<P> The regular garrison consisted of 82 invalides ( veteran soldiers no longer suitable for service in the field ) . It had however been reinforced on 7 July by 32 grenadiers of the Swiss Salis - Samade Regiment from the regular troops on the Champ de Mars . The walls mounted 18 eight - pound guns and 12 smaller pieces . The governor was Bernard - René de Launay , son of the previous governor and actually born within the Bastille . </P>
<P> The regular garrison consisted of 82 invalides ( veteran soldiers no longer suitable for service in the field ) . It had however been reinforced on 7 July by 32 grenadiers of the Swiss Salis - Samade Regiment from the regular troops on the Champ de Mars . The walls mounted 18 eight - pound guns and 12 smaller pieces . The governor was Bernard - René de Launay , son of the previous governor and actually born within the Bastille . </P>
who was defending the bastille when it was attacked
who was defending the bastille when it was attacked
32 grenadiers of the Swiss Salis - Samade Regiment
32 grenadiers of the Swiss Salis - Samade Regiment