The Army of the Rhine (French : Armée du Rhin ) was a French military unit that fought in the Franco-Prussian War . It was created after the declaration of war on July 18 1870.
Quick Facts Armée du Rhin (Army of the Rhine), Active ...
Close
The unit participated in combats in Lorraine, then divided to form a second army, the Army of Châlons .
The Army of the Rhine surrendered on 27 October at the Siege of Metz .
The Army of the Rhine was the first French Army constituted after the declaration of war, formed from the available troops during peacetime. Initially commanded by the Emperor Napoleon III , the Army included the Imperial Guard (French : La Garde Impériale ), 7 Army Corps and a general reserve. Each Army Corps was constituted of 3 or 4 infantry division and 1 cavalry division made up of 2 or 3 brigades each, one artillery reserve and one engineer reserve. Each brigade counted 2 or 3 line infantry or line cavalry regiments.
The infantry divisions included an artillery component with 2 batteries de canons de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuse, while the cavalry divisions constituted 2 batteries horse mounted.
Formation of the army corps:[1]
The Imperial Guard of the Second Empire (French : Garde Impériale du Second Empire ), with commander, général Bourbaki , garrisoned in Paris in times of peace. The Imperial Guard reached Metz on July 28 and the Guard reserves on the 30.
The 1st Army Corps (French : 1er Corps d'Armée ), commanded by Maréchal de France Patrice de Mac Mahon, Duc de Magenta was formed in principal by troops from Algeria and the regiments of Eastern France. This Army Corps activated on August 1, 1870. Its initial role was to cover the Alsace .
The 2nd Army Corps (French : 2e Corps d'Armée ) was consisted of troops of the Camp de Châlons , commanded by Frossard , aide de camp of the Emperor. These units made their way to Saint-Avold and Forbach .
The 3rd Army Corps (French : 3e Corps d'Armée ) was formed by troops from Paris, Metz and Nancy. Commanded by Marshal François Achille Bazaine until August 12, then général Decaen killed at Borny (August 12 to 14) and finally commanded by Marshal Le Bœuf .
The 4th Army Corps (French : 4e Corps d'Armée ), formed at Thionville on July 23 from the garrisons of the north and north-east, commanded by général de Ladmirault .
The 5th Army Corps (French : 5e Corps d'Armée ), formed with the Army of Lyon, commanded by general de Failly . This Army Corps assembled in the regions of Bitche and Haguenau .
The 6th Army Corps (French : 6e Corps d'Armée ) of Marshal François Certain de Canrobert consisted of troops from Paris , Châlons , and Soissons and assembled at the camp de Châlons.
The 7th Army Corps (French : 7e Corps d'Armée ) had difficulty assembling due to its units being widely dispersed. Troops of the Army Corps hailed from the south-east, Clermont-Ferrand , Perpignan , Civitavecchia and had to make their way to Colmar and Belfort . This Army Corps was commanded by général Douay .
The general Cavalry Reserve was supposed to be formed initially of 3 divisions with 2 brigades each. However, only 2 divisions were available as the 1st Division was employed to reinforce the Army of Châlons as the cavalry of the 6th Corps.
The general Artillery Reserve, commanded by général Canu, formed at Nancy and made its way to Metz .
The general Engineer Reserve was commanded by colonel Rémond.
More information Date, Officers ...
Effectifs de l'armée du Rhin
Date[2] Officers Men Horses Battalions Squadrons Batteries Cie Engineer
Imperial Guard
July 30 1,047 21,028 7,304 24 30 12 3
1st Army Corps
August 1 1,651 40,165 8,143 52 26 20 5,5
2nd Army Corps
August 1 1,172 27,956 5,016 39 18 13 4
3rd Army Corps
August 6 1,704 41,574 9,810 52 31 20 5,5
4th Army Corps
August 13 1,208 27,702 5,536 39 18 15 4
5th Army Corps
August 1 1,174 20,243 5,527 52 31 20 5,5
6th Army Corps
August 1 1,474 33,946 5,534 - - - -
7th Army Corps
August 1 1,043 23,142 5,396 - - - -
Cavalry Reserve
August 1 464 6,360 6,321 - - - -
Artillery Reserve
August 9 87 2,675 2,725 - - - -
Engineer Reserve
- 13 459 196 - - - 4
Close
On August 1, 1870, the Army of the Rhine was constituted of seven Army Corps and of artillery and reserve cavalry. Lieutenant-colonel Rousset tendered an estimative decomposition by grand units:[3]
The Imperial Guard
Général Bourbaki, commander of the Imperial Guard.
