I construe that perforce it must be one of two alternative duties, as given below. I shall pursue one with the best of my ability but I cannot do both. To train an army of uniformed British clerks in Spain for the benefit of the accountants and copy-boys in London, or perchance.
Probably apocryphal but I always liked the idea that when asked what he would like a sermon to be about, he is supposed to have replied "about ten minutes". I've always liked this quote. The history of a battle, is not unlike the history of a ball. Some individuals may recollect all the little events of which the great result is the battle won or lost, but no individual can recollect the order in which, or the exact moment at which, they occurred, which makes all the difference as to their value or importance.
I know that people like certainty in history but it perhaps explains why this is not always so. All the business of war, and indeed all the business of life, is to endeavour to find out what you don't know by what you do; that's what I called "guessing what was at the other side of the hill.
People talk of their enlisting from their fine military feeling — all stuff — no such thing. Some of our men enlist from having got bastard children — some for minor offences — many more for drink, they are the scum of the earth Sir — but see what fine fellows we make of them.
But that, sir, will not make him one. The one about a battle won being as much of a downer as one lost. Or the one when asked if his troops looked like they would frighten the enemy,and he was supposed to have said that he was unsure of that frightening the enemy , but they certainly frightened him.
Some years ago, I read a quote but cannot remember the source. A young officer going into battle for the first time, asked Wellington for advice. Wellington thought for a few seconds, then said, "Always make water when you can". This has lead to my partner and I when, for example, before going into a theatre, we always go for a Wellington. You must build your House of Parliament on the river: so… that the populace cannot exact their demands by sitting down round you.
My father was a gunner in the Royal Malta Artillery back in the 50s. He did a map reading course which from what I can gather was more like tactical map reading including reconnaissance and such.
He had this saying which he said learned at the course and was attributed to Lord Wellington … goes something like this:. More dangerous than that which we do not know, is that which we do know, which is not so.
Meaning it's better to not know something and taking wide ranging precautions, than thinking you know something eg that there's no ambush ahead, and blundering into one because you did a shoddy job of finding out in the first place. Sorry - only verified members can post on the forums. Henri Boisselier on Wikipedia. Gold Town. Editor in Chief Bill 27 Jul a. Not sure he ever said that, discussed here before. There you go…the horse's mouth, from the stable!
Great topic idea. The forum has gone quiet………. I could be confusing colonels again. I'd go with "publish and be damned", with "Try sparrow hawks, ma'am" a close second. Wellington: What in the name of Bonaparte's balls is this fellow doing?
The Duke of Wellington: There's only one way to win a campaign: shout, shout and shout again! Mserafin got my favorite, but a close second is: "to beat the French! 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. Upon reading Beresford's all too accurate account of the Battle of Albuera: "Write me up a victory, Beresford, for what you have written will not do at all in London. Wikipedia has an article about: Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
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