Found this info at members.tripod.com/amik78...uk-eng.htm
On the 14th of September 1799 Kleber created a company of mounted Mameluk auxiliaries. General Menou reorganized it in 1800 into the regiment of "Mameluks de la Republique".
On the 13th of October 1801 Rapp went to Marseille to organize a squadron of 150 men under his command. In 1802 its strength was 13 officers, and 155 men. The Empire saw them join the Guard, attached to the Chasseurs a cheval.
Captain Delaitre was the new commander of a squadron. They performed well at Austerlitz and were granted a standard, the roster increased to accommodate a standard bearer, 4 French NCO's, 4 "horse main" bearers, and a trumpet.
In 1813 a second Mameluk squadron is formed attached to the Young Guard. In all 583 men served in the Mameluks of the Guard, half of which were of foreign origin, (some of them were Georgians). Interestingly up to 1813 3/4 of the Corps was made up of foreigners, but after the Russian campaign this number dropped to less than 1/3.
Mameluks were lived in Marseilles and after Napoleon's first abdication, most of them were slaughtered by royalist mob. During there service in Napoleonic army, Mameluks squadron has the following uniform:
Before 1804: The only "uniform" part was the cahouk (hat) green, white turban and red saroual (pants), all to be worn with a loose shirt and a vest. Boots were of yellow or red or tan soft leather. Weapons, an "oriental" scimitar, a brace of pistols in a holder decorated with a crescent and a star, in brass, and a dagger.
After 1804: The cahouk becomes red with a brass crescent and star, the vest is closed and receives a collar. The main change is the addition of a "regulation" chasseur style saddle cloth and roll, imperial green in color, piped red, with a red and white fringe. The saddlery and harness remain Arabic in style. The undress uniform was as for the chasseurs of the Guard but of a dark blue cloth.
On the 14th of September 1799 Kleber created a company of mounted Mameluk auxiliaries. General Menou reorganized it in 1800 into the regiment of "Mameluks de la Republique".
On the 13th of October 1801 Rapp went to Marseille to organize a squadron of 150 men under his command. In 1802 its strength was 13 officers, and 155 men. The Empire saw them join the Guard, attached to the Chasseurs a cheval.
Captain Delaitre was the new commander of a squadron. They performed well at Austerlitz and were granted a standard, the roster increased to accommodate a standard bearer, 4 French NCO's, 4 "horse main" bearers, and a trumpet.
In 1813 a second Mameluk squadron is formed attached to the Young Guard. In all 583 men served in the Mameluks of the Guard, half of which were of foreign origin, (some of them were Georgians). Interestingly up to 1813 3/4 of the Corps was made up of foreigners, but after the Russian campaign this number dropped to less than 1/3.
Mameluks were lived in Marseilles and after Napoleon's first abdication, most of them were slaughtered by royalist mob. During there service in Napoleonic army, Mameluks squadron has the following uniform:
Before 1804: The only "uniform" part was the cahouk (hat) green, white turban and red saroual (pants), all to be worn with a loose shirt and a vest. Boots were of yellow or red or tan soft leather. Weapons, an "oriental" scimitar, a brace of pistols in a holder decorated with a crescent and a star, in brass, and a dagger.
After 1804: The cahouk becomes red with a brass crescent and star, the vest is closed and receives a collar. The main change is the addition of a "regulation" chasseur style saddle cloth and roll, imperial green in color, piped red, with a red and white fringe. The saddlery and harness remain Arabic in style. The undress uniform was as for the chasseurs of the Guard but of a dark blue cloth.
