MARCH, 1815. GENERAL OFFICERS AND STAFF. 9 Major-Gen. Sir H. Torrens to Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington. MY DEAR LORD DUKE, Horse Guards, 31st March, 1815. The wonderful and unexpected events which have occurred in France are likely to place the fate of Europe once more under your guardianship, and in hailing your appointment to the command in the Low Countries I trust I may not be considered too presumptuous in laying my humble services at your disposal towards the furtherance of every wish on your part that may be connected with the situation I hold. In expressing an earnest anxiety to forward your wishes, I am not only actuated by an inclination arising in the high respect and humble regard I have ever entertained for you personally, but by a sense of duty proceeding from a knowledge that it is the desire of my Royal master that I should do so in all things. It were to be wished that you had a more efficient army, composed of British materials; but I earnestly hope that the Prussians will be placed under your orders, and by degrees we shall be enabled to augment our own forces in the Netherlands. Empty tonnage has been despatched to bring home the army from America, and we may expect the troops that composed the Mississippi expedition to arrive very soon. Enclosed is a copy of the list transmitted in the Duke's letter of the troops placed under your orders,* and I have remarked upon the progress of those that have been held in preparation since the Revolution took place; and I regret to say that, exclusive of about 1500 Guards, and perhaps two more brigades of cavalry, nothing further can be furnished until the arrival of the American army. If the Irish government were not so apprehensive of the state of that country, more infantry could be taken from that establishment; but, as the matter stands, nothing of the kind can be done until the militia are called out again. The Guards will march for embarkation about Tuesday or Wednesday next. They were unfortunately but unavoidably delayed in their preparation, owing to a wish not to weaken London until every symptom of riot was at an end. As to General officers and Staff, I have the Duke's command to request that you will be pleased to express your wishes. In the mean while, however, His Royal Highness was obliged to make appointments, some of which have arisen in the actual necessity and others in the justice due to individuals. Among the former are Lord Hill, Sir Charles Colville (who is preparing to set out), Major-General Vivian, commanding the Hussar brigade, and Major-General Vandeleur, appointed to the brigade of light. cavalry. This officer was originally appointed to the command of a brigade in Brabant, at the request of Sir H. Clinton; and the Duke thought it fair, as he was on the spot, that he should have the first brigade of cavalry sent over. Major-General Johnston was embarked for some weeks at Cork with a reinforcement for America, and when the destination of the chief part of his troops was changed for Brabant it was impossible to withhold employ * See p. 1. 10 GENERAL OFFICERS AND STAFF. APRIL, 1815. ment from him. He is said to be a good officer, and he came home from the Cape of Good Hope with the view of seeking service in the Peninsula. The Duke had long promised to give Major-General Adam the command of a brigade, and, as he happened to be in the Netherlands, His Royal Highness had him appointed to that Staff in consequence of the additional brigade of infantry (23rd, 51st, and 3rd 14th) which has been sent from hence. He is a very distinguished and intelligent officer, and I have not the least doubt but that he will give you satisfaction. The force in the Netherlands is so much detached, and as it is impossible to foresee what may be left in garrison, His Royal Highness has forborne from naming any particular officer to a brigade, particularly as you would, of course, wish to make your own organization. But, in whatever manner you may employ Lord Hill, I presume there will be a division for Colville, who, by the bye, has been urgent for the rank of Lieutenant-General on the Continent; and as the removal of Vandeleur to the brigade of cavalry will, even according to the old establishment, leave the vacancy of a MajorGeneral, His Royal Highness hopes you will have no objection to the employment of Major-General Donkin. With a brigade of troops I think he will be in his proper sphere, as he is by no means fitted for the situation of a Staff officer. He has been cruelly used by Admiral Hallowell; and as the Mediterranean army is to be broken up, and he deprived of his appointment, the Duke really cannot resist his desire to serve with troops in the field, and particularly under your command. As to your Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General, I believe you know them both at least you are well