“The Governor in Council, impressed with a just sense of the discipline and hardiness of the men, of the experience and gallantry of the officers, cannot but feel sincere regret at the loss which the army under this Government is about to sustain in the departure of this efficient corps.”
Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir Arthur Wellesley, K.B. to Viscount Castlereagh, Secretary of State.
Contained in Vol. iv., page 100, “of the Despatches of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington.” Compiled by Colonel Gurwood.
“Vimiera, 22d August 1808.
“My dear Lord,
“After I wrote to you yesterday morning we were attacked by the whole of the French army, Sir Harry Burrard being still on board ship, and I gained a complete victory. It was impossible for troops to behave better than our’s did: we only wanted a few hundred more cavalry to annihilate the French army.
“I have sent my Report upon this action to Sir Harry Burrard, who will send it home. You will see in it that I have mentioned Colonel Burne of the 36th regiment in a very particular manner, and I assure you that there is nothing that will give me so much satisfaction as to learn that something has been done for this old and meritorious soldier.
“The Thirty-sixth regiment is an example to the army.