Transcript of a Letter from Capt. George MacFarlane to his Father

Portalegre   22^nd June 1810

Dear Father

          We have been very quiet here for the last two months for we were only twice in face of the enemy, but they never let us near them, for we no sooner got orders to advance then they retreated but we are now going to commence in earnest for the “French” are coming in all directions, our Brigade is to advance to-morrow morning for “Albuquerque” in Spain, there are a small party of the enemy within two Leagues of that place, there is a Dispatch just arrived from ”Badazer” mentioning that there are Eight Thousand Infantry and Four Thousand  Cavalry before that place, if that is the case we will come to blows very soon, we have here Six Thousand British in high spirits, and longing to get at them.  Our Regt is the strongest in the Division, I suppose we will March, nine hundred men to-morrow morning.

       We are very fortunate in Generals.  General Hill who commands the divisions  is a very fine fellow , and our little Brigade General Stewart is reckoned a very clever general and very much liked both by men and officers, and we put great dependence in him.

       I have very little time to spare now to give you any more news, but I will write you after I see the enemy, if they don’t run away we will be with them the Day after to-morrow and early in the morning, but for my part I think they will take to their heels, as they have done before.  I have never heard from you since I arrived in the Country and the reason apologies for it is that you have not paid the postage of the letters, as no letters come farther than “London” unless the postage is paid.

       I see Campbell¹ of the 48^th every day and dine with him very often for he has shown me a great deal of attention since I have been here, he begs to be remembered to you, and all his friends, and Donald McLaughlin² does the same, they are both in good spirits and health.

       Lord Wellington’s headquarters are at “Guarda” in the North of most of the British Troops are in advance of him and they will very soon be engaged as there are several Divisions of the French have Baird the siege of Cadiz if that is the case we will have them all here before long.  I must now leave off, as I have to pack up and inspect “Ammunition” and see that the Grenadiers are complete for a brush  at  the fellows.  I remain with best love to you Mother, brothers, sisters, the good people of “Ormidale”³ and all acquaintances.

                                               My Dear Father

                                                       Your Affect Son

                                                               George Macfarlane

Notes:

1. The 1810 Army List records a Captain Patrick Campbell of the 48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot, which served in the Peninsular war beside George's regiment. Both the 48th and the 57th fought at Albuhera on 16th May 1811.

2. The 1810 Army List records a Lieutenant Donald McLachlan of the 57th Regiment of Foot (George's regiment). He was raised to Lieutenant in 1804, and was later raised to at least the rank of Captain.

3. Ormidale is in Cowal, about 5 miles east across the hills from Auchrossan, where the River Ruel enters the head of the Kyles of Bute. It had been the parental home of George's mother Jean Campbell.

Page last updated 03 January 2008