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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9afed51 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50181 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50181) diff --git a/old/50181-0.txt b/old/50181-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e51b5c1..0000000 --- a/old/50181-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11115 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Adventures of a Soldier, by Edward Costello - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Adventures of a Soldier - Written by Himself - -Author: Edward Costello - -Release Date: October 11, 2015 [EBook #50181] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Sonya Schermann and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER - - - WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. - - - BEING - - THE MEMOIRS - - OF - - EDWARD COSTELLO, K.S.F. - - FORMERLY A NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE RIFLE BRIGADE, - LATE CAPTAIN IN THE BRITISH LEGION, AND NOW ONE OF THE WARDENS OF - THE TOWER OF LONDON; - - COMPRISING - - NARRATIVES OF THE CAMPAIGNS IN THE PENINSULA UNDER THE - DUKE OF WELLINGTON, - AND THE SUBSEQUENT CIVIL WARS IN SPAIN. - - - What, must I tell it thee? - As o’er my ev’ning fire I musing sat - Some few days since, my mind’s eye backward turn’d - Upon the various changes I have pass’d— - How in my youth with gay attire allur’d, - And all the grand accoutrements of war, - I left my peaceful home: Then my first battles, - When clashing arms, and sights of blood were new: - Then all the after-chances of the war; - Ay, and that field, a well-fought field it was. - - COUNT BASIL. - - - Second Edition. - - - LONDON: - COLBURN AND CO., PUBLISHERS, - GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. - 1852. - - - - - LONDON: - Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street. - - - - - TO - - GENERAL SIR A. F. BARNARD, K.C.B, K.C.H. - - &c. &c. &c. - - COLONEL OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE, - - AND GOVERNOR OF CHELSEA COLLEGE, - - THIS VOLUME - - Is most respectfully Dedicated, - - BY THE AUTHOR, - - EDWARD COSTELLO. - - - - - PREFACE - - TO - - THE FIRST EDITION. - - -So many Lives of Soldiers have already been written, and by abler pens -than mine, and so many tales have arisen out of the chequered scenes of -the late Peninsular War, and the short existence of the British Legion, -that I dare not be very sanguine of creating for my work any great -degree of interest. - -But every man’s life is a volume of change, felt and expressed according -to his peculiar dispositions and feelings, which are as varied under a -military as they can be under a civil life. Could the never to be -forgotten Tom Crawley but give his own detail!—could Long Tom of -Lincoln, once one of the smartest of our regiment, now the forlorn -bone-picker of Knightsbridge, but pen his own eventful track—could -Wilkie, Hetherington, Plunket, and many others of those humbler heroes, -conquerors in such well-contested fields as Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, -and Waterloo, &c., whose exploits form the principal attractions in this -volume, and whose stubborn spirits and perforated bodies formed -key-stones for the fame of our immortal Wellington, whose standard might -have found a sandy support but for the individual bravery of the -soldiers of his invincible divisions: could they but recount their -varied casts of fortune—who would fail to read their histories and help -to rear a cypress to their memories? - -With these considerations, I send this volume forth, trusting that the -reader will bear in mind that he who wrote it was both actor and -spectator in the scenes he has narrated, and feels assured that by their -perusal, he will be enabled to guess at what is generally felt and -experienced by the individual soldier. - -In the British Legion I held a medium rank. I saw not only what its -soldiers were, but caught a glance at their officers: with them my -military career flickered out its last moments of existence. Its -brighter fortunes, short as they were, however, gave me sufficient -opportunity to value those unfortunate men—my humbler comrades, and to -be convinced by their deeds, that the British soldier, with sickness, -oppression, the lash, and other distresses, still possessed his old -spirit, and was as fitted to reap laurels as he had been in more -glorious times. - - EDWARD COSTELLO. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - -Introduction of myself to the reader—To the service—Who would not be a - Soldier?—A recruit—Wilkie—Cupid’s Row-dow—The service endangered by - another—Arrival at Liverpool—I am made prisoner, but not by the - French—Recaptured by our sergeant—Lichfield round-house—St. Paul’s—I - join my regiment, and the regiment joins us—Great numbers of rank and - file burnt alive 1 - - - CHAPTER II. - -I join Captain O’Hare’s company—He falls in a passion—The “fair” and - “unfair” appointment—Disappointment—Things of a private nature—Tom - Crawley—An example—The Hero—How to catch “flats” in “squads”—New way - to tap a barrel—A Rifleman’s plan for sweeping chimneys and - tap-rooms—Pipe-clay and parade—The regiment embark for Portugal 6 - - - CHAPTER III. - -Tom Plunket’s Military Career 11 - - - CHAPTER IV. - -Arrival in Portugal—Crauford’s forced marches—Teetotalism with a - vengeance—The effect of the opposite extreme—Spanish mode of keeping a - man from stealing wine—False reports—Talavera—We arrive the day after - the fight—A battle scene—Sir Arthur Wellesley—General Cuesta—Dough Boy - Hill—The fever—I am taken ill—Elvas hospital—How to cure a - fever—Convalescence—Burial scenes—Our Sextons—March to my regiment—The - Germans—Pig-skins in danger, our own also—Captain Pakenham—Hanging - matters—Two dozen of each—Not sham pain—German discipline 19 - - - CHAPTER V. - -Old Trowsers—Sleeping and waking—O’Hare again—Colonel Beckwith—Two upon - one—Meagher—Barba del Puerco—General Crauford taken by surprise—The - Portuguese incorporation with the light division—Rodrigo—Gallegos—The - Beacon night scenes on picquet—Lord Wellington—Napoleon’s - Marriage—Crauford’s stratagem—The French spy—We retreat to Fort - Conception 28 - - - CHAPTER VI. - -Villa de Mula—Night expedition to Villa de Puerco—Both parties - retire—Death of Colonel Talbot—A soldier’s grave—The effects of a - miscarriage—Fort Conception blown up—A mistake and no mistake—Another - mistake, a ball in the right knee—The bridge over the Coa—A friend in - need, a friend indeed—Charity abroad and at home—A surgeon’s advice—A - blessing—A cough, an uncomfortable companion—Spanish apathy—We arrive - at Fraxedas 34 - - - CHAPTER VII. - -Mondego—The Coimbra—Figueras—The maggots—Lisbon—Battle of Busaco—Retreat - to Torres Vedras—Lord Wellington’s generalship—Belem—Jack ashore and - Jonathan also—Yankey and Lankey—Billy M’Nabb—The Highland kite and - Lowland tail—Josh. Hetherington—Sperum Poco—Portuguese - piety—Aruda—Doing what the enemy left undone—Tom Crawley again—In - state—A hot berth—Our enemies laugh at Tom in his glory 41 - - - CHAPTER VIII. - -The enemy retire upon Santarem—We retire upon Vallée—The bridge over the - Rio Mayor—The French out-lying sentries—Their camp ground—Comparative - quietude—The still—Escape from assassination—Tom Crawley’s - ghost-story—The “Death and Glory men”—The charms of a Brunswickian - appetite—Their desertions—Sergeant Fleming—His court-martial—We meet - our enemies on the water and contend—A comment on both sides 50 - - - CHAPTER IX. - -General Crauford leaves for England—Sir William Erskine takes the - command—Mounseer Strauss—We enter Santarem—Scenes of horror—Mile - posts of the “grande armée”—Retaliations of the Portuguese—Two - upon one—Pombal—Smart work—German gallantry—Auction—A new - division—Redinha—An accident—Long Tom of Lincoln—The deserter—A - return of favours 58 - - - CHAPTER X. - -Our march upon Condeixa—Tom Crawley again—Hot and cold—Affair of Casal - Nova—Death of Major Stewart—The French continue retreating—The two - brothers—Night scene—The French continue their havoc—The Caçadore—The - pet goat—Lord Wellington again—Our old Colonel—The promise of the - Staff—The Recruits—British enthusiasm inspired—The two French - prisoners—Particulars of Massena’s retreat and state of his troops—St. - Patrick’s Day—If I had a donkey—The river Caira—Our distressing - privations—O’Brien and the old Patrone—Arrival at Friexedas—Adjutant - Stewart killed—Sabugal—Carrying of the enemy’s position—Encomiums of - our Colonel—Death of Lieut. Arbuthnot—Disagreeable bed-fellow—A light - on the subject—Evacuation of Portugal by the French, Almeida - excepted—The British follow into Spain—Arrival at Gallegos—The enemy - active in Rodrigo—The skulker—Poor Burke—Expedition and disappointment - in search of a convoy 66 - - - CHAPTER XI. - -Our advance videttes, and the French cavalry—Manœuvring in front of - Villa Formosa—The Suttler and the Dragoons—Sergeant-Major - Sharp—Morning of the 5th May—General Crauford returns—Portuguese - welcome—Fuentes d’Onor—French Dragoon challenges to single - combat—Retreat on Navez d’Aver—Charges of cavalry—A deep game by the - French—Squaring it with the enemy—The 79th Highlanders—A prisoner - against his will—The French sentry and General Crauford—The Light - Dragoons again—Sergeant-Major Sharp again—Scene of discipline—That - lash disappointed—The German fratricide 77 - - - CHAPTER XII. - -Almeida closely invested by the fifth division, but not close - enough—Evacuation by the French—Suicide of the Colonel of the - 4th—Sabugal—We cross the Coa—The comet—Much ado about nothing—Tom - Crawley’s fears—March through Castello Branco—Portalegre, &c., - to Campo Mayor—Tom Crawley poisoned—Blockade of Ciudad - Rodrigo—Atalaya—Hunting excursion with the Staff—Our third battalion - joins us—Colonel Barnard—Tommy Searchfield—Middy ashore—Deficiency of - rations—A new arrival—His adventure—Spanish spite—The pigs—Rodrigo - relieved by the French—Our division—We rejoin the army—Battle of El - Bodon—We return to Guinaldo—Again invest Rodrigo—January, 1812—Fort - Piquerine stormed—The stripping of the prisoners by the Portuguese—Tom - Crawley again—Cure for a skulk 86 - - - CHAPTER XIII. - -Cold reception—Preparation to storm Rodrigo—I join the - “Forlorn-Hope”—The breaches—General Crauford killed—Uniacke mortally - wounded—Major Napier wounded—Taking of the town—A rough - customer—Wilkie again—Death of Wilkie—A gift—The left breach after the - battle—Wilkie’s grave—Horrors of a storm—This is my niece, Sir—The - right breach—Captain Uniacke—The Light Division leave Rodrigo in - disguise—Who the devil are those fellows?—We enter El Bodon 94 - - - CHAPTER XIV. - -Burial of General Crauford—Anecdote of Ladrone! Ladrone!—Corporal - Miles—Burial of Uniacke—A French seat of honour in jeopardy—A wolf! a - wolf!—Deserters shot—Scene of execution—March to Castello de Vide - across the Tagus—Execution of Corporal Arnal for desertion—Badajoz—A - man dreaming of his head being off with his head on; singular - fulfilment—Tom Crawley’s dislike to conchology—His alarms—The Duke of - Wellington saluted by the enemy—Remarkable feature of the case—A - French curative or an ill-wind, &c. 102 - - - CHAPTER XV. - -Storming of Badajoz—I join the Forlorn-Hope again—Presentiments of Major - O’Hare and Captain Jones—Their deaths—The stormers—The Ladder-men—I am - wounded—The French prisoner—O’Brien—Sacking of the town—Scene of - horror—Reflections—The Duke of Wellington and his men—Johnny Castles - introduced with a rope round his neck—The drummer-boy—A firelock goes - off, and so does a Corporal—I return to the camp—Casualties at - Badajoz—The French prisoner and a new acquaintance—His account of the - evacuation of Almeida—His opinion of the British soldiers 114 - - - CHAPTER XVI. - -I recover from my wounds and rejoin my regiment at Ituera—“Nine - holes”—March for Salamanca—Sergeant Battersby—The grenadier and - the murder of his wife, &c., &c.—Marmont out-manœuvred—Assault - of Fort St. Vincent—Retreat of the enemy—We arrive at Rueda—The - wine-vaults—My descent into one—Fright, &c.—Manœuvring of the - two armies—Skirmishing—A gallant Frenchman—Pratt and his - prisoner 126 - - - CHAPTER XVII. - -Battle of Salamanca—My wounds break out afresh—I go into the Hospital at - Salamanca—The Germans and their prisoners—A recognition—Michael - Connelly—His death and burial—Josh. Hetherington again—A new - acquaintance—His accounts of the Guerillas, &c.—A keepsake for a - sweetheart—The Guerilla—The army retrace their steps to - Salamanca—Proceed to Rodrigo—Heavy wet—Spanish payment; - acknowledgment—A dry coat—Lord Charles Spencer and his acorns—We - continue our march—The babes in the wood—Hard skirmishing with the - enemy’s advanced-guard—A woman in distress—Pepper—Hunger, cold, and - fatigue—Finish of the Burgos retreat 133 - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - -Head-quarters at Grenalda—Don Julian Sanchez, the celebrated Guerilla - Chief—Weakness of our numbers—Incorporation of Spaniards into our - regiments—A thief—Punishment of, and opinion of the men—General orders - for a collection among the men and officers to relieve Russian - losses—A ball, in which thousands were present—Campaign of 1813 - commenced—The Life Guards and the Blues join us—The French retreat to - Burgos—Secret expedition for bread—Our surprise—Retreat—General Sir - Lowry Cole—His temple spectacles made use of to reconnoitre—Our - escape—A few remarks—Three alternatives—A cavalry affair on the 18th - June—German brotherhood again 144 - - - CHAPTER XIX. - -We encamp near Puebla, on the road to Vittoria—Battle of Vittoria—A man - obliged to hold his jaw—Affair of Bayonets—The 88th—Blanco—Daly—French - defeated—A prisoner rescued—The carriage of Joseph Napoleon—His wife, - &c.—His bâton—A prise—Attempt to rob me—Sergeant Lee—Night scenes - after the battle—The sale of the spoils—I distribute my money for - safety—We march on Salvatierra—Halt at Pampeluna—Another brush - wanted—Lesaca—The enemy on the heights of Santa Barbara dislodged—The - French attempt to relieve Pampeluna—The Bidassoa—The French too late - for the “fare”—We also—A race back by way of “hurry”—The Regiment’s - birth-day—Sergeant Fawfoot’s loss and re-instalment—My treasure—My - comrade—His good faith—Siege and storm of San Sebastian—The four - hundred gallant Frenchmen—Their charge and escape—The 52nd and their - badges—Remarks, &c. 153 - - - CHAPTER XX. - -We encamp on the banks of the Bidassoa—Scenes on the water-edge—A narrow - escape with a lady in question,“Ah, there’s the rub”—Tom Crawley and - the biscuits—Our third battalion carry the heights of Vera—The French - camp, “the last of the French”—The Pyrenees—The mountain father—Up - hill and down dale—The battle of the Nivelle—Manly and Spanish - affection—Blanco again—His gallantry—Tom Crawley—A hug from a granny - dear—The last struggle—Crawley’s departure—A tear for Tom—A reel—St. - Jean de Lus—The French endeavour to make a stand—Colonel Sir Andrew - Barnard wounded—Death messengers fly fast 168 - - - CHAPTER XXI. - -9th December—Our picquets driven in—We are nearly outflanked—We retire—A - rally under the eye of Wellington—Lieutenant Hopwood and Sergeant - Brotherwood killed—Excellent feeling between the French and English - soldiers—Consequent General Order—Johnny Castles in the - advance—Picquet-house—Murder at Tarbes—Blanco again—Collection made - for the widow—Battle of Toulouse—“Amende Honorable”—We encamp on the - banks of the Garonne—“Fall in”—The Spaniards make a mistake—General - Picton rectifies it—The enemy retreat into Toulouse—They evacuate the - town—French leave—Theatre of Toulouse—“A Rifleman on the look - out.” 176 - - - CHAPTER XXII. - -We continue to pursue the enemy on their retreat—Halted on the second - day—A carriage brings Soult and peace—French troops disbanded—Friendly - intercourse with our men—Castle Sarazin—Our men prefer the ground for - a bed, in preference to a feather one—The French sergeant—The - invitation—Parade—The dinner—Farewell to the Spaniards and - Portuguese—Cupid enlisting deserters—Poor Blanco—Embarkation for - England—The ‘Ville de Paris’—The sergeant in hope of a wife—Arrival at - Portsmouth—The sergeant in search of a wife—Their meeting and - parting 182 - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - -Quartered in Dover—Receive our new clothing, &c.—May, 1815—Receive - orders to embark for Ostend—We arrive safe—Bruges—Ghent—Brussels—15th - of June—Belong to the fifth division under General Picton—Descend the - wood of Soignies to Waterloo—Duke of Wellington arrives from - Brussels—Battle of Waterloo—I receive a wound in my right hand, - shatters one of my fingers—Return to Brussels—The pretty - house-keeper—The child—Its dead mother—Genappe—Scenes on the road to - Brussels—Arrival at Brussels—Numbers of wounded in the - streets—Kindness and attention of the Brussels’ ladies—The fair - surgeon 189 - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - -Brussels’ hospitals—The British and French soldiers under amputation—I - lose my finger—Another loss also—I leave the hospital and am removed - to the Provost Guard—The Belgian marauders bared to the skin—The point - of honour—Sensation produced on their comrades—The Belgian regiment - under arms—Guard-house surrounded—Narrow escape—Removal of the - Belgians—Assassination of a French Count by a Cossack officer—Medals - sent from England—Consequent dissensions—Poor Wheatley—Quarters at - Mouvres—Augustine—An old acquaintance—A rival—Augustine leaves her - father’s house—Pursued—Her father’s despair—Removal to Cambray—The - regiment receives orders to embark for England—We part 197 - - - CHAPTER XXV. - -Disembark at Dover—Shorn Cliff Barracks—I am Invalided, and pass the - Board at Chelsea—Augustine’s arrival—Sixpence a day—Sir Andrew - Barnard—Sir David Dundas—My hopeless condition—Blood money—The - Honourable Doctor Wellesley—Mr. Walsford—Augustine returns with me to - France—I retrace my steps alone to Calais—To Dover—Dreadful extremes—A - new field for practice—A friend in need—Another “Forlorn-Hope”—Colonel - Ford—A Rifleman without an appetite—Death of Augustine 207 - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - -I enter the British Legion as Lieutenant—I raise a regiment of - Riflemen—Appoint the non-commissioned officers—Recruiting - districts—The peer and the dustmen—General Evans thanks—Embark at - Gravesend—Voyage across the Bay of Biscay—Arrival in Spain—We land at - Portugaletta—Pat’s logic—Spanish sentries shoot a man by mistake—A bad - omen—Men confined for not wearing that which they never had—Modern - rifle officers—Colonel de Rottenburgh—Legion officers classified—Fine - appearance of the men—Rifles march to Zorossa—Head quarters at - Bilboa—Bad quarters of the men—Severe drills—Bad beginning—The men - begin to droop through ill-treatment—“Cats” indiscriminately - used—Lieutenant Robinson drowned 213 - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - -Intention of the Spanish Government respecting our winter quarters—March - to Vittoria—Enemy oblige us to go round—The rear of the Legion - engaged—Baggage divided from it—Commencement of the plunder at - Bilboa—Arrival at Castro—Enemy supposed to be in the vicinity—We - remain at Castro—March the next day—Mountainous route—An accident—The - pass of Las Goras—March to Bonia—My company placed in the - advance—Orders to prepare for cavalry—Doubts and fears—A narrow - escape—Arrival at Breviesca—Breviesca—Head Quarters—My old - Patrone—Hints to revolutionists—System of regular drill begun—Riflemen - drilled collectively—I practice my company in sham fighting—Provosts - and hardship—Lay in a winter stock of sickness—Legion paid up to - November, 1835—Last payment—March of death—We march for Vittoria—Pass - of Pancorbo—The dead Patrone—Approach to Vittoria—My old - recollections—The 45th—Halt about three miles from the city—Spanish - troops come out to meet us—Triumphant entry into Vittoria—The veteran - Colonel 222 - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - -Vittoria as it then was—A bad wind that blows nobody any good—Rifles - rather comfortable at first—Severe weather—Morning scenes and cries in - Vittoria—The flogging system—Men not starved—A comparison of - facts—Hospitals get crammed with sick—Singular economy—The old - Colonel’s two sons—The Chapelgorris decimated by order of - Espartero—The Rifles march to Matuca—The whole Legion assemble at - Matuca—Cordova engaged—A Carlist village—A confession—A night - retreat—Colonel’s anxiety—Arlaban—Change of looks both in the men and - the inhabitants—March to Trevina—Sharp winter of 1835 232 - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - -Return to Vittoria—The mortality and state of the hospitals—Deaths among - the medical officers—Scenes in the wards—Legion supposed to be - poisoned—Don José Elgoez—His first ordeal—A discovery—Execution of the - two bakers—Description of the “Garotta”—Legion march and - counter-marches—Mode of warfare adopted by General Evans—Frequent - desertion 238 - - - CHAPTER XXX. - - -Sudden and unjust dismissal of the officers—Copies from General - Orders—Spanish compliments to the French and British Legions—Cordova - between two fires—Some French officers resign—Difference betwixt the - British and French Legion—Parting moments between a French Colonel and - his men—Legion receive orders to proceed to San Sebastian—The sick - left behind to guard the sick—March through the country to - Santander—Arrival at the Convent of Carbon—New clothing—Recruits, - &c.—My opinion of the Legion 244 - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - -Embark for San Sebastian—A thirty-two-pounder, and no mistake—A bloody - force—Brains where they were wanted, unfortunately—A prize—Arrival at - San Sebastian—Anticipated attack—Colonel de Rottenberg taken ill—Major - Fortescue—Opinions—His maiden speech—Two companies broke up the others - of the regiment—5th of May—Attack on the lines of San Sebastian—A - hullabaloo—6th Scotch taken for enemies—Helter-skelter—I receive a - severe wound—Am carried into San Sebastian—My letter to my - wife 250 - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - -The loss of my company in the late action—Apprehensions about my - leg—Medal and pewter—A candidate for Knighthood—Captain Plunkett—His - death, &c.—A Rifleman assassinated—Fire-eaters—Sketch of San - Sebastian—Lord John Hay’s battery—Ramble towards Passages—Something - serious—Awkward squads—Singular decline of Spanish Bigotry—A Sectarian - alarmed 256 - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - -Disorganised state of the Legion—Three months’ pay—A holiday—The 6th and - 8th Scotch lay down their arms—Reasons—My wishes to retire from the - Legion—I give up the command of the company—A reflection—I embark for - Santander—Report myself to Colonel Arbuthnot—My new command—The - convent of Carbon—Short description—Inhabitants of—First sample—A - speculation—A Quarter-master’s conscience—I place him under arrest—A - horse! A horse! 263 - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - -An orderly dragoon puts us all in confusion—A stir—Retreat upon - Santander—The dangers of forgetfulness—Cure for a fever—We return to - our old quarters—Captain Shields and Major Clark’s visit—An appeal—A - new mode of raising “Volunteers”—Glory or death by famine—One hundred - and twenty men are starved into the service again—Scene in - Santander—British soldiers and subjects—More assassinations—A - cold-blooded Spaniard—A peace-loving Commandant—Captain Oakley and his - “cats”—Continued horrors of the convent—Assassination—A relief from - purgatory—A conclusion 268 - - - - - ADVENTURES - - OF - - A SOLDIER. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - To give a young gentleman right education, - The army’s the only good school in the nation. - - SWIFT. - -Introduction of myself to the reader—To the service—Who would not be a - Soldier?—A recruit—Wilkie—Cupid’s Row-dow—The service endangered by - another—Arrival at Liverpool—I am made prisoner, but not by the - French—Recaptured by our sergeant—Lichfield round-house—St. Paul’s—I - join my regiment, and the regiment joins us—Great numbers of rank and - file burnt alive. - - -IT has ever been the fashion in story telling to begin, I believe, with -the birth of the hero, and as I do not forget, for a moment, that I am -my own, I can only modestly say with young Norval I am, - - ... ... ... of parentage obscure - Who nought can boast, but my desire to be - A soldier. - -I was born at the town of Mount Mellick, Queen’s County, Ireland, on the -26th October, 1788. When I was seven years old my father removed to -Dublin, where he had been appointed to the situation of tide waiter. As -soon as I became a good sized youth, my father bound me apprentice to a -cabinet-maker, in King William Street, in the aforesaid city; but urged -by a roving and restless spirit, I soon grew tired of my occupation, -which I left on morning early “without beat of drum.” - -I next went to live with an uncle, a shoemaker, who employed several men -to work in his business. Among these was an old soldier, who had lost a -leg, fighting under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, in Egypt. From this old -blade, I think it was, I first acquired that martial ardour that so -frequently infects young men in time of war. There was, indeed, no -resisting the old pensioner’s description of glory. I became red hot for -a soldier’s life, and although rejected as too young for the regulars, I -“listed,” as it is technically called, in the Dublin Militia on the 17th -of June, 1806. - -At the latter end of the following year, our regiment was stationed at -Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, where I volunteered into the 95th, -since made the “Rifle Brigade.” It was rather singular, but I remember I -was the only volunteer from the regiment who joined the rifles. - -After receiving my bounty of the eighteen guineas (£4 of which were -deducted for my kit, which I was to have on joining), the sum allowed at -that time to those who volunteered from the militia, I took the mail -coach for Dublin, where I found a recruiting party of my new regiment, -consisting of one sergeant, a corporal and six privates. I must say I -felt highly delighted with the smart appearance of the men, as well as -with their green uniform. The sergeant proposed that I should remain in -Dublin, being as it were, almost a native of that city, from which -circumstance he thought I might materially assist in raising recruits. - -Recruiting, on the pay of a private soldier, is anything but pleasant, -and particularly if he be confined to the mere shilling a-day, doled out -to him once a-week, for he not unfrequently spends it all the first -night he receives it. I myself had woefully experienced this, having -been frequently for days without food, through my irregularities and my -unwillingness to acquaint my friends that I was so near them. - -I was crawling about one day in this manner, heartily tired of my first -sample of military life, garbed in an old green jacket of the -sergeant’s, when I was accosted by a smart young fellow. After eyeing me -rather shrewdly from head to foot for several seconds, “I say, green -boy,” said he, “do you belong to the Croppies? D—— me, but I like your -dress. What bounty do you give?” - -“Eighteen guineas,” replied I. - -“Come then,” said he, “tip us a shilling. I’m your man.” Unfortunately -for me, I had not a farthing, for I had eaten nothing for that and the -whole of the previous day. However, knowing that we received two pounds -for every recruit, I hurried into a public-house near at hand, and -requested of the landlord to lend me a shilling, telling him the use for -which I wanted it. This he very kindly did, and I handed it over to the -recruit, who, chucking it instantly on the counter, called for the worth -of it in whiskey. While we remained drinking, the sergeant, whom I had -sent for, arrived, and supplying us with money, the recruit passed the -doctor and was sworn in for our corps. - -His name was Wilkie, he was an Englishman; his father having been sent -for from Manchester to superintend a glass manufactory in Dublin, -accounted for his being here. He was a fine young fellow of about five -feet eight inches in height, and possessed all the genuine elements of a -soldier, that is, was quarrelsome, generous and brave, of which -qualities he gave us a specimen the evening he enlisted, by quilting a -pair of coal-heavers. After a few days, he introduced me to his family, -consisting of his parents and a sister, a remarkably pretty girl of -about seventeen. Had war not claimed me with her iron grasp as her -proselyte, I, no doubt, should have interwoven my destinies with the -silken web of Cupid, who, very naturally, when my youth and early -passions are considered, for I was but nineteen, tapped me very -seriously on the shoulder. - -I, however, went on recruiting, and the two pounds I received for -enlisting Wilkie, I handed over to my landlady in advance for future -food, which my last misfortune had taught me to value. This precaution, -as is generally the case, was now no longer necessary, for in a short -time after, we enlisted so many recruits, that money became very -plentiful, and I was enabled to get coloured clothes. While we remained -in Dublin, I became a constant visitor at the house of Wilkie’s father, -and the young lady I have alluded to, not disapproving of my advances, a -serious attachment followed. But my stay threatened to be speedily -terminated, as the sergeant and his party received orders to join his -regiment immediately, then at Colchester, - - Mars and Cupid _beat to arms_, - -and placed me in the predicament of the donkey betwixt the hay stacks. I -became bewildered as to which to take, both being, as it were, necessary -to the calls of my nature. - -At last, the time for parting arrived, which took place after a little -private snivelling and simpering, and the usual vows of eternal -fidelity, passion and remembrance—which last I have kept to this day. -She and her mother accompanied Wilkie and myself towards the Pigeon -House, Ringsend, and in something more than twenty-four hours, we found -ourselves cheek by jowl with the quays of Liverpool. It was past -midnight when _we_ cast anchor. We were ordered to remain on board; but -Wilkie’s and my own anxiety to see the place took advantage of a loop -hole in the waterman’s pocket, and we got ashore in our coloured -clothes; from the lateness of the hour, however, we were obliged to take -lodgings in a cellar. We had not been long settled and asleep below -stairs, before I was awoke by the bright glare of a bull’s eye lanthorn -staring me full in the face, and some five or six rough sailors all -armed to the teeth, standing before us. - -The first thing they did was to feel our hands, which, finding to be -rather soft, one remarked to the other, that we had never been sailors, -though nevertheless they took us as lawful prey. Wilkie, at first, -wanted to fight with them, but was persuaded by half a dozen _bull -dogs_, and some cutlasses to walk quietly to the tender, in which we -most probably should have taken a voyage, but, for one thing, we had -been _sea-sick_ and were _sick of the sea_, and on being examined by the -officer on board the next morning, we gladly sent for our sergeant, who, -claiming us, accordingly, we were liberated. - -Our party continued their march, and Wilkie, whom for more reasons than -one I was growing exceedingly attached to, was always my companion and -many a scrape he got me into. He was continually in hot water; on -several occasions and particularly at Lichfield where we were caged, for -kicking up disturbances amongst some Irish recruits in which, however, I -supported my friend, we were detained for want of means to pay for the -damage done to a public-house, the scene of riot. Sergeant Crooks (for -that was our sergeant’s name) had not unfortunately the means to satisfy -this demand, having nothing but the men’s bare allowance to carry us to -London. Meanwhile, we remained in the cage, which was in a very -conspicuous part of the market-place. - -The fact of an Irishman being there, seemed to have aroused all the -little brats and blackguards of the neighbourhood, (my countrymen were -not so plentifully scattered then as they are now), and every minute of -the day we were annoyed by, “I say Paddy, Hilloa Paddy, which way does -the bull run?” Taking both of us for Irish, the young devils kept -twirling their fingers on their noses, even through the bars of the -cage. The poor sergeant, who was a mild good fellow, arranged matters, -after all, with the magistrates; the money was to be sent to the injured -parties as soon as we joined the regiment, and deducted from our -pay—which was done accordingly. - -Wilkie, however, continued his pranks, and once while in London when on -a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, stopped the pendulum of the clock, and -set the bells ringing; for this we were again imprisoned, but escaped -this time, by paying a fine of five shillings for being drunk, after -which nothing occurred till we arrived at Colchester. Here I joined the -1st battalion, then under the command of Colonel Beckwith, afterwards -known as General Sir Sidney Beckwith, and was attached to Captain -Glass’s company. - -Shortly after my arrival, the regiment was ordered to Spain, the -campaign having then commenced. But not being perfect in my exercises, I -was left behind as depôt, until time and practice had made me a greater -proficient in Light Infantry duty. Although this was a necessary -consequence to a mere recruit, at that time, I felt not a little -mortification at being prevented sharing in the glory, which I believed -the regiment about to reap. - -As it was, however, I had no great reason to complain. I became an adept -in my drill, and a tolerable shot along with some other recruits, before -the regiment returned. This took place in the month of January, 1809, at -Hythe, where we were at that time stationed, the depôt having moved from -Colchester. - -The Rifle regiment, it is well known, had distinguished itself, and had -suffered severely, especially in the retreat to Corunna under the -gallant Moore. From thence, they had embarked for England, where, on -their landing, they presented a most deplorable sight. The appearance of -the men was squalid and miserable in the extreme. There was scarcely a -man amongst them, who had not lost some of his appointments, and many, -owing to the horrors of that celebrated retreat, were even without -rifles. Their clothing, too, was in tatters, and in such an absolute -state of filth as to swarm with vermin. New clothing was immediately -served out and the old ordered to be burnt, which order was put into -execution at the back of our barracks amid the jests of the men, who -congratulated each other on thus getting effectually rid of those -myriads of enemies, that had proved such a source of personal discomfort -to them abroad. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - -I join Captain O’Hare’s company—He falls in a passion—The “fair” and - “unfair” appointment—Disappointment—Things of a private nature—Tom - Crawley—An example—The Hero—How to catch “flats” in “squads”—New way - to tap a barrel—A Rifleman’s plan for sweeping chimneys and - tap-rooms—Pipe-clay and parade—The regiment embark for Portugal. - - -SHORTLY after the return of the regiment, I was drafted into the company -commanded by Captain Peter O’Hare; a man whose eccentric habits were -equalled only by his extremely ugly countenance. Peter, for that was the -cognomen by which he was generally known to the men, was as brave as a -lion; and had risen, it was said, to his present commission from the -ranks. - -While here, he got in tow with a young lady of Hythe, whom he was in the -habit frequently of escorting about the barracks and the neighbouring -heights. This the men as often took advantage of, and throwing -themselves in his way, when arm-in-arm with the lady, would ask any -favour they might have required of him. This Peter, who we presumed had -an eye to the opinion and future requital of, perhaps, his own wishes -upon the fair one herself, would always readily grant; until, at last, -through their importunities he became awake to the scheme, and swore he -would flog the first man who made another attempt of the kind, when the -lady was present. - -A rather humorous adventure, which came to my knowledge through his -servant, occurred while here. One day at Hythe with a dinner party, at -which the young lady was present, he chanced, unintentionally, to give -offence to some Militia officer, one of the party; the consequence was, -that the next morning he received, what he perhaps supposed a -_billet-doux_, but which, to his surprise, turned out to be a challenge. -He was sitting shaving himself when the note was delivered to him by his -servant, and of course dropped the razor to peruse it. - -“John,” said he, calling his man back; “who brought this? Faith, it’s a -challenge.” - -“A gentleman!” replied John, “now waiting at the door.” - -“Oh, then,” says Peter, “tell the gentleman that I am going to Spain, -and that if he follows me, he’ll not find me behind a hedge; and with my -compliments, tell him also to take back this bit of paper to the humbug -who sent it; for by Jove!” he continued, closing the door, “captain’s -commissions are not to be got every day!” - -Our commanding officer, who was considered as one of the most humane of -the whole army, was an excellent man, and well deserving of his fame; he -seldom had recourse to the “cats,” thinking, perhaps, with a great deal -of truth, that it was necessary only in extreme cases. The plan of -punishment, generally adopted by him, was to put the offender on extra -drill with all his accoutrements on. When, however, the men became -incorrigible, he would order a six pound shot to be affixed to the leg, -with a long chain attached to it, and so oblige them to trail it about -with them. - -We had in our regiment, at this time, a man of the name of Tom Crawley, -who was always getting into scrapes, and who was one of those singular -characters with which every regiment abounds. To enormous strength, and -great meekness of temper, he added an infinity of dry humour, which I -shall better illustrate by introducing him to the reader at once, as -bearing no little part in my career—in which he first became known to me -as one of the “incorrigibles.” Tom, however, made light of every -punishment, even of the “six-pounder,” which he would generally chuck -under his arm as if it were a mere toy. To obviate this, another move -was made by our Colonel, which was the obliging him to wear a kind of -long smock-frock, with a green cross painted on the back and front of -it. The barrack in which we were, being only temporary, presented no -outward wall to prevent our free intercourse with the town where Tom was -a general favourite. Tom used, therefore, at night, while under -disgrace, to take advantage of the dusk, and steal by the sentries into -the town. Here, of course, his strange dress elicited innumerable -queries. - -“Arrah and sure!” Tom would reply with a knowing side leer of the eye, -“sure and is it not the new regulation of the Duke of York, and musn’t -all the likes of me, that are Catholics in our regiment, wear the cross -on their dress!” - -The first parade we had after our men had received their new equipments, -was imprinted upon my memory from a circumstance attending it, that was -well calculated to make an impression upon the mind of a youthful -soldier, such as I then was; and to inspire that _esprit de corps_ in a -regiment, which is absolutely essential to even disciplined valour. I -had previously, more than once, heard a man of the name of Tom Plunket -eulogised by the men for his courage. He was a smart, well-made fellow, -about the middle height, in the prime of manhood; with a clear grey eye, -and handsome countenance; and was a general favourite with both officers -and men, besides being the best shot in the regiment. - -On the occasion I have above alluded to, we were formed into hollow -square, and ordered to face inwards; as we knew it was not a punishment -parade, we naturally expected some address from the commanding officer, -and wondering in our own minds what was coming, when Colonel Beckwith -broke the silence by calling out: - -“Private Thomas Plunket, step into the square.” All eyes, it is needless -to say, were fixed upon Plunket, as he halted with his rifle shouldered, -in the finest position of military attention, within a few paces of his -officer. - -“Here, men,” exclaimed the commanding officer, pointing to Plunket, -“here stands a pattern for the battalion!” Then addressing Tom, he -added, “I have ordered a medal for you, in approval of your late gallant -conduct at Corunna. Present yourself, Sir, to the master tailor and get -on a corporal’s stripes, and I will see you do not want higher -promotion, as you continue to deserve it. I love to reward conduct such -as yours has hitherto been!” - -Making his salute, Tom retired, when we formed into column and marched -back to our barracks, duly fired with a love of emulation to deserve the -praise that had been bestowed on the fortunate Plunket. I have since -often thought of the judicious conduct pursued by our Colonel in the -foregoing instance, as I am convinced that it was attended with the -happiest effects among many of the men, and, perhaps, indeed, induced -much of that spirit of personal gallantry and daring for which our corps -afterwards became celebrated. - -Our regiment was shortly afterwards raised to one thousand strong, -chiefly through volunteering from the Militia, our common medium of -supply at the time at which I write, and it is justly due to the Militia -regiments, to say, that in the knowledge and exercise of their military -duties, during the war, they were very little inferior to the troops of -the line. The men who joined our battalion, were in general a fine set -of young fellows, and chiefly the _élite_ of the light companies of the -different provincial corps. - -For his qualifications, as before stated, Tom Plunket, with a few -others, was selected to recruit from the Lincoln Militia, which lay at -Hythe, while we remained in temporary barracks on the heights. - -While the volunteering went on, the Militia colonels were ordered to -give their men full liberty to do as they liked, and the better to -obtain the object in view, barrels of beer with the heads knocked in, -were, by order of government, placed in the different streets of the -town, for those to partake of who chose. The butts, consequently, were -dipped into by every kind of person with utensils of every description. -This we must not wonder at, when we consider the double thirst those -times gave rise to, “Barclay” as well as “Glory.” - -Tom’s manner of attack was rather singular, but joined to the profusion -of government, very efficacious. The Rifles, from the dark colour of -their uniforms, and the total absence of all ornament, had gained the -nick-name of “Sweeps,” an appellation, which, nevertheless, held out a -kind of temptation to the “wide awake” of the squads. The pipe clay and -button stick were always hateful to the eyes of all soldiers; but to -none so much as to the Riflemen, who looked upon them as fitted only for -men less useful than themselves. This, Tom took advantage of on all -occasions. He was the soul of every company he mixed in, and amongst his -other accomplishments, numbered that of dancing excellently. - -One day, the better to attract the “awkwards,” he commenced a shuffle on -the head of one of the aforesaid barrels of beer, to the infinite -amusement of a very large crowd; in the course of a few steps, however, -the head suddenly gave way, and soused Tom up to his neck in the liquid. -The whole crowd laughed uproariously. But Tom, whose head only was to be -seen, stared very gravely round the edge of the cask, then suddenly -recovering himself, and bolting out of the butt, he made his way -instantly to the public-house chimney, which, having ascended some -distance and descended, he as quickly re-appeared amongst the crowd. - -“There now,” said he, giving himself a Newfoundland shake, that opened a -wide and instantaneous circle of militia men, “there now,” he exclaimed, -“d—n your pipe clay, now I’m ready for the grand parade!” - -I must now notice an order that arrived for our immediate embarkation -for Portugal, to join the army under Sir Arthur Wellesley. We went on -board the transports lying for us at Dover in March, 1809, in the best -of spirits; such, in fact, as sportsmen feel in anticipation of the -pleasures of the chase. - -Shipboard, though perhaps not quite so forlorn as Doctor Johnson has -portrayed it, soon becomes sufficiently irksome and unpleasant to those -not accustomed to it, especially when three or four hundred men are -crowded into a small vessel. Our officers, who were mostly a jolly set -of fellows, had recourse to various expedients to while away the time on -our voyage. Among these was one extremely popular, and that was getting -Plunket to dance a hornpipe to the music of our band upon the -quarter-deck. Tom danced it famously; and the beating of his feet, in -the “double shuffle” used to draw the loudest plaudits from our men and -the crew of the vessel. - -As I have already been induced to mention Plunket, while we are now on -our voyage to Portugal, I will introduce a sketch of his life, which -well known as it is to many individuals formerly in the regiment, -possibly may not form an unamusing episode in my own. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - When I’m in want I’ll thankfully receive - Because I’m poor; but not because I’m brave. - - TOM PLUNKET TO THE LIFE. - - - Tom Plunket’s Military Career. - -PLUNKET’S first career in arms was in South America with General -Whitelocke, where he acquired the reputation, in his company, of a good -soldier. It was at the retreat of Corunna, some years afterwards, that -an opportunity particularly presented itself of getting distinguished, -and which Tom took in the nick of time. The rear-guard of the British, -partly composed of the Light Brigade, notwithstanding the gallantry of -some of our cavalry, were exceedingly pressed by the French horse, who -were vastly superior to us in that arm. In the neighbourhood of Astorga, -in particular, they made several determined charges. In these onsets, a -French general, named Colbert, was remarkably active, as well as -conspicuous, from riding a grey horse, and, though frequently aimed at -by our men, seemed to bear a charmed life, as he invariably escaped. In -one of the French charges, headed by this officer, our General, Sir -Edward Paget, rode up to the rifles, and offered any man his purse who -would shoot this daring Frenchman, whom he pointed out. Plunket -immediately started from his company, and running about a hundred yards -nearer to the enemy, he threw himself on his back on the road, which was -covered with snow, placing his foot in the sling of his rifle, and -taking a deliberate aim, shot General Colbert. His Trumpet-Major riding -up to him, shared the same fate, from Tom’s unerring rifle. Our men, who -had been anxiously watching Tom, immediately cheered him; and he had -just time, by running in upon the rear-most sections, to escape some -dozen troopers who made chase after him. Our General immediately gave -Tom the purse he had promised, with encomiums upon his gallantry, and -promised to recommend him to his Colonel, which he did in high terms to -Colonel Beckwith. A few days afterwards, when the French attacked Sir -John Moore’s position at Corunna, Plunket again became noted for his -cool bravery and daring, especially in making some admirable shots, by -which they lost many officers. - -But the truth must be told. Like all heroes, Tom had his faults. Among -these, in particular, was one which, in its destructive consequences, -was calculated to counterbalance in a soldier a thousand virtues. In -other words, Tom was a thirsty soul, and exceedingly fond of a “drop.” -This was his unfortunate failing through life, and but for which he must -have got on in the service. - -One deplorable instance of insubordination, arising from this vice, I -well remember, which took place at Campo Mayor, after the battle of -Talavera. Tom had been promoted to the rank of sergeant, and was in the -Hon. Captain Stewart’s company. One morning, when the company was on -private parade, Tom appeared quite tipsy, and, in giving the words of -command for inspection, previous to the arrival of the officers, he set -the men laughing. The pay-sergeant, his superior in rank, immediately -ordered him to desist. Tom refused, and, while an altercation was going -on, Captain Stewart came up, who, perceiving the state he was in, put -him under arrest, and ordered him to be confined to his quarters. - -Here he was no sooner left alone than, conceiving that a great indignity -had been placed upon him, thoughts of vengeance immediately suggested -themselves to his mind. Under the influence of intoxication that man, -who, when sober, was noted for his good humour and humanity, now -conceived the diabolical intention of shooting his Captain. He -immediately barricaded the door of the room, and then set about loading -some ten or twelve rifles, belonging to men, then on fatigue duty. -Taking up one of these, and cocking it, he placed himself at an open -window for the avowed purpose, as he stated to several of the men, of -shooting Captain Stewart as he passed. - -Fortunately the Captain got notice of the danger of going near the -house, while several of the men, by coaxing and force, alternately, -endeavoured without effect to get into the room Tom had barred. At -length the unfortunate Plunket was induced to relent on the appearance -of a Lieutenant of the company named Johnson, who was a great favourite -with the men, among whom he was known by a very familiar nick-name. The -door was opened and Tom made prisoner. - -Although Tom was a general favourite, and his conduct had resulted from -the madness of intoxication, his insubordination was too glaring to -stand a chance of being passed over. He was brought to a regimental -court-martial, found guilty, and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks, -and to receive three hundred lashes. Poor Plunket, when he had recovered -his reason, after the commission of his crime, had experienced and -expressed the most unfeigned contrition, so that when his sentence -became known, there was a general sorrow felt for him throughout the -regiment, particularly on account of the corporal punishment. In this -feeling, I believe, the officers participated almost as much as the men. - -At length the time arrived when the bravest soldier of our battalion was -to suffer the penalty of his crime in the presence of those very men -before whom he had been held up as a pattern but some few short months -before. The square was formed for punishment: there was a tree in the -centre to which the culprit was to be tied, and close to which he stood -with folded arms and downcast eyes, in front of his guard. The surgeon -stood by, while the buglers were busily engaged untangling the strings -of the cats. - -There was a solemn stillness on that parade that was remarkable; a -pensiveness on the features of both officers and men, deeper than usual, -as though the honour of the profession was to suffer in the person of -the prisoner. Flogging is at all times a disgusting subject of -contemplation: in the present instance, it seemed doubly so, now that a -gallant, and until within a few days, an honoured and respected man was -to suffer. - -The sentence of the court-martial was read by the adjutant in a loud -voice. Poor Tom, who had the commiseration of the whole regiment, looked -deadly pale. That countenance which the brunt of the fiercest battle had -been unable to turn from its ruddy hue—that countenance which the fear -of death could not change—was now blanched in dread of a worse fate. - -“Buglers, do your duty,” exclaimed Colonel Beckwith, in a voice husky -with emotion, I thought, as the men seemed to hesitate in their business -of stripping and binding the prisoner to the tree. This, however, was -soon accomplished, Tom only once attempting to catch the eye of his -colonel with an imploring glance, while he exclaimed in broken accents— - -“Colonel, you won’t, will you? You won’t—you cannot mean to flog _me_!” - -The appeal, although it went to the heart of every one present, was -vain. Colonel Beckwith betrayed much uneasiness; I beheld him give a -slight start at the commencement of the punishment; but his sense of -duty became paramount the moment he beheld the punishing bugler laying -on rather lighter than was common. - -“Do your duty, Sir, fairly!” he uttered in a loud voice. - -The first man had bestowed his quantum of punishment, twenty-five -lashes, when he was succeeded by another. This man, as if determined -that his reputation as a flogger should not suffer, however his victim -might, laid on like a hardened hand. Plunket’s sufferings were becoming -intense: he bit his lip to stifle the utterance of his pangs; but -nature, too strong for suppression, gave place more than once to a half -agonized cry, that seemed to thrill through the very blood in my veins. -Happily this wretched scene was destined to a brief termination: at the -thirty-fifth lash, the Colonel ordered the punishment to cease, and the -prisoner to be taken down. When this was done, he addressed Plunket: -“You see, Sir, now, how very easy it is to commit a blackguard’s crime, -but how difficult it is to take his punishment.” - -So ended the most memorable punishment-scene I have ever witnessed. It -has usually been contended, by those averse to the system of flogging, -common in our army, that it destroys the pride and spirit of the man. -That it has had that effect, in many instances, I have myself witnessed, -where the character of the soldier was not previously depraved. But with -reference to Plunket, he appeared soon to get over the recollection of -his former disgrace. He got into favour with his officers again, and, -notwithstanding little fits of inebriety, was made corporal, and went -through the sanguinary scenes of the Peninsula, unscathed from shot or -steel. His usual luck, however, forsook him at Waterloo, where a ball -struck the peak of his cap and tore his forehead across, leaving a very -ugly scar. I recollect having gone wounded at the time to the rear, -where I saw him under the hands of the surgeon. - -After Waterloo, he was invalided to England, where he passed the board -at Chelsea; but only being awarded the pittance of sixpence a-day for -his wound and long services, he felt disgusted, and expressed himself to -the Lords Commissioners in a way that induced them to strike him off the -list altogether. The following day he started off for Ireland, where he -duly arrived in rags and wretchedness. To relieve himself, he again -enlisted in either the thirty-first or thirty-second regiment of the -line, then quartered somewhere in the north. - -While wearing a red coat, he had a singular meeting with his former -Colonel, then General Sir Sydney Beckwith, which I have often heard him -relate. It is customary, as the reader may probably be aware, to have -half-yearly inspections of our regiments at home. Shortly after Tom’s -having enlisted, it so happened, on one of the above occasions, when his -regiment was formed for inspection, that the duty devolved upon his old -commander, Sir Sydney, who was in command of the district. - -In walking down the front rank, scrutinising the appearance of the men, -the General suddenly came to Tom, distinguished as he was by two medals -on his breast. - -“Do my eyes deceive me?” said Sir Sydney. “Surely you are Tom Plunket, -formerly of my own regiment.” - -“What’s left of me, Sir,” replied Tom, who was seldom deficient in a -prompt reply. - -“And what has again brought you into the service?” inquired Sir Sydney. -“I thought you had passed the board at Chelsea?” - -“So I did,” said Tom; “but they only allowed me sixpence a-day, Sir; so -I told them to keep it for the young soldiers, as it wasn’t enough for -the old, who had seen all the tough work out.” - -“Ha! the old thing, Tom, I perceive,” observed Sir Sydney, shaking his -head; then immediately remarked to the Colonel of the regiment, as he -proceeded down the ranks—“One of my bravest soldiers.” - -The same day the General dined at the officers’ mess, when Tom was sent -for after dinner. - -“Here, Plunket, I have sent for you to give us a toast,” observed Sir -Sydney, as he handed him a glass of wine. - -“Then, Sir, here’s to the immortal memory of the poor fellows who fell -in the Peninsula, Sir,” said Tom. - -The toast was drunk by all with much solemnity, when Tom was dismissed -with a present from Sir Sydney. The following day Tom was made a -corporal, and shortly afterwards, through the medium, I believe, of Sir -Sydney, went up and passed the pension board at Kilmainham, which -granted him a shilling a-day. - -But I had forgotten to mention, in its place, an event common in man’s -life—I mean his marriage. Shortly after the battle of Waterloo, Tom had -wedded a lady remarkable for being deficient in one essential to -beauty—she actually had no _face_, or, at all events, was so _defaced_, -it amounted to the same thing. This slight flaw in the beauty of Tom’s -wife, who - - Had gallantly follow’d the camp through the war, - -arose from the bursting of an ammunition-waggon at Quatre Bras, near to -which the lady stood, and by which her countenance was rendered a blue, -shapeless, noseless mass. This event was duly commemorated by the -government, who allowed the heroine a shilling a-day pension, in -allusion to which Tom used facetiously to say—“It was an ill blowing up -of powder that blew nobody good.” - -The story of Tom Plunket, already narrated at greater length than I had -intended, draws fast to a close. Imbued with roving inclinations, partly -owing to his nature, and more perhaps to his profession, for nothing -more unsettles a man than the ever-changing chequered course of a -soldier’s life, he at one time determined to become a settler in Canada, -and, accordingly, accepted the offer held out by government to all -pensioners, of allowing them so much land, and giving them four years’ -pay for their pensions. Plunket, ever eager for the handling of cash, -got two years’ pay down here, and started off with some two or three -hundred others to try their fortune. This proved to be a very miserable -one: Tom was not a man to rusticate on the other side of the Atlantic -amid privations, and with the recollection of old England fresh in his -mind. - -Before a year had elapsed, he returned to England with his wife, and, by -way of apology to his friends, stated his grant of land was so wild and -swampy that it made him quite melancholy, looking at it in a morning out -of the chinks of a wretched log hut he had managed to erect upon his -estate. He returned home swearing loudly against forest-land, a swampy -soil, and a bad climate, having, of course, duly forfeited his own -pension for ever. - -The last time I saw Tom Plunket was in Burton Crescent, most -picturesquely habited, and selling matches. I did not disdain to speak -to an old comrade who had been less fortunate in “life’s march” than -myself. I asked him how he got on, when with one of his usual cheerful -smiles he informed me, that the match-selling business kept him on his -legs. - -“I should have thought, Tom, you had seen enough of _firing_,” I -remarked, “without endeavouring to live by it now.” - -“A man must do something these hard times for bread,” replied Tom, as he -passed his hand thoughtfully across the furrow made by the bullet at -Waterloo. - -Poor Tom! I felt for him. I was sorry to see him neglected; others, -whose service were many days march behind his, were taken better care -of. But Tom’s incorrigible failing was his own stumbling-block. - -I did not, however, leave him my mere reflection, but giving him a -portion of that coin, he so well knew how to get rid of, I wished him -success in his new business, and went my way, musing on the strange -vicissitudes of a soldier’s life.[1] - - Alas! the brave too oft are doom’d to bear, - The gripes of poverty, the stings of care. - -But after this digressive sketch, it is high time to return to my own -career in the field that was just now commencing. Returning to -ship-board, from whence I conducted the peruser of this veritable -narrative, allow me to say, that after a tolerably pleasant voyage we -anchored off Lisbon. From thence, in a few days, we proceeded in open -boats up the river Tagus, and landed about four miles from Santarem, -where we encamped for the night. - -On the following morning, we marched into the city of Santarem amid the -cheers of its inhabitants, who welcomed us with loud cries of “_Viva os -Ingleses valerosos!_” Long live the brave English! - -Here we immediately became brigaded with the 43rd and 52nd regiments of -Light Infantry, under the command of Major-General Crauford. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - -Arrival in Portugal—Crauford’s forced marches—Teetotalism with a - vengeance—The effect of the opposite extreme—Spanish mode of keeping a - man from stealing wine—False reports—Talavera—We arrive the day after - the fight—A battle scene—Sir Arthur Wellesley—General Cuesta—Dough Boy - Hill—The fever—I am taken ill—Elvas hospital—How to cure a - fever—Convalescence—Burial scenes—Our Sextons—March to my regiment—The - Germans—Pig-skins in danger, our own also—Captain Pakenham—Hanging - matters—Two dozen of each—Not sham pain—German discipline. - - -ON the third day after our arrival at Santarem, we commenced a series of -forced marches to join the main army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, at -Talavera, then almost hourly expecting an engagement with the French -corps commanded by Marshal Victor. Our men suffered dreadfully on the -route, chiefly from excessive fatigue and the heat of the weather, it -being the melting month of July. The brain fever soon commenced, making -fearful ravages in our ranks, and many men dropped by the road-side and -died. One day I saw two men of the 52nd, unable to bear their -sufferings, actually put a period to their existence by shooting -themselves.[2] - -The greatest efforts possible were made by Major-General Crauford to -arrive in time to join the Commander-in-chief, previously to a battle -being fought. The excellent orders our brigadier issued for maintaining -order and discipline on the line of march on this occasion, though -exceedingly unpopular at first, have since become justly celebrated in -the service. No man, on any pretext whatever, was allowed to fall out of -the ranks without a pass from the officer of his company, and then only -on indispensable occasions. - -This pass, however, was not a complete security, for on the return of -the stragglers to camp, the orderly sergeants were compelled to parade -them before their regimental-surgeons, when, if pronounced as skulkers, -they were instantly tried by a drum-head court martial, and punished -accordingly; thus, frequently, when almost dying with thirst, we were -obliged to pass springs of the finest water by the road-side untasted. -But all this apparent severity, as we afterwards learnt, was considered -as absolutely essential to the great purpose General Crauford had in -view—dispatch. If the General found a man fall out without a pass, his -plan was to take his ramrod and ride off. It was not unfrequently you -might see him ride into camp with a dozen ramrods, when the adjutant of -each regiment was ordered to find those that had no ramrods, each of -which received two dozen lashes. - -Fortunately for us, our longest halt took place during the heat of the -day, and our longest marches were made at night, at this time, -therefore, it was a usual scene to see a number of men who had been -flogged, with their knapsacks on their heads, and their bodies enveloped -in the loose great coats—to ease the wounds inflicted by the lash. But -yet with all this, strange as it may appear, Crauford maintained a -popularity among the men, who, on every other occasion, always found him -to be their best friend. - -A few days before we came to Malpartida de Placentia, we were going -through a small town, the name of which I forget, when in passing the -gaol, a man looking through one of the high barred windows of the -building, vociferated, in accents not to be mistaken— - -“Od’s blood and ’ounds, boys, are you English?” - -On several of our men answering in the affirmative, the prisoner -exclaimed, in a tone that set our men in a roar of laughter— - -“Oh! by Jasus, the Spaniards have poked me into this hole for getting a -drop of wine, boys;—get me out, pray.” - -When we halted about half a mile on the other side, Colonel Beckwith -sent, and obtained the man’s release. He proved to be one of the 23rd -Light Dragoons, who had been taken prisoner by the French, but had made -his escape in the dress of a peasant; when, in passing through this -place, he had been incarcerated on a charge of taking some wine from a -man without paying for it. Much merriment was excited by his appearance, -and the droll and earnest manner in which he narrated his adventures. - -On the following day, we bivouacked near Malpartida de Placentia, when a -report reached our corps that a battle had been fought at Talavera, and -that the English had been beaten and dispersed. Although I believe few -of us gave credit to the story, still it created some uneasiness amongst -men and officers. Its effect, however, upon our brigadier, was to make -him hurry forward with, if possible, increased speed. Our bivouac was -immediately broken up. We got under arms, and leaving the sick of the -brigade behind us in the town under charge of a subaltern from each -regiment, we commenced one of the longest marches, with scarcely a halt -or pause, on the military records of any country. To use the words of -our admirable historian of the Peninsular War, we “passed over sixty-two -miles, and in the hottest season of the year in twenty-six hours.” As -Colonel Napier justly observes, “Had the historian Gibbon known of such -a march, he would have spared his sneer about ‘the delicacy of modern -soldiers.’” - -As we approached Talavera, we learned for a fact, that a battle had been -fought from the crowds of disorderly Spanish soldiery we continued to -meet upon the road; some few of them were wounded. These men were part -of General Cuesta’s army that had been beaten by the French on the 27th, -and who chose to give the most disastrous account of the English army, -which they stated was completely destroyed. We could not but remark, -that these Spaniards, whom we knew to be a disorganised crew, had not -forgotten to help themselves to plunder in their flight, as most of them -carried some article or other to which they could have little claim, -such as hams, cheese and fowls. Some, although infantry-men, rode on -excellent horses, while others drove mules, carrying sacks of flour, &c. -Never was seen such a thoroughly demoralized wreck of an army. - -As we advanced nearer to the scene of action the reports became less -formidable, until the heights of Talavera burst upon our sight, and we -hailed, with three loud huzzas, the news that the British, in the action -of the preceding day with the French, had been victorious. - -Our bugles struck up merrily as we crossed the field of battle early in -the morning, on the 29th of July. The scene, however, was most -appalling, especially to the young soldiers; we had partaken in no -encounter as yet, and here had missed the interest which blunted the -feelings of the men engaged. We “raw ones,” indeed, had as yet scarcely -seen the enemy, and recognised no comrades among the fallen. The ice -still remained to be broken which the experience of one engagement would -have done effectually. The field of action had occupied an extensive -valley, situated between two ranges of hills, on which the British and -French armies were posted. It was now strewn with all the wreck of the -recent battle. The dead and dying, to the amount of some thousands, -conquerors and conquered, lay diversely in little heaps, interspersed -with dismounted guns, and shattered ammunition-waggons, while broken -horse-trappings, and blood-stained chacots, and other torn paraphernalia -of military pomp and distinction, completed the reality of the battle -scene. - -The long grass which had taken fire during the action was still burning, -and added dreadfully to the sufferings of the wounded and dying of both -armies; their cries for assistance were horrifying, and hundreds might -have been seen exerting the last remnant of their strength, crawling to -places of safety. - -In the midst of this, it was that I saw, for the first time, our -immortal chief Sir Arthur Wellesley. I also then beheld that -deformed-looking lump of pride, ignorance and treachery, General Cuesta. -He was the most murderous-looking old man I ever saw. - -On our arrival we were immediately ordered upon outpost duty: in -executing which we had to throw out a line of sentinels facing the -French position. Another and a more painful duty that devolved upon us, -was to carry the wounded men into the town of Talavera. Many of these -poor fellows, I remarked, were dreadfully burnt. - -In consequence of the increasing weakness of the British army at this -period, the ranks of which were daily thinned through the scantiness and -wretched quality of the food with which they were, of necessity, -supplied, as well perhaps as by the accession of strength which the -French had received, Lord Wellington was induced to retire. After -retracing, for a few days, the route by which we had arrived, our -brigade was left by the main army encamped upon a rocky eminence partly -surrounded by wood, and overlooking the river Tagus. It was a wild and -beautiful scene, with several corn-fields in our immediate -neighbourhood. - -Our living here became truly savage. Although we remained at this place -for two or three weeks, I think we scarcely received half a dozen -rations during that period, but existed, as we could, by our own -ingenuity. Fortunately for us, as regards meat, there were some droves -of pigs that were taken into the woods to feed, and which fattened upon -the acorns. To these animals, that were generally under the charge of -some Spaniards, we were obliged to have recourse for food. For bread we -took the corn from the fields, and, having no proper means of winnowing -and grinding it, were obliged as a substitute to rub out the ears -between our hands, and then pound them between stones to make into -dough, such as it was. From this latter wretched practice, we christened -the place “Dough Boy Hill,” a name by which it is well remembered by the -men of our division. - -From the preceding place we marched to Campo Mayor; we remained here -three months, during which time a dreadful mortality took place. In our -regiment, alone, the flux and brain fever reigned to so frightful an -extent, that three hundred men died in hospital. I myself was seized -with the prevailing fever shortly after our arrival, and was sent to the -Convent of St. Paul, the general hospital at Elvas. - -I could not help remarking the manner of cure adopted by our doctors; it -principally consisted in throwing cold water from canteens or mess -kettles as often as possible over the bodies of the patients; this in -many cases was effectual, and I think cured me. - -I, however, had a narrow squeak for my life, though I fortunately -recovered after an illness of nearly six weeks, thanks to my good -constitution, but none to the brute of an orderly, who, during the -delirium of the fever, beat me once most furiously with a broom stick. -On leaving the hospital with other convalescents, I was sent to the Bomb -Proof Barracks, where it frequently became our duty to see the dead -interred. This was a most horrible office, and obliged us to attend at -the hospital to receive the bodies, which were conveyed away in -cart-loads at a time to the ground appropriated for their burial. This -lay outside the town beneath the ramparts, and was so very small for the -purpose required, that we were obliged to get large oblong and deep -holes excavated, in which two stout Portuguese were employed to pack the -bodies, heads and heels together, to save room. For this duty these two -brutes seemed duly born—for never before did I see two such ruffianly -looking fellows. - -It was singularly revolting to witness how the pair went to work when -handing the bodies from the hospital to the cart; each carried a skin of -vinegar, with which they first soused themselves over the neck and face; -this done, with one jerk they jilted a single corpse at a time across -their shoulders, naked as it was born, and bolted off to the cart, into -which it was pitched as if it had been a log of wood. The women, -however, who fell victims to the epidemic were generally sewed in a -wrapper of calico or some such thing, but they partook of the same hole -as the opposite sex, and otherwise were as little privileged. Many were -the scores of my poor comrades I thus saw committed to their first -parent, and many were the coarse jests the grave-diggers made over their -obsequies. - -While I was confined in hospital, the brigade marched and took up their -cantonments between Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida. In the beginning of -February about three hundred convalescents, among whom I was one, were -marched, under charge of an officer of the German Legion, to join their -respective regiments. Nothing of any consequence, in the march of our -party, occurred, with the exception of a very narrow escape I had of -being provosted, or in other words flogged. As the anecdote serves to -show the light in which the Germans regarded this description of -punishment during the war, I will detail it. - -The men being from different regiments, and under the command of a -foreigner, some availed themselves of what they considered a fair -opportunity of pilfering from the country people as we pursued our -march, and I am sorry to say that drunkenness and robbery were not -unfrequent. The German officer, as is usual under such circumstances, -experienced great difficulty in keeping the skulkers and disorderly from -lingering in the rear. In compliment to my steadiness, he had made me an -acting corporal, with strict orders to make the rear men of our -detachment keep up. Just before we arrived at the town of Viseu, then -occupied by the Foot Guards, and the head-quarters of the -Commander-in-chief, I came up to some of our party who were doing their -best to empty a pig-skin of wine they had stolen. Being dreadfully -fatigued and thirsty, I had not sufficient restraint upon myself to -refuse the invitation held out to me to drink, which I did, and so -became a partner in the crime. I was in the act of taking the jug of -wine from my lips, when a party of the 16th Light Dragoons rode up and -made us prisoners; the peasant, from whom the wine had been taken, -having made his complaint at head-quarters. We were imprisoned, nine of -us in number, in Viseu. The second day, the Hon. Captain Pakenham,[3] of -the Adjutant-General’s department, paid us a visit, and told us he had -had great difficulty in saving us from being hanged. Although this was -probably said to frighten, still it was not altogether a joke, as a man -of the name of Maguire of the 27th regiment, who had been with me in -hospital, was hung for stopping and robbing a Portuguese of a few -_vintems_. - -As it was, the German officer in charge of the detachment received -orders, on leaving Viseu, to see that we received two dozen each from -the Provost-Marshal every morning, until we rejoined our regiments. This -comfortable kind of a breakfast I was not much inclined to relish, -particularly as we had seven days’ march to get through before we -reached our battalion. The following day, the eight culprits and myself -were summoned during a halt, to appear before the German, expecting to -be punished. We were, however, agreeably deceived by the officer -addressing us as follows, to the best of my recollection, in broken -English: - -“I have been told to have you mens flogged, for a crime dat is very bad -and disgraceful to de soldier—robbing de people you come paid to fight -for. But we do not flog in my country, so I shall not flog you, it not -being de manner of my people; I shall give you all to your Colonels, if -they like to flog you, they may.” - -Being thus relieved, each of us saluted the kind German and retired. -From that moment, I have always entertained a high respect for our -Germans, which indeed they ever showed themselves deserving of, from the -British, not only on account of their humanity and general good feeling -to us, but from their determined bravery and discipline in the field. As -cavalry, they were the finest and most efficient I ever saw in action; -and I had many opportunities of judging, as some troops of them -generally did duty with us during the war. Indeed, while alluding to the -cavalry of the German Legion, I cannot help remarking on the care and -fondness with which they regarded their horses. A German soldier seldom -thought of food or rest for the night until his horse had been provided -for. The noble animals, themselves, seemed perfectly aware of this -attention on the part of their riders, and I have often been amused by -seeing some of the horses of the Germans run after their masters with -all the playfulness of a dog. The consequence of this attention to their -horses was, they were in condition when those of our own cavalry were -dying, or otherwise in very deplorable state; this, without wishing to -throw a disparagement upon our own countrymen, I attributed to the -difference of custom between the two countries. We never saw a German -vidette or express galloping furiously, that we did not immediately know -there was work for some one to do. While on outpost duty their vigilance -was most admirable. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - -Old Trowsers—Sleeping and waking—O’Hare again—Colonel Beckwith—Two upon - one—Meagher—Barba del Puerco—General Crauford taken by surprise—The - Portuguese incorporation with the light division—Rodrigo—Gallegos—The - Beacon night scenes on picquet—Lord Wellington—Napoleon’s - Marriage—Crauford’s stratagem—The French spy—We retreat to Fort - Conception. - - -I REJOINED my regiment at Barba del Puerco, a small village near the -banks of the river Coa, on the other side of which the enemy had taken -up their position. Our regiment was cantoned in the surrounding -villages, while nightly we mounted a captain’s picquet on a height -facing a bridge, on the other side of which the French had thrown out -their advanced sentry. Two of our sentries were posted on the bridge, -while a third was stationed half-way down the steep, to keep up the -communication with our picquet above. - -On the 19th of May, the company to which I belonged was on picquet. It -was a fine, though windy night, a fleecy scud occasionally obscuring the -light of the moon. About twelve o’clock, while our men were mostly -asleep, we were suddenly woke by the rifle reports of our sentries, and -the French drums playing their advance “rub-a-dub-dub,” which our men -designated with the name of “old trowsers.” I was now, as it were, but a -young sleepy-headed boy, and as yet had been scarcely aroused to a true -sense of the profession I had embraced. I had never been under the fire -of a French musket, and I felt an indescribable thrill on this occasion. -The chilly hour of the night and peculiar inclination to sleep, at the -time, had sunk my senses below zero. But I was speedily startled out of -my lethargy by the whizzing of the enemies’ bullets, as they greeted my -astonished hearing. My surprise soon, however, gave place to perfect -recollection, and in less than a minute we were all under arms, the -balls of the French whistling about us as a column came rushing over the -bridge to force our position. Captain O’Hare, with his characteristic -coolness, immediately gave us the word to “seek cover,” and we threw -ourselves forward among the rocky and broken ground, from whence we kept -up a galling fire upon those who had commenced storming our heights. - -We were exceedingly hard pressed when three companies of our regiment, -under Colonel Beckwith, came up to our relief, and the contest for a -while was both doubtful and bloody. But, after about half an hour’s hard -fighting, the enemy were obliged to retreat with much precipitation, and -under a close and murderous fire from us. During this brief conflict -some incidents occurred that, perhaps, are worth mentioning. Colonel -Beckwith actually employed himself, at one time, in heaving large -fragments of stone upon the French as they attempted to ascend the -acclivity on which we were placed, and, while so engaged, got a -musket-shot through his cap. - -Another officer of ours, the Adjutant Lieutenant Stewart, a fine tall -fellow, was engaged in a personal contest with two or three grenadiers, -a number of whom had managed to ascend the hill on our right; at this -critical moment one of our men, named Ballard, fortunately came to his -aid, and shot one of his assailants, at which the other instantly -surrendered. The above gallant officer, however, afterwards fell on our -advance from Santarem the following year. - -This was, I believe, the first and last time the French ever attempted -surprising a rifle picquet. - -Both our sentries at the bridge were taken prisoners, one of them badly -wounded. A rather interesting recollection is attached to one of them, -named Meagher, who, when the exchange of prisoners took place in 1814, -returned to England and rejoined us at Dover. He was with us in France -at the time of Waterloo, which, however, he was not present at on -account of the following circumstance. - -A quarrel had originated a few nights before the battle of Waterloo in a -wine-house at Brussels, between some of our men, and the Belgian -gens-d’armes, the consequence was, that the inhabitants were forced to -send for the guards. These, of course, were soon on the spot, but were -as soon attacked and beaten back by the Belgians, who would have driven -them into the guard-house but for Meagher, who, suddenly turning to the -assailants, levelled his rifle and shot the foremost through the body; -on this, the whole of the gens-d’armes retreated, not, however, till -after Meagher had received a cut on the side of the neck. For this -affair he was put into prison, and a general court-martial honourably -acquitted him, not until that battle had been fought which for ever -destroyed Napoleon’s hopes. Our company, to which Meagher belonged, soon -after presented a requisition to Captain Leach, who then commanded us, -and through his intercession, Meagher obtained a Waterloo medal. - -Shortly after this attempted surprise, we quitted Barba del Puerco for -the town of Gallegos, situated some five or six miles from Ciudad -Rodrigo. - -The following laughable incident occurred to me while we lay at -Gallegos:—I happened to be acquainted with General Crauford’s private -servant, a German, chiefly through my being employed as orderly to the -brigadier. At times when an opportunity offered, we used to take a glass -of wine together upon the most convivial terms. One morning, however, -when I thought the brigadier had gone out, as was his usual custom, I -went to his room to ask the valet to partake of some wine which I had -received from the patron of the house. On opening the door, I -unhesitatingly went in, and beheld, as I imagined, the individual I -wanted in a morning-gown looking out of the window. It entered into my -head to surprise my servant friend, so, as he had not been disturbed by -my approach, I stepped softly up to his rear, and with a sudden laugh, -gave him a smart slap on the back. But my consternation and surprise may -be better imagined than described, when the gentleman in the -dressing-gown, starting round with a “Who the devil is that?” -disclosed—not the merry phiz of the valet, but the stern features of -General Crauford himself. - -I thought I should have sunk through the ground at the moment, had it -have opened to swallow me. I could only attempt to explain the mistake I -had made, in a very humble way, as I gradually retreated to the door. - -“And where did you get the wine from, Sir?” inquired the General, with a -good-humoured smile; for he observed the fright I was in. - -I informed him. - -“Well, well, you may go,” said the General; “but, pray, Sir, never again -do me the honour to take me for my servant.” - -I needed not the permission to vanish in a moment. And many a laugh and -jest were created at my expense afterwards among the men, as the -circumstance got circulated by the valet. - -We were here joined by the 1st and 3rd regiment of the Portuguese -Caçadores. These fellows I never had any opinion of from the very first -moment I saw them. They were the dirtiest and noisiest brutes I ever -came across. Historians of the day have given them great credit; but -during the whole of the Peninsular War, or, at least, the time they were -with us, I never knew them to perform one gallant act. On the line of -march they often reminded me of a band of strollers. They were very fond -of gambling, and every halt we made was sure to find them squatted, and -with cards in their hands. - -One of these regiments was placed under the command of a captain of -ours, named Elder, a brave officer, who was made Colonel of the 3rd; and -being afterwards severely wounded at Badajos, returned to England; at -the same period, also, we were incorporated with the 14th and 16th Light -Dragoons, together with the 3rd regiment of German Hussars, and Captain -Bull’s troop of horse artillery. - -The French had now commenced laying siege to Rodrigo, and we were -terribly harassed by the severity of our duty, being both day and night -accoutred and under arms; indeed, we were daily expecting an attack. - -A section of our rifles usually mounted picquet with a troop of -dragoons, and occupied, accordingly, three different points—Carpio, -Molina dos Flores and Marialva; all about two miles nearer to Rodrigo. -Bull’s troop of artillery remained always near a church, in the centre -of the village of Gallegos, and at all times kept a gun ready loaded -with blank carriage, and a sentry near it, watching a beacon erected on -a hill, about a mile from the village. A vidette and one of our riflemen -were placed near the beacon in case of the picquets being attacked, to -give alarm by discharging his piece into the combustibles, and so -setting it on fire; or, in case of its not igniting, to ride round it -three times, with his cap mounted on his sword, at which signal the gun -was instantly fired, and the whole division were immediately under arms. - -As I have remarked, we were greatly harassed; our picquets and the -French were constantly in the habit of firing at each other, and scarce -a day passed without some of the men being brought in, either killed or -wounded. We had not yet established that understanding with the enemy, -which avoided unnecessary bloodshed at the outposts which afterwards -tended much to humanize the war. - -Meanwhile the siege of Rodrigo was vigorously carried on by the French. -The weather was intensely hot, and we delighted in bathing in a small -river that flowed between the beacon-hill and the village. Many of us, -while so amusing ourselves, would take these opportunities to wash our -shirts in the running stream, laying them out to dry on the sand. -Frequently, however, when thus employed, the alarm gun would be fired, -and in a moment we might be observed, like so many water sprites, -jumping out of the stream and hurrying on the wet shirts, actually -wringing, and throwing them over our shoulders, while we fell in with -our comrades. It was rather surprising, that I never felt any ill -effects from these wet habiliments; but the men, from constant exposure, -had become as hardy as the soil itself. - -From the novelty, however, of the picquet duty, the men preferred it -always to any other: as we amused ourselves generally at night watching -the shells exchanged between the besieged and the assailants, the sight -was very beautiful, sometimes as many as seven or eight-and-twenty -crossing each other, like so many comets. - -Once we were visited by the Duke himself, who, although his -head-quarters were at the time, I believe, at Viseu, distant somewhat -about twenty leagues, had come on a reconnoitring excursion to our -outline picquets. While on sentry one day I recollect his Grace placing -his telescope on my shoulders to take a view of the enemy’s position. -Our intelligence was chiefly derived from deserters, a number of whom -daily came over to us, and gave information that Ciudad could not hold -out much longer. - -One day we were unusually alarmed by an extraordinary bustle in the -French camp; being on the advanced picquet, I could distinctly hear the -cheering of men and firing of cannon: the whole of our division was -ordered to fall in, and it was not until the morning following, that we -learned that it originated in the news from Paris, of the Emperor’s -marriage with the Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria. - -We now daily held ourselves in expectation of an attack, and were under -arms every morning at one o’clock, five minutes only being allowed for -the whole division to fall in. But we seldom took our accoutrements off, -and used both to sleep and to cook with them on. The baggage was paraded -every morning half a mile to the rear, and every other precaution taken -by the Brigadier for an orderly retreat, as the French were in our front -and in overwhelming force, while our division was scarcely more than -four thousand strong. One of the General’s stratagems to make our small -force appear more numerous in the eyes of the French, was to draw the -regiments up in rank entire. After, however, several months of severe -hardship at Gallegos, General Crauford was at last obliged to change his -ground, and we retreated to Allameda, a little town about two miles in -our rear, and on the main road leading to the fortified town of Almeida: -we remained here a few days, and took a French spy, who had passed among -us as a lemonade-merchant. His indifference and carelessness in -accepting remuneration for his beverage, which was in constant request, -together with his laughing one day very significantly when one of our -men was swearing at the French for the trouble they caused, induced a -sergeant to apprehend him. He was brought before General Crauford, and -on his being searched, letters were found upon him that proved him to be -a French Colonel. He was sent to the rear: how, indeed, he managed to -escape the doom he had rendered himself liable to, I know not. - -A few mornings after this, the French came down in great force, and we -were obliged to retire. This we did slowly, covered by Captain Ross’s -guns and our rifles, assisted also by a few troops of the 14th and 16th -Dragoons and 3rd German Hussars. We retired with very little loss, for a -distance of four or five miles, to Fort Conception in front of the -little town of Villa de Mula. Here we went into cantonments. We were now -close on the borders of Portugal, which is here divided from Spain only -by a small stream—at this spot, so narrow, that in some places it may be -jumped over. We daily mounted a picquet of two companies at the fort, -which was a beautiful work, in the shape of a star. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - -Villa de Mula—Night expedition to Villa de Puerco—Both parties - retire—Death of Colonel Talbot—A soldier’s grave—The effects of a - miscarriage—Fort Conception blown up—A mistake and no mistake—Another - mistake, a ball in the right knee—The bridge over the Coa—A friend in - need, a friend indeed—Charity abroad and at home—A surgeon’s advice—A - blessing—A cough, an uncomfortable companion—Spanish apathy—We arrive - at Fraxedas. - - -A FEW days after our arrival at Villa de Mula, a part of the division -formed a night expedition to surprise and cut off one or two French -regiments that nightly occupied an advanced position on our right, -retiring every morning about daylight. The rifles got under arms at ten -o’clock at night, and were soon afterwards joined by several companies -of the 43rd and 52nd regiments, together with one or two troops of the -14th Light Dragoons, and some of our favourite Germans. We soon guessed -that some secret enterprise was about to be undertaken, as strict orders -were issued to keep the men from talking, and to make them refrain from -lighting their pipes, lest our approach should be noticed by the enemy. -Even the wheels of two of Captain Ross’s guns that accompanied us, were -muffled round with haybands to prevent their creaking. - -In this disposition we proceeded in the direction of the left of the -enemy’s position which rested on Villa de Puerco. We had all loaded -before marching, and were anxiously looking forward to the result, when -a whispering order was given to enter a large field of standing corn and -to throw ourselves on the ground. There we anxiously waited the first -dawn of day for the expected engagement. At length the cold gray of the -morning appeared faintly in the east, when the commands were given with -scarce a pause between to “fall in,” “double,” and “extend.” This was -accomplished in a moment, and forward we ran through the corn field up -to an eminence, looking down from which we beheld a gallant skirmish on -the plain beneath. The 14th Dragoons were in the act of charging a body -of French infantry, who had, however, thrown themselves into square. The -cavalry cheered forward in gallant style, but the French, veteran like, -stood firm to meet the onset, pouring in, at the same time, a close -running fire that emptied many saddles. Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot, who -headed the charge, fell almost immediately, together with the -quarter-master and from sixteen to eighteen privates. After an -unavailing attempt to shake the square, the cavalry was obliged to -retire—a movement which the enemy on their part immediately imitated. An -attempt was made to annoy them with our guns, but in consequence of -their smallness, being but light field-pieces, our shots were attended -with very little effect. - -The following day, we buried Colonel Talbot and the quarter-master close -to the porch of the little chapel in the village we occupied—a somewhat -romantic-looking spot for a soldier’s grave. The miscarriage of our -enterprise, it was generally rumoured, had brought our general into bad -odour at head-quarters; indeed, for some days after, I thought he wore a -troubled look, as though he took our failure to heart. - -As I have already remarked, two of our companies alternately did duty in -front of our position, at Fort Conception. The orders issued to the -officer commanding the picquet were to blow up the fort immediately on -the approach of the enemy, for which purpose it was undermined in -several places by the artillerymen, who were left to fire the mines when -the order should be given. - -On the morning of the 19th of July, our company and another were on duty -at this point, and it was generally expected we should be attacked on -the morrow. I think the intelligence was brought by a deserter. The fort -contained a great quantity of good English rum and biscuit, which -Captain O’Hare allowed the men of both companies to help themselves to -and fill their canteens, upon their promise, which they kept, not to get -drunk. The following morning, before it was scarcely light, the enemy -proved the correctness of our anticipations by advancing upon us in -heavy columns, preceded by their light troops. The command was instantly -given to fire the mines, and we retired upon our division. A few minutes -after our quitting the fort, its beautiful proportions, which had -excited the admiration of so many beholders, was broken, as by the shock -of an earthquake, into a blackened heap of ruin. - -We retreated under the walls of Almeida, where we halted until the 23rd, -when at night we experienced a storm that for violence, while it lasted, -exceeded anything I had ever before beheld. The lightning, thunder, -wind, and rain were absolutely awful. With a few other men, I had sought -shelter in the hollow of a rock, where we were not a little amazed at -the numbers of snakes and lizards which the occasional gleams of -lightning exhibited to us running about in all directions, as though the -tempest had the effect of bringing them all from their holes. - -At break of day, the music that we were now getting quite accustomed -to—_i. e._ the cracking of the rifles of our outline picquet, gave -intelligence of the enemy’s advance. Our company was immediately ordered -to support them. Captain O’Hare accordingly placed us behind some -dilapidated walls, we awaited the approach of the picquet then under the -Hon. Captain Steward engaged about half a mile in our front, and slowly -retreating upon us. They had already, as it afterwards appeared, several -men killed, while Lieutenant M’Culloch had been wounded and taken -prisoner with a number of others. We could distinctly see the enemy’s -columns in great force, but had little time for observation, as our -advance ran in upon us followed by the French tirailleurs, with whom we -were speedily and hotly engaged. The right wing of the 52nd regiment, at -this period, was drawn up about one hundred yards in our rear behind a -low wall, when a shell, which with several others was thrown amongst us -from the town, burst so near, that it killed several of our men, and -buried a sergeant so completely in mud, but without hurting him, that we -were obliged to drag him out of the heap, to prevent his being taken by -the enemy[4]—at this moment also Lieutenant Cohen who stood close to me -received a shot through the body. My old Captain, O’Hare, perceiving him -roll his eyes and stagger, caught him by the arm, saying in a rather -soft tone to the men about him: - -“Take that poor boy to the rear, he does not know what is the matter -with him,” and with the same characteristic coolness, he continued his -duties. While hotly engaged, however, with the French infantry in our -front, one or two troops of their hussars which, from the similarity of -uniform, we had taken for our German hussars, whipped on our left flank -between our company and the wing of the 52nd, when a cry of “the French -cavalry are upon us,” came too late as they charged in amongst us. Taken -thus unprepared, we could oppose but little or no resistance, and our -men were trampled down and sabred, on every side. A French dragoon had -seized me by the collar, while several others, as they passed, cut at me -with their swords. The man who had collared me had his sabre’s point at -my breast, when a volley was fired from our rear by the 52nd, who, by -this time had discovered their mistake, which tumbled the horse of my -captor. He fell heavily with the animal on his leg, dragging me down -with him. - -It was but for a moment nevertheless: determined to have one brief -struggle for liberty, I freed myself from the dragoon’s grasp, and -dealing him a severe blow on the head with the butt of my rifle, I -rushed up to the wall of our 52nd, which I was in the act of clearing at -a jump, when I received a shot under the cap of my right knee and -instantly fell. In this emergency, there seemed a speedy prospect of my -again falling into the hands of the French, as the division was in rapid -retreat, but a comrade of the name of Little instantly dragged me over -the wall, and was proceeding as quick as possible with me, on his back, -towards the bridge of the Coa, over which our men were fast pouring, -when he, poor fellow! also received a shot, which passing through his -arm smashed the bone, and finally lodged itself in my thigh, where it -has ever since remained.[5] In this extremity, Little was obliged to -abandon me, but urged by a strong desire to escape imprisonment, I made -another desperate effort, and managed to get over the bridge, from the -other side of which Captain Ross’s guns were in full roar, covering our -retreat; in this crippled state and faint through loss of blood, I made -a second appeal to a comrade, who assisted me to ascend a hill on the -other side of the river. - -On the summit, we found a chapel which had been converted into a -temporary hospital, where a number of wounded men were being taken to -have their wounds dressed by the surgeons. Fortunately, I had not long -to wait for my turn, for as we momentarily expected the coming of the -French, everything was done with the greatest dispatch. - -In this affair our company sustained a very severe loss; our return was, -“one officer, Lieutenant Cohen, quite a youth, dangerously wounded, -eleven file killed and wounded, and forty-five taken prisoners.” - -My old Captain O’Hare had only eleven men on parade next day. The -preceding facts will serve to show the unmilitary reader, that -skirmishes are frequently more partially destructive to riflemen than -general actions, although attended with but little of their celebrity. -For my own part, I was never nearer death, excepting on the night we -took Badajoz. - -I must not forget a singular escape that occurred: a man of the name of -Charity, of my own company, when the cavalry first rushed upon us, had -fallen, wounded in the head by a sabre, while on the ground, he received -another severe sword slash on the seat of honour, and a shot through the -arm, the latter, no doubt, from the 52nd. Yet after all this, he managed -to escape, and - - Clothed in scarlet lived to tell the tale, - -as a pensioner in Chelsea Hospital. - -Having no mules nor waggons to accommodate us, the surgeons advised all -who were by any means capable of moving, to get on as quick as they -could to Pinhel. - -There were of our regiment about seventy or eighty disabled, a number of -those hobbled onwards assisting each other by turns. - -We commenced our slow and painful march, and by the help of a couple of -rifles that served as crutches, I managed to reach the first village -where the Juiz or chief magistrate selected, and put the worst of our -wounded into bullock-carts. Amongst those I fortunately was one; and -although crammed with six others into a wretched little vehicle, -scarcely capable of accommodating more than two, I thought it a blessing -for which I could not feel sufficiently thankful. - -In this manner, we were dragged along all night, and by the following -daylight we halted at another village, where I felt so dreadfully faint -from loss of blood and my confined position, that I could not move at -all. While refreshing our parched lips with some water that had been -eagerly demanded, Lord Wellington and some of his staff galloped up. -Glancing his eye at us for a moment, and seeing our crowded condition in -the carts, he instantly gave an order to one of his aides-de-camp to -obtain additional conveyance from the Juiz de Fora, and also bread and -wine. His Lordship then rode off towards Almeida. - -Although neither bread nor wine made their appearance, a few additional -carts were procured, into one of which I was transferred with four other -men. - -We again continued our march, until we came into a stream of water where -we halted; here we lost a most excellent officer, a Lieutenant Pratt,[6] -who was wounded through the neck, and at first appeared to be doing very -well. He was seated on one of the men’s knapsacks conversing with some -of his wounded brother officers, when he was suddenly seized with a -violent fit of coughing, and almost instantly began pumping a quantity -of blood from the wound. I never before saw so much come from any man. - -It appeared that the ball, which went through his neck, had passed so -close to the carotid artery, that the exertion of coughing had burst it, -and it became impossible to stop the hæmorrhage. He bled to death, and -warm as he was, they covered him in the sand and proceeded. After we had -been driven some few miles further, one of my wounded comrades, who was -shot through the body, and whose end seemed momentarily approaching, at -length, in a dying state relaxed his hold from the cart sides and fell -across me as I lay at the bottom, whilst foam mixed with blood kept -running from his mouth. This with his glass eyes fixed on mine made me -feel very uncomfortable. Being weak and wounded myself, I had not power -to move him, and in this situation, the horrors of which survived for -some time in my mind, death put an end to his sufferings, but without -granting me any respite for some hours. His struggles having ceased, -however, I was enabled to recover myself a little, and called to the -driver to remove the body. But the scoundrel of a Portuguese, who kept -as much ahead of the bullocks as possible, was so afraid of the French, -that I could get no other answer from him than “non quireo,” “don’t -bother me,” and a significant shrug of the shoulder, which bespoke even -more than his words. - -At length we arrived at Fraxedas on the road to Coimbra, where we found -the 1st division encamped outside the town. Here I got rid of my dead -comrade, and we had our wounds dressed. The guards, who belonged to the -1st division, behaved to us with a kindness which I never can forget; as -we had no men of our own to attend to us, forty of their number, under -an officer, were ordered to supply our wants until we arrived at Lisbon. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - -Mondego—The Coimbra—Figueras—The maggots—Lisbon—Battle of Busaco—Retreat - to Torres Vedras—Lord Wellington’s generalship—Belem—Jack ashore and - Jonathan also—Yankey and Lankey—Billy M’Nabb—The Highland kite and - Lowland tail—Josh. Hetherington—Sperum Poco—Portuguese - piety—Aruda—Doing what the enemy left undone—Tom Crawley again—In - state—A hot berth—Our enemies laugh at Tom in his glory. - - -FROM Fraxedas we pursued our way to Mondego, and from thence we passed -in boats down the river through Coimbra, to the sea-port of Figueras. -Sick and ill as I was, I well recollect the exquisite scenery that met -our gaze on the banks of that beautiful river, as we floated over its -surface to our destination. - -The heat of the weather was intense and dreadfully affected our wounds. -The scarcity of doctors too, and the fear of falling into the hands of -the enemy, spurred every one forward, and so took up the moments that -the surgeons had not time sufficient nor opportunity to look after us. -The consequence was, that this neglect caused maggots to be engendered -in the sores, and the bandages, when withdrawn, brought away on them -lumps of putrid flesh and maggots. Many died on board, and numbers were -reduced in consequence to the necessity of amputation. By care and -syringing sweet oil into my wounds, I however had managed to get rid of -them. - -At Figueras we embarked on board some transports that there waited our -arrival, and we sailed for Lisbon, where, in a short time, we landed, -and borne on stretchers by some men of the Ordinanza or Portuguese -Militia, were conveyed to the hospital. - -From regular and kind treatment there, I soon recovered; and the British -army retired towards Lisbon. - -It may perhaps be necessary, before I continue my personal narrative, to -observe, that Lord Wellington, finding his numbers greatly unequal to -the enemy was obliged to retreat. This, it is well known, he directed in -a very skilful manner, having long before anticipated the probability of -such an event by the erection of the lines of Torres Vedras. During the -retreat, his Lordship ordered the people of the country to accompany the -troops, and to destroy all those things which they could not carry with -them. By this precaution, Massena’s army, on the track of the British -and Portuguese, through want of food and necessaries, were reduced to -the greatest privations, of which the Marshal bitterly complained in his -despatches of that period. - -Perhaps few events in the Peninsular war reflect more credit upon Lord -Wellington, as a commander, than the admirable manner in which he had -thus drawn an overwhelming force of the French into actual famine, in -front of works that afforded security and plenty to his own -comparatively small force. - -In a few weeks after our arrival at Lisbon, I became sufficiently -recovered to leave the hospital and was accordingly transferred to -Belem, a place much noted amongst us for every species of skulk, but -better known to my fellow soldiers as the “Belem rangers.” The chief -part of the 58th and 87th regiments, the latter I believe from the -severe loss they had sustained at Talavera, were doing duty there. - -Belem itself is about two miles from Lisbon, but contiguous to it, or, -as the suburbs of London are to the city. I was here, as it were, quite -at my ease; and usually spent my time rambling about the quays. The port -was thronged with shipping, bringing troops and stores from England, and -if I recollect rightly, the ‘Hibernia,’ the ‘Caledonia,’ and the -‘Britannia,’ and other ships of war lay in the bay; at all events, we -constantly intermixed with the sailors, and were mostly coupled with -them; some recognising old friends—town-mates; and others, nearer and -dearer ties, and forming new links and acquaintances; this the -peculiarity of our situations naturally tended to strengthen, fighting -as we were in the same cause, though on different elements. One day, -however, I remember being present at a regular row in a wine-house, -between an American and a Lancashire man. They both belonged to the same -ship, and from what I could understand, were very quarrelsome fellows, -and the most unfair fighters on board. - -The Yankee was from Kentucky, and had a precious knack of “gouging” as -they termed it, or, screwing his finger into the side locks of his -opponent, and so with his thumb poking his eyes out. One or two on board -had been “jockied” in this way. The Lancashire man, alias “Tummas,” -alias “Lankey,” who had nearly lost one eye by a splinter at Trafalgar, -seemed unwilling to risk the loss of the other in any encounter with -him. - -“But,” said he, “I tell you what, you bl—d cowardly sea sarpent, if it -warnt that I fear’d your fingering this ’ere solitary blinker o’ mine, -I’d dust your Yankee jacket for you.” - -The “gouger,” however, despite the confession, though ready for a -scrimmage, had some inward dread also, and seemed to dislike altogether -the hazard of being bit, slobbered, and perhaps kicked to a jelly. The -Englishman’s friends, nevertheless, came to a council of war; and it was -agreed at last, that though ashore, they should thump it out “ship -fashion.” - -“For you know,” said a short, fat, big-whiskered, little sailor, who, I -believe, was the boatswain, “I’m d—d if they can kick, scratch, gouge or -bite, when they hangs by their starn sheets.” - -It was settled, therefore, that they should have it out on a barrel. - -A butt big enough to hold the rations of a whole division, was soon -procured of the Patrone, and the little man bolted to the boats for some -large nails and a hammer. - -The barrel meantime, was rolled out to the centre of the quay, and to -keep it steady, settled longways between two heaps of stones. Meanwhile -the two combatants could scarcely be kept from each other, till the -“little-whiskers” returned. - -“Clear the gangways!” at last roared a voice from the crowd, and the -boatswain bounced, almost breathless, to the barrel. In a few minutes, -Yankee and Lankey were seated, and the little man first nailing one by a -small bit of the bottom of his canvas trowsers to the barrel edge, and -the other by the same contingency to the other, brought them fronting -and about two feet apart. The two then proceeded to balance their fists, -like rope-dancers’ poles, and fixing their eyes on each other, awaited -the signal to begin. - -“Now, gemmen,” bellowed the boatswain, “clear the decks; and you, -Tummas, for the honour of your messmates let’s have no shamming afore -these ere Portugals and biled lobsters. Now, softly, my lads: when you -sees me put my quid into my jaws—” the two men looked at each other; -“heave in your broadsides.” - -The words were scarcely out, when in flopped the quid, and the -combatants commenced hammering away at each other at what both, perhaps, -thought hurricane rate. - -In the course of a few rounds Tummas fell, but caught by his breech, -remaining hanging over the barrel edge; up however, he was re-seated, -and at it they went again until Yankee fell also, and hung in the same -manner. - -“Excellent!” roared the boatswain, “excellent prewentative, or my old -aunt warnt a wirgin!” - -Yankee was soon himself, and they closed again, round after round, until -the two champions hung powerless at the same moment. - -“Drawn fight!” bellowed the little man again; “both tough ones;” and he -proceeded to separate with an enormous clasp knife the fixtures at their -trowsers: all this while the crowd about them were convulsed with -laughter, which was further increased by a hole in each of the -combatant’s trowsers, which the boatswain had carefully cut large enough -almost to admit the barrel. The two sailors, however, having recovered -themselves, and with a growl tucked back the blue check, steered away to -the wine-house. - -Among the officers of our battalion that had been wounded at Almeida, -was one Captain Mitchell, who having received a ball through the arm, -was transferred with us to Lisbon: when sufficiently recovered, he one -morning came to the convalescent barrack to muster those who were -willing and able to rejoin their regiments. Amongst others selected, was -a man named Billy M’Nabb, of our corps, a most notorious skulker and a -methodist. He had scarcely ever done duty with his company, but had -remained sneaking about the hospital as an orderly; and occasionally -preaching and praying to the drunken soldiers in the streets of Lisbon. -Captain Mitchell, however, had made up his mind that M’Nabb should see -the enemy before he returned to England, and as a “persuasive,” when -Billy most violently resisted the summons, ordered him to be tied to the -bullock-cart, amid the jeers of the soldiers, and conveyed back to his -regiment. But it was only for a short period, as Billy got tired of the -“sight,” and took the earliest opportunity to decamp, for he suddenly -disappeared from among us, and but for my having seen him since -preaching in the streets of London, should have been inclined to think -he never returned home at all. - -The morning that the convalescents fell in to start for the main-army, -we were joined by a batch of recruits, chiefly intended for the 68th and -85th regiments. They were a squad of plump, rosy-cheeked, smart-looking -fellows, and like ourselves, each of them had been provided with five -days’ rations in advance; consisting of salt pork, biscuits, and rum, -the first of which they cooked ready for the march. - -Their officer in command was an astonishing man, nearly seven feet high. -I shall never forget him: by his high-cheeked bones and dark complexion, -I took him at first to be a foreigner; but as soon as he spoke, his -broad accent declared him to be a North Briton, as far north as could -be. He seemed well acquainted with every theory, or that part of a -campaign which is generally digested at home; and as a sample of this, -he ordered his men, in accordance with the regulations of Dundas, the -then Commander-in-chief, to halt and rest ten minutes or a quarter of an -hour at the end of every three miles. - -“Coom, men,” he would say, pulling out his gold watch, “ye ken, I -suppose, yer three miles is up, set ye down and eat a pound, the mair ye -tak into yer stomachs the less ye’ll carry on yer backs.” This over, the -watch would be again in requisition, and it would be, “Coom men, yer -quarter of an hour is nearly up, ye maun aye be ganging again;” and the -men, of course, would fall in. By thus halting every three miles, and -eating a pound each time, before we reached Mafra, at the end of the -second day’s march, the men had “pounded” the whole of their five days’ -rations, and some of them began to growl most confoundedly from the want -of provisions. Wishing to know the cause, he sent for the sergeant, and -desired him to inquire, when the latter informed him. - -“Hoot mon, ye dinna say that, do ye? Tell them all to fall in. I fear I -maun chop a wee logic with them.” - -“Oh ye hungry hounds,” he exclaimed, when the men appeared before him. -“Ye dinna ken the grand army yet; not content now, ye maun aye whistle -then, for ye waunna get in ten days then what your hungry maws have now -devoor’d in twa!” saying which, he placed himself at their head, to -direct their movements when on the march. I used to liken him to a kite, -while the files, of short men after him, reminded me of the tail. His -shoulders were so broad and yet so skinny and square, and his height so -convenient, that without stirring a peg from the front section, he would -wave his sword and look over their heads down the ranks and see every -manœuvre. - -Amongst the convalescents, but very recently from Cockneyshire, was a -man named Josias Hetherington. This fellow was one of the queerest I -ever met with, and I verily believe had seen _service_ before, but -amongst gipsies, prigs, gaol-birds, and travelling showmen. There was -not a move but what he was up to, and in addition to these, he was an -excellent ventriloquist, and terrified the inhabitants as we went along, -whenever an occasion offered. - -I think it was on the third day’s march, we had stopped for the night in -a small village, and as it happened, Josh. and I got billeted in the -same house together. Outside our quarters in front of the house, was a -small square (every town, village and pig-stye in Portugal has one,) in -the middle of which and while we were cooking our rations the -inhabitants had commenced a fandango. This also is usual on Sundays in -Portugal. Attracted by the whistle and a small drum beaten by a short, -dumpy, ugly looking lump of a Portuguese, Josh. and I would occasionally -run down to join, and leave our pots beside the Patrone’s wood fire as -close as we could to the red embers. But invariably, when we came in to -take a peep at the boiling progress, we found our utensils moved aside -and the contents as cold as charity. Josh. looked at me, and I at Josh., -the same as to say, “Who the blazes moves our meat about so?” Josh. -however hearing footsteps on the stairs, popped me and himself after -into a kind of pantry. I partially closed the door, and there we stood -watching. - -In a few minutes in came the Patrone or lady of the house, and looking -about her a little, bounced to our little utensils, and was proceeding -to purloin the meat, muttering something to herself at the same moment. -But she had scarcely put a hand to it, when a voice as if from the pot -plainly told her to “Sperum poco,” (wait a little.) The old woman -frisked up, looked doubtful, _crossed herself_, and with the courage -_this_ afforded, again attacked the pot. But the same words only quick -and smart as a rifle shot, sent her reeling and screeching to the corner -of the kitchen. “Oh Santa Maria! oh Jesu, oh la deos! Pedro aye el -demonio ei in panello, (the devil’s in the pot,) Santa Maria -ora—ora—ora—ora pro nobis!” and the good soul went off in a Portuguese -fit. - -Josh. and I, scarcely able to contain our mirth, rushed out of the house -instantly and joined in the crowd, which her screams were collecting -about the door-way. The old Patrone, when she recovered, was off in a -twinkling to the Priest and the Alcalde, but it was all in vain, the -billet could not be changed, for the whole village equally feared the -devil, and we held quiet possession till the next morning, and might -have carried away the house for what the old Patrone cared, for she left -her domicile and never returned till we had marched out of the place. - -The following day, 12th of October, 1810, I rejoined my regiment -encamped near a small village on the lines of Torres Vedras, called -Aruda, where I found my old Captain, who despite his severe loss, had -scraped together a snug company, partly from men who had made their -escape from the French after the affair at Almeida, but chiefly from a -batch of recruits that joined our first battalion with the third of our -regiment that came from England while I was in hospital. Aruda was a -pretty little place enough until we mounted our picquets, when the men -dreadfully defaced it, perhaps from a belief that the French might -enter—a pleasure they never had. - -The inhabitants whose fears had been enhanced by its exposed situation -had nearly all evacuated the place, taking with them only the most -portable and valuable of their effects, and leaving the houses, as it -were, furnished and tenantless. The change was the more extraordinary -from the circumstance of its pleasant site having for many years made it -a country resort for the rich citizens of Lisbon. - -For a few days after our arrival, it presented a picture of most wanton -desolation. Furniture of a most splendid description in many instances -was laid open to the spoliation of the soldiery. Elegant looking-glasses -wrenched from the mantle-pieces were wantonly broken to obtain bits to -shave by, and their encasures, with chairs, tables, &c., &c., used as -common fire-wood for the picquets; an Israelite would have gloated over -the gilded embers, and have deemed perhaps one of them as under the -value of what our united fire-places might have been reduced to. These -proceedings, however, unravel the secret of spending “half-a-crown out -of sixpence a day,” and the philosophical reader will perhaps admit of -the plea, that if we had not, the French would have done it for us, an -event which we expected, though it fortunately never was realized. - -Tom Crawley was particularly pre-eminent in this havoc; his enormous -strength and length fitting him especially for the pulling down and -“breaking up” department. - -Our company was one night on picquet at Aruda; we had, as usual, made a -blazing fire close to the stable of a large house, which in the morning -we had noticed, contained a very handsome carriage (the only one -by-the-bye that I had ever seen in Portugal). Rather late in the evening -we missed Tom—who, by the way, had a great love of exploring the houses -of the village, and whom we imagined to be employed in his favourite -amusement, “looking for wine.” After having consumed sundry chairs to -keep alive our fire, we found it necessary to obtain fresh fuel, and -while consulting where it was to come from, one man, with an oath, -proposed to burn the Portuguese coach. The novelty of the thing among -our thoughtless fellows was received with acclamations, and as our -officers were absent in a house close by, several started up on their -legs for the purpose. The stable-doors were immediately opened, and the -coach wheeled backwards into the large blazing fire. “This will make a -jolly roast!” exclaimed several of the men, as the paint and paneling -began to crack under the influence of the heat. Our scamps were laughing -and enjoying what they called a capital joke, but just as the flames -were beginning to curl up around the devoted vehicle, a roar like that -of a bull came from its interior, and threw us for a moment into -consternation: immediately afterwards one of the glasses was dashed out, -and Tom Crawley’s big head was thrust through the window, amid shouts of -laughter from the men, as he cried out—“Oh bad luck to your sowls! are -you going to burn me alive?” At the same moment, urged powerfully by the -heat of his berth, he made the most violent efforts to open the door, -which from the handle being heated, was a difficult and painful -operation. We had some trouble ere we could extricate the poor fellow, -and then not before he was severely scorched. It afterwards appeared he -had gone half tipsy into the carriage, and was taking a snooze, when he -was so warmly awoke. After this occurrence, Crawley used to boast of -going to sleep with one eye open. - -At this period the French soldiers and ourselves began to establish a -very amicable feeling, apart from duty in the field. It was a common -thing for us to meet each other daily at the houses between our lines, -when perhaps both parties would be in search of wine and food. In one of -the houses so situated, I remember once finding Crawley in a drunken -state in company with a couple of French soldiers. I was mortified by -the merriment his appearance had excited, and could with difficulty get -him away, as he stripped, and offered to fight the whole three of us for -laughing at him. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - -The enemy retire upon Santarem—We retire upon Vallée—The bridge over the - Rio Mayor—The French out-lying sentries—Their camp ground—Comparative - quietude—The still—Escape from assassination—Tom Crawley’s ghost - story—The “Death and Glory men”—The charms of a Brunswickian - appetite—Their desertions—Sergeant Fleming—His court-martial—We meet - our enemies on the water and contend—A comment on both sides. - - -ABOUT the middle of November the enemy retired, and we made a movement -to follow them towards Santarem, which they immediately occupied and -strongly fortified. As soon as we came in sight of their works, our -battalion received orders to cross a river (the Rio Mayor), which -discharged itself into the Tagus, about half a mile lower down on our -right. While executing this movement, we met with rather a warm -reception, which became more intense as we attempted to get a peep into -their position; we however were obliged in turn to retreat, and finally -took up our cantonments at a place called Vallée. The regiment was -distributed in companies on the houses on both sides of the main road, -that to which I was attached being in an old wine-store near the bridge -crossing the Mayor. - -On this bridge we had double sentries, and abbatis of fallen trees. But -the better to foil the incursions of the enemy, the arches had been -undermined, and the powder secured from the wet by bullocks’ hides, -trained ready for explosion. - -About two hundred yards in front of this were the French outlying -sentries, and a little in their rear, on a slight eminence, their camp -ground, which they had very beautifully built over with ranges of huts. - -About three or four miles to our left, and divided from us by the Rio -Mayor, rose the pretty town of Santarem; its towers and steeples peering -up from the summit of a hill, studded on all sides with groves of -olive-trees. The prospect from it must have been very “soul-stirring,” -as the two armies lay within shell range, although they never interfered -with each other for the whole of the four or five months that we were -there; during this time we were flanked on the left and right by the -43rd and 52nd regiments, and enjoyed the most uninterrupted repose, -almost our sole employment being to watch the French movements. - -Some of the men, for want of better pastime, succeeded in constructing a -still, with which they managed to make spirits from a quantity of dried -grapes, found in the old wine-house; a discovery, however, soon took -place, much to our chagrin, and the still was destroyed by our old -Captain, Peter O’Hare. - -The sanguinary nature of the Portuguese during the whole period of the -war was notorious. When crossed or excited, nothing but the shedding of -blood could allay their passion. It was always with the greatest -difficulty that we could preserve our French prisoners from being -butchered by them even in cold blood. They would hang upon the rear of a -detachment with prisoners like so many carrion birds, waiting every -opportunity to satiate their love of vengeance; and it required all the -firmness and vigilance of our troops to keep them in check. It was well -known that even our men fell in stepping between them and the French, -whom they had marked out as victims. Indeed it was not unfrequent for -our own men to suffer from the consequences of their ferocity, and I -myself, while at Vallée, had a narrow escape. I had crossed the hills to -purchase some necessaries at the quarters of the 52nd regiment, and on -my return fell in with several of the soldiers of the 3rd Caçadores; one -of them, a fierce-looking scoundrel, evinced a great inclination to -quarrel, the more particularly as he perceived that I was unarmed and -alone. Having replied rather sharply to some abuse they had cast upon -the English, by reflecting on their countrymen in return, he flew into a -rage, drew his bayonet, and made a rush at me, which I avoided by -stepping aside, and tripping him head foremost on the ground; I was in -the act of seizing his bayonet, when a number of his comrades came up, -to whom he related, in exaggerated terms, the cause of our disagreement. -Before he had half concluded, a general cry arose of “kill the English -dog,” and the whole drawing their bayonets, were advancing upon me when -a party of the 52nd came up, the tables were turned, and the Caçadores -fled in all directions. - -Among other laughable circumstances that made the time pass gaily while -we remained here, was a ghost story, in which Tom Crawley cut rather a -conspicuous figure. We had accoutred ourselves, as was our custom before -laying down for the night’s repose, when in rushed Tom Crawley like a -distracted man. - -“Bring me some salt and water for the love of God, boys!” he immediately -demanded; “I have seen a ghost.” - -“What sort of ghost, Crawley?” sung out a dozen voices from the men, who -immediately became alive to the fun. - -“Oh, a Portuguese ghost, as sure as the Lord,” replied Crawley. “Give me -a little water with some salt in it.” - -This salt, I must explain to the uninitiated, according to a vulgar -superstition in Ireland, is absolutely necessary to be drunk by those -who have seen a phantom before seeing a light, as a neglect of the -precaution was sure to be followed by an evil influence. As soon, -therefore, as a tin measure was brought to the agitated Tom, (not -filled, indeed, with salt and water, but, I am sorry to say, a much more -objectionable liquid) Crawley drank it off with as much avidity as if -his future salvation depended on it: the men, meanwhile, nearly -convulsed with laughter at Tom’s credulity. - -At length, something like silence being restored, Crawley took a seat, -at the same time making many wry faces (that were sufficiently accounted -for by the potion he had swallowed.) He then told us, in a very solemn -manner, that he had distinctly seen the semblance of a Caçadore in -Colonel Eldar’s regiment, the 3rd Caçadores, who used to sell our men -rum on the retreat from Almeida, and who was afterwards killed at the -battle of Busaco. - -“But did you not speak to it?” inquired Jack Murphy. - -“You know I can’t talk Portuguese,” replied Crawley. - -“A ghost can talk any language; he would have spoken English to you if -you had talked to him,” observed another. - -“But I was in too great a fright to talk at all to him till he vanished -away among the trees.” - -Poor Tom Crawley! His ghost story afforded us ample amusement for many -weeks afterwards, although I remember it caused his grog to be stopped, -for having woke the Captain of our company in an adjoining room by the -noise he had occasioned by his spiritual narration. - -There is nothing, not even flogging, damps the spirit of a -service-soldier more than stopping his grog, particularly a man of -Crawley’s temperament, for like his renowned prototype (Nautical Jack), -if he were allowed three wishes, the first would be all the rum in the -world, the second all the tobacco, and the third would be for more rum. -During our stay here, the commissary had ovens made, and a number of our -men employed baking bread, something after the fashion of our quartern -loaf, one of which was allowed each man every four days. One day while -the company was being served out with rations of salt beef and a hot -four-pound loaf, and the commissary was busy in serving out rum from a -barrel turned on the end, with the head knocked in, while the -quarter-master was calling over the name of each man, when Crawley’s -name was called—stopped by order of Captain O’Hare, was the answer. Had -sentence of death been pronounced, it could not have sounded more harsh; -but Tom had a little philosophy. This trial put it to the test, for -while he kept peeping over the men’s shoulders, anxiously watching each -man receive his portion of rum, I also observed him poking his thumb -into different parts of the hot loaf, while he gradually kept edging -himself through the men, until he got close to the rum barrel, and -quietly putting his loaf under his arm, remained stationary, until the -commissary turned round to speak to one of the men, when raising his arm -in flopped the loaf into the rum-barrel, while he lustily began damning -the awkward fellows who pushed, and caused the accident, no doubt -wishing the loaf to remain soaking in the barrel as long as possible; -but seeing the commissary about taking the bread out, he instantly dived -his arm into the barrel, shoving the loaf to the bottom, then drawing it -out dripping, as well as his coat-sleeve, and looking the commissary -seriously in the face, begun cursing his misfortune, saying: “Faith, -Sir, I’ll have a hot meal for the next four days, anyhow; if salt junk -and hot rum don’t blister a poor devil’s guts, I don’t know what will.” -The good-natured commissary, who looked on the whole as a pure accident, -handed Tom an extra half loaf, which he instantly squeezed against the -wet one, lest a drop of the precious liquor should fall to the ground, -and walked away, humming as he went: - - “Oh, love is the soul of a neat Irishman,” &c. - -About this period we had a regiment of Brunswickers sent to join our -division, and one of our least amusing duties soon consisted in watching -them, to prevent their deserting to the enemy. It was the prevalence of -this honourable propensity among them, I believe, that induced Lord -Wellington to distribute their force among the different divisions of -the army. These “death and glory men,” as we used to term them, from -their badge of the skull and cross-bones which was worn on their shakos -and accoutrements, were dressed in dark green, which but too frequently -enabled them to steal past our guards and join the French, with whom -many of their connexions were. Among other attributes with which these -allies were gifted, was a _canine_ appetite, that induced them to kill -and eat all the dogs they could privately lay hold of. By this means the -different dogs of the division disappeared before the Germans with a -celerity truly astonishing, and we were in ignorance of their fate until -the fact became openly proclaimed and acknowledged. Among other animals -thus “potted for consumption” was a dog which, from its having attached -itself to our regiment, we had christened “Rifle.” Rifle could never be -induced to leave us, and upon one or two occasions when we had lost it, -had always managed to rejoin us again. We used often to joke among -ourselves at Rifle’s antipathy to a red coat, and his decided preference -to green; but although, poor fellow! he had survived many of our -skirmishes, in which he used to run about barking and expressing his -delight as much as a dog could, it was only, after all, to be devoured -by the insatiable jaws of the Brunswickers. - -We had in the company a sergeant of the name of Fleming, a tall athletic -brave fellow, from the Lake of Killarney. One night being posted in -picquet, he unluckily came in collision with one of the Brunswick -officers, and suspecting his intentions to bolt to the enemy, knocked -him down with his rifle and otherwise maltreated him. The result was, -that Fleming was tried by a brigade court-martial, convicted for the -assault, and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks, and to receive a -corporal punishment of five hundred lashes. This put us all on the -alert, and the officers also, by whom he was very much liked. The -division being formed, by order of General Crauford, the prisoner was -brought to the centre of the square, and the minutes of the -court-martial read aloud, Fleming proceeded to strip, while the men -stood attentively yet sullenly awaiting the result. The General now -addressed him, saying: - -“Prisoner Fleming, the offence which you have been guilty of, is of so -heinous a nature, that could it be proved to be wilfully committed, it -would be most unpardonable; but the excellent character for gallantry -and honourable conduct, given of you by your officers, is such that I -take the responsibility on myself, relying on the plea made by you. I -shall not flog you, therefore, but your stripes will be cut off, and I -trust your future conduct will testify that the discretion I now use, is -not misplaced; and I here,” proceeded the General, turning round to the -division, “take the opportunity of declaring, that if any of those -gentlemen (meaning the Brunswickers,) have a wish to go over to the -enemy, let them express it, and I give my word of honour I will grant -them a pass to that effect instantly, for we are better without such.” - -Fleming was shortly afterwards reinstated, but, poor fellow! he was -destined to an early though a more honourable fate, and fell leading on -the ladder party, in the forlorn hope at Badajoz. - -All this time, and for a great part of that in which we were quartered -here, a very friendly intercourse was carried on between the French and -ourselves. We frequently met them bathing in the Rio Mayor, and would as -often have swimming and even jumping matches. In these games, however, -we mostly beat them, but that was attributed, perhaps, to their -half-starved, distressed condition. This our stolen intercourses soon -made us more awake to, until at length, touched with pity, our men went -so far as to share with them the ration biscuits, which we were -occasionally supplied with from England, by our shipping; indeed we -buried all national hostility in our anxiety to assist and relieve them. -Tobacco was in great request; we used to carry some of ours to them, -while they in return would bring us a little brandy. Their “réveille” -was our summons as well as theirs, and although our old captain seldom -troubled us to fall in at the “réveille,” it was not unusual to find the -rear of our army under arms, and, perhaps, expecting an attack. But the -captain knew his customers, for though playful as lambs, we were -watchful as leopards. - -It will not be amiss, perhaps, if I give the reader an idea of the -resources and intrinsic position of the two armies, thus contending on a -soil to which both were aliens. It will be necessary to enter a little -into the holds either party had on the opinions of the inhabitants. - -The French, it must be recollected, were fighting for the usurpation—if -it may be so termed—of the Spanish throne by Joseph Bonaparte, and had -to contend with all the elements that composed and monopolized the -prejudices of the Spanish and Portuguese people. The whole war was one -between innovation, and long and deeply rooted prejudice; and the French -troops, consequently, were on all occasions, nightly and daily, not only -open to attacks from the British, but in constant alarm from the -natives, whose animosity made them alive to the slightest opportunity -that presented itself for doing them mischief. - -No Frenchman, however fatigued, dared to straggle or fall back: it was -instant death to him. The guerillas and peasantry watched with the -thirst of wolves, and slaughtered all who fell into their hands. These -dangers were, also, doubly increased by the absence of uniforms amongst -the Spaniards, who, up to this time, wore their own peasant dresses. -This disabled the French from recognizing either friends or foes. In -addition to these, they had another of greater magnitude than any, their -provision and ammunition resources depended entirely on their -communication with France—separated from them by the Pyrenees, and long -distances from the scene of contention itself; this made their supplies -exceedingly precarious, and but for the contributions levied by the -French generals on the inhabitants, would have kept them oft-times -pendant ’twixt hunger and the bayonets of their enemies. - -The priesthood, also, numbers of whom were of the French church, had to -return many obligations to their revolutionary opponents, such as their -banishment, wholesale, from their “snuggeries” during the year of -terror; these, therefore, sided always with the Spaniards, and by their -influence, combined with the Spanish inquisitorial clergy, gave a colour -and energy to the cause we had engaged in. - -Our case was, consequently, widely different as the quiet imprisonment -of our disorderly comrade before-mentioned fully proved; we were -received, also, everywhere with open arms, and were well backed, if not -by the courage, by their best provision resources. We could, with -safety, leave whole hospitals behind us, whilst the sick and wounded of -our opponents, the French, were, in many instances, slaughtered -wholesale by the citizens. - -But with all these advantages in our favour, we yet, as it were, lay -between two stools. The natives were not to be relied on, and though -drawn up with us on most occasions, generally left the British to bear -the brunt of action. Thus often and too truly showing that a weak friend -is frequently more dangerous than a determined enemy. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - -General Crauford leaves for England—Sir William Erskine takes the - command—Mounseer Strauss—We enter Santarem—Scenes of horror—Mile - posts of the “grande armée”—Retaliations of the Portuguese—Two - upon one—Pombal—Smart work—German gallantry—Auction—A new - division—Redinha—An accident—Long Tom of Lincoln—The deserter—A - return of favours. - - -IN the month of February, General Crauford went to England on leave, and -the command of the light division, during his absence, devolved upon -Major-General Sir William Erskine. - -On the night of the 5th of March we were suddenly ordered to fall in, as -intelligence had reached us that the French were evacuating Santarem. -This was soon ascertained to be the fact, and we immediately commenced -an advance, crossing the bridge in our front at three o’clock on the -morning of the 6th. - -Ours being the senior captain of the regiment, the company, as was -usual, were in the advance, when some of the front files suddenly came -within a few yards of what appeared to be a French sentinel, leaning -against a wall that ran along from the bridge. One of our fellows fired, -but perceiving no movement made, we all rushed up, and discovered him to -be, what our money-changers at home have so great a horror of, “a man of -straw,” or a piece of sacking stuffed and accoutred. This afforded a fit -theme for joking, as we carried our “prisoner” with us until we came to -Santarem. - -Our march was uninterrupted, and over a bold thickly wooded country, -much cut up, however, by the retreating enemy; about mid-day we entered -Santarem, where a sight of a most horrifying description offered itself. -The streets and houses presented a mass of desolation and filth, which, -in some degree, contaminated the air around, while to add to the -picture, numbers of half-starved looking Frenchmen were grouped about in -knots, and exhibiting the loathsome appearance of disease. The faces of -many of these poor fellows were dreadfully swollen and white. Our men -were moved to pity at the scene, and threw them biscuits as we passed -through the town. - -Massena had not the means of conveyance for the whole of his sick, and -had been obliged to leave these to their fate. This, indeed, would have -been soon decided had the Portuguese first come up with them. - -At every mile the enemy, on their retreat, had fixed finger posts with -directions to the road the “grande armée” had taken, they sufficiently -directed us also. But after all, these were of little service, for -straggling groups of the unfortunate enemy strewed the road as we -advanced over it. The poor fellows, at first, would greet the English -with a faint hope of protection, and turned up their swollen and pallid -countenances to us with expressions that needed not words to explain -them. But we were obliged to pass on and leave them, for aught I know, -to be butchered by the inhabitants, who fearfully retaliated for all the -scenes we had witnessed. At night we encamped on the outskirts of a -small village, the name I do not recollect, but the sights within it I -never can forget. - -In searching for a stream from which I might procure water, I fell upon -a small fountain, close to which lay two or three murdered Portuguese; -their brains and blood, which seemed freshly to have oozed from their -mangled remains, had even streamed into the spring, and turned me away -with disgust from the water. Proceeding onward, I observed a gaunt -ghastly figure in a cloak stealing towards a group of cadaverous looking -Frenchmen—on his getting a little nearer to them, he suddenly spat in -his hands and throwing his cloak aside, produced a heavy club, with -which, I suppose, he was going to beat their brains out. Struck with -horror, I instantly seized the stick from his half-famished grasp, drove -him away, and assisted by one or two comrades got the poor men into a -house, and pursued my search. - -As I, however, approached into the Plaza, the desolation thickened; all -the havoc that can possibly be imagined in so small a compass lay before -me—murdered and violated women—shrieking and dying children—and, indeed, -all that had possessed life in the village, lay quivering in the last -agony of slaughter and awful vengeance. - -These became every-day scenes until we overtook the French rear-guard at -Pombal, which we did on the 11th, my company had been hurried forward by -the cavalry, each dragoon mounting a rifleman behind him on his horse—a -method of riding peculiarly galling to the infantry, but which we -frequently had to experience during the war. From the friction alone -produced on the legs and seat by the dragoon’s saddle-bags, it was some -time before the foot-soldier, when placed upon his legs, could move with -anything like dispatch. Besides, this method of riding was generally -attended by the loss of the men’s mess-tins, which became shaken off by -the jolting. There were, indeed, few of our men who would not have -preferred marching twice the distance on foot to being thus carried.[7] - -We first got sight of the enemy about two miles from the town of Pombal. -They had possession of a wood, from which, however, we soon managed to -drive them. They retired in great disorder in the direction of the town. -The long straight road that led to Pombal became filled for some hundred -yards, with the confused masses of the French; but their distress was -still further increased by the arrival of Brigade-Major Mellish, who -came up, at the time, with a couple of Ross’s guns, and commenced -playing upon them. It soon became a complete rout with the enemy, and -they pressed pell-mell over the bridge of the river between us and the -town. They suffered considerably in this business—the ground was strewed -with their dead, and as we followed we found several poor fellows at the -bridge badly wounded by the rifles, and many dissevered legs and arms, -the latter, no doubt, caused by Ross’s two pieces. - -It was during the preceding skirmish that, for the first time, I heard -the words that afterwards became so common in our regiment, “kill a -Frenchman for yourself.” Its origin was as follows: Two men of known -daring, named Palmer and Tracey, during our approach to the bridge, -seeing a French sergeant fall, ran up to claim the meed of conquest, by -relieving him of any valuables he might be possessed of. They were -quarrelling as to the appropriation of the spoil, when Palmer, who was a -known excellent shot, told Tracey to go “and kill a Frenchman for -himself,” as he had shot this man. - -This circumstance afterwards gave birth to a little gasconade in the -regiment, that every rifleman could and ought to kill a Frenchman in -action. From the period of the above occurrence, Palmer received the -nick-name of the “man-killer,” until a singular circumstance, that -occurred at the siege of Badajoz, gave him a new title. In relieving -picquet in the trenches, many of our men, instead of going quietly -through the trenches or parallels in front of the walls of the town, -used to show their contempt of danger by jumping out of them and running -across in the face of the enemy’s fire. In executing this feat one day -with some others, a cannon-shot fired by the French, struck the ground -first, and then hit Palmer on the back, and he fell, as we thought, -killed upon the spot. To our surprise, however, in a moment he jumped up -unhurt, the ball having glanced off his knapsack. In commemoration of -this event, he was afterwards known by the appellation of “the bomb -proof man.” - -It must be borne in mind, that my own company only were present here, -and we had to sustain, at a great disadvantage, a smart fire from the -different houses, occupied by the rear-guard of the enemy. As soon as we -crossed the bridge we took possession of the houses opposite those held -by the French, from which we kept up a brisk fire out of the windows. -Tired however, with this cross work, several of our men dashed into one -of the French holds and found it crowded with the enemy, who to the -number of thirty or forty quietly surrendered themselves prisoners. I -recollect Sergeant Fleming, who was the first to mount the stairs, -bundling them neck and crop over the staircase. Lieutenant Hopwood, -however, fell severely wounded in the thigh on entering the house. We -maintained the conflict until the remainder of the regiment came up, and -then drove the enemy entirely out of their cover. - -In the eagerness of pursuit, however, we had suffered severely: as our -men followed the enemy a considerable distance out of the town, galling -them terribly in the street, when perceiving how few our numbers were, -being supported by a single troop only of our German Hussars, they -turned round and made it a hard matter for us to escape the consequences -of our temerity. Several of the men were out-flanked, and taken -prisoners, and for myself, I had to run a great risk, and should -certainly have been killed or captured, but for the gallantry of a -German dragoon, who riding up, dragged me behind him, and galloped away -amidst a volley of shots, unhurt. - -At night, the French, who had posted themselves partly under cover of a -wood, threw shells into the town of Pombal, of which we had possession, -and succeeded in setting it on fire in several places. We nevertheless -remained for the night, and sold by auction among the officers and men -some baggage which we had taken, snugly packed on a grey horse, from one -of their Generals; among other valuables it contained, were two -beautiful gold medals, which we presented to our old Captain; we divided -the proceeds, which amounted to six dollars to each man of the company. - -In the morning, the French continued their retreat, and we were again in -pursuit. After crossing a well wooded hill, we came up with them at -Redinha, a small town situated in the hollow of rather a difficult -pass,—the company ascending a hill covered with pine-trees, on the right -of our battalion. - -From its eminence, I remember to have seen one of the finest views of -the two armies I ever witnessed. The rifles were extended in the -distance for perhaps two miles, and rapidly on the advance to the -enemy’s position. These were followed by our heavy columns, whose heads -were just emerging from a wood about a quarter of a mile in our rear. -Everything seemed conducted with the order and regularity of a field -day. Meanwhile the rear columns of the French were slowly retiring, but -in a few minutes the scene became exceedingly animated by our artillery -opening their fire upon the retreating forces. - -This was the signal for us to set to work. We instantly moved down from -our lofty station, and were soon engaged skirmishing and endeavouring to -out-flank and drive in their light troops, which, after a hard struggle, -we at length accomplished, but not before many men had fallen on both -sides. The enemy, however, although they slowly retired, continually -turned, making temporary stands, whenever the ground seemed favourable. - -One affecting circumstance that took place in this action, made a deep -impression on my memory. A French officer whom we had observed very -conspicuously cheering on his men, had fallen by a rifle-shot through -the thigh, when two of our buglers ran forward for the purpose of easing -him of his money. This, I must observe, the French generally kept -concealed in a kind of belt round their waists. As soon, therefore, as -the buglers came up to him, they commenced quarrelling as to which of -them should possess his property. The more readily to disencumber him of -his belt, each of them had fallen on his knees over the poor Frenchman, -and one of the buglers had drawn a knife to cut the strap that secured -the hoped-for treasure, when the other endeavouring to restrain him -brought on a scuffle, during which, I am sorry to relate, the knife -entered the body of the wounded man, and he expired on the spot. I had -arrived just in time to perceive the occurrence, and could with -difficulty restrain myself from shooting the owner of the knife on the -spot, until he told me it was purely accidental. - -After pursuing the enemy through the town, where we took a number of -prisoners (among whom were some of my own company, taken the day before) -in a water-mill, we encamped at night on the side of an extensive hill. -The country, here also, was well wooded and watered, and exceedingly -picturesque, as was also the position occupied by the enemy. We were -encamped on a range of heights, while the French lay below in a -beautiful valley; the outlying sentries of both armies being not more -than two hundred yards apart. - -This night our company, with Captain Belvard’s, formed the outlying -picquet. As we had had no rations for two days previous, we were soon -busily employed in cooking what we had taken from the prisoners; during -this ceremony, a man of the name of Humphrey Allen, a tall powerful -fellow, whom we had also nick-named “Long Tom of Lincoln,” came up from -the rear, where, during the preceding skirmish, he had been employed -taking the wounded. On asking to be allowed to join one of the messes, -he was immediately refused, on account of his having gone out of action -with the wounded, when the care of them devolved upon the buglers or -bandsmen alone. This, I must remark, was at first a common excuse for -getting from under fire, and soon became marked with indignation by the -braver men; at length, during the latter part of the campaign, no good -soldier would venture, under so frivolous a pretence, so to expose -himself to the indignation of his comrades, excepting for any very -extreme cases. In the preceding instance, however, Allen proved himself -more daring than humane. - -Taking up his rifle, very coolly observing that he would soon get -something to eat if a Frenchman had it: walked quietly down to our -outlying picquets, and taking deliberate aim, shot one of the French -sentries on the spot: in an instant he was across the field to where he -fell, and having hoisted him on his shoulders, was in the act of bearing -him back to our line, which the French perceiving, not only fired, but -pursued him, and compelled him to drop his prize. - -A general alarm, meanwhile, was occasioned by this firing, and before it -could be checked, Colonel Beckwith came down, and having traced its -origin, sent for Allen. - -“Why, Zur,” replied Tom, to the inquiry of the Colonel “I arn’t had -nought to eat these two days, and thought as how I might find summut in -the Frencher’s knapsack.” - -Although he had been guilty of a cruelty which no law of arms could -justify, he managed to escape with a severe reprimand.[8] - -In the course of an hour after, being on sentry at our advance posts, I -was leisurely sauntering up and down, occasionally looking about me, and -stooping to cull some flowers that grew in the field which divided us -from the enemy. It was just at the close of the evening, or between the -lights. The French sentry, who advanced occasionally seemingly for the -same purpose, at last came so near, that I feared he was up to some -manœuvre, or about to fire at me; with this, I instantly cocked my -rifle, and was awaiting his approach, when he suddenly rushed towards -me, bellowing out in French, “Déserteur! Déserteur!” Of course at the -words I allowed him to approach, which he did, exclaiming, “Je suis -allemand,” and instantly turning on his quondam comrades, fired into -them. The report of his fire caused the picquets of both parties to fall -in, and the whole line of sentries again to be engaged. However, he -stuck by me all the time, shaking his fist at them, and loading and -firing with all the jaw-breaking oaths that the French and his native -German could supply him with. - -Colonel Beckwith, a second time alarmed, was soon amongst us swearing -also, at what he supposed to be another Lincoln job, but he returned -rather pleased, chatting to the deserter. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - -Our march upon Condeixa—Tom Crawley again—Hot and cold—Affair of Casal - Nova—Death of Major Stewart—The French continue retreating—The two - brothers—Night scene—The French continue their havoc—The Caçadore—The - pet goat—Lord Wellington again—Our old Colonel—The promise of the - Staff—The Recruits—British enthusiasm inspired—The two French - prisoners—Particulars of Massena’s retreat and state of his troops—St. - Patrick’s Day—If I had a donkey—The river Caira—Our distressing - privations—O’Brien and the old Patrone—Arrival at Friexedas—Adjutant - Stewart killed—Sabugal—Carrying of the enemy’s position—Encomiums of - our Colonel—Death of Lieut. Arbuthnot—Disagreeable bed-fellow—A light - on the subject—Evacuation of Portugal by the French, Almeida - excepted—The British follow into Spain—Arrival at Gallegos—The enemy - active in Rodrigo—The skulker—Poor Burke—Expedition and disappointment - in search of a convoy. - - -THE French got under arms before the dawn of the morning, and we as -usual followed, keeping them well on before us. - -In the course of the noon we passed through the pretty little town of -Condeixa, which the enemy had fired in several places. The main street -was completely blocked by the flames darting across the road from the -opposite houses. To enable the troops to pass, we were obliged to -“break” a way through some dry walls. This caused a temporary halt, -during which the chief part of the division gallantly employed -themselves extricating the unfortunate inhabitants, from the burning -houses. Tom Crawley (forgetful of the coach) made use of his great -strength to some purpose, and chucked some five or six old people, whom -he had brought forth on his shoulders, over a wall as he supposed, out -of immediate danger. Tom, however, who should have “looked,” before he -made the old ones “leap,” was not aware that close to their descent was -a large well, into which, to their great terror, he had very nearly -dropped the terrified and screeching sufferers. - -Having cleared the houses “a way,” we proceeded to Casal Nova, where we -came up with the incendiaries, whom we found perfectly prepared to -receive us. The country all about was greatly intercepted by old walls, -and afforded excellent facilities for skirmishing. In a few seconds some -of our division was observed moving upon our right, and we were ordered -instantly to extend, and at it we went. After several hours’ hard -fighting, kept up with great spirit on both sides, we compelled the -enemy to retire, but not before we had lost an excellent officer in the -person of Major Stewart, who received a shot through the body. He was -led by two buglers to the rear, where he died shortly after. The death -of this officer gave a step to my old Captain O’Hare, who obtained the -majority. - -In this skirmish Lieutenant Stroud also received a severe wound. This -officer in action, always carried a rifle, for the skilful use of which -he was celebrated.