Sep 25 2011
25th September 1811
2nd Battalion, Peñaperda, Sierra de Gata
Sierra de Gata in winter
Despite the cold, particularly at night, and the shortage of food (the men have taken to digging up potatoes), the health of the battalion at headquarters is improving. There are only an officer, a drummer and four rank and file sick present. Fortunately, the number of sick absent, at Lisbon and Coimbra, is also decreasing, although there have been seven deaths amongst these men.
The battalion has now received news of the two additions to staff officers, Lieutenant Colonel Turner to replace Lieutenant Colonel Minet, and Major Bailey to replace Major Hamilton. This last is a surprise, but the same dispatch from the agent in London, Mr Croasdaile, contained the information that Major Hamilton has been promoted into Lt Col Turner’s regiment, the Royal West Indian Rangers. This promotion has been greeted with mixed feelings. Major Hamilton has only ever served with the 30th, and is popular with the men, who regard him as something of a talisman, so, although there is pleasure that he has obtained a well-deserved lieutenant colonelcy, there is regret that such a long association is about to be severed.