose formation, mainly against enemy officers, and were distinguished by accurate shooting. Here is how French artillery major artist Faber du Fort wrote about the courage and heroism of the Russian non-commissioned officer of the Jaeger regiment (the events took place near Smolensk): “Among the enemy riflemen entrenched in the gardens on the right bank of the Dnieper, one in particular stood out for his courage and fortitude. Positioned just opposite us, on the very bank behind the willows and whom we could not silence either by the rifle fire concentrated against him, or even by the action of one specially designated weapon against him, which smashed all the trees from behind which he acted, he still did not let up and fell silent only towards nightfall. And when the next day, while crossing to the right bank, we looked out of curiosity at this memorable position of the Russian rifleman, in a pile of mangled and splintered trees we saw prostrate and killed by a cannonball from our enemy, a non-commissioned officer of the Jaeger regiment, who courageously fell here at his post.” The brigade commander of the 20th and 21st Jaeger Regiments was Major General I. L. Shakhovskoy. Both regiments were in the 1st Western Army, 3rd Corps under Lieutenant General N.A. Tuchkov, in the 3rd Infantry Division. With the general Jaeger uniform, the 20th Regiment had yellow shoulder straps, the 21st Regiment had light blue ones with the number “3”. In April 1813, the 20th Jaeger Regiment was awarded shako badges with the inscription “For Distinction,” and then both regiments were awarded “Grenadier Battle” for their distinction.

PRIVATE AND CHIEF OFFICER 1st PIONEER REGIMENT

Until the 30s of the 19th century, soldiers of the sapper unit of the engineering troops were called pioneers. In 1812, there were two pioneer regiments (24 companies in total), which had an organization similar to the infantry: a regiment of three battalions, a battalion of one engineer and three pioneer companies. The engineering company has the same number of sappers and miners. The companies of the 1st Pioneer Regiment were distributed to the 1st Western Army, to Aland and to the fortresses of Bobruisk, Dinaburg, to Riga, Sveaborg. In order to reliably cover the main forces of the retreating Russian army, a common rearguard was formed from the 1st and 2nd armies under the command of Lieutenant General P. P. Konovnitsyn. Near Tsarevo-Zaimishche, the rearguard took part in a battle, the successful outcome of which was facilitated by the courage and resourcefulness of the soldiers of the 1st Pioneer Regiment, who “with the rapid advance of the enemy, under strong shots, with special courage and fearlessness, quickly lit the bridge... thereby stopping the enemy army and through this they saved our retreating rangers, whom the enemy intended to cut off.” The rank and file of the Pioneer Regiment wore infantry uniforms, but the collar, cuffs and trims of the coattails of the uniform were black, with red piping along the outer edge. The sleeve valves are dark green with red piping. The coat of arms on the shako of the sapper and miner platoons is the metal Grenada “with three lights”, for the pioneer companies - “with one fire”. The pioneers were armed with pistols and cutlasses. The officers' uniform was made of finer, dark green cloth than that of the rank and file. Instead of shoulder straps, they were given epaulettes with a wide single-row coil, covered with foil and a thin mesh in the color of a metal device.

CADET AND STAFF OFFICER OF THE 1ST CADET CORPS

Cadet corps in Russia were educational institutions in which the children of nobles and military personnel received their initial education before becoming officers. The word "cadet" means "junior". The Cadet Corps was first opened in 1732 on the initiative of Field Marshal B. K. Minich. The curriculum included the study of Russian and foreign languages, rhetoric, mathematics, history, geography, jurisprudence, morality, heraldry, drawing, calligraphy, artillery, fortification; physical activities include fencing, horse riding, dancing and soldier exercise (front). The corps prepared young people for not only military but also civilian service. His students in the 18th century were A.P. Sumarokov, M.M. Kheraskov, and his teacher was Ya.B. Knyazhnin. In the 90s, the director of the Cadet Corps was M.I. Kutuzov. Noble children of nine to ten years of age were allowed to be admitted to the Cadet Corps; their stay there lasted almost 10 years. In 1797, the corps was given the name 1st Cadet. Its officers enjoyed seniority of one rank compared to the army. During the Patriotic War of 1812, the uniform of the 1st Cadet Corps was as follows: a dark green uniform, double-breasted, with red cuffs and flaps. Officers have gold ring-shaped embroidery on their collars, flaps and cuffs, while cadets have gold braid. The officers' hats were without braid, with two silver tassels, a cockade, a gold buttonhole and a plume of black feathers. Officers wore gold epaulettes. During reviews and parades, officers and cadets wore shakos with a gilded or copper coat of arms depicting a half-sun and a double-headed eagle. They were armed with swords and cutlasses. Belts were worn over the shoulder: officers under the uniform, cadets - on top. The overcoats are gray with a red collar.

