ABSTRACT
Information on the strength of the line army during the Revolution may be found in a number of sources. Decrees and ordinances deal with the strength of army units, but such documents indicate only required strength, which may or may not conform to the actual strength. The general neglect of the Royal Army during the Revolution has led to a lacuna in the history of the French army during one of the most crucial periods in its evolution. The statistics given in line army study are averages, and there were, naturally, variations. None of the deviations from the averages was remarkable. Strength reports from regimental units are more accurate but lack descriptive detail; they do not provide the dates of desertions, the reasons for discharges, or descriptions of the men who received promotions. More important as a cause of loss to the enlisted ranks were the promotions of men to officers.
