LETTERS FROM THE PENINSULA
[Illustration: _Lt. General Sir William Warre C.B., K.T.S._
_From the miniature by J.C.D. Engleheart in the possession of the Rev.
Canon Warre_
_Emery Walker, Ph.sc._]
LETTERS FROM THE
PENINSULA
1808-1812
BY LIEUT.-GEN. SIR WILLIAM WARRE
C.B., K.T.S.
EDITED BY HIS NEPHEW
THE REV. EDMOND WARRE, D.D., C.B., M.V.O.
WITH FRONTISPIECE AND MAP
LONDON
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W.
1909
PREFACE
Some years before his death in 1875, my father entrusted to me a packet
containing letters written by his eldest brother, my uncle, Sir William
Warre, from the Peninsula during his service there from 1808 to 1812.
The packet was not opened by me until the year 1908.
The letters, on perusal, seemed to be of interest, as giving a graphic
description of the life and opinions of an officer serving on the Staff
during the Peninsular War, and, in particular, of one immediately
concerned in the organisation of the Portuguese army.
Moreover, the letters, which are written on the spot and without reserve,
being chiefly addressed to his father or mother, seem to reflect in some
measure, as regards the campaign, and as to home politics, to which
there are plentiful allusions, the conversation and opinions of the
Headquarters’ Staff at the time; and further, the intimate acquaintance
of the writer with the Portuguese character, and with the methods of the
Portuguese Government, enhances the illustration of the difficulties
which had to be overcome in the effort of Great Britain to save her ally
from the crushing yoke of French imperial despotism.
Mr James Warre of Oporto, the father of Sir William Warre, was a man
of great ability, and of influence both in Portugal and at home. He
was a partner in the firm of Warre & Co., which was at the time one of
the leading commercial houses in Oporto—an old firm, established in
the seventeenth century—with which, however, the family connection was
severed at the death of Sir William Warre’s brother George, in the year
1850.
The letters themselves, considering the circumstances under which they
were written, are very fairly legible; but in places there are _lacunæ_
which are sometimes difficult to fill up. The orthography is not at all
consistent—often old-fashioned, sometimes faulty. I have corrected it in
some places, but in many have left it as in the original.
I cannot claim to have any particular knowledge of military history,
and, as regards the brief introductions to the several chapters, wish
to acknowledge _in limine_ my indebtedness to Napier’s great work, to
Professor Oman’s three most interesting volumes, which bring the story of
the war down to 1810, and to Sir Herbert Maxwell’s _Life of the Duke of
Wellington_.
I am indebted also to my cousin, Mr George Warre, for help in translating
the Portuguese words and phrases that occur in the letters.
My thanks are also due to my cousin, Mrs Wm. Rathbone, for kindly
allowing me to use several of the collection of family letters in her
possession, extracts from which help to fill up some of the gaps in the
correspondence.
Lastly, I must acknowledge my debt of gratitude to my friend and
publisher, Mr John Murray, for his most valuable help in many ways.
Without his assistance, the map which illustrates the volume could not
have been constructed.
EDMOND WARRE.
FINCHAMPSTEAD, 1909.
LIST OF LETTERS
PAGE
1808
CHAPTER I
Portsmouth, May 22 3
H.M.S. _Resistance_, St Helens, May 24 4
Cove, June 8 5
Cove, June 17 8
Cove, June 22 11
Cove, June 27 41
1808
CHAPTER II
Porto Roads, July 25 19
Off Ovar, Monday evening, July 25 20
Camp Lavos, near Figueira, Aug. 8 21
Lourinhao, 12 miles south of Peniche, Aug. 19 24
Vimiero, Aug. 22 25
Buenos Ayres, Lisbon, Sept. 27 28
Lisbon, Sept. 29 36
1808-9
CHAPTER III
Avanilla, near Sahagun, 5½ leagues from Saldaña, half-past
5 P.M., Dec. 23, 1808 46
Sobrado, between Lugo and St Jago, Jan. 4, 1809 48
_Barfleur_, at sea, Jan. 18 50
Plymouth, Jan. 23 51
Lisbon, March 3 53
Lisbon, April 1 56
Undated (?) April 7 59
Headquarters, Thomar, April 27 60
Lisbon, July 13—arrived Aug. 24, per Colonel Brown 66
Lacebo, Aug. 10—Los Hoyos, Aug. 13 68
Salvaterra, Aug. 18—Castello Branco, Aug. 20 71
Headquarters, Lisbon, Sept. 6 77
