Uniforms of the Imperial Guard in original lithographs from the 19th century

The famous Napoleonic Imperial Guard was an elite formation within the Grande Armée that originated from the Consular Guard (Garde des Consuls) and encompassed all branches of service.

Besides infantry, cavalry and artillery, pioneers, naval infantry and other services (e.g. medical service) also belonged to the Imperial Guard.

It steadily grew in manpower and was organized into the Old, Middle and Young Guard.

When it was formed in 1804 it comprised only eight units; later further formations were added.

Organizationally and with regard to its financing and supplies, the Imperial Guard was self-sufficient.

The Imperial Guard usually recruited from seasoned soldiers and admission to it was regarded as a special distinction.

The admission requirements were strict.

Max Jähns (Das französische Heer von der grossen Revolution bis zur Gegenwart. Leipzig 1873, p. 106) comments on this as follows: "The Consular Guard had been elevated to the Imperial Guard. In 1806 it numbered: six battalions and 9 squadrons and was not formed from recruits but from veteran men: the grenadiers after twelve years' service, the chasseurs after eight years' service. In their selection one was not to look at height and beauty but at proven distinction in war. That was the 'Old Guard', which soon was to be regarded as the foremost troop in the world. Each infantry regiment of it had in an assigned 'Velite battalion' a training ground for young officers, into which young men from wealthy families entered: the nucleus of the 'Young Guard'. - A regulation of 1806 granted the corps of the Imperial Guard the privilege of wearing the hair queue."

Strict criteria already applied for admission to the Consular Guard. A minimum age of 25 years and a height of at least 1.78 m were required. Furthermore participation in at least two, later three campaigns was required; literacy was also necessary. According to an imperial letter of 19.03.1813, an officer or a non-commissioned officer who wished to be admitted to the Imperial Guard had to show twelve years of service and participation in several campaigns. For a soldier — in addition to involvement in several years of service — ten years of service were sufficient. For some units eight years of service sufficed. Exceptions were possible but required imperial confirmation.

The guardsmen enjoyed various privileges: pay was twice as high as in the line formations and the rank of a guardsman always counted one grade higher than the corresponding rank in the rest of the army.

The provisioning and medical care of the Imperial Guard was also better.

Moreover, the Imperial Guard was a combat formation, i.e., it was used in battles, but it was often held back as a reserve (for a long time), e.g., at the Battle of Borodino (07.09.1812).

A criticism raised is that by replenishing the Imperial Guard from the line regiments, these lost their most capable elements and much of their moral fighting power (Markov).

The Consular Guard numbered 2,089 men.

According to Haythornthwaite (The Imperial Guard of Napoleon, 2008, p. 8) the Guard in 1800 totaled 3,657 men; in 1802 it was already 5,376 men and in 1804 already 9,775 men.

At the Battle of Austerlitz (02.12.1805) it was, under the command of Marshal Bessières, 5,500 men strong with 24 guns.

At the end of 1809 the Imperial Guard already comprised 31,876 men.

It was further increased and at the start of the Russian campaign in 1812 numbered a total of 51,826 men.

Further details on the composition of the Imperial Guard at that time — with slightly differing numbers — we learn from Max Jähns (Das französische Heer von der grossen Revolution bis zur Gegenwart. Leipzig 1873, p. 150 ff.):

"Guard: 54 battalions, 35 squadrons = 47,000 men. The Horse Guard under Bessières consisted of the regiments: Grenadiers, Chasseurs, Dragoons, red Lancers, Polish Guard Lancers, 8th Polish Uhlans and the Mamelukes, together 5,600 men; the Old Guard under Lefebvre was 7,800, the Young Guard under Mortier 28,900, the artillery 4,700 men with 150 guns strong. A not insignificant part of this Guard consisted, as we have already mentioned, of foreigners: Dutch, Poles, Italians, etc. Of the three divisions of the Young Guard one, Claparede, the so-called 'Vistula Legion' (8,300 men) was entirely composed of Poles. - The Guard was to accept orders only from its own commanders; not even the commanders-in-chief were allowed to dispose directly over its troop elements: an aristocratic privilege that several times led to unpleasant encounters with the line troops, indeed in decisive moments, e.g., at Fuentes de Oñoro even to military calamities."