CHIEF OFFICER AND PRIVATE OF THE Butyrsky INFANTRY REGIMENT

The Butyrka infantry regiment was established on November 29, 1796. In 1812, both of its active battalions were in the 1st Western Army, the 6th Corps of Infantry General D.S. Dokhturov, in the 24th Infantry Division. The regiment commander was Major I.A. Kamenshchikov. In the Battle of Borodino, the regiment, together with other regiments of the division, distinguished itself at the Raevsky battery. In the archival documents there is an entry: “Major Kamenshchikov, being with the regiment during the battle and commanding it, carried out the instructions given to him with special zeal and activity and during the retreat fought his way through the enemy cavalry with bayonets, despite a saber wound in the left shoulder, arranged with good orders military ranks of the regiment and encouraged them to be brave and fearless, for which he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir with a bow." For the Battle of Borodino, the Butyrka Regiment was awarded the St. George's Trumpets. He also had other awards: St. George’s Banners with the inscription “For distinction in the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from Russia in 1812.” and a sign on the shako with the inscription “For Distinction.” With the general infantry uniform, the privates of the Butyrsky Regiment had white shoulder straps with the number “24”. The ammunition consisted of a satchel of blackened calfskin, in the middle of which was attached a tin flask (a traveling metal flask with a screw-on lid in the shape of a glass). The cleaver was worn in a sling over the right shoulder, and the sheath of the cleaver and bayonet were inserted into the blade of the sling. In addition to the shako and triangular hat, the officers wore a cap, the same as that of the lower ranks, but with a visor without a number or letter on the band.

BATTALION DRUMMER OF THE SEMENOVSKY LIFE GUARDS REGIMENT

In 1812, three battalions of the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment were in the 1st Western Army, 5th Corps of the Guards Infantry Division. The regiment commander was K. A. Kridener. Possessing exceptional courage, he enjoyed the love and respect of the soldiers. The list of regiment personnel was decorated with the names of P. Ya. Chaadaev, who was promoted to ensign for distinction under Borodin, I. D. Yakushkin and M. I. Muravyov-Apostol, who were with the battalion banner. In the field notes of regimental lieutenant A.V. Chicherin we read: “The dream of giving my life for the heart of the Fatherland, the thirst to fight the enemy, the indignation at the barbarians who invaded my country, unworthy even to pick up the ears of corn in its fields, the hope of soon expelling them, defeating them with glory - all it lifted my spirit.” The life of the young officer was cut short near Kulm. On August 26, 1813, the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment was awarded the St. George Banners with the inscription “For the feats performed in the battle of August 18, 1813 at Kulm.” Each regiment of the Russian army had a regimental, three battalion and 48 company drummers. The drum was a drill, signal and marching instrument. Its sound raised the morale of soldiers before battle, encouraged them on the march, and accompanied soldiers on parade. The drummers beat marches: “on guard”, “ordinary”, “column”, “funeral”, as well as battle signals: “under the banner”, “honor”, ​​“campaign”, etc. In Preobrazhensky, Semenovsky and Izmailovsky The regiments had their own special battle signal “Guards March”. With the general guards uniform, the Semenovsky regiment had light blue collars with red piping and buttonholes made of yellow braid. The drummers wore special pads on their shoulders—“porches”—matched to the color of their shoulder straps. The sleeves and both sides of the guard uniform were embroidered with yellow braid.

