three pages of old paper with writing on them
OUEST ENCHERES PUBLIQUES NANTES & RENNES

34 - [CORSICA] [Manuscript] French army operation in Corsica from…
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Estimate €300 - €400
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Description
[CORSICA] [Manuscript] French army operation in Corsica from 1 May to 24 May 1769. Three [handwritten] reports on the operations carried out in Corsica (1 to 6 May, 6 to 12 May and 12 to 24 May) … A total of 19 folio pages; the handwriting is sometimes difficult to read. Unsigned contemporary handwritten copies. Description of the first part (summarising the content of these three reports): Report on the operations of the King’s troops in Corsica from 1 to 6 May 1769…. Manuscript comprising 7 folio pages. Text concerning the fighting in Corsica around Olivetta, La Tenda, Le Golo, etc… Description of the movements of reserve troops and preparations for battle (number of men, locations specified) by the Counts of Vaux, Marbeuf and D’Avambal. Opposing them, ‘(…) the rebels occupied the villages [San Pietro, Olmetta, etc.] (…) they were entrenched there, had erected redoubts and had even brought in a few cannons (…)’. A detailed account of troop movements, the military tactics of the various regiments and the fighting, covering the events of 4 and 5 May. ‘(…) The Mirosmenil regiment, leading the third column detached from this vanguard, encountered some resistance which it soon overcame; a redoubt where the enemy sought to hold their ground was taken by the sword (…) ’ The enemy, thus pressed on all sides, hastily abandoned the villages of Vallecalle and Olmetta, leaving behind in the latter a cannon, ammunition and a few men (…) ’ Further on, ‘(…) two cannons, military and food supplies, books and some papers belonging to Paoli the Elder, along with the horse he was riding (…),’ were seized. At the end of the report, the narrator commends (among other things) ‘the minimal bloodshed’ at this stage: two lieutenants and eight men killed, and 16 wounded. The entries for the following two weeks are in the same vein as the first. The first page of the first week is dusty and slightly soiled, but otherwise a good copy. Appraisal carried out by Pascal GUILLEBAUD. Lot from a voluntary sale.
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About the sale Manuscripts, Philately and Bibliophilia
Auction location
Auction time 06/30/2026 at 2:00 PM
Lot description modified on 06/18/2026 at 5:10 PM
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