Historical notes Sources Polish legions Legion of the North Vistula legion, infantry 1808-1810 Vistula legion, infantry 1810-1812 Vistula regiment Vistula legion, cavalry 1808-1810 Vistula legion, cavalry 1811 Line Infantry Infantry regiments 1807-1810 Infantry regiments 1810-1814
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Polish legions

Polish troops in french, italian or german service between 1797 and 1801, Italic Legion or Danube Legion, are not as often said at the origin of the well-known Vistula Legion. Renamed 113e and 114e Foreign demi-brigades, they were forced to sail to SANTO DOMINGO to be destroyed there mainly by tropical fevers. The few companies left which were in 1806 part of the Army of Neaples under command of GOUVION SAINT-CYR were still there in 1807 in WESTPHALIA to become the nucleus of the Vistula Legion.

The Duchy of Warsaw

The beginning

As soon as Poland is freed in 1806, the Emperor NAPOLEON put DOMBROWSKI in charge of raising a new polish army which on 10 January 1807 already consists of :

• 8 infantry regiments (or at least their 1st battalion)
• 2 regiments de chasseurs à cheval
• 1 foot artillery battery

• 3 divisions, each of 4 infantry regiments and 2 cavalry regiments (1 of chasseurs à cheval and 1 of lancers)
• 1 artillery battalion of 3 companies

The 1809 campaign

From the very beginning of the Peninsular war, and Vistula Legion set aside, 3 infantry regiments of the Duchy (4th, 7th et 9th) will post 2 of their battalions on this theatre of operation where they will stay until 1811.
In 1809 the polish army under command of PONIATOWSKI (less the troops posted in SPAIN et 2 battalions of each the 8e, 10e et 11e infantry regiments left in garrison in PRUSSIA) is opposed to the austrian VII Corps under command of the Archduke FERDINAND. Whereas FERDINAND takes Warsaw, PONIATOWSKI invades GALICIA (polish province of AUSTRIA) where he raises 6 new infantry regiments and 10 of new cavalry regiments (7 of lancers, 2 of hussars et 1 of cuirassiers at 2 squadrons strength), known as franco-galician Army.
At the end of 1809 the franco-galician troops are incorporated in the Duchy’s army: Their infantry regiments taking number 13 to 17 (the 4th galician being disbanded), their cavalry regiments number 7 to 16 (polish cavalry regiments are numbered “ à la suite ” not by type : so hussars regiments take number 10 and 13, and cuirassiers number 14).

Russia in 1812

Most of the polish forces are gathered in the V Corps under command of PONIATOWSKI , with :

• 16th division (ZAYONSCHEK)
• 17th division (DOMBROWSKI)
• 18th division (KAMIENICKI)

• 28th division (GIRARD) of IX Corps, 4th 7th and 9th of infantry recalled from SPAIN.
• 15th cavalry brigade (NIEMOJEWSKI) in 1st light cavalry division (BRUYERE) of I cavalry Corps : 6th and 8th of lancers, 2nd Prussian hussars.
• 4th light cavalry division (ROZNIECKI) of IV cavalry Corps: 2nd, 7th, 11th, 3rd, 15th and 16th lancers (3 squadrons each).
• 2nd brigade (LEPEL) of 7e heavy cavalry division of IV cavalry Corps: 14th cuirassiers (2 squadrons) with the 2 Westphalian cuirassiers regiments.
• 10th hussars in 16th brigade (SUBERVIE) of 2nd light cavalry division in II cavalry Corps.
• finally, 5th, 10th et 11th of infantry in brigade RADZIWILL of X Corps under MACDONALD

Germany in 1813

Russian army invades the Duchy at the beginning of 1813. PONIATOWSKI reorganises the polish army at first in CRACOW and then in SAXONY. Polish forces will make up the VIII Corps, with :

• 26th infantry division (KAMIENICKI) : 1st, 8th, 15th and 16th
• 27th infantry division (KRASINSKI) : 2nd, 12th and 14th
• Cavalry brigade (KRUKOWIECKI) : 2nd lanciers, 4th chasseurs

• vanguard (UMINSKI) : 14th cuirassiers, krakus (polish Cossacks)
• 7th light cavalry division (SOKOLNIKI) : 8th and 16th lancers, 13th hussars
• 8th light cavalry division (SULKOWSKI) : 3rd et 6th lancers, 1st chasseurs à cheval

Some regiments or isolated battalions can be found in garrisons of fortified towns as the Vistula regiment, regrouping the remnants of the Legion, in WITTENBERG and the “4th polish regiment” regrouping the remnants of the 4th, 7th and 9th.
The Duchy disappears definitively at the end of 1813, and PONIATOWSKI drowns at LEIPZIG. Some polish will fight with their usual stiffness in France in 1814 and during the Emperor’s return they make up the 3rd foreign regiment.

