Description:

Berthier Louis-Alexandre 1753 - 1815 Napoleon's Minister of War Louis-Alexandre Berthier signs a military order during the height of the Napoleonic Wars.

4pp bifold military order inscribed only on first page and signed by Minister of War Louis-Alexandre Berthier as "Le Ministre de la guerre, Mr de Berthier" and underlined at bottom right. Clerical notes summarize order in left margin. In very fine condition, with expected light fold marks. The bottom 2.25" of the four pages has been folded to just under Berthier's signature on the first page. Minor browning to bottom edge, and tiny tear along edge of fourth blank page. Pencil inscribed "1000 €" on back of last page. The dimensions of the order as folded are as follows: 7.75" x 10.375".

This order dated "le 9 floreal an 13" (April 29, 1805) from Alessandria in northwestern Italy directed General Joseph Yves Menigault-Gaulois to report to Turin no later than "23 floreal an 13" (May 13, 1805). Menigault-Gaulois, styled as "general de Brigade Gaulois" in this edict, was stationed currently at Toulon, approximately 430 km to the southwest of Turin. Menigault-Gaulois thus had just under two weeks to report to the upper Piedmont region, where he was earmarked to assist the 27 th Division commanded by Pierre Dupont l'Etang.

Military directives like this one were based "on the intentions of the Emperor" but authorized by trusted ministers like Louis-Alexandre Berthier (1753-1815). Berthier, a career soldier, served under Napoleon in the Army of Italy during campaigns in the mid-1790s. Napoleon recognized Berthier's impressive organizational and logistical skills by appointing him his Chief of Staff in 1796. Berthier would serve the emperor in this capacity until 1814. Three years after signing this military order in 1808, Berthier would be appointed Marshal of France.

Joseph-Yves Menigault-Gaulois (1770-1809) entered military service in 1791, and was promoted through the ranks after serving in various Swiss, German, and Italian campaigns. Six months before receiving this memo from Berthier, Menigault-Gaulois had been assigned to Toulon. Historical records indicate that Menigault-Gaulois made it to Turin as directed, as he was appointed commander of the Po Department in mid-May 1805. He was killed at the Battle of Corogne in northwestern Spain four years later, at age thirty-eight.

Pierre Dupont l'Etang (1765-1840) served as Chief of Staff to our document signee Louis-Alexandre Berthier during the Campaign of 1800. Dupont and the 27 th division were poised in northwestern Italy to assist coalition forces during the Danube Campaign of 1803-1806.

A remarkable military order dispatched during the height of the Napoleonic Wars!

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