Pierre RIEL de BEURNONVILLE (Aube 1752 – Paris 1821) General - Lot 509

Pierre RIEL de BEURNONVILLE (Aube 1752 – Paris 1821) General in 1792, Minister of War from February 4 to April 1, 1793, Count of the Empire in 1808, Marshal of France on July 3, 1816—Document signed BEURNONVILLE: The Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the North and of the Sambre and Meuse, to Major General MICAS at Aachen. At Headquarters in BONN (Germany) on the 11th of Nivôse, Year 5 (Dec. 31, 1796). Large engraved vignette of the Army of the North. 2 folio pages. “I am replying, General, to your orders of the 3rd and 7th of this month. I did not inform Commissioner Pruneau of my order regarding the defense of the port of arms, but he sent me a decree that he issued after learning of it. I do not know what prompted him, but my own reason was to avoid finding myself caught in the crossfire, and Commissioner Pruneau should have acknowledged the wisdom of my act of prudence rather than seeking to oppose it. I will not permit hunting until the armistice has been concluded, the troops are in winter quarters, and requisitions have been returned, in order to avoid sedition, prevent riots, and ensure that I do not have the enemy both in front of and behind me. You will carry out this order, General, and you will ensure that it is strictly enforced. Mr. Zierowsky, a captain in the Emperor’s Light Cavalry Regiment, must have received orders to report to Koblenz to meet with Major General Kléber for an exchange. If the order has not yet reached Mr. Zierowsky, inform him that he will receive it shortly; I have issued one to the Chief of the General Staff accordingly.”