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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..df301c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55953 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55953) diff --git a/old/55953-0.txt b/old/55953-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d0e3196..0000000 --- a/old/55953-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7190 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 2 (of 2), by -John Cooke and George Fitzclarence and John Moodie - -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: Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 2 (of 2) - Comprising the Personal Narrative of Captain Cooke, of the - 43rd Regiment Light Infantry; the History of the Campaign - of 1809 in Portugal, by the Earl of Munster; and a Narrative - of the Campaign of 1814 in Holland, by Lieut. T. W. D. - Moodie, H. P. 21st Fusileers - -Author: John Cooke - George Fitzclarence - John Moodie - -Release Date: November 13, 2017 [EBook #55953] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE LATE WAR *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Larry B. Harrison, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - MEMOIRS - OF - THE LATE WAR. - - VOL. II. - - - - -The United Service Journal -AND -NAVAL AND MILITARY MAGAZINE. - - -This new and interesting miscellany is regularly published by Messrs. -COLBURN AND BENTLEY every month, price 3s 6d. The following opinion -will at once demonstrate its claims on the attention of the public. - - "The United Service Journal is confessedly one the best periodicals - of its kind that have ever issued from the Public Press. No Monthly - Journal has yet appeared so devotedly attached to the interests - of the Army and Navy, or whose claims to the patronage of both - services are so strikingly conspicuous. It is full of agreeable - anecdote and useful information. In its pages we find a faithful - and most interesting record of past achievements, whether on sea - or land, diversified by many characteristic traits of British - heroism, and national gallantry, from the lowest to the highest - rank in the Service. New improvements in gunnery, navigation, and - the art of War, are exposed to view with the commanding powers of a - master hand, while no subject is omitted which could by possibility - involve the honour and welfare of our Army and Navy. In fine, the - Journal affords a correct summary of all changes in the station - of Regiments and Ships of the line, besides an authentic return - of the Promotions in the Red and the Blue. Independently of the - attractions it has for a military man, this periodical may be read - with much pleasure by a civilian, and we feel much gratification in - stating that it enjoys a very considerable patronage."—_Limerick - Chronicle._ - -[Symbol: Asterism] The above Periodical is regularly supplied by all -Booksellers and Newsvenders, and may also be forwarded to friends and -relatives abroad, by giving orders, and making payment accordingly, -and those who may be desirous of obtaining it are requested to give -their orders to any Bookseller or Newsman in their own immediate -neighbourhood. - - - LONDON. - G. SCHULZE, 13, POLAND STREET. - - - - - MEMOIRS - OF - THE LATE WAR: - COMPRISING - THE PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF - CAPTAIN COOKE, - OF THE 43rd REGIMENT LIGHT INFANTRY; - THE HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1809 - IN PORTUGAL, - BY THE EARL OF MUNSTER; - AND A NARRATIVE OF - THE CAMPAIGN OF 1814 IN HOLLAND, - BY LIEUT. T. W. D. MOODIE, H. P. 21ST FUSILEERS. - - IN TWO VOLUMES. - - VOL. II. - - LONDON: - HENRY COLBURN AND RICHARD BENTLEY, - NEW BURLINGTON STREET. - 1831. - - - - -CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME. - -CONCLUSION OF CAPTAIN COOKE'S NARRATIVE. - - - CHAPTER I. - - Page - - Dwellings and habits of the farming classes in Navarre—Military - quarters—The Author obtains leave to proceed to St. Sebastian - as a spectator of the assault—Situation of that city, - and appearance of the breaches—Groups collected from the - neighbouring parts to witness the storming—Advance of the - "forlorn hope," and death of Lieut. Mac Guire—Critical situation - of the attacking troops—Seasonable measure adopted by General - Graham—Effect produced by the heavy artillery—Destructive - explosion among the French—Capture of the city after continued - difficulties. 1 - - - CHAPTER II. - - The Duke of Dalmatia crosses the Bidassoa—Sharp contest at - the heights of St. Marzial and the Bridge of Bera—Touching - scene witnessed by the Author on his way to rejoin his division - at Santa Barbara—A present from England—Passage of the - Bidassoa by the English troops on the 6th of October—Active - fighting—The French driven over the mountains into their - own territory—Delights of good quarters after hard - work—Reconnoitring—Habits and condition of the Spanish - soldiery—A mock fight—Military pastimes—Preparations for the - invasion of France. 16 - - - CHAPTER III. - - Advance of the light division—Singular nocturnal - orgies—Skirmishing preliminary to the battle of the - Nivelle—Details of that battle—British head-quarters - established at St. Jean de Luz—More skirmishing, and a slight - reverse—Combative anecdotes—Advance of the British line of - picquets. 40 - - - CHAPTER IV. - - Tolerable quarters—Beguiling of time on picquet duty—The - army again in motion—A critical position—French cunning, - and occasional politeness—Skirmishing affairs preceding the - battle of the Nive—Details of that engagement—Its advantageous - consequences to our army—Acts of complaisance between the - vanguards of the opposed forces—Christmas festivities. 56 - - - CHAPTER V. - - An unproductive alarm—The Duke d'Angoulême visits the British - army—Orders received by the Duke of Dalmatia—General position - of Napoleon's affairs—The author visits Bera on leave of - absence—Remarks on the mischiefs committed by camp followers—A - scene for contemplation—The author's friends at Bera—Love - inimical to harmony—Return to quarters—Movement for penetrating - into the interior of France—The author's regiment enters St. - Palais, crosses the Gave, and passes through Sauveterre to - Orthes. 75 - - - CHAPTER VI. - - A wrong direction—An affair with the enemy's cavalry—Bivouac - in a wood—A ludicrous mistake in the dark—Arrival at St. - Sever—Welcome supply of bread—The Duke of Dalmatia leaves - Bordeaux unprotected, to preserve the communication with - Toulouse—Reception of the English at Mont de Marsan—A dancing - scene and other amusements at the village of Brinquet—The - disappointed purveyors—The author regains his corps—Adventure - gained over the enemy by General Hill—Gascon peasantry—Various - movements of the opposed armies—The French driven through the - town of Vic Bigorre—An agreeable march. 91 - - - CHAPTER VII. - - Advance towards Tarbes—Sharp and successful encounter of - the riflemen with the French, who are forced to retire from - Tarbes—A beautiful coup-d'œil—Retreating movement of the enemy - towards Toulouse—The little French cobbler and his daughter—A - burdensome benefactor—Inconveniences of a miry march—The - author's adventure at a farm-house—The conscious hosts—A true - French château—Approach of the troops towards Toulouse—Critical - situation of the author and another officer. 106 - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - Flank movement to the right—Method of feeding cattle in - Gascony—Catching a goose—Halt at St. Simon—Cross the Garonne - and advance on Toulouse—The French take up a position to the - east of that town—The Spaniards attack the heights of La - Pugade—Their terrible slaughter and precipitate retreat—The - enemy advance against the fourth and sixth divisions—The sixth - division carry the front of the enemy's position—Retreat of the - French from Toulouse towards Carcassonne. 120 - - - AN ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN OF 1809, under Sir Arthur - Wellesley, in Portugal and Spain. By the EARL OF MUNSTER. 137 - - - NARRATIVE OF THE CAMPAIGN IN HOLLAND IN 1814, with details of the - attack on Bergen-op-Zoom. 257 - - - - - -MEMOIRS -OF -CAPTAIN COOKE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - Dwellings and habits of the farming classes in Navarre—Military - quarters—The Author obtains leave to proceed to St. Sebastian as - a spectator of the assault—Situation of that city, and appearance - of the breaches—Groups collected from the neighbouring parts - to witness the storming—Advance of the "forlorn hope," and - death of Lieut. Mac Guire—Critical situation of the attacking - troops—Seasonable measure adopted by General Graham—Effect - produced by the heavy artillery—Destructive explosion among the - French—Capture of the city after continued difficulties. - - -In Navarre the _quintas_ are constructed with projecting roofs, and are -two stories high: the second floors are encircled by wooden galleries, -adorned with creeping vines, hanging over in festoons, which give -these dwellings a most picturesque appearance. The numerous fertile -valleys produce wheat, rye, barley, maize, pulse, and apples which make -very tolerable cider. - -When on picquet, we passed whole days in the houses of the small -farmers, (who speak the Basque language;) and although these dwellings -lay between the hostile armies, they were not damaged, nor the corn or -orchards cut down; yet, for leagues in every other direction, all the -small fields of Indian corn had been torn up by the very roots, and -carried off. - -Owing to this latter circumstance, many of the peasantry became -impoverished, and were obliged to content themselves with very scanty -fare; their bread was made of Indian corn, which they mixed up into -a cake, an inch thick, and then put it into a frying pan, which was -repeatedly turned, until its contents were about half baked; this -operation being completed, the whole family formed a circle; the cake -was then broken into pieces, and handed to each individual, so hot -that they would shift it from hand to hand, making all sorts of wry -faces; this frugal supper being concluded, a large brass cauldron was -filled with tepid water, in which the elder of the family first bathed -his feet, and then the others, according to seniority, until all, in -rotation, performed the same cleanly ablution, which was never omitted -before retiring to rest. - -While on the position of Santa Barbara, or whenever in the vicinity -of the enemy, it was customary to turn out an hour before daybreak, -and for the troops to stand to their arms until objects at a short -distance became visible. On these mountains we were terribly annoyed by -the toads. Many officers possessed mattresses or covers, (the latter -being usually stuffed with dried fern,) but if they happened to be left -in the tent two or three days without removing, or taken out to dry, -which was often the case, owing to heavy rains or dense fogs, we were -sure to find one or two bloated speckled toads under them, as large in -circumference as a small dessert plate. - -Towards the end of the month, we could distinctly hear the heavy -thundering of the battery cannon at St. Sebastian, and an order was -issued for the first, fourth, and light divisions to send a certain -number of volunteers, to assist the fifth division in storming -the breaches at that place, as soon as they should be considered -practicable. - -By some mistake, we were informed that two officers were to proceed from -our regiment with the volunteers; accordingly Lieut. John O'Connell and -myself offered our services, and marched off and formed with the rest of -the volunteers of the division, in front of General Alten's quarters, -which was about a league in rear of our encampment; but as more officers -had proffered their services than the proper quota, I, amongst the rest, -made a surplus, and Lieut. O'Connell, being my senior, remained. This -officer had formed one of the storming party at Ciudad Rodrigo, and at -Badajoz, where he was badly wounded, a ball having passed in at the top -of his shoulder and came out at the elbow joint: he was ultimately -killed on the sanguinary breach of St. Sebastian. Lieut.-Col. Hunt, of -the 52nd, took the command of the volunteers of the division. Major W. -Napier had also volunteered, but not being required on this occasion, -both he and myself returned to camp. - -On the following day, myself and three other officers obtained -permission to proceed across the mountain to be _spectators_ of the -assault. The weather was extremely fine, and we enjoyed a tranquil ride -over the mountains, many of which were entirely covered with oak trees, -aromatic plants, fern, and evergreens. For more than two leagues there -was scarcely a house to be seen. The day being far advanced before we -left our camp, darkness overtook us, and, on making enquiries at a -cottage, we were informed, by a peasant, that there was an encampment -at a short distance, which we soon discovered to the right of the -road, and found it to be the 85th light infantry, just arrived from -England. We received a hearty welcome, besides _aguardiénte y vino -tinto_, and then wrapping our cloaks around about us, we enjoyed a few -hours repose in Major Ferguson's tent. - -At daybreak we went on our way through an open, hilly, and sandy -country, towards St. Sebastian, and in a few hours took post in the -trenches cut through the sand banks, on the right bank of the river -Urumea, and within six hundred yards of the town, which stands near the -river, or rather on a small peninsula, between two arms of the sea. -The place consisted of twenty streets, besides churches, convents, and -monasteries; and is enclosed on three sides by ramparts, bastions, -and half-moons. The castle is built on the top of a bare rock, and -overlooking the sea; the entrance of the harbour, on the west side, is -between two moles, and is capable of containing a few small vessels. - -During our stay in the trenches, just below a mortar battery, the -enemy hardly fired a shot from the fortress, in the walls of which -were two breaches eighty yards asunder. The principal and wide-mouthed -breach had crumbled into a vast mound of sand, rubbish, and broken -masonry. A breach is indeed an awful mound of dilapidation to -look on, or rather a heap of disagreeable rubbish, particles of -which sparkle brightly in the sun beams, while the whole seems to -the amateur easy of ascent, but the wary veteran knows it to be a -deceitful slope, re-entrenched from behind, and most probably cut off -from all communication with the interior of the town. Well may it be -called "the deadly breach:" all fighting is bad enough, but when the -valiant soldier sees insurmountable obstacles before him, and finds -all his efforts unavailing, and death jostling him on every side, -his foot, perhaps, planted on the body of an expiring comrade, whose -bleeding mouth is filled with dust, and whose trampled uniform at last -becomes identified with the rubbish, and the human form no longer -distinguishable; and every instant the heap of the slain accumulating, -without any possibility of carrying the place,—then, indeed, comes the -"tug of war;" for, as a distinguished officer very justly observed, "A -breach may be made the strongest part of a fortification, since every -combustible, and power of defence, are brought to a known focus." - -Having remained in the trenches a considerable time, we made for the -small town of Renteria, where we put up, with two convalescent officers -of our own corps, until the next day. - -On the 31st the morning broke hazy. Meanwhile before starting for St. -Sebastian, we were introduced to Lieutenant Folliet, a young officer -of our regiment, who had just come from England for the first time; -he expressed much regret at not being able to witness the assault, -as he very properly considered it incorrect to leave his detachment, -which was ordered to march that morning for Bera. This circumstance I -mention, owing to the premature death of this officer. - -At half-past ten o'clock, A. M., we took post within cannon range -of the ramparts of St. Sebastian, immediately overlooking the river -Urumea. The troops of the fifth division were already formed in the -trenches cut across the isthmus, within a short distance of the body -of the place, ready to move forward as soon as the tide should be -sufficiently low to admit of a passage. It was so well known that the -assault was to take place, that numerous inhabitants had flocked from -the adjacent towns and villages, dressed in their holiday attire, and -were already seated on the hill which commanded a panoramic view of the -town. Many of the women were clothed in dresses of English calico, and -in fact composed a motley group and mixture in dress and appearance, -such as I had never before seen in Spain. Two pretty Spanish girls -were seated on the slope of the hill, and offered us some of their -sugar drops, whereupon we thought we might as well place ourselves -beside them as elsewhere. A few minutes before the troops moved to the -assault, all within the town seemed tranquil; no noise issued from its -walls, nor was a single French soldier visible on the ramparts. - -Soon after eleven o'clock, the "forlorn hope," headed by Lieut. Mac -Guire of the 4th regiment, sprang out of the trenches, followed by -the storming party, and a brigade of the fifth division;[1] but, -owing to the difficulty of extricating themselves from the trenches, -and to their _extreme_ ardour, they ran towards the _great breach_, -discharging their fire arms to the left, to keep down the musketry of -the enemy, who galled them by a terrible flanking fire from a bastion -which projected nearly parallel, and enfiladed their left flank while -moving towards the breach. - -Lieut. Mac Guire wore a cocked-hat, with a _long white feather_, to -make himself conspicuous. He was a remarkably handsome young man, -active of limb, well-made, and possessing a robust frame. He ran -forward, amid projectiles and a shower of bullets, with such speed that -only _two_ soldiers could manage to keep within five or six yards -behind him; and he actually jumped over the broken masonry, at the -foot of the breach, before he fell. In a moment afterwards he was hid -from our view by the column bounding over his body,[2] to climb the -breach. They had no sooner gained the crest of the breach, than they -found the enemy strongly entrenched at each flank of the TERRE-PLEIN of -the rampart and the interior slope, composed of a scarped wall, nearly -thirty feet deep, so that the brave soldiers who mounted the breach -fell a sacrifice to their valour, by an overwhelming cross-fire. - -The enemy had cleared away the rubbish some feet from a _round tower_, -nearly in the centre, and on the crest of the great breach, which they -maintained, and it was from this apparently trifling and _unbreached -spot_ that the troops sustained their principal loss—standing up to -their knees in rubbish, and losing their lives without any probability -of success. As the French, however, could not well fire on their left -flank without hanging over the parapet, our soldiers were enabled to -keep their station on the slope of the breach, at the expense of a -great number of officers and men. Had the enemy been able to flank -the slope of the breach, all the troops must have been annihilated. -The slaughter, however, was so great, as to cause the most serious -apprehension, and the wounded and dying were suffering dreadfully, and -languishing in the most horrible torments, for want of water, without -being again able to regain the trenches, owing to the cross-fire of -musketry through which they had to run the gauntlet while advancing -to the assault. With the exception of the guns in the castle, the -enemy hardly fired any artillery from the walls, either from their -being principally dismounted, or that they were unable to depress them -sufficiently to do much execution. At this time hardly a word escaped -the lips of the astonished spectators; and many of the women were -drowned in tears at so doleful a spectacle. - -At twelve o'clock General Graham, seeing affairs in this desperate -state, ordered the guns from the batteries to open, to oblige the -enemy to keep down, and to shield the troops for a short time, from -their fatal bullets, and to give them a little breathing time, so as -to enable the wounded who could yet walk to regain the trenches. The -fire from the batteries was terrific, and the troops retired four or -five yards down the slope of the breach, while the heavy shot passed -over their heads, skimming the round tower, the ramparts and the crest -of the breach with a precision truly astonishing, so that the enemy -could not show their heads, or discharge a single firelock. Never -was artillery better served, or opened at a more seasonable moment; -and without doubt this was one of the principal causes of carrying -the day; for indeed, had it not been for this seasonable relief, the -troops must have been inevitably sacrificed by piecemeal. The volumes -of smoke arose in dense clouds, and the reverberation was amazing. -The iron balls rattled into the devoted town, unroofing the houses, -knocking up the dust and rubbish, and thundering against the walls with -a tremendous crash, as if the ramparts were cracking and every stone -broken, and the whole tumbling into a mass of ruins. All the edifices -seemed tottering to the very foundations, and it was as though every -living creature within were about to be swallowed up in the vortex and -buried amid the utter desolation. - -When first the assault took place, the sun shone forth brilliantly; it -was now twelve o'clock, and the clouds blackened and gathered together, -foreboding the coming storm. - -The blazing of the heavy artillery lasted more than half an hour, -during which time General Graham let loose the volunteers and the -reserve of the fifth division against the large breach and _adamantine -round tower_. The Spanish girls near us ejaculated (while shedding a -few pearly tears, and unfolding the little papers containing their -sugar-drops,) "_pobre Sebastiano! pobre Sebastiano!_" We asked them -why they did not say, _poor soldiers_,—"_Oh si, si_," answered they, -"_pobres soldados tambien!_" - -As soon as the fire of the heavy calibre had ceased, fresh efforts were -made against the breach, and the sharp fire of the deadly small arms -was resumed. At half past twelve o'clock a Portuguese regiment led on -by Lieutenant Colonel Snodgrass[3] moved along the sands and began to -ford the river Urumea, the water at low tide being at this spot about -two hundred yards in width. As soon as they reached the middle of the -stream, a gun from an embrasure exactly opposite to them discharged -a round of grape shot, which fell into the middle of the column, and -knocked the men down in every direction: some of them sank to rise no -more, others floundered in the water, and called out for help in the -most pitiable manner. The enemy fired a second discharge before the -Portuguese could extricate themselves from the stream, (which reached -up to the hips), and again inflicted dreadful havoc in their ranks. -The smoke of the last round created considerable surprise among us, -as it was of a reddish colour, as if red ochre had been mixed up with -the powder. The excellent and steady conduct of the 13th regiment of -Portuguese was beyond all praise. Having cleared the river they closed -up, moved forward and ascended the small breach, eighty yards from the -larger one. - -At this time we also observed part of the 85th regiment a short -distance out at sea (in large boats) apparently threatening the back -of the rock, on which stands the Castle of La Motta, but this threat -of escalading the rocks was relinquished owing to the impracticability -of such an enterprise; the troops in the breaches became fixtures as -before, and no further progress towards the capturing of the fortress -appeared to be made. At last I saw several soldiers quitting the large -breach and running to the right to assist the Portuguese at the small -one; and a brave bugler sounded the advance several times. Confused -cries of assembled voices echoed from the ramparts at that point, and -we could hear sounds like the battering of firelocks against doors or -barricades, intermingled with occasional firing of musketry. Still, no -very serious impression was visible to us. - -At one o'clock a violent explosion took place on the rampart behind -the French traverse to the right of the large breach, and, before the -fragments blown into the air had fallen, or the smoke cleared away, -the troops nobly pushed forward, and, at the same time, the crowd of -spectators on the hill rose simultaneously with joy beaming on every -countenance; and when the hollow sounds of the firing were heard -within the interior of the town, we became satisfied that the place -was taken.—The explosion was supposed to be caused by accidental -sparks, or loose cartridge paper falling on the train. Probably no one -living knows the real cause. However, all the French soldiers near the -spot were blown into the air, and fell singed and blackened in all -directions; and the dead soldiers lay so thick on the slope of the -breach that it looked, to the naked eye, as if the mass of troops were -still stationary. - -Soon after, we saw the French issuing from the town, and firing down -upon the British troops from behind some old walls running in zig -zags up the castle hill. There cannot be a shadow of doubt that the -place would not have been carried, had it not been for the decision -of General Graham, who, persisting in a constant attack to the last, -kept the troops in that honorable post to take advantage of any -contingencies that might chance to throw open the door to victory. - -The enemy lost seven hundred men, prisoners taken in the town, who were -unable to reach the castle. The fifth division and the volunteers from -the British army lost two thousand men and officers killed and wounded; -amongst the latter Generals Leith, Oswald and Robinson were wounded, -and Colonel Fletcher commanding the engineers was killed by a musket -ball, just before the assault took place. - -At half past one P.M. a heavy mist began to fall, which caused us to -bend our course towards Renteria, and, before we reached half a league, -the rain descended in torrents; but none had fallen during the storming -of the breaches. - -[Footnote 1: The fifth division led the attack, _not the volunteers -from the army_.] - -[Footnote 2: He was killed. I knew him intimately; he possessed -naturally gentle manners, with a soldier-like deportment.] - -[Footnote 3: The Portuguese troops forded the river Urumea directly -after the firing of the cannon ceased from the English batteries; and -the great explosion to the right of the large breach, (to the left of -the breach as we looked towards it,) did not happen until half an hour -after this event. It cannot, therefore, be said that our artillery -caused that explosion.] - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - The Duke of Dalmatia crosses the Bidassoa—Sharp contest at the - heights of St. Marzial and the Bridge of Bera—Touching scene - witnessed by the Author on his way to rejoin his division at Santa - Barbara—A present from England—Passage of the Bidassoa by the - English troops on the 6th of October—Active fighting—The French - driven over the mountains into their own territory—Delights - of good quarters after hard work—Reconnoitring—Habits and - condition of the Spanish soldiery—A mock fight—Military - pastimes—Preparations for the invasion of France. - - -On the same day that the assault of St. Sebastian took place, the Duke -of Dalmatia, with the right wing of his army, crossed the Bidassoa, -opposite to the heights of St. Marzial, and another division forded the -river two hundred yards below Bera (under cover of the high rock, which -rises abruptly over the west end of the town) and immediately moved -forward to attack the heights above the village of Salines, occupied -by part of the seventh division, with whom and the Portuguese the -enemy were engaged the greater part of the day. The French repeatedly -endeavoured to climb the heights of St. Marzial without effect. The -ascent was so difficult, that the Spaniards had little more to do -than to deliver their fire, by which they managed, in the presence of -Field-marshal the Marquis of Wellington, to beat the enemy. - -The French marshal, when he saw his soldiers giving way and plunging -into the Bidassoa, became perfectly furious, for, owing to this -unsuccessful attack, the French above Salines were obliged to grope -their way down the uneven and slippery mountain, in search of the ford -which they had previously crossed (in the morning) in good order, and -in the highest spirits. When, however, they now reached the river after -exceeding toil and in total darkness, they found it so swollen, owing -to the floods from the mountains, that they could not attempt to cross -it. The wind howled fiercely; the roaring torrents, and vast bodies of -water, poured down the sides of the mountains, rocks and water courses, -swelling the river into an overwelming flood, which rushed through the -narrow arches of the bridge of Bera, with irresistible fury. In short, -a perfect hurricane raged over the mountains, and swept throughout the -valleys, in boisterous whirlwinds, that carried away in their fearful -blasts branches of trees, and bellowed furiously over the tops of the -forests. - -During this awful convulsion of the elements, a few stragglers of the -French division succeeded in overpowering a corporal's picquet, and -rushed over the bridge of Bera; but a company of the second battalion -of rifle corps, which occupied the shell of a house, immediately forced -them to recross the bridge. Again the enemy several times attempted to -cross the bridge at the _pas de charge_, but were as often beaten back -by the well-plied bullets of the rifles; and, strange to relate, this -picquet and the French division continued engaged within five hundred -yards of the French post above Bera, and not more than twice the -distance from the second brigade of the light division which occupied -the rising ground in front of the _debouché_ of San Estevan,—the first -brigade having crossed to the left bank of Bidassoa on the previous -day, in support of the seventh division. When too late, another company -arrived to their assistance; but morning dawned and the odds were too -great; the captain commanding, when in the act of mounting his horse, -was shot through the body, and the French rushed across the bridge. -This was a most extraordinary fight, while the storm was so tremendous -that the musketry could hardly be heard; and neither the French nor -the English army gave an effectual helping hand to their comrades -during this wild contest. - -On the morning of the 1st of September we started from Renteria, to -return to our division, and had only travelled a short distance when -we met and questioned some wounded Spaniards, who gave a very vague -account of the fighting on the preceding day, and all that we could -extract from them was "_Oh! señores mucho combate ayer._" We pursued -the rugged road, and met an English soldier, who told us that there -had been some sharp fighting all along the ridge of the mountains on -the left of the Bidassoa; but he could not inform us whether the enemy -had advanced or retired. This piece of intelligence made it advisable -to keep a sharp look-out. We soon, however, met Lieutenant-Colonel -Gordon, one of the General-in-Chiefs aides-de-camp, who gave us every -information, and told us that the road of communication was now quite -open to Bera. - -Having travelled another league, we arrived, by a wild and crooked -road, at the summit of a mountain covered with oak trees, where we saw -a soldier of our regiment standing by the side of a goatherd's roofless -hut, who told us that his master, Lieut. Folliet, had been mortally -wounded four hours after we had taken leave of him on the previous -day. A body of the enemy had pushed through the forest beyond the left -flank of a brigade of the seventh division, and, rushing furiously -through the wood towards the little detachment with loud shouts, and a -rattling fusillade, had succeeded in scattering these young soldiers. -On entering the hut, we saw the youthful sufferer, deadly pale, lying -on his back, with his uniform, sash, sword and cap, died in blood and -strewed about on the loose stones or rock, which formed the floor of -the miserable hut. On seeing us, he extended his hand, and a momentary -gleam of joy passed across his pallid features, as he mildly informed -us that he was dying from a wound in the abdomen, which had caused -him excruciating torture until mortification had ensued. He was -quite resigned to his fate, and begged that we would not give way to -melancholy, for that he was quite happy, and only hoped we thought he -had done his duty; that the only grief he felt was from not having seen -the regiment, the summit of all his ambition—before he expired. In a -few hours he was no more; and having been enveloped in a blanket, he -was interred under the wide-spreading branches of an oak tree, by the -side of the ruined hut. - -Little at that time did my _three companions_ anticipate that, -before the expiration of three months, two of them would be _buried_ -in regions equally inhospitable. Lieut. Baillie was shot through the -head, Captain Murchison in the groin, and Lieut. James Considine was -dangerously wounded. - -In the evening we rejoined our brigade, which had returned to Santa -Barbara, when we felt considerable pleasure in hearing they had not -been engaged during our five days' absence. - -During the month of September, the enemy worked hard in sawing and -felling timber to form abattis, and in constructing entrenchments. The -right and left of our own army were employed in a similar manner. - -Towards the end of the month, I observed one of my messmates winding -along the crest of the mountain, on his way from England, having -recovered from a terrible wound. Our joy at meeting was very great; his -at finding me still in the land of the living, and mine at seeing an -old friend, whom, when last we parted, I never cherished the hope of -meeting again. - -The baggage being unpacked, his soldier servant, who had accompanied -him, came up with a good-tempered smile; and, while unfolding a dingy -pocket handkerchief, intimated that he had brought me a present from -England. "Well! what is it?" said I, my curiosity being somewhat -excited; but he continued to unfold his offering, wrapped in layers of -paper, without making any express reply, and at length brought forth a -piece of bread, which he had taken from a dinner table in England. This -he handed to me, certainly in a very mouldy state, owing to the length -of the voyage, but the compliment was equally appreciated. I thanked -him for his kind recollection of me, and ate it on the spot. - -On the 6th of October, it was intimated that the enemy were to be -attacked on the following morning; such information, however, made no -difference either in our conversation or reflexions. - -This day Lieut. Fry,[4] of the rifle corps, dined with us. The soup -was made with bullocks' tails; the spiced minced-meat was of bullocks' -heads, and the third course consisted of a bullock's heart. - -Soon after dark an orderly entered the tent, and informed me that -I was ordered to descend into the valley before daylight, with a -reinforcement to the picquet, destined to begin the attack on the -morrow. "Ah, now that is very strange," ejaculated one of the party; -"for last night I dreamed that you (meaning myself) were killed -skirmishing up the opposite mountain." I returned thanks to him for -this pleasant piece of intelligence. - -On reaching the valley, at the appointed hour, before daybreak, I found -the officers of the company in a profound slumber, stretched on the -floor, and the commander lying on a table in a small farm-house; but, -as I had no inclination to sleep, I stirred up the dying embers of the -wood fire, and purposely made so much noise, that I thoroughly aroused -the sleepers into a conversational mood; and one of them announced the -pleasing information, that he could supply us with coffee,—which was -carefully boiled in a pipkin, and which we partook of with considerable -zest, to fortify our stomachs for the morning combat. - -The passage of the river Bidassoa began at daylight, by the extreme -left of the army, personally directed by Field-marshal Wellington. -The fifth division crossed near the mouth of the river, and the first -division began the attack early in the morning. Lord Aylmer's brigade, -and a corps of Spaniards, also forded the river at various places, -covered by some pieces of cannon stationed on the heights of St. -Marzial. Here a sharp contest took place, particularly against the -fifth division, while ascending the steeps, and difficult mountains. -The enemy, being attacked at so many points at once, by the various -fords, were outflanked right and left, and were finally beaten off -this tremendous range of mountains: the fourth division were in reserve -behind Bera, and also deployed on the heights of Santa Barbara, to -support the light division. - -An hour after daylight, the whole of the picquets of the light division -in front of Bera, first began the attack of a detached ridge, called -the Boar's Back, from its jagged summit. It was necessary to carry -this before the division could debouch through the town of Bera, for -the attack of the main position, covered by forts and abattis. The 3rd -rifles began to skirmish up one end of the Boar's Back, and we on the -other; it was only defended by a small body of French troops, and was -speedily carried. - -The second brigade, under Sir John Colborne, began a sharp attack on a -great tongue of the mountain, which sloped down towards Bera; but the -first effort proved unsuccessful against a square fort, which the enemy -held with great resolution, and not only beat off the attack, but in -their turn sallied from the works, and drove, with the bayonet, numbers -of the assailants over the rugged precipices. - -At this critical moment, the 52d regiment, being in reserve, advanced -in column, and bore against the stragglers in such good order, that -they not only pushed them back, but drove them pell-mell into the fort -on one side, and out at the other; in fact, they appeared literally to -walk over the entrenchment. I had an admirable view of this affair from -the top of the rock already carried, and from which it was necessary to -descend before we could ascend the principal ridge. - -The second brigade continued to advance; but the ground was so -difficult, that at every step they met with a severe loss, in killed -and wounded. At the end of three hours, when they had nearly gained the -summit of the mountain, the enemy rolled (from a strong entrenchment) -large stones down upon them, and by this mode of warfare, with a -sprinkling of balls, kept them at bay for a considerable time. - -In the meantime the first brigade, under General Sir James Kempt, had -pushed through Bera to support the skirmishers, who moved parallel, -with the second brigade, or rather branched off by degrees a little to -the right, and engaged the enemy up the mountain leading into France. -The obstacles on each side of the way rendered the mountain fearfully -difficult of ascent; and it was, indeed, so intersected with rocks, -trees, brushwood, and prickly briars, that our hands and limbs were -pierced with thorns, and the trousers were literally torn in shreds -from off our legs. When half way up the mountain, we emerged from the -entangling thicket, fatigued and deluged with perspiration, and found -the enemy plying bullets from a small fort. As soon as a sufficient -number of men could be scraped together, we gained possession of that -post by a charge of the bayonet: from thence we overlooked a very small -field, enclosed by rocks, wherefrom the enemy, consisting of three or -four hundred men, could no longer extricate themselves, and fell into -our hands, or, more properly speaking, were left in a trap, in a valley -between the first and second brigades. These captives may be fairly -ascribed as prisoners to the first brigade, since they were within -point blank of us, and not within a mile of the second brigade, who -did not discharge a single shot at them, but on the contrary had quite -enough to do, independently of that affair, in clearing the ground of -the enemy opposed to them, from whom they took three pieces of cannon, -which were abandoned in the entrenchments. - -After three hours' toil and clambering from rock to rock, we arrived -within two hundred yards of the summit of the _puerta de Bera_, which -was defended by a few hundred of the enemy; the remainder of their -face was extended in order to oppose the second brigade, and to the -right, along the wooded ridge, as far as the rock of la Rhune, distant -about two miles from the extreme right of our division, to oppose the -Spaniards. The rolling of musketry was now incessant on all sides. - -It was here I saw the remarkable death of one of the rifle corps, who -had killed a French soldier, and who, before he had taken his rifle -from the level, received a ball through his body, which caused him -such excruciating agony, that his face was all at once distorted, his -eyes rolled, and his lips, blackened with the biting of cartridges, -convulsively opened. His teeth were tightly clenched; his arms and -legs were thrown into an extended position, and he held out his rifle, -grasped at arm's length, and remained stationary in this extraordinary -attitude for a few moments, until he dropped down dead, as suddenly as -if struck by a flash of lightning. - -As soon as the skirmishers had gained the top of the mountain, Sir -James Kempt rode up amongst the flying bullets, and expressed his -approbation of all that had been done; for the skirmishers alone had -grouped into a compact body, and forced the pass at the point of the -bayonet, and the French were now running in all directions. To attempt -to express our boundless delight at the grandeur and extreme beauty -of the surrounding scenery would be impossible. Behind us lay the -prodigious mountains and gloomy fastnesses of the Pyrenees, whose -rocks, cast in nature's roughest mould, towered one above another as -far as the eye could reach. To the north, the dark blue waters of the -tranquil ocean glittered in the sun beams; and various distant white -sails skirted the remote horizon. Beneath us lay the supposed sacred -fields of France, the towns of Bayonne and St. Jean de Luz, the rivers -Nivelle, Nive, Adour, and innumerable tributary streams, which laced -and meandered near vine-clad hills, through verdant valleys, whose -banks were decorated with a luxuriant foliage; whilst the country was -studded with countless spires of churches and red-topped villages, -chateaux, farm-houses, and rural white cottages, enclosed by gardens, -and shrouded by fruit trees and plantations. - -The Spaniards made several attempts to climb the mountain of la Rhune, -crowned by a tremendous bare rock, which rose in frowning majesty above -their heads. They endeavoured to hide beneath the various shelving -rocks, or behind the forest trees, from the dreadful effects of the -fragments of rock, or loose stones, hurled down upon them by the enemy, -and which bounded with a terrific crash into the deep valleys. - -The General quitted the skirmishers at the top of the _puerta de -Bera_, to bring up the reserves; but our enthusiasm was so great at -the idea of taking possession of French ground, which seemed more than -a compensation for all our Spanish toils, that three hundred of us -descended the pass of the mountain, and pursued the enemy for a league -and a half into France, where, to the left, we could distinguish the -French columns retreating from Hendaye, and various other points, -whence they were driven by the left of our army in the greatest -confusion, and were countermarching round the unfinished batteries -in front of St. Jean de Luz, and, in a hurried manner, pointing -their cannon towards the various roads, and other debouchés leading -respectively to them. - -The various farm-houses were deserted by the inhabitants, who left -their doors wide open, as if to invite the ravenous invaders to help -themselves. Here we spent the day in rural delight, on the top of a -pretty green hill, encircled by orchards, on which we built a hut, -and tied a pocket-handkerchief to a twig by way of a flag, within a -mile of the enemy. A thousand gratifying reflections here arose in our -minds, and enlivened our occupations; while the contented soldiers of -Spain, with arms in their hands, brought us wines, fruits, and other -delicacies, without having committed one outrageous act, or despoiling -the property of the peaceable inhabitants, further than helping -themselves to the excellent rations of goose, turkey and hams, already -cooked, and preserved in hogs' lard; added to which, there was a -plentiful supply of nice soft bread, which afforded us a most excellent -repast. - -The day having closed on this _fête champêtre_, we kindled a few extra -fires, re-formed, and re-trod our way to the top of the pass in time -for supper. The first brigade had taken possession of the boarded -and well-roofed huts, constructed by the French with the utmost -regularity, as if they had anticipated the occupation of them during -the approaching winter. My messmates had already made themselves quite -at home in one of them, and the cook was busily employed in roasting a -nice piece of beef, which had been extracted out of a little cavity, -dug by the late occupier, to keep it fresh and cool, no doubt for some -contemplated feast. While partaking of this delicious _morceau_, we -failed not to remember the original provider, the French officer; while -he, less fortunate, most probably spent the night in a cold bivouac, or -under a gun, in the entrenchments near St. Jean de Luz. - -During the whole night the fatigue parties continued to arrive from -Santa Barbara, with their knapsacks, which had been left there;[5] -and also carrying, in blankets or in bearers, the wretched wounded -soldiers, whom they had discovered, by their groans, amongst chasms, -cavities, or beneath the prickly briars on the broken sides of the -mountains. Many unfortunate soldiers had fallen into deep ravines or -hollows; and their dead bodies were subsequently discovered by those -who accidentally wandered off the beaten tracts amongst these difficult -acclivities. - -The right wing of the army in their turn demonstrated during the combat -of the 7th, guarding the mountains from Echalar to Roncesvalles; while -the left wing, after the combat, held the ridge from the rock of la -Rhune (which the enemy evacuated on the 8th), to the Bay of Biscay; -which totally dispossessed the right of the French army from the -mountains of Commissari, Mandale, and the height of Hendaye. As soon as -the French had evacuated the mountain of la Rhune, the first brigade of -our division moved to its right, and encamped in a forest within half -a mile of its base. The second brigade took our post at the _puerta de -Bera_. - -In the middle of October the weather became cold and dismal, and the -rains poured down in torrents. The Spaniards having seized a fort, in -the French territory, in the valley below the pass of Echalar, the -enemy one night retook it, by a _coup de main_, putting many of the -Spaniards to death before they could recover from their surprise, -or even put on their accoutrements. A desultory skirmish however -continued the whole of the following day by the Spaniards, who seemed -particularly attached to this mode of warfare, although the French -evidently gained ground; which circumstance forced five companies -of our regiment to take post on the rock to prevent the French from -following the Spaniards to the top, and driving them from it. Night put -an end to these _long shots_, and this waste of ammunition. - -Every other day it fell to my lot to ascend this rock on duty, with a -huge telescope slung on my back, to report to the General, in writing, -any movements of the enemy. From this pinnacle their bivouacs might -be seen from right to left. This duty was extremely disagreeable: the -custom was to start at daylight from the saturated camp, attended by -an orderly, and a mule loaded on one side with fire wood, and on the -other with a tea kettle, provisions, and a blanket. La Rhune was bare -and comfortless, and often wrapped for whole days in a chilly mist. On -the east and west it was inaccessible, having only one narrow path -way winding up the south; on the north side it sloped down gradually -towards la Petite la Rhune being composed of tremendous overlapping -slabs of rock, presenting the most desolate aspect. - -One day, while on this duty, I observed a numerous retinue of French -staff-officers emerge from behind la Petite la Rhune, and from their -motions and gestures it was evident that they were examining the most -commanding eminences for the purpose of constructing works for its -defence. The whole of them were in uniform, with large cocked hats,[6] -blue pantaloons, and boots with brown tops. - -Some hundreds of Spaniards[7] were bivouacked round the old ruins of -the hermitage at the top of this mountain, where, for want of good -clothing, and owing to the cold nights, they were in the most miserable -and forlorn state, and had barely a sufficiency of provisions to keep -life and soul together; these necessary comforts were irregularly -served out, and in such small quantities, that the cravings of hunger -were seldom or ever satisfied. When they were fortunate enough to get -a meal, the ceremony of eating it was very curious: the rations for -twenty or thirty men were mixed in a large kettle or cauldron, round -which they formed a circle and approached it, one at a time, from the -right, each dipping in his spoon, and then resuming his original place, -to make the most of it, until it came again to his turn. In this manner -they continued to advance and retire, with the utmost circumspection, -until the whole of it was consumed. Their clothing was ragged and -miserable as their fare: uniforms of all countries and all the colours -of the rainbow, _French chakos_ without peaks, leather and brass -helmets, rusty muskets, and belts which had never been cleaned since in -their possession. Some had old brown cloaks, with empty knapsacks and -hempen sandals, and others were with torn shoes and almost bare-footed. - -At the solitary roll of the drum, they sometimes issued from their -burrows, or cavities of the rocks like so many rabbits. One day while -standing on a large slab of rock like a tomb stone, all at once, to my -surprise, I felt it in motion, and on looking down perceived a slight -smoke issuing from the crevices on each side, and, while stepping -aside, the stone nearly gave way with me; several voices then cried out -from below: "_Demónio, demónio, que quiere usted!_" when, springing -off the ricketty foundation, to my astonishment, the slab was slowly -lifted up on the heads of a dozen Spaniards, who were crouching in the -cave, envelopped in the fumes of _cigarras_ which they smoked to keep -themselves warm, to drive away hunger, and to beguile the tedious hours! - -Before the troops quitted this chilly region, many of the sentinels -were so benumbed with cold, that they fell down with stiffened limbs, -and were obliged to be carried from their posts. - -One day, being as usual on the look out, I saw the French hard at work -in constructing three forts on la Petite la Rhune, which were built -with pieces of rock and loose stones, with incredible labour; and a -long string of the enemy, by single files, reached into the valley -behind the small mountain, and were traversing backwards and forwards -like a swarm of ants, being employed in handing up the stones from one -to the other. - -In the evening another officer and myself were winding beneath the -base of the rock of the great la Rhune, on our return to camp, when a -large stone bounded over our heads, and on looking above, we observed -an officer of our regiment, (who was on picquet,) pushing down the -wall of the old ruin from the summit of the mountain, and calling out -to us, in derision, to keep out of the way. Fortunately we found a -projecting rock, underneath which we screened ourselves from the broken -fragments that came tumbling down with nearly the velocity of cannon -balls, making terrific bounds of two or three hundred yards at a time, -and rolling into the distant valley with a terrible crash. We saw one -piece of rock strike a tree in the forest below, and shiver the trunk -asunder; and in this way our antagonist kept us prisoners until it -was nearly dark, for whenever we made an effort to move, down tumbled -more stones, which obliged us to run back to our hiding place. Having, -at last, effected our escape, we vowed vengeance, and on meeting him -(when relieved from picquet), we got our spears in readiness to put our -threats into execution. These poles or spears we carried in imitation -of the Basque mountaineers, to assist us up the jagged rocks; and, -after long practise, we could throw them twenty or thirty yards with -great velocity, and almost with unerring aim and precision. He reminded -us however, of a circumstance which induced us to let him off, namely, -that a party of us had nearly drowned him in the river Agueda, two -years before. He was a very expert swimmer, but he annoyed those who -went to bathe to such a degree, by splashing them, that one day, when -he was in the middle of the river, we sallied from behind the rocks, on -both banks of the river, encircled him, and gave him such a ducking, -that it was with the utmost difficulty he could reach the shore, after -a lesson which had induced him to behave with more gentleness for the -future. - -During the month of October,[8] our days passed tediously, and we -resorted to the most simple pastimes, whenever the weather would admit -of a ramble. Sometimes we fired with ball at the eagles and vultures; -and at others, chased the herds of wild ponies, which browsed in the -sequestered valleys of the Pyrenees. They were hardly beyond the size -of wolf-dogs, and had wiry coats, and long shaggy manes and tails. It -was astonishing to see these sure-footed little animals, with small -heads and wild eyes, capering, prancing, and darting through the -underwood, and up and down the steep acclivities. - -One day a Spanish soldier brought to our camp a pretty little fat -pony for sale; and after a good deal of bargaining, he sold it to -our mess for twelve dollars. The following morning a Spanish officer -deliberately walked up to the tree, to which our animals were tied, and -to our surprise demanded _his_ pony. We assured him we had purchased -it; but as he declared it had been stolen from him, and had witnesses -at hand to identify the animal, we were obliged to give it up, with the -loss of our twelve dollars, for we knew not where to search for the -_picaro_, or _dispensero mayór_, who had so completely jockied us. It -behoved us to put up with the loss as philosophically as might be. - -While the heavy rains continued, in the beginning of November, we were -obliged to construct wicker-work huts, to save the horses, mules, and -milch goats from perishing during the inclemency of the weather; for -days together our tents were pierced by the heavy rains, and often, -being without candles and other little comforts, in self-defence, we -had to lie down in our damp blankets, to endeavour to pass the tedious -hours of the night. - -Two or three evenings before we broke up our camp for the grand -invasion of France, we were much diverted by the doleful cries of an -_owl_, which had perched itself in the deep recess of an adjacent -valley, and, whenever imitated by us, failed not to return our mockery -in her very best and most plaintive screeches! - -At this time the weather cleared up, and the three-pounders, mountain -guns, passed through our wooded camp. The carriages, guns, ammunition -boxes, and iron balls, were strapped separately on the backs of a -string of powerful mules; and these guns could be, therefore, conveyed -so as to bear on the enemy from cliffs, or craggy elevations. The -sure-footed mules would ascend or descend steeps, dried water-courses, -or crooked goat-tracks; and would pick their steps from rock to rock, -planting their feet cautiously for a good foundation, or a firm hold. - -[Footnote 4: Our friend of the rifle corps was shot through the leg the -next morning.] - -[Footnote 5: The troops always fought with their knapsacks on; and this -is the only time I ever knew them left behind, except when storming -breaches of fortresses, or escalading forts.] - -[Footnote 6: The French army wore very high cocked hats; the English -quite the reverse; the latter was called the Wellington hat.] - -[Footnote 7: General Longa's corps were by far the most miserable of -any I had ever seen in the Spanish service; but, considering they were -doomed to inhabit a cheerless mass of rocks in such attire, I thought -them worthy of description; some of the other Spanish corps were well -dressed; but the whole of the army suffered more or less, owing to an -indifferent supply of rations;—privations which they seemed to bear -with unexampled patience.] - -[Footnote 8: On the 31st of October, the French garrison at Pampeluna -surrendered themselves prisoners of war for want of provisions, which -circumstance now cleared the rear of our army, and enabled it to make -offensive movements.] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - Advance of the light division—Singular nocturnal orgies—Skirmishing - preliminary to the battle of the Nivelle—Details of that - battle—British head-quarters established at St. Jean de Luz—More - skirmishing, and a slight reverse—Combative anecdotes—Advance of - the British line of picquets. - - -On the evening of the 9th of November, the division received orders -to move during the night, for the purpose of taking up its ground -previously to the attack on the enemy's position in France, on the -following morning. The whole of the ample store of ready-cut wood, (a -portion of which had been split up by the officers to keep themselves -in exercise,) was piled up, and a monstrous fire kindled, which soon -burst into a tremendous blaze, throwing a bright glare on the distant -objects moving between the trees of the forest. At the usual hour, the -owl began to utter her notes, and continued her cries longer than -heretofore; all which was construed into something ominous by Lieut. -Baillie, a sinewy young Highlander, who, with an eagle's wings held on -each shoulder, which he had shot with a single ball a few days before, -recited those tragic lines sung by the witches in _Macbeth_, as we -all joined hands and danced around the crackling faggots, and sang in -chorus, which at intervals was intermingled with the screeches of the -aforesaid owl. The flickering and livid glare of the flames, glancing -on the scarlet uniforms, the red sparks flying over the forest, and the -soldiers packing and beating their knapsacks, gave an unusual wildness -to our midnight orgies. - -Before striking our tent, we partook of a comfortable breakfast, after -which we each secured a biscuit, of American manufacture: they were -of a peculiar hardness (nearly an inch thick), so much so, that it -required the stamp of an iron heel, or some hard substance, to break -them. An officer jocularly remarked, while placing one of them under -the breast of his jacket, that it might turn a ball,—which actually -occurred.[9] - -During the darkness we got under arms, and moved silently under the -north-west side of la Rhune, by a narrow pathway, which had been cut -at that point to facilitate the passage of the troops to the destined -point of attack, within a few hundred yards of the enemy's outposts. -We had scarcely taken up our ground, when we perceived the flash of a -cannon, fired by the enemy on the high road to Saint Jean de Luz, and -immediately followed by five others from the same spot. The conclusion -was, that these discharges were fired as a signal; for, soon after, we -heard the martial sounds of the French drums beating to arms, over a -great extent of country, _au petit point du jour_: our eyes anxiously -glanced towards the spot, where we expected to see the second brigade -of the division already formed. But nothing seemed to be under the -rough side of the mountain of Siboure, except slabs of rock, when, -all of a sudden, as if by magic, the whole of the fancied rocks were -in motion; and as the haze gradually cleared away, we could see the -soldiers packing the blankets with which they had covered themselves, -having taken up their ground long before us, as they had had a greater -distance to march. - -The rising of the sun above the horizon was to be the signal for the -battle of the Nivelle to begin; or, if the weather proved cloudy, the -heavy artillery (which had been dragged with great difficulty through -the pass of Echalar,) were to open on the French occupying a fort, -which had been constructed to block up the break of the ridge of the -Pyrenees leading towards the village of Sare, in France. The sky was -free from clouds, and a sharp cold wind whistled through the barren -and cheerless rocks, whilst all eyes were directed towards the east, -watching the inflamed orb of the sun as he rose to view. Our regiment, -under Major W. Napier, then fixed bayonets, and rapidly moved forward -in column to the assault of the three stone forts on the top of la -Petite la Rhune; two companies rushed forward to skirmish, four formed -into line, and four supported in column. The heavy guns opened at the -puerta de Echalar; part of our brigade moved further to the right; the -second brigade scrambled over the rocks, precipices, and ravines, to -take the enemy in reverse; and the mountain guns fired into the forts -from a ledge of ragged grey rocks. - -In a few minutes we reached the summit of the small mountain by a green -slope (not unlike a large breach) within twenty yards of the walls -of the first fort. The soldiers and officers gasped for breath: many -of the former, from the weight of their knapsacks and accoutrements, -staggered and fell, and, before they could recover their limbs, were -pierced with bullets to rise no more; the officers led on in a group -and carried the first fort. The second was then attacked hand to hand, -the French using their bayonets and the butt ends of their pieces; one -of our officers gallantly jumped into the second fort, and a French -soldier thrust a bayonet through his neckhandkerchief, transfixed him -to the wall, and then fired his piece which blew away the officer's -collar, who jumped up unhurt. Another officer, while clambering up the -wall, received a most tremendous blow on the fingers with the butt-end -of a firelock, which made him glad to drop his hold; and we were so -hard pressed, that one or two of the officers seized the dead soldiers' -firelocks and fought with them. Among others, Sir Andrew Barnard of the -rifle corps joined in this hard fight. - -As the enemy rushed out of the second fort, a little athletic man with -red hair eagerly followed a French officer; the Frenchman parried two -of his thrusts, but finding his men giving way, he turned suddenly -round and made off, and the soldier, fearing his prey might escape, -hurled his firelock at him; the bayonet flew through the back of his -body, and he fell heavily on his face with the weight of the musket and -the bayonet still sticking in him. Another French officer, who had -shewn a noble example of heroism, stood on the top of the wall with -both his eyes hanging on his cheeks, with his short cloak flapping in -the wind, and not daring to move from his perilous position, lest he -should tumble headlong down the steep precipice of many hundred feet in -depth. - -The forts being now carried, I seized the hand of an officer to -congratulate him on his escape; the next instant he was down with a -horrible wound, and a ball grazed my left cheek. - -Thus, in ten minutes, six companies assaulted a tremendous post, and -carried three forts at the point of the bayonet. It was one of the best -contested fights I ever saw; but ten officers were killed and wounded, -and nearly a hundred men. General Sir James Kempt, and his gallant -aide-de-camp, the Honourable C. Gore, had urged their horses up the -rocks with hats off, and were cheering us on while carrying the third -fort, when the General was wounded in the wrist of the right arm. - -The four companies in support had moved forward at a moderate pace and -in good order, to succour us in case of need; but finding there was -nothing more to be done at this point, and seeing a line of the enemy -in front of a star fort, a few hundred yards distant, they became wild -with impatience to share in the combat, and simultaneously burst into -a run; and it was only by Sir James Kempt's galloping a-head of them -that he could restrain their ardour. He was well aware the movement of -the second brigade would entirely dispossess the enemy of La Petite la -Rhune without further bloodshed. - -From this post we had an admirable view of the fourth and seventh -divisions, who had succeeded in capturing the fort opposite St. Barbe, -and were now debouching on the rugged ground, and bringing up their -right shoulders in succession to form a line of battle in front of the -ridge of Sare. The second, third, and sixth divisions formed the right, -coming down the pass of Maya. - -The enemy's main position convexed in the centre, and extended about -twelve miles, as the bird flew; but a greater distance to march, owing -to the windings of roads, rivulets, and the steep and barren country -lying towards their centre and left. Their right was posted in front -of Saint Jean de Luz, amid fortified chateaux, farm-houses, villages, -woods, and orchards, converted into formidable abattis, and partly -defended by an inundation, and fifty pieces of heavy artillery. Their -centre rested on the rocky heights of La Petite la Rhune, the ridge of -Sare, and adjacent eminences which were crowned with redoubts. Their -left was stationed on the heights of Ainhoue on the right bank of the -Nivelle, which was also strongly entrenched. - -The extreme left of our army consisted of the first and fifth -divisions, Lord Alymer's brigade, a corps of Spaniards, with artillery -and two brigades of cavalry under General Hope[10] to demonstrate and -to guard the high road to Spain, while the centre and left of the army -were employed in more active operations. - -The firing and rolling of musketry were now vehement to our right -towards the village of Sare. On the first retreat of the enemy, they -had set fire to some hundreds of huts built of fern and wicker work, -near the rocks of St. Antoine, but soon returned with drums beating the -_pas de charge_, to endeavour to retake them from the Spaniards. The -smoke, however, was so dense, owing to the wind blowing direct in their -faces, that they were forced from the contest, more from the heat of -the flames and downright suffocation than the good management of their -antagonists, who, as usual, plied them with long shots. - -As soon as the fourth and seventh divisions were well engaged with the -enemy under General Beresford, aided by the third division moving to -its left, who were combating and driving the enemy up the heights east -of Sare, our division descended from La Petite la Rhune, left in front -for the purpose of attacking the great redoubt in the centre, on the -bare mountain of Esnau, near Ascain. It was defended on all sides by -clouds of skirmishers, engaged with the Caçadores and rifles of our -division. Here Sir Andrew Barnard fell pierced through the body with a -musket-ball amongst the light troops. The rattling of small arms was -incessant and very destructive on the 52nd regiment, under Sir John -Colborne, which suffered a most severe loss while moving round, and to -the rear of the large square redoubt. After some parleying, nearly six -hundred of the 88th French, finding themselves forsaken by their main -body, surrendered prisoners of war; but their commander gave way to the -most bitter invectives. - -After nightfall, the flashes of the fire-arms of General Hill's corps -still brightly sparkled, while driving onwards and making their last -efforts and discharges to decide the victory, and turn the left flank -of the enemy,—which obliged them during the night to evacuate St. -Jean de Luz, and retire to Bayonne, leaving fifty pieces of cannon in -their formidable lines in front of the former place. Field-marshal -Wellington directed the attack of the right of our army against the -left of the French. - -At night some companies of our division were pushed into a valley on -picquet; and at nine we observed the heather of the camp had caught -fire, illuminating the country for miles around, while the men and -animals were seen gliding about, representing a sort of phantasmagoria. -By degrees the fire reached the base of the hill and ignited a small -forest; and two hours after midnight we were encompassed with a sheet -of flames, crackling and whizzing with terrific violence; and the heat -was so overpowering that we were glad to cross a rivulet, to save -ourselves from being consumed by this conflagration. To add to our -night's misery, my companion was groaning from excessive pain caused by -the rap over the knuckles given him while we were storming the forts. - -At ten o'clock on the following day our division edged off to the right -and crossed the Nivelle by a small stone bridge near St. Pé. The whole -army moved forward in three columns, the right marching upon Souraide -and Espelette and taking post on the left bank of the Nive, at Cambo, -Ustaritz, and the vicinity, to watch the enemy on the right bank of -that river; the centre on Arrauntz and Arbonne, and the left crossing -the Nivelle at the town and vicinity of Saint Jean de Luz, and -advancing through Guethary on Bidart, eight miles from Bayonne. In the -afternoon it came on to rain, while we were marching through _le bois -de St. Pé_. The roads were very deep, and we passed the night shivering -and wallowing in the grass and mud of a saturated plantation. - -The head quarters of the general-in-chief were now established at -Saint Jean de Luz, an old town situated on the right bank of the river -Nivelle, and within a few hundred yards of the sea coast. Through -this town the high road runs from Spain to Bayonne, the latter place -being strongly fortified and situated at the junction of the Nive with -the Adour. The enemy occupied the farm-houses and villas three miles -in front of the fortress. A morass, which was only passable at two -places covered an entrenched camp which was within cannon shot of the -ramparts of Bayonne. The left of our army fronted the enemy, forming a -line amidst chateaux, farm-houses, woods, heaths, plantations, hedges, -swamps and ditches, as far as the sea-coast, the right being thrown -back towards Ustaritz and Cambo, facing the French who lined the -right bank of the Nive, as far as St. Jean Pied de Port. With the sea -therefore on our left, the river Adour and Bayonne in our front, the -river Nive on our right, and the lofty mountains of the Pyrenees at -our backs—it may fairly be said that the army were in a _cul de sac_. -The great strength of this frontier seems, particularly during the -winter, hardly to be understood; for beyond the river Nive many rapid -rivers cut across, and intersect the muddy country and clayey roads, so -as to make offensive operations very difficult. - -The advanced posts of our first brigade were in a church behind the -village of Arcangues, at a château two hundred yards east of it, and -at a cottage half a mile further to the right, situated close to a -lake, on the other side of which was the château of Chenie, on a rising -ground, and enclosed by the small plantation of Berriots, through which -a road runs towards Ustaritz. The second brigade prolonged their line -towards a deep valley which separated them from the fifth division, -holding the plateau, in the neighbourhood of a château on the high road -to Bayonne, six or seven miles in front of St. Jean de Luz. - -On the 23rd of November, it was deemed advisable to make some -alteration in our line of posts; accordingly our first brigade formed -at the château behind the village of Arcangues, and four companies -of our regiment advanced to execute the mission entrusted to them; -but, being led on by too great ardor, we came in front of a large -farm-house, strongly entrenched near Bassussarry. Here the musketry -was plied on both sides with unusual vivacity. Having pushed through a -small plantation to our left of the fortified house, we found ourselves -within twenty yards of it. A brave soldier sprang forward before he -could be restrained, and, levelling his piece, cried out, "I have been -at the storming of Rodrigo, Badajoz, and Saint Sebastian; there is no -ball made for me[11]." As soon as he had fired, he fell dead, pierced -with numerous bullets through his head and body. - -This was _indeed_ a skirmish; for in a very short time we lost ninety -men killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. A brave young officer[12] -seeing things going hard (and hearing the advance sounded) rushed -across a field to our left, sword in hand, and, outstripping the -company, when close to the enemy, who were formed behind a ditch, was -shot through the head, and tumbled into it a lifeless corpse. The -officer commanding the company jumped into it, and caught him in his -arms; twenty soldiers had also followed and tried to clamber the wet -clayey bank, but could neither do that nor extricate themselves from -this awkward position. Overwhelmed by numbers, they were obliged to -surrender themselves prisoners, as well as the commander[13] of the -company, whose uniform was streaming with blood, while he was still -supporting the dead lieutenant in his arms. We also were so near the -enemy that I was obliged to give orders, in an under tone, for the men -to cease firing, as the French threw twenty bullets to one. Fortunately -the small trees were so thickly set, they could not distinguish us, -and ceased firing, but we could distinctly see them leaning carelessly -over a wall. While they were chattering away, I passed the word to -our soldiers who were lying concealed amongst the small trees, and -underwood, that when I should hold up my pocket handkerchief as a -signal, a volley was to be fired. This took full effect. - -A sergeant of ours was lying on his breast, and had scarcely taken -his fusee from the level, when a ball passed in at the centre of his -forehead. He instantly rolled on his back, groaned heavily, and kicked -out his legs, covering the spot with a liquid stream of blood. Sir -James Kempt, ever first in the fight and last out of it, having taken -his station at a house within musket-range, had now ordered a bugler to -sound the "retire," after two hours' fighting; and it was quite time, -for all the companies engaged had sustained a sad loss in killed and -_hors de combat_. - -Now came the difficulty—and how to get away without being seen. -Fortunately we found a pathway shrouded by small trees, which we -passed by single files, without uttering a word. On clearing it, -to say that we did not feel glad would be a piece of unnecessary -affectation. The men were covered with mud and sweat, and their faces -and hands blackened by the biting of cartridges; and scarcely a round -of ammunition remained in the pouches. The sergeant, who had been -rather dragged than carried out of the wood, was lying on his back and -still alive, with his eyes closed, perfectly black, and swelled up as -large as a couple of cricket balls; he was frothing at the mouth, and -presenting a horrible sight. The balls were again whizzing past our -ears, and while spreading the blanket out of his knapsack over his -trembling and agitated body, one of the soldiers said "He cannot live -long," when, strange to relate, he raised his arm and waved a pocket -handkerchief crimsoned with gore which he held in his hand! - -An officer full of ardor came forward from the regiment to cover some -of the skirmishers on the left; but he was soon shot through the leg, -and the sergeant major into the bargain. The latter was a fine comely -handsome man of about fourteen stone weight, who was now mounted on a -soldier's back with his sword drawn, swearing all the oaths he could -muster; and the sight was so ludicrous, that we were all convulsed with -laughter, to see the two heroes, who had come quite fresh to cover our -retreat, carried off the field in so droll a manner,—while now and -then a stray bullet whistled through the air, by way of a hint that it -was no joke. - -Our line of picquets was now advanced; which, I am quite confident, -might have been accomplished without a shot being fired. In the evening -we returned to the village of Arbonne with keen appetites, and heartily -glad to wash the dirt and mire from off our hands and faces. - -[Footnote 9: A musket-ball perforated the biscuit, which caused the -bullet, after passing under the fleshy part of the breast, and round -the ribs, to glance off and pierce quite through the thick part of the -left arm.] - -[Footnote 10: General Graham having gone to Holland, to take the -command of a separate British force in that country.] - -[Footnote 11: This man, made use of similar expressions, while storming -the forts on the 10th of November.] - -[Footnote 12: This is the officer who repeated the tragic lines in -Macbeth, while dancing round the fire the night before the battle of -the Nivelle, thirteen days before.] - -[Footnote 13: He was made prisoner while travelling through France on -his way to Verdun, his carriage was surrounded by a party of Cossacks, -who were going to pike him, when he luckily made himself understood; -then being conducted to the allied army, he was most kindly treated and -instantly liberated.] - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - Tolerable quarters—Beguiling of time on picquet duty—The - army again in motion—A critical position—French cunning, and - occasional politeness—Skirmishing affairs preceding the battle of - the Nive—Details of that engagement—Its advantageous consequences - to our army—Acts of complaisance between the vanguards of the - opposed forces—Christmas festivities. - - -The weather continued variable, intermixed with cold winds, sleet, and -heavy rains. However, as we were pretty well housed, the hardships of -other campaigns ceased, for we had no longer fatiguing marches, the -rations were regularly served out, and, as long as our money lasted, -the hordes of congregated suttlers at Saint Jean de Luz supplied us -in abundance with every article of domestic comfort. When on picquet, -our time was occupied chattering with the peasantry, a sort of -_demi-basque_ tribe. They had no decided costume: the females twisted -striped handkerchiefs of various patterns round their heads according -to the French custom, and wore wooden shoes or _sabots_,—an article -well adapted to keep out the mud in the execrable roads of this country. - -On the 9th of December the army was put in motion, and the second -division forded the river near Cambo, with little opposition from the -enemy. Our division advanced against the French in front of Bassussary, -and drove in some of their picquets; while the left under General -Hope advanced on the road leading from St. Jean de Luz, nearly up -to the entrenched camp in front of Bayonne. During the whole day a -good deal of desultory skirmishing took place, and our army formed a -sort of half-circle, the river Nive cutting through the right centre, -which made the distance from right to left at least twenty miles, by -roads scarcely passable. Towards evening the left of the army retired -to their former line of picquets, and the main body to Saint Jean -de Luz and its environs; but our division kept its ground more than -half a mile in front of the village of Arcangues. The enemy seemed -determined not to quit the fortified house near the little bridge, -or Pont d'Urdains, and as we passed north of it, we had overlooked -its enclosure, occupied by a French brigade, congregated in a noisy -assemblage, while their rations were served out. Apprehensive that -the sight of the loaves and wine casks might excite us to desperate -expedients, one or two hundred of the enemy's tirailleurs extended -themselves, and advanced, without much firing, to clear the ground. - -After dark our sentinels were withdrawn, for the purpose of taking post -on our original picquet ground. The company I commanded held a small -promontory, or tongue of land, which jutted out considerably beyond all -the other line of picquets; and, without doubt, was a most precarious -post, as neither flank was secure: and the sentinels were planted on a -half-circle, to shield the main body of the picquet. Notwithstanding -the ground was so disadvantageous, it was necessary to hold it, as it -commanded the debouché of the road from Bayonne by Bassussary. During -the night we heard confused sounds, like the rumbling of artillery, -intermixed with a good deal of hallooing and barking of dogs; but two -hours before daybreak all the sounds died away, and every thing was -hushed and tranquil. The suspicion, however, of the field officer of -the picquets was awakened, and he ordered me to feel my way towards -the house of Oyhenart usually held by the French, to ascertain whether -they had taken up the ground from which they had been driven on the -previous day. Four soldiers accompanied me, but, as good luck would -have it, I could not pass the abattis, composed of trees, which had -been cut down to stop up the broad road, and to cover our picquet-house. - -We then crossed into a field, and, stealing along close to the right -of the road, as cautiously as possible, waited the French sentinels' -well-known _qui vive_. Suddenly I felt the serjeant pulling at the -skirts of my jacket, (for I had thrown off my cloak as an incumbrance,) -and he whispered me to cast my eyes to the left, where I saw about -a dozen Frenchmen, within six yards of us, gliding along the road -towards our _abattis_, I think, without shoes, for they did not make -the least noise. A small hedge screened us; the serjeant was about to -fire, but I put his fusee down with my hand, and we all squatted in -the mud, anxiously awaiting the result. Time hung on leaden wings, -and they were almost entangled in the branches of the felled trees -before our sentry discovered and challenged them; but not being -quite certain of the cause of the slight noise, he did not fire, and -presently these grey-coated phantom-looking figures came running past -us, with noiseless footsteps: we then made good haste back, having -been, according to our calculation, within ten or twelve yards of their -sentry, who was usually planted behind a hedge which flanked their -picquet-house, distant from ours two hundred yards. - -At daybreak, on the 10th December, we perceived the advance of the -enemy within one hundred yards of our picquet, loitering about as -usual, without any outward display of any thing extraordinary going -on, or any signs indicating that they were about to assume offensive -movements. At eight o'clock, Sir James Kempt came to my picquet-house, -and, having seated himself by the fire, the assembled party consisted -of Lieut. Col. Beckwith (a staff officer) of the Rifle Corps, Lieut. -Col. William Napier, Major Sir John Tylden, Lieut. Maclean[14], and -the Honorable C. Monck, of our regiment, who all entered into an -indifferent conversation, without contemplating that an attack was -meditated by the enemy. Lieut. Col. Napier remarked, that he thought -the French loiterers seemed very busy, which induced us to approach the -window, which commanded a full view of the enemy's picquet-house, and -having looked at them some time, without seeing the cause of alarm, -some of the party burst into a loud laugh, and declared that it was -only Napier's fancy; but he still persisted, and would not give up -his point, saying, that he had seen them very often before, in a like -manner, walking off by ones and twos, to assemble at given points, -before making some rapid and simultaneous assault; and, sure enough, -before the expiration of half an hour, these ones and twos increased -considerably all along the hedges. - -Although Sir James Kempt was always on the alert, (no general could -be more so,) still he persisted that nothing would take place, and -ordered the first brigade to return to its quarters at Arbonne, a -distance of more than two miles, and over a very bad road. Lieut.-Col. -Beckwith remarked, that he now agreed that the French seemed to be -eyeing the post, and advised Sir James to rescind the order, as it -would be better to conceal the troops, and to wait until the enemy -should develope their intentions. The field-officer rode off to warn -the other companies in advance to be in readiness. These were formed -disadvantageously, on a gentle concave acclivity, which could not be -helped, from the nature and shape of the country. - -Lieut.-Col. Beckwith alone remained, and, before he rode off, walked -round the sentinels with me, as I was ordered to defend the post, -should the enemy come on, to oblige them fully to develope their -intentions. Shortly after this, one of the sentinels stationed on the -most rising ground, turned his back to the French and beckoned me. On -my reaching his post, he informed me that he had seen a mountain-gun -brought on a mule's back, and placed behind a bush. In a few minutes -the Duke of Dalmatia, with about forty staff officers, came within -point-blank range of my picquet to reconnoitre the ground. During this -interval, I fancied that I could hear the buzz of voices behind a -small hillock, and, on clambering a fruit-tree near my picquet-house, -I could just descry a column of the enemy lying down, in readiness to -pounce on us. There being no longer any doubt that they were about to -attack, I instantly mounted my horse, (leaving the company in charge -of the next senior officer,) and rode at full speed in search of the -general, whom I met within a quarter of a mile, and told him there -would be a general action fought that day, and there was no time to be -lost. Sir James Kempt ordered me to send a mounted officer from the -picquet to Gen. Baron C. Alten, and to be sure not to begin the firing -until the very last moment. He sent also the greater part of another -company to my assistance. In two or three minutes after I had returned -to the picquet, some French soldiers, headed by an officer, issued from -behind the hedges, and moved round our left flank, within one hundred -yards. The officer naturally thought we should fire at him; therefore, -to feign indifference, he placed his telescope to his eye, looked -carelessly about in all directions, and made a bow to us. Further to -the left, we could also see a body of French cavalry debouching from -the small thicket of la Bourdique, three miles distant, near the great -Bayonne road. - -The French soldiers, witnessing our civility to their small party, were -determined not to be outdone in _politesse_, and called out to our -sentinels to retire, in French and Spanish. At half-past nine o'clock, -A. M., the enemy's skirmishers, in groups, came forward in a careless -manner, talking to each other, and good-naturedly allowed our sentinels -to retire without firing on them. They imagined, from their superiority -of numbers, to gain this post by a _coup de main_; and the more -effectually by this means to surprise, if possible, the whole line of -outposts. However, when they were within twenty yards of our abattis, -I said, "Now fire away."[15] The first discharge did great execution. -These were the first shots fired, and the beginning of the battle of -the _Nive_. The enemy then debouched from behind the thickets in -crowds; our flanks were turned right and left, and the brisk French -voltigeurs rushed impetuously forward, (covered by two mountain-guns,) -blowing their trumpets, and shouting "_En avant, en avant Français; -vive l'Empereur!_" - -The atmosphere was clouded, and the bright flashing and pelting of -musketry sprang up with amazing rapidity. One of our companies, having -held its ground too long in front of the village of Arcangues, was -surrounded. The officer commanding it, asked the soldiers if they would -charge to the rear, and they rushed into the village with such a loud -huzza, that an officer commanding a French regiment was so surprised at -their sudden appearance, as to halt the column for a few moments; and -the fugitives sprang across the single street and escaped. - -Two battalions of the rifle corps being formed in columns of grand -divisions, or single companies, behind the various houses, developed -their skirmishers in admirable order, and fought in and round the -scattered houses of Chau with great skill. So close was the combat, -that Lieut. Hopwood and a serjeant of the rifle corps, were both shot -through the head by a single Frenchman putting the muzzle of his piece -quite close to them, while they were engaged with others in front. - -In the meantime the whole of our picquets now ceased firing and -retired leisurely, unengaged, took their station with the rest of the -regiment, and formed in a churchyard, on our main position, more than -half a mile behind the village of Arcangues,[16] a sort of neutral -post for reserve picquets; but the village was not entrenched, was not -intended to be defended, and formed no part of our main position, owing -to the ground on both flanks of it being badly adapted for defence. The -isolated church and the château called Arcangues, have been the cause -of those numerous mistakes made relatively to the distant village of -that name being the supposed scene of a severe conflict. The rest of -the brigade already lined the breastwork of a château, two hundred -yards to the right. - -After a protracted struggle the rifle corps retired, and formed on -the position marked out for defence, but left a number of skirmishers -behind some stone walls, at the bottom of the slope, from which the -enemy could never dislodge them, owing to our overpowering fire from -the high ground. - -The second brigade was now sharply engaged, having been in echelon to -our left and obliquely to the rear, following the undulating nature of -the ground. The plateau of Arcangues and Bassussarry being gained by -the enemy, now became the pivot of the French marshal's operations, -which enabled his right wing to attack the fifth division, on the high -road to St. Jean de Luz, where there was some very hard fighting, in -front of the batteries; and it was some hours before the first division -and Lord Aylmer's brigade could come to their assistance, these troops -having been peaceably in their quarters, and far to the rear, when this -sudden irruption took place. The enemy's attack ceased opposite to us, -with the exception of a firing of artillery within about a thousand -yards, which continued to play into the churchyard, and knocked about -the tombstones during the greater part of the day. In one spot a small -green mound was carried away, and also the lid of an infant's coffin, -leaving the putrid remains of the child exposed to view. However, we -kept up an incessant discharge of small-arms, which so annoyed the -French gunners, that, during the latter part of the day, they ceased to -molest us. The walls of the stone church were cannon-proof; I saw many -balls break large pieces out of the edifice, and fall harmlessly on -the sod. - -The assembled enemy on the neighbouring heights seemed now to meditate -an assault. Two companies lined the interior of the building, the -windows of which were surrounded with wooden galleries; water was -taken into the church, and a strong traverse was erected opposite the -door, so that, if by any accident the enemy had attacked and gained -possession of it, the fire from the galleries would have driven them -out again. - -The rest of the battalion were stationed behind a stone-wall, which -encircled the churchyard, and in reserve behind the edifice, ready to -make a charge of bayonets should the enemy succeed in breaking through -this enclosure. Their advance were stationed behind a house, within two -hundred yards of us, covered by their cannon at the brow of the hill, -while we only possessed two mountain three-pounders, which were placed -to the left of the church, to fire down a narrow lane which threatened -our left flank. For some days previously, trifling working parties -had been employed, of twenty or thirty men, in cutting down a small -plantation in front of the church, which was so intersected by the -trees entangled together, that the enemy never could have penetrated -them; but the other entrenchments consisted of a few shovels of earth, -negligently thrown up, which the French voltigeurs might have hopped -over; and as for flank defences, they seemed not to have been thought of. - -At about one o'clock, P. M., the fourth division came to our support, -and crowned a hill six hundred yards behind the château occupied by the -rifle corps. - -During the night the whole of our regiment were hard at work, in -throwing up a formidable battery in front of the churchyard, and -before morning it was finished, with embrasures, regular _épaulements_, -(filled up with small bushes, to make the enemy believe that it was a -masked battery,) and traverses. Both our flanks were secured by felled -trees, strewed about, and even at the back of the burial-ground, which -was now impregnable against any sudden assault; nor do I believe six -thousand men could have taken it. So much for the ingenuity of infantry -soldiers, with their spades, shovels, pickaxes, bill-hooks, and -hatchets. - -On the 11th, it was supposed that the Duke of Dalmatia intended -to break the centre, by advancing against the church and château, -(commonly called Arcangues); accordingly General Hope detached the -right part of his force nearer to the left of our division; but the -enemy again attacked, and obliged him to resume his original ground, -where there was a good deal of firing, and many brave men fell on -both sides, without any decided result. During this day, although the -French advance was quite close to us, there was no firing; and we -industriously profited by every moment of tranquillity to strengthen -our position. At this juncture, two battalions of Nassau troops -deserted into the British lines. - -On the 12th, a fusillade on the left continued the greater part of -the day; every now and then there was a cessation of small-arms; -then a sudden rush and burst of firing, and so on. On calling the -roll in the afternoon, a dozen men of our regiment were missing, and -an officer being sent with a patrole to a small house enclosed in -an apple-orchard, he found the enemy's soldiers and our men mixed -together, in a room full of apples. The French soldiers, considering -themselves prisoners, brought forth the whole of their apples as a -peace offering to the officer, who merely pointed to the door, from -whence they effected their escape; while, on the other hand, the -culprits belonging to us were brought back, with downcast heads, and -their haversacks crammed with apples. - -In the evening the enemy formed a strong mass of troops, within -cannon range, and in front of our second brigade, but made no further -movement; while those opposite to us were employed in throwing up -the earth, as if to construct batteries. During the night, some of -the rifle corps on picquet, being close to the French, observed, by -the reflection of a bright fire, about thirty stand of the enemy's -firelocks piled in front of their picquet-house, which the rifles -determined to possess themselves of, and darted forward with such -rapidity that the French sentinel had only time to discharge his piece -and run away. The rest of the picquet bolted the front, and escaped, -without arms, by the back door. - -On the 13th, in the morning, it was found that the French Marshal had -disappeared from our front, and during the night had again marched in -a half-circle through Bayonne, for the purpose of attacking the second -division before sufficient support or assistance could be given them, -finding the three previous days' fighting and demonstrations had failed -to force the lines, or oblige Field Marshal Wellington to withdraw his -right flank from the right bank of the Nive. - -The sixth and third divisions supported the right of the army; the -fourth division the centre; and the seventh the left centre: these -four divisions being in reserve, and occasionally in motion towards -those points threatened. - -The company I commanded was again for outpost duty, at the identical -spot which we had been driven from. We relieved a company of the -rifle corps which had felt its way, _au point du jour_, to our old -picquet-house. The officer whom I relieved, in a merry mood, bade -us good morning, and pointed, at the same time, towards the French -infantry, with knapsacks on, bayonets fixed, and aided by a squadron -of hussars. The old _abattis_ had been entirely removed, and as it was -quite uncertain at what moment the enemy might make a forward movement, -I ordered another abattis to be constructed at the turn of the road; -and I never saw the men work with better humour. In a few minutes a -sufficient number of trees were cut down, and collected, to stop any -sudden ebullition of the cavalry; it would have been any thing but -agreeable to be attacked on both flanks, while the dragoons charged up -the road. - -This little defence was barely finished, when some straggling shots -took place in front of General Hill's corps, occupying a concave -position of about four miles in extent, between the rivers Adour -and Nive; the right centre occupying the village of St. Jean vieux -Monguerre. The day was fine, and in a short time the white smoke -ascended in clouds, amidst peals of musketry, and the rapid and -well-served artillery. The battle was well contested on both sides, -and there was no break in the musketry. Both bodies fought as if this -struggle was to wind up, in brilliant style, the battle of the Nive. -As fast as the grape-shot mowed down, and split the enemy's columns, -they again closed up, and strenuously endeavoured to break through the -brave lines of the second division, who repulsed all their attacks, and -crowned the day by forcing the enemy into their entrenchments with such -decision, that they no more resumed the offensive, nor was the army -further disturbed by petty affairs. - -The right of the French army now confined itself to the usual outposts -in front of Bayonne; its right centre extended on the right of the -Adour to Port de Lanne, and its left flank on the right bank of the -river Bidouze, and their cavalry filled up the intermediate country as -far as the small fortress of Saint Jean Pied de Port, which position -embraced our army, and formed two sides of a square,—our right face -being on the river Joyeuse, and supported by the light cavalry. - -Various acts of complaisance now passed between the vanguards of the -hostile armies. A lady from Bayonne, with a skipping poodle dog, one -day came to see _les habits rouges of les Anglais_; and while she was -going through those little elegancies, so peculiarly characteristic -of the French, the poodle dog came towards us, and from an over -officiousness, some of the French soldiers whistled to keep it within -bounds, which so frightened the little creature, that at full speed it -entered our lines, and crouched at our feet. Without a moment's delay -we sent it back by a soldier to its anxious mistress, who was highly -delighted, and with her own delicate hand presented a goblet of wine to -the man, who, with an unceremonious nod, quaffed the delicious beverage -to the dregs, touched his cap, and rejoined us, with a pipe in his -mouth and a store of tobacco,—the latter having been presented to him -by the French soldiers. - -With the exception of a trifling change of quarters, and a few other -occurrences, the year closed without any thing to interrupt our -little Christmas festivities, which were always kept in due form. On -Christmas-day I was on picquet, but we partook of the usual fare, and -some mulled wine, with as much tranquillity as if afar removed from -hostile alarms. Just before dark, while passing a corporal's picquet, -an officer and myself stood for a few minutes, to contemplate a poor -woman, who had brought her little pudding, and her child, from her -distant quarters, to partake of it with her husband, by the side of a -small fire kindled under a tree. - -[Footnote 14: Now Captain Maclean.] - -[Footnote 15: Probably such a word of command may astonish _some -adjutant-major_, but I give it as it occurred: in rough ground, in -rough times, and in a rough country, such expedients are resorted to in -war.] - -[Footnote 16: On assembling in the churchyard behind Arcangues, an -athletic soldier of this company being without his knapsack, told -us, that while passing through the village three French soldiers had -surrounded him, and one had hold of his collar; but he throwing his -knapsack on the ground, knocked one man down, and the others seized his -knapsack, and by this means he effected his escape.] