Pray give my kindest love to dear Mother, etc. Adieu my dearest Father. Ever your most obliged and most sincerely affectionate son,
Wm. Warre.
The Marshal desires to be most kindly remembered. H. Brown, who, poor fellow, has been very unwell at Lisbon, desires me in all his letters to say as much.
P.S.—Ciudad Rodrigo is a wretched place, considered as a fortified town, perhaps à l’abri of a coup de main, but I think would not stand a regular siege for a week. Our neighbourhood may encourage the inhabitants however, while it checks the assailants, and they may do wonders as many other Spanish towns have. I fear Astorga has fallen, though I do not know it for certain. We have lost a few men at Cadiz and Col. le Febre our Chief Engineer, while evacuating an advanced work, which the enemy had nearly demolished with their artillery.
[19] What wonder!
Extract from Letter to Sister.
Fornos d’Algodres, May 9, 1810.
We have had our Hd. Qrs. at this place for some days, nor do I for the present see much chance of our moving. It is a miserable little place, and in the whole of this house there are but half a dozen panes of glass in one window, and we are three in a small room, through the ceiling of which we receive light enough to save us the trouble of opening the window. It is, however, better than many we have had, and shall have, and therefore we are quite contented. Besides the house is full of Senhoras, pretty enough, if they would wash their faces and comb their hair, but you know Fidalgas and Fidalgos d’Albea have a right ab origine to be as filthy as they please, so long as they have finery and tinsel. I am much amused with the airs and affectation of these grands du village, who however, we must confess, are very kind and civil, and, to their no small and our very great annoyance, dine and breakfast with us à l’Anglaise.
We went last week over to Celorico the English Hd. Quarters, and staid two days, on one of which we went over to Guarda and reviewed two Portuguese Regts. under torrents of rain, such as I never before recollect. Indeed, for the last three months this weather has been constant, as in that time we have not had three fine days. It looks better to-day, and for the sake of the troops I sincerely hope it will settle. I was much flattered by Lord Wellington’s reception and kindness to me, and respect him too much to be indifferent to his good opinion. He appears confident and in spirits, and all his army are in the finest order, as are indeed comparatively our Portuguese, who have all shown great spirit in this hasty advance, and the greatest wish to meet the enemy.