44 - PÉLISSIER (Aimable). 3 autograph, signed letters to Juliette Destailleur. Sevastopol, February–September 1855. Approximately 9 pages in-8 in total, on 4 double-leaf sheets, one of which bears the printed letterhead “Army of the Orient. 1st Corps”; a few dried flowers preserved between the pages.

PÉLISSIER (Aimable). 3 autograph, signed letters to Juliette Destailleur. Sevastopol, February–September 1855. Approximately 9 pages in-8 in total, on 4 double-leaf sheets, one of which bears the printed letterhead “Army of the Orient. 1st Corps”; a few dried flowers preserved between the pages. The future Marshal, Duke of Malakoff, discusses the war with this friend, who had recommended a young man serving in the French expeditionary corps (first as a second lieutenant, then as a lieutenant). Juliette Destailleur was the daughter of the architect François-Hippolyte Destailleur, the sister of the architect and bibliophile Gabriel-Hippolyte Destailleur, and had married another architect, Jean-Louis-Romain De Bourge. – February 17, 1855: “... I fully intend, when I am able to see you again by the fireside, to tell you about THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL. WE ARE NOT THERE YET; IT IS A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK, whose defenses are becoming more difficult every day. I am, however, hopeful that with resolve and perseverance, we will prevail. The newspapers are reporting strange things about this... As for me, I’m not telling you anything; I’m observing the situation very closely. I often realize that I had a better view from Algiers than some people here. At present, to speed up the work, we will assist the British in their efforts; they are very brave men and very capable soldiers, but they are not keen on digging, and their slowness has been quite detrimental to us so far. THE APPROACHES SHOULD HAVE BEGUN AT THE MALAKOFF TOWER. WE HAVE FINALLY DECIDED TO DO SO. Once sufficient progress has been made on that front, we can begin to think about the final push... » – May 12, 1855: “... We live here in a state of constant worry... and we are so absorbed by what is happening before our eyes—by this obligation—that we are constantly putting off our correspondence with those who love us... ” – July 3, 1855: “... I am leaving you in a hurry because I AM GOING TO MOUNT MY HORSE TO ACCOMPANY THE FUNERAL PROCESSION TO KAZACH [a bay near Cape Chersonese, east of Sevastopol] THE MORTAL REMAINS OF THAT EXCELLENT LORD RAGLAN, whom acute dysentery took from us in a matter of days. This utterly unexpected end gives rise to everlasting regret. For my part, I mourn him deeply, for it would be difficult to be more kind or more affectionate than he was toward me... ” – September 22, 1855: “YOUR YOUNG PROTÉGÉ is in good health, but I have some unpleasant news to share with you regarding him. He HAS BEEN TAKEN PRISONER BY THE RUSSIANS, and quite through his own fault, as you will see. He was captured this morning by the Cossacks ahead of the Cardon Bell Pass, which was occupied by his regiment. Accompanied by Mr. Arnauld, a second lieutenant in the same unit, they had ventured alone as far as the village of Koklos, more than a thousand meters beyond the pass, despite the most explicit warnings and the strictest orders not to go beyond the outposts... I cannot yet specify when they will be exchanged... I like to think... that my letter will find you all in good health and well SATISFIED WITH OUR SUCCESSES OF AUGUST 16 [VICTORY AT CHERNAYA] AND SEPTEMBER 8 [CAPTURE OF MALAKOFF], AS WELL AS MY PROMOTION TO THE RANK OF MARSHAL OF FRANCE...”