This list of formation types is designed to help beginning
Republique players to relate real life Napoleonic formations with those used
for game play. The list indicates only very basic averages, and players should
remember that real life units varied enormously in both quality and size. In
some armies, "green" troops were fully trained and could perform very
impressively. In other cases, regular troops who had been allowed to become
demoralized put in very poor performances. Unit descriptions include type,
average size (number of bases) and average troop grade. The infantry lists also
include skirmisher availability and quality. The cavalry lists include a
classification of cavalry types. At the beginning of each section is a short
description of each army, along with an average ratio of artillery batteries to
infantry/cavalry bases. These recommended artillery ratios are purely for
reference to help players develop a fair sense of usage.
The Skirmish column describes the number and type of
skirmish markers which a unit type is allowed to deploy. A lower case
description beginning with "one" indicates that the entire unit may deploy only
one skirmish marker at any one time. An upper case description beginning with
"All" indicates that unit type may deploy one skirmish marker per active combat
base present. For example; a French light regiment with three active combat
bases may deploy three skirmish markers, but an 1813 French line regiment with
three combat bases may only deploy one skirmish marker.
The Russian Armies of the Napoleonic wars were famous for
two things: their apparently endless numbers, and their apparently nonexistent
supply system. Russian Armies coming to the "aid" of continental allies were
commonly just as feared as the French because of the knowledge that the Russian
troops would scour the land around them of all consumable items, usually
brutalizing the population in the process. Indeed, on several occasions, the
Austrian government nearly refused Russian aid for just this reason. The
Russian Army itself performed very well when defending home territory, as was
seen during the 1807 and 1812 campaigns. When fighting outside of its
territory, their initially brave and solid recruits tended to suffer greatly
from lack of supply, especially food and medical services. The Russians which
marched to Italy in 1799 arrived confidently, but within six months, poor
supply and several rough encounters with the newly organized French armies had
changed them. By the end of the year, one British observer noted "...the
Russians were almost totally demoralized...their withdrawal is due to the
almost unanimous desire to return to Russia and to an evident dread of meeting
the French." The Army sent into central Germany in 1813 was, like most others
on both sides, a large, but nearly spent force, with many regiments operating
at a fraction of their original strengths.
Through 1805, the Russian Army used the "Regimental Pool"
system, drawing from a general unit pool and temporarily assigning them to
"column" or "wing" leaders. In 1806-1807 they switched to the "Division Group"
system and in 1811 they switched to the "Corps/Army" system for the rest of the
wars. Russian command category in Cumbersome. The French system of formation
change may be used after 1812, although this is seriously questionable, and
players should probably keep the Russians on the Prussian system throughout.
Recommended artillery ratios: 1807 = 1 battery per 7 bases. 1812 = 1 battery
per 5 bases.
Infantry regiments |
Size |
Grade |
Available skirmishers |
Musketeer (Line) |
3 bases |
Average |
- |
Grenadier |
4 bases |
Average |
- |
Jager |
2 bases |
Average |
All Poor |
. |
|
|
|
Preobrajenski Guards |
4 bases |
Veteran |
- |
Other Guards |
3 bases |
Veteran |
- |
Guard Jagers |
2 bases |
Veteran |
All Good |
Cavalry brigades |
Size |
Grade |
Type |
Cuirassier |
3 bases |
Average |
Heavy |
Dragoon |
3 bases |
Average |
Medium |
hussar/uhlan |
4 bases |
Average |
Light |
. |
|
|
|
Chev/horse Guards |
3 bases |
Veteran |
Heavy |
Dragoon/uhlan Guards |
3 bases |
Veteran |
Medium |
Guard Hussar/Cossack |
3 bases |
Veteran |
Light |
Infantry Divisions |
Infantry regiments |
Cavalry |
Artillery |
1807 |
1 grenadier, 1 jager, 4 musketeer |
1 brigade medium |
1 Heavy foot, 2 medium foot |
1812 Line |
4 musketeer, 2 jager |
none |
1 heavy foot, 2 medium foot |
1813 Line |
3 or 4 musketeer, 1 or 2 jager |
none |
none |
Cavalry Divisions |
Cavalry Brigades |
Artillery |
1812 Cuirassier |
2 or 3 cuirassier |
none |
1812 Dragoon |
2 dragoon, 1 hussar/uhlan |
1 medium horse |
Infantry Corps |
Infantry |
Cavalry |
Artillery |
1812 Infantry |
2 Divisions |
1 brigade light or medium |
1 Heavy foot |
1812 Cavalry |
none |
2 Divisions |
none |
1813 Infantry |
2 Divisions |
none |
1 or 2 heavy foot, 2 medium foot |
|