Hd. Qrs., Lisbon, Sept. 6, 1809.
My Dearest Father,
I wrote to my mother from Castello Branco, as soon as my hand which I broke would permit me without inconvenience, which I hope you have received. My hand is now quite well. We left Castello Branco on the 30th. The greatest part of the army having marched, in different divisions, to occupy cantonments at Abrantes, Thomar, Vizeu, Coimbra, etc., in order to be able to feed them and clothe them, so as to be enabled to take the field again, with some chance of health, as soon as the enemy, who has also retired into cantonments, shall attempt anything. We know they want rest as much as we do, and have divided their corps, Soult at Coria, Placencia, Larza, etc., Marchand at Salamanca, etc., etc., Mortier at Zamora, Toro, etc. This is the army that was in our front. Of that of Victor I know nothing. Nor do I even know where Sir A. Wellesley is.
We quitted Spain (Coria, Placencia, etc.), partly from orders from Sir A. W. partly because we were absolutely starved, and the cursed Spaniards would do nothing for us, concealed all means of subsistence, and fled as fast as approached. The French, who have not the same necessity of temporising as we have, will know how to extract what is left, though we know from deserters that they are very badly off. At Castello Branco also the army would not exist many days longer together, and our Commissariat, and even distribution of what little we had was infamous. There was no remedy left but to divide the army into corps, station them where they may be assembled at the shortest notice, and at whatever point we may be attacked, and meantime employ ourselves in getting them clothed and disciplined, of which there is much want after all their exertions. The men, poor fellows, are well enough, very obedient, willing, and patient, but also naturally dirty and careless of their persons, dreadfully sickly, and they have a natural softness, or want of fortitude, which makes them yield immediately without exertion to sickness or fatigue. The Officers, for the most part, are detestable, mean, ignorant, and self-sufficient. It is incredible the little mean intrigues, the apathy, and want of military sentiment, Marshal Beresford has had to work against. Nothing but a very severe discipline can overcome these, and which I hope he will follow.
Should however Austria fall, and France turn her whole force this way, I fear the ruin of these countries could but be for a short time delayed, and at the expense of many lives. The events in Germany, as I before wrote, should decide your conduct with regard to this. I merely venture an opinion in a military point of view. I confess in this last campaign I felt not the least wish to see the Portuguese troops engaged. If we had been beat, we were lost, and the state of our men from hunger, fatigue, want of proper clothing, made me feel but slender hopes of the contrary. We were, however, most anxious to afford every assistance in our power by a diversion in favour of our gallant noble countrymen with Sir A. W., and in such light would have regretted no loss, and certainly dared any danger.
We came from Castello Branco to Abrantes in one day by Niza, in a day nearly 20 leagues, or 70 odd English miles. It was dreadfully hot, and I think I never suffered more from fatigue and heat. We left Castello Branco at 12 at night, and I rode my own horse to Niza, where, however, I got a tired post mule, who could only get half way to Gaveon, and made me walk a great part of the way. In consequence it was near 7 P.M. before I got into Abrantes. The rest had arrived at two. We left that next day in a boat for Lisbon at 5 in the morning, and arrived about 6 next morning. It was rather a tiresome voyage, nor can I say much for the beauties of the banks of this famous River. It is also very shallow above Vallados, so that even in an English flat we were constantly on shore. Just about Abrantes, (which the Marshal has made very strong) and Santarem, it is pretty enough. Also near Barcinha and Tancos, where the banks are higher than they are generally.
Rankin has turned out one of the greatest villains I ever met with. He had latterly behaved most infamously, and I had reason to suspect him of stealing, but could bring no absolute proof. I, however, had determined he should join his Regt. as soon as I should come near it. However at Castello Branco I detected him in falsifying a ration return from 2 to 12 rations of bread and wine, adding the 1, and turned him off at Niza to a party of the 23rd. On coming to Lisbon, however, I have discovered that he has robbed not only me of a great many articles of value, but in every place we have been he must have done the same, as on examining his trunk, which, however, a friend of his had removed out of my room here, and opened, but had not had time to secrete, I discovered a large amount of Bank Notes and silver and gold, many stolen articles, among others a spoon belonging to this house, a very valuable gold and agate snuff-box; and, though he made me buy him clothes just before we left Lisbon, saying he was quite naked, a large quantity of every kind. I have sent off to General Crawford who commands at Niza, to have him confined closely, and shall write to Sir A. Wellesley for a Court Martial on him. I do not so much mind what I have myself lost, however provoking, but am vexed beyond anything at his having plundered everybody wherever we went. Though I have sent up to General Crawford, I have no doubt he has deserted, as he asked me for money at Niza, stole one of my double barrelled Pistols and all my shaving things. As a great part of his money is in English Bank Notes, I should not at all wonder if he had robbed your house. You would be astonished at the rascality that has come out against him since he was detected, and that he should have so long deceived us.
I got a letter from Clara the other day. She was quite well. Should things go worse, I will get an order for her to quit the convent, and act for the best, as circumstances may occur, and as I think you wish.