men, calling on them to go on to victory, to glory; and no
order could be more effectually obeyed: he is an irreparable
loss to the service. I got knocked down soon after the enemy
began to retreat, but never quitted the field, and returned to
my duty in less than half an hour. Savery acted during the
whole day as aide-de-camp either to Sir Ralph or Moore, and
nothing could surpass his activity and gallantry. He had a
horse shot under him, and had all this been in his line, he
must have been particularly noticed, as he has become the
astonishment of all who saw him. We remained that night and the
following on the sand hills; you cannot conceive our wretched
state, as it blew and rained nearly the whole time. Our men
bore all this without grumbling, although they had nothing to
eat but the biscuits they carried with them, which by this time
were completely wet. We at length got into Egmont, and on the
following day (5th) into Alkmaar, where we enjoyed ourselves
amazingly. Alkmaar is a most delightful city; but the
inhabitants are rank patriots, and none of the higher class
remained to welcome our arrival. The following day another
engagement ensued,[12] in consequence of the Russians advancing
further than they were ordered to do: during this severe
contest we were snugly in church. It is extraordinary that both
parties were so beaten as to find a retreat necessary, as while
we retreated to our old position, the enemy was also in full
retreat. I shall say no more of the expedition to Holland, as
what remains to be added, you will see fully detailed in the
papers. I go to Norwich, where the regiment is quartered, this
evening. Another expedition is talked of, under Lord Moira.
Adieu."