138/2 French Line Infantry Head of Column, 1st Empire

Attached to the ‘head of column’ of each Line Infantry Regiment were the fifes and drums, who set the pace of the regiment when in the field. These musicians are in the regimental uniform of the 8th Line Infantry and complement Set. No. 138/1

The main feature of a French Line Infantry regiment’s ‘head of column’ was eagle bearer and his escort of two men each armed with a halberd with pennon.  This set depicts the eagle with the regulation 1815 pattern standard of the 8th Line Infantry Regiment attached.

In the ‘line of battle’ the eagle bearer and escort would be placed in the middle of the regiment both as a guide or as a rallying point, and to keep it safe from capture.