The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-10-01
THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.

Our readers are aware that this illustrious
warrior and statesman died on the I4th OF the
present month. He was born in February,
1859, the same year that gave birth to Napo-
leon, to Marshals Soult, Ney and Davout, and
Lord Eastebreagb, George Canning and many
other illnstrious characters, civil, military and
scientific, of that extraordinary era. He has
survived Marshal Soult, his old opponent, but
a few months. The same year gave birth to
these two llustrious enemies, and the same
wear leveIled them with the grave. We be-
Ieye they had never met personally, until the
coronation of Victoria, when Soult was sent
over as the Ambassador of Louis Philippe, and
became the guest of Wellington. During the
occupation of Paris. Soult was in exile.
The Duke of Wellington was the fourth son
of Lord Mornington, and was born in Ireland,
though of an English family. Their origi
name was Cowley, but we have never under
stood how it became changed TO Wesley
and afterwards to Wellesley. At very ear
ly age he was sent to Augir Academy,
and entered the army about the year 1887.
His first service was performed under the
Duke of York, in the famous expedition to
Holland. Near The close of the last century
he was sent to India, being then Col. Welles-
ley, and as his brother, the Marquis of Weles-
ley, was Governor General, he had opportuni-
ties to disting nish himself, of which he did not
fail to avail himself. Among many brilliant
exploits which he performed, the most bril-
liant was the battle of Assye, which was fought
against overwhelming numbers, and secured
returned to Europe, the Marquis of Hastings
sending sealed letter by him to the Secretary
ofWar, in which he said 81 send you an Off
Ger who can compete with Bonaparre, if any
body can" On his passage home, he was
near being drowned by the capsizing of boat
in the harbor of St. Helena. 1t was upon that
visitthat he inspected the Island and afterwards
suggested the idea of combining Napoleon
there. He never met with Nelson but once,
when that great naval commander proposed
that they should undertake joint expedition
to Sicily, which General Wellesley declined
He was engaged, in 1907, in the expedition to
Copenhagen, not, however, as commander-in
chief. In 1909, he commanded the expedition
to Portugal, and landing with an inferior force,
after some days maneuvrng, defeated Junot
at the battle of Vincera. The day after the
battle he was superseded by Sir Hew Bur
rard, and he, in his turn, by Sir Henry Dali
rymple. Thus he was stripped of the honor
OF forcing the enemy to captulate, after he
had beaten him on the field, and reduced him
to desperation. Dalrymple formed the famous
convention OF Cintra, by which he engaged to
send the troops of Junot back TO France at the
expense of Great Britain, not even exacting
OF them that they should not serve again dur
ing the war. Dalrymple was soon superseded
by Sir John Moore, and after the death of that
officer, Sir John Craddock, who succeeded
him, was superseded by Sir Arthur Wellesley.
tlSos.) Then began that long and uninter.
rupted career Of success, which, beginning " it'll
Talayera, ended with Waterloo. In the course
olive years, Wellington fought many battles
in the Peninsula, and conducted several seges
in all Of which he was successful. His retrea
to the lines of Torres Vedras, has been consid
cred masterpiece, and the battle of Sala
naanca was very skilful piece of Generalshin
Since the war he has held many high offices
and has been several times premier. g@
lie survived all the Marshals he fought
against, Soult having been the last. He out
lived Napoleon 81 years.
@ NORFOLK AND vELAsCo. ~