Headquarters, Lisbon, Sept. 11 81
Lisbon, Sept. 25 85
Lisbon, Oct. 10 86
Lisbon, Oct. 26 90
Lisbon, Oct. 26 93
Lisbon, Dec. 1 95
Thomar, Dec. 31 97
1810
CHAPTER IV
Lisbon, Feb. 6 104
Lisbon, Feb. 17 108
Lisbon, March 10 112
Coimbra, March 21 115
Coimbra, March 30 117
Headquarters, Mango Aide, May 3 119
Fornos d’Algodres, May 9 (extract from letter to Sister) 123
Headquarters, Fornos d’Algodres, May 15 125
Headquarters, Fornos d’Algodres, May 23 130
Extract (London, June 20), Fornos, June 6 132
Extract (Hendon, July 8), Fornos, June 13 133
Headquarters, Fornos d’Algodres, June 20 134
Headquarters, P.A., Francoso, near Pinhel, June 27 137
Francoso, July 9 139
Francoso, July 10 151
Francoso, July 25 154
Lagiosa, Aug. 8 156
Lagiosa, Aug. 22 158
Lagiosa, Aug. 29 162
Lagiosa, Aug. 29, 6 P.M. 166
Hendon Place, Oct. 2 167
Hendon Place, Oct. 16 (extract, news of Bussaco, Sept. 27) 168
Hendon Place, Oct. 25 (referring to letter Oct. 6) 169
Headquarters, P.A., Casal Eschin, a mile to the eastward of
Enxara dos Cavaleiros, 5 leagues from Lisbon, Oct. 20 171
Extract, Falmouth, Nov. 14 175
Extract, Honiton, Nov. 18 177
1811
CHAPTER V
Portsmouth, May 5 180
Portsmouth, May 7 181
Portsmouth, May 9 183
Headquarters, St Olaia, June 20 184
Headquarters, St Olaia, June 27 188
Headquarters, St Olaia, July 1 191
Lisbon, July 5 192
Lisbon, Aug. 2 192
Cintra, Aug. 17 195
Cintra, Aug. 23 198
Cintra, Sept. 7 202
Lisbon, Oct. 17 205
Lisbon, Nov. 23 209
Lisbon, Nov. 30 212
Lisbon, Dec. 6 213
Lisbon, Dec. 14 216
1812
CHAPTER VI
JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER
Torres Novas, Jan. 4 221
Coimbra, Jan. 10 222
Gallegos, Jan. 20 223
Elvas, March 6, _extract_ 226
Elvas, March 18 229
Camp before Badajos, March 20 234
Camp before Badajos, March 29-(April 3), _extract_ 235
Camp before Badajos, April 2 236
Badajos Camp, April 7 241
Camp before Badajos, April 10 247
Nava, on the road between Sabugal and Alfaiates, April 24 248
Fuente Guinaldo, May 20, _extract_ 252
Fuente Guinaldo, May 28 254
Salamanca, June 17 258
Salamanca, June 25 262
Villa Escusa, Province of Toro, June 30 269
La Seca, Province of Valladolid, July 7 274
La Seca, July 10, _extract_ 278
La Seca, July 13 279
Salamanca, July 24 284
Salamanca, July 27 292
Salamanca, Aug. 29, _extract_ 295
(?) Salamanca, Sept. 2, _extract_ 297
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF EVENTS
1807.
Nov. French Conquest of Portugal.
Nov. 30. Junot occupies Lisbon.
Portuguese Royal Family fly to Brazil.
1808.
May. Napoleon makes Joseph Buonaparte King of Spain.
Outbreak of Spanish insurrection.
June. French invade Valencia and Andalusia.
Siege of Saragossa.
July 14. Battle of Medina del Rio Seco.
” 20. Capitulation of Baylen.
Aug. 1-4. Landing of British army in Portugal.
” 17. Combat of Roliça.
” 21. Battle of Vimiero.
” 30. Convention of Cintra.
Oct. Napoleon’s invasion of Spain.
Oct. 6. Sir John Moore takes command of British troops in
Portugal.
Nov. 13. Moore at Salamanca.
” 23. Battle of Tudela. Spaniards defeated.
Dec. 4. Napoleon arrives at Madrid.
” 15. Soult with 15,000 men at Saldaña.
” 20. Moore reaches Mayorga; junction with Baird.
” 21. Combat of Sahagun.
” 22. Napoleon’s pursuit of Moore begins.
” 23. Avanilla, near Sahagun, 5½ leagues from Saldaña,
half-past 5 P.M.—orders to march on Saldaña, 6
P.M.; news received about 7 P.M. of Napoleon’s
advance; Moore resolves on and orders retreat.
” 28. Benavente.
” 29. Astorga.
” 31. Bembibre.
Napoleon leaves the pursuit to Soult and returns to
France.
1809.
Jan. Retreat of Sir John Moore’s army continued.
Jan. 2. Bembibre.
” 3. Villa Franca.
” 6. Rearguard finds army at Lugo in position.
” 8-9. Lugo evacuated.
” 9-10. Betanzos.
” 11. Corunna—no transports.
” 14. Transports arrive.
” 16. Battle of Corunna.
” 17. Embarkation completed.
” 18. H.M.S. _Barfleur_ sails from Corunna.
” 23. Arrives Plymouth.
Feb. 20. Fall of Saragossa.
Feb. (end). Beresford appointed to command Portuguese army.
March (early). Beresford arrives at Lisbon.
March 10-20. Soult’s operations in Portugal; capture of Oporto.
” 29. Battle of Medellin—Spaniards defeated.
April 22. Sir A. Wellesley arrives in Lisbon.
May 12-22. Oporto retaken; Soult’s retreat to Orense and Lugo.
June. Advance of British army from Abrantes.