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - An unproductive alarm—The Duke d'Angoulême visits the British - army—Orders received by the Duke of Dalmatia—General position - of Napoleon's affairs—The author visits Bera on leave of - absence—Remarks on the mischiefs committed by camp followers—A - scene for contemplation—The author's friends at Bera—Love - inimical to harmony—Return to quarters—Movements for penetrating - into the interior of France—The author's regiment enters St. - Palais, crosses the Gave, and passes through Sauveterre to Orthes. - - -On the 3rd of January, 1814, a slight affair took place on the river -Joyeuse, which caused the army to be put in motion. Our division -crossed the Nive by the bridge of Ustaritz, made a day's march -and encamped; but nothing further of consequence taking place, we -repassed the left of the river, and resumed our old cantonments, in -the scattered villas, farm-houses, and cottages about the village of -Arrauntz. During this month the Duke d'Angoulême took up his abode -with the British army at St. Jean de Luz. - -The Duke of Dalmatia received an order to detach from Bayonne a -large portion of his force of cavalry, artillery and infantry to the -succour of Napoleon, who, since his disastrous campaign in Russia, had -slowly retrograded through Germany, and after fighting many mighty -battles, had been forced to recross the Rhine into France, and was now -endeavouring with skeleton numbers, by a series of skilful manœuvres, -combats and diplomacy, to preserve the throne against a host of -invaders directed personally by the three crowned heads of Europe, -whose banners were at last nailed together and threatening _la ville -de Paris_. There Maria-Louisa, with her infant son by her side, was -issuing bulletins announcing the partial successes gained by Napoleon -her husband, over the troops of her father, the Emperor Francis of -Austria, the Czar of Russia, and the King of Prussia. Such was the -state of events at this momentous epoch—Great Britain still continuing -the focus of resistance, and straining every nerve to keep the Holy -Alliance unanimous. - -The weather now became very severe, and as some reports were circulated -that there was a probability of the British army advancing into the -interior of France, I obtained a few days' leave for the purpose of -visiting my wounded friends at Bera; and accordingly I set off in the -direction of Saint Jean de Luz. A severe frost had hardened the roads, -and the ground was covered with snow, but I had scarcely travelled -a league, when I heard an independent firing towards Bayonne, which -almost induced me to return, under the apprehension, that some portion -of the army were engaged; but, on reaching a more elevated hill, I -found that none of the troops were in motion, and it afterwards turned -out to be the young French conscripts practising at targets. On this -open heath, signal posts were erected, to communicate with the right -of the army, on the right bank of the Nive. Batteries were thrown up a -few miles in front of Saint Jean de Luz, to cover that town on the high -road from Bayonne. They appeared strong and well finished. - -The narrow and dirty streets of Saint Jean de Luz presented a gloomy -aspect, being filled with muleteers, cars loaded with biscuit-bags, -bullocks, rum-casks, ammunition, idlers, and all the disagreeable -incumbrances attached to the rear of an army. As I passed along the -high road, I felt exceedingly surprised at the numerous delapidated -houses, and empty chateaux, with the orchards and all the fruit -trees cut down and converted into _abattis_, which had been done -by the French army; but every article that had been left by them in -good order, the followers of our army had ransacked. How often do -the soldiers of armies bear the odium of enormities and plunderings, -committed most frequently by the non-combatant wolves in the shape of -men, whose crimes are of such long standing, and so frequently executed -(under the cloak of night, or under the mask of hypocrisy), that at -last no atrocity is too heinous for so cowardly a banditti to commit. -They devour the rations on their way to the hungry army: they steal the -officers' horses: they extort exorbitant prices for small articles, -which they have stolen from the peaceful inhabitants: they strip -the deserted and expiring wounded on the field of battle, and would -willingly sell their bodies, could they find purchasers. - -Having jogged along some miles, amongst this horde of scattered -ruffians, I came to the narrow road turning off to the left, which -leads across the mountains to the town of Bera; and towards evening -I reached, with difficulty, the summit of the contracted pass, -narrowed by the drifted, and frozen snow. Here I stopped for a few -minutes, (notwithstanding the piercing coldness of the frosty air) to -contemplate the town of Bera, and the scattered _quintas_ embosomed -in the valley, now wrapped in a _death-like stillness_, and covered, -as well as the surrounding mountains, with snow. The brittle branches -of the trees were stiffened, fringed, and sparkling with icicles. A -few short months had produced a great change! When last I had been -at this spot, the foliage was tinted with an autumnal hue, and red -lines of soldiers, were formed there, their silken and embroidered -ensigns waving, and their bright arms gleaming in the rays of the -sun, the craggy heights bristled with bayonets, the drums beating, -the merry bugle horns echoing throughout the winding vallies: every -eminence was crowned with curling smoke, the vivid firing of small -arms, or the occasional flash of the cannon, reverberating amid the -forests in hollow caves, broken chasms, and fissures of the granite -rock,—producing sounds afar off, like the rumbling of distant -thunder,—and altogether giving an inconceivable life, and animation to -the scenery. - -On my descending from this pinnacle, to make my way down the side of -the mountain, the road was so blocked up with snow, the narrow pathway -in, the middle so slippery, and the foot-hold so uncertain, that I -could hardly keep myself on my legs, or the animal on its own; and, -resting every now and then, I did not reach the solitary and deserted -street of the town, until an hour and a half after nightfall. - -When opposite to the porch of the well known Casa, (that of the -before-mentioned Spanish family), although shivering and benumbed with -cold, I hesitated to knock for admittance. All was dark and silent; -no lights issued from the casement, nor was the sound of any voice to -be heard from within. In this short interval, many conjectures rushed -across my mind; my friends might be gone to some distant town; the -former hospitable inmates might no longer inhabit its gloomy walls, -it might be occupied with strangers, or be the sanctuary of the dead. -With such dismal forebodings, I gave a thundering rap; the massive -door was opened by a soldier, holding a little iron lamp in his hand, -(filled with _aceyte_, and having a small wick burning at the spout) -which cast a faint glimmering light across the out lines of my cloak, -and wiry-haired steed, covered with slakes of snow. Without waiting -for any explanation, the man was hastily closing the door, while -lustily calling out, "There is no room here, this house is full of -wounded officers;" but on making myself known, the portal was thrown -back on its hinges; lights appeared at the top of the stairs, and the -voices of my friends joyfully greeted my arrival. In the midst of our -embracings, "Take care of my side," said one of them, (still hugging -me), "for it has sloughed away, and you shall see my bare ribs anon." -Another was stretched on his pallet, from which he had not risen for -upwards of two months, but was slowly recovering under the soothing -attention, and gentle hand of la Señorita Ventura. The former had made -too free with the roseate wine at Christmas, which had caused his wound -to break out anew, leaving his ribs quite bare of flesh for the space -of six inches in diameter; but they were both in excellent spirits—the -_braceiro_ was replenished with ruddy embers, and placed at my feet, -and a hot dinner speedily served up, with a bottle of sparkling wine -to solace and comfort my inside, after my freezing journey. Over this -we recounted all that had passed since our separation at the battle of -the Nivelle. I described fresh battles, and combats, and they all the -torments they had endured while slowly carried two leagues in blankets -up and down the rocks and mountains, or on the verge of terrific -precipices, in momentary dread that those supporting them might slip, -and let them fall on the jagged and naked rocks. Before I retired to -rest, I paid a visit to a young officer of the 52nd regiment, who -occupied a room at the upper part of the house; he was suffering -dreadfully, and dying from a wound which he had received in the groin. - -The following day, Captain Smith of the 20th regiment dined with us, -who came from the neighbourhood of Roncesvalles, bringing in his train -a coffin, and having performed a pilgrimage, through the intricacies -of the mountains at this inclement season of the year, in search of a -friend, who had been killed in that neighbourhood five months before. -Three or four days passed in this manner, when a trifling circumstance -broke up our sociable conviviality. The last evening, as we were -seated round the _braceiro_, I was engaged in an agreeable tête-à-tête -with _la Señorita Ventura_ which seriously affected one of my wounded -friends, who was deeply enamoured of her; he continued, however, to -smother his anguish for a short time, and the strangeness of his -manner, left little doubt on my mind that an excuse would only make bad -worse, on so delicate a subject. I therefore announced the intention of -taking my departure on the following morning. One of them held me by -the collar, and declared I should not go, as I had introduced them to -the family, and that any jealous feeling was the height of ingratitude; -however, the blow was so injurious to my friend's vanity or love, that -he could not endure my presence for another evening; twice, by such -introductions, I had almost saved his life, yet he could not forgive, -although an excellent fellow. Such is all-powerful love! - -Having bidden adieu, myself and a friend of the rifles (who had been -to Bera to see his wounded brother) repassed Saint-Jean de Luz, and -soon after alighted at the quarters of a commissary, who had formerly -belonged to the light division. While we were partaking of some -refreshment, he asked us whether the division had not been surprised -on the 10th of the last December; when told to the contrary, he -assured us that it was generally supposed to be the case, and he was -exceedingly glad to hear it contradicted, feeling an interest in all -that concerned the welfare of the division, for he had made his _débút_ -with it. Before leaving the main road, the same questions were put to -us in another quarter, by an officer who had been previously in our -own corps; which will give a faint idea how rapidly evil and malicious -reports fly; and so evil a one as this I had seldom known hatched. -However, looking to the front, we only fancied ourselves on the high -road of blunders; but the most curious and laughable part of the -business was, that these very reports were in circulation by those who -were so far to the rear when the battle of the Nive first began, that, -had it not been for the determined resistance of the van guards of the -light[17] and fifth divisions, the enemy would have passed all the -defences, and most probably seized Saint Jean de Luz, and the bridge at -Ustaritz;—and strange it is, but not less true, that the most doleful -accounts float about behind an army: victory is construed into defeat; -and if a slight retrograde is made, off go the non-combatants as hard -as they can tear, carrying away every one in the torrent whom they can -persuade to take their friendly advice. - -A thaw had now set in; the cross roads, in many places, were perfect -bogs and quagmires, so that we did not reach our cantonments until late -at night, and were covered with mud, having been frequently obliged to -dismount, to wade through the slough, before we dared trust our horses -to pass through, as many animals were still sticking or lying in the -liquid mud, after having floundered about until they were smothered in -the mire. - -Preparations being made, early in February, for pushing into the -interior of France, General Hill broke up from Bayonne in the middle -of that month, and at first moved in a southerly direction as far as -Hellete, driving the enemy across the rivers Joyeuse, Bidouze, and -through the town of St. Palais.[18] These movements cut the French off -from the small fortress of St. Jean Pied-de-Port, which General Mina -blockaded, and obliged the right of their army to leave Bayonne to its -own defence. Thence, marching along the right bank of the Adour, they -crossed the river at the Port de Lanne, for the purpose of supporting -their centre and left, which were retiring before General Hill, and -taking post behind the river or Gave d'Oleron, with their right resting -on the left bank of the Adour, and occupying the towns of Peyrehorade, -Sauveterre, and the small fortress of Navarriens. - -The six divisions of the army, besides cavalry and artillery, destined -to penetrate into the interior, consisted of the _second_, _third_, -_fourth_, _sixth_, _seventh_, and _light divisions_, which were now -extending in echelon from Vieux Mouguerre to Navarriens and drawing -off by degrees in succession towards the right: the _first_ and _fifth -division_, Lord Alymer's brigade, and a corps of Spaniards being left -behind to blockade the fortress of Bayonne under General Hope. - -Our division, having passed the Nive, occupied the small town of -Bastide; but, as the clothing of our regiment had reached as far as the -town of Ustaritz, we once more crossed the river for it, and having -halted there one day, retraced our steps to rejoin the army, the right -of which had crossed the Gave d'Oleron, while General Beresford with -two divisions showed front, ready to cross that river at Peyrehorade. - -The right of General Hope's corps, consisting of the fifth division, -having crossed to the right of the river Nive, invested Bayonne on that -side. On the 23rd, part of the first division passed the Adour, (two -hundred and seventy yards in width) on a raft four miles below Bayonne, -from whence the enemy advanced to endeavour to force this small -van-guard to recross the river, but without effect. The two following -days, the whole of the first division were ferried over to the right -bank of the river: Lord Alymer's brigade, and the Spaniards in reserve -hemmed in the enemy on the side of St. Jean de Luz, which completed -the lines of circumvallation, drawn round the entrenched camp of this -fortress and its citadel: but, owing to the intersection of the rivers, -this corps was split into _three_ different bodies, communicating with -each other by the grand bridge of Chasse-Marées,[19] thrown over the -Adour, and one across the Nive. Subsequently some changes of the troops -took place. - -On the 25th our regiment reached a village within a mile of St. -Palais, and on the following morning entered that town, when, to our -mortification, we were ordered to halt until relieved by some other -regiment, while the 57th, whom we had replaced, marched forward to join -the army. It was therefore evident that the troops were left to keep -open the line of communication in rear of the army, as well as to fetch -clothing. - -On the morning of the 27th we heard that the 79th Highlanders were -to enter the town; we therefore got under arms, and as soon as they -entered at one end, we marched out at the other and towards the middle -of the day passed the Gave d'Oleron,[20] at Sauveterre. A fine stone -bridge crossed the river; but its centre arches had been blown up and -entirely destroyed: it was therefore necessary to ford the river, which -was more than a hundred yards in breadth; and, although hardly three -feet deep below the bridge, the current was so extremely rapid, and the -bottom so intersected with loose stones, that it was thought advisable -for the strongest men to throw off their knapsacks, and to join hands -and form a strong chain with their faces to the current, to pick up -any of the soldiers, who might chance to turn giddy or loose their -foot-hold—for if an individual wavered to either side, the probability -was, that he was whirled round by the force of the stream, and lifted -off his legs, sinking to the bottom like a lump of lead, loaded as he -was, with knapsack, accoutrements and sixty pounds of ball cartridge! - -We breakfasted at a hotel in the town of Sauveterre, and, as the band -played through it, the inhabitants stood at their windows smiling with -as much indifference, as if the column had been composed of the native -troops of their own country. - -At this time we could distinctly hear, at some distance to our front, -a heavy firing, and the rolling of musketry and cannon. Owing to its -continuation we marched forward the whole of the day. The country -was extremely fertile, with large farm houses and chateaux on each -side of the road. All the doors were closed, nor did we meet a single -individual, from whom we could gain the least information. Towards -dusk the howling of the great watch-dogs might be heard all over the -country; and although we bivouacked in the night in a wood, within -three miles of Orthes, we were utterly ignorant of the cause of the -heavy firing during the day. - -At dawn on the 28th we had hardly traversed a mile when we observed -the tents of the 57th regiment pitched on the top of a hill, to the -right of the road, without any signs of a move. This corps had been -two days from St. Palais, and in one march we were passing them. I was -sent forward to gain information, and absolutely reached the old narrow -bridge on the river Pau at Orthes, before I heard from an officer -of engineers, who was superintending its repairs, that a battle had -taken place on the previous day. The centre arch being destroyed, -this officer had strict orders not to let any one pass it, until it -should be fully repaired: however, as an especial favour, he had the -complaisance to cause a few planks to be laid down, and, at a great -risk, I succeeded in getting my horse over and entered the town—where -I met a soldier of the 52nd, who could not tell me the road the light -division had taken after the victory, and, when asked what they had -been doing the day before: "Why sir," replied he, "I never saw Johnny -fight better." Directly after this I saw Lord George Lennox, in a light -dragoon uniform, who told me, that he feared his brother the Duke of -Richmond,[21] a Captain of the 52nd, was mortally wounded, having been -shot through the body by a musket ball, while ascending a hill with his -regiment, at the close of the battle. - -[Footnote 17: The reserves of the light division were not brought into -action, but manned the main position, in case of its being attacked, -which did not take place—while the main body of the army awoke from -its slumbers and came to the battle-ground.] - -[Footnote 18: All the above towns, including Bayonne, in September -1807, had been occupied by the French troops under General Junot -(afterwards Duke of Abrantes) previously to their entrance into Spain -under the plea of uniting with the Spaniards for the invasion of -Portugal.] - -[Footnote 19: The sailors of Admiral Penrose's squadron assisted in -boldly running these boats over the bar at the mouth of the Adour -(where some of them and crews were unfortunately lost) for the purpose -of forming the famous bridge of boats across that river. Admiral -Collier also co-operated with the crews of his squadron in landing -cannon, and working them in battery at St. Sebastian.] - -[Footnote 20: Near this spot, a few days before, some light companies -of the third division had forded; but they had no sooner crossed than -they were violently attacked by the enemy, and forced to repass it -under a heavy fire, losing many brave soldiers killed and drowned, -before a sufficient force could cross to their support.] - -[Footnote 21: Then Earl of March; he had been on Field-Marshal -Wellington's staff for some time previously, and only joined his -regiment a short time before this action.] - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - A wrong direction—An affair with the enemy's cavalry—Bivouac - in a wood—A ludicrous mistake in the dark—Arrival at St. - Sever—Welcome supply of bread—The Duke of Dalmatia leaves - Bordeaux unprotected, to preserve the communication with - Toulouse—Reception of the English at Mont de Marsan—A dancing - scene and other amusements at the village of Brinquet—The - disappointed purveyors—The author regains his corps—Adventure - gained over the enemy by General Hill—Gascon peasantry—Various - movements of the opposed armies—The French driven through the town - of Vic Bigorre—An agreeable march. - - -It was now eight o'clock in the morning, and finding little probability -of gaining the requisite intelligence of the route of the light -division, without seeing the adjutant-general, I made direct to his -_maison_, and, being ushered up stairs, I found him in bed, comfortably -reposing with the curtains drawn tightly round him. Whether he was half -asleep from over-fatigue, or from some other cause, he gave me the -route of the _fourth_ division, by the road leading towards the town of -Sault de Navailles. - -On overtaking the tail of that division, we fell into a slow pace, owing -to some obstacles and the broken bridges over the various tributary -streams, which were very much swollen at this time of the year. - -On this day, our hussars had an affair beyond Sault de Navailles with -the enemy's cavalry; and, in the afternoon, I saw one of their officers -on horseback, deadly pale from a wound in the abdomen. - -After nightfall, we bivouacked in a wood to the right of the high -road on the river Louts, within a short way of the town of Hagetman. -Our baggage did not come up; the night was miserably cold, and the -whole of the officers of our regiment took possession of a tumble-down -shed, or forsaken cow-house, where, having spread out some stalks of -Indian corn, some of us began to roast potatoes, when an aid-de-camp, -appertaining to a General, came up to the door-way (for _door_ there -was none), and said, halloo! halloo! who's here? who's here? when one -of our majors coolly replied, "Officers and pigs," which created a -general laugh; and the General sent elsewhere to put up his horses.—In -the middle of the night, one of the officers, having suddenly awoke -out of his sleep, called out with all his might, "come up, come up," -fancying that a French cart-horse had got amongst us. A ludicrous scene -took place—every one for himself! till at last a heap of living heroes -were piled together, each scrambling on the top of the other, and all -bawling out "lights! lights!" At last, by main strength, I managed to -extricate myself from a pressure nearly as bad as that in the black -hole of Calcutta. The soldiers and servants, hearing such a hullabaloo, -flocked into the hut, which added to, rather than diminished the -disorder of the scene. At length a lighted wisp of straw being brought -in, every one stared about, with the greatest astonishment; for the -object of terror had vanished, or rather had not appeared. Some crawled -out from their hiding places, demanding who had taken away the horse, -while the respectful and confounded servants protested, one after the -other, that they had not seen a horse, nor taken any away. The alarm -took place from some one kicking against the shed, which was mistaken, -by the officer who created the alarm, for the hoofs of a horse shod by -a French farrier, within an ace of his head! Sleep was banished, and -roars of laughter continued throughout the rest of the night. - -On the 29th, we got under arms very early, to give the two divisions -the "go by;" but our movements had been anticipated, and we received -strict injunctions not to stir from our ground, but to follow in the -rear, as on the preceding day. We, therefore, again found ourselves -creeping along the road as before. When we were within four miles of -the river Adour, Field-Marshal Wellington rode up (he had received -a blow on the hip from a spent ball at the battle of Orthes, while -directing the last attack on the heights,) and said, "Forty-third, what -do you do here?" upon which the senior officer told the Field-Marshal -that the officer commanding the column would not let us pass. In the -short space of ten minutes, the whole of the troops in our front were -halted, and we marched forward, and soon after ascended a hill, and -formed column in the grand place of the town of St. Sever, immediately -overlooking the left bank of the river Adour. Here we found a baker's -oven full of hot bread, which a commissary (with a _val_ in his hand,) -had laid an embargo on; and it was with the utmost favour that we were -permitted to purchase a few loaves, or rather, having taken forcible -possession, we were permitted to retain the bread, paying for the same; -as they might have found an attempt at a re-capture rather a difficult -matter from men suffering from hunger, and out of humour, on a cold -hazy spring morning. To whom the bread was afterwards served out I -cannot pretend to say. - -The rear divisions, with drums beating, were passing near the town, -and at last increased into a dense column, while forming up opposite -the _wooden bridge_, which the enemy had set fire to. As soon as the -flames were got under, and ladders placed close together to facilitate -the passage of the infantry, General Sir Thomas Picton, with his usual -ardour, pushed forward his division, the head of which crowded the -ladders with all haste. - -Our regiment now debouched from the town, with orders to cross, and -Lieut.-Col. Ross's brigade of horse-artillery forded the river below -the bridge, to accompany us, for the purpose of taking possession of -the stores in the populous town of Mont de Marsan, distant twelve -miles, situated on the high road to Bordeaux. - -When we reached the foot of the bridge, General Sir Thomas Picton -declined halting the third division; and it was not until he had -received the most _positive instructions_ to halt, that he did so. His -troops were standing up and down the ladders as we passed them, when -a variety of curses and imprecations took place; all the battles of -Spain and Portugal were fought over again, with a mixture of rage and -good humour: some vociferated that they could always lead the light -division, whilst the older soldiers were satisfied, voluntarily, to -follow them: "Let us follow the _Lights_, it is our right; no division -is entitled to bring up our rear except the fourth; we are the takers -of fortified towns, and the General-in-chief's _three lucky divisions_!" - -The Duke of Dalmatia now left the high road and the fine town of -Bordeaux to its fate, and retired, with his principal force, up the -right bank of the Adour, to support his left flank at the town of -Barcelone, and to meet General Hill's corps, which had branched off -to the right, and was moving in the direction of Air, to threaten the -French Marshal's communication with Toulouse; a point he could not give -up, it being the pivot of his defence on the formidable river Garonne. - -All the way to Mont de Marsan the road is straight and sandy. Instead -of being received with hostility at that place, as we anticipated, we -were agreeably surprised to see the people flocking without the town -in vast crowds, to see _les étrangers_. Our clothing was old, and -almost the whole of the men wore blanket trousers. The French expressed -much wonder at seeing the troops of the richest nation in the world -so threadbare[22] and poorly clad. The band struck up, and the women -exclaimed, "_Ma foi! les Anglais ont de la musique! et voilà de beaux -jeunes gens aussi!_" The shops were open, and the inhabitants proffered -their merchandize with an easy assurance of manner, as if we had been a -century amongst them: so much for a divided nation; so much for honour -and glory, and the extreme _bon ton_ of civilization! - -The seventh and our own division entered the town, where we halted two -days, and then our division shifted its quarters into villages two -leagues distant from it. Our regiment took possession of the large -village of Brinquet. The senior officer was quartered in a château, -and invited us all to a dance; the _salle à manger_ was lighted up, -and the reflection shone on the highly polished floor.[23] The band -was in attendance, but unfortunately there was only one _demoiselle_; -therefore, making a virtue of necessity, we waltzed with her turn and -turn about, until she was quite exhausted; and we finished by partaking -of an excellent supper, consisting of the choicest viands, sweetmeats, -champaign, and other delicious wines. An officer was indiscreet enough, -in the warmth of the moment, to propose to the young lady to send for -a few _grisettes_ from the village, assuring her that in Spain the -village maids failed not to attend on such occasions. She started with -horror at such a monstrous proposal, saying, "_Dans la campagne, à la -bonheur: mais des grisettes dans un salon, c'est affreux!_" - -We halted some days at this village, and for a while the war -was forgotten; and convivial dinner parties were given in this -plentifully-supplied country, where provisions might be purchased for -a trifle: fine capons a franc each, while turkeys, geese, ducks, eggs, -bacon, milk, butter, excellent wine, and all articles of consumption, -were to be had at proportionably low prices. - -One fine morning myself and messmate mounted our capering, snorting -steeds, their ears cocked, and their carcases swelled out with -good provender, to pursue our way towards Mont de Marsan, with the -laudable intention of making a few purchases for an intended dinner -party. Having made our selection of pastry, sweetmeats and desert, -we directed the whole to be carefully packed and forwarded to a -certain wine merchant, who was busily packing up, in a large hamper, -several dozens of his choicest wines and liqueurs; and it was agreed -that the whole was to be paid for at our quarters, to insure their -punctual delivery by a certain hour—to which the wily merchant and -confectioner complacently and readily assented, not having failed by -the bye to charge English prices on all the commodities, that is to -say about a hundred per cent above the market price. We escorted the -cart the greater part of the way to show the driver the right road, -but when within a short distance of the village, we pointed it out, -exhorting him to use all speed, and rode on to superintend other -little preliminaries. Upon reaching the _maison de logement_, the -people told us that the regiment had marched off three hours before -towards Grenade, and not a vestige of any thing belonging to us was -left behind. The people begged and entreated that we would take some -refreshment, which we would have assented to, (for our appetites were -as keen as the wind), but the cart and hamper were momentarily expected -at the door. What was to be done? To pay for that which we could not -consume, or carry away, would be the height of folly; therefore, -confiding our predicament to the good-natured host, he embraced us, -and, setting spurs to our steeds, at a hand canter, we quitted the long -village at one end, as the cart drew up at the other; nor did we relax -our pace, until the shades of evening brought us to a town crammed -with cavalry, artillery, tumbrils, baggage and commissariat. - -Here we gained some tidings from one of the heavy German dragoons of -the route of our division, and alighting at a hotel, we got our horses -well fed, and rubbed down, and, having partaken of an excellent bottle -of wine, and a dish of stewed veal, we resumed our journey. - -At eleven o'clock at night, we entered another town, filled with -infantry soldiers, who were standing round the fires they had kindled -in the streets, whilst others were fast asleep, sitting on the stone -steps, or lying under the threshold of doorways. We would fain have -passed the night here, but admittance was nowhere to be gained, -although we dismounted and kicked, and thumped with all our might at -the several doors. These noises had so repeatedly occurred during the -night through the troops outside striving to gain an entrance, that -such salutations were unattended to. Thence wandering onwards amidst -darkness and uncertainty we issued from the town by a broad road, -enveloped in a thick fog, for not a soul could now give us the least -clue to the division; and it is impossible to convey an idea of the -uncertain information in rear of an army. I have often been within half -a mile of the division, without meeting a person who knew any thing -of its march, and, without the least hesitation, people would give a -totally opposite direction to that followed by the troops. - -In half an hour, we heard a buzz of voices to the right of the road, -and through the dense mist could see the glimmer of fires, and in a -few minutes more found our corps, encamped in a fallow field, where we -passed a shivering night. Often is the cup of happiness dashed from the -lip; but certainly the conclusion of our intended _fête_ was quite the -reverse of what we had anticipated, when briskly and gaily starting for -Mont de Marsan on the preceding day! - -During this short suspension of hostilities with us, General Hill had -been engaged with the enemy, on the 2nd of March near the town of Air, -and, after a sharp affair, succeeded in driving them to the right bank -of the Adour, and also in a southerly direction towards the large town -of Pau. - -From this place, we moved into wretched villages, situated on muddy -cross roads in the neighbourhood of Cazeres. The weather continued -frigid; the atmosphere was overcast with either miserable fogs, or -heavy rains. - -The peasantry in Gascony speak a sort of _patois_, or broken French. -The women tilled the fields, harnessed the horses, drove and loaded -carts, and handled the implements of husbandry—such as the plough, the -long spade, and dung-forks—just like the men: their appearance is ugly -and coarse; many of their statures are of Herculean proportions. They -wear wooden shoes, and a bundle of short coarse woollen petticoats, -with a piece of coarse cloth, or sack wrapped about their heads, the -flaps of which hang on their shoulders, or down their backs, to keep -off the inclemency of the weather, altogether giving them a most -uncouth appearance. The wives and daughters of the _gros fermiers_ -possess a little more life and animation, and were pretty well attired; -but they are a plain, innocent, plodding people, over whose morals -the _Curé du Village_ exercises a gentle sway, apparently more by the -superiority of his education, than by spiritual exhortations. - -These pastors reside in comfortable houses, decorated with the vine, -the rose tree, odoriferous plants, &c. Their garden is generally well -stocked with vegetables, or otherwise prettily arranged by some fair -hand under the designation of _ma nièce_. An entrance was never gained -to these abodes, unless all the other houses were crammed to excess by -the soldiery. - -While in this neighbourhood we frequently moved towards the high road, -and stood to our arms the whole day. On the 12th General Beresford -with the seventh division entered Bordeaux, where he was received with -acclamations by the populace, who hoisted the white flag, and the -_cocarde blanche_, crying, "_vivent les Bourbons! vivent les Anglais!_" - -The Duke of Dalmatia, finding our left flank extended as far as -Bordeaux, moved forward, and on the 13th made a feint by the roads of -Conche, and Castleneau, (on the left of the Adour), to turn General -Hill's right flank. The general-in-chief, to counteract this movement, -threatened the town of Plaisance on the right bank of the river, by -this means countermanœuvring, and threatening the enemy's right flank, -and also their communication with Tarbes.—General Beresford now -quitted Bordeaux, leaving the seventh division at that place under Lord -Dalhousie, and the army closed up in three columns, for the purpose of -ascending both banks of the Adour, towards Tarbes:—our division moved -in the direction of the town of Plaisance with the hussar brigade. - -One day we were with the 15th hussars on picquet at a mill to the -right of the great _Chaussée_. The soldiers laid themselves down under -the sheds with the horses, and the officers reposed on some sacks of -flour, just over the wheel of the water mill, which kept up an eternal -clattering noise throughout the night. In the morning we came out as -white as millers! - -On the 17th the weather cleared, the roads dried up, the atmosphere was -warm and genial, the hedges and young trees were clothed with a spring -verdure, and the country looked most inviting, presenting a similar -face to that of England. - -On the 19th having finished our march, we encamped on a ridge of hills, -about five miles East of Vic-Bigorre which lay in a valley. About two -o'clock P. M. we were ordered to stand to our arms, and on reaching the -summit of the hill, we saw the third division attack that town. The -sun shone forth in full lustre, and a vehement fire of small arms and -cannon almost enveloped with volumes of smoke, the scene of contest. We -moved on the verge of the hills in a parallel line to turn the right -flank of the enemy;—a heavy brigade of cavalry during the middle of -the combat, turned the right of the French through the meadows close to -Vic-Bigorre, and they were finally driven through the place. - -I hardly ever recollect a more delightful march than that we enjoyed -towards the evening. The sun was sinking behind the western hills, -the surrounding country was wrapped in tranquillity, the din of war, -had died away. The soldiers were tired, conversation ceased, and no -sounds broke on the ear except the tread of the men's footsteps, or the -planting of the horses' feet of the hussars, who were riding along in -single files, or going off to the side of the road, so as not to retard -our march. - -[Footnote 22: The soldiers carried their new clothing, which they had -lately received, and which was not yet altered and made up, on the top -of their knapsacks.] - -[Footnote 23: The floor and stairs are polished in France, as in old -fashioned gentlemen's houses in the interior of England.] - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - Advance towards Tarbes—Sharp and successful encounter of - the riflemen with the French, who are forced to retire from - Tarbes—A beautiful coup-d'œil—Retreating movement of the enemy - towards Toulouse—The little French cobbler and his daughter—A - burdensome benefactor—Inconveniences of a miry march—The - author's adventure at a farm-house—The conscious hosts—A true - French château—Approach of the troops towards Toulouse—Critical - situation of the author and another officer. - - -We did not halt and encamp until an hour after dark. On the 20th in the -morning we passed the road leading towards Rabastens on our left hand, -where a picquet of the hussars had planted their vedettes. When within -a short distance of Tarbes the hussars rode forward, and pushed their -line of vedettes half way up the hills to the left of the road, with -their carbines resting on their thighs, and within one hundred yards of -the French infantry, who did not fire, although stationed on the verge -of the wood. - -Two battalions of rifle corps immediately filed off the road, mounted -the hill, and began a most severe skirmish with the enemy, who made -such a desperate opposition, that the rifles were obliged to close; the -French charged, but the rifles were immoveable, and, for two or three -minutes, the combatants were firing in each other's faces. At last the -rifles beat them back, and carried the wood. - -We could also see the right of the enemy formed on some heights round -a windmill two miles to our left, where the sixth division attacked -them; and the cannon continued to play at this point. While the right -of our army made a demonstration of crossing to the right bank of the -Adour, opposite the town of Tarbes, two hundred _chasseurs à cheval_ -blocked up the wide road opposite to us. It had hedges on each side; -our regiment formed column to the left of it, on a piece of waste -ground; and a troop of the tenth hussars rode up and formed across -it from hedge to hedge, opposed to the French horse. Two vedettes of -the Chasseurs instantly walked their horses within one hundred yards -of the tenth, and invited them to charge; several of us stood on the -flank of our dragoons, and told them to stop a minute or two, until a -company crept along the hedge to take the chasseurs in flank when their -main body seeing this instantly wheeled threes about and unmasked two -pieces of cannon, which they fired at half range, and both balls flew -close over the heads of the hussars. Owing to the attack of the sixth -division taking the right of the enemy in reverse, they were thrown -on two sides of a square, and obliged to retire from Tarbes, refusing -their right face, while covering the retreat of their left wing! - -The horse artillery now came forward at full trot, protected by the -tenth hussars, who by half-squadrons, filled up the intervals between -the guns, which presented a most picturesque and martial effect. -Without further delay, the rest of our division followed up the hill to -the left, in support of the rifles; and on reaching the summit a most -interesting spectacle presented itself. The town of Tarbes lay in the -valley to the right close to the Adour; the dense red columns of our -right wing were in the act of passing it with cavalry and artillery; -while the glitter of the enemy's bayonets formed a brilliant spectacle, -and the tail of their winding columns covered the country, as they -rapidly threaded the by-roads through small woods, villages, and over -hill and dale. They were also running in a dense crowd on the high road -towards Tournay, (threatened by the hussars, and the horse-artillery) -where a rapid interchange of cannon balls took place, and we were in -momentary expectation of overtaking them, when broken ground and hedges -suddenly intervened, and they eluded our grasp. - -A French captain stood by the road side imploring his life, and calling -out for the English, in evident fear of the Portuguese and Spaniards; -he held a commission in his hand, and both his eyes were shot out of -their sockets, and hanging on his cheeks!—On our descending from the -rough country into a valley, the enemy were ascending a steep ridge -rising out of it, covered at its base by a rivulet. Our army were -forming up in order of battle ready for the assault, but the day was -too far advanced: the French then opened their cannon all along the -ridge, and particularly against our right wing, opposite the high road -leading to the town of Tournay. During the twilight, the bright flashes -of the cannon had a very pretty effect—the sixth division had followed -them up, and we could hear their firing an hour after nightfall, -while still attacking and taking in reverse the extreme right of -the enemy—which obliged them to retreat during the night from this -formidable range of heights. - -On the following morning we crossed the heights in our front, the enemy -being in full retreat towards Toulouse—by a flank march to the right. -We cut in upon the high road towards St. Gaudens, on which the second -division were marching. The weather was cold, with sharp cutting winds, -and a succession of rains set in. - -The second day we entered a small town crowded with troops; the rain -descended in such torrents, that the cavalry horses were put into the -lower rooms of the houses, and we were quartered in the house of a -cobbler, which was divided into three compartments: the soldiers filled -the loft; the horses the kitchen; and we put up in the shop, in which -there were two beds in dark recesses. The little cobbler, seeing our -boots soaked through, very good humouredly proposed making us some -_bonne soupe_, and, without further preamble, set about the _cuisine_. -His figure was unique—he wore a cocked-hat square to the front, and -as old as the hills. His hair was greased to excess, and grimed with -the remains of powder, ending in a _queue_ of nine inches long, and -about four in circumference, tightly bound with a leathern thong. His -height was hardly more than five feet: he possessed a swarthy broad -bony visage, small penetrating grey eyes, thick, bushy, black eye -brows, a short neck, long sinewy arms, covered with hair, (the shirt -sleeves being tucked up), large hands and feet, narrow shoulders, -short body, broad hips, and bow-legs—and was the reputed father of -a delicate daughter of about fifteen years of age, with light hair, -skin as fair as alabaster, and cheeks vying with roses;—she meekly -lent a willing hand in making us welcome to their abode, strewed with -old shoes, _sabot_-lasts, leather, soles, heels, waxed ends, and live -poultry,—the latter being tolerated as guests, owing to the urgent -entreaties of the little _grisette_, who was in great dread that they -might be plucked, if left to roost in the loft amongst the soldiery. -A large iron kettle was slung over the wood fire, and filled with -water, into which a few cabbage leaves were first immersed, and, when -it simmered, half a pound of hog's lard was added (from an earthen -jar hanging by a cord from a large beam), with a little pepper and -salt; half a dozen brown pans were then laid out, into which our -host cut with a clasp knife some slices of coarse bread, and with a -wooden ladle, the contents of the cauldron were poured over it, the -grease floating on the surface of the boiling liquid. _La voilà!_ -said our host. _La voilà, messieurs, la bonne soupe!_ To refrain from -appreciating the kind intentions of the cobbler, and his fair daughter, -was impossible; but we could not partake of such a mess. - -The times of scarcity were gone by, and as our canteens arrived at -this juncture, stored with every thing good, and a keg of excellent -wine, we invited the civil little cobbler to partake, and he spent a -glorious evening, shedding tears over his cups, and declaring that _les -Anglais_ were _de très bons garçons_; while the daughter sitting in -the chimney corner, sang some pretty French songs. At the usual hour -of rest, by common consent we laid down on one bed, and the cobbler -and his daughter turned into the other; but, for the sake of decorum, -the father lay with his head on the bolster, and the daughter placed -a pillow at the foot of the bed, and thus turning _dos-à-dos_, they -avoided each others feet, and by the glimmer of the fire, we could see -the little girl's bright eyes under the coverlet. - -Making our adieu on the following morning, and the weather clearing -up, we continued our march, at the end of which the troops entered the -various chateaux and farm-houses on each side of the way. The country -being very much intersected with hedges, green fields, plantations, -and gardens, we suddenly encountered an old man near some scattered -cottages, who was so terrified at our unexpected appearance, that he -ran up, seized the bridles of our horses, and led us to a large oven, -filled with ready-baked bread, all of which he insisted upon giving to -the soldiers: thence he took us to an out-house, where there was a -quantity of wine casks: "All, messieurs," exclaimed the peasant, "is -yours." We assured him that every thing consumed would be duly paid -for, which he would not hear of, in his over eagerness and civility, -and, breaking from us, he rushed into the ranks of the soldiers, (who -were quietly at ordered arms, waiting until the different houses should -be marked off for their reception, according to usage), and bawled out, -"_camarades!_" although your officers will not sanction your having -bread and wine, I insist upon supplying you. At length, to put an end -to such rhapsodies, we agreed that, at the utmost, he might give to -each soldier a pint of wine, of which they cheerfully and thankfully -partook. - -On the following morning, when the soldiers had fallen in, and the -over-generous peasant found what an orderly set of people he had -to do with, he boldly came forward and demanded payment, and, when -expostulated with, bawled out with the greatest indecency, before the -rest of the assembled villagers, that we were _des voleurs_, and with -the greatest effrontery put himself at the head of the company, as if -to stop its march. Such vile behaviour so disgusted us, that we ordered -one of the soldiers to put him out of the way. - -The rain began to pour down in torrents, and the road was of such a -clayey substance, and so sticky, that it tore the gaiter-straps and the -shoes from off the soldiers' feet, and they were obliged to put them -on the tops of their knapsacks, while trudging along bare-footed, and -hardly able to drag one leg after the other. This so much impeded our -march, that it was nearly dark before we halted on the road, and the -mounted officers were ordered to seek shelter for the men, right and -left, but not further than a mile from the post of alarm. - -Several officers started across the country, each fixing on some -particular house. As I perceived a hill a short way off, I galloped up -it, from whence, half a mile further, I saw a spacious farm and barns, -the whole being enclosed by a high wall. Knowing the general civility -and peaceable demeanour of the inhabitants, without further precaution, -I rapped loudly at the large gates; but no person came forward, and -all the windows were closed; however, quite satisfied of getting an -entrance upon the arrival of the company, I rode round, to convince -myself of the place being inhabited, when all at once a powerful and -ferocious wolf dog bounded over the wall, and tore at the hind quarters -of my horse with such ferocity, that the animal trembled, and although -I used my spurs, was almost immoveable. I then drew my sabre, but, -whichever way I turned my horse, the dog kept behind, and to add to -my danger, a man opened a shutter with a gun in his hand. As I could -not get my animal to stir, the only resource left was to dismount and -engage the savage brute in foot, (my sabre had a sharp rough edge), -trusting that the peasant might miss me the first shot. At this -critical moment, the company mounted the hill, and the man called off -his dog. - -My horse was bleeding, and the heel was nearly torn off my boot:—the -women came forth from the house, and threw wide the gates for our -admittance, and almost prostrated themselves at our feet, expressing -the greatest solicitude, and protesting, that the dog had broken -loose; and, when questioned about the gun, they vehemently assured us -that the man, knowing I was in danger, as a last resource intended -to shoot his own dog; this excuse was ridiculous, for the moment the -animal heard the voice of its master it ceased to attack. Although we -were aware that these were false assertions, both from the actions and -professions of the people, yet we could not do otherwise than feign -to believe them. Without doubt, on my first appearance, they thought -me a straggling marauder, and they were only about to act as we might -have done against foreigners in our own country, who might perchance -come for the purpose of eating our provisions, levying contributions, -and trampling down our fields; for although such outrages were -strictly forbidden in the British army, yet people living in secluded -farm-houses could not be supposed to credit such peaceable reports, -until they had received ocular demonstration of the fact. - -Notwithstanding the gaiety of our manner for the rest of the day, the -women seemed to dread the coming night, feeling conscious of an act -having been committed which they apprehended would not pass unpunished. -The men did not show themselves after dark, and it was droll to witness -the many little kind acts of the females, to strive to banish from -our minds the occurrence.—Even on the following morning, they loaded -our animals with poultry, and filled our keg with fourteen pints of -inestimable wine. As they seemed in affluent circumstances, we did not -refuse these peace-offerings. - -At the close of this day, we were quartered in a chateau, not unlike an -old-fashioned gentleman's house in England. The out-houses were in a -delapidated condition, the grounds were indifferently laid out, with -the trees and avenues cut into various shapes, in representation of -birds, &c. An old carriage stood in an out-house, and the horses had -long tails, and were as fat as butter, and not unlike a Flanders cart -horse. - -The French gentleman, while showing his premises, held a rake in his -hand, and was dressed in a green velvet forage cap, a frieze coat made -like a dressing gown, coarse trowsers, and wooden shoes; but in the -evening he was well attired; in fact quite metamorphosed. The linen, -napkins and plate were in plenty, but we were much surprised at the -common clasp knives at table; otherwise, every thing (such as massive -plate and old fashioned china) was good, and well laid out. The stairs -were carpeted and polished, and the rooms were without grates, the -wood being burnt on hobs. The _filles de chambre_ left their wooden -clogs at the bottom of the stairs, walking about the rooms in their -stocking'd feet, and, although coarsely dressed, and of rough exterior, -they executed all the necessary offices with a respectful attention and -extreme good nature, and, when offered some silver in the morning, they -refused it, as if to say, "_Ciel!_ how can we take the money of _les -étrangers, et les jeunes officiers_?" - -On the sixth day we entered a town within a short distance of Toulouse. -The enemy lined the opposite bank of a small rapid river, about four -hundred yards from the town; a howitzer was planted over the bridge, -and a group of French officers were assembled in conversation. - -Another officer and myself by degrees sauntered past our sentinels, who -were not pushed beyond the houses of the town. When within a hundred -yards of them, we made the usual salute, but, to our astonishment, it -was not returned, and the whole of the group left the spot, with the -exception of one officer, who leaned on the breech of the gun, as much -as to intimate that we were too far in their country to expect confabs -and that the time was come to stand to their cannon. - -We regretted having placed ourselves so completely in their power: to -go back was impossible with any security, if their intentions were -of a hostile nature. Trusting however to the well-known courtesy of -_les militaires Français_, we left the road, and walked up to the bank -of the river, within fifteen yards of a French sentinel, who, with -his musket carelessly thrown across his body, eyed us steadily, as -if to examine whether our approach should be received in a hostile, -or amicable manner. Appearances certainly looked as if we had come -expressly to reconnoitre the nature of the ground, and as we slowly -retired, we momentarily expected a round of grape shot, and were not -a little relieved to find ourselves once more behind the houses; for -there was not a bush or any thing to screen us from their observation -the whole of the way. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - Flank movement to the right—Method of feeding cattle in - Gascony—Catching a goose—Halt at St. Simon—Cross the Garonne - and advance on Toulouse—The French take up a position to the east - of that town—The Spaniards attack the heights of La Pugade—Their - terrible slaughter and precipitate retreat—The enemy advance - against the fourth and sixth divisions—The sixth division carry - the front of the enemy's position—Retreat of the French from - Toulouse towards Carcassonne. - - -In the middle of the night we were aroused and ordered to pack up -and accoutre, and make a flank march to the right, over execrable -roads, in order to support the second division, who were to cross the -river Garonne above Toulouse, at the village of Portet. The number of -pontoons, however, proving inadequate to cover the width of the river, -it was tried elsewhere—On the 31st of March the pontoons were laid -down within a short distance of Roques, General Hill crossed: but the -ground was found so swampy, that he was obliged to repass the river. - -In this part of the country, wine abounded to such an extent, that -serious alarm was experienced for the morals and sobriety of the -troops. Almost every shed, and even the stables, were half filled with -wine casks, (owing to the long war, and to the want of exportation), -and, during the rainy weather, it was necessary to beg of the soldiers -to be moderate. Publicly they were not permitted to partake of the -wine; but how could they be effectually hindered from broaching casks -under which they slept, after being covered with the mud of the miry -roads, or soaked through and through from incessant rains? and such was -the abundance of the juice of the grape, that a peasant was glad to -sell a hogshead of the best wine for twenty _francs_, which was divided -among our several small messes. - -The people of Gascony have a particular method of feeding their cattle: -the trap doors or sliding partitions communicate with the interior of -the kitchens, and when thrown aside, the oxen or cows thrust in their -heads, and are fed by the hand with the stalks of maize, or Indian corn. - -One evening, while in the kitchen of a small house, round the cheerful -blaze of a crackling wood-fire, partaking of our dinner, and the -servant girls standing behind us feeding the cattle, we were suddenly -aroused by the cackling of the poultry in a large out-house—where the -soldiers were quartered; and, on ascending the ladder, we observed some -feathers scattered about the floor. The soldiers stood up and saluted, -as if no depredations had been committed. One soldier alone remained -sitting, and feigning to be in great pain from the effects of a sore -foot. The officer with me having shrewd suspicions of this individual, -said, "Get up,—surely you can stand upon one leg."—"Oh no!" answered -this piece of innocence, (possessing a muscular frame, and a face as -brown as a berry), "no indeed Sir, I cannot; for, besides the pain -in my foot, I am otherwise much indisposed." Finding however that we -were determined, he slowly and reluctantly arose from his crouching -posture, by which he had concealed a half-plucked goose. This was death -by martial law, and we put on a most ferocious aspect, and threatened -I know not what. However, as soon as the lecture was over, and we were -out of the soldier's sight, we could no longer refrain from giving way -to our hilarity, at the old marauder being so fully detected. Who could -kill an old soldier for plucking a goose? The bird being duly paid for, -the kind-hearted woman not only gave it back to the soldiers, but, we -understood, cooked it for their supper. - -We now halted at St. Simon and pushed our advanced posts within two -miles of Toulouse, situated on the right bank of the Garonne; but the -enemy still held the Faubourg of St. Ciprien, facing us on the left of -the river. - -One day we passed in a handsome chateau, with all the rooms on the -_parterre_; it was well furnished, and the doors and windows opened on -a spacious lawn, from which descended a flight of stone steps of about -thirty feet in breadth, to an extensive garden laid out _à l'Anglaise_, -in broad and serpentine walks, labyrinths, fish ponds, fruit trees, -exotics, rose trees and flower beds, which in the summer must -altogether have formed a lovely retreat. The inhabitants had fled from -the chateau, and all its windows, and doors, were flapping, and jarring -in the wind; the knapsacks were suspended in the gilded ornaments of -its mirrors, and the soldiers reposed on the silken covering of the -chairs and couches. - -On the night of the 3rd of April, our division broke up from before -Toulouse, (the second division taking our station), crossed the -river Touch and marched northerly down the Garonne, as a corps of -communication between the right and left wings of the army—in -readiness to move to either flank. - -On the morning of the 4th the left wing under Lord Beresford crossed -the Garonne, just above the town of Grenade, by a pontoon-bridge. - -In the afternoon the rain came down in torrents, and the river was -so swollen and the current so strong, that the pontoon-bridge was -obliged to be taken up, and Lord Beresford was cut off with his corps -for four days on the right bank of the river, while the enemy had the -opportunity of attacking him, or debouching by the Faubourg de St. -Ciprien against him—of which they did not take advantage. - -During these few days we obtained good shelter in the fine large -farm-houses with which the country abounded, every one of them having a -large round pigeon-house at the corner, (which was entered by a regular -door from the interior of the house); the swarms of pigeons were so -great, that they literally covered the whole face of the country. Here -we ate pigeon-pie, omelets, and eggs in profusion. "_Diable_," said the -French, "_comme les Anglais mangent des œufs!_" - -On the 8th the bridge of boats being restored, we mounted our horses -to see a Spanish army cross; and a more bombastical display I never -beheld! The Spaniards crossed by companies: at the head of each -marched an officer with a drawn sword, (accompanied by a drummer), -and strutting in time to the tapping or roll of the drum; exclaiming, -while looking pompously over his shoulder, "_Vamos, guerréros!_" The -very bridge seemed to respond to such glorious appeals, for it rose and -fell with a gentle undulating motion, to the _rub dub, rub a dub_, of -Spain's martial drum. - -As soon as these _Guerréros_ had formed column on the sod of -_Languedoc_, a heavy brigade of artillery passed the bridge, and one of -the cannon becoming stationary in the middle of it, one of the pontoons -nearly went under water; and, had not the drivers whipped and spurred -with all their might, in another instant, the boat would have been -swamped, and the gun would have dragged the horses and drivers into the -rapid and furious torrent. - -The bridge was again taken up during the night, and, on the following -day, our division formed on a rising ground near Aussonne to be in -readiness to pass it; but, having waited nearly the whole day, the -Duke of Wellington quitted the spot extremely angry, leaving Sir Colin -Campbell to superintend the finishing of it. - -At two o'clock on the morning of the 10th, our division crossed the -pontoon-bridge, and, bringing up our left shoulder near Fenoulhiet, six -miles from Toulouse the army marched in parallel columns on that place. - -The country north of the town is flat, and on every side intersected -with rural cottages, enclosed by gardens, fruit trees, and small -plains, or fields of corn. - -When within two miles of Toulouse, we could distinguish the black -columns of the enemy filing out of the town to the eastward, and -forming in order of battle on the _Terre de Cabade_, which was crowned -with redoubts, and constituted the _apex_ of their grand position -nearly three miles long, and extending in a southerly direction by -Calvinet, towards the road of Montauban. They also occupied with a -small body of troops and two pieces of light artillery, the detached -eminence of _la Borde de La Pugade_, for the purpose of watching the -movements on the left and centre of our army. This small hill was of -fallow ground, without hedges, trees, or entrenchments. - -At the first view, the French army seemed to be formed from the right -bank of the Garonne, and resting their right flank on the detached -hill of _la Borde de la Pugade_, which, in reality, only formed a -dislocated elbow of their position. The ancient wall of the town was -lined by the enemy, being covered at a short distance by the royal -canal (which communicates with the Garonne), and runs in a half circle -round the north and west sides of Toulouse. Over it there were six -bridges, within five miles, occupied as _têtes-du-pont_; the three to -the southward being marked by the before-mentioned heights, which gave -the enemy an exceedingly strong position, and to embrace which it was -necessary to split our army into three distinct bodies, to be ready to -fight independently of each other—as follows:— - -Lord Hill's corps was stationed on the left bank of the Garonne (to -coop up the enemy in the entrenched faubourg of St. Ciprien), but was -so completely cut off from the army destined to fight the battle, -owing to the river intervening, that the nearest communication with it -was, at least, sixteen miles by the pontoon bridge we had crossed in -the morning—although, as the bird flew, little more than two miles -from the right flank of the army, composed of four divisions, and a -corps of Spaniards which were destined to fight the battle. The right -wing consisted of the third and light divisions, the centre of the -Spaniards, and the left wing of the fourth and sixth divisions with the -great bulk of the cavalry, ready to shoot forward from the village of -Montblanc, to throw the enemy on two sides of a square. - -At nine o'clock in the morning the forcing began on the Paris road near -a large building in front of the _tête-du-pont_, in the vicinity of -Graniague, by the third division with its right on the river Garonne. -The left brigade of the light division branched off to the right, to -make a sham attack opposite the _tête-de-pont_, near les Minimes, and -to keep up the link with the third division; while the first brigade -edged off to the left to support the Spaniards now moving forwards in -échelon on our left. While they were crossing a small rivulet, two of -the enemy's cannon fired on them from the detached eminence of _la -Borde de la Pugade_. As soon as the Spaniards had crossed the stream or -ditch, they rapidly advanced and drove the French from their advanced -post, behind which they formed in columns for the grand attack. At -this time a sprinkling musketry was kept up to our right by the third -division and our second brigade, while driving the enemy behind their -_têtes-du-pont_. - -At eleven o'clock the Spaniards moved forward single-handed, to attack -the heights of la Pugade, under a heavy fire of musketry and grape -shot, which thinned their ranks and galled them sadly. The ground was -fallow, of a gentle ascent, without hedges or trees, so that every shot -told with a fatal precision. Notwithstanding this, they closed, and -kept onwards. The French position was a blaze of flashing cannon, and -sparkling musketry, and the iron balls were cutting through the fallow -ground, tearing up the earth and bounding wantonly through the country. -The fatal moment had arrived: the Spaniards could do no more: the -shouting of the French army was daggers to their hearts, and thunder to -their ears, and when within fifty yards of crowning all their hopes, -down went the head of their column, as if the earth had opened and -swallowed them up. A deep hollow road ran parallel with the enemy's -works, into which the affrighted column crowded. Terrible shelter! -for at this time the enemy sprang over their entrenchments, and stood -over their victims, pouring down the bullets on their devoted heads -with fatal precision, so that two thousand of them fell a prey to the -adversary, without destroying hardly any of their opponents; and, as if -in anticipation of such a result, the enemy had constructed a battery -of heavy calibre at the bridge of Montauban, which raked the road, and -ploughed up the heaps of the living and the dead—the former crawling -under the latter to screen themselves for a few short moments from the -merciless effects of the enemy's projectiles. - -The rear of the Spaniards now closed up, and, stretching their necks -over the brink of the fatal gulf, they turned about and fled like -chaff before the wind, amid the volume and dense clouds of rolling -smoke majestically floating in the air, as if to veil from the enemy -the great extent of their triumph. - -As soon as the fugitives could be scraped together in a lump, they -once again moved forward to make a second attack, led on by a group -of Spanish officers, on foot, and on horseback. The shot levelled -them to the earth, without any chance of success: the disorganized -column once more stood in a mass on the bank of the fatal hollow -road, by this means bringing all the enemy's fire to a focus; but -at the sight of the mangled bodies of their dying comrades, their -last sparks of courage forsook them, and they fled from the field, -heedless of the exhortations of many of their officers, who showed an -example worthy of their ancient renown. The French again bounded over -their entrenchments, and at full run came round the left flank of the -disconcerted Spaniards (at a point where the road was not so deep), and -plied them with more bullets, nor ceased to follow them, until they -were stopped by the fire of a brigade of guns, (supported by a regiment -of English heavy dragoons), and attacked on their left flank by the -rifle corps, supported by our brigade. This movement prevented them -from cutting asunder and separating the two wings of our army. - -The enemy, finding that they had totally defeated the Spaniards, -immediately moved a body of troops to make head against the _fourth_ -and _sixth divisions_, and cavalry, which were now moving along the -river Ers, parallel with the heights of Calvanet, before bringing up -their left shoulders to attack that position; but, owing to the marshy -state of the ground, the troops were much impeded on their march. - -After the repulse of the Spaniards, the battle almost ceased, with the -exception of an irregular musketry-fire amongst the detached houses -bordering the canal. During this pause in the grand event, several of -us fell asleep (under the gentle rays of an April sun), from want of -rest, having been under arms all the previous day, and marching nearly -the whole of the night. - -How long I enjoyed this slumber I cannot say, for a round shot -whizzing, close over my head, caused me hastily to start on my feet. -For a few seconds, I almost fancied I was at a review, or dreaming of -it, for the right wing of the British army were within less than cannon -range opposite the left wing of the enemy, whose bright arms and brazen -eagles glistened on the venerable towers of Toulouse. - -Soon after this, we descried an officer of our regiment, (who was an -extra aide-de-camp to Gen. Baron Alten) riding at the base of the -enemy's position, and turning and twisting his horse at full speed, -which induced us to imagine that he was wounded, and no longer able to -manage the animal, which appeared to be running away with him. Suddenly -he fell from his saddle to the ground, and the horse made a dead stop. -Of course we thought he was killed, when, to our great surprise, he -remounted, and came towards us at a canter with a hare in his arms, -that he had ridden down. - -In the middle of the day, the sixth division crossed the valley -opposite the heights of Calvanet; and the interchanged cannon shots, -and the forked musketry, rattled without intermission. At length, amid -charges of cavalry and sanguinary fighting (for the enemy marched down -the hill to meet them,) this division gained the French position, and -took a redoubt, which, however, they could hardly maintain, owing to -the great loss they had sustained in moving up the hill; for, while -struggling with the enemy's infantry in front, their second line had -been charged by the French horse[24]. - -During this part of the combat the fourth division was edging off by -an oblique march to its left, to turn the enemy's right flank near the -road of Montauban, which manœuvre greatly enhanced the victory on this -hard-fought day. - -The French several times returned to the charge on the _plateau_, and -made a most desperate attempt at four o'clock in the afternoon to -retake the great redoubt in the centre, but without effect. - -Owing to this failure the French quietly evacuated the redoubts on the -left of their position on the canal, on the heights of _Terre Cabade_, -and their whole army retired behind the _têtes-du-pont_, and the -faubourg of St. Etienne. - -On the following day the Duke of Dalmatia held the town hemmed in -almost on every side; but, as there was not any firing, an officer and -myself rode towards the road where the Spaniards had been repulsed. -Its steep banks were at least twenty-five feet in depth, with two or -three narrow pathways by which the Spaniards had descended in hopes of -obtaining a little shelter. This spot was strewed with heaps of the -slain, piled on the top of each other in strange confusion, many having -tumbled over the precipitous banks, and remaining stuck on the twisted -bayonets on whose points they had fallen. Death here appeared in every -possible shape; some were jammed in the crowd, and propped up in an -erect posture against the bank; others were standing on their heads, -or sprawling with legs and arms spread out to their fullest extent. -Almost the whole of the cadaverous dead were without caps, which in -the _mêlée_ had been knocked off, and were intermixed with knapsacks, -breast-plates, broken arms, bayonets, and swords. A mournful silence -reigned around. No voice broke on the stillness that reigned over the -lacerated remains of the swarthy Spaniards! - -While looking down on these inanimate objects swept off by the scythe -of war, I noticed a naked man lying on his back at my feet: as there -was no appearance of any wound about his person, we were lost in -conjectures as to the probable cause of his death. A Spaniard who -stood by was so overcome with curiosity, that he laid hold of the dead -man's hair; but, to his inexpressible wonder the head was as light -as a feather, for it now appeared, that a cannon ball had struck him -sideways, leaving nothing of the head remaining but the scalp and face. -The sight was too horrible to look upon, and we hastily remounted our -horses, and returned from this melancholy spectacle. While riding -over the field of battle, the motion of a horse is the most gentle and -easy to be fancied: the animals cock their ears, snort, look down, and -plant their feet with a light and springing motion, as if fearful of -trampling on the dead soldiers. - -The heights of the Terre Cabade and Calvanet are free from trees or -hedges, and have two hollow roads cutting through the middle of them, -which protected the French from our cavalry. The banks of these roads -are so steep, and at the same time so imperceptible, that a whole -brigade of dragoons at a canter might be swallowed up without any -previous warning. Many dead horses lay in this hollow way, with their -lifeless riders thrown to a distance, maimed, bruised, or with broken -limbs. - -The ascent in front of this position is very steep, but southerly; -where the fourth division attacked, it is of a gentle acclivity. - -The bodies of the soldiers of the sixth division lay very thick, -in front of the heights of Calvanet, and also round a fort of the -_maison des Augustins_. Here the Highlanders and English soldiers -were intermixed with the French. The town of Toulouse lay nearly -within point blank range on the west of these heights, from whence we -could see the enemy's columns under arms at the _têtes-du-pont_ which -protected the various bridges across the canal. They were in a manner -besieged in the town, as the only road left open to them was by a -narrow strip of land south of Toulouse, between the canal and the river -Garonne. - -On the night of the 11th the enemy retreated towards Carcassone, taking -the road by St. Aigne, Montgiscard, Baziege, and Ville-franche, to -Castelnaudary. - -[Footnote 24: It will always be a matter of surprise to me, how the -sixth division managed to carry the front of so formidable a position -almost single-handed. The following day, while passing over the range -of heights, the firelocks of one of its brigades were piled, and I -counted only five hundred, out of eighteen hundred stand effective on -the morning of the battle. Both brigades suffered enormously in killed -and wounded.] - - - END OF THE - MEMOIRS OF CAPTAIN COOKE. - - - - - AN ACCOUNT - OF THE - BRITISH CAMPAIGN OF 1809, - UNDER SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY, - IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN: - - BY - THE EARL OF MUNSTER. - - - - -NOTICE TO THE READER. - - -The following Narrative of one of the most brilliant and important -Campaigns of the British Army on the Peninsula, was originally -published, in parts, (commencing in May 1829) in the United Service -Journal, under the head of "A revised Journal of an Officer on the -Staff of the Army." Though anonymous, it was soon discovered by -internal evidence to be the production of Colonel Fitzclarence—now -Earl of Munster,—who served throughout the whole of the Peninsular -Campaigns, with the exception of that of 1812, when he returned to -England on promotion. - -Yielding, in point of fidelity and spirit, to no existing Record of the -Events of which it treats, this soldier-like Sketch is reprinted in a -complete form, as a valuable addition to the Military Memoirs of The -British Army.—EDITOR. - - - - -AN ACCOUNT -OF THE -BRITISH CAMPAIGN IN 1809, -UNDER -SIR A. WELLESLEY, -IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN. - - -On the 18th of January, 1809, when the last transport, containing the -rear guard of Sir. J. Moore's army, sailed from the harbour of Corunna, -the British little foresaw that the Peninsula was still to be the arena -for their conquests and renown. None were so sanguine as to hope that -their splendid successes and example should yet cause Europe to regain -the moral feelings she had lost under the long victorious career of -France, or that the latter country was finally to sink under their -exertions. - -Neither did Buonaparte suspect, when halting on the confines of the -Galician mountains, and leaving to Soult the easy task of "driving the -leopard into the sea," that his legions were soon to be checked and -defeated; or that his vaunted representation of the broken-hearted -and dismayed state of the British army, should, by the repulse of -his troops within a few days after in a set battle, become a severe -reflection on the conduct of his own soldiery. Neither Soult nor the -Frenchmen under his command could have supposed, at the same period, -how early the fate of war would create a total reverse in their -hitherto prosperous campaigns; or that their corps, which had led the -advance to Corunna, should soon become the _pursued_, and in a retreat -not less disastrous than that they had just witnessed. But Buonaparte -ever miscalculated, and at this time was wholly unacquainted with, the -perseverance of our national character, or the power of England; and -when he compared her apparent means with those of France, by showing -she had not a million of infantry or one hundred thousand cavalry to -oppose her rival, he had to learn the extent of her vast and boundless -resources, and the determined character of her people.[25] - -When this boastful and triumphant comparison was made, the ruler of -France little feared that the refutation of England's inadequacy -to cope with his power would be proved within seven years, by her -hurling him from the throne, and leading him a captive at her chariot -wheels, or that he should end his days in one of her distant colonies, -in confinement and obscurity! Buonaparte thus considering the army -expelled from Spain as the utmost extent of the means and exertion of -the English as a military people, hastily concluded that they could not -again appear on the continent. He naturally deduced from this, that the -subjection of both Spain and Portugal was the inevitable consequence of -his success in Galicia, and that it only required the time necessary -for their occupation to secure them under Gallic sway.[26] - -But how uncertain are the results of human calculation! At the moment -when Buonaparte thought the Peninsula at his feet, the seeds of -discontent sown by that restless ambition, which was urging him on -to his ruin, began to develope themselves in a distant nation. Their -growth to maturity was as rapid as opportune, and created a powerful -diversion in favour of those countries to the southward suffering under -his yoke. - -The perhaps necessary employment of the French nation, and of the -military feeling and spirit grown up since the revolution, which -Napoleon fostered, had twice, previously to his invasion of Spain, -caused him to direct his conquests against his most powerful military -neighbour,—Austria. - -The last campaign of 1806 left the family of Hapsburg indignant at -their reverses, and on their vanquisher becoming entangled by his -unjust aggression of Spain, they hoped a fit opportunity was offered -for redeeming their character and importance in Europe. If the bold -advance of Sir J. Moore into the heart of Spain, and his demonstration -on Carrion, had made Buonaparte direct the most considerable portion -of his armies on the front or flanks of the English, thus interrupting -for a time, in other quarters, the rapidity of conquest, not less did -the Austrian declaration of war, drawing off a portion of the resources -of France, tend materially to the ultimate advantage of the rightful -cause. Buonaparte was not only personally arrested from overrunning -Spain by his return to France, but from directing a just combination -among his dispersed marshals, which circumstance fortunately allowed -England to regain a firm footing in the Peninsula, and, by the events -of the succeeding campaign, an opportunity of renewing a good feeling -and confidence in the people. Considering the reorganized Austrian as -a more dangerous enemy than the broken Spaniards or expelled English, -Buonaparte, on withdrawing from Astorga, only passed through Madrid, -and returned to Paris. He, however, left (with the exception of the -Imperial Guard, about 15,000 of whom had accompanied him across -the Pyrenees,) his armies entire, under the command of his various -marshals, to complete the subjugation of Spain. - -Of these eight _corps d'armée_, (each equal to the whole British army -in Spain in 1809,) which had crossed the frontier, five had co-operated -directly or otherwise against Sir J. Moore. The sixth, commanded -by the gallant Ney, was ordered to remain in and reduce to control -Galicia and the Asturias. The fourth, under Mortier, with a vast body -of cavalry commanded by Kellerman, was to overawe Leon and Castille; -while Victor, with the first corps, was at once to complete the ruin -of the beaten Spanish armies, and to threaten the line of the Tagus, -the south of Portugal, and eventually its capital. The eighth corps, -which had, under Junot, served in 1807-8 in Portugal, and according to -the convention of Cintra been carried to Rochelle, and subsequently -recrossed Spain, and met their old antagonists before Corunna, was -broken up, and its _débris_ added to the second corps under Soult.[27] - -This force was intended to take the active part of the campaign against -Portugal, which country was to be immediately attacked, the orders to -that effect being received within ten days after the embarkation of the -British. So certain was Buonaparte of Soult's conquest, that he fixed -the 5th of February for the arrival of his troops at Oporto—and the -16th of the same month for his triumphant entrance into Lisbon! - -The army under Soult consisted of 23,500 men, of which 4,000 were -cavalry, divided into ten regiments. It was accompanied by fifty-six -pieces of cannon. Besides these troops, a division under Gen. Lapisse -was to be pushed south from Salamanca to invade Portugal, by the way of -Almeida, at the same time becoming a point of communication between the -corps of Victor and Soult. - -The army of the latter General advanced to the southward, through -Galicia, by several routes, but the principal part, with the artillery, -marched through St. Jago. His directions were to invade Portugal along -the sea-coast, and, with that view, he attempted to cross the Minho at -Tuy, but failing, was forced to proceed up the right bank of the river -as far as Orense, where he crossed that barrier. Besides the great loss -of time from this disappointment and change of route, the army was much -detained by the opposition of the peasantry and the remains of Romana's -dispersed army, and it was only on the 10th of March it was able to -enter Portugal, by the valley of the Tamega. - -Though Soult met considerable opposition from Gen. Silveira,[28] the -French army reached and captured Chaves on the 12th, and Braga on -the 20th, after defeating a corps of Portuguese troops under Baron -Eben; and nine days subsequently, forced the entrenched lines covering -Oporto, having been more than seven times longer on their march than -had been calculated by Buonaparte. The next day Gen. Franceschi, with -several regiments of cavalry, was pushed on to the banks of the Vouga, -where he established his posts opposite those of Col. Trant, who had -collected a few troops and ordenança, and a corps of volunteers, -formed of the students of the University of Coimbra, who gave up their -literary pursuits for the defence of their country. The division of -Gen. Mermet was cantoned in Villa Nova, with the 31st regiment in its -front in support of the cavalry. Soult's corps had been diminished -upwards of 3,000 men within the two months occupied in its march, -having left great numbers of sick at Chaves and Braga. Although it -had overcome all opposition, its chief found himself in an isolated -position, shut out from all intercourse with the other French corps, -and his difficulties increasing every day, as he was obliged to -separate and detach a considerable portion of his force to subdue the -country, and attempt to open his communication with Lapisse. - -But, however insecure and critical his post, it was likely to become -more immediately endangered by the activity of the British, whose -Government, far from being discouraged at the result of the preceding -year, was employed in preparation for a hearty prosecution of the -contest. At the moment the British army withdrew from Corunna, the -troops left in the Peninsula, including a brigade under Brigadier-Gen. -Cameron, (which had advanced to the north-east frontier of Portugal,) -the 14th Light Dragoons, and the sick, convalescents, and stragglers -of Sir J. Moore's army, did not consist of above 7,000 men, under the -command of Sir J. Craddock, at Lisbon. The want of information was -great, and the state of alarm so exaggerated, that the advance of the -French on that capital was daily expected. The artillery and cavalry -were embarked, and the forts of St. Julien and Bugio dismantled, to -prevent their guns being turned upon the ships while withdrawing from -the Tagus. - -The Portuguese felt the danger in which their country was placed, -and the Regency called upon the people to rise _en masse_. They had -little else than the populace to oppose the invader, as the same -principle which had instigated the march of the Spanish corps under -Romana to Denmark, had been acted upon with the only respectable part -of the Portuguese army. These had been sent into France under the -Marquis de Lorna, and suffered a harder fate than the Spanish troops, -the greater part of whom, by aid of the English fleet, returned to -fight their country's battles, while the miserable remnant of the -Portuguese perished at Moscow, under the appellation of the "_Légion -Portugaise_." The remaining regular troops were scarcely to be -considered as organized, and those under Silveira, though actuated by -the best spirit, were little better than the rest. One regiment of two -battalions, called the Lusitanian legion, raised by Sir R. Wilson at -Oporto, was an exception to the general inefficiency, it having made -considerable progress in discipline and order. Sir Robert had proceeded -with the first battalion to the frontier opposite Ciudad Rodrigo, while -the other, under Baron Eben, had been engaged in the defence of the -Tras os Montes, and in the entrenchments around Oporto. - -But this inefficient army had a probability of being regenerated. -Scarce had the fleet returned from Corunna, when the British Government -evinced its conviction that the Spanish and Portuguese cause was not -hopeless, and, with a view to make the latter aid in their own defence, -sent General Beresford with twelve or fourteen officers from England to -re-organize and form their army. This determination being made so soon -afterwards, and before the despondency of the failure at Corunna had -worn off, was much ridiculed at the time as being too late, and doubts -were expressed if Lisbon would not be in the possession of the enemy -before they could reach the Tagus. This anticipation was not confirmed -by events, and, with the rank of a Portuguese Marshal, General -Beresford, on the 13th of March, issued a spirited address to that -nation, in which he assured them, that they only required organization -and discipline to make them equal to face the invader. How just were -the Marshal's ideas of their latent martial character, is to be learned -from their brilliant conduct in the ensuing war. Much, however, was to -be done to raise from degradation the military profession in Portugal. -Perhaps in no age or country had it fallen so low. Even among the -Chinese, where civil and literary celebrity is ever sought before that -of arms, it was never so despised, as it had been among our faithful -allies since the war of succession. - -In 1762-3, La Lippe had been called in by the Marquis de Pombal, who -formed the army into twenty-four regiments of infantry, twelve of -cavalry, and four of artillery, and which had continued, at least -nominally, till the arrival of Junot. Few of his regulations were -permanent or long respected. During the whole of the latter half of -the eighteenth century, in all the short successive wars, though -occasionally invigorated by fresh disciplinarians from foreign -countries, the Portuguese army never rose above mediocrity. It is -true, but few opportunities were offered of trial, but in 1801, at -Arronches, the scandalous panic that seized the corps commanded by the -Duke d'Alafoes, made them to be considered worse than contemptible. Not -that the people required either physical or moral qualities, as might -be easily proved from their conflicts with the Spaniards: having ever -placed themselves at least upon an equality, in courage and conduct, -with their neighbours. The French, in their progress through the Tras -os Montes, drew a favourable comparison of their bravery with that of -the Spaniards, while it was impossible to see the peasantry and not be -convinced of their bodily strength and capability of bearing fatigue. - -The difficulty of creating a Portuguese army lay not with the men -but with the officers, who had sunk so low in the estimation of the -country, of themselves, and of their men, as to be little superior to -the degrading and menial offices, (as when La Lippe arrived in 1792,) -they once filled, of servants in the houses of the nobility. No cause -of improvement had offered itself since those disgraceful times, which -had naturally placed them on terms of the greatest familiarity and -equality with their men. It was no uncommon spectacle to find them in -a common _cabaret_ gambling, if not cheating the soldiers out of the -pay they had just made over to them. It was not less to counteract -this deteriorating cause, than to organize the soldiers, that Gen. -Beresford had taken officers with him from England, whose numbers were -subsequently greatly increased. Those who accompanied him in the first -instance, and some who afterwards joined him, were, with the view to -place British Captains in command of battalions, first raised a step -of rank in their own service, and received another in that of the -Portuguese, when appointed to regiments. - -The Marshal established his head-quarters at Thomar, and fairly -grappled with all the prominent difficulties, and, aided by the -example and conduct of the officers placed under his orders, at once -did away the causes of the want of respect and confidence of the men. -The interior economy was strictly investigated, and the regiments -made efficient, not only by British arms and equipments, but by being -subsidized to fight their own battles by the money of England. - -Without going farther into detail, it will be sufficient to remark, -that the arrangement and system of the Marshal were so good, and -improvement so rapid in the Portuguese army, that within two months -from the date of his first order, a battalion of the 16th regiment was -brought into collision with the enemy; and if it did not distinguish -itself as much as it did on so many subsequent occasions, it evinced -neither confusion nor dismay. Eighteen months after, the general -conduct of the whole Portuguese army was marked by traits of discipline -and bravery, and even of individual gallantry, which continued on the -increase to the end of the war, and which were most unquestionably -shown on many subsequent occasions, by overthrowing the veterans of -France with the bayonet. - -The twenty-four regiments of the line formed by La Lippe had been -broken into two battalions each in 1797, and were continued at that -establishment; as were the twelve regiments of cavalry, of which -not above one-third had been ever mounted. The artillery was placed -under British officers, as well as the other arms. To this the whole -population was to be added, though as irregulars or _ordenanza_, rather -than militia. This force was increased in the course of the next -year, by six regiments of Caçadores, which were, at a later period -during the war, doubled, on their value being duly appreciated. But -England was not less active in sending reinforcements of her own troops -to the Peninsula. Doubts had been once entertained, whether future -operations should be carried on from the south of Spain, rather than -from Portugal; and the first convoy of troops was directed to Cadiz. -On its reaching that port, the besotted Spaniards hesitated, as they -had the year before when Sir D. Baird arrived at Corunna, respecting -the disembarkation of the troops. After some futile negotiations, and -(in consequence of the slow advance of the French,) in the revived hope -of saving Lisbon, the British troops fortunately passed to the latter -place, as the frontier statistics of Portugal are better calculated for -military operations than those of Andalusia. - -The first reinforcement that reached the Tagus early in March was -commanded by Lieut.