LS in French, signed “Np,” one page, 7 x 9, January 18, 1813. Letter to Clarke, Duke de Feltre, Minister of War. In part (translated): “The 1000 men in the six horse-drawn Artillery Regiments don’t seem necessary to me since they have been granted 1,800 men on mounts and outfitted by the departments. We will draw them from the Departments that have Artillery Schools. The 1,000 men in the baggage train companies that will receive 8,000 horses seem necessary to me; as well as the 1,000 men for the baggage train storehouses. I suppose you have included in it the batallion which is being organized in Verona. The 400 men destined for the Guard should not be included. The Guard will draw its reserves in the depots. It will be necessary to deploy these 400 men differently.” Attached by a pin in the lower left is a note which reads, “Transmitted January 19 to General Gassendi,” followed by a penciled notation, “Dictated to Baron Mounier.” A pencil notation written at the bottom in an unknown hand reads, “Here concerned are the Regiments offered by the Departments after Moscow.” In fine condition. Although Napoleon had pushed the Russians past Moscow, and entered the city under the assumption Alexander would surrender, the Russians instead burned the city. As concerns about his control over France arose, the French left the city after a month of occupation, and their numbers were decimated during the retreat during the harsh Russian winter. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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