Famous Pipe Of Lieutenant General Pierre Daumesnil, Vincennes, First Empire

GOOD CONDITION, BRUET, HORN, SILVER, AND FUNCTIONAL. PIERRE YRIEIX DAUMESNIL BORN IN PÉRIGUEUX ON JULY 27, 1776 / DIED IN VINCENNES ON AUGUST 17, 1832. CELEBRATED GENERAL AND BARON OF THE EMPIRE. BEGAN HIS MILITARY CAREER IN 1794 IN THE 22ND REGIMENT OF CHASSEURS À CHEVAL. SAVED NAPOLEON AT ARCOLE AND FOLLOWED HIM UNTIL THE RESTORATION WITH THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL AND BARON OF THE EMPIRE. For these numerous feats of arms and wounds, what is engraved on the pipe recounts the defense of the Fort of Vincennes in 1814. The Fort of Vincennes should have been surrendered to the Austro-Russian-Prussian allies several weeks ago, and Daumesnil was still holding it. The allies demanded its surrender, threatening the general, to which he replied, "When you give me back my leg, I will give you back my position"—a leg he lost at the Battle of Wagram! A very beautiful, original, and period piece.