Monsieur Moret, 2nd Regiment, Veterans of the Napoleonic Wars. 1814-15

Grenadier Burg, 24th Regiment of the Guard, 1815 Credit: Brown University Library

Photos of Veterans of the Napoleonic Wars

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

Napoléon Bonaparte’s final defeat was the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Even after his death in 1821, the surviving soldiers of Grande Armée revered his historic leadership. Each year on May 5, the anniversary of Napoléon’s death, the veterans marched to Paris’ Place Vendôme in full uniform to pay respects to their emperor.

Monsieur Mauban, 8th Dragoon Regiment, 1815 Credit: Brown University Library

These photographs were taken on one of these occasions, possibly in 1858. All the men — at this time in their 70s and 80s — are wearing the Saint Helena medals, issued in August 1857 to all veterans of the wars of the revolution and the empire.

These are the only surviving images of veterans of the Grande Armée and the Guard actually wearing their original uniforms and insignia.

Monsieur Moret, 2nd Regiment, 1814-15 Credit: Brown University Library

Monsieur Ducel Mameluke de la Garde, 1813-1815 Credit: Brown University Library

Monsieur Vitry, Departmental Guard Credit: Brown University Library

We do not know the identity of the photographer.  Some of the images are slightly blurred, which indicates that the men may have found it taxing to remain still for the duration of the exposure, which in the 1850s would have lasted a number of seconds.

Monsieur Dupont, Fourier for the 1st Hussar Credit: Brown University Library

Some of the soldiers have gained weight over the years since they fought for the Emperor; their uniforms have been let out to accommodate their girth.

Quartermaster Fabry, 1st Hussars Credit: Brown University Library

Monsieur Schmit, 2nd Mounted Chasseur Regiment, 1813-14 Credit: Brown University Library

Monsieur Maire, 7th Hussars, c. 1809-15 Credit: Brown University Library

Quartermaster Sergeant Delignon, in the uniform of a Mounted Chasseur of the Guard, 1809-1815 Credit: Brown University Library

Sergeant Taria, Grenadiere de la Garde, 1809-1815 Credit: Brown University Library

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

Monsieur Lefebre, Sergeant 2nd Regiment of Engineers, 1815 Credit: Brown University Library

Monsieur Dreuse of 2nd Light Horse Lancers of the Guard, c. 1813-14 Credit: Brown University Library

Monsieur Verlinde of the 2nd Lancers, 1815 Credit: Brown University Library