Army of the Rhine (1870)

The Army of the Rhine () was a French military unit that fought in the Franco-Prussian War. It was created after the declaration of war on July 18 1870.

The unit participated in combats in Lorraine, then divided to form a second army, the Army of Châlons.

The Army of the Rhine surrendered on 27 October 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 (), 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 () 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 (August 12 to 14) and finally commanded by Marshal Le Bœuf.
• The (), 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 () of Marshal François Certain de Canrobert consisted of troops from Paris, Châlons, and Soissons and assembled at the camp de Châlons.
• The () 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

On August 1, 1870, the Army of the Rhine was constituted of seven Army Corps and of artillery and reserve cavalry. Lieutenant-colonel Rousset tendered an estimative decomposition by grand units:

Commandement and état-major

• Commander-in-Chief : Napoléon III
• Major General : maréchal Le Bœuf
• Aides-major generals :
• général Lebrun
• général Hugues Louis Jarras
• Artillery Commander : général Marie Justin Lin Soleille (also known as général Justin Soleille)
• Engineer Commander :
• Intendant of the Army :
• Medical Chief of the Army :

The Imperial Guard

1st Infantry Division (voltigeurs)

The 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard () was commanded by

• 1st Brigade of général Brincourt
• () ()
• () ()
• () (colonel Désiré Camille Jean Peychaud)
• 2nd Brigade of
• () (colonel Jules Pierre Joseph Lian)
• () (colonel Jean-Baptiste Xavier Bonaventure Ponsard)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

2nd Infantry Division (Grenadiers)

The 2nd Infantry Division of the Imperial Guard was commanded by

• 1st Brigade of général Jeanningros
• () (colonel Jean-Baptiste Joseph Giraud)
• () (colonel Georges Hippolyte Théologue)
• 2nd Brigade of
• () (colonel Lecointe)
• () (colonel Louis Cousin)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the Imperial Guard was commanded by général Nicolas Gilles Toussaint Desvaux

• 1st Brigade of général Joseph Charles Halna du Frétay
• () (colonel Frédéric de Percin Northumberland)
• Chasseurs Regiment () (colonel Antoine Louis Claude de Montarby)
• 2nd Brigade of général Jean Alexandre Ernest de France
• Lancers Regiment () (colonel Henri Jean-Baptiste de Latheulade)
• Dragoon Regiment of the Empress () (colonel Simon Antoine Eugène Sautereau-Dupart)
• 3rd Brigade of
• Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Charles François Antoine Dupressoir)
• () (colonel Louis Jean Edmond Petit)
• 2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted

Reserve Artillery (colonel Félix François Louis Clappier)

• 4 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted
• 1 Train equipped Squadron

Parc Artillery (colonel Elie Jean de Vassoigne)

Total artillery

• 24 Battalions, 24 Squadrons, 72 pieces out of which 12 mitrailleuses, 2 Engineer Companies, 1 Train Squadron

1st Army Corps

The () was commanded by Patrice de MacMahon, Duke of Magenta, with chef d'état-major . Général Ducrot, former commander of the 1st Division, succeeded Marshal Mac Mahon who recently assumed command of the Army of Châlons. Général Philippe Antoine Justin Joly Frigola commanded the artillery.

1st Infantry Division

The 1st Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Ducrot

• 1st Brigade of
• () (colonel Alexis Evariste Appolinie Bréger)
• 96th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Ernest de Franchessin)
• () (commandant Alfred Jules Adrien Le Cacher de Bonneville)
• 2nd Brigade of général Louis Jules de Postis du Houlbec
• () (colonel René Ludovic Bertrand)
• () (colonel Simon Hubert Carteret-Trecourt)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

