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Transcription	Correspondence from the Theatre of War in the Peninsula . 1812 . CAMP BEFORE BURGOS , 12th October . I HAVE little to write that can amuse , situated as we are . The Marquis ap pears resolved to take the castle : nolens volens ; but it will require time . I was wit ness to a transaction which must furnish you with a correct idea of the general sys tem of Guerillas , and to what extent dependence can be placed in that description of force , which has been so lavishly commended . Four hundred well mounted Guerillas fell in with sixteen French dragoons , who immediately charged them ; away went the Guerillas , and in their route drove five British light dragoons off the road : but the latter , the 12th dragoons , in their turn charged the enemy , who im inediately fled . Don Julian , the Guerilla Chief , in support of this affair stated , " That his forces are not intended for the charge , but merely to harrass the French and cut off their supplies . " For both the latter they answer admirably ; but I think it rather disgraceful that so strong a force should betray timidity , and be put to flight by a handful of Frenchmen . Camp near Burgos , October - 1812. We went to rest last night under repeated discharges of heaven's artillery , and this morning , the weather being fine , we rise under an incessant peal of our battering train , which I hope will shortly put an end to the effusion of blood at Burgos . I am inclined to think there will not be many buyers or sellers in that market this day . There was a brush with the cavalry yesterday morning : it being foggy , a party of 300 French cavalry , and 100 infantry , came on our cavalry picquet . Most of our officers and men had time to get away ; but 9 of the latter , who were videttes and patroles , with their horses , fell into the enemy's hands . A troop of the 12th Light Dragoons changing quarters , happened to be near the Captain by retreating led on the French cavalry to a bridge , and when some had passed , charged , and made eleven prisoners , and wounded and took the officer : it was à gallant thing ; but we suffered by it , giving nine good horses for eleven bad ones . 1812 JUNE 4 , 1813 . RADIPOLE BARRACES , JUNE 1. - This day the Officers and men of this garrisou were gratified in seeing a brother soldier rewarded , Serjeant WILLIAM BUTLER , of the 12th Light Dragoons . All the Non commissioned Officers of that Regiment were ordered to attend the Mess - 100m , after their Officers ' dinner , when Captain COLE , of the same Regiment , in the presence of the Field Officers and men belonging to the garrisos , presented unto Serjeant W. BUTLER a silver cup , which the Officers had voted to him as a token of their regard for his good services , as a man and a soldier , for 48 years in that Regiment . Capt COLE's address in presenting the same , was such as to animate the young soldier , and to inspire those of more mature age to follow the example of the old ve teran whom he was about to reward : the same was received with every degree of dignity and respect be . coming the soldier . When the old warrior received the emblem of hononr , his , feelings may be better imagined than described . The Bard struck up Bri tons strike home , ' and they marched to the old vete ran's room in military order , where the cup was filled : wih claret , and the evening spent with the greatest order and conviviality , at the expence of the officers of the garrison , during which the old soldier danced several hornpipes , in the 74th year of his age . 6 APRIL 30 , 1813 . GENERAL ODERS . HORSE GUARD , APRIL 28 . In consequence of a Letter addressed to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle , having appeared in that paper of the 11th of Alarch , signed " Robert Browne , Major - General , Lieutenant Colonel of the 12th Light Dragoons , " of which Major - General Browne has avowed himself the author , in which , after draw a comparison between the former and the present clothing equipment of the cavalry , it is stated , that from the clothing equipment now in use , " the disadvantage to the dragoon A comderalale , and níay be attended with us consequences , and that he ( Major - General Browne ) was a dember of both Boards of Cavalry Officers , but disapproved of their proceed ings , and stated his sentiments to the Secretary at War , to the Commander io Chief , and also to the Adjutant General , in writing ; and that , in conversation with Mr. Whitbread , the subject was accidentally mentioned , and he having stated it in the House of Commons , he ( Major - General Browne ) thought it a duty , in justice to himself and the Light Dragoon , to give the above . " The Commander in Chief judged it expedient to direct that a Board , composed of General Officers of Cavalry , who were Members of the Board , whose proceedings formed the basis of the clothing warrant of the cavalry now in force , should be re - assembled , for the purpose of taking into consi deration the letter before mentioned , and of affording such ex planation on the several poins animadverted upou