TWO LETTERS FROM ADJUDANT MAJOR JEAN SYLVAIN DE FLAMBARD, 6th light infantry, TO HIS MOTHER, one dated Louvain, April 18, 1814. 18856-16

TWO LETTERS FROM ADJUDANT MAJOR SYLVAIN DE FLAMBARD, 6th Voltigeurs, TO HIS MOTHER, one dated Louvain 18 April 1814. 18856-16

The two letters are addressed to "Madame / Madame de Flambard - Désarnaux, commune of Chepniers Canton of Mont-lieu, via Mont-lieu Dépt of Charente Inférieure." One of the letters bears the postal mark "LOUVAIN."

- One letter describes in detail the daily life of Adjutant Major de Flambard, the encounter with the Russians, and the return of the Bourbons.
"Louvain, April 18, 1814.
Dear Mother,
When you still believed me to be at the hospital in Paris, I was then running the greatest dangers when I had the honor of writing you my last letter. I was leaving at that moment for the army with my battalion which had come to be completed in Paris. Since that time, we have had the affairs of Cranne, Lyon, Poissons, and finally the one that decided our fate, which is at Lafaire Champenoise on March 25 where I was taken prisoner by the Russians along with our entire brigade, the General at the head. It was the only trial I had not yet gone through dear mother, but I assure you, it was cruel. I was stripped on the battlefield. The wretches left me naked with only a pair of trousers in my boots. And it is unnecessary to tell you all they did to us [...].
I am now dear mother serving the august monarch for whom my ancestors have been illustrious.... the name of the Bourbons makes me forget all the ills that Napoleon made me experience [...].
I embrace you a thousand and a thousand times with all my heart, and this heart, throbbing with joy, rejoices in the thought of soon seeing you happier than under the despotic rule we have just left behind.
Signed De Flambard, adjutant major."
Double sheet. H 18.8 cm x 16 cm.
Good condition but faded ink. A photocopy is included for better readability. Small tears with loss, foxing, creases.

- The second letter is not dated, but in the text it is noted "I leave tomorrow, I will pass through Lyon on 4th July...". In this letter, he expresses his distress to his mother over a change in attitude towards him following behavior or words that displeased someone.
"Never speak to me of ranks or military honors, the reign is over for me, and until it returns, Europe becomes my country and the universe my homeland. Farewell dear mother..."
Double sheet. H 23.5 x 18.5 cm. 2 1/2 pages.
Good condition, two tears with loss not affecting the text, creases.

Despite his letter sent to his mother which was relatively supportive of the return of the Bourbons, he was placed on half-pay in 1815 after expressing himself indecently against the royal family.