Lord Raglan. Autograph Letter Signed. ALS signed Fitzroy Somerset dated Horse Guards, October 19, 1848 to Lord Hardinge regarding an appointment for General Sir John Grey.

Publication Date: 1848

About this Item

Folio sheet folded into 4pp. to 9¼ x 7½ ins., 1½ pp. text, little split to centre fold, otherwise very good condition. A good legible letter showing Raglan s tact as longstanding Secretary to Wellington, a position he filled with great sagacity. "Entertaining a very sincere respect and regard for the General I should be very glad to be able to satisfy his enquiries at his chance of further employment in the East if it were in my power; but this it is not. The Duke of Wellington is not in the habit of considering who shall accede to this or that appointment until the vacancy arises and he carefully avoids to hold out expectations…. the solution for which after all does not rest exclusively with him. Believe me very faithfully/Yours/Fitzroy Somerset". SOMERSET,LORD FITZROY JAMES HENRY (1788-1855) first Baron Raglan, Field Marshall, went to Portugal with Wellesley in 1808, as aide-de-camp. Appointed Military Secretary to Wellesley Jan 1st 1811. Accompanied Wellington to Paris after Napoleon s first abdication. Lost his right arm at Waterloo as he was standing beside Wellington. Continued to visit Wellington in Spain and St. Petersburg. Commander of the troops in 1854 when England and France declared war against Russia. Raglan went to the Crimea as Commander and died there on 28 June. The victim of England s unreadiness for war . A man who wouldn t tell a lie to save his life . Wellington s comment on Raglan.

Seller Inventory # B1052

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Lord Raglan. Autograph Letter Signed. ALS signed Fitzroy Somerset dated Horse Guards, October 19, 1848 to Lord Hardinge regarding an appointment for General Sir John Grey.
• Publication Date: 1848
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Very Good