Waterloo Nassau Infantry

Dated: September 25, 2006, updated Jan 18, 2007.

The Duchy of Nassau was one of the many German states transformed by the Napoleonic Wars. Created in 1806 from the territories of Nassau-Usingen and Nassau-Weilburg, it joined Napoleon's Confederation of the Rhine and supplied troops for his armies. Nassau infantry served for several years in the Peninsular War, fighting in Spain as part of the French-led forces before the duchy changed sides following Napoleon's defeat in Germany in 1813.

Box art

Nassau's infantry was organized largely along French lines. A battalion contained four centre or fusilier companies, one grenadier company and one light company, variously described as voltigeurs, flanqueurs or chasseurs. This set follows that organization by providing figures for all three parts of the battalion rather than portraying only one type of infantry.

The Nassau uniform was particularly distinctive. The men wore dark green coats with contrasting facings and yellow leather equipment. French influence could be seen in their company distinctions, shoulder decorations, short infantry sabres and organization. The uniform changed several times during the wars, but older clothing and equipment remained in service alongside newer issues, especially during the hurried preparations for the campaign of 1815.

Line drawing

Nassau troops first fought for Napoleon in Spain. The 2nd Regiment entered the Peninsula in 1808 and took part in regular battles, sieges, garrison duties and numerous actions against Spanish guerrillas. A second Nassau regiment later joined the war in Catalonia. In 1813, as Napoleon's position deteriorated, the Nassau government joined the coalition, ending several years of service in the French camp.

By 1815, Nassau troops formed an important part of the army of the new Kingdom of the United Netherlands. Three battalions of the 2nd Nassau Regiment were already stationed near the French frontier when Napoleon began his final campaign. Acting without waiting for distant orders, they concentrated at the strategically vital crossroads of Quatre Bras and helped prevent the French from occupying it on 15 June.

Test shot

During the Battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June, Nassau infantry fought throughout the day, particularly in and around the Bois de Bossu. Companies were deployed as skirmishers, battalions defended the woodland and crossroads, and the men repeatedly faced French infantry, artillery and cavalry attacks. Their early resistance gave the rest of Wellington's army time to arrive and establish a stronger position.

Two days later, Nassau battalions fought again at Waterloo. They served in several parts of Wellington's line, including the defence of Hougoumont and the positions around the Allied centre and left. Their presence reflected the complicated alliances of the period: many of the same soldiers who had once fought for Napoleon in Spain now helped defeat him in Belgium.

This set contains 96 figures in 16 poses and provides fusiliers, light infantry and grenadiers. The poses include men marching, advancing, firing and loading, together with officers and musicians. The fusiliers wear covered shakos and the later shoulder straps associated with the Waterloo period, while the light infantry have fringed epaulettes. Two additional grenadier poses wear the distinctive fur colpack and can supplement the Nassau grenadiers included in our earlier Waterloo Lutzow Freikorps and Nassau Grenadiers set.

The small differences between the company types also give the modeller considerable flexibility. The light infantry figures can represent earlier fusiliers with fringed epaulettes, while changes in paint and minor equipment details allow the figures to portray Nassau troops during their service in Spain or in the Allied campaigns of 1813-1815. Combined with our Nassau grenadiers, the set can be used to assemble complete battalions for the Peninsular War, Quatre Bras and Waterloo.

8097 Lutzow Freikorps and Nassau Grenadiers