Letters from the peninsula, 1808-1812

Lisbon, Feb. 6, 1810.

My Dear Kind Mother,

I was made quite happy, on my arrival three days since at this place, by receiving your affectionate letter of 29th Decr. and 1st Jany. (I have also received yours of Dec. 12th)....

I own I think you very much more gloomy than necessary as to public affairs, and do not agree with you as to Ministers, as I approve much of many of their measures. Our misfortunes in Spain they neither could foresee or prevent. Who could imagine the Spaniards would betray those who went to their assistance? Cowards they are not—that is the soldier. He is capable of being equal to any in the world. But without Officers, or of course confidence, without discipline and betrayed by their Government, what could they do?

Our last accounts, and their enemy being before Cadiz, was as unexpected as an earthquake, and quite as unaccountable, as that Spain has no army. They [the French] will find it very difficult to conquer this country, and though things in Spain are certainly very dispiriting, the game is not lost. Nothing, however, but a revolution (horrid as the idea is to humanity) can save it, and that is already begun, I suspect, and I hope the traitors will fall. I am quite of the opinion that Public safety is the Supreme Law, and the cant of humanity, when the country is to be saved, I consider as weak and unmanly. They have paid dearly for a bigoted adherence to old absurd forms and prejudices. I do not mean that a revolution and popular Government will now save them. But I am sure that it is the only thing that can. They are very enthusiastical and violent, and they abhor the French, against whom their fury will be directed as well as against their Government and traitors; and in this tumult some great characters may start up.

As to Flushing, our expedition there was disastrous, but well meant. Who could foresee that Austria would so soon make peace? And the diversion, had it continued the war, would have been of great consequence. Besides, as a soldier, I think we make too much fuss about the loss of men where a great object is to be obtained. Victorious or beaten we must lose men, but while we regret their loss individually, we should not as a public one, in so glorious and just a cause, that of our political existence as a nation.

I write to Tom some account of our tour, which was very pleasant, though rapid. We travelled near 200 leagues in less than two months. Nothing can exceed the beauty of part of the country we went through, and we had only one day rain, and our inspection of the progress of the discipline of the Portuguese troops was as pleasant as our most sanguine wishes could expect.

I am very sorry you had not received the letters I wrote from this in answer to that you wrote in company from Hendon, which I answered, each individually. I wrote also to my father and Emily in December, which letters I hope you have since received, and I only did not write from Porto, as I intended, from really not having time hardly to sleep or eat, what between duty and grand ceremonies and rejoicings. Nothing can have been more honourable or flattering to the Marshal than his reception in that City, and indeed in every place we have been in throughout the country, and he deserves it for his unremitted exertions, and Herculean labour. There exists not a more honourable firm man or a more zealous Patriot. His failings are mere foibles of a temper naturally warm and hasty, and great zeal to have everything right, without much patience. Those who accuse him of severity are either those who have felt it because they deserved it, their friends, or people wilfully ignorant of the state in which he found the army. And of how much he has foreborne, as to myself, I declare I do not know one instance of severity, and [do know] numberless ones of his mercy, and goodness of heart, where others would have been less lenient. You see I insensibly fall into politics, or the shop, so called, but one naturally writes about what one’s mind is constantly occupied with, and as the subject is not uninteresting I hope you will not be angry at my writing to a lady on such grave matters as Politics and Tactics, or rather more properly speaking, on public concerns.

I was three days at Arouca with dear Clara, who is a most amiable sensible woman. Her manners and sense are really quite astonishing for one so constantly secluded from the world. She was quite well. We put the convent in a terrible fuss by the Marshal’s arrival to breakfast there, on his way to Vizeu. It was very kind of him to go to pay her a visit, and he was very much pleased with her.

I have got an order from the Nuncio to remove her where I please, in case of danger, but it is not quite what I wanted, and I shall try to get a more general one, and bring her to Lisbon, when necessary, where my friends the Louriçals will be glad to receive her. The Marchioness has just lost her sister the Duchess of Laffões, and has the care and guardianship of the young Duchess and her sister, nieces to the Prince, a dismal prospect for her, poor thing, in the present state of public affairs, but notwithstanding she will not allow me to place Clara anywhere else, and she cannot be with more amiable charming people. Adieu, as I write to Tom and know that he will see this letter, and you his, shall say no more, but beg you will give kindest love to my dear father, with thanks for his letter, from your sincerely affectionate Son,

Wm. Warre.

