“On the 20 April at noon … Napoleon left his rooms… He descended the flight of steps [above the Cour du Cheval-Blanc, at Fontainebleau Palace] and, passing the row of carriages, he advanced towards the Guard.
These highly trained and experienced troops are handpicked by Napoleon and act as part of his personal guard. Taken from the ranks of the Imperial Guard, the Old Guard is made up of the most intimidating soldiers the French army has to offer.
Post-note: Following this, Napoleon was sent into exile on the little island of Elba off the coast of Italy. Captain Jean-Roch Coignet could not join Napoleon Bonaparte on Elba because the emperor knew he was not one of the Old Guard. Napoleon left his rooms… He descended the flight of steps [above the Cour du Cheval-Blanc, at Fontainebleau Palace] and, passing the row of carriages, he advanced towards the Guard. French Grenadier of the Old Guard on Sentry while Napoleon and his staff are shown in the distance.
“On the 20 April at noon … Napoleon left his rooms… He descended the flight of steps [above the Cour du Cheval-Blanc, at Fontainebleau Palace] and, passing the row of carriages, he advanced towards the Guard. Of historical interest to The Old Guard – Many of you know the origin of our name in 1893 was to follow the example of the Napoleonic Old Guard – The oldest, most experienced and best of Napoleon’s troops were selected to be his personal bodyguards, off the battlefield and on the battlefield, especially at the end of his military career. Farewell to the Old Guard.
Address to the Guard, April 2, 1814 "Soldiers: The enemy has stolen three marches on us, and has made himself master of Paris. We four merry Marauders dragged our carcasses up from the grave into the sunshine on the Sunday morning. By that time, Napoleon had ruled … Napoleon's Addresses: 1814 Campaign. Napoleon foresaw special, significant roles for the men of this elite unit. You cannot exaggerate about them. Captain Jean-Roch Coignet could not join Napoleon Bonaparte on Elba because the emperor knew he was not one of the Old Guard. The Old Guard was created in 1804 from the Consular Guard, (Garde Consulaire) and consisted of many veterans who had fought alongside Napoleon in his Italian campaigns of 1796-97, Egypt and the second Italian campaign in 1800, and for the next decade it remained a model for the Grande Armee to look up to, as well as the French nation's ultimate and invincible reserve. Of historical interest to The Old Guard – Many of you know the origin of our name in 1893 was to follow the example of the Napoleonic Old Guard – The oldest, most experienced and best of Napoleon’s troops were selected to be his personal bodyguards, off the battlefield and on the battlefield, especially at the end of his military career. Old Guard (NTW unit) Veterans of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard, these men are an elite force of musket-armed soldiers. A truly dramatic moment in history occurred on April 20, 1814, as Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France and would-be ruler of Europe said goodbye to the Old Guard after his failed invasion of Russia and defeat by the Allies. He made a sign that he wished to speak. Everyone fell silent, and in a … - Editions Available : TYPE: DESCRIPTION: SIZE: SIGNATURES: OFFERS: PRICE: PURCHASING: PRINT: Open edition print. The Old Guard earned its fearsome reputation through the many military engagements of the Napoleonic Wars, from the Battle of Ligny, to the Battle of Dresden to the famous, and final, Battle of Waterloo.