Lot 20452 – 1812 One of only two letters known from an Italian with the “Grande Armée” in Moscow

1812 (Oct 4) Entire letter from Moscow to Barlassina (Italy), showing “N° 18/GRAND ARMÉE” two-line postmark, with “10” decimi charge amended to “9”, with contents written by an officer to the parents of one of his soldiers declaring how much this war was training their son “the long marches, the discomforts, the sufferings and the horror of a terrible war”. One of only two letters known from an Italian with the “Grande Armée” of Napoleon in Moscow.

Note: After the Battle of Borodino, the “Grande Armée” entered Moscow on 14 September, this being the summit of the Napoleonic invasion of Russia. Consequently most of the population left Moscow and the Russians provoked a devastating fire which persisted from 14 to 18 September, destroying three quarters of the city, which also compromised supplies; indeed, on 7 October, three days after this letter was dated, the courier from Moscow could not reach Vilnius as a result of the lack of horses. After 36 days, on 19 October the French Army had to leave the city, almost without cavalry, heading for a dramatic withdrawal from Russia and having to also face the harsh winter.