Wellington’s Engineers: Military Engineering on the Peninsular War 1808-1814

by Mark S. Thomson

  71. Rice Jones, An Engineer Officer under Wellington, p. 103.

  72. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 4, p. 280.

  73. Ibid, p. 284.

  74. Fortescue says they reported they were ready on 3 May 1811 but there does not appear to be any specific communication to this effect.

  75. WSD, Beresford to Wellington, Almendralejo, 3 May 1811.

  76. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 4, pp. 282–3.

  77. Three 24-pounders and two 8in howitzers.

  78. BL, ADD63106, Squire Letters, f.31, Squire to Bunbury, 17 May 1811.

  79. Boutflower, The Journal of an Army Surgeon, p. 91.

  80. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 4, p. 286, says that six were injured, but there were only five; Dickinson and Melville killed, and Boteler, Reid and Ross wounded.

  81. Rice Jones, An Engineer Officer under Wellington, p. 105.

  82. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, pp. 30–1.

  83. NA WO55/958, Fletcher to Morse, Elvas, 23 May 1811.

  84. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 31. Jones provides much of the detail in the following paragraphs.

  85. REM 5501-59-1, Jones’ diary.

  86. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 3, p. 394, Dickson to Maj-Gen. Macleod.

  87. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 31.

  88. Ibid, p. 39 and p. 351, n4.

  89. Four field guns were added later to enfilade the bridge and discourage sorties.

  90. Three guns were held in reserve.

  91. This includes the guns allocated for the attacks on the Pardaleras to Picurina.

  92. WSD, Fletcher to Wellington, 3 June 1811.

  93. REM 4201-68, Burgoyne’s diary, 5 June 1811.

  94. BL, ADD63106, Squire Letters, ff. 35-6.

  95. WD, letter dated 6 June 1811.

  96. Page, Intelligence Officer in the Peninsula, p. 115.

  97. REM 5501-59-1, Jones’ diary, 6 June 1811.

  98. Numbers taken from Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 4, p. 429.

  99. BL Add MS63166, Squire Letters, 9 March 1811.

  100. BL Add MS63106, Squire Letters, 11 March 1811.

  101. WD, Wellington to Liverpool, 13 June 1811.

  102. Myatt, British Sieges, p. 45.

  103. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, 1st edition, London, 1814, p. 298.

  104. Rousseau, Journal of D’Urban, p. 222.

  105. REM 4501-86-4, Ross Letters, Ross to Dalrymple, 9 June 1811. Lieutenant-General Hew Dalrymple was Ross’ great-uncle.

  106. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 4, p. 425; Fortescue, British Army, Vol. 8, p. 223.

  107. WD, Wellington to Liverpool, 6 June 1811.

  108. WD, Wellington to C. Stuart, 8 June 1811.

  109. Rousseau, Journal of D’Urban, p. 219, notes that a letter from the French Governor of Badajoz was intercepted which said that on 29 May 1811, he had three weeks’ bread left.

  110. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 4, p. 419.

  111. Fortescue, British Army, Vol. 8, p. 221.

  112. Ibid, p. 223. Surprisingly, Burgoyne also calls them ‘English’ in his diary, REM 4201-68, 7 June 1811.

  113. REM 4201-68, Burgoyne’s diary, entry dated 21 June 1811; Shore, Engineer Officer under Wellington, p. 109.

  114. Page, Intelligence Officer in the Peninsula, p. 124.

  115. BL Add MS63106, Squire Letters, 18 June (July?) 1811.

  116. F. S. Garwood, ‘The Royal Staff Corps’, RE Journal, June 1943.

  117. NA WO55/958, Fletcher to Morse, Elvas, 20 June 1811.

  118. REM 4601-74, Burgoyne to Squire, 21 September 1811.

  119. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol. 1, p. 136.

  120. REM 4601-72, Burgoyne to Squire, 20 September 1811.

  121. REM 4601-57-1, Emmett’s diary, 25 September 1811.

  122. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol. 1, p. 252.

  123. REM 4601-57-1, Emmett’s diary, 29 November 1811.

  124. BL Add MS63106, note at end of folios, 30 November 1811. Also, Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol. 1, p. 151.

  125. BL Add MS63106, Squire to Bunbury, Portalegre, 4 October 1811.

  Chapter 6

  1. REM 4501-86, Ross to Dalrymple, 7 January 1812.

  2. WD, Wellington to Howarth, 14 May 1811.

  3. WD, Wellington to Framingham, Fletcher and Kennedy, 19 July 1811.

  4. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 3, p. 440. Letter to Wellington dated 9 August 1811. He mentions 115 boats having been dispatched and that another 30–40 are required.

