Could You Survive as a Soldier in Napoleon's Army?

In this video we experience life as a Napoleonic soldier at the beginning of the 19th century. Napoleon’s Grande Armée was one of the greatest battlefield forces ever assembled, but what were the challenges of army life for ordinary line infantry troops? We take a closer look at the uniform and equipment of Napoleon’s troops, find out about military training during the period, and explore how these men coped with Napoleon’s military campaigns.
By joining up with historical reenactment group 21eme Regiment de Ligne, I also learn more about the more mundane aspects of a soldier’s daily life in the 19th century. As well as fighting in Napoleon’s greatest battles like Austerlitz, Borodino and Waterloo, regular fusiliers spent much of their time cleaning their weapons and uniform, marching huge distances, and attempting to stave off hunger and disease.
We also look closely at two of the greatest dangers for a soldier on a Napoleonic battlefield: cavalry and artillery. Napoleon was a trained artillery officer who knew that his cannons could swing a battle, while his horsemen were the envy of Europe.
We also bust some of the biggest myths about Napoleon and his army. Did Napoleon fire cannons at the Pyramids? Did Napoleon fire cannons at a frozen lake? Did Napoleon invade Russia?
With Ridley Scott’s Napoleon movie due to be released in 2023, we move the spotlight back to the ordinary soldiers of the Grande Armée, and ask whether YOU could survive in Napoleon’s army?
#napoleon #napoleonicwars #history
00:00 Introduction
02:36 Recruitment and conscription
07:37 Uniform in the French army
10:42 What soldiers carried
13:43 Infantry training
14:33 The Charleville musket
19:48 Firing in ranks
23:57 Life in the army
24:46 Slang phrases
26:57 Napoleonic artillery
33:45 Napoleonic cavalry
37:33 Invasion of Russia
40:14 Battle of Waterloo
43:33 Could you survive?
Music from: Zakhar Valaha - Triumphant
Music by: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos
License code: CPOSIGJ4LHYI8JDL

[@survivehistory]

We hope you enjoyed the episode! Let us know what you think in the comments and please consider supporting the channel at: ko-fi.com/survivehistory

[@blue8398]

I enjoyed it I love learning about wars no offense to the people that died in the war

[@user-sv3cq6yp9f]

There’s nothing we can do

[@EzekielDeLaCroix]

People forget that in battle, you survive only by pure chance. You could do everything right, but sometimes, it's just not your day.

[@dolsopolar]

but doing everything right increases your chance of surviving still?

[@EzekielDeLaCroix]

@@dolsopolarThat's what we tell you to get you to do it.

[@SobaYatai]

@@dolsopolar even if you managed to down the person infront of you, another is going to replace him and others next to him might be able to hit you still, even without engaging you can still most likely die from cannon fire. you could maybe part of the artillery crew away distanced from the raged on going battle but standing up you get yourself slashed by sabre stay low and you get run over by a horse during cavalry charge. your highest chance of survival is joining light infantry or the skirmishers. even if you dont wanna do any of these job youd most likely still gonna get conscripted and had to leave your family behind, dies in senseless wars the people who kept whining about blah blah going on right now in our world should be thankful that they were born in this era

[@cmdrgarbage1895]

​@@EzekielDeLaCroixNo their are clear patterns and doctrines that increase survivability, otherwise we'd still be fighting like in WW1.

[@evancenac4467]

youre right but also wrong

[@mattesdrescher4783]

That artillery commander feels like he’s been brought here straight from the napoleonic wars. That cold demeanor with which he treats the absolute horror of his artillery weapons

[@BeKindToBirds]

The man has clearly contemplated his weapon and his own difference from meat. How they both relate and have done so.

[@robertsantamaria6857]

Nice concept, I really like how Louee gives a shout out to the re-enactors and their unit. He's the host, but he makes sure to let the re-enactors share their story. I'll give it a sub, interested for whatever comes next.

[@survivehistory]

Appreciate it Robert, thanks!

[@iain349]

Yeah my view too - well done, was a lot of fun, and as a French learner I enjoyed the use of French as well. Also how awesome would it be to be a reenactor. :) They were having a stack of fun.

