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- Guard mounted hunter
This regiment had been formed in great part by the guides of Bonaparte, from whom it had kept the brilliant costume à la hussarde. It had a composition identical to that of the regiment of horse grenadiers, except for the height of the velites, which was slightly lower:1.73 m. It was by decree of July 29, 1804 that the regiment of the guides of the Consular Guard became that of the hunters of the Guard, with four squadrons of two companies each.
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- Guard mounted hunter
Barracked at the Military School of Paris, the chasseurs had the envied privilege of providing a squadron for the service of the imperial residence where the Emperor was. In the field, the mounted chasseurs of this squadron were in a way Napoleon's bodyguards.
The Memories of Captain Parquin (1803-1814) provide valuable information on this subject “The squadron of mounted chasseurs had a special service with the Emperor. A lieutenant, a sergeant, two corporals, twenty-two chasseurs and a trumpeter walked in front and behind him. A brigadier and four chasseurs, one of whom carried His Majesty's portfolio and the other his telescope, galloped in front of the Emperor and made room for him. Should he stop, dismount, the chasseurs instantly imitated him, placed the bayonet on the end of the carabiner and thus marched in square, the Emperor in their midst. The officer commanding the escort platoon was constantly following Her Majesty; only King Murat and the Prince of Neuchâtel (Marshal Berthier himself) could challenge him. If the Emperor established himself in a lodging, this officer stationed himself in the apartment closest to his. The chasseurs of his platoon were ashore, holding the reins of the horses' bridles in their hands, at the door of the house occupied by the Emperor, who always had a horse there from his stables saddled, bridled and held by two outriders. . The escort platoon in charge of this service was changed every two hours so that at any time of the day or night it was the same arrangement. .
The first person the Emperor saw on leaving his apartment was the escort officer. It was a position of honor and extreme confidence. This troop had the greatest devotion to its Emperor. She was perfectly rewarded for it. There were four chasseurs per company of each regiment of Old Guard who, in addition to the cross of honor and often the Iron Crown, with an income of 250 francs, were endowed with annuities on the canals or on Mount Napoleon in Milan; which brought them from 500 to 800 francs.
On January 10, 1813, the regiment was increased to 8 squadrons of 250 men, and on the following March 6 a ninth squadron was added to the composition of the corps. These 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Squadrons were referred to as Young Guard Squadrons and wore a distinct uniform.
On his return from the island of Elba, Napoleon, satisfied with the excellent qualities shown by the new arrivals, granted them the denomination of 2nd regiment of mounted chasseurs of the Young Guard.
The role of the chasseurs was of course not limited to the service of honor of which we have spoken; they were seen many times charging alongside the horse grenadiers, sabers high, mounted on their dashing bay or chestnut horses.