Wm. Warre.
We look anxiously towards Russia, and I hope they will not fight a general action but retire and draw the Tyrant on. If they fight they will be beat, I fear.
The Marshal and Lord Wn. are perfectly well, which I wonder at, for they have scarce a moment’s rest for mind and body. Sir T. Graham has equally not had a moment quiet, and I am sorry to say had a painful disorder in one of his eyes. He is one of the most excellent, worthy men I know anywhere, and like Hill beloved by everybody. Ferguson is arrived at Lisbon, and I am sorry to say has been unwell. I saw Genl. Leith to-day quite well. He desired to be most kindly remembered to you, as do Le Marchant, Hardinge, Douglas, and the Marshal.
La Seca, Provce. of Valladolid, July 7th, 1812.
My Dear Father,
Since I wrote to you on the 30th from Villa Escusa the Enemy have gradually retired, and the Allied Army have occupied on the 1st a bivouac on the River Trabancos with Head Quarters at Alaejos, and on the 2nd it moved towards the river Zapardiel, with the right at Medina del Campo, and the left extending towards Torrecilla, while Lord Wellington moved himself with the Cavalry Light Division and Pack’s Portuguese Brigade, supported by the 3rd Divn. and the Spanish Infantry and Bradford’s P. Bge., on Rueda, to induce the Enemy to cross the Douro at Tordesillas, while the main body of the Army moved parallel to it so as to threaten their communication with Madrid. At Rueda we came up with the Enemy’s rear-guard, and a sharp skirmish and cannonade took place in which the Enemy lost considerably owing to not bringing up their guns till very late in the day, and our loss was only a few horses. They gradually retired, and as we gained the high ground between Rueda and Tordesillas, we could distinctly see the greater part of the Enemy’s army formed in large massive Columns covered by their Cavalry preparing to cross the River, which they did in the course of the day without Ld. Welln. being able to interrupt them, as he had only his Cavalry and advance guard up. In the evening he took up his Hd. Qrs. at Villa Verde, and the Marshal at Nava del Rey.
The Army has been nearly in the same positions ever since, but on the 4th he moved to Rueda and the Marshal to this place (La Seca). The troops are placed so as to watch the different fords of the Douro, and be ready to move at once in any direction circumstances may require, and are extremely healthy and in high spirits.