In this campaign the Imperial Guard also suffered considerable losses.

After the return to the homeland the Imperial Guard was again replenished and further expanded. Thus the Young Guard in 1813 alone numbered 19 infantry regiments.

In 1814 the Imperial Guard was said to have comprised a total of 102,706 men, although this figure represented only an intended strength.

In the Battle of Waterloo (18.06.1815) the Imperial Guard under the command of Count Drouot was represented as follows:

Lieutenant General Count Friant: 1st and 2nd Grenadiers

Lieutenant General Count Roguet: 3rd and 4th Grenadiers

Lieutenant General Count Morand: 1st and 2nd Chasseurs

Lieutenant General Count Michel: 3rd and 4th Chasseurs

Lieutenant General Count Duhesme: 1st and 3rd Tirailleurs

Lieutenant General Count Barrois: 1st and 3rd Voltigeurs

Lieutenant General Lefebvre-Desnöettes: Uhlans and mounted Chasseurs

Lieutenant General Count Guyot: Dragoons, Grenadiers on horseback and Gendarmerie d'Elite

Lieutenant General Desvaux de St. Maurice: 9 batteries of the Guard foot artillery, 4 batteries of the Guard horse artillery, Garde-Marine, Guard pioneers.

The losses in this last Napoleonic battle were enormous.

According to Fallou (p. 49 ff.) the Imperial Guard over time included the following troop units

Administration. -       Ordonnance officers. -     Guard Hospital.

General staff.

Infanterie:

Grenadiers à pied (4 regiments)

Fusiliers-grenadiers (1 regiment)

Tirailleurs-grenadiers (2 regiments)

Conscrits-grenadiers (2 regiments)

Flanqueurs-grenadiers (1 regiment)

Tirailleurs (19 regiments)

Veterans (1 company)

Chasseurs à pied (4 regiments)

Fusiliers-chasseurs (1 regiment)

Tirailleurs-chasseurs (2 regiments)

Conscrits-chasseurs (2 regiments)

Flanqueurs-chasseurs (1 regiment)

Voltigeurs (19 regiments)

Velites de Florence (1 battalion)

Velites de Turin (1 battalion)

Gardes nationales (1 regiment)

Pupilles (1 regiment)

Bataillon d'instruction de Fontainebleau (training battalion of Fontainebleau)

Cavalry

Grenadiers à cheval (1 regiment)

Chasseurs à cheval (1 regiment)

Mamelukes (1 squadron)

Dragoons (1 regiment)

Lancers (3 regiments)

Guards of Honour (4 regiments)

Éclaireurs (3 regiments)

Gendarmerie d'elite (2 squadrons)

Other troop units

Sailors (1 battalion)

Sapeurs du génie (1 battalion)

Artillerie à pied (1 regiment)

Artillerie à cheval (2 regiments)

Canonniers veterans (1 company)

Artillery train (1 regiment)

Train des équipages (1 battalion)

Administrative workers (1 battalion)

Gendarmes d'ordonnance on horseback (5 companies)

Gendarmes d'ordonnance on foot (1 company)

The following are some general remarks on the uniforms of the Imperial Guard — primarily after Cassin-Scott, Funcken, Haythornthwaite, Knötel, Rousselot — and a short overview of the distinctive uniform features of the individual troop units mentioned above. For further and more detailed particulars of the respective dress and equipment, reference is made to the articles on the individual units in this feature.

Paul Martin writes: "The Napoleonic era with its historical upheavals was also pioneering in the field of military uniform. The tactics of the time always required the 'bataille rangée', battle in line with troops deployed in a broad front. That produced a colorful spectacle, for even in 1812 soldiers entered combat in parade uniform. Around 1804 a military splendor unfolded that captivated the whole continent. France stamped this heyday. The corps of Napoleon I's Imperial Guard played an outstanding role in this. The tasteful and splendid uniforms of the grenadier, cavalry and artillery regiments invited imitation: for example the famous Polish lancers, the dark-green chasseurs on horseback or the Mamelukes, fantastically dressed inspired by the Egyptian campaign" (Der Bunde Rock, Stuttgart 1963, pp. 108-113).

