Beautiful images of veterans of the Napoleonic War

The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of major conflicts pitting the French Empire led by Emperor Napoleon I against an array of European powers formed into various coalitions. They revolutionized European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly owing to the application of modern mass conscription.

The wars are traditionally seen as a continuation of the Revolutionary Wars, which broke out in 1792 during the French Revolution. Initially, French power rose quickly as the armies of Napoleon conquered much of Europe. In his military career, Napoleon fought about 60 battles and lost seven, mostly at the end. The great French dominion collapsed rapidly after the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. Napoleon was defeated in 1814, and then once more in 1815 at Waterloo after a brief return to power. The Allies then reversed all French gains since the Revolutionary Wars at the Congress of Vienna.

The first (and final) time these old soldiers were captured in photograph c. 1858

Monsieur Vitry, Departmental Guard

Image: Brown University Library

Monsieur Dupont, Fourier for the 1st Hussar

Image: Brown University Library

Quartermaster Fabry, 1st Hussars

Image: Brown University Library

Grenadier Burg, 24th Regiment of the Guard, 1815

Image: Brown University Library

 

Monsieur Maire, 7th Hussars, c. 1809-15

Image: Brown University Library

Quartermaster Sergeant Delignon, in the uniform of a Mounted Chasseur of the Guard, 1809-1815

Image: Brown University Library

Sergeant Taria, Grenadiere de la Garde, 1809-1815

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Image: Brown University Library

Monsieur Ducel Mameluke de la Garde, 1813-1815

Image: Brown University Library

Monsieur Loria, 24th Mounted Chasseur, Regiment Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Monsieur Loria seems to have lost his right eye.

Image: Brown University Library

Monsieur Mauban, 8th Dragoon Regiment, 1815

Image: Brown University Library

Monsieur Lefebre, Sergeant 2nd Regiment of Engineers, 1815

Image: Brown University Library

Monsieur Moret, 2nd Regiment, 1814-15

Image: Brown University Library

Monsieur Dreuse of 2nd Light Horse Lancers of the Guard, c. 1813-14

Image: Brown University Library

Monsieur Verlinde of the 2nd Lancers, 1815

Image: Brown University Library

Source and read more: Retronaut

Jack Beckett: Jack Beckett has been editor since 2012. Huge fan of war history and rural history and a motorbike rider.
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