Army of the Rhine (1870)
The Army of the Rhine was created after the declaration of war on July 18, 1870. This French military unit fought in the Franco-Prussian War.
The unit participated in combats in Lorraine, then divided to form a second army, the Army of Châlons.
The unit surrendered on October 27 at the Siege of Metz.
Creation of the unit
The Army of the Rhine was the first French Army constituted after the declaration of war, formed from the available troops during peacetime. Initially commanded by the Emperor Napoleon III, the Army included The Imperial Guard, 7 Army Corps and a general reserve. Each Army Corps was constituted of 3 or 4 infantry division and 1 cavalry division made up of 2 or 3 brigades each, one artillery reserve and one engineer reserve. Each brigade counted 2 or 3 line infantry or line cavalry regiments.The infantry divisions included an artillery component with 2 batteries de canons de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuse, while the cavalry divisions constituted 2 batteries horse mounted.
Formation of the army corps:
- The Imperial Guard of the Second Empire, with commander, général Bourbaki, garrisoned in Paris in times of peace. The Imperial Guard reached Metz on July 28 and the Guard reserves on the 30.
- The 1st Army Corps, commanded by Maréchal de France Patrice de Mac Mahon, Duc de Magenta was formed in principal by troops from Algeria and the regiments of Eastern France. This Army Corps activated on August 1, 1870. Its initial role was to cover the Alsace.
- The 2nd Army Corps was consisted of troops of the Camp de Châlons, commanded by Frossard, aide de camp of the Emperor. These units made their way to Saint-Avold and Forbach.
- The 3rd Army Corps was formed by troops from Paris, Metz and Nancy. Commanded by Marshal François Achille Bazaine until August 12, then général Decaen killed at Borny and finally commanded by Marshal Le Bœuf.
- The 4th Army Corps, formed at Thionville on July 23 from the garrisons of the north and north-east, commanded by général de Ladmirault.
- The 5th Army Corps, formed with the Army of Lyon, commanded by general de Failly. This Army Corps assembled in the regions of Bitche and Haguenau.
- The 6th Army Corps of Marshal François Certain de Canrobert consisted of troops from Paris, Châlons, and Soissons and assembled at the camp de Châlons.
- The 7th Army Corps had difficulty assembling due to its units being widely dispersed. Troops of the Army Corps hailed from the south-east, Clermont-Ferrand, Perpignan, Civitavecchia and had to make their way to Colmar and Belfort. This Army Corps was commanded by général Douay.
- The general Cavalry Reserve was supposed to be formed initially of 3 divisions with 2 brigades each. However, only 2 divisions were available as the 1st Division was employed to reinforce the Army of Châlons as the cavalry of the 6th Corps.
- The general Artillery Reserve, commanded by général Canu, formed at Nancy and made its way to Metz.
- The general Engineer Reserve was commanded by colonel Rémond.
