. In 1807 at Eylau, the Russian cavalry and Cossacks surrounded the horse grenadiers and called for surrender. General Lepic responded: "Take a look at these faces and see if they want to surrender !" Then he shouted to the grenadiers "Follow me !" and set off at the gallop back through enemy lines. Regiment of Horse Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard [Regiment de Grenadiers-à-Cheval de la Garde Impériale] The Giants The Gods The High Heels In 1800 at Marengo the Grenadiers waited calmly under fire. 'Keep your chins up !' shouted their sergeants. Moments later they drew their sabers and charged overthrowing everything on their way. On picture: Eagle-Bearer of Horse Grenadiers [Grenadiers-a-cheval de la Garde] in parade uniforms, by Rousellot. (For parade their horses were decorated with red, braided forelocks and crupper rosettes !) The Horse Grenadiers were the senior regiment in the Guard and the Army. Their priviledged position the whole army - and even the Guard - had envied. Below is a short history of this splendid unit. In 1796 the Guard of Directory (Garde du Directoire) was organized and one squadron of Horse Grenadiers was raised. Soon Napoleon enlarged the troop to two and then to four squadrons. The privates wore dark blue coats and collars, white lapels and tall boots. In 1797 they received tall fur caps. In 1804 the Consular Guard became Imperial Guard. Their wardrobe was made by Bosquet, the master tailor, a celebrated artist in his craft. Their bearskins were made by Maillard of the Rue Saint-Honore, and their tall black boots by Fabritzius. The trumpeter's hat was of the same quality as a general's. In 1812 the Horse Grenadiers left Paris for the campaign against Russia in new fur caps and cords made by the Emperor's hatter Poupard. The war in Russia and the winter retreat broke the grenadiers and destroyed their splendid uniforms. In 1815 they were just in the process of being converted to the cuirassiers of the Guard. The Bourbons named them Royal Corps of Cuirassiers of France, but the grenadiers protested against wearing helmets, and kept their fur caps. There were many uniforms and fur caps missing at Waterloo. According to Mark Adkin "these once magnificient horsemen had, like much of the army, lost their shine. There was a shabbiness, a lack of uniformity ... Most wore blue, single-breasted undress coats; some had their grubby, off-white cloaks on, some had them rolled across their shoulder, others on the front of the saddle. While most had their bearskins, few were ornamented. The remainder wore an assortment of hats or forage caps." Henri Lachoque described their fur caps looking "rather mangy." When it came to muscle and physique, the grenadiers, man for man, could have thrown the chasseurs, Mamelukes, and the Young Guard, all outdoors and walked on them. The horse grenadiers were strong, tall and handsome, and their colonel forbade "any woman under 40 to come in and make soup for them." :-) For new candidates there were strict requirements: 176 cm tall, 10 years' service, minimum 4 campaigns and citation for bravery. The legionaires were exempted from all requirements. Most candidates came from the 2 carabinier and 12 cuirassier regiments. In 1809 just few days after the battle of Wagram, "The 3rd Cuirassier Division passed in review at the Schonbrunn. As was his custom when honoring gallant units, Napoleon stood before the 8th Cuirassier Regiment and asked who was the unit's bravest trooper. The colonel replied that the entire regiment was brave. The emperor directed his question to the troopers, and they answered 'Millot.' When that worthy stepped forward, Napoleon, exhibiting his formidable memory that so delighted his grognards, inquired if they had not already met. 'Yes', replied Millot, 'at Heilsberg'. Napoleon awarded him with the cherished Cross and would later promote him into the Imperial Guard Horse Grenadiers." (James Arnold - "Napoleon Conquers Austria") There were also candidates from the dragoons, chasseurs and even some hussars. For example the scarface Guindey (see picture), NCO of the 10e Hussars, who killed Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia in 1806. (He was killed in 1813 at Hanau by the Bavarians.) Among the officers Majors Venieres, Pernet, and Delaporte had fought in 23 or more campaigns ! The troopers were quartered at the barracks in the Ecole Militaire where they slept in solid oak beds 6'8" by 4' with a shelf at the head. They rode on big black horses, with full manes and tails, bought in Caen for 680 francs apiece. Their daily ration was 10 pounds of hay, 15 of straw, and 2/3 bushel of oats or 1/3 of bran. The horses were between 4 and 5 years old (for the Guard lancers 5-6 years old). In May 1815, few weeks before Waterloo, 243 men of the Young Guard squadrons asked to return to the regiment. Guyot wrote: "Perhaps they are not as perfect as the old horse grenadiers, but they hope to be, and take pride in the regiment ..." The Horse Grenadiers became known for their austerity and haughty demeanor. The army nicknamed them "The Giants", "The Gods" or simply "The High Heels" (from their tall boots). In 1805 at Austerlitz they defeated Tsar's Guard cavalry. In 1807 at Eylau they stood under hellish fire from 60 Russian cannons, when their commander General Lepic noted some of his troopers ducking incoming shells. "Heads up, by God!" he cried "Those are bullets - not turds." Few moments later they charged against the Russians. (Chandler - "The Campaigns of Napoleon") The horse grenadiers were in Spain. Henri Lachoque writes: "A squadron of horse grenadiers tethered their horses in the garden of a monastery and fell into a trap. Lured by an urchin to 'come in and quench his thirst', one trooper did not return. A grenadier who went in search of him also disappeared. Some men of their troop returning from a foraging detail conducted an investigation, sabers in hand. They found the child, followed him, and discovered their two comrades with their heads cut off. They arrested 8 monks and threw them all out of the window." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 133) But the war in Spain was ruinous on their splendid horses. In 1812 they were in Russia. Chlapowski writes: "There then appeared the Horse Grenadiers, in line formation. This line of black horses, its tall riders also in black bearskins, so impressed the Cossacks that they disappeared into the forest." (Chlapowski, - p 123) Ten patrols of horse grenadies guarded the inside of the Kremlin. The Horse Grenadiers were very devoted to the Emperor. In March 1814 a major of grenadiers was wounded at Craonne. He had his foot carried away by a cannon-ball and the surgeon had to amputate his leg. During the extremely painful operation "which he bore with great courage, the man called out "Vive l'Empereur!" and lost consciousness. In the very end of the battle of Waterloo, when the entire French army fell apart before the Prussians and German-British-Dutch army, the horse grenadiers made a great impression on the pursuers. Cpt. Barton of the 12th Light Dragoons described how his regiment advanced against the giants on black horses. The grenadiers "appeared to take but little notice of our advance, when opposite their flank they fired a few pistol or carbine shots. We were ... being too weak to make an impression [on them], they literally walked from the field in a most majestic manner." In November 1815 the regiment was disbanded. On 25 Nov for the last time their trumpeters sounded the Ban. The standard-bearer advanced to the