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Napoleon

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Napoleon

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Auction Date:2010 Apr 14 @ 10:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
LS in French, signed “Nap,” one page both sides, 7.25 x 9, March 17, 1809. Letter to general Clarke. In full, translated: “I am receiving your letter dated March 17. It is first necessary that the 800 men destined for the 3rd, 26th and 93rd line, leave Sunday with their Corps uniform, if it is possible. – Let me know to whom are the 1010 men destined to that the guard conscripts have to provide for General Oudinot’s Corps; For lack of conscripts from previous years, we could have them provided by the 1810’s ones, the following way: the guard 2500 infantrymen strong today must be brought up to 3200. They therefore will need 700 men. My intention is that the guard takes one tenth from the 1810’s conscripts. Therefore from the 3000 1810’s conscripts existing at present, the guard will choose 300 who will leave right away to the infantrymen. As soon as that a 4th thousand has arrived, the guard will choose another 100, and so on until the rest of the thousand that the guard has to get; by this mean the infantrymen will be brought to 3300, and it is better that there are one hundred more than less. When the 1st choice is made, one should take for General Oudinot’s Corps the more handsome and strong from the 2700 remaining; they should be dressed and be ready to go in two 500 men detachment each; the 1st detachment will leave on March 25 and the 2nd first days of April. Give orders accordingly.

Sunday I will be introduced to the parade: 1. the 800 men who are to leave for Duke de Rivoli Corps, a number should be given to this Rhine observation marching battalion; I think that several have left already. 2. The 300 men that will be chosen for the infantrymen and who will be set aside. 3. The 1000 men for General Oudinot’s Corps, and at last in 3rd line, all the conscripts who would have arrived, who would be dressed either with uniform, or simply with trousers and jacket and even without rifles if they don’t have any yet. - By this mean, I will see at least 3000 conscripts on Sunday. - And now I pray to God that he keeps you under his Holy guard.” In fine condition, with paperclip impression along top edge, light block of toning to top left corner, and some mild show-through from writing on opposing sides.

Nicolas Oudinot, whose troops are being reorganized by Napoleon in this letter, was a high-ranking and highly decorated officer. In July 1809, four months after Napoleon had finished rearranging many of the units under Oudinot’s command—and after they had completed their celebration of Napoleon in the referenced parade—Oudinot and his men partook in the Battle of Wagram. His heroics, as well as those of his troops, earned him a promotion to Marshal of France. The Battle of Wagram, waged over two days in July 1809, saw Napoleon and his forces—a coalition of French, German, Italian soldiers—defeat an army of the Austrian Empire. Excellent military content. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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