[9] A man of our company named Pat Mahon, received -three balls on the hip at the same instant, and so close together that a -dollar might have covered the three holes they made. - -The enemy still continued the retreat, their skirmishers, at times, -making short stands to keep our rifles in check, and a few of their rear -sections occasionally pouring a running fire into us. We drove them, -however, through the village of Casal Nova. Some of the French for a few -minutes here availed themselves of pieces of dilapidated walls, but as -soon as we commenced outflanking them, they all retreated, with the -exception of one man, who, to our surprise, remained loading and firing -as if he had a whole division to back him. I scarcely know what could -have induced me to fire at this poor fellow alone, and exposed as he was -to at least twenty other shots; but my blood was up, through his having -once aimed at me, his ball whizzing close by as I approached. Be that as -it may, I had got within fifty yards when I fired. In an instant I was -beside him, the shot had entered his head, and he had fallen in the act -of loading, the fusil tightly grasped in his left hand, while his right -clutched the ramrod. A few quick turns of the eye as it rolled its dying -glances on mine, turned my whole blood within me, and I reproached -myself as his destroyer. An indescribable uneasiness came over me, I -felt almost like a criminal. I knelt to give him a little wine from a -small calabash, which hung at my side, and was wiping the foam from his -lips, when a heavy groan drew my attention aside, and turning round my -head I beheld stretched near him and close to the wall, another wounded -Frenchman, a sergeant. “Hélas,” exclaimed the wounded man, the big tears -suddenly gushing down his sun-burnt countenance, as he pointed with his -finger to my victim, “vous avez tué mon pauvre frère,” (you have killed -my poor brother,) and indeed such was the melancholy fact. - -The sergeant, a stout heavy man, had fallen, his thigh broken by a shot. -The younger brother, unable to carry him off the field, had remained, -apparently with the intention of perishing by his side. - -We halted for the night on an adjacent hill, about a mile in advance. -The French also took up their position opposite us. The picquets of both -armies occupied a beautiful ravine, that sloped between us. I took -advantage of the few moments’ leisure our position afforded to return to -the French sergeant. But I found him and his brother both as naked as -they were born, perforated with innumerable wounds, no doubt -administered by the Portuguese. I turned back to the camp, but in a very -poor humour with myself, though I could not well close my eyes to the -magnificent scene around me. The sun had set, its light had been -supplanted by burning villages, and fires that on vale and mountain -correctly pointed out where the hostile divisions were extended. - -The following morning, the French continued their march of havoc, and we -closed after them, village after village giving flaming proofs of their -continued atrocities. Passing through one which had been fired, by -reason, as we were informed, of its having been the quarters of Marshal -Ney and staff,—an appalling instance of vengeance here occurred. The -parents of one of our Caçadores had lived in this village, and -immediately we entered, he rushed to the house where they resided. On -reaching the doorway, the soldier hesitated a few seconds, but the door -was open, and stretched across the threshold he beheld the mangled -bodies of his father and mother, the blood still warm and reeking -through the bayonet stabs, while an only sister lay breathing her last, -and exhibiting dreadful proofs of the brutality with which she had been -violated. The unhappy man staggered, frenzied with grief, and stared -wildly around him; till suddenly burying all other feelings in the -maddening passion of revenge, he rushed forth from what had probably -been once a happy home. His first act was to dash at some French -prisoners that unfortunately were near the spot, guarded by some of our -dragoons. These he attacked with the fury of a madman. One he shot and -another he wounded, and he would have sacrificed a third, had not the -guard made him prisoner. On the circumstances being made known to the -General, he was liberated. - -Outside the village, and on a gentle slope, we came to the enemy’s camp -ground, which they had been obliged to quit so precipitately as to have -left their fires lighted. We noticed a goat, which, by its frisking and -jumping about, I supposed to have been a pet of some French officer. -Whenever we went near, it would step aside, until some of the men -levelled their rifles and shot it; swords were out in a moment, and the -little animal, skin and all, dissected. I was just apportioning the hind -quarter, when who should ride near, but Lord Wellington and staff; for a -while I felt as if the noose were already round my neck, until the -Colonel coming up, re-established my serenity, and congratulated us on -our lucky chance; for this kindness we shared our booty with him that -same night. - -We had suffered dreadfully throughout the previous week; many of our men -from weakness, and through want of rations, having been unable to keep -up with their regiments, Colonel Beckwith, in the hearing of many of us, -took this opportunity of making it known to the Commander-in-chief, who -immediately promised we should have the first rations that came up. We -then marched to some high ground, from whence we could distinctly see -the French camp at a place called Foz d’Aouce, their fires lighted -preparatory to passing the night there. It was determined, however, that -they should not enjoy it so easily. Our battalion was instantly ordered -to the attack, before proceeding to which, I will introduce to my -readers a squad of “gentlemen,” who joined us a few evenings preceding. -We had been reinforced by a fresh batch of recruits from England, a -number of whom had been drafted into our company. These fellows’ rosy -cheeks and plump appearance, with their new dresses, formed a bright -relief and amusing contrast to our fierce embrowned visages, covered -with whisker and mustachio, as we then were, and our clothing patched -and of all colours. As these new-comers were now about to go through the -ordeal of fire, for the first time in their lives, Major O’Hare thought -proper to say a few words by way of advice to them, on so momentous an -occasion; accordingly, he gave the command, “Recruits to the front.” - -Some ten or twelve immediately stepped forward, wondering, no doubt, -what they were wanted for. “Do you see those men on that plain?” asked -the Major, as he pointed to the French camp. On several of the men -answering “Ees, Zur!” Major O’Hare, with a dry laugh, continued, “Well -then, those are the French, and our enemies. You must kill those -fellows, and not allow them to kill you. You must learn and do as these -old birds here do,” pointing to us, “and get cover where you can. -Recollect, recruits, you come here to kill, and not be killed. Bear this -in mind: if you don’t kill the French they’ll kill you.”—“Ees, Zur!” -said they again. - -The Major’s logic, although it elicited roars of laughter from the old -soldiers, I believe had more effect with the recruits than if -Demosthenes had risen for the purpose. Immediately after this out went -our muzzle stoppers, and sallying down the slope on which we had been -drawn up, at the enemy we went. Our battalion was soon hotly engaged, -assisted by some light companies of the guards, belonging to the first -division. The night was fast setting in, but we soon succeeded in -beating the enemy out of their camp ground, and we dashed at them as -they retired crowding with precipitation over a bridge which crossed the -river in their rear. Before two-thirds of their force had accomplished -this, the bridge, by some irregularity, was blown up, and great numbers -also were drowned in attempting to ford the stream. - -At their camp ground many of our men came in for a bit of a wind-fall, -as the French, in their hurry to place the river between us and them, -had left their meat and pots on the fires. This afforded a happy regale -to some of our unfortunate hungry stomachs, the more especially as the -food thus come by, was eaten with a sense of having been fairly earned. - -During the foregoing skirmish and while very closely engaged, I -perceived a horse, gaily bedizened with French trappings, galloping -about, as though looking for an owner, and I managed to catch it by the -bridle. A minute afterwards my prize received a shot, probably intended -for myself, but which stretched the poor animal dead beside me. - -The night was passed on the French camp ground. At the fire round which -we thronged, were two wounded Frenchmen; it was a satisfaction to mark -the care and attention which they received at the hands of our men. One -of the prisoners, whom I found to be a very intelligent fellow, gave me -interesting accounts of the state and proceedings of Massena’s troops, -which, as it much amused us at the period, possibly may prove equally -entertaining to the reader. - -“At the time that Massena and his troops,” said he, “lay at Santarem, we -had encouraged hopes of driving the English into Lisbon, or the sea; but -finding these unavailing, it was given up in despair, and the army -prepared, at about the beginning of the spring of 1811, to retire back -through the country into Spain. - -“The batteries and other works which for several months our men had been -erecting, were destroyed, and leaving behind us a great number of our -sick, whom we had no means of conveying away, we shared the last of our -provisions, amounting to about ten biscuits each man amongst us, and we -prepared to retreat. - -“The troops were in a most distressed state, reduced to half their -numbers almost naked and without provisions, for most of them consumed -in a few days the whole of their scanty allowance. They could not expect -aid from any of their comrades, for all were without, and the country -around us devastated by both parties; our wants, however, urged us to -plunder, and we wandered in strong parties from the regiment, and -meeting with every species of resistance, gave blow for blow. - -“The guerillas followed us everywhere; they fled in the front and -harassed us on our flanks, so that not an hour passed but we were -obliged to be on the alert to save our lives; out of this arose every -cruelty which ensued, and made our retreat almost unparalleled for -devastation and bloodshed. Meanwhile the British troops came on in our -rear, their light divisions harassing us night and day, and completing -the wreck that never will be forgotten while Portugal retains its name.” - -We continued to occupy the same spot the whole of the following day, -waiting very anxiously for the promised supply of rations; one day’s -rations, however, to our exceeding joy, made their appearance in the -evening of the 16th. The following being the morning of St. Patrick’s -Day, the whole of our battalion, English and Irish, duly celebrated the -event by a proper attention to greens, and not having shamrocks, leaves, -grass and boughs of trees were substituted: thus ornamented we commenced -our march. - -Just before we arrived at the river Caira, the waters of which flowed -over the body of many an unfortunate French soldier, we came upon a -sight which was enough to make the “Humane Society,” declare eternal war -against the men of the wooden shoes. - -This was some two or three hundred donkeys and mules, which the enemy, -unable to drive off, had maimed and hamstrung. The poor animals looked -up to us as if for vengeance, and every mute appeal was sternly -fulfilled, for they struck home to the feelings of us all. - -We continued our march for about two leagues, when the battalion halted -upon a hill covered with pine-trees. At the bottom of this and near our -advanced posts, flowed the river Alva, on the opposite side of which the -retreating army lay encamped. We had halted, and refreshed ourselves, -with the notion that we should spend the night there quietly, but we -were doomed to be miserably undeceived, as a fresh order was given for -us to fall in, the artillery coming up, and commenced playing on the -enemy’s masses, and our division was ordered to cross the river. Lord -Wellington certainly was determined to allow the French no rest if -possible, and indeed, if truth be added, ourselves as little. A pontoon -was thrown over the river for the division to cross, while others forded -the stream a little higher up on our right. The enemy retired in -excellent order, and we pursued until both halted for the night. The -place we occupied was a little village called Melo, where we remained -during the following day, having had one ration only for the last four -days. Never let it be said that John Bull cannot fight upon an empty -stomach. If ever one division of our army proved this more than another, -I certainly think it was the light one. _Light_ enough we were at this -and at other periods, Heaven knows. While thus impelled by hunger, -myself and Wilkie searching about for something to devour, proceeded -down a lane, where we came upon the body of an elderly woman. She was -lying in the middle of the road, dressed in white, and, from the hands -being bound together in a praying attitude, and the general appearance -of the corpse, it was evident that she had been taken out for the -purpose of burial, as it is the custom in that country to inter them in -full dress, and without a coffin: the arrival of the French no doubt had -obliged her attendants to abandon her. - -The reader is expecting perhaps, that we set to work and nibbled the old -woman, but let me assure him we did nothing of the kind, though we -thought many and many a time, and growled sadly that we had not provided -ourselves with a bit from the donkeys. - -The corpse had round its neck a set of beads with a gold cross at the -end, which Wilkie very “piously” put into his pocket. - -We still, however, continued our prowling, and stumbled at last on a -small cottage, into which we entered, in full hopes of having made a -substantial discovery. - -An old emaciated half-starved looking hag, sat squatted by some -extinguished embers, like the last survivor of a universal wreck. She -was indeed the only living inhabitant we had seen in the village, and -remained squatted by the embers, as if permitted that privilege only to -recount her tale. The old soul continued a fixture, until Wilkie -suspecting something, pressed her to move. “Non hai nada!” screamed the -old lady, “Non hai nada!” (there is nothing.) - -“Oh but there is,” replied my comrade; until growing furious, he upset -the old woman from her position, and out rolled a loaf of bread from -under her, as natural as if it had been an egg from under a hen. Wilkie -pounced at it instantly, and the miserable old creature burst into -tears, and screamed herself almost into fits. Her cries in a few seconds -brought in her daughter, who unable to keep herself concealed at this -agonizing appeal of her parent, rushed forward to her assistance. Never -before did I see such a pitiful pair, both were almost cadaverous with -want, and begged hard for the loaf. But we were all of us half starved, -and at last, Wilkie and myself, unable to contain ourselves any longer, -willingly shared it with them. - -We were engaged daily with the enemy until we came to Friexedas, on the -28th of March, on which day we lost our gallant adjutant, Lieutenant -Stewart, who fell by a musket shot. - -On the 1st of April we again came up with the enemy, who held possession -of the town of Sabugal, where they seemed inclined to make a final -stand. - -The town is situated partly upon a hill, with some woodland interspersed -about, while the rapid river Coa winds between it and the Lisbon side of -the country. - -On the day of the 3rd an attack upon the enemy was commenced, by our -battalions, when through some mistake, we were left almost unsupported; -after crossing the river, we advanced up the hill, on the other side, -and under a fleecy shower of rain, soon became hotly engaged with the -French. They were at least four or five times our number, and compelled -us to retire twice before their overwhelming masses. Led on, however, by -our gallant Colonel, we fixed swords, and came to the charge and drove -them up the hills before us. There a strong reserve was prepared for our -reception. A third time we were obliged to give ground, until our second -brigade coming to our aid, we again dashed at them, carried the -position, and after a hard contest, obliged the enemy to retreat with -the utmost precipitation, leaving behind them a howitzer, which had been -twice taken and retaken. - -No one that day could have observed our Colonel during the heat of the -action, and not have admired his cool and soldier-like bearing. “Steady, -lads—show no hurry,” was his cheering exhortation, accompanied by a -smile when we were obliged to retreat, the blood, at the same time, -flowing copiously from a wound he had received across his forehead. -Never, perhaps, in any action, did the Rifles display more consummate -tact and resolution than in this. Lord Wellington was too just to pass -over their services on this occasion, and in general orders passed a -high encomium upon the gallantry of Colonel Beckwith, and the brigade -under his command. We lost a fine young fellow, an officer, Lieutenant -the Honourable —— Arbuthnot, whose head was smashed by a round-shot. - -At the conclusion of the battle the rain poured down in torrents, and -obliged us to take such shelter as the walls and trees around afforded. -The enemy, meanwhile, were in rapid retreat, and we should, in all -probability, have continued in pursuit, but for the exhausted state of -the men. - -While endeavouring to obtain shelter, Lord Wellington rode up, and -knowing the chief business of the day had fallen upon our brigade, he -ordered us into the town. We arrived just in time to prevent the fifth -division from supplanting us, and they consequently were obliged to -retrace their steps, which they did with much grumbling and discontent. -It was dark before we got into the house appropriated to us. Myself and -one or two others turned into a small square room, the floor of which -was covered with straw. Though wetted through to the skin I soon fell -into a sound sleep, but was, however, quickly awakened by a hurried -exclamation from a man who had just entered the room with a light. On -looking around for the cause of his surprise, I beheld a stiff and naked -corpse placed upright against the walls of the room, brutally defaced; -at the same moment, and in the act of turning, I placed my hand on the -clammy features of another body, partly concealed under the straw, and -across which I had actually been sleeping; we found four bodies -altogether, evidently Portuguese, and all of them bearing the usual -proofs of French retaliation. - -The next day Massena evacuated Portugal, with the exception of Almeida, -and in a short time we ourselves crossed the frontiers and took up our -old quarters at Gallegos; here we found many of our acquaintances of the -preceding year, and the enemy having retired upon Ciudad Rodrigo, we -were suffered for a while to recruit our strength. - -Some weeks after our arrival at Gallegos, the battalion had orders to -prepare for marching at an hour’s notice, and to leave their knapsacks -behind. This was announced by Colonel Beckwith on the afternoon parade, -who, at the same time, desiring those who were sick or weakly to fall -out, as a forced march was to be undertaken to prevent the French -throwing supplies into Rodrigo. On hearing this several skulkers in the -regiment fell out of the ranks, but were obliged to fall in again. - -Passing down the regiment, Colonel Beckwith, attracted by the evident -looks of ill-health of a man named Burke, noted for his daring courage, -very humanely advised him to remain behind, “For you look very ill, -Burke,” said the Colonel. “No, Sir,” replied Burke, casting a look of -contempt on the skulkers, “I certainly am not well, but I still have the -heart of a man, and will keep up with my comrades as long as my legs -will carry me.” The Colonel evinced a melancholy, but evident -satisfaction, at this manly reply. “I am sorry,” said he, “that the -sneaking propensities of others should compel a brave man to act against -himself.” This brave fellow Burke was afterwards one of the forlorn hope -at Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, and St. Sebastian, through the successive -horrors of which he lived to fall mortally wounded at Quatre Bras, just -previous to the battle of Waterloo. - -Our expeditionary party marched early in the morning. We took the -direction of Rodrigo, fording the river Agueda in our way. We were -doomed to have only our march for our trouble—the expected convoy of the -enemy had escaped us; so that, harassed to death, we had the pleasure of -retracing our steps not a wit wiser than we went. In recrossing the -river, a poor fellow of our company, spent with fatigue, was carried off -his legs and drowned. Another would have shared the same fate, but for -Brigade-Major Mellish, who, by swimming his horse to his assistance, -saved the man. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - -Our advance videttes, and the French cavalry—Manœuvring in front of - Villa Formosa—The Suttler and the Dragoons—Sergeant-Major - Sharp—Morning of the 5th May—General Crauford returns—Portuguese - welcome—Fuentes d’Onor—French Dragoon challenges to single - combat—Retreat on Navez d’Aver—Charges of cavalry—A deep game by the - French—Squaring it with the enemy—The 79th Highlanders—A prisoner - against his will—The French sentry and General Crauford—The Light - Dragoons again—Sergeant-Major Sharp again—Scene of discipline—That - lash disappointed—The German fratricide. - - -ON the 4th May, about half-past nine o’clock, A. M., our advance -videttes were observed circling, one to the right, and the other to the -left, at a trot, by which information was conveyed that bodies of -infantry and cavalry were advancing. The bugle immediately sounded the -“assemblée,” and our division quickly assembled on its alarm post, on -the Gallegos road. My company was attached to the 14th Light Dragoons, -then under the orders of General Slade, who commanded the -cavalry-brigade. He ordered them to take ground to the right, and deploy -into line in the rear of a rivulet, which flowed between us and the -French. In a few minutes the enemy’s cavalry were discovered emerging -from a wood in our front, where they had formed in close columns and -halted, throwing out strong bodies of skirmishers. - -A sharp conflict ensued betwixt the cavalries, yet the enemy were -evidently awaiting the concentration of their advancing columns from -Ciudad Rodrigo. General Slade now ordered the whole of us to retire, -which the cavalry did in eschelons of squadrons, and covering us on the -road towards Navez d’Aver, which was quietly effected; the enemy still -holding their old position near the wood. One squadron of the 14th was -stationed on the verge of another wood, on the right of Fuentes, as an -advanced picquet, but was withdrawn at the close of the evening, and -joined the regiments in bivouac within some stone wall enclosures, near -Villa Formosa. - -During the night some of the dragoons discovered the resting-place of a -suttler, who had just arrived from Abrantes with a string of mules laden -with rum, wine, aguardiente, &c., &c., and sardines, a species of -red-herring, which was then considered a great luxury. News of such a -neighbour flew on eagle wings through the camp, but in low whispers, -lest the slumbers of the chief should be disturbed, and check their -merry-making. The secret, however, was soon discovered, no doubt -occasioned by the uproarious bursts of merriment and songs which pealed -from fire to fire. Although these were the general characteristics of -the British soldier on the eve of a battle, on this occasion, they were -heightened by the liquor, and were louder than usual, while the officers -awakened from their slumbers, could not for some moments conceive the -cause of what they heard. General Slade, however, with lungs that roused -the camp, as though a thirteen-inch shell had exploded amongst them, -called for the regimental Sergeant-Major Sharp, who, on making his -appearance, was discovered to have partaken too freely of the suttler’s -strong waters, and was immediately placed in arrest. A non-commissioned -officer was ordered to bundle off both suttler and mules to some -distance, placing a line of sentries that no one might come in or go out -of the camp. The noise and hilarity soon ceased, the merry-makers -dispersed, and a few minutes found them outstretched and asleep under -cover of the dry walls. - -Early on the morning of the 5th, our company was ordered to join the -battalions; we did so, and took up our position to the left of the ruins -of Fort Conception, which, as I before mentioned, had been previously -destroyed, as it lay near the main road to Almeida, the siege of which -place the French seemed anxious to raise. - -While things were in this state, at an early hour General Crauford made -his re-appearance amongst us from England, and was welcomed with much -enthusiasm by the division; although a strict disciplinarian, the men -knew his value in the field too well not to testify their satisfaction -at his return. The Caçadores, particularly, caused much laughter among -us, by shouting out in Portuguese the moment they caught sight of him, -“Long live General Crauford, who takes care of our bellies!” meaning by -this exclamation they got their rations regularly, while under his -command; the General seemed highly pleased, and bowed repeatedly with -his hat off as he rode down the ranks. - -The whole of the British were under arms at day-break, earnestly -expecting, from the movements of the enemy, that an attack would be -made; this suspense was but short, for very soon a heavy cannonading was -heard on our right, in which direction we were immediately ordered. -While moving accordingly we passed the Guards of the 1st division, -entrenched behind the town of Fuentes; we immediately occupied some old -dry walls considerably in advance, and facing the enemy’s left, a fine -extended plain laying between us, with a wood on the French side, of -which the enemy had possession. In front of this a regiment of cavalry -was conspicuously formed, a troop of which came trotting leisurely -towards us to reconnoitre our position. - -This movement induced a corresponding one from some of our dragoons, -when both parties threw out their videttes, and remained halted with -some four hundred yards of ground between them. - -One of their videttes, after being posted facing an English dragoon, of -the 14th or 16th (for we had only those two light dragoon regiments with -us at the time, and the German Hussars), displayed an instance of -individual gallantry, in which the French, to do them justice, were -seldom wanting. Waving his long straight sword, the Frenchman rode -within sixty yards of our dragoon, and challenged him to single combat. -We immediately expected to see our cavalry man engage his opponent, -sword in hand. Instead of this, however, he unslung his carbine and -fired at the Frenchman, who not a whit dismayed, shouted out so that -every one could hear him, “Venez avec le sabre: je suis prêt pour -Napoléon et la belle France.” Having vainly endeavoured to induce the -Englishman to a personal conflict, and after having endured two or three -shots from his carbine, the Frenchman rode proudly back to his ground, -cheered even by our own men. We were much amused by his gallantry, while -we hissed our own dragoon, who, it was afterwards stated, for the credit -of the gallant regiment he belonged to, was a recruit. - -Just after the preceding occurrence, a smart action had commenced in the -wood before-mentioned, and our company was ordered to take ground to the -front, where the 85th regiment were very roughly handled by the enemy. -This was the first time since their arrival in the country, that they -had been engaged. Opposed, with their conspicuous red dresses, to the -old trained French tirailleurs, it is no wonder that the gallant 85th -should have suffered so severely. When we came up, however, our -practised fellows, in their dark clothing, from the murderous nature of -our arms, soon turned back the advancing French, who commenced gradually -retreating before us, until they got through the wood on the plain that -leads to Navez d’Aver. - -We had no sooner beaten back the enemy than a loud cheering to the right -attracted our attention, and we perceived our 1st heavy dragoons charge -a French cavalry regiment. As this was the first charge of cavalry most -of us had ever seen, we were all naturally much interested on the -occasion. The French skirmishers who were extended against us seemed to -participate in the same feeling, as both parties suspended firing while -the affair of dragoons was going on. The English and French cavalry met -in the most gallant manner, and with the greatest show of resolution. -The first shock, when they came in collision, seemed terrific, and many -men and horses fell on both sides. They had ridden through and past each -other, and now they wheeled round again. This was followed by a second -charge, accompanied by some very pretty sabre-practice, by which many -saddles were emptied, and English and French chargers were soon seen -galloping about the field without riders. These immediately occupied the -attention of the French skirmishers and ourselves, and we were soon -engaged in pursuing them, the men of each nation endeavouring to secure -the chargers of the opposite one as legal spoil. While engaged in this -chase we frequently became intermixed, when much laughter was indulged -in by both parties at the different accidents that occurred in our -pursuit. - -I had secured a very splendid charger, when chancing to turn my head, I -perceived that the French were playing a deep game. They had succeeded -in removing a regiment of infantry, with some cavalry, through the wood -in our rear. The alarm, however, was immediately given, and our company -as foremost, had to run for their lives into a square formed by the -52nd, who were close to the foot guards. During this sudden movement, I -was obliged to part with my horse, the cavalry did not pursue us; but -their artillery opened upon the 52nd’s square, and did some execution. - -These incidents, though fearfully strange to some of my readers, were -very enlivening to us. Ours indeed was a noble enemy; they never -permitted us to flag, for want of stimuli, but kept us ever on the _qui -vive_. We anticipated little terror from capture, and though we ever -found them to be our roughest antagonists, yet we always experienced a -most generous opposition; indeed there was, on the whole, such a -chivalrous spirit carried on between us, that our men had a kind of -respect even for a wound inflicted by a Frenchman. - -Our next attempt was upon the left of Fuentes, where one company was -detached, while the remainder of the regiment was ordered to take -possession of the town. The section to which I belonged were posted near -the banks of the river Das Casas. The 79th Highlanders had suffered very -severely here, as the place was strewn about with their bodies. Poor -fellows! they had not been used to skirmishing, and instead of occupying -the houses in the neighbourhood, and firing from the windows, they had, -as I heard, exposed themselves, by firing in sections. The French, who -still occupied part of the town, had not escaped a rough handling, as -their dead also evinced. - -During the latter part of the day the enemy had made some prisoners, -which they exhibited to us as they marched them along their lines. One -man we saw make a determined attempt to obtain his liberty. He had -loitered in the rear as the party were going over a small bridge that -crossed the Das Casas by a mill, when, turning suddenly upon a Frenchman -behind him, he threw him into the water, and immediately made a dash for -our position, but owing to several of the French being between him and -us, we had the mortification of seeing the poor fellow recaptured, -without being enabled to render him any assistance; we could see by his -kilt that he belonged to the 79th regiment. - -That same evening, the enemy evacuated the town, and a flag of truce was -sent us to bury the dead. While occupied in this, at all times -melancholy duty, some idea may be formed of the loss sustained by the -79th alone, when a man of our company brought in his two arms full of -the sable plumes which he had taken from their bonnets, strewn about the -town. - -The opposing lines of sentries were very close to each other: the French -being divided from us only by a narrow plank thrown across the mill-dam, -which was occupied on one side by our company, who were now on picquet. - -A blacksmith of ours of the name of Tidy, who had erected his forge in -the old mill, was at work close by, shoeing the officers’ horses. The -French sentry had crossed the plank to light his pipe, and was standing -carelessly chatting with me, when who should I see approaching, but -General Crauford, inquiring if Tidy had shod his horse. The Frenchman’s -red wings soon attracted the General’s notice, and he suddenly with his -well-known stern glance, inquired, - -“Who the devil’s that you’re talking with, rifleman?” - -I informed him the French sentry, who had come over for a light for his -pipe. - -“Indeed,” replied Crauford, “let him go about his business, he has no -right here, nor we either,” said he, in a low whisper to his -aide-de-camp, and away he walked. - -Our battalion remained in the suburbs of Fuentes a few days, and the -enemy who had desisted from their attempt to relieve Almeida, retired; -we followed them and took up our quarters at Gallegos. Anxious to know -the fate of Serjeant-Major Sharp, of the 14th Light Dragoons, -immediately on our arrival I called on an old friend, a Corporal -Henley,[10] of the same regiment, and he gave me the following -particulars and further proceedings of that gallant and highly -distinguished regiment. - -“On the 5th, early in the morning,” said he, “after you left us, we -assembled on our respective alarm posts, which at daylight we found to -be none other than the position so gloriously contested and known as -Fuentes d’Onor. - -“The regiment formed in close columns and dismounted, the commissariat -having arrived with the mules, rations were issued to both man and -horse, and to many it proved to be their last. It so happened that -during the distribution of corn, the horses of Lieutenant Shields had -been forgotten. It was, therefore, necessary to make a collection from -each dragoon, to make good the deficiency; one of these, named Trowers, -under the influence of the preceding night’s liquor refused to allow any -of his corn to be taken, and drawing his sword, declared with an oath, -he would cut down the first man who dared to take a grain from his -horse. As a matter of course, he was placed under arrest, and a -drum-head court-martial was instantly summoned for the trial of the -prisoner, at which also was arraigned the unfortunate Serjeant-Major -Sharp; all the while the action was becoming general along the lines. - -“Captain Bull’s troop of artillery, then on our right, marked with the -most accurate skill the movements of the enemy, who in turn did not -allow us to remain silent spectators, as their round-shot measured with -equal exactness the standing of our columns. The court-martial being -closed, the troops stood to their horses, and the proceedings were read: -the dragoon was sentenced to receive three hundred lashes, and the -Serjeant-Major reduced to the rank and pay of a private sentinel. The -bars of the latter were immediately cut off, and a gun from Captain -Bull’s train was brought to the flank of the regiment, and the prisoner -ordered to be tied to it; in the moment of doing this, one of the staff -came galloping up, his horse covered with foam, bearing orders for the -regiment to take ground to the right and charge, covering our flank -which in that direction was falling back, harassed by the enemy’s -cavalry. - -“The words ‘Stand to your horses—Mount—Three right—Gallop,’ followed in -quick succession; and like shots from a six-pounder, we left the scenes -of military discipline. The prisoner in this confusion, and half -accoutred, made a leap into his saddle, and drawing his sword and giving -his horse the spur, rushed into the ranks, and the non-commissioned -officer, in whose charge he had been left, unable to prevent him, -galloped after and mixed in the attack. - -“This fortunate occurrence saved the poor fellow from the disgrace of -the ‘lash,’ but his good fortune did not continue with him throughout -the day, as he was one of the brave, who fell some short time -afterwards, in the gallant charge made by a squadron of ours, on two of -the enemy’s guns. - -“On our arrival on the right, our infantry had formed square and were -falling back menaced by a numerous cavalry; indeed I may say, as it was -the case, our right flank was turned. Our guns opened between the -interval of squares upon their advancing columns, when one squadron of -the 1st Royal Dragoons, and one of our regiments charged, led by Major -Mills; their cavalry were driven back, and many prisoners taken. The -infantry continued to fall back with as much steadiness and order, as if -in review. - -“I must here relate,” continued Henley, with deep emotion, “an event -which at the time filled all who were present with a sorrow which indeed -I shall never forget. General Slade, observing the numerous cavalry -against which his brigade had to contend, advised the officer in -command, not to allow their ranks to be weakened by conducting prisoners -to the rear, but after disarming them, to let them proceed of their own -accord. It was not uncommon therefore to observe groups of French -dragoons riding quietly to the rear, looking for any one to take them in -charge. It happened that a hussar of the 3rd German’s having taken a -prisoner, ordered him to fall back also; the latter having ridden some -little distance as directed, suddenly applied both spurs to his horse, -making a détour to his regiment; the German, observing this, as quickly -pursued, and upon closing with him fired his pistol, and the dragoon -fell dead from his horse. - -“The hussar having secured the Frenchman’s rein conveyed him some little -distance to the rear, and proceeded to take off his valise, when -overhauling the contents, he discovered a letter from his father, on -reading which, he found that it was his own brother who had fallen by -his hands. Stupified with horror, he sat motionless and speechless on -his horse for some minutes, when he exclaimed, the big tears rolling -down his veteran cheek, ‘The king has commanded, and my God will forgive -me,’ at the same time applying his spurs, he rushed headlong into the -battle. - -“A few days after, meeting a patrol of the same regiment near Gallegos, -inquiry was made respecting our unfortunate hussar, when we were -informed that he too had that day numbered with the dead, not far from -the corpse of his brother.” - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - -Almeida closely invested by the fifth division, but not close - enough—Evacuation by the French—Suicide of the Colonel of the - 4th—Sabugal—We cross the Coa—The comet—Much ado about nothing—Tom - Crawley’s fears—March through Castello Branco—Portalegre, &c., - to Campo Mayor—Tom Crawley poisoned—Blockade of Ciudad - Rodrigo—Atalaya—Hunting excursion with the Staff—Our third battalion - joins us—Colonel Barnard—Tommy Searchfield—Middy ashore—Deficiency of - rations—A new arrival—His adventure—Spanish spite—The pigs—Rodrigo - relieved by the French—Our division—We rejoin the army—Battle of El - Bodon—We return to Guinaldo—Again invest Rodrigo—January, 1812—Fort - Piquerine stormed—The stripping of the prisoners by the Portuguese—Tom - Crawley again—Cure for a skulk. - - -AT this period Almeida was closely invested by the fifth division, while -we in front watched the main army. Early on the morning of the 10th of -May we were ordered to get under arms, and march towards Barba del -Puerco, the scene of one of our former skirmishes the year before. On -arriving near the town we heard some smart firing, and we halted. We now -were informed, for the first time, that the French garrison at Almeida, -after blowing up the walls at night, evacuated the town, and had cut -their way through the blockading force. - -The brigades of the fifth division, I believe, did duty by turns. That -in which were the 2nd and 4th regiments happened to be on picquet when -the French made their way through the investing force, which gave rise -to a verse that became very common amongst the troops. But I must remark -that the badge of the 2nd regiment was a lamb, and that of the 4th a -lion. The lines were as follows:— - - “The lion went to sleep, - And the lambs were at play; - The eagle spread her wings, - And from Almeida flew away.” - -Although these regiments were rendered somewhat unpopular from this -circumstance, it is generally admitted, by those capable of judging, -that there were not two finer in the service. Our battalion had been -particularly fond of the 4th, while they were quartered at Colchester, -where they had christened us in a friendly feeling, “The young 4th.” The -melancholy death of their Colonel, who, from an over-sensitive feeling -of honour, shot himself shortly after the foregoing unlucky affair, was -generally regretted. - -The evacuation of the fortress of Almeida having rendered the presence -of our division thereabouts no longer necessary, another movement was -made to the southward to General Hill, who commanded the second -division, at this time menaced by a very superior force of the French. - -On the first day’s march we passed through Sabugal, crossed the Coa, and -encamped in a chesnut wood, close to our former scene of action. - -Here a very strange panic occurred, that might have been attended with -most disastrous effects. About twelve at night I was stretched on my -back under the boughs of a tree, admiring the comet that at that period -created some sensation in Europe, from its nearness to the earth, when a -general alarm and outcry was raised in the division that “The French -were upon us.” In a moment I started up, and seized my rifle. The -different regiments were assembling in the greatest disorder, while the -general cries of alarm on all sides induced many to feel a terror that -was, perhaps, never felt in battle. Among others I plainly observed -General Crauford, desiring all whom he met to fall in and load. After a -short while the panic ceased: we all looked foolish enough at the great -ado about nothing, though some attributed the cause to French spies -having got among us, others to some bullocks grazing by, that had -knocked down several stands of arms; others again accused the comet, and -among the latter in our battalion was that worthy, Tom Crawley, who -stoutly contended the comet was a sign we ought to leave the country, as -it would shortly drop down and burn up that part of Europe. Tom himself -at this period, it was shrewdly suspected, had a great desire to turn -his steps homewards. - -We continued our march through Castello Branco, Portalegre, and encamped -on a low ground called Monte Reguingo, on the right of the road leading -to Campo Mayor. There we remained about six weeks, during which we -suffered dreadfully for want of rations as well as from the oppressive -heat of the weather; we called it the furnace camp. Tom, while we -remained at Reguingo, imagined himself poisoned. He had eaten rather -ravenously of some pork and caravançes (a sort of pulse), and was -suddenly seized with violent paroxysms of pain through his over-gorging. -Old Doctor Burke being sent for, found Crawley on the ground groaning -most piteously, and swelled to an enormous size, while two of his -comrades were busy rubbing the lower part of his belly. The Doctor, who -fancied Spain during the last two years had brought Tom’s stomach to -suit the convenience of the commissary, commenced a volley of abuse—“you -cannibal, what garbage have you been swallowing,” he cried, “to leave -you in this condition?” “Oh, murther, do you hear him boys,” roared the -sufferer, as he turned up his eyes towards his tormentor. “By the mother -of God, Sir, this infernal country will kill the whole of us—may a curse -fall on it; arrah, Doctor dear, when I came into it I had a stomach like -any other Christian; but now, oh God, have mercy on me poor stomach, -that for want of Christian food is turned into a scavenger’s cart, -obliged to take in every rubbage.” The Doctor, who seldom did anything -by halves, gave him an emetic sufficient to physic a dromedary. Crawley, -however, who never feared death on the field, now seemed to hesitate to -meet him in quarters, and between the groans he uttered, made the most -vehement promises of mending his sinful life if spared. Never was an -intended pious scene made more truly ludicrous; our men were in -convulsions of laughter. - -In July we returned to assist in the blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo, and -took up a position at a village called Atalaya, at the base of the -Sierra de Gata, a range of mountains. Here Lord Wellington’s staff -frequently went out hunting. On these occasions they generally had five -or six men of the Rifles to assist. The place abounded in wolves and -wild boars, so that a great deal of amusement was experienced in this -sport. I generally had the good fortune to be selected, with others of -our battalion, to attend his Lordship’s staff in these excursions. The -chase was very exciting, particularly from the ferocious nature of the -game we sought. I well remember the first wild boar I saw in one of -these hunts: he was a huge fellow, with tusks of a most alarming size, -but although we fired several shots, and the hounds pursued him, he -escaped. One day we came upon three young wolf cubs, the old ones having -abandoned them on our approach. These animals, which we presented to one -of our officers, remained in his possession for a long time, and became -as docile and playful as kittens. - -Here we were joined by our third battalion, under the command of Colonel -Barnard, Colonel Beckwith having retired through ill-health, a gallant -and very distinguished officer, now known as General Sir Andrew Barnard; -at the same time, also, we were reinforced, by a batch of recruits from -England, and by one Tommy Searchfield, a character well known to all the -Light Brigade. This gentleman, a squat, square little fellow, had -formerly been a “middy” in the Royal Navy, and now come over to us as a -cadet, and subsequently obtained a lieutenancy. - -“Tommy’s” first feat was something after the lessons he had received -under the immortal Nelson. He had been accustomed hitherto to meet his -enemies “muzzle to muzzle,” and, consequently, whenever the least -intimation was given of the presence of the French, would imagine them -almost passing through the loopholes, or as he termed them, our “ports.” -On one occasion he bawled aloud, “to quarters,” and seizing hold of a -rope, suspended outside the church of the village, to one of the bells -in the belfry; to our surprise, and that of the inhabitants also, ran up -it like a cat, to keep the “look-out” for the enemy. We, however, were -some distance from them. The officers, for want of better employment, -occupied their own and our time erecting sham fortifications in the -woods, &c., and thus turned “Tom’s” peculiarities to their amusement. -Searchfield, however, got “awake” to them, and his original good-natured -simplicity giving way to experience, he gently informed his tormentors -that he kept “a clean brace of pistols” about him, “at any time at their -sarvice.” This unexpected show of pluck made his “teazers” less gibing, -and “Tommy” took his proper position; and, I believe, became as -respectable as any of them. - -At Atalaya we were very much in the advance of the main army: the -distance made it difficult for the commissariat to forward our rations -regularly, and we, consequently, suffered dreadfully through want; and, -I may say, underwent more privations than at any other place in Spain, -excepting at Dough Boy Hill. The deficiency of bread we had been obliged -to make up with roasted or boiled chesnuts, of which we were always -allowed a quart a day each. At length we found it necessary to make an -incursion into the mountains, to press the Alcaldes of the different -villages to supply us. - -On one of these expeditions, under charge of a quarter-master, we -observed two persons mounted on mules, riding towards us. On their -approach we remarked to one another the light-haired appearance of one, -and the singularity of a “fair-complexioned Spaniard,” when the fellow -suddenly stopped his mule, and jumping toward us exclaimed, “Oh, by the -merciful God, are ye English?” He was immediately answered from a dozen -voices in the affirmative, and we discovered him to be one of our -cavalry men, who having been made a prisoner by the French at Talavera, -had since escaped. His short stay among the Spaniards had not spoilt his -“brogue,” and he gave us in the real Irish accent, a full account of his -adventures. - -When the enemy took him, dragoon-like, together with a slight wound, he -could not keep up with his captors, who, having no mules, were in the -practice of pressing the strongest and most robust of the inhabitants -and making them carry the English prisoners on their backs, now and then -keeping up their stamina by pricking their hind-quarters with the -bayonets. Our cavalier consequently found himself mounted in like -manner; the close contact, however, that this brought him in with the -ears of his bearers was followed by whispers, and the Spaniards no doubt -as tired of their burthen as the burthen of the French, slipped him into -a house on the way-side, whence, having quickly shaved the top of his -sconce, they passed him as a priest, and he escaped with them into the -mountains. He there got amongst the Guerillas, under Don Julian Sanchez, -of whom he gave us many amusing anecdotes, and who passed him on till he -reached us. As soon as we returned to the village he reported himself to -General Crauford, who laughed heartily at the details he gave of -himself, and ordered his servant to give him a coat to supply his almost -naked condition until he rejoined his regiment. Meanwhile he was ordered -to stop with our company, and took up his quarters in the house with me. - -Among other amusements before detailed, we used to get up jumping, -wrestling, and cuffing-matches with the peasantry, who generally joined -most heartily in the fun. One day, however, a Spaniard of theirs, being -over-matched, became exceedingly nettled, and commenced quarrelling with -one of our sergeants, named Kitchen; the result was they came to blows, -when after two or three slight cuffs the peasant fell suddenly and -expired. The village, of course, became a scene of uproar, and we were -obliged, to satisfy the inhabitants, to hold a kind of inquest upon him. -However, the barber, or “Sangrado” of the place, together with our own -surgeon, to their extreme mortification declared, that the man had -injured the spleen of his stomach, and actually had died through spite. - -I must not forget to mention the sagacity of the pigs, which, in great -numbers were kept by the farmers of the village. Though belonging to -different owners they all obeyed one master, who, it may be said, with -the Alcalde, held absolute sway over “man and beast.” Early in the -morning the animals were assembled, by the sounding of a horn, and taken -by him into the wood to feed on acorns, and at night were driven home -again in like manner, the swine-herd’s only deputies being a short iron -on the end of a stick, somewhat like that used by our shepherds. The -anxiety of the animals, immediately they heard the tones of his -instrument, was remarkable, and if they chanced to be confined at the -time, their screams and grunts grew most vociferous, and might be heard -a mile off. Indeed it was only for the herdsman to tune up at any time -of the day they would come to him instantly, and seldom even one was -missing, save and except now and then when they chanced to fall into the -clutches of our riflemen. - -About this period General Marmont, who had succeeded Massena in command -of the French army, having concentrated his force, was enabled to -relieve Rodrigo. Making a forward movement after this, it was found high -time for our regiment to retire. This we did at an hour’s notice, as we -heard the enemy were stirring to beat up our quarters. We fell in at -dead of night, and after making a semi-circular march, for there were -some fears of the enemy cutting us off, we arrived at El Bodon. There we -found the greater part of the army assembled under Lord Wellington, -together with the remainder of our light division, who loudly cheered us -as we made our appearance, a report having arisen amongst the rest of -the troops that one battalion had been all taken prisoners. - -On our arrival, most of us were occupied gleaning accounts of the battle -of El Bodon, which had been fought the day before, in which the 5th and -77th regiments, as we then heard, had much distinguished themselves, -resisting the desperate charges made upon them by the Polish Lancers in -the French service. - -From El Bodon, where we remained some time, we retreated to Soito, and -shortly afterwards returned to Guinaldo, a town still closer to the city -of Ciudad Rodrigo. In the beginning of January, 1812, our division -commenced investing Ciudad. The first day, our brigade crossed the -Agueda, about three miles up the river from the city, round which we -marched, keeping always at a most respectful distance on account of -their round-shot. From the idea this survey gave us of Rodrigo there -were few of our men not aware of the great strength of the fortress and -outworks, but it afforded only a subject for jest; as I believe at that -time, such was the confidence that filled the ranks of our division, it -would have been difficult to persuade the men that they could not beat -the French, under any odds. - -The same evening, Colonel Colborne, with less than two hundred men, of -the 43rd, 52nd, and Rifles, carried in the most gallant manner a strong -fort of the enemy. Prior to its being stormed a number of Caçadores had -been ordered to take blankets to convey away the wounded French as well -as the British. But most of those employed in this duty took advantage -of it to strip the prisoners, whom to the number of fifty they left -almost as naked as they were born, and exposed to all the rigours of the -inclement month of January. I was present near the tent of General -Crauford, when a talkative, smart little Frenchman, whom I guessed to be -an officer, was brought before him; the poor fellow had nothing on but -his trowsers, and bled profusely from the nose and mouth, through the -blows he had received. - -The General was very chagrined at the sight, and lamented his inability -to give him clothes, his own baggage being so distant. Tom Crawley, -however, who had been actively employed hunting the Portuguese from -them, immediately stepped forward, and touching his hat after his own -inimitable manner, “Yer honner,” said Tom, his eyes sparkling at being -able to assist, “I’ll lend him my great coat, if ye’ll allow me.” - -Crauford, much pleased at his frank offer, instantly answered, “You are -very good, Rifleman; let him have it,” and Tom proceeded to strip. -Meanwhile more of the Frenchmen were marched in, many worse off than -their officer. One of them, a sergeant, and a smart looking fellow, as -soon as he perceived the officer, ran to embrace him, and leaning his -head on his shoulder, burst into tears over their mutual misery. Captain -Smith, now Sir Harry, the General’s aide-de-camp, being present, -generously pulled forth his pocket-handkerchief and wrapped it round the -sergeant’s totally naked person, till further covering could be -obtained. - -The night of this occurrence came on remarkably cold, and when expecting -to be marched back to our quarters at El Bodon, we were suddenly ordered -to break ground by commencing to throw up intrenchments in the face of -the city. In executing this task, being unsheltered from the enemy’s -shot, their grape and canister occasionally played in among us, so that -although it was freezing hard at the time, we had no reason to complain -of not having _a good fire_. - -Now was the time to cure a skulker, or teach a man to work for his -“life.” There we were, in twos, each provided with a pick-axe and -shovel; now digging with a vengeance into the frozen mould, and then -watching the glances of the shot and shell; and again sticking to work -like devils, or perhaps pitching ourselves on our bellies to avoid their -being “purged” with grape or cannister. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - -Cold reception—Preparation to storm Rodrigo—I join the - “Forlorn-Hope”—The breaches—General Crauford killed—Uniacke mortally - wounded—Major Napier wounded—Taking of the town—A rough - customer—Wilkie again—Death of Wilkie—A gift—The left breach after the - battle—Wilkie’s grave—Horrors of a storm—This is my niece, Sir—The - right breach—Captain Uniacke—The Light Division leave Rodrigo in - disguise—Who the devil are those fellows?—We enter El Bodon. - - -THE following day we were relieved by the third division, and marched -back to our quarters, cold, hungry, and fatigued enough. One great -annoyance we experienced at this time, was having to cross the Agueda in -going to and returning from the trenches. Pieces of ice that were -constantly carried down this rapid stream bruised our men so much, that, -to obviate it, the cavalry at length were ordered to form four deep -across the ford, under the lee of whom we crossed comparatively -unharmed, although by the time we reached our quarters, our clothes were -frozen into a mass of ice. - -Our divisions continued relieving each other in the trenches for some -days, until two breaches were considered practicable for an assault. On -the 18th, at night, an order came that we were to proceed to the works -the next morning. As this took us out of our turn of duty, we all -naturally supposed that something unusual was to be done. At daylight we -joined the third division in the works, and then heard that the city was -to be stormed. Volunteers were immediately required from the different -regiments of our division. Many of our men came forward with alacrity -for this deadly service. With three others I had, as I then considered, -the good fortune to be chosen from our company.[11] This was an -occasion, as may be believed, momentous and interesting enough in the -life of a soldier, and so we seemed to consider it. We shook hands with -a feeling of friendly sincerity, while we speculated as to the chances -of outliving the assault. We were at this time in the trenches in front -of the city, from whence proceeded a very smart fire of shot and shell, -probably to give us an idea of the warm reception we might expect on our -visit at night, and here the entire company gathered round our little -party, each pressing to have a sup from his canteen. I gave my father’s -address to my comrade before starting, in case of accident. - -Darkness had no sooner closed over the devoted city, and our -imaginations awakened to the horrors of the coming scene, than the -“stormers” were immediately ordered to “fall in” and “form.” We were -four or five from each company, and in all about a hundred and twenty -men. The volunteers of our regiment were led by Captain Mitchell and -Lieutenants Johnson and Kincaid; the whole of the storming division -being commanded by Major George Napier of the 52nd regiment. The -forlorn-hope, or stormers, moved to a convent, occupied by the 40th, the -walls of which protected us from the enemy’s shot. General Crauford, who -led us in person, while we stood formed under the wall, addressed us -upon the nature of the duty assigned us. It was the last enterprise his -gallant spirit was ever destined to direct. On this memorable occasion -his voice was more than ordinarily clear and distinct. His words sunk -deep in my memory, and although the shock of many a battle has rolled -over my grey locks since that period, I remember some of his language as -follows:— - -“Soldiers! the eyes of your country are upon you. Be steady,—be cool,—be -firm in the assault. The town must be yours this night. Once masters of -the wall, let your first duty be to clear the ramparts, and in doing -this keep together.” - -We were now waiting only for the signal, while our division was formed -immediately in our rear, ready to second the effort. I could not help -remarking at this awful crisis, when all most probably were on the brink -of being dashed into eternity, a solemnity and silence among the men -deeper than I had ever witnessed before. With hearts beating, each was -eagerly watching the expected signal of the rocket, when up it went from -one of our batteries. - -General Crauford, calling out, “Now, lads, for the breach!” led the way. -We started off in double time, and got under fire, in turning the left -corner of the wall. As we neared the breach, canister, grape, round-shot -and shell, with fire-balls to show our ground, came pouring on and -around us, with a regular hail-storm of bullets. General Crauford fell -almost immediately, mortally wounded. Without a pause, however, we -dashed onwards to the town, and precipitated ourselves into the ditch -before the walls, never waiting for the ladders, which were carried by -Portuguese, who ran away and never made their appearance until their use -had been superseded by a series of jumps made by our men into a trench -some sixteen feet deep; at length one or two ladders having been -procured, they were instantly placed against the scarp of the trench, -and up we mounted to attack the breach. The fire kept up there was most -deadly, and our men for some minutes, as they appeared in small bodies, -were swept away; however they still persevered, and gradually formed a -lodgment. At this time on our right, where the third division were -storming the second breach, we could hear a loud cheering which had a -magical effect. Regardless of the enemy’s fire and every other -impediment, the men dashed in over the breach carrying everything before -them. I had got up among the first, and was struggling with a crowd of -our fellows to push over the splintered and broken wall that formed the -breach, when Major Napier, who was by my side encouraging on the men, -received a shot, and, staggering back, would in all probability have -fallen into the trench, had I not caught him. To my brief inquiry if he -were badly hurt, he squeezed my hand, whilst his other arm hung -shattered by his side, saying, “Never mind me—push on, my lads, the town -is ours!” And so indeed it was, our men entering it pell-mell. - -Although dark, among the first I saw, on mounting the ramparts was my -own Captain, Uniacke, rushing along with a few men to the right of the -breach. Though not on the forlorn-hope, this gallant soldier was -determined to be first in the town. This was the last time he was doomed -to be at our head. A few moments afterwards the French sprung a mine, by -which the whole party were killed or maimed. With a few others I had -taken a direction to the left. The French as they retired kept up an -occasional fire along the ramparts; while running forward I came against -a howitzer, and with such force that it actually tumbled me over, and I -found myself prostrate across the body of a wounded French officer; -beside him was a cannonier of his own in the act of assisting him. The -latter instantly seized me, and a fearful struggle ensued, till bent -almost double by the height and heavy person of the Frenchman, I began -to think that after all my escapes my game was over; at this crisis a -few of our men came rushing up, one of which was my old “chum” Wilkie. -The cannonier in his turn was fastened on, and tripped instantaneously -by the side of his master. But poor Wilkie the next minute, himself -staggered against the howitzer mortally wounded! I flew to his support. -But seizing me hastily by the hand, and giving it a deadly squeeze, -“Ned,” he articulated, “it’s all up with me” and relaxing his grasp, he -fell back and expired.[12] The officer perceiving my agitation, and -fearful of my retaliating on him, handed me over his gold watch. - -Finding I could be of little use to my comrade, and as our division was -fast entering the breach, I proceeded with the stormers, clearing the -walls of the enemy as we went. Turning to the right we entered a large -square or plaza, where we were in a short time joined by some of every -regiment in the two divisions, all like ourselves helter skelter, -subject to everything but order. However in a short time one regiment of -the third division entered the square, commanded by their officers; -something like order then prevailed; while planting the British colours -in the centre, three cheers were then given by the whole, proclaiming -the town to be taken: when this was over they commenced firing in the -air, as well as at windows where any light appeared. Seeing the -confusion, a number broke into squads, and went in different directions -and entered different streets according to the fancy of their leaders. -Myself and about a score others took a large street to the right. The -night being dark and the city not being lighted, we were obliged to -grope our way, but had not proceeded far before we got mixed amongst a -quantity of French muskets thrown on the ground with their bayonets -fixed. One or two of the men getting pricked in the leg by one of the -bayonets, swore they had come to a _chevaux-de-frise_, and groping about -came across the body of a wounded French soldier, who told us in Spanish -that we were close to the barracks. - -Knowing the French would not resign their liberty without a struggle, I -fully expected a volley to be sent amongst us every minute from the -barracks, and begun to retrace my steps towards the square, and had only -got a short distance when I saw another party with a lighted candle -advancing towards me. On hearing the noise of the first party in their -front, they commenced firing as they advanced. Squeezing myself edgeways -against a door, I waited their arrival and begged them to desist, there -being some of their own men lower down. I then went with them and joined -the first party. The French wounded soldier pointing to a large gateway, -told us there were the barracks. Still having a light we entered, and -mounting a large stone staircase, found ourselves in the midst of a -French hospital full of sick and wounded; those who were able sitting up -in bed supplicating mercy, but they had no occasion to do so, as our -fellows not only kindly tapped them on the shoulder but wrapped the -bed-clothes round them; but this kindness was of short duration, for a -third party coming down seeing a light in our window commenced firing, -and the poor fellow who held the candle was shot through the head, and -one or two others wounded; one more daring than the rest flew to the -window, crying out that they were firing on their own men, the rest -lying down while the firing continued. This panic being over, I came -down stairs, being anxious to meet some of my own company to know how -things were. I found a few outside, and we started in another direction. -The next place was a large white house that had been used as a -commissary’s store by the French: here a crowd had assembled to break it -open, when they were warned off by a sentinel, a German, who was posted -to guard the premises. Not heeding his threat, the throng rushed at the -door. The poor sentry, true to his trust, attempted to oppose their -entrance, and the following minute was run through the body by a -bayonet. - -The house contained several puncheons of spirits, which the men present -immediately tapped, by striking in the heads. A number soon became madly -drunk; and several wretches, especially those mounting the steps that -had been placed against the butts, to enable them to obtain the rum, -fell into the liquor head-foremost and perished, unnoticed by the crowd. -Several fights took place, in which drunkenness of the parties alone -prevented mischief; and to crown the whole, a light falling into one of -the barrels of spirits, the place was set on fire, and many poor -wretches, who from the quantity of liquor they had swallowed, were -incapable of moving, were consumed in the flames. - -Turning from this scene of horrors, hardened as I then was, I went with -a comrade, to look for a house where we might obtain refreshment and -take up our quarters for the night. This, after some search, we found in -the domicile of a doctor, whom we took from under a bed clasped in the -arms of a very pretty girl whom he called his niece, like himself, -almost - - Distill’d to jelly with th’ effect of fear! - -This, however, we soon dispelled, and were rewarded for our pains with a -good supper crowned by a bowl of excellent punch that at the time, in -our own minds, compensated for all the sufferings we had endured in the -trenches during the siege. - -The next morning I was anxious to visit the left breach, to look for the -body of Wilkie. I found him, at length, cold and stiff, the bullet -having entered his breast close under the left shoulder. He was -stripped! But I easily distinguished him by the likeness he bore to his -sister; old times then burst vividly over my recollection, and as I -stood over his prostrate remains, a few moments brought to mind all the -scenes in which he had been so active a coadjutor, my quondam recruit, -bed-fellow, press-man, and pot companion, lay stretched before me -clotted and besmeared with his blood, a single drop of which, at one -time, was even more valued by me than the whole of my own more lucky -current. The remembrance of his sister, much as my profession had tended -to wipe her off my mind, now resumed its almost pristine freshness; my -eyes dimmed for a second, and perchance one solitary proof of my -weakness might have left its scalding course behind it, but I felt only -as a soldier, a momentary sorrow, for I held my own life as it were in -my hand, ready to part with it, at even a moment’s notice, and I -presumed as much of all belonging to me. - -The proceeds of the storming “business” had enabled me to gain over a -few half drunken soldiers, who had been staggering near me stupidly -staring at my anxiety. We buried poor Wilkie in the glacis, near the -breach, the whole wreck around us displaying the veriest monument ever -reared to the memory of a soldier! - -I now proceeded to the right breach, which had been carried by the third -division, where the mine had been sprung. The sight exhibited was -heart-rending in the extreme. The dead lay in heaps, numbers of them -stripped, and displaying the most ghastly wounds. Here and there, -half-buried under the blackened fragments of the wall, or reeking on the -surface of the ruin, lay those who had been blown up in the explosion, -their remains dreadfully mangled and discoloured, and strewed about -amongst dissevered arms and legs. - -The 88th, or Connaught Rangers, had suffered most severely at this spot, -and I observed a number of poor Irish women hopelessly endeavouring to -distinguish the burnt features of their husbands. - -Though heartily sick of the morning’s mournful perambulation, I yet felt -anxious to see Captain Uniacke; his remains lay on the suburbs, in a -house next to that where those of our brave old General were stretched -out. Several of the men of his company crowded about his person, -hoping—for he was still living, and sensible—that he might yet return -amongst us. But his arm had been torn from the socket, and he died some -few days afterwards. - -Here let me pay a brief, though sincere tribute to his memory; though -young in years, he was gallant, daring, and just to all whom he -commanded. - -During the Peninsular war our men had divided the officers into two -classes; the “come on,” and the “go on;” for as Tom Plunkett in action -once observed to an officer, “The words ‘go on’ don’t befit a leader, -Sir.”—To the honour of the service, the latter, with us Rifles, were -exceedingly few in numbers. But amongst the former, none were seen so -often in the van as Uniacke; his affability and personal courage had -rendered him the idol of the men of his company. - -A very small portion only of the troops that had taken Rodrigo were -allowed to remain in the city, and our battalion, among others, were -ordered back to their former quarters. The next morning as we marched -over the bridge, dressed in all the varieties imaginable, some with -jack-boots on, others with frock-coats, epaulettes, &c., and some with -even monkeys on their shoulders, we met the fifth division on their way -to repair the breach; they immediately formed upon the left of the road, -presented arms, and cheered us as we went along. - -I was afterwards told by several of our men that the Duke of Wellington, -who saw us on our march, inquired of his staff, “Who the devil are those -fellows?” - -We entered El Bodon, with songs: and welcomed by the “vivas” of the -inhabitants. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - -Burial of General Crauford—Anecdote of Ladrone! Ladrone!—Corporal - Miles—Burial of Uniacke—A French seat of honour in jeopardy—A wolf! a - wolf!—Deserters shot—Scene of execution—March to Castello de Vide - across the Tagus—Execution of Corporal Arnal for desertion—Badajoz—A - man dreaming of his head being off with his head on; singular - fulfilment—Tom Crawley’s dislike to conchology—His alarms—The Duke of - Wellington saluted by the enemy—Remarkable feature of the case—A - French curative or an ill-wind, &c. - - -THE second day after the storming of Rodrigo our brave General Crauford -died of his wound, and the chief part of the officers of the Rifles went -to pay the last tribute to his remains. He was borne to the grave by -four Sergeant-Majors of his own division, and was buried in the breach -where he fell. The Duke of Wellington attended the funeral of the -gallant veteran; who, though most strict in discipline, was averse to -punishment, and was beloved by the men for his justice and care for -them, as well as for his bravery. The following incident, of which I was -an eye-witness, will serve to show his character. - -I happened to be on guard one day, when General Crauford came riding in -from the front with his orderly dragoon, as was his usual custom, when -two of our men, one of them a corporal, came running out of a house with -some bread which they had stolen from the Spaniards; they were pursued -by a Spanish woman crying lustily, “Ladrone! Ladrone!”—thief! thief! -They were immediately pursued by the General and his orderly; the bread -was given back to the woman, and the men were placed in the guard-house. -The next day they were tried by a brigade court-martial, and brought out -to a wood near the town for punishment. When the brigade was formed, and -the Brigade-Major had finished reading the proceedings of the -court-martial, General Crauford commenced lecturing both men and -officers on the nature of their cruelty to the harmless inhabitants, as -he called the Spaniards. He laid particular stress on our regiment, who, -he said, committed more crimes than the whole of the British Army. -“Besides, you think,” said he, “because you are riflemen, and more -exposed to the enemy’s fire than other regiments, that you are to rob -the inhabitants with impunity; but, while I command you, you shall not:” -then turning round to the corporal, who stood in the centre of the -square, he said, with a stern voice, “Strip, Sir.” - -The corporal, whose name was Miles, never said a word until tied up to a -tree, when turning his head round as far as his situation would allow, -and seeing the General pacing up and down the square, he said, “General -Crauford, I hope you will forgive me.” The General replied, “No, Sir, -your crime is too great.” The poor corporal, whose sentence was, to be -reduced to the pay and rank of a private soldier, and to receive a -punishment of one hundred and fifty lashes, and the other man two -hundred, then addressed the General to the following effect: - -“Do you recollect, Sir, when you and I were taken prisoners, when under -the command of General Whitelock, in Buenos Ayres? We were marched -prisoners, with a number of others, to a sort of pound surrounded with a -wall.—There was a well in the centre, out of which I drew water with my -mess-tin, by means of canteen straps, I collected from the men, who were -prisoners like myself.—You sat on my knapsack; I parted my last biscuit -with you. You then told me you would never forget my kindness to you. It -is now in your power, Sir. You know how short we have been of rations -for some time.” - -These words were spoken by the corporal in a mild and respectful accent, -which not only affected the General, but the whole square. The bugler, -who stood waiting to commence the punishment close to the corporal, -received the usual nod from the Bugle-Major to begin. The first lash the -corporal received the General started, and turned hurriedly round, said, -“What’s that, what’s that; who taught that bugler to flog? Send him to -drill—send him to drill! He cannot flog—he cannot flog! Stop! stop! Take -him down! take him down! I remember it well—I remember it well!” while -he paced up and down the square, muttering to himself words that I could -not catch; at the same time blowing his nose, and wiping his face with -his handkerchief, trying to hide the emotion that was so evident to the -whole square. - -While untying the corporal a dead silence prevailed for some time, until -our gallant General recovered a little his noble feeling, when he -uttered, with a broken accent, “Why does a brave soldier like you commit -these crimes?” Then beckoning to his orderly to bring his horse, he -mounted and rode off. It is needless to say that the other man also was -pardoned, and in a few days the corporal was restored to his rank. On -the death of Captain Uniacke, Captain Smith, now the celebrated Sir -Harry Smith, was appointed Captain of my company. He being on the staff, -his brother, Lieutenant Thomas Smith, now Barrack Master at Chatham, -took command. - -On the fourth day, after we had taken the town, the company received -orders to pay the last tribute to our Captain, Uniacke. We marched under -the command of Lieutenant Smith, and arrived at Gallegos about twelve -o’clock. The men having plenty of money, which they had obtained at -Rodrigo, got drinking, and actually while conveying the body to the -grave, stumbled under the weight of the coffin, and the lid not having -been nailed down, out rolled the mangled remains of our brave Captain, -to the consternation of a number of French officers, _en parole_ -(prisoners from Rodrigo). One more careless than the rest viewed the -occurrence with a kind of malicious sneer, which so enraged our men, -that one of them taking the little tawny-looking Italian by the nape of -the neck, kicked his hind-quarters soundly for it. - -I could not, at the time, help remarking the very undersized appearance -of the Frenchmen. They were the ugliest set I ever saw, and seemed to be -the refuse of their army, and looked more like Italians than Frenchmen. - -On our return to El Bodon, one of the men overpowered with liquor, laid -himself down to sleep in the wood that separates the road from Gallegos. -Poor fellow, it was his last sleep, for on the roll being called, a -party was sent in search of him, and discovered his body under a tree, -torn to pieces by the wolves, which greatly infested that part of Spain. - -I now have to relate one of those melancholy incidents peculiar to a -soldier’s life, that occurred while we remained at El Bodon. On taking -Rodrigo we had captured, among others, ten men who had deserted from our -division. These were condemned to be shot. The place of execution was on -a plain near Ituera, where our division was drawn up, forming three -sides of a square; the culprits, as usual, being placed in front of a -trench, dug for a grave, on the vacant side. - -Two of the deserters, the one a man of the same company as myself, named -Hudson, and a very handsome fellow who had been persuaded into the rash -step, were pardoned on the ground. The other a corporal, named Cummins, -of the 52nd regiment, and who had been mainly instrumental, I believe, -in getting the others to desert with him, was placed on the fatal ground -in a wounded state. He had been particularly noticed at Rodrigo in one -of the breaches, most actively employed, opposing our entrance, and -cheering on the besieged to resist us. This man was pardoned also. Why -he was pardoned I cannot say. - -As this was the first military execution I had ever witnessed, I felt -not a little curiosity to see the forms pursued. A large trench had been -dug as a grave for the wretched men who were to suffer. Along the summit -of the little heap of mould that had been thrown up from the pit, the -deserters were placed in a row, with their eyes bandaged, so that on -receiving the fatal volley they should fall forward into the trench. -Some of the poor fellows, from debility, were unable to kneel, and lay -at their length, or crouched up into an attitude of despair, upon the -loose earth. - -The signal to the firing party was given by a motion of the provost’s -cane, when the culprits were all hurried together into eternity, with -the exception of one man of the 52nd, who, strange to say, remained -standing and untouched. His countenance, that before had been deadly -pale, now exhibited a bright flush. Perhaps he might have imagined -himself pardoned; if so, however, he was doomed to be miserably -deceived, as the following minute two men of the reserve came up and -fired their pieces into his bosom, when giving a loud scream, that had a -very horrible effect upon those near, he sprang forward into his grave. -To prevent unnecessary suffering, a reserve firing party was brought up, -who continued to fire wherever the slightest sign of life exhibited -itself in the bodies, the provost himself winding up the tragedy by -discharging a pistol-shot through the head of each corpse. - -After this very solemn and impressive scene, we were marched in column -of companies round the dead, so that the spectacle might be witnessed by -every man in the division. - -About the 26th of February we broke up our cantonments in the environs -of Ciudad Rodrigo, and crossing the Tagus, marched southward for six or -seven days, at the expiration of which our division took up their -quarters in and about the town of Castello de Vide. The country around -the town was the most fruitful and luxuriant I had ever beheld. It was -bounded with the most delightful hills and valleys, that produced in -abundance the finest fruits, such as grapes, pomegranates, oranges, and -lemons. As may be supposed, the men were delighted with such a paradise. -The wine was so plentiful, that our fellows, while they remained here, -made it an invariable custom to boil their meat in it. - -Another unhappy criminal was here doomed to pay the forfeit of the crime -of desertion. When we took Rodrigo, he made his escape from the town, -and on his way to join the French at Salamanca was captured by some of -the Spanish troops, and brought back to the regiment a prisoner. The -fate of this man (Arnal by name), who had been a corporal in our -battalion, excited much commiseration. I knew him well: he was an -exceedingly fine-looking fellow, and up to the period of his unhappy -departure from duty, noted for possessing the best qualities of a -soldier. Some harshness on the part of an officer was the cause of -Arnal’s desertion; but from the circumstance of his previous good -character and the fact of his having been marched as a prisoner for many -days together during our march from Rodrigo, it was commonly thought he -would be pardoned. - -I happened to be on guard over him the night prior to his execution. In -the evening the prisoner was playing at cards with some of the men, when -the provost of the division entered the guard-room, and gave him the -intelligence that he was doomed to suffer at ten o’clock the next -morning. - -Sudden and utterly unexpected as the announcement was, Arnal’s face was -the only one that showed scarcely any emotion. - -“Well,” he remarked to those around him, “I am quite ready.” - -A short time afterwards he sent for the pay-sergeant of the company he -belonged to, from whom he received the arrears of pay that were due to -him. This he spent on wine, which he distributed among the men of the -guard. Noticing one man with very bad shoes, Arnal observed his own were -better, and taking them off he exchanged them for the bad pair, saying, -“They will last me as long as I shall require them.” - -The morning turned out showery, the division formed in three sides of a -square, and the guard, headed by the band with Arnal in front, slowly -marched round; the muffled drum beat in dull time the “Dead March,” and -the swell of its solemn harmony, though it filled the eyes of every man -present, only seemed to strengthen the glance of the doomed. He led the -van of his funeral procession, like one who was to live for ever: his -step was as firm and more correct than any, and I thought at the time, a -finer soldier never stepped. Poor Arnal, I shall never forget when we -halted at his own grave, the heavy rains had filled it half with water, -which he noticed with a faint smile, and observed: - -“Although a watery one, I shall sleep sound enough in it.” He then stood -upright in a fine military position, while the Brigade-Major read aloud -the proceedings of the court-martial. The provost came to tie the -handkerchief round his eyes, when he coolly remarked, “There is no -occasion—I shall not flinch.” Being told it was customary, he said, -“Very well, do your duty.” Before this last office was performed, he -turned round, and calling most of the guard by name, bade them farewell. -As I nodded to him in return, I fancied it was to a dead man, for in two -minutes he was no more. The intrepid and cool manner in which he met his -fate, drew forth a general feeling of admiration. - -A few days after the execution we marched for Badajoz, in the environs -of which we arrived on the 17th of March. This celebrated city, of which -so much has been said and written, stands on an extended plain -equidistant three leagues from Elvas and Campo Mayor. The Guadiana which -hereabouts forms the boundary between Spain and Portugal, flows on one -side of the fortification, and connects with them by a bridge over its -surface, one or two forts on the opposite banks. The fortress on all -sides is surrounded by strong bastions to the number of thirteen or -fourteen, which with trenches and other forts and outworks rendered it -almost impregnable. In addition to these the Rivella a tributary stream -to the Guadiana flowed round and through the trenches in our front. - -Our battalion on its arrival took up its encampment on the Spanish side -of the river, where we occupied a small hill, and for the first time -during our campaigns made use of small square tents, belonging to the -Portuguese. - -The first night of our arrival we commenced laying siege, by breaking -ground within three or four hundred yards of the town, Fort St. Roch and -Fort Pumena rather on our left; we lost a man named Brooks, whose death -was connected with a very singular circumstance. - -Brooks several days before his death, dreamt he saw the body of a -rifleman without a head: this apparition appeared three or four nights -successively in his dreams. Some days after we had taken one of the -forts from the enemy, our battalion was relieved in the trenches. On -this occasion, as was very customary with some of us, Brooks, another -man named Tracey, and myself, jumped out of the trench, exposing -ourselves to a fire from the walls of the town while we ran to the next -parallel. In executing this feat I was a little ahead of my comrades, -when I heard the rush of a cannon-ball, and feeling my jacket splashed -by something, as soon as I had jumped into the next parallel, or trench, -I turned round and beheld the headless body of Brooks which actually -stood quivering with life for a few seconds before it fell. His dream, -poor fellow! had singularly augured the conclusion of his own career. -The shot had smashed and carried away the whole of his head, -bespattering my jacket with the brains, while Tracey was materially -injured by having a splinter of the skull driven deep through the skin -behind his ear. This circumstance is well known to several now living in -London. - -About the 22nd of March, a party was ordered to proceed to Elvas for the -purpose of conducting some heavy artillery from that strong fortress for -our own use against the walls of Badajoz; after placing six or eight -large guns on things resembling sledges, the weather being exceedingly -wet, it took twelve bullocks to draw each gun. On arriving at the -pontoon bridge that crosses the Guadiana river, which separates Badajoz -from Elvas, a distance of about three leagues, the bridge was so damaged -that the guns could not pass over, so we were obliged to bivouac for the -night amongst a party of sappers, stationed there for the purpose of -repairing the pontoons. - -After the bullocks were unharnessed, they began jumping and frisking -about, to the no small amusement of our men, but to their danger, as it -afterwards proved. The French seeing the bullocks grazing, commenced -firing on them, as well as occasionally sending a twenty-four-pounder at -our little party then stationed on a rising ground, amusing ourselves at -the random twenty-four-pound shots as they hopped about. At night, -placing our advanced picquet near the town, the remainder of the party -turned into the tents of the sappers for the night, but their slumbers -were not so sound as they anticipated, for at the dead but not silent -hour of night, a round-shot came whirling through one of the tents, -striking the pole, and brought it down on those within. Their cries -having awoke those of the adjoining tent, they immediately flew to their -assistance, and having relieved them from this new-fashioned man-trap, -rats never flew with more agility than did the poor sappers from their -lair. I could not forbear laughing at the scene, although attended with -bad consequences, as one man had his thigh broke, and another his leg -taken off at the calf. While helping to raise the tents every eye was -intent, looking out for another French visitor in the shape of a -twenty-four-pounder, but the drollery of a countryman of mine gave some -zest to their serenity; instead of bolting like the rest, he coolly -said, “Where the devil are you all scampering to? Sure you don’t think -the French took aim? I wished they did, for if they had, by Jasus they -wouldn’t hit our tent in a week! You may be easy then, for they never -hit twice in the same place.” The two poor fellows thus dangerously -wounded were comrades, and natives of Coventry, one named Green, and the -other Gea. The next morning the sappers having put the pontoons to -rights, the guns passed over, and we arrived safe at our own camp. - -The greatest annoyance we experienced during the siege arose from the -shells thrown at us from the town. Our works effectually screened us -from the round-shot; but these dangerous missiles, falling into the -trenches where we worked, and exploding, frequently did great mischief. -Immediately a shell fell, every man threw himself flat upon the ground -until it had burst. Tom Crawley, I remember, though tolerably fearless -with reference to other shot, had a most inveterate dislike to those -deadly visitors. His fears made him believe, that more of them were -thrown where he chanced to be, than in any other part of the trenches. -At night in particular, Tom was always on the _qui vive_: as soon as he -beheld a shell coming he would call out, “Here’s another brute—look -out!” and instantly fall on his face. This, however, did not always -protect us, for the head was no sooner on the ground, than its presence -was again required, to watch the falling splinters. These, from their -composing large portions of the metal of the missile, descended with -great violence, and were sometimes of themselves sufficient to crush a -man into the earth. - -Lord Wellington used occasionally to pay us a visit during the work, to -make observations, and to examine the trenches, &c. - -One day when Crawley and myself were working near each other in the -trenches, a shell fell inconveniently close to us. Tom was instantly -half buried in mud, awaiting the explosion. Perceiving it had sunk -itself deep into the earth, the fuse being too long, I intended availing -myself of the opportunity, to play a trick upon Crawley, by throwing a -large lump of clay on his head directly the shell exploded, and so make -him believe himself wounded. To obtain the clod I sprang at the other -side of the trench, but exposed myself to a shot from the walls of the -town, which immediately came in the form of grape, splashing me with mud -from head to foot, and forcing me to throw myself back into the trench -upon Crawley, who, in his fears, made sure that a shell had fixed itself -upon his rear, and roared like a bull; in an instant, however, the -sunken missile really burst; on the smoke dispersing, who should I -behold but the Duke himself, crouched down, his head half averted, drily -smiling at Crawley and me. Shot and shell pay no respect to persons, but -the enemy did, as they seemed awake to the near vicinity of his Grace, -and poured in shells, grape, and canister, with other delicacies of the -kind, with unusual liberality, whenever he came amongst us; which they -always appeared alive to. But the fact is, the Duke, like his renowned -contemporary, had a remarkable cast of feature, which made him ever -distinguishable, at an almost incredible distance. - -Before I go further into my narrative I must detail an anecdote of Major -O’Hare, my old Captain, who was noted for his excellent soldierly -qualities. - -We were on private parade one morning, when a party of convalescents -from hospital came up. Among others was a sergeant of the name of -Jackson, who had been absent from our company for the two previous -years, during which period it would seem, he had been chiefly employed -as hospital-sergeant at Belem, near Lisbon. - -The Major’s aversion to absentees from the regiment was very well known -among us, and we anticipated a scene—nor were we deceived. - -“Is that you, Mr. Sergeant Jackson?” exclaimed the Major, as soon as the -party came up. “And pray where, in God’s name, have you been for the -last two years? The company have seen a little fighting during that -period.” - -“The doctors would not allow me to leave the hospital, Sir,” replied -Jackson. - -“I am sorry for that,” drily observed the Major. “All that I can do for -you is, to give you your choice of a court-martial for absenting -yourself from duty without leave, or to have your stripes taken off.” - -The sergeant, after a little hesitation, preferred surrendering quietly -his non-commissioned dignity to standing an inquiry into his conduct. - -Turning round to the men, the Major remarked aloud, “By God, I will not -have these brave fellows commanded by skulkers.” Then taking the sash -and stripes that were cut off by the Sergeant-Major, he handed them to -Corporal Ballard, observing at the same time, “You will not disgrace -them.” - -A very disagreeable duty, that usually fell upon a few of the best shots -of the battalion, consisted in being obliged to run out, in independent -files, to occupy a number of holes, that had been dug at night between -our batteries and the walls of the town. From these pits, of which each -man had one to himself, our particular business was to pick off any of -the enemy who exposed themselves at their guns, on the walls through the -embrasures. Many a Frenchman was thus knocked off by us. But it often -occurred also that our men were killed or wounded in their holes, which -made it doubly dangerous for the man of the relieving party, who, -instead of finding a ready covering, perceived it occupied by a wounded -or dead man. Before he could get a shelter therefore or remove the body, -there was a great chance of his being shot. - -While employed in this duty in front of our batteries, the tremendous -noise made by artillery in both front and rear was attended at first by -a most unpleasant effect, as it destroyed the sense of hearing for some -hours after leaving the trenches. It was amusing, during the siege, to -observe the motions of our artillerymen. They were employed almost -incessantly, and their duties most arduous, as the batteries were the -chief object for the aim of the enemy’s shot and shells. An artilleryman -was always stationed as a sort of signal-man, to give notice of the -appearance of either of these missiles, and it was remarkable to observe -the quickness with which the men at the guns, on the word “shell,” would -throw themselves on the ground for protection. - -It not unfrequently happened that parties of men were sent out in -independent files to pick up the dismembered legs, arms, &c., which -sometimes might be seen scattered about by the bursting shells. This -precaution was thought necessary to prevent any ill-effect their -appearance might cause on the courage of the Portuguese, who were quite -as likely to put the heels in motion as their heads. - -On one of these occasions I remember observing a party of those -gentlemen, after leaving the trenches, carrying across the fields to -their camp ground the body of a wounded officer of theirs wrapped in a -blanket. They had not proceeded many yards, before a ball fired from the -town came bounding, half spent, along the ground. The Portuguese, -unconscious of its approach, were just crossing the line of its -progress, when the shot glanced between them, and entering the blanket, -cut the unlucky officer in two. The bearers, terrified, immediately took -to their heels, leaving the blanket behind them, which one of our -fellows observing, “That it was an ill wind that did nobody good,” -shaking the body out, instantly possessed himself of. - -The effect of our twenty-four pound shot upon the wall gave notice that -the breaches would soon be practicable. On the 5th of April a storming -party was selected for the assault on the following night. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - -Storming of Badajoz—I join the Forlorn-Hope again—Presentiments of Major - O’Hare and Captain Jones—Their deaths—The stormers—The Ladder-men—I am - wounded—The French prisoner—O’Brien—Sacking of the town—Scene of - horror—Reflections—The Duke of Wellington and his men—Johnny Castles - introduced with a rope round his neck—The drummer-boy—A firelock goes - off, and so does a Corporal—I return to the camp—Casualties at - Badajoz—The French prisoner and a new acquaintance—His account of the - evacuation of Almeida—His opinion of the British soldiers. - - -I AM now about entering into a personal narrative of one of the most -sanguinary and awful engagements on the records of any country. For the -second time I volunteered on the forlorn-hope. After having received a -double allowance of grog, we fell in about eight o’clock in the evening, -6th April, 1812. The stormers were composed of men from the different -regiments of the light division. I happened to be on the right of the -front section when my old Captain, Major O’Hare, who commanded the wing -to which my company belonged, came up with Captain Jones of the 52nd -regiment, both in command of the storming party. A pair of uglier men -never walked together, but a brace of better soldiers never stood before -the muzzle of a Frenchman’s gun. - -“Well, O’Hare,” said the Captain, “what do you think of to-night’s -work?” - -“I don’t know,” replied the Major, who seemed, as I thought, in rather -low spirits. “To-night, I think, will be my last.” - -“Tut, tut, man! I have the same sort of feeling, but I keep it down with -a drop of the _cratur_,” answered the Captain, as he handed his calabash -to the Major. - -A Sergeant Fleming, a brave soldier, before mentioned in these Memoirs, -coming up, informed Major O’Hare that a ladder-party was wanted. “Take -the right files of the leading sections,” was the prompt order of the -Major. No sooner said than done. I and my front-rank men were -immediately tapped on the shoulder for the ladder-party. I now gave up -all hope of ever returning. At Rodrigo, as before stated, we had fatigue -parties for the ladders, but now the case was altered; besides which the -ladders, now in preparation, were much longer than those employed at -that fortress. - -I may just mention, that whatever were my own forebodings on the -occasion, the presentiments of our brave old Major O’Hare and those of -Captain Jones were fatally realized, for in less than twenty minutes -after the above conversation, both fell riddled with balls. - -The word was now given to the ladder-party to move forward. We were -accompanied at each side by two men with hatchets to cut down any -obstacle that might oppose them, such as _chevaux-de-frise_. There were -six of us supporting the ladder allotted to me, and I contrived to carry -my grass-bag before me.[13] We had proceeded but a short distance when -we heard the sound of voices on our right, upon which we halted, and -supposing they might be enemies, I disengaged myself from the ladder, -and cocking my rifle, prepared for action. Luckily we soon discovered -our mistake, as one of our party cried—“Take care! ’Tis the stormers of -the fourth division coming to join us.” This proved to be the case. This -brief alarm over, we continued advancing towards the walls, the Rifles, -as before, keeping in front. We had to pass Fort St. Roche on our left, -near to the town, and as we approached it the French sentry challenged. -This was instantly followed by a shot from the fort and another from the -walls of the town. A moment afterwards, a fire-ball was thrown out, -which threw a bright red glare of light around us, and instantly a -volley of grape-shot, canister, and small arms poured in among us, as we -stood on the glacis, at a distance of about thirty yards from the walls. - -Three of the men carrying the ladder with me were shot dead in a breath, -and its weight falling upon me, I fell backwards with the grass-bag on -my breast. The remainder of the stormers rushed up, regardless of my -cries, or those of the wounded men around me, for by this time our men -were falling fast. Many in passing were shot and fell upon me, so that I -was actually drenched in blood. The weight I had to sustain became -intolerable, and had it not been for the grass-bag which in some measure -protected me, I must have been suffocated. At length, by a strong -effort, I managed to extricate myself, in doing which I left my rifle -behind me, and drawing my sword, rushed towards the breach. There I -found four men putting a ladder down the ditch; and not daring to pause, -fresh lights being still thrown out of the town, with a continual -discharge of musketry, I slid quickly down the ladder, but before I -could recover my footing, was knocked down again by the bodies of men -who were shot in attempting the descent. I, however, succeeded in -extricating myself from underneath the dead, and rushing forward to the -right, to my surprise and fear I found myself emerged to my neck in -water. Until then I was tolerably composed, but now all reflection left -me, and diving through the water, being a good swimmer, gained the other -side, but lost my sword; I now attempted to make to the breach, which -the blaze of musketry from the walls clearly showed me. Without rifle, -sword, or any other weapon, I succeeded in clambering up a part of the -breach, and came near to a _chevaux-de-frise_, consisting of a piece of -heavy timber studded with sword-blades, turning on an axis: but just -before reaching it I received a stroke on the breast, whether from a -grenade or a stone, or by the butt-end of a musket, I cannot say, but -down I rolled senseless, and drenched with water and human gore. I could -not have laid long in this plight, for when my senses had in some -measure returned, I perceived our gallant fellows still rushing forward, -each seeming to share a fate more deadly than my own. The fire continued -in one horrible and incessant peal, as if the mouth of the infernal -regions had opened to vomit forth destruction upon all around us, and -this was rendered still more appalling by the fearful shouts of the -combatants and cries of the wounded that mingled in the uproar. - -I now, strange to say, began to feel if my arms and legs were entire: -for at such moments a man, I believe, is not always aware of his wounds. -I had now, indeed, lost all the frenzy of courage that had first -possessed me, and actually felt all weakness and prostration of spirit, -while I endeavoured, among the dead and wounded bodies around me, to -screen myself from the enemy’s shot; but while I lay in this position, -the fire still continued blazing over me in all its horrors, accompanied -by screams, groans, and shouts, and the crashing of stones and falling -of timbers. I now, for the first time for many years, uttered something -like a prayer. - -After the horrible and well-known scene of carnage had lasted some time, -the fire gradually slackened from the breach, I heard a cheering which I -knew to proceed from within the town, and shortly afterwards a cry of -“Blood and ’ounds! where’s the Light Division?—the town’s our -own—hurrah!” This proceeded, no doubt, from some of the third division. -I now attempted to rise, but, from a wound which I had received, but at -what time I know not, found myself unable to stand. A musket-ball had -passed through the lower part of my right leg—two others had perforated -my cap, which I should have lost had I not taken the precaution to -secure it with a cord under my chin before starting. At the moment of -this discovery I saw two or three men moving towards me, who I was glad -to find belonged to the Rifles. One of them, named O’Brien, of the same -company as myself, immediately exclaimed, “What! is that you, Ned?—we -thought you ladder-men all done for.” He then assisted me to rise. - -In consequence of the _chevaux-de-frise_ still remaining above the -breach, we could not proceed over it until more men arrived to remove -its fastenings. The third division meanwhile had entered the town on our -right by the castle where there was no breach. We proceeded onwards, I -moving with great difficulty, though partly supported by O’Brien. At the -top of the breach we found another trench with a plank of wood lain -across, leading into the town. Not until then I felt drops of blood -trickling down my face, and found that one of the balls, in passing -through my cap, had torn the skin on my head. - -In this crippled state, leaning upon my comrade, and using his rifle as -a crutch, accompanied by a few of our riflemen, I entered the town that -had been so gloriously won. We hurried from the breach as quick as -possible, lest the enemy should spring a mine, as they did at Ciudad -Rodrigo. We still however heard occasional firing and cheering from the -one end of the town, and imagined the fire was still raging, although, -as we soon afterwards learnt, the chief part of the French had retired -to the citadel or fort, where they surrendered on the following morning. -Angry and irritated from the pain occasioned by the wound, we had just -turned the corner of a street, when we observed some men, and, from the -light that shone from a window opposite, we could see from their -uniforms they were evidently Frenchmen. The moment they saw us they -disappeared, with the exception of one man, who seemed to make a rush at -us with his musket. O’Brien sprang forward and wrested the firelock from -his grasp. A feeling of revenge, prompted by the suffering I endured -from my wounds, actuated my feelings, and I exclaimed, “O’Brien, let me -have the pleasure of shooting this rascal, for he may be the man who has -brought me to the state I am now in!” I then presented the rifle close -to his breast, with the full intention of shooting him through the body, -but as my finger was about to press the trigger he fell upon his knees -and implored mercy. The next moment the rifle dropped from my hand, and -I felt a degree of shame that a feeling of irritation should have nearly -betrayed me into the commission of a crime for which I could never have -forgiven myself. - -As soon as the Frenchman perceived me desist, he immediately started -from his knees, and, by way of showing his gratitude, threw his arms -round my neck, and kissed my cheek. He instantly followed me, and I for -the time took him under my protection. - -We now looked anxiously around for a house where we could obtain -refreshment, and, if truth must be told, a little money. For even -wounded as I was, I had made up my mind to be a gainer by our victory. -At the first house we knocked at, no notice being taken of the summons, -we fired a rifle-ball at the key-hole, which sent the door flying open. -This, indeed, was our usual method of forcing locks. As soon as we -entered the house we found a young Spanish woman crying bitterly, and -praying for mercy. She informed us that she was the wife of a French -officer; and to the demand of my companion, O’Brien, for refreshment, -replied there was nothing but her poor self in the house. She, however, -produced some spirits and chocolate, both of which, being very hungry -and faint, I partook of with much relish. - -As the house looked poor we soon quitted it in quest of a better. -Supported by O’Brien and the Frenchman, we proceeded in the direction of -the market-place. It was a dark night, and the confusion and uproar that -prevailed in the town may be better imagined than described. The shouts -and oaths of drunken soldiers in quest of more liquor, the reports of -fire-arms and crashing in of doors, together with the appalling shrieks -of hapless women, might have induced any one to have believed himself in -the regions of the damned. - -When we arrived at the market-place we found a number of Spanish -prisoners rushing out of a gaol: they appeared like a set of savages -suddenly let loose, many still bearing the chains they had not time to -free themselves from, and among these were men of the 5th and 88th -regiments holding lighted candles. We then turned down a street opposite -to the foregoing scene, and entered a house which was occupied by a -number of men of the third division. One of them immediately, on -perceiving me wounded, struck off the neck of a bottle of wine with his -bayonet, and presented it to me, which relieved me for a time from the -faintness I had previously felt. The scenes of wickedness that soldiers -are guilty of on capturing a town are oftentimes truly diabolical, and I -now, in the reflections this subject gives rise to, shudder at the past. -I had not long been seated at the fire which was blazing up the chimney, -fed by mahogany chairs broken up for the purpose, when I heard screams -for mercy from an adjoining room. On hobbling in, I found an old man, -the proprietor of the house, on his knees, imploring mercy of a soldier -who had levelled his musket at him. I with difficulty prevented the man -from shooting him, as he complained that the Spaniard would not give up -his money. I immediately informed the wretched landlord in Spanish, as -well as I was able, that he could only save his life by surrendering his -cash. Upon this he brought out with trembling hands, a large bag of -dollars from under the mattress of the bed. These by common consent were -immediately divided among us. The whole treasure, to the amount of about -one hundred or one hundred and fifty dollars, enveloped in an old -night-cap, was instantly emptied and divided into small heaps on the -table, according to the number of men present, and called out the same -as messes in a barrack-room. I must confess that I participated in the -plunder, and received about twenty-six dollars for my own share. - -As soon as I had resumed my seat at the fire, a number of Portuguese -soldiers entered, one of whom, taking me for a Frenchman, for I had the -French soldier’s jacket on, my own being wet, snapped his piece at me, -which luckily hung fire. Forgetful of my wounds, I instantly rushed at -him, and a regular scuffle ensued between our men and the Portuguese, -until one of the latter being stabbed by a bayonet, the rest retired, -dragging the wounded man with them. After thus ejecting the Portuguese, -the victors, who had by this time got tolerably drunk, proceeded to -ransack the house. Unhappily they discovered the two daughters of the -old patrone, who had concealed themselves up stairs. They both were -young and very pretty. The mother, too, was shortly afterwards dragged -from her hiding-place. - -Without dwelling on the frightful scene that followed, it may be -sufficient to add, that our men, more infuriated by drink than before, -again seized upon the old man, and insisted upon a fresh supply of -liquor. And his protestations that he possessed no more were as vain as -were all attempts to restrain them from ill-using him. - -It is to be lamented that the memory of an old soldier should be -disturbed by such painful reflections as the foregoing scenes must give -rise to: but it is to be considered that the men who besiege a town in -the face of such dangers, generally become desperate from their own -privations and sufferings; and when once they get a footing within its -walls—flushed by victory, hurried on by the desire of liquor, and -maddened by drink, they stop at nothing: they are literally mad, and -hardly conscious of what they do in such a state of excitement. I do not -state this in justification; I only remark what I have observed human -nature to be on these occasions. - -Sick of the scene of horrors that had been enacted, and attended by my -French prisoner, I left the house for one on the other side of the -street. This was found occupied by men of the third division, who were -drinking chocolate, not made with water, but wine. They seemed rather -more sober and peaceable than those we had just left; but here, also, as -in most of the houses in Badajoz, the greatest outrages were being -committed. - -Having passed a wretched night, the next morning I determined to rejoin -what remained of my regiment—for at this time I did not know what number -we had lost. I left the house, and proceeded to trace my road through -the crowds, accompanied by my Frenchman, who rendered me every -assistance in his power. The town was still in great confusion and -uproar, although every available means had been taken to suppress it. In -one of the streets I saw the Duke of Wellington, surrounded by a number -of British soldiers, who, holding up bottles with the heads knocked off, -containing wine and spirits, cried out to him, a phrase then familiarly -applied to him by the men of the army, “Old boy! will you drink? The -town’s our own—hurrah!” In another street I observed a sort of gallows -erected, with three nooses hanging from them, ready for service. Johnny -Castles, a man of our company, and as quiet and inoffensive a little -fellow as could be, but rather fond of a drop, but not that distilled by -Jack Ketch & Co., had a near escape. He was actually brought under the -gallows in a cart, and the rope placed round his neck, but his life was -spared. Whether this was done to frighten him or not I cannot say; but -the circumstance had such an effect on him, that he took ill, and was a -little deranged for some time after. I am not aware that a single -execution took place, notwithstanding the known severity of the Duke in -matters of plunder and outrage. I feel bound to say, that a prejudice -existed on the part of our men against the inhabitants of Badajoz, owing -to their having submitted so tamely to the French. It was different at -Ciudad Rodrigo, where the Spaniards had defended themselves gallantly. - -Feeling fatigued on my way to join the camp, I sat down with my prisoner -on a bench, opposite the bridge which leads to Fort St. Christoval. We -not had been long seated when I was amused by a large baboon, surrounded -by a number of soldiers, who were tormenting him. The poor animal had -been wounded in the foot, probably by one of our men, and by his -chattering, grinning, and droll gesticulations, he showed as much -aversion to the red coats as any of the French could possibly have done. -While the men continued teasing the animal, a servant, stating that it -belonged to a Colonel of the 4th regiment, who he said was wounded, -attempted to take the beast away, whereupon the party being divided in -their sentiments, a scuffle ensued, in which several men were wounded -with bayonets. - -As we got up to proceed, we saw a number of Frenchmen guarded by our -soldiers, coming over the bridge. They were the prisoners taken in Fort -St. Christoval, which but an hour or two previously had surrendered. -These were soon surrounded by our men, who began examining their -knapsacks, from whence a number of watches, dollars, &c., were quickly -extracted. A short distance further on we came up with a mule, tied to a -door, which, in my crippled state, and wishing to relieve my poor -prisoner, I immediately appropriated for my own use, but I afterwards -sold it to Lieutenant Jackson, of the 83rd regiment. Mounted on the -animal, led by the Frenchman, we pursued our way until near the gates -that led to the camp, when rather an affecting scene came under my eye. -A little fellow, a drummer-boy, belonging to the 88th regiment, was -lying wounded and crying bitterly, his leg being broken by a shot. On -telling him I would get him carried by the Frenchman if he wished, “Oh -no!—oh no!” said the boy; “I don’t care for myself. Look at my poor -father, where he lies!” pointing to a man shot through the head, lying -weltering in a gore of blood. Poor little fellow! I gave him a couple of -dollars, and called some men to his assistance, when I was compelled to -leave him. We soon arrived at the camp ground of the third division. I -dismounted, and while sitting on one of the men’s knapsacks, a soldier -of the 83rd regiment was engaged in cleaning his firelock, when the -piece went off and shot a corporal through the head, wounding also the -hand of another man. The Frenchman seemed dreadfully frightened: he -turned pale as marble, perhaps thinking the shot was aimed at him, as -the corporal fell dead at his side. This accident struck me as a -forcible instance of the casualties that attend a soldier’s life. I -could not, indeed, help feeling for the poor corporal, who after -surviving the dangers of the preceding night, had lost his life by a -clumsy hand cleaning a firelock. - -It may appear strange that I did not wish to remain in Badajoz, but I -was suffering from my wound, and preferred the quiet of the camp. We had -no sooner arrived there than I was obliged to part with my faithful -Frenchman, who was sent to join the other prisoners. I gave him a few -dollars, which most likely he was deprived of before he got many yards. -He left me with many expressions of gratitude for the protection I had -afforded him. - -I have been in many actions, but I never witnessed such a complication -of horrors as surrounded me on the forlorn-hope at Badajoz. - -I remained three days in camp before there was a possibility of my being -conveyed into the hospital at Badajoz, during which I had an opportunity -of hearing of the casualties that occurred. The number of men killed, -wounded, and absent was such, that the company could not muster a dozen -men on parade for three days afterwards. Parties were sent to the -breaches to bury the dead, which now began to smell most dreadfully; but -we could not collect men enough to perform that duty. My poor old -Captain, Major O’Hare, was amongst the slain, and had received not less -than ten or a dozen balls through his body. - -While in hospital, here as in other places, we were intermingled with -the French prisoners who, sick and wounded, were placed indiscriminately -in the wards with the British. In that in which I myself lay, and in the -next bed, there was a smart young fellow, a Frenchman, with whom I -became intimately acquainted. Indeed, he could speak a little English, -which he had acquired during a short stay as prisoner in England, whence -he had been exchanged to be again captured. He was recovering fast from -a gun-shot wound he had received in his shoulder. - -During one of our evening chats, he gave me an account of his escape -from Almeida, which he had assisted in defending, and afterwards in -blowing up and evacuating. - -“A few evenings,” said he, “previous to our determination to evacuate -the fortress, an officer from Massena entered the town, under the -disguise of a peasant, with orders to the Governor to undermine and blow -up the walls, and cut his way with the garrison through the British -lines. The distresses of the besieged had been so excessive, that the -message was received with delight. We had seen and felt innumerable -hardships, and had been so reduced by famine, as to have been obliged, -for food, to slaughter even the horses and mules. On receipt of the -order, General Bernier, who commanded, and who had already escaped from -the British, he having broken his parole while prisoner with the English -some years before, was even more anxious than ourselves, as he well knew -had he been retaken, in all probability he would have been shot. In our -dilemmas, he drew from us an oath to die or effect our purpose. As a -first step, we were for several days employed undermining the walls, -which were soon hollowed and loaded in fourteen different places, all -communicating with each other by trains of gunpowder. - -“The evening of the evacuation, the whole garrison, to the number of -seven or eight hundred men, after destroying the stores and spiking the -guns, assembled in one of the squares and at about midnight slowly moved -through the gates. The first to oppose our progress was a picquet of -Portuguese, whom we bayoneted in an instant, and just as the mines -commenced exploding—a low grumbling, as if of an earthquake, followed, -and in a few seconds the whole citadel rose, as it were, in the air, and -descended in shivered and blackened masses. The noise of the explosion -brought the whole British division to their arms, and our forlorn body -dashed through your closing columns. The moment was desperate, but -starved as we were, the French soldiers gained new strength from each -reverse, and despite the well-fed numbers of the British, cut their way -through the living wall, and gained the approach to San Felice. Here the -inequalities of the ground fortunately and effectually kept off your -cavalry, and after a few more trifling encounters, we reached the grand -army. We had no sooner arrived within hail of our comrades than the -whole locality rung with one universal shout of enthusiasm. Our General -was carried about on the men’s shoulders, and the day became one of joy -throughout the camp.” - -The relation was given in the most spirited manner, just as we might -expect it from a soldier of the Emperor, whose very name took the place -of every other feeling. He spoke also of Marshal Ney, who in his -estimation was second only to Napoleon. - -The foregoing, and many others equally entertaining, but which the lapse -of years have blotted from my memory, he would relate to me, generally -finishing his relations with, “Eh bien, c’est égal, les écoliers sont -dignes de leurs maîtres. Les Français vous ont enseignés de terribles -leçons, et vous comprenez enfin l’art de faire la guerre comme il faut.” -Well, well, it is all the same; the pupils are worthy of their teachers. -The French have taught you some terrible lessons, and you understand, at -length, the art of making war as it is—as it should be. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - -I recover from my wounds and rejoin my regiment at Ituera—“Nine - holes”—March for Salamanca—Sergeant Battersby—The grenadier and the - murder of his wife, &c., &c.—Marmont out-manœuvred—Assault of Fort - St. Vincent—Retreat of the enemy—We arrive at Rueda—The - wine-vaults—My descent into one—Fright, &c.—Manœuvring of the two - armies—Skirmishing—A gallant Frenchman—Pratt and his prisoner. - - -HAVING recovered from my wounds, I left the hospital and rejoined my -regiment at Ituera, near Ciudad Rodrigo. An unfortunate accident here -occurred to one of our men. He was playing at a game called “nine holes” -with several comrades, and was bowling along the ground a grenade, used -instead of a wooden-ball, believing it to have been filled with earth -only, when a spark from his pipe fell into the hole, and instantly -exploded, wounding him dreadfully. The poor fellow never recovered the -injuries he received. - -A short time after I had rejoined, our division marched for Salamanca. - -On our first day’s march we encamped in a wood, on the right side of the -road, leading to that city. The evening was beautiful, and the sun -having lost its meridian heat, imparted a refreshing warmth to the -wearied soldiers. The camp was all astir for some time—every one being -busily engaged cooking and preparing for the night’s comfort; which -being completed, the eve found us mostly seated and scattered about in -small groups, earnestly intent on enjoyment of some sort. I am -particular in my recollection of the time, for reasons which the -following occurrence will sufficiently account for. - -I had finished my evening’s meal, and was sitting drinking a tot of -wine, with a sergeant of ours named Battersby, who a few days previously -had rejoined us from Belem, where he had been some time appointed -hospital-sergeant. He brought with him a very pretty-looking -Englishwoman, that passed for his wife, and who was present with us, and -assisted much to keep up the spirit of our conversation. We had been -seated for some time under the branches of a clump of cork trees, of -which, indeed, the wood was principally composed, when we were -interrupted by some of the men calling for Sergeant Battersby, and in a -second, or so, up marched a tall, fine-looking grenadier of the 61st -Regiment of Foot, then belonging to the sixth division, which lay -encamped some two or three miles in our rear; as he approached, however, -he did not notice us, but casting sundry determined glances about him, -more in anguish than ferocity, he drew near the woman, and seated -himself on a knapsack near her. The latter, from the moment he had first -made his appearance, I had perceived, seemed wondrously confused, and -changed colour several times. - -“Nelly,” said he, fixing a firm and deliberate look on her, his voice at -first scarcely articulate with emotion, “Nelly, why do you treat me so? -how can you stoop,” and here he cast an almost contemptuous glance of -recognition on Battersby, “how can you stoop to such a disgraceful, so -dishonourable a protection?” - -“I am with those,” said she, rather snappishly, “who know better how to -treat me than you.” - -“That,” rejoined the grenadier, “may be your opinion; but why leave the -child, it is but three years old, and what can I do with it?” - -To this she made no answer. - -“Do not think,” he again continued, “that I wish you to return me, that -is impossible. But I cannot help my feelings!” - -This was only replied to by reproaches; which I did not listen to, for -as it was no business of mine I turned to converse with my companions. - -The grenadier, at last, made a move to take his departure, and his wife, -for such she evidently was, had agreed to accompany him a little of the -way, and they walked together. I did not know how to account for it, but -there was a certain uneasiness attended me, which had kept me, as it -were, on their trail all the evening; and Battersby and myself followed -in their rear. They had proceeded a few hundred yards, and were some -distance in advance, when she turned to wish him good-night. The poor -fellow paused again, as if in deep thought, fixing on her the same cool, -deliberate look that he had exhibited all the evening. - -“So you are determined, Nelly,” said he at length, “to continue this way -of living?” - -“Yes,” said she. - -“Well, then,” he exclaimed, holding her firmly by the left hand, which -she had extended for him to shake, while he drew his bayonet with his -right, “take that,” and he drove it right through her body. The blow was -given with such force that it actually tripped him over her, and both -fell, the bayonet still sticking in her side. The poor woman gave a -convulsive scream, and in a moment expired. The grenadier bounded -instantly on his feet again, and stamping one foot on the body of his -victim, jerked forth the bayonet reeking with her blood. Wheeling -himself round on his heel, the fatal weapon tightly clutched in his -right hand, his eyes instantaneously caught the direction Battersby had -taken, and he flew after him with the speed and countenance of a fiend, -to wreak a second vengeance. - -The sergeant fortunately arrived in the camp in time enough to call out -the rear-guard, who, of course, were instantly on the alarm to meet him. -The grenadier no sooner beheld him in safety than he stopped, and -casting a half contemptuous smile towards the body of his dead wife, -wiped the bayonet through his fingers, returned it to the scabbard, and -drawing himself to his full height, calmly awaited the approach of the -guard. When brought before the Colonel, he said in a rough and manly -tone of voice, while he extended his arm towards his wife, “I have done -the deed, but sorry her seducer has escaped.” - -He was afterwards brought to a court-martial, and sentenced to three -months’ solitary confinement. But he suffered for one month only, when, -as I suppose, in consideration of his case, he was ordered to return to -his regiment. I have since been informed that he was shot in one of the -actions on the Pyrennees. He certainly was a fine-looking fellow, and by -name Bryen. - -As for Nelly, we buried her that very night near the spot where she -fell, having dug her grave with the same kind of weapon as that by which -she had been deprived of life. - -It was rather strange that Battersby was not noticed, but still held his -rank. It is also as curious, that he was the second man I saw fall at -the battle of Quatre Bras, on the 16th June, 1815, being shot by a -musket-ball through the head. - -On our arrival at Salamanca, we took up our position to the right of -that city, near the river Tormes. - -Here we remained for some days, our chief having completely -out-manœuvred Marmont. On the evening of the 4th of July stormers were -required from our division, to lead in the assault on Fort St. Vincent, -the strongest of the three forts that the enemy had constructed in the -city, and which commanded the other two; two men from each company of -our regiment were selected, the first for duty. After marching the men -down close to the fort, waiting the signal for attack, they were -countermanded. A few days afterwards this fort was set on fire by -red-hot shot from our artillery, when it immediately surrendered, along -with the two others. - -The enemy, baffled in their views on Salamanca, slowly retreated, our -army following until we arrived near Rueda. Here our light troops had a -smart brush with their rear-guard, which ended in the capture of some -few French prisoners. I remember seeing on this occasion a party of the -Rifles bringing in a very fine-looking man, a French sergeant, who -seemed inconsolable at his capture. He actually shed tears as he -lamented the circumstance. The following day, however, to his infinite -joy, he was exchanged for a sergeant of our cavalry, who also had been -made prisoner a few days before. - -After this skirmish, our regiment advanced to the neighbourhood of -Rueda, where we occupied a hill, completely covered with vines, and -close to the town. The country thereabouts abounded in grapes, from -which an immense quantity of wine was annually made. The places used for -the making of wine in this part of Spain are of a very singular -description. They are all subterranean, and of immense extent, sometimes -undermining many acres of ground. Over these are chimneys constructed to -admit the air and light. The vats, into which the juice of the grape is -pressed, are in proportion to the size of the vaults, and would entirely -put to shame the same description of receptacle used for beer by Barclay -and Perkins. - -Our fellows, ever alive to the value of good liquor, notwithstanding the -French had well ransacked the “wine-houses,” used frequently to find -something to reward them for their search in these cellars. Our way of -proceeding was to let one or two of our men down the above-mentioned -chimneys by means of a rope. I shall never forget the terror I -experienced in one of these adventures. Three or four comrades and -myself one evening assembled over the chimney of one of these -wine-vaults, and it was proposed that one of us should descend to bring -up some wine. This was no comfortable task, as the proprietors -frequently watched below, and would scarcely hesitate to greet an -intruder with his cuchillo or long knife. After some deliberation, and -plenty of peeping, it was at last decided that I should take the first -chance; a rope accordingly was obtained from one of the muleteers, and -being secured round my waist with a number of canteens, which clinked -enough to awake almost the dead, I was gradually lowered. - -The vaults were generally as deep as a three-storied house, and before I -got half way down, I was left dangling in the air, the canteens -chinkling as if with the intention of hailing a knife the moment I -arrived into the lower region; at last I touched the ground. The place -was so dark that I could scarcely see a couple of yards before me, and -was obliged to grope my way for the vats; at length one of the tins, -that formed a kind of breast-work for my approach, came in contact with -something, and putting my hand forward, I placed it upon the cold clammy -face of a corpse. My whole blood tingled, the canteens responded, and at -a glance I perceived, from the red wings (for whether or not, I could -see now) that it was a French soldier, exhibiting most frightful gashes, -evidently inflicted by the same kind of weapon, which I at every turn, -was expecting. - -The canteens clattered awfully, for I confess I shook with terror, -having no weapon to defend myself, and every instant looking for the arm -of some concealed assassins, who probably were watching my movements. -Afraid to call out, I instantly tugged at the rope (the signal to pull -up), an answer from above expressed a doubt of the canteens being filled -so soon, and damned my eyes and limbs for me, but this only made me -shake the rope more violently, until, to my great satisfaction, I found -myself again dangling, and ascending. My comrades seeing me really come -forth with hollow tins, and blowing with agitation, burst into roars of -laughter. - -I related my adventure, but this only increased it, until their mirth -rallying us all, one, however, more daring than the rest, loaded his -rifle, and with an oath, suffered himself to be lowered, and shortly -returned, bringing up the canteens filled with excellent wine. - -After remaining here for some time, we left Rueda at twelve o’clock at -night on the 16th, the enemy, who had concentrated their forces at -Tordesillas, being on the advance. The following morning the sun rose -unclouded, presenting distinctly to the view the two armies moving in -parallel lines along a ridge of low hills, separated only by the -intervening valley and a river fordable in most places. The French -columns appeared in such beautiful order, as to call forth the plaudits -of even our own men. Skirmishing, however, was soon commenced between -some of the cavalry and light troops. - -One or two companies of our Rifles, seconded by a troop of the 14th -Dragoons, were soon partially engaged with about a corresponding number -of the enemy, who would occasionally dash through the little river, and -attempt to take up a position to annoy our skirmishers. Our riflemen, in -particular, were highly delighted with several little cavalry brushes -that occurred this day between our dragoons and the French. One instance -of gallantry on the part of a French dragoon, which fell under the eyes -of most of us, was particularly exciting: in a kind of half charge that -had been made by about a section of French and English cavalry, one of -the Frenchmen had dashed alone through some of our dragoons. His own -party having retired, there seemed every prospect of his being instantly -killed or taken prisoner, and, indeed, most of us thought, as there were -at least a dozen of our 14th Dragoons between him and his section, that -he would surrender. Not so, however, thought the gallant Frenchman, but -wheeling round, he gently trotted his horse for about twenty yards, when -he gave spurs to his steed, and after several hand-to-hand conflicts -with our dragoons in passing, he actually succeeded in reaching his -party, I believe unhurt, and attended by the cheers of our own men, who -were not insensible, at any time, to the intrepidity even of an enemy. - -Another incident occurred also, which, as an appropriate companion to -the foregoing, I will relate. Indeed, in gratitude, perhaps, I ought to -do so, as I was a gainer on the occasion by a new pair of trowsers. A -man of the 14th Dragoons, named Pratt, a fine strapping young fellow, -and a townsman of my own, brought in a French dragoon on his horse -prisoner. The Frenchman had lost his helmet, and displayed a severe cut -on his cheek. Poor fellow! he seemed exceedingly chop-fallen, and -declared with much vehemence to Lieutenant Gardiner of our company, who -spoke excellent French, that the Englishman could not have taken him had -he possessed a better horse. This Mr. Gardiner repeated to Pratt, who -answered, “Then by Jasus, Sir, tell him if he had the best horse in -France, I would bring him prisoner, if he stood to fight me.” The words -caused roars of laughter from all but the prisoner, who affectionately -patting the goaded and smoking steed, exclaimed, “My poor beast has not -had his saddle off for the last week.” And such, indeed, appeared to -have been the case, as, on the saddle being removed, prior to the sale -of the poor horse, a part of the flesh that had become a sore, came away -with the saddle-cloth. The animal in this condition was sold to -Lieutenant Gardiner for five dollars. Pratt, on opening the valise of -the unfortunate prisoner (who with folded arms looked on with a mournful -eye), came upon a pair of trowsers which he threw to me as a gift that -was exceedingly welcome, as my own were worn to rags. - -The following day, after some slight skirmishes with the advance of the -enemy, we retreated upon Salamanca. As few occurrences of any interest -took place after this, for some days, beyond the manœuvring of the two -armies, interesting only to the tactician, and which so many -professional men have done ample justice to, I will at once proceed to -the battle; in which, however, I must remark, the Rifles were less -engaged than in any other action fought during the war: for which reason -I shall have but little to state upon the subject. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - -Battle of Salamanca—My wounds break out afresh—I go into the Hospital at - Salamanca—The Germans and their prisoners—A recognition—Michael - Connelly—His death and burial—Josh Hetherington again—A new - acquaintance—His accounts of the Guerillas, &c.—A keepsake for a - sweetheart—The Guerilla—The army retrace their steps to - Salamanca—Proceed to Rodrigo—Heavy wet—Spanish payment; - acknowledgment—A dry coat—Lord Charles Spencer and his acorns—We - continue our march—The babes in the wood—Hard skirmishing with the - enemy’s advanced-guard—A woman in distress—Pepper—Hunger, cold, and - fatigue—Finish of the Burgos retreat. - - -THE night previous to the morn that ushered in the day of battle, viz., -the 22nd of July, 1812, was the most stormy, I think, I ever witnessed. -The thunder, lightning, and rain seemed striving which should excel, -while their united effect was terrible. We lay, without covering, in an -open field close to the river Tormes. It is needless to say, not a man -that night had on a dry shred. It has, I believe, been previously -remarked, by military and other writers, that rain has been the -forerunner of almost all our general battles. From my own recollection, -the truth of this assertion is singularly supported by facts. - -The battle of Salamanca commenced about ten or twelve o’clock, upon our -right, on a rising ground. Our position was first disturbed by some -cannon-shot of the enemy that fell very near, but fortunately without -doing any harm. - -Although every moment expecting to be sent into the thick of it, we kept -undisturbed possession of our ground, from whence we could see the -column of the enemy on the heights engaged in attempting to repel the -advance of our troops. When the “glad sounds of victory” reached us, a -general feeling of pleasure pervaded our ranks, mixed perhaps with some -regret that we had not taken a more active share in the battle. But all -we could do we did, which was to pepper the French well in their hurried -retreat from the field. In fact, it seemed to me as if the whole French -army might have been cut off by a little promptitude. - -We halted at Huerta. The following morning our division crossed the -river Tormes in pursuit of the enemy. We came up with their rear -strongly posted on the side of a hill on the left of the road. Here we -beheld one of those few charges that so seldom succeed against -well-trained infantry: this was the celebrated charge of Major-General -Bock, who, at the head of his heavy German cavalry, broke the French -squares, taking them prisoners almost to a man. It was the most gallant -dash of cavalry that ever was witnessed. - -This day I began to feel the ill effects of the wound I had received at -Badajoz, which the fatigue of marching and the warmth of the weather had -again caused to break out. On inspecting the sore, our surgeon -immediately recommended me to go into hospital at Salamanca, for a few -days of medical treatment and rest. Accordingly I set out for Salamanca -with the guard appointed to escort the prisoners taken in the recent -cavalry affair by our Germans. I never before saw such severe-looking -sabre-cuts as many of them had received; several with both eyes cut out, -and numbers had lost both ears. Their wounded, who were carried in -waggons, were extremely numerous, and it was painful, even to an old -soldier, to hear their groans and incessant cries for water. The escort -consisted chiefly of the Germans that had taken them prisoners, and it -was pleasing to behold these gallant fellows, in the true spirit of -glory, paying the greatest attention to the wants of the wounded. Water, -as I have remarked, from the loss of blood that had taken place among -the wounded, was in particular request. One of the prisoners, who had -his arm hanging, probably in endeavouring to defend his head from a -sword-cut—for, indeed, there were very few gun-shot wounds among -them—was in particular very frequent in his demands for “eau” (water), -when none could be obtained. Perhaps imagining himself neglected, we -were not a little surprised to hear him suddenly change his language, -and call out in English, “For the love of Jesus, give me something to -quench my thirst; I am a fellow-countryman of your own.” On entering -into conversation with him I found he formerly belonged to the 9th -Regiment of Foot, and had been taken prisoner with a number of others of -his regiment, while on board a ship some time previous, since which -occurrence he had been prevailed upon to enter the French service in -preference to being kept in close confinement. At Salamanca a sentry was -placed over him; what became of him I know not. - -On arriving at Salamanca our wounded prisoners, some other invalids, and -myself were immediately taken into hospital. There we were, French and -English, laid up together; and there, I must say, I saw sufficient -practice daily in the use of the surgeon’s knife to become perfectly -familiar with every form attendant upon amputation. While lying in -hospital, at all times a wretched place, from the groans of the numerous -sufferers, I was here placed under the immediate attendance of Sergeant -Michael Connelly, in charge of our ward, who being sufficiently -recovered from a slight wound, was appointed sergeant to the hospital. -He was one of the most singular characters I ever met with, and if an -awkward person and uncouth face had gained him the preferment, his match -certainly could not be found elsewhere. Mike was exceedingly attentive -to the sick, and particularly anxious that the British soldier when -dying, should hold out a pattern of firmness to the Frenchmen, who lay -intermixed with us in the same wards. - -“Hould your tongue, ye blathering devil,” he would say, in a low tone, -“and don’t be after disgracing your country in the teeth of these ere -furriners, by dying hard. Ye’ll have the company at your burial, won’t -you? Ye’ll have the drums beating and the guns firing over ye, won’t -you? Marciful God! what more do you want? ye are not at Elvas, to be -thrown into a hole like a dog—ye’ll be buried in a shroud and coffin, -won’t you? For God’s sake, die like a man before these ere Frenchers.” - -Mike, however, had one great failing, he drank like a whale, and did not -scruple to adopt as gifts or legacies, the wine rations of both the -dying and the dead, until he drank himself out of the world, and as his -patients remarked, after all, he died “like a beast.” - -The news of Mike’s death spread like wildfire, and all his old friends -and the convalescents crowded to do honour to his remains. - -The funeral of the Duke himself could not have made a greater stir, for -cavalier and foot soldier, from the drum-boy to the trumpeter, and all -the women, children and camp-followers in the locality, flocked to -follow his remains, the town became unusually alive, and the variegated -throng, headed by the deceased sergeant, borne by four bearers, and the -usual complement of soldiers with their arms reversed, slowly wound -their way through the city of Salamanca. Many a jest made the streets -ring with laughter, as the crowd followed the coffin, till they reached -the burial-ground (near the French battery taken by us some time -previously.) The bearers here proceeded to enter the gateway, when they -were suddenly aroused by a slight cry from within the coffin, with a -kind of scraping noise, like an effort to open it. They suddenly halted, -paused, and listened. It was surely Mike scraping. On they moved again -doubtfully. A second time the voice broke upon their ears. “Whist!” -ejaculated the bearers, their caps moving almost off their heads. “Oh -blood and ouns! where am I? Oh bad luck to yer souls, let me out, won’t -you? oh, merciful Jasus, I’m smoothered.” In a twinkling out bolted the -bearers from under the coffin, and a dozen bayonets in an instant were -sunk under and lifted the lid. The crowd crushed dreadfully to take a -look. But there lay Sergeant Michael Connelly, sure enough as stiff as a -fugleman but something colder, and my old friend, that blackguard Josh -Hetherington, the cockney ventriloquist, who had been one of the -bearers, as “innocent” as you please, joining in the astonishment of the -rest of us. - -Josh winked at me and I at Josh. “Ned,” said he, “I’m blessed if I think -he’s dead. Why don’t some of them chaps go for a doctor.” “To be sure,” -cried the crowd, “send for the doctor.” Meanwhile a regular rush was -made to press him to swallow some of his favourite liquor, but his teeth -as obstinately opposed the draught, so that poor Mike was already -pronounced “not himself,” when the doctor arrived. - -While here, I got acquainted with a pleasant and intelligent man who -belonged to the 13th Light Dragoons, and was fast recovering from a -wound he had received in the shoulder. We used frequently to alleviate -as much as we could the unpleasantness of our situation by a little -conversation. His history both amused and interested me. - -He had been taken prisoner by the French near Badajoz while serving in -General Hill’s division, but managed shortly afterwards to make his -escape between Vittoria and Pampeluna. The following morning he fell in -with a party of General Mina’s Guerillas, who, as soon as they found him -to be an Englishman, wished him to enlist in their band until he could -regain his regiment. This offer he was glad to accept. After giving me a -very amusing account of the manners of the Guerillas, their rich -picturesque dresses and arms, and their wild military life in the -mountains, he proceeded to detail several anecdotes of their cruelty and -ferocity, among which I can well remember the following, from the -impression it then left upon my mind, and the simple manner in which he -related it: - -Uniting suddenly several of his Guerilla bands in the neighbourhood of -Vittoria, Mina, whose information of the movements of the French seemed -unerring, one morning surprised and captured a number of waggons filled -with stores. They had been sent from Madrid for the army at Vittoria, -and were escorted by gendarmes, who were all either killed or taken. The -prisoners, about twenty in number, were immediately marched into the -mountains, but not before they had time to draw a dark augury of their -own fate by seeing all their wounded comrades brutally stabbed to death -on the ground where the skirmish had taken place. The prisoners, after -having been stripped of nearly every article of wearing apparel, even to -their boots, were confined in a space of ground encircled by pens or -hurdles, and used for keeping cattle, round which were planted many -sentries. In the evening the ferocious mountaineers, elated with their -day’s success, being joined by a number of females, their sweethearts -and wives made merry with drinking wine and dancing to the music of -several guitars. During this merriment both men and women frequently -taunted their wretched prisoners, recapitulated the wrongs the Spaniards -had suffered at the hands of the French, until they gradually had -excited their passions to a partial state of frenzy. In this state, the -signal having been given by one of their number, they rushed in among -their hapless prisoners, and commenced a general massacre, drowning the -cries and supplications for mercy of their victims, as they gave each -blow, by enumerating the different losses each had sustained in his -family during the war. “Take that for my father you shot,”—“that for my -son,”—“this for my brother,” &c., until the work of death was complete. -The most inhuman, and perhaps most revolting trait in this general -murder was some of the women having actively assisted in the slaughter. - -A short time after I had heard the preceding sketch, I had an -opportunity of observing that sanguinary feeling of revenge that so -peculiarly characterized the Guerillas during the war. I rejoined my -regiment at a little village about three leagues from Madrid, called -Gataffe. In the farm-house, where the greater part of our company were -quartered, was a very pretty Spanish girl who had a brother serving with -the Guerillas. One hot summer evening, when several comrades and myself -were sitting on a bench outside the door, joking with the girl, a -swarthy, savage-looking Spaniard came up, and was welcomed with much joy -by the girl and her parents. The new-comer was armed to the teeth with -pistols, daggers, and a long gun, which, together with his crimson sash -and free bearing, at once proclaimed him the Guerilla. At first we -imagined him the girl’s brother, but soon perceived another, though -equally dear tie, cemented their affection: he was her lover or suitor. -While engaged in conversation with his sweetheart and her parents, we -observed him take rather ostentatiously from his side a long -heavy-looking silk purse, the contents of which he emptied into the lap -of his mistress. The Spaniard’s eyes sparkled with pleasure; but, for -the honour of a British soldier, a general disgust pervaded the minds of -my comrades and myself, when we beheld a number of human ears and -fingers, which glistened with the golden ornaments they still retained. -He then told us, with an air of bravado, that he had cut them from off -the bodies of the French whom he himself had slain in battle, each ear -and finger having on a gold ring. - -“Napoleon,” he observed, in his native dialect, with a grim -smile—“Napoleon loves his soldiers, and so do the ravens;” as he pointed -to several of those carrion birds perched on the walls of an old convent -covered with ivy. “We find them plenty of food; they shall never want, -so long as a Frenchman remains in Spain.” Such are the men who were -considered the greatest patriots attached to the Spanish army during the -war. - -The chief business of the British at this time was laying siege to -Burgos. The enemy having also assembled in great numbers betwixt it and -Vittoria, Lord Wellington, thinking he was not able to oppose their -force, ordered the whole of the divisions to retire on Salamanca. We of -the light division received orders to the same effect. - -On the 22nd of October we left Madrid: the contempt with which the -inhabitants treated us for leaving them once more to the mercy of the -French, cannot easily be forgotten. - -For what the men said gave us little concern; but to be taxed and -taunted for cowardice by the Spanish ladies was most galling. Even my -handsome dark-eyed Clementeria, sister to the Guerilla lover, who seemed -so much attached to me, and with whom I spent many a moonlight night -serenading to the Spanish guitar, and who first taught me to use the -castanets in the Spanish dance—even she, with all her pretended love, -refused me a buss at our last moment of parting, though I used all my -eloquence, welding the Spanish, French, and English together in pleading -my cause. All had no effect on the hard-hearted _Mosa_. Her last words -were: “Begone, you cowardly English, you have not the courage to fight -the enemy of our country: those who have butchered my dear father and -brother,” were her last words. After a harassing march through a -mountainous country we joined the remainder of our army at Salamanca. -There we took up our quarters for a few days in a convent, which -exhibited such a loathsome picture of filth as to be almost unendurable. -In consequence of our men having torn up a part of the balustrades for -firing, a young officer of the third battalion fell down a height of -fifty feet, and was killed on the spot. - -On the second morning after our arrival we again proceeded towards -Rodrigo. The rain fell in torrents, and from the heaviness of the roads, -which were in many places a foot deep in mud, most of our men lost their -shoes, and were obliged to march barefooted. Among this number I was -unfortunately included. When we had reached our halting-ground for the -night, our prospect was most desolate. Wet to the skin—without fire or -shelter—and at the same time possessed of a ravenous appetite, with -nothing to satisfy it, formed one of the _disagreeables_ so often -attendant upon our life in the Peninsula—to say nothing of incessant -duty and fatigue. It was these sufferings, in fact, I am convinced, that -oftentimes rendered our men so callous about death, at different periods -during the war, as some men, from the privations they endured, wished to -be shot, and exposed themselves in action purposely. - -On our halt on the above night, the first thing I did was to take off my -jacket and shirt, and after ringing about half a gallon of water out of -them, I replaced them upon my back to dry as they might. Most of our men -had employed themselves in cutting down boughs of trees to keep -themselves out of the mud; but it was some hours before we could obtain -that greatest of luxuries, under our present circumstances, a good fire. -Still we had not a morsel to eat after the day’s fatigue—no rations -having been issued—and our men suffered from all the pangs of cold and -hunger. Fortune, however, during the evening favoured a few of us. -Towards the middle of the night one or two of our men brought -intelligence that several cars laden with spirits and biscuit for the -Spanish army were stuck fast in the road, and could not proceed onwards. -The temptation to our hungry maws could not be resisted; leaving our -fires, and getting up to the cars, screened by the darkness of the -night, we managed to get a portion both of biscuit and aguardiente; but -the Spanish guard, discovering our fellows, commenced firing on them: -this was quickly returned, and several, I believe, were shot; indeed, -the firing continued all night, which alarmed the chief part of our -army. Had the offenders been discovered, it would not have been -difficult to have foretold their fate, as the Duke’s orders were -particularly strict against plunder, (if such this might be called, for -after all, the whole fell into the hands of the French next morning, as -the carts were then able to be moved). For my own part, such were my -feelings this night, that I believe I should have expired, but for the -liquor I had drank. - -With all their hunger, however, there existed among the men a sympathy -for the officers, which, considering their distance, was rather -remarkable; several of the most haughty of the latter gladly received -little kindnesses from the soldiers; and if the noble lord be now -living, he may chance to recollect an instance connected with it. Lord -Charles Spencer, then a youth about eighteen years of age, suffered -dreadfully from the hunger and fatigue of this retreat; trembling with -cold and weakness, he stood perched upon some branches, that had been -cut down for fuel, the tears silently starting from his eyes through the -pain he experienced, while thus sharing in the common lot, anxiously -watching a few acorns, which to stay the pangs of hunger he had placed -in the embers to roast. I dare say his Lordship had never known till -then the joys of poverty—a good appetite! Nor will he, I expect, forget -how willingly the rough soldiers flew to offer him biscuits, which their -own sufferings could not withhold from one so tenderly and delicately -reared; but his Lordship was very much liked amongst us, and, no doubt, -it did many a veteran’s heart good to hear his thanks, and see the -eagerness with which he devoured the offering. These are times when -Lords find that they are men—and men, that they are comrades. - -Before daylight we pursued our route, the rain continuing to fall in -torrents, while the state of our regiment was pitiable. To add to our -comfort, the enemy were close upon our heels: this night we spent -something like the last—wet, cold, and hungry. On the following morning -we were obliged to continue our retreat rather precipitately, as the -shots of the French, who were in great force, came rattling in among us. -During the morning the enemy’s cavalry succeeded in getting through a -wood, and managed to cut off the baggage of the seventh division, then -in front of ours. Among some captives the enemy made on this occasion -were several children in panniers carried by donkeys. One Irishwoman, in -particular, I remember seeing, whose grief seemed inconsolable for the -loss she had sustained in that of her child. In a few days, however, the -French, desiring to be as little encumbered as ourselves with children, -sent them back with a flag of truce. This was followed by a most -interesting scene, as the different mothers rushed forward to clasp -their darlings in their arms. - -This day we were hard pressed by the enemy’s advanced-guard, and two of -our companies, the one in which I served being one, were ordered to -cover the retreat of our division. The French, confident in their -numbers, pressed us vigorously, and it was with difficulty we could -check their advance. While hotly engaged skirmishing, I was about taking -possession of a tree, when I beheld a poor woman at the foot of it, who, -being unable to keep up with the regiment, had sank down exhausted. Poor -soul! she seized my hands, and begged of me to assist her; at the same -moment the enemy’s balls came rapping into the tree that only partially -screened us. I was obliged, however, to leave her, as there seemed every -prospect of most of us being cut off; the “assembly” sounded, and away -we dashed, “devil take the hindmost,” in upon the battalion. Here our -illustrious chief, who was generally to be found where danger was most -apparent, seeing us come puffing and blowing up to our column, called -out to us, in a cheering voice: “Be cool, my lads; don’t be in a hurry!” -But, in faith, with all possible respect for his Lordship, we were not -in greater haste than the occasion demanded, as the French were upon us, -and we were obliged to dash down the sides of the hill, where we halted -for a moment, and his Lordship also, and then ford a river. While -engaged in crossing the stream, that was much swollen by the late rains, -a round-shot from the enemy, who were now peppering away at us, took off -the head of a Sergeant Fotheringham, of our battalion, and smashed the -thigh of another man. On gaining the other side of the stream we turned -to give a salute in return, but owing to the wet our rifles were -unserviceable. - -We remained that night stationary on the banks of the river, exposed to -all the delights of cold, hunger, and fatigue. These feelings were not -improved by a course of shelling that the enemy did us the honour to -indulge in at our expense. But, as I have remarked, the sufferings of -our men were such at this period that many of them considered death a -happy relief. The morning at length dawned upon our half-famished -persons, but brought no alleviation to our miseries. The rain still -continued to come down in torrents. Pursuing our route, we arrived at -Ciudad Rodrigo, and took shelter under its walls, where we found some -sheds used as stables for the Spanish cavalry. The moment I entered, the -first thing that caught my eye was some Indian corn-leaves, which I -considered a lucky chance, and instantly throwing myself on them, wet as -I was, soon fell into a sound sleep, the only rest I had had since we -left Salamanca. However, in the morning when I awoke I found myself in a -glow of heat, and covered with perspiration, and on attempting to rise -found myself as if paralyzed, and could not move. Calling some of the -men to assist, they were astonished at the steam that emitted from under -me like smoke. I then found my bed had been hot horse-dung, slightly -covered by the Indian corn-leaves. The doctor being sent for, ordered me -instantly to be carried into the town, where with hot baths and a -salivation in a few weeks I was able to join my regiment. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - -Head-quarters at Grenalda—Don Julian Sanchez, the celebrated Guerilla - Chief—Weakness of our numbers—Incorporation of Spaniards into our - regiments—A thief—Punishment of, and opinion of the men—General orders - for a collection among the men and officers to relieve Russian - losses—A ball, in which thousands were present—Campaign of 1813 - commenced—The Life Guards and the Blues join us—The French retreat to - Burgos—Secret expedition for bread—Our surprise—Retreat—General Sir - Lowry Cole—His temple spectacles made use of to reconnoitre—Our - escape—A few remarks—Three alternatives—A cavalry affair on the 18th - June—German brotherhood again. - - -TOWARDS the end of November our battalion again became stationed at its -old quarters, in the little village of Allamada. We obtained here fresh -clothing, certainly not before it was wanted; green having become by far -the least conspicuous colour in the regiment, while so various had been -the expedients resorted to for obtaining a substitute for shoes, that -the fresh supply from England was welcomed with no common joy. It was -quite amusing to see how our fellows enjoyed their clothing, strutting -about as proud as peacocks among the Spanish peasant girls, in whose -estimation they doubtless conceived they should be considerably -advanced. - -Head-quarters were at Grenalda, some miles distant from where we lay, -and a company of our regiment occasionally did duty over the Duke, whose -quarters were in the house of the Alcalde. We had strict orders to admit -no one inside the gates leading to the house, unless some particular -despatch from the front, or from Don Julian Sanchez, the Guerilla -chieftain. Indeed, a report had arisen amongst us, at the time, that his -Grace was not altogether right in his head; but this was mere fiction. I -used to observe him walking through the market-place, leading by the -hand a little Spanish girl, some five or six years old, and humming a -short tune or dry whistle, and occasionally purchasing little sweets, at -the child’s request, from the paysannes of the stalls. - -Here, for the first time, I saw Don Julian Sanchez, the noted Guerilla -leader, linked arm in arm with the Duke—an instance peculiar to the -time, of obscure merit rising of its own impulse to an equality with the -greatest man of the age. - -My readers may well suppose I did not slightly notice the square -well-set figure, dark scowl, and flashing eyes of the Guerilla, whose -humble birth-place I afterwards visited, in a small village between -Rodrigo and Salamanca. I had been informed that he first began his -career as a pig-boy, but owing to some cruelties exercised on a branch -of his family by the French, he took an inveterate hatred to them, which -he exemplified by surprising and slaughtering two or three of their -soldiers, whom he found asleep in a wood. Accompanied by one or two -others, he continued and increased his sanguinary feats, and gradually -collected a small band, then a body, and eventually commanded upwards of -twenty thousand Guerillas, well-armed, and equipped with British arms -and accoutrements, and who rendered more assistance to the cause of the -British than all the Spanish troops beside. - -Our regiments, by constant collision with the French, were getting -exceedingly thinned, and recruits from England came but very slowly, -until we found it necessary at last to incorporate some of the -Spaniards; for this purpose several non-commissioned officers and men -were sent into the adjacent villages recruiting. In the course of a -short time, and to our surprise, we were joined by a sufficient number -of Spaniards to give ten or twelve men to each company in the battalion. -But the mystery was soon unravelled, and by the recruits themselves, -who, on joining, gave us to understand, by a significant twist of the -neck, and a “Carago” (much like the very breaking of one), that they had -but three alternatives to choose from, to enter either the British, or -Don Julian’s service, or be hanged! The despotic sway of Sanchez, and -his threat in the bargain, so disjointed their inclination for the -Guerillas, that they hastily fled their native “woods” and “threshold,” -for fear of really finding themselves noosed up to them, and gladly -joined the British regiments. Many of them were even made corporals, -and, indeed, proved themselves worthy of their new comrades, whom they -rivalled in every undertaking of courage and determination.