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Orme, Edward: : Capture of General Paget, 1812

Aquatint with original colour, 26 x 33 cms, engraved by Dubourg after Atkinson, marginal soiling not affecting image, from “Historic military and naval anecdotes of ... the last long-contested war”. The plates were issued 1815-1818, and published for the first time in book form in the following year. A second edition was published in the 1830s.

French Dragoons capture Sir Edward Paget, then second in command of the British Army in the Penisinsula and, like Wellington, accustomed to ride without an escort. On 17 November 1812 he was attempting to close a gap between the 5th and 7th Divisions when he was taken by surpise. Alone, but for a single Spanish orderly, and having lost an arm in 1809, he was in no position to defend himself. Paget had proved himself to be an able commander - he handled the rearguard with great skill during the retreat to Corunna. Wellington put his capture down to his poor eyesight., Abbey: Life, 376.

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