9th Light Infantry Regiment
"The Incomparable"
The 9th Light Infantry Regiment (9e régiment d’infanterie légère) was a French army regiment. One of the most notable infantry regiments in the Napoleonic Wars, it was awarded the title "Incomparable" by Napoleon Bonaparte after their brilliant performance at the Battle of Marengo on 14 June 1800. The regiment went on to serve with distinction in the [Ulm Campaign], at the Battle of Dürenstein (11 November 1805), the Jena Campaign (1806), and the Battle of Friedland (14 June 1807). The regiment then served in the Peninsular War taking a notable role at the Battle of Talavera 27–28 July 1809 and the Siege of Badajoz (1812). Battalions from the regiment also fought on the Wagram Campaign (1809), at the Battle of Leipzig (16–19 October 1813), and Napoleon’s campaigns in France (1814). During the Hundred Days the 9th Light fought at Battle of Ligny (16 June 1815) and the Battle of Wavre (18–19 June 1815). The regiment was disbanded in the aftermath of the Bourbon Restoration.
Honors and Flags
The 9th Light was awarded the title ‘Incomparable’ after its brilliant performance at the [Battle of Marengo] on 14 June 1800.
In June 1802 Napoleon Bonaparte awarded the Ninth three specially commissioned flags. These had a sunburst design with the title L’INCOMPARABLE written in the centre.
The fate of original 1791 flag issued to the 9th Light is unknown. It is likely it went with the Lieutenant Colonel into exile after the Dumouriez treason in 1793.
In 1804 the 9th Light was awarded two ‘eagle’ standards. It appears to have retained at least one of the special 1802 standards. This remaining flag was hidden in 1814 at the home of a retired officer.
The official battle honours awarded to the regiment in 1811 were Ulm, Friedland, Essling and Wagram.
The 2nd Battalion’s eagle was lost in action at Mohrungen on 25 January 1807. The regiment’s colonel lied to Napoleon and was able to conceal the loss because actual eagle had been broken from its pedestal in an accident. This was hastily mounted on a hop pole. Napoleon later learned the truth from the Russian gazettes. According to the Russian sources this captured flag may have carried the 1802 pattern silk.
In 1814 Colonel D’Eslon hid the regiment’s surviving eagle, revealing it on Napoleon’s return from exile in May 1815. The regiment therefore probably embarked on the Hundred Days campaign with its original 1804 Eagle.
Many awards of honour were given to men serving in the 9th light infantry. The most famous was a ‘sword of honour’ given to Captain Hippolyte Cazaux who daringly captured a rearguard of 80 Austrians at Piacenza on 6 June 1800.
The Napoleonic 9th Light should not be confused with the title ‘Un Contre Dix’ which belonged to the 84th Line. This honorific title was added to ‘L’Incomparable’ in the mid-nineteenth century following the creation of a new 84th Line Infantry Regiment.
The 9th Light took part in the grand ceremony at the Camp of Boulogne on 15 August 1804
Ranks
Commissioned Officers:
Colonel - Col
Sous Colonel - SCol
Major - Mjr
Capitaine - Capt
Lieutennat - Lt
Sous Lieutenant - SLt
Non Commissioned Officers:
Adjutant - Adj
Sergent Major - SgtMaj
Sergent - Sgt
Brigadier Fourrier - BrgFo
Brigadier - Brg
Enlisted:
Bon Tireur - Btr
Tirailleur de Première - TirP
Tirailleur de Vétéran - TirV
Tirailleur - Tir
Cadet - Cad
Roster
Colonel ~ Mchaddish
Capitaine ~ Bluford
Capitaine ~ Robert Colt
Cadet ~ Dukers
Cadet ~ Bud
Cadet ~ Fletch
Enlistment Papers
- Steam Name
- In-game Name
- Time Zone
- Why do you want to join the 9th Light Infantry Regiment
Contact Colonel Mchaddish
https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198132270906/ or Robert Colt
https://steamcommunity.com/id/TheBlackB3ar/The Group >
https://steamcommunity.com/groups/9thfilThe 9th Light lead the charge at the battle of Marengo by Baron Lejeune
*Rights are reserved to this regiment to me*
