One day while browsing the internet I found this wonderful story about the Duke of Wellington, the man beef Wellington is named after ... the choicest cut of meat.
I thought it was a great reminder not to grab the telescope by the wrong end.
Read what
the Duke of Wellington said
when he was out to defeat Napolean
and was questioned about some
"important things" !
| MESSAGE
FROM THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON TO THE BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE IN LONDON--written
from Central Spain, August 1812 - true story
Gentlemen, Whilst marching from Portugal to a position which commands the approach to Madrid and the French forces, my officers have been diligently complying with your requests which have been sent by H.M. ship from London to Lisbon and thence by dispatch to our headquarters. We have enumerated our saddles, bridles, tents and tent poles, and all manner of sundry items for which His Majesty's Government holds me accountable. I have dispatched reports on the character, wit, and spleen of every officer. Each item and every farthing has been accounted for, with two regrettable exceptions for which I beg your indulgence. Unfortunately the sum of one shilling and ninepence remains unaccounted for in one infantry battalion's petty cash and there has been a hideous confusion as to the number of jars of raspberry jam issued to one cavalry regiment during a sandstorm in western Spain. This reprehensible carelessness may be related to the pressure of circumstance, since we are at war with France, a fact which may come as a bit of a surprise to you gentlemen in Whitehall. This brings me to my present purpose, which is to request elucidation of my instructions from His Majesty's Government so that I may better understand why I am dragging an army over these barren plains. I construe that perforce it must be one of two alternative duties, as given below. I shall pursue either one with the best of my ability, but I cannot do both: 1. To train an army of uniformed British clerks in Spain for the benefit of the accountants and copy-boys in London or perchance; 2. To see to it that the forces of Napoleon are driven out of Spain. Your most obedient servant, Wellington
|
According to John Keegan in The Mask of Command, "Wellington's energy was legendary; so too was is attention to detail, unwillingness to delegate, ability to do without sleep or food, disregard for personal comfort [and] contempt for danger."
Later Keegan is describing a note written by Wellington, likely similar to the one above.
I see that the fire has communicated from the haystack to the roof of the chateau. You must however still keep your men in those parts to which the fire does not reach. Take care that no men are lost by the falling in of the roof, or floors. After they will have fallen in, occupy the ruined walls inside of the garden, particularly if it should be possible for the enemy to pass through the embers to the inside of the House."
"Wellington's clarity of mind," he continues, "and conciseness of expression were famed. To have written such purposeful and accurate prose (the note contains both a future subjunctive and future perfect construction), on horseback, under enermy fire, in the midst of a raging military crisis is evidence of quite exceptional powers of mind and self-control."
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My other favorite story about the Duke is that after riding for hours from Brussel to Waterloo and remaining in battle for a full day on his favorite warhorse, Copenhagen ... when he dismounted at the end of the day, the stallion tried to kick him. I have always thought they must be two of a kind.
One of my favorite things about my trip to Russia was seeing the memorial room about the Battle of Waterloo at the Hermitage. It was gorgeous, just gorgeous. Being in Russia, it was dedicated to "Tsar Alexander I's victory over Napoleon" but there was some credit given to Wellington. For a particularly Russian telling of this tale, click here.
Click here to see the Iron Duke's astrology chart.
