Description
RUSSIA (campaign). - DODE DE LA BRUNERIE (Guillaume). 3 signed autograph manuscripts and 2 autograph cards. - Signed autograph manuscript entitled "Note rectificative de ce qui a été publié sur l'incendie de Polotsk, lorsque dans la nuit du [19] novembre le 2ème corps a évacué cette position pour repasser sur la rive gauche de la Dwina". June 1849. This correction refers to a passage in Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire militaire sous le Directoire, le Consulat et l'Empire, published by Marshal Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr in 1831 and reprinted by Marquis Georges de Chambray in his Histoire de l'expédition de Russie (1838 edition), who accused the Legrand division of having signaled the French positions by setting fire to its barracks, whereas this fire was a decoy lit on the orders of Guillaume Dode de La Brunerie as part of the reorganization of a defensive line through the city, and this stratagem facilitated the evacuation of the city by the French. Marshal Dode de La Brunerie gives us his first-hand account: "... This is how it happened before my very eyes! (5 pp. folio in a pink silk-bound notebook). - Signed autograph manuscript entitled "Note complétive de celle qui se trouve au bas de la page 179 volume 5 des Mémoires militaires du maréchal Gouvion St-Cyr, campagne de Russie". June 1849. Guillaume DOde de La Brunerie explains how, by extraordinary chance, the English naval captain Willoughby was recognized under Russian uniform among 1,400 men taken prisoner by General von Wrede (head of the Bavarian cavalry and later of the entire Bavarian troop), by a French officer who had already come across this character during fighting in Mauritius (2 pp. folio, on one sheet of paperback with the above manuscript). - Signed autograph manuscript entitled "Notes historiques sur quelques circonstances de la campagne de Russie et de la retraite de Moscou". June 1849. Concerning Napoleon I's decision to continue the retreat via Borissov on the Berezina, despite the fact that a strong Russian presence was reported there. Marshal Dode de La Brunerie goes into great detail, describing the disorder of the retreat, the dismay of the men, and his meeting with Napoleon I at Orcha: "... Admitted to hand over the dispatches he was carrying, General Dode answered the various questions the Emperor put to him in a council attended by the Major-General [Louis-Alexandre Berthier], the King of Naples [Joachim Murat], Prince Eugène and General [Antoine-Henri de] Jomini. It was there that the question was debated as to which route would be used to reach Wilna, the route through Minsk having been occupied by Tchitchagof, who had seized this town on the 6th... [He then transcribed the dialogue he had with Napoleon I in a house shortly before entering Toloczyn:] The Emperor: ... It is only by following the direction through Borisow that we can hope to avoid these dangerous encounters, and it is the only route by which I turn my back on all those who pursue me... [Guillaume Dode de La Brunerie explains that he wanted to present the Emperor with his superior choice of attacking General Wittgenstein to open up the road to Vilnius via Lepel, but says he was interrupted by the arrival of Berthier and Murat and had to leave the scene]...". An autograph note reads: "Remis une copie de ces notes à Mr Thiers, en juin 1849" (8 pp. in-folio, in a pink silk paperback notebook). - Autograph map of Polotsk and surrounding area. Black ink and watercolor highlights, 62 x 68 cm, splits at folds with restorations on verso. With indication of troop and battery positions and the field they covered. - Map of Viazma in Moscow, transferred in his own hand by Guillaume Dode de La Brunerie. Black ink with watercolor highlights. Narrow oblong folio with fold-out appendix on tracing paper, mounted on strong paper. Joint: - Map entitled Tableau des opérations de la Grande Armée depuis le 8 août jusqu'au 20 8bre 1812 (marche de Smolensk à Moscou). [Paris, Jean-Baptiste-Étienne-Élie Lenormand, ca. November 1812]. Copper-engraved plate, hand-colored. Oblong folio. Second map of a set of two. With 2 printed sheets, one a caption for this map, the other a caption for the first map missing here.
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RUSSIA (campaign). - DODE DE LA BRUNERIE (Guillaume).
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