Hi
Wellington is supposed to have said something like "I can count every cart and drummer-boy, or I can fight the French. I can not do both. Will your lordship please tell which."
Does anyone have the actual quote?
"Gentlemen,
Whilst marching from Portugal to a position which commands the approach to Madrid and the French forces, my officers have been diligently complying with your requests which have been sent by H.M. ship from London to Lisbon and thence by dispatch to our headquarters.
We have enumerated our saddles, bridles, tents and tent poles, and all manner of sundry items for which His Majesty's Government holds me accountable. I have dispatched reports on the character, wit, and spleen of every officer. Each item and every farthing has been accounted for, with two regrettable exceptions for which I beg your indulgence.
Unfortunately the sum of one shilling and ninepence remains unaccounted for in one infantry battalion's petty cash and there has been a hideous confusion as the the number of jars of raspberry jam issued to one cavalry regiment during a sandstorm in western Spain. This reprehensible carelessness may be related to the pressure of circumstance, since we are war with France, a fact which may come as a bit of a surprise to you gentlemen in Whitehall.
This brings me to my present purpose, which is to request elucidation of my instructions from His Majesty's Government so that I may better understand why I am dragging an army over these barren plains. I construe that perforce it must be one of two alternative duties, as given below. I shall pursue either one with the best of my ability, but I cannot do both:
1. To train an army of uniformed British clerks in Spain for the benefit of the accountants and copy-boys in London or perchance.
2. To see to it that the forces of Napoleon are driven out of Spain.
Your most obedient servant,
Wellington"
Hope that helps,
Richard
I read this all over the net.
Is it genuine?
Anyone got a (credible, verifiable) source?
Regularly attributed to him but to the best of my knowledge not verified as such.
Too good to be true ... but too good not to be! :)
Quote from: Ithoriel on 25 October 2023, 03:28:44 PMToo good to be true ... but too good not to be! :)
👍 true or not (and I lean to not) I will use it with great delight.
Thank you. This will be shared with colleagues at work.
Quote from: Last Hussar on 25 October 2023, 05:04:32 PMThank you. This will be shared with colleagues at work.
I hope you don't work at an accountancy firm ;D
MOD Procurement just signing off on the latest paperwork.
Following a meeting with my manager, where she said approximately the same thing, but for here, the quote has been sent to her for her appreciation.