. Napoleon's Imperial Guard was "One of the most celebrated military formations in history." - David Chandler, UK, historian Introduction: Imperial Guard - the power behind the throne. Discipline was high, it was forbidden to brawl at the canteens or get drunk. No troop marched into battle with more confidence and promise of glory than the Imperial Guard. Napoleon's Guard probably represent the last true link in a chain spanning the ages. "War's history tells of many elite guards which, in their times, formed living walls around their rulers' thrones. The Persian 'Immortals' had a support contingent of concubines... Israel's King David kept a bodyguard of Philistine mercenaries. Alexander the Great rode amid the nobly-born Royal Squadron of his Macedonian Companions. (ext.link) Rome's Praetorian cohorts, (ext.link) unfortunately, are more remembered for betraying their Caesars than for guarding them, as are the Janissaries of the Ottoman sultans. Formed in 1506, the Pope's Swiss Guard still wears a version of the uniform designed by, tradition says, Michelangelo. The 'Maison du Roi' of France's Bourbon kings included Swiss and French guards. When the Revolution flared, the French guard mutined. The Swiss died fighting for a king who abandoned them. None of these looms so formidably large across our memories of old wars as Napoleon's Imperial Guard. Its history is short, barely 15 years in all, but these were mighty years of amazing triumph and defeat; defeat from which it still wrung a foeman's tribute to its valour and devotion. With its Emperor it stands among the mightiest of great conquerors and great conquered." (- John Elting) While campaigning, the guardsmen were the equal of any formation in the Imperial Army. Seldom used in the early campaigns, they were quite active by 1813 and 1814 and became Napoleon's shock troops during the campaigns in Germany and France. Napoleon wanted a strong Guard for several reasons. It was the wall of bayonets against enemies foreign and domestic about his throne, and a reserve of elite troops under his immediate control. No Napoleonic troop marched into battle with more confidence and promise of military glory than the Imperial Guard. They embodied the physical strength and bravery that characterized anciet warriors. Discipline was high, it was forbidden to brawl at the canteens or get drunk. A guardsman caught sleeping out of barracks got 15 days' arrest. The elite troops were pampered. The Guard drew extra pay and allowances, and they got better housing. In 1807 after the bloody battle of Eylau, Napoleon decided to build a military camp in Osterode. The French engineers constructed a palisade around a vast square inside which were streets bordered by wooden huts. Each street bore the name of one of the latest victories. The Imperial Guard had its own camp, built with a degree of luxury. In the centre was a brick building where Napoleon installed himself. The Guard was a priviledged troop. Napoleon writes: "When ... the Guard meets ... the Line en route, the latter shall form in line of battle and port arms or present sabers ... Flags and standards shall be dipped, The colonels and commanders shall exchange salutes."

. The guardsmen were veterans, with perfect conduct and participation in 2 campaigns. It was elite of the army. However, to enlarge their ranks, deserters and 'bad subjects', were also admitted. Some army commanders took advantage of the opportunity to rid themselves of some questionable characters. Guard of the Directory In 1796 the Guard of the Directory was formed to escort the Directors in public ceremonies. "The Guard's origin was double. One ancestor was the guard of the National Convention. That was rough duty: 'Deputations' from various disorderly sections of Paris had the habit of swarming in, brandishing their sundry blunt and edged weapons, to acquaint the Convention with their conflicting versions of the people's voice. Anyone choosing to stand in the way of such intrusions ... might suddenly find his head ornamenting the point of a partiot's pike. The resultant atrition on the 'grenadier-gendarmes' who had that duty prompted the Convention to augment them with selected infantrymen and artillerymen and to form the whole into a seven company guard. Between the Paris mobs and the Paris politicians, those veterans found themselves in bad company. Though repeatedly purged, reorganized, and renamed, this Gardes du Corps Legislatif remained unruly and sullenly contemptous of its civilian masters. A parallel unit appeared in 1796, when the newly installed Directory created a Maison for itself of 120 infantry grenadiers and an equal number of mounted ones, plus a 25 piece band drawn from the Paris Conservatory of Music." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" pp 183-184) In 1796 the Guard of the Directory was formed to escort the Directors in public ceremonies and parades. There were 2 companies of foot grenadiers (and 2 companies of horse grenadiers). The grenadiers were at least 5'10" tall, literate, with perfect conduct and participation in 2 campaigns. It was elite of the army. However, to enlarge their ranks, deserters and 'bad subjects', were also admitted. Some army commanders took advantage of the opportunity to rid themselves of some questionable characters. Robespierre and Saint-Just had a great number of members in this Guard. The Convention was not unaware of it, and it is what explains the effort that it required to set these troops towards the commune, on the famous night of Thermidor 9. After the reign of Robespierre, the Convention felt the need to purify the ranks of its Guard. The purification had changed the Guard in last days of its reign; the Directory continued with this prudent work of regeneration. By its care, the veterans of the armies of the Rhine, of Sambre and Meuse, of the Pyrenees and Italy, took places in its Guard. The admission requirements were: “Art. I - For the officers: height of at least 5'3", and 25 years of age; for the NCOs and privates (both for foot and horse), heights of at least 5'6" and the same age as for the officers. These men who were to have been in at least 2 campaigns of the war of liberation, and to have faced enemy fire, literate."

. "For his Nov 1799 coup d'etat, (ext.link) Napoleon used the Garde du Corps Legislatiff to chase its former employers out of the windows. He then combined it with the equally cooperative Guard of the Directory into a Garde des Consuls and added the guides he had brought back from Egypt." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" pp 183-184) Guard of the Consuls [Gardes des Consuls] "His comrades of the Italian campaigns formed the nucleus of the Guard. They were rough soldiers ..." - Henri Lachoque "On 28 Nov, eighteen days after the coup d'etat, the Guard of the Consuls was officially created out of the Guards of the Directory and Legislature. ... On 2 December citizen Murat, a lieutenant eneral, was named commander in chief and inspector general of the new Guard. (He remained in this post only a few weeks.) ... The decree organizing the Guard of the Consuls was dated 13 nivose year VIII (3 Jan 1800)." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 7) With the establishment of the Consulate, the Guard of the Directory, had to form the Guard of the Consuls. In Novemner 1799 was issued a decree: "Art. XIV - The Consular Guard will be recruited only from men who will have distinguished themselves on the field of battle.” PAY (per year): troop earnings will be paid every 10 days, officers at the end of each month. - Foot Grenadier and Chasseur 410, Drummer 500 - Horse Grenadier and Chasseur 450, Trumpeter 650 - Gunner 1st Class 500, 2nd Class 460 Money allocated for equipment, armament, horse-harness, and clothing: - Foot Grenadier and Chasseur 258, Officer 800 - Horse Grenadier 517, Officer 1000 - Horse Chasseur 689, Officer 1500 - Gunner 689, Officer 1500 The infantry of the Guard consisted of 2 battalions of foot grenadiers and 1 company of light infantry. In the end of 1800 the company of light infantry increased to battalion of chasseurs. All men were excellent fighters, select marchers and killers, but the whole Guard was far from solid, and its morale and loyalty were still uncertain things. Some were uncombed Revolutionary zealots. There were brawls and duels among the guardsmen, and their conduct in public suggested that some of them considered Paris an occupied city. There were quarels between the Guard and the 9th Light Regiment, which - Napoleon having dubbed it "The Incomparable" in Italy - was not about to be impressed by any "Praetorians." In the battle of Marengo the Guard transitioned to a battle formation. When Bonaparte became First Consul he wrote that his plans for the Guard were for it to become the model of the entire army. By a new decree of March 8, 1802, Bonaparte supplemented the new organization of the Guard: “Art. I - In the future the Guard will be made up ... of foot grenadiers and foot chasseurs, each made up of a staff, with 2 battalions; and each battalion, of 8 companies. A regiment of horse grenadiers composed of a staff with 4 squadrons of 2 companies each. A regiment of horse chasseurs, made up temporarily of 2 squadrons, 2 companies each one, with its staff. A horse artillery squadron, with a staff and company of foot artillery.” Art. IX - There will be a Company of Veterans, formed of the officers, NCOs and privates who will have served 3 years in the Consular Guard, and have been judged out of shape to continue on active service; their pay will be the same as that of the foot grenadiers." Art. XXXIII - ... The soldier intended to belong to the Consular Guard must meet the following conditions, i.e.: - to be on active service. - to have made at least 4 campaigns, - to have obtained rewards granted to brave men by feat of arms or brilliant deed, or to have been wounded - to be at least 179 cm (5'6") tall for grenadiers, and at least 173 cm (5'4") for the chasseurs - and to always have held an irreproachable conduct.” In 1802 Napoleon submitted a permanent schedule of recruitment for Consular Guard: 1 man from each battalion. "1802 was a wonderful year. During its course Bonaparte filled the French with the 'joy of revival' ... It was the year of the Code, of the general peace ... and of Bonaparte's appointment to the consulate for life. ... Now he was pleased to change the name of the Guard of the Consuls to the 'Consular Guard', or simply 'The Guard.' ... Bonaparte outlined the organizaon as follows: 'The foot Guard shall be composed of two corps containing 2 battalions of grenadiers and two of chasseurs respectively ... ' Though these corps contained but one regiment each, their designation as such indicated that their strength would eventually be increased. Colonel Hulin was given command of the grenadiers. A veteran soldier ... one of the authentic stormers of the Bastille." (Lachoque - "Anatomy of Glory" pp 24-25) 1803-1804 Grenadiers-à-Pied de Garde des Consuls Foot Grenadiers of the Guard of the Consuls (General Louis-Nicolas Davout) Chasseurs-à-Pied de Garde des Consuls Foot Chasseurs of the Guard of the Consuls (General Jean de Dieu Soult) Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (Colonel Pierre-Auguste Hulin) Regiment of Foot Chasseurs (Colonel Jerome Soules)

. A common criticism of the Guard was that it drew off the best men from the line and from the conscripts, thereby robbing them of potential sergeants and corporals. But it must be remembered that Napoleon intended that the guard serves as a training ground for the NCOs from the army so the guard functioned as a military school. For example sergeants of the Old Guard were commisioned as the second lieutenants in the line. The Battalion of Instructions was formed in 1811 and was set up to train the Young and Middle Guard as corporals and sergeants for the newly formed regiments. Napoleon wrote: "My Guard should contain cadres for a reserve of 100 battalions. These will require 3.000 sergeants and 6.000 corporals. There are 2.300 Middle Guard and 12.000 Young Guard at present. By holding on to the choice men we can eventually train 3.000 sergeants and 6.000 corporals in the Young Guard". Imperial Guard [Garde Imperiale] They owed him their prestige and glory, which they paid for in loyalty. From this reciprocity was born the spirit of the Imperial Guard. It was the highest expression of the military spirit, which is less a desire to fight than the desire to fight well ..." In 1804 after his crowning, Napoleon transformed the Consular Guard into the Imperial Guard (Garde Imperiale). A decree of July 29, 1804, stated: “The Consular Guard will take the title of Imperial Guard". The decree also described recruitment: "Each regiment of infantry, cavalry, foot and horse artillery, and each battalion of the train, prepared a list of 6 NCOs or privates likely to be called upon to belong to the Guard, having met the measurements of the needs of that Corps. The conditions to be included to fill these lists were: - for the regiments of dragoons and horse chasseurs, at least 6 years of service, 2 campaigns: 1,73 cm tall (5'4") - for the regiments of cuirassiers, and artillery, at least 6 years of service, 2 campaigns: 1,76 cm tall (5'5") - for the regiments of line and light infantry, at least 5 years of service, 2 campaigns: 1,76 cm tall (5'5") - for the battalions of the train, same time in service, and height of 1,678 cm (5'2") ... The soldiers chosen to enter the Guard remained with their troop, where they continued their service until the Minister of War ordered them to be directed to Paris to be placed in regiments there." There were problems however, for example the 29th Line Infantry had only 4 (instead of 10) soldiers 5'9" with four years' service, and asked if 5'8" would do for a grenadier. In winter 1803-4 the so-called Velites were formed. The Velites were sort of enlisted volunteers to remedy the last evil by drawing from them instead of the army. They were required to be young men of family. This was to obtain a certain amount of education and character, with which is usually joined a sense of honor. Allured by the splendid renown of Napoleon, dazzled by his numerous victories, young men flocked to the ranks of Velites. The Velites "gave more modest families and those without service traditions a way to place their sons directly as officers, thereby saving them from conscription while also proving their loyalty to the regime. ... Less than 18 % of the Velites came from civil service families (judiciary, administration). More striking still, only 1.5 % came from military backgrounds. ... The majority were classified as property holders - 46 % as land owners or rentiers, presumably well-off families that neither worked for a living nor exercised a public function, and a further 10 % in various branches of agriculture like wine-growing. Another 25 % came from commercial milieux, the liberal professions, and artisan families." (Blaufarb - "The French Army 1750-1820" pp 178-9) In 1806 every battalion of line and light infantry were ordered to send 1 man to the Guard by 1 July. The candidates must be under 35, strongg and tall (5,10" for grenadiers and 5'8" for chasseurs), with 10 years service, and a citation for bravery. It soon appeared that these conditions could not be fulfiled, even by lowering the term of service to 6 years. 