I am quite delighted that you are pleased with my having got the Merinos, which I am sorry to say missed their passage to London owing to a mistake. They are in the care of Messrs Bulkely, who have promised to forward them by the first opportunity. Should I be able to procure any of a very good breed, I will, you may depend, never forget you. I am quite vexed I did not get 15 when I got these, which I hear are very fine, but I was then quite at a loss how I should get them home.
I received a very kind letter from Col. Ross from Sarzedas. He was quite well, and I am happy to hear is coming into the Portuguese service, where he will, I expect, command a Brigade. I have said everything in my power to the Marshal about him, and I have no doubt he will do everything for him. Mrs R. and the children, he tells me, are at Weymouth. Pray thank Tom for his letter which I will answer on the first opportunity. Also pray tell my Uncle Wm. with my kindest love that I have received a letter from the Honble. A. C. Johnstone with his letter enclosed, requesting me to procure him a letter from the Marshal to the Marquis de la Romana, which I have done, and in very strong terms, and I shall be happy to hear it has answered his purpose. Should he come into our neighbourhood, I will shew him every attention in my power, as he may depend upon, I will to any friend he may recommend to me. Adieu, my dearest Father; pray give my kindest love to my beloved Mother, Emily, etc. Yr. ever dutiful and most truely affectionate son,
Wm. Warre.
I am astonished at Greenwood not having received my Coruña losses. The Board of Claims is dissolved; I think it very hard.
I have this moment seen a letter from Guarda stating a French Colonel to be arrived there a prisoner, and that a Lieut.-Col. was killed. They were, it is said, reconnoitring with Masséna at Naves d’Haver, and missed their way in the fog and rain, which was not improbable, as I never saw such tremendous thunderstorms as we had yesterday and the night before. The same letter also says Almeida is taken, and the Governor reported to be killed.
6 in the evening, August 29, 1810.
My Dear Father,
I have since writing this morning heard the official account of the surrender of Almeida, and the fact is this. On the morning of the 27th a shell fell near the principal magazine as they were in it and making cartridges, the door being open the whole blew up with an explosion that destroyed a considerable part of the town, and of course created the greatest confusion in the place. Cox, finding all his ammunition gone, except a few rounds, sent to propose surrendering in case the garrison might be allowed to join our army, which in consequence of the intervention of the Marquez D’Alorna, Pampeluna, and other Portuguese traitors, was refused by Masséna. Cox declared he would not surrender under other conditions, and recommenced the fire till next morning (the 28th) when every cartridge being used he was forced to surrender as Prisoners of war. As the garrison marched out and were formed on the glacis, it was offered them to either march prisoners to France, or enter the service of Napoleon. To a man they refused the former (sic)[23] (except one Major of Artillery who had been before tried as a Traitor), a most noble act on the part of a garrison mostly Militia, which strongly shews the spirit of the people. I also much rejoice in my friend Cox having got off with honour and credit to himself and the British nation.