"After several years of war many volunteers and levies
knew no other life than soldiering. They grew up very quickly under fire, facing the armies of
Prussia, Austria, Britain, Spain, Russia and Turkey. They were in turn used as an
instrument of liberation, taking over the frontiers, and of repression, savagely suppressing
internal anti-government dissent." - Terry Crowdy, English author and researcher
3e Company
Voltigeurs Recreated
The 15e régiment de voltigeurs de la Garde impériale is a group of like minded mature players who strive to accurately portray the French Light Infantry company in it’s structure and organization in Napoleons Army during the Napoleonic Wars in Linebattle events. We use period correct drill and maneuvers during events as to the limit they can be effectively implemented. The 15e primarily operates as skirmishers during events harassing and checking line units. As Light infantry we have the ability to use bayonets which allows us to fend against enemy cavalry and act on the offensive. We work in conjunction with line regiment to exploit advantages and launch combined arms attacks.
We strive to be a disciplined regiment as well as the most authentic and organized . This of course will not get in the way of having fun but we will need to maintain a moderate silence among rankers during battles. A higher degree of discipline will lead to a more enjoyable training's which will lead to an increase in skill and performance in the field.
The 15e are proud members of the Yolo d'Armee. The Yolo d'Armee is a collection of like minded mature and professional French NA regiment. Using the whisper feature in Teamspeak regimental officers from all the army's regiments work and startagize together in real time during events so that the corps can operate in cohesion with other army regiment and engage in combined arms attacks. Beyond linebattles the Yolo d'Armee is a relaxed mature gaming community that the troop participates in.
As well as offering infantry we as also offer members the chance to play as artillery. We have an attached battery of horse lead by Lt. NubMaster420 which will be played in events. To qualify to be able to be in the battery a members must show his skill with the cannon or howitzer and his willingness to practice. Members of the battery are expected to fill all roles whether it be artillery train, gunners or loaders.
Beyond being a disciplined and authentic group we are also a laid back gaming community. Often you will find many of our members in our teamspeak channels hanging out and playing other games and Warband mods besides Napoleonic Wars. We often play as a group whether it be Shooters, strategy games etc all members are welcome to play. Total War is always a favorite.
However to make the regiment operate and have the the atmosphere along with having limited space that goes along with being Light Infantry and artillery we seek only the highest quality mature members. Trolling in any form is not tolerated. We only accept members who are mature and chill who are 17 and older. We value maturity and being a good guy to hang out with over skill. This is not a regiment that tolerates immature squeakers
If you are interested read further into the thread and check us out at www.15eme.com
Organization of the company
'Tactical plans are a pure waste of time against a vast scum of floating irregular troops whose true force
consists of their impetuous torrent.' ~ Prussian Officer remarking about french skirmishers at the battle of Jena
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Captain : Who-
Lieutenant:
Lieutenant:
Sergeant-Major:
Sergeant :
Sergeant :
Sergeant :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Fusilier :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Cadet :
Reservist :
Reservist :
Reservist :
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Captain- Is the company commander. Responsible for recruiting and organizing for the troop.
- Is the main commander ingame.
Lieutenant- the second hisghest ranking officers in the troop. Their main responsibility is to assist the Captain in running the troop
- Act as the second in command ingame and will lead in the commanders absence or wishes.
Sergeant-Major- The most senior NCO. This mans job is to assist the officers ingame and administratively as an aide-de-camp
- Is expected to be fit to lead in crisis. Acts as a file closer and helps keep rankers in line. Will also act as a bugler when needed.
Sergeant- The most junior NCO rank. These men's roles are to act as reserve NCO's. They are expected to show the same skill in their craft than any other rank.
- Act as a file closer and assist the officers in their duties.
Fusilier - The most common rank in the Company these members make up a majority of the unit.
- They are expected to show discipline and professionalism in both their manner and their actions in and out of game.
Cadet- The rank recieved upon enlisting in the company.
- Upon being approved a cadet will his rank until promoted. The cadet phase will vary in times.
Weekly Event Schedule : Attendance to all events is expected of all members unless the skirmisher limit is hit.
Sunday : Free
Monday : Free
Tuesday : Free
Wednesday : Free
Thursday : Free
Friday : Free
Saturday : Free
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The History of the 15e régiment de voltigeurs de la Garde impériale
"In 1814 the men of Young Guard were lean, their uniforms and
shoes generally in a sorry state of dilapidation"
Possibly one of the last regiments raised by the French Empire during the Napoleonic Wars the 15e Voltigeur’s history represents the decline and eventual death of the Empire. The 15e Voltigeurs were drawn from young conscripts of no previous military experience that Napoleon called up to defend France in the campaigns of 1814. A small percentage of them would have been veterans of the Spanish royal guard dispersed through the young guard. Napoleon believed that if new conscripts were immediately given the title of guard then they would be more motivated to march and fight. Sadly many of these new conscripts could not handle the 30 miles marches and constant battles at the end of the Empire.
The 1814 conscripts were referred to as ‘Marie-Louises’. They were young, untrained and often ill equipped. The deprecating use of the Empress’ name signified a growing realization among the populous that the years of continuous warfare were having marked affect on the country. The conscription notice was issued by the regency council after Napoleon had left to take command in the east, consequently it was Marie Louise's name that appeared on the bottom of the notice in her capacity as President of the Council of Regency.
