Guard Artillery of the

Napoleonic Wars
1805-1815
"In most battles the Guard artillery is the deciding
factor
since having it always at hand, I can take it wherever it is needed."
- Napoleon
"... erase the [enemy] masses."
- Napoleon to the Guard Artillery at Wagram
1. Introduction.
2. Men and Horses.
3. Organization.
4. Uniforms.
5. Artillery Train.
There was, perhaps, no
class of men
on the face of Earth,
who led a life
of more continued
exertion, excitement
and danger, and who
were more enamored
of their occupation,
than the gunners
of Napoleon's Old
Guard.
Stalwart and resolute,
bodies toughened
by years of war, they
had every reason
to cheer Napoleon. He
knew many of them,
called them by name.
In 1813 before
Napoleon's birthday
"the
Guard Artillery
prepared fireworks
which
they set off on the Eble
River just under
Emperor's windows."
Lachouque "Anathomy of Glory"
Between 1811 and 1813
the Artillery
was commanded by
Jean Sorbier
(nicknamed "The Old
Thunderer")
At Leizpig and Hanau

Picture: Guard Horse Artillery in Borodino, 1812.

The horse artillery was the elite of Napoleon's Guard Artillery.
It was the creme de la creme of French and European artillery.
But it was the foot artillery who had the most guns, including
the famous heavy 12 pounders. Napoleon affectionately called them
his "cherished daughters." :-)
Gen. Drouot deployed 100 cannons on Gallows Hill. The fire was terrific
and the Russians "suffered very heavy losses ... Shahovskoi ... reported
to Prinz Eugen that his men were being destroyed." (Digby-Smith, UK)
A Russian officer writes: "We saw him [Prinz Eugen] ... blind and deaf to
the dangers ... riding like an angel of death through the ranks."
Then a French cannonball went through the prince's horse and thrown the
rider to the ground. The Guard artillery made a gap in enemy's line; three
Russian infantry divisions, two Prussian brigades and Russian cavalry corps
were forced into a hasty withdrawal. The situation was ripe for a massive
attack, breaking the enemy's line and winning the battle of Leipzig.

the battery
was commanded by
Drouot. For him
praying and fighting
appeared to be his
idea of the whole duty
of man. Drouot
always carried a Bible
with him and had
become a living legend
to the gunners.

.
"At Waterloo one battery of Old Guard fired its last shots
into the mass of Prussians and British, then stoically
stood by their cannons as if ready to fire again.
It was a bluff, but they halted the enemy cold
and gained their comrades time."

Artillery of the Imperial Guard.

[Artillerie de la Garde Impriale]
"... its gunnery generally excellent,
thanks to the annual competitions at La Fere."
- Colonel j. Elting, US Army
With the establishment of the Consulate, the Guard of the Directory, had to form the Guard of
the Consuls. In Novemner 1799 was issued a decree:
"Art. XIV The Consular Guard will be recruited only from men who will have distinguished themselves
on the field of battle.
PAY (per year):
troop earnings will be paid every 10 days, officers at the end of each month.
- Foot Grenadier and Chasseur 410, Drummer 500
- Horse Grenadier and Chasseur 450, Trumpeter 650
- Gunner 1st Class 500, 2nd Class 460
Money allocated for equipment, armament, horse-harness, and clothing:
- Foot Grenadier and Chasseur 258, Officer 800
- Horse Grenadier 517, Officer 1000
- Horse Chasseur 689, Officer 1500
- Gunner 689, Officer 1500
By a new decree of March
8, 1802, Bonaparte
supplemented the new
organization of the Guard:
Art. I - In the future the
Guard will be made up ...
of foot grenadiers and foot

