17 - [ALGERIA]. HANDWRITTEN LETTER FROM A SOLDIER OF THE 8th ORLÉANS CHASSEURS. “Djemmâ-El-Ghazaouet, September 27, 1845.” Handwritten letter in brown ink (3½ pages on a double sheet of bluish paper, approximately 25 × 20 cm) concerning French military operations in the Nemours and Sidi-Brahim regions, mounted on a tab in a folio-sized volume, modern Bradel-style cardboard binding covered in blue paper, black sheepskin title label on the front cover, gilt title, cardboard slipcase. A PRECIOUS CONTEMPORARY HANDWRITTEN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF SIDI-BRAHIM, one of the most famous episodes of the French conquest of Algeria, which pitted, from September 23 to 26, 1845, French troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel de Montagnac against the forces of Abd el-Kader. The letter, written by a soldier and addressed to his father living in Grenoble, recounts the movements of the French troops, the successive engagements, and the dramatic circumstances of the battles. The author describes, in particular, the departure of a column of several hundred men, the movements of the battalions, the encirclement of the French soldiers, and the news that arrived after the clashes. The letter concludes with the following words: “Please do not let my mother read this letter, and please reply to me immediately.” SET ENRICHED WITH ICONOGRAPHIC AND HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS, including in particular:

[ALGERIA]. HANDWRITTEN LETTER FROM A SOLDIER OF THE 8th ORLÉANS CHASSEURS. “Djemmâ-El-Ghazaouet, September 27, 1845.” Handwritten letter in brown ink (3½ pages on a double sheet of bluish paper, approximately 25 × 20 cm) concerning French military operations in the Nemours and Sidi-Brahim regions, mounted on a tab in a folio-sized volume, modern Bradel-style cardboard binding covered in blue paper, black sheepskin title label on the front cover, gilt title, cardboard slipcase. A PRECIOUS CONTEMPORARY HANDWRITTEN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF SIDI-BRAHIM, one of the most famous episodes of the French conquest of Algeria, which pitted, from September 23 to 26, 1845, French troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel de Montagnac against the forces of Abd el-Kader. The letter, written by a soldier and addressed to his father living in Grenoble, recounts the movements of the French troops, the successive engagements, and the dramatic circumstances of the battles. The author describes, in particular, the departure of a column of several hundred men, the movements of the battalions, the encirclement of the French soldiers, and the news that arrived after the clashes. The letter concludes with the following words: “Please do not let my mother read this letter, and please reply to me immediately.” SET ENRICHED WITH ICONOGRAPHIC AND HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS, including in particular: TWO LARGE ORIGINAL COLOR COMPOSITIONS (watercolor and gouache) SIGNED “EDMOND LAJOUX,” depicting hunters from Orléans in uniform, one facing forward, wearing a shako with a plume, the other in profile, carrying his weapon. A colored engraving depicting an Orléans hunter in motion, with his weapon slung over his shoulder. A printed document relating to the COMMEMORATION OF THE CENTENNIAL OF THE BATTLE OF SIDI-BRAHIM, in September 1945, including a general program of the ceremonies, an invitation, and practical information regarding travel and gatherings, as well as a map of the area around Sidi Brahim. A steel engraving (approximately 17.5 x 13.5 cm) by Geille after Goberet, titled “Return of the 12 Orléans Hunters to Djemmâ-Ghazouat.” Set of 3 ORIGINAL DRAWINGS in pen, ink, and watercolor, depicting details of the locks and mechanisms of antique firearms, including a richly ornamented Oriental weapon. One of the drawings bears an old handwritten annotation referring to a court-martial “on January 23, 1872,” a rifle stolen in “Djemma-Gazouet,” and a native servant named Ben-Moussah. AN INTERESTING COLLECTION of MANUSCRIPT and ILLUSTRATED DOCUMENTS on one of the defining episodes in the history of the Orléans Hunters in Algeria.