Philippe-Paul, Count of SÉGUR (1780–1873), general and histo - Lot 533

Lot n° 533
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Philippe-Paul, Count of SÉGUR (1780–1873), general and histo - Lot 533
Philippe-Paul, Count of SÉGUR (1780–1873), general and historian. Autograph manuscript, “The Battle of the Moskva,” Notes by the Duke of Vicence; 5 folio-sized pages (edges slightly frayed). A refutation of Caulaincourt’s account of the Battle of the Moskva (September 7, 1812). The historian of the Russian Campaign takes notes based on the Memoirs of Caulaincourt, Count of Vicence, and refutes them with his own personal recollections. For example: “This is completely contrary to what I heard and saw with my own eyes. […] This report by Berthier is in complete contradiction to what Berthier himself told Daru in the midst of the battle”… Etc. The main figures in this famous battle are mentioned: Napoleon, Berthier, Belliard, Davout, Bessières, etc. The tone of the observations is passionate; the comments are frequently written in the wake of conversations the Count of Ségur has just had with generals who took a direct part in the action… Enclosed is an autograph letter signed by Captain Jean-Marie Soubdès (1787–1859) to the Count of Ségur (6½ pages, folio size). A captain in the former 5th Cuirassier Regiment, he provides some clarifications and corrections after reading Ségur’s book, *History of Napoleon and the Grand Army*. Soubdès joined the retreating Grande Armée in October and would like to see General Latour-Maubourg’s role highlighted. He corrects a few errors in dates and numbers and discusses the crossing of the Berezina: there was neither a hurricane nor a storm; while the men did indeed eat horse meat, he doubts that they resorted to cannibalism; the army lacked neither shoes nor clothing, which were taken from the dead, etc.
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