chasseurs, each made up of a staff, with 2 battalions; and each battalion, of 8 companies. A
regiment of horse grenadiers composed of a staff with 4 squadrons of 2 companies each. A
regiment of horse chasseurs, made up temporarily of 2 squadrons, 2 companies each one, with
its staff. A horse artillery squadron, with a staff and company of foot artillery.
"From the start the Guard Artillery had been intended to intervene en masse after the battle had
developed, and hence it was not used in the type of desultory outpost work on which the line
[artillery] was often dispersed. ... This was to be the pattern for the later battles of the Empire,
with the Guard [Artillery] providing the nucleus for ever bigger masses of guns. Especially
after the great concentration of 100 guns atWagram Napoleon became convinced that a really
decisive result could be obtained only with 36 guns or more. Against this weight of fire, he
said 'Nothing will resist, whereas the same number of cannons spread out along the line would
not give the same results.' ... The artillery was no longer merely an auxiliary which assisted
each division to achieve a limited result. Instead, the Guard Artillery mass could claim to be
one of the great deciders of battles." (Griffith - "French Artillery" p 36)
In 1813 Napoleon wrote to Clarke, Minister of War: "In most battles the Guard artillery is the
deciding factor since having it always at hand, I can take it wherever it is needed." It was
customary for the gunners to boldly handle their weapons.
In Wagram the Emperor ordered Lauriston to bring the Guard Artillery and deploy south of
Aderklaa. To the right of the 72 guns of the Guard Artillery were 40 guns from the Army of
Italy. The massive battery was deployed "well within musket range of the white-coated
infantry" ( James Arnold - "Napoleon Conquers Austria")
Napoleon pointed the Austrian lines and said "... erase the masses". Each gun of Guard
Artillery fired approx. 200 rounds. This tremendous fire made a breach in Austrian line
between Breitenlee and Sussenbrunn. The whitecoats were driven back, many hid in the
village. GdK Bellegarde deployed three batteries to fill the void, and they too were forced into
retreat. Only the Austrian grenadiers held their ground.
In Lutzen 60 guns of the Guard Artillery appeared from behind a masking ridge; stopped
the victorious Prussians and Russians in their tracks; and prepared the way for an infantry
attack.
In Bautzen the central French attack was supported by 76 guns. But the terrain was both
too hilly and too soft for the fire to be effective, and the Russians were able to preserve their
artillery in fieldworks.
In Dresden one battery of the Old Guard Horse Artillery deployed near the redoubt and
almost annihilated the leading Russian jager regiment. The Guard Artillery was committed on
the second day in the main attack on the enemey line. The cannons came on in grand style by
successive batteries, and cleared the enemy from a wide zone to their front. Then, however,
they were inexplicably ordered to retire, and in his memoirs General Griois records his fury at
the waste of a good chance to break out.
In Leipzig 80 guns of the Guard Artillery and 20 pieces of the line blew a convincing hole
in the Russo-Prussian line. "We advanced when our troops did and changed front as necessary
to engage the best targets." - General Griois, Foot Artillery of the Guard
In Hanau 50 guns of the Guard Artillery and the Guard Cavalry made a short work of the
Bavarians.
In Craonne and Montereau the Guard Artillery was able to make a decisive intervention at
the crises of the battles, in both cases on extremely narrow frontages.
In Arcis-sur-Aube the Guard Artillery came too late and deployed too slowly as the guns
had to use double teams to move through thick mud.
During the battle of Paris the Guard artillery in La Villette were firing continuously. They
sent for more ammunition. Some ammunition caissons eventually reached them. The Guard
again fired full speed until the Prussian Guard appeared in the rear. Then they hurled 2 guns
into the canal and abandoned the other 2 as they retired before the advancing Prussians. The
Guard artillery suffered heavy losses. Major Bitsch was severely wounded, and Captain Raoul
and four majors were put out of action.

 In Waterloo the ground was again too soft for ricochets and maneuvers. Wellington kept

his German-British-Dutch infantry in covered positions until French cavalry charged and
forced them to stand up. The French gunners got closer and inflicted very heavy casualties. It
was one of the most extraordinary and pitiful incidents in military history. The British and
German infantry stood out in the open whilst exposed to the merciless artillery fire. Prussian
officer Muffling (attached to Wellington) wrote: "The Duke was most desirous of our arrival
and had repeatedly declared that this was the last moment, and if we did not arrive soon, he
would be compelled to retreat." The junction of two big armies had been accomplished.
Old Guard Artillery at Leipzig, 1813.
The French artillery made a gap in enemy's line;
three Russian infantry divisions, two Prussian brigades
and Russian cavalry corps were forced into a hasty withdrawal.
The situation was ripe for a massive attack,
breaking the enemy's line and winning the battle.
The overall command over the French Grand Battery deployed on the Gallows Height (few
km south of Leipzig) had Antoine Count Drouot. The Russians and Prussians had 52 guns
against 96-137 French pieces (Old Guard artillery, few pieces of Young Guard artillery, and
part of Lauriston's and Victor's artillery). Drouot's guns quickly dismounted 24 Allies pieces
while the remaining enemy guns hastily fell back and onto the road to Gulden-Gossa. Those
Russian and Prussian gunners who had no riding place on the cannons or limbers were running
down the verges in hasty retreat. Once the artillery was gone Eugene's Russian II Infantry
Corps (3rd & 4th Division) became the only target for Drouot's gunners.
Digby-Smith writes: "The situation of the Russians on Klux's right, in the open fields ... was
much worse. Lacking any cover at all, they suffered very heavy losses from artillery fire.
Shahovskoi ... reported to Prinz Eugen that his men were being destroyed. The prince rode
slowly along the line. At each battalion, his question 'How many men have you lost ?' would
be answered with a silent gesture to the lines of dead lying where they had fallen. ... [Prinz
Eugen] did nothing to alleviate the situation ... " (Digby-Smith, - p 86)
Then a French cannonball went through the prince's horse and thrown the rider to the ground.
The 3rd Division have suffered horrible casualties and was finally withdrawn towards GuldenGossa. The 4th Division also got under fire and fell back on Crobern. The withdrawal was
covered by 6 Russian battalions. Drouot's battery also forced Mesenzov's Russian 5th Division
to fall back.
The fire was terrific. The fields were covered with smoke. Drouot made a gap in enemy's line;
three Russian infantry divisions, two Prussian brigades and Russian cavalry corps were forced
into a hasty withdrawal. The situation was ripe for a massive attack, breaking the enemy's line
and winning the battle. The cannons kept firing until Murat's 10,000 cavalrymen began to
advance. Then they fell silent as the advancing masses obscured the line of fire.
Once the cavalry passed Napoleon ordered Drouot "The Monk" to take part of his Grand
Battery and push it forward. Marbot writes: "General Drout with 60 cannons aided the attack."
The crews manhandled the pieces back to hook them on to their limbers. The ammunition
wagons set off with their wheels digging great gouges into the meadow. The guns rolled
forward, with their chains and buckets swinging. The horrified enemy was rapidly falling
back.
Young Guard Artillery at Leipzig, 1813.
The flanking fire from Pacthod's artillery and infantry,
standing behind the Pleisse in the Rosenthal Woods,
was devastating and broke the Russian attack.

