Madame De Pompadour – Autograph Letter

Autograph letter to the Duke of La Vallière (Louis-César de La Baume Le Blanc). (End of June 1758); 2 pages in-12°
Very beautiful letter to the Duke of La Vallière, close to Louis XV and Pompadour, a great bibliophile, on the battle of Krefeld lost against the Prussians. The Marquise de Pompadour makes a report highlighting the heroism of those who fought against an enemy far too superior in men, even if she deplores the dead and the wounded: “Md the marshal could not tell you anything yesterday morning, Broche [affectionate nickname given to the Duke of La Vallière whom she also called “M. de Broche” or even “Brochet”], the evening courier brought some minor details, I had them copied to send them to you, I I enclose one from Bohemia. The list of dead and injured exceeds 5,000 people. This is terrible, we fought like Césards but what can 15 battalions and squadrons do against 40,000 men. The enemies lost prodigiously. They also made us lose by cannon, the retreat despite the cannonade took place in the greatest order, and the army which by the last courier was at Wering [the town of Worringen in Germany], does not believe this beaten and wants to start again. There are no people at Court other than the unfortunate Gisords, very dangerously wounded, Mr de Muy with two saber cuts on his hands, Mr de Maillé, with a shattered shoulder, Mr de Locman with a broken arm, all the others do not only have bruises, or very light blows, Mr de Montmorency has one, he has worked wonders. The king is still very angry, my health is in very poor order. S(a) M(ajesté) is going hunting tomorrow at S(ain)t-Hubert, Monday the trip. I hope your health will allow you to come. Hello, Brooch. »