The 3rd Division and Spaniards under Don Carlos d’Espanhana are near Pollos on the Douro watching the Fords.
On the 3rd Ld. Wn. and the Marshal made a reconnaissance on them with some cavalry and that Division. The Enemy had 5 Battns. and some cavalry, which on being cannonaded retired to the heights behind the Fords, and some of our people got over and have since established themselves on the other side. They returned our fire very briskly but with no effect, as their shot all fell short, and we have very few men hurt by the skirmishing.
The Enemy appear to have concentrated their force on Valladolid, leaving some strong Corps on the Douro to watch us, and sometimes patrolling to about 2 leagues from this on the river Adaja. I do not think they are yet in force to undertake anything against us, and Ld. Welln.’s plans are too well kept to himself for it to be possible for any one to guess what they may be. I think, if we advance, the enemy will fight us. I have not a doubt of the result, in the state of their army, whose morale appears gone. But how far Ld. W. may think right to risk an action is quite another question. Though the harvest is extremely abundant this year, it is not yet ready. Deserters report that they are much distressed for provisions at Valladolid. If this is true (which I doubt), Lord Wn. perhaps intends to force them back by waiting patiently till they have exhausted what they have. But these are all speculations without much data, and Ld. Welln.’s despatch may give you better grounds to conjecture upon than I can.
The Country, through which we have marched from Salamanca, is extremely fertile and well cultivated, producing abundance of corn of all descriptions, sometimes in one year for the consumption of three, and this year the crops are remarkably fine, though much has been consumed and more destroyed uselessly by both armies. The country on this side of Villa Escusa produces mostly wine, and the whole face of the country is covered with vineyards, which give it a very rich appearance in general. The country is flat and quite open, almost totally without trees, and not much water. From the want of the two latter our troops have suffered considerably, for the weather, though far from so hot as Portugal, has been hot to people marching and obliged to be always exposed to it. We have had a very harassing, fatiguing life of it since we left Guinaldo, and are much the better for the few days’ rest we have had here. The towns in this part of Spain are generally very large, clean, and populous. The houses particularly neat. Nothing can exceed the joy and acclamations with which the Army is everywhere received by all classes. That there are many traitors I believe, but that the joy of the greater part is sincere it is impossible to doubt. Nothing can have been more oppressive or insolent than the conduct of the French for the last 4 years. They levied enormous and repeated contributions upon the people, at the same time that they deprived them in kind of the means of paying them. Military executions and coercion followed of course, and all its miseries. It will scarcely be believed that even at this moment they have several of the principal Ladies and inhabitants of this large town prisoners at Tordesillas as hostages for the payment of some of their requisitions.
While writing, Mr Bertie of the 12th Lt. Dns. has brought me a letter of introduction from you, and on every account, both as the Admiral’s son and from your letter, I shall be most happy to have it in my power to show him any kindness or civility. He is a very fine lad and quite well. We yesterday received letters and papers to the 19th....
From circumstances that have occurred I am no longer so anxious about the Majority of Infantry, unless with the certainty of returning to the Cavalry. The other situations are indeed desirable, if not beyond my reach, but many considerations have now determined me otherwise to remain in the Cavalry. Lt.-Genl. Sir T. Graham left the Army yesterday for England to consult the best advice about a disorder in one of his eyes. I fear it is a bad case. He is regretted by everybody and the Army as a most excellent zealous soldier, and a most amiable worthy man. I know none I have a higher respect and veneration for. Yrs., etc.,
Wm. Warre.
Extract from Letter to Sister.