Russian Artillery

Cameronian · Post by **Cameronian** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:48 am

Comrades,

Does anyone happen to know if Russian light artillery companies (as distinct from the mounted companies) in 1812 were uniformed as horse artillery, or same as the heavy companies of foot artillery?

My own sources are either vague, non-commital or contradictory on this point.

Cheers,
George

Greystreak · Post by **Greystreak** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:42 pm

My own research suggests that light artillery companies were uniformed the same as 'heavy' companies of foot artillery in 1812. A horse artillery battery would always be quite specifically designated as such. In the case of 'light' artillery foot companies, the distinction is typically one of weight of metal; to distinguish between 'light' 6-pdr batteries, versus the 'heavy' 12-pdr batteries. Hope that helps.

Cameronian · Post by **Cameronian** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 4:53 pm

My confusion was caused by the the following statement in Hourtoulle's book 'The Moskva, Borodino'

Page 34
"2. The Light Artillery.
...they had the cavalry helmet... The Light Artillery of the Guard wore the shako..."

I am now convinced that this is incorrect and that as you say Greystreak, 'Light' refers simply to weight of metal.

Greystreak · Post by **Greystreak** » Sun May 01, 2011 12:14 am

Hourtoulle's text and graphics on Borodino is riddled with errors (and apalling translations) for any nationality who are not French, and should be ignored as a Russian uniform reference in particular. The details on the Russians are best sourced from Viskovatov, as translated by Mark Conrad here: http://marksrussianmilitaryhistory.info/#Viskovatov.

Cameronian · Post by **Cameronian** » Sun May 01, 2011 8:36 am

Oh dear

Me 17th division's going to be a bit odd in places then

Glad I did it in 15mm.