The Eagle was the French equivalent of the British Regimental Colour. The regimental flag was nailed to the wooden staff, but it was the Eagle above which was important. It was a symbol of both the Regiment and the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. To lose the Eagle in battle was to dishonour France. This Eagle was surrendered by the 82nd French Regiment when the British force, which included the Royal Welch Fusiliers, captured Martinique on 24 February 1809.