Whats a Grognard?

During the Napoleonic wars Napoleon swept accross europe like white on rice. All the way deep into Russia. Amazing.

A part of his army was called "the Guard". These were his elite troops, his best fighters. They consisted of infantry, cavalry and even artillery.

The Young Guard was just that, younger veteran troops. There was a Middle Guard and then his most experienced, disciplined men were the Old Guard. These men had campained with Napoleon the longest,through Egypt,Italy and into Russia. And they were Older.

They did tend to grumble but they would go anywhere and do anything for him.

He affectionately called them "the Old Grognards", old grumblers.