-Gen. Sherbrooke, which was followed in the -beginning of April by another, under Major-Gen. Hill, together -increasing the army to 13,000 men. The arrival allayed much the fears, -and not only allowed Sir J. Craddock to take up a position out of -Lisbon, and cover the great roads that led upon it, with the right on -Santarem, and the left on the Sea, but even to contemplate offensive -operations, and in the middle of April to push the army in advance -towards the North. - -In the mean time, the administration at home had determined to give the -command of the army for the defence of Portugal to the same general -officer who had so successfully attacked it the year before, and, -in order to make room for him, Sir J. Craddock was appointed to be -Governor of Gibraltar. - -Sir A. Wellesley sailed on the 16th of April on board the Surveillant, -Sir George Collier, from Portsmouth, to which place or to England he -did not again return, until 1814, as Duke of Wellington, when, on his -first arrival from the south of France, his Grace proceeded direct to -the same town—where the Prince Regent was showing to the Emperor of -Russia and the King of Prussia the arsenal and fleet. - -The same night the frigate was nearly lost off St. Catherine's Head in -the Isle of Wight: so imminent was the danger, and so close the ship -to the breakers, that Sir G. Collier desired Sir Arthur to dress, and, -thinking the loss of the vessel certain, advised him to stay by the -wreck as long as possible, this being considered a more probable means -of escape than a premature attempt to reach the shore. The frigate -missed stays more than once: but a fortunate start of wind off the -land prevented her wreck.[29] Even had all escaped with life, but for -this shift of wind, (or rather the never failing happy destiny of Sir -Arthur, who might have desired Sir G. Collier not to despair, while he -had not Cæsar, but Wellesley and his fortunes on board) much valuable -time would have been lost, not only as to striking the blow at Soult, -but by allowing fresh combinations between the distant French Marshals, -and perhaps not giving the opportunity of opposing them in detail. - -The entrance of the Surveillant into the Tagus was an interesting -event, when, at a distance of twenty years, it was considered, that -she bore in her bosom the regeneration of England's military fame, -and that Europe was to date from it the positive commencement of that -formidable and permanent position taken up by our armies, which allowed -its nations to breathe, and subsequently, by our victories over the -common enemy, to break the spell of gloomy conviction, becoming daily -universal, that the French armies were invincible. - -Sir Arthur's landing at Lisbon on the 22nd of April was strongly marked -by the gratifying expression of the people's feeling; they hailed him -as their former deliverer, and evinced their gratitude by illuminating -the city during his stay. On the 25th Sir J. Craddock, in a farewell -address, bade adieu to the army, and two days subsequently Sir Arthur -took the command, and in his first order changed its staff, placing -Brig.-Gen. Stewart at the head of the Adj.-General's, and Col. Murray, -3d Guards, at that of the Quarter-master General's department. The -same day his Excellency went in procession with the royal carriages, -escorted by a squadron of the 16th dragoons, to be introduced to -the Regency, at the palace of the Inquisition in the Roçio, on his -receiving from them the rank of Marshal General. - -The state of affairs in the Peninsula at this time was neither -satisfactory nor encouraging. Although Buonaparte had withdrawn from -Spain, his legions, which had passed through Madrid, and witnessed -the replacing Joseph on the throne, had subsequently overthrown all -the Spanish armies. The advanced guard of the Duke del Infantado's -army under Vanegas had been beaten at Ucles in January, and the army -of Cartojal had met a defeat at Ciudad Real. Cuesta, with the main -Spanish army, after retiring across the Tagus, and taking position at -Almaraz, had allowed his flank to be turned by the bridge of Arzobispo, -and was forced, in consequence, to retreat across the Guadiana, when, -at Medellin on its banks, he was on the 28th of March completely -routed, through the bad conduct of his cavalry. His infantry, who -from their behaviour on this occasion deserved a better fate, were -so completely,—not at the mercy, for none was shown, but—in the -power of the enemy's cavalry, that their horsemen were worn out with -slaughtering their easily routed victims; and it was reported, many -wore their arms for several days in slings, from having had such -opportunity of using their sabres. The remnant of the Spanish army -took refuge in the Sierra Morena, where attempts were made to recruit -the infantry—the dastardly cavalry, not less disgraced in the action -by their conduct, than after by the General's notice of it, scarcely -requiring a man. While so little aid was to be expected for the -British from these broken armies, Victor was left with 22,000 men, -in a position threatening the weakest part of Portugal, and, by the -existence of the bridge of Alcantara, both banks of the Tagus. - -But in the mean time, Soult's position at Oporto had become more -critical every day. Vigo had surrendered to the Spaniards, aided by -some English ships, while Silveira had retaken Chaves, with 1,300 -sick, and had continued his advance by Amarante to Penafiel. Lapisse -had advanced as far as Ciudad Rodrigo, but, on finding himself opposed -by Sir R. Wilson and the Spanish troops, he made no attempt to -communicate with or join Soult, and, after a little skirmishing, passed -on to join Victor on the Tagus. Soult's communications were thus wholly -destroyed, and his force had been much dispersed in trying to make them -good; not less than between six and 7000 men having been sent into the -valley of the Tamega and other points. But, although Marshal Soult had -not above half the number of men collected at Oporto that Victor's army -consisted of, still the British army was not strong enough to oppose -both at once. It became necessary, therefore, to act with vigour on one -point, and the former army being the weakest, and in the Portuguese -territory, while its retreat was endangered, drew the more immediate -attention of the British General. Lest Victor should be enabled to -advance to the south of the Tagus, Sir Arthur lost no time at Lisbon, -and, after a stay of but six days, set out on the 23d for the army, -part of which had arrived at Coimbra. All the towns were illuminated -on the road, and on his Excellency's arrival at Coimbra on the 2d, in -addition to other demonstrations of joy, the ladies from the balconies -covered him with roses and sugar-plums! - -The army was brigaded anew on the 4th of May. - - - _Cavalry._ - - MAJOR-GEN. COTTON. - - 14th Light Dragoons. - 20th — — - 16th — — - 3rd — — King's G. L^n. - - - _Infantry._ - - BRIG.-GEN. H. CAMPBELL. - - 2 Battalions of Guards. - 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. - - - _First Brigade._ - - MAJOR-GEN. HILL. - - 3rd or Buffs - 66th Regiment. - 48th — - 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. - - - _Third Brigade._ - - MAJOR-GEN. TILSON. - - 5 Comp. 5 Batt. 60 Regt. - 88th Regiment. - 1 Batt. Port^{se}. Grenadiers. - 87th Regiment. - - - _Fifth Brigade._ - - BRIG.-GEN. A. CAMPBELL. - - 7th Fusileers. - 1 Batt. 10th Port^{se}. Regt. - 53rd Regiment. - 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. - - - _Seventh Brigade._ - - BRIG.-GEN. CAMERON. - - 9th Regiment - 2nd Batt. 10th Port^{se}. Regt. - 83rd Regiment - 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. - - - _Sixth Brigade._ - - BRIG-GEN. STEWART. - - 1st Batt. Detachments. - 1st Batt. 16th Port^{se}. Regt. - 29th Regiment. - - - _Fourth Brigade._ - - BRIG.-GEN. SONTAG. - - 2nd Batt. Detachments. - 1st. Batt. 16th Port^{se}. Regt. - 79th Regiment. - 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. - - - _Second Brigade._ - - MAJOR-GEN. M'KENZIE. - - 27th Regiment - 45th — - 31st — - - - _King's German Legion._ - - MAJOR-GEN. MURRAY. - - 1 Brigade (2 Regiments) - BRIG.-GEN. LANGWORTH. - 2 Brigade (2 Regiments) - BRIG.-GEN. DRIBOURG. - -It was subsequently divided into wings under Lieut.-Gens. Sherbrooke -and Paget, and the cavalry placed under Lieut.-Gen. Payne. The same -reasons that pressed the departure of the Commander of the Forces from -Lisbon, accelerated the preparations of the campaign, and advance upon -Oporto. A few days' delay were, however, necessary to complete the -arrangements, according to the following plan of operations. While -Sir A. advanced with the main force of the army on the enemy's front, -a corps that quitted Coimbra on the 5th, was intended to move on -the enemy's left flank and rear. This was to be under the orders of -Marshal Beresford, and consisted of Maj.-Gen. Tilson's brigade, and -some cavalry. It was ordered to direct its march on Viseu, and across -the Douro, to co-operate with Silveira. This officer was unfortunately -driven from Amarante on the 2d of May, the enemy thus opening to -themselves a practicable route for carriage to the eastern frontier. -Lisbon was to be covered during these northern operations by a corps of -observation, under Maj.-Gen. M'Kenzie, to watch Victor. It was posted -at Santarem, consisting of the General's own brigade, a brigade of -British heavy cavalry, and 7,000 Portuguese. In his front at Alcantara, -was Col. Mayne, with a battallion of the Lusitanian legion. - -On the 6th, opportunity was taken of inspecting that portion of the -army around Coimbra, on some sands two miles from the town. The British -troops appeared in excellent order, and the Portuguese regiments, -though not so soldier-like as their allies, looked better than was -expected, as it was the fashion of the day to hold them in utter -contempt. Their dark olive complexions, and blue single-breasted coats, -gave them a _sombre_ appearance when in contrast with our countrymen, -and it could not be denied that the comparison was to the advantage -of the latter. It was a fine sight, although of the 21,000 British in -Portugal, only 17,000 were present, on account of the two detachment -corps.[30] - -On the 7th, part of these troops advanced in two columns on the main -roads towards Oporto, by Adiha on the Vouga, and by the bay of Aveiro -to Ovar. On the 9th, the remainder of the army and head quarters -quitted Coimbra in the same direction. The advance of the French under -Gen. Franceschi had remained on the Vouga, and arrangements were -made for surprising it on the 10th.[31] If the success of this _coup -d'essai_ was to be taken as a sample of our future proceedings, it -would have been unfortunate, as, between the neighing of the horses of -the Portuguese cavalry, and the stupidity of the guides, the enemy were -prepared, and the whole was a complete failure. But for the withdrawing -of the French, and the capture of two four-pounders, we had little to -boast in the scrambling skirmish it produced. We advanced to the spot -where they had been encamped, which was as much chosen for beauty of -situation as strength. We had here the first instance of the trouble -the French took in embellishing their camps; in the centre of the front -they were erecting a pretty wooden obelisk. - -On the following day the army advanced on the great northern road, and, -about twelve o'clock, a squadron of the enemy was seen on the skirts -of a wood, in front of a little village. On some three-pounders and -our cavalry advancing against them, they fell back, but showed some -infantry, and our light troops were directed to attack them. This -produced some skirmishing as we continued to advance. The country -was much inclosed; the enemy clung longer to their ground than was -expected, as we only supposed it an affair of posts; but a column of -infantry on a height over the village of Grijon soon convinced us that -it was at least a strong advanced guard. The road here crossed a ridge -of hills, at right angles, covered with olives and fir woods, which -offered a strong position. The ground was not ill chosen, though the -left was without any _appui_. Brigadier Gen. Stewart's brigade formed -in line to the support of the 16th Portuguese regiment, acting as -skirmishers on the left of the road, while the German light infantry -were engaged on the right. The four battalions of the German legion -brought their left shoulders up, and marched diagonally across to turn -the left, the enemy's weak point. The skirmishing was very sharp in the -woods, and the 29th regiment was forced to support the Portuguese, who -were once obliged to fall back. At this moment they pushed a column -of infantry down the road through the village of Grijon, which being -reported to Sir Arthur, he replied in the most quiet manner, "If they -come any farther, order the battalion of detachments to charge them -with the bayonet." - -The officers of the staff, many of them at that time young soldiers, -could not help evincing strong feeling on hearing the simple and -distinct manner in which this order was given; but before some months -had passed over their heads, they had opportunities of not only -hearing, but seeing them carried into execution. On this occasion the -alternative mentioned by Sir Arthur did not occur, as, on their flank -being turned, and finding our whole force on their front, about two -o'clock they retired from their position. Our guns were brought up to -bear upon them in their retreat, Brig.-Gen. Stewart put himself at -the head of two squadrons, and trotted after the enemy, who withdrew -their troops with astonishing rapidity. The country was much inclosed -and intersected, and, on nearing the enemy's rear guard, the cavalry -entered a deep ravine, closely wooded. The French lined the sides -with their light infantry, who opened a close and sharp fire, which, -for a moment, created some confusion, and checked the advance; but on -coming in sight of five companies, drawn up in line in a wider space, -by the exertion and example of the General, the latter led them to the -charge, broke through the enemy, and made above one hundred prisoners. -This rapid movement threw the 31st French regiment off the road of -retreat, and they fell back on Ovar, where finding Maj.-Gen. Hill, -they withdrew, after some skirmishing, to Oporto, during the night. -Thus ended the operations of this day, which were beautiful in their -prosecution and satisfactory in the result. - -The enemy's corps (besides the cavalry engaged the day before on the -Vouga,) consisted of 4 or 5,000 infantry of the division of Mermet, -which had been pushed on to this ground from Villa Nova on the 8th, on -Soult's hearing of our probable advance. It was the 47^e _de ligne_ -that was charged on the retreat, and however valiantly they may have -acted, they cannot be praised for prudence or judgment in forming a -line to receive cavalry.[32] Instead of this, had they vaulted over the -enclosures, or scrambled up the banks, they might have killed every man -of the cavalry without endangering a soldier. One of the privates was -very loud in his attempts to draw notice, and by his vociferation, that -he was the son of a marquis, proved the aristocratic feeling not quite -deadened by the revolution, though the conscription had reached and -levelled all ranks of society. Our loss was under one hundred men: one -officer of the 16th Dragoons received no less than three balls, though -happily none proved mortal. - -Our first progress to the front, on the morning of the 12th, showed us -the horrors produced by a war of invasion. Beyond Grijon nine bodies -of unfortunate Portuguese peasants were seen hanging on trees by the -side of the road, blackened in the sun. The common people, naturally -considering the enemy as _hors de la loi_, sought every means, open or -otherwise, for their destruction. This brought on them that retaliation -produced by the military ideas of a regular army, who conceived they -had only a right to be opposed by _soldiers_, and not by the unclothed -and unorganized population. These they considered as insurgents and -brigands, and shot and hung, with as little compassion as we should a -burglar. The exasperation of the French was not wholly uncalled-for, -as the atrocities committed on the stragglers and sick were horrible, -amounting often, besides shocking lingering deaths, to frightful -mutilations. - -A hair-dresser who escaped from Oporto in the night, had brought in, -soon after daybreak, the intelligence that the enemy had destroyed -the bridge of boats over the Douro at one o'clock; and the still more -disagreeable information, that all the boats were secured on the other -side the Douro. On the fugitive barber being taken to Sir Arthur by -Colonel Waters of the Adjutant General's Department, that officer was -instructed to proceed immediately to the banks of the river, and -directed to procure boats, _coute qui coute_. - -As we advanced on the high road to Oporto, this report of the -destruction of the bridge was confirmed, and doubts came fast and -thick upon us, respecting the passage of the Douro in the face of an -enemy. On our arrival at Villa Nova, we found General Hill's brigade -arrived from Ovar, and with the troops of the centre column choking the -streets; through these Sir Arthur threaded his way, and took post on -the right of the town in the garden of the convent of Sierra. From this -elevated spot the whole city was visible, like a panorama, and nothing -that passed within it could be hidden from the view of the British -general. The French guards and sentries were seen in the various parts -of the town, but no bustle was evinced, or even apparent curiosity. No -groups were noticed looking at us, which was afterwards accounted for, -by learning that the French were ordered to remain in their quarters -ready to turn out, and the Portuguese not allowed to appear beyond the -walls of their houses. There were a few sentries in the quays, but none -without the limits or above the town. A line of baggage discovered -retiring beyond the town across the distant hills, was the sole -indication of our threatening neighbourhood. - -The passage of a river in the front of an enemy is allowed to be the -most difficult of military operations; and when it became obvious, from -the collection of boats on the other bank, that precautions had been -taken to secure them from us, the barrier appeared insurmountable. -General Murray had been directed to march in the morning to try and -cross the river, about five miles up at Aventas, but having only four -battalions and two squadrons, unless we could aid his successful -passage, he would lie open to defeat; and in consequence our anxiety -was very great to establish ourselves on the opposite bank. In the -meanwhile Colonel Waters (who has since become so distinguished for -his intelligence and activity) had passed up the left bank of the -river, searching for means to cross it, and about two miles above the -city, found a small boat lying in the mud. The peasantry demurred at -going over to the other side to procure some larger boats seen on -the opposite bank; but the Colonel, (from speaking Portuguese like a -native,) learned that the Prior of Amarante was not distant from the -spot, and hoped by his influence to attain his object. This patriotic -priest, on learning the desire of the British, joined with Colonel -Waters in inducing the peasants, after some persuasion, to accompany -the Colonel across, who brought back four boats. - -When our doubts and fears were at the highest, this agreeable -information arrived, and was received by all with the greatest -satisfaction, while three companies of the Buffs, accompanied by -General Paget, were immediately conveyed to the other side. - -The spot at which they passed over and landed was about half a mile -above the city, at the foot of a steep cliff, up which a zigzag road, -or winding path, led to a vast unfinished brick-building, standing on -the brink. This was intended as a new residence for the bishop, and -placed in the Prado, being surrounded by a wall with a large iron-gate, -opening on the road to Vallongo. It was a strong post, and the three -companies, on gaining the summit, threw themselves into it, as it at -once covered the place of disembarkation, and was for themselves a good -means of defence. Our artillery was posted on the high bank, on the -other side, completely commanding the Prado and the Vallongo road. - -Soult had his quarters on the side of the city near the sea, and, -having collected all the boats, as he supposed, on the right bank, -considered himself in perfect security. He thought if we made any -attempt to cross, it would be in conjunction with our ships lying off -the bar, and all his attention was directed to that quarter. He even -turned into ridicule the first report of our having crossed, and -discredited the fact to the last, until it was incontestably proved by -our firing. The boats had made more than one trip before any one in the -town appeared to notice it. Foy has the credit of being the first to -discover our having passed, and he instantly ordered the drums of the -nearest battalion to beat the _general_. We heard the drums beat when -nearly the whole of the Buffs had crossed, and soon saw symptoms of -bustle and confusion in the town, and the French regiments forming on -their parades. This was an anxious moment, and just as the whole of the -Buffs had landed, a battalion was observed moving down a road towards -them. This was the 17th, brought down by Foy, and which was quickly -supported by the 70th. The first made an attack on the Buffs, who stood -their ground, giving a tremendous fire, while our artillery from the -opposite side killed and wounded a great number of the enemy. - -More boats, in the mean time, were brought across and more troops; the -48th, 66th, and a Portuguese battalion landed, and not only defended -themselves successfully, but even drove the enemy from the walls, -between the town and the bishop's palace. This petty success was seen -by Sir Arthur and his staff, who cheered our soldiery as they chased -the enemy from the various posts. The enemy's troops now came through -the town in great numbers, and obliged our troops to confine themselves -to the enclosure. They continued running along the road towards and -beyond the iron-gate, while our shells and shot were whizzing through -the trees and between the houses into the road as they passed. They -brought up a gun through the gate to batter the house; but this proved -an unfortunate experiment, as our troops increasing in number by fresh -embarkations, (though General Paget was wounded), charged and captured -it. They also brought some guns to bear from the open spaces in the -town, but they were tamely if not badly served. But General Murray had -made good his position on the north bank of the river, and we soon -descried him making as much show as possible, marching with his ranks -open towards the Vallongo road, thus threatening the communication of -the enemy with Loison. He was not, however, strong enough to interrupt -the retreat of 10,000 desperate men; for the French now began to think -of nothing else, and directed their march toward Amarante. On their -deserting the quays, the Portuguese jumped into the boats, which soon -transported across, (amidst the cheers of the people and the waving -of pocket-handkerchiefs by the women from the windows,) the guards -and General Stewart's brigade, who proceeded through the town with the -greatest speed. - -The Buffs, in the mean time, had dashed into the city and cut off -a battery of Light Artillery in retreat, which, becoming jammed -between that regiment, and the 29th received the fire of both, and -was captured. The flight of the enemy was continued, but they were -overtaken by the two squadrons which had passed with General Murray, -led by Brig.-Gen. Charles Stewart, who charged the rear and made 200 -prisoners. Major Hervey, who commanded the Dragoons, lost his arm. The -enemy collected their scattered troops at some distance, but continued -their retreat towards Amarante in the night. Our loss did not exceed -120 men, while the enemy, besides killed and wounded, left in our hands -500 prisoners and 1000 sick in the hospitals, and several pieces of -cannon. The city was illuminated at night, and Sir Arthur, without -allowing himself any rest, the same evening gave out an order of thanks -to the army. The operations of the three preceding days had been most -gratifying, and the quickness with which the enemy had been forced -from his various positions and pursued, seldom equalled. The army -had advanced 80 miles in four days, three of which were in constant -presence of the enemy. - -Sir Arthur had completely surprised in his quarters one of the most -distinguished French Marshals, and consummated in his face the most -difficult operation in war, that of crossing a deep and rapid river -before an enemy. Nothing can relieve Soult from the disgrace of -this day; and all that has been or whatever may be written in his -defence, can but palliate his want of precaution and fatal security. -The rapidity of Sir Arthur's own movements had been wonderful; for -within twenty-six days since leaving Portsmouth, Oporto was captured -and the enemy in full retreat. Captain Fitzroy Stanhope, one of the -Commander-of-the-Forces' aide-de-camps, was sent to England with the -dispatches of this success by one of the ships cruising off the port, -whose crews from the sea had seen the smoke of the firing during the -actions of the 11th and 12th. - -The retreat of the enemy was directed upon Amarante, the seizure of -that place from Silveira by Loison, ten days before, having opened them -a loop-hole for escape. But Marshal Beresford, after crossing the Douro -at Pedro de Regoa, had joined Silveira, and on the 11th drove Loison -out of Amarante, and thus closed the road and the enemy's hopes in that -direction. Loison fell back on Guimaraens by the good carriage-road -that led to Chaves, sending information of his movement to Soult at -Oporto. Soult on his arrival at Penafiel, on the night of the 12th, -received this disagreeable news, and finding himself pressed in so -many directions, and no road open for carriages, determined at once to -destroy the heavy material of his corps and to join Loison across the -Sierra de Santa Catherina, at Guimaraens. Capt. Mellish, who was sent -on the morning of the 13th to Penafiel, confirmed the report which had -reached Oporto, of the destruction of their ammunition-waggons, guns, -and carriages. The cannon had been placed mouth to mouth and discharged -into each other, by trains laid communicating through the mass of -baggage and ammunition waggons. - -Want of provisions and uncertainty of the enemy's route prevented the -advance of the army on the 13th, but the Germans were pushed on with -some six-pounders on the road of the enemy's retreat. On ascertaining -that the enemy had given up the idea of retreating by Amarante, orders -were sent to Marshal Beresford, to direct his march on Chaves, at which -place he arrived on the 16th, detaching Silveira in the direction of -the enemy's rear on Ruivaens. On the 14th, the army advanced half-way -on the road towards Braga. Soult collected his army, (the garrison -of Braga retiring on our advance) on the morning of the 15th at -Guimaraens, but finding our troops at Villa Nova de Famillacao, and no -road open for cannon, he destroyed the baggage and the military chest -of Loison's corps, and in despair took to the Goat-herds' paths across -the mountain, trusting to the interest, aid, and information procured -by the Bishop of Braga. Their army was in great confusion during the -13th, but the two following days it became totally disorganized. The -paths were so narrow, that but one man could pass at a time, and the -cavalry were obliged to lead their horses, while their column, thus -distressingly lengthened, had the additional misery of incessant -rain that fell in torrents during the whole of this trying period. -The peasantry, happy in revenging the horrors and atrocities of -their enemy's advance, watched them like vultures, and failed not -to dart upon all who sunk under fatigue; the stones they rolled on -them swept whole files into the abysses, while single shots from the -mountain-tops slew soldiers in the column of march. Their sufferings -met commiseration from the British alone, who had not suffered from the -guilty acts for which they were now receiving retribution. - -Their _déroute_ was so complete, that Sir A. Wellesley thought it -unnecessary to follow them with the whole army beyond Braga, which -city he reached on the 16th. The probability of Victor's threatening -the south was also to be taken into consideration, and he therefore -contented himself in pursuing with some cavalry, the Guards, and -Brig.-Gen. Cameron's brigade, while the Germans, following the enemy, -even with three-pounders, across the Sierra de Santa Catherina, reached -Guimaraens the same day. The French continued their retreat, and on -the night of the 15th reached Salamonde, where their position was most -alarming. They found one of the bridges on the Cavado, on the road -to Ruivaens, destroyed and occupied, while that called Pontè Nova -only offered a single beam. They, however, surprised and killed the -Portuguese who guarded the last, and this proved the safety of their -army. They restored the troops into some order on the night between -the 15th and 16th, while the bridge was being repaired, which was made -passable by the morning, and allowed them to continue their march -towards Montalegre, leaving a rear-guard at Salamonde. Our cavalry -discovered them about half-past one o'clock, but the Guards did not -arrive until late. The position of the enemy was behind a deep and wide -ravine, accessible only by the road, with their right on the torrent, -and the left upon a ridge of broken mountains. The light troops were -directed to turn this point, and when sufficiently on their flank, -about half past six, the column and two-three-pounder guns, which -had joined from Gen. Murray's column, were pushed along the road to -attack in front. The enemy, who had placed their pickets, thinking the -cavalry were the only troops up, and hoping to continue all night, -instantly retired from the position, and, as it was almost dark, little -advantage could be taken of the confusion in which they fled, farther -than that of the guns firing on their columns, and the light infantry -pressing them _en tirailleur_. A few prisoners were made, among whom -was an officer. The rain continued incessant, and the miserable village -scarcely allowed cover for a quarter of the troops. - -The next morning the disasters of the enemy in their flight of the -night before were fully revealed by the wreck left at and near the -bridge over the Cavado. The bridge had been only partially repaired, -and the infantry were obliged to file, and the cavalry to lead their -horses across. The passage must have been ever dangerous, but the -confusion occasioned by our pursuit and cannonade, and the darkness -of the night, rendered it to a degree hazardous. The rocky torrent of -the Cavado, in consequence, presented next morning an extraordinary -spectacle. Men and horses, sumpter animals and baggage, had been -precipitated into the river, and literally choked the course of the -stream. Here, with these fatal accompaniments of death and dismay, was -disgorged the last of the plunder of Oporto, and the other cities north -of the Douro. All kinds of valuable goods were left on the road, while -above 300 horses, sunk in the water, and mules laden with property, -fell into the hands of the grenadier and light companies of the guards. -These active-fingered gentry soon found that fishing for boxes and -bodies out of the stream produced pieces of plate, and purses and belts -full of gold and silver; and, amidst scenes of death and destruction, -arose shouts of the most noisy merriment. - -Soult reached the pass of Ruivaens before Silveira, or his capture -would have been certain; but at that place learning that Marshal -Beresford had arrived at Chaves, he turned the head of his columns -towards Montalegre. The British army being greatly distressed from -fatigue, want of provisions, and bad weather, only advanced a league on -the 17th; but a squadron of cavalry and a battalion of Germans, were -pushed to the bridge of Miserele and Villa da Ponte. On the 18th, the -Guards, Germans, and Brig.-Gen. Cameron's brigade, pushed on in pursuit -of the enemy, whose track might have been found from the _débris_ -of baggage, dead and dying men, (worn down by fatigue and misery to -skeletons,) houghed mules, and immense quantities of cartridges, which -the wearied soldiery threw away to lighten themselves from even the -weight of the balls. - -Marshal Beresford had directed Silveira to march on Montalegre, but -he arrived about two hours too late, the enemy having dragged their -weary march along by that town and across the frontier, at twelve -o'clock. This was witnessed by some of our officers, who had pushed -on, and observed their distressed and miserable state. On our arrival -at Montalegre, we saw their retiring columns in march fairly over the -Spanish frontier, and a village on their route in flames. However, Col. -Talbot, of the 14th light dragoons, followed the enemy's route for -some way, and made prisoners an officer and 50 men. Marshal Beresford -crossed the frontier, but proceeded no farther than Ginso, on hearing -that Sir Arthur had given up the pursuit. The Commander-of-the-Forces, -from the advices received from Gen. M'Kenzie, had become anxious -respecting the line of the Tagus, and, being content with seeing the -enemy across the frontier, desisted from a more northern advance, and -ordered the troops to be cantoned in the nearest villages, wherever -the order might reach them. - -Thus ended this short but active operation of twelve days, in which -the disasters of the Corunna campaign were repaid on the corps of -Soult with interest, as the distress and misery of the enemy were more -considerable than we had suffered in the preceding January. Instead -of the fine Gallician road of retreat, they were obliged to file -through mule and even goat-herd paths, while the incessant rain was -more distressing than the snow. The French had not stores and supplies -to fall back upon, but, on the contrary, passed through the most -unproductive wilds in the valleys and mountains. But the difference of -the circumstances of the two retreats marks their degrees of misery. -The peasantry, while friendly to us in Gallicia, evinced, in the Tras -os Montes, every mark of hatred to the enemy, whose cruelties had well -deserved severe retributive justice. This was carried to a distressing -extent, and though it kept the French together, added greatly to the -extent of their loss. Our army was never so disorganized in Gallicia as -that of the French, who could not have attempted to fight a battle at -Montalegre, as we did at Corunna. The loss of men (including Soult's -invasion and retreat) seems to have been nearly equal; but the enemy, -besides the military chest and baggage, (of which we only sacrificed a -part,) left the whole of their artillery, while we embarked ours safely -at Corunna. But Soult saw that his escape could be alone confined to -his men, and barely avoided capture, if not destruction, by sacrificing -the whole of his _matériel_. The fortunate chance of finding a traitor -in the Bishop of Braga tended to the safety of their retreat, which had -been constantly endangered, and would have been intercepted, had he -continued his march from Salamonde, on Chaves, instead of Montalegre. - -Intelligence from the south of Victor's intention to invade Portugal -had induced Sir A. Wellesley to avoid pushing more troops beyond Braga -than was absolutely necessary, in order that they should be as near -and as ready as practicable, to proceed against Victor. This Marshal, -having been joined by Lapisse, hoping to create a diversion in favour -of Soult, seized, with a corps of 12 to 14,000 men, the bridge of -Alcantara, and pushed his patrols to Castello Branco. This movement -required strict attention, and rendered necessary a more speedy -retrograde movement from the northern frontier than would have been -desired after the fatigues of the troops; but, only allowing two days' -rest at Oporto, they were withdrawn to Coimbra, by the same routes by -which they had advanced. Head-quarters were on the 23rd at Coimbra. -Here the Portuguese regiments, which had acted with us in the Tras os -Montes, were ordered to form the garrison of Oporto. These regiments -had given some hopes of good promise, yet none were so sanguine at this -time as to expect from them their subsequent bravery and efficiency. - -Sir Arthur continued his route on the 5th to Thomar, where we found the -heavy brigade, consisting of the 3rd dragoon guards and 4th dragoons, -which had disembarked while we were in the north, and appeared in -excellent condition. Head-quarters were established at Abrantes on the -8th of June, from whence Major-Gen. M'Kenzie, on our advance, had been -pushed forward to Castello Branco; as Victor, finding that Soult's -retreat had left Portugal free from danger in the north, considered -his own position less tenable, and had withdrawn from the north of the -Tagus. The French army soon afterwards fell back from Caseres upon -Merida and Medellin. - -Although it was understood that Sir Arthur's orders only extended -to the defence of Portugal, yet he felt that these stirring times -required active exertions from all Europe, and that tranquillity was -incompatible with the strides France was making to universal dominion. -The cause of our allies on the spot, and of those more distant, -struggling in Germany, pointed out the propriety of some attempt to -create at least a diversion in their favour. It was evident that, could -arrangements be made with the Spaniards, the disorganization of Soult's -army offered an opportunity for striking a blow at Victor, and perhaps -at the Spanish capital, particularly as Sebastiani was supposed to be -fully employed in La Mancha. Sir Arthur, in consequence, offered to aid -the Spaniards in a forward offensive movement into Spanish Estramadura. -Such a step appeared the only means of re-establishing the war in the -Peninsula, as the cause of Spain was fast sinking under the superior -troops and management of the French, who, however they might dread the -population, had learned that the armies were incapable of opposing -their progress[33]. Much precious time was wasted in the arrangements -for the necessary co-operation of the two armies, which, but for the -pride and obstinacy of Cuesta, might have been more usefully employed. -It was only after considerable _negotiation_, (an expression perfectly -applicable to the intercourse between ourselves and our allies, though -we had only in view the saving their country,) that it was determined -to make a simultaneous advance into Spanish Estramadura. - -In the meanwhile, Victor, who had retreated from the Guadiana, and -withdrawn his army across the Tagus, was evidently falling back to -receive aid from Madrid and La Mancha. The plan for this forward -movement, was the advance of both armies along each bank of the Tagus, -and a junction of the allies in front of the enemy in the plains of -Estramadura. The British were to march to the north of the river by -Coria and Placentia, turning Almaraz and the enemy's posts facing -Cuesta, while the others were to cross at Almaraz, and to co-operate -with our advancing columns. It was necessary to secure the frontier of -Portugal to the north and north-east, and the passes along the frontier -of that country leading from Castille and Leon, as two _corps d'armée_, -besides that of Soult, were in the north of Spain. - -Marshal Beresford, posted near Almeida, was to undertake the first with -the Portuguese army, while Cuesta promised to occupy the Banos pass, -leading direct from Salamanca upon Placentia. The Spaniards engaged -to find means of collecting and furnishing us with provisions. On -the 27th June, head-quarters left Abrantes for Villa del Rey; on the -28th, they reached Cortesada; the 29th, Sarzedas, and Castello Branco -on the following day; and halted the 1st of July. They continued their -march on the 2nd to Zobreira; and the 3rd, passed the frontier to -Zarza Mayor, where they crossed upon the route of the captured Gen. -Franceschi, who, after reaching Spain with Soult's army, had been taken -in Leon, and was being carried to Seville, fated to die incarcerated -within the walls of Grenada. He was a distinguished officer of light -cavalry, and had been opposed to us not only six weeks before on the -Vouga, but the like number of months antecedently on the plain of -Leon. He was dressed in a hussar's uniform, and decorated with a star, -bearing an emblem similar to the arms of the Isle of Man, three legs -diverging from a common centre. - -The army was here joined by the Lusitanian legion under Sir R. Wilson, -and after halting on the 4th, reached Coria on the 5th, Galestad on the -7th, and Placentia on the 8th. The approach to this city drew forth -the admiration of all. The bishop's palace and cathedral tower above -the houses, which rise from a bed of verdure, bordered by the river, -while the whole is backed with the most splendid mountains, with silver -tops of perpetual snow. The river above this city is divided into two -branches, which form an island, covered with the finest trees. - -The several reinforcements received antecedently to, and during our -short stay at Placentia, rendered necessary a new distribution of the -regiments and brigades. The cavalry were divided into three brigades; -the first, of the 14th and 16th light dragoons, under Sir Stapleton -Cotton; the second, commanded by Gen. Fane, consisted of the 3d dragoon -guards and 4th dragoons; and the third, of the first German hussars, -and 23d light dragoons, led by Gen. Anson. - -The infantry was divided into four divisions:— - - 1st. DIVISION.—LIEUT.-GEN. SHERBROOKE. - BRIG.-GEN. H. CAMPBELL, Guards and 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th. - Regiment. - BRIG.-GEN. CAMERON, 61st, 83d. Regiments, 1 Comp. 5 Batt. - 60th. Regiment. - BRIG.-GEN. LANGWORTH, 2 Batt. King's German Legion. - BRIG.-GEN. LOWE, 2 Batt. King's German Legion. - - 2d. DIVISION.—MAJOR-GEN. HILL. - BRIG-GEN. STEWART, 29th, 48th Regiments, 1 Batt. Detachment. - MAJ.-GEN. TILSON, Buffs. 48th, 66th. Regiments. - - 3d. DIVISION.—MAJOR-GEN. M'KENZIE. - 1st. Brigade, 24th, 31st, 45th. Regiments. - COL. DONKIN'S Brigade, 5 Comps. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. and 87th - 88th Regts. - - 4th DIVISION.—BRIG.-GEN. A. CAMPBELL. - 1st Brigade, 7th, 53d, Regiments, 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regiment. - 2nd Brigade, 2 Batt. Detachment, 97th Regt. 1 Comp. 5 Batt. - 60th Regiment. - -To these was to be added the Lusitanian legion under Sir R. Wilson, -being the only Portuguese troops employed in this operation. - -This distribution into divisions was the first step to the gradual -growth of these corps into little armies, complete in themselves like -the Roman legions, being, (with the sole exception of cavalry,) about -their strength. The light companies of the regiments composing them -were formed into a battalion, which under some intelligent officer, -ever marched at the head, and to which was added a company or more -of the deadly riflemen of the foreign corps, the 60th. These were -the Velites, while the battalions were all worthy to be considered -as Triarii or Principes. They had subsequently artillery, spare -ammunition, and engineer, medical, and commissariat staff attached to -them; and when each was increased in 1810, by a Portuguese brigade, -consisting of a battalion of light infantry, and two line battalions, -they became in themselves superior in numbers to some of the petty -expeditions in which England has often placed her hope, while they -have only wasted her strength. Our whole force of British did not -consist of 18,000 men, principally of men raised by the voluntary -enrolment of the militia. - -We learned at Placentia, that the French occupied Talavera de la Reyna, -and were supposed to be waiting for reinforcements from Madrid and La -Mancha. During the concentration of the army at Placentia, Sir Arthur -had his first personal communication with Cuesta at Casa del Puertos. -His Excellency passed in review the Spanish army, and definitively -settled the plan of the campaign. - -The British army was to cross the Teitar, and direct its march upon -Oropesa, where it was to form a junction with the Spanish army from -Almaraz, and to advance on Talavera de la Reyna. The cavalry of the -Spaniards under the Duke of Albuquerque, and the division of infantry -commanded by Ballasteros, were to continue and move on the left bank of -the Tagus, and cross that river at the Puente del Arzobispo. - -To diminish and separate the enemy's force, and distract their -attention, General Vanegas from La Mancha was to threaten Aranjuez, -while Sir R. Wilson, who was already on the Teitar, was to have, -besides his own corps, some few Spanish troops, and to act upon their -other flank, and by pushing to and beyond Escalona, make them uneasy -respecting the capital. - -Sir Arthur, after having halted eight days at Placentia, moved on -the 17th to Talaquela; on the 18th to Majedas, and on the following -day to Casa de Centinela, across vast plains, occasionally covered -with forests of cork trees. These quarters of the 19th, as the name -indicates, consisted of a single house, which offered such miserable -accommodation, that Sir Arthur, as well as the rest of the staff, -preferred sleeping in wigwams, made with boughs of trees. On the 20th, -while the army pushed on to Oropesa, the heat and the want of water -were so great, that the troops suffered exceedingly, and several -men sank under exhaustion. Here we became an allied army, forming a -junction with the Spaniards, from whom we hoped, however we might -doubt, to receive support and assistance. But the first view of the -infantry considerably damped our expectations, though we were assured -their cavalry, moving across at Arzobispo, were to appearance (for we -had not forgotten their conduct at Medellin) the best of the army. On -further acquaintance, however, our conclusions respecting even this -part of the army were not more favourable than that we had formed of -their sister arm the first day we joined them; as they wanted in -spirit and conduct, what the foot soldiers required in appointments and -organization. - -The army of Spain, before the breaking out of the Revolution, though -not so degraded as that of Portugal, had been long declining. Although -the army intended for the coast of Barbary, assembled under Gen. Count -O'Reilley, as late as 1788, was in an efficient state, it had greatly -altered for the worse within the last twenty years. Instead of keeping -pace with the rest of Europe in improvements in the art of war, Spain -had considerably retrograded; and while the two last years had shaken -to pieces the old establishment, the officers educated under it were -incapable of forming a new army. - -Although the men were the same as those who, three centuries before, -had raised the Spanish name to the height of celebrity it so well -deserved and so long maintained, they were no longer led by a -chivalrous nobility and gentry. The officers taken from these classes -in the beginning of the 19th century, evinced in their character the -debasing state of the Court and Government. - -In July, 1809, it was but the remnant of an organized army, and even -this was only evinced (except in a few regiments) in the appellation -of the corps known to be of long standing. A portion of the -garde-du-corps accompanied this army; the sole remains of the court -establishment of the past Bourbons, whether of France or Spain. It -had been created by Philip V. on taking possession of the throne of -Spain at the beginning of the last century, and consisted entirely of -officers. Those with Cuesta bore cartouch belts of green leather and -silver. Some of the heavy cavalry looked respectable, particularly -the regimento del Rey, the first of dragoons, which, commanded by a -relation of Cuesta, would have passed muster in any army. - -The carabineers, a part of the royal guard, and who bore a better -character for conduct in the field than the other regiments of cavalry, -were efficient both in men and horse, as well as in appointments. - -A brigade of two regiments of heavy dragoons, one of which was the -regiment of Saguntum, attracted the attention of the British officers, -from being dressed in yellow with cocked-hats, and they looked better -than would be supposed from so singular a costume. - -Their light cavalry consisted of Hussars (_Usares_) and Chasseurs, -dressed in all the colours of the rainbow. Little judgment seemed to -have been employed in proportioning the size of the horse to the light -or heavy cavalry, though it must be allowed the Spanish horses offer -little choice, being universally slight, and not so well adapted for -the shock of a charge as for an Eastern irregular kind of warfare. - -The Spanish cavalry had a means of turning their jackets and sleeved -waistcoats into a stable dress, by the sleeves, taking off at the -shoulders, being only laced on with a differently coloured cord from -that of the coat; thus, besides being useful, having a good appearance. -Their mode of riding was new to the English; the stirrup leathers -were so long, that they could only touch them with their toe; while -the carabine, hanging perpendicularly along the valise, was equally -novel. Boots were far from universal, and many had in their stead a -kind of leather legging, stiff-fitting, buttoned tight to the limbs, -and formed like a gaiter, coming over the shoe. Many horsemen, however, -were devoid of covering for the legs or feet, and the naked toe was -seen peeping through a sandal, touching the stirrup. Of the infantry, -the Walloon Guards, (consisting principally of foreigners,) and the -Irish brigade, were in the best order. The first, in two or more -battalions, were dressed in dark blue, and broad white lace; while -the uniforms of the latter were light blue. These consisted of the -regiments of Yrlanda, Ultonia, and Hibernia, being the remains of the -Irish Catholic regiments. At this time, although they had no privates, -there were still among them some few officers of that nation. The white -Bourbon uniform had entirely disappeared, and circumstances and economy -had changed the colour of the principal part of the infantry into a -deep chocolate. - -But several battalions were, with the exception of the British arms, -little better in appearance than peasantry; and though the major part -of them had chaccos, many could only boast a kind of sandal instead of -shoes, and in lieu of cross, waist-belts, from which hung tubes like -the ancient Bandeleer, lined with tin, each containing a cartridge. Few -had great coats; the generality having blankets, (with a hole in the -middle for the head to pass through,) hanging loose about their person. - -Their artillery was good, from attention having been given to it before -the breaking out of the war, but the train was unlike any other in -modern armies, the guns and ammunition-waggons being drawn by mules, -not two abreast, but in teams like cart-horses, without reins, and -under no farther command than the voice of their conductors, who ran -on foot on the side of the road. Their guns were heavy, and among the -field batteries were several of twelve-pounders. - -Their _matériel_ for provisions, stores, and baggage was perfectly -inadequate to their army, and ill adapted for their country. Instead of -a large proportion of sumpter mules, they were accompanied by a vast -train of tilted two wheeled carts, carrying little, and with long teams -of mules, lengthening to inconvenience the line of march. - -The whole army was said to consist of 7000 cavalry and 31,000 infantry. - -But we should not have been dissatisfied with our allies, _malgré_ -their appearance, or even their rags, had we felt any reason to confide -in them. The men were evidently capable of "all that man dare," but the -appearance of their officers at once bespoke their not being fit to -lead them to the attempt. These not only did not look like soldiers, -but not even like gentlemen; and it was difficult, from their mean -and abject appearance, particularly among the infantry, to guess from -what class of society they could have been taken. Few troops will -behave well if those to whom they ought to look up are undeserving -respect; and on this principle we might, at Oropesa, have predicted -coming events, as far as the conduct of the Spanish soldiers was -concerned. But besides their general inefficiency, we found their moral -feeling different from what we expected. The preceding two years had -made a great alteration in the feeling of the nation; the burst of -enthusiasm was but momentary, and being only fed by accidental victory, -soon subsided on a reverse of fortune. Far from their army evincing -devotion, or even the most common courage in their country's cause, -they were more often guilty, individually and collectively, of the most -disgraceful cowardice. - -The inefficiency of the officers spread to the staff, and we hourly -regretted that the revolution had not occasioned a more complete -_bouleversement_, so as to bring forward fresh and vigorous talents -from all classes. The proof that this opinion was just, was evinced -by none of the regular military showing themselves worthy of command. -Indeed, with the exception of a few self-made soldiers among the -Guerillas, who had risen from among the farmers and peasantry, it would -be difficult to point out during the whole war any officer, whose -opinion, even in his own department, or on the most trivial military -subject, was worthy of being asked. - -The Cortes ruling for Ferdinand, and continuing the old system, formed -one of the causes of the want of success of the Spaniards. They had -to meet youthful Generals and the fresh energies of France with all -the improvements of modern warfare, by old besotted and prejudiced -Generals, whose armies were formed of obsolete principles, while -the system of an _ancien régime_ of a decrepit Government continued -to cramp every step to improvement. To these were added that blind -pride and self-vanity, which made them still consider themselves what -history and tradition had represented their forefathers and nation. No -proofs of inferiority would open their eyes, and without reflection or -consideration they rushed from one error and misfortune into others, -benefiting by no experience, and disdaining to seek aid or improvement -from those capable of restoring them to efficiency. - -Had they placed their armies at our disposal, and allowed the -introduction of the active and intelligent British officers into -command, their regular army might have become as celebrated in -after-ages for the defence of the Peninsula, as the Portuguese or -their own Guerillas; while at present, with the exception of their -irregular warfare and defence of cities, their military character, -during a period so brilliant for their allies, both Portuguese and -British, appears absolutely contemptible. The army which we joined at -Oropesa, in addition to its other drawbacks, was headed by a general as -decrepit in mind as body. To abilities not superior to the most common -intellect he united the greatest fault in a commander of an army, that -of indecision, while every act bespoke his suspicion and jealousy of -his allies and their commander. - -Attached to this army was an example, in the person of Lord Macduff, -of one of those gallant spirits, who occasionally shaking off the -indolence of wealth, volunteer to aid some soul-stirring cause. His -Lordship had the rank of a Spanish Colonel. - -On the 21st, the two Commanders-in-Chief dined together, and in return -for the military spectacle Cuesta had given to Sir Arthur at Casa -de Puertos, when he visited him from Placentia, the British troops, -with the exception of Gen. M'Kenzie's division on the advance, were -drawn out in the evening for his inspection. The mounting on horseback -to proceed to the review, showed how ill-fitted was Cuesta for the -activity of war. He was lifted on his horse by two grenadiers, while -one of his aide-de-camps was ready on the other side to conduct his -right leg over the horse's croup, and place it in the stirrup! Remarks -were whispered at this moment, that if his mental energy and activity -did not compensate for his bodily infirmity, Sir Arthur would find -him but an incapable coadjutor. The Spanish General passed along the -line from left to right, just as the night fell, and we saw him put -comfortably into an antiquated square-cornered coach, drawn by nine -mules, to proceed to his quarters. - -On the morning of the 22d, we came in sight of the town of Talavera -de la Reyna, which has since become so celebrated in English history. -The town, seen about three miles distant, was embosomed in trees and -inclosures, while the scarped hills on the right marked the course -of the Tagus. The inclosures ended about a mile to the left of the -town, joining some low, open, undulating hills, which stretched to -some valleys and higher ridges. This open country communicated with -an extensive plain in front of the town, across which passed the road -from Oropesa, being gradually lost as it approached Talavera in the -vineyards and woods. In the midst of this plain were posted about -800 or 1000 French cavalry, who, with the utmost indifference, were -dismounted, feeling assured that a few skirmishers would check the -advance of the Spanish cavalry in their front. These, under the Duke -d'Albuquerque, had crossed the Tagus at the Puente del Arzobispo, -and had arrived early opposite the French advance. Instead of being -anxious to show their Allies their activity when at so little cost, -being five or six times more numerous than the enemy, they made no -attempt to drive them in, but contented themselves with deploying -into several long lines, making a very formidable appearance. With -feelings of astonishment we rode on to the skirmishers, who consisted -of mounted Guerillas, dressed like the farmers of the country. We -expected to see them closely and successfully engaged, having heard -they were peculiarly adapted for petty warfare; but we found them -utterly incapable of coping with the enemy's _tirailleurs_, who were -driving them almost into a circle. They were so careless and inexpert -in the use of their arms, that one of them nearly shot, by accident, an -English officer near him. - -The Spaniards (from the commencement) thus continued skirmishing -for four hours,[34] until Gen. Anson's brigade arrived, which they -allowed at once, and as a matter of course, without any reference or -notice, to pass through the intervals of their squadrons; at the same -time these heroes notified their own want of efficiency and spirit, -by acknowledging and paying tribute to both in their allies, by a -profusion of _vivas!_ - -On our advancing, the French drew off to the left of the town along the -open ground, skirting the inclosures, and exchanging shots with our -skirmishers. The Spaniards kept to the right along the great road, and -could scarcely be brought by the intercession of British officers to -enter the town, from whence they learned a body of 4 or 500 infantry -had just retired. Brig. General Charles Stewart, who happened to be -on the spot, persuaded their officers to follow their retreat along -the fine Madrid road, which was one hundred and fifty yards wide. The -enemy were overtaken retiring in two small columns, and to the attack -of one General Stewart led the Spanish cavalry. The result, as indeed -all we saw on this day of our allies, was a proof of their total want, -not only of discipline, but of courage. On this and two succeeding -attempts, (to which the English general headed them), on receiving the -enemy's fire, when the principal danger was past, they pulled up and -fled in every direction; yet in Cuesta's account of this affair, he -called it an "_intrepid charge_." - -Cruelty and cowardice are ever combined, and these same Spaniards who -had thus avoided closing with the unmaimed enemy, murdered in cold -blood a few wounded and dying men their column left in the road when -they retired, who were struck down by the artillery which was brought -up after the cavalry's repulse. Their barbarity was even heightened by -accompanying each stab with invectives and comments on their victims' -never again seeing their homes or Paris. On the left the enemy retired -before our cavalry, about four miles beyond the town. Anson's brigade -made an attempt to charge about 1,500 of their cavalry, but they were -found unassailable, having taken post beyond the bed of the Alberche, -which, running for about two miles at right angles with the Tagus, -empties itself into that river. The enemy allowed them to come close, -and then opened a fire of four guns and two howitzers, which occasioned -some small loss before they could withdraw out of fire. One of the -horses of this brigade, the hip and leg of which was carried off, and -its entrails trailing on the ground, recovered itself on three legs, -and tried to take its place again in squadron. - -The enemy had tirailleurs in the underwood near the river, and were -very jealous of its banks, opening a fire of artillery on all who -showed themselves. Sir Arthur and head-quarter staff came unexpectedly -in the afternoon under a fire of some light guns on the right in front -of the Spaniards, and one of several four-pound shots whizzed close -over the General's head. The troops were ordered to bivouack in the -neighbourhood of Talavera, and General M'Kenzie's division was pushed -on to the front in the neighbourhood of an old ruined building, at the -angle of the Alberche, where it turned east. It was evident that the -enemy were in force on the opposite side of the river; and a ridge -of hills, above 800 yards from the bank, sloping towards it, offered -them a very suitable defensive position. Its left rested on the Tagus, -and its right was secured by the turning of the Alberche, and some -difficult wooded ridges beyond. Their strength could not exceed 23,000 -men, being the troops which had fallen back from the south of the -Tagus, not having been joined by any troops from Madrid or Aranjuez. - -We fully expected a battle on the following day, and about twelve -o'clock on the 23rd, the first and third division got under arms, and -advanced in the direction of the enemy's right, while the rest of the -army were ready to move at a moment's notice; but, unfortunately, -Sir Arthur had to overcome the wavering conduct of his confederate -General, who appeared quite unaware of the use of time or opportunity -in military operations. He could not be brought so to decide on -attack, that Sir Arthur could feel secure of the Spaniards making a -simultaneous attack with his army, or that the British might not be -left to gain the day alone. The bivouack of Cuesta was on the road to -Madrid, about three-quarters of a mile from the Alberche, where, on the -cushions taken out of his carriage, he sat, the picture of mental and -physical inability. - -Two soldiers stood near to aid or support him in any little necessary -operation, and the scene would have been ridiculous had it not been -painful, as we saw the tide, which, "when taken at its flood," might, -nay, would "lead us on to fortune" and victory, fast ebbing, without -our taking advantage of it. After considerable suspense, it was -universally reported throughout the army, that on being pressed and -driven to his last excuse, Cuesta pleaded that it was Sunday, at the -same time promising to attack at daylight the next morning; and our -troops were in consequence ordered back to their bivouacks. It may be -fairly considered that pride had considerable weight on this occasion. -Cuesta was a true Spaniard, and disliked the suggestion of an English -general in his own country, and, with recollections of two hundred and -fifty years before, could not bring his ideas down to present changes -and circumstances. These feelings were national, and ever evinced, and -it was only very late in the war, after the Spaniards found they had -not an officer to lead their armies, and they despaired of finding -one, that they consented to place Sir Arthur at their head. Sir Arthur -deserves as much credit for keeping his temper during his six years' -intercourse with the Spanish Government and officers, as for the -general conduct of the war. When we reflect on promises broken and -engagements violated, involving the safety of his army, the honour of -his character, and his credit as an officer, and yet know of no quarrel -that extended (if any existed) beyond correspondence or negotiation, -future ages are bound to give our Commander credit for unbounded -placidity of temperament. - -Though sorely annoyed by this determination, the officers could not -let pass without ridicule the incongruity we had observed within the -last three days in the old gentleman's proceedings. It was impossible -not to notice the Spanish General going out to battle, to within half -a mile of the advanced-posts, in a carriage drawn by nine mules, and -the precautions to preserve him from the rheumatism, like those taken -by delicate ladies, in our humid climate, at a _fête champêtre_, in -placing the carriage cushions on the grass. To these the Spanish -Commander-in-Chief was supported by two grenadiers, who let him drop -on them, as his knees were too feeble to attempt reclining without -the chance, nay certainty, of a fall. Yet this was the man to whom the -Cortes had entrusted their armies, but who ought (if he did not himself -feel his own inability), to have been removed without a moment's delay -after the first trial. They had only one excuse; the year before had -made common honesty a virtue, and they forgot every other requisite, in -a desire to avoid treachery. - -We began, however, to have some hope on the evening of the 23rd, when -orders were delivered out for attack the next morning at daylight. -General Sherbrooke was to move at two in the morning, while the -remainder of the army was to rendez-vous in rear of the third division, -at the angle of the Alberche. The British column of attack, with the -third division at its head, supported by General Anson's brigade, and -followed by the first, second, and fourth divisions, was to attack the -enemy's right, the Spaniards were to force the troops on the heights -crossed by the road to Madrid, while the remainder of the British and -the whole of the Spanish cavalry were to cross the river on the open -ground in the enemy's front. No drums or trumpets were to sound. The -columns for attack were formed before daybreak on the 24th, and the -left column, which was to cross the river and ascend the heights round -the enemy's right and opposite the village of Casaleguas, was already -on its march, when it was discovered the enemy had retired during the -night. - -While this event proved the effect of procrastination in warfare, it -was to be deeply lamented on every account. The enemy, the day before, -not consisting of above 22,000 men, had most imprudently offered us -battle before the reinforcements from Madrid or la Mancha had reached -him, and, if he had been attacked, must have been annihilated. We had -near 18,000 British and 36,000 Spaniards, of whom 10,000 were horse, -and, the position once forced, they would have had to retire across -an open plain of many leagues, pursued by a victorious enemy and a -superior cavalry. - -Colonel Delancey had gained and continued in the rear of the enemy all -night, and joined us at daylight with a French officer he had taken. We -entered their variously-hutted camps across the river, which we found -arranged with comfort and taste. Their army, on arriving from the line -of the Tagus, had found the ripe wheat standing, and, regardless of its -value, had not only thatched, but made whole huts, with the corn in the -ear, which, hanging down, shed the grain on the ground as we passed -along and between them. They had built with boughs of trees an immense -_Salle de Spectacle_, and formed, by cutting down and removing the -largest olive trees, and sticking their pointed ends into the ground, -an avenue, leading up to it, of some length—an act more wanton and -reprehensible than that of taking the unthrashed corn, as the fruit of -the olive is not produced under several years' growth. - -Shy as Cuesta was of coming to blows with the enemy when in his -front, he became most anxious for his pursuit when at a distance and -in retreat. Without considering that Victor was only falling back on -reinforcements, he ordered his army to advance, (as if the French were -in full retreat for the Ebro,) and established his posts on the 25th at -Torrijos. Had not the English General taken quite a different view of -the subject, it would have been most imprudent, if not impossible to -advance, as provisions began to fail us. The Spaniards, far from aiding -our commissariat, took no precautions whatever to prepare food for -18,000 additional mouths, and our position threatened to be untenable -for want of food. - -Sir Arthur, in consequence, declined making any forward movement, and -contented himself with pushing two divisions of infantry across the -Alberche, and posting them at Casaleguas. In the meanwhile the enemy -were concentrating their various corps. The reserve, and the Guards -from Madrid left that capital with King Joseph on the 22d at night, -and joined the 4th _corps d'armée_, under Sebastiani, at Toledo. These -united on the 25th, between Torrijos and Toledo, with the corps under -Victor, and formed an army of 45 to 48,000 men, after a garrison of -2,000 had been left in Toledo. This small force was sufficient to cover -any advance of the Spaniards from La Mancha, as Vanegas frittered away -the time to no purpose, while Madrid was overawed by General Belliard, -entrenched in the Retiro. - -On the junction of these armies, Cuesta saw too late his mistake in -so inconsiderately advancing from the neighbourhood of the British, -and before he could withdraw his most advanced corps, became engaged -with the enemy. The cavalry Regiment of Villa Viciosa, drawn up in an -enclosure surrounded by a deep ditch, with but one means of egress, -was hemmed in by the enemy and cut to pieces, without a possibility of -escape. A British officer of Engineers saved himself by his English -horse taking at a leap the barrier which surrounded the Spaniards, and -which their horses were incapable of clearing. The Spaniards, on the -26th, fell back towards the Alberche and Talavera, in such confusion -that it can only be compared to a flight, while the enemy followed with -the evident intention of bringing the Allies to battle. - -Every one now felt its approach, and some little preparations were -made to strengthen a position which Sir Arthur had selected, resting -on Talavera. These consisted in placing some of the Spanish heavy -guns in battery on the main road, in front of the Madrid gate, and -throwing up some barricades on the different approaches to the town. A -breastwork was commenced on a small rising ground in a little plain, -at the spot where the flanks of the British and Spanish would unite, -about the centre of the Allied army. These were the only attempts at -entrenchment, and the last was not completed. All the troops were -ordered to hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment's notice. - -On the 27th the British cavalry were ordered to the front, to cover the -retreat of the Spaniards and of our own divisions across the Alberche. -About mid-day the enemy's army began to show itself, and while our -cavalry withdrew to the right bank of the river, in the open ground, -the 5th division fell back from Casaleguas, through a woody country, -to the same spot, near an old ruined house, the Casa de Salinas, -which they had occupied before the enemy retreated. Before re-crossing -the Alberche, they set fire to the old hutted camps of the enemy, the -smoke from which rose so thickly as completely to hide from view the -country beyond and to the west of the village of Casaleguas. The two -brigades of the 5th division lay upon their arms in front of this ruin, -the highest part of which overlooked the surrounding trees, offering -a view of the country. Sir Arthur dismounted, and, leaving his horse -standing below, scrambled with some difficulty up the broken building, -to reconnoitre the advancing enemy. Though ever as gallant, we were by -no means such good soldiers in those days as succeeding campaigns made -us, and sufficient precautions had not been taken to ascertain what -was passing within the wood (on the skirt of which the division was -posted,) and between it and the ford below Casaleguas. - -But the enemy had crossed, under cover of the smoke from the burning -huts, a very large force of infantry, and, gradually advancing, opened -a fire so suddenly on our troops lying on the ground, that several men -were killed without rising from it. This unexpected attack threatened -the greatest confusion, little short of dismay, but the steadiness -of the troops, particularly the 45th, prevented disorder, and gave -time for Sir Arthur and his staff to withdraw from the house and mount -their horses. Sir Arthur's escape, may, however, be considered most -providential. The troops were withdrawn from the wood into the plain, -but after we had lost many officers and men. As this was the enemy's -first attack, and might, by our withdrawing, be considered successful, -it was peculiarly unfortunate, from adding to the enemy's confidence -in attacking our army. These two brigades, being supported by General -Anson's cavalry, gradually fell back towards our army. - -The enemy now crowded the heights, extending from Casaleguas to the -Tagus, with vast bodies of troops, accompanied with quantities of -artillery. These crossed at the various fords on the Alberche, to the -plain west of it; while some of their cavalry, in the loosest order, -came in crowds through the woods, following our advanced corps as they -gradually withdrew to our position, of which, as we approached the -chosen ground, the principal features began to show themselves. Their -horse artillery soon overtook us in our retreat, and opened a heavy and -constant fire, particularly of shells, under which the troops formed -on their ground. As the enemy closed on our position, our different -divisions were seen hurrying to the post assigned them, which formed -the left wing of the Allies; and some anxiety was felt for the arrival -of the troops who were to defend a towering height, which, it was -evident, would be the key of the position. - -The men, as they formed and faced the enemy, looked pale, but the -officers, riding along their line, only of two deep, on which all our -hopes depended, observed they appeared not less cool and tranquil than -determined. In the mean while the departing sun showed by his rays the -immense masses moving towards us, while the last glimmering of twilight -proved their direction to be across our front towards the left, leaving -a sensation of anxiety and doubt if they would not be able to attack -that point even before our troops, which had not yet arrived, were up. -The darkness, only broken in upon by the bursting shells and flashes -of the guns, closed quickly upon us, and it was the opinion of many -that the enemy would rest till morning. But this was soon placed beyond -doubt, by the summit of the height on our left being suddenly covered -with fire, and for an instant it was evident the enemy had nearly, if -not completely, made a lodgment in our line. This attack was made by -three regiments of the division of Ruffin, the 24th, 96th, and 9th, but -of which, the enemy say, the last only reached the summit, the very -citadel of our position. - -They had marched, without halting, up the rise of the hill, and came -upon the German Legion, who had, having been informed they were to the -rear of General Hill's division, and believing they were in a second -line, lain down on their arms, and when the enemy topped the hill, _en -masse_, many were asleep. But General Hill's corps had not arrived, and -the Germans were first roused by the enemy seizing them as prisoners, -or firing into them at _brûle-pourpoint_. The flashes of the retiring -fire of the broken and surprised Germans marked the enemy's success, -and the imminent danger of our army. General Sherbrooke, posted in the -centre, with the promptitude required in such an emergency, ordered -the regiments of the brigade next to the Germans to wheel into open -column, and then, facing them about, was preparing to storm the hill, -with the rear-rank in front, when the brigade of Gen. Donkin by a -brilliant charge restored the height to its proper owner, also driving -the French from the top of the hill into the valley, with immense -loss, and the colonel of the 9th regiment terribly wounded. A second -attack was afterwards repelled by the timely arrival of the division -of Gen. Hill, Colonel Donkin's brigade having taken ground to its -right. There was some fear that the enemy, when the Germans had been -driven back, had carried off the only heavy guns we had with our army, -but fortunately they had been withdrawn at dusk from the brow of the -hill. Major Fordice, of the Adj.-Gen. department, an officer of great -promise, fell in retaking these heights, with many valuable officers -and men. - -After this attack was repulsed, the enemy remained quiet, awaiting -the morn which was to decide the fate of the battle. The British -light infantry was thrown out to the front, with sentries still more -advanced towards the enemy. This necessary precaution, coupled with -the inexperience of our troops, principally militia-men, produced a -heavy loss, from the jealousy they felt of all in their front, after -this night attack. This was increased by the constant word "_stand up_" -being passed along the line, and on more than one occasion it led to an -individual soldier firing at some object in his front, which was taken -up by the next, and so passed, like, and to appearance being a running -wildfire, down the front of one or more regiments, till stopped by the -officers. In this, the troops unfortunately forgot their light infantry -in front, and many brave officers and men fell a sacrifice to the fire -of their comrades; amongst them was Colonel Ross of the Guards. - -The Spaniards were not less on the alert than ourselves, but their -anxiety not only extended to firing musquetry, but to salvos of the -cannon placed in front of Talavera. On one occasion this was said to -have originated from a cow having got loose and cantered up to their -line. Our troops, however, stood firm to their ground, while regiments -of the Spaniards, after giving a volley, quitted their position and -fled through the gardens and enclosure, bearing down all before them, -and were only brought into line again by degrees. One of these alarms -about midnight, in front of Talavera, was so great, that a large -portion of the troops posted in the front, left their ground, and -rushed through the town, and in the midst of the crowd of fugitives was -seen a certain square-cornered coach, the nine mules attached to it -being urged to the utmost; implying that its inmate was as anxious to -escape as the meanest in the army. - -Sir Arthur, surrounded by his staff, slept, wrapped in his cloak, on -the open ground, in rear of the second line, about the centre of the -British army. A hasty doze was occasionally taken, as more continued -rest was disturbed by alarm of different kinds,—while the reflections -of others kept them waking. The bustle of the day had prevented a -review of our situation, but, on being left to our own thoughts, it -was impossible not to reflect on the awfully approaching crisis. We -could not but feel that here was to be another trial of the ancient -military rivalry of England and France; that the cool, constitutional, -persevering courage of the former was again to be pitted against the -more artificial, however chivalrous, though not less praiseworthy, -bravery of the latter. This view of the relative valour of the two -nations cannot be questioned, if we consider that the reminding the -British of this moral quality is wholly unnecessary, and instead of -language of excitement being constantly applied to our soldiery, that -of control, obedience, and composure is solely recommended; while our -ancient opponents are obliged incessantly to drive into the ears of -their men, that they are nationally and individually the bravest of -the human race. Hearing nothing else so flattering to their unbounded -vanity, they become so puffed up by this eternal stimulant, as to be -fully convinced of its truth, which, in consequence, makes their first -attack tremendous. - -Buonaparte, being aware of this weak point in their character, fed -it in every way, and the object of wearing a paltry piece of enamel -gained him many battles. But this sort of created courage is not -capable of standing a severe test, and the French have always been in -their military character more Gauls than Franks; and what Cæsar said -of the former eighteen centuries ago, is still applicable to the races -now occupying their fine country. If stoutly opposed at first, this -kind of courage not only diminishes but evaporates, and has, does, and -will, ever fail before that of the British. As soldiers, taking the -expression in its widest sense, they are equal, if not superior, to us -in many points; but on one, that of individual constitutional courage, -we rise far superior to them. It is remarkable how often they evince a -knowledge of this, and in nothing more than their subterfuges of all -kinds to keep it from resting on their minds. All France, aware of this -inferiority, by all species of casuistry attempts to conceal it; and in -order not to shock their national vanity, they blame every unsuccessful -officer opposed to us, even should his dispositions be ever so good, -and such as might, but for the courage of our men, have succeeded. - -Buonaparte's conduct, after Vittoria, was directed to work on this -feeling, and, by sacrificing the officers to the self-vanity of the -troops, established for a time the _moral_ of the army, by making -those who had fled like sheep at Vittoria, fight us again, though -unsuccessfully, with renewed spirit. Besides the bravery of the two -nations, no less was the plain of Talavera to try the merit of two -systems, and prove the value of different means and education in -forming a powerful and efficient military. It was not only to be shown -if a chivalrous enthusiasm, and a confidence founded on vanity was -to overcome natural and patriotic courage, but if a sense of duty, -inculcated by a real discipline, was to sink under feelings created by -an absence of control and a long train of excess and military license. -It was whether an organized army, worthy of a civilized period, and -state of warfare, should not overcome a military cast grown up in the -heart of Europe, (from the peculiarity of the times and circumstances,) -little better than the Bandits led by Bourbon to the walls of Rome -in the sixteenth century. The system on which the French armies were -formed was so demoralizing and pernicious in its effects, that the -army of Buonaparte ought not to be considered as the national force of -France, but that of a conqueror, like Ghenghis Khan, or Tamerlane, of -a more civilized age and quarter of the world. Like those scourges, -the ruler of the French existed by upholding that soldiery the times -had first created, and which his ambition subsequently fostered, and, -in perpetuating their attachment to his person by leading them to -victory and plunder; in consequence, robbery was not only overlooked -but permitted, and an economist of the French army has since dared in -print to excuse its atrocities. This, it is true, is written by one -of the revolutionary school, but it will be, (as long as the work is -read,) a perpetual disgrace to the army whose acts he records.[35] -All discipline sank under this state of things. Coercion was neither -necessary nor prudent, where the views of all were directed to the same -lawless objects; and the military code was rather a bond of union and -companionship, fostering a spurious glory, or ambition, and a thirst -and hope of reward in unshackled military license and execution, than a -collection of laws respecting the rights and claims of human nature. - -The quickness and intelligence of the French soldiery pointed out the -necessity of an obedience to their officers, whom they considered as -leading them to objects equally desirable to all; and thus actuated, -far from having to receive orders, they readily anticipated them. A -Bedouin robber does not require the positive commands of his chief to -do his utmost to destroy the guards, or to plunder the camels of a -caravan; and no more did the French, with gain or impure military fame -in view, require farther stimulus or direction. - -But these various causes so suited the French, that they had the -effect, since the Revolution, of raising their armies to the summit -of fame, while their successes over the continental troops had made -them universally dreaded. They felt this, which increased their -confidence; and the army before us, sleeping on the opposite side of -the ravine, was strongly imbued with this impression, being formed of -the fine regiments of the Italian army, who had so often conquered -under Buonaparte, and subsequently marched from one victory to another. -Neither the corps of Victor nor Sebastiani, nor the guard or reserve -under Desolles, from Madrid, had formed parts of the armies defeated by -us at Vimiera or Corunna, nor had any recollections of our prowess to -shake that good opinion of themselves, in which the principal strength -of the French armies consists. - -Though no fears could be entertained for the result, dependent on the -brave fellows lying around us, we could not but regret that they were -not composed of troops as fine as those who accompanied Sir John Moore. - -We could not hide from ourselves that our ranks were filled with young -soldiers, being principally the second battalions of those English -regiments which had embarked at Corunna, and consisting of draughts -from the militia that had never seen an enemy. With the exception of -the Guards and a few others, there were more knapsacks with the names -of militia regiments upon them, than of numbered regular regiments. -Indeed we felt, no contrast could be stronger than that of the two -armies. The ideas of England have never run wild on military glory. -We more soberly consider our army rather as a necessary evil than an -ornament and boast; and as an appeal to brute force and arms is a proof -of barbarism, so ought the general diffusion of the former sentiment -in a community to be viewed as conclusive evidence of advance to -civilization and intelligence; and instead of directing the talents, -or drawing forth the best blood of a people to be wasted in the field, -a well-wisher to his country ought to desire them to be retained at -home for the general advantage. But, however secure in ourselves, we -recollected that we formed but one-third of the Allied army, and -that 36,000 men lay in the same line, every action of whom had led -us to consider them as more likely to occasion some common reverse -than a happy termination to our operations. We were convinced that if -attacked, even in their strong and almost impregnable position, it was -most likely to be attended by their immediate flight, which would leave -the whole of the enemy to direct his efforts upon us single-handed. In -addition, a certain degree of coolness had grown up between the two -commanders; and Sir Arthur must have felt that the weakness of his ally -by his side was not less to be dreaded than the strength of his enemy -in his front. The prospect on the eve of the 28th July, 1809, was thus, -though far from hopeless, by no means one of encouragement or sanguine -expectation. - -The rest of all the officers lying around Sir Arthur was hasty and -broken, and interrupted by the uneasiness of the horses held at a -distance, and the arrival of deserters, a few of whom came over during -the night. They generally informed us, that we were to be attacked at -daylight, and that the corps that stormed the hill had consisted of -6000 men. Our glances were constantly directed towards the point from -whence the sun was to rise for the last time on many hundreds who were -here assembled within a mile around, while Sir Arthur, occasionally -asking the hour, showed he looked for daylight with as much anxiety -as any of us. Just before day, we quietly mounted our horses and rode -slowly towards the height, where we arrived just as the light allowed -us to see the opposite side of the ravine beneath us covered with -black indistinct masses. Every instant rendered them more visible, and -the first rays of the sun showed us Sebastiani's division opposite -our centre, Victor's three divisions at our feet, with the reserve, -guard, and cavalry extending backward to the wood near the Alberche. -Our eyes were, however, principally attracted by an immense solid -column opposite but rather to the left of the hill, evidently intended -for attack. Its front was already covered with tirailleurs, ready to -advance at the word, and who saw before them the dead bodies of their -comrades, who had fallen the night before, strewing the ground. The -gray of the morning was not broken in upon by a single shot from either -side, and we had time to observe our position, (which had not been -completely occupied before dark on the preceding eve,) and how the -troops were posted. - -The distance from the Tagus to the height on our left, which -overlooked a deep valley, bounded beyond by some sharp and rugged -hills, was little less than two miles. The right of the Allied army -rested on the town of Talavera and the river. About half the ground -from our right to a little beyond the centre was flat, and covered -with woods and vineyards, but where these ceased, the remainder of -the country was open, and gradually rose to the foot of our important -conical hill on the left. - -A rill ran along the whole front of our line, and in that part of the -ground which was open and undulating, it passed through a ravine, -the brow of which was taken advantage of in posting our troops. The -Spaniards, from being incapable of moving, were posted in heavy columns -in the most difficult country, till they joined our right, which was -in an open space, though in its front and rear were inclosures. At -this point had been commenced a little redoubt, which however remained -imperfect, and was the only "_intrenchment_" of those with which the -French, in their accounts, as an excuse for their defeat, have so -liberally strengthened our line. But as every thing is sacrificed by -them to vanity, truth cannot be expected alone to escape. - -On the right of the British was posted the fourth division, under -Sir A. Campbell, supported by Sir S. Cotton's brigade of cavalry; on -their left commenced the first division, of which the Guards were on -the right. The remainder of this division, consisting of Brig.-Gen. -Cameron's brigade and the Germans, extended across the most open -ground, and joined on the left to the brigade of Colonel Donkin and -the second division, clustered round the height for its defence. The -other brigade of Gen. M'Kenzie was placed in the second line. The -remainder of the cavalry had bivouacked at some distance to the rear, -and were not come up. The enemy were employed from daylight in placing -opposite our centre thirty pieces of cannon on the opposite side of -the ravine, but not a shot was fired on either side, and the whole -looked as if the armies had met for a review. But the calm augured the -coming storm, and the quiet evinced that all were aware of the great -approaching struggle, and that it was useless to throw away a casual -fire, or destroy individuals, where salvos alone and the death of -thousands could decide the day. When the vast column we had seen in -the dusk was considered ready, a single cannon shot from the centre -of the enemy's batteries was the signal for its advance, and for -the opening of all their guns. A shower of balls instantly fell on -all parts of our position, and the smoke, (the wind being east, and -the damp of the morning preventing its rising,) was blown across the -ravine, and completely enveloped us in a dense fog. But we had seen the -forward movement intended for our dislodgment, and knew, under cover -of this cannonade and smoke, it was advancing up the face of the hill. -It consisted of a close column of battalions, of the same division of -Ruffin which had attacked the night before. - -Gen. Hill, with the brigades of Tilson and Stewart, which had already -successfully tried their strength with these same troops, was ready to -receive them. The Buffs, 48th, and 66th, advanced to the brow of the -hill, wheeling round to meet them with their arms ported, ready to rush -on the ascending foe as soon as perceived through the intense smoke. -They were not long in suspense, and without a moment's hesitation, by a -desperate charge and volley, they overthrew, as they topped the hill, -the enemy, who fled in the utmost confusion and consternation, followed -by our troops, even across the ravine. Here they rallied, and, after an -exchange of sharp firing, our regiments were withdrawn again to their -vantage ground. Had the cavalry been present, the victory might have -been completed at this early hour, but they had not come in from their -bivouack. As the smoke and tumult cleared off, and the troops were -seated behind the summit of the hill, we found our loss considerable, -and that Gen. Hill had been forced to quit the field from a shot in -the head. The dead of the enemy lay in vast numbers on the face of the -hill, and had been tall, healthy, fine young men, well-limbed, with -good countenances; and as proof of their courage, (the head of their -column having reached within a few yards of the top of the hill before -being arrested,) the bodies lay close to our ranks. The face of the -height was furrowed out into deep ravines by the water rushing down its -steep sides during the rains, and the dead and wounded of both nations -lay heaped in them.