Portugese unit in French Army

[dvorkin]

"After the invasion of Portugal in 1807, 8000 men of the Portuguese army were kept on duty and sent to France were they formed the Portuguese legion in may 1808. Under marquis d’Alorna command, this legion was comprised of :

6 light infantry regiments (only 5 formed)
2 chasseurs a cheval regiment
1 artillery battery

all unit with standard French organisation.
During the 1809 campaign, Portuguese troops were regrouped in a brigade of 3 infantry battalions and two chasseurs a cheval squadrons, included in Grandjean division of Oudinot second corps. In 1811 the legion was reduced to 3 infantry regiments these regiments being sent to Russia :

1st regiment in Ledru 10th division of Ney third corps
2nd regiment in Razout 11th division of third corps
3rd regiment in Legrand 6th division of Oudinot second corps3
These information come from a French Napoleonic forum
My question is why they are considered as line infantry in french list for 1812? or other list

[bahdahbum]

Because they were used as line infantry and inneficient as light infantry ?

[terrys]

When formed in 1808 the legion had 5 line regiments, a single battalion of light infantry and 3 regiments of cavalry, all modelled on the French pattern.
Over a third deserted on the way to France.
It was 'requested' that the legion be formed into 6 'light' infantry regiments (only 5 were actually formed), and 2 regiment of chasseurs (each of 4 squadrons of 100).
Calling a regiment 'light infantry' doesn't make them behave as such - it takes years of training. we made an assessment that the Portuguese Legion were neither trained, nor behaved as 'light' infantry and were not really any different to an average French line infantry regiment. They are added for 'colour'.

[dvorkin]

thanks terry

[Sarmaticus]

When formed in 1808 the legion had 5 line regiments, a single battalion of light infantry and 3 regiments of cavalry, all modelled on the French pattern.
Over a third deserted on the way to France.
It was 'requested' that the legion be formed into 6 'light' infantry regiments (only 5 were actually formed), and 2 regiment of chasseurs (each of 4 squadrons of 100).
Calling a regiment 'light infantry' doesn't make them behave as such - it takes years of training. we made an assessment that the Portuguese Legion were neither trained, nor behaved as 'light' infantry and were not really any different to an average French line infantry regiment. They are added for 'colour'.

Might it have been an height thing as well?