1858: portrait of the last surviving veterans of the Napoleonic Wars

• 1858: portrait of the last surviving veterans of the Napoleonic Wars

The Battle of Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte was for the last defeat. But even after his death in 1821, the surviving soldiers of the Grand Army (Grande Armée) is deeply respected and revered their leader. And every year on May 5, the day of Napoleon's death, the veterans in full regalia marched to the Place Vendôme in Paris to pay tribute to the Emperor.

These impressive portraits are hardly the only remaining images of French veterans who participated in the 1803-1815 years in the Napoleonic wars. Presumably, the photos were taken May 5, 1858. All the men who at that time was already 70-80 years old, dressed in uniforms, in which they fought. You can also notice that the soldiers on the chest hangs a medal of St. Helena, which was given in August 1857 to all veterans of the revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.

M. Verlinden, 2nd Lancers.

Monsieur Vitry, departmental security.

Monsieur Dupont, the 1st Hussars.

Quartermaster Fabry, the 1st Hussars.

M. Schmidt, 2nd Cavalry Infantry Regiment.

Grenadier Berg.

M. Mayor, the 7th Hussars.

Sergeant Quartermaster Delinon.

Tarija Sergeant Grenadier Guards in uniform.

Monsieur Dyusel, Mameluke.

Monsieur Loria, 24 th Infantry Regiment. Cavalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor. Judging by the photos, Loria lost an eye in battle.

Monsieur mob, the 8th regiment of dragoons.

Monsieur Lefebre, a sergeant of the 2nd Engineer Regiment.

Monsieur Sea uniformed Hussars, 2nd Regiment.

Monsieur Dreuz, 2nd Lancers.