At the end of the despatch there is a _P.S._ announcing the death of Major-General Sir William Ponsonby, followed by a second _P.S._ couched in the following terms: "I have not yet got the returns of killed and wounded, but I enclose a list of officers killed and wounded on the two days, as far as the same can be made out without the returns; and I am very happy to add that Colonel De Lancey is not dead, and that strong hopes of his recovery are entertained." That the Duke felt keenly his severe losses in killed and wounded, especially amongst the members of his Staff, is shown by the following reminiscence of General Alava,[19] as told by him, two years after the battle, to Sir Harry Smith and his wife--the lady now immortalised by the name Ladysmith, emblazoned on the colours or accoutrements of thirty-five British regiments. [Footnote 19: A Spanish naval officer who served on the Staff of the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War and at Waterloo. Alava enjoyed the unique distinction of having been present both at Trafalgar and Waterloo. At the former battle he commanded a Spanish line-of-battle ship.--ED.] On the evening of the battle, "the Duke got back to his quarters at Waterloo about nine or ten at night. The table was laid for the usual number, while none appeared of the many of his Staff but Alava and Fremantle. The Duke said very little, ate hastily and heartily, but every time the door opened he gave a searching look, evidently in the hope of some of his valuable Staff approaching. When he had finished eating, he held up both hands in an imploring attitude and said, 'The hand of Almighty God has been upon me this day,' jumped up, went to his couch, and was asleep in a moment."[20] [Footnote 20: _Autobiography of Sir Harry Smith_, vol. i., p. 291.] The following is from General Alava's official report of the action: "Of those who were by the side of the Duke of Wellington, only he and myself remained untouched in our persons and horses. The rest were all either killed, wounded, or lost one or more horses. The Duke was unable to refrain from tears on witnessing the death of so many brave and honourable men, and the loss of so many friends and faithful companions."[21] [Footnote 21: From the _Supplement to the Madrid Gazette_ of the 13th July 1815, quoted in the London _Evening Mail_ of August 2 to August 4, 1815.] The next morning, the Duke wrote the following note to Lady Frances W. Webster, dated "BRUXELLES, 19_th_ _June_ 1815. "Half-past 8 in the morning. "MY DEAR LADY FRANCES,