July 27-28. Battle of Talavera.
Aug. 4. Wellesley retires on Badajos.
Oct. 18. Battle of Tamames—French defeated.
Nov. 19. Battle of Ocaña—Spaniards defeated.
” 29. Battle of Alba de Tormes—Spaniards defeated.
1810.
Jan. Lord Wellington retires into Portugal.
Jan. and Feb. The French invade Andalusia.
Feb. 1. King Joseph enters Seville.
Siege of Cadiz.
” 12. Badajos summoned by Mortier.
March to April 22. Siege of Astorga.
May to July 9. Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.
July 24. Combat of the Coa.
July to Aug. 27. Siege of Almeida.
Sept. 16. Masséna advances into Portugal.
” 27. Battle of Bussaco.
Oct. 1-9. Wellington retires within the lines of Torres Vedras.
Oct. to Nov. Masséna before the lines.
Nov. 14. Masséna retreats to Santarem.
Dec. 21. Soult moves northward to support Masséna.
1811.
Jan. 27. Soult invests Badajos.
March 5. Masséna leaves Santarem.
” 11. Surrender of Badajos; Soult returns to the South.
” 15. Foz d’Aronce.
” 29. The Allies take Guarda.
April 3. Combat of Sabugal.
Masséna leaves Portugal.
” 20. Wellington to the Alemtejo.
May 2. Masséna resumes the offensive.
” 4. Beresford lays siege to Badajos.
” 5. Battle of Fuentes d’Onoro.
” 8. Masséna retreats; is removed from command.
” 10. Brennier escapes with garrison from Almeida.
” 12. Soult raises the siege of Badajos.
” 16. Battle of Albuera.
King Joseph leaves Madrid.
Marmont takes command of the army of Portugal.
” 25. Reinvestment of Badajos.
June 12. Siege raised the second time.
The French retire from Estremadura.
Aug. 8. Wellington blockades Ciudad Rodrigo.
Sept. 21. Marmont advances to relieve Ciudad Rodrigo.
” 24. Action at El Bodon.
” 25-27. The Allies retreat, and take up position covering
the line of the Coa.
” 27. The French withdrawal—Marmont to Talavera, Dorsenne
to Salamanca.
Ciudad Rodrigo again invested.
The British army goes into cantonments on the Coa.
Marmont concentrates near Toledo.
1812.
Jan. 8. Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.
” 19. Taking of Ciudad Rodrigo by storm.
March 16. Siege of Badajos.
April 6-7. Taking of Badajos.
May 18. Hill destroys bridge at Almaraz.
June. Wellington advances into Castille.
June 17. Allies enter Salamanca.
” 27. Forts at Salamanca taken.
July 22. Battle of Salamanca—Beresford severely wounded.
Aug. 12. Allies enter Madrid.
Sept. Siege of Burgos.
Oct. Retreat from Burgos.
Nov. Winter quarters near Ciudad Rodrigo.
MEMOIR OF WILLIAM WARRE
William Warre, the subject of this Memoir, was the eldest son of James
Warre of Oporto, and Eleanor, _née_ Greg, his wife. He was born at
Oporto, 15th April 1784, and spent most of his childhood there. He was
sent to Harrow, but seems to have left early, and to have been placed in
the office of Messrs Warre & Co., of which his uncle, William Warre, was
the senior partner, in order that he might learn the business which both
his uncle and his father desired him to follow.
But his own strong wish was to be a soldier, and, as it turned out, a
piece of mischief achieved that which arguments and entreaties had failed
to obtain. One day in the office, when letters had to be got ready for
the mail, the duty of sealing them, in which, after the fashion of the
day much wax, red or black, was consumed, devolved upon the young clerk,
who, observing that the pigtail of Pedro Alves, the Portuguese member
of the firm, had lapped over to his side of the desk, while the old
gentleman was enjoying a peaceful post-prandial slumber, felt moved to
play a practical joke, which had momentous consequences. He poured the
red wax upon the ribbon of the pigtail, fastening it to the desk, sealed
it with the seal of the firm, and fled. Great was the wrath that ensued.
No apologies could be accepted. It was the end of his commercial career.
He was then sent to a private tutor at Bonn to learn foreign languages,
and to prepare for the Army. On the breaking out of the war between
France and Austria, he and another fellow-student joined the Austrians,
and went out, as they said, to see the fun. As luck would have it, they
were taken prisoners in a skirmish, and were brought before General
Custine, who commanded the French force in the neighbourhood. Custine,
seeing that they were English and mere boys, scolded them and told them
that it was very lucky for them that Marshal Davoust had not arrived to
take over the command, “for,” said he, “he would have hanged you without
mercy on the nearest tree. Now go back to your books and your tutor, and
don’t meddle with affairs which do not concern you.”
Shortly after this William Warre was sent back to England, and on the
5th November 1803, when he was 19 years of age, received his commission
in the 52nd Light Infantry, then under the command of Sir John Moore.
He served with the 52nd till 25th April 1805, when he was promoted
Lieutenant in the 98th, which was then in Canada. He did not, however,
proceed thither, having purchased promotion as Captain in the 23rd
Dragoons.
