Gaspard Gourgaud is one of the most important figures associated with Napoleon.
A very interesting set of memorabilia related to a French general, which includes:
- A handwritten copy of the diploma awarding the Commander's Cross of the Legion of Honor to Colonel Gaspard Gouraud (later general).
- Graphic from the French press, depicting the scene of saving Napoleon's life, for which Gaspard Gouraud received the Commander's Cross of the Legion of Honor.
- Portrait graphic depicting Gaspard Gourgaud.
The copy from the original was made in his own hand by the decorated General Gaspard Gourgaud himself.
Cross awarded under exceptional circumstances - for personal bravery and saving the life of the Emperor.
Description of the story
During the Battle of Bienne-le-Chateau on January 29, 1814, Napoleon found himself in the grip of Russian and Prussian troops under the joint command of General Blucher. At one point in the battle Napoleon found himself in a very dangerous position. A Cossack detachment managed to break through his advance guard and began a charge with lances. Seeing the situation, the then acting Aide de Camp of the Emperor, General Gourgaud fastened his horse and, galloping off to the Cossack troop, killed its commander with a pistol, saving Napoleon's life. For this deed, he received a cross still on the battlefield removed from the Emperor's footstool, and later on March 23, 1814, the award was confirmed by the nomination of the Commander's Cross of the Legion of Honor.
The event that was the basis for the awarding of the order has become the subject of many legends, hence in literature it functions in several versions that differ in detail. There have also been a number of paintings and prints depicting the event. One of them, placed in the French press, is on offer - Robert Alexander Hillingford, Bataille de brienne le chateau. The offered document is handwritten by Gaspard Gourgaud. It has a format of 31 x 20 cm. and is in very good condition, except for a few small holes in the paper, irrelevant to the content of the document.
Brief biography
Gaspard Gourgaud was born in Versailles and, due to his demonstrated love of mathematics in his youth, began his career in the artillery. The systematic development of his career as General Foucher's aide de camp took him, among other things, to the Polish lands, where he fought in the battles of Pultusk and Ostroleka, for which he received the Cross of the Legion of Honor. His career accelerated in 1811, when he was given the position of inspector of fortifications in Gdansk. He then took up the post of one of the officers of the orderly to the Emperor and, assisted by him, flew the entire campaign of 1812. During this expedition he became famous for being the first to enter the Kremlin and, together with his squad, discovered the gunpowder planted there, which was to be used to kill the Emperor. For saving Napoleon's life and for his attitude throughout the Moscow campaign, he was awarded the title of Baron of the Empire and First Orderly Officer. Since then, he has been constantly at Napoleon's side. During the 100 days he is appointed general and aide de camp of the Emperor. After his repeated abdication, he travels with Napoleon to the island of St. Helena, where he remains with him until the end. He leaves behind the monumental two-volume work "Conversations on Napoleon on St. Helena" and a number of other historical works. One of the most important figures of the Napoleonic era.
An interesting value in a display frame.
Dimensions of the binding: 44.0 x 50.0 cm.
Recommended.