by Major General Browne , as miglit enable . his Royal Highness to lay before the Prince tegent the fullest and most satisfactory proofs that the assertions of that Officer are not founded , and that the essential objects for which the Board was originally convened , as stated in the Adjutant - Generai's letter of the 15th June , 1811 , have been strictly kept in view in the alterations introduced in the warrant , namely , " that every article of the soldier's equip ment should be simplified , to prepare him for active service , and consequent exposure , and that in no instrnce should the expence be encreased to the Colonel , or a larger deduction be made from the solier's pay , than is authorised by Lis Majesty's regulations . " Accordingly the Board ; composed of the General Officers named in the margin , did assemble , and in their Report , which The Commander in Chief has submitted to the Prince Regent , and the substance of which his Royal Highness has been gra ciously pleased to command to be thus circulated for the general information of the army , have stated , ( after a most minute and laborious investigation of every article of cavalry equipment and necessaries ) , that by the comparative lists of necessaries it ap pears , that , under the present warrant , there will be a saving to the dragoon , upon the first supply of necessaries to be provided out of his bounty and allowance of equipment , of no less a sum than 17. 2s . 2d . exclusive of the articles that undergo no alteration and of the cost of shoes and gaiters . The Board further add , that the change of Appointments has been now so long in progress , and must , both in conformity to the order , and from the nature of the case , proceed so gradually , that the instances must be rare , where an individual soldier can be called upon to provide any of the new articles , hefore the cor responding article of necessaries , for which it is to be substitued , shall have been worn out . The Board further state , that they cannot conclude without marking their surprise at the apparent loose manner in which Major General Browne has expressed himself , when he says , " he was a Member of both Boards of Cavalry Officers , but dis approved of their proceedings , and stated his sentiments to the Secretary at War , to the Commander in Chief , and to the Ad jutant - General , in writing ; " for the Board find by their mi nutes , that Major General Browne was relieved from his at tendance at the Board , last year , on the 5th of May ; and al though , while he continued to attend , he certainly did take op portunities of stating , in conversation , some opinions of his own , and throwing out suggestions of alterations which he would wish to recommend , no resolution was ever proposed , or any note taken of such suggestions ; and , in fact , a very great proportion of the estimates , accounts , returns , and evi dence called for by the Board , and which formed the basis whereon their conclusions principally rested , were presented to them subsequent to the 5th of May , and that , consequently , Majer - General Browne had no knowledge as a Member of the Board , either of the information by which they were guided , or of the opinions they formed ; and the Board had no opportu nity of profiting by the Major - General's assistance , or of hearing him express his disapprobation of their proceedings , with the pur port and effce of many parts of which he appears to be still unac quainted , The result of this investigation has been highly satisfactory to the Prince Regent , inasmuch as it has convinced his Royal High ness , that the General Officers on whose report the clothing war rant of the Cavalry is founded , did perform , with ability and fi delity , the important duty that was confided to them , and that the interests of the soldier have in every respect been duly considered and guarded with the most s.rupulous attention . Tue Prince Rege : t cannot allow this order to go out to the army , without at the same time expressing his highest displea sure against Major - General Browne , and his surprize that an Officer of his rank can have been so forgetful of his duty aud statio ,, so regardless of the discipline and welfare of the ser vice , as to circutate , through the medium of a public news paper , assertions calculated to excite discontent in the army , to mislead the soldier , and to give an erroneous and unfounded impression to the public , that the funds assigned for his equip ment and mai t nance are improvidently and injuriously ex 2014 pended The Commander in Chief directs that his order shall be cir culated throughout the army , and be entered in the General Or der Bobks of all Regiments of Cavalry . By his Royal Highness The Commander in Chief's Command , HARRY CALVERT , Adjutant General . General the Earl of Harrington , President . " General Francis Edward Gwyn . Licut . Gen. the Earl of Rosslyn . Lieut . Gen. the Earl of Uxbridge . Licut . Gen. William Cartwright . Major Gen. Henry Fane . Major Gen. Hon . George de Grey .

Accession number

Transcription

Correspondence from the Theatre of War in the Peninsula .
