The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of major conflicts pitting the French Empire led by Emperor Napoleon I against an array of European powers formed into various coalitions. They revolutionized European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly owing to the application of modern mass conscription.
The wars are traditionally seen as a continuation of the Revolutionary Wars, which broke out in 1792 during the French Revolution. Initially, French power rose quickly as the armies of Napoleon conquered much of Europe. In his military career, Napoleon fought about 60 battles and lost seven, mostly at the end. The great French dominion collapsed rapidly after the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. Napoleon was defeated in 1814, and then once more in 1815 at Waterloo after a brief return to power. The Allies then reversed all French gains since the Revolutionary Wars at the Congress of Vienna.
The first (and final) time these old soldiers were captured in photograph c. 1858
Monsieur Vitry, Departmental Guard
Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Dupont, Fourier for the 1st Hussar
Image: Brown University Library
Quartermaster Fabry, 1st Hussars
Image: Brown University Library
Grenadier Burg, 24th Regiment of the Guard, 1815
Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Maire, 7th Hussars, c. 1809-15
Image: Brown University Library
Quartermaster Sergeant Delignon, in the uniform of a Mounted Chasseur of the Guard, 1809-1815
Image: Brown University Library
Sergeant Taria, Grenadiere de la Garde, 1809-1815
Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Ducel Mameluke de la Garde, 1813-1815
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
Monsieur Mauban, 8th Dragoon Regiment, 1815
Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Lefebre, Sergeant 2nd Regiment of Engineers, 1815
Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Moret, 2nd Regiment, 1814-15
Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Dreuse of 2nd Light Horse Lancers of the Guard, c. 1813-14
Image: Brown University Library
Monsieur Verlinde of the 2nd Lancers, 1815
Image: Brown University Library
Source and read more: Retronaut
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