From page 92 of the THIRD NOTE-BOOK of Captain Coignet:
We set out for Tours following the appointed halting- places, and on arriving there we were received by General Beauchou, who presented to us an old soldier who had served eighty-four years as a private in our half-brigade. The Consul had given him, on retiring, the privilege of eating at the general's table; he was one hundred and two years old, and his son was in command of a battalion. A chair was brought for him; he wore the uniform of an officer, but without epaulets. There was still in the corps a sergeant of his time, who had served thirty-three years.
Photo of this veteran of Napoleon's army was taken around 1857, which would make him old, not 102, but old. Like me.
Original black & white images can be found here.
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