Napoleon's Imperial Guard: 1792 - 1815
Part One: The Organization: 1792 - 1800
By Tony
Broughton and J. F. Broughton
Introduction
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Garde
de la Convention
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The most famous unit in the Napoleonic Wars was
Napoleon's Imperial Guard. The story of the Garde in France
spans many centuries, almost all the Kings and Queens in
French history had a guard in one form or other. The
Imperial Guards' history begins in 1789 with the formation
of the Gardes de la Prevote de l'Hotel, their task being to
guard the Royal Residences.
After the guard joined the National Assembly, their title
changed to the Garde de l'Assemblée Nationale on 20
June 1789, but two years later on 10 May 1791, they became
the Comagnie de la Prevote. Then they were renamed the
Gendarmes Nationaux, but this formation lasted only five
days before becoming the Grenadiers-Gendarmes pres de la
Representation Nationale on the 15th May 1791. In the space
of five days they had four different names. It was decided
to expand this force and on 22 July 1795 it was renamed the
Grenadiers pres la Representation Nationale shortened to the
Gardes de la Convention. With the dissolution of the
Convention on 26h October 1795 and the introduction of the
Corps Legislatif, the Garde de la Convention became the
Garde du Corps Legislatif (28th October 1795) and comprised
one thousand two hundred men nominated by the Directory.
The Directory decided in November 1795 to form a Guard,
its function being to act as Garde d'Honneur to the
Directory and provide protection to its members. Each
Director was to have two guards to protect him. The title
given to this force was Garde du Directoire and it was
formally established on the 4th October 1796, the force was
to consist of 120 Infantry and 120 cavalry. The guard was to
consist of the following:
Garde du Directoire: 1795
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Staff
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1 Officier General Commandent-en-Chief
1 Commandent-en-second
2 Aides-de-Camp
4 Adjutants
1 Quartier-Maitre Tresorier
1 Chirurgien-Major
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1 Maitre Tailleur
1 Maitre Cordionnier-Bottier
1 Maitre Armurier
1 Maitre Sellier
1 Maitre Eperonnier
1 Tambour-Major
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There were to be two Companies of Grenadiers-a-Pied,
along with a small staff organised in the following
manner.
Grenadiers-a-Pied
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Staff
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Company Organization
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1 Chef de Bataillon
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1 Captaine
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1 Porte Drapeaux
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1 Lieutenant
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1 Sous-Lieutenant
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1 Sergeant Major
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2 Sergeants
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1 Caporal-Fourrier
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4 Caporaux
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2 Tambours
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41 Gardes
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Giving a total compliment for Staff and Two Companies of
112 men.
Gardes-a-Cheval
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Staff
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Company Organization
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1 Chef d'Escadron
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1 Captaine
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1 Porte Drapeaux
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1 Lieutenant
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1 Sous-Lieutenant
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1 Marechal- des-Logis chef
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2 Marecheaux-des-Logis
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1 Brigadier-fourrier
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4 Brigadiers
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2 Trompettes
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1 Marechal-ferrant
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41 Gardes
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Giving a total compliment for Staff and Two Companies of
112 men.
Total compliment for Staff, two companies of
Grenadiers-a-Pied, and two companies of Garde a Cheval being
242 men.
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Garde
du Directoire
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Composition of the Garde: 1796
On 28 November 1796, the men who were to comprise the
Garde were:
Staff
Commandant en Chef: General of Division:
Krieg (Jean-Ernest)
Commandant en Second : General of Brigade: Jube
Aides de Camp to commandant en Chef: Lefebvre and
Dumoustier.
Adjutants: Fuzy, Beranger, and Walker
Quartier - maitre tresorier: Moreau.