Composition and order of battle
Commandement and état-major
- Commander-in-Chief : Napoléon III
- Major General : Maréchal Le Bœuf
- Aides-major generals :
- * général Lebrun
- * général Jarras
- Artillery Commander : général Soleille
- Engineer Commander : général Coffinières de Nordeck
- Intendant of the Army : général Wolff
- Medical Chief of the Army : baron Larrey
The Imperial Guard
The 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard was commanded by général Deligny
- 1st Brigade of général Brincourt
- * Imperial Guard Chasseur Battalion
- * Imperial Guard 1st Voltigeurs Regiment
- * Imperial Guard 2nd Voltigeurs Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général Garnier
- * Imperial Guard 3rd Voltigeurs Regiment
- * Imperial Guard 4th Voltigeurs Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 2nd Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard was commanded by général Picard
- 1st Brigade of général Jeanningros
- * Imperial Guard Zouaves Regiment
- * Imperial Guard 1st Grenadier Regiment à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Le Poittevin de La Croix-Vaubois
- * Imperial Guard 2nd Grenadier Regiment à Pied
- * Imperial Guard 3rd Grenadier Regiment à Pied
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The Cavalry Division of the Imperial Guard was commanded by général Desvaux
- 1st Brigade of général Halna du Frétay
- * 13e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- * Chasseurs Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général de France
- * Lancers Regiment
- * The Empress's Dragoon Guards
- 3rd Brigade of général du Preuil
- * Cuirassiers Regiment
- * Carabiniers Regiment of the Imperial Guard
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
- 4 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
- 1 Train equipped Squadron
; Total artillery
- 24 Battalions, 24 Squadrons, 72 pieces out of which 12 mitrailleuses, 2 Engineer Companies, 1 Train Squadron
1st Army Corps
; 1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Ducrot
- 1st Brigade of général Wolff
- * 18th Infantry Regiment
- * 96th Infantry Regiment
- * 13e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Postis du Houlbec
- * 45th Line Infantry Regiment
- * 1st Zouaves Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Douay
- 1st Brigade of général Pelletier de Montmarie
- * 50th Infantry Regiment
- * 74th Infantry Regiment
- * 16e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Pellé
- * 78th Infantry Regiment
- * 1st Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment
- * 1st Marching Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Raoult
- 1st Brigade of général l'Hériller
- * 36th Infantry Regiment
- * 2nd Zouaves Regiment
- * 8e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Lefebvre
- * 48th Infantry Regiment
- * 2nd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 4th Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général de Lartigue
- 1st Brigade under the orders of général Fraboulet de Kerléadec
- * 56th Infantry Regiment
- * 3rd Zouaves Regiment
- * 1er Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade under the orders of général Lacretelle
- * 87th Infantry Regiment
- * 3e Régiment de Tirailleurs Algériens
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The Cavalry Division of the 1st Army Corps was commanded by général Duhesme
- 1st Brigade of général de Septeuil
- * 3rd Hussards Regiment
- * 11e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- 2nd Brigade of général de Nansouty
- * 2nd Lancers Regiment
- * 6th Lancers Regiment
- * 10th Dragoon Regiment
- 3rd Brigade of général Michel
- * 8th Cuirassiers Regiment
- * 9th Cuirassiers Regiment
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Vassart d'Andernay
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
- Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
2nd Army Corps
; 1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général Vergé
- 1st Brigade of général Letellier-Valazé
- * 32nd Infantry Regiment
- * 55th Infantry Regiment
- * 3e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Jolivet
- * 76th Infantry Regiment
- * 77th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteies and 1 Engineer Company
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général Bataille
- 1st Brigade of général Pouget
- * 8th Infantry Regiment
- * 23rd Infantry Regiment
- * 12e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Fauvart-Bastoul
- * 66th Infantry Regiment
- * 67th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général Merle de Labrugière de Laveaucoupet
- 1st Brigade of général Doëns
- * 2nd Infantry Regiment
- * 63rd Infantry Regiment
- * 10e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Micheler
- * 24th Infantry Regiment
- * 40th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The Cavalry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was commanded by général Marmier
- 1st Brigade of général de Valabrègue
- * 4e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- * 5e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- 2nd Brigade of général Bachelier
- * 7th Dragoon Regiment
- * 12th Dragoon Regiment
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Beaudoin
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
- Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
3rd Army Corps
; 1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général Montaudon
- 1st Brigade of général baron Aymard
- * 51st Infantry Regiment
- * 62nd Infantry Regiment
- * 18e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Clinchant
- * 81st Infantry Regiment
- * 95th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général de Castagny
- 1st Brigade of général baron de Nayral
- * 19th Infantry Regiment
- * 41st Infantry Regiment
- * 15e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Duplessis
- * 69th Infantry Regiment
- * 90th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général Metman
- 1st Brigade of général de Potier
- * 7th Infantry Regiment
- * 29th Infantry Regiment
- * 7e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Arnaudeau
- * 59th Infantry Regiment
- * 71st Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 4th Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général Decaen then Aymard
