SOLDIER'S LETTER ADDRESSED TO MR. DE COCQUEREL, Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard of the Manche department in Cherbourg. 18857-7

LETTER FROM A SOLDIER in Naples on February 8, 1810 ADDRESSED TO Mr. DE COCQUEREL, Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard of the department of La Manche in Cherbourg. 18857-7

Letter with the address "to Monsieur de Cocquerel, Lieutenant Colonel of the National Guard of the Department of La Manche, on duty. In Cherbourg."
The name of the signatory is difficult to read.

Return from Alexandria to Naples before departure for Calabria.

"Naples, February 8, 1810.
My dear friend,
Following the request I had made to my major who commanded the depot in Verceil* to go lead the first detachment that would present itself to the war battalions, I obtained it but it would not have appeared soon. If I had not been part of the 15th temporary half-brigade which was in Alexandria and has just been dissolved, and each company has been sent back to its respective war battalion. I left on the 18th from Alexandria to go to Naples where upon arrival I found my colonel. He told me he would keep me with him, that he would not delay in leaving for Calabria, that he was waiting for the return of the King of Naples, and that we would leave right after.
The bandits still continuously ravage. You can't take 4 steps without an escort with you or you would be slaughtered. A few days ago, a sergeant major was sent to the war battalions to lead about twenty men to Naples. The bandits attacked him, killed him, and stripped the soldiers, sending them back in that state.
When I arrived at the regiment, I asked to have the time I spent in the National Guard counted. I was told it was not possible, that an order from the Minister of War was needed to have it counted. I ask you, my dear friend, to inquire in Cherbourg to find out if this service will be credited to me and to inform me of the steps I need to take regarding this.
I am doing well.
I embrace you with all my heart..."
Signature: D????".

*Verceil, Italy

Double leaflet. 2 pages.
H 26.6 cm x 18.6 cm.
Fair condition, writing difficult to read (ink has bled through the paper), tears with some missing parts on the last page with no loss of text, small wormholes.