personality pro le 81

Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852) by Wu WenJie

INTRODUCTION as an aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, before Arthur Wellesley was an Anglo- being promoted to Lieutenant Irish general and statesman, victor in the same year. During that of the and twice period, Wellington was involved British Prime Minister. Known as in social activities with his the 1st Duke of Wellington or, Duke superior, playing with his violin of Wellington, he is most famous and unfortunately, indulged in for his major role in the Napoleonic gambling.3 Wellington’s life took th wars during the 19 century. a complete change when he fell in love with Catherine Pakenham, EARLY LIFE daughter to the 2nd Baron Longford. Arthur Wesley was born in In 1793, Wellington's proposal Dublin on 1st May 1769 to the 1st was turned down by Catherine’s Earl and Countess of Mornington. brother, Thomas Pakenham, who In 1798, he changed his surname to considered him a poor man who Wellesley.1 As the third son in the had no goals in his life, un tting family, he was not as exemplary to the status of Catherine and the 4 as his brothers. The young duke Pakenham family. This spurred was not a promising student at the young duke to reconsider his Eton back then; he was withdrawn current lifestyle and thus began to and sent to private classes in pursue his military career. Brussels, followed by a military MILITARY CAREER school—the French Royal Academy of Equitation in Angers.2 During Defeat in Flanders his time in Angers, he was taught Having purchased lieutenant various skills such as riding, colonelcy in September 1793, fencing, mathematics, literature, Wellington set sail for Flanders as well as French. Wellington also in his very rst battle experience expressed interest in music and he against the French forces. During took up violin as a specialisation. the campaign, assisting the Duke of York, he realised that the Following his mother’s advice, communications and order of the Wellington joined the army in troops and its generals were very March 1787 and with the help of disorganised. Wellington treated his brother, Richard Wellesley, this as a lesson on 'what one ought Wellington was attached to the not to do. The British eventually 73rd (Highland) Regiment of Foot lost the battle.5

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FOURTH ANGLO- WAR before attacking again. By the as The . While following day, Wellington’s forces Following the defeat in the EIC was negotiating with managed to secure Sultanpettah Flanders, Wellington returned the Marathas, Wellington's army and the forces marched towards to England in March 1795 before marched towards the ’s Seringapatam. Wellington was setting sail for in May 1796. stronghold in . The then deployed as a reserve to His brother, Richard, was then Marathas felt that the British support the siege of Seringapatam. the Governor-General of India. should not be involved in their On 4th May, Tipu Sultan was killed To extend the rule of the British affairs and refused to submit to and Seringapatam was captured. East India (EIC) over the EIC. When negotiations fell, India, Richard ordered the capture Wellington's forces took over When Seringapatam was taken of Seringapatam, a city located Ahmednagar. over, the troops were given the north of Mysore. Wellington took liberty of plundering the town and Wellington then received part in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore the native citizens cowered in fear intelligence about enemies War against Tipu Sultan, ruler of as the whole town was in chaos. stationed at the village of . the . During In response to this, Wellington He personally scouted the the preparation for the war, instilled order and discipline as he camp and discovered a huge Wellington took charge of logistics called for troops to be stationed in army. The Scindia had allied with and understood the importance the town and hanged some of the the Raja of Berar, forming an of managing and securing supply plunderers.8 The plundering soon extensive force of an estimated lines.6 stopped and the people returned 40,000 to 200,000 men.11 Though to their homes in peace. Within War broke out on Mallavelly, severely outnumbered, Wellington days, the town became lively once rd where the Sultan’s army tried to fought the Marathas Army on 23 more, with thriving businesses attack the invaders. Fortunately, September 1803. and crowds lling up the streets. they failed. Wellington’s 33rd Wellington displayed excellent The Marathas Army deployed regiment assisted the forces of attributes of a commander and and units at the General George Harris against the along with the recognition of his front line against Wellington’s Sultan’s army and drove them to contributions, he was made the forces. Using the terrain to his retreat from Mallavelly, back into Governor of Seringapatam and advantage, Wellington’s forces Seringapatam. The forces of General Mysore.9 concealed themselves on the Harris and Wellington arrived at reverse slopes of the grounds Seringapatam in 1799 and began Battle of Assaye to avoid taking damage from their siege on the outlying village In 1802, rivalry between the artillery. At close range, of Sultanpettah. The attack proved factions of the Maratha Wellington’s infantry charged to be unsuccessful due to the fact Confederacy initiated a war.10 and broke through the Marathas that it was utter darkness when The attacked Scindia front line. As Wellington’s forces they commenced the attack and and , forcing Baji Rao II, advanced, some of the Marathas the soldiers were ghting against of to ee. Baji Rao gunners feigned death. They the Sultan’s forces that were II sought the help of the EIC to surprised the British by attacking already prepared for their attack.7 restore his throne and agreed to from the rear. In response to this, Wellington was decisive and made submit to the EIC’s authority in Wellington deployed his cavalry the right choice—to retreat and exchange. The Peshwa then signed to break apart their gun line and scout his enemies’ positions a treaty with the British, known ensured that no gunners were

