"The Guard Marines." Topic

"The decree dates from September 17th 1803,was created within the Guard of the Consul, as an special designation to ensure the security escorts of the First Consul and his staff in any vessels of the national fleet, during the great project of invasion of England, which was prepared in the camp of Boulogne.
The navy would be represented in this way, at the prestigious Imperial Guard.
With the title of "Bataillon de la Garde des Matelots" there were a first call of 337 men.
On May 21st 1804, the battalion was increase to 739 men.
On October 23rd 1804, the battalion was increase to 820 men
On September 15th 1805, was carried out the first departure from the camp of Boulogne, 120 men go with the army to Germany.
On early 1806. Return of the sailors to the new military barracks in Paris.
On February 1808, left of 579 men out of 737, to the Army of the Midi in Spain.
On July 19th 1808.Capitulation of Bailen, 100 dead or wounded from 300 sailors in combat.
On April 21st 1814, 21 sailors went with Napoleon to Elba Island.
On May 19th 1815.Reorganisación of "l'luggage des Marins de la Garde" in a number of 150 men.
On June 18th 1815. Participation in the Battle of Waterlo0 with the park of artillery of the Guard.
On June 24th 1815. Only 57 men from 150 come to the recall.
On August 10th 1815. Became the general Licensing of the battalion."
Oht from Alfons Cánovas page.

Their uniforms here.

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If the info is correct, the Guard Marines were at Waterloo with the Park of the Guard Artillery. Since the Guard Artillery had fought untill the last cannon ball and men, the Guard Marines died there fighting for their Emperor?.
Anybody used French Guard Marines in your wargames?

Amicalement
Armand

Kind of an old subject, that's been discussed.
TMP link
TMP link
TMP link
TMP link

I've got a battalion of them waiting to be painted. I made a start on them ages ago but never got round to finishing them. Those are nice uniform plates Armand so it may inspire me to get them back on the painting table.

I have a battalion which we used in a game about 18 months ago. They went through a Spanish battalion like you know what through a goose.

I have a battalion painted just because the uniform is too awesome to not use this unit.

The Guard Marines were also at Bailén.

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I have a battalion on order, which I will be painting for my forces.

One of the first units I painted 35 years ago. The drummers were amazing. I did it for hire, so don't have it now.

Marins means mariners, hence sailors, or seamen, not marines.

That is correct. The French had no Marines in the sense of the British Royal Marines of the US Marine Corps. The Guard unit concerned were the Sailors of the Guard.

Sometimes aboard ship army infantry units were detailed as garnisons (garrisons) and served as marines. As an example, troops of the infantry regiment Walsh, uniformed in red, was detailed to the Continental Navy to 'garrison' John Paul Jones' ship Bon Homme Richard.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Kevin, do you recomended or know about any book, comments or documents about the fight of the French Guard Marines at Waterloo?

Thanks in advance.

Amicalement
Armand

Armand,

Here are two books on the Sailors of the Garde that are available on google books:

-Le bataillon des Marins de la Garde by Eugene Lomier and Jean Baptiste de Grivel.
-Aventures d'un Marin de la Garde Imperiale by Henri Ducor

Ducor was taken prisoner at Baylen.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Many thanks my friend.
I would tried to pick up those two.
Sad there were no memories from Waterloo.

Amicalement
Armand

Interesting topic just in time to coincide with the latest update from the PERRY'S METAL WORKBENCH:
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Many thanks for the info Trailape!!

Amicalement
Armand

Even Perry calls them marines instead of sailors !

Which goes to prove that even the Perrys can get things wrong sometimes.