156 WALCHEREN EXPEDITION 



company with my friend, I witnessed them straggling up 

 Portsmouth streets, in a most deplorable condition ; many 

 in a state of intoxication — some with iire-arms, some 

 without— some Avith nothing on their heads, others with- 

 out shoes, their regimentals discoloured and torn, — they 

 presented a true though lamentable specimen of a re- 

 treating army. How it was that two battalions of 

 the King's German Legion marched up after them in 

 good order, Avith all their equipments, and each man 

 with a spare pair of shoes strapped on his knapsack, I 

 never could understand ; but I remember it called forth 

 some severe remarks on military discipline, or the want 

 of it, from every respectable observer. 



This was speedily forgotten in the preparations that 

 were made the folloAving Spring for the not ill- 

 conceived, but badly executed diversion to the waters of 

 the Scheldt, better known in history as the AValcheren 

 expedition. A large camp was formed on Southsea 

 Common, and battalion after battalion of regiments of 

 the line, together with the Guards, assembled from all 

 parts of the two kingdoms. After remaining about a 

 month, they were embarked, one hot day in July, in flat- 

 bottomed boats provided for the purpose, on the ))each at 

 Southsea. They went off in excellent health and spirits, 

 amidst the cheers of a multitude of spectators, amongst 

 whom I and mv friend were not the least conspicuous, 

 either from the observations we made on the appearance 

 of the men, or the hearty vociferation of our cheers. 

 Transports and men- of- Avar Avere at Spithead to receive 

 them, and I believe a finer or a larger armament never 

 left the shores of Britain prior to that time. In the 



