1e Batallion 57e Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne 1809

 

     The fearless leader of the 1e Batallion 57e Ligne in 1809 was 34-year-old Chef de Battalion Jacques Brosset. Although, the least experience Chef de Battalion of his new regiment, Brosset was a seasoned veteran. Promoted to the rank of Chef de Batallion on 12 April 1807, he was a Captain of the hard fighting 14e Ligne. Our chef was well known for his bravery, as he was awarded the Legion d'honneur in 1804 and cited for his conduct at the head of the 14e Ligne Grenadiers during the crossing of the Wkra River in Poland on 24 December 1806. Leading his battalion during the early afternoon of the 19th, he was grievously wounded with a shot that went through his thigh but he refused to retire to have his wounds treated for over an hour. Brosset was unwilling to abandon his men until the enemy retreated from the field.  His gallantry and leadership of his battalion led to Brosset being award as an Officier de la Legion d'honneur on 23 April 1809. His wound would keep him out of the rest of the 1809 campaign, but his gallant leadership of the 1e Battalion contributed to the withdraw of the Austrian infantry on the Hausner Berg. His actions during the opening battle of the 1809 campaign must have impressed Marchel Davout considerably, as he was employed as his aide de camp on 4 June 1811.

Chef de Bataillon Brosset's nomination to Officer of the Legion d'honneur on April 23, 1809 for his actions at the Battle of Thann.

His citation on his service record reads as : At the Battle of Thann, April 19, 1809, he was hurt grievously with a shot through his thigh, he continued to command his battalion for another hour, he did not leave the battlefield without forcing the enemy to give up. ( The translator did not translate the last sentence correctly, so I could be wrong.)

    

     His younger brother Alexander Jacques Brosset was a Sergeant 1e Batallion /1e Company under the orders of the elder Brosset and would eventually serve along with him as an aide de camp to Marchel Davout in 1813. Looking at the quick rise of the younger Brosset, one could see that it helps to have a friendly face in high places. Alexander Jacques Brossert joined the 57e Ligne in 1808 and was quickly promoted caporal and then Sergeant on 1 April 1809 and Sergeant-Major on 26 August 1809. Less than three years later after joining the regiment as a volunteer, he was promoted to Sous-Lieutenant in the 128e Ligne on 25 May 1811. The 128e Ligne was one of the many regiments that made up the newly constructed 1e Corps under the orders of Marchel Davout, which our Chef de Battalion Jacques Brosset was part of the Marshals staff.

Etat nominatif from 1 March 1809 for the 57e Ligne 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Battalions of War
Unfortunately, I do not have in my possession the roster for the regiment in early April. The lack of information finding the officers who served during the battle just got a little harder, but still a fun challenge nonetheless!

    Lt. Adj. Maj. Gabriel Carrier shows up on the controles de troupes as well as the XB459 57. Ligne 1809 file from 1 March 1809 Etat nominatif, but he can not be found in Controles de Officiers in 2YB321 57.Linge 1808-1815. This is sadly not uncommon when searching multiple databases and reports from the period. However, has he was a long-serving NCO before being promoted to S.Lt in 1806, so I have placed him as the Adj. Maj. of the first battalion according to the 1 March 1809 Etat nominatif.

Painting of a 57e Ligne Capt. Adjutant Major and Sapeur from Commandant Bucquoy plates

Adj.Maj. Gabriel Carrie file from the controles de troupes. I have found his named spelled as Carrier and Carrie.

S.Lt. 1e Porte Aigle Jean Joseph Allios

2e Porte Aigle Jean Commes

3e Porte Aigle Andre Leobard

    S.Lt 1e Porte Aigle Jean-Joseph Allios, 2e Porte Aigle Jean Commes, and 3e Porte Aigle Andre Leobard were all volunteers of 1792. By the time of the battle in 1809, these three men could each claim almost 17 years of service! Both Commes and Leobard were promoted on 13 July 1808 from the 1st battalion fusilier companies. Oddly enough, for a battle as intense as the firefight between the 57e Ligne and the Austrians on the Hausner Berg, none were wounded. These veterans who protected the prized regimental flag, which was a sought after trophy for the enemy to get their hands on, somehow survived the campaign unscathed.

  Tué sur le champ d’honneur (killed on the field of honor)

 

    The countless dead and wounded of the thousands of battles and combats are unknown to many. Their life stories and last moments of life went to the grave with them. However, I find whenever I can track down one of the men killed at the Battle of Thann, I can shed light on the human cost of the battles. Putting a name and a description of these men is my way of honoring their sacrifice. Finding these men is a long, but well worth process to allow the reader to understand the human cost of war.

Conscript N.2969  26 year old Marie Jean Michel Mainfroy who was killed on 19 April 1809 at the Battle of Thann.

Sources:

2YB321 57.Ligne 1808.1815

XB459 57.Ligne 1809

Controles de Troupe GR 21 YC473 https://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr

Base Leonore http://www2.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/leonore_fr?ACTION=NOUVEAU&USRNAME=nobody&USRPWD=4%24%2534P