[36] Musquetry almost ceased after this defeat, but -the cannonade continued; our centre and right suffering considerably, -though in the other parts of the line, as our shots were plunging, -while theirs were directed upwards, it was not so deadly. It continued -for above an hour after the repulse, and showed us the inferiority of -our calibre. All our guns, with the exception of one brigade of heavy, -were miserably _light_ six pounders, while the French returned our fire -with eights and twelves. - -As the weather was dreadfully hot, and it was impossible to know how -long we should occupy this ground, orders were given to bury the men -who had fallen the night before and in the morning attack, lying around -the hill interspersed with the living. - -The entrenching tools were thus employed, and it was curious to see -the soldiers burying their fallen comrades, with the cannon shot -falling around, and in the midst of them, leaving it probable that an -individual might thus be employed digging his own grave! Gradually, -however, the fire slakened, and at last wholly ceased, and war appeared -as much suspended as before daylight and previously to the attack of -the morning. The troops on the advance talked together, and the thirsty -of both armies met at the bottom of the ravine, and drank from the same -stream. There was also a well at the foot of the hill to the left, -where the same water was divided among the collected of both nations -around its brink. - -About nine it was evident that the enemy had no intention of disturbing -us for some time, as their numerous fires proved they were not -inclined to fight again on empty stomachs. This was a painful sight to -us, who felt acutely for our starving soldiery, who began to experience -the most pinching want. All the promises of the Spaniards had ended -in nought. They had made no arrangements to act up to their word, and -starvation began to stare us in the face. Generally, however, it was -borne by our men with philosophy, but one hungry soldier became almost -troublesome, and, close to Sir Arthur and his staff, said, "It was very -hard that they had nothing to eat," and wished that they might be let -to go down and fight, "for when engaged, they forgot their hunger." -The poor fellow was, however, at last persuaded to retire. Till about -eleven o'clock all remained quiet, but about that hour immense clouds -of dust were seen rising above the woods towards the Alberche opposite -the centre of the Allied army, implying movements of large bodies of -troops. This indicated the preparing for a general assault, and was -occasioned by Sebastiani's corps forming a column of attack.[37] As -the enemy's troops approached, the cannonade was renewed, and our -inferiority of metal was so evident, that a brigade of Spanish 12 -pounders was borrowed from Cuesta. The fellows attached to these guns -showed good spirit, and, posting their guns on the side of the hill, -were found most effective. The French, at times, had the most exact -range of the height, and threw shot and shells upon it with terrible -precision. One shell killed four horses, held by a man, who escaped -uninjured. Their fuses, however, often burned too quick, exploding -the shells high in the air and forming little clouds of smoke. It -was curious that the enemy changed their fire from the troops to our -artillery, or from our batteries to our line, whenever we gave them the -example. - -But the dust drew near in the woods, and a vast column was seen -preparing to advance against Sir A. Cameron's brigade in the open -ground. General Sherbrooke had cautioned his division to use the -bayonet, and when the enemy came within about fifty yards of the -Guards, they advanced to meet them, but on their attempting to close -the enemy by a charge, they broke and fled. The regiment on their left, -the 83rd, made a simultaneous movement, driving the enemy with immense -loss before them; but the impetuosity of the Guards led to endangering -the day. The flying enemy led them on till they opened a battery on -their flank, which occasioned so heavy a loss, that the ranks could -not be formed after the disorder of pursuit, and, on being ordered to -resume their ground, produced confusion. - -The enemy instantly rallied and followed them, and were so confident -of victory, that their officers were heard to exclaim, "_Allons, mes -enfans; ils sont tous nos prisonniers_." But Sir Arthur had foreseen -the difficulty in which the Guards were likely to become entangled, and -had ordered the 48th from the height to their support. This gallant -regiment arrived in the rear of the Guards at the moment when they were -retiring in confusion, pressed by the enemy, on the line of position. -They allowed the Guards to pass through them, and then, breaking in -upon the enemy, gave them a second repulse. The Guards quickly formed -in the rear, and moved up into the position; and their spirit and -appearance of good humour and determination after having lost in twenty -minutes five hundred men, was shown by their giving a hurrah, as they -took up their ground; and a report soon after that the enemy's cavalry -was coming down upon them, was answered by a contemptuous laugh along -their ranks. - -The remainder of Sherbrooke's division, after repulsing the enemy, -had retired to their former ground in excellent order. The enemy -had made an attack at the same time on the fourth division; they -accompanied this by a _ruse_, which nothing but the determination of -our troops could have overcome. Trusting to the similarity of uniform, -they advanced towards the 7th, 97th, and 53d, crying out they were -Spaniards, and repeating the Spanish cry of _Vivan los Ingleses!_ -Though this did not deceive our officers, it did the men, who, under -this false impression, could not be brought to fire on them; this -allowed their approaching quite close, when they gave their fire so -unexpectedly, that it staggered our line, and even caused them to fall -back. This was, however, only to exemplify the French proverb, _reculer -pour mieux sauter_, as indignation and anger took place of surprise, -and a spontaneous rush with the bayonet instantly threw the enemy into -utter rout. A Spanish regiment of infantry, on the right flank of the -fusileers, broke and fled on this attack; but the King's regiment of -horse, with great gallantry, dashed into the wood in co-operation with -our troops in pursuit. Several pieces of cannon fell into the hands -of Gen. A. Campbell, and three were captured by the Spanish cavalry, -while the flight of the enemy was so rapid, that several others were -left in their retreat. - -Besides these attacks, the enemy's endeavours and intentions were -extended along the whole British line, with the exception of the hill, -which they did not again attack after the morning. We had not posted -any troops in the valley, or on the hills on our left, the former being -commanded, and the latter considered too distant; but it soon became -evident that the enemy had turned their views to these points. - -The Spanish division of Gen. Bassecourt was in consequence borrowed -from Cuesta, and sent across the valley to oppose the enemy's light -troops on the distant ridge. The French soon after advanced two heavy -columns into the valley, consisting of the divisions of Vilelle and -Ruffin, and two-thirds of our cavalry were ordered to occupy the -valley opposite them. Gen. Anson's brigade arrived first, while the -heavy brigade was moving from the rear of the centre to its support. -The enemy's two columns advanced, supported by cavalry, threatened -to turn our left, and orders, either positive or discretionary, -were given to charge them if opportunity offered; these were either -interpreted into direct orders, or considered as definitive, under -particular circumstances, and the 23d regiment soon after advanced -in line against one of the columns, the brigade of Laval, which had -taken post with its flank against a house. This gallant regiment moved -forward with great steadiness, and the squadron, (for the width of -only one could embrace the front of the column,) on arriving within -firing distance, received a well-directed volley. It seemed to stop -them in their career—the whole country was instantly covered with -horses galloping back without riders, and men straggling to the rear -without horses, while a dense spot seen from the hill marked where the -slaughtered lay. - -Though this squadron was annihilated, the others dashed on, passed -between and round the columns, and fell upon a brigade of cavalry in -the rear, broke through them, and rushed on a second brigade beyond. -Of these, some cut their way back, while many were slain or taken. -Though this desperate charge cost the 23d two-thirds of its men and -horses, it had the effect of astounding the enemy, who, seeing not only -the 1st German, and the 3d and 4th dragoons prepared for a similar -act, but the Spanish cavalry moving into the valley in support, and -their efforts unsuccessful elsewhere, not only gave up all farther -idea of penetrating in that quarter, but seemed satisfied that it -was imprudent and hopeless any longer to continue the contest. But -for being on the defensive, the gaps in our lines, which now forcibly -showed themselves, by the regiments not covering one-third of their -former ground, would have made us come to the like conclusion; and it -was no unpleasing sight to see them begin gradually to draw off their -infantry, and bring forward, to cover their retreat, their cavalry, -which had been all day in numerous _échelons_, extending back to the -woods. They formed several lines, and must have numbered not less than -9 or 10,000 cavalry, dressed in all the colours of the rainbow. - -But the views of the British were attracted to a new enemy which had -threatened occasionally during the day, and had gained great head soon -after the defeat on the right and centre. The ripe corn and dry grass -took fire from the cartridges and wadding, and hundreds of acres were -rapidly consumed, involving in their conflagrations the more severely -wounded and helpless; adding a new and horrid character to the misery -of war. - -It was so general, that it was a consolation to the friends of officers -slain, to learn that their bodies, when found, did not bear the marks -of being scorched or burned in their last moments! - -But the attention of all was directed till dusk to the enemy's evident -preparations for retreat, and during the night they drew off behind the -Alberche, which river they had all crossed by the daylight of the 29th; -on which morning, Brig.-Gen. R. Craufurd joined the army with 3000 men, -and a troop of horse-artillery, and was pushed on to the old ruin, from -which Sir Arthur had so narrowly escaped two days before. But these -reinforcements, consisting of the 43d, 52d, and 95th, (the beginning of -the celebrated light division,) did not make up for the heavy loss we -had sustained during the 27th and 28th. - -Out of 17,500 men we had lost 5,335, including Generals M'Kenzie and -Langworth killed, and Gen. Hill, Sir H. Campbell, and Brig.-Gen. A. -Campbell, wounded. This was two-sevenths of our force, and is, with -the exception of Albuera, the heaviest list of casualties offered, for -the men engaged, of any victorious army in modern war. The loss of the -23d Dragoons was remarkable from its extent; that fine regiment, which -had only joined three weeks, being only able to assemble, after the -action, one hundred men. Two officers and forty-six men and ninety-five -horses were killed on the spot, and besides the numerous wounded, three -officers, and about one hundred men were taken, in consequence of -penetrating into the enemy's supporting cavalry. The whole regiment -was so reduced, as to be sent home to England, on our return to the -Portuguese frontier. - -The Spanish returns gave between 1300 and 1400 men, but this included -their loss on the 25th in front of St. Ollala[38]. - -The French army fell back across the Alberche, diminished not less -than one-fifth, if not one-fourth of their effectives, their loss -being indifferently rated from 10 to 14,000 men. Some of the little -enclosures in front of the right of the British were choked with their -dead, and in one little field more than 400 bodies were counted. - -Besides the innumerable dead, vast numbers of wounded were left in our -front; and many more stand of arms than the most sanguine rated their -loss, were abandoned on the field of battle[39]. Nineteen pieces of -cannon remained in our possession as trophies of our victory[40]. -Besides these, they left in our possession several silk standards, -but whether they had borne eagles or not it was difficult to say; as, -besides being much broken and torn when brought into head-quarters, the -staff of one had been used as a poker to a bivouac fire. It was the -custom of the French to unscrew their eagles, and for the eagle-bearers -to conceal them about their person when in danger. Having only one to -a regiment, and there being five battalions to each, every eagle taken -by us during the war, may be considered as equivalent to five stand of -colours, and the trophies at Whitehall as ten times more numerous than -they appear. - -It is a remarkable and curious instance of the instability of human -institutions, that these idols of the French armies for so many years, -and around which so much blood was spilt, only now exist as trophies to -their conquerors. - -This hard-fought battle was remarkable from the circumstance of almost -the entire efforts of an army being directed on the troops of one -nation of their allied opponents. It is, perhaps, fortunate, that -the rancour and vanity of the enemy led them to this conduct, as, had -they forced the Spaniards from the difficult country on our right, our -army would have been thrown off the Tagus, and had to combat the whole -French army, with its communications threatened, if not cut off. - -With the exception of occupying the ground, the dash of the regiment of -King's cavalry, and the employment of a few battalions in skirmishing -on the hills on our left, the Spaniards did nothing whatever[41]. But -their previous behaviour had tended to make us uneasy during the whole -battle, and so disgusted was Cuesta with some of his troops, that he -ordered several officers and men to be shot for cowardice the next day. -This battle gave the character to all the subsequent actions in the -Peninsula. They were ever almost entirely of infantry and artillery, -while the cavalry, which acted with such effect on the continent, did -not assert its power. However brilliant Vimiera and Corunna, still -Talavera must be considered as the place where the military character -of the two nations was fairly brought to trial and proved. This battle -proved the total want of firmness of the enemy in meeting our troops -with the bayonet, and offered an example, followed by others on every -occasion, of their best troops flying like chaff before the wind, on -the hostile troops arriving within charging distance. - -The French would ever expose themselves to fire at the smallest -distance as long as ourselves, but a hurra and a rush with the bayonet, -within reach, caused their instant flight. - -With the exception of a few desperate men at the rear of a flying -column, or from accidental circumstances, scarce any bayonet wounds -were exchanged during the whole war; and their dread of closing was so -strongly evinced in foggy weather, that a shout was sufficient, as at -the pass of Maida in the Pyrenees, to disperse a forming column. - -Indeed, our bayonets might as well have been of pasteboard, from -their temper being so seldom tried, for the dread of them alone was -sufficient to scatter the best troops of France. In fact it is a bad, -if not useless weapon in their hands, and the Portuguese beat them with -it on more than one occasion. - -Brig.-Gen. Alexander Campbell had two horses shot under him, and though -wounded through the thigh, continued on his horse till the close of the -battle. Sir H. Campbell, who headed the brigade of Guards, was wounded -in the face, the ball entering the cheek and coming out behind the -ear. Col. Gordon, of the 83d, was badly wounded in the neck, and when -in the act of being removed to the rear, a shell fell into the blanket -in which he was carried, and bursting, slew alike the wounded and -his bearers. A man of the 87th, while lying down, was shot, the ball -entering the head, and was alive five days after. - -The incessant and terrible cannonade had created the most shocking -wounds, and an unusual portion of wounded were not expected again to -join the ranks. The standard of one of the regiments of Guards had -three balls in its staff. The prisoners and deserters stated that, -during the action, a Westphalian regiment, in the enemy's service, -mutinied, but that they were reduced to obedience and marched to the -rear. - -The morning after the battle was employed in removing our numerous and -suffering wounded into the convents and churches, now converted into -hospitals. By requisitions of beds and blankets, within three days, -principally through the exertion of the head of the medical staff, -Dr. Frank, no patient was without a mattrass. Nurses and orderlies -were selected to attend, and Sir Arthur visited the hospitals himself. -The number of deaths from wounds that proved mortal, obliged immense -burial parties to be employed during the first three or four days -in removing the bodies from the hospitals. Even in the case of the -officers, it was only through the attention of their brother officers, -who read the service themselves, that the usual funeral forms were -used, while the men were interred without prayers, being generally -placed in ditches and the bank dug in upon them. - -The heat of the weather rendered as necessary a proper attention to -the dead of the enemy, and the Spaniards burned a vast number of the -slain; but the weather was too rapid for all exertion, and the tainted -air was fraught with every horror, so that the quarters of some of the -troops were forced to be changed. Though distressing to relate, it must -not be overlooked, that the 29th was disgraced by the atrocious conduct -of the Spaniards, in putting to death most of the enemy's wounded left -in our front. The amount has been rated as high as one thousand, but -it is certain several hundred were thus inhumanly butchered. One of -our officers found a French officer badly wounded, and, on offering to -seek aid, the poor fellow remarked, that he had no right to expect it, -until our own numerous wounded were housed and dressed. But during the -search for assistance, the Spaniards had passed the spot, and he was -found stabbed to death! - -Sir Arthur felt he could not too soon thank the army which had so nobly -aided his efforts, and on the 29th his Excellency issued a long order -to that effect, naming distinguished officers and regiments. The enemy -continued a rear guard on the Alberche till the night of the 31st -July, when they retired through St. Ollala, and our patrols passed -through that town: here our officers learned some curious details of -the enemies' bearing, under the different feelings of confidence of -success and the discouragement of subsequent defeat. In the house -where the King had lodged, an instance was given highly creditable to -Joseph. A caricature was discovered of El Rey Pepé, which created great -indignation in those around Joseph's person, accompanied by threats and -ill-treatment. The King, the next morning, on his departure, tendered -his host a snuff-box, remarking, that he should be more careful of its -contents than of the caricature; on its being opened, it was found to -contain the King's miniature. - -We were prevented from moving after the enemy, not only on account of -our numerous wounded, but from want of provisions. Our difficulties -on this head greatly increased after the battle, and were felt to so -great an extent, that the army in part became disorganized, from the -ravenous callings for food overpowering all other considerations. -While, it was said, comparative plenty reigned in the Spanish camp, our -troops were driven to seek and take provisions by force, wherever they -could find them; this led to such straggling from the camp, that on -the 2d of August the rolls were ordered to be called every two hours. -While our position was thus unsatisfactory and even doubtful, news -reached head-quarters that our rear was threatened by troops moving -down from Castile and Leon. On the 30th a rumour (proved however to be -anticipated) spread that the French had arrived in Placentia, and the -anxiety became universal. - -Our information at this time was less perfect than it afterwards -became, and the various reports left the impression that it was -Soult's corps alone of 12 to 15,000 men that was thus menacing our -communication with Portugal. This however did not make our position -untenable, as our army of between 15 and 16,000, was capable of -defeating his force, if Cuesta could be persuaded to hold his ground, -and keep in check the lately defeated army, and thus cover our -hospitals. To this Cuesta agreed, and, ordering Gen. Bassecourt's -division to act as our advance, caused it to march to Oropesa on the -2d. Arrangements were made respecting the hospitals, and Col. M'Kinnon -was left in their charge, with but thirty-four medical officers (all we -could spare) to attend 5,000 sick and wounded. - -We left Talavera on the 3d, under the full expectation of fighting -the forces coming from the north, concentrating about Naval Moral. -On our arrival at Oropesa on the evening of that day, Bassecourt was -pushed on towards that place, and orders were given out implying active -and immediate operations, by directing the troops to hold themselves -in readiness to march by such orders as they might receive from the -Quarter-master-general. - -But the course of the night changed all our prospects. Sir Arthur -received a despatch from Cuesta stating, that he had received -information on which he could depend, that not only had Soult's corps -moved from the north, but that it was accompanied by the two other -corps, the 5th and 6th, and that he had, in consequence, determined to -retire from Talavera. This implied the sacrifice to the enemy of all in -our hospitals who had not the power of walking, as the Spaniards, on -Col. M'Kinnon applying to them for means of transport, furnished only -ten or a dozen carts, while very many quitted the town empty. Col. -M'Kinnon, thus under the painful necessity of leaving nearly 2,300 sick -and wounded, gave directions for the rest to withdraw by a nearer road -to the bridge of Arzobispo, than through Oropesa.[42] - -This unexpected news added to Sir Arthur's difficulties; and while -these were under consideration, they were greatly increased by the -whole Spanish army coming in upon us, at daylight on the 4th, with -their carts and baggage. - -On this occasion the old General had not wanted decision, as was proved -by the arrival of himself and army within a few hours after forming his -opinion. - -The intelligence of Cuesta proved most true; a junction of the three -corps had taken place, and the King, before he left Madrid, had sent -them orders on the 22d to advance on Placentia. The head-quarters of -the 2d, 5th, and 6th corps were at Salamanca on the 27th of July, and -directing their march on three succeeding days to the south, forced -all the weak passes and posts, and arrived on the 1st of August, at -Placentia, making prisoners 300 sick in the hospitals. - -The Spanish troops, retiring before Soult, crossed the Tagus, and -fortunately destroyed the bridge of boats at Almarez. But the enemy -only thought of intercepting and surrounding the British, and their -advance reached Naval Moral on the 3d, but five leagues from Oropesa, -thus cutting off the direct road by Almarez to Portugal. - -No time was now to be lost, as we were not only likely to be attacked -from the west, but, in consequence of the retreat of the Spaniards, -threatened with the advance of King Joseph, and his defeated army at -Talavera, within three or four days: in which case we should have had, -besides 36 to 38,000 from Madrid, 30 to 34,000 from Placentia. - -But Sir Arthur soon decided, and gave directions, at four o'clock on -the 4th, for all the baggage to proceed across the bridge of Arzobispo. -This was preparatory to a similar movement of the army; and having -recalled Bassecourt's division, the whole British force filed over to -the left bank of the Tagus, where the wounded from Talavera arrived a -short time before. - -The Spaniards followed to the side of the river, but did not cross that -evening. So nearly had the enemy intercepted our retreat, that at -dusk his cavalry interchanged some shots with our advance-posts, close -to Arzobispo, and carried off one of our videttes. The Spaniards did -not cross the next day; but the British army proceeded down the river, -by the same road where the enemy had turned Cuesta's flank before the -battle of Medellin, in the preceding spring. This was rendered most -necessary, as the occupation of Almarez could alone secure a retreat -upon Portugal; and the pontoons, though removed, had been left but in -the charge of some militia. Head-quarters on the 5th were near the -village of Peretada de Gabern, and the 3rd division, which had been -placed under the orders of General Craufurd, with the addition of his -light brigade, was pushed by narrow paths across the mountain, and -reached a point within two leagues of the passage over the Tagus. - -On the 6th it reached Roman Gourdo, which secured this important -position, and head-quarters moved on to Meza de Ibor, (the spot of -Cuesta's unsuccessful affair on the 17th of March), and the following -day to Deleytoza. It was now possible to halt with security; from the -pass at Almarez being secured; and in a large convent, about a mile -from the town, a hospital was formed, and it was found above 2,000 -wounded had accompanied the army. - -General A. Campbell had found his way in a huckster's tilted-cart, with -a bed made in it, across the most difficult passes in the mountain. - -The roads during three days' march were scarcely capable of transport, -and the greatest difficulty was experienced in conveying the artillery, -while the troops were often halted to cover their retreat. - -As we moved over the high ridges, we had a most extensive view across -the place we had traversed a fortnight before from Placentia, and saw -the glittering of the arms, and the rising dust of the French columns -moving on Oropesa. - -Colonel Waters and Captain Mellish crossed the river, and reconnoitered -the last of these columns, and learned from the peasants, that it was -the third of the same size that had passed along that road within the -preceding few days; thus fully confirming the information of the three -corps having been directed on our rear. - -Thus, as in the preceding year, the British had again drawn five _corps -d'armée_ of the eight in Spain upon them. Some of the troops from the -north were not re-equipped after their losses in the north of Portugal, -but the three corps had little short of 35,000 effectives. However -precipitate the retreat of Cuesta, it would have been eventually -necessary, for, although we could have checked on the 5th, 6th, and -7th, the successive arriving columns of the enemy from Naval Moral, -(allowing time for the very desirable transport of many more of our -wounded beyond Arzobispo), still our position would sooner or later -have become untenable. - -It may be conjectured that few armies have witnessed such vicissitudes -as the French and English armies within the short period of eleven -months. The two armies had more than once advanced and retired in the -face of each other. Many of those we saw marching across the plain with -the sanguine hope of intercepting our retreat, had been driven from -Portugal and carried to France, had witnessed our embarkation from -Corunna, and had since been expelled from the Tras os Montes, and now -again were compelling us, by an immense superiority of numbers, again -to retrograde. - -After leaving the Spaniards at Arzobispo, the two armies were totally -disunited, and little or no subsequent communication took place between -them. We had seen enough of both officers and men to despise and -distrust them, from their chief to the drummer, and to hope that we -might never again be in the same camp. They not only were incapable of -acting as a military auxiliary, but were wholly remiss in fulfilling -their promises, and instead of attempting to find us in provisions, -while plenty reigned in their camp, even our officers were destitute -of bread. While our troops were on one occasion four days without this -indispensable necessary, they had the shameless impudence to sell -loaves to our starving soldiers at an immoderate price. So pressing -were our wants, that one of our commissaries took from them by force -one hundred bullocks and one hundred mule loads of bread. But if -their conduct before us had been despicable, it no less at a distance -deserved reprehension. Vanegas, who was to have made a powerful -diversion from La Mancha on Toledo, completely failed, even to the -extent of alarming the enemy, who felt satisfied that 2,000 men in that -city were sufficient to keep in check his whole force, while the passes -along the Portuguese and Spanish frontier were gained almost without a -struggle. - -But disasters quickly followed the Spaniards after our separation. -On the 6th they crossed to the left bank of the Tagus, and on the -following day Cuesta retired with his main force, leaving two divisions -of infantry, and the cavalry with the artillery in battery to defend -the bridge. The enemy showed themselves on the 6th on the opposite -bank, and increased in number on the 7th, but the interposition of the -river between them made the Spaniards consider themselves in perfect -safety. On the 8th, the French brought up the artillery, and opened a -fire on some redoubts constructed by the Spaniards, while they made -preparations for crossing the river. The Spanish cavalry, devoid of all -caution, were out in watering order, when 2,000 cavalry dashed into the -river, above the bridge, at a good ford, and attacked the redoubts in -the rear, at once enveloping the Spanish camp in confusion, dismay, and -rout. They fled, some in the direction of Messa de Ibor, others to the -southward, leaving their baggage and guns in the hands of the enemy. -Those who fled on the former road abandoned guns and ammunition-waggons -several leagues beyond the point of pursuit; and Colonel Waters, sent -from our head-quarters with a flag of truce, finding them thus safe, -persuaded the Spaniards, with difficulty, to return and bring back -their deserted guns. - -This disgraceful affair was the climax of disasters to this army. It -could not assemble in a few days subsequently 18,000 men, and the Duke -of Albuquerque (against whose advice the Spanish cavalry had been left -unprepared), quitted it in disgust, sending in charges to the Cortes -against his commander. This was anticipated by Cuesta, who, on the -plea of his health, resigned on the 13th the command of the army. To -complete the sad picture presented by the Spaniards, Vanegas, without -answering any purpose, just so committed himself on the Toledo side, -that Sebastiani fell upon him at Almonacaio on the 10th, and routed him -with considerable loss. - -Want of forage and provisions continued to an alarming degree in the -mountainous tract around Deleytosa and Almarez, and, still keeping the -advance at the latter place, rendered necessary the armies' moving -more to the westward. Head-quarters were on the 11th at Jarecejo, in -order to be nearer Truxillo, where a large depôt was forming. Sir -Arthur ordered, with justice, that the stoppage for the troops usually -of sixpence a-day for their provisions, should be only three-pence -from the 27th of July till further orders, in reference to their want -of regular supplies.[43] While the head-quarters were at this place, -the effects of want of food began to show themselves on the troops, by -sickness breaking out, though not at first to the alarming extent it -did a month after on the Guadiana. - -But the road by Castel Branco to Lisbon was only covered by a small -force of four British regiments, which had been moving up under -General C. Craufurd, and it became necessary to place the army nearer -to Portugal, in a position to cover both banks of the Tagus, should -the enemy direct his march from Placentia. Although Craufurd was soon -joined by Marshal Beresford from the north, the army moved on the 20th -from Jarecejo to Truxillo, and gradually withdrew towards the frontier, -head-quarters passing through Majadas, Medellin, Merida, to Badajoz, -where Sir Arthur established himself on the 3rd of September with the -troops cantoned as follows:— - - First Division at { Badajos, Arroyo, Lobone, Almendralejo, - { Talavera la Real, and Santa Marta. - - Second Division { Modtejo, La Mata, La Puebla de la - { Calsada, Gorravilla, and Torre Major. - - { Campo Mayor. - Third Division { - { Villa de Rey. - - { Olivenza. - Fourth Division { - { Badajos. - -In the mean time the enemy had not followed the defeated Spaniards, -but, fearful of leaving the north of Spain without troops, as early as -they had separated the two armies, and felt secure of the capital, the -three corps set out on their return, on the 9th, towards Salamanca. -Sir R. Wilson, whose advance to Escalona had not produced the supposed -effect on the French army, or at Madrid, in retiring from his exposed -situation, took post in the pass of Baños. This was the direct road for -the enemies returning columns, who, after a sharp affair on the 12th, -forced the position, and continued their route, leaving Sir Robert to -fall back on the frontier of Portugal. - -Thus ended the campaign of 1809, which was not less brilliant than -interesting, and tended greatly to the ultimate deliverance of Spain -and Europe. Though no immediate results were produced from it, there -can be no doubt it saved Andalusia for a time, which province would -never have fallen into the enemy's power, had not the besotted -Spaniards sought opportunities for defeat, and committed themselves, as -at Ocana. In drawing the three corps from the north, it showed all that -part of Spain that the struggle was continued with firmness in other -quarters; and the very fact of relieving the country from the pressure -of the enemy, allowed breathing time, and proved their stay might not -be permanent. - -The battle of the 27th and 28th July broke much the enemy's confidence -when opposed to us; and their repulse not only gave spirits to the -Spaniards, but opened the eyes of Europe to the possibility of -defeating the French; for it may be fearlessly advanced, that the -_morale_ of the European armies was restored by this and our succeeding -campaigns in Spain. - -[Footnote 25: This was not greatly exaggerated, if the artillery, -the regular Foreign Regiments in the French service, and those of -the various countries of Europe, at Buonaparte's disposal, are -included.—'Sous le titre modeste de protecteur, Napoléon envahit -l'argent et les soldats d'une moitié de l'Allemagne,' says Foy, -speaking of the Confederation of the Rhine; and besides, he had the -armies of Italy, Naples, Holland, and the Grand Duchy of Varsovie at -his command.] - -[Footnote 26: Cependant, parce que les Anglais s'étaient embarqués à -la Corogne, Napoléon se complut dans l'idée qu'ils ne reparaitraient -point sur le continent, et que les Portugais, perdant tout espoir -d'en être secourus, recevraient les Français en amis.—Telle était -son aveugle confiance, que les mouvemens de l'armée étaient tracés -par dates.—_Mémoires sur les Opérations Militaires des Français en -Gallice, en Portugal, et dans la Vallée du Tage, en 1809._] - -[Footnote 27: At Corunna a soldier's wife, taken in the retreat, was -sent in by Junot. She brought his compliments to the general officers -he had known the preceding year, and a message that he and his corps -were opposite them, ready to "_pay off old scores_."] - -[Footnote 28: This is the present Marquis de Chaves, who headed the -insurrection in 1827, against the Constitution.] - -[Footnote 29: The author was himself on board.—Ed.] - -[Footnote 30: The French called the British force with which we -advanced against Oporto, 30,000 men.] - -[Footnote 31: Franceschi was an old opponent of Gen. Stewart, the -Adjutant-General having commanded the brigade, of which a portion -had been surprised at Rueda in Leon, a few months before, during the -Corunna campaign.] - -[Footnote 32: In the French account of this campaign, published at -Paris 1821, the Author represents _le 47^e de ligne_, when covering -this retreat, as "se conduisant valeureusement."] - -[Footnote 33: The Author of the "Voyage en Espagne et Lettres -Philosophiques," says at this time, "Les Espagnols ne pouvaient plus -rien par eux-mêmes: ils n'avaient à opposer que des partis mal armés, -mal équipés, mal aguerris, et plus mal commandés encore."] - -[Footnote 34: In the Author's original copy of his Journal, written a -few days after, he finds the conduct of the Spaniards on this occasion -thus noticed:—"and it is my belief they would have continued till -_now_, if we had not aided them."] - -[Footnote 35: It is needless to say, this alludes to Foy's Introduction -to the War of the Peninsula.] - -[Footnote 36: We were occupied after this attack in carrying away our -wounded in blankets, by four or five soldiers, and within a short time -the number of unfortunate men assembled round our field hospital, a -small house and enclosure behind our centre, barely out of cannon shot, -proved our heavy loss.] - -[Footnote 37: It is remarkable how the accounts differ respecting the -hour of attack. Sir Arthur says about twelve, another relater mentions -two, and Jourdan, in his interesting letter, places it as late as four -o'clock.] - -[Footnote 38: Nous pûmes remarquer à l'occasion de ces deux -affaires, le peu de cas que les Espagnols faisaient des Anglais; -ils ne les surent aucun gré des efforts qu'ils firent à Talavera, -et croyaient faire éloge de leur armée en disant qu'elle n'avait -essuyé presqu'aucune perte. Les Anglais de leur côté les méprisent -souverainement, et sont honteux de les avoir pour Alliés.—_M.S. -Journal of a French Officer taken at Badajoz._] - -[Footnote 39: It was said 17,000 were found.] - -[Footnote 40: A noble Peer, on the vote of thanks to the army, -afterwards remarked, that the capture of these guns was no proof of a -victory, as, he sagaciously observed, it might have been _convenient_ -for the enemy to leave them on the field of battle.] - -[Footnote 41: "Les Espagnols seuls restaient paisibles spectateurs du -combat," says a French author.] - -[Footnote 42: We had the satisfaction of hearing after, that Victor, on -entering Talavera, behaved with the greatest attention and kindness to -those who, by the chance of war, had thus been left to his mercy and -care.] - -[Footnote 43: It was not till the 12th of August that rations of -spirits were delivered to the troops, and only on the 2nd September, -that the regular delivery of provision, allowed the stoppage of -sixpence per day.] - - - - - NARRATIVE - OF THE - CAMPAIGN IN HOLLAND - IN 1814, - WITH DETAILS OF THE - ATTACK ON BERGEN-OP-ZOOM: - - BY LIEUT. J. W. DUNBAR MOODIE, H. P. - 21ST FUSILEERS. - - (ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL.) - - - - -NARRATIVE -OF THE -CAMPAIGN IN HOLLAND IN 1814. - - -There are certain events in the life of every man on which the memory -dwells with peculiar pleasure; and the impressions they leave, from -being interwoven with his earliest and most agreeable associations, -are not easily effaced from his mind. Sixteen years have now elapsed -since the short campaign in Holland, and the ill-fated attack on -Bergen-op-Zoom; but almost every circumstance that passed under my -notice at that period, still remains as vividly pictured in my mind as -if it had occurred but yesterday. - -Our regiment, the 21st, or Royal North British Fusileers, was stationed -at Fort-George when the order came for our embarkation for Holland. -Whoever has experienced the dull monotony of garrison duty, may easily -conceive the joy with which the intelligence was hailed. The eve of our -embarkation was spent in all the hilarity inspired by the occasion, -and, as may be supposed, the bottle circulated with more than ordinary -rapidity. Our convoy, Captain Nixon, R.N. in return for some kindness -he had met with from my family, while on the Orkney station, insisted -on my taking my passage to Helvoet Sluys, along with our commanding -officer and acting-adjutant, on board his own vessel, the Nightingale. -The scene that was exhibited next day, as we were embarking, must be -familiar to most military men. The beach presented a spectacle I shall -never forget. While the boats, crowded with soldiers, with their arms -glittering in the sun, were pushing off, women were to be seen up -to their middles in the water, bidding, perhaps, a last farewell to -their husbands; while others were sitting disconsolate on the rocks, -stupified with grief, and almost insensible of what was going forward. -Many of the poor creatures were pouring out blessings on the officers, -and begging us to be kind to their husbands. At last, when we had got -the soldiers fairly seated in their places, which was no easy task, we -pulled off, while the shouts of our men were echoed back in wailings -and lamentations, mixed with benedictions, from the unhappy women left -behind us. As for the officers, most of us being young fellows, and -single, we had little to damp our joy at going on foreign service. -For my own part, I confess I felt some tender regrets in parting with -a fair damsel in the neighbourhood, with whom I was not a little -smitten; but I was not of an age to take these matters long to heart, -being scarcely sixteen at the time. Poor A—— R—— has since been -consigned, by a calculating mother, to an old officer, who had nearly -lost his sight, but accumulated a few thousand pounds in the West Indies. - -We soon got under way, with a fair wind, for Holland. Instead of being -crammed into a transport, with every circumstance which could render -a sea-voyage disagreeable, we felt ourselves lucky in being in most -comfortable quarters, with a most excellent gentlemanly fellow for -our entertainer in Captain Nixon. To add to our comforts, we had the -regimental band with us, who were generally playing through the day, -when the weather or sea-sickness would allow them. On arriving off -Goeree, we were overtaken by one of the most tremendous gales I have -ever experienced, and I have had some experience of the element since. -We had come to anchor, expecting a pilot from the shore, between two -sandbanks, one on each side of us, while another extended between us -and the land. The gale commenced towards night, blowing right on shore. -Our awful situation may well be conceived when the wind increased -almost to a hurricane, with no hope of procuring a pilot. The sea, -which had begun to rise before the commencement of the gale, was now -running mountains high, and we could see the white foam, and hear the -tremendous roar of the breakers on the sandbank astern of us. Of the -two transports which accompanied us with the troops on board, one -had anchored outside of us, and the other had been so fortunate as -to get out to sea before the gale had reached its greatest violence. -We had two anchors a-head, but the sea was so high, that we had but -little expectation of holding-on during the night. About midnight, the -transport which had come to anchor to windward, drifted past us, having -carried away her cables. - -The sea every now and then broke over us from stem to stern, and -we continued through a great part of the night to fire signals of -distress. It is curious to observe on these occasions the different -effects of danger on the minds of men: the nervous, alarmed too soon, -and preparing themselves for the worst that may happen; the stupid and -insensible, without forethought of danger, until they are in the very -jaws of destruction, when they are taken quite unprepared, and resign -themselves up to despair; and the thoughtless, whose levity inclines -them to catch the external expression of the confidence or fear in the -countenances of those around them. About one o'clock in the morning, -the captain got into bed, and we followed his example, but had hardly -lain down, when the alarm was given that one of the cables was gone. We -immediately ran on deck, but it was soon discovered that the wind had -shifted a few points, and that the cable had only slackened a little. -As the day dawned, the wind gradually abated, and at length fell off -to a dead calm. A light haze hid the low land from our view, and hung -over the sea, which still rolled in huge billows, as if to conceal the -horrors of our situation during the preceding night. In an hour or two, -the fog cleared away sufficiently to enable us to see a few miles in -all directions. Every eye was strained in search of the two transports, -with our regiment on board, but seeing nothing, we all gave them up for -lost; for we could hardly conceive the possibility of the transport, -which drifted past us in the night, escaping shipwreck on this low and -dangerous coast, or of the other being able to get out to sea. By the -help of our sweeps and a light breeze, we were getting more in with -the land, when at last we observed a pilot-boat coming out to us. Our -little Dutch pilot, when he got alongside of us, soon relieved our -minds from anxiety as to the fate of one of the transports, which had -fortunately escaped the sandbanks, and was safe in Helvoet Sluys. - -A Dutchman being an animal quite new to many of us, we were not a -little diverted with his dress and demeanour. Diederick was a little, -thick-set, round-built fellow, about five feet three inches in -height, bearing a considerable resemblance in shape to his boat: he -was so cased up in clothes, that no particular form was to be traced -about him, excepting an extraordinary roundness and projection "_a -posteriori_," which he owed as much, I believe, to nature as to his -habiliments. He wore a tight, coarse, blue jerkin, or pea-jacket, on -his body, and reaching half-way down his legs, gathered up in folds -tight round his waist, and bunching out amply below. His jacket had -no collar, but he had a handkerchief tied round his neck like a rope, -which, with his protruding glassy eyes, gave him the appearance of -strangulation. On his legs he wore so many pairs of breeches and -trowsers, that I verily believe we might have pulled off three or four -pairs without being a whit the wiser as to his natural conformation. -On his feet he wore a pair of shoes with huge buckles, and his head -was crowned with a high-topped red nightcap. Thus equipped, with the -addition of a short pipe stuck in his mouth, "_ecce_" Diederick, our -worthy pilot, who stumping manfully up to the Captain, with his hand -thrust out like a bowsprit, and a familiar nod of his head, wished him -"_goeden dag_," and welcomed him cordially to Holland. I observed that -our Captain seemed a little "taken aback" with the pilot's republican -manners; however, he did not refuse honest Diederick a shake of his -hand, for the latter had evidently no conception of a difference in -rank requiring any difference in the mode of salutation. After paying -his respects to the captain, he proceeded to shake us all by the hand -in turn, with many expressions of goodwill to the English, whom he was -pleased to say had _always_ been the Dutchmen's best friends. Having -completed the ceremonial of our reception, he returned to the binnacle, -and, hearing the leadsman sing out "by the mark three," clapping his -fat fists to his sides, and looking up to see if the sails were "clean -full," exclaimed with great energy, "Bout Skipp!" The captain was -anxious to procure some information regarding the channels between -the sandbanks, and depth of the water, but all the satisfaction our -friend Diederick would vouchsafe him was, "_Ja, Mynheer, wanneer wij -niet beter kan maaken dan moeten wij naar de anker komen_[44]." We soon -reached Helvoet Sluys, and came to anchor for the night. - -On landing next day, we found the half of the regiment which had so -fortunately escaped shipwreck, with the transport which had drifted -past us in the night of the gale. Here we took leave of our kind -friends the captain and officers of the Nightingale, and next day -marched to Buitensluys, a little town nearly opposite to Willemstadt. -Here we were detained for several days, it not being possible to cross -the intervening branch of the sea, in consequence of the quantities of -ice which were floating down from the rivers. We soon got ourselves -billeted out in the town and neighbouring country, and established a -temporary mess at the principal inn of the place, where we began to -practise the Dutch accomplishments of drinking gin and smoking, for -which we had a convenient excuse in the humidity and coldness of the -climate. Our hard drinkers, of course, did not fail to inculcate the -doctrine, that wine and spirits were the "sovereignest remedy" in the -world for the ague, of which disease they seemed to live in constant -dread, particularly after dinner. During our sojourn at Buitensluys, -our great amusement through the day was skaiting on the ice with the -country girls, who were nothing shy, and played all manners of tricks -with us, by upsetting us, &c. &c. thus affording rather a dangerous -precedent, which was sometimes returned on themselves with interest. - -We are accustomed to hear of the Dutch phlegm, which certainly forms -a distinguishing feature in their "physical character;" they are dull -and slow in being excited to the strong emotions, but it is a great -mistake to suppose that this constitutional sluggishness implies any -deficiency in the milder moral virtues. The Dutch, I generally found -to possess, in a high degree, the kindly, charitable feelings of human -nature, which show themselves to the greater advantage, from the -native simplicity of their manners. I had got a comfortable billet at -a miller's house, a little out of the village. The good folks finding -that I was a Scotchman, for which people they have a particular -liking from some similarity in their manners, began to treat me with -great cordiality, and threw off that reserve, which is so natural with -people who have soldiers forced into their houses whether they will -or not. The miller and his cheerful "frow" never tired of showing me -every kindness in their power while I remained with them, and to such -a degree did they carry this, that it quite distressed me. On leaving -Buitensluys, neither my landlord nor his wife would accept of any -remuneration, though I urgently pressed it on them. When the avarice of -the Dutch character is taken into account, they certainly deserve no -small praise for this disinterested kind-heartedness. - -The ice having broken up a little, we were enabled to get ferried over -to Willemstadt, and proceed on our march to Tholen, where we arrived in -two or three days. The cold in Holland this winter was excessive, and -Tholen being within four miles of Bergen op-Zoom, a great part of the -inhabitants, as well as garrison, were every day employed in breaking -the ice in the ditches of the fortifications. The frost, however, was -so intense, that before the circuit was completed, which was towards -evening, we were often skaiting on the places which had been broken -in the morning; we could not, with all our exertions, break more -than nine feet in width, which was but an ineffectual protection -against the enemy, had they felt any inclination to attack us in this -half-dilapidated fortress, with our small garrison. - -After we had been here some days, the remainder of our regiment, who -had been saved by the transport getting out to sea, joined us. They -had sprung a leak, and were near perishing, when it was fortunately -stopped, and the gale abated. The first thing we all thought of on -coming to Tholen was procuring snug billets, as we might remain some -time in garrison. With this view, I employed a German corporal, who -acted as our interpreter. He volunteered from the Veteran Battalion -at Fort George to accompany us. After looking about for some time, he -found out a quarter which he guessed would suit my taste. The house -was inhabited by a respectable burgher, who had been at sea, and still -retained the title of Skipper. His son, as I afterwards learned, had -died a few months before, leaving a very pretty young widow, who still -resided with her father-in-law. I had not seen her long before I -became interested in her. Johanna M—— was innocence and simplicity -itself; tender, soft, and affectionate; her eyes did not possess that -brightness which bespeaks lively passions, and too often inconstancy; -but they were soft, dark, and liquid, beaming with affection and -goodness of heart. On coming home one day, I found her with her head -resting on her hands and in tears; her father and mother-in-law, with -their glistening eyes resting on her, with an expression of sympathy -and sorrow, apparently more for her loss than their own; as if they -would have said, "Poor girl! we have lost a son, but you have lost -a husband." Johanna, however, was young, and her spirits naturally -buoyant: of course it cannot be supposed that this intensity of -feeling could exist but at intervals. As usual, I soon made myself -quite at home with the Skipper and his family, and became, moreover, -a considerable favourite, from the interest I took in Johanna, and -a talent at making punch, which was always put in requisition when -they had a visit from the "_Predikaant_," or priest of the parish; -on these occasions I was always one of the party at supper, which is -their principal meal. It usually consisted of a large tureen, with bits -of meat floating in fat or butter, for which we had to dive with our -forks; we had also forcemeat-balls and sour-crout. The priest who was -the very picture of good-nature and good-living, wore a three-cornered -cocked-hat, which, according to the fashion of the middle classes, -never quitted his head, excepting when he said grace. When supper was -over and the punch made, which always drew forth the most unqualified -praises of the "_Predikaant_," he would lug out a heap of papers from -his breeches-pocket, inscribed with favourite Dutch ditties, which, so -far as I could understand the language, contained political allusions -to the state of matters in Europe at the time. The burden of one of -the songs I still remember, from the constant recurrence of the words, -"_Well mag het Ue bekoomen_," at the end of each stanza. The jolly -priest being no singer, always read these overflowings of the Dutch -muse with the most energetic gestures and accent. At the end of each -verse, which seemed by its rhyme to have something of the titillating -effect of a feather on the sober features of the "Skipper," the reader -would break out into a Stentorian laugh, enough to have shaken down the -walls of Jericho, or the Stadt-huis itself. The good "_vrow_," whose -attention was almost entirely occupied with her household concerns, and -who had still more prose in her composition than her mate, would now -and then, like a good wife, exhibit some feeble tokens of pleasure, -when she observed his features to relax in a more than ordinary degree. - -Soon after I had taken up my abode in the house, I observed that -Johanna had got a Dutch and English grammar, which she had begun to -study with great assiduity, and as I was anxious to acquire Dutch, -this naturally enough brought us often together. She would frequently -come into my room to ask the pronunciation of some word, for she was -particularly scrupulous on this head. On these occasions, I would make -her sit down beside me, and endeavour to make her perfect in each word -in succession; but she found so much difficulty in bringing her pretty -lips into the proper form, that I was under the necessity of enforcing -my instructions, by punishing her with a kiss for every failure. But so -far was this from quickening her apprehension, that the difficulties -seemed to increase at every step. Poor Johanna, notwithstanding this -little innocent occupation, could not, however, be entirely weaned from -her affection for the memory of her departed husband, for her grief -would often break out in torrents of tears; when this was the case, we -had no lesson for that day. - -Garrison duty is always dull and irksome, and soldiers are always -glad of any thing to break the monotony of a life where there is no -activity or excitement. One day, while we lay at Tholen, a letter was -brought from head-quarters, which was to be forwarded from town to -town to Admiral Young, who was lying in the Scheldt at the time. A -couple of horses and a guide were procured, and I was sent with the -letter, much to my own satisfaction, as I was glad of an opportunity -to see more of the country. I was ordered to proceed to a certain -town, the name of which I forget, where another officer should relieve -me. It was late when I got to the town, and not being aware that it -was occupied by a Russian regiment, I was not a little surprised in -being challenged by a sentry in a foreign language. I could not make -out from the soldier what they were, until the officer of the guard -came up, who understood a little English. He informed me that they -were on their march to Tholen, where they were to do garrison duty. -On desiring to be conducted to his commanding officer, he brought me -to the principal house in the town, at the door of which two sentries -were posted. The scene in the interior was singular enough. The first -object that met my eyes on entering the Colonel's apartment, was a -knot of soldiers in their green jackets and trowsers, lying in a heap, -one above another, in the corner of the room, (with their bonnets -pulled over their eyes,) like a litter of puppies, and snoring like -bull-frogs. These were the Colonel's body-guard. The room with its -furniture exhibited a scene of the most outrageous debauchery. Chairs -overturned, broken decanters and bottles, fragments of tumblers and -wine-glasses lay scattered over the floor and table. Two or three -candles were still burning on the table, and others had been broken in -the conflict of bottles and other missiles. Taking a rapid glance at -the state of matters in passing, we approached the Colonel's bed, which -stood in one corner of the room. My conductor drew the curtains, when -I saw two people lying in their flannel-shirts; the elder was a huge, -broad-faced man, with a ferocious expression of countenance, who I was -informed was the Colonel; the other was a young man about seventeen -years of age, exceedingly handsome, and with so delicate a complexion, -that I actually thought at the time he must be the Colonel's wife. With -this impression I drew back for a moment, when he spoke to me in good -English, and told me he was the Adjutant, and begged I would state what -I had to communicate to the Colonel, which he would interpret to him, -as the latter did not understand English. The Colonel said he should -forward the letter by one of his officers, and as I could then return -to Tholen, we should proceed to that place next morning. We proceeded -accordingly next morning on our march to Tholen. The Colonel had sent -on his light company as an advanced-guard, some time before us, with -orders to halt at a village on the road, until the regiment came up. -Whether they had mistaken his orders I know not, but on coming to the -village, no light company was to be found; and on inquiry, we learned -that they had marched on. The rage of the Colonel knew no bounds, and -produced a most ridiculous and childish scene betwixt himself and the -officers. With the tears running down his cheeks, and stamping with -rage, he went among them; first accusing one, and then the other, as -if they were to blame for the mistake of the advanced-guard. Each of -them, however, answered him in a petulant snappish manner, like enraged -pug-dogs, at the same time clapping their hands to their swords, and -some of them drawing them half out of the scabbards, when he would -turn away from them, weeping bitterly like a great blubbering boy all -the while. The officers, however, began to pity the poor Colonel, and -at last succeeded in appeasing his wrath and drying his tears. He -proceeded forthwith to order an enormous breakfast to be prepared for -us immediately. It was of no use for the innkeeper to say that he had -not any of the articles they desired, he was compelled by threats and -curses to procure them, come whence they would. As our landlord knew -well whom he had to deal with, our table soon groaned under a load -of dishes, enough apparently to have dined four times our number. In -a trice we had every thing that could be procured for love or money, -and it was wonderful to observe with what alacrity the landlord waited -on us, and obeyed the orders he received. He appeared, in fact, to -have thrown off his native sluggishness, and two or three pairs of -breeches for the occasion. Before proceeding on the march, I wished to -pay my share of the entertainment, but my proposal was treated with -perfect ridicule. At first, I imagined that the Russians considered me -as their guest, but I could not discover that the innkeeper received -any remuneration for the entertainment prepared for us. The Russians -had many odd customs during their meals, such as drinking out of each -other's glasses, and eating from each other's plates; a compliment, -which in England, we could willingly dispense with. They seemed to have -a great liking to the English, and every day our men and theirs were -seen walking arm-in-arm about the streets together. The gin, which -was rather too cheap in this country, seemed to be a great bond of -union between them; and strange to say, I do not recollect a single -instance of their quarrelling. Notwithstanding the snapping between -the commanding officer and the other officers, they seemed on the -whole to be in excellent discipline in other respects. The manner in -which they went through their exercise was admirable, particularly -when we consider that they were only sailors acting on shore. There -was one custom, however, which never failed to excite our disgust and -indignation; hardly a day passed but we saw some of their officers -boxing the ears of their men in the ranks, who seemed to bear this -treatment with the greatest patience, and without turning their eyes -to the right or left during the operation; but such is the effect of -early habits and custom, that the very men who bore this degrading -treatment, seemed to feel the same disgust for our military punishment -of flogging; which, however degrading in its effects on the character -of the sufferer, could not at least be inflicted at the caprice of the -individual. We may here observe the different effects produced on the -character of men by a free and a despotic system of Government: it was -evidently not the _nature_, but the _degree_, of punishment in our -service which shocked the Russian prejudices. - -We had all become thoroughly sick of the monotony and sameness of our -duties and occupations at Tholen, when we received orders to march the -next day, (8th March, 1814). As the attack on Bergen-op-Zoom, which -took place on that evening, was of course kept a profound secret, the -common opinion was, that we were destined for Antwerp, where the other -division of the army had already had some fighting. Though elated, -in common with my brother officers, with the prospect of coming to -closer quarters with the enemy, it was not without tears on both sides -that I parted with poor Johanna, who had somehow taken a hold of my -affections that I was hardly aware of till this moment. The time left -us to prepare for our march I devoted to her, and she did not even seek -the pretext of her English grammar to remain in my room for the few -hours we could yet enjoy together. We had marched some miles before I -could think of any thing but her, for the recollection of her tears -still thrilled to my very heart, and occasioned a stifling sensation -that almost deprived me of utterance. But we were soon thrown into a -situation where the excitement was too powerful and engrossing to leave -room for other thoughts than of what we were immediately engaged in. - -It was nearly dark when we arrived at the village of Halteren, which -is only three or four miles from Bergen-op-Zoom, where we took up -our quarters for the night. On the distribution of the billets to -the officers for the night, I received one upon a farm-house about -a mile in the country. I had not been long at my new lodging, when -I was joined by four or five officers of the 4th Battalion Royal -Scots, who had just arrived by long marches from Stralsund, and were -billetted about the country. They had heard that an attempt to surprise -Bergen-op-Zoom would be made that same night. It is not easy to -describe the sensations occasioned in my mind by this intelligence; it -certainly partook but little of fear, but the novelty (to me at least) -of the situation in which we were about to be placed, excited a feeling -of anxiety as to the result of an attempt, in which, from the known -strength of the place, we dared hardly expect to be successful. There -is also a degree of melancholy which takes hold of the mind at these -moments of serious reflection which precede the conflict. My comrades -evidently shared this feeling with me. One of them remarked, as we -were preparing to march, "My boys, we'el see something like service -to-night," and added, "we'el not all meet again in this world." Poor -Mac Nicol, who made the remark, fell that night, which was the first -and the last of my acquaintance with him. I believe every one of us -were wounded. Learning from my new acquaintances that the grenadier -company of their regiment, (Royal Scots), which was commanded by an -old friend of mine, (Lieutenant Allan Robertson,) and whom I had not -seen for some years, was only about a mile farther off, I thought I -should have time to see him and join my regiment before they marched, -should they be sent to the attack. However, the party of the Royals -whom I accompanied lost their way, from their ignorance of the road, -and we in consequence made a long circuit, during which I heard from -an aid-de-camp who passed us, that the 21st were on their march to -attack the place on another quarter from us. In these circumstances I -was exceedingly puzzled what course to take; if I went in search of -my regiment, I had every chance of missing them in the night, being -quite ignorant of the roads. Knowing that the Royals would be likely to -head one of the columns from the number of the regiment, I took what I -thought the surest plan, by attaching myself to the grenadier company -under my gallant friend. There is something awfully impressive in the -mustering of soldiers before going into action; many of those names, -which the serjeants were now calling in an under tone of voice, would -never be repeated, but in the tales of their comrades who saw them -fall. - -After mustering the men, we proceeded to the general "rendez-vous" of -the regiments forming the column; the Royals led the column followed by -the other regiments according to their number. As every thing depended -on our taking the enemy by surprise, the strictest orders were given to -observe a profound silence on the march. - -While we are proceeding to the attack, it will not be amiss to give the -reader a slight sketch of the situation of Bergen-op-Zoom, and the plan -of the operations of the different columns, to render my relation of -the proceedings of the column I served with the more intelligible. - -Bergen-op-Zoom is situated on the right bank of the Scheldt, and -takes its name from the little river Zoom, which, after supplying -the defences with water, discharges itself into the Scheldt. The old -channel of the Zoom, into which the tide flows towards the centre of -the town, forms the harbour, which is nearly dry at low-water. The -mouth of the harbour was the point fixed upon for the attack of the -right column, under Major-General Skerret, and Brig.-Gen. Gore. This -column consisted of 1100 men of the 1st regiment, or Royal Scots, the -37th, 44th, and 91st, (as far as I can recollect). Lieut.-Col. Henry, -with 650 men of the 21st, or Royal Scot's Fusileers, was sent on a -false attack near the Steenbergen-gate, to the left of the harbour, (I -suppose the reader to be standing at the entrance of the harbour facing -the town). Another column, consisting of 1200 men of the 33d, 55th, and -69th regiments, under Lieut.-Col. Morrice, were to attack the place -near the Bredagate, and endeavour to enter by escalade. A third column, -under Col. Lord Proby, consisting of 1000 men of the 1st and Coldstream -Guards, was to make nearly a complete circuit of the place, and enter -the enemy's works by crossing the ice, some distance to the right of -the entrance of the harbour and the Waterport-gate. This slight account -of the plan of attack I have borrowed in some degree from Col. Jones' -Narrative, who must have procured his information on these points from -the best sources. However, as I only pretend to speak with certainty -of what fell under my own immediate observation, I shall return to the -right column, with which I served on this occasion. - -When we had proceeded some way we fell in with a picket, commanded by -Capt. Darrah, of the 21st. Fusileers, who was mustering his men to -proceed to the attack. Thinking that our regiment (the 21st), must -pass his post on their way to the false attack, he told me to remain -with him until they came up. I, in consequence, waited some time, -but hearing nothing of the regiment, and losing patience, I gave him -the slip in the dark, and ran on until I regained my place with the -grenadier company of the Royals. On approaching the place of attack, we -crossed the Tholen-dike, and immediately entered the bed of the Zoom, -through which we had to push our way before we entered the wet ditch. -It is not easy to convey an idea of the toil we experienced in getting -through the deep mud of the river; we immediately sank nearly to our -middles, and when, with great difficulty, we succeeded in freeing one -leg from the mire, we sank nearly to the shoulder on the other side -before we could get one pace forward. As might be expected, we got -into some confusion in labouring through this horrible slough, which -was like bird-lime about our legs; regiments got intermixed in the -darkness, while some stuck fast, and some unlucky wretches got trodden -down and smothered in the mud. Notwithstanding this obstruction, -a considerable portion of the column had got through, when those -behind us, discouraged by this unexpected difficulty, raised a shout -to encourage themselves. Gen. Skerret, who was at the head of the -column, was furious with rage, but the mischief was already done. The -sluices were opened, and a torrent of water poured down on us through -the channel of the river, by which the progress of those behind was -effectually stopped for some time. Immediately after the sluices were -opened, a brilliant firework was displayed on the ramparts, which -showed every object as clearly as daylight. Several cannon and some -musketry opened on us, but did us little harm, as they seemed to be -discharged at random. At the moment the water came down, I had just -cleared the deepest part of the channel, and making a great effort, -I gained a flat piece of ice which was sticking edgeways in the mud; -to this I clung till the strength of the torrent had passed, after -which I soon gained the firm land, and pushed on with the others to -the ditch. The point at which we entered was a bastion to the right of -the harbour, from one of the angles of which a row of high palisades -was carried through the ditch. To enable us to pass the water, some -scaling-ladders had been sunk to support us in proceeding along -the palisade, over which we had first to climb with each other's -assistance, our soldiers performing the office of ladders to those who -preceded them. So great were the obstacles we met with, that had not -the attention of the enemy fortunately (or rather most judiciously), -been distracted by the false attack under Col. Henry, it appeared quite -impossible for us to have affected an entrance at this point. While we -were proceeding forward in this manner, Col. Muller[45] of the Royals -was clambering along the tops of the palisade, calling to those who had -got the start of him, to endeavour to open the Waterport-gate, and let -down the drawbridge to our right; but no one in the hurry of the moment -seemed to hear him. On getting near enough, I told him I should effect -it if it was possible. - -We met with but trifling resistance on gaining the rampart; the enemy -being panic struck, fled to the streets and houses in the town, from -which they kept up a pretty sharp fire on us for some time. I got -about twenty soldiers of different regiments to follow me to the -Waterport-gate, which we found closed. It was constructed of thin -paling, with an iron bar across it about three inches in breadth. Being -without tools of any kind, we made several ineffectual attempts to open -it. At last, retiring a few paces, we made a rush at it in a body, when -the iron bar snapped in the middle like a bit of glass. Some of my -people got killed and wounded during this part of the work, but when we -got to the drawbridge, we were a little more sheltered from the firing. -The bridge was up, and secured by a lock in the right hand post of the -two which supported it. I was simple enough to attempt to pick the lock -with a soldier's bayonet, but after breaking two or three, we at last -had an axe brought us from the bastion where the troops were entering. -With the assistance of this instrument we soon succeeded in cutting -the lock out of the post, and taking hold of the chain, I had the -satisfaction to pull down the drawbridge with my own hands. - -While I was engaged in this business, Col. Muller was forming the -Royals on the rampart where we entered; but a party of about 150 men -of different regiments, under General Skerret, who must have entered -to the left of the harbour, were clearing the ramparts towards the -Steinbergen-gate, where the false attack had been made under Col. -Henry; and a party, also, under Col. Carleton, of the 44th regiment, -was proceeding in the opposite direction along the ramparts to the -right, without meeting with much resistance. Hearing the firing on the -opposite side of the town from Gen. Skerret's party, and supposing -that they had marched through the town, I ran on through the streets -to overtake them, accompanied by only one or two soldiers, for the -rest had left me and returned to the bastion after we had opened the -gate. In proceeding along the canal or harbour, which divided this part -of the town, I came to a loop-holed wall, which was continued from -the houses down to the water's edge. I observed a party of soldiers -within a gate in this wall, and was going up to them, taking them for -our own people, when I was challenged in French, and had two or three -shots fired at me. Seeing no other way of crossing the harbour but by -a little bridge, which was nearly in a line with the wall, I returned -to the Waterport-gate, which I found Col. Muller had taken possession -of with two or three companies of his regiment. I went up to him, and -told him that I had opened the gate according to his desire, and of the -interruption I had met with in the town. Not knowing me, he asked my -name, which he said he would remember, and sent one of the companies -up with me to the wall, already mentioned, and ordered the officer who -commanded the company, after he should have driven the enemy away, to -keep possession of it until farther orders. On coming to the gate, -we met with a sharp resistance, but after firing a few rounds, and -preparing to charge they gave way, leaving us in possession of the gate -and bridge. - -Leaving the company here, and crossing the little bridge, I again set -forward alone to overtake Gen. Skerret's party, guided by the firing on -the ramparts. Avoiding any little parties of the enemy, I had reached -the inside of the ramparts where the firing was, without its occuring -to me that I might get into the wrong box and be taken prisoner. -Fortunately I observed a woman looking over a shop door, on one side of -the street; the poor creature, who must have been under the influence -of some strong passion to remain in her present exposed situation, was -pale and trembling. She was a Frenchwoman, young, and not bad-looking. -I asked her where the British soldiers were, which she told me without -hesitation, pointing at the same time in the direction. I shook hands -with her, and bade her good night, not entertaining the smallest -suspicion of her deceiving me; following her directions, I clambered up -the inside of the rampart, and rejoined Gen. Skerret's party. - -The moon had now risen, and though the sky was cloudy, we could see -pretty well what was doing. I found my friend Robertson here, with the -grenadier company of the Royals; I learned from him that the party, -which was now commanded by Capt. Guthrie of the 33d regiment, had -been compelled by numbers to retire from the bastion which the enemy -now occupied, and should endeavour to maintain the one which they now -possessed, until they could procure a reinforcement. He also told me -of Gen. Skerret's being dangerously wounded and taken prisoner, an -irreparable loss to our party, as Capt. Guthrie was ignorant of the -General's intentions. In the mean time the enemy continued a sharp -firing on us, which we returned as fast as our men could load their -firelocks. Several of the enemy who had fallen, as well as of our own -men, were lying on the ramparts; one of our officers, who had been -wounded in the arm, was walking about, saying occasionally, in rather -a discontented manner, "This is what is called honour;" though I could -readily sympathise with him in the pain he suffered, I could not -exactly understand how, if there is any honour in getting wounded, any -bodily suffering can detract from it. - -We found a large pile of logs of wood on the rampart; these we -immediately disposed across the gorge of the bastion, so as to form a -kind of parapet, over which our people could fire, leaving, however, -about half the distance open towards the parapet of the rampart. On -the opposite side of the bastion were two twenty-four-pounders of the -enemy's, which being raised on high platforms, we turned upon them, -firing along the ramparts over the heads of our own party. However -valuable this resource might be to us, we were still far from being -on equal terms with the French, who besides greatly exceeding us in -numbers, had also brought up two or three fieldpieces, which annoyed -us much during the night. There was also a windmill on the bastion they -occupied, from the top of which their musketry did great execution -among us. In the course of the night, they made several ineffectual -attempts to drive us from our position: on these occasions, which we -always were aware of from the shouts they raised to encourage each -other, as soon as they made their appearance on the rampart, we gave -them a good dose of grape from our twenty-four-pounders, and had a -party ready to charge them back. I observed our soldiers were always -disposed to meet the enemy half-way, and the latter were soon so well -aware of our humour, that they invariably turned tail before we could -get within forty or fifty paces of them. The firing was kept up almost -continually on both sides until about two o'clock in the morning, when -it would sometimes cease for more than half-an-hour together. During -one of these intervals of stillness, exhausted with our exertions, -and the cold we felt in our drenched clothes, some of the officers -and I lay down along the parapet together, in hopes of borrowing a -little heat from each other. I fell insensibly into a troubled dozing -state, in which my imagination still revelled in the scenes of night. -While I yet lay the firing had recommenced, which, with the shouts -of the enemy, and the words of those about me, seemed to form but the -ground work of my fitful dream, which continued to link imaginary -circumstances to reality. How long I might have lain in this stupor, -between sleeping and waking, I know not, when suddenly I felt the -ground shake under me, and heard at the same time a crash as if the -whole town had been overwhelmed by an earthquake; a bright glare of -light burst on my eyes at the same instant and almost blinded me. A -shot from the enemy had blown up our small magazine on the ramparts, -on which we depended for the supply of the two twenty-four-pounders -which had been of such material use to us during the night. This broke -our slumbers most effectually; and we had now nothing for it but -to maintain our ground in the best way we were able until we could -receive a reinforcement from some of the other parties. Immediately -after this disaster, raising a tremendous shout or rather yell, the -enemy again attempted to come to close quarters with us, in hopes of -our being utterly disheartened; but our charging party, which we had -always in readiness, made them wheel round as usual. In the course of -the night, we had sent several small parties of men to represent the -state of our detachment, and endeavour to procure assistance, but none -of them returned, having, we supposed, been intercepted by the enemy. -Discouraged as we were by this circumstance, we still continued to hold -our ground until break of day. - -By this time the firing had entirely ceased in the other part of the -town, naturally leading us, in the absence of all communication, to -conclude that the other parties had been driven from the place. However -this may have been, the first dawn of day showed us in but too plain -colours the hopelessness of our situation. The enemy now brought -an overwhelming force against us; but still we expected, from the -narrowness of the rampart, that they would not be able to derive the -full advantage of their superiority; but in this we were deceived. The -bastion we occupied was extensive, but only that portion of it near the -gorge was furnished with a parapet. At this spot, and behind the logs -which we had thrown up, our now diminished force was collected. Keeping -up an incessant fire to divert our attention, the French (who now -outnumbered us, at least three to one,) detached a part of their force, -which skirting the outside of the ramparts, and ascending the face of -the bastion we occupied, suddenly opened a most destructive fire on our -flank and rear. From this latter party we were totally unprotected, -while they were sheltered by the top of the rampart: we were thus left -to defend ourselves from both at once as we best could. But still they -would not venture to charge us, and it would have been of little use -for us to charge them, for the moment we quitted the parapet, we would -have been exposed to a cross fire from the other bastion. - -The slaughter was now dreadful, and our poor fellows, who had done all -that soldiers could in our trying situation, now fell thick and fast. -Just at this moment, my friend Robertson, under whose command I had -put myself at the beginning of the attack, fell. I had just time to -run up to him, and found him stunned from a wound in the head; when -our gallant commander, seeing the inutility of continuing the unequal -contest, gave the order to retreat. We had retired in good order about -three hundred yards, when poor Guthrie received a wound in the head, -which I have since been informed deprived him of his sight. The enemy, -when they saw us retreating, hung upon our rear, keeping up a sharp -fire all the time, but they still seemed to have some respect for us -from the trouble we had already given them. We had indulged the hope, -that by continuing our course along the ramparts, we should be able to -effect our retreat by the Waterport-gate,[46] not being aware that -we should be intercepted by the mouth of the harbour. We were already -at the very margin before we discovered our mistake and completely -hemmed in by the French. We had therefore no alternative left to us -but to surrender ourselves prisoners of war, or to attempt to effect -our escape across the harbour, by means of the floating pieces of ice -with which the water was covered. Not one of us seemed to entertain -the idea of surrender, however, and in the despair which had now taken -possession of every heart, we threw ourselves into the water, or leaped -for the broken pieces of ice which were floating about. The scene -that ensued was shocking beyond description—the canal or harbour was -faced on both sides by high brick walls; in the middle of the channel -lay a small Dutch decked vessel, which was secured by a rope to the -opposite side of the harbour. Our only hope of preserving our lives or -effecting our escape, depended on our being able to gain this little -vessel. Already, many had, by leaping first on one piece of ice and -then on another, succeeded in getting on board the vessel, which they -drew to the opposite side of the canal by the rope, and thus freed one -obstruction: but immediately afterwards, being intercepted by the -Waterport redoubt, they were compelled to surrender. The soldiers in -particular, when they found themselves inclosed by the enemy, seemed -to lose the power of reflection, and leaped madly into the water, with -their arms in their hands, without even waiting until a piece of ice -should float within their reach. The air was rent with vain cries for -help from the drowning soldiers, mixed with the exulting shouts of the -enemy, who seemed determined to make us drain the bitter cup of defeat -to the very dregs. Among the rest I had scrambled down the face of the -canal to a beam running horizontally along the brick-work, from which -other beams descended perpendicularly into the water, to prevent the -sides from being injured by shipping. After sticking my sword into my -belt, (for I had thrown the scabbard away the previous night,) I leaped -from this beam, which was nine or ten feet above the water, for a piece -of ice, but not judging my distance very well, it tilted up with me, -and I sunk to the bottom of the water. However, I soon came up again, -and after swimming to the other side of the canal and to the vessel, I -found nothing to catch hold of. I had therefore nothing for it but to -hold on by the piece of ice I had at first leaped on, and swinging my -body under it, I managed to keep my face out of the water. I had just -caught hold of the ice in time, for encumbered as I was with a heavy -great coat, now thoroughly soaked, I was in a fair way to share the -fate of many a poor fellow now lying at the bottom of the water. I did -not, however, retain my slippery hold undisturbed. I was several times -dragged under water by the convulsive grasp of the drowning soldiers, -but by desperate efforts I managed to free myself and regain my hold. -Even at this moment, I cannot think without horror of the means which -the instinct of self-preservation suggested to save my own life, while -some poor fellow clung to my clothes: I think I still see his agonized -look, and hear his imploring cry, as he sank for ever. - -After a little time I remained undisturbed tenant of the piece of ice. -I was not, however, the only survivor of those who had got into the -water; several of them were still hanging on to other pieces of ice, -but they one by one let go their hold, and sank as their strength -failed. At length only three or four besides myself remained. All this -time some of the enemy continued firing at us, and I saw one or two -shot in the water near me. So intent was every one on effecting his -escape, that though they sometimes cast a look of commiseration at -their drowning comrades, no one thought for a moment of giving us any -assistance. The very hope of it had at length so completely faded in -our minds, that we had ceased to ask the aid of those that passed us on -the fragments of ice. But Providence had reserved one individual who -possessed a heart to feel for the distress of his fellow-creatures more -than for his own personal safety. The very last person that reached the -vessel in the manner I have already described, was Lieut. M'Dougal, of -the 91st Regiment. I had attracted his attention in passing me, and he -had promised his assistance when he should reach the vessel. He soon -threw me a rope, but I was now so weak, and benumbed with the intense -cold, that it slipped through my fingers alongside of the vessel; he -then gave me another, doubled, which I got under my arms, and he thus -succeeded, with the assistance of a wounded man, in getting me on -board. I feel that it is quite out of my power to do justice to the -humanity and contempt of danger displayed by our generous deliverer on -this occasion. While I was assisting him in saving the two or three -soldiers who still clung to pieces of ice, I got a musket-ball through -my wrist; for all this time several of the enemy continued deliberately -firing at us from the opposite rampart, which was not above sixty yards -from the vessel. Not content with what he had already done for me, my -kind-hearted friend insisted on helping me out of the vessel; but I -could not consent to his remaining longer exposed to the fire of the -enemy, who had already covered the deck with killed and wounded, and -M'Dougal fortunately still remained unhurt. Finding that I would not -encumber him, he left the vessel, and I went down to the cabin, where -I found Lieut. Briggs, of the 91st, sitting on one side, with a severe -wound through his shoulder-blade. The floor of the cabin was covered -with water, for the vessel had become leaky from the firing. I took my -station on the opposite side, and taking off my neckcloth, with the -assistance of my teeth, I managed to bind up my wound, so as to stop -the bleeding in some measure. My companion suffered so much from his -wound that little conversation passed betwixt us. - -I fell naturally into gloomy reflections on the events of the night. -I need hardly say how bitter and mortifying they were: after all our -toils and sanguine anticipations of ultimate success, to be thus robbed -of the prize which we already grasped, as we thought, with a firm hand. -Absorbed in these melancholy ruminations, accompanied from time to -time by a groan from my companion, several hours passed away, during -which the water continued rising higher and higher in the cabin, until -it reached my middle, and I was obliged to hold my arm above it, for -the salt-water made it smart. Fortunately the vessel grounded from the -receding of the tide. Escape in our state being now quite out of the -question, my companion and I were glad on the whole to be relieved from -our present disagreeable situation by surrendering ourselves prisoners. - -The firing had now entirely ceased, and the French seemed satiated with -the ample vengeance they had taken on us. As there was no gate near us, -we were hoisted with ropes over the ramparts, which were here faced -with brick to the top. A French soldier was ordered to show me the way -to the hospital in the town. As we proceeded, however, my guide took -a fancy to my canteen which still hung by my side, and laying hold of -it without ceremony, was proceeding to empty its contents into his own -throat. Though suffering with a burning thirst from loss of blood, I -did not recollect till this moment that there was about two-thirds of -a bottle of gin remaining in it. I immediately snatched it from the -fellow's hand and clapping it to my mouth, finished every drop of it at -a draught, while he vented his rage in oaths. I found it exceedingly -refreshing, but it had no more effect on my nerves than small beer in -my present state of exhaustion. - -The scene as we passed through the streets, strewed here and there with -the bodies of our fallen soldiers, intermixed with those of the enemy, -was, indeed, melancholy; even could I have forgotten for a moment how -the account stood between the enemy and us, I was continually reminded -of our failure, by the bodies of many of our people being already -stripped of their upper garments. When we arrived at the hospital, I -found one of the officers of my regiment, who had been taken prisoner, -standing at the door. My face was so plastered with blood from a prick -of a bayonet I had got in the temple from one of our soldiers, that -it was some time before he knew me. In passing along the beds in the -hospital, the first face I recognised was that of my friend Robertson, -whom I had left for dead when our party retreated. Besides the wound he -received in the head, he had received one in the wrist, after he fell. - -On lying down on the bed prepared for me, I was guilty of a piece of -simplicity, which I had ample occasion to repent before I left the -place. I took all my clothes off, and sent them to be dried by the -people of the hospital, but they were never returned to me. I was -in consequence forced to keep my bed for the three days I remained -prisoner in Bergen-op-Zoom. - -The hospital was crowded with the wounded on both sides. On my right -hand lay Ensign Martial of the 55th regiment, with a grape-shot wound -in his shoulder, of which, and ague together, he afterwards died at -Klundert. On my left, in an adjoining room, lay poor General Skerret, -with a desperate wound through the body, of which he died next night. -It was said that he might have recovered, had it not been for the -bruises he had received from the muskets of the enemy after he fell. -This story I can hardly credit. However that may be, there is no doubt -we lost in him a most gallant, zealous, and active officer, and at -a most unfortunate time for the success of the enterprise. On the -opposite side of the hospital lay Capt. Campbell, of the 55th regiment. -He had a dreadful wound from a grape which entered at his shoulder and -went out near the back-bone. He was gifted with the most extraordinary -flow of spirits of any man I have ever met with. He never ceased -talking from sun-rise till night, and afforded all of us who were in -a condition to relish any thing, an infinite deal of amusement. I had -told Campbell of the trick they had played me with my clothes, and it -immediately became with him a constant theme for rating every Frenchman -that passed him. - -In the course of the next day a French serjeant came swaggering into -the hospital, with an officer's sash tied round him, and stretched -out to its utmost breadth. He boasted that he had killed the officer -by whom it had been worn. Twice a-day two of the attendants of the -hospital went about with buckets in their hands, one containing small -pieces of boiled meat, which was discovered to be horseflesh by the -medical people, while another contained a miserable kind of stuff, -which they called soup, and a third contained bits of bread. One of -the pieces of meat was tossed on each bed with a fork in passing; but -the patient had always to make his choice between flesh and bread, and -soup and bread, it being thought too much to allow them soup and meat -at the same time. I was never so much puzzled in my life as by this -alternative. Constantly tormented with thirst, I usually asked for -soup, but my hunger, with which I was no less tormented, made me as -often repent my choice. While we lay here we were attended by our own -surgeons, and had every attention paid to us in this respect that we -could desire. - -In the mean time arrangements were entered into with Gen. Bizanet, the -French commander, for an exchange of prisoners, and in consequence the -last of the wounded prisoners were removed in waggons to Rozendaal, on -the third day after we had been taken. On this occasion I was obliged -to borrow a pair of trowsers from one of the soldiers, and a coat from -my neighbour Martial, of the 55th, who being a tall man and I rather -little, it reached half-way down my legs. Altogether I cut rather an -odd figure as I started from the hospital. My regimental cap and shoes -had, however, escaped the fate of my other habiliments, so, considering -circumstances, matters might have been worse. But, one trial to my -temper still remained which I did not expect: the old rascal, to whom I -delivered my clothes when I sent them to be dried, had the unparalleled -impudence to make a demand on me for the hospital shirt, with which, in -place of my own wet one, I had been supplied on entering the hospital. -I was so provoked at this unconscionable request, that I believe I -should have answered him with a box on the ear, but my only available -hand was too well employed at the time in supporting my trowsers. There -was still another reason for my objecting to his demand: before I was -taken prisoner, while lying in the vessel, I had managed to conceal -some money which happened to be in my pockets on going to the attack; -this I had carefully transferred, with due secrecy, to the inferior -margin of the hospital shirt in which it was tied with a garter, -when we were preparing to leave the place. This treasure, though not -large, was of some importance to me, and I determined that nothing -short of brute force should deprive me of it. My gentleman, however, -pertinaciously urged his claim to the aforesaid garment, and a violent -altercation ensued between us, in which I had an opportunity of showing -a proficiency in Dutch swearing, that I was not aware of myself till -this moment. My friend Campbell came up at last to my assistance, and -discharged such a volley of oaths at the old vampire, that he was -fairly beaten out of the field, and I carried away the shirt in triumph. - -We were marched out of the town by the Bredagate to Rozendaal, a -distance of about fifteen miles, where we arrived the same night. The -French soldiers who had fallen in the conflict had all been removed -by this time, but, as we proceeded, escorted by the victors, many a -ghastly corpse of our countrymen met our half-averted eyes. They had -all been more or less stripped of their clothing, and some had only -their shirts left for a covering, and were turned on their faces. My -heart rose at this humiliating spectacle, nor could I breathe freely -until we reached the open fields beyond the fortifications. All who -were unable to march were crowded into the waggons which had been -prepared for them, while those who were less disabled straggled along -the road the best way they could. As may be supposed, there were no -needless competitors for the waggon conveyance, for the roads were -rough, and every jolt of the vehicles produced groans of agony from the -wretched passengers. - -On arriving at Wouw, which I took in my way, I explained my absence -from the regiment to the satisfaction of the commanding officer. I soon -heard of the fate of poor Bulteel, (2nd Lieutenant 21st Regiment,) -who fell during this ill-starred enterprise, by a cannon-ball, which -carried off the top of his head. Never was a comrade more sincerely -lamented by his messmates than this most amiable young man. His -brother, an officer in the Guards, whom he had met only a few days -before, fell the same night. The captain of my company, and kind -friend, M'Kenzie, had his leg shattered by a shot on the same occasion, -and I was informed that he bore the amputation without suffering a -groan to escape from him. Four others were more slightly wounded. The -dead had all been collected in the church, and a long trench being dug -by the soldiers, they were all next day deposited in the earth without -parade, and in silence. In a few days I proceeded to Rozendaal, where, -for the present, the prisoners were to remain. - -At this place I had more cause than ever to feel grateful for the -kindness of my Dutch landladies and landlords; the surgeon who attended -me finding it necessary to put me on low diet, and to keep my bed, the -sympathy of the good people of the house knew no bounds; not an hour -passed but they came to inquire how I was. So disinterested was their -unwearied attention, that on leaving them I could not induce them to -accept the smallest remuneration. After some time we went to Klundert, -where we were to remain until our exchange should be effected. - -Before concluding my narrative of the unfortunate attack on -Bergen-op-Zoom, the reader may expect some observations relative to -the plan of attack, and the causes of its ultimate failure; but it -should be remembered, before venturing to give my opinions on the -subject, that nothing is more difficult for an individual attached to -any one of the different columns which composed the attacking force, -than to assign causes for such an unexpected result, particularly -when the communication between them has been interrupted. In a battle -in the open field, where every occurrence either takes place under -the immediate observation of the General, or is speedily communicated -to him, faults can be soon remedied, or at least it may be afterwards -determined with some degree of accuracy where they existed. But in -a night-attack on a fortified place, the case is very different. As -the General of the army cannot be personally present in the attack, -any blame which may attach to the undertaking, can only affect him in -so far as the original plan is concerned; and if this plan succeeds -so far that the place is actually surprised, and the attacking force -has effected a lodgment within it, and even been in possession of the -greater part of the place, with a force equal to that of the enemy, -no candid observer can attribute the failure to any defect in the -arrangements of the General. Nothing certainly can be easier than, -after the event, to point out certain omissions which, had the General -been gifted with the spirit of prophecy, _might possibly_, in the -existing state of matters, have led to a happier result; but nothing, -in my humble opinion, can be more unfair, or more uncandid, than to -blame the unsuccessful commander, when every possible turn which -things might take was not provided against, and while it still remains -a doubt how far _the remedies proposed_ by such critics would have -succeeded in the execution. - -According to the plan of operations, as stated in Sir Thomas Graham's -dispatch, it was directed that the right column, under Major-General -Skerret, and Brig.