Polish Legions

Legion of the North

Raised by decree of 20 September 1806 with prussian prisoners of polish origin. Their dress come at first from captured prussian stocks but is completely refitted after the siege of DANTZIG. In 1808 the legion is transferred in Duchy's army and becomes his 5th Infantry regiment.

Chasseurs

• Long tailed dress of dark blue cloth with crimson piping and closed lapels. Closed blue collar with crimson piping. Sky blue fringed epaulets. Crimson lapels piped crimson. Crimson cuffs piped crimson with crimson flaps (rectangular 3 buttons). Crimson lining and turnbacks. Vertical pockets simulated by crimson piping. White metal buttons.
• White or blue vest. Blue breeches with crimson piping and short black gaiters. Black shoes.
• Black leather czapska with black cloth top piped sky blue, brass sun ray plate with imperial eagle in the centre. Sky blue plume and spherical pompon with french tricolour cockade. Sky blue cords. Black leather peak and brass chinscales.
• French infantry equipment. White leatherwork. Black leather pouch. Infantry sabre with brass hilt and black leather scabbard with brass fittings.

Carabiniers

Chasseurs' dress with scarlet fringed epaulets. Blue grenade on turnbacks. Scarlet plume, cords and piping on czapska. Scarlet sabre strap.

Voltigeurs

Chasseurs' dress with yellow fringed epaulets. Yellow plume, cords and piping on czapska. yellow sabre strap with scarlet knot.

Officers

Other rank's dress with silver or silvered ornaments. Czapska with silver piping, white plume for field officers. For mounted officers, french saddle of blue cloth with silver laces. Sabre with gilded hilt and sabre strap, black leather scabbard with gilded fittings.

Raised by decree of 24 June 1808 at 3 infantry regiments and 1 cavalry regiment strength. A second legion is raised in 1809 with seemingly the same establishment. The two legions are regrouped on 12 February 1810 the new establishment being 4 infantry regiments and 1 cavalry regiment.
In 1813, the remnants of the 4 infantry regiments are regrouped in one unit called Vistula regiment.
In February 1811, a second cavalry regiment is raised, but the two regiments are transferred in french line cavalry in June as 7th and 8th Light Horse lancers regiments.

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Infantry, 1808-1810 period

Chasseurs of 1st Legion

• Kurtka of dark blue cloth piped yellow with closed lapels. Yellow collar. Blue shoulder straps piped yellow. Yellow lapels, swedish cuffs, lining and turnbacks. Vertical pockets simulated by crimson piping. White metal buttons.
• White breeches and black light infantry gaiters. Black shoes.
• Black felt shako with black leather top and bottom bands, brass sun ray plate stamped with a crowned N in the centre. Sky blue spherical pompon and tricolour cockade. White cords. Black leather peak with brass strengthening and brass chinscales.
• French infantry equipment. White leatherwork. Black leather pouch. Infantry sabre with brass hilt and black leather scabbard with brass fittings.

Chasseurs of 2nd Legion

1st legion's dress with blue lapels piped crimson and crimson piping, collar, swedish cuffs, lining and turnbacks.

Carabiniers

Chasseurs' dress with scarlet top band, pompon and tuft on the shako, scarlet fringed epaulets, piping and tassel on gaiters and sabre strap.

Voltigeurs

Chasseurs' dress with yellow top band, pompon and tuft on the shako, yellow, piping and tassel on gaiters and sabre strap. Green fringed epaulets with yellow crescent.

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Infantry, 1810-1812 period

Fusiliers

• Kurtka of dark blue cloth piped yellow with closed lapels. Regimental collar. Blue shoulder straps piped yellow. Regimental cuffs. Yellow lapels and turnbacks. Vertical pockets simulated by yellow piping. White metal buttons.
• White breeches and black light infantry gaiters. Black shoes.
• Black felt shako with black leather top and bottom bands, brass sun ray plate stamped with a crowned N in the centre. Sky blue spherical pompon and tricolour cockade. White cords. Black leather peak with brass strengthening and brass chinscales.
• French infantry equipment. White leatherwork. Black leather pouch. Infantry sabre with brass hilt and black leather scabbard with brass fittings.

Grenadiers

Fusiliers' dress with scarlet top band, pompon and tuft on the shako, white fringed epaulets and shako cords, scarlet piping and tassel on gaiters and sabre strap. Shako cords are also shown scarlet.

