Lot 169
[Napoleonic Wars]. Browned with age, otherwise Fine. Autograph Letter Signed by John H. Rogers. Rogers was an American missionary fighting for the Spanish against the French during the Napoleonic Wars. His remarkable letter is Four pages, recto/verso, Quarto, Alriante, Spain. To his father, John Rogers Sr. Lengthy detailed letter describing the Napoleonic Wars in Spain, at this time occupied by France, as part of Napoleon's strategy to create a coastal commercial blockade of Britain, and the scene of fighting between France, under Junot, and England, under Wellington, now engaged in an assault of French-occupied Portugal. Rogers reports, in part:
"… have had many fights during the last two months but thank God the Spaniards have been victorious on all sides and all the French Troops that can are now leaving Spain - Moncey's army was defeated before Valencia where he lost 2,500 men - he left Madrid with 12,000 & returned with 1,500… Dupont with 3,000 men entered the Andalucies & after 5 weeks was obliged to capitulate & gave up the remaining part of his army which consisted 17,000 - what a humbling thing for Bonaparte's invincibles to yield to Spanish sans coulottes for certainly a great many of them were without breeches - … our new king Joseph entered Madrid the 20 July was proclaimed King the 25 & left Madrid precipitately the 29 with all the French that were in the City…"
Estimated Value $500-UP.
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