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1806 Musketeer IR2

Von Rucheuls

 

Post 1806

 

Army Organisation - Post Jena campaign and ‘Peacetime’

 

The War of 1806/1807 concluded after Napoleons victory at Friedland and on 9th July 1807 the Treaty of Tilsit was signed which established peace between Prussian and France.  The terms of the treaty sees  Prussian lands reduced from 124,868 sq mi to 61, 339 sq mi, the population reduced from 9.75 million to 4.7 million and war reparations amounting to 154.5 million francs (later reduced to 120 million francs in November 1808)

 

On the 25th July 1808 the Prussians established a commission to review and reorganise the army, the Kommission zur Reorganization der Militar-, Erziehungs-, und Bildungs-Institut. The commission was headed up by Graf Lottum and Generalmajor von Scharnhorst.  This commission with the able assistance of Generalleutnant Yorck and Major Clauswitz would be responsible for the reorganisation of the army through a new training manual, the introduction of the brigade system, the use of both column and line tactics, the abolition of regimental artillery and the cavalry would become subservient to the infantry. It also saw the creation of artillery and engineering schools, cadet schools and a new system for officer selection and enhancement (a real change from the monachistic selection process prior to 1806)

 

In October 1807 the first “Order-in-Cabinets” OiC were produced concerning the organisation of the army. The army would consist of   three corps , each divided into two divisions.  The corps were area defined with each corps being supported by a population of approximately 1,600,000 people.  Org 17 defines the corps and divisions:

 

Org 17. Corp & Divisions

 

Corp

Division

Silesian

Ober (upper) Schlesische Divisionen

Nieder (lower) Schlesische Divisionen

Prussian

Ost (east) Preussische Dinisionen

West Preussische Dinisionen

Mark-Pomeranian

Markische (Mark) Divisionen

Pommersche (Pomeranian) Divisionen

 

 

Each Division was to be uniformly organised with 4 infantry regiments, 2 cavalry regiments, 2 x 6pdr foot batteries and 1 x 6pdr horse battery. Each Corp would also receive a 1 x 6pdr horse battery and 1 x 12 pdr foot battery. The same OiC also established the organisation for the infantry and cavalry regiments.  An Infantry Regiment was to consist of:

 

 

  • 2  Grenadier Companies
  • 2  Musketeer Battalions
  • 1  Fusilier Battalion
  • 1  Depot Company

 

A Cavalry Regiment was to consist of

 

  • 4 Squadrons

 

Therefore “on paper” the Prussian army was to consist of:

 

Infantry

  • 12 grenadier battalions, each of 4 companies
  • 12 brigades of musketeers (48 battalions each of 4 companies)
  • 6 brigades of fusiliers (24 battalions, each of 4 companies)

 

Cavalry

  • 4 Cuirassier Regiments - 4 squadrons each
  • 8 Dragoon Regiments - 4 squadrons each
  • 6 Hussar Regiments - 5 at 4 squadrons, 1 at 8 squadrons each

 

Artillery

  • 12 x 6 pdr 4 Foot Regiments batteries
  • 3 x 13 pdr Foot batteries
  • 9 x 6 pdr Horse batteries

 

When taking the field each corp would be organised along the same lines with the forces being split into three categories: Line, Reserve and the advanced guard or wing:, with the aim that the corp was a self contained fighting force consisting of all arms types

 

    Line

    • 4 brigades of Musketeers (16 Battalions)
    • 4 x 6pdr Foot batteries

     

    Reserve

    • 4 Grenadier Battalions
    • 2 Brigades of Heavy Cavalry (4 Regiments)
    • 1 x 12pdr Foot battery
    • 2 6pdr Horse batteries

     

    Advanced Guard or Wing

    • 2 brigades of Fusiliers (8 battalions)
    • 2 Regiments of Hussars
    • 1 x 6pdr Horse battery

 

These plans had to be halted  following the Convention of Paris on the 8th September 1808 when Napoleon placed a restriction on the size of the Prussian army limiting it to 42,000 men - 22,000 infantry, 8,000 cavalry, 6000 artillery and a royal guard of 6,000 men.  There was an effective ban on all other para-military organisations (militia, civil guards etc).  The planned three corp (6 divisions) became 6 brigades which are detailed in Org xxx

 

The Krumper System

The Krumper System was introduced through the commission. It was established to enable the Prussians to train a larger body of men than was allowed to be under arms under the terms of the treaty of Paris.   As can be seen in Org 18 below, a large portion of the army was on furlough (on leave) at any one time.  This enabled a rotation of new recruits to be introduced into training for a period of one year at a time.  Therefore if hostilities were to start the Prussians would have access to a larger body of trained men and officers.

