Kingdom of Westphalia was formed after the signing the Treaties of Tilsit. It was proclaimed with the decree of November 15, 1805. The youngest brother of Napoleon— Jerome Napoleon became the King.
The new state was conceived as a standard in all its forms, both military and governmental forms. It was supposed to be a model for other German states.
The Emperor insisted on holding liberal and radical reforms in the young state. However, the young King Jerome had not shown himself as a capable monarch, so all taken actions did not give the desired result.
The army of a new state began to form from scratch. It didn’t have longstanding traditions, army officers was a mixture of the different armies of the German states, mostly Hessen - Kassel, Prussia and Hanover. However, most of the Hanoverian officers fled to the UK.
The young king was more concerned about the appearance of troops than about the need to prepare for future battles.
It was hard for small state to form and contain heavy cavalry regiments, in particular two cuirassier regiment. But they contributed to the capture of famous Kurgan height in the Battle of Borodino.
Undoubtedly regiments of the second cuirassiers regiment were the most brilliant and costly regiments of the Kingdom of Westphalia.
In addition to the cavalry, infantry and guard, artillery was created. Structure and uniform of the artillery companies and battalions had been created in the image and likeness of French.
The uniform of the French army horse artillery had served as an example for creating the uniform of gunners of guards.
By 1809 the 1st brigade of guards’ horse artillery was created. It included 4 six pound cannons and 2 howitzers. By 1812 the number of guns and personnel has not changed. Company, being in full composition, took part in a Russian Campaign.
The Company was a part of the 24th infantry division of General Baron Adam L. von Ochs of the divisional artillery.
Besides in 1809, the 1st battalion of walking artillery which consisted of 3 companies was created. There were 4 six pound cannons and 2 howitzers in each company. The uniform also was alike to the uniform of the French army regiments.
Battalion of walking artillery took part in the war of 1812 in a larger composition. Instead of 3 companies in the regiment their number became 5. Also number of guns became 4 six pound cannons and 2 howitzers in each company.
The 1st company of walking artillery was in the 23rd infantry division of General Baron Jean Victor Torre Dell and with their 6 guns composed the artillery of division.
The 2nd company of walking artillery was in the 24th infantry division of General Baron Adam L. von Ochs and included with their 6 guns in the artillery of division.
The 3rd and the 4th companies of the walking artillery were in the cavalry of the Eighth army corps of Brigadier General Pierre and with their 12 guns composed the artillery of corps.
By 1812, one company of horse artillery was also created. There were 4 six pound cannons and 2 howitzers in its composition. The uniform of company of horse artillery differed by red "Hungarian" nodes and white belts.
The company of horse artillery was in the 24th infantry division of General Baron Adam L. von Ochs and included with their 6 guns in the artillery of division.
Together with his corps artillery took part in the battles: Velutina Mountain on August 19, 1812, the battle of Borodino on 7 September 1812 and in the battle on the Berezina on 26-28 of November 1812.The main losses fell on the road of retreat of the whole army. After crossing the Berezina buttons and other objects pointing to the army of the Kingdom of Westphalia almost don’t occurs.
Size: 17 mm
Rarity: R 5
Small artillery officer toggle the Kingdom of Westphalia.
Button is made by combining the pads with a picture on a brass base.
Pad is made by die followed by gilding. On an overlay depicts two
crossed cannons under the crown. Around the circumference of applied
decorative rim. Eyelet in the form of loops soldered. This button is
made of 14 millimeters and is likely sewn to the vest officer.
Button found in the Smolensk region.
Metal: brass, gold-plated overlay.
Size: 14 mm
Rarity: R 5
Large button artillery Kingdom of Westphalia.
Button made by casting into a mold. Figure applied by stamping. The
front side features two crossed cannons under the crown. Around the
circumference of applied decorative rim. Eyelet in the form of loops
soldered.
Buttons gunners not often found on the road the Grand Army of the
movement. Finds these buttons were in the Smolensk region, Borisov and
Oshmyan. Buttons small diameter across rare, so the rarity scale from 0
to 5, in my opinion it is quite possible to put R 3.
Button made by casting into a mold. Figure applied by stamping. The
front side features two crossed cannons under the crown. Around the
circumference of applied decorative rim. Eyelet in the form of loops
soldered.
Buttons gunners not often found on the road the Grand Army of the
movement. Finds these buttons were in the Smolensk region, Borisov and
Oshmyan. Buttons small diameter across rare, so the rarity scale from 0
to 5, in my opinion it is quite possible to put R 3.
Button made by casting into a mold. Figure applied by stamping. The
front side features two crossed cannons under the crown. Around the
circumference of applied decorative rim. Eyelet in the form of loops
soldered.
Buttons gunners not often found on the road the Grand Army of the
movement. Finds these buttons were in the Smolensk region, Borisov and
Oshmyan. Buttons larger diameter across very rare, so the rarity scale
from 0 to 5, in my opinion it is quite possible to put R 4.
Buttons are made by casting into a mold. Figure applied by stamping. The front side features two crossed cannons under the crown. Around the circumference of applied decorative rim. Eyelet in the form of loops soldered.
Buttons gunners not often found on the road the Grand Army of the movement. Finds these buttons were in the Smolensk region, Borisov and Oshmyan. Buttons small diameter are rarely, so the rarity scale from 0 to 5, in my opinion it is quite possible to put R 3. With regard to larger buttons, they found grazdo less. On a scale of rarity can put R 4.
