. "A long time before the different corps of the Imperial Guard had started to take their positions in the court of Tuileries, an immense crowd pressed itself around; ...it was midday ... Then, a small man appeared ... dressed in a simple uniform At once the drums beat in the field in all directions; the cries of command are repeated, like echoes, from one end of the line to the other; the soldiers, by a regular movement, present arms, the flags are inclined, and an immense cry of Vive l’Empereur! erupts from the enthusiastic veterans. - St.Hilaire Infantry of the Imperial Guard. Casualties in the 102-gun battery at Wagram were so heavy that Napoleon called for 20 men from each company of the Old Guard infantry regiments to fill up the gun crews. Coignet said everyone wanted to go. No Napoleonic unit 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. Chandler writes that the Imperial Guard was "one of the most celebrated military formations in history" (Chandler - "Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars" p 205 publ. 1993) The Guard drew extra pay and allowances, they got better housing and enjoyed the highest prestige. Discipline was high, it was forbidden to brawl at the canteens or get drunk. The history of Napoleon's Guard is short but very colorful. "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. (ext.link) 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. For his November 1799 coup d'etat, 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 Directory 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. Consular Guard [Gardes des Consuls] The Consular Guard (Gardes des Consuls) 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. At the battle of Marengo the Consular 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. The guardsmen were robust, literate and have participated in at least 3 campaigns. The height requirements were; for grenadiers 5'10" and for chasseurs 5'7". In 1802 Napoleon submitted a permanent schedule of recruitment for Consular Guard: one man from each battalion, tall, robust, of exemplary conduct, able to read and write and who participated in at least 3 campaigns. Imperial Guard [Garde Imperiale] In 1804 after his crowning, Napoleon transformed the Consular Guard into the Imperial Guard (Garde Imperiale). Also 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 infantry of the Guard also acquired more foreign elements. Thee Velites of Florence received Guard status in 1809, those of Turin in 1810. In 1809 the Guard participated in all great battles. At Aspern-Essling the infantry of Old Guard deployed from 3-rank deep line into a thick skirmish line and took advantage of numerous canals and ditches. They closed to the 50 Austrian guns and delivered a volley. It was a shocking surprise to the Austrian gunners, they limbered up and hastily withdrew all 50 guns to a position where stood the Austrian cavalry. The Guard fusiliers and Guard tirailleurs stormed the village. At Wagram despite extremely heavy artillery fire the Guard stubbornly held their ground. When casualties in the 102-gun battery reached critical point Napoleon called for 20 corporals and privates from each company of the Old Guard infantry regiments to fill up the gun crews. Coignet said everyone wanted to go. The increase of Guard came in 1810 from the incorporation of the Dutch Royal Guard. 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. The Dutch regiment became 2e Grenadiers before being demoted to being 3e Grenadiers in 1811. In 1810 the Guard was officially divided into Old Guard, Middle Guard and Young Guard. Only the 1er Grenadiers and 1er Chasseurs carried Eagle. The 2e Grenadiers and 2e 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 1er Grenadiers - 16 pupils for the 1er 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 grenadiers, as well as for the chasseurs of the Old Guard. (In cavalry also 10 men per regiment for the Guard). Commanders: Colonel Commandant of the Foot Grenadiers - GdD Dorsenne - - - - - - 1er Grenadiers - GdB Michel, (I Battalion - Laurede, II Battalion - Aversene, Eagle Bearer - Chauvey) - - - - - - 2e Grenadiers - GdB Harlet (I Battalion - Albert, II Battalion - Lavigne) - - - - - - 3e [Dutch] Grenadiers - GdB Tindal (I Battalion - Gorges, II Battalion - Duuring) - - - - - - 1er Tirailleurs - Lenoir - - - - - - 2e Tirailleurs - Flamand - - - - - - 3e Tirailleur - Darquier - - - - - - 4e Tirailleurs - Robert - - - - - - 5e Tirailleurs - Hennequin - - - - - - 6e Tirailleur - Carre - - - - - - Flanquers-Grenadiers - Pompejac Colonel Commandant of the Foot Chasseurs - GdD Curial - - - - - - 1er Chasseurs - GdB Gros (I Battalion - Secretan, II Battalion - Ressel) - - - - - - 2e Chasseurs - GdB Rosey (I Battalion - Maillard, II Battalion - Rignon) - - - - - - 1er Voltigeurs - Mallet - - - - - - 2e Voltigeurs - Deshayes - - - - - - 3e Voltigeurs - Cambronne - - - - - - 4e Voltigeurs - Nagle - - - - - - 5e Voltigeurs - Sicard - - - - - - 6e Voltigeurs - Rousseau - - - - - - Pupils - Col. Bardin , Mjr Dibbets In 1812 the structure of the Imperial Guard was as follow: Old Guard: . . . . 