Siege of the City of Almeida. LETTER FROM SOLDIER ANTOINE ARCHIAS, sergeant, at the camp of Almeida on August 23, 1810, TO HIS FATHER residing in Apt (Vaucluse).
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Siege of the city of Almeida. LETTER FROM SOLDIER ANTOINE ARCHIAS, sergeant, at the camp of Almeida on August 23, 1810, TO HIS FATHER residing in Apt (Vaucluse). 18857-9
Red military postal mark "N° 2 ARM. DE PORTUGAL". Remnant of red wax seal.
Letter from soldier Ant. Archias to his father. Address "Monsieur / Monsieur Archias mayor of the city of Apt 4th district of the Vaucluse department / In Apt" "in Provence".
Dated "At the Camp in front of Almeida on August 23. (Almeida, strong city of Portugal)
Annotation: "Almeida, August 23, 1810. Antoine. Received on 26 Sept. Replied on 2 Oct.".
Sergeant Antoine Archias acknowledges receipt of his father's letter from the previous July 20. He then describes the situation in Almeida, mentioning that he is outside the Siege of the city, in a small village, and suffering less than his comrades. He mentions that he has regained his health after enduring heat and fatigue.
"I have just received, my dear and tender father, your letter from July 20th. If a man can invoke heaven to shower his blessings on a good father? Ah! undoubtedly, what vows must I make myself? [...]
Since July 24th, we have been at the siege of the city of Almeida, but, thanks to God, a few days later I was detached to a village with an officer to bake bread for the Regiment, and I am still there. It is even probable that I will stay there until the army makes a move. This means that I am far from suffering as much as my comrades in the Siege, whether from hunger or hardships, and therefore I can do without money until further notice.
My illness was the result of extreme heat, fatigue, and suffering that I endured, but as the body must adapt to everything, I did not leave the company and with some barley tea and a bit of diet, I managed to overcome my fever, as it was tertian fever that I had.
Although I am detached from the regiment, do not change my address for that reason, because, as we have very frequent correspondences with the Regiment, they pass on our letters or other items that may belong to us, and if you ever change my address, your letters would get lost, and imagine then my pain, not receiving news from you anymore.
Farewell my good and tender father. Always believe me to be in the same sentiments.
Signed: Ant. Archias Sergt.
Give my regards to my good mother, all my brothers and sisters, and soon provide me with news of my eldest brother."
Double sheet. 2 1/2 pages. H 20 cm x 14.5 cm.
Good condition, folds, small wormholes (outside of text).
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
The Siege of Almeida took place from July 25 to August 27, 1810, during the Peninsular War. The Anglo-Portuguese garrison of Almeida, under the command of Colonel (Brigadier General) William Cox, was besieged by French units of the VI Corps commanded by Marshal Michel Ney. A lucky shot from the French artillery detonated the fortress's munitions depot, severely weakening the city's defenses. Faced with hostile reactions from some Portuguese officers, Cox decided to surrender. The city was handed over to the French on August 28th.
Red military postal mark "N° 2 ARM. DE PORTUGAL". Remnant of red wax seal.
Letter from soldier Ant. Archias to his father. Address "Monsieur / Monsieur Archias mayor of the city of Apt 4th district of the Vaucluse department / In Apt" "in Provence".
Dated "At the Camp in front of Almeida on August 23. (Almeida, strong city of Portugal)
Annotation: "Almeida, August 23, 1810. Antoine. Received on 26 Sept. Replied on 2 Oct.".
Sergeant Antoine Archias acknowledges receipt of his father's letter from the previous July 20. He then describes the situation in Almeida, mentioning that he is outside the Siege of the city, in a small village, and suffering less than his comrades. He mentions that he has regained his health after enduring heat and fatigue.
"I have just received, my dear and tender father, your letter from July 20th. If a man can invoke heaven to shower his blessings on a good father? Ah! undoubtedly, what vows must I make myself? [...]
Since July 24th, we have been at the siege of the city of Almeida, but, thanks to God, a few days later I was detached to a village with an officer to bake bread for the Regiment, and I am still there. It is even probable that I will stay there until the army makes a move. This means that I am far from suffering as much as my comrades in the Siege, whether from hunger or hardships, and therefore I can do without money until further notice.
My illness was the result of extreme heat, fatigue, and suffering that I endured, but as the body must adapt to everything, I did not leave the company and with some barley tea and a bit of diet, I managed to overcome my fever, as it was tertian fever that I had.
Although I am detached from the regiment, do not change my address for that reason, because, as we have very frequent correspondences with the Regiment, they pass on our letters or other items that may belong to us, and if you ever change my address, your letters would get lost, and imagine then my pain, not receiving news from you anymore.
Farewell my good and tender father. Always believe me to be in the same sentiments.
Signed: Ant. Archias Sergt.
Give my regards to my good mother, all my brothers and sisters, and soon provide me with news of my eldest brother."
Double sheet. 2 1/2 pages. H 20 cm x 14.5 cm.
Good condition, folds, small wormholes (outside of text).
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
The Siege of Almeida took place from July 25 to August 27, 1810, during the Peninsular War. The Anglo-Portuguese garrison of Almeida, under the command of Colonel (Brigadier General) William Cox, was besieged by French units of the VI Corps commanded by Marshal Michel Ney. A lucky shot from the French artillery detonated the fortress's munitions depot, severely weakening the city's defenses. Faced with hostile reactions from some Portuguese officers, Cox decided to surrender. The city was handed over to the French on August 28th.
Reference :
18857-9
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