The army fielded by Napoleon III at the beginning of the war of 1870 is probably one of the most colourful ever put into battle, certainly rivalling for variety and colour the troops of Napoleon III’s most famous uncle fielded during the Napoleonic wars. The infantry regiments formed the backbone of the army with their kepis, splendid red trousers, equipped with the breech-loading Chassepot rifle, one of the most modern mass-produced firearms in the world at the time, and complete with buglers, drummers, standards and sappeurs. Our first release of the French infantry shows a regiment in march attack formation.
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