Could You Survive as a Soldier in Napoleon's Army?

In this video we experience life as a Napoleonic soldier at the beginning of the 19th century. Napoleon’s Grande Armée was one of the greatest battlefield forces ever assembled, but what were the challenges of army life for ordinary line infantry troops? We take a closer look at the uniform and equipment of Napoleon’s troops, find out about military training during the period, and explore how these men coped with Napoleon’s military campaigns.
By joining up with historical reenactment group 21eme Regiment de Ligne, I also learn more about the more mundane aspects of a soldier’s daily life in the 19th century. As well as fighting in Napoleon’s greatest battles like Austerlitz, Borodino and Waterloo, regular fusiliers spent much of their time cleaning their weapons and uniform, marching huge distances, and attempting to stave off hunger and disease.
We also look closely at two of the greatest dangers for a soldier on a Napoleonic battlefield: cavalry and artillery. Napoleon was a trained artillery officer who knew that his cannons could swing a battle, while his horsemen were the envy of Europe.
We also bust some of the biggest myths about Napoleon and his army. Did Napoleon fire cannons at the Pyramids? Did Napoleon fire cannons at a frozen lake? Did Napoleon invade Russia?
With Ridley Scott’s Napoleon movie due to be released in 2023, we move the spotlight back to the ordinary soldiers of the Grande Armée, and ask whether YOU could survive in Napoleon’s army?
#napoleon #napoleonicwars #history
00:00 Introduction
02:36 Recruitment and conscription
07:37 Uniform in the French army
10:42 What soldiers carried
13:43 Infantry training
14:33 The Charleville musket
19:48 Firing in ranks
23:57 Life in the army
24:46 Slang phrases
26:57 Napoleonic artillery
33:45 Napoleonic cavalry
37:33 Invasion of Russia
40:14 Battle of Waterloo
43:33 Could you survive?
Music from: Zakhar Valaha - Triumphant
Music by: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos
License code: CPOSIGJ4LHYI8JDL

Пікірлер: 1 200

  • @survivehistory
    @survivehistory21 күн бұрын

    We hope you enjoyed the episode! Let us know what you think in the comments and please consider supporting the channel at: ko-fi.com/survivehistory

  • @blue8398

    @blue8398

    19 күн бұрын

    I enjoyed it I love learning about wars no offense to the people that died in the war

  • @user-sv3cq6yp9f

    @user-sv3cq6yp9f

    13 күн бұрын

    There’s nothing we can do

  • @EzekielDeLaCroix
    @EzekielDeLaCroix7 ай бұрын

    People forget that in battle, you survive only by pure chance. You could do everything right, but sometimes, it's just not your day.

  • @dolsopolar

    @dolsopolar

    7 ай бұрын

    but doing everything right increases your chance of surviving still?

  • @EzekielDeLaCroix

    @EzekielDeLaCroix

    7 ай бұрын

    @@dolsopolarThat's what we tell you to get you to do it.

  • @SobaYatai

    @SobaYatai

    7 ай бұрын

    @@dolsopolar even if you managed to down the person infront of you, another is going to replace him and others next to him might be able to hit you still, even without engaging you can still most likely die from cannon fire. you could maybe part of the artillery crew away distanced from the raged on going battle but standing up you get yourself slashed by sabre stay low and you get run over by a horse during cavalry charge. your highest chance of survival is joining light infantry or the skirmishers. even if you dont wanna do any of these job youd most likely still gonna get conscripted and had to leave your family behind, dies in senseless wars the people who kept whining about blah blah going on right now in our world should be thankful that they were born in this era

  • @cmdrgarbage1895

    @cmdrgarbage1895

    7 ай бұрын

    ​@@EzekielDeLaCroixNo their are clear patterns and doctrines that increase survivability, otherwise we'd still be fighting like in WW1.

  • @evancenac4467

    @evancenac4467

    7 ай бұрын

    youre right but also wrong

  • @mattesdrescher4783
    @mattesdrescher47836 ай бұрын

    That artillery commander feels like he’s been brought here straight from the napoleonic wars. That cold demeanor with which he treats the absolute horror of his artillery weapons

  • @BeKindToBirds

    @BeKindToBirds

    2 ай бұрын

    The man has clearly contemplated his weapon and his own difference from meat. How they both relate and have done so.

  • @WilliamJohnwon1522
    @WilliamJohnwon15226 ай бұрын

    I was in the first Napoleonic reenactment societies in Britain, which was formed after they made the film Waterloo in 1970 and I have lots of happy memories. We northerners were the French and I of course was in the old garde, or guard.

  • @jspee1965

    @jspee1965

    3 ай бұрын

    Vive la France! Vive la Vielle Garde!!

  • @thedogmen.

    @thedogmen.

    9 күн бұрын

    oh my god, being part of the Old Guard has to be one of the biggest flexes possible, even if just in a reenactment group!

  • @Loscartuchos5566

    @Loscartuchos5566

    7 күн бұрын

    LE VICTORIE ESTA A NOUS

  • @robertsantamaria6857
    @robertsantamaria68577 ай бұрын

    Nice concept, I really like how Louee gives a shout out to the re-enactors and their unit. He's the host, but he makes sure to let the re-enactors share their story. I'll give it a sub, interested for whatever comes next.

