He had seen service in Egypt and had been present with the First Consul at the decisive battle at Marengo.

Into his hand as a non-commissioned officer thereafter the newly made Emperor had delivered the Eagle.
Naturally, he experienced toward it almost the feeling of a father for his child.
Every other man there was associated in some way with that imperial emblem, their regimental standard.

As has been said, it was not the flag for which they cared; flags were of perishable silk or cloth; they could be and often were destroyed in battle.

They could be replaced.
Some regiments stripped the colors from the poles before they went into action.

It was the Eagle that was precious and to be defended.