[FOY - HERNANI]: An excellent military map of Hernani, issued by French Napoleon´s army, one page, oblong large 16 ...

[FOY - HERNANI]: An excellent military map of Hernani, issued by French Napoleon´s army, one page, oblong large 16 x 12 folio, Hernani, 26th June 1813, with annotations in French. The map is issued, fulfilling orders given by General Foy, on his retreat from Spain, Maximilien Sebastien Foy (1775-1825) French military leader. The very attractive map, ink drawn, shows the city, rivers around, bridges, a scale at the base, etc.. To the left border, a lengthy eight lines annotation in bold black ink, signed by `Bure´, reporting on the best military locations where to post the regiments and better protect their army during the retreat, stating in part `The position before the Astigaraza bridge is surrounded by too much coppice and do not grant enough obstacles as the one before Hernani, where the army will be able to lean on both sides of the river…´ Small overall minor age wear and staining, with edges slightly trimmed, otherwise G £120-180 On 20th June 1813 Foy issued orders to evacuate Bilbao. On 21th June, French forces set off at dawn from Vitoria, escorting a large convoy towards the French frontier, while Wellington's army inflicted a decisive defeat on Joseph's Bonaparte troops at the Battle of Vitoria. On 26th June took place the Battle of Tolosa, and the British-Portuguese-Spanish forces began the siege of Pamplona. Thomas Graham forces cut of Foy´s retreat. The next day, Foy, threatened with envelopment decided to retreat to Hernani with his corps numbered 16,000 infantry, 400 cavalry and 10 field pieces. Foy had ordered the day before to issue the present map, planning his retreat. Hernani is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, Spain, at a distance of nine km from San Sebastian. The title character of Victor Hugo´s play Hernani is named after the town.