the associated battlefields of Waterloo. Friedrich became determined A Brief Guide to the to avenge his father’s death, reclaim the and personally take part in ’s downfall at any opportunity. In 1809, the Duke went to Austria (with Black Brunswickers 2,000 men) where he raised a force of exiles from the defunct Duchy, dressing of the them in black as a sign of mourning, revenge and, ominously, hatred for the By Dr Gavin Hughes, Photographs by Alan Perry French. As a symbol of their avowed enmity, the famous ‘Black Legion’ wore “An immense moving hearse...” Death’s Head badges on their shakos, shoulder belts and pouches. In June - Lady de Lancey referring to the Brunswick Corps, June 1815 Left: Officer of 1809, the Brunswickers were part of the Brunswick the Austrian Division, sent into Saxony , Above (left to right): Hussar musician, Ulan, Hussar charging In 1815, Duke Friedrich Wilhelm’s decisive French victory at Valmy on under General Am Ende, which captured Avantgarde. Brunswick Corps was 6,700 men strong. 20 September and Frosehwiller the Dresden as the Saxon defenders fell subsequent escape to Britain. On this Westphalian regiment. Following the Although one of the smallest Allied following year, Duke Karl relinquished back on Leipzig. At the bloody Battle heroic trek north, Duke Freidrich’s battle, the Black Legion received a contingents of the wars, it had fought command of the Austro-Prussian Army. of Wagram (5 - 6 July 1809) and its Corps had a particularly unfortunate army to pieces. By the end of 14 October, further 300 recruits from Westphalian on relentlessly against the odds and He remained in enforced retirement for subsequent pursuit, Napoleon defeated early run-in with a detachment of Saxon Jena-Auerstadt had seen removed deserters and the ‘rebel’ force marched had refused to be destroyed. The Corps some thirteen years before being called Archduke Charles and brought him to the cavalry outside Leipzig. Under the as a military threat. Duke Karl Wilhelm northwards once more. Finally, on 31 consisted of infantry, jagers, cavalry back into Prussian service in 1806 to negotiating table. cover of darkness, the Duke sent his July, Duke Friedrich entered his capital lead them against Napoleon. It was to of Brunswick was fatally wounded during and artillery - all famed for their sinister The Brunswickers were at Schleiz ‘scharfschützen’ skirmisher company of Brunswick, but found the situation be a fateful decision. On 8 October, the battle (by a musket ball which passed black uniforms and the burning and when they discovered that an uneasy on ahead to deal with the Saxon cavalry not as he had expected. The hoped- 1806, Napoleon invaded Prussia in a though both his eyes) and subsequently unremitting hatred their Duke held for armistice had been secured. Despite which were defending the outskirts of the for popular revolt against French rule lightning campaign and, within four died nearly a month later. Ten days after Napoleon. The following article hopes the devastating loss of Austria to the city. As they were relatively raw troops, had not taken hold and, instead, he days, was threatening Berlin; on the 10th, the battle, Berlin fell to Napoleon. to briefly illustrate the background and Allied cause, Duke Friedrich resolved to this forward party advanced too far and found his Legion in danger of being Prince Louis of Prussia was killed at the history of Brunswick forces, including The Black Legion’s keep Brunswick in the war and fought were suddenly charged by 170 veteran surrounded. The following day, at Battle of Saalfeld. Without hesitation, a brief scenario for the 1809 battle of Service with Austria, 1809 on with his Black Legion. Instead of Saxon hussars and cheaveaux-legers. The Oelper, the Brunswickers