1st Infantry Division (voltigeurs)
The 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard (French : La Garde Impériale ) was commanded by général Deligny
1st Brigade of général Brincourt
2nd Brigade of général Garnier
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
Detachment of the grenadiers of the Imperial Guard at Rezonville (painting of Édouard Detaille - 1870).
2nd Infantry Division (Grenadiers)
The 2nd Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard was commanded by général Picard
1st Brigade of général Jeanningros
2nd Brigade of général Le Poittevin de La Croix-Vaubois
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division
The Cavalry Division of the Imperial Guard was commanded by général Desvaux
1st Brigade of général Halna du Frétay
2nd Brigade of général de France
3rd Brigade of général du Preuil
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
Reserve Artillery (colonel Clappier )
4 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
1 Train equipped Squadron
Parc Artillery (colonel Elie Jean de Vassoigne )
Total artillery
24 Battalions, 24 Squadrons, 72 pieces out of which 12 mitrailleuses, 2 Engineer Companies, 1 Train Squadron
1st Army Corps
Marshal de Mac Mahon, commander of the 1st Army Corps.
The 1st Army Corps (French : 1er Corps d'Armée ) was commanded by Patrice de MacMahon, Duke of Magenta , with chef d'état-major général Colson . général Ducrot , former commander of the 1st Division, succeeded Marshal Mac Mahon who recently assumed command of the Army of Châlons . général Joly Frigola commanded the artillery .
1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Ducrot
1st Brigade of général Wolff
2nd Brigade of général Postis du Houlbec
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
2nd Infantry Division
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Douay
1st Brigade of général Pelletier de Montmarie
2nd Brigade of général Pellé
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Raoult
1st Brigade of général l'Hériller
2nd Brigade of général Lefebvre
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
4th Infantry Division
The 4th Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général de Lartigue
1st Brigade under the orders of général Fraboulet de Kerléadec
2nd Brigade under the orders of général Lacretelle
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division
The Cavalry Division of the 1st Army Corps was commanded by général Duhesme
1st Brigade of général de Septeuil
2nd Brigade of général de Nansouty
3rd Brigade of général Michel
Reserve Artillery
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Vassart d'Andernay
2 Artillery Batteries de 12
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
2nd Army Corps
Général Frossard, commander of the 2nd Army Corps.
The 2nd Army Corps (French : 2e Corps d'Armée ) was commanded by général Frossard , with chef d'état-major général Saget .
1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général Vergé
1st Brigade of général Letellier-Valazé
2nd Brigade of général Jolivet
3 Artillery Batteies (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
2nd Infantry Division
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général Bataille
1st Brigade of général Pouget
2nd Brigade of général Fauvart-Bastoul
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général Merle de Labrugière de Laveaucoupet
1st Brigade of général Doëns
2nd Brigade of général Micheler
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division
The Cavalry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was commanded by général Marmier
1st Brigade of général de Valabrègue
2nd Brigade of général Bachelier
Reserve Artillery
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Beaudoin
2 Artillery Batteries de 12
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
3rd Army Corps
Marshal Bazaine, commander of the 3rd Army Corps.
The 3rd Army Corps (French : 3e Corps d'Armée ) was commanded by Marshal Bazaine , with chef d'état-major général Manèque .
1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général Montaudon
1st Brigade of général baron Aymard
2nd Brigade of général Clinchant
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
2nd Infantry Division
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général de Castagny
1st Brigade of général baron de Nayral
2nd Brigade of général Duplessis
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général Metman
1st Brigade of général de Potier
2nd Brigade of général Arnaudeau
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
4th Infantry Division
The 4th Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général Decaen then Aymard
1st Brigade of général de Brauer
2nd Brigade of général Sanglé-Ferrière
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division
The Cavalry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was commanded by général comte de Clérembault
1st Brigade of général de Bruchard
2nd Brigade of général Gayault de Maubranches
3rd Brigade of général Bégougne de Juniac
Reserve Artillery
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel de Lajaille
2 Artillery Batteries de 12
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
4th Army Corps
Général Ladmirault, commander of the 4th Army Corps.
The 4th Army Corps (French : 4e Corps d'Armée ) was commanded by général de Ladmirault , with chef d'état-major général Osmont .
1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps was under the orders of général Courtot de Cissey
1st Brigade of général comte Brayer
2nd Brigade of général de Golberg
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 et 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
2nd Infantry Division
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps was under the orders of général Rose [6] then Grenier
1st Brigade of général Véron dit Bellecourt
2nd Brigade of général Pradier
3 batteries d'artillerie (2 batteries de 4 et 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps was under the orders of général Latrille comte de Lorencez
1st Brigade of général comte de Pajol
2nd Brigade of général Berger
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 et 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division
The Cavalry Division of the 4th Army Corps was commanded by général Legrand
1st Brigade of général de Montaigu
2nd Brigade of général baron de Gondrecourt
Reserve Artillery
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Soleille
2 Artillery Batteries de 12
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
5th Army Corps
Général de Failly, commander of the 5th Army Corps.
