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Army of the Rhine (1870)

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Army of the Rhine (1870)
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The Army of the Rhine (French: Armée du Rhin) was a French military unit that fought in the Franco-Prussian War. It was created after the declaration of war on July 18 1870.

Quick facts Armée du Rhin (Army of the Rhine), Active ...

The unit participated in combats in Lorraine, then divided to form a second army, the Army of Châlons.

The Army of the Rhine surrendered on 27 October at the Siege of Metz.

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Creation of the unit

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The Army of the Rhine was the first French Army constituted after the declaration of war, formed from the available troops during peacetime. Initially commanded by the Emperor Napoleon III, the Army included the Imperial Guard (French: La Garde Impériale), 7 Army Corps and a general reserve. Each Army Corps was constituted of 3 or 4 infantry division and 1 cavalry division made up of 2 or 3 brigades each, one artillery reserve and one engineer reserve. Each brigade counted 2 or 3 line infantry or line cavalry regiments.

The infantry divisions included an artillery component with 2 batteries de canons de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuse, while the cavalry divisions constituted 2 batteries horse mounted.

Formation of the army corps:[1]

  • The Imperial Guard of the Second Empire (French: Garde Impériale du Second Empire), with commander, général Bourbaki, garrisoned in Paris in times of peace. The Imperial Guard reached Metz on July 28 and the Guard reserves on the 30.
  • The 1st Army Corps [fr] (French: 1er Corps d'Armée), commanded by Maréchal de France Patrice de Mac Mahon, Duc de Magenta was formed in principal by troops from Algeria and the regiments of Eastern France. This Army Corps activated on August 1, 1870. Its initial role was to cover the Alsace.
  • The 2nd Army Corps [fr] (French: 2e Corps d'Armée) was consisted of troops of the Camp de Châlons, commanded by Frossard, aide de camp of the Emperor. These units made their way to Saint-Avold and Forbach.
  • The 3rd Army Corps (French: 3e Corps d'Armée) was formed by troops from Paris, Metz and Nancy. Commanded by Marshal François Achille Bazaine until August 12, then général Decaen killed at Borny (August 12 to 14) and finally commanded by Marshal Le Bœuf.
  • The 4th Army Corps [fr] (French: 4e Corps d'Armée), formed at Thionville on July 23 from the garrisons of the north and north-east, commanded by général de Ladmirault.
  • The 5th Army Corps (French: 5e Corps d'Armée), formed with the Army of Lyon, commanded by general de Failly. This Army Corps assembled in the regions of Bitche and Haguenau.
  • The 6th Army Corps [fr] (French: 6e Corps d'Armée) of Marshal François Certain de Canrobert consisted of troops from Paris, Châlons, and Soissons and assembled at the camp de Châlons.
  • The 7th Army Corps [fr] (French: 7e Corps d'Armée) had difficulty assembling due to its units being widely dispersed. Troops of the Army Corps hailed from the south-east, Clermont-Ferrand, Perpignan, Civitavecchia and had to make their way to Colmar and Belfort. This Army Corps was commanded by général Douay.
  • The general Cavalry Reserve was supposed to be formed initially of 3 divisions with 2 brigades each. However, only 2 divisions were available as the 1st Division was employed to reinforce the Army of Châlons as the cavalry of the 6th Corps.
  • The general Artillery Reserve, commanded by général Canu, formed at Nancy and made its way to Metz.
  • The general Engineer Reserve was commanded by colonel Rémond.
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Composition and order of battle

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On August 1, 1870, the Army of the Rhine was constituted of seven Army Corps and of artillery and reserve cavalry. Lieutenant-colonel Rousset tendered an estimative decomposition by grand units:[3]

Commandement and état-major

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Napoleon III, first commander-in-chief of the Army of the Rhin.
  • Commander-in-Chief : Napoléon III
  • Major General : maréchal Le Bœuf
  • Aides-major generals :
  • Artillery Commander : général Marie Justin Lin Soleille (also known as général Justin Soleille)
  • Engineer Commander : général Coffinières de Nordeck [fr]
  • Intendant of the Army : général Wolff [fr]
  • Medical Chief of the Army : baron Larrey [fr]

The Imperial Guard

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Général Bourbaki, commander of the Imperial Guard.
1st Infantry Division (voltigeurs)

The 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard (French: La Garde Impériale) was commanded by général Deligny [fr]

