Duchy of Brunswick

by Brendon O'Neal

After the twin disasters of Auerstadt and Jena, the Duchy of Brunswick was disolved and incoperated into the new kingdom of Westphalia. Leaving a bitter Duke of Brunswick to seek refuge in Austria, and plot his revenge.

Infantry and Artillery 1809
Friederich Wilhelm of Brunswick (The Black Duke) went into an agreement with the Austrians, to form a corps to invade his former lands in an attempt to raise the people against their french overlords. The infantry was to consist of 1000 men, organized into 1 regiment, of 2 batallions, each with 4 companies. They also were provided with a horse artillery battery consisting of 2 7 pdr. howitzers, and 2 6 pdr. cannons.

Cavalry 1809
The cavalry was organised into a single Hussar regiment consisting of 8 squadrons adding to a total of around 1000 officers and men. The duke angered at the disgrace of his lands and titles, outfitted all his troops in the famous black uniforms with the "Death's Head' badge on the shako to symbolize their hatred and vengeance. The duke was then known as "Der Schwarzer Herzog"(The Black Duke), and his troops were known as "Die Schwarze Schar"(The Black Band), and their war cry was "Sieg oder Tod"(Victory or Death!)

The Fight to the Coast
The Black duke seperated himself from the Austrians, and raised some new battalions and squadrons to aid him in his fight to the german coast, so that they could seek refuge on a Brittish warship. Thus a 3rd infantry batallion was raised, along with around 150 Sharfschueten(Sharpshooters). Along with the new infantry battalion, a squadron of Uhlans(lancers) was raised.

The 1815 Campaign
After the first abdication the Balck Duke was restored to power and set about rebuilding his army. By January 1815 the Brunswick forces consisted of the following:

• The Avantgarde- original infantry of the black band, consisiting of 2 light companies, and 2 new jaeger companies
• The Leib batallion- This was the "Life" or Life Guard battalion formed from a cadre of the old Black Band.
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Light Batallions, consisting of newly recruited troops.
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Line Batallions
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Reserve Infantry batallions.
• Hussar regiment: Including a squadron of Uhlans(all newly raised as the old regiment was still in Brittish service)
• 1 Foot battery-8 Guns 190 men 1 Horse battery-8 Guns 230 men