Napoleon's Veterans

[Ken]

Came across this terrific series of images. These are old soldiers who fought with Napoleon. Check out the uniforms.

http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/University_Library/collections/askb/veterans/index.html

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Napoleon's Veterans

Wow! And you thought our uniforms were expensive to recreate; imagine what Chris Daley or Scott Hanes would have to charge for all that gold lace and braid. Thanks for sharing that link, Ken.

[nrandolph]

Re: Napoleon's Veterans

Terrific images! I think even more impressive than the uniforms is the attitude and bearing of those soldiers. They may be older at the time of the photos, but they still have that "we can kick your ass" look to them! Thanks for posting those.

Neil Randolph
1st WV

[Richmond Depot]

Re: Napoleon's Veterans

I spent some time yesterday with a 1890's Va. Militia Coatee that was similar in cut to what some of the fellows were wearing in the posted link. Not for reproduction but more out of curiosity. Beautiful piece. It was in a local flea market and I noticed it while on a button search.

Best,

[roundshot]

Re: Napoleon's Veterans

Terrific images! I think even more impressive than the uniforms is the attitude and bearing of those soldiers. They may be older at the time of the photos, but they still have that "we can kick your ass" look to them! Thanks for posting those.

Neil Randolph
1st WV

Except that the last time these guys saw action, the "ass kicking" was reversed. It was indeed a Grande Armee however

[Fahlem]

Re: Napoleon's Veterans

I truely enjoyed those pictures...my great, great, great, great grandfather was in Napoleon's army. He spent the later part of his service in the Old Guard (served at Waterloo & was then mustered out shortly after). Once the European wars were over he came to America in the early 1820's & had a son who then served in both the Mexican & Civil war. Great images, Thanks.

Edit: I forgot to mention that his service was a bit ironic, since he was not French, but rather German. He was born in Baden which was at the time part of the Confederation of the Rhine which was a puppet government set up by Napoleon. When the Confederation switched side and turned to the allies, I guess he chose to stay true to Napoleon.

Michael Fahle
Co. F, 2nd USSS

[Rob Weaver]

Re: Napoleon's Veterans

My, those are lovely aren't they!? Do they look a lot like reenactors to anyone else?
One of my wife's ancestors, a Johann Haverle (or Haberle), also a German, marched to Moscow. Even more impressively, he marched home again. Promptly boarded a boat and came to America and settled in north central Pennsylvania. Probably never wanted to hear of war ever again.

[unclefrank]

Re: Napoleon's Veterans

Very cool! :)

[Gary of CA]

Re: Napoleon's Veterans

Neat! La Grande Armee lives!