I forgot to mention to you our family consists of six or seven grown up young ladies, all of whom firmly believe that your letter was from a love, as I walked into my room to read it, and seemed much pleased at the receipt of it. They rally me very much about a Minha Carida, and I do not deny I love you very much! I have a Valet de Chambre, a Portuguese, one of the finest gentlemen I know, but not a bad servant, if he was less affected, and less fond of his ease. He is a much greater man than I am. I have also a man from the 23rd, a very decent quiet groom and very fond of his horses.
With kindest love, believe me, etc. etc. etc.,
Wm. Warre.
Hd. Quarters, Fornos D’Algodres, 15 May 1810.
My Dear Father,
I wrote to you a few posts ago from Mangoalde, informing you of the very bad success I had in my attempt to remove dear Clara to Lisbon. After having everything arranged I am sorry to say that the agitation and distress it occasioned her was the cause of a slight fever. Poor thing! such is the effect of superstition and popish influence, and I have been much alarmed about her. However she is much better, indeed, I hope, by this time quite recovered. My situation with regard to her is very unpleasant. I dread urging the business or committing myself by writing very strongly to her; and still, in prudence, I cannot be happy while she remains there. There is certainly no immediate cause of dread of the enemy, but a battle may decide much, and I know too much of war ever to wish any person that is dear to me to be even distantly exposed to its chances. I am therefore anxiously waiting to know your wishes about how I am to proceed. I much fear her health would suffer materially by insisting on her removal, and on the other hand, when there shall be any immediate cause of alarm, how can I risk alarming a whole Province by informing her of it. How difficult it is sometimes to reconcile private feelings to public duty! The latter, however, is imperious.
I have been much flattered lately by Ld. Wellington’s reception of me, and lately remained two days at his Hd. Qrs. at Celorico 2 leagues from here. He has applied to me to procure him one Hghd. of very fine old Port. He does not care about the price, and wishes me to get you to take care of it for him in London. At Oporto it is impossible to get any old wine, and I therefore told him I would write to you, and beg your assistance. It is, I suppose, for some very particular purpose, and I shall therefore be glad to know how far you can assist me. It may be bem empregado,[20] and may lead to an acquaintance on our return to England between you and a man of first-rate abilities. He says he thinks you ought to get one for him in return for his having taken away my snuff-box, though I am sorry to confess he has not made me leave off that vile custom, though he made me promise not to carry a box, to the no small annoyance of my friends on whom I must trust for my supply.
I have received the price of the Pipe of wine shipped by you for Sir David Dundas, and delay sending it, in the first place, till I can get a bill, and in the next, that having received it in six Milfour pieces, I can scarce bring myself to part with them, as they are very scarce, and Dollars most inconvenient to carry about. I will write to Mr John Bell, who pays us, to buy a bill for the number of Dollars, and remit it to you, or will buy one myself, if I can, before next packet.
Our accounts from the French army are that they are very sickly; in Salamanca are about 2000 sick, who die 30 or 40 of a day. Their troops are also much dissatisfied, particularly the Germans and Italians, who compose the chief part, and those desert very fast, and would much more, if they were not exposed to be murdered by the Peasantry, whether deserters or prisoners. It is really horrible, and defeats the exertions which are making to entice them to fly from their oppressors, and they are willing enough but for these difficulties. Some have come over horses and all. I never saw handsomer or finer looking men. They all agree in complaining that they are never paid, and but indifferently fed, and that they are constantly harassed and marched about. From the accounts we have, the French force immediately before us may be of 30,000 men, more or less, and certainly sickly. The constant rains which have continued for the last 3 months have been much against them. It is pretty sure now that they intend to attack Ciudad Rodrigo, which is a place of no strength, and their heavy artillery is on its march to that place, which has been summoned in a very imperative manner. Masséna is reported to have arrived to take the command of the whole of this army. I am most anxious to know what steps Lord Wellington will take to prevent the reduction of Ciudad Rodrigo. It is of, I consider, the greatest consequence that it should be protected, if possible. It is a sort of outer door to our house, and, in the possession of the enemy, would enable him to establish his Magazines, Hospitals, etc., nearer to our frontier than we could wish. Ld. Wellington and Marshal Beresford know best however, and I shall feel confident of the propriety of whatever they do. I shall rejoice very much at quitting this miserable village, where we are very badly off.