Lot #248

Napoleon Handwritten Letter Draft on the Defense of Marseille: "Tell me about the state of the field artillery or the siege artillery"

Description

Handwritten draft of a military letter by Napoleon Bonaparte, preparing the defense of Marseille in 1794: "Tell me about the state of the field artillery or the siege artillery"

Unsigned handwritten draft of a letter in French by Napoleon Bonaparte, one page both sides, 7.5 x 11.75, no date but circa 1794. Handwritten draft to a general about a project for the defense of Marseille, after the Siege of Toulon. In part (translated): "Please tell me about the state of the field artillery or the siege artillery. I inform you that I have instructed 25 men from Jourdan company to remain in Marseilles until further notice, as well as a replacement of the worker troops. Aside from the artillery that could be attached to the various battalions, there is still a company of gunners from Paris here." Napoleon further asks for a summary report on the battalions and a "statement of the situation of their cartridge supplies and the state of their armament," while emphasizing the urgency of getting things in order. In fine condition. Accompanied by an export certificate from the French Ministry of Culture.

Napoleon was appointed commander of the artillery in 1793 during the siege of the city of Toulon, held by insurgent moderate revolutionaries and royalists. The insurgents were supported by the British fleet. Eliminating this potential bridgehead for the British Army was therefore of great importance.

For Napoleon, the success of Toulon was an important step in his coming ascent. He was promoted to général de brigade on December 22nd, and when his wound was healed in early 1794, he was appointed commander of the Armée d'Italie set up in Nice. After the fall of the Jacobin rule, Napoleon was temporarily imprisoned as a partisan of Robespierre, but was soon released again. His military career suffered a setback due to the political change and led to the loss of his command. A desirable handwritten piece on military matters by the legendary French leader.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts
• Dates: #674 - Ended September 13, 2023

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