1er Grenadiers . . . . 1er Chasseurs . . . . Company of Veterans . . . . Gendarmes . . . . Officers and Sergeants of Middle Guard . . . . Officers of Young Guard Middle Guard: . . . . 2e Grenadiers . . . . 2e Chasseurs . . . . Fusiliers-Grenadiers . . . . Fusiliers-Chasseurs . . . . Velites of Turin (Italians) . . . . Velites of Florence (Italians) . . . . NCOs of Young Guard Young Guard: . . . . 1er, 2e, 3e, 4e, 5e, 6e Tirailleurs . . . . 1er, 2e, 3e, 4e, 5e, 6e Voltigeurs It means that regiment of Young Guard had all its officers classified as Old Guard. They were veterans, wearing their bearskins. The NCOs were of Middle Guard while the corporals and privates were the raw recruits, the real Young Guard. At first glance it looks a bit complicated, but it was a good system. The young men were led by battle hardened veterans. 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." 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 Guardsmen 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 Guardsmen and 12.000 Young Guardsmen at present. By holding on to the choice men we can eventually train 3.000 sergeants and 6.000 corporals in the Young Guard". 1812 The Splendid Guard Perished in Russia The campaign in 1812 in Russia ruined the Guard. 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: 4e, 5e and 6e Tirailleurs, 4e and 5e Voltigeurs ! The 3e 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 1er and 2e Grenadiers and 415 veterans in 1er and 2e Chasseurs. The Fusiliers-Grenadiers had 118 survivors and the of Fusiliers-Chasseurs 126. 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. 1813-1814 The New and Larger Guard In 1813 the new and larger than ever. It consisted of the following regiments: Old Guard: . . . . 1er Grenadiers . . . . 1er Chasseurs . . . . 2e Grenadiers . . . . 2e Chasseurs Middle Guard: . . . . Fusiliers-Grenadiers . . . . Fusiliers-Chasseurs . . . . Instructor Battalions from Fontainbleau . . . . They consisted of the best men of Middle and Young Guard. Young Guard: . . . . Flanquers-Grenadiers . . . . Flanquers-Chasseurs . . . . 1er - 13e Tirailleurs in 1814 increased to sixteen regiments . . . . 1er - 13e Voltigeurs in 1814 increased to sixteen regiments . . . . Pupilles The years of 1813-1814 saw the Young Guard fighting in every major battle. Even the Old Guard was used in combat (Leipzig, Hanau, Craonne etc.) In 1814 the Guard fought hard at the Battle of Paris. Lieutenant Viaux of 2nd 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 the invalids of Old Guard refused to surrender shouting "The Old Guard has never laid down its arms". The invalides gave up their fight only after had been granted a honorable terms. At Saint-Denis 400 voltigeurs of Young Guard led by Major Savarin refused to surrender to the Russians. On April 7th the 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." When Napoleon abdicated 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 entire French and Polish cavalry only 100 Polish lancers were chosen. 1815 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 A a levy of selected 2 officers and 20 men from each line and light infantry regiment joined the new Guard. Only the 1er Grenadiers and 1er Chasseurs were filled with men with 12 years' service and with the men of Elba Battalion. They were the Old Guard, the sine pari (without equal). Almost 30 % of the I/1er Grenadiers were veterans of 20-25 campaigns, one third was awarded for bravery. They averaged 35-years of age. The 2e Grenadiers and 2e Chasseurs accepted men with 8 years' service. The 3e and 4e Grenadiers, and 3e and 4e Chasseurs were filled up with men with only 4 years' service. The beaurocrats in Ministry of War named the 2e, 3e and 4e regiments Old Guard, but the army called them Middle Guard. The Young Guard consisted of volunteers, retired men, Corsicans, recruits and even deserters.

