Imperial Guard (Napoleon I)
The Imperial Guard (French: Garde Impériale) was originally a small group of elite soldiers of the French Army under the direct command of Napoleon I, but grew considerably over time. It acted as his bodyguard and tactical reserve, and he was careful of its use in battle. The Guard was divided into the staff, infantry, cavalry, and artillery regiments, as well as battalions of sappers and marines. Another division existed in distinguishing the experienced veterans from less experienced members of the Guard the group's division into the Old Guard, Middle Guard and Young Guard.
Read more about Imperial Guard (Napoleon I): History, Composition, Numbers, General Staff of The Imperial Guard, Foot Regiments, Cavalry Regiments, Artillery of The Guard, Engineers of The Guard, Sailors of The Guard
Famous quotes containing the words imperial and/or guard:
“All the terrors of the French Republic, which held Austria in awe, were unable to command her diplomacy. But Napoleon sent to Vienna M. de Narbonne, one of the old noblesse, with the morals, manners, and name of that interest, saying, that it was indispensable to send to the old aristocracy of Europe men of the same connection, which, in fact, constitutes a sort of free- masonry. M. de Narbonne, in less than a fortnight, penetrated all the secrets of the imperial cabinet.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Those that I fight I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)