May 18, 1808 Emperor Napoleon signed a decree on the establishment of the Portuguese Legion. It was supposed to include six infantry regiments, two regiments of cavalry and an artillery battery. But to 1809 they could only form 5 infantry regiments. Due to the different circumstances in 1811 the legion was reduced to three regiments of the infantry and one cavalry chasseurs’ regiment.
The Regiment of mounted rangers of the Portuguese Legion was organized in 1808.
The 1st and the 2nd squads were under the command of Major-General Alorna. The regiment was assigned to the 6th Infantry Division of Legrand of the Second Army Corps of Marshal Oudinot. August 5, 1812 the regiment was put under the Division of Claparede. Personnel of the regiment were heading to Russia as a part of the propulsion units that were heading to Mogilev. Regimental commander General Alorn was appointed as Commandant of the city.
In propulsion units that were heading to Russia were:
- The 2nd marching squadron of cavalry - 16 officers and 113 enlisted men.
- The 6th marching Cavalry Regiment - 9 lower ranks.
- The 5th marching squadron of cavalry, which was released from Berlin July 16, 1812 - 2 lower ranks.
- Marching detachment of cavalry that came out of Berlin at the end of July 1812 - 7 officers and 218 enlisted men.
- Marching detachment of cavalry, which was released from Berlin July 16, 1812 - 3 officers and 92 lower ranks.
The regiment participated in battles in Beja, Eber, Wagram, Craon. In 1812 the battles were in Krasny, Berezina, Smorgon, Vilna and Kovno.
It was disbanded in 1813.
The buttons of Portuguese cavalry regiment of rangers.
Under the rules of Regiment the colors of buttons was designated as white. Diameter can’t be determined, but comparing the sizes of found buttons it can be assumed as 18 - 19 mm. Buttons of a smaller diameter were sewn on the sleeves, approximately 13 - 15 mm.
Basically the buttons for soldier uniforms were made of white metal as doped tin lead. It is much less likely to find the brass buttons with silver plating.
The buttons of the regiment of mounted rangers were hemispherical shape. All buttons were produced by a casting in the metal molds. They could be solid with small eye and convex with a large eye in the form of a loop. There were no inscriptions and numbers of the regiment on the front side of a button. It was smooth.
Metall Tin Alloy
Size 18-19 mm
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