Robert d'ORLÉANS, duc de CHARTRES (1840-1910), grandson of Louis-Philippe, military; he was allowed to take part in the 1870 war after the fall of the Empire and served (under the pseudonym Robert Le Fort) as squadron leader in the Loire army; colonel in 1878, then exiled in 1886. L.A.S., Campement de N'Gaouss September 9 [1871], to former deputy Louis-Charles Estancelin (1823-1906); 8 pages in-8. Beautiful letter from Algeria. Robert d'Orléans, "squadron leader with the 3rd Chasseurs d'Afrique", reminds Estancelin that it is thanks to his intervention that he is able to "regularly serve" his country. After spending a fortnight in Constantine, he was "ordered to join Gal Saussier's column with a convoy, one of the most active, having fought 28 engagements in the last 6 months. [...] I command 2 squadrons of the regiment. I live in good comradeship with all the officers, and I have a clear conscience about doing my duty, however painful it may be at times. He recounts an engagement "in which we beat the hell out of Achmed bey and his insurgents. A hundred of them were killed. Women were even killed - the huts and tents were burnt and the herds razed to the ground. It's very funny, an Arab battle - [...] an appalling backfire, you hear a few bullets whistling, everyone's firing from all sides, you think there won't be any left, and in the end you generally find yourself in good health. [...] All in all, the Insurrection is drawing to a close - when Bou Mezrag is surrendered or on the run, it's all over for the province except for the South, where an expedition to Xbre will be necessary. [...] I found my father's bust in Sétif - everywhere there are many memories of Uncle Aumale - the Arabs are especially attached to him. The provincial newspapers are more or less communal, more or less like the colonists, and they shouted a lot against my arrival, against my extra-legal appointment"... Etc.