The Second Grenadier Division (Steyrer) was a part of the Austrian Imperial-Royal Army’s elite Grenadier Corps during the 1809 campaign against Napoleon’s Grande Armée. It was led by Colonel Franz Steyrer.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the Austrian army, in a practice similar to that of other European armies, would detach the grenadier companies from its regular line infantry regiments to form provisional, elite battalions. These battalions were then grouped into brigades and divisions, creating a powerful reserve force known as the Grenadier Corps. In 1809, this corps was organized into two divisions, with the Second Division being led by Lieutenant-General Prochaszka. The Second Grenadier Brigade, commanded by Colonel Steyrer, was a key component of this division. The brigade’s strength and composition would fluctuate, but sources indicate it included several battalions, such as the Demontant, Hahn, Legrand, and Hohenlohe Grenadier Battalions.
The purpose of these units was to serve as the army’s shock troops, used to lead critical assaults or plug gaps in the line during a crisis. Their role was especially prominent during the major battles of the 1809 campaign.
Colonel Franz Steyrer, the brigade’s commander, was a seasoned and respected officer. While detailed information about his early career is scarce, his command of the Second Grenadier Brigade places him in a critical leadership role during the 1809 war, a major conflict that saw the Austrians fight Napoleon’s forces to a near-stalemate. The brigade’s actions were particularly notable at the Battle of Aspern-Essling on May 21–22, 1809.
Colonel Franz Steyrer
During this battle, the Grenadier Corps, including Steyrer’s brigade, was a pivotal element of the Austrian reserve. Their disciplined attacks and tenacious defense of the key villages, particularly Essling, were crucial to the Austrian victory. The battle was a strategic masterpiece for the Austrian commander, Archduke Charles, as it inflicted Napoleon’s first major battlefield defeat in over a decade. The bravery and effectiveness of the grenadier units, like those under Steyrer, were widely acknowledged by both sides.
Following Aspern-Essling, the Grenadier Corps again saw heavy fighting at the Battle of Wagram in July 1809, where they continued to demonstrate their elite status. These campaigns cemented Colonel Steyrer’s reputation as a capable commander of elite infantry in one of the most significant conflicts of the Napoleonic Wars.
Legrand Grenadier Battalion
This unit was not commanded by a man named Legrand, but rather Major Peccaduc (or Picot de Peccaduc). The battalion was comprised of grenadier companies from three different Austrian infantry regiments:
- Regiment No. 9 (Czartoryski)
- Regiment No. 55 (Reuss-Greiz)
- Regiment No. 56 (Wenzel Colloredo)
Hahn/Habinay Grenadier Unit
The battalion was named after its commanders, Major Hahn and later Major Habinay .Component Regiments: The Hahn/Habinay Grenadier Battalion was composed of grenadier companies from three specific Hungarian regiments:
Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 2 (IR Nr. 2) “Hiller”
Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 33 (IR Nr. 33) “Sztarray”
Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 39 (IR Nr. 39) “Duka”
“Hungarian” Battalion: Because all its constituent regiments were Hungarian, the battalion was considered a “Hungarian” grenadier battalion. This meant the troops wore distinct sky-blue trousers instead of the white ones worn by “German” grenadiers.
Hohenloe/Hromada Grenadier Battalion (1809)
In 1809, the unit was active in the campaign during the Austrian army’s retreat through Bavaria and distinguished itself at the Battle of Aspern-Essling, where they contributed to Napoleon’s first major defeat in over a decade. After the battle, their leader was promoted, and the unit was renamed the Hromada Grenadier Battalion. They also fought well at the Battle of Wagram and the Battle of Znaim, earning respect for their bravery.
Major-Oberstleutnant Gustav Prinz von Hohenlohe-Langenburg, born in 1777, was a commander in the Austrian army after starting his career in the Dutch army. He fought in key battles like Hohenlinden and Ulm and gained recognition as a grenadier commander in 1809. He was promoted after the victory at Aspern-Essling but then was promoted and lost direct command. He served in the 1813 campaign, was wounded at Dresden, and marched into Paris after Napoleon’s defeat. He received many honors and wrote military treatises and memoirs.
Demontant Grenadier Battalion
The Demontant Grenadier Battalion
The Demontant Grenadier Battalion was named after its commanding officer, Oberstleutnant Ludwig Demontant. It was formed from grenadier companies from three specific “German” line infantry regiments:
Infantry Regiment No. 7 “Carl Schroder”
Infantry Regiment No. 18 “Stuart”
Infantry Regiment No. 21 “Rohan”
The battalion also saw significant action throughout the 1809 campaign. It was heavily engaged at the Battle of Aspern-Essling (May 21-22, 1809), where the Austrian army inflicted a major defeat on Napoleon. The grenadier battalions, including the Demontant battalion, played a crucial role in holding the key villages and preventing the French from crossing the Danube River in force.
While detailed biographical information on Ludwig Demontant is limited, his command of an elite grenadier battalion in 1809 speaks to his experience and competence as an officer.The fact that the battalion bore his name throughout the crucial 1809 campaign, and particularly during the pivotal victory at Aspern-Essling, highlights his leadership in one of the most important engagements of the war.