Osprey Men-at-Arms 68 : Napoleon's Line Chasseurs

In 1793 the number of light cavalry - chasseurs à cheval - regiments of the French army had more than doubled to twenty-six from their total of twelve in 1789 only four years previous. During that time the number of medium and heavy regiments had increased by a paltry four. This is highly indicative of the state of the army as a whole. The role of light cavalry involved reconnaissance and screening of the main army, leaving the body blows to the more professional heavy cavalry, and they were thus far more easily raised and trained. The chasseurs, being the indigenous French light horse, can perhaps therefore be equated best with the infantry demi-brigades of this period, a half-trained, unprofessional, make-shift collection, making up with zeal what they lacked in experience. Emir Bukhari examines the dress and equipment of Napoleon's line chasseurs, plus the histories of individual regiments accompanied by a plethora of illustrations and diagrams including eight full page colour plates by Angus McBride showing a variety of uniforms in admirable detail.

Contents

• Organisation
• Dress and Equipment
• Saddles and Harness
• War Records and Regimental Histories
• The Plates