Description
a framed autograph letter from the private secretary of Lord Uxbridge detailing the losses of all the armies at Waterloo and the amputation of Lord Uxbridge's right leg; and within the same frame a caricature of the Duke of Wellington (2)
Dimensions
27 x 45cm within frame
Footnote
This letter is annotated as having been written on the battlefield and sent by Uxbridge's secretary to F W Haden the Deputy Commissary General. A note on the reverse details those French officers made prisoner.
Provenance: Shown at the Waterloo exhibition 1890.
The Earl of Uxbridge commanded Wellington's cavalry at Waterloo and famously, towards the end of the day, was wounded by 'a piece of rusty grapeshot' in the right leg, which was subsequently amputated. When hit, he is recorded as having turned to the Duke with the words:
"By God sir, I've lost my leg."
To which Wellington replied: "By God, sir, so you have."