Letter Written By French Deserter To The Duke Of Wellington During The Napoleonic Wars

ARTHUR WELLESLEY, 1ST DUKE OF WELLINGTON (1769-1852). Wellesley was one of the leading British military and political figures of 19th-century Britain, serving twice as prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1828 to 1830 and in 1834, and as Commander-in-Chief of the British Army from 1827 to 1828 and 1842 to 1852.ALS. 2pg. 8 x 13. November 15, 1813. Lymington. An autograph letter signed Dovalle addressed To His Excellency the Marquess of Wellington, Captain General of the Army of Spain: My Lord, Having had the honor of presenting myself at your headquarters at Villa Toro the 4th October 1812, having deserted from Burgos on 15th July of the same year, you had the kindness to promise that I would be paid wages from 4th October until the moment of my boarding ship (24th March 1813). Having received nothing of these arrears but 3 doros, one pair of trousers, one shirt, and one pair of shoes from Mr. De Beker, the Lieutenant command of the depot of deserters at Lisbon, I have the honor to request that you kindly order payment of the wages that it is my right to demand, as Mr. Tiole, in the same situation as myself, has just received his by your orders. I dare to trust in your kindness, my Lord, that you will consider my request and grant it a favorable reception. The Peninsular War was fought from 1807 to 1814 and between Napoleonic France and Great Britain, Portugal, and Spain. Spain had been an ally of Napoleon until he forced the abdication of the Spanish monarchy in favor of his brother, Joseph. British forces, under the Marquess of Wellington, gained control over Portugal and launched a campaign to liberate France. They attempted to take the city of Burgos in 1812, whose proximity to France made its fall in 1808 the first sign that Napoleon was going to capture France, but failed. A successful French counterattack forced British and Portuguese forces back to Lisbon, taking many prisoners, including French Lieutenant Dovalle, though according to this letter he was a deserter. However, rather than focus on Portugal, Napoleon launched his ill-fated invasion of Russia. This allowed the Marquess to regroup, and the Coalition scored a victory over King Joseph Bonaparte's army at the Battle of Vitoria, paving the victory of the war in the Iberian Peninsula. By this time, Dovalle had been evacuated to Lymington, a thriving port city in Englands southeast. No record exists if he was ever granted his back-pay. Thanks to his victory during the Peninsular Campaign, Wellesley received his more well-known title, Duke of Wellington, on May 3rd, 1814, before assuming command of the Seventh Coalition forces and ultimately defeating Napoleon at Waterloo the following year. The letter is in French, but a typed transcription is provided. The letter is in fine condition, with some minor folds.