[14] - -While lying here I will give a short description of our regiment’s -opinion of flogging, not indeed by words, but by signs, as the following -anecdote will show, although the sound of cats was seldom heard in our -battalion; for I can safely say, that for the six years I served in -Spain not more than six men, to my recollection, were punished in our -battalion, and yet withal I cannot brag of our fellows being the -honestest branch in the British army. At the time I speak of we had a -man in our regiment of the name of Stratton, who, after robbing several -of his comrades of trifling articles, took it into his head to desert to -the enemy, and was detected in the act, in a wood that leads from -Rodrigo to Salamanca, by the vigilant Guerillas, and brought back -prisoner to our cantonments. He was tried by a regimental court-martial, -and sentenced to receive four hundred lashes. - -After the proceedings of the court-martial were read by the Adjutant, in -a wood near the village where the regiment was formed for punishment, -Major Cameron, who commanded us at the time, devised the following plan -to find out the true character of the prisoner, for the Major was not -only a brave and gallant soldier, but a shrewd man, and knew well that -the men were better judges of the good or bad qualities of each other -than the officers could possibly be. He addressed the prisoner as -follows:—“Stratton, I ought to have had you tried by a general -court-martial; in that case you would have been shot; but the high -character the regiment has borne in the army prevents me from having it -mentioned in general orders, that a man of the Rifles could be guilty of -the heinous crime of desertion to the enemy. I am yet willing to show -you kindness. Now, Sir, if the men of the battalion will be answerable -for your future good conduct, I shall pardon you.” Turning round at the -same time, Major Cameron looked the men in the face while he stood in -the square, as if waiting for an answer. - -A pause took place, no answer being given. The Major said: “Strip, Sir.” -He was tied to a tree, and received twenty-five lashes; the second -bugler was preparing to commence, when the Major again said, “Will you -not be answerable, men, for Stratton’s conduct? Well, then, if his own -company will be answerable for his good behaviour I shall forgive him.” -The prisoner, at these words, looked round with an imploring eye, as far -as his position would allow him, looking towards his own company, -saying, “Do, men, speak for me, I will not act so in future.” I -recollect it well, each man leaning on the muzzle of his rifle with his -left hand, while his right covered his face, and all silent; not a man -spoke. “Go on,” said the Major; the culprit received twenty-five lashes -more, when the Major again said, “Now, Sir, if only one man in the -regiment will speak in your behalf, I shall take you down.” Still -silent, while the third bugler commenced: when the prisoner had received -about sixteen lashes, a voice from the square called out, “Forgive him, -Sir!”—“Stop, bugler, stop!” said the Major; “who was the man that -spoke?” “I did, Sir!” was the answer. “Step into the square;” when a man -of the prisoner’s own company came forward. “Oh! is it you, Robinson?” -said Major Cameron; “I thought as much; as little-good-for-nothing a -fellow as himself; but take him down.” - -When the prisoner was conducted out of the square, the Major addressed -the men, saying: “Your conduct in the field is well known by the British -army; but,” added the Major, “your moral worth I have not known before; -not a man would speak in that fellow’s behalf, except the man who did, -whom you know as well as I do.” This may serve to show, that however -soldiers dislike this mode of punishment, they still like to see a -rascal punished; and nothing tends to destroy all feeling of pity for -his sufferings more than his having been guilty of an act of cowardice, -or robbing his comrade. - -Some months before our present sojourn at Allamada, Napoleon had made -his disastrous campaign in Russia, when Moscow was burnt. The -circumstance was now brought to our notice by the general order, -soliciting a day’s pay from the officers and men of the army towards -defraying the losses sustained by the Russians. This was most cheerfully -bestowed by every man in our battalion except two, the above-mentioned -Stratton and another man of the name of Frost; and to crown the -occurrence the day was made one of jollity and fun. Country dances were -struck up by the band, and it was most laughable to behold, one and all, -officers as well as private soldiers kicking about their heels to the -tune of “The Downfall of Paris.” - -Our division had been cantoned in and about Allamada during the winter, -when, soldier-like, ever sighing after a change of scene, the men of our -battalion generally began to grow tired of their monotonous and inactive -life: however, we received orders for marching. This occurred about the -middle of May, when we commenced the campaign of 1813, and a spirit of -enterprize, notwithstanding past sufferings, extended itself throughout -the light division. We left Allamada in high spirits. On the third day’s -march our battalion encamped near Salamanca, in a wood, where we were -joined by the Life Guards and Oxford Blues, that had just come out from -England, and whom we beheld drawn up at the side of the road. Their -fresh and well-fed appearance gave rise to many jests at the expense of -the “householders.” They in fact, as I learnt, took us at first, from -our dark clothing and embrowned visages, for a foreign regiment. - -The first peep we got of the enemy was at a place called Toro, on the -road towards Burgos. There our hussars had a sharp skirmish, in which -they took some prisoners. Continuing our advance, we overtook their -rear-guard the following day. After a little skirmishing and cannonading -they continued their retreat to Burgos. The next morning we were -startled by a tremendous explosion, that at first induced many of our -men to think it an earthquake, until we ascertained the fact that it -arose from the explosion of a mine, with which the French had destroyed -the castle and some of the works of the town of Burgos. - -On the 16th of June we passed through the pretty little town of Medina -del Pomar, and encamped on the other side of it close to the banks of a -large river. On this march we suffered much from a deficiency of -supplies from the commissariat, as anything like rations we seldom -received. Myself and one or two others, having some few pence, -determined to start off on the sly, as we were not allowed to move from -our camp ground, and purchase bread at a little village we beheld at the -other side of the river, which we forded unobserved and entered the -village. There, however, the alarm of the people became very great upon -our appearance, and not wishing apparently to have any dealings with us, -they asked an immense price for the bread. Irritated at this conduct, -and urged by hunger, every man seized a loaf and threw down the usual -price in the country. Seeing that we were all totally unarmed, for we -had not even our side-arms, an immediate outcry was raised against us by -the people, and we had to run for safety. This we did, carrying the -loaves with us, until we were overtaken by some of the swift-footed -peasantry, who came up to us with knives and clubs. Our lives being thus -in jeopardy for the dearly-obtained bread, our party instantly had -recourse to stones for defence. “Muerte a los peros Ingleses.” “Kill the -English dogs,” was the general cry of the Spaniards, as they brandished -their long knives. They were evidently about to make a rush in among us, -by which my own personal adventures, and those of my comrades, would, in -all probability, have been finished on the spot, when several men of the -43rd and 52nd regiments, belonging to our division, came running up, -like ourselves, foraging. It was the turn of the Spaniards now to -retreat—which they did in a hurry. - -We had scarcely escaped the attack of the Spaniards and arrived at the -bank of the river, when General Sir Lowry Cole came galloping up to us -with some of the mounted staff, which indeed might be termed the police -of the army. “Hallo! you plundering rascals of the light division—halt!” -was the General’s command, as he pulled up his temple spectacles, which -he generally wore. One only resource was left us, and that was to plunge -into the river, which at that part was very deep, and swim across, -holding the bread in our teeth. This we immediately adopted, when Sir -Lowry, in an agitated tone, that did honour to his heart, called -out—“Come back, men, for God’s sake—you’ll be drowned! Come back, and -I’ll not punish you.” But the General’s fears were needless; we soon -landed on the other side. - -On arriving at our camp we found that the roll had been called over -several times, and that we had been set down “absent without leave;” but -we were lucky enough to escape with a slight reprimand. - -I cannot here forbear making a few remarks with reference to the men who -composed our battalion in the Peninsula. The reader will be apt to -imagine, that those men who were in the habit of foraging after a day’s -march, were but indifferent soldiers. Allow me, with some pretensions to -the name of a veteran, to correct this error, and inform the reader, -that these were the very men whose bravery and daring in the field far -exceeded the merits of their more quiet comrades in quarters. - -Our men, during the war, might be said to have been composed of three -classes. One was zealous and brave to absolute devotion, but who, apart -from their “fighting duties,” considered some little indulgence as a -right; the other class barely did their duty when under the eye of their -superior; while the third, and I am happy to say, by far the smallest in -number, were skulkers and poltroons—their excuse was weakness from want -of rations; they would crawl to the rear, and were seldom seen until -after a battle had been fought, when they might be observed in the ranks -until the Commissary again placed them on short allowance, when off they -started; in this manner they swelled the muster-rolls. - -But the first of these were the men who placed the Duke on his present -pinnacle as one of the great captains of the age. During the whole of -our advance from the frontiers of Portugal, until we entered the -Pyrenees, not more (on the average) than one biscuit per day was served -out to each man—and it consequently could not be expected that a -soldier, weighed down by a heavy knapsack, and from sixty to eighty -rounds of ammunition (such as we Riflemen carried at the time), could -march from twenty to thirty miles a day on so short an allowance. - -It was not unfrequent, therefore, after a day’s march to observe groups -of our regiment, and, indeed, of the division, rooting up the fields -with their swords and bayonets, in search of potatoes, &c., and these -were the men who were able to undergo the fatigue of the next day. - -The French, also, in their hurried retreat stocked themselves with -several days’ provisions in advance; these were hung very temptingly -from their knapsacks,[15] and as it were, in defiance of our hungry -jaws; as a consequence, this gave rise to the well-known remark, or -alternatives of the Light Division: “Damme, boys, if the Commissary -don’t show his front we must either find a potato field, or have a -killing day!” - -Indeed, but for these resources, so dependent on our individual -energies, his Grace, from our being always in front, might have -occasionally found half his Light Division “stiff,” and the other half -tucked under the blankets as “Belem Rangers.” - -On the 18th of June (a very memorable day to our army afterwards) we -passed along the banks of a fine river. Our company, along with but half -a troop of German Hussars, formed the advance. On turning a winding of -the road, we suddenly came within sight of a party of the enemy’s -cavalry who formed the tail of their rear-guard. Our Germans, who were -commanded by a very smart young fellow, immediately charged them. The -French, perceiving the number of our cavalry only equal to their own, -instantly wheeled about and calmly awaited the attack. A very smart -combat soon took place, and was supported by great resolution for some -time on both sides, but terminated in the flight or capture of the -enemy. Several prisoners were brought in, all of whom were badly -wounded; and scarcely one of our gallant Germans had escaped without -some sabre-wound. Another singular circumstance occurred at this -skirmish. One of the German cavalry, as he came in with a prisoner and -his horse, exclaimed in broken English, as he came up to us—“Mine Got! -mine Got! he is mine own broder!” It appeared he had brought in his own -brother prisoner, wounded, who was in the French service. The officers -of both parties had been killed in the preceding charge; and Lord -Wellington, who came up at the time, was so pleased with our cavalry, -that he promised the sergeant a commission, which a few days after, I -was told, he obtained. - -The whole of our battalion, which soon came up, was ordered to push -forward. We found the French rear-guard in possession of a little town -called San Milan, in front of which they had drawn themselves up, -apparently with the intention of defending. As we continued to advance -in extended order, they changed their minds and turned tail. This day I -noticed a novel system many of the enemy had adopted, of firing their -muskets over their shoulders in their retreat, without turning round to -face us. This resulted, in all probability, from the excessive heat and -fatigue they had endured. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - -We encamp near Puebla, on the road to Vittoria—Battle of Vittoria—A man - obliged to hold his jaw—Affair of Bayonets—The 88th—Blanco—Daly—French - defeated—A prisoner rescued—The carriage of Joseph Napoleon—His wife, - &c.—His bâton—A prize—Attempt to rob me—Sergeant Lee—Night scenes - after the battle—The sale of the spoils—I distribute my money for - safety—We march on Salvatierra—Halt at Pampeluna—Another brush - wanted—Lesaca—The enemy on the heights of Santa Barbara dislodged—The - French attempt to relieve Pampeluna—The Bidassoa—The French too late - for the “fare”—We also—A race back by way of “hurry”—The Regiment’s - birth-day—Sergeant Fawfoot’s loss and re-instalment—My treasure—My - comrade—His good faith—Siege and storm of San Sebastian—The four - hundred gallant Frenchmen—Their charge and escape—The 52nd and their - badges—Remarks, &c. - - -ON the 20th we remained encamped near Puebla, a town within ten or -twelve miles of Vittoria. On the following morning we fell in rather -earlier than usual, when a general rumour among the ranks augured we -should have a busy day. We were, indeed, on the eve of the memorable -battle of Vittoria. We marched along the left of the high road towards -the previously mentioned city, leaving Puebla a little to the right. Our -battalion, as the advanced-guard, preceded by the remainder of the -division until we came in sight of the enemy on the other side of the -river Zadora. We commenced a smart brush with their voltigeurs, who -slowly retreated, and took up a position in the rear of some rocks, from -whence their fire swept a bridge in our immediate front. While thus -occupied in skirmishing, we heard a loud cheering on our left, where we -beheld the third division charge over a bridge much lower down the -stream. Fired by the sight, we instantly dashed over the bridge before -us in the face of a galling discharge from the enemy. We then drove them -from the rocks, and in our turn had to sustain a heavy fire from several -guns mounted upon a hill that commanded our position. The rocks were -splintered round us in every direction from this fire, and many of our -men were killed or wounded by shot or fragments of stone. - -We were soon joined by the remainder of our division, and pushed forward -up a hill, from the summit of which we could clearly discern the city of -Vittoria. By this time the action had become pretty hot and general with -the other divisions, as well as our own. The chief scene of conflict was -on an extended plain within a mile or two of the city on the left. -Continuing to advance, we arrived near a small village on the main road, -from which we were annoyed by a furious fire, until, rushing in, we -drove them out, and captured a howitzer in the market-place, the first -that was taken. We were doomed however, to have it but a short time in -our possession, as a whole regiment of the enemy came charging upon us, -and our force, consisting of only two companies, had to retreat with -precipitation, when, turning round, however, we beheld our favourite -third division coming double quick down the main road to our -assistance—with Picton, who was never absent in time of need, at their -head. - -After retiring for about a hundred yards, this sight encouraged us, and -we were at them again. While thus engaged, a grape or round-shot struck -my pouch with such violence that I was hurled by the force a distance of -several yards. From the sudden shock I thus experienced, I imagined -myself mortally wounded; but, on being picked up, I found the only -damage I had sustained was the partial destruction of my pouch, which -was nearly torn off. - -A man of the name of Hudson, who was one of the pardoned deserters at -Rodrigo, while running to my assistance as I afterwards learned, was -struck by a bullet in his mouth, which knocked out several of his teeth, -and came out at the back of the ear. From this wound, severe as it was, -he however recovered. - -Placing some of the ammunition in my haversack and the remainder in my -cap, we were at them again, and recaptured the howitzer in the village, -by the assistance of part of the third division. - -Still pursuing them, the chief part of my company kept on the right of -the main road. In all my military life, this sight surpassed anything I -ever saw: the two armies hammering at each other, yet apparently with -all the coolness of field-day exercise—so beautifully were they brought -into action. - -At this moment I noticed a regiment, which by its yellow facings I think -was the 88th or Connaught Rangers, marching in close column of companies -to attack a French regiment which was drawn up in line on the verge of a -hill with a small village in its rear. - -The 88th, although at the time under a heavy cannonade from the enemy’s -artillery, continued advancing gallantly onwards, which, we skirmishers -perceiving, took ground to the left close to the road, in order to -enable them to oppose this line in front. - -Though hotly engaged at the time, I determined to watch their movements. -The 88th next deployed into line, advancing all the time towards their -opponents, who seemed to wait very coolly for them. When they had -approached to within three or four hundred yards, the French poured in a -volley or I should say a running fire from right to left. As soon as the -British regiment had recovered the first shock, and closed their files -on the gap it had made, they commenced advancing at double time until -within fifty yards nearer to the enemy, when they halted and in turn -gave a running fire from their whole line, and without a moment’s pause -cheered and charged up the hill against them. The French meanwhile were -attempting to reload. But being hard pressed by the British, who allowed -them no time to give a second volley, came immediately to the right -about, making the best of their way to the village.[16] - -As I have before observed, we had several Spaniards in our regiment. -These men were generally brave; but one in particular, named Blanco, was -one of the most skilful and daring skirmishers we had in the battalion. -His great courage, however, was sullied by a love of cruelty towards the -French whom he detested, and never named but with the most ferocious -expressions. In every affair we had since the advance from Portugal, he -was always in the front; and the only wonder is how he managed to escape -the enemy’s shot, but his singular activity and intelligence frequently -saved him. His hatred to the French was, I believe, occasioned by his -father and brother, who were peasants, having been murdered by a French -foraging party. On this day he gave many awful proofs of this feeling by -mercilessly stabbing and mangling the wounded French he came up to. In -this massacre he was, however, stopped by a veteran of our regiment, -who, although suffering from a severe wound in the face, was so -exasperated at the Spaniard’s cruelty, that he knocked him down with a -blow from the butt of his rifle. It was only by force we could prevent -the Spaniard from stabbing him on the spot. - -I now observed the Duke come riding up with some of his staff; and, -seeing the confusion the enemy were in, cried out to one of his -aides-de-camp, “Send up a few of Ross’s guns; here is work for them:” -saying to us at the same time, “That’s right, my lads; keep up a good -fire,” as he galloped in our rear to the right. In an instant up came -Ross’s guns, and commenced peppering them at the distance of not more -than three hundred yards. Here the whole seemed blocked together in a -mass, while we stuck to them like leeches. - -When we arrived close to the barriers of Vittoria, we found them blocked -up by a great portion of the French waggons, bearing the _matériel_ of -their army. After passing the gates, we were still engaged through the -town skirmishing with their rear-guard; but, notwithstanding the -street-firing, many of the inhabitants threw open their windows, and, -appearing at their balconies, welcomed us with _vivas_, while the -ladies, according to the established mode threw flowers into the streets -on us, as we passed along. - -In following up the enemy, a few other men and myself had left the -company a little in the rear. While going through the square I was -fortunate enough to save the life of a French soldier who had been -wounded. He was endeavouring, poor fellow! to follow in the route of the -French, when observing me coming up, he dropped his musket, with which -he had been assisting himself, and intimated that he surrendered; a -Spanish vagabond, however, observing him, brandished a club, evidently -intending to give the Frenchman the “_coup de grace_,” when he was -knocked down. The poor Frenchman expressed his gratitude, but we were -obliged to leave him, probably after all to the same fate he had just -been rescued from, unless he fell into the hands of our troops who were -coming up at the time. - -A few minutes after this, some of the 10th Hussars and a party of the -Life Guards came dashing through the town, sword in hand, shouting as if -they had taken it by storm. - -When I had passed the gates, and forced my way through the immense -quantity of baggage that blocked up the further end of the town, and -through which the cavalry could scarcely pass, I beheld a French mounted -officer, sword in hand, escorting a carriage and four out of the town. -My comrade and myself immediately fired, when the officer fell. At the -same moment the carriage stopped. On rushing up to the vehicle we -perceived it contained two ladies, evidently of high rank. They seemed -much alarmed as the balls kept whisking round them from both sides. We -desired them not to entertain any fears for their safety, as we would -not harm them. While thus engaged an officer of the 10th Hussars came -galloping up, flourishing his sword over his head. Not knowing his -uniform at first, I cocked my rifle, upon which he exclaimed “I am an -English officer, Sir.” Hearing this, I stepped on one side of the -carriage, but in withdrawing I observed a small but exceedingly heavy -portmanteau that was carried by a Spanish muleteer in the French -service. He was in the act of conveying it towards the town, and as I -thought I contributed more towards its capture, I made him lay it -down—not, indeed, before I was compelled to give him a few whacks of my -rifle in the ribs. My comrades had gone in another direction, so that I -had no one to claim a portion of my booty, which on inspection I found -to consist of several small bags filled with gold and silver in -doubloons and dollars. Although I never knew exactly the amount, I -should think it not less than £1000. I afterwards learnt that the lady -in the carriage was no other than the Queen of Spain, the wife of Joseph -Bonaparte.[17] The officer of hussars, I also heard, obtained possession -of the _bâton_ of Joseph[18] himself from the same carriage. - -My chief anxiety now was how to secure my prize; and, when all who had -an opportunity were employed in reaping some personal advantages from -our victory, I determined not to be backward, but this was a difficult -thing to accomplish. As I could not well carry the portmanteau from its -weight, I soon found means, taking one of the many mules that were -blocking up the road to bear the valuable load; but being at a loss how -to fasten the portmanteau, I resorted for aid to a sergeant and two men -of the 10th Hussars, who were passing. For this service I, perhaps, -incautiously rewarded them too liberally, by giving them several -handfuls of dollars. In doing this they got a glimpse of the gold, half -of which they demanded. Perceiving the probability of being thus -deprived of the only prize I had made after years of hardship and -suffering—and particularly by those new-comers, as this regiment had -newly joined from England, made it still worse—I inwardly resolved to -forfeit it but with my life. So catching up my loaded rifle, which I had -leant against a gun-carriage, I instantly cocked, and, retiring three or -four paces, brought it to my shoulder, swearing I would shoot the first -man dead that placed his hands upon my treasure. My determined air, and -the ferocity of my appearance—my face being completely covered with -perspiration and gunpowder—induced them to pause, and finally to desist. -Taking the sergeant’s word not to attempt molesting me, with his -assistance I completed the strapping of my treasure, and departed for -the camp.[19] - -I had not proceeded far with the intention of gaining the battalion, -when I observed the Duke of Wellington forcing his way, with some of his -staff, through gun-carriages and waggons into Vittoria. To my great -relief, however, he took no notice of myself and mule. In fact, his -Grace was too much occupied in securing the brilliant results of our -victory in the capture of the entire _matériel_ of the French army which -fell into our hands. - -Almost all our men at this time, I must remark, to use a phrase much in -vogue among us, were endeavouring to see what they could _make_—in other -words _take_. I reached our camp, however, in safety. - -This night we encamped amidst the wreck of the French army, every man -bringing into his camp ground whatever he fancied—for the unfortunate -enemy were compelled to leave everything behind them, even to their -women and children—so that, if our fellows were inclined to be honest, -their good fortune would not allow them. The ground occupied by our -regiment was near a small village, a little off the main road that leads -to Pampeluna. - -As soon as our fires were lighted, the men, who had been under arms from -three o’clock in the morning until eleven at night, and consequently had -not tasted food for the whole of the day, began to fill their hungry -maws from the luxuries of the French camp. Roast fowls, hams, mutton, -&c. were in abundance, and at midnight the wine and brandy went round in -horn tots which we generally carried about us. The men mostly lay -stretched on the ground, their feet towards the fires, and elbows -resting on their knapsacks; as soon as the grog began to rouse up their -spirits from the effects of the day’s fatigue, each one commenced -inquiries about their absent comrades, for Riflemen in action being -always extended, seldom know who falls until the affray is over. - -“Blood an ounds,” said Dan Kelly, bouncing up from his reclining -posture; “don’t drink all the wine, boys, until we hear something about -our absent messmates. Does any of you know where Jack Connor is?” - -“He was shot through the body, when we took the first gun in the little -village near the main road,” was the reply. - -“Where is Will John,” asked Bob Roberts, with a sudden glance of -suspense. - -“The ball passed through his head,” said another, “I saw poor Will -fall.” - -“Musha, boys! is there any hope of poor Jemmy Copely getting over his -wounds?” said Tom Tracy, earnestly, lifting his head from his knapsack. - -“Poor Copely!” replied another; “both his legs were knocked off by a -round shot.” - -Tracy laid his head on his kit again, and was silent. Here each man gave -a short account of his fallen comrade. - -“Why, by Jasus!” exclaimed Tracy, who had been eagerly listening all the -while, “by Jasus, they have kilt half our mess. But never mind, boys, -fill a tot, fill a tot, and may I be d——d but here’s luck:” he placed -the wine to his mouth, but took it away untasted, and laid it on the -ground. “Poor Jemmy Copely! poor Jemmy! they had drilled him well with -balls before, damn them, now they have finished him. The best comrade I -ever had, or ever will have.” - -The last part of the sentence was uttered in a broken accent as he wiped -his eye, then commenced filling a wooden pipe, the bowl made from a -tailor’s thimble, his head stooping all the while as if to hide the -large drops that unconsciously rolled over his nose; a short pause took -place among the group until Tracy, recovering himself a little, took up -the tot of wine and drank it off, and, jumping up at the same moment, -with a loud voice, he called out to all, “Hear me, boys, hear me! hear -what I am going to say.” A deep silence followed. He knelt on his -knapsack, his hands squeezed together in the attitude of prayer. “May -the Lord God,” ejaculated Tracy, “grant that those fellows in yonder -camp remain where they are until we have the pleasure of thrashing them -for the gap they have this day made in our mess.” - -“Amen! amen!” responded a dozen voices, with an emphasis that would have -done credit to a clerk in a country church, and I am certain with a -better inclination for the desired object. - -Tracy laid himself at his length once more, and after recapitulating -their different losses, and the good qualities of their fallen comrades, -but taking care not to mention any of their bad ones, every man -gradually relaxed into a sleep, from which nothing could arouse him, -save the sound of the bugles, or the hard cracking of the rifle, which -ever brings the soldier on his legs again, ready to advance or retreat, -or as the night closed over the column, to lament or be lamented, as one -of the fallen or absent messmates. - -Those unacquainted with a camp-fire, after a hard-fought battle, can -have little idea of its true sublimity, while leaning on my rifle, -surveying the scene at this dead hour of night; it impressed me with -more awe than any that I had before witnessed. Here I stood, as it were, -a solitary sentinel in the midst of twenty thousand men, yet so silent, -you might have thought yourself secreted within the walls of a cloister; -while, by the moon, now and then hiding itself behind a cloud, might be -observed the faint light of the French out-post fires that occasionally -caught the eye like meteors. Again emerging from her mantle, by her -clear light might here and there be seen the dead bodies of French -soldiers, not yet interred, ever distinguished by their large red -shoulder-knots. Turning the eye to my comrades, whose happy repose I -envied, might be seen blood oozing from the furrow made by a French -bullet, while the perforated cap lay beside its owner. How sweet is the -soldier sleep when such repose is earned by the fatigue of eighteen -hours hard fighting. That gave each man a double relish for repose, -knowing it was his own courage gained the spot of ground on which he -laid. The crackling of the fires soon ceased for want of fuel, and -nothing remained but the embers; the whole camp was as still as the -grave; nothing to disturb the soldiers’ repose, but the casual braying -of the donkeys, that answered each other from camp to camp, and -gradually died away in the echo of the distant woods. - -I quietly walked round the fires to see that none of the men’s pouches -were near it; but, no—there was each man with his rifle loaded, and -leaning on his arm, close to his breast, hugged with all the affection a -fond lover would press to his bosom the girl of his heart—this was our -usual custom, as riflemen seldom pile arms; yet with all, I never knew -an accident to occur by the rifles going off. - -The next morning the sale of the spoils, which fell into our hands, took -place in the village, near the camp-ground, where our battalion lay. The -Spaniards were in general the purchasers, and property late belonging to -the French, such as uniforms, horses, camp-equipage, &c., was sold in -abundance at about one-tenth of its value. Mules worth thirty or forty -dollars brought on an average three. As I had no means of conveyance for -the spoil I had obtained, I set about depositing it where I thought it -would be safe: three hundred pounds I intrusted to our quarter-master, -and several sums to other officers of the battalion, distributing nearly -the remainder of the silver, to the amount, I suppose, of about one -hundred pounds, among the men of my own squad, who undertook to carry it -for me; very little of the latter, however, I ever received back. But -after all money, as may be imagined, was of very little use during some -of the hardships we afterwards endured, when I state, that I frequently -offered a doubloon for a single glass of rum, and was not always able to -obtain it. - -About twelve o’clock we marched in pursuit of the enemy through the town -of Salvatierra, many of our men gibing me for my wealth, saying, among -other agreeable things, that if I fell they would take care of my -knapsack for me. To tell the truth, I was not now over anxious to go -much to the front, as I began to look upon my life as of some value. - -On our second day’s march we came up with the rear-guard of the enemy, -who made a stand in the road, assisted by the only gun they had carried -from Vittoria. The first shot fired from this piece took off the arm of -one of our corporals at the socket. But on our dashing at them they soon -abandoned their gun, which we took, making the first and last piece of -ordnance we had captured from them on this retreat. - -We halted a couple of days in a small village opposite Pampeluna; and, -as I considered that our fellows had contributed towards my greatness in -money matters, I could do no less than treat them to a dinner; but -unfortunately, the place afforded no other luxuries than bacon, eggs, -and wine, for which the inhabitants took care to charge treble: I paid -ten doubloons for three flitches of bacon, and three pig-skins of wine. -This we enjoyed within the walls of a house that the French had burnt -the roof off on their retreat. There were some excellent toasts given, -such as—“May we have another brush with them before they get to Paris,” -&c. &c. - -As nothing of any interest to the reader occurred for some time, I shall -merely say, that we continued in pursuit of one division of the French -army night and day. During this period the fatigue we underwent was -almost incredible, nor could we have supported it but for the excellent -wine with which that part of the country then abounded, and which we all -had plenty of money to purchase. After continuing these harassing -marches for several days, we at length chased them into France. We next -retraced our steps in some degree to Pampeluna, in the suburbs of which -city we remained a few days, and from thence we again advanced in the -direction of the Pyrenees, and took up our quarters at the pretty little -town of San Estevan; here we halted some days also. Our next march was -to Lesaca. The enemy had possession of the heights of Santa Barbara, -from whence we dislodged them after some hard fighting. We remained upon -these mountains for several days, but the enemy making an endeavour to -relieve Pampeluna which some of our troops were then besieging, a part -of our division were ordered to cross the Bidassoa to frustrate this -attempt. This could only be done by a forced march at night. We were -obliged to have torches and lighted straw to enable us to find our way -over the mountains, which were in most places rugged and precipitous, -and even without the semblance of a path. The fatigue incident to that -night-march, I think I may say, was greater than any of the men of our -battalions had before endured; and after all, you could fire a -rifle-ball to where we started from. - -Accidents were numerous, many of our men had severe falls, and numbers -of rifles were broken. But all our hurry was of no avail, as the enemy -had been already frustrated in throwing supplies into Pampeluna. We had -again the agreeable task of retracing our steps, with the same hurry we -had advanced. By this addition to the fatigue we had previously endured, -we lost many of our men who were unable to endure it. There was a sort -of rivalry between the regiments of our division who should hold out the -longest, urged by this feeling many continued marching until they fell -and expired by the road-side. I myself, on the second day fainted; but, -on having my stock taken off, recovered sufficiently to stagger on and -finish the march. - -Descending from the mountains we pursued our march till we came to the -bridge that crosses the Bidassoa, where we beheld the French moving -along on the other side of the river. The poor fellows, like ourselves, -seemed dreadfully harassed. Part of our battalion commenced firing upon -them across the river, every shot telling as they retreated. To the -honour of the British soldiers, however, I am happy to say, that many of -our men knowing the sufferings of the French from what they had -themselves endured, declined firing, while they called out to the others -to spare them, as it was little better than murder. We remained encamped -here this night, and the next morning marched back to the heights of -Santa Barbara. - -As soon as we had arrived on the hill, and were anticipating a little -rest, the assembly sounded, and we were ordered to drive the enemy from -a high mountain which they occupied on our right. This was a heavy task -at the time; but to it we went, and in extended order mounted the hill, -on the summit of which the enemy were clustered as thick as bees on a -hive. After some very hard fighting we carried their position, but not -before we had lost many men. While engaged I lost a friend to whom I was -much attached, a sergeant named Kelly. He had just invited me to take a -draught of wine out of his canteen, and was in the act of handing it to -me, when he received a shot through the right temple that came out at -the eye. I never before saw a man die so hard. He writhed about, poor -fellow, in the greatest agony, without it being in my power to afford -him the slightest relief. Some of our men raising a shout that the enemy -were flying, I was obliged to leave him for a time. On my return I found -him quite dead. This was a bad day’s work. Another regiment was left in -charge of the hill, and we returned to our camp ground by the -river-side. - -On the 25th of August, it being the anniversary on which the regiment -was raised, called among us “The Regiment’s Birth-day,” a general -jollity was kept up throughout the regiment. On this occasion I have -often reflected with pleasure on having assisted in saving a gallant -soldier from the consequences of a pecuniary loss he had sustained, and -which might have embittered the remainder of his life. I allude to a -pay-sergeant of one of the companies of our battalion, who, getting -rather tipsy, was robbed while in that state of £31 belonging to his -company—the first money, indeed, that had ever been intrusted to his -hands, having only just been appointed pay-sergeant. The circumstance -had so strong an effect upon him, that on waking me up the following -morning and acquainting me with his loss, he stated to me his -determination of deserting, as his credit would be for ever destroyed in -the regiment, and he could not endure remaining with the battalion -afterwards. Having money by me, I felt much pleasure in arresting the -despair that seemed to take possession of the mind of a gallant soldier, -and one whom I much esteemed: I enabled him to make up his losses. Some -time after, this very sergeant obtained a commission in the second -battalion of our regiment: this was the late Quarter-master Robert -Fairfoot. - -Having by me still a very considerable sum, the remnant of my prize at -Vittoria, I was naturally apprehensive respecting its safety, -particularly as I had no place to keep it but in my knapsack, which I -could not always carry about with me. - -I was consequently obliged to intrust my treasure to the care of a -comrade of the name of Bandle, who, true to his charge, never gave me -reason to repent my confidence. Many were the stratagems resorted to, to -persuade Bandle to relinquish his guard. Sometimes he would be suddenly -warned for duty by the non-commissioned officers, as these last assured -me “for fun” only, in hopes he would leave it behind him; but Bandle was -always awake, and on these occasions would take my knapsack on his back -and leave his own. He was wakeful as a weasel, and faithful as the dog, -for both of which qualities I took good care not to be ungrateful. - -San Sebastian was now closely invested by the British, and eventually, -the breaches being considered practicable, preparations were made for -the assault. Volunteers accordingly were required from our regiment. The -duty was so “attractive” that although two only were to be selected out -of each company, six stepped forward from ours. This brought on a -controversy, and lots were drawn according to regulation, and decided in -favour of two, named Royston and Ryan. - -The reader may judge of the value attached to this service, when I tell -him that the offer of £20 was made and refused for the exchange, thus -illustrating the truth of the great dramatist, - - “He that is truly delicate to war - Hath no self-love; nor he, that loves himself, - Hath not essentially, but by circumstance, - The name of valour.” - -The next day the town was to be attacked. Our men were all on the fidget -to know the result, and every tree and hillock within sight or hearing -of the scene was taken possession of. - -At about twelve o’clock, A. M., the breaches were assaulted, and the -place carried after a severe contest. - -Three or four hundred French, unable from the great rains to ford the -Bidassoa, charged fiercely upon one of our companies, and another of the -second battalion, then posted at the bridge of Vera. After a sanguinary -struggle they effected their purpose, and escaped. They were the remnant -of the French troops that had forded the river in the morning, and whom -our Spanish force distinguished themselves in repulsing. After this we -remained quiet for several days in our camp ground. - -It was about this time that those men of the 52nd, who were fortunate -enough to have survived the “forlorn-hope” of Rodrigo and Badajoz, were -distinguished with a badge of laurel on the right arm. It was given by -their commanding officer as a testimonial of their gallant conduct, -which was expressed by the two letters V. S. or “valiant stormer” placed -beneath the wreath. Why the men of our battalion and those of the 43rd, -who had equally distinguished themselves on those occasions were not -similarly honoured, I know not. - -For my own part, all I ever received in the way of reward, for my -services as a stormer, was the sum of six dollars. This was after the -taking of Badajoz. In the French service, those men who volunteered in -the ranks of “Les enfants perdus” were always first in the list for -commissions, and were distinguished also by a cross of the Legion of -Honour, which was so respected amongst their countrymen, that even their -comrades were always obliged to salute him who wore it. How must the -heart of those thus distinguished beat at the possession of such a mark. -How different is the case of the British soldier! This “hope” in his -country remains unnoticed, and he quits its service “equally forlorn” -for obscurity without distinction, save that which points him out with -his empty sleeves, or wooden stump limping his way to Chelsea. Some, -perhaps, may argue that an improvement took place at Waterloo. That may -be, if we allude to those, who on that occasion, performed their first -and last military feat, and came away unscathed. How “pleasant” then -must it be to the old Peninsulars, whose battles fought and won -outnumber perhaps the men of their company, to see whole squads of -Waterloos strutting about with medals dangling on jackets which, as -their first and last, had scarcely been on long enough to collect the -dust of a “donkey’s trot.” - -In this camp an order also arrived from the Horse Guards for the -appointment of a colour-sergeant in each company, to be considered as -senior or sergeant-major with an extra sixpence per day. As no badges -(the cross swords) had arrived from England, the deficiency was supplied -by our master-tailor, who formed an imitation with coloured silks worked -on the arms of the men appointed. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - -We encamp on the banks of the Bidassoa—Scenes on the water-edge—A narrow - escape with a lady in question, “Ah, there’s the rub”—Tom Crawley and - the biscuits—Our third battalion carry the heights of Vera—The French - camp, “the last of the French”—The Pyrenees—The mountain father—Up - hill and down dale—The battle of the Nivelle—Manly and Spanish - affection—Blanco again—His gallantry—Tom Crawley—A hug from a granny - dear—The last struggle—Crawley’s departure—A tear for Tom—A reel—St. - Jean de Luz—The French endeavour to make a stand—Colonel Sir Andrew - Barnard wounded—Death messengers fly fast. - - -WE remained encamped, for several weeks, close to the river Bidassoa, -Lesaca in our rear, and Vera in our front. We used to amuse ourselves -while here, bathing. This river which divides the French and Spanish -territories, we were on the eve of crossing to go into France. It was -heart-stirring to witness our men, as it were, unconsciously exposing to -liberated Spain the evidence of the dangers they had endured for her -liberation, stripped on its banks, and prepared to dash into the clear -water, the perforated and wounded exteriors of the Rifles proved what -they had seen and suffered. But the veterans, not thinking thus, -generally amused themselves on these occasions by remarking and jesting -to each other on the peculiar situation of the different bullet holes, -and the direction the shot had taken in passing through them. - -One day I remember nearly losing my life by my own folly. It was as -follows:—We had a very handsome little Spanish girl attached to one of -our sergeants, named Dillon: she by some means got to the other side of -the river, which was generally occupied by the enemy, crying bitterly, -and begging of the men, that were on our side, to get her over, as she -was afraid to go to a bridge lower down lest she should be taken by the -French. Having a respect for her, I instantly stripped off all except my -trowsers, and swam across—for here the river was not wide but deep—and, -without a moment’s hesitation, placed pretty Louisa, for so she was -called, on my back, with the intention, as I thought, of bringing her to -our side. Placing her arms round my neck, I waded as far as I was able, -and then commenced swimming; but I no sooner got into the deep water -than she squeezed me so tight round the neck that I lost all power, -although a good swimmer, and down I went. At first our fellows thought I -was playing tricks; but on rising and bellowing out for assistance, they -became alarmed, for she stuck to me all the time like a leech. Several -of the men upon seeing me go down a second time, stripped and jumped in -to my assistance; one of the name of Kelly, of my own company, diving -down, for the place was twelve feet deep, seized her by her long hair, -and brought both to the surface of the water; and, by the assistance of -the rest, dragged us to land insensible. When I came to myself, I found -our head surgeon, Dr. Burke, with some of our fellows, rubbing me to -life again; and, with the assistance of a little brandy they had poured -down our throats, both recovered. For myself, I was able to walk to my -tent in the course of some time: but not so with the pretty Louisa, as -she was kept wrapped in blankets the whole day. Poor thing! she remained -with the regiment while in Spain, and afterwards followed us to England; -but what ultimately became of her, I know not. - -Here my old friend, Tom Crawley, got the whole of our regiment out of a -precious scrape. It was as follows:—Our division was served out with -linen bags, made exactly to fit across our knapsacks, and, at the same -time, three days’ biscuit (3 lbs.) in each bag. This biscuit was to be -kept strapped on the top of each man’s knapsack, well tied, with brigade -orders for no man to taste a morsel of it, unless given out in written -orders to that effect, as our brigadier expected we should be on short -commons while on the Pyrenees, and this was to be, in case of scarcity, -our last resource. These bags were examined regularly every morning by -officers commanding companies, but, while seen strapped snugly on the -knapsacks, were considered by them all right. However, our fellows, who -were never at a loss for a subterfuge, devised the following plan to -evade the officers’ vigilance: they eat their biscuits except one whole -one, which they kept at top to be seen, and in their place substituted -chips. This passed on very well for some time, as the sight of the top -biscuit satisfied the officers, until one day Captain Johnson of our -regiment took it into his head to see his company’s biscuit shaken out, -and whilst on private parade ordered them to untie their bags to see -their biscuit. The first man on the right of his company was the -unfortunate Tom Crawley. - -“Untie your bag, Crawley,” says the Captain. Tom instantly did as he was -ordered, and showed the Captain a very good-looking biscuit a-top. - -“Shake the whole out,” said the Captain, “until I see if they are -getting mouldy.” - -“Oh, faith, there is no fear of that,” said the astonished Crawley, -looking the Captain hard in the face, at the same time casting a woeful -eye on his bag. However, the Captain was not to be baulked, and taking -the bag by both ends, emptied out its contents, which turned out to be -nothing more nor less than a few dry chips. Poor Tom, as upright as a -dart, stood scratching his head, with a countenance that would make a -saint laugh. - -“What have you done with your biscuit? have you eaten it, Sir?” said the -Captain. Tom, motionless, made no answer. “Do you know it is against -orders?” - -“To be sure I do,” says Tom; “but, for God’s sake, Sir, do you take me -for a South American jackass, that carries gold and eats straw?”[20] -This answer not only set the Captain, but the whole company, in roars of -laughter. On further inspection, the Captain found his whole company, -indeed the regiment, had adopted the same plan. Through this our bags -were taken away, and we relieved from carrying chips. - -About the beginning of October we had an opportunity of witnessing the -gallantry of our third battalion. Although they had not seen our service -in the country, yet on this occasion they showed themselves “old hands,” -and worthy of their green jackets. They had to dislodge the enemy, then -holding possession of a high hill behind Vera. This they did in most -excellent style, in the sight of our division and the fourth. Our -battalion was not suffered to remain idle, and we soon joined in pursuit -of the enemy, who took refuge in the valleys of France. On taking -possession of their camp ground we found a whole range of huts, -constructed in the most ingenious manner, of turf and stone. One of our -men came in for rather a novel prize: this was a large monkey, which we -kept in the regiment for some time. One strange antipathy this animal -was remarkable for, was his utter dislike to the sight of a woman. - -On the morning of the 9th, the day after the preceding skirmish of Vera -heights, we took ground considerably to the right, marching along the -summit of the Pyrenees until we came to a very high hill, on the top of -which stood the remains of an ancient castle. Our men styled the hill -the “father of the Pyrenees,” as it was by far the highest mountain we -had ever seen, and was called La Rhune by the French, who had possession -of it. On our arrival we had the satisfaction of compelling them, after -a smart skirmish, to evacuate their lofty tenement. Of the difficulty of -this enterprize some notion may be entertained when it is known that our -men had, in most instances, to crawl up the mountain on their hands and -knees, in consequence of its steepness. The French, fortunately for -them, had a less precipitous side to retreat down, or they must all have -been destroyed. - -My curiosity, after this, led me to explore the old building, in company -with one or two comrades. It was originally the ruin of a very strong -fortress or castle, in which, I subsequently heard, the Spaniards used -formerly to keep state prisoners. After searching about for some time we -discovered a narrow pathway that conducted us to a cellar or cavern, -which, to our surprise, we found tenanted by an old gentleman with a -venerable beard, and who received us very courteously. He seemed a -hermit from his appearance, but how he managed to maintain his residence -against the dominion of eagles, vultures, and owls, as well as the -occasional jar of contending parties, was a wonder he did not condescend -to explain. The only gift we could obtain was a little spring water, -which, after our scramble, was refreshing. The splendid view from our -elevated position, however, made ample amends for our work. - -Our battalion at this time was stationed about a mile below La Rhune, -and greatly exposed to the storms of wind and rain that we experienced -at this period, together with scarcity of provisions. Few of the country -people visited us, so that even those in possession of money found -little or no benefit from it. Meanwhile the French army, who were -encamped about three-quarters of a mile in our front, we had reason to -believe, were more fortunate, as they were plentifully supplied with -provisions. Occasionally, too, some of our officers were visited by a -supply that was smuggled past the French lines. - -A general attack upon the enemy was now daily expected, as Lord -Wellington with his staff had been observed inspecting the enemy’s -position with more than ordinary care for the last two or three -mornings. On the 9th of November every disposition having been made for -attack, the following morning ushered in the battle of the Nivelle. The -company I belonged to being this night on picquet, we had orders on the -first dawn of light to attack and drive in the enemy’s picquet opposed -to us; and as we were preparing for the task, to our surprise we beheld -the whole of our division about a hundred yards in our rear waiting to -support us. As soon as our attack commenced we could hear the alarm -given by at least a hundred drums and bugles; and as the light dawned -more clearly, we could see the French columns all in motion. The -remainder of our battalion and division coming up, we were soon hotly -engaged, a valley only partially separating us from the main body of the -enemy. - -After we had routed them from their first line, and were getting close -to their second, an incident occurred that fell under my observation, -and I may say, of the greater part of our company. There was a man of -the name of Mauley, a shoemaker, who fell shot through the head. This -man, nearly the whole time we had been in Spain, lived with a Spanish -woman, who was tenderly attached to him. She always got as near to her -lover as possible during action, generally on a donkey. On this occasion -some of our wounded men passing, informed her Mauley was killed. The -poor girl was almost distracted; leaving her donkey and stores behind -her (for she acted in some degree as one of the suttlers to our -regiment), she rushed down to the spot where Mauley had fallen. We were -then in the thick of the fight, and our only safety was cover, as the -balls came as thick as hail, so that every moment I expected to see the -poor woman shot. She, however, seemed callous to every danger: throwing -herself on the blood-stained body of her lover, she commenced giving way -to the most appalling ebullition of grief, tearing her hair and wringing -her hands. - -The gallantry of Blanco, the revengeful Spaniard, whom I have previously -mentioned at Vittoria, was conspicuous on this occasion. He had been an -intimate friend of Mauley. Seeing the danger his countrywoman was -exposed to, he rushed boldly from his cover, and placing himself in -front of her, continued loading and firing at the enemy, loudly swearing -all the time such oaths only as a Spaniard can do justice to. -Notwithstanding the real horrors of the scene, it was impossible to -resist the impulse of laughter at the fierce grimaces and oaths of -Blanco, who escaped as it were almost by a miracle. - -A part of our division at this time were endeavouring to enter the -French lines on our right. But the enemy seemed determined to defend -their huts, which they had doubtless been at considerable trouble to -construct, and the action there was close and sanguinary; part of our -battalion taking them on the right flank, they were eventually obliged -to yield. As soon as we had arrived at the huts, which they had arranged -in most excellent order, and from which they had reluctantly been -compelled to retreat, in passing along a row of them I heard a scuffle -going on in one, and on entering it I beheld a huge French grenadier, -with red wings, and my old acquaintance Tom Crawley struggling together -on the ground. The Frenchman had been surprised, but was getting the -better of Tom, when my appearance at once determined the matter, and the -grenadier surrendered. - -It appeared from what I could make out that the Frenchman in his hasty -retreat from the hut had forgotten some of his needfuls, and on his -return for them, was met at the doorway by Tom, who, according to his -old custom, was preparing to explore its interior. Crawley was -immediately attacked by the grenadier with fixed bayonet. Poor Tom, in -his attempt to parry off a thrust, received the blade through his right -hand, and bled profusely. We did not kill the Frenchman but left him to -the mercy of the Caçadores, who were following close behind us. Tom went -to the rear, and I never saw him afterwards, nor can I say I have since -heard of him. Many an anxious inquiry was made, many an old scene was -revived, and passed current amongst us, and Tom Crawley will live in our -recollections as long as we can enjoy the good company of a comrade. - -The enemy, although retreating, did so in an orderly manner, keeping up -a tolerably brisk fire. I had no sooner regained the line of skirmishers -than I received a severe hit just about the centre of my waist, that -nearly knocked me down, and for the moment I imagined myself mortally -wounded through the body; however, on my examining, I found myself only -slightly bruised. A ball had actually stuck in the serpent[21] of my -waistbelt, from whence it was afterwards taken out with difficulty. - -After I had recovered from the shock, I joined in the pursuit of the -enemy, who once or twice attempted to make a stand, but we were close at -their heels, so they thought it better to pursue their way at an -accelerated pace, covered, however, by some battalions of light troops, -who displayed considerable coolness. The French descended the heights, -at the foot of which stands the pretty little town of St. Jean de Luz, -with its white houses. Our battalion was hotly following, engaged in -sharp skirmishing, when our gallant Colonel, Sir Andrew Barnard, who was -very conspicuous during the day, on a brown long-tailed horse, received -a shot in the breast. On running up to him, which I did with several -other men, we perceived him spit blood, but he would not dismount. One -of our buglers supported him on his horse, while another led it to the -rear. - -Immediately after this occurrence, my attention was attracted by seeing -the 52nd regiment charge up the side of a hill on our right, and take a -fort. Shots are very strange things, and fly fast: a Sergeant Watts, of -the Rifles, at this moment, received a ball in the head, being next to -him, he laid hold of me with both hands, at the same time calling -out—“Am I dead? Am I dead?” Poor fellow! he was mortally wounded, and it -was with difficulty I could extricate myself from his deadly grasp. - -The French, after a severe loss, made good their retreat across the -river that leads to St. Jean de Luz. With our usual luck we took up our -camp on the side of a bleak and barren hill for the night. After this we -got into better quarters on the other side of the river. This was at a -château called Arcangues. We were as usual in the immediate front of the -enemy, and our outlying sentinels and theirs were little more than -thirty yards apart. While here, such a good feeling reigned among the -French and our men, that they frequently went into each other’s picquet -houses—terms of intimacy which they extended to neither the Spanish nor -Portuguese troops, for whom they expressed an unmeasured contempt. But -this state of things at our outposts was too subversive of discipline to -be tolerated by those in command, and of course was only done upon a -reliance of mutual honour on the sly; still it exhibits a pleasing -picture of the absence of all revenge and prejudice on either side among -men of opposing interests. This feeling, however, could not stay the -effusion of blood that was still to be shed. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - -9th December—Our picquets driven in—We are nearly outflanked—We retire—A - rally under the eye of Wellington—Lieutenant Hopwood and Sergeant - Brotherwood killed—Excellent feeling between the French and English - soldiers—Consequent General Order—Johnny Castles in the - advance—Picquet-house—Murder at Tarbes—Blanco again—Collection made - for the widow—Battle of Toulouse—“Amende Honourable”—We encamp on the - banks of the Garonne—“Fall in”—The Spaniards make a mistake—General - Picton rectifies it—The enemy retreat into Toulouse—They evacuate the - town—French leave—Theatre of Toulouse—“A Rifleman on the look out.” - - -ON the 9th of December they drove in the picquets, which were chiefly -furnished from our battalion. The columns of the enemy came briskly -forward with the apparent intention of driving us from our position. Our -company had been ordered to line some brushwood on the side of a lane -that led from the château, where we received them with a fierce and -deadly fire, as they came on, which they replied to with spirit, at the -same time endeavouring to outflank our position. In assisting to repel -this attempt we came in for a shower of shot, and Lieutenant Hopwood and -Sergeant Brotherwood, with several more of our party, were killed on the -spot. By this time they were getting round us, and our opponents -perceiving how few our numbers were, comparatively to their own, at once -attempted to close, and fairly obliged us to take to our heels down a -field. From thence we sprang into the lane; in doing which I remember -dropping my cap, where it remained during the day, until I regained -possession of it on the retreat of the enemy. - -At this period Lord Wellington and his staff were watching our motions -through their glasses from the château, which some one made known. -Seeing ourselves under the eye of the Commander-in-chief, we instantly -rallied. Our third battalion meanwhile were hotly engaged on our left. -They, however, found themselves unable to make any serious impression, -and were not sorry, I dare say, when night closed upon their baffled -columns. As to ourselves, we had little respite from the fatigues of the -day, as we were busily employed in fortifying the château for the -anticipated attack of the morrow. - -On the following morning however, the enemy retreated within their -works, upon which we took possession of our former ground, where we -found the bodies of Lieutenant Hopwood and of poor Brotherwood, both of -which had been stripped, and covered partially with a little loose -earth. - -After this we had a succession of fights or skirmishes with the enemy -for the five or six days following, which is called the battle of -Bayonne, but without eliciting any particular result. We still kept up -an excellent private feeling on both sides at the outposts. As an -instance, although I must remark a general order had been promulgated -prohibiting all intercourse with the enemy on pain of death, our company -was on picquet near a dwelling called Garrett’s house, when we clubbed -half a dollar each, and sent a man into the French picquet-house to -purchase brandy. It was, I recollect, Christmas-night. Grindle, the name -of the man who was our messenger, staying longer than was usual, we -became alarmed, and imagining something must have happened to him, sent -two other men in quest of him. These learnt from the nearest French -sentry that Grindle was lying drunk in their picquet-house. Fearful that -the circumstances should come to the knowledge of Lieutenant Gardiner, -the officer of our picquet, they went and brought Grindle back with them -quite drunk; but just as they were emerging from the French lines, who -should ride down to the front post but Sir James Kempt, who commanded -our division at that time. He instantly ordered Grindle to be confined; -he was so fortunate as to escape, however, with only a slight -punishment. - -About the beginning of January, 1814, the enemy were seen advancing, as -we understood, to straighten our lines, that were in a half circle. With -three or four others, I was ordered to hold possession of a small -farm-house that communicated with some cross roads, and to keep up a -brisk fire until the _assemblée_ sounded, in which case we were to -retreat upon the company, who occupied a hedge two hundred yards in our -rear. On our right was a high stone wall, and on our left, in parallel, -was a hedge also that served as a cover for the French who, by this -time, had possession of it. Between was an open field, our only passage. -As soon as the _assemblée_ was heard, we of course, were on the alert to -retreat, but this was to be accomplished only at very imminent risk, for -the moment we showed our noses, we were saluted with a regular hailstorm -of bullets, which put us all in rather moody condition. It was proposed, -however, to retire by independent files. - -The first to “run the gauntlet” was a tall, gaunt Irishman, and such a -shower whizzed about him as almost unnerved the rest of us. Johnny -Castles, who had figured at Badajoz with a rope round his neck, and yet -had escaped, was one of the party. He was particularly at a stand-still; -since the “hanging business” he had made up his mind to live for ever, -and had grown fat on it; but his corpulency now threatened to mark him -out. - -“Oh, dom your limbs,” growled Johnny, in the true Caledonian dialect, -with an awful grin, “ye are the rascals to drink and carouse with as ye -did yesterday. Eh, look at ’em! dom their eyes, they are sure to hit -me!” and away he bolted, ducking his head, his face half averted all the -way. Johnny, however, was spherical, and puffed and blowed like a whale, -while the French peppered away at him in prime style, the dust rising -from the balls in every direction. Johnny however, escaped, with a brace -of samples through his knapsack and mess-tin, and rolled over the hedge. - -Taking advantage of the welcome given to Castles, Gilbert and I, without -allowing them to reload, followed, and as the devil would have it, the -pair of us arrived as safely. There now only remained our comrade Jones, -a good-looking Welshman, who quickly came after us, but he, poor fellow! -was met half-way by a shot. - -After all, the enemy never took the house, for by a reinforcement from -the 52nd we beat them back again. I often laugh at the recollection of -Johnny Castles, though I must say, I funked dreadfully. Like the frogs -in the fable, though death to us, it was sport to the French, who kept -roaring with laughter as we bolted by. - -Castles, after this affair, could never be induced to drink or hold any -acquaintance with the enemy. - -Having remained some four or five months at Arcangues, on the 21st of -February, 1814, the army broke up their cantonments, and marched for -Toulouse. Our battalion, standing in need of new clothing, did not march -with the division, but were ordered into St. Jean de Luz, where we -received them. In the course of some time afterwards we rejoined our -division. This was after the battle of Orthes had been fought, and which -our battalion felt much chagrined in not being present at. - -On the 18th of March a circumstance occurred at Plaisance, near the town -of Tarbes, which I cannot help noticing. A French peasant was shot, -under circumstances that fixed the crime upon some of the men of our -company. Although the greatest endeavours were made to discover the -culprit, and the company punished to make them give him up, still it was -without avail. The facts of the case were these. Blanco, the Spaniard, -accompanied by one or two of our men, went out this evening in search of -wine. They entered the house of a peasant who, resisting the intrusion, -struck Blanco, for which the Spaniard instantly shot him on the spot. A -very handsome collection was made for the widow and children of the poor -peasant, for whose distress a very sincere sympathy was entertained by -our battalion. Three months afterwards I was told that Blanco was the -perpetrator of this cruel deed. - -The morning we left Plaisance we had a long and dreary march over a -range of hills, until we came to the village of Tarbes, a short distance -beyond which we observed the enemy in possession of a hill both sides of -the road to Toulouse. We were immediately ordered to commence an attack -upon them. Passing on at the “double,” some of our regiments of cavalry -gave us an encouraging huzza as we passed up the road. The French had -thrown up strong entrenchments, and were, to use a nautical phrase, -“tier above tier.” I never remember to have been so warmly engaged as on -this occasion, except at Badajoz. The enemy were in great numbers, our -attacking force few, being only our three battalions of Rifles which -their bullets were fast thinning as we struggled up the hill: still, -although under every disadvantage, the victors of so many hard fights -were not to be repelled, and the French were obliged to retreat. I was -very sorry this day for striking a poor Frenchman whom I came up with, -as I discovered he was badly wounded; but I made the _amende honorable_ -by a sup from my canteen, which he received with grace. - -We saw but little of the enemy after this, until we came within sight of -Toulouse, where they seemed determined on a resolute stand. We took up -our cantonments on this side of the Garonne in the beginning of April. -The aspect of the country here was very agreeable: it abounded in wine -of a rather superior quality to what had hitherto been served out as our -rations. Although the inhabitants, from Marshal Soult’s orders, had been -obliged to fly on our approach, yet, I am happy to say that our men were -restrained from most of those excesses in the waste and destruction of -property, that had taken place in Portugal and Spain. This was greatly -occasioned by the very excellent general order of Lord Wellington, -published throughout the army at that period, explaining to the troops -that although we were at war with an usurper and his army, we were not -with the inoffensive country-people, who were subjected by fear. - -About twelve o’clock on the night of the 9th of April we were ordered to -fall in. We marched to the side of the Garonne, which we crossed by -means of a pontoon bridge, and took up our station behind the walls of a -château about a mile from the town. Having had scarcely any rest the -preceding night, most of our men were buried in profound sleep, when we -were suddenly roused by the most expressive words to the ear of a -soldier—“Fall in.” This was done in an instant, and we were ordered to -advance in double time. - -As we proceeded, we heard a heavy firing as if from the left of the -town, and soon after beheld a disorganized mass of Spanish soldiers -flying towards us. At first some of our fellows took them for the -French, and fired among them, by which some lives were lost. They were a -part of the Spanish force who attempted to carry a French fort or -redoubt, from which the enemy had sent them to the right-about faster -than they had come. We continued to approach the town, which was -protected by a long series of fortifications, and that appeared full of -men. On our approaching, they opened a running fire from some -field-works, but with little execution, as we were sheltered by some -trees and walls of houses near the place where we halted. We had not -remained in this quiescent state long, when the thunder of the conflict -was heard going on in full roar on our left: the salvos of artillery, -with the constant cracking of musketry and the rushing sound of shells, -together with the occasional wild “hurra,” formed a very pretty concert. -The scene was still more electrifying when we found it to be the sixth -division engaged in storming batteries, which the Spaniards had just run -from; they at length carried them, after a hard tug, in glorious style; -General Picton’s division was also conspicuously engaged on our right, -close to the river. The general attack was crowned with the Duke of -Wellington’s usual success: the enemy retreating over the bridges of the -canal of Languedoc into the town of Toulouse, while we took possession -of their outworks. - -The French army on the second day evacuated Toulouse, as the town was -completely commanded by the batteries we had taken. Our battalion was -ordered to take possession of part of the suburbs, near the canal. -Although there was a strict order that no man should be allowed to go -into the town, my curiosity induced me to take “French leave” to see a -place I had heard so much of; so I managed to elude the vigilance of the -sentry. I found almost all the shops open, and business going on -apparently as if nothing had taken place. Hearing that the theatre was -open, I was induced to pay it a visit: it was very crowded. One box I -perceived very magnificently fitted up, and surmounted by laurel, and -while I was wondering for whose occupation it was intended, my curiosity -was at once allayed by the arrival of the Duke and his staff, who were -received with loud acclamations. “God save the King” was played, and all -appeared to testify the greatest pleasure on the occasion but myself. I, -indeed, I must fairly confess, feared that my insignificance would not -conceal me from the glance of the chief or some of his staff, although -wedged into the centre of a dense crowd in the pit. My dark dress, -however, effectually screened me. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - -We continue to pursue the enemy on their retreat—Halted on the second - day—A carriage brings Soult and peace—French troops disbanded—Friendly - intercourse with our men—Castle Sarazin—Our men prefer the ground for - a bed, in preference to a feather one—The French sergeant—The - invitation—Parade—The dinner—Farewell to the Spaniards and - Portuguese—Cupid enlisting deserters—Poor Blanco—Embarkation for - England—The ‘Ville de Paris’—The sergeant in hope of a wife—Arrival at - Portsmouth—The sergeant in search of a wife—Their meeting and parting. - - -A FEW days after we had to execute our old manœuvre of allowing the -French no time to rest, as we were put in motion after them. On the -second day as we halted on the Paris road, our men reposing from the -fatigue of the morning’s march, we heard several loud huzzas in our -front. This was followed by the appearance of a carriage and four -horses, which contained a French officer, who we afterwards understood -was Marshal Soult. The carriage was attended by a detachment of English -and French cavalry; the shouting arose from the tidings that were -joyfully repeated, that peace was proclaimed, and that Bonaparte had -retired to Elba. - -We were immediately on this intelligence ordered to the right-about, and -marched back to Toulouse. Before we had proceeded many miles we were -overtaken on the road by great numbers of French soldiers who had been -disbanded, or had disbanded themselves, and who now were about returning -to their homes, tired enough, no doubt, like ourselves, of the war they -had been engaged so long in carrying on. The good-feeling testified by -many of these really fine-looking fellows to us was general, the -Frenchmen in many instances sharing the fatigue in carrying our men’s -knapsacks, &c. - - “As for myself, upon my simple word, - I’d rather see a score of friendly fellows shaking hands, - Than all the world in arms.” - -From Toulouse we marched, in a few days, to Castle Sarazin, situated on -the right bank of the Garonne, between the previously-mentioned town and -Bordeaux. Here we came in for most delightful quarters, being billeted -in the houses, where we all had excellent beds. But it was highly -amusing to see our rough, hardy fellows spurn this latter luxury—which -one would have thought would have been most welcome—with contempt. From -having almost constantly been exposed for the previous five or six years -to have “the earth their rude bed, their canopy the sky,” with generally -a stone for a pillow, our men could obtain no sleep on beds of down; and -it was actually a fact, that they preferred wrapping a blanket round -them and the hard floor, as a place of rest: so much for custom. - -At Castle Sarazin we used to be on our usual excellent terms with the -French quartered in the neighbourhood, and to while away the time had -constant matches with them in running, jumping, and gymnastic exercises. -I got acquainted here with a very smart fellow—a French sergeant -belonging to the 43rd regiment. A friendship was cemented between us, -naturally enough, by our both being free-masons. - -One day we were sitting in a wine-house, when the subject of fencing—a -science at which the French prize themselves in excelling—was started. -My friend, the sergeant, was observing he was a tolerable hand with the -foil, when a short lump of a fellow, who proved to be the fencing-master -of the town, overhearing him, immediately challenged him to a trial of -skill. This the sergeant in an instant accepted, and the sport, at which -he showed himself a perfect adept, at the fencing-master’s cost, was -carried on with perfect good-humour, until a fierce dispute arose about -a hit, when it was mutually agreed to determine the controversy with -points. A pair of foils with sharpened points, kept for this particular -service were immediately produced, while the by-standers instantly -commenced betting upon the combatants with all the _sang froid_ in the -world. Both had taken off their coats and bared their right arms for the -strife, when—I am sorry to disappoint the reader, who may expect an -account of a duel—our guard, which some good-natured soul had privately -summoned, came in and put an end to the affair, greatly to the chagrin -of the sergeant, who swore he would have killed the professor on the -spot. - -That same evening the sergeant, whose name, in the lapse of years, I -have forgotten, went to our Colonel and obtained leave for me to visit -him at Montauban, where his regiment, the 43rd, was quartered. He had -invited a corporal, myself, and another, to a dinner given by the -non-commissioned officers of his regiment. On the day appointed away we -started, Gilbert, the corporal, and myself. I shall never forget it. It -was a fine morning. After crossing the Garonne in open boats, for the -bridge had been destroyed previous to the battle of Toulouse, we entered -Montauban, and found the 43rd and two other regiments forming a brigade, -drawn up on parade in the square of the town, and two splendid bands -playing in front. - -As we went in search of our friend we had to pass down the front of two -of the French regiments, which we did, saluting, soldier-like, their -officers. The latter returned our salute in the manner for which they -are so justly remarked, and made us feel not a little proud of their -courtesy. Our uniforms were almost new, and fitted us well. My two -comrades had the advantage of being tall, and exceedingly smart-looking -fellows; for myself, I was fat as a butt, and as strong as I looked. We -moved along the line, until we fell in with the sergeant, who, starting -out of the ranks, gave us a hearty welcome. We waited beside him while -the band played some favourite airs, until the regiments were dismissed. -But they had scarcely broken their ranks when their officers crowded -around us, and severally shook us by the hand, giving us also sundry -smacks on the shoulders, with “Bravos les Anglais, soyez les bien -venus,” &c. The sergeant escorted us immediately to his quarters. The -dining-room was a splendid one, and fitted up beautifully. The tables -groaned under every delicacy of the season, and we did not forget, even -here, to do “justice” to the acknowledged “merits” of John Bull in all -matters of this “nature.” - -Much good feeling and conviviality followed; and encomiums and -compliments were passed on the English; all went on very well until -singing was introduced with the removal of the cloth. It had been agreed -among the French that no song should be sung that reflected upon our -country. Several famous songs, so far as we could understand, were -introduced. Our sergeant gave us an excellent specimen; and Gilbert and -myself joined also in our own rough manner. But a French corporal, under -the influence of wine, commenced a “Chanson de guerre,” rather contre -les Anglais, for which, with a very proper feeling, he was by general -consent kicked down stairs. The guests, however, resumed their seats, -and all went on as quietly as before; here we remained enjoying -ourselves till three the next morning, when we were accompanied to the -boats by a number of their band, playing “Patrick’s Day,” as they -escorted us down to the river-side. - -The foregoing anecdote, trivial and uninteresting as it may seem, still -serves to show, in a pleasing point of view, the hospitality and kind -feelings of the French, who have always claimed our highest respect. - -In a few days we received an order to proceed to Bordeaux, to embark for -England. The delightful emotions of pleasure this generally induced -throughout our men, after all their hardships and sufferings, may be -better imagined than described. The second day’s march we stopped at a -village, the name of which I forget, where we had to part from our -allies, the Spanish and Portuguese. Much, and even deep feelings of -regret, were particularly felt by the men of our battalion on parting -from the Spaniards, who had been for so long a period incorporated in -our ranks. They had been distinguished for their gallantry, and although -sixteen had been drafted into our company, but five had survived to bid -us farewell. Poor fellows, they had grown attached to the battalion, and -expressed much grief on leaving! Even Blanco, the sanguinary Blanco, -actually shed tears. Notwithstanding the wretched and ineffective state -of the Spanish armies during the campaigns in the Peninsula, I am -convinced, and have indeed become more so from subsequent experience, -that there is right stuff in the men to make excellent soldiers, far -superior to the Portuguese. - -Many men of our regiment, bound by the charms of the Signorettas, who -had followed their fortunes throughout the war, took this opportunity to -desert their country’s cause, to take up that of their Dulcineas. Among -others were two of my own company, who, not contented with the “arms” -offered by these “invincibles” took rifles and all with them, and we -never saw or heard of them after. - -We embarked in high spirits at Bordeaux, for Portsmouth, on board the -‘Ville de Paris,’ Captain Jones, commander. She was a splendid ship, and -astonished us all with the size and regularity of her crew. The sailors, -who seldom like a red coat, went hand in hand with us green jackets, and -were a jolly set of fellows. - -We had in our regiment, at this time, now on board with us, and on his -way to England, a sergeant of the name of S——n, (which must be a -sufficient explanation to the reader, as he is, I understand, now -living, and in London), a fine, smart-looking fellow, about six feet in -height. He had been with us during the whole of the Peninsular campaign, -and was one of those who, after the battle of Corunna, had remained in -Spain. He was now on his passage homeward to his wife, to whom he had -been married for ten or eleven years, and whom, some months after the -wedding, he was obliged to leave with her friends at Portsmouth to -rejoin his regiment, then going abroad; by some unaccountable -circumstances, incidental to long campaigns, he never had received any -tidings of or from her; and he consequently was now very uncertain as to -where he should find her, or whether she were living or dead. - -On the 22nd July, 1814, we anchored at Spithead, the sailors cheering us -and manning the yards as we went ashore. As soon, however, as we landed -at our destination, he requested of me to assist him in his search. -After tramping up and down and around Portsmouth, in vain, we at last -made a stand in High Street—indeed he was growing almost desperate with -disappointment—and here he made random inquiries of every person he met. -This eventually drew a crowd of women of all ages about him but not one -could answer his inquiry. He was on the point of giving it up -altogether, when an old woman on crutches, from the rear of the crowd, -casting a very shrewd keen look at him, asked him to repeat the name, -“Mary S——n,” shouted my friend. “Ah!” exclaimed the hag, rather -musingly, “if you will just inquire at No.—, near the Post-office, at -the back of the street, you will, I think, find the party you require,” -casting up her eye as she finished her directions. Away we hurried, some -five or six women straggling after us, and in a few minutes found -ourselves at the door of a small neat-built cottage. After -knocking—every moment seemed an hour to my poor friend, until the door -was opened—a pretty-looking little girl, of about ten years of age, -inquired his errand. - -“Does Mrs. S——n,” asked the sergeant, and paused to look at the child, -“does Mary S——n live here?” “Yes,” said the little girl, starting with -surprise, “that’s my name.” - -“Right,” exclaimed the sergeant, clasping the astonished little one in -his arms, and dashing into a side room well sprinkled with children. -“Where, where’s your mother?” The words were scarcely uttered, than a -shrill shriek was heard from the inner apartment, and at the same moment -the mother rushed before us, and gazing on him fell instantly into a fit -of hysterics. My poor friend looked perplexed; his features alternately -changing from doubts to fears, with uncertain satisfaction. The little -one was in an instant out of the house, and returned in a short time, -leading in a square, well-made, good-looking man, in appearance a -carpenter. - -The facts were stubbornly plain to every one. The children, the -comfortable, respectable air of the place, were too plain; and the two -husbands now stood within range of each other, with nostrils dilated in -agony, and hands clenched, awaiting an expected onset. I think I never -saw two better models of manhood in its prime, wrought up to melancholy -and indescribable excitement. The two men, as it were, dug their eyes -into each other, and then on the shrieking woman, who in recovering a -little clung, as if for refuge, to the carpenter. - -My poor comrade, hitherto on the rack of suspense, now suddenly drew -breath, and taking a skipping-rope which his daughter held in her hand, -threw it lightly over his wife’s neck. “Now,” said he, in a somewhat -collected tone, “Now, Mr. Carpenter, as it appears that Mary, who _was_ -my wife, has decided on her choice, suppose we have a bargain on the -matter? It’s no use our skirmishing about in this manner any longer; -(and I have no doubt of your abilities,”) pointing to the children, who -crowded round the parents and opposite the sergeant. “With Mary’s -consent, as she seems to prefer your manner of doing business, suppose -you clinch the bargain with a sixpence, and take her to you altogether?” -The money was handed out in a moment, and as quickly passed between the -sergeant’s teeth, while he employed both hands to withdraw his sash -aside, and taking from his pocket a guinea, which throwing into his only -daughter’s lap, left the scene, closed the door, and hurried into a -small public-house across the street. - -“Come, landlord, a pot of your sixpenny,” throwing down the ill-fated -bit of silver, “and take that for your settlement; and Ned,” said he, -turning to me, “call for your likings.” He grasped the vessel as the -landlord handed it, and swallowed the whole at a draught, like a man who -had thirsted for a week; smacked his lips, in conclusion of the barter, -cast two or three glances up and down his person, then rubbing his hands -smartly together, strutted up the street as if nothing whatever had -annoyed him. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - -Quartered in Dover—Receive our new clothing, &c.—May, 1815—Receive - orders to embark for Ostend—We arrive safe—Bruges—Ghent—Brussels—15th - of June—Belong to the fifth division under General Picton—Descend the - wood of Soignies to Waterloo—Duke of Wellington arrives from - Brussels—Battle of Waterloo—I receive a wound in my right hand, - shatters one of my fingers—Return to Brussels—The pretty - house-keeper—The child—Its dead mother—Genappe—Scenes on the road to - Brussels—Arrival at Brussels—Numbers of wounded in the - streets—Kindness and attention of the Brussels’ ladies—The fair - surgeon. - - -SAFELY returned to England, and quartered in Dover barracks, our men -soon forgot the fatigues of the Peninsular campaigns; and being joined -by a batch of recruits, and supplied with new clothing, the old soldiers -once more panted for fresh exploits; for their souls were strong for -war, and peace became irksome to them—nor were they long disappointed. -In the beginning of May, 1815, we received orders to embark at Dover for -Ostend, where we arrived safe; from thence we proceeded through Bruges -to Ghent in open boats by the canal: here we halted a few days, and then -marched to Brussels, where we remained several weeks, not even dreaming -an enemy was near us. - -On the 15th of June, as I retired to bed, at the hour of eleven o’clock -at night, I heard bugles sounding and drums beating through different -parts of the city. Equipping myself as quickly as possible, and entering -the market-place, I found the whole of our division assembling. I then -belonged to the fifth division, under the command of General Sir Thomas -Picton. Being orderly non-commissioned officer of the company at the -time, I received orders to draw three days’ rations for the men, the -chief part of this was left behind, as none but old soldiers knew its -value, or felt inclined to take part with them; some of the men, -however, cursed their hard fate for not taking away a portion. All -things arranged, we passed the gates of Brussels, and descended the wood -of Soignies, that leads to the little village of Waterloo. It was the -16th—a beautiful summer morning—the sun slowly rising above the horizon -and peeping through the trees, while our men were as merry as crickets, -laughing and joking with each other, and at times pondered in their -minds what all this fuss, as they called it, could be about; for even -the old soldiers could not believe the enemy were so near. We halted at -the verge of the wood, on the left of the road, behind the village of -Waterloo, where we remained for some hours; the recruits lay down to -sleep, while the old soldiers commenced cooking. I could not help -noticing while we remained here, the birds in full chorus, straining -their little throats as if to arouse the spirits of the men to fresh -vigour for the bloody conflict they were about to engage in. Alas! how -many of our brave companions, ere that sun set, were no more! About nine -o’clock, the Duke of Wellington with his staff, came riding from -Brussels and passed us to the front; shortly afterwards, orders were -given to the Rifles to fall in and form the advanced-guard of our -division, and follow. We moved on through the village of Waterloo, and -had not proceeded far, when, for the first time, we heard distant -cannon; it was, I believe, the Prussians engaged on our extreme left. - -About three o’clock in the afternoon we arrived at four roads; at this -time there was a smart firing going on in our front; this, I believe, -was caused by some Belgians playing at long shot with the enemy. Here I -again saw the Duke of Wellington looking through his glass, as we halted -a few moments; this was at Quatre Bras, and immediate orders were given -by one of the Duke’s staff to occupy a clump of trees a little on our -left; our company were ordered to take possession of it. While -performing this task I could see the enemy emerging from a wood about a -mile on our right, which was rather on a hill, with a clear plain -between us. We had scarcely taken possession of the wood, when, for the -first time, I beheld a French cuirassier or vidette. He was in an -instant fired at by our men and his horse shot under him; he disengaged -himself from the stirrups as the horse was falling, waving his sword -over his head to put us at defiance, but he was immediately dropped by -another rifle-shot. I think I can venture to assert that our company was -the first of the British army who pulled a trigger at this celebrated -battle. - -The enemy’s light troops, I could soon perceive, in extended order, and -in great force coming down to oppose us. This caused a corresponding -movement on our part, and we were ordered to take ground to our left, -passing close to a pond of water, the main road separating us from the -enemy. While executing this the French commenced a very brisk fire on -us, until we gained possession of a few houses on the main road on a -rising ground, which two companies of our Rifles instantly occupied. The -remainder of our division was now enveloped in one blaze of fire on the -plain before mentioned. But we remained very quietly where we were, -until the French bringing up some artillery, began riddling the house -with round-shot. Feeling rather thirsty, I had asked a young woman in -the place for a little water, which she was handing to me, when a ball -passed through the building, knocking the dust about our ears: strange -to say, the girl appeared less alarmed than myself. - -Fearing that we might be surrounded, we were at length obliged to leave -the building, in doing which we were fiercely attacked by a number of -French voltigeurs, who forced us to extend along a lane, from whence we -as smartly retaliated, and a galling fire was kept up for some time on -both sides. - -It is remarkable that recruits in action are generally more unfortunate -than the old soldiers. We had many fine fellows, who joined us on the -eve of our leaving England, who were killed here. The reason of this is, -that an old rifleman will seek shelter, if there be any near his post, -while the inexperienced recruit appears as if petrified to the spot by -the whizzing balls, and unnecessarily exposes himself to the enemy’s -fire. - -Being hard pressed by superior numbers, we were at length joined by a -number of Belgians, and received orders to advance, which we did, -driving the enemy through the skirts of a wood, and passing a field of -rye, which obstructed them from our view. As soon, however, as we -emerged from the wood, a regiment of French infantry on our right -received us with a running fire. I was in the act of taking aim at some -of our opposing skirmishers, when a ball struck my trigger finger, -tearing it off, and turning the trigger aside; while a second shot -passed through the mess-tin on my knapsack. Several of our men were -killed by this volley, and Lieutenant Gardiner, a worthy little officer -of the company, was severely wounded in the lower part of the leg. We -wounded men made the best of our way to the rear; and on my return to -the house at the corner of the lane, I found the pretty Belgian still in -possession, looking out of the window, and seemingly quite unconcerned, -although a dozen shots had perforated the house: all our entreaties for -her to leave were in vain, as her father, she said, had desired her to -take care of the place until he returned from Brussels. - -The dusk of the evening soon set in, myself and numbers of others -disabled, took up our quarters for the night in another farm-house lower -down, and some distance from the main road. - -The house became soon thronged with the wounded of our division, who -were momentarily brought in, until the out-houses, courtlages, &c., were -literally crammed. All the straw and hay that could be obtained was -procured, of which, fortunately, there was plenty, and strewed -everywhere to lay the men on. To sleep was impossible with the anguish -of my shattered hand and the groans of my fellow-sufferers. The dawn -came on before we were aware of it, and ere it was light, our advanced -sentries were again in continual skirmish along the whole line; indeed, -the balls kept patting through the doors and windows as we lay there. -Such as were able to walk soon started for Brussels; but several of the -severely wounded were obliged to be left behind for want of conveyances. - -We had not proceeded far towards the main road along a pathway partially -protected by a hedge from the enemy’s fire, when one of my companions -heard the cries of a child on the other side; on looking over he espied -a fine boy, about two or three years of age, by the side of its dead -mother, who was still bleeding copiously from a wound in the head, -occasioned, most likely, by a random shot from the enemy. We carried the -motherless, and perhaps, orphan child, by turns, to Genappe, where we -found a number of women of our division, one of whom recognised the -little fellow, I think she said, as belonging to a soldier of the First -Royals. - -Genappe, also, was literally crowded with the wounded, who were conveyed -with every possible dispatch to Brussels. Feeling most anxious to know -the fate of our regiment, I stood on a hedgerow, on the skirts of the -village, when I descried the division retreating towards us, the rain at -the time coming down in torrents. I remained until some of the regiments -entered the village, together with many of our wounded, who gave me -information that our regiment, with the cavalry, formed the rear-guard. -I now retraced my steps the same road I had advanced, and once more -arrived at the little village of Waterloo, which many of our men never -saw again, as our battalion lost more on the 16th than on the 18th of -June. Here I stopped for the night. The cries of the wounded on their -way, in cart-loads, to Brussels, were most distressing, and many carts -broke down through being overloaded, and through their haste to get -forward. - -It is curious to observe the confusion and uproar that generally exists -in the rear of an army in battle, while all in front is order and -regularity. Many people imagine the reverse. This, however, is generally -to be imputed to the soldiers’ wives and camp followers of all -descriptions, who crowd in great numbers, making inquiries after their -husbands, friends, &c., for whom they generally are prepared with -liquors, and other refreshments. I had no such ties, save my comrades, -who now were too busily occupied watching their enemies, and with their -own personal considerations, to have either time or opportunity to -inquire after mine. The crowds of carts, horses, &c., which thickly -thronged the roadway, were greeted on all sides by anxious faces and -earnest inquiries. But now and then as one of the vehicles hurried -along, a burst of laughter hailed it, and indeed, it seemed to bear a -load of a more enlivening nature than that which characterized the -others. My sound legs, for my arm only was wounded, and hung suspended -in a sling, enabled me to approach the cart, and scrutinise its -contents. My surprise was soon dissipated, and wounds almost forgotten, -in the merry features of my old friend, Josh Hetherington, who, having -received a flesh wound in the leg, was now being borne to the hospital -with other fellow-sufferers. - -Josh, like myself, had no ties—no one to bring him brandy, &c.; but -wider awake, and better acquainted with the world, in the bustle of a -dark night, he had laid himself at his length on the inside of a cart, -and there awaited the current of fortune. - -One or two women in search of their husbands he particularly knew, and -knowing also their spouses, he replied to their inquiries in as exact an -imitation of their voices, as one could reasonably give a man credit -for. The result was, that the bottle was instantly handed into his -hiding-place. Josh took sundry deep gulps, while the duped woman -continued anxiously walking by the side of the wheels, wishing to heaven -that the daylight, or some other light, would enable her to enjoy the -sight of her better half. The _dénouement_ of the cheat came with the -return of the empty flask, and a sincere hope from Josh that her husband -would find enough liquor left—and not be wounded at all—at all. - -The disappointment and rage of the woman only gave rise to a burst of -merriment, in which the wounded men joined heartily, and the -circumstance travelled forward, among her companions, and accompanied -the cart the whole of the way to Brussels. - -The next morning I proceeded slowly onward, for my wound, as yet, had -not been dressed. I could not help remarking on my way through the -woods, droves of Belgians, and even English, with fires lighted, busily -cooking, having left their comrades in contest with the enemy, and -apparently nothing the matter with them. - -On my arrival at Brussels, and going to my quarters, I found it so -crowded with Belgian officers and men (some of them quite free from -wounds), that I could get no reception. It was about six o’clock in the -evening of the 18th. I was entering the large square, and gazing on some -hundreds of wounded men who were there stretched out on straw, when an -alarm was given that the French were entering the city; in a moment all -was in an uproar; the inhabitants running in all directions, closing -their doors, and some Belgian troops in the square, in great confusion; -loading my rifle, I joined a party of the 81st regiment who remained on -duty here during the action. The alarm, however, was occasioned by the -appearance of about 1700 or 1800 French prisoners, under escort of some -of our dragoons. - -The panic over, I partook of a little bread and wine, and lay down for -the night on some straw in the square; and in spite of the confusion and -uproar, occasioned by the continual arrival of waggons loaded with -wounded men, I slept soundly. In the morning the scene surpassed all -imagination, and baffles description: thousands of wounded French, -Belgians, Prussians and English; carts, waggons, and every other -attainable vehicle, were continually arriving heaped with sufferers. The -wounded were laid, friends and foes indiscriminately, on straw, with -avenues between them, in every part of the city, and nearly destitute of -surgical attendance. The humane and indefatigable exertions of the fair -ladies of Brussels, however, greatly made up for this deficiency; -numbers were busily employed—some strapping and bandaging wounds, others -serving out tea, coffee, soups, and other soothing nourishments; while -many occupied themselves stripping the sufferers of their gory and -saturated garments, and dressing them in clean shirts, and other -habiliments; indeed, altogether careless of fashionable scruples, many -of the fairest and wealthiest of the ladies of that city, now ventured -to assert their pre-eminence on the occasion. It was enough that their -ordained companions were in need, to call forth the sympathies that ever -must bind the sexes to mutual dependance. - -One lady I noticed particularly, she was attended by a servant bearing -on his shoulder a kind of pannier, containing warm and cold -refreshments: her age I guessed about eighteen, and the peculiarity of -the moment made her appear beyond the common order of humanity. She -moved along with an eye of lightning, glancing about for those whom she -thought most in need of her assistance. A tall Highlander lay near her -as she hurried along, and drew her attention with a deep groan, arising -from the anguish of a severe wound in the thick part of the thigh. The -soldier fixed his eye with surprise on her, as in a twinkling she knelt -at his side, and gently moving aside his blood-stained kilt, commenced -washing the wounded part; the Scotchman seemed uneasy at her -importunity. But with the sweetest voice imaginable, she addressed him -in English, with, “Me no ashamed of you—indeed, I will not hurt you!” -and the wounded man, ere he could recover his rough serenity, found his -wound bandaged, and at ease, under the operations of his fair attendant. -Such acts as these must ever draw forth our admiration. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - -Brussels’ hospitals—The British and French soldiers under amputation—I - lose my finger—Another loss also—I leave the hospital and am removed - to the Provost Guard—The Belgian marauders bared to the skin—The point - of honour—Sensation produced on their comrades—The Belgian regiment - under arms—Guard-house surrounded—Narrow escape—Removal of the - Belgians—Assassination of a French Count by a Cossack officer—Medals - sent from England—Consequent dissensions—Poor Wheatley—Quarters at - Mouvres—Augustine—An old acquaintance—A rival—Augustine leaves her - father’s house—Pursued—Her father’s despair—Removal to Cambray—The - regiment receives orders to embark for England—We part. - - -I REMAINED in Brussels three days, and had ample means here, as in -several other places, such as Salamanca, &c., for witnessing the cutting -off legs and arms. The French I have ever found to be brave, yet I -cannot say they will undergo a surgical operation with the cool, -unflinching spirit of a British soldier. An incident which here came -under my notice, may in some measure show the difference of the two -nations. An English soldier belonging to, if I recollect rightly, the -1st Royal Dragoons, evidently an old weather-beaten warfarer, while -undergoing the amputation of an arm below the elbow, held the injured -limb with his other hand without betraying the slightest emotion, save -occasionally helping out his pain by spirting forth the proceeds of a -large plug of tobacco, which he chewed most unmercifully while under the -operation. Near to him was a Frenchman, bellowing lustily, while a -surgeon was probing for a ball near the shoulder. This seemed to annoy -the Englishman more than anything else, and so much so, that as soon as -his arm was amputated, he struck the Frenchman a smart blow across the -breech with the severed limb, holding it at the wrist, saying, “Here, -take that, and stuff it down your throat, and stop your damned -bellowing!” - -The accommodation at Brussels not being sufficient for the wounded, it -was found expedient to have many of them conveyed to Antwerp, myself -among the rest; and the entire of the 81st regiment were employed -conveying the men on stretchers to the boat on the canal, communicating -between the two cities; there I had my wound attended to, and my -shattered finger taken off at the socket. A singular case of loss of -limb here fell under my notice: a young fellow, a German, one of the -drivers to the German artillery, had lost both his legs by a round-shot, -which passing through the horse’s belly, had carried away both limbs; -while on the ground in this mangled state, he received a dreadful gash -in one of his arms, from a French cuirassier, and a ball in the other; -through these he was also obliged to undergo the amputation of both -arms, one below the elbow and the other above; here the unfortunate -youth (for he was not more than nineteen), lay a branchless trunk, and -up to the moment I left, though numbers died from lesser wounds, -survived. At first the latter were so numerous that it became a matter -of surprise to even the doctors, who at length discovered that the -water, which the patients were in the habit of washing their wounds -with, was brought from a spa, which in some instances, had the effect of -poisoning the flesh.[22] In the course of a few weeks, however, I was -sufficiently recovered to rejoin my regiment, at Clichy camp, near -Paris. - -Shortly after my arrival I was ordered on the Provost Guard, which my -readers will better understand, is a kind of military police. We were -under the command of the Provost Marshal, named Stanway, whose -instructions were to take all whom he found marauding about the gardens -in the neighbourhood of Paris, and to march them down to his guard-house -for punishment. - -The Provost was a keen fellow, and sometimes would pounce on as many as -eighteen or twenty in the course of a morning; these were immediately -flogged, according to the amount of their offence, or the resistance -they made, and instantly liberated. - -The depredations, however, became so universal, that the inhabitants of -Paris complained to the generals of divisions, and we, in consequence, -received orders to keep a stricter look out, and take into custody and -flog every man we caught in the act of plunder. Our guard-house -consequently was daily filled by soldiers of every uniform, indeed, ours -may be said to have been a true Owenite Guard, for we made no objection -to “sect, country, class, or colour,” as we served them all “alike.” - -We had a deal of trouble with the Belgians especially. These fellows -would go forth in sections, and lay everything waste before them. This -was not for want, as they were well supplied with regular rations daily -from Paris, which we were aware of. As soon as they perceived the guard -hemming them in on all sides, they would invariably salute us with -brickbats, stones, and sometimes even make a regular attack. But Stanway -seldom let any escape him. - -One morning we brought in sixteen of them, and the Provost, as usual, -marched them into the little yard where the punishments were generally -inflicted. The triangles stared them in the face from the centre of the -ground, and the culprits one and all, as soon as they rolled their eyes -on it, gave a bellow of horror, fell on their knees, and commenced -praying and crossing themselves, and other symptoms of repentance; but -Stanway was inexorable. Our men had the greatest difficulty in -unbreeching them, and getting them tied to the halberts. The first -stripped, I recollect was a short, stumpy, fat, desperate-looking -fellow, who by the circumference of his seat of honour, and his -struggles for its safety, seemed to bear about it all the honour of his -native Belgium. The first whistle of the cat, even before it reached -him, appeared to have verified the assumption, for he roared to such a -degree, and his fellow-culprits sympathised so loudly, and with such a -crash of Belgic, that it set the whole vicinity by the ears, and -actually aroused their whole regiment quartered in the village, and the -place became in an uproar. The Belgians flew to arms and instantly -surrounded the guard-house; Stanway nevertheless was determined not to -relax his duty, and ordered every man of us to load, and placed us in -different parts of the building, barricading the doorways, prepared for -every resistance, and during intervals continued the flagellation. The -assailants meanwhile became furious, and attempted to scale the walls -for a rescue, but they were kept off by the guard with fixed bayonets, -until a shower of brickbats, &c., being thrown over the walls, made us -gladly retire into the building. Our lives were now in jeopardy; not a -man of us dared to stir out, until a signal being given to some English -soldiers who were passing, these gave the alarm to the division then -encamped outside the village, and our Rifles, followed by the 52nd, came -instantly to our assistance. - -The two regiments remained under arms the whole night, and the Belgians, -out of bravado, retired to a field, a little distance from them, and -kept under arms also. The morning after the occurrence they were removed -from Clichy, and we saw no more of them. - -Going into Paris a day or two after this disturbance to draw rations for -the guard, I had to pass the Barrière de Clichy, and before entering the -gates I perceived a crowd collected round a doorway in the street -adjoining. Naturally anxious to know the cause, I mingled with the -throng, and pushing to the centre perceived the dead body of a French -gentleman stretched out on some straw, literally saturated in blood, and -on inquiry, I was informed that he had been slain by a Cossack or -Prussian officer some few minutes before. The deceased (who was a French -Count) and the Cossack, it appeared, had quarrelled the night previous, -and had decided on settling the matter the next morning by a meeting -with pistols. It had been agreed by the seconds that the two principals -should be placed back to back, and each measuring six of his own paces, -should, as the distance was completed, turn round and fire. - -As soon, however, as the Count commenced his first pace, the Cossack -turned round discharged his pistol into the back of his adversary’s -head, and stretched him lifeless on the ground, exclaiming as he did it, -“I have been shot at enough by your cursed countrymen, now for my turn.” - -The assassin and his second fearful, however, of the consequences fled -instantly, and taking horse, rode off to their camp, but they were never -discovered; although I was told that the Duke, when the circumstances -were related to him, offered a reward for their apprehension. - -The unfortunate Count had been an officer in the French service, and to -all appearance was a very smart young fellow. - -In the beginning of February, 1816, we left Paris, and marched to the -environs of Cambray; shortly afterwards we were presented with medals -sent out by the British government, in commemoration of that celebrated -battle; every man who was in the field on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of -June, was distinguished with this honourable badge. I am sorry to say -this caused many dissensions among the men, particularly some of the old -veterans of the Peninsular campaigns. One named Wheatley, as brave a man -as any in the service, was unfortunately in hospital at Brussels during -the action, and was not honoured with this mark of bravery; whenever he -met with badges on what he termed recruits, he would instantly tear them -off, and frequently throw them away. For this too often repeated -offence, poor Wheatley was tried by a court-martial, and sentenced to -three months’ solitary confinement. He was sent to Valenciennes, where -the 43rd regiment lay, who formerly belonged to our light division -during the Spanish war. The men of that regiment who knew Wheatley, as -well as the offence he had committed, not only fed him well during his -imprisonment, but at the expiration of his confinement sent him back in -all the pomp a hero could wish. He was conveyed in a carriage drawn by -four horses, Wheatley’s head as well as those of the postilion and -horses, were decorated with blue ribands. On seeing the gay equipage -enter the village, we were much surprised, but more so on seeing -Wheatley jump from the carriage amidst the loud acclamations of his old -companions. Poor Wheatley felt neglected on receiving no medal, and -became, from one of the bravest, one of the most dissipated men in the -regiment; he was shortly afterwards discharged. - -My own company was quartered at Mouvres, a pretty little village off the -main road that leads to Douay, myself and three privates being billeted -on the house of a rich old fellow named Bernard Loude; he was the -richest man in the village possessing upwards of three hundred acres of -land, his own property, with stables, granary, waggons, and cattle, -indeed everything that constitutes a farmer’s stock. The house, like all -others in that part of the country, was built long, with only a ground -floor. On entering it, I observed three pretty girls spinning; the -youngest, about sixteen years of age, was named Leucade; the next, about -nineteen, named Augustine; and the eldest, who was not above twenty-four -years of age, was named Julie; they were all attractive in appearance. - -After living there some weeks, I looked upon myself as one of the -household; and, soldier-like, began toying with the girls: the one who -attracted my attention most was Augustine; she was a fine young woman, -with light hair and fair complexion. Her manners were playful, yet -gentle, and there was an air of innocence in her freedom, which showed -her thoughts were untainted by that knowledge of the world, which -restrains the levity of youth. Her disposition corresponded with her -manners, frank, generous, and confiding; her sisters used to say she was -of a most forgiving temper, yet of a firm and determined spirit, and -they loved her with more than the love sisters generally bestow upon -each other. I now, day after day, became more intimate with the family, -and the fair Augustine, whether serious or jesting, was always my -favourite. The courtship of a soldier may be somewhat rough; I used to -steal a kiss now and then, which my pretty Augustine would check me for -doing; yet so much goodness was there in her manner, that her reproof, -rather than otherwise, tempted a repetition of the offence. To those who -know the inconveniences to which soldiers are subjected in being -billeted, it must appear I was now in clover; I certainly never shall -forget the happy hours I then enjoyed. - -One day, it was I remember on a Saturday, I was ordered on duty to the -head-quarters of our regiment, at a small village called Burloun, about -two miles from Mouvres. Previously to my departure, the youngest sister -Leucade told me Augustine was soon to be married, being engaged to a -young Frenchman who lived our side of Cambray, and had formerly been a -prisoner in England, jokingly adding, that he could speak a little -English. It was customary for me to dine with the family every Sunday; -and on my return off guard next day, as usual, I joined the domestic -party. I noticed a stranger at table, who by his manner appeared the -favoured suitor of Augustine. We had, however, scarcely been seated, -when he gazed intently upon me, and suddenly starting up, seized me by -the hand, and nearly bursting into tears, exclaimed, “Mon brave soldat, -est-ce vous?” I immediately recognized in him the faithful Frenchman -whose life I had spared in the streets of Badajoz before mentioned. -Returning to his seat, he described to the party the scenes we had gone -through at Badajoz, which sometimes called forth fits of laughter, and -sometimes tears. - -All eyes were fixed on me; I particularly noticed Augustine; she looked -more serious than I had ever seen her; she did not shed a tear or yet -smile during the whole narrative of her young French lover; but I could -plainly perceive by the heaving of her bosom, she was more deeply -affected than the rest. He extolled me to the skies, but he knew not the -interest he was exciting in favour of an unknown rival. The French I -have observed to be a people fond of glory and sentiment, and a story of -la Gloire et l’Amour will always excite their admiration. He then -related to me the cruelty he had received from the Portuguese soldiers -who conducted him with the remainder of the garrison of Badajoz on their -march to Lisbon, where he was put on board a ship and conveyed to -England. After Bonaparte had been conducted to Elba, he with some -thousand other prisoners, returned to his native home. He took no part, -he said, in the battle of Waterloo. After dinner I and my old companion -parted, having both enjoyed mutual good cheer. The attention of -Augustine after this accidental interview was redoubled, and what I -before suspected I now plainly discovered, I had won her heart. From -this time, we were more frequently alone; and although her father wished -her married to the Frenchman, he being a relation as well as in good -circumstances, she had never herself been seriously attached to him. The -affection that subsisted between us became no secret in the family, and -it was rumoured even about the village; at length it burst out in songs -composed by the “Troubadours” of the neighbourhood. Her father thought -it prudent to get my quarters changed: he accordingly applied to the -Colonel, and I was sent to another hamlet in charge of tailors making -clothing for the regiment; it was at a pretty neat little village called -Saint les Marquion, on the main road to Cambray. At the house of an old -widow who lived at Mouvres I still corresponded with Augustine, and -enjoyed many stolen interviews. At length, harassed with the -remonstrances of her family, who insisted on diverting her affections -from me, she determined on leaving her father’s roof, and in the dusk -one evening met me at the widow’s, where we betrothed ourselves to each -other. On hearing of her elopement, her father unrelentingly pursued -her; he went to Cambray and applied to the executor to deprive her of -her patrimony, but the law prevented him doing so. He then appealed to -the military authorities, and one morning, about ten o’clock, four -gensdarmies, to my surprise, entered my quarters in search of her. I was -about to give them a very rough reception, and some of my comrades, who -were quartered with me, proposed giving them a threshing; but the -corporal who commanded the party warning me I should be held responsible -for any ill-usage they might receive, then produced a written order for -her return to her father’s house, signed by General Sir John Lambert, -who commanded our brigade, and countersigned by Colonel Balvaird, our -head colonel, Sir Andrew Barnard being at the time Commandant of -Cambray. - -I saw all remonstrance was vain, and there was no alternative; so -accompanying her myself, she was obliged with a heavy heart to retrace -her steps. Her reception by her father was most unkind; he confined her -in a room, the windows of which were darkened and secured by crossbars -of iron, the handiwork of the village smith, whose services were called -in requisition upon the occasion. In this gloomy prison she was not -permitted to see her sisters; her meals were sent her at long intervals, -and scantily supplied; a priest was sent for, who was paid handsomely -for trying to wean her affections from me; but the bars of iron, and the -prayers of the priest, were alike in vain. She contrived on the first -opportunity to escape from this durance vile to me, as we had been -clandestinely married at her first elopement by an excommunicated -priest; for I must here mention, the Duke of Wellington had given -positive orders that no British soldiers should be allowed to marry -French women. Immediately on her return we went together to our colonel, -who lived at the château of the village, to request she might be allowed -to remain with me. On entering the room, she threw herself in an -impassioned manner on her knees, and begged we might not be separated. -The Colonel, taking her by the hand, raised her from her humiliating -posture, saying it was not in his power to grant the request, but he -would speak to General Lambert on the matter, which he did, and she was -allowed to remain with me. We now fancied ourselves in a great measure -protected, but she was again pursued by her father, who one day very -unceremoniously rushed into our cottage, and desired she would return -with him. She instantly flew to me for protection, throwing her arms -around me, exclaiming, “Mon Edouard, je ne te quitterai jamais.” Her -father, as if seized with a sudden fit of phrenzy, laid hold of a hammer -that was on the table, and struck himself a blow on the forehead with -such force that he fell, and remained some time on the floor insensible. -The distress of Poor Augustine cannot be imagined, for it was some time -ere she recovered, but after this we remained unmolested, and lived -happily together. - -About the latter end of June, 1818, we broke up our cantonments, and -encamped on the glacis of Cambray, where we remained until the latter -end of October, when we received orders to proceed to England, after -remaining in its environs for the space of three years. The Colonel, who -did not know we were married, sent for me, and informed me she must -return to her parents, as she would certainly not be permitted to embark -with me for England. We now consulted together as to what step would be -most advisable to adopt. It was agreed I should go to her uncle, who -resided in Cambray, and request him to intercede with her father to -allow her to receive part of her patrimony; for, although he could not -deprive her of it after his death, she was not entitled to receive it -during his lifetime; and, if he consented to do so, I promised to obtain -my discharge from the army, and publicly marry her. Her uncle, after my -interview with him, accompanied me to Mouvres (a distance of about three -or four miles), with the intention of discussing the matter with the -father; but, on my entering the house, all was uproar; a tumult of -voices from all the family assailed me, during which one of the brothers -cried, “Délie le chien! Délie le chien!” Upon which a huge wolf-dog was -unchained; but, instead of attacking me, remembering that I had once -lived in the house, he came and fawned on me. In the midst of this -confusion I expected every moment would be my last, as there were no -British soldiers nearer than Cambray. At this instant Augustine entered. -She had heard at her uncle’s that I had gone with him to her father’s, -and, apprehensive of the consequences, had followed me. Not attending to -any other person present, she entreated me to leave the house, and -return to Cambray with her. I did so; and early next morning, the -regiment being in marching order, I was reluctantly compelled to part -from my almost broken-hearted faithful Augustine. It was agreed she -should remain with the family of her uncle until I could communicate -with her from England, where we hoped happier days awaited us. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - -Disembark at Dover—Shorn Cliff Barracks—I am invalided, and pass the - Board at Chelsea—Augustine’s arrival—Sixpence a day—Sir Andrew - Barnard—Sir David Dundas—My hopeless condition—Blood money—The - Honourable Doctor Wellesley—Mr. Walsford—Augustine returns with me to - France—I retrace my steps alone to Calais—To Dover—Dreadful extremes—A - new field for practice—A friend in need—Another “Forlorn-Hope”—Colonel - Ford—A Rifleman without an appetite—Death of Augustine. - - -DISEMBARKING at Dover, our regiment marched to Shorn Cliff Barracks, -where we had not long been quartered when an order arrived from the -Horse Guards for two sergeants and two corporals of each company of the -Rifles to be discharged. Men who had been wounded were to be first, and -old men next. I was accordingly, although only about thirty-one years of -age, invalided by our doctor, on account of my wounds, and immediately -departed for Chatham, to await an order from Chelsea to proceed to -London, to pass the Board. Here, to my astonishment, one day Augustine -presented herself before me. Her appearance almost electrified me. -“Edouard—mon cher Edouard,” she exclaimed, “je te suivrai partout.” I -then learned that, having arrived at Shorn Cliff Barracks, and inquired -for me, Colonel Leach had kindly paid her passage by coach to Chatham, -directing her where to find me. Here she gave birth to a child. Shortly -afterwards I received orders to appear before the Chelsea Board, and we -proceeded to London, with others. On our arrival, our circumstances -being very needy, we took a single room in Red Lion Street, Chelsea, -where we resolved to live as sparingly as possible. I passed the Board, -but soon found the pittance allowed me insufficient to maintain us, -being only sixpence per day. I had yet hopes, however, that my case was -not understood, and I therefore applied to my Colonel, Sir Andrew -Barnard, and explained it to him. Sir Andrew instantly gave me a note -(which I now hold in my possession)[23] for Sir David Dundas, the then -Governor of Chelsea. Thus provided, and equipped in my uniform, I set -out for Sir David’s residence, and found him walking about the grounds -in front of his house, at Chelsea College. I handed my paper to him in -person, and retired aside while he perused it. But Sir David having -scanned it without turning his head, tossing aside his pigtail with his -fore-finger, cooly handed the note over his shoulders to me, remarking -at the same moment, that he dared say the Lords Commissioners of Chelsea -had given me what they thought I deserved. - -The old gentleman, I suppose, possessed too much of the Spartan blood, -to notice me more than he did; and like the two survivors of Thermopylæ, -he thought my return to England highly inglorious, and unbefitting a -soldier; since it had made me a sixpenny burthen on the country I had -served. - -Day after day we struggled with our necessities, and I confess I saw -nothing but starvation staring me in the face. What was to be done? My -faithful Augustine deliberated with me in our misfortune, with great -patience, and we agreed that it would be most desirable for her to -return to her uncle, and endeavour to move the family of her father to a -reconciliation with us both. Her infant, she thought, could not fail to -excite commiseration; but how were we to defray the expenses of so long -a journey? However, having received several wounds in the service, I was -entitled to what is commonly termed “blood money.” A certificate to that -effect, and signed by my commanding officer and the adjutant of my -regiment, I now had by me. This was to be presented to the parson of the -parish in which I was resident one month after my discharge. The -Honourable Dr. Wellesley, brother to the Duke of Wellington, being -rector of Chelsea, I appealed to him, and he referred me to a Mr. -Walsford, Secretary of the Patriotic Fund, No. 80, Cornhill. But this -gentleman was even more Spartan than the Lords Commissioners, for after -two or three struts up and down his office, he suddenly stopped, and -staring me very stupidly in the face, said, “Damn it, Sir! did you -expect to fight with puddings or Norfolk dumplings? If men go to battle, -what else can they expect but wounds! I am now busy, and cannot be -troubled with you.” I returned to Chelsea—represented my situation to -Mr. Wellesley, and through him, succeeded in obtaining a small sum—five -pounds—for the wound at Waterloo, but none for the others which I -received in the Peninsula. With this scanty supply we proceeded to -Dover, thence to Calais, and from thence to St. Omer, where, taking -leave of my beloved Augustine and her infant (_for the last time_), we -parted. She promised to write me word immediately she succeeded with her -family, and, if not, it was agreed that as soon as my circumstances -improved she should return to me. “Ne m’oubliez pas” were her last -words: as she squeezed my hand. - -Without a farthing in my pocket, for I had given the last sou to her, -and was determined to forage my own way home the best way I could, I -again set off for Calais, where I arrived in much distress. Here fortune -was favourable to me. A brother mason kindly befriended me, and gave me -a free passage to Dover. Had it not been for this kind assistance, I -know not how I should have crossed the Straits. At Dover nothing could -exceed my wretchedness; I had struggled with difficulties in a foreign -country, but I was now returned to my own as if I had been an outcast -upon earth, without a friend or farthing in the world. The thought -maddened me. For a day and a night I walked the streets of Dover, and -scarcely tasted food. A thousand times I asked myself “What can I do? -How shall I act?” Begging was out of the question—a _soldier_ could not -beg. More fitted in this state of mind for a highwayman than a beggar, I -said to myself, “Can I not rob?” I had no fire-arms. Thus, pondering how -I should proceed, I walked slowly along the road that leads to -Canterbury, and on a sudden espied a number of hop-poles in an adjoining -field. The thought flashed like lightning on my brain, that I would -seize one of these, and knock down the first man who came past. Clearing -the hedge at a jump, and pulling one of the poles out of the pile, and -snapping it off at the butt-end, and retiring to my position on the -road, I resolutely glanced about in search of the first passenger, and -as quickly at some distance, observed two men walking smartly towards -me. I squeezed my cudgel firm in my hand, and awaited their approach; -but ere I could bring myself to a proper sense of what I was about, one -of the men suddenly shot himself beside me, saying, “What, Ned! is that -you, my boy? How are you?” shaking me by the hand at the same time. In -an instant I recognized him to be a man of my own regiment, named Jem -Conner, but I could scarcely answer him; he noticed my confusion, and in -the same breath, while he still held my hand, insisted on my returning -with him to Dover. Little dreaming the true cause of my agitation, I -returned with him, where he informed me he was married. I have often -thought that the circumstance of a friend being the person on whom I -thus alighted, was a providential interference that prevented my -committing an act which would ever have embittered my future life. -Perhaps, by similar interposition, however imperceptible to man, many -are saved from the commission of crime. - -Before parting from my generous comrade, who insisted on my sleeping at -his house that night, and although himself in needy circumstances, he -provided me most liberally with what I most required; (poor fellow! he -was severely wounded at Waterloo, passed the board, and married a woman -at Dover:)[24] I explained to him my abject situation, when he advised -me to lay my Chelsea discharge before the Commandant at Dover, who was -then Colonel Ford, and solicit from him sufficient means to carry me to -London. This was to beg—a task contrary to my nature. I asked him what I -was to say? how act? for I had been a soldier since I was sixteen years -of age, and was unacquainted with the forms of civil life. He gave me -such advice as occurred to him, accompanied me on the road, and showed -me the house at which the Colonel resided. It was, I remember, at the -end of the town, near the General Hospital. - -With an unwilling hand I rung the bell. The door was immediately opened. -“Is the Colonel at home?” said I. “Do you wish to see him?” answered the -footman, surveying my person. “I do,” was my reply, “tell him that a -sergeant of the Rifles wishes to speak to him.” The servant then -stepping across the hall, went into the room, and while the door was -ajar, I heard the Colonel ask, “Is he in uniform or in coloured -clothes?” “In coloured clothes,” was the answer. “Tell him to come in.” -I entered the room slowly, and believe me, I went with more spirits on -the forlorn-hope at Badajoz than I now did into the presence of this -officer. He was standing with his back to the fire-place. “Well, -friend,” said he, “what do you want?” In a doubtful tone, I answered, “I -want to know, Sir, if you will lend me a little money, to carry me to -London, and I will pay you when I get my pension.” While thus delivering -myself, which I did in a very confused manner, the Colonel stooped, and -staring me full in the face, as if he thought me mad, with a stentorian -voice, he exclaimed, “God damn you, Sir! who are you, what are you, what -do you want?” The Colonel’s uncouth manner suddenly overwhelmed my -already sinking heart; but the whole spirit of the “man” rebounding from -the shock, instantaneously brought me about again, for recovering -myself, in a firm, earnest, yet determined manner, I replied, “Sir, I am -a man brought to the last pitch of distress, without friend or money. If -you will assist me, pray do so, but do not insult my feelings.” Then -laying my papers on the table, I added, “There, Sir, are my papers; keep -them until I refund the money. I am a Sergeant of the Rifle Brigade, who -has seen service.” Taking my Chelsea discharge, and reading over -attentively the wounds I had received, he looked at me with altogether -an altered expression, and said, “You must have been a gallant fellow, -or you would not have got so many scars in the service; which battalion -did you belong to?” I told him the first. He then asked me what money I -wanted to take me to London. I answered it was only seventy-one miles, -and two shillings would be sufficient, as I could walk more than -thirty-five miles a day, I had no knapsack to carry, and a shilling per -day would do for me. - -There my feelings overpowered me, and he, seeing my emotion, turned -himself round to the fire-place, evidently affected; then, facing me -again, said, “Tut, tut! a brave soldier should not mind a little -poverty;” for at this time I could not answer him; then, ringing the -bell, the footman who was in attendance came into the room, “Tell the -cook,” said he, “to get a good dinner ready for a gallant soldier.” -Then, putting a chair towards me, in a friendly manner told me to sit -down, and began conversing familiarly. He asked a number of questions -concerning the Peninsular war; but we were shortly interrupted by the -servant, informing him dinner was ready. “Go, now,” said he, “and take -some refreshment.” But, alas! my appetite was gone; I could have eaten a -donkey before, but now I could not break bread. The servants, observing -me so discomposed, went and informed the Colonel of it, when he came to -me himself, tapping me on the shoulder, saying, “Come, come, make a good -dinner,” then, turning to the servant, ordered him to bring a bottle of -wine. After my repast he again returned, accompanied by a lady, perhaps -his wife or daughter, to whom he had probably been speaking of me, and -who may have felt curious to see the rough soldier who had gone through -so memorable a campaign. He now slipped some twelve half-crowns into my -hand, and desired me on no account to walk, but to take coach to London; -at the same time he presented me my papers. I thanked him, but requested -he would keep them until I could return the money. “No, no;” he replied, -“I make you a present of it.” He then, in a very kind manner said, “Your -old Colonel, Colonel Barnard, is made a General, and a Knight. He is now -Major-General Sir Andrew Barnard; and, if you wish it, I will write to -him about you.” Again I thanked him, and said, “The Colonel is well -acquainted with me.” I left the house with feelings of gratitude which I -could not give utterance to; and never, although many years have passed, -shall I forget the kindness of Colonel Ford. - -On my return to London I wrote to Augustine, but received no answer. I -waited with anxiety, and then came the mournful intelligence of her -death; most likely owing to her father, as he remained inexorable to the -last. Poor Augustine! Peace be to thy memory! - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - -I enter the British Legion as Lieutenant—I raise a regiment of - Riflemen—Appoint the non-commissioned officers—Recruiting - districts—The peer and the dustmen—General Evans thanks—Embark at - Gravesend—Voyage across the Bay of Biscay—Arrival in Spain—We land at - Portugaletta—Pat’s logic—Spanish sentries shoot a man by mistake—A bad - omen—Men confined for not wearing that which they never had—Modern - rifle officers—Colonel de Rottenburgh—Legion officers classified—Fine - appearance of the men—Rifles march to Zorossa—Head quarters at - Bilboa—Bad quarters of the men—Severe drills—Bad beginning—The men - begin to droop through ill-treatment—“Cats” indiscriminately - used—Lieutenant Robinson drowned. - - From early youth, war has my mistress been, - And tho’ a rugged one, I’ll constant prove, - And not forsake her now. - - -IT will be unnecessary for me to drag the reader through my chequered -life, from the time I left the British army until my last campaign in -Spain. I shall, therefore, jump across the interval, and bring him at -once to the period at which I entered the British Legion. - -It is generally remarked that the life of a service soldier is full of -incident; but the sphere in which he is designed to move can be -understood only by those who have themselves moved in it. In general, -old soldiers in describing battles, fill their accounts with the roar of -cannon, the clouds of smoke, and the groans and cries of the wounded and -dying; but in this part of my narrative, if I cannot relate the former, -I will endeavour to describe the miseries of the unfortunate men with -whom it was my fate to serve; and as I mean neither to borrow nor -dispose of any other man’s stuff, I will relate those things only that -came under my own observation. - -I am aware that some military men fancy a man cannot fight unless he has -his country’s cause at heart, that in their ideas being the only thing -capable of arousing his martial ardour; but I beg most humbly to differ -from those gentlemen, and to tell them, that when a British subject is -put into uniform, and placed in the ranks, with a firelock in his hand, -before an enemy, he requires no stimulant nor patriotic impulse to urge -him in attacking those opposed to him; neither can I see why a British -subject should be ridiculed or prevented from (what he terms) “earning -an honest livelihood;” nor why if he prefers being knocked on the head -in serving a Foreign Power, he should be termed a mercenary and a -murderer, as has been the case with the Legion. - -But if he be kidnapped by a recruiting-sergeant, or pressed by a -press-gang into the British service, there is no doubt but that John -Bull and his brethren of the sister kingdoms, will make the best of a -bad matter, which, as old soldiers well know, is only to be done by -going the whole hog on every occasion; most soldiers like myself, find -in their muskets and bayonets, their only title-deeds; these from the -“_smallness_” of the estates they represent are but poor guarantees: -when, _cut up_ and well _drilled_ by bullets, or long and active -service; old age steals on, and premature infirmities commence their -march upon them. - -In the beginning of July, 1835, I enclosed documents from officers of -rank in the British army, with a statement of my own service and the -rank I had held in that service to Colonel, now Sir De Lacy Evans, and -expressed a wish to enter under his command. - -In the course of a few days an answer was sent to me from Mr. H. -Bulwer,[25] M.P. for St. Marylebone, stating that Colonel Evans had -appointed me as Lieutenant in the 7th Light Infantry, B.A.L., and -requesting me to attend at his house that day, as General Evans wished -to see me. - -I attended at the hour appointed, and for the first time had the honour -of conversing with the General himself, who treated me with that -gentlemanly courtesy for which he has ever been remarked; among other -matters, he asked me several questions concerning a Rifle regiment, and -their probable efficacy in the field. To these, according to my humble -experience, I gave him to understand that as the war was principally -confined to the Pyrenees, and the northern and more mountainous -provinces, no body of men could be more efficient, both from their dress -as well as their arms. - -He approved of my remark, and resolved accordingly to form at least one -regiment of Rifles, and, as a first step, to appoint me Lieutenant and -Adjutant of the regiment. He then gave me instructions to form -recruiting parties, to raise five or six hundred men for that regiment, -and particularly enjoined me to get as many old soldiers of the British -Rifles as I possibly could. The Adjutancy I declined accepting, but I -begged to be empowered to appoint a few non-commissioned officers as an -encouragement to the old Peninsulars. This power he instantly granted -me, and extended even to all whom I thought fitting for that duty, -adding, “I will acquaint the Colonel of your regiment that I have -granted you these privileges.” Mr. Bulwer remarking, “If I went into the -country I might pick up many gamekeepers, who, he thought, would make -excellent riflemen.” I replied, “That man shooting and game shooting -were very different,” at which they both laughed heartily. - -I immediately set to work and got hand-bills printed, and established -recruiting parties at Westminster, the Borough, and Tower Hill, &c., and -appointed about half a dozen sergeants and corporals, who were -immediately supplied with green clothing. I next proceeded to Chatham -and Gravesend, and stationed recruiting parties there also; and in the -short space of two months we raised five hundred men. - -A motley group I enlisted, from the sons of peers, down even to dustmen, -including doctors, lawyers, parsons’ clerks, and all the trades -necessary to form a national hive of cunning, craft and industry. I had -an honourable for a sergeant (the Honourable A. Curzon), a doctor for a -corporal (A. M. Hart), the former of whom was afterwards appointed -Lieutenant. - -These recruits I sent in small detachments on board the ‘Swiftsure,’ -then lying at Portsmouth, the head-quarters of the regiment, appointing -one sergeant and one corporal to every sixteen privates. In the -beginning of September 1835, I received a letter from Baron de -Rottenburgh, our Colonel, that the regiment was about to start for -Spain, wishing me to make as much haste as possible in joining. - -A few days after this I embarked from Gravesend, with nearly one hundred -more men for the Rifles, on board the ‘London Merchant’ steamer, and -arrived at Portsmouth the following day; but, unfortunately, the whole -of the regiment had already sailed for Spain; after paying the men their -bounty of two pounds each, the next morning we sailed also. - -After a very pleasant voyage through the Bay of Biscay, about the middle -of September, we came in sight of the Spanish coast; at first the eye -was struck with the wild and magnificent sweep of the Pyrenean -mountains, which to those unaccustomed to such scenery must be truly -sublime. Through our glasses we could distinctly perceive the various -little towns that dotted here and there the different inlets of the bay, -and which had a very peculiar and wild appearance. But as we approached -the land we could plainly discern, marching up the mountain sides, small -bodies of soldiers which many on board mistook for the troops of Don -Carlos, but on closer inspection we discerned to be the Queen’s. - -Brigadier-General Evans, who was on board, having determined to land -here, the necessary preparations were being made, when, to our surprise -a vessel hove in sight, bearing the remainder of the Rifles from -Santander to Bilboa. They were fully equipped with rifle and green -clothing, and disembarked near Portugaletta, while we with the recruits -landed also. - -Thus, on the 19th September, about seven o’clock on a beautiful summer -evening, I again landed on that soil on which, some four or five and -twenty years ago I had witnessed so many severe contests. We landed near -an old church, where the recruits were to remain for the night, without -blankets, great-coats, or any sort of comfort, in the colonnades of a -damp church. I shall never forget the discourse which took place between -two of the men. One said to the other, “Are we to get no billets, but -stop here for the night without straw, and nothing but these cold damp -flag-stones to lie on? why, I see the General’s horses over the way, -that have just landed, put into warm stables with straw; surely we are -better than horses?” “Arrah, and who the devil tould you so?” said a -countryman of mine, looking him hard in the face, “be my soul, the Queen -of Spain only gave two pounds a-head for such fellows as you and me, and -can get thousands more at the same money; while she is compelled to give -fifty pounds for every horse!” Pat’s logic had the desired effect, and -the poor recruits stretched their weary limbs for the night, with -nothing but a thin smock-frock to keep them warm. - -There was, at the time, in possession of Portugaletta, a Spanish -regiment of the Queen’s Infantry doing duty, this made it exceedingly -dangerous for any of our men to approach those fellows, from their -ignorance and stupidity, for they looked upon anything bearing arms to -be an enemy. One of my company had a melancholy experience of this, for -on coming close to a Spanish sentry, under the darkness of the evening, -he was challenged from a loop-hole through the mud-wall surrounding -Portugaletta. The Englishman not knowing the language, could give no -answer, and the consequence was, the Spaniard instantly fired and shot -him through the knee. The poor fellow remained on the spot where he fell -until the morning, his comrades being afraid to approach him for fear of -a similar fate, and when brought to the company the next day, through -weakness and loss of blood, while under amputation he died under the -hands of the doctor. This for the first night of our landing was rather -a bad omen. Passing the guard-house, with the intention of seeing how -the men had fared during the night, at least half a dozen voices -assailed my ears, “Oh! Sir! I hope you will get us released; we have -been confined all night and have done no crime.” Perceiving they were -some of the recruits I had brought over, I called the sergeant of the -guard to inquire the cause; he informed me that they had been confined -by officers of our regiment, for walking about without their -regimentals; the men, however, had disembarked only the night before, -and had not received their clothing; I ordered them to be released. - -For this act of justice I shortly afterwards was nearly what was termed -“called out” by a brace of officers of the Rifles (whom I knew only by -their uniform), and who very abruptly asked me, why I had released men -whom they had confined! I answered, that no crime had been committed by -them, and that I deemed it right to release them, as men in the British -Army were never confined without cause. - -“Sir,” said one, in an austere voice, “I know what soldiering is. I have -fought and seen service as well as the British Army.” The reader has, -perhaps, already guessed that these “gentlemen” formerly belonged to Don -Pedro, and had served in Portugal during the struggle for that crown. - -I was anxious to see my Colonel to report myself, but on going to his -quarters I heard another of my poor fellows lustily calling on me to -intercede for him. This was in a small field, close to the village, -where he was being held down, across a low, dry wall, by two men, while -the bugler was belabouring him on the bare breech with the “cats,” and -another of these Pedroite officers standing by seeing the punishment -inflicted. The poor fellow had been formerly a bugler in the British -Army, and was now flogged for straggling into Portugaletta without -leave. I had not yet been sixteen hours on the Spanish soil, but I was -growing heartily sick of the campaign, even at this early period. - -In the course of the day, I had an opportunity of mixing with the -officers; who in appearance were a fine set of fellows. - -They were composed of three different classes. The first were gentlemen -who formerly held commissions in the British Army; the second were those -who, through interest, had obtained commissions from General Evans; and -the third class, and who, I was sorry to find, were treble in number to -the other two, were what is termed Pedroites. These last self-taught -heroes were brought up in neither military nor civil life, but had -passed a little Quixotic tour under Don Pedro. In fact, every regiment -of the Legion, like my own, was full of Pedroites. - -The recruits, at length, having received arms and clothing, were drafted -into companies, each about a hundred strong, and of which six completed -the regiment; they were a fine set of men, and with the Legion -altogether, if properly handled, would have done credit to any army in -Europe. - -During the few days that we remained here, a Major, formerly in the -British Army, named Barton, of the Rifles, resigned; this left a -vacancy, which was immediately filled by the senior Captain, Fortescue. -This caused a vacancy for a Captain, and I was promoted to that rank, in -his place, and took command of his company; I may say with safety, I was -one of the few officers in command of a company, at the time, that could -put the men even through their facings. After remaining here about a -week, our regiment was ordered to march, and we took possession of a -small village, Zorossa, about two miles from Bilboa, and situated on the -left bank of the Nervion. This place had experienced all the ravages and -desolation a civil war could inflict; the houses were in a most -dilapidated state. That in which myself and a number of other officers -were quartered had been evidently tenanted by an opulent person; but the -furniture and interior decorations of the rooms had been destroyed, or -defaced by the soldiers of Don Carlos, who had been in possession of the -village a short time before our entry. - -Here lay one of her Britannic Majesty’s gun-brigs, the ‘Ringdove’, to -afford assistance and protection to vessels passing up the river from -the bay to Bilboa, with arms, ammunition, and stores for the Legion: -yet, strange to say, the crew of the ‘Ringdove’ were on the most -friendly terms with the Carlist troops until we arrived. - -Bilboa was at this time the head-quarters of the Legion. With the view -of relieving this important commercial town from the state of blockade -which it had sustained; and of affording protection to the works which -were at this time erecting for its defence, and probably also for -keeping open a more easy communication with England, for the supply of -recruits, stores, &c., a few troops were stationed at Bilboa—but in -straggling convents and houses about its suburbs. The soldiers of the -Legion, notwithstanding these arrangements, were badly quartered—the -greater part of them laying on the cold stone floors of churches and -convents, without beds, blankets, or even straw. It was evident to me, -even thus early in the campaign, that General Evans did not display much -solicitude or feeling for the comforts of his soldiers. The men, who -were at this time chiefly raw recruits, unaccustomed to the change of -diet as well as to the climate of the country, undergoing fatiguing -military instructions by a severe daily drill of six hours, surely a -representation of their situation to the proper Spanish authorities by -General Evans would have made things better for the poor men: but this -was merely a foretaste of the treatment that was to be endured by them, -which I shall have more particularly to allude to, after their arrival -at Vittoria, &c. - -But the miserable and comfortless condition of the men was nothing to -the disgraceful Provost system which was carried on most rigorously in -every regiment of the Legion. Any officer, for the slightest supposed -dereliction of duty, or as he felt inclined, could order a man from one -to four dozen lashes. Every regiment had its provost; nay, in some there -were two, with a proportion of cats.[26] - -It mattered not who they were, recruits or old campaigners, of which -last there were no less than a dozen (Chelsea pensioners), in the -company I commanded. Although the rules of the service at first starting -were boasted as being purely British, I now found them entirely -different. - -In the British army there was only one provost in a division of perhaps -eight or ten regiments. Again, no officer, not even the provost himself, -could order a dozen lashes unless he found the man in the act of -plundering. Below is given a G. O.[27] issued by the Duke of Wellington. - -I had the misfortune to lose a fine active young officer of my company, -a Second Lieutenant named Robinson. In crossing the river from Bilboa in -the dark, by some accident he fell overboard and was drowned. His body -was not found until next morning. His father is Captain and Paymaster in -the 60th regiment. This unfortunate young man, like a number of others -who died in Spain, had an excellent kit, which was sold amongst the -officers of our regiment. