Letter from Lieutenant William Staveley to his mother, 2 August 1812

Sent from Almada near Lisbon in Portugal, the letter describes the Battle of Salamanca on 22 July 1812; the appointment of Colonel (later General Sir) James Willoughby Gordon as Quartermaster General; the repair of a bridge by the construction of a bridge of ropes; and notes the author's approval of 'Tom's' decision not to join the Army.

Staveley served on the staff of the quartermaster-general throughout the Peninsular War, and was present at Talavera, Fuentes de Onoro, Vittoria, the battle of the Pyrenees, and Toulouse, besides the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, and many minor actions.

From a collection of 179 letters and notes, 1811-1860 by Lieutenant General William Staveley, (1784-1854), and Captain E Staveley.