- 1st Brigade of général de Brauer
- * 44th Infantry Regiment
- * 60th Infantry Regiment
- * 11e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Sanglé-Ferrière
- * 80th Infantry Regiment
- * 35th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The Cavalry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was commanded by général comte de Clérembault
- 1st Brigade of général de Bruchard
- * 2e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- * 3e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- * 10e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- 2nd Brigade of général Gayault de Maubranches
- * 2nd Dragoon Regiment
- * 4e Régiment de Dragons
- 3rd Brigade of général Bégougne de Juniac
- * 5th Dragoon Regiment
- * 8th Dragoon Regiment
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel de Lajaille
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
- Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
4th Army Corps
; 1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps was under the orders of général Courtot de Cissey
- 1st Brigade of général comte Brayer
- * 1st Infantry Regiment
- * 6th Infantry Regiment
- * 20e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général de Golberg
- * 57th Infantry Regiment
- * 73rd Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps was under the orders of général Rose then Grenier
- 1st Brigade of général Véron dit Bellecourt
- * 13th Infantry Regiment
- * 43rd Infantry Regiment
- * 5e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Pradier
- * 64th Infantry Regiment
- * 98th Infantry Regiment
- 3 batteries d'artillerie and 1 Engineer Company
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 4th Army Corps was under the orders of général Latrille comte de Lorencez
- 1st Brigade of général comte de Pajol
- * 15th Infantry Regiment
- * 33rd Infantry Regiment
- * 2e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Berger
- * 54th Infantry Regiment
- * 65th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The Cavalry Division of the 4th Army Corps was commanded by général Legrand
- 1st Brigade of général de Montaigu
- * 2nd Hussard Regiment
- * 7th Hussard Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général baron de Gondrecourt
- * 3rd Dragoon Regiment
- * 11th Dragoon Regiment
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Soleille
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
- Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
5th Army Corps
; 1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps was under the orders of général Goze.
- 1st Brigade of général Grenier then Saurin
- * 11th Infantry Regiment
- * 46th Infantry Regiment
- * 4e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général baron Nicolas
- * 61st Infantry Regiment
- * 86th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps was under the orders of général de l'Abadie d'Aydren.
- 1st Brigade of général Lapasset
- * 84th Infantry Regiment
- * 97th Infantry Regiment
- * 14e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général de Maussion
- * 49th Infantry Regiment
- * 88th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps was under the orders of général Guyot de Lespart
- 1st Brigade of général Abattucci
- * 17th Infantry Regiment
- * 27th Infantry Regiment
- * 19e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général de Fontanges de Couzan
- * 30th Infantry Regiment
- * 68th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The Cavalry Division of the 5th Army Corps was commanded by général Brahaut
- 1st Brigade of général de Bernis
- * 5th Hussards Regiment
- * 12e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- 2nd Brigade of général de la Mortière
- * 3rd Lancers Regiment
- * 5th Lancers Regiment
Colonel de Salignac-Fénelon
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
- Parc Artillery, Reserve and Parc Engineer
6th Army Corps
; 1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Tixier
- 1st Brigade of général Péchot
- * 4th Infantry Regiment
- * 10th Infantry Regiment
- * 9e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Leroy de Dais
- * 12th Infantry Regiment
- * 100th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Bisson
- 1st Brigade of général Noel puis Archinard
- * 9e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne
- * 14th Infantry Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général Maurice
- * 20th Infantry Regiment
- * 31st Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Lafont de Villiers
- 1st Brigade of général Béquet de Sonnay
- * 75th Infantry Regiment
- * 91st Infantry Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général Colin
- * 93rd Infantry Regiment
- * 94th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries batteries de 4 et 1 Engineer Company
The 4th Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Levassor-Sorval
- 1st Brigade of général de Marguenat then Gibon
- * 25th Infantry Regiment
- * 26th Infantry Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général comte de Chanaleilles
- * 28th Infantry Regiment
- * 70th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries de 4 and 1 Engineer Company
The Cavalry Division of the 6th Army Corps was commanded by général de Salignac-Fénelon
- 1st Brigade of général Tilliard
- * 1er Régiment de Hussards
- * 6e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- 2nd Brigade of général de Savaresse
- * 1st Lancers Regiment
- * 7th Lancers Regiment
- 3rd Brigade of général Yvelin de Béville
- * 5th Cuirassiers Regiment
- * 6th Cuirassiers Regiment
The Cavalry Division attached to the 6th Army Corps since August 18 in replacement of the division of Salignac-Fénelon, was commanded by général du Barail
- 1st Brigade of général de Lajaille
- * 2nd African Chasseurs Regiment
- * 2nd Chasseurs Regiment of France
- 2nd Brigade of général de Bruchard
- * 3e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- * 10e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval
- Artillery reserve under the orders of général Bertrand
- * 2 Artillery Batteries de 12
- * 4 Artillery Batteries de 4 montées
- * 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
- Parc d'artillerie, réserve et parc du génie
7th Army Corps
; 1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Conseil-Dumesnil.
