Letter from François Frachon to his... (1840)

NRA-L-000539 / 1840

Letter from François Frachon to his mother, 1840-11-02

François Frachon writes to his mother about his father's recovery, Elisabeth's studies, regimental movements and training marches.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000539

NRA-L-000539 image 1 showing a folded address panel to a Frachon correspondent with postal marks, forwarding notes, seals and visible folds. — **Image 1**Address panel, postal evidence and retained annotations.

NRA-L-000539 image 2 showing a handwritten French letter page with manuscript text, annotations and visible fold lines. — **Image 2**Letter text — Page 1.

NRA-L-000539 image 3 showing a handwritten French letter page with manuscript text, annotations and visible fold lines. — **Image 3**Letter text — Page 2.

NRA-L-000539 image 4 showing a folded French letter combining manuscript text, address panel, postal marks and retained annotations. — **Image 4**Combined letter text, address panel and postal evidence.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000539
Date: 1840-11-02
Original date: Beaupreau le 2 9bre 1840
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: François Frachon
Recipient: Jean Marie Frachon
Places: Beaupréau / Annonay
Extent: 4 documentary sides: Documentary page 1; Documentary page 2; Documentary page 3; Documentary page 4; 4 digital images.
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000539.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Monsieur
Monsieur Jean Marie Frachon
Annonay
Ardèche

Address panel

English translation

Monsieur
Monsieur Jean Marie Frachon
Annonay
Ardèche

Documentary page 2

Original transcript

Beaupreau le 2 9bre 1840

Ma bonne mere

que ta derniere lettre m'a fait plaisir et m'a tranquillisé
en me donnant de meilleurs nouvelles de mon pere, dont
l'Etat m'inquietait beaucoup et ne me laissait aucun moment
de repos, j'espère que ce mieux que tu m'annonçais aura
continué et qu'une prochaine lettre, si elle n'est pas
déjà en route m'annoncera sa convalescence, que
je desire de tout mon Cœur, mais je t'en prie ne tarde pas
à m'écrire, car il est trop fatiguant d'attendre des
nouvelles de ceux que l'on aime.
J'ai vu avec plaisir que ma Sœur et toi continuez
à bien vous porter, et qu'Elisabeth continue journellement
ses leçons dont elle doit comprendre l'importance et
la nécessité maintenant qu'elle n'est plus un Enfant.
J'Espère qu'elle ne me fera pas attendre trop longtemps
la lettre que tu m'annonce dans ta derniere Je conçois
facilement qu'elle aie peu de temps, entre le temps à
employer à ses études et à tenir compagnie à notre
bon père, mais son amitié pour moi lui fera bien je
le pense trouver un instant à donner à un frere qui
ferait tout pour Elle.
Comme je l'Espérais dans ma derniere il n'y a
pas encore eu de changements pour moi

Documentary page 2

English translation

Beaupreau, 2 November 1840

My good mother,

How much pleasure your last letter gave me, and how it reassured me by giving me better news of my father, whose condition worried me greatly and left me not a moment's rest; I hope that this improvement you told me about has continued and that a coming letter, if it is not already on its way, will announce his convalescence to me, which I desire with all my heart; but please do not delay in writing to me, for it is too tiring to wait for news of those one loves.
I saw with pleasure that my sister and you continue to be in good health, and that Elisabeth continues her lessons daily, the importance and necessity of which she must understand now that she is no longer a child. I hope she will not make me wait too long for the letter you announce in your last; I easily understand that she has little time, between the time to be spent on her studies and keeping our good father company, but her friendship for me will surely, I think, make her find a moment to give to a brother who would do anything for her.
As I hoped in my last, there have still not been any changes for me.

Documentary page 3

Original transcript

Il n'y a pas encore eu de promotions, tant que les hommes
qui ont été désignés pour passer au 73e (429 pour le régt) ne
seront pas partis. Et on ne sait pas encore quand ils partiront
Il est à craindre que le revirement du ministère ne retarde
la formation des nouveaux Régiments. Le 7e prend deux
Compagnies au complet en officiers sous officiers et soldats
Ces deux compagnies ont été tirées au sort dans toutes les
compagnies existantes au Régiment et après leur départ seront
à reformer en Entier. Celle dont je suis sorte il y a un an
(4e Compie du 1r Bon) en fait partie.
Nous continuons toujours à être par voies et par
chemins, nous avons fait encore aujourd'hui nos 4 lieues
et nous en ferons plus du double demain, malheureusement
pour nous il y a plûs hier, et les chemins sont pleins de boue
ce qui nous fatigue beaucoup. Malgré toutes ces fatigues
je me porte bien, et puis même mieux dire il y a
longtemps que je ne me suis pas si bien porté qu'à
présent, bon pied bon œil et surtout bon appétit
Toutes ces courses ont pour but de nous accoutumer à
la fatigue, et Après avoir marché trois ou 4 heure
on nous fait camper au millieu d'un champ, nous
partage en deux troupes et fait attaquer ou défendre
une position, un pont, un village, &c.
Ta dernière me disait ne pas avoir reçu de lettres
de moi ce qui m'étonne car si je ne calcule pas mal
elle il devait t'en arriver une la veille où le jour même
du départ de la tienne

Documentary page 3

English translation

There have been no promotions yet, as long as the men who have been designated to move to the 73rd (429 for the regiment) have not left. And it is not yet known when they will leave. It is to be feared that the change in the ministry will delay the formation of the new Regiments. The 7th is taking two completely full companies of officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers. These two companies were drawn by lot from all the existing companies in the Regiment, and after their departure they will have to be completely reformed. The one I left a year ago (4th Company of the 1st Battalion) is part of them.
We are still constantly on the roads and pathways; we did our 4 leagues again today, and we will do more than double that tomorrow; unfortunately for us, it rained yesterday, and the roads are full of mud, which tires us a lot. Despite all these fatigues, I am in good health, and could even go so far as to say that it has been a long time since I was in as good health as now; good foot, good eye, and above all, good appetite. All these marches are meant to accustom us to fatigue, and after marching for three or four hours, we are made to camp in the middle of a field, split into two troops, and made to attack or defend a position, a bridge, a village, etc.
Your last letter said you hadn't received any letters from me, which surprises me, for if I calculate correctly, one should have reached you the day before or the very day yours left.

Documentary page 4

Original transcript

Je pense que Louis doit être arrivé comme depuis
ta derniere où tu me disais qu'il était attendu de jours
en jour, sa mère doit être bien contente de le voir.
Adieu ma bonne mère pense quelques fois
à ton fils et rens à mon bon pere les soins que
je voudrais pouvoir lui rendre, et rens lui la vie aussi
agréable que possible je vous embrasse tous comme je
vous aime
F Frachon

Documentary page 4

English translation

I think Louis must have arrived, as since your last letter where you told me he was expected any day, his mother must be very glad to see him.
Farewell, my good mother, think sometimes of your son, and give to my good father the care that I would like to be able to give him, and make his life as pleasant as possible; I kiss you all as I love you.
F. Frachon

Discovery Terms

Family
Military
Frachon Family Correspondence

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