The 45e Regiment d'Infanterie de Ligne was originally created in 1643 as the Regiment de la Reine-Mere. It was part of the Armee d'Italie in 1792-94 and formed part of the l'Interieure and de Reserve during the period 1795-99. A flag taken at the fall of Mantua on 30 July 1799, and now on show in the Army Museum in Vienna, belonged to the 3e bataillon 45e and has the pont de Lodi, Bataille de Castiglione, combat sur la Brenta, Bataille d'Arcolo, 1re et 2e Bataille de Rivoli and the Bataille de St George shown on it.
In 1802 the Regiment saw service in Switzerland and from 1802 to 1805 it was part of L'Armee de Hanovre. The Regiment took part in the campaigns in Austria, Prussia, and Poland and was sent to Spain and saw service at Talavera, Chiclana, Albuhera, Alba de Tormes, Vittoria and in Germany at Dresden in 1813. The rest of the regiment were seeing action at Nivelle, Orthez, and Toulouse. In 1815 it took part in the Waterloo campaign.
Read more about the 45e Regiment D'Infanterie De Ligne at www.45eme.co.uk. This is a reenactor site, with equipment lists, etc.
Read translations of Napoleonic-era 45eme soldiers' letters at http://www.45eme.co.uk/memoirs.htm (or in the original Flemish [Frank is not necessarily a Flemish Conscript] versions if you're feeling adventurous).
Learn about French Napoleonic Shakos from Pompon to Scales at Military Heritage.
