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 engraved "Republique Francaise" letterhead also engraved: "Bonaparte General en Chef de L'Armee d'Italie", 1p. sm. folio, "General Headquarters of Verona", Nov. 1, 1796 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. In part: "...You will find here attached a letter for General Cervoni, if he hasn't yet arrived you will review the 1st Battalion of this Legion and give me an account of its armament, equipment and personnel and let me know if it is ready to move. You haven't yet told me if the 1st Battalion of the 40 1/2 Brigade, which was supposed to arrive on the 10th, has done so. Give me a report on the situation. Chasseloup should have received the order to return here...tell him to pass by Mantua...Berthier is complaining that you didn't send him an exact account of the events of the 19th which is important for us to have...". Fine condition, with a bold signature. This letter shows Napoleon's preparations two weeks before the crucial battle at Arcole where he would outflank the Austrians who sought to lift the siege at Mantua. François, Marquis de Chasseloup-Laubat was an engineer and later a general -- he would also lead troops in Italy. Jean-Baptiste Cervoni brilliantly led a brigade in Italy, but would lose his head to a cannonball at Eckmuhl in 1809.

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October 10, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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