Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, British military leader (1769-1852). Autograph battle orders from the Waterloo campaign.

€ 9,500.00

Extremely rare specimen of Wellington's handwriting, created shortly after the capture of Péronne by allied forces on 26 June, during the retreat of the French army after their defeat at Waterloo, sending an unnamed officer from Cambrai to Péronne and Nesle with orders for the commanding officer at Péronne: "He must send me without loss of time a return of the ordnance & stores in the place including Provisions in order that I may know what to throw in [...]".

Somewhat waterstained. Includes an autograph letter signed by Seymour Thomas Bathurst to his sister Emily, describing the storming of Péronne and enclosing Wellington's orders: "In case you would like to have some orders of the Duke of Wellington's own handwriting I send you the enclosed which he gave me to carry [...]" (Conchy-les-pots near Roije, 28 June 1815. 5 pp. on bifolium and single sheet, 4to and 8vo, with autograph address on verso).

Seymour Thomas Bathurst (1793-1834), whom Wellington entrusted with these orders, was the third son of the 3rd Earl Bathurst, and served as a Lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards at Waterloo.

With small marginal flaws.