He served with this regiment in Ireland until the summer of 1807, when he
was sent to the Royal Military College, then established at High Wycombe,
to study for Staff employment.
In 1808 General Ferguson selected him as A.D.C., and took him with him
to Portugal. There he was present at the combat of Roliça, and at the
Battle of Vimeiro, both of which are described in his letters. His health
gave way under the hardships of this campaign, and he was detained ill
at Lisbon for several months. His knowledge of the Portuguese language
enhanced the value of his services, and after his recovery, General
Ferguson having returned to England, he was attached by General Beresford
to his personal staff, and served with him as his principal A.D.C. until
the year 1812.
Captain Warre took part in Sir John Moore’s retreat and, with General
Beresford, was the last to embark after the Battle of Corunna, 16th
January 1809.
In March 1809, Beresford, with the rank of Field-Marshal, was placed
in chief command of the Portuguese Army, and employed Captain Warre,
his A.D.C., in the organisation of the national troops. He entered the
Portuguese service and was promoted therein to the rank of Major, and
appointed first A.D.C. to the Field-Marshal.
After the passage of the Douro, May 1809, Major Warre was sent forward
by Beresford to raise the armed peasantry in the province of Minho, with
a view to harassing the French forces under Marshal Soult, which were
then in full retreat. He succeeded in getting the peasantry to dismantle
the bridges of Ponte Nova and the Saltador, but could not get them to
destroy their own means of communication. Had this been done the French
army was lost. The delay, however, caused by the necessity of forcing
and repairing the bridges, cost the French the loss of many men and
horses,[1] and of most of the spoil they were carrying off from Oporto.
Unfortunately the letters in which these operations were described are
wanting. But for the rest of the long campaign up to the battle of
Salamanca, with the exception of Talavera, when he was with Beresford in
Portugal, and of Albuera, and Bussaco, from which he was absent through
illness, his letters are fairly consecutive comments of an actor in the
events which occurred during that period of heroic struggle.
On 30th May 1811 he was promoted by Brevet to the rank of Major in the
English Army, and to that of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Portuguese Army.
At the last siege of Badajos, he was the senior Staff Officer at the
summons of Fort Christobal, and had the honour of taking prisoners the
Generals Philippon and Weyland, who surrendered their swords to him.
In the battle of Salamanca, 1812, he was with his chief, Marshal
Beresford, when the latter was severely wounded, and, as narrated in the
letters, carried him into the town, nursed him through his illness, and
went with him to Lisbon.
In 1813 Major Warre was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in
the English Army, and resigned his commission in the Portuguese Army. He
received from the King of Portugal medals for his conduct at Vimeiro,
at the siege and assault of Ciudad Rodrigo, and for the two sieges of
Badajos, also a medal for the four campaigns. He was also made a Knight
of the Order of the Tower and Sword, and of the Order of St Bento d’Avis.
In 1813 he was sent to the Cape of Good Hope, where he was appointed
Q.M.G., a post which he held till 1819.
In November 1812 he had married Selina, youngest daughter of Christopher
Maling of West Herrington and Hillton, in the county of Durham. By her he
had a family of three sons and two daughters. His youngest son, Henry,
born 1819 at the Cape, was afterwards General Sir Henry Warre, K.C.B. His
wife died 3rd February 1821.
In November 1820 he returned to England, and in 1821, by reason of
ill-health, went on half-pay.
In May 1823 he was appointed A.Q.M.G. in Ireland, and in 1826 was
transferred to a similar appointment in England. In 1826-1827 he served
on the Staff of the Army sent to Lisbon under the command of Sir William
Clinton, G.C.B.
On 22nd July 1830 he became a full Colonel. He served again on the Staff
in Ireland till 1836, when he was appointed to the command at Chatham.
He held this appointment till his promotion to the rank of Major-General
23rd November 1841. It was during his command that the Review took place
which is immortalised by Dickens in _Pickwick_. He was made C.B., and was
Knighted in 1839. In 1842 he was placed in command of the North-Western
District. Subsequently he was transferred to the Northern District, with
his Headquarters at York. Reference is made to him in the letters of
Queen Victoria (vol. i., p. 150).
He gave up the command at York in the year 1851, and, liking the place
and neighbourhood, remained there in a residence which he rented at
Bishopthorpe. His health broke down in 1852, and in the following year
he died, and was buried in the churchyard at Bishopthorpe. The church
has since been pulled down, and the churchyard, which is adjacent to the
gardens of the Archiepiscopal Palace, closed. His tomb is on the south
side of the old graveyard, and bears the following inscription:—
SACRED TO THE MEMORY
OF
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR WILLIAM WARRE
C.B., K.T.S., K.C., ST BENTO D’AVIS
_Colonel of the 94th Regiment_
DIED AT YORK, 26TH JULY 1853, AGED 69 YEARS.
[1] See Oman, vol. ii., pp. 355-9.
LETTERS FROM THE PENINSULA
1808
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
In June 1808 the British Government determined to send assistance to the
Spaniards, who had risen in revolt against the French domination in the
Peninsula.
Spain, which had been an enemy, was now regarded as a friend.
