JOURDAN JEAN BAPTISTE: (1762-1833) Marshal of France. An excellent and fierce L.S., `Jourdan

JOURDAN JEAN BAPTISTE: (1762-1833) Marshal of France. An excellent and fierce L.S., `Jourdan

JOURDAN JEAN BAPTISTE: (1762-1833) Marshal of France. An excellent and fierce L.S., `Jourdan´, at the Warem Head Quarters, north-east of Liege, 20th July 1794, to General Scherer, in French. The letter bears the printed heading of the Sambre & Meuse army alongside a Republican vignette and the motto “Liberté - Égalité”. Jourdan, in his capacity as Commandant in chief of the Sambre & Meuse army, orders the definitive attack, stating `Puisque le Commandant du Quesnay, n´a pas voulu obéir au décret de la Convention Nationale, il faut mon Camarade qu´il subisse le sort que ce décret ordonne; cela servira d´exemple a Valenciennes et a Condé´ (“Since the Commander of Quesnay did not want to obey the decree of the National Convention, it is necessary my Comrade that he undergo the fate that this decree orders; this will serve as an example to Valenciennes and Condé”) further instructing how far he expects his General to act, saying `Fais en consequence tout ton possible pour accélérer le moment de la prise de cette place; augmente ton artillerie, enfin réduis en poudre et la place et la garnison´ (“Do everything possible to hasten the day of taking this place; increase your artillery, and finally reduce to powder both the place and the garrison”) Only few weeks earlier Jourdan obtained a very important victory at the battle of Fleurus, an allied defeat which led to the destruction of the Dutch republic. With address leaf bearing a red wax seal showing a republican image. With a large tear to the upper right edge, although only affecting one word. Small overall minor age wear. G

 

Barthélemy Louis Schérer (1747-1804) French General during the French Revolutionary Wars. He served with distinction at the battle of Aldenhoven.