Following the unfortunate adventures of the Army of the Rhin (1870) (French: Armée du Rhin (1870)) in the beginning of August at Wissembourg, Wörth, Forbach, Empress Eugénie designated régente , summoned the two chambers on August 9, 1870. Three days later, the Emperor decided to confine the commandement of the Army of the Rhin to marshal Bazaine.
On August 17, the Emperor was at Châlons and, during a reduced war council, the latter decided the nomination of Bazaine as généralissime of the French armed forces, of général Trochu as governor of Paris and de Mac Mahon as commander of the Army of Châlons. Accordingly, this new army constituted of available elements, composed the 1st Corps, which joined the camp of Châlons between August 14 and 17, the 5th Corps of général Failly, the 7th Corps of général Douay, and the 12th Corps recently formed, constituted from infantry regiments still available, marching regiments formed by the 4 battalions left in the depot and regiments of the Guard. Accordingly, the four armed corps were assembled at Reims on August 20, 1870.
While Mac Mahon wished to retreat on Paris in order to reconstitute his army, consultations convinced him of rescuing Bazaine which unfolded on Metz following new engagements at Rezonville and Saint-Privat on August 16 and 18. Mac Mahon decided on August 23 to leave Reims and marched towards the north-east in order to pass Meuse between Sedan and Verdun.
While the four corps of Mac Mahon made way north-east, the German Army, strong of previous successes reorganized in two groups:
In front of Metz, the Ist Army, four corps of the IInd and one division.
Opposed to the Army of Châlons, the IIIrd Army, constituted of five corps, was associated to a new army, the Army of the Meuse or IV army, composed of three army corps and four cavlary divisions. The ensemble represented 188000 fantassins, 36000 cavaliers and more than 810 pieces of artillery.
The progression of the French Army was slow, and the latter was caught up by the German troops before reaching Meuse. On the 29, following a first confrontation at Nouart with the XII Corps Saxon, the 5th corps of de Failly garrisoned at Beaumont. Around noon time, on August 30, the first shells hit the camp. Three German armed corps engaged the troops of Beaumont: the Ist corps bavarois on the left, the IV corps prussien at the center and the XXI corps saxon to the right. Despite the resistance of the infantry and the relaunching of combats at Mouzon with the unfortunate heroic charge of the 5th Cuirassiers, the corps of de Failly was defeated and had to retreat on Sedan.
The battle of Beaumont had for consequence the renunciation of Marshal Mac Mahon to come and rescue Bazaine at Metz. Contrary, he unfolded since August 30 the different corps on the cities of Bazeilles and Sedan.
On the 31st, the Ist Corps Bavarois of général Von der Tann confronted the 12th Corps while apprehending the pont de chemin de fer which was along Meuse south of Bazeilles. The next day, on September 1, 1870, the IIIrd and IV German corps attacked the ensemble of the armies of Mac Mahon positionned in the two cities. The marshal was wounded while searching to join the command of the 12th Corps, général Lebrun, attacked by the Ist Corps Bavarois at Bazeilles. First replaced by général Ducrot, the command of the army was replaced, under orders of the minister of war, to général Winpffen, recently named at the head of the 5th Army Corps. The German Army finished by encircling the ensemble of the army which unfolded on the citadelle in Sedan. On the morning of September 2, the capitulation was in effect. This battle witnissed the disappearing of the Army of Châlons, which consisted the loss of 124000 men for France.
Composition and order of battle
On August 23, 1870, the Army of Châlons was constituted of four Army Corps along with artillery and cavalry reserves, consisting of 105000 fantassins, 14709 cavaliers, 393 pieces of artillery and 76 mitrailleuses. Lieutenant-colonel Rousset gave a, estimative decomposition by grand units:
Commandement & état-major
Commander-in-chief : Marshal Mac Mahon, duc de Magenta then général Wimpffen (Septembre 1)
Chef d'état-major général : général Faure
Commander of the Artillery : général Forgeot
Commander of the Engineers : général Dejean
Intendant général : intendant général Vigo-Roussillon
The 1st Army Corps (French: 1er Corps d'Armée) was commanded by général Ducrot, with headquarter staff, colonel Robert. Général Ducrot, former regimental commander of the 1st Division, succeeded Marshal Mac Mahon which recently assumed the command of the Army of Châlons. Général Frigola commanded the artillery.
