tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421523628846922799.post1363333370928237977..comments2018-07-24T22:37:41.798-07:00Comments on Grenadiers a Cheval: Sapeurs d'InfanterieAnthonyDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05922932669345428663noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421523628846922799.post-41537497081141998432015-02-02T04:05:19.785-08:002015-02-02T04:05:19.785-08:00It's because the beared imparted a "primi...It's because the beared imparted a "primitive and warlike quality" The French adopted Sapeurs after the Prussians - they were emulating what Frederick the Great was doing. They were allowed to grow a beard because it was more "warlike" (remember in France a moustache (and facial hair in general) was allowed for the Elite troops. If a Moustache made a Grenadier fierce and proud and beard was that times ten). And yes it was because they probably did not have time to shave originally. By the 1e Empire, however, they were becoming increasingly ceremonial in role. In the Imperial Guard the cross belts with the fancy decorations in brass were not worn on campaign; the apron was not worn on campaign either. Nor were the gauntlets. They were just nornal Grenadiers in the field. Yes they had axes and bill hookls with them but all the aprons, gauntlets special sabre (in the Imperial Guard only: the line didn't have it) were left in stores. Having worn an apron it gets it n the way; its white and a pain to keep clean. By the 1820s that the Sapeurs were ceremonial is confirmed by their new appointment.<br /><br />In 1806 they were chosen from the Grenadier company, on a rotation basis: so you were appointed Sapeur for a campaign. After the campaign in theory you gave up the role. In the Imperial Guard, it was differant. Sapeurs appear to have been appointed to the largely Ceremonial Tete de Colonne (they messed with the band and the Petit Etat Major) because they were courageous, long serviing soldiers who probably would never be promoted above Corporal and being admitted to the Tete de Colonne was a way of rewarding them.AnthonyDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05922932669345428663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421523628846922799.post-43969106579423088932015-02-02T01:23:41.117-08:002015-02-02T01:23:41.117-08:00Thanks! Looks like its a trip to Paris for me then...Thanks! Looks like its a trip to Paris for me then :D<br />Did you by any chance encounter official documents that reveal a reason why beards were mandatory? I've now found quite a wide range of suggestions, everything between "their life-expectancy was so low, they were allowed beards" to "they had to have beards, because they had to leave camp as an advance party early in the morning, so there was no light to shave".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421523628846922799.post-54656427933938976112015-01-31T04:28:07.476-08:002015-01-31T04:28:07.476-08:00HI Andreas. thanks for your comment. This research...HI Andreas. thanks for your comment. This research is all from primary manuscript sources and from official publications, such as the Journal Militiare Officiel. The source texts are in the French army archives at Chateau Vincennes, near Paris.<br /><br />I hope to be able to write a book, so this material will be cited :)AnthonyDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05922932669345428663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6421523628846922799.post-16221140664242201022015-01-30T09:38:53.349-08:002015-01-30T09:38:53.349-08:00Hej!
I am currently working on a paper of the fren...Hej!<br />I am currently working on a paper of the french sapeurs, and I can't seem to find any literature that deals with the sapeurs appereance as detailed as your text. How did you get hold of all those source-texts? Is there a book that quotes them, or are you planning to write one? :D<br />All the best,<br />AndreasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com