  5. Ibid, p. 500.

  6. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 89.

  7. Ibid, p. 91. Also mentioned in Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 4, p. 562. This would not affect the attack on the fortress walls, but would stop any sort of counter-battery fire which would increase casualties.

  8. Cocks, An Intelligence Officer in the Peninsula, p. 162.

  9. Although at least two arrived late. Captain Williams and Lieutenant De Salaberry did not arrive until 15 January 1812. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 118.

  10. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol. 1, p. 91. They eventually arrived on 15 January 1812: J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 118.

  11. Jones said Fletcher recommended storming the redoubt to Wellington, who agreed. REM 5501-59-2 Jones’ diary, 8 January 1812.

  12. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 99.

  13. Ibid, p. 103.

  14. REM 4601-72, Burgoyne to Squire, 16 January 1812.

  15. WSD, Vol. 7, p. 153.

  16. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 4, p. 562, Dickson to MacLeod. The reasons and consequences of the French moves are discussed at length in Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 5, pp. 187–95.

  17. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 3, p. 534, Dickson to Beresford.

  18. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 4, p. 562.

  19. REM 5501-59-2, Jones’ diary, 28 December 1811.

  20. REM 4501-86-4, Ross letters, 7 January 1812.

  21. WD, Wellington to Richmond, 29 January 1812.

  22. Fortescue, British Army, Vol. 8, p. 356.

  23. Colville, Portrait of a General, pp. 83–4.

  24. BL, ADD57544, f. 184. Burgoyne to Moore, 10 December 1808.

  25. BL, ADD63106, Squire Letters, ff.3-4, Squire to Bunbury, 27 May 1810.

  26. BL, ADD41963, ff. 13-16. Squire to Pasley, 3 March 1812. Portalegre.

  27. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 5, p. 165. Fortescue also comments that Dorsenne had no confidence in Barrie. Fortescue, British Army, Vol. 8, p. 355.

  28. REM 5501-139-1 f. 4. Burgoyne to Pasley, 12 February 1812.

  29. Fortescue, British Army, Vol. 8, p. 367.

  30. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol. 1, p. 161. Burgoyne to Squire, 7 February 1812.

  31. Ibid, p. 161. Burgoyne to Squire, 7 February 1812.

  32. REM 5501-59-2, Jones’ diary, 14 January 1812.

  33. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol. 1, p. 164., and REM 5501-139-1, Burgoyne to Pasley, 12 February 1812.

  34. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol. 1, p. 164.

  35. Ibid, p. 160, 19 January 1812.

  36. REM 4601-72 f. 1813/1. Burgoyne to Squire, 16 January 1812.

  37. REM 5501-139-1, Burgoyne to Squire, 12 February 1812.

  38. Pasley Papers, Add41962, f.197, Burgoyne to Pasley, 26 March 1810.

  39. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol. 1, p.163. Burgoyne to Squire, 7 February 1812.

  40. REM 5501-139, Burgoyne to Squire, 12 February 1812.

  41. For example, REM 5501-139-1, Burgoyne to Squire, 12 February 1812; REM 5501-59-2, Jones’ diary, 3 January 1812.

  42. J. T. Jones, Autobiography, p. 48.

  43. Fortescue, British Army, Vol. 8, p. 365.

  44. NA WO3/601, Torrens to Wellington, 21 February 1812. Thanks to Rory Muir for bringing this to my attention.

  45. WD, Wellington to Liverpool, 11 February 1812.

  46. J. T. Jones, Autobiography, p. 51.

  47. Ross and Skelton killed. E. R. Mulcaster, Marshall, Macculloc
h, A. Thompson and Reid wounded. Thompson and Macculloch returned to England.

  48. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 4, p. 571.

  49. Confusingly called 5½in howitzers and 24-pounder howitzers at various times. See WD, Wellington to Hill, 28 Jan 1812 for a description of the pieces. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 4, p. 580.

  50. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 144.

  51. Ibid, pp. 139, 371.

  52. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 4, p. 585, footnote on letter to Wellington.

  53. Myatt, British Sieges, p. 82; J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 374; Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 4, p. 599.

  54. WSD, Wellington to Wellesley, Elvas, 12 March 1812.

  55. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, 1st edition, p. 298.

  56. REM 5501-59-3, Jones’ diary, 25 February 1812.

  57. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 376.

  58. Vetch and two or three other officers were ordered up from Cadiz. Vetch’s letters says two other officers, Jones’ Journal says three. Vetch did not arrive until 5 April 1812. RE Journal, 1 February 1881, p. 26.

