Dawson, Paul L. Napoleon's Officers

Uniforms and Equipment

As part of the author's groundbreaking book seriesregarded as the definitive reference on Napoleonic army uniforms*Napoleon's Officers: Uniforms and Equipment* represents the most significant study of this perennially popular subject among wargamers, artists, and historians in over two centuries. Drawing primarily on contemporary regulations and rarely consulted archival holdings from the *Archives Nationales* and the *Service Historique de lArmée de Terre* in Parisas well as period illustrations and original uniform piecesthe author describes the uniforms of the *Grande Armée* staff with a level of comprehensiveness and precision unmatched since the heyday of the First Empire. The work examines the uniforms of brigade and division generals, including the magnificent and elaborate attire of General Lasalle, the idol of the light cavalry. Also described are the uniforms of *adjudants-commandants*, aides-de-camp, secretaries, and other often-overlooked yet indispensable staff members responsible for the day-to-day command of the *Grande Armée* on campaign. Featured are the striking uniforms of Berthiers aides-de-campwith their scarlet breeches and black dolmansas well as those serving the Marshals of the Empire and other high-ranking staff officers. The book also covers the *officiers dordonnance*men who acted on the Emperor's behalf; clad in green or medium blue, these officers outranked all others in the army and ensured the execution of the Emperor's orders. Equally vital to the functioning of the French army were the couriers and dispatch riders who transmitted orders and were essential to the command and control of the *Grande Armée*. Other staff members included topographical officers who mapped the armys route of march, war commissaries responsible for provisioning the army and procuring the raw materials needed for new uniforms, and inspectors who oversaw the proper outfitting of the troopsa central aspect of this visually impressive book.