5445_0145

1811 October
it is fortunate that he has always escaped considering he exposes himself so much he would be at this momentous period a very severe loss to his Country ___ We plainly saw Marmont (as was supposed) attended by four Hussars richly dressed, & with horses elegantly caparisoned; a shell that was thrown at him burst over his head & exploded in the air, without doing any injury  I have by me a handsome cartouch box, which appears to have belonged to some French Officer of Rank, the back of it is covered with red cloth, embroidered in gold, with a handsome French Imperial Eagle worked on the cover; if I have any opportunity of sending it home I shall, It was brought me by one of our Grenadiers who was on picket, & skirmishing in front; he took it from a French Officer who was killed, & had been plundered of every thing except this, which had a cover over it 
4th Nova de Avel  this is a miserable village, situated on a barren plain, composed of huts without windows  the Inhabitants have all fled  notwithstanding the rain which pours in torrents I am obliged to open my door to give me sufficient light to write by  it is impossible to procure wood for fires, or, oil to light a lamp 