Guides

Escorts and Details

by Tom DeVoe

A respective C-in-C might be provided with a personal guard of one squadron. These were to act in a defensive postture only, such as a Charge-if-Charged situation or to protect the commander if threatened.

Historically, guides were raised to act in one of three roles:

    First: to serve as a mounted bodyguard for the army commander;
    Second: to act as messengers/couriers, and
    Third: to GUIDE certain units to their assigned positions.

These units of guides soon developed a special eliteness including a distinctive uniform. From these, the various GUARD units can trace a portion of their lineage.

In a letter from Fred Vietmeyer, dated May 28th, 1975, he stated that;

    these were really not combat cavalry but really more like escorts, baggage guards, messengers, pickets, etc., and guides to show the route to travel. I recall that one of the main duties for one such group was to safely escort women from hither to yon. But if you must then assigned them light horse capacity, i.e line, non elite.

I then asked what their purchasing value would be in wargaming. Fred replied: "2 points per man same as non-elite Chasseur a cheval de ligne."

From research it would appear that the following French Marshalls and Generals had, at one time or another, a mounted unit of guides.

    Marshall Guillaume Brune
    Marshall Andre Massena
    Marshall Jean-Baptiste Beernadotte
    Marshall Jacques MacDonald
    Marshall Eduard Mortier
    Marshall Joachim Murat
    General Moreau
    Marshall Bon-Adrien Moncey*
      (*Known as Eclaireur-Guides)

Marshall Michel Ney had a full squadron Of hussars. Some Marshalls, like Alexander Bethier and Nicolas Oudinot had a battalion of foot.

However, other NATIONAL figures, such as Eugene de Beauharnais, had an 'Honor Guard', which served the same function, but which was comprised of Dregoons. Eugene always travelled with this unit.

    The two squadrons, which followed Prince Eugene on every battlefield of Europe, were dressed exactly as the Imperial Guard Dragoons**
      ** (Tradition: The Journal of the International Society of Military Collectors. number 47, page 31.)

I mention Eugene because he is not a Marshall, but instead Vice Roy of Italy. He therefore is a National Figure who had a different escort than would a Marshal. Thus, Jerome King of Westphalia, can always be sure that his mounted Garde du Corps is with him and Eugene always have a full squadron of Italian Guard Dragoons, both of which should be rated as Middle Guard II.

Wargames

Additionally, a few corrections should be considered on guides or Guard escort details. Firstly, since they are on the board they should be vulnerable to casualties, if in the direct of fire, such as overs or shorts or covered by a portion of the howitzer burst pattern, this should not however mean that a battery section can single them out as a specific target. While the researcher can certainly find an isolated instance or two of this happening, our rules are designed to reflect the norm.

Secondly, Jerome's and Eugene's escorts were more personally involved and devoted to them than a member of a Marshall's guide or Commander's Guard (not GUARD). It is therefore suggested that as long as the Comn?nder is with them, NO moral check should be required, either from casualties or preceeding a charge/ C.I.C. situation in which they are protecting the Command Figure.

Guides which are represented by non-elite line cavalry should be subject to a moral check for casualties or for a charge/ C.I.C. situation, but with either a plus 1 or plus 2 added for the command figure if within a certain distance of the unit.

Prince Poniatowski of Poland was escorted by a unit known as the Company of Guides which again were dressed in elite chasseur uniforms, but rated as only line troopers. (See N.J.N. # 12, pages 12-13, and N.J.N. 15 15, page 32.)

A point to remember is that thus far I have only been dealing with French or French Allied Nations. There is currently available little to indicate what escorts other than a troop of cavalry, accompanied a Prussian, Austrian, Russian, Spanish, Danish, or British General officer.

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© Copyright 1978 by Jean Lochet
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