The dispatches of Field Marshall the Duke of Wellington, K.G. during his various campaigns in India, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, the Low Countries, and ... from official and authentic documents Volume 4

by Arthur Wellesley

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 ...it is my intention to collect the whole of the army under my command on the eastern frontier of Portugal, and to co-operate by every means in my power with General Cuesta in an attack upon Marshal Victor. In the mean time, I cannot sufficiently recommend a strict defensive position in all quarters. In the present situation of affairs, we have every reason to hope that in a short time we shall all be able to co-operate in a vigorous attack upon the only remaining force of the enemy; in which attack we have every reasonable prospect of success, if we do not lose any of the valuable positions which we still possess, or the men who defend them, in fruitless attacks of the enemy in the plains. ' It cannot be a matter of much importance whether they possess, for a short time longer, more or less of the plains of La Mancha, provided the Spanish troops do not incur the risk of sustaining a fresh defeat by the superior cavalry of the enemy; and by diminishing the strength and efficiency of the corps destined to defend the passes of the Sierra Morena, risk the loss of those important positions, and of all that remains that is valuable. I do not conceive that the enemy are now in a situation to undertake any thing of importance, particularly till they hear of Marshal Soult; and if this be true, there is every prospect of ultimate success, if we should wait till all can join in the attack of Marshal Victor. ' I have the honor to be, &c. 'Don Martin de ' Arthur Wellesley. Lieut. General the Hon. Sir A. Wellesley, K.B., to the Eight Hon. John Villiers, his Britannic Majesty's Minister at Lisbon. ' My Dear Villiers, Villa Franca, 29th April, 1809. ' I was in hopes that I should have seen you yesterday, but I was so much occupied, that I could not go to you, and...

188 pages, Paperback

First published August 11, 2015

About the author

Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG GCB GCH PC FRS (1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852), was a British soldier and statesman, a native of Ireland from the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy,[3] and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century. His importance in national history is such that he is often referred to as "the Duke of Wellington" instead of "the 1st Duke of Wellington."