History in Manuscript: Letters and Documents from a Distinguished Collection

History in Manuscript: Letters and Documents from a Distinguished Collection

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 107. Napoleon I | Autograph draft communique regarding the Battle of Eylau, 1807.

Napoleon I | Autograph draft communique regarding the Battle of Eylau, 1807

Lot Closed

April 13, 02:46 PM GMT

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Napoleon I


Autograph draft communique regarding the Battle of Eylau


speaking against the largely negative press reports about the recent Battle of Eylau, saying that French losses have been exaggerated, stating that this is disadvantageous to the army, comparing Napoleon to a father that has lost his children, and claiming to be disillusioned with the glory of battle, n.d., but context indicates that it was written shortly after Battle of Eylau 8 February 1807, 1 page, oblong 16mo, affixed to an album leaf with imperial watermark, contemporary ink stains and blots


This prolonged and bloody battle against Russian and Prussian troops was tactically indecisive; Napoleon was left holding the field of battle, but only after suffering the loss of around 15,000 men. The draft reads: "On a trouvé à l'armée que le bullletin de la bataille d'Eylau avait exagére nos pertes et qu'il [n]'était [pas assé] moins avantageux qu'il ne l'aurait dû être à l'armée. L'Empereur a dit à cette occasion [quand l'armée perd] un père qui perd ses enfants ne goute aucun charme de la victoire quand le coeur parle [plus haut que la tête de la sorte empêche] la gloire même n'a plus d'illusion."


PROVENANCE:

Christie's, New York, 16 December 1983, lot 507