Description:

"The more there are, the more we will kill" writes the Commander in Chief of Napoleon's famed Army of Sambre-et-Meuse as he prepares for battle

Autograph Letter Signed "Jourdan," as Commander in Chief of the Army of Sambre-et-Meuse, 1 page, 8.25" x 13.5". Coblence [Germany], 18 Thermidor an 3 (August 5, 1795). To General Kleber. In French, partial translation below. Minor flaws. Fine condition.

In part, "The report of the Assistant to Adjutant General Ney had surprised and worried me. Your letter of the 17th [August 4th] reassures me ... I decided to attempt the passage. I am able, I'm waiting for the artillery and the moment when the bridge of Holland will occur. Because I want it to be the same day as you. If the Rhine does not get lower soon ... Finally it is the case to say: 'the more there are the more we will kill ...'" ["plus il y en plus nous en tuerour"]

Adjutant General Michel Ney (1769-1815) had been transferred to the Army of Sambre et Meuse in June 1794. Ney was promoted to G‚n‚ral de Brigade in August 1796, and commanded cavalry on the German fronts. Ney was one of Napoleon's original 18 Marshals of the Empire.

In 1795, the Sambre-et-Meuse fought on the middle Rhine. On June 7, 1795,the Army of Jean-Baptise Jourdan (1762-1833) concluded the long but successful Siege of Luxembourg. Operations east of the Rhine were less successful that year, with the French capturing, then losing Mannheim. On October 13, 1795, the recipient of this letter, General Jean Baptiste Kleber (1753-1800), fought a brilliant rearguard action at the bridge of Neuwied and in the offensive campaign of 1796, he served as Jourdan's most active and successful lieutenant.

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