Dutch Brigade (Peninsular War)

Hollandse Brigade (Dutch Brigade)
King Louis in the white uniform of a general of the army of the Kingdom of Holland; similar white uniforms were worn by the members of the brigade.
Active	1808–1810
Country	Kingdom of Holland
Branch	Army of the Kingdom of Holland
Type	Combined arms
Role	Infantry
Size	3000
Engagements	Battle of Pancorbo Battle of Mesas de Ibor Battle of Medellin Battle of Talavera Battle of Almonacid Battle of Ocaña
Commanders
Notable commanders	David Hendrik Chassé

The Dutch Brigade (Dutch: Hollandse Brigade) was a unit of the Royal Army of the Kingdom of Holland. It was sent out in September 1808, by King Louis Bonaparte at the request of his brother Emperor Napoleon of France, to take part in the Peninsular War on the French side. The brigade, under the command of Major-General David Hendrik Chassé, was made part of the so-called "German Division". The Division also consisted of units from the Nassau, the Baden and other German allies of the French empire under command of the French general Leval. It was, in turn, part of the IVth French Corps under command of Marshals Lefebvre and Sébastiani, and was later part of the Ist Corps of Marshal Victor. The brigade distinguished itself initially in several major battles, and was later employed mainly in counter-guerrilla warfare. After the annexation of the Kingdom of Holland by the French empire in 1810, the brigade was formally decommissioned and its personnel, now French subjects, absorbed into the French 123rd Line Infantry Regiment, and later into the 130th Line Infantry Regiment, the other battalions of the 123rd back home being reassigned to the Russian campaign of 1812.

On 17 August 1808, Emperor Napoleon of France sent a peremptory demand to his brother, King Louis of Holland, to furnish a brigade for service in the campaign in Spain. It was to include: a cavalry regiment of 600 horses, a company of artillery with three guns and three howitzers, three battalions of infantry with a total of 2200 men, and a detachment of miners and sappers, for a grand total of 3000 men. The brigade, was to consist of veteran soldiers, and was to march within ten days of receipt of the demand. King Louis always tried his best to defend the interests of his small kingdom. Generally his policy was to drag his feet when it came his brother's demands. In this instance he found it politic to comply immediately, despite the fact that the small Dutch army (about 22,000 men) had already sent 6000 men to Germany. The Minister of War, General Janssens, and the Commander-in-Chief, Marshal Dumonceau, recommended Major-General David Hendrik Chassé as commander of the new unit. Chassé's staff would consist of Colonel A. Lycklama à Nijeholt as commander of the infantry; Major F.F.C. Steinmetz as commander of the artillery, and sappers; Colonel O.F. von Goes as commander of the cavalry (later Colonel Van Merlen); Captain H.R. Trip as commander of a company of horse artillery; and a field ambulance under command of surgeon G. Sebel. Lieutenant-Colonel Vermeulen would serve as chief of staff, assisted by captain of horse Van Zuylen van Nijevelt.