Battle of MONTEBELLO. 2 L.A.S., Alexandria May... Lot 237

Battle of MONTEBELLO. 2 L.A.S., Alexandria May 21 and 25, 1859, [to Count de Lezay-Marnesia]; L.A.S., 8 and 12pages in-8. Aynard de CLERMONT-TONNERRE (1827-1884). Long letter from the captain and future general, Napoleon III's orderly during the Italian campaign. "It was on the battlefield of Montebello, where Lannes, fifty-nine years ago, fought victoriously against forces twice his own, that 6,500 Frenchmen stopped 15,000 Austrians. The cannon roared from noon to 6pm. When its great voice ceased to be heard, the enemy was in full retreat. [...] Troops who, for the most part, had not yet seen fire, fought with bayonets like old soldiers. [...] Pity those who, like me, peacefully send you a summary of the impressions of the actors in the drama from the depths of their chambers. Ridiculous comparses who think they have the right to want a part and can know the play, because they've heard it read"... Charles d'ARGUESSE (1823-1901). Long letter from this Napoleon III orderly, recounting the trip to Genoa and Alexandria, the position of the various army corps and the magnificent battle of May 20, 1859: this battle under the command of General Forey ended in "a complete rout" of the Austrians, who were outnumbered four to one. "I'll just mention a soldier who killed an Austrian general with his bayonet, after the latter had wounded him in the shoulder with a pistol shot, and whom the Emperor decorated for this deed"...