ESPIONS. Handwritten statement by an Irish Officer, to the F - Lot 446

ESPIONS. Handwritten statement by an Irish Officer, to the French, on the English forces (circa 1811) - 1p in-folio - "Monsieur Richard BURKE 1er Lieutenant au 1er Bat du 45° Régiment a quitté hier 23 son cantonnement de Tagara dans l'intention de se rendre à l'Armée française et de quitter le service de l'Angleterre. This officer was born in Ireland... This officer reports that the strength of the English Army does not exceed 30,000 men under arms, but that a reinforcement of 5,000 men is expected daily from Sicily... He was part of General PICTON's Division, which is stationed at Taraga and is about 4500 strong...the new confirmation of the Regency in favor of the Prince of Wales is awaited daily...". (George III has gone mad, the Prince of Wales is the future George IV, Prince-Regent in 1811)