Napoleon (on St Helena) remembered his beloved Guard He left 200,000 francs to be divided among the amputees of Ligny and Waterloo, with double to the Guard . The members of Elba Battalion (and Elba Squadron) and their widows and children received 300,000 francs. Organization of Infantry of the Imperial Guard. Regiment, Battalion and Company In general the Guard was organized as the rest of the army. There were only few differences. For example the Guard regiment consisted of fewer battalions. In 1804 the regiment of Guard grenadiers (or chasseurs) consisted of staff and 3 battalions (2 were made of battle-hardened veterans and 1 of young Velites): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 Soon the Velite Battalion of 1er Grenadiers and Velite Battalion of 1er Chasseurs were detached and formed Regiment de Fusiliers. In this situation each Guard regiment had only 2 battalions. Napoleon also 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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 1er Grenadiers and 1er Chasseurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-combatants: Chirurgien, Tailleur, Cordonnier, Guètrier, 2 Armuriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Musical Band. . . . . . . . . I Battalion (4 Companies) . . . . . . . . II Battalion (4 Companies) In 1810-1811 each Young Guard company (of voltigeurs) 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 May 1815 Napoleon had authorized the establishment for Guard infantry to be increased because he wanted 200 men per company. Theoretically each company had: 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 2 sous-lieutenants (instead of 1), 6 sergeants (instead of 4), 12 corporals (instead of 8) and 4 drummers (instead of 2). The staff of Old Guard regiment varied slightly from the staff of Young Guard regiment. For example in 1813 the 7e Regiment de Tirailleurs was commanded by senior officer (Concourt) while the 1er Regiment de Grenadiers by general (Michel). (Young Guard) 7e Regiment de Tirailleurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Major-Commandant: Concourt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chefs de Bataillon: ChdB 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: ChdB 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: ChdB 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 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 1813 at Leipzig the average battalion of Old Guard was 780-men strong, the Middle Guard 520 and the Young Guard had 455 men.

. In 1811-1814 the 5e Tirailleurs (Young Guard) was commanded by Major Hennequin. He was a tough man "who laughed when he burnt himself". The Young Guard [Jeune Garde] "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 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. The taller of the recruits went into the Tirailleurs-Grenadiers while the shorter ones entered the Tirailleurs-Chasseurs. The martial air of the first regiments of Young Guard astonished everyone. In 1810 the tirailleurs-grenadiers were rebaptized 'tirailleurs'; the tirailleurs-chasseurs had their title amputated to 'tirailleurs'. The conscripts became the 3rd and 4th regiments of tirailleurs and voltigeurs. The regiments of 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 with meeting the requirement of having beards by the sappers. Paul de Bourgoing wrote: "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." The campaign in 1812 in Russia destroyed the Guard. Napoleon rebuilt the Young Guard tripling its size. 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. At 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 Tirailleurs attacked 6 Prussian battalions and won 100 crosses of Legion of Honor. The Napoleonic triumphs in 1813 and 1814 found the Young Guard in the forefront of Emperor's juggernaut, surging on to the bullet-swept fields of Leipzig, and wreaking havoc on every enemy that tried to stand before them. At Lutzen they fought well. "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 1814 the men of Young Guard were lean, their uniforms and shoes generally in a sorry state of dilapidation. But hopes run high, at Craonne the 14e Voltigeurs put on a fight losing 28 of 33 officers and 50 % of rank and file. The young boys were brave and enthusiastic, but they were too young and lacked stamina. Thusands fell sick and exhausted after the rapid marches and long campaigning. In 1815 the Young Guard was in a poor shape. Only 5 out of 16 regiments were combat-ready. In their ranks 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.) Napoleon enlarged the Young Guard several times. In 1809 were formed the following regiments: . . . . . . . 1er and 2e Tirailleurs-Grenadiers, in 1810 renamed to 1er and 2e Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 1er and 2e Conscrit-Grenadiers in 1810 renamed to 3e and 4e Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 1er and 2e Tirailleurs-Chasseurs, in 1810 renamed to 1er and 2e Voltigeurs . . . . . . . 1er and 2e Conscrit-Chasseurs, in 1810 renamed to 3e and 4e Voltigeurs In 1811 were formed: . . . . . . . 5e and 6e Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 5e and 6e Voltigeurs . . . . . . . Flanquers-Grenadiers . . . . . . . Flanquers-Chasseurs . . . . . . . Pupilles (from Legion of Dutch Velites) In 1813 were formed: . . . . . . . 