 

It is estimated that in 1813 at the start of the Wars of Liberation 70,000 had been trained through the system

 

 

Infantry

At the end of hostilities in July 1807 the Prussian infantry consisted of the following units, all others having been effectively destroyed during the war:

 

Old Infantry Regiments

  • #2 Ruchel
  • #8 Ruits
  • #11 Prinz Heinrich (formerly Schoning at Jena)
  • #14 Besser
  • #16 Diericke
  • #52 Hamberger (formerly Reinhart at Jena)
  • #58 Courbiere

 

Old Fusilier Battalions

  • #3 Fusilier Wackenitz
  • #6 Fusilier Rembow
  • #11 Fusilier Bergen
  • #21 Fusilier Stutterheim
  • #23 Fusilier Schachtmeyer
  • #24 Fusilier Bulow

 

Old 3rd battalions

  • #4 Kalreuth
  • #7 Owstien
  • #30 vacant Borke
  • #31 Kropff
  • #33 Alvensleben
  • #38 Pelchrzim
  • #46 Thile
  • #47 Grawert
  • #50 Sanitz
  • #51 Kaussberg
  • #53 Larisch
  • #54 Natzmer
  • #55 Manstein

 

 Battalions raised in Colberg

  • Grenadier Battalion Waldendfels
  • Fusilier Battalion Moller
  • Schill Infantry

 

Raised during the War

  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Pomeranian Reserve Battalions
  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Neumark Reserve Battalions
  • Krokow Freikorps Battalion
  • Battalion Schlesischer Truppen (formed from the Musketeers  # 42 Plotz)
  • Battalion Schuler (from the remians of Fusiler battalions #14 Pelet & #15Ruhle)
  • Fusilier Battalion Danielwitz (formed during the siege of Graudenz)
  • 11 light infantry companies
  • 9 Jager companies

 

Other

  • #6 Guard Infantry Battalion
  • #15 Garde zu Foss
  • #18 Konig
  • Grenadiers from #31, #43 & #46
  • FeldJager (detachment)

 

Cantonists (Reservists from the following regiments)

  • #1, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 34, 35, 36, 40, 43, 49, 57

 

At the end of 1807 the Prussian infantry consisted of:

  • 50 Battalions
  • 11 companies of Light Infantry
  • 10 Companies of Jagers

 

Line Infantry Regiments

There were two OiC released in quick succession dated 21st October 1807 and a second dated 20th November 1807 which covered the composition of an infantry regiment.  The second OiC provided details on the ranks of the furloughed men.

 

Org 18. Infantry Regiment composition2

 

Infantry Regiment compliment

OiC 20th Nov

Kommandeur

1

Stabsoffiziere

4

Kapitaines

9

Stabs-kapitains

5

Premierleutenants

9

Adjutanten (Sekondeleutnants)

3

Sekondleutnants

38

Feldwebel

14

Sergeanten 

14

Kapitains d'armes

14

Fourier

14

Portepeefahnriche (cadets)

6

Junker (cadets)

6

Korporals (Serving)

100

Korporals (Furlough)

42

GeFreite (Lance corporals)

280

Grenadiers(Serving)

60

Grenadiers (Furlough)

240

Musketeers (Serving)

240

Musketeers (Furloughed)

960

Fusiliers (Serving)

120

Fusiliers (Furloughed)

480

Hautboisten (musicians)

10

Regiments-Tambour (regimental drum major)

1

Bataillon-Tambour (drum majors)

3

Tambours (drummers - Serving)

28

Tambours (drummers - Furloughed)