1807 Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard (Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout) (General Pierre-Auguste Hulin) Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard (Marshal Jean de Dieu Soult) (General Jerome Soules) Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (Colonel Claude-Etienne Michel) Regiment of Fusiliers-Grenadiers (Colonel Jean-Parfait Friederichs) Regiment of Foot Chasseurs (Colonel Jean-Louis Gros) Regiment of Fusiliers-Chasseurs (Colonel Joseph Boyer de Rebeval) The infantry of the Guard also acquired more foreign elements. The Velites of Florence received Guard status in 1809, those of Turin in 1810. In 1813 the battalions of Velites were increased to 800 with Young Guardsmen who spoke Italian. Napoleon enlarged the Young Guard several times. In 1809 were formed the following regiments: . . . . . . . 1st and 2nd Tirailleurs-Grenadiers, in 1810 renamed to 1st and 2nd Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 1st and 2nd Conscrit-Grenadiers in 1810 renamed to 3rd and 4th Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 1st and 2nd Tirailleurs-Chasseurs, in 1810 renamed to 1st and 2nd Voltigeurs . . . . . . . 1st and 2nd Conscrit-Chasseurs, in 1810 renamed to 3rd and 4th Voltigeurs According to the Decreen issued in December 1810 each of the new regiments was to form an elite company of 200 men called corporal-voltigeurs (in voltigeurs battalions) and corporal-tirailleurs (in tirailleurs battalions). 1809 Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard (Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout) (General Jean-Marie-Pierre-Francois Lepaige Dorsenne) Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard (Marshal Jean de Dieu Soult) (General Philibert-Jean-Baptiste-Francois Curial) Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (Colonel Claude-Etienne Michel) Regiment of Fusiliers-Grenadiers (Colonel Pierre Bodelin) 1st Regiment of Tirailleurs-Grenadiers 2nd Regiment of Tirailleurs-Grenadiers 1st Regiment of Conscripts-Grenadiers 2nd Regiment of Conscripts-Grenadiers Regiment of Foot Chasseurs (Colonel Jean-Louis Gros) Regiment of Fusiliers-Chasseurs (Colonel Jean-Pierre Lanabere) 1st Regiment of Tirailleurs-Chasseurs 2nd Regiment of Tirailleurs-Chasseurs 1st Regiment of Conscripts-Chasseurs 2nd Regiment of Conscripts-Chasseurs The increase of Guard came in 1810 from the incorporation of the Dutch Royal Guard. The Dutch regiment became 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers before being demoted to being 3rd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers in 1811. In 1810 the Guard was officially divided into Old Guard, Middle Guard and Young Guard. Only the 1st Regiment of Grenadiers and 1st Regiment of Chasseurs carried Eagle. The 2nd Grenadiers and 2nd Chasseurs, and all the regiments of Middle and Young Guard carried fanions. (The voltigeurs carried red and the tirailleurs carried white ones.) Napoleon explained to Berthier (chief of staff) his intentions: "I intend that the Young Guard subalterns and NCOs should rank with those in the line, its NCOs shall be drawn from fusiliers of Middle Guard, and those of fusiliers from the Old Guard. In the line I shall use the Young Guardsmen as corporals and Middle Guardsmen as sergeants. Therefore the best conscripts should go to the Young and Middle Guard. " In April 1811 a school of drummers was formed for the Guard. It consisted of : - 16 pupils for the 1st Grenadiers - 16 pupils for the 1st Chasseurs - 16 pupils for the fusiliers of the Guard - 48 pupils for the tirailleurs and voltigeurs of the Young Guard The decree issued on July 19th ordered that there would always be 10 men nominated per regiment of line and light infantry for the recruitment of foot grenadiers, as well as for the foot chasseurs of the Old Guard. (In cavalry also 10 men per regiment for the Guard). In 1811 in the Old Guard were only 532 veterans from Egypt and Italy, the rest were younger. The number of veterans decreased and Napoleon was forced to accept 500 soldiers with only 5 years' service. In 1811 were formed new regiemnts: . . . . . . . 5th and 6th Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 5th and 6th Voltigeurs . . . . . . . Flanquers-Grenadiers . . . . . . . Flanquers-Chasseurs . . . . . . . Pupilles (from Legion of Dutch Velites) The Battalion of Instructions was formed in 1811 and was set up to train the Young and Middle Guard as corporals and sergeants for the newly formed regiments. The Old Guard enjoyed the highest prestige and in 1811 Napoleon made it clear to Berthier (chief-of-staff) "I wish it clearly understood that this priviledge doesn't apply to the 2nd Grenadiers and 2nd Chasseurs, nor to the Fusiliers (Middle Guard), voltigeurs and tirailleurs (Young Guard) nor the 2nd Lighthorse-lancers ("Red Lancers"). ... Keep this decision for your guidance alone." 1811-1812 Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard (Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout) (General Jean-Marie-Pierre- Lepaige Dorsenne) Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard (Marshal Jean de Dieu Soult) (General Philibert-Jean-Baptiste- Curial) Old Guard 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (Colonel Claude-Etienne Michel) 1st Regiment of Foot Chasseurs (Colonel Jean-Louis Gros) Middle Guard 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (Colonel Louis Harlet) 3rd [Dutch] Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (Colonel Ralph-Dundas Tindal) Regiment of Fusiliers-Grenadiers (Colonel Pierre Bodelin) 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs (Colonel Francois Rosey) - - Regiment of Fusiliers-Chasseurs (Colonel Pierre-Francois Vrigny) Young Guard Regiment of Flanquers-Grenadiers 1st Regiment of Tiraileurs 2nd Regiment of Tiraileurs 3rd Regiment of Tiraileurs 4th Regiment of Tiraileurs 5th Regiment of Tiraileurs 6th Regiment of Tiraileurs - Regiment of Flanquers-Chasseurs 1st Regiment of Voltigeurs 2nd Regiment of Voltigeurs 3rd Regiment of Voltigeurs 4th Regiment of Voltigeurs 5th Regiment of Voltigeurs 6th Regiment of Voltigeurs Pupils [Dutch] Regiments of flanqueurs (flankers) were formed. The men were recruited from 'sons or nephews of the headquarters, foot, or horse rangers of the Crown Forests, or those of the public domain, who have reached 18 years of age and measure 5 feet, 6,5 inches.' After serving 5 years, the flankers might succeed to their fathers' posts. The flankers wore green uniforms and were usually conspicuous at parades and reviews. The campaign in 1812 and the winter retreat from Russia ruined the Guard. The winter was harsh, one night 30 veterans of Old Guard Chasseurs froze to death. The sudden attacks of the Cossacks had made the guardsmen jittery. A sergeant of the Middle Guard carried the regiment's dog, which had frozen its paws, on his pack. The dog almost got the sergeant killed while he was fighting off a Russian cuirassier by trying to take part in the fight and entangling the sergeant in his leash. :-) The Emperor's carriages were in the middle of the column formed by the Guard. In front were the artillery and cavalry, and flanked on both sides by battalions of the Old Guard in single file surrounding several cannons. In this formation the French could respond immediately to an attack. Napoleon was with the Old Guard. Commander of the Cossacks, Platov, had promised his daughter to "bring Napoleon back alive." The Emperor, surrounded by the 2nd Chasseurs, ordered his tents and wagons burned, commanding the officers to do likewise. Those who survived "learned through resignation and hope - if not to be happy - at least how to eat horse meat with relish." When one depressed marshal complained the old timers muttered between their teeth: "Shut up, you old fool ! If we must die, we will die." Approx. 50,000 foot and horse guardsmen had been reduced to 1,100. (Nafziger - "Lutzen and Bautzen" p 6) By February 1st 1813 there were no officers or other ranks answering roll for several regiments of Young Guard: 4th, 5th and 6th Tirailleurs, 4th and 5th Voltigeurs ! The 3rd Grenadiers (Dutch) had only 11 men in the ranks (out of 1.496). The Old and Middle Guard did better, there were 408 veterans in the 1st and 2nd Grenadiers and 415 veterans in 1st and 2nd Chasseurs. The Fusiliers-Grenadiers had 118 survivors and the of Fusiliers-Chasseurs 126. In 1813 the Old Guard was rebuild, 250 battalions in Spain furnished 6 veterans each with at least 8 years' service. These men went into the 2nd Grenadiers and 2nd Chasseurs. The 1st Grenadiers and 1st Chasseurs accepted only those with at least 10 years' service. In 1813 were formed new regiments: . . . . . . . 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Regiment of Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Regiment of Voltigeurs 1813 Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard (Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout) (General Louis Friant) Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard (Marshal Jean de Dieu Soult) (General Philibert-Jean-Baptiste- Curial) Old Guard 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (Colonel Claude-Etienne Michel) 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (Colonel Joseph Christiani) 1st Regiment of Foot Chasseurs (Colonel Pierre Decouz) 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs (Colonel Pierre-Jaques-Etienne Cambronne) Middle Guard . Regiment of Fusiliers-Grenadiers (Colonel Jean-Francois Flamand) - Battalion of Velites of Turin Battalion of Polish Grenadiers Battalion of Saxon Leibgarde Grenadiers Battalion of Westphalian Garde Fusiliers Regiment of Fusiliers-Chasseurs (Colonel Guillaume-Charles Rousseau) - Battalion of Velites of Florence - - - Young Guard Regiment of Flanquers-Grenadiers 1st Regiment of Tiraileurs 2nd Regiment of Tiraileurs 3rd Regiment of Tiraileurs 4th Regiment of Tiraileurs 5th Regiment of Tiraileurs 6th Regiment of Tiraileurs 7th Regiment of Tiraileurs 8th Regiment of Tiraileurs 9th Regiment of Tiraileurs 10th Regiment of Tiraileurs 11th Regiment of Tiraileurs 12th Regiment of Tiraileurs 13th Regiment of Tiraileurs - Regiment of Flanquers-Chasseurs 1st Regiment of Voltigeurs 2nd Regiment of Voltigeurs 3rd Regiment of Voltigeurs 4th Regiment of Voltigeurs 5th Regiment of Voltigeurs 6th Regiment of Voltigeurs 7th Regiment of Voltigeurs 8th Regiment of Voltigeurs 9th Regiment of Voltigeurs 10th Regiment of Voltigeurs 11th Regiment of Voltigeurs 12th Regiment of Voltigeurs 13th Regiment of Voltigeurs Pupils [Dutch] In 1813, the 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers and 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs became part of the division of the Old Guard. "Napoleon's desperation for troops during 1814 had led him to the point of prostituting the prestige and elite status of the Guard simply to draw anyone who could carry a musket into the army." (- Paul Dawson napoleon-series.org) In January 1814 were formed: . . . . . . . 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th Regiment of Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th Regiment of Voltigeurs These regiments were made of volunteers, at least 20-40 years old. Some 18 and 50 years old were accepted, provided that they were physically strong and at least 5 feet tall. The Spanish Royal Guard (grenadiers and voltigeurs) were also used in the formation of these new units. The first battalions of 2nd Grenadiers and 2nd Chasseurs were made of veterans of the Russian campaign and Fusiliers with 3 years' service. The second battalions were made of veterans of the Spanish war. When Napoleon abdicated in 1814 he was allowed only a small troop on Elba Island. On April 7th Napoleon called for volunteers from his Old Guard to serve in his guard on Elba Island. The Allies allowed for 500 infantrymen, 120 cavalrymen and 120 artillerymen. Generals Petit and Pelet were soon swamped with requests. Many officers asked to serve as simple privates. Out of 400 volunteers of Guard Artillery 100 were selected for Elba. Out of the Marines 21 men were accepted, and out of the French and Polish cavalry only 100 Polish lancers were chosen. This is what the Emperor said about this faithful phalanx: "They are all my friends. Every time I looked at them my heart was touched because, to me, they symbolized the whole army. These six hundred braves from many regiments reminded me of the great days whose memory is so precious. They all bear honorable scars from .... those memorable battles. In loving them, I loved all you soldiers of the French Army." Once on Elba the guardsmen got bored, and at the first sign of spring they were laying siege to the local women. After the war was finally over, Marshal Macdonald asked what the guardsmen of Elba Battalion have done if the expedition from Elba Island to France hadn't occurred or hadn't succeeded. They replied: "Gone off home." The bulk of the Guard infantry however remained in France and served for the King. General Friant wanted them to cry Vive le Roi ! A wag in the battalion cried Vive Desnager ! instead. Who was he ? The tavern keeper at La Courtaille where the Old Guard went on Sundays to drink. Napoleon had to rebuilt the Guard again in 1815. "Digby Smith is of the opinion that it's impossible to know the number of Guard survivors from Russia still present in its ranks in 1815, but points out that of the 400-600 officers and other ranks who'd got back, many must have succumbed in Germany. The Grenadiers' and Chasseurs' composition in 1815 is perhaps relevant to the fiasco of the last fatal charge at Waterloo." (Austin - "1815: the return of Napoleon" p 314) According to the Decree of April 8th 1815, (Article 22.) the requirements for the infantry of Old Guard were 12 years' service, and for the Young Guard 4 years. The height requirements (Article 23.) were as follow: - 5'5" for foot grenadiers - 5'3" for foot chasseurs On June 16th 1815 the Young Guard consisted of the following regiments: . . . . . . . 1st Tirallieurs [26 officers, 1.083 other ranks] under Jacques-Elisee Trappier de Malcolm . . . . . . . 2nd Tirallieurs - [24 officers, 750 other ranks] in Vandee under Mosnier . . . . . . . 3rd Tirallieurs - [28 officers, 960 other ranks] under Antoine Pailhes . . . . . . . 4th Tirallieurs - [24 officers, 389 other ranks] in Paris under George Albert . . . . . . . 5th Tirallieurs - [23 officers, 153 other ranks] in Paris under Lapaige-Dorsenne . . . . . . . 