Ranks of the French Imperial Army explained

Ranks of the Grande Armée describes the military ranks and the rank insignia used in Napoleon's Grande Armée. Officers and the most senior non-commissioned rank had rank insignia in the form of epaulettes, sergeants and corporals in the form of stripes or chevrons on the sleeves.

Infantry and artillery

Gold (yellow) or silver (white) stripes and epaulettes were used in accordance with the metal of the uniform buttons of the regiment. Officers of regiments with gold buttons used gold epaulettes, those with silver buttons wore silver epaulettes. The epaulettes of French: majors were of contrary metal; gold buttons, silver epaulets etc. Generals and field officers used bullion fringes. Gold and silver were also often used in accordance to the Regiments designation as a Ligne (line) regiment would frequent gold while a Legere (light) regiment would frequent silver.

Designation Field officers
Rank
insignia
Rank designationColonel
Colonel en second =
with a stripe in the center
Major
Major en second =
with a stripe in the center
Chef de bataillon

Sources:

Cavalry and train

[1] [4]

Physicians, surgeons, and pharmacists

Physician[5] SurgeonsPharmacists
French: Médecin en chef French: Chirurgien en chef -
French: Médecin major French: Chirurgien major French: Pharmacien major
French: Médecin aide major French: Chirurgien aide major French: Pharmacien aide major
- French: Chirurgien sous aide major French: Pharmacien sous aide major

Good conduct badges

Sergeants, corporals and privates were issued good conduct and long service badges, French: galons d'ancienneté in the form of chevron on the upper left arm of the uniform coat; one chevron for ten years' service, two for 15 years' service, three for 20 years' service. The chevrons were officially of red cloth for all ranks, except caporal-fourriers who were issued chevrons in yellow or white cloth (depending on the metal colour), as a replacement for the stripe that denoted his rank. In reality, however, the sergeants used chevrons in yellow or white.[6]

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1812 год. Французская армия – командный состав . 1812. French army - command staff . Russian . 6 May 2018.
  2. Web site: пехотные знаки различия (таблица Якуба Самека) . Infantry insignia (table by Yakub Samek) . Russian . 6 May 2018.
  3. Web site: Военные чины и знаки различия армии Наполеона . Military ranks and insignia of Napoleon's army . Russian . 3 April 2019.
  4. Web site: 14th French Hussar Regiment, 1813 . 6 May 2018.
  5. Web site: La santé aux armées . Sandeau . Jaques . The health of the army . Histoire des deux empires . 6 May 2018 . French.
  6. Web site: Les chevrons d'ancienneté . The chevrons of seniority . 6 May 2018 . French.