Description
Letter signed, one page, 7,5 x 8,75 inch, Königsberg (now Kaliningrad), 12.10.1808, in German, to "Euer Hochwohlgebohren"* - concerning salary payments for officers, signed in black ink “Scharnhorst", attractively mounted (removable) for display with a portrait picture of general Gerhard von Scharnhorst in uniform (altogether 16,5 x 11,75 inch), with toning, and mild signs of wear - in fine condition.
"Euer Hochwohlgeboren ermangle ich nicht bei Zurückgabe der Anlage auf dero gefälliges Schreiben vom 9 d.M. ergebenst zu erwiedern:
daß Seine Majestät über den Pensions Vorschlag d. Herrn F. M. v. Courbiere, in Betreff solcher Officiere welche auf selbem Gehalte stehen noch nichts entschieden haben, und ist es sonderbar, daß d. Herr Feldmarschall diesen Officieren schon seit dem 1. Aug. das halbe Gehalt entzieht, da es eine hergebrachte Sache ist, daß die vorgeschlagenen Officiere bis dahin, daß wegen ihrer Pensionirung ein königlicher Befehl erfolgt, das halbe Gehalt fortbeziehen können.
Königsberg den 12. Octber 1808.
Scharnhorst
Des Königl. Oberstlieutenants
Herrn Gr. Lottum Hochgeboren"
Translated:
"Your Highness, upon returning the attachment I do not hesitate to reply to the kind letter dated the 9th of this month:
that His Majesty about the pension proposal of Mr. F. M. v. Courbiere, have not yet decided anything regarding such officers who are on the same salary, and is it strange that the Field Marshal has been depriving these officers of half their salary since August 1st, since it is a traditional matter that the proposed ones Officers can continue to receive half their salary until a royal order is issued regarding their retirement.
Königsberg, October 12, 1808.
Scharnhorst
The Royal Lieutenant Colonel
Mr Gr. Lottum Hochborn"
* `Hochwohlgeboren` is a form of address for members of the lower German nobility or landed gentry.
Further Information on the person
Profession:
(1755-1813) Hanoverian-born general in Prussian service from 1801 - as the first Chief of the Prussian General Staff, he was noted for his military theories, his reforms of the Prussian army, and his leadership during the Napoleonic Wars.
Year of Birth: 1767
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