The Prussian Army 1813-1815

[[N]Von Thielmann]

The prussian Army of 1815 by Scott Bowden in his book Armies of Waterloo.

A new numbering system occured in July 6th 1813. The Brandenburg Infantry Regiment became #12(Veterans) to fill the place in the line left by the reorganization of the guard infantry. Reserve infantry(conscripts) 1-12 became line #13-24. #25 was formed from the Lutzow friekorp and 1000 conscripts(conscript), #26 was formed from the Elbe Friekorp and 250 conscripts(regulars),#27 was formed from 3 friekorp battalions(regulars), #28 and #29 were formed frome two berg regiments former allies of the french(regulars) Poor moral? #30 and #31 were formed from 6 battalions of the Russo-German Legion considered by Scott Bowden as the best Infantry regiments in the Prussian Army(Elite). One note about the Russo-German Legion in 1815 most the russian troops and not prussian troops were furloghed so it became (conscript). #32 were fromed from saxon units formed in districts ceeded to prussia(regular) with very poor moral.

Prior to 1815 there were 3 cuirassairs Regiments, 6 Dragoon Regiments, 6 Hussar regiments and 3 Uhlans regiments. Good quality troopers.

In 1815 2 more dragoons, 6 more hussar and 5 more Uhlans were formed taking men from the above regiments . The organization of the new line cavalry regiments in this manner not only weakened and disrupted existing units, it also had the effect of bringing into the ranks many personnel from new territories who weren't thrilled with the prospects of being in Prussian Uniform. Thus the latter new units were probably conscript in quality while the orignal were probably (regular) with some moral issues.

By the end of 1814 there were 13.5 6pdr horse batteries,33.5 6pdr foot batteries, 1 3 pdr foot battery, 1 7pdr howitzer battery, 7 12pdr foot batteries.

Batteries called for in 1815 were of poor quality with poorly train men and officers. 20 6pdr horse batteries, 31 6pdr batteries, 6 7pdr howtizer batteries, 19 12pdr batteries.

Each corp had 3 12 pdr foot batteries,5 6pdr batteries, 3 6pdr batteries, and 1 7pdr howtizer battery.

1st corp #9 12pder battery was conscript
2nd corp #8 and #10 12pdr battery was conscript,#34 and #37 6pdr foot battery was conscript #14 6pdr battery was conscript
3rd corp #11 and #12 12pdr batteries were conscript, #35 and #36 foot battery were conscript, #3 7pdr howitzer battery conscript.#18 and #19 6pdr horse battery were formed from Russo-German Legion(Elite), #20 6pdr horse battery (conscript).
4th corp #3 7pdr Howitzer battery (conscript).

[[N]Von Thielmann]

Other problems which occured for the prussian army of 1815.

By April of 1815 the Saxons field 15 battalions of infantry, 13 squadrons of cavalry, 7 batteries of artillery and 1 company of sappers around 14000 men. On the night of May 2nd there was a near mutiny in which most all units of Saxon Origin participated; only the 3rd grenadier battalion remained steady. As a result of the attempted mutiny, Field Marshal Blucher ordered all the entire saxon army disarmed. Seven officers were executed , the saxon flags burned, and all personnel from the disbanned army were distributed among the remainder of the Prussian army. The Saxon infantry were allocated to Infantry regiment #6 #7 #16 as well as the 5th, 7th and 12th Silesian Landwehr infantry. The Saxon Cavalry were allocated to the Life Hussars, 7th through 12th Hussar regiments and the 4th through 8th Silesian Landwehr Cavalry Regiments. The artillerist were spread among ten batteries. Horse battery #3; Foot battery #6,17,22,25, and 26: howitzer batteries #5 and 6; 12pdr foot battery #5 and 19. Moral probably suspect in elements of all regiments listed above.

Another graphic example of how reluctant the Rhinelanders were to serve with blucher's army in 1815 occured immediately after the battle of ligny, when more than 10,000 disaffected Rhinelanders deserted and fled towards Leige.