Beschreibung:

BATTLE OF WATERLOO] – NAPOLEON I , EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH (1769-1821) and HENRI-GRATIEN, COMTE BERTRAND (1773-1844). Four letters signed, making final tactical preparations for the Battle of Waterloo, Paris and Avesnes, 7–13 June 1815, comprising
BATTLE OF WATERLOO] – NAPOLEON I , EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH (1769-1821) and HENRI-GRATIEN, COMTE BERTRAND (1773-1844). Four letters signed, making final tactical preparations for the Battle of Waterloo, Paris and Avesnes, 7–13 June 1815, comprising: NAPOLEON I. Letter signed ('Np') to 'Mon Cousin' [Maréchal Jean-de-Dieu Soult], Paris, 7 June 1815, ordering that on the 9 June Comte Lobau move his head-quarters to Marle or Vervin and evacuate Laon, ready for the arrival on the 9th or 10th of ' toute la Garde ', 1/2 page , 4to (227 x 185mm) , bifolium; [with:] BERTRAND. Letter signed ('Bertrand') to Maréchal [Soult], Paris, 10 June 1815, regarding the carrying out of the orders above, 1/2 page , folio (316 x 203mm) , bifolium. BETRAND. Letter signed ('Bertrand') to Maréchal [Soult], 10 June 1815, setting out Napoleon's plans for the moving of troops into their final positions at Avesnes: ' L'intention de l'Empereur est que le grand quartier général soit transporté le 12 à Avesnes; que la garde impérial y soit le 12; qu'Avesnes soit évacué par le 2e qui se portera derrière Maubeuge; que vous fassiez rapprocher le Gal Erlon de Maubeuge derrière la Sambre ... Qu'il soit en avant d'Avesnes, derrière le 2e que le général Vandamme soit sur la droit ... Les grandes pièces d'artillerie & de réserve, les equipages de Ponts en avant d'Avesnes ... Dans ces dispositions, l'Empereur verra dans la journée du 13 les Généraux Reille, d'Erlon, Vandamme, et débouchera le 14 soit par Maubeuge sur Mons dans l'esperance d'attaquer les Anglais, soit en marchant par sa droit afin de pouvoir suivre vivement les Prussiens de Charleroy ', 2 pages , folio (316 x 203mm) , bifolium. NAPOLEON I. Letter signed ('Np') to Maréchal Soult, Avesnes, midday, 13 June 1815, asking that the order be given ' que l'équipage de Franz se rende ce jour derrière Sabre, route de Beaumont au quartier général d'Avesnes ', 1/4 page , 4to (228 x 188mm) , bifolium. NAPOLEON MANOEUVRES HIS ARMY INTO FINAL BATTLE POSITIONS. Giving the last preparatory orders in advance of the Battle of Waterloo, both directly and via marshal Bertrand, and with the last of the missives here sent at midday on the 13 June, the present collection offers a glimpse into the crucial hours before the battle as the Emperor arranges his generals to the south-west of Waterloo and makes plans to attack first the English then to give chase to the Prussians. After spending the night of the 13 June at Avesnes, Napoleon moved to his head-quarters to Beaumont immediately in advance of the battle, though not before penning a stirring final address to his soldiers ending 'the moment is arrived to conquer or perish'. Provenance : Library of Dominique de Villepin; his sale, Pierre Bergé & Associés, Paris, 19 March 2008, lot 277; private Belgian collection.