  • 1st Brigade of général Brincourt
    • Imperial Guard Chasseur Battalion [fr] (French: Chasseurs de la Garde Impériale) (commandant Dufaure du Bessol [fr])
    • Imperial Guard 1st Voltigeurs Regiment [fr] (French: 1er Régiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Impériale) (colonel Dumont [fr])
    • Imperial Guard 2nd Voltigeurs Regiment [fr] (French: 2e Régiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Impériale) (colonel Désiré Camille Jean Peychaud)
  • 2nd Brigade of général Garnier [fr]
    • Imperial Guard 3rd Voltigeurs Regiment [fr] (French: 3e Régiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Impériale) (colonel Jules Pierre Joseph Lian)
    • Imperial Guard 4th Voltigeurs Regiment [fr] (French: 4e Régiment de Voltigeurs de la Garde Impériale) (colonel Jean-Baptiste Xavier Bonaventure Ponsard)
  • 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
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Detachment of the grenadiers of the Imperial Guard at Rezonville (painting of Édouard Detaille - 1870).
2nd Infantry Division (Grenadiers)

The 2nd Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard was commanded by général Picard [fr]

  • 1st Brigade of général Jeanningros
    • Imperial Guard Zouaves Regiment [fr] (French: Régiment de zouaves de la Garde Impériale) (colonel Jean-Baptiste Joseph Giraud)
    • Imperial Guard 1st Grenadier Regiment [fr] (French: 1er Régiment de Grenadiers de la Garde Impériale) (colonel Georges Hippolyte Théologue)
  • 2nd Brigade of général Le Poittevin de La Croix-Vaubois [fr]
    • Imperial Guard 2nd Grenadier Regiment [fr] (French: 2e Régiment de Grenadiers de la Garde Impériale) (colonel Lecointe)
    • Imperial Guard 3rd Grenadier Regiment [fr] (French: 3e Régiment de Grenadiers de la Garde Impériale) (colonel Louis Cousin)
  • 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the Imperial Guard was commanded by général Nicolas Gilles Toussaint Desvaux

  • 1st Brigade of général Joseph Charles Halna du Frétay
    • Guides Regiment [fr] (French: Régiment de guides) (colonel Frédéric de Percin Northumberland)
    • Chasseurs Regiment (French: Régiment de chasseurs) (colonel Antoine Louis Claude de Montarby)
  • 2nd Brigade of général Jean Alexandre Ernest de France
    • Lancers Regiment (French: Régiment de lanciers) (colonel Henri Jean-Baptiste de Latheulade)
    • Dragoon Regiment of the Empress (French: Régiment de dragons de l'Impératrice) (colonel Simon Antoine Eugène Sautereau-Dupart)
  • 3rd Brigade of général du Preuil [fr]
    • Cuirassiers Regiment (French: Régiment de cuirassiers) (colonel Charles François Antoine Dupressoir)
    • Carabiniers Regiment of the Imperial Guard [fr] (French: Régiment de carabiniers de la Garde Impériale) (colonel Louis Jean Edmond Petit)
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
Reserve Artillery (colonel Félix François Louis Clappier)
  • 4 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
  • 1 Train equipped Squadron
Parc Artillery (colonel Elie Jean de Vassoigne)
Total artillery
  • 24 Battalions, 24 Squadrons, 72 pieces out of which 12 mitrailleuses, 2 Engineer Companies, 1 Train Squadron

1st Army Corps

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Marshal de Mac Mahon, commander of the 1st Army Corps.

The 1st Army Corps [fr] (French: 1er Corps d'Armée) was commanded by Patrice de MacMahon, Duke of Magenta, with chef d'état-major général Colson [fr]. Général Ducrot, former commander of the 1st Division, succeeded Marshal Mac Mahon who recently assumed command of the Army of Châlons. Général Philippe Antoine Justin Joly Frigola commanded the artillery.

1st Infantry Division

The 1st Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Ducrot

  • 1st Brigade of général Wolff [fr]
    • 18th Infantry Regiment [fr] (French: 18e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (colonel Alexis Evariste Appolinie Bréger)
    • 96th Infantry Regiment (French: 96e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (colonel Ernest de Franchessin)
    • 13th Chasseurs Batallion [fr] (French: 13e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (commandant Alfred Jules Adrien Le Cacher de Bonneville)
  • 2nd Brigade of général Louis Jules de Postis du Houlbec
    • 45th Line Infantry Regiment [fr] (French: 45e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (colonel René Ludovic Bertrand)
    • 1st Zouaves Regiment [fr] (French: 1er Régiment de Zouaves) (colonel Simon Hubert Carteret-Trecourt)
  • 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Douay

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Raoult

4th Infantry Division

The 4th Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Marie-Hippolyte de Lartigue de Goueytes

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 1st Army Corps was commanded by général Duhesme

Reserve Artillery

Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Jean Louis de Vassart d'Andernay

  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
  • Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer

2nd Army Corps

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Général Frossard, commander of the 2nd Army Corps.

