International Autograph Auctions Ltd.
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NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. An extremely rare L.S., Nap, one page, 4to, Moscow, 5th October 1812, to the Duc de Feltre, Minister of war, in French. Napoleon sends an urgent order from Moscow, and states in full, ´Monsieur le Duc de Feltre, the 500 mills that I have requested must reach the station. By military cartage they will never arrive in time to be of any use for us. I pray God to keep you under his saintly protection ' With the small 12mo original holograph note of receipt neatly pinned to the lower left corner. A letter of good content. Some extremely light, minor age wear, VG £5000 - 8000The French Invasion of Russia began on 24th June 1812 when Napoleon's Grande Armee crossed the Neman River in an attempt to engage and defeat the Russian army. Napoleon entered Moscow in September, just a few weeks before the present letter was written, although there was no delegation to meet the Emperor. The Russians had evacuated the city, and the city's governor, Count Fyodor Rostopchin had ordered the city to be burnt. Napoleon's hopes had been set upon a victorious end to his campaign, but victory in the field did not yield him victory in the war. The loss of Moscow did not compel Alexander I to sue for peace, and both sides were aware that Napoleon's position grew worse with each passing day. After a month, concerned about the loss of control back in France, Napoleon and his army left and the campaign effectively ended on 14th December 1812, with the last French troops leaving Russian soil. The campaign was the decisive turning point in the Napoleonic Wars and the reputation of the Emperor had been severely shaken. Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader, rose to prominence during the French Revolution and, as Napoleon I, served as Emperor of the French from 1804-14, and again in 1815. Napoleon dominated European and global affairs for more than a decade while leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars. He was victorious in most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815. One of the greatest commanders in history, Napoleon's political and cultural legacy has ensured his status as one of the most celebrated and controversial leaders in history.
