Major Warre, who reached Beresford’s headquarters towards the end of May, found the Marshal rather failing in health after the stress of Badajos and two unsuccessful sieges, and the tremendous anxiety of Albuera. His first letter after his arrival is written on 20th June from St Olaia, about eight miles from Campo Mayor. With the exception of a reconnaissance in force by Soult, which had no important result, nothing of moment occurred, and during the hot months the armies on either side were comparatively quiescent. The Marshal, whose health was much impaired, spent the rest of the year at Lisbon and Cintra. Meanwhile, the organisation and improvement of the Portuguese army continued, notwithstanding the difficulties arising from the impecuniosity and incapacity of the Portuguese Government, of which frequent complaints recur in the letters.
LETTERS
Portsmouth, May 5th, 1811.
My Dearest Father,
Here we are still with very little progress in obtaining a passage, as both the Port Mahon and Spitfire are very much crowded. However, if the worst happens, I think Jack will be able to get a berth in the latter, and I will go in the Westmorland with my horses. But perhaps some new conveyance may start up, and while the wind continues in this quarter, (nor does it appear likely to change) we must wait patiently for what may occur, though it is really a trial of patience to be mewed up in this stupid place without exactly knowing what to do, or how we are to get away. Jack is a dear fellow, and a most agreeable companion, and I shall really feel very much annoyed if we are separated, though I certainly think it is best to go anyhow in the same convoy, and we can then unite again as soon as we arrive in Lisbon. As to how I go I do not much care. I am very well in health, though a little heated, and I do not see that it signifies much whether I take Epsom salts in a transport, or crowded in a Sloop of War’s cabin, and God knows of late years I have been pretty well used to roughing it. We yesterday fed Capt. Digby, and Capt. Ellis of the Spitfire, who has been very civil to us both, but appears rather an odd one. He said he would try to get one or both of us (yesterday morning) with his Officers, but has not since mentioned the circumstance, which makes me think that either he has not communicated with his ship from the badness of the weather, or that it is impossible to accommodate us. To-morrow we dine with Capt. Bouverie of the Medusa, if the wind does not come about, and now you have all our plans....
Portsmouth, May 7th, 1811.
My Dearest Father,
Many thanks for your very kind letters and for the enquiries you have made about my passage. My last will have informed you that we had given up all hopes of either the Spitfire or the Port Mahon, and from yours I have but slender hopes of the Romulus, and have therefore this morning desired my servant to purchase some stock, and have made enquiries about a transport that I may apply for an order, which Capt. Patton will give me. However, as the wind is still set in to the S.W. we may be here some days, and something pleasanter may turn up. What I most regret in this arrangement is being separated from my friend Jack, whom I really cannot advise or approve of going in a transport at all.
Capt. Patton knows nothing of the Braave, nor is she yet come round. Should Mr Sydenham certainly go, I would, if I was sure of a passage with him, wait, for we should be before the convoy at all events. I shall, however, go in a transport should I hear nothing further. I have seen Capt. Knox of the Fiorenzo, who left Lisbon the 27th. He brings no news whatever, but says the natives were in the highest spirits. I have not been able as yet to obtain a passage for Jack’s horse in the Fleet, but as he has got the butcher’s horse from Plymouth, I do not think it of any consequence whether he goes or not.... Walker and the horses are quite well. He has behaved very well, and I have therefore sent him some fresh stock on board, for which he is very grateful. My new groom also seems to be a good lad. Yrs., etc.,