Collections - Letters
Letters of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bevan, 1804-1811.
Letter Number 51
Dated: 17th Sept 1810 from CB Ceuta
Addressed to Mrs C Bevan, Money Hill, Rickmansworth, Herts
My dearest Mary, an unexpected opportunity has this moment offered for
England I have not time to go to my own quarter for my letter therefore
this must suffice – In the first place I have the pleasure to tell you I
received your letters giving me an excellent account of your health – of
the other subject my letters do not contribute (?) --- the slightest
information; not even an allusion which could have not probably hurt
anyone; I feel very sensible of his attraction However it is a damned
bad ---- and perhaps the less said about it the better – I am in hourly
expectation of hearing of Col Wynch’s promotion, the last packet was of
a very late date and we hourly expect another – From 4th no I have here
– except that General Campbell is appointed Chief in Gibraltar with the
Rank of Lieut General. – I am glad of it as he is at all events a very
good man and has a large family – Poor Howard’s death you have most
likely seen in the papers – You need not on this account con--- any
apprehensions of my health as I am pretty well and my system etc usually
opposite to that of the poor Major; he never stirred out and took rather
the least care of himself. We regret his loss exceedingly and I fear his
successor is not equal to him. Our men are getting well therefore this
Batalion may expect rather more active service than that of Ceuta; and
by-and-bye I mean; so do not alarm grossly – But God Help you and your
children – My best love to all your good family – I am glad to hear
James had bought the house – I wish I could have afforded it
But Patience – Patience In the meantime – God Bless you again and great
companion
Yours C.B.
Hectic post nearly gone
NOTES BY TRANSCRIBER
i) “The other subject” may have been the runaway affair of CB’s sister
Julia whose lover Mr Nevitt is likely to have the ‘damned bad illegible’
referred to lower on this page
ii) Lieut Gen Campbell not identified
iii) Howard – Major Howard was presumable 4th Ft and CB’s 2nd 1i/c
iv) James – Capt James Dacres RN, Mary’s brother
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