-General Gore, which entered at the mouth of the -harbour, and the left column under Lord Proby, which Major-General -Cooke accompanied in person, and which attacked between the Waterport -and Antwerp gates, should move along the ramparts and form a junction. -This junction, however, did not take place, as General Cooke had been -obliged to change the point of attack, which prevented his gaining the -ramparts until half-past eleven o'clock, an hour after General Skerret -entered with the right column; a large detachment of which, under -Colonel the Hon. George Carleton, and General Gore, had, unknown to -him, (General Cooke), as it would appear, penetrated along the ramparts -far beyond the point where he entered. The centre column, under -Lieut.-Colonel Morrice, which had attacked near the Steenbergen lines, -being repulsed with great loss, and a still longer delay occuring -before they entered by the scaling-ladders of General Cooke's column, -the enemy had ample opportunities to concentrate their force, near -the points in most danger. However, notwithstanding all these delays -and obstructions, we succeeded (as already stated) in establishing a -force equal to that of the enemy along the ramparts. But still, without -taking into account the advantage which the attacking force always -possesses in the alarm and distraction of the enemy, (which, however, -was more than counterbalanced by our entire ignorance of the place,) we -could not, in fact, be said to have gained any decided superiority over -our adversaries; on the contrary, the chances were evidently against -our being able to maintain our position through the night, or until -reinforcements could come up. "But why," I have heard it often urged, -"were we not made better acquainted with the place?" In answer to this -question, it may be observed, that though there can be no doubt that -the leaders of the different columns, at least, had seen plans of the -place, yet there is a great difference between a personal knowledge of -a place, and that derived from the best plans, even by daylight; but -in the _night_ the enemy must possess a most decided advantage over -their assailants, in their intimate knowledge of all the communications -through the town, as well as in their acquaintance with the bearings -of the different works which surround it. - -Another circumstance which must have tended most materially to the -unfortunate result of the attack was, that the two parties, which had -been detached from the right column, were deprived of their commanders -in the very beginning of the night, by the fall of Generals Skerret -and Gore, and Colonel Carleton. The reader, were I inclined to account -for our failure, by these early calamities alone, need not go far to -find instances in history where the fate of an army has been decided -by the fall of its leader. There are some statements, however, in the -excellent account published by Colonel Jones, (who must have had the -best means of information on these points), which irresistibly lead -the mind to certain conclusions, which, while they tend most directly -to exonerate Sir Thomas Graham, as well as the General entrusted with -the command of the enterprise, from the blame which has so unfairly -been heaped on them, at the same time seem to imply some degree of -misconduct on the part of the battalion detached by General Cooke to -support the reserve of 600 men under Lt. Col. Muller at the Waterport -gate. This battallion, he (Colonel Jones), states, perceiving the -enemy preparing to attack them after having got possession of the -Waterport-gate, left the place, by crossing the ice. No reason is given -why this battalion did not fall back on General Cooke's force at the -Orange bastion. - -The surrender of the reserve at the Waterport-gate seems to have arisen -either from some mistake, or from ignorance of the practicability of -effecting their escape in another direction, for it does not appear -that they were aware of General Cooke's situation. The loss of these -two parties seems, therefore, to have been the more immediate cause of -the failure of the enterprise; for had both these parties been enabled -to form a junction with General Cooke, we should still, notwithstanding -former losses, have been nearly on an equality, in point of numbers at -least with the enemy. As matters now stood, after these two losses, -which reduced our force in the place to less than half that of the -French, General Cooke appears to have done all that could be expected -of a prudent and humane commander, in surrendering to prevent a useless -expenditure of life, after withdrawing all he could from the place. It -would appear, in consequence of the delay that occurred before General -Cooke entered the place, and the repulse of Colonel Morrice's column, -that the plan of the attack had been altered; otherwise it is difficult -to account for the proceedings of General Skerret in his attempting to -penetrate so far along the ramparts to the left of the entrance of the -harbour, with so small a force. - -In Sir Thomas Graham's dispatch, (as I have already noticed), it is -stated that the right column, under General Skerret, and the left -under General Cooke, "were directed to form a junction as soon as -possible," and "clear the rampart of opponents." From the latter words -it is evident that he meant by the nearest way along the ramparts; -consequently, according to this arrangement, General Skerret's column, -after entering at the mouth of the harbour, should have proceeded -along the ramparts to its right. In this direction, Colonel Carleton -had proceeded with 150 men, while General Skerret pushed along the -ramparts in the opposite direction; from these circumstances, it is -fair to conclude that General Skerret despaired of being able to form -a junction with the left column, and therefore wished to force the -Steenbergen-gate, and admit the 21st Fusileers, under Colonel Henry, -while Colonel Carleton should form a junction with Colonel Jones. It -is stated in Col. Jones's account that General Skerret attempted to -fall back on the reserve at the Waterport-gate, but was prevented -by the rising of the tide at the entrance of the harbour. Though it -would be rash at this distance of time to venture to contradict this -statement, I cannot help thinking that he has been misinformed on this -point; for, on my joining the party, after opening the Waterport-gate, -I heard nothing of such an attempt having been made; and if they -had still entertained the idea of retiring from their position, I -could have easily shown them the way by the foot-bridge across the -harbour, where Colonel Muller had sent a company of the Royals from -the Waterport-gate. The party were, when I came to them, at bastion -14,[47] to which they had just retired from bastion 13, where General -Skerret had been wounded and taken prisoner, and they were now -commanded by Captain Guthrie of the 33rd Regiment: it was under the -orders of the last mentioned officer that we threw up the log parapet, -which was of such use to us during the night. The admirable judgment -and coolness displayed by this gallant officer, upon whom the command -so unexpectedly devolved, cannot be mentioned in too high terms of -commendation. - -In concluding my narrative, it will, I trust, be admitted, that however -much we may deplore the unfortunate issue of the enterprise, and the -unforeseen difficulties which tended to frustrate the best concerted -plan of operations, there have been few occasions during the war in -which the courage and energies of British soldiers have been put to -such a severe test, or have been met by a more gallant and successful -resistance on the part of the enemy. - -[Footnote 44: "When we can't do better we must come to anchor,"—a -common Dutch saying.] - -[Footnote 45: Now of the Ceylon regiment.] - -[Footnote 46: This was the only gate which was opened during the night.] - -[Footnote 47: See the plan at the end of the 2nd vol. of Colonel -Jones's Journals of Sieges, &c.] - - - END. - - - LONDON: - G. SCHULZE, 13, POLAND STREET. - - - - -Transcriber's Note - - Pg. 56: "CHAPTER VI" changed to "CHAPTER IV" - - Footnotes placed at end of respective chapter. - - Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations - in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and - punctuation remains unchanged. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 2 (of 2), by -John Cooke and George Fitzclarence and John Moodie - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE LATE WAR *** - -***** This file should be named 55953-0.txt or 55953-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/9/5/55953/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, Larry B. 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T. W. D. Moodie, -H. P. 21st Fusileers (Volume II), by Cooke, John; Fitzclarence, George Augustus Frederick; Moodie, John Wedderburn Dunbar.</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1, h2 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; -} - -h1 {line-height: 1;} - -.half-title { - text-align: center; - font-size: large; -} - -p { - text-indent: 1.75em; - margin-top: .51em; - margin-bottom: .24em; - text-align: justify; -} - -.p2t {margin-top: 2em;} -.p2b {margin-bottom: 2em;} -.p3t {margin-top: 3em;} - -.p1 {margin-top: 1em;} - -.vspace {line-height: 1.5;} - -.in0 {text-indent: 0;} - -.xsmall {font-size: 65%;} -.small {font-size: 80%;} -.large {font-size: 125%;} -.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.bold {font-weight: bold;} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - right: 4%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - padding: .2% .1%; - color: #acacac; - background: #ffffff; -} - -blockquote { - margin: 2em 5%; - font-size: 95%; -} - - -/* Breaks */ -hr { - width: 45%; - margin-top: 4em; - margin-bottom: 4em; - margin-left: 27.5%; - margin-right: 27.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.style1 { - width: 23%; - margin-top: 4em; - margin-bottom: 4em; - margin-left: 38.5%; - margin-right: 38.5%; - clear: both; -} - - -/* Table */ -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - min-width: 35%; - max-width: 80%; - border-collapse: collapse; -} - -.tdc { - text-align: center; - vertical-align: top; - padding-right: 1em; - padding-left: 1.5em; - text-indent: -1.5em; - padding-bottom: .75em; -} - -.tdl { - text-align: left; - vertical-align: top; - padding-right: 1em; - padding-left: 1.5em; - text-indent: -1.5em; - padding-bottom: .75em; -} - -.tdlb { - text-align: left; - vertical-align: center; - padding-right: 1em; - padding-left: 1.5em; - text-indent: 0em; - padding-bottom: .75em; -} - -.tdr { - text-align: right; - vertical-align: bottom; - padding-right: 1em; - padding-left: 1.5em; - text-indent: -1.5em; - padding-bottom: .75em; -} - - -/* Image */ -img { - padding: 0 0 0 0; - max-width: 100%; - height: auto; -} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - margin-bottom: 1em; - margin-top: 2em; -} - - -/* Footnote */ -.footnote { - background-color: #EEE; - border: thin dashed black; - margin: 1.5em 10%; - padding: .5em 1em .5em 1.5em; -} - -.footnote {font-size: .95em;} -.footnote p {text-indent: 1em;} - -.fnanchor { text-decoration: none;} - - -/* Index */ -ul.index { list-style-type: none; } -li.isub2 {text-indent: 2em;} -li.isub3 {text-indent: 3em; margin-bottom: .5em;} -li.isub4 {text-indent: 4em; margin-top: 1em;} -li.isub5 {text-indent: 5em; margin-top: 1em;} - - -/* Transcriber Note */ -.transnote { - background-color: #EEE; - border: thin dotted; - font-family: sans-serif, serif; - color: #000; - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 5%; - margin-top: 4em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - padding: 1em; -} - - - -@media screen - -{ - .half-title - { - margin: 6em 0; - } - -} - - - -@media print, handheld - -{ - .half-title - { - page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; - margin: 0; - padding-top: 6em; - } - - h1, h2, .chapter, .newpage {page-break-before: always;} - - .nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - - p { - margin-top: .5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .25em; - } - - table { - width: 100%; - max-width: 100%; - } - - .tdl { - padding-left: 1em; - text-indent: -1em; - padding-right: 0; - } - - .pagenum { - display: none; - page-break-before: avoid; - } - -} - - - -@media handheld - -{ - - body {margin: 0;} - - hr { - margin-top: .1em; - margin-bottom: .1em; - visibility: hidden; - color: white; - width: .01em; - display: none; - } - - blockquote {margin: 1.5em 3% 1.5em 3%;} - - .transnote { - page-break-inside: avoid; - margin-left: 2%; - margin-right: 2%; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - padding: .5em; - } - - .hideepub {visibility: hidden;} - -} - - </style> - -</head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 2 (of 2), by -John Cooke and George Fitzclarence and John Moodie - -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: Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 2 (of 2) - Comprising the Personal Narrative of Captain Cooke, of the - 43rd Regiment Light Infantry; the History of the Campaign - of 1809 in Portugal, by the Earl of Munster; and a Narrative - of the Campaign of 1814 in Holland, by Lieut. T. W. D. - Moodie, H. P. 21st Fusileers - -Author: John Cooke - George Fitzclarence - John Moodie - -Release Date: November 13, 2017 [EBook #55953] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE LATE WAR *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Larry B. Harrison, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - - -<hr /> - -<div class="figcenter newpage hideepub"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover" /> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - -<div class="figcenter newpage"> - <img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="title_page" /> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - -<p class="half-title bold in0">MEMOIRS<br /> -OF<br /> -THE LATE WAR.<br /> -VOL. II.</p> - - - - -<hr /> - -<p class="newpage center bold in0 p2b"><span class="xlarge">The United Service Journal</span><br /> -AND<br /> -<span class="xlarge">NAVAL AND MILITARY MAGAZINE.</span></p> - -<p>This new and interesting miscellany is regularly -published by Messrs. <span class="smcap">Colburn and Bentley</span> every -month, price 3s 6d. The following opinion will at once -demonstrate its claims on the attention of the public.</p> - - -<blockquote> -<p>"The United Service Journal is confessedly one the best -periodicals of its kind that have ever issued from the Public -Press. No Monthly Journal has yet appeared so devotedly -attached to the interests of the Army and Navy, or whose claims -to the patronage of both services are so strikingly conspicuous. -It is full of agreeable anecdote and useful information. In its -pages we find a faithful and most interesting record of past -achievements, whether on sea or land, diversified by many characteristic -traits of British heroism, and national gallantry, -from the lowest to the highest rank in the Service. New improvements -in gunnery, navigation, and the art of War, are -exposed to view with the commanding powers of a master -hand, while no subject is omitted which could by possibility -involve the honour and welfare of our Army and Navy. In -fine, the Journal affords a correct summary of all changes in -the station of Regiments and Ships of the line, besides an -authentic return of the Promotions in the Red and the Blue. -Independently of the attractions it has for a military man, this -periodical may be read with much pleasure by a civilian, and we -feel much gratification in stating that it enjoys a very considerable -patronage."—<i>Limerick Chronicle.</i></p> -</blockquote> - - -<p><span class="xlarge bold">∵</span> The above Periodical is regularly supplied by all -Booksellers and Newsvenders, and may also be forwarded -to friends and relatives abroad, by giving orders, and -making payment accordingly, and those who may be -desirous of obtaining it are requested to give their -orders to any Bookseller or Newsman in their own -immediate neighbourhood.</p> - - -<p class="center p2t in0"><span class="large">LONDON.</span><br /> -<span class="xsmall">G. SCHULZE, 13, POLAND STREET.</span></p> - - - - -<hr /> - -<h1><span class="xlarge">MEMOIRS</span><br /> -<span class="xsmall">OF</span><br /> -<span class="xlarge">THE LATE WAR:</span><br /> -<span class="xsmall">COMPRISING</span><br /> -<span class="small">THE PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF</span><br /> -<span class="xsmall">CAPTAIN COOKE,</span><br /> -<span class="large">OF THE 43rd REGIMENT LIGHT INFANTRY;<br /> -THE HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1809</span><br /> -<span class="small">IN PORTUGAL,</span><br /> -<span class="xsmall">BY THE EARL OF MUNSTER;</span><br /> -<span class="large">AND A NARRATIVE OF</span><br /> -<span class="xsmall">THE CAMPAIGN OF 1814 IN HOLLAND,</span><br /> -<span class="small">BY LIEUT. T. W. D. MOODIE, H. P. 21ST FUSILEERS.</span></h1> - -<p class="center bold in0"><span class="xlarge">IN TWO VOLUMES.<br /> -VOL. II.<br /> -<span class="vspace"> </span><br /> -LONDON:<br /> -HENRY COLBURN AND RICHARD BENTLEY,</span><br /> -NEW BURLINGTON STREET.<br /> -<span class="xlarge">1831.</span></p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">v</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CONTENTS<br /> -<span class="small">OF THE SECOND VOLUME.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="center p2t in0"><span class="large">CONCLUSION OF CAPTAIN COOKE'S NARRATIVE.</span></p> - -<table summary="Contents"> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER I.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdr" colspan="2"><span class="small">Page</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Dwellings and habits of the farming classes in Navarre—Military - quarters—The Author obtains leave to proceed - to St. Sebastian as a spectator of the assault—Situation - of that city, and appearance of the breaches—Groups - collected from the neighbouring parts to witness the - storming—Advance of the "forlorn hope," and death - of Lieut. Mac Guire—Critical situation of the attacking - troops—Seasonable measure adopted by General Graham—Effect - produced by the heavy artillery—Destructive - explosion among the French—Capture of the city after - continued difficulties.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER II.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Duke of Dalmatia crosses the Bidassoa—Sharp contest - at the heights of St. Marzial and the Bridge of Bera—Touching - scene witnessed by the Author on his way to - rejoin his division at Santa Barbara—A present from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">vi</a></span> - England—Passage of the Bidassoa by the English troops - on the 6th of October—Active fighting—The French - driven over the mountains into their own territory—Delights - of good quarters after hard work—Reconnoitring—Habits - and condition of the Spanish soldiery—A - mock fight—Military pastimes—Preparations for the invasion - of France.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER III.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Advance of the light division—Singular nocturnal orgies—Skirmishing - preliminary to the battle of the Nivelle—Details - of that battle—British head-quarters established - at St. Jean de Luz—More skirmishing, and a slight - reverse—Combative anecdotes—Advance of the British - line of picquets.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER IV.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Tolerable quarters—Beguiling of time on picquet duty—The - army again in motion—A critical position—French - cunning, and occasional politeness—Skirmishing affairs - preceding the battle of the Nive—Details of that engagement—Its - advantageous consequences to our army—Acts - of complaisance between the vanguards of the opposed - forces—Christmas festivities.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER V.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">An unproductive alarm—The Duke d'Angoulême visits the - British army—Orders received by the Duke of Dalmatia<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">vii</a></span>—General - position of Napoleon's affairs—The author - visits Bera on leave of absence—Remarks on the mischiefs - committed by camp followers—A scene for contemplation—The - author's friends at Bera—Love inimical - to harmony—Return to quarters—Movement for penetrating - into the interior of France—The author's regiment - enters St. Palais, crosses the Gave, and passes - through Sauveterre to Orthes.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VI.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">A wrong direction—An affair with the enemy's cavalry—Bivouac - in a wood—A ludicrous mistake in the dark—Arrival - at St. Sever—Welcome supply of bread—The - Duke of Dalmatia leaves Bordeaux unprotected, to preserve - the communication with Toulouse—Reception of - the English at Mont de Marsan—A dancing scene and - other amusements at the village of Brinquet—The disappointed - purveyors—The author regains his corps—Adventure - gained over the enemy by General Hill—Gascon - peasantry—Various movements of the opposed - armies—The French driven through the town of Vic - Bigorre—An agreeable march.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Advance towards Tarbes—Sharp and successful encounter - of the riflemen with the French, who are forced to retire - from Tarbes—A beautiful coup-d'œil—Retreating movement - of the enemy towards Toulouse—The little French - cobbler and his daughter—A burdensome benefactor—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">viii</a></span>Inconveniences - of a miry march—The author's adventure - at a farm-house—The conscious hosts—A true French - château—Approach of the troops towards Toulouse—Critical - situation of the author and another officer.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VIII.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Flank movement to the right—Method of feeding cattle - in Gascony—Catching a goose—Halt at St. Simon—Cross - the Garonne and advance on Toulouse—The - French take up a position to the east of that town—The - Spaniards attack the heights of La Pugade—Their terrible - slaughter and precipitate retreat—The enemy advance - against the fourth and sixth divisions—The sixth division - carry the front of the enemy's position—Retreat of the - French from Toulouse towards Carcassonne.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">An account of the British Campaign of 1809</span>, under - Sir Arthur Wellesley, in Portugal and Spain. By the - <span class="smcap">Earl of Munster</span>.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Narrative of the Campaign in Holland in 1814</span>, - with details of the attack on Bergen-op-Zoom.</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_257">257</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">1</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="newpage center bold in0"><span class="large">MEMOIRS</span><br /> -OF<br /> -<span class="large">CAPTAIN COOKE.</span></p> - -<hr class="style1" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I.</h2> -</div> - - -<blockquote> -<p>Dwellings and habits of the farming classes in Navarre—Military -quarters—The Author obtains leave to proceed to St. -Sebastian as a spectator of the assault—Situation of that city, -and appearance of the breaches—Groups collected from the -neighbouring parts to witness the storming—Advance of the -"forlorn hope," and death of Lieut. Mac Guire—Critical -situation of the attacking troops—Seasonable measure adopted -by General Graham—Effect produced by the heavy artillery—Destructive -explosion among the French—Capture of the city -after continued difficulties.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>In Navarre the <i>quintas</i> are constructed with -projecting roofs, and are two stories high: the -second floors are encircled by wooden galleries, -adorned with creeping vines, hanging over in festoons,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">2</a></span> -which give these dwellings a most picturesque -appearance. The numerous fertile valleys -produce wheat, rye, barley, maize, pulse, and -apples which make very tolerable cider.</p> - -<p>When on picquet, we passed whole days in the -houses of the small farmers, (who speak the Basque -language;) and although these dwellings lay between -the hostile armies, they were not damaged, -nor the corn or orchards cut down; yet, for -leagues in every other direction, all the small -fields of Indian corn had been torn up by the -very roots, and carried off.</p> - -<p>Owing to this latter circumstance, many of the -peasantry became impoverished, and were obliged -to content themselves with very scanty fare; -their bread was made of Indian corn, which -they mixed up into a cake, an inch thick, and -then put it into a frying pan, which was repeatedly -turned, until its contents were about half -baked; this operation being completed, the whole -family formed a circle; the cake was then broken -into pieces, and handed to each individual, so -hot that they would shift it from hand to hand, -making all sorts of wry faces; this frugal supper -being concluded, a large brass cauldron was filled -with tepid water, in which the elder of the family -first bathed his feet, and then the others, according -to seniority, until all, in rotation, performed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span> -same cleanly ablution, which was never omitted -before retiring to rest.</p> - -<p>While on the position of Santa Barbara, or whenever -in the vicinity of the enemy, it was customary -to turn out an hour before daybreak, and for the -troops to stand to their arms until objects at a short -distance became visible. On these mountains -we were terribly annoyed by the toads. Many -officers possessed mattresses or covers, (the latter -being usually stuffed with dried fern,) but if they -happened to be left in the tent two or three days -without removing, or taken out to dry, which -was often the case, owing to heavy rains or dense -fogs, we were sure to find one or two bloated -speckled toads under them, as large in circumference -as a small dessert plate.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of the month, we could distinctly -hear the heavy thundering of the battery -cannon at St. Sebastian, and an order was issued -for the first, fourth, and light divisions to send a -certain number of volunteers, to assist the fifth -division in storming the breaches at that place, -as soon as they should be considered practicable.</p> - -<p>By some mistake, we were informed that two -officers were to proceed from our regiment with -the volunteers; accordingly Lieut. John O'Connell -and myself offered our services, and marched off -and formed with the rest of the volunteers of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span> -division, in front of General Alten's quarters, -which was about a league in rear of our encampment; -but as more officers had proffered their -services than the proper quota, I, amongst the -rest, made a surplus, and Lieut. O'Connell, being -my senior, remained. This officer had formed one -of the storming party at Ciudad Rodrigo, and at -Badajoz, where he was badly wounded, a ball -having passed in at the top of his shoulder and -came out at the elbow joint: he was ultimately -killed on the sanguinary breach of St. Sebastian. -Lieut.-Col. Hunt, of the 52nd, took the command -of the volunteers of the division. Major W. Napier -had also volunteered, but not being required on this -occasion, both he and myself returned to camp.</p> - -<p>On the following day, myself and three -other officers obtained permission to proceed -across the mountain to be <i>spectators</i> of the assault. -The weather was extremely fine, and -we enjoyed a tranquil ride over the mountains, -many of which were entirely covered with -oak trees, aromatic plants, fern, and evergreens. -For more than two leagues there was scarcely -a house to be seen. The day being far advanced -before we left our camp, darkness overtook -us, and, on making enquiries at a cottage, we -were informed, by a peasant, that there was an -encampment at a short distance, which we soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span> -discovered to the right of the road, and found it -to be the 85th light infantry, just arrived from -England. We received a hearty welcome, besides -<i>aguardiénte y vino tinto</i>, and then wrapping our -cloaks around about us, we enjoyed a few hours -repose in Major Ferguson's tent.</p> - -<p>At daybreak we went on our way through an -open, hilly, and sandy country, towards St. Sebastian, -and in a few hours took post in the -trenches cut through the sand banks, on the right -bank of the river Urumea, and within six hundred -yards of the town, which stands near the -river, or rather on a small peninsula, between -two arms of the sea. The place consisted of -twenty streets, besides churches, convents, and -monasteries; and is enclosed on three sides -by ramparts, bastions, and half-moons. The -castle is built on the top of a bare rock, and overlooking -the sea; the entrance of the harbour, on -the west side, is between two moles, and is capable -of containing a few small vessels.</p> - -<p>During our stay in the trenches, just below a -mortar battery, the enemy hardly fired a shot from -the fortress, in the walls of which were two -breaches eighty yards asunder. The principal -and wide-mouthed breach had crumbled into a -vast mound of sand, rubbish, and broken masonry. -A breach is indeed an awful mound of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span> -dilapidation to look on, or rather a heap of disagreeable -rubbish, particles of which sparkle brightly -in the sun beams, while the whole seems to the -amateur easy of ascent, but the wary veteran -knows it to be a deceitful slope, re-entrenched -from behind, and most probably cut off from all -communication with the interior of the town. -Well may it be called "the deadly breach:" all -fighting is bad enough, but when the valiant -soldier sees insurmountable obstacles before him, -and finds all his efforts unavailing, and death -jostling him on every side, his foot, perhaps, -planted on the body of an expiring comrade, -whose bleeding mouth is filled with dust, and -whose trampled uniform at last becomes identified -with the rubbish, and the human form no longer -distinguishable; and every instant the heap of -the slain accumulating, without any possibility of -carrying the place,—then, indeed, comes the "tug -of war;" for, as a distinguished officer very justly -observed, "A breach may be made the strongest -part of a fortification, since every combustible, -and power of defence, are brought to a known -focus."</p> - -<p>Having remained in the trenches a considerable -time, we made for the small town of Renteria, -where we put up, with two convalescent -officers of our own corps, until the next day.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 31st the morning broke hazy. Meanwhile -before starting for St. Sebastian, we were -introduced to Lieutenant Folliet, a young officer -of our regiment, who had just come from England -for the first time; he expressed much -regret at not being able to witness the assault, as -he very properly considered it incorrect to leave -his detachment, which was ordered to march that -morning for Bera. This circumstance I mention, -owing to the premature death of this officer.</p> - -<p>At half-past ten o'clock, <span class="smcap">a. m.</span>, we took post -within cannon range of the ramparts of St. Sebastian, -immediately overlooking the river Urumea. -The troops of the fifth division were already -formed in the trenches cut across the -isthmus, within a short distance of the body -of the place, ready to move forward as soon as -the tide should be sufficiently low to admit of a -passage. It was so well known that the assault -was to take place, that numerous inhabitants had -flocked from the adjacent towns and villages, -dressed in their holiday attire, and were already -seated on the hill which commanded a panoramic -view of the town. Many of the women were -clothed in dresses of English calico, and in fact -composed a motley group and mixture in dress -and appearance, such as I had never before seen -in Spain. Two pretty Spanish girls were seated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">8</a></span> -on the slope of the hill, and offered us some of -their sugar drops, whereupon we thought we -might as well place ourselves beside them as -elsewhere. A few minutes before the troops moved -to the assault, all within the town seemed tranquil; -no noise issued from its walls, nor was a single -French soldier visible on the ramparts.</p> - -<p>Soon after eleven o'clock, the "forlorn hope," -headed by Lieut. Mac Guire of the 4th regiment, -sprang out of the trenches, followed by the storming -party, and a brigade of the fifth division;<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor"><sup>1</sup></a> -but, owing to the difficulty of extricating themselves -from the trenches, and to their <i>extreme</i> -ardour, they ran towards the <i>great breach</i>, discharging -their fire arms to the left, to keep down -the musketry of the enemy, who galled them by -a terrible flanking fire from a bastion which projected -nearly parallel, and enfiladed their left -flank while moving towards the breach.</p> - -<p>Lieut. Mac Guire wore a cocked-hat, with a -<i>long white feather</i>, to make himself conspicuous. -He was a remarkably handsome young man, -active of limb, well-made, and possessing a robust -frame. He ran forward, amid projectiles and a -shower of bullets, with such speed that only <i>two</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span> -soldiers could manage to keep within five or six -yards behind him; and he actually jumped over the -broken masonry, at the foot of the breach, before -he fell. In a moment afterwards he was hid from -our view by the column bounding over his body,<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor"><sup>2</sup></a> -to climb the breach. They had no sooner gained -the crest of the breach, than they found the -enemy strongly entrenched at each flank of the -<span class="smcap">terre-plein</span> of the rampart and the interior -slope, composed of a scarped wall, nearly thirty feet -deep, so that the brave soldiers who mounted the -breach fell a sacrifice to their valour, by an overwhelming -cross-fire.</p> - -<p>The enemy had cleared away the rubbish some -feet from a <i>round tower</i>, nearly in the centre, -and on the crest of the great breach, which they -maintained, and it was from this apparently trifling -and <i>unbreached spot</i> that the troops sustained -their principal loss—standing up to their knees -in rubbish, and losing their lives without any -probability of success. As the French, however, -could not well fire on their left flank without -hanging over the parapet, our soldiers were enabled -to keep their station on the slope of the -breach, at the expense of a great number of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span> -officers and men. Had the enemy been able to -flank the slope of the breach, all the troops must -have been annihilated. The slaughter, however, -was so great, as to cause the most serious apprehension, -and the wounded and dying were suffering -dreadfully, and languishing in the most horrible -torments, for want of water, without being -again able to regain the trenches, owing to the -cross-fire of musketry through which they had -to run the gauntlet while advancing to the assault. -With the exception of the guns in the castle, -the enemy hardly fired any artillery from the -walls, either from their being principally dismounted, -or that they were unable to depress -them sufficiently to do much execution. At this -time hardly a word escaped the lips of the astonished -spectators; and many of the women -were drowned in tears at so doleful a spectacle.</p> - -<p>At twelve o'clock General Graham, seeing -affairs in this desperate state, ordered the guns -from the batteries to open, to oblige the enemy -to keep down, and to shield the troops for a -short time, from their fatal bullets, and to give -them a little breathing time, so as to enable the -wounded who could yet walk to regain the -trenches. The fire from the batteries was terrific, -and the troops retired four or five yards down the -slope of the breach, while the heavy shot passed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span> -over their heads, skimming the round tower, -the ramparts and the crest of the breach with -a precision truly astonishing, so that the enemy -could not show their heads, or discharge a single -firelock. Never was artillery better served, or -opened at a more seasonable moment; and without -doubt this was one of the principal causes -of carrying the day; for indeed, had it not -been for this seasonable relief, the troops must -have been inevitably sacrificed by piecemeal. -The volumes of smoke arose in dense clouds, and -the reverberation was amazing. The iron balls -rattled into the devoted town, unroofing the -houses, knocking up the dust and rubbish, and -thundering against the walls with a tremendous -crash, as if the ramparts were cracking and every -stone broken, and the whole tumbling into a -mass of ruins. All the edifices seemed tottering -to the very foundations, and it was as though every -living creature within were about to be swallowed -up in the vortex and buried amid the utter desolation.</p> - -<p>When first the assault took place, the sun -shone forth brilliantly; it was now twelve o'clock, -and the clouds blackened and gathered together, -foreboding the coming storm.</p> - -<p>The blazing of the heavy artillery lasted more -than half an hour, during which time General Graham<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span> -let loose the volunteers and the reserve of -the fifth division against the large breach and -<i>adamantine round tower</i>. The Spanish girls -near us ejaculated (while shedding a few pearly -tears, and unfolding the little papers containing -their sugar-drops,) "<i>pobre Sebastiano! pobre -Sebastiano!</i>" We asked them why they did not -say, <i>poor soldiers</i>,—"<i>Oh si, si</i>," answered they, -"<i>pobres soldados tambien!</i>"</p> - -<p>As soon as the fire of the heavy calibre had -ceased, fresh efforts were made against the breach, -and the sharp fire of the deadly small arms was -resumed. At half past twelve o'clock a Portuguese -regiment led on by Lieutenant Colonel -Snodgrass<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor"><sup>3</sup></a> moved along the sands and began to -ford the river Urumea, the water at low tide -being at this spot about two hundred yards in -width. As soon as they reached the middle of the -stream, a gun from an embrasure exactly opposite -to them discharged a round of grape shot, -which fell into the middle of the column, and -knocked the men down in every direction: some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span> -of them sank to rise no more, others floundered -in the water, and called out for help in the most -pitiable manner. The enemy fired a second discharge -before the Portuguese could extricate -themselves from the stream, (which reached up -to the hips), and again inflicted dreadful havoc -in their ranks. The smoke of the last round -created considerable surprise among us, as it -was of a reddish colour, as if red ochre had been -mixed up with the powder. The excellent and -steady conduct of the 13th regiment of Portuguese -was beyond all praise. Having cleared the -river they closed up, moved forward and ascended -the small breach, eighty yards from the -larger one.</p> - -<p>At this time we also observed part of the 85th -regiment a short distance out at sea (in large -boats) apparently threatening the back of the -rock, on which stands the Castle of La Motta, but -this threat of escalading the rocks was relinquished -owing to the impracticability of such an enterprise; -the troops in the breaches became fixtures -as before, and no further progress towards the -capturing of the fortress appeared to be made. -At last I saw several soldiers quitting the large -breach and running to the right to assist the -Portuguese at the small one; and a brave bugler -sounded the advance several times. Confused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span> -cries of assembled voices echoed from the ramparts -at that point, and we could hear sounds -like the battering of firelocks against doors or -barricades, intermingled with occasional firing of -musketry. Still, no very serious impression was -visible to us.</p> - -<p>At one o'clock a violent explosion took place -on the rampart behind the French traverse to -the right of the large breach, and, before the -fragments blown into the air had fallen, or the -smoke cleared away, the troops nobly pushed -forward, and, at the same time, the crowd of -spectators on the hill rose simultaneously with -joy beaming on every countenance; and when -the hollow sounds of the firing were heard within -the interior of the town, we became satisfied -that the place was taken.—The explosion was -supposed to be caused by accidental sparks, or -loose cartridge paper falling on the train. Probably -no one living knows the real cause. However, -all the French soldiers near the spot were -blown into the air, and fell singed and blackened -in all directions; and the dead soldiers lay so -thick on the slope of the breach that it looked, -to the naked eye, as if the mass of troops were -still stationary.</p> - -<p>Soon after, we saw the French issuing from -the town, and firing down upon the British<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> -troops from behind some old walls running in -zig zags up the castle hill. There cannot be a -shadow of doubt that the place would not have -been carried, had it not been for the decision of -General Graham, who, persisting in a constant attack -to the last, kept the troops in that honorable -post to take advantage of any contingencies -that might chance to throw open the door to -victory.</p> - -<p>The enemy lost seven hundred men, prisoners -taken in the town, who were unable to -reach the castle. The fifth division and the volunteers -from the British army lost two thousand -men and officers killed and wounded; amongst -the latter Generals Leith, Oswald and Robinson -were wounded, and Colonel Fletcher commanding -the engineers was killed by a musket ball, -just before the assault took place.</p> - -<p>At half past one <span class="smcap">p.m.</span> a heavy mist began to -fall, which caused us to bend our course towards -Renteria, and, before we reached half a league, -the rain descended in torrents; but none had -fallen during the storming of the breaches.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1">1</a> The fifth division led the attack, <i>not the volunteers from the -army</i>.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2">2</a> He was killed. I knew him intimately; he possessed naturally -gentle manners, with a soldier-like deportment.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3">3</a> The Portuguese troops forded the river Urumea directly -after the firing of the cannon ceased from the English batteries; -and the great explosion to the right of the large breach, (to the -left of the breach as we looked towards it,) did not happen until -half an hour after this event. It cannot, therefore, be said that -our artillery caused that explosion.</p> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> -</div> - - -<blockquote> -<p>The Duke of Dalmatia crosses the Bidassoa—Sharp contest at -the heights of St. Marzial and the Bridge of Bera—Touching -scene witnessed by the Author on his way to rejoin his -division at Santa Barbara—A present from England—Passage -of the Bidassoa by the English troops on the 6th of October—Active -fighting—The French driven over the mountains into -their own territory—Delights of good quarters after hard -work—Reconnoitring—Habits and condition of the Spanish -soldiery—A mock fight—Military pastimes—Preparations for -the invasion of France.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>On the same day that the assault of St. Sebastian -took place, the Duke of Dalmatia, with -the right wing of his army, crossed the Bidassoa, -opposite to the heights of St. Marzial, and another -division forded the river two hundred yards -below Bera (under cover of the high rock, which -rises abruptly over the west end of the town) -and immediately moved forward to attack the -heights above the village of Salines, occupied by -part of the seventh division, with whom and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span> -Portuguese the enemy were engaged the greater -part of the day. The French repeatedly endeavoured -to climb the heights of St. Marzial without -effect. The ascent was so difficult, that -the Spaniards had little more to do than to deliver -their fire, by which they managed, in the -presence of Field-marshal the Marquis of Wellington, -to beat the enemy.</p> - -<p>The French marshal, when he saw his soldiers -giving way and plunging into the Bidassoa, -became perfectly furious, for, owing to this -unsuccessful attack, the French above Salines -were obliged to grope their way down the uneven -and slippery mountain, in search of the ford -which they had previously crossed (in the morning) -in good order, and in the highest spirits. -When, however, they now reached the river after -exceeding toil and in total darkness, they found it -so swollen, owing to the floods from the mountains, -that they could not attempt to cross it. The wind -howled fiercely; the roaring torrents, and vast -bodies of water, poured down the sides of the -mountains, rocks and water courses, swelling the -river into an overwelming flood, which rushed -through the narrow arches of the bridge of Bera, -with irresistible fury. In short, a perfect hurricane -raged over the mountains, and swept throughout -the valleys, in boisterous whirlwinds, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span> -carried away in their fearful blasts branches of -trees, and bellowed furiously over the tops of -the forests.</p> - -<p>During this awful convulsion of the elements, -a few stragglers of the French division succeeded -in overpowering a corporal's picquet, and rushed -over the bridge of Bera; but a company of the -second battalion of rifle corps, which occupied the -shell of a house, immediately forced them to recross -the bridge. Again the enemy several times -attempted to cross the bridge at the <i>pas de charge</i>, -but were as often beaten back by the well-plied -bullets of the rifles; and, strange to relate, this -picquet and the French division continued engaged -within five hundred yards of the French -post above Bera, and not more than twice the -distance from the second brigade of the light division -which occupied the rising ground in front -of the <i>debouché</i> of San Estevan,—the first brigade -having crossed to the left bank of Bidassoa on the -previous day, in support of the seventh division. -When too late, another company arrived to their -assistance; but morning dawned and the odds -were too great; the captain commanding, when in -the act of mounting his horse, was shot through -the body, and the French rushed across the -bridge. This was a most extraordinary fight, while -the storm was so tremendous that the musketry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span> -could hardly be heard; and neither the French -nor the English army gave an effectual helping -hand to their comrades during this wild contest.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 1st of September we -started from Renteria, to return to our division, -and had only travelled a short distance when we -met and questioned some wounded Spaniards, who -gave a very vague account of the fighting on the -preceding day, and all that we could extract from -them was "<i>Oh! señores mucho combate ayer.</i>" -We pursued the rugged road, and met an English -soldier, who told us that there had been -some sharp fighting all along the ridge of the -mountains on the left of the Bidassoa; but he -could not inform us whether the enemy had advanced -or retired. This piece of intelligence -made it advisable to keep a sharp look-out. We -soon, however, met Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, -one of the General-in-Chiefs aides-de-camp, -who gave us every information, and told us that -the road of communication was now quite open -to Bera.</p> - -<p>Having travelled another league, we arrived, by -a wild and crooked road, at the summit of a mountain -covered with oak trees, where we saw a soldier -of our regiment standing by the side of a goatherd's -roofless hut, who told us that his master, Lieut. -Folliet, had been mortally wounded four hours<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span> -after we had taken leave of him on the previous -day. A body of the enemy had pushed through -the forest beyond the left flank of a brigade of the -seventh division, and, rushing furiously through -the wood towards the little detachment with loud -shouts, and a rattling fusillade, had succeeded in -scattering these young soldiers. On entering -the hut, we saw the youthful sufferer, deadly -pale, lying on his back, with his uniform, sash, -sword and cap, died in blood and strewed about -on the loose stones or rock, which formed the -floor of the miserable hut. On seeing us, he -extended his hand, and a momentary gleam of -joy passed across his pallid features, as he mildly -informed us that he was dying from a wound -in the abdomen, which had caused him excruciating -torture until mortification had ensued. He -was quite resigned to his fate, and begged that -we would not give way to melancholy, for that -he was quite happy, and only hoped we thought -he had done his duty; that the only grief he -felt was from not having seen the regiment, -the summit of all his ambition—before he expired. -In a few hours he was no more; and -having been enveloped in a blanket, he was interred -under the wide-spreading branches of an -oak tree, by the side of the ruined hut.</p> - -<p>Little at that time did my <i>three companions</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span> -anticipate that, before the expiration of three -months, two of them would be <i>buried</i> in regions -equally inhospitable. Lieut. Baillie was shot -through the head, Captain Murchison in the groin, -and Lieut. James Considine was dangerously -wounded.</p> - -<p>In the evening we rejoined our brigade, which -had returned to Santa Barbara, when we felt considerable -pleasure in hearing they had not been -engaged during our five days' absence.</p> - -<p>During the month of September, the enemy -worked hard in sawing and felling timber to form -abattis, and in constructing entrenchments. The -right and left of our own army were employed in -a similar manner.</p> - -<p>Towards the end of the month, I observed one -of my messmates winding along the crest of the -mountain, on his way from England, having recovered -from a terrible wound. Our joy at meeting -was very great; his at finding me still in the -land of the living, and mine at seeing an old -friend, whom, when last we parted, I never cherished -the hope of meeting again.</p> - -<p>The baggage being unpacked, his soldier servant, -who had accompanied him, came up with a good-tempered -smile; and, while unfolding a dingy -pocket handkerchief, intimated that he had -brought me a present from England. "Well!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span> -what is it?" said I, my curiosity being somewhat -excited; but he continued to unfold his offering, -wrapped in layers of paper, without making any -express reply, and at length brought forth a piece -of bread, which he had taken from a dinner table -in England. This he handed to me, certainly in -a very mouldy state, owing to the length of the -voyage, but the compliment was equally appreciated. -I thanked him for his kind recollection -of me, and ate it on the spot.</p> - -<p>On the 6th of October, it was intimated that -the enemy were to be attacked on the following -morning; such information, however, made no -difference either in our conversation or reflexions.</p> - -<p>This day Lieut. Fry,<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor"><sup>4</sup></a> of the rifle corps, dined -with us. The soup was made with bullocks' tails; -the spiced minced-meat was of bullocks' heads, -and the third course consisted of a bullock's heart.</p> - -<p>Soon after dark an orderly entered the tent, and -informed me that I was ordered to descend into -the valley before daylight, with a reinforcement to -the picquet, destined to begin the attack on the -morrow. "Ah, now that is very strange," ejaculated -one of the party; "for last night I dreamed -that you (meaning myself) were killed skirmishing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span> -up the opposite mountain." I returned thanks to -him for this pleasant piece of intelligence.</p> - -<p>On reaching the valley, at the appointed hour, before -daybreak, I found the officers of the company -in a profound slumber, stretched on the floor, and -the commander lying on a table in a small farm-house; -but, as I had no inclination to sleep, I -stirred up the dying embers of the wood fire, and -purposely made so much noise, that I thoroughly -aroused the sleepers into a conversational mood; -and one of them announced the pleasing information, -that he could supply us with coffee,—which -was carefully boiled in a pipkin, and which we -partook of with considerable zest, to fortify our -stomachs for the morning combat.</p> - -<p>The passage of the river Bidassoa began at -daylight, by the extreme left of the army, personally -directed by Field-marshal Wellington. -The fifth division crossed near the mouth of the -river, and the first division began the attack early -in the morning. Lord Aylmer's brigade, and a -corps of Spaniards, also forded the river at various -places, covered by some pieces of cannon stationed -on the heights of St. Marzial. Here a -sharp contest took place, particularly against the -fifth division, while ascending the steeps, and -difficult mountains. The enemy, being attacked -at so many points at once, by the various fords,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span> -were outflanked right and left, and were finally -beaten off this tremendous range of mountains: -the fourth division were in reserve behind Bera, -and also deployed on the heights of Santa Barbara, -to support the light division.</p> - -<p>An hour after daylight, the whole of the picquets -of the light division in front of Bera, first -began the attack of a detached ridge, called the -Boar's Back, from its jagged summit. It was -necessary to carry this before the division could -debouch through the town of Bera, for the attack -of the main position, covered by forts and abattis. -The 3rd rifles began to skirmish up one end of -the Boar's Back, and we on the other; it was -only defended by a small body of French troops, -and was speedily carried.</p> - -<p>The second brigade, under Sir John Colborne, -began a sharp attack on a great tongue of the -mountain, which sloped down towards Bera; but -the first effort proved unsuccessful against a -square fort, which the enemy held with great -resolution, and not only beat off the attack, but -in their turn sallied from the works, and drove, -with the bayonet, numbers of the assailants over -the rugged precipices.</p> - -<p>At this critical moment, the 52d regiment, -being in reserve, advanced in column, and bore -against the stragglers in such good order, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span> -they not only pushed them back, but drove them -pell-mell into the fort on one side, and out at the -other; in fact, they appeared literally to walk -over the entrenchment. I had an admirable view -of this affair from the top of the rock already -carried, and from which it was necessary to -descend before we could ascend the principal -ridge.</p> - -<p>The second brigade continued to advance; but -the ground was so difficult, that at every step they -met with a severe loss, in killed and wounded. -At the end of three hours, when they had nearly -gained the summit of the mountain, the enemy -rolled (from a strong entrenchment) large stones -down upon them, and by this mode of warfare, -with a sprinkling of balls, kept them at bay for a -considerable time.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the first brigade, under General -Sir James Kempt, had pushed through Bera to support -the skirmishers, who moved parallel, with the -second brigade, or rather branched off by degrees -a little to the right, and engaged the enemy up the -mountain leading into France. The obstacles on -each side of the way rendered the mountain fearfully -difficult of ascent; and it was, indeed, so intersected -with rocks, trees, brushwood, and prickly -briars, that our hands and limbs were pierced with -thorns, and the trousers were literally torn in shreds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span> -from off our legs. When half way up the mountain, -we emerged from the entangling thicket, fatigued -and deluged with perspiration, and found the -enemy plying bullets from a small fort. As soon -as a sufficient number of men could be scraped -together, we gained possession of that post by a -charge of the bayonet: from thence we overlooked -a very small field, enclosed by rocks, -wherefrom the enemy, consisting of three or four -hundred men, could no longer extricate themselves, -and fell into our hands, or, more properly -speaking, were left in a trap, in a valley between -the first and second brigades. These captives -may be fairly ascribed as prisoners to the first -brigade, since they were within point blank of -us, and not within a mile of the second brigade, -who did not discharge a single shot at them, but -on the contrary had quite enough to do, independently -of that affair, in clearing the ground of -the enemy opposed to them, from whom they took -three pieces of cannon, which were abandoned in -the entrenchments.</p> - -<p>After three hours' toil and clambering from -rock to rock, we arrived within two hundred yards -of the summit of the <i>puerta de Bera</i>, which was -defended by a few hundred of the enemy; the -remainder of their face was extended in order -to oppose the second brigade, and to the right,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span> -along the wooded ridge, as far as the rock of la -Rhune, distant about two miles from the extreme -right of our division, to oppose the Spaniards. -The rolling of musketry was now incessant on all -sides.</p> - -<p>It was here I saw the remarkable death of one -of the rifle corps, who had killed a French soldier, -and who, before he had taken his rifle from the -level, received a ball through his body, which -caused him such excruciating agony, that his face -was all at once distorted, his eyes rolled, and his -lips, blackened with the biting of cartridges, -convulsively opened. His teeth were tightly -clenched; his arms and legs were thrown into an -extended position, and he held out his rifle, -grasped at arm's length, and remained stationary -in this extraordinary attitude for a few moments, -until he dropped down dead, as suddenly as if -struck by a flash of lightning.</p> - -<p>As soon as the skirmishers had gained the top of -the mountain, Sir James Kempt rode up amongst -the flying bullets, and expressed his approbation -of all that had been done; for the skirmishers -alone had grouped into a compact body, and -forced the pass at the point of the bayonet, and -the French were now running in all directions. -To attempt to express our boundless delight at -the grandeur and extreme beauty of the surrounding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span> -scenery would be impossible. Behind us lay -the prodigious mountains and gloomy fastnesses -of the Pyrenees, whose rocks, cast in nature's -roughest mould, towered one above another as far -as the eye could reach. To the north, the dark -blue waters of the tranquil ocean glittered in -the sun beams; and various distant white sails -skirted the remote horizon. Beneath us lay the -supposed sacred fields of France, the towns of -Bayonne and St. Jean de Luz, the rivers Nivelle, -Nive, Adour, and innumerable tributary streams, -which laced and meandered near vine-clad hills, -through verdant valleys, whose banks were decorated -with a luxuriant foliage; whilst the country -was studded with countless spires of churches and -red-topped villages, chateaux, farm-houses, and -rural white cottages, enclosed by gardens, and -shrouded by fruit trees and plantations.</p> - -<p>The Spaniards made several attempts to climb -the mountain of la Rhune, crowned by a tremendous -bare rock, which rose in frowning majesty -above their heads. They endeavoured to -hide beneath the various shelving rocks, or behind -the forest trees, from the dreadful effects of the -fragments of rock, or loose stones, hurled down -upon them by the enemy, and which bounded -with a terrific crash into the deep valleys.</p> - -<p>The General quitted the skirmishers at the top<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span> -of the <i>puerta de Bera</i>, to bring up the reserves; -but our enthusiasm was so great at the idea of -taking possession of French ground, which seemed -more than a compensation for all our Spanish -toils, that three hundred of us descended the pass -of the mountain, and pursued the enemy for a -league and a half into France, where, to the left, -we could distinguish the French columns retreating -from Hendaye, and various other points, -whence they were driven by the left of our army -in the greatest confusion, and were countermarching -round the unfinished batteries in -front of St. Jean de Luz, and, in a hurried -manner, pointing their cannon towards the various -roads, and other debouchés leading respectively -to them.</p> - -<p>The various farm-houses were deserted by the -inhabitants, who left their doors wide open, as if -to invite the ravenous invaders to help themselves. -Here we spent the day in rural delight, on the -top of a pretty green hill, encircled by orchards, -on which we built a hut, and tied a pocket-handkerchief -to a twig by way of a flag, within a mile of -the enemy. A thousand gratifying reflections here -arose in our minds, and enlivened our occupations; -while the contented soldiers of Spain, with -arms in their hands, brought us wines, fruits, and -other delicacies, without having committed one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span> -outrageous act, or despoiling the property of the -peaceable inhabitants, further than helping themselves -to the excellent rations of goose, turkey and -hams, already cooked, and preserved in hogs' -lard; added to which, there was a plentiful supply -of nice soft bread, which afforded us a most excellent -repast.</p> - -<p>The day having closed on this <i>fête champêtre</i>, -we kindled a few extra fires, re-formed, and re-trod -our way to the top of the pass in time for supper. -The first brigade had taken possession of the -boarded and well-roofed huts, constructed by the -French with the utmost regularity, as if they had -anticipated the occupation of them during the -approaching winter. My messmates had already -made themselves quite at home in one of them, -and the cook was busily employed in roasting a -nice piece of beef, which had been extracted out -of a little cavity, dug by the late occupier, to -keep it fresh and cool, no doubt for some contemplated -feast. While partaking of this delicious -<i>morceau</i>, we failed not to remember the original -provider, the French officer; while he, less fortunate, -most probably spent the night in a cold -bivouac, or under a gun, in the entrenchments -near St. Jean de Luz.</p> - -<p>During the whole night the fatigue parties continued -to arrive from Santa Barbara, with their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span> -knapsacks, which had been left there;<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor"><sup>5</sup></a> and also -carrying, in blankets or in bearers, the wretched -wounded soldiers, whom they had discovered, by -their groans, amongst chasms, cavities, or beneath -the prickly briars on the broken sides of the mountains. -Many unfortunate soldiers had fallen into -deep ravines or hollows; and their dead bodies -were subsequently discovered by those who accidentally -wandered off the beaten tracts amongst -these difficult acclivities.</p> - -<p>The right wing of the army in their turn -demonstrated during the combat of the 7th, -guarding the mountains from Echalar to Roncesvalles; -while the left wing, after the combat, held -the ridge from the rock of la Rhune (which the -enemy evacuated on the 8th), to the Bay of -Biscay; which totally dispossessed the right of -the French army from the mountains of Commissari, -Mandale, and the height of Hendaye. As -soon as the French had evacuated the mountain -of la Rhune, the first brigade of our division -moved to its right, and encamped in a forest -within half a mile of its base. The second brigade -took our post at the <i>puerta de Bera</i>.</p> - -<p>In the middle of October the weather became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span> -cold and dismal, and the rains poured down in -torrents. The Spaniards having seized a fort, in -the French territory, in the valley below the pass -of Echalar, the enemy one night retook it, by -a <i>coup de main</i>, putting many of the Spaniards -to death before they could recover from their surprise, -or even put on their accoutrements. A -desultory skirmish however continued the whole -of the following day by the Spaniards, who seemed -particularly attached to this mode of warfare, -although the French evidently gained ground; -which circumstance forced five companies of our -regiment to take post on the rock to prevent the -French from following the Spaniards to the top, -and driving them from it. Night put an end to -these <i>long shots</i>, and this waste of ammunition.</p> - -<p>Every other day it fell to my lot to ascend this -rock on duty, with a huge telescope slung on -my back, to report to the General, in writing, -any movements of the enemy. From this pinnacle -their bivouacs might be seen from right -to left. This duty was extremely disagreeable: -the custom was to start at daylight from the saturated -camp, attended by an orderly, and a mule -loaded on one side with fire wood, and on the -other with a tea kettle, provisions, and a blanket. -La Rhune was bare and comfortless, and often -wrapped for whole days in a chilly mist. On the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span> -east and west it was inaccessible, having only one -narrow path way winding up the south; on the -north side it sloped down gradually towards la -Petite la Rhune being composed of tremendous -overlapping slabs of rock, presenting the most -desolate aspect.</p> - -<p>One day, while on this duty, I observed a numerous -retinue of French staff-officers emerge -from behind la Petite la Rhune, and from their -motions and gestures it was evident that they -were examining the most commanding eminences -for the purpose of constructing works for its defence. -The whole of them were in uniform, with -large cocked hats,<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor"><sup>6</sup></a> blue pantaloons, and boots -with brown tops.</p> - -<p>Some hundreds of Spaniards<a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor"><sup>7</sup></a> were bivouacked -round the old ruins of the hermitage at the top -of this mountain, where, for want of good clothing, -and owing to the cold nights, they were in the -most miserable and forlorn state, and had barely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span> -a sufficiency of provisions to keep life and soul -together; these necessary comforts were irregularly -served out, and in such small quantities, -that the cravings of hunger were seldom or ever -satisfied. When they were fortunate enough to -get a meal, the ceremony of eating it was very -curious: the rations for twenty or thirty men -were mixed in a large kettle or cauldron, round -which they formed a circle and approached it, -one at a time, from the right, each dipping in his -spoon, and then resuming his original place, to -make the most of it, until it came again to his -turn. In this manner they continued to advance -and retire, with the utmost circumspection, until -the whole of it was consumed. Their clothing -was ragged and miserable as their fare: uniforms -of all countries and all the colours of the rainbow, -<i>French chakos</i> without peaks, leather and brass -helmets, rusty muskets, and belts which had never -been cleaned since in their possession. Some had -old brown cloaks, with empty knapsacks and -hempen sandals, and others were with torn shoes -and almost bare-footed.</p> - -<p>At the solitary roll of the drum, they sometimes -issued from their burrows, or cavities of the rocks -like so many rabbits. One day while standing -on a large slab of rock like a tomb stone, all -at once, to my surprise, I felt it in motion, and on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span> -looking down perceived a slight smoke issuing -from the crevices on each side, and, while stepping -aside, the stone nearly gave way with me; several -voices then cried out from below: "<i>Demónio, -demónio, que quiere usted!</i>" when, springing off -the ricketty foundation, to my astonishment, the -slab was slowly lifted up on the heads of a dozen -Spaniards, who were crouching in the cave, -envelopped in the fumes of <i>cigarras</i> which they -smoked to keep themselves warm, to drive away -hunger, and to beguile the tedious hours!</p> - -<p>Before the troops quitted this chilly region, -many of the sentinels were so benumbed with -cold, that they fell down with stiffened limbs, and -were obliged to be carried from their posts.</p> - -<p>One day, being as usual on the look out, I saw -the French hard at work in constructing three -forts on la Petite la Rhune, which were built with -pieces of rock and loose stones, with incredible -labour; and a long string of the enemy, by single -files, reached into the valley behind the small -mountain, and were traversing backwards and -forwards like a swarm of ants, being employed in -handing up the stones from one to the other.</p> - -<p>In the evening another officer and myself were -winding beneath the base of the rock of the great -la Rhune, on our return to camp, when a large -stone bounded over our heads, and on looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span> -above, we observed an officer of our regiment, -(who was on picquet,) pushing down the wall of -the old ruin from the summit of the mountain, -and calling out to us, in derision, to keep out of -the way. Fortunately we found a projecting rock, -underneath which we screened ourselves from the -broken fragments that came tumbling down with -nearly the velocity of cannon balls, making -terrific bounds of two or three hundred yards at -a time, and rolling into the distant valley with a -terrible crash. We saw one piece of rock strike -a tree in the forest below, and shiver the trunk -asunder; and in this way our antagonist kept us -prisoners until it was nearly dark, for whenever -we made an effort to move, down tumbled more -stones, which obliged us to run back to our hiding -place. Having, at last, effected our escape, we -vowed vengeance, and on meeting him (when relieved -from picquet), we got our spears in readiness -to put our threats into execution. These -poles or spears we carried in imitation of the -Basque mountaineers, to assist us up the jagged -rocks; and, after long practise, we could throw -them twenty or thirty yards with great velocity, -and almost with unerring aim and precision. He -reminded us however, of a circumstance which induced -us to let him off, namely, that a party of us -had nearly drowned him in the river Agueda, two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span> -years before. He was a very expert swimmer, -but he annoyed those who went to bathe to -such a degree, by splashing them, that one day, -when he was in the middle of the river, we sallied -from behind the rocks, on both banks of the river, -encircled him, and gave him such a ducking, that -it was with the utmost difficulty he could reach -the shore, after a lesson which had induced him to -behave with more gentleness for the future.</p> - -<p>During the month of October,<a name="FNanchor_8" id="FNanchor_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor"><sup>8</sup></a> our days passed -tediously, and we resorted to the most simple -pastimes, whenever the weather would admit of a -ramble. Sometimes we fired with ball at the -eagles and vultures; and at others, chased the -herds of wild ponies, which browsed in the sequestered -valleys of the Pyrenees. They were -hardly beyond the size of wolf-dogs, and had -wiry coats, and long shaggy manes and tails. It -was astonishing to see these sure-footed little -animals, with small heads and wild eyes, capering, -prancing, and darting through the underwood, -and up and down the steep acclivities.</p> - -<p>One day a Spanish soldier brought to our camp -a pretty little fat pony for sale; and after a good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span> -deal of bargaining, he sold it to our mess for -twelve dollars. The following morning a Spanish -officer deliberately walked up to the tree, to -which our animals were tied, and to our surprise -demanded <i>his</i> pony. We assured him we had -purchased it; but as he declared it had been -stolen from him, and had witnesses at hand to -identify the animal, we were obliged to give it up, -with the loss of our twelve dollars, for we knew -not where to search for the <i>picaro</i>, or <i>dispensero -mayór</i>, who had so completely jockied us. It -behoved us to put up with the loss as philosophically -as might be.</p> - -<p>While the heavy rains continued, in the beginning -of November, we were obliged to construct -wicker-work huts, to save the horses, mules, and -milch goats from perishing during the inclemency -of the weather; for days together our tents were -pierced by the heavy rains, and often, being without -candles and other little comforts, in self-defence, -we had to lie down in our damp blankets, -to endeavour to pass the tedious hours of the -night.</p> - -<p>Two or three evenings before we broke up our -camp for the grand invasion of France, we were -much diverted by the doleful cries of an <i>owl</i>, -which had perched itself in the deep recess of an -adjacent valley, and, whenever imitated by us,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span> -failed not to return our mockery in her very best -and most plaintive screeches!</p> - -<p>At this time the weather cleared up, and the -three-pounders, mountain guns, passed through -our wooded camp. The carriages, guns, ammunition -boxes, and iron balls, were strapped separately -on the backs of a string of powerful -mules; and these guns could be, therefore, conveyed -so as to bear on the enemy from cliffs, or -craggy elevations. The sure-footed mules would -ascend or descend steeps, dried water-courses, or -crooked goat-tracks; and would pick their steps -from rock to rock, planting their feet cautiously -for a good foundation, or a firm hold.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4">4</a> Our friend of the rifle corps was shot through the leg the -next morning.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5">5</a> The troops always fought with their knapsacks on; and -this is the only time I ever knew them left behind, except when -storming breaches of fortresses, or escalading forts.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6">6</a> The French army wore very high cocked hats; the English -quite the reverse; the latter was called the Wellington hat.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7">7</a> General Longa's corps were by far the most miserable of -any I had ever seen in the Spanish service; but, considering they -were doomed to inhabit a cheerless mass of rocks in such attire, -I thought them worthy of description; some of the other Spanish -corps were well dressed; but the whole of the army suffered -more or less, owing to an indifferent supply of rations;—privations -which they seemed to bear with unexampled patience.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8">8</a> On the 31st of October, the French garrison at Pampeluna -surrendered themselves prisoners of war for want of provisions, -which circumstance now cleared the rear of our army, and -enabled it to make offensive movements.</p> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> -</div> - - -<blockquote> -<p>Advance of the light division—Singular nocturnal orgies—Skirmishing -preliminary to the battle of the Nivelle—Details -of that battle—British head-quarters established at St. Jean -de Luz—More skirmishing, and a slight reverse—Combative -anecdotes—Advance of the British line of picquets.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>On the evening of the 9th of November, -the division received orders to move during the -night, for the purpose of taking up its ground -previously to the attack on the enemy's position -in France, on the following morning. The whole -of the ample store of ready-cut wood, (a portion -of which had been split up by the officers to keep -themselves in exercise,) was piled up, and a -monstrous fire kindled, which soon burst into a -tremendous blaze, throwing a bright glare on the -distant objects moving between the trees of the -forest. At the usual hour, the owl began to utter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span> -her notes, and continued her cries longer than -heretofore; all which was construed into something -ominous by Lieut. Baillie, a sinewy young -Highlander, who, with an eagle's wings held on -each shoulder, which he had shot with a single -ball a few days before, recited those tragic lines -sung by the witches in <i>Macbeth</i>, as we all joined -hands and danced around the crackling faggots, -and sang in chorus, which at intervals was -intermingled with the screeches of the aforesaid -owl. The flickering and livid glare of the flames, -glancing on the scarlet uniforms, the red sparks -flying over the forest, and the soldiers packing -and beating their knapsacks, gave an unusual -wildness to our midnight orgies.</p> - -<p>Before striking our tent, we partook of a -comfortable breakfast, after which we each -secured a biscuit, of American manufacture: they -were of a peculiar hardness (nearly an inch -thick), so much so, that it required the stamp -of an iron heel, or some hard substance, to break -them. An officer jocularly remarked, while -placing one of them under the breast of his -jacket, that it might turn a ball,—which actually -occurred.<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor"><sup>9</sup></a></p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span></p> - -<p>During the darkness we got under arms, and -moved silently under the north-west side of la -Rhune, by a narrow pathway, which had been -cut at that point to facilitate the passage of the -troops to the destined point of attack, within a -few hundred yards of the enemy's outposts. We -had scarcely taken up our ground, when we perceived -the flash of a cannon, fired by the enemy -on the high road to Saint Jean de Luz, and immediately -followed by five others from the same -spot. The conclusion was, that these discharges -were fired as a signal; for, soon after, we heard -the martial sounds of the French drums beating -to arms, over a great extent of country, <i>au petit -point du jour</i>: our eyes anxiously glanced towards -the spot, where we expected to see the second -brigade of the division already formed. But -nothing seemed to be under the rough side of the -mountain of Siboure, except slabs of rock, when, -all of a sudden, as if by magic, the whole of the -fancied rocks were in motion; and as the haze -gradually cleared away, we could see the soldiers -packing the blankets with which they had covered -themselves, having taken up their ground long -before us, as they had had a greater distance to -march.</p> - -<p>The rising of the sun above the horizon was -to be the signal for the battle of the Nivelle -to begin; or, if the weather proved cloudy, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span> -heavy artillery (which had been dragged with -great difficulty through the pass of Echalar,) -were to open on the French occupying a fort, -which had been constructed to block up the break -of the ridge of the Pyrenees leading towards the -village of Sare, in France. The sky was free -from clouds, and a sharp cold wind whistled -through the barren and cheerless rocks, whilst all -eyes were directed towards the east, watching -the inflamed orb of the sun as he rose to view. -Our regiment, under Major W. Napier, then fixed -bayonets, and rapidly moved forward in column to -the assault of the three stone forts on the top -of la Petite la Rhune; two companies rushed -forward to skirmish, four formed into line, and -four supported in column. The heavy guns -opened at the puerta de Echalar; part of our -brigade moved further to the right; the second -brigade scrambled over the rocks, precipices, and -ravines, to take the enemy in reverse; and the -mountain guns fired into the forts from a ledge of -ragged grey rocks.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes we reached the summit of the -small mountain by a green slope (not unlike a -large breach) within twenty yards of the walls of -the first fort. The soldiers and officers gasped -for breath: many of the former, from the weight -of their knapsacks and accoutrements, staggered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span> -and fell, and, before they could recover their limbs, -were pierced with bullets to rise no more; the -officers led on in a group and carried the first -fort. The second was then attacked hand to -hand, the French using their bayonets and the -butt ends of their pieces; one of our officers gallantly -jumped into the second fort, and a French -soldier thrust a bayonet through his neckhandkerchief, -transfixed him to the wall, and then -fired his piece which blew away the officer's collar, -who jumped up unhurt. Another officer, while -clambering up the wall, received a most tremendous -blow on the fingers with the butt-end -of a firelock, which made him glad to drop his -hold; and we were so hard pressed, that one or -two of the officers seized the dead soldiers' firelocks -and fought with them. Among others, Sir -Andrew Barnard of the rifle corps joined in this -hard fight.</p> - -<p>As the enemy rushed out of the second fort, a -little athletic man with red hair eagerly followed -a French officer; the Frenchman parried two of -his thrusts, but finding his men giving way, he -turned suddenly round and made off, and the -soldier, fearing his prey might escape, hurled his -firelock at him; the bayonet flew through the back -of his body, and he fell heavily on his face with the -weight of the musket and the bayonet still sticking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span> -in him. Another French officer, who had -shewn a noble example of heroism, stood on the -top of the wall with both his eyes hanging on his -cheeks, with his short cloak flapping in the wind, -and not daring to move from his perilous position, -lest he should tumble headlong down the steep -precipice of many hundred feet in depth.</p> - -<p>The forts being now carried, I seized the hand -of an officer to congratulate him on his escape; -the next instant he was down with a horrible -wound, and a ball grazed my left cheek.</p> - -<p>Thus, in ten minutes, six companies assaulted -a tremendous post, and carried three forts at the -point of the bayonet. It was one of the best -contested fights I ever saw; but ten officers were -killed and wounded, and nearly a hundred men. -General Sir James Kempt, and his gallant aide-de-camp, -the Honourable C. Gore, had urged their -horses up the rocks with hats off, and were cheering -us on while carrying the third fort, when the -General was wounded in the wrist of the right -arm.</p> - -<p>The four companies in support had moved -forward at a moderate pace and in good order, -to succour us in case of need; but finding there -was nothing more to be done at this point, and -seeing a line of the enemy in front of a star -fort, a few hundred yards distant, they became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span> -wild with impatience to share in the combat, -and simultaneously burst into a run; and it was -only by Sir James Kempt's galloping a-head of -them that he could restrain their ardour. He was -well aware the movement of the second brigade -would entirely dispossess the enemy of La Petite -la Rhune without further bloodshed.</p> - -<p>From this post we had an admirable view of -the fourth and seventh divisions, who had succeeded -in capturing the fort opposite St. Barbe, -and were now debouching on the rugged ground, -and bringing up their right shoulders in succession -to form a line of battle in front of the ridge -of Sare. The second, third, and sixth divisions -formed the right, coming down the pass of Maya.</p> - -<p>The enemy's main position convexed in the -centre, and extended about twelve miles, as the -bird flew; but a greater distance to march, owing -to the windings of roads, rivulets, and the steep -and barren country lying towards their centre and -left. Their right was posted in front of Saint -Jean de Luz, amid fortified chateaux, farm-houses, -villages, woods, and orchards, converted into formidable -abattis, and partly defended by an -inundation, and fifty pieces of heavy artillery. -Their centre rested on the rocky heights of La -Petite la Rhune, the ridge of Sare, and adjacent -eminences which were crowned with redoubts.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span> -Their left was stationed on the heights of Ainhoue -on the right bank of the Nivelle, which was also -strongly entrenched.</p> - -<p>The extreme left of our army consisted of the -first and fifth divisions, Lord Alymer's brigade, a -corps of Spaniards, with artillery and two brigades -of cavalry under General Hope<a name="FNanchor_10" id="FNanchor_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor"><sup>10</sup></a> to demonstrate -and to guard the high road to Spain, while -the centre and left of the army were employed -in more active operations.</p> - -<p>The firing and rolling of musketry were now -vehement to our right towards the village of -Sare. On the first retreat of the enemy, they -had set fire to some hundreds of huts built of fern -and wicker work, near the rocks of St. Antoine, -but soon returned with drums beating the <i>pas de -charge</i>, to endeavour to retake them from the -Spaniards. The smoke, however, was so dense, -owing to the wind blowing direct in their faces, -that they were forced from the contest, more from -the heat of the flames and downright suffocation -than the good management of their antagonists, -who, as usual, plied them with long shots.</p> - -<p>As soon as the fourth and seventh divisions -were well engaged with the enemy under General<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span> -Beresford, aided by the third division moving -to its left, who were combating and driving the -enemy up the heights east of Sare, our division -descended from La Petite la Rhune, left in front -for the purpose of attacking the great redoubt in -the centre, on the bare mountain of Esnau, near -Ascain. It was defended on all sides by clouds of -skirmishers, engaged with the Caçadores and rifles -of our division. Here Sir Andrew Barnard fell -pierced through the body with a musket-ball -amongst the light troops. The rattling of small -arms was incessant and very destructive on -the 52nd regiment, under Sir John Colborne, -which suffered a most severe loss while moving -round, and to the rear of the large square redoubt. -After some parleying, nearly six hundred -of the 88th French, finding themselves forsaken -by their main body, surrendered prisoners of -war; but their commander gave way to the most -bitter invectives.</p> - -<p>After nightfall, the flashes of the fire-arms of -General Hill's corps still brightly sparkled, while -driving onwards and making their last efforts and -discharges to decide the victory, and turn the -left flank of the enemy,—which obliged them -during the night to evacuate St. Jean de Luz, -and retire to Bayonne, leaving fifty pieces of -cannon in their formidable lines in front of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span> -former place. Field-marshal Wellington directed -the attack of the right of our army against the -left of the French.</p> - -<p>At night some companies of our division were -pushed into a valley on picquet; and at nine we -observed the heather of the camp had caught fire, -illuminating the country for miles around, while -the men and animals were seen gliding about, representing -a sort of phantasmagoria. By degrees -the fire reached the base of the hill and ignited a -small forest; and two hours after midnight we were -encompassed with a sheet of flames, crackling -and whizzing with terrific violence; and the heat -was so overpowering that we were glad to cross a -rivulet, to save ourselves from being consumed by -this conflagration. To add to our night's misery, -my companion was groaning from excessive pain -caused by the rap over the knuckles given him -while we were storming the forts.