Napoléon Ier (1769-1821)

Lot 1066
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10000 - 15000 EUR
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Result : 8 134EUR
Napoléon Ier (1769-1821)
+ AUTOGRAPHIC NOTES, in the margin of an autograph manuscript of General BERTRAND, Note for use in the work on the military constitution, [St. Helena 14-24 November 1816]; 3 pages in folio (watermarks: Jansell 1811 and the "Britannia"; some slight slits); under red morocco case with engraved portrait. Interesting St. Helena document abundantly annotated by the Emperor, on a reform of the army that Napoleon considered necessary and which he studied in great detail. The manuscript in General BERTRAND's hand is entitled "Note pour servir à l'ouvrage sur la constitution militaire" (on 2 pages in column), and bears the date "14 9bre". On this date of 14 November 1816, Bertrand noted in the Cahiers de Sainte-Hélène: "The Emperor dictated to General Gourgaud a project for the organisation of the army to be handed over to the Grand Marshal". And on 24 November: "The Emperor talks with the Grand Marshal of his military notes. As they are, made without pretension, they will form an interesting work. ...] The Emperor speaks of rations: "The great improvement to be made in the war, the only important thing, [...] is to accustom the soldier to carry his provisions, to make his own flour and bread, so that he is sure to have bread without administration and that he always carries his provision of food with him. [...]" The Emperor then looked for the weight of rations, biscuit, rice, flour, etc.". Bertrand's "1st Note" develops this theme: "The Ancients had no general administration. The legion did everything. This must be achieved. The Romans only gave the soldiers some of the local wheat which they were responsible for grinding and cooking. Finally they had few cars, everything was done with mules or pack horses". Napoleon adds, with his hand: "all this must be adopted". The "2nd Note" concerns the composition of an infantry division, composed of 2 brigades, the brigade of 2 regiments, the regiment of 2 battalions; as well as the command of each
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