Lisbon, Feb. 17, 1810.

My Dear Father,

I avail myself of Frank Van Zeller’s going to England to thank you for your very kind attention in sending me the books by John Croft, and it was odd that I had, not half an hour before, finished the translation into Portuguese of that on Light Infantry, when yours arrived. It is, however, not less welcome, as coming from you, and shall supply the place of the old one in our marches.

The great coat having brought a letter enclosed in it addressed to the Marshal, it is a doubt whether it is for him or for me. It came directed to me, and the letter enclosed is very equivocal. At all events it does not fit me and does him, and therefore he shall keep it, and if it is intended for me, he can send for one in its place that will fit me. This sort of great coat, however, is of little use on horseback, as it does not cover the knees. And as we can carry but little weight on our horses and but very little baggage, a cloak lined with any warm but light stuff is much better, as we oftener want a cloak to sleep in than to keep out the rain, and I have latterly practised riding with an oil skin cape over my great coat, and not minding the rain, so long as I have anything dry to wrap myself up in, or sleep in, when we arrive. Indeed my cloth coat gets so soon wet, is so heavy when filled with water, and takes so many days drying, that I never carry it with me, in order to save both myself and horse, and I find that we get as used to being wet, and mind it as little, as we do many other very disagreeable things.

Croft tells me you said something to him about a bear skin, which you would send me, but I feel equally obliged by your affectionate intention, and do not wish you to put yourself to the unnecessary expense, as I have already a very good one, a former present from Tom, and which I recovered after poor King’s death at Talavera.

I wrote so lately to Tom that I have very little more news to communicate. Cadiz since the Duque d’Albuquerque got in with 6000 men, and the sailing of English and Portuguese Succours is, I think, out of immediate danger, and indeed if the accounts we have from Spain, and the non-arrival of reinforcements is true, as we suppose, I cannot imagine that the French army can maintain itself in Andalusia, and the movement appears to have been a very rash one (though they succeeded in preventing the Cortes, a great object) and one which they may bitterly repent. It is, however, impossible to say. They are very clever fellows, and have too much experience to make any very great faults, and it is impossible for us to know the secret causes or encouragement which induced them to take such a step. Even the people who are about a General Officer Commanding know very little of the motives which weigh in his mind and make him act, and but very few indeed are capable, at the moment, of judging of its expediency or propriety, even long after, when results are known, and time has developed many of the circumstances, and the real situation in which they were placed. We cannot be too cautious in blaming or approving the conduct of one entrusted with such a command. For we can never fully know what passes in his mind (unless greatly in his confidence), or the numberless combinations he must regard. We can only form to ourselves an opinion of how far, and with what propriety apparent, he has deviated from, or adhered to, the certain fixed principles of war, which are subject to as much modification as the variety of the ground to which they must be adapted.

They have also advanced a Corps of 6 to 8000 men upon Badajos, in which Romana is with 6000 men, and a lesser towards Olivença, another upon Ciudad Rodrigo, which, I hear, is not strong, but am ignorant of their numbers, or of what garrison is in the place.

These Corps threaten us direct, but I am of the opinion that it is merely a demonstration in order to deceive and restrain the British and Portuguese army, by making them jealous of their approach, and collecting the forces for fear of an immediate attack, as I have a letter from a friend of mine in Spain who denies that any reinforcements have arrived, and says he had just spoken with a Spanish Courier, who passed Bayonne on the 19th ulmo., and reports that no reinforcements had arrived there at that period, or were any immediately expected, and that the state of the Public mind in France was far from favourable to Buonaparte. Of this you may believe as much as you please, combining it with what reports you have in England. Spaniards more frequently report what they wish than what is true, as we all well know to our cost.

General Hill’s Corps, British and Portuguese, have been marched towards Elvas to cover our sick and wounded at that place. The Portuguese troops are in very high spirits and seem anxious to meet the enemy. They are in a very improved state of discipline, and promise well. It would be unfair to doubt them with these qualities. Poor fellows, they fight for everything that is dear to them. I never saw a Regt. embark in better style or higher spirits than 20th Portuguese Regt. did for Cadiz a few days ago. They embarked 1400 strong, and lost only 6 deserted, which does them and their country great honour. Several men came and enlisted at the moment the Regt. was embarking, and one fine fellow I enlisted myself as the Regt. marched off. The son of the Viscondessa de Misquetella also enlisted at that moment. Everything proclaims an active spring, and I am very glad of it. The French will, I dare hope, find themselves mistaken in the Portuguese troops, and though I am not sanguine as to the final result, unless Spain does more than she has done yet, I am sure the Conquest will cost them very dear.