</p> - -<p>At ten o'clock on the following day our division -edged off to the right and crossed the Nivelle -by a small stone bridge near St. Pé. The whole -army moved forward in three columns, the right -marching upon Souraide and Espelette and taking -post on the left bank of the Nive, at Cambo, -Ustaritz, and the vicinity, to watch the enemy on -the right bank of that river; the centre on Arrauntz -and Arbonne, and the left crossing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span> -Nivelle at the town and vicinity of Saint Jean -de Luz, and advancing through Guethary on Bidart, -eight miles from Bayonne. In the afternoon it -came on to rain, while we were marching through -<i>le bois de St. Pé</i>. The roads were very deep, and -we passed the night shivering and wallowing in -the grass and mud of a saturated plantation.</p> - -<p>The head quarters of the general-in-chief were -now established at Saint Jean de Luz, an old town -situated on the right bank of the river Nivelle, -and within a few hundred yards of the sea coast. -Through this town the high road runs from Spain -to Bayonne, the latter place being strongly fortified -and situated at the junction of the Nive with -the Adour. The enemy occupied the farm-houses -and villas three miles in front of the fortress. -A morass, which was only passable at two places -covered an entrenched camp which was within -cannon shot of the ramparts of Bayonne. The -left of our army fronted the enemy, forming a line -amidst chateaux, farm-houses, woods, heaths, -plantations, hedges, swamps and ditches, as far -as the sea-coast, the right being thrown back -towards Ustaritz and Cambo, facing the French -who lined the right bank of the Nive, as far as -St. Jean Pied de Port. With the sea therefore on -our left, the river Adour and Bayonne in our -front, the river Nive on our right, and the lofty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span> -mountains of the Pyrenees at our backs—it may -fairly be said that the army were in a <i>cul de sac</i>. -The great strength of this frontier seems, particularly -during the winter, hardly to be understood; -for beyond the river Nive many rapid rivers cut -across, and intersect the muddy country and clayey -roads, so as to make offensive operations very -difficult.</p> - -<p>The advanced posts of our first brigade were in -a church behind the village of Arcangues, at a -château two hundred yards east of it, and at a -cottage half a mile further to the right, situated -close to a lake, on the other side of which was the -château of Chenie, on a rising ground, and enclosed -by the small plantation of Berriots, through which -a road runs towards Ustaritz. The second brigade -prolonged their line towards a deep valley which -separated them from the fifth division, holding the -plateau, in the neighbourhood of a château on the -high road to Bayonne, six or seven miles in front -of St. Jean de Luz.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd of November, it was deemed advisable -to make some alteration in our line of -posts; accordingly our first brigade formed at -the château behind the village of Arcangues, and -four companies of our regiment advanced to -execute the mission entrusted to them; but, -being led on by too great ardor, we came in front<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span> -of a large farm-house, strongly entrenched near -Bassussarry. Here the musketry was plied on -both sides with unusual vivacity. Having pushed -through a small plantation to our left of the fortified -house, we found ourselves within twenty yards -of it. A brave soldier sprang forward before he -could be restrained, and, levelling his piece, cried -out, "I have been at the storming of Rodrigo, Badajoz, -and Saint Sebastian; there is no ball made -for me<a name="FNanchor_11" id="FNanchor_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor"><sup>11</sup></a>." As soon as he had fired, he fell dead, -pierced with numerous bullets through his head -and body.</p> - -<p>This was <i>indeed</i> a skirmish; for in a very -short time we lost ninety men killed, wounded, or -taken prisoners. A brave young officer<a name="FNanchor_12" id="FNanchor_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor"><sup>12</sup></a> seeing -things going hard (and hearing the advance -sounded) rushed across a field to our left, sword -in hand, and, outstripping the company, when -close to the enemy, who were formed behind a -ditch, was shot through the head, and tumbled -into it a lifeless corpse. The officer commanding -the company jumped into it, and caught him in -his arms; twenty soldiers had also followed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span> -tried to clamber the wet clayey bank, but could -neither do that nor extricate themselves from this -awkward position. Overwhelmed by numbers, -they were obliged to surrender themselves prisoners, -as well as the commander<a name="FNanchor_13" id="FNanchor_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor"><sup>13</sup></a> of the company, -whose uniform was streaming with blood, while -he was still supporting the dead lieutenant in his -arms. We also were so near the enemy that I was -obliged to give orders, in an under tone, for the -men to cease firing, as the French threw twenty -bullets to one. Fortunately the small trees were -so thickly set, they could not distinguish us, and -ceased firing, but we could distinctly see them -leaning carelessly over a wall. While they were -chattering away, I passed the word to our soldiers -who were lying concealed amongst the small trees, -and underwood, that when I should hold up my -pocket handkerchief as a signal, a volley was to be -fired. This took full effect.</p> - -<p>A sergeant of ours was lying on his breast, and -had scarcely taken his fusee from the level, when -a ball passed in at the centre of his forehead. He -instantly rolled on his back, groaned heavily, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span> -kicked out his legs, covering the spot with a -liquid stream of blood. Sir James Kempt, ever -first in the fight and last out of it, having taken -his station at a house within musket-range, had -now ordered a bugler to sound the "retire," after -two hours' fighting; and it was quite time, for all -the companies engaged had sustained a sad loss in -killed and <i>hors de combat</i>.</p> - -<p>Now came the difficulty—and how to get away -without being seen. Fortunately we found a pathway -shrouded by small trees, which we passed by -single files, without uttering a word. On clearing -it, to say that we did not feel glad would be a -piece of unnecessary affectation. The men were -covered with mud and sweat, and their faces and -hands blackened by the biting of cartridges; and -scarcely a round of ammunition remained in the -pouches. The sergeant, who had been rather -dragged than carried out of the wood, was lying on -his back and still alive, with his eyes closed, -perfectly black, and swelled up as large as a -couple of cricket balls; he was frothing at the -mouth, and presenting a horrible sight. The -balls were again whizzing past our ears, and while -spreading the blanket out of his knapsack over his -trembling and agitated body, one of the soldiers -said "He cannot live long," when, strange to relate, -he raised his arm and waved a pocket handkerchief<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span> -crimsoned with gore which he held in his -hand!</p> - -<p>An officer full of ardor came forward from the -regiment to cover some of the skirmishers on the -left; but he was soon shot through the leg, and -the sergeant major into the bargain. The latter -was a fine comely handsome man of about fourteen -stone weight, who was now mounted on a soldier's -back with his sword drawn, swearing all the oaths -he could muster; and the sight was so ludicrous, -that we were all convulsed with laughter, to see -the two heroes, who had come quite fresh to cover -our retreat, carried off the field in so droll a -manner,—while now and then a stray bullet -whistled through the air, by way of a hint -that it was no joke.</p> - -<p>Our line of picquets was now advanced; which, -I am quite confident, might have been accomplished -without a shot being fired. In the evening -we returned to the village of Arbonne with -keen appetites, and heartily glad to wash the dirt -and mire from off our hands and faces.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9">9</a> A musket-ball perforated the biscuit, which caused the -bullet, after passing under the fleshy part of the breast, and -round the ribs, to glance off and pierce quite through the thick -part of the left arm.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10">10</a> General Graham having gone to Holland, to take the command -of a separate British force in that country.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11" id="Footnote_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11">11</a> This man, made use of similar expressions, while storming -the forts on the 10th of November.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12" id="Footnote_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12">12</a> This is the officer who repeated the tragic lines in Macbeth, -while dancing round the fire the night before the battle of -the Nivelle, thirteen days before.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13" id="Footnote_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13">13</a> He was made prisoner while travelling through France on -his way to Verdun, his carriage was surrounded by a party of -Cossacks, who were going to pike him, when he luckily made -himself understood; then being conducted to the allied army, he -was most kindly treated and instantly liberated.</p> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> -</div> - - -<blockquote> -<p>Tolerable quarters—Beguiling of time on picquet duty—The -army again in motion—A critical position—French cunning, -and occasional politeness—Skirmishing affairs preceding -the battle of the Nive—Details of that engagement—Its advantageous -consequences to our army—Acts of complaisance -between the vanguards of the opposed forces—Christmas -festivities.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>The weather continued variable, intermixed -with cold winds, sleet, and heavy rains. However, -as we were pretty well housed, the hardships -of other campaigns ceased, for we had no longer -fatiguing marches, the rations were regularly served -out, and, as long as our money lasted, the hordes -of congregated suttlers at Saint Jean de Luz supplied -us in abundance with every article of domestic -comfort. When on picquet, our time was -occupied chattering with the peasantry, a sort of -<i>demi-basque</i> tribe. They had no decided costume:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span> -the females twisted striped handkerchiefs of various -patterns round their heads according to the French -custom, and wore wooden shoes or <i>sabots</i>,—an -article well adapted to keep out the mud in the -execrable roads of this country.</p> - -<p>On the 9th of December the army was put in -motion, and the second division forded the river -near Cambo, with little opposition from the -enemy. Our division advanced against the French -in front of Bassussary, and drove in some of their -picquets; while the left under General Hope -advanced on the road leading from St. Jean de -Luz, nearly up to the entrenched camp in front of -Bayonne. During the whole day a good deal of -desultory skirmishing took place, and our army -formed a sort of half-circle, the river Nive cutting -through the right centre, which made the distance -from right to left at least twenty miles, by roads -scarcely passable. Towards evening the left of -the army retired to their former line of picquets, -and the main body to Saint Jean de Luz and its -environs; but our division kept its ground more -than half a mile in front of the village of Arcangues. -The enemy seemed determined not to quit -the fortified house near the little bridge, or Pont -d'Urdains, and as we passed north of it, we had -overlooked its enclosure, occupied by a French -brigade, congregated in a noisy assemblage, while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span> -their rations were served out. Apprehensive that -the sight of the loaves and wine casks might excite -us to desperate expedients, one or two hundred -of the enemy's tirailleurs extended themselves, -and advanced, without much firing, to clear the -ground.</p> - -<p>After dark our sentinels were withdrawn, for -the purpose of taking post on our original picquet -ground. The company I commanded held a small -promontory, or tongue of land, which jutted out -considerably beyond all the other line of picquets; -and, without doubt, was a most precarious post, -as neither flank was secure: and the sentinels -were planted on a half-circle, to shield the main -body of the picquet. Notwithstanding the ground -was so disadvantageous, it was necessary to hold -it, as it commanded the debouché of the road -from Bayonne by Bassussary. During the night -we heard confused sounds, like the rumbling of -artillery, intermixed with a good deal of hallooing -and barking of dogs; but two hours before -daybreak all the sounds died away, and every -thing was hushed and tranquil. The suspicion, -however, of the field officer of the picquets was -awakened, and he ordered me to feel my way -towards the house of Oyhenart usually held by the -French, to ascertain whether they had taken up -the ground from which they had been driven on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span> -the previous day. Four soldiers accompanied me, -but, as good luck would have it, I could not pass -the abattis, composed of trees, which had been -cut down to stop up the broad road, and to cover -our picquet-house.</p> - -<p>We then crossed into a field, and, stealing along -close to the right of the road, as cautiously as -possible, waited the French sentinels' well-known -<i>qui vive</i>. Suddenly I felt the serjeant pulling -at the skirts of my jacket, (for I had thrown -off my cloak as an incumbrance,) and he whispered -me to cast my eyes to the left, where -I saw about a dozen Frenchmen, within six yards -of us, gliding along the road towards our <i>abattis</i>, -I think, without shoes, for they did not make the -least noise. A small hedge screened us; the -serjeant was about to fire, but I put his fusee -down with my hand, and we all squatted in the -mud, anxiously awaiting the result. Time hung on -leaden wings, and they were almost entangled in -the branches of the felled trees before our sentry -discovered and challenged them; but not being -quite certain of the cause of the slight noise, he did -not fire, and presently these grey-coated phantom-looking -figures came running past us, with noiseless -footsteps: we then made good haste back, -having been, according to our calculation, within -ten or twelve yards of their sentry, who was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span> -usually planted behind a hedge which flanked their -picquet-house, distant from ours two hundred -yards.</p> - -<p>At daybreak, on the 10th December, we perceived -the advance of the enemy within one hundred -yards of our picquet, loitering about as -usual, without any outward display of any thing -extraordinary going on, or any signs indicating -that they were about to assume offensive movements. -At eight o'clock, Sir James Kempt came -to my picquet-house, and, having seated himself -by the fire, the assembled party consisted of -Lieut. Col. Beckwith (a staff officer) of the Rifle -Corps, Lieut. Col. William Napier, Major Sir -John Tylden, Lieut. Maclean<a name="FNanchor_14" id="FNanchor_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor"><sup>14</sup></a>, and the Honorable -C. Monck, of our regiment, who all entered into -an indifferent conversation, without contemplating -that an attack was meditated by the enemy. Lieut. -Col. Napier remarked, that he thought the French -loiterers seemed very busy, which induced us to -approach the window, which commanded a full -view of the enemy's picquet-house, and having -looked at them some time, without seeing the -cause of alarm, some of the party burst into a -loud laugh, and declared that it was only -Napier's fancy; but he still persisted, and would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span> -not give up his point, saying, that he had seen -them very often before, in a like manner, walking -off by ones and twos, to assemble at given points, -before making some rapid and simultaneous assault; -and, sure enough, before the expiration -of half an hour, these ones and twos increased -considerably all along the hedges.</p> - -<p>Although Sir James Kempt was always on the -alert, (no general could be more so,) still he persisted -that nothing would take place, and ordered -the first brigade to return to its quarters at Arbonne, -a distance of more than two miles, and -over a very bad road. Lieut.-Col. Beckwith remarked, -that he now agreed that the French -seemed to be eyeing the post, and advised Sir -James to rescind the order, as it would be better -to conceal the troops, and to wait until the enemy -should develope their intentions. The field-officer -rode off to warn the other companies in advance -to be in readiness. These were formed disadvantageously, -on a gentle concave acclivity, which -could not be helped, from the nature and shape of -the country.</p> - -<p>Lieut.-Col. Beckwith alone remained, and, before -he rode off, walked round the sentinels with -me, as I was ordered to defend the post, should -the enemy come on, to oblige them fully to -develope their intentions. Shortly after this, one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span> -of the sentinels stationed on the most rising -ground, turned his back to the French and beckoned -me. On my reaching his post, he informed -me that he had seen a mountain-gun brought on -a mule's back, and placed behind a bush. In a -few minutes the Duke of Dalmatia, with about -forty staff officers, came within point-blank range -of my picquet to reconnoitre the ground. During -this interval, I fancied that I could hear the -buzz of voices behind a small hillock, and, on -clambering a fruit-tree near my picquet-house, -I could just descry a column of the enemy lying -down, in readiness to pounce on us. There being -no longer any doubt that they were about to -attack, I instantly mounted my horse, (leaving -the company in charge of the next senior officer,) -and rode at full speed in search of the general, -whom I met within a quarter of a mile, and told -him there would be a general action fought that -day, and there was no time to be lost. Sir James -Kempt ordered me to send a mounted officer -from the picquet to Gen. Baron C. Alten, and to -be sure not to begin the firing until the very -last moment. He sent also the greater part of -another company to my assistance. In two or -three minutes after I had returned to the picquet, -some French soldiers, headed by an officer, issued -from behind the hedges, and moved round our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span> -left flank, within one hundred yards. The officer -naturally thought we should fire at him; therefore, -to feign indifference, he placed his telescope to -his eye, looked carelessly about in all directions, -and made a bow to us. Further to the -left, we could also see a body of French cavalry -debouching from the small thicket of la Bourdique, -three miles distant, near the great Bayonne road.</p> - -<p>The French soldiers, witnessing our civility to -their small party, were determined not to be outdone -in <i>politesse</i>, and called out to our sentinels -to retire, in French and Spanish. At half-past -nine o'clock, <span class="smcap">a. m.</span>, the enemy's skirmishers, in -groups, came forward in a careless manner, talking -to each other, and good-naturedly allowed -our sentinels to retire without firing on them. -They imagined, from their superiority of numbers, -to gain this post by a <i>coup de main</i>; and -the more effectually by this means to surprise, -if possible, the whole line of outposts. However, -when they were within twenty yards of our -abattis, I said, "Now fire away."<a name="FNanchor_15" id="FNanchor_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor"><sup>15</sup></a> The first -discharge did great execution. These were the -first shots fired, and the beginning of the battle -of the <i>Nive</i>. The enemy then debouched from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> -behind the thickets in crowds; our flanks were -turned right and left, and the brisk French voltigeurs -rushed impetuously forward, (covered by -two mountain-guns,) blowing their trumpets, and -shouting "<i>En avant, en avant Français; vive -l'Empereur!</i>"</p> - -<p>The atmosphere was clouded, and the bright -flashing and pelting of musketry sprang up with -amazing rapidity. One of our companies, having -held its ground too long in front of the village -of Arcangues, was surrounded. The officer commanding -it, asked the soldiers if they would -charge to the rear, and they rushed into the -village with such a loud huzza, that an officer -commanding a French regiment was so surprised -at their sudden appearance, as to halt the column -for a few moments; and the fugitives sprang -across the single street and escaped.</p> - -<p>Two battalions of the rifle corps being formed -in columns of grand divisions, or single companies, -behind the various houses, developed their -skirmishers in admirable order, and fought in and -round the scattered houses of Chau with great skill. -So close was the combat, that Lieut. Hopwood and -a serjeant of the rifle corps, were both shot through -the head by a single Frenchman putting the -muzzle of his piece quite close to them, while -they were engaged with others in front.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the whole of our picquets now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span> -ceased firing and retired leisurely, unengaged, took -their station with the rest of the regiment, and -formed in a churchyard, on our main position, -more than half a mile behind the village of Arcangues,<a name="FNanchor_16" id="FNanchor_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor"><sup>16</sup></a> -a sort of neutral post for reserve picquets; -but the village was not entrenched, was -not intended to be defended, and formed no part -of our main position, owing to the ground on -both flanks of it being badly adapted for defence. -The isolated church and the château called Arcangues, -have been the cause of those numerous -mistakes made relatively to the distant village of -that name being the supposed scene of a severe -conflict. The rest of the brigade already lined the -breastwork of a château, two hundred yards to -the right.</p> - -<p>After a protracted struggle the rifle corps retired, -and formed on the position marked out for -defence, but left a number of skirmishers behind -some stone walls, at the bottom of the slope, -from which the enemy could never dislodge them,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span> -owing to our overpowering fire from the high -ground.</p> - -<p>The second brigade was now sharply engaged, -having been in echelon to our left and obliquely -to the rear, following the undulating nature of -the ground. The plateau of Arcangues and -Bassussarry being gained by the enemy, now -became the pivot of the French marshal's operations, -which enabled his right wing to attack -the fifth division, on the high road to St. Jean de -Luz, where there was some very hard fighting, in -front of the batteries; and it was some hours -before the first division and Lord Aylmer's brigade -could come to their assistance, these troops -having been peaceably in their quarters, and far to -the rear, when this sudden irruption took place. -The enemy's attack ceased opposite to us, with -the exception of a firing of artillery within about -a thousand yards, which continued to play into -the churchyard, and knocked about the tombstones -during the greater part of the day. In one -spot a small green mound was carried away, -and also the lid of an infant's coffin, leaving the -putrid remains of the child exposed to view. -However, we kept up an incessant discharge of -small-arms, which so annoyed the French gunners, -that, during the latter part of the day, they -ceased to molest us. The walls of the stone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span> -church were cannon-proof; I saw many balls -break large pieces out of the edifice, and fall -harmlessly on the sod.</p> - -<p>The assembled enemy on the neighbouring -heights seemed now to meditate an assault. Two -companies lined the interior of the building, the -windows of which were surrounded with wooden -galleries; water was taken into the church, and a -strong traverse was erected opposite the door, so -that, if by any accident the enemy had attacked -and gained possession of it, the fire from the -galleries would have driven them out again.</p> - -<p>The rest of the battalion were stationed behind -a stone-wall, which encircled the churchyard, -and in reserve behind the edifice, ready to make -a charge of bayonets should the enemy succeed -in breaking through this enclosure. Their advance -were stationed behind a house, within two -hundred yards of us, covered by their cannon at -the brow of the hill, while we only possessed two -mountain three-pounders, which were placed to -the left of the church, to fire down a narrow -lane which threatened our left flank. For some -days previously, trifling working parties had been -employed, of twenty or thirty men, in cutting -down a small plantation in front of the church, -which was so intersected by the trees entangled -together, that the enemy never could have penetrated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span> -them; but the other entrenchments consisted -of a few shovels of earth, negligently -thrown up, which the French voltigeurs might -have hopped over; and as for flank defences, -they seemed not to have been thought of.</p> - -<p>At about one o'clock, <span class="smcap">p. m.</span>, the fourth division -came to our support, and crowned a hill six -hundred yards behind the château occupied by -the rifle corps.</p> - -<p>During the night the whole of our regiment -were hard at work, in throwing up a formidable -battery in front of the churchyard, and before -morning it was finished, with embrasures, regular -<i>épaulements</i>, (filled up with small bushes, to -make the enemy believe that it was a masked -battery,) and traverses. Both our flanks were -secured by felled trees, strewed about, and even at -the back of the burial-ground, which was now -impregnable against any sudden assault; nor do I -believe six thousand men could have taken it. So -much for the ingenuity of infantry soldiers, with -their spades, shovels, pickaxes, bill-hooks, and -hatchets.</p> - -<p>On the 11th, it was supposed that the Duke -of Dalmatia intended to break the centre, by -advancing against the church and château, (commonly -called Arcangues); accordingly General -Hope detached the right part of his force<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span> -nearer to the left of our division; but the enemy -again attacked, and obliged him to resume his -original ground, where there was a good deal of -firing, and many brave men fell on both sides, -without any decided result. During this day, -although the French advance was quite close to -us, there was no firing; and we industriously profited -by every moment of tranquillity to strengthen -our position. At this juncture, two battalions of -Nassau troops deserted into the British lines.</p> - -<p>On the 12th, a fusillade on the left continued -the greater part of the day; every now and then -there was a cessation of small-arms; then a -sudden rush and burst of firing, and so on. On -calling the roll in the afternoon, a dozen men of -our regiment were missing, and an officer being -sent with a patrole to a small house enclosed in -an apple-orchard, he found the enemy's soldiers -and our men mixed together, in a room full of -apples. The French soldiers, considering themselves -prisoners, brought forth the whole of their -apples as a peace offering to the officer, who merely -pointed to the door, from whence they effected -their escape; while, on the other hand, the culprits -belonging to us were brought back, with -downcast heads, and their haversacks crammed -with apples.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span></p> - -<p>In the evening the enemy formed a strong mass -of troops, within cannon range, and in front of -our second brigade, but made no further movement; -while those opposite to us were employed -in throwing up the earth, as if to construct batteries. -During the night, some of the rifle corps -on picquet, being close to the French, observed, -by the reflection of a bright fire, about thirty -stand of the enemy's firelocks piled in front of -their picquet-house, which the rifles determined -to possess themselves of, and darted forward with -such rapidity that the French sentinel had only -time to discharge his piece and run away. The -rest of the picquet bolted the front, and escaped, -without arms, by the back door.</p> - -<p>On the 13th, in the morning, it was found that -the French Marshal had disappeared from our -front, and during the night had again marched in -a half-circle through Bayonne, for the purpose of -attacking the second division before sufficient -support or assistance could be given them, finding -the three previous days' fighting and demonstrations -had failed to force the lines, or oblige Field -Marshal Wellington to withdraw his right flank -from the right bank of the Nive.</p> - -<p>The sixth and third divisions supported the right -of the army; the fourth division the centre; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span> -the seventh the left centre: these four divisions -being in reserve, and occasionally in motion towards -those points threatened.</p> - -<p>The company I commanded was again for outpost -duty, at the identical spot which we had been -driven from. We relieved a company of the rifle -corps which had felt its way, <i>au point du jour</i>, -to our old picquet-house. The officer whom I -relieved, in a merry mood, bade us good morning, -and pointed, at the same time, towards the French -infantry, with knapsacks on, bayonets fixed, and -aided by a squadron of hussars. The old <i>abattis</i> -had been entirely removed, and as it was quite -uncertain at what moment the enemy might -make a forward movement, I ordered another -abattis to be constructed at the turn of the road; -and I never saw the men work with better humour. -In a few minutes a sufficient number of -trees were cut down, and collected, to stop any -sudden ebullition of the cavalry; it would have -been any thing but agreeable to be attacked -on both flanks, while the dragoons charged up -the road.</p> - -<p>This little defence was barely finished, when -some straggling shots took place in front of General -Hill's corps, occupying a concave position of -about four miles in extent, between the rivers -Adour and Nive; the right centre occupying the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span> -village of St. Jean vieux Monguerre. The day -was fine, and in a short time the white smoke -ascended in clouds, amidst peals of musketry, and -the rapid and well-served artillery. The battle -was well contested on both sides, and there was no -break in the musketry. Both bodies fought as if this -struggle was to wind up, in brilliant style, the battle -of the Nive. As fast as the grape-shot mowed down, -and split the enemy's columns, they again closed -up, and strenuously endeavoured to break through -the brave lines of the second division, who repulsed -all their attacks, and crowned the day by -forcing the enemy into their entrenchments with -such decision, that they no more resumed the -offensive, nor was the army further disturbed by -petty affairs.</p> - -<p>The right of the French army now confined itself -to the usual outposts in front of Bayonne; its -right centre extended on the right of the Adour -to Port de Lanne, and its left flank on the right -bank of the river Bidouze, and their cavalry filled -up the intermediate country as far as the -small fortress of Saint Jean Pied de Port, which -position embraced our army, and formed two -sides of a square,—our right face being on the -river Joyeuse, and supported by the light cavalry.</p> - -<p>Various acts of complaisance now passed between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span> -the vanguards of the hostile armies. A -lady from Bayonne, with a skipping poodle dog, -one day came to see <i>les habits rouges of les Anglais</i>; -and while she was going through those -little elegancies, so peculiarly characteristic of the -French, the poodle dog came towards us, and -from an over officiousness, some of the French -soldiers whistled to keep it within bounds, which -so frightened the little creature, that at full speed -it entered our lines, and crouched at our feet. -Without a moment's delay we sent it back by a -soldier to its anxious mistress, who was highly delighted, -and with her own delicate hand presented -a goblet of wine to the man, who, with an -unceremonious nod, quaffed the delicious beverage -to the dregs, touched his cap, and rejoined us, -with a pipe in his mouth and a store of tobacco,—the -latter having been presented to him by the -French soldiers.</p> - -<p>With the exception of a trifling change of -quarters, and a few other occurrences, the year -closed without any thing to interrupt our little -Christmas festivities, which were always kept in -due form. On Christmas-day I was on picquet, -but we partook of the usual fare, and some mulled -wine, with as much tranquillity as if afar removed -from hostile alarms. Just before dark, while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span> -passing a corporal's picquet, an officer and myself -stood for a few minutes, to contemplate a poor -woman, who had brought her little pudding, and -her child, from her distant quarters, to partake of -it with her husband, by the side of a small fire -kindled under a tree.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_14" id="Footnote_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14">14</a> Now Captain Maclean.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15" id="Footnote_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15">15</a> Probably such a word of command may astonish <i>some adjutant-major</i>, -but I give it as it occurred: in rough ground, in -rough times, and in a rough country, such expedients are resorted -to in war.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16" id="Footnote_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16">16</a> On assembling in the churchyard behind Arcangues, an -athletic soldier of this company being without his knapsack, -told us, that while passing through the village three French -soldiers had surrounded him, and one had hold of his collar; -but he throwing his knapsack on the ground, knocked one man -down, and the others seized his knapsack, and by this means he -effected his escape.</p> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> -</div> - - -<blockquote> -<p>An unproductive alarm—The Duke d'Angoulême visits the -British army—Orders received by the Duke of Dalmatia—General -position of Napoleon's affairs—The author visits -Bera on leave of absence—Remarks on the mischiefs committed -by camp followers—A scene for contemplation—The -author's friends at Bera—Love inimical to harmony—Return -to quarters—Movements for penetrating into the interior of -France—The author's regiment enters St. Palais, crosses the -Gave, and passes through Sauveterre to Orthes.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>On the 3rd of January, 1814, a slight affair -took place on the river Joyeuse, which caused -the army to be put in motion. Our division -crossed the Nive by the bridge of Ustaritz, made -a day's march and encamped; but nothing -further of consequence taking place, we repassed -the left of the river, and resumed our old cantonments, -in the scattered villas, farm-houses, and -cottages about the village of Arrauntz. During -this month the Duke d'Angoulême took up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span> -his abode with the British army at St. Jean de -Luz.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Dalmatia received an order to -detach from Bayonne a large portion of his force -of cavalry, artillery and infantry to the succour -of Napoleon, who, since his disastrous campaign -in Russia, had slowly retrograded through Germany, -and after fighting many mighty battles, -had been forced to recross the Rhine into -France, and was now endeavouring with skeleton -numbers, by a series of skilful manœuvres, combats -and diplomacy, to preserve the throne against -a host of invaders directed personally by the -three crowned heads of Europe, whose banners -were at last nailed together and threatening <i>la -ville de Paris</i>. There Maria-Louisa, with her -infant son by her side, was issuing bulletins -announcing the partial successes gained by Napoleon -her husband, over the troops of her -father, the Emperor Francis of Austria, the -Czar of Russia, and the King of Prussia. Such -was the state of events at this momentous epoch—Great -Britain still continuing the focus of -resistance, and straining every nerve to keep the -Holy Alliance unanimous.</p> - -<p>The weather now became very severe, and as -some reports were circulated that there was a probability -of the British army advancing into the interior<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span> -of France, I obtained a few days' leave for -the purpose of visiting my wounded friends at -Bera; and accordingly I set off in the direction -of Saint Jean de Luz. A severe frost had hardened -the roads, and the ground was covered with -snow, but I had scarcely travelled a league, when -I heard an independent firing towards Bayonne, -which almost induced me to return, under the apprehension, -that some portion of the army were -engaged; but, on reaching a more elevated hill, -I found that none of the troops were in motion, -and it afterwards turned out to be the young -French conscripts practising at targets. On this -open heath, signal posts were erected, to communicate -with the right of the army, on the right -bank of the Nive. Batteries were thrown up a few -miles in front of Saint Jean de Luz, to cover that -town on the high road from Bayonne. They appeared -strong and well finished.</p> - -<p>The narrow and dirty streets of Saint Jean de -Luz presented a gloomy aspect, being filled with -muleteers, cars loaded with biscuit-bags, bullocks, -rum-casks, ammunition, idlers, and all the disagreeable -incumbrances attached to the rear of an -army. As I passed along the high road, I felt -exceedingly surprised at the numerous delapidated -houses, and empty chateaux, with the orchards -and all the fruit trees cut down and converted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span> -into <i>abattis</i>, which had been done by the -French army; but every article that had been -left by them in good order, the followers of our -army had ransacked. How often do the soldiers -of armies bear the odium of enormities and plunderings, -committed most frequently by the non-combatant -wolves in the shape of men, whose -crimes are of such long standing, and so frequently -executed (under the cloak of night, or -under the mask of hypocrisy), that at last no -atrocity is too heinous for so cowardly a banditti -to commit. They devour the rations on -their way to the hungry army: they steal the -officers' horses: they extort exorbitant prices -for small articles, which they have stolen from -the peaceful inhabitants: they strip the deserted -and expiring wounded on the field of -battle, and would willingly sell their bodies, could -they find purchasers.</p> - -<p>Having jogged along some miles, amongst this -horde of scattered ruffians, I came to the narrow -road turning off to the left, which leads across -the mountains to the town of Bera; and towards -evening I reached, with difficulty, the summit of -the contracted pass, narrowed by the drifted, and -frozen snow. Here I stopped for a few minutes, -(notwithstanding the piercing coldness of the -frosty air) to contemplate the town of Bera, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span> -the scattered <i>quintas</i> embosomed in the valley, -now wrapped in a <i>death-like stillness</i>, and covered, -as well as the surrounding mountains, with snow. -The brittle branches of the trees were stiffened, -fringed, and sparkling with icicles. A few short -months had produced a great change! When last -I had been at this spot, the foliage was tinted -with an autumnal hue, and red lines of soldiers, -were formed there, their silken and embroidered -ensigns waving, and their bright arms gleaming -in the rays of the sun, the craggy heights bristled -with bayonets, the drums beating, the merry -bugle horns echoing throughout the winding -vallies: every eminence was crowned with curling -smoke, the vivid firing of small arms, or the occasional -flash of the cannon, reverberating amid -the forests in hollow caves, broken chasms, and -fissures of the granite rock,—producing sounds -afar off, like the rumbling of distant thunder,—and -altogether giving an inconceivable life, and -animation to the scenery.</p> - -<p>On my descending from this pinnacle, to make -my way down the side of the mountain, the road -was so blocked up with snow, the narrow pathway -in, the middle so slippery, and the foot-hold so -uncertain, that I could hardly keep myself on my -legs, or the animal on its own; and, resting -every now and then, I did not reach the solitary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span> -and deserted street of the town, until an hour -and a half after nightfall.</p> - -<p>When opposite to the porch of the well known -Casa, (that of the before-mentioned Spanish -family), although shivering and benumbed with -cold, I hesitated to knock for admittance. All was -dark and silent; no lights issued from the casement, -nor was the sound of any voice to be heard -from within. In this short interval, many conjectures -rushed across my mind; my friends might -be gone to some distant town; the former hospitable -inmates might no longer inhabit its gloomy -walls, it might be occupied with strangers, or be -the sanctuary of the dead. With such dismal -forebodings, I gave a thundering rap; the massive -door was opened by a soldier, holding a -little iron lamp in his hand, (filled with <i>aceyte</i>, -and having a small wick burning at the spout) -which cast a faint glimmering light across the -out lines of my cloak, and wiry-haired steed, -covered with slakes of snow. Without waiting for -any explanation, the man was hastily closing the -door, while lustily calling out, "There is no room -here, this house is full of wounded officers;" but -on making myself known, the portal was thrown -back on its hinges; lights appeared at the top of -the stairs, and the voices of my friends joyfully -greeted my arrival. In the midst of our embracings,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span> -"Take care of my side," said one of them, -(still hugging me), "for it has sloughed away, -and you shall see my bare ribs anon." Another -was stretched on his pallet, from which he had -not risen for upwards of two months, but was -slowly recovering under the soothing attention, -and gentle hand of la Señorita Ventura. The former -had made too free with the roseate wine at Christmas, -which had caused his wound to break out -anew, leaving his ribs quite bare of flesh for the -space of six inches in diameter; but they were both -in excellent spirits—the <i>braceiro</i> was replenished -with ruddy embers, and placed at my feet, and a -hot dinner speedily served up, with a bottle of -sparkling wine to solace and comfort my inside, -after my freezing journey. Over this we recounted -all that had passed since our separation at the battle -of the Nivelle. I described fresh battles, and -combats, and they all the torments they had endured -while slowly carried two leagues in blankets up -and down the rocks and mountains, or on the -verge of terrific precipices, in momentary dread -that those supporting them might slip, and let -them fall on the jagged and naked rocks. Before -I retired to rest, I paid a visit to a young officer -of the 52nd regiment, who occupied a room at -the upper part of the house; he was suffering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span> -dreadfully, and dying from a wound which he -had received in the groin.</p> - -<p>The following day, Captain Smith of the 20th -regiment dined with us, who came from the neighbourhood -of Roncesvalles, bringing in his train a -coffin, and having performed a pilgrimage, through -the intricacies of the mountains at this inclement -season of the year, in search of a friend, -who had been killed in that neighbourhood five -months before. Three or four days passed in -this manner, when a trifling circumstance broke -up our sociable conviviality. The last evening, -as we were seated round the <i>braceiro</i>, I was -engaged in an agreeable tête-à-tête with <i>la Señorita -Ventura</i> which seriously affected one of -my wounded friends, who was deeply enamoured -of her; he continued, however, to smother his -anguish for a short time, and the strangeness -of his manner, left little doubt on my mind that -an excuse would only make bad worse, on so -delicate a subject. I therefore announced the -intention of taking my departure on the following -morning. One of them held me by the -collar, and declared I should not go, as I had -introduced them to the family, and that any -jealous feeling was the height of ingratitude; -however, the blow was so injurious to my friend's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span> -vanity or love, that he could not endure my -presence for another evening; twice, by such -introductions, I had almost saved his life, yet -he could not forgive, although an excellent fellow. -Such is all-powerful love!</p> - -<p>Having bidden adieu, myself and a friend -of the rifles (who had been to Bera to see his -wounded brother) repassed Saint-Jean de Luz, -and soon after alighted at the quarters of a commissary, -who had formerly belonged to the light -division. While we were partaking of some -refreshment, he asked us whether the division -had not been surprised on the 10th of the last December; -when told to the contrary, he assured -us that it was generally supposed to be the case, -and he was exceedingly glad to hear it contradicted, -feeling an interest in all that concerned -the welfare of the division, for he had made his -<i>débút</i> with it. Before leaving the main road, -the same questions were put to us in another -quarter, by an officer who had been previously -in our own corps; which will give a faint idea -how rapidly evil and malicious reports fly; and -so evil a one as this I had seldom known -hatched. However, looking to the front, we only -fancied ourselves on the high road of blunders; -but the most curious and laughable part of the -business was, that these very reports were in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span> -circulation by those who were so far to the -rear when the battle of the Nive first began, -that, had it not been for the determined resistance -of the van guards of the light<a name="FNanchor_17" id="FNanchor_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor"><sup>17</sup></a> and fifth divisions, -the enemy would have passed all the -defences, and most probably seized Saint Jean -de Luz, and the bridge at Ustaritz;—and strange -it is, but not less true, that the most doleful accounts -float about behind an army: victory is -construed into defeat; and if a slight retrograde -is made, off go the non-combatants as hard as -they can tear, carrying away every one in the -torrent whom they can persuade to take their -friendly advice.</p> - -<p>A thaw had now set in; the cross roads, in -many places, were perfect bogs and quagmires, -so that we did not reach our cantonments until -late at night, and were covered with mud, having -been frequently obliged to dismount, to wade -through the slough, before we dared trust our -horses to pass through, as many animals were still -sticking or lying in the liquid mud, after having -floundered about until they were smothered in the -mire.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span></p> - -<p>Preparations being made, early in February, for -pushing into the interior of France, General Hill -broke up from Bayonne in the middle of that -month, and at first moved in a southerly direction -as far as Hellete, driving the enemy across -the rivers Joyeuse, Bidouze, and through the -town of St. Palais.<a name="FNanchor_18" id="FNanchor_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor"><sup>18</sup></a> These movements cut the -French off from the small fortress of St. Jean -Pied-de-Port, which General Mina blockaded, -and obliged the right of their army to leave -Bayonne to its own defence. Thence, marching -along the right bank of the Adour, they crossed -the river at the Port de Lanne, for the purpose of -supporting their centre and left, which were retiring -before General Hill, and taking post behind -the river or Gave d'Oleron, with their right resting -on the left bank of the Adour, and occupying the -towns of Peyrehorade, Sauveterre, and the small -fortress of Navarriens.</p> - -<p>The six divisions of the army, besides cavalry -and artillery, destined to penetrate into the interior, -consisted of the <i>second</i>, <i>third</i>, <i>fourth</i>, <i>sixth</i>, -<i>seventh</i>, and <i>light divisions</i>, which were now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span> -extending in echelon from Vieux Mouguerre to -Navarriens and drawing off by degrees in succession -towards the right: the <i>first</i> and <i>fifth division</i>, -Lord Alymer's brigade, and a corps of Spaniards -being left behind to blockade the fortress of -Bayonne under General Hope.</p> - -<p>Our division, having passed the Nive, occupied -the small town of Bastide; but, as the clothing -of our regiment had reached as far as the town of -Ustaritz, we once more crossed the river for it, -and having halted there one day, retraced our -steps to rejoin the army, the right of which had -crossed the Gave d'Oleron, while General Beresford -with two divisions showed front, ready to -cross that river at Peyrehorade.</p> - -<p>The right of General Hope's corps, consisting of -the fifth division, having crossed to the right of the -river Nive, invested Bayonne on that side. On -the 23rd, part of the first division passed the -Adour, (two hundred and seventy yards in width) -on a raft four miles below Bayonne, from whence -the enemy advanced to endeavour to force this -small van-guard to recross the river, but without -effect. The two following days, the whole of the -first division were ferried over to the right bank -of the river: Lord Alymer's brigade, and the -Spaniards in reserve hemmed in the enemy on the -side of St. Jean de Luz, which completed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span> -lines of circumvallation, drawn round the entrenched -camp of this fortress and its citadel: -but, owing to the intersection of the rivers, this -corps was split into <i>three</i> different bodies, communicating -with each other by the grand bridge -of Chasse-Marées,<a name="FNanchor_19" id="FNanchor_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor"><sup>19</sup></a> thrown over the Adour, and -one across the Nive. Subsequently some changes -of the troops took place.</p> - -<p>On the 25th our regiment reached a village -within a mile of St. Palais, and on the following -morning entered that town, when, to our mortification, -we were ordered to halt until relieved -by some other regiment, while the 57th, whom -we had replaced, marched forward to join the -army. It was therefore evident that the troops -were left to keep open the line of communication -in rear of the army, as well as to fetch -clothing.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 27th we heard that the -79th Highlanders were to enter the town; we -therefore got under arms, and as soon as they -entered at one end, we marched out at the other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span> -and towards the middle of the day passed the -Gave d'Oleron,<a name="FNanchor_20" id="FNanchor_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor"><sup>20</sup></a> at Sauveterre. A fine stone -bridge crossed the river; but its centre arches -had been blown up and entirely destroyed: it was -therefore necessary to ford the river, which was -more than a hundred yards in breadth; and, although -hardly three feet deep below the bridge, -the current was so extremely rapid, and the bottom -so intersected with loose stones, that it was -thought advisable for the strongest men to throw -off their knapsacks, and to join hands and form a -strong chain with their faces to the current, to -pick up any of the soldiers, who might chance to -turn giddy or loose their foot-hold—for if an individual -wavered to either side, the probability was, -that he was whirled round by the force of the -stream, and lifted off his legs, sinking to the bottom -like a lump of lead, loaded as he was, with -knapsack, accoutrements and sixty pounds of ball -cartridge!</p> - -<p>We breakfasted at a hotel in the town of Sauveterre, -and, as the band played through it, the inhabitants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span> -stood at their windows smiling with as -much indifference, as if the column had been composed -of the native troops of their own country.</p> - -<p>At this time we could distinctly hear, at some -distance to our front, a heavy firing, and the -rolling of musketry and cannon. Owing to its continuation -we marched forward the whole of the -day. The country was extremely fertile, with -large farm houses and chateaux on each side of -the road. All the doors were closed, nor did we -meet a single individual, from whom we could gain -the least information. Towards dusk the howling of -the great watch-dogs might be heard all over the -country; and although we bivouacked in the -night in a wood, within three miles of Orthes, we -were utterly ignorant of the cause of the heavy -firing during the day.</p> - -<p>At dawn on the 28th we had hardly traversed -a mile when we observed the tents of the 57th -regiment pitched on the top of a hill, to the right -of the road, without any signs of a move. This -corps had been two days from St. Palais, and in -one march we were passing them. I was sent -forward to gain information, and absolutely reached -the old narrow bridge on the river Pau at Orthes, -before I heard from an officer of engineers, -who was superintending its repairs, that a battle -had taken place on the previous day. The centre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span> -arch being destroyed, this officer had strict -orders not to let any one pass it, until it should -be fully repaired: however, as an especial favour, -he had the complaisance to cause a few planks -to be laid down, and, at a great risk, I succeeded in -getting my horse over and entered the town—where -I met a soldier of the 52nd, who could not tell -me the road the light division had taken after the -victory, and, when asked what they had been doing -the day before: "Why sir," replied he, "I never -saw Johnny fight better." Directly after this -I saw Lord George Lennox, in a light dragoon -uniform, who told me, that he feared his brother -the Duke of Richmond,<a name="FNanchor_21" id="FNanchor_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor"><sup>21</sup></a> a Captain of the 52nd, -was mortally wounded, having been shot through -the body by a musket ball, while ascending a -hill with his regiment, at the close of the battle.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_17" id="Footnote_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17">17</a> The reserves of the light division were not brought into -action, but manned the main position, in case of its being attacked, -which did not take place—while the main body of the -army awoke from its slumbers and came to the battle-ground.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18" id="Footnote_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18">18</a> All the above towns, including Bayonne, in September 1807, -had been occupied by the French troops under General Junot -(afterwards Duke of Abrantes) previously to their entrance -into Spain under the plea of uniting with the Spaniards for the -invasion of Portugal.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19" id="Footnote_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19">19</a> The sailors of Admiral Penrose's squadron assisted in boldly -running these boats over the bar at the mouth of the Adour -(where some of them and crews were unfortunately lost) for -the purpose of forming the famous bridge of boats across that -river. Admiral Collier also co-operated with the crews -of his squadron in landing cannon, and working them in battery -at St. Sebastian.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20" id="Footnote_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20">20</a> Near this spot, a few days before, some light companies -of the third division had forded; but they had no sooner crossed -than they were violently attacked by the enemy, and forced -to repass it under a heavy fire, losing many brave soldiers killed -and drowned, before a sufficient force could cross to their support.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21" id="Footnote_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21">21</a> Then Earl of March; he had been on Field-Marshal Wellington's -staff for some time previously, and only joined his -regiment a short time before this action.</p> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> -</div> - - -<blockquote> -<p>A wrong direction—An affair with the enemy's cavalry—Bivouac -in a wood—A ludicrous mistake in the dark—Arrival -at St. Sever—Welcome supply of bread—The Duke of Dalmatia -leaves Bordeaux unprotected, to preserve the communication -with Toulouse—Reception of the English at Mont -de Marsan—A dancing scene and other amusements at the -village of Brinquet—The disappointed purveyors—The author -regains his corps—Adventure gained over the enemy by -General Hill—Gascon peasantry—Various movements of the -opposed armies—The French driven through the town of -Vic Bigorre—An agreeable march.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>It was now eight o'clock in the morning, and -finding little probability of gaining the requisite -intelligence of the route of the light division, -without seeing the adjutant-general, I made direct -to his <i>maison</i>, and, being ushered up stairs, I -found him in bed, comfortably reposing with the -curtains drawn tightly round him. Whether he -was half asleep from over-fatigue, or from some -other cause, he gave me the route of the <i>fourth</i> -division, by the road leading towards the town -of Sault de Navailles.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span></p> - -<p>On overtaking the tail of that division, we fell -into a slow pace, owing to some obstacles and -the broken bridges over the various tributary -streams, which were very much swollen at this -time of the year.</p> - -<p>On this day, our hussars had an affair beyond -Sault de Navailles with the enemy's cavalry; and, -in the afternoon, I saw one of their officers on -horseback, deadly pale from a wound in the -abdomen.</p> - -<p>After nightfall, we bivouacked in a wood to the -right of the high road on the river Louts, within -a short way of the town of Hagetman. Our -baggage did not come up; the night was -miserably cold, and the whole of the officers -of our regiment took possession of a tumble-down -shed, or forsaken cow-house, where, -having spread out some stalks of Indian corn, -some of us began to roast potatoes, when an -aid-de-camp, appertaining to a General, came up -to the door-way (for <i>door</i> there was none), and -said, halloo! halloo! who's here? who's here? -when one of our majors coolly replied, "Officers -and pigs," which created a general laugh; and the -General sent elsewhere to put up his horses.—In -the middle of the night, one of the officers, -having suddenly awoke out of his sleep, called -out with all his might, "come up, come up,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span> -fancying that a French cart-horse had got amongst -us. A ludicrous scene took place—every one for -himself! till at last a heap of living heroes were -piled together, each scrambling on the top of the -other, and all bawling out "lights! lights!" At -last, by main strength, I managed to extricate -myself from a pressure nearly as bad as that in -the black hole of Calcutta. The soldiers and servants, -hearing such a hullabaloo, flocked into the -hut, which added to, rather than diminished the -disorder of the scene. At length a lighted wisp of -straw being brought in, every one stared about, -with the greatest astonishment; for the object of -terror had vanished, or rather had not appeared. -Some crawled out from their hiding places, demanding -who had taken away the horse, while the -respectful and confounded servants protested, one -after the other, that they had not seen a horse, -nor taken any away. The alarm took place from -some one kicking against the shed, which was -mistaken, by the officer who created the alarm, -for the hoofs of a horse shod by a French farrier, -within an ace of his head! Sleep was banished, -and roars of laughter continued throughout the -rest of the night.</p> - -<p>On the 29th, we got under arms very early, to -give the two divisions the "go by;" but our -movements had been anticipated, and we received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span> -strict injunctions not to stir from our ground, -but to follow in the rear, as on the preceding -day. We, therefore, again found ourselves creeping -along the road as before. When we were -within four miles of the river Adour, Field-Marshal -Wellington rode up (he had received a blow on -the hip from a spent ball at the battle of Orthes, -while directing the last attack on the heights,) -and said, "Forty-third, what do you do here?" upon -which the senior officer told the Field-Marshal that -the officer commanding the column would not let -us pass. In the short space of ten minutes, the -whole of the troops in our front were halted, and -we marched forward, and soon after ascended a -hill, and formed column in the grand place of -the town of St. Sever, immediately overlooking -the left bank of the river Adour. Here we found -a baker's oven full of hot bread, which a commissary -(with a <i>val</i> in his hand,) had laid an embargo -on; and it was with the utmost favour -that we were permitted to purchase a few loaves, -or rather, having taken forcible possession, we -were permitted to retain the bread, paying for -the same; as they might have found an attempt -at a re-capture rather a difficult matter from men -suffering from hunger, and out of humour, on a -cold hazy spring morning. To whom the bread -was afterwards served out I cannot pretend to say.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span></p> - -<p>The rear divisions, with drums beating, were -passing near the town, and at last increased into -a dense column, while forming up opposite the -<i>wooden bridge</i>, which the enemy had set fire to. -As soon as the flames were got under, and ladders -placed close together to facilitate the passage of -the infantry, General Sir Thomas Picton, with -his usual ardour, pushed forward his division, -the head of which crowded the ladders with all -haste.</p> - -<p>Our regiment now debouched from the town, -with orders to cross, and Lieut.-Col. Ross's brigade -of horse-artillery forded the river below the -bridge, to accompany us, for the purpose of -taking possession of the stores in the populous -town of Mont de Marsan, distant twelve miles, -situated on the high road to Bordeaux.</p> - -<p>When we reached the foot of the bridge, -General Sir Thomas Picton declined halting the -third division; and it was not until he had -received the most <i>positive instructions</i> to halt, -that he did so. His troops were standing up and -down the ladders as we passed them, when a -variety of curses and imprecations took place; -all the battles of Spain and Portugal were fought -over again, with a mixture of rage and good -humour: some vociferated that they could always -lead the light division, whilst the older soldiers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span> -were satisfied, voluntarily, to follow them: "Let -us follow the <i>Lights</i>, it is our right; no division -is entitled to bring up our rear except the fourth; -we are the takers of fortified towns, and the -General-in-chief's <i>three lucky divisions</i>!"</p> - -<p>The Duke of Dalmatia now left the high road -and the fine town of Bordeaux to its fate, and -retired, with his principal force, up the right bank -of the Adour, to support his left flank at the -town of Barcelone, and to meet General Hill's -corps, which had branched off to the right, and -was moving in the direction of Air, to threaten -the French Marshal's communication with Toulouse; -a point he could not give up, it being the -pivot of his defence on the formidable river Garonne.</p> - -<p>All the way to Mont de Marsan the road is -straight and sandy. Instead of being received -with hostility at that place, as we anticipated, we -were agreeably surprised to see the people flocking -without the town in vast crowds, to see <i>les -étrangers</i>. Our clothing was old, and almost the -whole of the men wore blanket trousers. The -French expressed much wonder at seeing the troops -of the richest nation in the world so threadbare<a name="FNanchor_22" id="FNanchor_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor"><sup>22</sup></a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span> -and poorly clad. The band struck up, and the -women exclaimed, "<i>Ma foi! les Anglais ont -de la musique! et voilà de beaux jeunes gens -aussi!</i>" The shops were open, and the inhabitants -proffered their merchandize with an easy -assurance of manner, as if we had been a century -amongst them: so much for a divided nation; so -much for honour and glory, and the extreme <i>bon -ton</i> of civilization!</p> - -<p>The seventh and our own division entered the -town, where we halted two days, and then our -division shifted its quarters into villages two leagues -distant from it. Our regiment took possession -of the large village of Brinquet. The senior officer -was quartered in a château, and invited us all to -a dance; the <i>salle à manger</i> was lighted up, and -the reflection shone on the highly polished floor.<a name="FNanchor_23" id="FNanchor_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor"><sup>23</sup></a> -The band was in attendance, but unfortunately -there was only one <i>demoiselle</i>; therefore, making -a virtue of necessity, we waltzed with her turn -and turn about, until she was quite exhausted; -and we finished by partaking of an excellent supper, -consisting of the choicest viands, sweetmeats, -champaign, and other delicious wines. An officer -was indiscreet enough, in the warmth of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> -moment, to propose to the young lady to send for -a few <i>grisettes</i> from the village, assuring her that -in Spain the village maids failed not to attend on -such occasions. She started with horror at such -a monstrous proposal, saying, "<i>Dans la campagne, -à la bonheur: mais des grisettes dans un -salon, c'est affreux!</i>"</p> - -<p>We halted some days at this village, and for a -while the war was forgotten; and convivial dinner -parties were given in this plentifully-supplied -country, where provisions might be purchased for -a trifle: fine capons a franc each, while turkeys, -geese, ducks, eggs, bacon, milk, butter, excellent -wine, and all articles of consumption, were to be -had at proportionably low prices.</p> - -<p>One fine morning myself and messmate -mounted our capering, snorting steeds, their -ears cocked, and their carcases swelled out with -good provender, to pursue our way towards Mont -de Marsan, with the laudable intention of making -a few purchases for an intended dinner party. -Having made our selection of pastry, sweetmeats -and desert, we directed the whole to be carefully -packed and forwarded to a certain wine merchant, -who was busily packing up, in a large -hamper, several dozens of his choicest wines and -liqueurs; and it was agreed that the whole was -to be paid for at our quarters, to insure their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span> -punctual delivery by a certain hour—to which the -wily merchant and confectioner complacently and -readily assented, not having failed by the bye -to charge English prices on all the commodities, -that is to say about a hundred per cent above the -market price. We escorted the cart the greater -part of the way to show the driver the right road, -but when within a short distance of the village, -we pointed it out, exhorting him to use all speed, -and rode on to superintend other little preliminaries. -Upon reaching the <i>maison de logement</i>, -the people told us that the regiment had marched -off three hours before towards Grenade, and not -a vestige of any thing belonging to us was left -behind. The people begged and entreated that we -would take some refreshment, which we would -have assented to, (for our appetites were as keen -as the wind), but the cart and hamper were momentarily -expected at the door. What was to be -done? To pay for that which we could not consume, -or carry away, would be the height of -folly; therefore, confiding our predicament to the -good-natured host, he embraced us, and, setting -spurs to our steeds, at a hand canter, we quitted -the long village at one end, as the cart drew up -at the other; nor did we relax our pace, until -the shades of evening brought us to a town<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span> -crammed with cavalry, artillery, tumbrils, baggage -and commissariat.</p> - -<p>Here we gained some tidings from one of the -heavy German dragoons of the route of our -division, and alighting at a hotel, we got our -horses well fed, and rubbed down, and, having -partaken of an excellent bottle of wine, and a dish -of stewed veal, we resumed our journey.</p> - -<p>At eleven o'clock at night, we entered another -town, filled with infantry soldiers, who were -standing round the fires they had kindled in the -streets, whilst others were fast asleep, sitting on -the stone steps, or lying under the threshold of -doorways. We would fain have passed the night -here, but admittance was nowhere to be gained, -although we dismounted and kicked, and thumped -with all our might at the several doors. These -noises had so repeatedly occurred during the night -through the troops outside striving to gain an -entrance, that such salutations were unattended -to. Thence wandering onwards amidst darkness -and uncertainty we issued from the town by a -broad road, enveloped in a thick fog, for not a -soul could now give us the least clue to the division; -and it is impossible to convey an idea of -the uncertain information in rear of an army. -I have often been within half a mile of the division,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span> -without meeting a person who knew any -thing of its march, and, without the least hesitation, -people would give a totally opposite direction -to that followed by the troops.</p> - -<p>In half an hour, we heard a buzz of voices to -the right of the road, and through the dense -mist could see the glimmer of fires, and in a few -minutes more found our corps, encamped in a -fallow field, where we passed a shivering night. -Often is the cup of happiness dashed from the -lip; but certainly the conclusion of our intended -<i>fête</i> was quite the reverse of what we had anticipated, -when briskly and gaily starting for Mont -de Marsan on the preceding day!</p> - -<p>During this short suspension of hostilities with -us, General Hill had been engaged with the -enemy, on the 2nd of March near the town of -Air, and, after a sharp affair, succeeded in driving -them to the right bank of the Adour, and also -in a southerly direction towards the large town -of Pau.</p> - -<p>From this place, we moved into wretched villages, -situated on muddy cross roads in the -neighbourhood of Cazeres. The weather continued -frigid; the atmosphere was overcast with -either miserable fogs, or heavy rains.</p> - -<p>The peasantry in Gascony speak a sort of <i>patois</i>, -or broken French. The women tilled the fields,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span> -harnessed the horses, drove and loaded carts, and -handled the implements of husbandry—such as -the plough, the long spade, and dung-forks—just -like the men: their appearance is ugly and coarse; -many of their statures are of Herculean proportions. -They wear wooden shoes, and a bundle of -short coarse woollen petticoats, with a piece of -coarse cloth, or sack wrapped about their heads, -the flaps of which hang on their shoulders, or -down their backs, to keep off the inclemency of -the weather, altogether giving them a most uncouth -appearance. The wives and daughters of -the <i>gros fermiers</i> possess a little more life and -animation, and were pretty well attired; but they -are a plain, innocent, plodding people, over whose -morals the <i>Curé du Village</i> exercises a gentle -sway, apparently more by the superiority of -his education, than by spiritual exhortations.</p> - -<p>These pastors reside in comfortable houses, -decorated with the vine, the rose tree, odoriferous -plants, &c. Their garden is generally well -stocked with vegetables, or otherwise prettily arranged -by some fair hand under the designation -of <i>ma nièce</i>. An entrance was never gained to -these abodes, unless all the other houses were -crammed to excess by the soldiery.</p> - -<p>While in this neighbourhood we frequently -moved towards the high road, and stood to our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span> -arms the whole day. On the 12th General Beresford -with the seventh division entered Bordeaux, -where he was received with acclamations by the -populace, who hoisted the white flag, and the -<i>cocarde blanche</i>, crying, "<i>vivent les Bourbons! -vivent les Anglais!</i>"</p> - -<p>The Duke of Dalmatia, finding our left flank -extended as far as Bordeaux, moved forward, and -on the 13th made a feint by the roads of Conche, -and Castleneau, (on the left of the Adour), to -turn General Hill's right flank. The general-in-chief, -to counteract this movement, threatened the -town of Plaisance on the right bank of the river, -by this means countermanœuvring, and threatening -the enemy's right flank, and also their -communication with Tarbes.—General Beresford -now quitted Bordeaux, leaving the seventh division -at that place under Lord Dalhousie, and -the army closed up in three columns, for the purpose -of ascending both banks of the Adour, towards -Tarbes:—our division moved in the direction -of the town of Plaisance with the hussar -brigade.</p> - -<p>One day we were with the 15th hussars on picquet -at a mill to the right of the great <i>Chaussée</i>. -The soldiers laid themselves down under the sheds -with the horses, and the officers reposed on some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> -sacks of flour, just over the wheel of the water -mill, which kept up an eternal clattering noise -throughout the night. In the morning we came -out as white as millers!</p> - -<p>On the 17th the weather cleared, the roads -dried up, the atmosphere was warm and genial, -the hedges and young trees were clothed with a -spring verdure, and the country looked most inviting, -presenting a similar face to that of England.</p> - -<p>On the 19th having finished our march, we -encamped on a ridge of hills, about five miles -East of Vic-Bigorre which lay in a valley. About -two o'clock <span class="smcap">p. m.</span> we were ordered to stand to -our arms, and on reaching the summit of the -hill, we saw the third division attack that town. -The sun shone forth in full lustre, and a vehement -fire of small arms and cannon almost enveloped -with volumes of smoke, the scene of contest. -We moved on the verge of the hills in a parallel -line to turn the right flank of the enemy;—a heavy -brigade of cavalry during the middle of the combat, -turned the right of the French through the -meadows close to Vic-Bigorre, and they were -finally driven through the place.</p> - -<p>I hardly ever recollect a more delightful march -than that we enjoyed towards the evening. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span> -sun was sinking behind the western hills, the surrounding -country was wrapped in tranquillity, -the din of war, had died away. The soldiers -were tired, conversation ceased, and no sounds -broke on the ear except the tread of the men's -footsteps, or the planting of the horses' feet of -the hussars, who were riding along in single -files, or going off to the side of the road, so -as not to retard our march.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_22" id="Footnote_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22">22</a> The soldiers carried their new clothing, which they had -lately received, and which was not yet altered and made up, -on the top of their knapsacks.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23" id="Footnote_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23">23</a> The floor and stairs are polished in France, as in old fashioned -gentlemen's houses in the interior of England.</p> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> -</div> - - -<blockquote> -<p>Advance towards Tarbes—Sharp and successful encounter of -the riflemen with the French, who are forced to retire from -Tarbes—A beautiful coup-d'œil—Retreating movement of the -enemy towards Toulouse—The little French cobbler and his -daughter—A burdensome benefactor—Inconveniences of a -miry march—The author's adventure at a farm-house—The -conscious hosts—A true French château—Approach of the -troops towards Toulouse—Critical situation of the author -and another officer.</p> -</blockquote> - - -<p>We did not halt and encamp until an hour -after dark. On the 20th in the morning we passed -the road leading towards Rabastens on our left -hand, where a picquet of the hussars had planted -their vedettes. When within a short distance of -Tarbes the hussars rode forward, and pushed their -line of vedettes half way up the hills to the left of -the road, with their carbines resting on their -thighs, and within one hundred yards of the -French infantry, who did not fire, although stationed -on the verge of the wood.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span></p> - -<p>Two battalions of rifle corps immediately filed -off the road, mounted the hill, and began a most -severe skirmish with the enemy, who made such -a desperate opposition, that the rifles were obliged -to close; the French charged, but the rifles were -immoveable, and, for two or three minutes, the -combatants were firing in each other's faces. At -last the rifles beat them back, and carried the -wood.</p> - -<p>We could also see the right of the enemy formed -on some heights round a windmill two miles to -our left, where the sixth division attacked them; -and the cannon continued to play at this point. -While the right of our army made a demonstration -of crossing to the right bank of the Adour, opposite -the town of Tarbes, two hundred <i>chasseurs -à cheval</i> blocked up the wide road opposite to us. -It had hedges on each side; our regiment formed -column to the left of it, on a piece of waste -ground; and a troop of the tenth hussars rode -up and formed across it from hedge to hedge, -opposed to the French horse. Two vedettes of the -Chasseurs instantly walked their horses within -one hundred yards of the tenth, and invited them -to charge; several of us stood on the flank of our -dragoons, and told them to stop a minute or two, -until a company crept along the hedge to take -the chasseurs in flank when their main body<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span> -seeing this instantly wheeled threes about and -unmasked two pieces of cannon, which they fired -at half range, and both balls flew close over the -heads of the hussars. Owing to the attack of the -sixth division taking the right of the enemy in -reverse, they were thrown on two sides of a square, -and obliged to retire from Tarbes, refusing their -right face, while covering the retreat of their left -wing!</p> - -<p>The horse artillery now came forward at full -trot, protected by the tenth hussars, who by -half-squadrons, filled up the intervals between the -guns, which presented a most picturesque and -martial effect. Without further delay, the rest of -our division followed up the hill to the left, in -support of the rifles; and on reaching the summit -a most interesting spectacle presented itself. -The town of Tarbes lay in the valley to the right -close to the Adour; the dense red columns of our -right wing were in the act of passing it with -cavalry and artillery; while the glitter of the -enemy's bayonets formed a brilliant spectacle, and -the tail of their winding columns covered the -country, as they rapidly threaded the by-roads -through small woods, villages, and over hill and -dale. They were also running in a dense crowd -on the high road towards Tournay, (threatened -by the hussars, and the horse-artillery) where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span> -a rapid interchange of cannon balls took place, -and we were in momentary expectation of overtaking -them, when broken ground and hedges -suddenly intervened, and they eluded our grasp.</p> - -<p>A French captain stood by the road side imploring -his life, and calling out for the English, -in evident fear of the Portuguese and Spaniards; -he held a commission in his hand, and both his -eyes were shot out of their sockets, and hanging -on his cheeks!—On our descending from the -rough country into a valley, the enemy were -ascending a steep ridge rising out of it, covered -at its base by a rivulet. Our army were forming -up in order of battle ready for the assault, but -the day was too far advanced: the French then -opened their cannon all along the ridge, and particularly -against our right wing, opposite the -high road leading to the town of Tournay. During -the twilight, the bright flashes of the cannon had a -very pretty effect—the sixth division had followed -them up, and we could hear their firing an hour -after nightfall, while still attacking and taking -in reverse the extreme right of the enemy—which -obliged them to retreat during the night from this -formidable range of heights.</p> - -<p>On the following morning we crossed the -heights in our front, the enemy being in full -retreat towards Toulouse—by a flank march to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span> -the right. We cut in upon the high road towards -St. Gaudens, on which the second division were -marching. The weather was cold, with sharp -cutting winds, and a succession of rains set in.</p> - -<p>The second day we entered a small town -crowded with troops; the rain descended in such -torrents, that the cavalry horses were put into -the lower rooms of the houses, and we were -quartered in the house of a cobbler, which was -divided into three compartments: the soldiers -filled the loft; the horses the kitchen; and we -put up in the shop, in which there were two beds -in dark recesses. The little cobbler, seeing our -boots soaked through, very good humouredly proposed -making us some <i>bonne soupe</i>, and, without -further preamble, set about the <i>cuisine</i>. His -figure was unique—he wore a cocked-hat square -to the front, and as old as the hills. His -hair was greased to excess, and grimed with the -remains of powder, ending in a <i>queue</i> of nine -inches long, and about four in circumference, -tightly bound with a leathern thong. His height -was hardly more than five feet: he possessed a -swarthy broad bony visage, small penetrating -grey eyes, thick, bushy, black eye brows, a short -neck, long sinewy arms, covered with hair, (the -shirt sleeves being tucked up), large hands and -feet, narrow shoulders, short body, broad hips,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span> -and bow-legs—and was the reputed father of a -delicate daughter of about fifteen years of age, -with light hair, skin as fair as alabaster, and -cheeks vying with roses;—she meekly lent a -willing hand in making us welcome to their abode, -strewed with old shoes, <i>sabot</i>-lasts, leather, soles, -heels, waxed ends, and live poultry,—the latter -being tolerated as guests, owing to the urgent entreaties -of the little <i>grisette</i>, who was in great -dread that they might be plucked, if left to -roost in the loft amongst the soldiery. A large -iron kettle was slung over the wood fire, and -filled with water, into which a few cabbage -leaves were first immersed, and, when it simmered, -half a pound of hog's lard was added (from -an earthen jar hanging by a cord from a large -beam), with a little pepper and salt; half a dozen -brown pans were then laid out, into which our host -cut with a clasp knife some slices of coarse bread, -and with a wooden ladle, the contents of the -cauldron were poured over it, the grease floating -on the surface of the boiling liquid. <i>La voilà!</i> -said our host. <i>La voilà, messieurs, la bonne -soupe!</i> To refrain from appreciating the kind intentions -of the cobbler, and his fair daughter, was -impossible; but we could not partake of such a -mess.</p> - -<p>The times of scarcity were gone by, and as our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span> -canteens arrived at this juncture, stored with -every thing good, and a keg of excellent wine, -we invited the civil little cobbler to partake, and -he spent a glorious evening, shedding tears over his -cups, and declaring that <i>les Anglais</i> were <i>de très -bons garçons</i>; while the daughter sitting in the -chimney corner, sang some pretty French songs. -At the usual hour of rest, by common consent we -laid down on one bed, and the cobbler and -his daughter turned into the other; but, for -the sake of decorum, the father lay with his head -on the bolster, and the daughter placed a pillow -at the foot of the bed, and thus turning <i>dos-à-dos</i>, -they avoided each others feet, and by the glimmer -of the fire, we could see the little girl's bright -eyes under the coverlet.</p> - -<p>Making our adieu on the following morning, -and the weather clearing up, we continued our -march, at the end of which the troops entered -the various chateaux and farm-houses on each -side of the way. The country being very much -intersected with hedges, green fields, plantations, -and gardens, we suddenly encountered -an old man near some scattered cottages, who -was so terrified at our unexpected appearance, -that he ran up, seized the bridles of our horses, -and led us to a large oven, filled with ready-baked -bread, all of which he insisted upon giving to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span> -soldiers: thence he took us to an out-house, -where there was a quantity of wine casks: "All, -messieurs," exclaimed the peasant, "is yours." -We assured him that every thing consumed would -be duly paid for, which he would not hear of, in -his over eagerness and civility, and, breaking -from us, he rushed into the ranks of the soldiers, -(who were quietly at ordered arms, waiting until -the different houses should be marked off for their -reception, according to usage), and bawled out, -"<i>camarades!</i>" although your officers will not -sanction your having bread and wine, I insist -upon supplying you. At length, to put an end -to such rhapsodies, we agreed that, at the utmost, -he might give to each soldier a pint of wine, of -which they cheerfully and thankfully partook.</p> - -<p>On the following morning, when the soldiers -had fallen in, and the over-generous peasant found -what an orderly set of people he had to do with, -he boldly came forward and demanded payment, -and, when expostulated with, bawled out with -the greatest indecency, before the rest of the assembled -villagers, that we were <i>des voleurs</i>, and -with the greatest effrontery put himself at the head -of the company, as if to stop its march. Such -vile behaviour so disgusted us, that we ordered one -of the soldiers to put him out of the way.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span></p> - -<p>The rain began to pour down in torrents, and -the road was of such a clayey substance, and so -sticky, that it tore the gaiter-straps and the shoes -from off the soldiers' feet, and they were obliged -to put them on the tops of their knapsacks, while -trudging along bare-footed, and hardly able to drag -one leg after the other. This so much impeded -our march, that it was nearly dark before we -halted on the road, and the mounted officers were -ordered to seek shelter for the men, right and left, -but not further than a mile from the post of -alarm.</p> - -<p>Several officers started across the country, each -fixing on some particular house. As I perceived -a hill a short way off, I galloped up it, from -whence, half a mile further, I saw a spacious -farm and barns, the whole being enclosed by -a high wall. Knowing the general civility and -peaceable demeanour of the inhabitants, without -further precaution, I rapped loudly at the large -gates; but no person came forward, and all the -windows were closed; however, quite satisfied of -getting an entrance upon the arrival of the company, -I rode round, to convince myself of the -place being inhabited, when all at once a powerful -and ferocious wolf dog bounded over the wall, -and tore at the hind quarters of my horse with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span> -such ferocity, that the animal trembled, and -although I used my spurs, was almost immoveable. -I then drew my sabre, but, whichever way -I turned my horse, the dog kept behind, and to -add to my danger, a man opened a shutter with -a gun in his hand. As I could not get my animal -to stir, the only resource left was to dismount -and engage the savage brute in foot, (my sabre -had a sharp rough edge), trusting that the peasant -might miss me the first shot. At this critical -moment, the company mounted the hill, and the -man called off his dog.</p> - -<p>My horse was bleeding, and the heel was nearly -torn off my boot:—the women came forth from the -house, and threw wide the gates for our admittance, -and almost prostrated themselves at our -feet, expressing the greatest solicitude, and protesting, -that the dog had broken loose; and, when -questioned about the gun, they vehemently assured -us that the man, knowing I was in danger, as -a last resource intended to shoot his own dog; this -excuse was ridiculous, for the moment the animal -heard the voice of its master it ceased to attack. -Although we were aware that these were false assertions, -both from the actions and professions -of the people, yet we could not do otherwise than -feign to believe them. Without doubt, on my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span> -first appearance, they thought me a straggling -marauder, and they were only about to act as we -might have done against foreigners in our own -country, who might perchance come for the purpose -of eating our provisions, levying contributions, -and trampling down our fields; for although -such outrages were strictly forbidden in the -British army, yet people living in secluded farm-houses -could not be supposed to credit such -peaceable reports, until they had received ocular -demonstration of the fact.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the gaiety of our manner for -the rest of the day, the women seemed to dread -the coming night, feeling conscious of an act having -been committed which they apprehended would -not pass unpunished. The men did not show -themselves after dark, and it was droll to witness -the many little kind acts of the females, to strive -to banish from our minds the occurrence.—Even -on the following morning, they loaded our animals -with poultry, and filled our keg with fourteen -pints of inestimable wine. As they seemed in -affluent circumstances, we did not refuse these -peace-offerings.</p> - -<p>At the close of this day, we were quartered in a -chateau, not unlike an old-fashioned gentleman's -house in England. The out-houses were in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span> -delapidated condition, the grounds were indifferently -laid out, with the trees and avenues cut -into various shapes, in representation of birds, -&c. An old carriage stood in an out-house, and -the horses had long tails, and were as fat as -butter, and not unlike a Flanders cart horse.</p> - -<p>The French gentleman, while showing his premises, -held a rake in his hand, and was dressed in -a green velvet forage cap, a frieze coat made like -a dressing gown, coarse trowsers, and wooden -shoes; but in the evening he was well attired; in -fact quite metamorphosed. The linen, napkins and -plate were in plenty, but we were much surprised -at the common clasp knives at table; otherwise, -every thing (such as massive plate and old -fashioned china) was good, and well laid out. -The stairs were carpeted and polished, and the -rooms were without grates, the wood being burnt -on hobs. The <i>filles de chambre</i> left their wooden -clogs at the bottom of the stairs, walking about -the rooms in their stocking'd feet, and, although -coarsely dressed, and of rough exterior, they -executed all the necessary offices with a respectful -attention and extreme good nature, and, when -offered some silver in the morning, they refused -it, as if to say, "<i>Ciel!</i> how can we take the money -of <i>les étrangers, et les jeunes officiers</i>?"</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span></p> - -<p>On the sixth day we entered a town within a -short distance of Toulouse. The enemy lined the -opposite bank of a small rapid river, about four -hundred yards from the town; a howitzer was -planted over the bridge, and a group of French -officers were assembled in conversation.</p> - -<p>Another officer and myself by degrees sauntered -past our sentinels, who were not pushed -beyond the houses of the town. When within a -hundred yards of them, we made the usual salute, -but, to our astonishment, it was not returned, -and the whole of the group left the spot, with -the exception of one officer, who leaned on the -breech of the gun, as much as to intimate that -we were too far in their country to expect confabs -and that the time was come to stand to their -cannon.</p> - -<p>We regretted having placed ourselves so completely -in their power: to go back was impossible -with any security, if their intentions were of a -hostile nature. Trusting however to the well-known -courtesy of <i>les militaires Français</i>, we left -the road, and walked up to the bank of the river, -within fifteen yards of a French sentinel, who, -with his musket carelessly thrown across his body, -eyed us steadily, as if to examine whether our -approach should be received in a hostile, or amicable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span> -manner. Appearances certainly looked as -if we had come expressly to reconnoitre the nature -of the ground, and as we slowly retired, -we momentarily expected a round of grape shot, -and were not a little relieved to find ourselves -once more behind the houses; for there was not -a bush or any thing to screen us from their observation -the whole of the way.</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> -</div> - - -<blockquote> -<p>Flank movement to the right—Method of feeding cattle in -Gascony—Catching a goose—Halt at St. Simon—Cross the -Garonne and advance on Toulouse—The French take up a -position to the east of that town—The Spaniards attack the -heights of La Pugade—Their terrible slaughter and precipitate -retreat—The enemy advance against the fourth and sixth -divisions—The sixth division carry the front of the enemy's -position—Retreat of the French from Toulouse towards -Carcassonne.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>In the middle of the night we were aroused -and ordered to pack up and accoutre, and -make a flank march to the right, over execrable -roads, in order to support the second division, -who were to cross the river Garonne above -Toulouse, at the village of Portet. The number -of pontoons, however, proving inadequate to cover -the width of the river, it was tried elsewhere—On -the 31st of March the pontoons were laid -down within a short distance of Roques, General<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span> -Hill crossed: but the ground was found so -swampy, that he was obliged to repass the river.