  59. REM 5501-59-3, Jones’ diary, 15 March 1812. Squire in a letter to Bunbury noted that thirteen out of nineteen officers were killed or wounded. This would support the argument that the Cadiz officers arrived late or not at all. BL, ADD63106, Squire letters, ff. 54-55.

  60. WSD, Wellington to Piper, 22 and 26 March 1812.

  61. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 376.

  62. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 5, p. 239.

  63. RE Journal, February 1881, p. 30.

  64. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 5, p. 243; J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 193.

  65. May, A Few Observations on the mode of attack at Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz in 1812 and St Sebastian in 1813, p. 23. Sunset on 4 April 1812 was 7.06 p.m.

  66. RE Journal, February 1881, p. 29.

  67. MacLeod and Holloway never returned to the Peninsula. Emmett returned in November 1813.

  68. Colville, Portrait of a General, p. 93.

  69. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 5, p. 270. Oman describes the situation at great length to show that the primary cause of the loss of Badajoz was Napoleon’s long-distance meddling.

  70. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 403.

  71. Colville, Portrait of a General, p. 94.

  72. WD, Wellington to Liverpool, 7 April 1812 (the dispatch informing Liverpool of the successful assault).

  73. Athenaeum, 27 April 1889, p. 537, quoting letter from Wellington to Liverpool, 7 April 1812.

  74. BL, ADD63106, Squire letters, ff. 54-55, Squire to Bunbury, 8 April 1812

  75. WD, Wellington to George Murray, 28 May 1812. Also quoted in Glover, Peninsular Preparation, p. 106.

  76. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 377; see also pp. 222–6.

  77. BL, ADD63106 ff. 54-5, Squire to Bunbury, 8 April 1812.

  78. WD, Wellington to Liverpool, 7 April 1812.

  79. WO3/601, pp. 276–9, Torrens to Wellington, 21 February 1812.

  80. BL, ADD38326 ff. 30-31, Liverpool to Wellington, 28 April 1812.

  81. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 5, p. 256.

  82. Myatt, British Sieges, p. 116.

  83. For example, see Fletcher, Badajoz, 1812, p. 20, and Uffindel, Wellington’s Armies, p. 107, where the inference is that the infantry would be excused duty in the trenches when there were sufficient artificers trained.

  84. WSD, Vol. 7, p. 311, Jones to Chapman, 7 April 1812.

  85. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, p.182

  86. NA WO/55/1561/12, Wedekind to Beresford, 1 March 1812

  87. BL, Add MS63106, Squire to Bunbury, 27 April 1812. This was Squire’s last letter before he died at Truxillo on 17 May 1812.

  Chapter 7

  1. REM 4601-74, Burgoyne to Squire, 22 April 1812.

  2. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, p. 189.

  3. Rousseau, Journal of D’Urban, p. 254.

  4. A detailed description of the construction of the repair is available in Douglas, Essay on Military Bridges, 3rd edition, pp. 353–9.

  5. WD, Wellington to Liverpool, 28 May 1812.

  6. Estimated at four for each howitzer and limber; two for each cart and eight for the ladders carriages. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 3, pp. 245–6.

  7. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 247. Burgoyne used almost identical words in his journal, Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, p. 313.

  8. Porter, History of the Royal Engineers, Vol. 1, p. 313.

  9. WD, Wellington to Liverpool, 30 June 1812.

  10. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol. 1, p. 194.

  11. NA, WO55/959, Burgoyne’s journal of the siege of Fort San Vicente at Salamanca.

  12. REM 4601-72, Burgoyne Letters, f. 1812/17, Burgoyne’s criticism of the 24-pounder carronades in his report on Burgos is similar to Jones’, ‘they could not be fired with any accuracy or force’.

  13. REM 4601-72, Burgoyne Letters, 1812/17, f.1.

  14. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 6, p. 27.

  15. J. T. Jones, Autobiography, p. 68.

  16. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, Vol.1, p. 213.

  17. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 6, p. 27, confusingly says the battery was armed on the night of 23 September 1812. Jones’ Journal of Sieges and Dickson, Manuscripts, say the night of the 22nd/23rd. From reading on in Oman’s account from this point the escalade of the same night (22nd) can be believed to also have happened on the 23rd.

  18. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 283.

  19. Porter, History of the Royal Engineers, Vol. 1, p. 322.

  20. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 4, p. 746.

  21. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 297.

  22. Ibid, p. 296.

  23. J. T. Jones, Autobiography, pp. 73–5.

  24. BL Add MS41963, Pasley papers, Burgoyne to Pasley, 30 March 1813.

  25. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 333.

  26. Fortescue, British Army, Vol. 8, p. 584.

  27. Ibid, p. 226.

  28. Ibid, p. 584

  29. WD, Wellington to Bathurst, 26 October 1812.

  30. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 1, p. 292.

