Moustache became famous in history for having participated in two wars - the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic War.
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| An engraving of Moustache at the Battle of Austerlitz |
Moustache, a black French poodle, was born around September 1799 in Normandy. At the age of six months, the dog belonged to a kind hearted grocer in Caen. Despite a good life, Moustache found a new one after having seen a regiment of French grenadiers passing through town. The poodle took a liking to the men and followed them as they marched along the streets. After three days, the drum major allowed Moustache to accompany the unit on campaign.
Moustache headed to Italy, crossing the Great St Bernard Pass through the Alps, with Napoleon Bonaparte's army. On one stormy night in the spring of 1800, while the regiment camped near Belbo, Moustache alerted the soldiers of a sneak attack as the Austrians approached. His early warning allowed the French to repulse their attack. For his heroism, Moustache was formally placed on the roll as a grenadier. He was given a collar bearing the regiment's name, and was entitled to a grenadier's rations and a once a week grooming from the unit's barber.
Shortly after, while en route to Spinetta Marengo, Moustache was injured in his left shoulder from a bayonet. He was treated but not fully recovered during the battle of Marengo. Despite his injury, he participated in the battle. "He marched always keeping close to the banner, which he learned to recognize among a hundred: and... never ceased barking, until evening closed upon the combatants of Marengo." It was also around this time that Moustache saved the life of an officer who was being attacked by the enemy's dog. Moustache fought the larger and stronger dog until the other dog was shot dead, but lost an ear from the musket ball that killed the Austrian dog. Shortly after the French victory at Marengo, Moustache left the grenadiers and joined a company of mounted cuirassiers.
In 1805, during the battle of Austerlitz, Moustache received a medal for his bravery and dedication after recovering the French flag from a fallen regimental standard bearer, and losing a leg from an artillery blast while doing it. His medal was engraved with the words "He lost his leg in the battle of Austerlitz and saved the colors of his regiment." Moustache's reputation was well known and orders were given that wherever he goes "he should be welcomed, en camarade; and thus he continued to follow the army. Having but three paws and one ear."
In 1809, during the battle of Essling, Moustache met a female poodle amongst the enemy. She followed Moustache back to the French camp, they stayed together for about a year, and even had a litter of puppies which the women in the camp took care of.
Moustache moved on, following a unit to Spain. On March 11, 1812, the heroic poodle was struck by a cannonball and killed during the battle of Badajoz. It is said Moustache was buried on the battlefield with a gravestone engraved with the words "Here lies the brave Moustache."