Lauzun's Legion Lancers

 

  It took me long enough but I have finally finished the Lance armed Hussars of Lauzun's Legion.  The fancy hussar type uniform is most different from my usual figures and coupled with my hand eye coordination issues I am just very happy to have completed them.  Not my best work I admit but still colourful and they will stand out on the table top.

  

  Each legion was supposed to be made up of a company each of hussars, gunners and workmen as well as a small infantry battalion of one Grenadier company, one  Chasseur company and two Fusilier companies. There was also a "Compagnie Generale" (a sort of HQ formation),  of one company of hussars. This unit was thought to be the one armed with lances.

  The 2eme Legion became "Lauzun's Legion" around 1779/80.  The new Legion was composed of the 2nd Legion Volontaires Étrangers de la Marine and new recruits, was named Volontaires Étrangers de Lauzun (Foreign Volunteers of Lauzun).  This new Legion was made up of 800 infantry and 400 cavalry divided into 5 companies of infantry.  These included 2 companies of Fusiliers, one Grenadier, one Artillery and one Chasseur company.  Each squadrons of hussars were to be made up of two companies; one of French hussars and the other of Polish lancers.  The uniform of the Legion would be the same as the previous 2nd Legion except  that all  hussars were supposed to be dressed as the Compagnie Generale company.  As with all things in Lauzun's Legion its doubtful that happened and a mix of the two Hussar uniforms probably occurred.

  I have not added the colorful flags on the end if the lances.  Thus us because I have not yet been able to find out if they had any.  modern artists have painted them both ways. If I find documentation they had them I will add the flags.

Lauzun's Legion Hussars

 

  Finished up the 1st Squadron of the Legion cavalry.  These are the Hussars dressed in yellow trousers and trim.  A most handsome unit and now ready to take the field.

Lauzun's Legion Infantry

 

 I  have long wanted to add Lauzun's Legion to my armies. The fight between Tarleton and Lauzun would make an excellent, very colorful game.  Staring with the infantry element I have finally gotten on my way.

  The infantry of the Legion was supposed to contain a grenadier company of 100 men, a chasseur company of 170 men, and two line infantry (fusilier) companies of 170 men each.  When Rocheambeau’s force left France  there was a shortage of transport ships so the Fusilier companies were left behind. The Grenadier Company sailed with 116 men and wore a bearskin hat without a front plate. The Chasseur Company  sailed with 99 men and wore a black cocked hat with white tape (and not a helmet).  I decided to combine the two infantry elements into a single unit if 24 fugures.  Rather then the Grenadier uniform I went with the Chassaur uniform as I wanted to have some skirmishes type troops for thus legion.  Also I believe the chassaurs were involved n the battle with Tarleton.    Perhaps later on I might add Grenadiers but we will see.

It felt good to be back in the saddle so to speak painting wise.  I know they are not my best effort but I am still pleased with them.  

Next up the Hussars of the 1st Squadron then the Hussars/Lancers of the 2nd Squadron.

Organizing Lauzun's Legion

  

  Its taken a while but I am finally well on my way to completing a project.   My paintung has been on hold due to my head injury but rehab has greatly assisted in helping me out.  Its taken a while but I am back at the table painting. 

 But first a little background and explanation of what I am doing before posting some pictures.

   Lauzun's Legion was one (the 2nd) of eight foreign legionary corps to be formed by the Ministry of Marine for service overseas.  The project was abandoned after only three legions had been formed.  The 1st was sent to the Caribbean; the 2nd to Africa; and the 3rd to India.

  Each legion was supposed to be made up of a company each of hussars, gunners and workmen as well as a small infantry battalion of one Grenadier company, one  Chasseur company and two Fusilier companies. There was also a "Compagnie Generale" (a sort of HQ formation),  of one company of hussars. This unit was thought to be the one armed with lances.

  The 2eme Legion became "Lauzun's Legion" around 1779/80.  The new Legion was composed of the 2nd Legion Volontaires Étrangers de la Marine and new recruits, was named Volontaires Étrangers de Lauzun (Foreign Volunteers of Lauzun).  This new Legion was made up of 800 infantry and 400 cavalry divided into 5 companies of infantry.  These included 2 companies of Fusiliers, one Grenadier, one Artillery and one Chasseur company.  Each squadrons of hussars were to be made up of two companies; one of French hussars and the other of Polish lancers.  The uniform of the Legion would be the same as the previous 2nd Legion except  that all  hussars were supposed to be dressed as the Compagnie Generale company.  As with all things in Lauzon Legion its doubtful that happened and a mix of the two Hussar uniforms probably occurred.

