Italian Campaign (1799). Military Hospital of the besieged city of TORTONA. Collection of 10 letters addressed from Fort St Victor to Citizen DENILLE, war commissioner, between June and August 1799. 18905-1

Campaign in Italy (1799). Military Hospital in the besieged city of TORTONE. Collection of 10 letters addressed from Fort St Victor to Citizen DENILLE, war commissioner, between June and August 1799. 18905-1

Beautiful collection of 10 letters with signatures addressed from Fort St Victor between June and August 1799 to Citizen DENILLE, war commissioner, by BASTIDE, steward of the military hospital of the fort, MILLIÈRE, surgeon in charge of the care of the wounded, and CLAVEL, storekeeper of siege supplies. They concern the care to be given to the wounded and the necessary equipment for such care.
"… the two nurses, Citizen, attached to the fever ward have fallen ill. I ask you to replace them immediately so that this service does not suffer. The doctor writes to me that two nurses are not enough given the quantity of his patients which increases every day..."
"… I must point out to you that some of the shirts listed in the inventory are being worn by the sick or nurses and that those in stock or at the laundry are almost as bad as the ones that will be brought, except for a few that have been made for the wounded.
"… the little linen we have requires prompt measures so that the patients are cared for as they deserve..."
"… in accordance with your letter yesterday, I am sending you, Citizen, the list of items I need for the evacuation of the wounded..."
"… the little linen we have requires prompt measures so that the patients are cared for as they deserve..."
"… I am sending you, Citizen, the inventory you asked me for [...] the utensils available in the pharmacy are included. The pharmacists still refuse to give me a receipt for the items they have in their possession..."
"… a lot of wounded have just arrived today, all the pots and bowls I had have been distributed and not everyone has been served [...] I wrote to you to have some benches, and no one has brought any. I am forced to put mattresses on the ground. Act, my dear, time is precious and the circumstances are very urgent..."
"… today I informed you, Citizen, of the shortage I was experiencing regarding lint. The women refuse to make it. See to it, I beg you, that the most prompt means are taken so that this object of prime necessity is provided..."
"… the great occupation we have daily in the wounded ward, and the only surgeon I have under my command at the moment preventing me from complying with the regulations, I invite you, Citizen, to be kind enough to share the burdens of your colleagues, and to perform all the surgical operations that he deems necessary in his ward..."

Letters in good condition.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Suvorov, who is entrusted with the combined command of the Austrian troops, defeats three French armies and recaptures, in favor of the Coalition, all the ground conquered by Bonaparte.
He immediately launches his army into large-scale operations aimed at quickly taking Turin. The French, retreating to Tortone (east of Alexandria and south of Milan), he sends Rosenberg and the Russian corps along the Po. Apart from a notable combat to try to save the garrison of TORTONE on May 16, Moreau cannot really resist, given his small forces compared to those of the Austro-Russian army. He gradually falls back towards Genoa, sheltered by the Ligurian mountains. The two pincers of the allied army close in around mid-June, between Alexandria and Tortone, where the entire Suvorov army is once again concentrated. Besides Joubert, killed, Pérignon, Grouchy, and Colli are wounded and captured. French losses amount to 10,000 men. The citadels of Milan, Turin, and Tortone thus succumb to the enterprises of the allies before the end of August.