1812 .
CAMP BEFORE BURGOS , 12th October . I HAVE little to write that can amuse , situated as we are . The Marquis ap pears resolved to take the castle : nolens volens ; but it will require time . I was wit ness to a transaction which must furnish you with a correct idea of the general sys tem of Guerillas , and to what extent dependence can be placed in that description of force , which has been so lavishly commended . Four hundred well mounted Guerillas fell in with sixteen French dragoons , who immediately charged them ; away went the Guerillas , and in their route drove five British light dragoons off the road : but the latter , the 12th dragoons , in their turn charged the enemy , who im inediately fled . Don Julian , the Guerilla Chief , in support of this affair stated , " That his forces are not intended for the charge , but merely to harrass the French and cut off their supplies . " For both the latter they answer admirably ; but I think it rather disgraceful that so strong a force should betray timidity , and be put to flight by a handful of Frenchmen .
Camp near Burgos ,
October - 1812.
We went to rest last night under repeated discharges of heaven's artillery , and this morning , the weather being fine , we rise under an incessant peal of our battering train , which I hope will shortly put an end to the effusion of blood at Burgos . I am inclined to think there will not be many buyers or sellers in that market this day . There was a brush with the cavalry yesterday morning : it being foggy , a party of 300 French cavalry , and 100 infantry , came on our cavalry picquet . Most of our officers and men had time to get away ; but 9 of the latter , who were videttes and patroles , with their horses , fell into the enemy's hands . A troop of the 12th Light Dragoons changing quarters , happened to be near the Captain by retreating led on the French cavalry to a bridge , and when some had passed , charged , and made eleven prisoners , and wounded and took the officer : it was à gallant thing ; but we suffered by it , giving nine good horses for eleven bad ones .
1812
JUNE 4 , 1813 .
RADIPOLE BARRACES , JUNE 1. - This day the Officers and men of this garrisou were gratified in seeing a brother soldier rewarded , Serjeant WILLIAM BUTLER , of the 12th Light Dragoons . All the Non commissioned Officers of that Regiment were ordered to attend the Mess - 100m , after their Officers ' dinner , when Captain COLE , of the same Regiment , in the presence of the Field Officers and men belonging to the garrisos , presented unto Serjeant W. BUTLER a silver cup , which the Officers had voted to him as a token of their regard for his good services , as a man and a soldier , for 48 years in that Regiment . Capt COLE's address in presenting the same , was such as to animate the young soldier , and to inspire those of more mature age to follow the example of the old ve teran whom he was about to reward : the same was received with every degree of dignity and respect be . coming the soldier . When the old warrior received the emblem of hononr , his , feelings may be better imagined than described . The Bard struck up Bri tons strike home , ' and they marched to the old vete ran's room in military order , where the cup was filled : wih claret , and the evening spent with the greatest order and conviviality , at the expence of the officers of the garrison , during which the old soldier danced several hornpipes , in the 74th year of his age .
6
APRIL 30 , 1813 .
GENERAL ODERS .
