Letters from the peninsula, 1808-1812

by Sir William Warre

The enemy have occupied Valença de Tuy without resistance, Vianna, Ponte de Lima, Penafiel, and desolated these unhappy countries. On this side their posts are at Ovar and on the Vouga, and our advance on this side of that river, under Col. Trant. They have constant skirmishes which signify nothing except wasting ammunition. In Porto itself there are not above 800 or 1000 men, and they are organising a Portuguese Legion, for which they have got some men.

I was in a state of the greatest anxiety about poor dear Clara, to whom I had written several letters without receiving an answer, till yesterday, when, by a letter from my worthy friend Bettrão, I heard she with the rest of the ladies had quitted the convent on the news of the approach of the French, and their entering Porto, and had travelled on foot over the mountains to Mesão Frio, and then to Ancede, where she now is with another nun, a friend of hers, with some of Frè Bernardo’s relations who have afforded her every protection, and he has written to them to give her every assistance. She was quite well, he tells me. I immediately despatched John Benito by the extra post, with a letter to her and 15 Pieces, besides an order for 15 more, in case of necessity, desiring him to stay with her as servant, and to remove her as a guard, in case of absolute necessity towards Lisbon, where I intend to place her with Sʳ Lucas de Siabra’s family, if she is forced to fly, till I can make some proper arrangement. If danger should not press, she is to stay where she is, till I can get away to see her myself and make other arrangements. At present the chances of war are so uncertain that I think she is better out of the convent, the marked objects of vengeance to these unprincipled invaders. Frè Bernardo, to whom I have sent John Benito, (in whom I have every confidence from his attachment to our family and honesty), will give him the orders he thinks necessary, and he will stay with her as her servant, and in case of removal guard, till I can make any other arrangement.

I have got three pretty good horses and therefore, unless you have already sent them, do not think it worth while being at the expense of sending out any more.

The Portuguese troops immediately under the instruction of British officers are coming on very well. I could have wished we had been allowed more time, but even now have great hopes of some corps. The men may be made anything we please of, with proper management, and, wherever I have had authority, I have soon settled the little mean jealousies and tricks of the officers, and without, I hope, gaining much ill will. I endeavour to combine inflexible firmness with politeness of manner. I know it is the only way to make these fellows respect you, and the mass of officers is miserable indeed. This, however, will in time be altered. Merit is the great recommendation with the General, not grey hairs and number of years service, however much to be respected, for these Subalterns, some of whom should be anything but soldiers.

I am very happy to hear the 23rd are coming out to this country, and should like much to join them, if I could with propriety. It is a fine dashing service, but this I fear is impossible, and I begin to learn the necessity of commanding my wishes and feelings. At all events I completely agree with you that it would be folly to quit the Dragoons, when I have two years longer to serve as Captn., and God knows what changes may occur in that period.

Every officer I have heard speak on the subject is much dissatisfied with the new C. in C., particularly those who most know him; and, setting H. R. Highness’s morality aside, he did incalculable good to the army, and I am sure we cannot have a better, at least that I know of, and this is the opinion of, I believe, the majority of the army.

By the new regulations of service we shall have Brigadiers at 60 years of age, and Generals in night cap and slippers, prudent and inactive as they formerly were, and as the Portuguese are. It is surprising that people can suppose a man unfit to command, till he has attained an age at which enterprise and activity generally cease. I should not be surprised to see some years hence advertised in the papers of the day restorative cordials for Generals taking commands, or patent easy-chairs for foreign service, addressed to the Generals of the British army.

I am much obliged to you for your kind attention to Custine’s letter,[12] and the advance of 10£. I would not wish you to commit yourself in cashing his bills to any considerable amount. He was once in Germany very civil to me, and I am happy to be able to repay him. I should have been better satisfied with the parole d’honneur of a gentleman, than that of a French officer, which goes very little way in my opinion. He is a prisoner, and in distress, poor fellow. I therefore in moderation will be very happy to afford him some assistance, and I hope he will not deceive the idea I have formed of him.

I have just heard that the 3rd and 4th heavy Dragoons are arrived and landed at Lisbon.

My Boots, etc., will be a valuable acquisition to me, and which, as well as the plans you are so good as to send, are arrived.