Imperial Guard (Napoleon I)
The Imperial Guard (French: Garde Impériale) was originally a small group of elite soldiers of the French Army under the direct command of Napoleon I, but grew considerably over time. It acted as his bodyguard and tactical reserve, and he was careful of its use in battle. The Guard was divided into the staff, infantry, cavalry, and artillery regiments, as well as battalions of sappers and marines. Another division existed in distinguishing the experienced veterans from less experienced members of the Guard the group's division into the Old Guard, Middle Guard and Young Guard.
Read more about Imperial Guard (Napoleon I): History, Composition, Numbers, General Staff of The Imperial Guard, Foot Regiments, Cavalry Regiments, Artillery of The Guard, Engineers of The Guard, Sailors of The Guard
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“Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore.”
—Apocrypha. Ecclesiasticus, 44:14.
The line “their name liveth for evermore” was chosen by Rudyard Kipling on behalf of the Imperial War Graves Commission as an epitaph to be used in Commonwealth War Cemeteries. Kipling had himself lost a son in the fighting.
“Faster, faster with no loss of ritual
Stiff minions without banners, a steady guard ...”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)