[448] Supplementary Dispatches, vii. p. 123.
[449] Counting the 4th Division, which was hardly, however, part of the ‘blockading force.’
[450] For statements showing that every one believed Erskine to be the responsible person see Stepney, p. 105: ‘instead of promulgating the orders the general, it is said, put them in his pocket and forgot them.’ George Simmons (p. 174): ‘Bevan was too late owing to Sir W. Erskine, by accident, not sending him an order in time.’ Charles Napier (Diary, p. 173), ‘It is said that Sir Wm. Erskine is to blame, and next to him General Campbell.’
[451] See Foy’s Vie Militaire, p. 114, and Appendix no. 49.
[453] ‘Son tapis chargé de pâtés et d’autres pièces froides très belles, servis sur des plats d’argent, était entouré d’assiettes, de gobelets, de couverts du même métal. On dîna debout—ce qui ne suffit pas pour donner à ce repas de luxe un caractère suffisamment militaire.’ Thiébault, iv. p. 514.
[454] Parquin, who served for some time in his escort squadron, calls him ‘très aimé pour les soins qu’il prenait du soldat’ (Mémoires, p. 298), and rather admires him for having nothing but silver plate with him when on campaign.
[455] Foy’s Vie Militaire, p. 171.
[456] Ibid., p. 177, note (1).
[457] But, for reasons unknown, the 17th Léger, from the original division of Heudelet, changed places with the 26th Line from Loison’s old division, and went into the new 6th Division.