At the beginning of the Empire, the foot artillery was composed of eight regiments with a ninth created in 1810. The number of companies was considerably increased over the years and, in fact.
196. Hussar-style vest, worn by Major General, Comte Valee, Commander-in-Chief of the Artillery of the Grande Armee, appointed a marshal in 1837 (Musee de I’Emperi).
The strength of the artillery corps doubled between the Consulat and 1813. Starting in 1809, the great batteries played a major role in battle. The uniform of the artillerymen was similar to that of the infantrymen, although all artillery regiments adopted the colors of the eighteenth-century Royal Artillery regiment: all blue with red trim. The headgear was the bicorne until the shako became regulation issue in 1807.
There were six regiments of horse artillery in 1804, a number that remained constant until the end of the Empire, although the number of actual companies increased. The horse artillerymen wore the fine hussar-style uniform of the mounted chasseurs, but in blue with red braids and ornaments. Officers also wore the colback. As for the artillery service corps, their uniform was steel gray with blue facings and collar. The uniform of the army engineers was the same as that of the foot artillery, but with black velvet facings and collar.
World History