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    Appreciate it Robert, thanks!

  • @iain349

    @iain349

    7 ай бұрын

    Yeah my view too - well done, was a lot of fun, and as a French learner I enjoyed the use of French as well. Also how awesome would it be to be a reenactor. :) They were having a stack of fun.

  • @dixenherize6969

    @dixenherize6969

    6 ай бұрын

    ​@@survivehistorywhat's going to be the next video do you think? Any chance of letting us know what era it'll be in and how long until we would be able to watch it? I really like videos like this so I was stoked to luckily stumble across it thanks to KZread playing random videos after whatever current one being viewed, ends. I'm assuming from the name of the channel, it's planned to do a video for whichever era the topic is on at that time? Thank you and good video ! Much appreciated all the way from Washington State

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    @@dixenherize6969 thanks so much for the comment! We're working hard on the second episode right now and hope it will be ready at the end of November. Check out the end-screen on our first episode and you'll have a clue to the next topic! 🤐

  • @HistoryNerd1814

    @HistoryNerd1814

    6 ай бұрын

    ​@@iain349it is a fun hobby I would recommend it but warning starting out is expensive

  • @stephenjohnson8237
    @stephenjohnson82377 ай бұрын

    I love all the buzz the movie is creating for Napoleon content. There could be 5 movies about his escapades and there would still be a trilogy left. Love it!

  • @Notimportant253

    @Notimportant253

    6 ай бұрын

    Holy shit they are making a napoleon movie?!?? And it has JOAQIN PHOENIX PLAYING THE LEAD?!?!?? This is definitely the good timeline. I hope this movie is successful and starts a revival in the interest of historical epics, cause history at times can be stranger and more exciting than any fantasy can be.

  • @Alfie-ft3bx

    @Alfie-ft3bx

    6 ай бұрын

    @@Notimportant253 I feel like overall it would’ve been better to have someone more like Wellington or Nelson the good guys

  • @ralphsharp7986

    @ralphsharp7986

    6 ай бұрын

    Nah Napoleon is a far more interesting character. He was kinda awkward but at the same time a tactical genius and a monster@@Alfie-ft3bx

  • @ninab.4540

    @ninab.4540

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@Notimportant253It's not. As a European I'd rather see the Kubrick version over...whatever that was. At least Spielberg is keeping that flame alive.

  • @ninab.4540

    @ninab.4540

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@Alfie-ft3bxSpotted the Brit

  • @brianfuller757
    @brianfuller7577 ай бұрын

    He puts serious effort into his videos and this history is spot on. The quality of both officers and ranks was very good in the Grande Armée. There was also the organisation of the Grande Armée which even British opponents respected.

  • @jspee1965

    @jspee1965

    3 ай бұрын

    Napoleon was first to introduce the Corps system.

  • @plusultra4961
    @plusultra49617 ай бұрын

    People don't realize that 60% of their company would have died of typhus weeks before going into combat.

  • @ddc2957

    @ddc2957

    7 ай бұрын

    This 😂 that’s the real danger. Even things like heatstroke & malnutrition claimed lives.

  • @theproletariatreport6283

    @theproletariatreport6283

    6 ай бұрын

    It’s truly staggering how many armies were simply wiped out by disease, prior to the 21st century.

  • @EdgarStyles1234

    @EdgarStyles1234

    6 ай бұрын

    Lol you really believe these utterly nonsense numbers?

  • @theproletariatreport6283

    @theproletariatreport6283

    6 ай бұрын

    @@EdgarStyles1234 80,000 men died of typhus and other diseases during Napoleons campaign in Russia

  • @EdgarStyles1234

    @EdgarStyles1234

    6 ай бұрын

    @@theproletariatreport6283 even if that number is correct, that's one campaign, in swamps and then in freezing winter in Russia... Doesn't mean normal continental soldiers faced that type of risk.

  • @tusk70
    @tusk707 ай бұрын

    I first thought it was the 12e Regiment d'infanterie de ligne. My grand-grand-grand-grandfather served as a corporal of the genadiers in that regiment. He was wounded in 1812 near Smolensk and came back to Germany.

  • @johnkendall2979
    @johnkendall29792 ай бұрын

    These guys should've organized the Napolean movie

  • @Alguien644
    @Alguien6444 ай бұрын

    No, they'd kick me out for not speaking french

  • @Toywars69

    @Toywars69

    15 күн бұрын

    Same...

  • @Alexander-on5eg

    @Alexander-on5eg

    12 күн бұрын

    For real

  • @ryangaming321

    @ryangaming321

    3 күн бұрын

    Chinese for me :)

  • @Akabeche

    @Akabeche

    Күн бұрын

    A significant fraction of French people of the time didn't speak French (instead speaking regional languages like Basque, Breton or Occitan) or spoke regional patois and dialects of French that were quite different from the "standard" Parisian French. So ironically enough you might be safe on that front

  • @Alguien644

    @Alguien644

    Күн бұрын

    @@Akabeche I'm also spanish, and our rivalry is big and has been through history also big as far as I know

  • @rotwang2000
    @rotwang20007 ай бұрын

    I blame Airfix for putting me off the French in the Napoleonic era. Their old 1/72nd scale Waterloo sets had tall, strapping British infantry, standing proud and tough. The French had nothing but weird ungainly poses and looked like excited goblins.