Pray thank ... for their affecte. letters by John Croft, whom I was much astonished to see in Lisbon, and also for the bonnets for Lumiaces which are much approved. I have also received your letters by Mr Knox and Stanhope and that from my Uncle Wm., and will, of course, shew them every kindness in my power, though I regret the state of the Public mind, which is a bar to much society, and my mixing very little in any society whatever, will prevent my shewing them as much of it as I could wish. I have offered them my horses, and will endeavour to ask them here as often as I can.

Our stay is very doubtful, and of course very much depends upon the movements of the enemy, nor have I yet an idea as to where our Hd. Qrs. are to be. Your most truly affectionate,

Wm. Warre.

Lisbon, March 10, 1810.

My Dearest Mother,

We have been unexpectedly delayed in Lisbon some days owing to the dreadful storms we have experienced for the last 8 days, during which it has rained in torrents, and blown almost a hurricane. Great damage has been done in the River, and for several days and nights we have heard nothing but signals and guns of distress in the River even above Lisbon, though I have not yet heard of many lives being lost. I comforted myself with the idea that it will fill our Rivers for us, and render all the fords impassable. We are likely to remain a day or two longer in Lisbon and then go to Coimbra, which for the present will be the Marshal’s Hd. Qrs. The enemy has latterly been very quiet, and we have had very quiet winter quarters, a luxury very rare in the present system of warfare. This, however, cannot now last long, and I hope ere long some movement will be made on one side or the other.

The supineness of the Spaniards is truly distressing. Poor devils, they have been most shamefully betrayed by their Government, and public confidence appears in that country quite lost. It is really mortifying, for they are an enthusiastic and spirited people, and have shown on some occasions that they are not deficient in individual courage. I wish they were in half the state of discipline and organisation of the Portuguese, and the French would not then find it an easy task to maintain themselves in that country with their present force; and nothing but the French being perfectly well informed of the real state of that unfortunate nation could have induced them to make the rash movements which they have, for, in any other point of view, they appear much allied to absolute folly.

With regard to this country much is to be said, but my motto is “Nil Desperandum.” Our Commanders are very clever, and of course know better than anybody how they can defend the country, and every Officer who feels like a soldier should not form, or at least communicate, theories of his own, but make up his mind to share their fate, be it what it may.

To put my mind at rest I have obtained an order to remove dear Clara to the Convent of the Esperança at this place. This from the Nuncio who has also written a very kind letter to the Bishop of Lamego to facilitate the business. These I gave to the Patriarch a fortnight ago, and he told me to set my mind at rest, and that he would arrange the whole business for me in the best manner. She will be within reach of the Marshal’s protection in case I should be at a distance in time of need, should it come to that extremity, and my friend the Marchioness of Louriçal has promised to treat her as if she belonged to her family, and it is to her exertions and friendly interference that I am indebted for having her admitted into this convent, which is the best, and the Lady Abbess a friend of hers. Should they be forced to embark, of which I see however no present probability, she will take her with her, and even should that not be easy, I feel confident I can depend upon the Marshal’s friendship and protection, therefore pray tell my dear Father, that he may set his mind quite at rest, and she is truly deserving of all our love and affection.

My stay in Lisbon this time has been anything but amusing. There has been very little gaiety, and my time fully employed with my friend John Campbell in compiling a set of regulations for the Cavalry, the last I hope I shall be bothered with, for I know from experience that we may write out our finger ends, and nobody thank one, even if we were to put the regulations into Hexameter and Pentameter verse!

Pray give my kindest love to my dear Father, etc., and remember me most kindly to all my friends. Ever, my dearest kind Mother, your truly affectionate Son,

Wm. Warre.

I have not heard from any of you for some time.

Coimbra, March 21st, 1810.