[@dixenherize6969]

​@@survivehistorywhat's going to be the next video do you think? Any chance of letting us know what era it'll be in and how long until we would be able to watch it? I really like videos like this so I was stoked to luckily stumble across it thanks to KZbin playing random videos after whatever current one being viewed, ends. I'm assuming from the name of the channel, it's planned to do a video for whichever era the topic is on at that time? Thank you and good video ! Much appreciated all the way from Washington State

[@survivehistory]

@@dixenherize6969 thanks so much for the comment! We're working hard on the second episode right now and hope it will be ready at the end of November. Check out the end-screen on our first episode and you'll have a clue to the next topic! 🤐

[@HistoryNerd1814]

​@@iain349it is a fun hobby I would recommend it but warning starting out is expensive

[@WilliamJohnwon1522]

I was in the first Napoleonic reenactment societies in Britain, which was formed after they made the film Waterloo in 1970 and I have lots of happy memories. We northerners were the French and I of course was in the old garde, or guard.

[@jspee1965]

Vive la France! Vive la Vielle Garde!!

[@thedogmen.]

oh my god, being part of the Old Guard has to be one of the biggest flexes possible, even if just in a reenactment group!

[@Loscartuchos5566]

LE VICTORIE ESTA A NOUS

[@stephenjohnson8237]

I love all the buzz the movie is creating for Napoleon content. There could be 5 movies about his escapades and there would still be a trilogy left. Love it!

[@Notimportant253]

Holy shit they are making a napoleon movie?!?? And it has JOAQIN PHOENIX PLAYING THE LEAD?!?!?? This is definitely the good timeline. I hope this movie is successful and starts a revival in the interest of historical epics, cause history at times can be stranger and more exciting than any fantasy can be.

[@Alfie-ft3bx]

@@Notimportant253 I feel like overall it would’ve been better to have someone more like Wellington or Nelson the good guys

[@ralphsharp7986]

Nah Napoleon is a far more interesting character. He was kinda awkward but at the same time a tactical genius and a monster@@Alfie-ft3bx

[@ninab.4540]

​@@Notimportant253It's not. As a European I'd rather see the Kubrick version over...whatever that was. At least Spielberg is keeping that flame alive.

[@ninab.4540]

​@@Alfie-ft3bxSpotted the Brit

[@plusultra4961]

People don't realize that 60% of their company would have died of typhus weeks before going into combat.

[@ddc2957]

This 😂 that’s the real danger. Even things like heatstroke & malnutrition claimed lives.

[@theproletariatreport6283]

It’s truly staggering how many armies were simply wiped out by disease, prior to the 21st century.

[@EdgarStyles1234]

Lol you really believe these utterly nonsense numbers?

[@theproletariatreport6283]

@@EdgarStyles1234 80,000 men died of typhus and other diseases during Napoleons campaign in Russia

[@EdgarStyles1234]

@@theproletariatreport6283 even if that number is correct, that's one campaign, in swamps and then in freezing winter in Russia... Doesn't mean normal continental soldiers faced that type of risk.

[@brianfuller757]

He puts serious effort into his videos and this history is spot on. The quality of both officers and ranks was very good in the Grande Armée. There was also the organisation of the Grande Armée which even British opponents respected.

[@jspee1965]

Napoleon was first to introduce the Corps system.

[@dodo.8837]

As a French I loved the video, the presentation, details, everything is there !!! And yes Napoleon never bombed the pyramids contrary to what is shown in Ridley Scott’s movie 😔😔

[@frontenac5083]

As a French what? Learn basic English.

[@dodo.8837]

Especially when your name is French..

[@murphy7801]

​@@frontenac5083I can understand him perfectly and English is my first language

[@gink456]

​@@frontenac5083quit being a whiny bitch

[@malegria9641]

Ce film c’est une moquerie de France

[@johnkendall2979]

These guys should've organized the Napolean movie

[@rotwang2000]

I blame Airfix for putting me off the French in the Napoleonic era. Their old 1/72nd scale Waterloo sets had tall, strapping British infantry, standing proud and tough. The French had nothing but weird ungainly poses and looked like excited goblins.