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - -Intention of the Spanish Government respecting our winter quarters—March - to Vittoria—Enemy oblige us to go round—The rear of the Legion - engaged—Baggage divided from it—Commencement of the plunder at - Bilboa—Arrival at Castro—Enemy supposed to be in the vicinity—We - remain at Castro—March the next day—Mountainous route—An accident—The - pass of Las Goras—March to Bonia—My company placed in the - advance—Orders to prepare for cavalry—Doubts and fears—A narrow - escape—Arrival at Breviesca—Breviesca—Head Quarters—My old - Patrone—Hints to revolutionists—System of regular drill begun—Riflemen - drilled collectively—I practice my company in sham fighting—Provosts - and hardship—Lay in a winter stock of sickness—Legion paid up to - November, 1835—Last payment—March of death—We march for Vittoria—Pass - of Pancorbo—The dead Patrone—Approach to Vittoria—My old - recollections—The 45th—Halt about three miles from the city—Spanish - troops come out to meet us—Triumphant entry into Vittoria—The veteran - Colonel. - - -IN pursuance of the intention of the Spanish Government that the -auxiliaries should winter and complete their military discipline in -Vittoria or Breviesca, on the 30th of October, 1835, the Legion, in -conjunction with a division under Espartero, commenced its march to -those places. It was well known that at this period the enemy were -anticipating our movements and intended destination, and learning that -our route would be on the Durango road, they posted themselves in great -strength to give us a warm reception. The formidable attitude of the -Carlists, however, induced General Evans to abandon this direct line of -march upon Vittoria, not more than twelve leagues distant, and to take a -more circuitous, and almost pathless route, of sixty leagues, over a -difficult and mountainous district. - -The main body of the Legion started about six in the morning, but the -whole had not quitted till late at noon, when closed in upon their rear -by the Guerillas and Carlist peasantry. They became separated from the -baggage, which, but for the contiguity of Bilboa, would have been all -taken. The consequence was, that almost the whole returned, and was -supposed to have been placed under the care of the British Consul and -the Alcalde of the city, who, in conjunction with a few others, actively -employed, may be said to have originated the plunder which subsequently -devoured almost all the luggage of the Legion officers; quantities -without lists, or any regular accounts, having been indiscriminately -heaped in stores, and thence as carelessly embarked for Santander. - -Meanwhile, on the second day’s march, we came to Castro, where, as we -expected to meet the enemy, my company was selected to form a rear-guard -in the event of the Carlists attacking our rear. Near the town, as -expected, a number of the Guerillas, who were always on the look-out, -fired on our rear sections, and a poor fellow of the Westminster -Grenadiers, who through fatigue had straggled from his regiment, was -shot through the thigh. I instantly started a few old soldiers after -them, who very soon put them to flight. This was the first time that I -had heard the whistle of a Carlist ball. I then placed the wounded -soldier on my pony till we arrived at Castro, where we halted for the -night. We found this place to be a wretchedly filthy hole; a sea-port on -the Bay of Biscay, and then occupied by two regiments, and some -artillery of the Queen’s troops. - -At daybreak the next morning, we left Castro, and after an advance of -five or six miles, a Spanish officer who had been riding rapidly to -overtake us, informed the General that the enemy were again -advantageously posted, and in great strength, awaiting our arrival a few -miles further on. On this intelligence we were again ordered to the -right-about. However, my company, who were on the advance in the morning -with some Lancers, received orders from General Reid to remain where we -were, until the main body had reached the bottom of a hill, about two -miles distant; but expecting to see the Carlists fast advancing upon us, -I thought it more prudent to follow in quick time, with the Lancers -behind us. We remained for the night in the small villages round Castro. - -The next day’s march was a very harassing one. Our route led over high -mountains, with scarcely a path, and almost unknown even to our guides; -however, for my own part, this was compensated for by one of the most -majestic pieces of scenery I ever beheld. The country around us was -beautifully romantic; the Bay of Biscay, from our elevated position, -appearing but a short distance off, while the clouds which encircled -that part in our view, kept circling upwards and throwing a reflection -on the serene surface of the sea, that seemed almost enchanting. - -At the entrance of a small village on the hill just mentioned, the rifle -of a Sergeant Johnson, of my company, while on trail, went off, and shot -a man named Neal, the ball entering at the back and passing out at the -groin. We conducted him to a house where, for want of conveyance, we -were obliged to leave him to the mercy of the mountain peasantry; this -poor fellow, strange to say, was brother to the man who, the night of -our landing, had been shot by the sentry at Portugaletta. They were both -fine young men, and deserved a better fate. - -At night, after a fatiguing march, the brigade as usual was quartered in -a damp church. The day following we proceeded on our march, but a great -deal of anxiety was experienced lest a celebrated pass (Las Goras) which -we had to advance upon, should be occupied by the enemy. About four -o’clock we arrived, but found it in possession of the Queen’s troops, -and for the first time, we bivouacked in a wood. The next morning the -harassed and jaded condition of the men was so evident, that we could -not proceed until several bullock-carts had been procured. - -On the following morning we continued our march for several days, till -we arrived at the banks of the river Ebro, the scene of many of my -former campaigns. After passing the bridge the prospect became -beautifully varied, the Ebro silently meandering in its serpentine -course, through a broad and fertile valley, at the base of a chain of -mountains which, verging towards the Mediterranean, were here and there -dotted with villages and lonely cottages, the scattered husbandmen -quietly occupied in the tillage of their fields. - -We still continued to advance for about fifteen miles, through a country -increasing at every turn in beauty and attraction, until we entered a -very narrow pass, surrounded on every side by stupendous and rocky -mountains, all rising so abruptly, and to such a magnificent height, -that they seemed to threaten destruction to the whole Legion as it -passed beneath. - -This formidable passage could with ease be defended by a handful of men -against several thousands. The immense and natural magazines of rocks -that appeared to nod destruction to the passing stranger, might be -hurled with awful effect on troops marching below. - -Early in the afternoon the Legion reached Onai, a small and very ancient -town, celebrated for its splendid and richly endowed monastery. Our -brigade was quartered for the night in the monastery, and as we entered -I observed the monks and friars apparently in great consternation, -making a hasty exit with their beds and furniture. Time and war had made -strange changes in this magnificent convent, originally built for the -religious exercises and devotional retirement of its monkish recluses, -was now turned into a barrack; its sacred silence seldom disturbed but -by the devotional hum of the prostrate “sinners,” now broken in upon by -boisterous clamour and the sacrilegious intrusion of men whose worldly -object and employment formed a strong contrast to the ascetic life of -the secluded monks. - -On the 9th of November, very early, we proceeded on our line of march -towards Breviesca. An attack of the enemy’s cavalry was at this time -expected in great force, therefore the whole of the Rifles, prior to -marching, were ordered to load. Our Colonel and General Reid called me -on one side, and told me, as my company was going to take the -advanced-guard, they wished me to keep a good look out, as everything in -the shape of cavalry was sure to be our enemy. We had not proceeded more -than a mile on the road, and before the morning had clearly dawned, when -the advanced files cried out to me the cavalry were formed across the -road. I made it a rule, during the march, to leave my two Lieutenants -with the rear subdivision, and take the advance myself, as they were -inexperienced, and knew little of these matters. I instantly ordered the -bugler to sound the halt, merely to give notice to the battalion in the -rear, and dismounting from my pony took one of the men’s rifles. I sent -directions for the Lieutenant to see the men get under cover in the most -secure manner, in case the cavalry should charge, and to keep up a brisk -fire on them. I then advanced to the front file, and immediately -challenged the cavalry, then about fifty yards from me, with rifle -cocked and half presented. The answer was given, “amigos” (friends). I -then ordered them to advance, which a few did, with their officer, very -cautiously. When I found them to be the Queen’s troops I allowed them to -pass. There was about a troop. Before we had proceeded a quarter of a -mile further, we came in sight of a regiment of infantry, which -immediately threw out a company in extended order on both sides of the -road. This put us on our metal again, and bringing up the rear section, -I gave them directions to extend; but no man to fire without receiving -orders from me. We then advanced most cautiously, when I perceived an -officer waving a white handkerchief on a sword, and advancing towards -me. I instantly met him, and found these also to be Queen’s troops, the -cavalry which we first met being their advance-guard. General M’Dougal -and General Reid, with our Colonel de Rottenberg, rode up, and thanked -me for the cautious manner in which I had acted, remarking that, had any -inexperienced officer been in my place, most serious consequences might -have ensued, as the Queen’s troops had taken us for the enemy, not -knowing that any of the Legion was dressed otherwise than in red -uniform. I jokingly replied, I had been brought up in Wellington’s -school, where we were taught to make no blunders. I could find, the -short time I had been with the Legion, that chief part of the officers -did not know a friend from the enemy. We arrived at Breviesca about four -o’clock in the afternoon, much to the joy of the Legion, as it was -appointed as a temporary place of rest, if not of winter quarters. - -This march occupied nine days. The distance from Bilboa, by the -circuitous and difficult route we had taken, was about sixty leagues, -which is, upon an average, about twenty English miles a day. - -Breviesca is an ancient town of considerable extent, situated in an open -plain, in the province of Castile; and is distant from Vittoria about -forty miles, and twenty from Burgos; it is surrounded by a mud wall. - -Head-quarters were now at Breviesca, but the town not affording -accommodation sufficient for the whole Legion, several regiments were -quartered in the adjacent villages. - -The inhabitants of this and the neighbouring localities, had been much -oppressed at different periods, and particularly by the French, during -the Peninsular war. The old patrone of the house in which I was -quartered, gave me a long recital of the exactions he had been subject -to, during that period, by soldiers of different armies, these he -related with the tears rolling over his aged cheeks, which, no doubt, -his extraordinary sufferings had mainly contributed to wither. Indeed, -the Spaniards, since my last sojourn amongst them, had made but very -little progress towards improvement, the joint influence of foreign -invasion, priestcraft, and civil strife, having so long, and so -continually absorbed their energies, that they could scarcely be said to -have recovered themselves: their beautiful country, rich as it was in -natural resources, now bore the appearance of a desert, patched here and -there only, by the hands of the cultivator, who planted in fear, and -gathered in trembling, under the dreadful probabilities of having it -uprooted, or trodden down by the soldiers of either party, and himself, -perhaps, and his family stretched lifeless amid the ruin. - -If there are any among my readers so lost to common sense and -patriotism, as to glory in the prospect of revolution in their own -favoured country, let me tell them that the “lopping” of the limb is a -dangerous remedy, and that can scarcely ever be justifiable. Few can -wander amid the realities of dissevered and disjointed Spain, and not -feel the truth of my observation. Her treachery may be a good plea with -some, but war, and especially those inappropriately called “civil” are -enough to make any nation treacherous, especially when “pretended -friends” ride rough-shod over the soil and feelings of the inhabitants. - -At Breviesca we commenced a regular system of drilling, but, in my -opinion, useless; the Rifles were drilled collectively, instead of being -exercised in light infantry manœuvres, which last, every practical -soldier must well know, was better adapted to the mountain warfare we -were about to engage in (not only for the Rifles, but for every regiment -of the Legion). But instead of this, they were confined to marching -round in columns of companies, saluting the General, forming lines, &c. -This I pointed out to our Colonel, with a request that we might be -allowed fifteen or twenty rounds of blank cartridge, to exercise the men -a little in sham fighting; to this he acceded, and it afterwards proved -of great service. - -During the short time we remained at Breviesca, the drilling and the -provosting system were as usual carried on most rigorously: these, with -our long and harassing march from Bilboa, together with the damp -convents, &c., laid the foundation of all the sickness and mortality -that afterwards befel the unfortunate Legion. - -About this time an order came from Madrid, for the whole of the men to -be paid up to the last day of November, 1835; this was the only -settlement that Captains of companies had with the paymaster, until the -dissolution of the Legion. - -After remaining in this town about three weeks, the Legion marched for -Vittoria, leaving two large hospitals crowded with sick. - -The morning of our departure was exceedingly inclement, and those who -witnessed our march from Breviesca, will not readily forget the scene -that presented itself. The ground was covered with snow; such of the -sick as could not be accommodated in the hospitals, in the absence of -every other conveyance, were mounted upon donkeys, supported on each -side by their comrades, and enveloped in old rugs, watch-coats and -blankets, as a protection against the inclemency of the season. As this -spectre group moved along in sad and melancholy procession, their gaunt -appearance produced a strong sensation upon the troops, as they passed -them on the line of march. The Englishman commented on their worn and -wretched appearance, and commiserated their sufferings; while the -calculating Scotchman anticipated that before long, such probably might -be their own fate. But an Irishman roared out from the ranks, “Prepare -to receive cavalry!” and then making a full stop, and scratching his -head, as he deliberately surveyed, with a serio-comic expression of -countenance, the melancholy cavalcade of invalids, exclaimed, with a -significant nod to his comrades, “By Jasus, boys, there’s no danger, -they are quietly marching to tother world!” - -After going through the romantic pass of Pancorbo, we halted for the -night in a mountain village, on the left of the main road. My company -was told off to two houses, and as I ever made it a rule to visit the -men’s quarters after a day’s march, I found in one of their billets, the -patrone and two of his children laying dead, huddled together on some -Indian corn-leaves, with an old blanket thrown over them, and the -unfortunate mother in another corner of the room weeping most bitterly, -with an infant in her arms, without fire, or any other thing to comfort -her. It appeared, from the forlorn widow’s statement, that her husband -was pressed by the Carlists for a soldier. Being fond of his children he -deserted, and remained secreted until he died from want. We collected a -small sum for her, and I got the children interred. - -The next day, at about two o’clock, we came in sight of the city of -Vittoria; its towers slowly emerging to the view as we neared it over -the plains. - -I cannot describe how I felt, on again beholding this place, so -celebrated for the victory we had gloriously achieved here, under our -immortal Wellington, some four or five-and-twenty years before. The very -hedges became familiar to me; but when we arrived at the village on the -main road where we had taken the first gun, and where I so fortunately -escaped death, I could no longer suppress my emotions, but turning my -pony off the road from my company into the fields, I gave vent to my -feelings. Weak as this may appear, it nevertheless is true, and I stood -as one—the last of the time-forgotten numbers who had consecrated the -scene. I felt as it were amidst them, and, unconsciously looked about, -as if under the impression that the soil would throw out some of my old -comrades. But all was one bleak flat, edged in on either side by -mountains, which seemed to rear their heads like tombstones o’er the -glorious sleepers at their base. - -How many a year had passed, how many a care had done its best to wither -up my heart-strings, but oh! how vain! I was still the “old soldier!” -and though garbed and tilted with the appointments of Captain of a -company, it had not altered my nature; and I verily believe, if the -offer could have been made, that I should have given up epaulettes and -all for one short hour’s converse with my old brother campaigners. - -In the midst of my retrospections, General Reid, together with my -Colonel, rode up to ask some questions about this celebrated battle, -which they were aware I had been present at, but seeing my discomposed -state of mind, they most kindly declined making inquiries. Between the -sorrow I felt for those brave companions, who had fallen on every side -of me, and the inward pride that burnt in my bosom, as one of those who -had assisted in that ever-memorable contest, I could not compose my -fluttering and overwhelming feeling; but this agitated state was broken -in upon by one of the men of my company, who coming up to me said: - -“You cannot conceive, Sir, how queer I feel at the sight of this town; -for there, Sir, I was born (pointing to Vittoria): my poor father was -dangerously wounded, and while my mother, who so many a time told me the -tale, attended to him in the hospital, she took to her bed and brought -me into the world.” - -I inquired to what regiment his father had belonged; he informed me the -45th. He seemed much affected as well as myself; I slipped him a trifle -to drink to his father’s memory. Poor fellow! he came to keep his sire -company, and to fatten the Spanish soil with his own remains, as he died -in about a month after his arrival in “his birth-place.” - -We halted for an hour about three miles from the city; we were joined by -a number of Spanish troops, both infantry and cavalry, who had marched -out to meet us; as soon as the chief part of the Legion had come up, we -proceeded to march into the town, with Spanish bands at our head, -playing their national airs. The inhabitants had placed over the gates -an illuminated globe and festoons of laurels &c.; on the former was an -inscription in variegated lamps, - - “To the brave and generous English - Who fight for the liberty of Nations.” - -The windows were crowded with old and young, with beauty and deformity, -some perhaps from curiosity, some to welcome, but most of them waving -handkerchiefs, shouting vivas and giving other demonstrations of what we -supposed to be a universal welcome—to thousands a welcome to their last -home. Banners were hoisted from tower and steeple, and bells jingled in -every one of them, and as the darkness set in, the whole town was -illuminated, and a display of fireworks in the Plaza finished the -evening. But alas! how soon the Spaniards changed their tune; we had not -been three weeks in this sepulchre of the unfortunate Legion, before -they wished us, General and all, at the devil. - -I was billeted, as luck would have it, on an old Colonel who formerly -belonged to the Spanish service and who had fought under the Duke of -Wellington. He had for some years retired on half pay, and as he was -very proficient in the French language and I also had some knowledge of -it, we made the time pass very agreeably, entertaining each other with -anecdotes of our respective services. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - -Vittoria as it then was—A bad wind that blows nobody any good—Rifles - rather comfortable at first—Severe weather—Morning scenes and cries in - Vittoria—The flogging system—Men not starved—A comparison of - facts—Hospitals get crammed with sick—Singular economy—The old - Colonel’s two sons—The Chapelgorris decimated by order of - Espartero—The Rifles march to Matuca—The whole Legion assemble at - Matuca—Cordova engaged—A Carlist village—A confession—A night - retreat—Colonel’s anxiety—Arlaban—Change of looks both in the men and - the inhabitants—March to Trevina—Sharp winter of 1835. - - -THE morning after our arrival, I took the earliest opportunity to look -about the town, and I passed through the gates on the great road, -leading to Pampeluna. On coming to the spot where I fell in with the -carriage of Joseph Bonaparte, I found that a convent had been built over -it, which was now converted into a hospital for the Spanish soldiers. - -The city and its suburbs, however, were much improved, which was -accounted for in the immense quantity of money and valuables left by the -French, in their hurried flight before the British troops. Indeed, as -the old Colonel assured me, the conquerors in that battle were the -making of Vittoria and had greatly enriched the inhabitants. - -The Rifles were quartered in a convent, and enjoyed for a short time -more comforts than they had known since their arrival in Spain; as every -three men were allowed a straw mattress and one blanket, and I made it a -practice, as long as I could, to see each man provided every morning -with a pint of warm chocolate, at a charge of three-half-pence per day, -and also with soups made with rice, flour, &c. This soon became general -throughout the regiment. - -The weather set in very severely, and the morning sun not unusually -brought on a thaw, after a night which had perhaps left the plains -ankle-deep in snow. Our drill ground also lay some distance from the -city, and it frequently happened that after serving the men with new -shoes at the morning parade, preparatory to their going to drill, they -as often returned with them torn to pieces by the stiff mud. - -But the most disgusting annoyance I ever met with, was on going to -inspect the company in the colonnades of the convent; as the whole of -our brigade consisting of the Rifles, the 3rd Westminster Grenadiers and -the 6th Scotch were quartered here; every morning therefore at -inspection my ears were saluted with the cries of the unfortunate -soldiers, receiving from one to four dozen lashes, for misdemeanors -committed the evening previous. Indeed it was a duty imposed upon the -Captain of the day, to see these punishments inflicted; but the Colonel -agreeing with me that this might be performed by the orderly subalterns, -I escaped the unpleasant office. - -General Evans, however, possibly might not really have been aware of the -real state of the men, and I should be sorry to say that he did not -care. He was very much of the “recluse” at all times, and therefore -insurmountable difficulties lay in the way of a man’s getting a hearing -from him; consequently there was no hope for the poor fellows, save what -might have been expected from the mercy of the Provost, or the whims of -his judges, who may be said to have administered as many sentences as -would have whipped every man in the Legion twice over, with the -exception of hanging, which, in many instances, would have been -preferable; never were punishments carried to such an extent, nor -authority so unlimited or arrogated by any men, as that usurped by the -chief part of the officers of the British Auxiliaries. - -Meanwhile, however, the reports circulated in England that the men were -starved for want of rations were unfounded, as the resources of the -neighbourhood, and the fact of our being under the employ of the Spanish -Government, opened even a better medium for supply than what formerly -had been allotted to the British army under the Duke of Wellington. - -Here the hospitals were soon crammed with sick; but the most cruel part -of this was, a man was no sooner conveyed to hospital, than the chief -part of his clothing was taken from him, and given to men able to -perform their duty; so that, if he happened to recover, he rejoined his -regiment almost naked. From this cause he generally got a relapse, -returned to hospital, and nothing more was heard of him. To give the -reader some slight idea of the number of men who died through want and -negligence, I will subjoin the names of Sergeants alone belonging to my -own company (observing that I had the charge of what is termed the staff -company). They are as follows: Sergeant-Major Powley, Colour-Sergeant -Smith, Pay-Sergeant Madicott, Sergeants Bushel, Watson, and Hornsby, and -Armoury-Sergeant Bleakey. - -I remember one day, while sitting smoking a cigar at my quarters at -Vittoria, the Colonel’s wife rushed into the room, and throwing her arms -around my neck in tears and in the most heart-rending tone, cried, “Mon -Dieu! mon Dieu!” and almost fainted. At this moment her husband, the old -Colonel, entered, with looks and attitude baffling all description; he -approached near me, while his wife still hung on my neck. He stood -silent and motionless; at one moment despair depicted in his face, the -next his eyes glistened with apparent transports of joy, although the -tears rolled rapidly down his cheeks. I was transfixed to my chair -(while the old lady still remained crying on my shoulder), wondering -what could be the cause of this strange visit. But, with the reader’s -permission, I will unravel the mystery. Some time previously, the -Chapelgorris—in which regiment the Colonel’s two sons had -volunteered—had taken a Carlist village, named La Bastide, and in -driving the enemy out, a priest, who was flying with the Carlists, was -shot. On the Chapelgorris returning to the village, they plundered the -church, and drank wine out of the chalice. This was made known to the -government of Madrid; and it was falsely added, that the priest had been -murdered in the church, with a view to spoliation. Espartero, the -commander of this division, was accordingly written to, and censured for -having suffered such an outrage. - -The means he adopted to justify himself was cold, deliberate butchery. -Although at the time this supposed sacrilege was committed, Espartero -called them his noble, brave Chapelgorris, on this day—the 12th of -December—the bravest of Spanish soldiers, whose pride it was to fight by -the side of the English, were doomed to have their laurels plucked from -their brows, and that enthusiastic and loyal spirit broken for ever. The -whole of the Chapelgorris were marched a few miles on the Miranda road; -and, without the slightest notice of what was intended, they were -ordered to ascend a rising ground. Here they found a large body of -infantry and cavalry, which had preceded them from Vittoria, all drawn -up. When they had ascended the hill, they were ordered to pile arms, and -marched to some distance. The cavalry then rode between the Chapelgorris -and their arms, when, for the first time, the poor fellows had some idea -of what was intended. Espartero, who commanded in person at this scene, -then ordered lots to be cast, and every tenth man was set apart from the -rest. These ten were shot in the presence of their unarmed comrades. The -Colonel’s two sons were ever known to stand side by side in the ranks, -but on this morning one of their comrades had taken his position between -the two brothers, and this poor fellow, being the tenth man, fell by the -ruthless and murderous command of Espartero. When my old host, the -Colonel, and his wife, heard of this providential escape of their sons, -their joy occasioned the sudden entrance and extravagant conduct of the -poor old Colonel and his lady, who came to impart the tidings to me, but -were too overpowered by their feelings to give them utterance. “But the -most horrid part of this butchery was,” said the old veteran, who by -this time was a little collected, “that the men were not despatched at -one volley, but individually, four men firing at each victim, who was -placed beside his dead comrades, until the tragic scene was finished.” - -In the beginning of January, 1836, we left Vittoria, and marched to a -small town on the main road to Salvaterra, called Matuca, about six -miles distant. Here we remained several weeks, chiefly occupied in -barricading our houses with loopholes, &c., and occasionally going out -on the hills, opposite the castle of Guevara, a strongly fortified -place, occupied by the Carlists. - -The whole of the Legion having assembled at Matuca, we moved towards the -heights of Arlaban, where, as Cordova was warmly engaged on our left; we -expected an encounter also, but after manœuvring for the day, we -encamped on a bleak hill without firing a shot. The following evening we -entered a village just quitted by the Carlists, where we remained for -the night, using every precaution by barricading the doors and windows -of all the houses we occupied. Meanwhile, from its being a Carlist -village, our men thought it right to make free with whatever fell in -their way. - -In the house in which I had taken up my billet, the owner was a -remarkably pretty woman, with two children; some of our men picking up a -Carlist muster-roll, she confessed to me that her husband was a Captain -in Don Carlos’s army, and had left her only a few nights before. The -house was well stored with wine, and with every necessary comfort; -myself, and my two subalterns, fared most sumptuously, our hostess -spreading the table with every delicacy the place afforded. She was a -very intelligent woman, and spoke the French language fluently; she -placed herself under our protection to avoid the importunities of the -men, but everything else these last “gentlemen” could lay their hands -upon they did. - -We returned to the hills on which we were stationed the day before: but -we still heard firing on our left, and remained here till twelve o’clock -at night. After the men had collected wood, and lighted large fires, and -laid down beside them for the night (it was severely cold, with frost -and snow, and a number of men without even watch-coats), to our -surprise, about midnight, the “word” was silently passed to “fall in” as -quickly as possible, and make the best of our way from the camp-ground, -as the Carlists were in great force around us. - -We quietly moved about a mile lower down, across a small river, where, -as it was impossible to light fires, we remained, ankle-deep in snow, -till the morning. This was one of the most distressing nights I ever -experienced during my whole life. In the morning I felt alarmed for the -safety of the Lieutenant of my company; who, being a favourite of the -Colonel’s, was in the habit of remaining with him. On inquiry, the -Colonel told me he had not seen him, and clasping his hands together, he -exclaimed, “Good God! he must be taken and assassinated by the -Carlists.” Fearing the truth of his supposition, I instantly started for -the camp-ground we had left, with some of my company (such as were not -frost-bitten by the inclemency of the night), and on my arriving near -the camp, to my pleasing astonishment, I beheld Lieutenant Tottenham, my -lost officer, with one or two others, who had not been disturbed by our -silent retreat, but remained comfortably sleeping by the large fires the -men had lighted, and most reluctantly left. - -All the honour gained by this Arlaban expedition, was about a dozen men, -who happened to straggle from the regiments, most brutally butchered (by -the Carlists); on one man in particular, whom Colonel de Rottenburg and -myself had stripped, we counted no less than twenty-six stabs through -his body; and about half a dozen of my own company also were severely -frost-bitten: indeed from our having no other conveyance, some of these -men were obliged to be carried on the backs of their comrades, to save -them from falling into the hands of the Carlists. Thus ended the -celebrated Arlaban expedition. Certainly it is, Cordova did not cause -all this by his imputed treachery and bad faith. - -We returned once more to Matuca, our old quarters. I could see the -inhabitants did not regard us with the same eye as before we started; -but it was unjust to look scornfully on our poor fellows, who would have -fought if they had had proper men to command them. - -In the beginning of February the chief part of the Legion left Matuca, -and, marching to the right, took up their position in a mountain town -called Trevina, about four leagues from Vittoria. This town is -surrounded by bleak and barren mountains, which the Carlists a short -time previous had quitted. The crowded state in which we were in here, -caused the men to die by sections. Besides two large hospitals, which -were filled, the sick were at last compelled to be sent to Vittoria, -guarded by strong detachments, as there were not sufficient places for -their reception, and, to crown our misfortunes, during the greater part -of our stay here, there was snow a foot deep. The men, although nearly -barefoot, were constantly employed barricading the houses and streets in -every part of the town, which a short time afterwards we left to the -mercy of the enemy. - -The winter of 1835 was one of the severest known in Spain for the last -half century, as if the elements also contended against the unfortunate -Legion. Here we were shorter, both in money and rations, than at any -other place since our arrival in the country. We remained about three -weeks, and then retraced our steps to Vittoria; the men completely -harassed by fortifying the place, that after all turned out to be of no -use to us. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - -Return to Vittoria—The mortality and state of the hospitals—Deaths among - the medical officers—Scenes in the wards—Legion supposed to be - poisoned—Don José Elgoez—His first ordeal—A discovery—Execution of the - two bakers—Description of the “Garotta”—Legion march and - counter-marches—Mode of warfare adopted by General Evans—Frequent - desertion. - - -AT our return, the fever still continued to rage most fearfully, and -Vittoria resembled a city infected with the plague. The scenes in the -hospital were truly appalling. The wards were so crowded, that -suffocation must have been inevitable, but for the inclement season; -which had free access through the wards, from the entire want of -window-sashes, and in many instances doors, most of which had been -destroyed by the monks—the former and forcibly ejected occupants. But -this prevention of one evil only gave rise to another equally -calamitous; as scarcely a patient escaped being frost-bitten. There was -also a total absence of bedding of any kind, or even bedstead, and many -a poor fellow, in the height of fever, was forced to content himself -with loose straw, and nothing to cover him but a great coat or a rug; -hence the scenes in the wards became disgusting in the extreme. - -At length the medical men themselves began to feel the pestilence, and -the casualties among them so reduced their number (for the most -attentive suffered first) that the requisite attendance could not be -given, and death strode amongst the sick unchecked. The delirious, the -dying, and the dead, were all indiscriminately huddled together, and -sometimes mixed up with their groans, might be heard the cries of some -poor fellow undergoing a course, not of medicine, but of -cat-o’-nine-tails, which in many instances were resorted to by the -medical gentlemen to beat out what they could not cure. Many and many a -sick soldier has been accused of skulking, while his thin, cadaverous, -wan, fevered countenance alone has dared to belie the charge, made by -his tyrants. But happily this was not general. - -I remember going one day to the hospital to see my servant, a worthy, -honest Yorkshireman, named Jackson, who at this time was also suffering -under the dreadful malady. I had to pass through several wards before I -arrived at that in which he was; such a sight I never witnessed before. -The raving maniac, in all the degrees of delirium, made the room ring -again, and effectually withstood any attempt on the part of the sick -only, to keep them from annoying the sleeping. - -I particularly noticed one, a sergeant-major, sitting upright on the -mattress. He was haggard and worn to a skeleton, with a beard of at -least three weeks’ growth. The wild and unsettled glance of his eye told -at once, that the old soldier was delirious: his mind, however, was -actively at work, and he was drilling an imaginary regiment, in the most -pressing yet deliberate manner. I stood to listen to him. At length he -was interrupted by a brother sufferer in an adjoining pallet. In an -instant he summoned an hospital orderly and in the same imperative tone, -bade him go immediately and bring the Provost, that he might inflict -summary punishment on the delinquent, who had thus dared to commit such -a breach of discipline, as to interrupt him in the performance of his -duty. The orderly was actually on the point of obeying his orders, when -I informed him his patient was not in his right senses. - -The sergeant seemed a veteran, who had seen service; and from the manner -in which he had delivered his word of command, was no doubt well -qualified to put a regiment through its manœuvres. - -The mortality amongst the troops increased to a frightful extent in some -regiments, as many as a dozen or fifteen dying of a day, and the duty of -attending the dead to their last home became so fatiguing that it was at -last done away with altogether. The bodies were carried from the -hospitals in cart-loads. The surgeons staggered through sickness and -laboured under a want of medicines. At length it was whispered about -that the bread had been poisoned; finally the report became so loud, as -to cause one general thrill of horror, and immediate steps were taken to -discover the agents in so fiendish an affair. - -At length private information having been given to the paymaster of the -7th regiment of the Legion he disguised himself, and went about making -observations, which resulted in his taking prisoners some agents of Don -Carlos, in the act of persuading our men to desertion; a woman also was -amongst them, whose very pretty person was made use of to decoy them off -our boundaries to the enemy; and it was further said, a conspiracy was -traced to the house of a baker and his assistant, who up to this time -had supplied the Legion with ration bread. - -At all events, on the day in question, this pair of demons had already -gone through an ordeal, sufficient to cure even Carlos of his villanies. -Some of the Spanish troops for want of immediate rations applied to our -commissariat, and having obtained permission to take their bread from -our stores, they had received several hundreds of rations. In the course -of the day, however, a number of their men were taken very ill, and -many, even to sixty in number, it was reported, had died. Whether these -deaths be true or not I cannot say, but the cause of their sudden -illness was traced to Don José Elgoez, who was instantly brought bound -to the Plaza and a piece of black bread, slung on a bit of string, being -tied round his neck, the men commenced their retaliation. - -Eight or ten of the strongest men in the battalion, each armed with a -long staff, were selected, and severally beat him over the back and -shoulders, until the culprit dropped powerless and senseless on the -ground. He was immediately taken from the scene to prepare for a second -ordeal of a more awful character, as his assistant and himself were -tried and sentenced to be strangled on the charge of having been in -communication with the enemy, &c. During the interval that elapsed -between the sentence and execution, great efforts were made by his -fellow partizans to get him off. As much as thirty thousand dollars were -offered as a ransom, but all his friends could do was unavailing, and -the execution of both men took place in the space outside the new Plaza -of Vittoria, before thousands of Spaniards, and the assembled Legion. - -They were executed after the Spanish custom by the garotta. This -appeared to me to be a much better mode of fulfilling the last sentence -of law, than hanging or the guillotine, and not so disgusting. It was -performed as follows: a platform was erected, about three feet high, in -the centre of which two upright posts were fixed, with a seat in each, -sufficiently elevated for the culprits to sit upon. To either post an -iron collar was fitted, made so as to be opened or compressed on one -side of the post, by a winch and screw on the opposite. - -The fronts in which their necks were placed were so formed, as, by the -relaxing or tightening of the screws, to cause a lingering or -instantaneous death, I should say, as the sentence might dictate. As -soon, however, as the executioner gave the first twist, he rather -triumphantly bellowed out, “Viva!” and then finished the principal, who -died in a more lingering manner than his second or assistant. Despite -the gravity of the melancholy spectacle, I could not but listen with -surprise to the attendant priests, who doubtless were Carlists, -exhorting the departing spirits of the pair of prisoners, with the -words: “Monta a el cielo! Monta a el cielo!” Go up to Heaven! Go up to -Heaven![28] - -Shortly after this our brigade was occasionally sent out to the -adjoining villages, for the benefit of the air, and also to prevent the -enemy from laying close siege to the town. Indeed, so daring were they, -that they frequently at night would come even to the gates of the city, -and fire at the first party they saw. This made our mode of warfare -different to that to which I had been accustomed to during my former -campaigns. Our present plan was to occupy the villages and houses in -front of the enemy, and fortify them with loop-holes and barricades, to -obviate the necessity of exposing our men to the attacks of an enemy -rather more blood-thirsty than the gallant spirits under Soult and his -predecessors. - -This was a prudent step in General Evans, as the Carlists we found -followed up their practice of stealing on us, under cover of the -darkness, and sometimes under the fogs, which were very frequent, and so -firing on our men. While on this out-post duty desertions became very -frequent, which may be attributed to the offer of seven dollars to every -foot-soldier, and twelve dollars to every horseman, who would go over, -with arms and accoutrements, to Don Carlos. Amongst the number induced -to accept those terms was a piper, well known as “Little Jemmy,” of the -6th Scotch, whose Highland costume and uncouth music at all times -attracted a crowd of children about him. While on picquet we could hear -Little Jemmy, on the Carlist outpost, playing “Over the waters to -Charlie;” Jemmy’s music proved attractive, too, for numbers followed -him, and with them a bugler of the Rifles. This fellow, for the same -ends, also used regularly to sound the wine-call three times a day, as a -contrast to our own, which was but once during the same period. Letters -also were found at our advanced posts, written in English, and promising -a return to England, through France, to those who would leave the ranks -of the “foreign invaders,” (as they termed us). These persuasive offers -were in too many instances successful. - -Soon after, our brigade was removed to a small village, some short -distance from Vittoria, near the main road, where I remember the French -had made a gallant stand against the Light and third divisions. It was -not unfrequent, during the hours of drill, to notice, here and there, -bleached skulls scattered about, melancholy evidences of the sanguinary -rencontre. I have often unconsciously watched, lest some clumsy fellow -should disturb those weather-beaten relics; and turned to the olden -scenes when, perhaps, their very owners fought beside me in many a -bloody field, or helped to while away the moments by a camp fire with -some humorous recital. - -On one of these occasions our Bugle-Major, named M’Kay, and formerly a -corporal in my own battalion, in which he had served during the whole of -the Peninsular war, picked up one of the skulls and holding it in his -hand whilst he closely and anxiously examined it, coolly turned to me, -saying: “About this spot, Sir, we had several of our company killed, and -amongst them my own comrade—poor Allan Cummings! He fell somewhere -hereabout—who knows but what this may be his head.”[29] The old -soldier’s countenance spoke volumes, and he paused for several minutes, -as if in earnest converse with the relic; at last he muttered out again, -“Well, well! it matters little with the dead; but what remains of you, -if this be yours, Allan, shall be made a foot-ball no longer!” saying -which he nodded to one of the buglers, and both, with their swords -commenced digging a hole, in which they deposited the supposed remains -of his old comrade. - -M’Kay little dreamt how soon his own and a similar fate awaited him, for -he himself was shot some short time after, at Andoun; and singular to -relate, one ball struck the Waterloo medal on his breast, and was -immediately followed by a second, which finished his career altogether. -Poor fellow! it was through my persuasion that he joined the Legion, he -being at the time a Chelsea Pensioner. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - -Sudden and unjust dismissal of the officers—Copies from General - Orders—Spanish compliments to the French and British Legions—Cordova - between two fires—Some French officers resign—Difference betwixt the - British and French Legion—Parting moments between a French Colonel and - his men—Legion receive orders to proceed to San Sebastian—The sick - left behind to guard the sick—March through the country to - Santander—Arrival at the Convent of Carbon—New clothing—Recruits, - &c.—My opinion of the Legion. - - -DURING our stay in and about Vittoria, a practice prevailed of -dismissing officers without granting them the right of either a -court-martial or a court of inquiry, and in some instances on the mere -assertion of the commanding officer, and not unfrequently through the -silent medium of the Brigadiers. In the Rifles alone, during the above -period, there were not less than one captain (Lomax), two lieutenants -(O’Brien and Villars), and one assistant surgeon (Greenwood), dismissed -the service under these circumstances. This, whoever it originated from, -was excessively cruel, and was particularly aggravated by the General -Orders of the time, notifying that all officers who had resigned their -commissions, or who had been dismissed from their regiments, or -departments, were not entitled to receive rations after their -resignations or removals had been notified in General Orders. Passages -to England in vessels employed for the service of the British Auxiliary -Legion were not to be allowed to such officers, unless directions had -been received from head-quarters to that effect. To crown the whole, -Colonel Arbuthnot (brother-in-law to General Evans), affixed a paper at -the portals of his own door, to the effect that officers anxious to -return to England might have a free passage, provided they signed a -document, prior to going on board, relinquishing all future claims on -the Spanish Government. - -These tyrannical proceedings, as might be expected, had a most -lamentable effect on the officers of the Legion; placed as it were -between two extremes, the loss of pay and rations, as well as the most -cruel despotism of their superior officers, the most daring schemes were -consequently projected, and officers as well as men went over to the -Carlists. This may not be unaptly illustrated by the following relation, -which I received within a few days of our quitting Vittoria for San -Sebastian. - -Passing one day through the Plaza, accompanied by my old friend the -Spanish Colonel, we observed a number of Carlist prisoners brought in by -some of our English Lancers; they had expected death in retaliation for -their cruelty on our men, and were profuse in expressions of gratitude -for the very different treatment they had experienced at the hands of -the British. One in particular my old friend seemed to bear some -recollection of, and entered into a very interesting conversation on the -accidents of the contending parties. He was a cadet of the Guards of -Alava, one of the smartest regiments in the Carlist service, and -appeared to be an exceedingly intelligent young fellow, and well versed -in English and French. After some chat with the Colonel, he addressed -me, saying with what I thought rather a satirical smirk on his -countenance, “You may remember an officer of yours deserting to us -during the stay of the Legion about Trevina.” I said I had some -recollection of a Lieutenant of the 1st regiment, named Wilkinson, who -did leave us at the period mentioned. “Then,” continued he, “I was the -first person whom he met with after crossing our lines, and who caused -his introduction to Muralo, prime minister of Don Carlos, to whom he -related the cause of his desertion, the circumstance of his having been -dismissed from the Legion, without a court-martial, or any court of -inquiry being allowed him to justify himself; and there and then -proposed a scheme to seize on the person of General Evans, on the road -between Trevina and Vittoria, which he was in the habit of passing with -a very small escort. ‘I will,’ said he, ‘if allowed twenty dragoons, at -the hazard of my own life, bring in my late General dead or alive.’ The -simple and earnest manner of your officer took great effect on Muralo, -who seemed inclined to the proposed scheme, and the English officer was -dismissed, with orders to attend the next day; the Minister observing, -as we left the room, he must not take the life of the General, but bring -him alive if possible. - -“The day following, at the time appointed, your officer, who never -seemed to lose sight of his object, again attended on the Minister, and -pressed his plan of revenge. He was questioned on the number and state -of the Legion, and the character of its chief. ‘Pray, Sir,’ asked -Muralo, ‘what opinion is General Evans held in, in England?’ ‘Why, Sir,’ -he replied, ‘as to that, he bears the character of most British -officers—great courage and personal daring; but as he never commanded a -company in action, he is thought incapable of conducting any great -enterprise.’ ‘They tell me,’ continued the Minister, ‘that your Legion -is dying by companies, through negligence and cruel treatment;’ and with -this your officer was dismissed to attend the next day for instructions. -The following morning, however, was designed to crush all the deserter’s -hopes, as the affair changed altogether. ‘We have considered the affair -over again,’ said Muralo, ‘and have resolved not to act in it. The Queen -Regent of Spain can afford to lose five men to our one, and from the -accounts of the proceedings of this General of yours, they will be of -more service to us than a victory; and I fear were he supplanted, some -more efficient officer might be put in his stead. Besides, if the -English press accounts be correct, his Excellency appears to be a man -too honest to be suspected, and too incapable to act conclusively. -‘This,’ said the cadet, as I thought smilingly, ‘was related the next -day to the King, who laughed heartily at the sagacity of his minister.’” - -On our return to Vittoria, and when on the point of leaving, the -inhabitants gave a grand ball to the officers of the Legion; and a -piece, entitled “Des Circonstances,” was got up at the theatre; at the -same time, in honour of the English, another, entitled “Charles the -First,” in which that monarch was made a second Don Carlos, and the -English who dethroned and beheaded him, were compared to the noble -Spaniards then fighting against the tyranny of the Spanish Charles. - -While the French Legion were at Vittoria, they also were honoured with a -_fête_; the piece selected to flatter their national pride was a -spectacle representing the life of Napoleon, from his first campaign in -Italy to his death. But the part he acted in Spain was entirely omitted. -Yet Sir Hudson Lowe was not forgotten, nor were allusions wanting to the -cruel conduct of the British Government towards the Man of the Rock. - -I could not help contrasting the healthy and spirited appearance of the -French soldiers to that of the unfortunate English. But the privations -the latter had endured, and still were suffering, through neglect, and -the continued lash of those in command of them, actually had pinched out -that noble spirit which I ever found the British soldier to possess. -Indeed, I have wondered since that the slightest subordination was kept, -under the system of cruelty pursued towards them. Any, or the least -dereliction of duty, even the forgetting to touch the hat to a passing -officer, was commonly followed by the _cats_; while the distant bearing -of most of the commanding officers prevented the soldiers’ complaints -being heard: the total disregard also of the latter to the billets and -personal comforts of their men—and in many cases, tyrannical ejections -from quarters, where they interfered in the least with those petty -despots, had totally alienated the man from the officer. - -But with the “Foreign Legion,” composed, as it was, of men of all -nations, everything went pleasantly, and officers and men were so alive -to each other’s welfare, that it extended its secret services even to -the unfortunate British Auxiliaries. Many and many were the instances in -which the miserable Legionite, stretched in liquor on the street, has -been dragged by them to concealment, to screen him from the lash of the -Provost. In truth, this sympathy was found among the Spaniards, also, -who constantly witnessing the cruelty, had become quite alive to the -risk the delinquents daily incurred. - -A day or two following that on which Cordova withdrew from the positions -about Arlaban, and from between the British and Foreign Legion, who were -posted to the right and left of the Spaniards, an occurrence took place -which will illustrate the sympathy that existed between the officers of -the French Legion and their soldiers. It will be remembered, that in -consequence of the above movement, many officers of the French resigned, -and Cordova, for the first time, was stigmatised as a traitor. The two -Legions withdrew from their advance posts, and a recrimination followed -between the Foreign and Spanish Generals. - -At about twelve o’clock in the day, a crowd of French soldiers had -collected around the doorway of the house next to that in which I was -billeted. Being able to speak French, I inquired the cause of the -assemblage, when I was informed that some French Colonel had resigned, -and was going back to France, and the men had come to bid him farewell. -In a short time the Colonel, who seemed to be an elderly man, made his -appearance, and the air resounded with acclamations. The old soldiers -flocked around him, and a thousand eyes watched his every look; many -strove to get forward to shake hands with him, and several did; the -veteran seemed much affected. After a little desultory conversation with -one and the other, he, at length, made a move to depart, saying, as he -waved his hand, “Adieu, mes enfants—soyez heureux,” &c., which latter -words I almost lost in the farewells that followed from the soldiers: -“Adieu, mon Colonel!” said some, “Adieu, notre père!” exclaimed others, -and indeed, every one seemed to have some expression of regret suited to -the kindness received by them. - -The old man could scarcely suppress his emotion, but turning aside, -passed his fore-finger and thumb across his eyes to check the anguish -that visibly filled them; suddenly he turned his horse’s head up the -road, and after clearing the crowd, galloped off towards the gates. In a -moment all was gloom, and the soldiers stood watching his retiring form -as it swiftly disappeared in the length and turning of the streets, and -then in gentle murmurings retired to their quarters. - -How different were ours! Few of those in command deserved so much, and -none I believe, ever experienced such a parting expression of true -soldierly sentiment. - -In the beginning of April, 1836, the British Legion received orders to -leave Vittoria, and proceed towards San Sebastian. As it was rumoured -that the Carlists were laying close siege to that fortress, the whole -marched with the exception of the 2nd Lancers. Our invalids, however, -formed what is called a provisional battalion, and the unfortunates in -hospital were left behind under their protection, who, actually were -incapable of taking care of themselves. - -At length we reached our destination (Santander), and finally occupied -the convent of Corbon, distant about four miles from that town. This -place having been a kind of depôt for the Legion during our stay in the -interior, we were joined here by a second batch of recruits from -England, and the chief part of the Rifles received new great-coats, -shirts, shoes, and other necessaries, which they stood much in need of. -It was astonishing to behold the change made in the exterior of the -battalion by this addition to their comforts. The men, for the first -time, exhibited a military appearance, which, to a soldier’s eye was -very prepossessing. They were a fine set of fellows, and were now ripe -and ready for any duty, and only wanted efficient men at their head. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - -Embark for San Sebastian—A thirty-two-pounder, and no mistake—A bloody - force—Brains where they were wanted, unfortunately—A prize—Arrival at - San Sebastian—Anticipated attack—Colonel de Rottenberg taken ill—Major - Fortescue—Opinions—His maiden speech—Two companies broke up the others - of the regiment—5th of May—Attack on the lines of San Sebastian—A - hullabaloo—6th Scotch taken for enemies—Helter-skelter—I receive a - severe wound—Am carried into San Sebastian—My letter to my wife. - - -ON the 21st of April, about six in the evening, four companies of the -Rifles were shipped on board an English steamer, under the command of -Commodore Henry, with orders to convey us to San Sebastian. I was -enjoying a comfortable sleep about six o’clock the following morning, -when I was awoke by the thundering rattle of a thirty-two-pounder. This -rather electrified me; and, on jumping on deck, I found the vessel had -laid-to about half a mile from the shore—the jolly-boat lowered and -manned with soldiers and sailors, and in full pull after two of the -enemy’s fishing-boats, which, with a few soldiers on board of them, were -smartly exchanging shots with ours. The report of the firing, however, -attracted the attention of a picquet of theirs, stationed near the -water’s edge, who immediately threw themselves amongst the rocks, and -covered the landing of their comrades, while the Commodore kept blazing -away at them with his thirty-two’s. The Carlists, jumping on land, and -deserting their boats, made up the rocks to join their comrades; our -fellows, in the meanwhile, rowing after them till within point-blank -reach of the picquet, who instantly began a most spirited retaliation. - -In the midst of this a Captain N——, of the Rifles, formerly a Pedroite, -who had volunteered for the enterprise, suddenly disappeared under the -seats of the boat in search of shelter, whilst the men, of their own -accord, gallantly returned the fire. They succeeded in bringing away the -two boats, but not before we had lost two men; one sailor, and a -soldier, a man of my own company, named Macnamara, who was shot through -the head, and fell at full length on the prostrate body of the terrified -Captain, and literally drenched him with blood and brains. Thus ended -the silly adventure, at the sacrifice of two lives. The boats not being -worth twenty shillings, were instantly scuttled, and the two men being -dropped overboard, the steamer continued its way. About four in the -afternoon we entered the Bay of San Sebastian, amidst the whistling -shots of the enemy, who were firing upon us from the hills surrounding -the harbour; but their distance from us precluded the possibility of -much danger. - -In San Sebastian, for the first time, our men were comfortably -quartered. But our besiegers, who from appearances, were very numerous, -gave us every reason to expect a regular brush. They were very strongly -entrenched on the opposite hills, and held complete command of the bay. - -At this period, I am sorry to state, our Colonel, Baron de Rottenberg, -fell sick, and obtained leave of absence; the command of the battalion -devolved of course, on the Major, the next in seniority, named -Fortescue. - -This was rather an unfortunate promotion, both for the gentleman and the -regiment, as it placed the former in no enviable situation, a few days -after; indeed, it was a mad idea to expect that a young man, who had -been but a short period a Lieutenant in the 4th British Foot, could be -properly intrusted with the lives of four or five hundred men at his -discretion; when in action, from what I myself had observed, he was not -capable of telling off a company. Baron de Rottenberg, however, who is -now serving on the British Staff in America, formerly commanded the -Light Company of the 81st regiment, and was one of the most efficient -and best disciplined officers I ever witnessed. In fact, as the Colonel -informed me, his father General de Rottenberg, was the originator of the -rifle exercise. - -On the 4th May, at evening parade, the Rifles were assembled on the -Plaza, and the regiment being formed into square, facing inwards, our -new Commander, Major Fortescue thus addressed us: - -“Rifles! to-morrow, we are to be engaged with the enemy: they show no -quarter—neither shall we—skewer every man of them—take no -prisoners—skewer every b—— you meet!” Meanwhile the Major imitated a -charge with a stick he held in his hand, the men staring with surprise -both at him and the order. “Now,” said he, taking off his cap, “let us -have three cheers, my lads,” and commencing the uproar, the men joined, -and the whole Plaza rung again. - -This was his maiden speech, and I leave it to the reader to judge of its -effects, both on officer and man; indeed, on marching to the private -parade ground, I inquired of the Major if he had received the order from -the General. “No!” he replied, rather sharply, “I have not; but you -know, Costello, it will be only tit for tat.” - -Being satisfied of this, I took the opportunity when halting the men, to -undo what he had so earnestly wished to impress, by telling them, that -the order they had just received to butcher every enemy we met, was not -issued by General Evans, and that they came to Spain to be soldiers, not -butchers. However blood-thirsty the enemy, we as British soldiers were -bound to set a very different example, and to treat with less rigour -those who might fall into our hands. I then requested my two lieutenants -to use their exertions, and see that the men gave quarter. - -About twelve o’clock the next night, the Legion prepared themselves for -the test, and the inhabitants of the town were all alive for the -forthcoming effort. Prior to our marching, General Reid who commanded -our brigade, broke up two of our companies, as he thought the officers -in command of them incompetent, and distributed the men amongst the -battalion, thus forming the regiment into four companies, each from -eighty to ninety strong. - -About three in the morning we slowly moved through the gates towards the -enemy’s lines, which were not more than three-quarters of a mile -distant. The Rifles were on the extreme left of the Legion, and our -battalion marched left in front, so that my company brought up the rear. - -The morning was very dull and heavy, being ushered in by a kind of -Scotch mist. The men, however, were in great spirits, and seemed -determined to prove themselves worthy of their British name: my -confidence in them was such, that I almost imagined myself in the midst -of my old comrades, and panted like an old hunter for the course. - -In a few minutes we commenced ascending the hills, when the enemy opened -a brisk fire on us, thus showing they were not to be caught napping; and -now the well-known sound—the whistling balls passed over my head—that -music at one time so familiar to my ears, that I have often been obliged -to breakfast, dine, and sup upon its harmony; this brought my younger -days to recollection, as if I had recoiled twenty years; the Rifles, -however, took possession of their first lines, without firing a shot or -losing a man. - -Meanwhile, we could hear a very smart firing on our right, where the -7th, 9th, and 10th regiments were hotly engaged; however, as the morning -cleared, and the Carlists discovered where we were, they began to play -very warmly amongst us. The more the shots flew, the greater confusion -among the officers, for each imagining his tactics better than his -neighbour, assumed the command (especially the Pedroites). This was -further encouraged by “certain drops” which the rawness of the morning, -and the “business in hand,” had influenced them to sip rather -plentifully, while waiting in the Plaza. - -In this hullabaloo, Lieutenant Macintosh of our regiment, then -aide-de-camp to General Reid coming up restored some little order, and -actually took command of the regiment, ordering us to march down a lane, -a little to our right, where he placed the battalion behind a bank, -opposite a Carlist breast-work; here we formed right in front—the enemy -at this time appearing not more than four or five hundred yards off. We -had scarcely formed and got into order, when our commanding officer, -Major Fortescue, cried out, “No. 1 Company, quick march!” - -The men instantly scrambled forward over the bank, that partially -covered them; seeing this, I requested he would allow me to take command -of my company, tell me what to do, and it should be complied with. But -the Major was too brave a soldier himself, to allow me that honour, and -replied only with the word, “Make ready, present fire!” and fire they -did, and did some mischief too, for by the Major bringing up their left -shoulders more than he should have done, they fired a volley into the -6th Scotch, who were some distance on our right front, and badly wounded -fifteen or sixteen of their men;[30] this done he instantly ordered the -men to fall back behind the bank and reload, (no doubt to give a second -dose) when I again requested to be allowed to take the command of my -company, remarking that riflemen never fired by companies, but -independently and in extended order. I also pointed out to him, his -error in firing on the 6th, on which he answered, “You may take them -where you like.” - -This was all I required, and when the men had finished loading, I gave -the word “right face,” and bringing them into the lane before-mentioned, -we moved in the direction of the 6th who were busily at work. As we -approached nearer to the scene of action, one or two of my men being -wounded, I took one of their rifles and ten rounds of ammunition, and -placing the men under cover, I inquired if they would follow me and -undertake to storm a redoubt opposite? all quickly answered, “We will, -Sir.” I begged them to be cool, and not to fire until they closed upon -the breast-work, and then get under cover as soon as possible, extending -from the centre; off we started, at double time, towards their second -line of entrenchments. - -I had to pass close to the 6th. Hearing a cheer in my rear, I turned and -beheld the remainder of the Rifles in close column. The indefatigable -Fortescue in front, twirling a large stick over his head, cheering and -charging. At this moment, noticing a deep ravine on the left, I cried -out to the men to bring up their left shoulders, and close to the right, -so as to avoid it; but before this could be accomplished, the Major and -his men got intermixed with the 6th. Here the confusion increased, -helter-skelter, pell-mell, as the balls began to tell fearfully among -us, while the enemy seeing our confusion, plied them to advantage, and -to mend the matter, part of my company also became intermixed with the -remainder of the battalion; endeavouring to get them into something like -order, two balls struck me at the same moment, one grazing the skin of -my left thigh, and the other entering under the right knee joint, -passing downward through the ham, and out at the calf of the leg. - -The brave fellows of my company stuck to me gallantly, and the instant I -fell flew to my assistance and bore me to the rear. I was carried back -to the lane, whence we started, and on my leg being dressed, I -discovered that the ball had entered an old wound made by a French -bullet at the action of Almeida, July 24th, 1810. But it had come out in -a different direction. I was next placed on a stretcher and conveyed to -my old quarters at San Sebastian. As the men were carrying me down the -hill towards the town, I observed two steamers in full play, throwing -shells into the Carlist redoubts. These mainly contributed to the -success of the morning, by the skilful manner in which they directed -their shells into the enemy’s works. When a little recovered from the -loss of blood, after my arrival at my quarters, I wrote the following -letter to my wife, which in some degree may serve to show my feelings -and opinions at the time the action was fought: - - - “San Sebastian, May 5, 1836. - - “My dear Charlotte, - -“I dare say by the time you receive this letter, the streets of London -will be crowded with fellows bellowing out, ‘The unfortunate Legion is -killed to a man, and poor Costello is no _more_.’ But if you have not -purchased the widow’s weeds, I request you will not do so, as I am not -yet half killed; certainly I have an extra ball through my old trunk: -and this I should have escaped had I not exposed myself, perhaps rather -unnecessarily, in endeavouring to keep the brave fellows of my company -in something like military order. - -“All were commanders, from the Second Lieutenant to the Major. It -appeared to me, in truth, the Legion is not a school for the young -soldier to acquire knowledge, nor the old to get credit. How different, -indeed, were things carried on in the British Army: there, in the very -height of the most desperate conflict, all was cool and collected, and -every officer’s word could be distinctly heard, at the slightest -cessation of firing. - -“The officer who commanded our regiment to-day is a smart young fellow, -and might be of some service in a country fair in Ireland, with a good -shilelah; but to command four or five hundred men in action with -fire-arms, against a hardy race of mountaineers well disciplined, is -quite a different thing. I cannot say how many of our regiment were -killed, as I was reluctantly compelled to leave them, by a ball passing -through my right knee, yet I hope I shall not lose my limb. My kindest -love to our dear children; but do not think the worst, my dear -Charlotte,—you shall soon again hear from me. - - “Affectionately yours, - “E. COSTELLO. - - “Mrs. Costello, 29, Hinden Street, - Vauxhall Road, London.” - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - -The loss of my company in the late action—Apprehensions about my - leg—Medal and pewter—A candidate for Knighthood—Captain Plunkett—His - death, &c.—A Rifleman assassinated—Fire eaters—Sketch of San - Sebastian—Lord John Hay’s battery—Ramble towards Passages—Something - serious—Awkward squads—Singular decline of Spanish Bigotry—A Sectarian - alarmed. - - -I HAD scarcely finished writing my letter, when word came that the -Legion had taken possession of the enemy’s works, and compelled the -Carlists to retire. The loss sustained by my company in the action, was -one sergeant, one corporal, and six privates wounded. As soon as the -news was made known, the bells were set ringing, and the guns fired from -the castle and walls in honour of the victory; at night the town was -illuminated, with other demonstrations of joy by the inhabitants. - -For several days I felt great apprehension about my leg, as it had -swollen to almost double its natural size, and had changed to a livid -colour, while the nails of the toes fell off. I was now on the eve of -fifty, and although in excellent spirits, doubted my constitution being -strong enough to undergo amputation. But from evil we sometimes derive -good; it proved so in my case. This being my sixth confinement through -gun-shot wounds, I had acquired some skill in the art of healing. My -doctor, I found, knew but little in such cases: his theory was obliged -to give way to my experience; and as the knowledge of a disease is half -its cure, I practised on myself. By this means, and strict attention to -diet, &c., I was enabled, in the short space of two months, not only to -leave my bed, but move about on crutches. - -The doctor, while dressing me one morning, told me to keep as quiet as -possible, as the nature of my wound required care, the ball passing near -the main artery; that if anything like a hemorrhage took place, I was -instantly to send to him. Some few nights after this, when turning to -reach a glass of water from the table near the bedside, I felt a gush -from the wound in that part where the ball had passed. At first I took -no notice, but feeling something warmer than usual in my bed, I gently -raised my head, and throwing the clothes aside, I saw by the lamp that I -was saturated with blood. - -I knew from my former campaigns, as well as the hint given by the -doctor, that if the artery was not instantly tied, I must bleed to -death. It was now about two in the morning, not a creature near me, my -servant sleeping in the lower part of the house; to attempt to rise and -leave my room to call assistance, such exertion would cause the blood to -flow more copiously; to remain still, I must expect nothing but death in -a few minutes. What was I to do?—placing my thumb firmly on the hole to -stop the blood, while with the other hand I struck the table, and called -lustily for assistance, but to no purpose, as no one heard me; my fate -seemed inevitable if the hemorrhage continued. In this state of suspense -I remained for some time; by degrees a film came over my sight; I felt -the vital part of my system so low, and nature became so exhausted, that -my head fell on the pillow, and all sense left me. How long I remained -in this state I know not, but on coming round again, the morning dawn -had just appeared, that gave sufficient light to enable me to see my -situation. To my great joy the bleeding had ceased, except by drops. -Still afraid to use exertion I remained quiet, the thumb still pressed -on the wound; however, I did not remain long in this misery: hearing -some one moving along the passage, I called out, when the old patrone -made her appearance, and on seeing me covered with blood, rushed out -screaming that the Captain had cut his throat, which aroused the whole -house, among the rest my servant, whom I instantly sent for Dr. -Greenwood. This gentleman, on examining the wound, observed a piece of -cloth sticking out of the orifice, which he instantly drew out, and -found it to be a piece of my green trowsers which the ball had left -behind in passing through my knee. He begged me not to be alarmed, as it -was one of the smaller arteries whence the quantity of blood had flowed. - -This trial gave me to understand that, although the soldier can -cheerfully meet death in the field beside his comrades, he is a coward -in the dark when alone. - -For their conduct on the 5th of May the men were honoured with pewter -medals, in imitation of those of Waterloo. A despatch was also sent from -Madrid, conferring the order of St. Ferdinand on those officers who had -most distinguished themselves, amongst whom I was named as one. But the -honour of the thing was almost lost in the indiscriminate manner in -which it was distributed. Numbers procured the distinction without the -least claim to either skill or courage, and caused a deal of -dissatisfaction amongst the really deserving officers, as the following -humorous facts will sufficiently show. - -There were three captains billeted in the same house as myself, and -amongst them a Captain ——, who, on the morning of the fight, left the -field and took to his bed. The doctor, on visiting him, under the idea -that he really was wounded, could discover, however, neither the least -scratch, nor even bruise. This got wind, and naturally enough caused a -stir amongst his brother officers, and the Captain was obliged to -resign. But he had formerly been in the service of Don Pedro, and found -a friend and powerful advocate in the person of his old chieftain, -through whose interest he regained his captaincy, and, to the surprise -and indignation of the chief part of the officers, actually in a few -days attained a majority, and had the order of San Fernando conferred on -him. Two officers of the Rifles also bought the same honour, at the -price of a dozen of champagne. But this last was through the then acting -Commander of the regiment. - -The Spanish Government, with their profusion of honours and pewter, also -paid the officers their arrears up to the month of March, 1836, in bills -on Colonel Carbonel, in London, at the time payable on delivery; the -last and only payment ever made during the service—the officers having -been obliged to manage on their field-allowance. - -About this time we were joined by a number of convalescents from -Vittoria, consisting of officers and men. My old friend, Captain -Plunkett, came with them. This veteran soldier, who had formerly served -in the 60th Rifles, and was now on half-pay, by an apathy generally -evinced to those of the British service, found himself spurned and -deserted by the chief part of the officers of our regiment, who were, as -before stated, almost entirely composed of Pedroites. He was, at this -period, very poor, and was constantly seen in the market-place, selling -his necessaries to procure the little requisites of an invalid. But -through want and neglect he at last got a relapse, and took to his bed. -In this extremity all he had was disposed of. But for my accidentally -noticing his servant selling his first, and now the last, resource of a -soldier, _his sword!_ he might have died unnoticed. I hobbled, however, -as well as I could, to his quarters, and was only in time to witness his -expiring agonies. Poor Plunkett, strange to say, was the creditor of the -Spanish Government to the amount of one hundred and fifty pounds though -he died actually through want. - -The gloom consequent on this, however, was not permitted long to settle. -Our leisure moments in San Sebastian were ever pregnant with incident, -and one scarcely occurred ere some new event monopolised the attention. -I had proceeded but a short distance from my deceased friend’s quarters, -when my glance was directed to a crowd of the Rifles clustered in -confusion round a door-way. Another victim! A poor fellow named Graham, -through mistake, had entered an apartment where a woman lay in bed. On -perceiving him she screamed out, and before the man could retire, her -husband, alarmed by her cry, met him on the stairs, and without any -parley, the Spaniard plunged a knife into his body. The unfortunate -Rifleman lay weltering in his blood, and died a short time after. The -assassin was never sought after, nor any means, either civil or -military, taken to bring him to an account. He walked at large in the -sunlight, and plainly exhibited to us how little was to be expected from -the sympathies or vigilance of our officers. - -There is little interesting at this period of my career, excepting the -casual scenes that came under my observation during my strolls. Full -opportunity was now presented me to remark on the changes that had -worked themselves on the manners, customs, and prejudices of the -inhabitants, and the ridiculous and extreme folly of the _fire-eaters_ -of the Legion. I was now more a spectator than an actor, and claim, of -course, the proverbial superiority. - -Sometimes at morn, or early towards the evening, I amused myself in -strolling about the walks of the neighbourhood. San Sebastian is rather -pleasantly situated. To the left, as you approach this fort-crowned -peninsula, the Urumea winds its course over some of the prettiest valley -scenes I ever beheld. Its banks now exposed to the view the different -positions and batteries of the conflicting parties. A little to the -extreme in the same direction, and separated by a rising ground, some -four miles across, is Passages, a town somewhat resembling Dartmouth, -with this difference, that its port is formed by an inlet of the sea, -and not by a river. To the right of the Urumea, and divided from it by a -natural and narrow neck of land, the Bay of San Sebastian forms its oval -basin, of navigable depth, with a point of land studded with a -light-house, forming one boundary to the entrance, which is protected -and completed by the steep, and castle on the other. A small island lies -between them both, and on this Lord John Hay had raised a battery of -cannon. My quarters were contiguous to the breech made by Wellington in -1813—now distinguished only by the new appearance of the rebuilt wall. -It was curious to notice, as I limped about, the little squads of -duellists scattered here and there, and particularly towards the -evening. “Twelve paces” were all the “go,” and they sometimes proved a -dangerous distance; for many of the combatants were seriously wounded. -These were lamentable proofs of the heterogeneous character of the -officers of the Legion; for during the whole of my career in our own -service, I never knew of but one duel, which proved fatal to one of the -principals. - -These singularities in the Legion were never much to the taste or -approbation of the Spaniards; they naturally, however other changes -might have influenced them, still clung to their old dislike of -fighting, and rather looked upon us as so many powder-barrels, or rather -monkeys, than as partaking in their own peculiar imperfections. But that -spirit of bigotry which had formerly possessed the prejudices of the -Spanish people had almost entirely vanished before the stride of -improvement. This was most probably owing to the introduction of the -foreign disputants during the last thirty-five years! Scarcely a monk -was to be found at this time, though the monasteries held their old -situation. Even the lovely dark-eyed nuns had forsaken their cloisters, -and seemed to breathe a new life under the more enlightened state; as -regarded religious enthusiasm, I was astonished at its decrease. On one -occasion, among several others, I especially noticed it. This was -evident on the festival of Corpus Christi; the streets through which the -procession wound were certainly hung with what a zealot might call the -richest tapestry, but in which I could acknowledge scarcely anything but -old carpets, women’s dresses, and old bed counterpanes, &c. Triumphal -arches were also erected, and the procession was attended, as usual, by -the civil and military authorities, and by detachments from the -different regiments of the garrison with their bands preceding them: the -priests and canons also thickly followed after them. As they passed -where several British officers and myself stood gazing amid a crowd of -the inhabitants, I took off my hat, but except two or three old women, -who went on their knees, not one of the natives followed the example, or -even showed the slightest respect. This dereliction at one time, in -Spain, would not have escaped severe penance. Indeed, under the Duke of -Wellington, the guards always turned out, and British soldiers were -compelled to salute the Host as it passed. - -But in my strictures on the old Spanish intolerance, let me not forget a -little circumstance reflecting a taint of the same nature, even from our -own toleration-loving countrymen. “Let me alone, and I will let you -alone,” is too quiet a doctrine for even sectarians: and the two great -contending parties on such weighty matters can scarcely allow themselves -breathing time, ere the bone of contention which they had laid aside, is -again seized on by these little ones. The truth of this was brought very -forcibly to my mind some few days after the festival, when on a visit to -the cathedral of San Sebastian. I was amusing myself with staring at the -paintings, &c., when my attention was diverted to a tall, gaunt-looking -British marine, (the marines were doing duty with the Legion at this -time), who entered one of the portals, as I thought, on the same errand -as myself; turning himself about two or three times, and casting sundry -contemptuous glances at the different images and embellishments, his eye -chanced to alight on the person of an old official in a kneeling posture -between two females, absorbed in prayer. The marine’s eye brightened -with indescribable expression. Taking off his cap, which till then he -had neglected to do, and wiping down his long carroty wiry hair, over a -low retiring forehead, which reminded me of Mawworm’s in the play, he -suddenly darted to the back of the priest: - -“Hypocrite,” he shouted, suddenly interrupting them, while he pointed to -the crucifix before which they knelt; “What do you expect by praying to -those bits of timber? Hath not the Lord said, ‘Thou shalt not make to -thyself any graven image,’ &c.” He was continuing, when the trio, as if -electrified by the foreign accent, instantly started up, screaming out, -and crossing themselves, “Que, que quiere usted?” (What do you want? -what do you want?) - -“Eh!” said he again, motioning them to the crucifix. “Don’t you know the -second commandment, ‘Thou shalt not bow down to them.’” The old man, -terrified, immediately appealed to me for protection. I ordered the -marine instantly to leave, and would have given him in charge of the -guard, had I not discovered it was his over zeal and not drunkenness, as -I at first imagined, agitated him so; luckily for the methodist, there -were only a few in the chapel, as had it been in the time of service, -the congregation would certainly have made a martyr of him. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - -Disorganised state of the Legion—Three months’ pay—A holiday—The 6th and - 8th Scotch lay down their arms—Reasons—My wishes to retire from the - Legion—I give up the command of the company—A reflection—I embark for - Santander—Report myself to Colonel Arbuthnot—My new command—The - convent of Carbon—Short description—Inhabitants of—First sample—A - speculation—A Quarter-master’s conscience—I place him under arrest—A - horse! A horse! - - -ABOUT this period nothing could exceed the disorganised state of the -Legion (the men being now full six months in arrears of pay). Disgusted -with the privations they had endured through the Spaniards and their own -officers, and clamorous for their money, they at last broke out into -open mutiny, and carried it to such a pitch, that they even refused to -mount guard, much less meet the enemy, unless their demands were -satisfied. Three months’ pay, at length, by a general levy on the -inhabitants, was with difficulty procured, and given to them. But the -confusion, nevertheless, grew even more terrible. The whole -neighbourhood instantly became one scene of uproar and beastly -intoxication: the guard-houses were nightly filled with men, and every -hedge and ditch was strewed with drunken soldiers. Had the Carlists -attempted to surprise the Legion quartered in the villages and -farm-houses in advance of San Sebastian, I have no doubt that not ten of -a company would have been found able to stand to their arms, and the -whole must have been cut to pieces. Many of the unfortunates who had so -abused their hard earnings, found themselves woefully deficient the next -morning, the more sober or wide awake ones having picked their pockets -during their insensibility. These, however, on discovering their -deficiency, in turn took to robbing their comrades even of great-coats, -shirts, shoes, and even their rations. This became so universal, that -complaints to the officers became altogether useless, for scarcely one -could “cast the first stone.” - -I must here remark, that a great number of the men had enlisted only for -a twelvemonth, and held documents to that effect, signed by the officers -who enlisted them. Their time of service was now up, and whole companies -of the 6th and 8th Scotch gave notice to their officers, and the next -day followed it up. I was present when they piled arms, and hung their -accoutrements upon them. The whole Legion, however, was in such a state -of insubordination, that it was with much ado they could muster enough -men to march the delinquents to the castle (which was effected after all -only by stratagem), from whence they were shipped on board a steamer to -Santander and Santona. - -I now began to feel tired of an inactive life; and as my wounds were of -a nature to disable me for future service, I expressed a wish to the -General then commanding the brigade, that a medical board should examine -me. He spoke to the Adjutant-General on the subject, who suggested that -a month or two at Santander might recover and enable me to rejoin. To -this, I of course consented, and got in readiness for starting. I made -up my books, and settled with my company, up to the last day of April, -1836, giving credit to the Spanish Government for one sergeant-major, -five sergeants, three corporals, and sixteen rank and file, who died in -hospital at Vittoria. I gave up the command to my first lieutenant, de -Burgh. - -I was not a little delighted at the anticipated change of scene, and -looked anxiously for the time of my departure. San Sebastian, at one -time so welcome to me, from pride and military reminiscences, had now -sunk into the medley of strange and indescribable events I had so lately -partook in. I was on the point of leaving—perhaps for ever—a Legion from -which I had expected so much, but now, alas! nothing. Truly, with -Hamlet, I might have exclaimed— - - Take it for all in all, - I ne’er shall look upon its like again. - -Nor did I ever wish it—so much abused, badly used, and worse officered. - -After getting my little necessaries packed, and on board, accompanied by -my servant, I embarked for Santander. I must leave it to the reader to -imagine my feelings when on the deck of the ‘James Watt’ steamer, as it -weighed anchor, and carefully made head out of the harbour. Little did I -anticipate how great a change was to be presented before me: the horrors -of Vittoria sank into insignificance before those of the convent to -which I was on my way. - -In the course of thirty-six hours we reached our destination, over a -distance of about one hundred miles. I landed immediately, and proceeded -to report myself to the Commandant, Colonel Arbuthnot’s quarters, from -whom I received orders to go instantly and take charge of the convent of -Carbon. - -The convent of Carbon is situated at the extremity of a bleak morass, -about four miles from Santander, and presents one of the most gloomy -aspects imaginable. It is a large square building, enclosing an -extensive court and colonnade, and has much the appearance of what it -really now was—a great gaol. The ground around it is almost impassable -for a dry foot, particularly in damp weather. Napoleon, during his stay -in the neighbourhood, made it once his resting-place for a night, and -reviewed his army on some of the adjacent grounds. The monks who had -then, and up till very lately occupied it, were scattered about in the -neighbouring hamlets, and were depending on small pensions granted them -for their losses by the Spanish Government, and on the charity of the -peasantry. The convent had long been a depôt for the auxiliaries, and a -sort of magazine for stores, ammunition, &c. The Commandant was -generally some field-officer, whose power was almost despotic, and -particularly secure from complaint, as Colonel Arbuthnot seldom if ever -visited it. - -On my arrival, the first thing that caught my attention was a number of -Spanish sentries posted round the different entrances and inside. On -entering I beheld a miserable-looking group, seemingly belonging to the -Legion. Anxious to see the Commandant whom I was to relieve, I found him -in bed, in almost the last stage of fever; his name was Deacon, Captain -of the 1st regiment; he had formerly been a Lieutenant in the British -Marines. There were also, besides, several officers convalescent, and a -number of men disabled through wounds, &c. But the major part of the -inmates were composed of the 6th and 8th Scotch, to the number of two -hundred and fifty—being the men who had laid down their arms at San -Sebastian. The officer appointed to officiate during the Commandant’s -illness, was the Quarter-master of the depôt, and one who might be well -compared to a land-shark. - -I had scarcely left the sick Captain’s quarters, when one of the Rifles -placed in my hand a small bit of paper written on with a pencil, and -begging me to call at the guard-house and see their condition. I -followed him immediately, and was proceeding to open the door, when an -effluvium of the most fetid description obliged me to retire outside the -building. I gave instant orders for the prisoners to come out, and fall -in before me; and out came thirty-six of the most cadaverous-looking -objects man ever beheld. The room from which they thronged, and their -misery-stricken haggard forms and countenances, would have well typified -the horrors of the Hole of Calcutta. It had been formerly used as a -stable by the monks: the only window was now blocked up by the miserable -beings to keep out the northern blast. - -Here, upon inquiry, I was informed they had been placed on nothing more -or less than a speculation of the Quarter-master’s, who taking advantage -of an order issued by Colonel Arbuthnot “to deprive all prisoners of -their meat and wine,” had confined these invalids (for that they really -were), and was in the habit of occasionally sending the proceeds and -selling them at Santander: of this I afterwards found every proof. I, of -course, immediately released the whole, ordering them to their rooms; -and the next morning gave directions for every one to fall in, prisoners -as well as invalids. It would be impossible to portray a faithful -picture of the miserable creatures before me. They stood like beings -just come out of the grave: their eyes sunk in their heads, and their -countenances, with want, filth, and the confinement, hardly -recognizable. Scarcely a dozen of them had even jackets or shirts, and -not one either shoes or stockings, and many were covered only with a -ragged rug. Their daily allowance had been a pound and a half of black -bread, and water _ad libitum_; and if they strayed beyond the boundaries -to get a little maize or Indian corn to eke out their miserable -pittance, they had, perhaps, a leaden bullet from the Spanish sentry, to -digest, for their temerity. - -But in this there was but little difference between the prisoners and -the invalids, excepting in the rations, the latter having meat and wine; -but even thus they were but little better off—the meat being most -unfairly dealt out to them, and the wine measured in a tin, out of which -it escaped as through a cullender. This utensil, from its antique -appearance, seemed to have been one of those used by the fifty daughters -of Danaus, who could not have been better provided. - -After a few days, and as soon as I got a little settled, I determined on -searching into the cause; and, as a first step, on an opportunity -offering, ordered the Quarter-master under an arrest, which he refused -to answer, but taking horse, rode off to Santander. I had been -influenced to this by perceiving one day a quarter of beef and other -things, waiting in a cart at the gate to be sent to town. On my asking -him about them, I was answered that they were surplus provisions, sent -by the Depôt Commissary, and he was sending them back; but guessing the -true cause, I did as above. - -I, however, as quickly procured one of the Lancers’ horses and set off -after him, and succeeded in bringing him to a court of inquiry some -short time after. I had innumerable witnesses, and amongst them his own -sergeant and the sergeant-major. But the court was either inefficient or -something worse; so that the affair was bolstered up, and he escaped to -resume his old tricks—which, however I counteracted as much as lay in my -power. But he was a cunning fellow; and if bribery could have gained me, -he certainly tried it on, for never was a table better provided than -mine and the officers who messed with me. - -But I had my eye on him, like an old soldier’s on a fugleman, and -watched his every movement. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - -An orderly dragoon puts us all in confusion—A stir—Retreat upon - Santander—The dangers of forgetfulness—Cure for a fever—We return to - our old quarters—Captain Shields and Major Clark’s visit—An appeal—A - new mode of raising “Volunteers”—Glory or death by famine—One hundred - and twenty men are starved into the service again—Scene in - Santander—British soldiers and subjects—More assassinations—A - cold-blooded Spaniard—A peace-loving Commandant—Captain Oakley and his - “cats”—Continued horrors of the convent—Assassination—A relief from - purgatory—A conclusion. - - -IN consequence of the weakened state of the garrison and the convent, -the inhabitants and Commandant of Santander were in constant fear of -incursions from the enemy, who seemed to be beating about the -neighbourhood. Indeed, at one time they crossed a river, some three -leagues distant from the town, on the Madrid road, by means of pontoons, -obliging the Spanish troops doing duty thereabouts to retire upon -Santander. - -One evening an orderly dragoon came post haste from Colonel Arbuthnot, -to inform me that the Carlists were beating about our quarters, with -orders to hold myself, and the whole of the prisoners and convalescents, -in readiness to leave the convent at a moment’s notice; but not to stir -until the Spanish guard doing duty over the convent had retired, in -which case our retreat was to be covered by them.—Covered by them -indeed! Here was a pretty predicament! upwards of three hundred British -soldiers, without arms, under the auspices of a parcel of Spaniards! We -had not a single stand of fire-arms, excepting my servant’s rifle; for -even the Lancers, that were performing orderly duty, had been deprived -of all but their swords. I instantly sent for the sergeant-major, and -acquainted him with the orders received, directing him to get the men in -readiness. I then ordered a couple of the Lancers to ride round and -reconnoitre, and being assured by the Captain of the Spanish guard of -his duly warning me before he marched, I laid myself full dressed on my -bed. - -I had just dozed off, when in drove two of the dragoons, informing me -that our Spanish guard had retired, and that there was every reason to -believe that the Carlists were in the wood behind the convent, indeed -that we were surrounded; here was a blessing, not even shaving time -allowed us by the Carlists. However, I instantly ordered the men to fall -in as quietly as possible, and putting them under the command of -Lieutenant de Becker of the 6th, and placing Captain Deacon (who at the -time had blisters applied to his head and breast) on an old door, borne -on the shoulders of men, off they started. Having thus cleared the -convent, the sergeant-major, a few dragoons, and some Irishmen armed -with sticks, covered their retreat. As we were about to follow the rest, -two Spanish soldiers made their appearance, nearly out of breath, with -their muskets and bayonets fixed. It appeared that, in their hurried -flight, they had forgotten the Captain’s cloak. Here was a lucky -chance!—Up went their heels and down they went on their backs, and, in a -twinkling, their muskets and pouches were wrenched from them and -shouldered for our own protection. The reader is, I expect, with his -hair on end, anticipating some dreadful encounter; but this, after all, -turned out, like most of our air-castles to be nothing but a bottle of -smoke—though contrary to expectation, it certainly saved the life of -Captain Deacon, whose illness took a turn through the confusion, and he -recovered rapidly. - -Fortunately the night was of a fine starlight, and we reached Santander -at about three in the morning, and discovered that the whole blunder was -occasioned by the Spanish troops moving without orders; we of course -returned to our old quarters. - -Shortly after this, two officers—Captain Shields of the 8th, and Major -Clark of the 6th, were sent from head-quarters to persuade, if possible, -the men to rejoin their regiments. They requested me to order them to -fall in; which I did,—and the whole formed in a field opposite the -convent. - -The two officers, as their eyes first glanced on the gloomy ranks before -them, stared in silent astonishment. “Good God!” at length ejaculated -Shields, with deep emphasis, “can it be possible that these men once -formed my old company, the grenadiers!” It was too true. - -Clark, stepping forward, appealed to them as their old officer, and -pathetically begged of them to listen. Shields did the same. But they -would not, they said, say or do anything until Captain Costello had -given his opinion, on whom, as an old soldier, they relied for just and -practical advice. - -At this, I of course came forward, and addressed them somewhat to this -effect: - -That the winter was fast approaching, and it was the intention of the -General to keep them there during that season: the privations -consequently, which they would have to undergo would be even worse than -those they had already experienced. Under these circumstances, -therefore, and the prospect of better food, and the chances that might, -more than probably, offer themselves for their escaping through the -Pyrenees into France, which closely bordered on San Sebastian, I would -strongly urge them to return to their regiments. I spoke to them as a -man who had once borne a musket. Their claims I acknowledged as -just.[31] - -Here they all produced their agreements, duly signed by the officer with -whom they first engaged, to serve for one or two years, as might be -preferred by the individual so entering the service of her Catholic -Majesty the Queen of Spain. - -Being empowered to grant full rations to those who volunteered, I also -promised them immediate relief to their hunger. - -They requested a quarter of an hour’s consideration, and in that time -decided, on condition of further certificates being given them, so that -they should be obliged to serve only for the two years from the time -they first engaged. These, signed by Colonel Arbuthnot and myself, were -afterwards given them; and a number, to the amount of fifty -non-commissioned officers and privates, who that night volunteered, sat -down, for the first time for many months, to a bellyful; but these only -were allowed it, which in this case was a wise though a cruel expedient, -for that meal bought their birthright, and, for the sake of a similar -supply to the cravings of nature, then almost extinct, eighty more -signed their names, making in all one hundred and twenty.[32] - -The next morning it was my duty to march them to Santander, and embark -them on board a steamer for San Sebastian. But to get them ready for -this was a difficult task, for many of them had not even—as I before -stated—clothing to cover their nakedness. The convent was ransacked -everywhere; all the old rugs were soon monopolized, and divided amongst -them; and even the old parchment records which had been left by the -monks, were converted into covers for decency. - -I never shall forget the sight, as these poor fellows slowly emerged -from the convent. Numbers alone kept them going, when, perhaps, singly, -each man would have died rather than have undergone such an exposure; -that blush which should have for ever dyed the cheeks of their -oppressors, now mantled up those of the unfortunate victims, and they -bent their heads in agony as they hurried through the streets of -Santander. The inhabitants, struck at the melancholy procession, -murmured, as they crowded after them, “Povres Ingleses! povres -Ingleses!” (poor English! poor English!) So much for the generous -English, “defenders of the liberty of nations.” It was a great relief to -me to see them on board. I returned to Carbon the same evening, and -found those whom I had left in a state of mutiny; for two of their -number had been wounded, during my absence, by the Spanish guard. One, -belonging to the Lancers, had been shot through the arm; the other, one -of the 6th, had received a bayonet stab in the breast. This, I was -informed, was occasioned by their having strayed beyond the boundaries. -I spoke to the Captain of the Spanish guard, on the cowardice of his men -firing on the unarmed English. He answered me only with a shrug of the -shoulder. My blood rose at his apathy—old times, when I myself had been, -as it were, one of themselves, flashed across my memory, and lighted up -the indignation that now stifled all thoughts of my rank and present -distance. I felt as a man; and could not forbear telling him, that, had -his British victims been armed, I would have made him pay dearly for his -cold-blooded villainy. But the phlegmatic scoundrel had neither courage -nor sympathy, and so far from granting me the satisfaction I required of -him, shrunk from me with the hangman’s plea, that he had merely -fulfilled orders. - -What most surprised me was, that the men, naked as they were, had not -rushed on the Spaniards, and taken their arms from them. But on second -reflection, I attributed this want of spirit to their half-starved, -weakened condition—surrounded, too, as they were, by officers on whom -even their claims of compatriotism seemed lost amid the general apathy -to every manly feeling. - -I had the poor men conveyed to the general hospital, and put myself -immediately in communication with Colonel Arbuthnot. But the gallant -Commandant of Santander had become so completely Spanish, that no reply -even was sent; and I was obliged, at last, to press the matter -personally. - -“We must not quarrel with the Spaniards,” was all I could get out of -him. On my return I used every means in my power to alleviate their -forlorn condition. But my authority, as Commandant, was a mere mockery, -for we were entirely at the disposal of the Spanish guard. It was truly -painful, despite the frequency of the scene, to witness the daily return -of misery. Midnight, that hour when wretchedness generally forgets -itself in sleep, seemed to have lost the influence here, its silence -being broken by the passing footsteps of those unhappy men, as many -passed the time telling me the oft repeated list of grievances, while -they promenaded the gloomy avenues and colonnades of the old convent. At -times, and when the moon shone, the whole building had the appearance of -a splendid mausoleum, and the sufferers as they passed from cell to -cell, looked unearthly, and put me in mind almost of the fabled and -ghastly inhabitants of the other world. - -By custom, however, we got so familiarized to everything revolting, -that, at length, these horrors became as ordinary matters of course. A -journalist would have thrown his pen aside, in the monotony of daily -cruelty; and I myself, by the lapse of a few years, am only now, as it -were, aroused from the lethargy it had thrown me into. I look back with -a thrill. I see them still, as it were, before me,—the fierce look!—the -quick order!—the lash!—and the gaunt, misery-stricken countenances of -one hundred and fifty men, and all the changes their tyrants had rung -amongst them! - -Finding my complaints so unavailing, I made up my mind to quit the -service; and, intimating my wishes to head-quarters, that a medical -board might examine my wounds, I handed over my commandantship to a -Captain Oakley, of the 2nd Lancers. I met this gentleman on his way to -the convent, with a couple of sets of cats, which he had procured from -the British frigate—I believe the ‘Castor’—then lying in the harbour of -Santander. He pulled them out of his pocket, and, with an air well -suited to his meaning, gave me to understand that he would have no -“nonsense!” - -While awaiting an answer from head-quarters, I was obliged, much against -my inclination, to remain at the convent. This, however, gave me an -opportunity of witnessing his first essay at the command. The wants and -privations the men had hitherto endured he did not deem sufficient; and, -as a last resort, they were, to the number of one hundred and fifty -placed at the top of the building, in one room, the windows of which -having been totally demolished, laid them open to the northern aspect, -in the cold month of November, without even the poor advantage of a -fire-place. Two Spanish soldiers were posted sentry, with loaded -muskets, to prevent ingress or egress. One of these was employed to -escort the men to the closet, one at a time, by day; and, at night, a -large tub, placed in the centre of the room, served every purpose till -morning. - -I was one day on my return from Santander to this gloomy prison-house, -when I met a party, bearing on their shoulders, the body of a man on a -shutter, to the general hospital. On inquiry, I found his name to be -John Bryant, of the 6th—an invalid, not a prisoner. This poor fellow, it -appeared, while by order of Captain Oakley, in the act of cutting a few -boughs, to make a broom to sweep the cloisters with, was watched by one -of the Spanish soldiers, and, while in the tree, deliberately shot. Poor -Bryant fell instantly through the branches, mortally wounded, the ball -entering at the breast and passing out at the shoulder. He died the same -night; but, as usual, his murder was not taken the slightest notice of. - -An order at length arrived, and a medical board having sat accordingly, -I was pronounced, through wounds, unfit for further service. I packed up -my traps, and hastened to leave the neighbourhood. I felt as few ever -felt before: and, even now, seated in my family circle, though years -have intervened, seem to breathe anew the freedom I experienced at my -deliverance from this worse than purgatory. - -Thus ends my military career; which, little as it can boast of leading -incident, may yet prove interesting. I shall, however, feel contented if -it but assist to wile away a dull hour, or keep alive the recollection -of personal enterprise among those of my veteran comrades whom war has -permitted to live and peruse it. It is but a plain, unvarnished attempt -to relate my individual adventures; and, perhaps, like the works of most -men, might have amused its author, but for the fatigues and intricacies -of compilation. “The fame of a scholar,” an eminent writer has observed, -“is acquired only in solitude; and he connects but a chain of silent and -cool reflection.” With me it is different: all my recollections are -mixed up in extraordinary broils and confusions, which make it no easy -task, from out so great a variety, to connect even the few incidents, -thus huddled together in the - - ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER. - - - THE END. - - - LONDON: - - Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street. - - - - - INTERESTING - - MILITARY AND NAVAL WORKS. - - Published by COLBURN and Co. - - - LIGHTS AND SHADES OF MILITARY LIFE. - -Edited by Lieut.-Gen. Sir CHARLES NAPIER, G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief in -India, &c. 1 vol., 8vo, 10s. 6d. bound. - -“A narrative of stirring interest, which should be in the hands of every -officer in her Majesty’s service.”—_Globe._ - - -------------- - - - CAPTAIN CRAWFORD’S REMINISCENCES - OF ADMIRALS SIR E. OWEN, SIR B. HALLOWELL CAREW, - AND OTHER DISTINGUISHED COMMANDERS. - - 2 vols., post 8vo, with Portraits, 21s. bound. - -“A work which cannot fail of being popular in every portion of our -sea-girt isle, and of being read with delight by all who feel interested -in the right hand of our country—its Navy.”—_Plymouth Herald._ - - -------------- - - - STORY OF THE PENINSULAR WAR. - A COMPANION VOLUME TO MR. GLEIG’S - “STORY OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO.” - - With six Portraits and Map, 5s. bound. - -“Every page of this work is fraught with undying interest. We needed -such a book as this; one that could give to the rising generation of -soldiers a clear notion of the events which led to the expulsion of the -French from the Peninsula.”—_United Service Gazette._ - - -------------- - - - THE NEMESIS IN CHINA; - COMPRISING A COMPLETE - HISTORY OF THE WAR IN THAT COUNTRY. - - From Notes of Captain W. H. HALL, R.N. - 1 vol., Plates, 6s. bound. - - -------------- - - HISTORY OF THE WAR - IN GERMANY AND FRANCE IN 1813 & 1814. - - By Lieut.-Gen. the MARQUIS OF LONDONDERRY, - G.C.B., &c. &c. 21s. - - -------------- - - ADVENTURES OF A NAVY LIEUTENANT. - - 2 vols. 10s. - - - - - FOOTNOTES - - -Footnote 1: - - A few months back, while on duty at the Tower, one of the warders - informed me a most extraordinary lady was anxious to see me, when, to - my astonishment, Mrs. Plunket stood before me, and while she held a - handkerchief by one hand close to that part where her nose formerly - stood, with her other hand she squeezed mine, and in the most - plaintive tone told me of poor Tom’s death. It appeared that herself - and Plunket, who usually tramped through different parts of the - country, and procured a livelihood selling needles and tapes, while - passing through a street in Colchester, suddenly staggering a few - paces fell down and expired. The death of Tom and the sight of Mrs. - Plunket, whose extraordinary countenance excited disgust as well as - pity, spread like wildfire through the town, and it came to the ears - of several retired officers living in that city, who happened to read - my description of him; the result was that a handsome collection was - set on foot, and the amount of twenty pounds was collected for the - widow. The lady of a colonel also, entirely out of her own pocket, - paid for the funeral of poor Tom, with a handsome tombstone to - perpetuate his memory. This she told me with many sobs. Thus ended the - career of the gallant but unfortunate Plunket. - -Footnote 2: - - As the reader may not be aware of the weight each rifleman had to - carry during this long and harassing march, this too by men considered - the lightest troops in our service, they are as follows: Knapsack and - straps, two shirts, two pair of stockings, one pair of shoes, ditto - soles and heels, three brushes, box of blacking, razor, soap-box and - strap, and also at the time an extra pair of trowsers, a mess-tin, - centre-tin and lid, haversack and canteen, great coat and blanket, a - powder-flask filled, a ball bag containing thirty loose balls, a small - wooden mallet used to hammer the ball into the muzzle of our rifles; - belt and pouch, the latter containing fifty rounds of ammunition, - sword-belt and rifle, besides other odds and ends, that at all times - are required for a service-soldier. Each squad had also to carry four - bill-hooks, that weighed six pounds each, so that every other day each - man had to carry it; thus equipped, with from seventy to eighty pounds - weight, this too in the melting month of July. Not content with the - above, the General gave strict orders for each man to have his canteen - filled with water before commencing the day’s march every morning. - Through being thus overloaded, four hundred of the battalion died a - few months after our arrival, without a single shot being fired. But - the survivors soon found out the cause of this mortality, as I don’t - think there was a man in the regiment five years after, before we left - the country, could show a single shirt or a pair of shoes in his - knapsack. - -Footnote 3: - - The Honourable Captain Pakenham was a brother-in-law to the Duke of - Wellington. This gentleman, who belonged to my regiment, was much - beloved by us all. He was always so considerate! On every occasion - when the fresh arrival of necessaries, meat, wine, &c., brought the - men in crowds about the stores, he invariably would abide his turn, - and, as though he were one of ourselves, oblige every new comer, - whatever his rank, to submit to the same. This, though mere justice, - for its rare occurrence with the other officers, was never forgotten - by the men. Since his return from the Peninsula I have been told he - was ordered to New Orleans, where he was killed. - -Footnote 4: - - I must here remark, that these shells were thrown at us by mistake, as - the town was in the possession of our friends the Portuguese, under - the command of Colonel Cox, a British officer, who from our position - being near the enemy, as well as our green dress, must have mistaken - us for the latter. Almeida was afterwards taken by the French. - -Footnote 5: - - Strange as it may appear, this ball may be this hour felt with as much - ease as the first day it entered, forty-two years back. - -Footnote 6: - - Among the officers wounded was the present Sir H. Smith, his brother - Tom also. The former being on the staff had a _cedan_ with two mules - to carry him; the latter was packed with the men in bullock-carts. - -Footnote 7: - - With regard to knapsacks, of which so much has been spoken, I cannot - see why they could not be carried by the quarter-master or - commissariat, and given out with the same ease as the rations. This I - apply only to the rifles and other light troops, who, being always - exposed and in advance, have need of all their energies and activity - to render them fully effective. - -Footnote 8: - - Any of my readers passing through Knightsbridge, may chance to observe - a tall military figure, bent with years, a bag thrown over his - shoulders, stooping to pick up bones, &c., this person is no other - than the once redoubtable Humphrey Allen, at that time one of the - smartest and finest-looking men in our Rifles. - -Footnote 9: - - I have often felt surprised that our officers have not generally - adopted the plan of carrying a rifle when in action; the defence it - would afford to the individual himself in its superiority over the - sword or the pistol, which latter are mere toys in the field, would, I - imagine, bear its own argument. The additional strength also it must - give to the efficiency of the regiments generally, from the number it - would add to each volley (in the proportion of fifty to a regiment), - and the confidence it must inspire in the officers, would, one should - think, carry everything before it, nor can it prevent any officer in - keeping his eye on his men, as all riflemen, while in action, use - their own judgment by getting under cover, consequently out of sight. - -Footnote 10: - - This veteran soldier, who was afterwards promoted to the rank of - Sergeant-Major, through the interest of his old commander Sir Hussey - Vivian, now holds a situation in the Tower, where we frequently meet. - -Footnote 11: - - As some of my readers may not be acquainted with the duty and the - character of a “Forlorn-Hope,” I will proceed to explain it. On the - eve of the storming of a fortress, the breaches, &c., being all ready, - Captains of companies, on their private parade, give the men to - understand that such and such a place is to be taken by storm. Every - man then, who wishes to volunteer to head the stormers, steps forward - to the front, and his name is immediately taken down by the officer; - if none offer themselves the first men for duty are selected. With our - regiment this latter alternative was never required, as a sufficient - number were always ready. - - This service, or “Forlorn-Hope,” is designated by the French in the - not less appropriate term of “Les Enfants perdus,” or “Lost Children,” - and has always to lead or make the first attack. - -Footnote 12: - - There is no doubt, but Wilkie, Major Napier, and indeed several others - in advance fell by the fire of the Portuguese; who being panic-struck - by the first volley they received from the town, instantly lay down on - the glacis, and commenced firing on the breach. A random shot through - the embrasure deprived my friend of life. - -Footnote 13: - - Grass-bags are long sacks about six feet by three, filled with grass - or hay, and so stuffed as to enable a party, in case the ladders - should not be fixed in sufficient time, by pitching them into the - trenches before them to descend with comparative safety. With us, - however, they answered a double purpose, being carried by our men in - front of their persons to prevent the effects of the enemy’s fire. - -Footnote 14: - - The gallantry of the Spaniards of our regiment make me believe, had - those countrymen during the war been properly commanded, they would - have made excellent soldiers. - -Footnote 15: - - As before stated, the French carry no haversacks. - -Footnote 16: - - As of late, much has been said concerning the use or non-use of the - bayonet in action, I shall here take the liberty, supported by the - above fact, of intruding my own opinions in the matter; an opinion, - which falling from the mouth of an old soldier only, might otherwise - be thought worthless, if not presumptuous. - - It is generally known of course that Riflemen, when in action, are at - all times extended, and have always better opportunities of watching - the movements of two armies, than those troops who are compelled to - march in compact and closely-wedged masses. - - Both parties, it will be observed by the above, were with their - fire-locks unloaded, the British having fired and charged before the - French could reload, and both consequently had no resource left but - their bayonets. Now I would ask the no-bayonet gentlemen, if the - French, who well knew their mutual position, had seen the British - advance with bare muzzles or with no bayonets, would they have given - way with their own bayonets fixed to oppose them. If they did, they - ought to be hanged, from the Colonel downwards. On the other hand, if - the English had attempted to charge with bare muzzles against fixed - bayonets, each man from the commanding officer down should be sent to - a madhouse. - - Upon this then I should say, if my opinion be acceptable, that the - bayonets had better remain in present use until such time as we can - bargain with the French or other enemies to disuse them. - -Footnote 17: - - Query Countess of Gazan. - -Footnote 18: - - Query Jourdain’s _bâton_. - -Footnote 19: - - Strange to say, this very sergeant, whose name was Lee, and who had - the fame of being the best boxer in his regiment, after the battle of - Waterloo, lay wounded in the bed next to mine in the hospital at - Antwerp. “Holloa, Rifleman!” said he, when he first perceived me near - him, “don’t you recollect me!” At first I did not. “By God,” said he, - again, “you frightened me more than a bit at Vittoria, when guarding - your money-bags.” This soon settled the recognition; but, poor fellow! - he died after the amputation of his arm. - -Footnote 20: - - Tom served under General Whitelock in South America. - -Footnote 21: - - The brass clasp or hook that fastens the belt. - -Footnote 22: - - This being only a report amongst us wounded men, little reliance can - be placed on it. - -Footnote 23: - - 28, Berkeley Square, March 2nd, 1819. - - I strongly recommend to your notice, and to the attention of the Board - of Chelsea, the bearer, Edward Costello, late sergeant in the first - battalion Rifle Brigade, for an increase of pension for his gallant - services, he having been discharged in consequence of wounds received - in action. - - A. F. BARNARD, - Major-General Commanding, - First Battalion Rifle Brigade. - - To General Sir E. DUNDAS, - &c., &c., &c. - Colonel-in-Chief, Rifle Brigade, - - To this hour it remained unaltered. - -Footnote 24: - - This Conner now resides at Chelsea, and I am happy to say, in good - circumstances, at his trade as a tailor. - -Footnote 25: - - Now Sir Henry Bulwer. - -Footnote 26: - - _Vide_, General Order under Evans. - - “G. O., Head Quarters, San Sebastian, - - “September 2, 1835. - - * * * “All provosts and their assistants are empowered to inflict - summary punishment _on the breech_ to the amount of twenty-four - lashes, according to the degree of the offence, on soldiers and - _followers_ of the army committing offences against discipline, - plundering, drunkenness, violence, and, in short, everything tending - to the subversion of good order in the army. The provost must either - witness the offence himself _or have it from the evidence of competent - eye witnesses_; the punishment in every case to be inflicted on the - spot or near the same.” - -Footnote 27: - - “G. O. Head Quarters, Frenada, - - “November 1, 1811. - - “The office of Provost Marshal has existed in all British armies in - the field * * * his authority must be limited by the necessity of the - case, and whatever be the crime of which a soldier may be guilty, the - Provost Marshal has not the power of inflicting summary punishment for - it unless _he_ should see him in the act of committing it. If he - should not see him in the act of committing it, he is directed to - report the offence to the Commander-in-chief of the army, in order - that the soldier be _tried_, and _evidence_ adduced against him. - Further the Commander of the Forces desires that it may be clearly - understood that _no officer whatever_ has a right to order the Provost - Marshal, or his assistants, to exercise the authority intrusted to - them; nor can the Provost Marshal, or his assistants, inflict - punishment on any man, except they should see him in the act of - committing a breach of orders and discipline. Their duty is, by - _vigilance_ and activity, to _prevent_ those breaches which the - Commander of the Forces is sorry to observe are too common, and to - punish those they may catch in the act.” - -Footnote 28: - - I feel bound, before quitting the subject, to declare it as my opinion - that the bread was not actually poisoned; the materials of which it - was made, no doubt, were of the worst description, of which the - colour, which was of the most disheartening black, gave every proof; - when two days old it would be as hard almost as wood, and in another - similar lapse of time, it would mildew, and become green as old - copper. The men, however, who were not taken ill, always fed upon it, - from necessity; while most of the officers, who were served with good - white bread (but at a less ration), were equally attacked by the - sickness. The baker, therefore, in this respect, did no more than what - our own contractors would have done, and which the abominable quality - of almost everything sent us went to testify. That he conspired to - favour Don Carlos’s cause I have no doubt, and the punishment was - necessary, and a wholesome one. - -Footnote 29: - - There were seven brothers of the Cummings in our first battalion Rifle - Brigade; the above Allan was sergeant in the band, and was killed at - Vittoria 21st June, 1813. - -Footnote 30: - - This I was informed by the surgeon who dressed them afterwards. - -Footnote 31: - - Vide first article of conditions of service: - - “I. The time of service to be for _one_ or _two_ years, as may be - preferred by the individual engaging to enter her Majesty’s service.” - -Footnote 32: - - The whole of these two regiments were almost entirely Scotch, a people - whom I ever found justly submissive and brave. Each man of these - signed his name himself; and, by the ready manner, gave full proof of - their being well informed as well as intellectual. It will be - recollected, also, that, up to the time of their laying down arms, - they had carried them only on a matter of good faith; for not one of - them had taken the oath of allegiance to either the British or the - Spanish Government. In the Rifles none laid down their arms or joined - the discontented. I had raised them myself; and they were the only - regiment that had not been buoyed up with false representations. The - deficiency of allegiance was universal, I believe, in the Legion; and, - under these facts, I feel surprised that any man was punished by - court-martial. They virtually were not a Spanish or a British force, - and constituted mere camp followers, answerable only—with certain - exceptions—to civil authorities, and not to their officers, who, I - presume, are now accountable to British laws for the cruelties they - inflicted. - - - - - Transcriber's Note - - -Italics are represented by _underscores_. - -Inconsistent hyphenation of words in the original book has been -retained. Punctuation errors were fixed. The name Josh was followed by a -period/full stop in the early parts of the book and not in the later -parts. This was left as printed. Some additional corrections have been -made, as detailed below: - - p. xi and p. 144 Campaign of 1812 -> Campaign of 1813 - p. xiv H cold-blooded Spaniard -> A cold-blooded Spaniard - p. xiv Meda -> Medal - p. 3 oyer -> over - p. 29 two of three -> two or three - p. 39 dreafully -> dreadfully - p. 59 we passed trough the town -> we passed through the town - p. 63 skirmishing end endeavouring -> skirmishing and endeavouring - p. 103 then then addressed -> then addressed - p. 144 Alamada -> Allamada - p. 171 goold -> gold - p. 216 regi- -> regiment - p. 221 catch in the fact -> catch in the act - p. 235 Chapelgoris -> Chapelgorris - p. 239 segeant-major -> sergeant-major - p. 242 Monte a el ciel -> Monte a el cielo - p. 245 been dismissed the Legion -> been dismissed from the Legion - p. 264 wofully -> woefully - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Adventures of a Soldier, by Edward Costello - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER *** - -***** This file should be named 50181-0.txt or 50181-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/8/50181/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, Sonya Schermann and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Adventures of a Soldier - Written by Himself - -Author: Edward Costello - -Release Date: October 11, 2015 [EBook #50181] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Sonya Schermann and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div> - <span class='pageno' title='i' id='Page_i'>[i]</span> - <h1 class='c000'>ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER</h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.</span></div> - <div class='c001'>BEING</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='large'>THE MEMOIRS</span></div> - <div class='c002'>OF</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='xlarge'>EDWARD COSTELLO, K.S.F.</span></div> - <div class='c002'>FORMERLY A NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE RIFLE BRIGADE,</div> - <div>LATE CAPTAIN IN THE BRITISH LEGION, AND NOW ONE OF THE WARDENS OF</div> - <div>THE TOWER OF LONDON;</div> - <div class='c002'>COMPRISING</div> - <div class='c002'>NARRATIVES OF THE CAMPAIGNS IN THE PENINSULA UNDER THE</div> - <div>DUKE OF WELLINGTON,</div> - <div>AND THE SUBSEQUENT CIVIL WARS IN SPAIN.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c001'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in18'>What, must I tell it thee?</div> - <div class='line'>As o’er my ev’ning fire I musing sat</div> - <div class='line'>Some few days since, my mind’s eye backward turn’d</div> - <div class='line'>Upon the various changes I have pass’d—</div> - <div class='line'>How in my youth with gay attire allur’d,</div> - <div class='line'>And all the grand accoutrements of war,</div> - <div class='line'>I left my peaceful home: Then my first battles,</div> - <div class='line'>When clashing arms, and sights of blood were new:</div> - <div class='line'>Then all the after-chances of the war;</div> - <div class='line'>Ay, and that field, a well-fought field it was.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c003'>COUNT BASIL.</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>Second Edition.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>LONDON:</span></div> - <div><span class='xlarge'>COLBURN AND CO., PUBLISHERS,</span></div> - <div>GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.</div> - <div>1852.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div><span class='pageno' title='ii' id='Page_ii'>[ii]</span>LONDON:</div> - <div>Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div><span class='pageno' title='iii' id='Page_iii'>[iii]</span>TO</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='large'>GENERAL SIR A. F. BARNARD, K.C.B, K.C.H.</span></div> - <div class='c002'>&c. &c. &c.</div> - <div class='c002'>COLONEL OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE,</div> - <div class='c002'>AND GOVERNOR OF CHELSEA COLLEGE,</div> - <div class='c002'>THIS VOLUME</div> - <div class='c002'>Is most respectfully Dedicated,</div> - <div class='c002'>BY THE AUTHOR,</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c003'>EDWARD COSTELLO.</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='v' id='Page_v'>[v]</span> - <h2 class='c005'>PREFACE<br /> <br />TO<br /> <br />THE FIRST EDITION.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>So many Lives of Soldiers have already been written, -and by abler pens than mine, and so many tales have -arisen out of the chequered scenes of the late Peninsular -War, and the short existence of the British Legion, -that I dare not be very sanguine of creating for my -work any great degree of interest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But every man’s life is a volume of change, felt and -expressed according to his peculiar dispositions and -feelings, which are as varied under a military as they -can be under a civil life. Could the never to be forgotten -Tom Crawley but give his own detail!—could -Long Tom of Lincoln, once one of the smartest of our -regiment, now the forlorn bone-picker of Knightsbridge, -but pen his own eventful track—could Wilkie, -Hetherington, Plunket, and many others of those -humbler heroes, conquerors in such well-contested fields -as Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, and Waterloo, &c., -whose exploits form the principal attractions in this -volume, and whose stubborn spirits and perforated -<span class='pageno' title='vi' id='Page_vi'>[vi]</span>bodies formed key-stones for the fame of our immortal -Wellington, whose standard might have found a sandy -support but for the individual bravery of the soldiers -of his invincible divisions: could they but recount -their varied casts of fortune—who would fail to read -their histories and help to rear a cypress to their -memories?</p> - -<p class='c007'>With these considerations, I send this volume forth, -trusting that the reader will bear in mind that he -who wrote it was both actor and spectator in the -scenes he has narrated, and feels assured that by their -perusal, he will be enabled to guess at what is generally -felt and experienced by the individual soldier.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the British Legion I held a medium rank. I saw -not only what its soldiers were, but caught a glance at -their officers: with them my military career flickered -out its last moments of existence. Its brighter fortunes, -short as they were, however, gave me sufficient opportunity -to value those unfortunate men—my humbler -comrades, and to be convinced by their deeds, that the -British soldier, with sickness, oppression, the lash, and -other distresses, still possessed his old spirit, and was -as fitted to reap laurels as he had been in more glorious -times.</p> - -<div class='c003'>EDWARD COSTELLO.</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='vii' id='Page_vii'>[vii]</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch01'>CHAPTER I.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Introduction of myself to the reader—To the service—Who would not be a -Soldier?—A recruit—Wilkie—Cupid’s Row-dow—The service endangered by -another—Arrival at Liverpool—I am made prisoner, but not by the French—Recaptured -by our sergeant—Lichfield round-house—St. Paul’s—I join my -regiment, and the regiment joins us—Great numbers of rank and file burnt -alive <a href='#Page_1'>1</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch02'>CHAPTER II.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>I join Captain O’Hare’s company—He falls in a passion—The “fair” and -“unfair” appointment—Disappointment—Things of a private nature—Tom -Crawley—An example—The Hero—How to catch “flats” in “squads”—New -way to tap a barrel—A Rifleman’s plan for sweeping chimneys and -tap-rooms—Pipe-clay and parade—The regiment embark for Portugal <a href='#Page_6'>6</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch03'>CHAPTER III.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Tom Plunket’s Military Career <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch04'>CHAPTER IV.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Arrival in Portugal—Crauford’s forced marches—Teetotalism with a vengeance—The -effect of the opposite extreme—Spanish mode of keeping a man from -stealing wine—False reports—Talavera—We arrive the day after the fight—A -battle scene—Sir Arthur Wellesley—General Cuesta—Dough Boy Hill—The -fever—I am taken ill—Elvas hospital—How to cure a fever—Convalescence—Burial -scenes—Our Sextons—March to my regiment—The Germans—Pig-skins -in danger, our own also—Captain Pakenham—Hanging matters—Two -dozen of each—Not sham pain—German discipline <a href='#Page_19'>19</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><span class='pageno' title='viii' id='Page_viii'>[viii]</span><a href='#ch05'>CHAPTER V.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Old Trowsers—Sleeping and waking—O’Hare again—Colonel Beckwith—Two -upon one—Meagher—Barba del Puerco—General Crauford taken by surprise—The -Portuguese incorporation with the light division—Rodrigo—Gallegos—The -Beacon night scenes on picquet—Lord Wellington—Napoleon’s Marriage—Crauford’s -stratagem—The French spy—We retreat to Fort Conception <a href='#Page_28'>28</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch06'>CHAPTER VI.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Villa de Mula—Night expedition to Villa de Puerco—Both parties retire—Death -of Colonel Talbot—A soldier’s grave—The effects of a miscarriage—Fort -Conception blown up—A mistake and no mistake—Another mistake, a -ball in the right knee—The bridge over the Coa—A friend in need, a friend -indeed—Charity abroad and at home—A surgeon’s advice—A blessing—A -cough, an uncomfortable companion—Spanish apathy—We arrive at -Fraxedas <a href='#Page_34'>34</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch07'>CHAPTER VII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Mondego—The Coimbra—Figueras—The maggots—Lisbon—Battle of Busaco—Retreat -to Torres Vedras—Lord Wellington’s generalship—Belem—Jack -ashore and Jonathan also—Yankey and Lankey—Billy M’Nabb—The Highland -kite and Lowland tail—Josh. Hetherington—Sperum Poco—Portuguese -piety—Aruda—Doing what the enemy left undone—Tom Crawley again—In -state—A hot berth—Our enemies laugh at Tom in his glory <a href='#Page_41'>41</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch08'>CHAPTER VIII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The enemy retire upon Santarem—We retire upon Vallée—The bridge over the -Rio Mayor—The French out-lying sentries—Their camp ground—Comparative -quietude—The still—Escape from assassination—Tom Crawley’s ghost-story—The -“Death and Glory men”—The charms of a Brunswickian appetite—Their -desertions—Sergeant Fleming—His court-martial—We meet our enemies -on the water and contend—A comment on both sides <a href='#Page_50'>50</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch09'>CHAPTER IX.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>General Crauford leaves for England—Sir William Erskine takes the command—Mounseer -Strauss—We enter Santarem—Scenes of horror—Mile posts of -the “grande armée”—Retaliations of the Portuguese—Two upon one—Pombal—Smart -work—German gallantry—Auction—A new division—Redinha—An -accident—Long Tom of Lincoln—The deserter—A return of -favours <a href='#Page_58'>58</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><span class='pageno' title='ix' id='Page_ix'>[ix]</span><a href='#ch10'>CHAPTER X.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Our march upon Condeixa—Tom Crawley again—Hot and cold—Affair of Casal -Nova—Death of Major Stewart—The French continue retreating—The two -brothers—Night scene—The French continue their havoc—The Caçadore—The -pet goat—Lord Wellington again—Our old Colonel—The promise of the -Staff—The Recruits—British enthusiasm inspired—The two French prisoners—Particulars -of Massena’s retreat and state of his troops—St. Patrick’s Day—If -I had a donkey—The river Caira—Our distressing privations—O’Brien and -the old Patrone—Arrival at Friexedas—Adjutant Stewart killed—Sabugal—Carrying -of the enemy’s position—Encomiums of our Colonel—Death of -Lieut. Arbuthnot—Disagreeable bed-fellow—A light on the subject—Evacuation -of Portugal by the French, Almeida excepted—The British follow into -Spain—Arrival at Gallegos—The enemy active in Rodrigo—The skulker—Poor -Burke—Expedition and disappointment in search of a convoy <a href='#Page_66'>66</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch11'>CHAPTER XI.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Our advance videttes, and the French cavalry—Manœuvring in front of Villa -Formosa—The Suttler and the Dragoons—Sergeant-Major Sharp—Morning -of the 5th May—General Crauford returns—Portuguese welcome—Fuentes -d’Onor—French Dragoon challenges to single combat—Retreat on Navez -d’Aver—Charges of cavalry—A deep game by the French—Squaring it with -the enemy—The 79th Highlanders—A prisoner against his will—The French -sentry and General Crauford—The Light Dragoons again—Sergeant-Major -Sharp again—Scene of discipline—That lash disappointed—The German -fratricide <a href='#Page_77'>77</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch12'>CHAPTER XII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Almeida closely invested by the fifth division, but not close enough—Evacuation -by the French—Suicide of the Colonel of the 4th—Sabugal—We cross the Coa—The -comet—Much ado about nothing—Tom Crawley’s fears—March through -Castello Branco—Portalegre, &c., to Campo Mayor—Tom Crawley poisoned—Blockade -of Ciudad Rodrigo—Atalaya—Hunting excursion with the Staff—Our -third battalion joins us—Colonel Barnard—Tommy Searchfield—Middy -ashore—Deficiency of rations—A new arrival—His adventure—Spanish spite—The -pigs—Rodrigo relieved by the French—Our division—We rejoin the -army—Battle of El Bodon—We return to Guinaldo—Again invest Rodrigo—January, -1812—Fort Piquerine stormed—The stripping of the prisoners by the -Portuguese—Tom Crawley again—Cure for a skulk <a href='#Page_86'>86</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch13'>CHAPTER XIII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Cold reception—Preparation to storm Rodrigo—I join the “Forlorn-Hope”—The -breaches—General Crauford killed—Uniacke mortally wounded—Major -Napier wounded—Taking of the town—A rough customer—Wilkie again—Death -of Wilkie—A gift—The left breach after the battle—Wilkie’s grave—Horrors -of a storm—This is my niece, Sir—The right breach—Captain Uniacke—The -Light Division leave Rodrigo in disguise—Who the devil are those -fellows?—We enter El Bodon <a href='#Page_94'>94</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><span class='pageno' title='x' id='Page_x'>[x]</span><a href='#ch14'>CHAPTER XIV.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Burial of General Crauford—Anecdote of Ladrone! Ladrone!—Corporal Miles—Burial -of Uniacke—A French seat of honour in jeopardy—A wolf! a wolf!—Deserters -shot—Scene of execution—March to Castello de Vide across -the Tagus—Execution of Corporal Arnal for desertion—Badajoz—A man -dreaming of his head being off with his head on; singular fulfilment—Tom -Crawley’s dislike to conchology—His alarms—The Duke of Wellington saluted -by the enemy—Remarkable feature of the case—A French curative or an ill-wind, -&c. <a href='#Page_102'>102</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch15'>CHAPTER XV.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Storming of Badajoz—I join the Forlorn-Hope again—Presentiments of Major -O’Hare and Captain Jones—Their deaths—The stormers—The Ladder-men—I -am wounded—The French prisoner—O’Brien—Sacking of the town—Scene -of horror—Reflections—The Duke of Wellington and his men—Johnny Castles -introduced with a rope round his neck—The drummer-boy—A firelock goes -off, and so does a Corporal—I return to the camp—Casualties at Badajoz—The -French prisoner and a new acquaintance—His account of the evacuation -of Almeida—His opinion of the British soldiers <a href='#Page_114'>114</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch16'>CHAPTER XVI.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>I recover from my wounds and rejoin my regiment at Ituera—“Nine holes”—March -for Salamanca—Sergeant Battersby—The grenadier and the murder of -his wife, &c., &c.—Marmont out-manœuvred—Assault of Fort St. Vincent—Retreat -of the enemy—We arrive at Rueda—The wine-vaults—My descent -into one—Fright, &c.—Manœuvring of the two armies—Skirmishing—A gallant -Frenchman—Pratt and his prisoner <a href='#Page_126'>126</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch17'>CHAPTER XVII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Battle of Salamanca—My wounds break out afresh—I go into the Hospital at -Salamanca—The Germans and their prisoners—A recognition—Michael Connelly—His -death and burial—Josh. Hetherington again—A new acquaintance—His -accounts of the Guerillas, &c.—A keepsake for a sweetheart—The -Guerilla—The army retrace their steps to Salamanca—Proceed to Rodrigo—Heavy -wet—Spanish payment; acknowledgment—A dry coat—Lord Charles -Spencer and his acorns—We continue our march—The babes in the wood—Hard -skirmishing with the enemy’s advanced-guard—A woman in distress—Pepper—Hunger, -cold, and fatigue—Finish of the Burgos retreat <a href='#Page_133'>133</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch18'>CHAPTER XVIII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Head-quarters at Grenalda—Don Julian Sanchez, the celebrated Guerilla Chief—Weakness -of our numbers—Incorporation of Spaniards into our regiments—A -thief—Punishment of, and opinion of the men—General orders for a collection -among the men and officers to relieve Russian losses—A ball, in which -<span class='pageno' title='xi' id='Page_xi'>[xi]</span>thousands were present—Campaign of <a id='date-a'></a>1813 commenced—The Life Guards and -the Blues join us—The French retreat to Burgos—Secret expedition for bread—Our -surprise—Retreat—General Sir Lowry Cole—His temple spectacles -made use of to reconnoitre—Our escape—A few remarks—Three alternatives—A -cavalry affair on the 18th June—German brotherhood again <a href='#Page_144'>144</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch19'>CHAPTER XIX.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>We encamp near Puebla, on the road to Vittoria—Battle of Vittoria—A man -obliged to hold his jaw—Affair of Bayonets—The 88th—Blanco—Daly—French -defeated—A prisoner rescued—The carriage of Joseph Napoleon—His wife, -&c.—His bâton—A prise—Attempt to rob me—Sergeant Lee—Night scenes -after the battle—The sale of the spoils—I distribute my money for safety—We -march on Salvatierra—Halt at Pampeluna—Another brush wanted—Lesaca—The -enemy on the heights of Santa Barbara dislodged—The French -attempt to relieve Pampeluna—The Bidassoa—The French too late for the -“fare”—We also—A race back by way of “hurry”—The Regiment’s birth-day—Sergeant -Fawfoot’s loss and re-instalment—My treasure—My comrade—His -good faith—Siege and storm of San Sebastian—The four hundred gallant -Frenchmen—Their charge and escape—The 52nd and their badges—Remarks, -&c. <a href='#Page_153'>153</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch20'>CHAPTER XX.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>We encamp on the banks of the Bidassoa—Scenes on the water-edge—A narrow -escape with a lady in question,“Ah, there’s the rub”—Tom Crawley and the -biscuits—Our third battalion carry the heights of Vera—The French camp, -“the last of the French”—The Pyrenees—The mountain father—Up hill and -down dale—The battle of the Nivelle—Manly and Spanish affection—Blanco -again—His gallantry—Tom Crawley—A hug from a granny dear—The last -struggle—Crawley’s departure—A tear for Tom—A reel—St. Jean de Lus—The -French endeavour to make a stand—Colonel Sir Andrew Barnard wounded—Death -messengers fly fast <a href='#Page_168'>168</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch21'>CHAPTER XXI.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>9th December—Our picquets driven in—We are nearly outflanked—We retire—A -rally under the eye of Wellington—Lieutenant Hopwood and Sergeant -Brotherwood killed—Excellent feeling between the French and English -soldiers—Consequent General Order—Johnny Castles in the advance—Picquet-house—Murder -at Tarbes—Blanco again—Collection made for the widow—Battle -of Toulouse—“Amende Honorable”—We encamp on the banks of the -Garonne—“Fall in”—The Spaniards make a mistake—General Picton rectifies -it—The enemy retreat into Toulouse—They evacuate the town—French -leave—Theatre of Toulouse—“A Rifleman on the look out.” <a href='#Page_176'>176</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch22'>CHAPTER XXII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>We continue to pursue the enemy on their retreat—Halted on the second day—A -carriage brings Soult and peace—French troops disbanded—Friendly intercourse -with our men—Castle Sarazin—Our men prefer the ground for a bed, -<span class='pageno' title='xii' id='Page_xii'>[xii]</span>in preference to a feather one—The French sergeant—The invitation—Parade—The -dinner—Farewell to the Spaniards and Portuguese—Cupid enlisting -deserters—Poor Blanco—Embarkation for England—The ‘Ville de Paris’—The -sergeant in hope of a wife—Arrival at Portsmouth—The sergeant in search of -a wife—Their meeting and parting <a href='#Page_182'>182</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch23'>CHAPTER XXIII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Quartered in Dover—Receive our new clothing, &c.—May, 1815—Receive orders -to embark for Ostend—We arrive safe—Bruges—Ghent—Brussels—15th of -June—Belong to the fifth division under General Picton—Descend the wood of -Soignies to Waterloo—Duke of Wellington arrives from Brussels—Battle of -Waterloo—I receive a wound in my right hand, shatters one of my fingers—Return -to Brussels—The pretty house-keeper—The child—Its dead mother—Genappe—Scenes -on the road to Brussels—Arrival at Brussels—Numbers of -wounded in the streets—Kindness and attention of the Brussels’ ladies—The -fair surgeon <a href='#Page_189'>189</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch24'>CHAPTER XXIV.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Brussels’ hospitals—The British and French soldiers under amputation—I lose -my finger—Another loss also—I leave the hospital and am removed to the -Provost Guard—The Belgian marauders bared to the skin—The point of -honour—Sensation produced on their comrades—The Belgian regiment under -arms—Guard-house surrounded—Narrow escape—Removal of the Belgians—Assassination -of a French Count by a Cossack officer—Medals sent from -England—Consequent dissensions—Poor Wheatley—Quarters at Mouvres—Augustine—An -old acquaintance—A rival—Augustine leaves her father’s house—Pursued—Her -father’s despair—Removal to Cambray—The regiment receives -orders to embark for England—We part <a href='#Page_197'>197</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch25'>CHAPTER XXV.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Disembark at Dover—Shorn Cliff Barracks—I am Invalided, and pass the Board -at Chelsea—Augustine’s arrival—Sixpence a day—Sir Andrew Barnard—Sir -David Dundas—My hopeless condition—Blood money—The Honourable -Doctor Wellesley—Mr. Walsford—Augustine returns with me to France—I -retrace my steps alone to Calais—To Dover—Dreadful extremes—A new field -for practice—A friend in need—Another “Forlorn-Hope”—Colonel Ford—A -Rifleman without an appetite—Death of Augustine <a href='#Page_207'>207</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch26'>CHAPTER XXVI.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>I enter the British Legion as Lieutenant—I raise a regiment of Riflemen—Appoint -the non-commissioned officers—Recruiting districts—The peer and the -dustmen—General Evans thanks—Embark at Gravesend—Voyage across the -Bay of Biscay—Arrival in Spain—We land at Portugaletta—Pat’s logic—Spanish -sentries shoot a man by mistake—A bad omen—Men confined for not -wearing that which they never had—Modern rifle officers—Colonel de Rottenburgh—Legion -officers classified—Fine appearance of the men—Rifles march -to Zorossa—Head quarters at Bilboa—Bad quarters of the men—Severe drills—Bad -beginning—The men begin to droop through ill-treatment—“Cats” indiscriminately -used—Lieutenant Robinson drowned <a href='#Page_213'>213</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><span class='pageno' title='xiii' id='Page_xiii'>[xiii]</span><a href='#ch27'>CHAPTER XXVII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Intention of the Spanish Government respecting our winter quarters—March to -Vittoria—Enemy oblige us to go round—The rear of the Legion engaged—Baggage -divided from it—Commencement of the plunder at Bilboa—Arrival at -Castro—Enemy supposed to be in the vicinity—We remain at Castro—March -the next day—Mountainous route—An accident—The pass of Las Goras—March -to Bonia—My company placed in the advance—Orders to prepare for cavalry—Doubts -and fears—A narrow escape—Arrival at Breviesca—Breviesca—Head -Quarters—My old Patrone—Hints to revolutionists—System of regular drill -begun—Riflemen drilled collectively—I practice my company in sham fighting—Provosts -and hardship—Lay in a winter stock of sickness—Legion paid up -to November, 1835—Last payment—March of death—We march for Vittoria—Pass -of Pancorbo—The dead Patrone—Approach to Vittoria—My old recollections—The -45th—Halt about three miles from the city—Spanish troops -come out to meet us—Triumphant entry into Vittoria—The veteran Colonel <a href='#Page_222'>222</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch28'>CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Vittoria as it then was—A bad wind that blows nobody any good—Rifles rather -comfortable at first—Severe weather—Morning scenes and cries in Vittoria—The -flogging system—Men not starved—A comparison of facts—Hospitals get -crammed with sick—Singular economy—The old Colonel’s two sons—The Chapelgorris -decimated by order of Espartero—The Rifles march to Matuca—The -whole Legion assemble at Matuca—Cordova engaged—A Carlist village—A -confession—A night retreat—Colonel’s anxiety—Arlaban—Change of looks -both in the men and the inhabitants—March to Trevina—Sharp winter of -1835 <a href='#Page_232'>232</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch29'>CHAPTER XXIX.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Return to Vittoria—The mortality and state of the hospitals—Deaths among the -medical officers—Scenes in the wards—Legion supposed to be poisoned—Don -José Elgoez—His first ordeal—A discovery—Execution of the two bakers—Description -of the “Garotta”—Legion march and counter-marches—Mode of -warfare adopted by General Evans—Frequent desertion <a href='#Page_238'>238</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch30'>CHAPTER XXX.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Sudden and unjust dismissal of the officers—Copies from General Orders—Spanish -compliments to the French and British Legions—Cordova between -two fires—Some French officers resign—Difference betwixt the British and -French Legion—Parting moments between a French Colonel and his men—Legion -receive orders to proceed to San Sebastian—The sick left behind to -guard the sick—March through the country to Santander—Arrival at the -Convent of Carbon—New clothing—Recruits, &c.—My opinion of the -Legion <a href='#Page_244'>244</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><span class='pageno' title='xiv' id='Page_xiv'>[xiv]</span><a href='#ch31'>CHAPTER XXXI.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Embark for San Sebastian—A thirty-two-pounder, and no mistake—A bloody -force—Brains where they were wanted, unfortunately—A prize—Arrival at San -Sebastian—Anticipated attack—Colonel de Rottenberg taken ill—Major Fortescue—Opinions—His -maiden speech—Two companies broke up the others of -the regiment—5th of May—Attack on the lines of San Sebastian—A hullabaloo—6th -Scotch taken for enemies—Helter-skelter—I receive a severe wound—Am -carried into San Sebastian—My letter to my wife <a href='#Page_250'>250</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch32'>CHAPTER XXXII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The loss of my company in the late action—Apprehensions about my leg—<a id='medal'></a>Medal -and pewter—A candidate for Knighthood—Captain Plunkett—His death, &c.—A -Rifleman assassinated—Fire-eaters—Sketch of San Sebastian—Lord John -Hay’s battery—Ramble towards Passages—Something serious—Awkward -squads—Singular decline of Spanish Bigotry—A Sectarian alarmed <a href='#Page_256'>256</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch33'>CHAPTER XXXIII.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Disorganised state of the Legion—Three months’ pay—A holiday—The 6th and -8th Scotch lay down their arms—Reasons—My wishes to retire from the Legion—I -give up the command of the company—A reflection—I embark for Santander—Report -myself to Colonel Arbuthnot—My new command—The convent of -Carbon—Short description—Inhabitants of—First sample—A speculation—A -Quarter-master’s conscience—I place him under arrest—A horse! A -horse! <a href='#Page_263'>263</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c008'> - <div><a href='#ch34'>CHAPTER XXXIV.</a></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>An orderly dragoon puts us all in confusion—A stir—Retreat upon Santander—The -dangers of forgetfulness—Cure for a fever—We return to our old quarters—Captain -Shields and Major Clark’s visit—An appeal—A new mode of raising -“Volunteers”—Glory or death by famine—One hundred and twenty men are -starved into the service again—Scene in Santander—British soldiers and subjects—More -assassinations—<a id='acbs'></a>A cold-blooded Spaniard—A peace-loving Commandant—Captain -Oakley and his “cats”—Continued horrors of the convent—Assassination—A -relief from purgatory—A conclusion <a href='#Page_268'>268</a></p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div><span class='pageno' title='1' id='Page_1'>[1]</span><span class='xlarge'>ADVENTURES</span></div> - <div class='c002'>OF</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='xlarge'>A SOLDIER.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch01' class='c005'>CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c001'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>To give a young gentleman right education,</div> - <div class='line'>The army’s the only good school in the nation.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c003'>SWIFT.</div> - -<p class='c009'>Introduction of myself to the reader—To the service—Who would not be a -Soldier?—A recruit—Wilkie—Cupid’s Row-dow—The service endangered by -another—Arrival at Liverpool—I am made prisoner, but not by the French—Recaptured -by our sergeant—Lichfield round-house—St. Paul’s—I join my -regiment, and the regiment joins us—Great numbers of rank and file burnt -alive.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>It</span> has ever been the fashion in story telling to begin, I -believe, with the birth of the hero, and as I do not forget, -for a moment, that I am my own, I can only modestly say -with young Norval I am,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>... ... ... of parentage obscure</div> - <div class='line'>Who nought can boast, but my desire to be</div> - <div class='line'>A soldier.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>I was born at the town of Mount Mellick, Queen’s -County, Ireland, on the 26th October, 1788. When I -was seven years old my father removed to Dublin, where -he had been appointed to the situation of tide waiter. As -soon as I became a good sized youth, my father bound me -apprentice to a cabinet-maker, in King William Street, in -the aforesaid city; but urged by a roving and restless -spirit, I soon grew tired of my occupation, which I left -on morning early “without beat of drum.”</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='2' id='Page_2'>[2]</span>I next went to live with an uncle, a shoemaker, who -employed several men to work in his business. Among -these was an old soldier, who had lost a leg, fighting under -Sir Ralph Abercrombie, in Egypt. From this old blade, I -think it was, I first acquired that martial ardour that so -frequently infects young men in time of war. There was, -indeed, no resisting the old pensioner’s description of glory. -I became red hot for a soldier’s life, and although rejected -as too young for the regulars, I “listed,” as it is technically -called, in the Dublin Militia on the 17th of June, -1806.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At the latter end of the following year, our regiment -was stationed at Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, -where I volunteered into the 95th, since made the “Rifle -Brigade.” It was rather singular, but I remember I was the -only volunteer from the regiment who joined the rifles.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After receiving my bounty of the eighteen guineas (£4 of -which were deducted for my kit, which I was to have on -joining), the sum allowed at that time to those who volunteered -from the militia, I took the mail coach for Dublin, -where I found a recruiting party of my new regiment, -consisting of one sergeant, a corporal and six privates. I -must say I felt highly delighted with the smart appearance -of the men, as well as with their green uniform. The -sergeant proposed that I should remain in Dublin, being as -it were, almost a native of that city, from which circumstance -he thought I might materially assist in raising -recruits.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Recruiting, on the pay of a private soldier, is anything -but pleasant, and particularly if he be confined to the mere -shilling a-day, doled out to him once a-week, for he not -unfrequently spends it all the first night he receives it. I -myself had woefully experienced this, having been frequently -for days without food, through my irregularities and my -unwillingness to acquaint my friends that I was so near -them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I was crawling about one day in this manner, heartily -tired of my first sample of military life, garbed in an old -green jacket of the sergeant’s, when I was accosted by a -smart young fellow. After eyeing me rather shrewdly from -<span class='pageno' title='3' id='Page_3'>[3]</span>head to foot for several seconds, “I say, green boy,” said -he, “do you belong to the Croppies? D—— me, but I -like your dress. What bounty do you give?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Eighteen guineas,” replied I.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come then,” said he, “tip us a shilling. I’m your -man.” Unfortunately for me, I had not a farthing, for I -had eaten nothing for that and the whole of the previous -day. However, knowing that we received two pounds for -every recruit, I hurried into a public-house near at hand, -and requested of the landlord to lend me a shilling, telling -him the use for which I wanted it. This he very kindly -did, and I handed it over to the recruit, who, chucking it -instantly on the counter, called for the worth of it in -whiskey. While we remained drinking, the sergeant, -whom I had sent for, arrived, and supplying us with money, -the recruit passed the doctor and was sworn in for our corps.</p> - -<p class='c007'>His name was Wilkie, he was an Englishman; his father -having been sent for from Manchester to superintend a glass -manufactory in Dublin, accounted for his being here. He -was a fine young fellow of about five feet eight inches in -height, and possessed all the genuine elements of a soldier, -that is, was quarrelsome, generous and brave, of which -qualities he gave us a specimen the evening he enlisted, by -quilting a pair of coal-heavers. After a few days, he -introduced me to his family, consisting of his parents and -a sister, a remarkably pretty girl of about seventeen. Had -war not claimed me with her iron grasp as her proselyte, I, -no doubt, should have interwoven my destinies with the -silken web of Cupid, who, very naturally, when my youth -and early passions are considered, for I was but nineteen, -tapped me very seriously on the shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I, however, went on recruiting, and the two pounds I -received for enlisting Wilkie, I handed <a id='over'></a>over to my landlady -in advance for future food, which my last misfortune had -taught me to value. This precaution, as is generally the -case, was now no longer necessary, for in a short time after, -we enlisted so many recruits, that money became very -plentiful, and I was enabled to get coloured clothes. While -we remained in Dublin, I became a constant visitor at the -house of Wilkie’s father, and the young lady I have -<span class='pageno' title='4' id='Page_4'>[4]</span>alluded to, not disapproving of my advances, a serious -attachment followed. But my stay threatened to be -speedily terminated, as the sergeant and his party received -orders to join his regiment immediately, then at Colchester,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Mars and Cupid <em>beat to arms</em>,</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>and placed me in the predicament of the donkey betwixt -the hay stacks. I became bewildered as to which to take, -both being, as it were, necessary to the calls of my nature.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At last, the time for parting arrived, which took place -after a little private snivelling and simpering, and the usual -vows of eternal fidelity, passion and remembrance—which -last I have kept to this day. She and her mother accompanied -Wilkie and myself towards the Pigeon House, -Ringsend, and in something more than twenty-four hours, -we found ourselves cheek by jowl with the quays of Liverpool. -It was past midnight when <em>we</em> cast anchor. We were -ordered to remain on board; but Wilkie’s and my own -anxiety to see the place took advantage of a loop hole in -the waterman’s pocket, and we got ashore in our coloured -clothes; from the lateness of the hour, however, we were -obliged to take lodgings in a cellar. We had not been long -settled and asleep below stairs, before I was awoke by the -bright glare of a bull’s eye lanthorn staring me full in the -face, and some five or six rough sailors all armed to the -teeth, standing before us.