406 LIEUT.-GENERAL THOMAS DYNELEY, C.B., B.A. 
four days, or not for as many months. If such is the case it will be 
some satisfaction to me to feel that even if I had not been sick I could 
not have been present, as the troop which marched on the 10th instant 
could not arrive at head-quarters before the 2nd or 3rd of October. 
Tell Robert that as I was riding yesterday with a party, a gentleman 
bowed to me several times, but not knowing it was to me I took no 
notice. Afterwards, however, I recollected his face, and on enquiry 
found his name was Forbes. I think I now remember having met him 
somewhere in company with Robert, however I shall make him out the 
next time I see him. 
By this time I daresay you will have heard of the arrival of the 
young Lyon’s,! theirs has turned out but a very sorry trip. William, 
when he left this, was determined to return in the garb of a soldier, 
but before now in all probability has altered his mind. 
Robert would tell you that Taylor had marched with the troop, who 
by the last accounts were all well. 1 daresay by this time that said 
gentleman is heartily sick of his campaign and is beginning to wish 
himself back in Old England. 
You will see by the enclosed “ pawnbroker-like” looking paper that 
I had an invitation to dine with his Britannic Majesty’s Hnvoy, Mr. 
Stuart, the day before yesterday, which I accepted and had a remark- 
ably pleasant day. He lives about six miles out in the country and I 
was nearly two hours going and managed to get there just as dinner 
was half over; however, I did not feel it much as six or seven people 
came half-an-hour after me. 
September 27th.—Our letters from the army are of the 22nd instant. 
It appears it is the enemy’s intention to throw a large convoy of 
800 cars into Ciudad Rodrigo. ‘They have 40,000 men at Salamanca 
independent of Marmont, the head of whose columns is on the 
Rodrigo side of Puerte de Bafios. At present, with the exception 
of the light division and Captain Ross’s troop R.H.A., the whole army 
is on this side, but at so short a distance from the Agueda, that, should 
the enemy advance in any force, Lord Wellington can get across in the 
night to attack them. The attempt was expected to be made when 
the accounts left the army and it was reported they were all to be in 
motion the next morning at daylight. Therefore it must be decided 
by this time. They say the French, whose armies are close together, are 
moving on, and our lads are in hopes they will attempt to cross the 
Agueda, in which case Lord Wellington will certainly give them battle. 
They have 6000 cavalry while we have but 2500. 
I dined yesterday at the house of two Yorkshiremen, merchants in 
Oporto, and there met one of the young Becketts, what he is I have no 
idea, but should suppose a merchant also. We are going a party to- 
morrow to Cintra and I have lent him one of my horses. I shall have 
him to dine with me and shew him what attention les in my power. 
I have been daily gaining strength, and Fitzpatrick has just told me 
that he shall be able to let me go up to the army about the 4th. Reed? 
iThe brothers Lyon’s and Taylor were gentlemen volunteers who sailed with‘ EK’ troop, R.H.A. 
for the Peninsula. They are mentioned in the Swabey Diary. 
2 His servant, Gunner Wm. Reed. 