[@EdgarStyles1234]

Just the truth innit

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

Try those by Zvezda and those by Italeri. They are awesome.

[@2adamast]

The famous French skirmishers, never to be shown in movies

[@jspee1965]

Wargames Research Group, Napoleonic tabletop wargamer here. I invested untold thousand in my beautiful 25mm armies. Diecast and purchased from a store in Sydney Australia called "Tin Soldier". Sadly they closed quite some years ago, but walking into the place, I was like a kid in a candy store.

[@Alguien644]

No, they'd kick me out for not speaking french

[@Toywars69]

Same...

[@Alexander-on5eg]

For real

[@ryangaming321]

Chinese for me :)

[@Akabeche]

A significant fraction of French people of the time didn't speak French (instead speaking regional languages like Basque, Breton or Occitan) or spoke regional patois and dialects of French that were quite different from the "standard" Parisian French. So ironically enough you might be safe on that front

[@Alguien644]

@@Akabeche I'm also spanish, and our rivalry is big and has been through history also big as far as I know

[@tusk70]

I first thought it was the 12e Regiment d'infanterie de ligne. My grand-grand-grand-grandfather served as a corporal of the genadiers in that regiment. He was wounded in 1812 near Smolensk and came back to Germany.

[@poil8351]

one reason wellington didn't much like his gunners was probably becsuse the royal artillery were technically not part of the army and not directly under his command, they had their own chain of command which was separate to the army.

[@t.wcharles2171]

Before the 20th century most armies were organised as infantry, cavalry, artillery, and the navy.

[@poil8351]

@@t.wcharles2171 also navies varied from country to country sometimes they were part of the army and in other countries they were a seperate force like in the united kingdom and france and spain, also some countries had both a navy and an army fleet that sort of was made of gunboats and river vessels. were things got very confusing was marine corps because you had marine corps that were intergrated the navy but organised along army lines like the british and dutch marines corps, then you had the french system which tend to have sailors specifically trained to fight as marines but were not organised as a separate force.

[@t.wcharles2171]

@@poil8351 it's so much simpler these days.

[@barbararice6650]

Organisationally the fuckers had to do what they were told during march and battle orders 👈😐

[@kevinleewilliams5119]

Combined arms is a modern concept, evolution of organization, technology allowing fast and actionable Intel and communication between the branches, back then imagine a CAV commander trying to both direct cav and infantry during a battle, using drums to maneuver lol calling in artillery had to be pretty hard too, no direct way for an FO to communicate back to the guns quickly, major part of combined arms.

[@RavenGent]

Most excellent!! As a reenactor myself I've come to know some of the tatics that Napoleon soldiers learned would come to be learned well in the US especially around the time of the Civil war. General McClellan was known to be called the American Napoleon and training the soldiers. There's two accounts from some of Napoleon soldiers who fought with him especially at Waterloo.

[@kamikaziking]

without the french the US would still be a Brittish colony , from money to navy to guns the French essentialy won the war for you....

[@user-ly6pl5ot9m]

McClennan's comparing to Bonnie is actually more insulting to the corsican chap.

[@kameronjones7139]

​@kamikaziking until after the war when the French raided thousands of American merchants forcing the usa to put a stop to it

[@kingofwishfulthinking2490]

@@kamikazikingand then Americans had to answer for French frailty in WW1, WW2 and again in Vietnam. Quit the comparisons. Both nations have fought beside each other throughout history, and are brothers in blood.

[@kamikaziking]

@@kingofwishfulthinking2490 you largely overplay the role of the mutts in both world wars in the european theatre , maybe you should read a book?

[@yingyangmapper5399]

37:17 Excellent choice of music (you just got a new subscriber)! As a classical music lover (and beginner musician :D) and history enthusiast, it was a really nice detail and adds to the immersion. The piece in question was Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture, a piece dedicated to Russia's victory over the Napoleon's Grande Armée. I'm surprised this channel only has about 37k subscribers!