fought an Napoleon sent Marshals Bernadotte Halberstadt, which could be used as a remaining with the Austrian army and scharfschützen were caught in the open inconclusive battle against General Jean- and Davout on a mission to sever the With the death of Duke Karl and the basis for Shako, General de Brigade or withdrawing with them back to Bohemia, Prussian’s line of supply. On 14 October, collapse of Prussia following the Battle (with no bayonets or hangers to defend Jaques Reubell’s Berg and Westphalian whatever Napoleonic rules system suits the Duke of Brunswick obstinately Napoleon (with 96,000 men) launched an of Jena-Auerstadt in 1806, the fate of themselves) and sustained twenty contingents. Although Reubell you best. refused to surrender. Duke Freidrich’s attack on what he erroneously believed the Duchy of Brunswick seemed almost casualties before the Saxon cavalry successfully stopped Brunswick from aim was far more audacious - to invade Duke Karl and to be the Duke of Brunswick’s main certain. Following their defeat, Napoleon swiftly retired back to their main force. continuing north (and held possession of Westphalia and oust the French. He Jena-Auerstadt, 1792 - 1806, Prussian Army. Instead, he mistakenly reputedly sent a stark declaration to Despite this inauspicious start, Duke the field), he had suffered 200 casualties assembled his Corps at Zwickau on 21 caught Brunswick’s rearguard, a much Duke Karl’s successor, Duke Friedrich Freidrich’s army managed to slip to the Duke’s 100. Additionally, Reubell The Duchy of Brunswick () July and prepared to fight on, reforming smaller force of 38,000 troops under Wilhelm (his son), that he would wipe though Saxony and into his former failed to exploit his victory and, had a long history of pro-Prussian loyalty, Brunswick’s 2,110 strong ‘Army of Prince Friedrich Hohenlohe, at Jena and out the household of Brunswick. The new Duchy by the end of July. It was here, bizarrely, actually withdrew - allowing stemming from its commitment to the Vengeance’ into three smaller battalions, completely shattered it. To the north, ‘hardfighting’ Duke (as Sir Charles Oman in Westphalia, that the Brunswickers the Brunswickers to continue again Seven Years War and continuing with the a four-gun battery and one large cavalry however, Duke Karl’s 60,000 strong army called him) was deposed by Napoleon fought a substantial engagement at unhindered. With little option left, Duke Revolutionary Wars. regiment. (See also, Otto Von Pivka, John was actually engaged by Marshal Davout and his former Duchy swiftly annexed Halberstadt on 29 July, 1809. This battle, Friedrich resolved to march to the coast Gill, et al). In 1792, Duke Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand in a brilliant defensive battle at Auerstadt. into the new , though very minor in comparison to and succeeded in constantly outwitting continued his Duchy’s anti-French With a French army of only 27,000, now ruled by Napoleon’s brother, Jerome. This began one of the most amazing others during the wars, was important and evading Reubell’s ponderous tradition when he was appointed Allied Davout succeeded in holding Brunswick By doing this, Napoleon created a most series of events in an already remarkable to the Brunswick cause as it was a pursuit. On 7 August the Black Legion Commander-in-Chief for the invasion at bay until Bernadotte’s delayed counter- determined enemy and thus began a chain period of warfare; the Black Legionís notable victory. The Duke captured the was evacuated by the British Fleet from of France. However, following the attack which effectively cut the Prussian of events that would eventually end on march through and its town and totally swept away an entire Brake, on the Frisian coast.

