AUGUSTUS OF PRUSSIA
(1779-1843) Prussian general, youngest son of Augustus Ferdinand of Prussia, brother of Frederick the Great; distinguished himself at the Battles of Leipzig and Waterloo. Fine content manuscript L.S. penned shortly after Waterloo, signed "Auguste Prince de Prusse" 2pp. legal folio, June 27, [docketed in pencil 1815], to an unnamed Napoleonic general, possibly Louis-Gabriel Suchet, who negotiated peace after the bloody battle and avoided the occupation of Lyon. Writing on the back of the Prussians' decisive victory at Waterloo and en route to Paris, Augustus hastens to reject any negotiations with the defeated Emperor. In part: "...Proposals that were made by General [Charles Antoine] Morand have not been accepted by Marshal Blücher, because he is not going to enter into negotiations neither with Bonaparte nor his accomplices. So you cannot have any doubt about the proposals made by General Morand, I give you the original letter and ask you to return it to me. I received the official news this morning that a deputation from the chamber of peace and representing the nation was announced to the Prince of Blucher asking him to accept an armistice under conditions they wish they may prescribe. The Marshal, who was already well close to La Fere, and which is the position...abandoned, marched toward Paris without stopping. I am not able therefore to accept the armistice which you offer me, and I persist in [demanding] the conditions I have made in my letter. This is because I believe that you are a soldier full of honor, and who I flatter myself prefers the interest of our country to that of a Brigand, of whom you were an accomplice, if you stay in the party which the nation has abandoned. I ask you, Mr. General, to send me tomorrow morning a positive response, and to think it still depends on you to ensure a strong garrison and...save the town of Maubeuge from a certain ruin...". He adds in a postscript: "...I gave orders to my outposts to not pull in any parliamentarians you would send me and, to avoid any misunderstanding, I ask you to not to be preceded by a drum...". Augustus headed the 2d corps of the Prussian Army after Waterloo and was responsible for the siege the fort at Maubeuge -- which, after a bitter resistance of nearly three weeks under the command of General Latour -- would fall on July 12. Old tape repair at bottom, otherwise very good condition, worthy of further research.