Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #478102 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Synopsis
CAPTAIN COIGNET. A 'grouser' tells his thrilling story of life in the Imperial Guard Jean-Roche Coignet's story embraces much that typifies the revolutionary French and Napoleonic eras. Coignet recounts his life from abused childhood to peasant worker, then to enlistment in the army-where an exploit of remarkable heroism, early in his military career, earns him recognition and sets him on a path of advancement through the ranks of Napoleon's Imperial Guard Grenadiers where he finally earns the rank of captain. Through his words we experience many of the campaigns and battles of the Napoleonic Wars-culminating in Waterloo. Coignet's close contact with his Emperor offers many insights into the great man, his court and his generals.

Customer Reviews

SMALLEST MEMBER OF NAPOLEON'S GUARD
Jean-Roch Coignet lived a very full life at an epoch making period in history. Virtually abandoned by a father nicknamed 'the lover' for his 30 plus offspring, and maltreated by the proverbial wicked stepmother, he left home, worked in the fields and was eventually befriended by Potier, a gentleman farmer and horse-dealer. Under his care Coignet blossomed into a brilliant rider and excellent judge of horseflesh, and together they made frequent trips to Paris to supply mounts for the Army.

When he was conscripted, he left his idyllic surroundings for the mountainous wastes of the Alps at the start of Napoleon's Italian Campaign. Showing his physical toughness and bravery, he captured a cannon which was noted by Berthier himself. The Iron Marshal Davout conspired to have Coignet accepted into the Imperial Guard by telling him to have two packs of playing cards stuffed into his shoes so that he made regulation height. The first commoner to get the Legion of Honour, Coignet had by now caught the eye of his Emperor. On many occasions in the future, he was by the side of the great man, serving him at the highs and lows of his meteoric career.

He held the King of Rome in his arms and fretted as the child pulled his bearskin plume to pieces, even as he was honoured to have Napoleon's offspring all to himself. He was in charge of the Emperor's baggage in 1812 and gives a vivid description of that infamous campaign, including how Ney held back the Russians with just five men armed with muskets during the retreat!

Taught to read by his comrades at the age of 33, he missed out on being a high-ranking officer because of his lack of education. Nevertheless, he served with distinction on all the major Napoleonic campaigns.

In 1815, once more in charge of the Imperial baggage, he was sent on more daring solo missions by Napoleon as he had been in 1812. He gives an eye-witness account of the battle of Ligny that is far different from that portrayed by many later historians and his picture of a very energetic and positive Emperor is very revealing. On the eve of Waterloo, on yet another solo mission, he is sent to spy on six English cavalrymen, is chased by three of them, and finally kills one in single combat, watched by Napoleon himself. After the catastrophe of that battle, he takes it upon himself to fight a Prussian officer at the very gates of Paris, because he didn't like the arrogance displayed by the German. He kills him with one blow.

Coignet like his compatriot Bourgogne, may have been small in stature, but he was exceptionally brave, tough and resourceful. No wonder Napoleon achieved so much with men like that by his side. An excellent read!

JOHN TARTTELIN M.A., FINS

Excellent and surprising
This book is an excellent account of the turbulent times of the Napoleonic wars. The author vividly describes the glory and hardships endured by Napoleon's famous Imperial Guard. In the first section of the book, the author describes his youth which provides a interesting account of the early phase of Coignet's remarkable career. This book is a must for anyone interested in Napoleon or the Napoleonic period.