Fusiliers-Guides de Metzenius

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Origin and History

The unit was created by a decree dated February 20, 1761. It consisted of a single mounted company of fusiliers-guides comprising:

• 1 captain
• 1 lieutenant
• 1 second-lieutenant
• 2 sergeants
• 2 corporals
• 2 ansepessades
• 34 guides

The company was attached to the staff of the army where it served.

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

• since 1761: M. de Metzenius

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

Service during the War

By June 1, 1761, the unit was attached to the Army of the Lower Rhine.

In March 1762, the unit was attached to the Army of the Lower Rhine.

Uniform

We assume that the uniform was similar to the uniform of the Fusiliers-Guides de Plinchamp. This seems to be corroborated by the partial description made by Sapin-Lignères.

Privates

Uniform in 1761 - Source: Jean-Louis Vial of Nec Pluribus Impar

Uniform Details as per
Sapin-Lignères

Headgear	black tricorne laced false silver with a white cockade fastened with a small pewter button
Neckstock	black
Coat	blue lined blue with pewter buttons on the right side Collar blue Shoulder Straps n/a Lapels none Pockets horizontal pockets, each with 3 pewter buttons Cuffs blue without buttons Turnbacks blue
Waistcoat	blue with pewter buttons
Breeches	blue
Gaiters	white or white
Leather Equipment	Crossbelt white leather Waistbelt white leather Cartridge Box black Bayonet Scabbard black Scabbard black Footgear ankle boots

Armaments consisted of a musket and a dragoon style bayonet, a pistol, a sabre and a cartridge box (20 cartridges).

The housing colours are unknown. However, they were probably similar to those of the Fusiliers-Guides de Plinchamp: blue edged white.

Officers

Officers wore uniforms similar to those of the privates with the following distinctions:

• silver laced tricorne
• silver buttons
• no turnbacks
• black boots with white knee covers

NCOs

NCOs wore uniforms similar to those of the privates with the following distinctions:

• sergeants: silver laced tricorne with 3 silver brandebourgs on each sleeve
• corporal: 3 white woollen brandebourgs on each sleeve
• anspessade: 2 white woollen brandebourgs on each sleeve.

Musicians

There were no musicians attached to this company.

Colours

This company carried no colours.

References

Menguy, Patrice; Les Sujets du Bien Aimé

Pajol, Charles P. V., Les Guerres sous Louis XV, vol. VII, Paris, 1891, p. 220

Acknowledgements

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