  31. Ibid, p. 335.

  32. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne.

  33. REM 4601-72, Burgoyne Letters, 1812/17, f.13.

  34. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, p. 236.

  35. REM 4601-72, Burgoyne Letters, 1812/17, f.13.

  36. Porter, History of the Royal Engineers, Vol. 1, p. 330.

  37. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, p. 242.

  38. RE Journal, January 1890, p. 3.

  39. Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, p. 246.

  40. NA WO55/981, Rhodes to Fletcher, 25 November 1812.

  41. NA WO55/981, Piper to Fletcher, 25 October 1812.

  42. WD, Wellington to Hill, 5 October 1812.

  43. NA WO55/981, Hulme to Fletcher, 1 October 1812 and Hulme to Fletcher, 3 December 1812.

  44. WD, 2nd Edition, Wellington to Fletcher, Badajoz, 20 December 1812. The names of the officers come from the Wellington Papers, WP1/355.

  45. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 5, p. 851.

  46. WO55/981, Fletcher to Goldfinch, 5 December 1812.

  Chapter 8

  1. WD, Wellington to Piper, Badajoz, 20 December 1812.

  2. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 5, p. 830.

  3. Ibid, pp. 830–5.

  4. WD, Wellington to Dickson, 29 February 1813, Wellington to Beresford 18 April 1813 and 24 April 1813.

  5. Made up of six 18-pounders, two spare carriages, six platform wagons, two forges, eighteen ammunition wagons, three store wagons and twenty bullock carts. The brigade was manned by two RA companies, Morrison’s and Glubb’s. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 5, pp. 872–3.

  6. WD, Wellington to Conde de la Bispal, 1 May 1813.

  7. RE Journal, January 1890, p. 7.

  8. WD, Wellington to Fisher, Freneda, 4 May 1813.

  9. Lipscombe, Wellington�
�s Guns, p. 275. Taken from Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 5, p. 882.

  10. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 5, p. 882.

  11. WD, Wellington to Fletcher, 14 May 1813.

  12. WD, Wellington to Graham, 18 May 1813. Thomas Livingstone Mitchell was attached to the QMG’s department and employed on surveying and reconnaissance. After the war he was employed for four years sketching the scenes of the many actions for the British government. These maps and drawings were eventually published as Wyld’s Atlas, the best atlas of the Peninsular War.

  13. REM 2001-149-22, Letter from Wright dated 29 May 1813.

  14. WD, Wellington to Bathurst, Villadiego, 13 June 1812. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 5, p. 908.

  15. WSD, Hill to Wellington, Vol. 8, p. 33.

  16. J. T. Jones, Journal of Sieges, Vol. 2, p. 6.

  17. WD, Wellington to Graham, 26 June 1813.

  18. WD, Wellington to Dalhousie, 2 July 1813.

  19. WSD, Fletcher to Wellington, 11 July 1813.

  20. Smith was the senior engineer with Graham’s force was before San Sebastian. Fletcher was still coming up from Pamplona. Burgoyne arrived with him on 15 July 1813.

  21. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 5, p. 960. Dickson clearly records at the end of his diary entry for 12 July 1813, that ‘This plan of attack was the proposition of Major Smith.’

  22. WSD, Graham to Wellington, 22 July 1813.

  23. Dickson, Manuscripts, Vol. 5, p. 952.

  24. As previously, Jones’ Journal is misleading. He lists the full eighteen officers as present throughout the siege, but at least two did not arrive until well into the second siege. Captain Collyer and Lieutenant Wortham did not arrive until 19 August 1813 with a company of RSM. These are all counted in Jones’ totals.

  25. REM 5501-108-4, Burgoyne’s report on the siege, and WSD, Fletcher to Graham, 25 July 1813.

  26. WSD, Graham to Wellington, 21 July 1813.

  27. Frazer was one who disagreed that the fires would have caused an obstruction. Sabine, Frazer Letters, p. 204.

  28. Fortescue, British Army, Vol. 9, pp. 230–2.

  29. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 6, pp. 583–4.

  30. Myatt, British Sieges, pp. 162–4.

  31. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 6, pp. 565, 578; Myatt, British Sieges, p. 156; Sabine, Frazer Letters, p. 185.

  32. WSD, Fletcher to Wellington, 29 July 1813.

  33. Oman, Peninsular War, Vol. 6, p. 585; Fortescue, British Army, Vol. 9, p. 232; Sabine, Frazer Letters, p. 206; Wrottesley, Life of Burgoyne, p. 270.

  34. WSD, Fletcher to Wellington, 29 July 1813.