John Mollo describes the imperial Guards as the "best-dressed regiments" of the Grande Armée and continues: "The guardsmen were peculiar people: unbridled, arrogant, constant complainers, fanatically devoted to the person of the Emperor and die-hard republicans, although many had already served in the king's army. When Napoleon formed a regiment from former nobles, the 'Gendarmes d'elite d'Ordonnance', the Guard was so indignant that this unit had to be disbanded after little more than a year. In 1807 in Tilsit a drum major of the Guard scolded his men when they marched past the King of Prussia: 'Don't drum so — after all he is only a king.' From the very beginning great efforts were made to raise the standard of the Guard's clothing and to make them care about their appearance. Under commanders like Augereau, a former corporal of the Prussian Guard, and Bessières, strict regulations on dress and behavior were issued. Thus the Chasseurs were not allowed to smoke a pipe when escorting the Council of State, and it is remarkable that despite their republican tradition the Imperial Guard still wore queues at the Battle of Waterloo. The infantry of the Old Guard had made it a habit to appear on the battlefield in full uniform, with white gloves, bearskin caps decorated with plumes and white hangings, and they constantly grumbled when they were not committed. At Waterloo they also complained that they were made to appear in their marching dress — long blue overcoats and blue trousers." (Die bunte Welt der Uniform, Stuttgart 1972, pp. 104-105).

Great importance was attached to outward appearance and discipline in the Imperial Guard:

The Guard grenadier and later Captain Coignet reports in his memoirs (From Marengo to Waterloo, Stuttgart, p. 72 ff.):

"I then went to the shop of the brother of my former colonel and there bought myself Rankin breeches, as well as long stockings and garters with silver buckles. The ordinary summer suit consisted of a blue coat, white cotton vest, Rankin breeches, white cotton stockings and shoes with buckles.

Much more splendid, however, was our parade uniform: blue coat with white lapels, flared from the lower chest to the rear; white cotton vest; breeches and gaiters of the same cloth; silver buckles on shoes and knee straps; two-colored neckcloth, white below, black above with a narrow white edging.

To this the powdered hair with the six-inch long queue, tied with a black wool band whose end was allowed to hang exactly — no more and no less — two inches, and as the crowning touch the bearskin with its high plume.

All this one can imagine to form the picture of a grenadier of the Imperial Guard. But what one cannot imagine is the grind we had with our attire. No one could leave the barracks without being inspected to the smallest detail by the non-commissioned officers posted at the exits. A speck of powder on the collar or a glimmer of dirt on the shoes was enough for rejection. Yes, we looked splendid, but we suffered for it."

Before entering a town on the march or before a battle the wearing of the parade uniform was regularly ordered. This is reported, for example, by the Chasseur of the Imperial Guard François Bourgogne (1812, War Experiences, Stuttgart, p. 21) for 06.09.1812 before the Battle of Borodino (07.09.1812).

The foot grenadiers of the Imperial Guard originated from the grenadiers of the Consular Guard (29.07.1804). On 18.05.1811 a second regiment of foot grenadiers was formed. Previously the Dutch grenadiers had already been incorporated into the Imperial Guard and in May 1811 received the running number 3.

The foot grenadiers (1st and 2nd regiments) basically continued to wear their previous uniform, i.e. a royal-blue coat with blue collar and white lapels, red sleeve cuffs with white facings, red coattails and red epaulettes. The coattails displayed yellow grenades. The pocket flaps had red trims. The buttons were yellow and the undergarments white.

The grenadier cap had at the front a yellow cap plate with the imperial eagle between two grenades and on the left a red peak with the French cockade. The hangings were white. The cap top was red.

The 3rd Regiment of Foot Grenadiers wore a white coat with a (carmine) red collar, lapels, sleeve cuffs with white facings and coattails. The latter displayed yellow flaming grenades. The pocket flaps in the skirts had red trims. The epaulettes were also red, the buttons on the coat yellow. The grenadier cap had no plate, white hangings and a red peak.