[@survivehistory]

Welcome aboard!

[@nateb9768]

Just wrote an essay that mainly discussed the story of Jakob Walter who was a German conscript in Napoleon's grand army. Discussing what drove him to commit crimes while abroad at war. His memoir is great, I highly recommend it!

[@ninab.4540]

He was Prussian in his days

[@suntalex__]

loved it! as someone who absolutely loves learning about the napoleonic wars, i found this very interesting! keep up the good work ❤

[@survivehistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@yellingyank1862]

Wow, what a wonderful video, I love how much you have the reenactors talk about their weapons and historical tactics they use on the “battlefield”. Can’t wait for new uploads

[@user-cd4bx6uq1y]

Amazing. Felt like I'm hearing about these for the first time and creating a detailed image, trying to put bits of everything I heard of (about other things) together to understand the context of the discussion

[@esomethingoranother3718]

Brilliant! Respect to everyone involved in putting this documentary & re-enactment together. Never stop making more, there's plenty of units with stories waiting to be told by the very best... All of you. -Thank you!

[@agtom1329]

Great video, very informative, well produced. Looking forward to next one!

[@survivehistory]

Very much appreciated!

[@The_Big_G_765]

I love these types of videos about history, really excited to see what new videos will come out from this channel!

[@andrewdobson457]

Love it. Looking forward to the next installment!

[@Doc_Tar]

Well done. I look forward to learning more while watching you being put through your paces.

[@thisguyaintfunny1881]

Fantastic video. Love the concept, and i am really looking forward to more videos :)

[@13JAMLAND]

Great documentary well done and thank you! Subscribed! 👍🏻 Be good to see the life and training in the other armies of the time too.

[@burd_history]

Brilliant first video. Channel will blow up in no time with this level of production.

[@notnotagoodguy9600]

You guy's NEED to keep it up, this was amazing

[@stephane.namaskar]

Congratulations for this detailed, insightful and refreshing documentary. Really well done. Ps: now that we know more about the Cuirassiers, we hope to learn more about the Polish lancers soon. Thank you again🙏

[@Parabellum-oe3sw]

Very interesting to watch! Can’t wait to see more!

[@leonidk2533]

Top quality of the video,thanks guys!

[@MikkoHiiri]

Highly entertaining and educational video, thank you to all involved in the production!

[@Chris-um3se]

Wonderful!! Lively narration. Good script. Looks authentic. Glad to see you documenting Le Grande Armee

[@survivehistory]

Many thanks!

[@matthiasthulman4058]

Could you survive as a Roman Legionnaire? Surely that's in the lineup This is a great video, keep it up guys

[@survivehistory]

👀👀👀

[@coltoncyr2283]

Just dont face off against Hannibal, and perhaps you can!! LOL

[@matthiasthulman4058]

@@coltoncyr2283 lol true

[@ninab.4540]

​@@coltoncyr2283Hannibal lost. As someone with Phoenican/Roman descent by country alone, screw him and his poisonious dad.

[@coltoncyr2283]

@@ninab.4540 Hannibal lost because of political betrayal. He was on Romes doorsteps. And then Romans proceeded to wipe them out even after a treaty. When it comes to being on the battlefield, he won, and if you're still this butt hurt, woof go buy 50 boxes of tissues for all the years or tears.

[@Tamper_]

Great video, I can’t wait to see when this channel picks up and you have your own television show

[@HarbindBrar]

Loved it. Can't wait for the next episode!

[@Mermare]

Love it. So few people know how difficult life was even for the WWII generation, which wasn't that long ago. I'm sure I wouldn't have survived childhood before the 70's because of modern antiobiotics snd medical care (frequent bronchitis and eardrum infections). I wish more people appreciated how nice we have it in the U.S. and other advanced countries. Don't forget there are many poor people in the world that still die from treatable diseases due to lack of access to health care.

[@ninab.4540]

Did these people not have grand parents or great ones?