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The first thing they did was to feel our hands, which, -finding to be rather soft, one remarked to the other, that -we had never been sailors, though nevertheless they took -us as lawful prey. Wilkie, at first, wanted to fight with -them, but was persuaded by half a dozen <em>bull dogs</em>, and -some cutlasses to walk quietly to the tender, in which we -most probably should have taken a voyage, but, for one -thing, we had been <em>sea-sick</em> and were <em>sick of the sea</em>, and on -being examined by the officer on board the next morning, -we gladly sent for our sergeant, who, claiming us, accordingly, -we were liberated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our party continued their march, and Wilkie, whom for -more reasons than one I was growing exceedingly attached -<span class='pageno' title='5' id='Page_5'>[5]</span>to, was always my companion and many a scrape he got me -into. He was continually in hot water; on several occasions -and particularly at Lichfield where we were caged, -for kicking up disturbances amongst some Irish recruits in -which, however, I supported my friend, we were detained -for want of means to pay for the damage done to a public-house, -the scene of riot. Sergeant Crooks (for that was -our sergeant’s name) had not unfortunately the means to -satisfy this demand, having nothing but the men’s bare -allowance to carry us to London. Meanwhile, we remained -in the cage, which was in a very conspicuous part of the -market-place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The fact of an Irishman being there, seemed to have -aroused all the little brats and blackguards of the neighbourhood, -(my countrymen were not so plentifully scattered -then as they are now), and every minute of the -day we were annoyed by, “I say Paddy, Hilloa Paddy, -which way does the bull run?” Taking both of us for -Irish, the young devils kept twirling their fingers on their -noses, even through the bars of the cage. The poor -sergeant, who was a mild good fellow, arranged matters, -after all, with the magistrates; the money was to be sent -to the injured parties as soon as we joined the regiment, -and deducted from our pay—which was done accordingly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Wilkie, however, continued his pranks, and once while -in London when on a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, stopped -the pendulum of the clock, and set the bells ringing; for -this we were again imprisoned, but escaped this time, by -paying a fine of five shillings for being drunk, after which -nothing occurred till we arrived at Colchester. Here -I joined the 1st battalion, then under the command -of Colonel Beckwith, afterwards known as General Sir -Sidney Beckwith, and was attached to Captain Glass’s -company.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Shortly after my arrival, the regiment was ordered to -Spain, the campaign having then commenced. But not -being perfect in my exercises, I was left behind as depôt, -until time and practice had made me a greater proficient in -Light Infantry duty. Although this was a necessary consequence -to a mere recruit, at that time, I felt not a little -<span class='pageno' title='6' id='Page_6'>[6]</span>mortification at being prevented sharing in the glory, -which I believed the regiment about to reap.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As it was, however, I had no great reason to complain. -I became an adept in my drill, and a tolerable shot along -with some other recruits, before the regiment returned. -This took place in the month of January, 1809, at Hythe, -where we were at that time stationed, the depôt having -moved from Colchester.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Rifle regiment, it is well known, had distinguished -itself, and had suffered severely, especially in the retreat to -Corunna under the gallant Moore. From thence, they -had embarked for England, where, on their landing, they -presented a most deplorable sight. The appearance of the -men was squalid and miserable in the extreme. There was -scarcely a man amongst them, who had not lost some of -his appointments, and many, owing to the horrors of that -celebrated retreat, were even without rifles. Their clothing, -too, was in tatters, and in such an absolute state of filth as -to swarm with vermin. New clothing was immediately -served out and the old ordered to be burnt, which order -was put into execution at the back of our barracks amid the -jests of the men, who congratulated each other on thus getting -effectually rid of those myriads of enemies, that had -proved such a source of personal discomfort to them abroad.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch02' class='c005'>CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>I join Captain O’Hare’s company—He falls in a passion—The “fair” and -“unfair” appointment—Disappointment—Things of a private nature—Tom -Crawley—An example—The Hero—How to catch “flats” in “squads”—New -way to tap a barrel—A Rifleman’s plan for sweeping chimneys and tap-rooms—Pipe-clay -and parade—The regiment embark for Portugal.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Shortly</span> after the return of the regiment, I was drafted -into the company commanded by Captain Peter O’Hare; a -man whose eccentric habits were equalled only by his -extremely ugly countenance. Peter, for that was the cognomen -by which he was generally known to the men, was -as brave as a lion; and had risen, it was said, to his present -commission from the ranks.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='7' id='Page_7'>[7]</span>While here, he got in tow with a young lady of Hythe, -whom he was in the habit frequently of escorting about -the barracks and the neighbouring heights. This the men -as often took advantage of, and throwing themselves in his -way, when arm-in-arm with the lady, would ask any favour -they might have required of him. This Peter, who we -presumed had an eye to the opinion and future requital of, -perhaps, his own wishes upon the fair one herself, would -always readily grant; until, at last, through their importunities -he became awake to the scheme, and swore he -would flog the first man who made another attempt of the -kind, when the lady was present.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A rather humorous adventure, which came to my -knowledge through his servant, occurred while here. One -day at Hythe with a dinner party, at which the young -lady was present, he chanced, unintentionally, to give -offence to some Militia officer, one of the party; the consequence -was, that the next morning he received, what he -perhaps supposed a <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">billet-doux</span></i>, but which, to his surprise, -turned out to be a challenge. He was sitting shaving -himself when the note was delivered to him by his servant, -and of course dropped the razor to peruse it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“John,” said he, calling his man back; “who brought -this? Faith, it’s a challenge.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A gentleman!” replied John, “now waiting at the -door.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, then,” says Peter, “tell the gentleman that I am -going to Spain, and that if he follows me, he’ll not find -me behind a hedge; and with my compliments, tell him -also to take back this bit of paper to the humbug who -sent it; for by Jove!” he continued, closing the door, -“captain’s commissions are not to be got every day!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our commanding officer, who was considered as one of -the most humane of the whole army, was an excellent -man, and well deserving of his fame; he seldom had recourse -to the “cats,” thinking, perhaps, with a great deal -of truth, that it was necessary only in extreme cases. The -plan of punishment, generally adopted by him, was to put -the offender on extra drill with all his accoutrements on. -When, however, the men became incorrigible, he would -<span class='pageno' title='8' id='Page_8'>[8]</span>order a six pound shot to be affixed to the leg, with a long -chain attached to it, and so oblige them to trail it about -with them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We had in our regiment, at this time, a man of the -name of Tom Crawley, who was always getting into -scrapes, and who was one of those singular characters -with which every regiment abounds. To enormous -strength, and great meekness of temper, he added an -infinity of dry humour, which I shall better illustrate by -introducing him to the reader at once, as bearing no little -part in my career—in which he first became known to me -as one of the “incorrigibles.” Tom, however, made light -of every punishment, even of the “six-pounder,” which -he would generally chuck under his arm as if it were a -mere toy. To obviate this, another move was made by -our Colonel, which was the obliging him to wear a kind of -long smock-frock, with a green cross painted on the back -and front of it. The barrack in which we were, being -only temporary, presented no outward wall to prevent our -free intercourse with the town where Tom was a general -favourite. Tom used, therefore, at night, while under disgrace, -to take advantage of the dusk, and steal by the -sentries into the town. Here, of course, his strange dress -elicited innumerable queries.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Arrah and sure!” Tom would reply with a knowing -side leer of the eye, “sure and is it not the new regulation -of the Duke of York, and musn’t all the likes of me, -that are Catholics in our regiment, wear the cross on their -dress!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The first parade we had after our men had received -their new equipments, was imprinted upon my memory -from a circumstance attending it, that was well calculated -to make an impression upon the mind of a youthful -soldier, such as I then was; and to inspire that <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">esprit de -corps</span></i> in a regiment, which is absolutely essential to even -disciplined valour. I had previously, more than once, -heard a man of the name of Tom Plunket eulogised by -the men for his courage. He was a smart, well-made -fellow, about the middle height, in the prime of manhood; -with a clear grey eye, and handsome countenance; and was -<span class='pageno' title='9' id='Page_9'>[9]</span>a general favourite with both officers and men, besides being -the best shot in the regiment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the occasion I have above alluded to, we were formed -into hollow square, and ordered to face inwards; as we -knew it was not a punishment parade, we naturally expected -some address from the commanding officer, and -wondering in our own minds what was coming, when -Colonel Beckwith broke the silence by calling out:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Private Thomas Plunket, step into the square.” All -eyes, it is needless to say, were fixed upon Plunket, as he -halted with his rifle shouldered, in the finest position of -military attention, within a few paces of his officer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Here, men,” exclaimed the commanding officer, pointing -to Plunket, “here stands a pattern for the battalion!” -Then addressing Tom, he added, “I have ordered a medal -for you, in approval of your late gallant conduct at Corunna. -Present yourself, Sir, to the master tailor and get -on a corporal’s stripes, and I will see you do not want -higher promotion, as you continue to deserve it. I love to -reward conduct such as yours has hitherto been!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Making his salute, Tom retired, when we formed into -column and marched back to our barracks, duly fired with -a love of emulation to deserve the praise that had been -bestowed on the fortunate Plunket. I have since often -thought of the judicious conduct pursued by our Colonel -in the foregoing instance, as I am convinced that it was -attended with the happiest effects among many of the -men, and, perhaps, indeed, induced much of that spirit of -personal gallantry and daring for which our corps afterwards -became celebrated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our regiment was shortly afterwards raised to one -thousand strong, chiefly through volunteering from the -Militia, our common medium of supply at the time at which -I write, and it is justly due to the Militia regiments, to say, -that in the knowledge and exercise of their military duties, -during the war, they were very little inferior to the troops -of the line. The men who joined our battalion, were in -general a fine set of young fellows, and chiefly the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">élite</span></i> of -the light companies of the different provincial corps.</p> - -<p class='c007'>For his qualifications, as before stated, Tom Plunket, -<span class='pageno' title='10' id='Page_10'>[10]</span>with a few others, was selected to recruit from the Lincoln -Militia, which lay at Hythe, while we remained in temporary -barracks on the heights.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While the volunteering went on, the Militia colonels -were ordered to give their men full liberty to do as they -liked, and the better to obtain the object in view, barrels of -beer with the heads knocked in, were, by order of government, -placed in the different streets of the town, for those -to partake of who chose. The butts, consequently, were -dipped into by every kind of person with utensils of every -description. This we must not wonder at, when we consider -the double thirst those times gave rise to, “Barclay” as -well as “Glory.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Tom’s manner of attack was rather singular, but joined -to the profusion of government, very efficacious. The -Rifles, from the dark colour of their uniforms, and the -total absence of all ornament, had gained the nick-name of -“Sweeps,” an appellation, which, nevertheless, held out a -kind of temptation to the “wide awake” of the squads. -The pipe clay and button stick were always hateful to the -eyes of all soldiers; but to none so much as to the Riflemen, -who looked upon them as fitted only for men less useful -than themselves. This, Tom took advantage of on all occasions. -He was the soul of every company he mixed in, -and amongst his other accomplishments, numbered that of -dancing excellently.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One day, the better to attract the “awkwards,” he commenced -a shuffle on the head of one of the aforesaid barrels -of beer, to the infinite amusement of a very large crowd; -in the course of a few steps, however, the head suddenly -gave way, and soused Tom up to his neck in the liquid. -The whole crowd laughed uproariously. But Tom, whose -head only was to be seen, stared very gravely round the -edge of the cask, then suddenly recovering himself, and -bolting out of the butt, he made his way instantly to the -public-house chimney, which, having ascended some distance -and descended, he as quickly re-appeared amongst -the crowd.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“There now,” said he, giving himself a Newfoundland -shake, that opened a wide and instantaneous circle of militia -<span class='pageno' title='11' id='Page_11'>[11]</span>men, “there now,” he exclaimed, “d—n your pipe clay, -now I’m ready for the grand parade!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>I must now notice an order that arrived for our immediate -embarkation for Portugal, to join the army under Sir -Arthur Wellesley. We went on board the transports lying -for us at Dover in March, 1809, in the best of spirits; -such, in fact, as sportsmen feel in anticipation of the pleasures -of the chase.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Shipboard, though perhaps not quite so forlorn as Doctor -Johnson has portrayed it, soon becomes sufficiently irksome -and unpleasant to those not accustomed to it, especially -when three or four hundred men are crowded into a small -vessel. Our officers, who were mostly a jolly set of fellows, -had recourse to various expedients to while away the time -on our voyage. Among these was one extremely popular, -and that was getting Plunket to dance a hornpipe to the -music of our band upon the quarter-deck. Tom danced it -famously; and the beating of his feet, in the “double -shuffle” used to draw the loudest plaudits from our men -and the crew of the vessel.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As I have already been induced to mention Plunket, -while we are now on our voyage to Portugal, I will introduce -a sketch of his life, which well known as it is to -many individuals formerly in the regiment, possibly may -not form an unamusing episode in my own.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch03' class='c005'>CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c001'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>When I’m in want I’ll thankfully receive</div> - <div class='line'>Because I’m poor; but not because I’m brave.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c003'>TOM PLUNKET TO THE LIFE.</div> - -<h3 class='c012'>Tom Plunket’s Military Career.</h3> - -<p class='c013'><span class='sc'>Plunket’s</span> first career in arms was in South America -with General Whitelocke, where he acquired the -reputation, in his company, of a good soldier. It was at -the retreat of Corunna, some years afterwards, that an -opportunity particularly presented itself of getting distinguished, -and which Tom took in the nick of time. The -rear-guard of the British, partly composed of the Light -<span class='pageno' title='12' id='Page_12'>[12]</span>Brigade, notwithstanding the gallantry of some of our -cavalry, were exceedingly pressed by the French horse, -who were vastly superior to us in that arm. In the -neighbourhood of Astorga, in particular, they made -several determined charges. In these onsets, a French -general, named Colbert, was remarkably active, as well as -conspicuous, from riding a grey horse, and, though frequently -aimed at by our men, seemed to bear a charmed -life, as he invariably escaped. In one of the French -charges, headed by this officer, our General, Sir Edward -Paget, rode up to the rifles, and offered any man his -purse who would shoot this daring Frenchman, whom he -pointed out. Plunket immediately started from his company, -and running about a hundred yards nearer to the -enemy, he threw himself on his back on the road, which -was covered with snow, placing his foot in the sling of his -rifle, and taking a deliberate aim, shot General Colbert. -His Trumpet-Major riding up to him, shared the same -fate, from Tom’s unerring rifle. Our men, who had been -anxiously watching Tom, immediately cheered him; and -he had just time, by running in upon the rear-most sections, -to escape some dozen troopers who made chase -after him. Our General immediately gave Tom the purse -he had promised, with encomiums upon his gallantry, and -promised to recommend him to his Colonel, which he did -in high terms to Colonel Beckwith. A few days afterwards, -when the French attacked Sir John Moore’s position -at Corunna, Plunket again became noted for his cool -bravery and daring, especially in making some admirable -shots, by which they lost many officers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the truth must be told. Like all heroes, Tom had -his faults. Among these, in particular, was one which, in -its destructive consequences, was calculated to counterbalance -in a soldier a thousand virtues. In other words, -Tom was a thirsty soul, and exceedingly fond of a “drop.” -This was his unfortunate failing through life, and but for -which he must have got on in the service.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One deplorable instance of insubordination, arising from -this vice, I well remember, which took place at Campo -Mayor, after the battle of Talavera. Tom had been promoted -<span class='pageno' title='13' id='Page_13'>[13]</span>to the rank of sergeant, and was in the Hon. Captain -Stewart’s company. One morning, when the company was -on private parade, Tom appeared quite tipsy, and, in -giving the words of command for inspection, previous to -the arrival of the officers, he set the men laughing. The -pay-sergeant, his superior in rank, immediately ordered -him to desist. Tom refused, and, while an altercation was -going on, Captain Stewart came up, who, perceiving the -state he was in, put him under arrest, and ordered him to -be confined to his quarters.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here he was no sooner left alone than, conceiving that a -great indignity had been placed upon him, thoughts of vengeance -immediately suggested themselves to his mind. -Under the influence of intoxication that man, who, when -sober, was noted for his good humour and humanity, now -conceived the diabolical intention of shooting his Captain. -He immediately barricaded the door of the room, and then -set about loading some ten or twelve rifles, belonging to -men, then on fatigue duty. Taking up one of these, and -cocking it, he placed himself at an open window for the -avowed purpose, as he stated to several of the men, of -shooting Captain Stewart as he passed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fortunately the Captain got notice of the danger of going -near the house, while several of the men, by coaxing and -force, alternately, endeavoured without effect to get into -the room Tom had barred. At length the unfortunate -Plunket was induced to relent on the appearance of a Lieutenant -of the company named Johnson, who was a great -favourite with the men, among whom he was known by a -very familiar nick-name. The door was opened and Tom -made prisoner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Although Tom was a general favourite, and his conduct -had resulted from the madness of intoxication, his insubordination -was too glaring to stand a chance of being -passed over. He was brought to a regimental court-martial, -found guilty, and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks, -and to receive three hundred lashes. Poor Plunket, when -he had recovered his reason, after the commission of his -crime, had experienced and expressed the most unfeigned -contrition, so that when his sentence became known, there -<span class='pageno' title='14' id='Page_14'>[14]</span>was a general sorrow felt for him throughout the regiment, -particularly on account of the corporal punishment. In -this feeling, I believe, the officers participated almost as -much as the men.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At length the time arrived when the bravest soldier of -our battalion was to suffer the penalty of his crime in the -presence of those very men before whom he had been held -up as a pattern but some few short months before. The -square was formed for punishment: there was a tree in the -centre to which the culprit was to be tied, and close to -which he stood with folded arms and downcast eyes, in -front of his guard. The surgeon stood by, while the buglers -were busily engaged untangling the strings of the cats.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was a solemn stillness on that parade that was -remarkable; a pensiveness on the features of both officers -and men, deeper than usual, as though the honour of the -profession was to suffer in the person of the prisoner. -Flogging is at all times a disgusting subject of contemplation: -in the present instance, it seemed doubly so, now -that a gallant, and until within a few days, an honoured and -respected man was to suffer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The sentence of the court-martial was read by the adjutant -in a loud voice. Poor Tom, who had the commiseration -of the whole regiment, looked deadly pale. That -countenance which the brunt of the fiercest battle had been -unable to turn from its ruddy hue—that countenance -which the fear of death could not change—was now blanched -in dread of a worse fate.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Buglers, do your duty,” exclaimed Colonel Beckwith, -in a voice husky with emotion, I thought, as the men -seemed to hesitate in their business of stripping and binding -the prisoner to the tree. This, however, was soon -accomplished, Tom only once attempting to catch the eye -of his colonel with an imploring glance, while he exclaimed -in broken accents—</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Colonel, you won’t, will you? You won’t—you cannot -mean to flog <em>me</em>!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The appeal, although it went to the heart of every one -present, was vain. Colonel Beckwith betrayed much -uneasiness; I beheld him give a slight start at the commencement -<span class='pageno' title='15' id='Page_15'>[15]</span>of the punishment; but his sense of duty -became paramount the moment he beheld the punishing -bugler laying on rather lighter than was common.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do your duty, Sir, fairly!” he uttered in a loud voice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The first man had bestowed his quantum of punishment, -twenty-five lashes, when he was succeeded by another. -This man, as if determined that his reputation as a flogger -should not suffer, however his victim might, laid on like a -hardened hand. Plunket’s sufferings were becoming -intense: he bit his lip to stifle the utterance of his pangs; -but nature, too strong for suppression, gave place more -than once to a half agonized cry, that seemed to thrill -through the very blood in my veins. Happily this wretched -scene was destined to a brief termination: at the thirty-fifth -lash, the Colonel ordered the punishment to cease, -and the prisoner to be taken down. When this was done, -he addressed Plunket: “You see, Sir, now, how very easy -it is to commit a blackguard’s crime, but how difficult it is -to take his punishment.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>So ended the most memorable punishment-scene I have -ever witnessed. It has usually been contended, by those -averse to the system of flogging, common in our army, that -it destroys the pride and spirit of the man. That it has -had that effect, in many instances, I have myself witnessed, -where the character of the soldier was not previously -depraved. But with reference to Plunket, he appeared -soon to get over the recollection of his former disgrace. -He got into favour with his officers again, and, notwithstanding -little fits of inebriety, was made corporal, and -went through the sanguinary scenes of the Peninsula, -unscathed from shot or steel. His usual luck, however, -forsook him at Waterloo, where a ball struck the peak of -his cap and tore his forehead across, leaving a very ugly -scar. I recollect having gone wounded at the time to the -rear, where I saw him under the hands of the surgeon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After Waterloo, he was invalided to England, where he -passed the board at Chelsea; but only being awarded the -pittance of sixpence a-day for his wound and long services, -he felt disgusted, and expressed himself to the Lords Commissioners -in a way that induced them to strike him off -<span class='pageno' title='16' id='Page_16'>[16]</span>the list altogether. The following day he started off for -Ireland, where he duly arrived in rags and wretchedness. -To relieve himself, he again enlisted in either the thirty-first -or thirty-second regiment of the line, then quartered -somewhere in the north.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While wearing a red coat, he had a singular meeting -with his former Colonel, then General Sir Sydney Beckwith, -which I have often heard him relate. It is customary, as -the reader may probably be aware, to have half-yearly -inspections of our regiments at home. Shortly after Tom’s -having enlisted, it so happened, on one of the above occasions, -when his regiment was formed for inspection, that -the duty devolved upon his old commander, Sir Sydney, -who was in command of the district.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In walking down the front rank, scrutinising the appearance -of the men, the General suddenly came to Tom, -distinguished as he was by two medals on his breast.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do my eyes deceive me?” said Sir Sydney. “Surely -you are Tom Plunket, formerly of my own regiment.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What’s left of me, Sir,” replied Tom, who was seldom -deficient in a prompt reply.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And what has again brought you into the service?” -inquired Sir Sydney. “I thought you had passed the -board at Chelsea?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So I did,” said Tom; “but they only allowed me -sixpence a-day, Sir; so I told them to keep it for the -young soldiers, as it wasn’t enough for the old, who had -seen all the tough work out.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Ha! the old thing, Tom, I perceive,” observed Sir -Sydney, shaking his head; then immediately remarked to -the Colonel of the regiment, as he proceeded down the -ranks—“One of my bravest soldiers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The same day the General dined at the officers’ mess, -when Tom was sent for after dinner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Here, Plunket, I have sent for you to give us a toast,” -observed Sir Sydney, as he handed him a glass of -wine.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Then, Sir, here’s to the immortal memory of the poor -fellows who fell in the Peninsula, Sir,” said Tom.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The toast was drunk by all with much solemnity, when -<span class='pageno' title='17' id='Page_17'>[17]</span>Tom was dismissed with a present from Sir Sydney. The -following day Tom was made a corporal, and shortly afterwards, -through the medium, I believe, of Sir Sydney, went -up and passed the pension board at Kilmainham, which -granted him a shilling a-day.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But I had forgotten to mention, in its place, an event -common in man’s life—I mean his marriage. Shortly after -the battle of Waterloo, Tom had wedded a lady remarkable -for being deficient in one essential to beauty—she actually -had no <em>face</em>, or, at all events, was so <em>defaced</em>, it amounted -to the same thing. This slight flaw in the beauty of Tom’s -wife, who</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Had gallantly follow’d the camp through the war,</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>arose from the bursting of an ammunition-waggon at Quatre -Bras, near to which the lady stood, and by which her -countenance was rendered a blue, shapeless, noseless mass. -This event was duly commemorated by the government, -who allowed the heroine a shilling a-day pension, in allusion -to which Tom used facetiously to say—“It was an -ill blowing up of powder that blew nobody good.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The story of Tom Plunket, already narrated at greater -length than I had intended, draws fast to a close. Imbued -with roving inclinations, partly owing to his nature, and -more perhaps to his profession, for nothing more unsettles -a man than the ever-changing chequered course of a -soldier’s life, he at one time determined to become a settler -in Canada, and, accordingly, accepted the offer held out by -government to all pensioners, of allowing them so much -land, and giving them four years’ pay for their pensions. -Plunket, ever eager for the handling of cash, got two years’ -pay down here, and started off with some two or three -hundred others to try their fortune. This proved to be a -very miserable one: Tom was not a man to rusticate on the -other side of the Atlantic amid privations, and with the -recollection of old England fresh in his mind.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Before a year had elapsed, he returned to England with -his wife, and, by way of apology to his friends, stated -his grant of land was so wild and swampy that it made him -quite melancholy, looking at it in a morning out of the -<span class='pageno' title='18' id='Page_18'>[18]</span>chinks of a wretched log hut he had managed to erect upon -his estate. He returned home swearing loudly against -forest-land, a swampy soil, and a bad climate, having, of -course, duly forfeited his own pension for ever.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The last time I saw Tom Plunket was in Burton Crescent, -most picturesquely habited, and selling matches. I did -not disdain to speak to an old comrade who had been less -fortunate in “life’s march” than myself. I asked him -how he got on, when with one of his usual cheerful smiles -he informed me, that the match-selling business kept him -on his legs.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I should have thought, Tom, you had seen enough -of <em>firing</em>,” I remarked, “without endeavouring to live by -it now.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A man must do something these hard times for bread,” -replied Tom, as he passed his hand thoughtfully across the -furrow made by the bullet at Waterloo.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Poor Tom! I felt for him. I was sorry to see him -neglected; others, whose service were many days march -behind his, were taken better care of. But Tom’s incorrigible -failing was his own stumbling-block.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I did not, however, leave him my mere reflection, but -giving him a portion of that coin, he so well knew how -to get rid of, I wished him success in his new business, -and went my way, musing on the strange vicissitudes of a -soldier’s life.<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c014'><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Alas! the brave too oft are doom’d to bear,</div> - <div class='line'>The gripes of poverty, the stings of care.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>But after this digressive sketch, it is high time to return -to my own career in the field that was just now commencing. -<span class='pageno' title='19' id='Page_19'>[19]</span>Returning to ship-board, from whence I conducted the -peruser of this veritable narrative, allow me to say, that -after a tolerably pleasant voyage we anchored off Lisbon. -From thence, in a few days, we proceeded in open boats -up the river Tagus, and landed about four miles from -Santarem, where we encamped for the night.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the following morning, we marched into the city of -Santarem amid the cheers of its inhabitants, who welcomed -us with loud cries of “<i><span lang="es" xml:lang="es">Viva os Ingleses valerosos!</span></i>” Long -live the brave English!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here we immediately became brigaded with the 43rd and -52nd regiments of Light Infantry, under the command of -Major-General Crauford.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch04' class='c005'>CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Arrival in Portugal—Crauford’s forced marches—Teetotalism with a vengeance—The -effect of the opposite extreme—Spanish mode of keeping a man from -stealing wine—False reports—Talavera—We arrive the day after the fight—A -battle scene—Sir Arthur Wellesley—General Cuesta—Dough Boy Hill—The -fever—I am taken ill—Elvas hospital—How to cure a fever—Convalescence—Burial -scenes—Our Sextons—March to my regiment—The Germans—Pig-skins -in danger, our own also—Captain Pakenham—Hanging matters—Two -dozen of each—Not sham pain—German discipline.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>On</span> the third day after our arrival at Santarem, we -commenced a series of forced marches to join the main -army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, at Talavera, then almost -hourly expecting an engagement with the French corps -commanded by Marshal Victor. Our men suffered dreadfully -on the route, chiefly from excessive fatigue and the -heat of the weather, it being the melting month of July. -The brain fever soon commenced, making fearful ravages in -our ranks, and many men dropped by the road-side and -died. One day I saw two men of the 52nd, unable to bear -<span class='pageno' title='20' id='Page_20'>[20]</span>their sufferings, actually put a period to their existence by -shooting themselves.<a id='r2' /><a href='#f2' class='c014'><sup>[2]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>The greatest efforts possible were made by Major-General -Crauford to arrive in time to join the Commander-in-chief, -previously to a battle being fought. The excellent -orders our brigadier issued for maintaining order and discipline -on the line of march on this occasion, though exceedingly -unpopular at first, have since become justly celebrated -in the service. No man, on any pretext whatever, was -allowed to fall out of the ranks without a pass from the -officer of his company, and then only on indispensable -occasions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This pass, however, was not a complete security, -for on the return of the stragglers to camp, the orderly -sergeants were compelled to parade them before their -regimental-surgeons, when, if pronounced as skulkers, they -were instantly tried by a drum-head court martial, and -punished accordingly; thus, frequently, when almost dying -with thirst, we were obliged to pass springs of the finest -water by the road-side untasted. But all this apparent -severity, as we afterwards learnt, was considered as absolutely -essential to the great purpose General Crauford had -in view—dispatch. If the General found a man fall out -without a pass, his plan was to take his ramrod and ride off. -<span class='pageno' title='21' id='Page_21'>[21]</span>It was not unfrequently you might see him ride into camp -with a dozen ramrods, when the adjutant of each regiment -was ordered to find those that had no ramrods, each of -which received two dozen lashes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fortunately for us, our longest halt took place during -the heat of the day, and our longest marches were made at -night, at this time, therefore, it was a usual scene to see a -number of men who had been flogged, with their knapsacks -on their heads, and their bodies enveloped in the loose -great coats—to ease the wounds inflicted by the lash. But -yet with all this, strange as it may appear, Crauford maintained -a popularity among the men, who, on every other -occasion, always found him to be their best friend.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A few days before we came to Malpartida de Placentia, -we were going through a small town, the name of which I -forget, when in passing the gaol, a man looking through -one of the high barred windows of the building, vociferated, -in accents not to be mistaken—</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Od’s blood and ’ounds, boys, are you English?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>On several of our men answering in the affirmative, the -prisoner exclaimed, in a tone that set our men in a roar -of laughter—</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh! by Jasus, the Spaniards have poked me into this -hole for getting a drop of wine, boys;—get me out, pray.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>When we halted about half a mile on the other side, -Colonel Beckwith sent, and obtained the man’s release. -He proved to be one of the 23rd Light Dragoons, who -had been taken prisoner by the French, but had made his -escape in the dress of a peasant; when, in passing through -this place, he had been incarcerated on a charge of taking -some wine from a man without paying for it. Much merriment -was excited by his appearance, and the droll and -earnest manner in which he narrated his adventures.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the following day, we bivouacked near Malpartida de -Placentia, when a report reached our corps that a battle -had been fought at Talavera, and that the English had -been beaten and dispersed. Although I believe few of us -gave credit to the story, still it created some uneasiness -amongst men and officers. Its effect, however, upon our -brigadier, was to make him hurry forward with, if possible, -<span class='pageno' title='22' id='Page_22'>[22]</span>increased speed. Our bivouac was immediately broken up. -We got under arms, and leaving the sick of the brigade -behind us in the town under charge of a subaltern from -each regiment, we commenced one of the longest marches, -with scarcely a halt or pause, on the military records of any -country. To use the words of our admirable historian of -the Peninsular War, we “passed over sixty-two miles, and -in the hottest season of the year in twenty-six hours.” As -Colonel Napier justly observes, “Had the historian Gibbon -known of such a march, he would have spared his sneer -about ‘the delicacy of modern soldiers.’”</p> - -<p class='c007'>As we approached Talavera, we learned for a fact, that a -battle had been fought from the crowds of disorderly -Spanish soldiery we continued to meet upon the road; -some few of them were wounded. These men were part of -General Cuesta’s army that had been beaten by the French -on the 27th, and who chose to give the most disastrous -account of the English army, which they stated was completely -destroyed. We could not but remark, that these -Spaniards, whom we knew to be a disorganised crew, had -not forgotten to help themselves to plunder in their flight, -as most of them carried some article or other to which they -could have little claim, such as hams, cheese and fowls. -Some, although infantry-men, rode on excellent horses, -while others drove mules, carrying sacks of flour, &c. -Never was seen such a thoroughly demoralized wreck -of an army.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As we advanced nearer to the scene of action the reports -became less formidable, until the heights of Talavera burst -upon our sight, and we hailed, with three loud huzzas, the -news that the British, in the action of the preceding day -with the French, had been victorious.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our bugles struck up merrily as we crossed the field of -battle early in the morning, on the 29th of July. The -scene, however, was most appalling, especially to the young -soldiers; we had partaken in no encounter as yet, and here -had missed the interest which blunted the feelings of the -men engaged. We “raw ones,” indeed, had as yet scarcely -seen the enemy, and recognised no comrades among the -fallen. The ice still remained to be broken which the -<span class='pageno' title='23' id='Page_23'>[23]</span>experience of one engagement would have done effectually. -The field of action had occupied an extensive valley, situated -between two ranges of hills, on which the British and -French armies were posted. It was now strewn with -all the wreck of the recent battle. The dead and dying, -to the amount of some thousands, conquerors and conquered, -lay diversely in little heaps, interspersed with dismounted -guns, and shattered ammunition-waggons, while -broken horse-trappings, and blood-stained chacots, and -other torn paraphernalia of military pomp and distinction, -completed the reality of the battle scene.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The long grass which had taken fire during the action -was still burning, and added dreadfully to the sufferings of -the wounded and dying of both armies; their cries for -assistance were horrifying, and hundreds might have been -seen exerting the last remnant of their strength, crawling to -places of safety.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the midst of this, it was that I saw, for the first time, -our immortal chief Sir Arthur Wellesley. I also then -beheld that deformed-looking lump of pride, ignorance and -treachery, General Cuesta. He was the most murderous-looking -old man I ever saw.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On our arrival we were immediately ordered upon outpost -duty: in executing which we had to throw out a line -of sentinels facing the French position. Another and a -more painful duty that devolved upon us, was to carry the -wounded men into the town of Talavera. Many of these -poor fellows, I remarked, were dreadfully burnt.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In consequence of the increasing weakness of the British -army at this period, the ranks of which were daily -thinned through the scantiness and wretched quality of the -food with which they were, of necessity, supplied, as well -perhaps as by the accession of strength which the French -had received, Lord Wellington was induced to retire. -After retracing, for a few days, the route by which we had -arrived, our brigade was left by the main army encamped -upon a rocky eminence partly surrounded by wood, and -overlooking the river Tagus. It was a wild and beautiful -scene, with several corn-fields in our immediate neighbourhood.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='24' id='Page_24'>[24]</span>Our living here became truly savage. Although we -remained at this place for two or three weeks, I think we -scarcely received half a dozen rations during that period, -but existed, as we could, by our own ingenuity. Fortunately -for us, as regards meat, there were some droves of -pigs that were taken into the woods to feed, and which -fattened upon the acorns. To these animals, that were -generally under the charge of some Spaniards, we were -obliged to have recourse for food. For bread we took the -corn from the fields, and, having no proper means of winnowing -and grinding it, were obliged as a substitute to rub -out the ears between our hands, and then pound them -between stones to make into dough, such as it was. From -this latter wretched practice, we christened the place -“Dough Boy Hill,” a name by which it is well remembered -by the men of our division.</p> - -<p class='c007'>From the preceding place we marched to Campo Mayor; -we remained here three months, during which time a -dreadful mortality took place. In our regiment, alone, -the flux and brain fever reigned to so frightful an extent, -that three hundred men died in hospital. I myself was -seized with the prevailing fever shortly after our arrival, -and was sent to the Convent of St. Paul, the general hospital -at Elvas.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I could not help remarking the manner of cure adopted -by our doctors; it principally consisted in throwing cold -water from canteens or mess kettles as often as possible -over the bodies of the patients; this in many cases was -effectual, and I think cured me.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I, however, had a narrow squeak for my life, though I -fortunately recovered after an illness of nearly six weeks, -thanks to my good constitution, but none to the brute -of an orderly, who, during the delirium of the fever, -beat me once most furiously with a broom stick. On -leaving the hospital with other convalescents, I was sent to -the Bomb Proof Barracks, where it frequently became our -duty to see the dead interred. This was a most horrible -office, and obliged us to attend at the hospital to receive -the bodies, which were conveyed away in cart-loads at a -time to the ground appropriated for their burial. This -<span class='pageno' title='25' id='Page_25'>[25]</span>lay outside the town beneath the ramparts, and was so very -small for the purpose required, that we were obliged to get -large oblong and deep holes excavated, in which two stout -Portuguese were employed to pack the bodies, heads and -heels together, to save room. For this duty these two -brutes seemed duly born—for never before did I see two -such ruffianly looking fellows.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was singularly revolting to witness how the pair went -to work when handing the bodies from the hospital to the -cart; each carried a skin of vinegar, with which they first -soused themselves over the neck and face; this done, with -one jerk they jilted a single corpse at a time across their -shoulders, naked as it was born, and bolted off to the cart, -into which it was pitched as if it had been a log of wood. -The women, however, who fell victims to the epidemic -were generally sewed in a wrapper of calico or some such -thing, but they partook of the same hole as the opposite -sex, and otherwise were as little privileged. Many were -the scores of my poor comrades I thus saw committed to -their first parent, and many were the coarse jests the -grave-diggers made over their obsequies.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While I was confined in hospital, the brigade marched -and took up their cantonments between Ciudad Rodrigo -and Almeida. In the beginning of February about three -hundred convalescents, among whom I was one, were -marched, under charge of an officer of the German Legion, -to join their respective regiments. Nothing of any consequence, -in the march of our party, occurred, with the -exception of a very narrow escape I had of being provosted, -or in other words flogged. As the anecdote serves to show -the light in which the Germans regarded this description -of punishment during the war, I will detail it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The men being from different regiments, and under the -command of a foreigner, some availed themselves of what -they considered a fair opportunity of pilfering from the -country people as we pursued our march, and I am sorry -to say that drunkenness and robbery were not unfrequent. -The German officer, as is usual under such circumstances, -experienced great difficulty in keeping the skulkers and -disorderly from lingering in the rear. In compliment to -<span class='pageno' title='26' id='Page_26'>[26]</span>my steadiness, he had made me an acting corporal, with -strict orders to make the rear men of our detachment keep -up. Just before we arrived at the town of Viseu, then -occupied by the Foot Guards, and the head-quarters of the -Commander-in-chief, I came up to some of our party who -were doing their best to empty a pig-skin of wine they had -stolen. Being dreadfully fatigued and thirsty, I had not -sufficient restraint upon myself to refuse the invitation -held out to me to drink, which I did, and so became a -partner in the crime. I was in the act of taking the jug -of wine from my lips, when a party of the 16th Light -Dragoons rode up and made us prisoners; the peasant, -from whom the wine had been taken, having made his complaint -at head-quarters. We were imprisoned, nine of us -in number, in Viseu. The second day, the Hon. Captain -Pakenham,<a id='r3' /><a href='#f3' class='c014'><sup>[3]</sup></a> of the Adjutant-General’s department, paid us -a visit, and told us he had had great difficulty in saving us -from being hanged. Although this was probably said to -frighten, still it was not altogether a joke, as a man of the -name of Maguire of the 27th regiment, who had been with -me in hospital, was hung for stopping and robbing a Portuguese -of a few <i>vintems</i>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As it was, the German officer in charge of the detachment -received orders, on leaving Viseu, to see that we -received two dozen each from the Provost-Marshal every -morning, until we rejoined our regiments. This comfortable -kind of a breakfast I was not much inclined to relish, -particularly as we had seven days’ march to get through -before we reached our battalion. The following day, the -eight culprits and myself were summoned during a halt, to -appear before the German, expecting to be punished. We -were, however, agreeably deceived by the officer addressing -<span class='pageno' title='27' id='Page_27'>[27]</span>us as follows, to the best of my recollection, in broken -English:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I have been told to have you mens flogged, for a crime -dat is very bad and disgraceful to de soldier—robbing de -people you come paid to fight for. But we do not flog in -my country, so I shall not flog you, it not being de manner -of my people; I shall give you all to your Colonels, if they -like to flog you, they may.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Being thus relieved, each of us saluted the kind German -and retired. From that moment, I have always entertained -a high respect for our Germans, which indeed they ever -showed themselves deserving of, from the British, not only -on account of their humanity and general good feeling to -us, but from their determined bravery and discipline in the -field. As cavalry, they were the finest and most efficient -I ever saw in action; and I had many opportunities of -judging, as some troops of them generally did duty with us -during the war. Indeed, while alluding to the cavalry of -the German Legion, I cannot help remarking on the care -and fondness with which they regarded their horses. A -German soldier seldom thought of food or rest for the -night until his horse had been provided for. The noble -animals, themselves, seemed perfectly aware of this attention -on the part of their riders, and I have often been -amused by seeing some of the horses of the Germans run -after their masters with all the playfulness of a dog. The -consequence of this attention to their horses was, they were -in condition when those of our own cavalry were dying, or -otherwise in very deplorable state; this, without wishing -to throw a disparagement upon our own countrymen, I -attributed to the difference of custom between the two -countries. We never saw a German vidette or express -galloping furiously, that we did not immediately know there -was work for some one to do. While on outpost duty their -vigilance was most admirable.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='28' id='Page_28'>[28]</span> - <h2 id='ch05' class='c005'>CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Old Trowsers—Sleeping and waking—O’Hare again—Colonel Beckwith—Two -upon one—Meagher—Barba del Puerco—General Crauford taken by surprise—The -Portuguese incorporation with the light division—Rodrigo—Gallegos—The -Beacon night scenes on picquet—Lord Wellington—Napoleon’s Marriage—Crauford’s -stratagem—The French spy—We retreat to Fort Conception.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>I rejoined</span> my regiment at Barba del Puerco, a small -village near the banks of the river Coa, on the other side of -which the enemy had taken up their position. Our regiment -was cantoned in the surrounding villages, while -nightly we mounted a captain’s picquet on a height facing -a bridge, on the other side of which the French had thrown -out their advanced sentry. Two of our sentries were -posted on the bridge, while a third was stationed half-way -down the steep, to keep up the communication with our -picquet above.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 19th of May, the company to which I belonged -was on picquet. It was a fine, though windy night, a -fleecy scud occasionally obscuring the light of the moon. -About twelve o’clock, while our men were mostly asleep, -we were suddenly woke by the rifle reports of our sentries, -and the French drums playing their advance “rub-a-dub-dub,” -which our men designated with the name of “old -trowsers.” I was now, as it were, but a young sleepy-headed -boy, and as yet had been scarcely aroused to a true -sense of the profession I had embraced. I had never been -under the fire of a French musket, and I felt an indescribable -thrill on this occasion. The chilly hour of the night -and peculiar inclination to sleep, at the time, had sunk my -senses below zero. But I was speedily startled out of my -lethargy by the whizzing of the enemies’ bullets, as they -greeted my astonished hearing. My surprise soon, however, -gave place to perfect recollection, and in less than a -minute we were all under arms, the balls of the French -whistling about us as a column came rushing over the -bridge to force our position. Captain O’Hare, with his -characteristic coolness, immediately gave us the word to -“seek cover,” and we threw ourselves forward among the -<span class='pageno' title='29' id='Page_29'>[29]</span>rocky and broken ground, from whence we kept up a galling -fire upon those who had commenced storming our heights.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We were exceedingly hard pressed when three companies -of our regiment, under Colonel Beckwith, came up -to our relief, and the contest for a while was both doubtful -and bloody. But, after about half an hour’s hard fighting, -the enemy were obliged to retreat with much precipitation, -and under a close and murderous fire from us. During -this brief conflict some incidents occurred that, perhaps, -are worth mentioning. Colonel Beckwith actually employed -himself, at one time, in heaving large fragments of stone -upon the French as they attempted to ascend the acclivity -on which we were placed, and, while so engaged, got a -musket-shot through his cap.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Another officer of ours, the Adjutant Lieutenant Stewart, -a fine tall fellow, was engaged in a personal contest with -two <a id='or'></a>or three grenadiers, a number of whom had managed to -ascend the hill on our right; at this critical moment one -of our men, named Ballard, fortunately came to his aid, -and shot one of his assailants, at which the other instantly -surrendered. The above gallant officer, however, afterwards -fell on our advance from Santarem the following -year.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was, I believe, the first and last time the French -ever attempted surprising a rifle picquet.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Both our sentries at the bridge were taken prisoners, -one of them badly wounded. A rather interesting recollection -is attached to one of them, named Meagher, who, -when the exchange of prisoners took place in 1814, -returned to England and rejoined us at Dover. He was -with us in France at the time of Waterloo, which, however, -he was not present at on account of the following circumstance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A quarrel had originated a few nights before the battle -of Waterloo in a wine-house at Brussels, between some of -our men, and the Belgian gens-d’armes, the consequence -was, that the inhabitants were forced to send for the guards. -These, of course, were soon on the spot, but were as soon -attacked and beaten back by the Belgians, who would have -driven them into the guard-house but for Meagher, who, -<span class='pageno' title='30' id='Page_30'>[30]</span>suddenly turning to the assailants, levelled his rifle and -shot the foremost through the body; on this, the whole of -the gens-d’armes retreated, not, however, till after Meagher -had received a cut on the side of the neck. For this affair -he was put into prison, and a general court-martial honourably -acquitted him, not until that battle had been fought -which for ever destroyed Napoleon’s hopes. Our company, -to which Meagher belonged, soon after presented a requisition -to Captain Leach, who then commanded us, and -through his intercession, Meagher obtained a Waterloo -medal.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Shortly after this attempted surprise, we quitted Barba -del Puerco for the town of Gallegos, situated some five or -six miles from Ciudad Rodrigo.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The following laughable incident occurred to me while -we lay at Gallegos:—I happened to be acquainted with -General Crauford’s private servant, a German, chiefly -through my being employed as orderly to the brigadier. -At times when an opportunity offered, we used to take a -glass of wine together upon the most convivial terms. One -morning, however, when I thought the brigadier had gone -out, as was his usual custom, I went to his room to ask the -valet to partake of some wine which I had received from -the patron of the house. On opening the door, I unhesitatingly -went in, and beheld, as I imagined, the individual -I wanted in a morning-gown looking out of the window. -It entered into my head to surprise my servant friend, so, -as he had not been disturbed by my approach, I stepped -softly up to his rear, and with a sudden laugh, gave him a -smart slap on the back. But my consternation and surprise -may be better imagined than described, when the -gentleman in the dressing-gown, starting round with a -“Who the devil is that?” disclosed—not the merry phiz -of the valet, but the stern features of General Crauford -himself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I thought I should have sunk through the ground at the -moment, had it have opened to swallow me. I could only -attempt to explain the mistake I had made, in a very -humble way, as I gradually retreated to the door.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“And where did you get the wine from, Sir?” inquired -<span class='pageno' title='31' id='Page_31'>[31]</span>the General, with a good-humoured smile; for he observed -the fright I was in.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I informed him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, well, you may go,” said the General; “but, -pray, Sir, never again do me the honour to take me for my -servant.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>I needed not the permission to vanish in a moment. -And many a laugh and jest were created at my expense -afterwards among the men, as the circumstance got circulated -by the valet.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We were here joined by the 1st and 3rd regiment of the -Portuguese Caçadores. These fellows I never had any -opinion of from the very first moment I saw them. They -were the dirtiest and noisiest brutes I ever came across. -Historians of the day have given them great credit; but -during the whole of the Peninsular War, or, at least, the -time they were with us, I never knew them to perform one -gallant act. On the line of march they often reminded -me of a band of strollers. They were very fond of gambling, -and every halt we made was sure to find them squatted, and -with cards in their hands.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One of these regiments was placed under the command -of a captain of ours, named Elder, a brave officer, who was -made Colonel of the 3rd; and being afterwards severely -wounded at Badajos, returned to England; at the same -period, also, we were incorporated with the 14th and 16th -Light Dragoons, together with the 3rd regiment of German -Hussars, and Captain Bull’s troop of horse artillery.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The French had now commenced laying siege to Rodrigo, -and we were terribly harassed by the severity of our -duty, being both day and night accoutred and under arms; -indeed, we were daily expecting an attack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A section of our rifles usually mounted picquet with a -troop of dragoons, and occupied, accordingly, three different -points—Carpio, Molina dos Flores and Marialva; all about -two miles nearer to Rodrigo. Bull’s troop of artillery remained -always near a church, in the centre of the village of -Gallegos, and at all times kept a gun ready loaded with -blank carriage, and a sentry near it, watching a beacon -erected on a hill, about a mile from the village. A vidette -<span class='pageno' title='32' id='Page_32'>[32]</span>and one of our riflemen were placed near the beacon in case -of the picquets being attacked, to give alarm by discharging -his piece into the combustibles, and so setting it on fire; -or, in case of its not igniting, to ride round it three times, -with his cap mounted on his sword, at which signal the gun -was instantly fired, and the whole division were immediately -under arms.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As I have remarked, we were greatly harassed; our -picquets and the French were constantly in the habit of -firing at each other, and scarce a day passed without some -of the men being brought in, either killed or wounded. -We had not yet established that understanding with the -enemy, which avoided unnecessary bloodshed at the outposts -which afterwards tended much to humanize the war.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Meanwhile the siege of Rodrigo was vigorously carried -on by the French. The weather was intensely hot, and -we delighted in bathing in a small river that flowed between -the beacon-hill and the village. Many of us, while so -amusing ourselves, would take these opportunities to wash -our shirts in the running stream, laying them out to dry on -the sand. Frequently, however, when thus employed, the -alarm gun would be fired, and in a moment we might be -observed, like so many water sprites, jumping out of the -stream and hurrying on the wet shirts, actually wringing, -and throwing them over our shoulders, while we fell in -with our comrades. It was rather surprising, that I never -felt any ill effects from these wet habiliments; but the -men, from constant exposure, had become as hardy as the -soil itself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>From the novelty, however, of the picquet duty, the men -preferred it always to any other: as we amused ourselves -generally at night watching the shells exchanged between -the besieged and the assailants, the sight was very beautiful, -sometimes as many as seven or eight-and-twenty crossing -each other, like so many comets.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Once we were visited by the Duke himself, who, although -his head-quarters were at the time, I believe, at Viseu, -distant somewhat about twenty leagues, had come on a -reconnoitring excursion to our outline picquets. While on -sentry one day I recollect his Grace placing his telescope -<span class='pageno' title='33' id='Page_33'>[33]</span>on my shoulders to take a view of the enemy’s position. -Our intelligence was chiefly derived from deserters, a -number of whom daily came over to us, and gave information -that Ciudad could not hold out much longer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One day we were unusually alarmed by an extraordinary -bustle in the French camp; being on the advanced picquet, -I could distinctly hear the cheering of men and firing of -cannon: the whole of our division was ordered to fall in, -and it was not until the morning following, that we -learned that it originated in the news from Paris, of the -Emperor’s marriage with the Archduchess Marie Louise -of Austria.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We now daily held ourselves in expectation of an attack, -and were under arms every morning at one o’clock, five -minutes only being allowed for the whole division to fall in. -But we seldom took our accoutrements off, and used both -to sleep and to cook with them on. The baggage was -paraded every morning half a mile to the rear, and every -other precaution taken by the Brigadier for an orderly -retreat, as the French were in our front and in overwhelming -force, while our division was scarcely more than four -thousand strong. One of the General’s stratagems to -make our small force appear more numerous in the eyes of -the French, was to draw the regiments up in rank entire. -After, however, several months of severe hardship at Gallegos, -General Crauford was at last obliged to change his -ground, and we retreated to Allameda, a little town about -two miles in our rear, and on the main road leading to the -fortified town of Almeida: we remained here a few days, -and took a French spy, who had passed among us as a -lemonade-merchant. His indifference and carelessness in -accepting remuneration for his beverage, which was in constant -request, together with his laughing one day very -significantly when one of our men was swearing at the -French for the trouble they caused, induced a sergeant to -apprehend him. He was brought before General Crauford, -and on his being searched, letters were found upon him -that proved him to be a French Colonel. He was sent to -the rear: how, indeed, he managed to escape the doom he -had rendered himself liable to, I know not.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='34' id='Page_34'>[34]</span>A few mornings after this, the French came down in -great force, and we were obliged to retire. This we did -slowly, covered by Captain Ross’s guns and our rifles, -assisted also by a few troops of the 14th and 16th Dragoons -and 3rd German Hussars. We retired with very -little loss, for a distance of four or five miles, to Fort Conception -in front of the little town of Villa de Mula. Here -we went into cantonments. We were now close on the -borders of Portugal, which is here divided from Spain only -by a small stream—at this spot, so narrow, that in some -places it may be jumped over. We daily mounted a picquet -of two companies at the fort, which was a beautiful work, -in the shape of a star.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch06' class='c005'>CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Villa de Mula—Night expedition to Villa de Puerco—Both parties retire—Death -of Colonel Talbot—A soldier’s grave—The effects of a miscarriage—Fort -Conception blown up—A mistake and no mistake—Another mistake, a -ball in the right knee—The bridge over the Coa—A friend in need, a friend -indeed—Charity abroad and at home—A surgeon’s advice—A blessing—A -cough, an uncomfortable companion—Spanish apathy—We arrive at -Fraxedas.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>A few</span> days after our arrival at Villa de Mula, a part of -the division formed a night expedition to surprise and cut -off one or two French regiments that nightly occupied an -advanced position on our right, retiring every morning -about daylight. The rifles got under arms at ten o’clock -at night, and were soon afterwards joined by several companies -of the 43rd and 52nd regiments, together with one -or two troops of the 14th Light Dragoons, and some of our -favourite Germans. We soon guessed that some secret -enterprise was about to be undertaken, as strict orders were -issued to keep the men from talking, and to make them -refrain from lighting their pipes, lest our approach should -be noticed by the enemy. Even the wheels of two of -Captain Ross’s guns that accompanied us, were muffled -round with haybands to prevent their creaking.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this disposition we proceeded in the direction of the -<span class='pageno' title='35' id='Page_35'>[35]</span>left of the enemy’s position which rested on Villa de -Puerco. We had all loaded before marching, and were -anxiously looking forward to the result, when a whispering -order was given to enter a large field of standing corn and -to throw ourselves on the ground. There we anxiously -waited the first dawn of day for the expected engagement. -At length the cold gray of the morning appeared faintly in -the east, when the commands were given with scarce -a pause between to “fall in,” “double,” and “extend.” -This was accomplished in a moment, and forward we ran -through the corn field up to an eminence, looking down -from which we beheld a gallant skirmish on the plain -beneath. The 14th Dragoons were in the act of charging -a body of French infantry, who had, however, thrown -themselves into square. The cavalry cheered forward -in gallant style, but the French, veteran like, stood firm -to meet the onset, pouring in, at the same time, a close -running fire that emptied many saddles. Lieutenant-Colonel -Talbot, who headed the charge, fell almost immediately, -together with the quarter-master and from -sixteen to eighteen privates. After an unavailing attempt -to shake the square, the cavalry was obliged to retire—a -movement which the enemy on their part immediately -imitated. An attempt was made to annoy them with -our guns, but in consequence of their smallness, being -but light field-pieces, our shots were attended with very -little effect.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The following day, we buried Colonel Talbot and the -quarter-master close to the porch of the little chapel in -the village we occupied—a somewhat romantic-looking -spot for a soldier’s grave. The miscarriage of our enterprise, -it was generally rumoured, had brought our general -into bad odour at head-quarters; indeed, for some days -after, I thought he wore a troubled look, as though he -took our failure to heart.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As I have already remarked, two of our companies -alternately did duty in front of our position, at Fort -Conception. The orders issued to the officer commanding -the picquet were to blow up the fort immediately on the -approach of the enemy, for which purpose it was undermined -<span class='pageno' title='36' id='Page_36'>[36]</span>in several places by the artillerymen, who were left -to fire the mines when the order should be given.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the morning of the 19th of July, our company -and another were on duty at this point, and it was generally -expected we should be attacked on the morrow. I think -the intelligence was brought by a deserter. The fort contained -a great quantity of good English rum and biscuit, -which Captain O’Hare allowed the men of both companies -to help themselves to and fill their canteens, upon their -promise, which they kept, not to get drunk. The following -morning, before it was scarcely light, the enemy proved -the correctness of our anticipations by advancing upon us -in heavy columns, preceded by their light troops. The -command was instantly given to fire the mines, and we -retired upon our division. A few minutes after our -quitting the fort, its beautiful proportions, which had -excited the admiration of so many beholders, was broken, -as by the shock of an earthquake, into a blackened heap of -ruin.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We retreated under the walls of Almeida, where we -halted until the 23rd, when at night we experienced a -storm that for violence, while it lasted, exceeded anything -I had ever before beheld. The lightning, thunder, wind, -and rain were absolutely awful. With a few other men, I -had sought shelter in the hollow of a rock, where we were -not a little amazed at the numbers of snakes and lizards -which the occasional gleams of lightning exhibited to -us running about in all directions, as though the tempest -had the effect of bringing them all from their holes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At break of day, the music that we were now getting -quite accustomed to—<i>i. e.</i> the cracking of the rifles of our -outline picquet, gave intelligence of the enemy’s advance. -Our company was immediately ordered to support them. -Captain O’Hare accordingly placed us behind some dilapidated -walls, we awaited the approach of the picquet then -under the Hon. Captain Steward engaged about half a mile -in our front, and slowly retreating upon us. They had -already, as it afterwards appeared, several men killed, -while Lieutenant M’Culloch had been wounded and taken -prisoner with a number of others. We could distinctly see -<span class='pageno' title='37' id='Page_37'>[37]</span>the enemy’s columns in great force, but had little time for -observation, as our advance ran in upon us followed by the -French tirailleurs, with whom we were speedily and hotly -engaged. The right wing of the 52nd regiment, at this -period, was drawn up about one hundred yards in our rear -behind a low wall, when a shell, which with several others -was thrown amongst us from the town, burst so near, that -it killed several of our men, and buried a sergeant so completely -in mud, but without hurting him, that we were -obliged to drag him out of the heap, to prevent his being -taken by the enemy<a id='r4' /><a href='#f4' class='c014'><sup>[4]</sup></a>—at this moment also Lieutenant -Cohen who stood close to me received a shot through the -body. My old Captain, O’Hare, perceiving him roll his -eyes and stagger, caught him by the arm, saying in a -rather soft tone to the men about him:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Take that poor boy to the rear, he does not know what -is the matter with him,” and with the same characteristic -coolness, he continued his duties. While hotly engaged, -however, with the French infantry in our front, one or -two troops of their hussars which, from the similarity -of uniform, we had taken for our German hussars, whipped -on our left flank between our company and the wing of the -52nd, when a cry of “the French cavalry are upon us,” -came too late as they charged in amongst us. Taken thus -unprepared, we could oppose but little or no resistance, and -our men were trampled down and sabred, on every side. -A French dragoon had seized me by the collar, while -several others, as they passed, cut at me with their swords. -The man who had collared me had his sabre’s point at my -breast, when a volley was fired from our rear by the 52nd, -who, by this time had discovered their mistake, which -tumbled the horse of my captor. He fell heavily with the -animal on his leg, dragging me down with him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was but for a moment nevertheless: determined to -have one brief struggle for liberty, I freed myself from the -<span class='pageno' title='38' id='Page_38'>[38]</span>dragoon’s grasp, and dealing him a severe blow on the -head with the butt of my rifle, I rushed up to the wall -of our 52nd, which I was in the act of clearing at a jump, -when I received a shot under the cap of my right knee and -instantly fell. In this emergency, there seemed a speedy -prospect of my again falling into the hands of the French, -as the division was in rapid retreat, but a comrade of the -name of Little instantly dragged me over the wall, and -was proceeding as quick as possible with me, on his back, -towards the bridge of the Coa, over which our men were -fast pouring, when he, poor fellow! also received a shot, -which passing through his arm smashed the bone, and -finally lodged itself in my thigh, where it has ever since -remained.<a id='r5' /><a href='#f5' class='c014'><sup>[5]</sup></a> In this extremity, Little was obliged to -abandon me, but urged by a strong desire to escape imprisonment, -I made another desperate effort, and managed -to get over the bridge, from the other side of which -Captain Ross’s guns were in full roar, covering our retreat; -in this crippled state and faint through loss of blood, I made -a second appeal to a comrade, who assisted me to ascend a -hill on the other side of the river.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the summit, we found a chapel which had been -converted into a temporary hospital, where a number of -wounded men were being taken to have their wounds -dressed by the surgeons. Fortunately, I had not long to -wait for my turn, for as we momentarily expected the -coming of the French, everything was done with the -greatest dispatch.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this affair our company sustained a very severe loss; -our return was, “one officer, Lieutenant Cohen, quite a -youth, dangerously wounded, eleven file killed and wounded, -and forty-five taken prisoners.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>My old Captain O’Hare had only eleven men on parade -next day. The preceding facts will serve to show the -unmilitary reader, that skirmishes are frequently more -partially destructive to riflemen than general actions, -although attended with but little of their celebrity. For -<span class='pageno' title='39' id='Page_39'>[39]</span>my own part, I was never nearer death, excepting on -the night we took Badajoz.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I must not forget a singular escape that occurred: a -man of the name of Charity, of my own company, when -the cavalry first rushed upon us, had fallen, wounded in -the head by a sabre, while on the ground, he received -another severe sword slash on the seat of honour, and a -shot through the arm, the latter, no doubt, from the 52nd. -Yet after all this, he managed to escape, and</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Clothed in scarlet lived to tell the tale,</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>as a pensioner in Chelsea Hospital.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Having no mules nor waggons to accommodate us, the -surgeons advised all who were by any means capable of -moving, to get on as quick as they could to Pinhel.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There were of our regiment about seventy or eighty disabled, -a number of those hobbled onwards assisting each -other by turns.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We commenced our slow and painful march, and by the -help of a couple of rifles that served as crutches, I managed -to reach the first village where the Juiz or chief magistrate -selected, and put the worst of our wounded into bullock-carts. -Amongst those I fortunately was one; and although -crammed with six others into a wretched little vehicle, -scarcely capable of accommodating more than two, I -thought it a blessing for which I could not feel sufficiently -thankful.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this manner, we were dragged along all night, and by -the following daylight we halted at another village, where -I felt so <a id='dread'></a>dreadfully faint from loss of blood and my confined -position, that I could not move at all. While refreshing -our parched lips with some water that had been eagerly -demanded, Lord Wellington and some of his staff galloped -up. Glancing his eye at us for a moment, and -seeing our crowded condition in the carts, he instantly -gave an order to one of his aides-de-camp to obtain -additional conveyance from the Juiz de Fora, and also -bread and wine. His Lordship then rode off towards -Almeida.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Although neither bread nor wine made their appearance, -<span class='pageno' title='40' id='Page_40'>[40]</span>a few additional carts were procured, into one of which I -was transferred with four other men.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We again continued our march, until we came into a -stream of water where we halted; here we lost a most excellent -officer, a Lieutenant Pratt,<a id='r6' /><a href='#f6' class='c014'><sup>[6]</sup></a> who was wounded -through the neck, and at first appeared to be doing very -well. He was seated on one of the men’s knapsacks conversing -with some of his wounded brother officers, when he -was suddenly seized with a violent fit of coughing, and -almost instantly began pumping a quantity of blood from -the wound. I never before saw so much come from any -man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It appeared that the ball, which went through his neck, -had passed so close to the carotid artery, that the exertion -of coughing had burst it, and it became impossible to stop -the hæmorrhage. He bled to death, and warm as he was, -they covered him in the sand and proceeded. After we -had been driven some few miles further, one of my -wounded comrades, who was shot through the body, and -whose end seemed momentarily approaching, at length, in -a dying state relaxed his hold from the cart sides and fell -across me as I lay at the bottom, whilst foam mixed with -blood kept running from his mouth. This with his glass -eyes fixed on mine made me feel very uncomfortable. -Being weak and wounded myself, I had not power to -move him, and in this situation, the horrors of which survived -for some time in my mind, death put an end to his -sufferings, but without granting me any respite for some -hours. His struggles having ceased, however, I was -enabled to recover myself a little, and called to the driver -to remove the body. But the scoundrel of a Portuguese, -who kept as much ahead of the bullocks as possible, was -so afraid of the French, that I could get no other answer -from him than “non quireo,” “don’t bother me,” and a -significant shrug of the shoulder, which bespoke even more -than his words.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At length we arrived at Fraxedas on the road to Coimbra, -<span class='pageno' title='41' id='Page_41'>[41]</span>where we found the 1st division encamped outside the -town. Here I got rid of my dead comrade, and we had -our wounds dressed. The guards, who belonged to the -1st division, behaved to us with a kindness which I never -can forget; as we had no men of our own to attend to us, -forty of their number, under an officer, were ordered to -supply our wants until we arrived at Lisbon.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch07' class='c005'>CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Mondego—The Coimbra—Figueras—The maggots—Lisbon—Battle of Busaco—Retreat -to Torres Vedras—Lord Wellington’s generalship—Belem—Jack -ashore and Jonathan also—Yankey and Lankey—Billy M’Nabb—The Highland -kite and Lowland tail—Josh. Hetherington—Sperum Poco—Portuguese -piety—Aruda—Doing what the enemy left undone—Tom Crawley again—In -state—A hot berth—Our enemies laugh at Tom in his glory.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>From</span> Fraxedas we pursued our way to Mondego, and -from thence we passed in boats down the river through -Coimbra, to the sea-port of Figueras. Sick and ill as I -was, I well recollect the exquisite scenery that met our -gaze on the banks of that beautiful river, as we floated over -its surface to our destination.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The heat of the weather was intense and dreadfully -affected our wounds. The scarcity of doctors too, and the -fear of falling into the hands of the enemy, spurred every -one forward, and so took up the moments that the surgeons -had not time sufficient nor opportunity to look after us. -The consequence was, that this neglect caused maggots to -be engendered in the sores, and the bandages, when withdrawn, -brought away on them lumps of putrid flesh and -maggots. Many died on board, and numbers were reduced -in consequence to the necessity of amputation. By care -and syringing sweet oil into my wounds, I however had -managed to get rid of them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At Figueras we embarked on board some transports that -there waited our arrival, and we sailed for Lisbon, where, -in a short time, we landed, and borne on stretchers by some -men of the Ordinanza or Portuguese Militia, were conveyed -to the hospital.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='42' id='Page_42'>[42]</span>From regular and kind treatment there, I soon recovered; -and the British army retired towards Lisbon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It may perhaps be necessary, before I continue my -personal narrative, to observe, that Lord Wellington, finding -his numbers greatly unequal to the enemy was obliged -to retreat. This, it is well known, he directed in a very -skilful manner, having long before anticipated the probability -of such an event by the erection of the lines of -Torres Vedras. During the retreat, his Lordship ordered -the people of the country to accompany the troops, and to -destroy all those things which they could not carry with -them. By this precaution, Massena’s army, on the track -of the British and Portuguese, through want of food -and necessaries, were reduced to the greatest privations, of -which the Marshal bitterly complained in his despatches of -that period.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Perhaps few events in the Peninsular war reflect more -credit upon Lord Wellington, as a commander, than the -admirable manner in which he had thus drawn an overwhelming -force of the French into actual famine, in front -of works that afforded security and plenty to his own comparatively -small force.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In a few weeks after our arrival at Lisbon, I became -sufficiently recovered to leave the hospital and was accordingly -transferred to Belem, a place much noted amongst us -for every species of skulk, but better known to my fellow -soldiers as the “Belem rangers.” The chief part of the -58th and 87th regiments, the latter I believe from the -severe loss they had sustained at Talavera, were doing duty -there.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Belem itself is about two miles from Lisbon, but contiguous -to it, or, as the suburbs of London are to the city. -I was here, as it were, quite at my ease; and usually spent -my time rambling about the quays. The port was thronged -with shipping, bringing troops and stores from England, -and if I recollect rightly, the ‘Hibernia,’ the ‘Caledonia,’ -and the ‘Britannia,’ and other ships of war lay in the -bay; at all events, we constantly intermixed with the sailors, -and were mostly coupled with them; some recognising -old friends—town-mates; and others, nearer and dearer -<span class='pageno' title='43' id='Page_43'>[43]</span>ties, and forming new links and acquaintances; this the -peculiarity of our situations naturally tended to strengthen, -fighting as we were in the same cause, though on different -elements. One day, however, I remember being present at -a regular row in a wine-house, between an American and -a Lancashire man. They both belonged to the same ship, -and from what I could understand, were very quarrelsome -fellows, and the most unfair fighters on board.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Yankee was from Kentucky, and had a precious -knack of “gouging” as they termed it, or, screwing his -finger into the side locks of his opponent, and so with his -thumb poking his eyes out. One or two on board had -been “jockied” in this way. The Lancashire man, alias -“Tummas,” alias “Lankey,” who had nearly lost one eye -by a splinter at Trafalgar, seemed unwilling to risk the -loss of the other in any encounter with him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But,” said he, “I tell you what, you bl—d cowardly -sea sarpent, if it warnt that I fear’d your fingering this ’ere -solitary blinker o’ mine, I’d dust your Yankee jacket for -you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The “gouger,” however, despite the confession, though -ready for a scrimmage, had some inward dread also, and -seemed to dislike altogether the hazard of being bit, slobbered, -and perhaps kicked to a jelly. The Englishman’s -friends, nevertheless, came to a council of war; and it was -agreed at last, that though ashore, they should thump it -out “ship fashion.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“For you know,” said a short, fat, big-whiskered, little -sailor, who, I believe, was the boatswain, “I’m d—d if -they can kick, scratch, gouge or bite, when they hangs by -their starn sheets.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was settled, therefore, that they should have it out on -a barrel.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A butt big enough to hold the rations of a whole -division, was soon procured of the Patrone, and the -little man bolted to the boats for some large nails and a -hammer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The barrel meantime, was rolled out to the centre of the -quay, and to keep it steady, settled longways between two -heaps of stones. Meanwhile the two combatants could -<span class='pageno' title='44' id='Page_44'>[44]</span>scarcely be kept from each other, till the “little-whiskers” -returned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Clear the gangways!” at last roared a voice from the -crowd, and the boatswain bounced, almost breathless, to -the barrel. In a few minutes, Yankee and Lankey were -seated, and the little man first nailing one by a small bit -of the bottom of his canvas trowsers to the barrel edge, -and the other by the same contingency to the other, -brought them fronting and about two feet apart. The two -then proceeded to balance their fists, like rope-dancers’ poles, -and fixing their eyes on each other, awaited the signal to begin.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Now, gemmen,” bellowed the boatswain, “clear the -decks; and you, Tummas, for the honour of your messmates -let’s have no shamming afore these ere Portugals and -biled lobsters. Now, softly, my lads: when you sees me -put my quid into my jaws—” the two men looked at each -other; “heave in your broadsides.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The words were scarcely out, when in flopped the quid, -and the combatants commenced hammering away at each -other at what both, perhaps, thought hurricane rate.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the course of a few rounds Tummas fell, but caught -by his breech, remaining hanging over the barrel edge; up -however, he was re-seated, and at it they went again until -Yankee fell also, and hung in the same manner.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Excellent!” roared the boatswain, “excellent prewentative, -or my old aunt warnt a wirgin!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Yankee was soon himself, and they closed again, round -after round, until the two champions hung powerless at the -same moment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Drawn fight!” bellowed the little man again; “both -tough ones;” and he proceeded to separate with an enormous -clasp knife the fixtures at their trowsers: all this -while the crowd about them were convulsed with laughter, -which was further increased by a hole in each of the combatant’s -trowsers, which the boatswain had carefully cut -large enough almost to admit the barrel. The two sailors, -however, having recovered themselves, and with a growl -tucked back the blue check, steered away to the wine-house.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Among the officers of our battalion that had been -wounded at Almeida, was one Captain Mitchell, who having -<span class='pageno' title='45' id='Page_45'>[45]</span>received a ball through the arm, was transferred with us to -Lisbon: when sufficiently recovered, he one morning came -to the convalescent barrack to muster those who were willing -and able to rejoin their regiments. Amongst others -selected, was a man named Billy M’Nabb, of our corps, a -most notorious skulker and a methodist. He had scarcely -ever done duty with his company, but had remained sneaking -about the hospital as an orderly; and occasionally -preaching and praying to the drunken soldiers in the streets -of Lisbon. Captain Mitchell, however, had made up his -mind that M’Nabb should see the enemy before he returned -to England, and as a “persuasive,” when Billy most violently -resisted the summons, ordered him to be tied to the -bullock-cart, amid the jeers of the soldiers, and conveyed -back to his regiment. But it was only for a short period, -as Billy got tired of the “sight,” and took the earliest -opportunity to decamp, for he suddenly disappeared from -among us, and but for my having seen him since preaching -in the streets of London, should have been inclined to think -he never returned home at all.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The morning that the convalescents fell in to start for -the main-army, we were joined by a batch of recruits, -chiefly intended for the 68th and 85th regiments. They -were a squad of plump, rosy-cheeked, smart-looking fellows, -and like ourselves, each of them had been provided with -five days’ rations in advance; consisting of salt pork, biscuits, -and rum, the first of which they cooked ready for the -march.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Their officer in command was an astonishing man, nearly -seven feet high. I shall never forget him: by his high-cheeked -bones and dark complexion, I took him at first to -be a foreigner; but as soon as he spoke, his broad accent -declared him to be a North Briton, as far north as could -be. He seemed well acquainted with every theory, or that -part of a campaign which is generally digested at home; -and as a sample of this, he ordered his men, in accordance -with the regulations of Dundas, the then Commander-in-chief, -to halt and rest ten minutes or a quarter of an hour -at the end of every three miles.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Coom, men,” he would say, pulling out his gold watch, -<span class='pageno' title='46' id='Page_46'>[46]</span>“ye ken, I suppose, yer three miles is up, set ye down and -eat a pound, the mair ye tak into yer stomachs the less -ye’ll carry on yer backs.” This over, the watch would be -again in requisition, and it would be, “Coom men, yer -quarter of an hour is nearly up, ye maun aye be ganging -again;” and the men, of course, would fall in. By thus -halting every three miles, and eating a pound each time, -before we reached Mafra, at the end of the second day’s -march, the men had “pounded” the whole of their five -days’ rations, and some of them began to growl most -confoundedly from the want of provisions. Wishing -to know the cause, he sent for the sergeant, and desired -him to inquire, when the latter informed him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Hoot mon, ye dinna say that, do ye? Tell them -all to fall in. I fear I maun chop a wee logic with them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh ye hungry hounds,” he exclaimed, when the men -appeared before him. “Ye dinna ken the grand army -yet; not content now, ye maun aye whistle then, for -ye waunna get in ten days then what your hungry maws -have now devoor’d in twa!” saying which, he placed himself -at their head, to direct their movements when on -the march. I used to liken him to a kite, while the files, -of short men after him, reminded me of the tail. His -shoulders were so broad and yet so skinny and square, and -his height so convenient, that without stirring a peg from -the front section, he would wave his sword and look over -their heads down the ranks and see every manœuvre.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Amongst the convalescents, but very recently from Cockneyshire, -was a man named Josias Hetherington. This -fellow was one of the queerest I ever met with, and I -verily believe had seen <em>service</em> before, but amongst gipsies, -prigs, gaol-birds, and travelling showmen. There was not -a move but what he was up to, and in addition to these, he -was an excellent ventriloquist, and terrified the inhabitants -as we went along, whenever an occasion offered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I think it was on the third day’s march, we had stopped -for the night in a small village, and as it happened, Josh. -and I got billeted in the same house together. Outside -our quarters in front of the house, was a small square -(every town, village and pig-stye in Portugal has one,) -<span class='pageno' title='47' id='Page_47'>[47]</span>in the middle of which and while we were cooking our -rations the inhabitants had commenced a fandango. This -also is usual on Sundays in Portugal. Attracted by -the whistle and a small drum beaten by a short, dumpy, -ugly looking lump of a Portuguese, Josh. and I would -occasionally run down to join, and leave our pots beside -the Patrone’s wood fire as close as we could to the red -embers. But invariably, when we came in to take a peep -at the boiling progress, we found our utensils moved aside -and the contents as cold as charity. Josh. looked at me, -and I at Josh., the same as to say, “Who the blazes -moves our meat about so?” Josh. however hearing footsteps -on the stairs, popped me and himself after into a -kind of pantry. I partially closed the door, and there we -stood watching.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In a few minutes in came the Patrone or lady of the -house, and looking about her a little, bounced to our little -utensils, and was proceeding to purloin the meat, muttering -something to herself at the same moment. But she had -scarcely put a hand to it, when a voice as if from the pot -plainly told her to “Sperum poco,” (wait a little.) The -old woman frisked up, looked doubtful, <em>crossed herself</em>, and -with the courage <em>this</em> afforded, again attacked the pot. -But the same words only quick and smart as a rifle shot, -sent her reeling and screeching to the corner of the kitchen. -“Oh Santa Maria! oh Jesu, oh la deos! Pedro aye el -demonio ei in panello, (the devil’s in the pot,) Santa Maria -ora—ora—ora—ora pro nobis!” and the good soul went -off in a Portuguese fit.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Josh. and I, scarcely able to contain our mirth, rushed -out of the house instantly and joined in the crowd, which -her screams were collecting about the door-way. The old -Patrone, when she recovered, was off in a twinkling to the -Priest and the Alcalde, but it was all in vain, the billet -could not be changed, for the whole village equally feared -the devil, and we held quiet possession till the next morning, -and might have carried away the house for what the -old Patrone cared, for she left her domicile and never -returned till we had marched out of the place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The following day, 12th of October, 1810, I rejoined my -<span class='pageno' title='48' id='Page_48'>[48]</span>regiment encamped near a small village on the lines of -Torres Vedras, called Aruda, where I found my old -Captain, who despite his severe loss, had scraped together -a snug company, partly from men who had made their -escape from the French after the affair at Almeida, but -chiefly from a batch of recruits that joined our first -battalion with the third of our regiment that came from -England while I was in hospital. Aruda was a pretty -little place enough until we mounted our picquets, when -the men dreadfully defaced it, perhaps from a belief that -the French might enter—a pleasure they never had.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The inhabitants whose fears had been enhanced by its -exposed situation had nearly all evacuated the place, taking -with them only the most portable and valuable of their -effects, and leaving the houses, as it were, furnished and -tenantless. The change was the more extraordinary from -the circumstance of its pleasant site having for many years -made it a country resort for the rich citizens of Lisbon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>For a few days after our arrival, it presented a picture of -most wanton desolation. Furniture of a most splendid -description in many instances was laid open to the spoliation -of the soldiery. Elegant looking-glasses wrenched -from the mantle-pieces were wantonly broken to obtain -bits to shave by, and their encasures, with chairs, tables, -&c., &c., used as common fire-wood for the picquets; an -Israelite would have gloated over the gilded embers, and -have deemed perhaps one of them as under the value of -what our united fire-places might have been reduced to. -These proceedings, however, unravel the secret of spending -“half-a-crown out of sixpence a day,” and the philosophical -reader will perhaps admit of the plea, that if we had not, -the French would have done it for us, an event which we -expected, though it fortunately never was realized.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Tom Crawley was particularly pre-eminent in this havoc; -his enormous strength and length fitting him especially for -the pulling down and “breaking up” department.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our company was one night on picquet at Aruda; we -had, as usual, made a blazing fire close to the stable of a -large house, which in the morning we had noticed, contained -a very handsome carriage (the only one by-the-bye -<span class='pageno' title='49' id='Page_49'>[49]</span>that I had ever seen in Portugal). Rather late in the -evening we missed Tom—who, by the way, had a great -love of exploring the houses of the village, and whom we -imagined to be employed in his favourite amusement, -“looking for wine.” After having consumed sundry -chairs to keep alive our fire, we found it necessary to -obtain fresh fuel, and while consulting where it was to -come from, one man, with an oath, proposed to burn the -Portuguese coach. The novelty of the thing among our -thoughtless fellows was received with acclamations, and as -our officers were absent in a house close by, several started -up on their legs for the purpose. The stable-doors were -immediately opened, and the coach wheeled backwards -into the large blazing fire. “This will make a jolly roast!” -exclaimed several of the men, as the paint and paneling -began to crack under the influence of the heat. Our -scamps were laughing and enjoying what they called a -capital joke, but just as the flames were beginning to curl -up around the devoted vehicle, a roar like that of a bull -came from its interior, and threw us for a moment into -consternation: immediately afterwards one of the glasses -was dashed out, and Tom Crawley’s big head was thrust -through the window, amid shouts of laughter from the -men, as he cried out—“Oh bad luck to your sowls! are -you going to burn me alive?” At the same moment, -urged powerfully by the heat of his berth, he made the -most violent efforts to open the door, which from the -handle being heated, was a difficult and painful operation. -We had some trouble ere we could extricate the poor -fellow, and then not before he was severely scorched. It -afterwards appeared he had gone half tipsy into the carriage, -and was taking a snooze, when he was so warmly -awoke. After this occurrence, Crawley used to boast of -going to sleep with one eye open.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this period the French soldiers and ourselves began -to establish a very amicable feeling, apart from duty in the -field. It was a common thing for us to meet each other -daily at the houses between our lines, when perhaps both -parties would be in search of wine and food. In one of -the houses so situated, I remember once finding Crawley -<span class='pageno' title='50' id='Page_50'>[50]</span>in a drunken state in company with a couple of French -soldiers. I was mortified by the merriment his appearance -had excited, and could with difficulty get him away, -as he stripped, and offered to fight the whole three of us -for laughing at him.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch08' class='c005'>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>The enemy retire upon Santarem—We retire upon Vallée—The bridge over the -Rio Mayor—The French out-lying sentries—Their camp ground—Comparative -quietude—The still—Escape from assassination—Tom Crawley’s ghost story—The -“Death and Glory men”—The charms of a Brunswickian appetite—Their -desertions—Sergeant Fleming—His court-martial—We meet our enemies -on the water and contend—A comment on both sides.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>About</span> the middle of November the enemy retired, and -we made a movement to follow them towards Santarem, -which they immediately occupied and strongly fortified. -As soon as we came in sight of their works, our battalion -received orders to cross a river (the Rio Mayor), which -discharged itself into the Tagus, about half a mile lower -down on our right. While executing this movement, we -met with rather a warm reception, which became more -intense as we attempted to get a peep into their position; -we however were obliged in turn to retreat, and finally -took up our cantonments at a place called Vallée. The -regiment was distributed in companies on the houses on -both sides of the main road, that to which I was attached -being in an old wine-store near the bridge crossing the -Mayor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On this bridge we had double sentries, and abbatis of -fallen trees. But the better to foil the incursions of the -enemy, the arches had been undermined, and the powder -secured from the wet by bullocks’ hides, trained ready for -explosion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About two hundred yards in front of this were the -French outlying sentries, and a little in their rear, on a -slight eminence, their camp ground, which they had very -beautifully built over with ranges of huts.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About three or four miles to our left, and divided from -<span class='pageno' title='51' id='Page_51'>[51]</span>us by the Rio Mayor, rose the pretty town of Santarem; -its towers and steeples peering up from the summit of a -hill, studded on all sides with groves of olive-trees. The -prospect from it must have been very “soul-stirring,” as -the two armies lay within shell range, although they never -interfered with each other for the whole of the four or five -months that we were there; during this time we were -flanked on the left and right by the 43rd and 52nd regiments, -and enjoyed the most uninterrupted repose, almost -our sole employment being to watch the French movements.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Some of the men, for want of better pastime, succeeded -in constructing a still, with which they managed to make -spirits from a quantity of dried grapes, found in the old -wine-house; a discovery, however, soon took place, much -to our chagrin, and the still was destroyed by our old -Captain, Peter O’Hare.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The sanguinary nature of the Portuguese during the -whole period of the war was notorious. When crossed or -excited, nothing but the shedding of blood could allay their -passion. It was always with the greatest difficulty that we -could preserve our French prisoners from being butchered -by them even in cold blood. They would hang upon the -rear of a detachment with prisoners like so many carrion -birds, waiting every opportunity to satiate their love of -vengeance; and it required all the firmness and vigilance -of our troops to keep them in check. It was well known -that even our men fell in stepping between them and the -French, whom they had marked out as victims. Indeed it -was not unfrequent for our own men to suffer from the -consequences of their ferocity, and I myself, while at -Vallée, had a narrow escape. I had crossed the hills to -purchase some necessaries at the quarters of the 52nd -regiment, and on my return fell in with several of the -soldiers of the 3rd Caçadores; one of them, a fierce-looking -scoundrel, evinced a great inclination to quarrel, the more -particularly as he perceived that I was unarmed and alone. -Having replied rather sharply to some abuse they had cast -upon the English, by reflecting on their countrymen in -return, he flew into a rage, drew his bayonet, and made a -<span class='pageno' title='52' id='Page_52'>[52]</span>rush at me, which I avoided by stepping aside, and tripping -him head foremost on the ground; I was in the act -of seizing his bayonet, when a number of his comrades -came up, to whom he related, in exaggerated terms, the -cause of our disagreement. Before he had half concluded, -a general cry arose of “kill the English dog,” and the -whole drawing their bayonets, were advancing upon me -when a party of the 52nd came up, the tables were turned, -and the Caçadores fled in all directions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Among other laughable circumstances that made the -time pass gaily while we remained here, was a ghost story, -in which Tom Crawley cut rather a conspicuous figure. -We had accoutred ourselves, as was our custom before -laying down for the night’s repose, when in rushed Tom -Crawley like a distracted man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Bring me some salt and water for the love of God, -boys!” he immediately demanded; “I have seen a -ghost.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What sort of ghost, Crawley?” sung out a dozen -voices from the men, who immediately became alive to the -fun.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, a Portuguese ghost, as sure as the Lord,” replied -Crawley. “Give me a little water with some salt in it.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This salt, I must explain to the uninitiated, according to -a vulgar superstition in Ireland, is absolutely necessary to -be drunk by those who have seen a phantom before seeing -a light, as a neglect of the precaution was sure to be followed -by an evil influence. As soon, therefore, as a tin -measure was brought to the agitated Tom, (not filled, -indeed, with salt and water, but, I am sorry to say, a much -more objectionable liquid) Crawley drank it off with as -much avidity as if his future salvation depended on it: the -men, meanwhile, nearly convulsed with laughter at Tom’s -credulity.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At length, something like silence being restored, Crawley -took a seat, at the same time making many wry faces (that -were sufficiently accounted for by the potion he had swallowed.) -He then told us, in a very solemn manner, that he -had distinctly seen the semblance of a Caçadore in Colonel -Eldar’s regiment, the 3rd Caçadores, who used to sell our -<span class='pageno' title='53' id='Page_53'>[53]</span>men rum on the retreat from Almeida, and who was afterwards -killed at the battle of Busaco.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But did you not speak to it?” inquired Jack -Murphy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You know I can’t talk Portuguese,” replied Crawley.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A ghost can talk any language; he would have -spoken English to you if you had talked to him,” observed -another.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“But I was in too great a fright to talk at all to him till -he vanished away among the trees.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Poor Tom Crawley! His ghost story afforded us ample -amusement for many weeks afterwards, although I remember -it caused his grog to be stopped, for having woke -the Captain of our company in an adjoining room by the -noise he had occasioned by his spiritual narration.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There is nothing, not even flogging, damps the spirit of -a service-soldier more than stopping his grog, particularly -a man of Crawley’s temperament, for like his renowned -prototype (Nautical Jack), if he were allowed three wishes, -the first would be all the rum in the world, the second all -the tobacco, and the third would be for more rum. -During our stay here, the commissary had ovens made, -and a number of our men employed baking bread, something -after the fashion of our quartern loaf, one of which -was allowed each man every four days. One day while the -company was being served out with rations of salt beef and -a hot four-pound loaf, and the commissary was busy in -serving out rum from a barrel turned on the end, with the -head knocked in, while the quarter-master was calling over -the name of each man, when Crawley’s name was called—stopped -by order of Captain O’Hare, was the answer. Had -sentence of death been pronounced, it could not have -sounded more harsh; but Tom had a little philosophy. -This trial put it to the test, for while he kept peeping over -the men’s shoulders, anxiously watching each man receive -his portion of rum, I also observed him poking his thumb -into different parts of the hot loaf, while he gradually -kept edging himself through the men, until he got close to -the rum barrel, and quietly putting his loaf under his arm, -<span class='pageno' title='54' id='Page_54'>[54]</span>remained stationary, until the commissary turned round -to speak to one of the men, when raising his arm in flopped -the loaf into the rum-barrel, while he lustily began -damning the awkward fellows who pushed, and caused the -accident, no doubt wishing the loaf to remain soaking in -the barrel as long as possible; but seeing the commissary -about taking the bread out, he instantly dived his arm into -the barrel, shoving the loaf to the bottom, then drawing it -out dripping, as well as his coat-sleeve, and looking the -commissary seriously in the face, begun cursing his misfortune, -saying: “Faith, Sir, I’ll have a hot meal for the -next four days, anyhow; if salt junk and hot rum don’t -blister a poor devil’s guts, I don’t know what will.” The -good-natured commissary, who looked on the whole as a -pure accident, handed Tom an extra half loaf, which he -instantly squeezed against the wet one, lest a drop of the -precious liquor should fall to the ground, and walked away, -humming as he went:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Oh, love is the soul of a neat Irishman,” &c.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>About this period we had a regiment of Brunswickers -sent to join our division, and one of our least amusing -duties soon consisted in watching them, to prevent their -deserting to the enemy. It was the prevalence of this -honourable propensity among them, I believe, that induced -Lord Wellington to distribute their force among the different -divisions of the army. These “death and glory -men,” as we used to term them, from their badge of the -skull and cross-bones which was worn on their shakos and -accoutrements, were dressed in dark green, which but too -frequently enabled them to steal past our guards and join -the French, with whom many of their connexions were. -Among other attributes with which these allies were gifted, -was a <em>canine</em> appetite, that induced them to kill and eat all -the dogs they could privately lay hold of. By this means -the different dogs of the division disappeared before the -Germans with a celerity truly astonishing, and we were in -ignorance of their fate until the fact became openly proclaimed -<span class='pageno' title='55' id='Page_55'>[55]</span>and acknowledged. Among other animals thus -“potted for consumption” was a dog which, from its -having attached itself to our regiment, we had christened -“Rifle.” Rifle could never be induced to leave us, and -upon one or two occasions when we had lost it, had always -managed to rejoin us again. We used often to joke among -ourselves at Rifle’s antipathy to a red coat, and his decided -preference to green; but although, poor fellow! he had -survived many of our skirmishes, in which he used to run -about barking and expressing his delight as much as a dog -could, it was only, after all, to be devoured by the insatiable -jaws of the Brunswickers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We had in the company a sergeant of the name of Fleming, -a tall athletic brave fellow, from the Lake of Killarney. -One night being posted in picquet, he unluckily came in -collision with one of the Brunswick officers, and suspecting -his intentions to bolt to the enemy, knocked him down -with his rifle and otherwise maltreated him. The result -was, that Fleming was tried by a brigade court-martial, -convicted for the assault, and sentenced to be reduced to -the ranks, and to receive a corporal punishment of five -hundred lashes. This put us all on the alert, and the -officers also, by whom he was very much liked. The -division being formed, by order of General Crauford, the -prisoner was brought to the centre of the square, and the -minutes of the court-martial read aloud, Fleming proceeded -to strip, while the men stood attentively yet sullenly -awaiting the result. The General now addressed him, -saying:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Prisoner Fleming, the offence which you have been -guilty of, is of so heinous a nature, that could it be proved -to be wilfully committed, it would be most unpardonable; -but the excellent character for gallantry and honourable -conduct, given of you by your officers, is such that I take -the responsibility on myself, relying on the plea made by -you. I shall not flog you, therefore, but your stripes will -be cut off, and I trust your future conduct will testify that -the discretion I now use, is not misplaced; and I here,” -proceeded the General, turning round to the division, -<span class='pageno' title='56' id='Page_56'>[56]</span>“take the opportunity of declaring, that if any of those -gentlemen (meaning the Brunswickers,) have a wish to go -over to the enemy, let them express it, and I give my word -of honour I will grant them a pass to that effect instantly, -for we are better without such.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fleming was shortly afterwards reinstated, but, poor -fellow! he was destined to an early though a more honourable -fate, and fell leading on the ladder party, in the forlorn -hope at Badajoz.</p> - -<p class='c007'>All this time, and for a great part of that in which we -were quartered here, a very friendly intercourse was carried -on between the French and ourselves. We frequently met -them bathing in the Rio Mayor, and would as often have -swimming and even jumping matches. In these games, -however, we mostly beat them, but that was attributed, -perhaps, to their half-starved, distressed condition. This -our stolen intercourses soon made us more awake to, until -at length, touched with pity, our men went so far as to -share with them the ration biscuits, which we were occasionally -supplied with from England, by our shipping; -indeed we buried all national hostility in our anxiety to -assist and relieve them. Tobacco was in great request; we -used to carry some of ours to them, while they in return -would bring us a little brandy. Their “réveille” was our -summons as well as theirs, and although our old captain -seldom troubled us to fall in at the “réveille,” it was not -unusual to find the rear of our army under arms, and, perhaps, -expecting an attack. But the captain knew his customers, -for though playful as lambs, we were watchful as -leopards.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It will not be amiss, perhaps, if I give the reader an idea -of the resources and intrinsic position of the two armies, -thus contending on a soil to which both were aliens. It -will be necessary to enter a little into the holds either party -had on the opinions of the inhabitants.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The French, it must be recollected, were fighting for the -usurpation—if it may be so termed—of the Spanish throne -by Joseph Bonaparte, and had to contend with all the elements -that composed and monopolized the prejudices of -<span class='pageno' title='57' id='Page_57'>[57]</span>the Spanish and Portuguese people. The whole war was -one between innovation, and long and deeply rooted prejudice; -and the French troops, consequently, were on all -occasions, nightly and daily, not only open to attacks from -the British, but in constant alarm from the natives, whose -animosity made them alive to the slightest opportunity -that presented itself for doing them mischief.</p> - -<p class='c007'>No Frenchman, however fatigued, dared to straggle or -fall back: it was instant death to him. The guerillas and -peasantry watched with the thirst of wolves, and slaughtered -all who fell into their hands. These dangers were, also, -doubly increased by the absence of uniforms amongst the -Spaniards, who, up to this time, wore their own peasant -dresses. This disabled the French from recognizing either -friends or foes. In addition to these, they had another of -greater magnitude than any, their provision and ammunition -resources depended entirely on their communication -with France—separated from them by the Pyrenees, and -long distances from the scene of contention itself; this -made their supplies exceedingly precarious, and but for the -contributions levied by the French generals on the inhabitants, -would have kept them oft-times pendant ’twixt -hunger and the bayonets of their enemies.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The priesthood, also, numbers of whom were of the -French church, had to return many obligations to their -revolutionary opponents, such as their banishment, wholesale, -from their “snuggeries” during the year of terror; -these, therefore, sided always with the Spaniards, and by -their influence, combined with the Spanish inquisitorial -clergy, gave a colour and energy to the cause we had -engaged in.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our case was, consequently, widely different as the quiet -imprisonment of our disorderly comrade before-mentioned -fully proved; we were received, also, everywhere with -open arms, and were well backed, if not by the courage, by -their best provision resources. We could, with safety, -leave whole hospitals behind us, whilst the sick and -wounded of our opponents, the French, were, in many -instances, slaughtered wholesale by the citizens.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But with all these advantages in our favour, we yet, as -<span class='pageno' title='58' id='Page_58'>[58]</span>it were, lay between two stools. The natives were not to -be relied on, and though drawn up with us on most occasions, -generally left the British to bear the brunt of -action. Thus often and too truly showing that a weak -friend is frequently more dangerous than a determined -enemy.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch09' class='c005'>CHAPTER IX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>General Crauford leaves for England—Sir William Erskine takes the command—Mounseer -Strauss—We enter Santarem—Scenes of horror—Mile posts of -the “grande armée”—Retaliations of the Portuguese—Two upon one—Pombal—Smart -work—German gallantry—Auction—A new division—Redinha—An -accident—Long Tom of Lincoln—The deserter—A return of -favours.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>In</span> the month of February, General Crauford went to -England on leave, and the command of the light division, -during his absence, devolved upon Major-General Sir -William Erskine.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the night of the 5th of March we were suddenly -ordered to fall in, as intelligence had reached us that -the French were evacuating Santarem. This was soon -ascertained to be the fact, and we immediately commenced -an advance, crossing the bridge in our front at three o’clock -on the morning of the 6th.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Ours being the senior captain of the regiment, the company, -as was usual, were in the advance, when some of the -front files suddenly came within a few yards of what -appeared to be a French sentinel, leaning against a wall -that ran along from the bridge. One of our fellows fired, -but perceiving no movement made, we all rushed up, -and discovered him to be, what our money-changers at -home have so great a horror of, “a man of straw,” or -a piece of sacking stuffed and accoutred. This afforded -a fit theme for joking, as we carried our “prisoner” with -us until we came to Santarem.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our march was uninterrupted, and over a bold thickly -wooded country, much cut up, however, by the retreating -enemy; about mid-day we entered Santarem, where a -<span class='pageno' title='59' id='Page_59'>[59]</span>sight of a most horrifying description offered itself. The -streets and houses presented a mass of desolation and filth, -which, in some degree, contaminated the air around, while -to add to the picture, numbers of half-starved looking -Frenchmen were grouped about in knots, and exhibiting -the loathsome appearance of disease. The faces of many -of these poor fellows were dreadfully swollen and white. -Our men were moved to pity at the scene, and threw them -biscuits as we passed <a id='through'></a>through the town.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Massena had not the means of conveyance for the whole -of his sick, and had been obliged to leave these to their -fate. This, indeed, would have been soon decided had the -Portuguese first come up with them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At every mile the enemy, on their retreat, had fixed -finger posts with directions to the road the “grande -armée” had taken, they sufficiently directed us also. But -after all, these were of little service, for straggling groups -of the unfortunate enemy strewed the road as we advanced -over it. The poor fellows, at first, would greet the English -with a faint hope of protection, and turned up their swollen -and pallid countenances to us with expressions that needed -not words to explain them. But we were obliged to pass -on and leave them, for aught I know, to be butchered -by the inhabitants, who fearfully retaliated for all the scenes -we had witnessed. At night we encamped on the outskirts -of a small village, the name I do not recollect, but the -sights within it I never can forget.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In searching for a stream from which I might procure -water, I fell upon a small fountain, close to which lay two -or three murdered Portuguese; their brains and blood, -which seemed freshly to have oozed from their mangled -remains, had even streamed into the spring, and turned me -away with disgust from the water. Proceeding onward, I -observed a gaunt ghastly figure in a cloak stealing towards -a group of cadaverous looking Frenchmen—on his getting -a little nearer to them, he suddenly spat in his hands and -throwing his cloak aside, produced a heavy club, with -which, I suppose, he was going to beat their brains out. -Struck with horror, I instantly seized the stick from his -half-famished grasp, drove him away, and assisted by one -<span class='pageno' title='60' id='Page_60'>[60]</span>or two comrades got the poor men into a house, and -pursued my search.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As I, however, approached into the Plaza, the desolation -thickened; all the havoc that can possibly be imagined in -so small a compass lay before me—murdered and violated -women—shrieking and dying children—and, indeed, all -that had possessed life in the village, lay quivering in the -last agony of slaughter and awful vengeance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>These became every-day scenes until we overtook the -French rear-guard at Pombal, which we did on the -11th, my company had been hurried forward by the -cavalry, each dragoon mounting a rifleman behind him -on his horse—a method of riding peculiarly galling to -the infantry, but which we frequently had to experience -during the war. From the friction alone produced on the -legs and seat by the dragoon’s saddle-bags, it was some -time before the foot-soldier, when placed upon his legs, -could move with anything like dispatch. Besides, this -method of riding was generally attended by the loss of the -men’s mess-tins, which became shaken off by the jolting. -There were, indeed, few of our men who would not have -preferred marching twice the distance on foot to being -thus carried.<a id='r7' /><a href='#f7' class='c014'><sup>[7]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>We first got sight of the enemy about two miles from -the town of Pombal. They had possession of a wood, from -which, however, we soon managed to drive them. They -retired in great disorder in the direction of the town. The -long straight road that led to Pombal became filled for -some hundred yards, with the confused masses of the -French; but their distress was still further increased -by the arrival of Brigade-Major Mellish, who came up, -at the time, with a couple of Ross’s guns, and commenced -playing upon them. It soon became a complete rout with -the enemy, and they pressed pell-mell over the bridge -of the river between us and the town. They suffered considerably -<span class='pageno' title='61' id='Page_61'>[61]</span>in this business—the ground was strewed with -their dead, and as we followed we found several poor -fellows at the bridge badly wounded by the rifles, and -many dissevered legs and arms, the latter, no doubt, -caused by Ross’s two pieces.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was during the preceding skirmish that, for the -first time, I heard the words that afterwards became -so common in our regiment, “kill a Frenchman for yourself.” -Its origin was as follows: Two men of known -daring, named Palmer and Tracey, during our approach -to the bridge, seeing a French sergeant fall, ran up to -claim the meed of conquest, by relieving him of any valuables -he might be possessed of. They were quarrelling as -to the appropriation of the spoil, when Palmer, who was -a known excellent shot, told Tracey to go “and kill a -Frenchman for himself,” as he had shot this man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This circumstance afterwards gave birth to a little -gasconade in the regiment, that every rifleman could and -ought to kill a Frenchman in action. From the period of -the above occurrence, Palmer received the nick-name of -the “man-killer,” until a singular circumstance, that -occurred at the siege of Badajoz, gave him a new title. -In relieving picquet in the trenches, many of our men, -instead of going quietly through the trenches or parallels -in front of the walls of the town, used to show their -contempt of danger by jumping out of them and running -across in the face of the enemy’s fire. In executing this -feat one day with some others, a cannon-shot fired by -the French, struck the ground first, and then hit Palmer -on the back, and he fell, as we thought, killed upon -the spot. To our surprise, however, in a moment he -jumped up unhurt, the ball having glanced off his knapsack. -In commemoration of this event, he was afterwards -known by the appellation of “the bomb proof man.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>It must be borne in mind, that my own company only -were present here, and we had to sustain, at a great disadvantage, -a smart fire from the different houses, occupied -by the rear-guard of the enemy. As soon as we crossed -the bridge we took possession of the houses opposite those -held by the French, from which we kept up a brisk fire out -<span class='pageno' title='62' id='Page_62'>[62]</span>of the windows. Tired however, with this cross work, -several of our men dashed into one of the French holds and -found it crowded with the enemy, who to the number -of thirty or forty quietly surrendered themselves prisoners. -I recollect Sergeant Fleming, who was the first to mount -the stairs, bundling them neck and crop over the staircase. -Lieutenant Hopwood, however, fell severely wounded in -the thigh on entering the house. We maintained the -conflict until the remainder of the regiment came up, -and then drove the enemy entirely out of their cover.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the eagerness of pursuit, however, we had suffered -severely: as our men followed the enemy a considerable -distance out of the town, galling them terribly in the -street, when perceiving how few our numbers were, being -supported by a single troop only of our German Hussars, -they turned round and made it a hard matter for us to -escape the consequences of our temerity. Several of the -men were out-flanked, and taken prisoners, and for myself, -I had to run a great risk, and should certainly have been -killed or captured, but for the gallantry of a German -dragoon, who riding up, dragged me behind him, and -galloped away amidst a volley of shots, unhurt.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At night, the French, who had posted themselves partly -under cover of a wood, threw shells into the town of -Pombal, of which we had possession, and succeeded in -setting it on fire in several places. We nevertheless -remained for the night, and sold by auction among the -officers and men some baggage which we had taken, snugly -packed on a grey horse, from one of their Generals; among -other valuables it contained, were two beautiful gold medals, -which we presented to our old Captain; we divided the -proceeds, which amounted to six dollars to each man of the -company.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the morning, the French continued their retreat, and -we were again in pursuit. After crossing a well wooded -hill, we came up with them at Redinha, a small town situated -in the hollow of rather a difficult pass,—the company -ascending a hill covered with pine-trees, on the right of our -battalion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>From its eminence, I remember to have seen one of -<span class='pageno' title='63' id='Page_63'>[63]</span>the finest views of the two armies I ever witnessed. The -rifles were extended in the distance for perhaps two miles, -and rapidly on the advance to the enemy’s position. These -were followed by our heavy columns, whose heads were -just emerging from a wood about a quarter of a mile in our -rear. Everything seemed conducted with the order and -regularity of a field day. Meanwhile the rear columns -of the French were slowly retiring, but in a few minutes -the scene became exceedingly animated by our artillery -opening their fire upon the retreating forces.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was the signal for us to set to work. We instantly -moved down from our lofty station, and were soon engaged -skirmishing <a id='and'></a>and endeavouring to out-flank and drive -in their light troops, which, after a hard struggle, we at -length accomplished, but not before many men had fallen -on both sides. The enemy, however, although they slowly -retired, continually turned, making temporary stands, -whenever the ground seemed favourable.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One affecting circumstance that took place in this action, -made a deep impression on my memory. A French officer -whom we had observed very conspicuously cheering on his -men, had fallen by a rifle-shot through the thigh, when -two of our buglers ran forward for the purpose of easing -him of his money. This, I must observe, the French generally -kept concealed in a kind of belt round their waists. -As soon, therefore, as the buglers came up to him, they -commenced quarrelling as to which of them should possess -his property. The more readily to disencumber him of -his belt, each of them had fallen on his knees over the -poor Frenchman, and one of the buglers had drawn a knife -to cut the strap that secured the hoped-for treasure, when -the other endeavouring to restrain him brought on a scuffle, -during which, I am sorry to relate, the knife entered the -body of the wounded man, and he expired on the spot. I -had arrived just in time to perceive the occurrence, and -could with difficulty restrain myself from shooting the -owner of the knife on the spot, until he told me it was -purely accidental.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After pursuing the enemy through the town, where we -took a number of prisoners (among whom were some of -<span class='pageno' title='64' id='Page_64'>[64]</span>my own company, taken the day before) in a water-mill, -we encamped at night on the side of an extensive hill. The -country, here also, was well wooded and watered, and -exceedingly picturesque, as was also the position occupied -by the enemy. We were encamped on a range of heights, -while the French lay below in a beautiful valley; the outlying -sentries of both armies being not more than two -hundred yards apart.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This night our company, with Captain Belvard’s, formed -the outlying picquet. As we had had no rations for two -days previous, we were soon busily employed in cooking -what we had taken from the prisoners; during this ceremony, -a man of the name of Humphrey Allen, a tall -powerful fellow, whom we had also nick-named “Long Tom -of Lincoln,” came up from the rear, where, during the preceding -skirmish, he had been employed taking the wounded. -On asking to be allowed to join one of the messes, he was -immediately refused, on account of his having gone out of -action with the wounded, when the care of them devolved -upon the buglers or bandsmen alone. This, I must remark, -was at first a common excuse for getting from under fire, -and soon became marked with indignation by the braver -men; at length, during the latter part of the campaign, no -good soldier would venture, under so frivolous a pretence, -so to expose himself to the indignation of his comrades, -excepting for any very extreme cases. In the preceding -instance, however, Allen proved himself more daring than -humane.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Taking up his rifle, very coolly observing that he would -soon get something to eat if a Frenchman had it: walked -quietly down to our outlying picquets, and taking deliberate -aim, shot one of the French sentries on the spot: in an -instant he was across the field to where he fell, and having -hoisted him on his shoulders, was in the act of bearing -him back to our line, which the French perceiving, not only -fired, but pursued him, and compelled him to drop his -prize.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A general alarm, meanwhile, was occasioned by this -firing, and before it could be checked, Colonel Beckwith -came down, and having traced its origin, sent for Allen.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='65' id='Page_65'>[65]</span>“Why, Zur,” replied Tom, to the inquiry of the Colonel -“I arn’t had nought to eat these two days, and thought as -how I might find summut in the Frencher’s knapsack.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Although he had been guilty of a cruelty which no law -of arms could justify, he managed to escape with a severe -reprimand.<a id='r8' /><a href='#f8' class='c014'><sup>[8]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>In the course of an hour after, being on sentry at our -advance posts, I was leisurely sauntering up and down, -occasionally looking about me, and stooping to cull some -flowers that grew in the field which divided us from the -enemy. It was just at the close of the evening, or between -the lights. The French sentry, who advanced occasionally -seemingly for the same purpose, at last came so near, that I -feared he was up to some manœuvre, or about to fire at -me; with this, I instantly cocked my rifle, and was awaiting -his approach, when he suddenly rushed towards me, -bellowing out in French, “Déserteur! Déserteur!” Of -course at the words I allowed him to approach, which he -did, exclaiming, “Je suis allemand,” and instantly turning -on his quondam comrades, fired into them. The report of -his fire caused the picquets of both parties to fall in, and -the whole line of sentries again to be engaged. However, -he stuck by me all the time, shaking his fist at them, and -loading and firing with all the jaw-breaking oaths that the -French and his native German could supply him with.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Colonel Beckwith, a second time alarmed, was soon -amongst us swearing also, at what he supposed to be -another Lincoln job, but he returned rather pleased, chatting -to the deserter.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='66' id='Page_66'>[66]</span> - <h2 id='ch10' class='c005'>CHAPTER X.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Our march upon Condeixa—Tom Crawley again—Hot and cold—Affair of Casal -Nova—Death of Major Stewart—The French continue retreating—The two -brothers—Night scene—The French continue their havoc—The Caçadore—The -pet goat—Lord Wellington again—Our old Colonel—The promise of the -Staff—The Recruits—British enthusiasm inspired—The two French prisoners—Particulars -of Massena’s retreat and state of his troops—St. Patrick’s Day—If -I had a donkey—The river Caira—Our distressing privations—O’Brien and -the old Patrone—Arrival at Friexedas—Adjutant Stewart killed—Sabugal—Carrying -of the enemy’s position—Encomiums of our Colonel—Death of -Lieut. Arbuthnot—Disagreeable bed-fellow—A light on the subject—Evacuation -of Portugal by the French, Almeida excepted—The British follow into -Spain—Arrival at Gallegos—The enemy active in Rodrigo—The skulker—Poor -Burke—Expedition and disappointment in search of a convoy.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> French got under arms before the dawn of the -morning, and we as usual followed, keeping them well on -before us.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the course of the noon we passed through the pretty -little town of Condeixa, which the enemy had fired in -several places. The main street was completely blocked -by the flames darting across the road from the opposite -houses. To enable the troops to pass, we were obliged to -“break” a way through some dry walls. This caused a -temporary halt, during which the chief part of the division -gallantly employed themselves extricating the unfortunate -inhabitants, from the burning houses. Tom -Crawley (forgetful of the coach) made use of his great -strength to some purpose, and chucked some five or six -old people, whom he had brought forth on his shoulders, -over a wall as he supposed, out of immediate danger. -Tom, however, who should have “looked,” before he -made the old ones “leap,” was not aware that close to -their descent was a large well, into which, to their great -terror, he had very nearly dropped the terrified and screeching -sufferers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Having cleared the houses “a way,” we proceeded to -Casal Nova, where we came up with the incendiaries, -whom we found perfectly prepared to receive us. The -country all about was greatly intercepted by old walls, -<span class='pageno' title='67' id='Page_67'>[67]</span>and afforded excellent facilities for skirmishing. In a few -seconds some of our division was observed moving upon -our right, and we were ordered instantly to extend, and at -it we went. After several hours’ hard fighting, kept up -with great spirit on both sides, we compelled the enemy to -retire, but not before we had lost an excellent officer in -the person of Major Stewart, who received a shot through -the body. He was led by two buglers to the rear, where -he died shortly after. The death of this officer gave a -step to my old Captain O’Hare, who obtained the majority.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this skirmish Lieutenant Stroud also received a severe -wound. This officer in action, always carried a rifle, for -the skilful use of which he was celebrated.<a id='r9' /><a href='#f9' class='c014'><sup>[9]</sup></a> A man of -our company named Pat Mahon, received three balls on -the hip at the same instant, and so close together that a -dollar might have covered the three holes they made.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The enemy still continued the retreat, their skirmishers, -at times, making short stands to keep our rifles in check, -and a few of their rear sections occasionally pouring a running -fire into us. We drove them, however, through the -village of Casal Nova. Some of the French for a few -minutes here availed themselves of pieces of dilapidated -walls, but as soon as we commenced outflanking them, they -all retreated, with the exception of one man, who, to our -surprise, remained loading and firing as if he had a whole -division to back him. I scarcely know what could have -induced me to fire at this poor fellow alone, and exposed as -he was to at least twenty other shots; but my blood was -up, through his having once aimed at me, his ball whizzing -close by as I approached. Be that as it may, I had got -within fifty yards when I fired. In an instant I was -beside him, the shot had entered his head, and he had fallen -<span class='pageno' title='68' id='Page_68'>[68]</span>in the act of loading, the fusil tightly grasped in his left -hand, while his right clutched the ramrod. A few quick -turns of the eye as it rolled its dying glances on mine, -turned my whole blood within me, and I reproached myself -as his destroyer. An indescribable uneasiness came over -me, I felt almost like a criminal. I knelt to give him a -little wine from a small calabash, which hung at my side, -and was wiping the foam from his lips, when a heavy -groan drew my attention aside, and turning round my -head I beheld stretched near him and close to the -wall, another wounded Frenchman, a sergeant. “Hélas,” -exclaimed the wounded man, the big tears suddenly -gushing down his sun-burnt countenance, as he pointed -with his finger to my victim, “vous avez tué mon -pauvre frère,” (you have killed my poor brother,) and -indeed such was the melancholy fact.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The sergeant, a stout heavy man, had fallen, his thigh -broken by a shot. The younger brother, unable to carry -him off the field, had remained, apparently with the intention -of perishing by his side.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We halted for the night on an adjacent hill, about a -mile in advance. The French also took up their position -opposite us. The picquets of both armies occupied a beautiful -ravine, that sloped between us. I took advantage of -the few moments’ leisure our position afforded to return to -the French sergeant. But I found him and his brother -both as naked as they were born, perforated with innumerable -wounds, no doubt administered by the Portuguese. I -turned back to the camp, but in a very poor humour with -myself, though I could not well close my eyes to the -magnificent scene around me. The sun had set, its light -had been supplanted by burning villages, and fires that on -vale and mountain correctly pointed out where the hostile -divisions were extended.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The following morning, the French continued their -march of havoc, and we closed after them, village after -village giving flaming proofs of their continued atrocities. -Passing through one which had been fired, by reason, as -we were informed, of its having been the quarters of -Marshal Ney and staff,—an appalling instance of vengeance -<span class='pageno' title='69' id='Page_69'>[69]</span>here occurred. The parents of one of our -Caçadores had lived in this village, and immediately -we entered, he rushed to the house where they resided. -On reaching the doorway, the soldier hesitated a few -seconds, but the door was open, and stretched across -the threshold he beheld the mangled bodies of his -father and mother, the blood still warm and reeking -through the bayonet stabs, while an only sister lay breathing -her last, and exhibiting dreadful proofs of the brutality -with which she had been violated. The unhappy man -staggered, frenzied with grief, and stared wildly around -him; till suddenly burying all other feelings in the maddening -passion of revenge, he rushed forth from what had -probably been once a happy home. His first act was to -dash at some French prisoners that unfortunately were -near the spot, guarded by some of our dragoons. These -he attacked with the fury of a madman. One he shot and -another he wounded, and he would have sacrificed a third, -had not the guard made him prisoner. On the circumstances -being made known to the General, he was liberated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Outside the village, and on a gentle slope, we came to -the enemy’s camp ground, which they had been obliged to -quit so precipitately as to have left their fires lighted. We -noticed a goat, which, by its frisking and jumping about, I -supposed to have been a pet of some French officer. Whenever -we went near, it would step aside, until some of the -men levelled their rifles and shot it; swords were out in a -moment, and the little animal, skin and all, dissected. -I was just apportioning the hind quarter, when who -should ride near, but Lord Wellington and staff; for -a while I felt as if the noose were already round my -neck, until the Colonel coming up, re-established my -serenity, and congratulated us on our lucky chance; -for this kindness we shared our booty with him that -same night.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We had suffered dreadfully throughout the previous -week; many of our men from weakness, and through want -of rations, having been unable to keep up with their regiments, -Colonel Beckwith, in the hearing of many of us, -<span class='pageno' title='70' id='Page_70'>[70]</span>took this opportunity of making it known to the Commander-in-chief, -who immediately promised we should -have the first rations that came up. We then marched to -some high ground, from whence we could distinctly see the -French camp at a place called Foz d’Aouce, their fires -lighted preparatory to passing the night there. It was -determined, however, that they should not enjoy it so -easily. Our battalion was instantly ordered to the attack, -before proceeding to which, I will introduce to my readers -a squad of “gentlemen,” who joined us a few evenings preceding. -We had been reinforced by a fresh batch of -recruits from England, a number of whom had been drafted -into our company. These fellows’ rosy cheeks and plump -appearance, with their new dresses, formed a bright relief -and amusing contrast to our fierce embrowned visages, -covered with whisker and mustachio, as we then were, and -our clothing patched and of all colours. As these new-comers -were now about to go through the ordeal of fire, for -the first time in their lives, Major O’Hare thought proper -to say a few words by way of advice to them, on so -momentous an occasion; accordingly, he gave the command, -“Recruits to the front.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Some ten or twelve immediately stepped forward, wondering, -no doubt, what they were wanted for. “Do you -see those men on that plain?” asked the Major, as he -pointed to the French camp. On several of the men -answering “Ees, Zur!” Major O’Hare, with a dry laugh, -continued, “Well then, those are the French, and our enemies. -You must kill those fellows, and not allow them to -kill you. You must learn and do as these old birds here -do,” pointing to us, “and get cover where you can. Recollect, -recruits, you come here to kill, and not be killed. -Bear this in mind: if you don’t kill the French they’ll -kill you.”—“Ees, Zur!” said they again.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Major’s logic, although it elicited roars of laughter -from the old soldiers, I believe had more effect with the -recruits than if Demosthenes had risen for the purpose. -Immediately after this out went our muzzle stoppers, and -sallying down the slope on which we had been drawn up, -at the enemy we went. Our battalion was soon hotly -<span class='pageno' title='71' id='Page_71'>[71]</span>engaged, assisted by some light companies of the guards, -belonging to the first division. The night was fast setting -in, but we soon succeeded in beating the enemy out of their -camp ground, and we dashed at them as they retired crowding -with precipitation over a bridge which crossed the -river in their rear. Before two-thirds of their force had -accomplished this, the bridge, by some irregularity, was -blown up, and great numbers also were drowned in attempting -to ford the stream.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At their camp ground many of our men came in for a bit -of a wind-fall, as the French, in their hurry to place the -river between us and them, had left their meat and pots on -the fires. This afforded a happy regale to some of our -unfortunate hungry stomachs, the more especially as the -food thus come by, was eaten with a sense of having been -fairly earned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>During the foregoing skirmish and while very closely -engaged, I perceived a horse, gaily bedizened with French -trappings, galloping about, as though looking for an -owner, and I managed to catch it by the bridle. A -minute afterwards my prize received a shot, probably -intended for myself, but which stretched the poor animal -dead beside me.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The night was passed on the French camp ground. At -the fire round which we thronged, were two wounded -Frenchmen; it was a satisfaction to mark the care and -attention which they received at the hands of our men. -One of the prisoners, whom I found to be a very intelligent -fellow, gave me interesting accounts of the state and -proceedings of Massena’s troops, which, as it much amused -us at the period, possibly may prove equally entertaining -to the reader.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“At the time that Massena and his troops,” said he, -“lay at Santarem, we had encouraged hopes of driving the -English into Lisbon, or the sea; but finding these unavailing, -it was given up in despair, and the army prepared, at -about the beginning of the spring of 1811, to retire back -through the country into Spain.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The batteries and other works which for several months -our men had been erecting, were destroyed, and leaving -<span class='pageno' title='72' id='Page_72'>[72]</span>behind us a great number of our sick, whom we had no -means of conveying away, we shared the last of our provisions, -amounting to about ten biscuits each man amongst -us, and we prepared to retreat.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The troops were in a most distressed state, reduced to -half their numbers almost naked and without provisions, -for most of them consumed in a few days the whole of their -scanty allowance. They could not expect aid from any of -their comrades, for all were without, and the country -around us devastated by both parties; our wants, however, -urged us to plunder, and we wandered in strong parties -from the regiment, and meeting with every species of -resistance, gave blow for blow.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The guerillas followed us everywhere; they fled in the -front and harassed us on our flanks, so that not an hour -passed but we were obliged to be on the alert to save our -lives; out of this arose every cruelty which ensued, and -made our retreat almost unparalleled for devastation and -bloodshed. Meanwhile the British troops came on in our -rear, their light divisions harassing us night and day, and -completing the wreck that never will be forgotten while -Portugal retains its name.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>We continued to occupy the same spot the whole of the -following day, waiting very anxiously for the promised supply -of rations; one day’s rations, however, to our exceeding -joy, made their appearance in the evening of the 16th. -The following being the morning of St. Patrick’s Day, -the whole of our battalion, English and Irish, duly -celebrated the event by a proper attention to greens, and -not having shamrocks, leaves, grass and boughs of trees -were substituted: thus ornamented we commenced our -march.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Just before we arrived at the river Caira, the waters of -which flowed over the body of many an unfortunate French -soldier, we came upon a sight which was enough to make -the “Humane Society,” declare eternal war against the -men of the wooden shoes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was some two or three hundred donkeys and mules, -which the enemy, unable to drive off, had maimed and -hamstrung. The poor animals looked up to us as if for -<span class='pageno' title='73' id='Page_73'>[73]</span>vengeance, and every mute appeal was sternly fulfilled, for -they struck home to the feelings of us all.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We continued our march for about two leagues, when -the battalion halted upon a hill covered with pine-trees. -At the bottom of this and near our advanced posts, flowed -the river Alva, on the opposite side of which the retreating -army lay encamped. We had halted, and refreshed ourselves, -with the notion that we should spend the night -there quietly, but we were doomed to be miserably undeceived, -as a fresh order was given for us to fall in, the -artillery coming up, and commenced playing on the -enemy’s masses, and our division was ordered to cross the -river. Lord Wellington certainly was determined to allow -the French no rest if possible, and indeed, if truth be -added, ourselves as little. A pontoon was thrown over the -river for the division to cross, while others forded the stream -a little higher up on our right. The enemy retired in -excellent order, and we pursued until both halted for the -night. The place we occupied was a little village called -Melo, where we remained during the following day, having -had one ration only for the last four days. Never let it be -said that John Bull cannot fight upon an empty stomach. -If ever one division of our army proved this more than -another, I certainly think it was the light one. <em>Light</em> -enough we were at this and at other periods, Heaven -knows. While thus impelled by hunger, myself and Wilkie -searching about for something to devour, proceeded down a -lane, where we came upon the body of an elderly woman. -She was lying in the middle of the road, dressed in white, -and, from the hands being bound together in a praying -attitude, and the general appearance of the corpse, it was -evident that she had been taken out for the purpose of -burial, as it is the custom in that country to inter them in -full dress, and without a coffin: the arrival of the French -no doubt had obliged her attendants to abandon her.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The reader is expecting perhaps, that we set to work -and nibbled the old woman, but let me assure him we did -nothing of the kind, though we thought many and many a -time, and growled sadly that we had not provided ourselves -with a bit from the donkeys.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='74' id='Page_74'>[74]</span>The corpse had round its neck a set of beads with a -gold cross at the end, which Wilkie very “piously” -put into his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We still, however, continued our prowling, and stumbled -at last on a small cottage, into which we entered, in full -hopes of having made a substantial discovery.</p> - -<p class='c007'>An old emaciated half-starved looking hag, sat squatted -by some extinguished embers, like the last survivor of -a universal wreck. She was indeed the only living inhabitant -we had seen in the village, and remained squatted -by the embers, as if permitted that privilege only to -recount her tale. The old soul continued a fixture, -until Wilkie suspecting something, pressed her to move. -“Non hai nada!” screamed the old lady, “Non hai -nada!” (there is nothing.)</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh but there is,” replied my comrade; until growing -furious, he upset the old woman from her position, and out -rolled a loaf of bread from under her, as natural as if it had -been an egg from under a hen. Wilkie pounced at it -instantly, and the miserable old creature burst into tears, -and screamed herself almost into fits. Her cries in a few -seconds brought in her daughter, who unable to keep herself -concealed at this agonizing appeal of her parent, rushed forward -to her assistance. Never before did I see such a pitiful -pair, both were almost cadaverous with want, and begged -hard for the loaf. But we were all of us half starved, and -at last, Wilkie and myself, unable to contain ourselves any -longer, willingly shared it with them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We were engaged daily with the enemy until we came -to Friexedas, on the 28th of March, on which day we lost -our gallant adjutant, Lieutenant Stewart, who fell by -a musket shot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 1st of April we again came up with the enemy, -who held possession of the town of Sabugal, where they -seemed inclined to make a final stand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The town is situated partly upon a hill, with some woodland -interspersed about, while the rapid river Coa winds -between it and the Lisbon side of the country.