2nd Infantry Division

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 () (colonel Jules César Ardoin)
• 74th Infantry Regiment () (colonel François Adolphe Theuvez)
• 16e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Anne Louis François Armand d'Hugues)
• 2nd Brigade of général Pellé
• 78th Infantry Regiment () (colonel de Bellemare )
• 1st Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment () (colonel Jacques Louis de Morandy)
• 1st Marching Regiment () (colonel Lecomte, 3 Battalions)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Raoult

• 1st Brigade of général Edmond Aimable L'Hériller
• 36th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Louis Eugène Krien)
• 2nd Zouaves Regiment () (colonel Détrie)
• 8e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant André Léon Poyet)
• 2nd Brigade of général Henri Louis Nicolas Lefebvre
• 48th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Louis Adolphe Rogier)
• 2nd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment () (colonel Pierre François Jean Raphaël Suzzoni)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

4th Infantry Division

The 4th Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Marie-Hippolyte de Lartigue de Goueytes

• 1st Brigade under the orders of général Joseph Henri Fortuné Fraboulet de Kerléadec
• 56th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Jean-Louis Ména)
• 3rd Zouaves Regiment () (colonel Louis Alfred Bocher)
• 1er Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant François Achille Bureau)
• 2nd Brigade under the orders of général Lacretelle
• 87th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Omer Arsène André Blot)
• 3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment () (colonel Fabien Pierre Edmond Gandil)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 1st Army Corps was commanded by général Duhesme

• 1st Brigade of général de Achille Armand de Laroche-Tourteau de Septeuil
• 3rd Hussards Regiment () (colonel de Vieil)
• 11e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel Élisabeth Jean Hyacinthe Dominique Dastugue)
• 2nd Brigade of général de Nansouty
• 2nd Lancers Regiment () (colonel Charles Marie Poissonnier)
• 6th Lancers Regiment () (colonel Joseph Élie Tripart)
• 10th Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Félix Théodule Perrot)
• 3rd Brigade of général Alexandre Ernest Michel
• 8th Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Guiot de la Rochère)
• 9th Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Aimé Louis Waternau)

Reserve Artillery

Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Jean Louis de 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

The 2nd Army Corps () was commanded by général Frossard, with chef d'état-major général Eugène Saget.

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 () (colonel Hilarion Adrien Léonard Frédéric Merle)
• 55th Infantry Regiment () (colonel de Waldner de Freundstein)
• 3e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Claude Thoma)
• 2nd Brigade of Charles Jean Jolivet
• 76th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Pierre François Alphonse Brice)
• 77th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Février)
• 3 Artillery Batteies (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général Bataille

• 1st Brigade of général Gaspard Émile Pierre Balthazard Pouget
• 8th Infantry Regiment () (colonel François Auguste Florimond Haca)
• 23rd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Charles Élie Rolland)
• 12e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Louis Édouard Jouanne-Beaulieu)
• 2nd Brigade of général Jacques Alexandre Jules Fauvart-Bastoul
• 66th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Charles François Ameller)
• 67th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Mangin)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was under the orders of général de Laveaucoupet

• 1st Brigade of général Augustin Alexis Doëns
• 2nd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Saint-Hillier)
• 63rd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Louis Adolphe Zentz)
• 10e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Schenk)
• 2nd Brigade of général Charles Micheler
• 24th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Charles Louis Auguste d'Arguesse)
• 40th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Jean-Baptiste Vittot)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 2nd Army Corps was commanded by général Claude marie Hyacinthe Marmier

• 1st Brigade of général Paul de Valabrègue
• 4e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel Arthur Gabriel Marie Claude du Ferron)
• 5e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel Louis Frédéric Gombaud de Séréville)
• 2nd Brigade of général Bachelier
• 7th Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Xavier Marie-Thérèse Eugène de Gressot)
• 12th Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Nicolas de Bigault d'Avocourt)

Reserve Artillery

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

The 3rd Army Corps () was commanded by Marshal Bazaine, with chef d'état-major général Claude Jules Isidore Manèque.