Above: A battallion of Black Brunswickers marches on through Westphalia. Above: An artillery limber and team advance alongside their compatriots. The Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg non-Brunswick (or Northern German/ Wellington’s overall command. However, Leib-Battalion desperately attempted to Prussian) recruits soon deserted once the Duke insisted that his Corps rally them but they began to fall back, on campaign and, to British observers, remained independent and would not be raked by canister and shot. It was around little difference was made between those tampered with by British - or any other this time, whilst trying to encourage from the Duchy and outside it. Indeed, Allied - officers. In this, Brunswick’s his inexperienced troops, that the Duke numerous British soldiers complained situation was essentially the same as was fatally struck in the chest by a ball. about the lack of commitment amongst that of the Netherlands but, militarily, Following this disaster, the steadiness of the Brunswickers, with even the they were classed with the Hanoverian the green Brunswick troops was, almost Lüneburg occasional ‘Black Legion’ officer Landwehr and Nassau troops. Just like immediately, thrown into question. • seemingly intent on desertion. Such was the Peninsular campaign, however, the One battalion notably threw away its their reputation, that General Crauford Brunswickers were a seriously watered weapons and packs and attempted to flee claimed that if any Brunswicker chose down force to the one that had begun (apparently panicked by the sound of to desert to the enemy they should not the long fight against Napoleon in the Royal Horse Artillery approach) but, Hanover • be hampered from doing so as ‘...we 1809. This time, it was hampered by a once calmed, held their position. Yet, this • Halberstadt are better without such’. (E. Costello, serious lack of experience due to the was mirrored with great professionalism Adventures of a Soldier; written by attritional wastage on their forces over too. When the French cavalry assaulted himself, p.47, Reprint, London, 1967). the previous nine years of warfare. The the Allied position east of the crossroads, Colonel Olfermann was obliged to In fact, in 1811, a ‘great court martial’ Leib-Bataillon remained a unit of mostly Above: Hussar Officer deliberated on the fate of ten Brunswick veteran troops, but the majority of the form his 4,000 Brunswick infantry into deserters in one single hearing; six men other Brunswick battalions lacked battle squares. As they did so, with agonising gaps were hewn in their ranks. Officers were flogged and the remainder were experience. It was known, for example, slowness, the 3rd Battalion was almost and sergeants pushed and pulled men shot. (Sir Charles Oman, Wellington’s that the Nassau and Brunswick battalions caught mid-manoeuvre by the enemy into the spaces of those who had fallen, Above: The green-shaded area depicts the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg prior to the Army 1809 - 1814, Reprint, Greenhill could not be expected to manoeuvre horsemen. It was only saved from as the smoke around them increased and destruction by the swift intervention of dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. It is overlayed on a modern map of 1986). under fire, a significant tactical drawback. ‘G’ Troop unlimbered just in time to see Germany, the pale lines delineate the current states. By Waterloo, the role of the Duke’s the Brunswick lancers, acting as a human the massed leading squadron of Marshal Despite this apparent dilution, there was a renowned Black Legion had relegated buffer, which bought the infantry time Ney’s attack bearing down upon them. As hardened core of Brunswick veterans who to largely one of simply being placed in to reform. It was this spirit which was to Mercer’s guns opened up with canister, The Brunswick Corps, addition to the existing auxiliary forces. held true to their original aims and got position and told to hold their ground. show itself admirably two days later. the Brunswickers too opened fire, raking 1810-1815 Although larger than before, the calibre on well with their British counterparts. Having said that, it was of deep concern Considering the terrible news of the the French cavalry mercilessly. Although of serving troops deteriorated greatly. It was recorded by one Brunswicker