IMPERIAL GUARD OFFICER’S PETITION TO NAPOLEON — ADRIEN RAMAND SEEKS THE IRON CROWN, CIRCA 1809–1810
French manuscript petition signed “A. Ramand,” accompanied on the same sheet by a summary of the officer’s military service, wounds, and campaigns. Addressed directly to Napoleon as “Sire,” the document identifies Ramand as lieutenant-colonel in the 1st Regiment of Conscrit-Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard.
Seeking the decoration of the Iron Crown, Ramand invokes an earlier message from Bonaparte praising his distinguished service in the Army of Italy and promising to recognize his merits. He quotes that assurance before respectfully requesting the Emperor’s consideration.
The accompanying service record traces his military career from 1786 through his appointment of 5 April 1809, concluding with the striking statements “Reçu quatre blessures” and “fait toutes les campagnes”—“received four wounds” and “served in all the campaigns.”
A separate marginal endorsement appears to read “accordé,” or “granted,” above an abbreviated signature provisionally attributed to Napoleon. This attribution remains unverified. The words “signé Bonaparte” in the body form part of the quoted earlier correspondence.
One manuscript page, with the reverse otherwise blank apart from ink show-through. Undated; provisionally circa 1809–1810.
Condition: Age toning, intersecting storage folds, scattered small spots, minor edge wear, and ink show-through. The text and Ramand signature remain clearly readable.
An engaging record of an Imperial Guard veteran’s appeal for recognition, bringing together military service, personal sacrifice, and the administration of imperial honors.
French manuscript petition signed “A. Ramand,” accompanied on the same sheet by a summary of the officer’s military service, wounds, and campaigns. Addressed directly to Napoleon as “Sire,” the document identifies Ramand as lieutenant-colonel in the 1st Regiment of Conscrit-Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard.
Seeking the decoration of the Iron Crown, Ramand invokes an earlier message from Bonaparte praising his distinguished service in the Army of Italy and promising to recognize his merits. He quotes that assurance before respectfully requesting the Emperor’s consideration.
The accompanying service record traces his military career from 1786 through his appointment of 5 April 1809, concluding with the striking statements “Reçu quatre blessures” and “fait toutes les campagnes”—“received four wounds” and “served in all the campaigns.”
A separate marginal endorsement appears to read “accordé,” or “granted,” above an abbreviated signature provisionally attributed to Napoleon. This attribution remains unverified. The words “signé Bonaparte” in the body form part of the quoted earlier correspondence.
One manuscript page, with the reverse otherwise blank apart from ink show-through. Undated; provisionally circa 1809–1810.
Condition: Age toning, intersecting storage folds, scattered small spots, minor edge wear, and ink show-through. The text and Ramand signature remain clearly readable.
An engaging record of an Imperial Guard veteran’s appeal for recognition, bringing together military service, personal sacrifice, and the administration of imperial honors.