Inspector and presented the standard. It was the last unit of the whole Imperial Guard (infantry, cavalry, and artillery) disbanded by the Bourbons. The Guard was no more. The Guard Horse Grenadiers and the 1st Guard Lancers of the Old Guard were the only two cavalry regiments of Napoleon's Imperial Guard never defeated by enemy's cavalry in combat. The other regiments suffered only few defeats during the 10 years of campaigning. In each case they were outnumbered by the enemy, and on one or two occassions they were ambushed. Between 60 and 100 Elite Gendarmes were routed by von Colomb's Hussars and Cossacks on December 15 1813. The Guard Dragoons were defeated in 1807 by the Russians. After battle of Friedland Napoleon sent dragoons and Saxon cavalry in pursuit of the Russians. They met with a strong force of Russian light cavalry from the rear-guard, were defeated and prsued all the way to the main French army, creating confusion in the ranks of the infantry and artillery. (Elting, Esposito - "A Military History and Atlas ...") The dragoons were again defeated on 24th September 1812 by two squadrons of Russian Lifeguard Dragoons. According to Caulaincourt the loss of 150-250 Guard Dragoons caused more consternation in Napoleon's headquarters than "the loss of 50 generals." (Curtis Cate - "The War of The Two Emperors"). Lachoque writes from his pro-French perspectice: "On the 23rd St.Sulpice was sent to Bezovka, halfway to Mozhaisk, with the Guard Dragoons, two horse batteries, and an infantry regiment to guard the line of communications. Two days later a patrol of 200 dragoons fell into an ambush set up by 4,000 Cossacks ... More than 80 dragoons were killed, wounded, or captured." The Guard Horse Chasseurs (Chasseurs-a-Cheval) were defeated in December 1808 at Benavente by 3rd KGL Dragoons, and British 10th Hussars and 18th Light Dragoons. The chasseurs lost 127 men, and their commander, Lefebvre-Desnouettes, was captured by a German named Bergmann, who gave up his prize to British hussar Grisdale. The 2nd Lancers (Middle Guard, Dutch 'Red Lancers') were harrased mercilessly by Ataman Platov's Cossacks and suffered very heavy losses. The Cossacks and their methods of combat were unknown to the Dutch. Only very few survived this campaign. The 3rd Lancers (Young Guard) was defeated in 1812 at Slonim by a large number of Chaplitz's Cossacks and Russian Pavlograd Hussars. General Konopka, 13 officers, and 253 men were captured. The squadrons of Young Guard were routed in 1813 at Leipzig by Chaplitz's Russian uhlans and dragoons. Uniforms. Left: parade uniform in 1800-1807. It was also called the First Full Dress and consisted of dark blue jacket, white lapels and red cuffs. Right: during campaign they wore surtout. It was fastened with 6-10 buttons and was without white lapels and red cuffs. It was worn during battles in 1806-1809. (In 1809 the surtout of rank and file was replaced by so-called Second Full Dress. However majority of the officers and NCOs continued with the old surtout until 1814.) Left: in 1809 the surtout was replaced by so-called Second Full Dress (or "undress habit"). It was made of cheaper clothes than the First Full Dress. The Second Uniform had the plain round cuffs of the surtout and white lapels of the First Uniform. This outfit was very popular and was worn at Borodino, Leipzig, etc. The First Full Dress was for parade only and the Second Full Dress for campaign. Right: after Napoleon's abdication in 1814 the grenadiers had been given the new, short tailed habit-veste in anticipation of their receiving armor, like cuirassiers and horse carabiniers. The new dark blue jackets were piped in red along the front opening. This coat was worn only at Ligny and Waterloo. Organization In 1804 there were 4 squadrons, but for the campaign against Russia Napoleon enlarged this unit to 5-6 squadrons. In 1813 the regiment consisted of 6 squadrons and enlarged staff: Colonel-commandant: General de Division Walter Majors: General de Brigade Laferriere and Castex Quartier-maitre tresorier: Chef de Escadron Perrot Chefs de Escadron: Hardy, Morin, Veniere, Pernet, Delaporte, Jimcker Capitaine adjudant-majors: Scribe, Lepot Capitaine adjudant-de admin.: Varnout, Messager Lieutenant sous-adjudant-major: Dessofry, Le Roy, Gainde, La Bachellerie Lieutenant porte-aigle: La Tartre, Bertrand, Manant, Dalery Chirurgien-mjr. and 3 Aide-mjr. Lieutenant a la suite: Desiles, Tabary, Leleu Old Guard (4 squadrons) Young Guard (2 squadrons) Uniforms fur caps with red plumes and golden cords dark blue coat with white lapels aiguilettes fur caps without plumes and cords dark blue coat without lapels no aiguilettes Horses 16-hands tall, blacks, few browns 15-16 hands tall, bays, few chestnuts Weapons The horse grenadiers were armed with straight sabers, pistols and carbines. 1806 - the carbines were replaced by longer dragoon muskets 1806 - the straight saber was replaced by a slightly curved saber a la Montmorency 1807 - the long dragoon muskets were replaced by guard cavalry carbines. The curved saber a la Montmorency was 97,5 cm long, and it had a flared brass hilt decorated with a flaming grenade. The beechwood grip was covered with parchment, and the wooden scabbard with laminated strips of leather and brass. The rings and shoe, or drag, were iron. Commanders Colonels 1801-1806 Michel Ordener (Ordener has achieved fame by receiving 7 saber wounds, 3 bullet wounds and 1 wound from a cannonball !) 1806-1813 Frederic-Henri Walter 1813-1815 Claude-Etienne Guyot Colonels-en-Second and Majors 1804 Antoine Oulie 1805 Louis Lepic 1805 Louis-Pierre-Aime Chastel 1812 Remy-Joseph-Isidore Exelmans 1813 Bertrand-Pierre Castex 1814 Louis-Marie Levesque-Ferriere 1814 Jean-Baptiste-Auguste-Marie Jamin de Bermuy

Elite Gendarmes [Gendarmerie d'Élite] The Immortals In 1801 Bonaparte organized an elite legion of gendarmes. It consisted of a large staff, 2 squadrons of horse gendarmes and 2 companies of foot gendarmes. In 1807 there were 2 squadrons of Elite Gendarmes. (There was also one battalion of foot gendarmes in the Guard). The Elite Gendarmes were recruited from the departamental gendarmes and also drew men from regiments of heavy cavalry. The candidates were expected to be literate, between 25 and 40 years old, veterans of 4 campaigns and at least 5'9" tall. In 1813 the elite gendarmes were filled up with 200 national gendarmes. A third of the newly recruited gendarmes were required to speak German. Most often they acted in samll detachments. They were highly disciplined, ruthless - men to be feared by draft-dodgers or villians. The army nicknamed them "The Immortals" because in the early period they didn't participate in any combat. The Elite Gendarmes rode on big black horses, and were armed with straight sabers, pistols and carbines/muskets. They wore dark blue coats with red lapels, tall boots and bearskins. Their bearskins were slightly lower than Grenadiers'. The duties of Elite Gendarmes were: protecting Napoleon's baggage maintaining order and security in the area of the headquarters guarding and escorting VIPs like Pope escorting and interrogating prisoners guarding trophies to be handed over to the Emperor guarding money, seals, correspondence, etc. In 1809 at Aspern-Essling they guarded the bridge built across Danube River and during battle they forbade passage for any but the wounded. Commanders Colonels 1801-1810 Anne Jean Marie Rene Savary (Minister of Police) 1810-1815 Antoine Jean Auguste Henri Durosnel

