Sold Napoleon Cares for the Family of the Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry

General Frederic-Louis-Henri Walther was one of Napoleon’s great cavalry commanders and loyal to him to the end. He was at Napoleon’s side for many of the great battles and commanded the cavalry of the Imperial Guard for the invasion of Russia, meaning he was often in charge of Napoleon’s personal security.  Famously, Walther once told the Emperor during a spirited action that if he did not move to a place of safety, he would instruct his Grenadiers-a-Cheval to forcibly remove him, something not easily said to the commanding figure of Bonaparte.  Walther’s name is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe, a testament to Napoleon’s estimation of his importance.  

The Battle of Hanau was a minor battle but of great tactical importance, as it allowed Napoleon to successfully retreat into France after his defeat at the Battle of Leipzig in Germany.  During this battle, he placed Walther in command of his honor guard, but it would be the last such time that the General would protect Napoleon. He got ill during the battle and died on November 24, 1813. Napoleon was known for his loyalty to those who were loyal to him. Less than a month later, now back in Paris, Napoleon ensured that Walther’s family would be taken care of, now that the patriarch had died in service to country.  

Letter Signed, Paris, December 20, 1813, to Count Bertrand, Marshal of France, granting both an emolument and a pension to Walther’s heirs. “I have bestowed all the emolument of General Walther to his eldest daughter.  I have also given to Countess Walther a pension from the government. The Countess ought to address herself to the General Intendant of Domaine Extraordinaire for the payment of her pension that comes with her father’s emolument.”