A SUBSTANTIAL FRAGMENT from an AUTOGRAPH LETTER or JOURNAL penned by PRINCE FERDINAND PHILIPPE OF ORLEANS from Mostagenem, Algeria during the period of France's African Campaign and conquest of Algeria.

Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orleans (1810-1842).

Published by Mostagenem, May 19th, 1841., 1841

About this Item

- Approximately 275 words penned in French on both sides of a 4-/14 inch high by 7-1/4 inch wide fragment of paper torn from a larger sheet. In his letter, penned from Mostagenem, Algeria during France's conquest of Algeria Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orleans describes the arid ruins of the town, colorfully commenting on storks nesting on the hill above and makes mention of the pompous speech offered by an officer to his troops. The manuscript is entirely penned in his hand though any signature is lacking. Folded for mailing, the paper is slightly darkened and the bottom edge is unevenly torn. The fragment by Prince Ferdinand Philippe of Orleans reads thus "No. 11 Mostaganem le 19 Mai 41 / Nous sommes encore aujourd hui dans cette ville qui est un des sejours les plus abobinables qu on puisse avoir. Elle est situee sur une cote aride et sablonneuse [ ] un arbre ne s apercoit, a mi cote a environ un quart de liens [?] de la mer; c est un amas de maisons grises et moitie ruinees places [--- le ---?] d un ravin. Matammaune se trouve un peu plus haut sur le meme ravin. Comme dans toutes les villes marines occupies par nous tout a un aspect de ruine et de misere qui fait peine a voir. Je suis loger chez M. Tempaune [sp?] bien connu de Chartres & j occupe la maison meme ou ce dernier logeait en 1835. Une grande quantite de cigognes volent en permanence au dessus de la ville ou ells ont leurs nids. Les troupes sons au bivouac aux environs. L organisation de l armee est faite; je ne suis pas mecontent de la part que j eu. Mais cette commotion de troupes………………." [Side 2]: "La colonne sera oblige de revenir a Mostaganem pour y chercher des vivres et les conduire immediatement a Moscaras [sp?] Voila tout ce que je peux savoir des plans et projets a venir. Ce matin le [gand.r?] a reuni les corps d officiers et apres me les avoir presentes, il leur a adresse une longue allocution sur la guerre de ce pays-ci, et sur les mesures a prendre pour la bien faire. La division etant trop nombreuse ici pour que l allocution lui faite comme ell l a ete a [Blidah?]. Les officiers [gaun?] & d etat majeur seuls pu entendre si l allocution faite d un ton emphatique et dans un style [---?] n avait ete pour eux qu un sujet de derision. Celle ci qui a dure un grand quart d heure contenait …………"[We are still today in this town [city?] which is one of the most abominable stays one could have. It is situated on an arid and sandy cliff [ ] no tree to be seen, half way up the side about a quarter of a lien [lien is an older measurement unit] from the sea; it is an amalgamation of grey half-ruined houses placed [----------] of a ravine. Matammaune is found a little higher up the same ravine. Like all marine towns occupied by us, all has an aspect of ruin and misery which is painful to see. I am lodged at Mr. Tempaune, well known of Chartres & occupy the very house where this latter lived in 1835. A large quantity of storks permanently fly above the town where they have their nests. The troops are bivouacking in the region. The organization of the army is done; I am not unhappy with the part I played. But this commotion of troops………….] [Side 2]: [The column will need to return to Mostaganem to retrieve food [or supplies] and immediately drive them to Moscaras [sp?] That is everything which I can know of future plans and projects. The morning the [gand.r?] gathered the officers corps and after presenting them to me, he addressed to them a long allocution on the war of this country, and the measures they should take to do it right. The division being too numerous here for the allocution to be given as it was at [Blidah?]. The officers [gaun?] & of major rank only were able to hear if the allocution made in a pompous tone and in a [---?] style wasn t for them but a subject of derision. This which lasted a good quarter of an hour contained………….]The eldest son of King Louis Philippe I, Prince Ferdinand Philippe of Orleans (1810-1842. Seller Inventory # 36570

Bibliographic Details

Title: A SUBSTANTIAL FRAGMENT from an AUTOGRAPH ...

Publisher: Mostagenem, May 19th, 1841.

Publication Date: 1841

Condition: Good