** THE 7 YEARS WAR - FONTENILLE CORRESPONDENCE - EX PAROLE I...

Hammer

£2,200

** THE 7 YEARS WAR - FONTENILLE CORRESPONDENCE - EX PAROLE IN TAVISTOCK REF. BATTLE OF WANDIWASH, ETC.; 12 + 14 June 1762 EL (typed transcript for the first letter & much of the second; wax seal on reverse but not sealing the letter - as per regulations?) from "Fontenille" while a POW on Parole in "Tavistock" to his uncle (12 June) or his aunt (14 June) in Floransac without postal marks; the second letter unaddressed so presumably enclosed in the letter to his uncle and carried by a returning POW. He has still not heard from home, even though other POWs who had used the same carriers had had replies and provisions are extremely expensive ("extremement cher"); ordinary meals (without drink) cost 2 golden louis per month in Tavistock, whereas he has almost no funds. The accompanying letter to his aunt describes his service in India and includes a detailed gory description of the Battle of Wandiwash (22 Jan. 1760); "I commanded the Regiment for a whole year in the presence of the enemy three quarters of the time, my elders being wounded or sick... If Mr. de Lally had executed the King's orders in time, I would have returned to France... poor Ginestoux, whom I regret, and for whom I still cry each day. If I may, I will give you a little detail of the honour he acquired by dying: Without reducing the glory of the one who commanded the army at Vandavachy in any way, it was to M. de Ginestoux to whom we owe the success of the battalion. This battle, which lasted 9 hours, began at midnight [22 January 1760]. The enemy overpowered a large guard, which did not defend itself, and entered the village. We were engaged with them and resisted them until around 7 a.m. Seeing that there were no orders, and that each officer commanded a Troop, the poor deceased [M. Ginestoux] ordered the two companies of the Regiment's grenadiers to attack. He went himself at the head [of his force] and with a bayonet at the end of his gun charged the enemy so vigorously that he forced them to be driven out of the village. It was in this beautiful deed, that he perished so gloriously, along with the second Captain of the Grenadiers. And what is most unfortunate is that in the two companies, there were only five men killed, and few wounded. Judge then, please, of my pain, at the news of this death, which I heard from my Troop. After the battle, I left, resolved to clarify what I had been told. I did not need much time to educate myself. I found him lying at the end of the street, swimming in his blood, with no sign of life. My blood froze in my veins, and I was so overcome that I remained dumbfounded and petrified... I ended up acquitting myself of my gratitude by giving him the last rights... I beg your pardon for going into all these details...". Rare 7 Years War twin-letter with Campaign detail from a POW captured in India. [See MFPWE for the first, p. 51; the other not recorded.] Cross Reference: FRANCE, INDIA, DEVON, MILITARY - P.O.W. MAIL