Battle of Lützen

Autographed letter signed "Caroline" to a prince [Naples, May 15, 1813], 2 p. In-8° Light fading of the paper in places. Rare letter from Napoleon I's younger sister. Queen consort of Naples through her marriage to Joachim Murat.

Deeply affected by the death of Marshal Bessières, Caroline Bonaparte nevertheless rejoices in her brother's victory at the Battle of Lützen two weeks earlier, succeeding the disastrous campaign in Russia.

Prince, I have received your letter of the 6th. I thank you for your attention, as it would have been dreadful to suddenly learn from the newspaper the sad news you announce to me, the death of Marshal Duke of Istria [Jean-Baptiste Bessière], which affects me excessively. It is cruel to see gradually disappearing the individuals who have been attached to the Emperor for 15 years and have shared all his memories; this loss will have grieved him greatly. I, too, am very saddened by it.

I have just received the telegraphic news of the victory won by the Emperor [Battle of Lützen], and I am very proud to have guessed it because I was sure it would happen this way. The cannon has fired everywhere here, even as far as Messina, to announce this happy news that has made the strongest impression, and we needed it. I reiterate, prince, that I always rely on you for news.

You know how much they are precious to me. The King is still doing wonderfully [her husband Joachim Murat]. The princes and princesses [Achille, Letizia, Lucien, and Louise] enjoy perfect health.

It is only I who, without having any apparent illness, am becoming excessively thin and weak to the point that I scare myself when I look in the mirror.

Receive, prince, the assurance of the feelings that I love to keep for you. He distinguished himself in most of the major battles of the Napoleonic wars, notably at Austerlitz, Eylau, Essling, and Wagram. He was mortally wounded on May 1, 1813, at Rippach, on the eve of the Battle of Lützen. Napoleon speaks of him in these terms: "a reserve officer full of vigor, but cautious and prudent.

" Although a mediocre commander-in-chief, he is an excellent cavalry general, courageous, capable of initiatives, and often personally leads his cavalry charges against the enemy. His death is keenly felt by the Emperor, who declares about him: "He lived like Bayard, he died like Turenne." The Battle of Lützen took place on May 2, 1813, during the return of the Napoleonic army after the disaster of the Russian campaign. Wittgenstein attacks a column of Napoleon near Lützen in an attempt to recapture the city of Leipzig. After a day of intense fighting, the Prussian and Russian forces retreat.