I need say nothing in praise of the allied troops: their conduct and the event speaks stronger in their favour than any words of mine could. Our Cavalry constantly charged their Infantry and Cavalry, and upset everything that opposed them. I am very sorry indeed to tell you that poor General Le Marchant was killed charging at the Head of his Brigade with his usual gallantry and judgment. He is universally regretted, and in him the service has lost one of its best Cavalry Officers. I feel very much for his unfortunate young family now left without father or mother.
Generals Leith, Cole, Sir Stapleton Cotton, are also here wounded but not dangerously, and Maj.-General Victor Allen badly. We hear that Marmont is dead of his wounds. It is, I believe, certain that he lost an arm, which makes this likely. Nearly the whole of the enemy’s Baggage was taken by the Portuguese 3 Regts. of Cavalry under D’Urban, who behaved very well indeed, and twice charged the enemy’s Infantry, and once their Cavalry, with compleat success, and the General speaks in the highest terms of them.
I mentioned that we remained quiet all day nearly till 4 o’clock, but it was not so, as there was a great deal of skirmishing and cannonading at times. The battle made me forget, I suppose, all the rest.
I am very well. I was nearly knocked up by the constant fatigue and exposure to the sun, but the victory set me nearly right again, and the rest we have had here the last two days entirely so. I cannot be enough grateful to Almighty God for his infinite goodness and protection for the last fortnight, and particularly during the hard fought battle, but I escaped very well with two shots on my sword scabbard, and one thro’ my holster, which is as near as I ever wish to have them.
The Marshal is quite free from fever, and doing as well as possible. The ball entered the side below the left breast, and, slanting round the external part of the ribs, was cut out at the back about 4 inches below. The bone is not supposed to be injured at all, and it is thought that the ball went round it thro’ the muscles. His wound in the thigh, which was very slight, is nearly quite well.
Being separated from Hd. Qrs. we find great difficulty in sending our letters, and I much fear may miss the Officer who is to carry the despatches.... I wrote a few lines to ... and sent them off yesterday to take their chance of finding him still at Hd. Qrs. I should also have written to you, but that I have not been able to leave the Marshal a moment, and am now writing close to him, and constantly interrupted, which will, I hope, excuse this incoherent epistle.
General Leith is doing very well indeed, and it is now found that the ball has not hurt the elbow joint. Of all our other friends I dare say nothing, for all I know is from hearsay, and may be wrong, and of those that are hurt the Gazette will too soon give the distressing account.
I saw Ferguson the 21st. He was quite well. I have not heard of him since, but I hope that he is not hurt. The Guards have, I hear, lost very few Officers. I only know of a Mr White of the 3rd Guards Lt. Company being wounded.
25th.—The Marshal continues to go on as well as possible and has no fever. Generals Leith, Cotton, Cole, also are doing well. Yrs., etc.,
Wm. Warre.