Good day to you!
There are a few questions I would like to ask to experts on the topic of command structure in the Napoleonic Wars and especially the French army.
The questions are quite specific, detailed and somwhat "unhistoric" in that way, which is why I've decided to create a thread here and don't search in literature.
Imma just start with a very specific question and whoever wants to anwer it or give any comment can feel free to do so!
Question: Was there a rigid protocol for addressing officers? It seems obvious, that a common soldier would always refer to an superior officer by rank and/or a French equivalent to "Sir". The question therefore aims at superior officers adressing lower ranks. Example: Would a Capitaine have adressed a Lieutenant, Sergent or Corporal always (meaning: mandatorily) by rank or - according to personal preference - also by name... forename or nickname even maybe?
I know it's a strange question, but just fire at will!