Campaign in Russia. LETTER FROM GENERAL COUNT LOUIS NICOLAS LECLERC DES ESSARTS TO GENERAL GUDIN, Swaski, June 20, 1812. 18906-5

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Russian Campaign. LETTER FROM GENERAL COUNT LOUIS NICOLAS LECLERC DES ESSARTS TO GENERAL GUDIN, Swaski, June 20, 1812. 18906-5

Three days before the crossing of the Niemen, 1st Corps of Marshal Davout, 3rd Division of General Gudin.
Signed autograph letter.
"Swaski, June 20, 1812.
My General,
I have the honor to send you Mr. Desmoustier (?) my aide-de-camp to receive your orders for tomorrow. I am all the more eager to receive them as the vanguard commanded by Mr. Chief de Bon Margerie has gone astray [...] I am awaiting tomorrow's orders to give it a destination that involves the least possible detour.
It is inconceivable to what extent pillaging is rampant, all the neighboring villages and houses are devastated by neighboring troops such as the 15th light, 17th, 30th, 33rd, they kill hens, sheep, break into cupboards, beat up the peasants to get their money ... It is impossible to imagine the despair of the inhabitants who are abandoning all their homes [...] It is absolutely necessary to take measures of the utmost severity to stop such banditry. We would only be commanding brigands and scoundrels if we do not tackle this issue decisively .. [...]."

1 and a half pages.
H 22.5 cm x 18.5 cm.
Very good condition, fold marks.

* Louis Nicolas Marin LECLERC DES ESSARTS, born on April 25, 1770 in Pontoise (Val-d'Oise) and died on May 18, 1820 in Paris, was a French general of the Revolution and the Empire.
He was the brother of General Victor Emmanuel Leclerc.

** GUDIN DE LA SABLONNIÈRE César Charles Étienne, Count, Divisional General.
Born in Montargis (Loiret) on February 13, 1768, died in Smolensk from wounds received at Valutina on August 22, 1812. He was noble and the son of an officer in the Artois regiment; his uncle became General Étienne Gudin.
[..]; served in Russia, 1812; at the attack on Smolensk, August 17; was mortally struck by a cannonball that took off his thigh and shattered his calf at the Battle of Valutina, August 19, 1812. He was transported to Smolensk where he died. The name of General Gudin is inscribed on the East side of the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile.

Reference : 18906-5

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