My Dearest Father,
In addition to what I wrote to my mother by this Conveyance, the Diligent Gun Brig, which has been delayed by the Bar, I have merely time to communicate the very disastrous news of the taking of Porto by the French. We have as yet received no particulars, and only know that the Bishop, and one British officer, Captn. Arenschild of Artillery, the G. Legion, were arrived at Coimbra.
From the complete state of insubordination of the populace of that city, this event we have for some time foreseen, and in the state of indiscipline and insubordination of the Portuguese army, any assistance we could have sent would have, I much fear, only added to our loss, as they would have been also hurried away by, and as intractable as, the mob, who, cruel and sanguinary to an excess against themselves or prisoners, are always timid and cowardly. They have assassinated many people there, amongst others Oliveira the former Governor, who was in gaol. They also murdered nine or ten French prisoners, and let all the felons loose. Such was their wretched state that they would obey no one, and rendered it highly dangerous to attempt any plan to secure a retreat, in case of accidents, as you would risk being murdered. I therefore fear our loss in men and arms very great, but we have no details.
The Mob, some days before, broke into a magazine of arms, which they plundered, and then seized the Fort of St Johns, allowing no ship to go out. I have therefore every reason to fear your ship with wine, which was loaded, was unable to get out. The Captain had moved over to the other side of the water, which is however within shot. The wines in the Lodges, if they have, as I hope, destroyed the Bridge, are still safe, for bad as this news is, I have still hopes that Soult and his division are in a bad scrape, and weaker in numbers than generally supposed. The Provinces behind him are in a state of insurrection, and I trust Silveira will get into their rear, as he is now disembarrassed by the taking (by him) of the Fort of St Francisco at Chaves, with 870, added to 200 in Chaves, when he before entered, who were sick, upwards of a thousand, and 300 killed. He has also taken more mules, horses, artillery, etc., etc., than were in the place when taken by the French, and his own loss trifling.
Galicia is certainly in a state of complete insurrection and full of enthusiasm and spirit. They have summoned Vigo, and given the French garrison only 24 hours to decide in. Tuy is also surrounded and expected to fall. Thus the retreat or communications of Soult’s Corps (of whose numbers we are ignorant, but cannot believe exceed 15,000 men) are pretty well cut off, and, unless supported by the Corps, which threatens us by the banks of the Tagus, and at present besieges Ciudad Rodrigo, will, I hope, be destroyed.
We have also a report here to-day that the Duke of Albuquerque and Cuesta have joined and given Victor a beating, which we give little credit to, as we knew of Victor’s precipitate retreat from pursuing Cuesta towards the South, and being followed by that General, whose retreat was a very masterly movement, and I suspect had really drawn the French into a cul de sac, which they discovered before it was intended they should, but late enough to enable their rear to be turned. Urbina, it is said, is advancing towards Madrid. If Austria would but declare, everything might yet go well.
Our friend Whittingham has distinguished himself very much, and been thanked in orders by the Spanish General, I am not sure which. He was quite well with the Carolina army. The people here are quiet at present, though not much pleased with the inactivity of the English force. They are great fools, and know nothing about the matter, though I myself wish our people would make a movement. Adieu, in great haste, with kindest love to all at home, ever yr. most affectionate Son,
Wm. Warre.
Major P.F., Aide-de-Camp.