LIEUT.-GENERAL THOMAS DYNELEY, C.B., R.A. 415 
LETTER VII. 
(To His Broruer Rozert). . 
Castetto Branco, May dth, 1812. 
It is so long since you heard from me my dear little fellow that I 
suppose you have forgotten how to read my handwriting. I suppose 
by this time you have left your hiding-place, and by some chance or 
other you may think proper to give me a line. 
I have been horse dealing as you will see by the enclosed. It is 
little “ Dan ”’ that appears on paper. I had very near done him, there- 
fore I thought I had better let him go for £30 more than I gave for 
him. I daresay some of my friends would have been glad of the money 
last Christmas. I am afraid I may say “ Johnny Raws’”’ eyes are gone, 
at least I fear a week or ten days will see them out. “Bobby” is 
in very high condition. I could get 100 guineas for him to-morrow, 
but heis too good to part with; the rest of my stud are all well. 
We have been at this place for the last four days without the least 
idea when we are likely tomove. I have not yet seen Bob Douglas, he 
is in advance with General Picton’s division. All the time we were in 
the south the weather was intolerably hot. It was enough to melt the 
horses, but since our return tothe north we have had almost constantrain, 
and it is as cold asin England in February. Great are the conjectures as 
to our summer campaign. Some say we are going back to the south, 
whilst others say we are going to Salamanca. It is certain that noth- 
ing can be done until his Lordship has thrown six months’ supplies into 
Ciudad Rodrigo, which at present he is engaged in doing. ven after 
that Iam very much afraid our division, (the 7th) will not be much 
employed, for we are composed of men of all nations, and when we are 
in advance they desert by dozens. We have had quite rest enough 
and the sooner the route comes the better. 
Young Swabey ‘has left us to do duty with Lefebure’s troop in 
the Alemtejo. Henry Baynes? has been spending the last two or three 
days with us. I hope you will soon see him in England, he has applied 
for leave, but has not yet received his answer. I think he is perfectly 
right, and I strongly recommended the step to him. I wish you would 
send me out by the next packet a foraging cap from Hawkes. ‘Tell 
him to let it be much such another as Lieutenant Macdonald? of 
Ross’s troop had of him a short time since. If Hawkes does not recol- 
lect, send me one “ neat but not gaudy.” 
Our troop horses are now in very high condition, our forced march 
of twelve leagues to Llerena they performed without the least incon- 
venience to themselves. 
What did you think of our firing at a brick wall?! Considering it 
was the first time they had been in action I assure you the troop be- 
haved remarkably well. 
Rn SE RRL, ee lene oe 2 
1 (Kane’s List, No. 1827.) 
22nd Captain Henry Baynes, (Kane’s List, No. 1092). 
8 (Kane’s List, No. 1174.) 
4See entry in Swabey Diary, 26th of March, 1812. 
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