1st Infantry Division

The 1st Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of Montaudon

• 1st Brigade of général baron Aymard
• 51st Infantry Regiment () (colonel Delebecque)
• 62nd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Joseph Alexis Dauphin)
• 18e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Charles Rigault)
• 2nd Brigade of général Clinchant
• 81st Infantry Regiment () (colonel Louis Antoine Auguste Collavier d'Albici)
• 95th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Davout d'Auerstaedt)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général de Castagny

• 1st Brigade of général baron Etienne Gabriel Edmond de Nayral
• 19th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Georges Alexis de Launay)
• 41st Infantry Regiment () (colonel Saussier)
• 15e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Henri Anne François Archibald Lafouge)
• 2nd Brigade of général Louis Médéric Georges Frédéric Henri Éloi Eugène Duplessis
• 69th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Aristide Amand Jean-Baptiste Le Tourneur)
• 90th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Philippe Marie Henri Roussel de Courcy)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was under the orders of général Jean-Louis Metman

• 1st Brigade of général Charles Marie Ferdinand Jacques de Potier
• 7th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Cotteret)
• 29th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Etienne Lalanne)
• 7e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Rigaud)
• 2nd Brigade of général Eugène Jean-Marie Arnaudeau
• 59th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Armand Lucien Duez)
• 71st Infantry Regiment () (colonel Louis Guillaume Joseph d'Audebard de Ferussac)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

4th Infantry Division

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 () (colonel Joseph Polycarpe Fournier)
• 60th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Joseph Boissie)
• 11e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Charles Anatole de Paillot)
• 2nd Brigade of général François Eugène Sanglé-Ferrière
• 80th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Louis Henri Fulgence Janin)
• 35th Infantry Regiment () (colonel François Louis Plauchut)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 3rd Army Corps was commanded by général comte Charles Philippe Marie Antoine de Clérembault

• 1st Brigade of général Jean-Louis de Bruchard
• 2e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel Edmé Charles Pelletier)
• 3e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel Henri Philippe Robert Sanson de Sansal)
• 10e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel Pierre Marie Léopold Nérin)
• 2nd Brigade of général Henri Louis Abel Gayault de Maubranches
• 2nd Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Antoine Amédée Mercier du Paty de Clam)
• 4th Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Augustin Victor Cassiodore Cornat)
• 3rd Brigade of général Jacques Louis Ange Eugène Bégougne de Juniac
• 5th Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Jean-Baptiste Joseph Euchène)
• 8th Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Ludovic de Boyer de Fonscolombe)

Reserve Artillery

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

The 4th Army Corps () was commanded by général de Ladmirault, with chef d'état-major général Osmont.

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 () (colonel Frémont)
• 6th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Labarthe)
• 20e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Augustin Marcel Maurice de Labarrière)
• 2nd Brigade of général de Golberg
• 57th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Giraud)
• 73rd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Supervielle)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 et 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

2nd Infantry Division

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 () (colonel Lion)
• 43rd Infantry Regiment () (colonel de Viville)
• 5e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Carré)
• 2nd Brigade of général Pradier
• 64th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Léger)
• 98th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Lechesne)
• 3 batteries d'artillerie (2 batteries de 4 et 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

3rd Infantry Division

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 () (colonel Fraboulet de Kerléadec)
• 33rd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Bounetou)
• 2e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Le Tanneur)
• 2nd Brigade of général Berger
• 54th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Caillot)
• 65th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Sée)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 et 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 4th Army Corps was commanded by général Legrand

• 1st Brigade of général de Montaigu
• 2nd Hussard Regiment () (colonel Carrelet)
• 7th Hussard Regiment () (colonel Chaussée)
• 2nd Brigade of général baron de Gondrecourt
• 3rd Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Bilhau)
• 11th Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Huyn de Verneville)

Reserve Artillery

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

The 5th Army Corps () was commanded by général de Failly, with chef d'état-major général Besson.