[@sunnyztmoney]

You would probably have been more healthy overall. Back then food was more nutritious and not full of pesticides. Also your immune system wouldnt be all fucked up from vaccines

[@annasolovyeva1013]

​@@sunnyztmoney back then 40% children died before reaching 5 y.o. Food chemicals were unregulated, so merchants added chalk to bread and poisonous dyes to everywhere

[@jjcoola998]

Shit I can't afford the doctor here in USA but luckily we have the magic concept of debt

[@enriqueslekis3562]

Great content! Congrats from Uruguay. The quality of the video is Fantastic. This has nothing to envy to a documentary from a TV channel. Keep the good work!

[@survivehistory]

Thank you very much!

[@ClickClack_Bam]

Incredible video. Packed full of info & presented in a way that held my full attention up until the end. Presented in a way that really made me think about being plucked from my house & present times, & dropped into Napoleon's army & given a slap on the ass forward onto the battlefield & the horrors of war.

[@survivehistory]

thanks so much!

[@TheSpritz0]

AWESOME presentation in detail, LOVED it- big "THUMBS UP"!!! PLEASE do one on Wellington's Army, and Blucher's Prussians, the Austrians, and the Russians of Czar Alexander!!!💯

[@jacksavere6988]

Extremely well produced for your first upload! Did you come from another studio?? Only a couple minutes in and I’m loving it, very professional work👌🏻

[@paulbennett4415]

The foot soldier in the brown uniform with red facings and white piping is in the Service de Santé - a specially formed medical unit in the French army during the Napoleonic Wars.

[@Gearsreview]

Love it, hope we get more such videos soon. Thank you

[@user-bt6og4km1y]

A very nice video and concept. You explained all with detail. Eagerly waiting for next such video.

[@TjugoTusen]

Aye Man, you did a pretty good job, pretty hard to find good quality content nowadays

[@lyndad1039]

Really interesting and well presented.

[@survivehistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bomric1788]

Thanks for spending so much time on the "little things" like the clothes and general logistics. Those subjects are so interesting but criminally underrepresented.

[@gefreitercluey6569]

Thank you for the amazing and informative video! I liked and subscribed immediately! I can’t wait to see more from this channel! 👍👍

[@samyb7292]

You brits aren't that bad after all, we might even forgive you for trafalgar someday. Seriously those guys are awesome, great video et vive l'empereur

[@mario_1683]

So cool! It really shows, that you put much effort in your videos!

[@survivehistory]

Thank you so much!

[@georgemcintyre112]

This was great! Looking forward to the next one

[@survivehistory]

Cheers George!

[@eleithias]

Looks like a great exciting new series! I remember when History channel and Discovery used to actually make good content like this, glad you guys picked up the mantle, history knowledge is sorely needed today! Vive la France! Vive la grande armée!

[@AL-kb3cb]

"Any hussar who isn't dead by the age of thirty is a good-for-nothing". Antoine Lasalle

[@Abensberg]

well, you wouldnt get much older back then even when you are not fighting. so who cares if you die in battle or survive. :D

[@vinz4066]

​@@Abensberg Thats Just Not true.

[@Abensberg]

@@vinz4066 you got different numbers? people in the 19th century had in average 35.6 years for men and 38.4 years for women. of course some people grow older but it was not common like today.

[@counterfeit1148]

@@Abensberg If you made it past 5 years old then you'd make it much further than 35

[@webuyhouse8917]

@@Abensbergdo u not understand what average mean a lot of people died as babies but if u survived past 10 u could live till around late 60s mid 70s

[@djohnson2536]

Probably depends whether you were conscripted before or after the russia campaign, also whether you were fighting in spain or elsewhere

[@sn4k321]

Amazing work! Congratulations, looking forward for the next

[@survivehistory]

Thanks a lot!

[@kalixkatt]

Great reenactment, the ”battle” in the end gave one a insight in how it would have looked back then.

[@MrOliverk2]

Excellent content. This takes me back to my childhood watching documentaries on the History channel.

[@survivehistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Maj_Problem]

I love these videos, really gives me old history channel vibes

[@XXBASSOON1STXX]

What a tragedy the History Channel has become.

