Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

2nd Regiment of Lighthorse-Lancers (Dutch) of the Imperial Guard
[2e Regiment de Chevau-Légers Lanciers de la Garde Impériale]
The Red Lancers !

The Regiment of Red Lancers was formed in 1810 from three Dutch troops:
- Garde du Corps (former Guard Cuirassiers)
- Guard Hussar Regiment
- 3th Hussar Regiment
The German members of the Guard Hussars were given the choice of joining the Berg Lancers or the four Dutch regiments. According to Decree of 13 September 1810 "No officer may remain in the corps who is not Dutch by birth." However, in October the Emperor realized that the unit was 143 short of establishment. In order to fill the ranks, Napoleon signed a new decree and accepted many Germans.
Article 1: All officers, NCOs and soldiers of the former Dutch Guard who were born in the territory of the Hanseatic cities, in Oldenburg, Osnabruck (Duchy of Berg) and in Westphalia will be considered as Dutch."
Article 2: All Germans who have served without interruption since at least 1800 in the former Dutch Guard, either on foot or mounted, who have never deserted and who enlisted of their own will in the Dutch forces, will be considered as Dutch."
Part of Article 4: "Our Minister of War will make a special register of those who are Prussian."

To strengthen the regiment before the Invasion of Russia, Napoleon issued a decree on 11 March 1812 stating:
"The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Lighthorse-Lancers; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 10th Hussars; 5th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 26th, 29th, and 31st Chasseurs; and 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th Dragoons, are each to provide 15 men for the recruitment of the above-mentioned 2nd Lighthorse-Lancers of our Guard. These men must have completed between 2 and 4 years of service, and will be selected from among the best remaining at the depots in France." (In comparison the Horse Grenadiers accepted men with 10 years of service, and the Guard Dragoons with 5-10 years.)
Thus the Red Lancers were a mixed unit of young Dutch recruits and guardsmen with French cavalrymen who completed 2-4 years of service.

Colonels :
1811 - Colbert
Majors :
1810 - Hasselt
1810 - Du Bois
1813 - Gauthier
1813 - Lalaing d’Audenarde
1815 - Du Bois

Pierre Eduard Colbert was the colonel of the 2nd Guard Lancers. He was to the Red Lancers what Letort was to the Guard Dragoons, a hero, a legend. Marshal Ney described Colbert as "consummate officer of the greatest distinction." Colbert earned the nickname "Iron Man" on many battlefields. Some found him domineering and tactless. In 1814, in a report presented to the Burbons he was described as "skilled and distinguished in all disciplines." Colbert earned the nickname "Iron Man" on many battlefields. Bullet wound to arm (Egypt), bullet wound to thigh (Austerlitz) three lance wounds (Eastern Prussia 1807), bullet wound to head (Wagram), bullet wound to arm (Quatre-Bras). - Ronald Pawly
After returning from Elba Napoleon met Colbert.
Napoleon: "Colbert, you are arriving quite late !"
Colbert: "Sire, I could come no sooner."
Napoleon: "Come on, You're late - what kept you ?"
Colbert: "Sire, not as late as Your Majesty
I have been waiting for you a year."

Uniform.
The Red Lancers wore one of the most striking uniforms in Napoleonic cavalry. Initially it had been intended to dress the Red Lancers in uniforms similar to those worn by the Guard Horse Chasseurs of Napoleon's escort. Some Dutch officers quickly complied. Henri Lachoque writes that Baron Colbert "was concerned about their uniform, believing that the 2nd Guard Lancers should be dressed like the 1st Guard Lancers [Poles], although the czapka and kurtka were essentially Polish garments."
It was decided that since the Dutch Guard were organised as the Polish Guard Lancers, so their uniform should be the same as that of their fellow lancers. The Decree of 10 February 1811 stated: "Article 1: The 2nd Lighthorse-Lancers of the Guard will have the same cut of jacket and the same headdress as the 1st Lighthorse-Lancers of the Guard (Polish). It will keep the color scarlet for the jacket, with yellow buttons and distinctions. The distinctive color for lapels, collars and cuff facings will be sky blue." The collars, lapels, turnbacks and cuffs were in fact produced in dark blue.
In April 1812 the King of Prussia on learning that the Imperial Guard was passing through Potsdam, asked about the Red Lancers. The king greatly admired their uniform. Today, their uniforms are popular among wargamers and collectors of military figurines.
In 1813 the squadrons of Young Guard wore blue (not red) jackets faced with red.

