There is no denying it.

And I believe it is one reason why so many disasters have befallen the French army.

The generals are, as a rule, good, and the soldiers are excellent, but the staff are generally altogether incompetent, and seem to consider that the fact that they are nobles renders it unnecessary for them to give attention to details, or to be more than ornamental figures in the general's train.

And when we see the authority of Vendome overruled by a young prince, who is grandson of the king, and nothing else, one must not be surprised that it is the same all through the army." That evening, Desmond received a packet containing his appointment as major while on special service, details of instructions as to the points to be attended to, and letters from the duke to the commandant of the garrison at Toledo, and from Philip to the Governor at Badajos.
The next morning he started at daybreak, accompanied by Mike, and arrived that evening at Toledo.

Here he presented his letter to the commandant.
"Very well, sir," the officer said, when he had read it.