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the day of the 3rd an attack upon the enemy -was commenced, by our battalions, when through some -<span class='pageno' title='75' id='Page_75'>[75]</span>mistake, we were left almost unsupported; after crossing -the river, we advanced up the hill, on the other side, and -under a fleecy shower of rain, soon became hotly engaged -with the French. They were at least four or five times our -number, and compelled us to retire twice before their overwhelming -masses. Led on, however, by our gallant -Colonel, we fixed swords, and came to the charge and -drove them up the hills before us. There a strong reserve -was prepared for our reception. A third time we were -obliged to give ground, until our second brigade coming to -our aid, we again dashed at them, carried the position, and -after a hard contest, obliged the enemy to retreat with the -utmost precipitation, leaving behind them a howitzer, which -had been twice taken and retaken.</p> - -<p class='c007'>No one that day could have observed our Colonel during -the heat of the action, and not have admired his cool and -soldier-like bearing. “Steady, lads—show no hurry,” was -his cheering exhortation, accompanied by a smile when we -were obliged to retreat, the blood, at the same time, flowing -copiously from a wound he had received across his forehead. -Never, perhaps, in any action, did the Rifles display -more consummate tact and resolution than in this. Lord -Wellington was too just to pass over their services on this -occasion, and in general orders passed a high encomium -upon the gallantry of Colonel Beckwith, and the brigade -under his command. We lost a fine young fellow, an -officer, Lieutenant the Honourable —— Arbuthnot, whose -head was smashed by a round-shot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At the conclusion of the battle the rain poured down in -torrents, and obliged us to take such shelter as the walls -and trees around afforded. The enemy, meanwhile, were -in rapid retreat, and we should, in all probability, have -continued in pursuit, but for the exhausted state of the -men.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While endeavouring to obtain shelter, Lord Wellington -rode up, and knowing the chief business of the day -had fallen upon our brigade, he ordered us into the town. -We arrived just in time to prevent the fifth division -from supplanting us, and they consequently were obliged -to retrace their steps, which they did with much grumbling -<span class='pageno' title='76' id='Page_76'>[76]</span>and discontent. It was dark before we got into the house -appropriated to us. Myself and one or two others turned -into a small square room, the floor of which was covered -with straw. Though wetted through to the skin I soon -fell into a sound sleep, but was, however, quickly awakened -by a hurried exclamation from a man who had just entered -the room with a light. On looking around for the cause -of his surprise, I beheld a stiff and naked corpse placed -upright against the walls of the room, brutally defaced; at -the same moment, and in the act of turning, I placed my -hand on the clammy features of another body, partly concealed -under the straw, and across which I had actually -been sleeping; we found four bodies altogether, evidently -Portuguese, and all of them bearing the usual proofs -of French retaliation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next day Massena evacuated Portugal, with the -exception of Almeida, and in a short time we ourselves -crossed the frontiers and took up our old quarters at -Gallegos; here we found many of our acquaintances of -the preceding year, and the enemy having retired upon -Ciudad Rodrigo, we were suffered for a while to recruit -our strength.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Some weeks after our arrival at Gallegos, the battalion -had orders to prepare for marching at an hour’s notice, -and to leave their knapsacks behind. This was announced -by Colonel Beckwith on the afternoon parade, who, at the -same time, desiring those who were sick or weakly to fall -out, as a forced march was to be undertaken to prevent the -French throwing supplies into Rodrigo. On hearing this -several skulkers in the regiment fell out of the ranks, but -were obliged to fall in again.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Passing down the regiment, Colonel Beckwith, attracted -by the evident looks of ill-health of a man named Burke, -noted for his daring courage, very humanely advised him -to remain behind, “For you look very ill, Burke,” said -the Colonel. “No, Sir,” replied Burke, casting a look of -contempt on the skulkers, “I certainly am not well, but I -still have the heart of a man, and will keep up with -my comrades as long as my legs will carry me.” The -Colonel evinced a melancholy, but evident satisfaction, -<span class='pageno' title='77' id='Page_77'>[77]</span>at this manly reply. “I am sorry,” said he, “that -the sneaking propensities of others should compel a brave -man to act against himself.” This brave fellow Burke was -afterwards one of the forlorn hope at Ciudad Rodrigo, -Badajoz, and St. Sebastian, through the successive horrors -of which he lived to fall mortally wounded at Quatre Bras, -just previous to the battle of Waterloo.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our expeditionary party marched early in the morning. -We took the direction of Rodrigo, fording the river Agueda -in our way. We were doomed to have only our march for -our trouble—the expected convoy of the enemy had escaped -us; so that, harassed to death, we had the pleasure of -retracing our steps not a wit wiser than we went. In recrossing -the river, a poor fellow of our company, spent -with fatigue, was carried off his legs and drowned. -Another would have shared the same fate, but for Brigade-Major -Mellish, who, by swimming his horse to his assistance, -saved the man.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch11' class='c005'>CHAPTER XI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Our advance videttes, and the French cavalry—Manœuvring in front of Villa -Formosa—The Suttler and the Dragoons—Sergeant-Major Sharp—Morning -of the 5th May—General Crauford returns—Portuguese welcome—Fuentes -d’Onor—French Dragoon challenges to single combat—Retreat on Navez -d’Aver—Charges of cavalry—A deep game by the French—Squaring it with -the enemy—The 79th Highlanders—A prisoner against his will—The French -sentry and General Crauford—The Light Dragoons again—Sergeant-Major -Sharp again—Scene of discipline—That lash disappointed—The German -fratricide.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>On</span> the 4th May, about half-past nine o’clock, <span class='fss'>A. M.</span>, our -advance videttes were observed circling, one to the right, -and the other to the left, at a trot, by which information -was conveyed that bodies of infantry and cavalry were -advancing. The bugle immediately sounded the “assemblée,” -and our division quickly assembled on its alarm -post, on the Gallegos road. My company was attached to -the 14th Light Dragoons, then under the orders of General -Slade, who commanded the cavalry-brigade. He ordered -<span class='pageno' title='78' id='Page_78'>[78]</span>them to take ground to the right, and deploy into line in -the rear of a rivulet, which flowed between us and the -French. In a few minutes the enemy’s cavalry were -discovered emerging from a wood in our front, where they -had formed in close columns and halted, throwing out -strong bodies of skirmishers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A sharp conflict ensued betwixt the cavalries, yet the -enemy were evidently awaiting the concentration of their -advancing columns from Ciudad Rodrigo. General Slade -now ordered the whole of us to retire, which the cavalry -did in eschelons of squadrons, and covering us on the road -towards Navez d’Aver, which was quietly effected; the -enemy still holding their old position near the wood. One -squadron of the 14th was stationed on the verge of another -wood, on the right of Fuentes, as an advanced picquet, but -was withdrawn at the close of the evening, and joined -the regiments in bivouac within some stone wall enclosures, -near Villa Formosa.</p> - -<p class='c007'>During the night some of the dragoons discovered -the resting-place of a suttler, who had just arrived from -Abrantes with a string of mules laden with rum, wine, -aguardiente, &c., &c., and sardines, a species of red-herring, -which was then considered a great luxury. News of such -a neighbour flew on eagle wings through the camp, but in -low whispers, lest the slumbers of the chief should be disturbed, -and check their merry-making. The secret, however, -was soon discovered, no doubt occasioned by the -uproarious bursts of merriment and songs which pealed -from fire to fire. Although these were the general characteristics -of the British soldier on the eve of a battle, on -this occasion, they were heightened by the liquor, and were -louder than usual, while the officers awakened from their -slumbers, could not for some moments conceive the cause -of what they heard. General Slade, however, with lungs -that roused the camp, as though a thirteen-inch shell had -exploded amongst them, called for the regimental Sergeant-Major -Sharp, who, on making his appearance, was discovered -to have partaken too freely of the suttler’s strong -waters, and was immediately placed in arrest. A non-commissioned -officer was ordered to bundle off both suttler -<span class='pageno' title='79' id='Page_79'>[79]</span>and mules to some distance, placing a line of sentries that -no one might come in or go out of the camp. The noise -and hilarity soon ceased, the merry-makers dispersed, and -a few minutes found them outstretched and asleep under -cover of the dry walls.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Early on the morning of the 5th, our company was -ordered to join the battalions; we did so, and took up our -position to the left of the ruins of Fort Conception, which, -as I before mentioned, had been previously destroyed, as it -lay near the main road to Almeida, the siege of which -place the French seemed anxious to raise.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While things were in this state, at an early hour General -Crauford made his re-appearance amongst us from England, -and was welcomed with much enthusiasm by the division; -although a strict disciplinarian, the men knew his value in -the field too well not to testify their satisfaction at his -return. The Caçadores, particularly, caused much laughter -among us, by shouting out in Portuguese the moment -they caught sight of him, “Long live General Crauford, -who takes care of our bellies!” meaning by this exclamation -they got their rations regularly, while under his -command; the General seemed highly pleased, and bowed -repeatedly with his hat off as he rode down the ranks.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The whole of the British were under arms at day-break, -earnestly expecting, from the movements of the enemy, -that an attack would be made; this suspense was but -short, for very soon a heavy cannonading was heard on our -right, in which direction we were immediately ordered. -While moving accordingly we passed the Guards of the 1st -division, entrenched behind the town of Fuentes; we -immediately occupied some old dry walls considerably -in advance, and facing the enemy’s left, a fine extended -plain laying between us, with a wood on the French side, of -which the enemy had possession. In front of this a -regiment of cavalry was conspicuously formed, a troop -of which came trotting leisurely towards us to reconnoitre -our position.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This movement induced a corresponding one from some -of our dragoons, when both parties threw out their videttes, -<span class='pageno' title='80' id='Page_80'>[80]</span>and remained halted with some four hundred yards of -ground between them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One of their videttes, after being posted facing an -English dragoon, of the 14th or 16th (for we had only -those two light dragoon regiments with us at the time, and -the German Hussars), displayed an instance of individual -gallantry, in which the French, to do them justice, were -seldom wanting. Waving his long straight sword, the -Frenchman rode within sixty yards of our dragoon, and -challenged him to single combat. We immediately expected -to see our cavalry man engage his opponent, sword -in hand. Instead of this, however, he unslung his carbine -and fired at the Frenchman, who not a whit dismayed, -shouted out so that every one could hear him, “Venez -avec le sabre: je suis prêt pour Napoléon et la belle -France.” Having vainly endeavoured to induce the Englishman -to a personal conflict, and after having endured -two or three shots from his carbine, the Frenchman rode -proudly back to his ground, cheered even by our own men. -We were much amused by his gallantry, while we hissed -our own dragoon, who, it was afterwards stated, for the -credit of the gallant regiment he belonged to, was a recruit.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Just after the preceding occurrence, a smart action had -commenced in the wood before-mentioned, and our company -was ordered to take ground to the front, where the -85th regiment were very roughly handled by the enemy. -This was the first time since their arrival in the country, -that they had been engaged. Opposed, with their conspicuous -red dresses, to the old trained French tirailleurs, it is -no wonder that the gallant 85th should have suffered -so severely. When we came up, however, our practised -fellows, in their dark clothing, from the murderous nature -of our arms, soon turned back the advancing French, who -commenced gradually retreating before us, until they -got through the wood on the plain that leads to Navez -d’Aver.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We had no sooner beaten back the enemy than a loud -cheering to the right attracted our attention, and we -perceived our 1st heavy dragoons charge a French cavalry -<span class='pageno' title='81' id='Page_81'>[81]</span>regiment. As this was the first charge of cavalry most of -us had ever seen, we were all naturally much interested on -the occasion. The French skirmishers who were extended -against us seemed to participate in the same feeling, as -both parties suspended firing while the affair of dragoons -was going on. The English and French cavalry met -in the most gallant manner, and with the greatest show -of resolution. The first shock, when they came in collision, -seemed terrific, and many men and horses fell on both -sides. They had ridden through and past each other, and -now they wheeled round again. This was followed by -a second charge, accompanied by some very pretty sabre-practice, -by which many saddles were emptied, and English -and French chargers were soon seen galloping about the -field without riders. These immediately occupied the -attention of the French skirmishers and ourselves, and we -were soon engaged in pursuing them, the men of each -nation endeavouring to secure the chargers of the opposite -one as legal spoil. While engaged in this chase we frequently -became intermixed, when much laughter was -indulged in by both parties at the different accidents -that occurred in our pursuit.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I had secured a very splendid charger, when chancing -to turn my head, I perceived that the French were playing -a deep game. They had succeeded in removing a regiment -of infantry, with some cavalry, through the wood in -our rear. The alarm, however, was immediately given, -and our company as foremost, had to run for their lives -into a square formed by the 52nd, who were close to the -foot guards. During this sudden movement, I was obliged -to part with my horse, the cavalry did not pursue us; but -their artillery opened upon the 52nd’s square, and did -some execution.</p> - -<p class='c007'>These incidents, though fearfully strange to some of my -readers, were very enlivening to us. Ours indeed was a -noble enemy; they never permitted us to flag, for want of -stimuli, but kept us ever on the <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">qui vive</span></i>. We anticipated -little terror from capture, and though we ever found them -to be our roughest antagonists, yet we always experienced -a most generous opposition; indeed there was, on the -<span class='pageno' title='82' id='Page_82'>[82]</span>whole, such a chivalrous spirit carried on between us, that -our men had a kind of respect even for a wound inflicted -by a Frenchman.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our next attempt was upon the left of Fuentes, where -one company was detached, while the remainder of the -regiment was ordered to take possession of the town. The -section to which I belonged were posted near the banks of -the river Das Casas. The 79th Highlanders had suffered -very severely here, as the place was strewn about with their -bodies. Poor fellows! they had not been used to skirmishing, -and instead of occupying the houses in the neighbourhood, -and firing from the windows, they had, as I heard, -exposed themselves, by firing in sections. The French, -who still occupied part of the town, had not escaped a -rough handling, as their dead also evinced.</p> - -<p class='c007'>During the latter part of the day the enemy had made -some prisoners, which they exhibited to us as they marched -them along their lines. One man we saw make a determined -attempt to obtain his liberty. He had loitered in -the rear as the party were going over a small bridge that -crossed the Das Casas by a mill, when, turning suddenly -upon a Frenchman behind him, he threw him into the -water, and immediately made a dash for our position, but -owing to several of the French being between him and us, -we had the mortification of seeing the poor fellow recaptured, -without being enabled to render him any assistance; -we could see by his kilt that he belonged to the -79th regiment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>That same evening, the enemy evacuated the town, and -a flag of truce was sent us to bury the dead. While occupied -in this, at all times melancholy duty, some idea may -be formed of the loss sustained by the 79th alone, when a -man of our company brought in his two arms full of the -sable plumes which he had taken from their bonnets, -strewn about the town.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The opposing lines of sentries were very close to each -other: the French being divided from us only by a -narrow plank thrown across the mill-dam, which was -occupied on one side by our company, who were now on -picquet.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='83' id='Page_83'>[83]</span>A blacksmith of ours of the name of Tidy, who had -erected his forge in the old mill, was at work close by, -shoeing the officers’ horses. The French sentry had -crossed the plank to light his pipe, and was standing carelessly -chatting with me, when who should I see approaching, -but General Crauford, inquiring if Tidy had shod his -horse. The Frenchman’s red wings soon attracted the -General’s notice, and he suddenly with his well-known -stern glance, inquired,</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Who the devil’s that you’re talking with, rifleman?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>I informed him the French sentry, who had come over -for a light for his pipe.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Indeed,” replied Crauford, “let him go about his -business, he has no right here, nor we either,” said he, in -a low whisper to his aide-de-camp, and away he walked.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our battalion remained in the suburbs of Fuentes a few -days, and the enemy who had desisted from their attempt -to relieve Almeida, retired; we followed them and took up -our quarters at Gallegos. Anxious to know the fate of -Serjeant-Major Sharp, of the 14th Light Dragoons, immediately -on our arrival I called on an old friend, a Corporal -Henley,<a id='r10' /><a href='#f10' class='c014'><sup>[10]</sup></a> of the same regiment, and he gave me the following -particulars and further proceedings of that gallant and -highly distinguished regiment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“On the 5th, early in the morning,” said he, “after -you left us, we assembled on our respective alarm posts, -which at daylight we found to be none other than the -position so gloriously contested and known as Fuentes -d’Onor.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The regiment formed in close columns and dismounted, -the commissariat having arrived with the mules, -rations were issued to both man and horse, and to many -it proved to be their last. It so happened that during the -distribution of corn, the horses of Lieutenant Shields had -been forgotten. It was, therefore, necessary to make a -collection from each dragoon, to make good the deficiency; -one of these, named Trowers, under the influence of the -<span class='pageno' title='84' id='Page_84'>[84]</span>preceding night’s liquor refused to allow any of his corn to -be taken, and drawing his sword, declared with an oath, he -would cut down the first man who dared to take a grain -from his horse. As a matter of course, he was placed -under arrest, and a drum-head court-martial was instantly -summoned for the trial of the prisoner, at which also was -arraigned the unfortunate Serjeant-Major Sharp; all the -while the action was becoming general along the lines.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Captain Bull’s troop of artillery, then on our right, -marked with the most accurate skill the movements of the -enemy, who in turn did not allow us to remain silent -spectators, as their round-shot measured with equal -exactness the standing of our columns. The court-martial -being closed, the troops stood to their horses, and the -proceedings were read: the dragoon was sentenced to receive -three hundred lashes, and the Serjeant-Major reduced to -the rank and pay of a private sentinel. The bars of the -latter were immediately cut off, and a gun from Captain -Bull’s train was brought to the flank of the regiment, and -the prisoner ordered to be tied to it; in the moment of -doing this, one of the staff came galloping up, his horse -covered with foam, bearing orders for the regiment to take -ground to the right and charge, covering our flank which -in that direction was falling back, harassed by the enemy’s -cavalry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The words ‘Stand to your horses—Mount—Three -right—Gallop,’ followed in quick succession; and like -shots from a six-pounder, we left the scenes of military -discipline. The prisoner in this confusion, and half -accoutred, made a leap into his saddle, and drawing his -sword and giving his horse the spur, rushed into the ranks, -and the non-commissioned officer, in whose charge he had -been left, unable to prevent him, galloped after and mixed -in the attack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“This fortunate occurrence saved the poor fellow from -the disgrace of the ‘lash,’ but his good fortune did not -continue with him throughout the day, as he was one of -the brave, who fell some short time afterwards, in the gallant -charge made by a squadron of ours, on two of the -enemy’s guns.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='85' id='Page_85'>[85]</span>“On our arrival on the right, our infantry had formed -square and were falling back menaced by a numerous -cavalry; indeed I may say, as it was the case, our right -flank was turned. Our guns opened between the interval -of squares upon their advancing columns, when one -squadron of the 1st Royal Dragoons, and one of our regiments -charged, led by Major Mills; their cavalry were -driven back, and many prisoners taken. The infantry continued -to fall back with as much steadiness and order, as if -in review.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I must here relate,” continued Henley, with deep -emotion, “an event which at the time filled all who were -present with a sorrow which indeed I shall never forget. -General Slade, observing the numerous cavalry against -which his brigade had to contend, advised the officer in -command, not to allow their ranks to be weakened by conducting -prisoners to the rear, but after disarming them, to -let them proceed of their own accord. It was not uncommon -therefore to observe groups of French dragoons -riding quietly to the rear, looking for any one to take them -in charge. It happened that a hussar of the 3rd German’s -having taken a prisoner, ordered him to fall back also; -the latter having ridden some little distance as directed, -suddenly applied both spurs to his horse, making a détour -to his regiment; the German, observing this, as quickly -pursued, and upon closing with him fired his pistol, and -the dragoon fell dead from his horse.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The hussar having secured the Frenchman’s rein conveyed -him some little distance to the rear, and proceeded -to take off his valise, when overhauling the contents, he -discovered a letter from his father, on reading which, he -found that it was his own brother who had fallen by his -hands. Stupified with horror, he sat motionless and -speechless on his horse for some minutes, when he exclaimed, -the big tears rolling down his veteran cheek, ‘The -king has commanded, and my God will forgive me,’ at -the same time applying his spurs, he rushed headlong into -the battle.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A few days after, meeting a patrol of the same regiment -<span class='pageno' title='86' id='Page_86'>[86]</span>near Gallegos, inquiry was made respecting our unfortunate -hussar, when we were informed that he too had that -day numbered with the dead, not far from the corpse of his -brother.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch12' class='c005'>CHAPTER XII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Almeida closely invested by the fifth division, but not close enough—Evacuation -by the French—Suicide of the Colonel of the 4th—Sabugal—We cross the Coa—The -comet—Much ado about nothing—Tom Crawley’s fears—March through -Castello Branco—Portalegre, &c., to Campo Mayor—Tom Crawley poisoned—Blockade -of Ciudad Rodrigo—Atalaya—Hunting excursion with the Staff—Our -third battalion joins us—Colonel Barnard—Tommy Searchfield—Middy -ashore—Deficiency of rations—A new arrival—His adventure—Spanish spite—The -pigs—Rodrigo relieved by the French—Our division—We rejoin the -army—Battle of El Bodon—We return to Guinaldo—Again invest Rodrigo—January, -1812—Fort Piquerine stormed—The stripping of the prisoners by the -Portuguese—Tom Crawley again—Cure for a skulk.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>At</span> this period Almeida was closely invested by the fifth -division, while we in front watched the main army. Early -on the morning of the 10th of May we were ordered to get -under arms, and march towards Barba del Puerco, the -scene of one of our former skirmishes the year before. On -arriving near the town we heard some smart firing, and we -halted. We now were informed, for the first time, that -the French garrison at Almeida, after blowing up the walls -at night, evacuated the town, and had cut their way -through the blockading force.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The brigades of the fifth division, I believe, did duty by -turns. That in which were the 2nd and 4th regiments -happened to be on picquet when the French made their -way through the investing force, which gave rise to a verse -that became very common amongst the troops. But I -must remark that the badge of the 2nd regiment was a -lamb, and that of the 4th a lion. The lines were as follows:—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“The lion went to sleep,</div> - <div class='line'>And the lambs were at play;</div> - <div class='line'>The eagle spread her wings,</div> - <div class='line'>And from Almeida flew away.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='87' id='Page_87'>[87]</span>Although these regiments were rendered somewhat unpopular -from this circumstance, it is generally admitted, by -those capable of judging, that there were not two finer in -the service. Our battalion had been particularly fond of -the 4th, while they were quartered at Colchester, where -they had christened us in a friendly feeling, “The young -4th.” The melancholy death of their Colonel, who, from -an over-sensitive feeling of honour, shot himself shortly -after the foregoing unlucky affair, was generally regretted.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The evacuation of the fortress of Almeida having -rendered the presence of our division thereabouts no longer -necessary, another movement was made to the southward -to General Hill, who commanded the second division, at -this time menaced by a very superior force of the French.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the first day’s march we passed through Sabugal, -crossed the Coa, and encamped in a chesnut wood, close to -our former scene of action.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here a very strange panic occurred, that might have -been attended with most disastrous effects. About twelve -at night I was stretched on my back under the boughs of a -tree, admiring the comet that at that period created some -sensation in Europe, from its nearness to the earth, when a -general alarm and outcry was raised in the division that -“The French were upon us.” In a moment I started up, -and seized my rifle. The different regiments were assembling -in the greatest disorder, while the general cries -of alarm on all sides induced many to feel a terror that -was, perhaps, never felt in battle. Among others I plainly -observed General Crauford, desiring all whom he met -to fall in and load. After a short while the panic ceased: -we all looked foolish enough at the great ado about nothing, -though some attributed the cause to French spies having -got among us, others to some bullocks grazing by, that -had knocked down several stands of arms; others again -accused the comet, and among the latter in our battalion -was that worthy, Tom Crawley, who stoutly contended the -comet was a sign we ought to leave the country, as it -would shortly drop down and burn up that part of Europe. -Tom himself at this period, it was shrewdly suspected, had -a great desire to turn his steps homewards.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='88' id='Page_88'>[88]</span>We continued our march through Castello Branco, -Portalegre, and encamped on a low ground called Monte -Reguingo, on the right of the road leading to Campo -Mayor. There we remained about six weeks, during which -we suffered dreadfully for want of rations as well as from -the oppressive heat of the weather; we called it the furnace -camp. Tom, while we remained at Reguingo, imagined himself -poisoned. He had eaten rather ravenously of some pork -and caravançes (a sort of pulse), and was suddenly seized -with violent paroxysms of pain through his over-gorging. -Old Doctor Burke being sent for, found Crawley on the -ground groaning most piteously, and swelled to an enormous -size, while two of his comrades were busy rubbing the -lower part of his belly. The Doctor, who fancied Spain -during the last two years had brought Tom’s stomach to -suit the convenience of the commissary, commenced a -volley of abuse—“you cannibal, what garbage have you -been swallowing,” he cried, “to leave you in this condition?” -“Oh, murther, do you hear him boys,” roared -the sufferer, as he turned up his eyes towards his tormentor. -“By the mother of God, Sir, this infernal country -will kill the whole of us—may a curse fall on it; arrah, -Doctor dear, when I came into it I had a stomach like any -other Christian; but now, oh God, have mercy on me poor -stomach, that for want of Christian food is turned into -a scavenger’s cart, obliged to take in every rubbage.” The -Doctor, who seldom did anything by halves, gave him an -emetic sufficient to physic a dromedary. Crawley, however, -who never feared death on the field, now seemed -to hesitate to meet him in quarters, and between the groans -he uttered, made the most vehement promises of mending -his sinful life if spared. Never was an intended pious -scene made more truly ludicrous; our men were in -convulsions of laughter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In July we returned to assist in the blockade of Ciudad -Rodrigo, and took up a position at a village called Atalaya, -at the base of the Sierra de Gata, a range of mountains. -Here Lord Wellington’s staff frequently went out hunting. -On these occasions they generally had five or six men -of the Rifles to assist. The place abounded in wolves and -<span class='pageno' title='89' id='Page_89'>[89]</span>wild boars, so that a great deal of amusement was experienced -in this sport. I generally had the good fortune to -be selected, with others of our battalion, to attend his -Lordship’s staff in these excursions. The chase was very -exciting, particularly from the ferocious nature of the game -we sought. I well remember the first wild boar I saw in -one of these hunts: he was a huge fellow, with tusks of a -most alarming size, but although we fired several shots, -and the hounds pursued him, he escaped. One day we -came upon three young wolf cubs, the old ones having -abandoned them on our approach. These animals, which -we presented to one of our officers, remained in his -possession for a long time, and became as docile and -playful as kittens.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here we were joined by our third battalion, under -the command of Colonel Barnard, Colonel Beckwith having -retired through ill-health, a gallant and very distinguished -officer, now known as General Sir Andrew Barnard; at the -same time, also, we were reinforced, by a batch of recruits -from England, and by one Tommy Searchfield, a character -well known to all the Light Brigade. This gentleman, -a squat, square little fellow, had formerly been a “middy” -in the Royal Navy, and now come over to us as a cadet, -and subsequently obtained a lieutenancy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Tommy’s” first feat was something after the lessons -he had received under the immortal Nelson. He had been -accustomed hitherto to meet his enemies “muzzle to -muzzle,” and, consequently, whenever the least intimation -was given of the presence of the French, would imagine -them almost passing through the loopholes, or as he termed -them, our “ports.” On one occasion he bawled aloud, -“to quarters,” and seizing hold of a rope, suspended outside -the church of the village, to one of the bells in -the belfry; to our surprise, and that of the inhabitants -also, ran up it like a cat, to keep the “look-out” for the -enemy. We, however, were some distance from them. -The officers, for want of better employment, occupied their -own and our time erecting sham fortifications in the woods, -&c., and thus turned “Tom’s” peculiarities to their -amusement. Searchfield, however, got “awake” to them, -<span class='pageno' title='90' id='Page_90'>[90]</span>and his original good-natured simplicity giving way to experience, -he gently informed his tormentors that he kept -“a clean brace of pistols” about him, “at any time at -their sarvice.” This unexpected show of pluck made his -“teazers” less gibing, and “Tommy” took his proper -position; and, I believe, became as respectable as any -of them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At Atalaya we were very much in the advance of the -main army: the distance made it difficult for the commissariat -to forward our rations regularly, and we, consequently, -suffered dreadfully through want; and, I may -say, underwent more privations than at any other place in -Spain, excepting at Dough Boy Hill. The deficiency of -bread we had been obliged to make up with roasted or -boiled chesnuts, of which we were always allowed a quart -a day each. At length we found it necessary to make an -incursion into the mountains, to press the Alcaldes of -the different villages to supply us.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On one of these expeditions, under charge of a quarter-master, -we observed two persons mounted on mules, riding -towards us. On their approach we remarked to one -another the light-haired appearance of one, and the singularity -of a “fair-complexioned Spaniard,” when the fellow -suddenly stopped his mule, and jumping toward us -exclaimed, “Oh, by the merciful God, are ye English?” -He was immediately answered from a dozen voices in the -affirmative, and we discovered him to be one of our cavalry -men, who having been made a prisoner by the French -at Talavera, had since escaped. His short stay among the -Spaniards had not spoilt his “brogue,” and he gave us in -the real Irish accent, a full account of his adventures.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the enemy took him, dragoon-like, together with -a slight wound, he could not keep up with his captors, -who, having no mules, were in the practice of pressing -the strongest and most robust of the inhabitants and -making them carry the English prisoners on their backs, -now and then keeping up their stamina by pricking their -hind-quarters with the bayonets. Our cavalier consequently -found himself mounted in like manner; the close -contact, however, that this brought him in with the ears of -<span class='pageno' title='91' id='Page_91'>[91]</span>his bearers was followed by whispers, and the Spaniards no -doubt as tired of their burthen as the burthen of the -French, slipped him into a house on the way-side, whence, -having quickly shaved the top of his sconce, they passed -him as a priest, and he escaped with them into the mountains. -He there got amongst the Guerillas, under Don -Julian Sanchez, of whom he gave us many amusing -anecdotes, and who passed him on till he reached us. -As soon as we returned to the village he reported himself -to General Crauford, who laughed heartily at the details he -gave of himself, and ordered his servant to give him a coat -to supply his almost naked condition until he rejoined his -regiment. Meanwhile he was ordered to stop with our -company, and took up his quarters in the house with me.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Among other amusements before detailed, we used to -get up jumping, wrestling, and cuffing-matches with the -peasantry, who generally joined most heartily in the fun. -One day, however, a Spaniard of theirs, being over-matched, -became exceedingly nettled, and commenced quarrelling -with one of our sergeants, named Kitchen; the result was -they came to blows, when after two or three slight cuffs -the peasant fell suddenly and expired. The village, of -course, became a scene of uproar, and we were obliged, -to satisfy the inhabitants, to hold a kind of inquest upon -him. However, the barber, or “Sangrado” of the place, -together with our own surgeon, to their extreme mortification -declared, that the man had injured the spleen of his -stomach, and actually had died through spite.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I must not forget to mention the sagacity of the pigs, -which, in great numbers were kept by the farmers of -the village. Though belonging to different owners they all -obeyed one master, who, it may be said, with the Alcalde, -held absolute sway over “man and beast.” Early in the -morning the animals were assembled, by the sounding of a -horn, and taken by him into the wood to feed on acorns, -and at night were driven home again in like manner, -the swine-herd’s only deputies being a short iron on the -end of a stick, somewhat like that used by our shepherds. -The anxiety of the animals, immediately they heard the -tones of his instrument, was remarkable, and if they chanced -<span class='pageno' title='92' id='Page_92'>[92]</span>to be confined at the time, their screams and grunts grew -most vociferous, and might be heard a mile off. Indeed it -was only for the herdsman to tune up at any time of -the day they would come to him instantly, and seldom even -one was missing, save and except now and then when they -chanced to fall into the clutches of our riflemen.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About this period General Marmont, who had succeeded -Massena in command of the French army, having concentrated -his force, was enabled to relieve Rodrigo. Making -a forward movement after this, it was found high time -for our regiment to retire. This we did at an hour’s -notice, as we heard the enemy were stirring to beat up our -quarters. We fell in at dead of night, and after making a -semi-circular march, for there were some fears of the -enemy cutting us off, we arrived at El Bodon. There we -found the greater part of the army assembled under Lord -Wellington, together with the remainder of our light -division, who loudly cheered us as we made our appearance, -a report having arisen amongst the rest of the troops -that one battalion had been all taken prisoners.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On our arrival, most of us were occupied gleaning accounts -of the battle of El Bodon, which had been fought -the day before, in which the 5th and 77th regiments, as -we then heard, had much distinguished themselves, resisting -the desperate charges made upon them by the Polish -Lancers in the French service.</p> - -<p class='c007'>From El Bodon, where we remained some time, we retreated -to Soito, and shortly afterwards returned to Guinaldo, -a town still closer to the city of Ciudad Rodrigo. In -the beginning of January, 1812, our division commenced -investing Ciudad. The first day, our brigade crossed the -Agueda, about three miles up the river from the city, round -which we marched, keeping always at a most respectful -distance on account of their round-shot. From the idea -this survey gave us of Rodrigo there were few of our men -not aware of the great strength of the fortress and outworks, -but it afforded only a subject for jest; as I believe -at that time, such was the confidence that filled the ranks -of our division, it would have been difficult to persuade the -men that they could not beat the French, under any odds.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='93' id='Page_93'>[93]</span>The same evening, Colonel Colborne, with less than two -hundred men, of the 43rd, 52nd, and Rifles, carried in the -most gallant manner a strong fort of the enemy. Prior to -its being stormed a number of Caçadores had been ordered -to take blankets to convey away the wounded French as -well as the British. But most of those employed in this -duty took advantage of it to strip the prisoners, whom to -the number of fifty they left almost as naked as they were -born, and exposed to all the rigours of the inclement month -of January. I was present near the tent of General Crauford, -when a talkative, smart little Frenchman, whom I -guessed to be an officer, was brought before him; the poor -fellow had nothing on but his trowsers, and bled profusely -from the nose and mouth, through the blows he had -received.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The General was very chagrined at the sight, and -lamented his inability to give him clothes, his own baggage -being so distant. Tom Crawley, however, who had been -actively employed hunting the Portuguese from them, immediately -stepped forward, and touching his hat after his own -inimitable manner, “Yer honner,” said Tom, his eyes -sparkling at being able to assist, “I’ll lend him my great -coat, if ye’ll allow me.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Crauford, much pleased at his frank offer, instantly answered, -“You are very good, Rifleman; let him have it,” -and Tom proceeded to strip. Meanwhile more of the -Frenchmen were marched in, many worse off than their -officer. One of them, a sergeant, and a smart looking -fellow, as soon as he perceived the officer, ran to embrace -him, and leaning his head on his shoulder, burst into tears -over their mutual misery. Captain Smith, now Sir Harry, -the General’s aide-de-camp, being present, generously -pulled forth his pocket-handkerchief and wrapped it round -the sergeant’s totally naked person, till further covering -could be obtained.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The night of this occurrence came on remarkably cold, -and when expecting to be marched back to our quarters at -El Bodon, we were suddenly ordered to break ground by -commencing to throw up intrenchments in the face of the -city. In executing this task, being unsheltered from the -<span class='pageno' title='94' id='Page_94'>[94]</span>enemy’s shot, their grape and canister occasionally played -in among us, so that although it was freezing hard at the -time, we had no reason to complain of not having <em>a good -fire</em>.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Now was the time to cure a skulker, or teach a man to -work for his “life.” There we were, in twos, each provided -with a pick-axe and shovel; now digging with a vengeance -into the frozen mould, and then watching the -glances of the shot and shell; and again sticking to work -like devils, or perhaps pitching ourselves on our bellies to -avoid their being “purged” with grape or cannister.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch13' class='c005'>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Cold reception—Preparation to storm Rodrigo—I join the “Forlorn-Hope”—The -breaches—General Crauford killed—Uniacke mortally wounded—Major -Napier wounded—Taking of the town—A rough customer—Wilkie again—Death -of Wilkie—A gift—The left breach after the battle—Wilkie’s grave—Horrors -of a storm—This is my niece, Sir—The right breach—Captain Uniacke—The -Light Division leave Rodrigo in disguise—Who the devil are those -fellows?—We enter El Bodon.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> following day we were relieved by the third division, -and marched back to our quarters, cold, hungry, and -fatigued enough. One great annoyance we experienced at -this time, was having to cross the Agueda in going to and -returning from the trenches. Pieces of ice that were constantly -carried down this rapid stream bruised our men so -much, that, to obviate it, the cavalry at length were ordered -to form four deep across the ford, under the lee of whom -we crossed comparatively unharmed, although by the time -we reached our quarters, our clothes were frozen into a mass -of ice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our divisions continued relieving each other in the -trenches for some days, until two breaches were considered -practicable for an assault. On the 18th, at night, an order -came that we were to proceed to the works the next morning. -As this took us out of our turn of duty, we all naturally -supposed that something unusual was to be done. At -daylight we joined the third division in the works, and then -<span class='pageno' title='95' id='Page_95'>[95]</span>heard that the city was to be stormed. Volunteers were -immediately required from the different regiments of our -division. Many of our men came forward with alacrity for -this deadly service. With three others I had, as I then -considered, the good fortune to be chosen from our company.<a id='r11' /><a href='#f11' class='c014'><sup>[11]</sup></a> -This was an occasion, as may be believed, momentous -and interesting enough in the life of a soldier, and -so we seemed to consider it. We shook hands with a feeling -of friendly sincerity, while we speculated as to the -chances of outliving the assault. We were at this time in -the trenches in front of the city, from whence proceeded a -very smart fire of shot and shell, probably to give us an -idea of the warm reception we might expect on our visit at -night, and here the entire company gathered round our -little party, each pressing to have a sup from his canteen. -I gave my father’s address to my comrade before starting, -in case of accident.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Darkness had no sooner closed over the devoted city, -and our imaginations awakened to the horrors of the coming -scene, than the “stormers” were immediately ordered to -“fall in” and “form.” We were four or five from each -company, and in all about a hundred and twenty men. -The volunteers of our regiment were led by Captain -Mitchell and Lieutenants Johnson and Kincaid; the whole -of the storming division being commanded by Major George -Napier of the 52nd regiment. The forlorn-hope, or -stormers, moved to a convent, occupied by the 40th, the -walls of which protected us from the enemy’s shot. General -Crauford, who led us in person, while we stood formed -<span class='pageno' title='96' id='Page_96'>[96]</span>under the wall, addressed us upon the nature of the duty -assigned us. It was the last enterprise his gallant spirit -was ever destined to direct. On this memorable occasion -his voice was more than ordinarily clear and distinct. His -words sunk deep in my memory, and although the shock -of many a battle has rolled over my grey locks since that -period, I remember some of his language as follows:—</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Soldiers! the eyes of your country are upon you. Be -steady,—be cool,—be firm in the assault. The town must -be yours this night. Once masters of the wall, let your -first duty be to clear the ramparts, and in doing this keep -together.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>We were now waiting only for the signal, while our division -was formed immediately in our rear, ready to second -the effort. I could not help remarking at this awful -crisis, when all most probably were on the brink of being -dashed into eternity, a solemnity and silence among the -men deeper than I had ever witnessed before. With -hearts beating, each was eagerly watching the expected -signal of the rocket, when up it went from one of our -batteries.</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Crauford, calling out, “Now, lads, for the -breach!” led the way. We started off in double time, and -got under fire, in turning the left corner of the wall. As -we neared the breach, canister, grape, round-shot and shell, -with fire-balls to show our ground, came pouring on and -around us, with a regular hail-storm of bullets. General -Crauford fell almost immediately, mortally wounded. -Without a pause, however, we dashed onwards to the -town, and precipitated ourselves into the ditch before the -walls, never waiting for the ladders, which were carried by -Portuguese, who ran away and never made their appearance -until their use had been superseded by a series of -jumps made by our men into a trench some sixteen feet -deep; at length one or two ladders having been procured, -they were instantly placed against the scarp of the trench, -and up we mounted to attack the breach. The fire kept -up there was most deadly, and our men for some minutes, -as they appeared in small bodies, were swept away; however -<span class='pageno' title='97' id='Page_97'>[97]</span>they still persevered, and gradually formed a lodgment. -At this time on our right, where the third division -were storming the second breach, we could hear a loud -cheering which had a magical effect. Regardless of the -enemy’s fire and every other impediment, the men dashed -in over the breach carrying everything before them. I had -got up among the first, and was struggling with a crowd -of our fellows to push over the splintered and broken wall -that formed the breach, when Major Napier, who was by -my side encouraging on the men, received a shot, and, -staggering back, would in all probability have fallen into -the trench, had I not caught him. To my brief inquiry if -he were badly hurt, he squeezed my hand, whilst his other -arm hung shattered by his side, saying, “Never mind me—push -on, my lads, the town is ours!” And so indeed it -was, our men entering it pell-mell.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Although dark, among the first I saw, on mounting the -ramparts was my own Captain, Uniacke, rushing along -with a few men to the right of the breach. Though not -on the forlorn-hope, this gallant soldier was determined to -be first in the town. This was the last time he was doomed -to be at our head. A few moments afterwards the French -sprung a mine, by which the whole party were killed or -maimed. With a few others I had taken a direction to the -left. The French as they retired kept up an occasional fire -along the ramparts; while running forward I came against -a howitzer, and with such force that it actually tumbled -me over, and I found myself prostrate across the body of -a wounded French officer; beside him was a cannonier of -his own in the act of assisting him. The latter instantly -seized me, and a fearful struggle ensued, till bent almost -double by the height and heavy person of the Frenchman, I -began to think that after all my escapes my game was over; -at this crisis a few of our men came rushing up, one of which -was my old “chum” Wilkie. The cannonier in his turn -was fastened on, and tripped instantaneously by the side -of his master. But poor Wilkie the next minute, himself -staggered against the howitzer mortally wounded! I flew -to his support. But seizing me hastily by the hand, -and giving it a deadly squeeze, “Ned,” he articulated, -<span class='pageno' title='98' id='Page_98'>[98]</span>“it’s all up with me” and relaxing his grasp, he fell back -and expired.<a id='r12' /><a href='#f12' class='c014'><sup>[12]</sup></a> The officer perceiving my agitation, and -fearful of my retaliating on him, handed me over his gold -watch.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Finding I could be of little use to my comrade, and as -our division was fast entering the breach, I proceeded with -the stormers, clearing the walls of the enemy as we went. -Turning to the right we entered a large square or plaza, -where we were in a short time joined by some of every -regiment in the two divisions, all like ourselves helter -skelter, subject to everything but order. However in a -short time one regiment of the third division entered the -square, commanded by their officers; something like order -then prevailed; while planting the British colours in the -centre, three cheers were then given by the whole, proclaiming -the town to be taken: when this was over they -commenced firing in the air, as well as at windows where -any light appeared. Seeing the confusion, a number broke -into squads, and went in different directions and entered -different streets according to the fancy of their leaders. -Myself and about a score others took a large street to the -right. The night being dark and the city not being lighted, -we were obliged to grope our way, but had not proceeded far -before we got mixed amongst a quantity of French muskets -thrown on the ground with their bayonets fixed. One or -two of the men getting pricked in the leg by one of the -bayonets, swore they had come to a <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chevaux-de-frise</span></i>, and -groping about came across the body of a wounded French -soldier, who told us in Spanish that we were close to the -barracks.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Knowing the French would not resign their liberty without -a struggle, I fully expected a volley to be sent amongst us -every minute from the barracks, and begun to retrace my -steps towards the square, and had only got a short distance -when I saw another party with a lighted candle advancing -<span class='pageno' title='99' id='Page_99'>[99]</span>towards me. On hearing the noise of the first party in their -front, they commenced firing as they advanced. Squeezing -myself edgeways against a door, I waited their arrival and -begged them to desist, there being some of their own men -lower down. I then went with them and joined the first -party. The French wounded soldier pointing to a large -gateway, told us there were the barracks. Still having a -light we entered, and mounting a large stone staircase, -found ourselves in the midst of a French hospital full of -sick and wounded; those who were able sitting up in bed -supplicating mercy, but they had no occasion to do so, as -our fellows not only kindly tapped them on the shoulder -but wrapped the bed-clothes round them; but this kindness -was of short duration, for a third party coming down seeing -a light in our window commenced firing, and the poor -fellow who held the candle was shot through the head, and -one or two others wounded; one more daring than the -rest flew to the window, crying out that they were firing -on their own men, the rest lying down while the firing -continued. This panic being over, I came down stairs, -being anxious to meet some of my own company to know -how things were. I found a few outside, and we started -in another direction. The next place was a large white -house that had been used as a commissary’s store by the -French: here a crowd had assembled to break it open, -when they were warned off by a sentinel, a German, who -was posted to guard the premises. Not heeding his -threat, the throng rushed at the door. The poor sentry, -true to his trust, attempted to oppose their entrance, -and the following minute was run through the body by a -bayonet.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The house contained several puncheons of spirits, which -the men present immediately tapped, by striking in the -heads. A number soon became madly drunk; and several -wretches, especially those mounting the steps that had -been placed against the butts, to enable them to obtain -the rum, fell into the liquor head-foremost and perished, -unnoticed by the crowd. Several fights took place, in -which drunkenness of the parties alone prevented mischief; -and to crown the whole, a light falling into one of -<span class='pageno' title='100' id='Page_100'>[100]</span>the barrels of spirits, the place was set on fire, and many -poor wretches, who from the quantity of liquor they had -swallowed, were incapable of moving, were consumed in the -flames.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Turning from this scene of horrors, hardened as I then -was, I went with a comrade, to look for a house where we -might obtain refreshment and take up our quarters for the -night. This, after some search, we found in the domicile -of a doctor, whom we took from under a bed clasped in -the arms of a very pretty girl whom he called his niece, -like himself, almost</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Distill’d to jelly with th’ effect of fear!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>This, however, we soon dispelled, and were rewarded -for our pains with a good supper crowned by a bowl of -excellent punch that at the time, in our own minds, compensated -for all the sufferings we had endured in the -trenches during the siege.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next morning I was anxious to visit the left breach, -to look for the body of Wilkie. I found him, at length, -cold and stiff, the bullet having entered his breast close -under the left shoulder. He was stripped! But I easily -distinguished him by the likeness he bore to his sister; -old times then burst vividly over my recollection, and as I -stood over his prostrate remains, a few moments brought -to mind all the scenes in which he had been so active a -coadjutor, my quondam recruit, bed-fellow, press-man, and -pot companion, lay stretched before me clotted and besmeared -with his blood, a single drop of which, at one -time, was even more valued by me than the whole of my -own more lucky current. The remembrance of his sister, -much as my profession had tended to wipe her off my mind, -now resumed its almost pristine freshness; my eyes dimmed -for a second, and perchance one solitary proof of my weakness -might have left its scalding course behind it, but I -felt only as a soldier, a momentary sorrow, for I held my -own life as it were in my hand, ready to part with it, at -even a moment’s notice, and I presumed as much of all -belonging to me.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The proceeds of the storming “business” had enabled -<span class='pageno' title='101' id='Page_101'>[101]</span>me to gain over a few half drunken soldiers, who had been -staggering near me stupidly staring at my anxiety. We -buried poor Wilkie in the glacis, near the breach, the -whole wreck around us displaying the veriest monument -ever reared to the memory of a soldier!</p> - -<p class='c007'>I now proceeded to the right breach, which had been -carried by the third division, where the mine had been -sprung. The sight exhibited was heart-rending in the -extreme. The dead lay in heaps, numbers of them -stripped, and displaying the most ghastly wounds. Here -and there, half-buried under the blackened fragments of -the wall, or reeking on the surface of the ruin, lay those -who had been blown up in the explosion, their remains -dreadfully mangled and discoloured, and strewed about -amongst dissevered arms and legs.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The 88th, or Connaught Rangers, had suffered most -severely at this spot, and I observed a number of poor -Irish women hopelessly endeavouring to distinguish the -burnt features of their husbands.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Though heartily sick of the morning’s mournful perambulation, -I yet felt anxious to see Captain Uniacke; his -remains lay on the suburbs, in a house next to that where -those of our brave old General were stretched out. -Several of the men of his company crowded about his -person, hoping—for he was still living, and sensible—that -he might yet return amongst us. But his arm had -been torn from the socket, and he died some few days -afterwards.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here let me pay a brief, though sincere tribute to his -memory; though young in years, he was gallant, daring, -and just to all whom he commanded.</p> - -<p class='c007'>During the Peninsular war our men had divided the -officers into two classes; the “come on,” and the “go -on;” for as Tom Plunkett in action once observed to an -officer, “The words ‘go on’ don’t befit a leader, Sir.”—To -the honour of the service, the latter, with us Rifles, -were exceedingly few in numbers. But amongst the former, -none were seen so often in the van as Uniacke; his affability -and personal courage had rendered him the idol of -the men of his company.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='102' id='Page_102'>[102]</span>A very small portion only of the troops that had taken -Rodrigo were allowed to remain in the city, and our battalion, -among others, were ordered back to their former -quarters. The next morning as we marched over the -bridge, dressed in all the varieties imaginable, some with -jack-boots on, others with frock-coats, epaulettes, &c., and -some with even monkeys on their shoulders, we met the -fifth division on their way to repair the breach; they immediately -formed upon the left of the road, presented arms, -and cheered us as we went along.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I was afterwards told by several of our men that the -Duke of Wellington, who saw us on our march, inquired of -his staff, “Who the devil are those fellows?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>We entered El Bodon, with songs: and welcomed by -the “vivas” of the inhabitants.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch14' class='c005'>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Burial of General Crauford—Anecdote of Ladrone! Ladrone!—Corporal Miles—Burial -of Uniacke—A French seat of honour in jeopardy—A wolf! a wolf!—Deserters -shot—Scene of execution—March to Castello de Vide across -the Tagus—Execution of Corporal Arnal for desertion—Badajoz—A man -dreaming of his head being off with his head on; singular fulfilment—Tom -Crawley’s dislike to conchology—His alarms—The Duke of Wellington saluted -by the enemy—Remarkable feature of the case—A French curative or an ill-wind, -&c.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> second day after the storming of Rodrigo our -brave General Crauford died of his wound, and the chief -part of the officers of the Rifles went to pay the last -tribute to his remains. He was borne to the grave by -four Sergeant-Majors of his own division, and was buried -in the breach where he fell. The Duke of Wellington -attended the funeral of the gallant veteran; who, though -most strict in discipline, was averse to punishment, and -was beloved by the men for his justice and care for them, -as well as for his bravery. The following incident, -of which I was an eye-witness, will serve to show his -character.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I happened to be on guard one day, when General -Crauford came riding in from the front with his orderly -<span class='pageno' title='103' id='Page_103'>[103]</span>dragoon, as was his usual custom, when two of our men, -one of them a corporal, came running out of a house with -some bread which they had stolen from the Spaniards; -they were pursued by a Spanish woman crying lustily, -“Ladrone! Ladrone!”—thief! thief! They were immediately -pursued by the General and his orderly; the bread -was given back to the woman, and the men were placed in -the guard-house. The next day they were tried by a -brigade court-martial, and brought out to a wood near the -town for punishment. When the brigade was formed, and -the Brigade-Major had finished reading the proceedings of -the court-martial, General Crauford commenced lecturing -both men and officers on the nature of their cruelty to the -harmless inhabitants, as he called the Spaniards. He laid -particular stress on our regiment, who, he said, committed -more crimes than the whole of the British Army. “Besides, -you think,” said he, “because you are riflemen, and -more exposed to the enemy’s fire than other regiments, -that you are to rob the inhabitants with impunity; but, -while I command you, you shall not:” then turning round -to the corporal, who stood in the centre of the square, he -said, with a stern voice, “Strip, Sir.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The corporal, whose name was Miles, never said a word -until tied up to a tree, when turning his head round as far -as his situation would allow, and seeing the General pacing -up and down the square, he said, “General Crauford, I -hope you will forgive me.” The General replied, “No, -Sir, your crime is too great.” The poor corporal, whose -sentence was, to be reduced to the pay and rank of a private -soldier, and to receive a punishment of one hundred -and fifty lashes, and the other man two hundred, -<a id='then'></a>then addressed the General to the following effect:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do you recollect, Sir, when you and I were taken -prisoners, when under the command of General Whitelock, -in Buenos Ayres? We were marched prisoners, with a -number of others, to a sort of pound surrounded with a -wall.—There was a well in the centre, out of which I drew -water with my mess-tin, by means of canteen straps, I collected -from the men, who were prisoners like myself.—You -sat on my knapsack; I parted my last biscuit with you. -<span class='pageno' title='104' id='Page_104'>[104]</span>You then told me you would never forget my kindness to -you. It is now in your power, Sir. You know how short -we have been of rations for some time.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>These words were spoken by the corporal in a mild and -respectful accent, which not only affected the General, but -the whole square. The bugler, who stood waiting to commence -the punishment close to the corporal, received the -usual nod from the Bugle-Major to begin. The first lash -the corporal received the General started, and turned -hurriedly round, said, “What’s that, what’s that; who -taught that bugler to flog? Send him to drill—send him -to drill! He cannot flog—he cannot flog! Stop! stop! -Take him down! take him down! I remember it well—I -remember it well!” while he paced up and down the -square, muttering to himself words that I could not catch; -at the same time blowing his nose, and wiping his face with -his handkerchief, trying to hide the emotion that was so -evident to the whole square.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While untying the corporal a dead silence prevailed for -some time, until our gallant General recovered a little his -noble feeling, when he uttered, with a broken accent, -“Why does a brave soldier like you commit these crimes?” -Then beckoning to his orderly to bring his horse, he -mounted and rode off. It is needless to say that the -other man also was pardoned, and in a few days the corporal -was restored to his rank. On the death of Captain -Uniacke, Captain Smith, now the celebrated Sir Harry -Smith, was appointed Captain of my company. He being -on the staff, his brother, Lieutenant Thomas Smith, now -Barrack Master at Chatham, took command.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the fourth day, after we had taken the town, the -company received orders to pay the last tribute to our -Captain, Uniacke. We marched under the command of -Lieutenant Smith, and arrived at Gallegos about twelve -o’clock. The men having plenty of money, which they -had obtained at Rodrigo, got drinking, and actually while -conveying the body to the grave, stumbled under the -weight of the coffin, and the lid not having been nailed -down, out rolled the mangled remains of our brave Captain, -to the consternation of a number of French officers, <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">en -<span class='pageno' title='105' id='Page_105'>[105]</span>parole</span></i> (prisoners from Rodrigo). One more careless than -the rest viewed the occurrence with a kind of malicious -sneer, which so enraged our men, that one of them taking -the little tawny-looking Italian by the nape of the neck, -kicked his hind-quarters soundly for it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I could not, at the time, help remarking the very undersized -appearance of the Frenchmen. They were the -ugliest set I ever saw, and seemed to be the refuse of their -army, and looked more like Italians than Frenchmen.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On our return to El Bodon, one of the men overpowered -with liquor, laid himself down to sleep in the wood that -separates the road from Gallegos. Poor fellow, it was his -last sleep, for on the roll being called, a party was sent in -search of him, and discovered his body under a tree, -torn to pieces by the wolves, which greatly infested that -part of Spain.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I now have to relate one of those melancholy incidents -peculiar to a soldier’s life, that occurred while we remained -at El Bodon. On taking Rodrigo we had captured, among -others, ten men who had deserted from our division. -These were condemned to be shot. The place of execution -was on a plain near Ituera, where our division was drawn -up, forming three sides of a square; the culprits, as usual, -being placed in front of a trench, dug for a grave, on the -vacant side.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Two of the deserters, the one a man of the same company -as myself, named Hudson, and a very handsome fellow who -had been persuaded into the rash step, were pardoned -on the ground. The other a corporal, named Cummins, of -the 52nd regiment, and who had been mainly instrumental, -I believe, in getting the others to desert with him, was -placed on the fatal ground in a wounded state. He had -been particularly noticed at Rodrigo in one of the breaches, -most actively employed, opposing our entrance, and cheering -on the besieged to resist us. This man was pardoned -also. Why he was pardoned I cannot say.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As this was the first military execution I had ever -witnessed, I felt not a little curiosity to see the forms -pursued. A large trench had been dug as a grave for the -wretched men who were to suffer. Along the summit -<span class='pageno' title='106' id='Page_106'>[106]</span>of the little heap of mould that had been thrown up -from the pit, the deserters were placed in a row, with their -eyes bandaged, so that on receiving the fatal volley they -should fall forward into the trench. Some of the poor -fellows, from debility, were unable to kneel, and lay at -their length, or crouched up into an attitude of despair, -upon the loose earth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The signal to the firing party was given by a motion -of the provost’s cane, when the culprits were all hurried -together into eternity, with the exception of one man -of the 52nd, who, strange to say, remained standing and -untouched. His countenance, that before had been deadly -pale, now exhibited a bright flush. Perhaps he might -have imagined himself pardoned; if so, however, he was -doomed to be miserably deceived, as the following minute -two men of the reserve came up and fired their pieces into -his bosom, when giving a loud scream, that had a very -horrible effect upon those near, he sprang forward into his -grave. To prevent unnecessary suffering, a reserve firing -party was brought up, who continued to fire wherever the -slightest sign of life exhibited itself in the bodies, the -provost himself winding up the tragedy by discharging -a pistol-shot through the head of each corpse.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After this very solemn and impressive scene, we were -marched in column of companies round the dead, so -that the spectacle might be witnessed by every man in the -division.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About the 26th of February we broke up our cantonments -in the environs of Ciudad Rodrigo, and crossing the -Tagus, marched southward for six or seven days, at the -expiration of which our division took up their quarters -in and about the town of Castello de Vide. The country -around the town was the most fruitful and luxuriant I had -ever beheld. It was bounded with the most delightful -hills and valleys, that produced in abundance the finest -fruits, such as grapes, pomegranates, oranges, and lemons. -As may be supposed, the men were delighted with such a -paradise. The wine was so plentiful, that our fellows, -while they remained here, made it an invariable custom to -boil their meat in it.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='107' id='Page_107'>[107]</span>Another unhappy criminal was here doomed to pay the -forfeit of the crime of desertion. When we took Rodrigo, -he made his escape from the town, and on his way to join -the French at Salamanca was captured by some of the -Spanish troops, and brought back to the regiment a -prisoner. The fate of this man (Arnal by name), who had -been a corporal in our battalion, excited much commiseration. -I knew him well: he was an exceedingly fine-looking -fellow, and up to the period of his unhappy -departure from duty, noted for possessing the best qualities -of a soldier. Some harshness on the part of an officer was -the cause of Arnal’s desertion; but from the circumstance -of his previous good character and the fact of his having -been marched as a prisoner for many days together during -our march from Rodrigo, it was commonly thought he -would be pardoned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I happened to be on guard over him the night prior -to his execution. In the evening the prisoner was playing -at cards with some of the men, when the provost of -the division entered the guard-room, and gave him the -intelligence that he was doomed to suffer at ten o’clock the -next morning.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sudden and utterly unexpected as the announcement -was, Arnal’s face was the only one that showed scarcely -any emotion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well,” he remarked to those around him, “I am -quite ready.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>A short time afterwards he sent for the pay-sergeant of -the company he belonged to, from whom he received -the arrears of pay that were due to him. This he spent on -wine, which he distributed among the men of the guard. -Noticing one man with very bad shoes, Arnal observed his -own were better, and taking them off he exchanged them -for the bad pair, saying, “They will last me as long as -I shall require them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The morning turned out showery, the division formed in -three sides of a square, and the guard, headed by the band -with Arnal in front, slowly marched round; the muffled -drum beat in dull time the “Dead March,” and the swell -of its solemn harmony, though it filled the eyes of every -<span class='pageno' title='108' id='Page_108'>[108]</span>man present, only seemed to strengthen the glance of the -doomed. He led the van of his funeral procession, like -one who was to live for ever: his step was as firm and -more correct than any, and I thought at the time, a finer -soldier never stepped. Poor Arnal, I shall never forget -when we halted at his own grave, the heavy rains had filled -it half with water, which he noticed with a faint smile, and -observed:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Although a watery one, I shall sleep sound enough in -it.” He then stood upright in a fine military position, -while the Brigade-Major read aloud the proceedings of the -court-martial. The provost came to tie the handkerchief -round his eyes, when he coolly remarked, “There is no -occasion—I shall not flinch.” Being told it was customary, -he said, “Very well, do your duty.” Before this last -office was performed, he turned round, and calling most of -the guard by name, bade them farewell. As I nodded to -him in return, I fancied it was to a dead man, for in two -minutes he was no more. The intrepid and cool manner -in which he met his fate, drew forth a general feeling of -admiration.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A few days after the execution we marched for Badajoz, -in the environs of which we arrived on the 17th of March. -This celebrated city, of which so much has been said -and written, stands on an extended plain equidistant three -leagues from Elvas and Campo Mayor. The Guadiana -which hereabouts forms the boundary between Spain and -Portugal, flows on one side of the fortification, and connects -with them by a bridge over its surface, one or two -forts on the opposite banks. The fortress on all sides is -surrounded by strong bastions to the number of thirteen -or fourteen, which with trenches and other forts and outworks -rendered it almost impregnable. In addition to these -the Rivella a tributary stream to the Guadiana flowed -round and through the trenches in our front.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our battalion on its arrival took up its encampment on -the Spanish side of the river, where we occupied a small -hill, and for the first time during our campaigns made use -of small square tents, belonging to the Portuguese.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The first night of our arrival we commenced laying -<span class='pageno' title='109' id='Page_109'>[109]</span>siege, by breaking ground within three or four hundred -yards of the town, Fort St. Roch and Fort Pumena rather -on our left; we lost a man named Brooks, whose death -was connected with a very singular circumstance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brooks several days before his death, dreamt he saw the -body of a rifleman without a head: this apparition appeared -three or four nights successively in his dreams. -Some days after we had taken one of the forts from the -enemy, our battalion was relieved in the trenches. On -this occasion, as was very customary with some of us, -Brooks, another man named Tracey, and myself, jumped -out of the trench, exposing ourselves to a fire from the -walls of the town while we ran to the next parallel. In -executing this feat I was a little ahead of my comrades, -when I heard the rush of a cannon-ball, and feeling my -jacket splashed by something, as soon as I had jumped -into the next parallel, or trench, I turned round and -beheld the headless body of Brooks which actually stood -quivering with life for a few seconds before it fell. His -dream, poor fellow! had singularly augured the conclusion -of his own career. The shot had smashed and carried -away the whole of his head, bespattering my jacket with -the brains, while Tracey was materially injured by having -a splinter of the skull driven deep through the skin behind -his ear. This circumstance is well known to several now -living in London.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About the 22nd of March, a party was ordered to proceed -to Elvas for the purpose of conducting some heavy -artillery from that strong fortress for our own use against -the walls of Badajoz; after placing six or eight large guns -on things resembling sledges, the weather being exceedingly -wet, it took twelve bullocks to draw each gun. On -arriving at the pontoon bridge that crosses the Guadiana -river, which separates Badajoz from Elvas, a distance of -about three leagues, the bridge was so damaged that the -guns could not pass over, so we were obliged to bivouac for -the night amongst a party of sappers, stationed there for -the purpose of repairing the pontoons.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After the bullocks were unharnessed, they began jumping -and frisking about, to the no small amusement of our -<span class='pageno' title='110' id='Page_110'>[110]</span>men, but to their danger, as it afterwards proved. The -French seeing the bullocks grazing, commenced firing on -them, as well as occasionally sending a twenty-four-pounder -at our little party then stationed on a rising ground, -amusing ourselves at the random twenty-four-pound shots -as they hopped about. At night, placing our advanced -picquet near the town, the remainder of the party turned -into the tents of the sappers for the night, but their -slumbers were not so sound as they anticipated, for at the -dead but not silent hour of night, a round-shot came -whirling through one of the tents, striking the pole, and -brought it down on those within. Their cries having -awoke those of the adjoining tent, they immediately flew to -their assistance, and having relieved them from this new-fashioned -man-trap, rats never flew with more agility than -did the poor sappers from their lair. I could not forbear -laughing at the scene, although attended with bad consequences, -as one man had his thigh broke, and another his -leg taken off at the calf. While helping to raise the tents -every eye was intent, looking out for another French -visitor in the shape of a twenty-four-pounder, but the -drollery of a countryman of mine gave some zest to their -serenity; instead of bolting like the rest, he coolly said, -“Where the devil are you all scampering to? Sure you -don’t think the French took aim? I wished they did, -for if they had, by Jasus they wouldn’t hit our tent in a -week! You may be easy then, for they never hit twice in -the same place.” The two poor fellows thus dangerously -wounded were comrades, and natives of Coventry, one -named Green, and the other Gea. The next morning the -sappers having put the pontoons to rights, the guns passed -over, and we arrived safe at our own camp.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The greatest annoyance we experienced during the siege -arose from the shells thrown at us from the town. Our -works effectually screened us from the round-shot; but -these dangerous missiles, falling into the trenches where we -worked, and exploding, frequently did great mischief. -Immediately a shell fell, every man threw himself flat -upon the ground until it had burst. Tom Crawley, I remember, -though tolerably fearless with reference to other -<span class='pageno' title='111' id='Page_111'>[111]</span>shot, had a most inveterate dislike to those deadly visitors. -His fears made him believe, that more of them were -thrown where he chanced to be, than in any other part of -the trenches. At night in particular, Tom was always on -the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">qui vive</span></i>: as soon as he beheld a shell coming he would -call out, “Here’s another brute—look out!” and instantly -fall on his face. This, however, did not always protect us, -for the head was no sooner on the ground, than its presence -was again required, to watch the falling splinters. These, -from their composing large portions of the metal of the -missile, descended with great violence, and were sometimes -of themselves sufficient to crush a man into the earth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Lord Wellington used occasionally to pay us a visit -during the work, to make observations, and to examine the -trenches, &c.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One day when Crawley and myself were working near -each other in the trenches, a shell fell inconveniently close -to us. Tom was instantly half buried in mud, awaiting the -explosion. Perceiving it had sunk itself deep into the -earth, the fuse being too long, I intended availing myself -of the opportunity, to play a trick upon Crawley, by -throwing a large lump of clay on his head directly the -shell exploded, and so make him believe himself wounded. -To obtain the clod I sprang at the other side of the trench, -but exposed myself to a shot from the walls of the town, -which immediately came in the form of grape, splashing -me with mud from head to foot, and forcing me to throw -myself back into the trench upon Crawley, who, in his -fears, made sure that a shell had fixed itself upon his rear, -and roared like a bull; in an instant, however, the sunken -missile really burst; on the smoke dispersing, who should -I behold but the Duke himself, crouched down, his head -half averted, drily smiling at Crawley and me. Shot and -shell pay no respect to persons, but the enemy did, as they -seemed awake to the near vicinity of his Grace, and poured -in shells, grape, and canister, with other delicacies of the -kind, with unusual liberality, whenever he came amongst -us; which they always appeared alive to. But the fact is, -the Duke, like his renowned contemporary, had a remarkable -<span class='pageno' title='112' id='Page_112'>[112]</span>cast of feature, which made him ever distinguishable, -at an almost incredible distance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Before I go further into my narrative I must detail an -anecdote of Major O’Hare, my old Captain, who was noted -for his excellent soldierly qualities.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We were on private parade one morning, when a party -of convalescents from hospital came up. Among others -was a sergeant of the name of Jackson, who had been -absent from our company for the two previous years, during -which period it would seem, he had been chiefly employed -as hospital-sergeant at Belem, near Lisbon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Major’s aversion to absentees from the regiment -was very well known among us, and we anticipated a scene—nor -were we deceived.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Is that you, Mr. Sergeant Jackson?” exclaimed the -Major, as soon as the party came up. “And pray -where, in God’s name, have you been for the last two -years? The company have seen a little fighting during -that period.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The doctors would not allow me to leave the hospital, -Sir,” replied Jackson.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am sorry for that,” drily observed the Major. “All -that I can do for you is, to give you your choice of a court-martial -for absenting yourself from duty without leave, or -to have your stripes taken off.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The sergeant, after a little hesitation, preferred surrendering -quietly his non-commissioned dignity to standing an -inquiry into his conduct.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Turning round to the men, the Major remarked aloud, -“By God, I will not have these brave fellows commanded -by skulkers.” Then taking the sash and stripes that were -cut off by the Sergeant-Major, he handed them to Corporal -Ballard, observing at the same time, “You will not disgrace -them.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>A very disagreeable duty, that usually fell upon a few of -the best shots of the battalion, consisted in being obliged -to run out, in independent files, to occupy a number of -holes, that had been dug at night between our batteries -and the walls of the town. From these pits, of which -<span class='pageno' title='113' id='Page_113'>[113]</span>each man had one to himself, our particular business was -to pick off any of the enemy who exposed themselves at -their guns, on the walls through the embrasures. Many a -Frenchman was thus knocked off by us. But it often -occurred also that our men were killed or wounded in their -holes, which made it doubly dangerous for the man of the -relieving party, who, instead of finding a ready covering, -perceived it occupied by a wounded or dead man. Before -he could get a shelter therefore or remove the body, there -was a great chance of his being shot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While employed in this duty in front of our batteries, -the tremendous noise made by artillery in both front and -rear was attended at first by a most unpleasant effect, as it -destroyed the sense of hearing for some hours after leaving -the trenches. It was amusing, during the siege, to observe -the motions of our artillerymen. They were employed -almost incessantly, and their duties most arduous, as the -batteries were the chief object for the aim of the enemy’s -shot and shells. An artilleryman was always stationed as -a sort of signal-man, to give notice of the appearance of -either of these missiles, and it was remarkable to observe -the quickness with which the men at the guns, on the -word “shell,” would throw themselves on the ground for -protection.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It not unfrequently happened that parties of men were -sent out in independent files to pick up the dismembered -legs, arms, &c., which sometimes might be seen scattered -about by the bursting shells. This precaution was thought -necessary to prevent any ill-effect their appearance might -cause on the courage of the Portuguese, who were quite as -likely to put the heels in motion as their heads.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On one of these occasions I remember observing a party -of those gentlemen, after leaving the trenches, carrying -across the fields to their camp ground the body of a -wounded officer of theirs wrapped in a blanket. They had -not proceeded many yards, before a ball fired from the -town came bounding, half spent, along the ground. The -Portuguese, unconscious of its approach, were just crossing -the line of its progress, when the shot glanced between -them, and entering the blanket, cut the unlucky officer in -<span class='pageno' title='114' id='Page_114'>[114]</span>two. The bearers, terrified, immediately took to their -heels, leaving the blanket behind them, which one of our -fellows observing, “That it was an ill wind that did -nobody good,” shaking the body out, instantly possessed -himself of.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The effect of our twenty-four pound shot upon the wall -gave notice that the breaches would soon be practicable. -On the 5th of April a storming party was selected for the -assault on the following night.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch15' class='c005'>CHAPTER XV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Storming of Badajoz—I join the Forlorn-Hope again—Presentiments of Major -O’Hare and Captain Jones—Their deaths—The stormers—The Ladder-men—I -am wounded—The French prisoner—O’Brien—Sacking of the town—Scene -of horror—Reflections—The Duke of Wellington and his men—Johnny Castles -introduced with a rope round his neck—The drummer-boy—A firelock goes -off, and so does a Corporal—I return to the camp—Casualties at Badajoz—The -French prisoner and a new acquaintance—His account of the evacuation -of Almeida—His opinion of the British soldiers.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>I am</span> now about entering into a personal narrative of one -of the most sanguinary and awful engagements on the -records of any country. For the second time I volunteered -on the forlorn-hope. After having received a double -allowance of grog, we fell in about eight o’clock in the -evening, 6th April, 1812. The stormers were composed -of men from the different regiments of the light division. -I happened to be on the right of the front section when -my old Captain, Major O’Hare, who commanded the wing -to which my company belonged, came up with Captain -Jones of the 52nd regiment, both in command of the -storming party. A pair of uglier men never walked -together, but a brace of better soldiers never stood before -the muzzle of a Frenchman’s gun.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, O’Hare,” said the Captain, “what do you think -of to-night’s work?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I don’t know,” replied the Major, who seemed, as I -thought, in rather low spirits. “To-night, I think, will -be my last.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Tut, tut, man! I have the same sort of feeling, but I -<span class='pageno' title='115' id='Page_115'>[115]</span>keep it down with a drop of the <i>cratur</i>,” answered the -Captain, as he handed his calabash to the Major.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A Sergeant Fleming, a brave soldier, before mentioned -in these Memoirs, coming up, informed Major O’Hare that -a ladder-party was wanted. “Take the right files of the -leading sections,” was the prompt order of the Major. -No sooner said than done. I and my front-rank men -were immediately tapped on the shoulder for the ladder-party. -I now gave up all hope of ever returning. At Rodrigo, -as before stated, we had fatigue parties for the -ladders, but now the case was altered; besides which -the ladders, now in preparation, were much longer than -those employed at that fortress.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I may just mention, that whatever were my own forebodings -on the occasion, the presentiments of our brave old -Major O’Hare and those of Captain Jones were fatally -realized, for in less than twenty minutes after the above -conversation, both fell riddled with balls.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The word was now given to the ladder-party to move -forward. We were accompanied at each side by two men -with hatchets to cut down any obstacle that might oppose -them, such as <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chevaux-de-frise</span></i>. There were six of us -supporting the ladder allotted to me, and I contrived to -carry my grass-bag before me.<a id='r13' /><a href='#f13' class='c014'><sup>[13]</sup></a> We had proceeded but a -short distance when we heard the sound of voices on our -right, upon which we halted, and supposing they might be -enemies, I disengaged myself from the ladder, and cocking -my rifle, prepared for action. Luckily we soon discovered -our mistake, as one of our party cried—“Take care! ’Tis -the stormers of the fourth division coming to join us.” This -proved to be the case. This brief alarm over, we continued -advancing towards the walls, the Rifles, as before, keeping -in front. We had to pass Fort St. Roche on our left, near -to the town, and as we approached it the French sentry -challenged. This was instantly followed by a shot from -<span class='pageno' title='116' id='Page_116'>[116]</span>the fort and another from the walls of the town. A -moment afterwards, a fire-ball was thrown out, which -threw a bright red glare of light around us, and instantly -a volley of grape-shot, canister, and small arms poured in -among us, as we stood on the glacis, at a distance of about -thirty yards from the walls.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Three of the men carrying the ladder with me were -shot dead in a breath, and its weight falling upon me, I -fell backwards with the grass-bag on my breast. The -remainder of the stormers rushed up, regardless of my -cries, or those of the wounded men around me, for by this -time our men were falling fast. Many in passing were shot -and fell upon me, so that I was actually drenched in blood. -The weight I had to sustain became intolerable, and had it -not been for the grass-bag which in some measure protected -me, I must have been suffocated. At length, by a strong -effort, I managed to extricate myself, in doing which I left -my rifle behind me, and drawing my sword, rushed towards -the breach. There I found four men putting a ladder -down the ditch; and not daring to pause, fresh lights being -still thrown out of the town, with a continual discharge of -musketry, I slid quickly down the ladder, but before I -could recover my footing, was knocked down again by the -bodies of men who were shot in attempting the descent. -I, however, succeeded in extricating myself from underneath -the dead, and rushing forward to the right, to my -surprise and fear I found myself emerged to my neck in -water. Until then I was tolerably composed, but now all -reflection left me, and diving through the water, being a -good swimmer, gained the other side, but lost my sword; I -now attempted to make to the breach, which the blaze of -musketry from the walls clearly showed me. Without -rifle, sword, or any other weapon, I succeeded in clambering -up a part of the breach, and came near to a <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chevaux-de-frise</span></i>, -consisting of a piece of heavy timber studded with -sword-blades, turning on an axis: but just before reaching -it I received a stroke on the breast, whether from a -grenade or a stone, or by the butt-end of a musket, I -cannot say, but down I rolled senseless, and drenched with -water and human gore. I could not have laid long in this -<span class='pageno' title='117' id='Page_117'>[117]</span>plight, for when my senses had in some measure returned, -I perceived our gallant fellows still rushing forward, each -seeming to share a fate more deadly than my own. The -fire continued in one horrible and incessant peal, as if the -mouth of the infernal regions had opened to vomit forth -destruction upon all around us, and this was rendered still -more appalling by the fearful shouts of the combatants -and cries of the wounded that mingled in the uproar.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I now, strange to say, began to feel if my arms and legs -were entire: for at such moments a man, I believe, is not -always aware of his wounds. I had now, indeed, lost all -the frenzy of courage that had first possessed me, and -actually felt all weakness and prostration of spirit, while I -endeavoured, among the dead and wounded bodies around -me, to screen myself from the enemy’s shot; but while I -lay in this position, the fire still continued blazing over me -in all its horrors, accompanied by screams, groans, and -shouts, and the crashing of stones and falling of timbers. -I now, for the first time for many years, uttered something -like a prayer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After the horrible and well-known scene of carnage had -lasted some time, the fire gradually slackened from the -breach, I heard a cheering which I knew to proceed from -within the town, and shortly afterwards a cry of “Blood -and ’ounds! where’s the Light Division?—the town’s our -own—hurrah!” This proceeded, no doubt, from some of -the third division. I now attempted to rise, but, from a -wound which I had received, but at what time I know not, -found myself unable to stand. A musket-ball had passed -through the lower part of my right leg—two others had -perforated my cap, which I should have lost had I not -taken the precaution to secure it with a cord under my chin -before starting. At the moment of this discovery I saw -two or three men moving towards me, who I was glad to -find belonged to the Rifles. One of them, named O’Brien, -of the same company as myself, immediately exclaimed, -“What! is that you, Ned?—we thought you ladder-men -all done for.” He then assisted me to rise.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In consequence of the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">chevaux-de-frise</span></i> still remaining -above the breach, we could not proceed over it until more -men arrived to remove its fastenings. The third division -<span class='pageno' title='118' id='Page_118'>[118]</span>meanwhile had entered the town on our right by the castle -where there was no breach. We proceeded onwards, I -moving with great difficulty, though partly supported by -O’Brien. At the top of the breach we found another -trench with a plank of wood lain across, leading into the -town. Not until then I felt drops of blood trickling down -my face, and found that one of the balls, in passing through -my cap, had torn the skin on my head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this crippled state, leaning upon my comrade, and -using his rifle as a crutch, accompanied by a few of our -riflemen, I entered the town that had been so gloriously -won. We hurried from the breach as quick as possible, -lest the enemy should spring a mine, as they did at -Ciudad Rodrigo. We still however heard occasional firing -and cheering from the one end of the town, and imagined -the fire was still raging, although, as we soon afterwards -learnt, the chief part of the French had retired to the -citadel or fort, where they surrendered on the following -morning. Angry and irritated from the pain occasioned -by the wound, we had just turned the corner of a street, -when we observed some men, and, from the light that -shone from a window opposite, we could see from their -uniforms they were evidently Frenchmen. The moment -they saw us they disappeared, with the exception of one -man, who seemed to make a rush at us with his musket. -O’Brien sprang forward and wrested the firelock from his -grasp. A feeling of revenge, prompted by the suffering -I endured from my wounds, actuated my feelings, and I -exclaimed, “O’Brien, let me have the pleasure of shooting -this rascal, for he may be the man who has brought me to -the state I am now in!” I then presented the rifle close -to his breast, with the full intention of shooting him -through the body, but as my finger was about to press the -trigger he fell upon his knees and implored mercy. The -next moment the rifle dropped from my hand, and I felt a -degree of shame that a feeling of irritation should have -nearly betrayed me into the commission of a crime for -which I could never have forgiven myself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As soon as the Frenchman perceived me desist, he -immediately started from his knees, and, by way of showing -his gratitude, threw his arms round my neck, and -<span class='pageno' title='119' id='Page_119'>[119]</span>kissed my cheek. He instantly followed me, and I for the -time took him under my protection.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We now looked anxiously around for a house where we -could obtain refreshment, and, if truth must be told, a -little money. For even wounded as I was, I had made up -my mind to be a gainer by our victory. At the first house -we knocked at, no notice being taken of the summons, we -fired a rifle-ball at the key-hole, which sent the door flying -open. This, indeed, was our usual method of forcing -locks. As soon as we entered the house we found a young -Spanish woman crying bitterly, and praying for mercy. -She informed us that she was the wife of a French officer; -and to the demand of my companion, O’Brien, for refreshment, -replied there was nothing but her poor self in the -house. She, however, produced some spirits and chocolate, -both of which, being very hungry and faint, I partook -of with much relish.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As the house looked poor we soon quitted it in quest of -a better. Supported by O’Brien and the Frenchman, we -proceeded in the direction of the market-place. It was a -dark night, and the confusion and uproar that prevailed in -the town may be better imagined than described. The -shouts and oaths of drunken soldiers in quest of more -liquor, the reports of fire-arms and crashing in of doors, -together with the appalling shrieks of hapless women, -might have induced any one to have believed himself in -the regions of the damned.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When we arrived at the market-place we found a number -of Spanish prisoners rushing out of a gaol: they -appeared like a set of savages suddenly let loose, many -still bearing the chains they had not time to free themselves -from, and among these were men of the 5th and -88th regiments holding lighted candles. We then turned -down a street opposite to the foregoing scene, and entered -a house which was occupied by a number of men of the -third division. One of them immediately, on perceiving -me wounded, struck off the neck of a bottle of wine with -his bayonet, and presented it to me, which relieved me for -a time from the faintness I had previously felt. The -scenes of wickedness that soldiers are guilty of on capturing -<span class='pageno' title='120' id='Page_120'>[120]</span>a town are oftentimes truly diabolical, and I now, in -the reflections this subject gives rise to, shudder at the -past. I had not long been seated at the fire which was -blazing up the chimney, fed by mahogany chairs broken -up for the purpose, when I heard screams for mercy from -an adjoining room. On hobbling in, I found an old man, -the proprietor of the house, on his knees, imploring mercy -of a soldier who had levelled his musket at him. I with -difficulty prevented the man from shooting him, as he -complained that the Spaniard would not give up his money. -I immediately informed the wretched landlord in Spanish, -as well as I was able, that he could only save his life by -surrendering his cash. Upon this he brought out with -trembling hands, a large bag of dollars from under the -mattress of the bed. These by common consent were -immediately divided among us. The whole treasure, to -the amount of about one hundred or one hundred and fifty -dollars, enveloped in an old night-cap, was instantly -emptied and divided into small heaps on the table, according -to the number of men present, and called out the same -as messes in a barrack-room. I must confess that I participated -in the plunder, and received about twenty-six -dollars for my own share.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As soon as I had resumed my seat at the fire, a number -of Portuguese soldiers entered, one of whom, taking me -for a Frenchman, for I had the French soldier’s jacket on, -my own being wet, snapped his piece at me, which luckily -hung fire. Forgetful of my wounds, I instantly rushed at -him, and a regular scuffle ensued between our men and the -Portuguese, until one of the latter being stabbed by a -bayonet, the rest retired, dragging the wounded man with -them. After thus ejecting the Portuguese, the victors, -who had by this time got tolerably drunk, proceeded to -ransack the house. Unhappily they discovered the two -daughters of the old patrone, who had concealed themselves -up stairs. They both were young and very pretty. -The mother, too, was shortly afterwards dragged from her -hiding-place.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Without dwelling on the frightful scene that followed, -it may be sufficient to add, that our men, more infuriated -<span class='pageno' title='121' id='Page_121'>[121]</span>by drink than before, again seized upon the old man, and -insisted upon a fresh supply of liquor. And his protestations -that he possessed no more were as vain as were all -attempts to restrain them from ill-using him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is to be lamented that the memory of an old soldier -should be disturbed by such painful reflections as the -foregoing scenes must give rise to: but it is to be considered -that the men who besiege a town in the face of -such dangers, generally become desperate from their own -privations and sufferings; and when once they get a footing -within its walls—flushed by victory, hurried on by the -desire of liquor, and maddened by drink, they stop at -nothing: they are literally mad, and hardly conscious of -what they do in such a state of excitement. I do not -state this in justification; I only remark what I have -observed human nature to be on these occasions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sick of the scene of horrors that had been enacted, and -attended by my French prisoner, I left the house for one -on the other side of the street. This was found occupied -by men of the third division, who were drinking chocolate, -not made with water, but wine. They seemed rather more -sober and peaceable than those we had just left; but here, -also, as in most of the houses in Badajoz, the greatest -outrages were being committed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Having passed a wretched night, the next morning I -determined to rejoin what remained of my regiment—for -at this time I did not know what number we had lost. -I left the house, and proceeded to trace my road through -the crowds, accompanied by my Frenchman, who rendered -me every assistance in his power. The town was still in -great confusion and uproar, although every available means -had been taken to suppress it. In one of the streets I saw -the Duke of Wellington, surrounded by a number of -British soldiers, who, holding up bottles with the heads -knocked off, containing wine and spirits, cried out to him, -a phrase then familiarly applied to him by the men of the -army, “Old boy! will you drink? The town’s our own—hurrah!” -In another street I observed a sort of gallows -erected, with three nooses hanging from them, ready for -service. Johnny Castles, a man of our company, and as -<span class='pageno' title='122' id='Page_122'>[122]</span>quiet and inoffensive a little fellow as could be, but rather -fond of a drop, but not that distilled by Jack Ketch & Co., -had a near escape. He was actually brought under the -gallows in a cart, and the rope placed round his neck, but -his life was spared. Whether this was done to frighten -him or not I cannot say; but the circumstance had such -an effect on him, that he took ill, and was a little deranged -for some time after. I am not aware that a single execution -took place, notwithstanding the known severity of the -Duke in matters of plunder and outrage. I feel bound to -say, that a prejudice existed on the part of our men against -the inhabitants of Badajoz, owing to their having submitted -so tamely to the French. It was different at -Ciudad Rodrigo, where the Spaniards had defended themselves -gallantly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Feeling fatigued on my way to join the camp, I sat down -with my prisoner on a bench, opposite the bridge which -leads to Fort St. Christoval. We not had been long -seated when I was amused by a large baboon, surrounded -by a number of soldiers, who were tormenting him. The -poor animal had been wounded in the foot, probably by -one of our men, and by his chattering, grinning, and droll -gesticulations, he showed as much aversion to the red -coats as any of the French could possibly have done. -While the men continued teasing the animal, a servant, -stating that it belonged to a Colonel of the 4th regiment, -who he said was wounded, attempted to take the beast -away, whereupon the party being divided in their sentiments, -a scuffle ensued, in which several men were wounded -with bayonets.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As we got up to proceed, we saw a number of Frenchmen -guarded by our soldiers, coming over the bridge. -They were the prisoners taken in Fort St. Christoval, -which but an hour or two previously had surrendered. -These were soon surrounded by our men, who began -examining their knapsacks, from whence a number of -watches, dollars, &c., were quickly extracted. A short -distance further on we came up with a mule, tied to a -door, which, in my crippled state, and wishing to relieve -my poor prisoner, I immediately appropriated for my own -<span class='pageno' title='123' id='Page_123'>[123]</span>use, but I afterwards sold it to Lieutenant Jackson, of the -83rd regiment. Mounted on the animal, led by the -Frenchman, we pursued our way until near the gates that -led to the camp, when rather an affecting scene came under -my eye. A little fellow, a drummer-boy, belonging to the -88th regiment, was lying wounded and crying bitterly, his -leg being broken by a shot. On telling him I would get -him carried by the Frenchman if he wished, “Oh no!—oh -no!” said the boy; “I don’t care for myself. Look -at my poor father, where he lies!” pointing to a man shot -through the head, lying weltering in a gore of blood. -Poor little fellow! I gave him a couple of dollars, and -called some men to his assistance, when I was compelled to -leave him. We soon arrived at the camp ground of the -third division. I dismounted, and while sitting on one of -the men’s knapsacks, a soldier of the 83rd regiment was -engaged in cleaning his firelock, when the piece went off -and shot a corporal through the head, wounding also the -hand of another man. The Frenchman seemed dreadfully -frightened: he turned pale as marble, perhaps thinking -the shot was aimed at him, as the corporal fell dead at his -side. This accident struck me as a forcible instance of the -casualties that attend a soldier’s life. I could not, indeed, -help feeling for the poor corporal, who after surviving the -dangers of the preceding night, had lost his life by a -clumsy hand cleaning a firelock.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It may appear strange that I did not wish to remain in -Badajoz, but I was suffering from my wound, and preferred -the quiet of the camp. We had no sooner arrived there -than I was obliged to part with my faithful Frenchman, -who was sent to join the other prisoners. I gave him a -few dollars, which most likely he was deprived of before -he got many yards. He left me with many expressions of -gratitude for the protection I had afforded him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I have been in many actions, but I never witnessed such -a complication of horrors as surrounded me on the forlorn-hope -at Badajoz.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I remained three days in camp before there was a -possibility of my being conveyed into the hospital at -Badajoz, during which I had an opportunity of hearing of -<span class='pageno' title='124' id='Page_124'>[124]</span>the casualties that occurred. The number of men killed, -wounded, and absent was such, that the company could -not muster a dozen men on parade for three days afterwards. -Parties were sent to the breaches to bury the dead, -which now began to smell most dreadfully; but we could -not collect men enough to perform that duty. My poor -old Captain, Major O’Hare, was amongst the slain, and had -received not less than ten or a dozen balls through his -body.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While in hospital, here as in other places, we were intermingled -with the French prisoners who, sick and wounded, -were placed indiscriminately in the wards with the British. -In that in which I myself lay, and in the next bed, -there was a smart young fellow, a Frenchman, with whom -I became intimately acquainted. Indeed, he could speak -a little English, which he had acquired during a short stay -as prisoner in England, whence he had been exchanged to -be again captured. He was recovering fast from a gun-shot -wound he had received in his shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c007'>During one of our evening chats, he gave me an account -of his escape from Almeida, which he had assisted in -defending, and afterwards in blowing up and evacuating.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A few evenings,” said he, “previous to our determination -to evacuate the fortress, an officer from Massena -entered the town, under the disguise of a peasant, with -orders to the Governor to undermine and blow up the -walls, and cut his way with the garrison through the -British lines. The distresses of the besieged had been so -excessive, that the message was received with delight. We -had seen and felt innumerable hardships, and had been so -reduced by famine, as to have been obliged, for food, to -slaughter even the horses and mules. On receipt of the -order, General Bernier, who commanded, and who had -already escaped from the British, he having broken his -parole while prisoner with the English some years before, -was even more anxious than ourselves, as he well knew had -he been retaken, in all probability he would have been -shot. In our dilemmas, he drew from us an oath to die or -effect our purpose. As a first step, we were for several -days employed undermining the walls, which were soon -<span class='pageno' title='125' id='Page_125'>[125]</span>hollowed and loaded in fourteen different places, all communicating -with each other by trains of gunpowder.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The evening of the evacuation, the whole garrison, to -the number of seven or eight hundred men, after destroying -the stores and spiking the guns, assembled in one of the -squares and at about midnight slowly moved through the -gates. The first to oppose our progress was a picquet of -Portuguese, whom we bayoneted in an instant, and just as -the mines commenced exploding—a low grumbling, as if of -an earthquake, followed, and in a few seconds the whole -citadel rose, as it were, in the air, and descended in -shivered and blackened masses. The noise of the explosion -brought the whole British division to their arms, -and our forlorn body dashed through your closing columns. -The moment was desperate, but starved as we were, the -French soldiers gained new strength from each reverse, and -despite the well-fed numbers of the British, cut their way -through the living wall, and gained the approach to San -Felice. Here the inequalities of the ground fortunately -and effectually kept off your cavalry, and after a few more -trifling encounters, we reached the grand army. We had -no sooner arrived within hail of our comrades than the -whole locality rung with one universal shout of enthusiasm. -Our General was carried about on the men’s shoulders, and -the day became one of joy throughout the camp.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The relation was given in the most spirited manner, just -as we might expect it from a soldier of the Emperor, whose -very name took the place of every other feeling. He spoke -also of Marshal Ney, who in his estimation was second only -to Napoleon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The foregoing, and many others equally entertaining, -but which the lapse of years have blotted from my memory, -he would relate to me, generally finishing his relations with, -“Eh bien, c’est égal, les écoliers sont dignes de leurs -maîtres. Les Français vous ont enseignés de terribles -leçons, et vous comprenez enfin l’art de faire la guerre -comme il faut.” Well, well, it is all the same; the -pupils are worthy of their teachers. The French have -taught you some terrible lessons, and you understand, at -length, the art of making war as it is—as it should be.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='126' id='Page_126'>[126]</span> - <h2 id='ch16' class='c005'>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>I recover from my wounds and rejoin my regiment at Ituera—“Nine holes”—March -for Salamanca—Sergeant Battersby—The grenadier and the murder of -his wife, &c., &c.—Marmont out-manœuvred—Assault of Fort St. Vincent—Retreat -of the enemy—We arrive at Rueda—The wine-vaults—My descent -into one—Fright, &c.—Manœuvring of the two armies—Skirmishing—A gallant -Frenchman—Pratt and his prisoner.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Having</span> recovered from my wounds, I left the hospital -and rejoined my regiment at Ituera, near Ciudad Rodrigo. -An unfortunate accident here occurred to one of our men. -He was playing at a game called “nine holes” with several -comrades, and was bowling along the ground a grenade, -used instead of a wooden-ball, believing it to have been -filled with earth only, when a spark from his pipe fell -into the hole, and instantly exploded, wounding him dreadfully. -The poor fellow never recovered the injuries he -received.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A short time after I had rejoined, our division marched -for Salamanca.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On our first day’s march we encamped in a wood, on the -right side of the road, leading to that city. The evening -was beautiful, and the sun having lost its meridian heat, -imparted a refreshing warmth to the wearied soldiers. -The camp was all astir for some time—every one being -busily engaged cooking and preparing for the night’s comfort; -which being completed, the eve found us mostly -seated and scattered about in small groups, earnestly intent -on enjoyment of some sort. I am particular in my recollection -of the time, for reasons which the following occurrence -will sufficiently account for.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I had finished my evening’s meal, and was sitting drinking -a tot of wine, with a sergeant of ours named Battersby, -who a few days previously had rejoined us from Belem, -where he had been some time appointed hospital-sergeant. -He brought with him a very pretty-looking Englishwoman, -that passed for his wife, and who was present with us, and -assisted much to keep up the spirit of our conversation. -We had been seated for some time under the branches of -<span class='pageno' title='127' id='Page_127'>[127]</span>a clump of cork trees, of which, indeed, the wood was -principally composed, when we were interrupted by some -of the men calling for Sergeant Battersby, and in a second, -or so, up marched a tall, fine-looking grenadier of the 61st -Regiment of Foot, then belonging to the sixth division, -which lay encamped some two or three miles in our rear; -as he approached, however, he did not notice us, but casting -sundry determined glances about him, more in anguish -than ferocity, he drew near the woman, and seated himself -on a knapsack near her. The latter, from the moment -he had first made his appearance, I had perceived, seemed -wondrously confused, and changed colour several times.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Nelly,” said he, fixing a firm and deliberate look on -her, his voice at first scarcely articulate with emotion, -“Nelly, why do you treat me so? how can you stoop,” -and here he cast an almost contemptuous glance of recognition -on Battersby, “how can you stoop to such a disgraceful, -so dishonourable a protection?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I am with those,” said she, rather snappishly, “who -know better how to treat me than you.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“That,” rejoined the grenadier, “may be your opinion; -but why leave the child, it is but three years old, and what -can I do with it?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>To this she made no answer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Do not think,” he again continued, “that I wish you -to return me, that is impossible. But I cannot help my -feelings!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was only replied to by reproaches; which I did not -listen to, for as it was no business of mine I turned to converse -with my companions.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The grenadier, at last, made a move to take his departure, -and his wife, for such she evidently was, had -agreed to accompany him a little of the way, and they -walked together. I did not know how to account for it, -but there was a certain uneasiness attended me, which had -kept me, as it were, on their trail all the evening; and -Battersby and myself followed in their rear. They had -proceeded a few hundred yards, and were some distance in -advance, when she turned to wish him good-night. The -poor fellow paused again, as if in deep thought, fixing on -<span class='pageno' title='128' id='Page_128'>[128]</span>her the same cool, deliberate look that he had exhibited all -the evening.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“So you are determined, Nelly,” said he at length, “to -continue this way of living?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Yes,” said she.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Well, then,” he exclaimed, holding her firmly by the -left hand, which she had extended for him to shake, while -he drew his bayonet with his right, “take that,” and he -drove it right through her body. The blow was given -with such force that it actually tripped him over her, and -both fell, the bayonet still sticking in her side. The poor -woman gave a convulsive scream, and in a moment expired. -The grenadier bounded instantly on his feet again, and -stamping one foot on the body of his victim, jerked forth -the bayonet reeking with her blood. Wheeling himself -round on his heel, the fatal weapon tightly clutched in his -right hand, his eyes instantaneously caught the direction -Battersby had taken, and he flew after him with the -speed and countenance of a fiend, to wreak a second vengeance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The sergeant fortunately arrived in the camp in time -enough to call out the rear-guard, who, of course, were -instantly on the alarm to meet him. The grenadier no -sooner beheld him in safety than he stopped, and casting a -half contemptuous smile towards the body of his dead wife, -wiped the bayonet through his fingers, returned it to the -scabbard, and drawing himself to his full height, calmly -awaited the approach of the guard. When brought before -the Colonel, he said in a rough and manly tone of voice, -while he extended his arm towards his wife, “I have done -the deed, but sorry her seducer has escaped.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>He was afterwards brought to a court-martial, and sentenced -to three months’ solitary confinement. But he -suffered for one month only, when, as I suppose, in consideration -of his case, he was ordered to return to his -regiment. I have since been informed that he was shot in -one of the actions on the Pyrennees. He certainly was a -fine-looking fellow, and by name Bryen.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As for Nelly, we buried her that very night near the -spot where she fell, having dug her grave with the same -<span class='pageno' title='129' id='Page_129'>[129]</span>kind of weapon as that by which she had been deprived of -life.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was rather strange that Battersby was not noticed, but -still held his rank. It is also as curious, that he was the -second man I saw fall at the battle of Quatre Bras, on the -16th June, 1815, being shot by a musket-ball through the -head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On our arrival at Salamanca, we took up our position to -the right of that city, near the river Tormes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here we remained for some days, our chief having completely -out-manœuvred Marmont. On the evening of the -4th of July stormers were required from our division, to -lead in the assault on Fort St. Vincent, the strongest of -the three forts that the enemy had constructed in the city, -and which commanded the other two; two men from each -company of our regiment were selected, the first for duty. -After marching the men down close to the fort, waiting -the signal for attack, they were countermanded. A few -days afterwards this fort was set on fire by red-hot shot -from our artillery, when it immediately surrendered, along -with the two others.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The enemy, baffled in their views on Salamanca, slowly -retreated, our army following until we arrived near Rueda. -Here our light troops had a smart brush with their rear-guard, -which ended in the capture of some few French -prisoners. I remember seeing on this occasion a party of -the Rifles bringing in a very fine-looking man, a French -sergeant, who seemed inconsolable at his capture. He -actually shed tears as he lamented the circumstance. The -following day, however, to his infinite joy, he was exchanged -for a sergeant of our cavalry, who also had been made prisoner -a few days before.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After this skirmish, our regiment advanced to the neighbourhood -of Rueda, where we occupied a hill, completely -covered with vines, and close to the town. The country -thereabouts abounded in grapes, from which an immense -quantity of wine was annually made. The places used for -the making of wine in this part of Spain are of a very -singular description. They are all subterranean, and of -immense extent, sometimes undermining many acres of -<span class='pageno' title='130' id='Page_130'>[130]</span>ground. Over these are chimneys constructed to admit -the air and light. The vats, into which the juice of the -grape is pressed, are in proportion to the size of the vaults, -and would entirely put to shame the same description of -receptacle used for beer by Barclay and Perkins.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our fellows, ever alive to the value of good liquor, notwithstanding -the French had well ransacked the “wine-houses,” -used frequently to find something to reward them -for their search in these cellars. Our way of proceeding -was to let one or two of our men down the above-mentioned -chimneys by means of a rope. I shall never forget the -terror I experienced in one of these adventures. Three or -four comrades and myself one evening assembled over the -chimney of one of these wine-vaults, and it was proposed -that one of us should descend to bring up some wine. -This was no comfortable task, as the proprietors frequently -watched below, and would scarcely hesitate to greet an -intruder with his cuchillo or long knife. After some deliberation, -and plenty of peeping, it was at last decided that -I should take the first chance; a rope accordingly was -obtained from one of the muleteers, and being secured -round my waist with a number of canteens, which clinked -enough to awake almost the dead, I was gradually lowered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The vaults were generally as deep as a three-storied -house, and before I got half way down, I was left dangling -in the air, the canteens chinkling as if with the intention -of hailing a knife the moment I arrived into the lower -region; at last I touched the ground. The place was so -dark that I could scarcely see a couple of yards before me, -and was obliged to grope my way for the vats; at length -one of the tins, that formed a kind of breast-work for my -approach, came in contact with something, and putting -my hand forward, I placed it upon the cold clammy face -of a corpse. My whole blood tingled, the canteens -responded, and at a glance I perceived, from the red wings -(for whether or not, I could see now) that it was a French -soldier, exhibiting most frightful gashes, evidently inflicted -by the same kind of weapon, which I at every turn, -was expecting.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The canteens clattered awfully, for I confess I shook -<span class='pageno' title='131' id='Page_131'>[131]</span>with terror, having no weapon to defend myself, and every -instant looking for the arm of some concealed assassins, -who probably were watching my movements. Afraid to -call out, I instantly tugged at the rope (the signal to pull -up), an answer from above expressed a doubt of the canteens -being filled so soon, and damned my eyes and limbs -for me, but this only made me shake the rope more violently, -until, to my great satisfaction, I found myself -again dangling, and ascending. My comrades seeing me -really come forth with hollow tins, and blowing with agitation, -burst into roars of laughter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I related my adventure, but this only increased it, until -their mirth rallying us all, one, however, more daring than -the rest, loaded his rifle, and with an oath, suffered himself -to be lowered, and shortly returned, bringing up the canteens -filled with excellent wine.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After remaining here for some time, we left Rueda at -twelve o’clock at night on the 16th, the enemy, who had -concentrated their forces at Tordesillas, being on the advance. -The following morning the sun rose unclouded, presenting -distinctly to the view the two armies moving in parallel -lines along a ridge of low hills, separated only by the intervening -valley and a river fordable in most places. The -French columns appeared in such beautiful order, as to -call forth the plaudits of even our own men. Skirmishing, -however, was soon commenced between some of the cavalry -and light troops.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One or two companies of our Rifles, seconded by a troop -of the 14th Dragoons, were soon partially engaged with -about a corresponding number of the enemy, who would -occasionally dash through the little river, and attempt to -take up a position to annoy our skirmishers. Our riflemen, -in particular, were highly delighted with several little -cavalry brushes that occurred this day between our dragoons -and the French. One instance of gallantry on the -part of a French dragoon, which fell under the eyes of most -of us, was particularly exciting: in a kind of half charge -that had been made by about a section of French and -English cavalry, one of the Frenchmen had dashed alone -through some of our dragoons. His own party having -<span class='pageno' title='132' id='Page_132'>[132]</span>retired, there seemed every prospect of his being instantly -killed or taken prisoner, and, indeed, most of us thought, -as there were at least a dozen of our 14th Dragoons -between him and his section, that he would surrender. -Not so, however, thought the gallant Frenchman, but -wheeling round, he gently trotted his horse for about -twenty yards, when he gave spurs to his steed, and after -several hand-to-hand conflicts with our dragoons in passing, -he actually succeeded in reaching his party, I believe unhurt, -and attended by the cheers of our own men, who -were not insensible, at any time, to the intrepidity even of -an enemy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Another incident occurred also, which, as an appropriate -companion to the foregoing, I will relate. Indeed, in -gratitude, perhaps, I ought to do so, as I was a gainer on -the occasion by a new pair of trowsers. A man of the -14th Dragoons, named Pratt, a fine strapping young fellow, -and a townsman of my own, brought in a French dragoon -on his horse prisoner. The Frenchman had lost his helmet, -and displayed a severe cut on his cheek. Poor -fellow! he seemed exceedingly chop-fallen, and declared -with much vehemence to Lieutenant Gardiner of our company, -who spoke excellent French, that the Englishman -could not have taken him had he possessed a better horse. -This Mr. Gardiner repeated to Pratt, who answered, -“Then by Jasus, Sir, tell him if he had the best horse in -France, I would bring him prisoner, if he stood to fight -me.” The words caused roars of laughter from all but -the prisoner, who affectionately patting the goaded and -smoking steed, exclaimed, “My poor beast has not had his -saddle off for the last week.” And such, indeed, appeared -to have been the case, as, on the saddle being removed, -prior to the sale of the poor horse, a part of the flesh that -had become a sore, came away with the saddle-cloth. The -animal in this condition was sold to Lieutenant Gardiner -for five dollars. Pratt, on opening the valise of the unfortunate -prisoner (who with folded arms looked on with a -mournful eye), came upon a pair of trowsers which he -threw to me as a gift that was exceedingly welcome, as my -own were worn to rags.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='133' id='Page_133'>[133]</span>The following day, after some slight skirmishes with the -advance of the enemy, we retreated upon Salamanca. As -few occurrences of any interest took place after this, for -some days, beyond the manœuvring of the two armies, -interesting only to the tactician, and which so many professional -men have done ample justice to, I will at once -proceed to the battle; in which, however, I must remark, -the Rifles were less engaged than in any other action fought -during the war: for which reason I shall have but little to -state upon the subject.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch17' class='c005'>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Battle of Salamanca—My wounds break out afresh—I go into the Hospital at -Salamanca—The Germans and their prisoners—A recognition—Michael Connelly—His -death and burial—Josh Hetherington again—A new acquaintance—His -accounts of the Guerillas, &c.—A keepsake for a sweetheart—The -Guerilla—The army retrace their steps to Salamanca—Proceed to Rodrigo—Heavy -wet—Spanish payment; acknowledgment—A dry coat—Lord Charles -Spencer and his acorns—We continue our march—The babes in the wood—Hard -skirmishing with the enemy’s advanced-guard—A woman in distress—Pepper—Hunger, -cold, and fatigue—Finish of the Burgos retreat.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> night previous to the morn that ushered in the day -of battle, viz., the 22nd of July, 1812, was the most -stormy, I think, I ever witnessed. The thunder, lightning, -and rain seemed striving which should excel, while their -united effect was terrible. We lay, without covering, in an -open field close to the river Tormes. It is needless to say, -not a man that night had on a dry shred. It has, I -believe, been previously remarked, by military and other -writers, that rain has been the forerunner of almost all our -general battles. From my own recollection, the truth of -this assertion is singularly supported by facts.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The battle of Salamanca commenced about ten or twelve -o’clock, upon our right, on a rising ground. Our position -was first disturbed by some cannon-shot of the enemy that -fell very near, but fortunately without doing any harm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Although every moment expecting to be sent into the -thick of it, we kept undisturbed possession of our ground, -from whence we could see the column of the enemy on the -<span class='pageno' title='134' id='Page_134'>[134]</span>heights engaged in attempting to repel the advance of our -troops. When the “glad sounds of victory” reached us, -a general feeling of pleasure pervaded our ranks, mixed -perhaps with some regret that we had not taken a more -active share in the battle. But all we could do we did, -which was to pepper the French well in their hurried -retreat from the field. In fact, it seemed to me as if the -whole French army might have been cut off by a little -promptitude.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We halted at Huerta. The following morning our -division crossed the river Tormes in pursuit of the enemy. -We came up with their rear strongly posted on the side of -a hill on the left of the road. Here we beheld one of -those few charges that so seldom succeed against well-trained -infantry: this was the celebrated charge of Major-General -Bock, who, at the head of his heavy German -cavalry, broke the French squares, taking them prisoners -almost to a man. It was the most gallant dash of cavalry -that ever was witnessed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This day I began to feel the ill effects of the wound I -had received at Badajoz, which the fatigue of marching -and the warmth of the weather had again caused to break -out. On inspecting the sore, our surgeon immediately -recommended me to go into hospital at Salamanca, for a -few days of medical treatment and rest. Accordingly I -set out for Salamanca with the guard appointed to escort -the prisoners taken in the recent cavalry affair by our -Germans. I never before saw such severe-looking sabre-cuts -as many of them had received; several with both -eyes cut out, and numbers had lost both ears. Their -wounded, who were carried in waggons, were extremely -numerous, and it was painful, even to an old soldier, to hear -their groans and incessant cries for water. The escort -consisted chiefly of the Germans that had taken them -prisoners, and it was pleasing to behold these gallant -fellows, in the true spirit of glory, paying the greatest attention -to the wants of the wounded. Water, as I have -remarked, from the loss of blood that had taken place -among the wounded, was in particular request. One of the -prisoners, who had his arm hanging, probably in endeavouring -<span class='pageno' title='135' id='Page_135'>[135]</span>to defend his head from a sword-cut—for, indeed, -there were very few gun-shot wounds among them—was in -particular very frequent in his demands for “eau” (water), -when none could be obtained. Perhaps imagining himself -neglected, we were not a little surprised to hear him suddenly -change his language, and call out in English, “For -the love of Jesus, give me something to quench my thirst; -I am a fellow-countryman of your own.” On entering -into conversation with him I found he formerly belonged to -the 9th Regiment of Foot, and had been taken prisoner -with a number of others of his regiment, while on board a -ship some time previous, since which occurrence he had -been prevailed upon to enter the French service in preference -to being kept in close confinement. At Salamanca -a sentry was placed over him; what became of him I -know not.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On arriving at Salamanca our wounded prisoners, some -other invalids, and myself were immediately taken into -hospital. There we were, French and English, laid up -together; and there, I must say, I saw sufficient practice -daily in the use of the surgeon’s knife to become perfectly -familiar with every form attendant upon amputation. -While lying in hospital, at all times a wretched place, from -the groans of the numerous sufferers, I was here placed -under the immediate attendance of Sergeant Michael Connelly, -in charge of our ward, who being sufficiently recovered -from a slight wound, was appointed sergeant to -the hospital. He was one of the most singular characters -I ever met with, and if an awkward person and uncouth -face had gained him the preferment, his match certainly -could not be found elsewhere. Mike was exceedingly -attentive to the sick, and particularly anxious that the -British soldier when dying, should hold out a pattern of -firmness to the Frenchmen, who lay intermixed with us in -the same wards.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Hould your tongue, ye blathering devil,” he would -say, in a low tone, “and don’t be after disgracing your -country in the teeth of these ere furriners, by dying hard. -Ye’ll have the company at your burial, won’t you? Ye’ll -have the drums beating and the guns firing over ye, won’t -<span class='pageno' title='136' id='Page_136'>[136]</span>you? Marciful God! what more do you want? ye are -not at Elvas, to be thrown into a hole like a dog—ye’ll be -buried in a shroud and coffin, won’t you? For God’s sake, -die like a man before these ere Frenchers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Mike, however, had one great failing, he drank like a -whale, and did not scruple to adopt as gifts or legacies, -the wine rations of both the dying and the dead, until he -drank himself out of the world, and as his patients remarked, -after all, he died “like a beast.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The news of Mike’s death spread like wildfire, and all -his old friends and the convalescents crowded to do honour -to his remains.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The funeral of the Duke himself could not have made a -greater stir, for cavalier and foot soldier, from the drum-boy -to the trumpeter, and all the women, children and -camp-followers in the locality, flocked to follow his remains, -the town became unusually alive, and the variegated throng, -headed by the deceased sergeant, borne by four bearers, -and the usual complement of soldiers with their arms reversed, -slowly wound their way through the city of Salamanca. -Many a jest made the streets ring with laughter, -as the crowd followed the coffin, till they reached the -burial-ground (near the French battery taken by us some -time previously.) The bearers here proceeded to enter the -gateway, when they were suddenly aroused by a slight cry -from within the coffin, with a kind of scraping noise, like -an effort to open it. They suddenly halted, paused, and -listened. It was surely Mike scraping. On they moved -again doubtfully. A second time the voice broke upon -their ears. “Whist!” ejaculated the bearers, their caps -moving almost off their heads. “Oh blood and ouns! -where am I? Oh bad luck to yer souls, let me out, won’t -you? oh, merciful Jasus, I’m smoothered.” In a twinkling -out bolted the bearers from under the coffin, and a -dozen bayonets in an instant were sunk under and lifted -the lid. The crowd crushed dreadfully to take a look. -But there lay Sergeant Michael Connelly, sure enough as -stiff as a fugleman but something colder, and my old friend, -that blackguard Josh Hetherington, the cockney ventriloquist, -who had been one of the bearers, as “innocent” -<span class='pageno' title='137' id='Page_137'>[137]</span>as you please, joining in the astonishment of the rest -of us.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Josh winked at me and I at Josh. “Ned,” said he, -“I’m blessed if I think he’s dead. Why don’t some of -them chaps go for a doctor.” “To be sure,” cried the -crowd, “send for the doctor.” Meanwhile a regular rush -was made to press him to swallow some of his favourite -liquor, but his teeth as obstinately opposed the draught, so -that poor Mike was already pronounced “not himself,” -when the doctor arrived.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While here, I got acquainted with a pleasant and intelligent -man who belonged to the 13th Light Dragoons, and -was fast recovering from a wound he had received in the -shoulder. We used frequently to alleviate as much as we -could the unpleasantness of our situation by a little conversation. -His history both amused and interested me.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He had been taken prisoner by the French near Badajoz -while serving in General Hill’s division, but managed -shortly afterwards to make his escape between Vittoria and -Pampeluna. The following morning he fell in with a -party of General Mina’s Guerillas, who, as soon as they -found him to be an Englishman, wished him to enlist in -their band until he could regain his regiment. This offer -he was glad to accept. After giving me a very amusing -account of the manners of the Guerillas, their rich picturesque -dresses and arms, and their wild military life in -the mountains, he proceeded to detail several anecdotes of -their cruelty and ferocity, among which I can well remember -the following, from the impression it then left upon -my mind, and the simple manner in which he related it:</p> - -<p class='c007'>Uniting suddenly several of his Guerilla bands in the -neighbourhood of Vittoria, Mina, whose information of the -movements of the French seemed unerring, one morning -surprised and captured a number of waggons filled with -stores. They had been sent from Madrid for the army at -Vittoria, and were escorted by gendarmes, who were all -either killed or taken. The prisoners, about twenty in -number, were immediately marched into the mountains, -but not before they had time to draw a dark augury of -their own fate by seeing all their wounded comrades -<span class='pageno' title='138' id='Page_138'>[138]</span>brutally stabbed to death on the ground where the skirmish -had taken place. The prisoners, after having been -stripped of nearly every article of wearing apparel, even to -their boots, were confined in a space of ground encircled -by pens or hurdles, and used for keeping cattle, round -which were planted many sentries. In the evening the -ferocious mountaineers, elated with their day’s success, -being joined by a number of females, their sweethearts and -wives made merry with drinking wine and dancing to the -music of several guitars. During this merriment both -men and women frequently taunted their wretched prisoners, -recapitulated the wrongs the Spaniards had suffered -at the hands of the French, until they gradually had excited -their passions to a partial state of frenzy. In this state, -the signal having been given by one of their number, they -rushed in among their hapless prisoners, and commenced a -general massacre, drowning the cries and supplications for -mercy of their victims, as they gave each blow, by enumerating -the different losses each had sustained in his family -during the war. “Take that for my father you shot,”—“that -for my son,”—“this for my brother,” &c., until -the work of death was complete. The most inhuman, -and perhaps most revolting trait in this general murder -was some of the women having actively assisted in the -slaughter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A short time after I had heard the preceding sketch, I -had an opportunity of observing that sanguinary feeling -of revenge that so peculiarly characterized the Guerillas -during the war. I rejoined my regiment at a little village -about three leagues from Madrid, called Gataffe. In the -farm-house, where the greater part of our company were -quartered, was a very pretty Spanish girl who had a -brother serving with the Guerillas. One hot summer -evening, when several comrades and myself were sitting on -a bench outside the door, joking with the girl, a swarthy, -savage-looking Spaniard came up, and was welcomed with -much joy by the girl and her parents. The new-comer -was armed to the teeth with pistols, daggers, and a long -gun, which, together with his crimson sash and free bearing, -at once proclaimed him the Guerilla. At first we -<span class='pageno' title='139' id='Page_139'>[139]</span>imagined him the girl’s brother, but soon perceived another, -though equally dear tie, cemented their affection: he was -her lover or suitor. While engaged in conversation with -his sweetheart and her parents, we observed him take rather -ostentatiously from his side a long heavy-looking silk purse, -the contents of which he emptied into the lap of his mistress. -The Spaniard’s eyes sparkled with pleasure; but, -for the honour of a British soldier, a general disgust pervaded -the minds of my comrades and myself, when we -beheld a number of human ears and fingers, which glistened -with the golden ornaments they still retained. He -then told us, with an air of bravado, that he had cut them -from off the bodies of the French whom he himself had -slain in battle, each ear and finger having on a gold ring.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Napoleon,” he observed, in his native dialect, with a -grim smile—“Napoleon loves his soldiers, and so do the -ravens;” as he pointed to several of those carrion birds -perched on the walls of an old convent covered with ivy. -“We find them plenty of food; they shall never want, so -long as a Frenchman remains in Spain.” Such are the -men who were considered the greatest patriots attached to -the Spanish army during the war.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The chief business of the British at this time was laying -siege to Burgos. The enemy having also assembled in -great numbers betwixt it and Vittoria, Lord Wellington, -thinking he was not able to oppose their force, ordered the -whole of the divisions to retire on Salamanca. We of the -light division received orders to the same effect.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 22nd of October we left Madrid: the contempt -with which the inhabitants treated us for leaving them -once more to the mercy of the French, cannot easily be -forgotten.</p> - -<p class='c007'>For what the men said gave us little concern; but to be -taxed and taunted for cowardice by the Spanish ladies was -most galling. Even my handsome dark-eyed Clementeria, -sister to the Guerilla lover, who seemed so much attached -to me, and with whom I spent many a moonlight night -serenading to the Spanish guitar, and who first taught me -to use the castanets in the Spanish dance—even she, with -all her pretended love, refused me a buss at our last moment -<span class='pageno' title='140' id='Page_140'>[140]</span>of parting, though I used all my eloquence, welding -the Spanish, French, and English together in pleading my -cause. All had no effect on the hard-hearted <i>Mosa</i>. Her -last words were: “Begone, you cowardly English, you -have not the courage to fight the enemy of our country: -those who have butchered my dear father and brother,” -were her last words. After a harassing march through a -mountainous country we joined the remainder of our army -at Salamanca. There we took up our quarters for a few -days in a convent, which exhibited such a loathsome picture -of filth as to be almost unendurable. In consequence -of our men having torn up a part of the balustrades for -firing, a young officer of the third battalion fell down a -height of fifty feet, and was killed on the spot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the second morning after our arrival we again proceeded -towards Rodrigo. The rain fell in torrents, and -from the heaviness of the roads, which were in many places -a foot deep in mud, most of our men lost their shoes, and -were obliged to march barefooted. Among this number I -was unfortunately included. When we had reached our -halting-ground for the night, our prospect was most desolate. -Wet to the skin—without fire or shelter—and at the -same time possessed of a ravenous appetite, with nothing -to satisfy it, formed one of the <em>disagreeables</em> so often attendant -upon our life in the Peninsula—to say nothing of incessant -duty and fatigue. It was these sufferings, in fact, I -am convinced, that oftentimes rendered our men so callous -about death, at different periods during the war, as some -men, from the privations they endured, wished to be shot, -and exposed themselves in action purposely.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On our halt on the above night, the first thing I did -was to take off my jacket and shirt, and after ringing -about half a gallon of water out of them, I replaced them -upon my back to dry as they might. Most of our men -had employed themselves in cutting down boughs of trees -to keep themselves out of the mud; but it was some hours -before we could obtain that greatest of luxuries, under our -present circumstances, a good fire. Still we had not a -morsel to eat after the day’s fatigue—no rations having -been issued—and our men suffered from all the pangs of -<span class='pageno' title='141' id='Page_141'>[141]</span>cold and hunger. Fortune, however, during the evening -favoured a few of us. Towards the middle of the night -one or two of our men brought intelligence that several -cars laden with spirits and biscuit for the Spanish army -were stuck fast in the road, and could not proceed onwards. -The temptation to our hungry maws could not be resisted; -leaving our fires, and getting up to the cars, screened by -the darkness of the night, we managed to get a portion -both of biscuit and aguardiente; but the Spanish guard, -discovering our fellows, commenced firing on them: this -was quickly returned, and several, I believe, were shot; -indeed, the firing continued all night, which alarmed the -chief part of our army. Had the offenders been discovered, -it would not have been difficult to have foretold their fate, -as the Duke’s orders were particularly strict against plunder, -(if such this might be called, for after all, the whole fell -into the hands of the French next morning, as the carts -were then able to be moved). For my own part, such -were my feelings this night, that I believe I should have -expired, but for the liquor I had drank.</p> - -<p class='c007'>With all their hunger, however, there existed among the -men a sympathy for the officers, which, considering their -distance, was rather remarkable; several of the most -haughty of the latter gladly received little kindnesses from -the soldiers; and if the noble lord be now living, he may -chance to recollect an instance connected with it. Lord -Charles Spencer, then a youth about eighteen years of age, -suffered dreadfully from the hunger and fatigue of this -retreat; trembling with cold and weakness, he stood -perched upon some branches, that had been cut down for -fuel, the tears silently starting from his eyes through the -pain he experienced, while thus sharing in the common lot, -anxiously watching a few acorns, which to stay the pangs -of hunger he had placed in the embers to roast. I dare -say his Lordship had never known till then the joys of -poverty—a good appetite! Nor will he, I expect, forget -how willingly the rough soldiers flew to offer him biscuits, -which their own sufferings could not withhold from one so -tenderly and delicately reared; but his Lordship was very -<span class='pageno' title='142' id='Page_142'>[142]</span>much liked amongst us, and, no doubt, it did many a veteran’s -heart good to hear his thanks, and see the eagerness -with which he devoured the offering. These are times -when Lords find that they are men—and men, that they -are comrades.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Before daylight we pursued our route, the rain continuing -to fall in torrents, while the state of our regiment -was pitiable. To add to our comfort, the enemy were close -upon our heels: this night we spent something like the -last—wet, cold, and hungry. On the following morning -we were obliged to continue our retreat rather precipitately, -as the shots of the French, who were in great force, came -rattling in among us. During the morning the enemy’s -cavalry succeeded in getting through a wood, and managed -to cut off the baggage of the seventh division, then in front -of ours. Among some captives the enemy made on this occasion -were several children in panniers carried by donkeys. -One Irishwoman, in particular, I remember seeing, whose -grief seemed inconsolable for the loss she had sustained in -that of her child. In a few days, however, the French, -desiring to be as little encumbered as ourselves with -children, sent them back with a flag of truce. This was -followed by a most interesting scene, as the different -mothers rushed forward to clasp their darlings in their -arms.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This day we were hard pressed by the enemy’s advanced-guard, -and two of our companies, the one in which I served -being one, were ordered to cover the retreat of our division. -The French, confident in their numbers, pressed us -vigorously, and it was with difficulty we could check their -advance. While hotly engaged skirmishing, I was about -taking possession of a tree, when I beheld a poor woman -at the foot of it, who, being unable to keep up with the -regiment, had sank down exhausted. Poor soul! she -seized my hands, and begged of me to assist her; at the -same moment the enemy’s balls came rapping into the -tree that only partially screened us. I was obliged, however, -to leave her, as there seemed every prospect of most -of us being cut off; the “assembly” sounded, and away -<span class='pageno' title='143' id='Page_143'>[143]</span>we dashed, “devil take the hindmost,” in upon the battalion. -Here our illustrious chief, who was generally to be -found where danger was most apparent, seeing us come -puffing and blowing up to our column, called out to us, in -a cheering voice: “Be cool, my lads; don’t be in a hurry!” -But, in faith, with all possible respect for his Lordship, we -were not in greater haste than the occasion demanded, as -the French were upon us, and we were obliged to dash -down the sides of the hill, where we halted for a moment, -and his Lordship also, and then ford a river. While -engaged in crossing the stream, that was much swollen by -the late rains, a round-shot from the enemy, who were -now peppering away at us, took off the head of a Sergeant -Fotheringham, of our battalion, and smashed the thigh of -another man. On gaining the other side of the stream we -turned to give a salute in return, but owing to the wet our -rifles were unserviceable.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We remained that night stationary on the banks of the -river, exposed to all the delights of cold, hunger, and -fatigue. These feelings were not improved by a course of -shelling that the enemy did us the honour to indulge in at -our expense. But, as I have remarked, the sufferings of -our men were such at this period that many of them considered -death a happy relief. The morning at length -dawned upon our half-famished persons, but brought no -alleviation to our miseries. The rain still continued to -come down in torrents. Pursuing our route, we arrived at -Ciudad Rodrigo, and took shelter under its walls, where -we found some sheds used as stables for the Spanish -cavalry. The moment I entered, the first thing that -caught my eye was some Indian corn-leaves, which I considered -a lucky chance, and instantly throwing myself on -them, wet as I was, soon fell into a sound sleep, the only -rest I had had since we left Salamanca. However, in the -morning when I awoke I found myself in a glow of heat, -and covered with perspiration, and on attempting to rise -found myself as if paralyzed, and could not move. Calling -some of the men to assist, they were astonished at the -steam that emitted from under me like smoke. I then -<span class='pageno' title='144' id='Page_144'>[144]</span>found my bed had been hot horse-dung, slightly covered -by the Indian corn-leaves. The doctor being sent for, -ordered me instantly to be carried into the town, where -with hot baths and a salivation in a few weeks I was able -to join my regiment.