La Grande Armée (Episode 2) - The Infantry & Officer Corps [33:04-38:06]

Le Grandaume's great achievement was to marry blistering speed with machine-like consistency. Napoleon might have demanded a great deal of his soldiers on the march, but he did not fail to recognise the achievement. In many of his addresses, he noted the supreme effort it had taken to march such long distances. The fact that Napoleon could rely on his cause marching consistent stints is an unsung secret to his success. At the end of a long march, the troops would take up their encampments. How the army encamped it depended entirely on where they were. Billeting was the norm within France and in allied nations, as mentioned, scouting parties would make arrangements for a town and its villages to temporarily host a few regiments. A quick-thinking maim might preempt the warrior that had been before in his town by trying to bribe the regimental officers with plum accommodations or local delicacies. Anything to keep the army marching to the next town over. It's no wonder the inhabitants would do just about anything to avoid playing host to a rowdy regiment. Soldiers traipsing through their homes and surrounds wouldn't take long to sniff out any food or valuables not hidden away. Missing chickens, barrels of wine and tableware might be counted as blessings against the alternative of outright looting, but it did nothing to endear the troops to their hosts. Large cities, all those with garrisons, might have suitable buildings like barracks, warehouses or convents fit for large numbers of troops. In these instances, their presence was tolerated as it was a prime chance to make some quick cash. Cobblers and merchants plighted brisk trade as did washerwomen and prostitutes. Cities only well-trodden routes connecting Paris to the front lines build a portion of their local economies on exploiting their thoroughfare status. Briberian extortion were also well-honed arts. A certificate of good conduct was used to certify the court commander that a regiment had acted within the law whilst toasted within a town or city. Unless the kernel of a regiment was willing to cough up some cash or offer preferential terms, the mayor might withhold their approval. Most times the army was merely there on layover. Extended stays were where the real problems started, as soldiers would tend to pick up odd jobs that would put pressure on the resident labourers and farmers. They also invariably fraternised with the locals and taverns and brothels, vites and falling out to plenty. Officers were generally well-liked if only because they paid for their meals and accommodations, but in the end everyone was happier and healthier when the army departed. Though the density of towns and villages in western and central Europe meant Lagrandar May could build at most nights. In southern Italy, Spain and Eastern Europe the norm was to bivouac out in the open. In friendly territory the regiment made camp as near as possible to any amenities like wells, taverns or villages. In hostile territory security was more important than convenience and so it prescribed process was followed. Courses would make camp in order of battle in areas that were as open as possible. The idea was that if needed each regiment could gather at pre-determined rallying points ready to repel any attack. Troops arrived at their bivouac after a long march to find yet more work ahead. Some were sent out to establish the perimeter, others to forage and the rest set to work making the camp. Regiments could go about this properly or quite haphazardly. The best regiments certainly opted for order and arranged camps battalion by battalion, with a colonel in sauce in the centre surrounded by a gaggle of officer's tents. Soldiers slept in full kit around camp fire bivouacs within the confines of the camp. Since most encampments were temporary affairs, it was no need to erect tents or proper structures. Napoleon even preferred tents never be erected at all since it meant carrying extra baggage, made the camps conspicuous at distance and encouraged the troops to hunker down. Nonetheless semi-permanent camps did have to be established often enough, especially as the army assembled before a campaign. This gave the engineers time to give the place a glow up, building latrines, marking roads and digging emplacements for artillery upon high ground. Tents went up around campfires and the officers had working parties built hearts for their reuse. When a camp became well established, such as those along the Channel Coast, the in Warsaw, in Madrid and elsewhere, they became well-regulated minisitties. Soldiers banded together to make their own cabins and barracks, depots, smithies and stables provided services, while full parade grounds gave a chance to practice maneuvers. Indeed Napoleon was adamant that camps never be idle, as left to their own devices the soldiers would gamble and drink, and the officers skive off to the countryside to hunt. Orders went out for daily parades and inspections. It was also essential that any replacements be wetted and the officers constantly given regular duties to perform. La Grande d'Arme could march this way and that, but would never get far in an empty stomach. Food was one of the few areas of comparative improvement in the lives of the soldiers. Officers and faunters are alike. A typical French