Voltigeurs

Fusiliers' dress with yellow top band, pompon and tuft on the shako, white shako cords, green piping and yellow tassel on gaiters and yellow sabre strap. Green fringed epaulets with yellow or scarlet crescent. Shako is also shown with yellow tuft on scarlet pompon and green cords.

Drummers

Trooper's dress, collar and lapels bordered by a white and red lace. Inverted chevrons of the same lace on sleeves.
From 1813, imperial livery with single breasted habit of green cloth. Imperial livery lace on collar and cuffs. 5 livery button lace on chest. 7 livery lace chevrons on sleeves.

Sappers

Grenadiers' dress with black fur bearskin, yellow bag with white wolfteeth lace. White aiguillette on right shoulder. White sapper badge (crossed axes) on both arms. Whitened leather apron.

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Vistula Regiment, 1813

Fusiliers and voltigeurs

Same dress as the preceding period with yellow facing shown on collar, lapels, swedish cuffs and turnbacks.

Grenadiers

Trooper's dress with white fringed epaulets and blue topped czapska with white piping.

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Cavalry, 1808-1810 period

Centre companies of 1st Legion

• Kurtka of dark blue cloth piped yellow with closed lapels. Yellow collar. Blue shoulder straps piped yellow. Yellow lapels, pointed cuffs and turnbacks. Vertical pockets simulated by yellow piping. White metal buttons.
• Blue trousers with two yellow side band with blue central piping. Black light cavalry boots.
• Czapska with black leather crown and yellow cloth top separated by a white lace. White piping. White plume and french cockade with white Maltese cross superimposed. White cords. Black leather peak and brass chinscales.
• White leatherwork. Black leather pouch. Blue cloth sash with white stripes. Light cavalry sabre with single bar brass hilt and iron scabbard. Lance with yellow over white pennon.
• Black leather light cavalry harness. White sheepskin shabraque with yellow vandyked edge. Blue cloth round portmanteau laced yellow.

Centre companies of 2nd Legion

1st Legion dress with blue lapels piped crimson. Crimson facings shown on collar, pointed cuffs, piping and turnbacks.

Elite Companies

Trooper's dress with white fringed epaulets on right shoulder and white trefoiled epaulette with white aiguillette on left shoulder.

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Cavalry, 1810-1811 period

Centre companies

• Kurtka of dark blue cloth piped yellow with closed lapels. Yellow collar. White fringed epaulets on right shoulder and white trefoiled epaulette with white aiguillette on left shoulder. Yellow lapels, pointed cuffs and turnbacks. Vertical pockets simulated by yellow piping. White metal buttons stamp with regimental number.
• Blue trousers with two yellow side band with blue central piping. Black light cavalry boots.
• Czapska with black leather crown and blue cloth top separated by a white lace. White piping. Black plume with yellow or sky blue top and french cockade with white Maltese cross superimposed. White cords. Black leather peak and brass peak strengthening and chinscales.
• White leatherwork. Black leather pouch. Blue cloth sash with white stripes. Light cavalry sabre with 3 bars brass hilt and iron scabbard. Lance with white over scarlet pennon.
• Black leather light cavalry harness. White sheepskin shabraque with yellow vandyked edge. Blue cloth round portmanteau laced yellow.

Elite Company

Trooper's dress with white fringed epaulets on both shoulders, white aiguillette on left shoulder. Scarlet plume.

1807-1810 period

The uniforms of the new army are ruled by regulation of 2 March 1807. Uniforms of regiments posted in SPAIN soon differs from this regulation, as they use equipment coming from french stocks.

Fusiliers

• Kurtka of dark blue cloth with facing colour piping and closed lapels. Facing coloured collar. Blue shoulder straps piped with facing colour. Facing coloured lapels. Facing coloured swedish cuffs. Facing coloured turnbacks. Vertical pockets simulated by facing colour piping. White metal or brass buttons stamped with number of the regiment in the division.
• Blue breeches or trousers and black short gaiters. Black shoes.
• Black czapska with white polish eagle over brass base, the latter pierced with division number. Black leather peak.
• French infantry equipment. White leatherwork. Black leather pouch. Infantry sabre with brass hilt and black leather scabbard with brass fittings.

Grenadiers

Trooper's dress with scarlet fringed epaulets. Black or dark brown fur bearskin with scarlet top with white cross. Brass plate stamped with a grenade.

Voltigeurs

Trooper's dress with yellow fringed epaulets with green crescent.

Officers

Troopers' dress or long tailed french habit with squared lapels. Rank epaulets of buttons' colour. Gorget and swordbelt buckle gilded with white polish eagle. Buttons' coloured silk sash with blue stripes.

