Carole Divall

2nd Battalion: at the Grand Redoubt, lines of Torres Vedras

The original military road used by troops going up to the Grand Redoubt on the lines of Torres Vedras

There have been two dramatic events in the last fifteen days, one of which affected the whole army, and the other, the battalion.

On the night of the 4th November Sergeant Charles Watson was murdered.  He had been drinking with some Portuguese and they are presumed to have been responsible for the murder.  The culprits have not been identified.  As a result of this crime, a sergeant’s party has been sent out every evening to escort British soldiers from the drinking booths.  Watson was a long-serving soldier and, except for one lapse, an excellent NCO.  His death came as a great shock to the whole battalion.

The event of great significance for the whole army occurred on the 14th November; Marshal Masséna drew his troops back from the Lines to Santarém, thus acknowledging that the defences constructed on Wellington’s orders are impregnable.  The following day some of the battalion went to Sobral.  According to the Adjutant, Lieutenant William Stewart, the whole town, having been deserted by its inhabitants at Wellington’s command and later occupied  by the French, was in a wretched and filthy state.

The battalion is much affected by sickness.  Over a hundred NCOs and other ranks are sick in quarters, while Captain Alexander McNabb and Lieutenant George Rumley have been sent to Lisbon.  So far. however, there has been only one death, Matthew Gunnell on the 3rd November.

Another loss was through desertion, Lawrence McDonald on the 10th November.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

An elaborate depiction of a milk churning process

Nothing of note has occurred during the past fifteen days, except the death of James Pleasance on the 9th November.

The battalion still awaits the arrival of ten officers who have been transferred from the second battalion by seniority.

Depot: Wakefield

An officer’s breastplate badge of the 30th Regiment,

courtesy of the Queen’s Lancashire Regimental Museum at Preston

Fourteen men and five boys have joined from the recruiting companies and another man has enlisted at head quarters.  There are also a further fourteen recruits with the recruiting parties.

The depot has received notice that Captain Chambers has leave of absence until December.  They are unaware that he signed a resignation in India and came to Europe ostensibly to effect an exchange into another regiment.  Nor have they been informed that instead of looking for an exchange he actually joined the party of reinforcements in transit for Cadiz and has been with the second battalion since the end of September.  Communication continues to be a problem between England, the Peninsula and India.

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2nd Battalion: at the Great Redoubt, Mount Agraça,  the Lines of Torres Vedras

A view from the Great Redoubt on the lines of  Torres Vedras

The second battalion is now part of the second brigade of the 5th Division, with the 4th (King’s Own) and 2/44th (East Essex).  On the 17th October, some of the officers, while posted on duty on the Great Redoubt, spotted some French officers reconnoitring, including Marshal Masséna.  This created great interest since all were aware of the marshal’s reputation as among the finest of Napoleon’s commanders.

On the 22nd October Captain Malet, who had been recommended to Lord Wellington by General Graham, was appointed Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General to the Spanish army, the first officer of the battalion to be appointed to the staff.

The officers of the battalion are now enjoying the social life which pertains in the Division.  On the 24th, for example, they entertained Captain Wilson and Lieutenant Rae of the 1st (Royal Scots) to a meal.  (The Royals are in the first brigade, along with the 9th and the 38th.)

The four men listed in the monthly return as deserters on the 10th October, rejoined on the 19th, having become detached from the rest of the battalion on the march in heavy rain.

Three men have been invalided to England, and others are showing signs of ill-health.  Hospital Mate Newton has been attached to the battalion, a welcome assistant for Surgeon Hennen.

1st Battalion: Trichinopoly

A still used for making  arrak, the crude spirit often drunk by soldiers in India and which led many to the guard room.

Sergeant Fleming Low was reduced on the 25th October.  The following day Corporal William Cherry was promoted to sergeant, and Thomas O’Brien to corporal.

Private James Mills died on the 28th October, only the second death this month.

Discipline remains a problem.  On the 25th (muster day) there were four prisoners in the guard house, one of them a returned deserter.

Lieutenant Skirrow has been granted twelve months’ leave of absence to Europe for recovery of health.  Meanwhile, the battalion still awaits the arrival of several officers who have been transferred from the second battalion, but who are still serving in Portugal.

Depot: Wakefield

Recruits drilling, by J.A. Atkinson, picture by kind permission of Philip Haythornthwaite

Four recruits have enlisted, although they have yet to be approved, while a further 22 recruits are still with the recruiting parties in various locations, including Sleaford and Cambridge, as well as Ennniscorthy and Galway in Ireland.

Most of the recent recruits, as well as the volunteers from the militia (all of whom have served for a year and are fully trained) will soon be sent to the second battalion.  This is not only because the battalion, on active service, needs reinforcements but also because volunteers from the militia are limited to service in Europe.

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The large tile mosaic in the museum at Vimeiro, showing a general view of the battle. Continue Reading »