Chirurgien - major: Dudonjon
Maitre tailleur: Hanchar
Maitre cordonnier - bottier: Bonival
Mait armur - eperonnier: Lermigne
Maitre sellier: Lacour (Francois)
Garde-a-Pied
Staff
Chef de Bataillon (Major): Dubois(Antione)
Porte-Drapeaux: Lemarois (Rene)
1er Compagnie
Captain: Magnie
Lieutenant: Chevallard
Sous-Lieutenant: Castille
Sergent-Major: Anclaux (Joseph)
Sergents: Caullier (Louis) and Tournier
(Octave)
Caporaux: Beaulieu (Christophe), Delauzy (Louis),
Dessigues (Francois) and
Malraison (Jean)
Grenadiers:
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Barberdine (Jacque)
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Dubanton (Joseph)
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Lecerq (Baptiste)
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Baudry (Guillaume)
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Dufour (Joseph)
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Lessure (Francois)
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Baudry ?
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Dunouvion (Baptiste)
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Lieban (Pierre)
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Botte (Pierre)
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Duseiller (Jacques)
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Merlin (Pierre)
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Bausseur (Martin)
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Francois (Claude)
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Moutay (Jean)
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Buire (Louis)
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Gauthier (Francoois)
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Morel (Germain)
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Bizot (Medan)
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Gueriaut (Joseph)
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Mosa (Vincent)
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Carriere (Constant)
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Herlet (Pierre)
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Pesteau (Julien)
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Cheval (Charles)
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Laissant (Charles)
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Reymond (Joseph)
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Cretien (Jacques)
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Lassalle (Francois)
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Roy (Benoit)
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Courtein (Jean)
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Laurie (Claude)
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Vaunin (Jean)
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Davial (Louis)
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Leclerc (Louis)
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Voyer (Arnoud)
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2e Compagnie
Captain: Humbert
Lieutenant: Audoin
Sous-Lieutenant: Grimbert
Sergent-Major: Raubardy (Pierre)
Sergents: Collot (Etienne) and Munschy(Joseph)
Caporaux: Aubert(Pierre) , Aubry (Victor) , Lambert
(Francois) and Tillier (Jean)
Grenadiers:
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Bailleui (Toussaint)
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Deinse (Nicolas)
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Lyonnay (Louis)
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Barbier (Adrien)
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Drigny (Louis)
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Maisonneuve (Jean)
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Bauceron (Martin)
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Fleury (Pierre)
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Meunier (Pierre)
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Bauduin (Pierre)
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Fossay (Louis)
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Montalon (Guillaume)
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Beridi (Joseph)
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Gauchet (Gilles)
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Olie (Claude)
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Bodereau (Sylvain)
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Gaudin (Theodore)
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Poisson (Joseph)
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Boheim (Jean)
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Gerard (Jean)
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Gueval (Francois)
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Champagne (Victor)
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Giblin (Phillipe)
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Reboul (Louis)
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Cornette (Etienne)
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Joannes (Gabrielle)
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Rousseau (Pierre)
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Deboul (Bernard)
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Laforge (Etienne)
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Thousin (Amable)
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Defiesme (Simon)
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Lambourg (Louis)
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Traite (Pierre)
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Delatre (Baptiste)
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Lefel (Martin)
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Demourant (Jean)
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Legay (Charles)
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Tambours
Tambour-Major : Bonner (Martin)
Laurent (Francois) , Lemaire (Louis) , Robillard
(Francois) and Senet (Phillipe)
Gardes-a-Cheval
Staff
Chef d'Escadron : Aubineau-Duplessis.
Porte-Drapeaux : Terreau (Bernard)
1er Escadron
Capitaine: Dulac (Joseph)
Lieutenant: Guillotin.
Sous-Lieutenant: Bourdon.
Marechal-des-Logis Chef: Parrassol (Jerome)
Marechaux-des-Logis: Coquillon (Antoine) , Rusidant
(Jacques)
Brigadiers: Brellion (Valentin), Latille (Bernard),
Leroy (Alexandre)
and Lucas (Francois)
Gardes-a-Cheval:
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Baboeure (Benjamin)
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Francaux (Baptiste)
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Mont-Voisin (Michel)
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Bigot (Antoine)
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Grenier (Claude)
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Paturel (?)
