During the revolutionary wars (1792-1799) and - especially - in the Napoleonic period (1799-1815), France probably had the most efficient war machine on the Old Continent, which almost led to its lasting hegemony over Europe. It will be a truism to say that the French army will be a key element of this machine. In this army, on the other hand, a very important role was played by the Guard - initially the Constitutional (1791), then the Consular, and finally the Imperial (from 1804). In the same Guard in January 1809 was separated the so-called The Young Guard, which, unlike the Old Guard, was much larger, and much less made up of true battlefield veterans. Mostly young soldiers were recruited to it, and sometimes even recruits without any combat experience. In assumptions, it was supposed to be a unit intended for combat operations, not being the "iron reserve" of the French emperor, which relatively quickly grew to the size of the corps. It is worth adding that in 1809 fusiliers, divided into two regiments, were included in the Young Guard from the already existing guard regiments. In 1812, the Young Guard consisted of, inter alia, 6 regiments of tyraliers and volteachers, a regiment of flankers, a regiment of the national guard, a sled train battalion and the 4th Regiment of the Vistula Legion. In the course of the Russian campaign (1812), the Young Guard suffered huge losses, but at the turn of 1812 and 1813 it began to be recreated intensively, so that it took an intensive part in the campaign of 1813, and especially in 1814. She also took part in the 1815 campaign, fighting from the very beginning in the Battle of Waterloo.