Wellington in his Wartime Letters

One July day at Apsley House, Wellington remarked to Mr. George William Chad, who had just read the fourth volume of the Duke’s published Despatches:

“Aye, it quite interested me to look them over again—it recalled all the feelings of youth—especially the Indian Despatches. I felt young again—all the enterprise and excitement of that time.”

“They are very valuable,” replied Chad. “I had no idea of all the variety of knowledge necessary for a Commander in Chief. I wonder how you could suffice.”

“I never should if I had not been very young in command.” (Wellington had been forty-six at Waterloo, the last of his battles.)

To the Marchioness of Salisbury, in 1834, the Duke expressed surprise to find his Despatches so good:

“They are as good as I could write now. They show the same attention to details—to the pursuit of all the means, however small, that could promote success.”