Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An original Peninsular War letter from Captain John Campbell, 57th Foot, ink, four sides on a single sheet of white paper, folded to form the envelope addressed to a relative, ‘Capt. J. Campbell, Ormsdale, by Dunoon, North Britain’, with single red postal stamp and annotation to say taken by hand to England by a Colonel W. C. Spring, dated at ‘Portalegre, 30th November 1811’, the content discussing various issues, among them his regret at having received such little mail, a round-up of recent actions and some sporting coverage:

‘ ... Not one of you have condescended to let me know what was going on in the Highlands (since I left Jersey). I suppose you think we have no time to read letters in this part of the world, but just permit me to tell you that you can have no conception of the pleasure that the receipt of a letter gives us. It is the most gratifying luxury and refreshes our spirits almost as much as a glorious victory.’

‘ ... We have returned about 3 weeks from an excursion into Spain, as far as Arroyo dos Molinos, whereby ... a brigade of French were thrashed and almost all taken. They lost of of their pieces of artillery ... We hear that Girard who allowed himself to be surprised at the late affair has been tried by court martial and been shot. Another French General of the name of Godinot has shot himself in consequence of some disaster.’

‘ ... The Marquis of Twedale has a pack of foxhounds here and goes out every day but no success. General Hill is always amongst the first to hunt ... they are just coming in and we expect good sport soon.’

holed in two places but otherwise in generally good condition £150-200

John Campbell, who was appointed Captain in the 57th Foot in May 1808, served in the Peninsular from August 1811 until April 1814, and, among other actions, was present at Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle and Nive.