. "The Dragoons distinguished themselvess with a performance comparable to those romances of the Age of Chivalry in which a single knight in armor with a well-schooled horse would take on 300 or 400 adversaries at once. The enemy seemed struck by a singular terror ..." - Napoleon to Savary, 12-13 February 1814 Regiment of Guard Dragoons [1806-1807 Regiment de Dragons de la Garde Impériale] [1807-1815 Regiment de Dragons de l’Imperatice] Empress Dragoons In 1814 the Guard Dragoons called the returning King "fat pig". The Bourbons hated them. The Regiment of Guard Dragoons was established in April 1806. In each of the 30 dragoon regiments was made a list of 6 NCOs and privates as candidates to the Guard. Requitements: 10 years of service, with citations for bravery, at least 2 campaigns, at least 173 cm tall (176 cm for Horse Grenadiers and 170 cm for Horse Chasseurs). “Art. XVII - A regiment of Guard dragoons is formed. It will be organized like the Guard horse grenadiers and the Guard horse chasseurs.” “Art XVIII - Each regiment of dragoons of the line will provide, this year, for the formation of the Guard dragoons, 12 men having at least 10 years of service. The Emperor will name the officers: the regiments of horse grenadiers and chasseurs will provide theNCos and sergeants. 2/3 of the officers will be provided by the horse grenadiers and chasseurs; the 1/3, by the thirty dragoon regiments. ... “Art. XIX - Two squadrons of dragoons will not be organized, this year; next year a new call will be made for 10 men to form the two other squadrons." Officers of Guard dragoons in 1806: Col. Arrighi - earlier served as colonel of 1er Dragoons Col.-Mjr. Fiteau earlier served as colonel in 3e Dragoons Mjr. Louis Letort earlier served as major in 14e Dragoons Chef d'Escadron Jolivet came from Guard Horse Grenadiers Chef d'Escadron Rossignol came from Guard Horse Grenadiers Cpt. Desirat came from 18e Dragoons Cpt. Lerivint came from 25e Dragoons Cpt. Duvernoy (adjudant-major) came from the 1er Chasseurs Cpt. Jolly (adjudant-major) came also from the 1er Chasseurs General Ornano described the Guard Dragoons: "The men are very handsome, the horses fine, strong, and well cared for. The officers, NCOs, and soldiers are animated by an excellent spirit, perfect discipline, and have a splendid appearance." Alert, vigilant, and mounted on good horseflesh, the Guard dragoon reinforced his self-reliance with firepower. The Guard dragoons were armed with slightly curved sabers a la Montmorency, pistols, and dragoon-type muskets. The Guard dragoons wore dark green coats with white lapels, aiguilettes, and fine helmets with long black horsehair. The fur band around the helmet's base was of simulated panther skin. The helmets were slightly modified in 1810 by shifting towards the rear of the crest the point at which the horsehair emerged. The dragoons were never issued the stiff boots worn in parade by the Grenadiers. Consequently, their officers wore the semi-rigid type with stiff knee section only. The men in squadrons of Young Guard wore grey breeches and no aiguilettes. In 1809 the Guard Dragoons had made the 2800-km march from Spain in 63 days without losing a man or a horse. On May 22 they heard in the distance a dull, continuous roar - the guns of Essling. In 1813 there was a friction between the superb Saxon cuirassiers and the Guard dragoons. "At about midday the Saxon cuirassiers brigade .... was transferred from east of Wachau to the west, from where they witnessed (with no small pleasure) the defeat of Letort's Dragoons of the Imperial Guard. This friction between the allies had been generated by the sustained brutality and licentiousness of the French regiment towards the unfortunate local Saxon population, and there had been several fights between the regiments in bivouac." (Digby-Smith - "1813: Leipzig" p 91) Horses: Napoleon intended to mount the dragoons on black horses but Bessieres, commander of Guard cavalry, pointed out that blacks were designated only for the Grenadiers and for the Elite Gendarmes. He instructed the commander of dragoons to procure chestnuts. Originally the first two squadrons rode on catured Prussian Gendarmes' horses, the other two squadrons were still on foot. Later on all dragoons were mounted on French, Prussian and Austrian chestnuts (there were also some bays). Commanders Colonels 1806-1809 Jean-Toussaint Arrighi 1809-1813 Raymond-Gaspard-Bonardy de Saint Sulpice 1813 Philippe Antoine Ornano Colonels-en-second and Majors 1806 Edme-Nicolas Fiteau 1806 Louis-Michel Letort 1809 Louis-Ignace Marhtod 1813 Pierre-Alexis de Pinteville 1813 Louis-Claude Chouard 1815 Laurent Hoffmayer Letort was a daredevil of Lasalle's ilk. In 1814 at Rheims he "led his Guard Dragoons as though they were the winged knights." (- Henri Lachoque "The Anatomy of Glory")

. These dashing and swaggering men were Napoleon's escort and for this reason they became the most known troop in the entire French army. Napoleon wore uniform of colonel of this regiment. 1st Regiment of Horse Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard [1ere Regiment de Chasseurs-à-Cheval de la Garde Impériale] The Comrades The Invincibles The Cherished Children or rather The Spoiled Brats :-) The Chasseurs were Napoleon's escort and for this reason they became the most known troop in the entire French army. As commander of the army in Italy, Bonaparte took over the guides he found at Albenga in 1796. Though they fought with distinction at Mondovi and Lodi, they guarded Bonaparte poorly. In 1796 at Borghetto, Bonaparte was lunching with general Massena and Murat when the Austrian light cavalry (Hungarian hussars ?) surprised them. Bonaparte fled by climbing over a wall and lost his boot in the process. Murat and Massena followed him. This episode resulted in Bonaparte forming his escort. Lannes was put in charge of guarding the headquarters with 2 battalions of Guard Grenadiers and 100 horse and foot guides. A week later Captain Bessiers, a friend of Murat, was given command of the Company of Guides of the Commander-in-Chief. Bonaparte described his Guides as "200 daredevils, well-mounted and brave." The Guides captured 2 Austrian guns at Roveredo, and at Arcole, one of their officers, black Domingo, nicknamed Hercules, distinguished himself with extraordinary bravery. In 1798 the approx. 400 Guides (horse and foot) joined Bonaparte in Egypt. The were at the battles of Pyramids and at Heliopolis (where Deriot had sustained 17 wounds !) and participated in the siege of Acre. Their enthusiasm was somewhat dampened during the occupation of the remote land, some were killed in the Cairo riots, and some were assassinated. Approx. 