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.
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.
Monsieur Verlinde of the 2nd Lancers, 1815 Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Dreuse of 2nd Light Horse Lancers of the Guard, c. 1813-14 Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Lefebre, Sergeant 2nd Regiment of Engineers, 1815 Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Loria, 24th Mounted Chasseur, Regiment Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Monsieur Loria seems to have lost his right eye. Image: Brown University Library
Sergeant Taria, Grenadiere de la Garde, 1809-1815 Image: Brown University Library
Quartermaster Sergeant Delignon, in the uniform of a Mounted Chasseur of the Guard, 1809-1815 Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Maire, 7th Hussars, c. 1809-15 Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Schmit, 2nd Mounted Chasseur Regiment, 1813-14 Image: Brown University Library
Quartermaster Fabry, 1st Hussars Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Dupont, Fourier for the 1st Hussar Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Vitry, Departmental Guard Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Ducel Mameluke de la Garde, 1813-1815 Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Moret, 2nd Regiment, 1814-15 Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Mauban, 8th Dragoon Regiment, 1815 Image: Brown University Library
Grenadier Burg, 24th Regiment of the Guard, 1815 Image: Brown University Library
via Retronaut
