ILLUSTRATED LETTER FROM SOLDIER FRANCOIS BAUDET, a rifleman in the 26th Light Infantry in Metz, TO HIS UNCLE AND AUNT GIRARD, dated May 17, 1808. 18880-4

ILLUSTRATED LETTER FROM SOLDIER FRANCOIS BAUDET, hunter in the 26th Light Infantry in Metz, TO HIS UNCLE AND AUNTY GIRARD, May 17, 1808. 18880-4

Illustrated letter with colored vignette (soldier surrounded by flags, cannons, cannonballs, drum, etc.) with letterhead "FRENCH EMPIRE."
Letter with address "Monsieur Gerad at the Inn in the town of Azay-le-Rideau near the Loire River at Rondis cement from the Tour commune to the Chapel commune of Chelit."
Which translates to: Mr. Girard, Innkeeper of Azay-le-Rideau, Indre-et-Loire Department, Tour Arrondissement, Chapel Commune, Chelit Commune (?).

"Mass on May 17, 1808.
My dear uncle and my dear aunt,
I am writing this letter to inform you of your well-being, as mine is very good. I hope this letter finds you in the same state. I also tell you, my dear uncle, that we arrived in Strasbourg on the sixth of May and were dressed on the seventh, and we departed on the eleventh to go down to Metz in Lorraine where we have arrived well and in good condition. We are much better here than in Strasbourg.
Bread costs two sous per pound and wine four sous per bottle, but we only get one sou a day. Please send my best regards to all my relatives and friends, as well as to my brothers and sisters. We have covered 200 leagues since we left. I am still with my comrades Grelin, but we do not share a bed. I must tell you, dear family, that I cannot be in the cavalry due to my condition. There are even some in our company who are in a worse state. I will be happy to finish my training to work in my profession. Nothing else to report at the moment, I finish by sending all my love
Your nephew, please reply promptly with the following address

To Mr. Francois Baudet, hunter of the 26th Infantry Regiment, third company, fifth battalion, in Metz."

Note from the recipient of the letter:
"I paid sixteen sous for the postage of this letter and three sous to expedite the response, making a total of 19 S that François Baudet should take note of. Girard."

Double sheet, 2 pages of text, H 22.2 cm x 17.5 cm.

France.
First Empire.
Fair condition, foxing, stains, creases, tears with a minor loss (no impact on the text).

NOTE: Letter reproduced on page 30, figure 6, of the book WAR LETTERS 1792-1815, Pierre Charrié, Canonnier Editions, Nantes 2004.