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.