Letters from the peninsula, 1808-1812

by Sir William Warre

I have considered my account very carefully and am a good deal surprized at the amount. Some expences were unavoidable from circumstances such as horses and mules. My expences at Oporto in 1808 [were heavy], as, though Genl. Beresford insisted on paying many things, it was impossible for him to be there in my own house without great expence, particularly as I was then living as a guest in his family. The expences with Hams and Plumbs were most thoughtless. Indeed I never dreamt of the expence and thought they were to be paid for by those who ordered them. Genl. Payne has repaid me the 41$510 advanced for him at Porto. Genl. Beresford’s 46$085 in 1808 I will enquire about. In short, my dear Father, the expences for the last few years I feel are very great, and from the unfortunate turn of business I most sincerely regret it. I am most sensible and feel how happy you would be and always have been when in your power to make me the most liberal allowance, and hope for the future this conviction of your kindness will make me square my expences to my means. Hitherto, my greatest expences, horses, I have been most unfortunate in. I must be well mounted to be able to do the duty with Marshal B. Unfortunately though I have paid very high prices, all my horses and mules have turned out ill, and even both my last purchases have been unlucky. I bought a mare strongly recommended with the whole of my last Batt. and Forage money, but the day we left Lisbon she very near broke my neck, and falling upon me lamed me for a fortnight, but I am quite well again. The mule also I bought, when leaving Lisbon, for 100 dollars, and appeared so fine a one, has swelled in the legs and I scarce know what I shall do to get my servant on. I hate being obliged instantly to make excuses, but feel that you have an undoubted right to know why I do not make it out on my Staff pay. My Regimental pay I intend while I remain in Portugal shall go towards the bills you pay for me, and unless unforeseen accident occurs, hope to make it out on my Staff pay, though it will, I know, be with very considerable difficulty, for our expences are unavoidably not inconsiderable. With regard to the Maçarellos, I have written to my Uncle as you wish, and very strongly, and hope you are convinced that I cannot have greater pleasure than meeting them on every occasion.

With regard to dear Clara I intend asking leave in a few days at Coimbra to go to see her, and will write to you from Porto, what arrangements I have made. The Patriarch has promised to obtain the leave for her to quit the Convent, from the Nuncio, and, you may depend upon it, I will run no risk as to her safety. My friends, the Marquis and Marchioness of Louriçal, have offered to give her an asylum should it be necessary, and I should not wish to have her in a more amiable family, but this is really a very delicate step to take both in regard to her, who has many prejudices to overcome, besides her own, not small ones, as to quitting the Convent, and my official situation in this country. I will, however, see how the ground lies, and inform you further from Oporto.

I do not with you consider danger so near or that the French will attack us till the spring. The loss of the battle of Ocaña, though highly disastrous, and, moreover, the loss of the Duque del Parque’s army, might have decided much, if the French had forces to follow up their success, but as it is I think the Dons will have time to recover themselves, and have (at least we hope so) gained in experience. The causes of their defeats are very apparent. Their Cavalry are always placed in a situation where, even if they were brave, which we have no reason to suppose, they are exposed to certain destruction. Their Officers are even worse than those of the Infantry, which is decidedly brave and deserves much more our pity than contempt for their misfortunes.

In the battle at Ocaña, the Genl. in Chief left the field before his army, and left them to fight it out in their own way, and set off in a different direction, to avoid even the confusion of his own routed Army. All the fine squibs in the papers about him are not true. The Duque del Parque’s army, after having fought most gallantly and effected its retreat, dispersed in a panic occasioned by some Dragoons galloping in, and calling out, vienen, vienen, when there was not an enemy within several leagues. So much for their disposition and Officers, who could never rally them at all. The loss I most regret on these occasions are the arms, which the fools throw away in their flight, and more irreparable than men of which they ought to have no want.

The French will have a difficult job to drive us out, both from the nature of the country, want of provisions and means of transport, and the very improved state of the Portuguese army, which in itself speaks sufficiently for Beresford’s exertions, and the propriety of the severe, or rather firm, conduct he went upon from the first. In many respects he has been infamously used by both Governments, but I suppose he has the good of his country and common sense too much at heart to complain or remonstrate. I think he could not feel annoyed at the appointment of Ld. Wellington to be Marshal-General and Comr.-in-Chief of the troops while in the field only, which he is, but the manner in which it was done has much disgusted us all. His own feelings I know not, and indeed I am not fond of writing or speaking on these subjects, and merely mention it to you as my own ideas.

The Portuguese army, notwithstanding the numberless difficulties to which he is constantly exposed, from imbecility and mean contemptible jealousy and intrigue, will be a sufficient testimony, I have no doubt, both in its apparent discipline and conduct before the enemy, whenever it shall be our fortune to meet him. I confess myself rather anxious for the trial. It will shew us what Officers are subject to dores de bariga and enable us to get rid of them, and make examples of this worst part of their army, though now there are really many very promising young Officers, and the old ones have in great measure been got rid of. Lord W. as well as every British Officer have been very much, though agreeably, surprised at the state of our troops. I am inclined to think that had they justice done unto them in the common comforts, I may say necessaries of life, clothing and food, they would make as good soldiers as any in the world. None are certainly more intelligent or willing, or bear hardships and privation more humbly.

As to Custine,[18] I see not the least occasion for your advancing him a farthing more. My obligations to him I think quite sufficiently repaid, and has behaved dishonorably about the bill. Therefore in future I cannot think you have any occasion to answer his letters.

I am much obliged to you for your kindness to young Lacerda, but I certainly had no idea of your asking his family to stay in the house. The Louriçals are the only people I would think of asking so great an inconvenience for, and for them only for the great friendship they have shown me, and the very bad health of the Marchioness, and this only had you been at Hendon. In town I know it is quite out of the question, and even at Hendon it would not much signify, as we could assist them in getting a lodging or house. But at all events I hope, whether I am in England or not, should they be forced out of the country, you will be very civil to them.

Pray give my kindest love to them and to all, the dear uncle of Hendon Place, when you meet again, and believe me ever, my dear Father, your very affectionate Son,

Wm. Warre.