1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Wolff
1st Brigade of général Moréno
18th Infantry Regiment (French: 18e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Bréger, 3 battalions)
96th Infantry Regiment (French: 96e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Bluem, 3 battalions)
13e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (French: 13e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (Commandant Potier, 1 battallion)
2nd Brigade of général Postis du Houlbec
45th Infantry Regiment (French: 45e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Lieutenant-colonel Germain, 3 battallions)
1st Regiment of Zouaves (French: 1er Régiment de Zouaves) (Colonel Barrachin, 3 Battalions)
3 Batteries of the 9th Artillery Regiment (French: 9e Régiment d'Artillerie) (Lieutenant-colonel Lecoeuvre, 2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Company of the 1st Engineer Regiment (French: 1er Régiment du Génie).
2nd Infantry Division
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général Pellé
1st Brigade of général Pelletier de Montmarie
50th Infantry Regiment (French: 50e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Ardoin, 3 Battalions)
74th Infantry Regiment (French: 74e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Theuvez, 3 Battalions)
16e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (French: 16e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (Commandant d'Hugues, 1 Battalion)
2nd Brigade of général Gaudil
78th Infantry Regiment (French: 78e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Pellenc, 3 Battalions)
1st Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Tirailleurs Algériens) (Colonel de Morandy, 3 Battalions)
1st Marching Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Marche) (Colonel Lecomte, 3 Battalions)
3 Batteries of the 9th Artillery Regiment (French: 9e Régiment d'Artillerie) (Lieutenant-colonel Cauvet, 2 batteries de 4 et 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Company of the 1st Engineer Regiment (French: 1er Régiment du Génie).
3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général l'Héritier
1st Infantry Brigade of général Carteret-Trécourt
36th Infantry Regiment (French: 36e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Beaudoin, 3 battalions)
2nd Zouaves Regiment (French: 2e Régiment de Zouaves) (Colonel Détrie, 3 battalions)
8e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (French: 8e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (Commandant Viénot, 1 battalion)
2nd Brigade of général Lefebvre
48th Infantry Regiment (French: 48e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Rogier, 3 battalions)
2nd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment (French: 2e Régiment de Tirailleurs Algériens) (Commandant Canale, 3 battalions)
Battalion of Franc-Tireurs of Paris (commandant Robin, 1 battalion)
3 Batteries of the 12 Artillery Regiment (French: 12e Régiment d'Artillerie) (Lieutenant-colonel Gheguillaume, 2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Company of the 1st Engineer Regiment (French: 1er Régiment du Génie).
4th Infantry Division
The 4th Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps was under the orders of général de Lartigue
1st Brigade under the orders of général Fraboulet de Kerléadec
56th Infantry Regiment (French: 56e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Lieutenant-colonel Billot, 3 Battalions)
3rd Zouaves Regiment (French: 3e Régiment de Zouaves) (Colonel Baucher, 3 battalions)
1er Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (French: 1er Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (Captain Briatte, 1 Battalion)
2nd Brigade under the orders of général Carrey de Bellemare
87th Infantry Regiment (French: 87e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Blot)
2nd Marching Regiment (French: 2e Régiment de Marche) (Lieutenant-colonel de Lenchey, 3 Battalions)
3rd Battalion of the 3rd Imperial Guard (French: Grenadiers de la Garde Impériale) (Colonel de Souancé)
3rd Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment (French: 3e Régiment de Tirailleurs Algériens) (Colonel Barrué, 3 Battalions)
3 Batteries of the 12th Artillery Regiment (French: 12e Régiment d'Artillerie) (Lieutenant-colonel Lamande, 2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Company of the 1st Engineer Regiment (French: 1er Régiment du Génie).