The 5th Army Corps (French : 5e Corps d'Armée ) was commanded by général de Failly , with chef d'état-major général Besson.
1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps was under the orders of général Goze .
1st Brigade of général Grenier then Saurin
2nd Brigade of général baron Nicolas
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
2nd Infantry Division
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps was under the orders of général de l'Abadie d'Aydren.
1st Brigade of général Lapasset
2nd Brigade of général de Maussion
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps was under the orders of général Guyot de Lespart
1st Brigade of général Abattucci
2nd Brigade of général de Fontanges de Couzan
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division
The Cavalry Division of the 5th Army Corps was commanded by général Brahaut
1st Brigade of général de Bernis
2nd Brigade of général de la Mortière
Reserve Artillery
Colonel de Salignac-Fénelon
2 Artillery Batteries de 12
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
6th Army Corps
Général de Canrobert , commander of the 6th Army Corps.
The 6th Army Corps was (French : 6e Corps d'Armée ) was commanded by Marshal Certain de Canrobert , with chef d'état-major général Henry.
1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Tixier
1st Brigade of général Péchot
2nd Brigade of général Leroy de Dais
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
2nd Infantry Division
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Bisson[7]
1st Brigade of général Noel puis Archinard
2nd Brigade of général Maurice
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 et 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Lafont de Villiers
1st Brigade of général Béquet de Sonnay
2nd Brigade of général Colin
3 Artillery Batteries batteries de 4 et 1 Engineer Company
4th Infantry Division
The 4th Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Levassor-Sorval
1st Brigade of général de Marguenat[8] then Gibon
2nd Brigade of général comte de Chanaleilles
3 Artillery Batteries de 4 and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division[10]
The Cavalry Division of the 6th Army Corps was commanded by général de Salignac-Fénelon
1st Brigade of général Tilliard
2nd Brigade of général de Savaresse
3rd Brigade of général Yvelin de Béville
Cavalry Division
The Cavalry Division attached to the 6th Army Corps since August 18 in replacement of the division of Salignac-Fénelon, was commanded by général du Barail
1st Brigade of général de Lajaille
2nd Brigade of général de Bruchard
Reserve Artillery
Artillery reserve under the orders of général Bertrand[11]
2 Artillery Batteries de 12
4 Artillery Batteries de 4 montées
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
Parc d'artillerie, réserve et parc du génie
7th Army Corps
Général Douay, commander of the 7th Army Corps.
The 7th Army Corps (French : 7e Corps d'Armée ) was commanded by général Douay , with chef d'état-major général Renson.
1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Conseil-Dumesnil.
1st Brigade of général Nicolaï
2nd Brigade of général Maire
3 Artillery Batteries (two batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuse) and 1 Engineer Company
2nd Infantry Division
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Liébert.
1st Brigade of général Guiomar
2nd Brigade of général de la Bastide
3 Artillery Batteries (two batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuse) and 1 Engineer Company
3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Dumont.
1st Brigade of général Bordas
2nd Brigade of général Bittard des Portes
3 Artillery Batteries (two batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuse) and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division
Général Ameil, commander of the cavalry division of the 7th Army Corps.
The Cavalry Division of the 7th Army Corps was commanded by général baron Ameil .
1st Brigade of général Cambriel
2nd Brigade of général Jolif-Ducoulombier[15]
Reserve Artillery
Colonel Aubac
2 Artillery Batteries de 12,
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted,
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted.
Parc Artillery, Reserves and Parc Engineer.
Reserve Cavalry
1st Cavalry Division [16]
The 1st Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général du Barail.
1st Brigade of général Margueritte.
2nd Brigade of général de Lajaille.
2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted
The 2nd Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général de Bonnemain.
2nd Cavalry Division
1st Brigade of général Girard.
2nd Brigade of général de Brauer.
2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted
3rd Cavalry Division
The 3rd Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général de Forton.
1st Brigade of général Prince Murat.
2nd Brigade of général de Gramont, duc de Lesparre.
2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted
Reserve Artillery and Engineer
General Reserve Artillery
Commanded by général Canu.
1st Division of colonel Salvador (8 Artillery Batteries de 12)
1st Division of colonel Toussaint (8 Artillery Batteries horse mounted)
Grand parc de campagne
Commanded by général de Mitrecé.
General Reserve of Engineer
Commanded by colonel Rémond.
2 Sapeurs Companies
1 Mining Company
1 Detachment of Sapeurs-Conducteurs
Grand parc du Génie