Grenadiers (Old Guard), Napoleon: Retreat from Moscow 1812

France 1812. Retreat from Russia.
These grenadiers are probably Napoleon's most famous soldiers. Many legends entwine around the brave and steadfast elite corps that served their emperor faithfully to the point of self-sacrifice. Even during the terrible retreat from Russia, discipline and fighting ability were never lost. Joining the "Grenadiers on Foot" was a coveted honour, for which the applicant had to have at least five years of infantry service and two campaigns in which he had distinguished himself militarily and morally. He also had to be at least 1.76 m tall. The only reminder of the original function of the grenadiers, the hurling of grenades, was the decorative element of a stylised grenade on the coattails, cartridge pouches and the cap lids of the high bearskin caps. The grenadiers wore the traditional braid and gold earrings. Their uniform remained untouched by the reform of 1812 and expressed the exclusive tradition of the troops. Some of the greybeards had begun their soldiering career under Napoleon as a young general of the Republic; the Emperor, with his excellent memory, knew them by name.
Later, in their Emperor's final battle at Waterloo (1815), they refused to surrender and were shot up without remnant - "The Guard dies, but it does not surrender!".
Our series shows the grenadiers marching in retreat, even at short rest.
Overall series:
Drawn by Hans Fritsch, engraved by S. Maier.
Very suitable for depicting:
Crossing the Berezina,
The Battle of the Berezina is the name given to the fighting during the retreat of Napoleon's Grande Armée before the troops of Tsar Alexander I. This battle was the last in the Russian campaign of 1812 before the retreat of the French army across the Niemen on 14 December 1812.

Series list for 100/19/3
Nos. 100-126 (2x) Old Kaisergarde: Gren. hands fallen off. canteen
Nos. 100-204 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier-Carpenter
Nos. 100-260 (1x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier in coat with wounded infantryman
No. 100-144 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier in coat and fur cap, reserve
Nos. 100-205 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: grenadier with coat and fur cap
Nos. 100-261 (1x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier Marshal in coat on horseback
Nos. 100-151 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier in coat with fur cap, also cheering
Nos. 100-206 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier with coat and fur cap
Nos. 100-262 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier in coat with camp cap, eating
Nos. 100-152 (4x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier in coat with fur cap, also cheering
Nos. 100-207 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: grenadier with coat and fur cap
Nos. 100-263 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier in coat & cap, cutting bread / reaching
Nos. 100-101 (2x) Old Imperial Guard, officer on horseback, pointing, greeting
Nos. 100-153 (2x) Old Imperial Guard, grenadier standard-bearer, also cheering
Nos. 100-208 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: grenadier with coat and fur cap
Nos. 100-264 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier in cloak w. campmate drinking from bottle
Nos. 100-102 (2x) Old Imperial Guard, officer on horseback, horse falling
Nos. 100-161 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: grenadier warming hands, also snow blinder
Nos. 100-209 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier drummer, not playing
Nos. 100-108 (3x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier flag bearer, torn flag
Nos. 100-175 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier drummer, not playing, also cheering
Nos. 100-210 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: grenadier-marshal in coat, on foot
Nos. 100-109 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: grenadier in coat with fur cap
Nos. 100-176 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier-Tambour-Major, also cheering
Nos. 100-211 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier standard bearer
Nos. 100-124 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier in coat, with fur cap
Nos. 100-177 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier in coat, roasting meat on sabre
Nos. 100-212 (2x) Old Imperial Guard: Grenadier Marshal in coat on horseback