DAVOUT LOUIS NICOLAS: (1770-1823)

DAVOUT LOUIS NICOLAS: (1770-1823) Marshal of France, Duc d´Auerstaedt and Prince of Eckmuhl. Known as the Iron Marshal, Davout was the only Napoleonic Marshal not to have been defeated in battle by 1815. L.S., M. Pr d´Eckmul, one page, folio, Paris, 2nd June 1815, to Chief of Battalion Gaspard Deschamps, in French. The partially printed document bears the printed heading of the Minister of war with a printed coat of arms. Davout in his capacity as Minister of war, and on behalf of Napoleon, Emperor of French, appoints officer Deschamps to the headquarters of the North army. Small overall, minor age wear. Few very small tears to the edges, some professionally repaired to the verso, none affecting the text or signature. Ink stain to the lower left corner, G £200-300 The present letter was signed by Davout during the Hundred Days, the period between Napoleon´s return from exile on the island of Elba to Paris and the second restoration of King Louis XVIII. Napoleon considered Davout indispensable to reorganize the French army as a matter of urgency and appointed him Minister of war, although Davout was the only possible candidate who had not sworn loyalty to the Bourbons. Two weeks after the present letter date, took place the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon kept his loyal Marshal Davout in Paris at the head of the war minister and in charge of Paris control. After the Waterloo defeat Napoleon was criticized for his failure to avail himself in the field of the services of the best general he then possessed.