12 - [EMPIRE]

[EMPIRE] 1803–1815.. Manuscript titled “Itinéraires & Campagnes.” In-8 (20.4 x 12.3 cm), fawn calfskin, gilt decorative borders on the covers, plain spine decorated with gilt motifs, red title label, gilt edges (contemporary binding). 108 handwritten folios. Written by an officer (lieutenant?) of a Dragoon regiment, the manuscript is divided into several parts: the “Itineraries” consist of five journeys, from 1803 to 1807; next come the “Campaigns,” from 1808 to 1815; and finally, following the “Notes,” are the “Journeys Undertaken” from 1816 to 1820. The “Itineraries” and “Trips” document journeys through France, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Transylvania (Romania), Wallachia (Romania), Bulgaria, Turkey, Slavonia (Croatia), Croatia, and Italy. The Campaigns took place in France, Spain, and Germany. After the fall of the Empire, our traveler went to the Netherlands, Belgium, and traveled throughout France. The Notes section provides further details on the military events he encountered: “The Spanish regiment from Villa Viciosa, which was in Denmark with us, was completely defeated at El Bravo,” “The King’s triumphant entry into Madrid; on the Emperor’s feast day,” “We took Colonel Don Juan Espino, commander of 400 cavalry, by surprise: we captured some of them and forced the rest to retreat. I was wounded in this engagement by a gunshot to my left arm while leading my platoon in a charge against an enemy detachment, most of whom I took prisoner .” There is a lengthy account of the incident that occurred under General Girard’s command on October 28, 1811, near Arroyo-Molinos. While most of the details concern the Spanish campaigns, there are also references to the German campaign (1813): “the famous Battle of Wackau,” “we were attacked at 2 o’clock in the afternoon by Austrian and Baden troops. I lost 30 men and 45 horses from my squadron […].” The last third of the volume remains blank. Upper edge completely split; edges and corners rubbed.