My Dear Father,

We arrived here yesterday from Lisbon after a rather tedious and rainy journey, and have for the present established our Hd. Qrs. here, but for how long it is impossible to say, or where we shall go when we do move. Both must depend entirely upon the enemy, who have given us a much longer period of tranquillity than I expected. The bubble, however, must soon burst, and I expect to hear daily of their making some movement, for we have very good reason to suppose they are much distressed by the want of provisions, a want they are not likely to mend by entering this country, in itself considerably exhausted, and where every means will be taken to place what is remaining out of their reach, or destroy it, in case we should be forced to retreat.

I am anxious that the campaign should begin; and to be able to judge of what our Portuguese will in reality do. I confess I have very great hopes of them. Their discipline is most wonderfully improved, perhaps fully as good as necessary for active service, and only wants confirming. I fear their relaxing, when they get out of the immediate control of British Officers, before the enemy, and the class of their own Officers, though very much improved and mostly young men, have scarce experience and firmness enough to control them as we could wish. Their pay, which has in some cases been more than doubled, gives them the means now of living like gentlemen and with respectability. In some cases it is better than ours in proportion, and since the service becomes an object, they will, we must hope, exert themselves, that they may not be deprived of it, which they certainly will without remorse, if they misbehave at all.

Our cavalry is also getting into a very respectable state, and now very tolerably mounted. I saw the 4th commanded by Lt.-Col. Campbell, Augustus’ brother, manœuvre at Lisbon at a gallop extremely well, certainly beyond anything Portuguese Officers had any idea of, and they are certainly equalled by the 1st Brigade, and Madden’s the 2nd, which is mounted on mares, and I doubt will be able to bear the work equal to the other. It is an experiment, and my private opinion is that it will not succeed. Two Brigades of very fine infantry, the 1st cavalry, and 3rd Brigade of Artillery, are with Genl. Hill on the Frontier of Alemtejo, and I believe several other Brigades will be attached to the British Army in the Beira, and I think it most probable that some English Regts., as a reserve, will be attached to Marshal Beresford’s Corps d’Armée. But where we are to go, or what to do, I am perfectly ignorant.

I shall be much obliged to you to send me out a map of Spain and Portugal, published by Fadan, and compiled by Nantiat. It appears to be the best extant, and I am in want of a good one, so much so that you will much oblige me by sending it out by the very first opportunity, and Col. D’Urban, our Quarter-master General, begs me to procure him one also. They must be pasted on canvas and in strong cases. I have just been calling on General Payne, who asked very kindly after you.

The Spaniards have attacked the French at Caçeres and at Valverde and beat them, killing at each a General, one of Division. Though these affairs are of no great consequence in themselves, they may revive the dormant enthusiasm and patriotism of the Spaniards, but I confess I have very slender expectation of it. At Valverde it was done in a very slovenly manner, for they completely surprised the French, and the French General was in bed, but they amused themselves murdering a few unfortunate devils whom they first met, and let him get away with some Dragoons. At Caçeres had their Cavalry behaved as well as their Infantry they would have taken or destroyed all the French, who prepared to receive them, but were completely beaten and followed for about a league.

Believe me ever most truely your affectionate Son,

Wm. Warre.

There has been a little trifling outpost work beyond Almeida on the Agueda. We had one Hussar killed. But this is of no consequence and leads to nothing.

March 23, 1810, W. W.

Coimbra, March 30, 1810.

My Dearest Brother,

The last two days have been fertile in happiness, as in them I have received all the letters from my dear family. Yours of the 5th is this instant arrived. The breeches, etc., by Col. Brown I have received and not before they were wanted. I am much amused by the cause, though sorry for the fright you are all in. We cannot ourselves see any reason for this dread, and are spending our time pleasantly enough in peace and quietness, so much so that we are all sighing for a more active scene. Now I confess I do not think this far distant, but that the result is to be so disastrous to us I do not believe. I cannot think where the people in England get their information, certainly not from Portugal. It must be from “Bony,” or it would not be given such disastrous colours, alarming our beloved families without any reason. You know my opinion of the ultimate result of the contest, unless something unexpected turns up in the north, or in Spain. But we are only at the beginning, and there is a great deal to be done before we are forced to embark yet, if it should ever come to that.