INFANTRY GENERAL

In Leningrad, in one of the halls of the Hermitage, there is the “Military Gallery of 1812”, which has become a kind of monument to the feat of the Russian army and its military leaders. It contains 332 portraits of generals - heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812. The history of the military path of each general is an example of selfless love for the Motherland. In 1812, 14 Russian generals were killed or died from wounds, seven of them died in the battle of Borodino, 85 generals began serving as lower ranks of the guard, 55 began their combat career in army units. The name of Dmitry Sergeevich Dokhturov, an infantry general, is associated with all the most important events of the War of 1812. In the Battle of Borodino, after P.I. Bagration was wounded, he was appointed by M.I. Kutuzov as commander of the 2nd Army. Skillfully organizing the defense of the Semenovsky Heights, he repelled all French attacks. The great role of D.S. Dokhturov in the battle for Maloyaroslavets, when his corps repelled the attack of an entire enemy division. For this battle, the general was awarded a very rare military award - the Order of St. George 2nd degree. Infantry generals had epaulets with twisted fringes, a twisted buttonhole made of gold or silver cord on their hat, and a plume of black, orange and white rooster feathers. They did not wear shakos or badges. The boots are like those of staff officers. During the campaign they wore general army leggings. Saddle cloths and ingots made of bear fur with St. Andrew's stars on the back corners of the saddle cloth and on the ingots. In 1808, the generals were granted a uniform with embroidery on the collar, cuffs and cuffs in the form of golden oak leaves, which they were required to wear when at the head of several units on a campaign and always in battle.

CHIEF OFFICER OF THE LIFE GUARDS IZMAILOVSK REGIMENT

The Izmailovsky Guards Regiment was formed in 1730. During the Patriotic War of 1812 he was a member of the 1st Western Army, 5th Corps of the Guards Infantry Division. The regiment commander was Colonel M.E. Khrapovitsky. Under Borodin, the Izmailovites covered themselves with unfading glory. Infantry General D.S. Dokhturov, whom the soldiers called iron for his bravery, reported to M.I. Kutuzov about their feat: “I cannot help but speak with satisfied praise about the exemplary fearlessness shown that day by the Izmailovsky and Litovsky Life Guards regiments. Arriving on the left flank, they unwaveringly withstood the heaviest fire from enemy artillery; the ranks showered with grapeshot, despite the loss, arrived in the best order, and all ranks from the first to the last, one in front of the other, showed their eagerness to die before yielding to the enemy...” The Life Guards Izmailovsky, Lithuanian and Finnish regiments were built in square on Semenovsky Heights. For six hours, under continuous enemy artillery fire, they repelled the attacks of the cuirassiers of General Nansouty's corps. Every second guardsman remained on the battlefield, the regiment commander was wounded, but did not leave the battlefield. At the end of the battle, Lieutenant General P. P. Konovnitsyn said to the hero: “Let me hug the brave commander of an unparalleled regiment.” For participation in the Battle of Borodino, M. E. Khrapovitsky received the rank of major general. As a reward for courage, the Izmailovsky Regiment was awarded St. George's Banners with the inscription "For distinction in the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from Russia in 1812." The Izmailovites also distinguished themselves in the battle of Kulma, for which the regiment was awarded two silver trumpets. With the general guards uniform, the lower ranks of the Izmailovsky regiment had dark green collars with red piping and buttonholes made of yellow braid. The officers had dark green collars with red piping and gold embroidery, as well as gold epaulettes.

