miscellaneous
Histofig plate
Tirailleurs Corses and du Po at Sokoltnitz (Austerlitz
1805)
tirailleurs corses y tiraiilleurs du po
These two famous light infantry units were
brigaded together duriong the campaing of 1805 in the Legrand's division of the
Soult's IV Corps. During the battle of Austerlitz both units contributed to the succesful
defense of Sokolnitz, previously to the storm of Pratzen heights by the other
divisions of IV Corps (Saint-Hilaire and Vandamme). The 'Tirailleurs Corses'
were known as 'the emperor's cousins' and were from Corcega island, whereas the
'Tirailleurs du Po' were from the Northen Italian zone liberated by Napoleon
from Austrian rule.
In 1805 the uniform of both units was similar to the
rest of french light units, i.e. with shako. There is a strong controversy with
the color of the coat of the 'Tirailleurs Corses' (dark blue or brown) but in
1805 the colour is more likely to be blue with green facings. The giberne was
weared in the waist 'a la corse' and the rest of the uniform was typical from
the French light infantry units On the other hand, the coat of the 'Tirailleurs
du Po' was green, i.e. the typical colour of the italian units, with white
waist-coat and breeches. Both units are shown in the web of HISTOFIG (Empire
> Uniforms > France
> Units hors ligne) if well the coat of the 'Tirailleurs du' Po does not
corresponds to the 1805 one.
For the models I have used the '1805 French
Ligh Infantry' of HAT (Ref. 8063) whitout any modification for the 'Tirailleurs
du Po', and with the giberne removed (and then glued in the waist) for the
'Tirailleurs Corses'.
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