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch18' class='c005'>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Head-quarters at Grenalda—Don Julian Sanchez, the celebrated Guerilla Chief—Weakness -of our numbers—Incorporation of Spaniards into our regiments—A -thief—Punishment of, and opinion of the men—General orders for a collection -among the men and officers to relieve Russian losses—A ball, in which -thousands were present—Campaign of <a id='date-b'></a>1813 commenced—The Life Guards and -the Blues join us—The French retreat to Burgos—Secret expedition for bread—Our -surprise—Retreat—General Sir Lowry Cole—His temple spectacles -made use of to reconnoitre—Our escape—A few remarks—Three alternatives—A -cavalry affair on the 18th June—German brotherhood again.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Towards</span> the end of November our battalion again -became stationed at its old quarters, in the little village of -<a id='all'></a>Allamada. We obtained here fresh clothing, certainly not -before it was wanted; green having become by far the -least conspicuous colour in the regiment, while so various -had been the expedients resorted to for obtaining a substitute -for shoes, that the fresh supply from England was -welcomed with no common joy. It was quite amusing to -see how our fellows enjoyed their clothing, strutting about -as proud as peacocks among the Spanish peasant girls, in -whose estimation they doubtless conceived they should be -considerably advanced.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Head-quarters were at Grenalda, some miles distant -from where we lay, and a company of our regiment -occasionally did duty over the Duke, whose quarters were -in the house of the Alcalde. We had strict orders to -admit no one inside the gates leading to the house, unless -some particular despatch from the front, or from Don -Julian Sanchez, the Guerilla chieftain. Indeed, a report -had arisen amongst us, at the time, that his Grace was not -altogether right in his head; but this was mere fiction. I -used to observe him walking through the market-place, -<span class='pageno' title='145' id='Page_145'>[145]</span>leading by the hand a little Spanish girl, some five or six -years old, and humming a short tune or dry whistle, and -occasionally purchasing little sweets, at the child’s request, -from the paysannes of the stalls.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here, for the first time, I saw Don Julian Sanchez, the -noted Guerilla leader, linked arm in arm with the Duke—an -instance peculiar to the time, of obscure merit rising of -its own impulse to an equality with the greatest man of -the age.</p> - -<p class='c007'>My readers may well suppose I did not slightly notice -the square well-set figure, dark scowl, and flashing -eyes of the Guerilla, whose humble birth-place I afterwards -visited, in a small village between Rodrigo and -Salamanca. I had been informed that he first began his -career as a pig-boy, but owing to some cruelties exercised -on a branch of his family by the French, he took an -inveterate hatred to them, which he exemplified by surprising -and slaughtering two or three of their soldiers, -whom he found asleep in a wood. Accompanied by one or -two others, he continued and increased his sanguinary -feats, and gradually collected a small band, then a body, -and eventually commanded upwards of twenty thousand -Guerillas, well-armed, and equipped with British arms and -accoutrements, and who rendered more assistance to the -cause of the British than all the Spanish troops beside.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our regiments, by constant collision with the French, -were getting exceedingly thinned, and recruits from -England came but very slowly, until we found it necessary -at last to incorporate some of the Spaniards; for this -purpose several non-commissioned officers and men were -sent into the adjacent villages recruiting. In the course of -a short time, and to our surprise, we were joined by a -sufficient number of Spaniards to give ten or twelve men -to each company in the battalion. But the mystery was -soon unravelled, and by the recruits themselves, who, on -joining, gave us to understand, by a significant twist of the -neck, and a “Carago” (much like the very breaking of -one), that they had but three alternatives to choose from, -to enter either the British, or Don Julian’s service, or be -<span class='pageno' title='146' id='Page_146'>[146]</span>hanged! The despotic sway of Sanchez, and his threat in -the bargain, so disjointed their inclination for the Guerillas, -that they hastily fled their native “woods” and “threshold,” -for fear of really finding themselves noosed up to -them, and gladly joined the British regiments. Many of -them were even made corporals, and, indeed, proved themselves -worthy of their new comrades, whom they rivalled -in every undertaking of courage and determination.<a id='r14' /><a href='#f14' class='c014'><sup>[14]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>While lying here I will give a short description of our -regiment’s opinion of flogging, not indeed by words, but -by signs, as the following anecdote will show, although the -sound of cats was seldom heard in our battalion; for I can -safely say, that for the six years I served in Spain not -more than six men, to my recollection, were punished in -our battalion, and yet withal I cannot brag of our fellows -being the honestest branch in the British army. At the -time I speak of we had a man in our regiment of the name -of Stratton, who, after robbing several of his comrades of -trifling articles, took it into his head to desert to the -enemy, and was detected in the act, in a wood that leads -from Rodrigo to Salamanca, by the vigilant Guerillas, and -brought back prisoner to our cantonments. He was tried -by a regimental court-martial, and sentenced to receive four -hundred lashes.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After the proceedings of the court-martial were read by -the Adjutant, in a wood near the village where the regiment -was formed for punishment, Major Cameron, who -commanded us at the time, devised the following plan to find -out the true character of the prisoner, for the Major was -not only a brave and gallant soldier, but a shrewd man, and -knew well that the men were better judges of the good or -bad qualities of each other than the officers could possibly -be. He addressed the prisoner as follows:—“Stratton, I -ought to have had you tried by a general court-martial; in -that case you would have been shot; but the high character -the regiment has borne in the army prevents me from -<span class='pageno' title='147' id='Page_147'>[147]</span>having it mentioned in general orders, that a man of the -Rifles could be guilty of the heinous crime of desertion to -the enemy. I am yet willing to show you kindness. Now, -Sir, if the men of the battalion will be answerable for your -future good conduct, I shall pardon you.” Turning round -at the same time, Major Cameron looked the men in the -face while he stood in the square, as if waiting for an -answer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A pause took place, no answer being given. The Major -said: “Strip, Sir.” He was tied to a tree, and received -twenty-five lashes; the second bugler was preparing to -commence, when the Major again said, “Will you not be -answerable, men, for Stratton’s conduct? Well, then, if -his own company will be answerable for his good behaviour -I shall forgive him.” The prisoner, at these words, looked -round with an imploring eye, as far as his position would -allow him, looking towards his own company, saying, “Do, -men, speak for me, I will not act so in future.” I recollect -it well, each man leaning on the muzzle of his rifle with his -left hand, while his right covered his face, and all silent; -not a man spoke. “Go on,” said the Major; the culprit -received twenty-five lashes more, when the Major again -said, “Now, Sir, if only one man in the regiment will speak -in your behalf, I shall take you down.” Still silent, while -the third bugler commenced: when the prisoner had -received about sixteen lashes, a voice from the square called -out, “Forgive him, Sir!”—“Stop, bugler, stop!” said the -Major; “who was the man that spoke?” “I did, Sir!” -was the answer. “Step into the square;” when a man of -the prisoner’s own company came forward. “Oh! is it -you, Robinson?” said Major Cameron; “I thought as -much; as little-good-for-nothing a fellow as himself; but -take him down.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>When the prisoner was conducted out of the square, -the Major addressed the men, saying: “Your conduct in -the field is well known by the British army; but,” added -the Major, “your moral worth I have not known before; -not a man would speak in that fellow’s behalf, except the -man who did, whom you know as well as I do.” This may -<span class='pageno' title='148' id='Page_148'>[148]</span>serve to show, that however soldiers dislike this mode of -punishment, they still like to see a rascal punished; and -nothing tends to destroy all feeling of pity for his sufferings -more than his having been guilty of an act of -cowardice, or robbing his comrade.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Some months before our present sojourn at Allamada, -Napoleon had made his disastrous campaign in Russia, -when Moscow was burnt. The circumstance was now -brought to our notice by the general order, soliciting a -day’s pay from the officers and men of the army towards -defraying the losses sustained by the Russians. This was -most cheerfully bestowed by every man in our battalion -except two, the above-mentioned Stratton and another -man of the name of Frost; and to crown the occurrence -the day was made one of jollity and fun. Country dances -were struck up by the band, and it was most laughable to -behold, one and all, officers as well as private soldiers -kicking about their heels to the tune of “The Downfall of -Paris.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our division had been cantoned in and about Allamada -during the winter, when, soldier-like, ever sighing after a -change of scene, the men of our battalion generally began -to grow tired of their monotonous and inactive life: however, -we received orders for marching. This occurred -about the middle of May, when we commenced the campaign -of 1813, and a spirit of enterprize, notwithstanding -past sufferings, extended itself throughout the light division. -We left Allamada in high spirits. On the third day’s -march our battalion encamped near Salamanca, in a wood, -where we were joined by the Life Guards and Oxford -Blues, that had just come out from England, and whom -we beheld drawn up at the side of the road. Their fresh -and well-fed appearance gave rise to many jests at the -expense of the “householders.” They in fact, as I learnt, -took us at first, from our dark clothing and embrowned -visages, for a foreign regiment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The first peep we got of the enemy was at a place called -Toro, on the road towards Burgos. There our hussars had -a sharp skirmish, in which they took some prisoners. -<span class='pageno' title='149' id='Page_149'>[149]</span>Continuing our advance, we overtook their rear-guard the -following day. After a little skirmishing and cannonading -they continued their retreat to Burgos. The next morning -we were startled by a tremendous explosion, that at first -induced many of our men to think it an earthquake, until -we ascertained the fact that it arose from the explosion of a -mine, with which the French had destroyed the castle and -some of the works of the town of Burgos.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 16th of June we passed through the pretty -little town of Medina del Pomar, and encamped on the -other side of it close to the banks of a large river. On -this march we suffered much from a deficiency of supplies -from the commissariat, as anything like rations we seldom -received. Myself and one or two others, having some few -pence, determined to start off on the sly, as we were not -allowed to move from our camp ground, and purchase -bread at a little village we beheld at the other side of the -river, which we forded unobserved and entered the village. -There, however, the alarm of the people became very great -upon our appearance, and not wishing apparently to have -any dealings with us, they asked an immense price for the -bread. Irritated at this conduct, and urged by hunger, -every man seized a loaf and threw down the usual price in -the country. Seeing that we were all totally unarmed, for -we had not even our side-arms, an immediate outcry was -raised against us by the people, and we had to run for -safety. This we did, carrying the loaves with us, until we -were overtaken by some of the swift-footed peasantry, who -came up to us with knives and clubs. Our lives being -thus in jeopardy for the dearly-obtained bread, our party -instantly had recourse to stones for defence. “Muerte a -los peros Ingleses.” “Kill the English dogs,” was the -general cry of the Spaniards, as they brandished their long -knives. They were evidently about to make a rush in -among us, by which my own personal adventures, and -those of my comrades, would, in all probability, have been -finished on the spot, when several men of the 43rd and -52nd regiments, belonging to our division, came running -up, like ourselves, foraging. It was the turn -<span class='pageno' title='150' id='Page_150'>[150]</span>of the Spaniards now to retreat—which they did in a -hurry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We had scarcely escaped the attack of the Spaniards -and arrived at the bank of the river, when General Sir -Lowry Cole came galloping up to us with some of the -mounted staff, which indeed might be termed the police of -the army. “Hallo! you plundering rascals of the light -division—halt!” was the General’s command, as he pulled -up his temple spectacles, which he generally wore. One -only resource was left us, and that was to plunge into the -river, which at that part was very deep, and swim across, -holding the bread in our teeth. This we immediately -adopted, when Sir Lowry, in an agitated tone, that did -honour to his heart, called out—“Come back, men, for -God’s sake—you’ll be drowned! Come back, and I’ll not -punish you.” But the General’s fears were needless; we -soon landed on the other side.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On arriving at our camp we found that the roll had been -called over several times, and that we had been set down -“absent without leave;” but we were lucky enough to -escape with a slight reprimand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I cannot here forbear making a few remarks with reference -to the men who composed our battalion in the -Peninsula. The reader will be apt to imagine, that those -men who were in the habit of foraging after a day’s march, -were but indifferent soldiers. Allow me, with some pretensions -to the name of a veteran, to correct this error, and -inform the reader, that these were the very men whose -bravery and daring in the field far exceeded the merits of -their more quiet comrades in quarters.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our men, during the war, might be said to have been -composed of three classes. One was zealous and brave to -absolute devotion, but who, apart from their “fighting -duties,” considered some little indulgence as a right; the -other class barely did their duty when under the eye of -their superior; while the third, and I am happy to say, -by far the smallest in number, were skulkers and poltroons—their -excuse was weakness from want of rations; they -would crawl to the rear, and were seldom seen until after -<span class='pageno' title='151' id='Page_151'>[151]</span>a battle had been fought, when they might be observed in -the ranks until the Commissary again placed them on -short allowance, when off they started; in this manner -they swelled the muster-rolls.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the first of these were the men who placed the Duke -on his present pinnacle as one of the great captains of the -age. During the whole of our advance from the frontiers -of Portugal, until we entered the Pyrenees, not more (on -the average) than one biscuit per day was served out to -each man—and it consequently could not be expected -that a soldier, weighed down by a heavy knapsack, and -from sixty to eighty rounds of ammunition (such as we -Riflemen carried at the time), could march from twenty to -thirty miles a day on so short an allowance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was not unfrequent, therefore, after a day’s march to -observe groups of our regiment, and, indeed, of the division, -rooting up the fields with their swords and bayonets, -in search of potatoes, &c., and these were the men who -were able to undergo the fatigue of the next day.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The French, also, in their hurried retreat stocked themselves -with several days’ provisions in advance; these -were hung very temptingly from their knapsacks,<a id='r15' /><a href='#f15' class='c014'><sup>[15]</sup></a> and as -it were, in defiance of our hungry jaws; as a consequence, -this gave rise to the well-known remark, or alternatives of -the Light Division: “Damme, boys, if the Commissary -don’t show his front we must either find a potato field, or -have a killing day!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Indeed, but for these resources, so dependent on our -individual energies, his Grace, from our being always in -front, might have occasionally found half his Light Division -“stiff,” and the other half tucked under the blankets -as “Belem Rangers.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 18th of June (a very memorable day to our -army afterwards) we passed along the banks of a fine river. -Our company, along with but half a troop of German -Hussars, formed the advance. On turning a winding of -the road, we suddenly came within sight of a party of the -<span class='pageno' title='152' id='Page_152'>[152]</span>enemy’s cavalry who formed the tail of their rear-guard. -Our Germans, who were commanded by a very smart -young fellow, immediately charged them. The French, -perceiving the number of our cavalry only equal to their -own, instantly wheeled about and calmly awaited the -attack. A very smart combat soon took place, and was -supported by great resolution for some time on both sides, -but terminated in the flight or capture of the enemy. -Several prisoners were brought in, all of whom were badly -wounded; and scarcely one of our gallant Germans had -escaped without some sabre-wound. Another singular -circumstance occurred at this skirmish. One of the German -cavalry, as he came in with a prisoner and his horse, -exclaimed in broken English, as he came up to us—“Mine -Got! mine Got! he is mine own broder!” It -appeared he had brought in his own brother prisoner, -wounded, who was in the French service. The officers of -both parties had been killed in the preceding charge; and -Lord Wellington, who came up at the time, was so pleased -with our cavalry, that he promised the sergeant a commission, -which a few days after, I was told, he obtained.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The whole of our battalion, which soon came up, was -ordered to push forward. We found the French rear-guard -in possession of a little town called San Milan, in -front of which they had drawn themselves up, apparently -with the intention of defending. As we continued to -advance in extended order, they changed their minds and -turned tail. This day I noticed a novel system many of -the enemy had adopted, of firing their muskets over their -shoulders in their retreat, without turning round to face us. -This resulted, in all probability, from the excessive heat -and fatigue they had endured.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='153' id='Page_153'>[153]</span> - <h2 id='ch19' class='c005'>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>We encamp near Puebla, on the road to Vittoria—Battle of Vittoria—A man -obliged to hold his jaw—Affair of Bayonets—The 88th—Blanco—Daly—French -defeated—A prisoner rescued—The carriage of Joseph Napoleon—His wife, -&c.—His bâton—A prize—Attempt to rob me—Sergeant Lee—Night scenes -after the battle—The sale of the spoils—I distribute my money for safety—We -march on Salvatierra—Halt at Pampeluna—Another brush wanted—Lesaca—The -enemy on the heights of Santa Barbara dislodged—The French -attempt to relieve Pampeluna—The Bidassoa—The French too late for the -“fare”—We also—A race back by way of “hurry”—The Regiment’s birth-day—Sergeant -Fawfoot’s loss and re-instalment—My treasure—My comrade—His -good faith—Siege and storm of San Sebastian—The four hundred gallant -Frenchmen—Their charge and escape—The 52nd and their badges—Remarks, -&c.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>On</span> the 20th we remained encamped near Puebla, a town -within ten or twelve miles of Vittoria. On the following -morning we fell in rather earlier than usual, when a general -rumour among the ranks augured we should have a busy -day. We were, indeed, on the eve of the memorable battle -of Vittoria. We marched along the left of the high road -towards the previously mentioned city, leaving Puebla a -little to the right. Our battalion, as the advanced-guard, -preceded by the remainder of the division until we came in -sight of the enemy on the other side of the river Zadora. -We commenced a smart brush with their voltigeurs, who -slowly retreated, and took up a position in the rear of some -rocks, from whence their fire swept a bridge in our immediate -front. While thus occupied in skirmishing, we -heard a loud cheering on our left, where we beheld the -third division charge over a bridge much lower down the -stream. Fired by the sight, we instantly dashed over the -bridge before us in the face of a galling discharge from the -enemy. We then drove them from the rocks, and in our -turn had to sustain a heavy fire from several guns mounted -upon a hill that commanded our position. The rocks were -splintered round us in every direction from this fire, and -many of our men were killed or wounded by shot or fragments -of stone.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='154' id='Page_154'>[154]</span>We were soon joined by the remainder of our division, -and pushed forward up a hill, from the summit of which we -could clearly discern the city of Vittoria. By this time the -action had become pretty hot and general with the other -divisions, as well as our own. The chief scene of conflict -was on an extended plain within a mile or two of the city -on the left. Continuing to advance, we arrived near a -small village on the main road, from which we were -annoyed by a furious fire, until, rushing in, we drove them -out, and captured a howitzer in the market-place, the first -that was taken. We were doomed however, to have it but -a short time in our possession, as a whole regiment of the -enemy came charging upon us, and our force, consisting of -only two companies, had to retreat with precipitation, when, -turning round, however, we beheld our favourite third -division coming double quick down the main road to our -assistance—with Picton, who was never absent in time of -need, at their head.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After retiring for about a hundred yards, this sight -encouraged us, and we were at them again. While thus -engaged, a grape or round-shot struck my pouch with such -violence that I was hurled by the force a distance of several -yards. From the sudden shock I thus experienced, I -imagined myself mortally wounded; but, on being picked -up, I found the only damage I had sustained was the -partial destruction of my pouch, which was nearly torn off.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A man of the name of Hudson, who was one of the -pardoned deserters at Rodrigo, while running to my assistance -as I afterwards learned, was struck by a bullet in his -mouth, which knocked out several of his teeth, and came -out at the back of the ear. From this wound, severe as it -was, he however recovered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Placing some of the ammunition in my haversack and -the remainder in my cap, we were at them again, and -recaptured the howitzer in the village, by the assistance of -part of the third division.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Still pursuing them, the chief part of my company kept -on the right of the main road. In all my military life, -this sight surpassed anything I ever saw: the two armies -<span class='pageno' title='155' id='Page_155'>[155]</span>hammering at each other, yet apparently with all the coolness -of field-day exercise—so beautifully were they -brought into action.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this moment I noticed a regiment, which by its -yellow facings I think was the 88th or Connaught Rangers, -marching in close column of companies to attack a French -regiment which was drawn up in line on the verge of a hill -with a small village in its rear.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The 88th, although at the time under a heavy cannonade -from the enemy’s artillery, continued advancing -gallantly onwards, which, we skirmishers perceiving, took -ground to the left close to the road, in order to enable -them to oppose this line in front.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Though hotly engaged at the time, I determined to -watch their movements. The 88th next deployed into -line, advancing all the time towards their opponents, -who seemed to wait very coolly for them. When -they had approached to within three or four hundred -yards, the French poured in a volley or I should say a -running fire from right to left. As soon as the British -regiment had recovered the first shock, and closed their -files on the gap it had made, they commenced advancing -at double time until within fifty yards nearer to the -enemy, when they halted and in turn gave a running fire -from their whole line, and without a moment’s pause -cheered and charged up the hill against them. The French -meanwhile were attempting to reload. But being hard -pressed by the British, who allowed them no time to give a -second volley, came immediately to the right about, making -the best of their way to the village.<a id='r16' /><a href='#f16' class='c014'><sup>[16]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='156' id='Page_156'>[156]</span>As I have before observed, we had several Spaniards in -our regiment. These men were generally brave; but one -in particular, named Blanco, was one of the most skilful -and daring skirmishers we had in the battalion. His -great courage, however, was sullied by a love of cruelty -towards the French whom he detested, and never named -but with the most ferocious expressions. In every affair -we had since the advance from Portugal, he was always in -the front; and the only wonder is how he managed to escape -the enemy’s shot, but his singular activity and intelligence -frequently saved him. His hatred to the French -was, I believe, occasioned by his father and brother, -who were peasants, having been murdered by a French -foraging party. On this day he gave many awful proofs -of this feeling by mercilessly stabbing and mangling the -wounded French he came up to. In this massacre he was, -however, stopped by a veteran of our regiment, who, -although suffering from a severe wound in the face, was so -exasperated at the Spaniard’s cruelty, that he knocked -him down with a blow from the butt of his rifle. It was -only by force we could prevent the Spaniard from stabbing -him on the spot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I now observed the Duke come riding up with some of -his staff; and, seeing the confusion the enemy were in, -cried out to one of his aides-de-camp, “Send up a few of -Ross’s guns; here is work for them:” saying to us at the -same time, “That’s right, my lads; keep up a good fire,” -as he galloped in our rear to the right. In an instant up -came Ross’s guns, and commenced peppering them at the -distance of not more than three hundred yards. Here the -whole seemed blocked together in a mass, while we stuck -to them like leeches.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When we arrived close to the barriers of Vittoria, we -<span class='pageno' title='157' id='Page_157'>[157]</span>found them blocked up by a great portion of the French -waggons, bearing the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">matériel</span></i> of their army. After -passing the gates, we were still engaged through the town -skirmishing with their rear-guard; but, notwithstanding -the street-firing, many of the inhabitants threw open their -windows, and, appearing at their balconies, welcomed us -with <i>vivas</i>, while the ladies, according to the established -mode threw flowers into the streets on us, as we passed -along.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In following up the enemy, a few other men and myself -had left the company a little in the rear. While going -through the square I was fortunate enough to save the life -of a French soldier who had been wounded. He was -endeavouring, poor fellow! to follow in the route of the -French, when observing me coming up, he dropped his -musket, with which he had been assisting himself, and -intimated that he surrendered; a Spanish vagabond, -however, observing him, brandished a club, evidently -intending to give the Frenchman the “<i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">coup de grace</span></i>,” when -he was knocked down. The poor Frenchman expressed -his gratitude, but we were obliged to leave him, probably -after all to the same fate he had just been rescued from, -unless he fell into the hands of our troops who were -coming up at the time.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A few minutes after this, some of the 10th Hussars and -a party of the Life Guards came dashing through the -town, sword in hand, shouting as if they had taken it by -storm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>When I had passed the gates, and forced my way -through the immense quantity of baggage that blocked up -the further end of the town, and through which the -cavalry could scarcely pass, I beheld a French mounted -officer, sword in hand, escorting a carriage and four out of -the town. My comrade and myself immediately fired, -when the officer fell. At the same moment the carriage -stopped. On rushing up to the vehicle we perceived it -contained two ladies, evidently of high rank. They -seemed much alarmed as the balls kept whisking round -them from both sides. We desired them not to entertain -any fears for their safety, as we would not harm them. -<span class='pageno' title='158' id='Page_158'>[158]</span>While thus engaged an officer of the 10th Hussars came -galloping up, flourishing his sword over his head. Not -knowing his uniform at first, I cocked my rifle, upon -which he exclaimed “I am an English officer, Sir.” Hearing -this, I stepped on one side of the carriage, but in -withdrawing I observed a small but exceedingly heavy -portmanteau that was carried by a Spanish muleteer in -the French service. He was in the act of conveying it -towards the town, and as I thought I contributed more -towards its capture, I made him lay it down—not, indeed, -before I was compelled to give him a few whacks of my -rifle in the ribs. My comrades had gone in another direction, -so that I had no one to claim a portion of my booty, -which on inspection I found to consist of several small -bags filled with gold and silver in doubloons and dollars. -Although I never knew exactly the amount, I should -think it not less than £1000. I afterwards learnt that -the lady in the carriage was no other than the Queen of -Spain, the wife of Joseph Bonaparte.<a id='r17' /><a href='#f17' class='c014'><sup>[17]</sup></a> The officer of -hussars, I also heard, obtained possession of the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">bâton</span></i> of -Joseph<a id='r18' /><a href='#f18' class='c014'><sup>[18]</sup></a> himself from the same carriage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>My chief anxiety now was how to secure my prize; and, -when all who had an opportunity were employed in -reaping some personal advantages from our victory, I -determined not to be backward, but this was a difficult -thing to accomplish. As I could not well carry the portmanteau -from its weight, I soon found means, taking one -of the many mules that were blocking up the road to bear -the valuable load; but being at a loss how to fasten the -portmanteau, I resorted for aid to a sergeant and two men -of the 10th Hussars, who were passing. For this service -I, perhaps, incautiously rewarded them too liberally, by -giving them several handfuls of dollars. In doing this -they got a glimpse of the gold, half of which they -demanded. Perceiving the probability of being thus -deprived of the only prize I had made after years of hardship -and suffering—and particularly by those new-comers, -as this regiment had newly joined from England, made it -<span class='pageno' title='159' id='Page_159'>[159]</span>still worse—I inwardly resolved to forfeit it but with my -life. So catching up my loaded rifle, which I had leant -against a gun-carriage, I instantly cocked, and, retiring -three or four paces, brought it to my shoulder, swearing I -would shoot the first man dead that placed his hands upon -my treasure. My determined air, and the ferocity of my -appearance—my face being completely covered with perspiration -and gunpowder—induced them to pause, and -finally to desist. Taking the sergeant’s word not to -attempt molesting me, with his assistance I completed -the strapping of my treasure, and departed for the -camp.<a id='r19' /><a href='#f19' class='c014'><sup>[19]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>I had not proceeded far with the intention of gaining -the battalion, when I observed the Duke of Wellington -forcing his way, with some of his staff, through gun-carriages -and waggons into Vittoria. To my great -relief, however, he took no notice of myself and mule. -In fact, his Grace was too much occupied in securing -the brilliant results of our victory in the capture of the -entire <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">matériel</span></i> of the French army which fell into our -hands.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Almost all our men at this time, I must remark, to use -a phrase much in vogue among us, were endeavouring to -see what they could <em>make</em>—in other words <em>take</em>. I reached -our camp, however, in safety.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This night we encamped amidst the wreck of the French -army, every man bringing into his camp ground whatever -he fancied—for the unfortunate enemy were compelled to -leave everything behind them, even to their women and -children—so that, if our fellows were inclined to be honest, -their good fortune would not allow them. The ground -occupied by our regiment was near a small village, a little -off the main road that leads to Pampeluna.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As soon as our fires were lighted, the men, who had -<span class='pageno' title='160' id='Page_160'>[160]</span>been under arms from three o’clock in the morning until -eleven at night, and consequently had not tasted food for -the whole of the day, began to fill their hungry maws -from the luxuries of the French camp. Roast fowls, -hams, mutton, &c. were in abundance, and at midnight the -wine and brandy went round in horn tots which we -generally carried about us. The men mostly lay stretched -on the ground, their feet towards the fires, and elbows -resting on their knapsacks; as soon as the grog began to -rouse up their spirits from the effects of the day’s fatigue, -each one commenced inquiries about their absent comrades, -for Riflemen in action being always extended, seldom know -who falls until the affray is over.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Blood an ounds,” said Dan Kelly, bouncing up from -his reclining posture; “don’t drink all the wine, boys, -until we hear something about our absent messmates. -Does any of you know where Jack Connor is?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“He was shot through the body, when we took the -first gun in the little village near the main road,” was the -reply.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Where is Will John,” asked Bob Roberts, with a -sudden glance of suspense.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The ball passed through his head,” said another, “I -saw poor Will fall.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Musha, boys! is there any hope of poor Jemmy -Copely getting over his wounds?” said Tom Tracy, -earnestly, lifting his head from his knapsack.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Poor Copely!” replied another; “both his legs were -knocked off by a round shot.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Tracy laid his head on his kit again, and was silent. -Here each man gave a short account of his fallen comrade.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Why, by Jasus!” exclaimed Tracy, who had been -eagerly listening all the while, “by Jasus, they have kilt -half our mess. But never mind, boys, fill a tot, fill a tot, -and may I be d——d but here’s luck:” he placed the -wine to his mouth, but took it away untasted, and laid it -on the ground. “Poor Jemmy Copely! poor Jemmy! -they had drilled him well with balls before, damn them, -now they have finished him. The best comrade I ever -had, or ever will have.”</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='161' id='Page_161'>[161]</span>The last part of the sentence was uttered in a broken -accent as he wiped his eye, then commenced filling a -wooden pipe, the bowl made from a tailor’s thimble, his -head stooping all the while as if to hide the large drops -that unconsciously rolled over his nose; a short pause -took place among the group until Tracy, recovering himself -a little, took up the tot of wine and drank it off, and, -jumping up at the same moment, with a loud voice, he -called out to all, “Hear me, boys, hear me! hear what I -am going to say.” A deep silence followed. He knelt on -his knapsack, his hands squeezed together in the attitude -of prayer. “May the Lord God,” ejaculated Tracy, -“grant that those fellows in yonder camp remain where -they are until we have the pleasure of thrashing them for -the gap they have this day made in our mess.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Amen! amen!” responded a dozen voices, with an -emphasis that would have done credit to a clerk in a -country church, and I am certain with a better inclination -for the desired object.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Tracy laid himself at his length once more, and after -recapitulating their different losses, and the good qualities -of their fallen comrades, but taking care not to mention -any of their bad ones, every man gradually relaxed into a -sleep, from which nothing could arouse him, save the -sound of the bugles, or the hard cracking of the rifle, -which ever brings the soldier on his legs again, ready to -advance or retreat, or as the night closed over the column, -to lament or be lamented, as one of the fallen or absent -messmates.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Those unacquainted with a camp-fire, after a hard-fought -battle, can have little idea of its true sublimity, -while leaning on my rifle, surveying the scene at this -dead hour of night; it impressed me with more awe than -any that I had before witnessed. Here I stood, as it were, -a solitary sentinel in the midst of twenty thousand men, -yet so silent, you might have thought yourself secreted -within the walls of a cloister; while, by the moon, now and -then hiding itself behind a cloud, might be observed the -faint light of the French out-post fires that occasionally -caught the eye like meteors. Again emerging from her -<span class='pageno' title='162' id='Page_162'>[162]</span>mantle, by her clear light might here and there be -seen the dead bodies of French soldiers, not yet interred, -ever distinguished by their large red shoulder-knots. -Turning the eye to my comrades, whose happy repose I -envied, might be seen blood oozing from the furrow -made by a French bullet, while the perforated cap lay -beside its owner. How sweet is the soldier sleep when -such repose is earned by the fatigue of eighteen hours -hard fighting. That gave each man a double relish for -repose, knowing it was his own courage gained the spot -of ground on which he laid. The crackling of the fires -soon ceased for want of fuel, and nothing remained but -the embers; the whole camp was as still as the grave; -nothing to disturb the soldiers’ repose, but the casual -braying of the donkeys, that answered each other from -camp to camp, and gradually died away in the echo of the -distant woods.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I quietly walked round the fires to see that none of the -men’s pouches were near it; but, no—there was each -man with his rifle loaded, and leaning on his arm, close to -his breast, hugged with all the affection a fond lover would -press to his bosom the girl of his heart—this was our -usual custom, as riflemen seldom pile arms; yet with all, -I never knew an accident to occur by the rifles going -off.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next morning the sale of the spoils, which fell into -our hands, took place in the village, near the camp-ground, -where our battalion lay. The Spaniards were in general -the purchasers, and property late belonging to the French, -such as uniforms, horses, camp-equipage, &c., was sold in -abundance at about one-tenth of its value. Mules worth -thirty or forty dollars brought on an average three. As I -had no means of conveyance for the spoil I had obtained, -I set about depositing it where I thought it would be safe: -three hundred pounds I intrusted to our quarter-master, -and several sums to other officers of the battalion, distributing -nearly the remainder of the silver, to the amount, -I suppose, of about one hundred pounds, among the men -of my own squad, who undertook to carry it for me; very -little of the latter, however, I ever received back. But -<span class='pageno' title='163' id='Page_163'>[163]</span>after all money, as may be imagined, was of very little use -during some of the hardships we afterwards endured, when -I state, that I frequently offered a doubloon for a single -glass of rum, and was not always able to obtain it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About twelve o’clock we marched in pursuit of the -enemy through the town of Salvatierra, many of our men -gibing me for my wealth, saying, among other agreeable -things, that if I fell they would take care of my knapsack -for me. To tell the truth, I was not now over anxious to -go much to the front, as I began to look upon my life as -of some value.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On our second day’s march we came up with the rear-guard -of the enemy, who made a stand in the road, -assisted by the only gun they had carried from Vittoria. -The first shot fired from this piece took off the arm of one -of our corporals at the socket. But on our dashing at -them they soon abandoned their gun, which we took, -making the first and last piece of ordnance we had captured -from them on this retreat.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We halted a couple of days in a small village opposite -Pampeluna; and, as I considered that our fellows had -contributed towards my greatness in money matters, I -could do no less than treat them to a dinner; but unfortunately, -the place afforded no other luxuries than bacon, -eggs, and wine, for which the inhabitants took care to -charge treble: I paid ten doubloons for three flitches of -bacon, and three pig-skins of wine. This we enjoyed -within the walls of a house that the French had burnt the -roof off on their retreat. There were some excellent toasts -given, such as—“May we have another brush with them -before they get to Paris,” &c. &c.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As nothing of any interest to the reader occurred for -some time, I shall merely say, that we continued in pursuit -of one division of the French army night and day. -During this period the fatigue we underwent was almost -incredible, nor could we have supported it but for the -excellent wine with which that part of the country then -abounded, and which we all had plenty of money to purchase. -After continuing these harassing marches for -several days, we at length chased them into France. We -<span class='pageno' title='164' id='Page_164'>[164]</span>next retraced our steps in some degree to Pampeluna, in -the suburbs of which city we remained a few days, and -from thence we again advanced in the direction of the -Pyrenees, and took up our quarters at the pretty little -town of San Estevan; here we halted some days also. Our -next march was to Lesaca. The enemy had possession of -the heights of Santa Barbara, from whence we dislodged -them after some hard fighting. We remained upon these -mountains for several days, but the enemy making an -endeavour to relieve Pampeluna which some of our troops -were then besieging, a part of our division were ordered to -cross the Bidassoa to frustrate this attempt. This could -only be done by a forced march at night. We were -obliged to have torches and lighted straw to enable us to -find our way over the mountains, which were in most -places rugged and precipitous, and even without the -semblance of a path. The fatigue incident to that night-march, -I think I may say, was greater than any of the -men of our battalions had before endured; and after all, -you could fire a rifle-ball to where we started from.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Accidents were numerous, many of our men had severe -falls, and numbers of rifles were broken. But all our -hurry was of no avail, as the enemy had been already frustrated -in throwing supplies into Pampeluna. We had -again the agreeable task of retracing our steps, with the -same hurry we had advanced. By this addition to the -fatigue we had previously endured, we lost many of our -men who were unable to endure it. There was a sort of -rivalry between the regiments of our division who should -hold out the longest, urged by this feeling many continued -marching until they fell and expired by the road-side. I -myself, on the second day fainted; but, on having my -stock taken off, recovered sufficiently to stagger on and -finish the march.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Descending from the mountains we pursued our march -till we came to the bridge that crosses the Bidassoa, where -we beheld the French moving along on the other side of -the river. The poor fellows, like ourselves, seemed dreadfully -harassed. Part of our battalion commenced firing -upon them across the river, every shot telling as they -<span class='pageno' title='165' id='Page_165'>[165]</span>retreated. To the honour of the British soldiers, however, -I am happy to say, that many of our men knowing the -sufferings of the French from what they had themselves -endured, declined firing, while they called out to the others -to spare them, as it was little better than murder. We -remained encamped here this night, and the next morning -marched back to the heights of Santa Barbara.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As soon as we had arrived on the hill, and were anticipating -a little rest, the assembly sounded, and we were -ordered to drive the enemy from a high mountain which -they occupied on our right. This was a heavy task at the -time; but to it we went, and in extended order mounted -the hill, on the summit of which the enemy were clustered -as thick as bees on a hive. After some very hard fighting -we carried their position, but not before we had lost many -men. While engaged I lost a friend to whom I was much -attached, a sergeant named Kelly. He had just invited -me to take a draught of wine out of his canteen, and was -in the act of handing it to me, when he received a shot -through the right temple that came out at the eye. I -never before saw a man die so hard. He writhed about, -poor fellow, in the greatest agony, without it being in my -power to afford him the slightest relief. Some of our men -raising a shout that the enemy were flying, I was obliged -to leave him for a time. On my return I found him quite -dead. This was a bad day’s work. Another regiment -was left in charge of the hill, and we returned to our -camp ground by the river-side.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 25th of August, it being the anniversary on -which the regiment was raised, called among us “The -Regiment’s Birth-day,” a general jollity was kept up -throughout the regiment. On this occasion I have often -reflected with pleasure on having assisted in saving a -gallant soldier from the consequences of a pecuniary loss -he had sustained, and which might have embittered the -remainder of his life. I allude to a pay-sergeant of one of -the companies of our battalion, who, getting rather tipsy, -was robbed while in that state of £31 belonging to his -company—the first money, indeed, that had ever been -intrusted to his hands, having only just been appointed -<span class='pageno' title='166' id='Page_166'>[166]</span>pay-sergeant. The circumstance had so strong an effect -upon him, that on waking me up the following morning -and acquainting me with his loss, he stated to me his -determination of deserting, as his credit would be for ever -destroyed in the regiment, and he could not endure remaining -with the battalion afterwards. Having money by -me, I felt much pleasure in arresting the despair that -seemed to take possession of the mind of a gallant soldier, -and one whom I much esteemed: I enabled him to make -up his losses. Some time after, this very sergeant obtained -a commission in the second battalion of our regiment: this -was the late Quarter-master Robert Fairfoot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Having by me still a very considerable sum, the remnant -of my prize at Vittoria, I was naturally apprehensive -respecting its safety, particularly as I had no place to keep -it but in my knapsack, which I could not always carry -about with me.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I was consequently obliged to intrust my treasure to the -care of a comrade of the name of Bandle, who, true to his -charge, never gave me reason to repent my confidence. -Many were the stratagems resorted to, to persuade Bandle -to relinquish his guard. Sometimes he would be suddenly -warned for duty by the non-commissioned officers, as -these last assured me “for fun” only, in hopes he would -leave it behind him; but Bandle was always awake, and -on these occasions would take my knapsack on his back -and leave his own. He was wakeful as a weasel, and -faithful as the dog, for both of which qualities I took good -care not to be ungrateful.</p> - -<p class='c007'>San Sebastian was now closely invested by the British, -and eventually, the breaches being considered practicable, -preparations were made for the assault. Volunteers accordingly -were required from our regiment. The duty was -so “attractive” that although two only were to be selected -out of each company, six stepped forward from ours. This -brought on a controversy, and lots were drawn according -to regulation, and decided in favour of two, named Royston -and Ryan.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The reader may judge of the value attached to this -service, when I tell him that the offer of £20 was -<span class='pageno' title='167' id='Page_167'>[167]</span>made and refused for the exchange, thus illustrating the -truth of the great dramatist,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“He that is truly delicate to war</div> - <div class='line'>Hath no self-love; nor he, that loves himself,</div> - <div class='line'>Hath not essentially, but by circumstance,</div> - <div class='line'>The name of valour.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>The next day the town was to be attacked. Our men -were all on the fidget to know the result, and every tree -and hillock within sight or hearing of the scene was taken -possession of.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At about twelve o’clock, <span class='fss'>A. M.</span>, the breaches were assaulted, -and the place carried after a severe contest.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Three or four hundred French, unable from the great -rains to ford the Bidassoa, charged fiercely upon one of -our companies, and another of the second battalion, then -posted at the bridge of Vera. After a sanguinary struggle -they effected their purpose, and escaped. They were the -remnant of the French troops that had forded the river in -the morning, and whom our Spanish force distinguished -themselves in repulsing. After this we remained quiet for -several days in our camp ground.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It was about this time that those men of the 52nd, who -were fortunate enough to have survived the “forlorn-hope” -of Rodrigo and Badajoz, were distinguished with a -badge of laurel on the right arm. It was given by their -commanding officer as a testimonial of their gallant conduct, -which was expressed by the two letters V. S. or -“valiant stormer” placed beneath the wreath. Why the -men of our battalion and those of the 43rd, who had -equally distinguished themselves on those occasions were -not similarly honoured, I know not.</p> - -<p class='c007'>For my own part, all I ever received in the way of -reward, for my services as a stormer, was the sum of six -dollars. This was after the taking of Badajoz. In the -French service, those men who volunteered in the ranks -of “Les enfants perdus” were always first in the list for -commissions, and were distinguished also by a cross of the -Legion of Honour, which was so respected amongst their -countrymen, that even their comrades were always obliged -to salute him who wore it. How must the heart of -<span class='pageno' title='168' id='Page_168'>[168]</span>those thus distinguished beat at the possession of such a -mark. How different is the case of the British soldier! -This “hope” in his country remains unnoticed, and he -quits its service “equally forlorn” for obscurity without -distinction, save that which points him out with his empty -sleeves, or wooden stump limping his way to Chelsea. -Some, perhaps, may argue that an improvement took place -at Waterloo. That may be, if we allude to those, who on -that occasion, performed their first and last military feat, -and came away unscathed. How “pleasant” then must -it be to the old Peninsulars, whose battles fought and won -outnumber perhaps the men of their company, to see -whole squads of Waterloos strutting about with medals -dangling on jackets which, as their first and last, had -scarcely been on long enough to collect the dust of a -“donkey’s trot.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this camp an order also arrived from the Horse -Guards for the appointment of a colour-sergeant in each -company, to be considered as senior or sergeant-major -with an extra sixpence per day. As no badges (the cross -swords) had arrived from England, the deficiency was -supplied by our master-tailor, who formed an imitation -with coloured silks worked on the arms of the men -appointed.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch20' class='c005'>CHAPTER XX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>We encamp on the banks of the Bidassoa—Scenes on the water-edge—A narrow -escape with a lady in question, “Ah, there’s the rub”—Tom Crawley and the -biscuits—Our third battalion carry the heights of Vera—The French camp, -“the last of the French”—The Pyrenees—The mountain father—Up hill and -down dale—The battle of the Nivelle—Manly and Spanish affection—Blanco -again—His gallantry—Tom Crawley—A hug from a granny dear—The last -struggle—Crawley’s departure—A tear for Tom—A reel—St. Jean de Luz—The -French endeavour to make a stand—Colonel Sir Andrew Barnard wounded—Death -messengers fly fast.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>We</span> remained encamped, for several weeks, close to the -river Bidassoa, Lesaca in our rear, and Vera in our front. -We used to amuse ourselves while here, bathing. This -<span class='pageno' title='169' id='Page_169'>[169]</span>river which divides the French and Spanish territories, we -were on the eve of crossing to go into France. It was -heart-stirring to witness our men, as it were, unconsciously -exposing to liberated Spain the evidence of the dangers -they had endured for her liberation, stripped on its banks, -and prepared to dash into the clear water, the perforated -and wounded exteriors of the Rifles proved what they had -seen and suffered. But the veterans, not thinking thus, -generally amused themselves on these occasions by remarking -and jesting to each other on the peculiar situation of -the different bullet holes, and the direction the shot had -taken in passing through them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One day I remember nearly losing my life by my own -folly. It was as follows:—We had a very handsome -little Spanish girl attached to one of our sergeants, named -Dillon: she by some means got to the other side of the -river, which was generally occupied by the enemy, crying -bitterly, and begging of the men, that were on our side, to -get her over, as she was afraid to go to a bridge lower -down lest she should be taken by the French. Having a -respect for her, I instantly stripped off all except my -trowsers, and swam across—for here the river was not -wide but deep—and, without a moment’s hesitation, placed -pretty Louisa, for so she was called, on my back, with the -intention, as I thought, of bringing her to our side. -Placing her arms round my neck, I waded as far as I was -able, and then commenced swimming; but I no sooner got -into the deep water than she squeezed me so tight round -the neck that I lost all power, although a good swimmer, -and down I went. At first our fellows thought I was -playing tricks; but on rising and bellowing out for assistance, -they became alarmed, for she stuck to me all the -time like a leech. Several of the men upon seeing me go -down a second time, stripped and jumped in to my assistance; -one of the name of Kelly, of my own company, -diving down, for the place was twelve feet deep, seized her -by her long hair, and brought both to the surface of the -water; and, by the assistance of the rest, dragged us to -land insensible. When I came to myself, I found our -head surgeon, Dr. Burke, with some of our fellows, -<span class='pageno' title='170' id='Page_170'>[170]</span>rubbing me to life again; and, with the assistance of a -little brandy they had poured down our throats, both -recovered. For myself, I was able to walk to my tent in -the course of some time: but not so with the pretty -Louisa, as she was kept wrapped in blankets the whole -day. Poor thing! she remained with the regiment while -in Spain, and afterwards followed us to England; but -what ultimately became of her, I know not.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here my old friend, Tom Crawley, got the whole of our -regiment out of a precious scrape. It was as follows:—Our -division was served out with linen bags, made exactly -to fit across our knapsacks, and, at the same time, three -days’ biscuit (3 lbs.) in each bag. This biscuit was to be -kept strapped on the top of each man’s knapsack, well -tied, with brigade orders for no man to taste a morsel of -it, unless given out in written orders to that effect, as our -brigadier expected we should be on short commons while -on the Pyrenees, and this was to be, in case of scarcity, our -last resource. These bags were examined regularly every -morning by officers commanding companies, but, while -seen strapped snugly on the knapsacks, were considered -by them all right. However, our fellows, who were never -at a loss for a subterfuge, devised the following plan to -evade the officers’ vigilance: they eat their biscuits except -one whole one, which they kept at top to be seen, and in -their place substituted chips. This passed on very well -for some time, as the sight of the top biscuit satisfied the -officers, until one day Captain Johnson of our regiment -took it into his head to see his company’s biscuit shaken -out, and whilst on private parade ordered them to untie -their bags to see their biscuit. The first man on the -right of his company was the unfortunate Tom Crawley.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Untie your bag, Crawley,” says the Captain. Tom -instantly did as he was ordered, and showed the Captain a -very good-looking biscuit a-top.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Shake the whole out,” said the Captain, “until I see -if they are getting mouldy.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, faith, there is no fear of that,” said the astonished -Crawley, looking the Captain hard in the face, at the -same time casting a woeful eye on his bag. However, the -<span class='pageno' title='171' id='Page_171'>[171]</span>Captain was not to be baulked, and taking the bag by -both ends, emptied out its contents, which turned out to -be nothing more nor less than a few dry chips. Poor -Tom, as upright as a dart, stood scratching his head, -with a countenance that would make a saint laugh.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“What have you done with your biscuit? have you -eaten it, Sir?” said the Captain. Tom, motionless, made -no answer. “Do you know it is against orders?”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“To be sure I do,” says Tom; “but, for God’s sake, -Sir, do you take me for a South American jackass, that -carries <a id='gold'></a>gold and eats straw?”<a id='r20' /><a href='#f20' class='c014'><sup>[20]</sup></a> This answer not only set -the Captain, but the whole company, in roars of laughter. -On further inspection, the Captain found his whole company, -indeed the regiment, had adopted the same plan. -Through this our bags were taken away, and we relieved -from carrying chips.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About the beginning of October we had an opportunity -of witnessing the gallantry of our third battalion. -Although they had not seen our service in the country, -yet on this occasion they showed themselves “old hands,” -and worthy of their green jackets. They had to dislodge -the enemy, then holding possession of a high hill behind -Vera. This they did in most excellent style, in the sight -of our division and the fourth. Our battalion was not suffered -to remain idle, and we soon joined in pursuit of the -enemy, who took refuge in the valleys of France. On -taking possession of their camp ground we found a whole -range of huts, constructed in the most ingenious manner, -of turf and stone. One of our men came in for rather a -novel prize: this was a large monkey, which we kept in -the regiment for some time. One strange antipathy this -animal was remarkable for, was his utter dislike to the -sight of a woman.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the morning of the 9th, the day after the preceding -skirmish of Vera heights, we took ground considerably to -the right, marching along the summit of the Pyrenees -until we came to a very high hill, on the top of which -stood the remains of an ancient castle. Our men styled -<span class='pageno' title='172' id='Page_172'>[172]</span>the hill the “father of the Pyrenees,” as it was by far the -highest mountain we had ever seen, and was called La Rhune -by the French, who had possession of it. On our arrival -we had the satisfaction of compelling them, after a smart -skirmish, to evacuate their lofty tenement. Of the difficulty -of this enterprize some notion may be entertained -when it is known that our men had, in most instances, to -crawl up the mountain on their hands and knees, in consequence -of its steepness. The French, fortunately for -them, had a less precipitous side to retreat down, or they -must all have been destroyed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>My curiosity, after this, led me to explore the old building, -in company with one or two comrades. It was -originally the ruin of a very strong fortress or castle, in -which, I subsequently heard, the Spaniards used formerly -to keep state prisoners. After searching about for some -time we discovered a narrow pathway that conducted us to -a cellar or cavern, which, to our surprise, we found -tenanted by an old gentleman with a venerable beard, and -who received us very courteously. He seemed a hermit -from his appearance, but how he managed to maintain his -residence against the dominion of eagles, vultures, and -owls, as well as the occasional jar of contending parties, -was a wonder he did not condescend to explain. The only -gift we could obtain was a little spring water, which, after -our scramble, was refreshing. The splendid view from our -elevated position, however, made ample amends for our -work.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Our battalion at this time was stationed about a mile -below La Rhune, and greatly exposed to the storms of -wind and rain that we experienced at this period, together -with scarcity of provisions. Few of the country people -visited us, so that even those in possession of money found -little or no benefit from it. Meanwhile the French army, -who were encamped about three-quarters of a mile in our -front, we had reason to believe, were more fortunate, as -they were plentifully supplied with provisions. Occasionally, -too, some of our officers were visited by a -supply that was smuggled past the French lines.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A general attack upon the enemy was now daily expected, -<span class='pageno' title='173' id='Page_173'>[173]</span>as Lord Wellington with his staff had been -observed inspecting the enemy’s position with more than -ordinary care for the last two or three mornings. On the -9th of November every disposition having been made for -attack, the following morning ushered in the battle of the -Nivelle. The company I belonged to being this night on -picquet, we had orders on the first dawn of light to attack -and drive in the enemy’s picquet opposed to us; and as -we were preparing for the task, to our surprise we beheld -the whole of our division about a hundred yards in our -rear waiting to support us. As soon as our attack commenced -we could hear the alarm given by at least a -hundred drums and bugles; and as the light dawned more -clearly, we could see the French columns all in motion. -The remainder of our battalion and division coming up, we -were soon hotly engaged, a valley only partially separating -us from the main body of the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After we had routed them from their first line, and -were getting close to their second, an incident occurred -that fell under my observation, and I may say, of the -greater part of our company. There was a man of the -name of Mauley, a shoemaker, who fell shot through the -head. This man, nearly the whole time we had been in -Spain, lived with a Spanish woman, who was tenderly -attached to him. She always got as near to her lover as -possible during action, generally on a donkey. On this -occasion some of our wounded men passing, informed her -Mauley was killed. The poor girl was almost distracted; -leaving her donkey and stores behind her (for she acted in -some degree as one of the suttlers to our regiment), she -rushed down to the spot where Mauley had fallen. We -were then in the thick of the fight, and our only safety -was cover, as the balls came as thick as hail, so that every -moment I expected to see the poor woman shot. She, -however, seemed callous to every danger: throwing herself -on the blood-stained body of her lover, she commenced -giving way to the most appalling ebullition of grief, tearing -her hair and wringing her hands.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The gallantry of Blanco, the revengeful Spaniard, whom -<span class='pageno' title='174' id='Page_174'>[174]</span>I have previously mentioned at Vittoria, was conspicuous -on this occasion. He had been an intimate friend of -Mauley. Seeing the danger his countrywoman was exposed -to, he rushed boldly from his cover, and placing -himself in front of her, continued loading and firing at the -enemy, loudly swearing all the time such oaths only as a -Spaniard can do justice to. Notwithstanding the real -horrors of the scene, it was impossible to resist the impulse -of laughter at the fierce grimaces and oaths of Blanco, -who escaped as it were almost by a miracle.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A part of our division at this time were endeavouring to -enter the French lines on our right. But the enemy -seemed determined to defend their huts, which they had -doubtless been at considerable trouble to construct, and the -action there was close and sanguinary; part of our battalion -taking them on the right flank, they were eventually -obliged to yield. As soon as we had arrived at the huts, -which they had arranged in most excellent order, and from -which they had reluctantly been compelled to retreat, in -passing along a row of them I heard a scuffle going on in -one, and on entering it I beheld a huge French grenadier, -with red wings, and my old acquaintance Tom Crawley -struggling together on the ground. The Frenchman had -been surprised, but was getting the better of Tom, when -my appearance at once determined the matter, and the -grenadier surrendered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It appeared from what I could make out that the -Frenchman in his hasty retreat from the hut had forgotten -some of his needfuls, and on his return for them, was met -at the doorway by Tom, who, according to his old custom, -was preparing to explore its interior. Crawley was immediately -attacked by the grenadier with fixed bayonet. -Poor Tom, in his attempt to parry off a thrust, received -the blade through his right hand, and bled profusely. We -did not kill the Frenchman but left him to the mercy of -the Caçadores, who were following close behind us. Tom -went to the rear, and I never saw him afterwards, nor can -I say I have since heard of him. Many an anxious -inquiry was made, many an old scene was revived, and -<span class='pageno' title='175' id='Page_175'>[175]</span>passed current amongst us, and Tom Crawley will live in -our recollections as long as we can enjoy the good company -of a comrade.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The enemy, although retreating, did so in an orderly -manner, keeping up a tolerably brisk fire. I had no -sooner regained the line of skirmishers than I received a -severe hit just about the centre of my waist, that nearly -knocked me down, and for the moment I imagined myself -mortally wounded through the body; however, on my -examining, I found myself only slightly bruised. A ball -had actually stuck in the serpent<a id='r21' /><a href='#f21' class='c014'><sup>[21]</sup></a> of my waistbelt, from -whence it was afterwards taken out with difficulty.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After I had recovered from the shock, I joined in the -pursuit of the enemy, who once or twice attempted to -make a stand, but we were close at their heels, so they -thought it better to pursue their way at an accelerated -pace, covered, however, by some battalions of light troops, -who displayed considerable coolness. The French descended -the heights, at the foot of which stands the pretty -little town of St. Jean de Luz, with its white houses. -Our battalion was hotly following, engaged in sharp -skirmishing, when our gallant Colonel, Sir Andrew -Barnard, who was very conspicuous during the day, on a -brown long-tailed horse, received a shot in the breast. On -running up to him, which I did with several other men, -we perceived him spit blood, but he would not dismount. -One of our buglers supported him on his horse, while -another led it to the rear.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Immediately after this occurrence, my attention was -attracted by seeing the 52nd regiment charge up the side -of a hill on our right, and take a fort. Shots are very -strange things, and fly fast: a Sergeant Watts, of the -Rifles, at this moment, received a ball in the head, being -next to him, he laid hold of me with both hands, at the -same time calling out—“Am I dead? Am I dead?” -Poor fellow! he was mortally wounded, and it was with -difficulty I could extricate myself from his deadly grasp.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The French, after a severe loss, made good their retreat -<span class='pageno' title='176' id='Page_176'>[176]</span>across the river that leads to St. Jean de Luz. With our -usual luck we took up our camp on the side of a bleak and -barren hill for the night. After this we got into better -quarters on the other side of the river. This was at a -château called Arcangues. We were as usual in the immediate -front of the enemy, and our outlying sentinels and -theirs were little more than thirty yards apart. While -here, such a good feeling reigned among the French and -our men, that they frequently went into each other’s -picquet houses—terms of intimacy which they extended to -neither the Spanish nor Portuguese troops, for whom they -expressed an unmeasured contempt. But this state of -things at our outposts was too subversive of discipline to -be tolerated by those in command, and of course was only -done upon a reliance of mutual honour on the sly; still it -exhibits a pleasing picture of the absence of all revenge -and prejudice on either side among men of opposing -interests. This feeling, however, could not stay the effusion -of blood that was still to be shed.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch21' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>9th December—Our picquets driven in—We are nearly outflanked—We retire—A -rally under the eye of Wellington—Lieutenant Hopwood and Sergeant -Brotherwood killed—Excellent feeling between the French and English -soldiers—Consequent General Order—Johnny Castles in the advance—Picquet-house—Murder -at Tarbes—Blanco again—Collection made for the widow—Battle -of Toulouse—“Amende Honourable”—We encamp on the banks of the -Garonne—“Fall in”—The Spaniards make a mistake—General Picton rectifies -it—The enemy retreat into Toulouse—They evacuate the town—French -leave—Theatre of Toulouse—“A Rifleman on the look out.”</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>On</span> the 9th of December they drove in the picquets, -which were chiefly furnished from our battalion. The -columns of the enemy came briskly forward with the -apparent intention of driving us from our position. Our -company had been ordered to line some brushwood on the -side of a lane that led from the château, where we received -them with a fierce and deadly fire, as they came on, which -they replied to with spirit, at the same time endeavouring -to outflank our position. In assisting to repel this attempt -<span class='pageno' title='177' id='Page_177'>[177]</span>we came in for a shower of shot, and Lieutenant Hopwood -and Sergeant Brotherwood, with several more of our party, -were killed on the spot. By this time they were getting -round us, and our opponents perceiving how few our -numbers were, comparatively to their own, at once attempted -to close, and fairly obliged us to take to our heels -down a field. From thence we sprang into the lane; in -doing which I remember dropping my cap, where it -remained during the day, until I regained possession of -it on the retreat of the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this period Lord Wellington and his staff were -watching our motions through their glasses from the -château, which some one made known. Seeing ourselves -under the eye of the Commander-in-chief, we instantly -rallied. Our third battalion meanwhile were hotly engaged -on our left. They, however, found themselves -unable to make any serious impression, and were not sorry, -I dare say, when night closed upon their baffled columns. -As to ourselves, we had little respite from the fatigues of -the day, as we were busily employed in fortifying the -château for the anticipated attack of the morrow.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the following morning however, the enemy retreated -within their works, upon which we took possession of our -former ground, where we found the bodies of Lieutenant -Hopwood and of poor Brotherwood, both of which had -been stripped, and covered partially with a little loose -earth.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After this we had a succession of fights or skirmishes -with the enemy for the five or six days following, which is -called the battle of Bayonne, but without eliciting any -particular result. We still kept up an excellent private -feeling on both sides at the outposts. As an instance, -although I must remark a general order had been promulgated -prohibiting all intercourse with the enemy on -pain of death, our company was on picquet near a dwelling -called Garrett’s house, when we clubbed half a dollar each, -and sent a man into the French picquet-house to purchase -brandy. It was, I recollect, Christmas-night. Grindle, -the name of the man who was our messenger, staying -longer than was usual, we became alarmed, and imagining -<span class='pageno' title='178' id='Page_178'>[178]</span>something must have happened to him, sent two other -men in quest of him. These learnt from the nearest French -sentry that Grindle was lying drunk in their picquet-house. -Fearful that the circumstances should come to the knowledge -of Lieutenant Gardiner, the officer of our picquet, -they went and brought Grindle back with them quite -drunk; but just as they were emerging from the French -lines, who should ride down to the front post but Sir -James Kempt, who commanded our division at that time. -He instantly ordered Grindle to be confined; he was so -fortunate as to escape, however, with only a slight punishment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About the beginning of January, 1814, the enemy were -seen advancing, as we understood, to straighten our lines, -that were in a half circle. With three or four others, I -was ordered to hold possession of a small farm-house that -communicated with some cross roads, and to keep up a -brisk fire until the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">assemblée</span></i> sounded, in which case we -were to retreat upon the company, who occupied a hedge -two hundred yards in our rear. On our right was a high -stone wall, and on our left, in parallel, was a hedge also -that served as a cover for the French who, by this time, -had possession of it. Between was an open field, our only -passage. As soon as the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">assemblée</span></i> was heard, we of course, -were on the alert to retreat, but this was to be accomplished -only at very imminent risk, for the moment we -showed our noses, we were saluted with a regular hailstorm -of bullets, which put us all in rather moody condition. It -was proposed, however, to retire by independent files.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The first to “run the gauntlet” was a tall, gaunt Irishman, -and such a shower whizzed about him as almost -unnerved the rest of us. Johnny Castles, who had figured -at Badajoz with a rope round his neck, and yet had escaped, -was one of the party. He was particularly at a stand-still; -since the “hanging business” he had made up his -mind to live for ever, and had grown fat on it; but his -corpulency now threatened to mark him out.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Oh, dom your limbs,” growled Johnny, in the true -Caledonian dialect, with an awful grin, “ye are the rascals -to drink and carouse with as ye did yesterday. Eh, look -<span class='pageno' title='179' id='Page_179'>[179]</span>at ’em! dom their eyes, they are sure to hit me!” and -away he bolted, ducking his head, his face half averted all -the way. Johnny, however, was spherical, and puffed and -blowed like a whale, while the French peppered away at -him in prime style, the dust rising from the balls in every -direction. Johnny however, escaped, with a brace of -samples through his knapsack and mess-tin, and rolled -over the hedge.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Taking advantage of the welcome given to Castles, -Gilbert and I, without allowing them to reload, followed, -and as the devil would have it, the pair of us arrived as -safely. There now only remained our comrade Jones, a -good-looking Welshman, who quickly came after us, but -he, poor fellow! was met half-way by a shot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After all, the enemy never took the house, for by a -reinforcement from the 52nd we beat them back again. I -often laugh at the recollection of Johnny Castles, though I -must say, I funked dreadfully. Like the frogs in the fable, -though death to us, it was sport to the French, who kept -roaring with laughter as we bolted by.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Castles, after this affair, could never be induced to -drink or hold any acquaintance with the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Having remained some four or five months at Arcangues, -on the 21st of February, 1814, the army broke up -their cantonments, and marched for Toulouse. Our -battalion, standing in need of new clothing, did not march -with the division, but were ordered into St. Jean de Luz, -where we received them. In the course of some time -afterwards we rejoined our division. This was after the -battle of Orthes had been fought, and which our battalion -felt much chagrined in not being present at.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 18th of March a circumstance occurred at -Plaisance, near the town of Tarbes, which I cannot help -noticing. A French peasant was shot, under circumstances -that fixed the crime upon some of the men of our -company. Although the greatest endeavours were made to -discover the culprit, and the company punished to make -them give him up, still it was without avail. The facts of -the case were these. Blanco, the Spaniard, accompanied -by one or two of our men, went out this evening in search -<span class='pageno' title='180' id='Page_180'>[180]</span>of wine. They entered the house of a peasant who, -resisting the intrusion, struck Blanco, for which the -Spaniard instantly shot him on the spot. A very handsome -collection was made for the widow and children of -the poor peasant, for whose distress a very sincere sympathy -was entertained by our battalion. Three months -afterwards I was told that Blanco was the perpetrator of -this cruel deed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The morning we left Plaisance we had a long and dreary -march over a range of hills, until we came to the village of -Tarbes, a short distance beyond which we observed the -enemy in possession of a hill both sides of the road to -Toulouse. We were immediately ordered to commence an -attack upon them. Passing on at the “double,” some -of our regiments of cavalry gave us an encouraging -huzza as we passed up the road. The French had -thrown up strong entrenchments, and were, to use a -nautical phrase, “tier above tier.” I never remember to -have been so warmly engaged as on this occasion, except -at Badajoz. The enemy were in great numbers, our -attacking force few, being only our three battalions of -Rifles which their bullets were fast thinning as we struggled -up the hill: still, although under every disadvantage, -the victors of so many hard fights were not to be repelled, -and the French were obliged to retreat. I was very sorry -this day for striking a poor Frenchman whom I came up -with, as I discovered he was badly wounded; but I made -the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">amende honorable</span></i> by a sup from my canteen, which he -received with grace.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We saw but little of the enemy after this, until we came -within sight of Toulouse, where they seemed determined -on a resolute stand. We took up our cantonments on -this side of the Garonne in the beginning of April. The -aspect of the country here was very agreeable: it abounded -in wine of a rather superior quality to what had hitherto -been served out as our rations. Although the inhabitants, -from Marshal Soult’s orders, had been obliged to fly on -our approach, yet, I am happy to say that our men were -restrained from most of those excesses in the waste and -destruction of property, that had taken place in Portugal -<span class='pageno' title='181' id='Page_181'>[181]</span>and Spain. This was greatly occasioned by the very -excellent general order of Lord Wellington, published -throughout the army at that period, explaining to the -troops that although we were at war with an usurper and -his army, we were not with the inoffensive country-people, -who were subjected by fear.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About twelve o’clock on the night of the 9th of April -we were ordered to fall in. We marched to the side of the -Garonne, which we crossed by means of a pontoon bridge, -and took up our station behind the walls of a château -about a mile from the town. Having had scarcely any -rest the preceding night, most of our men were buried in -profound sleep, when we were suddenly roused by the -most expressive words to the ear of a soldier—“Fall in.” -This was done in an instant, and we were ordered to -advance in double time.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As we proceeded, we heard a heavy firing as if from the -left of the town, and soon after beheld a disorganized mass -of Spanish soldiers flying towards us. At first some of -our fellows took them for the French, and fired among -them, by which some lives were lost. They were a part of -the Spanish force who attempted to carry a French fort or -redoubt, from which the enemy had sent them to the -right-about faster than they had come. We continued to -approach the town, which was protected by a long series -of fortifications, and that appeared full of men. On our -approaching, they opened a running fire from some field-works, -but with little execution, as we were sheltered by -some trees and walls of houses near the place where we -halted. We had not remained in this quiescent state long, -when the thunder of the conflict was heard going on in -full roar on our left: the salvos of artillery, with the -constant cracking of musketry and the rushing sound of -shells, together with the occasional wild “hurra,” formed -a very pretty concert. The scene was still more electrifying -when we found it to be the sixth division engaged in -storming batteries, which the Spaniards had just run from; -they at length carried them, after a hard tug, in glorious -style; General Picton’s division was also conspicuously -engaged on our right, close to the river. The general -<span class='pageno' title='182' id='Page_182'>[182]</span>attack was crowned with the Duke of Wellington’s usual -success: the enemy retreating over the bridges of the -canal of Languedoc into the town of Toulouse, while we -took possession of their outworks.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The French army on the second day evacuated Toulouse, -as the town was completely commanded by the batteries -we had taken. Our battalion was ordered to take possession -of part of the suburbs, near the canal. Although -there was a strict order that no man should be allowed to -go into the town, my curiosity induced me to take “French -leave” to see a place I had heard so much of; so I -managed to elude the vigilance of the sentry. I found -almost all the shops open, and business going on apparently -as if nothing had taken place. Hearing that the theatre -was open, I was induced to pay it a visit: it was very -crowded. One box I perceived very magnificently fitted -up, and surmounted by laurel, and while I was wondering -for whose occupation it was intended, my curiosity was at -once allayed by the arrival of the Duke and his staff, who -were received with loud acclamations. “God save the -King” was played, and all appeared to testify the greatest -pleasure on the occasion but myself. I, indeed, I must -fairly confess, feared that my insignificance would not -conceal me from the glance of the chief or some of his -staff, although wedged into the centre of a dense crowd -in the pit. My dark dress, however, effectually screened -me.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch22' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>We continue to pursue the enemy on their retreat—Halted on the second day—A -carriage brings Soult and peace—French troops disbanded—Friendly intercourse -with our men—Castle Sarazin—Our men prefer the ground for a bed, -in preference to a feather one—The French sergeant—The invitation—Parade—The -dinner—Farewell to the Spaniards and Portuguese—Cupid enlisting -deserters—Poor Blanco—Embarkation for England—The ‘Ville de Paris’—The -sergeant in hope of a wife—Arrival at Portsmouth—The sergeant in search of -a wife—Their meeting and parting.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>A few</span> days after we had to execute our old manœuvre -of allowing the French no time to rest, as we were put in -motion after them. On the second day as we halted on -<span class='pageno' title='183' id='Page_183'>[183]</span>the Paris road, our men reposing from the fatigue of the -morning’s march, we heard several loud huzzas in our -front. This was followed by the appearance of a carriage -and four horses, which contained a French officer, who we -afterwards understood was Marshal Soult. The carriage -was attended by a detachment of English and French -cavalry; the shouting arose from the tidings that were -joyfully repeated, that peace was proclaimed, and that -Bonaparte had retired to Elba.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We were immediately on this intelligence ordered to the -right-about, and marched back to Toulouse. Before we -had proceeded many miles we were overtaken on the road -by great numbers of French soldiers who had been disbanded, -or had disbanded themselves, and who now -were about returning to their homes, tired enough, no -doubt, like ourselves, of the war they had been engaged so -long in carrying on. The good-feeling testified by many -of these really fine-looking fellows to us was general, the -Frenchmen in many instances sharing the fatigue in carrying -our men’s knapsacks, &c.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“As for myself, upon my simple word,</div> - <div class='line'>I’d rather see a score of friendly fellows shaking hands,</div> - <div class='line'>Than all the world in arms.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>From Toulouse we marched, in a few days, to Castle -Sarazin, situated on the right bank of the Garonne, -between the previously-mentioned town and Bordeaux. -Here we came in for most delightful quarters, being -billeted in the houses, where we all had excellent beds. -But it was highly amusing to see our rough, hardy fellows -spurn this latter luxury—which one would have thought -would have been most welcome—with contempt. From -having almost constantly been exposed for the previous -five or six years to have “the earth their rude bed, their -canopy the sky,” with generally a stone for a pillow, our -men could obtain no sleep on beds of down; and it was -actually a fact, that they preferred wrapping a blanket -round them and the hard floor, as a place of rest: so -much for custom.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At Castle Sarazin we used to be on our usual excellent -<span class='pageno' title='184' id='Page_184'>[184]</span>terms with the French quartered in the neighbourhood, -and to while away the time had constant matches with -them in running, jumping, and gymnastic exercises. I got -acquainted here with a very smart fellow—a French -sergeant belonging to the 43rd regiment. A friendship -was cemented between us, naturally enough, by our both -being free-masons.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One day we were sitting in a wine-house, when the -subject of fencing—a science at which the French prize -themselves in excelling—was started. My friend, the -sergeant, was observing he was a tolerable hand with the -foil, when a short lump of a fellow, who proved to be the -fencing-master of the town, overhearing him, immediately -challenged him to a trial of skill. This the sergeant in an -instant accepted, and the sport, at which he showed himself -a perfect adept, at the fencing-master’s cost, was -carried on with perfect good-humour, until a fierce dispute -arose about a hit, when it was mutually agreed to determine -the controversy with points. A pair of foils with -sharpened points, kept for this particular service were -immediately produced, while the by-standers instantly -commenced betting upon the combatants with all the <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">sang -froid</span></i> in the world. Both had taken off their coats and -bared their right arms for the strife, when—I am sorry to -disappoint the reader, who may expect an account of a -duel—our guard, which some good-natured soul had -privately summoned, came in and put an end to the affair, -greatly to the chagrin of the sergeant, who swore he would -have killed the professor on the spot.</p> - -<p class='c007'>That same evening the sergeant, whose name, in the -lapse of years, I have forgotten, went to our Colonel and -obtained leave for me to visit him at Montauban, where -his regiment, the 43rd, was quartered. He had invited a -corporal, myself, and another, to a dinner given by the -non-commissioned officers of his regiment. On the day -appointed away we started, Gilbert, the corporal, and -myself. I shall never forget it. It was a fine morning. -After crossing the Garonne in open boats, for the bridge -had been destroyed previous to the battle of Toulouse, we -entered Montauban, and found the 43rd and two other -<span class='pageno' title='185' id='Page_185'>[185]</span>regiments forming a brigade, drawn up on parade in the -square of the town, and two splendid bands playing in -front.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As we went in search of our friend we had to pass -down the front of two of the French regiments, which we -did, saluting, soldier-like, their officers. The latter returned -our salute in the manner for which they are so -justly remarked, and made us feel not a little proud of -their courtesy. Our uniforms were almost new, and fitted -us well. My two comrades had the advantage of being -tall, and exceedingly smart-looking fellows; for myself, I -was fat as a butt, and as strong as I looked. We moved -along the line, until we fell in with the sergeant, who, -starting out of the ranks, gave us a hearty welcome. We -waited beside him while the band played some favourite -airs, until the regiments were dismissed. But they had -scarcely broken their ranks when their officers crowded -around us, and severally shook us by the hand, giving us -also sundry smacks on the shoulders, with “Bravos les -Anglais, soyez les bien venus,” &c. The sergeant escorted -us immediately to his quarters. The dining-room was a -splendid one, and fitted up beautifully. The tables -groaned under every delicacy of the season, and we did -not forget, even here, to do “justice” to the acknowledged -“merits” of John Bull in all matters of this “nature.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Much good feeling and conviviality followed; and -encomiums and compliments were passed on the English; -all went on very well until singing was introduced with the -removal of the cloth. It had been agreed among the -French that no song should be sung that reflected upon -our country. Several famous songs, so far as we could -understand, were introduced. Our sergeant gave us an -excellent specimen; and Gilbert and myself joined also in -our own rough manner. But a French corporal, under -the influence of wine, commenced a “Chanson de guerre,” -rather contre les Anglais, for which, with a very proper -feeling, he was by general consent kicked down stairs. -The guests, however, resumed their seats, and all went on -as quietly as before; here we remained enjoying ourselves -till three the next morning, when we were accompanied to -<span class='pageno' title='186' id='Page_186'>[186]</span>the boats by a number of their band, playing “Patrick’s -Day,” as they escorted us down to the river-side.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The foregoing anecdote, trivial and uninteresting as it -may seem, still serves to show, in a pleasing point of view, -the hospitality and kind feelings of the French, who have -always claimed our highest respect.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In a few days we received an order to proceed to -Bordeaux, to embark for England. The delightful emotions -of pleasure this generally induced throughout our -men, after all their hardships and sufferings, may be better -imagined than described. The second day’s march we -stopped at a village, the name of which I forget, where we -had to part from our allies, the Spanish and Portuguese. -Much, and even deep feelings of regret, were particularly -felt by the men of our battalion on parting from the -Spaniards, who had been for so long a period incorporated -in our ranks. They had been distinguished for their -gallantry, and although sixteen had been drafted into our -company, but five had survived to bid us farewell. Poor -fellows, they had grown attached to the battalion, and expressed -much grief on leaving! Even Blanco, the -sanguinary Blanco, actually shed tears. Notwithstanding -the wretched and ineffective state of the Spanish armies -during the campaigns in the Peninsula, I am convinced, -and have indeed become more so from subsequent experience, -that there is right stuff in the men to make -excellent soldiers, far superior to the Portuguese.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Many men of our regiment, bound by the charms of -the Signorettas, who had followed their fortunes throughout -the war, took this opportunity to desert their country’s -cause, to take up that of their Dulcineas. Among others -were two of my own company, who, not contented with the -“arms” offered by these “invincibles” took rifles and -all with them, and we never saw or heard of them after.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We embarked in high spirits at Bordeaux, for Portsmouth, -on board the ‘Ville de Paris,’ Captain Jones, commander. -She was a splendid ship, and astonished us all -with the size and regularity of her crew. The sailors, -who seldom like a red coat, went hand in hand with us -green jackets, and were a jolly set of fellows.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='187' id='Page_187'>[187]</span>We had in our regiment, at this time, now on board -with us, and on his way to England, a sergeant of the -name of S——n, (which must be a sufficient explanation -to the reader, as he is, I understand, now living, and in -London), a fine, smart-looking fellow, about six feet in -height. He had been with us during the whole of the -Peninsular campaign, and was one of those who, after the -battle of Corunna, had remained in Spain. He was now -on his passage homeward to his wife, to whom he had -been married for ten or eleven years, and whom, some -months after the wedding, he was obliged to leave with -her friends at Portsmouth to rejoin his regiment, then going -abroad; by some unaccountable circumstances, incidental -to long campaigns, he never had received any tidings of or -from her; and he consequently was now very uncertain -as to where he should find her, or whether she were living -or dead.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 22nd July, 1814, we anchored at Spithead, the -sailors cheering us and manning the yards as we went -ashore. As soon, however, as we landed at our destination, -he requested of me to assist him in his search. After -tramping up and down and around Portsmouth, in vain, -we at last made a stand in High Street—indeed he was -growing almost desperate with disappointment—and here -he made random inquiries of every person he met. This -eventually drew a crowd of women of all ages about him -but not one could answer his inquiry. He was on the -point of giving it up altogether, when an old woman on -crutches, from the rear of the crowd, casting a very -shrewd keen look at him, asked him to repeat the name, -“Mary S——n,” shouted my friend. “Ah!” exclaimed -the hag, rather musingly, “if you will just inquire at -No.—, near the Post-office, at the back of the street, you -will, I think, find the party you require,” casting up her -eye as she finished her directions. Away we hurried, -some five or six women straggling after us, and in a few -minutes found ourselves at the door of a small neat-built -cottage. After knocking—every moment seemed an hour -to my poor friend, until the door was opened—a pretty-looking -<span class='pageno' title='188' id='Page_188'>[188]</span>little girl, of about ten years of age, inquired his -errand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Does Mrs. S——n,” asked the sergeant, and paused -to look at the child, “does Mary S——n live here?” -“Yes,” said the little girl, starting with surprise, “that’s -my name.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Right,” exclaimed the sergeant, clasping the astonished -little one in his arms, and dashing into a side room well -sprinkled with children. “Where, where’s your mother?” -The words were scarcely uttered, than a shrill shriek was -heard from the inner apartment, and at the same moment -the mother rushed before us, and gazing on him fell instantly -into a fit of hysterics. My poor friend looked -perplexed; his features alternately changing from doubts -to fears, with uncertain satisfaction. The little one was in -an instant out of the house, and returned in a short time, -leading in a square, well-made, good-looking man, in appearance -a carpenter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The facts were stubbornly plain to every one. The -children, the comfortable, respectable air of the place, -were too plain; and the two husbands now stood within -range of each other, with nostrils dilated in agony, and -hands clenched, awaiting an expected onset. I think I -never saw two better models of manhood in its prime, -wrought up to melancholy and indescribable excitement. -The two men, as it were, dug their eyes into each other, -and then on the shrieking woman, who in recovering a -little clung, as if for refuge, to the carpenter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>My poor comrade, hitherto on the rack of suspense, -now suddenly drew breath, and taking a skipping-rope -which his daughter held in her hand, threw it lightly over -his wife’s neck. “Now,” said he, in a somewhat collected -tone, “Now, Mr. Carpenter, as it appears that -Mary, who <em>was</em> my wife, has decided on her choice, suppose -we have a bargain on the matter? It’s no use our -skirmishing about in this manner any longer; (and I have -no doubt of your abilities,”) pointing to the children, who -crowded round the parents and opposite the sergeant. -“With Mary’s consent, as she seems to prefer your manner -<span class='pageno' title='189' id='Page_189'>[189]</span>of doing business, suppose you clinch the bargain with a -sixpence, and take her to you altogether?” The money -was handed out in a moment, and as quickly passed between -the sergeant’s teeth, while he employed both hands -to withdraw his sash aside, and taking from his pocket a -guinea, which throwing into his only daughter’s lap, left -the scene, closed the door, and hurried into a small public-house -across the street.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Come, landlord, a pot of your sixpenny,” throwing -down the ill-fated bit of silver, “and take that for your -settlement; and Ned,” said he, turning to me, “call for -your likings.” He grasped the vessel as the landlord -handed it, and swallowed the whole at a draught, like a -man who had thirsted for a week; smacked his lips, in -conclusion of the barter, cast two or three glances up and -down his person, then rubbing his hands smartly together, -strutted up the street as if nothing whatever had annoyed -him.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch23' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Quartered in Dover—Receive our new clothing, &c.—May, 1815—Receive orders -to embark for Ostend—We arrive safe—Bruges—Ghent—Brussels—15th of -June—Belong to the fifth division under General Picton—Descend the wood of -Soignies to Waterloo—Duke of Wellington arrives from Brussels—Battle of -Waterloo—I receive a wound in my right hand, shatters one of my fingers—Return -to Brussels—The pretty house-keeper—The child—Its dead mother—Genappe—Scenes -on the road to Brussels—Arrival at Brussels—Numbers of -wounded in the streets—Kindness and attention of the Brussels’ ladies—The -fair surgeon.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Safely</span> returned to England, and quartered in Dover -barracks, our men soon forgot the fatigues of the Peninsular -campaigns; and being joined by a batch of recruits, -and supplied with new clothing, the old soldiers once more -panted for fresh exploits; for their souls were strong -for war, and peace became irksome to them—nor were -they long disappointed. In the beginning of May, 1815, -we received orders to embark at Dover for Ostend, where -we arrived safe; from thence we proceeded through -Bruges to Ghent in open boats by the canal: here we -<span class='pageno' title='190' id='Page_190'>[190]</span>halted a few days, and then marched to Brussels, where -we remained several weeks, not even dreaming an enemy -was near us.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 15th of June, as I retired to bed, at the hour of -eleven o’clock at night, I heard bugles sounding and drums -beating through different parts of the city. Equipping -myself as quickly as possible, and entering the market-place, -I found the whole of our division assembling. I -then belonged to the fifth division, under the command of -General Sir Thomas Picton. Being orderly non-commissioned -officer of the company at the time, I received -orders to draw three days’ rations for the men, the chief -part of this was left behind, as none but old soldiers knew -its value, or felt inclined to take part with them; some of -the men, however, cursed their hard fate for not taking -away a portion. All things arranged, we passed the gates -of Brussels, and descended the wood of Soignies, that leads -to the little village of Waterloo. It was the 16th—a -beautiful summer morning—the sun slowly rising above -the horizon and peeping through the trees, while our men -were as merry as crickets, laughing and joking with each -other, and at times pondered in their minds what all this -fuss, as they called it, could be about; for even the old -soldiers could not believe the enemy were so near. We -halted at the verge of the wood, on the left of the road, -behind the village of Waterloo, where we remained for -some hours; the recruits lay down to sleep, while the old -soldiers commenced cooking. I could not help noticing -while we remained here, the birds in full chorus, straining -their little throats as if to arouse the spirits of the men to -fresh vigour for the bloody conflict they were about to -engage in. Alas! how many of our brave companions, ere -that sun set, were no more! About nine o’clock, the Duke -of Wellington with his staff, came riding from Brussels -and passed us to the front; shortly afterwards, orders -were given to the Rifles to fall in and form the advanced-guard -of our division, and follow. We moved on through -the village of Waterloo, and had not proceeded far, when, -for the first time, we heard distant cannon; it was, I believe, -the Prussians engaged on our extreme left.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='191' id='Page_191'>[191]</span>About three o’clock in the afternoon we arrived at four -roads; at this time there was a smart firing going on in -our front; this, I believe, was caused by some Belgians -playing at long shot with the enemy. Here I again saw -the Duke of Wellington looking through his glass, as we -halted a few moments; this was at Quatre Bras, and immediate -orders were given by one of the Duke’s staff to -occupy a clump of trees a little on our left; our company -were ordered to take possession of it. While performing -this task I could see the enemy emerging from a wood -about a mile on our right, which was rather on a hill, with -a clear plain between us. We had scarcely taken possession -of the wood, when, for the first time, I beheld a -French cuirassier or vidette. He was in an instant fired -at by our men and his horse shot under him; he disengaged -himself from the stirrups as the horse was falling, -waving his sword over his head to put us at defiance, but -he was immediately dropped by another rifle-shot. I -think I can venture to assert that our company was the -first of the British army who pulled a trigger at this celebrated -battle.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The enemy’s light troops, I could soon perceive, in extended -order, and in great force coming down to oppose us. -This caused a corresponding movement on our part, and -we were ordered to take ground to our left, passing close -to a pond of water, the main road separating us from the -enemy. While executing this the French commenced a -very brisk fire on us, until we gained possession of a few -houses on the main road on a rising ground, which two -companies of our Rifles instantly occupied. The remainder -of our division was now enveloped in one blaze of fire on -the plain before mentioned. But we remained very quietly -where we were, until the French bringing up some artillery, -began riddling the house with round-shot. Feeling rather -thirsty, I had asked a young woman in the place for a -little water, which she was handing to me, when a ball -passed through the building, knocking the dust about our -ears: strange to say, the girl appeared less alarmed than -myself.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fearing that we might be surrounded, we were at length -<span class='pageno' title='192' id='Page_192'>[192]</span>obliged to leave the building, in doing which we were -fiercely attacked by a number of French voltigeurs, who -forced us to extend along a lane, from whence we as smartly -retaliated, and a galling fire was kept up for some time on -both sides.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is remarkable that recruits in action are generally -more unfortunate than the old soldiers. We had many -fine fellows, who joined us on the eve of our leaving -England, who were killed here. The reason of this is, that -an old rifleman will seek shelter, if there be any near his -post, while the inexperienced recruit appears as if petrified -to the spot by the whizzing balls, and unnecessarily exposes -himself to the enemy’s fire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Being hard pressed by superior numbers, we were at -length joined by a number of Belgians, and received orders -to advance, which we did, driving the enemy through the -skirts of a wood, and passing a field of rye, which obstructed -them from our view. As soon, however, as we -emerged from the wood, a regiment of French infantry on -our right received us with a running fire. I was in the act -of taking aim at some of our opposing skirmishers, when a -ball struck my trigger finger, tearing it off, and turning -the trigger aside; while a second shot passed through the -mess-tin on my knapsack. Several of our men were killed -by this volley, and Lieutenant Gardiner, a worthy little -officer of the company, was severely wounded in the lower -part of the leg. We wounded men made the best of our -way to the rear; and on my return to the house at the -corner of the lane, I found the pretty Belgian still in possession, -looking out of the window, and seemingly quite -unconcerned, although a dozen shots had perforated the -house: all our entreaties for her to leave were in vain, as -her father, she said, had desired her to take care of the -place until he returned from Brussels.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The dusk of the evening soon set in, myself and numbers -of others disabled, took up our quarters for the night in -another farm-house lower down, and some distance from -the main road.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The house became soon thronged with the wounded of -our division, who were momentarily brought in, until the -<span class='pageno' title='193' id='Page_193'>[193]</span>out-houses, courtlages, &c., were literally crammed. All -the straw and hay that could be obtained was procured, of -which, fortunately, there was plenty, and strewed everywhere -to lay the men on. To sleep was impossible with -the anguish of my shattered hand and the groans of my -fellow-sufferers. The dawn came on before we were aware of -it, and ere it was light, our advanced sentries were again -in continual skirmish along the whole line; indeed, the -balls kept patting through the doors and windows as we -lay there. Such as were able to walk soon started for -Brussels; but several of the severely wounded were -obliged to be left behind for want of conveyances.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We had not proceeded far towards the main road along -a pathway partially protected by a hedge from the enemy’s -fire, when one of my companions heard the cries of a child -on the other side; on looking over he espied a fine boy, -about two or three years of age, by the side of its dead -mother, who was still bleeding copiously from a wound in -the head, occasioned, most likely, by a random shot from -the enemy. We carried the motherless, and perhaps, -orphan child, by turns, to Genappe, where we found a -number of women of our division, one of whom recognised -the little fellow, I think she said, as belonging to a soldier -of the First Royals.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Genappe, also, was literally crowded with the wounded, -who were conveyed with every possible dispatch to -Brussels. Feeling most anxious to know the fate of our -regiment, I stood on a hedgerow, on the skirts of the -village, when I descried the division retreating towards us, -the rain at the time coming down in torrents. I remained -until some of the regiments entered the village, together -with many of our wounded, who gave me information that -our regiment, with the cavalry, formed the rear-guard. I -now retraced my steps the same road I had advanced, and -once more arrived at the little village of Waterloo, which -many of our men never saw again, as our battalion lost -more on the 16th than on the 18th of June. Here I -stopped for the night. The cries of the wounded on their -way, in cart-loads, to Brussels, were most distressing, and -<span class='pageno' title='194' id='Page_194'>[194]</span>many carts broke down through being overloaded, and -through their haste to get forward.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is curious to observe the confusion and uproar that -generally exists in the rear of an army in battle, while all in -front is order and regularity. Many people imagine the -reverse. This, however, is generally to be imputed to the -soldiers’ wives and camp followers of all descriptions, who -crowd in great numbers, making inquiries after their husbands, -friends, &c., for whom they generally are prepared -with liquors, and other refreshments. I had no such ties, -save my comrades, who now were too busily occupied -watching their enemies, and with their own personal considerations, -to have either time or opportunity to inquire -after mine. The crowds of carts, horses, &c., which thickly -thronged the roadway, were greeted on all sides by anxious -faces and earnest inquiries. But now and then as one of -the vehicles hurried along, a burst of laughter hailed it, -and indeed, it seemed to bear a load of a more enlivening -nature than that which characterized the others. My -sound legs, for my arm only was wounded, and hung suspended -in a sling, enabled me to approach the cart, and -scrutinise its contents. My surprise was soon dissipated, -and wounds almost forgotten, in the merry features of my -old friend, Josh Hetherington, who, having received a flesh -wound in the leg, was now being borne to the hospital with -other fellow-sufferers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Josh, like myself, had no ties—no one to bring him -brandy, &c.; but wider awake, and better acquainted with -the world, in the bustle of a dark night, he had laid himself -at his length on the inside of a cart, and there awaited -the current of fortune.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One or two women in search of their husbands he particularly -knew, and knowing also their spouses, he replied to -their inquiries in as exact an imitation of their voices, as -one could reasonably give a man credit for. The result -was, that the bottle was instantly handed into his hiding-place. -Josh took sundry deep gulps, while the duped -woman continued anxiously walking by the side of the -wheels, wishing to heaven that the daylight, or some other -<span class='pageno' title='195' id='Page_195'>[195]</span>light, would enable her to enjoy the sight of her better half. -The <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">dénouement</span></i> of the cheat came with the return of the -empty flask, and a sincere hope from Josh that her husband -would find enough liquor left—and not be wounded at all—at -all.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The disappointment and rage of the woman only gave -rise to a burst of merriment, in which the wounded men -joined heartily, and the circumstance travelled forward, -among her companions, and accompanied the cart the -whole of the way to Brussels.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next morning I proceeded slowly onward, for my -wound, as yet, had not been dressed. I could not help -remarking on my way through the woods, droves of Belgians, -and even English, with fires lighted, busily cooking, -having left their comrades in contest with the enemy, and -apparently nothing the matter with them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On my arrival at Brussels, and going to my quarters, I -found it so crowded with Belgian officers and men (some -of them quite free from wounds), that I could get no -reception. It was about six o’clock in the evening of the -18th. I was entering the large square, and gazing on some -hundreds of wounded men who were there stretched out on -straw, when an alarm was given that the French were -entering the city; in a moment all was in an uproar; the -inhabitants running in all directions, closing their doors, -and some Belgian troops in the square, in great confusion; -loading my rifle, I joined a party of the 81st regiment who -remained on duty here during the action. The alarm, -however, was occasioned by the appearance of about 1700 -or 1800 French prisoners, under escort of some of our -dragoons.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The panic over, I partook of a little bread and wine, and -lay down for the night on some straw in the square; and -in spite of the confusion and uproar, occasioned by the -continual arrival of waggons loaded with wounded men, I -slept soundly. In the morning the scene surpassed all -imagination, and baffles description: thousands of wounded -French, Belgians, Prussians and English; carts, waggons, -and every other attainable vehicle, were continually arriving -heaped with sufferers. The wounded were laid, friends -<span class='pageno' title='196' id='Page_196'>[196]</span>and foes indiscriminately, on straw, with avenues between -them, in every part of the city, and nearly destitute of -surgical attendance. The humane and indefatigable exertions -of the fair ladies of Brussels, however, greatly made -up for this deficiency; numbers were busily employed—some -strapping and bandaging wounds, others serving out -tea, coffee, soups, and other soothing nourishments; while -many occupied themselves stripping the sufferers of their -gory and saturated garments, and dressing them in clean -shirts, and other habiliments; indeed, altogether careless of -fashionable scruples, many of the fairest and wealthiest of -the ladies of that city, now ventured to assert their pre-eminence -on the occasion. It was enough that their -ordained companions were in need, to call forth the sympathies -that ever must bind the sexes to mutual dependance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One lady I noticed particularly, she was attended by a -servant bearing on his shoulder a kind of pannier, containing -warm and cold refreshments: her age I guessed about -eighteen, and the peculiarity of the moment made her -appear beyond the common order of humanity. She moved -along with an eye of lightning, glancing about for those -whom she thought most in need of her assistance. A tall -Highlander lay near her as she hurried along, and drew -her attention with a deep groan, arising from the anguish -of a severe wound in the thick part of the thigh. The soldier -fixed his eye with surprise on her, as in a twinkling she -knelt at his side, and gently moving aside his blood-stained -kilt, commenced washing the wounded part; the Scotchman -seemed uneasy at her importunity. But with the -sweetest voice imaginable, she addressed him in English, -with, “Me no ashamed of you—indeed, I will not hurt -you!” and the wounded man, ere he could recover his -rough serenity, found his wound bandaged, and at ease, -under the operations of his fair attendant. Such acts as -these must ever draw forth our admiration.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='197' id='Page_197'>[197]</span> - <h2 id='ch24' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Brussels’ hospitals—The British and French soldiers under amputation—I lose -my finger—Another loss also—I leave the hospital and am removed to the -Provost Guard—The Belgian marauders bared to the skin—The point of -honour—Sensation produced on their comrades—The Belgian regiment under -arms—Guard-house surrounded—Narrow escape—Removal of the Belgians—Assassination -of a French Count by a Cossack officer—Medals sent from -England—Consequent dissensions—Poor Wheatley—Quarters at Mouvres—Augustine—An -old acquaintance—A rival—Augustine leaves her father’s house—Pursued—Her -father’s despair—Removal to Cambray—The regiment receives -orders to embark for England—We part.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>I remained</span> in Brussels three days, and had ample -means here, as in several other places, such as Salamanca, -&c., for witnessing the cutting off legs and arms. -The French I have ever found to be brave, yet I cannot -say they will undergo a surgical operation with the cool, -unflinching spirit of a British soldier. An incident which -here came under my notice, may in some measure show -the difference of the two nations. An English soldier -belonging to, if I recollect rightly, the 1st Royal Dragoons, -evidently an old weather-beaten warfarer, while -undergoing the amputation of an arm below the elbow, -held the injured limb with his other hand without betraying -the slightest emotion, save occasionally helping out his -pain by spirting forth the proceeds of a large plug of -tobacco, which he chewed most unmercifully while under -the operation. Near to him was a Frenchman, bellowing -lustily, while a surgeon was probing for a ball near the -shoulder. This seemed to annoy the Englishman more -than anything else, and so much so, that as soon as his -arm was amputated, he struck the Frenchman a smart blow -across the breech with the severed limb, holding it at the -wrist, saying, “Here, take that, and stuff it down your -throat, and stop your damned bellowing!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The accommodation at Brussels not being sufficient for -the wounded, it was found expedient to have many of them -conveyed to Antwerp, myself among the rest; and the -entire of the 81st regiment were employed conveying the -men on stretchers to the boat on the canal, communicating -<span class='pageno' title='198' id='Page_198'>[198]</span>between the two cities; there I had my wound attended -to, and my shattered finger taken off at the socket. A -singular case of loss of limb here fell under my notice: -a young fellow, a German, one of the drivers to the German -artillery, had lost both his legs by a round-shot, which -passing through the horse’s belly, had carried away both -limbs; while on the ground in this mangled state, he -received a dreadful gash in one of his arms, from a French -cuirassier, and a ball in the other; through these he was -also obliged to undergo the amputation of both arms, one -below the elbow and the other above; here the unfortunate -youth (for he was not more than nineteen), lay a -branchless trunk, and up to the moment I left, though -numbers died from lesser wounds, survived. At first the -latter were so numerous that it became a matter of surprise -to even the doctors, who at length discovered that -the water, which the patients were in the habit of washing -their wounds with, was brought from a spa, which in some -instances, had the effect of poisoning the flesh.<a id='r22' /><a href='#f22' class='c014'><sup>[22]</sup></a> In the -course of a few weeks, however, I was sufficiently recovered -to rejoin my regiment, at Clichy camp, near Paris.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Shortly after my arrival I was ordered on the Provost -Guard, which my readers will better understand, is a kind -of military police. We were under the command of the -Provost Marshal, named Stanway, whose instructions were -to take all whom he found marauding about the gardens -in the neighbourhood of Paris, and to march them down -to his guard-house for punishment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Provost was a keen fellow, and sometimes would -pounce on as many as eighteen or twenty in the course of -a morning; these were immediately flogged, according to -the amount of their offence, or the resistance they made, -and instantly liberated.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The depredations, however, became so universal, that -the inhabitants of Paris complained to the generals of -divisions, and we, in consequence, received orders to -keep a stricter look out, and take into custody and flog -<span class='pageno' title='199' id='Page_199'>[199]</span>every man we caught in the act of plunder. Our guard-house -consequently was daily filled by soldiers of every -uniform, indeed, ours may be said to have been a true -Owenite Guard, for we made no objection to “sect, -country, class, or colour,” as we served them all “alike.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>We had a deal of trouble with the Belgians especially. -These fellows would go forth in sections, and lay everything -waste before them. This was not for want, as they -were well supplied with regular rations daily from Paris, -which we were aware of. As soon as they perceived the -guard hemming them in on all sides, they would invariably -salute us with brickbats, stones, and sometimes even make -a regular attack. But Stanway seldom let any escape -him.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One morning we brought in sixteen of them, and the -Provost, as usual, marched them into the little yard where -the punishments were generally inflicted. The triangles -stared them in the face from the centre of the ground, -and the culprits one and all, as soon as they rolled their -eyes on it, gave a bellow of horror, fell on their knees, and -commenced praying and crossing themselves, and other -symptoms of repentance; but Stanway was inexorable. -Our men had the greatest difficulty in unbreeching them, -and getting them tied to the halberts. The first stripped, -I recollect was a short, stumpy, fat, desperate-looking -fellow, who by the circumference of his seat of honour, and -his struggles for its safety, seemed to bear about it all the -honour of his native Belgium. The first whistle of the -cat, even before it reached him, appeared to have verified -the assumption, for he roared to such a degree, and his -fellow-culprits sympathised so loudly, and with such a -crash of Belgic, that it set the whole vicinity by the ears, -and actually aroused their whole regiment quartered in the -village, and the place became in an uproar. The Belgians -flew to arms and instantly surrounded the guard-house; -Stanway nevertheless was determined not to relax his duty, -and ordered every man of us to load, and placed us in -different parts of the building, barricading the doorways, -prepared for every resistance, and during intervals continued -the flagellation. The assailants meanwhile became -<span class='pageno' title='200' id='Page_200'>[200]</span>furious, and attempted to scale the walls for a rescue, but -they were kept off by the guard with fixed bayonets, until -a shower of brickbats, &c., being thrown over the walls, -made us gladly retire into the building. Our lives were now -in jeopardy; not a man of us dared to stir out, until a -signal being given to some English soldiers who were -passing, these gave the alarm to the division then encamped -outside the village, and our Rifles, followed by -the 52nd, came instantly to our assistance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The two regiments remained under arms the whole -night, and the Belgians, out of bravado, retired to a field, -a little distance from them, and kept under arms also. -The morning after the occurrence they were removed from -Clichy, and we saw no more of them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Going into Paris a day or two after this disturbance to -draw rations for the guard, I had to pass the Barrière de -Clichy, and before entering the gates I perceived a crowd -collected round a doorway in the street adjoining. Naturally -anxious to know the cause, I mingled with the -throng, and pushing to the centre perceived the dead body -of a French gentleman stretched out on some straw, -literally saturated in blood, and on inquiry, I was informed -that he had been slain by a Cossack or Prussian officer -some few minutes before. The deceased (who was a -French Count) and the Cossack, it appeared, had quarrelled -the night previous, and had decided on settling the matter -the next morning by a meeting with pistols. It had been -agreed by the seconds that the two principals should be -placed back to back, and each measuring six of his own -paces, should, as the distance was completed, turn round -and fire.</p> - -<p class='c007'>As soon, however, as the Count commenced his first -pace, the Cossack turned round discharged his pistol into -the back of his adversary’s head, and stretched him lifeless -on the ground, exclaiming as he did it, “I have been -shot at enough by your cursed countrymen, now for my -turn.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The assassin and his second fearful, however, of the -consequences fled instantly, and taking horse, rode off to -their camp, but they were never discovered; although I -<span class='pageno' title='201' id='Page_201'>[201]</span>was told that the Duke, when the circumstances were -related to him, offered a reward for their apprehension.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The unfortunate Count had been an officer in the -French service, and to all appearance was a very smart -young fellow.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the beginning of February, 1816, we left Paris, and -marched to the environs of Cambray; shortly afterwards -we were presented with medals sent out by the British -government, in commemoration of that celebrated battle; -every man who was in the field on the 16th, 17th, and -18th of June, was distinguished with this honourable -badge. I am sorry to say this caused many dissensions -among the men, particularly some of the old veterans of -the Peninsular campaigns. One named Wheatley, as -brave a man as any in the service, was unfortunately in -hospital at Brussels during the action, and was not -honoured with this mark of bravery; whenever he met -with badges on what he termed recruits, he would -instantly tear them off, and frequently throw them away. -For this too often repeated offence, poor Wheatley was -tried by a court-martial, and sentenced to three months’ -solitary confinement. He was sent to Valenciennes, where -the 43rd regiment lay, who formerly belonged to our light -division during the Spanish war. The men of that -regiment who knew Wheatley, as well as the offence he -had committed, not only fed him well during his imprisonment, -but at the expiration of his confinement sent him -back in all the pomp a hero could wish. He was conveyed -in a carriage drawn by four horses, Wheatley’s head as -well as those of the postilion and horses, were decorated -with blue ribands. On seeing the gay equipage enter the -village, we were much surprised, but more so on seeing -Wheatley jump from the carriage amidst the loud acclamations -of his old companions. Poor Wheatley felt -neglected on receiving no medal, and became, from one of -the bravest, one of the most dissipated men in the regiment; -he was shortly afterwards discharged.</p> - -<p class='c007'>My own company was quartered at Mouvres, a pretty -little village off the main road that leads to Douay, myself -and three privates being billeted on the house of a rich -<span class='pageno' title='202' id='Page_202'>[202]</span>old fellow named Bernard Loude; he was the richest man -in the village possessing upwards of three hundred acres -of land, his own property, with stables, granary, waggons, -and cattle, indeed everything that constitutes a farmer’s -stock. The house, like all others in that part of the -country, was built long, with only a ground floor. On -entering it, I observed three pretty girls spinning; the -youngest, about sixteen years of age, was named Leucade; -the next, about nineteen, named Augustine; and the eldest, -who was not above twenty-four years of age, was named -Julie; they were all attractive in appearance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After living there some weeks, I looked upon myself as -one of the household; and, soldier-like, began toying -with the girls: the one who attracted my attention most -was Augustine; she was a fine young woman, with light -hair and fair complexion. Her manners were playful, yet -gentle, and there was an air of innocence in her freedom, -which showed her thoughts were untainted by that knowledge -of the world, which restrains the levity of youth. -Her disposition corresponded with her manners, frank, -generous, and confiding; her sisters used to say she was of -a most forgiving temper, yet of a firm and determined -spirit, and they loved her with more than the love sisters -generally bestow upon each other. I now, day after day, -became more intimate with the family, and the fair Augustine, -whether serious or jesting, was always my favourite. -The courtship of a soldier may be somewhat rough; I -used to steal a kiss now and then, which my pretty -Augustine would check me for doing; yet so much -goodness was there in her manner, that her reproof, rather -than otherwise, tempted a repetition of the offence. To -those who know the inconveniences to which soldiers are -subjected in being billeted, it must appear I was now in -clover; I certainly never shall forget the happy hours I -then enjoyed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One day, it was I remember on a Saturday, I was -ordered on duty to the head-quarters of our regiment, at a -small village called Burloun, about two miles from -Mouvres. Previously to my departure, the youngest sister -Leucade told me Augustine was soon to be married, being -<span class='pageno' title='203' id='Page_203'>[203]</span>engaged to a young Frenchman who lived our side of -Cambray, and had formerly been a prisoner in England, -jokingly adding, that he could speak a little English. -It was customary for me to dine with the family every -Sunday; and on my return off guard next day, as usual, -I joined the domestic party. I noticed a stranger at table, -who by his manner appeared the favoured suitor of -Augustine. We had, however, scarcely been seated, when -he gazed intently upon me, and suddenly starting up, -seized me by the hand, and nearly bursting into tears, -exclaimed, “Mon brave soldat, est-ce vous?” I immediately -recognized in him the faithful Frenchman whose -life I had spared in the streets of Badajoz before mentioned. -Returning to his seat, he described to the party -the scenes we had gone through at Badajoz, which -sometimes called forth fits of laughter, and sometimes -tears.</p> - -<p class='c007'>All eyes were fixed on me; I particularly noticed Augustine; -she looked more serious than I had ever seen -her; she did not shed a tear or yet smile during the whole -narrative of her young French lover; but I could plainly -perceive by the heaving of her bosom, she was more -deeply affected than the rest. He extolled me to the -skies, but he knew not the interest he was exciting in -favour of an unknown rival. The French I have observed -to be a people fond of glory and sentiment, and a story of -la Gloire et l’Amour will always excite their admiration. -He then related to me the cruelty he had received from -the Portuguese soldiers who conducted him with the remainder -of the garrison of Badajoz on their march to -Lisbon, where he was put on board a ship and conveyed -to England. After Bonaparte had been conducted to -Elba, he with some thousand other prisoners, returned to -his native home. He took no part, he said, in the battle -of Waterloo. After dinner I and my old companion -parted, having both enjoyed mutual good cheer. The -attention of Augustine after this accidental interview was -redoubled, and what I before suspected I now plainly discovered, -I had won her heart. From this time, we were -more frequently alone; and although her father wished -her married to the Frenchman, he being a relation as well -<span class='pageno' title='204' id='Page_204'>[204]</span>as in good circumstances, she had never herself been -seriously attached to him. The affection that subsisted -between us became no secret in the family, and it was -rumoured even about the village; at length it burst out in -songs composed by the “Troubadours” of the neighbourhood. -Her father thought it prudent to get my quarters -changed: he accordingly applied to the Colonel, and I -was sent to another hamlet in charge of tailors making -clothing for the regiment; it was at a pretty neat little -village called Saint les Marquion, on the main road to -Cambray. At the house of an old widow who lived at -Mouvres I still corresponded with Augustine, and enjoyed -many stolen interviews. At length, harassed with the -remonstrances of her family, who insisted on diverting her -affections from me, she determined on leaving her father’s -roof, and in the dusk one evening met me at the widow’s, -where we betrothed ourselves to each other. On hearing -of her elopement, her father unrelentingly pursued her; -he went to Cambray and applied to the executor to deprive -her of her patrimony, but the law prevented him doing so. -He then appealed to the military authorities, and one -morning, about ten o’clock, four gensdarmies, to my -surprise, entered my quarters in search of her. I was -about to give them a very rough reception, and some of -my comrades, who were quartered with me, proposed -giving them a threshing; but the corporal who commanded -the party warning me I should be held responsible -for any ill-usage they might receive, then produced a -written order for her return to her father’s house, signed -by General Sir John Lambert, who commanded our brigade, -and countersigned by Colonel Balvaird, our head colonel, -Sir Andrew Barnard being at the time Commandant of -Cambray.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I saw all remonstrance was vain, and there was no -alternative; so accompanying her myself, she was obliged -with a heavy heart to retrace her steps. Her reception by -her father was most unkind; he confined her in a room, -the windows of which were darkened and secured by crossbars -of iron, the handiwork of the village smith, whose -services were called in requisition upon the occasion. In -this gloomy prison she was not permitted to see her sisters; -<span class='pageno' title='205' id='Page_205'>[205]</span>her meals were sent her at long intervals, and scantily -supplied; a priest was sent for, who was paid handsomely -for trying to wean her affections from me; but the bars of -iron, and the prayers of the priest, were alike in vain. -She contrived on the first opportunity to escape from this -durance vile to me, as we had been clandestinely married -at her first elopement by an excommunicated priest; for I -must here mention, the Duke of Wellington had given -positive orders that no British soldiers should be allowed -to marry French women. Immediately on her return we -went together to our colonel, who lived at the château of -the village, to request she might be allowed to remain -with me. On entering the room, she threw herself in an -impassioned manner on her knees, and begged we might -not be separated. The Colonel, taking her by the hand, -raised her from her humiliating posture, saying it was not -in his power to grant the request, but he would speak to -General Lambert on the matter, which he did, and she was -allowed to remain with me. We now fancied ourselves in -a great measure protected, but she was again pursued by -her father, who one day very unceremoniously rushed into -our cottage, and desired she would return with him. She -instantly flew to me for protection, throwing her arms -around me, exclaiming, “Mon Edouard, je ne te quitterai -jamais.” Her father, as if seized with a sudden fit of -phrenzy, laid hold of a hammer that was on the table, -and struck himself a blow on the forehead with such force -that he fell, and remained some time on the floor insensible. -The distress of Poor Augustine cannot be imagined, for it -was some time ere she recovered, but after this we remained -unmolested, and lived happily together.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About the latter end of June, 1818, we broke up our -cantonments, and encamped on the glacis of Cambray, -where we remained until the latter end of October, when -we received orders to proceed to England, after remaining -in its environs for the space of three years. The Colonel, -who did not know we were married, sent for me, and -informed me she must return to her parents, as she would -certainly not be permitted to embark with me for England. -We now consulted together as to what step would be most -<span class='pageno' title='206' id='Page_206'>[206]</span>advisable to adopt. It was agreed I should go to her -uncle, who resided in Cambray, and request him to intercede -with her father to allow her to receive part of her -patrimony; for, although he could not deprive her of it -after his death, she was not entitled to receive it during -his lifetime; and, if he consented to do so, I promised to -obtain my discharge from the army, and publicly marry -her. Her uncle, after my interview with him, accompanied -me to Mouvres (a distance of about three or four miles), -with the intention of discussing the matter with the father; -but, on my entering the house, all was uproar; a tumult -of voices from all the family assailed me, during which one -of the brothers cried, “Délie le chien! Délie le chien!” -Upon which a huge wolf-dog was unchained; but, instead -of attacking me, remembering that I had once lived in the -house, he came and fawned on me. In the midst of this -confusion I expected every moment would be my last, as -there were no British soldiers nearer than Cambray. At -this instant Augustine entered. She had heard at her -uncle’s that I had gone with him to her father’s, and, -apprehensive of the consequences, had followed me. Not -attending to any other person present, she entreated me to -leave the house, and return to Cambray with her. I did -so; and early next morning, the regiment being in marching -order, I was reluctantly compelled to part from my -almost broken-hearted faithful Augustine. It was agreed -she should remain with the family of her uncle until I -could communicate with her from England, where we -hoped happier days awaited us.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='207' id='Page_207'>[207]</span> - <h2 id='ch25' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Disembark at Dover—Shorn Cliff Barracks—I am invalided, and pass the Board -at Chelsea—Augustine’s arrival—Sixpence a day—Sir Andrew Barnard—Sir -David Dundas—My hopeless condition—Blood money—The Honourable -Doctor Wellesley—Mr. Walsford—Augustine returns with me to France—I -retrace my steps alone to Calais—To Dover—Dreadful extremes—A new field -for practice—A friend in need—Another “Forlorn-Hope”—Colonel Ford—A -Rifleman without an appetite—Death of Augustine.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>Disembarking</span> at Dover, our regiment marched to -Shorn Cliff Barracks, where we had not long been quartered -when an order arrived from the Horse Guards for -two sergeants and two corporals of each company of the -Rifles to be discharged. Men who had been wounded were -to be first, and old men next. I was accordingly, although -only about thirty-one years of age, invalided by our doctor, -on account of my wounds, and immediately departed for -Chatham, to await an order from Chelsea to proceed to -London, to pass the Board. Here, to my astonishment, -one day Augustine presented herself before me. Her -appearance almost electrified me. “Edouard—mon cher -Edouard,” she exclaimed, “je te suivrai partout.” I then -learned that, having arrived at Shorn Cliff Barracks, and -inquired for me, Colonel Leach had kindly paid her passage -by coach to Chatham, directing her where to find -me. Here she gave birth to a child. Shortly afterwards -I received orders to appear before the Chelsea Board, and -we proceeded to London, with others. On our arrival, our -circumstances being very needy, we took a single room in -Red Lion Street, Chelsea, where we resolved to live as -sparingly as possible. I passed the Board, but soon found -the pittance allowed me insufficient to maintain us, being -only sixpence per day. I had yet hopes, however, that -my case was not understood, and I therefore applied to -my Colonel, Sir Andrew Barnard, and explained it to him. -Sir Andrew instantly gave me a note (which I now hold in -<span class='pageno' title='208' id='Page_208'>[208]</span>my possession)<a id='r23' /><a href='#f23' class='c014'><sup>[23]</sup></a> for Sir David Dundas, the then Governor -of Chelsea. Thus provided, and equipped in my uniform, -I set out for Sir David’s residence, and found him walking -about the grounds in front of his house, at Chelsea College. -I handed my paper to him in person, and retired aside while -he perused it. But Sir David having scanned it without -turning his head, tossing aside his pigtail with his fore-finger, -cooly handed the note over his shoulders to me, -remarking at the same moment, that he dared say the Lords -Commissioners of Chelsea had given me what they thought -I deserved.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The old gentleman, I suppose, possessed too much of -the Spartan blood, to notice me more than he did; and -like the two survivors of Thermopylæ, he thought my -return to England highly inglorious, and unbefitting a -soldier; since it had made me a sixpenny burthen on the -country I had served.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Day after day we struggled with our necessities, and I -confess I saw nothing but starvation staring me in the face. -What was to be done? My faithful Augustine deliberated -with me in our misfortune, with great patience, and we -agreed that it would be most desirable for her to return to -her uncle, and endeavour to move the family of her father -to a reconciliation with us both. Her infant, she thought, -could not fail to excite commiseration; but how were we -to defray the expenses of so long a journey? However, -having received several wounds in the service, I was -<span class='pageno' title='209' id='Page_209'>[209]</span>entitled to what is commonly termed “blood money.” A -certificate to that effect, and signed by my commanding -officer and the adjutant of my regiment, I now had by me. -This was to be presented to the parson of the parish in -which I was resident one month after my discharge. The -Honourable Dr. Wellesley, brother to the Duke of Wellington, -being rector of Chelsea, I appealed to him, and he -referred me to a Mr. Walsford, Secretary of the Patriotic -Fund, No. 80, Cornhill. But this gentleman was even -more Spartan than the Lords Commissioners, for after two -or three struts up and down his office, he suddenly stopped, -and staring me very stupidly in the face, said, “Damn it, -Sir! did you expect to fight with puddings or Norfolk -dumplings? If men go to battle, what else can they expect -but wounds! I am now busy, and cannot be troubled with -you.” I returned to Chelsea—represented my situation to -Mr. Wellesley, and through him, succeeded in obtaining -a small sum—five pounds—for the wound at Waterloo, -but none for the others which I received in the Peninsula. -With this scanty supply we proceeded to Dover, thence to -Calais, and from thence to St. Omer, where, taking leave -of my beloved Augustine and her infant (<em>for the last time</em>), -we parted. She promised to write me word immediately -she succeeded with her family, and, if not, it was agreed -that as soon as my circumstances improved she should -return to me. “Ne m’oubliez pas” were her last words: -as she squeezed my hand.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Without a farthing in my pocket, for I had given the -last sou to her, and was determined to forage my own way -home the best way I could, I again set off for Calais, -where I arrived in much distress. Here fortune was -favourable to me. A brother mason kindly befriended me, -and gave me a free passage to Dover. Had it not been -for this kind assistance, I know not how I should have -crossed the Straits. At Dover nothing could exceed my -wretchedness; I had struggled with difficulties in a foreign -country, but I was now returned to my own as if I had -been an outcast upon earth, without a friend or farthing -in the world. The thought maddened me. For a day and -a night I walked the streets of Dover, and scarcely tasted -<span class='pageno' title='210' id='Page_210'>[210]</span>food. A thousand times I asked myself “What can I -do? How shall I act?” Begging was out of the question—a -<em>soldier</em> could not beg. More fitted in this state of mind -for a highwayman than a beggar, I said to myself, “Can -I not rob?” I had no fire-arms. Thus, pondering how I -should proceed, I walked slowly along the road that leads -to Canterbury, and on a sudden espied a number of hop-poles -in an adjoining field. The thought flashed like -lightning on my brain, that I would seize one of these, and -knock down the first man who came past. Clearing the -hedge at a jump, and pulling one of the poles out of the -pile, and snapping it off at the butt-end, and retiring to my -position on the road, I resolutely glanced about in search -of the first passenger, and as quickly at some distance, -observed two men walking smartly towards me. I squeezed -my cudgel firm in my hand, and awaited their approach; -but ere I could bring myself to a proper sense of what I -was about, one of the men suddenly shot himself beside -me, saying, “What, Ned! is that you, my boy? How -are you?” shaking me by the hand at the same time. In -an instant I recognized him to be a man of my own regiment, -named Jem Conner, but I could scarcely answer -him; he noticed my confusion, and in the same breath, -while he still held my hand, insisted on my returning with -him to Dover. Little dreaming the true cause of my -agitation, I returned with him, where he informed me he -was married. I have often thought that the circumstance of -a friend being the person on whom I thus alighted, was a -providential interference that prevented my committing an -act which would ever have embittered my future life. -Perhaps, by similar interposition, however imperceptible to -man, many are saved from the commission of crime.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Before parting from my generous comrade, who insisted -on my sleeping at his house that night, and although -himself in needy circumstances, he provided me most -liberally with what I most required; (poor fellow! he was -severely wounded at Waterloo, passed the board, and -married a woman at Dover:)<a id='r24' /><a href='#f24' class='c014'><sup>[24]</sup></a> I explained to him my -<span class='pageno' title='211' id='Page_211'>[211]</span>abject situation, when he advised me to lay my Chelsea -discharge before the Commandant at Dover, who was then -Colonel Ford, and solicit from him sufficient means to -carry me to London. This was to beg—a task contrary -to my nature. I asked him what I was to say? how act? -for I had been a soldier since I was sixteen years of age, -and was unacquainted with the forms of civil life. He gave -me such advice as occurred to him, accompanied me on the -road, and showed me the house at which the Colonel -resided. It was, I remember, at the end of the town, near -the General Hospital.</p> - -<p class='c007'>With an unwilling hand I rung the bell. The door was -immediately opened. “Is the Colonel at home?” said I. -“Do you wish to see him?” answered the footman, surveying -my person. “I do,” was my reply, “tell him that -a sergeant of the Rifles wishes to speak to him.” The -servant then stepping across the hall, went into the room, -and while the door was ajar, I heard the Colonel ask, -“Is he in uniform or in coloured clothes?” “In coloured -clothes,” was the answer. “Tell him to come in.” I -entered the room slowly, and believe me, I went with more -spirits on the forlorn-hope at Badajoz than I now did into -the presence of this officer. He was standing with his -back to the fire-place. “Well, friend,” said he, “what do -you want?” In a doubtful tone, I answered, “I want to -know, Sir, if you will lend me a little money, to carry me -to London, and I will pay you when I get my pension.” -While thus delivering myself, which I did in a very confused -manner, the Colonel stooped, and staring me full in -the face, as if he thought me mad, with a stentorian voice, -he exclaimed, “God damn you, Sir! who are you, what -are you, what do you want?” The Colonel’s uncouth -manner suddenly overwhelmed my already sinking heart; -but the whole spirit of the “man” rebounding from the -shock, instantaneously brought me about again, for recovering -myself, in a firm, earnest, yet determined manner, I -replied, “Sir, I am a man brought to the last pitch of -distress, without friend or money. If you will assist me, -pray do so, but do not insult my feelings.” Then laying -my papers on the table, I added, “There, Sir, are my -<span class='pageno' title='212' id='Page_212'>[212]</span>papers; keep them until I refund the money. I am a -Sergeant of the Rifle Brigade, who has seen service.” -Taking my Chelsea discharge, and reading over attentively -the wounds I had received, he looked at me with altogether -an altered expression, and said, “You must have been a -gallant fellow, or you would not have got so many scars in -the service; which battalion did you belong to?” I told -him the first. He then asked me what money I wanted to -take me to London. I answered it was only seventy-one -miles, and two shillings would be sufficient, as I could walk -more than thirty-five miles a day, I had no knapsack to -carry, and a shilling per day would do for me.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There my feelings overpowered me, and he, seeing my -emotion, turned himself round to the fire-place, evidently -affected; then, facing me again, said, “Tut, tut! a brave -soldier should not mind a little poverty;” for at this time -I could not answer him; then, ringing the bell, the footman -who was in attendance came into the room, “Tell the -cook,” said he, “to get a good dinner ready for a gallant -soldier.” Then, putting a chair towards me, in a friendly -manner told me to sit down, and began conversing familiarly. -He asked a number of questions concerning the -Peninsular war; but we were shortly interrupted by the -servant, informing him dinner was ready. “Go, now,” -said he, “and take some refreshment.” But, alas! my -appetite was gone; I could have eaten a donkey before, but -now I could not break bread. The servants, observing me -so discomposed, went and informed the Colonel of it, when -he came to me himself, tapping me on the shoulder, saying, -“Come, come, make a good dinner,” then, turning to the -servant, ordered him to bring a bottle of wine. After my -repast he again returned, accompanied by a lady, perhaps -his wife or daughter, to whom he had probably been -speaking of me, and who may have felt curious to see the -rough soldier who had gone through so memorable a -campaign. He now slipped some twelve half-crowns into -my hand, and desired me on no account to walk, but to -take coach to London; at the same time he presented me -my papers. I thanked him, but requested he would keep -them until I could return the money. “No, no;” he -<span class='pageno' title='213' id='Page_213'>[213]</span>replied, “I make you a present of it.” He then, in a very -kind manner said, “Your old Colonel, Colonel Barnard, is -made a General, and a Knight. He is now Major-General -Sir Andrew Barnard; and, if you wish it, I will write to -him about you.” Again I thanked him, and said, “The -Colonel is well acquainted with me.” I left the house with -feelings of gratitude which I could not give utterance to; -and never, although many years have passed, shall I forget -the kindness of Colonel Ford.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On my return to London I wrote to Augustine, but -received no answer. I waited with anxiety, and then came -the mournful intelligence of her death; most likely owing -to her father, as he remained inexorable to the last. Poor -Augustine! Peace be to thy memory!</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch26' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>I enter the British Legion as Lieutenant—I raise a regiment of Riflemen—Appoint -the non-commissioned officers—Recruiting districts—The peer and the -dustmen—General Evans thanks—Embark at Gravesend—Voyage across the -Bay of Biscay—Arrival in Spain—We land at Portugaletta—Pat’s logic—Spanish -sentries shoot a man by mistake—A bad omen—Men confined for not -wearing that which they never had—Modern rifle officers—Colonel de Rottenburgh—Legion -officers classified—Fine appearance of the men—Rifles march -to Zorossa—Head quarters at Bilboa—Bad quarters of the men—Severe drills—Bad -beginning—The men begin to droop through ill-treatment—“Cats” indiscriminately -used—Lieutenant Robinson drowned.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>From early youth, war has my mistress been,</div> - <div class='line'>And tho’ a rugged one, I’ll constant prove,</div> - <div class='line'>And not forsake her now.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>It</span> will be unnecessary for me to drag the reader through -my chequered life, from the time I left the British army -until my last campaign in Spain. I shall, therefore, jump -across the interval, and bring him at once to the period at -which I entered the British Legion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is generally remarked that the life of a service soldier -is full of incident; but the sphere in which he is designed -to move can be understood only by those who have themselves -moved in it. In general, old soldiers in describing -<span class='pageno' title='214' id='Page_214'>[214]</span>battles, fill their accounts with the roar of cannon, the -clouds of smoke, and the groans and cries of the wounded -and dying; but in this part of my narrative, if I cannot -relate the former, I will endeavour to describe the miseries -of the unfortunate men with whom it was my fate to serve; -and as I mean neither to borrow nor dispose of any other -man’s stuff, I will relate those things only that came under -my own observation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I am aware that some military men fancy a man cannot -fight unless he has his country’s cause at heart, that in -their ideas being the only thing capable of arousing his -martial ardour; but I beg most humbly to differ from -those gentlemen, and to tell them, that when a British -subject is put into uniform, and placed in the ranks, with -a firelock in his hand, before an enemy, he requires no -stimulant nor patriotic impulse to urge him in attacking -those opposed to him; neither can I see why a British -subject should be ridiculed or prevented from (what he -terms) “earning an honest livelihood;” nor why if he -prefers being knocked on the head in serving a Foreign -Power, he should be termed a mercenary and a murderer, -as has been the case with the Legion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But if he be kidnapped by a recruiting-sergeant, or -pressed by a press-gang into the British service, there is -no doubt but that John Bull and his brethren of the sister -kingdoms, will make the best of a bad matter, which, as -old soldiers well know, is only to be done by going the -whole hog on every occasion; most soldiers like myself, -find in their muskets and bayonets, their only title-deeds; -these from the “<em>smallness</em>” of the estates they represent -are but poor guarantees: when, <em>cut up</em> and well <em>drilled</em> -by bullets, or long and active service; old age steals on, -and premature infirmities commence their march upon -them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the beginning of July, 1835, I enclosed documents -from officers of rank in the British army, with a statement -of my own service and the rank I had held in that service -to Colonel, now Sir De Lacy Evans, and expressed a wish -to enter under his command.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='215' id='Page_215'>[215]</span>In the course of a few days an answer was sent to me -from Mr. H. Bulwer,<a id='r25' /><a href='#f25' class='c014'><sup>[25]</sup></a> M.P. for St. Marylebone, stating -that Colonel Evans had appointed me as Lieutenant in -the 7th Light Infantry, B.A.L., and requesting me to -attend at his house that day, as General Evans wished to -see me.