  • @EdgarStyles1234

    @EdgarStyles1234

    6 ай бұрын

    Just the truth innit

  • @vincentlefebvre9255

    @vincentlefebvre9255

    6 ай бұрын

    Try those by Zvezda and those by Italeri. They are awesome.

  • @2adamast

    @2adamast

    5 ай бұрын

    The famous French skirmishers, never to be shown in movies

  • @jspee1965

    @jspee1965

    9 күн бұрын

    Wargames Research Group, Napoleonic tabletop wargamer here. I invested untold thousand in my beautiful 25mm armies. Diecast and purchased from a store in Sydney Australia called "Tin Soldier". Sadly they closed quite some years ago, but walking into the place, I was like a kid in a candy store.

  • @dodo.8837
    @dodo.88376 ай бұрын

    As a French I loved the video, the presentation, details, everything is there !!! And yes Napoleon never bombed the pyramids contrary to what is shown in Ridley Scott’s movie 😔😔

  • @frontenac5083

    @frontenac5083

    6 ай бұрын

    As a French what? Learn basic English.

  • @dodo.8837

    @dodo.8837

    6 ай бұрын

    Especially when your name is French..

  • @murphy7801

    @murphy7801

    4 ай бұрын

    ​@@frontenac5083I can understand him perfectly and English is my first language

  • @gink456

    @gink456

    3 ай бұрын

    ​@@frontenac5083quit being a whiny bitch

  • @malegria9641

    @malegria9641

    3 ай бұрын

    Ce film c’est une moquerie de France

  • @RavenGent
    @RavenGent7 ай бұрын

    Most excellent!! As a reenactor myself I've come to know some of the tatics that Napoleon soldiers learned would come to be learned well in the US especially around the time of the Civil war. General McClellan was known to be called the American Napoleon and training the soldiers. There's two accounts from some of Napoleon soldiers who fought with him especially at Waterloo.

  • @kamikaziking

    @kamikaziking

    7 ай бұрын

    without the french the US would still be a Brittish colony , from money to navy to guns the French essentialy won the war for you....

  • @user-ly6pl5ot9m

    @user-ly6pl5ot9m

    7 ай бұрын

    McClennan's comparing to Bonnie is actually more insulting to the corsican chap.

  • @kameronjones7139

    @kameronjones7139

    6 ай бұрын

    ​@kamikaziking until after the war when the French raided thousands of American merchants forcing the usa to put a stop to it

  • @kingofwishfulthinking2490

    @kingofwishfulthinking2490

    5 ай бұрын

    @@kamikazikingand then Americans had to answer for French frailty in WW1, WW2 and again in Vietnam. Quit the comparisons. Both nations have fought beside each other throughout history, and are brothers in blood.

  • @kamikaziking

    @kamikaziking

    5 ай бұрын

    @@kingofwishfulthinking2490 you largely overplay the role of the mutts in both world wars in the european theatre , maybe you should read a book?

  • @yellingyank1862
    @yellingyank18625 ай бұрын

    Wow, what a wonderful video, I love how much you have the reenactors talk about their weapons and historical tactics they use on the “battlefield”. Can’t wait for new uploads

  • @poil8351
    @poil83517 ай бұрын

    one reason wellington didn't much like his gunners was probably becsuse the royal artillery were technically not part of the army and not directly under his command, they had their own chain of command which was separate to the army.

  • @t.wcharles2171

    @t.wcharles2171

    7 ай бұрын

    Before the 20th century most armies were organised as infantry, cavalry, artillery, and the navy.

  • @poil8351

    @poil8351

    7 ай бұрын

    @@t.wcharles2171 also navies varied from country to country sometimes they were part of the army and in other countries they were a seperate force like in the united kingdom and france and spain, also some countries had both a navy and an army fleet that sort of was made of gunboats and river vessels. were things got very confusing was marine corps because you had marine corps that were intergrated the navy but organised along army lines like the british and dutch marines corps, then you had the french system which tend to have sailors specifically trained to fight as marines but were not organised as a separate force.

  • @t.wcharles2171

    @t.wcharles2171

    7 ай бұрын

    @@poil8351 it's so much simpler these days.

  • @barbararice6650

    @barbararice6650

    7 ай бұрын

    Organisationally the fuckers had to do what they were told during march and battle orders 👈😐

  • @kevinleewilliams5119

    @kevinleewilliams5119

    6 ай бұрын

    Combined arms is a modern concept, evolution of organization, technology allowing fast and actionable Intel and communication between the branches, back then imagine a CAV commander trying to both direct cav and infantry during a battle, using drums to maneuver lol calling in artillery had to be pretty hard too, no direct way for an FO to communicate back to the guns quickly, major part of combined arms.