200 Guides left Egypt in August 1799, the rest returned in 1802. Napoleon reviewed the Guides and concluded that certain men were too old and unfit for active duty because of wounds. The Guides were the ancestors of the Chasseurs-a-Cheval of the Imperial Guard. These dashing and swaggering men were Napoleon's escort and for this reason they became the most known troop in the entire French army. Napoleon wore the green undress uniform of colonel of this regiment (green was Napoleon's favorite color). It was a gallant regiment. Duke of Orleans saw them and wrote: "I never saw a finer regiment, nor smarter or better turned-out troops ... " The Guard Chasseurs were less precise in movement than the Horse Grenadiers but they were more resorceful and dashing. The Chasseurs were also more flamboyant and less discipline (in the beginning) than the Grenadiers. Marshal Bessieres had to request them to refrain from smoking their pipes while on escort duty and to salute generals. In this regiment served quite many foreigners, especially Germans from Rhineland. But there were also the animated Italians and few Swiss. (In 1814 after Napoleon's first abdication 240 foreigners were retired. Senior officer Van Merlen had returned to his native Holland. In 1815 he was killed leading a brigade of Dutch-Belgian cavalry against the French at Waterloo.) When in 1815 Napoleon returned from Elba, the Chasseurs met him and cheered. They "swore on their naked sabers to defend him." One or two English authors call them "The Invincibles after their battle-winning charge at Austerlitz". (Summerville - "March of Death" p 51) This is an error, their charge at Austerlitz was not battle-winning. At Austerlitz they have fought against Tsar's Guard cavalry with mixed results. They suffered against the Lifeguard Horse and the infantry. But they also routed the Guard Cavalry Regiment (Chevaliers Garde) and the Lifeguard Hussars who delivered a volley instead of charging. In 1807 at Eylau the Chasseurs suffered heavy losses against the Russians. Lachoque writes: "The Chasseurs lost 21 officers and 224 men in killed and wounded, and more than 200 horses. Captain Guyot of the II Squadron and the standard-bearer, a veteran of Egypt, were among the killed; Thiry, Desmichels, and Rabusson were wounded." In Dec 1808 at Benavente the regiment was ambushed and defeated by numerically stronger force of British and German cavalry. The Guard Chasseurs met again with the British and German cavalry at Waterloo. Repeatedly some of the chasseur squadrons rode up to within 300-400 paces of the British and German (KGL) cavalry. A British officer writes: "[their] officers wearing tall, broad bearskin hats, and on several occassions some of them rode up to us, challenging the officers of our [British] regiment to single combat. As they were much stronger, the regiment could not accept the honor ..." Horses and Weapons. They rode on 15 hands tall (149-153 cm) pictoresque bays. Some sources, for example L. Rousselot, mention bays and chestnuts. The chasseurs were armed with slightly curved sabers, pistols and carbines. The chasseurs' saber had a curved blade 84 cm long (horse grenadiers 97,5 cm !) with a single-branch brass hilt and a similar grip and scabbard. Requirements. 10 years' service minimum 3 campaigns citation for bravery in 1796 they were expected to be at least 176 cm tall, then it was lowered to 173 cm, and in 1805 to 170 cm. (In comparison the Guard Dragoons were taller 173 cm, and the Grenadiers and Gendarmes the tallest with 176 cm) The legionaires were exempted from the height requirement. In 1814 the most experienced chasseur had 28 years' service ! Uniforms. The chasseurs wore expensive hussar-style outfits. Their gaudy red and green regalia made them one of the most colorful regiments in Europe. The pelisse was trimmed with curled black lamb's wool and lined with white flannel. The dolmans were dark green and were worn under the pelisses. Their short Hungarian boots were fitted by the master bootmaker. These boots were pleated at the instep for comfort and trimmed with orange braids and tassels. The squadrons of Old Guard wore black fur caps called busbies or colbacks. A scarlet flamme fell over the right side of the fur cap. The squadrons of Young Guard wore no fur caps, instead they wore tall red shakos. Lachoque writes: "The lining of the officer's pelisse of short grey fur cost 50 francs, and the collar and edging of throat of Canadian fox cost from 100 to 120 francs. Their shabracks of panther skin, lined with striped drill and bound with gold braid, cost from 300 to 350 francs." After the campaign against Austria in 1809 the Guard Chasseurs needed new uniforms. Wagner furnished them with 1,295 pairs of boots, 918 undress coats and waistcoats, 950 Hungarian breeches, but only 469 of the expensive pelisses and dolmans. However the parade uniform was worn rarely, mostly on special occassions. During campaign the chasseurs wore dark green overalls. In 1808 the overalls were modified by eliminating the buttons on the outside of each leg, the seams being covered by two stripes of aurore braid. In 1811 the overalls had been redesigned again, their leather reinforcements being replaced by an extra layer of green cloth, and their side seams closed and covered by double aurore stripes. In 1812-14 the overalls were grey with aurore stripes (see picture) and with leather reinforcing between the legs and around the bottom. During long marches the scarlet flammes on their fur caps have disappeared beneath black waxed and varnished covers atop the caps, and their sabretaches were covered with a black, waxed case without ornament. The trumpeters' white fur caps were left in regimental depot, black fur caps "always being worn on campaign." (- L. Rousselot) In 1815 the Chasseurs' uniforms, once so brilliant, were varied. A few left for Belgium in dark green undress coats like the Emperor's with scarlet collars and orange shoulder knots and aiguillettes, red waistcoats - either braided in orange or plain - green breeches with Hungarian boots or overalls, and colpacks with red and green cords and plumes. About 500 wore dolmans and pelisses with riding trousers and boots. In 1804-15 in good weather the Guard Chasseurs of the picket were dressed in their habits of their service uniforms, the long ornamented tails of which fall down on each side of their saddles. Their fur caps would display their corded and tasselled flammes and red-green plumes. Organization. Thre Regiment of Guard Chasseurs consisted of 4 squadrons and 2 squadrons of Velites. Before the campaign against Russia Napoleon enlarged it to 5-6 squadrons, and in 1813 to 9-10 squadrons ! Such regiment had also enlarged staff: Colonel-commandant : General de division Lefebvre-Desnouettes Colonel-commandant en second: General de division Guyot Colonel-major Lion Quartier-maitre tresorier: Chef de Escardron Guiot Instructeur : Chef de Escardron Bellebaux Commandant de Escadrons: Chef de Escardron Joannes, Rabusson, Bayeux, Labiffe, Lafitte, Vanot, Dedelle, Trobriant, Caure Capitaine instructeur : Spitzer Capitaine adjudant-major: Seve, Assant Lieutenant en premier sous-adjudant-major: Keraval, Vazzilier, Boireau Lieutenant en second sous-adjudant-major : Frot, Spigre, Lecoq, L'Hernault, Lequatre, Dachweiller Porte-eleud. Lieutenant en premier: Perrier, Bayard Porte-eleud. Lieutenant en second: Allie, Billard Adjudants d'admin. : Capitaine Maziau, Lieutenant en premier Donghery Commanders Colonels 1802-1808 Eugene Beauharnais 1808-1815 Charles Lefebvre-Desnouettes Colonels-en-Second and Majors 1804 Francois-Louis de Morland 1805 Nicolas Dahlman 1805 Claude-Etienne Guyot 1807 Nicolas-Marin Thiry 1809 Pierre Daumensil 1809 Marie-Louis-Hercule-Hubert Corbineau 1809 Jean-Dieudonne Lion 1811 Francois-Charles-Jean-Pierre-Marie d'Avranges d'Haugeranville 1813 Remy-Joseph-Isidore Exelmans 1813 Charles-Claude Meuziau 1815 Francois-Antoine Lallemand

2nd Regiment of Horse Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard [2e Regiment de Chasseurs-à-Cheval de la Garde Impériale] In May 1815 Napoleon formed an entire regiment of Horse Chasseurs of the Young Guard (2e Regiment de Chasseurs-à-Cheval de la Garde). They were nicknamed "The Hussars of the Guard" and were commanded by Antoine Francois Eugene Merlin de Douai. Many elements of their uniforms were identical to those of the Old Guard but they were made of poorer quality materials. There were also differences, instead of the fur cap was the red shako trimmed with orange braid.