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 () (colonel de Béhagle)
• 46th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Pichon)
• 4e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Foncegrives)
• 2nd Brigade of général baron Nicolas
• 61st Infantry Regiment () (colonel du Moulin)
• 86th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Auguste Florimond dit Alexis Berthe)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

2nd Infantry Division

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 () (colonel Benoit)
• 97th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Copmartin)
• 14e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Planck)
• 2nd Brigade of général de Maussion
• 49th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Kampf)
• 88th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Courty)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

3rd Infantry Division

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 () (colonel Weissemberger)
• 27th Infantry Regiment () (colonel de Barolet)
• 19e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Léon Michel Marie Louis de Marqué)
• 2nd Brigade of général de Fontanges de Couzan
• 30th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Wirbel)
• 68th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Paturel)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 5th Army Corps was commanded by général Brahaut

• 1st Brigade of général de Bernis
• 5th Hussards Regiment () (colonel Flogny)
• 12e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel de Tucé)
• 2nd Brigade of général de la Mortière
• 3rd Lancers Regiment () (colonel Thorel)
• 5th Lancers Regiment () (colonel de Boério)

Reserve Artillery

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

The 6th Army Corps was () was commanded by Marshal Certain de Canrobert, with chef d'état-major général Henry.

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 () (colonel Vincendon)
• 10th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Ardan du Picq)
• 9e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Mathelin)
• 2nd Brigade of général Leroy de Dais
• 12th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Lebrun)
• 100th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Grémion)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps was under the orders of général Bisson

• 1st Brigade of général Noel puis Archinard
• 9^e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne () (colonel Roux)
• 14th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Louvent)
• 2nd Brigade of général Maurice
• 20th Infantry Regiment () (colonel de la Guigneraye)
• 31st Infantry Regiment () (colonel Sautereau)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 et 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company

3rd Infantry Division

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 () (colonel Amadieu)
• 91st Infantry Regiment () (colonel Daguerre)
• 2nd Brigade of général Colin
• 93rd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Ganzin)
• 94th Infantry Regiment () (colonel de Geslin)
• 3 Artillery Batteries batteries de 4 et 1 Engineer Company

4th Infantry Division

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 () (colonel Gibon)
• 26th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Hanrion)
• 2nd Brigade of général comte de Chanaleilles
• 28th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Lamothe)
• 70th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Henrion Bertier)
• 3 Artillery Batteries de 4 and 1 Engineer Company

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 6th Army Corps was commanded by général de Salignac-Fénelon

• 1st Brigade of général Tilliard
• 1^er Régiment de Hussards () (colonel de Bauffremont)
• 6e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel Bonvoust)
• 2nd Brigade of général de Savaresse
• 1st Lancers Regiment () (colonel Oudinot de Reggio)
• 7th Lancers Regiment () (colonel Périer)
• 3rd Brigade of général Yvelin de Béville
• 5th Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Dubessey de Contenson)
• 6th Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Martin)

Cavalry Division

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 () (colonel de la Martinière)
• 2nd Chasseurs Regiment of France () (colonel Pelletier)
• 2nd Brigade of général de Bruchard
• 3e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel de Sansal)
• 10e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval () (colonel Nérin)

Reserve Artillery

• 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

The 7th Army Corps () was commanded by général Douay, with chef d'état-major général Renson.

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 () (colonel Champion)
• 21st Infantry Regiment () (colonel Morand)
• 17e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant Jules Florimond Germain Merchier)
• 2nd Brigade of général Maire
• 47th Infantry Regiment () (colonel de Gramont)
• 99th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Chagrin de Saint-Hilaire)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (two batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuse) and 1 Engineer Company

2nd Infantry Division

The 2nd Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Liébert.

• 1st Brigade of général Guiomar
• 5th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Boyer)
• 37th Infantry Regiment () (colonel de Formy de la Blanchetée)
• 6e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied () (commandant de Beaufort)
• 2nd Brigade of général de la Bastide
• 53 Infantry Regiment () (colonel Japy)
• 89th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Munier)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (two batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuse) and 1 Engineer Company

3rd Infantry Division

The 3rd Infantry Division of the 7th Army Corps was under the orders of général Dumont.

