EMPIRE. Spanish War. Manuscript, Mémoires d'un officier français prisonnier en Espagne...; one vol. in-8 of XII-213p. and [1] f. (table), later half calf tan binding (spine a little faded, some light browning and stains inside). Interesting unpublished account by an officer of the surrender of Baylen and the life of prisoners on Spanish pontoons. The subtitle reads "Relation circonstanciée de la captivité du corps de l'armée française sous les ordres du lieutenant général Dupont, dans l'Andalousie et sur les pontons en rade de Cadix, en 1808; suivie de la relation de la déportation en 1809, des officiers, sous-officiers et soldats français, aux îles Majorque, Minorque et Cabrera, des malheurs qu'ils ont essuyés y, de leur départ pour l'Angleterre et de leur retour en France en 1814"... The manuscript is written by Joseph Boursier, who has calligraphed his name at the head, and indicates at the end of the volume: "fait par moi Joseph Boursier, à l'intention du sieur Charles Bouchard qui a été cinq ans prisonnier dans l'île de Cabrera". This is followed by the date and signature of Charles Bouchard, the officer whose testimony has been transcribed: "à Joux La Ville [Yonne] le 20 juin 1841. Charles Bouchard". The manuscript, in brown ink, in tight but highly legible handwriting, in 10 chapters, begins with considerations on the Spanish campaign and the "bloody catastrophe" of May 2, 1806, and ends with the return to France of the surviving prisoners: "More than half of the prisoners disembarked at Cabrera died of misery, hunger, pain and despair"... It is completed by supporting documents: articles from the Baylen capitulation, justification for the conduct of General Dupont and other French generals, and a curious Spanish civil catechism (with translation). A plan of the island of Cabrera, announced and commented on, has not been preserved.