The History of the Russian Imperial Guard

The russian imperial guard was one of the best units on the battlefield. The men were highly motivated and often willing to undertake almost suicidal risks. Their bayonet charge from a distance of about 750 feet, or 230 meters, stopped the french attack at its tracks. Even after running all that distance and engaging the french in hand to hand combat, the russians seemed to gain momentum. But they had barely begun to penetrate the french forces in this sector of the battlefield. Next it was the guards' cavalry's turn - their horsemen were going to get the better of the enemy. These 200 man unit known as the chevalier guards were the personal guards of emperor alexander.