7e, 8e, 9e, 10e, 11e, 12e and 13e Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 7e, 8e, 9e, 10e, 11e, 12e and 13e Voltigeurs In 1814 were formed: . . . . . . . 14e, 15e, 16e Tirailleurs . . . . . . . 14e, 15e, 16e Tirailleurs According to Paul Dawson (napoleon-series.org) "By creating large numbers of Young Guard formations and taking conscripts directly into them with minimal entry requirements, Napoleon sought to minimize his desertion problems. Napoleon recognized that by putting the label of Guard on his new conscripts and using the popular perception of what Guardsman was and a how a Guardsman behaved, he could hold these potentially reluctant recruits in the ranks. Napoleons 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." On June 16th 1815 the Young Guard consisted of the following regiments: . . . . . . . 1er Tirallieurs [26 officers, 1.083 other ranks] . . . . . . . 2e Tirallieurs - [24 officers, 750 other ranks] in Vandee . . . . . . . 3e Tirallieurs - [28 , 960 ] . . . . . . . 4e Tirallieurs - [24 , 389 ] in Paris . . . . . . . 5e Tirallieurs - [23 , 153 ] in Paris . . . . . . . 6e Tirallieurs - [16 , 249 ] in Rouen . . . . . . . 7e Tirallieurs - [17 , 89 ] in Paris . . . . . . . 8e Tirallieurs - [8 , 77 ] in Lyon . . . . . . . 1er Voltigeurs [31 officers, 1.188 other ranks] . . . . . . . 2e Voltigeurs - [29 , 910 ] in Vandee . . . . . . . 3e Voltigeurs - [32 , 935 ] . . . . . . . 4e Voltigeurs - [32 , 700 ] in Rueil ? . . . . . . . 5e Voltigeurs - [30 , 175 ] in Paris . . . . . . . 6e Voltigeurs - [20 , 110 ] in Amiens . . . . . . . 7e Voltigeurs - [18 , 187 ] in Amiens . . . . . . . 8e Voltigeurs - [14 , 171 ] in Amiens One of the most known corps commanders of Young Guard was Adolphe Edouard Casimir Joseph Mortier. Mortier was a huge man, all his features radiated vigor and good character. In occupied countries Mortier showed leniency but also kept order. 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). Mortier died in Paris in 1835 at the age of 67. One of the most popular divisional commanders of 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 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 !" :-) Delaborde participated in the campaigns of 1813, 1814 and 1815. The Bourbons hated him and wanted to execute for supporting Napoleon.

The Middle Guard. [Moyenne Garde] Only four regiments were ranked as Middle Guard: 2e Grenadiers 2e Chasseurs 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 Guard grenadiers took on the name 2e Grenadiers. The Dutchmen wore white instead of dark blue uniforms. (In 1811 they were renamed to 3e Grenadiers and in 1813 were disbanded.) In 1811 the two original French units 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. General Michel arrested them and sent to prisons. In 1813 they became Old Guard although the army still called them Middle Guard. The first battalions of the two units were made of fusiliers of Middle Guard with 3 years' service. The second battalions were formed of veterans from the line with 8 years' service. Fusiliers-Grenadiers see picture ---> Fusiliers-Chasseurs 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). The NCOs came from the Velites battalions while officers from the Guard grenadiers and chasseurs. In 1807 the 2e 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 1810-11 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 (but Napoleon refused to give them bearskins). The good thing about Fusiliers is the fact that physically they were probably the best of all Guard units. The men of Young Guard were sometimes too young (especially in 1813 and 1814), lacked stamina and battle experience. The men of Old Guard were in good shape but physically 35-40 years old man is not as good as the 20-25 years old. The bad thing about the Fusiliers was that there was a constant rotation, they served just few years and were transfered either to the Old Guard or to the line. It did no good to the esprit de corps of the regiment (although the quick promotions were good for individual soldiers and NCOs). 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, translated by Tim Simmons)

< . "More dreadful-looking fellows I had never seen. They had the look of thoroughbread, veteran, disciplined banditti." - Eyewitness Mr Hayden about the Old Guard "...their skin was covered with tattoos, and large golden earrings hang from their ears, giving them the look of old-time pirates." - Barbero, "The Battle" about the Old Guard Old Guard [Vieille Garde.] Left picture: Marshal Lefebvre, commander of the Old Guard. He was a stern disciplinarian, but took excellent care of his men. Able tactician but with a limited capability as independent commander. Right picture: private of Old Guard in campaign dress and ready for action, by Vernet. The Old Guard was the elite of the elite, the creme de la creme of Napoleon's infantry. You cannot exaggerate about them. 