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Boquillon (Joseph)
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Henriot (Etienne)
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Raymond (Louis)
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Boquet (?)
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Huyot (Michel)
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Raye (Louis)
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Brugasse (Claude)
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Joachim (?)
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Sarleley (Etienne)
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Cariche (Jean)
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Joannes (Sylvestre)
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Savard (Charles)
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Carron (Pierre)
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Lacroix (Francois)
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Sergent (Joseph)
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Cavalier (?)
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Laurent (?)
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Simon (?)
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Classe (Procope)
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Legrand (Nicolas)
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Sombret (Isidore)
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Cottart (Louis)
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Longchamps (Charles)
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Vassagne (Jean)
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Dupuis (?)
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Milhomme (Francois)
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Verry (?)
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2e Escadron
Capitaine: Auge
Lieutenant: Payen
Sous-Lieutenants: Colin
Marechal des Logis Chef: La Blanchi (Antoine)
Marechaux des Logis: Glachaut (Felix), Pierre
(Laurent)
Brigadiers: Bernard (Francois), Denoncin
(Baptiste), Lietard (Seraphin)
and Perrin (Louis)
Gardes-a-Cheval:
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Barbier (Joseph)
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Flamand (Francois)
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Martin (Alexis)
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Bassinet (?)
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Gendarme (?)
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Michel (?)
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Bonnet (?)
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Gerard (Joseph)
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Miquelet (Germain)
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Boquillon (Jean)
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Goze (?)
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Moisy (?)
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Breton (?)
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Hossenec (Baptiste)
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Mourcy (?)
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Brocq (Louis)
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Joly (Laurent)
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Patin (Georges)
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Calmeau (?)
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Kermasson (Francois)
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Rouget (?)
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Courable (Arnoud)
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Kinclin (?)
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Seenue (Pierre)
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Decant (?)
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Lacroix (Jean)
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Soyer (Nicolas)
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Delambre (?)
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Lapierre (?)
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Tagny (Joseph)
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Dommagne (Louis)
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Lefebvre (Alexandre)
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Vamont(?)
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Dubuisson (Louis)
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Lotiquet (?)
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Verlet (Pierre)
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Duverchy (?)
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Malfusoz (?)
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Trompettes
Audelin (Georges), Bergeret (Christophe), Louis
(Francois), and Tissot (Valentin)
The Musicians
On the 26th December 1796 it was decreed that the
musicians of the Legion de Police should be attached to the
Garde du Directoire. In May 1797 the compliment
comprised:
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Chef de Musique: Fairu-Guiardel - First
Clarinet
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Bannes Cadet: First Cornet
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Barley (Joseph): First Clarinet
