LS in French, signed “Napol,” one page both sides, 7.25 x 9, April 5, 1809. Letter to his adopted son Eugene reads, in part (translated): “I strongly approve of your having prepared 6 canons on 6 mountain gun carriages for following the army. But here is what has to be done to complete this plan; organize a mountain team…on sleds used as gun carriages…and two howitzers…In Mantua these gun carriage sleds, similar to those I used in my War in the Alps, will be built in 6 days…That way you will have 12 pieces of mountain artillery…they will be able to go anywhere that a horse can pass…The canons should be able to fire 150 shots…600 shots for the 4 pieces…and 300 for the two howitzers. To implement this it is necessary to have 10 small caissons (ammunition carts) pulled by mules…It is also necessary to organize two brigades of pack mules, each consisting of 36 mules, 20 of them loaded with caliber 6 cartridges, 30 loaded with howitzer cartridges and 22 loaded with infantry cartridges. That way you will be able to launch a division of 8,000 to 10,000 men into the campaign and be sure that neither artillery nor cartridges will be lacking.” In fine condition, with a central vertical fold. While in Egypt during his 1798 Campaign, Napoleon received news that Austrian forces had retaken Italy, demanding his return to Paris; in order to launch a surprise assault on the Austrian army stationed in the Cisalpine Republic, Napoleon led his army of 40,000 on the now-legendary trek through the Alps. Referring to his epic action, he here offers his son Eugene, one of the ablest of his relatives, advice. The advice seemingly did not help, as Eugene was defeated by the Austrian army at the Battle of Sacile less than two weeks later. An outstanding letter rife with strategic military content. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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