Manuscript DS in French, signed “Bonaparte,” one page both sides, 9.25 x 14.75, ornate General en Chef de L'Armée d'Italie letterhead, June 4, 1797. Official order to General Baraguey D'Hilliers issued by Napoleon Bonaparte as "General en Chef de L'Armée d'Italie," nicely signed at the conclusion with his surname. Napoleon sends specific instructions for the formation of a naval flotilla to cross the Adriatic and occupy the Venetian-held island of Corfu near Greece. In full (translated): "After the explanations which you gave me, Citizen General, I approve the departure of the two ships for the expedition to Corfou on the 14'; but I demand absolutely that there command on one the German Citizen and on the other the citizen Bourde who will fulfill the functions of Rear Admiral.
Have half of the sailors on the two ships be French and have the garrison be French. I do not see any necessity in your proposal of accompanying the warships with four or five armed French ships; and I prefer to insure these two warships and let the others be made up of Venetians sailing under their flag.
There should be a third ship in the port of Venice ready to leave; if you can supply it with half the French accoutrements and a good French garrison there is no reason not to let it leave.
The two, or even three ships if possible, with two frigates and one of the two brigs which Bourde commands, as well as the several Venetian brigs manned by Venetians, will be sufficient. There will remain in Venice the Corvette La Brune and one of the two brigs under the command of Bourde.
The three warships will be named: 1. De La Harve; 2. Le Stengel; 3. Le Berrand.
They can, as of today, be considered as part of the French Navy. Let me know what year the ships were built and whether they are good. As I do not wish to cause any delay in the departure of the courier, you will communicate this letter to the Citizen Bourde and the General Gentili." Impressively mounted and cloth-matted with a copy of the front of the document, as well as a portrait, to an overall size of 35 x 22.75. In fine condition.
On April 2, 1796, Napoleon led his army forward into Italy. He was badly outnumbered—his 38,000 French soldiers faced 38,000 Austrians plus 25,000 Piedmontese allied soldiers. In two weeks, Napoleon crushed the Piedmont army with lightning attacks. He then pursued the Austrians who retreated to the east, bewildered by the 26-year-old general and his new way of waging war. In this Italian campaign, Bonaparte's army captured 150,000 prisoners, 540 cannons, and 170 standards.
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