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Table of Contents > Autographs > Lot 17 |
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Lot Number: 17
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $1,800 - $2,400 |
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1792 Citizen General Jean Baptiste Comte D’Estaing Signed Officier’s Military Service Record Between 1755 to 1792 for His Friend Citizen Gaultier of Kerveguen |
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COMTE D’ESTAING (1729-1794). Full name, “JEAN BAPTISTE CHARLES HENRI HECTOR COMTE D’ESTAING”, a French General and Admiral; Commander of the First French Fleet sent in support of the American Contiental Army during the American Revolutionary War, who was wounded at the Siege of Savannah in 1779. August 28, 1792-Dated, Autograph Document Signed, “d’Estaing” on the back of a lengthy 2 page Military Service Record, written in French, measuring 12.25” x 8”, at Perpignan (France), Choice Very Fine.This beautifully handwritten document includes on its front page, written in the hand of Citizen Gaultier of Kerveguen, his long service record dating from 1755 to 1792. Gaultier’s handwriting is crisp, neat, and tight, being in deep brown ink on clean laid high quality watermarked period paper. It includes highlights of his military career spanning 37 years and 4 Wars. Similarly, with a long note written by d’Estaing, who’s writing is perfection. Here, d’Estaing writes as Gaultier’s Commanding Officer, giving him a warm recommendation (also in French) based on their long years of military service together. In the subsequent French Revolution, d’Estaing was guillotined, because of his loyalty to the Royal Family. Gaultier was Captain of Infantry and Assistant to the Quartermaster General for lodging and landing troops; entered the service in 1755 as a Naval Engineer, went to Santa Domingo as Aide-de-Camp to Count d’Estang. He performed duties of Engineer from 1764 to 1766; Topographical Engineer of Camps in 1767; sent to Corsica 1769; Captain of Infantry 1769; employed on the coasts and frontiers up to 1777; he participated in all of d’Estaing’s military Campaigns, and he engaged in the land actions which took place during the 21 months campaign of his squadron; was one of the first in the assault of the bluff of the Granada Hospital; and at the (1778-1780) Siege of Savannah, gave proof of Gaultier’s great usefulness and valor. Gaultier survived the French Revolution, perhaps by remaining “apolitical”. A unique historic document, this important and very attractive historic military service record would be an important addition to any military or French historical collection. Naval exploits during the latter war prompted him to change branches of service, and he transferred to the French Navy. D’Estaing served in India during the Seven Years’ War and was governor of the Antilles (1763-66). He was appointed Vice Admiral in 1767 and in 1778 attempted to surprise the English squadrons in North America and enable the colonists to resume the offensive. His blockade of Admiral Richard Howe in New York Bay proved unsuccessful (July 1778), and in August storms prevented him from engaging the British fleet near Newport, Rhode Island. In November he sailed for the Antilles, where, despite several opportunities, he failed to eliminate a much smaller British squadron. His caution and hesitancy greatly disappointed the American colonists during a crucial phase of the Revolutionary War. Following France's entry into the American War of Independence in 1778, d'Estaing led the first French fleet to aid the American rebels. He participated in a failed Franco-American siege of Newport, Rhode Island in 1778 and the equally unsuccessful 1779 Siege of Savannah. He did have success in the Caribbean before returning to France in 1780. His difficulties working with American counterparts are cited among the reasons these operations in North America failed. Although d'Estaing sympathized with revolutionaries during the French Revolution, he held a personal loyalty to the French royal family. Because of this he came under suspicion, and was executed by guillotine in the Reign of Terror. |
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Lot Number: 17
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $1,800 - $2,400 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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