Freiwilliges Feldjäger-Korps von Schmidt
Encyclopedia
Freiwilliges Feldjäger-Korps von Schmidt (Volunteer Riflemen Corps von Schmidt) was a group of Prussian volunteer infantrymen that formed in late 1813 when the Grand Duchy of Baden
joined the cause of the Allies after the Battle of Leipzig
. Most of the men were students of the university of Heidelberg
. It was founded on the initiative of a former Prussian officer, August v. Göckel, who until 1807 had been a Sekonde-Lieutenant in the Prussian Feldjäger-Regiment (Rifle Regiment). In mid November 1813, v. Göckel, who had been severely injured by falling off his horse, had to resign, and handed the command over to Frohwalt von Schmidt, a student from the Lower Rhine, who henceforth was to lend his name to the corps.
In contrast to the Baden Freiwilliges Jägerkorps zu Pferd (Horse Volunteer Corps), the Schmidtschen Feldjäger (Schmidt's riflemen), as they were also called, did not receive official recognition by the Grand Duke of Baden
. Thus these volunteers who equipped and armed themselves, had to provide for their own supplies as well, which caused them to be accused at times as plunderes without discipline. However, their proven value in combat and the diplomatic skills of von Schmidt always regained them the goodwill of their superiors.
The corps rose to a strength of 43 volunteers, and on 17 December 1813 attached itself to the volunteer detachment of the Fusilier
battalion of the Prussian 1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß
(1st Foot Guards), in whose ranks it took part in the 1814 winter campaign in France. Having been reduced to 22 men, due to losses in combat and through illness, it also saw action in the Battle of Paris
on 30 March 1814.
In mid May 1814, the corps was dissolved, and the volunteers returned home or to Heidelberg.
Grand Duchy of Baden
The Grand Duchy of Baden was a historical state in the southwest of Germany, on the east bank of the Rhine. It existed between 1806 and 1918.-History:...
joined the cause of the Allies after the Battle of Leipzig
Battle of Leipzig
The Battle of Leipzig or Battle of the Nations, on 16–19 October 1813, was fought by the coalition armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden against the French army of Napoleon. Napoleon's army also contained Polish and Italian troops as well as Germans from the Confederation of the Rhine...
. Most of the men were students of the university of Heidelberg
Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg
The Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg is a public research university located in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 1386, it is the oldest university in Germany and was the third university established in the Holy Roman Empire. Heidelberg has been a coeducational institution...
. It was founded on the initiative of a former Prussian officer, August v. Göckel, who until 1807 had been a Sekonde-Lieutenant in the Prussian Feldjäger-Regiment (Rifle Regiment). In mid November 1813, v. Göckel, who had been severely injured by falling off his horse, had to resign, and handed the command over to Frohwalt von Schmidt, a student from the Lower Rhine, who henceforth was to lend his name to the corps.
In contrast to the Baden Freiwilliges Jägerkorps zu Pferd (Horse Volunteer Corps), the Schmidtschen Feldjäger (Schmidt's riflemen), as they were also called, did not receive official recognition by the Grand Duke of Baden
Karl, Grand Duke of Baden
Charles, Grand Duke of Baden became ruler of Baden on June 11, 1811 and ruled until his death. He was born in Karlsruhe....
. Thus these volunteers who equipped and armed themselves, had to provide for their own supplies as well, which caused them to be accused at times as plunderes without discipline. However, their proven value in combat and the diplomatic skills of von Schmidt always regained them the goodwill of their superiors.
The corps rose to a strength of 43 volunteers, and on 17 December 1813 attached itself to the volunteer detachment of the Fusilier
Fusilier
Fusilier was originally the name of a soldier armed with a light flintlock musket called the fusil. The word was first used around 1680, and has later developed into a regimental designation.-History:...
battalion of the Prussian 1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß
1st Foot Guards (German Empire)
The 1st Foot Guards was an infantry regiment of the Royal Prussian Army formed in 1806. The regiment considered itself the most noble regiment of Christendom . The regiment was disbanded in 1919, with the Infantry Regiment 9 Potsdam of the new Reichsheer bearing its tradition...
(1st Foot Guards), in whose ranks it took part in the 1814 winter campaign in France. Having been reduced to 22 men, due to losses in combat and through illness, it also saw action in the Battle of Paris
Battle of Paris (1814)
The Battle of Paris was fought during the Napoleonic Wars in 1814. The French defeat led directly to the abdication of Napoleon I.-Background:...
on 30 March 1814.
In mid May 1814, the corps was dissolved, and the volunteers returned home or to Heidelberg.
Uniforms and Equipment
The volunteers had dark green double breasted coats with red collars and cuffs. Very showily were their pale blue trousers, decorated on the front with black knots in Hungarian style. Black leather boots. The belts were coated with black wax. The corps was equipped with privately purchased rifles of different calibers. In December 1813, the Baden cockade was replaced with the Prussian one.Sources
- Vereinigung der Freunde des Wehrgeschichtlichen Museums Rastatt: Unter dem Greifen. Rastatt 1984
- Carl von Reinhard: Geschichte des Königlich Preußischen Ersten Garde-Regiments zu Fuß. Potsdam 1858