Memoirs of a French Napoleonic Officer: Jean-Baptiste Barres, Chasseur of the Imperial Guard

Barrs' memoirs provide a superb record of a serving soldier, detailing his experiences at the cannons mouth, including events such as the Coronation of Napoleon, Austerlitz, and Tilsit, as well as his duties at Malmaison and Saint-Cloud.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

These captivating memoirs span Barrs journey from his enlistment in the Chasseurs Velites (skirmishers or light infantry) of Napoleons Imperial Guard in 1804. Despite his modest demeanor in recounting his own adventures, Barrs had firsthand experiences of monumental events, including the Coronation of Emperor Napoleon in Paris and Rome, the torchlight procession preceding Austerlitz, the historic meeting between the two Emperors at Tilsit, and the awe-inspiring military spectacle on the Champ de Mars. His responsibilities included guarding Malmaison and the Saint-Cloud palace, granting him privileged glimpses of the Emperor during reviews, presenting awards, and receiving accolades. This remarkable account captures the essence of a serving soldier, humorously navigating peril, sharing the hardships and hardships of extensive campaigns in challenging weather and hostile terrain, and reveling in the triumphs of successful foraging expeditions alongside his promotions and appointment as Chevalier de la Lgion dhonneur.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399077231