SUCHET LOUIS GABRIEL: (1770-1826) Marshal of France. Duc d´Albufera. One of the most brilliant of Napoleon´s ...

SUCHET LOUIS GABRIEL: (1770-1826) Marshal of France. Duc d´Albufera. One of the most brilliant of Napoleon´s Generals. A.L.S., with paraph, three pages, 4to, Spain, 26th April 1809, to his brother Knight Suchet, in French. Suchet explains that he has been riding for a number of days and could not find time to write and states `The 5th Regiment has just left Aragon and moves towards Burgos, I receive en route an order instructing me to replace the Duke of Abrantes and take over the command of the third Regiment.´ further saying `This proof of confidence from H[is] M[ajesty] honour me and terrifies me too, it is an important and difficult task, and separates me from one of the bravest and most devoted men…Leading them I could only earn glory; I built up a military family with a rare devotion..´ Suchet asks his brother to visit his wife and family and replace him while he is away, as he was expecting to return with his troops to Germany, but the Emperor´s orders are different. And in concluding says `I depart to Zaragoza´. With address leaf to the fourth page in Suchet´s hand, bearing a black wax seal. The letter is sent to Rouen, and bears an annotation to the upper left corner indicating that the letter was received on 17th May. VG £200-300 Suchet had been appointed, shortly before the present letter was written, General in chief of the Aragon army replacing General Junot. Jean-Andoche Junot (1771-1813) 1st Duke of Abrantes. French General during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Gabriel-Catherine Suchet (1877-1835) Brother of Marshal Suchet. French Deputy.