Since I wrote to you on the 3rd the breaches have become daily more practicable, and the day before yesterday a new one, which was begun between the two others, was also very forward and yesterday practicable. It was intended to have stormed the day before, but the enemy’s defences were considered in too perfect a state, and the fire of most of our Batteries was directed for the last two days against the new breach, and to silence and dismount their guns.
The attack took place last night at 10 o’clock. The Light Division was to storm the breach in the flank of the Bastion of St Maria. This consists of 43rd, 52nd, 95th, 1st, and 3rd, P. Caçadores.
The 4th Division (Genl. Colville’s), the 7th, 23rd, 48th, 40th, and 27th, were to storm the main breach, while the 3rd Division (Picton’s), the 5th, 45th, 88th, 74th, 94th, 77th, with 9 and 21 Portuguese, attacked the Castle by escalade, and General Leith’s (the 5th Div.), consisting of the 4th, 9th, 1st, 44th, 30th, 38th, were partly in reserve, and partly escaladed a weak part of the town near the Guadiana.
The advances to the breaches were found much more difficult than was expected, having to descend before the main ditch into a very deep avant fossé, and the enemy perfectly prepared to receive them with mines, shells, entrenchments, in short a most excellent system of defence. Our brave fellows did all that men could do, but they were mown down by hundreds, and their Officers mostly killed or wounded, and, after losing a great many men, they were repulsed, but fortunately the two attacks which were the least probable, by escalade, having succeeded, Picton having got into the old Moorish Castle, which commands the town, and part of Leith’s people (General Walker’s Brigade) on the left, another rush was made at the breaches by part of the Light Division, and, about daybreak, the town and its adjacent forts were in our possession, with Philippon the Governor, a General Weyland, a great many Officers, and about 3500 prisoners.
I dare not enter into the detail of our loss. The papers will too soon publish the painful news. Of all my friends Dawson is the only one I can say is safe, and Hunt. The remainder I know nothing of for certain, but that the loss of 52nd, and of that whole division, very great indeed, as well as of the 4th, Generals Bowes, Colville, and Walker, wounded, and poor Gibbs. Merry 52nd Regt. wounded, but not very badly. Jones, Poole, Madden, killed. I am, thank God, quite well, though very much tired and fagged. I was on horseback all yesterday, (and the weather is dreadfully hot,) and all night, or on foot, and such a night, I think, I never spent of suspense, horror, and expectation. I was sent before daybreak, as soon as our men were in the town, to endeavour to establish a communication, across the Bridge and tête de Pont, with Genl. Bowes, who was on that side. I met Lord Fitzroy Somerset, who was going on nearly the same duty, and at the tête de Pont we found an Officer and 40 men, and in Fort St Christopher, whither we heard he had retreated, the Governor Genl. Philippon, General Weyland, and a great many officers, all of whom surrendered immediately, on our summoning them, and the Chiefs we conducted to Lord Wellington.
It is most extraordinary that, notwithstanding the obstinate defence, and causes of animosity which our men had, and all their previous determinations, they gave quarter to almost every Frenchman, and I really believe their loss in killed and wounded must be comparatively very small to ours. The Marshal and everybody belonging to this Hd. Qrs. escaped unhurt, and are well, as also all Lord Wellington’s Staff. My friends of the 4th Regt. have suffered very much indeed. There was scarce a Regiment engaged that has not, for the fire at the breaches was immense, and from the depth of the ditches, and accumulated means of defence, it appears to me that it was almost impossible for our brave fellows to force them, and it was most fortunate that the side attacks succeeded at the Castle and at the Bastion of St Vincente. I am so tired I can say no more. God Almighty bless you all. My kindest love. Your most affectionate Son,
Wm. Warre.
[Written across the above]
8th April.
My Dearest Father,