Selections from the Dispatches and General Orders of Field Marshall the Duke of Wellington

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Page 627 - I am concerned to have to observe that the army under my command has fallen off in this respect in the late campaign to a greater degree than any army with which I have ever served, or of which I have ever read.
Page 444 - Bellegarde, an aid-de-camp of Marshal Victor, and the colonel of the 8th regiment, with many other officers, killed, and several wounded and taken prisoners ; the field covered with the dead bodies and arms of the enemy, attest that my confidence in this division was nobly repaid. Where all have so distinguished themselves, it is scarcely possible to discriminate any as the most deserving of praise.
Page 595 - I am informed that Marshal Marmont is badly wounded, and has lost one of his arms ; and that four general officers have been killed, and several wounded. Such an advantage could not have been acquired without material loss on our side ; but it certainly has not been of a magnitude to distress the army or to cripple its operations.
Page 583 - It is occasioned entirely by the trick our officers of cavalry have acquired of galloping at every thing, and their galloping back as fast as they gallop on the enemy. They never consider their situation, never think of manoeuvring before an enemy — so little that one would think they cannot mano3uvre, excepting on Wimbledon Common ; and when they use their arm as it ought to be used, viz., offensively, they never keep nor provide for a reserve.
Page 528 - I have, however, long considered it probable, that even we should witness a general resistance throughout Europe to the fraudulent and disgusting tyranny of Buonaparte, created by the example of what has passed in Spain and Portugal ; and that we should be actors and advisers in these scenes ; and I have reflected frequently upon the measures which should be pursued to give a chance of success.
Page 251 - We all know that the discipline and regularity of all armies must depend upon the diligence of the regimental officers, particularly the subalterns. I may order what I please ; but if they do not execute what I order, or if they execute it with negligence, I cannot expect that British soldiers will be orderly or regular.
Page 443 - A reserve formed beyond the narrow valley, across which the enemy was closely pursued, next shared the same fate, and was routed by the same means. " Meanwhile the right wing was not less successful : the enemy, confident of success, met General Dilkes on the ascent of the hill, and the contest was sanguinary, but the undaunted perseverance of the brigade of guards, of...
Page 189 - I shall do my best to insure its success ; and you may depend upon it that I shall not hurry the operations, or commence them one moment sooner than they ought to be commenced, in order that I may acquire the credit of...
Page 548 - Vandeleur, and the troops of the light division on the left, were likewise very forward on that side ; and in less than half an hour from the time the attack commenced, our troops were in possession of, and formed on the ramparts of the place, each body contiguous to the other. The enemy then submitted, having sustained a considerable loss in the contest.
Page 724 - Aylas well as that of the rest of the officers of my personal Staff, entitle them all to my warmest and perfect approbation. ' Your Lordship has, with an attention extremely grateful to me, permitted me to name an officer to be the bearer of your Lordship's dispatches home ; and I beg to recommend for that commission Major Hare, of the 12th foot, a gallant soldier of fortune, who has on many former occasions served on my Staff, and is now attached to it as Assistant Adjutant General.

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