1808-1810 Duchy of Oldenburg Infantry Battalion

Oldenburg Infantry Battalion 

Oldenburg is situated in North West of Germany.  On the map below you can see West to Kgr. Niederlande (Kingdom of Holland) and bits of it in Denmark "Hzm. Oldenburg" which is the Duchy of Oldenburg, which existed from 1774 till 1810. 
Since the Duchy of Oldenburg joined the  Confederation of the Rhine (14 October 1808) it had to contribute 800 men. Which was this battalion, which was organized like a French contemporary one (1 Grenadier company, 4 Fusilier company, 1 Voltigeur company). In 1810 , Napoleon decided to incorporated them into his French Empire and by doing that he took their this battalion and incorporated it into the 129th French Infantry Regiment.

Infantry Battalion, Voltigeur Private, 1810
Fusiliers and voltigeurs alike wore this “round” hat, its brim turned up on the left, like that of the Lippe troops.
Grey trousers or breeches were worn in winter with short black gaiters.Note that he carries his sword in the old style from his waistbelt.

Infantry Battalion, Grenadier Company Drummer, 
1808-1810
He may have been a member of the original company, black drummers being a favourite 18th century feature. The “monkey’s rump” (cloth back of his bearskin) apparently was plain red, without any emblem.
This must be summer full dress.


























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