Spanish prisoners of war 1810. AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM BRIGADE GENERAL BLONDEAU TO COLONEL DELLARD, commander-in-chief of the column of prisoners en route to Madrid, notifying him of potential attacks by bandits. 18910-32

SPANISH WAR PRISONERS 1810. AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM BRIGADE GENERAL BLONDEAU TO COLONEL DELLARD, commander-in-chief of the column of prisoners en route to Madrid, warning him of possible attacks by bandits. 18910-32

Autographed letter signed by Brigade General Blondeau*.
With address "To Mr. / Colonel Baron Dellard** / Commander of the prisoner column / en route to Madrid / At la Caroline, sent by messenger departing at midday on the 21st of November".
Remnants of a red wax seal.

General Blondeau informs Colonel Dellard, who is in charge of a column of Spanish prisoners heading towards Madrid, that an attack by bandits is likely to attempt to free the prisoners. He believes that it will not succeed but prescribes precautions for it:
"The Spanish prisoners will be tied in fours to cross the Sierre, and at all passageways [...] English officers and soldiers of that nation will not be mixed with the former, they will be treated with respect.
Spanish officers are not tied but their guards must forget and the first one who takes a step backward from obedience, will be shot on the spot, I believe we must give them a particular escort commanded by an officer to observe them more closely [...]"

Handwritten notes at the bottom of the page:
"Sent on the 29th of November 1810 by messenger at midday".
"Please acknowledge the receipt of the note" (present).

Double sheet, one written page, address on page 4.
Measures 31.5 cm x 21.7 cm.
In fairly good condition, folds, tears at the remnants of the wax seal with some loss (outside the text), some foxing.

BIOGRAPHIES:
* Jacques Blondeau, born on January 12, 1766, in Chateauneuf, where he died on March 30, 1841, was a French general of the Revolution and the Empire.
[...]
He held various commands in Italy from 1800 to 1808. He was appointed brigadier general on October 12, 1808, and sent to Spain, where, except for the Battle of Ocaña in 1809, he did not have many opportunities to shine. He successively governed several cities or fortresses (Talavera, Madrid, Toledo). He took part in the siege of Cadiz under Victor in 1812.
He was granted the title of Baron of the Empire on January 1, 1813. Falling ill in Bayonne, he was blocked by Mina in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in 1814. He was made a Commander of the Legion of Honor on April 3, 1814.
During the first restoration, King Louis XVIII made him a Knight of Saint Louis in September 1814.
Having accepted a position during the Hundred Days, he was no longer employed by the king. He retired in 1824.
He died in Paris on March 30, 1841.

** Jean-Pierre Dellard, born on April 8, 1774, in Cahors, and died on July 7, 1832, in Bourg-en-Bresse (Ain), was a French general of the First Empire.
[...]
After the Peace of Tilsit, the 16th Light Regiment fell back on Berlin, where it stationed for a year. On August 18, 1808, Colonel Dellard left the camp of Mitrow, and arrived with his regiment at the Spanish army on October 29. The following 11th of November, the 16th Light Regiment alone defeated the left wing of the Spanish army, commanded by General Blake. This regiment, with 5,000 men, and positioned disadvantageously, destroyed or dispersed 15,000 Spaniards occupying the heights of Espina de los Monteros. When about to advance towards the enemy, Colonel Dellard addressed his troop, saying: "Brave 16th, your immortal reputation commands my confidence: it is up to me to earn yours today; I will succeed and make you do great things if you execute in silence and calmly the movements I command you." Hit by a bullet as he first charged the enemy columns, he continued to command. In a review held in Burgos on the 22nd of the same month, Napoleon I awarded twelve decorations to the 16th Light Regiment; this distribution was done in the presence of the emperor; he quickly turned to Dellard and said: "Don't you ask for anything for yourself, Colonel?" - "Sire," the latter replied, "my reward is in the one Your Majesty has just granted to the brave men I command." The emperor appointed him an Officer of the Legion of Honor on the same day, and shortly after, Baron of the Empire.
He particularly distinguished himself at the Somosierra pass and the capture of Madrid, where a bullet went through his left arm as he stormed the barracks of the Guard of Corps. After recovering his health in the waters of Aachen, he resumed command of his regiment in Toledo. He commanded the Arzobispo, where he observed and illuminated the routes to Truxillo and Estella, reporting first on the enemy's march to Ocana, and maneuvering with the first corps to prevent the enemies from crossing the Tagus. He successively occupied different cities and captured Agado. He stood out in the defeat of the insurgents in the Sierra Morena, the capture of Seville, and Puerto Santa Maria. King Joseph Bonaparte offered him, on his behalf, a valuable ring.
...