14

Pfeiffer (fifers)

2

Regiments-Quartiermeister

1

Bataillons-Quartiermeister und Auditeur

1

Auditeur (judge)

1

Regiment-Chirurg (Surgeon)

1

Bataillons-Chirurgen (Surgeons)

2

Compangnie- Chirurgen (Surgeons)

12

Buchsenmacher (Gunsmith)

1

Buchsenschafter (Gunstock maker)

1

Full compliment

2737

 

One of the first tasks following the OiC’s was to reorganise the existing units into new regiments. A notable change was the introduction of regimental names based on their region rather than their commander.  The new regiments came into being during November 1807.   

Org 19 shows the newly formed regiments and what units were used to create them.

 

Org 19. New Regiment Names and Source units

 

New Regiment

Source units

1st East Prussian Infantry Regiment IR1

#3 Ruchel (Gr/1/2/3) & #11 Fus. Bergen

1st Pommeranian Infantry Regiment IR2

#8 Ruits (Gr/1/2/3), #31 Kropff (Gr), #42 Plotz (Gr), #46 Thile (Gr) and

1st Neumark Reserve Bn and

Canton from #17 Treskow, #19 Pr. Oranien, #22Pirch & #36 Puttkamar

2nd East Prussian Infantry Regiment IR3

#11 Pr. Heinrich (Gr/1/2/Dep) & #6 Fus Rembow

3rd East Prussian Infantry Regiment IR4

#14 Besser (Gr/1/2/Dep), #21 Fus Stutterheim and

Canton from #51 Kauffberg & #55 Manstein

4th East Prusssian Infantry Regimnt IR5

#16 Diericke (1/2/3), #23 Fus Schachtmeyer, #4 Kalreuth (3),

Canton from #35 Pr. Heinrich & #54 Natzmer

1st West Prussian Infantry Regiment IR6

#52 Hamberger (Gr/1/2/3), #3 Fus Wakenitz,  #51 Kaufberg (3) & #53 Larisch(3)

Canton from #24 Zenge, #25 Mollendorf, #26 Larisch & #57 Schack

2nd West Prussian Infantry Regiment IR7

#58 Courbiere (GR/1/2/3), #24 Fus Bulow, #54 Natzmer (3) & #55 Manstein (3)

Canton from #29 Treuenfels, #40 Schimonsky & #43 Strachwitz

Garde Infantry Regiment IR8

#6  Guard Grenadier battalion,  #15 Garde zu Fuss (1)  & #18 Konig (1)

Leib Infantry Regiment IR9

Gren bn Waldenfels, 2nd Pommeranian Reserve Bn & 3rd Neumark Reserve Bn

Contons from #1 Kunheim, #5 Kleist, #13 Arnim, #18 Konig and

Cantons from #27 Tschammer & #34 Pr. Ferdinand

Colberg Infantry Regiment IR10

Colberg Fus Bn Moller,  #7 Owstien (3) & #30  Borke (3) & #42 Plotz (Gr)

Cantons from #12 Braunschewig-Oels & #22 Winning 

1st Silesian Infantry Regiment IR11

Batt Schlesischer Truppen,  #31 Kropff (3), #46 Thile (3) & #50 Sanitz (3)

Schuller Fusilier Battalion , Fusilier Battalion Danielwitz and

Cantons from #28 Malschitzski, #32 Hohnlohe & 49 Muffling

2nd Silesian Infantry Regiment IR12

#33 Alevensleben (3), #38 Pelchrzim (3) & #47 Grawert (3) and

new recruits in Silesia.

2nd Brandenburg Infantry Regiment IR13

1st & 3rd Pommeranian Reserve Bn & 2nd Neumark Reserve Bn and

Krokow Freikorps Battalion

 

.IR13 2nd Brandenburg Infantry Regiment was short lived. Following the Convention of Paris in September 1808 the regiment was disbanded, its troops were redistributed across IR2, IR10 and IR11.

