French Imperial Eagle - Captured Eagles

Captured Eagles

The first capture of an Eagle was most likely during the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805 when the Russian Cavalry of the Guard under the Grand Duke Constantin overran the French 4th Line Infantry Regiment, taking their flag. Although Napoleon won the battle, the Russians were able to retreat in good order and the Eagle was not recovered, much to the Emperor's regret.

In 1807 at Heilsberg the 55th Line was overthrown by Prussian cavalry and Russian infantry. An eagle was lost and several officers including a colonel were killed. The eagle was captured by NCO Anton Antonov of Pernov Musketeers. Prussian historians dispute this, claiming that the Prittwitz Hussars captured the Eagle. The names of Prussian soldiers who captured the Eagle are unknown and little evidence to back up this claim. German artist Knotel painted a picture showing this moment.

In 1807 near Eylau, the 18th Line lost its flag and Eagle to the Russian St.Petersburg Dragoons. In 1812 at Krasne, the 18th Line (The Brave) again lost its eagle and was “virtually destroyed” by the Russian Lifeguard Uhlans.

In 1808, at the Battle of Bailén, the French corps led by General Dupont surrendered after being defeated by a Spanish army led by Generals Castaños and Reding; this was the first surrender of an Imperial field army. As part of the capitulation terms, the French gave up their flags and banners, including three Eagles. These Eagles were kept in the Cathedral of Seville until they were recovered by the French in 1810 and sent back to Paris.

The first French Eagle to be captured by the British was taken by the 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot from the French 8e Ligne at the Battle of Barrosa on 5 March 1811. The first British soldier to touch the battle standard was a young officer, Ensign Edward Keogh, although as his hand grasped it, he was immediately shot through the heart and killed. He was followed by Sergeant Patrick Masterson who grabbed the eagle from the French ensign who carried it, reputedly with the cry "By Jaysus, boys, I have the Cuckoo!".

The 87th was highly honoured for their success, being granted the honour of carrying the eagle as a motif on their Regimental Colours and through being granted the royal title 87th (Prince of Wales' Own) Irish Regiment.

The eagle was taken back to England and put on display in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. It was around 10 inches tall, set on a plinth marked with the numeral 8. It was made of silver, but gilded, which led many to think it was solid gold. In fact, the only golden part of the eagle was a laurel wreath which hung around its neck. This wreath was an honour conferred upon the 8th Regiment by Napoleon himself, and was not common to all eagles at the time. The gold leaves were presented to a number of Regts that were present at the battle of Austerlitz by the city of Paris. The eagle's right claw was raised. Beneath it should have been a thunderbolt but, on the 87th's trophy, it was missing. It is believed to have been dislodged during its capture.

Several years later, the eagle was stolen from the Royal Hospital. It was broken from its staff and smuggled away to an unknown fate. Many rumours abounded, the strongest being that it had been repatriated by a Frenchman. More likely is that it was melted down and sold. The original staff is still held in the Royal Irish Fusiliers museum in Armagh, Northern Ireland.

The British took two Eagles at the Battle of Salamanca in 1812. Ensign John Pratt of the Light Company of the 30th Foot(later 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment) captured the Eagle of 22nd Regiment de Ligne.It is displayed today in the Museum of The Queen's Lancashire Regiment in Preston, Lancashire. And the 2nd Battalion of the 44th Foot took the Eagle of the French 62e Ligne.

Two of the newer French regimental eagles were captured during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. French I Corps under the command of Comte d'Erlon was charged by the British heavy cavalry, command by Earl of Uxbridge, the Royal Dragoons captured the Eagle of the 105e Ligne (now held at the National Army Museum, Chelsea) and the Scots Greys captured the Eagle of the 45e Ligne.

Before the Duke of Wellington died in 1852, he had asked that all his battle trophies be carried at his funeral. As the eagle of the 8th was not available, it was decided to make a replica. The mould was made by Garrard's and was designed from a sketch of the original drawn by an officer of the 87th at the time of Barrosa. All contemporary eagles of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, Royal Irish Rangers and Royal Irish Regiment originate from this mould.