that to some observers of ‘non-British’ troops As the Brunswickers were considered to Duke’s death at Quatre Bras, the Mercer’s account heavily focused on An influx of deserters, mercenaries it was their mutual disgust and common whether the Brunswickers could be relied be an active British ally, their absorption Brunswick Corps at Waterloo reacted the role of his battery bolstering (indeed and adventurers joined the corps as contempt for Napoleon that brought the upon to even do this. That worry became en bloc into British service seemed a very well. Indeed, far from running ‘saving’ is the term most regularly used) the Brunswickers became a useful two nations together. especially pressing at Quatre Bras and it natural progression. However, their away, the Brunswickers held their ground ‘depositing ground’ for an odd assortment was here that Duke Friedrich Wilhelm’s the Brunswickers, equally Mercer’s bitter march through Germany had A triumphant repatriation for the Black despite terrible carnage all around of recruits. They included Polish and day of reckoning eventually came. gunners were protected by these taken a toll on their numbers. By the Legion came in 1814, when the Duke them. For example, during an horrific Germans, Croatian, Swiss, Danish and squares. Certainly, Lord Hill’s report Peninsular campaign, their ranks were retook possession of the Duchy. In During the battle, the Brunswickers bombardment, followed by Marshal Dutch soldiers, but the general standard on 20 June commented on the ‘firm dependent on a tragically small cadre the period leading up to the Waterloo had initially met with favourable Ney’s massed cavalry charge against their of the whole varied immensely. Their manner’ in which the Brunswick infantry of excellent troops from Brunswick and campaign, FriedrichWilhelm set success. Whilst advancing his men onto positions - and seeing a Royal Artillery active service record in the Peninsular behaved at Waterloo; in contrast to the North Germany but, for the most part, about creating a new national army. Gemioncourt, east of the Charleroi road, battery flee - the Brunswick infantry campaign (they fought in many battles reputation they seemed to have gained enlistment was swollen by prisoners of The infantry formed around the Leib- the Duke had been able to calmly ride stood firm. Their steadiness here is often including Fuentes de Onoro and Vittoria) for ‘nerviness’ (Quoted in D Hamilton- war in British camps. Whilst the King’s Bataillon (from the old veterans of amongst his raw troops, smoking a pipe attributed to Captain Mercer’s battery was an example of this occasional Williams, Waterloo: New Perspectives). German Legion arguably recruited the Black Legion) and consisted of and urging them forward. However, they (‘G’ Troop, Royal Horse Artillery) inconsistency. the finest of the men available, the three Light and three Line battalions, soon came under fire from French light swiftly taking up a position between During the battle for Hougoumont, Brunswickers ended up with many of the Whilst the majority of Brunswickers supported by the Jager battalion (the infantry concealed at the edge of the Bois the two Brunswick squares, but their veteran Brunswickers, who had become dregs, for whom the corps was a slightly fought in the Fifth and Seventh Divisions, famous Avantgarde) and five Landwehr de Bossu and this was quickly supported own qualities must surely be taken into detached from their parent units, preferable alternative to incarceration. the Jager elements fought with Crauford’s Reserve battalions. During the Waterloo by artillery. As the French began to range consideration too. As Captain Mercer recognised the 51st Regiment from their The Black Legion was thus bolstered famous Light Division (which so expertly campaign, like most of the Allied their guns against them, the Brunswickers noted, the Brunswick infantry, which Peninsular service and fought alongside to become a twelve company regiment extracted the 7th Division at Fuentes contingents, the Duke of Brunswick struggled forward falteringly as their had been so jittery at Quatre Bras, now their former comrades in arms for the called the ‘Brunswick-Oels Jager’, in de Onoro). A sizeable number of the agreed that his forces should be under casualties mounted; Major Prostler of the stood solidly during the heavy shelling as remainder of the day.