[@puddlesailor2871]

This is amazing content that earned my subscription with the very first video! I can't wait to see your channel grow. Well done guys!

[@survivehistory]

Thank you so much!

[@bloodrave9578]

Excellent presentation and extremely well researched, explosive shot being the first airburst round foreshadows how deadly artillery will become by WW1 in regards to the carnage of artillery airbursts

[@user-li4sz3jz1b]

This is brilliant as usual well done guys 😀😀😀

[@survivehistory]

Thank you so much 😁

[@mattwainwright9198]

Fantastic video, really well made! I know I'm going to love this channel. I've subscribed and am waiting on the edge of my seat for any future content! 👍

[@survivehistory]

Awesome, thank you!

[@t.wcharles2171]

Looks brilliant can't wait for what you do next.

[@scjoow1059]

One of the best new channels! And its only the first video but it do already have 1k subscribers! Hope this channels grows big in the future 🗿

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Thanks, love this content. I'm a former curasier reenactor. (14th Dutch in French service)

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

I believe they wore a white shirt.

[@CRuf-qw4yv]

Its great to see History Re-enactors in other countries. I am glad there appears to be no restrictions on the ownership of replica muzzle-loaders as well.

[@seanbissett-powell5916]

Here in the UK (where the 21eme are mostly based) there are restrictions in the sense that there are plenty of administrative hoops to jump through. A musket is counted as a shotgun, so you need a shotgun certificate, for which you have to prove you've got a good reason to have it (the membership card of a recognised re-enactment society will do), that you've got adequate security for any muskets you own (gun cabinet and appropriate alarms, which usually means you have to be a house owner or have an incredibly co-operative landlord), and that you don't have a criminal record or any mental health issues (sensible !). You then also need an explosives certificate for the black powder you use. There are two types. Acquire only means you are issued powder at an event and hand any left back at the end. They are relatively easy to get with the shotgun certificate. The alternative is acquire & keep. Aquire and keep licenses are incredibly hard to get in most areas, requiring appropriate storage, even better alarms, permission of various other authorities (it seems to vary by area, but can include local Trading Standards, Health & Safety, Fire Brigade etc). Plus you need a separate document to be able to trqansport the powder to events. Most re-enactment societies rely on the few people who can get them to get and issue the powder to rank and file members.

[@spedkaone]

Amazing production. This channel will grow quickly.

[@thracese9877]

It's a shame you don't have that much views, this video is excellent.

[@Alexus1138]

Reminds me of the good old days of BBC history documentaries 2000-2008 or so!

[@survivehistory]

thanks Alexus!

[@Alexus1138]

@survivehistory keep creating =)

[@johnlane8053]

Very enjoyable approach to learning more about this era. Keep up the great work! I look forward to viewing more of your videos

[@survivehistory]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ihsanyuce953]

loving this channel; it definitely will go places

[@jacobmelnik2566]

Cant wait to see more videos like this!

[@william_the_conqueror_fan1564]

I was in this!! I’m one of the reenactors!!

[@survivehistory]

Thanks a lot for helping make the episode!

[@maunz5791]

History, reenactment, liked, subscribed! That was a very entertaining video and a nice and very professional looking group of reenactors! I'm absolutely here for more :D

[@survivehistory]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ddc2957]

There is not much need to exercise when you’re carrying 10-12kgs of equipment & marching 30kms several days a week. It may only be walking, but that’s still quite a bit of energy expended. That & you aren’t exactly overeating on campaign would certainly keep a man at least lean, if not in great shape.

[@BlackPowderEnjoyer]

Yo to anyone that is reading this these guys are the vingt-et-un ieme (spelt that horribly wrong but the name is around that in french) The reason i know this is that me and my dad are giant history nerds and we do reenacting(American Civil War and American Revolution)and my dad is an immigrant from England and he also did Reanacting there to, Mostly Napoleonic. This unit that he joined in the video was the one that my Father was a part of.

[@abbieoconnell3595]

I'm also a 21e member, what's your dad's name/surname (if you don't mind sharing that) please? It'd be good to know if we ever crossed paths!

