After painting some Napoleonic British line infantry i decided it was time to make their French counterparts. This time I bought the miniatures from Victrix and while I loved all the assembly options they were in my opinion harder to paint then the Perry ones.
I struggled with painting large areas white since using washes on them looks less good then on other colors. The next time i will take a different approach to painting white, you live you learn right? That being said i enjoyed painting my second box of miniatures even if i'm not completely satisfied with the results:
Historically the regiment was raised in 1663 as Le Regiment Du Roi and because of the French Revolution became the 105th Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne in 1791.
During the Napoleonic wars this regiment would see action in a whole list of battles including Lodi,Jena, Eylau,Eckmuhl,Essling & Wagram. Even the famous Marshal Jean Lannes would serve in the 105th as a Chef-de-Brigade. It would however be during the battle of Waterloo that this regiment would have its most memorable event.
During the Napoleonic wars this regiment would see action in a whole list of battles including Lodi,Jena, Eylau,Eckmuhl,Essling & Wagram. Even the famous Marshal Jean Lannes would serve in the 105th as a Chef-de-Brigade. It would however be during the battle of Waterloo that this regiment would have its most memorable event.
On the 18th of June 1815 the 105th was part of the Drouet D'Erlon's I Corps which was deployed on the right flank of the French army. At about 13:00h I Corps advanced on the Allied left flank. The 105th, being part of the 1st Division under Quiot moved towards the farmhouse "La Haye Sainte". The farmhouse was being fiercely defended by the 2nd and part of the 1st light battalion of the Kings German legion under command of Major Baring.
- The Kings German Legion defending La Haye Sainte
When The Prince of Orange tried to reinforce the farmhouse by sending a Luneberg Battelion to Baring's aid, it was cut down and routed by a regiment of Cuirrasiers.
While Quiot was attempting to take La Haye Sainte the three other Divisions of I Corps advanced on the Allied left wings essentially isolating Baring from any further reinforcements.
After some early success these battalions were eventually repelled by a charge of both Brigades of the British Heavy Cavalry who routed Quiot's Division. During this charge the Imperial Eagle's from the 45th & 105th Infanterie de Ligne were captured.
- The Imperial Eagle of the 105th being captured by the 1st Royal Dragoons
Both Eagle's were taken back to Britain were they are still on display in the London's National Army Museum(105th) & Edinburgh Castle(45th).
The 105th Infanterie de Ligne was disbanded after the restoration of the Bourbon King Louis XVIII.
Sources:
-Osprey Men at Arms 141: Napoleon's Line Infantry
-Osprey Campaign 15: Waterloo 1815 The Birth of Modern Europe
-http://www.napoleon-series.org/
-http://waterloo200.org/
http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/index.php
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