Grenadier Burg, 24th Regiment of the Guard, 1815
‘Photographs of veterans of Napoleon’s Grande Armée and the Guard wearing their original uniforms and insignia. Likely date May 5, 1858 – all are wearing the Saint Helene medal, issued on August 12, 1857 to all veterans of the wars of the Revolution and the Empire. May 5 – the anniversary of the death of Napoleon. Every year on that date veterans gathered in Paris:
‘‘The base and railings of the column of the Place Vendôme appear this day decked out with the annual offerings to the memory of the man whose statue adorns the summit. The display of garlands of immortelles, and other tributes of the kind, is greater than usual… the old soldiers of the Empire performed their usual homage yesterday at the same place.’
Times - May, 1855‘
M. Dreuse, 2nd Light Horse Lancers of the Guard, 1813-14
M. Ducel, Mameluke de la Garde, 1813-1815
M. Dupont, Fourier, 1st Hussar
M. Lefebre, Sergeant, 2nd Regiment of Engineers, 1815
M. Loria, 24th Mounted Chasseur Regiment
M. Maire, 7th Hussars, 1809-15
M. Mauban, 8th Dragoon Regiment, 1815
M. Moret, 2nd Regiment, 1814-15
M. Schmit, 2nd Mounted Chasseur Regiment, 1813-14
M. Verlinde, 2nd Lancers, 1815
M. Vitry, Departmental Guard
Quartermaster Fabry, 1st Hussars
Sergeant Delignon, Mounted Chasseur of the Guard, 1809-1815
Sergeant Taria, Grenadiere de la Garde, 1809-1815