Antoine Drouot commanded the Imperial Guard at Waterloo in Marshal Mortier’s absence. Mortier, the Guard’s usual senior commander, was unable to take part in the campaign because of a severe attack of sciatica, so Drouot assumed command during the Waterloo campaign.
Drouot was an experienced artillery officer who had risen to the rank of general of division and served as one of Napoleon’s trusted aides. He had commanded the Imperial Guard’s artillery in earlier campaigns and was respected for his technical expertise, calm judgment, and personal loyalty to Napoleon.
At Waterloo, Drouot remained close to Napoleon during the battle’s final crisis, including the retreat of the Imperial Guard. He was not the same officer as Michel Ney, who commanded French forces elsewhere in the battle, or Emmanuel de Grouchy, who led the French wing pursuing the Prussians. Drouot later accompanied Napoleon during the retreat and remained associated with the Guard after the defeat.