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left alive. The battle of Assaye short-lived as he was called back During the battle of Toulouse, only lasted for a few hours. to active service against the United Kingdom and France Despite being outnumbered by Bonaparte, Emperor of France.14 incurred huge amount of the Marathas, Wellingon’s forces casualties.15 News of Napoleon's France had allied with Spain managed to drive the Marathas abdication nally reached and invaded Portugal in 1807. army to retreat and emerged as Wellington and his opponent, the grand victor, with casualties In response to the attacks, the Marshal General of the French Army, of his army close to 1,600, out British decided to intervene to Jean-de-Dieu Soult. The battle was of 6,000 men, while the Marathas stop Napoleon from expanding. In put to an end by Marshal Soult who Army had 5,000 men.12 Wellington’s 1808, Wellington’s forces defeated realised that there was no longer experience in the eld, along the French army in the Battle of a purpose to continue ghting. with his leadership qualities and Napoleon was then sent to exile Vimeiro and with England and calmness, led his men to believe on Elba in 1814 while Wellington Portugal joining forces, the Anglo- that victory was possible. By the returned to England and was Portuguese Army was formed with end of 1803, Scindia and Berar granted a dukedom, making him surrendered to the EIC. The Battle Wellington as its Commander-in- the rst Duke of Wellington. of Assaye was said to be nest Chief. achievement for Wellington and his rst major victory in battle In 1809, France once again Napoleon, who was unwilling to history. invaded Portugal. Wellington, in spend the remainder of his days on command of the Anglo-Portuguese Elba, escaped and landed in Cannes, st Throughout his years in India, Army, engaged the French forces France on 1 March 1815. Troops Wellington gained the experience who were still loyal to Napoleon in the Battle of Porto. The battle and qualities of a commander that defected to him and they marched ended with Wellington’s victory would later allow him to excel in into Paris on 19th March where he and the French forces retreated his future battles—leadership, took command and drove out Louis into Spain. With Spain, England and decision-making, discipline, care XVIII, King of France, in an attempt for soldiers, careful planning and Portugal ghting against France, to regain power. At that point of preparations, military strategy and Wellington led the Allied Army time, Wellington had already been maintaining diplomatic relations and liberated Portugal and Madrid, sent to the Congress of Vienna as an with civilians. When Wellington the Spanish capital. In 1812, the Ambassador of Great Britain. Upon requested to return to England in Sixth Coalition was formed—this hearing the news, the ambassadors 1804, he was made Knight of The included Austria, Prussia, Russia, of the allied countries declared Bath for his contributions. the United Kingdom, Portugal, Napoleon as an outlaw.16 Leaving Vienna, Wellington became the Peninsular Wars , Spain and several other German States. The allies claimed Commander of the allied armies that Back in England, Wellington was would form the Seventh Coalition, back their territories and invaded elected as a Member of Parliament leading over 112,000 soldiers to France, defeating Napoleon. for the Rye parliamentary battle Napoleon's force of 72,000.17 constituency.13 Within a year, he Wellington achieved remarkable was appointed the Chief Secretary victories during the Peninsular Wellington and Napoleon of Ireland by the Duke of Portland. Wars, winning almost every battle would have their encounter at However, his political career was against the French. Belgium, where the last battle of

