Baden and Hesse Infantry
STRENGTH AND FIGURES
The Baden and Hesse infantry don't were present at the battle of Gross-Beeren. They were brigaded together into the Marchand's 39th Division, initially in the II Corps but later transferred to X Corps. I have estimated their initial strength from the numbers given by Nafziger (Napoleon at Leipzig. The Emperor Press , Chicago, 1998).
BADEN
Line Infantry (1/,2/1st and 1/,2/3rd Regiments) 2,280 (20)
Foot batteries (5 6 lbs and 1 how.) 1 (Not necessary)
HESSE
Line Infantry (1/2/Fusilier Guards, 1/,2/2 Leib, 1/,2/Leibgarde) 2,900 (24)
Foot batteries (5 6 lbs and 1 how.) 1 (Not necessary)
(Numbers between parentheses are figures for Napoleon's Battles)
There are not specifically designed Baden nor Hesse 1813 figures but, at that time, both countries followed the French style for military uniforms, with black shakos, so any post-1812 French infantry figure may be used (HAT 8042 or ITALERI 6066). For Baden artillery the Bavarian HAT 8038 is adequate, whereas ZVEZDA 8028 or HAT 8039 French Artillery sets may be good for Hesse.
COLOR SCHEME
1) The basic color of Baden Line Infantry was the blue. They wore a blue short-tailed coat very similar to the Bardin 1812 French habit with red turnbacks and red-piped shoulder straps, white breeches and black under-knees gaiters with two white crossbelts. Regimental facings were shown in collar and cuffs and where, respectively, white for the 1st and yellow for the 3rd Regiments.
2) The Baden Foot Artillery had a blue uniform similar to Bavarian artillery with red turnbacks and black collar, cuffs and lapels, black Raupenhelm helmet with white plume.
3) The Hessian Line Infantry wore a blue short-tailed coat similar to the Bardin 1812 French habit (although the lapes were not squared) with red turnbacks and red-pipid shoulder straps, white breeches and black under-knees gaiters with two white crossbelts (black for the Fusilier Guards). Regimental facings were shown in lapel, collar, cuffs and piping and were, respectively, scarlet for the Fusilier Guard, red for the Leibgarde and light blue for the Leib Regiments.
4) The Hessian Foot Artillery had a blue uniform similar to French artillery with blue turnbacks and black (piped red) collar, cuffs and lapels, black shako with black plume.
The Hessian information is taken from the book ARMIES OF THE GERMANY AND THE CONFEDERATION OF THE RHINE 1806-1815 Volume 1 by George F. Nafziger. The graphics were from HISTOFIG and Preussische Militärgeschichte - Historischer Service sites.
See all the history at my web-site
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