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Legros (Pierre): First Cornet
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Francois aine (?): First Clarinet
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Kretly (Louis): First Flute
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Nieu (Pierre): First Clarinet
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Letellier (Jacques): Second Flute
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Chocuel (Charles): First Clarinet
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Bannes aine (?): First Bassoon
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Francois jeune: Second Clarinet
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Schiminch (Adam): First Bassoon
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Charrier (Xavier): Second Clarinet
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Legros (Nicolas): Second Bassoon
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Sponheimer (Gotliche): Second Clarinet
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Venderburg (Joseph: Second Bassoon
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Garreau (?): Second Clarinet
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Mine (Laurent): Second Bassoon
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Michel (Joseph): Second Clarinet
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Bannes (Mathieu): Trombone
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Louichard (Jean): First Cornet
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Drapeau (Baptiste): Cymbals
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Blet (Pierre): First Cornet
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Suret (Honore): Big Drum
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The Administrative Council: 1797
The Administrative Council for the Garde du Directoire
would consist of seven members:
President : Commandant-en-Chef
Commandent-en-Second
Adjutant
Chef de Bataillon
Chef d'Escadron
Two Capitaines of each arm, Infantry and Cavalry
Qualifications for Entering the Garde
Officers were to be at least five feet-eight inches tall
and twenty five years old. NCO's were to be at least five
feet-eleven inches tall. All were to have served in at least
two campaigns
Garde des Consuls: 1799
Within eighteen days of the Coup d'Etat of Brumaire a
decision was taken that a new force should be created. On
the 11th November 1799, it was decided to merge the Garde du
Directoire with the Garde du Corps Legislatif and to
reinforce it where necessary. Its title was to be the Garde
des Consuls. A decree was issued on the 28th November 1799
that the force would consist of
One Company Infantry Legere
Two Battalions Grenadier a Pied
One Company Chasseurs-a-Cheval
Two Squadrons Grenadiers a Cheval
One Company Artillery Legere
The full breakdown of the Gardes des Consuls
being:
Staff
1 General de Division, Commandent-en-Chef et
Inspectuer
1 General de Brigade, Commandent-en-Second
4 Aides-de-Camp
1 Adjudant General (in charge of administration and
service)
8 Adjudants superieurs (4 Chefs-de-Brigade and 4
Chefs-de-Bataillon or d'Escadron)
6 Adjoints aux Adjudants generaux
1 Commissaire Ordonnateur
1 Commissaire des Guerres
1. Quartier-Maitre Tresorier (Chef de Bataillon or
Chef d'Escadron)
50 Musiciens, with (1. Chef and 1 Sous-Chef, 25
mounted, and 25 Foot)
2 Ecrvains
The two Bataillons a Pied would consist of six Companies
and the Company Legere would be the same.
Grenadiers-a-Pied
1 Chef-de-Brigade
2 Chef-de-Bataillon
2 Adjudant-Majors-Capitaines
2 Adjudant-Majors-Lieutenants
2 Porte-Drapeau
2 Chirurgiens de Premiere Classe
1 Maitre Armurier
1 MaitreTaileur
1 Maitre Cordonier
1 Maitre Guetrier
1 Tambour-Major
2 Corporaux -Tambours
Company Formation
1 Capitaine
1 Lieutenant
1 Sous-Lieutenant
1 Sergent-Major
4 Sergents
1 Fourrier
8 Corporaux
80 Grenadiers
2 Tambours
The Infanterie Legere Company formation would be exactly
the same as a Grenadier Company.
Gardes-a-Cheval
Staff
1 Chef-de-Brigade
5 Chefs d'Escadron
1 Capitaine-Adjudant-Major
1 Capitaine-Quartier-Maitre-Tresorier
1 Capitaine-Instructeur
5 Adjudants.
5 Porte-Etendard
2 Chirurgiens
1 Maitre Tailleur
1 Maitre Sellier
1 Maitre Bottier
1 Maitre Armurier
1 Maitre Eperonnier
1 Maitre Culottier
1 Trompette-Major
1 Brigadier-Trompette
Grenadier-a-Cheval Escadron, Company
formation
1 Capitaine
1 Lieutenant en Premier
1 Lieutenant en Second
1 Sous-Lieutenant
1 Marechal-des-Logis Chef
4 Marechaux-des-Logis
1 Fourrier
8 Brigadiers
96 Grenadiers-a-Cheval.
1 Marechal-Ferrant
2 Trompettes
The Chasseur-a-Cheval Company formation would be the same
as the Grenadiers-a-Cheval, two Companys to each
Squadron.
Artillerie Legere
1 Capitaine Commandant
1 Capitaine-en-Second
1 Lieutenant-en-Premier
1 Lieutenant-en-Second
1 Adjudant Sous-Officier
1 Maerchal-des-Logis Chef
4 Marechaux-des-Logis
1 Fourrier
4 Brigadiers
40 Cannoniers 1er Classe.
52 Cannoniers 2e Classe
2 Trompettes
The Garde des Consuls First Commander was General de
Division Murat and his full title was Commandent-en -Chef
and Inspecteur general of the Gardes des Consuls de la
Republique. His appointment began on 2 November 1799, but
did not last long. At the end of 1799 the Garde des Consuls
contained 2089 men.
