249 - France, Second Empire (1852–1870) – Franco-Prussian War & National Defense (1870–1871).

France, Second Empire (1852–1870) – Franco-Prussian War & National Defense (1870–1871). Set of two shoulder straps for a second lieutenant or lieutenant of the 1st Dragoon Regiment, possibly a matching pair. Shoulder strap and counter-strap with gold braid; one lined with dark blue, almost black cloth, and the other with green cloth. Complete with their half-domed gilded brass buttons stamped with the regiment’s number “1.” Worn. (Signs of wear and minor accidents of use; fairly good condition). Note: The 1st Dragoon Regiment was garrisoned in metropolitan France for most of the Second Empire. In 1860, two of its squadrons were ordered to accompany the imperial couple on their visit to Savoy, which had recently been annexed by France. At the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War—National Defense (1870–1871)—the regiment was attached to the 3rd Cavalry Reserve Division of the Army of the Rhine (General Forton). At Rezonville on August 16, 1870, it was taken by surprise while bivouacking during the first Prussian attack and retreated rather hastily to regroup behind the troops of the 6th Army Corps. It fought at Rezonville as part of Forton’s division, first being caught off guard by the Prussian attack, then distinguishing itself with a charge against the Prussian Bredow Cavalry Brigade and the Magdeburg cuirassiers. Having not participated in the Battle of Saint-Privat, the regiment endured the hardships of the Siege of Metz and surrendered on October 28, 1870.