Page:Life of the Duke of Wellington.pdf/7

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DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
7

was under Admiral Gambier; one division sailed by the Great Belt, in order to blockade Zealand; the other, with the army on board, having arrived in the Sound, prepared for active operations.

In the only combat of any importance, which took place near Kioge, Sir Arthur Wellesley commanded. He attacked a body of Danish troops, which contested the position; pursued them to a strong entrenchment in their rear; again driving them from this by assault, he forced into the town, and routed them with considerable loss. This action accelerated the conclusion of the campaign, by depriving the Governor of Copenhagen of all hopes of assistance from the army.

On his return to England, Major-General Wellesley having resumed his seat in the House of Commons, was addressed by the Speaker, who returned the thanks of the country to himself, and his brave coadjutors, in the following terms:—“I should be wanting in the full expression of those sentiments which animate this House, and the whole country, if I forbore to notice, that we are on this day crowning with our thanks, one gallant officer well known to the gratitude of this House, who has long trodden the paths of glory; whose genius and valour have already extended our fame and empire; whose sword has been the terror of our distant enemies, and will not now be drawn in vain to defend the seat of empire itself, and the throne of his King. I am, Sir Arthur Wellesley, charged to deliver the thanks of this House to you, and I accordingly thank you in the name of the Commons of the United Kingdom, for your zeal, intrepidity, and exertion, displayed in the various operations necessary for conducting the seige, and effecting the surrender of the navy and arsenal of Copenhagen.” Sir Arthur's reply to this high eulogium, was truly characteristic. “The honour which this House has conferred on myself and my friends, is justly considered by the officers of the navy and army,