Nice lancers helmet as well.

The history for the 61st Demi-Brigade is this (from Digby Smith's "Napoleon's Regiments) - two battalions from the Ancien Regime -

1792 title - 2nd Battalion, Regiment of the Line Auxerrois (Nr. 12) (monarchy army)

There were several unit changes and makeups in the 1790s.

In 1793 - First Amalgamation - 2nd Battalion, 24th Demi-Brigade combining with the 3rd Battalion Volunteers of the Somme, the 10th Battalion VOlunteers of the Reserves and the Battalion Of St.-Omer.

1796 - Second Amalgamation - became the 61st Demi-Brigade along with the old 138th Demi-Brigade which contained the 2nd Battalion Regiment of the Line Beaujolais (Nr. 74) as its core unit (monarchy army)

1797 - Army of Italy. Berthier, Napoleon's Chief of Staff, authorized them to have the battle honor for "Passage Du Tagliamento" for their part in the crossing of the Isonzo River.

1799 - Army of The Orient in Egypt. Two companies massacred at Quena on the Nile River. Fought in four battles before surrendering with the rest of the army at Cairo. Returned to France.

In the consular era the unit was renumbered as the 61st Regiment of the Line and fought as such until 1815 (being broken up in 1914 and then rebuilt in 1815).

Greg Biggs