In the previous year, an expedition under General Whitelock had been
despatched to invade the Spanish Colonies in America, with disastrous
results. In 1808 a force of about 9000 men was already assembled in
Ireland, with a view to renewing this attempt under a more competent
General. But in the altered circumstances the destination of these troops
was changed, and they were placed under the command of Lieut.-General Sir
Arthur Wellesley, with orders to proceed to Portugal and to co-operate
with the Spaniards and Portuguese in attacking the French.
Beside the troops ready to embark in Ireland there were two
Brigades—Anstruther’s and Acland’s, quartered at Harwich and Ramsgate
respectively—available for immediate service abroad. These were added to
Wellesley’s command. And in addition to these there were at this time
about 5000 men, under General Spencer, observing Cadiz, who could join
the expedition on Portuguese soil. Lastly, there was a force of about
10,000 men under Sir John Moore, who had been sent to the Baltic to
co-operate with the Swedes, a task which proved impracticable. These were
on their way home, and were ordered to Portugal, though some time elapsed
before they could join their comrades in the Peninsula.
Major-General Ferguson, with his Aides-de-Camp, Capt. Warre and Capt.
Mellish, embarked at Portsmouth in H.M.S. _Resistance_—Capt. Adam—in
May; but their destination at that time was quite uncertain, though
General Ferguson, nominally at least, belonged to the force under General
Spencer’s command. After some further delay, owing to contrary winds,
the _Resistance_ arrived at Cork, where Sir Arthur Wellesley on 7th June
assumed the command of the troops assembled. The news of the Spanish
insurrection had already reached England, and although quite uncertain
as yet as to their future movements, everyone seems to have taken it for
granted that they were to sail at once. As it turned out, they had many
weeks to wait before the actual start took place.
The six letters written in May and June, though not belonging properly
to the letters from the Peninsula, have been included in the series, as
giving an account not altogether uninteresting of the kind of life led
while waiting for orders to sail, the needs and necessities recorded,
and the ideas generally entertained by the writer as set forth in his
correspondence. The difficulties respecting the soldier servant, whom he
was so anxious to take with him, have an almost tragic interest in view
of the ultimate fate of the man, which is afterwards described in the
letters.
Not without interest also are the sidelights occasionally thrown upon the
jealousy with which Colonels of Regiments regarded the taking of officers
from service with the Regiment for Staff employment, and the indications
of the necessity of influence in high quarters to obtain any appointment
of the kind. But more than all is the evidence of the enthusiasm which
pervaded all ranks—enthusiasm for a glorious cause, which was no less
than the liberation of Europe from the domination of the tyrant, who
had trampled right and justice under foot, and was without gainsaying
England’s bitterest and deadliest foe.
LETTERS
PORTSMOUTH, _May 22, 1808_.
Here we are, my dearest Father, after a very hasty journey and pleasant,
as constant rain and a complete overturn about ½ a mile short of
Kingston, from which Capt. Mellish and myself escaped quite safe, except
a few trifling bruises and a sprained thumb I got, which renders my
writing somewhat difficult—with these exceptions it was as pleasant as
could be to me, leaving all those dearest to me in the world.
We have just got all our baggage, and go on board ourselves this evening.
Capt. Adam appears to be a very fine gentlemanly young man, and much
inclined to show us every civility.
We shall sail as soon as the wind is fair, and are much hurried. Should
my things arrive this evening they will be in time, otherwise I fear not.
Nothing can be kinder than the General. I think myself every moment more
fortunate in going with him. Pray get some advice about Rankin. I shall
send him on shore at Cork, if I can, and have no answer from Seymour.[2]
If I am not able to send him on shore, the advice I want you to get is,
how to get him leave to go, as if he were not gone but to Cork. Pray
write. It may find me on board the _Resistance_, Cork. I will write
every opportunity. May God bless and preserve you all and give you every
happiness, is the constant prayer of your affectionate son,
WM. WARRE.
[2] Lt.-Col. 23rd Dragoons.
* * * * *
H.M.S. “RESISTANCE,” ST HELENS, _May 24th, 1808_.
Many thanks, my dear Father, for your letter of yesterday, and the books
and wine, about which I have just written to Messrs Smith and Atkins,
directing them, if we are sailed, to send it to care of Markland at
Gibraltar. Here we are with the wind as foul as it can blow, and too hard
to put to sea. We shall sail the first opportunity, and are not a little
anxious to get off. Nothing can exceed the General’s and Capt. Adam’s
kindness. We are as comfortable as on shore, and as happy as possible.
We have not the least idea of our destination. Reports I never believe.
If the General does not know, it is not likely any newspaper can. I
received my books and wine safe, for which accept my thanks. The books,
at all events, I could not read if I had them not. They are therefore as
well with me, and God knows how long we may be on board or away.
I am glad you intend to call on the Duke. It is as well; and pray do not
forget to assure Ld. Mostyn of my gratitude and sense of his kindness
towards me. I have written, or rather I wrote the day I left town to
Seymour, but, should I not get his answer at Cork, must send Rankin on
shore; and to go without a servant is very inconvenient indeed. Therefore
I think, if you could hire me a steady, honest servant, it would be worth
while his coming to Cork to me; or the General thinks it would be better
to ask General Calvert, by “_empenho_”[3] to send me an order to Cork for
him to accompany me at all events.