Squadron of Guard Mamelukes [Escadron de Mamelukes de la Garde Imperiale] In 1802, after reading general Rapp's report, Bonaparte decided to form a squadron of Mameluks organized like hussars. Napoleon decided that the valiant cavaliers with dark skins would help to reinforce his own prestige. The sons of the desert or "authentic head-hunters" received a hot welcome in Paris. The officers were Frenchmen, the commander was Jean Rapp, a daredevil with 22 wounds ! In charge of administration was Edouard Colbert (later he led the Red Lancers at Waterloo). Quartermaster was Delaitre (later he served in the Polish Guard Lancers). The privates were Greeks, Egyptians, Georgians and Turks. Every Mameluk was armed with two brace of pistols, a very curved saber, dagger, mace and eventually a battle-ax ! "The Mamelukes did present special problems. The burial of one of their retired officers caused a local disturbance, his Christian neighbours objecting to having the grave of an 'infidel' near their sainted ancestors. There also is the sad tale of a homesick Arab rug dealer who was overjoyed to spot a Mameluke in a German town and tried to engage him in conversation. Unfortunately, he was only a Second Mameluk whose command of Arabic began and ended with 'Allah'. After countless repetitions of that holy name, the merchant concluded that he had met a man too pious to discuss worldly matters." (Elting - 'SWords Around a Throne" p 189) The Mamelukes were hated in Spain. During the revolt in Madrid the "popular fury was loosed upon the Mameluks. These 'pagan sons of dogs' were assailed by women who jumped onto the cruppers of their horses ... Before a house in the Carrera de San Jeronimo two Mameluks fell to the pavement, shot from the window above. Furious their comrades entered the house, killed all the occupants - both men and women - and threw their heads into the street. ... Towards two in the afternoon the canaille was finally subdued; but then the reprisals began. Tied in pairs to the strirrups of the Mameluks and Guard chasseurs, the condemned were dragged to the Pardo, the Retiro, and the Convent del Jesus were firing-parties awaited them." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" pp 121-122 In 1805 at Austerlitz the Allies had gained a healthy respect for the colorfully clad Mamelukes, and their proud reputation within the army was assured. In 1807 the costumes of the Mamelukes "occasioned much surprise, not unmixed with terror, to the Russian troops, who imagined them to be Turks." (Parquin - "Napoleon's Victories" p 63) In 1814 near St.Dizier the Mamelukes "took a crack at some Cossacks whom 'they sabered in their sccustomed style." (- Lefebvre-Desnouettes) Organization: In 1804 the company had: 9 officers (6 of whom are Arabs), 10 NCO (6 of whom are Arabs), 10 brigadiers (8 of whom are Arabs), 2 trumpeters and 92 privates. (source: histofig.com) In 1813 the Mameluks were reinforced with Frenchmen who were designated as '2nd Mameluks'. There were 2 companies of Mameluks, the 1st was ranked as Old Guard and the 2nd as Young Guard. The Squadron of Mameluks was attached to the Regiment of Guard Horse Chasseurs. In 1815 Duke of Orleans asked them if there were any Egyptians among them, but was told that they were all French. They still wore crescents on their turbans. An Imperial Decree of 24 April announced: "The Regiment of Chasseurs-a-Cheval of our Guard will be augmented by a Mameluk squadron of 2 companies." But since its personnel was listed indiscriminately on the rolls of the Chasseurs, and even the Red Lancers, it is not known whether the squadron marched as a full unit. Chefs d'Escadron: 1801 - Aime Sulpice Victor Pelletier Montmarie 1801-1803 Jean Rapp 1803-1805 Pierre Louis Dupas 1805-1810 Antoine Charles Bernard Delaitre 1810 Francois Antoine Kirmann

. The Polish Guard lancers knew how to fight and they intended to do just that. It was Napoleon who said: "These men only know how to fight !" 1st Regiment of Lighthorse-Lancers (Polish) of the Imperial Guard [1ere Regiment de Chevau-Légers Lanciers de la Garde Impériale (Polonais)] On picture: Polish Guard Lancers (Lanciers de la Garde Impériale Polonais) in parade uniforms, by Rousellot "The Guard's first foreign regiment was the chevau-legers Polonais, activated in March 1807 from picked volunteers, mostly small landowners or their sons, who had some education and were expert riders. They paid for their own clothing and equipment and provided their own horses. Nevertheless, the regiment was recruited up to strength in 10 days. Their two majors, captain-instructor, two adjutant-majors, quartermaster-treasurer, surgeon, and all their trumpeters were French. Their farriers seem to have been Germans. ... Beyond their zeal, courage, and horsemanship, however, these proud and individualistic gentlemen-at-arms had everything to learn. Their first drills and reviews were cases of every Pole for himself, and it took 2 years to get their regimental accounts set up properly. The regiment was gradually assembled in Spain in 1808, where Lasalle gave it practical outpost training." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" pp 193-4) French author St. Hilaire described the Polish Guard Lancers (Lighthorsemen): "Just the name of Polish lancer awakes the ideas of bravery and of military fidelity ! ... There was in the person and the manners of the Polish lancer a kind of strangeness difficult to analyze ... at first taken for German; but with the quickness of his movements, with his instinctive exuberance, one recognized that which one so precisely called the "French of North". Though the Polish lancer easily adopted the language and the practices of his new fatherland, he could not however completely forget he was the son of heroic Poland. Concurrently with him his brother in arms shone, his follower, the French Red lancer ..." In 1807 Napoleon authorized the raising of a guard regiment of Polish light horse. Napoleon gave French instructors to train the young Poles but during following reviews conducted before Napoleon, its squadrons became so entagled with one another that the Emperor made a comment "These people only know how to fight !" Two French instructors were dismissed on the spot. But these young men dramatically improved. In 1808 they captured several batteries in a frontal assault, and for this exploit Napoleon admitted them into his Old Guard. In 1813 at Reichenbach they charged, got under artillery fire, made half-turn and crushed enemy's cavalry without losing its alignment. Only very few regiments in Europe attained the perfection of changing the formation under fire and at gallop without losing its order ! They were never defeated by any cavalry. Henri Lachoque writes: "The Polish lighthorse ... had become lancers to satisfy the demand of their chief Count Krasinski. Their training in the new weapon began in earnest when Major Fredro returned from leave in Poland bringing back manuals and exhibiting amazing skill in handling the lance. ... Dautancourt proposed permitting only the front rank of a squadron to carry lances for fear that in charging those in the 2nd rank might injure the horses and men in front. Furthermore, a lighthorseman armed with a lance, carbine, bayonet, saber, and 2 pistols would hardly continue to be a lighthorseman ! But Dautancourt was voted down. All troopers of the regiment were armed with lances ... Experience proved Dautancourt correct." In 1812 when during the pursuit of Cossacks one of the lancers lost his headwear, officer Jerzmanowski ordered him to go back and retrieve it to prevent the enemy from claiming any trophy taken from this regiment. It was quite unusual since many troops panicked before Cossacks and abandoned not only their baggage and weapons but also even their wounded comrades. The Cossacks were evrywhere. At Katyn the Poles had great difficulty getting rid of several hundred scouting in front of a mass of Russian cavalry. Lahy ! Lahy ! (Poles in old Russian) the Russians cried, firing off their carbines at some distance from the leading squadron to provoke the Guard Lancers. 'Never get into a skirmish with Cossacks' was the Poles' advice. However a formal charge sent them flying. Lachoque: "Ardent in temperament, the Poles cut capers in the field and drove their attacks home; but in camp they led the life of great lords. Their cooks roasted whole pigs and sides of beef on spits in the open, and their cantinieres made coffee at all hours of day and night, serving it with sugar to all ranks. ... they smoked their long pipes and sat up half the night damning the Muscovites." In 1814 "Major Skarzynski performed prodigies of valor. Snatching a lance from a Cossack, he created a void around him by knocking over the fugitives in his path and running the rest through with his lance. The other officers followed suit, sweeping Dautancourt's lancers along with them in their dash to Corbeny. Kalmukcks, Bashkirs, and Cossacks fled across the plain, crisscrossed with ditches, leaving behind 2 guns, 200 men and their baggage. That night at Corbeny the Poles drank to victory and the Emperor." (- Henri Lachoque) 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. Krasinki, wearing his parade uniform announced to his lancers that "God has visited misfortune upon the Emperor" and all began to weep. They regreted they had not all been killed before hearing that anyone had dared demand Napoleon's abdication. Loud cries for vengeance were heard along with "Vive l"Empereur!" Lances were raised and the cavalry spontaneously moved toward Fontainebleau. They passed through Nainville before Sebastiani's ADC halted them. Krasinski galloped off to headquarters to protest that his duty and honor called him to Napoleon's side, since it was not to France but to Napoleon that his lancers had pledged their lives. Only a single squadron of the Lancers was at Waterloo. Lachoque writes: "The English at Waterloo reported that the Polish trumpeters, and even the offices, wore their white full dress uniforms faced with crimson in battle, and that only the front ranks carried lances." This squadron, which had few new recruits, was well dressed. The Poles' silver trumpets may have sounded the last charge of the Guard [at Waterloo]." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 471) The famous French General Lasalle wrote a poem for this regiment about French-Polish comradeship. Commanders Colonels 1807 Vincent-Corvin Krasinski Colonels-en-second and Majors 1807 Antoine-Charles-Bernard Delaitre 1807 Pierre Dautancourt 1812 Jan Konopka 1812 Dominik-Hieronim Radziwill 1812 Jan-Leon-Hippolyte Kozietulski 1813 Jan-Pawel Jerzmanowski Battles, weapons, and uniforms of the Lancers of the Old Guard.

