les gardes d'honneur
After his defeat in Russia and the loss of the cavalry arm, Napoleon
decided to call upon the sons of the leading and wealthly classes from
all over the Empire. This was a military and a political necessity to
ensure the loyalty of the families playing a part in the Empire
administration, and as consequence these units were nicknamed 'the
hostages'.
Four regiments of Gardes d'Honneur (Guards of Honour) were raised
by a decree of 3 April, 1813 to be recruited in all parts of the French
Empire. They were uniformed in bright red and green 'hussar style'
uniforms provided by themselves. Initially, their perfomance was so poor
that Napoleon decided that each Regiment of Gardes would be attached to
one Regiment of Guard Cavalry.
The Gardes d'Honneur fought indifferently during the Campaign of
Leipzig in 1813. However, they covered themselves in glory during the
campaign of 1814 in France.
UNIFORMS AND MINIATURES
The Gardes d'Honneur wore a typical hussar costume with dark
green dolman and pelisse (edged with black fur), scarlet hungarian
breeches, scarlet collar and facings, red and white sash, white leather
and lace cords. Red covered sahko with wite piping and white cords. The
plume was dark green tipped with teh regimental color: red, blue, yellow
and white for the Regiments 1-4 respectively. The horse furiniture was
black with a dark green shabraque
For the figures, I have used REVELL 02575 Seven Years War Prussian
Hussars with heads taken from HÄT Set 8042 French Light Infantry,
with the plumed shako. See the head exchanging
section for details of the 'surgery'
I only need four figures to be mounted in pairs and making two
bases representing the 1 and 2 squadrons of the 2nd Gardes d'Honneur
Regiment attached to the Empress Dragoons and the 1 squadron of the
3rd Gardes d'Honneur Regiment attached to the Grenadiers a Cheval.,
that were involved in Sellerhausen.
The pictures below are taken from First Empire magazine (No. 90)
or from the Osprey MAA 378 book.
| UNIT | FIGURES | COLOR SCHEME | PICTURES |
| FRENCH 'GARDES D'HONNEUR' | REVELL 02575 Seven Years War Prussian Hussars with heads taken from HÄT 8042 French Light Infantry |
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| Charging with the Grenadiers a Cheval de la Garde |
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Links of interest:
Napoleon's Guards of Honour 1813-14. Ronals Pawley-Patrick
Pourcelle. Osprey MAA 378 (2002)
| The full movie: French 'Gardes d'Honneur' |