Jun 16, 2022 - Sale 2609

Sale 2609 - Lot 113

Price Realized: $ 390
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 400 - $ 600
ANNOUNCING VICTORY AFTER THE BATTLE OF RASTATT (NAPOLÉON.) MOREAU, JEAN VICTOR. Autograph Letter Signed, "Moreau," with a postscript Signed, "JVM," to General Pierre Marie Barthélemy Ferino, in French, reporting a solid victory at Rastatt, suggesting the possibility that Prince Charles [Archduke Charles?] was present, noting that General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan has written that the conflict generally is moving in their favor, requesting that he drive the enemy out of Breisgau and send frequent news, reporting substantial losses, and, in a postscript, reporting that Prince Charles is engaging reserve troops, stating that he ordered a unit to join General Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr, and requesting that the enemy at Kehl be disposed of. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, written on recto and verso of a single sheet; marked bleedthrough, folds. Baden, [6 July 1796]

Additional Details

"We beat the enemy well yesterday at Rastatt, my dear General. Prince Charles was there, it is said; it is certain that he marched there with reinforcements. Jourdan writes to me that it is in our favor, but there is not a moment to lose. You must, my dear general, make an effort to drive the enemy out of Breisgau . . . . Leave with little and only the bare necessities . . . and surely you will be able to do it. I know that . . . these troops . . . evacuate[d] Freiburg and withdr[e]w their batteries above the Rhine . . . . [A]bove all act. Freudenstadt's position will make them wary . . . . Give me your news often. Today we reconcile our losses of yesterday; they are quite substantial, especially in artillery. . . ."
The postscript: "I just heard that Prince Charles is taking his reserve of Saxons and other troops. I gave the order to send to Saint-Cyr . . . the 17th light infantry. You can dispose of those . . . who are in Kehl. . . . This will give you about 16,000 men and surely you will be more capable than we . . . . Above all try to beat the enemy . . . ."