In 1809, feeling capable of defeating the French, the Austrians declared war on Napoleon. The exiled, hunted by the French, Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Braunschweig naturally did not let the opportunity go to waste and in agreement with Vienna decided to form a mixed corps of infantry, cavalry and artillery from his former subjects and other German volunteers.
The duke decided to dress his men in black uniforms. In the quotients, the men brought a skull and two crossed bones. This "mourning" clothing was chosen because their homeland was under enemy occupation. When the war broke out the "Black Corps" joined the Austrian forces.
The subsequent conclusion of an armistice between the Austrians and the French, however, left the duke and his men completely exposed, in the midst of hostile territory, without any support or hope. On July 26, 1809, the duke decided to march on Westphalia. It had 1,150 infantry (three small battalions), 630 cavalry (a regiment of hussars and a company of lancers) and an artillery of 80 men and four guns.
At the same time, Hieronymus Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother and appointed by him as king of Westphalia, ordered his generals to crush the "Black Body".
Halberstadt
The 5th Westphalian 5th Infantry Regiment (SP), meanwhile, was informed of the approach of the "Black Corps" and entrenched itself in the town of Halberstadt. On the morning of July 29, 1809, the vanguard of the "Black Corps" appeared in front of the walled city. The commander of the 5th SP, French colonel Marionet, ordered some of his companies to attack and overthrow it. However, a few shots from the "black artillery" were enough to put the white-clad Westphalians to flight.
The 5th SP extended 2,000 men, approximately as many as the "Black Corps". He could also rely on the city's fortifications. In addition, he had under his orders the city guard, approximately a battalion strong. On the other hand, unable to completely surround the city, the "Black" duke ordered the control of the perimeter with patrols. Finally he decided to attempt a raid.
The duke formed two assault phalanxes. The first, under his personal command, would attack the Harsleber Gate. The second phalanx would attack the Cullinger Gate. The attack was carried out with momentum. Especially at the gate of Cullinger the battle was fierce and the losses heavy, on both sides.
Finally a well-aimed shot from a Braunschweiger cannon smashed the gate. Immediately the "Black" Hunters charged into the city. After dragging, despite the enemy fire, long carriages which the opponents had placed as makeshift barriers, the "Blacks" rushed through the lance shouting their battle cry "Victory or death".
And the fight at Harsleber Gate was particularly bloody. Finally thanks to the heroism of Lieutenant von Hertel and his men the gate was taken and two companies of the 2nd Battalion entered the city. From the gate of Cullinger the "Black" cavalry also entered the city and moved swiftly through the narrow streets until they found themselves in the central square where hundreds of opposing soldiers were waiting and their leader kept them in reserve.
Fortunately for the "Black" hussars it was now dark and the opponents believed that they were facing superior forces. In fact the Westphalians were outnumbered by at least 2:1. Coldly, however, the hussars asked them to surrender and the Westphalian soldiers simply laid down their arms. .
Small-scale street fighting was noted, but the fighting soon ceased, with the exception of a building near Brighton Gate where several Westphalians were holed up and defended through the night. In the morning, however, they also surrendered.
It was a great victory of the "Black Corps" which suffered 400 casualties, but inflicted 600 on the opponents and captured 80 officers and about 2,000 non-commissioned officers and soldiers. The flag of the 5th SP was also captured. At the same time, 300 Westphalian prisoners joined the "Black Corps" whose losses were almost made up.
The "black duke" leads his men into battle.