acquainted with Major-General Barnes, and I imagine you must have heard much of the talents of Sir Hudson Lowe. I have written for Murray to return immediately from Canada. I presume you will want many of the assistants in the QuartermasterGeneral's department who served in the Peninsula. Believe me to remain, my dear Lord Duke, Ever most faithfully and sincerely yours, H. TORRENS. The 2nd battalion of the 59th arrived from Ireland in the Downs a few days ago, in order to afford a draft of 300 men for the 1st battalion in India. They were too late for the fleet, and therefore I have had them transferred to Antwerp to relieve any corps there that may be more fit for field duty. The 59th want equipments of all kinds, which will be sent to Antwerp. H. T. Major-Gen. Sir H. Torrens to Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington. MY DEAR LORD Duke, Horse Guards, 1st April, 1815. When a force was first established in Brabant, the Commander-in-Chief was so good as to appoint Lieut.-Colonel Torrens, a relation of mine (and whom you may remember with the 19th Dragoons in India), to the situation of Deputy Quartermaster-General. The immediate object of this APRIL, 1815. MILITARY CONFERENCE AT VIENNA. 11 The appointment was of course to give Torrens the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and I believe he is in every respect well worthy such a favour. service to which he is attached has now assumed the appearance of permanency and magnitude, which could never have been anticipated at the period of his nomination; and although he might in fair justice be allowed the advantage of this unexpected turn of affairs, yet I am certain it could not be his object, and it certainly is not my wish, that he should in any manner embarrass you or the public service, if it is your opinion that he should give way to officers of more experience in the department. You will, I am certain, have the goodness to consider this with your usual liberality; and I am certain that if he is to be removed, you will effect it in the manner least hurtful to his feelings. I only wish you to believe that I can never be desirous of any private view of mine embarrassing the public service. I have heard that he has conducted himself with great propriety. There appears to be a very general wish, on his own part as well as that of others, that Lord Uxbridge should be appointed to your cavalry. Will you have the goodness to let me know your confidential wishes and opinion on this subject. Ever, my dear Lord Duke, most sincerely yours, H. TORRENS. General Lord Cathcart to Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington. MY DEAR LORD, Vienna, 1st April, 1815. I send under flying seal my private letter to Lord Castlereagh, giving an account of a military conference at which I was present yesterday. I made what interest I could to obtain the Hessians (Cassel and Darmstadt) for you, but it was vigorously resisted, and you know from what motives, by my friend the Prussian. I cannot help mentioning that something having been said about the command of the Prussians on joining you when that may occur, the Prince Royal of Wurtemberg exclaimed with great eagerness that he should consider it a great honour and a great piece of good fortune to serve under you. The Emperor assented, and said he should consider it so for any General. I send this by my third son, George,* who is most proud and most obliged to you, as I also am, for taking him into your suite. I am sure his best exertions will not be wanting towards meriting your applause. With best wishes, I have the honour to remain, My dear Lord, most faithfully yours, [ENCLOSURE.] CATHCART. General Lord Cathcart to Viscount Castlereagh. MY DEAR LORD, Vienna, 1st April, 1815. Field Marshal Prince Schwarzenberg sent me an invitation yesterday in the morning to meet the Emperor of Russia at his office at noon the same day. * Afterwards Sir George Cathcart (killed at the battle of Inkerman). 12 MILITARY CONFERENCE AT VIENNA. APRIL, 1815. Having previously communicated with Lord Clancarty, I went to this appointment. There were present at this conference, His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, the Prince Royal of Wurtemberg, Field Marshals Prince Schwarzenberg and Prince Wrede, myself, Lieutenant-Generals Knesebeck and Prince Volkonsky, and Major-General Langenau to hold the protocol. After reciting the matters which had been considered at the former military conferences at which Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington was present, it was stated that the object of the present assembly was to settle as far as possible the composition of the several armies, and of the garrison of Mayence, and the quarters, marches, and communications of the several corps. It was agreed to begin with the left army, which is to assemble on the Upper Rhine. This army is to consist of upwards of 140,000 men, viz. :— 65,000 Bavarian Force under Field Marshal Prince Wrede .. 