On the third day of the battle, the artillery of the Young Guard participted in the heavy fighting
north of Leipzig. At 4:30 PM Dabrowski's 4 battalions of Polish infantry stood just north of
the Halle suburbs. Pacthod's 1st Young Guard Division stood in the Halle suburbs and behind
the river. Fabian Sacken's Russian XI Corps moved south of Gohlis. The Prussian I Corps
under von Yorck was as a reserve in the second line on the height near Gohlis.
One of Sacken's three infantry divisions (27th under Neverovski) attacked Dabrowski.
Outnumbered 2 to 1 the Poles withdrew behind the Parthe River taking up positions to defend
the bridge. They were supported by a single company of Baden infantry. The loss of the Halle
suburb meant disaster to Napoleon and his army. Nafziger writes: "Gourgaud, one of
Napoleon's ADCs, recognized the danger, and reassured by Dabrowski that he would die
before abandoning his position, hurried to advise Napoleon of the threat. Pacthod's 1st Young
Guard Division (12 battalions and 3 batteries) was sent from Thonberg at the double, to
support Dabrowski. Pacthod moved his division forward and deployed his artillery in the
Rosenthal Woods, on the west bank of the Pleisse."
"... Sacken's attack with Neverovski's 27th Division was now supported by Lieven's 10th
Division, which was posted to Neverovski's left rear. Neverovski sent forward 5 battalions,
supported by 13th Position and 35th Light Battery ... However, the flanking fire from
Pacthod's artillery and infantry, standing behind the Pleisse in the Rosenthal Woods, was
devastating and broke the attack. Rachmanov's 4 battalions ... already terribly under strength,
were severely punished and forced to withdraw back to Gohlis. ... By 3 PM Sacken's forces
were once again pushing forward towards Pfafendorf, where the French Young Guard batteries
in the Rosenthal Woods once again showered them with shot and shell. The battle degenerated
into a skirmish fight with one jager battalion pushing across the Pleisse, in an attempt to strike
the artillery of the Young Guard there. ...
The Russian soldiers had fought with tenacity and many Russian officers and men fell in this
battle. Neverovski, Huene, Rachmanov, all fell as did many staff officers. All their sacrifices
were in vain." The Young Guard held the Pleisse River, while the Poles still controlled the
Halle suburbs and the
gate.
Guard Artillery in
the Battle of Hanau,
1813.
The Guard Artillery
deployed in such a
position
as to take enemy's
artillery in flank.
At Hanau the French
army (60,000-90,000
men under Napoleon)
in retreat from
Leipzig fought its way
through a road block
of 30,000-45,000
Bavarians, Austrians
and Cossacks under
General Wrede. On
the 30th, Napoleon appeared in front of Hanau with a force of 15,000-20,000 men, with
another 15,000 following close behind.
French officer Marbot writes: "In the direction from which we were coming, a large forest,
through which the road runs, covers the approach to Hanau. The tall trees of this forest allow
movement without much difficulty. The town of Hanau is built on the other side of the river
Kinzig. ... It is true that the position he (Bavarian General Wrede) occupied barred the way to
Frankfort and to France, and he felt certain that he could prevent us from forcing a passage."
(- Baron de Marbot)
The French infantry was unable to make progress in some woods, but when Drouot arrived

~
.
In June 1807 at Tilsit, the Guard artillery paraded
before Napoleon, Tzar Alexander, and King of Prussia.
Passing the King, a Guard drum-major warned his drummers
'Don't beat so loud - he is only a king !'

The Men and Horses.

