5445_0121

1811 May
23rd the allied Army lost from 4 to 5000 men  it is correctly ascertained that the Enemy lost 8000, which are accounted for  but is thought, much more  the conduct on all sides was glorious, as you must have seen by the despatches  & it must have been highly satisfactory to our nation to see the three nations cooperate so well together  Genl. Blake, who commanded the Spaniards, is extremely popular with them  our advance is now as far as Llevna  but we do not expect to move from this place at present  Ld. Wellington is arrived with 2 Divns. of the Army  a strong Portuguese Divn. is investing Badajos, & every thing is preparing for the siege with redoubled vigour  Ld. Wellington’s affairs must be going on well in the north, when he can spare 2 Divisions of his army  but it was necessary, as we had not nearly 10,000 British in the action, & of course they are now considerably reduced 