The Imperial guard of Napoleon, from Marengo to Waterloo

Front matter

Gass.

Book

Division ------

Chapter II

Marengo— The bloody baptism of the Consular Guard— Its firmness— Bonaparte's eulogium upon it after the battle — Lannes made commander — Changes introduced— Anecdote of Lannes and Napoleon — Napoleon's attack on long queues and long hair — Shearing of the Guard — Anger of the officers and generals—Distribution of the Legion of Honor— Description of the Mamelukes of the Guard. .--...2t

Chapter III

Becommencement of the War— The Camp of Boulogne— The Old Guard at Austerlitz — Meeting of the Imperial Guards of the Czar and Napoleon — The Guard at Jena— The Velites— Young Desherbiers— Habits of NapoleoD in campaign— Hia Body Guaid— Presentation of the Etigle to a new regiment •- 41

X CONTENTS.

PAQI

Chapter IV

Creation of a regiment of Polish Lancers— The Old Guard at Eylau- Campaign of I SOT— Treaty of Tilsit— The interview of Napoleon with Alexander— His influence over him— The Old Guard in Spain— Miraculous despatch of Napoleon when he heard of the confederacy in Germany against him — llis rapid ride. ----------- 66

Chapter V

Organization of the Young Guard— Campaign of 1809— Extraordinary exertions of Napoleon— His rapid success— Bombarding of Vienna, and first courtship of Maria Louisa— Disgrace of a surgeon— The Old Guard at Aspern — Its last charge — Incident showing how Napoleon punished the least neglect of his Guard — The Guard at Wagrara — Sublime spectacle— Its artillery heads Macdcnald's charge — DiflQculty of appreciating the conduct of the Guard. ---if

Chapter VI

Marriage of Napoleon to Maria Louisa— Augmentation of the Old Guard— Grand review of the Old Guard at Paris — Touching incident— The brave drummer and General Gros — Napoleon's treatment of them — Secret of Napoleon's influence over his troops, was in the afiection he inspired— His prodigious memory— Conversation with the Russian Chamberlain. • • 96

Chapter VII

Increase ;>f the Guard— Birth of the king of Eome— The excitement and joy of the Parisians at the event— Creation of the pupils of the Guard— Their re\iew In presence of the Old Guard — Napoleon's address to both — Anecdote of one of the pupils. The pupils in service to the young king of Eome. 109

Chapter VIII

Busiian Campaign— Sublime spectacle of the army of invasion— The Old Guard at Borodino — Gallant Cliarge and death of Caulincourt — Strange conduct of Napoleon— The OUl Guard in the Kremlin— Anecdote Illustrating its honeety— It saves the chest of the army at Beresina. ... i

CONTENTS. XI

FAGI

Chapter IX

Nafrow escape of Na] oleon — Disorder of the army on arriving at Smolensk© — Firmness of the Old Guard — The famine in the city — Gloomy departure — The Guard passing a Eussian battery— The Old Guard at Krasnoi— The fall of Minsk, and gloom of Napoleon — His appeal to the Old Guard — His joy at Ney's safety — The Old Guard at Beresina — Its frozen biyouacs — Anecdote " of an officer — Departure of Napoleon for Paris, and the breaking up of the Guard — Last dreadful days. -.•.••-•. 13*

Chapter X

Reorganization of the Army— Death of Bessieres— The Old Guard at Lutzen — Its Last Charge — Drouot; his character — Death of Duroc — Mournful Scene around the tent of Napoleon — The Guard in Bohemia — Its astonishing march to Dresden — Its bravery — Napoleon in its squares on the battle-field — Tableau — The Old Guard at Leipzic — The retreat — Battle of Hanau won by the Guard — It leaves forever the scene of its achievements. • - 158

Chapter XI

Napoleon with Europe against him— Care of his Guard— The Guard at Eothiere— Captain Hauillet— Terrible cross march to attack Blucher— Victory of Champs d'Aubert — ^The Old Guai'd at Montmirail — Its victory — Its protracted marches and battles — Overthrow of Blucher — Keturn of the Guard to the help of Victor and Oudinot — Its last battles and marches — ^Desertion of Napoleon by his friends at his abdication— Faithfulness of the Guard— The parting scene at Fontainbleau— The Guard by the side of its foe&— Its bearing and aspect. 184

Chapter XII

Its bearing towards its foes— Its anger at losing its colors— The Old Guard at Elba — ^Napoleon's habits — Anecdotes illustrating the discontent of the troops in their exile — Their return to France and march to Paris— Eeception of the Guard— Last charge at Waterloo. -------- 28T

Chapter XIII

Bage of the Guard at the surrender of Paris— Is disbanded — Part come to America — Champ d'Asile in Texas— Last of the Guards— Tomb of Napoleon. 261

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PAGl

Chapter XIV

Eeviaw of the dead— The office of the French Eevolution— Who is responsible for tlie wars that desolated Europe for so many years— Bonaparte's policy as general — As First Consul — Ilis oflfers of peace rejected — England violates the treaty of Amiens — Napoleon's relation to the free States he had oi^nized — Austria violates the treaty of Presbourg — Invasion of Russia^ Treachery of Austria and Prussia — Fall of Napoleon — Campaign 6f Water-

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THE OLD GUARD.