The French revolution brings with it threats and war at the borders of this young republic.

In July 1789, the National Guard was created in Paris and in the province, and then battalion formation was established. The Vosges will have 15 battalions. Example: in its formation the 4th battalion of the Vosges has 8 companies of 90 soldiers, one out of two is called Darney’s company. The 4th Vosges Battalion was almost completely massacred in 1793. Eventually all these battalions were merged into semi-brigades and then into regiments.

In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte was appointed 1st Consul, then Emperor in 1804.

For many Frenchmen Napoleon was the one who brought prosperity and fame to the country.

Many men died on the battlefields or in hospitals, others made careers in the Napoleonic armies as the exceptional destiny of Claude-Victor PERRIN de Lamarche or Pierre-Basile BAILLY de Darney.

All former soldiers still alive who fought from 1792-1815 were awarded the Medal of St.Helena in the prefectures or sub-prefecture in 1857-1858.

In our cemeteries lie in the oblivion of the population of the sometimes abandoned graves of these soldiers.

This booklet lists the last tombstones and commemorative plaques of soldiers who lived the Napoleonic epic.

Mr. Eric CASADEVALL-IGLESIAS
Regional Delegate of the Vosges and the Haute-Marne
of the Association for the Conservation of Napoleonic Monuments

To download the guide, click HERE --> Guide soldats Napoléon