Above: Until 1814 the Duchy of Brunswick’s flag was a yellow stripe over blue. From Above: A squadron of Brunswick Ulans prepares to deploy on the flanks. Above: An artillery crew man-handles their gun into position. 1814 - 1830, it was a blue stripe over white. Orders of Battle Suggested Further Westphalia - 5th Westphalian The Battle of Brunswick - The Black Legion Infantry Regiment Reading & thanks Commander: Duke Friedrich Wilhelm Commander: Colonel P.S. Meyronnet Some of the most accessible works on the subject are those by Otto von 1st Battalion 500 men Voltigeur Company 100 men Pivka, and his excellent study of 2nd Battalion 500 men Line Companies 4 of 400 each the Brunswick Corps still remains Jager Battalion 150 men Companies 2 of 140 each the most useful book in the field. Scharfschützen Company 150 men Halberstadt Incidentally, the Westphalian infantry John Gill’s With Eagles to Glory is Hussar Regiment 550 men of the period wore white French style an excellent account on the 1809 Uhlan Squadron, 29 July, 1809 uniforms, with the 5th’s facing colour campaign. attached to above 80 men being yellow. The following scenario intends to tackle Brunswick in one vast sweeping entrance to the town. The battle proper Light Battery 80 men E. Costello, Adventures of a recapture this spirit and hopefully onslaught. However, this went awry, began at about 7pm, and was all but 2 6pdrs, 2 howitzers Soldier; written by himself, provides an entertaining idea on as military plans often do, when over a gruelling five hours later. The 5th Reprint, London 1967 recreating an event from when the Meyronnet’s regiment reached the town Infantry, having lost Meyronnet and most J.H. Gill, With Eagles to Glory, Brunswick forces fought alone of Halberstadt on the morning of the of its officers, fought on for as long as London 1992 against Napoleon. 29th, with Reubell’s army still some it could before finally surrendering the In late July, the Duke of Brunswick was 150 kilometres away. Initial reports town. Only the 5th Westphalian’s two D. Hamilton-Williams, Waterloo: marching through Westphalia with his estimated the Duke of Brunswick’s grenadier companies held out, until 5am, New Perspectives - the Great Battle Black Legion; but he found his way Legion at the town of Quedlinburg by fortifying a series of townhouses; Reappraised, London 1994 blocked at the town of Halberstadt by (14 km south) but, by late afternoon, although they too were eventually F. Loraine Petre, Napoleon’s the 5th Westphalian Infantry Regiment frantic messengers confirmed they were forced to submit when the Brunswick Conquest of Prussia 1806, (under Colonel P.S. Meyronnet). The almost upon Meyronnet’s garrison. howitzers were brought up. In total, the Reprint, London 1993 regiment was part of the Magdeburg The colonel sent out his voltigeurs to Black Legion had captured some 1,500 garrison and had left the town on 28 harass the Brunswick advance whilst of the 5th Westphalian Infantry, killed U. Pericoli, 1815: The Armies July with some 1,980 men, to meet up the rest of his inexperienced regiment 200 and dispersed the remainder. The at Waterloo, London 1979 with General Reubell’s division and was deployed along the walls and suggested forces and scenario guidelines Oman, C.W.C, Wellington’s Army 1809-1814, Reprint, London 1986

to re-fight Halberstadt are given below, levelled at the unreliability of Brunswick, O. von Pivka, Armies of the , based on their historical equivalents and and other non-British troops in general, Newton Abbott, 1978 objectives. Taken from J.H. Gill, With within the Allied forces during the Eagles to Glory. Napoleonic Wars. Despite this, recent O. von Pivka, Brunswick Troops 1809 - 1815, Regarding initial set-up, the town of scholars have readjusted this imbalance Osprey Publishing, 1991 Halberstadt should be in the middle and provided an altogether fairer of the tabletop, garrisoned by the portrayal. For example, David Hamilton- All figures featured are Perry 5th Westphalians. The Brunswickers Williams gives a highly persuasive and Miniatures from their Brunswick begin at the southern edge of the table. interesting alternative to the traditional range, painted by JohnWatkins, Victory conditions are simple, with the narrative on the role of Dutch, Belgian Jim Bowen and El Mercenario. Westphalians needing to hold the town and German troops, in many articles and This article was originally published and the Brunswickers aim to capture it or notably Waterloo: New Perspectives - the in WI221 (March 2006). With it’s N drive the enemy from it. Brunswick was Great Battle Reappraised. focus on the Brunswickers and the one of the smallest, yet most tenacious, scenario against the Westphalians, of Napoleon’s enemies, renowned I hope that the above may help in giving we felt it dove-tailed well with our throughout Europe for its unwavering an alternative and fun Napoleonic game content for WI272 (June 2010). and vehement opposition to his regime. (or indeed army!) to experiment with and Traditionally, some criticism has been enjoy on the tabletop.

Above: The Duke of Brunswick receives an update from an officer of his Light Infantry. Above: With their blood up, these Brunswicker Hussars begin their charge.