Tirailleurs Corses -
Corsican Rifle unit
History and painting template
The Tirailleurs Corses, or Corsican Tirailleurs (Rifles)
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a unique light infantry battalion in Napoleon’s army, raised in 1808 and composed primarily of Corsican soldiers. They were part of France’s broader use of regional and foreign troops during the Napoleonic Wars, often deployed in skirmishing and light infantry roles.
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Organization
The unit was structured as a single battalion with six field companies:
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1 Carabinier company (elite troops)
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1 Voltigeur company (light skirmishers)
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4 Chasseur companies (standard light infantry) There was also a 7th depot company based in Corsica. By the time of its disbandment in 1811, the battalion had 18 officers and 679 enlisted men.
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Uniforms
Their uniforms were distinctive:
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Brown or blue coats with green facings (sources vary on the exact color)
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Chasseurs wore green epaulets with yellow tops
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Voltigeurs had yellow epaulets
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Carabiniers likely wore red epaulets and bearskin caps
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Officers sported silver epaulets
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Their cartridge boxes were worn on the front waist belt, unlike the standard side placement