Weapons.
The Red Lancer also carried carbine (An XIII model flintlock light cavalry musketoon) and light cavalry curved saber. His primary weapon however was lance. They received instructors from the 1st Guard Lancers. Ronald Pawly writes, "One of the instructors was Ltn. Fallot, who had detached with 8 regimental NCOs to the Polish Guard Lancers at Chantilly in 27 November 1810 to learn the handling of the lance. ... In recent years Napoleon was unpleasantly impressed by the effectivenness of this weapon - then a novelty in Western Europe - in the hands of Austrian and Russian uhlans and Cossacks, and in 1811 would see his final decision to form a new lancer branch within the French cavalry. That May, at Albuera in Spain, the Vistula Uhlans in French service took part in one of the most bloodily successful cavalry charges of the Napoleonic Wars: together with the French 2nd Hussars they rode right over a British infantry brigade ..."
Fallot's party spent 6 weeks at Chantilly learning this demanding new skill. The safe and effective handling of the heavy wooden lance - 2.26 m long with a 21 cm iron head - took a great deal of practice, the rudiments being taught on foot for some time before any attempt was made to master mounted drill. ... it took a thoroughly trained trooper to handle the lance in action; to a poor horseman it was an impediment , even a danger ..." During march the weight of the lance bore down on the stirrup, where its lower end fitted into a small 'bucket'; carried on the march slanting back from a small sling around the rider's arm.

Horses.
The Dutch lancers rode on chestnuts and bays, measuring between 14 and 14.75 hands (146-150 cm). Each cost approx. 460 francs. The horses came mostly from Ardennes, Manche, Orne and Calvados regions. Some thought it would be nice to give them blacks.

