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The Army of Wurttemberg in the Napoleonic Wars

The German Duchy of Wurttemberg at the beginning of the wars of the French Revolution had an association with Prussia since after the Seven Years War, the ruling family being related to Frederick the Great and becoming Protestant. When Frederick II became Duke in 1797 he opposed France and Wurttemberg was invaded and devastated. In March 1802 Frederick signed a peace treaty ceding territories on the Rhine for territory elsewhere. In 1805 Wurttemberg became a military ally of France gaining Austrian lands from the Treaty of Pressburg. In 1806 Wurttemberg was created a kingdom gaining more territory and yet more in 1809 with the defeat of Austria.

In return for these lands Wurttemberg provided troops for Napoleonâs campaigns. These forces distinguished themselves, particularly in 1809 and in the retreat from Russia. Of the 14,000 men who served in the III Corp in 1812 few returned, although Napoleon noted their remnants still marching in formation only 30 strong.

In November Frederick switched sides by concluding the Treaty of Fulda with Austria, keeping his title and all the territory he gained from his alliance with France. Thereafter Wurttemberg's forces fought against France and at the Congress of Vienna Frederick's position was confirmed despite his long association with France. Frederick II died in October 1816.

Line Infantry Regiments

Organization: two battalions per regiment; one grenadier and three musketeer companies per battalion: company strength 175 men, one depot company per regiment.

Uniform: dark blue coat; distinctive color on collar, cuffs, lapels, turnbacks; white breeches; helmet.

Light Infantry Battalions

Organization: four companies per battalion, plus 1 depot company.

Uniform: dark-green coat and breeches with distinctive color on collar, cuffs, turnbacks; shako

Light Cavalry Regiments

Organization: four squadrons plus depot.

Uniform: dark-blue coat with white leather gear and breeches for the chevauxlegers, dark-green coat with black leather gear and green breeches for the jaegers; helmet for both.

Guard Units

Garde zu Fuss Battalion

Organization: four companies.

Uniform: dark-blue coat with black facings piped white; white breeches; bearskin.

Garde zu Pferd Regiment

Organization: four squadrons.

Uniform: dark-green tunics for first squadron, dark-blue for the others; yellow collars, cuffs and turnbacks; white breeches; steel cuirass, bearskin.

In addition, the following units were considered part of the king's "household" (maison du roi): Jager Battalion Konig, Lieb-Chevauxleger, Jager-Regiment Konig, 1st Horse Artillery Battery.

Garrison Battalion

Organization: approximately 500 men.

Uniform: dark-blue coat with scarlet facings; white breeches; helmet.

Artillery

Organization: two horse batteries, one foot battery, depot

Artillery Uniform: light-blue coat with black facings trimmed in yellow; light-blue breeches; Raupenhelm. Train uniform: as artillery but a shako in place of the Raupenhelm.

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The Army of Baden in the Napoleonic Wars
By Greg McCall

The principality of Baden was created in 1771 by the union of Baden-Baden and Baden-Durlach. During the Revolutionary Wars Baden supported Austria and was devastated, being forced to pay an indemnity and give up her territory on the left bank of the Rhine. In 1805 Baden sided with France and gained territory at the expense of Austria. Baden joined the Confederation of the Rhine in 1806 and fought with France until after the battle of Leipzig in 1813.

The Baden contingent was considered the finest of the Confederation of the Rhine troops. They were involved in all the campaigns of the Grande Armee. They served against Prussia in 1806, at Friedland (X Corps), at Aspern and Wagram in 1809 (IV Corps) and in the Russian campaign (IX Corps). The Baden brigade probably gave their finest service at Studianka, in Russia, where they covered the retreat of the army across the Berezina. The 9,000 strong brigade was virtually destroyed in Russia.

The 4th Regiment and an artillery battery served in Spain apart from the rest of the Badenese army. They fought at Medellin, Talavera and Vittoria, finaly being disarmed after an attempt to defect.

Line Infantry Regiments

Organization: two battalions per regiment; one grenadier, one voltigeur and four fusilier companies per battalion: company strength 140 men.

Uniform: dark-blue coat, white buttons for 1st and 3rd regiments, yellow for the 2nd and 4th regiments; distinctive color on collar, cuffs, lapels, shoulder-straps; white breeches; Raupenhelm, shako in 1813; cockade was yellow with a red center.

All regiments had red facings after 1809 until 1813.

Other Infantry

Jagerbataillon von Lingg

Organization: six companies.

Uniform: dark-green coat with black facings; grey breeches; Raupenhelm.

Leib-Garde-Grenadier Battalion

Organization: five companies.

Uniform: dark-blue coat with red facings; white breeches; bearskin cap.

Cavalry

Light Dragoon Regiment

Organization: four squadrons plus depot.

Uniforn: light-blue coat with scarlte facings; Raupenhelm

Hussar Regiment

Organization: four squadrons

Uniform: dark-green dolman and pelisse with red facings; chamois or red breeches; black shako.

Garde du Corps

Organization: two companies.

Uniform: white coat with red facings; white breeches; Raupenhelm.

Artillery

Organization: Artillery Battalion of one horse and two foot batteries.

Artillery Uniform: dark-blue coat with yellow buttons and black facings trimmed in red; grey breeches; Raupenhelm.

Train uniform: grey coat with white buttons and black facings; white breeches; Raupenhelm. Battery serving in Spain wore shakos.