Epaulettes, green with
yellow crests.
yellow crests.
Aspects of the 69eme Voltigeur uniform - updated August 2009
69eme was nicknamed “the black regiment” because their coat was in 1802 a deep brown almost black with red
collar, white piping and tight red trousers, short boots and a chapeau with a tall tricolour plume.
New information has been found that according to a letter from a returning 'Egyptian', the dark brown coat
sported dark blue facings when red cloth was in short supply in 1802. The 69eme took receipt of new 'national'
uniforms and were wearing these when depoted shortly after in Besancon.
This information updates previous thinking that the dark blue facings were on the 'national' uniform. (confirmed
by regimental history. (see image below).
They also for a period of time in 1815 had a dark blue habit court with sky blue turn-backs, white piping, red
collar, white piping. Not clear yet whether this was worn at Ligny.
Illustrations are seen of the Egyptian campaign with brown coat, red collar, cuffs and turn-backs all piped white,
white trousers, waistcoat and short gaiters. On all accounts its recorded that they went through several uniform
changes from 1799 on. Another source states in Egypt coat brown, collar scarlet, piped blue, cuffs white, turn-
backs white, piping white, yellow over white plume. Also at some stage scarlet facings piped white.
The 69eme habits had vertical pockets, and started with white metal buttons. It is not clear when they switched
to brass as all buttons found Camp de Boulogne 1804/5 in Spain 1808, Portugal and Leipzig 1814, Ligny in
1815 are brass. Giraud's memoires amongst others confirm these colours: white breeches, white gaiters, blue
overalls Fusiliers had red collar, blue ‘heart’ shape motif on rear of turn-backs.
Voltigeurs had chamois coloured collar, green with yellow crescent epaulettes. Green and yellow topped plumes,
and green cords. Black neck ties were worn in Spain, many wore cowskin shoes in Spain.
collar, white piping and tight red trousers, short boots and a chapeau with a tall tricolour plume.
New information has been found that according to a letter from a returning 'Egyptian', the dark brown coat
sported dark blue facings when red cloth was in short supply in 1802. The 69eme took receipt of new 'national'
uniforms and were wearing these when depoted shortly after in Besancon.
This information updates previous thinking that the dark blue facings were on the 'national' uniform. (confirmed
by regimental history. (see image below).
They also for a period of time in 1815 had a dark blue habit court with sky blue turn-backs, white piping, red
collar, white piping. Not clear yet whether this was worn at Ligny.
Illustrations are seen of the Egyptian campaign with brown coat, red collar, cuffs and turn-backs all piped white,
white trousers, waistcoat and short gaiters. On all accounts its recorded that they went through several uniform
changes from 1799 on. Another source states in Egypt coat brown, collar scarlet, piped blue, cuffs white, turn-
backs white, piping white, yellow over white plume. Also at some stage scarlet facings piped white.
The 69eme habits had vertical pockets, and started with white metal buttons. It is not clear when they switched
to brass as all buttons found Camp de Boulogne 1804/5 in Spain 1808, Portugal and Leipzig 1814, Ligny in
1815 are brass. Giraud's memoires amongst others confirm these colours: white breeches, white gaiters, blue
overalls Fusiliers had red collar, blue ‘heart’ shape motif on rear of turn-backs.
Voltigeurs had chamois coloured collar, green with yellow crescent epaulettes. Green and yellow topped plumes,
and green cords. Black neck ties were worn in Spain, many wore cowskin shoes in Spain.
69eme Infanterie de ligne, Voltigeurs Napoleonic Re-enactment unit
1806 Voltigeur
Shako &
Plumet, and
green cords,
Grande
Tenue.
Documented:
these are the
69e votigeur
colours
Shako &
Plumet, and
green cords,
Grande
Tenue.
Documented:
these are the
69e votigeur
colours
1806 Shako Plate/
plaque de schako,
white metal diamond
plate, this is the most
common pattern and
we assume this is the
one they wore, there
is an account in Spain
of a bullet hitting the
eagle but not sure if
its a later plate or this
one.
plaque de schako,
white metal diamond
plate, this is the most
common pattern and
we assume this is the
one they wore, there
is an account in Spain
of a bullet hitting the
eagle but not sure if
its a later plate or this
one.
Black Gaitors
Guetres noir - Winter
and Grande Tenue
dress. 69eme wore
long white gaitors in
summer, and short
white gaitors under
blue overalls, canvas
gaitors for marches.
Guetres noir - Winter
and Grande Tenue
dress. 69eme wore
long white gaitors in
summer, and short
white gaitors under
blue overalls, canvas
gaitors for marches.
Voltigeur sword knot
for Sabre a briquet.
Green and yellow
variations.
for Sabre a briquet.
Green and yellow
variations.
Cowhide back pack
havresac en peau de
vache
havresac en peau de
vache
69eme contemporary
drawing - Central Europe .
drawing - Central Europe .
Epaulettes: green with
yellow , this is
documented to be the
correct colour scheme for
69e voltigeurs
yellow , this is
documented to be the
correct colour scheme for
69e voltigeurs
shako cover, thin callico, waxed
with cheap animal fat wax which
made them see through black in
appearance when on shako.
with cheap animal fat wax which
made them see through black in
appearance when on shako.
Bonnets de
police, left
soldat, right
officier silver
thread
police, left
soldat, right
officier silver
thread
Horns that go on turn-backs,
many variations, some very
simple cloth designs to more
sophisticated embroidered as
on the left here.
Surviving voltigeur habits
show a mix of grenades and
voltiguer horns, very plain on
red or green backgrounds.
many variations, some very
simple cloth designs to more
sophisticated embroidered as
on the left here.
Surviving voltigeur habits
show a mix of grenades and
voltiguer horns, very plain on
red or green backgrounds.
Chinscales and
bugle boss to
attach to shako.
Scales early
were white
metal to match
plate, at some
point they
switched to
brass, research
ongoing
bugle boss to
attach to shako.
Scales early
were white
metal to match
plate, at some
point they
switched to
brass, research
ongoing
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