£280 - £400
FRENCH OFFICER'S LETTER EX "MOZAISK" (NR. MOSCOW) WITH "[Qtier. Gal. ARMEE/WESTPHALIENNE]" + "NEWKIRCHEN(PAR)"; 22 Sept. 1812 EL (toned reverse; partial typed transcription & translation) from a French Officer (Trousset; probably a "Dispersing Agent" in the Imperial Quarters) in "Mozaisk" to his wife in Rouen unusually routed via Westphalia charged "6" and "9" with a very faint (as usual at this date) "[Qtier Gal ARMEE/WESTPHALIENNE]" on the front with a fine "NEUKIRCHEN(PAR)." transit mark. Sent from the Occupation Army at Mozhaysk near Moscow during their brief occupation of that capital city. The contents include; "I just learned, my dear Melanie, that a Westphalian courier is arriving here, and will leave immediately. I am taking this opportunity to write to you hastily. He will send my letter in the Box to Magdeburg or Cassel. We have been in Moscow for about a week, the city has been largely burned; it is a great misfortune for the army, which will have great privations to endure if it spends the winter in the country which we now occupy. I asked for my retirement in an indirect way, and I have proposed someone who aspires to the first vacant place. As he has credit for himself and is eager to succeed, I imagine that he will do his best for me, since without a vacancy he does not have much to hope for. This is the time for winter quarters, and I hope that my business will be resolved although I have not yet received any response to the opening I made to him." He then gives details of his expected annual income from his Legion d'Honneur. A rare insight into a French Officer's state of mind as winter set in around Moscow. [With 2015 Roumet certificate.] Cross Reference: FRANCE, RUSSIA, GERMAN STATES
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