Imperial Guard Cavalry
Organization and Composition

Gendarmerie d'Elite

Text by John Grehan & Phil Gaffney,
Original Illustrations by Ian Storer


Formed in July 1804 the Gendarmerie dtlite was composed of a staff, two mounted squadrons, each of two companies of gendarmes a Cheval, and a demi-bataillon of two companies of gendarmes a pied.

The staff was composed of one Colonel, chef de legion, one Major, two Chefs d'escadrons, with one for the infantry, one Quartiermaitre, one Adjudant-major, two Sous-adjudants-majors, with one for the infantry, two officers de sante, two Porte-etendard, one Portedrapeau, one Artiste veterinaire, twelve Musiciens, one Maitre tailleur-guertier, one Maitre sellier, one Maitre cullottier, one Maitre bottier, one Maitre armurrier-eperonnier.

Each company of gendarmes a cheval contained, two Lieutenants en premier, one Marechal des logis chef, three Marechaux des logis, one Fourrier, six Brigadiers, seventy-two Gendarmes, two Trompettes, one Marechal-ferrant.

Each company of gendarmes a pied comprised, one Capitaine, two Lieutenants, one Marechal des logis chef, five Marechaux des logis, one Fourrier, ten Brigadiers, 100 Gendarmes, and two Tambours.

Dissolved on 23 April 1814, the legion was re-constituted on 8 April 1815 with one mounted company of 100 gendarmes Alite.

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