Letter from Lieutenant William Staveley to his mother, 20 May 1812

Sent from Almada, near Lisbon in Portugal, the letter refers to 'Tom's' disappointment that his regimental appointment does not equal his expectations, counselling patience, and offering to try to obtain an ensign's rank in a regiment of the line in the Peninsula since he knows how difficult it is to live on an ensign's pay in England.

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.