Frasers of Philorth > Volume 3

LETTERS FROM SICILY AND
III.
South Beveland, August 26th, 1809.
Dear Mother, — Since I last wrote you we have remained in the same
situation j the headquarters have been moved from Walcheren to this island,
and the other day they came down to Batz, near where we are, and with them I
was in hopes they would have brought our letters, and given us some opportunity
of writing home ; but not in the least, and we are likely to return without any
opportunity of either hearing from or writing to England.
It is now the general opinion that the business is at an end, and we shall
shortly retrace our steps, as the enemy have in their hurry and confusion on our
first appearance inundated the country between Bergen-op-Zoom and Lillo, as well
as that on the left bank of the river, which renders our further progress, if not
impossible, at least attended with such difficulties and loss, as would be greater
than the taking of Antwerp is worth, and it is therefore concluded that we shall
either move to some other part of the enemy's coast or return home ; in case of
the latter a large force will most probably be sent to Spain, and I should not
wonder if the brigade of Guards were amongst the number.
The army in general, officers as well as men, have been very sickly ; the com-
plaint is an intermitting fever, attended with much giddiness in the head. I
never remember, even in the worst of times in Spain, so many sick as we now
have in the brigade, and we are much less so than the rest of the army ; the
worst is that it seems to be a complaint of the country, and they are not likely
to get better as long as they remain in it.
There has been a council of war sitting all day, and has not as yet broke
up ; it will most probably determine what is to become of us. Montagu Wynyard
of the Coldstreams, who has got his promotion by the death of Boss in Spain,
is just going home, and will take this with him. I think we shall soon follow.
I am, dear mother, your dutiful son,
Saltoun.
Love to all at home.
27th August 1809.