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199 - DAVOUT (LOUIS-NICOLAS). "THE AUSTRIANS ARE IN THE MOST COMPL…
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Estimate €1,500 - €2,000
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Description
DAVOUT (LOUIS-NICOLAS). "THE AUSTRIANS ARE IN THE MOST COMPLETE ROUT... I HAVE HAD FOR 3 DAYS TO SUPPORT ALL THE EFFORTS OF THEIR ARMY...". Autograph letter signed "Louis" to his wife Aimée Leclerc. Regensburg, 24 April 1809. 2 pp. in-4, address on back. "Important and decisive events have taken place in the last 4 to 5 days... The Austrians are in the most complete rout, MORE THAN HALF OF THEIR ARMY IS TAKEN OR DESTROYED, THE OTHER PART IS DEMORALIZED. For 3 days I had to support all the efforts of their army commanded by ARCHIDUC CHARLES, who WAS BEATEN IN THESE THREE VERY DAMAGED BATTLES; our stubbornness was stronger, so the battlefield remained ours. The Emperor moved in on their line of operations, took away their park and their baggage, so this army is incapable of fighting a battle. Finally, WE CAN GO TO VIENNA WITHOUT A HIT. So your worries can cease... I had left colonel Coutard in Regensburg, he behaved well the 1st day, he beat major forces, the second he lost his head and his abilities foolishly. We found him at Ratisbonne, but his r[e]g[imen]t was taken to Austria, which is another folly; A FRENCH OFFICER MUST FOLLOW THE FATE OF HIS SOLDIERS [this refers to Louis-François Coutard, who would be made a general in 1811]. OUR CORPS HAS PERHAPS DONE EVEN MORE THAN IN THE PRUSSIAN CAMPAIGN...". Marshal Davout took part for three days in the battles of Eckmühl (21-22 April 1809) and Regensburg (23 April).
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Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale The Empire at Fontainebleau - Second day
Auction location
Auction time 06/21/2026 at 10:30 AM
Pictures credits:
Michel Bury and Henri du Cray
See original version (French)
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