NON-COMBATTLE LIFE GUARDS IZMAILOVSK REGIMENT

Non-combatant lower ranks in the Russian army included clerks, paramedics, artisans, orderlies, etc. According to the “Institution for the management of a large field army” dated January 27, 1812, for carrying the wounded from the battlefield to a dressing station and their subsequent evacuation in each regiment twenty or more non-combatant soldiers with four stretchers and two light lines were provided. Non-combatants had a special uniform: a cap with a visor, a single-breasted uniform with six buttons and gray leggings - all made of gray cloth. There was piping along the band and crown of the cap, the free edge of the collar, cuffs and cuff flaps of the uniform, and along the seams of the leggings. The color of the piping in heavy infantry was red, in light infantry it was dark green, in special troops it was black. Shoulder straps were only worn by the guards (in the infantry - the colors of the caps of combat ranks, in the artillery - red). In addition, in the guard, buttonholes made of yellow braid were sewn on the collar in one row and on the cuff flaps in three rows. Non-combatant non-commissioned officers wore gold braid on their collars and cuffs. Overcoats and knapsacks were of the same cut as those worn by combat troops. Non-combatants were armed only with cutlasses.

CHIEF OFFICER OF THE LIFE GRENADIER REGIMENT

In 1756, the 1st Grenadier Regiment was formed in Riga. The title of Life Grenadier was awarded to him in 1775 for the differences shown in actions against the Turks; in addition, the regiment had two silver trumpets for the capture of Berlin in 1760. During the Patriotic War, two active battalions of the regiment were in the 1st Western Army, 3rd Corps of Lieutenant General N.A. Tuchkov, in the 1st Grenadier Division; reserve battalion - in the corps of Lieutenant General P. X. Wittgenstein. The regiment was commanded by Colonel P.F. Zheltukhin. In August 1812, the regiment took part in the battle of Lubin. This was one of Napoleon’s attempts to draw the Russian army into a general battle in an unfavorable situation for it. The attempt ended unsuccessfully. Of the 30 thousand people of the French army who took part in the battle, about 8800 were killed and wounded; the Russian troops, out of 17 thousand people, lost about five thousand. In the Battle of Borodino, both battalions of the regiment were on the extreme left flank, near the village of Utitsa, and repelled all attacks by Poniatovsky’s corps. In this battle N.A. Tuchkov was mortally wounded. Then the regiment took part in the battles of Tarutino, Maloyaroslavets and Krasny. The 2nd battalion fought at Yakubov, Klyastitsy, near Polotsk, at Chashniki, and on the Berezina. For the bravery and courage shown in the Patriotic War of 1812, the regiment was assigned to the guard (as a young guard) and named the Life Guards Grenadier Regiment; he was awarded the St. George Banners with the inscription “For distinction in the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from Russia in 1812.” The regiment also took part in foreign campaigns; in 1814, its 1st and 3rd battalions entered Paris. With the general grenadier uniform, the regiment had the letters “L. G.”, on collars and cuff flaps there are buttonholes: for officers - gold embroidery, for lower ranks - from white

MOUNTABLE ARMY FOOT ARTILLERY

In Russia, the word “artillery” came into use under Peter I. By the end of his reign, there were regimental, field, siege and fortress artillery. Throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries, its types and military organizational structures changed repeatedly. When the Military Land Ministry was formed in 1802, the Artillery Department was one of the first to become part of it. He was entrusted with supplying the army and fortresses with artillery, artillery supplies and horses, setting up gunpowder and saltpeter factories, as well as arsenals, foundries, factories for the production of guns, gun carriages, firearms and bladed weapons. The riders drove the artillery teams and looked after the horses, and also helped the artillery crews in battle. The order of the chief of artillery of the 1st Western Army A.I. Kutaisov on the eve of the Battle of Borodino eloquently characterizes the actions of the Russian artillerymen: “Confirm from me in all companies that they do not withdraw from their positions until the enemy sits astride the guns. By bravely holding on to the closest shot of grapeshot, we can only ensure that the enemy does not give up a single step of our position. Artillery must sacrifice itself; let them take you with the guns, but fire the last shot of grapeshot at point-blank range, and the battery, which will be captured in this way, will cause harm to the enemy, which will completely atone for the loss of the guns.” The artillerymen carried out the orders of their superior, but the twenty-eight-year-old general himself - a musician, poet, artist, everyone's favorite - died a hero.

