Officers & soldiers of the french guides and guards of commanding generals and headquarters

Created by the necessities of war for the various Headquarters (to be used in the escort, guard and liaison roles), the Guides very quickly became the object of their generals' care and attention, as they reflected their commanders' military prestige, becoming a sort of Praetorian Guard.

The best example was Bonaparte's own Guides, with their commanding officer Bessières, forming the nucleus of the future Imperial Guard.

There were Guides in practically all the armies of the Republic, the Consulate and of the Empire but on the whole they seem to have been overlooked, except for the future Emperor's. They served famous generals and were to be found anywhere where the Republic and then the Empire planted its tricolour flags.

So let's follow the Guides...