Captain Coignet: A Soldier of Napoleon's Imperial Guard from the Italian Campaign to Russia and Waterloo

by Jean-Roch Coignet

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.

Genres: History

283 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1853

About the author

Jean-Roch Coignet was a French soldier who served in the military campaigns of the Consulate and First French Empire, up through the Battle of Waterloo. He later wrote his memoirs detailing his military service, 'The Notebooks of Captain Coignet,' which are still being reprinted.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an autobiography of a man who was beaten as a child, ran away from home, didn't learn to read or write until he was around 30, started out as a simple soldier in the French Army, however, he eventually became a captain and won the Legion of Honor. And that's only part of his story. I don't mean to sound disparaging, but at times this book sounds like a 'Napoleon fought for me' accolade. Some of the officers constantly refer to his bravery. At one point he even speculates that he was poisoned by one of Napoleon's enemies. It's a fast read, but you might find yourself wondering if Coignet took the liberty of enhancing his career just a tad.

[Jonathan Bar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entiendes el pensamiento del soldado, es una lectura obligada para los amantes de la época Napoleónica.

[V.G.GUY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

This is a fairly large book , which I read over a number of meal breaks at work.
The combination of old world and French can make for a challenge at times.
The book gives not only an insight into military life but also the hardship of childhood in poverty.
This is not a blow by blow account, but incidents picked out makes for an eye opening and interesting read.

[Christophe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An authentic account of the Napoleonic epic, far from palaces and pomp. Jean Roch Coignet shares with us the story of a simple and endearing man, who loved the land and was torn from it to serve in the revolutionary armies. Joined the Imperial Guard for his feats of arms, attached to the small shorn like almost all soldiers, he recounts everything, from the Italian campaign to the Restoration.
Read for the full account.

[Jim Galford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The memoirs of a French soldier who served under Napoleon is a fascinating read, allowing one to feel the events of that time. While not great writing it is historically significant.

[Hugo van den Berg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t understand why this book has relatively high reviews. It’s obvious the author makes a lot of stuff up and gets a lot of events totally wrong. It was hard to finish this book.

[Mr.Grey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is No Memo. I accuse the author of laying. It's a novel. No memo in this level of details as I'm very fond of memos book and read plenty of them I can tell this book is a Novel. My proof is


1- The level of detail of very trifles things in chapter 1


Beside after Napoleon death, so many wrote their memos in his time (it was easy money) even his second wife, brother ….. I don' blame the author doing so.

[John Tarttelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 off-spring, 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 an 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!

[Mark Rose]

Well written. Clean volume for any age.

Doesn't mince words. An insider writ of this great generals war trail. I guess these folks made war because they had nothing else to do! So many thousands lost for fame and glory. Waterloo unhinged it all. Coignet is the epitome of a childhood commoners dream, sacrafice for country and a hard working patriot any nation should knight. Amazing!