Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

an original Peninsular War letter from Ensign Henry Wyndham, 1st Foot Guards, and Wellington’s Staff, who later won fame for his part in saving the North Gate at Hougoumont Farm at Waterloo, ink, four sides on one folded sheet of paper, dated at ‘Vimeiro, 19th August 1808’, and as hand carried by a comrade who was returning to England.

The letter describes the battle of Rolica (a.k.a. Roleia), from which the following extracts have been taken:

‘Sir Arthur attacked them in a most gallant style and we marched up in the face of a piece of artillery which constantly played upon us. The French were rather intimidated by the resolution displayed by our troops in attacking so strong a position, and retired up a mountain where they made a stand till the 29th and 9th Regiments forced the passage by dint of the greatest bravery ... When we had gained this top of the mountain we formed a line and marched on against the French again who had possessed themselves of another very strong position. Here there was another very sharp encounter which lasted about half an hour. We dislodged them three successive times and each time they advanced again till at last one of our guns came up and we drove them off immediately. The French retired and we went to dinner ... Sir A. was slightly touched in the back but nothing too injurisly (?). Poor Colonel Lake of the 29th Regiment was killed forcing the mountain, he was a very gallant fellow when he sent his light infantry out in front and said to them ‘Go on Light Bobs, you lather them, and we’ll shave them.’ While I was standing in the same spot where Colonel Lake was killed, I heard a voice call out my name. I was very much astonished and on looking around found it was Ayling. He had lost his regiment ... I have been speaking to Colonel Walker of the 50th Regiment today, and he let me have Dillaway’s brother who is a Private in that regiment, as a batman and helper with my horses. Sir A. has appointed me an Extra Deputy Acting Adjutant General - Bradford who was DAAG, was killed on the 17th. ... I have not time to say anymore but remain my dear Father your most affectionate and dutiful son, Henry Wyndham.’

in good overall condition £250-300

Henry Wyndham (1790-1860) was the second son of George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont, of Petworth House, near Chichester, West Sussex.

Appointed an Ensign in the 1st Foot Guards, he was actively employed in the Peninsular War and, in addition to Roleia, was present at the battles of Vimiera, Albuhera and Vimiera. Having then transferred in the rank of Captain & Lieutenant-Colonel to the Coldstream Guards in July 1814, he commanded a Light Company at Waterloo, in which capacity he was among the gallant band of men to close the North Gate at Hougoumont Farm - it is said he was so disturbed by the incident that he would never again close a door, preferring to sit in a room with a howling draft.

Later in the day, having been saved from a sniper’s bullet by a fellow hero of Hougoumont, Corporal James Graham, he saw the carriage of Jerome Bonaparte in the wake of the general retreat of the French, and ‘made a dashing attempt to capture Napoleon’s brother, but Jerome leaped out by one door while Wyndham opened the other.’

Wyndham ended his military career as a General and K.C.B., was latterly Colonel of the 11th Hussars, and served as M.P. for Cumberland. He died at Cockermouth Castle in August 1860.