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the took place. forces. Wellington, however, had to assist Wellington's forces while Napoleon knew that if the coalition learnt from his battle in Assaye, General Friedrich von Bulow's forces manage to join up, their which was to use terrain slopes IV Corps captured Plancenoit, huge army would overpower his as a defence from the artillery. forcing Napoleon to send his elite own army. Thus, Napoleon's rst Making the troops lie down on the Imperial Guards to defend the target was to eliminate the British reverse slope of the ridge hindered rear. The battle was over as the and Prussian forces. Napoleon the French forces from observing coalition forces surrounded and divided his army into three forces, and targeting Wellington's troops. overwhelmed the French army. one under the command of Marshal More commonly known as Reverse Napoleon was escorted out of the Michel Ney, another under Marshal Slope Defence, the French cannons battle eld and abdicated on 22nd Emmanuel de Grouchy and nally and skirmishers were rendered June. His plan to ee was thwarted the third force under his own ineffective against the concealed and he surrendered on 15th July command. On 15th June 1815, troops.18 Wellington then launched before being exiled to the island Napoleon's forces engaged the a surprise attack on the French of St. Helena. Prussian forces who were under forces with volleys of muskets the command of Field Marshal at close range. The French, who POLITICAL CAREER Gebhard Leberecht von Blucher in could not counter this tactic, Arthur Wellesley was more the Battle of . The Prussians repeatedly charged forward, only famous as a military gure than as were defeated and Marshal Blucher to be gunned down by musket a politician. In 1818, Wellington retreated. However, instead of re. On 18th June 1815, Napoleon was given a post in Lord Liverpool's retreating eastwards, Marshal ordered Marshal Comte d'Erlon and Tory government. Wellington then Blucher decided to retreat Marshal Honoré Reille to break became the Commander-in-chief northwards instead, allowing through Wellington's front line. of the in 1827 and the Prussian forces to support Wellington's forces, however, within a year, his inuence in the Wellington at a safe distance. were able to break Marshal Comte Tory party increased. Wellington Wellington retreated from Quatre d'Erlon's attack with cavalry and was nally invited by King George Bras after the , rode past La Haye Sainte to attack IV to form his own government and to the low ridge near Mont Saint the French artillery. Wellington's he resigned as Commander-in-Chief Jean, south of Waterloo. Securing attack proved to be unsuccessful to become the Prime Minister of a defensive line, Wellington also when the French counterattacked the United Kingdom. deployed troops to the Chateau of and the coalition forces suffered Hougoumont, the farmhouse of La huge casualties. Unfortunately, he was known Haye Sainte and to the east, where for his measures to repress reform the Prussian forces were. The French artillery managed and his popularity sank during to inict heavy casualties on his time as the Prime Minister. Napoleon and Marshal Ney Wellington's forces after the The Duke did not have positive headed towards Mont Saint Jean counterattack and captured La views on parliamentary reform while Marshal Grouchy pursued Haye Sainte. In the meantime, and his opposition to them were the retreating Prussian forces. Prussian forces marched west and not well received. Angry crowds Despite their advance, the French split into two forces that would protested outside his London could not engage Wellington's reinforce Wellington and attack home, , and began forces. Napoleon believed in the the French forces from the rear. throwing objects, shattering heavy usage of artillery and its Lieutenant General Hans von windows. Wellington then earned capability of incapacitating large Zieten's Prussian I Corps arrived the nickname 'Iron Duke', when