Drummers

Troopers' dress with facing coloured swallow nets laced with buttons' colour.

The following description gives the dress of the regulation of 3 September 1810. The illustrations found on polish troops seldom show this dress and uniforms seem to vary greatly even inside the same regiment.

Fusiliers

• Kurtka of dark blue cloth with crimson piping and closed lapels. Blue collar piped crimson. Blue shoulder straps trimmed crimson. White lapels piped crimson. Crimson cuffs piped white with blue flaps (rectangular, 3 buttons). White turnbacks piped crimson with crimson star patch. Vertical pockets simulated by crimson piping. Brass buttons.
• White breeches or white or blue trousers, short white or black gaiters. Black shoes.
• Black czapska with white polish eagle over brass base, the latter pierced with regiment number. Black ball pompon and white polish cockade. Black leather peak and brass chinscales.
• French infantry equipment. White leatherwork. Black leather pouch bearing brass regimental number.

Grenadiers

Troopers' dress. Black or dark brown fur bearskin, brass plate bearing regimental number with grenades on both sides surmounted by polish eagle. White cords and scarlet plume. Scarlet fringed epaulets. Crimson grenade patch on turnbacks. Infantry sabre with single bar brass hilt and black leather scabbard with brass fittings, scarlet sabre strap. Brass grenade on pouch.

Voltigeurs

Troopers' dress. Yellow collar piped crimson. Yellow epaulets with green crescent (or green with yellow crescent). Yellow horn patch on turnbacks. Infantry sabre with single bar brass hilt and black leather scabbard with brass fittings, green sabre strap with yellow knot. Brass horn on pouch.

Officers

French long tailed habit with squared lapels. Black bicorn hat with gold laces and cockade strap. Black plume for fusiliers' officer, yellow for voltigeurs and for grenadiers' officers trooper's bearskin with gold cords.

Sappers

Grenadiers' dress with red cloth sapper badge (crossed axes with grenade) on both arms. Whitened leather apron.

Chasseurs a cheval

1st, 4th and 5th regiments of the polish cavalry. These regiments, coming from those raised in 1806 and from Nobles levies, were integrated from the beginning in the polish army, at the rate of one per legion. In 1813 the 4th Chasseurs is converted to 4th Uhlans and the remnants of the 5th are put in the 1st. This last regiment is disbanded with the rest of the polish army.
The 1807 regulation specified the same dress for all cavalry regiments (described in uhlans chapter but with shako) but it seem that chasseurs regiments adopted very soon the green cloth uniform described here.

Centre companies

• Short tailed kurtka of green cloth. Facings coloured collar. Green shoulder straps piped in facings colour. Facings coloured lapels, pointed cuffs and turnbacks. Vertical pockets simulated by a piping of facings colour. Yellow buttons.
  From 1810, single breasted habit closed by one row of 9 buttons. Facings coloured collar. Brass scaled epaulets with white crescent and fringes. Facings coloured pointed cuffs. Green turnbacks with facings colour border. Soubise pockets in facings colour. Yellow buttons.
• Green trousers with facings colour side bands. Black light boots.
• Black felt shako with white polish eagle over brass base, changed in 1810 for a large white cockade. White cords and flounders. Green plume with facings colour top and white polish cockade. Brass chinscales.
• White leatherwork. Black cartridge pouch bearing the regimental number in brass. Light cavalry sabre with brass 3 bars hilt and iron scabbard. White sabre strap.
• Black leather light cavalry harness. Green cloth shabraque with facings coloured lace. Round portmanteau with facing coloured lace and regimental number. Saddle covered by a black sheepskin.

Elite companies

Troopers' dress with scarlet crescent and fringes on epaulets. Polish colback (without bag) of black fur with facings coloured top, scarlet plume and cords. Cartridge pouch bearing a brass grenade.

NCOs

Troopers' dress with rank laces on sleeves and shako.

Officers

Troopers' dress with gold rank epaulets. Ornamented pouch and pouch belt.

Trumpeters

Troopers dress in white cloth. Epaulets with green crescent and fringes entwined with yellow, likewise aiguillette on left shoulder. Scarlet waistcoat with green braid entwined with yellow. Polish colback (without bag) of white fur with facings coloured top, Troopers' plume (falling in 1st regiment) and green cords entwined with yellow.

14th regiment of the polish cavalry. Raised in 1809 as 10th cavalry regiment of the franco-galician army and integrated at the beginning of 1810 in the polish army.

