Recently painted No 25 Napoleonic French Artillery Caissons

In 1800 Napoleon created the French artillery train. Before 1800 the men in artillery train were civilian contract drivers that were pretty unreliable during active service, infact at the Battle of Novi the civilian-drivers panicked and abandoned all wagons, caissons and guns
The Napoleonic soldiers-drivers were former cavalrymen, wounded or unfit for service in cavalry. Sometimes foreigners were accepted as drivers, especially if they were strong and knew horses. Among the foreigners were especially many Dutch and also some Prussian prisoners.

If necessary and possible the French doubled the amount of horses in artillery train. In 1813 at Dresden "The rain having prevented the infantry of both armies from using their muskets ... it was the artillery which, in spite of the difficulty of manoeuvring on the rain sodden ground, played a decisive role. In particular the French artillery, whose teams of horses Napoleon had doubled up, using animals from the headquarters wagons, which remained safely in Dresden."

The French train driver was armed with a carbine, a short infantry-type sabre, and a pistol. They were expected to take a hand in protecting themselves and their ammunition wagons if attacked by Cossacks, Spanish or Tyrolean guerrillas etc. The colour of the train troops coat was officially iron grey

In 1805 France had 10 battalions of artillery train
Each battalion consisted of 1 elite company and 4 centre companies. The elite company (best draft horses and best drivers) was assigned to a battery of horse artillery. The centre companies were assigned to foot batteries.

The  Artillery Train company in 1805-1807 consisted of
 2 officers
 7-10 NCOs
 2 trumpeters
 84 privates
There were also 2 blacksmiths and 2 harness makers.

While for the 100 Days war the Artillery Train company in 1815 consisted of,
1 sergeant major
4 sergeants
1 farrier
4 corporal
2 trumpeters
24 drivers of 1st Class
60 drivers of 2nd Class
There were also 2 blacksmiths and 2 harness makers.

The bulk of ammunition was carried in caissons, designed by Gribeauval to hold the new 'fixed' ammunition. The caisson was an 11-foot long, narrow-bodied wagon with a sloping lid hinged to open, the interior being divided into compartments for the assembled rounds. Powder and matches were also carried in the caisson, as were shovels and a pick (fastened to the sides), a detachable tool-box at the front and a spare wheel. The ammunition caissons and wagons were painted in olive-green, metal and wooden parts, including the wheels. The oil paint increased the resistance of the wood against the damp and bad weather

The ammunition was also kept in the small coffer attached to each gun's trail. The ammunition in the coffer consisted of’

12pdr - 9 cannonballs

8pdr - 15 cannonballs

4pdr - 18 cannonballs

6.4 inch howitzer - 4 canisters

5.5 inch howitzer – an unknown amount!

Once more the figure are for Posties grand Napoleonic collection, the figures are 15mm Essex