What most annoys me is our British House of Commons, particularly the late Debates. Bonaparte can never want spies or intelligence, while that House tells our exact force and dispositions. I love the liberty which distinguishes their discussions, but abhor the folly which makes each side sacrifice the interests of their country to their villainous party interest. They will tell the force, station, expence, of your armies; they will foment discontent and distrust, treat your allies with disrespect, and (with regard to what they said of Portugal) with falsehood, to vex Ministers and get themselves in, and vice versâ, for I think one as bad as the other.

I am much delighted with your account of my Mother, whom pray tell that she need not be in the least alarmed about her tall son, who will take great care of himself for her sake, and that at present he cannot see any danger except of growing too fat, from having little to do and good living, and I will write to her by the next Packet.

I cannot tell you what will be done with the Portuguese troops, who are really in very high state of drill and appearance, and, I have no doubt myself, will do their duty. For I do not know very well myself; at all events, my private opinion is that it would be folly to leave them for the French, but these are after considerations, and no doubt when it comes to that push, proper measures will be taken....

Hd. Qrs., Mango Alde, May 3rd, 1810.

My Dearest Father,

It is indeed difficult to express to you the pleasure with which I read your very affectionate kind letter of the 8th of April. The approbation you express of my conduct (founded on the flattering accounts of my friends always willing to gratify a parent’s feelings) is the greatest reward I can ever wish for.

I avail myself of a courier, which the Marshal is sending to Lisbon, to write these few lines and to inform you that soon after my return from Porto to Coimbra, the Marshal went over to Vizeu, but I remained behind to rest my horses. But on the 26th, owing to some movement of the mounseers upon Ciudad Rodrigo, our army received orders to march immediately, which they did on the 27th, on which day I arrived at Vizeu, and found, to my great satisfaction, that the Marshal, who, I heard, was ill, was nearly recovered, and only suffered from a very severe cold. We remained there till the 1st, giving time to our troops to arrive, and then moved the Hd. Quarters to this place, and to-day, the 3rd May, we move on the Fornos d’Algodres, where we expect to remain a few days. This, however, must depend on the movements of the enemy, or Lord Wellington’s plans, and I am as ignorant of the intentions of the one as of the other. I conjecture that if they persist in the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, an action is inevitable. Our Army is in the highest spirits—and we all wish it. Notwithstanding the very unfavourable weather we have had, as it has rained incessantly during the whole of their march, the Portuguese troops are in the highest spirits, and seem anxious to prove the good effects of their discipline and reorganisation.

English Hd. Qrs. are at Celorico and the Army in that neighbourhood advanced as far as Gallegos. The French are about Tamames, St Espiritu, and advances before Cd. Rodrigo. Ballesteros, in the Sierra Morena, has been beaten, but not routed, “que milagre.”[19] Genl. Hill made a forward movement at the end of last month in order to disengage O’Donnel the Spanish General, who was at Albuquerque. But on the French retreating he returned to Portalegre. Their Germans and Italians desert in great numbers. I have seen several parties of them who are remarkably fine men, and very well clothed, but they complain of never being paid, and that the French treat them like canaille. Nor have they enough to eat. Many more would desert, but they are afraid of the Spanish and Portuguese peasantry, who murder every thing that wears a French uniform. Yesterday 23 went through from Braganza. They were Prussians taken at Jena and forced to serve. They told me they had rather serve us than the enemies of their country. I never saw finer men.

I now come, my dear Father, to a part that interests us more nearly, and I am very sorry to tell you that dear Clara has (notwithstanding the trouble I was at in preparing everything for her removal) refused to quit the convent. I have written to her in the strongest manner, and urged the propriety of this temporary inconvenience in the most forcible language, telling her how impossible it will be for me, should real danger occur, to break my trust by warning her even distantly, my principal reason for wishing to remove her, but all in vain. The nuns do all they can to prevent her, and every intrigue is used. It is their interest they fancy that she should remain, and you know the power those silly women have over her mind. She is, I fear, unwell with the agitation, and when Frè Bernardo went to bring her away, she pleaded illness not to see him, and he came away as he went. I am much vexed and annoyed at her resistance, but can do no more. It places me in a most unpleasant situation. I, however, enclose hers and the Abbess’ answers to my letters, and from them you will be able to judge of what I have had to fight against. I really believe, poor thing, that she is ill, and dare not press her farther, and trust only that neither herself or any of her friends may have reason to repent her folly.

I am very much obliged to you for the maps of the Tagus, Spain, and Portugal. The latter I much wanted.