25,000 Field Marshal Prince Wrede to be on the right, with the Bavarians extending from Hanau, or opposite to Worms, to Brücksahl, and so construct works and têtes-de-pont at Mannheim and Philipsburg; the Prince Royal of Wurtemberg in the centre, from Durlach, or between Durlach and Brücksahl, to Offenburgh; and Prince Hohenzollern on the left, from the last named place towards Lorach. The head-quarters are to be in the first instance at Heilbronn on the Necker. The officers of the staff are appointed to meet, in order to define these cantonments and the routes by which the corps are to move into them, with more precision, which will be entered on this protocol. Marshal Wrede is to move part of the Bavarian army through Heilbronn and Heidelberg. Orders were to move last night by courier, to put the Bavarian army in motion. Coloredo's corps is moving upon Ratisbon: as soon as its head shall reach that point, the Prince Royal will move the Wurtemberg force into their position. Mayence is to be garrisoned by detachments. It was proposed that the detail should be made up by Austrians 4000, Prussians 4000, Bavarians 3000, and that Hesse Cassel should be required to make up the remainder to the complement of 21,000; that the use of this fortress should be given to the several armies in proportion to their exigencies; and that the great road leading to it should be kept unincumbered. [It has been very strongly reported that the Archduke Charles will take the government of Mayence.] General Knesebeck insisted very much on the expediency of giving to the centre army, viz., the Prussians, the preference in regard to Mayence and the roads to it, because the passages lower down gave to that army a portion of a circle to move upon for their communications, instead of a straight line; but it was answered that they must make têtes-de-pont at Coblentz or at Düsseldorf, as was the case above Mayence, and that it would be time enough to resort to Mayence in COMMAND OF THE LESSER GERMAN STATES. 13 preference when circumstances rendered it necessary. I understood that the Prussian army will consist of 63,000 men in three weeks. The Prussian force when complete will be in six corps, with a reserve, in all upwards of 153,000 men; but the Landwehr are embodied with the regiments of the line, and it will therefore require some time before the Landwehr of the distant provinces can reach the army; but the whole are marching. The Prussian General vehemently objected to any idea of appropriating the contingent of the Northern and Centre States of Germany generally to the Duke of Wellington's army. He said it would be impossible to convince the lower orders of people in these states that they were fighting their own battles; and on the other hand, that the people in Prussia would think the whole weight of the war thrown on their shoulders unfairly if no other troops are mixed with their army. He did not object to giving up the contingents of Hanover, Brunswick, Oldenburg, and of the Hanseatic Towns, but most strenuously deprecated giving that destination to Hesse Cassel. This discussion, however, went no further, as being premature. I learn this day that it has been proposed in Congress at the Conference of five Powers to give to the Duke's army Hanover, Brunswick, Oldenburg, Hanseatic Towns, Nassau, except its proportion of the garrison of Mayence, and with their contingents, that of the kingdom of Saxony, stated at 14,000 men, but not that of the Duchy of Saxony. General Knesebeck stated that Field Marshal Blücher has the King's order to join the army, and that General Gneisenau has authority to join the Duke of Wellington if circumstances require it. The cantonments of the first Russian army are from Bamberg by Nuremburg to Achstadt. As soon as the protocol of this conference is signed, I will not fail to send a copy. CATHCART. The Earl of Clancarty to Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington. MY DEAR DUKE, Vienna, 1st April, 1815. The question of command of the lesser states in Germany came on today at Conference. Desirous of having your wishes pushed upon this subject, I had a tolerably warm discussion, and have at length succeeded only to the extent of the accompanying paper, in which W. stands for your Grace, and B. for Marshal Blücher. Had it been practicable, I would have done more. The four propositions following up the above arrangement were proposed by Humboldt, approved by all the others, and only combated by me: however, as it was fully admitted in the course of the discussion that we had full liberty to choose to whom we should pay the sums due for the deficiency of our quota, and that they consented to the saving for the Hanoverian Legion, we practically lose nothing by assenting to what was the |