Duke of Wellington - letter written to Duke by French deserter 1813 re back pay For Sale

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Duke of Wellington - letter written to Duke by French deserter 1813 re back pay:
$525.00

LETTER WRITTEN BYFRENCH DESERTER TO THE DUKE

OF WELLINGTON DURING THE NAPOLEONIC WARS

ARTHUR WELLESLEY, 1ST DUKE OFWELLINGTON(1769-1852). Wellesley was one of the leading British military and politicalfigures of 19th-century Britain, serving twice as prime minister of the UnitedKingdom from 1828 to 1830 and in 1834, and as Commander-in-Chief of the BritishArmy from 1827 to 1828 and 1842 to 1852.

ALS. 2pg. 8” x 13”. November 15, 1813.Lymington. An autograph letter signed “Dovalle” addressed “ToHis Excellency the Marquess of Wellington, Captain General of the Army of Spain”:“My Lord, Having had the honor of presenting myself at your headquarters atVilla Toro the 4th October 1812, having deserted from Burgos on 15thJuly of the same year, you had the kindness to promise that I would be paidwages from 4th October until the moment of my boarding ship (24thMarch 1813). Having received nothing of these arrears but 3 doros, one pair oftrousers, one shirt, and one pair of shoes from Mr. De Beker, the Lieutenantcommand of the depot of deserters at Lisbon, I have the honor to request thatyou kindly order payment of the wages that it is my right to demand, as Mr.Tiole, in the same situation as myself, has just received his by your orders. Idare to trust in your kindness, my Lord, that you will consider my request andgrant it a favorable reception”. The Peninsular War was fought from 1807 to1814 and between Napoleonic France and Great Britain, Portugal, and Spain.Spain had been an ally of Napoleon until he forced the abdication of theSpanish monarchy in favor of his brother, Joseph. British forces, under theMarquess of Wellington, gained control over Portugal and launched a campaign toliberate France. They attempted to take the city of Burgos in 1812, whoseproximity to France made its fall in 1808 the first sign that Napoleon wasgoing to capture France, but failed. A successful French counterattack forcedBritish and Portuguese forces back to Lisbon, taking many prisoners, includingFrench Lieutenant Dovalle, though according to this letter he was a deserter.However, rather than focus on Portugal, Napoleon launched his ill-fatedinvasion of Russia. This allowed the Marquess to regroup, and the Coalitionscored a victory over King Joseph Bonaparte's army at the Battle of Vitoria,paving the victory of the war in the Iberian Peninsula. By this time, Dovallehad been evacuated to Lymington, a thriving port city in England’s southeast.No record exists if he was ever granted his back-pay. Thanks to his victoryduring the Peninsular Campaign, Wellesley received his more well-known title,Duke of Wellington, on May 3rd, 1814, before assuming command of theSeventh Coalition forces and ultimately defeating Napoleon at Waterloo thefollowing year. The letter is in French, but a typed transcription is provided.The letter is in fine condition, with some minor folds.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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