6th Tirallieurs - [16 officers, 249 other ranks] in Rouen under Auguste Contamine . . . . . . . 7th Tirallieurs - [17 officers, 89 other ranks] in Paris under Jean-Pierre Lalaude . . . . . . . 8th Tirallieurs - [8 officers, 77 other ranks] in Lyon under Varlet . . . . . . . 1st Voltigeurs [31 officers, 1.188 other ranks] under Antione-Joseph Secretan . . . . . . . 2nd Voltigeurs - [29 officers, 910 other ranks] in Vandee under Claude Suisse de Sainte-Clair . . . . . . . 3rd Voltigeurs - [32 officers, 935 other ranks] under Francois-Alexandre Hurel . . . . . . . 4th Voltigeurs - [32 officers, 700 other ranks] in Rueil ? under Jean-Francois Teisseire . . . . . . . 5th Voltigeurs - [30 officers, 175 other ranks] in Paris under Joseph Leclerc . . . . . . . 6th Voltigeurs - [20 officers, 110 other ranks] in Amiens under Guillaume-Joseph de Penguern . . . . . . . 7th Voltigeurs - [18 officers, 187 other ranks] in Amiens under Marchal . . . . . . . 8th Voltigeurs - [14 officers, 171 other ranks] in Amiens under Henry Puis Only five or six out of the sixteen regiments were combat-ready. In the ranks of Young Guard served volunteers, Corsicans, and even deserters. Some went out with girls and/or got drunk. Several battalions of Young Guard were under general Lamarque serving in Vendee. He complained that they were filled with recruits and deserters who neither knew how to maneuver nor shoot. (Lasserre - "Les Cent jours en Vendée: le général Lamarque et l'insurrection royaliste, d'après les papiers inédits du général Lamarque." published in 1906.) A a levy of selected 2 officers and 20 men from each line and light infantry regiment joined the new Guard. Only the 1st Grenadiers and 1st Chasseurs were filled with men with 12 years' service and with the men of Elba Battalion. They were the old of the Old Guard, the sine pari (without equal). Almost 30 % of the I/1st Grenadiers were veterans of 20-25 campaigns, one third was awarded for bravery. They averaged 35-years of age and 5'11" in height. The 2nd Grenadiers and 2nd Chasseurs accepted men with 8 years' service. The 3rd and 4th Grenadiers, and 3rd and 4th Chasseurs were filled up with men with only 4 years' service in the Line. 1815 Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale Foot Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard Old Guard 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers 3rd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers 4th Regiment of Foot Grenadiers 1st Regiment of Foot Chasseurs 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs 3rd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs 4th Regiment of Foot Chasseurs Young Guard . . . . . . . 1st Regiment of Tiraileurs 2nd Regiment of Tiraileurs 3rd Regiment of Tiraileurs 4th Regiment of Tiraileurs 5th Regiment of Tiraileurs 6th Regiment of Tiraileurs 7th Regiment of Tiraileurs 8th Regiment of Tiraileurs 1st Regiment of Voltigeurs 2nd Regiment of Voltigeurs 3rd Regiment of Voltigeurs 4th Regiment of Voltigeurs 5th Regiment of Voltigeurs 6th Regiment of Voltigeurs 7th Regiment of Voltigeurs 8th Regiment of Voltigeurs The beaurocrats in Ministry of War named the 3rd and 4th regiments of grenadiers and chasseurs, the Old Guard, but the army called them Middle Guard. The Young Guard consisted of volunteers, retired men, Corsicans, recruits and even deserters. It recruited with great difficulty and Napoleon thought of sending the conscripts from the north and the Pas-de-Calais to Paris for the Young Guard. "... but that would weaken the I Army Corps (d'Erlon's) which must be recruited in these departments." wrote the Emperor to the Minister of War. Napoleon also encouraged the officers of the Young Guard to put up posters and bestir themselves to recruit men. He wrote to the Minister: "Send officers to the mairies with bands and drums and ... do everything possible to arouse enthusiasm in the young." In August, just few months after Waterloo, King Louis XVIII ordered the Imperial Guard abolished. In September the Young Guard was disbanded. On 11 September, General Roguet, reviewed the 1st Grenadiers for the last time. A new Royal Guard was formed: two regiments of Swiss infantry eight cavalry regiments gendarmes artillery The new Royal Guard looked great during parades and reviews. Most of the members of the Imperial Guard went home. However some of the veterans of the Old Guard were on half-pay and stayed in Paris. They entertained themselves by mocking the young soldiers and aristocratic officers and shouting confusing commands during the Royal Guard's drills. :-) When the new officers amused themselves by snatching an eagle-crested button from the threadbare coat of a limping veteran, there would be a sudden casualties in nearby alleys. When a group of young officers of the Royal Army jammed into a provincial theater to heckle Talma, a friend of Napoleon, the attentive citizenry and veterans asked for a short intermission, bounced them out the handiest door, and ran them down the street to the shelter of their barracks. Years later, when at last death knocked at Napoleon's door He remembered his Guardsmen in his will. Approx. 200,000 francs were to be divided among the amputees of Ligny and Waterloo, with double to the Guard, and quadruple to the men of the Elba Battalion.

. Between 1806 and 1810 the Guard's uniforms had cost 20 million francs (!), and the cost kept rising. Uniforms of the Imperial Guard. "On that day [20th February 1814] Napoleon fought an action near Nogent. Being Mardi Gras, (ext.link) his Young Guard raided a costumer's shop and fought in masks and fancy dress. The fight [with the Austrians] was rough ... " (- Henri Lachoque) The famous painter David tried to persuade Bonaparte and the generals to adopt new fashions and dress in the Roman style, but the kilts the of Ecole de Mars met with small success. The Jacobins clung to the historic dress of the Gardes francaises which, besides being of the national blue, white, and red, was after all, the uniform worn by the stormers of the Bastille. Moreover, a long war had emptied the clothing magazines and had left no time to destroy all the trappings of Tyranny. The soldiers were disgusted with their old clothes, with the uniforms of the Royal army, and with the faded libert caps and the ill-matched shoes. Such garments lowered the prestige of the Guard. With the better cloth, real leather and gold laces, a new type of soldier appeared at the dawn of 1800. And the Guard prided itself on being the criterion. Officers of the Guard ruined themselves for clothes and accoutrements. An officer thought nothing of spending 35 francs for a bearskin and 18 for a pair of elegant boots. Such elegant outfits also pleased the young women. Between 1806 and 1810 the Guard's uniforms had cost 20 million francs (!), and the cost kept rising. In the Line, coats and waistcoats had to last 3 years, overcoats 4, hats 5, and heavy equipment 20; but no term was specified (according to Henri Lachoque) in the Guard in that time. The resulting waste appalled the honest Daru. The wardrobe of the grenadier or chasseur was large and cost 258 francs (approx. 100,000 francs in 1956). It included a bearskin cap, 2 dress coats, 2 waistcoats, 2 pairs of breeches, 1 pair of stockings, and a single shirt. The guardsmen combed their queues and tied them just 2 inches below the base of the skull, shined their boots, and chalked their leather belts. Doubtless some privates had dirty hands, but all wore clean white gloves. :-) The officers' uniforms were literally loaded with gold lace. The luxury of the gilded phalanx was overwhelming; it drove the crowds to frenzy of enthusiasm, and set the girls to dreaming. The Emperor didn't like ragged gaiters nor torn shirts. The guardsmen had to groom their bearskin caps, to brush and brus their fur. General Hulin of the Grenadiers issued the following: "The Commandant has noticed several soldiers wearing black gaiters on the march and reminds them of the regulations expressly ordering them to wear grey ..." Uniform Plates [Gaiters: white for summer parade, black for winter, gray for long marches.] [Trousers: white or offwhite for summer, dark blue for winter] P - parade, C - campaign and combat, M - marches, and sometimes in combat for details see Jouineau and Mongin - "The French Imperial Guard"

Organization of the Imperial Guard. Regiment, Battalion and Company In general the infantry of the Imperial Guard was organized the same way as the rest of the army. There were only few differences. For example in 1808-1815 the line regiment had staff, and 3-6 battalions of 6 companies each. In comparison the Guard regiment had staff, and only 2 battalions of 4-8 companies each. In 1804 the Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (and Regiment opf Foot Chasseurs) consisted of staff and 3 battalions (two were made of battle-hardened veterans and one battalion of young Velites), see below: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regimental Staff: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Senior Officers: Colonel and Major . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Quartier-maitre Tresorier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Vuguemestre Segeant-Major (wagonmaster) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Tambour-Major and 3 Caporaux-Tambours (drummers NCOs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Chefs de Bataillon (commanding the three battalions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Adjutant-Majors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sous-Adjutant-Majors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Officiers de sante . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Eagle-Escort (Porte-Drapeau) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-combatants: Chirurgien, Tailleur, Cordonnier, Guètrier, 2 Armuriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Musical Band. . . . . . . . . . . I Battalion (8 Companies) Each company: 4 officers, 1 sergent-major, 4 sergents, 1 furier, 8 corporals 2 sapers in the rank of corporal, 2 drummers and 80 grenadiers (or chasseurs) . . . . . . . . . . II Battalion (8 Companies) Each company: 4 officers, 1 sergent-major, 4 sergents, 1 furier, 8 corporals 2 sapers in the rank of corporal, 2 drummers and 80 grenadiers (or chasseurs) . . . . . . . . Vélites Battalion (4 Companies) Each company: 3 officers, 1 sergent-major, 4 sergeants, 1ourrier, 8 corporals 2 Tambours and 72 Vélites When the Velite Battalions were disbanded and formed the Regiment of Fusiliers, each Guard regiment had only 2 battalions. In this formation they served until the end of the napoleonic wars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regimental Staff: * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Major-Commandant (in the rabk of senior officer or general) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chefs de Bataillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Captains Adjutant-Majors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Lieutenants Adjutant-Majors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Paymaster in the rank of lieutenant or captain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eagle-Escort only in 1st Grenadiers and 1st Chasseurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-combatants: Chirurgien, Tailleur, Cordonnier, Guètrier, 2 Armuriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Musical Band. . . . . . . . . I Battalion (4 Companies) . . . . . . . . II Battalion (4 Companies) ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- * - The staff of regiment of the Old Guard varied slightly from the staff of regiment of the Young Guard. For example in 1813 the 7th Regiment of Tirailleurs was commanded by senior officer (Concourt) while the 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers by general (Michel). (Young Guard) 7e Regiment de Tirailleurs . . . . . 1 Major-Commandant: Concourt . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chefs de Bataillon: Magne, Tangnagell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Cpt. adjudant-mjr.: Charlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Ltn. adjudant-mjr.: De Besteen, and one vacant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Ltn. officier-payeur: vacant (Middle Guard) Regiment de Fusiliers-Grenadiers . . . . . 1 Major-Commmandant: Flamand . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chefs de Bataillon: Leglise, Lafargue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Cpt. adjudant-mjr.: Rostein, Pelee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Ltn. sous-adjudant-mjr.: Senot, Pasquy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Officier-payeur: Capitaine Goussin (Old Guard) 1er Regiment de Grenadiers . . . . . 1 Major-Commandant: GdB Michel . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chefs de Bataillon: Albert, Belcourt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Cpt. adjudant-mjr.: Tardieu, Pernon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Ltn. sous-adjudant-mjr.: De Perron, Foucher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Ltn. officier-payeur: Bourgeois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Ltn. Porte-aigle : Chauvey The regiments of Old Guard and Young Guard had sappers. These men wore tall bearskins and white leather aprons and marched at the head of the regiments. The only problem was in the Young Guard with meeting the requirement of having beards by the sappers. Paul de Bourgoing writes: "Choose the 12 men who seem to have the thickest beards, or are likely to grow them. Above all, don't take any blondes or redheads; only men with black beards, whom you'll place out in front.... Most were still beardless." Henri Lachoque writes: "Twelve priviledged characters were appointed sappers who would carry axes and wear aprons and bearskin bonnets. Guessing which of the youths would grown beards - and black ones, for red or blond beards were out - was something of a problem." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 201) Theoretically the Guard battalion was approx. 800-men strong. Due to casualties, sickness and other reasons the units never reached the maximum strength. For example in Leipzig (1813) the average battalion of Old Guard was 780-men strong, the Middle Guard 520 and the Young Guard had 455 men. Napoleon changed the organization of battalion from 8 (smaller) companies to 4 (larger) ones. This organization lasted until the end of Napoleonic wars. For example in 1815 according to Article 2. (Decree of April 8th) Guard regiment "will consist of 2 battalions, each of 4 companies." In 1810-1811 each company of Young Guard had: 1 captain, 4 lieutenants (two of 1st and two of 2nd class), 1 sergent-major, 4 sergeants, 1 furier, 8 corporals, 1 sapper (with bearskin but too young for proper beard), 3 drummers and 200 voltigeurs or tirailleurs.

