Bonaparte Napoleon

Napoleon DS Approving Substitution of Sick Russian Invasion General

A document in French signed by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) as "Nap" near left center. The partly printed document is dated December 13, 1813, but Napoleon's approval was issued from Paris, France one day after. Countersigned by the French Minister of War, Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke (1765-1818), as "Duc de Feltre" near center right. The document, on War Ministry letterhead, is displayed above a period hand-colored engraving of Bonaparte and matted and framed behind glass. Light toning and expected wear, including paper folds, wrinkles, and a few chipped edges. Not examined out of frame. Else very good to fine. Scattered nicks to the frame. The sight size of the document is 7.75" x 12" while the overall framed size is 15.75" x 29" x .75".

The French War Minister sent this missive to Napoleon, requesting permission to replace a sick general with another posted nearby. A margin note at center confirms that Napoleon approved of the swap.

Translated in part:

"I have the honor to inform His Majesty that the General of Artillery Pernety is sick at Mayence [Mainz, Germany] & will not be able to report at Douay [Douai, France] to take over the command of the artillery of the Army of the North.

As it is feared that General Pernety will not be able to assume command for some time, I beg His Majesty to authorize me to replace him with General Daboville (the elder) who is at this moment at Maestricht [Maastricht, Netherlands] for the inspection of the designs of the Meuse & the Rhine…"

The invalid general, Joseph Marie de Pernety (1766-1856), was a career artillery officer. His combat experience during the Napoleonic Wars was extensive; Pernety served in Italy, Switzerland, and Austria before playing a pivotal role in the invasion of Russia when his artillery forces obliterated the Raevsky redoubt at the Battle of Borodino (September 7, 1812). Pernety was with Napoleon when the decimated Grande Armée retreated, and he participated in the Battle of Berezina (November 27-29, 1812). Pernety was appointed Baron of the Empire in 1809. His name appears on the south pillar of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Pernety's replacement was almost certainly Augustin Gabriel d'Aboville (1773-1820). The Duc de Feltre was careful to specify which D'Aboville he was nominating, for D'Aboville the elder had a younger brother and a father who were also artillery officers in the French military! D'Aboville the elder participated in campaigns in Italy, Holland, Portugal, and Spain. In December 1813, he was appointed commander of nearby Lille, 39 km northwest of Douai.

Napoleon's War Minister, General Clarke, handled military matters ranging from inspection and provisioning, to conscription and internal discipline. General Clarke was recognized for his great service when he was granted the honorary title of Duc of Feltre in August 1809.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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