SERVICE IN IRELAND, THE PENINSULA, NEW ORLEANS AND AT WATERLOO.

EXTRACTS FROM THE PAPERS OF THE LATE MAJOR JAMES MILL, H.P. 40TH REGT., SELECTED BY HIS SON, CAPT. W. MACDONALD MILL, LATE 6TH REGT.

(Concluded.)

Monrial, May 13.

I was much disappointed at not receiving any letters from England by a packet arrived yesterday, which conveyed general correspondence and newspapers dated up to as late as the 28th of April. The replies to mine, in reference to the agent's business, were the more particularly wished and looked for, as now it is probable there will be no further mail from England before our departure from this country. This morning we received a route for Bordeaux, and are directed to arrive there by the 19th May, and from thence, I am very much afraid, to embark for America; the 40th being the only regiment in our Division, together with eight or ten regiments from other Divisions that are detailed for that destination, Bordeaux. No doubt can be entertained of our going on some such expedition, as we have had served out a new set of tents, with field equipments; and the regiments selected are the strongest and most effective in this country. I will keep this letter back until the last moment in hopes of receiving an answer from you. I received a letter from P- yesterday: she had heard of the peace with France, and was preparing to return to England, as were also all the English families in Lisbon. I have written and sent her a blank bill on you to fill up with whatever sum she will require to carry her home, and for all possible requirements.

James Ogilvie is at present in Bordeaux. I shall call on him the moment I arrive there. There, perhaps, may be something to be accomplished through his influence in the other quarter of the world. I will write again from Bordeaux, touching what success I may have with him. I have to purchase many necessaries at Bordeaux flannels, shirts, pantaloons, &c. My horse, for which I gave £25 at Lisbon, I shall not get more than twenty-five shillings for, although far better now than when I purchased him. It is, however, stated that we shall be allowed some equivalent for the loss we sustain.

:

I expected soon to have seen my poor little girl and boy; but am now likely to be a greater distance than ever from them. I hope when next I write, it will be with a fairer and more distinct prospect of matters. Since writing the foregoing, I regret to find that I cannot withhold this letter any longer, as the packet to head-quarters is to be made up to-night, in consequence of our marching the first thing in the morning. Caresses to my child. I dread this separation. There cannot be any fighting in America.

[These apprehensions of coming evil, and presentiments of the future are rather impressive, and exemplify in a curious manner the passage that "Coming events cast their shadows before." For within the brief space of six months were comprised a succession of remarkable events in his, or any man's life, each and all of which were imbued with more or less peril and adventure. Foremost: a shipwreck, a fatal expedition across the Gulf of Mexico, a dangerous illness, a quarrel and duel, and return to England in time for Waterloo, having actually only time to join the British on the field the night before the battle.

The regiment taking part in the action, was, of itself, especially commendatory to the 40th, considering that there were various British corps around Brussels, at Braine le Comte, and on baggage guards during the battle, whose turn for such a service, it might appear, would arrive before that of a regiment just disembarked from a foreign expedition. Did his Grace have a lively reminiscence of their exploits in the Pyrenees? and so hurried them up forthwith from Ostend to take part in the doughty struggle.]

Camp, near Bordeaux, June 4.

We are delayed embarkation here. On looking over my correspondence, it would seem that your last to me was written five months ago, notwithstanding I have repeatedly urged an answer to the business with the agents, and on other general matters, which I put in your hands. I am sure that you would have written had you known to what disappointment and serious inconvenience your silence has subjected me. Mr. Hill, of Deptford, I have seen in Bordeaux. He informed me that he called and saw you only three weeks ago, and little Emma, both well, and that it was arranged that he should convey letters out to me; but this was precluded in consequence of his coming off suddenly. He has brought out a vast cargo of merchandise and necessaries for the use of the army, but I am afraid they have arrived a day after the fair. A great portion of the cargo consists of provisions, which was, at first, destined for Passages; but when the ship arrived there, the army was gone, and here they could be bought for less than even in England. He wished me to introduce him to Ogilvie, and I did so; and the horse forage is all disposed of to the Commissariat, but at a loss of £1000 absolutely, on this item only. I rather think many of the bales of stores must be transported back. It would have pleased me, I am sure, to have got some of the soldiers necessaries off for him; but the army found so many stores of all kinds in Toulouse and Bordeaux, that the regiments are, in all respects, completed.

We are in camp about six miles from Bordeaux. I, however, managed to get in several times, and have seen Mr. Hill, whose health is very bad, and these vexations have such an effect upon

his weakly state, that I really feel for him very much. By my advice, he has consulted a physician out here, who considers he has been treated too violently in England by the practitioners. He has, fortunately, got into a house in the town where the landlady speaks English, and is particularly kind and attentive to him. He cannot get anything to remain on his stomach, and appears to me to be dying very fast. I hope I may be wrong.

We are still in great uncertainty as to going to America; it being, at present, not definitely settled that we are of the number; but should any other regiment proceed there, ours would be included. Nine regiments have embarked already. I do entertain the hope to get a promise of leave of absence when we arrive in England, if the stay be not too short, and see you all.

I observe from the newspapers, numbers of stories bruited about, as ridiculous as they are untrue, about Bordeaux. The truth is, everything here is quite quiet, and the people particularly civil to the English. One sees frequently French and English soldiers walking arm in arm together, drinking in each other's company, and united in all good will and fellowship. The two days I was billeted in the town, I lived entirely with my landlady's family. They would not allow me to provide my own meals separately, or apart, from them. Bordeaux is by much the cleanest, as it is the handsomest place that I have yet seen during my life. This letter will proceed by way of Calais, as I understand.