The 2nd Army Corps (French: 2e Corps d'Armée) was commanded by général Frossard, with chef d'état-major général Eugène Saget.

1st Infantry Division

The 1st Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général Vergé

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général Bataille

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général de Laveaucoupet

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was commanded by général Claude marie Hyacinthe Marmier

Reserve Artillery

Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Beaudoin

  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
  • Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer

3rd Army Corps

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Marshal Bazaine, commander of the 3rd Army Corps.

The 3rd Army Corps (French: 3e Corps d'Armée) was commanded by Marshal Bazaine, with chef d'état-major général Claude Jules Isidore Manèque.

1st Infantry Division

The 1st Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of Montaudon

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général de Castagny

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général Jean-Louis Metman

4th Infantry Division

The 4th Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général Decaen then Aymard

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was commanded by général comte Charles Philippe Marie Antoine de Clérembault

Reserve Artillery

Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel de Lajaille

  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
  • Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer

4th Army Corps

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Général Ladmirault, commander of the 4th Army Corps.

The 4th Army Corps (French: 4e Corps d'Armée) was commanded by général de Ladmirault, with chef d'état-major général Osmont.

1st Infantry Division

The 1st Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps was under the orders of général Courtot de Cissey

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps was under the orders of général Rose[5] then Grenier

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps was under the orders of général Latrille comte de Lorencez

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 4th Army Corps was commanded by général Legrand

Reserve Artillery

Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Soleille

  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
  • Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer

5th Army Corps

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Général de Failly, commander of the 5th Army Corps.

The 5th Army Corps (French: 5e Corps d'Armée) was commanded by général de Failly, with chef d'état-major général Besson.

1st Infantry Division

The 1st Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps was under the orders of général Goze.

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps was under the orders of général de l'Abadie d'Aydren.

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps was under the orders of général Guyot de Lespart

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 5th Army Corps was commanded by général Brahaut

Reserve Artillery

Colonel de Salignac-Fénelon

  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
  • Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer

6th Army Corps

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Général de Canrobert, commander of the 6th Army Corps.

The 6th Army Corps was (French: 6e Corps d'Armée) was commanded by Marshal Certain de Canrobert, with chef d'état-major général Henry.

1st Infantry Division

The 1st Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Tixier

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Bisson[6]

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Lafont de Villiers

4th Infantry Division

The 4th Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Levassor-Sorval

Cavalry Division[9]

The Cavalry Division of the 6th Army Corps was commanded by général de Salignac-Fénelon

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division attached to the 6th Army Corps since August 18 in replacement of the division of Salignac-Fénelon, was commanded by général du Barail

Reserve Artillery
  • Artillery reserve under the orders of général Bertrand[10]
    • 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
    • 4 Artillery Batteries de 4 montées
    • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
  • Parc d'artillerie, réserve et parc du génie

7th Army Corps

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Général Douay, commander of the 7th Army Corps.

The 7th Army Corps (French: 7e Corps d'Armée) was commanded by général Douay, with chef d'état-major général Renson.

1st Infantry Division

The 1st Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Conseil-Dumesnil.

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Liébert.

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Dumont.

Cavalry Division
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Général Ameil, commander of the cavalry division of the 7th Army Corps.

The Cavalry Division of the 7th Army Corps was commanded by général baron Ameil.

Reserve Artillery

Colonel Aubac

  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 12,
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted,
  • 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted.
  • Parc Artillery, Reserves and Parc Engineer.

Reserve Cavalry

1st Cavalry Division [15]

The 1st Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général du Barail.

The 2nd Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général de Bonnemain.

2nd Cavalry Division
3rd Cavalry Division

The 3rd Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général de Forton.

Reserve Artillery and Engineer

General Reserve Artillery

Commanded by général Canu.

  • 1st Division of colonel Salvador (8 Artillery Batteries de 12)
  • 1st Division of colonel Toussaint (8 Artillery Batteries horse mounted)
Grand parc de campagne

Commanded by général de Mitrecé.

General Reserve of Engineer

Commanded by colonel Rémond.

  • 2 Sapeurs Companies
  • 1 Mining Company
  • 1 Detachment of Sapeurs-Conducteurs
Grand parc du Génie
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Chronology of operations

References

Sources and bibliography

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