. Colonel of the Red Lancers, Pierre Baron Colbert earned the nickname "Iron Man" on many battlefields. Bullet wound to arm (Egypt), bullet wound to thigh (Austerlitz) three lance wounds ( Eastern Prussia 1807), bullet wound to head (Wagram, Austria), bullet wound to arm (Quatre-Bras) - Ronald Pawly 2nd Regiment of Lighthorse-Lancers (Dutch) of the Imperial Guard [2e Regiment de Chevau-Légers Lanciers de la Garde Impériale] The Regiment of Red Lancers was formed in 1810 from three Dutch troops: Garde du Corps (former Guard Cuirassiers) Guard Hussar Regiment 3th Hussar Regiment On 2 September 1810 the Emperor and Empress and accompanied by a large court reviewed all the regiments of the Imperial Guard and the Dutch Guard. "After having passed at a gallop along the front of the ranks the Emperor had the columns formed for a march past. Behind the infantry, the cavalry proceded by Marshal Bessieres and his staff ... To reach the road the Dutch Hussars had to cross in front of the Dutch Grenadiers; apparently this evolution did not work smoothly, causing certain comments to be passed between their respective leaders. At this moment a storm broke out. Their Majesteies, the courtiers and the spectators hastened away across the Bois de Boulogne to return to Paris. The episode did not leave a good impression." (Pawly - "The Red Lancers" p 11) The German members of the Guard Hussars were given the choice of joining the Berg Lancers or the four Dutch regiments. "No officer may remain in the corps who is not Dutch by birth." (- Decree of 13 September 1810) This regiment included 48 Germans, 30 of them wanted to transfer to 14th Cuirassiers and 11th Hussars (both units made of Dutch), 4 to the [German] Berg Lancers, and the rest applied for retirement or honourable discharge. However, in October the Emperor realized that the unit was 143 short of establishment. In order to fill the ranks, Napoleon signed a new decree and accepted many Germans. Article 1: All officers, NCOs and soldiers of the former Dutch Guard who were born in the territory of the Hanseatic cities, in Oldenburg, Osnabruck (Duchy of Berg) and in Westphalia will be considered as Dutch." Article 2: All Germans who have served without interruption since at least 1800 in the former Dutch Guard, either on foot or mounted, who have never deserted and who enlisted of their own will in the Dutch forces, will be considered as Dutch." Part of Article 4: "Our Minister of War will make a special register of those who are Prussian." There were many interesting individuals in the regiment of Red Lancers. - Lieutenant Fallot, a Belgian known as 'The Bear' from his hairy chest, Herculean strength, and commanding presence, was chosen to model the proposed uniform for the Emperor. - Lieutenant Chomel was the son of the King of Prussia's consul to the court of Holland - Lieutenant Dumonceau was a former page to King Louis. On 23 September the Imperial Guard and the Dutch Guard were present at the Sunday parade at the Tuileries. Napoleon approached the Red Lancers and asked about the recent disorders, which had taken place in their garrison. The colonel apologised and attributed the episode to the effects of hospitality lavished on them by their new brothers in arms. Napoleon replied: "Well, if your men can't withstand the effects of wine they will have to be satisfied with drinking beer in the future." In late 1811 two squadrons of Red Lancers escorted Napoleon through the new Belgian and Dutch departments. Organization of the Red Lancers for the Invasion of Russia in 1812: STAFF: - - - Colonel: General de Brigade Colbert - - - Colonel-Majors: Dubois and van Hasselt - - - Chef-de-Escadrons: Coti, de Watteville, de Tiecken - - - Captain Adjutant-Major: Courbe - - - Paymaster: de la Fargue - - - Quartermaster: Dufour - - - Standard-bearer: Verhaegen (the Eagle itself was left in Paris) - - - - - - - - I SQUADRON - - - - - - - - - - - - 1st Company - Captain van der Meulen - - - - - - - - - - - - 5th Company - Captain Sterke - - - - - - - - II SQUADRON - - - - - - - - - - - - 2nd Company - Captain Post - - - - - - - - - - - - 6th Company - Captain Dumonceau - - - - - - - - III SQUADRON - - - - - - - - - - - - 3rd Company - Captain Calkoen - - - - - - - - - - - - 7th Company - Captain Tulleken - - - - - - - - IV SQUADRON - - - - - - - - - - - - 4th Company - Captain Schneither - - - - - - - - - - - - 8th Company - Captain van Balveren - - - - - - - - V SQUADRON was created in March 1812 - - - - - - - - DEPOT SQUADRON Recruitment. "These men must have completed between 2 and 4 years of service ..." - Decree of 11 March 1812 The Decree of 11 March 1812 stated: "Article 3: The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Lighthorse-Lancers; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 10th Hussars; 5th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 26th, 29th, and 31st Chasseurs; and 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th Dragoons, are each to provide 15 men for the recruitment of the above-mentioned 2nd Lighthorse-Lancers of our Guard. These men must have completed between 2 and 4 years of service, and will be selected from among the best remaining at the depots in France." (In comparison the Horse Grenadiers accepted men with 10 years of service, and the Dragoons with 5-10 years.) Uniform. Initially it had been intended to dress the Dutch Guard in uniforms similar to those worn by the Guard Chasseurs-a-Cheval. The Red Lancers wore one of the most striking uniforms in Napoleonic cavalry. Initially it had been intended to dress the Red Lancers in uniforms similar to those worn by the Guard Chasseurs-a-Cheval. Some Dutch officers quickly complied. Henri Lachoque writes that Baron Colbert "was concerned about their uniform, believing that the 2nd Lancers should be dressed like the 1st [Poles], although the czapka and kurtka were essentially Polish garments." Soon it was decided that since the Dutch Guard were organised as the Polish Guard Lancers, so their uniform should be the same as that of their fellow lancers. The Decree of 10 February 1811 stated: "Article 1: The 2nd Lighthorse-Lancers of the Guard will have the same cut of jacket and the same headdress as the 1st Lighthorse-Lancers of the Guard (Polish). It will keep the color scarlet for the jacket, with yellow buttons and distinctions. The distinctive color for lapels, collars and cuff facings will be sky blue." The collars, lapels, turnbacks and cuffs were in fact produced in dark blue. In April 1812 the King of Prussia on learning that the Imperial Guard was passing through Potsdam, asked about the Red Lancers. The king admired their uniform. In 1813 the five squadrons of Young Guard wore blue jackets faced with red. Weapons: lance, carbine, and saber. "... it took a thoroughly trained trooper to handle the lance in action; to a poor horseman it was an impediment, even a danger ..." (- Ronald Pawly) Their primary weapon was lance and they received instructors from the (Polish) 1st Lighthorse-Lancers. Ronald Pawly writes: "One of the instructors was Ltn. Fallot, who had detached with 8 regimental NCOs to the Polish Lancers at Chantilly in 27 November 1810 to learn the handling of the lance. ... In recent years Napoleon was unpleasantly impressed by the effectivenness of this weapon - then a novelty in Western Europe - in the hands of Austrian and Russian uhlans and Cossacks, and in 1811 would see his final decision to form a new lancer branch within the French cavalry. That May, at Albuera in Spain, Polish lancers of the Vistula Legion in French service took part in one of the most bloodily successful cavalry charges of the Napoleonic Wars: together with the French 2nd Hussars theyr rode right over a British infantry brigade ..." ... Fallot's party spent 6 weeks at Chantilly learning this demanding new skill. The safe and effective handling of the heavy wooden lance - 2.26 m long with a 21 cm iron head - took a great deal of practice, the rudiments being taught on foot for some time before any attempt was made to master mounted drill. ... it took a thoroughly trained trooper to handle the lance in action; to a poor horseman it was an impediment , even a danger ..." During march the weight of the lance bore down on the stirrup, where its lower end fitted into a small 'bucket'; carried on the march slanting back from a small sling around the rider's arm. The Red Lancer also carried carbine (An XIII model flintlock light cavalry musketoon) and light cavalry curved saber. Horses. The Dutch lancers rode on chestnuts and bays, measuring between 14 and 14.75 hands (146-150 cm). Each cost approx. 