Hi Noel,

that is an interesting questions. I thought they were used as messengers and guards of the General.

How can 20 men protect somebody against a huge mob which attacks? So I would say maybe they acted as a kind of bodygouard against any enemy.

cheers
Uwe

Maybe they could give him a bit of time for him to get away! Although Paris would probably look on his retreat as Aristocratic cowardice and cut his head off. Revolutionery France was not a good time to be an senior officer in the French Army.