Napoleon's Guards of Honour
1813-14
1st Edition
Published on 20. March 2012
48 pages
978-1-78096-560-4 (ISBN)
Description
One of the least understood of Napoleon's corps were the four regiments of Gardes d'honneur, raised in 1813 during the frantic rebuilding of the French cavalry after the huge losses in Russia.
Recruited from the leading social classes, uniformed and equipped at their own expense, and accompanied by servants to take care of such unpleasant chores as stable duty, these men were promised commissions as officers after a year's service in the ranks. Though spectacularly unready for combat upon their arrival with the army, the Guards of Honour would gain skill and confidence while serving alongside the élite cavalry of the Imperial Guard in the campaigns of Saxony and France, 1813-14, and distinguished themselves in battle at Hanau and Rheims.
This is the story of their organisation, uniforms and service, researched from rare archives and memoirs and illustrated with portraits, surviving uniform items, and meticulous colour plates.
Recruited from the leading social classes, uniformed and equipped at their own expense, and accompanied by servants to take care of such unpleasant chores as stable duty, these men were promised commissions as officers after a year's service in the ranks. Though spectacularly unready for combat upon their arrival with the army, the Guards of Honour would gain skill and confidence while serving alongside the élite cavalry of the Imperial Guard in the campaigns of Saxony and France, 1813-14, and distinguished themselves in battle at Hanau and Rheims.
This is the story of their organisation, uniforms and service, researched from rare archives and memoirs and illustrated with portraits, surviving uniform items, and meticulous colour plates.
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
45 b/w; 8 col
ISBN-13
978-1-78096-560-4 (9781780965604)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
11/2002
Osprey Publishing
€19.00
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Persons
Ronald Pawly was born in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1956. He is a respected member of several international societies for Napoleonic studies, and an expert on 19th century military portraiture. He is the author of the monumental The Red Lancers: Anatomy of a Napoleonic Regiment (Crowood Press, 1998) and several other Napoleonic books, including Men-at-Arms 355: Wellington's Belgian Allies 1815 and Men-at-Arms 371: Wellington's Dutch Allies 1815 for Osprey.
Patrice Courcelle was born in northern France in 1950 and has been a professional illustrator for some 20 years. Entirely self-taught, he has illustrated many books and magazine articles for Continental publishers, and his work hangs in a number of public and private collections.
Patrice Courcelle was born in northern France in 1950 and has been a professional illustrator for some 20 years. Entirely self-taught, he has illustrated many books and magazine articles for Continental publishers, and his work hangs in a number of public and private collections.
Content
The French cavalry in the aftermath of the Russian campaign
Decree of 3 April 1813 creating four regiments of Gardes d'Honneur - inducements offered
Organisation and depots of 1st to 4th Regts
The officers and troopers - volunteers and 'volunteers' - mutinies and plots
Campaign history: 1813 - Leipzig - successful charge at Hannau
Sufferings of Metz and Mainz garrisons. Campaign of France, 1814 - the great charge at Rheims, 13 March. Uniforms & weapons - officers, troopers & trumpeters
Decree of 3 April 1813 creating four regiments of Gardes d'Honneur - inducements offered
Organisation and depots of 1st to 4th Regts
The officers and troopers - volunteers and 'volunteers' - mutinies and plots
Campaign history: 1813 - Leipzig - successful charge at Hannau
Sufferings of Metz and Mainz garrisons. Campaign of France, 1814 - the great charge at Rheims, 13 March. Uniforms & weapons - officers, troopers & trumpeters
