Horses in the Napoleonic Wars Horses in the Napoleonic Wars Horses were widely used during the Napoleonic Wars for combat, patrol and reconnaissance, and for logistical support. Vast numbers were used throughout the wars. During the War of the Sixth Coalition, depletion of the French cavalry arm through attrition (mainly suffered during the Russian Campaign) and loss of horse-producing allies to provide remounts contributed significantly to the gradual French defeat and downfall of the French Empire. During the Waterloo Campaign, the "Armee du Nord" had 47,000 horses: 25,000 cavalry, 12,000 for artillery, 10,000 for infantry and supply columns. Although in larger forces the cavalry might
Battle of the Îles Saint-Marcouf French control; throughout the Napoleonic Wars of 1803–1815 they remained French, protected by a significant garrison. Battle of the Îles Saint-Marcouf The Battle of the Îles Saint-Marcouf was an engagement fought off the Îles Saint-Marcouf near the Cotentin peninsula on the Normandy coast of France in May 1798 during the French Revolutionary Wars. In 1795 a British garrison was placed on the islands, which operated as a resupply base for Royal Navy ships cruising off the coast of Northern France. Seeking to eliminate the British presence on the islands and simultaneously test the equipment and tactics then being developed in