One of the most celebrated fighting units in history

One of the most celebrated fighting units in history, and certainly the most feared and elite command of their day, Napoleon’s “Old




 Guard” were hand-picked from among his already-elite Imperial Guards. To be eligible to become one of the Old Guard, a soldier was required to be at least six feet tall and have a minimum of ten years of combat experience. These men became Napoleon’s shock troops, usually held by him in reserve until the time was right for them to deliver a decisive blow, or to save the day when a battle appeared lost. Some of Napoleon’s greatest victories were achieved by his skillful and timely deployment of the Old Guard.

Napoleon was careful to cultivate an esprit de corps and sense of invincibility among the Old Guard. The men were outfitted in distinctive uniforms—long-tailed jackets, gold earrings and, most famously, tall black bearskin hats meant to make the already-tall men appear even more fearsome. The Old Guard were given extra pay, more comfortable quarters, and superior rations. When marching, all other units in Napoleon’s army were required to stand aside and let the Old Guard pass. Meanwhile, the Old Guard was required to stand aside for no one other than Napoleon himself. Napoleon addressed the men by their first names, and other soldiers were required to call even the lowliest Old Guard private “Monsieur.”

A particularly interesting privilege afforded to the Old Guard was their ability to complain. Unlike other soldiers, they were not disciplined for complaining about army life, even in the presence of officers, a privilege they exercised liberally, thus earning them the nickname “Les Grognards” (meaning “the grumblers”).

Late in the day at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon believed that the center of Wellington’s line was vulnerable, and he decided to strike before enemy reinforcements could arrive. So, he called up his Old Guard, the last of his reserves, and sent them into the battle. And for the first time in their history, the Old Guard were defeated. At the sight of the supposedly invincible Old Guard being driven back, the rest of Napoleon’s army panicked. If the Guard were beaten, they knew they all were beaten. 

In July 1815 Napoleon was taken prisoner and banished to St. Helena. In August Louis XVIII disbanded and abolished the Old Guard.

The image is from Horace Vernet's 1836 painting "The Battle of Jena."

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