BERNADOTTE JEAN: (1763-1844) French Marshal of the Empire who served during the Napoleonic Wars, later becoming Charles XIV John, King of Sweden and Norway from 1818-44. A.L.S., J Bernadotte, one page, folio, n.p. (Headquarters), 20^th September 1795, to Adjutant General [Francois] Mireur, in French. Bernadotte instructs his correspondent to go tomorrow, at 3 o'clock precisely, to a village in order to take command of the vanguard of the division, explaining 'Tu ordonnerais aux troupes sous tes ordres composees du 2nd Regiment d'hussards, du 12e de chasseurs des 2nd Bont. de la 71e & du 2d Bataillon de la 21e demi-brigade d'infanterie legere de prendre les armes a quatre heures precises du matin' (Translation: 'You would order the troops under your command composed of the 2^nd Regiment of Hussars, the 12^th of Chasseure of the 2^nd Bont. Of the 71^st and 2^nd Battalion of the 21^st Light Infantry Demi-Brigade to take up arms at four o'clock sharp in the morning') and further stating 'Aussitot qu'il sera jour, tu pousserais une reconnaissance avec deux escadrons dont l'un d'hussards et l'autre de chasseurs jusqu'ai village de Lauttzosey ou tu t'arreteras. Tu pousseras ensuite un detachement qui se portera sur la chaussee de cassel & l'eclairera. L'injonction de prendre les armes tous les matins a quatre heures aura lieu jusqu'a nouvel ordre' (Translation: 'As soon as it is day, you will carry out a reconnaissance with two squadrons, one of Hussars and the other of Chasseurs, as far as the village of Lauttzosey where you will stop. You will then push a detachment which will go to the Chaussee de Cassel and light it up. The injunction to take up arms every morning at four o'clock will take place until further notice'). Some age wear and irregular edges and some light staining to parts of the text caused by old tape affixed to the verso to reinforce some of the folds. FR

Francois Mireur (1770-1798) French General who served under Bernadotte and later fought in the Italian and Egyptian Campaigns of Napoleon, meeting his death in the latter at the young age of 28.