. In 1811-1814 the 5th Regiment of Tirailleurs (Young Guard) was commanded by Major Hennequin. He was a tough man "who laughed when he burnt himself". The Young Guard [Jeune Garde] Their cadres came from the Old Guard; their privates were the strongest and best educated men from the current class of conscripts. "The Young Guard infantry appeared in 1809 with the organization of two regiments each of tiraileurs-grenadiers and tirailleurs-chasseurs. Their cadres came from the Old Guard; their privates were the strongest and best educated men from the current class of conscripts. There were also two regiments each of conscripts-grenadiers and conscripts-chasseurs, likewise taken directly from the newly summoned conscripts. Their enlisted cadre was from the (Guard) fusiliers; their lieutenants were students from St. Cyr. The cadre, especially its senior officers, did not take kindly to being in 'conscript' outfits. One regiment's vehicles were marked with Garde Imperiale, Regiment de Grenadiers in letters 2 feet high, below which, in small print, was CTS (the abbreviation for 'conscript'). The rest of the army thought this exceedingly funny and nicknamed the regiment the 'cts'. The regiment was not amused, and there were several duels. Before they hit the road to Spain for on-the-job training, the conscripts received a very modern-seeming orientation, stressing the Spanish attitude toward such matters as religion and women ..." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" pp 194-195) Napoleon gave seasoned officers to command the Young Guard. These veterans forged their men into a superbly drilled and strictly disciplined force. The martial air of the first regiments of Young Guard astonished everyone. The men of Young Guard were healthy and with stamina (in 1812 the 4th Voltigeurs and 4th Tirailleurs marched 468 miles in 23 days !) In 1809 the height requirement was 163 cm, in 1814 157 cm. Napoleon wanted them to be at least 5' tall. The taller of the recruits went into the Tirailleurs-Grenadiers while the shorter ones entered the Tirailleurs-Chasseurs. In 1809 the 1st Conscripts-Grenadiers and 1st Conscripts-Chasseurs campaigned in the mountainous Tyrol against Andreas Hofer's insurrection. Hofer begun to secretly organize insurrection, visiting villagers and holding councils of war in local inns. He was so much on the move that he signed his messages "Andreas Hofer, from where I am" and letters to him were addressed to "wherever he may be". Hofer commanded a force of Tyroleans approximately 20,000 strong, together with a couple of hundred Austrian soldiers. The French promised a reward for his head. Hofer was captured by Italian troops and sent to Mantua in chains. He was executed. Hofer became a martyr in Germany and Austria and a rallying point against the power of Napoleon. The Young Guard also fought hard in the battle of Aspern-Essling. Henri Lachoque writes: "A desperate struggle commenced during which Marshal Lannes was mortally wounded. Massena held the village of Aspern with admirable tenacity while the Austrian grenadiers wrested Essling from Boudet's division. Then the Emperor's aides, Generals Mouton and Rapp, recaptured it with troops from Curial's [Guard] division. 'Forward in column ! Keep your heads down and don't bother about the number of enemies' the Emperor ordered. The Guard batteries supported the attack, firing at top speed. Captain Bizard had his arm shot off. Some of the gun crews were reduced to 2 men. Durosnel, Drouot, Curial, and Gros were all wounded, as was Mouton who was created Count of Lobau after the battle. The tirailleurs drove the enemy out of Gross-Aspern. Captain Ciceron was sent to the cemetery where he was overwhelmed by a superior force and obliged to retreat. Wounded, and with the rear-guard of his company surrounded, he had to surrender. In its baptism of fire the Young Guard lost a quarter of its effectives. Lieutenant-Colonels Lanabere and Lonchamp as well as Rousseau, Secretan, Labusquette, and Ciceron were all wounded more or less severely." In 1810 in Spain the Young Guard was tired but war-wise. Colette, a soldier of the 2nd Conscripts-Chasseurs writes: "The [Spanish] partisans blockaded us for 4 days without bread so we ate the captain's horse. ... Then we charged them with bayonets and made an opening. When we leave a town the Spaniards enter it and come out to attack us every night. ... Where we are, they are all around us ..." Corporal Franconin of the 1er Tirailleurs-Grenadiers writes: "We have been running around the mountains for almost two months. We set out in the morning and sleep in whatever village we land in at the end of a fruitless search. We have seen the partisans several times. Two of our mobile columns ... came across one of the largest bands on a hillside two musket shots from Belorado. We gave them a good beating ..." In 1811 Mignolet of the 1st Tirailleurs wrote from Spain: "Their bands grow bigger every year, for we burn their towns and villages ..." Napoleon recalled part of the Young Guard for his campaign against Russia. Roguet's division had covered a distance of 465 miles by wagon and over 700 on foot ! During the campaign in Russia in 1812 the Young Guard fought at Smolensk. Delaborde's division fought its way into the suburbs with difficulty. Voltigeurs and Tirailleurs, parched by the heat, devoured green apples they found in the orchards. Amid toppling houses, screaming wounded roasting in the flames they penetrated to the center of the burning city which lay under an immense pall of flame-colored smoke. The Russian infantry fought from house to house. At last, near the burned bridge, the Young Guard joined the Polish infantry of the Vistula Legion under Clapared who were firing on the retreating Russians. Smolensk was in French hands. The Guard reached Moscow. The Old Guard was posted in Kremlin and its surroundings, while the Young Guard was quartered in the rubble around the palace of Count Rostopchin, governor of Moscow. The young men made themselves comfortable and ate off gold-rimmed porcelain. In few weeks the Guard left the beautiful city and marched westward. In one of Delaborde's brigades 99 young soldiers died of starvation between Smolensk and Moscow. The winter retreat from Russia destroyed the Young Guard. The epic events of 1813 saw the emergence of the Young Guard as Napoleon's effective shock troops, men who made up for what they may have lacked in the pomp and foppery of parade-ground ceremony with awe-inspiring, sledgehammer blows on the battlefield. March or die was the napoleonic formula - and it did not appeal to the young soldiers. No one was allowed to lag behind and in 1813 special NCO detachments knew how to make the "lame" walk. Soon many youngsters fought from fear rather than for glory. In Paris 320 were arrested for desertion and sent to prison. In Dresden the Young Guard spearheaded the French onlsaught, smashing through the stubborn Allies line and assuring victory one of the largest engagements of Napoleonic Wars. The 1er Tirallieurs charged six Prussian battalions at bayonet point, taking several hundred prisoners, General Gros' 4th and 5th Voltigeurs captured the trenches at Freiberg. The 3rd Voltigeurs led by Cambronne captured a whole battalion. Hilaire writes: "Already, in the center, the Hungarians of Colloredo had removed the redoubt of the barrier at Dippodiswalde; on the right, the Austrian artillery had extinguished the fire of our batteries at the gate of Freyberg; and on the left, the Russians and the Prussians penetrated in the suburb of Pirma… the inhabitants, dismayed, barricaded themselves in their houses; the women and the children sought refuge in the cellars: the enemy believed himself sure of victory. It was while shouting: To Paris! to Paris! that its first columns tried to force the gate of Plauen. The door opened… it finally was like the eruption of a volcano. The battalions of the Young Guard, commanded by Tyndal, Cambronne, and Dumoustier, sprang; the fire from the crenellated walls supported their exit; the redoubt was abandoned with the retreat of the Austrian columns, on all sides a hailstorm of bullets and cannon balls covers the plain. The enemy moved back terrified." The Young Guard however paid a high price for the victory. Nearly all its generals, including Dumoustier, Delaborde, Castex, Tindal and Boyer de Rebeval, were wounded. More than 100 officers and 2,000 men were casualties. General Dumoustier was charging the enemy at the Pirna Gate when suddenly, as the Young Guard emerged from the city, the drums of the 3rd Tirailleurs stopped beating. Who gave the orders to halt ? No one. A burst of a grapeshot had simply mown down all the drummers. At the review after battle Napoleon took off his hat to the Young Guard. He said: "There go the brave 1st Tirailleurs. Order 100 out of ranks so that I may award them the cross of the Legion." The Young Guard were in the forefront of Emperor's juggernaut, surging on to the bullet-swept fields of Lutzen and Leipzig, and wreaking havoc on every enemy that tried to stand before them. "More and more battalions arrived in our front line, and the Emperor ordered them to direct all their fire at the village. ... the Emperor drew his sword, placed himself between the two columns of Young Guard, and advanced through the resulting gap toward Kaja. The Young Guard stormed the vilage without firing a shot and ejected all the enemy with the bayonet." (Chlapowski, - p 135) In Leipzig, Marshal Oudinot turned to his generals and said: "Take your division Decouz, and that of Pacthod and drive away these guys with a kick in the rear, so that they then will only flee." They cheered their Emperor as they marched past him. The drummers, tediously beating the rhythm of the march, broke into flurries when they realized He was so close. Napoleon and his staff watched their advance. Oudinot's troops passed by Wachau and in frontal assault captured Auenhain sheep-farm. Mortier's troops drove into University Wood sweeping all before them. In 1814 the men of Young Guard were lean, their uniforms and shoes generally in a sorry state of dilapidation. The young boys were brave and enthusiastic, but they were too young and lacked stamina. Thusands fell sick and exhausted during the rapid marches. But hopes run high, in January at Epinal one battalion of 1st Voltigeurs lost 50 % its effectives defending the rear of the army. Dragging their single cannon, this unit finally reached Nancy where they were congratulated by Marshal Ney. In Brienne, Blucher launched an assault in an effort to recapture the chateau. In the dark streets below Marshal Ney let loose his Voltigeurs in the rear of the exhausted Russian battalions. The enemy was caught between two fires and suffered heavily. A frightful slaughter ensued in the darkness lighted intermittently by burning houses. The French and Russian battalions became mixed. In the chaotic combat General Decouz received a mortal wound. In La Rothiere the Young Guard suffered heavy casualties in the street fighting. Blucher directed Russian 2nd Grenadier Division toward the burning village. The Astrakhan Grenadier Regiment and Little Russia Grenadier Reegiment charged into La Rothiere and drove the Young Guard at bayonet point. The Young Guard broke and fled and was only rallied in the northern part of the village "by officers beating men back into the ranks." They were able to hold only on few buildings so the fight for the village was inconclusive. In Craonne a withering Russian artillery fire decimated the 14e Voltigeurs. They lost 28 of 33 officers and 50 % of rank and file. Bigarre and Le Capitaine were both hit, as were Guye and Boyer de Rebeval. During the battle of Paris the 11th Voltigeurs made a gallant charge to rescue Marmont's infantrymen, hard pressed in the woods of Romainville. Together they cleared the Russians from the outskirts of Pantin. The 2nd Voltigeurs met the Russian grenadiers head on and exchanged volleys before falling back. Suisse led the 10th Voltigeurs out at bayonet point and had his jaw smashed in the process. The Flanquers-Grenadiers recaptured the bridge over the canal. In Soissons were - among others - 1,160 Voltigeurs and Tirailleurs. They had been besieged since 20 March by Prussians. They withstood bombardement, mines and repeated ultimatums and they refused every summons to surrender. Every salvo they fired on the night of 29/30 March was accompanied by shouts Vive l'Empereur ! Major Braun led 500 of them down the Crouy road and attacked the Prussian outposts as they were making their soup. The Young Guard brought the half-cooked meat back to Soissons, but left one of its captains dead on the field. On the 7th a peasant bringing letters from the Prussian general was run out of town without ceremony. An ADC of the war minister wearing a white cockade was obliged to retreat in the face of threats from the young soldiers whose officers had the greatest difficulty in controlling them.