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 the men of Old Guard had the chance to fight the enemy today in a pub, they would take them to the cleaners then drive them back in a school bus sobbing like the muppets. The Emperor was proud of their reputation, appearance, and always gave them a prominent place in his great exhibitions at Paris. They occupied the barracks of the Cent-Suisse, nearest the Emperor. Over the door was carved: "The Home of the Brave". One of the commanders of Old Guard was General 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.” Gros was masculine, very brave but poorly educated, the way in which he expressed himself belonged only to him. With their wounds, tatoos, and golden earrings, the fearsome legionnaires inspired awe. 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 Some had 20 campaigns and more ! good conduct record citation for bravery under 35 age able to read and write 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 1er Grenadiers and 1er Chasseurs took 456 best NCOs from the army, they became privates in the Old Guard. The Guard was in its peak. Napoleon's campaigned almost non stop. The numerous wars resulted in heavy losses, some guardsmen were injured, some were wounded or even killed. 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 1812 the long campaign in Russia totally 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 2e Grenadiers and 2e Chasseurs. The 1er Grenadiers and 1er 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." After 1815 some officers of Old Guard went to America (East Coast, New Orleans, Galveston etc). Some arrived on the Trinity River in Texas and built Champ d'Asile (near today Moss Bluff in Liberty County). When those from Galveston and Trinity met each other the past came back with renewed freshness and shouts "Vive l'Empereur!" were heard around campfires. They intended to rescue their beloved Napoleon from St Helena. Prostrated by disease, in a short time most of them perished. Their dispersion caused this scheme to vanish. There were two regiments of Old Guard. 1er Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde It was the senior regiment of Napoleon's infantry. They were nicknamed "The Grumblers" (Grognards -in French). This name was given in 1807 during campaign in Poland. Napoleon was in a foul humor and gave the complaining on mud, hunger and weather Guardsmen a nickname "The Grumblers". Some had 20 campaigns and more ! Colonels: in 1804 Higonet, 1805-1807 Dorsenne, 1807-1813 Michel, 1813-1815 Petit. 1er Chasseurs-à-Pied de la Garde. The second in seniority regiment of Napoleon's infantry. Although they were shorter than the grenadiers they were gayer, livelier "and more supple". Colonels: in 1804 Gros, 1813 Decouz, Rottenmbourg and then Cambronne, in 1815 Michel, Cambronne and then Pelet. The illiterate Gros was a tall, powerful man, "with a voice like a trumpet." Napoleon once said about him, "Gros lives in the smoke of cannon like a fish in water. It is his element." In the last campaigns Napoleon increased number of regiments of Old Guard. In 1813 the 2e Grenadiers and 2e Chasseurs became Old Guard. In 1814 the Fusiliers-Grenadiers and Fusiliers-Chasseurs were also named Old Guard. In 1815 even the newly formed 3e and 4e Grenadiers, and 3e and 4e Chasseurs became Old Guard. But the real Old Guard, the Old of the Old, and the best of the best were only the 1er Grenadiers and 1er Chasseurs. The infantry of Old Guard 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 supermen like Sharpe or Rambo. They almost lost their Color to the Bavarians at Hanau. At Plancenoit (Waterloo) one battalion of Old Guard defended a churchyard but was dislodged by several Prussian battalions. The Middle Guard was defeated by Chasse's Dutch-Belgian infantry and Maitland's British Guard. But the Old Guard repulsed all charges made by British and Prussian cavalry. Actually only a single battalion of Old Guard (Cambronne's) was defeated by the Osnabruck Battalion made of Germans. (picture by Mark Adkin) The Prussian, British and Russian Guards also have tasted defeats and failures. For example the Russian Guards were routed at Austerlitz and barely escaped from the battlefield. 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". If you are looking for the never-ever defeated I recommed the fictional heroes from Hollywood and elsewhere. Below are just few examples of infantry of the Old Guard in combat: In 1807 at Eylau 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. 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 fearing 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 1813 Bavarian troops deployed before Hanau to fight the Emperor. 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. In 1814 after the battle of Brienne Captain Hauillet with a company of the Old Guard chasseurs, 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. 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.

Sources and Links.

Elting - "Swords around the Throne: Napoleon's Grande Armée"
Lachouque - "The Anatomy of Glory: Napoleon and his Guard ..."
Connelly - "Historical Dictionary of Napoleonic France, 1799-1815"
Chlapowski - "Memoirs of a Polish Lancer" transl. by Tim Simmons
Mansel - "The Eagle in Splendour: Napoleon I and His Court"
Rousselot - "Les grenadiers de la Garde" "Les marins de la Garde"
Dupont - "Napoleon et ses grognards"
"Histoire anecdotique, politique et militaire de la Garde impériale par Emile Marco de Saint-Hilaire."