DEFENCE OF SOISSONS: A good and clean D.S., `Gerard´, one page, 4to, March-April 1814, to Sapper Lieutenant de ...

DEFENCE OF SOISSONS: A good and clean D.S., `Gerard´, one page, 4to, March-April 1814, to Sapper Lieutenant de Mauroy, in French. The partially printed document entitled ''Defense de Soissons - March-April 1814'', is a title given to officer de Mauroy in recognition of his important services given during the siege of the city of Soissons, and a recommendation to be awarded with the Legion d´Honneur decoration. The document states in part `To Sapper Lieutenant de Mauroy, as a testimony of his officer services, for his zeal and his contribution in the city defence works… he always proved his bravery and distinction, being wounded on the 26th of March while working under the fire of the enemy´ Very small age wear to the edges, otherwise VG François Christophe Gerard (1786-1815) French Chief of battalion during the defence of Soissons, later appointed General. Napoleon said referring to Soissons `The location of Soissons must be defended till the end…´ considering the city crucial to stop Blucher´s progress. On the 3rd of March 1814, General Moreau surrendered and Napoleon stated `The General has had the infamy of evacuating Soissons without a single gun shot…´ Napoleon, trying to stop the Prussians march to Paris, appointed Gerard to lead the siege of Soissons.