Letters from the peninsula, 1808-1812

by Sir William Warre

They made several attacks, and endeavoured to turn both flanks of the centre, but were received on their left by the 97th, who charged them and drove them through a wood, and on their right by the 52nd 2nd Batt. and 50th, and 43rd 2 Batt., who defeated them also, though very unequal in numbers, and very hard pressed by the French columns.

The enemy suffered so much that they soon retired in confusion. Our Artillery was excellently well served, and they were pursued by our handful of Cavalry of the 20 Dgns. and some Portuguese Dgns., but who, venturing too eagerly in pursuit, the French rallied, and our people extricated themselves with great difficulty, losing a great many Officers and men, among the rest Col. Taylor killed.

While part of this was going on, we were spectators of the fight from the hill, and the account I gave of the rest of what passed in the centre is from what I can collect. The column that was to attack us had a round to make, and did not arrive till long after the centre was engaged. They advanced in column—cavalry, infantry, artillery—with great confidence, and were well received by our light troops. As soon as they were within reach Genl. Ferguson ordered his Brigade to charge them, which was done with all the intrepidity and courage of British soldiers, and the enemy retired before us, keeping up a sharp fire. A part of them rallied, but Genl. Ferguson hurraed the 36th, a very weak though fine Regt. to charge, which was done in great style three successive times, till, as they were very much thinned, and in some disorder from the rapid advance, I was sent back to hasten the support which was far behind, the gallant little Regiment forming to rally again under cover of a hedge of American aloes though much pressed. I just returned in time to join the 71st, who were charging 6 pieces of the enemy’s cannon that were retiring, and the fire at this time from the enemy was really tremendous.

The enemy attempted to rally and advanced with drums beating, but the 71st charged them so manfully that they retired in confusion, and the retreat became general.

Thus ended this glorious day, in which the valor and intrepidity of our gallant fellows was most conspicuous. Their appearance would have made a stone feel in such a cause. As to Genl. Ferguson, all I could say would not be half what he deserved in praise. His gallantry and judgement decided the day on the left. My only astonishment and that of everybody else is how he escaped. He was always in advance in the hottest fire animating everybody by his noble example. I have not seen any return of the killed and wounded.

The general idea is that we lost about 5 or 600 men, about as many as in the affairs of the 16th and 17th, when we lost a great many officers, our fellows storming an almost perpendicular rock in face of the enemy, who own they were never more astonished. I there lost my dear friend Stuart of the 9th, one of my oldest and greatest friends. It appears odd to weep in the midst of an action, but I was so shocked by the sudden change of a friendly shake of the hand about two hours before, (when our Brigade parted from them with Genl. Bowes to turn the enemy’s flank), and his dying in great pain, exclaiming to his officers to see that his young Regt. did their duty, that the tears ran down my face like a child’s. The 29th had 15 officers killed, wounded, and prisoners in that affair.

The loss of the French in the first affairs must have been from 800 to 1000 in killed and wounded, on the 21st near 4000 in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Our Artillery, which was extremely well served, did great execution, particularly the new shells filled with Musquet Balls invented by Major Shrapnell. The action was over before 2 P.M., and I was left the whole evening to collect the wounded French, and save them from being massacred by the natives, who plundered everyone they could. I remained till evening on this harassing and affecting duty, contemplating all the miseries and tortures war can inflict on human nature in all shapes. To this, added to the anxiety and fatigue I had previously undergone in the sun, and being very unwell before, I attribute the severe illness, which has prevented my partaking in the general joy and exultation at our success, but from which I am recovering very fast.

I was much surprised to see D’Aeth, who is a charming fellow. He is going to Porto in the Eclipse, to which he is appointed Acting Commander. I have given him some letters, which I hope will make it pleasant to him; but I was much more astonished to see Wm. Archibald, whom I thought in the Warrior with Spranger. He came and dined with me, and comes to-morrow to breakfast to take this and some other letters on board a ship that is to sail for England. He is very well, he says, and very happy in his ship and Captn., but I think he looks very pale and thin. He is very much grown. It is some years since I saw him and I should scarcely have known him again.

I must mention to you two instances of noble conduct in and among many others I had an opportunity of observing. These are of the two cousins M’Kayes of the 71st. One of them was Piper to the Regt., a remarkably handsome fine fellow, and was playing to the men while advancing to charge, when he was wounded badly in the lower part of the belly and fell. He recovered himself almost immediately and continued to play on the ground till quite exhausted. I afterwards saw him in a hovel, where we collected the wounded, surrounded by them, both French and English. I shook him by the hand and told him I was very sorry to see so fine a fellow so badly hurt; he answered, “Indeed, Captain, I fear I am done for, but there are some of these poor fellows, pointing to the French, who are very bad indeed.” The other a Corporal had taken the French General Brennier prisoner, who offered him his watch and money, but M’Kay told him to keep his money, he would have need of it, and took neither. A rare instance of forbearance in any soldier in action.

I have written till I am so tired, I fear I cannot write more. I will if possible in the morning, but I wish at all events you would send my dearest Mother this letter as it gives so much detail, and, having written so long a one to my uncle William, I cannot write another account and know she will like to hear all these particulars. If I do not write to-morrow I will by the very first ship that goes.