CAVALRY GENERAL LOUIS BRO DE COMÈRES: ADDRESS SIGNED "Colonel L. Bro" ANNOUNCING THE NEW ORGANIZATION OF CAVALRY, ALONG WITH A NOTEBOOK OF AUTOGRAPHED NOTES AND SKETCHES. 18906-43

CAVALRY GENERAL LOUIS BRO DE COMÈRES: SPEECH SIGNED "Colonel L. Bro" ANNOUNCING THE NEW ORGANIZATION OF THE CAVALRY, AND A NOTEBOOK OF AUTOGRAPH NOTES AND SKETCHES. 18906-43

- The Colonel of the 4th Chevau-Légers Lanciers has just distinguished himself at Waterloo in the famous charge against the Scots-grey of General Ponsonby. He bids farewell in this speech signed "Colonel L. Bro" (undated) (September/October). A superb text announcing to his Corps the new organization of the Cavalry, determining the fate of the Lancers regiments.
"… All the soldiers composing the Regiment will therefore part ways. The Colonel, at the moment he left it on August 10th to go take the waters, did not believe he was seeing for the last time this beautiful corps, which he will always be proud to have commanded. Now that he sees all relationship between them and the 4th Lanciers coming to an end, he would very much like to have the opportunity to bid farewell to his comrades. Only once in the ivy-covered heather, he was able to express to the assembled Regiment his satisfaction with the conduct he held on the battlefield during this difficult retreat, and in the less challenging circumstances that followed. The Colonel will never forget the signs of trust and attachment the Regiment showed him. He now keenly feels the sorrow of not being able to say goodbye and shake hands with the brave soldiers who followed him into danger […]
Officers, NCOs, Sergeants, Trumpeters, and Lancers of the 4th, receive the expression of regrets and affection from your Colonel… Before parting ways, receive his farewells, respond with a farewell that will soften his sorrow of leaving you. His blood has flowed with yours, your glory is his, your memory will be his consolation!"
Double leaf, 1 1/2 pages of writing. H 24.5 cm x 20 cm. Good condition, folds, foxing.

- Notebook of notes and sketches: Touching document. It contains a multitude of notes, sketches, military information (composition of Russian Cavalry Regiments during the campaign), observations on Poland, as well as detailed expense notes, purchases, debts, and transcriptions of songs, maxims, verses, etc.
Approximately 60 pages, oblong 20 x 12 cm. Fair condition.

BIOGRAPHY:
Louis Bro, born on August 17, 1781, in Paris and died on October 8, 1844, in Armentières, was a French military officer and memoirist. On April 14, he married Laure de Comères (1788-1845) whose family originated from Toulouse. He is renowned for his role in the Napoleonic campaigns as well as his closeness to artists such as Delacroix and Géricault. [...]
On April 17, 1815, he took over as colonel commanding the 4th regiment of chevau-légers-lanciers (formerly the 9th dragons) in Aire-sur-la-Lys.
At the Battle of Waterloo under the command of Brigadier General Gobrecht, he led a famous charge. Indeed, he crushed Ponsonby's brigade, resulting in the death (attributed to him by Charles Mullié) of Major-General Sir William Ponsonby who led it, and recaptured the eagle of the 55th infantry regiment taken by Ponsonby's dragoons. Colonel Bro, involved in this incident, was seriously wounded.
In March 1816, he returned to Paris.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The 4th regiment of chevau-légers Lanciers was formed by imperial decree on June 18, 1811, from the 9th dragons regiment.
The 4th regiment of chevau-légers Lanciers participated in the 1812 Russian campaign with the Corps of Observation of the Elbe and the 2nd reserve cavalry corps of the Grande Armée, engaging in the battles of La Moskowa and Winkowo.
It took part in the 1813 campaign in Germany with the 2nd cavalry corps, participating in the battles of Leipzig and Hanau.
In 1814, it was in France with the 2nd cavalry corps, engaging in the battles of Champaubert and Vauchamps (February 14).
During the reorganization of the cavalry corps on May 12, 1814, the 4th regiment of chevau-légers lanciers retained its number before becoming the regiment of lanciers de Monsieur.
Upon Napoleon I's return from Elba on March 1, 1815, he reorganized the army corps. A decree on April 20, 1815, restored the old cavalry regiment numbers lost during the first restoration. The regiment resumed the name of 4th regiment of chevau-légers lanciers and during the Hundred Days, it campaigned in Belgium with the 1st army corps, fighting in the battles of Fleurus and Waterloo.
During the Battle of Waterloo, Colonel Louis Bro led a famous charge, overwhelming Ponsonby's brigade under Major-General Sir William Ponsonby, killing the general, and recapturing the eagle of the 55th infantry regiment taken by Ponsonby's dragoons.