Collections - Letters
Letters of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bevan, 1804-1811.
Letter Number 74
Dated: 22 April 1811. CB Aldea de Bispo Addressed to Mrs C Bevan,
Money Hill, Rickmansworth, Herts. Stamped on address fold ‘MY 16 1811’
Aldea de Bispo April 22nd 1811
I was, my dearest Mary, rather premature when I told you that we were
now in peaceful quarters, for the very night after I had written to you,
about half past twelve, we were ordered to march to support the Light
Division which were supposed to have been engaged; the enemy however did
not choose to fight, therefore after having been about fourteen hours
under arms and marching nearly twenty miles, we returned home. We are
still obliged to be very alert as the French have a strong force on the
other bank of the river and as the weather is just now very bad it is
not very agreeable. It is as cold and uncomfortable here now as in the
month of November in England, and we have no fires nor no carpets but
what are made of stone. This however cannot last very long, and we shall
soon enjoy the more enlivening beams of the sun who’s cheery countenance
we now seldom see.
What a noble fight the troops under General Graham have made! I see my
old Friends the 28th came in for their share: How fortunate is Col
Belson. Browne of course will get a Lt Colonelcy now. I think the
General is not sparing of his recommendations. I suppose the retreat of
Massena and the fatigues and services of this army will not be thought
of in the rejoicing over this dish of blood; so much for military
fortune!
I am, and I hope you will most particularly tell her so, very, very much
obliged to Eleanor for the Gazette. Had she not sent the supplement as
she did I should have thought her guilty of High Treason at least. I am
also very glad to hear that you are going to town for a little while.
You will have the opportunity of paying your respects to Mrs Shaw and
all our friends in that part of the world, in which part I most
sincerely wish I also was and that I had money enough to be comfortable
in it. Our Chief has gone into the Alentjo for a short time, you will
hear from Paterson what he is about; in his absence Sir Brent Spencer
commands here. Sir William Erskine joins this Division tomorrow. General
Leith we understand is not sufficiently recovered to come out: he lives
in Montagu Square where Mrs Petrie did formerly reside. James I conclude
is by this time off for La Guerriere; I most heartily wish all sort of
success, honor, and riches that so joly a command promises to him. An
American –(hole under seal) would now just suit him. It was a civil
?greeting? of Mr Yorke and does him much credit. I have had a letter
from Caroline whence I learn that nothing is decided about a place of
abode. If some people were like you, & I had none at all, how easily
they would be --- to find: but I suppose nobody is ever completely so be
they as rich as Croesus.
I hope we shall soon have another Packet from England, our latest papers
were up you 3rd April only, therefore we may expect much news. I am
anxious to see Lord Welllington’s dispatches from this country. I am
happy to hear so good an account of all your family. Pray give my best
love to them all. And my best love to my little Boys who I hope conduct
themselves with decorum upon their visit. I shall write a line to
Caroline therefore shall not give you any messages to that part of our
family. I shall direct this to Money Hill as by your account you will
now be there
Farewell
Ever yours C.B.
NOTES BY TRANSCRIBER
i) Aldea de Bispo now Aldea del Obispo see note on letter 71
ii) Gen Graham – this refers to the Battle of Barrosa fought on 5 March
1811 and decisively won by Lieut Gen Thomas Graham (1748-1843 – later
Gen Sir) Aide to Moore at Corunna; Brigade at Walcheren; Div at Ciudad
Rodrigo, Badajoz; commanded left Wing at Vittoria and the siege of San
Sebastian. Invalided home after Bidassoa. Peer in 1814.
iii) 28th – not only was 1st 28th prominent at Barrosa under Col Belson,
but Major Browne the 2i/c commanded a Battalion of Flank Companies with
great elan and success. He led the frontal attack through which the
Guards Brigade were to pass through for the final attack (and did so) –
but Browne and his men joined them and were there first – Graham
personally leading the Guards. The Spanish General, nominally in command
declined to participate.
iv) Eleanor – Mary’s sister married to CB’s friend Paterson now in 2nd
28th
v) Mrs Shaw – CB’s cousin from whom he hoped to inherit
vi) Gen Sir Brent Spencer 1760-1828 – with Abercrombie at Alexandria, at
Copenhagen, 2i/c at Rolica and Vimiero. Commanded Division at Busaco &
Fuentes – superceded by Graham when Wellington lost faith following a
pessimistic letter home. CB had met him in Ireland when BM to Paget & in
1808 used his offices to get letter home to Mary.
vii) Alentjo – Portugese District along the Spanish border facing
Badajoz
viii) Maj Gen Sir William Erskine Bart hopeless case wished on
Wellington by Horse Guards. 1769-1813; failed as stand in for Craufurd
in Light Div and as a Cavalry Brigadier. In 1812 declared insane and
1813 killed himself
ix) Gen James Leith invalided home sick from 5th Div but returned later.
Lived near CB’s mother in Montagu Square
x) Mrs Petrie – not identified unless connected with Lady Petre who
lived in a Square near Montagu
xi) Capt James Dacres RN – Mary’s brother had just got the Frigate
Guerriere – captured French of 38 guns – to go to America
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