HORSE GUARD , APRIL 28 . In consequence of a Letter addressed to the Editor of the Morning Chronicle , having appeared in that paper of the 11th of Alarch , signed " Robert Browne , Major - General , Lieutenant Colonel of the 12th Light Dragoons , " of which Major - General Browne has avowed himself the author , in which , after draw
a comparison between the former and the present clothing equipment of the cavalry , it is stated , that from the clothing equipment now in use , " the disadvantage to the dragoon A comderalale , and níay be attended with us consequences ,
and that he ( Major - General Browne ) was a dember of both Boards of Cavalry Officers , but disapproved of their proceed ings , and stated his sentiments to the Secretary at War , to the Commander io Chief , and also to the Adjutant General , in writing ; and that , in conversation with Mr. Whitbread , the subject was accidentally mentioned , and he having stated it in the House of Commons , he ( Major - General Browne ) thought it a duty , in justice to himself and the Light Dragoon , to give the above . " The Commander in Chief judged it expedient to direct that a Board , composed of General Officers of Cavalry , who were Members of the Board , whose proceedings formed the basis of the clothing warrant of the cavalry now in force , should be re - assembled , for the purpose of taking into consi deration the letter before mentioned , and of affording such ex planation on the several poins animadverted upou by Major General Browne , as miglit enable . his Royal Highness to lay before the Prince tegent the fullest and most satisfactory proofs that the assertions of that Officer are not founded , and that the essential objects for which the Board was originally convened , as stated in the Adjutant - Generai's letter of the 15th June , 1811 , have been strictly kept in view in the alterations introduced in the warrant , namely , " that every article of the soldier's equip ment should be simplified , to prepare him for active service , and consequent exposure , and that in no instrnce should the expence be encreased to the Colonel , or a larger deduction be made from the solier's pay , than is authorised by Lis Majesty's regulations . " Accordingly the Board ; composed of the General Officers named in the margin , did assemble , and in their Report , which The Commander in Chief has submitted to the Prince Regent , and the substance of which his Royal Highness has been gra ciously pleased to command to be thus circulated for the general information of the army , have stated , ( after a most minute and laborious investigation of every article of cavalry equipment and necessaries ) , that by the comparative lists of necessaries it ap pears , that , under the present warrant , there will be a saving to the dragoon , upon the first supply of necessaries to be provided out of his bounty and allowance of equipment , of no less a sum than 17. 2s . 2d . exclusive of the articles that undergo no alteration and of the cost of shoes and gaiters .
The Board further add , that the change of Appointments has been now so long in progress , and must , both in conformity to the order , and from the nature of the case , proceed so gradually , that the instances must be rare , where an individual soldier can be called upon to provide any of the new articles , hefore the cor responding article of necessaries , for which it is to be substitued , shall have been worn out .
The Board further state , that they cannot conclude without marking their surprise at the apparent loose manner in which Major General Browne has expressed himself , when he says , " he was a Member of both Boards of Cavalry Officers , but dis approved of their proceedings , and stated his sentiments to the Secretary at War , to the Commander in Chief , and to the Ad jutant - General , in writing ; " for the Board find by their mi nutes , that Major General Browne was relieved from his at tendance at the Board , last year , on the 5th of May ; and al though , while he continued to attend , he certainly did take op portunities of stating , in conversation , some opinions of his own , and throwing out suggestions of alterations which he would wish to recommend , no resolution was ever proposed , or any note taken of such suggestions ; and , in fact , a very great proportion of the estimates , accounts , returns , and evi dence called for by the Board , and which formed the basis whereon their conclusions principally rested , were presented to them subsequent to the 5th of May , and that , consequently , Majer - General Browne had no knowledge as a Member of the Board , either of the information by which they were guided , or of the opinions they formed ; and the Board had no opportu nity of profiting by the Major - General's assistance , or of hearing him express his disapprobation of their proceedings , with the pur port and effce of many parts of which he appears to be still unac quainted ,
The result of this investigation has been highly satisfactory to the Prince Regent , inasmuch as it has convinced his Royal High ness , that the General Officers on whose report the clothing war rant of the Cavalry is founded , did perform , with ability and fi delity , the important duty that was confided to them , and that the interests of the soldier have in every respect been duly considered and guarded with the most s.rupulous attention .
Tue Prince Rege : t cannot allow this order to go out to the army , without at the same time expressing his highest displea sure against Major - General Browne , and his surprize that an Officer of his rank can have been so forgetful of his duty aud statio ,, so regardless of the discipline and welfare of the ser vice , as to circutate , through the medium of a public news paper , assertions calculated to excite discontent in the army , to mislead the soldier , and to give an erroneous and unfounded impression to the public , that the funds assigned for his equip ment and mai t nance are improvidently and injuriously ex 2014 pended
The Commander in Chief directs that his order shall be cir culated throughout the army , and be entered in the General Or der Bobks of all Regiments of Cavalry .
By his Royal Highness
The Commander in Chief's Command , HARRY CALVERT , Adjutant General . General the Earl of Harrington , President . " General Francis Edward Gwyn . Licut . Gen. the Earl of Rosslyn . Lieut . Gen. the Earl of Uxbridge . Licut . Gen. William Cartwright . Major Gen. Henry Fane .
Major Gen. Hon . George de Grey .

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