Nonetheless, these raw recruits, derided by veteran generals such as Delort as "unsuitable and an insult to professional soldiers" proved to be of inestimable value as they fought heroically in defense of their homeland. Standing brave at many battles and charging veteran enemy forces, they were sacrificed on the altar of war, but earned the respect of the veteran units.
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To understand the 15e Voltgieurs one must as well understand the circumstances over the two years prior that lead to their raising. On the 24th of June 1812 Napoleon’s Grand Armee set out into Russia. Napoleons leading shock troops of his army were the Garde impériale. On the retreat in the latter half of the campaign Napoleons army and especially the Garde impériale faced near total annihilation.
The campaign in 1812 in Russia destroyed the Guard. Napoleon rebuilt the Young Guard tripling its size. The epic events of 1813 saw the emergence of the Young Guard as Napoleon's effective shock troops, men who made up for what they may have lacked in the pomp and foppery of parade-ground ceremony with awe-inspiring, sledgehammer blows on the battlefield. At Dresden the Young Guard spearheaded the French onlsaught, smashing through the stubborn Allies line and assuring victory one of the largest engagements of Napoleonic Wars.
The Napoleonic triumphs in 1813 and 1814 found the Young Guard in the forefront of Emperor's juggernaut, surging on to the bullet-swept fields of Leipzig, and wreaking havoc on every enemy that tried to stand before them. At Lutzen they fought well. "More and more battalions arrived in our front line, and the Emperor ordered them to direct all their fire at the village. ... the Emperor drew his sword, placed himself between the two columns of Young Guard, and advanced through the resulting gap toward Kaja. The Young Guard stormed the vilage without firing a shot and ejected all the enemy with the bayonet." (Chlapowski, - p 135)
In 1814 the men of Young Guard were lean, their uniforms and shoes generally in a sorry state of dilapidation. But hopes run high, at Craonne the 14e Voltigeurs put on a fight losing 28 of 33 officers and 50 % of rank and file. The young boys were brave and enthusiastic, but they were too young and lacked stamina. Thusands fell sick and exhausted after the rapid marches and long campaigning.
In 1814, the ability of the French population to provide new recruits for Napoleon was taxed to a breaking point. When Napoleon demanded that the class of 1815-1820 be conscripted for service in defense of France he was calling on 14-15 year olds as well as veteran well into their retirement.
Out of these conscripts and Volunteers emerged the Voltigeurs of the guard. At their height they numbered 1-16. The 15th Regiment was formed formed in January 22nd 1814. Titles this unit a "regiment" would not be entirely correct. As with many of the newly raised units they were drastically under supplied and undermanned. At their height its doubtful they reached more than 500 men.
The Voltigeurs were under the command of a Major Joseph Leclerc a Legion d’Honneur recipient of the previous campaign. Unlike his new conscripts Leclerc would have been a veteran of the Revolution and the many campaigns Napoleon had waged
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. The 15e saw their first action at Bar-sur-Aube. The battle was a French disater with many of the cannon being ill-deployed causing the Empire 3,100 men it couldn't replace. The Voltigeurs again participated in another French defeat at the bloody battle of Laon where outnumbered 3-1 Napoleon took heavy casualties. The Allies drove onto Paris where the final critical battle of the war of the sixth coalition would take place.
On March 30th 1814 Coalition troops of Austria, Prussia and Russia launched a massive attack on Paris. The 15e was apart of Charpentier Division of the Garde corps consisting of 10 Regiment of voltigeurs numbering a mear 1,500 men. At the engamentnt the 15e only mustered 216 officers and men barely two companies. After holding Montmartre Heights as best as they could against the Russian onslaught the Garde Corps were pushed back. The city surrendered the following day spelling the end of the 1er Empire and the 15e Voltigeurs.
Enlistment in the Garde impériale
"Out of these conscripts and Volunteers emerged the Voltigeurs of the guard"
Interested in playing with us? The 15e are always happy to have fresh blood. As stated above because of the nature of skirmishers in linebattles we have strict entry requirement into the unit. To gain membership you must be at least 17 years of age and not have an annoying voice. You must be a mature and chill player as well. Skill is not an initial requirement however we expect member upon enlisting in the 15e to try their utmost to better their skills at the fastest rate. These requirements must still be met when serving in the 15e . If a member even after their initial enlistment is considered no a fit for the unit the troop has the right to remove said member. Read further about our troop's bylaws on our website's application.
Upon applying the staff will read over the application. If we feel not enough effort or information was put into it than it will be overlooked so be sure to write well. Upon deciding that we would like to go further you will be summoned via teamspeak by the troop staff. You will be interviewed about your past and what you can bring to the 15e. The troop holds the right to deny any application for any reason it deems fit. If accepted you will be given the rank of trooper and the staff will monitor how you act and progress in the troop. After applying the troop still holds the right to remove any members for any reason seen fit.
If you think you meet our requirements go to our website at www.15eme.com and submit an application that can be found on the application tab. If you have any questions or concerns please add myself on steam at [15e] Who- and I would be happy to help.