Cavalry Division
The Cavalry Division of the 1st Army Corps was commanded by général Duhesme which was replaced on August 25 by général Michel
1st Brigade of général de Septeuil
3rd Hussards Regiment (French: 3e Régiment de Hussards) (Colonel de Vieil, 4 Squadrons)
11e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval (French: 11e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval) (Colonel d'Astugue, 4 squadrons)
2nd Brigade of général de Nansouty
2nd Regiment of Lancers (French: 2e Régiment de Lanciers) (Colonel de Landreville, 4 Squadrons)
6th Regiment of Lancers (French: 6e Régiment de Lanciers) (Colonel Tripart, 4 Squadrons)
10th Dragoon Regiment (French: 10e Régiment de Dragons) (Colonel Perrot, 4 Squadrons)
3rd Brigade of général Michel
8th Cuirassiers Regiment (French: 8e Régiment de Cuirassiers) and 9th Cuirassiers Regiment (French: 9e Régiments de Cuirassiers) founded (Colonel Guiot de la Rochère, 4 Squadrons)
Reserve Artillery
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of colonel Grouvel
2 Batteries of the 6th Artillery Regiment (French: 6e Régiment d'Artillerie)
2 Batteries of the 9th Artillery Regiment (French: 9e Régiment d'Artillerie)
4 Batteries of the 20e Régiment d'Artillerie à Cheval(French: 20e Régiment d'Artillerie à Cheval)
2 Companies of the 1st Engineer Regiment (French: 1er Régiment du Génie)
The 5th Army Corps (French: 5e Corps d'Armée) was commanded by général de Failly, with headquarter staff 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 Saurin
11th Infantry Regiment (French: 11e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Jean-Pierre-Ferdinand de Behagle)
46th Infantry Regiment (French: 46e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Michel Henri Alfred Pichon)
4e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (French: 4e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (Commandant Guillaume Hyacinthe Foncegrives)
2nd Brigade of général baron Jean Nicolas Charles Valric Nicolas
61st Infantry Regiment (French: 61e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel du François Marie Alfred Moulin)
86th Infantry Regiment (French: 86e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (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 (French: 84e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Claude Joseph Paul Benoit)
97th Infantry Regiment (French: 97e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Louis Henri Eugène Copmartin)
14e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (French: 14e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (Commandant Planck)
2nd Brigade of général de Maussion
49th Infantry Regiment (French: 49e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (colonel Kampf)
88th Infantry Regiment (French: 88e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Henri Jean Courty )
2 Artillery Batteries (1 battery 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 Abatucci
17th Infantry Regiment (French: 17e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (colonel Weissemburger)
27th Infantry Regiment (French: 27e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Ernest Ézéchiel Marie-Bon de Barolet)
19e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (French: 19e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (Commandant Léon Michel Marie-Louis de Marqué)
2nd Brigade of général Louis de Fontanges de Couzan
30th Infantry Regiment (French: 30e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Jean Henri Wirbel)
68th Infantry Regiment (French: 68e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel François Justin 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 François Julien Raymond de Pierre de Bernis
5th Hussards Regiment (French: 5e Régiment de Hussards) (colonel victor Flogny)
12e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval (French: 12e régiment de chasseurs à cheval) (Colonel Louis Adrien de Tucé)
2nd Brigade of général Charles François Henri Simon de La Mortière
3rd Regiment of Lancers (French: 3e Régiment de Lanciers) (Colonel Gilles Joseph Thorel)
5th Regiment of Lancers (French: 5e Régiment de Lanciers) (Colonel Marie Paul Oscar de Boério)
Reserve Artillery
Colonel Adolphe Louis Émile Frédéric de Salignac-Fénelon
2 Artillery Batteries de 12,
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 mounted,
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 horse mounted.
The 7th Army Corps (French: 7e corps d'armée) was commanded by général Douay, with headquarter staff 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 (French: 3e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Champion)
21st Infantry Regiment (French: 21e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Morand)
17e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (French: 17e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (Commandant Merchier)
2nd Brigade of général Maire
47th Infantry Regiment (French: 47e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel de Gramont)
99th Infantry Regiment (French: 99e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Chagrin de Saint-Hilaire)
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) 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 (French: 5e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Boyer)
37th Infantry Regiment (French: 37e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel de Formy de la Blanchetée)
6e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied (French: 6e Bataillon de Chasseurs à Pied) (Commandant de Beaufort)
2nd Brigade of général de la Bastide
53rd Infantry Regiment (French: 53e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Japy)
89th Infantry Regiment (French: 89e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Munier)
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) 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 (French: 52e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Aveline)
79th Infantry Regiment (French: 79e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Bressolles)
2nd Brigade of général Bittard des Portes
82nd Infantry Regiment (French: 82e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Guys)
83rd Infantry Regiment (French: 83e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Séatelli)
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) 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
4th Hussards Regiment (French: 4e Régiment de Hussards) (Colonel de Lavigerie)
4th Regiment of Lancers (French: 4e Régiment de Lanciers) (Colonel Féline)
8th Regiment of Lancers (French: 8e Régiment de Lanciers) (Colonel de Dampierre)
2nd Brigade of général Jolif-Ducoulombier
6th Hussards Regiment (French: 6e Régiment de Hussards) (Colonel Guillon)
6th Dragoon Regiment (French: 6e 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.