. The men of the Middle Guard were physically the best of all Guard units. The men of the Young Guard lacked stamina and battle experience. Although the Old Guard had incredible battle experience and stamina and enjoyed the highest esprit de corps, the 30-40 years old men were physically not as good as the 20-25 years old of the Middle Guard. The Middle Guard [Moyenne Garde] In Krasne in 1812, the Emperor formed all 4 battalions of Fusiliers and directed towards Buyanovo, Malievo and Chirkova. They advanced noiselessly, their watches synchronized for a simultaneous attack. At midninght, in cold, the Fusiliers fell upon the enemy with bayonets, throwing them into disorder and inflicting heavy losses. Krasny was on fire, revealing a Dante's inferno. The Middle Guard was far less numerous than the Young Guard. Only few regiments and battalions were ranked as Middle Guard: 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers (in 1813-1815 were ranked as Old Guard) 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs (in 1813-1815 were ranked as Old Guard) 3rd Regiment of [Dutch] Foot Grenadiers Regiment of Fusilier-Grenadiers (1806-1811 Young Guard, 1814 Old Guard, in 1815 3rd Grenadiers) Regiment of Fusilier-Chasseurs (1806-1811 Young Guard, 1814 Old Guard, in 1815 3rd Chasseurs) Battalion of Velites of Turin Battalion of Velites of Florence Battalion of [Polish] Grenadiers (1813) 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs. In 1813 they entered Naumburg and Sapper Winckel of the 2nd Grenadiers, hauled down the Prussian flag from the steeple and raised the French colors. The two regiments were formed in 1806 from veterans with at least 6 years' service. Soon these units were disbanded and - in 1810 - the regiment of Dutch Grenadiers took on the name 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers. The Dutchmen wore white instead of dark blue uniforms. (In 1811 they were renamed to 3rd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers and in 1813 were disbanded.) In 1811 the 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers and 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs were reraised and strengthened with 500 men from the line with 5 years' service and 1.000 men from the instruction battalions at Fontainebleau. Few hundred of veterans were selected from the troops in Spain and sent to join the Middle Guard. Although they looked good with tanned faces, some of them went around and stole things in Paris. Lachoque writes: "The 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers was even handsomer than the 1st, the generals admitted. The men were 'younger, with better figures', but their esprit de corps was 'not of the highest.' They went poaching around Courbevoie and stole grapes from the vineyards of Argenteuil. General Michel of the 1st Grenadiers sent the offenders to prison. Life in Spain had corrupted them." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 203) The men of the 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers however complained that at a December review the Emperor's attention seemed fixed on a regiment of Croats rather than on them. In 1813 in the beginning of the campaign the 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers and 2nd Regiment of Foot Chasseurs were Middle Guard. Their first battalions were made of veterans of the Russian campaign and Fusiliers with 3 years' service. The second battalions were made of veterans of the Spanish war selected from the Line with 8 years' service. Within the same year, 1813, both regiments became Old Guard. They entered Naumburg and Sapper Winckel of the 2nd Grenadiers hauled down the Prussian flag from the steeple and raised the French colors. 3rd Regiment of [Dutch] Foot Grenadiers. They wore white uniforms and were much admired by the people of Versailles. In 1810, the Regiment of Foot Grenadiers of the Dutch Royal Guard (Regiment de Grenadiers de la Garde Royale Hollandaise) was incorporated into the French Guard as the 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers. They wore white uniforms and were much admired by the people of Versailles. Their commander was Ralph-Dundas Tindal, a tall Scot with a sentorian voice. They had as a drum-major one named Siliakus. He was a giant (202 cm tall !) born in Holland, and he died in Russia during the retreat. When 1811 two regiments, one of Grenadiers and one of Chasseurs, were raised, the former Dutch Grenadiers were renumbered as the 3rd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers. By way of welcome, Napoleon reviewed them and afterwards, open barrels of wine were set out for the perspiring Dutchmen. They found it a delicious change from their habitual beer and quaffed mightily - but couldn't carry the unaccustomed tipple. Roaring drunk they whacked one another and chased squealing Parisian women into the dusky groves. Lachoque writes: "On 6 Sept the Old Guard gave the newcomers a reception at Versailles that ended in an orgy of catastrophic proportions. Women were chased and attacked, men were beaten, and shops were rifled. ... Finally, towards midnight order was restored." In 1811 Napoleon approved the transfer of 25 Dutch grenadiers to the Line for bad conduct. The 3rd Regiment of [Dutch] Foot Grenadiers participated in the campaign in Russia. During the winter retreat they have suffered very heavy losses. They fought well in Krasne (Krasnoe). Napoleon disbanded the regiment and some Dutchmen eneded up in the French 2nd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers. Regiment of Fusiliers-Grenadiers Regiment of Fusiliers-Chasseurs "They came to dread the smoky huts in villages [in Spain] where men and beasts were huddled together and where the fleas in their pallets were simply indestructible. They had been better off in Germany where the hog was king." In good old Germany the beer was foamy and the girls very friendly The Fusiliers (Fusiliers de la Garde) were formed in 1806 from selected conscripts taken from infantry and from departamental reserve companies. In 1806 the height requirement was 168 cm (soon it was heightened to 173 cm). Napoleon writes: "Young men who volunteer, may enlist in the two fusilier regiments if they are strong and healthy and measure not less than 5'8" (173 cm)." These young and strong men looked really good, however during one of their parades in Paris the public made fun of their sleeves which were "too short and coats which were too tight. Could they have grown ? Boyer, their colonel, was convinced of it." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 104) The NCOs of the Fusiliers came from the battalions of Velites, while officers from the foot grenadiers and foot chasseurs. In 1807 the 2nd Fusiliers had been formed from conscripts. Soon it was renamed to Fusiliers-Grenadiers. Until 1811 both units of Fusiliers were ranked as Young Guard. In that year they became Middle Guard. It was ordered that the Fusiliers were to be replenished with voltigeurs and tirailleurs of the Young Guard with 2 years' service and some education, and selected conscripts. Napoleon wrote that the most distinguished and intelligent Fusiliers with 4 years' service or citation for gallantry should be admitted to the Old Guard. Napoleon added: "Thus half or one third of the Fusiliers will be recruited from the Young Guard and conscripts and half or one third of the Old Guard from the Fusiliers." In 1813 approx. 250 battalions from Spain furnished 6 veterans each with at least 4 years' service into the Fusiliers. In 1814 the Fusiliers became Old Guard although Napoleon refused to give them bearskins. The Fusiliers were disbanded after the campaign. The Fusiliers experienced the most changes of all Guard regiments; until 1811 they were Young Guard, between 1811 and 1814 Middle Guard, and in 1814 Old Guard. When Napoleon raised regiments of Conscripts-Grenadiers and Coscripts-Chasseurs he took cadres from the Old and Middle Guard. Lachoque writes: "Stripped of 450 men for this purpose, the Fusiliers were replenished by a levy from each department of 4 conscripts who were intelligent, literate, roust, and of suitable height." In 1808 the Fusiliers were in Madrid, Spain, when the famous uprising against the French began. Chlapowski writes: "About 2,000 peasants and citizens were captured. ... these 2,000 were led out of the city, lined up beneath its wall and the order was given to a battalion of Fusiliers to shoot them." (Chlapowski - "Memoirs of a Polish Lancer" pp 36-37) The guerilla war had a negative effect on the young Fusiliers. Lachoque writes: "43 fusiliers-grenadiers had deserted during the retreat from Madrid. The youngsters were gloomy and no longer sang. They came to dread the smoky huts in villages where men and beasts were huddled together and where the fleas in their pallets were simply indestructible. They had been better off in Germany where the hog was king." In good old Germany the beer was foamy and the girls very friendly :-) In 1807 in Heilsberg Napoleon's ADC Jean-Marie René Savary received order to take Roussel's 4 battalions of Fusiliers and 12 guns and support Murat's cavalry. On came these gallant men of the Guard in magnificent formation. They marched in the direction where was fought the great cavalry battle and were almost swept away by the fleeing cuirassiers and dragoons. Marshal Murat met Savary and insisted that the guardsmen attack with bayonet. Savary was annoyed with Murat's actions: "It would be better for us if he (Murat) was less brave and had a little more common sense." Savary's guardsmen loaded their muskets and cannons and opened fire at close range. The enemy was checked by crisp volleys of the Fusiliers and many Russians and Prussians were unsaddled. The gallant commander of the Russian cuirassiers, GM Kozhin, was killed. One of the cuirassiers picked up his body, threw over saddle and rode away to the Russian lines. Russian artillery opened fire on the Fusiliers. According to Adolphe Thiers: "The brave General Roussel, who was, sword in hand, amidst the Fusiliers of the Guard, had his head carried off by a cannon ball." And the same moment described by St.Hilaire: "The Fusilier-Chasseurs of the Young Guard, commanded by General Savary, were put in motion to support the Saint-Hilaire division; those proved themselves as prodigious combatants with an intrepidity, which marked them throughout all the army. General Roussel, chief of staff of the Guard, who was in the midst of them, had his head carried off by a ball. General Curial, colonel of the fusilier-chasseurs of the Young Guard, was seriously wounded as a combatant at the head of this regiment with his accustomed courage." (St.Hilaire - "History of the Imperial Guard.") In 1809 the Fusiliers and Tirailleurs fought at Aspern-Essling and Wagram. Henri Lachoque writes: "A desperate struggle commenced during which Marshal Lannes was mortally wounded. Massena held the village of Aspern with admirable tenacity while the wrested Essling from Boudet's division. Then the Emperor's aides, Generals Mouton and Rapp, recaptured it with troops from Curial's [Guard] division. 