Frasers of Philorth > Volume 3

DURING THE PENINSULAR WAR. 33
and in all about sixteen officers of the Guards and Colonel Townshend taken
prisoners, and I believe wounded, but am not certain. What makes this loss the
more provoking is, that we had heard of the abdication of Bonaparte tbe day
before the sortie took place. We expect that a suspension of hostilities will take
place to-day or to-morrow, as we have sent in the confirmation of the news to the
Governor of the place, and it will not be his interest to make war against the
Bourbons any longer.
I did not know till I received your letter that my mother had taken a house,
but I had heard that she was looking out for one, as the Grosvenor Street
house was not likely to be settled in a hurry. Adieu. I shall not be long now
before I see you. Ever yours, Saltoun.
XXIII.
Bordeaux, 22 May 1814.
I wrote you, my dear Miss Thurlow, before I left Bayonne, but I should not
be surprised if you receive this letter first, as from the packet being changed from
Sebastian to this place, I much fear our letters have not been sent as they ought
to have been, which is rather a melancholy thing for the friends of our poor
fellows who were wounded in the sortie, as no less than nine have died of their
wounds, and their friends will hear of their death before they have the least idea
of their danger.
We have had a most delightful trip from Toulouse to this place, by way of
Montauban and Ajen, along the course of the Garonne, through the most
beautiful country. We passed through the whole of Soult's army, which was
cantoned on that side of the Garonne. The behaviour of the troops, although
perfectly respectful towards us as officers, clearly showed that they were not by
any means well satisfied with the new order of things, and that they considered
the thing as forced upon them. However, I know enough of soldiers to be per-
fectly convinced that, if the present Government can find means to pay them their
arrears, they will be as faithful an army to Louis as ever they were to Napoleon,
and the King should strain every nerve to gain that point ; however, I never
did, nor do I now expect much exertion from a Prince of the House of Bourbon.
This is one of the finest towns I ever saw in my life, fine wide streets, with
avenues of trees, a number of public walks, etc. The Duke D'Angouleme is here ;
VOL. ni. E