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This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2002 Jun 25 @ 10:00UTC-08:00 : PST/AKDT
(1769 - 1821) The "Little Corporal" whose brilliance in the field of battle and as Emperor of France has made him perhaps the most important figure of post-Renaissance Europe. Superb content, lengthy L.S. "Napole" 6pp. 4to., Paris, Apr. 9, 1811, just before the conclusion of the disastrous Portugal Campaign, Napoleon writes a series of revealing instructions to Berthier, in part: "...I would like you to send the son of Senator Porches [?], aide-de-camp to Prince of Essling tonight. He will carry several copies of today's Moniteur, which you will address to the Prince...You will send word to the Prince of Essling that since a dispatch rider has been captured, it is feared this will cause a delay, because between the dispatch brought by Colonel Pelot and the one written on the 27th from Guarda, no others have been received...Send a duplicate of yesterday's with this...to the Prince...Inform him that I have given the command of the First Division of the Sixth Corps to Gen. Foy...there is no need to reappoint Gen. Massena...he must hurry the arms to Alameda, since it seems that much time is needed to destroy this place...Order the major general to hasten the departure of Gen. Drouot with his corps to Andulusia...This is very important since it is feared that the British will try anything to raise the siege on Cadiz. He should take steps to protect Alameda and Cuidad Rodrigo, and on another front, make contact with Madrid and Seville...Write...to the Duc d'Istrie so he will hurry the departure of all provisional regiments, which should go to Andulusia...Inform Madrid that it is urgent that they contact the Price of Essling...he needs powder, munitions, and supplies, and we must try and get him some through Alcantrara and Plasencia...Inform Gen. Belliard that we are impatiently awaiting news from Andulusia; the Third corps under the orders of Suchet, was reinforced with 16,000 men and this coming May, this General intends to lay siege of Tarragona, a difficult undertaking given the lack of supplies, but decisive, given the submission of the province that will follow. Gen. Quesnell [?] has entered Puycerda, and is maneuvering to lay siege upon Urgel; Campo Verde, drawn into a trap in the trenches at Mountlouis, lost 3,000 men...Get word to Gen. Belliard that he needs to push the patrols toward Cordoue, in order to get news from the Army in Andulusia. Write to the Duc de Dalmatie, send him the Moniteur, and inform him that Gen. Suchet...is going to lay siege to Tarragona...Tell him about the position of the Prince of Essling, the need to make contact with this army, whose primary goal is to contain Lord Wellington, and to combine his operation with the Middle Army...If you have a code for him, you will write to him in code that two French frigates and an 800-ton barge, loaded with war munitions and 600 landing troops, have left Toulon for Malaga...If you do not have a code, you will have to content yourself with saying this personally to the officer who will repeat it to the Duc d'Istrie...Inform the Duc de Raguse that I have appointed Gen. Foy to command the First Division of the Sixth Corps...give orders to this General to stay ready to depart...". Napoleon's 1810 campaign in Portugal, led by General Andre Massena, began optimistically, but his army was repulsed by Wellington at Bussaco in late September, and a winter of increasing frustration followed. By March 1811, Massena was forced to retreat toward Spain, leaving, by April 1811, Alameda as the only French stronghold. Five days before this letter, Massena was defeated by Wellington once again, resulting in his dismissal by Napoleon, as evidenced in this letter. Recalled to France, he was replaced by AUGUSTE-FREDERIC MARMONT, Duc de Raguse (1774-1852), one of Napoleon's most powerful officers. Gen. MAXIMILIEN SEBASTIEN FOY (1775-1825), was sent by Massena to explain the situation in Torres Vedras, and was promoted to Division General in Feb. 1811, commanding a division of the Sixth Corps in Portugal. AUGUSTE-DANIEL BELLIARD (1769-1832) served Murat as chief of staff before holding other senior posts during the Peninsula wars. LOUIS GABRIEL SUCHET (1770-1826), was one of Napoleon's most trusted marshals, serving with distinction in numerous battles in Spain with the Army of Aragon. On July 8, 1811, he was awarded a baton as Marshal of the Empire for his service. Boldly signed and very good.
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