Cuirassiers

• Single breasted short tailed habit of dark blue cloth, closed by one row of 9 buttons. Scarlet collar. Brass scaled epaulets with scarlet crescent and fringes. Scarlet cuffs with blue flaps (trident shaped, 3 buttons) piped scarlet. Scarlet turnbacks with gold grenade patch. Yellow buttons.
• White breeches. Black high cuffed heavy cavalry boots.
• Steel helmet with black fur turban. Brass comb with black horsehair and tuft. Scarlet plume. Black leather peak with brass strengthening. Brass chinscales.
• White leatherwork, brass swordbelt buckle. Black cartridge pouch bearing a brass grenade. Heavy cavalry sabre with brass 3 bars hilt and iron scabbard, white sabre strap. Polished steel breast and back plates, scarlet padding piped white.
• French saddle in blue cloth with yellow lace embroidered with yellow grenades in rear angles. Square portmanteau in blue cloth laced yellow.

NCOs

Troopers' dress with yellow or gold rank laces on sleeves. Epaulets with scarlet crescent and fringes entwined with gold.

Officers

Troopers' dress with gold rank epaulets.

Trumpeters

Troopers' dress in white cloth with light orange buttonholes across chest. Epaulets with scarlet crescent and fringes entwined with gold. White cuff flaps. Scarlet horsehair and tuft on the helmet. White plume with scarlet top.

10th and 13th regiments of the polish cavalry. Raised in 1809 as 8th and 9th cavalry regiment of the franco-galician army and integrated at the beginning of 1810 in the polish army.

Centre companies

10th regiment

• Dark blue dolman and pelisse with yellow braid and laces, pelisse trimmed with black fur. Scarlet collar and pointed cuffs trimmed yellow. Scarlet wool sash with yellow barrels and cord. Yellow buttons.
• Sky blue breeches with yellow pikes and side bands. Hungarian boots with yellow trim and tassel.
• Black shako with a large white cockade with yellow strap. White cords and flounders. Black falling plume. Brass chinscales.
• White leatherwork. Black cartridge pouch, hussars sabre with single bar brass hilt and iron scabbard. Black leather sabretache bearing a white polish eagle with gold crown.
• Black leather light cavalry harness. Scarlet shabraque laced yellow. Likewise round portmanteau. Saddle covered by a black sheepskin.

13th regiment

• Dolman and pelisse as 10th regiment, all braid and laces white. White fur trim on pelisse. Sash with white barrels and cord. White buttons.
• Breeches and boots with white ornaments.
• Shako covered with sky blue cloth, with same ornaments as in 10th regiment. White metal chinscales.
• White laces on shabraque and portmanteau.
• All others equipment as in 10th regiment.

Elite Companies

Troopers' dress with black fur polish colback, without back, sky blue top, scarlet cords, flounders and plume, black peak.

NCOs

Others rank dress with rank chevrons on sleeves and top band on shako.

Officers

Others rank dress, all yellow ornaments becoming gold or gilded, all white ornaments becoming silver or silvered. Rank chevrons over cuffs, pikes on breeches and shako top band all in buttons colour. Ornamented pouch and pouch belt.

Trumpeters

10th regiment

• Sky blue dolman with yellow braid and laces entwined with red. White pelisse trimmed with light brown fur. Scarlet collar and pointed cuffs trimmed yellow.
• Hungarian breeches of scarlet cloth and boots trimmed with yellow laces.
• Light brown fur colback with scarlet bag trimmed white. White cords and flounders entwined with red. Red falling plume with white top.
• Sabretache laced yellow.
• All others equipment as troopers.

13th regiment

• Scarlet dolman with white braid and laces entwined with red. White pelisse trimmed with light brown fur. Sky blue collar and pointed cuffs trimmed white.
• Hungarian breeches of sky blue cloth and boots trimmed with white laces.
• Light brown fur colback with sky blue bag trimmed white. White cords and flounders entwined with red. Sky blue falling plume with white top.
• Scarlet sabretache laced white.
• All others equipment as troopers.

Unit raised at the end of 1812 and trained to fight as cossacks.

• Caftan of dark blue cloth with white piping. Crimson collar and pointed cuffs.
• Blue trousers with crimson side piping. Black light boots.
• Crimson topped czapska with black fur band then round shaped cap with white piping at each fold. Short white plume and polish cockade on left side.
• Crimson sash. No cartridge pouch but white metal tcherkesse cartridge cases on both sides of chest, covered by blue or crimson cloth with white lace. Each of the 5 cases' cap is linked by a small chain to a button on coat. Light cavalry sabre with 3 bars brass hilt and iron scabbard. Wood lance with blue over crimson pennon.
• Black leather light cavalry harness and black fur shabraque.