  • @user-cd4bx6uq1y
    @user-cd4bx6uq1y7 ай бұрын

    Amazing. Felt like I'm hearing about these for the first time and creating a detailed image, trying to put bits of everything I heard of (about other things) together to understand the context of the discussion

  • @yingyangmapper5399
    @yingyangmapper53994 ай бұрын

    37:17 Excellent choice of music (you just got a new subscriber)! As a classical music lover (and beginner musician :D) and history enthusiast, it was a really nice detail and adds to the immersion. The piece in question was Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture, a piece dedicated to Russia's victory over the Napoleon's Grande Armée. I'm surprised this channel only has about 37k subscribers!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    4 ай бұрын

    Welcome aboard!

  • @suntalex__
    @suntalex__6 ай бұрын

    loved it! as someone who absolutely loves learning about the napoleonic wars, i found this very interesting! keep up the good work ❤

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @esomethingoranother3718
    @esomethingoranother371827 күн бұрын

    Brilliant! Respect to everyone involved in putting this documentary & re-enactment together. Never stop making more, there's plenty of units with stories waiting to be told by the very best... All of you. -Thank you!

  • @nateb9768
    @nateb97686 ай бұрын

    Just wrote an essay that mainly discussed the story of Jakob Walter who was a German conscript in Napoleon's grand army. Discussing what drove him to commit crimes while abroad at war. His memoir is great, I highly recommend it!

  • @ninab.4540

    @ninab.4540

    5 ай бұрын

    He was Prussian in his days

  • @agtom1329
    @agtom13297 ай бұрын

    Great video, very informative, well produced. Looking forward to next one!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    Very much appreciated!

  • @andrewdobson457
    @andrewdobson4577 ай бұрын

    Love it. Looking forward to the next installment!

  • @The_Big_G_765
    @The_Big_G_7657 ай бұрын

    I love these types of videos about history, really excited to see what new videos will come out from this channel!

  • @thisguyaintfunny1881
    @thisguyaintfunny18817 ай бұрын

    Fantastic video. Love the concept, and i am really looking forward to more videos :)

  • @Doc_Tar
    @Doc_Tar7 ай бұрын

    Well done. I look forward to learning more while watching you being put through your paces.

  • @13JAMLAND
    @13JAMLAND7 ай бұрын

    Great documentary well done and thank you! Subscribed! 👍🏻 Be good to see the life and training in the other armies of the time too.

  • @notnotagoodguy9600
    @notnotagoodguy96005 ай бұрын

    You guy's NEED to keep it up, this was amazing

  • @burd_history
    @burd_history7 ай бұрын

    Brilliant first video. Channel will blow up in no time with this level of production.

  • @stephane.namaskar
    @stephane.namaskar6 ай бұрын

    Congratulations for this detailed, insightful and refreshing documentary. Really well done. Ps: now that we know more about the Cuirassiers, we hope to learn more about the Polish lancers soon. Thank you again🙏

  • @TjugoTusen
    @TjugoTusen7 ай бұрын

    Aye Man, you did a pretty good job, pretty hard to find good quality content nowadays

  • @leonidk2533
    @leonidk25332 ай бұрын

    Top quality of the video,thanks guys!

  • @HarbindBrar
    @HarbindBrar6 ай бұрын

    Loved it. Can't wait for the next episode!

  • @Parabellum-oe3sw
    @Parabellum-oe3sw7 ай бұрын

    Very interesting to watch! Can’t wait to see more!

  • @Chris-um3se
    @Chris-um3se6 ай бұрын

    Wonderful!! Lively narration. Good script. Looks authentic. Glad to see you documenting Le Grande Armee

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    Many thanks!

  • @Tamper_
    @Tamper_7 ай бұрын

    Great video, I can’t wait to see when this channel picks up and you have your own television show

  • @MikkoHiiri
    @MikkoHiiri5 ай бұрын

    Highly entertaining and educational video, thank you to all involved in the production!

  • @Mermare
    @Mermare6 ай бұрын

    Love it. So few people know how difficult life was even for the WWII generation, which wasn't that long ago. I'm sure I wouldn't have survived childhood before the 70's because of modern antiobiotics snd medical care (frequent bronchitis and eardrum infections). I wish more people appreciated how nice we have it in the U.S. and other advanced countries. Don't forget there are many poor people in the world that still die from treatable diseases due to lack of access to health care.

  • @ninab.4540

    @ninab.4540

    5 ай бұрын

    Did these people not have grand parents or great ones?

  • @sunnyztmoney

    @sunnyztmoney

    4 ай бұрын

    You would probably have been more healthy overall. Back then food was more nutritious and not full of pesticides. Also your immune system wouldnt be all fucked up from vaccines

  • @annasolovyeva1013

    @annasolovyeva1013

    4 ай бұрын

    ​@@sunnyztmoney back then 40% children died before reaching 5 y.o. Food chemicals were unregulated, so merchants added chalk to bread and poisonous dyes to everywhere

  • @jjcoola998

    @jjcoola998

    3 ай бұрын

    Shit I can't afford the doctor here in USA but luckily we have the magic concept of debt

  • @enriqueslekis3562
    @enriqueslekis35627 ай бұрын

    Great content! Congrats from Uruguay. The quality of the video is Fantastic. This has nothing to envy to a documentary from a TV channel. Keep the good work!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much!

