Description:

Bonaparte Napoleon



Napoleon DS Regarding Imperial Eagle Standard-Bearer, a 4x Wounded 18-Year War Veteran

 

1p military document in French signed by Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) as "Np" in the left margin. Also containing a crossed-out 1- or 2-word note in Napoleon's handat left. The partly printed and partly handwritten memo was issued on October 7, 1810 from the War Ministry's Bureau of Inspection headquarters. Co-signed by Napoleon's Minister of War, Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke (1765-1818) as "Duc de Feltre" near bottom. With an extensive handwritten clarification of the "Emperor's decision" found along the bottom margin, inscribed and signed by an unidentified Count. On cream stationery paper with a superb 3.5" diameter imperial eagle watermark at center. Docketed and numbered. With light expected paper folds and minor chipped bottom edge, else near fine. A few pieces of hinging adhesive verso. 7.875" x 12.25". Accompanied by a photocopy of biographical information.

 

Translated in part:

 

"Report to His Majesty The Emperor and King

 

7 October year 1810

 

The February 18, 1808 decree ordered that the Eagle in each Regiment would be carried by an officer of Lieutenant or Sub-Lieutenant grade, who would be named by His Majesty, and who could only be deprived of that office by the same.

 

We concluded from that article, that as the 1st Eagle-Bearer was counted at inspection & was no longer named Captain, he still would keep his employ, except to find a substitute to perform his functions, by the 2nd or 3rd Eagle-Bearer, in case of absence.

 

But the particular circumstances of Mr. Chaillard, 1st Eagle-Bearer of the 69th Regiment of the Infantry, seemed to necessitate a decision from His Majesty: this officer was forced by bad health to return to the depot, from where he then sent a replacement.

 

I pray that His Majesty lets me know if, in the situation where Mr. Chaillard finds himself, he must be replaced in his functions as 1st Eagle-Bearer.

 

The Minister of War.

 

Duc de Feltre."

 

Napoleon dictated a lengthy response to his War Minister on October 29, 1810, which is inscribed in the hand of an unknown Count at bottom. The emperor urged Mr. Chaillard to attempt to rejoin the ranks. In case Chaillard's health prevented this, Napoleon advised him to quit active service, report to military headquarters, and arrange for a replacement.

 

The decree mentioned here was issued by Napoleon almost three years earlier, on February 18, 1808. That decree, comprised of 20 articles, outlined basic military protocol for the Grande Armee's Line Infantry and Light Infantry. This memo specifically alludes to Articles 17 and 19 of that decree.

 

Article 17 stated: "Each regiment will have an eagle that will be carried by a standard-bearer having the grade of lieutenant or sub-lieutenant and at least 10 years of service, or of having participated in the four campaigns at Ulm [1805], Austerlitz [1805], Jena-Auerstadt [1806], or Friedland [1807]." Substitute standard-bearers could be selected among non-graded ranks, but had to have at least 10 years' service.

 

Article 19 specified that only Line Infantry Regiments could have Imperial Eagle standards. New Imperial Eagles could only be issued and distributed by Napoleon, or decommissioned by him.

 

Napoleon incorporated Ancient Roman military traditions into his own multinational army to unite his troops and bolster his military prestige. One of the symbols that Napoleon coopted was the Imperial Eagle. It appeared everywhere: on paperwork, flags, art, furniture, and war paraphernalia. A bronze cast sculpture of the eagle was mounted on regimental flag staffs and carried into battle. Measuring about 12" high by 10" wide and weighing 4 lbs., each eagle was depicted with outstretched wings perching on Jupiter's spindle. Napoleon instructed that Imperial Eagle standards be guarded to the death, since they embodied regimental honor.

 

"Mr. Chaillard" referred to Benoit-Quentin Chaillard (born 1774). From regimental histories and a nineteenth-century biographical index of Legion d'Honneur recipients, we know that Chaillard joined the French Army in 1792. A seasoned soldier by 1810, he was wounded four times between 1793 and 1807. He served with distinction in Egypt, Syria, Israel, Italy, Austria, Poland, Prussia, and Russia before retiring in 1814 with the rank of captain. Chaillard was awarded a "saber of honor" following campaigns at Jaffa and Acre in 1799, and was appointed 1st Eagle-Bearer of the 69th Regiment on July 27, 1808. His exploits included leading dangerous charges, killing the enemy (mostly Turks), and single-handedly disabling canon during battle.

 

Napoleon was in part able to accomplish all he did by relying on General Clarke, who handled military matters ranging from inspection and provisioning to conscription and internal discipline. General Clark was recognized for his great service when he was granted the honorary title of Duc of Feltre in August 1809.

 

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