Cove of Cork, June 28.

We have continued the whole period, while on ship-board, quite unconscions of our destination; but finally we are quite free of all dread of going to America at present. None of the troops are yet disembarked, the mandate for our doing so, must emanate from Dublin. Of course, it would be vain and futile to form even a conjecture as to the part at which we are to be quartered in Ireland, therefore continue to address to Cork or elsewhere. In consequence of the peace, a most extraordinary change for the good has taken place in the prices of provisions in this country. It is spoken of confidently that there is to be prize money awarded for Bordeaux to the army.

Cork, September.

It is, indeed, subject for self-congratulation that there was no calamity and no greater loss accrued to the regiment in the recent wreck of our late transport. If the casualty or accident-I cannot phrase it a mishap-had occurred less opportunely at a later date, when we were all afloat and at a distance from shore, the consequences must have proved disastrous. As it was, only fourteen lives were involved by the frail bark, or mismanagement. [These remarks refer to the destruction of the vessel in Bantry Bay, on board which the 40th were in the first instance embarked, and the particulars of which are not given with preciseness.]

On board the "Ajax" transport, Cove of Cork, Nov. 1. Sergeant Neville arrived in Cork yesterday, and brought to me the packages this morning all safely. The box containing the other requisites for the voyage was obliged to go through the Customs with the sergeant's own baggage, and will be here this morning. Still I am afraid that it will not reach me on board, as the signal for unmooring is made, and the fleet may sail in the course of a few hours.

It is now perfectly clear that we are going to join the army destined for America, and which was commanded by the late General Ross. The expedition is now under the command of General Sir Edward Pakenham. The 79th Highlanders have received orders to hold themselves in readiness for hard service. The snows of America may not unreasonably be thought too severe for our kilted brethren. Joseph Hownam was in the frigate with Captain Usher when he conveyed Buonaparte to Elba. J. H. was first-lieutenant of her at the time.

I have received but £20 on account for remuneration for loss of baggage from the shipwreck, which is to be refunded in case the allowance is not granted. I have provided myself with flannel waistcoats, drawers, &c., and other necessaries, which, apart from my sea stock, have made great havoc with my £20!

I wish I could get some little long employment at home and my half-pay, and I would give up this miserable life. Should I be fortunate enough to return home safely again, I will take good care not to put my foot on ship-board again during my lifetime. I will write to you the moment we land. I wrote to Patty yesterday a long letter, in which I endeavoured to persuade her that peace will bring us all home again in a few months. Write to her occasionally, and as consolatorily as you are able to do. Give Emma her father's blessing, and receive, my dear father, the affectionate assurances of your son.

P.S. This war cannot be protracted to any great time. Adieu

once more.

At sea. Ajax," December.

We are now fairly and definitively afloat, and New Orleans, it would seem, is the destination of the fleet. The regiment is now under the command of our Major (Fielding Browne), the Chief, Thornton, being on leave of absence in England. The former is excellent in all respects, able, and a strict martinet. With upwards of 800 of all ranks on board, the ship continued for many days to exhibit a scene of unavoidable confusion, disturbance and inconvenience; but order and quiet have succeeded, and with it now reign a comparative repose and comfort. Life on ship-board offers very little indeed attractive in the way of change and variety. Our pursuits, the habits of existence, are so monotonous that they may be summed up in the occupations of first, the regimental duties,

which are not onerous, though strict and requisite, but unvarying and constant; and secondly, in the private employment of reading, eating, drinking, conversing and play-the last being indulged in to moderation, and to no reprehensible extent or of an objectionable kind. Chess, cribbage, draughts, a round game at cards or whist, constitute in one way or other, as taste or inclination suggest, the mode and sources of diversion of the whole of the officers. These in number amount to no less than thirty-eight. My captain, Barnett, has mulcted me heavily at cribbage, at which dame Fortune very determinedly and obdurately refuses to bestow on me even a temporary smile. But it is otherwise in my rencontres with W—, and she condescends, at least, at card-play, to confer her favours more impartially. But I am disposed to believe that in general all card or other private play which may be engaged in between merely two opponents, or a small number, and not at a public establishment, at which there is generally present censors on conduct and improprieties of manner and language, should be discountenanced as far as possible. It is certain, indeed, that the excitement from loss or even gain are controllable and subdued more easily by the presence and restraint of a full company than they would be at other times.

This fact was illustrated in the game of vingt-et-un, which was being played by a party of four, when W, under excitement. and irritation from some cause or other, was betrayed into a violence of manner and the use of expressions for which I have brought him to account, and I am determined he shall make me ample reparation (as I have given him to understand,) on the first convenient moment after landing.

Since writing the above, we have touched at Barbadoes and Jamaica. I fell seriously ill from an attack of yellow fever, and was for many days quite given up. I lay helpless, in the worst of ways, insensible, and all but dead. At a moment when they considered me absolutely so, Barry, the surgeon, conceived the experiment of a cold bath, into which, having been first carried up on deck, I was suddenly immersed, and my first return to a sense of existence and reflection was endued with the consciousness of being, by this cool and gratifying process, restored to life. It is out of my power to describe the agreeable sensations produced by this course of treatment, at once vivifying and refreshing, and by the cool applications and laving of my feverish system. The captain was the only one attacked besides myself, and as he was the only one who went ashore at Jamaica, it is quite beyond a doubt that he brought it on board.

[Doctor Barry, who died about four years ago, as InspectorGeneral of Hospitals, served with the 40th in the Peninsula and at Waterloo. Upon his decease, the various newspapers of the day were filled with the singular announcement that the sex of Doctor Barry was unequivocally feminine, a statement the accuracy of