[@BlackPowderEnjoyer]

@@abbieoconnell3595 I doubt that you guys would because he has not been with the 21e in over 20 years But his First names Andy.

[@abbieoconnell3595]

@@BlackPowderEnjoyer my Dad joined the 21eme in 1989 - I will ask him based on the info here :)

[@christhorpejunction8982]

@@BlackPowderEnjoyerI knew your Dad! He’d have known my Dad too, Trevor Thorpe, my father was basically everyone in the 21emes uncle! Your Dad got to do a few Waterloo’s, loads of events in the UK and several other overseas trips, like to Malmaison. Pass on my regards to him!

[@renlangley20]

Thank you for made this video, so that can let me more understand history!

[@survivehistory]

Our pleasure!

[@generalbanastretarleton6578]

Great video very informative. Nice to see the French side of things. Well done all in making this.

[@AhoInger]

they need to do "could you survive as a soldier of prussia" 💀

[@ddc2957]

Nobody survives under Blücher 😂 Including Russian soldiers at Leipzig he wasn’t even in legal command of 😂

[@ralphgeigner5497]

Very Interesting ! Excellent video ! Being in a CSA unit ( 42st VA) being an infantry soldier back in the Napoleonic wars to the Civil War period. Weapons improved, but much of the battle formations were the same, at the early part of the CW, what hardships the Napoleon era soldier had to deal with. I have 2 Parker Hales and a Lorenz musket from Loyalist Arms,

[@johnmoreno9636]

Some similarities, some differences. If you were in the early Army of Tenneessee, say in Shiloh, you probably were using flintlocks just like Napoleon's soldiers. But even flintlocks can hit at 100 yards. I think the biggest difference was in cavalry, generalship and artillery. 1st Empire artillery range was around 500 yards with roundshot. But the rifled cannons of the Civil War could go out to 1500 yards. The rifled muskets like the Enfield also ruined the charge of cavalry. By the Civil War no infantry formed square - they just lined up and started shooting at 200 yards at the mass of cavalry. Napoleon used cavalry to run down infantry after they were broken, thus achieving total victory and smashing opponents armies. In the Civil War, I have not heard of cavalry running down infantry formations. Generally, the only time entire Civil War armies were wiped out was in sieges like Fort Donaldson or Vickburg.

[@johnmoreno9636]

The other difference was generalship. All the Civil War generals studied Napoleon. None of them really emulated Napoleon though. Closest might have been Sherman/Grant when they decided to cut their supply lines and live off the land through Georgia like the Grand Armee. Gen. Lee tried to emulate the Grand Battery Napoleon frequently used to bash points in enemy lines, like at Borodino, at Picketts Charge, but used 200 guns versus Napoleon's 400 guns and mostly missed the target. Even General Lee repeatedly failed to DESTROY the Army of the Potomac, which always came back after every defeat. In fact, no Civil War general completely crushed armies except in sieges - which is why the US Civil War eventually became a war of attrition under Grant.

[@ralphgeigner5497]

Hello, Thank you for the Info @@johnmoreno9636

[@johnmoreno9636]

Similarities are our linear tactics. Napoleon used 3 rank lines while the Civil War uses the British 2 rank system. Civil War armies were quick to use skirmish tactics, but that is nothing new to French Voltiguers or British Light Infantry like the 95th Rifles. I imagine camp life was very similar. But from what studies I have seen, the casualty rate for Civil War battles versus Napoleonic battles is pretty similar. Certainly, the percussion cap technology of Civil War rifles is waaaay more reliable than flintlocks. Medicine was probably pretty close, although Civil War armies had more access to cloroform than the 1810s.

[@niono1587]

@@johnmoreno9636 The reason you hear of no cavalry chasing infantry is because the US only had dragoons/mounted infantry regiments and for the few volunteer lancer regiments they hadn't the knowledge to apply them properly. The US never taught it's army to form square unlike everywhere else. I recall a quote, can't remember where from, of a British officer viewing US volunteers performing manoeuvres. He asked to see them form square and the American officer responded "we have no use for that here" To be clear, the ACW was not the standard for how 19th century wars were fought, look at the Europeans for that.

