Could You Survive as a Soldier in Napoleon's Army?
853,712
Published 2023-10-18
By joining up with historical reenactment group 21eme Regiment de Ligne, I also learn more about the more mundane aspects of a soldier’s daily life in the 19th century. As well as fighting in Napoleon’s greatest battles like Austerlitz, Borodino and Waterloo, regular fusiliers spent much of their time cleaning their weapons and uniform, marching huge distances, and attempting to stave off hunger and disease.
We also look closely at two of the greatest dangers for a soldier on a Napoleonic battlefield: cavalry and artillery. Napoleon was a trained artillery officer who knew that his cannons could swing a battle, while his horsemen were the envy of Europe.
We also bust some of the biggest myths about Napoleon and his army. Did Napoleon fire cannons at the Pyramids? Did Napoleon fire cannons at a frozen lake? Did Napoleon invade Russia?
With Ridley Scott’s Napoleon movie due to be released in 2023, we move the spotlight back to the ordinary soldiers of the Grande Armée, and ask whether YOU could survive in Napoleon’s army?
#napoleon #napoleonicwars #history
00:00 Introduction
02:36 Recruitment and conscription
07:37 Uniform in the French army
10:42 What soldiers carried
13:43 Infantry training
14:33 The Charleville musket
19:48 Firing in ranks
23:57 Life in the army
24:46 Slang phrases
26:57 Napoleonic artillery
33:45 Napoleonic cavalry
37:33 Invasion of Russia
40:14 Battle of Waterloo
43:33 Could you survive?
Music from: Zakhar Valaha - Triumphant
Music by: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos
License code: CPOSIGJ4LHYI8JDL
All Comments (21)
-
We hope you enjoyed the episode! Let us know what you think in the comments and please consider supporting the channel at: ko-fi.com/survivehistory
-
People forget that in battle, you survive only by pure chance. You could do everything right, but sometimes, it's just not your day.
-
That artillery commander feels like he’s been brought here straight from the napoleonic wars. That cold demeanor with which he treats the absolute horror of his artillery weapons
-
I was in the first Napoleonic reenactment societies in Britain, which was formed after they made the film Waterloo in 1970 and I have lots of happy memories. We northerners were the French and I of course was in the old garde, or guard.
-
Nice concept, I really like how Louee gives a shout out to the re-enactors and their unit. He's the host, but he makes sure to let the re-enactors share their story. I'll give it a sub, interested for whatever comes next.
-
No, they'd kick me out for not speaking french Edit 5 months later: And being unsupportive of his brother ruling my country
-
People don't realize that 60% of their company would have died of typhus weeks before going into combat.
-
I love all the buzz the movie is creating for Napoleon content. There could be 5 movies about his escapades and there would still be a trilogy left. Love it!
-
These guys should've organized the Napolean movie
-
“Run straight at the enemy; try not to die” - oversimplified
-
He puts serious effort into his videos and this history is spot on. The quality of both officers and ranks was very good in the Grande Armée. There was also the organisation of the Grande Armée which even British opponents respected.
-
I first thought it was the 12e Regiment d'infanterie de ligne. My grand-grand-grand-grandfather served as a corporal of the genadiers in that regiment. He was wounded in 1812 near Smolensk and came back to Germany.
-
Guts and blackpowder looking realistic rn 🤯🤯🤯
-
I blame Airfix for putting me off the French in the Napoleonic era. Their old 1/72nd scale Waterloo sets had tall, strapping British infantry, standing proud and tough. The French had nothing but weird ungainly poses and looked like excited goblins.
-
As a French I loved the video, the presentation, details, everything is there !!! And yes Napoleon never bombed the pyramids contrary to what is shown in Ridley Scott’s movie 😔😔
-
one reason wellington didn't much like his gunners was probably becsuse the royal artillery were technically not part of the army and not directly under his command, they had their own chain of command which was separate to the army.
-
Most excellent!! As a reenactor myself I've come to know some of the tatics that Napoleon soldiers learned would come to be learned well in the US especially around the time of the Civil war. General McClellan was known to be called the American Napoleon and training the soldiers. There's two accounts from some of Napoleon soldiers who fought with him especially at Waterloo.
-
Wow, what a wonderful video, I love how much you have the reenactors talk about their weapons and historical tactics they use on the “battlefield”. Can’t wait for new uploads
-
Just wrote an essay that mainly discussed the story of Jakob Walter who was a German conscript in Napoleon's grand army. Discussing what drove him to commit crimes while abroad at war. His memoir is great, I highly recommend it!
-
loved it! as someone who absolutely loves learning about the napoleonic wars, i found this very interesting! keep up the good work ❤
