Collections - Letters
Letters of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bevan, 1804-1811.
Letter Number 55
Dated: 19th October 1810 from CB Ceuta
Addressed to Mrs C Bevan, Money Hill, Rickmansworth, Herts
My dearest Mary You will in all probability have heard the news I am
going to communicate long before this letter arrives that is to say if
it is due. We have just heard that the French effected a landing in
Sicily during the night (I know not of what date). They were attacked
the next morning by a small force under the orders of Gen Campbell and
most completely defeated. Many Prisoners – The rest with difficulty
regained their boats -- The 21st Regt commanded by Frederick Adams was
chiefly engaged – so much for Sicilian news – From Portugal we hear that
a division of Massena’s Army has been engaged with one of ours and
obliged to retire with considerable loss, and that a general action is
daily expected – so much for Portugal, & now for Gibraltar – the
expedition I have mentioned to you under the command of Lord Blaney has
most completely failed – My Lord a Prisoner, several Officers killed and
wounded & prisoners, among the latter I greatly fear is poor Mullins who
was Major of Brigade to Ld B. But I have not yet heard the particulars
of how this ill-conceived and I fancy ill-conducted enterprise. It
appears that the French General Sebastiani who commands that Province,
and whose head quarters are at Grenada, only six and thirty hours march
from Malaga, was perfectly aware of the Expedition, and took his
measures accordingly. Our friends the Regt of Toledo which went from
Ceuta I hear behaved very well. But I am sorry to say that this does not
appear to have been the case with all the Troops –
I hope, my beloved that this letter will find you quite well and all
your little ones – I shall not be at all at ease until I hear by the
next packet news from you – I have every confidence that this will be
good news, as I well know the affectionate attention you will receive
from your Mother, and sisters and all around you – I wish to God I was
one of that number – But alas! It does not fall to my lot to feel much
happiness – However I ought not to complain and I will not. I have some
things to be thankful for – as well as to be illeg (?)
I beg you will make my most affectionate regards to your Mother and to
all your family – I hope very soon to see you and our dear little Boys –
I expect Major Piper out here every day & then I have a right to expect
a little leave of absence. May God Bless and protect you my dearest Mary
and preserve you for the – of all your sons & their Father who is always
yours
Ceuta 19th Oct
NOTES BY TRANSCRIBER
i) 21st – later Royal Scots Fusiliers, later still Royal Highland
Fusiliers
ii) Massena’s Army – as CB surmised a general action was coming – The
battle was fought at Busaco on 27 September 1810 – was this the
‘division of ours’ engagement, perhaps relating to the Light Divisions
engagement at the start of the Battle – after which of course Wellington
slipped away to his prepared Lines at Torres Vendras.
iii) Blaney (Blayney) – his expedition, see letters 52, 53, included 300
men of 89th (R. Irish Fusiliers) Regt of Toledo and a mixed bag of
Poles, Germans etc. Blayney was surprised on the landing beaches where
he and half of the 89th party were taken prisoner. Mullins was a friend
from 28th Foot. It was customary for the ‘Major of Brigade’ to be a
substantive Captain, as was CB when in that appointment with Edward
Paget.
iv) Sebastiani, General Horace, later Marshal. 1772-1851 commanded IV
Corps. Had fought at Talavera. Was to command cavalry in Russia. Became
a politician – Minister of Foreign Affairs 1830-32. Ambassador in London
1835-40
v) Major Piper – Major John Piper became 2i/c
1st Bn 4th Foot to CB and wrote about CB’s death to Mary. Subsequently
acted as C.O. 1st/4th, later as LieutenantColonel until wounded on the
Nive – led with distinction at Badajoz, Salamanca and San Sebastian Gold
Crosses.
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