The Old Guard (French: Vieille garde) was a formation of the French Imperial Army's
Imperial Guard. Consisting exclusively of veteran troops, it was the most
prestigious formation in Napoleon's Grande Armée.[1][2] French soldiers often
referred to Napoleon's Old Guard as "the Immortals".[3][4]
Famously devoted to the Emperor,[5] who even referred to them as "my children";[6]
the members of his Old Guard were selected based on physical traits, most notably
above-average height.[3][7] Their imposing stature was likely impressive to foes
and allies alike. Awards as well as veterancy were also taken into consideration
when selecting troops for the Old Guard.[3][7]
Infantry
1st Regiment of Foot Grenadiers of the Old Guard Wearing their distinctive bearskin
caps while fighting in the Six Days Campaign. Napoleon's Old Guard was the most
celebrated and most feared elite military formation of its day.
There were four regiments of the Old Guard infantry: 1st and 2nd each of grenadiers
and chassuers. Members of the Old Guard benefitted from a number of different
privileges, including considerably increased wages from the Imperial Guard.
Requirements for Old Guard Soldiers
under 35 years of age at entry
at least 10 years of service
at least three campaigns (some had fought in as many as 12 campaigns)
had to have faced enemy fire at the front
had to be 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) for the Chasseurs and 5 feet 10 inches (1.78
m) for the Grenadiers (no height requirement for those awarded the Legion of Honor)
[8]
In 1814 the 1st Chasseurs still had many veterans: for example Sapper Rothier with
21 years of service and two wounds; Private Stoll with 22 years of service and 20
campaigns. Those who were too old, or crippled, were sent to the Company of
Veterans in Paris, which was full of soldiers, some lacking an arm, others striped
with saber cuts.
Each member of the Old Guard was a highly trained and experienced soldier and they
formed a formidable sight on the battlefield when mustered into regiments; they
were taught to fight unlike any other soldier in the French army. Any cowardly
tendencies or otherwise cautious habits would be thoroughly purged through intense
training, which often included advanced bayonet and hand-to-hand combat techniques.
The Old Guard earned its fearsome reputation through the many military engagements
of the Napoleonic Wars, from the Battle of Austerlitz, to the Battle of Dresden, to
the famous and final Battle of Waterloo (June 1815).
Cavalry
Grenadier Cavalry of the Old Guard during the Battle of Eylau by Édouard Detaille
There were four regiments of Old Guard cavalry: the Grenadiers à Cheval (mounted
grenadiers), Chasseurs à Cheval (mounted hunters), Dragons de l'Impératrice (the
Empress's Dragoons), and the 1st Polish Lancers.
The Mamelukes of the Imperial Guard squadron was also considered part of the Old
Guard cavalry.
The Gendarmes d'élite (elite Gendarmes) was counted as Old Guard cavalry. It was
deployed in detachments as escorts for Napoleon's headquarters and the General
Staff of the Guard, and for Imperial Guard field camps.[citation needed]
Les Grognards
Another privilege reserved only for the members of the Old Guard was the freedom to
express their discontent freely: the Old Guard Grenadiers were known as "the
Grumblers" (French: les Grognards) because they openly complained about the petty
troubles of military life.[9] Jean-Roch Coignet, a captain of the Imperial Guard,
claimed that this term was coined in the aftermath of severe hardships the unit
encountered during the War of the Fourth Coalition[10] and it has been mentioned
that this nickname was coined by Napoleon himself.[11] Some of the officers even
complained in the presence of the Emperor, knowing that the Old Guard's reputation
commanded enough respect with Napoleon to allow such openness; such behavior was
unique to the Old Guard and would have been severely punished were it engaged in by
a member of any other unit.[10]
On the other hand, they were strictly supervised in aspects such as the state of
their uniforms or the height and presentation of their horses, and severely
punished or reprimanded for any failures in those regards.[12]
