In connection with that, however, there was an unfortunate incident. On the Field of Mars were displayed also the old Army colours of the Consulate, which, as has been said, had been brought to Paris at the order of the War Minister by the regimental deputations. Paraded together with the new Eagles they helped to render the scene the more striking; but their presence led to an unforeseen complication, and in the end a deplorable _contretemps_. The standard-bearers who had received the Eagles were each, in addition, still carrying the old regimental flag. They had to carry both. No instructions had been given out--by oversight, most probably--as to the giving up of the old flags, or what was to be done with them. [Sidenote: ALL DID NOT WANT THE EAGLES] It may have been that Napoleon desired that the standards of the Consulate and the Eagles of the Empire should be displayed together on that day. None knew better than he the deep attachment of the older men in the ranks for their former battle-flags. Some of the old soldiers, indeed, even there on the Field of Mars, as we are told, were unable to restrain their feelings at the idea of having to part that day from their old colours. “More than one tear was shed,” relates an officer, “amidst all the cheering and shouts of ‘Vive l’Empereur!’” Enthusiastically as most of the soldiers might welcome the new Eagles in the presence of the Emperor, all did not desire to part with colours which had led through the battle-smoke on many a victorious field of the past, even in exchange for the glittering “Cou-cous,” as barrack-room slang had already dubbed Napoleon’s Eagles, giving them in advance a soldier’s nickname that stuck to them as long as the Army of the Empire lasted. Both sets of standards were carried in the march past, which proceeded without incident to a certain point.