Red Lancers

“Regiment de Hussards de la Garde a Cheval du Roi” became the 2nd. Regiment of Lancers of the Guard of Napoleon

One of the most famous regiments of the Imperial Guard was the 2nd (Dutch) Lancer Regiment, the famous Red Lancers, so named because of the color of their uniforms. Originally a Dutch light cavalry regiment, it entered the French Imperial Guard on 13 September 1810, after the Kingdom of Holland was annexed by Napoleon.

The 2e Chevauleger-lanciers de la garde (hollandaise), rose from the status of Middle Guard in 1811 to the having its first five squadrons designated as Old Guard in 1813. The promotion to the status of Old Guard put the Dutch lancers on the pinnacle of the pecking order of the French army.

In 1812 totalled 1,500 men and was sent to Russia. The regiment served at Smolensk and at the battle of the Moscova (Borodino). During the retreat, the Poles once again distinguished themselves when, in the early hours of 25 October, near the small village of Horodina, the Emperor and his headquarters staff were attacked by cossacks. During the retreat the 1st Polish Guard Lancers wisely had their horses rough shod and managed to save two hundred horses out of a thousand. The Dutch 2nd Regiment was only able to save a few officers’ mounts. They suffered crippling losses in Russia in 1812, and the essential Dutch character was lost, most of the replacements being French, some coming from the mounted component of the Garde de Paris and members of Joseph's former Guard.

With the abdication of the Emperor in the Spring of 1814, a single squadron of 150 men accompanied the Emperor to Elba with only 22 men being mounted. When Napoleon returned to France for the 100 Days campaign, the lancers marched with him carrying their saddles on their backs. The regiment could not be reformed, as what existed of it in 1814 had been disbanded. The Lancers fought bravely during Ney's great cavalry attacks on the British centre at Waterloo.