THE KOYAL ARTILLEliY INSTITUTION. 
407 
Prom Sir John Sinclair to the Marquis of Wellesley:— 
My dear Lord, 
I have long had particular access to know the infinite importance of Colonel 
Shrapnel’s spherical case shot, which is fully confirmed by a letter I had the 
pleasure of receiving the other day from Sir Arthur Wellesley. 
It is a certain fact that our allies the Spaniards have not the least idea of this 
most important discovery, though they are now about to be attacked by such 
formidable armies; and it is still more unfortunate that no spherical case shot was 
sent with Sir David Baird’s army, now about to face the enemy. 
I need not dwell on such a subject to an enlightened statesman, and to a real 
patriot. I have only to request, that after seeing Sir Arthur on the subject you 
will exert all your influence with Lord Chatham to prevail on him to hurry off as 
much of the case shot, as possible, with an energy such as his father would have 
exhibited on such an occasion. The fate of Spain, of England, and of Europe may 
depend on the celerity with which this is accomplished. 
I have, &c. 
JOHN SINCLAIR. 
Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, 
November 15, 1808. 
Private official, from Colonel Robe, commanding Royal Artillery to the 
Honourable Board, August 25, 1808:—“ After the result of two actions 
which have taken place between this army and the Erench on the 17th and 
21st inst., it becomes my duty to notice to you the very excellent effects of 
Lieut.-Colonel Shrapnel's spherical case shot, seen and acknowledged by 
every general officer in this army, and even by those of the enemy, and I 
have Lieut.-General Sir A. Wellesley's authority to express to you his entire 
approbation of it. 
“It is also incumbent upon me to acknowledge that Lieut.-Colonel 
Shrapnel's method of classing his fuzes in boxes for different ranges was 
entirely adopted by me, and to that is attributed the quickness and precision 
with which that sort of ammunition can be made use of in action." 
And again:—Camp near Torres Yedras, August 25, 1808, “The 
artillery has been highly complimented, both by the Erench and all our 
own general officers, in a way highly flattering to us; and I should not 
do my duty to the service, were I not to attribute this good fortune to a 
good use of that weapon with which you have furnished us. I told Sir 
Arthur Wellesley I intended to write to you, and asked if it might be with 
his concurrence: his answer was, 'You may say anything you please, you 
cannot say too much. 5 " 
Here is testimony from Lieut.-Colonel Landman, commanding Royal 
Engineers at Roli<?a:—“The Erench left about 150 dead on the field, 
many of them having three or four musket or carbine balls in their 
bodies, which could only have been caused by the spherical case shot 
invented by Colonel Shrapnel, R.A. This was the first field action in 
which they were employed, and certainly with wonderful success."* 
Of Yimiera he adds:—“ Spherical case shot was here used with pro¬ 
digious effect, especially against the close column advancing to the attack. 
* * * The enemy, upwards of 5000 men, not having antici- 
* The Lieut.-Colonel was mistaken in supposing that they had not been used before. 