CHIEF OFFICER QUARTERMASTER

At the beginning of the 19th century, in the Russian armies there was an auxiliary body of military administration and command, which bore the name “His Imperial Majesty’s Retinue for the Quartermaster Unit.” Its head in 1810-1823 was Prince P. M. Volkonsky. The quartermaster unit was entrusted with such tasks as reconnaissance of the area, drawing up plans and maps, and dislocating troops. Due to the wide range of responsibilities, a variety of people served in it, among them one could meet scientists, foreigners, combat officers, etc. Many of them became outstanding military leaders, for example, Major General K. F. Tol, Major General I I. Dibich and others. In January 1812, the “Institution for the Management of a Large Active Army” was published; M. B. Barclay de Tolly, P. M. Volkonsky and others took part in its compilation. According to the “Establishment...” the commander-in-chief represented the face of the emperor and was invested with his authority. Under the commander-in-chief there was a staff, at the head of the staff there was a chief. The Office of the Chief of Staff was divided into five main departments, under the authority of the Quartermaster General, the General on Duty, the Chief of Engineers, the Quartermaster General and the Chief of Artillery. The activities of the quartermaster general consisted of conducting the combat activities of troops, movement, assignment, etc. Subordinate to the quartermaster general was such a responsible person as the captain over the column leaders. Quartermaster officers wore the uniform of the Guards Artillery, but without buttonholes, cuffs without flaps, and general officer swords. There is gold embroidery of a special design on the collar and cuffs. On the left shoulder is a gold epaulette with a gold field, on the right shoulder is a shoulder pad twisted from a gold cord with an aiguillette. Scarf, hat, white trousers or gray marching leggings and boots like those of officers in the heavy infantry.

NON-COUNTER OFFICER LIBAV INFANTRY REGIMENT

The Libau Infantry Regiment was formed in 1806 from parts of the Peter the Great Musketeer Regiment. During the Patriotic War of 1812, both of its active battalions (1st and 3rd) were in the 1st Western Army, the 6th Infantry Corps of Infantry General D.S. Dokhturov, in the 7th Infantry Division. The regiment was commanded by Colonel A.I. Aigustov. In August, the 1st and 3rd battalions took part in the battle of Smolensk and, defending the Mstislav suburb, lost nine officers and 245 lower ranks. During the Battle of Borodino, both battalions were in the center of our position, near the Gorkinsky ravine, and repelled several attacks by enemy cavalry. The Libavians covered the retreat of the Russian army from Moscow, fought valiantly for Maloyaroslavets, where the 6th Infantry Corps took the blow of the advanced units of the Napoleonic army and delayed them until the main forces of the Russian army arrived. The significance of the Battle of Maloyaroslavets is eloquently evidenced by the words of M.I. Kutuzov: “This day is one of the most famous in this bloody war, for the lost battle of Maloyaroslavets would have entailed the most disastrous consequences and would have opened the way for the enemy through our most grain-producing provinces.” The 2nd battalion was in the defense of Dinaburg (Daugavpils), participated in the battles of Polotsk, in the battles on the Ushach River and at Yekhimania. In 1813, the 1st and 3rd battalions were assigned to the corps that besieged the Glogau fortress (Glogow). Then the Libavians fought as part of the Silesian army and took part in the siege of the Kassel fortress. On January 17, 1814, at the Battle of Brienne-le-Chateau, the Libavians heroically attacked the enemy and, despite heavy fire, drove them out of the village and castle with bayonets. With the general infantry uniform, the Libau Regiment had yellow shoulder straps with the number “7”.