Centre companies

1807-1809 period

• Kurtka of dark blue cloth with facing coloured piping and closed lapels. Regimental collar. Yellow fringed epaulet on right shoulder, yellow trefoiled epaulet and aiguillette on left shoulder. Regimental lapels. Regimental pointed cuffs. Regimental turnbacks. White metal or brass buttons.
• Blue trousers with facing coloured side bands. Black light boots.
• Czapska with black leather crown and blue or black cloth top. Black plume and polish cockade with white Maltese cross superimposed.
• White leatherwork. Black leather pouch. Light cavalry sabre with brass 3 bars hilt and iron scabbard. White sabre strap. Black wood lance with regimental pennon.
• Black leather light cavalry harness. Black sheepskin saddle with regimental lace.

1810-1813 period

• Kurtka of dark blue cloth with facing coloured piping and closed lapels. Regimental collar. Blue shoulder trimmed with facing colour. Regimental lapels. Regimental pointed cuffs. Regimental turnbacks. Brass buttons.
• Blue trousers with facing coloured side bands. Black light boots.
• Czapska with black leather crown and blue or black cloth top usually bearing a white polish eagle over brass half-moon plate. Black plume and polish cockade with white Maltese cross superimposed. White cords and flounders. Black peak and brass chinscales.
• White leatherwork. Black leather pouch. Light cavalry sabre with brass 3 bars hilt and iron scabbard. White sabre strap.Black wood lance with regimental pennon.
• Black leather light cavalry harness. Blue cloth shabraque with facing colour lace. Likewise round portmanteau with regimental number. Black fur on saddle.

Elite Companies

Troopers dress. Brass scaled epaulets with scarlet crescent and fringes. Black fur band on czapska. Scarlet cords and plume.

Trumpeters

Dress varies with regiment. Usually troopers' dress in white cloth.

Foot artillery

Gunners

• Dark green kurtka with scarlet piping. Black collar piped scarlet. Scarlet fringed epaulets. Black lapels piped scarlet. Black cuffs piped scarlet with green flaps. Black turnbacks piped scarlet. Yellow buttons.
• Green breeches or green or white trousers. Black light infantry gaiters with scarlet trim and tassel. Black shoes.
• Black felt shako bearing a white polish eagle over brass crossed guns with a brass grenade superimposed. Scarlet ball pompon with white cockade. Scarlet cords and flounders. Black leather peak and brass chinscales.
• White leatherwork. Black cartridge pouch bearing a brass grenade. Infantry sabre with single bar brass hilt and black leather scabbard with brass fittings, scarlet sabre strap.

Officers

Troopers' dress or french habit with long tails and squared lapels in same colours. All ornaments gold or gilded. Gold rank epaulets and gorget. Hungarian black boots with gold trim and tassel. Black bicorn hat. Black leather swordbelt and sword with gilded hilt and black leather scabbard with gilded fittings, gold strap.
For mounted officers, french saddle with green cloth shabraque and holster caps laced gold, gold crossed guns over a grenade in rear corners of the shabraque.

Gunners

• Dark green kurtka with scarlet piping. Black collar piped scarlet. Scarlet fringed epaulets with red aiguillette on right shoulder. Black lapels piped scarlet. Black cuffs piped scarlet with green flaps. Black turnbacks piped scarlet. Yellow buttons.
  From 1810, single breasted habit closed by one row of 9 buttons. Black collar piped red bearing brass grenades. Red fringed epaulets on both shoulders with red aiguillette on right shoulder. Black pointed cuffs piped red. Black turnbacks with red border. Yellow buttons
• Green trousers with red double side bands. Black light boots.
• Czapska with black leather crown and green cloth top bearing the same plate than foot artillery then black fur polish colback with red top bearing a brass grenade. Red plume and cords. Brass chinscales.
• White leatherwork. Black cartridge pouch, pouchbelt bearing a brass grenade. Light cavalry sabre with brass 3 bars hilt and iron scabbard. Red sabre strap.
• Black sheepskin shabraque with red wolfteeth.

Officers

Troopers' dress. All ornaments gold or gilded. Gold rank epaulets, aiguillette and gorget. Green cloth shabraque with gold lace embroidered in rear corners with gold grenade.

Trumpeters

Troopers' dress in white cloth with red cloth czapska, then red cloth dress with white fur colback.