[@eat_pantsu7637]

Thats a really good and informational video about how the french soldier would have fought and lived in the napoleonic war, really well produced too while also giving the spotlight to the reanactors!

[@revere0311]

This is turning into my favorite youtube channel. Such great videography and detailed history. As an American Rev War reenactor it’s fascinating to notice the similarities, and differences between infantrymen's kit and tactics. America was shipped 100,000 muskets from France during the war. Thanks so much! Keep up the great work. Rs, Revere

[@dogghammer]

You repaid them later 😂

[@survivehistory]

Thanks mate!

[@rohanpreis6883]

Why would I need to survive as a solider when I’m already literally Napoleon?

[@F_Bardamu]

I was apalled to learn in Caulaincourt's account that while the Grande Armée fought for their lives trying to retreat from Russia through indescribable sufferings, Napoleon was anonimously making his way back to Paris and thinking about the next draft and his next moves on the international scene, blaming everyone but himself for the Russian tragedy.

[@ivvan497]

Hitler moment

[@ninab.4540]

Imagine if he put his efforts to conquer Russia to conquer England. Him and Hitler made the same mistake.

Was in the Napoleonic Association a good many years back.We were training for a Corunna reenactment.Both sides,dutifully,marching and shooting.During a lull,a cannon fired and sent its sticks and twigs skyward.A breeze caught them and deposited the contents over a group of,both,French and British senior officers standing to the side.Both armies cheered!

[@cavscout7113]

Great vid, thank you and keep up the good work.

[@survivehistory]

Thanks for watching!

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

Depends on which battle, Borodino, Leipzig, Waterloo, the odds of being killed or wounded were very high.

[@coltoncyr2283]

or march into Russia

[@yourfriendlycapybara]

guts and blackpowder🔥

[@Treasurehandler]

Nah, blood and iron

[@Ron_the_original]

Nah it real and life

[@yourfriendlycapybara]

@@Ron_the_original what

[@Ron_the_original]

Dude it real life and shit....

[@yourfriendlycapybara]

@@Ron_the_original ik its rl but i was talkin abt a roblox game

[@bossaudio12]

Only 2 vids uploaded and both are excellent, definitely subscribing. Cant wait for the next video

[@survivehistory]

Thanks, not long to wait!

[@TheVideoNorm]

Enjoyable and informative. Thank you.

[@survivehistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charlesthebxld]

Short Answer: Yes

[@migangelmart]

I had to crouch but I see what you did there. 😅

[@seranonable]

The guy in the third rank may not to get to shoot (yet), but at least while he's on reloading duty he's got two ranks of guys between him and the incoming volleys... which is good because reloading is probably a lot more stressful when you're exposed and you've got musket balls whipping past your ears

[@carrott36]

If a musket ball hit the ground, it was quite likely to be able to hit people behind the first rank.

[@aRed1tz]

THIS IS SO AMAZING! I always wanted to have these costumes. Keep the good work!

[@aRed1tz]

OMGGGG THANKS FOR THE HEART!!!!

[@meadow2767]

How is this your guys' only video!! this is so amazingly made, hoping to see some more content someday!!

[@survivehistory]

Thanks so much! Next video coming in December!

[@mnk9073]

Ah, it's perfectly fine. One of my ancestors only lost half a leg at Saalfeld but in return he got to see a Prussian Prince die and got a pension that set him up with a farm and 200 acres of land.

[@Rickyrockredcorn209]

Napoleon is thought to be one of my ancestors, my family said he had bastard children, later my family got stuck in Mexico during the French Mexican wars,

[@golden_smaug]

Why did I not find this before? It's amazing!

[@cozykoala9335]

Great video, we need moooore!

[@christhorpejunction8982]

You know the Napoleonic Wars had a massive impact on the French nation as in the 1860s uniforms were sent for a Union regiment from France only to find that most were far too small, turned out that the average Frenchman was shorter and slighter than the average American.

[@ninab.4540]

Probably why the propaganda of Napoleon being short worked to this day.