Wounded Cuirassier

French cuirassiers helping a wounded comrade at St. Quentin

The picture was made on the French route of retreat to Paris in the first stage of the war. The photographer worked for the American Underwood & Underwood Agency.
The French had twelve regiments of cuirassiers, a survival of the 17th century, wearing steel cuirasses and helmets with horsehair plumes. They also carried a long double-edged stabbing sword.

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