'Forward in column ! Keep your heads down and don't bother about the number of enemies' the Emperor ordered. The Guard batteries supported the attack, firing at top speed. Captain Bizard had his arm shot off. Some of the gun crews were reduced to 2 men. Durosnel, Drouot, Curial, and Gros were all wounded, as was Mouton who was created Count of Lobau after the battle. The tirailleurs drove the enemy out of Gross-Aspern. Captain Ciceron was sent to the cemetery where he was overwhelmed by a superior force and obliged to retreat. Wounded, and with the rear-guard of his company surrounded, he had to surrender. In its baptism of fire the Young Guard lost a quarter of its effectives. Lieutenant-Colonels Lanabere and Lonchamp as well as Rousseau, Secretan, Labusquette, and Ciceron were all wounded more or less severely." In Krasne (Krasny, Krasnoie) in 1812, the Emperor formed all 4 battalions of Fusiliers in three columns and directed towards Buyanovo, Malievo and Chirkova. They advanced noiselessly, their watches synchronized for a simultaneous attack. At midninght, in cold, the Fusiliers led by Roguet fell upon the Russians with bayonets in their camps, throwing them into disorder and inflicting heavy losses. The Fusiliers lost more than 300 men. Krasny was on fire, revealing a Dante's inferno. Battalion of Velites of Florence Battalion of Velites of Turin. Prince Borghese proposed to Napoleon that an eagle be awarded to the velites but the Emperor refused: "Only the regiments of the Old Guard have eagles." The two Italian battalions were attached to the Guard. These were the Velites of Florence, and Velites of Turin, raised as as bodyguards for the Emperor's sister Elisa, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Prince Borghese, governor of the Transalpine departments. The Velites of Florence received Guard status in 1809, those of Turin in 1810. The Velites of Florence numbered 600 men under Major Dufour, veteran wounded at Marengo, and then captain of Guard Chasseurs. The officers and NCOs came from the Foot Chasseurs, and the privates from the Tuscan departments, over 18 years old, 5'10" tall, who could pay 200 francs for their board. The Velites of Turin mustered 475 men under Major Ciceron, a very brave man well-known in the Imperial Guard. The officers and NCOs came chiefly from the Foot Grenadiers. Prince Borghese proposed to Napoleon that an eagle be awarded to the velites but the Emperor refused: "Only the regiments of the Old Guard have eagles." Battalion of Polish Foot Grenadiers. The death of Prince Poniatowski had a decisive impact on the morale of the brave grenadiers. The Polish Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard are known under three names: - Bataillon de Grenadiers a Pied de la Garde Impériale - le Battaillon de Grenadiers polonais de la Garde Impériale - le Battailon d'Elite polonais This battalion was formed in 1813. It consisted of four companies, each of 183 grenadiers, 8 sappers, 3 drummers, 8 corporals, 1 fourier, 4 sergeants, 1 sergeant-major and 4 officers. The men were at least 23 years old and with 2 years service. The grenadiers wore Polish, and Saxon shakos. French General Curial insisted on wearing bearskins, so they picked up some Polish fur caps from the battlefield. The battalion was commanded by Kurcjusz, one of the most decorated Polish officers. September 15th: Commander: Chef de Bataillon Kurcjusz (from Polish 15th Infantry Regiment) Adjutant-Major: Captain Laski (from Polish 12th Infantry Regiment) Adjutant-Major: Lieutenant Gawronski - - - - - - 1st Company: Captain Smette (from Vistula Legion) - - - - - - 2nd Company: Captain Chmielewski (from Polish 12th Infantry Regiment) - - - - - - 3rd Company: Captain Sulejowski (from Vistula Legion) - - - - - - 4th Company: Captain Czerwinski (from Polish 1st Infantry Regiment) In Leipzig the Polish grenadiers captured Austrian General Merveldt, then fought in Probstheida, and finally in Leipzig itself. The destruction of (Polish) VIII Corps and the death of Prince Poniatowski had a decisive impact on the morale of the brave grenadiers. Kurcjusz surrendered to the Allies near Weissenfels and many soldiers deserted. According to Yves Martin the remnants of the battalion under Cpt. Smett fought at Hanau. Majority of the deserters joined other Polish troops. In the end of 1813, the battalion was disbanded and its men are transferred to the cavalry, 3e Guard Eclaireurs. (Yves Martin - "Polish Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard, 1813")

. "More dreadful-looking fellows I had never seen. They had the look of thoroughbread, veteran, disciplined banditti." - Mr Hayden ~ "...their skin was covered with tattoos, and large golden earrings hang from their ears, giving them the look of old-time pirates." - Alessandro Barbero The Old Guard [Vieille Garde] Nicknames: The Grumblers, The Eagles, The Supporters of the Usurper, The Gaiter Straps Of all the French infantry regiments of the Imperial Guard only the 1st Grenadiers and 1st Chasseurs carried Eagles. Over the door of their barracks was carved: "The Home of the Brave". The Old Guard enjoyed the highest prestige and in 1811 Napoleon made it clear to Berthier (chief-of-staff) "I wish it clearly understood that this priviledge doesn't apply to the 2nd Grenadiers and 2nd Chasseurs, nor to the Fusiliers (Middle Guard), voltigeurs and tirailleurs (Young Guard) nor the 2nd Lighthorse-lancers ("Red Lancers"). ... Keep this decision for your guidance alone." Picture: the old of the Grenadiers of Old Guard. Musee l'Armee. Only two regiments were the real Old Guard, the 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers and the 1st Regiment of Foot Chasseurs. They were the elite of the elite, the creme de la creme of Napoleon's infantry. The grenadiers wore tall black bearskin, with a brass plate representing in relief a crowned eagle holding thunderbolts in its talons. The cartridge box was decorated by a large eagle. They occupied the barracks of the Cent-Suisse, nearest the Emperor. Over the door was carved: "The Home of the Brave". The drum roll of the Grenadiers was Grenadiere, and for the Chasseurs was Carabiniere. Long surpassed by the German and Russian military bands, nevertheless the Old Guard had an excellent corps of musicians, many of whom were of foreign origin (incl. blacks who were masters of the rhythms). The band was led by a "jingling Johnny" and base and snare drums. The favorite songs played by their regimental band were: - "The Victory is Ours" played during Napoleon's entry to Moscow - "Let us watch over the Empire" - "The March of the Consular Guard" - "March of the Grenadiers" - "Marseillaise" - "I Like Onions Fried in Oil" :-) - 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers "[The foot grenadier has] ... square shoulders, the developed chest; his tanned skin, his slightly hollow cheeks, his aquiline nose, give to the whole of his figure an air of gravity which impresses on first sight. He walks with ease; ...all, in his pace, indicates the feeling of a superiority acquired on battlefields; this bearing, this assurance, are without pride, without affection. This man ... belongs to a corps of whom those who constitute it have no rivals. ... He has known it all: not a river, which he did not cross, from the Tiber to the Nile, Tag to Boristhène. He made his triumphal entry into the capitals of Europe; he knows the road of Vienna like that of Berlin." (- St.Hilaire) - 1st Regiment of Foot Chasseurs Although they were shorter than the grenadiers they were gayer, livelier "and more supple". "[The foot chasseur] ... his features did not have the gravity, which distinguished those of the grenadier his brother in arms; they even announced a kind of gaiety. The foot chasseur had abrupt movements, prompt gesture; he spoke with promptness, and during the discussion, he warmed up easily." (- St.Hilaire) Napoleon selected his guardsmen carefully and the requirements were not easy to meet for the candidates. In 1806 only one man from each infantry battalion was admitted to the Old Guard. The requirements were: - at least 10 years' service. Most had 3-4 campaigns, while some even as many as 12 campaigns ! - good conduct record - citation for bravery - under 35 age - able to read and write - at least 5'10" (English) for a grenadier and 5'8" for chasseur. Only men awarded with Legion of Honor were exempted from height requirement. In 1809 the Foot Grenadiers and Foot Chasseurs took 456 best NCOs from the army, they became privates in the Old Guard. The Guard was in its peak. In 1814 the 1st Chasseurs still had many old-timers: sapper Rothier - 21 years' service, 2 wounds, Private Stoll - 22 years' service and 20 campaigns, and so forth. Those who were too old, or crippled were sent to Company of Veterans stationed in Paris. This small unit was full of tanned and wrinkled, some lacking an arm, others striped like zebras with saber cuts. Napoleon's campaigned almost non stop. The numerous wars resulted in heavy losses. In 1811 in the Old Guard were only 532 veterans from Egypt and Italy, the rest were younger. The number of veterans decreased and Napoleon was forced to accept 500 soldiers with only 5 years' service. The long retreat from Russia destroyed the Old Guard. The survivors' cheeks were hollow. They had lived on horse flesh half roasted and rye water which in the absence of salt they seasoned with gunpowder. Their tattered uniforms and their feet being enveloped in shreds of coarse cloth made a sad sight. That "column of granite" had melted away ! In the end of the campaign only 408 grenadiers and 415 chasseurs were still in the ranks. Many were frost bitten, or died of hunger and exhaustion. In 1813 the Old Guard was rebuild, 250 battalions in Spain furnished 6 veterans each with at least 8 years' service. These men went into the 2nd Grenadiers and 2nd Chasseurs. The 1st Grenadiers and 1st Chasseurs accepted only those with at least 10 years' service. In January 1814 the men of Old Guard who, exhausted as they were, would have attacked the enemy without a murmur in battles. After the bloody battle of Craonne, Napoleon wrote to his brother Joseph, "The Old Guard alone stood firm - the rest melted like snow." April was the month of Napoleon's abdication. On April 7th the Old Guard came out of their barracks in Fountainebleau carrying torches and weapons shouting "Vive l'Empereur !" and "Down with the traitors !" These lads were ready to fight. On May 3rd took place a solemn entry of Louis XVIII in Paris. The royalist diarist de Boigne writes: "The procession was escorted by the Imperial Guard. Its aspect was imposing, but it froze us. It marched quickly, silent and gloomy. With a single glance it checked our outbursts of affection. ... The silence became immense, and nothing could be heard but the monotonous tramp of its quick striking into our very hearts." Another royalist, Chateaubraind had noticed how the veterans had "pulled their bearskins down over their eyes and presented arms with a gesture of fury." Chateaubriand related that when several weeks later "the King passed, the grenadiers of Old Guard bared their teeth like tigers. When they presented arms they did so with a movement of fury, and with a noise which filled the onlookers with terror." In 1815 only the 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers and 1st Regiment of Foot Chasseurs were filled with men with 12 years' service and with the men of Elba Battalion. They were the old of the Old Guard, the sine pari (without equal). Almost 30 % of the I/1st Grenadiers were veterans of 20-25 campaigns, one third was awarded for bravery. They averaged 35-years of age and 5'11" in height. You cannot exaggerate about these lads: they were battle-hardened veterans, bold, and physically strong. They were convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they were. If they had the chance to fight today in a pub, they would take the opponents to the cleaners, then drive them back in a school bus sobbing like the muppets. In 1814 Chateaubriand saw them: "I do not believe that human faces have ever worn such threatening expressions. These Grenadiers covered with scars, these conquerors of Europe, were forced to salute an old king, a veteran of years and not of war ... [some] drew the corners of their mouths into grimaces of scorn and rage ..." Italian historian Alessandro Barbero writes: "...their skin was covered with tattoos, and large golden earrings hang from their ears, giving them the look of old-time pirates." In 1812 Napoleon made his entry to Moscow at the head of the Old Guard. Guns were posted in Kremlin at each corner of the square, while companies of Foot Grenadiers and Foot Chasseurs guarded the gates. The Grenadiers and Chasseurs did fight in numerous battles; Eylau (1807), Wagram (1809), Dresden (1813), Leipzig (1813), Hanau (1813), Brienne, La Rothiere (1814), Paris (1814), Ligny (1815), Waterloo and Plancenoit (1815), to name only the biggest battles. Actually they participated in more combats and campaigned on more theaters of war than the Prussian, British and Russian foot guards. They were the best soldiers in Europe, no doubt about it. But they were only humans, they were real and not fictional characters like Major Sharpe and Rambo. (ext.link) In Hanau in 1813 the 1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers almost lost their color to the Bavarians. In 1800 at Marengo the grenadiers of the Consular Guard suffered heavily at the hands of the Austrians. Most accounts indicate that the Guard infantry conducted a rearguard action but suffered very heavy losses (a third of its number!) The Prussian, British and Russian Guards have tasted defeats and failures as well. For example the British Guards at Talavera was counterattacked, suffered 33 % casualties and fled in panick. At Quatre Bras (1815) the British Guards lost half thousand men within few moments and fled to Bossu Wood "like a herd of deer". At Austerlitz the Russian Guard was defeated by the French in such a manner that they should consider themselves lucky to escape from the battlefield. If you are looking for the never-ever defeated I recommed the fictional heroes from Hollywood and elsewhere. In Eylau (1807) a column of Russian grenadiers following up the flight of Augereau's corps had penetrated into the cemetery where Napoleon stood. He called up a battalion of the Guard. There were six battalions that had taken no part in the contest except to stand and see their ranks rent by shot. With joy, therefore, they saw a prospect of mingling in the strife. Two battalions disputed the honor of charging the Russians. The first in order marched forward, and without stopping to fire, overthrew the grenadiers with the bayonet. Bruyere's cavalry charged the Russians. Lachoque writes: "Towards the close of the cavalry fight a Russian