"At the beginning of 1808 the Guard artillery left Hanover
and arrived at its new garrison at La Fere on 14 January.
More cunning than the [Guard] foot chasseurs, the gunners had
managed to smuggle in large quantities of British goods hidden
in their kits." (Lachoque - "The Anatomy of Glory" p 111)
Picture: horse gunner of Imperial Guard. Picture by Keith Rocco, USA.
There was, perhaps, no class of men on the face of Earth, who led a life
of more continued exertion, excitement and danger, and who were more
enamored of their occupation, than the gunners of Napoleon's Old
Guard. Strange, that men could find so strong and fascinating a charm
in this hazardous mode of life, as to estrange themselves from home and
all the comforts and privileges of civilization. The very danger had its
attraction and the courage and skill made necessary by the difficulties
they had to overcome, the privations they were forced to contend with,
became at once their pride and boast. In 1809 at Wagram they were
excellent. Sixty silver stars were granted to the artillery whose losses
were heavy. Stalwart and resolute, bodies toughened by years of war, they had every reason to
cheer Napoleon. He knew many of the gunners, called them by name, awarded with big sum
of money. They were privileged characters, their breasts glittering with medals bestowed for
high conduct and gallantry.
St.Hilaire writes: "The foot gunner [of the Old Guard] was a large and lanky fellow; he had the
slightly arched back found in all men who devote themselves to operations of force. His
character was as severe as his uniform; he spoke little, and his meditative air, although he was
only private, made one soon guess that he belonged to an erudite arm, to a corps special to
Napoleon, more or less justified in his preferences, placed before all the others, without
exception even those of his engineers. ... His step was a little heavy, and on this standpoint he
was far from resembling his brother in arms, the horse gunner."
The gunners of Old Guard were very devoted to their master. In 1813 before Napoleon's
birthday "the Guard Artillery prepared fireworks which they set off on the Eble River just
under Emperor's windows." (Lachouque - "Anathomy of Glory")
After Napoleon's first abdication in 1814 he was allowed to take very small number of Guard
gunners on Elba Island. Approx. 400 volunteered ! General Griois chose 100 gunners under
Captains Cornuel and Raoul. The rest of the Guard artillery was taken by General Griois to
Vendomme where the batteries were scattered in order to find food and forage for over 1,800
men and 2,400 horses.
The officers were split into political cliques, with des Loches, Bitsch and Leclerc content to
serve the King, and Boulart, Marin, Capelle, Griois and many others unhappy with their fate.
When Count d'Osmond was sent to investigate the gunnerss' loyalty, they took little trouble to
hide their sentiments.

When a Te Deum of thanksgiving for the Bourbons' return was sung in church, some old
warriors heckled the priest who dared to compare 'the virtues of the King with the crimes of
the Tyrant.' Griois tore up a testimonial stating that his gunners' conduct 'had vastly improved
during their stay' and threw it in the face of the mayor. There were more incidents, like the
horse gunners charging with sabers on the PrussianGarde du Corps at Compiegne !
Dogureau, who was presented to the King, was appointed major general commanding the
artillery. However, his old threat to "blow out the brains of the first Bourbon who returns to
France" had not been entirely forgotten, nor had Lallemand's reference to the Court as
"canaille of princes and emigres", nor many other insults.
Right: gunner of Foot Artillery of the Guard in 1810-11,
and sapper of Foot Artillery of the Guard in 1808. Picture by Emir Bukhari from Griffith's
"French Artillery".
In 1802 Napoleon submitted a permanent
schedule of recruitment for Guard: 2 men from
each artillery regiment, tall, robust, of
exemplary conduct, able to read and write and
participated in 3 campaigns. In the end of 1806
each artillery regiment was ordered to send 15
best gunners 5'10" tall to, under 35 and with 10
years' service, with citation for bravery and
good conduct to the Guard. In March 1815 it
was expected from the gunners of Old Guard to
have at least 8 years' service. In 1815 one horse
gunner had served 50 years ! The height
requirements were: in 1805 176 cm tall, and in 1806 178 cm tall men were accepted.
Napoleon had a group of very talented officers of artillery who understood his ideas. The
Guard Artillery was commanded by the following officers:
1803 - Joseph Christophe Couin
1807 - Jean Ambroise Baston de Lariboisiere
1811 - Jean Barthelemont Sorbier (nicknamed "The Old Thunderer")
1813 - Charles Francois Dulauloy
1815 - Antoine Drouot
1815 - Jean Jacques Desvaux de Sainte-Maurice
The Park of Guard Artillery was commanded by:
1807 - Armand Joseph Henri Digeon
1808 - Antoine Drouot
1809 - Joseph Pellegrin-Millon
1815 - Henri Antoine Bon de Lignum
The horses of Guard artillery were excellent. However during their short campaign in Spain
the situation was different. Henri Lachoque writes: "Meanwhile the Guard artillery from La
Fere arrived in Burgos with some of its gun carriages hitched to cows." (Lachoque - "The
Anatomy of Glory" p 133)
Their caissons, carts and supply wagons in Spain were drawn by mules and donkeys, since
horse-drawn large vehicles were unwieldy on the poor Spanish roads. Napoleon was not too
happy with this arrangement. Back in France the Guard artillery received splendid horses. In
1812 during the campaign in Russia most of the horses were lost and replaced with the hardy
Russian ponies. These also perished during the retreat and Drouot ordered his gunners to burn
most of their caissons and threw their ammunition into a small lake near the Orsha road.

