Most of the English officers who came over to join the Portuguese army have accepted the Pay. I have however refused it, as I cannot see any credit in serving them for the pittance of Pay, particularly when I know they are so poor they cannot pay their own Officers. Besides, I consider that receiving Pay invalidates in some measure my claims on future promotion in my own service, and in some degree deprives me, I consider, of the right of quitting this when I choose. I am ready, as I told the Marshal, to exert myself for the service of this Country without being any weight or charge to them. They have certainly some claims to my service from the kindness my family has for a long series of years experienced, and if H.R.H. hereafter chooses to reward me in the end, he can do so, without my being an expense to his Government, and, if he does not, I am pretty tolerably indifferent, and shall be satisfied with having done my duty. I certainly very much dislike this service and their mean intrigue and absurd presumption, which shades their good qualities, and would therefore avoid any possible reason for my being kept with it longer than suits my convenience and I consider my duty requires. I hope you therefore will approve of my having declined any emolument for my services.
The conduct of the English Government in refusing the step of rank to those Officers who have come out, or, being here appointed, have joined the Army, is very extraordinary. They now have only an additional step in the Portuguese, and the pay of both. I am astonished any British officer will come out on these terms.
I will write to you whenever an opportunity occurs. In the meantime, my Dearest Father, give my kindest love to all at Home, and believe me Affectionately Your Dutiful Son,
Wm. Warre.
I do not send the certificate of horses lost at Coruña, as we have written home for the printed form, when I shall know how it is to be filled up. Adieu.
Lacebo, 10th August, 1809.
My Dear Father,
An unfortunate accident of having dislocated the knuckles of my right hand, and having broke one of the small bones, obliges me to apply to my friend Captn. Souza to serve as an amanuensis. It being now nearly a month since the accident happened, I am afraid you will be very anxious to hear from me. I am in other respects perfectly well, and so far recovered from this, that I but yesterday returned from travelling night and day to the English Hd. Quarters post and back again. I have not yet, however, quite the use of my hand.
You will long before this have heard of the battle of Talavera perhaps the most glorious ever gained, if we consider the disproportion of numbers. Not having had the good fortune to be present I can give no further particulars than you will have seen by Sir Arthur’s despatch. The attacks were most vigorous and repeated by upwards of 40,000 men in heavy columns, first against the left, then the right, and afterwards along the whole British line which was occupied by about 19,000 men. Nothing however could overcome the steadiness and gallantry of our troops. After having been engaged the 26th and 27th, the greatest part of the night between the 27th and 28th, and from daybreak till night that day, the enemy was completely repulsed, leaving 11,000 killed and wounded on the field, and the next morning retired 4 leagues to Sebola. Our loss was also very considerable, about 4500 killed and wounded. You will be sorry to hear that the 23rd lost half their men in a charge, and among a great many officers wounded are Capt. Howard badly, Drake ditto. He was taken and afterwards released by the enemy, Allen wounded and taken, D. W. Russell slightly, Frankland slightly, Lieut. Anderson badly, and 226 men killed and wounded. I saw Col. Seymour and Dance, who are quite well. The Regt. was ordered to charge two columns of the enemy, who were deploying, but who unfortunately had time to form square without there being time for the order being revoked, and they unfortunately persevered in attempting an attack which it was impossible should succeed.