I am not surprised at Wilson’s not mentioning the Marshal, who has no reason to be pleased with him. Nobody will deny him courage and talents as a Partizan, but to those who know facts, the attempt at thanks in the House are more adapted to make him appear ridiculous, than to do him honour. He can never want a trumpeter while he lives, and no man better knows the art de se faire valoir. He must really be a clever fellow, to have, with 700 undisciplined Portuguese, checked 30,000 French, terrified them much, and at the same time covered upper and lower Beira, Almeida, Ciudad Rodrigo, and ensured the retreat of English detachments, which the enemy never attempted to impede. Many other of his deeds, mentioned by the Hon. member, we never heard of. He is a very good fellow as a companion, and a very able light troop Officer, and if he would not attempt to be more than he really is, would be more respected. His conduct to the Marshal I can never approve, and he himself must feel lowered in his own estimation by it.

I have been obliged to leave a horse I gave 80 guineas for lame at Coimbra, and am reduced to two. On my return to Lisbon, however, whenever that period arrives I shall be able to buy another without drawing on England at all.

Pray give my kindest love to dear Mother, etc. Adieu my dearest Father. Ever your most obliged and most sincerely affectionate son,

Wm. Warre.

The Marshal desires to be most kindly remembered. H. Brown, who, poor fellow, has been very unwell at Lisbon, desires me in all his letters to say as much.

P.S.—Ciudad Rodrigo is a wretched place, considered as a fortified town, perhaps à l’abri of a coup de main, but I think would not stand a regular siege for a week. Our neighbourhood may encourage the inhabitants however, while it checks the assailants, and they may do wonders as many other Spanish towns have. I fear Astorga has fallen, though I do not know it for certain. We have lost a few men at Cadiz and Col. le Febre our Chief Engineer, while evacuating an advanced work, which the enemy had nearly demolished with their artillery.

Extract from Letter to Sister.

Fornos d’Algodres, May 9, 1810.

We have had our Hd. Qrs. at this place for some days, nor do I for the present see much chance of our moving. It is a miserable little place, and in the whole of this house there are but half a dozen panes of glass in one window, and we are three in a small room, through the ceiling of which we receive light enough to save us the trouble of opening the window. It is, however, better than many we have had, and shall have, and therefore we are quite contented. Besides the house is full of Senhoras, pretty enough, if they would wash their faces and comb their hair, but you know Fidalgas and Fidalgos d’Albea have a right ab origine to be as filthy as they please, so long as they have finery and tinsel. I am much amused with the airs and affectation of these grands du village, who however, we must confess, are very kind and civil, and, to their no small and our very great annoyance, dine and breakfast with us à l’Anglaise.

We went last week over to Celorico the English Hd. Quarters, and staid two days, on one of which we went over to Guarda and reviewed two Portuguese Regts. under torrents of rain, such as I never before recollect. Indeed, for the last three months this weather has been constant, as in that time we have not had three fine days. It looks better to-day, and for the sake of the troops I sincerely hope it will settle. I was much flattered by Lord Wellington’s reception and kindness to me, and respect him too much to be indifferent to his good opinion. He appears confident and in spirits, and all his army are in the finest order, as are indeed comparatively our Portuguese, who have all shown great spirit in this hasty advance, and the greatest wish to meet the enemy.

I forgot to mention to you our family consists of six or seven grown up young ladies, all of whom firmly believe that your letter was from a love, as I walked into my room to read it, and seemed much pleased at the receipt of it. They rally me very much about a Minha Carida, and I do not deny I love you very much! I have a Valet de Chambre, a Portuguese, one of the finest gentlemen I know, but not a bad servant, if he was less affected, and less fond of his ease. He is a much greater man than I am. I have also a man from the 23rd, a very decent quiet groom and very fond of his horses.

With kindest love, believe me, etc. etc. etc.,

Wm. Warre.

Hd. Quarters, Fornos D’Algodres, 15 May 1810.