• 1st Brigade of général Bordas
• 52nd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Aveline)
• 79th Infantry Regiment () (colonel Bressolles)
• 2nd Brigade of général Bittard des Portes
• 82nd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Guys)
• 83rd Infantry Regiment () (colonel Séatelli)
• 3 Artillery Batteries (two batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuse) and 1 Engineer Company

Cavalry Division

The Cavalry Division of the 7th Army Corps was commanded by général baron Ameil.

• 1st Brigade of général Cambriel
• 4^e Régiment de Hussards () (colonel de Lavigerie)
• 4th Lancers Regiment () (colonel Féline)
• 8th Lancers Regiment () (colonel de Dampierre)
• 2nd Brigade of général Jolif-Ducoulombier
• 6th Hussards Regiment () (colonel Guillon)
• 6^e Régiment de Dragons () (colonel Tillion)

Reserve Artillery

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

1st Cavalry Division

The 1st Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général du Barail.

• 1st Brigade of général Margueritte.
• 1st African Chasseurs Regiment () (colonel Clicquot)
• 3rd African Chasseurs Regiment () (colonel de Galliffet)
• 2nd Brigade of général de Lajaille.
• 2nd African Chasseurs Regiment () (colonel de la Martinière)
• 4th African Chasseurs Regiment () (colonel de Quélen)
• 2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted

The 2nd Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général de Bonnemain.

2nd Cavalry Division

• 1st Brigade of général Girard.
• 1st Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Leforestier de Vendeuvre)
• 4th Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Billet)
• 2nd Brigade of général de Brauer.
• 2nd Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Rossetti)
• 3rd Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Lafutsun de Lacarre)
• 2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted

3rd Cavalry Division

The 3rd Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général de Forton.

• 1st Brigade of général Prince Murat.
• 1st Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Forceville)
• 9th Dragoon Regiment () (colonel Reboul)
• 2nd Brigade of général de Gramont, duc de Lesparre.
• 7th Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Nitot)
• 10th Cuirassiers Regiment () (colonel Juncker)
• 2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted

Reserve Artillery and Engineer

General Reserve Artillery

Commanded by général Canu.

• 1st Division of colonel Salvador (8 Artillery Batteries de 12)
• 1st Division of colonel Toussaint (8 Artillery Batteries horse mounted)

Grand parc de campagne

Commanded by général de Mitrecé.

General Reserve of Engineer

Commanded by colonel Rémond.

• 2 Sapeurs Companies
• 1 Mining Company
• 1 Detachment of Sapeurs-Conducteurs

Grand parc du Génie

Chronology of operations

• Battle of Sarrebuck (1870) ().
• Order of Battle during the Battle of Sarrebruck ().
• Battle of Wissembourg (1870) ().
• Order of Battle during the Battle of Wissembourg (1870) ().
• Battle of Forbach-Spicheren ().
• Order of Battle during the Battle of Forbach-Spicheren ().
• Battle of Frœschwiller-Wœrth (1870) ().
• 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 (1870) ().
• Siege of Strasbourg ().
• Battle of Noisseville ().

References

Sources and bibliography

• Lieutenant-colonel Rousset, Histoire générale de la guerre franco allemande - 1870–1871, éditions Montgredien et Cie, 1900.
• Paul et Victor Margueritte, Histoire de la guerre de 1870–71, Éditions G. Chamerot, 1903.
• Général Niox, La guerre de 1870 - Simple récit, Librairie Ch. Delagrave, 1898.
• Annuaire militaire de l'empire français 1870
• Ferdinand Lecomte : Relation historique et critique de la guerre franco-allemande en 1870–1871
• Annuaire militaire de 1870 (pour les prénoms)