Hussars:

The first, and most famous part of the Legion were its two hussar squadrons;   the 1st Squadron of Hussars and the 2nd Squadron of Hussars. Both were supposed to have 150 men each.  Due to transport space issues the 1st Squadron arrived with 159 men while the 2nd Squadron arrived with 136 men. In addition at Yorktown Hussars from the 1st Legion arrived from the West Indies and possibly were added.   Because of the nature of supplies and the amalgamation of legions and recruits there appears to be two styles of Hussars uniforms.  The company's with Lances appear to have red trousers while the "French" style Hussars wore yellow.  

Wargames Organization:

   I plan on addition the Legion to my table top armies.  They will comprise two squadrons of Hussars of 14 figures each and a light infantry unit of 24 figures.  Perhaps later I will add the artillery and Grenadiers.

   The Hussars will have one company dressed in the French style with yellow trim and trousers.  The second squadron will be trimmed in red and be armed with lances.  Each will be two figures per stand and a HQ stand to command the legion.  The infantry will  wear the chassaurs uniform and be mounted 3per stand. A light four pounder gun and crew rounds it out.   All figures are from Perry miniatures.  Stay tuned!

Lauzun’s Legion

One of the most interesting and colorful units of the American Revolution was Lauzun’s Legion. A mixed force of Hussars (some armed with Lances), infantry and artillery, they could provide a colorful and unusual element for your games.  They arrived in America in July 1780 as part ofthe French Army under  Rocheambeau.    They marched south a year later participating in the Yorktown campaign.  During the siege they fought a battle with Tarleton and his Legion.  Its a unit I have always wanted to add to my collection and its about time I did.

Lauzun's Legion was one (the 2nd) of eight foreign legionary corps to be formed by the Ministry of Marine for service overseas.  The project was abandoned after only three legions had been formed.  The 1st was sent to the Caribbean; the 2nd to Africa; and the 3rd to India.

Each legion was supposed to be made up of a company each of hussars, gunners and workmen as well as a small infantry battalion of one Grenadier company, one  Chasseur company and two Fusilier companies. There was also a "Compagnie Generale" (a sort of HQ formation),  of one company of hussars. This unit was thought to be the one armed with lances.

  The 2eme Legion became "Lauzun's Legion" around 1779/80.  The new Legion was composed of the 2nd Legion Volontaires Étrangers de la Marine and new recruits, was named Volontaires Étrangers de Lauzun (Foreign Volunteers of Lauzun).  This new Legion was made up of 800 infantry and 400 cavalry divided into 5 companies of infantry.  These included 2 companies of Fusiliers, one Grenadier, one Artillery and one Chasseur company.  Each squadrons of hussars were to be made up of two companies; one of French hussars and the other of Polish lancers.  The uniform of the Legion would be the same as the previous 2nd Legion except  that all  hussars were supposed to be dressed as the Compagnie Generale company.  As with all things in Lauzon Legion its doubtful that happened and a mix of the two Hussar uniforms probably occurred.

Hussars:

The first, and most famous part of the Legion were its two hussar squadrons;   the 1st Squadron of Hussars and the 2nd Squadron of Hussars. Both were supposed to have 150 men each.  Due to transport space issues the 1st Squadron arrived with 159 men while the 2nd Squadron arrived with 136 men. In addition at Yorktown Guessed from the 1st Legion arrived from the West Indies and possibly were added.   Because of the nature of supplies and the amalgamation of legions and recruits there appears to be two styles of Buscar uniforms.  The company's with Lances appear to have red trousers while the "French" style guessed wore yellow.  

Infantry:

The infantry of the Legion was supposed to contain a grenadier company of 100 men, a chasseur company of 170 men, and two line infantry (fusilier) companies of 170 men each.  When Rocheambeau’s force left France  there was a shortage of transport ships so the Fusilier companies were left behind. The Grenadier Company sailed with 116 men and wore a bearskin hat without a front plate. The Chasseur Company  sailed with 99 men and wore a black cocked hat with white tape (and not a helmet).  

Artillery :

The original establishment of the artillery company was supposed to be 171 men, so about half were left behind, which is probably why the artillery company got such a large number of the recruits originally from the Barrois Regiment. The guns consisted of four 4-pdr smoothbore cannons. The artillerists work a dark blue coat like the regular French Artillery, but with lemon yellow facings.

Wargames Organization:

I plan on addition the Legion to my table top armies.  They will comprise two squadrons of His wars of 12 figures each and a light infantry unit if 20 figures plus a artillery company.  

The Hussars will have one company dressed in the French style with yellow trim and trousers.  The second squadron will be trimmed in red and be armed with lances.  Each will be two figures per stand and a HQ stand to command the legion.  The infantry will chassaurs mounted 2per stand. A light four pounder gun and crew rounds it out.   All figures are from Perry miniatures.  With the figures ordered I will start to paint right away and I hope to have this new addition to my armies  on the table and fighting soon.  Stay tuned!