Camp Lavos, Nr. Figueira, Aug. 8, 1808.
My Dearest Mother,
I have seized the opportunity of a few leisure moments to write a few lines just to tell you I am quite well, though a good deal fagged and burnt by being constantly exposed to the sun, and the exertions, which my knowledge of the language, and our situation, render indispensable; though I feel the sincerest pleasure in being in any way useful to my country or the service, and fully recompensed by it for every fatigue.
We disembarked the first of this month. It took three days to land the whole army, and had we been opposed from the land I am positive we could never have effected it, so great is the surf both on the coast and the bar. However, thank God, the whole army landed without any loss but a horse or two, and now occupy a position at this place, or rather with our left to the village and right to the sea, where we have been waiting for the arrival of General Spencer and his Corps, who arrived, and have been landing yesterday and to-day, I trust without any loss, though the surf is very heavy.
We advance to attack Monsr. Junot the day after to-morrow; the advance guard, under Genl. Fane, to-morrow. It is several days’ march. The severest part of the business is in these infamous roads and scorching sun, which with the large train of Artillery and Baggage will oblige us to move very slow. Junot has in all about 14,000 men, but he cannot long resist, being about to be completely surrounded by us, about 13 to 15,000 in all, from the North, and by a corps of about 6000 Portuguese; and from the North bank of the Tagus, from Badajos, by a corps of 10,000 men from General Castanhos’ army in Spain, I hear, the bravest fine fellows possible, as is their General, and indeed the whole of the Spaniards in arms. Nothing can exceed their courage and enmity to the French. Hitherto their conduct has been most noble, and their praise in everybody’s mouth. Andalusia is clear of French. Dupont and his army capitulated to be sent to France with his arms, a curious concession from the Spaniards, who are so much in want of them. Three armies of French have been taken or destroyed, and Castanhos is in full march towards Madrid, and every hope entertained of his success. 8000 of the French who had surrendered were massacred by the Spanish peasantry, so great is their animosity. All this is positive information. Castanhos has 45,000 men, 4000 of which excellent cavalry, and about 23,000 Regulars. He is a very mild man, but a fine fellow as ever was. Whittingham was in the action with Castanhos; his conduct most gallant, and his praise universal in the army. He is appointed a Colonel in the Spanish service, as a proof of the esteem he is held in. The Portuguese have about 28,000 men in all the kingdom, in arms of all descriptions, all badly armed, and I fear not so enthusiastic in the cause (though they boast much) as their neighbours the Spaniards. As to what the English papers say, do not believe a word of it. I never read such a parcel of nonsense.
General Ferguson’s staff here occupy an old fellow’s house, where we are comfortable enough, from Mrs Wm. Archer of Figueira’s attention in sending us out everything we can want. Otherwise I know not what we should have done, as Figueira is 4½ miles off, and not a thing eatable or drinkable (besides the rations) nearer. We are up in the morning at 3 A.M., and, what with visiting the outposts, or line, and guards, 7 or 8 hours a day on horse or mule back, so that we are quite ready to lie down 3 in a small room (for which luxury we are not a little envied), at nine o’clock, and sleep as sound as on the finest down beds in the world, but for turning out now and then in the night, to interpret or some other trifle (from nobody speaking the language but me in the Brigade), which now consists of the 66th, 40th, 71st Highlanders, all tried Regiments on service, and longing to meet these so much vaunted Frenchmen....
From your ever most affectionate son,
Wm. Warre.
The General desires kindest remembrances. He is the best man almost I ever met.