Adieu; we are ordered off by signal. May God preserve and bless you all,
is the constant prayer of your affectionate son,
WM. WARRE.
[3] By desire.
* * * * *
COVE, _June 8, 1808_.
MY DEAREST FATHER,
Till yesterday, on Sir A. Wellesley’s arrival at Cork to take the
command, our sailing was so uncertain, that I did not write to you, for
other news, except that we are all well, from hence I had none to tell.
We now expect to sail the day after to-morrow, Sunday, if the wind is
fair. The glorious accounts from Spain have hurried us off, and I believe
there is now no doubt that that is our destination, but what part we know
not. The Rendezvous is Tangier bay, in case of parting company, which
looks like Cadiz (this _entre nous_).
We are exceedingly anxious to get away, after six weeks’ delay. The
Army are in the highest spirits; indeed the cause we are engaged in
is the noblest a soldier could wish, and to support the liberties and
independence of a country so lately our enemy. To forget all animosity
and cordially join against the common enemy of Europe, the would-be
Tyrant of the world, is worthy of the British name; and a soldier’s
heart must be cold indeed that would not warm with enthusiasm in such a
cause. I am not one of the most sanguine; you know my opinion of armed
mobs, though in this, from the accounts we have received, there is an
appearance of system and order that promises well. May God assist the
Right. It may be the crisis of the Tyrant’s power. If he fails now, it
may open the eyes of Europe.
I will write by every opportunity and let you know how we are going on,
and the news, and a line when we sail. The General’s best thanks for
your present of maps. They are most acceptable to him. He is gone with
Adam and Mellish to Cork to dine with the Mayor, or dine in publick in
honour of Sir Arthur. I was asked, but having a good deal to do, and not
fancying a crowd, have sent an excuse. We have been very gay here ever
since we arrived, but long to be off.
How unfortunate we were not to be with Spencer at landing at Cadiz. There
will be yet something I hope to be done. Boney will not easily give up
his point, and a more beautiful army never embarked, for its size, from
any place. We have been joined by 45th, 4 troops 20 Lt. Dns., and 2
companies Artillery, besides a very large Staff, and are to be by the
36th Regt. The troops are very healthy, in all about 9650 men.
I have not heard further about remaining in the 23rd. Seymour has allowed
me to take Rankin, if I can get a man to exchange. Stuart is trying to
get me one from the 9th Foot, but they are all so high in spirits at
going on service, I fear of his getting one. I think we shall certainly
sail on Sunday, if possible. Write to me, in case we should go to Porto,
direct Gibraltar, and tell me if I can do anything there; depend on my
punctuality and exertions. Such a thing might happen as going in there.
Our party is much augmented on board _Resistance_. Generals Crawfurd and
Fane 1 A.-de-C. or 2, 1 Bᵈᵉ Major, and a civil Secretary. It will not be
so pleasant as hitherto. Patience, it is a million times better than a
transport.
From your ever affectionate son,
WM. WARRE.
Pray desire Hawkes Piccadilly to send me a Hat and Feather, the same
_shape exactly_ as the last, by 1st opportunity; my old one is gone to
pieces. Adieu.
* * * * *
COVE, _June 17, 1808_.
MY DEAR FATHER,
I have to thank you for your kind letter on the 11th inst., and for that
you wrote to Genl. Payne, in which you have said everything that can be
said. I am much afraid he is offended with my carrying my point in spite
of him.
It is however of consequence my remaining in the Regiment, as more
Captains are quitting it I hear, and I have therefore this day written to
Greenwood’s with the enclosed paper of exchange signed, of which letter
you have an extract annexed. It may do good, and cannot do any harm.
Seymour, I think, will do what he can for me; his letters are as friendly
as possible, though he will not allow me to take Rankin, which is very
annoying, particularly now that I have bought a horse, nor do I know what
to do for a servant here. There is no such thing, and as all the troops
are now embarked, and we may be ordered to sail every hour, I have no
time to write for one. I should therefore be much obliged to you, if you
would enquire about some honest, trusty man, who must understand horses,
and send him out to join me at Gibraltar. Agree about wages, clothes,
etc., and send him out to join me at Gibraltar, or off Cadiz, as soon as
a conveyance offers. To be on service without a trusty servant will be
exceedingly unpleasant.
We know nothing further of our destination or plans. We have been here
amusing ourselves in perfect idleness, though very gayly. We yesterday
dined on board Ld. Thomond’s yacht, and went in the evening to a play,
acted by the Officers of the _Resistance_, for the poor of Cove. It was
exceedingly crowded, and went off very well. I have bought a nice little
hack, a mare, the only thing of the kind I could get for the price, 30
guineas Irish, for which I drew yesterday on you. They ask 50, 60, 70,
for nice hacks, and the Genl. and Mellish have been obliged to pay it.