~
.
In January 1800 was issued a decree
organizing the Guard of the Consuls.
Many of their officers served
with Bonaparte in Egypt.

Organization of Guard Artillery.

The horse artillery was the elite
of Napoleon's Guard Artillery.
In January 1800 was issued a decree organizing the Guard of the Consuls. It consisted one
company of light, or horse, artillery. Many of their officers served with Bonaparte in Egypt. In
the end of 1800 there were 12 guns of the Guard. Within few years Napoleon enlarged the
Guard artillery to several foot and horse batteries.
The horse artillery was the elite of Napoleon's Guard Artillery. It had the
best horses and the best gunners found in the Empire. They accepted only
black and strong horses. In 1815 when there was a shortage of blacks,
Napoleon ordered to take them from the Horse Grenadiers, the senior and
most prestigious regiment of heavy cavalry. In 1813-1815 several horse
batteries were kept in reserves. "Paradoxically horse artillery, which was so
useful in the very forefront of a battle, was also ideal for use in the reserve
role. When a general had developed his battle and was ready to commit his
reserve at a weak spot identified in the enemy line, it was the horse artillery
which he could most rapidly call up to prepare the way. For this reason the
Guard Artillery contained a high proportion of horse batteries, and they
often made considerable movements during the very climax of Napoleon's
battles." (Griffith - "French Artillery" p 10)
The foot artillery made the bulk of the Guard Artillery. Part of their guns were the famous
heavy 12 pounders. Napoleon affectionately called them his "cherished daughters."
The single 12pdr cannon had 15 men crew commanded by a corporal.
The Section (2 guns) was commanded by a sergeant.
The Half-Company (4 guns) was commanded by a lieutenant.
The Company (8 guns) was commanded by a captain.
The average company carried a double ration of ammunition.
Some authors give different number of corporals, or the number of corporals and sergeants
equal. For example according to Andre Jouineau and Jean Mongin of France, in 1808 the
Guard artillery company had:
"- 1 Captain, commanding the company
- 1 Captain, second-in-command
- 1 First-Lieutenant
- 1 Second-Lieutenant
- 1 Sergeant-Major
- 4 Sergeants
- 1 Quartermaster
- 4 Corporals
- 4 Artificers
- 20 Artillerymen, first class

- 48 Artillerymen, second-class
- 2 Drummers"
The Battalion (24 guns) was commanded by Chef de bataillon.
The Regiment was commanded by a colonel.
In 1804 the Artillery Train of the Consular Guard [Train dArtillerie de la Garde Consulaire]
was formed. In 1805 it was enlarged and formed battalion of Artillery Train of the Imperial
Guard [Bataillon du Train dArtillerie de la Garde Imperiale].
In 1808 was formed Regiment of Foot Artillery. It was commanded by Antoine Drouot, and
then by Armand-Joseph-Henri Digeon. In 1806 the Regiment of Horse Artillery was formed, it
had six batteries. In 1807 they received lighter 6pdr cannons. (In the battle of Austerlitz in
1805 were two horse batteries, each of 4 8pdr and 2 4pdr cannons, and 2 howitzers.)
In 1809 the Guard artillery consisted of the following troops:
- Regiment of Horse Artillery
- Regiment of Foot Artillery
The Regiment of Guard Horse Artillery [Regiment dArtillerie a Cheval de la Garde
Imperiale] had 2 squadrons of Old Guard and 1 squadron of Young Guard. Each squadron had
2 companies, each company of 6 guns, crew, horse-teams, and train. The Young Guard served
in Spain while the companies of the Old Guard were on the primary theater of war, in
Germany and Austria.
In 1809 the Emperor raised 3 companies of artillery conscrits for service in Spain. These
companies acted as regimental artillery and were issued to the infantry regiments of Young
Guard already in Spain. In the following year the 3 companies became artillery of Young
Guard.
In 1813 was formed an entire regiment of foot artillery of Young Guard. This regiment was
commanded by Francois Joseph Henrion.
The 1st Regiment of Guard Foot Artillery [1er Regiment dArtillerie a Pied de la Garde
Imperiale] had 2 battalions of Old Guard and 1 battalion of Young Guard. Each battalion had 3
companies.
The company of Old Guard had 4 12pdr cannons, crew, horse-teams, and train. The train
drivers were ranked as Middle Guard (not Old Guard). The company of Young Guard had 8
4pdrs, crew, horse-teams, and train.
In 1812 the Guard artillery was in excellent shape. Captain Antoine Augustin Pion des Loches
of the Guard Foot Artillery wrote: "Our teams were of the best, and the equipment left nothing
to be desired, but everyone was agreed that the horses were too tall and too strongly built, and
unsuited to supporting hardship and lack of
abundant nourishment."
During the retreat from Russia losses were
horrendous. Lack of horses forced the
abandonment of numerous ammunition
wagons and artillery pieces. The artillery was
decimated and had a desperate need for men
and horses.
In January 1813 Napoleon ordered a number of new batteries formed for the Young Guard.