My Dear Father,

I wrote to you a few posts ago from Mangoalde, informing you of the very bad success I had in my attempt to remove dear Clara to Lisbon. After having everything arranged I am sorry to say that the agitation and distress it occasioned her was the cause of a slight fever. Poor thing! such is the effect of superstition and popish influence, and I have been much alarmed about her. However she is much better, indeed, I hope, by this time quite recovered. My situation with regard to her is very unpleasant. I dread urging the business or committing myself by writing very strongly to her; and still, in prudence, I cannot be happy while she remains there. There is certainly no immediate cause of dread of the enemy, but a battle may decide much, and I know too much of war ever to wish any person that is dear to me to be even distantly exposed to its chances. I am therefore anxiously waiting to know your wishes about how I am to proceed. I much fear her health would suffer materially by insisting on her removal, and on the other hand, when there shall be any immediate cause of alarm, how can I risk alarming a whole Province by informing her of it. How difficult it is sometimes to reconcile private feelings to public duty! The latter, however, is imperious.

I have been much flattered lately by Ld. Wellington’s reception of me, and lately remained two days at his Hd. Qrs. at Celorico 2 leagues from here. He has applied to me to procure him one Hghd. of very fine old Port. He does not care about the price, and wishes me to get you to take care of it for him in London. At Oporto it is impossible to get any old wine, and I therefore told him I would write to you, and beg your assistance. It is, I suppose, for some very particular purpose, and I shall therefore be glad to know how far you can assist me. It may be bem empregado,[20] and may lead to an acquaintance on our return to England between you and a man of first-rate abilities. He says he thinks you ought to get one for him in return for his having taken away my snuff-box, though I am sorry to confess he has not made me leave off that vile custom, though he made me promise not to carry a box, to the no small annoyance of my friends on whom I must trust for my supply.

I have received the price of the Pipe of wine shipped by you for Sir David Dundas, and delay sending it, in the first place, till I can get a bill, and in the next, that having received it in six Milfour pieces, I can scarce bring myself to part with them, as they are very scarce, and Dollars most inconvenient to carry about. I will write to Mr John Bell, who pays us, to buy a bill for the number of Dollars, and remit it to you, or will buy one myself, if I can, before next packet.

Our accounts from the French army are that they are very sickly; in Salamanca are about 2000 sick, who die 30 or 40 of a day. Their troops are also much dissatisfied, particularly the Germans and Italians, who compose the chief part, and those desert very fast, and would much more, if they were not exposed to be murdered by the Peasantry, whether deserters or prisoners. It is really horrible, and defeats the exertions which are making to entice them to fly from their oppressors, and they are willing enough but for these difficulties. Some have come over horses and all. I never saw handsomer or finer looking men. They all agree in complaining that they are never paid, and but indifferently fed, and that they are constantly harassed and marched about. From the accounts we have, the French force immediately before us may be of 30,000 men, more or less, and certainly sickly. The constant rains which have continued for the last 3 months have been much against them. It is pretty sure now that they intend to attack Ciudad Rodrigo, which is a place of no strength, and their heavy artillery is on its march to that place, which has been summoned in a very imperative manner. Masséna is reported to have arrived to take the command of the whole of this army. I am most anxious to know what steps Lord Wellington will take to prevent the reduction of Ciudad Rodrigo. It is of, I consider, the greatest consequence that it should be protected, if possible. It is a sort of outer door to our house, and, in the possession of the enemy, would enable him to establish his Magazines, Hospitals, etc., nearer to our frontier than we could wish. Ld. Wellington and Marshal Beresford know best however, and I shall feel confident of the propriety of whatever they do. I shall rejoice very much at quitting this miserable village, where we are very badly off.

Our troops as well as the English are well, and in high spirits, though in my opinion these cantonments in small detached villages are greatly detrimental to their discipline, of which, however forward and astonishing, they cannot have acquired yet that habit which will admit of any relaxation. I am, however, confident that where they are commanded by British Officers they will behave well, and that, at the end of the Campaign, they will have acquired a character as Troops. It will indeed be heart-breaking to poor Marshal Beresford if they do not. His exertions have been Herculean and indefatigable, and their good effects felt in every branch of the Legislature, and has even now done enough to establish his character as a very superior, strong-minded, clever Officer, and should his labours be crowned with the success they deserve, he will become one of the most eminent men in England, and have deserved more of this country than they can ever repay. I cannot sufficiently admire the firmness and understanding with which he has overcome difficulties, which would have disheartened and overturned the plans of most, even very superior men. He is just the man for this particular service. Waters passed through this place yesterday with General Stewart. He is quite well, and gave me great pleasure by the accounts he gave me of all the dear family. By him I received the chart of the Tagus, for which I am very much obliged to you, as also for the drawers, which I fear are somewhat too small for me, but must do.

