The Consular Guard traced its origins to the various units in charge of the security of the legislative and executive bodies created during the French Revolution.

[1] On 28 November 1799, eighteen days after seizing power in the Coup of 18 Brumaire and establishing the Consulate, Bonaparte reorganized both units into a new "Consular Guard".

The Consular Guard assumed a square formation in the center of the French army and repelled the Austrian cavalry under General Peter Ott.

Numbering 800 against several thousand Austrians, the Guard resisted for five hours, giving time for General Louis Desaix's troops to arrive on the battlefield.

[5] The Battle of Marengo was Bonaparte's first victory as head of state, and his Consular Guard, which he spoke of as a "fortress of granite", had covered itself with glory.