Chasseurs du Quartier Général

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Origin and History

The unit was created by a decree dated March 31, 1761 by M. Monet, then major in the Chasseurs de Fischer. The unit initially totalled 150 men and consisted of:

• 60 chasseurs à pied (foot jägers)
• 40 chasseurs à cheval (mounted jägers)
• 50 hussars

The Chasseurs du Quartier Général were also known as Chasseurs de Monet or Compagnie franche de Monet.

After the defeat of Wolfangen, in July 1761, where the chasseurs suffered heavy losses, the unit was reconstituted and strengthened. M. de Bonn became its commander. It was then organised as follows:

• 1 coy of chasseurs à pied
  • 1 captain
  • 2 lieutenants
  • 1 capitaine d'armes (probably equivalent to provost)
  • 1 master-worker
  • 1 armourer
  • 3 cappenters
  • 2 sergeants
  • 2 corporals
  • 2 ansepessades
  • 2 horn players
  • 2 drummers
  • 45 foot jägers
• 1 coy of chasseurs à cheval
  • 1 captain
  • 2 lieutenants
  • 1 maréchal-des-logis (billeting officer)
  • 2 brigadiers
  • 2 sub-brigadiers
  • 1 trumpeter
  • 35 mounted jägers
• 1 coy of hussars
  • 1 captain
  • 2 lieutenants
  • 1 maréchal-des-logis (billeting officer)
  • 1 fourrier (quartermaster)
  • 3 brigadiers
  • 3 sub-brigadiers
  • 2 trumpeters
  • 48 hussars

On November 1 1761, the strength of the unit was increased to 3 companies of 50 chasseurs à pieds, 2 companies of 52 chasseurs à cheval and 1 company of 50 hussars. The staff was also increased and consisted of:

• 1 aide-major
• 1 lieutenant
• 1 capitaine d'armes
• 1 master-worker
• 1 armourer
• 10 carpenters
• 17 supernumerary jägers

During the Seven Years' War, the unit was commanded by:

• since March 1761: M. Monet
• from August 1761: M. de Bonn

The unit was disbanded by a royal decree dated November 20, 1762.

Service during the War

On July 1 1761, Prince Xaver of Saxony wrote from the camp of Dringenberg the following letter to M. Monet:

“I am delighted to be able to announce to you Sir that M. the Maréchal de Broglie leaves you with me. And, because I saw yesterday you valour and the goodwill of the troops you are commanding, I expect that we will do good work together. For the moment, you are destined to scout out the left of my reserve; and, to fulfill this objective, you will go tomorrow to Driburg from where you will push your patrols on Lippspringe and Nieheim, instructing them to carefully observe everything happening in this quarter. You will use of all proper means to be informed of the movements and direction of the enemy, which you will make me frequent and exact accounts. Upon arriving in Dribourg, you will find the Volontaires de Flandre which you will relieve; and you will send me news at Brakel where my reserve will be encamped tomorrow”.

The same month, the unit suffered heavy losses in an encounter near Wolfangen.

Uniform

Chasseurs

Uniform Details as per
Ordonnance of March 31 1761 and Sapin-Lignières

Headgear	green mirliton lined white
Neckstock	probably black
Coat	green Collar unknown Shoulder Straps for mounted jägers only: green aiguillette and green clover leaf shaped epaulette on the left shoulder Lapels none Pockets unknown Cuffs unknown Turnbacks unknown
Waistcoat	green
Breeches	green
Gaiters	white
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt unknown Waistbelt unknown Cartridge Box unknown Bayonet Scabbard unknown Scabbard unknown Footgear unknown

Armaments consisted of:

• for mounted jägers: a carbine, 2 pistols and a sabre;
• for foot jägers: long rifle, a knife-shaped bayonet (2 inches longer than the bayonet of the infantry).

Hussars

Uniform Details as per
Ordonnance of March 31 1761 and Sapin-Lignières

Headgear	a green felt mirliton lined white, with a white flame edged green and a green royal cipher embroidered on the front of the mirliton
Pelisse	green Fur trim black Lace unknown Buttons unknown
Dolman	white with green braids and 4 rows pf buttons Collar white edged green Cuffs white edged with a green chevron
Trousers	white with intricate green laces
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt yellow leather Waist-sash red Scabbard unknown Boots black Hungarian boots
Horse Furniture	Saddlecloth sheepskin edged green Sabretache n/a

Troopers were armed with a sabre and 2 pistols.

Officers

No information found yet.

NCOs

No information found yet.

Musicians

The livery of drummers and trumpeters is unknown.

Colours

This unit carried no colours.

References

Expilly, Louis Alexandre; Dictionnaire géographique, historique et politique des Gaules et de la France‬, 1764

Pajol, Charles P. V., Les Guerres sous Louis XV, vol. VII, Paris, 1891, p. 222

Mouillard, Lucien; Les Régiments sous Louis XV; Paris 1882

Rogge, Christian; The French & Allied Armies in Germany during the Seven Years War, Frankfurt, 2006

Acknowledgements

Jean-Louis Vial of Nec Pluribus Impar for the initial version of this article.