The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-05-27
HEROIC VETERANS
MapoIeon's Famous Fighters, the
Imperial Guard.
LIVED UP TO THEIR MOTTO.

Evon mt Waterloo the survivors OF the
Old Guard Fought Their Way on
Their Retreat and None Surrendered.
Their Shameful and Pathetic End.
Probably no household troops or
bodyguards in the world ever achieved
the reputation of Napoleon's imperial
guard, and they had their origin In
manner that shows that imperial
guards, like inventions, generally are
often mothered by necessity.
It was during his Milan campaign.
in the days Of the republic. while Ma
poleon was still General Bonaparte,
that the Austrians nearly captured the
Little Corporal. IL they had succeeded
probably the whole history of Europe
would have been different and Water
loo would be still waiting for a reputa-
ton.
He was passing along the bank of
river with small escort lent from the
divisions Of Auguereau and Massena.
An Austrian corps was Fastening up the
banks Of the same stream to Join Beau
lieu. After General Bonaparte had rid
Eusreau he then returned to Vaieggio.
where he stopped. He had been suffer
ing from headache and believed that
foot bath would effect q cure.
80 during his stop he pulled or his
boots and sought to battle his feet at
q house In the village. While he was
thus engaged the Austrians appeared.
They came 30 rapidly that there was
scarcely time to sound an alarm. How
ever. the alarm was sounded. the gates
OF the carriageway closed. and the post
hogan to make adefense.
Pulling one boot on one leg and fear
ing to spend the time to boot the 9th
or, Bonaparte rushed out through a
back way and thus made his escape on
his horse. He rushed as hard as his
horse would carry him to Messina,
and. although his troops were at mess,
they were quickly gathered and start
ed on after the Austrians, who. when
they were met. were forced to fee.
But the experience taught Napoleon
q lesson. He found that 1t was perfect.
ly possible for q commanding Officer
to be taken prisoner with comparative
ease. and he soon found a way to make
this more difficult
He organized command. at firs,
called guides, whose principal duty was
to protect the commanding officer BY
degrees this body was increased, and
under the consulate 1t was known az
the Garde Consulaire, receiving that
title In 1799 At that time 1t consisted
OF OTIS men and was a mere body OF
household troops. although naturally
with a man like Napoleon it was Q
combatant force and not for ornamen
tai purposes.
In 1904. with the creation Of the EN-
pire, this body became the Imperia
guard 1t grew In size and Importance
and In 1909 1t was divided into the
Vielle garde and the Jeune garde. II
was place Of honor. To be admitted
the soldier must have served In thres
campaigns Consequently it was known
as the elite of the imperial troops. Ev
cry man was veteran. 1t could b.
depended upon to DO it's utmost. II
aS14, when Napoleon abdicated for tn,
first time, the Imperial guard had beer
Increased to 112. 4s2 men of all branche
OF service.
It was owing to the fact that this
army. called the imperial guard, wal
composed OF veterans. men who had
seen service and were old campaigners