488 SWABEY DIARY. 
““¢ Be so good,’ said Lord Wellington, ‘as to show me this house.’ 
After he had walked over and inspected it, he told Gordon 
immediately to remove 150 of the sick into it. He then went 
to the next officer in rank, and so on, till he had removed the 
whole of the sick; and, then addressing the officers, he read 
them a severe lecture on the impropriety of their conduct, 
and told them that if they or any officer under his command 
should presume to consult their own convenience or luxury 
while a single sick man should remain unsheltered, he would 
make an example of them; and that, as to themselves, they 
might procure accommodation as they could somewhere else, 
for that the sick should remain where he had placed them. 
“He and Gordon then mounted their horses, and returned to head- 
quarters before day, and without anyone suspecting they had 
been absent. On the following evening, however, he told 
Gordon he suspected, from the sulky manner in which his 
orders had been received, that they were likely enough to be 
disobeyed ; he therefore determined to pay those gentlemen 
another visit. Accordingly, they mounted their horses again, 
and arrived past midnight at the post, where they found the 
sick removed into the open air, and the officers comfortably 
reposing in their old quarters. However, he soon aroused 
them ; for he ordered the sick to be instantly brought in, put 
the officers under arrest, marched them to head-quarters, 
where they were tried for disobedience of orders and 
cashiered.” Sir James Bland Burges, to his son Charles, 
11th February, 1812. “ Wellington,” by Lathom Browne, 
p. 38. 
8th December.—An order! was published from Lord Wellington 
justly censuring the want of discipline lately shown by the army during 
the retreat, in which he says: ‘“ Never have I seen or even read of such 
relaxation in the discipline of anarmyaslong as] canremember.” His 
Lordship’s remark is only toojust. The cause originates in the officers 
who certainly have not exhibited, except in the moment of action, the 
necessary energy in the execution of their duties, and have neglected to 
enforce discipline amongst their men. This falling off has not, Iam 
proud to say, reached the officers of artillery, who are doubtless more 
soldiers by profession than any other part ofthearmy. With this con- 
viction, how shall I add that the constitution of their corps prevents their 
exertions being rewarded ! ? 
9th December.—Rode to Moimenta da Beira to call on the Earl of 
1 Memo. dated 28th November, 1812. Addressed to officers commanding divisions and brigades. 
Wellington Despatches, Vol. IX., p. 582. It was intended to be a confidential communication, 
but was published in the regimental order-books.—(¥.4.W.). 
2 2nd Captains, R.A., were at this time ineligible for brevet promotion. The officers of. that 
rank in the Peninsula at the beginning of 1813, memorialized Lord Wellington on the subject, the 
memorial was referred home and favourably received. The gazette, after the battle of Vitoria, con- 
tained the first brevet promotion of the kind ; 2nd Captain Jenkinson of “A” troop. See “ Memoir 
of Field-Marshal Sir Hew Ross,”’ p. 36. j 
