Nov 07, 2017 - Sale 2461

Sale 2461 - Lot 68

Price Realized: $ 1,690
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
PREPARING FOR INVASION OF RUSSIA NAPOLÉON. Letter Signed, "Nap," to his Minister of War the Duc de Feltre, in French, requesting confirmation of his orders to form two battalions at Turin. 1 page, 4to; moderate foxing overall, remnants of prior hinging at upper edge verso, pinholes at lower left. "Trianon" [Versailles], 14 July 1811
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"I have ordered the formation of a march battalion in Turin composed of one or two of the companies of the 67th, 7th of the line, 1st light, 3rd light, 42nd. Let me know if the battalion has been formed.
"I have likewise ordered the formation of a march battalion of the 20th, 10th and 101st of the line. I want to be informed of the execution of these orders. . . ."
The battalions mentioned in this letter are likely two of the five assembled at Turin as part of the Illyrian Regiment created in the decree of November 16, 1810. Because of supply and desertion problems, only four of the Turin battalions went on to join the campaign against Russia under Marshal Michel Ney in August 1812. See Guy C. Dempsey, Napoleon's Mercenaries, London, 2016.