Guard Seamen (NTW Unit)
Overview
The ranks of the Guard Seamen are filled with the best soldiers the French army has to offer. Chosen for their imposing height, good conduct and loyalty, these men have excellent morale and a positive effect on the morale of nearby friendly units. Their discipline is exemplary; their reload times and the accuracy of their musketry are the envy of many. They do have some weaknesses: their extensive training and experience makes them more expensive than most foot troops, and they perform poorly against artillery and skirmishers that stay beyond their musket fire.
Historically, the Seamen of the Guard were formed as a result of a decree by Napoleon. They were originally intended for action as part of the planned invasion of Britain, but when these plans were put aside they took a place in the Imperial Guard. In a few short years these men had developed a wide variety of skills that made them indispensible to the Emperor. He commented that “When occasion required they proved equally valuable whether as sailors, soldiers, artillerymen or engineers; there was no duty they could not undertake.”