Companies de Réserve
The Compagnies de Réserve were reserve companies at the French departmental level at the beginning of the 19th century .
history
On May 14, 1805, the existence of these companies was established with the decree of the 24th Floréal of the year XIII of the Republic of Napoleon Bonaparte . A separate infantry company was set up in each department - the "Reserve Company of the Départements". The board was the respective prefect .
Their tasks consisted of guarding public buildings and prisons , poor houses, etc., as well as guarding prisoners of war on the march through the relevant department. The soldiers were subject to conscription , i.e. conscription , and were commanded by officers and NCOs who were no longer fit for field service . Organizationally, they were assigned to the gendarmerie , but without taking over their duties.
However, Napoléon took the name "reserve" literally and used it again and again. The companies of some departments were ordered to Spain in 1808 , deployed in 1810 to repel the English landing on Walcheren and defended the empire during the invasion by the allies.
Due to the withdrawal of soldiers to other units, the efficiency on site was severely impaired. Therefore, on May 31, 1814, the order to dissolve the reserve companies was given, which took place until July of the same year. They were reintroduced during the Restoration in 1816 before being finally abolished on April 16, 1818.
literature
- Buttner, François: Des préfectures aux champs de batailles de l'Empire, les compagnies de réserve départementales, 1805-1814 , Université Paul Valéry, Montpellier III, 1987
- Pigeard, Alain: L'armée napoléonienne , Curandéra, 1993.