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I attended at the hour appointed, and for the first time -had the honour of conversing with the General himself, -who treated me with that gentlemanly courtesy for which -he has ever been remarked; among other matters, he asked -me several questions concerning a Rifle regiment, and -their probable efficacy in the field. To these, according to -my humble experience, I gave him to understand that as -the war was principally confined to the Pyrenees, and the -northern and more mountainous provinces, no body of -men could be more efficient, both from their dress as well -as their arms.</p> - -<p class='c007'>He approved of my remark, and resolved accordingly to -form at least one regiment of Rifles, and, as a first step, to -appoint me Lieutenant and Adjutant of the regiment. He -then gave me instructions to form recruiting parties, to -raise five or six hundred men for that regiment, and particularly -enjoined me to get as many old soldiers of the -British Rifles as I possibly could. The Adjutancy I declined -accepting, but I begged to be empowered to appoint -a few non-commissioned officers as an encouragement to the -old Peninsulars. This power he instantly granted me, and -extended even to all whom I thought fitting for that duty, -adding, “I will acquaint the Colonel of your regiment that -I have granted you these privileges.” Mr. Bulwer remarking, -“If I went into the country I might pick up many -gamekeepers, who, he thought, would make excellent riflemen.” -I replied, “That man shooting and game shooting -were very different,” at which they both laughed -heartily.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I immediately set to work and got hand-bills printed, -and established recruiting parties at Westminster, the -Borough, and Tower Hill, &c., and appointed about half a -<span class='pageno' title='216' id='Page_216'>[216]</span>dozen sergeants and corporals, who were immediately supplied -with green clothing. I next proceeded to Chatham -and Gravesend, and stationed recruiting parties there also; -and in the short space of two months we raised five hundred -men.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A motley group I enlisted, from the sons of peers, down -even to dustmen, including doctors, lawyers, parsons’ -clerks, and all the trades necessary to form a national -hive of cunning, craft and industry. I had an honourable -for a sergeant (the Honourable A. Curzon), a doctor for a -corporal (A. M. Hart), the former of whom was afterwards -appointed Lieutenant.</p> - -<p class='c007'>These recruits I sent in small detachments on board the -‘Swiftsure,’ then lying at Portsmouth, the head-quarters of -the regiment, appointing one sergeant and one corporal to -every sixteen privates. In the beginning of September -1835, I received a letter from Baron de Rottenburgh, our -Colonel, that the regiment was about to start for Spain, -wishing me to make as much haste as possible in joining.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A few days after this I embarked from Gravesend, with -nearly one hundred more men for the Rifles, on board the -‘London Merchant’ steamer, and arrived at Portsmouth the -following day; but, unfortunately, the whole of the <a id='regi'></a>regiment -had already sailed for Spain; after paying the men their -bounty of two pounds each, the next morning we sailed -also.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After a very pleasant voyage through the Bay of Biscay, -about the middle of September, we came in sight of the -Spanish coast; at first the eye was struck with the wild -and magnificent sweep of the Pyrenean mountains, which -to those unaccustomed to such scenery must be truly sublime. -Through our glasses we could distinctly perceive the -various little towns that dotted here and there the different -inlets of the bay, and which had a very peculiar and wild -appearance. But as we approached the land we could -plainly discern, marching up the mountain sides, small -bodies of soldiers which many on board mistook for the -troops of Don Carlos, but on closer inspection we discerned -to be the Queen’s.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Brigadier-General Evans, who was on board, having -<span class='pageno' title='217' id='Page_217'>[217]</span>determined to land here, the necessary preparations were -being made, when, to our surprise a vessel hove in sight, -bearing the remainder of the Rifles from Santander to -Bilboa. They were fully equipped with rifle and green -clothing, and disembarked near Portugaletta, while we with -the recruits landed also.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus, on the 19th September, about seven o’clock on a -beautiful summer evening, I again landed on that soil on -which, some four or five and twenty years ago I had witnessed -so many severe contests. We landed near an old -church, where the recruits were to remain for the night, -without blankets, great-coats, or any sort of comfort, in the -colonnades of a damp church. I shall never forget the discourse -which took place between two of the men. One -said to the other, “Are we to get no billets, but stop here -for the night without straw, and nothing but these cold -damp flag-stones to lie on? why, I see the General’s horses -over the way, that have just landed, put into warm stables -with straw; surely we are better than horses?” “Arrah, -and who the devil tould you so?” said a countryman of -mine, looking him hard in the face, “be my soul, the -Queen of Spain only gave two pounds a-head for such -fellows as you and me, and can get thousands more at the -same money; while she is compelled to give fifty pounds -for every horse!” Pat’s logic had the desired effect, and -the poor recruits stretched their weary limbs for the -night, with nothing but a thin smock-frock to keep them -warm.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There was, at the time, in possession of Portugaletta, a -Spanish regiment of the Queen’s Infantry doing duty, this -made it exceedingly dangerous for any of our men to approach -those fellows, from their ignorance and stupidity, -for they looked upon anything bearing arms to be an -enemy. One of my company had a melancholy experience -of this, for on coming close to a Spanish sentry, under the -darkness of the evening, he was challenged from a loop-hole -through the mud-wall surrounding Portugaletta. The -Englishman not knowing the language, could give no -answer, and the consequence was, the Spaniard instantly -<span class='pageno' title='218' id='Page_218'>[218]</span>fired and shot him through the knee. The poor fellow -remained on the spot where he fell until the morning, his -comrades being afraid to approach him for fear of a similar -fate, and when brought to the company the next day, -through weakness and loss of blood, while under amputation -he died under the hands of the doctor. This for the -first night of our landing was rather a bad omen. Passing -the guard-house, with the intention of seeing how the men -had fared during the night, at least half a dozen voices -assailed my ears, “Oh! Sir! I hope you will get us released; -we have been confined all night and have done no -crime.” Perceiving they were some of the recruits I had -brought over, I called the sergeant of the guard to inquire -the cause; he informed me that they had been confined by -officers of our regiment, for walking about without their -regimentals; the men, however, had disembarked only the -night before, and had not received their clothing; I ordered -them to be released.</p> - -<p class='c007'>For this act of justice I shortly afterwards was nearly -what was termed “called out” by a brace of officers of the -Rifles (whom I knew only by their uniform), and who -very abruptly asked me, why I had released men whom -they had confined! I answered, that no crime had been -committed by them, and that I deemed it right to release -them, as men in the British Army were never confined -without cause.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Sir,” said one, in an austere voice, “I know what -soldiering is. I have fought and seen service as well as -the British Army.” The reader has, perhaps, already -guessed that these “gentlemen” formerly belonged to Don -Pedro, and had served in Portugal during the struggle for -that crown.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I was anxious to see my Colonel to report myself, but -on going to his quarters I heard another of my poor fellows -lustily calling on me to intercede for him. This was in a -small field, close to the village, where he was being held -down, across a low, dry wall, by two men, while the bugler -was belabouring him on the bare breech with the “cats,” -and another of these Pedroite officers standing by seeing -<span class='pageno' title='219' id='Page_219'>[219]</span>the punishment inflicted. The poor fellow had been formerly -a bugler in the British Army, and was now flogged -for straggling into Portugaletta without leave. I had not -yet been sixteen hours on the Spanish soil, but I was -growing heartily sick of the campaign, even at this early -period.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the course of the day, I had an opportunity of -mixing with the officers; who in appearance were a fine -set of fellows.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They were composed of three different classes. The -first were gentlemen who formerly held commissions in -the British Army; the second were those who, through -interest, had obtained commissions from General Evans; -and the third class, and who, I was sorry to find, were -treble in number to the other two, were what is termed -Pedroites. These last self-taught heroes were brought up -in neither military nor civil life, but had passed a little -Quixotic tour under Don Pedro. In fact, every regiment -of the Legion, like my own, was full of Pedroites.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The recruits, at length, having received arms and -clothing, were drafted into companies, each about a hundred -strong, and of which six completed the regiment; -they were a fine set of men, and with the Legion altogether, -if properly handled, would have done credit to any army in -Europe.</p> - -<p class='c007'>During the few days that we remained here, a Major, -formerly in the British Army, named Barton, of the Rifles, -resigned; this left a vacancy, which was immediately filled -by the senior Captain, Fortescue. This caused a vacancy -for a Captain, and I was promoted to that rank, in his -place, and took command of his company; I may say with -safety, I was one of the few officers in command of a company, -at the time, that could put the men even through -their facings. After remaining here about a week, our -regiment was ordered to march, and we took possession of -a small village, Zorossa, about two miles from Bilboa, and -situated on the left bank of the Nervion. This place had -experienced all the ravages and desolation a civil war could -inflict; the houses were in a most dilapidated state. That -in which myself and a number of other officers were quartered -<span class='pageno' title='220' id='Page_220'>[220]</span>had been evidently tenanted by an opulent person; -but the furniture and interior decorations of the rooms had -been destroyed, or defaced by the soldiers of Don Carlos, -who had been in possession of the village a short time before -our entry.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here lay one of her Britannic Majesty’s gun-brigs, the -‘Ringdove’, to afford assistance and protection to vessels -passing up the river from the bay to Bilboa, with arms, -ammunition, and stores for the Legion: yet, strange to say, -the crew of the ‘Ringdove’ were on the most friendly terms -with the Carlist troops until we arrived.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Bilboa was at this time the head-quarters of the Legion. -With the view of relieving this important commercial town -from the state of blockade which it had sustained; and of -affording protection to the works which were at this time -erecting for its defence, and probably also for keeping open -a more easy communication with England, for the supply -of recruits, stores, &c., a few troops were stationed at -Bilboa—but in straggling convents and houses about its -suburbs. The soldiers of the Legion, notwithstanding -these arrangements, were badly quartered—the greater -part of them laying on the cold stone floors of churches -and convents, without beds, blankets, or even straw. It -was evident to me, even thus early in the campaign, that -General Evans did not display much solicitude or feeling -for the comforts of his soldiers. The men, who were at -this time chiefly raw recruits, unaccustomed to the change -of diet as well as to the climate of the country, undergoing -fatiguing military instructions by a severe daily drill of -six hours, surely a representation of their situation to the -proper Spanish authorities by General Evans would have -made things better for the poor men: but this was merely -a foretaste of the treatment that was to be endured by -them, which I shall have more particularly to allude to, -after their arrival at Vittoria, &c.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the miserable and comfortless condition of the men -was nothing to the disgraceful Provost system which was -carried on most rigorously in every regiment of the -Legion. Any officer, for the slightest supposed dereliction -of duty, or as he felt inclined, could order a man -<span class='pageno' title='221' id='Page_221'>[221]</span>from one to four dozen lashes. Every regiment had its -provost; nay, in some there were two, with a proportion -of cats.<a id='r26' /><a href='#f26' class='c014'><sup>[26]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>It mattered not who they were, recruits or old campaigners, -of which last there were no less than a dozen -(Chelsea pensioners), in the company I commanded. -Although the rules of the service at first starting were -boasted as being purely British, I now found them entirely -different.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the British army there was only one provost in a -division of perhaps eight or ten regiments. Again, no -officer, not even the provost himself, could order a dozen -lashes unless he found the man in the act of plundering. -Below is given a G. O.<a id='r27' /><a href='#f27' class='c014'><sup>[27]</sup></a> issued by the Duke of Wellington.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I had the misfortune to lose a fine active young officer of -my company, a Second Lieutenant named Robinson. In -crossing the river from Bilboa in the dark, by some accident -he fell overboard and was drowned. His body was -<span class='pageno' title='222' id='Page_222'>[222]</span>not found until next morning. His father is Captain and -Paymaster in the 60th regiment. This unfortunate young -man, like a number of others who died in Spain, had an -excellent kit, which was sold amongst the officers of our -regiment.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch27' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Intention of the Spanish Government respecting our winter quarters—March to -Vittoria—Enemy oblige us to go round—The rear of the Legion engaged—Baggage -divided from it—Commencement of the plunder at Bilboa—Arrival at -Castro—Enemy supposed to be in the vicinity—We remain at Castro—March -the next day—Mountainous route—An accident—The pass of Las Goras—March -to Bonia—My company placed in the advance—Orders to prepare for cavalry—Doubts -and fears—A narrow escape—Arrival at Breviesca—Breviesca—Head -Quarters—My old Patrone—Hints to revolutionists—System of regular drill -begun—Riflemen drilled collectively—I practice my company in sham fighting—Provosts -and hardship—Lay in a winter stock of sickness—Legion paid up -to November, 1835—Last payment—March of death—We march for Vittoria—Pass -of Pancorbo—The dead Patrone—Approach to Vittoria—My old recollections—The -45th—Halt about three miles from the city—Spanish troops -come out to meet us—Triumphant entry into Vittoria—The veteran Colonel.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>In</span> pursuance of the intention of the Spanish Government -that the auxiliaries should winter and complete their -military discipline in Vittoria or Breviesca, on the 30th of -October, 1835, the Legion, in conjunction with a division -under Espartero, commenced its march to those places. It -was well known that at this period the enemy were anticipating -our movements and intended destination, and learning -that our route would be on the Durango road, they -posted themselves in great strength to give us a warm reception. -The formidable attitude of the Carlists, however, -induced General Evans to abandon this direct line of march -upon Vittoria, not more than twelve leagues distant, and -to take a more circuitous, and almost pathless route, of -sixty leagues, over a difficult and mountainous district.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The main body of the Legion started about six in the -morning, but the whole had not quitted till late at noon, -when closed in upon their rear by the Guerillas and Carlist -peasantry. They became separated from the baggage, -<span class='pageno' title='223' id='Page_223'>[223]</span>which, but for the contiguity of Bilboa, would have been -all taken. The consequence was, that almost the whole -returned, and was supposed to have been placed under the -care of the British Consul and the Alcalde of the city, -who, in conjunction with a few others, actively employed, -may be said to have originated the plunder which subsequently -devoured almost all the luggage of the Legion -officers; quantities without lists, or any regular accounts, -having been indiscriminately heaped in stores, and thence -as carelessly embarked for Santander.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Meanwhile, on the second day’s march, we came to -Castro, where, as we expected to meet the enemy, my -company was selected to form a rear-guard in the event of -the Carlists attacking our rear. Near the town, as expected, -a number of the Guerillas, who were always on the look-out, -fired on our rear sections, and a poor fellow of the -Westminster Grenadiers, who through fatigue had straggled -from his regiment, was shot through the thigh. I instantly -started a few old soldiers after them, who very soon put them -to flight. This was the first time that I had heard the -whistle of a Carlist ball. I then placed the wounded -soldier on my pony till we arrived at Castro, where we -halted for the night. We found this place to be a wretchedly -filthy hole; a sea-port on the Bay of Biscay, and then occupied -by two regiments, and some artillery of the Queen’s -troops.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At daybreak the next morning, we left Castro, and -after an advance of five or six miles, a Spanish officer who -had been riding rapidly to overtake us, informed the -General that the enemy were again advantageously posted, -and in great strength, awaiting our arrival a few miles -further on. On this intelligence we were again ordered to -the right-about. However, my company, who were on -the advance in the morning with some Lancers, received -orders from General Reid to remain where we were, until -the main body had reached the bottom of a hill, about two -miles distant; but expecting to see the Carlists fast advancing -upon us, I thought it more prudent to follow in -quick time, with the Lancers behind us. We remained for -the night in the small villages round Castro.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='224' id='Page_224'>[224]</span>The next day’s march was a very harassing one. Our -route led over high mountains, with scarcely a path, and -almost unknown even to our guides; however, for my own -part, this was compensated for by one of the most majestic -pieces of scenery I ever beheld. The country around us -was beautifully romantic; the Bay of Biscay, from our -elevated position, appearing but a short distance off, while -the clouds which encircled that part in our view, kept -circling upwards and throwing a reflection on the serene -surface of the sea, that seemed almost enchanting.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At the entrance of a small village on the hill just mentioned, -the rifle of a Sergeant Johnson, of my company, -while on trail, went off, and shot a man named Neal, the -ball entering at the back and passing out at the groin. -We conducted him to a house where, for want of conveyance, -we were obliged to leave him to the mercy of the -mountain peasantry; this poor fellow, strange to say, was -brother to the man who, the night of our landing, had -been shot by the sentry at Portugaletta. They were both -fine young men, and deserved a better fate.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At night, after a fatiguing march, the brigade as usual -was quartered in a damp church. The day following we -proceeded on our march, but a great deal of anxiety was -experienced lest a celebrated pass (Las Goras) which we -had to advance upon, should be occupied by the enemy. -About four o’clock we arrived, but found it in possession of -the Queen’s troops, and for the first time, we bivouacked -in a wood. The next morning the harassed and jaded condition -of the men was so evident, that we could not proceed -until several bullock-carts had been procured.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the following morning we continued our march for -several days, till we arrived at the banks of the river -Ebro, the scene of many of my former campaigns. After -passing the bridge the prospect became beautifully varied, -the Ebro silently meandering in its serpentine course, -through a broad and fertile valley, at the base of a -chain of mountains which, verging towards the Mediterranean, -were here and there dotted with villages and -lonely cottages, the scattered husbandmen quietly occupied -in the tillage of their fields.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='225' id='Page_225'>[225]</span>We still continued to advance for about fifteen miles, -through a country increasing at every turn in beauty and -attraction, until we entered a very narrow pass, surrounded -on every side by stupendous and rocky mountains, all -rising so abruptly, and to such a magnificent height, that -they seemed to threaten destruction to the whole Legion -as it passed beneath.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This formidable passage could with ease be defended by -a handful of men against several thousands. The immense -and natural magazines of rocks that appeared to nod destruction -to the passing stranger, might be hurled with -awful effect on troops marching below.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Early in the afternoon the Legion reached Onai, a small -and very ancient town, celebrated for its splendid and -richly endowed monastery. Our brigade was quartered for -the night in the monastery, and as we entered I observed -the monks and friars apparently in great consternation, -making a hasty exit with their beds and furniture. Time -and war had made strange changes in this magnificent -convent, originally built for the religious exercises and -devotional retirement of its monkish recluses, was now -turned into a barrack; its sacred silence seldom disturbed -but by the devotional hum of the prostrate “sinners,” -now broken in upon by boisterous clamour and the sacrilegious -intrusion of men whose worldly object and employment -formed a strong contrast to the ascetic life of the -secluded monks.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 9th of November, very early, we proceeded on -our line of march towards Breviesca. An attack of the -enemy’s cavalry was at this time expected in great force, -therefore the whole of the Rifles, prior to marching, were -ordered to load. Our Colonel and General Reid called me -on one side, and told me, as my company was going to take -the advanced-guard, they wished me to keep a good look -out, as everything in the shape of cavalry was sure to be -our enemy. We had not proceeded more than a mile on -the road, and before the morning had clearly dawned, -when the advanced files cried out to me the cavalry were -formed across the road. I made it a rule, during the -march, to leave my two Lieutenants with the rear subdivision, -<span class='pageno' title='226' id='Page_226'>[226]</span>and take the advance myself, as they were inexperienced, -and knew little of these matters. I instantly -ordered the bugler to sound the halt, merely to give notice -to the battalion in the rear, and dismounting from my -pony took one of the men’s rifles. I sent directions for -the Lieutenant to see the men get under cover in the most -secure manner, in case the cavalry should charge, and to -keep up a brisk fire on them. I then advanced to the -front file, and immediately challenged the cavalry, then -about fifty yards from me, with rifle cocked and half -presented. The answer was given, “amigos” (friends). -I then ordered them to advance, which a few did, with -their officer, very cautiously. When I found them to be -the Queen’s troops I allowed them to pass. There was -about a troop. Before we had proceeded a quarter of a -mile further, we came in sight of a regiment of infantry, -which immediately threw out a company in extended order -on both sides of the road. This put us on our metal again, -and bringing up the rear section, I gave them directions -to extend; but no man to fire without receiving orders -from me. We then advanced most cautiously, when I -perceived an officer waving a white handkerchief on a -sword, and advancing towards me. I instantly met him, -and found these also to be Queen’s troops, the cavalry -which we first met being their advance-guard. General -M’Dougal and General Reid, with our Colonel de Rottenberg, -rode up, and thanked me for the cautious manner in -which I had acted, remarking that, had any inexperienced -officer been in my place, most serious consequences -might have ensued, as the Queen’s troops had taken us -for the enemy, not knowing that any of the Legion was -dressed otherwise than in red uniform. I jokingly replied, -I had been brought up in Wellington’s school, where we -were taught to make no blunders. I could find, the short -time I had been with the Legion, that chief part of the -officers did not know a friend from the enemy. We arrived -at Breviesca about four o’clock in the afternoon, much to -the joy of the Legion, as it was appointed as a temporary -place of rest, if not of winter quarters.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This march occupied nine days. The distance from -<span class='pageno' title='227' id='Page_227'>[227]</span>Bilboa, by the circuitous and difficult route we had taken, -was about sixty leagues, which is, upon an average, about -twenty English miles a day.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Breviesca is an ancient town of considerable extent, -situated in an open plain, in the province of Castile; and -is distant from Vittoria about forty miles, and twenty from -Burgos; it is surrounded by a mud wall.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Head-quarters were now at Breviesca, but the town not -affording accommodation sufficient for the whole Legion, -several regiments were quartered in the adjacent villages.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The inhabitants of this and the neighbouring localities, -had been much oppressed at different periods, and particularly -by the French, during the Peninsular war. The -old patrone of the house in which I was quartered, gave me -a long recital of the exactions he had been subject to, -during that period, by soldiers of different armies, these -he related with the tears rolling over his aged cheeks, -which, no doubt, his extraordinary sufferings had mainly -contributed to wither. Indeed, the Spaniards, since my -last sojourn amongst them, had made but very little progress -towards improvement, the joint influence of foreign -invasion, priestcraft, and civil strife, having so long, and -so continually absorbed their energies, that they could -scarcely be said to have recovered themselves: their -beautiful country, rich as it was in natural resources, now -bore the appearance of a desert, patched here and there -only, by the hands of the cultivator, who planted in fear, -and gathered in trembling, under the dreadful probabilities -of having it uprooted, or trodden down by the soldiers of -either party, and himself, perhaps, and his family stretched -lifeless amid the ruin.</p> - -<p class='c007'>If there are any among my readers so lost to common -sense and patriotism, as to glory in the prospect of revolution -in their own favoured country, let me tell them that -the “lopping” of the limb is a dangerous remedy, and -that can scarcely ever be justifiable. Few can wander -amid the realities of dissevered and disjointed Spain, and -not feel the truth of my observation. Her treachery may -be a good plea with some, but war, and especially those -inappropriately called “civil” are enough to make any -<span class='pageno' title='228' id='Page_228'>[228]</span>nation treacherous, especially when “pretended friends” -ride rough-shod over the soil and feelings of the inhabitants.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At Breviesca we commenced a regular system of -drilling, but, in my opinion, useless; the Rifles were drilled -collectively, instead of being exercised in light infantry -manœuvres, which last, every practical soldier must well -know, was better adapted to the mountain warfare we were -about to engage in (not only for the Rifles, but for every -regiment of the Legion). But instead of this, they were -confined to marching round in columns of companies, -saluting the General, forming lines, &c. This I pointed -out to our Colonel, with a request that we might be -allowed fifteen or twenty rounds of blank cartridge, to -exercise the men a little in sham fighting; to this he -acceded, and it afterwards proved of great service.</p> - -<p class='c007'>During the short time we remained at Breviesca, the -drilling and the provosting system were as usual carried on -most rigorously: these, with our long and harassing -march from Bilboa, together with the damp convents, &c., -laid the foundation of all the sickness and mortality that -afterwards befel the unfortunate Legion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About this time an order came from Madrid, for the -whole of the men to be paid up to the last day of November, -1835; this was the only settlement that Captains of -companies had with the paymaster, until the dissolution of -the Legion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After remaining in this town about three weeks, the -Legion marched for Vittoria, leaving two large hospitals -crowded with sick.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The morning of our departure was exceedingly inclement, -and those who witnessed our march from Breviesca, will -not readily forget the scene that presented itself. The -ground was covered with snow; such of the sick as could -not be accommodated in the hospitals, in the absence of -every other conveyance, were mounted upon donkeys, -supported on each side by their comrades, and enveloped -in old rugs, watch-coats and blankets, as a protection -against the inclemency of the season. As this spectre -group moved along in sad and melancholy procession, -<span class='pageno' title='229' id='Page_229'>[229]</span>their gaunt appearance produced a strong sensation upon -the troops, as they passed them on the line of march. -The Englishman commented on their worn and wretched -appearance, and commiserated their sufferings; while the -calculating Scotchman anticipated that before long, such -probably might be their own fate. But an Irishman roared -out from the ranks, “Prepare to receive cavalry!” and then -making a full stop, and scratching his head, as he deliberately -surveyed, with a serio-comic expression of countenance, -the melancholy cavalcade of invalids, exclaimed, -with a significant nod to his comrades, “By Jasus, boys, -there’s no danger, they are quietly marching to tother -world!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>After going through the romantic pass of Pancorbo, we -halted for the night in a mountain village, on the left of -the main road. My company was told off to two houses, -and as I ever made it a rule to visit the men’s quarters -after a day’s march, I found in one of their billets, the -patrone and two of his children laying dead, huddled -together on some Indian corn-leaves, with an old blanket -thrown over them, and the unfortunate mother in another -corner of the room weeping most bitterly, with an infant -in her arms, without fire, or any other thing to comfort her. -It appeared, from the forlorn widow’s statement, that her -husband was pressed by the Carlists for a soldier. Being -fond of his children he deserted, and remained secreted -until he died from want. We collected a small sum for -her, and I got the children interred.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The next day, at about two o’clock, we came in sight of -the city of Vittoria; its towers slowly emerging to the -view as we neared it over the plains.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I cannot describe how I felt, on again beholding this -place, so celebrated for the victory we had gloriously -achieved here, under our immortal Wellington, some four -or five-and-twenty years before. The very hedges became -familiar to me; but when we arrived at the village on the -main road where we had taken the first gun, and where I -so fortunately escaped death, I could no longer suppress -my emotions, but turning my pony off the road from my -<span class='pageno' title='230' id='Page_230'>[230]</span>company into the fields, I gave vent to my feelings. Weak -as this may appear, it nevertheless is true, and I stood -as one—the last of the time-forgotten numbers who had -consecrated the scene. I felt as it were amidst them, and, -unconsciously looked about, as if under the impression that -the soil would throw out some of my old comrades. But -all was one bleak flat, edged in on either side by mountains, -which seemed to rear their heads like tombstones o’er the -glorious sleepers at their base.</p> - -<p class='c007'>How many a year had passed, how many a care had -done its best to wither up my heart-strings, but oh! how -vain! I was still the “old soldier!” and though garbed and -tilted with the appointments of Captain of a company, it -had not altered my nature; and I verily believe, if the -offer could have been made, that I should have given up -epaulettes and all for one short hour’s converse with my -old brother campaigners.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the midst of my retrospections, General Reid, together -with my Colonel, rode up to ask some questions -about this celebrated battle, which they were aware I had -been present at, but seeing my discomposed state of mind, -they most kindly declined making inquiries. Between the -sorrow I felt for those brave companions, who had fallen -on every side of me, and the inward pride that burnt in -my bosom, as one of those who had assisted in that ever-memorable -contest, I could not compose my fluttering and -overwhelming feeling; but this agitated state was broken -in upon by one of the men of my company, who coming up -to me said:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“You cannot conceive, Sir, how queer I feel at the sight -of this town; for there, Sir, I was born (pointing to Vittoria): -my poor father was dangerously wounded, and -while my mother, who so many a time told me the tale, -attended to him in the hospital, she took to her bed and -brought me into the world.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>I inquired to what regiment his father had belonged; -he informed me the 45th. He seemed much affected as well -as myself; I slipped him a trifle to drink to his father’s -memory. Poor fellow! he came to keep his sire company, -<span class='pageno' title='231' id='Page_231'>[231]</span>and to fatten the Spanish soil with his own remains, -as he died in about a month after his arrival in “his birth-place.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>We halted for an hour about three miles from the city; -we were joined by a number of Spanish troops, both infantry -and cavalry, who had marched out to meet us; as soon -as the chief part of the Legion had come up, we proceeded -to march into the town, with Spanish bands at our head, -playing their national airs. The inhabitants had placed -over the gates an illuminated globe and festoons of laurels -&c.; on the former was an inscription in variegated lamps,</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“To the brave and generous English</div> - <div class='line'>Who fight for the liberty of Nations.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>The windows were crowded with old and young, with -beauty and deformity, some perhaps from curiosity, some -to welcome, but most of them waving handkerchiefs, -shouting vivas and giving other demonstrations of what we -supposed to be a universal welcome—to thousands a welcome -to their last home. Banners were hoisted from tower -and steeple, and bells jingled in every one of them, and as -the darkness set in, the whole town was illuminated, and a -display of fireworks in the Plaza finished the evening. But -alas! how soon the Spaniards changed their tune; we had -not been three weeks in this sepulchre of the unfortunate -Legion, before they wished us, General and all, -at the devil.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I was billeted, as luck would have it, on an old Colonel -who formerly belonged to the Spanish service and who had -fought under the Duke of Wellington. He had for some -years retired on half pay, and as he was very proficient in -the French language and I also had some knowledge of it, -we made the time pass very agreeably, entertaining each -other with anecdotes of our respective services.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='232' id='Page_232'>[232]</span> - <h2 id='ch28' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Vittoria as it then was—A bad wind that blows nobody any good—Rifles rather -comfortable at first—Severe weather—Morning scenes and cries in Vittoria—The -flogging system—Men not starved—A comparison of facts—Hospitals get -crammed with sick—Singular economy—The old Colonel’s two sons—The Chapelgorris -decimated by order of Espartero—The Rifles march to Matuca—The -whole Legion assemble at Matuca—Cordova engaged—A Carlist village—A -confession—A night retreat—Colonel’s anxiety—Arlaban—Change of looks -both in the men and the inhabitants—March to Trevina—Sharp winter of -1835.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>The</span> morning after our arrival, I took the earliest opportunity -to look about the town, and I passed through the -gates on the great road, leading to Pampeluna. On coming -to the spot where I fell in with the carriage of Joseph -Bonaparte, I found that a convent had been built over it, -which was now converted into a hospital for the Spanish -soldiers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The city and its suburbs, however, were much improved, -which was accounted for in the immense quantity of money -and valuables left by the French, in their hurried flight -before the British troops. Indeed, as the old Colonel -assured me, the conquerors in that battle were the making -of Vittoria and had greatly enriched the inhabitants.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Rifles were quartered in a convent, and enjoyed for -a short time more comforts than they had known since -their arrival in Spain; as every three men were allowed -a straw mattress and one blanket, and I made it a practice, -as long as I could, to see each man provided every morning -with a pint of warm chocolate, at a charge of three-half-pence -per day, and also with soups made with rice, -flour, &c. This soon became general throughout the -regiment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The weather set in very severely, and the morning sun -not unusually brought on a thaw, after a night which had -perhaps left the plains ankle-deep in snow. Our drill -ground also lay some distance from the city, and it frequently -happened that after serving the men with new -shoes at the morning parade, preparatory to their going to -<span class='pageno' title='233' id='Page_233'>[233]</span>drill, they as often returned with them torn to pieces by -the stiff mud.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But the most disgusting annoyance I ever met with, was -on going to inspect the company in the colonnades of the -convent; as the whole of our brigade consisting of the -Rifles, the 3rd Westminster Grenadiers and the 6th Scotch -were quartered here; every morning therefore at inspection -my ears were saluted with the cries of the unfortunate -soldiers, receiving from one to four dozen lashes, for misdemeanors -committed the evening previous. Indeed it was -a duty imposed upon the Captain of the day, to see these -punishments inflicted; but the Colonel agreeing with me -that this might be performed by the orderly subalterns, I -escaped the unpleasant office.</p> - -<p class='c007'>General Evans, however, possibly might not really have -been aware of the real state of the men, and I should be -sorry to say that he did not care. He was very much -of the “recluse” at all times, and therefore insurmountable -difficulties lay in the way of a man’s getting a hearing from -him; consequently there was no hope for the poor fellows, -save what might have been expected from the mercy of the -Provost, or the whims of his judges, who may be said -to have administered as many sentences as would have -whipped every man in the Legion twice over, with the -exception of hanging, which, in many instances, would -have been preferable; never were punishments carried to -such an extent, nor authority so unlimited or arrogated by -any men, as that usurped by the chief part of the officers -of the British Auxiliaries.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Meanwhile, however, the reports circulated in England -that the men were starved for want of rations were unfounded, -as the resources of the neighbourhood, and the -fact of our being under the employ of the Spanish Government, -opened even a better medium for supply than what -formerly had been allotted to the British army under the -Duke of Wellington.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here the hospitals were soon crammed with sick; but -the most cruel part of this was, a man was no sooner conveyed -to hospital, than the chief part of his clothing was -taken from him, and given to men able to perform their -<span class='pageno' title='234' id='Page_234'>[234]</span>duty; so that, if he happened to recover, he rejoined his -regiment almost naked. From this cause he generally -got a relapse, returned to hospital, and nothing more was -heard of him. To give the reader some slight idea of the -number of men who died through want and negligence, -I will subjoin the names of Sergeants alone belonging to -my own company (observing that I had the charge of what -is termed the staff company). They are as follows: Sergeant-Major -Powley, Colour-Sergeant Smith, Pay-Sergeant -Madicott, Sergeants Bushel, Watson, and Hornsby, and -Armoury-Sergeant Bleakey.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I remember one day, while sitting smoking a cigar at my -quarters at Vittoria, the Colonel’s wife rushed into the -room, and throwing her arms around my neck in tears and -in the most heart-rending tone, cried, “Mon Dieu! mon -Dieu!” and almost fainted. At this moment her husband, -the old Colonel, entered, with looks and attitude baffling all -description; he approached near me, while his wife still -hung on my neck. He stood silent and motionless; at one -moment despair depicted in his face, the next his eyes -glistened with apparent transports of joy, although the -tears rolled rapidly down his cheeks. I was transfixed to -my chair (while the old lady still remained crying on my -shoulder), wondering what could be the cause of this strange -visit. But, with the reader’s permission, I will unravel the -mystery. Some time previously, the Chapelgorris—in -which regiment the Colonel’s two sons had volunteered—had -taken a Carlist village, named La Bastide, and in -driving the enemy out, a priest, who was flying with the -Carlists, was shot. On the Chapelgorris returning to the -village, they plundered the church, and drank wine out of -the chalice. This was made known to the government of -Madrid; and it was falsely added, that the priest had been -murdered in the church, with a view to spoliation. Espartero, -the commander of this division, was accordingly -written to, and censured for having suffered such an outrage.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The means he adopted to justify himself was cold, deliberate -butchery. Although at the time this supposed -sacrilege was committed, Espartero called them his noble, -<span class='pageno' title='235' id='Page_235'>[235]</span>brave <a id='chapel'></a>Chapelgorris, on this day—the 12th of December—the -bravest of Spanish soldiers, whose pride it was to fight -by the side of the English, were doomed to have their -laurels plucked from their brows, and that enthusiastic and -loyal spirit broken for ever. The whole of the Chapelgorris -were marched a few miles on the Miranda road; and, -without the slightest notice of what was intended, they -were ordered to ascend a rising ground. Here they found a -large body of infantry and cavalry, which had preceded them -from Vittoria, all drawn up. When they had ascended the -hill, they were ordered to pile arms, and marched to some -distance. The cavalry then rode between the Chapelgorris -and their arms, when, for the first time, the poor fellows -had some idea of what was intended. Espartero, who commanded -in person at this scene, then ordered lots to be -cast, and every tenth man was set apart from the rest. -These ten were shot in the presence of their unarmed comrades. -The Colonel’s two sons were ever known to stand -side by side in the ranks, but on this morning one of their -comrades had taken his position between the two brothers, -and this poor fellow, being the tenth man, fell by the ruthless -and murderous command of Espartero. When my old -host, the Colonel, and his wife, heard of this providential -escape of their sons, their joy occasioned the sudden -entrance and extravagant conduct of the poor old Colonel -and his lady, who came to impart the tidings to me, but -were too overpowered by their feelings to give them utterance. -“But the most horrid part of this butchery was,” -said the old veteran, who by this time was a little collected, -“that the men were not despatched at one volley, but -individually, four men firing at each victim, who was -placed beside his dead comrades, until the tragic scene was -finished.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the beginning of January, 1836, we left Vittoria, and -marched to a small town on the main road to Salvaterra, -called Matuca, about six miles distant. Here we remained -several weeks, chiefly occupied in barricading our houses -with loopholes, &c., and occasionally going out on the -hills, opposite the castle of Guevara, a strongly fortified -place, occupied by the Carlists.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='236' id='Page_236'>[236]</span>The whole of the Legion having assembled at Matuca, -we moved towards the heights of Arlaban, where, as Cordova -was warmly engaged on our left; we expected an -encounter also, but after manœuvring for the day, we encamped -on a bleak hill without firing a shot. The following -evening we entered a village just quitted by the Carlists, -where we remained for the night, using every precaution by -barricading the doors and windows of all the houses we -occupied. Meanwhile, from its being a Carlist village, our -men thought it right to make free with whatever fell in -their way.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the house in which I had taken up my billet, the -owner was a remarkably pretty woman, with two children; -some of our men picking up a Carlist muster-roll, she confessed -to me that her husband was a Captain in Don -Carlos’s army, and had left her only a few nights before. -The house was well stored with wine, and with every necessary -comfort; myself, and my two subalterns, fared most -sumptuously, our hostess spreading the table with every -delicacy the place afforded. She was a very intelligent -woman, and spoke the French language fluently; she -placed herself under our protection to avoid the importunities -of the men, but everything else these last “gentlemen” -could lay their hands upon they did.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We returned to the hills on which we were stationed the -day before: but we still heard firing on our left, and remained -here till twelve o’clock at night. After the men -had collected wood, and lighted large fires, and laid down -beside them for the night (it was severely cold, with frost -and snow, and a number of men without even watch-coats), -to our surprise, about midnight, the “word” was silently -passed to “fall in” as quickly as possible, and make the -best of our way from the camp-ground, as the Carlists were -in great force around us.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We quietly moved about a mile lower down, across a -small river, where, as it was impossible to light fires, we -remained, ankle-deep in snow, till the morning. This was -one of the most distressing nights I ever experienced during -my whole life. In the morning I felt alarmed for the safety -of the Lieutenant of my company; who, being a favourite -<span class='pageno' title='237' id='Page_237'>[237]</span>of the Colonel’s, was in the habit of remaining with him. -On inquiry, the Colonel told me he had not seen him, and -clasping his hands together, he exclaimed, “Good God! -he must be taken and assassinated by the Carlists.” Fearing -the truth of his supposition, I instantly started for the -camp-ground we had left, with some of my company (such -as were not frost-bitten by the inclemency of the night), -and on my arriving near the camp, to my pleasing astonishment, -I beheld Lieutenant Tottenham, my lost officer, -with one or two others, who had not been disturbed by our -silent retreat, but remained comfortably sleeping by the -large fires the men had lighted, and most reluctantly -left.</p> - -<p class='c007'>All the honour gained by this Arlaban expedition, was -about a dozen men, who happened to straggle from the -regiments, most brutally butchered (by the Carlists); on -one man in particular, whom Colonel de Rottenburg and -myself had stripped, we counted no less than twenty-six -stabs through his body; and about half a dozen of my -own company also were severely frost-bitten: indeed from -our having no other conveyance, some of these men were -obliged to be carried on the backs of their comrades, to -save them from falling into the hands of the Carlists. Thus -ended the celebrated Arlaban expedition. Certainly it is, -Cordova did not cause all this by his imputed treachery -and bad faith.</p> - -<p class='c007'>We returned once more to Matuca, our old quarters. I -could see the inhabitants did not regard us with the same -eye as before we started; but it was unjust to look scornfully -on our poor fellows, who would have fought if they -had had proper men to command them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the beginning of February the chief part of the -Legion left Matuca, and, marching to the right, took up -their position in a mountain town called Trevina, about -four leagues from Vittoria. This town is surrounded by -bleak and barren mountains, which the Carlists a short -time previous had quitted. The crowded state in which -we were in here, caused the men to die by sections. Besides -two large hospitals, which were filled, the sick were at last -compelled to be sent to Vittoria, guarded by strong detachments, -<span class='pageno' title='238' id='Page_238'>[238]</span>as there were not sufficient places for their reception, -and, to crown our misfortunes, during the greater -part of our stay here, there was snow a foot deep. The -men, although nearly barefoot, were constantly employed -barricading the houses and streets in every part of the -town, which a short time afterwards we left to the mercy of -the enemy.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The winter of 1835 was one of the severest known in -Spain for the last half century, as if the elements also -contended against the unfortunate Legion. Here we were -shorter, both in money and rations, than at any other -place since our arrival in the country. We remained about -three weeks, and then retraced our steps to Vittoria; the -men completely harassed by fortifying the place, that after -all turned out to be of no use to us.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch29' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Return to Vittoria—The mortality and state of the hospitals—Deaths among the -medical officers—Scenes in the wards—Legion supposed to be poisoned—Don -José Elgoez—His first ordeal—A discovery—Execution of the two bakers—Description -of the “Garotta”—Legion march and counter-marches—Mode of -warfare adopted by General Evans—Frequent desertion.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>At</span> our return, the fever still continued to rage most -fearfully, and Vittoria resembled a city infected with the -plague. The scenes in the hospital were truly appalling. -The wards were so crowded, that suffocation must have -been inevitable, but for the inclement season; which had -free access through the wards, from the entire want of -window-sashes, and in many instances doors, most of which -had been destroyed by the monks—the former and forcibly -ejected occupants. But this prevention of one evil only -gave rise to another equally calamitous; as scarcely a -patient escaped being frost-bitten. There was also a total -absence of bedding of any kind, or even bedstead, and many -a poor fellow, in the height of fever, was forced to content -himself with loose straw, and nothing to cover him but a -great coat or a rug; hence the scenes in the wards became -disgusting in the extreme.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='239' id='Page_239'>[239]</span>At length the medical men themselves began to feel the -pestilence, and the casualties among them so reduced their -number (for the most attentive suffered first) that the requisite -attendance could not be given, and death strode -amongst the sick unchecked. The delirious, the dying, -and the dead, were all indiscriminately huddled together, -and sometimes mixed up with their groans, might be heard -the cries of some poor fellow undergoing a course, not of -medicine, but of cat-o’-nine-tails, which in many instances -were resorted to by the medical gentlemen to beat out what -they could not cure. Many and many a sick soldier -has been accused of skulking, while his thin, cadaverous, -wan, fevered countenance alone has dared to belie the -charge, made by his tyrants. But happily this was not -general.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I remember going one day to the hospital to see my -servant, a worthy, honest Yorkshireman, named Jackson, -who at this time was also suffering under the dreadful -malady. I had to pass through several wards before I -arrived at that in which he was; such a sight I never witnessed -before. The raving maniac, in all the degrees of -delirium, made the room ring again, and effectually withstood -any attempt on the part of the sick only, to keep -them from annoying the sleeping.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I particularly noticed one, a <a id='serg'></a>sergeant-major, sitting upright -on the mattress. He was haggard and worn to a -skeleton, with a beard of at least three weeks’ growth. -The wild and unsettled glance of his eye told at once, that -the old soldier was delirious: his mind, however, was -actively at work, and he was drilling an imaginary regiment, -in the most pressing yet deliberate manner. I stood -to listen to him. At length he was interrupted by a -brother sufferer in an adjoining pallet. In an instant he -summoned an hospital orderly and in the same imperative -tone, bade him go immediately and bring the Provost, that -he might inflict summary punishment on the delinquent, -who had thus dared to commit such a breach of discipline, -as to interrupt him in the performance of his duty. The -orderly was actually on the point of obeying his orders, -<span class='pageno' title='240' id='Page_240'>[240]</span>when I informed him his patient was not in his right -senses.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The sergeant seemed a veteran, who had seen service; -and from the manner in which he had delivered his word -of command, was no doubt well qualified to put a regiment -through its manœuvres.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The mortality amongst the troops increased to a frightful -extent in some regiments, as many as a dozen or fifteen -dying of a day, and the duty of attending the dead to their -last home became so fatiguing that it was at last done away -with altogether. The bodies were carried from the hospitals -in cart-loads. The surgeons staggered through -sickness and laboured under a want of medicines. At -length it was whispered about that the bread had been -poisoned; finally the report became so loud, as to cause -one general thrill of horror, and immediate steps were taken -to discover the agents in so fiendish an affair.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At length private information having been given to the -paymaster of the 7th regiment of the Legion he disguised -himself, and went about making observations, which resulted -in his taking prisoners some agents of Don Carlos, -in the act of persuading our men to desertion; a woman -also was amongst them, whose very pretty person was -made use of to decoy them off our boundaries to the enemy; -and it was further said, a conspiracy was traced to the house -of a baker and his assistant, who up to this time had supplied -the Legion with ration bread.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At all events, on the day in question, this pair of demons -had already gone through an ordeal, sufficient to cure even -Carlos of his villanies. Some of the Spanish troops for -want of immediate rations applied to our commissariat, and -having obtained permission to take their bread from our -stores, they had received several hundreds of rations. In -the course of the day, however, a number of their men -were taken very ill, and many, even to sixty in number, -it was reported, had died. Whether these deaths be true -or not I cannot say, but the cause of their sudden illness -was traced to Don José Elgoez, who was instantly brought -bound to the Plaza and a piece of black bread, slung on a -<span class='pageno' title='241' id='Page_241'>[241]</span>bit of string, being tied round his neck, the men commenced -their retaliation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Eight or ten of the strongest men in the battalion, each -armed with a long staff, were selected, and severally beat -him over the back and shoulders, until the culprit dropped -powerless and senseless on the ground. He was immediately -taken from the scene to prepare for a second ordeal -of a more awful character, as his assistant and himself -were tried and sentenced to be strangled on the charge of -having been in communication with the enemy, &c. -During the interval that elapsed between the sentence -and execution, great efforts were made by his fellow -partizans to get him off. As much as thirty thousand -dollars were offered as a ransom, but all his friends -could do was unavailing, and the execution of both -men took place in the space outside the new Plaza of Vittoria, -before thousands of Spaniards, and the assembled -Legion.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They were executed after the Spanish custom by the -garotta. This appeared to me to be a much better mode -of fulfilling the last sentence of law, than hanging or the -guillotine, and not so disgusting. It was performed as -follows: a platform was erected, about three feet high, in -the centre of which two upright posts were fixed, with a -seat in each, sufficiently elevated for the culprits to sit -upon. To either post an iron collar was fitted, made so as -to be opened or compressed on one side of the post, by a -winch and screw on the opposite.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The fronts in which their necks were placed were so -formed, as, by the relaxing or tightening of the screws, to -cause a lingering or instantaneous death, I should say, as -the sentence might dictate. As soon, however, as the -executioner gave the first twist, he rather triumphantly -bellowed out, “Viva!” and then finished the principal, -who died in a more lingering manner than his second or assistant. -Despite the gravity of the melancholy spectacle, -I could not but listen with surprise to the attendant priests, -who doubtless were Carlists, exhorting the departing spirits -of the pair of prisoners, with the words: “Monta a el -<span class='pageno' title='242' id='Page_242'>[242]</span><a id='cielo'></a>cielo! Monta a el cielo!” Go up to Heaven! Go up to -Heaven!<a id='r28' /><a href='#f28' class='c014'><sup>[28]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>Shortly after this our brigade was occasionally sent out -to the adjoining villages, for the benefit of the air, and also -to prevent the enemy from laying close siege to the town. -Indeed, so daring were they, that they frequently at night -would come even to the gates of the city, and fire at the -first party they saw. This made our mode of warfare -different to that to which I had been accustomed to during -my former campaigns. Our present plan was to occupy -the villages and houses in front of the enemy, and fortify -them with loop-holes and barricades, to obviate the necessity -of exposing our men to the attacks of an enemy rather -more blood-thirsty than the gallant spirits under Soult and -his predecessors.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was a prudent step in General Evans, as the Carlists -we found followed up their practice of stealing on us, under -cover of the darkness, and sometimes under the fogs, -which were very frequent, and so firing on our men. -While on this out-post duty desertions became very frequent, -which may be attributed to the offer of seven dollars -to every foot-soldier, and twelve dollars to every horseman, -who would go over, with arms and accoutrements, to Don -Carlos. Amongst the number induced to accept those -terms was a piper, well known as “Little Jemmy,” of the -6th Scotch, whose Highland costume and uncouth music -at all times attracted a crowd of children about him. -While on picquet we could hear Little Jemmy, on the -Carlist outpost, playing “Over the waters to Charlie;” -<span class='pageno' title='243' id='Page_243'>[243]</span>Jemmy’s music proved attractive, too, for numbers followed -him, and with them a bugler of the Rifles. This fellow, -for the same ends, also used regularly to sound the wine-call -three times a day, as a contrast to our own, which was -but once during the same period. Letters also were found -at our advanced posts, written in English, and promising a -return to England, through France, to those who would -leave the ranks of the “foreign invaders,” (as they termed -us). These persuasive offers were in too many instances -successful.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Soon after, our brigade was removed to a small village, -some short distance from Vittoria, near the main road, -where I remember the French had made a gallant stand -against the Light and third divisions. It was not unfrequent, -during the hours of drill, to notice, here and there, bleached -skulls scattered about, melancholy evidences of the sanguinary -rencontre. I have often unconsciously watched, lest some -clumsy fellow should disturb those weather-beaten relics; -and turned to the olden scenes when, perhaps, their very -owners fought beside me in many a bloody field, or helped -to while away the moments by a camp fire with some -humorous recital.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On one of these occasions our Bugle-Major, named -M’Kay, and formerly a corporal in my own battalion, in -which he had served during the whole of the Peninsular -war, picked up one of the skulls and holding it in his hand -whilst he closely and anxiously examined it, coolly turned -to me, saying: “About this spot, Sir, we had several of our -company killed, and amongst them my own comrade—poor -Allan Cummings! He fell somewhere hereabout—who -knows but what this may be his head.”<a id='r29' /><a href='#f29' class='c014'><sup>[29]</sup></a> The old soldier’s -countenance spoke volumes, and he paused for several -minutes, as if in earnest converse with the relic; at last he -muttered out again, “Well, well! it matters little with -the dead; but what remains of you, if this be yours, Allan, -shall be made a foot-ball no longer!” saying which he -nodded to one of the buglers, and both, with their swords -<span class='pageno' title='244' id='Page_244'>[244]</span>commenced digging a hole, in which they deposited the -supposed remains of his old comrade.</p> - -<p class='c007'>M’Kay little dreamt how soon his own and a similar fate -awaited him, for he himself was shot some short time after, -at Andoun; and singular to relate, one ball struck the -Waterloo medal on his breast, and was immediately -followed by a second, which finished his career altogether. -Poor fellow! it was through my persuasion that he joined -the Legion, he being at the time a Chelsea Pensioner.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch30' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Sudden and unjust dismissal of the officers—Copies from General Orders—Spanish -compliments to the French and British Legions—Cordova between -two fires—Some French officers resign—Difference betwixt the British and -French Legion—Parting moments between a French Colonel and his men—Legion -receive orders to proceed to San Sebastian—The sick left behind to -guard the sick—March through the country to Santander—Arrival at the -Convent of Carbon—New clothing—Recruits, &c.—My opinion of the -Legion.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>During</span> our stay in and about Vittoria, a practice prevailed -of dismissing officers without granting them the -right of either a court-martial or a court of inquiry, and in -some instances on the mere assertion of the commanding -officer, and not unfrequently through the silent medium of -the Brigadiers. In the Rifles alone, during the above -period, there were not less than one captain (Lomax), two -lieutenants (O’Brien and Villars), and one assistant surgeon -(Greenwood), dismissed the service under these circumstances. -This, whoever it originated from, was excessively -cruel, and was particularly aggravated by the -General Orders of the time, notifying that all officers who -had resigned their commissions, or who had been dismissed -from their regiments, or departments, were not entitled to -receive rations after their resignations or removals had been -notified in General Orders. Passages to England in -vessels employed for the service of the British Auxiliary -Legion were not to be allowed to such officers, unless -directions had been received from head-quarters to that -effect. To crown the whole, Colonel Arbuthnot (brother-in-law -<span class='pageno' title='245' id='Page_245'>[245]</span>to General Evans), affixed a paper at the portals of -his own door, to the effect that officers anxious to return to -England might have a free passage, provided they signed a -document, prior to going on board, relinquishing all future -claims on the Spanish Government.</p> - -<p class='c007'>These tyrannical proceedings, as might be expected, had -a most lamentable effect on the officers of the Legion; -placed as it were between two extremes, the loss of pay and -rations, as well as the most cruel despotism of their superior -officers, the most daring schemes were consequently projected, -and officers as well as men went over to the Carlists. -This may not be unaptly illustrated by the following -relation, which I received within a few days of our quitting -Vittoria for San Sebastian.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Passing one day through the Plaza, accompanied by my -old friend the Spanish Colonel, we observed a number of -Carlist prisoners brought in by some of our English -Lancers; they had expected death in retaliation for their -cruelty on our men, and were profuse in expressions of -gratitude for the very different treatment they had experienced -at the hands of the British. One in particular my -old friend seemed to bear some recollection of, and entered -into a very interesting conversation on the accidents of the -contending parties. He was a cadet of the Guards of -Alava, one of the smartest regiments in the Carlist service, -and appeared to be an exceedingly intelligent young fellow, -and well versed in English and French. After some chat -with the Colonel, he addressed me, saying with what I -thought rather a satirical smirk on his countenance, “You -may remember an officer of yours deserting to us during -the stay of the Legion about Trevina.” I said I had some -recollection of a Lieutenant of the 1st regiment, named -Wilkinson, who did leave us at the period mentioned. -“Then,” continued he, “I was the first person whom he -met with after crossing our lines, and who caused his introduction -to Muralo, prime minister of Don Carlos, to whom -he related the cause of his desertion, the circumstance of -his having been dismissed <a id='from'></a>from the Legion, without a court-martial, -or any court of inquiry being allowed him to justify -himself; and there and then proposed a scheme to seize on -<span class='pageno' title='246' id='Page_246'>[246]</span>the person of General Evans, on the road between Trevina -and Vittoria, which he was in the habit of passing with a -very small escort. ‘I will,’ said he, ‘if allowed twenty -dragoons, at the hazard of my own life, bring in my late -General dead or alive.’ The simple and earnest manner of -your officer took great effect on Muralo, who seemed -inclined to the proposed scheme, and the English officer -was dismissed, with orders to attend the next day; the -Minister observing, as we left the room, he must not take -the life of the General, but bring him alive if possible.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The day following, at the time appointed, your officer, -who never seemed to lose sight of his object, again attended -on the Minister, and pressed his plan of revenge. He was -questioned on the number and state of the Legion, and the -character of its chief. ‘Pray, Sir,’ asked Muralo, ‘what -opinion is General Evans held in, in England?’ ‘Why, Sir,’ -he replied, ‘as to that, he bears the character of most -British officers—great courage and personal daring; but -as he never commanded a company in action, he is thought -incapable of conducting any great enterprise.’ ‘They tell -me,’ continued the Minister, ‘that your Legion is dying -by companies, through negligence and cruel treatment;’ -and with this your officer was dismissed to attend the next -day for instructions. The following morning, however, was -designed to crush all the deserter’s hopes, as the affair -changed altogether. ‘We have considered the affair over -again,’ said Muralo, ‘and have resolved not to act in it. -The Queen Regent of Spain can afford to lose five men to -our one, and from the accounts of the proceedings of this -General of yours, they will be of more service to us than a -victory; and I fear were he supplanted, some more efficient -officer might be put in his stead. Besides, if the English -press accounts be correct, his Excellency appears to be -a man too honest to be suspected, and too incapable to act -conclusively. ‘This,’ said the cadet, as I thought smilingly, -‘was related the next day to the King, who laughed -heartily at the sagacity of his minister.’”</p> - -<p class='c007'>On our return to Vittoria, and when on the point of -leaving, the inhabitants gave a grand ball to the officers of -the Legion; and a piece, entitled “Des Circonstances,” -<span class='pageno' title='247' id='Page_247'>[247]</span>was got up at the theatre; at the same time, in honour -of the English, another, entitled “Charles the First,” in -which that monarch was made a second Don Carlos, and -the English who dethroned and beheaded him, were compared -to the noble Spaniards then fighting against the -tyranny of the Spanish Charles.</p> - -<p class='c007'>While the French Legion were at Vittoria, they also -were honoured with a <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">fête</span></i>; the piece selected to flatter -their national pride was a spectacle representing the life of -Napoleon, from his first campaign in Italy to his death. -But the part he acted in Spain was entirely omitted. Yet -Sir Hudson Lowe was not forgotten, nor were allusions -wanting to the cruel conduct of the British Government -towards the Man of the Rock.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I could not help contrasting the healthy and spirited -appearance of the French soldiers to that of the unfortunate -English. But the privations the latter had endured, and -still were suffering, through neglect, and the continued -lash of those in command of them, actually had pinched -out that noble spirit which I ever found the British soldier -to possess. Indeed, I have wondered since that the slightest -subordination was kept, under the system of cruelty pursued -towards them. Any, or the least dereliction of duty, -even the forgetting to touch the hat to a passing officer, -was commonly followed by the <em>cats</em>; while the distant -bearing of most of the commanding officers prevented the -soldiers’ complaints being heard: the total disregard also -of the latter to the billets and personal comforts of their -men—and in many cases, tyrannical ejections from quarters, -where they interfered in the least with those petty despots, -had totally alienated the man from the officer.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But with the “Foreign Legion,” composed, as it was, of -men of all nations, everything went pleasantly, and officers -and men were so alive to each other’s welfare, that it -extended its secret services even to the unfortunate British -Auxiliaries. Many and many were the instances in which -the miserable Legionite, stretched in liquor on the street, -has been dragged by them to concealment, to screen him -from the lash of the Provost. In truth, this sympathy was -<span class='pageno' title='248' id='Page_248'>[248]</span>found among the Spaniards, also, who constantly witnessing -the cruelty, had become quite alive to the risk the delinquents -daily incurred.</p> - -<p class='c007'>A day or two following that on which Cordova withdrew -from the positions about Arlaban, and from between the -British and Foreign Legion, who were posted to the right -and left of the Spaniards, an occurrence took place which -will illustrate the sympathy that existed between the -officers of the French Legion and their soldiers. It will be -remembered, that in consequence of the above movement, -many officers of the French resigned, and Cordova, for the -first time, was stigmatised as a traitor. The two Legions -withdrew from their advance posts, and a recrimination -followed between the Foreign and Spanish Generals.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At about twelve o’clock in the day, a crowd of French -soldiers had collected around the doorway of the house -next to that in which I was billeted. Being able to speak -French, I inquired the cause of the assemblage, when I was -informed that some French Colonel had resigned, and was -going back to France, and the men had come to bid him -farewell. In a short time the Colonel, who seemed to be -an elderly man, made his appearance, and the air resounded -with acclamations. The old soldiers flocked around him, -and a thousand eyes watched his every look; many strove -to get forward to shake hands with him, and several did; -the veteran seemed much affected. After a little desultory -conversation with one and the other, he, at length, made a -move to depart, saying, as he waved his hand, “Adieu, -mes enfants—soyez heureux,” &c., which latter words I -almost lost in the farewells that followed from the soldiers: -“Adieu, mon Colonel!” said some, “Adieu, notre père!” -exclaimed others, and indeed, every one seemed to have -some expression of regret suited to the kindness received by -them.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The old man could scarcely suppress his emotion, but -turning aside, passed his fore-finger and thumb across his -eyes to check the anguish that visibly filled them; suddenly -he turned his horse’s head up the road, and after clearing -the crowd, galloped off towards the gates. In a moment all -<span class='pageno' title='249' id='Page_249'>[249]</span>was gloom, and the soldiers stood watching his retiring -form as it swiftly disappeared in the length and turning of -the streets, and then in gentle murmurings retired to their -quarters.</p> - -<p class='c007'>How different were ours! Few of those in command -deserved so much, and none I believe, ever experienced -such a parting expression of true soldierly sentiment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the beginning of April, 1836, the British Legion -received orders to leave Vittoria, and proceed towards San -Sebastian. As it was rumoured that the Carlists were -laying close siege to that fortress, the whole marched -with the exception of the 2nd Lancers. Our invalids, however, -formed what is called a provisional battalion, and -the unfortunates in hospital were left behind under their -protection, who, actually were incapable of taking care of -themselves.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At length we reached our destination (Santander), and -finally occupied the convent of Corbon, distant about four -miles from that town. This place having been a kind -of depôt for the Legion during our stay in the interior, we -were joined here by a second batch of recruits from -England, and the chief part of the Rifles received new great-coats, -shirts, shoes, and other necessaries, which they -stood much in need of. It was astonishing to behold the -change made in the exterior of the battalion by this addition -to their comforts. The men, for the first time, exhibited -a military appearance, which, to a soldier’s eye was very -prepossessing. They were a fine set of fellows, and were -now ripe and ready for any duty, and only wanted efficient -men at their head.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='250' id='Page_250'>[250]</span> - <h2 id='ch31' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Embark for San Sebastian—A thirty-two-pounder, and no mistake—A bloody -force—Brains where they were wanted, unfortunately—A prize—Arrival at San -Sebastian—Anticipated attack—Colonel de Rottenberg taken ill—Major Fortescue—Opinions—His -maiden speech—Two companies broke up the others of -the regiment—5th of May—Attack on the lines of San Sebastian—A hullabaloo—6th -Scotch taken for enemies—Helter-skelter—I receive a severe wound—Am -carried into San Sebastian—My letter to my wife.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>On</span> the 21st of April, about six in the evening, four -companies of the Rifles were shipped on board an English -steamer, under the command of Commodore Henry, with -orders to convey us to San Sebastian. I was enjoying -a comfortable sleep about six o’clock the following morning, -when I was awoke by the thundering rattle of a thirty-two-pounder. -This rather electrified me; and, on jumping -on deck, I found the vessel had laid-to about half a mile -from the shore—the jolly-boat lowered and manned with -soldiers and sailors, and in full pull after two of the -enemy’s fishing-boats, which, with a few soldiers on board -of them, were smartly exchanging shots with ours. The -report of the firing, however, attracted the attention of a -picquet of theirs, stationed near the water’s edge, who -immediately threw themselves amongst the rocks, and -covered the landing of their comrades, while the Commodore -kept blazing away at them with his thirty-two’s. The -Carlists, jumping on land, and deserting their boats, made -up the rocks to join their comrades; our fellows, in the -meanwhile, rowing after them till within point-blank reach -of the picquet, who instantly began a most spirited retaliation.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the midst of this a Captain N——, of the Rifles, -formerly a Pedroite, who had volunteered for the enterprise, -suddenly disappeared under the seats of the boat in -search of shelter, whilst the men, of their own accord, -gallantly returned the fire. They succeeded in bringing -away the two boats, but not before we had lost two men; -one sailor, and a soldier, a man of my own company, -named Macnamara, who was shot through the head, and -<span class='pageno' title='251' id='Page_251'>[251]</span>fell at full length on the prostrate body of the terrified -Captain, and literally drenched him with blood and brains. -Thus ended the silly adventure, at the sacrifice of two lives. -The boats not being worth twenty shillings, were instantly -scuttled, and the two men being dropped overboard, the -steamer continued its way. About four in the afternoon -we entered the Bay of San Sebastian, amidst the whistling -shots of the enemy, who were firing upon us from the hills -surrounding the harbour; but their distance from us precluded -the possibility of much danger.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In San Sebastian, for the first time, our men were comfortably -quartered. But our besiegers, who from appearances, -were very numerous, gave us every reason to expect -a regular brush. They were very strongly entrenched on -the opposite hills, and held complete command of the bay.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this period, I am sorry to state, our Colonel, Baron de -Rottenberg, fell sick, and obtained leave of absence; the -command of the battalion devolved of course, on the Major, -the next in seniority, named Fortescue.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was rather an unfortunate promotion, both for the -gentleman and the regiment, as it placed the former in no -enviable situation, a few days after; indeed, it was a mad -idea to expect that a young man, who had been but a short -period a Lieutenant in the 4th British Foot, could be properly -intrusted with the lives of four or five hundred men -at his discretion; when in action, from what I myself had -observed, he was not capable of telling off a company. -Baron de Rottenberg, however, who is now serving on the -British Staff in America, formerly commanded the Light -Company of the 81st regiment, and was one of the most -efficient and best disciplined officers I ever witnessed. In -fact, as the Colonel informed me, his father General de -Rottenberg, was the originator of the rifle exercise.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On the 4th May, at evening parade, the Rifles were -assembled on the Plaza, and the regiment being formed -into square, facing inwards, our new Commander, Major -Fortescue thus addressed us:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Rifles! to-morrow, we are to be engaged with the -enemy: they show no quarter—neither shall we—skewer -every man of them—take no prisoners—skewer every -<span class='pageno' title='252' id='Page_252'>[252]</span>b—— you meet!” Meanwhile the Major imitated a -charge with a stick he held in his hand, the men staring -with surprise both at him and the order. “Now,” said he, -taking off his cap, “let us have three cheers, my lads,” -and commencing the uproar, the men joined, and the whole -Plaza rung again.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was his maiden speech, and I leave it to the reader -to judge of its effects, both on officer and man; indeed, on -marching to the private parade ground, I inquired of the -Major if he had received the order from the General. -“No!” he replied, rather sharply, “I have not; but you -know, Costello, it will be only tit for tat.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>Being satisfied of this, I took the opportunity when -halting the men, to undo what he had so earnestly wished -to impress, by telling them, that the order they had just -received to butcher every enemy we met, was not issued by -General Evans, and that they came to Spain to be soldiers, -not butchers. However blood-thirsty the enemy, we as -British soldiers were bound to set a very different example, -and to treat with less rigour those who might fall into our -hands. I then requested my two lieutenants to use their -exertions, and see that the men gave quarter.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About twelve o’clock the next night, the Legion prepared -themselves for the test, and the inhabitants of the town -were all alive for the forthcoming effort. Prior to our -marching, General Reid who commanded our brigade, -broke up two of our companies, as he thought the officers -in command of them incompetent, and distributed the men -amongst the battalion, thus forming the regiment into four -companies, each from eighty to ninety strong.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About three in the morning we slowly moved through -the gates towards the enemy’s lines, which were not more -than three-quarters of a mile distant. The Rifles were -on the extreme left of the Legion, and our battalion -marched left in front, so that my company brought up -the rear.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The morning was very dull and heavy, being ushered in -by a kind of Scotch mist. The men, however, were in -great spirits, and seemed determined to prove themselves -worthy of their British name: my confidence in them was -<span class='pageno' title='253' id='Page_253'>[253]</span>such, that I almost imagined myself in the midst of -my old comrades, and panted like an old hunter for the -course.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In a few minutes we commenced ascending the hills, -when the enemy opened a brisk fire on us, thus showing -they were not to be caught napping; and now the well-known -sound—the whistling balls passed over my head—that -music at one time so familiar to my ears, that I have -often been obliged to breakfast, dine, and sup upon its -harmony; this brought my younger days to recollection, -as if I had recoiled twenty years; the Rifles, however, -took possession of their first lines, without firing a shot or -losing a man.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Meanwhile, we could hear a very smart firing on our -right, where the 7th, 9th, and 10th regiments were hotly -engaged; however, as the morning cleared, and the -Carlists discovered where we were, they began to play very -warmly amongst us. The more the shots flew, the greater -confusion among the officers, for each imagining his tactics -better than his neighbour, assumed the command (especially -the Pedroites). This was further encouraged by -“certain drops” which the rawness of the morning, and -the “business in hand,” had influenced them to sip rather -plentifully, while waiting in the Plaza.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In this hullabaloo, Lieutenant Macintosh of our regiment, -then aide-de-camp to General Reid coming up -restored some little order, and actually took command -of the regiment, ordering us to march down a lane, a little -to our right, where he placed the battalion behind a bank, -opposite a Carlist breast-work; here we formed right in -front—the enemy at this time appearing not more than -four or five hundred yards off. We had scarcely formed -and got into order, when our commanding officer, Major -Fortescue, cried out, “No. 1 Company, quick march!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>The men instantly scrambled forward over the bank, -that partially covered them; seeing this, I requested he -would allow me to take command of my company, tell me -what to do, and it should be complied with. But the Major -was too brave a soldier himself, to allow me that honour, -and replied only with the word, “Make ready, present -<span class='pageno' title='254' id='Page_254'>[254]</span>fire!” and fire they did, and did some mischief too, for by -the Major bringing up their left shoulders more than he -should have done, they fired a volley into the 6th Scotch, -who were some distance on our right front, and badly -wounded fifteen or sixteen of their men;<a id='r30' /><a href='#f30' class='c014'><sup>[30]</sup></a> this done he -instantly ordered the men to fall back behind the bank and -reload, (no doubt to give a second dose) when I again -requested to be allowed to take the command of my company, -remarking that riflemen never fired by companies, but -independently and in extended order. I also pointed out -to him, his error in firing on the 6th, on which he answered, -“You may take them where you like.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>This was all I required, and when the men had finished -loading, I gave the word “right face,” and bringing them -into the lane before-mentioned, we moved in the direction -of the 6th who were busily at work. As we approached -nearer to the scene of action, one or two of my men being -wounded, I took one of their rifles and ten rounds of -ammunition, and placing the men under cover, I inquired -if they would follow me and undertake to storm a redoubt -opposite? all quickly answered, “We will, Sir.” I begged -them to be cool, and not to fire until they closed upon the -breast-work, and then get under cover as soon as possible, -extending from the centre; off we started, at double time, -towards their second line of entrenchments.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I had to pass close to the 6th. Hearing a cheer in my -rear, I turned and beheld the remainder of the Rifles in -close column. The indefatigable Fortescue in front, -twirling a large stick over his head, cheering and charging. -At this moment, noticing a deep ravine on the left, I -cried out to the men to bring up their left shoulders, and -close to the right, so as to avoid it; but before this could -be accomplished, the Major and his men got intermixed -with the 6th. Here the confusion increased, helter-skelter, -pell-mell, as the balls began to tell fearfully among us, -while the enemy seeing our confusion, plied them to advantage, -and to mend the matter, part of my company also -became intermixed with the remainder of the battalion; -<span class='pageno' title='255' id='Page_255'>[255]</span>endeavouring to get them into something like order, two -balls struck me at the same moment, one grazing the skin -of my left thigh, and the other entering under the right -knee joint, passing downward through the ham, and out at -the calf of the leg.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The brave fellows of my company stuck to me gallantly, -and the instant I fell flew to my assistance and bore me to -the rear. I was carried back to the lane, whence we -started, and on my leg being dressed, I discovered that the -ball had entered an old wound made by a French bullet at -the action of Almeida, July 24th, 1810. But it had come -out in a different direction. I was next placed on a -stretcher and conveyed to my old quarters at San Sebastian. -As the men were carrying me down the hill towards -the town, I observed two steamers in full play, throwing -shells into the Carlist redoubts. These mainly contributed -to the success of the morning, by the skilful manner in -which they directed their shells into the enemy’s works. -When a little recovered from the loss of blood, after my -arrival at my quarters, I wrote the following letter to my -wife, which in some degree may serve to show my feelings -and opinions at the time the action was fought:</p> - -<div class='c015'>“San Sebastian, May 5, 1836.</div> - -<p class='c016'>“My dear Charlotte,</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I dare say by the time you receive this letter, the -streets of London will be crowded with fellows bellowing -out, ‘The unfortunate Legion is killed to a man, and poor -Costello is no <em>more</em>.’ But if you have not purchased the -widow’s weeds, I request you will not do so, as I am not -yet half killed; certainly I have an extra ball through my -old trunk: and this I should have escaped had I not exposed -myself, perhaps rather unnecessarily, in endeavouring -to keep the brave fellows of my company in something like -military order.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“All were commanders, from the Second Lieutenant to -the Major. It appeared to me, in truth, the Legion is not -a school for the young soldier to acquire knowledge, nor -the old to get credit. How different, indeed, were things -carried on in the British Army: there, in the very height -<span class='pageno' title='256' id='Page_256'>[256]</span>of the most desperate conflict, all was cool and collected, -and every officer’s word could be distinctly heard, at the -slightest cessation of firing.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“The officer who commanded our regiment to-day is a -smart young fellow, and might be of some service in a -country fair in Ireland, with a good shilelah; but to command -four or five hundred men in action with fire-arms, -against a hardy race of mountaineers well disciplined, is -quite a different thing. I cannot say how many of our -regiment were killed, as I was reluctantly compelled to leave -them, by a ball passing through my right knee, yet I hope -I shall not lose my limb. My kindest love to our dear -children; but do not think the worst, my dear Charlotte,—you -shall soon again hear from me.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-r'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>“Affectionately yours,</div> - <div class='line in6'>“<span class='sc'>E. Costello</span>.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>“Mrs. Costello, 29, Hinden Street,</div> - <div class='line in6'>Vauxhall Road, London.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch32' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>The loss of my company in the late action—Apprehensions about my leg—Medal -and pewter—A candidate for Knighthood—Captain Plunkett—His death, &c.—A -Rifleman assassinated—Fire eaters—Sketch of San Sebastian—Lord John -Hay’s battery—Ramble towards Passages—Something serious—Awkward -squads—Singular decline of Spanish Bigotry—A Sectarian alarmed.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>I had</span> scarcely finished writing my letter, when word -came that the Legion had taken possession of the enemy’s -works, and compelled the Carlists to retire. The loss sustained -by my company in the action, was one sergeant, one -corporal, and six privates wounded. As soon as the news -was made known, the bells were set ringing, and the guns -fired from the castle and walls in honour of the victory; at -night the town was illuminated, with other demonstrations -of joy by the inhabitants.</p> - -<p class='c007'>For several days I felt great apprehension about my leg, -as it had swollen to almost double its natural size, and had -changed to a livid colour, while the nails of the toes fell off. -I was now on the eve of fifty, and although in excellent -<span class='pageno' title='257' id='Page_257'>[257]</span>spirits, doubted my constitution being strong enough to -undergo amputation. But from evil we sometimes derive -good; it proved so in my case. This being my sixth confinement -through gun-shot wounds, I had acquired some -skill in the art of healing. My doctor, I found, knew but -little in such cases: his theory was obliged to give way to -my experience; and as the knowledge of a disease is half -its cure, I practised on myself. By this means, and strict -attention to diet, &c., I was enabled, in the short space of -two months, not only to leave my bed, but move about -on crutches.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The doctor, while dressing me one morning, told me to -keep as quiet as possible, as the nature of my wound -required care, the ball passing near the main artery; that -if anything like a hemorrhage took place, I was instantly -to send to him. Some few nights after this, when turning -to reach a glass of water from the table near the bedside, -I felt a gush from the wound in that part where the ball -had passed. At first I took no notice, but feeling something -warmer than usual in my bed, I gently raised my -head, and throwing the clothes aside, I saw by the lamp -that I was saturated with blood.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I knew from my former campaigns, as well as the hint -given by the doctor, that if the artery was not instantly tied, -I must bleed to death. It was now about two in the -morning, not a creature near me, my servant sleeping in -the lower part of the house; to attempt to rise and leave -my room to call assistance, such exertion would cause the -blood to flow more copiously; to remain still, I must expect -nothing but death in a few minutes. What was I to do?—placing -my thumb firmly on the hole to stop the blood, -while with the other hand I struck the table, and called -lustily for assistance, but to no purpose, as no one heard -me; my fate seemed inevitable if the hemorrhage continued. -In this state of suspense I remained for some -time; by degrees a film came over my sight; I felt the -vital part of my system so low, and nature became so -exhausted, that my head fell on the pillow, and all sense -left me. How long I remained in this state I know not, -but on coming round again, the morning dawn had just -<span class='pageno' title='258' id='Page_258'>[258]</span>appeared, that gave sufficient light to enable me to see my -situation. To my great joy the bleeding had ceased, -except by drops. Still afraid to use exertion I remained -quiet, the thumb still pressed on the wound; however, I -did not remain long in this misery: hearing some one -moving along the passage, I called out, when the old -patrone made her appearance, and on seeing me covered -with blood, rushed out screaming that the Captain had -cut his throat, which aroused the whole house, among the -rest my servant, whom I instantly sent for Dr. Greenwood. -This gentleman, on examining the wound, observed -a piece of cloth sticking out of the orifice, which he -instantly drew out, and found it to be a piece of my green -trowsers which the ball had left behind in passing through -my knee. He begged me not to be alarmed, as it was one -of the smaller arteries whence the quantity of blood had -flowed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This trial gave me to understand that, although the -soldier can cheerfully meet death in the field beside his -comrades, he is a coward in the dark when alone.</p> - -<p class='c007'>For their conduct on the 5th of May the men were -honoured with pewter medals, in imitation of those of -Waterloo. A despatch was also sent from Madrid, conferring -the order of St. Ferdinand on those officers who -had most distinguished themselves, amongst whom I was -named as one. But the honour of the thing was almost -lost in the indiscriminate manner in which it was distributed. -Numbers procured the distinction without the -least claim to either skill or courage, and caused a deal of -dissatisfaction amongst the really deserving officers, as the -following humorous facts will sufficiently show.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There were three captains billeted in the same house as -myself, and amongst them a Captain ——, who, on the -morning of the fight, left the field and took to his bed. -The doctor, on visiting him, under the idea that he really -was wounded, could discover, however, neither the least -scratch, nor even bruise. This got wind, and naturally -enough caused a stir amongst his brother officers, and the -Captain was obliged to resign. But he had formerly been in -the service of Don Pedro, and found a friend and powerful -<span class='pageno' title='259' id='Page_259'>[259]</span>advocate in the person of his old chieftain, through whose -interest he regained his captaincy, and, to the surprise and -indignation of the chief part of the officers, actually in a -few days attained a majority, and had the order of San -Fernando conferred on him. Two officers of the Rifles -also bought the same honour, at the price of a dozen of -champagne. But this last was through the then acting -Commander of the regiment.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The Spanish Government, with their profusion of honours -and pewter, also paid the officers their arrears up to the -month of March, 1836, in bills on Colonel Carbonel, in -London, at the time payable on delivery; the last and only -payment ever made during the service—the officers having -been obliged to manage on their field-allowance.</p> - -<p class='c007'>About this time we were joined by a number of convalescents -from Vittoria, consisting of officers and men. -My old friend, Captain Plunkett, came with them. This -veteran soldier, who had formerly served in the 60th -Rifles, and was now on half-pay, by an apathy generally -evinced to those of the British service, found himself -spurned and deserted by the chief part of the officers of -our regiment, who were, as before stated, almost entirely -composed of Pedroites. He was, at this period, very poor, -and was constantly seen in the market-place, selling his -necessaries to procure the little requisites of an invalid. -But through want and neglect he at last got a relapse, and -took to his bed. In this extremity all he had was disposed -of. But for my accidentally noticing his servant selling -his first, and now the last, resource of a soldier, <em>his -sword!</em> he might have died unnoticed. I hobbled, however, -as well as I could, to his quarters, and was only in -time to witness his expiring agonies. Poor Plunkett, -strange to say, was the creditor of the Spanish Government -to the amount of one hundred and fifty pounds though he -died actually through want.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The gloom consequent on this, however, was not permitted -long to settle. Our leisure moments in San Sebastian -were ever pregnant with incident, and one scarcely -occurred ere some new event monopolised the attention. -I had proceeded but a short distance from my deceased -<span class='pageno' title='260' id='Page_260'>[260]</span>friend’s quarters, when my glance was directed to a crowd -of the Rifles clustered in confusion round a door-way. -Another victim! A poor fellow named Graham, through -mistake, had entered an apartment where a woman lay in -bed. On perceiving him she screamed out, and before the -man could retire, her husband, alarmed by her cry, met -him on the stairs, and without any parley, the Spaniard -plunged a knife into his body. The unfortunate Rifleman -lay weltering in his blood, and died a short time after. -The assassin was never sought after, nor any means, either -civil or military, taken to bring him to an account. He -walked at large in the sunlight, and plainly exhibited to us -how little was to be expected from the sympathies or -vigilance of our officers.</p> - -<p class='c007'>There is little interesting at this period of my career, -excepting the casual scenes that came under my observation -during my strolls. Full opportunity was now presented -me to remark on the changes that had worked -themselves on the manners, customs, and prejudices of the -inhabitants, and the ridiculous and extreme folly of the -<em>fire-eaters</em> of the Legion. I was now more a spectator than -an actor, and claim, of course, the proverbial superiority.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Sometimes at morn, or early towards the evening, I -amused myself in strolling about the walks of the neighbourhood. -San Sebastian is rather pleasantly situated. -To the left, as you approach this fort-crowned peninsula, -the Urumea winds its course over some of the prettiest -valley scenes I ever beheld. Its banks now exposed to the -view the different positions and batteries of the conflicting -parties. A little to the extreme in the same direction, and -separated by a rising ground, some four miles across, is -Passages, a town somewhat resembling Dartmouth, with -this difference, that its port is formed by an inlet of the -sea, and not by a river. To the right of the Urumea, -and divided from it by a natural and narrow neck of land, -the Bay of San Sebastian forms its oval basin, of navigable -depth, with a point of land studded with a light-house, -forming one boundary to the entrance, which is -protected and completed by the steep, and castle on the -other. A small island lies between them both, and on this -<span class='pageno' title='261' id='Page_261'>[261]</span>Lord John Hay had raised a battery of cannon. My -quarters were contiguous to the breech made by Wellington -in 1813—now distinguished only by the new appearance of -the rebuilt wall. It was curious to notice, as I limped -about, the little squads of duellists scattered here and -there, and particularly towards the evening. “Twelve -paces” were all the “go,” and they sometimes proved a -dangerous distance; for many of the combatants were -seriously wounded. These were lamentable proofs of the -heterogeneous character of the officers of the Legion; for -during the whole of my career in our own service, I never -knew of but one duel, which proved fatal to one of the -principals.</p> - -<p class='c007'>These singularities in the Legion were never much to -the taste or approbation of the Spaniards; they naturally, -however other changes might have influenced them, still -clung to their old dislike of fighting, and rather looked -upon us as so many powder-barrels, or rather monkeys, -than as partaking in their own peculiar imperfections. -But that spirit of bigotry which had formerly possessed -the prejudices of the Spanish people had almost entirely -vanished before the stride of improvement. This was -most probably owing to the introduction of the foreign -disputants during the last thirty-five years! Scarcely a -monk was to be found at this time, though the monasteries -held their old situation. Even the lovely dark-eyed nuns -had forsaken their cloisters, and seemed to breathe a new -life under the more enlightened state; as regarded religious -enthusiasm, I was astonished at its decrease. On one -occasion, among several others, I especially noticed it. -This was evident on the festival of Corpus Christi; the -streets through which the procession wound were certainly -hung with what a zealot might call the richest tapestry, -but in which I could acknowledge scarcely anything but -old carpets, women’s dresses, and old bed counterpanes, -&c. Triumphal arches were also erected, and the procession -was attended, as usual, by the civil and military -authorities, and by detachments from the different regiments -of the garrison with their bands preceding them: -the priests and canons also thickly followed after them. As -<span class='pageno' title='262' id='Page_262'>[262]</span>they passed where several British officers and myself stood -gazing amid a crowd of the inhabitants, I took off my hat, -but except two or three old women, who went on their -knees, not one of the natives followed the example, or -even showed the slightest respect. This dereliction at one -time, in Spain, would not have escaped severe penance. Indeed, -under the Duke of Wellington, the guards always -turned out, and British soldiers were compelled to salute -the Host as it passed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But in my strictures on the old Spanish intolerance, let -me not forget a little circumstance reflecting a taint of the -same nature, even from our own toleration-loving countrymen. -“Let me alone, and I will let you alone,” is too -quiet a doctrine for even sectarians: and the two great -contending parties on such weighty matters can scarcely -allow themselves breathing time, ere the bone of contention -which they had laid aside, is again seized on by these little -ones. The truth of this was brought very forcibly to my -mind some few days after the festival, when on a visit to -the cathedral of San Sebastian. I was amusing myself -with staring at the paintings, &c., when my attention -was diverted to a tall, gaunt-looking British marine, (the -marines were doing duty with the Legion at this time), -who entered one of the portals, as I thought, on the same -errand as myself; turning himself about two or three -times, and casting sundry contemptuous glances at the -different images and embellishments, his eye chanced to -alight on the person of an old official in a kneeling posture -between two females, absorbed in prayer. The marine’s -eye brightened with indescribable expression. Taking off -his cap, which till then he had neglected to do, and -wiping down his long carroty wiry hair, over a low retiring -forehead, which reminded me of Mawworm’s in the play, -he suddenly darted to the back of the priest:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Hypocrite,” he shouted, suddenly interrupting them, -while he pointed to the crucifix before which they knelt; -“What do you expect by praying to those bits of timber? -Hath not the Lord said, ‘Thou shalt not make to thyself -any graven image,’ &c.” He was continuing, when the -trio, as if electrified by the foreign accent, instantly started -<span class='pageno' title='263' id='Page_263'>[263]</span>up, screaming out, and crossing themselves, “Que, que -quiere usted?” (What do you want? what do you want?)</p> - -<p class='c007'>“Eh!” said he again, motioning them to the crucifix. -“Don’t you know the second commandment, ‘Thou shalt -not bow down to them.’” The old man, terrified, immediately -appealed to me for protection. I ordered the -marine instantly to leave, and would have given him in -charge of the guard, had I not discovered it was his over -zeal and not drunkenness, as I at first imagined, agitated -him so; luckily for the methodist, there were only a few -in the chapel, as had it been in the time of service, the -congregation would certainly have made a martyr of him.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch33' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>Disorganised state of the Legion—Three months’ pay—A holiday—The 6th and -8th Scotch lay down their arms—Reasons—My wishes to retire from the -Legion—I give up the command of the company—A reflection—I embark for -Santander—Report myself to Colonel Arbuthnot—My new command—The -convent of Carbon—Short description—Inhabitants of—First sample—A -speculation—A Quarter-master’s conscience—I place him under arrest—A -horse! A horse!</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>About</span> this period nothing could exceed the disorganised -state of the Legion (the men being now full six -months in arrears of pay). Disgusted with the privations -they had endured through the Spaniards and their -own officers, and clamorous for their money, they at last -broke out into open mutiny, and carried it to such a pitch, -that they even refused to mount guard, much less meet the -enemy, unless their demands were satisfied. Three -months’ pay, at length, by a general levy on the inhabitants, -was with difficulty procured, and given to them. -But the confusion, nevertheless, grew even more terrible. -The whole neighbourhood instantly became one scene of -uproar and beastly intoxication: the guard-houses were -nightly filled with men, and every hedge and ditch was -strewed with drunken soldiers. Had the Carlists attempted -to surprise the Legion quartered in the villages and farm-houses -in advance of San Sebastian, I have no doubt that -<span class='pageno' title='264' id='Page_264'>[264]</span>not ten of a company would have been found able to stand -to their arms, and the whole must have been cut to pieces. -Many of the unfortunates who had so abused their hard -earnings, found themselves <a id='woe'></a>woefully deficient the next -morning, the more sober or wide awake ones having picked -their pockets during their insensibility. These, however, -on discovering their deficiency, in turn took to robbing -their comrades even of great-coats, shirts, shoes, and even -their rations. This became so universal, that complaints -to the officers became altogether useless, for scarcely one -could “cast the first stone.”</p> - -<p class='c007'>I must here remark, that a great number of the men had -enlisted only for a twelvemonth, and held documents to -that effect, signed by the officers who enlisted them. -Their time of service was now up, and whole companies of -the 6th and 8th Scotch gave notice to their officers, and -the next day followed it up. I was present when they -piled arms, and hung their accoutrements upon them. -The whole Legion, however, was in such a state of insubordination, -that it was with much ado they could -muster enough men to march the delinquents to the castle -(which was effected after all only by stratagem), from -whence they were shipped on board a steamer to Santander -and Santona.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I now began to feel tired of an inactive life; and as my -wounds were of a nature to disable me for future service, -I expressed a wish to the General then commanding the -brigade, that a medical board should examine me. He -spoke to the Adjutant-General on the subject, who -suggested that a month or two at Santander might recover -and enable me to rejoin. To this, I of course consented, -and got in readiness for starting. I made up my books, -and settled with my company, up to the last day of April, -1836, giving credit to the Spanish Government for one -sergeant-major, five sergeants, three corporals, and sixteen -rank and file, who died in hospital at Vittoria. I gave up -the command to my first lieutenant, de Burgh.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I was not a little delighted at the anticipated change of -scene, and looked anxiously for the time of my departure. -San Sebastian, at one time so welcome to me, from pride -<span class='pageno' title='265' id='Page_265'>[265]</span>and military reminiscences, had now sunk into the medley -of strange and indescribable events I had so lately partook -in. I was on the point of leaving—perhaps for ever—a -Legion from which I had expected so much, but now, alas! -nothing. Truly, with Hamlet, I might have exclaimed—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Take it for all in all,</div> - <div class='line'>I ne’er shall look upon its like again.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c011'>Nor did I ever wish it—so much abused, badly used, and -worse officered.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After getting my little necessaries packed, and on board, -accompanied by my servant, I embarked for Santander. -I must leave it to the reader to imagine my feelings when -on the deck of the ‘James Watt’ steamer, as it weighed -anchor, and carefully made head out of the harbour. -Little did I anticipate how great a change was to be presented -before me: the horrors of Vittoria sank into insignificance -before those of the convent to which I was on -my way.</p> - -<p class='c007'>In the course of thirty-six hours we reached our destination, -over a distance of about one hundred miles. I -landed immediately, and proceeded to report myself to the -Commandant, Colonel Arbuthnot’s quarters, from whom I -received orders to go instantly and take charge of the -convent of Carbon.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The convent of Carbon is situated at the extremity of a -bleak morass, about four miles from Santander, and presents -one of the most gloomy aspects imaginable. It is a -large square building, enclosing an extensive court and -colonnade, and has much the appearance of what it really -now was—a great gaol. The ground around it is almost -impassable for a dry foot, particularly in damp weather. -Napoleon, during his stay in the neighbourhood, made it -once his resting-place for a night, and reviewed his army -on some of the adjacent grounds. The monks who had -then, and up till very lately occupied it, were scattered -about in the neighbouring hamlets, and were depending on -small pensions granted them for their losses by the -Spanish Government, and on the charity of the peasantry. -The convent had long been a depôt for the auxiliaries, and -<span class='pageno' title='266' id='Page_266'>[266]</span>a sort of magazine for stores, ammunition, &c. The Commandant -was generally some field-officer, whose power was -almost despotic, and particularly secure from complaint, as -Colonel Arbuthnot seldom if ever visited it.</p> - -<p class='c007'>On my arrival, the first thing that caught my attention -was a number of Spanish sentries posted round the different -entrances and inside. On entering I beheld a miserable-looking -group, seemingly belonging to the Legion. Anxious -to see the Commandant whom I was to relieve, I found -him in bed, in almost the last stage of fever; his name -was Deacon, Captain of the 1st regiment; he had formerly -been a Lieutenant in the British Marines. There were -also, besides, several officers convalescent, and a number of -men disabled through wounds, &c. But the major part of -the inmates were composed of the 6th and 8th Scotch, to -the number of two hundred and fifty—being the men who -had laid down their arms at San Sebastian. The officer -appointed to officiate during the Commandant’s illness, was -the Quarter-master of the depôt, and one who might be -well compared to a land-shark.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I had scarcely left the sick Captain’s quarters, when -one of the Rifles placed in my hand a small bit of paper -written on with a pencil, and begging me to call at the -guard-house and see their condition. I followed him -immediately, and was proceeding to open the door, when -an effluvium of the most fetid description obliged me to -retire outside the building. I gave instant orders for the -prisoners to come out, and fall in before me; and out came -thirty-six of the most cadaverous-looking objects man ever -beheld. The room from which they thronged, and their -misery-stricken haggard forms and countenances, would -have well typified the horrors of the Hole of Calcutta. It -had been formerly used as a stable by the monks: the -only window was now blocked up by the miserable beings -to keep out the northern blast.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Here, upon inquiry, I was informed they had been -placed on nothing more or less than a speculation of the -Quarter-master’s, who taking advantage of an order issued -by Colonel Arbuthnot “to deprive all prisoners of their -meat and wine,” had confined these invalids (for that they -<span class='pageno' title='267' id='Page_267'>[267]</span>really were), and was in the habit of occasionally sending -the proceeds and selling them at Santander: of this I -afterwards found every proof. I, of course, immediately -released the whole, ordering them to their rooms; and the -next morning gave directions for every one to fall in, -prisoners as well as invalids. It would be impossible to -portray a faithful picture of the miserable creatures before -me. They stood like beings just come out of the grave: -their eyes sunk in their heads, and their countenances, with -want, filth, and the confinement, hardly recognizable. -Scarcely a dozen of them had even jackets or shirts, and -not one either shoes or stockings, and many were covered -only with a ragged rug. Their daily allowance had been -a pound and a half of black bread, and water <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">ad libitum</span></i>; -and if they strayed beyond the boundaries to get a little -maize or Indian corn to eke out their miserable pittance, -they had, perhaps, a leaden bullet from the Spanish sentry, -to digest, for their temerity.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But in this there was but little difference between the -prisoners and the invalids, excepting in the rations, the -latter having meat and wine; but even thus they were but -little better off—the meat being most unfairly dealt out to -them, and the wine measured in a tin, out of which it -escaped as through a cullender. This utensil, from its -antique appearance, seemed to have been one of those used -by the fifty daughters of Danaus, who could not have -been better provided.</p> - -<p class='c007'>After a few days, and as soon as I got a little settled, I -determined on searching into the cause; and, as a first -step, on an opportunity offering, ordered the Quarter-master -under an arrest, which he refused to answer, but -taking horse, rode off to Santander. I had been influenced -to this by perceiving one day a quarter of beef and other -things, waiting in a cart at the gate to be sent to town. -On my asking him about them, I was answered that they -were surplus provisions, sent by the Depôt Commissary, -and he was sending them back; but guessing the true -cause, I did as above.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I, however, as quickly procured one of the Lancers’ -horses and set off after him, and succeeded in bringing -<span class='pageno' title='268' id='Page_268'>[268]</span>him to a court of inquiry some short time after. I had -innumerable witnesses, and amongst them his own sergeant -and the sergeant-major. But the court was either inefficient -or something worse; so that the affair was bolstered -up, and he escaped to resume his old tricks—which, however -I counteracted as much as lay in my power. But he -was a cunning fellow; and if bribery could have gained -me, he certainly tried it on, for never was a table better -provided than mine and the officers who messed with me.</p> - -<p class='c007'>But I had my eye on him, like an old soldier’s on a -fugleman, and watched his every movement.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 id='ch34' class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>An orderly dragoon puts us all in confusion—A stir—Retreat upon Santander—The -dangers of forgetfulness—Cure for a fever—We return to our old quarters—Captain -Shields and Major Clark’s visit—An appeal—A new mode of raising -“Volunteers”—Glory or death by famine—One hundred and twenty men are -starved into the service again—Scene in Santander—British soldiers and subjects—More -assassinations—A cold-blooded Spaniard—A peace-loving Commandant—Captain -Oakley and his “cats”—Continued horrors of the convent—Assassination—A -relief from purgatory—A conclusion.</p> - -<p class='c006'><span class='sc'>In</span> consequence of the weakened state of the garrison -and the convent, the inhabitants and Commandant of -Santander were in constant fear of incursions from the -enemy, who seemed to be beating about the neighbourhood. -Indeed, at one time they crossed a river, some -three leagues distant from the town, on the Madrid road, -by means of pontoons, obliging the Spanish troops doing -duty thereabouts to retire upon Santander.</p> - -<p class='c007'>One evening an orderly dragoon came post haste from -Colonel Arbuthnot, to inform me that the Carlists were -beating about our quarters, with orders to hold myself, and -the whole of the prisoners and convalescents, in readiness -to leave the convent at a moment’s notice; but not to -stir until the Spanish guard doing duty over the convent -had retired, in which case our retreat was to be covered -by them.—Covered by them indeed! Here was a pretty predicament! -upwards of three hundred British soldiers, without -arms, under the auspices of a parcel of Spaniards! We -<span class='pageno' title='269' id='Page_269'>[269]</span>had not a single stand of fire-arms, excepting my servant’s -rifle; for even the Lancers, that were performing orderly -duty, had been deprived of all but their swords. I instantly -sent for the sergeant-major, and acquainted him with the -orders received, directing him to get the men in readiness. -I then ordered a couple of the Lancers to ride round and -reconnoitre, and being assured by the Captain of the -Spanish guard of his duly warning me before he marched, -I laid myself full dressed on my bed.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I had just dozed off, when in drove two of the dragoons, -informing me that our Spanish guard had retired, and that -there was every reason to believe that the Carlists were -in the wood behind the convent, indeed that we were -surrounded; here was a blessing, not even shaving time -allowed us by the Carlists. However, I instantly ordered -the men to fall in as quietly as possible, and putting them -under the command of Lieutenant de Becker of the 6th, -and placing Captain Deacon (who at the time had blisters -applied to his head and breast) on an old door, borne -on the shoulders of men, off they started. Having thus -cleared the convent, the sergeant-major, a few dragoons, -and some Irishmen armed with sticks, covered their retreat. -As we were about to follow the rest, two Spanish soldiers -made their appearance, nearly out of breath, with their -muskets and bayonets fixed. It appeared that, in their -hurried flight, they had forgotten the Captain’s cloak. -Here was a lucky chance!—Up went their heels and down -they went on their backs, and, in a twinkling, their muskets -and pouches were wrenched from them and shouldered -for our own protection. The reader is, I expect, with his -hair on end, anticipating some dreadful encounter; but -this, after all, turned out, like most of our air-castles to be -nothing but a bottle of smoke—though contrary to expectation, -it certainly saved the life of Captain Deacon, whose -illness took a turn through the confusion, and he recovered -rapidly.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Fortunately the night was of a fine starlight, and we -reached Santander at about three in the morning, and discovered -that the whole blunder was occasioned by the -<span class='pageno' title='270' id='Page_270'>[270]</span>Spanish troops moving without orders; we of course -returned to our old quarters.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Shortly after this, two officers—Captain Shields of the -8th, and Major Clark of the 6th, were sent from head-quarters -to persuade, if possible, the men to rejoin their -regiments. They requested me to order them to fall in; -which I did,—and the whole formed in a field opposite the -convent.</p> - -<p class='c007'>The two officers, as their eyes first glanced on the -gloomy ranks before them, stared in silent astonishment. -“Good God!” at length ejaculated Shields, with deep -emphasis, “can it be possible that these men once formed -my old company, the grenadiers!” It was too true.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Clark, stepping forward, appealed to them as their old -officer, and pathetically begged of them to listen. Shields -did the same. But they would not, they said, say or do -anything until Captain Costello had given his opinion, on -whom, as an old soldier, they relied for just and practical -advice.</p> - -<p class='c007'>At this, I of course came forward, and addressed them -somewhat to this effect:</p> - -<p class='c007'>That the winter was fast approaching, and it was the -intention of the General to keep them there during that -season: the privations consequently, which they would -have to undergo would be even worse than those they had -already experienced. Under these circumstances, therefore, -and the prospect of better food, and the chances that -might, more than probably, offer themselves for their -escaping through the Pyrenees into France, which closely -bordered on San Sebastian, I would strongly urge them to -return to their regiments. I spoke to them as a man who -had once borne a musket. Their claims I acknowledged as -just.<a id='r31' /><a href='#f31' class='c014'><sup>[31]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>Here they all produced their agreements, duly signed by -the officer with whom they first engaged, to serve for one -or two years, as might be preferred by the individual -<span class='pageno' title='271' id='Page_271'>[271]</span>so entering the service of her Catholic Majesty the Queen -of Spain.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Being empowered to grant full rations to those who volunteered, -I also promised them immediate relief to their hunger.</p> - -<p class='c007'>They requested a quarter of an hour’s consideration, -and in that time decided, on condition of further certificates -being given them, so that they should be obliged to serve -only for the two years from the time they first engaged. -These, signed by Colonel Arbuthnot and myself, were -afterwards given them; and a number, to the amount -of fifty non-commissioned officers and privates, who that -night volunteered, sat down, for the first time for many -months, to a bellyful; but these only were allowed it, -which in this case was a wise though a cruel expedient, for -that meal bought their birthright, and, for the sake of a -similar supply to the cravings of nature, then almost -extinct, eighty more signed their names, making in all one -hundred and twenty.<a id='r32' /><a href='#f32' class='c014'><sup>[32]</sup></a></p> - -<p class='c007'>The next morning it was my duty to march them to -Santander, and embark them on board a steamer for San -Sebastian. But to get them ready for this was a difficult -task, for many of them had not even—as I before stated—clothing -to cover their nakedness. The convent was ransacked -everywhere; all the old rugs were soon monopolized, -and divided amongst them; and even the old parchment -records which had been left by the monks, were converted -into covers for decency.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I never shall forget the sight, as these poor fellows -<span class='pageno' title='272' id='Page_272'>[272]</span>slowly emerged from the convent. Numbers alone kept -them going, when, perhaps, singly, each man would have -died rather than have undergone such an exposure; that -blush which should have for ever dyed the cheeks of their -oppressors, now mantled up those of the unfortunate -victims, and they bent their heads in agony as they -hurried through the streets of Santander. The inhabitants, -struck at the melancholy procession, murmured, as they -crowded after them, “Povres Ingleses! povres Ingleses!” -(poor English! poor English!) So much for the -generous English, “defenders of the liberty of nations.” -It was a great relief to me to see them on board. I -returned to Carbon the same evening, and found those -whom I had left in a state of mutiny; for two of their -number had been wounded, during my absence, by the -Spanish guard. One, belonging to the Lancers, had been -shot through the arm; the other, one of the 6th, had -received a bayonet stab in the breast. This, I was informed, -was occasioned by their having strayed beyond the boundaries. -I spoke to the Captain of the Spanish guard, on -the cowardice of his men firing on the unarmed English. -He answered me only with a shrug of the shoulder. My -blood rose at his apathy—old times, when I myself had -been, as it were, one of themselves, flashed across my -memory, and lighted up the indignation that now stifled all -thoughts of my rank and present distance. I felt as a -man; and could not forbear telling him, that, had his -British victims been armed, I would have made him pay -dearly for his cold-blooded villainy. But the phlegmatic -scoundrel had neither courage nor sympathy, and so far -from granting me the satisfaction I required of him, -shrunk from me with the hangman’s plea, that he had -merely fulfilled orders.</p> - -<p class='c007'>What most surprised me was, that the men, naked as -they were, had not rushed on the Spaniards, and taken their -arms from them. But on second reflection, I attributed -this want of spirit to their half-starved, weakened condition—surrounded, -too, as they were, by officers on whom -even their claims of compatriotism seemed lost amid the -general apathy to every manly feeling.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='pageno' title='273' id='Page_273'>[273]</span>I had the poor men conveyed to the general hospital, -and put myself immediately in communication with Colonel -Arbuthnot. But the gallant Commandant of Santander -had become so completely Spanish, that no reply even was -sent; and I was obliged, at last, to press the matter personally.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“We must not quarrel with the Spaniards,” was all I -could get out of him. On my return I used every means -in my power to alleviate their forlorn condition. But my -authority, as Commandant, was a mere mockery, for we -were entirely at the disposal of the Spanish guard. It was -truly painful, despite the frequency of the scene, to witness -the daily return of misery. Midnight, that hour when -wretchedness generally forgets itself in sleep, seemed to -have lost the influence here, its silence being broken by -the passing footsteps of those unhappy men, as many -passed the time telling me the oft repeated list of grievances, -while they promenaded the gloomy avenues and colonnades -of the old convent. At times, and when the moon -shone, the whole building had the appearance of a splendid -mausoleum, and the sufferers as they passed from cell to -cell, looked unearthly, and put me in mind almost of the -fabled and ghastly inhabitants of the other world.</p> - -<p class='c007'>By custom, however, we got so familiarized to everything -revolting, that, at length, these horrors became as -ordinary matters of course. A journalist would have -thrown his pen aside, in the monotony of daily cruelty; -and I myself, by the lapse of a few years, am only now, as -it were, aroused from the lethargy it had thrown me into. -I look back with a thrill. I see them still, as it were, -before me,—the fierce look!—the quick order!—the lash!—and -the gaunt, misery-stricken countenances of one hundred -and fifty men, and all the changes their tyrants had -rung amongst them!</p> - -<p class='c007'>Finding my complaints so unavailing, I made up my -mind to quit the service; and, intimating my wishes to -head-quarters, that a medical board might examine my -wounds, I handed over my commandantship to a Captain -Oakley, of the 2nd Lancers. I met this gentleman on his -<span class='pageno' title='274' id='Page_274'>[274]</span>way to the convent, with a couple of sets of cats, which -he had procured from the British frigate—I believe the -‘Castor’—then lying in the harbour of Santander. He -pulled them out of his pocket, and, with an air well suited -to his meaning, gave me to understand that he would have -no “nonsense!”</p> - -<p class='c007'>While awaiting an answer from head-quarters, I was -obliged, much against my inclination, to remain at the convent. -This, however, gave me an opportunity of witnessing -his first essay at the command. The wants and privations -the men had hitherto endured he did not deem sufficient; -and, as a last resort, they were, to the number of one -hundred and fifty placed at the top of the building, in one -room, the windows of which having been totally demolished, -laid them open to the northern aspect, in the cold month -of November, without even the poor advantage of a fire-place. -Two Spanish soldiers were posted sentry, with -loaded muskets, to prevent ingress or egress. One of these -was employed to escort the men to the closet, one at a -time, by day; and, at night, a large tub, placed in the centre -of the room, served every purpose till morning.</p> - -<p class='c007'>I was one day on my return from Santander to this -gloomy prison-house, when I met a party, bearing on their -shoulders, the body of a man on a shutter, to the general -hospital. On inquiry, I found his name to be John -Bryant, of the 6th—an invalid, not a prisoner. This poor -fellow, it appeared, while by order of Captain Oakley, in -the act of cutting a few boughs, to make a broom to sweep -the cloisters with, was watched by one of the Spanish soldiers, -and, while in the tree, deliberately shot. Poor Bryant -fell instantly through the branches, mortally wounded, the -ball entering at the breast and passing out at the shoulder. -He died the same night; but, as usual, his murder was -not taken the slightest notice of.</p> - -<p class='c007'>An order at length arrived, and a medical board having -sat accordingly, I was pronounced, through wounds, unfit -for further service. I packed up my traps, and hastened -to leave the neighbourhood. I felt as few ever felt before: -and, even now, seated in my family circle, though years -<span class='pageno' title='275' id='Page_275'>[275]</span>have intervened, seem to breathe anew the freedom I experienced -at my deliverance from this worse than purgatory.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Thus ends my military career; which, little as it can -boast of leading incident, may yet prove interesting. I -shall, however, feel contented if it but assist to wile away a -dull hour, or keep alive the recollection of personal enterprise -among those of my veteran comrades whom war has -permitted to live and peruse it. It is but a plain, unvarnished -attempt to relate my individual adventures; and, -perhaps, like the works of most men, might have amused -its author, but for the fatigues and intricacies of compilation. -“The fame of a scholar,” an eminent writer has -observed, “is acquired only in solitude; and he connects -but a chain of silent and cool reflection.” With me it is -different: all my recollections are mixed up in extraordinary -broils and confusions, which make it no easy task, from -out so great a variety, to connect even the few incidents, -thus huddled together in the</p> - -<div class='c003'><span class='sc'>Adventures of a Soldier</span>.</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>THE END.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>LONDON:</div> - <div class='c002'>Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' title='276' id='Page_276'>[276]</span> - <h2 class='c005'>INTERESTING<br /> <br />MILITARY AND NAVAL WORKS.<br /> <br />Published by COLBURN and Co.</h2> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>LIGHTS AND SHADES OF MILITARY LIFE.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>Edited by Lieut.-Gen. Sir CHARLES NAPIER, G.C.B., -Commander-in-Chief in India, &c. 1 vol., 8vo, 10s. 6d. bound.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“A narrative of stirring interest, which should be in the hands of every officer -in her Majesty’s service.”—<cite>Globe.</cite></p> - -<hr class='c017' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>CAPTAIN CRAWFORD’S REMINISCENCES</span></div> - <div>OF ADMIRALS SIR E. OWEN, SIR B. HALLOWELL CAREW,</div> - <div>AND OTHER DISTINGUISHED COMMANDERS.</div> - <div class='c002'>2 vols., post 8vo, with Portraits, 21s. bound.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>“A work which cannot fail of being popular in every portion of our sea-girt -isle, and of being read with delight by all who feel interested in the right hand -of our country—its Navy.”—<cite>Plymouth Herald.</cite></p> - -<hr class='c017' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>STORY OF THE PENINSULAR WAR.</span></div> - <div>A COMPANION VOLUME TO MR. GLEIG’S</div> - <div>“STORY OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO.”</div> - <div class='c002'>With six Portraits and Map, 5s. bound.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>“Every page of this work is fraught with undying interest. We needed such -a book as this; one that could give to the rising generation of soldiers a clear -notion of the events which led to the expulsion of the French from the Peninsula.”—<cite>United -Service Gazette.</cite></p> - -<hr class='c017' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='large'>THE NEMESIS IN CHINA;</span></div> - <div>COMPRISING A COMPLETE</div> - <div>HISTORY OF THE WAR IN THAT COUNTRY.</div> - <div class='c002'>From Notes of Captain W. H. HALL, R.N.</div> - <div>1 vol., Plates, 6s. bound.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c017' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='large'>HISTORY OF THE WAR</span></div> - <div><span class='large'>IN GERMANY AND FRANCE IN 1813 & 1814.</span></div> - <div class='c002'>By Lieut.-Gen. the MARQUIS OF LONDONDERRY,</div> - <div>G.C.B., &c. &c. 21s.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c017' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='large'>ADVENTURES OF A NAVY LIEUTENANT.</span></div> - <div class='c002'>2 vols. 10s.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>FOOTNOTES</h2> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f1'> -<p class='c006'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. A few months back, while on duty at the Tower, one of the warders informed -me a most extraordinary lady was anxious to see me, when, to my astonishment, -Mrs. Plunket stood before me, and while she held a handkerchief by one hand -close to that part where her nose formerly stood, with her other hand she -squeezed mine, and in the most plaintive tone told me of poor Tom’s death. -It appeared that herself and Plunket, who usually tramped through different -parts of the country, and procured a livelihood selling needles and tapes, while -passing through a street in Colchester, suddenly staggering a few paces fell -down and expired. The death of Tom and the sight of Mrs. Plunket, whose -extraordinary countenance excited disgust as well as pity, spread like wildfire -through the town, and it came to the ears of several retired officers living in -that city, who happened to read my description of him; the result was that a -handsome collection was set on foot, and the amount of twenty pounds was -collected for the widow. The lady of a colonel also, entirely out of her own -pocket, paid for the funeral of poor Tom, with a handsome tombstone to perpetuate -his memory. This she told me with many sobs. Thus ended the -career of the gallant but unfortunate Plunket.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f2'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. As the reader may not be aware of the weight each rifleman had to carry -during this long and harassing march, this too by men considered the lightest -troops in our service, they are as follows: Knapsack and straps, two shirts, -two pair of stockings, one pair of shoes, ditto soles and heels, three brushes, -box of blacking, razor, soap-box and strap, and also at the time an extra pair of -trowsers, a mess-tin, centre-tin and lid, haversack and canteen, great coat and -blanket, a powder-flask filled, a ball bag containing thirty loose balls, a small -wooden mallet used to hammer the ball into the muzzle of our rifles; belt and -pouch, the latter containing fifty rounds of ammunition, sword-belt and rifle, -besides other odds and ends, that at all times are required for a service-soldier. -Each squad had also to carry four bill-hooks, that weighed six pounds each, so -that every other day each man had to carry it; thus equipped, with from seventy -to eighty pounds weight, this too in the melting month of July. Not content -with the above, the General gave strict orders for each man to have his canteen -filled with water before commencing the day’s march every morning. Through -being thus overloaded, four hundred of the battalion died a few months after our -arrival, without a single shot being fired. But the survivors soon found out the -cause of this mortality, as I don’t think there was a man in the regiment five -years after, before we left the country, could show a single shirt or a pair of -shoes in his knapsack.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f3'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. The Honourable Captain Pakenham was a brother-in-law to the Duke of -Wellington. This gentleman, who belonged to my regiment, was much beloved -by us all. He was always so considerate! On every occasion when the fresh -arrival of necessaries, meat, wine, &c., brought the men in crowds about the -stores, he invariably would abide his turn, and, as though he were one of ourselves, -oblige every new comer, whatever his rank, to submit to the same. This, -though mere justice, for its rare occurrence with the other officers, was never -forgotten by the men. Since his return from the Peninsula I have been told he -was ordered to New Orleans, where he was killed.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f4'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. I must here remark, that these shells were thrown at us by mistake, as the -town was in the possession of our friends the Portuguese, under the command -of Colonel Cox, a British officer, who from our position being near the enemy, as -well as our green dress, must have mistaken us for the latter. Almeida was -afterwards taken by the French.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f5'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. Strange as it may appear, this ball may be this hour felt with as much ease -as the first day it entered, forty-two years back.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f6'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. Among the officers wounded was the present Sir H. Smith, his brother Tom -also. The former being on the staff had a <i>cedan</i> with two mules to carry him; -the latter was packed with the men in bullock-carts.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f7'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. With regard to knapsacks, of which so much has been spoken, I cannot see -why they could not be carried by the quarter-master or commissariat, and given -out with the same ease as the rations. This I apply only to the rifles and other -light troops, who, being always exposed and in advance, have need of all their -energies and activity to render them fully effective.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f8'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. Any of my readers passing through Knightsbridge, may chance to observe a -tall military figure, bent with years, a bag thrown over his shoulders, stooping to -pick up bones, &c., this person is no other than the once redoubtable Humphrey -Allen, at that time one of the smartest and finest-looking men in our -Rifles.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f9'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. I have often felt surprised that our officers have not generally adopted the -plan of carrying a rifle when in action; the defence it would afford to the individual -himself in its superiority over the sword or the pistol, which latter are -mere toys in the field, would, I imagine, bear its own argument. The additional -strength also it must give to the efficiency of the regiments generally, -from the number it would add to each volley (in the proportion of fifty to a -regiment), and the confidence it must inspire in the officers, would, one should -think, carry everything before it, nor can it prevent any officer in keeping his eye -on his men, as all riflemen, while in action, use their own judgment by getting -under cover, consequently out of sight.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f10'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. This veteran soldier, who was afterwards promoted to the rank of Sergeant-Major, -through the interest of his old commander Sir Hussey Vivian, now holds -a situation in the Tower, where we frequently meet.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f11'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r11'>11</a>. As some of my readers may not be acquainted with the duty and the character -of a “Forlorn-Hope,” I will proceed to explain it. On the eve of the -storming of a fortress, the breaches, &c., being all ready, Captains of companies, -on their private parade, give the men to understand that such and such a place -is to be taken by storm. Every man then, who wishes to volunteer to head the -stormers, steps forward to the front, and his name is immediately taken down -by the officer; if none offer themselves the first men for duty are selected. -With our regiment this latter alternative was never required, as a sufficient -number were always ready.</p> - -<p class='c007'>This service, or “Forlorn-Hope,” is designated by the French in the not less -appropriate term of “Les Enfants perdus,” or “Lost Children,” and has always -to lead or make the first attack.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f12'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r12'>12</a>. There is no doubt, but Wilkie, Major Napier, and indeed several others in -advance fell by the fire of the Portuguese; who being panic-struck by the first -volley they received from the town, instantly lay down on the glacis, and commenced -firing on the breach. A random shot through the embrasure deprived -my friend of life.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f13'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r13'>13</a>. Grass-bags are long sacks about six feet by three, filled with grass or hay, -and so stuffed as to enable a party, in case the ladders should not be fixed in -sufficient time, by pitching them into the trenches before them to descend with -comparative safety. With us, however, they answered a double purpose, being -carried by our men in front of their persons to prevent the effects of the enemy’s -fire.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f14'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r14'>14</a>. The gallantry of the Spaniards of our regiment make me believe, had those -countrymen during the war been properly commanded, they would have made -excellent soldiers.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f15'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r15'>15</a>. As before stated, the French carry no haversacks.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f16'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r16'>16</a>. As of late, much has been said concerning the use or non-use of the bayonet in -action, I shall here take the liberty, supported by the above fact, of intruding my -own opinions in the matter; an opinion, which falling from the mouth of an old -soldier only, might otherwise be thought worthless, if not presumptuous.</p> - -<p class='c007'>It is generally known of course that Riflemen, when in action, are at all times -extended, and have always better opportunities of watching the movements of -two armies, than those troops who are compelled to march in compact and -closely-wedged masses.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Both parties, it will be observed by the above, were with their fire-locks unloaded, -the British having fired and charged before the French could reload, and -both consequently had no resource left but their bayonets. Now I would ask -the no-bayonet gentlemen, if the French, who well knew their mutual position, -had seen the British advance with bare muzzles or with no bayonets, would they -have given way with their own bayonets fixed to oppose them. If they did, they -ought to be hanged, from the Colonel downwards. On the other hand, if the -English had attempted to charge with bare muzzles against fixed bayonets, each -man from the commanding officer down should be sent to a madhouse.</p> - -<p class='c007'>Upon this then I should say, if my opinion be acceptable, that the bayonets -had better remain in present use until such time as we can bargain with the -French or other enemies to disuse them.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f17'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r17'>17</a>. Query Countess of Gazan.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f18'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r18'>18</a>. Query Jourdain’s <i><span lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">bâton</span></i>.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f19'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r19'>19</a>. Strange to say, this very sergeant, whose name was Lee, and who had the -fame of being the best boxer in his regiment, after the battle of Waterloo, lay -wounded in the bed next to mine in the hospital at Antwerp. “Holloa, Rifleman!” -said he, when he first perceived me near him, “don’t you recollect me!” -At first I did not. “By God,” said he, again, “you frightened me more than a -bit at Vittoria, when guarding your money-bags.” This soon settled the recognition; -but, poor fellow! he died after the amputation of his arm.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f20'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r20'>20</a>. Tom served under General Whitelock in South America.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f21'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r21'>21</a>. The brass clasp or hook that fastens the belt.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f22'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r22'>22</a>. This being only a report amongst us wounded men, little reliance can be -placed on it.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f23'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r23'>23</a>. </p> -<div class='c003'>28, Berkeley Square, March 2nd, 1819.</div> - -<p class='c007'>I strongly recommend to your notice, and to the attention of the Board of -Chelsea, the bearer, Edward Costello, late sergeant in the first battalion Rifle -Brigade, for an increase of pension for his gallant services, he having been -discharged in consequence of wounds received in action.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>A. F. Barnard</span>,</div> - <div class='line in4'>Major-General Commanding,</div> - <div class='line in8'>First Battalion Rifle Brigade.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>To General Sir <span class='sc'>E. Dundas</span>,</div> - <div class='line in8'>&c., &c., &c.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Colonel-in-Chief, Rifle Brigade,</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>To this hour it remained unaltered.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f24'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r24'>24</a>. This Conner now resides at Chelsea, and I am happy to say, in good circumstances, -at his trade as a tailor.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f25'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r25'>25</a>. Now Sir Henry Bulwer.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f26'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r26'>26</a>. <i><span lang="la" xml:lang="la">Vide</span></i>, General Order under Evans.</p> - -<p class='c007'>“G. O., Head Quarters, San Sebastian,</p> - -<div class='c003'>“September 2, 1835.</div> - -<p class='c007'>* * * “All provosts and their assistants are empowered to inflict summary -punishment <em>on the breech</em> to the amount of twenty-four lashes, according to the -degree of the offence, on soldiers and <em>followers</em> of the army committing offences -against discipline, plundering, drunkenness, violence, and, in short, everything -tending to the subversion of good order in the army. The provost must either -witness the offence himself <em>or have it from the evidence of competent eye witnesses</em>; -the punishment in every case to be inflicted on the spot or near the -same.”</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f27'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r27'>27</a>. </p> - -<p class='c007'>“G. O. Head Quarters, Frenada,</p> - -<div class='c003'>“November 1, 1811.</div> - -<p class='c007'>“The office of Provost Marshal has existed in all British armies in the field -* * * his authority must be limited by the necessity of the case, and whatever -be the crime of which a soldier may be guilty, the Provost Marshal has not the -power of inflicting summary punishment for it unless <em>he</em> should see him in the -act of committing it. If he should not see him in the act of committing it, he -is directed to report the offence to the Commander-in-chief of the army, in order -that the soldier be <em>tried</em>, and <em>evidence</em> adduced against him. Further the Commander -of the Forces desires that it may be clearly understood that <em>no officer -whatever</em> has a right to order the Provost Marshal, or his assistants, to exercise -the authority intrusted to them; nor can the Provost Marshal, or his assistants, -inflict punishment on any man, except they should see him in the act of committing -a breach of orders and discipline. Their duty is, by <em>vigilance</em> and activity, -to <em>prevent</em> those breaches which the Commander of the Forces is sorry to observe -are too common, and to punish those they may catch in the <a id='act'></a>act.”</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f28'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r28'>28</a>. I feel bound, before quitting the subject, to declare it as my opinion that -the bread was not actually poisoned; the materials of which it was made, no -doubt, were of the worst description, of which the colour, which was of the -most disheartening black, gave every proof; when two days old it would be as hard -almost as wood, and in another similar lapse of time, it would mildew, and become -green as old copper. The men, however, who were not taken ill, always fed upon -it, from necessity; while most of the officers, who were served with good white -bread (but at a less ration), were equally attacked by the sickness. The baker, -therefore, in this respect, did no more than what our own contractors would -have done, and which the abominable quality of almost everything sent us went -to testify. That he conspired to favour Don Carlos’s cause I have no doubt, and -the punishment was necessary, and a wholesome one.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f29'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r29'>29</a>. There were seven brothers of the Cummings in our first battalion Rifle -Brigade; the above Allan was sergeant in the band, and was killed at Vittoria -21st June, 1813.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f30'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r30'>30</a>. This I was informed by the surgeon who dressed them afterwards.</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f31'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r31'>31</a>. Vide first article of conditions of service:</p> - -<p class='c007'>“I. The time of service to be for <em>one</em> or <em>two</em> years, as may be preferred by the -individual engaging to enter her Majesty’s service.”</p> -</div> - -<div class='footnote' id='f32'> -<p class='c007'><a href='#r32'>32</a>. The whole of these two regiments were almost entirely Scotch, a people -whom I ever found justly submissive and brave. Each man of these signed his -name himself; and, by the ready manner, gave full proof of their being well informed -as well as intellectual. It will be recollected, also, that, up to the time -of their laying down arms, they had carried them only on a matter of good faith; -for not one of them had taken the oath of allegiance to either the British or the -Spanish Government. In the Rifles none laid down their arms or joined the -discontented. I had raised them myself; and they were the only regiment that -had not been buoyed up with false representations. The deficiency of allegiance -was universal, I believe, in the Legion; and, under these facts, I feel surprised -that any man was punished by court-martial. They virtually were not a -Spanish or a British force, and constituted mere camp followers, answerable -only—with certain exceptions—to civil authorities, and not to their officers, -who, I presume, are now accountable to British laws for the cruelties they -inflicted.</p> -</div> - -<div class='t-notes'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><b>Transcriber's Note</b></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c006'>Inconsistent hyphenation of words in the original book has been -retained. Punctuation errors were fixed. The name Josh was -followed by a period/full stop in the early parts of the book -and not in the later parts. This was left as printed. Some additional corrections -have been made, as detailed below:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><a href='#date-a'>p. xi</a> and <a href='#date-b'>p. 144</a> Campaign of 1812 -> Campaign of 1813</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#acbs'>p. xiv</a> H cold-blooded Spaniard -> A cold-blooded Spaniard</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#medal'>p. xiv</a> Meda -> Medal</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#over'>p. 3</a> oyer -> over</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#or'>p. 29</a> two of three -> two or three</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#dread'>p. 39</a> dreafully -> dreadfully</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#through'>p. 59</a> we passed trough the town -> we passed through the town</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#and'>p. 63</a> skirmishing end endeavouring -> skirmishing and endeavouring</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#then'>p. 103</a> then then addressed -> then addressed</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#all'>p. 144</a> Alamada -> Allamada</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#gold'>p. 171</a> goold -> gold</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#regi'>p. 216</a> regi- -> regiment</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#act'>p. 221</a> catch in the fact -> catch in the act</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#chapel'>p. 235</a> Chapelgoris -> Chapelgorris</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#serg'>p. 239</a> segeant-major -> sergeant-major</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#cielo'>p. 242</a> Monte a el ciel -> Monte a el cielo</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#from'>p. 245</a> been dismissed the Legion -> been dismissed from the Legion</div> - <div class='line'><a href='#woe'>p. 264</a> wofully -> woefully</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Adventures of a Soldier, by Edward Costello - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER *** - -***** This file should be named 50181-h.htm or 50181-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/8/50181/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, Sonya Schermann and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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