NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14

NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. An excellent bold ink signature, with apostille, `Approuvé Np´, on the right margin of a L.S., Marshal of the Empire `Duc de Valmy´, two pages, folio, Mayence, 4th November 1813, to His Majesty the Emperor Napoléon I, in French. Marshal Kellerman, Duc de Valmy, in his capacity as Head Commander of the Observation Corps of the Rhin, states ´There is no General Commanding the town of Strasbourg, and I have temporary entrusted the duty to the retired Colonel Duchesnoy. Considering the situation, and before Your Majesty´s arrival, I had ordered to besiege this town and those of Landau and Huningue too.´ further requesting a decision regarding the proposal of the farmers of the low-Rhin, who wish to form a cavalry corps comprising 150 to 200 cavaliers, and states `These National guards with horses know well their country and would be very useful for our Defence and our Police.´ Small overall, minor age wear, with left lower edge very slightly irregularly trimmed, not affecting text or signatures. otherwise about VG £1000-1500The present letter is written shortly after Napoleon´s crucial defeat at the Battle of Leipzig, also known as Battle of the Nations, the largest battle in Europe prior WWI, with 600.000 soldiers involved. Two days after Napoleon decided to return to Paris.