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Lot 369
Napoleon I (1769-1821) Brilliant general known as the "Little Corporal"; self-crowned emperor of the French. Superb content, Letter Signed ("Napol") as emperor, Paris, April 9, 1811, 6 pp, quarto, during the disastrous Peninsular Campaign. Napoleon sends lengthy, important instructions, probably to Berthier. In part: "…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…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 Andalusia….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 Ciudad 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 Andalusia….Inform Madrid that it is urgent that they contact the Prince 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 Andalusia; 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….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 Cordova….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 G. 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 André Massena, began optimistically, but his army was repulsed by Wellington at Bussaco in late September, followed by a winter of increasing frustration. By March 1811, Massena was forced to retreat toward Spain, leaving 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 by this letter. Recalled to France, he was replaced by Auguste-Frédéric Marmont, Due de Raguse, one of Napoleon's most powerful officers. Gen. Foy 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 served Murat as chief of staff before holding other senior posts during the Peninsula wars. Louis Gabriel Suchet 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. Light toning and soiling; small tape hinges at right edge of last page. Accompanied by a translation. Boldly signed. Very good condition.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200.
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| Realized $1,955 |
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