Lansdale-Area Auction To Include Napoleon Letter To Stepson

By RANAE GABEL

HATFIELD, PA - On December 9, 2015 the Alderfer Auction Company will offer at auction a rare and historically significant letter from Napoleon to his stepson, Eugène Beauharnois as part of a “Legacy Auction – Rare & Important Autographs and Historical Documents” to be held in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. The eight page letter dated Paris, April 17, 1811 details Napoleon’s orders to his stepson regarding military preparation for an upcoming campaign.

Eugène Beauharnais was the son of Alexandre de Beauharnais and Josephine Tascher de la Pagerie. Alexandre de Beauharnais was executed during the French Revolution and his widowed mother Josephine married Napoleon in 1796. This was Napoleon’s first marriage and he adopted Eugène as a stepson, but Eugène never was an heir to the throne on France. He commanded the Army of Italy and was Viceroy of Italy under his stepfather.

Eugène’s had a long and involved military service and fought in many battles. He served as side-de-camp to his stepfather and was with him in Egypt and was wounded.

Eventually Eugène would become commander of the Army of Italy and lead it through numerous engagements from 1809 thru the Russian campaigns of 1813. On the French army’s retreat from Russia in 1813, Eugène took command of the whole retreating army leading them back to Germany and eventually France. When Napoleon abdicated in 1814 and was sent to Elba, Eugène left the French army and moved with his wife, Princess Augusta of Bavaria, to Munich.

The offered letter details instructions from Napoleon to Eugène regarding a corps of men numbering over 9000 men to prepare them for battle. The letter, in French, gives the reader a glimpse into Napoleon’s military mind and his way of planning to produce an effective fighting force. Napoleon wanted Eugène to quickly form his army in preparation to advance against the new alliance of Prussia, Austria and Russia. Eugène would lead his Army of Italy against these foes and eventually lead the remnants of this army out of Russia two years later.

The 8-page letter contract holds a pre-sale estimate of $8,000 to $10,000. For additional information contact: 800.577.8846 or info@alderferauction.com