Für das Vaterland

With the massive proliferation of muskets and fusils in the infantry units from the middle of 17th century the battlefield was dominated by linear tactics, according to which the infantry was aligned into long thin lines and fired volleys. Line tactics required a strict discipline and simple movements, practised to the point where they became second-nature. During training, the drill and corporal punishments were often used. Line infantry composed the basis of land armies. During the Napoleonic Wars it used four types of formations in its battles: the line, the square, the skirmish chain and the column. In 1806 Prussia had 60 regiments of line infantry, each of 2 musketier battalions and 2 grenadier companies. In the same time there were only 24 fusilier battalions.

Napoleon defeated the Prussian army in 1806. It shocked the Prussian establishment, which had largely felt invincible after the Frederician victories. While Stein and Hardenberg began modernizing the Prussian state, Scharnhorst and others began to reform the military, including the downsized by Napoleon Prussian infantry.
Dismayed by the populace's indifferent reaction to the 1806 defeats, the reformers wanted to cultivate patriotism within the country. Serfdom was abolished in 1807 and local city government was initiated in 1808. The officer corps was reopened to the middle class in 1808. Corporal punishment was by and large abolished.

After the defeat of 1806, the 8tes formed with many other new Prussian regiments to fight in every major battle of the Napoleonic Wars, including Waterloo. Soundly beaten at Ligny, the 8tes and the Prussian Army marched to aid Wellington in his struggles at Waterloo. The 8tes was placed in reserve and later used to help support Wellington's right flank against a small french counter attack of infantry. After the battles of Ligny and Waterloo, the 8tes Brandenburgisches regiment disbanded.