The Chasseurs on Foot of the Imperial Guard wore a blue coat with yellow buttons; the collar was also blue. The pointed cuffs were red with a white facing. The pointed-cut lapels were white, as were the undergarments. The red skirt flaps displayed alternately a yellow grenade and a yellow hunting horn. The pockets in the skirt flaps had red facings. The green epaulettes had red fringes. The full dress uniform included white trousers, while the marching dress used black gaiters. The bearskin cap had no peak, but a white bag and a green-and-red plume together with the French cockade.

The Imperial Guard included, in addition to the 1st–3rd Regiments of Foot Grenadiers and the Chasseurs on Foot shown above, a variety of other infantry types. The Fusilier Grenadiers (1806–14) wore the coat of the 1st and 2nd Regiments of Foot Grenadiers, but had white epaulettes pierced by two red stripes. The shako served as headgear, with white side plates and bag and a red plume. The Fusilier Chasseurs (1806–14) wore the coat of the Chasseurs on Foot, but a shako with a white bag and a green (lower) and red (upper) plume.

The Tirailleur Grenadiers (1809–14) had a short-skirted blue coat with a red collar. The latter was blue-faced. The blue pointed lapels had a white facing. The shoulder straps were red and white and the pointed red cuffs were white-faced. The red skirt panels bore the (white) eagle. The shako had white side plates with a red bag and a red plume (white at the bottom).

The uniform of the Tirailleur Chasseurs (1809) resembled that of the Tirailleur Grenadiers, but the shoulder straps were green with a red facing. Green eagles were on the skirt panels. The shako had a white bag and a green globular pompon.

The Voltigeur Chasseurs (1810–14) were equipped with a short-skirted blue coat. Its pointed blue lapels had a white facing. The collar was yellow and the pointed cuffs had a white facing. White hunting horns were on the red skirt panels. The green epaulettes had yellow half-moons. The shako of the Fusilier Chasseurs served as headgear.

The Flanqueur Grenadiers (1812–14) were uniformed in a green spencer with a matching collar. This color also applied to the pointed — straight-down — lapels. The red cuffs were cut pointed. Collar, lapels and cuffs were faced in yellow. White eagles were on the skirt panels. The buttons were yellow. The usual shako had white side plates with a red bag and a yellow globular pompon — red at the top.

The Flanqueur Chasseurs (1812–14) also wore the green spencer described above, but with green cuffs and white hunting horns on the skirt panels. The shako with the white bag was adorned with a yellow pompon — green at the bottom.

The Recruit Grenadiers (1809–10) wore a blue uniform which also had blue collars, lapels and shoulder straps, all entirely faced in red. The cuffs had a white flap. Red eagles were attached to the white skirt panels. The shako corresponded to the headgear of the Fusilier Grenadiers, but with a red bag. There were also the Recruit Chasseurs (1809–10). These wore the uniform described above, but with red collars and green shoulder straps with a red facing. The cuffs were pointed and had white facings. Green hunting horns were visible on the red skirt panels. The shako had a white bag and a green pompon.

The pupils were admitted into the Imperial Guard and had their origin in a Dutch corps that consisted solely of soldier orphans.

Later recruits also came from other countries, besides France from Italy, Germany, Belgium, etc.

The minimum age was 10 years, maximum 16 years.

Their uniform was green with yellow insignia.

Trousers and leather equipment were white; the shako served as headgear.

A regiment of Chasseurs à cheval belonged to the cavalry of the Imperial Guard. The unit traced its origins to the guides of the young General Bonaparte in Italy and Egypt and functioned as Napoleon's bodyguard.

They were incorporated into the Consular Guard on 02.12.1799 and, according to Jack Cassin-Scott, initially numbered only 112 men.

One of the squadrons of the Chasseurs à cheval was assigned directly to the Emperor in every campaign.

Their uniform was hussar-like and consisted of a green dolman with a green collar. The cuffs were red, the cords yellow.

The bearskin was red with black fur trim.

The trousers had a yellowish tone. In the field green or gray overtrousers were worn.

Hungarian boots served as footwear.

As headgear the unit wore a bearskin with a red bag. The plume was green at the bottom and red at the top.

The laced sash was green and red.

The saddlecloth and sabretache were edged in yellow. In the field the sabretache consisted only of black leather decorated with the imperial coat of arms.

