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Auction: 20025 - Historical Documents, Postal History and Autographs
Lot: 596

Napoleonic Wars
Napoleon Bonaparte I, Emperor of France
1810 (22 Aug.) LS to Marshal Clarke, Duke of Feltre (Minister of War) from Fontainebleau with note pinned to foot that the letter was received by M Gerars and forwarded to M Barnier. Napoleon gives orders to create the Corfu garrison which was to be made up of men from three companies of 200 men each from the battalions at Porto Ferraio, Bastia, and Ajaccio. The men are to head for Leghorn and from there to Rome where they are to be reviewed by the Major of the 14th Regiment of Light Infantry. The Major is to remove any that look 'puny' and under equipped, provide them with what they need and send them on to Otranto and finally Corfu where they will be under the command of General Donzelot. The General is given the option to use the Non-Commissioned Officers in the Regiment to increase the Corfu garrison by 600 men, with the possible addition of 200 pioneers travelling from Alexandria. Signed "Napoleon". A fascinating document.

In Napoleon's attempts to gain control over the Adriatic, Corfu (ceded to the French by Russia in 1807) was kept well supplied with men and supplies. This letter is a wonderful example of Napoleon's military organisation and his desire to maintain control over Corfu.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£650