Description:

Joachim Murat
[Toulon, France], [March 24, 1796]
Joachim Murat Conveys Napoleon's Orders Re: Transport of 100+ Mules, Horses & Packhorses On the Eve of the 1796 Italian Campaign
MDS

A 2pp manuscript document signed and inscribed by Joachim Murat (1767-1815), then a brigade chief in the Army of Italy, as "copie conforme / l'aide de camp chef de Brigd / J. Murat" ["exact copy / aide de camp chief of Brig[a]d[e] / J. Murat"] at the top of the second page. 4 Germinal l'An 4 [March 24, 1796]. [Toulon, France.] Secretarially inscribed on laid bifold watermarked paper. Docketed on the outer leaf. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and a few scattered tiny closed edge tears, one of which has been discretely professionally repaired. Overall even toning and isolated light foxing, else near fine. The third page is blank. 7.75" x 9.5."

Joachim Murat had been appointed as Napoleon Bonaparte's brigade chief and aide de camp in the Army of Italy a little less than two months earlier, on February 2, 1796. Napoleon Bonaparte, who had received his commission as commander-in-chief of the Army of Italy on March 2, 1796, was en route to Nice when he issued this order from nearby Toulon on March 24, 1796. Napoleon would arrive in Nice to physically assume command of the Army of Italy just a few days later, on March 27, 1796.

The document signed by Murat, No. 82, is a true copy of a military directive issued by Napoleon Bonaparte ("Gal. en chef de l'armée d'Italie"] ["G[ener]al. in chief of the Army of Italy"]. The multi-part order directs one Citoyen Giraud, commander of the military stores depot at Toulon, to oversee the immediate transport of a number of mules ("mulets"), horses ("chevaux"), and packhorses ("chevaux à bâts"). Specifically, Citizen Giraud was to transport 60 mules or horses from the Artillery Brigade of Toulon to Nice on 5 Germinal (March 25, 1796); to send 76 mules or horses to the same place the following day; and to transport 26 mules or packhorses to Nice the day after that (March 27, 1796). Giraud is also tasked with rounding up as many collars, harnesses and other pieces of equipment that he can find, taking care to follow land routes designated by the Commissioner of War and in accordance with his military rank.

The animals were to be transported in successive waves to Nice, located about 150 km to the northeast further up the coast and nearer to the border with the Kingdom of Sardinia. This directive was clearly part of Napoleon's preparations for his proposed invasion of Piedmont during the Italian Campaign of the War of the First Coalition. From Nice, Napoleon mobilized his army and had advanced further eastward towards Menton by early April. French forces under Napoleon's command would drive into modern day Italy, defeating the Hapsburg and Sardinian coalition forces at the Battle of Montenotte on April 12, 1796. This was followed by a series of other military successes. Napoleon's future was secured in part here, and by extension, Murat's.

Joachim Murat later married Napoleon's younger sister, Caroline Bonaparte, in 1800. He served as one of Bonaparte's family proxies while King of Naples between 1808-1815. After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, Murat was captured under order of Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies and later executed by firing squad.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 9.5"
  • Medium: MDS

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