NAPOLEON I (Emperor of France). Unpublished letter signed ('Np') addressed to the Comte de Cessac ('Ministre pour l'Administration de la Guerre'), St Cloud, 29 April 1812, in French, replying to a report about requirements for cavalry horses for the Army of Spain, forcefully rejecting the proposed transfer of 2400 horses, including 144 horses for cuirassiers, which must not be moved, because it would be impossible to replace them in Poland, referring also to the Dragoons, the Light Horse and Hussars, demanding further information and saying that the surplus horses may be used for 'la Grande Armee dont la consommation en chevaux ne peut etre qu'extremement considerable' and preferring to leave the horses where they are, 'dans une guerre active, il n'y a plan, ni complet ni effectif pour la force du Regimen puisque du soir au matin cette force peut changer', and giving further instructions and reminders, written in a secretary's hand, signed at the foot, 3 1/2 pages 4to, annotated in a different hand in the upper margin of the first page 'traité par rapport envoié le 30 avril no. 850' (traces of guard at centre fold)

Details

NAPOLEON I (Emperor of France). Unpublished letter signed ('Np') addressed to the Comte de Cessac ('Ministre pour l'Administration de la Guerre'), St Cloud, 29 April 1812, in French, replying to a report about requirements for cavalry horses for the Army of Spain, forcefully rejecting the proposed transfer of 2400 horses, including 144 horses for cuirassiers, which must not be moved, because it would be impossible to replace them in Poland, referring also to the Dragoons, the Light Horse and Hussars, demanding further information and saying that the surplus horses may be used for 'la Grande Armee dont la consommation en chevaux ne peut etre qu'extremement considerable' and preferring to leave the horses where they are, 'dans une guerre active, il n'y a plan, ni complet ni effectif pour la force du Regimen puisque du soir au matin cette force peut changer', and giving further instructions and reminders, written in a secretary's hand, signed at the foot, 3 1/2 pages 4to, annotated in a different hand in the upper margin of the first page 'traité par rapport envoié le 30 avril no. 850' (traces of guard at centre fold)

Lot Essay

A brisk letter, written during the preparations for the Russian campaign, when Napoleon issued a stream of orders from the Palais de St Cloud. The army was particularly strong in cavalry and, mindful of the lessons of the 1807 campaign, the Emperor attended to its requirements and supply services in minute detail - in the present letter he reminds the Minister to attend to the requirements for harness. The army for the invasion of Russia was assembled along the line of the Niemen six weeks later

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