  • @Gearsreview
    @Gearsreview5 ай бұрын

    Love it, hope we get more such videos soon. Thank you

  • @ClickClack_Bam
    @ClickClack_Bam6 ай бұрын

    Incredible video. Packed full of info & presented in a way that held my full attention up until the end. Presented in a way that really made me think about being plucked from my house & present times, & dropped into Napoleon's army & given a slap on the ass forward onto the battlefield & the horrors of war.

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    thanks so much!

  • @jacksavere6988
    @jacksavere69886 ай бұрын

    Extremely well produced for your first upload! Did you come from another studio?? Only a couple minutes in and I’m loving it, very professional work👌🏻

  • @djohnson2536
    @djohnson25367 ай бұрын

    Probably depends whether you were conscripted before or after the russia campaign, also whether you were fighting in spain or elsewhere

  • @spedkaone
    @spedkaone7 ай бұрын

    Amazing production. This channel will grow quickly.

  • @user-bt6og4km1y
    @user-bt6og4km1y7 ай бұрын

    A very nice video and concept. You explained all with detail. Eagerly waiting for next such video.

  • @lyndad1039
    @lyndad10397 ай бұрын

    Really interesting and well presented.

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @mario_1683
    @mario_16837 ай бұрын

    So cool! It really shows, that you put much effort in your videos!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much!

  • @ihsanyuce953
    @ihsanyuce9533 ай бұрын

    loving this channel; it definitely will go places

  • @georgemcintyre112
    @georgemcintyre1127 ай бұрын

    This was great! Looking forward to the next one

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    Cheers George!

  • @matthiasthulman4058
    @matthiasthulman40587 ай бұрын

    Could you survive as a Roman Legionnaire? Surely that's in the lineup This is a great video, keep it up guys

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    👀👀👀

  • @coltoncyr2283

    @coltoncyr2283

    7 ай бұрын

    Just dont face off against Hannibal, and perhaps you can!! LOL

  • @matthiasthulman4058

    @matthiasthulman4058

    6 ай бұрын

    @@coltoncyr2283 lol true

  • @ninab.4540

    @ninab.4540

    5 ай бұрын

    ​@@coltoncyr2283Hannibal lost. As someone with Phoenican/Roman descent by country alone, screw him and his poisonious dad.

  • @coltoncyr2283

    @coltoncyr2283

    5 ай бұрын

    @@ninab.4540 Hannibal lost because of political betrayal. He was on Romes doorsteps. And then Romans proceeded to wipe them out even after a treaty. When it comes to being on the battlefield, he won, and if you're still this butt hurt, woof go buy 50 boxes of tissues for all the years or tears.

  • @user-li4sz3jz1b
    @user-li4sz3jz1b6 ай бұрын

    This is brilliant as usual well done guys 😀😀😀

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much 😁

  • @eleithias
    @eleithias3 ай бұрын

    Looks like a great exciting new series! I remember when History channel and Discovery used to actually make good content like this, glad you guys picked up the mantle, history knowledge is sorely needed today! Vive la France! Vive la grande armée!

  • @TheSpritz0
    @TheSpritz06 ай бұрын

    AWESOME presentation in detail, LOVED it- big "THUMBS UP"!!! PLEASE do one on Wellington's Army, and Blucher's Prussians, the Austrians, and the Russians of Czar Alexander!!!💯

  • @paulbennett4415
    @paulbennett44157 ай бұрын

    The foot soldier in the brown uniform with red facings and white piping is in the Service de Santé - a specially formed medical unit in the French army during the Napoleonic Wars.

  • @t.wcharles2171
    @t.wcharles21717 ай бұрын

    Looks brilliant can't wait for what you do next.

  • @gefreitercluey6569
    @gefreitercluey65697 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the amazing and informative video! I liked and subscribed immediately! I can’t wait to see more from this channel! 👍👍

  • @mattwainwright9198
    @mattwainwright91986 ай бұрын

    Fantastic video, really well made! I know I'm going to love this channel. I've subscribed and am waiting on the edge of my seat for any future content! 👍

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    Awesome, thank you!

  • @samyb7292
    @samyb72926 ай бұрын

    You brits aren't that bad after all, we might even forgive you for trafalgar someday. Seriously those guys are awesome, great video et vive l'empereur

  • @sn4k321
    @sn4k3216 ай бұрын

    Amazing work! Congratulations, looking forward for the next

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks a lot!

  • @jacobmelnik2566
    @jacobmelnik25665 ай бұрын

    Cant wait to see more videos like this!

  • @Maj_Problem
    @Maj_Problem7 ай бұрын

    I love these videos, really gives me old history channel vibes

  • @XXBASSOON1STXX

    @XXBASSOON1STXX

    Ай бұрын

    What a tragedy the History Channel has become.

  • @CRuf-qw4yv
    @CRuf-qw4yv5 ай бұрын

    Its great to see History Re-enactors in other countries. I am glad there appears to be no restrictions on the ownership of replica muzzle-loaders as well.

