Grenadier Burg, 24th Regiment of the Guard, 1815
‘Photographs of veterans of Napoleon’s Grande Armée and the Guard wearing their original uniforms and insignia. Likely date May 5, 1858 – all are wearing the Saint Helene medal, issued on August 12, 1857 to all veterans of the wars of the Revolution and the Empire. May 5 – the anniversary of the death of Napoleon. Every year on that date veterans gathered in Paris:
‘‘The base and railings of the column of the Place Vendôme appear this day decked out with the annual offerings to the memory of the man whose statue adorns the summit. The display of garlands of immortelles, and other tributes of the kind, is greater than usual… the old soldiers of the Empire performed their usual homage yesterday at the same place.’
Times - May, 1855‘
M. Dreuse, 2nd Light Horse Lancers of the Guard, 1813-14
M. Ducel, Mameluke de la Garde, 1813-1815
M. Dupont, Fourier, 1st Hussar
M. Lefebre, Sergeant, 2nd Regiment of Engineers, 1815
M. Loria, 24th Mounted Chasseur Regiment
M. Maire, 7th Hussars, 1809-15
M. Mauban, 8th Dragoon Regiment, 1815
M. Moret, 2nd Regiment, 1814-15
M. Schmit, 2nd Mounted Chasseur Regiment, 1813-14
M. Verlinde, 2nd Lancers, 1815
M. Vitry, Departmental Guard
Quartermaster Fabry, 1st Hussars
Sergeant Delignon, Mounted Chasseur of the Guard, 1809-1815
Sergeant Taria, Grenadiere de la Garde, 1809-1815
Quand on pense à la vie de ces hommes…
Ils ont peut être fait Essling, Wagram, Moskova, Leipzig, Montmirail et…. Waterloo.
European ethnic clothing.
Those things are just for show. Its surprising how long it took for the Modern combat uniform to evolve. Then again back them most battles took place in open fields. So at least you could look good as you face death
That man Verlinde is Flemish. I must have his dossier here somewhere…
I like big hats and I cannot lie…
M. Ducel, Mameluke de la Garde is awesome the pants and the hat great!!
I’m surprised they could fit into their old uniforms.
Those are amazing.
Fashion before function is gone now in the military I guess.
I would love to see the garb of an ordinary infantry man from this time.
My father at 65 easily wore the U.S. Naval uniform he wore at 20.
The Hussars have the best uniforms!