THE INFERNAL COLUMNS: The Parisian second battalion of volunteers was several times detached from the regular army ...

THE INFERNAL COLUMNS: The Parisian second battalion of volunteers was several times detached from the regular army to serve in the Infernal Columns of Turreau. Two interesting documents signed by Philippe Malbrancq (1750-1823) French General in the war in the Vendée. D.S., one page, folio, Vannes, 6th April 1795. Malbrancq in his capacity as Battalion chief of the Brest & Cherburg coast army issues a certificate for fusilier Duperier, stating in part `He has served in the mentioned regiment until 12th May 1793 when he has been sent to the Vendée to fight against brigands, according to law..´. Bearing a wax seal of the 2nd battalion, and Jean Jacques Schilt (1761-1842) French General who captured Rivoli in 1801. D.S., one page, 4to, Angers, 17th February 1796. The document is a certificate explaining the wounds of François Roche and demands an important pension for him having lost one of his legs and being a very young man. With several countersignatures of the second battalion officers, including the Captain Commandant of the Ocean coast battalion. VG,2 £150-200 Louis Marie Turreau (1756-1816) also known as Turreau de Garambouville, French General. He was the organisor of the ''Colonnes Infernales'' during the War in the Vendée, which massacred tens of thousands of Vendéens and ravaged the countryside. He would further become Ambassador to the United States. Louis Armand Robert (1767-1796) was the creator of the ''colonnes infernales de Turreau'', he committed suicide at the very early age of 29.