The so‑called (green) surtout was usually worn. Napoleon I also wore the surtout (pikesche) of the small uniform.

The officers' uniform was lavishly furnished with gold lace.

The Young Guard also included Chasseurs à cheval. However, these wore a tall cylindrical shako with a visor.

The Horse Grenadiers wore a dark blue long-skirted coat with a matching collar and white — square — lapels. The red skirt turnbacks displayed yellow grenades. The pocket flaps had a red facing. The epaulettes and the shoulder cords worn on the right were yellow.

Alternatively a single-breasted surtout was also worn.

The undergarments were white, as were the leather equipment and the gauntlet gloves.

The black bearskin had no mount, yellow scale chains and a yellow or gold bag. The bag and plume were parade pieces.

In the field gray over-buttoned trousers (inside the boots) were worn.

The Dragoons of the Imperial Guard were formed by an imperial decree of 15.04.1806. Since the Empress accepted patronage of the regiment, they were also called the Dragoons of the Empress.

Only veteran dragoons (10 years' service) of a certain minimum height (1.73 m) were accepted.

Their uniform was broadly based on that of the Horse Grenadiers, but with a different base color and different headgear.

The Dragoons of the Imperial Guard wore a green coat with a green collar. The coat was long-skirted.

The headgear (helmet with crest) corresponded to that of the line dragoons and had a red plume.

The Imperial Guard also included three regiments of lancer cavalry (Lanciers). Their origin was a Polish honor guard. The (1st) Polish Lanciers of the Imperial Guard were subsequently established in 1807. However, they were not armed with the lance until 1808.

The uniform of the 1st regiment consisted of a royal-blue kurtka with crimson collars, flaps, cuffs and skirt trims. The braid trim was silver. The kurtka had red facings. White epaulettes and matching shoulder cords were worn with the coat. The buttons were white.

The breeches were blue in the field with two crimson-red stripes.

For parade the officers wore crimson-red trousers with silver lace.

The typical czapka was also crimson-red and was decorated with a brass sun bearing a crowned N. The visor had a brass trim, and the chinstraps were brass on a red backing. The cords were white.

The 2nd Garde-Chevaux-Légers-Lanciers became part of the Imperial Guard in 1810. It consisted of the former Dutch Hussars and Garde du Corps (748 men), which, according to Jack Cassin-Scott, were reinforced to 1,200 men by 1812, but were reduced to 250 men during that costly campaign.

Characteristic for this regiment was its scarlet-red uniform. It was cut in the style typical of the uhlans and consisted of a red kurtka and matching overtrousers. The insignia and facings were dark blue. The czapka was worn in the field with a waxed-cloth cover.

In 1812 a squadron of Lithuanian Tartars was attached to the Garde-Chevauxlégers-Lanciers of the Guard; in that campaign they, like the lancers, were almost entirely wiped out. The remnants, according to Jack Cassin-Scott, were assigned to the newly raised 3rd Eclaireurs of the Imperial Guard.

The Lithuanian Tartars were a type of light cavalry and wore oriental dress.

Notable was the shako covered with astrakhan. It had a green bag, a yellow cloth turban and brass stars and crescents as insignia.

The coat was green as a base color, over which a red waistcoat with yellow facings was worn.

The breeches were green or red with red or yellow piping.

From 1813 the uniform changed; among other things a black fur cap with a green kolpak, a white hanging cloth and a red plume was introduced.

On 13 October 1806 Napoleon I established a mounted unit of Mamelukes, which were attached to the chasseurs à cheval of the Imperial Guard.

When the French evacuated Egypt a small detachment of Mamelukes returned to France.

They wore oriental dress, the colors of which were not fixed and thus produced an enormous riot of color. In addition, the clothing was frequently changed.

The headgear was the tarbush with a white turban shown above. At first it still had a cap plate at the front.

This was worn with a loose coat and a sleeveless vest, as well as baggy trousers in a wide variety of colors.

The boots were also colorful.

On 29 July 1804 the Elite Gendarmes belonging to the Imperial Guard were founded. They comprised, in addition to a staff, two squadrons and a half-battalion with two companies on foot.