- 1st Brigade of général Nicolaï
- * 3rd Infantry Regiment
- * 21st Infantry Regiment
- * 17e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général Maire
- * 47th Infantry Regiment
- * 99th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Liébert.
- 1st Brigade of général Guiomar
- * 5th Infantry Regiment
- * 37th Infantry Regiment
- * 6e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied
- 2nd Brigade of général de la Bastide
- * 53 Infantry Regiment
- * 89th Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Dumont.
- 1st Brigade of général Bordas
- * 52nd Infantry Regiment
- * 79th Infantry Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général Bittard des Portes
- * 82nd Infantry Regiment
- * 83rd Infantry Regiment
- 3 Artillery Batteries and 1 Engineer Company
division of the 7th Army Corps.
The Cavalry Division of the 7th Army Corps was commanded by général baron Ameil.
- 1st Brigade of général Cambriel
- * 4e Régiment de Hussards
- * 4th Lancers Regiment
- * 8th Lancers Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général Jolif-Ducoulombier
- * 6th Hussards Regiment
- * 6e Régiment de Dragons
Colonel Aubac
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 12,
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted,
- 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted.
- Parc Artillery, Reserves and Parc Engineer.
Reserve Cavalry
The 1st Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général du Barail.
- 1st Brigade of général Margueritte.
- * 1st African Chasseurs Regiment
- * 3rd African Chasseurs Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général de Lajaille.
- * 2nd African Chasseurs Regiment
- * 4th African Chasseurs Regiment
- 2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted
; 2nd Cavalry Division
- 1st Brigade of général Girard.
- * 1st Cuirassiers Regiment
- * 4th Cuirassiers Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général de Brauer.
- * 2nd Cuirassiers Regiment
- * 3rd Cuirassiers Regiment
- 2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted
The 3rd Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général de Forton.
- 1st Brigade of général Prince Murat.
- * 1st Dragoon Regiment
- * 9th Dragoon Regiment
- 2nd Brigade of général de Gramont, duc de Lesparre.
- * 7th Cuirassiers Regiment
- * 10th Cuirassiers Regiment
- 2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted
Reserve Artillery and Engineer
Commanded by général Canu.
- 1st Division of colonel Salvador
- 1st Division of colonel Toussaint
Commanded by général de Mitrecé.
; General Reserve of Engineer
Commanded by colonel Rémond.
- 2 Sapeurs Companies
- 1 Mining Company
- 1 Detachment of Sapeurs-Conducteurs
Chronology of operations
- Battle of Sarrebuck .
- * Order of Battle during the Battle of Sarrebruck.
- Battle of Wissembourg .
- * Order of Battle during the Battle of Wissembourg .
- Battle of Forbach-Spicheren.
- * Order of Battle during the Battle of Forbach-Spicheren.
- Battle of Frœschwiller-Wœrth .
- * Order of Battle during the Battle Frœschwiller-Wœrth.
- Bitche during the Siege of 1870–1871.
- Battle of Borny–Colombey.
- Battle of Mars-la-Tour.
- Siege of Toul.
- Battle of Saint-Privat.
- Siege of Metz .
- Siege of Strasbourg.
- Battle of Noisseville.