Földvári Books

Saint-Domingue Expedition – Military Organization

Tabarié, Michel

[The organization of the General Corps of Saint-Domingue.] Extrait de l'arrêté de Consule en date du 20 Vendémiaire de l’an XI. sur l’organisation de l’armeé. Titre II. Article XIII. Le corps de garde du Général en chef de l'armee de S. Domingue sera organisé de la maniere suivante.

2 pages manuscript on bifolio. Signed by Tabarié. With the letterhead of the “Department de la Guerre”. Dated “20 Vendémiaire de an XI” (October 12, 1802). The upper part of the paper is damaged with insignificant loss of text. Stained. Overall in good condition.

The outline of the structure and organization of the army corps of Saint-Domingue. Corps of 322 people in different ranks, the list of the ranks with the head count of each. Important military related document, during Napoleon Bonaparte’s Saint-Domingue Expedition. Signed by Tabarié (Michel-Marie-Etienne-Victor, vicomte; 1768–1839) the Chief of Division at the Ministry of War (Chef de division au ministere de la guerre).

In December 1801 Bonaparte sent a large army to Saint-Domingue under his brother-in-law, Charles Leclerc, to regain control of the island and curtail the measures of independence taken by the former slave Toussaint Louverture. The beginning of the military campaign was successful for France, Toussaint Louverture surrendered in May 1802 but many of his generals continued a guerilla campaign against the French. At the same time yellow fever epidemic broke out and hit the French troops severely. Lacking knowledge about prevention and control measures, mortality from the disease was crucial, more than half of the French army died. Probably the need of replacement of the deceased military personnels and new strategy was the reason to draft this document by Tabarié.

Important manuscript document related to the Saint-Domingue Expedition.

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Price: €3,000.00