 With his squadron took part in the Battle of Marengo where, though half his men fell, he led charge after charge.By a decree of 1 February 1805 Eugène was created Arch-Chancellor of State the French Empire.As commander of the Imperial Guard (successor to the Consular Guard), Eugène preceded his step-father to Milan ahead of Napoleon's coronation as King of Italy on 26 May 1805.