Battle of Puebla, 5 May 1862, original hand-written and signed letter by the French Emperor Napoleon III to the Compte de Lorencez, Commander in Chief of the French Army in Mexico, dated 14 August 1862, concerning the French defeat at Puebla, 5 May 1862, and promising the General the further necessary troops required, restored by a conservator from the Mexican Institute of Archaeology and History, overall fair to good condition, with Spanish translation Purchased Nueva Español Antiguedades, Mexico City, October 2000

Lot 742 - It is most unlikely that the letter was actually physically a handwritten by the Emperor Napoleon III, rather, as with virtually all but his most private correspondence during the period as president and emperor, dictated to and written by one of his many Private Secretaries, and is offered as such.

Estimate: GBP 600-800