During the Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars Brigadier Le Gouce and Private (rank) Jean-Louis forfeit their horses. Afraid of a severe punishment both lie to Captain Georges. They just make up a story about them having been the target of a selective ambush. Little later their regiment is annihilated by an Austrian attack. Only the two humbuggers are lucky enough to survive. Napoleon has them celebrated as heroes and thus they get into the books of history.