£240
** VERDUN - BATTLE OF TALAVERA DESERTER COMPLAINS OF MALTREATMENT BY FELLOW P.O.Ws; Very fine 29 July [1810?] EL from POW "Thos. O Reeve, Late Lieutenant 48th Regiment" in "Verdun" to the Minister of War in Paris with fine "P.53.P/VERDUN/SUR-MEUSE" on the front with poor Paris boxed "Ps. Ps." mark ("5" rate on reverse). Reeve begs to be transferred away from Verdun because his fellow-POWs in Verdun are making his life a misery and having been dismissed from the British Army (for desertion) he only has his meagre French POW allowance to live on; "...my unfortunate head turned in the middle of the engagement [Battle of Talavera, 27-28 July 1809] and have for ever, I am afraid, ruined my prospects in life...". Rare insight into the life of a deserter POW.Cross Reference: FRANCE, SPAIN, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
24% inc VAT*
