François-Christophe KELLERMANN (1735-1820) marshal, the winn - Lot 557

Lot 557
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François-Christophe KELLERMANN (1735-1820) marshal, the winn - Lot 557
François-Christophe KELLERMANN (1735-1820) marshal, the winner of Valmy. L.A.S., H.Q. of Chambéry 10 pluviôse V (January 29, 1797), to the representative of the people Mathieu Dumas; 3 pages in-4, headed The General in chief of the army of the Alps. Interesting letter concerning Bonaparte in Italy, the operations on the Rhine, etc. Kellermann first congratulates Dumas on his political and military work, and informs him of the situation in Italy, where "we are playing with happiness": ..." I do not doubt that the Directory will give you the great detail of the events in Italy, in the contrary case I will make you pass it on and will judge you of the faults of the enemy and of the way Bonaparte knew how to benefit from it [victories of Rivoli and of the Favorite]. The plan of General d'Alvinzi [Austrian] was perfectly conceived, but extremely badly executed, particularly by the slowness of his movements. It is said that we took many prisoners in the pursuit. It appears from the movements on the Rhine that the enemy has some designs on Dusseldorf on the one hand and on the Hunsdruck on the other, however, as business in Italy will require that they bring forces there, that could disturb their projects"... Kellermann then speaks of various general officers such as LLa Barolière, to whom he recognizes good principles, and Carteaux, of whom he seeks to get rid: "As for Carteaux, I had moved him away from Bourg in order to send him to the border. The representatives Duplantier and Girod find that he would be even more dangerous there; I have just, consequently, [to] send him the order to return to Bourg where he will be supervised by the department. If I knew where to place him, I would have sent him elsewhere, but nobody wants him. It is up to the minister or the directoire to give absolute leave to all these kinds of people; besides, he is not on the list of generals who will remain employed in the armies of the Alps"... He wrote several times to Bonaparte on this subject, but the latter does not want him either. He begs Dumas to find him a suitable place elsewhere: "I have served my country happily and I am the oldest of the generals"...Attached is a printed document, General Kellermann to his fellow citizens (6 p. in-4, vignette, Impr. du Tribunal révolutionnaire), judgment of acquittal of Kellermann (18 brumaire III, 8 novembr 1794). Plus a L.A.S. from his son the general François-Étienne to his friend Nicol (1 p. in-4, adr.).
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