column of 4,000 men stormed the cemetery. The Emperor sent Dorsenne against them with a battalion of Guard Grenadiers. Without firing a shot the Grumblers hurled them back with bayonets while the service squadrons attacked their flanks. Major Lonchamp and Captain Rogery were wounded." (Lachoque - "Anatomy of Glory" , pp 88-89) In 1812 the Old Guard fought at Krasne. During the frightful winter retreat from Russia the Old Guard lost more than half of men. But they never murmured, never broke their solid formation, but clenching firmly with frozen fingers their muskets, struggled and died at their posts. One guardsmen said: "We are used up, but it is all the same, Vive l' Empereur. We have always thoroughly flogged these Russians, who are nothing but schoolboys compared to us." Such was the destitution and such the spirit of this glorious old corps. During the retreat, as the army approached the Beresina, the paymaster of the Guard f earing the chest would fall into the hands of the Cossacks, distributed the whole amount among the soldiers of the Guard, who put it in their knapsacks. When the army reached the other side of the river, it was rendered up again, and the amount, 2,000,000 of francs, found entire, with the exception of some two hundred francs, which had sunk with the grenadier who carried it in the waves of the Beresina. General Dorsenne, who commanded the Old Guard, once said, "If I had a wagon load of gold, I would put it in the mess-room of my grenadiers - it would be safer there than under lock and key." In Hanau (1813) Bavarian troops deployed before to fight the retreating from Leipzig French troops. When this was told Napoleon, he said, "... since these Bavarian gentlemen pretend to bar our passage, we must pass over their bellies." It was then that Napoleon galloping up to his Guard ordered two battalions of chasseurs to clear the field, while at the same time he directed Drouot to advance with the artillery of the Guard. The scene then became indescribably fearful. The two battalions of the Old Guard charged almost on a run, overthrew everything in their passage, and forced the enemy into a precipitate retreat. Captain Godau, at the head of only two companies, charged and overthrew several battalions of the Bavarians. Lachoque described the attack: "Towards 3 PM, with the Grenadiers formed in square behind him, Napoleon flung out his arm and said: 'The Chasseurs will charge.' Curial promptly formed the 2e Chasseurs in line of battle and launched it onto the road and into the woods beyond. Though its commander Cambronne fell wounded with a dozen of his officers, the Chasseurs pushed the Bavarians back to the Kinzig valley ... Friant's Grenadiers held Neuhof and the bridge at Lamboy, and the road to Frankfurt was clear." John Elting writes: "... the Emperor sends in 2 battalions of Guard Chasseurs to clear the way for him. They surged forward, light infantry style at the run in open order, loading their muskets as they come, each man seeking to be first to get his bayonet into a Bavarian. To Wrede, the sight of their bearskin caps is a nerve-wrenching omen of defeat. ... And there 2 battalions of Guard Grenadiers, literally shaking with impatience, finally hear the order: 'Grenadiers, forward !' An officer who had fought for hours on the extreme left of the French line, sees them come: "... their line swept down the slope in perfect order, but headlong and terrible for these men were furious. ... In an instant everything before them was knocked over, run through, swept into the Kinzig River, where 700 to 800 piled up. - A frightful spectacle for a human being, a superb one for a soldier." In Dresden (1813) the Austrian 1st Light Division attacked the suburbs and redoubts in the center. They managed to take one redoubt by storm and assaulted the city walls. The Austrians however were unable to gain more terrain and were soon repulsed with by bayonet charges by the Grenadiers of Old Guard and Fusiliers of the Middle Guard. In 1814, after the battle of Brienne, Captain Hauillet with a company of the 2nd Chasseurs of the Old Guard, was appointed to cover the withdrawal of the army. But soon after he had taken his position, an overwhelming force of Austrians suddenly came upon him. There seemed no escape - but they were a part of the Old Guard, and if they fell, it would be like the Spartans in Thermopylæ. Hauillet called together the drummers and ordered the Chasseurs not to fire, but to advance with the bayonet. The charge was then beaten and at the head of only 150 men, he flung himself on the Austrians advancing against him, broke their ranks in pieces, and put them to flight. In 1814, after the battle of La Rothiere, several Allies battalions which did not arrive till too late to take part in the battle, covered Sacken's retreat. As the French approached, these battalions advanced to meet them, but a battalion of the Old Guard drove in the tirailleurs, while six other battalions fell on them in front. At the same time the dragoons of the Guard came thundering on, breaking through the first and second lines, and putting all to flight. On 12 January 1814, in the night, 300 Grenadiers and Chasseurs led by Albert advanced noiselessly towards Chatenay with fixed bayonets. With the visibility less than 6 feet (heavy snowstorm) they were still a mile away when they heard the challenge Wer da ? A patrol of Austrian chevaulegeres vanished into the night without waiting for a reply. Albert ordered his men forward on the double. They reached Chatenay to find the enemy formed in line of battle. Twenty fice Chasseurs entered the village from the south and 25 Grenadiers from the north, while 50 bypassed it to cut off the enemy's line of retreat. At the command 'Forward !' the enemy was cut to pieces. Half of the chevaulegeres were killed and 21 were captured. Near Bar-sur-Aube a company of Chasseurs lay in ambush. As the Austrians emerged at daybreak the Chasseurs opened fire point-blank and drove them with bayonets. In Montmirail (1814) Marshal Ney took 6 battalions of Old Guard to attack the Russians who were entrenched to their chins in Les Greneaux and supported by artillery. Thirt guns of Old Guard went into action, firing at top speed. Carrying their muskets with priming-pans open, the Grenadiers marched off at the double by battalions, 100 paces apart. They attacked the farm and overwhelmed the enemy who fled, leaving their guns and soup kettles behind them. The Henrion formed the 2nd Chasseurs in squares, as if at a drill, and threw back the cavalry charges. In Chateau-Thierry (1814) two battalions of Grenadiers drove Prince William of Prussia off the Nesle Plateau and into the city. The enemy fled across the Marne bridge in disorder, under fire from Old Guard artillery. A company of Grenadiers went in at the double and scaled the walls of the farm of Bouc-aux-pierres under a hail of bullets. The Grenadiers forced their way into the house and bayoneted the Prussians, taking few prisoners. The Emperor was jubilant. The Old Guard fought hard at the Battle of Paris. Lieutenant Viaux of 2e Grenadiers of Old Guard collected 20 soldiers at Montmartre and fought to the end. His body full of wounds was found under a tree, with saber in his hand and surrounded by corpses of dead and wounded Prussians. Near Courbevoie Captain Morlay with 50 grenadiers of the Old Guard, almost all wounded, was in charge of the defense of the bridge of Neuilly. Attacked, in the evening, by 2,000 men with 4 cannons, these veterans were summoned several times to give up; but their answer was the same with each summons: “The Old Guard never lays down its arms!” The invalides gave up their fight the next day only after had been granted a honorable terms. In 1815 at Ligny the advance of Old Guard was accompanied by tremendous artillery cannonade and thunder lightnings. They entered Ligny and swept everything before them with the bayonet, moving like a raging bull with lowered head. Ligny was taken to the refrain of the Chant du Depart. In 1815 at Waterloo while the Middle Guard attacked British-German-Netherland troops, two battalions of the Old Guard entered the village of Plancenoit and without firing a single shot drove the Prussians out of the village. Then they garrissoned the churchyard and prepared to sell their carcasses high. Read more > =============================================================================== PS. The Emperor was proud of their reputation, appearance, and always gave them a prominent place in his great exhibitions at Paris and elsewhere. They were pampered. In 1807 after the Peace Treaty between Russia and France was concluded, "The engineers had built a large wooden hut in which the officers of the Guard were to feast their erstwhile opponents. On the 30th the sun shone briliantly in a cloudless sky. In a well-chosen meadow, a cannon-shot from the town, planks nailed to trestles formed picninc tables for the 'brotherly feast', arranged around a square in which the band would play. The meal consisted of soup, beef, mutton, pork, goose and chicken. To drink: beer, brandy in barrels at the ends of the tables. The Guards ate standing. The Russians, initially suspicious and awkward, were reassured by the French. Coignet has left a detailed account of this feast, and although he may have exaggerated some details, he did so inadvertently, having written his memoirs more than 30 years after leaving the service and one can understand that this was in no way a formal banquet. 'These hungry men [the Russians] could not restrain themselves: they knew nothing of the reserve which one should exhibit at table. They were given brandy to drink, which was the drink of the meal and, before offering them a glass, it was proper to drink and then to pass them a goblet in white metal containing a quarter of a litre. The contents immediately disappeared; they swallowed a morsel of meat as large as an egg with each swig. They were quickly uncomfortable and by signs, invited us to unbutton, as they were doing. We saw that, in order to exagerrate their manly chests, they were swathed in cloth, which we were disgusted to see them discard." ( Georges Blond - "La Grande Armee" p 158)

. "Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bessieres took over the Guard and gave it careful, efficient administration." - John Elting Commanders of the Guard. Louis-Etienne de Rosnay joined the army in 1799 and within few months participated in several battles, could count 5 wounds and became captain. At Austerlitz he received his 8th wound, a shattered arm. In 1813, with 11 wounds, a musket ball lodged under his eye and citations for bravery he was promoted to general in the Young Guard. Marshal Jean Lannes In young age his strength and proficiency in all manly sports caused him to be elected sergeant-major. As a general and marshal, Lannes was a well-built fire-eater, with face riddled with wounds. Unfortunatelly he neglected the Guard's interior discipline. Marshal Jean Lannes was one of the first commanders of the Guard. Jean (John in English) had little education, but his great strength and proficiency in all manly sports caused him in 1792 to be elected sergeant-major of the battalion of volunteers of Gers. He served through several campaigns, and rose by distinguished conduct to the rank of chef de brigade. On the establishment of the empire he was created a marshal (1804). Lannes was a well-built fire-eater, with face riddled with wounds. Lannes had beaten down his flaming battle temper, which could raise blisters on granite. He developed such self-control that he was able to look at a quivering sentry who had narrowly missed him with an accidental shot and remark that he was certain the man was sorry. Lannes however neglected the Guard's interior discipline. He was unversed in the innate criminality of clothing contractors, and went some 300,000 francs into debt uniforming his Guard ! In Aspern-Essling (1809) an Austrian cannonball struck him. The knee-pan of one was smashed, and the back sinews of the other torn. Lannes said, "I am wounded; it's nothing much ..." He tried to rise, but could not. The surgeons proceeded to dress his wound. One of the marshal's legs was amputated. He bore the operation with courage; it was hardly over when Napoleon came up. The Emperor, kneeling beside the stretcher, wept as he embraced the marshal. His other leg was later also amputated. Few days later Jean Lannes died. (Ps. Lannes, Davout, Ney and Murat are the most popular marshals among our English-speaking visitors.) Marshal Jean Bessieres Bessieres gave the Guard careful, efficient administration. He was a thourough soldier and all soldier and was beloved to an extraordinary extent amongst his guardsmen. His cold courage never flinched, in crisis of battle a sudden beserk fury possessed him. Bessières was born in southern France in 1768. He took part in numerous campaigns and repeatedly distinguished himself for valour. Jean-Baptiste Bessieres took over