• Dark green kurtka with scarlet piping. Black collar piped scarlet. Scarlet fringed epaulets. Black lapels piped scarlet. Black cuffs piped scarlet with green flaps. Green turnbacks piped scarlet. White buttons.
• Green breeches or green or white trousers. Black light infantry gaiters with scarlet trim and tassel. Black shoes.
• Black felt shako bearing a white polish eagle over brass crossed axes with a brass grenade superimposed. Scarlet ball pompon with white cockade. Scarlet cords and flounders. Black leather peak and brass chinscales.
• White leatherwork. Black cartridge pouch bearing a brass grenade. Infantry sabre with single bar brass hilt and black leather scabbard with brass fittings, scarlet sabre strap.

• Single breasted iron grey kurtka closed by 1 row of 9 buttons. Dark blue collar piped yellow. Grey shoulder straps trimmed yellow. Dark blue pointed cuffs piped yellow. Dark blue turnbacks trimmed yellow. White buttons.
• Grey breeches and black high cuffed boots.
• Czapska with black leather crown and grey cloth top piped yellow, bearing a white metal sun ray plate. Scarlet ball pompon. After 1812, french shako bearing a white polish eagle, white cords and flounders.

• Long tailed single breasted habit of dark blue cloth closed by 1 row of 9 buttons. Blue collar piped red bearing on each side a white grenade. White fringed epaulets entwined crimson, likewise aiguillette on left shoulder. Blue pointed cuffs piped red. White buttons.
• White breeches and black high cuffed boots.
• Black felt bicorn hat laced white. Light orange ball pompon with white polish cockade.
• White leatherwork. Black cartridge pouch bearing a brass grenade. Brass swordbelt buckle stamped with a grenade. Heavy cavalry sabre with brass 3 bars hilt and iron scabbard. Lithuanian legions use lance with sky blue over white pennon.

Fusiliers

• Kurtka of dark blue cloth with sky blue piping. Sky blue collar with white strap. Blue shoulder straps trimmed sky blue. White lapels piped sky blue. Sky blue cuffs piped white with white flaps (trident shape, 3 buttons) piped sky blue. White turnbacks piped sky blue. Brass buttons.
• White trousers, short white or black gaiters. Black shoes.
• French shako with brass rhomboid plate. Ball pompon with white polish cockade. Black peak and brass chinscales.

Grenadiers

Troopers' dress with scarlet top band on shako, scarlet ball pompon and tuft, scarlet cords, scarlet fringed epaulets.

Voltigeurs

Troopers' dress with buff top band on shako, buff ball pompon and tuft, buff cords, buff fringed epaulets.

Staff

Generals

• In parade dress, dark blue kurtka piped crimson. Crimson open collar piped silver embroidered with a double general lace (silver embroidery with wave motif) for a division general, with a single lace for brigade generals. Silver epaulets with double crescent and heavy bullion fringes, bearing two (brigade generals) or three (division general) gold stars. Blue lapels piped crimson trimmed with double or single lace. Blue swedish cuffs piped crimson trimmed with double or single lace. Blue turnbacks piped crimson trimmed with single lace. Vertical pockets simulated by a crimson piping trimmed with a single lace. Silver silk sash tied on left hip. Silver buttons.
  In service dress, long tailed blue frock coat. Collar and epaulets as in parade dress. Lapels as in parade dress without lace. Blue pointed cuffs piped crimson. Crimson turnbacks bearing silver polish eagles.
• Crimson trousers with two laces on each side.
• Czapska with black leather crown and top, separated by a wide crimson lace piped silver and embroidered with double or single lace. Top piped silver. White plume with crimson base, white polish cockade with silver Maltese cross superimposed. Silver cords.
  In service dress, black felt bicorn hat with silver laces, strap and tufts.
• Cartridge pouch and pouch belt covered by silver lace. Pouch bearing a silver Maltese cross. Light cavalry sabre with silvered hilt and scabbard.
• Crimson cloth shabraque with wide embroidered silver laces.

• Dark blue habit piped crimson. Light blue collar piped crimson. Rank epaulets in silver thread. Blue pointed lapels piped crimson. Blue pointed cuffs piped crimson. Blue turnbacks. On left arm, silver silk armband entwined with crimson for aides of division general and blue for aides of brigade generals. White buttons.
• Crimson waistcoat with silver braid and laces. Blue trousers with silver side bands and rank pikes. Black light boots.
• In parade dress, black fur polish colback with crimson top and white plume with crimson base. In service dress, black felt bicorn hat with silver lace, straps and tufts. Black plume.
• Black cartridge pouch and pouch belt trimmed silver. Pouch belt bearing a silver chain, and pouch bearing a silver polish eagle. Hussar sabre with single bar silvered hilt and silvered scabbard.
• Blue cloth shabraque laced silver with crimson outer piping.

