MILITARIA. Manuscript, Lettre d'un Militaire à un Magistrat, - Lot 584

Lot n° 584
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MILITARIA. Manuscript, Lettre d'un Militaire à un Magistrat, - Lot 584
MILITARIA. Manuscript, Lettre d'un Militaire à un Magistrat, [ca. 1778]; 103 fol. pages (31x20.5cm), in 3 quires. Concerning the reorganization of the army by the Comte de Saint-Germain. Appointed Minister of War by Louis XVI in 1775, Claude-Louis comte de Saint-Germain (1707-1778) strove to reduce the number of officers and establish order and regularity in the service. He improved drill and maneuver regulations, reformed field artillery and, in 1776, established twelve royal military schools. He also tried to introduce Prussian discipline into the French army, but met with strong opposition. His ideas were later taken up, notably in the army formed by the Revolution. The author of this manuscript, who remains anonymous, gives a favorable opinion on an ordinance by the Count of Saint-Germain, described as "new military legislation". The text is divided into two interviews, followed by a "chapter 3". The "Premier Entretien" deals with the reorganization of the militia, command, promotions, ranks and the establishment of administrative councils in army regiments. It goes on to discuss the recruitment of gentleman cadets, discipline and the punishment of saber-rattling for convicted soldiers. The "Second Entretien" responds to the Minister's criticism of drawing inspiration from the German example. The author recalls that several marshals under Louis XIV adopted the methods of the Swedish and Dutch armies, which led to better discipline in the regiments. He then addresses the issue of the venality of offices, criticizing Louvois for having multiplied the number of colonels, lieutenant-colonels and majors. The text is peppered with excerpts from Frederick II's Art of War, in which he exalts the qualities of the soldier. The interview concludes with a review of wars since the end of Louis XIV's reign, followed by praise for the Comte de Maurepas and the Comte de Saint-Germain. The 3rd chapter, entitled Des armemens extraordinaires de l'Europe dans le XVIIIe siècle, highlights the superiority of the German army, both in terms of troop numbers and mobility. The legible manuscript, with corrections and glued-on blocks, seems to have remained unpublished. It comes from the archives of naval officer François-Aymar, chevalier, then baron de Monteil (1725-1787).
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