The Seven Years War (1756-63)
Manuscript and printed maps and views, correspondence and journals from the first global war
Order of battle of the French army, Minden, 1759 (Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) 52°17'00"N 08°55'00"E
c.1759Pencil, pen, and ink on paper | 48.6 x 34.2 cm (image) | RCIN 732110.a
The tentative attribution to William Roy is made on stylistic grounds, although it should be noted that this style of handwriting was commonplace in the eighteenth century. The orders of march and battle are detailed, giving the names of the commanding officers, battalions and squadrons, the numbers of each, and the number of artillery pieces. It appears to be unfinished, there being no colouring to the regimental rectangles.
The General Officers of the First Line are Lieutenant-Generals Duc de Havre, Comte de Guerchÿ, Duc de FitzJames, Marq. de Mesnil, M. de Beaupreau, Chev. de Nicolay, Duc de Broglio; Marechaux de Camp M. de la Val, M. de Maugiron, S.t Charmant, Lutzelburgh, Cormanville, M. de Monti, M. de Planta.
The General Officers of the Second Line are Lieutenant-Generals Comte de Lusace, M. de Castries, M. de Voguè, Comte S.t Germain; Marechaux de Camp M. de Lillebonne, M. de Glaubitz, M. de Leyde.
The Reserve corps is under the command of Lieutenant-General M. de Poyanne and Marechal de Camp M. de Bissey and M. de Bellifonds.
Condition: six fold lines; formerly folded to 13.8 x 10.0 cm; some wear along folds; small tear, bottom left. Verso: heavy surface dirt on outside fold panels.
? William Roy (1726-90) (draughtsman)
Subject(s)
Army-FranceWatermark: Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, a ‘4’ suspending the letters L V G below; countermark: IV
Mark, stamped: 884
Condition: six fold lines; formerly folded to 13.8 x 10.0 cm; some wear along folds; small tear, bottom left. Verso: heavy surface dirt on outside fold panels.
48.3 x 33.9 cm (neatline)
48.6 x 34.2 cm (image)
51.4 x 36.8 cm (sheet)
Manuscript title:
Order of Battle in which the French Army commanded by M. de Contades was form’d & advanc’d to Attack the Allied / Army commanded by Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick at Minden Aug:st 1.st 1759. N.B. The Allied Army had in / the Field 27 Batt:ns & 43 Squad:ns [and] Plan of the Order of March of the French Army in 9 Columns, from the Camp at Minden the night of / the 31.st of July 1759, in which Position it remain’d till Day-break, when it form’d in Order of Battle. [top, inside border]
Annotation:
George III heading: Order of Battle at Minden, 1 August 1759.
Other annotations: none.
George III catalogue entry:
Order of Battle Order of battle in which the French Army, commanded by M. de Contades, was formed and advanced to attack the Allied Army, commanded by Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick at Minden, 1.st Aug.t 1759. MS.
Subject(s)
Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (52°17'00"N 08°55'00"E)
Page revisions
6 June 2024
Current version
