“Thanks be to the Lord for protect me that dagerous day I was in the 18th June,” wrote Morris Williams to his parents from “a camp near Paris”.
The date is that of the Battle of Waterloo and Williams, the son of a Cardiganshire farmer, was present during one of British history’s most famous battles.
Now his letter, along with a series of others from four members of the same family are among Welsh archives being preserved with the help of a £40,000 grant from the Welsh Government and the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust (NMCT).
The documents are part of a collection held in Ceredigion Archives, written by two sons of John and Esther Williams of Penrallt ddu – Daniel and Morris – with occasional contributions from John’s brother, and the boys’ uncle, Owen Williams of Hounslow.
Helen Palmer from the Ceredigion Archive, said: “These letters are of national significance in their provision of two contemporaneous, subjective and highly entertaining narratives on a particularly significant period of British history.
“Our intention is to digitise, publish (with a commentary) and exhibit these documents in the bi-centennial year of Waterloo makes their conservation an important necessary preliminary step.”
She added: “One book consists of Morris’ letters recording his military career including his role in guarding French prisoners at Portchester Castle near Portsmouth, his epic march with a military prisoner from Winchester to Manchester, and his initial excitement, quickly followed by despair, on joining the regular army.
“The language is idiosyncratic but the meaning perfectly clear.”
Conservation work will be carried out at the National Library of Wales.
Helen Palmer said: “They are in remarkably good condition considering their age, fragility and the distance they travelled in the early nineteenth century postal system, but need to be conserved to preserve them for future use and enjoyment.
“These letters have been preserved so carefully, by a whole succession of people, known and unknown, for two hundred years.
“It is both humbling and a great pleasure to know that we are able to continue that curatorial role with the expertise of the professional conservators at the National Library of Wales and through the generosity and help of the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust and CyMAL.”
Extracts from Morris Williams’ letters:
Portchester Castle, Portsmouth, October 20, 1813
I hope you will excuse me for being so long in writing to you we was very busey since we disembark.
On the 22nd Sep we embark at Cork and disembark at Portsmouth on the 14th ins(tant) and march 3 miles that day to a Barracks Called Hilsea and yesterday we march from Hilsea to this castle doing duty over French prisoners there in between seven and eight thousand prisoners in this castle.
We had very long passage coming over from Ireland the wind was against us for 11 days we was at Ancor at Silley a very nise harbour Silley is I have nothing particular worth to relate at present we expect the route for Wales in very short times.
I have not heard from (my brother) Caleb since the time I saw him in Cork.
I should be very glad to hear where is Thomas my brother now, give my respect to my mother and Daniel and William and all my friends.
Write back as soon as you can and evry particular let me know.
Benjamin Jones and John Bowen is well and hartey.
David Richard and Martha is in thier usiel health, and all the regiment in general is healthy – no more at present.
Morris Williams
Hasler Barracks, December 5, 1813
I am very sorry to tell you what I have don but I think that will be for my good.
I have volunteered to go to the 23rd regiment foot for five years or sooner discharge in peaceable time and I think that we shall have leave in very short time.
I write this few lines to let you know that I am gone and to hinder no one eles to write I like to write my self to you I shall have a furlough for three months to go home as soon as I will join the regiment no more at present from me
Morris
Part of Morris’ letter about the Battle of Waterloo, received by his father John Williams at Penrallt Ddu on August 9, 1815
Dr Father and Mother I hope these few lines will find you all in your usial health as they leaves me at present thanks be to the Lord for protect me that dagerous day I was in the 18th June to give you as short account as I can of our traveling to this place.
On the 16th June at 7 oClock in the morning we had the route to march imediately from Grammont in Flanders to join the Grand Army marched on that day till 11 oClock at night and halted for about 5 houers next morning march of till about 7 oClock in the Evning the 17th at which time we joined the Army which was in formation for action we imediately found line but nothing dun that night, on the 18th about 10 oClock the Battle Begun and Continued very hot till about 8 oClock in the evening at which time the French begin to retreat…