  • @seanbissett-powell5916

    @seanbissett-powell5916

    4 ай бұрын

    Here in the UK (where the 21eme are mostly based) there are restrictions in the sense that there are plenty of administrative hoops to jump through. A musket is counted as a shotgun, so you need a shotgun certificate, for which you have to prove you've got a good reason to have it (the membership card of a recognised re-enactment society will do), that you've got adequate security for any muskets you own (gun cabinet and appropriate alarms, which usually means you have to be a house owner or have an incredibly co-operative landlord), and that you don't have a criminal record or any mental health issues (sensible !). You then also need an explosives certificate for the black powder you use. There are two types. Acquire only means you are issued powder at an event and hand any left back at the end. They are relatively easy to get with the shotgun certificate. The alternative is acquire & keep. Aquire and keep licenses are incredibly hard to get in most areas, requiring appropriate storage, even better alarms, permission of various other authorities (it seems to vary by area, but can include local Trading Standards, Health & Safety, Fire Brigade etc). Plus you need a separate document to be able to trqansport the powder to events. Most re-enactment societies rely on the few people who can get them to get and issue the powder to rank and file members.

  • @bomric1788
    @bomric17886 ай бұрын

    Thanks for spending so much time on the "little things" like the clothes and general logistics. Those subjects are so interesting but criminally underrepresented.

  • @bloodrave9578
    @bloodrave95786 ай бұрын

    Excellent presentation and extremely well researched, explosive shot being the first airburst round foreshadows how deadly artillery will become by WW1 in regards to the carnage of artillery airbursts

  • @MrOliverk2
    @MrOliverk26 ай бұрын

    Excellent content. This takes me back to my childhood watching documentaries on the History channel.

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @johnlane8053
    @johnlane80536 ай бұрын

    Very enjoyable approach to learning more about this era. Keep up the great work! I look forward to viewing more of your videos

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    Awesome, thank you!

  • @puddlesailor2871
    @puddlesailor28717 ай бұрын

    This is amazing content that earned my subscription with the very first video! I can't wait to see your channel grow. Well done guys!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much!

  • @scjoow1059
    @scjoow10597 ай бұрын

    One of the best new channels! And its only the first video but it do already have 1k subscribers! Hope this channels grows big in the future 🗿

  • @ddc2957
    @ddc29577 ай бұрын

    There is not much need to exercise when you’re carrying 10-12kgs of equipment & marching 30kms several days a week. It may only be walking, but that’s still quite a bit of energy expended. That & you aren’t exactly overeating on campaign would certainly keep a man at least lean, if not in great shape.

  • @AL-kb3cb
    @AL-kb3cb7 ай бұрын

    "Any hussar who isn't dead by the age of thirty is a good-for-nothing". Antoine Lasalle

  • @Abensberg

    @Abensberg

    7 ай бұрын

    well, you wouldnt get much older back then even when you are not fighting. so who cares if you die in battle or survive. :D

  • @vinz4066

    @vinz4066

    6 ай бұрын

    ​@@Abensberg Thats Just Not true.

  • @Abensberg

    @Abensberg

    6 ай бұрын

    @@vinz4066 you got different numbers? people in the 19th century had in average 35.6 years for men and 38.4 years for women. of course some people grow older but it was not common like today.

  • @counterfeit1148

    @counterfeit1148

    5 ай бұрын

    @@Abensberg If you made it past 5 years old then you'd make it much further than 35

  • @webuyhouse8917

    @webuyhouse8917

    5 ай бұрын

    @@Abensbergdo u not understand what average mean a lot of people died as babies but if u survived past 10 u could live till around late 60s mid 70s

  • @IvanPopov-gq1sp
    @IvanPopov-gq1sp2 ай бұрын

    Love your videos, keep em up guys!

  • @Alexus1138
    @Alexus11387 ай бұрын

    Reminds me of the good old days of BBC history documentaries 2000-2008 or so!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    thanks Alexus!

  • @Alexus1138

    @Alexus1138

    6 ай бұрын

    @survivehistory keep creating =)

  • @ducomaritiem7160
    @ducomaritiem71607 ай бұрын

    Thanks, love this content. I'm a former curasier reenactor. (14th Dutch in French service)

  • @vincentlefebvre9255

    @vincentlefebvre9255

    6 ай бұрын

    I believe they wore a white shirt.

  • @generalbanastretarleton6578
    @generalbanastretarleton65787 ай бұрын

    Great video very informative. Nice to see the French side of things. Well done all in making this.

  • @kalixkatt
    @kalixkatt3 ай бұрын

    Great reenactment, the ”battle” in the end gave one a insight in how it would have looked back then.

  • @ralphgeigner5497
    @ralphgeigner54976 ай бұрын

    Very Interesting ! Excellent video ! Being in a CSA unit ( 42st VA) being an infantry soldier back in the Napoleonic wars to the Civil War period. Weapons improved, but much of the battle formations were the same, at the early part of the CW, what hardships the Napoleon era soldier had to deal with. I have 2 Parker Hales and a Lorenz musket from Loyalist Arms,

  • @johnmoreno9636

    @johnmoreno9636

    6 ай бұрын

    Some similarities, some differences. If you were in the early Army of Tenneessee, say in Shiloh, you probably were using flintlocks just like Napoleon's soldiers. But even flintlocks can hit at 100 yards. I think the biggest difference was in cavalry, generalship and artillery. 1st Empire artillery range was around 500 yards with roundshot. But the rifled cannons of the Civil War could go out to 1500 yards. The rifled muskets like the Enfield also ruined the charge of cavalry. By the Civil War no infantry formed square - they just lined up and started shooting at 200 yards at the mass of cavalry. Napoleon used cavalry to run down infantry after they were broken, thus achieving total victory and smashing opponents armies. In the Civil War, I have not heard of cavalry running down infantry formations. Generally, the only time entire Civil War armies were wiped out was in sieges like Fort Donaldson or Vickburg.

