Lord Wellington to general Hill, August.
‘I had already considered the possibility that Regnier might move across the fords of the Tagus at Vilha Velha and thus turn your right.’
Lord Wellington to general Hill, October.
‘If there are no boats, send them (the sick and encumbrances) across the Tagus by the ford (at Santarem).’
Sir Arthur Wellesley to general Hill.
‘I have desired Murray to send you the copy of a plan we have, with some of the fords of the Tagus marked upon it, but I believe the whole river from Barquina to Santarem is fordable.’
Sir Arthur Wellesley to marshal Beresford.
‘I enclose a letter which colonel Fletcher has given me, which affords but a bad prospect of a defence for the Tagus. I think that if captain Chapman’s facts are true his arguments are unanswerable, and that it is very doubtful whether any heavy ordnance should be placed in the batteries on the upper Tagus.’
Sir Arthur Wellesley to admiral Berkeley.
‘But if the invasion should be made in summer, when the Tagus is fordable in many places.’... ‘In the event of the attack being made between the months of June and November, when the Tagus is fordable, at least as low down as Salvaterra (near the lines).’