- Type of Memorial
- Sculpture
- WMR Reference Number
- 90679
- Description
- White stone sculpture of weeping angel lying upon the plinth, resting upon a rock inscribed with "MONTE VIDEO" and superimposed on a black/blue trapezium background with a palm tree and a scroll/banner. The words "VASSALL SXL" are written above inside of a wreath. Sculpture is embedded into wall.
- Inscription
- VASSALL/SXL/MONTE/VIDEO/Sacred to the Memory of SPENCER THOMAS VASSALL. Esq'. Lieu'. Colonel of the 58th Regiment./who after 28 Years of active and unremitting Service, during which he had justly acquired a high Military Reputation/was mortally wounded at the storming of Monte Video in South America, on the 3rd of February 1807, at the Moment/he had conducted his intrepid Followers within the Walls of that Fortrefs, and expired on the 7th of the same Month/His beloved remains brought to England by the Companions of his Victory, are deposited near this Spot./Where, to record her own, her Childrens, and her Country's Loss./She, who was the wedded and happy, witnefs of his private worth,/Has caused this Monument to be erected./Stronger, if e'er you honour'd Sidney's fame,/If e'er you lov'd Layard's reproachlefs name, Then on this Marble gaze with tearful Eyes,/For kindred merit here with VASSALL lies./But, far more blest than France, or England's pride./In the great Hour of Conquest VASSALL died/While, still undaunted in the glorious strike,/Content he purchasd Victory with Life./And nobly carelefs of his own distrefs./He bade his Mourning Comrades onward prefs/Bade them, the Hero, Victor o'er the Man,/Complete the Conquest which his Sword began,/Then proudly smil'd amidst the pangs of Death,/While thanks for Victory fill'd his parting Breath.