Napoleon's Finest Photographed In Old Age

I love the way these things are always being found somewhere.
"These fascinating portraits are believed to be the only surviving images of French veterans who fought in the Napoleonic Wars of 1803–1815 wearing the uniforms they fought in.
The former soldiers, aged in their 70s and 80s, were believed to have been photographed in the 1850s in Paris.
The blurring on some of the pictures shows how hard the ageing subjects found it to stand still for several seconds while the plates were exposed.
One of the stills shows the tall Sergeant Taria striking an elegant pose in the uniform of a Grenadier of The Imperial Guard, a small group of elite soldiers of the French Army under the direct command of Napoleon.
Monsieur Ducel, a Mameluke (cavalry squadron) of the Imperial Guard, who fought between 1813 and 1815 also cuts an imposing figure.
One old veteran, Monsieur Loria of the 24th Mounted Chasseur Regiment and a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, appears to have lost his right eye.
Holding a plumed shako (a tall, cylindrical military cap) in his right hand is M. Dreuse of the 2nd Light Horse Lancers of the Guard, circa 1813-14.




There is Monsieur Mauban of the 8th Dragoon Regiment of 1815 seated, Monsieur Lefebre, a sergeant in the 2nd Regiment of Engineers in 1815, is pictured standing wearing a plumed shako; and M. Maire, of the 7th Hussars circa 1809-15.




Wearing a shapka (Russian-style fur cap) is M. Verlinde of the 2nd Lancers, 1815, and seated in a grand hussar uniform is Monsieur Moret of the 2nd Regiment, 1814-15.
Monsieur Vitry of the Departmental Guard leans against a piece of furniture by a CURTAIN, while M. Dupont of the 1st Hussar stands tall with a mameluke sword."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2818536/Proud-undefeated-surviving-images-uniformed-French-veterans-fought-Napoleon.html#ixzz3I1AtnRVM

 

Sweet!

 

Sgt Tara looks like he's ready to go again despite his age. Wonderful pictures. I have an original Saint Helena Medal in my collection.

 

Great pictures, thank you for posting the link!!!!

 

Hi chaps, I've always liked those photos, I liked em so much I put together a post about Wellington's boys who survived Waterloo.

https://adventuresinhistoryland.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/waterloo-men/

And if you really like Napoleonic photography then check out this thread from the Napoleonic Wars Forum
http://www.napoleonicwarsforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=1462

Josh.

 

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing!

 

This is really neat! Thank you for sharing!