Letter from Josephe Millon to his... (1807)

NRA-L-000663 / 1807

Letter from Josephe Millon to his father Jean Millon, 9 January 1807

Josephe Millon, serving in the Second Squadron of the Artillery Park Train at Tarbes, reproaches his family for not replying, asks about money and reports that 1,500 designated men expect to leave for Spain near the end of January.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000663

NRA-L-000663 image 1 showing the manuscript address panel, postal marks and related docketing. — **Image 1**Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000663 image 2 showing handwritten letter text page 1. — **Image 2**Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000663 image 3 showing handwritten letter text page 2. — **Image 3**Letter text - Page 2.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000663
Date: 1807-01-09
Original date: Le Neuf Janvier 1807
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: Josephe Millon
Recipient: Jean Millon
Places: Tarbes, France / Pont-de-Beauvoisin, Isère, France
Extent: 3 documentary sides: Letter page 1; Letter page 2; Address side; 3 digital images.
Signature: Josephe Millon
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000663.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Letter page 1

Original transcript

Tarbes Le Neuf Janvier 1807
Mes cher pere et Meres et soeursetfrere
Je Mettrai en main a la plume pour vous inform de L etet
De notre Sante quant a la mienne elles est tres Bonne pour Le
Moment et je Souhaite ave grand plaisit que la presente lettre
Vous trouve de meme a toute La Maison;
je vous diray mon cher pere que le temps ma beacoup dure de voir que
Voila la troizieme lettre que je vous ecrit sans Recevoir aucune reponce
je ne sait sy vous navez pas receue mes Lettres ou sy cest un mepris que
Vous faret de moy, et au apres que vous avez Retiré L argent que je vous Laisse
En partent, cest qui me fait plustot mal croir je vous [?]
Mon necéssaire j'en ai Bien plaisit Maintenant, car nous nous
attendont de partir pour L espagne Sur les dernier jours du mois de janvier
Car il n'ya quinze cents hommes de Designé qui doivent Sembarquer au
premier jours j'espere mon cher pere que vous menverrez quelque chose
sy que vous avez retire mon argent je pance que ma soeur claudine
M' en Menagera quelques sous pour que je L en Rant Laisse en partant
Mon chere je vous prie de me faire a savoir sy mon cousin a
quité Le service ou S'il nest ...

Letter page 1

English translation

Tarbes, 9 January 1807.

My dear father and mother, sisters and brothers,

I take up my pen to inform you of the state of our health. As for mine, it is very good at present, and I sincerely hope that this letter finds everyone at home in the same condition.

I must tell you, my dear father, that time has weighed heavily on me, for this is the third letter I have written without receiving any reply. I do not know whether you have failed to receive my letters or whether you are neglecting me. After you collected the money I left when I departed, this makes me fear the worst. [A short passage is unclear.] I am very glad to have my necessities now, for we expect to leave for Spain in the final days of January. Fifteen hundred men have been designated and are to embark in the first days. I hope, my dear father, that you will send me something if you have collected my money. I think my sister Claudine will spare me a few sous in return for what I left her when I departed.

My dear father, please let me know whether my cousin has left the service or whether he is still there.

Letter page 2

Original transcript

Car je Luy ait ecrit je Lui ait Marque que qu'il passeres un
Billets en mon faveur de la Somme que doit [?]
et m'a fait reponce que aussitot aures Reçue L argent quil passerai
un Billets et que nous ne torderons pas un instant de savoir
S' il a Reçue L argent
je vous diray que des quelques jours que nous avons eprouve des
Grandes froidurt Mais voila des jours qu il S'est un peu apaisé Il fait
Bien Bon maintenant
Je vous diray mon cher pere que je n'ai Rien des choses a
Vous marquer Mais comme nous sommes Beacoup auqpé voila une huitaine
De jours je n'ait pas pu Vous en marquer plus Londs Mais arri...
a case du ... du commandant de place le neuf au precent mois
A douf heure apres midy il an antre point de mouvem[ent]
je finis ma lettre En vous anbrasent du plus profont de mon coeur
a toute La Maison je Suis et Seray pour La vie votre cher fils
josephe millon
Vous feres Bien des Compliment de ma part a mon cousin
Chermillon ainsi que a tous ceux que parleront de Moy
Monsieur Joseph Millon au deuxieme escadron du
Train des parc d artillerie 1ere Compagnie
A Tarbes ou a la suite

Letter page 2

English translation

I wrote to him and told him that he should issue a note in my favour for the sum that is owed [passage unclear]. He answered that, as soon as he had received the money, he would issue the note, and that we would lose no time in learning whether the money had arrived.

For several days we experienced severe cold, but it has eased somewhat over the last few days and the weather is now very fine.

I have nothing further to tell you, my dear father. We have been very busy, and for a week I have been unable to write to you at greater length. [A passage concerning the local commander and 9 January at noon is unclear.]

I end my letter by embracing everyone at home from the depths of my heart. I am, and shall remain for life, your dear son,

Josephe Millon

Please give my compliments to my cousin Chermillon and to everyone who asks about me.

Mr Joseph Millon, Second Squadron of the Artillery Park Train, First Company, at Tarbes or following the unit.

Address panel

Original transcript

A Monsieur mr Jean
Millon a coste [du?] pont de
Pont de beau Voisin
Departement de L ysere

Address panel

English translation

Mr Jean Millon
Near the bridge at Pont-de-Beauvoisin
Department of Isère

Discovery Terms

Military service
Artillery transport
Family correspondence
Money
Spain

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