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SIGNED AUTOGRAPH LETTER CLAVEAUD (CLAVEAUX?) OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD TO HIS FATHER, Rueil September 10, 1811. 18855-18

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED CLAVEAUD (CLAVEAUX?) FROM THE IMPERIAL GUARD TO HIS FATHER, Rueil September 10, 1811. 18855-18

The officer is originally from Valence.
A lengthy letter addressed to his father, providing interesting details about the daily life of young officers in training.
Recipient's address "Monsieur Claveaud (Claveaux?) Valence / Drôme".

"Rueil, September 10, 1811
My dear father,
The regiment is now complete, except for the officers (200 men per company), we are forming the 6th regiment of skirmishers and instructing them. We will not stay in Rueil due to the accommodation; the general said today while reviewing us that we will go to Rouen in a few days. I fear, based on what we have been told, that we may struggle to sustain ourselves there because everything is very expensive, and our salaries do not increase. The innkeeper who provides our meals has raised the fee by 58 and we still pay 50 francs. The house he occupies is at the barracks, he pays no rent, nor the entrance fees for wine, what will it be like in Rouen? We have complained to the general, he threatened our man to kick him out, and tried to show how little 30 francs is for maintenance, but added that almost all of us have something of our own, otherwise we can't even buy the smallest thing. I confess that I have only 3 francs and 10 centimes left to get through the whole month. Any smallest mishap, anything, I will be forced to borrow because I have been ill for 7 days, and I am glad that this slight indisposition has given me the opportunity to purge myself before going to the campaign. Laundry, repairs, housing, a world of accidents, a minor illness quickly take away your 10 ecus per month, because out of 83 we give 28 to the Invalides...
I will need a frock coat, which is the daily attire we wear as we only change it once or twice a year. Well, if I had to rely on my salary, when everything goes as I wish, I would put aside 4 or 5 francs, and this would happen every 5 or 6 months, and before I have 120 francs, I think I would have to wait a few years...
Let's talk about my minor promotions; the colonel is pleased with how I led the company, he has shown his satisfaction by giving me a clear proof, as a company had officers either sick or absent, he entrusted me with the command for the past 3 weeks and I will keep it for a while longer, saying in front of my comrades, 'this company lacks non-commissioned officers and the soldiers have been neglected, I entrust it to you...'
I am known as the strictest officer in the regiment, and I hold onto this reputation...
Yesterday the colonel summoned me and said he appointed me officer of clothing and armament...
I will go see if Mr. De St Vallier is back from his trip, and also pay a visit to General Campon. As officers of the guard are allowed to dress as civilians, and only lack a coat and a round hat, if you still have my little brown coat, I would kindly ask you to send it to me at Mr. Mariton's address, along with my two shirts I cannot find; he will pass them on to me...".

Two-page letter. 3 1/3 dense pages of handwriting.
Dimensions: H 23.5 cm x 17.5 cm.
Text in good condition. Two tears with missing words, damp stains and foxing, folds.
Price : 100,00 €
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Insurance (1%) : 1,00 €
Reference : 18855-18
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