I got mine from an Artillery Officer, through a friend of mine, and am
very lucky. I also further drew upon you for £20 British to Mr Mayhew,
of which Mellish has half and is to pay me in the money of the country
we go to. I hope we shall now leave this very soon. All the Regts. are
embarked, and we only wait for orders. I will write as soon as they
arrive. I rejoice to hear that dear Tom[4] was safe at Stockholm, and
daily expected. God send him safe, dear fellow. It would have been great
happiness to have seen him before I sailed, but I shall now be satisfied
with hearing of his safe arrival. Give him my kindest love and welcome
home.
Pray assure Lord Rosslyn when you see him of my high sense of his
Lordship’s goodness, and that if I must quit the 23rd, I shall feel
highly gratified by being in his Regiment. Pray get my uncle to get the
Duchess to speak to Gordon about the exchange. As things are now, it is
really a very hard case that I must give up my chance of advancement
because I am anxious to learn experience of my profession, and it has
disgusted me not a little. In the midst of this idleness, such is the
confusion and hurry that we can scarcely settle to anything. Report says
we are going to Spain. I am working hard at Spanish, as is Mellish, who
is a very clever fellow.
Stuart, my old friend, embarked to-day. His Regiment marched in, in
the finest order, and got great credit. He desires to be most kindly
remembered, as does the General. I believe General Hill, who commanded at
Fermoy when I was there, goes with us in the _Resistance_. He is a very
pleasant, mild man, and much liked. He commands here till the arrival
of the Commander-in-Chief, Sir A. Wellesley, I believe certainly; but
whether he will come here, or we join him at sea, is not known.
WM. WARRE.
EXTRACT OF MY LETTER TO GREENWOOD & COX.
“_June 17, 1808._
“The objection to my accompanying Major General Ferguson (the number of
Captns. then on the Staff from the Regt.) being now removed by Captn. F’s
exchange, I hope H.R. Highness and Major-General Payne will be pleased
to allow me to remain in the 23rd, to which, independent of the number
of steps I shall lose by the exchange, I am much attached, and shall
only quit from my great desire of acquiring experience in my profession
on actual service, of which I saw but little prospect in the Regt. at
present. Any emolument I can receive from my Staff situation, I can
assure H.R.H., is not an object, my only wish being to render myself, as
far as lays in my power, useful in the service, however great the loss
[I may] suffer by entering another Regt. as younger Captain from one in
which I am so high up.
“I have the honour to request you will lay this before H.R.H., at the
same time assuring him of my willingness to fulfil the conditions under
which he was pleased to allow me to accompany Major-Genl. Ferguson, by
exchanging into any Regt. of Dragoons H.R.H. may think proper. I have the
honour, etc., etc.”
I have desired them to write to me what answer the Duke gives.
[4] Thomas Warre, second son of James Warre, a merchant in St Petersburg,
escaped from Russia to Sweden after war had been declared against England.
* * * * *
COVE, _June 22, 1808_.
MY DEAREST FATHER,
I have this morning received your kind letter of the 16th, and am very
much obliged to you for the Maps, which will be most acceptable, as I
have hunted all over Cork without finding anything of the kind, and I
think there is little doubt of Spain’s being our destination in the
first place. I shall offer them to the General, but I fear he will
not be prevailed on to accept them. He is always ready to oblige or
give anything away himself, but would not take a pen from anyone, if
he thought he deprived him of it. I shall note carefully what you say
respecting ... though on his score of fortune, I think you have been
misinformed. He is not amiable in his manners, but very clever, and
though very good friends, we are not likely ever to be very intimate or
confidential. A sort of outward cordiality must seem to exist, placed as
we are together in situation.
I am most sincerely rejoiced that Douglas is coming to join us. For him I
have really a very warm regard, and should Johnstone succeed, shall have
with me two of my greatest friends. Our General has nothing to do with
the present Expedition. He belongs to Spencer, and is ordered to proceed
by the first safe conveyance (a man-of-war) but, should one not offer,
to remain in the _Resistance_; this _entre nous_. He has applied, but
none offers, and I think there is very little doubt of our all having the
same destination. He is naturally very anxious to join his Brigade at his
post off Cadiz, but we should all quit the _Resistance_ with very great
regret. Nothing can be more pleasant than our situation with so excellent
a fellow as Adam.
I was in great hopes of hearing of dear Tom’s safe arrival, and hope
still to have that happiness before we sail. Enclosed I send him a few
lines welcome home. They but faintly express a brother’s feelings at his
escape, and return, after so long an absence, to the bosom of his family.
All the troops are embarked, and certainly finer, as far as they go,
never were seen. We now only wait for orders and Sir A. Wellesley,
who is expected to-day, and will I hope bring some further orders for
Genl. Ferguson. As to Rankin, I have written to Seymour to allow him to
exchange into the 9th Foot. Stuart has been so good as to promise to get
one of his men to do so, and I trust the General, who, by the bye, it was
that wrote, will have an answer.