When Napoleon became First Consul he wrote that his plans
for the Garde were for it to become the model of the Army
and he would permit admission to the Guard any person who
through his actions or wounds or by experience gained in
many campaigns, his bravery and love of their country; their
attachment to discipline and their good conduct.
The minimum requirements being , they must be no less
than 25 years old, between 5 foot 10 inches and 6 foot in
height. They must have participated in three campaigns in
the wars of liberty and be able to read and write.
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Gardes des Consuls at the End of 1799
Staff
Cmmandent-en-Chef: General-de-Division Lannes
(Jean)
Commandent-en-Second: General-de-Brigade Bessieres
(Jean-Baptiste)
Aides-des-Camp: Riviere, Beaumont, Nogues, and
Didier
Adjudant-General: Caffarelli
Adjudants superieurs, Chefs de Brigade: Beranger,
Fuzy, Ponsard, and Blanchard
Adjudants superieurs, Chefs d'Escadron: Dubois,
Oelhert, Humbert, and Auger
Adjudants: Lefebvre, Dumoustiers, Clement,
Regnault, Lenoir, and Freyre
Commissaire Ordonateur: Dubreton
Commissaire des Guerres: Charamond
Quartier-Maitre-Tresorier: Moreau
Ecrivains: Verry and Dimayo
Grenadiers-a-Pied
Chef-de-Brigade: Frere
(Bernard-George-Francois)
Chefs-de-Bataillon: Soules (1st Bataillon) and
Tortel (2nd Bataillon)
Adjudant-Major-Capitaines: Barbe and Pierron
Adjudant - Sous-Lieutenants: Flamand and Faucon
Porte-Drapeau: Leon-Aune and Morlay
Chirurgiens: Marigues and Dudoujon
1er Bataillon
1er Compagnie
Capitaine: Charpentier
Lieutenant: Carre
Sous-Lieutenants: Bourdillet, Descombe
2e Compagnie
Capitaine: Lemarrois
Lieutenant: Davignon
Sous-Lieutenants: Brousse, Villemeureux
3e Compagnie.
Capitaine: Magne
Lieutenant: Viel
Sous-Lieutenants: Redon, Demoulins
4e Compagnie
Capitaine: Theure
Lieutenant: Guyon
Sous-Lieutenants: Flaeurentin, Boutin
5e Compagnie
Capitaine: Lajonquierre
Lieutenant: Vezu
Sous-Lieutenants: Boudin, Ciron
6e Compagnie
Capitaine: Leroy
Lieutenant: Larousse
Sous-Lieutenants: Basin, Dornier
2e Bataillon
1er Compagnie
Capitaine: Ragois
Lieutenant: Dutrone
Sous-Lieutenants: Henry, Deneuilly
2e Compagnie
Capitaine: Parsis
Lieutenant: Guillemard
Sous-Lieutenants: Delvolvee, Lemaitre
3e Compagnie
Capitaine: Bernelle
Lieutenant: Hasse
Sous-Lieutenants: Dunoyer, Pilate
4e Compagnie
Capitaine: Richard
Lieutenant: Favre
Sous-Lieutenants: Blondeau, Aubert
5e Compagnie
Capitaine: Chery
Lieutenant: Chautard
Sous-Lieutenants: Mellier, Bouhour
6e Compagnie
Capitaine: Mayer
Lieutenant: Rouvoire
Sous-Lieutenant: Dufour, Laurede
It should be noted that whilst only one Sous-Lieutenant
is authorized, Emile Marco de Saint-Hilaire gives two in his
publication Histoire, Anecdotes, Politique et Militaire
de la Garde Imperial. I believe that the last person
named is in fact the Sergeant-Major of the Company.
Infanterie Legre Compagnie
Capitaine: Schobert
Lieutenant: Caire
Sous-Lieutenant: Bouzou
Garde a Cheval.