The 12th Army Corps (French: 12e corps d'armée) was commanded by général Lebrun, with headquarter staff général Gresley.
1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the 12th Army Corps was under the orders of général Grandchamp.
1st Brigade of général Cambriels
2nd Marching Chasseurs Companies (captain Fayes)
22nd Infantry Regiment (French: 22e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel de Villeneuve)
34th Infantry Regiment (French: 34e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Hervé)
2nd Brigade of général de Villeneuve
58th Infantry Regiment (French: 58e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Dulyon de Rochefort)
79th Infantry Regiment (French: 79e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Bressolles)
3 Artillery Batteries (2 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company.
2nd Infantry Division
The 2nd Infantry Division of the 12th Army Corps was under the orders of général Lagretelle.
1st Brigade of général Marquisan
2 Marching Chasseurs Company
3rd Marching Regiment (lieutenant-colonel Bernier)
4th Marching Regiment (lieutenant-Chauchard)
2nd Brigade of général Louvent
14th Infantry Regiment (French: 14e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Doussot)
20th Infantry Regiment (French: 20e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel de la Guigneraye)
31st Infantry Regiment (French: 31e Régiment d'Infanterie de Ligne) (Colonel Sautereau)
5 Artillery Batteries ( 3 batteries de 4, 1 de 12 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Infantry Division of the 12th Army Corps was under the orders of général de Vassoigne.
1st Brigade of général Reboul
1st Marching Marine Infantry Regimet (Colonel Brière de l'Isle)
3rd Marching Marine Infantry Regiment (Colonel D'arbaud)
2nd Brigade of général Martin des Pallières
2nd Marching Marine Infantry Regiment (Colonel Alleyron)
3rd Marching Marine Infantry Regiment (Colonel Lecamus)
9 Artillery Batteries (8 batteries de 4 and 1 de mitrailleuses) and 1 Engineer Company
Cavalry Division
The Cavalry Division of the 12th Army Corps was commanded by général Lichtlin
1st Brigade of général de Vendoeuvre
7e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval (French: 7e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval) (Colonel Thornton)
8e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval (French: 8e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval) (Colonel Jamin du Fresnay)
2nd Brigade of général de Béville
5th Cuirassiers Regiment (French: 5e Régiment de Cuirassiers) (Colonel de Coutenson)
6th Cuirassiers Regiment (French: 6e Régiment de Cuirassiers) (Colonel Martin)
Cavalry Division of the 6th Corps
The Cavalry Division of the 6th Army Corps was commanded by général de Salignac-Fénelon'
1st Brigade of général Tillard
6e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval (French: 6e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval) (Colonel Bonvoust)
1st Hussard Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Hussards) (Colonel de Beauffremont)
2nd Brigade of général Savaresse
14th Dragoon Regiment (French: 14e Régiment de Dragons) (Colonel Oudinot de Reggio)
14e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval (French: 14e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval) (Colonel Perrier)
Reserve Artillery
Artillery Reserve was under the orders of général Bertrand
8 Artillery Batteries de 4 montées
2 Artillery Batteries de 12 montées
2 Artillery Batteries de 4 (marine artillery)
1 Artillery Battery de mitrailleuses (marine artillery) and 3 Engineer Companies
Reserve and Cavalry
1st Cavalry Division
The 1st Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général Margueritte
1st Brigade
1st African Chasseurs Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Chasseurs d’Afrique) (Colonel Clicquot)
3rd African Chasseurs Regiment (French: 3e Régiment de Chasseurs d’Afrique) (Colonel de Galliffet)
2nd Brigade of général Tillard
6e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval(French: 6e Régiment de Chasseurs à Cheval) (Colonel Bonvoust)
1er Régiment de Hussards (French: 1er Régiment de Hussards) (Colonel de Beauffremont)
2 Artillery Batteries horse mounted
2nd Cavalry Division
The 2nd Reserve Cavalry Division was commanded by général de Bonnemain
1st Brigade of général Girard
1st Cuirassiers Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Cuirassiers) (Colonel de Vendoeuvre)
4th Cuirassiers Regiment (French: 4e Régiment de Cuirassiers) (Colonel Courtois)
2nd Brigade of général de Brauer
2nd Cuirassiers Regiment (French: 2e Régiment de Cuirassiers) (Colonel Boréverrier)
3rd Cuirassiers Regiment (French: 3e Régiment de Cuirassiers) (Colonel Despetit de Lassalle)
1 Artillery Battery horse mounted