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iron shutters were instilled on to as the Duke of Wellington 6. Norman Gash, Wellington: Studies the windows to prevent further as his legacy overshadowed his in the Military and Political Career damage. Riots and sabotage descendants. of the First Duke of Wellington ensued as rural unemployment (Manchester: Manchester University increased and the citizens hated In honour of his contributions, Press, 1990), 13. the 'Iron Duke' even more.19 many monuments were built during his time. The was 7. John Gurwood, The Dispatches of Ultimately, Wellington’s government planned in 1825 by King George IV Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington: collapsed in 1830.He continued to to commemorate Britain’s victories During His Various Campaigns in ght reform in opposition, before over the Napoleonic Wars. The India, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, nally giving in to the Great Reform monument was built between the Low Countries, and France, from Bill in 1832. In 1834, Wellington the year 1826 and 1830 and it 1799 to 1818, Volume 1 (London: refused a second invitation to still stands today in London’s John Murray, 1834), 23 form a government and instead Hyde Park. Equestrian Statues 8. Ibid, 37. joined Sir Peel’s ministry as Foreign of Wellington were also erected 9. Ibid, 39. Secretary. Wellington became the in Hyde Park,20 which were later Leader of the House of Lords from moved to Aldershot and Glasglow, 10. The Maratha Confederacy is an Indian imperial power existed 1834 to 1835 and when Sir Peel Scotland. The Wellington boots, from 1674 to 1818. It consisted resigned in 1846, he retired from modi ed Hessian boots worn by of different clans such as; the politics. Arthur Wellesley into battle, have Peshwas, Gaekwads, Puars, Holkars, also become popular footwear and Bhonsales. The Battle DEATH th that lasted throughout the 19 of Poona occurred when the Holkars Arthur Wellesley died on 14th century.  attacked the Scindia and Peshwa September 1852, aged 83, due forces near the city of Pune. to the effects of a stroke after 11. Richard Cavendish, “The Battle of ENDNOTES a series of seizures. He was then Assaye,” http://www.historytoday. given a monumental state funeral 1. Marjie Bloy, “Arthur Wellesley, rst com/richard-cavendish/battle- and buried in St Paul’s Cathedral, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852),” assaye London. www.historyhome.co.uk/pms/ 12. British Battles, “The Battle of wellingt.htm Assaye,” http://www.britishbattles. LEGACY com/second-mahratta/assaye.htm 2. Norman Gash, Wellington: Studies To this day, Arthur Wellesley in the Military and Political Career 13. Wikipedia, “Rye UK Parliament is still a controversial gure in of the First Duke of Wellington constituency,” http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Rye_%28UK_Parliament_ military history. His leadership (Manchester: Manchester University constituency%29 qualities, along with his Press, 1990), 5. intelligence and experience 14. In 1807, The French Empire allied 3. Ibid. have been recognised on the with the Spain Empire and both battle eld. Even against much 4. Ibid, 6. forces invaded Portugal. However, in 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte, bigger and tougher enemies, he 5. Marjie Bloy, “Arthur Wellesley, rst Emperor of France, seeing that was able to utilise his resources Duke of Wellington (1769-1852),” Spain was in chaos and corruption, and advantages skilfully. As the www.historyhome.co.uk/pms/ turned on his ally and ordered wellingt.htm rst Duke of Wellington, Arthur his forces to capture Spanish Wellesley was commonly referred fortresses.

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15. Norman Gash, Wellington: Studies in the Military and Political Career of the First Duke of Wellington (Manchester:Manchester University Press, 1990), 18.

16. Jeremy Black, The Battle of Waterloo (New York: Random House, 2010).

17. Ibid.

18. Ibid.

19. Alfred Webb, “Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington,” http://www. libraryireland.com/biography/ ArthurWellesleyDukeofWellington. php 20. The London Pass, “Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner,” https:// www.londonpass.com/london- attractions/wellington-arch.html

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