HistWar : Napoléon... First day...

[JMM]

A small village in Northern France.



It was eight in the morning when the ordnance officer from the Emperor's headquarters arrived in the village where two companies of the 1st regiment of the imperial guard were stationed.
Every soldier understood what the arrival of such an officer meant; The army will soon be on the move.

When he arrived to the town's center, he immediately identified where the Corps commander was lodged. He stopped his horse and dismounted quickly.
As a corporal got a hold of the reins, the officer had already entered the house.

After a while, the two officers met again. They greeted each other like old acquaintance before separating.

Then the general sounded a proclamation which was followed by a big commotion in the village. The villagers watched in good spirit this spontaneous spectacle.

In the afternoon, the whole regiment was in formation. The general and his high command where standing in the court of the small church:
<<Officers, soldiers…The Emperor is asking us to march to battle against a new coalition that threatens the nation…>> He continued for a few more moments his speech before reading the marching orders sent by the imperial headquarter.

When he finished, there was a profound silence… and suddenly…a << Long live the Emperor>> resounded in the village.

The general was proud to command this guard regiment and this reaction made him even prouder…

July 31st 1805... Extract from the book of Sergent Bonheur

1st company, 1st battalion, 1st regiment of the grenadiers of the imperial guard.

[JMM]

On the roads of Northern France.

A week ago, the 1st regiment of the grenadiers of the imperial guard left their encampment heading towards the concentration zone.

Each morning, the troop would start its march at sunrise and, by early afternoon, would have traveled about thirty kilometers. Each hour, a halt of a few minutes was used to eat or smoke a pipe. Mid-way a 30 minute break allowed for a refreshing rest.
When arrived at destination, after finding lodging among the populace, the soldiers would try to find a bite to eat, even flirt with the young ladies who were always welcoming.

The officers would have many discussions which were closely followed. Sergeant  Bonheur was friends with the company leader, captain Le Sang...The courageous Bonheur, merely a corporal at the time, had saved him from certain death in an engagement at Marengo.

Also the sergeant knew the Emperor awaited his guard to march with it in this new campaign.

August 7th 1805... Excerpt from the book of Sergeant Bonheur
1st Company, 1st Battalion,  1st Regiment of the grenadiers of the imperial guard.