I feel considerably distressed at the accounts from England. I always felt that we had nothing to fear against our foreign enemies whilst united amongst ourselves, and have long observed the struggles of a particular and very infamous set of men, to sap the public confidence in their Government and Constitution, for it is at that they now strike direct, and neither the respectability of the King, nor the critical situation of the country, can prevent these fellows from endeavouring to create confusion and a revolution, in which the mob are to have the lead, for by that alone can such designing unprincipled miscreants be countenanced or exalted to any power. I consider the question as no longer one of opposition against Ministers; that I should not mind. It is in the very nature of our constitution. But the question is now whether the country is in such a distressed situation from unhappy political circumstances—whether the want of unanimity of Ministers, and the state of mind of the dregs of Society, are in such a state, that Sir F. B.[21] and his gang can expect to be able to overturn the constitution, and raise themselves upon the wreck of their country. I have no patience that such fellows have so long gone on without punishment, and the seeds of civil discord once sown, there is no knowing where it may end. There are never wanting factious, needy men to foment it, who, having nothing to lose but their lives, would sacrifice their country to gain something in the appearance of power. Respectability is out of the question.

Adieu. Pray now and then send me the general opinions of the day. To us at this distance they are highly interesting. Pray give my most affecte. love to my dear mother, etc., etc., etc., and believe me, Ever my dear Father Your most affectionate son,

W. W.

P.S.—

Fornos D’Algodres, May 23rd, 1810.

Masséna is just arrived to take the command of the army of Portugal now between Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca, which consists of Ney, Soult, and Mortier’s Divisions. He is one of B.’s best generals. I dare say he will shortly attempt something, but we are too well prepared to fear much his first attack, but how far we shall ultimately be able to resist numbers upon numbers, unless Spain assists us, is another question.

Hd. Quarters, Fornos D’Algodres, May 23, 1810.

My Dear Ellen,

As you desire to hear from me immediately I will not lose a moment in thanking you for your dear letter of the 15th and 24th April, and for your affectionate kind wishes on my birthday....

We have been in this Quarter near a month and most heartily tired of it. It is a miserable little village on the side of a very high mountain, opposite to the famous mountains of the Estrella, and about a mile from the river Mondego, and 8 from Celorico the Hd. Qrs. of Lord Wellington.

I have lately changed my abode, as in the last the rain ran in upon my bed, and we were three in a very small room with one window without a pane of glass. Indeed in the whole of the Marshal’s Quarters there are but 6 in one window. We only had one bason and one jug, and you may imagine the squabbling as to who was to wash first. I have deposed some silkworms from my present room, and have at least the luxury of being alone, and having a broken pewter bason, none of the cleanest, to myself. There’s luxury for you! The rain however, which has been incessant for the last 3 months or more, has found its way in, and runs in tolerable streams in four parts of my dismal abode. My bed escapes, and my bason and some broken jars catch water. Therefore I am rather well off.

At the General’s, my last Quarter, we had 7 or 8 grown up young ladies, des grands du Village, the most affected stupid misses I ever met with in any barbarous country. They never were three miles from home, and ape notwithstanding from hearsay what they fancy great people should do. They think me I believe very proud, and the young ladies are mighty shy. I am not, however, quite safe from the attacks of a maiden aunt of 30 to 40 with little cat’s eyes and bad teeth. I think she will find I am bomb-proof to her kind looks and sighs. She has already begun to try what disdain will do, to my great joy and amusement. You would be much entertained to see us assemble at breakfast and dinner, near 20 people. We have succeeded at last in making them wash their hands and faces, and if we remain long enough no doubt will also attain the desideratum of combing their hair, even for breakfast, or rather before breakfast, and once or twice a week, oftener than on Sunday morning.

Public news I have none to tell you, except the arrival of Masséna to command the army of Portugal, which is between Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca. He is a very clever enterprising Officer, and will soon give us something to do, I have no doubt, but we are not at all afraid of him, as our troops both English and Portuguese are in the highest spirits, and the latter so much improved that they hardly know themselves again. I have no doubt they will do their duty, but should wish to break them in by degrees....

Ever yr. most affectionate Brother,

Wm. W.