the Guard and gave it careful, efficient administration. Bessieres was tall man with a youthful face. Despite being very rigorous in discipline, he was adored by every guardsman for his honesty, even temper, and bravery. His orders and speeches were cold and dry and he was the only marshal who kept the old-fashioned military style of both powdering his hair and wearing it in a long queue. Bessieres was excellent cavalryman and gallant fighter, thourough soldier and all soldier. His cold courage never flinched, in crisis of battle a sudden beserk fury possessed him. Bessières was killed by a cannon ball which ricocheted off a wall and hit him in the hand. He died from blood loss. [Bessieres] "... was personally beloved to an extraordinary extent amongst his soldiers, and (unlike most of the French generals of the time) amongst his opponents. It is said that masses were performed for his soul by the priests of insurgent Spain, and the king of Saxony raised a monument to his memory." (- wikipedia) Marshal Francois Lefebvre "I am a soldier, I must obey" - was his principle. Lefebvre was an excellent leader of men and his vocabulary was sulphurous. But he looked after his guardsmen as if they were his own children. Francois-Joseph Lefebvre had a German accent, a very loud voice and a sergeant's vocabulary. But he looked after his guardsmen as if they were his own children. Lefebvre was an outstanding 'general of execution, an excellent leader of men, but given a semi-independent mission he was apt to go looking for a head to hit, regardless of orders. The Old Guard loved him for simplicity and for ten other reasons. But Napoleon was not so impressed, he wrote "There is such imbecility in Lefebvre's correspondence that I can't comprehend it." He was sent to besiege Gdansk (Danzig), knowing nothing of that type of warfare. Finally the Russo-Prussian garrison made a sortie in force. Lefebvre went flailing happily into the middle of the uproar, pushing aside the grenadiers who tried to shield him: "Come on my lads ! This I understand !" :-) For the capture of Danzig Levebvre became the Duke of Danzig and was awarded with a lot of money. He was to receive an individual who spoke with envy of the riches he enjoyed. Lefebvre replied: "You can have the lot at cost. ... I will fire 60 musket rounds at you and if you are still alive after that you can have the lot." In 1812 at Borodino, the Old Guard was under the command of Lefebvre. During the winter reterat from Russia, near Vilna (Vilnius), with his white beard and his baton in his hand, he had been magnificent in his courage and energy, crying To Arms ! to his Old Guard and leading them to the ramparts to repel the Cossacks. But then his son was killed and he plunged into a sort of torpor. Though 58-years old, the tough marshal marched on foot every mile from Moscow to the Vistula River. Marshal Edouard Mortier "Extremely tall, heavily built, slow of speech." Every combat in which he took part bore testimony to his extraordinary bodily strength and bravery. His mother was English. Edouard-Adolphe-Casimir-Joseph Mortier was the commander of the Young Guard. Mortier ('mortar' in French :=) was a huge man, with 6,6" he was the tallest of all marshals. Mortier received better-than average education at the English Collage of Douai (his mother was English). Mortier was cheerful and unassuming, and easily influenced by his colleagues, until the shooting started. Then he suddenly set an example of unbreakble courage. In 1814 while many marshals (incl. Ney) bugged out, Mortier remained loyal. During the period of 1812-1814 Mortier and his Young Guard participated in all major battles: Borodino (1812), Krasnoie (November 17, 1812), Berezina Crossing (November 27-28, 1812), Lützen (May 2, 1813), Bautzen (May 20-21, 1813), Dresden (August 25-26, 1813), Leipzig (October 16-19, 1813), Montmirail (February 11, 1814), Laon (March 9 and 10, 1814) and Paris (March 31, 1814). For this reason Mortier's Young Guard was called Napoleon's Fighting Machine. General Jean Dorsenne. The veterans of the Old Guard feared and adored him. He was so hard that the toughest soldiers jumped to please him and dreaded his strictness. Picture: Dorsenne and the Old Guard under heavy artillery fire at Wagram. Dorsenne "could turm his back to the enemy under the heaviest fire and give his orders cooly, without concern for what went on behind him." When cannonballs killed his third horse and third time he picked himself up he spat out "Bunglers !" dusted himself off and mounted his 4th horse. Jean-Marie-Pierre-Francois Lepaige Dorsenne was a soldier of high valor and many wounds. Napoleon had promoted him for gallantry on the battlefield but had hesitated to admit to his Guard because he was 'too attractive.' Despite his pleasant appearance Dorsenne was so hard that the toughest veterans jumped to please him and dreaded his strictness. In a year's time he made them a model for the whole infantry. In Spain the "haughty and hard" Dorsenne ordered a reign of terror. Dorsenne died in July 1812 in Paris after a terrible trepanning operation. After his death, General Friant took over the Grenadiers. PS. Dorsenne had wanted to fill up the Guard with 'sons of good families' to bolster Napoleon prestige in France and Europe. But the Emperor disagreed and never changed his method of recruiting the Guard. General Louis Friant. He is best known for his service as an exceptional divisional commander under Marshal Davout. The son of a wax-maker, took part in the great victory of Fleurus (neare battlefield of Ligny) in 1794. Friant was promoted to Général de Brigade on 13 June 1795. In the Austerlitz campaign of 1805, Friant's division earned a reputation for rapid and effective marching. (70 miles in 46 hours from Vienna to Austerlitz and arriving just in time to counterattack the Allies at Tellnitze and Sokolnitze on the morning of 2 December. In the fighting Friant had three horses killed under him. In Auerstadt (1806) Friant's division advanced on the right, turning the Prussian left flank. The infantry of Friant and Gudin, standing in square, withstood a massive cavalry attack led by Blucher himself. In Eylau (1807) Friant's division arrived to reinforce the French right on the morning of 8 February, helping to turn a near-defeat into a stalemate. In Wagram (1809) Friant was wounded by a shell fragment during the successful storming of the Square Tower at Markgrafneusiedl. In Borodino (1812) Friant's division captured Bagration Fleches. After Dorsenne's death in 1812, Friant took over the Old Guard. He distinguished himself in 1813 and 1814 in every battle he fought. In Waterloo (1815) Friant led the Middle Guard in the attack on the Allied center, where he was wounded yet again. General Jerome Soulès. He spoke with German accent and enjoyed reputation as a great fighter. The foot chasseurs were commanded by Jerome Soulès. He was born on 24 August 1760, spoke with German accent and enjoyed reputation as a great fighter. There was however a darker side of this warrior. When in 1807 after the peace of Tilsit Soulès and his 1st Regiment of Foot Chasseurs had returned to France the customs officers wanted to do their duty and visit the transports of Soules and his men. The response of Soulès was simple: "if only one of your toll-collectors dare lay a hand on the boxes of my old rabbits, I will have them all f**** drowned in the Rhine River like kittens !" His body language was "you don't wanna mess with me" thing. In 1815 Soules cast his vote for the death of Marshal Ney, which was not very noble of him. General Jean Gros. He was very poorly educated, but high-minded. “Gros, lives in gunpowder like fish in water: it is his element.... He is a finished trooper.” - Napoleon Another commander of the foot chasseurs was General Jean-Louis Gros. Napoleon had a very particular regard for him. “Gros, he said, lives in gunpowder like fish in water: it is his element.... He is a finished trooper.” Henri Lachoque described him as "brave and much scarred ... loudmouthed ... he declared that he 'slept in the arms of the goldsmith' - thinking Morpheus was some pimp at the Palais-Royale." Gros was masculine, very brave but poorly educated, the way in which he expressed himself belonged only to him. :-)) J.T. Headley writes: "Gros, one of the generals of the chasseurs of the Old Guard, was a tall, powerful man, with a voice like a trumpet." In 1792 as a lieutenant of battalion of the volunteers in the Army of Eastern Pyrenees he had fought against the Spanish troops and received saber blow to his face and nose. In the next years he was shot and wounded in the right thigh and left foot. At Caldiéro he led a battalion front the front, and was shot and wounded again before 600-man strong Austrian unit surrendered. At the battle of Biberach, Gros led 4e Demi-Brigade and captured 12 guns. In Dresden (1813), Gros led one of counterattacks on Austrian redoubt, and received a painful bayonet wound to his thigh. Approx. 550 Allies soldiers surrendered to Gros' lads. General Henri Delaborde. "He said little, but what he said was very definite." He led his division of Young Guard with these words: "My children, when you smell powder for the first time, it is stylish to stick up your nose !" :-) One of the most popular divisional commanders of the Young Guard was Henri-Francois Delaborde (1764-1833). Delaborde was son of a baker and was educated for the church. He was a leanly big man and spoke Latin language. According to Elting "he said little, but what he said was very definite." In the beginning of the French Revolution he joined the volunteers and passing rapidly through all the junior grades was made general of brigade after the battle of Rhein-Zabern (1793). He was present at the siege of Toulon and promoted general of division. In 1807 Delaborde was training new conscripts at his camp at Pontivy in France. In 1808 he fought a brillant delaying action at Rolica against British troops that outnumbered him 4 to 1. Amazingly the French lost only 550 men and retreated in fighting order. The British lost approx. 500 men. In 1812 Delaborde commanded the 1st Infantry Division of Young Guard. He traveled by carriage. Only 48, his bent back and protruding paunch made him look much older. Delaborde distinguished himself at Krasne against the Russians. He led his division of Young Guard with these words: "My children, when you smell powder for the first time, it is stylish to stick up your nose !" The Bourbons hated him and wanted to execute for supporting Napoleon to the very end. General Francois Roguet. He did not trifle with discipline which he termed 'the soul of the armies.' During the horrible winter retreat from Russia he ate gruel and drink melted snow. His servants all froze to death. Francois Roguet (1770-1846) was nicknamed "Pere" and was a tough soldier and a natural leader. The caustic Gascon did not trifle with discipline which he termed 'the soul of the armies.' In Spain a few NCOs closed their eyes while houses were pillaged. On their return three court-martial were convened, and two of the malefactors were shot. Two NCOs were stripped of their shevrowns in front of the troops. Roguet added: "I shall remember the commanders who permitted this relaxation of discipline." In 1812 during the horrible winter retreat from Russia, thousands of men died from cold, hunger and exhaustion. However some warriors had been too hard to break. "The Old Man Roguet" marched out on foot with his Middle Guard, too tough even to catch cold. He set the supreme example every morning of a cold water shave before a mirror hung on a gun wheel. He ate gruel and drink melted snow. His servants all froze to death. In Waterloo (1812) enraged Roguet had threatened with death any grenadier of the Old Guard who should bring him a Prussian prisoner. General Poret de Morvan. Man of a robust stature, and every drop of blood in his frame came from the fiercest of fighting stock. Paul-Jean-Baptiste Poret de Morvan was born in April 1777. In 1811 he became colonel of the 34th Regiment of Line Infantry, in 1813 colonel-major of 3rd Regiment of Tirailleurs of the Young Guard, and in 1815 colonel of 3rd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers of the Middle Guard. He was a man of a robust stature, and every drop of blood in his frame came from the fiercest of fighting stock. At Waterloo fought with great determination against the numerically superior British-German-Netherland troops. Commander of the Legion d’Honneur : 26 May 1813 Baron of the Empire: 14 August 1813. De Morvan died in 1834.

"... the [French] government received the news of death of Washington who had died ... This death was announced to the Consular Guard by the following order: “Washington is dead ! This great man fought the tyrants ... His memory will be always dear to the French people, as to all free men ...” St.Hilaire - "History of the Imperial Guard"

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