  • @johnmoreno9636

    @johnmoreno9636

    6 ай бұрын

    The other difference was generalship. All the Civil War generals studied Napoleon. None of them really emulated Napoleon though. Closest might have been Sherman/Grant when they decided to cut their supply lines and live off the land through Georgia like the Grand Armee. Gen. Lee tried to emulate the Grand Battery Napoleon frequently used to bash points in enemy lines, like at Borodino, at Picketts Charge, but used 200 guns versus Napoleon's 400 guns and mostly missed the target. Even General Lee repeatedly failed to DESTROY the Army of the Potomac, which always came back after every defeat. In fact, no Civil War general completely crushed armies except in sieges - which is why the US Civil War eventually became a war of attrition under Grant.

  • @ralphgeigner5497

    @ralphgeigner5497

    6 ай бұрын

    Hello, Thank you for the Info @@johnmoreno9636

  • @johnmoreno9636

    @johnmoreno9636

    6 ай бұрын

    Similarities are our linear tactics. Napoleon used 3 rank lines while the Civil War uses the British 2 rank system. Civil War armies were quick to use skirmish tactics, but that is nothing new to French Voltiguers or British Light Infantry like the 95th Rifles. I imagine camp life was very similar. But from what studies I have seen, the casualty rate for Civil War battles versus Napoleonic battles is pretty similar. Certainly, the percussion cap technology of Civil War rifles is waaaay more reliable than flintlocks. Medicine was probably pretty close, although Civil War armies had more access to cloroform than the 1810s.

  • @niono1587

    @niono1587

    2 ай бұрын

    @@johnmoreno9636 The reason you hear of no cavalry chasing infantry is because the US only had dragoons/mounted infantry regiments and for the few volunteer lancer regiments they hadn't the knowledge to apply them properly. The US never taught it's army to form square unlike everywhere else. I recall a quote, can't remember where from, of a British officer viewing US volunteers performing manoeuvres. He asked to see them form square and the American officer responded "we have no use for that here" To be clear, the ACW was not the standard for how 19th century wars were fought, look at the Europeans for that.

  • @william_the_conqueror_fan1564
    @william_the_conqueror_fan15647 ай бұрын

    I was in this!! I’m one of the reenactors!!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks a lot for helping make the episode!

  • @eat_pantsu7637
    @eat_pantsu76376 ай бұрын

    Thats a really good and informational video about how the french soldier would have fought and lived in the napoleonic war, really well produced too while also giving the spotlight to the reanactors!

  • @cavscout7113
    @cavscout71136 ай бұрын

    Great vid, thank you and keep up the good work.

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @rohanpreis6883
    @rohanpreis68836 ай бұрын

    Why would I need to survive as a solider when I’m already literally Napoleon?

  • @F_Bardamu
    @F_Bardamu6 ай бұрын

    I was apalled to learn in Caulaincourt's account that while the Grande Armée fought for their lives trying to retreat from Russia through indescribable sufferings, Napoleon was anonimously making his way back to Paris and thinking about the next draft and his next moves on the international scene, blaming everyone but himself for the Russian tragedy.

  • @ivvan497

    @ivvan497

    6 ай бұрын

    Hitler moment

  • @ninab.4540

    @ninab.4540

    5 ай бұрын

    Imagine if he put his efforts to conquer Russia to conquer England. Him and Hitler made the same mistake.

  • @thracese9877
    @thracese98777 ай бұрын

    It's a shame you don't have that much views, this video is excellent.

  • @renlangley20
    @renlangley205 ай бұрын

    Thank you for made this video, so that can let me more understand history!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    5 ай бұрын

    Our pleasure!

  • @AhoInger
    @AhoInger7 ай бұрын

    they need to do "could you survive as a soldier of prussia" 💀

  • @ddc2957

    @ddc2957

    7 ай бұрын

    Nobody survives under Blücher 😂 Including Russian soldiers at Leipzig he wasn’t even in legal command of 😂

  • @BlackPowderEnjoyer
    @BlackPowderEnjoyer6 ай бұрын

    Yo to anyone that is reading this these guys are the vingt-et-un ieme (spelt that horribly wrong but the name is around that in french) The reason i know this is that me and my dad are giant history nerds and we do reenacting(American Civil War and American Revolution)and my dad is an immigrant from England and he also did Reanacting there to, Mostly Napoleonic. This unit that he joined in the video was the one that my Father was a part of.

  • @abbieoconnell3595

    @abbieoconnell3595

    5 ай бұрын

    I'm also a 21e member, what's your dad's name/surname (if you don't mind sharing that) please? It'd be good to know if we ever crossed paths!

