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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