Letters from the peninsula, 1808-1812

by Sir William Warre

Buenos Ayres, Lisbon, 17 Sept. 1808.

My Dearest Friends,

I should be most ungrateful did I let another opportunity pass of thanking you for your very kind letters of 25 July, 1st Aug., 3 Sept., which latter I received yesterday, and am, believe me, most sensible to the praise and approbation of friends so infinitely dear to me.

You will long before this have heard of the dreadful illness and narrow escape I have had since the action, the extreme weakness occasioned by which alone prevented my writing to you and my uncle William by the Donegal, who went home as one of the escort to the Russian Fleet. I never suffered so much in my life as during those 14 days I was at the worst, though the fever left me on the 4th or 5th day for a time. I had very slender hopes I should ever again see my beloved family and friends. I have now been on shore a week, and so much recovered and gaining so much strength that I am able to take a walk every day a short way, and am getting my flesh again, though still very thin, the disorder having left me a perfect skeleton. I even yesterday paid a visit to some friends of the Barnardo Bettrão’s, and sat there a considerable time. To the Friar (Frè Barnardo), one of the family, I am indebted for the most friendly attention and kindness. He has been most anxious to procure me every comfort and supply every want I could have in my situation.

I think of going to Cintra next week for a few days, for change of air and quiet. As soon as I am able to undertake the journey, I shall go to Porto, as Genl. Ferguson is going to England for a short time on particular family business. I have determined to remain behind, as I consider myself bound to join my Regt. should I return to England, and have great doubts whether they would allow me to return, which would be provoking, if there was anything to be done, and I am the more inclined to do this, as from the Government of this country having written to beg my worthy kind friend in the Albany to come over, I have great hopes of embracing him once more at Maçarellos.

I feel great “Saudades,”[9] notwithstanding, at being obliged to postpone the happiness of seeing you all, after such a narrow escape, but trust the time is at all events not very far distant, and that we shall yet talk over dangers past with additional accounts to tell and battles to fight over, for I hope they will not leave so fine an army idle at such a time....

You ask me for some account of the battle. I will give it you nearly in the same words as I have written to my friends and Uncle William. After having had all the fag and labor, it is hard not to have been able to partake in the least of the exultation and joy of the victory, or enter into the rejoicings of this place, for eight days illuminated, and every heart elated at the French having left it. The last division embarked two days ago, but have not sailed. The 1st and 2nd, I believe, have.

The Natives have murdered every straggler or unfortunate Frenchman they met behind the column, and, but for very strong English guards and patrols, would destroy every person who supported them, and their houses. It is cowardly in them now, but when we hear of the ferocious cruelties and insolence, of the system of robbery and plunder and murder, almost incredible had we not seen such proofs of it, we cannot wonder at the fury of this naturally passionate and revengeful people.

Now to the battle. We had received information on the evening of the 20th that the enemy intended to attack us next morning, but this was generally discredited. We were as usual every morning under arms an hour before daybreak, and remained after daybreak longer than usual, when, not perceiving anything of the enemy, the troops were dismissed, and Genl. Ferguson and his Staff again retired to our straw at a house about ½ a mile from Camp at the town of Vimiero. About 8 I was woke by a Serjeant, who told me our picquets of the 40th on the left were driven in and the enemy advancing. I ran to tell Genl. Ferguson, and we were soon on horseback and on the hill on the left, from whence we had a full view of the French Army, on its march to attack us in two strong columns. The strongest and principal attack was on our centre, and the other against the hill, and left of our position, which was separated from the centre by a deep valley covered with vineyards, occupied by our light troops, and to the top of which Genl. Ferguson ordered his Brigade to advance to await their attack.

Sir A. Wellesley arrived soon after, as I had been sent to tell him of the attack, and perceiving the intention of the Enemy, ordered Genl. Bowes’ and Genl. Ackland’s brigades to support Genl. Ferguson’s; and made his dispositions in the most cool and masterly style, as from our commanding situation we could see all the movements of the French and of our own army. Our light troops in the centre, consisting of the 60th 5th Batt. (Riflemen) and 95 Rifle Corps, supported by the 50th, were by this warmly engaged and with various success, though they behaved most nobly; but were at last forced to retire before the French column, who advanced with the utmost confidence to the attack, expecting, as we have since heard, that we should have given way immediately, but were so warmly received that they retired.