460 francs. The horses came mostly from Ardennes, Manche, Orne and Calvados regions. Invasion of Russia, 1812. "The Red Lancers were dogged by ill luck with the Cossacks, who seemed insultingly eager to come to blows. Sometimes when Cossacks saw a patrol of the Regiment they would make a rush at them shouting "A red one ! Catch him !" - Ronald Pawly By March 1812 the regiment in the field numbered 41 officers and 649 other ranks. As they passed through Holland some officers took the opportunity which offered to see their families. On 22 March the Red Lancers entered Hanover. After several weeks on the march many of the horses were in poor shape. The reinforcements were soon ready to start their march eastwards. In April in Potsdam the Red Lancers met the King of Prussia. In May they were ordered to head for Gdansk (Danzig). On 24 June the Red Lancers crossed the Niemen River over the bridge and entered Russia. Two days later they were used as outposts and scouts. Deprived of good wine and food, and comfortable quarters, and constantly harrased by Cossacks the lancers lost their good spirit. General Colbert wrote to Bessieres (commander of the Imperial Guard): "A bad mood reigns among the officers, and it could spread to the soldiers if one should be indulgent." On 27 July the Russian Lifeguard Uhlans and Cossacks surprised detachments of Red Lancers at Babinovitz and took approx. 50 prisoners. Only an NCO and 3 lancers escaped. Colbert launched a pursuit but "the enemy had made off." The regiment then marched to Vitebsk where Napoleon was assembling his Imperial Guard. From there they moved to Smolensk and crossed the Dieper River. From 14 August onwards the Red Lancers would form with the Polish Lancers a brigade under Colbert. The mood in the regiment improved and on Napoleon's birthday the Dutch decorated trees with inscriptions and lanterns bearing the monograms of Napoleon. These ornaments were made by Sergeant Skalski of Polish Lancers. Then the Dutch, French, Germans and the Poles shared their stores of spirits. The bearded Cossacks nicknamed the Red Lancers "The Red Boys". "The Red Lancers were dogged by ill luck with the Cossacks, who seemed insultingly eager to come to blows (perhaps as a result of their easy victory in the fight at Babinovitz). Sometimes when Cossacks saw a patrol of the Regiment they would make a rush at them shouting "A red one ! Catch him !", and often forced them to flee. It is said that, on occassion, the more experienced Polish Lancers would exchange their sombre blue and crimson uniform for the Dutch scarlet, causing considerable surprise to overconfident Cossacks and encouraging a warier approach in future." (Pawly - "The Red Lancers" p 35) Paul Britten-Austin writes that the Dutchmen are "too phlegmatic" for the little warfare. Austin writes: "Approaching stealthily, Cossacks nevertheless (again) carry off the Dutch regiment's outpost picket. And again 'only one man escaped flat out at a gallop and brought the news to our camp. Even an hour and a half's pursuit couldn't catch up with the Cossacks.' Mortified by this second surprise of the campaign, Colbert doubles the 2nd Regiment's outposts; and, to make assurance doubly sure, mingles the Dutchmen with the warier, more experienced Poles." (Britten-Austin - "1812 The March on Moscow" p 333) During the battles of Smolensk and Borodino the Red Lancers were held in reserve. On 22 September they passed under the walls of Kremlin, Moscow. "We found Moscow absolutely deserted ... We have been detached from the Guard and are involved daily with the Cossacks." - wrote Captain Calkoen. "Nearing Bouikhovo after nearly 3 hours' ride, Calkoen's squadron were advancing a few hundred yards ahead of the Poles when Ltn. Doyen led his point troop up a hillock. They were immediately attacked from all sides by the Cossacks. Ltn. van Omphal's troops were at once sent to help them disengage, but were outflanked in their turn. The Red Lancers fell back towards the Polish squadron, who had halted and taken up battle formation. Under this cover the Dutch Lancers regrouped and charged the Cossacks again ..." (- Ronald Pawly) In the end of the campaign the Polish Guard Lancers had their horses rough shod and saved 200 horses. But the Red Lancers didn't follow the Poles' habit and were able to save only few officers' horses. The Dutchmen were brave men, no doubt about it, but they were not well suited for this campaign. The Poles, whose homeland habitually suffered bitter winters and cold winds from the east, will have been better prepared for the hardships, mentally and perhaps physically. The Saxon Campaign, 1813. In two and half months of scouting and fighting half of the regiment were killed and wounded. In 1813 this regiment was rebuilt with volunteers and King Joseph's (Napoleon's brother) guard. Many of these men were veterans. Some sources give the first 5 squadrons as Old Guard and majority Dutch. The other 5 squadrons were ranked as Young Guard and were recruited in part from the municipal cavalry of the Guard of Paris. Other sources give 4 squadrons of Old Guard and 6 of Young Guard. Henri Lachoque writes: "Later the Emperor added 5 Young Guard squadrons, ranking the 5 veteran squadrons as Old Guard without increasing their pay and allowances." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 433) "General Colbert's brigade of Guard Lancers performed with distinction on the 20th, and on the 21st when fighting continued at Wurschen. ... [At Reichenbach] Russian artillery was emplaced and protected by other troops. Very soon the Cossacks were being supported by Russian dragoons, and the position of Colbert's brigade became untenable. With hardly 6 squadrons at his disposal the general ordered his Red Lancers to attack the Russian cavalry while the other squadrons of the brigade formed a second line. Counterattacked by much greater numbers, the first squadrons were forced to withdraw; the intervention of the second line bought them time to rally." (Pawly - "The Red Lancers") According to M. Bogdanovich of Russia, at Reichenbach the Russian artillery fired on the Red Lancers. This bombardement was immediatelly followed by spirited cavalry charge conducted by GL Korf’s cavalry. The lancers were driven off, lost 5 officers and 176 other ranks as prisoners. (Bogdanovich M. - “Istoriya Voiny 1813 Goda” St. Petersburg 1863, Vol 1, page 282) According to Captain de Stuers the regiment lost at Reichenbach 201 killed and wounded. At Dresden the Red Lancers successfully charged against Giulay's Austrians. Then they have fought at Nollendorf and Toplitz. On 14 October the Red Lancers captured a large convoy escorted by Cossacks. They were present at Leipzig. One squadron was trapped in the city by the destruction of the bridge. Campaign of France, 1814. The Red Lancers covered themselves with glory at St.Dizier. Gen. Sebastiani reported that in 20 years he had never seen a more brilliant charge ! In 1814 it was still a very strong regiment and participated in numerous combats. At Hoogstraten a detachment of Red Lancers under de Brack dealt with the Prussian uhlans. Several squadrons retired to Brussels. De Brack's detachment occupied Waterloo and the junction of the roads to Nivelles and Namur. The regiment charged at Brienne and at La Rothiere. At La Rothiere the Red Lancers and the Polish Lancers attacked the Russian cavalry under Vasilchikov. The Red Lancers made another charge and recaptured the guns lost by Duhesme's infantry. At Montmirail the Red Lancers covered a 20-gun battery and suffered heavy losses from Allies' artillery. At Antwerp 100 lancers made a well-timed charge against Allies skirmishers. At Laon the Red Lancers successfully charged into Russians' right flank. But they failed to break infantry square and suffered heavy casualties. (The square was protected by a wide ditch.) At St.Dizier they fought with great bravery, overrun 18 Russian guns and captured 6 guns and 400 Russian dragoons. General Sebastiani reported that in 20 years he had never seen a more brilliant charge ! After Napoleon's first abdication, many Dutch officers and NCOs asked to go home. Some hoped to be admitted to the new army of the Netherlands. The Waterloo Campaign, 1815. Napoleon: "Colbert, you are arriving quite late !" Colbert: "Sire, I could come no sooner." Napoleon: "Come on, You're late - what kept you ?" Colbert: "Sire, nort as late as Your Majesty I have been waiting for you a year." In 1815, just few weeks before Waterloo, Napoleon wrote: "As soon as possible the Red Lancers must be increased to 3 regiments..." This however didn't happen, the time was too short. It was only one regiment as they lacked horse and men, and even accepted cavalrymen from different sources: Royal Corps, retirement, Young Guard and even some horse grenadiers. At Quatre Bras the Red Lancers fought with the Nassau infantry and Dutch troops. At Ligny they covered the withdrawal of the cuirassiers after their admirable charge. At Waterloo the Red Lancers charged Allies squares without artillery support and without success. During the retreat after the battle they routed British cavalry and escorted Napoleon to the Sambre River and on to Philippeville.. Colonels: 1811-1815 Pierre Eduard Colbert Marshal Ney described Colbert as "consummate officer of the greatest distinction." Colbert earned the nickname "Iron Man" on many battlefields. Some found him domineering and tactless. In 1814, in a report presented to the Burbons he was described as "skilled and distinguished in all disciplines."

