[ Dieulafoy;Women at War;archaeologist; Persia; cross dressing ] Autograph Letter Signed "Dieulafoy" to unnamed correspondent, his eminent wife's initiative (training women to do jobs of men who became soldiers (1913). and the circumstances of her death.

Three pages, 8vo, black border, fold marks, small closed tears, text complete and clear. With official printed stamp next to signature, "Le Lt-Colonel DIEULAFOY | Charge du Service du Genie des Etapes". He has received an article in "L'Eveil" by his correspondent concerning his "chere compagne" [ Jane Dieulafoy, distinguished archaeologist, explorer and feminist, who died in May 1916, hence the black border to this letter ]. He specifies the putting in relief of the "initiative prise par ma chere compagne au printemps le 1913 [conscription of women, conference 1913 - see notes below]. | Le ministre de la Guerre etait effectivement represente a la conference par trois officiers en uniforme. | L'Adpoint de l'Intendance specialement delegue. | le Directeur du Service de Sante Militaire. | L'adjoint en Commandant de l'Ecole de Vincennes. | Le success semblait certain, mais l'hiver succeed a l'Ete, puis vint un nouveau printemps et quand la guerre eclata rien n'avait ete decide et encore[?] entrepris. | Madame Dieulafoy m'accompagna au Maroc[?] contracta dans l'ambulance une maladie infectueuse don't l'issue devait etre fatale et succomba victim de son devouement apres un martyre de neuf mois [?] supporte. | J'ai tenu vous temoigner ma gratitude, mais ne publiez rien de ma letter ou taisez mon nom si quelques renseignements vous interesse. Vous savez avec quelle rigueur il est interdit aux officiers d'ecrire dans les journaux sans s'etre autorises." Notes: a. Jane Dieulafoy had proposed courses for women to replace men as they were summoned to War; she died in Morocco in the manner her husband describes in this letter; b. (Wikipedia): "At the outbreak of World War One, Dieulafoy wanted to return to military service, despite being 70. He was sent to Rabat as a lieutenant colonel in the Engineering corps, where he supervised the excavation of a local mosque. In 1919, he published his last work on the theme of Daniel and Balthazar."