COLUMN LEADER

A column leader is a non-commissioned officer in the quartermaster service preparing to take the officer examination. At the end of the first decade of the 19th century, a society of mathematicians was formed in Moscow. The soul and organizer of the society was N. N. Muravyov. The society established a private school in which column leaders were trained. The school accepted civilians who, after completing the appropriate course, were promoted to officers of His Imperial Majesty's Retinue in the quartermaster unit. Since 1816, the school became a state school. The Moscow school for column leaders trained many future Decembrists: I. B. Abramov. N. F. Zaikin, V. P. Zubkov, P. I. Koloshin, A. O. Kornilovich, V. N. Likharev, N. N. Muravyov. P. P. Titova, A. A. Tuchkova, Z. G. Chernysheva, A. V. Sheremetev and others. The column leaders had the uniform of private guards artillery, but without buttonholes. The shoulder straps are black, with red piping. Cuffs without flaps, foot artillery shakos with non-commissioned officer's burr and red etiquettes, instead of the eagle there was a grenade "with three lights", cavalry sabers with a belt were worn according to the officer type, that is, under the uniform, dark green trousers with leggings, as in the guards foot artillery, officer-style overcoats, gray, with a black corduroy collar and red piping. Dragoon-type saddle cloths with black corduroy lining, red piping and a black imperial monogram with red edging.

PRIVATE GARRISON REGIMENT

The garrison service was intended to protect treasuries, warehouses of state property, arsenals, prisons, fortifications, etc. If necessary, garrison regiments participated in restoring public order during popular unrest and during natural disasters. In 1812 there were 44 internal provincial half-battalions, 4 internal provincial battalions, and garrison regiments and 13 garrison battalions. During World War II, garrison regiments participated in the training of recruits. As the Napoleonic army advanced, parts of the garrison regiments joined the active army. Privates of garrison regiments in field positions were entitled to: a dark green uniform (yellow collar and cuffs, maroon lapels), trousers, boots with gauntlets, a shako without an etiquette, an overcoat, a sweatshirt, a sword on a sling with a cleaver blade, a lanyard, a gun with a bayonet, a satchel, a mannerism, a pouch with a sling without a coat of arms. The shoulder straps of all regiments were red with white numbers. On the shoulder straps of the Moscow Garrison Regiment there was the number “19”.

PRIVATE PAVLOVSKY GRENADIER REGIMENT

In 1812, two active battalions of the Pavlovsk regiment were in the 1st Western Army, the 3rd Corps of Lieutenant General N.A. Tuchkov, in the 1st Grenadier Division; reserve battalion - in the corps of Lieutenant General P. X. Wittgenstein. In the Battle of Borodino, 345 soldiers and officers of the Pavlovsk regiment were out of action, commander E. Kh. Richter was wounded. Then the regiment took part in the battles of Tarutino, Maloyaroslavets, and Krasnoye. The 2nd battalion especially distinguished itself at Klyastitsy, “passing through a burning bridge under heavy enemy fire” and knocking the French out of the city with bayonets. The regiment fought near Polotsk, Chashniki and Berezina. For his bravery and courage, he was assigned to the guard (as a young guard) and named the Life Guards Pavlovsky Regiment. He was awarded the St. George Banners with the inscription “For distinction in the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from Russia in 1812.” During the campaign abroad, the regiment took part in many battles, and in 1814 it solemnly entered Paris. The Pavlovsk regiment had a glorious heroic history and special military traditions. People who were tall, brave and experienced in military affairs were selected for the grenadier units. The grenadiers covered the flanks of the combat disposition of the troops. They were armed with smoothbore rifles and half-sabers. On the head they wore a high hat - a "mitre" - with a copper forehead, on it was a chased double-headed eagle. At the beginning of the 19th century, the "mitre" in other regiments was replaced by a shako. But these changes did not affect the Pavlovsk regiment, since Alexander I, wanting to reward “excellent courage, bravery and fearlessness with which the regiment fought during repeated battles”, ordered “so that in honor of this regiment the caps now in it should be left in the form in which it left the battlefield, at least some of them were damaged ; may they remain an everlasting monument to excellent courage...”

