As Harry spoke fluent Spanish, he had never bothered to teach Juana to speak English, so engaged a tutor for her. Her beauty, courage, sound judgment and amiable character endeared her to the officers, including the Duke of Wellington, and she was idolized by the soldiers.Īfter the defeat of Napoleon, Harry took Juana to London and installed her in lodgings. She remained with him throughout the rest of the Peninsular War, accompanying the baggage train, sleeping in the open on the field of battle, riding freely among the troops, and sharing all the privations of campaigning. Instead of letting herself be sent to her husband's family in England, she chose to accompany Harry with the army. Over all objections from his brother officers, Harry married Juana a few days later. From the first moment he saw her, Brigade-Major Harry Smith fell deeply in love with Juana. The town of Ladysmith in South Africa is named after his wife.Īfter the siege and sack of the Spanish city of Badajoz by British and Portuguese forces in 1812, 14-year-old, convent raised orphan, Juana, and her older sister sought sanctuary among officers of the 95th Rifles in the British camp outside the city walls. He had a fairly illustrious military career and was made a baronet. The Spanish Bride is a historical novel by Georgette Heyer based on the true story of Sir Harry Smith and his wife Juana María de los Dolores de León Smith.
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