NAPOLEON BONAPARTE — BOLD “N” APPROVAL ON AN 1809 REPORT ORGANIZING THE 86TH REGIMENT
Countersigned by Minister of War Henri Clarke, Comte d’Hunebourg
March 1809. Approved at Paris, March 10, 1809.
One-page French manuscript report headed “Rapport à Sa Majesté l’Empereur et Roi,” prepared by the Ministry of War’s Bureau de l’Inspection. Signed by Henri-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke as Comte d’Hunebourg and approved by Napoleon with a large, boldly penned “N” and sweeping flourish in the left margin.
The report addresses the organization of the 3rd and 5th Battalions of the 86th Regiment. With only two company officers present at the depot, additional experienced personnel were needed to establish the new formations.
Clarke proposes retaining sufficient officers and noncommissioned officers at Bordeaux to conduct soldiers to the field battalions, while returning surplus personnel to the depot. He separately specifies that the Bayonne detachment should remain attached to the 4th Battalion.
A revealing document of the administrative work behind Napoleon’s military organization, combining a specific regimental manpower problem with a particularly prominent imperial approval.
Condition: General toning, folds, creasing, scattered spotting, and uneven discoloration associated with previous mounting. Brown mounting strips remain along the upper and lower edges of the reverse; a small pale remnant or surface disturbance is visible near the heading. Some marginal wear and wrinkling. The text, ministerial signature, and large imperial initial remain clearly visible. Reverse otherwise principally blank, with ink show-through.
Countersigned by Minister of War Henri Clarke, Comte d’Hunebourg
March 1809. Approved at Paris, March 10, 1809.
One-page French manuscript report headed “Rapport à Sa Majesté l’Empereur et Roi,” prepared by the Ministry of War’s Bureau de l’Inspection. Signed by Henri-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke as Comte d’Hunebourg and approved by Napoleon with a large, boldly penned “N” and sweeping flourish in the left margin.
The report addresses the organization of the 3rd and 5th Battalions of the 86th Regiment. With only two company officers present at the depot, additional experienced personnel were needed to establish the new formations.
Clarke proposes retaining sufficient officers and noncommissioned officers at Bordeaux to conduct soldiers to the field battalions, while returning surplus personnel to the depot. He separately specifies that the Bayonne detachment should remain attached to the 4th Battalion.
A revealing document of the administrative work behind Napoleon’s military organization, combining a specific regimental manpower problem with a particularly prominent imperial approval.
Condition: General toning, folds, creasing, scattered spotting, and uneven discoloration associated with previous mounting. Brown mounting strips remain along the upper and lower edges of the reverse; a small pale remnant or surface disturbance is visible near the heading. Some marginal wear and wrinkling. The text, ministerial signature, and large imperial initial remain clearly visible. Reverse otherwise principally blank, with ink show-through.
