The Imperial Eagle The eagle affixed to the top of the flagpole or "pike" of each battalion was the most important symbol a French unit possessed, more so even than the unit's actual flag, now deemed to be of no special significance, although still carried. This replacement of the colors, traditionally at the core of regimental ceremony and honor, with a 20 centimeter high spread eagle of gilded bronze, modeled on the ancient Roman legionary emblem, was a uniquely Napoleonic creation in 1804. The loss of an eagle was often tantamount to disgrace, and was the trophy most sought after by France's enemies. Originally nicknamed "cuckoos," the successes of the Grande Armee's first campaign in 1805 established a bond between the soldiers and their new Imperial emblem. Subsequent concerns about the eagle's security in battle led to a series of decisions that reduced the number to one per regiment, made rare their issuance to foreign units, and on several occasions required light infantry (which fought in loose order and therefore at greater risk to losing their eagles) to leave them behind while on campaign. The Marshalate The rank of Marshal (marechal) was not a military rank like Field Marshal, but rather an imperial court rank, although most of the 26 marshals of the Napoleonic period commanded corps or armies in the field. In 1804, Napoleon made 18 former subordinates, rivals, and political figures Marshals of the Empire. Marshal 1804 1770-1823 Louis-Nicolas Davout Duke of Auerstadt, Prince of Eckmuhl Of old Burgundian nobility, Davout was one of the most capable, and most loyal, of all the marshals. He rallied to Napoleon in 1815 and suffered internal exile, in part for his defense of Marshal Ney. Considered by some the classic martinet, he was unpopular with some of the other marshals. Marshal 1804 1763-1844 Alexandre Berthier Prince of Neuchatel & of Wagram Berthier served in the American Revolution. He fell to his death in 1815 under suspicious circumstances, depriving Napoleon of his indispensable chief of staff. Berthier was obsessed by his mistress, Madame Visconti. Marshal 1804 1769-1809 Jean Lannes Duke of Montebello A dyer's apprentice, Lannes died of wounds received at Aspern-Essling from a cannonball. He was Napoleon's closest friend among the marshals and the only one allowed to address the Emperor in the familiar "tu." Never defeated, he feared no man, including Napoleon. Marshal 1804 1769-1815 Michel Ney Duke of Elchingen, Prince of Moscow Napoleon called Ney "The Bravest of the Brave" for his courageous direction of the rear-guard, which saved part of the Grande Armee during its disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812. Son of a cooper, Ney was executed by the Bourbons for having rallied to Napoleon, after failing to arrest him at the start of the Hundred Days in 1815. Marshal 1804 1758-1817 Andre Massena Duke of Rivoli, Prince of Essling Of humble origins, Massena won fame as Bonaparte's chief subordinate in Italy in 1796. Like Augereau, Massena was a rapacious looter. Possibly Napoleon's finest marshal at the height of his powers, he was recalled in broken health from his last command in Spain in 1811. He lost an eye when Napoleon shot it out during a hunting accident. Marshal 1804 1769-1851 Nicolas-Jean de Dieu Soult Duke of Dalmatia The son of a notary, many historians regard Soult as one of Napoleon's best military marshals. Soult suffered in exile until 1819, but he eventually became Minister of War, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister, and Marshal General of France. Marshal 1804 1767-1815 Joachim Murat Grand duke of Cleves and Berg King of Naples "The First Horseman of Europe" whom Napoleon made King of Naples started life as the son of an innkeeper. He was executed in 1815 after leading an expedition to regain his throne. Murat married Napoleon's sister Caroline and was noted throughout his career for his flamboyant dress. Marshal 1804 1763-1844 Jean-Baptiste-Jules Bernadotte Prince of Ponte Corvo Bernadotte married Desiree Clary, Napoleon's former fiancee and sister to Joseph Bonaparte's wife. Napoleon dismissed Bernadotte for his questionable actions at Wagram in 1809. Permitted to accept the election as Crown Prince of Sweden, he eventually became king in 1818 as Charles XIV. Marshal 1809 1774-1852 Auguste-Frederic-Louis Viesse de Marmont Duke of Ragusa Marmont was a minor noble and one of Napoleon's oldest friends, but did not receive his marshal's baton until 1809. Like the Emperor, Marmont was considered a highly competent artillerist, reforming the artillery arm in 1803. In 1814 he betrayed Napoleon. His title Duke of Ragusa became synonymous with traitor: raguser means to betray. Marshal 1804 1757-1816 Pierre Augereau Duke of Castiglione Marshal 1804 1768-1813 Jean-Baptiste Bessieres Duke of Istria Marshal 1804 1763-1815 Guillame M. A. Brune Count Marshal 1804 1762-1833 Jean-Baptiste Jourdan Count Marshal 1804 1735-1820 Francois E. C. Kellermann Duke of Valmy Marshal 1804 1755-1820 Francois-Joseph Lefebvre Duke of Danzig Marshal 1804 1754-1842 Bon Adrien J. de Moncey Duke of Conegliano Marshal 1804 1768-1835 Adolphe E. C. J. Mortier Duke of Treviso Marshal 1804 1754-1818 Dominique de Perignon Marquis Marshal 1804 1742-1819 Jean M. P. Serurier Count Marshal 1807 1764-1841 Claude Perrin "Victor" Duke of Belluno Marshal 1809 1765-1840 J. Etienne J. A. Macdonald Duke of Tarentum Marshal 1809 1767-1847 Nicolas-Charles Oudinot Count, Duke of Reggio Marshal 1811 1770-1826 Louis-Gabriel Suchet Count, Duke of Albufera Marshal 1812 1764-1828 Laurent Gouvin-Saint-Cyr Marshal 1813 1763-1813 Jozef Poniatowski Prince Marshal 1815 1766-1847 Emmanuel Grouchy Marquis More Napoleon: Introductory Guide Introduction Prejudice and Pride Napoleon in Military School The Young Artillerist's Double Life Revolution & Opportunity Women's Fashion During the Revolution The Siege of Toulon Napoleon & Josephine Women's Fashion during the Directory Fame & Glory: Italy Fame & Glory: Egypt Saviour or Usurper Battle of Marengo Civil Achievments Enlightened Despot or Tyrant Napoleon's Siblings The Dawn of Gastronomy Haydn and Beethoven Women's Fashion during the Empire Napoleon's Other Women The Mashalate and Imperial Eagle History's Greatest General? 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