Chef de Brigade: Ordener (Michel)
Chefs d'Escadrons des Grenadiers: Oulie, Herbault,
and Guiton
Chefs d'Escadron des Chasseurs: Beauharnais and
Hercule
Capitaine Quartier-Maitre-Tresorier: Perrot
Capitaine Adjudant-Major: Darmann
Capitaine Instructeur: Parisot
Adjudants Sous-Lieutenants des Grenadiers:
Desmichels, Chassin, and Perlus
Adjudants Sous-Lieutenants des Chasseurs: Rabusson
and Joannes
Porte-Entendards des Grenadiers: Coquillon,
Latille, and Leveque
Porte-Entendards des Chasseurs: Legros and
Guibert
Officier de Sante 1er Classe: David
Officier de Sante 2e Classe: Diecme
1er Escadron Grenadiers a Cheval
1er Compagnie
Capitaine: Dubignon
1ere Lieutenant: Segauville
2es Lieutenant: Lajoie
Sous-Lieutenant: Ricarde
2e Compagnie
Capitaine: Monfrois
1ere Lieutenant: Colin
2es Lieutenant: Gambet
Sous-Lieutenant: Duvivier
2e Escadron Grenadiers-a-Cheval
3e Compagnie
Capitaine: Bourdon
1ere Lieutenant: Guillaume
2es Lieutenant: Dujon
Sous-Lieutenant: Burgraff
4e Compagnie
Capitaine: Clement
1ere Lieutenant: Lahuberdiere
2es Lieutenant: Auzoni
Sous-Lieutenant: Glachaut
3e Escadron Grenadiers-a-Cheval
5e Compagnie
Capitaine: Rossignol
1ere Lieutenant: Clerc
2es Lieutenant: Vicien
Sous-Lieutenant: Croisier
6e Compagnie
Capitaine: Holdrinet
1ere Lieutenant: Lignier
2es Lieutenant: Messier
Sous-Lieutenant: Bourde
1er Escadron Chasseurs-a-Cheval
1er Compagnie
Capitaine: Beurmann
1ere Lieutenant: Montbrun
2es Lieutenant: Schmit
Sous-Lieutenant: Martin
2e Compagnie
Capitaine: Triaire
1ere Lieutenant: Rebout
2es Lieutenant: Davranges
Sous-Lieutenant: Colonnier
2e Escadron Chasseurs-a-Cheval
3e Compagnie
Capitaine: Delacroix
1ere Lieutenant: France
2es Lieutenant: Guyot
Sous-Lieutenant: Muzi
4e Compagnie
Capitaine: Dominique
1ere Lieutenant: Bureau
2es Lieutenant: Fournier
Sous-Lieutenant: Dubois
Artillerie Legere
Capitaine Commandant: Coin
Capitaines-en-Second: Daugereau and Dijeon
Lieutenants-en-Premier: Chauveau and Marin
Lieutenant-en-Second: Berthier
Bibliography
Brown, Anne S.K. The Anatomy of Glory London
: Lund Humphries; 1962.
Brunon, Jean. Grenadiers de Napoleon, La Garde des
Consuls, La Garde Imperiale du Premiere Empire, La Garde
Imperiale du Second Empire Paris : Les Presses des
Ateliers d'Impressins d'Art; 1955.
Dupont, Marcel: Guides de Bonaparte et Chasseur a
Cheval de la Garde Imperiale Paris : Les Editions
Militaire Illustree; 1946.
Fallou Louis. La Garde Imperial 1804-1815 Paris
: La Giberne; 1902.
Fieffe, Eugene: Napoleon 1er et la Garde Imperiale
Paris : Furne Fils;1859.
Lachouque, Henry. Napoleon et la Garde Imperiale
Paris : Bloud et Gay; 1957.
Saint-Hilaire, Marco de. Histoire,
anecdotique,politique et militaire de la Garde Imperial
Paris : Eugene et Victor Penaud Freres; 1847.
Nafziger, George. The Consular and Imperial Guard
Privately published.
Placed on the Napoleon Series: March, 2000
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