Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-05-25
HEROIC VETERANS
Napoleon's Famous Fighters, the I'm
perial Guard.

periaI Guard.
Probably no household troops or
bodyguards in the world ever achieved
the reputation Of Napoleon's imperial
guard, and they had their origin in a
manner that shows that imperial
guards, like inventions, generally are
often mothered by necessity.
1t 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. If they had succeeded
probably the whole history of Europe
would have been different and Water
loo would be still waiting for a reputa-
tion.
He was passing along the bank Of a
river with small escort lent from the
division Of Auguereau and Massena.
An Austrian corps was Fastening up
the banks Of the same stream to join
Beaulieu. After General Bonaparte
had ridden some distance in company
with Auguereau, he then returned to
Valeggio, where he stopped. He had
been suffering from headache and be-
lieved that foot bath would effect a
cure.
So during his stop he pulled off his
boots and sought to battle his feet at
house in the village. While he was
thus engaged the Austrians appeared.
They came so rapidly that there was
scarcely time to sound an alarm. How
ever, the alarm was sounded, and the
post began to make defense.
Pulling one boot on one leg and fear
ing to spend the time to boot the 9TH
er, 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 off after the Austrians, who, when
they were met, were forced to flee.
But the experience taught Napoleon
lesson. He found that it was perfect
ly possible for a commanding officer
to be taken prisoner with comparative
ease, and he soon found a way to
make this more difficult.
He organized a command, at first
called guards, whose principal duty
was to protect the commanding officer.
BY degrees this body was increased,
and under the consulate it was known
as the Garde Consulaire, receiving
that title in 1899. At that time it con-
sisted Of 9,775 men and was mere
body of household troops, although
naturally with a man like Napoleon it
was a combatant force and not for
ornamental purposes.
In 1904, with the creation Of the en-
pire, this body became the Imperial
guard. 1t grew in size and importance,
and in 1909 1t was divided into the
Vielle garde and the Jeune garde. 1t
was place Of honor. To be admitted
the soldier must have served in three
campaigns. Consequently it was known
as the elite Of the imperial troops. Ev-
cry man was a veteran. 1t could be
depended upon to do it's utmost. In
1914, when Napoleon abdicated for the
first time, the Imperial guard had been
increased to 1852 men OF all branch
es Of service.
1t was owing to the fact that this
army, called the imperial guard, was
composed OF veterans, men who had
seen service and were old campaigners,
that Napoleon believed them to be un-
cOnquerable. The brunt of battle al
ways had to be borne by the imperial
guard. They consequently were al
ways fearfully cut up. Only @ rem
nant or the guard returned from Rus
sia. and at Waterloo their ranks were
cut down until few of the old guard
remained. 1t was their motto that the
old guard never surrenders, and those
who were able to walk away from the
battlefield at the foot Of Mont st. Jean
fought their way on their retreat, and
none surrendered
After Waterloo the old guard was
treated shamefully. AS many as could
be caught were court martialed, and
the remainder were regarded as so
many banditti. General Lallemand
brought 200 of them to America and
with them founded a colony i'm Texas,
then not United States territory. This
settlement, which was successful, was
named Champ d'Asile, or Field of
Refuge. The Mexican government
compelled them to leave and they next
sought refuge at Galveston. but again
were made to move on, and finally,
after a few months, the AZ Of the 200
that survived arrived in New Orleans.
They came here in 1918, and it was not
until 1920, when there were only few
survivors that a sum of $4,000 francs
reached the eXiles.-EXchange.