NEY MICHEL: (1769-1815)

NEY MICHEL: (1769-1815) Marshal of France, Duc d´Elchingen and Prince de la Moskowa. Executed. A very good and interesting military A.L.S., ` Ney´, with flourish, two pages, 4to, Burghausen - Alttoting, 15th December 1800, to his friend Monsieur Bigetot, a Notary in Nancy, in French. The present letter is written only twelve days after the decisive battle of Hohenlinden, and only ten days before the surrender of Austrian troops and the armistice. Ney reports his feelings and predicts an inminent surrender of the enemy, he says is observing Burghausen, where the longest castle in the world is situated, stating in part ` Je suis ici, depuis quelques jours parfaitement tranquille observant Burghausen et le cours de la rivière Salzach jusqu´à Braunau, en attendant que la droite ait effectué son passage à Salzburg. La vive canonade que j´ai entendu sur cette direction m´annoncerait un plein dans cette entreprise. J´apprends à l´instant que la division du Général Decaen a surpris le passage de la Salzach à Lauffen. Il est appuyé par les divisions Richepanse et Legrand. Cette diversion obligera nécessairement l´ennemi à faire un mouvement rétrograde et de nous abandonner l´évêché de Salzburg et peut-être tout le Tyrol, cette dernière évacuation sera pour moi la plus belle fleur de la campagne...´ (Translation: " I have been here, for several days, perfectly calm, observing Burghausen and the course of the Salzach river as far as Braunau, while waiting for the right wing to have made its passage to Salzburg. The loud cannonade that I heard in this direction would announce to me a success in this enterprise. I just learned that General Decaen's division could make the passage from the Salzach to Lauffen. It is supported by the Richepanse and Legrand divisions. This diversion will necessarily force the enemy to make a retrograde movement and abandon us the bishopric of Salzburg and perhaps all of Tyrol, this last evacuation will be for me the most beautiful flower of the campaign...") Further, Ney explains what he expects will soon happen, and reports on the troops difficult situation, saying `En considération de la jonction avec l´armée d´Italie, les armées combinées marcheraient alors de front et j´en atteste aux hommes raisonnables si la maison d´autriche ne viendra bientôt à genoux demander une trève pour obtenir la paix. Vous savez, mon cher Bigetot, que l´illusion flatte l´amour propre du militaire. Mais en vérité, une démarche n´est pas absolument déniée de fondement, quinze jours encore en décideront nécessairement, alors nous tacherons de nous chauffer car il fait diablement froid dans ce maudit pays, ici le soldat souffre, toujours au bivouac, manquant de paille pour se barraquer, et ayant à peine le pain nécessaire pour exister, quelle existence!´Il faut être français pour braver la mort et l´intempérie des saisons, et tout cela pour le bonheur de notre patrie. Cette réflexion réchauffe ma verve et me fait supporter patiemment les maux qui nous attendent encore. Je voudrais bien avoir une centaine de bouteilles de champagne qui reposent dans une cave, mais puisque je ne puis les entamer, allez-vous leur faire la guerre...´ (Translation: " In consideration of the junction with the army of Italy, the combined armies would then march abreast and I attest to reasonable men if the house of Austria does not soon come on its knees to ask for a truce to obtain peace. You know, my dear Bigetot, that illusion flatters the soldier's self-esteem. But in truth, an approach is not absolutely denied of foundation, fifteen more days will necessarily decide this, then we will try to warm ourselves because it is devilishly cold in this damned country, here the soldier suffers, always in the bivouac, lacking straw to barrack themselves, and barely having the necessary bread to survive, what an existence! You have to be French to brave death and the bad weather of all seasons, and all this for the happiness of our Homeland.This reflection warms my spirit and makes me patiently bear the evils that still await us. I would love to have a hundred bottles of champagne lying in a cellar, but since I can't start them, are you going to make war on them?...") To a postscriptum, and beneath his signature, Ney adds the immediate news just received, saying ` A l´instant où je firmais ma lettre, on m´annonce la rédition de Burckhausen... encore un instant et la pièce sera jouée...´ (Translation: " Just as I was signing my letter, I was told of the surrender of Burckhausen... just one more moment and the playwright will be performed.") A letter of excellent content. With address leaf bearing large remnants of a republican red wax seal. Neatly tipped in at the left edge into a hardback edition of Histoire Complete du proces du Marechal Ney by Evariste D[umoulin], Volume I only, published by Delaunay, Paris, December 1815. Leather bound and with gilt stamped decoration and t