Jacques Nicolas BELLAVÈNE, General and Baron of the Empire ( - Lot 346

Jacques Nicolas BELLAVÈNE, General and Baron of the Empire (Verdun, Meuse 1770 – Milly, Essonne 1826) – Autograph signed letter to his friend and “former comrade-in-arms,” Citizen MICHAUD, Major General commanding in Châlons, Marne. Paris, 11 Frimaire, Year 5 (December 1, 1796), 3 pages, in-4°: “I am beginning to believe, my dear General, that my return has been greatly delayed. The Directory has temporarily assigned me to its Topographical Office, with the advantage of retaining my rank and salary. So here I am, settled in Paris, quite unexpectedly; it remains to be seen whether I will eventually come to like it here. It is quite true that General CLARKE has left for Vienna. The purpose of his mission is to request an armistice, and it is fairly widely believed that he will seek a congress. The government believes that the latest victories, which definitively secure the conquest of Italy, will be a very powerful reason to hasten the start of the conferences. Prince Charles is determined to deprive us of the final fruit of the campaign; the trench has been opened in front of KHELL, although it is carefully fortified. I have thought that an earthwork cannot successfully withstand an attack when it is fiercely assailed. It is true that our bridges offer significant means of delaying the advance of your trench, but great sacrifices are required to render the enemy’s efforts ineffective. Paris seems fairly peaceful at the moment. In a few days, it may not present the same appearance; The new elections will no doubt occupy people’s minds, and the renewal of the Third Estate will stir up more or less unrest. I wish you, General, health and joy. Do not doubt the sincere affection with which your former comrade-in-arms is bound to you for life…”