FLUTE PLAYER AND COMPANY DRUMMER OF THE ORYOL INFANTRY REGIMENT

The Oryol infantry regiment was formed in 1811. During the Patriotic War, its two active battalions were in the 2nd Western Army, the 7th Corps of Lieutenant General N.N. Raevsky, in the 26th Infantry Division. -The regiment was commanded by Major P.S. Bernikov. The Orlovites valiantly participated in the defense of Smolensk. In August 1812, the 1st and 2nd Western Russian armies united near Smolensk. Napoleon's goal to defeat them one by one was thwarted. A bloody battle ensued near the walls of the ancient key city, in which infantrymen of the Oryol regiment took part. Near Borodino, the regiment covered Raevsky's battery and distinguished itself in repelling the first enemy attack. In this fierce battle, the enemy lost about three thousand people. The danger of a breakthrough in the center of the Russian position was eliminated. Another feat is also known

GENERALS

Both infantry and cavalry generals of the Russian army wore the same uniform of the highest approved general pattern: a dark green tailcoat-type uniform with tails, a collar and cuffs embroidered with golden oak leaves, white leggings with high boots (replaced with long gray leggings during the campaign). Gilded epaulettes were framed with twisted fringe. The generals (like other officers) tied silk scarves stitched with silver threads around the waist of their uniforms, the ends of which hung down on the left hip. The generals did not wear shakos or metal breastplates like other officers; the generals' headdress is a “double-cornered” hat with a twisted buttonhole made of gold or silver cord and a plume of rooster feathers. The generals of the infantry (infantry) had plumes of black feathers with the addition of orange and white, and they wore a hat across their heads. The cavalry generals had plumes of white feathers with the addition of orange and black, and they wore a hat along the head. The saddle cloths and pigs (holsters) on the general's horses were made of bear fur and decorated with St. Andrew's stars. Infantry generals and heavy cavalry generals (cuirassiers and dragoons) were entitled to swords, and light cavalry generals (ulans, hussars and Cossacks) were entitled to sabers.

The generals of the hussar units and the generals - chiefs of the hussar regiments did not wear the uniform of a general, but the hussar uniform of their regiments, which differed from the officers' uniform in more abundant, complex and delicate embroidery. General's order ribbons were worn over the dolman.

Cavalry general in full dress uniform

A hussar general in full dress uniform (depicted is P.Ya. Kulnev, the most famous hussar commander of the era of Alexander the 1st).

OFFICERS

Russian army officers were divided into two categories: chief officers (ranks from warrant officer to captain) and staff officers (from major to colonel). Both of them wore a common uniform: a dark green tailcoat-type uniform with tails, with red cuffs and a collar; white leggings tucked into boots (during the hike they were replaced with gray long leggings untucked). The officers tied silk scarves stitched with silver threads around the waist of their uniforms, the ends of which hung down on the left hip. The external difference between chief and staff officers was in the epaulettes: for chief officers, the field of the epaulette was wrapped in a double row of twisted rope, and for staff officers, gilded fringe still hung down along the edges of the epaulette. In 1812, epaulettes did not yet have other insignia (like the stars that appeared later), and the ranks of officers were determined by metal breastplates. These signs in the army and in the guard differed in shape: more rounded in the army, more massive and wide in the guard. The ensign had a completely silver plated badge, the second lieutenant had a badge with a gilded edge. The lieutenant's badge had a gilded eagle, and the staff captain's badge also had a gilded border. On the captain's silver badge, the field of the badge was gilded; on the gilded badge of the major there was a silver eagle, on the badge of the lieutenant colonel there was also an edging. The colonel's badge was entirely gilded.

In addition to the dress and field uniforms, officers could also use an everyday long-skirted frock coat, which was looser and more comfortable than the dress uniform. When wearing a frock coat, the officer did not wear a heavy and bulky shako, but a light two-cornered hat or a soft cap with a visor, introduced on the eve of the war. In winter, officers wore greatcoats with a cape on the shoulders; many preferred to wear Caucasian burkas with soft sloping shoulders.

The standard weapon of a Russian officer in 1812 was a sword mod. 1798, however, during hostilities, officers were allowed to arm themselves (at their own expense) with sabers of their own choosing.