They're Baaaack!
The 2nd Regiment of the Gardes d' Honneur was raised from the 2nd (Mézières), 3rd (Metz), 4th (Nancy), 5th (Strasbourg), 17th ( Amsterdam ), 18th (Dijon ), 25th (Wesel), 26th (Mainz), 28th (Genoa) Military Divisions.
Thus it can be seen that a fair number of recruits, while citizens of the Empire, were not part of the main body of France. The loyalty of these men, and of some of the nobility (as potential Royalist supporters) was suspect, thus as well as a source of troops, so in some ways these troops were hostages as well. Indeed, their nickname in the Army was "The Hostages"!
The Guards of Honor were complimented on their conduct at Hanau by Napoleon and a number of its soldiers were awarded the Legion of Honor. By December morale in the Gardes remained high, though it was notably lower among the troopers of foreign origin.
It saw action at Leipzig, Worms, and Mayence.
Nice work on them, lovely looking regiment, a very colourful unit and an interesting history of them as well, great stuff!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donnie. They are a bit off the beaten path!
DeleteNicely done, your guard expansion units continue to grow.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joe. I think the Guard* reached its peak in late 1813/early 1814, with almost 40 Young Guard regimnts, the Young Guard Cavalry Squadrons, the Eclaireurs, the Young Guard Artillery, plus the Old and Middle Guard Infantry and Cavalry of former years.
Delete* The Gardes d'Honneur were "in the Guard but not of the Guard".
Very nice work once again Peter - an unusual but colourful unit to bring to the table.
ReplyDelete2nd verse, same as the first... except for the horse colors and the tip of the plumes!
DeleteThese look great. As Keith notes, and unusual combination of colours that will stand out on the table.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lawrence. They are hard to miss!
DeleteDelightful looking unit. Very impressive Peter.
ReplyDeleteYu are too kind, Richard!
DeleteGreat work there Peter and love the background info, with 'The Hostages' a brilliant sobriquet that I may use for some ImagiNations units in the future:)!
ReplyDeleteThings like that are what make real history at least as interesting as fantasy! :-)
DeleteYou are fairly cranking these lovely units out to be sure ! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Garry!
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