The Old Guard Trivia Quiz

Answer: Consular Guard

In November 1799, the guards of the Directory and Legislature were reconstituted as the consular guard. In January 1800 its strength was fixed at around 2,089 infantry, cavalry and artillery. Its horsemen were eventually renamed "Horse Grenadiers". They were commanded by Bessières who was to have a long association with the guard.

The guard became officially recognised as 'Imperial' on the 10th May 1804. (For purposes of the quiz I will call it the Imperial Guard throughout.)

Answer: Increased periods of leave

The Guard were highly trained, and time not spent fighting was usually spent practicing for war. Napoleon wanted to encourage middle class boys into the army, so in January 1804 he created the Velites of the Guard. Interestingly, Marshal Bugeaud was part of this movement, he was of course a future marshal of France and conqueror of Algeria.

As the Guard gained reputation both on and off the field the pay of its officers rose. When it became Imperial in 1804 Line troops were to present arms when it passed

Answer: Marengo

The guard fought well on its debut appearance. "La marche de la Garde consulaire a Marengo" became a classic of French military music. The best quote from Marengo came when Napoleon asked Desaix what the situation was, and the latter replied, "This battle is completely lost, but it is only two o'clock. There is time to win another".

Answer: Charged the Russian Guard on the Pratzen heights

The charge of the Guard effectively saved Vandame's infantry. As Napoleon was marching to reinforce the infantry on the heights he announced, "Soldiers, you see what has happened below there, they are sabering our comrades; let us fly to their rescue." The three thousand cuirassiers were sabreing Vandame's division as Napoleon arrived.

As a result of the Russian charge three French battalions were trampled under foot before the cavalry of the guard could arrive.

Answer: True

Many regiments were raised from countries other than France itself. The Polish lancers raised in 1808 charged against impossible odds at Somosierra on the road to Madrid. A second lancer regiment known as the Red Lancers was added in 1810 after the annexation of the Netherlands.

Many of its men came from the hussars of the Dutch Guard. The third lancer regiment was mentioned in the question. A detachment of Polish lancers accompanied Napoleon to Elba.

Answer: Bessières

Bessières led a distinguished career. Born in southern France he began in the Constitutional Guard, this being later one of the building blocks of the Imperial Guard. He led battles in Spain, his most famous being the Battle of Medina del Rio Seco. His involvement with the Guard included Marengo in 1800.

Here, as second in command of the Consular Guard, he led a brilliant charge at the close of the day. In the 1813 campaign he was appointed head of the entire cavalry. Three days into the campaign, whilst reconnoitring, he was hit by a cannonball which ricocheted and hit his hand.

He died of shock and blood loss.

Answer: Borodino

It was well established in the French army that Napoleon lived in fear of the old guard being destroyed. Borodino is not the only instance when Napoleon refused to hazard the guard. The Chasseurs a Cheval wore the green undress uniform which was Napoleon's favourite.

The guard where given the nickname 'the immortals'. Really it had two meanings, to them it meant their actions in battle would last forever in fame but to the other French soldiers it had a sarcastic undertone of jealousy. Proof that the Emporer hardly ever sent the guard into the danger of battle.

Answer: True

When it had become imperial in 1804 it was around 7,000 strong. The strength of 20,000 was just in 1815. Their greatest numbers rose to 112,000 in 1812, prelude to the invasion of Russia. The guard infantry grew with the corps of grenadiers including not only the Grenadiers of the Guard, the bear-skinned Grognards or "Grumblers", but regiments of fusiliers, conscripts and flankers.

Answer: The flag of the 1st Grenadiers

"I cannot embrace you all, but I shall embrace your general" were the words of Napoleon as he said farewell to the old guard. The bearer of the flag, Lieutenant Fortin, covered his face. The Guard's main duty was of course to act as bodyguards on the field of battle. On the fields of Waterloo they managed to give the Emperor enough time to escape.

Answer: True

As the Old Guard stumbled down Mount St Jean in flight it was profoundly symbolic of the end of an era. Within half an hour Napoleon could have snatched victory. Had Napoleon agreed with Ney to send in the Guard at 7.00 pm the guard would have been able to walk straight through Wellington's line and on to Brussels. Because he waited half an hour it gave Wellington time to replace his position on the left with the Prussians and move men into the area of crisis, Laye Sainte.

As the Guard were advancing up the slope they were about to receive a volley from the 1st foot Guards. "Now Maitland, now is your time!" were the words of Wellington as the bear-skinned hats emerged over the ridge to receive the musket fire.

The Guard, surrounded, defeated and tired, fought to the last man.

When asked to surrender by Wellington, General Cambonne shouted: "The Guard knows how to die, but not how to surrender."