Letter from Richard Fletcher, Elvas, to William Carr Beresford, 1811 April 28 : autograph manuscript signed.

Discussing the possibility of a cask-bridge over the Guardiana River; reporting that the Guardiana River "...had fallen only four or five Inches in the last twenty four hours, and was still about six feet higher than before the rain. It seemed to me that if we could establish a bridge of four or five Casks abreast, we should be able not only to pass Infantry, but Cavalry also if the Men were ordered to hand their horses - with this view, I have ordered one division of a Bridge of four Casks in breadth to be purposed that I may be able to form a more accurate opinion of what it will bear;" reporting that he has no access to the required materials and to obtain sufficient timber for the project he sees "...no resource but to destroy some considerable Building, and perhaps, under present Circumstances it would be worth while to adopt such an expedient - I should conceive there are public Storehouses or something of the kind in Olivenca which might answer;" discussing the load the bridge might be able to carry; adding that if they can find no more planks or timber "...the utmost we can hope for is to restore the bridge of Casks to the state it was in before...This I shall go on with as fast as possible and I think that by tomorrow I shall find the River considerably fallen; discussing his current preparations for crossing the river; asking for men from another Brigade to be transferred to him to help with the project.