3rd Regiment of Lighthorse-Lancers (Polish) of the Imperial Guard [3e Regiment de Chevau-Légers Lanciers de la Garde Impériale (Polonais)] This regiment was formed in 1812 and was ranked as Young Guard (the 1st was Old Guard, the 2nd 'Red Lancers' was Middle Guard). Napoleon took advantage of the Poles' good will to create this unit. The officers were seasoned fighters but the rank and file came mainly from landowning families and students of Polish and Lithuanian universities. They were patriotic and enthusiastic but there was not enough time to train them. Napoleon wished to have this regiment composed of 5 squadrons. Their pay and allowances were the same as the 2nd Regiment (Red Lancers). In 1812 at Slonim the lancers were attacked by superior numbers of Cossacks and Pavlograd hussars. After a prolonged and dramatic fight (numerous charges and countercharges) the regiment was destroyed. Colonels: 1812 - Jan Konopka (from Vistula uhlans)

1st, 2nd and 3rd Regiment of Scouts of the Imperial Guard [1er, 2e, 3e Regiment d’Eclaireurs de la Garde Imperiale] In December 1813 Napoleon formed three new regiments of Guard cavalry. These were eclaireurs, scouts. The scouts had neither cloaks nor breeches, they were issued undress coats, pantaloons, gray capes and stable jackets. Kozietulski, the Hero of Somosierra, was organizing the 3e at Givet without farriers or trumpeters, and without pay. Hoffmnayer was obliged to appeal to the Berg Lancers for their mounts. The three eclaireur or scout regiments, were attached to the Grenadiers, Dragoons and 1st Lancers respectively. "Napoleon had in mind a French counterpart to the Russian cossacks that had harrassed so effectively the French flanks during the retreat from Moscow. As a consequence of this reorganization, the last eight companies of the 1st Lancers became the 3eme Eclaireurs. This regiment placed under the overall command of its colonel, General Count Krasinski. The chef d 'escadron of the 3rd Eclaireurs was Major Jean Kozietulski. ' (Paul Dawson - "The Imperial Guard and Polish Nationalism: 1812-1814") "These eclaireurs (scouts) were the result of years of Imperial cogitation. Napoleon had repeatedly considered forming units of very light cavalry. Now three regiments - eclaireurs-grenadiers, eclaireurs-dragoons, and eclaireurs-lanciers - were hastily scraped together. Their horses were small, hardy beasts from the Pyrenees, the Ardennes, and the Rhone delta; their eqipment was very light. The 1st Regiment got some men (not their best) from the Guards of Honor; the 2nd was supposed to be recruited from the postillions of the Imperial mail service. Actually both regiments were mostly new conscripts, sprinkled with a few Old Guard and line officers and NCOs and a few odd individuals like a sous-lieutenant from the Neapolitan chevau-legers, some of Joseph''s former guard cavalry, and trumpeters from the Pupilles. The Poles had a high percentage of veteran-lancers, apparently including the 40-odd remaining Tartars. All three regiments were put into action hastily, short of weapons and equipment, but were never completely organized." (Elting - "Swords Around a Throne" p 201) Each regiment of eclaireurs had 4 squadrons of 250 men each (theoretically). The privates of squadrons of Old Guard wore uniform of hussar pattern, green dolman with white laces and braid. Those of Young Guard wore a simple green a la Kinski coat. These scouts were armed with lances and sabers (in first rank) and carbine and saber (in second rank). The eclaireurs were disbanded already in June 1814. 1er Regiment d’Eclaireurs It was formed from the Garde d'Honneur. Casualties in 1814-Campaign: 14. Colonel: Claude Etienne Guyot. 2e Regiment d’Eclaireurs This unit was made of postilions. Casualties in 1814-Campaign: 20. Colonel: Philippe Antoine Ornano. 3e Regiment d’Eclaireurs The 3e Regiment d’Eclaireurs de la Garde Imperiale (see picture) was formed from Poles collected in Sedan. They were the remnants of several Polish units: - IV, V, VI, and VII squadron (Middle and Young Guard) of the 1er Regiment de Chevau-Leger de la Garde. - 3e Regiment de Chevau-Leger Polonaise de la Garde (Young Guard) - Grenadier Battalion (Middle Guard) Casualties in 1814-Campaign: 16. Colonel: Vincent Corvin Krasinski. In 1814 at Arcis-sur-Aube the eclaireurs advanced and were promptly met by a volley of shot and shell from the crest of the plateau east of the town. Charged simultaneously by yelling Cossacks and Austrian cavalry, the eclaireurs were thrown into panic and turned tail, colliding with Exelmans' cavalry which promptly headed back to Arcis, pursued full tilt by the Russians.

1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Regiment of Honor Guard [1er, 2e, 3e, 4e Regiment de Garde d'Honneur] In 1813 there were 15.000 volunteers with 20.000 horses, mounted and equipped at their own expense. These 20-26 years old men came mainly from noble and wealthy families but were hardly enthusiastic for military service and soon many deserted. They formed new regiments named Life Guard but because of the desertions it was changed to Honor Guard. The rest of the army called them "the Hostages". :-) The privates wore uniform of hussar pattern, green dolman and pelisse with white braid, edging and laces. The collar and cuffs were scarlet collar with white edging. Crimson sash with green sliding loops and cord. Silver buttons. The breeches were scarlet breeches with white lace. Short black hussar boots. The shako was scarlet with silver eagle, white top band, cords and flounders. Green plume with blue top over a pompon in squadron color inserted in a tricolour cockade. The chinstrap were silver. Green portemanteau with white edge and regimental number. The privates were armed with light cavalry sabers and carbines. Casualties suffered in 1814 Campaign: 1er Regiment: 13 2e Regiment: 3 3e Regiment: 23 4e Regiment: 4 Colonels: 1er Regiment - Charles Joseph Randon de Pully 2e Regiment - Louis Lepic / Adelaide Blaise Francois Lagrange 3e Regiment - Philippe de Segur 4e Regiment - Raymond Gaspard Saint Sulpice

Sources and Links.

Napoleon, His Army and Enemies