Elite Cavalry #11 – Chasseurs a Cheval at the depot

by nolahistoryguy | Sep 9, 2026 | Napoleonic Period, Patreon, Patreon NHG, Writing Prompts

Continuing our Napoleonic Elite Cavalry series is of four Guard Chasseurs a Cheval at the depot.

Lucien Rousselot – Napoleon’s Elite Cavalry – Plate 11

Napoleon’s Elite Cavalry – Chasseurs a Cheval at the depot

Another painting of Napoleon’s Elite Cavalry by Lucien Rousselot. We see Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard, at their regimental depot. It’s typical morning. Rousselot presents four Chasseurs in the scene, two officers, a sous-officier, and a trooper in the background. One of the officers speaks to the sous-officier, a Maréchal des logis (sergeant), who takes down his commander’s orders in his notebook. The NCO will then carry on with the day’s routine. The men in the front (we’ll get to the trooper in the rear in a moment) wear the redingote, a long, double-breasted coat with a full skirt. It’s likely not a cold day, because they’re not wearing uniform coats under the redingotes. Since they work this morning in the depot, not “walking out,” all four wear the same headgear, the bonnet de police, the regiment’s fatigue cap.

The NCO’s displays more color.  His aiguillettes have red woven in, and his sword belt is red leather. The chevron of his rank is on the sleeve of his redingote. Note that he wears his aiguillettes on the left shoulder. The officers both wear theirs on the right.

Legion d’Honneur

The officer on the left waits patiently. He wears the ribbon of the Legion d’Honneur on his left breast. Unlike the sous-officier, his sword hangs from a leather “frog” attached to his belt. It’s tighter on his side than the NCO, whose belt is designed to carry his sword while riding.

The chasseur in the rear wears “stable dress,” which consists of a short jacket and canvas duck trousers. While officers of the regiment employed civilian servants, this man is indeed a chasseur. It’s possible he is simply a regular trooper, tending to his horse. He may be an orderly, as the British would say, a “batman,” who is caring for an officer’s horse.

Writing Ideas

So, what happens from here? Once the day’s orders are communicated, where are the officers off to? Perhaps a staff meeting, or back to their offices. Clearly the officer on the left isn’t involved with either the NCO or the chasseur. There’s all sorts of possibilities here. They’re off to the same meeting. Maybe the officer needs a private word with his colleague, once the assignments are issued. Is it business-related? Personal? Is their relationship more involved than just members of the same regiment?

Go for it, writers!