The first four were manned by gunners from the cohorts of the National Guard. The 800
conscript assigned to the train and gunners from the cohorts were designated 'second gunners'
and received the pay of the Line.
On 26 January the wagon train battalion was reorganized in Paris and filled up with conscripts.
"They have put all the farmers in Paris into the train of artillery" - joked conscript Cajot.
By August the Guard horse artillery has been completely restored to its former organization.
The officers had an average of 17 years in service and the privates had an average of 14 years.
The companies maneuvered in full gallop and were able to come to a stop and fire the first
round "in less than a minute". Their horses were well cared for and ammunition was plentiful.
The companies of Young Guard had double ammunition provisions and the companies of Old
Guard having triple ammunition.
In 1813 Napoleon's Guard Artillery consisted of:
- - - Colonel-commandant - GdD Dulauloy
- - - Chef de Etat-Major - Lallemand
- - - Ltn. (garde-general du parc) - Guillon
- - - Ltn. (adjudant d'habillement) - Duval
- Regiment of Horse Artillery (Old Guard)
- - - Commander - GdB Desvaux
- - - Chefs de Escadron - Dubuard Marin, Delmude and Boisselier
- - - Adjudant-Mjr. - List
- - - Sous-Adjudant-Mjr. - Huet, Pasquier, vacant
- 1st Regiment of Foot Artillery (Old Guard)
- - - Commander - Griois
- - - Chefs de Bataillon - Couin, Hautepoul and Capelle
- - - Adjudant-Mjr. - Beranger
- - - Sous-Adjudant-Mjr. - Cornuel, Mainville and Raoul
- 2nd Regiment of Foot Artillery (Young Guard)
- - - Commander - Henrion
- - - Chef de Bataillon - Breux, Aubert, Oudin, Faivre, Renaud, Lafond and Levis
- - - Cpt. Adjudant-Mjr. - Hortel
- - - Sous-Aide-Mjr. - Charpentier, Bichaux, 5 vacant
- 1st Regiment of Artillery Train
- - - Commander - Bon de Lignum / Leroy
- 2nd Regiment of Artillery Train
- - - Commander - Mjr. Bailloud

~ August 1813 ~
Artillery Reserve of the Guard
(Source: "Napoleon's Grande Armee of 1813")

Old Guard
(40 guns)

2nd Company

3rd Company

4th Company

5th Company

6th Company

Company of Guard Pontoniers

Company of Guard Sappers

2nd Company of Train

3rd Company of Train

5th Company of Train

7th Company of Train

8th Company of Train

10th Company of Train

11th Company of Train

Young Guard
(32 guns)

13th Company

14th Company

15th Company

16th Company

6th Company of Train

7th Company of Train

8th Company of Train

10th Company of Train

11th Company of Train

12th Company of Train

Uniforms.
Left: Subaltne
r of Foot
Artillery of
Imperial
Guard, by
Andre
Jouineau.
Right: uniform
s of Foot
Artillery of
Imperial
Guard, by
Andre
Jouineau.
In 1808 the
foot gunners
were issued
with a 20 cm
tall shako. It
was decorated
with red shevrons on both sides
and red topband. For parade
they wore red shako cords and
tall red plume.
In May 1810 the shako for gunners of Old Guard was replaced with 35 cm tall bearskin. For
parade the bearskin had red cord with two
raquettes.
The gunners of Young Guard kept their shakos.
The coat was dark blue with scarlet cuffs and
dark blue cuff flaps piped scarlet. Since 1810
the dark blue collar was piped scarlet. The
turnbacks were scarlet and the lapels were dark
blue piped scarlet.
<- Picture: gunners of the Young Guard, by
A.Jouineau.
In 1812 the Young Guard gunners were issued
the new short tailed habit-veste. In 1813 the
long gaiters were replaced by shorter black and
grey ones. The gaiters were worn fastened up to
the knee cap and strapped under the shoe. In
about that time were issued long linen or cotton
drawers, which would usually be worn without
or over the breeches to keep warm. The elegant
breeches required washing, but it was not the

case with the drawers.