I have no answer to my letter about buying his discharge, which I
fear will not be allowed. It will be abominably unpleasant to embark
with a horse and no servant. As to Payne [nothing] but the steps and
prospects I have in his Regiment would induce me to remain in it, though
Seymour’s letters are highly kind and flattering. Payne considering
dispassionately, has but little right to be angry at my using all my
endeavours to get a very advantageous situation, although in spite of
him; nor can I rate my services so low, as to suppose they are a matter
of indifference to my Regiment, particularly considering the sacrifices
I offered to make on my return to England. His not answering your letter
is want of good breeding. Seymour’s letter to him, however, perhaps makes
him hesitate.
We have been endeavouring to establish a ball here this evening for the
relief of the poor distressed wives of the Soldiers, but it is a very
bad day and I fear we shall have but thin attendance. I have been much
troubled with the toothache, and yesterday had the unruly member drawn
with much difficulty, and to-day my face is very sore and swelled; but,
as I was one of the chief instigators of this ball, I must go, though not
at all in the humour for it. Adieu, my dearest father. Ever your most
affectionate son,
WM. WARRE.
The Genl. thanks you for your kind messages, and desires to be most
kindly remembered.
* * * * *
COVE, _June 27, 1808_.
MY DEAREST MOTHER,
Even had I not this morning received your most kind and affectionate
letter by Douglas with the locket, it was my intention to have written a
few lines, nor have I time for much more, as we dine at a Mr Frankland’s
some way in the country, and I have a good deal of writing on hand.
Accept my best thanks for the letter and locket which shall never quit
me, though you know I did not want it as a souvenir. I wish it was the
Talisman, so famous in the “Arabian Nights,” that conveyed its possessor
in an instant wherever he wished. I should often visit the happy circle
at Hendon.
We really know no more of our destination than you do, except that we all
belong to the same, and are to join General Spencer at Gibraltar, which
is a great satisfaction. Hitherto we have been longing for an opportunity
to get out to him, not knowing but this expedition might have quite a
different destination.
We have a large list of the Staff, among which are many friends of mine.
Sir A. Wellesley, Lieut.-Genl. commands in chief, and under him are Major
Genls. Spencer, Hill, Ferguson, Br. Genls. Fane, Crawford, Nightingale.
Col. Torrens is Mily. Secretary, and a long list of Staff-officers, which
I need not trouble you with reading. Genls. Fane and Crawford go in the
_Resistance_ with us, which will take away greatly in point of room. The
latter and his Brigade Major I know very well, the former not at all,
though I hear he is a very good man. I could have dispensed with him
very well, as they just turn us poor ADCₛ out of our snug berths, and
strangers will prevent that pleasant gaiety and freedom we have enjoyed
hitherto.
It is very uncertain when we shall sail. We are waiting for the _Donegal_
74, Capt. Malcolm, and _Crocodile_ frigate, and for some transports, with
Artillery and Cavalry, and some empty ones to thin those now here, which
are very much crowded, though hitherto quite healthy. The additional room
allowed looks like a longer voyage than we expected, though Cavalry and
our taking horses seems to contradict this idea. I am rather for going
to Spain. It is a noble service assisting a nation fighting for its
independence, and it is impossible to say what a brave people fighting
for liberty, and actuated at the same time by resentment for great
injuries, and a bigoted attachment to ancient customs may do, if properly
supported. At all events, our assisting to the utmost of our power the
mother country will greatly facilitate our establishing the independence
of America, whither I hope will be our ultimate destination.
Sir A. W. is a very good officer, and much esteemed, and I trust we
have neither a Whitelock or Gower amongst us. I have not been very well
to-day—I expect from the effects of bad water—and so liable to catch
cold, that the General has made me put on flannel, and I find myself
better since I have ordered a dozen of waistcoats of it at Cork.
We had a gay ball here on Friday, in a storehouse fitted up with flags,
for the relief of the distressed soldiers’ wives. We had a good many
people, and collected about £50 free of expenses, little enough among so
many objects. I have had a good deal of trouble, but who would grudge it
in such a cause? To-morrow there is a ball for the poor wounded Dutchmen
taken in the _Guelderland_. I have never seen greater objects. Poor
fellows! they fought very bravely, but knew nothing of their business.
Our Frigate only lost one killed and one wounded, and they 60 in both.[5]
I went to see them, and the Genl. has sent the Officer refreshments and
wine. He is an excellent man. His purse is always open to distress, even
too much. He is, I fear, often imposed upon. I am much pleased for many
reasons, you may suppose, with Mr Adamson’s kindness. Pray thank him most
kindly from me. As for Moll, I shall be much affronted if he talks of
paying for her. He must accept her as a very small proof of my friendship
and very high regard for him, to say nothing of his kindness to me and
my gratitude for it. I hope Hardy will suit dear Emily, and she will
have him as a present from her affectionate brother. I shall be able to
afford not to sell him, if we have a long voyage, and think she will like
him with greater pleasure as a present from me. I was rejoiced to see my
friend Douglas, he is gone in to Cork to-day and returns to-morrow....
I am anxiously waiting to hear of dear Tom’s arrival. Write to me the
moment he does. We are not likely to sail for some time,
Yrs., etc.,
WM. W.
[5] See James’s _Naval History_, vol. iv., p. 324 ff. May 19, 1808.
“Guelderland,” Dutch 36-gun frigate taken by the “Virginie.”
1808