• Crimson dolman with silver braid and laces. Light blue collar and pointed cuffs trimmed silver. Silver rank chevrons over the cuffs. Crimson pelisse with silver braid and laces and white fur trim. Crimson sash with silver barrels and cords. White buttons.
• Light blue hungarian breeches with silver side bands and rank pikes. Black hungarian boots with silver trim and tassel.
• Shako covered with light blue cloth. Top band embroidered with silver loops. Shako bears a large white cockade with silver strap. White plume with black base and white polish cockade with silver Maltese cross superimposed. Silver cords and flounders. Black peak with silver strengthening. Silver chain chinstraps.
• Black leatherwork trimmed silver. Hussar sabre with single bar silvered hilt and silvered scabbard. Crimson sabretache trimmed with silver embroidery and bearing a silver polish eagle.
• Crimson cloth shabraque laced silver.

Unit raised in 1809 from newly freed territories, disbanded the following year and men incorporated in line.

Guides

• Green frock coat piped crimson closed by one row of 9 buttons. Crimson collar piped yellow bearing a gold grenade. Gold fringed epaulet on left shoulder, gold trefoiled epaulet and aiguillette on right shoulder. Crimson pointed cuffs trimmed yellow. Green turnbacks bearing a gold grenade. Vertical pockets simulated by a crimson piping. Yellow buttons.
• Crimson waistcoat with yellow braid and laces. Crimson hungarian breeches with yellow pikes and side bands. Black hungarian boots with yellow trim and tassel.
• Black fur colback with crimson bag piped yellow. Crimson plume with green top half, yellow ball pompon. White cords and flounders, brass chinscales.
• White leatherwork. Black cartridge pouch and pouch belt bearing a gold grenade. Light cavalry sabre with brass 3 bars hilt and iron scabbard. White sabre strap
• Black leather light cavalry harness. Green cloth shabraque with crimson lace piped white. Likewise portmanteau embroidered with yellow grenade.

Officers

Troopers dress with gold or gilded ornaments. Shabraque with gold lace and silver polish eagle in rear corners.

Trumpeters

• In parade dress, white dolman and pelisse with crimson braid and gold laces. White fur trim. Crimson collar and cuffs trimmed gold. White sash with crimson barrels and cord.
  In service dress, troopers' dress in reversed colours, crimson with green facings.
• In parade dress, white hungarian breeches with gold knots and side bands. In service dress, green hungarian breeches with gold pikes and side bands.
• In parade dress, troopers' colback with gold cords entwined crimson. In service dress, White fur colback with green bag piped gold, gold cords entwined crimson, green and crimson falling plume.
• Crimson cloth shabraque with gold lace piped white.
• All others equipment as troopers.

Flags

Units of the polish army begin to be given flags from May 1807. By regulation they have 1 eagle per regiment (usually given to the 1st battalion) and one flag per battalion. As others regulations this one suffers from multiple exceptions.
Eagles are silvered polish eagles with gold crown over a rectangular base usually stamped with the unit name (or the words"woysko polski"(polish army).
All flags are based on the same design : flag in crimson silk painted on obverse and reverse with a silver polish eagle with gold crown (sometimes with gold sceptre and globe) and with the unit name in gold.

Sources

DIE GROSSE UNIFORMENKUNDE(1), R. KNOTEL
 

Tome 4	planches 9 et 44
Tome 10	planche 48
Tome 18	planche 15

L’ARMEE DU DUCHE DE VARSOVIE 1807-1815(1) A.MALIBRAN ET J.CHELMINSKY, LEROY 1913

L’ARMEE DU DUCHE DE VARSOVIE 1806-1814 J.M.BERJAUD et J.P.PERCONTE, par les auteurs 1996

LES UNIFORMES DE L’ARMEE FRANCAISE(1) TOME 5 " Les troupes alliées ", D.LIENART ET R.HUMBERT, M.RUHL

LOS FRANCESES Y SUS ALIADOS EN ESPANA 1808-1814 TOME 1, J.M.BUENO, FALCATA EDICIONES 1996

UNIFORMS OF NAPOLEON’S RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN, P.HAYTHORNTHWAITE et M.CHAPPEL, BLANDFORD PRESS 1976

WOJSKO KSIESTWA WARSZAWSKIEGO, R.MORAWSKI et H.WIELICKI, WYDAWNICTWO BELLONA 1996
 

Tome 1	"Kawaleria"
Tome 2	"Generalicja i sztaby"

ZOLNIERZ POLSKI(2), B.GEMBARZEWSKI, WYDAWNICTWO MINISTERSTWA OBRONY NARODOWEJ 1964

(1) : in la Sabretache library
(2) : in French Army Museum  library