Picture: ->
Horse Artillery of the Imperial Guard, by
Andre Jouineau, France.
The gunners of Horse Artillery of the Imperial
Guard wore striking, hussar-style uniform.
It consisted of dark blue dolman and pelisse,
tight Hungarian pants, under-knee boots, and
black fur caps. For parade was red plume. The
horse gunners wore fur caps. The cords
terminated in tassels which were allowed to
hang from the ends of the fur cap.

~
.
Napoleon required double and triple
ammunition provisions for Guard artillery.

Artillery Train of the Guard.

"The Guard artillery was highly
maneuverable ..."
- Colonel J. Elting
Left: Corporal of the Artillery Train of the Guard
in 1813-1814. Picture by Emir Bukhari
from Griffith's - "French Artillery".
Right: driver of the Artillery Train of the Guard
in campaign uniform. Source: Mark Adkin's "Waterloo Companion"
Napoleon expected a lot of ammunition for the
guns of Guard Artillery. The 8pdr cannon was
issued 3 caissons and the heavy 12pdr and the
howitzer 5 caissons each. Each caisson held

approx. 350 rounds.

The ammunition wagons were operated by the artillery train. These men were carefully
selected. From the candidates was required 10 years' excellent service, bravery and good
character. According to the Decree of July 29th, 1804 (10 Therimador an XII)- the
requirements for the Guard artillery train were: 5 years' service and heigth above 1.78m (5'2''
French). Every battalion (?) of artillery train in the army had to provide a list of 6 NCOs or
troopers meeting these requirements. In 1809 the height requirement was 1.678 m.
St.Hilaire writes: "As for the soldier of the Guard train, he was not an artillery carter; he had
deserved his new qualification and conquered his place among the soldiers of the Old Guard,
while ensuring to ennoble, on the battlefield, his negligible condition and the simplicity of his
uniform.
He was a man admittedly with a vulgar figure, the flattened nose, the strong breadth and the
raucous body. Accustomed to mixing his voice with the crashes of artillery, with the rustle of
the caissons, to excite his horses, he had a continual hoarseness, which twenty years of peace
had not cured. One still finds some of these old soldiers of the train, harness-makers or
sergeant blacksmiths, in the Chapelle-Saint-Denis or Vaugirard; but under the leather apron he
is always recognizable: this man preserved his hoarseness, his common forms and his a little
brutal language."
During campaign one company (battery) of artillery was teamed with one company of artillery
train. The gunners handled the guns (cannons and howitzers) and the men of train handled the
draft horses, limbers, supply and ammunition wagons.
On higher organizational level the 1st Regiment of Guard Foot Artillery (Old Guard) was
teamed with the 1st Regiment of Guard Artillery Train (in 1813 commanded by Henrion, then
replaced by Bon de Lignum. In 1815 under Leroy).
The 2nd Regiment of Guard Foot Artillery (Young Guard) was teamed with the 2nd Regiment
of Guard Artillery Train (in
1813 commanded by Mjr.
Bailloud, in 1814 by Mjr.
Arnoult)
The Artillery Train of the
Consular Guard was
formed in September 1800.
In Nov 1803 the Regiment
of Artillery Train of the
Imperial Guard was made
of 4 companies.
In April 1806, the train was formed into one battalion (staff and 6 companies), with 1000
horses in wartime.
Battalion:
- - - staff:
- - - - - - - - Captain
- - - - - - - - Lieutenant-Adjutant-Major
- - - - - - - - Sous-Lieutenant Quarter Maitre
- - - - - - - - Adjutant Sous-Officer
- - - - - - - - Veterinarian
- - - - - - - - Master Boot Maker, Master Tailor
- - - - - - - - Master Saddler Maker, Master Harness Maker, Master Rope Maker
- - - six companies, each had:
- - - - - - - - Lieutenant
- - - - - - - - Sous-Lieutenant

