Dawson, Paul L. The Armies of the French Revolution

Uniforms and Equipment

The revolutionary period was marked by upheaval for France and its army. The military of the early republic consisted of former members of the royal army and revolutionary volunteers, which was reflected in the diversity of their uniforms. Despite the chaos, records were kept meticulously, and Paul L. Dawson examined thousands of documents from the Service Historique Armée du Terre in Paris to describe in detail the uniforms worn before Napoleon's rise to power. Soldiers' clothing was subject to strict regulations, with each garment being assigned a specific lifespan. Regular inspections checked the condition of the uniforms, and unusable items were returned and replaced. Repairs were recorded, and the soldiers bore the cost of replacements. A regiment's clothing officer managed purchases for the enlisted men, while the officers procured their own uniforms. The regimental council ensured that purchases met the quality standards set out in a uniform register. Inspection reports and registers provide an unprecedented insight into the uniforms of the Revolutionary Army, much of which has never been published before. Although not all regimental data has been found, Dawson's research offers the most accurate account to date. His book combines detailed records with illustrations and photographs of rare surviving items, offering readers a unique visual and historical perspective on the appearance of soldiers during this period of upheaval.