Lot 691

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Description:

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
(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. Fine content early manuscript D.S. "Bonaparte" on attractive engraved "Republique Francaise" letterhead also engraved: "Bonaparte General en Chef de L'Armee d'Italie", 2pp. sm. folio, "General Headquarters of Passeriano", Aug. 28, 1797 to Gen. Baraguay d'Hilliers (1764-1813), at this time serving with Bonaparte's Army of Italy during the Italian Campaign. D'Hilliers joined the army at the age of twenty and served as Custine's chief of staff, but unlike his senior, escaped the guillotine during the Revolution. After his arrest on suspicion of royalist sympathies, the young officer (later general) participated in the capture of Bergamo, led a brigade at the Battle of Rivoli, and was appointed governor of Venice. D'Hilliers would later fight under Bonaparte in Egypt, Germany, and in the disastrous Russian campaign where his division marched into the jaws of the advancing Russian army. Having defeated the Austrians in Italy and driven them across the Alps, Napoleon sets about consolidating France's dominion over Venice. In part: "...there are more than 2,000 guns in Venice with which to arm the Duicalier Legion...give 1,000 to the Cisalpine Legion and distribute the rest of them to the Venetian National Guard, making sure they get the worst of them. The general staff of their National Guard can be divided into ranks different from those of the French general staff. See and consult with Citizen Roubaud in order for five ships furnished by the Republic of Venice have half the cannons in iron, half in bronze...". Fine condition, with a bold signature.

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July 21, 2011 11:30 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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