- - - - - - - - Sergeant-Major
- - - - - - - - 4 Sergeants
- - - - - - - - Fourier
- - - - - - - - 5 Corporals
- - - - - - - - 2 Trumpeters
- - - - - - - - 68 Drivers
- - - - - - - - 2 Smiths, 2 Harness Makers
In Oct 1807, the train had two battalions, one in the field and one a depot, each having 6
companies. In December the 'batalion bis' was formed for service in Spain (in Aug 1808 it
became the 13th Train Battalion, while the depot became the 13th 'Batallion Bis'.)
In May 1811 the Artillery Train was made of staff and 6 companies.
Each company had:
- - - - - - - - Lieutenant
- - - - - - - - Sergeant-Major
- - - - - - - - 4 Sergeants
- - - - - - - - Fourier
- - - - - - - - 4 Corporals
- - - - - - - - 2 Trumpeters
- - - - - - - - 26 1st Drivers
- - - - - - - - 134 2nd Drivers
- - - - - - - - 2 Smiths, 2 Harness Makers
In Feb 1812 each company had an extra 10 2nd drivers assigned to them.
In 1812 the Regiment of Artillery Train of the Imperial Guard was commanded by LieutenantAdjutant-Major Montreuil.
In early 1813 the regiment had staff, small staff, 3 battalions of 4 companies each, and was
organized as follow:
- - - staff:
- - - - - - - - Major
- - - - - - - - Chef d'Batallion
- - - - - - - - 3 Captains commanding each battalion
- - - - - - - - Lieutenant Adjutand-Major
- - - - - - - - Sous-Lieutenant Quarter-maitre
- - - - - - - - Sous-Lieutenant dHabillement
- - - - - - - - Major Surgeon, 2 Assistant Surgeons
- - - small staff:
- - - - - - - - 3 Adj. Sous-Officiers
- - - - - - - - Trompeter Major
- - - - - - - - Veterinarian and 3 Assistants
- - - - - - - - Master Bootmaker, Master Tailor
- - - - - - - - Master Saddlemaker, Master Spurmaker
- - - each company had:
- - - - - - - - Lieutant
- - - - - - - - Sous-Lieutenant
- - - - - - - - Sergeant-Major
- - - - - - - - 6 Sergeants
- - - - - - - - Fourier
- - - - - - - - 6 Corporals
- - - - - - - - 2 Trumpeters
- - - - - - - - 20 1st Drivers
- - - - - - - - 120 2nd Drivers
- - - - - - - - 2 Smiths, 2 Harness Makers
- - - - - - - - 285 draft horses

- - - - - - - - 25 saddle horses
The depot company had: lieutenant, sergeant-major, 2 sergeants, fourier, 4 corporals, 40 1st
drivers, and 10 2nd drivers.
In April 1813 the 2nd Regiment was formed. It had 2 battalions of 6 companies each.
In 1814 after Napoleon's first abdication the train battalion was split into three, and half of its
horses lent to the farmers of Angers, Orleans, and Beauge where the units were stationed.
In 1815 was only one regiment of the train. It had staff, 8 Old Guard and 1 Young Guard
companies. The regiment had 1,784 horses: 48 for officers, 136 for the workmen, NCOs and
trompeters, and 1600 draft horses. Volunteer drivers were enlisted as '3rd Class' soldiers, to
avoid stripping the Line. (- Henri Lachoque)
- - - staff:
- - - - - - - - Chef dEscadron
- - - - - - - - Capitaine-Adjutand-Major
- - - - - - - - Lieutenant-Quarter-maitre
- - - - - - - - Lieutenant dHabillement
- - - - - - - - 2 Adjutand Sous-Officers
- - - - - - - - Trumpeter-Major
- - - - - - - - 2 Surgeons
- - - - - - - - Veterinarian and 3 Assistants
- - - - - - - - Master Bootmaker, Master Tailor, Master Breaches Maker
- - - - - - - - Master Harness Maker, Master Armourer and Master Spur Maker
- - - each company had:
- - - - - - - - Lieutant
- - - - - - - - Sous-Lieutenant
- - - - - - - - Sergeant-Major
- - - - - - - - ? Sergeants
- - - - - - - - Fourier
- - - - - - - - 8 Corporals
- - - - - - - - 2 Trumpeters
- - - - - - - - 40 1st Drivers
- - - - - - - - 72 2nd Drivers
- - - - - - - - 3 Smiths, ? Harness Makers

PS.
The Guard artillery suffered heavy losses twice. The first was in 1812 during the
winter retreat from Russia, and second took place in 1814 at La Rothiere where
Russian dragoon division captured 24 pieces of Guard horse artillery. These were
lost during one of the chaotic moments that take place in every battle and not by a
frontal assault.

Sources and Links.

Recommended Reading.
Auge - "La Garde Imperiale"
Jouineau and Mongin - "Officers and Soldiers of the French Imperial Guard 1804-15"
Vol I (The Foot Soldiers)
Elting - "Swords around the Throne: Napoleon's Grande Arme", New York 1988
Houssaye - "La Vieille Garde Imperiale" (Ilustrations de Job)
Lachouque (Anne S. K. Brown) - "The Anatomy of Glory: Napoleon and his Guard"
Lachouque - "Napolon et la Garde Imperiale"
Connelly - "Historical Dictionary of Napoleonic France, 1799-1815"
Esdaile - "The Wars of Napoleon"
Mansel - "The Eagle in Splendour: Napoleon I and His Court" 1987
Six - "Dictionaire biographique des generaux et amiraux..."
website: napoleonseries.org
website: napoleon-series.org
General Antoine Drouot (gnral d'artillerie franais)
Charles-Etienne-Francois Ruty.
Pictures of cannons
Pictures of howitzers
Pictures of Berezina
French artillery (Russian reenactors) - photo gallery
Pictures of French Guard Artillery.
THE FRENCH ARTILLERY MUSEUM

French Guard Cavalry ~ French Guard Infantry

Napoleon, His Army and Enemies