JEAN-ETIENNE CHAMPIONNET

JEAN-ETIENNE CHAMPIONNET
(1762 - 1800) French military leader, originally a brigade commander who led a Republican French division in many important battles during the French Revolutionary Wars. He became commander-in-chief of the Army of Rome in 1798 and of the Army of Italy in 1799. He died in early 1800 of typhus. A.L.S., 3pp. legal folio, June 2, 1789, penned while serving in the Army of the Moselle under Lafayette. In French and not translated, however he does thank his friend for sending him a report from Maximilian Robespierre and is pleased that his friend has been appointed to one of the top positions in the new republic, adding a good deal of patriotic sentiment. There is mention of the army imprisoning 1,800, wages paid to various aides and staff, the Committee of Public Safety, and more. Fine condition.