 

Jager

 

A series of OiC’s dated the 14, 16 November 1808 disbanded the Feldjager Regiment and the other light companies that existed after the war, with an additional OiC dated the 21st November 1808 to raise a Garde-Jager-Batallion and the 1st East Prussian FeldJager-Bataillon.  The OiC also drew together all of the light companies that were raised during the war within Silesia (von Sell, von Clausewitz, von Freyburg, von Rekowsky, von Polczinsky, and von Reichmeister).  on the 8th March they were formely organised into the Silesian Schutzen Battalion.3

 

The OiC  also provided details on the Jager Batallons organisation.  Org 19 provides the detail with Org 20 providing information on the units that the batallions were created from.

 

 

Org 19. Jager/Schutzen Bataillion organisation

 

Jager Bataillion compliment

QiC 21st Nov

Kommandeur - Stabsoffiziers

1

3 Company Chefs

3

Stabs-kapitaines

1

Premierleutenants

3

Sekondleutnants

14

Regiments-Quartiermeister

1

Regiment-Chirurg (Surgeon)

1

Stabs-Hornist

1

Feldwebel

4

Kapitains d'armes

4

Fourier

4

Sergeanten 

28

Compangnie- Chirurgen (Surgeons)

4

Hornists

12

Jager

448

 

The Garde-Jager-Bataillion had the same organisation but with one additional of staff officer3

 

Org 20. Jager Bataillon source units

 

 

New Bataillion

Source units

Garde-Jager-Bataillon

FeldJager Regiment (1)

1st East Prussian Feldjager-Bataillon

FeldJager Regiment (2)

Silesian Schutzen Bataillon

Raised during 1807 - von Sell, von Clausewitz, von Freyburg, von Rekowsky,

von Polczinsky, and von Reichmeister light companies

 

Normal-Infanterie-Bataillon

This single bataillon was raised by an OiC on the 14th May 1811 and was the only other infantry unit raised during the peace years 1808 to 1812.  It was made part of the Garde in order to maintain the men-at-arms limitation imposed by the Treaty of Paris, however its status in the Prussian army was of a normal infantry bataillon..  It had a special purpose in that it was used to train soldiers in the new regulations, men were drawn from all regiments which were trained and then returned to their parent units to train them thus maintaing a high level of standardisation throughout the army.  The bataillon consisted 22 Officers and four companies of 12 Unteroffiziere and 125 men. Org. xx sows the organisation and Org xx shows where the men were drawn from.  It is worth noting that each new company raised one man to the rank of an Unteroffiziere after it had been formed.

 

 

Org 20. Normal-Infanterie-Bataillon organisation

 

 

Normal-Infanterie-Bataillon

Men

Major

1

Kapitains

3

Stabs-kapitaines

1

Premierleutenants

3

Sekondleutnants

14

Feldwebel

4

Sergeanten 

44

Compangnie- Chirurgen (Surgeons)

4

Men

500

 

 

Org 20. Regimental drafts into the Normal-Infanterie-Bataillon

 

 

1st Company draft from

UO

Men

1st East Prussian Infantry Regiment

3

42

1st East Prussian Grenadier Battalion

1

0

2nd East Prussian Infantry Regiment

3

42

2nd East Prussian Grenadier Battalion

1

0

3rd East Prussian Infantry Regiment

3

42

Sub-Total

11

126

2nd Company draft from

UO

Men

4th East Prussian Infantry Regiment

3

42

1st Pomeranian Infantry Regiment

3

42

1st Pomeranian Grenadier Battalion

1

0

Colberg Infantry Regiment

3

42

Guard Jaeger Battalion

1

0

Sub-Total

11

126

3rd Company draft from

UO

Men

Garde-zu-Fuss

3

42

Lieb Grenadier Regiment

3

42

Lieb Grenadier Battalion

1

0

1st West Prussian Infantry Regiment

3

42

1st East Prussian Jaeger Battalion

1

0

Sub-Total

11

126

4th Company draft from

UO

Men

2nd West Prussian Infantry Regiment

3

42

1st Silesian Infantry Regiment

3

42

West Prussian Grendier Battalion

1

0

Silesian Grenadier Battalion

1

0

2nd Silesian Infantry Regiment

3

42

Sub-Total

11

126

 

 

 

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