</p> - -<p>In this part of the country, wine abounded to -such an extent, that serious alarm was experienced -for the morals and sobriety of the troops. Almost -every shed, and even the stables, were half filled -with wine casks, (owing to the long war, and -to the want of exportation), and, during the rainy -weather, it was necessary to beg of the soldiers -to be moderate. Publicly they were not permitted -to partake of the wine; but how could -they be effectually hindered from broaching casks -under which they slept, after being covered with -the mud of the miry roads, or soaked through and -through from incessant rains? and such was the -abundance of the juice of the grape, that a peasant -was glad to sell a hogshead of the best wine -for twenty <i>francs</i>, which was divided among our -several small messes.</p> - -<p>The people of Gascony have a particular method -of feeding their cattle: the trap doors or -sliding partitions communicate with the interior -of the kitchens, and when thrown aside, the -oxen or cows thrust in their heads, and are fed -by the hand with the stalks of maize, or Indian -corn.</p> - -<p>One evening, while in the kitchen of a small -house, round the cheerful blaze of a crackling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span> -wood-fire, partaking of our dinner, and the servant -girls standing behind us feeding the cattle, -we were suddenly aroused by the cackling of the -poultry in a large out-house—where the soldiers -were quartered; and, on ascending the ladder, -we observed some feathers scattered about the -floor. The soldiers stood up and saluted, as if no -depredations had been committed. One soldier -alone remained sitting, and feigning to be in great -pain from the effects of a sore foot. The officer -with me having shrewd suspicions of this individual, -said, "Get up,—surely you can stand upon -one leg."—"Oh no!" answered this piece of -innocence, (possessing a muscular frame, and a -face as brown as a berry), "no indeed Sir, I -cannot; for, besides the pain in my foot, I am -otherwise much indisposed." Finding however -that we were determined, he slowly and reluctantly -arose from his crouching posture, by which -he had concealed a half-plucked goose. This was -death by martial law, and we put on a most ferocious -aspect, and threatened I know not what. -However, as soon as the lecture was over, and -we were out of the soldier's sight, we could no -longer refrain from giving way to our hilarity, -at the old marauder being so fully detected. Who -could kill an old soldier for plucking a goose? -The bird being duly paid for, the kind-hearted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span> -woman not only gave it back to the soldiers, but, -we understood, cooked it for their supper.</p> - -<p>We now halted at St. Simon and pushed our -advanced posts within two miles of Toulouse, -situated on the right bank of the Garonne; but -the enemy still held the Faubourg of St. Ciprien, -facing us on the left of the river.</p> - -<p>One day we passed in a handsome chateau, -with all the rooms on the <i>parterre</i>; it was well -furnished, and the doors and windows opened on -a spacious lawn, from which descended a flight of -stone steps of about thirty feet in breadth, to -an extensive garden laid out <i>à l'Anglaise</i>, in -broad and serpentine walks, labyrinths, fish -ponds, fruit trees, exotics, rose trees and flower -beds, which in the summer must altogether have -formed a lovely retreat. The inhabitants had fled -from the chateau, and all its windows, and doors, -were flapping, and jarring in the wind; the knapsacks -were suspended in the gilded ornaments -of its mirrors, and the soldiers reposed on the -silken covering of the chairs and couches.</p> - -<p>On the night of the 3rd of April, our division -broke up from before Toulouse, (the second division -taking our station), crossed the river Touch -and marched northerly down the Garonne, as a -corps of communication between the right and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> -left wings of the army—in readiness to move to -either flank.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 4th the left wing under -Lord Beresford crossed the Garonne, just above -the town of Grenade, by a pontoon-bridge.</p> - -<p>In the afternoon the rain came down in torrents, -and the river was so swollen and the current so -strong, that the pontoon-bridge was obliged to be -taken up, and Lord Beresford was cut off with -his corps for four days on the right bank of the -river, while the enemy had the opportunity of -attacking him, or debouching by the Faubourg -de St. Ciprien against him—of which they did not -take advantage.</p> - -<p>During these few days we obtained good shelter -in the fine large farm-houses with which the -country abounded, every one of them having a -large round pigeon-house at the corner, (which -was entered by a regular door from the interior -of the house); the swarms of pigeons were so -great, that they literally covered the whole face -of the country. Here we ate pigeon-pie, omelets, -and eggs in profusion. "<i>Diable</i>," said the French, -"<i>comme les Anglais mangent des œufs!</i>"</p> - -<p>On the 8th the bridge of boats being restored, -we mounted our horses to see a Spanish army -cross; and a more bombastical display I never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span> -beheld! The Spaniards crossed by companies: -at the head of each marched an officer with a -drawn sword, (accompanied by a drummer), and -strutting in time to the tapping or roll of the -drum; exclaiming, while looking pompously over -his shoulder, "<i>Vamos, guerréros!</i>" The very -bridge seemed to respond to such glorious appeals, -for it rose and fell with a gentle undulating -motion, to the <i>rub dub, rub a dub</i>, of Spain's -martial drum.</p> - -<p>As soon as these <i>Guerréros</i> had formed column -on the sod of <i>Languedoc</i>, a heavy brigade of -artillery passed the bridge, and one of the cannon -becoming stationary in the middle of it, one of -the pontoons nearly went under water; and, had -not the drivers whipped and spurred with all their -might, in another instant, the boat would have -been swamped, and the gun would have dragged -the horses and drivers into the rapid and furious -torrent.</p> - -<p>The bridge was again taken up during the -night, and, on the following day, our division -formed on a rising ground near Aussonne to be -in readiness to pass it; but, having waited nearly -the whole day, the Duke of Wellington quitted -the spot extremely angry, leaving Sir Colin -Campbell to superintend the finishing of it.</p> - -<p>At two o'clock on the morning of the 10th,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span> -our division crossed the pontoon-bridge, and, -bringing up our left shoulder near Fenoulhiet, six -miles from Toulouse the army marched in parallel -columns on that place.</p> - -<p>The country north of the town is flat, and on -every side intersected with rural cottages, enclosed -by gardens, fruit trees, and small plains, or fields -of corn.</p> - -<p>When within two miles of Toulouse, we could -distinguish the black columns of the enemy filing -out of the town to the eastward, and forming in -order of battle on the <i>Terre de Cabade</i>, which was -crowned with redoubts, and constituted the <i>apex</i> -of their grand position nearly three miles long, -and extending in a southerly direction by Calvinet, -towards the road of Montauban. They also occupied -with a small body of troops and two pieces -of light artillery, the detached eminence of <i>la -Borde de La Pugade</i>, for the purpose of watching -the movements on the left and centre of our army. -This small hill was of fallow ground, without -hedges, trees, or entrenchments.</p> - -<p>At the first view, the French army seemed to -be formed from the right bank of the Garonne, -and resting their right flank on the detached hill of -<i>la Borde de la Pugade</i>, which, in reality, only -formed a dislocated elbow of their position. The -ancient wall of the town was lined by the enemy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span> -being covered at a short distance by the royal -canal (which communicates with the Garonne), -and runs in a half circle round the north and west -sides of Toulouse. Over it there were six bridges, -within five miles, occupied as <i>têtes-du-pont</i>; the -three to the southward being marked by the before-mentioned -heights, which gave the enemy an exceedingly -strong position, and to embrace which -it was necessary to split our army into three distinct -bodies, to be ready to fight independently of -each other—as follows:—</p> - -<p>Lord Hill's corps was stationed on the left bank -of the Garonne (to coop up the enemy in the entrenched -faubourg of St. Ciprien), but was so completely -cut off from the army destined to fight the -battle, owing to the river intervening, that the -nearest communication with it was, at least, sixteen -miles by the pontoon bridge we had crossed -in the morning—although, as the bird flew, little -more than two miles from the right flank of the -army, composed of four divisions, and a corps of -Spaniards which were destined to fight the battle. -The right wing consisted of the third and light -divisions, the centre of the Spaniards, and the -left wing of the fourth and sixth divisions with the -great bulk of the cavalry, ready to shoot forward -from the village of Montblanc, to throw the -enemy on two sides of a square.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span></p> - -<p>At nine o'clock in the morning the forcing -began on the Paris road near a large building in -front of the <i>tête-du-pont</i>, in the vicinity of Graniague, -by the third division with its right on the -river Garonne. The left brigade of the light -division branched off to the right, to make a sham -attack opposite the <i>tête-de-pont</i>, near les Minimes, -and to keep up the link with the third division; -while the first brigade edged off to the left to support -the Spaniards now moving forwards in échelon -on our left. While they were crossing a small -rivulet, two of the enemy's cannon fired on them -from the detached eminence of <i>la Borde de la -Pugade</i>. As soon as the Spaniards had crossed -the stream or ditch, they rapidly advanced and -drove the French from their advanced post, behind -which they formed in columns for the grand -attack. At this time a sprinkling musketry was -kept up to our right by the third division and -our second brigade, while driving the enemy -behind their <i>têtes-du-pont</i>.</p> - -<p>At eleven o'clock the Spaniards moved forward -single-handed, to attack the heights of la Pugade, -under a heavy fire of musketry and grape shot, -which thinned their ranks and galled them sadly. -The ground was fallow, of a gentle ascent, without -hedges or trees, so that every shot told with a -fatal precision. Notwithstanding this, they closed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span> -and kept onwards. The French position was a -blaze of flashing cannon, and sparkling musketry, -and the iron balls were cutting through the fallow -ground, tearing up the earth and bounding wantonly -through the country. The fatal moment -had arrived: the Spaniards could do no more: the -shouting of the French army was daggers to their -hearts, and thunder to their ears, and when within -fifty yards of crowning all their hopes, down went -the head of their column, as if the earth had -opened and swallowed them up. A deep hollow -road ran parallel with the enemy's works, into -which the affrighted column crowded. Terrible -shelter! for at this time the enemy sprang over -their entrenchments, and stood over their victims, -pouring down the bullets on their devoted heads -with fatal precision, so that two thousand of them -fell a prey to the adversary, without destroying -hardly any of their opponents; and, as if in anticipation -of such a result, the enemy had constructed -a battery of heavy calibre at the bridge of -Montauban, which raked the road, and ploughed -up the heaps of the living and the dead—the -former crawling under the latter to screen themselves -for a few short moments from the merciless -effects of the enemy's projectiles.</p> - -<p>The rear of the Spaniards now closed up, and, -stretching their necks over the brink of the fatal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span> -gulf, they turned about and fled like chaff before -the wind, amid the volume and dense clouds of -rolling smoke majestically floating in the air, as if -to veil from the enemy the great extent of their -triumph.</p> - -<p>As soon as the fugitives could be scraped together -in a lump, they once again moved forward to -make a second attack, led on by a group of Spanish -officers, on foot, and on horseback. The shot -levelled them to the earth, without any chance of -success: the disorganized column once more stood -in a mass on the bank of the fatal hollow road, -by this means bringing all the enemy's fire -to a focus; but at the sight of the mangled bodies -of their dying comrades, their last sparks of courage -forsook them, and they fled from the field, -heedless of the exhortations of many of their officers, -who showed an example worthy of their -ancient renown. The French again bounded over -their entrenchments, and at full run came round -the left flank of the disconcerted Spaniards (at a -point where the road was not so deep), and plied -them with more bullets, nor ceased to follow them, -until they were stopped by the fire of a brigade -of guns, (supported by a regiment of English -heavy dragoons), and attacked on their left flank -by the rifle corps, supported by our brigade. -This movement prevented them from cutting -asunder and separating the two wings of our army.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span></p> - -<p>The enemy, finding that they had totally defeated -the Spaniards, immediately moved a body of -troops to make head against the <i>fourth</i> and <i>sixth -divisions</i>, and cavalry, which were now moving -along the river Ers, parallel with the heights of -Calvanet, before bringing up their left shoulders -to attack that position; but, owing to the marshy -state of the ground, the troops were much impeded -on their march.</p> - -<p>After the repulse of the Spaniards, the battle -almost ceased, with the exception of an irregular -musketry-fire amongst the detached houses bordering -the canal. During this pause in the grand -event, several of us fell asleep (under the gentle -rays of an April sun), from want of rest, having -been under arms all the previous day, and marching -nearly the whole of the night.</p> - -<p>How long I enjoyed this slumber I cannot say, -for a round shot whizzing, close over my head, -caused me hastily to start on my feet. For a few -seconds, I almost fancied I was at a review, or -dreaming of it, for the right wing of the British -army were within less than cannon range opposite -the left wing of the enemy, whose bright arms -and brazen eagles glistened on the venerable -towers of Toulouse.</p> - -<p>Soon after this, we descried an officer of our -regiment, (who was an extra aide-de-camp to Gen.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span> -Baron Alten) riding at the base of the enemy's -position, and turning and twisting his horse at -full speed, which induced us to imagine that he -was wounded, and no longer able to manage the -animal, which appeared to be running away with -him. Suddenly he fell from his saddle to the -ground, and the horse made a dead stop. Of -course we thought he was killed, when, to our -great surprise, he remounted, and came towards -us at a canter with a hare in his arms, that he -had ridden down.</p> - -<p>In the middle of the day, the sixth division -crossed the valley opposite the heights of Calvanet; -and the interchanged cannon shots, and the -forked musketry, rattled without intermission. -At length, amid charges of cavalry and sanguinary -fighting (for the enemy marched down the hill to -meet them,) this division gained the French position, -and took a redoubt, which, however, they -could hardly maintain, owing to the great loss -they had sustained in moving up the hill; for, -while struggling with the enemy's infantry in -front, their second line had been charged by the -French horse<a name="FNanchor_24" id="FNanchor_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor"><sup>24</sup></a>.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span></p> - -<p>During this part of the combat the fourth division -was edging off by an oblique march to its -left, to turn the enemy's right flank near the road -of Montauban, which manœuvre greatly enhanced -the victory on this hard-fought day.</p> - -<p>The French several times returned to the charge -on the <i>plateau</i>, and made a most desperate attempt -at four o'clock in the afternoon to retake the -great redoubt in the centre, but without effect.</p> - -<p>Owing to this failure the French quietly evacuated -the redoubts on the left of their position on the -canal, on the heights of <i>Terre Cabade</i>, and their -whole army retired behind the <i>têtes-du-pont</i>, and -the faubourg of St. Etienne.</p> - -<p>On the following day the Duke of Dalmatia held -the town hemmed in almost on every side; -but, as there was not any firing, an officer and myself -rode towards the road where the Spaniards had -been repulsed. Its steep banks were at least -twenty-five feet in depth, with two or three -narrow pathways by which the Spaniards had descended -in hopes of obtaining a little shelter. -This spot was strewed with heaps of the slain, -piled on the top of each other in strange confusion, -many having tumbled over the precipitous banks,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span> -and remaining stuck on the twisted bayonets on -whose points they had fallen. Death here appeared -in every possible shape; some were jammed in -the crowd, and propped up in an erect posture -against the bank; others were standing on their -heads, or sprawling with legs and arms spread out -to their fullest extent. Almost the whole of the -cadaverous dead were without caps, which in the -<i>mêlée</i> had been knocked off, and were intermixed -with knapsacks, breast-plates, broken arms, -bayonets, and swords. A mournful silence reigned -around. No voice broke on the stillness that -reigned over the lacerated remains of the swarthy -Spaniards!</p> - -<p>While looking down on these inanimate objects -swept off by the scythe of war, I noticed a naked -man lying on his back at my feet: as there was no -appearance of any wound about his person, we -were lost in conjectures as to the probable cause -of his death. A Spaniard who stood by was so -overcome with curiosity, that he laid hold of the -dead man's hair; but, to his inexpressible wonder -the head was as light as a feather, for it now appeared, -that a cannon ball had struck him sideways, -leaving nothing of the head remaining but -the scalp and face. The sight was too horrible -to look upon, and we hastily remounted our -horses, and returned from this melancholy spectacle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span> -While riding over the field of battle, the -motion of a horse is the most gentle and easy to -be fancied: the animals cock their ears, snort, -look down, and plant their feet with a light and -springing motion, as if fearful of trampling on the -dead soldiers.</p> - -<p>The heights of the Terre Cabade and Calvanet -are free from trees or hedges, and have two hollow -roads cutting through the middle of them, which -protected the French from our cavalry. The banks -of these roads are so steep, and at the same time so -imperceptible, that a whole brigade of dragoons -at a canter might be swallowed up without any -previous warning. Many dead horses lay in this -hollow way, with their lifeless riders thrown to a -distance, maimed, bruised, or with broken limbs.</p> - -<p>The ascent in front of this position is very -steep, but southerly; where the fourth division -attacked, it is of a gentle acclivity.</p> - -<p>The bodies of the soldiers of the sixth division -lay very thick, in front of the heights of Calvanet, -and also round a fort of the <i>maison des Augustins</i>. -Here the Highlanders and English soldiers were -intermixed with the French. The town of Toulouse -lay nearly within point blank range on the -west of these heights, from whence we could see -the enemy's columns under arms at the <i>têtes-du-pont</i> -which protected the various bridges across<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span> -the canal. They were in a manner besieged in -the town, as the only road left open to them was -by a narrow strip of land south of Toulouse, -between the canal and the river Garonne.</p> - -<p>On the night of the 11th the enemy retreated -towards Carcassone, taking the road by St. Aigne, -Montgiscard, Baziege, and Ville-franche, to Castelnaudary.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_24" id="Footnote_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24">24</a> It will always be a matter of surprise to me, how the sixth -division managed to carry the front of so formidable a position -almost single-handed. The following day, while passing over -the range of heights, the firelocks of one of its brigades were -piled, and I counted only five hundred, out of eighteen hundred -stand effective on the morning of the battle. Both brigades -suffered enormously in killed and wounded.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="in0 center p3t">END OF THE<br /> -<span class="vspace"> </span><br /> -MEMOIRS OF CAPTAIN COOKE.</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><span class="small">AN ACCOUNT</span><br /> -<span class="xsmall">OF THE</span><br /> -BRITISH CAMPAIGN OF 1809,<br /> -<span class="small">UNDER SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY,<br /> -IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN:</span><br /> -<span class="vspace"> </span><br /> -<span class="xsmall">BY</span><br /> -<span class="small">THE EARL OF MUNSTER.</span></h2> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span></p> - - -<p class="in0 center newpage p2t p2b">NOTICE TO THE READER.</p> - - -<p>The following Narrative of one of the most -brilliant and important Campaigns of the British -Army on the Peninsula, was originally published, -in parts, (commencing in May 1829) in the United -Service Journal, under the head of "A revised -Journal of an Officer on the Staff of the -Army." Though anonymous, it was soon discovered -by internal evidence to be the production -of Colonel Fitzclarence—now Earl of Munster,—who -served throughout the whole of the -Peninsular Campaigns, with the exception of -that of 1812, when he returned to England -on promotion.</p> - -<p>Yielding, in point of fidelity and spirit, to no -existing Record of the Events of which it treats, -this soldier-like Sketch is reprinted in a complete -form, as a valuable addition to the Military -Memoirs of The British Army.—<span class="smcap">Editor.</span></p> - - - - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span></p> - -<p class="in0 center newpage p2t p2b"><span class="large">AN ACCOUNT</span><br /> -<span class="small">OF THE</span><br /> -<span class="large">BRITISH CAMPAIGN IN 1809,</span><br /> -<span class="small">UNDER</span><br /> -SIR A. WELLESLEY,<br /> -<span class="large">IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN.</span></p> - - -<p>On the 18th of January, 1809, when the last -transport, containing the rear guard of Sir. J. -Moore's army, sailed from the harbour of Corunna, -the British little foresaw that the Peninsula -was still to be the arena for their conquests and -renown. None were so sanguine as to hope that -their splendid successes and example should yet -cause Europe to regain the moral feelings she had -lost under the long victorious career of France, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span> -that the latter country was finally to sink under -their exertions.</p> - -<p>Neither did Buonaparte suspect, when halting -on the confines of the Galician mountains, and -leaving to Soult the easy task of "driving the -leopard into the sea," that his legions were soon -to be checked and defeated; or that his vaunted -representation of the broken-hearted and dismayed -state of the British army, should, by the -repulse of his troops within a few days after in -a set battle, become a severe reflection on the -conduct of his own soldiery. Neither Soult nor -the Frenchmen under his command could have -supposed, at the same period, how early the fate -of war would create a total reverse in their -hitherto prosperous campaigns; or that their -corps, which had led the advance to Corunna, -should soon become the <i>pursued</i>, and in a retreat -not less disastrous than that they had just -witnessed. But Buonaparte ever miscalculated, -and at this time was wholly unacquainted with, -the perseverance of our national character, or the -power of England; and when he compared her -apparent means with those of France, by showing -she had not a million of infantry or one hundred -thousand cavalry to oppose her rival, he had to -learn the extent of her vast and boundless resources,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span> -and the determined character of her -people.<a name="FNanchor_25" id="FNanchor_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor"><sup>25</sup></a></p> - -<p>When this boastful and triumphant comparison -was made, the ruler of France little feared that -the refutation of England's inadequacy to cope -with his power would be proved within seven -years, by her hurling him from the throne, and -leading him a captive at her chariot wheels, or -that he should end his days in one of her distant -colonies, in confinement and obscurity! Buonaparte -thus considering the army expelled from Spain as -the utmost extent of the means and exertion of -the English as a military people, hastily concluded -that they could not again appear on the continent. -He naturally deduced from this, that the subjection -of both Spain and Portugal was the inevitable -consequence of his success in Galicia, and -that it only required the time necessary for their -occupation to secure them under Gallic sway.<a name="FNanchor_26" id="FNanchor_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor"><sup>26</sup></a></p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span></p> - -<p>But how uncertain are the results of human -calculation! At the moment when Buonaparte -thought the Peninsula at his feet, the seeds of discontent -sown by that restless ambition, which was -urging him on to his ruin, began to develope -themselves in a distant nation. Their growth to -maturity was as rapid as opportune, and created a -powerful diversion in favour of those countries -to the southward suffering under his yoke.</p> - -<p>The perhaps necessary employment of the -French nation, and of the military feeling and spirit -grown up since the revolution, which Napoleon -fostered, had twice, previously to his invasion of -Spain, caused him to direct his conquests against -his most powerful military neighbour,—Austria.</p> - -<p>The last campaign of 1806 left the family of -Hapsburg indignant at their reverses, and on their -vanquisher becoming entangled by his unjust -aggression of Spain, they hoped a fit opportunity -was offered for redeeming their character and importance -in Europe. If the bold advance of Sir -J. Moore into the heart of Spain, and his demonstration -on Carrion, had made Buonaparte direct<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span> -the most considerable portion of his armies on -the front or flanks of the English, thus interrupting -for a time, in other quarters, the rapidity of -conquest, not less did the Austrian declaration of -war, drawing off a portion of the resources of -France, tend materially to the ultimate advantage -of the rightful cause. Buonaparte was not only -personally arrested from overrunning Spain by -his return to France, but from directing a just -combination among his dispersed marshals, which -circumstance fortunately allowed England to regain -a firm footing in the Peninsula, and, by the -events of the succeeding campaign, an opportunity -of renewing a good feeling and confidence -in the people. Considering the reorganized -Austrian as a more dangerous enemy than the -broken Spaniards or expelled English, Buonaparte, -on withdrawing from Astorga, only passed -through Madrid, and returned to Paris. He, -however, left (with the exception of the Imperial -Guard, about 15,000 of whom had accompanied -him across the Pyrenees,) his armies entire, under -the command of his various marshals, to complete -the subjugation of Spain.</p> - -<p>Of these eight <i>corps d'armée</i>, (each equal to the -whole British army in Spain in 1809,) which had -crossed the frontier, five had co-operated directly -or otherwise against Sir J. Moore. The sixth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span> -commanded by the gallant Ney, was ordered to -remain in and reduce to control Galicia and the -Asturias. The fourth, under Mortier, with a vast -body of cavalry commanded by Kellerman, was -to overawe Leon and Castille; while Victor, with -the first corps, was at once to complete the ruin -of the beaten Spanish armies, and to threaten the -line of the Tagus, the south of Portugal, and -eventually its capital. The eighth corps, which -had, under Junot, served in 1807–8 in Portugal, -and according to the convention of Cintra been -carried to Rochelle, and subsequently recrossed -Spain, and met their old antagonists before -Corunna, was broken up, and its <i>débris</i> added to -the second corps under Soult.<a name="FNanchor_27" id="FNanchor_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27" class="fnanchor"><sup>27</sup></a></p> - -<p>This force was intended to take the active part -of the campaign against Portugal, which country -was to be immediately attacked, the orders to that -effect being received within ten days after the -embarkation of the British. So certain was -Buonaparte of Soult's conquest, that he fixed the -5th of February for the arrival of his troops at -Oporto—and the 16th of the same month for his -triumphant entrance into Lisbon!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span></p> - -<p>The army under Soult consisted of 23,500 -men, of which 4,000 were cavalry, divided into -ten regiments. It was accompanied by fifty-six -pieces of cannon. Besides these troops, a division -under Gen. Lapisse was to be pushed south from -Salamanca to invade Portugal, by the way of Almeida, -at the same time becoming a point of communication -between the corps of Victor and Soult.</p> - -<p>The army of the latter General advanced -to the southward, through Galicia, by several -routes, but the principal part, with the -artillery, marched through St. Jago. His directions -were to invade Portugal along the sea-coast, -and, with that view, he attempted to cross the -Minho at Tuy, but failing, was forced to proceed -up the right bank of the river as far as Orense, -where he crossed that barrier. Besides the great -loss of time from this disappointment and change -of route, the army was much detained by the opposition -of the peasantry and the remains of -Romana's dispersed army, and it was only on the -10th of March it was able to enter Portugal, by -the valley of the Tamega.</p> - -<p>Though Soult met considerable opposition from -Gen. Silveira,<a name="FNanchor_28" id="FNanchor_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28" class="fnanchor"><sup>28</sup></a> the French army reached and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span> -captured Chaves on the 12th, and Braga on the -20th, after defeating a corps of Portuguese troops -under Baron Eben; and nine days subsequently, -forced the entrenched lines covering Oporto, having -been more than seven times longer on their -march than had been calculated by Buonaparte. -The next day Gen. Franceschi, with several regiments -of cavalry, was pushed on to the banks -of the Vouga, where he established his posts opposite -those of Col. Trant, who had collected a -few troops and ordenança, and a corps of volunteers, -formed of the students of the University of -Coimbra, who gave up their literary pursuits for -the defence of their country. The division of -Gen. Mermet was cantoned in Villa Nova, with -the 31st regiment in its front in support of the -cavalry. Soult's corps had been diminished upwards -of 3,000 men within the two months occupied -in its march, having left great numbers of -sick at Chaves and Braga. Although it had overcome -all opposition, its chief found himself in an -isolated position, shut out from all intercourse -with the other French corps, and his difficulties -increasing every day, as he was obliged to separate -and detach a considerable portion of his force to -subdue the country, and attempt to open his communication -with Lapisse.</p> - -<p>But, however insecure and critical his post, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span> -was likely to become more immediately endangered -by the activity of the British, whose -Government, far from being discouraged at the -result of the preceding year, was employed in -preparation for a hearty prosecution of the contest. -At the moment the British army withdrew -from Corunna, the troops left in the Peninsula, -including a brigade under Brigadier-Gen. Cameron, -(which had advanced to the north-east -frontier of Portugal,) the 14th Light Dragoons, -and the sick, convalescents, and stragglers of Sir -J. Moore's army, did not consist of above 7,000 -men, under the command of Sir J. Craddock, at -Lisbon. The want of information was great, and -the state of alarm so exaggerated, that the advance -of the French on that capital was daily expected. -The artillery and cavalry were embarked, and -the forts of St. Julien and Bugio dismantled, to -prevent their guns being turned upon the ships -while withdrawing from the Tagus.</p> - -<p>The Portuguese felt the danger in which their -country was placed, and the Regency called upon -the people to rise <i>en masse</i>. They had little -else than the populace to oppose the invader, as -the same principle which had instigated the march -of the Spanish corps under Romana to Denmark, -had been acted upon with the only respectable -part of the Portuguese army. These had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span> -sent into France under the Marquis de Lorna, -and suffered a harder fate than the Spanish troops, -the greater part of whom, by aid of the English -fleet, returned to fight their country's battles, -while the miserable remnant of the Portuguese -perished at Moscow, under the appellation of the -"<i>Légion Portugaise</i>." The remaining regular -troops were scarcely to be considered as organized, -and those under Silveira, though -actuated by the best spirit, were little better than -the rest. One regiment of two battalions, called -the Lusitanian legion, raised by Sir R. Wilson at -Oporto, was an exception to the general inefficiency, -it having made considerable progress -in discipline and order. Sir Robert had proceeded -with the first battalion to the frontier opposite -Ciudad Rodrigo, while the other, under -Baron Eben, had been engaged in the defence of -the Tras os Montes, and in the entrenchments -around Oporto.</p> - -<p>But this inefficient army had a probability of -being regenerated. Scarce had the fleet returned -from Corunna, when the British Government -evinced its conviction that the Spanish and -Portuguese cause was not hopeless, and, with -a view to make the latter aid in their own -defence, sent General Beresford with twelve or -fourteen officers from England to re-organize and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span> -form their army. This determination being made -so soon afterwards, and before the despondency -of the failure at Corunna had worn off, was much -ridiculed at the time as being too late, and doubts -were expressed if Lisbon would not be in the -possession of the enemy before they could reach -the Tagus. This anticipation was not confirmed -by events, and, with the rank of a Portuguese -Marshal, General Beresford, on the 13th of -March, issued a spirited address to that nation, -in which he assured them, that they only required -organization and discipline to make them equal to -face the invader. How just were the Marshal's ideas -of their latent martial character, is to be learned -from their brilliant conduct in the ensuing war. -Much, however, was to be done to raise from degradation -the military profession in Portugal. -Perhaps in no age or country had it fallen so -low. Even among the Chinese, where civil and -literary celebrity is ever sought before that of -arms, it was never so despised, as it had been -among our faithful allies since the war of succession.</p> - -<p>In 1762–3, La Lippe had been called in by the -Marquis de Pombal, who formed the army into -twenty-four regiments of infantry, twelve of -cavalry, and four of artillery, and which had continued, -at least nominally, till the arrival of Junot.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span> -Few of his regulations were permanent or long respected. -During the whole of the latter half of -the eighteenth century, in all the short successive -wars, though occasionally invigorated by fresh -disciplinarians from foreign countries, the Portuguese -army never rose above mediocrity. It is -true, but few opportunities were offered of trial, -but in 1801, at Arronches, the scandalous panic -that seized the corps commanded by the Duke -d'Alafoes, made them to be considered worse than -contemptible. Not that the people required -either physical or moral qualities, as might be -easily proved from their conflicts with the -Spaniards: having ever placed themselves at -least upon an equality, in courage and conduct, -with their neighbours. The French, in their progress -through the Tras os Montes, drew a favourable -comparison of their bravery with that of the -Spaniards, while it was impossible to see the -peasantry and not be convinced of their bodily -strength and capability of bearing fatigue.</p> - -<p>The difficulty of creating a Portuguese army -lay not with the men but with the officers, who -had sunk so low in the estimation of the country, -of themselves, and of their men, as to be little -superior to the degrading and menial offices, -(as when La Lippe arrived in 1792,) they once -filled, of servants in the houses of the nobility.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span> -No cause of improvement had offered itself since -those disgraceful times, which had naturally -placed them on terms of the greatest familiarity -and equality with their men. It was no uncommon -spectacle to find them in a common <i>cabaret</i> -gambling, if not cheating the soldiers out of the -pay they had just made over to them. It was not -less to counteract this deteriorating cause, than -to organize the soldiers, that Gen. Beresford had -taken officers with him from England, whose -numbers were subsequently greatly increased. -Those who accompanied him in the first instance, -and some who afterwards joined him, were, with -the view to place British Captains in command of -battalions, first raised a step of rank in their own -service, and received another in that of the Portuguese, -when appointed to regiments.</p> - -<p>The Marshal established his head-quarters at -Thomar, and fairly grappled with all the prominent -difficulties, and, aided by the example and -conduct of the officers placed under his orders, at -once did away the causes of the want of respect -and confidence of the men. The interior economy -was strictly investigated, and the regiments -made efficient, not only by British arms and -equipments, but by being subsidized to fight their -own battles by the money of England.</p> - -<p>Without going farther into detail, it will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span> -sufficient to remark, that the arrangement and -system of the Marshal were so good, and improvement -so rapid in the Portuguese army, that -within two months from the date of his first order, -a battalion of the 16th regiment was brought -into collision with the enemy; and if it did not -distinguish itself as much as it did on so many -subsequent occasions, it evinced neither confusion -nor dismay. Eighteen months after, the general -conduct of the whole Portuguese army was -marked by traits of discipline and bravery, and -even of individual gallantry, which continued on -the increase to the end of the war, and which -were most unquestionably shown on many subsequent -occasions, by overthrowing the veterans of -France with the bayonet.</p> - -<p>The twenty-four regiments of the line formed by -La Lippe had been broken into two battalions each -in 1797, and were continued at that establishment; -as were the twelve regiments of cavalry, of which -not above one-third had been ever mounted. The -artillery was placed under British officers, as well -as the other arms. To this the whole population -was to be added, though as irregulars or <i>ordenanza</i>, -rather than militia. This force was increased in -the course of the next year, by six regiments of -Caçadores, which were, at a later period during -the war, doubled, on their value being duly appreciated.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span> -But England was not less active in sending -reinforcements of her own troops to the Peninsula. -Doubts had been once entertained, whether -future operations should be carried on from the -south of Spain, rather than from Portugal; and -the first convoy of troops was directed to Cadiz. -On its reaching that port, the besotted Spaniards -hesitated, as they had the year before when Sir D. -Baird arrived at Corunna, respecting the disembarkation -of the troops. After some futile negotiations, -and (in consequence of the slow advance -of the French,) in the revived hope of saving -Lisbon, the British troops fortunately passed to -the latter place, as the frontier statistics of Portugal -are better calculated for military operations -than those of Andalusia.</p> - -<p>The first reinforcement that reached the Tagus -early in March was commanded by Lieut.-Gen. -Sherbrooke, which was followed in the beginning -of April by another, under Major-Gen. Hill, together -increasing the army to 13,000 men. The -arrival allayed much the fears, and not only allowed -Sir J. Craddock to take up a position out -of Lisbon, and cover the great roads that led upon -it, with the right on Santarem, and the left on the -Sea, but even to contemplate offensive operations, -and in the middle of April to push the army in -advance towards the North.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span></p> - -<p>In the mean time, the administration at home -had determined to give the command of the army -for the defence of Portugal to the same general -officer who had so successfully attacked it the -year before, and, in order to make room for him, -Sir J. Craddock was appointed to be Governor of -Gibraltar.</p> - -<p>Sir A. Wellesley sailed on the 16th of April on -board the Surveillant, Sir George Collier, from -Portsmouth, to which place or to England he did -not again return, until 1814, as Duke of Wellington, -when, on his first arrival from the south of -France, his Grace proceeded direct to the same -town—where the Prince Regent was showing to -the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia -the arsenal and fleet.</p> - -<p>The same night the frigate was nearly lost off St. -Catherine's Head in the Isle of Wight: so imminent -was the danger, and so close the ship to the -breakers, that Sir G. Collier desired Sir Arthur to -dress, and, thinking the loss of the vessel certain, -advised him to stay by the wreck as long as possible, -this being considered a more probable means of escape -than a premature attempt to reach the shore. -The frigate missed stays more than once: but a fortunate -start of wind off the land prevented her -wreck.<a name="FNanchor_29" id="FNanchor_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29" class="fnanchor"><sup>29</sup></a> Even had all escaped with life, but for this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span> -shift of wind, (or rather the never failing happy destiny -of Sir Arthur, who might have desired Sir G. -Collier not to despair, while he had not Cæsar, -but Wellesley and his fortunes on board) much -valuable time would have been lost, not only as to -striking the blow at Soult, but by allowing fresh -combinations between the distant French Marshals, -and perhaps not giving the opportunity of -opposing them in detail.</p> - -<p>The entrance of the Surveillant into the Tagus -was an interesting event, when, at a distance -of twenty years, it was considered, that she bore -in her bosom the regeneration of England's military -fame, and that Europe was to date from -it the positive commencement of that formidable -and permanent position taken up by our armies, -which allowed its nations to breathe, and -subsequently, by our victories over the common -enemy, to break the spell of gloomy conviction, -becoming daily universal, that the French -armies were invincible.</p> - -<p>Sir Arthur's landing at Lisbon on the 22nd -of April was strongly marked by the gratifying -expression of the people's feeling; they hailed -him as their former deliverer, and evinced their -gratitude by illuminating the city during his stay. -On the 25th Sir J. Craddock, in a farewell address, -bade adieu to the army, and two days<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span> -subsequently Sir Arthur took the command, and -in his first order changed its staff, placing Brig.-Gen. -Stewart at the head of the Adj.-General's, -and Col. Murray, 3d Guards, at that of the Quarter-master -General's department. The same day -his Excellency went in procession with the royal -carriages, escorted by a squadron of the 16th -dragoons, to be introduced to the Regency, at -the palace of the Inquisition in the Roçio, on -his receiving from them the rank of Marshal -General.</p> - -<p>The state of affairs in the Peninsula at this -time was neither satisfactory nor encouraging. -Although Buonaparte had withdrawn from Spain, -his legions, which had passed through Madrid, -and witnessed the replacing Joseph on the throne, -had subsequently overthrown all the Spanish armies. -The advanced guard of the Duke del Infantado's -army under Vanegas had been beaten -at Ucles in January, and the army of Cartojal -had met a defeat at Ciudad Real. Cuesta, -with the main Spanish army, after retiring across -the Tagus, and taking position at Almaraz, had -allowed his flank to be turned by the bridge of -Arzobispo, and was forced, in consequence, to -retreat across the Guadiana, when, at Medellin -on its banks, he was on the 28th of March completely -routed, through the bad conduct of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span> -cavalry. His infantry, who from their behaviour -on this occasion deserved a better fate, were so -completely,—not at the mercy, for none was -shown, but—in the power of the enemy's cavalry, -that their horsemen were worn out with -slaughtering their easily routed victims; and it -was reported, many wore their arms for several -days in slings, from having had such opportunity -of using their sabres. The remnant of -the Spanish army took refuge in the Sierra Morena, -where attempts were made to recruit the -infantry—the dastardly cavalry, not less disgraced -in the action by their conduct, than after by -the General's notice of it, scarcely requiring a -man. While so little aid was to be expected -for the British from these broken armies, Victor -was left with 22,000 men, in a position threatening -the weakest part of Portugal, and, by the -existence of the bridge of Alcantara, both banks -of the Tagus.</p> - -<p>But in the mean time, Soult's position at Oporto -had become more critical every day. Vigo had surrendered -to the Spaniards, aided by some English -ships, while Silveira had retaken Chaves, with -1,300 sick, and had continued his advance by Amarante -to Penafiel. Lapisse had advanced as far -as Ciudad Rodrigo, but, on finding himself opposed -by Sir R. Wilson and the Spanish troops, he made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span> -no attempt to communicate with or join Soult, -and, after a little skirmishing, passed on to join -Victor on the Tagus. Soult's communications -were thus wholly destroyed, and his force had -been much dispersed in trying to make them good; -not less than between six and 7000 men having -been sent into the valley of the Tamega and other -points. But, although Marshal Soult had not -above half the number of men collected at Oporto -that Victor's army consisted of, still the British -army was not strong enough to oppose both -at once. It became necessary, therefore, to act -with vigour on one point, and the former army -being the weakest, and in the Portuguese territory, -while its retreat was endangered, drew -the more immediate attention of the British General. -Lest Victor should be enabled to advance -to the south of the Tagus, Sir Arthur lost no -time at Lisbon, and, after a stay of but six days, -set out on the 23d for the army, part of which -had arrived at Coimbra. All the towns were -illuminated on the road, and on his Excellency's -arrival at Coimbra on the 2d, in addition to -other demonstrations of joy, the ladies from the balconies -covered him with roses and sugar-plums!</p> - -<p>The army was brigaded anew on the 4th of -May.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span></p> - -<ul class="index"> - <li class="isub4"><i>Cavalry.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">MAJOR-GEN. COTTON.</li> - <li class="isub2">14th Light Dragoons.</li> - <li class="isub2">20th — —</li> - <li class="isub2">16th — —</li> - <li class="isub2"> 3rd — — King's G. L<sup>n.</sup></li> - - <li class="isub4"><i>Infantry.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">BRIG.-GEN. H. CAMPBELL.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 2 Battalions of Guards.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt.</li> - - <li class="isub4"><i>First Brigade.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">MAJOR-GEN. HILL.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 3rd or Buffs</li> - <li class="isub2">66th Regiment.</li> - <li class="isub2">48th —</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt.</li> - - <li class="isub4"><i>Third Brigade.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">MAJOR-GEN. TILSON.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 5 Comp. 5 Batt. 60 Regt.</li> - <li class="isub2">88th Regiment.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1 Batt. Port<sup>se.</sup> Grenadiers.</li> - <li class="isub2">87th Regiment.</li> - - <li class="isub4"><i>Fifth Brigade.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">BRIG.-GEN. A. CAMPBELL.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 7th Fusileers.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1 Batt. 10th Port<sup>se.</sup> Regt.</li> - <li class="isub2">53rd Regiment.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt.</li> - - <li class="isub4"><i>Seventh Brigade.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">BRIG.-GEN. CAMERON.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 9th Regiment</li> - <li class="isub2"> 2nd Batt. 10th Port<sup>se.</sup> Regt.</li> - <li class="isub2">83rd Regiment</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt.</li> - - <li class="isub4"><i>Sixth Brigade.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">BRIG-GEN. STEWART.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1st Batt. Detachments.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1st Batt. 16th Port<sup>se.</sup> Regt.</li> - <li class="isub2">29th Regiment.</li> - - <li class="isub4"><i>Fourth Brigade.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">BRIG.-GEN. SONTAG.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 2nd Batt. Detachments.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1st. Batt. 16th Port<sup>se.</sup> Regt.</li> - <li class="isub2">79th Regiment.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt.</li> - - <li class="isub4"><i>Second Brigade.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">MAJOR-GEN. M'KENZIE.</li> - <li class="isub2">27th Regiment</li> - <li class="isub2">45th —</li> - <li class="isub2">31st —</li> - - <li class="isub4"><i>King's German Legion.</i></li> - <li class="isub3">MAJOR-GEN. MURRAY.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 1 Brigade (2 Regiments)</li> - <li class="isub2"> BRIG.-GEN. LANGWORTH.</li> - <li class="isub2"> 2 Brigade (2 Regiments)</li> - <li class="isub2"> BRIG.-GEN. DRIBOURG.</li> -</ul> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span></p> - -<p>It was subsequently divided into wings under -Lieut.-Gens. Sherbrooke and Paget, and the -cavalry placed under Lieut.-Gen. Payne. The -same reasons that pressed the departure of the -Commander of the Forces from Lisbon, accelerated -the preparations of the campaign, and advance -upon Oporto. A few days' delay were, -however, necessary to complete the arrangements, -according to the following plan of operations. -While Sir A. advanced with the main force of -the army on the enemy's front, a corps that -quitted Coimbra on the 5th, was intended to -move on the enemy's left flank and rear. This -was to be under the orders of Marshal Beresford, -and consisted of Maj.-Gen. Tilson's brigade, -and some cavalry. It was ordered to direct -its march on Viseu, and across the Douro, -to co-operate with Silveira. This officer was unfortunately -driven from Amarante on the 2d of -May, the enemy thus opening to themselves a -practicable route for carriage to the eastern frontier. -Lisbon was to be covered during these -northern operations by a corps of observation, -under Maj.-Gen. M'Kenzie, to watch Victor. -It was posted at Santarem, consisting of the -General's own brigade, a brigade of British heavy -cavalry, and 7,000 Portuguese. In his front at -Alcantara, was Col. Mayne, with a battallion -of the Lusitanian legion.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span></p> - -<p>On the 6th, opportunity was taken of inspecting -that portion of the army around Coimbra, -on some sands two miles from the town. The -British troops appeared in excellent order, and -the Portuguese regiments, though not so soldier-like -as their allies, looked better than was -expected, as it was the fashion of the day to -hold them in utter contempt. Their dark olive -complexions, and blue single-breasted coats, gave -them a <i>sombre</i> appearance when in contrast with -our countrymen, and it could not be denied that -the comparison was to the advantage of the latter. -It was a fine sight, although of the 21,000 -British in Portugal, only 17,000 were present, -on account of the two detachment corps.<a name="FNanchor_30" id="FNanchor_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30" class="fnanchor"><sup>30</sup></a></p> - -<p>On the 7th, part of these troops advanced in -two columns on the main roads towards Oporto, -by Adiha on the Vouga, and by the bay of Aveiro -to Ovar. On the 9th, the remainder of the -army and head quarters quitted Coimbra in the -same direction. The advance of the French under -Gen. Franceschi had remained on the Vouga, -and arrangements were made for surprising it -on the 10th.<a name="FNanchor_31" id="FNanchor_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31" class="fnanchor"><sup>31</sup></a> If the success of this <i>coup d'essai</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span> -was to be taken as a sample of our future proceedings, -it would have been unfortunate, as, -between the neighing of the horses of the Portuguese -cavalry, and the stupidity of the guides, -the enemy were prepared, and the whole was -a complete failure. But for the withdrawing of -the French, and the capture of two four-pounders, -we had little to boast in the scrambling -skirmish it produced. We advanced to the spot -where they had been encamped, which was as -much chosen for beauty of situation as strength. -We had here the first instance of the trouble -the French took in embellishing their camps; -in the centre of the front they were erecting a -pretty wooden obelisk.</p> - -<p>On the following day the army advanced on -the great northern road, and, about twelve o'clock, -a squadron of the enemy was seen on the skirts -of a wood, in front of a little village. On -some three-pounders and our cavalry advancing -against them, they fell back, but showed some -infantry, and our light troops were directed -to attack them. This produced some skirmishing -as we continued to advance. The country -was much inclosed; the enemy clung longer -to their ground than was expected, as we only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span> -supposed it an affair of posts; but a column of -infantry on a height over the village of Grijon -soon convinced us that it was at least a strong -advanced guard. The road here crossed a ridge -of hills, at right angles, covered with olives and -fir woods, which offered a strong position. The -ground was not ill chosen, though the left was -without any <i>appui</i>. Brigadier Gen. Stewart's brigade -formed in line to the support of the 16th -Portuguese regiment, acting as skirmishers on -the left of the road, while the German light -infantry were engaged on the right. The four -battalions of the German legion brought their -left shoulders up, and marched diagonally across -to turn the left, the enemy's weak point. -The skirmishing was very sharp in the woods, -and the 29th regiment was forced to support -the Portuguese, who were once obliged to fall -back. At this moment they pushed a column -of infantry down the road through the village -of Grijon, which being reported to Sir Arthur, -he replied in the most quiet manner, "If they -come any farther, order the battalion of detachments -to charge them with the bayonet."</p> - -<p>The officers of the staff, many of them at -that time young soldiers, could not help evincing -strong feeling on hearing the simple and distinct -manner in which this order was given;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span> -but before some months had passed over their -heads, they had opportunities of not only hearing, -but seeing them carried into execution. On -this occasion the alternative mentioned by Sir -Arthur did not occur, as, on their flank being -turned, and finding our whole force on their -front, about two o'clock they retired from their -position. Our guns were brought up to bear -upon them in their retreat, Brig.-Gen. Stewart -put himself at the head of two squadrons, and trotted -after the enemy, who withdrew their troops -with astonishing rapidity. The country was much -inclosed and intersected, and, on nearing the enemy's -rear guard, the cavalry entered a deep ravine, -closely wooded. The French lined the sides -with their light infantry, who opened a close -and sharp fire, which, for a moment, created some -confusion, and checked the advance; but on coming -in sight of five companies, drawn up in line -in a wider space, by the exertion and example -of the General, the latter led them to the charge, -broke through the enemy, and made above one -hundred prisoners. This rapid movement threw -the 31st French regiment off the road of retreat, -and they fell back on Ovar, where finding Maj.-Gen. -Hill, they withdrew, after some skirmishing, -to Oporto, during the night. Thus ended -the operations of this day, which were beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span> -in their prosecution and satisfactory in the -result.</p> - -<p>The enemy's corps (besides the cavalry engaged -the day before on the Vouga,) consisted -of 4 or 5,000 infantry of the division of Mermet, -which had been pushed on to this ground -from Villa Nova on the 8th, on Soult's hearing -of our probable advance. It was the 47<sup>e</sup> -<i>de ligne</i> that was charged on the retreat, and -however valiantly they may have acted, they cannot -be praised for prudence or judgment in -forming a line to receive cavalry.<a name="FNanchor_32" id="FNanchor_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32" class="fnanchor"><sup>32</sup></a> Instead of -this, had they vaulted over the enclosures, or -scrambled up the banks, they might have killed -every man of the cavalry without endangering -a soldier. One of the privates was very loud -in his attempts to draw notice, and by his vociferation, -that he was the son of a marquis, -proved the aristocratic feeling not quite deadened -by the revolution, though the conscription -had reached and levelled all ranks of society. -Our loss was under one hundred men: one officer -of the 16th Dragoons received no less than -three balls, though happily none proved mortal.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span></p> - -<p>Our first progress to the front, on the morning -of the 12th, showed us the horrors produced -by a war of invasion. Beyond Grijon nine bodies -of unfortunate Portuguese peasants were -seen hanging on trees by the side of the road, -blackened in the sun. The common people, naturally -considering the enemy as <i>hors de la loi</i>, -sought every means, open or otherwise, for their -destruction. This brought on them that retaliation -produced by the military ideas of a regular -army, who conceived they had only a right -to be opposed by <i>soldiers</i>, and not by the unclothed -and unorganized population. These they -considered as insurgents and brigands, and shot -and hung, with as little compassion as we should -a burglar. The exasperation of the French was -not wholly uncalled-for, as the atrocities committed -on the stragglers and sick were horrible, -amounting often, besides shocking lingering -deaths, to frightful mutilations.</p> - -<p>A hair-dresser who escaped from Oporto in the -night, had brought in, soon after daybreak, the -intelligence that the enemy had destroyed the -bridge of boats over the Douro at one o'clock; and -the still more disagreeable information, that all -the boats were secured on the other side the -Douro. On the fugitive barber being taken to -Sir Arthur by Colonel Waters of the Adjutant General's -Department, that officer was instructed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span> -to proceed immediately to the banks of the river, -and directed to procure boats, <i>coute qui coute</i>.</p> - -<p>As we advanced on the high road to Oporto, -this report of the destruction of the bridge was -confirmed, and doubts came fast and thick upon -us, respecting the passage of the Douro in the -face of an enemy. On our arrival at Villa Nova, -we found General Hill's brigade arrived from -Ovar, and with the troops of the centre column -choking the streets; through these Sir Arthur -threaded his way, and took post on the right of -the town in the garden of the convent of Sierra. -From this elevated spot the whole city was visible, -like a panorama, and nothing that passed within -it could be hidden from the view of the British -general. The French guards and sentries were -seen in the various parts of the town, but no -bustle was evinced, or even apparent curiosity. -No groups were noticed looking at us, which was -afterwards accounted for, by learning that the -French were ordered to remain in their quarters -ready to turn out, and the Portuguese not allowed -to appear beyond the walls of their houses. -There were a few sentries in the quays, but none -without the limits or above the town. A line -of baggage discovered retiring beyond the town -across the distant hills, was the sole indication of -our threatening neighbourhood.</p> - -<p>The passage of a river in the front of an enemy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span> -is allowed to be the most difficult of military -operations; and when it became obvious, from -the collection of boats on the other bank, that -precautions had been taken to secure them from -us, the barrier appeared insurmountable. General -Murray had been directed to march in the -morning to try and cross the river, about five -miles up at Aventas, but having only four battalions -and two squadrons, unless we could aid -his successful passage, he would lie open to defeat; -and in consequence our anxiety was very -great to establish ourselves on the opposite bank. -In the meanwhile Colonel Waters (who has since -become so distinguished for his intelligence and -activity) had passed up the left bank of the river, -searching for means to cross it, and about two -miles above the city, found a small boat lying in -the mud. The peasantry demurred at going over -to the other side to procure some larger boats -seen on the opposite bank; but the Colonel, -(from speaking Portuguese like a native,) learned -that the Prior of Amarante was not distant -from the spot, and hoped by his influence to attain -his object. This patriotic priest, on learning -the desire of the British, joined with Colonel -Waters in inducing the peasants, after some persuasion, -to accompany the Colonel across, who -brought back four boats.</p> - -<p>When our doubts and fears were at the highest,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span> -this agreeable information arrived, and was received -by all with the greatest satisfaction, while -three companies of the Buffs, accompanied by -General Paget, were immediately conveyed to -the other side.</p> - -<p>The spot at which they passed over and landed -was about half a mile above the city, at the foot -of a steep cliff, up which a zigzag road, or winding -path, led to a vast unfinished brick-building, -standing on the brink. This was intended as a -new residence for the bishop, and placed in the -Prado, being surrounded by a wall with a large -iron-gate, opening on the road to Vallongo. It -was a strong post, and the three companies, on -gaining the summit, threw themselves into it, as -it at once covered the place of disembarkation, -and was for themselves a good means of defence. -Our artillery was posted on the high bank, on the -other side, completely commanding the Prado -and the Vallongo road.</p> - -<p>Soult had his quarters on the side of the city -near the sea, and, having collected all the boats, -as he supposed, on the right bank, considered -himself in perfect security. He thought if we -made any attempt to cross, it would be in conjunction -with our ships lying off the bar, and all -his attention was directed to that quarter. He -even turned into ridicule the first report of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span> -having crossed, and discredited the fact to the -last, until it was incontestably proved by our -firing. The boats had made more than one trip -before any one in the town appeared to notice it. -Foy has the credit of being the first to discover -our having passed, and he instantly ordered the -drums of the nearest battalion to beat the <i>general</i>. -We heard the drums beat when nearly the whole -of the Buffs had crossed, and soon saw symptoms -of bustle and confusion in the town, and the -French regiments forming on their parades. -This was an anxious moment, and just as the -whole of the Buffs had landed, a battalion was -observed moving down a road towards them. -This was the 17th, brought down by Foy, and -which was quickly supported by the 70th. The -first made an attack on the Buffs, who stood their -ground, giving a tremendous fire, while our artillery -from the opposite side killed and wounded -a great number of the enemy.</p> - -<p>More boats, in the mean time, were brought -across and more troops; the 48th, 66th, and a -Portuguese battalion landed, and not only defended -themselves successfully, but even drove -the enemy from the walls, between the town and -the bishop's palace. This petty success was seen -by Sir Arthur and his staff, who cheered our soldiery -as they chased the enemy from the various<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span> -posts. The enemy's troops now came through -the town in great numbers, and obliged our troops -to confine themselves to the enclosure. They -continued running along the road towards and -beyond the iron-gate, while our shells and shot -were whizzing through the trees and between the -houses into the road as they passed. They -brought up a gun through the gate to batter the -house; but this proved an unfortunate experiment, -as our troops increasing in number by fresh -embarkations, (though General Paget was -wounded), charged and captured it. They also -brought some guns to bear from the open spaces -in the town, but they were tamely if not badly -served. But General Murray had made good his -position on the north bank of the river, and we -soon descried him making as much show as possible, -marching with his ranks open towards the -Vallongo road, thus threatening the communication -of the enemy with Loison. He was not, -however, strong enough to interrupt the retreat -of 10,000 desperate men; for the French now -began to think of nothing else, and directed their -march toward Amarante. On their deserting -the quays, the Portuguese jumped into the boats, -which soon transported across, (amidst the cheers -of the people and the waving of pocket-handkerchiefs -by the women from the windows,) the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span> -guards and General Stewart's brigade, who proceeded -through the town with the greatest speed.</p> - -<p>The Buffs, in the mean time, had dashed into -the city and cut off a battery of Light Artillery in -retreat, which, becoming jammed between that -regiment, and the 29th received the fire of both, -and was captured. The flight of the enemy -was continued, but they were overtaken by the -two squadrons which had passed with General -Murray, led by Brig.-Gen. Charles Stewart, who -charged the rear and made 200 prisoners. Major -Hervey, who commanded the Dragoons, lost -his arm. The enemy collected their scattered -troops at some distance, but continued their retreat -towards Amarante in the night. Our loss -did not exceed 120 men, while the enemy, besides -killed and wounded, left in our hands 500 -prisoners and 1000 sick in the hospitals, -and several pieces of cannon. The city was illuminated -at night, and Sir Arthur, without allowing -himself any rest, the same evening gave -out an order of thanks to the army. The operations -of the three preceding days had been most -gratifying, and the quickness with which the -enemy had been forced from his various positions -and pursued, seldom equalled. The army had -advanced 80 miles in four days, three of which -were in constant presence of the enemy.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span></p> - -<p>Sir Arthur had completely surprised in his -quarters one of the most distinguished French -Marshals, and consummated in his face the most -difficult operation in war, that of crossing a deep -and rapid river before an enemy. Nothing can -relieve Soult from the disgrace of this day; and -all that has been or whatever may be written in -his defence, can but palliate his want of precaution -and fatal security. The rapidity of Sir Arthur's -own movements had been wonderful; for -within twenty-six days since leaving Portsmouth, -Oporto was captured and the enemy in full retreat. -Captain Fitzroy Stanhope, one of the Commander-of-the-Forces' -aide-de-camps, was sent -to England with the dispatches of this success -by one of the ships cruising off the port, -whose crews from the sea had seen the smoke of -the firing during the actions of the 11th and -12th.</p> - -<p>The retreat of the enemy was directed upon -Amarante, the seizure of that place from Silveira -by Loison, ten days before, having opened -them a loop-hole for escape. But Marshal Beresford, -after crossing the Douro at Pedro de Regoa, -had joined Silveira, and on the 11th drove Loison -out of Amarante, and thus closed the road and -the enemy's hopes in that direction. Loison fell -back on Guimaraens by the good carriage-road<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span> -that led to Chaves, sending information of his -movement to Soult at Oporto. Soult on his -arrival at Penafiel, on the night of the 12th, received -this disagreeable news, and finding himself -pressed in so many directions, and no road -open for carriages, determined at once to destroy -the heavy material of his corps and to join Loison -across the Sierra de Santa Catherina, at Guimaraens. -Capt. Mellish, who was sent on the -morning of the 13th to Penafiel, confirmed the -report which had reached Oporto, of the destruction -of their ammunition-waggons, guns, -and carriages. The cannon had been placed -mouth to mouth and discharged into each other, -by trains laid communicating through the mass -of baggage and ammunition waggons.</p> - -<p>Want of provisions and uncertainty of the enemy's -route prevented the advance of the army on -the 13th, but the Germans were pushed on with -some six-pounders on the road of the enemy's -retreat. On ascertaining that the enemy had -given up the idea of retreating by Amarante, -orders were sent to Marshal Beresford, to direct -his march on Chaves, at which place he arrived on -the 16th, detaching Silveira in the direction of -the enemy's rear on Ruivaens. On the 14th, the -army advanced half-way on the road towards -Braga. Soult collected his army, (the garrison of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span> -Braga retiring on our advance) on the morning of -the 15th at Guimaraens, but finding our troops at -Villa Nova de Famillacao, and no road open for -cannon, he destroyed the baggage and the military -chest of Loison's corps, and in despair took -to the Goat-herds' paths across the mountain, -trusting to the interest, aid, and information procured -by the Bishop of Braga. Their army was -in great confusion during the 13th, but the two -following days it became totally disorganized. -The paths were so narrow, that but one man -could pass at a time, and the cavalry were -obliged to lead their horses, while their column, -thus distressingly lengthened, had the additional -misery of incessant rain that fell in torrents -during the whole of this trying period. The -peasantry, happy in revenging the horrors and -atrocities of their enemy's advance, watched them -like vultures, and failed not to dart upon all who -sunk under fatigue; the stones they rolled on -them swept whole files into the abysses, while -single shots from the mountain-tops slew soldiers -in the column of march. Their sufferings met -commiseration from the British alone, who had -not suffered from the guilty acts for which they -were now receiving retribution.</p> - -<p>Their <i>déroute</i> was so complete, that Sir A. -Wellesley thought it unnecessary to follow them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span> -with the whole army beyond Braga, which city -he reached on the 16th. The probability of Victor's -threatening the south was also to be taken -into consideration, and he therefore contented -himself in pursuing with some cavalry, the -Guards, and Brig.-Gen. Cameron's brigade, -while the Germans, following the enemy, even -with three-pounders, across the Sierra de Santa -Catherina, reached Guimaraens the same day. -The French continued their retreat, and on the -night of the 15th reached Salamonde, where their -position was most alarming. They found one of -the bridges on the Cavado, on the road to Ruivaens, -destroyed and occupied, while that called -Pontè Nova only offered a single beam. They, -however, surprised and killed the Portuguese who -guarded the last, and this proved the safety of -their army. They restored the troops into some -order on the night between the 15th and 16th, -while the bridge was being repaired, which was -made passable by the morning, and allowed them -to continue their march towards Montalegre, -leaving a rear-guard at Salamonde. Our cavalry -discovered them about half-past one o'clock, but -the Guards did not arrive until late. The position -of the enemy was behind a deep and wide -ravine, accessible only by the road, with their -right on the torrent, and the left upon a ridge of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> -broken mountains. The light troops were directed -to turn this point, and when sufficiently -on their flank, about half past six, the column -and two-three-pounder guns, which had joined -from Gen. Murray's column, were pushed along -the road to attack in front. The enemy, who -had placed their pickets, thinking the cavalry -were the only troops up, and hoping to continue -all night, instantly retired from the position, -and, as it was almost dark, little advantage could -be taken of the confusion in which they fled, -farther than that of the guns firing on their -columns, and the light infantry pressing them <i>en -tirailleur</i>. A few prisoners were made, among -whom was an officer. The rain continued incessant, -and the miserable village scarcely allowed -cover for a quarter of the troops.</p> - -<p>The next morning the disasters of the enemy -in their flight of the night before were fully revealed -by the wreck left at and near the bridge -over the Cavado. The bridge had been only -partially repaired, and the infantry were obliged -to file, and the cavalry to lead their horses across. -The passage must have been ever dangerous, but -the confusion occasioned by our pursuit and cannonade, -and the darkness of the night, rendered -it to a degree hazardous. The rocky torrent of -the Cavado, in consequence, presented next<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span> -morning an extraordinary spectacle. Men and -horses, sumpter animals and baggage, had been -precipitated into the river, and literally choked -the course of the stream. Here, with these fatal -accompaniments of death and dismay, was -disgorged the last of the plunder of Oporto, and -the other cities north of the Douro. All kinds of -valuable goods were left on the road, while above -300 horses, sunk in the water, and mules laden -with property, fell into the hands of the grenadier -and light companies of the guards. These active-fingered -gentry soon found that fishing for boxes -and bodies out of the stream produced pieces of -plate, and purses and belts full of gold and silver; -and, amidst scenes of death and destruction, arose -shouts of the most noisy merriment.</p> - -<p>Soult reached the pass of Ruivaens before Silveira, -or his capture would have been certain; -but at that place learning that Marshal Beresford -had arrived at Chaves, he turned the head of -his columns towards Montalegre. The British -army being greatly distressed from fatigue, want -of provisions, and bad weather, only advanced a -league on the 17th; but a squadron of cavalry -and a battalion of Germans, were pushed to the -bridge of Miserele and Villa da Ponte. On the -18th, the Guards, Germans, and Brig.-Gen. -Cameron's brigade, pushed on in pursuit of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span> -enemy, whose track might have been found from -the <i>débris</i> of baggage, dead and dying men, -(worn down by fatigue and misery to skeletons,) -houghed mules, and immense quantities of cartridges, -which the wearied soldiery threw away to -lighten themselves from even the weight of the -balls.</p> - -<p>Marshal Beresford had directed Silveira to -march on Montalegre, but he arrived about two -hours too late, the enemy having dragged their -weary march along by that town and across the -frontier, at twelve o'clock. This was witnessed -by some of our officers, who had pushed on, and -observed their distressed and miserable state. -On our arrival at Montalegre, we saw their retiring -columns in march fairly over the Spanish -frontier, and a village on their route in flames. -However, Col. Talbot, of the 14th light dragoons, -followed the enemy's route for some way, and -made prisoners an officer and 50 men. Marshal -Beresford crossed the frontier, but proceeded no -farther than Ginso, on hearing that Sir Arthur -had given up the pursuit. The Commander-of-the-Forces, -from the advices received from Gen. -M'Kenzie, had become anxious respecting the -line of the Tagus, and, being content with seeing -the enemy across the frontier, desisted from a -more northern advance, and ordered the troops to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span> -be cantoned in the nearest villages, wherever -the order might reach them.</p> - -<p>Thus ended this short but active operation of -twelve days, in which the disasters of the Corunna -campaign were repaid on the corps of -Soult with interest, as the distress and misery of -the enemy were more considerable than we had -suffered in the preceding January. Instead of the -fine Gallician road of retreat, they were obliged -to file through mule and even goat-herd paths, -while the incessant rain was more distressing than -the snow. The French had not stores and supplies -to fall back upon, but, on the contrary, -passed through the most unproductive wilds in -the valleys and mountains. But the difference of -the circumstances of the two retreats marks their -degrees of misery. The peasantry, while friendly -to us in Gallicia, evinced, in the Tras os Montes, -every mark of hatred to the enemy, whose cruelties -had well deserved severe retributive justice. -This was carried to a distressing extent, and -though it kept the French together, added greatly -to the extent of their loss. Our army was never -so disorganized in Gallicia as that of the French, -who could not have attempted to fight a battle at -Montalegre, as we did at Corunna. The loss of -men (including Soult's invasion and retreat) seems -to have been nearly equal; but the enemy, besides<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span> -the military chest and baggage, (of which we only -sacrificed a part,) left the whole of their artillery, -while we embarked ours safely at Corunna. But -Soult saw that his escape could be alone confined -to his men, and barely avoided capture, if not -destruction, by sacrificing the whole of his <i>matériel</i>. -The fortunate chance of finding a traitor -in the Bishop of Braga tended to the safety -of their retreat, which had been constantly -endangered, and would have been intercepted, -had he continued his march from Salamonde, -on Chaves, instead of Montalegre.</p> - -<p>Intelligence from the south of Victor's intention -to invade Portugal had induced Sir A. Wellesley -to avoid pushing more troops beyond Braga -than was absolutely necessary, in order that -they should be as near and as ready as practicable, -to proceed against Victor. This Marshal, -having been joined by Lapisse, hoping to create a -diversion in favour of Soult, seized, with a corps -of 12 to 14,000 men, the bridge of Alcantara, and -pushed his patrols to Castello Branco. This -movement required strict attention, and rendered -necessary a more speedy retrograde movement -from the northern frontier than would have been -desired after the fatigues of the troops; but, only -allowing two days' rest at Oporto, they were withdrawn -to Coimbra, by the same routes by which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span> -they had advanced. Head-quarters were on the -23rd at Coimbra. Here the Portuguese regiments, -which had acted with us in the Tras os -Montes, were ordered to form the garrison of -Oporto. These regiments had given some hopes -of good promise, yet none were so sanguine at -this time as to expect from them their subsequent -bravery and efficiency.</p> - -<p>Sir Arthur continued his route on the 5th to -Thomar, where we found the heavy brigade, consisting -of the 3rd dragoon guards and 4th dragoons, -which had disembarked while we were in -the north, and appeared in excellent condition. -Head-quarters were established at Abrantes on -the 8th of June, from whence Major-Gen. -M'Kenzie, on our advance, had been pushed -forward to Castello Branco; as Victor, finding -that Soult's retreat had left Portugal free from -danger in the north, considered his own position -less tenable, and had withdrawn from the north of -the Tagus. The French army soon afterwards fell -back from Caseres upon Merida and Medellin.</p> - -<p>Although it was understood that Sir Arthur's -orders only extended to the defence of Portugal, -yet he felt that these stirring times required active -exertions from all Europe, and that tranquillity -was incompatible with the strides France -was making to universal dominion. The cause<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span> -of our allies on the spot, and of those more -distant, struggling in Germany, pointed out the -propriety of some attempt to create at least a -diversion in their favour. It was evident that, -could arrangements be made with the Spaniards, -the disorganization of Soult's army offered an opportunity -for striking a blow at Victor, and perhaps -at the Spanish capital, particularly as Sebastiani -was supposed to be fully employed in -La Mancha. Sir Arthur, in consequence, offered -to aid the Spaniards in a forward offensive movement -into Spanish Estramadura. Such a step -appeared the only means of re-establishing the -war in the Peninsula, as the cause of Spain was -fast sinking under the superior troops and management -of the French, who, however they -might dread the population, had learned that the -armies were incapable of opposing their progress<a name="FNanchor_33" id="FNanchor_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33" class="fnanchor"><sup>33</sup></a>. -Much precious time was wasted in the -arrangements for the necessary co-operation of -the two armies, which, but for the pride and -obstinacy of Cuesta, might have been more -usefully employed. It was only after considerable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span> -<i>negotiation</i>, (an expression perfectly applicable -to the intercourse between ourselves -and our allies, though we had only in view the -saving their country,) that it was determined to -make a simultaneous advance into Spanish Estramadura.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile, Victor, who had retreated from -the Guadiana, and withdrawn his army across -the Tagus, was evidently falling back to receive aid -from Madrid and La Mancha. The plan for this -forward movement, was the advance of both -armies along each bank of the Tagus, and a -junction of the allies in front of the enemy in the -plains of Estramadura. The British were to march -to the north of the river by Coria and Placentia, -turning Almaraz and the enemy's posts facing -Cuesta, while the others were to cross at Almaraz, -and to co-operate with our advancing columns. -It was necessary to secure the frontier of Portugal -to the north and north-east, and the passes -along the frontier of that country leading from -Castille and Leon, as two <i>corps d'armée</i>, besides -that of Soult, were in the north of Spain.</p> - -<p>Marshal Beresford, posted near Almeida, was -to undertake the first with the Portuguese army, -while Cuesta promised to occupy the Banos pass, -leading direct from Salamanca upon Placentia. -The Spaniards engaged to find means of collecting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span> -and furnishing us with provisions. On the -27th June, head-quarters left Abrantes for Villa -del Rey; on the 28th, they reached Cortesada; -the 29th, Sarzedas, and Castello Branco on the -following day; and halted the 1st of July. They -continued their march on the 2nd to Zobreira; -and the 3rd, passed the frontier to Zarza Mayor, -where they crossed upon the route of the captured -Gen. Franceschi, who, after reaching Spain -with Soult's army, had been taken in Leon, and -was being carried to Seville, fated to die incarcerated -within the walls of Grenada. He was a -distinguished officer of light cavalry, and had been -opposed to us not only six weeks before on the -Vouga, but the like number of months antecedently -on the plain of Leon. He was dressed in a hussar's -uniform, and decorated with a star, bearing -an emblem similar to the arms of the Isle of -Man, three legs diverging from a common centre.</p> - -<p>The army was here joined by the Lusitanian -legion under Sir R. Wilson, and after halting on -the 4th, reached Coria on the 5th, Galestad on -the 7th, and Placentia on the 8th. The approach -to this city drew forth the admiration of all. The -bishop's palace and cathedral tower above the -houses, which rise from a bed of verdure, bordered -by the river, while the whole is backed -with the most splendid mountains, with silver tops<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span> -of perpetual snow. The river above this city is -divided into two branches, which form an island, -covered with the finest trees.</p> - -<p>The several reinforcements received antecedently -to, and during our short stay at Placentia, rendered -necessary a new distribution of the regiments -and brigades. The cavalry were divided -into three brigades; the first, of the 14th and 16th -light dragoons, under Sir Stapleton Cotton; the -second, commanded by Gen. Fane, consisted of -the 3d dragoon guards and 4th dragoons; and -the third, of the first German hussars, and 23d -light dragoons, led by Gen. Anson.</p> - -<p>The infantry was divided into four divisions:—</p> - -<ul class="index"> - <li class="isub5">1st. DIVISION.—<span class="smcap">Lieut.-Gen. Sherbrooke.</span></li> - <li class="isub2"><span class="smcap">Brig.-Gen. H. Campbell</span>, Guards and 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th. Regiment.</li> - <li class="isub2"><span class="smcap">Brig.-Gen. Cameron</span>, 61st, 83d. Regiments, 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th. Regiment.</li> - <li class="isub2"><span class="smcap">Brig.-Gen. Langworth</span>, 2 Batt. King's German Legion.</li> - <li class="isub2"><span class="smcap">Brig.-Gen. Lowe</span>, 2 Batt. King's German Legion.</li> - - <li class="isub5">2d. DIVISION.—<span class="smcap">Major-Gen. Hill.</span></li> - <li class="isub2"><span class="smcap">Brig-Gen. Stewart</span>, 29th, 48th Regiments, 1 Batt. Detachment.</li> - <li class="isub2"><span class="smcap">Maj.-Gen. Tilson</span>, Buffs. 48th, 66th. Regiments.</li> - - <li class="isub5">3d. DIVISION.—<span class="smcap">Major-Gen. M'Kenzie.</span></li> - <li class="isub2">1st. Brigade, 24th, 31st, 45th. Regiments.</li> - <li class="isub2"><span class="smcap">Col. Donkin's</span> Brigade, 5 Comps. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. and 87th 88th Regts.</li> - - <li class="isub5">4th DIVISION.—<span class="smcap">Brig.-Gen. A. Campbell.</span></li> - <li class="isub2"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span>1st Brigade, 7th, 53d, Regiments, 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regiment.</li> - <li class="isub2">2nd Brigade, 2 Batt. Detachment, 97th Regt. 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regiment.</li> -</ul> - -<p>To these was to be added the Lusitanian -legion under Sir R. Wilson, being the only Portuguese -troops employed in this operation.</p> - -<p>This distribution into divisions was the first -step to the gradual growth of these corps into -little armies, complete in themselves like the -Roman legions, being, (with the sole exception -of cavalry,) about their strength. The light companies -of the regiments composing them were -formed into a battalion, which under some intelligent -officer, ever marched at the head, and to -which was added a company or more of the -deadly riflemen of the foreign corps, the 60th. -These were the Velites, while the battalions were -all worthy to be considered as Triarii or Principes. -They had subsequently artillery, spare -ammunition, and engineer, medical, and commissariat -staff attached to them; and when each was -increased in 1810, by a Portuguese brigade, consisting -of a battalion of light infantry, and two -line battalions, they became in themselves -superior in numbers to some of the petty expeditions -in which England has often placed her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span> -hope, while they have only wasted her strength. -Our whole force of British did not consist of -18,000 men, principally of men raised by the -voluntary enrolment of the militia.</p> - -<p>We learned at Placentia, that the French occupied -Talavera de la Reyna, and were supposed -to be waiting for reinforcements from Madrid -and La Mancha. During the concentration of -the army at Placentia, Sir Arthur had his first -personal communication with Cuesta at Casa del -Puertos. His Excellency passed in review the -Spanish army, and definitively settled the plan of -the campaign.</p> - -<p>The British army was to cross the Teitar, and -direct its march upon Oropesa, where it was to -form a junction with the Spanish army from -Almaraz, and to advance on Talavera de la Reyna. -The cavalry of the Spaniards under the Duke of -Albuquerque, and the division of infantry commanded -by Ballasteros, were to continue and -move on the left bank of the Tagus, and cross -that river at the Puente del Arzobispo.</p> - -<p>To diminish and separate the enemy's force, -and distract their attention, General Vanegas -from La Mancha was to threaten Aranjuez, while -Sir R. Wilson, who was already on the Teitar, -was to have, besides his own corps, some few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span> -Spanish troops, and to act upon their other flank, -and by pushing to and beyond Escalona, make -them uneasy respecting the capital.</p> - -<p>Sir Arthur, after having halted eight days at -Placentia, moved on the 17th to Talaquela; on -the 18th to Majedas, and on the following day to -Casa de Centinela, across vast plains, occasionally -covered with forests of cork trees. These quarters -of the 19th, as the name indicates, consisted -of a single house, which offered such miserable -accommodation, that Sir Arthur, as well as the -rest of the staff, preferred sleeping in wigwams, -made with boughs of trees. On the 20th, while -the army pushed on to Oropesa, the heat and the -want of water were so great, that the troops suffered -exceedingly, and several men sank under -exhaustion. Here we became an allied army, -forming a junction with the Spaniards, from -whom we hoped, however we might doubt, -to receive support and assistance. But the first -view of the infantry considerably damped our -expectations, though we were assured their cavalry, -moving across at Arzobispo, were to appearance -(for we had not forgotten their conduct -at Medellin) the best of the army. On further -acquaintance, however, our conclusions respecting -even this part of the army were not more -favourable than that we had formed of their sister<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span> -arm the first day we joined them; as they wanted -in spirit and conduct, what the foot soldiers required -in appointments and organization.</p> - -<p>The army of Spain, before the breaking out of -the Revolution, though not so degraded as -that of Portugal, had been long declining. -Although the army intended for the coast of Barbary, -assembled under Gen. Count O'Reilley, as -late as 1788, was in an efficient state, it had -greatly altered for the worse within the last -twenty years. Instead of keeping pace with the -rest of Europe in improvements in the art of war, -Spain had considerably retrograded; and while -the two last years had shaken to pieces the old -establishment, the officers educated under it were -incapable of forming a new army.</p> - -<p>Although the men were the same as those who, -three centuries before, had raised the Spanish -name to the height of celebrity it so well deserved -and so long maintained, they were no longer -led by a chivalrous nobility and gentry. The -officers taken from these classes in the beginning -of the 19th century, evinced in their character the -debasing state of the Court and Government.</p> - -<p>In July, 1809, it was but the remnant of an -organized army, and even this was only evinced -(except in a few regiments) in the appellation of -the corps known to be of long standing. A portion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span> -of the garde-du-corps accompanied this -army; the sole remains of the court establishment -of the past Bourbons, whether of France -or Spain. It had been created by Philip V. on -taking possession of the throne of Spain at the -beginning of the last century, and consisted entirely -of officers. Those with Cuesta bore cartouch -belts of green leather and silver. Some of -the heavy cavalry looked respectable, particularly -the regimento del Rey, the first of dragoons, -which, commanded by a relation of Cuesta, would -have passed muster in any army.