Lot 119

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Description:

French General Adam Philippe, Comte de Custine, Veteran of American & French Revolutions Later Guillotined During the Reign of Terror

A promissory note in French signed by Adam Philippe, Comte de Custine (1740-1793) as "Custine" at lower right. The directive docketed No. 635 was dated November 2, 1792. On the reverse can be found a signed reply from Custine's subordinate dated three days later. Lightly toned and with expected folds and ink bleed through. The left edge recto has been reinforced. A previous collector's inscriptions in pencil are entirely reversible. Else very good to near fine. 7.5" x 8.875."

Adam Philippe, Comte de Custine wrote this memo in his capacity as "Le Citoyen Général d'Armée" ["Citizen General of the Army"] , that is, the commander of the Army of the Rhine (Armée du Rhin). The Quarter General at Mainz (modern day Germany) was instructed to pay the sum of 72 livres to an artillery captain named Lauwgére (alternately spelled "Lauwgere.")

Translated in part:

"Good for the sum of Seventy two Livres to pay to Citizen Lauwgére Captain Commander Adjutant Major of the Artillery Company of the Army, as Indemnity for a Loss [an expense] he Made: This Sum [is] payable from the funds at the disposition of Generals, in Virtue of the Ordonnance of the Chief Commissaire of Wars…"

On the reverse, one of General Custine's underlings informed him on November 5, 1792 that the order for reimbursement would be expedited. It is signed by someone named "Beauchard."

The Army of the Rhine had been assembled in late 1791 to defend France's eastern frontier against attacks by the Hapsburg Empire and other entities hostile to the French Revolution. General Custine's Army of the Rhine scourged the middle and upper Rhine River Valley during the autumn of 1792, around the time that this directive was issued. He successfully captured Mainz (referred to as "Mayence" in this letter), Speyer, Limburg, and Frankfurt between September-December 1792.

General Custine's fortunes reversed, however, as the French Revolution devolved into the Reign of Terror. Custine was twice investigated by the Committee of Public Safety. The first time, he was defended by none other than Maximilien Robespierre. The second time, following military losses in the Rhine River Valley which he has so competently conquered the previous year, he was recalled to Paris and convicted of negligence and treason. General Custine was guillotined on August 28, 1793.

Adam Philippe, Comte de Custine had begun his military service at age 8. He later served in the Seven Years' War; as part of Comte Rochambeau's "Expédition Particulière" supporting American forces in the Virginia campaign culminating in the Battle of Yorktown during the Revolutionary War; and also in the French Royal and later French Revolutionary Armies. Custine was known as "Général Moustache" because of his elaborate facial hair.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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