Mounted on black horses, the Elite Gendarmes numbered 456 riders according to Funcken.

In peacetime their duties consisted mainly of guarding the Tuileries and Malmaison, performing dispatch and patrol duties, and also guarding the state prison in the Temple tower.

They were also responsible for Napoleon's security, but they also fought on the battlefield.

The unit wore a blue long-tailed coat with blue collars - edged in red - and red lapels and red skirt flaps. The latter were adorned with white flaming grenades.

The curved pockets in the skirt flaps also had a red facing.

A white shoulder sash was worn on the left.

The headdress was a black fur cap with a visor and a red plume on the left. The woolen hanging was white and the scale chains were of white metal.

The conspicuous leather equipment (for the cartridge pouch and for the carbine) was yellow with white facings. Yellow or beige leather gloves were worn with it.

The trumpeter wore a coat in alternating colors, i.e. red as the base color. It had red facings on the collar and on the lapels and braid trim on these.

In the autumn of 1806 (24 September) the Ordonnance Gendarmerie was founded and integrated into the Imperial Guard. It recruited from wealthy strata of the population. The ordonnance gendarmes had to equip themselves. The mounted unit consisted of four companies, but this elite formation was viewed critically by the rest of the Imperial Guard. It was already disbanded on 12 July 1807 (according to Knötel: 25 October 1807).

A green long-tailed coat was worn with white or silver buttons and a matching shoulder sash on the right shoulder. The collar and lapels were also green.

The green trousers had a white lacing at the front and a white side facing.

Beneath it, according to Knötel, a red waistcoat with white lacing was worn (Knötel, Uniformkunde, Vol. V, No. 13).

The headgear was a shako with white fittings and hanging cloth, and with a white plume placed centrally.

In 1813 (9 December) three regiments of mounted eclaireurs (scouts) were formed. Each consisted of four squadrons and were, according to Funcken, formed from levies and riders of the line regiments (1st and 2nd Regiment Eclaireurs) and from Poland (3rd Regiment Eclaireurs).

The new formations were attached to the Mounted Grenadiers, the Dragoons and the Polish lancers.

The eclaireurs also sometimes carried the lance as armament.

The Imperial Guard also included four regiments of Honor Guards.

They were recruited from the (unserved) sons of the wealthy bourgeoisie, which was met with displeasure by the rest of the Imperial Guard. However, they were able to establish themselves through good performance in combat.

The uniform consisted of a hussar outfit (green dolman and pelisse with white braiding); the trousers were red.

The shakos were covered in red with white trim and plume.

The shako's tuft varied in color depending on the regiment: the 1st Regiment had red tips, the 2nd Regiment sky-blue, the 3rd Regiment yellow and the 4th Regiment white.

The horse artillery of the Imperial Guard wore a blue uniform in the style of the hussars, including hussar pelisses with red braiding and a fur cap with a red bag and a matching tuft.

The foot artillery wore the uniform of the foot artillery, but had a grenadier cap with a visor, although without a plate. The plume and tuft were red.

The Imperial Guard also included a small corps of engineers.

This wore a blue frock coat, a blue waistcoat and blue trousers; collars, lapels, cuffs and facings were black, but edged in red.

The distinctive characteristic of the Imperial Guard's pioneer troop was a special steel helmet in the form of a hoop helmet with a black fur band and a red tuft; the fittings were gilded.

For use on the front line the engineer corps was equipped with a black trench cuirass and matching assault hoods.

The train of the Imperial Guard was, like the line train, uniformed in grey with red facings. Red epaulettes were worn with it. The waistcoat was laced in red. The shako had a red trim and a matching tuft.

On 17.09.1803 a battalion of sailors belonging to the Consular Guard was formed.

It was organized into five ship crews and a staff.

The uniform consisted of a blue dolman with a matching collar. The braiding was orange-yellow. The pointed cuffs were red.

Yellow scale epaulettes were worn with it.

The loose trousers were blue and had an orange side stripe.

The headdress was a shako edged with an orange braid; the plume was also orange and the tuft was red.

The armament varied: sabres, axes or pikes, as well as pistols. Rifles were only added in 1804.