Red Lancers during peacetime and in combat.
On 23 September 1810 the French Imperial Guard and the Dutch Guard were present at the Sunday parade at the Tuileries. Napoleon approached the Red Lancers and asked about the recent disorders, which had taken place in their garrison. The colonel apologised and attributed the episode to the effects of hospitality lavished on them by their new brothers in arms. Napoleon replied: "Well, if your men can't withstand the effects of wine they will have to be satisfied with drinking beer in the future." In late 1811, two squadrons of Red Lancers escorted Napoleon through the new Belgian and Dutch departments.
By March 1812 the regiment in the field numbered 41 officers and 649 other ranks. As they passed through Holland some officers took the opportunity which offered to see their families. On 22 March the Red Lancers entered Hanover. After several weeks on the march many of the horses were in poor shape. The reinforcements were soon ready to start their march eastwards. In April in Potsdam the Red Lancers met the King of Prussia. In May they were ordered to head for Danzig (today Gdansk. On 24 June the Red Lancers crossed the Niemen River over the bridge and entered Russia. Two days later they were used as outposts and scouts.
Deprived of good wine and food, and comfortable quarters, and constantly harrased by Cossacks the Red Lancers lost their good spirit. General Colbert wrote to Bessieres (commander of the Imperial Guard): "A bad mood reigns among the officers, and it could spread to the soldiers if one should be indulgent."
On 27 July the Cossacks and the elite Russian Lifeguard Uhlans surprised detachments of Red Lancers at Babinovitz and took approx. 50 prisoners. Only an NCO and 3 lancers escaped. Colbert launched a pursuit but "the enemy had made off." The regiment then marched to Vitebsk where Napoleon was assembling his Imperial Guard. From there they moved to Smolensk and crossed the Dieper River.
From 14 August onwards the Red Lancers would form with the Polish Guard Lancers a brigade under Colbert. The mood in the regiment improved and on Napoleon's birthday the Dutch decorated trees with inscriptions and lanterns bearing the monograms of Napoleon. These ornaments were made by Sergeant Skalski of Polish Guard Lancers. Then the Dutch, French, Germans and the Poles shared their stores of spirits.
"The Red Lancers were dogged by ill luck with the Cossacks, who seemed insultingly eager to come to blows (perhaps as a result of their easy victory in the fight at Babinovitz). Sometimes when Cossacks saw a patrol of the Regiment they would make a rush at them shouting "A red one ! Catch him !", and often forced them to flee. It is said that, on occassion, the seasoned Polish Lancers would exchange their sombre blue and crimson uniform for the Dutch scarlet, causing considerable surprise to overconfident Cossacks and encouraging a warier approach in future." (Pawly - "The Red Lancers" p 35)
Paul Britten-Austin writes that the Dutchmen are "too phlegmatic" for the little warfare. Austin writes: "Approaching stealthily, Cossacks nevertheless (again) carry off the Dutch regiment's outpost picket. And again 'only one man escaped flat out at a gallop and brought the news to our camp. Even an hour and a half's pursuit couldn't catch up with the Cossacks.' Mortified by this second surprise of the campaign, Colbert doubles the 2nd Regiment's outposts; and, to make assurance doubly sure, mingles the Dutchmen with the warier, more experienced Poles." (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 333)
During the battles of Smolensk and Borodino the Red Lancers were held in reserve. On 22 September they passed under the walls of Kremlin, Moscow. "We found Moscow absolutely deserted ... We have been detached from the Guard and are involved daily with the Cossacks." - wrote Captain Calkoen.
"Nearing Bouikhovo after nearly 3 hours' ride, Calkoen's squadron were advancing a few hundred yards ahead of the Poles when Ltn. Doyen led his point troop up a hillock. They were immediately attacked from all sides by the Cossacks. Ltn. van Omphal's troops were at once sent to help them disengage, but were outflanked in their turn. The Red Lancers fell back towards the Polish squadron, who had halted and taken up battle formation. Under this cover the Dutch Lancers regrouped and charged the Cossacks again ..." (- Ronald Pawly)
In the end of the campaign the Polish Guard Lancers had their horses rough shod and saved 200 horses. But the Red Lancers didn't follow the Poles' habit and were able to save only few officers' horses.
The Dutchmen were brave men, no doubt about it, but they were not well suited for this campaign. The Poles, whose homeland habitually suffered bitter winters and cold winds from the east, will have been better prepared for the hardships, mentally and perhaps physically.
In 1813 this regiment was rebuilt with volunteers and King Joseph's (Napoleon's brother) guard. Many of these men were veterans. Some sources give the first 5 squadrons as Old Guard and majority Dutch. The other 5 squadrons were ranked as Young Guard and were recruited in part from the municipal cavalry of the Guard of Paris. Other sources give 4 squadrons of Old Guard and 6 of Young Guard. Henri Lachoque writes: "Later the Emperor added 5 Young Guard squadrons, ranking the 5 veteran squadrons as Old Guard without increasing their pay and allowances." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 433)
"General Colbert's brigade of Guard Lancers performed with distinction on the 20th, and on the 21st when fighting continued at Wurschen. ... [At Reichenbach] Russian artillery was emplaced and protected by other troops. Very soon the Cossacks were being supported by Russian dragoons, and the position of Colbert's brigade became untenable. With hardly 6 squadrons at his disposal the general ordered his Red Lancers to attack the Russian cavalry while the other squadrons of the brigade formed a second line. Counterattacked by much greater numbers, the first squadrons were forced to withdraw; the intervention of the second line bought them time to rally." (Pawly - "The Red Lancers")
According to M. Bogdanovich of Russia, at Reichenbach the Russian artillery fired on the Red Lancers. This bombardement was immediatelly followed by spirited cavalry charge conducted by General Korf’s cavalry. The lancers were driven off, lost 5 officers and 176 other ranks as prisoners. (Bogdanovich M. - “Istoriya Voiny 1813 Goda” St. Petersburg 1863, Vol 1, page 282)
According to Captain de Stuers the regiment lost at Reichenbach 201 killed and wounded.
In 1813 at Dresden the Red Lancers successfully charged against Giulay's Austrians. Then they have fought at Nollendorf and Toplitz. On 14 October the Red Lancers captured a large convoy escorted by Cossacks. They were present at Leipzig. One squadron was trapped in the city by the destruction of the bridge.
In 1814 it was still a very strong regiment and participated in numerous combats. At Hoogstraten a detachment of Red Lancers under de Brack dealt with the Prussian uhlans. Several squadrons retired to Brussels. De Brack's detachment occupied Waterloo and the junction of the roads to Nivelles and Namur.
The regiment charged at Brienne and at La Rothiere. At La Rothiere the Red Lancers and Polish Guard Lancers attacked Vasilchikov's Russian hussars and dragoons. The Red Lancers made another charge and recaptured the guns lost by Duhesme's infantry.
At Montmirail the Red Lancers covered a 20-gun battery and suffered heavy losses from Allies' artillery.
At Antwerp 100 lancers made a well-timed charge against Allies skirmishers.
At Laon the Red Lancers successfully charged into Russians' right flank. But they failed to break infantry square and suffered heavy casualties. (The square was protected by a wide ditch.)
At St.Dizier they fought with great bravery, overrun 18 Russian guns and captured 6 guns and 400 Russian dragoons. General Sebastiani reported that in 20 years he had never seen a more brilliant charge !
After Napoleon's first abdication, many Dutch officers and NCOs asked to go home. Some hoped to be admitted to the new army of the Netherlands.
In 1815, just few weeks before Waterloo, Napoleon wrote, "As soon as possible the Red Lancers must be increased to 3 regiments..." This however didn't happen, the time was too short. It was only one regiment as they lacked horse and men, and even accepted cavalrymen from different sources: Royal Corps, retirement, Young Guard and even some horse grenadiers.
At Quatre Bras the Red Lancers fought with the Nassau infantry and Dutch troops. At Waterloo the Red Lancers charged Allies squares without artillery support and without success. During the retreat after the battle they routed several squadrons of British cavalry and escorted Napoleon to the Sambre River and on to Philippeville.