Beside the troops ready to embark in Ireland there were two Brigades—Anstruther’s and Acland’s, quartered at Harwich and Ramsgate respectively—available for immediate service abroad. These were added to Wellesley’s command. And in addition to these there were at this time about 5000 men, under General Spencer, observing Cadiz, who could join the expedition on Portuguese soil. Lastly, there was a force of about 10,000 men under Sir John Moore, who had been sent to the Baltic to co-operate with the Swedes, a task which proved impracticable. These were on their way home, and were ordered to Portugal, though some time elapsed before they could join their comrades in the Peninsula.
Major-General Ferguson, with his Aides-de-Camp, Capt. Warre and Capt. Mellish, embarked at Portsmouth in H.M.S. Resistance—Capt. Adam—in May; but their destination at that time was quite uncertain, though General Ferguson, nominally at least, belonged to the force under General Spencer’s command. After some further delay, owing to contrary winds, the Resistance arrived at Cork, where Sir Arthur Wellesley on 7th June assumed the command of the troops assembled. The news of the Spanish insurrection had already reached England, and although quite uncertain as yet as to their future movements, everyone seems to have taken it for granted that they were to sail at once. As it turned out, they had many weeks to wait before the actual start took place.
The six letters written in May and June, though not belonging properly to the letters from the Peninsula, have been included in the series, as giving an account not altogether uninteresting of the kind of life led while waiting for orders to sail, the needs and necessities recorded, and the ideas generally entertained by the writer as set forth in his correspondence. The difficulties respecting the soldier servant, whom he was so anxious to take with him, have an almost tragic interest in view of the ultimate fate of the man, which is afterwards described in the letters.
Not without interest also are the sidelights occasionally thrown upon the jealousy with which Colonels of Regiments regarded the taking of officers from service with the Regiment for Staff employment, and the indications of the necessity of influence in high quarters to obtain any appointment of the kind. But more than all is the evidence of the enthusiasm which pervaded all ranks—enthusiasm for a glorious cause, which was no less than the liberation of Europe from the domination of the tyrant, who had trampled right and justice under foot, and was without gainsaying England’s bitterest and deadliest foe.
LETTERS
Portsmouth, May 22, 1808.
Here we are, my dearest Father, after a very hasty journey and pleasant, as constant rain and a complete overturn about ½ a mile short of Kingston, from which Capt. Mellish and myself escaped quite safe, except a few trifling bruises and a sprained thumb I got, which renders my writing somewhat difficult—with these exceptions it was as pleasant as could be to me, leaving all those dearest to me in the world.
We have just got all our baggage, and go on board ourselves this evening. Capt. Adam appears to be a very fine gentlemanly young man, and much inclined to show us every civility.
We shall sail as soon as the wind is fair, and are much hurried. Should my things arrive this evening they will be in time, otherwise I fear not. Nothing can be kinder than the General. I think myself every moment more fortunate in going with him. Pray get some advice about Rankin. I shall send him on shore at Cork, if I can, and have no answer from Seymour.[2] If I am not able to send him on shore, the advice I want you to get is, how to get him leave to go, as if he were not gone but to Cork. Pray write. It may find me on board the Resistance, Cork. I will write every opportunity. May God bless and preserve you all and give you every happiness, is the constant prayer of your affectionate son,