Michel NEY, Duc d’Elchingen and Prince de la Moskova (1769-1815)

Autograph Letter Signed (“Ney”) to Division General Colaud, informing him that he has just pursued eight hundred of the enemy who had been sent to destroy the munitions and stores left behind at Ehrenbreitstein, and saying that the enemy is “extremely disheartened”.
1¼ pages 4to in French, Montabauer, 17 prairial an 4 [5 June 1796].            
At the time of the French Revolutionary Wars, when France sought first to protect its borders from the threatening Austrian army, then to pursue the war in enemy territory, French troops under Jourdan and Moreau crossed the Rhine, while Napoleon was cutting a victorious swathe through Italy. Ney had distinguished himself the previous day at the battle of Altenkirchen.
Trans: “I have just returned my dear General from a rigorous pursuit of eight hundred men, both infantry and cavalry, who had been sent from Ehrenbreitstein to destroy the considerable munitions which the enemy have abandoned. I hold several. And houses full of stores, such as 1340 hundredweight of flour in kegs – 600 sacks of oats and 300 thousand rations of hay. I would have marched on Dietz had I not feared that the Austrians might return to set fire to it. It would be important to evacuate it, as the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein can easily send a party to disperse it. By leaving tomorrow, I will leave a large detachment to guard the provisions. I await your orders for tomorrow’s march. The enemy has entirely evacuated its camp at Neuwied and has passed to Cahn [Caan] near Dietz. They are extremely disheartened. I have a few prisoners . . . and a deserter from Bercheny’s regiment – a hussar who I will send to you tomorrow . . .”

As the French army continued its progress east of the Rhine, Ney continued to gain recognition for his courage and skill, capturing Wurtzburg where he took two thousand prisoners. The German campaign ended badly for France after Archduke Charles defeated Jourdan’s forces in September of this year, but by then Ney’s qualities had earned him promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General.
Ney’s correspondent, General Colaud, was a much-respected soldier. In recognition of his services, Napoleon made him a senator in 1801 and a Count in 1808, as well as awarding him the Legion of Honour. In 1815, he took part in Marshal Ney’s trial, speaking in his defence.
The letter has been torn at the left margin, with no loss of text and has been sympathetically repaired and mounted onto card.

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