  • @BlackPowderEnjoyer

    @BlackPowderEnjoyer

    5 ай бұрын

    @@abbieoconnell3595 I doubt that you guys would because he has not been with the 21e in over 20 years But his First names Andy.

  • @abbieoconnell3595

    @abbieoconnell3595

    5 ай бұрын

    @@BlackPowderEnjoyer my Dad joined the 21eme in 1989 - I will ask him based on the info here :)

  • @christhorpejunction8982

    @christhorpejunction8982

    4 ай бұрын

    @@BlackPowderEnjoyerI knew your Dad! He’d have known my Dad too, Trevor Thorpe, my father was basically everyone in the 21emes uncle! Your Dad got to do a few Waterloo’s, loads of events in the UK and several other overseas trips, like to Malmaison. Pass on my regards to him!

  • @nobody_is_perfect418
    @nobody_is_perfect4186 ай бұрын

    Good job guys keep up the quality of the work its important to educate accurate history

  • @maunz5791
    @maunz57916 ай бұрын

    History, reenactment, liked, subscribed! That was a very entertaining video and a nice and very professional looking group of reenactors! I'm absolutely here for more :D

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    6 ай бұрын

    Awesome, thank you!

  • @yourfriendlycapybara
    @yourfriendlycapybara17 күн бұрын

    guts and blackpowder🔥

  • @Treasurehandler

    @Treasurehandler

    16 күн бұрын

    Nah, blood and iron

  • @Ron_the_original

    @Ron_the_original

    13 күн бұрын

    Nah it real and life

  • @yourfriendlycapybara

    @yourfriendlycapybara

    13 күн бұрын

    @@Ron_the_original what

  • @Ron_the_original

    @Ron_the_original

    11 күн бұрын

    Dude it real life and shit....

  • @yourfriendlycapybara

    @yourfriendlycapybara

    11 күн бұрын

    @@Ron_the_original ik its rl but i was talkin abt a roblox game

  • @Bullet-Tooth-Tony-
    @Bullet-Tooth-Tony-7 ай бұрын

    Depends on which battle, Borodino, Leipzig, Waterloo, the odds of being killed or wounded were very high.

  • @coltoncyr2283

    @coltoncyr2283

    7 ай бұрын

    or march into Russia

  • @cozykoala9335
    @cozykoala93356 ай бұрын

    Great video, we need moooore!

  • @TheGodTell
    @TheGodTell7 ай бұрын

    For a new channle, the production quality is insane. Instant sub!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    really appreciate it thanks!

  • @chrisivan_yt

    @chrisivan_yt

    7 ай бұрын

    @@survivehistory Dude fr amazing video this was super informative and well done! Love learning about this era. Thank you.

  • @charlesthebxld
    @charlesthebxld6 ай бұрын

    Short Answer: Yes

  • @migangelmart

    @migangelmart

    6 ай бұрын

    I had to crouch but I see what you did there. 😅

  • @mnk9073
    @mnk90737 ай бұрын

    Ah, it's perfectly fine. One of my ancestors only lost half a leg at Saalfeld but in return he got to see a Prussian Prince die and got a pension that set him up with a farm and 200 acres of land.

  • @TheManNamedHans
    @TheManNamedHans7 ай бұрын

    Bravo! Very underrated channel.

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    7 ай бұрын

    Much appreciated!

  • @hendriktrappeniers2916
    @hendriktrappeniers29164 ай бұрын

    about conscripts : it was not only French mem but also all men of the invaded countries, like Belgium that was annexed into France. Napoleon once said that most of his soldiers that died were not even French

  • @seranonable
    @seranonable7 ай бұрын

    The guy in the third rank may not to get to shoot (yet), but at least while he's on reloading duty he's got two ranks of guys between him and the incoming volleys... which is good because reloading is probably a lot more stressful when you're exposed and you've got musket balls whipping past your ears

  • @carrott36

    @carrott36

    6 ай бұрын

    If a musket ball hit the ground, it was quite likely to be able to hit people behind the first rank.

  • @Rickyrockredcorn209
    @Rickyrockredcorn2095 ай бұрын

    Napoleon is thought to be one of my ancestors, my family said he had bastard children, later my family got stuck in Mexico during the French Mexican wars,

  • @bossaudio12
    @bossaudio123 ай бұрын

    Only 2 vids uploaded and both are excellent, definitely subscribing. Cant wait for the next video

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks, not long to wait!

  • @meadow2767
    @meadow27675 ай бұрын

    How is this your guys' only video!! this is so amazingly made, hoping to see some more content someday!!

  • @survivehistory

    @survivehistory

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much! Next video coming in December!

  • @christhorpejunction8982
    @christhorpejunction89826 ай бұрын

    You know the Napoleonic Wars had a massive impact on the French nation as in the 1860s uniforms were sent for a Union regiment from France only to find that most were far too small, turned out that the average Frenchman was shorter and slighter than the average American.

  • @ninab.4540

    @ninab.4540

    5 ай бұрын

    Probably why the propaganda of Napoleon being short worked to this day.