The guide and guard units, formed out of the necessities of war and in close contact with the general staff (as escorts, guards, messengers), quickly became object of attention for the generals, as they were emblematic of their military prestige of their leaders and represented a veritable praetorian guard. The highest in perfection were those surrounding Bonaparte―with Bessières at the head―one of the core components of the future Imperial Guard. The guides would be present in almost all the armies of the Republic, from the Consulat and the Empire, and yet today they are for the most part completely forgotten. They served some of the most prestigious leaders, the Emperor being at the top. Anywhere the Republic, and then the Empire, would stake their tricolor flags, the guides would be there. Volume Six in the Officers and Soldiers series strives to reconcile the injustice made toward these elite soldiers.

French Guides and Guards of the Generals and Headquarters: 1792-1815 (Officers and Soldiers of)

History

Jouineau, André

Davin, Didier

Military

Histoire and Collections

That association of mountainous territories shut in among the European powers, Switzerland solved part of its financial problems as early as the Renaissance by developing a truly mercenary industry. Each canton could sign a contract (a capitulation) to recruit military units with their own officers and regulations in exchange for pay and equipment for a neighboring state. On the eve of the Revolution there were therefore Swiss units in the government guards or the troops of the Line in France, the Italian States, Spain and the United Provinces. The revolutionary process in France ran up against their loyalty to their employer: the King, and the sad events of the massacre of the Swiss Guard on 10 August 1792 whereas the Swiss regiments of the Line were disbanded. During the vast European reorganization led by France between 1793 and 1813, Switzerland was politically and geographically transformed and furnished its big neighbor whether it liked it or not with troops of great worth who upheld their favorite motto “Honneur et Fidélité”. A lot has already been written on the Swiss regiments. The book skims over the Swiss troops in service with the King on the eve of the Revolution to concentrate on those who served the Republic, the Consulate and then the Empire, focusing on less well-known aspects.

The Swiss in French Service: 1785-1815 (Officers and Soldiers of)

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Books by Davin, Didier

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Davin, Didier. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

French Guides and Guards of the Generals and Headquarters: 1792-1815 (Officers and Soldiers of)

The Swiss in French Service: 1785-1815 (Officers and Soldiers of)