Elvas, March 18, 1812.
My Dear Father,
I did not receive your long and kind letter of the 10th Feby. till the 16th inst., the same day on which I received yours of the 8th of March. I have intended thanking you for both for the last two days, but, as the investment of Badajos was begun on the 16th and completed yesterday, I had not a moment’s time, having been almost constantly on horseback. I could wish to have written you a long letter, but I find that at present it is impossible, for though I have remained at home to-day on purpose, I am a good deal fagged and hurried....
I am very much obliged to you for your most interesting ideas and communications on the politics of the day with you. They are to me most interesting, and I am happy to think that generally on these subjects our sentiments are exactly the same. But I have not now time to enter on the subject. I regret Lord Wellesley’s going out, as I have a very high opinion of his talents, and am quite convinced that the surest means of keeping the war ultimately from our own shores, is to persecute it vigorously on the Peninsula, where everything has hitherto been as successful as brilliant both to our interests and national glory. And I fear by his removal from office these exertions may be relaxed, and our brave General not seconded with the zeal he deserves, for I never considered Ld. Castlereagh as a decided public character....
With regard to ...’s letter, I can only say that I should be very sorry to allow any officer to purchase the majority over my head, if I could afford to purchase it. If not, it is no use saying anything on the subject. But if I could, ever so well, I do not think it would be worth my while to enter into Colonel ...’s exorbitant demands, and as I do not wish to be like the dog in the manger, I shall not prevent him from making what arrangements he pleases with ... by exchanges, etc. But could I afford it I most decidedly think that, should such a thing offer as direct purchase, I should do very wrong in not taking it, and trusting to my interest to avoid joining. At present I am literally no more than Captn., and must become an effective Major before I can either purchase or get a Lt.-Colonelcy, except by Brevet, which I assure you is most improbable, and at all events I could exchange to Infantry as Major, if by that means I could remain in the country to the end of the Campaign. I shall answer ... that he may do as he pleases, as it is not worth my while to give so much, beyond the Regulation, for the Majority. But, if you can afford to do it, I should be very sorry that he purchased over my head, should ... from length of service be allowed to sell his commission, which from the style of ...’s letter I rather suspect may be the case. But certainly, even if I had the money, I would not give more than the Regulation, or allow any officer to do it over my head, by informing the Agents that I was ready to purchase at the regulation. But if ... chooses to make any bargain with ... by exchanges, etc., I have no objection.
With regard to any place of emolument, or settled situation in this country, I must frankly tell you that there is no rank that they could give me in their service which would induce me to remain permanently in it, or beyond the Campaign, during which I do not think I can quit it with propriety.
My next situation will probably be the command of some Regiment when, by the obtaining my effective Majority, the Marshal may not be able to keep me on his Personal Staff. In that, as in every other situation, I shall endeavour to do my duty to this country with zeal and assiduity, while I think my services are required, but no longer than that we are on service, and that there is an English army in the country, and, while that is the case, I shall use all my interest to remain, however otherwise unpleasant to me. But you may rely on it that, the moment the law of necessity is removed, there will be but little credit and no pleasure to be gained in the Portuguese service under such a Government.
The siege of Badajos commenced on the 16th, when the place was partly invested by the Marshal, as Ld. Wellington was rather unwell. We had a little skirmishing but of no consequence, and the place was civil enough to fire very little at us, and the lateness of the time the columns arrived prevented the place from being completely invested. Ld. Wn., who is quite well again, thank God, did so yesterday without loss, and yesterday evening they commenced breaking ground in front of the Picorina, a small work in advance of the town, on the other side of the Guadiana, on which side all our attacks seem to be directed and not against St Christopher, which, as well as the town generally, the enemy have greatly improved, and have built a strong redoubt, where our batteries were against St Christopher last year.
The firing this morning has been pretty brisk notwithstanding the heavy rain, which came on last night, and is rather unfortunate for our poor fellows, most of whom, however, have tents. Both Hd. Qrs. were to have encamped yesterday, but by some accident or other, it is put off till to-morrow, when I hope the weather will moderate. Our Hd. Qrs. Camp is about a mile ½ from the town, and quite out of sight under a little hill, where we shall be snug enough if the weather holds up. If not we must have paciencia, and make the best of it. I have a very good tent. I remained at home to-day in order to write to you, but I will add to my letter before the Courier sets off, and let you know how things go on. I have no doubt that, with the great means we have, we shall take the place, if the enemy give us fair time. But in my opinion a general action is almost certain. I do not for a moment doubt the result, but on it the fate of Badajos will probably depend. Our battering train is very complete. We have 16 24-lbers. 20 18-lbs. 16 5½-inch. or 24-lb. Howitzers, with 10 18-lbs. in reserve at Evora. The 3rd, 4th, and Light Divisions and the Algarve Brigade, with the necessary Artillery and Engineers, and 14th Lt. Dns. and 3rd P. Cavalry, are the Armée de Siège, and Graham and Hill, the two worthy new knights, command the Army of observation, which consists of the 1st, 2nd, 9th, 7th, Divisions and some Cavalry Regts., and occupy from Caçeres by Merida, Almendralejo, Los Santos, Zafra, towards Frejenal, having on their right in the Condado de Niebla the Spanish general Morilho, with about 4000 men, in observation. Marmont, it is said, is collecting on the Tagus, and I also expect Soult will move up as many troops as they can bring together from all parts for the relief of the Town. But, I think, we shall have near 60,000 Bayonets, and that is quite enough to beat any force they can collect in a month. The 5th Division is on its march up, but I do not know whether it will join the army of observation or the siege. The 14th Lt. Dns. arrive here to-morrow, and will, with the 3rd P. Cavalry, take the siege duties.