</p> - -<p>The carabineers, a part of the royal guard, and -who bore a better character for conduct in the -field than the other regiments of cavalry, were -efficient both in men and horse, as well as in appointments.</p> - -<p>A brigade of two regiments of heavy dragoons, -one of which was the regiment of Saguntum, attracted -the attention of the British officers, from -being dressed in yellow with cocked-hats, and -they looked better than would be supposed from -so singular a costume.</p> - -<p>Their light cavalry consisted of Hussars -(<i>Usares</i>) and Chasseurs, dressed in all the -colours of the rainbow. Little judgment seemed -to have been employed in proportioning the size -of the horse to the light or heavy cavalry, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span> -it must be allowed the Spanish horses offer little -choice, being universally slight, and not so well -adapted for the shock of a charge as for an Eastern -irregular kind of warfare.</p> - -<p>The Spanish cavalry had a means of turning -their jackets and sleeved waistcoats into a stable -dress, by the sleeves, taking off at the shoulders, -being only laced on with a differently coloured cord -from that of the coat; thus, besides being useful, -having a good appearance. Their mode of -riding was new to the English; the stirrup leathers -were so long, that they could only touch -them with their toe; while the carabine, hanging -perpendicularly along the valise, was equally -novel. Boots were far from universal, and many -had in their stead a kind of leather legging, stiff-fitting, -buttoned tight to the limbs, and formed -like a gaiter, coming over the shoe. Many horsemen, -however, were devoid of covering for the -legs or feet, and the naked toe was seen peeping -through a sandal, touching the stirrup. Of the -infantry, the Walloon Guards, (consisting principally -of foreigners,) and the Irish brigade, were -in the best order. The first, in two or more battalions, -were dressed in dark blue, and broad -white lace; while the uniforms of the latter were -light blue. These consisted of the regiments of -Yrlanda, Ultonia, and Hibernia, being the remains<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span> -of the Irish Catholic regiments. At this -time, although they had no privates, there were -still among them some few officers of that nation. -The white Bourbon uniform had entirely disappeared, -and circumstances and economy had -changed the colour of the principal part of the -infantry into a deep chocolate.</p> - -<p>But several battalions were, with the exception -of the British arms, little better in appearance -than peasantry; and though the major part of -them had chaccos, many could only boast a kind -of sandal instead of shoes, and in lieu of cross, -waist-belts, from which hung tubes like the ancient -Bandeleer, lined with tin, each containing a cartridge. -Few had great coats; the generality having -blankets, (with a hole in the middle for the head -to pass through,) hanging loose about their person.</p> - -<p>Their artillery was good, from attention having -been given to it before the breaking out of the -war, but the train was unlike any other in modern -armies, the guns and ammunition-waggons being -drawn by mules, not two abreast, but in teams like -cart-horses, without reins, and under no farther -command than the voice of their conductors, who -ran on foot on the side of the road. Their guns -were heavy, and among the field batteries were -several of twelve-pounders.</p> - -<p>Their <i>matériel</i> for provisions, stores, and baggage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span> -was perfectly inadequate to their army, and -ill adapted for their country. Instead of a large -proportion of sumpter mules, they were accompanied -by a vast train of tilted two wheeled carts, -carrying little, and with long teams of mules, -lengthening to inconvenience the line of march.</p> - -<p>The whole army was said to consist of 7000 -cavalry and 31,000 infantry.</p> - -<p>But we should not have been dissatisfied with -our allies, <i>malgré</i> their appearance, or even their -rags, had we felt any reason to confide in them. -The men were evidently capable of "all that -man dare," but the appearance of their officers at -once bespoke their not being fit to lead them to -the attempt. These not only did not look like -soldiers, but not even like gentlemen; and it -was difficult, from their mean and abject appearance, -particularly among the infantry, to guess -from what class of society they could have been -taken. Few troops will behave well if those to -whom they ought to look up are undeserving respect; -and on this principle we might, at -Oropesa, have predicted coming events, as far as -the conduct of the Spanish soldiers was concerned. -But besides their general inefficiency, -we found their moral feeling different from what -we expected. The preceding two years had made -a great alteration in the feeling of the nation;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span> -the burst of enthusiasm was but momentary, -and being only fed by accidental victory, soon -subsided on a reverse of fortune. Far from their -army evincing devotion, or even the most common -courage in their country's cause, they were -more often guilty, individually and collectively, of -the most disgraceful cowardice.</p> - -<p>The inefficiency of the officers spread to the -staff, and we hourly regretted that the revolution -had not occasioned a more complete <i>bouleversement</i>, -so as to bring forward fresh and vigorous talents -from all classes. The proof that this opinion was -just, was evinced by none of the regular military -showing themselves worthy of command. Indeed, -with the exception of a few self-made -soldiers among the Guerillas, who had risen from -among the farmers and peasantry, it would be -difficult to point out during the whole war any officer, -whose opinion, even in his own department, -or on the most trivial military subject, was -worthy of being asked.</p> - -<p>The Cortes ruling for Ferdinand, and continuing -the old system, formed one of the causes of the -want of success of the Spaniards. They had to -meet youthful Generals and the fresh energies of -France with all the improvements of modern -warfare, by old besotted and prejudiced Generals, -whose armies were formed of obsolete principles,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span> -while the system of an <i>ancien régime</i> of a decrepit -Government continued to cramp every step -to improvement. To these were added that blind -pride and self-vanity, which made them still consider -themselves what history and tradition had -represented their forefathers and nation. No -proofs of inferiority would open their eyes, and -without reflection or consideration they rushed -from one error and misfortune into others, benefiting -by no experience, and disdaining to seek -aid or improvement from those capable of restoring -them to efficiency.</p> - -<p>Had they placed their armies at our disposal, -and allowed the introduction of the active and intelligent -British officers into command, their regular -army might have become as celebrated in -after-ages for the defence of the Peninsula, as -the Portuguese or their own Guerillas; while at -present, with the exception of their irregular warfare -and defence of cities, their military character, -during a period so brilliant for their allies, -both Portuguese and British, appears absolutely -contemptible. The army which we joined at -Oropesa, in addition to its other drawbacks, was -headed by a general as decrepit in mind as body. -To abilities not superior to the most common intellect -he united the greatest fault in a commander -of an army, that of indecision, while every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span> -act bespoke his suspicion and jealousy of his allies -and their commander.</p> - -<p>Attached to this army was an example, in the -person of Lord Macduff, of one of those gallant -spirits, who occasionally shaking off the indolence -of wealth, volunteer to aid some soul-stirring -cause. His Lordship had the rank of a Spanish -Colonel.</p> - -<p>On the 21st, the two Commanders-in-Chief -dined together, and in return for the military -spectacle Cuesta had given to Sir Arthur at Casa -de Puertos, when he visited him from Placentia, -the British troops, with the exception of -Gen. M'Kenzie's division on the advance, were -drawn out in the evening for his inspection. The -mounting on horseback to proceed to the review, -showed how ill-fitted was Cuesta for the activity -of war. He was lifted on his horse by two grenadiers, -while one of his aide-de-camps was ready on -the other side to conduct his right leg over the -horse's croup, and place it in the stirrup! Remarks -were whispered at this moment, that if -his mental energy and activity did not compensate -for his bodily infirmity, Sir Arthur would -find him but an incapable coadjutor. The Spanish -General passed along the line from left to right, -just as the night fell, and we saw him put comfortably<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span> -into an antiquated square-cornered coach, -drawn by nine mules, to proceed to his quarters.</p> - -<p>On the morning of the 22d, we came in sight -of the town of Talavera de la Reyna, which has -since become so celebrated in English history. -The town, seen about three miles distant, was -embosomed in trees and inclosures, while the -scarped hills on the right marked the course of -the Tagus. The inclosures ended about a mile -to the left of the town, joining some low, open, -undulating hills, which stretched to some valleys -and higher ridges. This open country communicated -with an extensive plain in front of the -town, across which passed the road from Oropesa, -being gradually lost as it approached Talavera -in the vineyards and woods. In the midst of -this plain were posted about 800 or 1000 French -cavalry, who, with the utmost indifference, -were dismounted, feeling assured that a few -skirmishers would check the advance of the -Spanish cavalry in their front. These, under the -Duke d'Albuquerque, had crossed the Tagus at -the Puente del Arzobispo, and had arrived early -opposite the French advance. Instead of being -anxious to show their Allies their activity when -at so little cost, being five or six times more -numerous than the enemy, they made no attempt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span> -to drive them in, but contented themselves with -deploying into several long lines, making a very -formidable appearance. With feelings of astonishment -we rode on to the skirmishers, who consisted -of mounted Guerillas, dressed like the farmers -of the country. We expected to see them closely -and successfully engaged, having heard they were -peculiarly adapted for petty warfare; but we -found them utterly incapable of coping with the -enemy's <i>tirailleurs</i>, who were driving them -almost into a circle. They were so careless and -inexpert in the use of their arms, that one of -them nearly shot, by accident, an English officer -near him.</p> - -<p>The Spaniards (from the commencement) thus -continued skirmishing for four hours,<a name="FNanchor_34" id="FNanchor_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34" class="fnanchor"><sup>34</sup></a> until Gen. -Anson's brigade arrived, which they allowed at -once, and as a matter of course, without any -reference or notice, to pass through the intervals -of their squadrons; at the same time these -heroes notified their own want of efficiency and -spirit, by acknowledging and paying tribute to -both in their allies, by a profusion of <i>vivas!</i></p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span></p> - -<p>On our advancing, the French drew off to the -left of the town along the open ground, skirting -the inclosures, and exchanging shots with our -skirmishers. The Spaniards kept to the right -along the great road, and could scarcely be brought -by the intercession of British officers to enter the -town, from whence they learned a body of 4 -or 500 infantry had just retired. Brig. General -Charles Stewart, who happened to be on the -spot, persuaded their officers to follow their -retreat along the fine Madrid road, which was one -hundred and fifty yards wide. The enemy were -overtaken retiring in two small columns, and to -the attack of one General Stewart led the Spanish -cavalry. The result, as indeed all we saw on this -day of our allies, was a proof of their total want, -not only of discipline, but of courage. On this -and two succeeding attempts, (to which the -English general headed them), on receiving the -enemy's fire, when the principal danger was past, -they pulled up and fled in every direction; yet -in Cuesta's account of this affair, he called it an -"<i>intrepid charge</i>."</p> - -<p>Cruelty and cowardice are ever combined, and -these same Spaniards who had thus avoided -closing with the unmaimed enemy, murdered in -cold blood a few wounded and dying men their -column left in the road when they retired, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span> -were struck down by the artillery which was -brought up after the cavalry's repulse. Their -barbarity was even heightened by accompanying -each stab with invectives and comments on their -victims' never again seeing their homes or Paris. -On the left the enemy retired before our cavalry, -about four miles beyond the town. Anson's -brigade made an attempt to charge about 1,500 -of their cavalry, but they were found unassailable, -having taken post beyond the bed of the Alberche, -which, running for about two miles at right angles -with the Tagus, empties itself into that river. -The enemy allowed them to come close, and then -opened a fire of four guns and two howitzers, -which occasioned some small loss before they -could withdraw out of fire. One of the horses of -this brigade, the hip and leg of which was carried -off, and its entrails trailing on the ground, recovered -itself on three legs, and tried to take its -place again in squadron.</p> - -<p>The enemy had tirailleurs in the underwood -near the river, and were very jealous of its banks, -opening a fire of artillery on all who showed -themselves. Sir Arthur and head-quarter staff -came unexpectedly in the afternoon under a fire -of some light guns on the right in front of the -Spaniards, and one of several four-pound shots -whizzed close over the General's head. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span> -troops were ordered to bivouack in the neighbourhood -of Talavera, and General M'Kenzie's division -was pushed on to the front in the neighbourhood -of an old ruined building, at the angle of -the Alberche, where it turned east. It was -evident that the enemy were in force on the opposite -side of the river; and a ridge of hills, above -800 yards from the bank, sloping towards it, -offered them a very suitable defensive position. -Its left rested on the Tagus, and its right was -secured by the turning of the Alberche, and some -difficult wooded ridges beyond. Their strength -could not exceed 23,000 men, being the troops -which had fallen back from the south of the Tagus, -not having been joined by any troops from Madrid -or Aranjuez.</p> - -<p>We fully expected a battle on the following -day, and about twelve o'clock on the 23rd, the -first and third division got under arms, and advanced -in the direction of the enemy's right, while -the rest of the army were ready to move at a -moment's notice; but, unfortunately, Sir Arthur -had to overcome the wavering conduct of his confederate -General, who appeared quite unaware of -the use of time or opportunity in military operations. -He could not be brought so to decide on -attack, that Sir Arthur could feel secure of the -Spaniards making a simultaneous attack with his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span> -army, or that the British might not be left to gain -the day alone. The bivouack of Cuesta was on -the road to Madrid, about three-quarters of a mile -from the Alberche, where, on the cushions taken -out of his carriage, he sat, the picture of mental -and physical inability.</p> - -<p>Two soldiers stood near to aid or support him -in any little necessary operation, and the scene -would have been ridiculous had it not been painful, -as we saw the tide, which, "when taken at its -flood," might, nay, would "lead us on to -fortune" and victory, fast ebbing, without our -taking advantage of it. After considerable suspense, -it was universally reported throughout the -army, that on being pressed and driven to his -last excuse, Cuesta pleaded that it was Sunday, -at the same time promising to attack at daylight -the next morning; and our troops were in consequence -ordered back to their bivouacks. It may -be fairly considered that pride had considerable -weight on this occasion. Cuesta was a true -Spaniard, and disliked the suggestion of an -English general in his own country, and, with -recollections of two hundred and fifty years -before, could not bring his ideas down to present -changes and circumstances. These feelings were -national, and ever evinced, and it was only very -late in the war, after the Spaniards found they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span> -had not an officer to lead their armies, and they -despaired of finding one, that they consented to -place Sir Arthur at their head. Sir Arthur -deserves as much credit for keeping his temper -during his six years' intercourse with the Spanish -Government and officers, as for the general conduct -of the war. When we reflect on promises -broken and engagements violated, involving the -safety of his army, the honour of his character, -and his credit as an officer, and yet know of no -quarrel that extended (if any existed) beyond -correspondence or negotiation, future ages are -bound to give our Commander credit for unbounded -placidity of temperament.</p> - -<p>Though sorely annoyed by this determination, -the officers could not let pass without ridicule the -incongruity we had observed within the last three -days in the old gentleman's proceedings. It was -impossible not to notice the Spanish General -going out to battle, to within half a mile of the -advanced-posts, in a carriage drawn by nine -mules, and the precautions to preserve him from -the rheumatism, like those taken by delicate -ladies, in our humid climate, at a <i>fête champêtre</i>, -in placing the carriage cushions on the grass. -To these the Spanish Commander-in-Chief was -supported by two grenadiers, who let him -drop on them, as his knees were too feeble to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span> -attempt reclining without the chance, nay certainty, -of a fall. Yet this was the man to whom -the Cortes had entrusted their armies, but who -ought (if he did not himself feel his own inability), -to have been removed without a moment's delay -after the first trial. They had only one excuse; -the year before had made common honesty a -virtue, and they forgot every other requisite, in -a desire to avoid treachery.</p> - -<p>We began, however, to have some hope on -the evening of the 23rd, when orders were -delivered out for attack the next morning at daylight. -General Sherbrooke was to move at two -in the morning, while the remainder of the army -was to rendez-vous in rear of the third division, -at the angle of the Alberche. The British column -of attack, with the third division at its head, -supported by General Anson's brigade, and -followed by the first, second, and fourth divisions, -was to attack the enemy's right, the -Spaniards were to force the troops on the heights -crossed by the road to Madrid, while the remainder -of the British and the whole of the -Spanish cavalry were to cross the river on the -open ground in the enemy's front. No drums or -trumpets were to sound. The columns for -attack were formed before daybreak on the 24th,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span> -and the left column, which was to cross the river -and ascend the heights round the enemy's right -and opposite the village of Casaleguas, was already -on its march, when it was discovered the enemy -had retired during the night.</p> - -<p>While this event proved the effect of procrastination -in warfare, it was to be deeply lamented -on every account. The enemy, the day before, -not consisting of above 22,000 men, had most -imprudently offered us battle before the reinforcements -from Madrid or la Mancha had reached -him, and, if he had been attacked, must have -been annihilated. We had near 18,000 British -and 36,000 Spaniards, of whom 10,000 were -horse, and, the position once forced, they would -have had to retire across an open plain of many -leagues, pursued by a victorious enemy and a -superior cavalry.</p> - -<p>Colonel Delancey had gained and continued in -the rear of the enemy all night, and joined us at -daylight with a French officer he had taken. We -entered their variously-hutted camps across the -river, which we found arranged with comfort -and taste. Their army, on arriving from the line -of the Tagus, had found the ripe wheat standing, -and, regardless of its value, had not only thatched, -but made whole huts, with the corn in the ear,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span> -which, hanging down, shed the grain on the -ground as we passed along and between them. -They had built with boughs of trees an immense -<i>Salle de Spectacle</i>, and formed, by cutting down -and removing the largest olive trees, and sticking -their pointed ends into the ground, an avenue, -leading up to it, of some length—an act more -wanton and reprehensible than that of taking the -unthrashed corn, as the fruit of the olive is not -produced under several years' growth.</p> - -<p>Shy as Cuesta was of coming to blows with -the enemy when in his front, he became most -anxious for his pursuit when at a distance and in -retreat. Without considering that Victor was -only falling back on reinforcements, he ordered -his army to advance, (as if the French were in -full retreat for the Ebro,) and established his -posts on the 25th at Torrijos. Had not the -English General taken quite a different view of -the subject, it would have been most imprudent, -if not impossible to advance, as provisions began -to fail us. The Spaniards, far from aiding our -commissariat, took no precautions whatever to -prepare food for 18,000 additional mouths, and -our position threatened to be untenable for want of -food.</p> - -<p>Sir Arthur, in consequence, declined making -any forward movement, and contented himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span> -with pushing two divisions of infantry across the -Alberche, and posting them at Casaleguas. In -the meanwhile the enemy were concentrating -their various corps. The reserve, and the Guards -from Madrid left that capital with King Joseph -on the 22d at night, and joined the 4th <i>corps -d'armée</i>, under Sebastiani, at Toledo. These -united on the 25th, between Torrijos and Toledo, -with the corps under Victor, and formed an army -of 45 to 48,000 men, after a garrison of 2,000 -had been left in Toledo. This small force was -sufficient to cover any advance of the Spaniards -from La Mancha, as Vanegas frittered away the -time to no purpose, while Madrid was overawed -by General Belliard, entrenched in the Retiro.</p> - -<p>On the junction of these armies, Cuesta saw -too late his mistake in so inconsiderately advancing -from the neighbourhood of the British, and -before he could withdraw his most advanced -corps, became engaged with the enemy. The cavalry -Regiment of Villa Viciosa, drawn up in an enclosure -surrounded by a deep ditch, with but one -means of egress, was hemmed in by the enemy -and cut to pieces, without a possibility of escape. -A British officer of Engineers saved himself by -his English horse taking at a leap the barrier -which surrounded the Spaniards, and which their -horses were incapable of clearing. The Spaniards,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span> -on the 26th, fell back towards the Alberche -and Talavera, in such confusion that it -can only be compared to a flight, while the enemy -followed with the evident intention of bringing -the Allies to battle.</p> - -<p>Every one now felt its approach, and some little -preparations were made to strengthen a position -which Sir Arthur had selected, resting on -Talavera. These consisted in placing some of -the Spanish heavy guns in battery on the main -road, in front of the Madrid gate, and throwing -up some barricades on the different approaches -to the town. A breastwork was commenced on -a small rising ground in a little plain, at the spot -where the flanks of the British and Spanish -would unite, about the centre of the Allied army. -These were the only attempts at entrenchment, -and the last was not completed. All the troops -were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to -move at a moment's notice.</p> - -<p>On the 27th the British cavalry were ordered -to the front, to cover the retreat of the Spaniards -and of our own divisions across the Alberche. -About mid-day the enemy's army began to show -itself, and while our cavalry withdrew to the -right bank of the river, in the open ground, the -5th division fell back from Casaleguas, through -a woody country, to the same spot, near an old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span> -ruined house, the Casa de Salinas, which they -had occupied before the enemy retreated. Before -re-crossing the Alberche, they set fire to the old -hutted camps of the enemy, the smoke from -which rose so thickly as completely to hide from -view the country beyond and to the west of the -village of Casaleguas. The two brigades of the -5th division lay upon their arms in front of this -ruin, the highest part of which overlooked the -surrounding trees, offering a view of the country. -Sir Arthur dismounted, and, leaving his horse -standing below, scrambled with some difficulty -up the broken building, to reconnoitre the advancing -enemy. Though ever as gallant, we -were by no means such good soldiers in those -days as succeeding campaigns made us, and sufficient -precautions had not been taken to ascertain -what was passing within the wood (on the skirt -of which the division was posted,) and between -it and the ford below Casaleguas.</p> - -<p>But the enemy had crossed, under cover of -the smoke from the burning huts, a very large -force of infantry, and, gradually advancing, opened -a fire so suddenly on our troops lying on the -ground, that several men were killed without -rising from it. This unexpected attack threatened -the greatest confusion, little short of dismay, but -the steadiness of the troops, particularly the 45th,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span> -prevented disorder, and gave time for Sir Arthur -and his staff to withdraw from the house and -mount their horses. Sir Arthur's escape, may, -however, be considered most providential. The -troops were withdrawn from the wood into the -plain, but after we had lost many officers and -men. As this was the enemy's first attack, and -might, by our withdrawing, be considered successful, -it was peculiarly unfortunate, from adding -to the enemy's confidence in attacking our -army. These two brigades, being supported by -General Anson's cavalry, gradually fell back towards -our army.</p> - -<p>The enemy now crowded the heights, extending -from Casaleguas to the Tagus, with vast bodies -of troops, accompanied with quantities of artillery. -These crossed at the various fords on the -Alberche, to the plain west of it; while some of -their cavalry, in the loosest order, came in crowds -through the woods, following our advanced corps -as they gradually withdrew to our position, of -which, as we approached the chosen ground, the -principal features began to show themselves. -Their horse artillery soon overtook us in our retreat, -and opened a heavy and constant fire, particularly -of shells, under which the troops formed -on their ground. As the enemy closed on our -position, our different divisions were seen hurrying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span> -to the post assigned them, which formed -the left wing of the Allies; and some anxiety -was felt for the arrival of the troops who were to -defend a towering height, which, it was evident, -would be the key of the position.</p> - -<p>The men, as they formed and faced the enemy, -looked pale, but the officers, riding along their -line, only of two deep, on which all our hopes -depended, observed they appeared not less cool -and tranquil than determined. In the mean while -the departing sun showed by his rays the immense -masses moving towards us, while the last -glimmering of twilight proved their direction to -be across our front towards the left, leaving a -sensation of anxiety and doubt if they would not -be able to attack that point even before our troops, -which had not yet arrived, were up. The darkness, -only broken in upon by the bursting shells -and flashes of the guns, closed quickly upon us, -and it was the opinion of many that the enemy -would rest till morning. But this was soon placed -beyond doubt, by the summit of the height on -our left being suddenly covered with fire, and for -an instant it was evident the enemy had nearly, -if not completely, made a lodgment in our line. -This attack was made by three regiments of -the division of Ruffin, the 24th, 96th, and -9th, but of which, the enemy say, the last only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span> -reached the summit, the very citadel of our position.</p> - -<p>They had marched, without halting, up the rise of -the hill, and came upon the German Legion, who -had, having been informed they were to the rear of -General Hill's division, and believing they were -in a second line, lain down on their arms, and -when the enemy topped the hill, <i>en masse</i>, many -were asleep. But General Hill's corps had not -arrived, and the Germans were first roused by -the enemy seizing them as prisoners, or firing -into them at <i>brûle-pourpoint</i>. The flashes of -the retiring fire of the broken and surprised Germans -marked the enemy's success, and the imminent -danger of our army. General Sherbrooke, -posted in the centre, with the promptitude -required in such an emergency, ordered the -regiments of the brigade next to the Germans to -wheel into open column, and then, facing them -about, was preparing to storm the hill, with the -rear-rank in front, when the brigade of Gen. -Donkin by a brilliant charge restored the height -to its proper owner, also driving the French from -the top of the hill into the valley, with immense -loss, and the colonel of the 9th regiment -terribly wounded. A second attack was afterwards -repelled by the timely arrival of the division of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span> -Gen. Hill, Colonel Donkin's brigade having taken -ground to its right. There was some fear that the -enemy, when the Germans had been driven back, -had carried off the only heavy guns we had with our -army, but fortunately they had been withdrawn -at dusk from the brow of the hill. Major Fordice, -of the Adj.-Gen. department, an officer of great -promise, fell in retaking these heights, with many -valuable officers and men.</p> - -<p>After this attack was repulsed, the enemy remained -quiet, awaiting the morn which was to -decide the fate of the battle. The British light -infantry was thrown out to the front, with sentries -still more advanced towards the enemy. -This necessary precaution, coupled with the inexperience -of our troops, principally militia-men, -produced a heavy loss, from the jealousy they -felt of all in their front, after this night attack. -This was increased by the constant word "<i>stand -up</i>" being passed along the line, and on more -than one occasion it led to an individual soldier -firing at some object in his front, which was taken -up by the next, and so passed, like, and to appearance -being a running wildfire, down the -front of one or more regiments, till stopped by -the officers. In this, the troops unfortunately -forgot their light infantry in front, and many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span> -brave officers and men fell a sacrifice to the fire of -their comrades; amongst them was Colonel Ross -of the Guards.</p> - -<p>The Spaniards were not less on the alert than -ourselves, but their anxiety not only extended -to firing musquetry, but to salvos of the cannon -placed in front of Talavera. On one occasion -this was said to have originated from a cow having -got loose and cantered up to their line. Our -troops, however, stood firm to their ground, -while regiments of the Spaniards, after giving a -volley, quitted their position and fled through -the gardens and enclosure, bearing down all before -them, and were only brought into line again -by degrees. One of these alarms about midnight, -in front of Talavera, was so great, that a large -portion of the troops posted in the front, left -their ground, and rushed through the town, and -in the midst of the crowd of fugitives was seen a -certain square-cornered coach, the nine mules -attached to it being urged to the utmost; implying -that its inmate was as anxious to escape as the -meanest in the army.</p> - -<p>Sir Arthur, surrounded by his staff, slept, -wrapped in his cloak, on the open ground, in -rear of the second line, about the centre of the -British army. A hasty doze was occasionally -taken, as more continued rest was disturbed by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span> -alarm of different kinds,—while the reflections of -others kept them waking. The bustle of the day -had prevented a review of our situation, but, on -being left to our own thoughts, it was impossible -not to reflect on the awfully approaching crisis. -We could not but feel that here was to be another -trial of the ancient military rivalry of England -and France; that the cool, constitutional, persevering -courage of the former was again to be -pitted against the more artificial, however chivalrous, -though not less praiseworthy, bravery of -the latter. This view of the relative valour of the -two nations cannot be questioned, if we consider -that the reminding the British of this moral quality -is wholly unnecessary, and instead of language -of excitement being constantly applied to -our soldiery, that of control, obedience, and composure -is solely recommended; while our ancient -opponents are obliged incessantly to drive into -the ears of their men, that they are nationally -and individually the bravest of the human race. -Hearing nothing else so flattering to their unbounded -vanity, they become so puffed up by this -eternal stimulant, as to be fully convinced of its -truth, which, in consequence, makes their first attack -tremendous.</p> - -<p>Buonaparte, being aware of this weak point in -their character, fed it in every way, and the object<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span> -of wearing a paltry piece of enamel gained -him many battles. But this sort of created courage -is not capable of standing a severe test, and -the French have always been in their military character -more Gauls than Franks; and what Cæsar -said of the former eighteen centuries ago, is still -applicable to the races now occupying their -fine country. If stoutly opposed at first, this -kind of courage not only diminishes but evaporates, -and has, does, and will, ever fail before -that of the British. As soldiers, taking the -expression in its widest sense, they are equal, if -not superior, to us in many points; but on one, that -of individual constitutional courage, we rise far superior -to them. It is remarkable how often they evince -a knowledge of this, and in nothing more than their -subterfuges of all kinds to keep it from resting -on their minds. All France, aware of this inferiority, -by all species of casuistry attempts to conceal -it; and in order not to shock their national -vanity, they blame every unsuccessful officer opposed -to us, even should his dispositions be ever so -good, and such as might, but for the courage of -our men, have succeeded.</p> - -<p>Buonaparte's conduct, after Vittoria, was directed -to work on this feeling, and, by sacrificing -the officers to the self-vanity of the troops, -established for a time the <i>moral</i> of the army, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span> -making those who had fled like sheep at Vittoria, -fight us again, though unsuccessfully, with renewed -spirit. Besides the bravery of the two nations, -no less was the plain of Talavera to try the -merit of two systems, and prove the value of -different means and education in forming a powerful -and efficient military. It was not only to -be shown if a chivalrous enthusiasm, and a confidence -founded on vanity was to overcome natural -and patriotic courage, but if a sense of -duty, inculcated by a real discipline, was to -sink under feelings created by an absence of -control and a long train of excess and military -license. It was whether an organized army, -worthy of a civilized period, and state of warfare, -should not overcome a military cast grown -up in the heart of Europe, (from the peculiarity -of the times and circumstances,) little better -than the Bandits led by Bourbon to the walls -of Rome in the sixteenth century. The system -on which the French armies were formed was so -demoralizing and pernicious in its effects, that the -army of Buonaparte ought not to be considered -as the national force of France, but that of a -conqueror, like Ghenghis Khan, or Tamerlane, -of a more civilized age and quarter of the world. -Like those scourges, the ruler of the French -existed by upholding that soldiery the times<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span> -had first created, and which his ambition subsequently -fostered, and, in perpetuating their attachment -to his person by leading them to victory -and plunder; in consequence, robbery was -not only overlooked but permitted, and an economist -of the French army has since dared in -print to excuse its atrocities. This, it is true, -is written by one of the revolutionary school, -but it will be, (as long as the work is read,) a -perpetual disgrace to the army whose acts he -records.<a name="FNanchor_35" id="FNanchor_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35" class="fnanchor"><sup>35</sup></a> All discipline sank under this state -of things. Coercion was neither necessary nor -prudent, where the views of all were directed -to the same lawless objects; and the military -code was rather a bond of union and companionship, -fostering a spurious glory, or ambition, -and a thirst and hope of reward in unshackled -military license and execution, than a collection -of laws respecting the rights and claims of -human nature.</p> - -<p>The quickness and intelligence of the French -soldiery pointed out the necessity of an obedience -to their officers, whom they considered -as leading them to objects equally desirable to -all; and thus actuated, far from having to receive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span> -orders, they readily anticipated them. A -Bedouin robber does not require the positive -commands of his chief to do his utmost to destroy -the guards, or to plunder the camels of -a caravan; and no more did the French, with -gain or impure military fame in view, require -farther stimulus or direction.</p> - -<p>But these various causes so suited the French, -that they had the effect, since the Revolution, -of raising their armies to the summit of fame, -while their successes over the continental troops -had made them universally dreaded. They felt -this, which increased their confidence; and the -army before us, sleeping on the opposite side -of the ravine, was strongly imbued with this -impression, being formed of the fine regiments -of the Italian army, who had so often conquered -under Buonaparte, and subsequently -marched from one victory to another. Neither -the corps of Victor nor Sebastiani, nor the -guard or reserve under Desolles, from Madrid, -had formed parts of the armies defeated by -us at Vimiera or Corunna, nor had any recollections -of our prowess to shake that good opinion -of themselves, in which the principal strength -of the French armies consists.</p> - -<p>Though no fears could be entertained for -the result, dependent on the brave fellows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span> -lying around us, we could not but regret that -they were not composed of troops as fine as -those who accompanied Sir John Moore.</p> - -<p>We could not hide from ourselves that our -ranks were filled with young soldiers, being -principally the second battalions of those English -regiments which had embarked at Corunna, -and consisting of draughts from the militia that -had never seen an enemy. With the exception -of the Guards and a few others, there were -more knapsacks with the names of militia regiments -upon them, than of numbered regular -regiments. Indeed we felt, no contrast could -be stronger than that of the two armies. The -ideas of England have never run wild on military -glory. We more soberly consider our army -rather as a necessary evil than an ornament -and boast; and as an appeal to brute force and -arms is a proof of barbarism, so ought the general -diffusion of the former sentiment in a -community to be viewed as conclusive evidence -of advance to civilization and intelligence; and -instead of directing the talents, or drawing forth -the best blood of a people to be wasted in the -field, a well-wisher to his country ought to -desire them to be retained at home for the general -advantage. But, however secure in ourselves, -we recollected that we formed but one-third<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span> -of the Allied army, and that 36,000 men -lay in the same line, every action of whom had -led us to consider them as more likely to occasion -some common reverse than a happy termination -to our operations. We were convinced -that if attacked, even in their strong and almost -impregnable position, it was most likely to be -attended by their immediate flight, which would -leave the whole of the enemy to direct his -efforts upon us single-handed. In addition, a -certain degree of coolness had grown up between -the two commanders; and Sir Arthur -must have felt that the weakness of his ally by -his side was not less to be dreaded than the -strength of his enemy in his front. The prospect -on the eve of the 28th July, 1809, was -thus, though far from hopeless, by no means -one of encouragement or sanguine expectation.</p> - -<p>The rest of all the officers lying around Sir -Arthur was hasty and broken, and interrupted -by the uneasiness of the horses held at a distance, -and the arrival of deserters, a few of -whom came over during the night. They generally -informed us, that we were to be attacked -at daylight, and that the corps that stormed -the hill had consisted of 6000 men. Our glances -were constantly directed towards the point from -whence the sun was to rise for the last time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">223</a></span> -on many hundreds who were here assembled -within a mile around, while Sir Arthur, occasionally -asking the hour, showed he looked for -daylight with as much anxiety as any of us. -Just before day, we quietly mounted our horses -and rode slowly towards the height, where we -arrived just as the light allowed us to see the -opposite side of the ravine beneath us covered -with black indistinct masses. Every instant -rendered them more visible, and the first rays -of the sun showed us Sebastiani's division opposite -our centre, Victor's three divisions at our -feet, with the reserve, guard, and cavalry -extending backward to the wood near the Alberche. -Our eyes were, however, principally -attracted by an immense solid column opposite -but rather to the left of the hill, evidently intended -for attack. Its front was already covered with -tirailleurs, ready to advance at the word, and -who saw before them the dead bodies of their -comrades, who had fallen the night before, -strewing the ground. The gray of the morning -was not broken in upon by a single shot -from either side, and we had time to observe -our position, (which had not been completely -occupied before dark on the preceding eve,) and -how the troops were posted.</p> - -<p>The distance from the Tagus to the height<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">224</a></span> -on our left, which overlooked a deep valley, -bounded beyond by some sharp and rugged hills, -was little less than two miles. The right of the -Allied army rested on the town of Talavera -and the river. About half the ground from our -right to a little beyond the centre was flat, and -covered with woods and vineyards, but where -these ceased, the remainder of the country was -open, and gradually rose to the foot of our -important conical hill on the left.</p> - -<p>A rill ran along the whole front of our line, -and in that part of the ground which was open -and undulating, it passed through a ravine, the -brow of which was taken advantage of in posting -our troops. The Spaniards, from being incapable -of moving, were posted in heavy columns -in the most difficult country, till they -joined our right, which was in an open space, -though in its front and rear were inclosures. -At this point had been commenced a little redoubt, -which however remained imperfect, and was -the only "<i>intrenchment</i>" of those with which the -French, in their accounts, as an excuse for their -defeat, have so liberally strengthened our line. -But as every thing is sacrificed by them to -vanity, truth cannot be expected alone to escape.</p> - -<p>On the right of the British was posted the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span> -fourth division, under Sir A. Campbell, supported -by Sir S. Cotton's brigade of cavalry; -on their left commenced the first division, of -which the Guards were on the right. The remainder -of this division, consisting of Brig.-Gen. -Cameron's brigade and the Germans, extended -across the most open ground, and joined -on the left to the brigade of Colonel Donkin -and the second division, clustered round the -height for its defence. The other brigade of -Gen. M'Kenzie was placed in the second line. -The remainder of the cavalry had bivouacked -at some distance to the rear, and were not come -up. The enemy were employed from daylight -in placing opposite our centre thirty pieces of -cannon on the opposite side of the ravine, but -not a shot was fired on either side, and the -whole looked as if the armies had met for a -review. But the calm augured the coming storm, -and the quiet evinced that all were aware of -the great approaching struggle, and that it was -useless to throw away a casual fire, or destroy -individuals, where salvos alone and the death -of thousands could decide the day. When the -vast column we had seen in the dusk was considered -ready, a single cannon shot from the -centre of the enemy's batteries was the signal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span> -for its advance, and for the opening of all their -guns. A shower of balls instantly fell on all -parts of our position, and the smoke, (the wind -being east, and the damp of the morning preventing -its rising,) was blown across the ravine, -and completely enveloped us in a dense -fog. But we had seen the forward movement -intended for our dislodgment, and knew, under -cover of this cannonade and smoke, it was advancing -up the face of the hill. It consisted -of a close column of battalions, of the same division -of Ruffin which had attacked the night before.</p> - -<p>Gen. Hill, with the brigades of Tilson and -Stewart, which had already successfully tried -their strength with these same troops, was -ready to receive them. The Buffs, 48th, and -66th, advanced to the brow of the hill, wheeling -round to meet them with their arms ported, -ready to rush on the ascending foe as soon as -perceived through the intense smoke. They -were not long in suspense, and without a moment's -hesitation, by a desperate charge and -volley, they overthrew, as they topped the hill, the -enemy, who fled in the utmost confusion and consternation, -followed by our troops, even across the -ravine. Here they rallied, and, after an exchange -of sharp firing, our regiments were withdrawn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span> -again to their vantage ground. Had the cavalry -been present, the victory might have been -completed at this early hour, but they had not -come in from their bivouack. As the smoke -and tumult cleared off, and the troops were -seated behind the summit of the hill, we found -our loss considerable, and that Gen. Hill had -been forced to quit the field from a shot in -the head. The dead of the enemy lay in vast -numbers on the face of the hill, and had been -tall, healthy, fine young men, well-limbed, with -good countenances; and as proof of their courage, -(the head of their column having reached -within a few yards of the top of the hill before -being arrested,) the bodies lay close to our ranks. -The face of the height was furrowed out into deep ravines -by the water rushing down its steep sides during -the rains, and the dead and wounded of both -nations lay heaped in them.<a name="FNanchor_36" id="FNanchor_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36" class="fnanchor"><sup>36</sup></a> Musquetry almost -ceased after this defeat, but the cannonade continued; -our centre and right suffering considerably, -though in the other parts of the line, as our -shots were plunging, while theirs were directed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span> -upwards, it was not so deadly. It continued -for above an hour after the repulse, and showed -us the inferiority of our calibre. All our guns, -with the exception of one brigade of heavy, were -miserably <i>light</i> six pounders, while the French -returned our fire with eights and twelves.</p> - -<p>As the weather was dreadfully hot, and it was -impossible to know how long we should occupy -this ground, orders were given to bury the men -who had fallen the night before and in the morning -attack, lying around the hill interspersed with -the living.</p> - -<p>The entrenching tools were thus employed, -and it was curious to see the soldiers burying -their fallen comrades, with the cannon shot falling -around, and in the midst of them, leaving it probable -that an individual might thus be employed -digging his own grave! Gradually, however, the -fire slakened, and at last wholly ceased, and war -appeared as much suspended as before daylight -and previously to the attack of the morning. The -troops on the advance talked together, and the -thirsty of both armies met at the bottom of the -ravine, and drank from the same stream. There -was also a well at the foot of the hill to the left, -where the same water was divided among the collected -of both nations around its brink.</p> - -<p>About nine it was evident that the enemy had -no intention of disturbing us for some time, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span> -their numerous fires proved they were not inclined -to fight again on empty stomachs. This -was a painful sight to us, who felt acutely for our -starving soldiery, who began to experience the most -pinching want. All the promises of the Spaniards -had ended in nought. They had made no arrangements -to act up to their word, and starvation -began to stare us in the face. Generally, -however, it was borne by our men with philosophy, -but one hungry soldier became almost -troublesome, and, close to Sir Arthur and his staff, -said, "It was very hard that they had nothing to -eat," and wished that they might be let to go down -and fight, "for when engaged, they forgot their -hunger." The poor fellow was, however, at -last persuaded to retire. Till about eleven -o'clock all remained quiet, but about that hour -immense clouds of dust were seen rising above -the woods towards the Alberche opposite the -centre of the Allied army, implying movements -of large bodies of troops. This indicated the -preparing for a general assault, and was occasioned -by Sebastiani's corps forming a column of -attack.<a name="FNanchor_37" id="FNanchor_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37" class="fnanchor"><sup>37</sup></a> As the enemy's troops approached, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span> -cannonade was renewed, and our inferiority of -metal was so evident, that a brigade of Spanish -12 pounders was borrowed from Cuesta. The -fellows attached to these guns showed good spirit, -and, posting their guns on the side of the hill, -were found most effective. The French, at times, -had the most exact range of the height, and -threw shot and shells upon it with terrible precision. -One shell killed four horses, held by a -man, who escaped uninjured. Their fuses, -however, often burned too quick, exploding the -shells high in the air and forming little clouds of -smoke. It was curious that the enemy changed -their fire from the troops to our artillery, or from -our batteries to our line, whenever we gave them -the example.</p> - -<p>But the dust drew near in the woods, and a -vast column was seen preparing to advance against -Sir A. Cameron's brigade in the open ground. -General Sherbrooke had cautioned his division to -use the bayonet, and when the enemy came -within about fifty yards of the Guards, they -advanced to meet them, but on their attempting to -close the enemy by a charge, they broke and fled. -The regiment on their left, the 83rd, made a -simultaneous movement, driving the enemy with -immense loss before them; but the impetuosity -of the Guards led to endangering the day. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span> -flying enemy led them on till they opened a -battery on their flank, which occasioned so heavy -a loss, that the ranks could not be formed after -the disorder of pursuit, and, on being ordered to -resume their ground, produced confusion.</p> - -<p>The enemy instantly rallied and followed them, -and were so confident of victory, that their officers -were heard to exclaim, "<i>Allons, mes enfans; -ils sont tous nos prisonniers</i>." But Sir Arthur -had foreseen the difficulty in which the Guards -were likely to become entangled, and had -ordered the 48th from the height to their -support. This gallant regiment arrived in the -rear of the Guards at the moment when they were -retiring in confusion, pressed by the enemy, on -the line of position. They allowed the Guards -to pass through them, and then, breaking in upon -the enemy, gave them a second repulse. The -Guards quickly formed in the rear, and moved up -into the position; and their spirit and appearance -of good humour and determination after having -lost in twenty minutes five hundred men, was -shown by their giving a hurrah, as they took up -their ground; and a report soon after that the -enemy's cavalry was coming down upon them, -was answered by a contemptuous laugh along -their ranks.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span></p> - -<p>The remainder of Sherbrooke's division, after -repulsing the enemy, had retired to their former -ground in excellent order. The enemy had made -an attack at the same time on the fourth division; -they accompanied this by a <i>ruse</i>, which nothing -but the determination of our troops could have -overcome. Trusting to the similarity of uniform, -they advanced towards the 7th, 97th, and 53d, -crying out they were Spaniards, and repeating the -Spanish cry of <i>Vivan los Ingleses!</i> Though this -did not deceive our officers, it did the men, who, -under this false impression, could not be brought -to fire on them; this allowed their approaching -quite close, when they gave their fire so unexpectedly, -that it staggered our line, and even -caused them to fall back. This was, however, -only to exemplify the French proverb, <i>reculer -pour mieux sauter</i>, as indignation and anger -took place of surprise, and a spontaneous rush -with the bayonet instantly threw the enemy into -utter rout. A Spanish regiment of infantry, on -the right flank of the fusileers, broke and fled on -this attack; but the King's regiment of horse, -with great gallantry, dashed into the wood in -co-operation with our troops in pursuit. Several -pieces of cannon fell into the hands of Gen. A. -Campbell, and three were captured by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span> -Spanish cavalry, while the flight of the enemy -was so rapid, that several others were left in -their retreat.</p> - -<p>Besides these attacks, the enemy's endeavours -and intentions were extended along the whole -British line, with the exception of the hill, which -they did not again attack after the morning. We -had not posted any troops in the valley, or on -the hills on our left, the former being commanded, -and the latter considered too distant; -but it soon became evident that the enemy had -turned their views to these points.</p> - -<p>The Spanish division of Gen. Bassecourt was -in consequence borrowed from Cuesta, and sent -across the valley to oppose the enemy's light -troops on the distant ridge. The French soon -after advanced two heavy columns into the valley, -consisting of the divisions of Vilelle and Ruffin, -and two-thirds of our cavalry were ordered to -occupy the valley opposite them. Gen. Anson's -brigade arrived first, while the heavy brigade was -moving from the rear of the centre to its support. -The enemy's two columns advanced, supported -by cavalry, threatened to turn our left, and orders, -either positive or discretionary, were given -to charge them if opportunity offered; these were -either interpreted into direct orders, or considered -as definitive, under particular circumstances,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span> -and the 23d regiment soon after advanced -in line against one of the columns, the -brigade of Laval, which had taken post with its -flank against a house. This gallant regiment -moved forward with great steadiness, and the -squadron, (for the width of only one could embrace -the front of the column,) on arriving within -firing distance, received a well-directed volley. -It seemed to stop them in their career—the whole -country was instantly covered with horses galloping -back without riders, and men straggling -to the rear without horses, while a dense spot -seen from the hill marked where the slaughtered -lay.</p> - -<p>Though this squadron was annihilated, the -others dashed on, passed between and round the -columns, and fell upon a brigade of cavalry in -the rear, broke through them, and rushed on a -second brigade beyond. Of these, some cut their -way back, while many were slain or taken. -Though this desperate charge cost the 23d two-thirds -of its men and horses, it had the effect of -astounding the enemy, who, seeing not only the -1st German, and the 3d and 4th dragoons prepared -for a similar act, but the Spanish cavalry -moving into the valley in support, and their -efforts unsuccessful elsewhere, not only gave up -all farther idea of penetrating in that quarter, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span> -seemed satisfied that it was imprudent and hopeless -any longer to continue the contest. But for -being on the defensive, the gaps in our lines, -which now forcibly showed themselves, by the -regiments not covering one-third of their former -ground, would have made us come to the like -conclusion; and it was no unpleasing sight to -see them begin gradually to draw off their infantry, -and bring forward, to cover their retreat, -their cavalry, which had been all day in numerous -<i>échelons</i>, extending back to the woods. -They formed several lines, and must have numbered -not less than 9 or 10,000 cavalry, dressed -in all the colours of the rainbow.</p> - -<p>But the views of the British were attracted to -a new enemy which had threatened occasionally -during the day, and had gained great head soon -after the defeat on the right and centre. The -ripe corn and dry grass took fire from the cartridges -and wadding, and hundreds of acres were -rapidly consumed, involving in their conflagrations -the more severely wounded and helpless; -adding a new and horrid character to the misery -of war.</p> - -<p>It was so general, that it was a consolation to -the friends of officers slain, to learn that their -bodies, when found, did not bear the marks of -being scorched or burned in their last moments!</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span></p> - -<p>But the attention of all was directed till dusk -to the enemy's evident preparations for retreat, -and during the night they drew off behind the -Alberche, which river they had all crossed by the -daylight of the 29th; on which morning, Brig.-Gen. -R. Craufurd joined the army with 3000 men, -and a troop of horse-artillery, and was pushed on -to the old ruin, from which Sir Arthur had so -narrowly escaped two days before. But these -reinforcements, consisting of the 43d, 52d, and -95th, (the beginning of the celebrated light division,) -did not make up for the heavy loss we -had sustained during the 27th and 28th.</p> - -<p>Out of 17,500 men we had lost 5,335, including -Generals M'Kenzie and Langworth killed, -and Gen. Hill, Sir H. Campbell, and Brig.-Gen. -A. Campbell, wounded. This was two-sevenths -of our force, and is, with the exception of Albuera, -the heaviest list of casualties offered, for -the men engaged, of any victorious army in -modern war. The loss of the 23d Dragoons was -remarkable from its extent; that fine regiment, -which had only joined three weeks, being only -able to assemble, after the action, one hundred -men. Two officers and forty-six men and ninety-five -horses were killed on the spot, and besides -the numerous wounded, three officers, and about -one hundred men were taken, in consequence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">237</a></span> -penetrating into the enemy's supporting cavalry. -The whole regiment was so reduced, as to be sent -home to England, on our return to the Portuguese -frontier.</p> - -<p>The Spanish returns gave between 1300 and -1400 men, but this included their loss on the -25th in front of St. Ollala<a name="FNanchor_38" id="FNanchor_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38" class="fnanchor"><sup>38</sup></a>.</p> - -<p>The French army fell back across the Alberche, -diminished not less than one-fifth, if not one-fourth -of their effectives, their loss being indifferently -rated from 10 to 14,000 men. Some of -the little enclosures in front of the right of the -British were choked with their dead, and in one -little field more than 400 bodies were counted.</p> - -<p>Besides the innumerable dead, vast numbers of -wounded were left in our front; and many more -stand of arms than the most sanguine rated their -loss, were abandoned on the field of battle<a name="FNanchor_39" id="FNanchor_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39" class="fnanchor"><sup>39</sup></a>. -Nineteen pieces of cannon remained in our possession<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span> -as trophies of our victory<a name="FNanchor_40" id="FNanchor_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40" class="fnanchor"><sup>40</sup></a>. Besides -these, they left in our possession several silk -standards, but whether they had borne eagles or -not it was difficult to say; as, besides being much -broken and torn when brought into head-quarters, -the staff of one had been used as a poker to a -bivouac fire. It was the custom of the French to -unscrew their eagles, and for the eagle-bearers to -conceal them about their person when in danger. -Having only one to a regiment, and there -being five battalions to each, every eagle taken -by us during the war, may be considered as equivalent -to five stand of colours, and the trophies -at Whitehall as ten times more numerous than -they appear.</p> - -<p>It is a remarkable and curious instance of the -instability of human institutions, that these idols -of the French armies for so many years, and -around which so much blood was spilt, only now -exist as trophies to their conquerors.</p> - -<p>This hard-fought battle was remarkable from -the circumstance of almost the entire efforts of -an army being directed on the troops of one nation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span> -of their allied opponents. It is, perhaps, fortunate, -that the rancour and vanity of the enemy -led them to this conduct, as, had they forced the -Spaniards from the difficult country on our right, -our army would have been thrown off the Tagus, -and had to combat the whole French army, with -its communications threatened, if not cut off.</p> - -<p>With the exception of occupying the ground, -the dash of the regiment of King's cavalry, and -the employment of a few battalions in skirmishing -on the hills on our left, the Spaniards -did nothing whatever<a name="FNanchor_41" id="FNanchor_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41" class="fnanchor"><sup>41</sup></a>. But their previous behaviour -had tended to make us uneasy during the -whole battle, and so disgusted was Cuesta with -some of his troops, that he ordered several officers -and men to be shot for cowardice the next -day. This battle gave the character to all the -subsequent actions in the Peninsula. They were -ever almost entirely of infantry and artillery, -while the cavalry, which acted with such effect -on the continent, did not assert its power. However -brilliant Vimiera and Corunna, still Talavera -must be considered as the place where the military -character of the two nations was fairly -brought to trial and proved. This battle proved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span> -the total want of firmness of the enemy in meeting -our troops with the bayonet, and offered an -example, followed by others on every occasion, of -their best troops flying like chaff before the wind, -on the hostile troops arriving within charging -distance.</p> - -<p>The French would ever expose themselves to -fire at the smallest distance as long as ourselves, -but a hurra and a rush with the bayonet, within -reach, caused their instant flight.</p> - -<p>With the exception of a few desperate men at -the rear of a flying column, or from accidental -circumstances, scarce any bayonet wounds were -exchanged during the whole war; and their dread -of closing was so strongly evinced in foggy weather, -that a shout was sufficient, as at the pass of Maida -in the Pyrenees, to disperse a forming column.</p> - -<p>Indeed, our bayonets might as well have been of -pasteboard, from their temper being so seldom -tried, for the dread of them alone was sufficient -to scatter the best troops of France. In fact it is a -bad, if not useless weapon in their hands, and the -Portuguese beat them with it on more than one -occasion.</p> - -<p>Brig.-Gen. Alexander Campbell had two horses -shot under him, and though wounded through the -thigh, continued on his horse till the close of the -battle. Sir H. Campbell, who headed the brigade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">241</a></span> -of Guards, was wounded in the face, the ball entering -the cheek and coming out behind the ear. -Col. Gordon, of the 83d, was badly wounded in -the neck, and when in the act of being removed -to the rear, a shell fell into the blanket in which -he was carried, and bursting, slew alike the -wounded and his bearers. A man of the 87th, -while lying down, was shot, the ball entering the -head, and was alive five days after.</p> - -<p>The incessant and terrible cannonade had -created the most shocking wounds, and an unusual -portion of wounded were not expected again -to join the ranks. The standard of one of the -regiments of Guards had three balls in its staff. -The prisoners and deserters stated that, during -the action, a Westphalian regiment, in the -enemy's service, mutinied, but that they were -reduced to obedience and marched to the rear.</p> - -<p>The morning after the battle was employed in -removing our numerous and suffering wounded -into the convents and churches, now converted -into hospitals. By requisitions of beds and -blankets, within three days, principally through -the exertion of the head of the medical staff, Dr. -Frank, no patient was without a mattrass. Nurses -and orderlies were selected to attend, and Sir -Arthur visited the hospitals himself. The number<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">242</a></span> -of deaths from wounds that proved mortal, -obliged immense burial parties to be employed -during the first three or four days in removing -the bodies from the hospitals. Even in the case -of the officers, it was only through the attention -of their brother officers, who read the service -themselves, that the usual funeral forms were -used, while the men were interred without prayers, -being generally placed in ditches and the bank -dug in upon them.</p> - -<p>The heat of the weather rendered as necessary -a proper attention to the dead of the enemy, and -the Spaniards burned a vast number of the slain; -but the weather was too rapid for all exertion, -and the tainted air was fraught with every horror, -so that the quarters of some of the troops were -forced to be changed. Though distressing to relate, -it must not be overlooked, that the 29th was -disgraced by the atrocious conduct of the -Spaniards, in putting to death most of the enemy's -wounded left in our front. The amount has been -rated as high as one thousand, but it is certain -several hundred were thus inhumanly butchered. -One of our officers found a French officer badly -wounded, and, on offering to seek aid, the poor -fellow remarked, that he had no right to expect -it, until our own numerous wounded were housed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span> -and dressed. But during the search for assistance, -the Spaniards had passed the spot, and he was -found stabbed to death!</p> - -<p>Sir Arthur felt he could not too soon thank -the army which had so nobly aided his efforts, -and on the 29th his Excellency issued a long -order to that effect, naming distinguished officers -and regiments. The enemy continued a rear -guard on the Alberche till the night of the 31st -July, when they retired through St. Ollala, and -our patrols passed through that town: here our -officers learned some curious details of the -enemies' bearing, under the different feelings -of confidence of success and the discouragement -of subsequent defeat. In the house where -the King had lodged, an instance was given -highly creditable to Joseph. A caricature was -discovered of El Rey Pepé, which created -great indignation in those around Joseph's person, -accompanied by threats and ill-treatment. -The King, the next morning, on his departure, -tendered his host a snuff-box, remarking, that he -should be more careful of its contents than of the -caricature; on its being opened, it was found to -contain the King's miniature.</p> - -<p>We were prevented from moving after the -enemy, not only on account of our numerous -wounded, but from want of provisions. Our difficulties<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span> -on this head greatly increased after the -battle, and were felt to so great an extent, that -the army in part became disorganized, from the -ravenous callings for food overpowering all other -considerations. While, it was said, comparative -plenty reigned in the Spanish camp, our troops -were driven to seek and take provisions by force, -wherever they could find them; this led to such -straggling from the camp, that on the 2d of August -the rolls were ordered to be called every two -hours. While our position was thus unsatisfactory -and even doubtful, news reached head-quarters -that our rear was threatened by troops moving -down from Castile and Leon. On the 30th a -rumour (proved however to be anticipated) spread -that the French had arrived in Placentia, and the -anxiety became universal.</p> - -<p>Our information at this time was less perfect -than it afterwards became, and the various reports -left the impression that it was Soult's corps alone -of 12 to 15,000 men that was thus menacing our -communication with Portugal. This however did -not make our position untenable, as our army of -between 15 and 16,000, was capable of defeating -his force, if Cuesta could be persuaded to hold his -ground, and keep in check the lately defeated -army, and thus cover our hospitals. To this -Cuesta agreed, and, ordering Gen. Bassecourt's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span> -division to act as our advance, caused it to march -to Oropesa on the 2d. Arrangements were made -respecting the hospitals, and Col. M'Kinnon was -left in their charge, with but thirty-four medical -officers (all we could spare) to attend 5,000 sick -and wounded.</p> - -<p>We left Talavera on the 3d, under the full expectation -of fighting the forces coming from the -north, concentrating about Naval Moral. On our -arrival at Oropesa on the evening of that day, Bassecourt -was pushed on towards that place, and -orders were given out implying active and immediate -operations, by directing the troops to hold -themselves in readiness to march by such orders -as they might receive from the Quarter-master-general.</p> - -<p>But the course of the night changed all our -prospects. Sir Arthur received a despatch from -Cuesta stating, that he had received information -on which he could depend, that not only had -Soult's corps moved from the north, but that it -was accompanied by the two other corps, the 5th -and 6th, and that he had, in consequence, determined -to retire from Talavera. This implied the -sacrifice to the enemy of all in our hospitals who -had not the power of walking, as the Spaniards, -on Col. M'Kinnon applying to them for means of -transport, furnished only ten or a dozen carts,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span> -while very many quitted the town empty. Col. -M'Kinnon, thus under the painful necessity of -leaving nearly 2,300 sick and wounded, gave directions -for the rest to withdraw by a nearer road to -the bridge of Arzobispo, than through Oropesa.<a name="FNanchor_42" id="FNanchor_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42" class="fnanchor"><sup>42</sup></a></p> - -<p>This unexpected news added to Sir Arthur's -difficulties; and while these were under consideration, -they were greatly increased by the whole -Spanish army coming in upon us, at daylight on -the 4th, with their carts and baggage.</p> - -<p>On this occasion the old General had not -wanted decision, as was proved by the arrival of -himself and army within a few hours after forming -his opinion.</p> - -<p>The intelligence of Cuesta proved most true; a -junction of the three corps had taken place, -and the King, before he left Madrid, had -sent them orders on the 22d to advance on Placentia. -The head-quarters of the 2d, 5th, and -6th corps were at Salamanca on the 27th of July, -and directing their march on three succeeding -days to the south, forced all the weak passes and -posts, and arrived on the 1st of August, at Placentia,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">247</a></span> -making prisoners 300 sick in the hospitals.</p> - -<p>The Spanish troops, retiring before Soult, crossed -the Tagus, and fortunately destroyed the -bridge of boats at Almarez. But the enemy only -thought of intercepting and surrounding the -British, and their advance reached Naval Moral -on the 3d, but five leagues from Oropesa, thus -cutting off the direct road by Almarez to Portugal.</p> - -<p>No time was now to be lost, as we were not -only likely to be attacked from the west, but, in -consequence of the retreat of the Spaniards, -threatened with the advance of King Joseph, and -his defeated army at Talavera, within three or -four days: in which case we should have had, -besides 36 to 38,000 from Madrid, 30 to 34,000 -from Placentia.</p> - -<p>But Sir Arthur soon decided, and gave directions, -at four o'clock on the 4th, for all the baggage -to proceed across the bridge of Arzobispo. -This was preparatory to a similar movement of the -army; and having recalled Bassecourt's division, -the whole British force filed over to the left bank -of the Tagus, where the wounded from Talavera -arrived a short time before.</p> - -<p>The Spaniards followed to the side of the -river, but did not cross that evening. So nearly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">248</a></span> -had the enemy intercepted our retreat, that at -dusk his cavalry interchanged some shots with -our advance-posts, close to Arzobispo, and -carried off one of our videttes. The Spaniards -did not cross the next day; but the British army -proceeded down the river, by the same road where -the enemy had turned Cuesta's flank before the battle -of Medellin, in the preceding spring. This was -rendered most necessary, as the occupation of -Almarez could alone secure a retreat upon Portugal; -and the pontoons, though removed, had -been left but in the charge of some militia. -Head-quarters on the 5th were near the village -of Peretada de Gabern, and the 3rd division, -which had been placed under the orders of General -Craufurd, with the addition of his light brigade, -was pushed by narrow paths across the mountain, -and reached a point within two leagues of the -passage over the Tagus.</p> - -<p>On the 6th it reached Roman Gourdo, which -secured this important position, and head-quarters -moved on to Meza de Ibor, (the spot of Cuesta's -unsuccessful affair on the 17th of March), and -the following day to Deleytoza. It was now possible -to halt with security; from the pass at -Almarez being secured; and in a large convent, -about a mile from the town, a hospital was formed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">249</a></span> -and it was found above 2,000 wounded had accompanied -the army.</p> - -<p>General A. Campbell had found his way in a -huckster's tilted-cart, with a bed made in it, -across the most difficult passes in the mountain.</p> - -<p>The roads during three days' march were -scarcely capable of transport, and the greatest -difficulty was experienced in conveying the artillery, -while the troops were often halted to cover -their retreat.</p> - -<p>As we moved over the high ridges, we had a -most extensive view across the place we had -traversed a fortnight before from Placentia, and -saw the glittering of the arms, and the rising -dust of the French columns moving on Oropesa.</p> - -<p>Colonel Waters and Captain Mellish crossed -the river, and reconnoitered the last of these -columns, and learned from the peasants, that it -was the third of the same size that had passed -along that road within the preceding few days; -thus fully confirming the information of the three -corps having been directed on our rear.</p> - -<p>Thus, as in the preceding year, the British -had again drawn five <i>corps d'armée</i> of the eight -in Spain upon them. Some of the troops from -the north were not re-equipped after their losses -in the north of Portugal, but the three corps had -little short of 35,000 effectives. However precipitate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">250</a></span> -the retreat of Cuesta, it would have been -eventually necessary, for, although we could have -checked on the 5th, 6th, and 7th, the successive -arriving columns of the enemy from Naval Moral, -(allowing time for the very desirable transport of -many more of our wounded beyond Arzobispo), -still our position would sooner or later have -become untenable.</p> - -<p>It may be conjectured that few armies have -witnessed such vicissitudes as the French and -English armies within the short period of eleven -months. The two armies had more than once -advanced and retired in the face of each other. -Many of those we saw marching across the plain -with the sanguine hope of intercepting our retreat, -had been driven from Portugal and carried -to France, had witnessed our embarkation from -Corunna, and had since been expelled from the -Tras os Montes, and now again were compelling -us, by an immense superiority of numbers, again -to retrograde.</p> - -<p>After leaving the Spaniards at Arzobispo, the -two armies were totally disunited, and little or -no subsequent communication took place between -them. We had seen enough of both officers and -men to despise and distrust them, from their -chief to the drummer, and to hope that we might -never again be in the same camp. They not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">251</a></span> -only were incapable of acting as a military auxiliary, -but were wholly remiss in fulfilling their -promises, and instead of attempting to find us in -provisions, while plenty reigned in their camp, -even our officers were destitute of bread. While -our troops were on one occasion four days without -this indispensable necessary, they had the shameless -impudence to sell loaves to our starving -soldiers at an immoderate price. So pressing -were our wants, that one of our commissaries -took from them by force one hundred bullocks -and one hundred mule loads of bread. But if -their conduct before us had been despicable, it no -less at a distance deserved reprehension. Vanegas, -who was to have made a powerful diversion from -La Mancha on Toledo, completely failed, even to -the extent of alarming the enemy, who felt satisfied -that 2,000 men in that city were sufficient to -keep in check his whole force, while the passes -along the Portuguese and Spanish frontier were -gained almost without a struggle.</p> - -<p>But disasters quickly followed the Spaniards -after our separation. On the 6th they crossed -to the left bank of the Tagus, and on the following -day Cuesta retired with his main force, -leaving two divisions of infantry, and the cavalry -with the artillery in battery to defend the bridge. -The enemy showed themselves on the 6th on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">252</a></span> -opposite bank, and increased in number on the -7th, but the interposition of the river between -them made the Spaniards consider themselves -in perfect safety. On the 8th, the French -brought up the artillery, and opened a fire on -some redoubts constructed by the Spaniards, -while they made preparations for crossing the -river. The Spanish cavalry, devoid of all caution, -were out in watering order, when 2,000 cavalry -dashed into the river, above the bridge, at a good -ford, and attacked the redoubts in the rear, at -once enveloping the Spanish camp in confusion, -dismay, and rout. They fled, some in the -direction of Messa de Ibor, others to the southward, -leaving their baggage and guns in the -hands of the enemy. Those who fled on the -former road abandoned guns and ammunition-waggons -several leagues beyond the point of pursuit; -and Colonel Waters, sent from our head-quarters -with a flag of truce, finding them thus -safe, persuaded the Spaniards, with difficulty, -to return and bring back their deserted guns.</p> - -<p>This disgraceful affair was the climax of disasters -to this army. It could not assemble in a -few days subsequently 18,000 men, and the Duke -of Albuquerque (against whose advice the Spanish -cavalry had been left unprepared), quitted it in -disgust, sending in charges to the Cortes against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">253</a></span> -his commander. This was anticipated by Cuesta, -who, on the plea of his health, resigned on the -13th the command of the army. To complete -the sad picture presented by the Spaniards, -Vanegas, without answering any purpose, just so -committed himself on the Toledo side, that -Sebastiani fell upon him at Almonacaio on the -10th, and routed him with considerable loss.</p> - -<p>Want of forage and provisions continued to an -alarming degree in the mountainous tract around -Deleytosa and Almarez, and, still keeping the -advance at the latter place, rendered necessary -the armies' moving more to the westward. Head-quarters -were on the 11th at Jarecejo, in order -to be nearer Truxillo, where a large depôt was -forming. Sir Arthur ordered, with justice, that -the stoppage for the troops usually of sixpence -a-day for their provisions, should be only three-pence -from the 27th of July till further orders, -in reference to their want of regular supplies.<a name="FNanchor_43" id="FNanchor_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43" class="fnanchor"><sup>43</sup></a> -While the head-quarters were at this place, the -effects of want of food began to show themselves -on the troops, by sickness breaking out, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">254</a></span> -not at first to the alarming extent it did a month -after on the Guadiana.</p> - -<p>But the road by Castel Branco to Lisbon -was only covered by a small force of four -British regiments, which had been moving up -under General C. Craufurd, and it became -necessary to place the army nearer to Portugal, -in a position to cover both banks of -the Tagus, should the enemy direct his march -from Placentia. Although Craufurd was soon -joined by Marshal Beresford from the north, the -army moved on the 20th from Jarecejo to Truxillo, -and gradually withdrew towards the frontier, -head-quarters passing through Majadas, Medellin, -Merida, to Badajoz, where Sir Arthur established -himself on the 3rd of September with the troops -cantoned as follows:—</p> - - -<table summary="Divisions"> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdlb">First Division at</td> - <td class="tdlb">Badajos, Arroyo, Lobone, Almendralejo, Talavera la Real, and Santa Marta.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdlb">Second Division</td> - <td class="tdlb">Modtejo, La Mata, La Puebla de la Calsada, Gorravilla, and Torre Major.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdlb">Third Division</td> - <td class="tdlb">Campo Mayor.<br />Villa de Rey.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdlb">Fourth Division</td> - <td class="tdlb">Olivenza.<br />Badajos.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc" colspan="2"> </td> - </tr> -</table> - - -<p>In the mean time the enemy had not followed -the defeated Spaniards, but, fearful of leaving the -north of Spain without troops, as early as they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">255</a></span> -had separated the two armies, and felt secure of -the capital, the three corps set out on their -return, on the 9th, towards Salamanca. Sir R. -Wilson, whose advance to Escalona had not produced -the supposed effect on the French army, -or at Madrid, in retiring from his exposed situation, -took post in the pass of Baños. This was the -direct road for the enemies returning columns, -who, after a sharp affair on the 12th, forced the -position, and continued their route, leaving Sir -Robert to fall back on the frontier of Portugal.</p> - -<p>Thus ended the campaign of 1809, which was -not less brilliant than interesting, and tended -greatly to the ultimate deliverance of Spain and -Europe. Though no immediate results were produced -from it, there can be no doubt it saved -Andalusia for a time, which province would never -have fallen into the enemy's power, had not the -besotted Spaniards sought opportunities for defeat, -and committed themselves, as at Ocana. In drawing -the three corps from the north, it showed all that -part of Spain that the struggle was continued -with firmness in other quarters; and the very -fact of relieving the country from the pressure of -the enemy, allowed breathing time, and proved -their stay might not be permanent.</p> - -<p>The battle of the 27th and 28th July broke<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">256</a></span> -much the enemy's confidence when opposed to -us; and their repulse not only gave spirits to the -Spaniards, but opened the eyes of Europe to the -possibility of defeating the French; for it may -be fearlessly advanced, that the <i>morale</i> of the -European armies was restored by this and our -succeeding campaigns in Spain.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a name="Footnote_25" id="Footnote_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25">25</a> This was not greatly exaggerated, if the artillery, the regular -Foreign Regiments in the French service, and those of the -various countries of Europe, at Buonaparte's disposal, are included.—'Sous -le titre modeste de protecteur, Napoléon envahit -l'argent et les soldats d'une moitié de l'Allemagne,' says Foy, -speaking of the Confederation of the Rhine; and besides, he -had the armies of Italy, Naples, Holland, and the Grand Duchy -of Varsovie at his command.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26" id="Footnote_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26">26</a> Cependant, parce que les Anglais s'étaient embarqués à la -Corogne, Napoléon se complut dans l'idée qu'ils ne reparaitraient -point sur le continent, et que les Portugais, perdant tout espoir -d'en être secourus, recevraient les Français en amis.—Telle était -son aveugle confiance, que les mouvemens de l'armée étaient tracés -par dates.—<i>Mémoires sur les Opérations Militaires des Français -en Gallice, en Portugal, et dans la Vallée du Tage, en 1809.</i></p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27" id="Footnote_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27">27</a> At Corunna a soldier's wife, taken in the retreat, was sent -in by Junot. She brought his compliments to the general officers -he had known the preceding year, and a message that he and his -corps were opposite them, ready to "<i>pay off old scores</i>."</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28" id="Footnote_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28">28</a> This is the present Marquis de Chaves, who headed the insurrection -in 1827, against the Constitution.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29" id="Footnote_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29">29</a> The author was himself on board.—Ed.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30" id="Footnote_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30">30</a> The French called the British force with which we advanced -against Oporto, 30,000 men.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31" id="Footnote_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31">31</a> Franceschi was an old opponent of Gen. Stewart, the -Adjutant-General having commanded the brigade, of which a -portion had been surprised at Rueda in Leon, a few months -before, during the Corunna campaign.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32" id="Footnote_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32">32</a> In the French account of this campaign, published at Paris -1821, the Author represents <i>le 47<sup>e</sup> de ligne</i>, when covering this -retreat, as "se conduisant valeureusement."</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33" id="Footnote_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33">33</a> The Author of the "Voyage en Espagne et Lettres -Philosophiques," says at this time, "Les Espagnols ne pouvaient -plus rien par eux-mêmes: ils n'avaient à opposer que -des partis mal armés, mal équipés, mal aguerris, et plus mal -commandés encore."</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34" id="Footnote_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34">34</a> In the Author's original copy of his Journal, written a few -days after, he finds the conduct of the Spaniards on this occasion -thus noticed:—"and it is my belief they would have continued -till <i>now</i>, if we had not aided them."</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35" id="Footnote_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35">35</a> It is needless to say, this alludes to Foy's Introduction -to the War of the Peninsula.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36" id="Footnote_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36">36</a> We were occupied after this attack in carrying away -our wounded in blankets, by four or five soldiers, and within -a short time the number of unfortunate men assembled round -our field hospital, a small house and enclosure behind our -centre, barely out of cannon shot, proved our heavy loss.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37" id="Footnote_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37">37</a> It is remarkable how the accounts differ respecting the -hour of attack. Sir Arthur says about twelve, another relater -mentions two, and Jourdan, in his interesting letter, places it -as late as four o'clock.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38" id="Footnote_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38">38</a> Nous pûmes remarquer à l'occasion de ces deux affaires, -le peu de cas que les Espagnols faisaient des Anglais; ils ne les -surent aucun gré des efforts qu'ils firent à Talavera, et croyaient -faire éloge de leur armée en disant qu'elle n'avait essuyé presqu'aucune -perte. Les Anglais de leur côté les méprisent souverainement, -et sont honteux de les avoir pour Alliés.—<i>M.S. Journal -of a French Officer taken at Badajoz.</i></p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39" id="Footnote_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39">39</a> It was said 17,000 were found.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40" id="Footnote_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40">40</a> A noble Peer, on the vote of thanks to the army, afterwards -remarked, that the capture of these guns was no proof of a -victory, as, he sagaciously observed, it might have been <i>convenient</i> -for the enemy to leave them on the field of battle.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41" id="Footnote_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41">41</a> "Les Espagnols seuls restaient paisibles spectateurs du -combat," says a French author.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42" id="Footnote_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42">42</a> We had the satisfaction of hearing after, that Victor, on entering -Talavera, behaved with the greatest attention and kindness -to those who, by the chance of war, had thus been left to -his mercy and care.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43" id="Footnote_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43">43</a> It was not till the 12th of August that rations of spirits -were delivered to the troops, and only on the 2nd September, -that the regular delivery of provision, allowed the stoppage of -sixpence per day.</p> -</div> - - - - -<hr /> - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">257</a></span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><span class="small">NARRATIVE</span><br /> -<span class="xsmall">OF THE</span><br /> -CAMPAIGN IN HOLLAND<br /> -<span class="xsmall">IN 1814,<br /> -WITH DETAILS OF THE</span><br /> -<span class="small">ATTACK ON BERGEN-OP-ZOOM:<br /> -BY LIEUT. J. W. DUNBAR MOODIE, H. P.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap xsmall">21st FUSILEERS.</span></h2> -</div> - - -<p class="center in0 p2t">(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL.)</p> - - - - -<hr /> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">259</a></span></p> - -<p class="newpage center in0"><span class="large">NARRATIVE</span><br /> -OF THE<br /> -<span class="large">CAMPAIGN IN HOLLAND IN 1814.</span></p> - - -<p>There are certain events in the life of every -man on which the memory dwells with peculiar -pleasure; and the impressions they leave, from -being interwoven with his earliest and most -agreeable associations, are not easily effaced from -his mind. Sixteen years have now elapsed since -the short campaign in Holland, and the ill-fated -attack on Bergen-op-Zoom; but almost every -circumstance that passed under my notice at that -period, still remains as vividly pictured in my -mind as if it had occurred but yesterday.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">260</a></span></p> - -<p>Our regiment, the 21st, or Royal North -British Fusileers, was stationed at Fort-George -when the order came for our embarkation for -Holland. Whoever has experienced the dull -monotony of garrison duty, may easily conceive -the joy with which the intelligence was hailed. -The eve of our embarkation was spent in all the -hilarity inspired by the occasion, and, as may be -supposed, the bottle circulated with more than -ordinary rapidity. Our convoy, Captain Nixon, -R.N. in return for some kindness he had met -with from my family, while on the Orkney station, -insisted on my taking my passage to Helvoet -Sluys, along with our commanding officer and -acting-adjutant, on board his own vessel, the -Nightingale. The scene that was exhibited next -day, as we were embarking, must be familiar to -most military men. The beach presented a spectacle -I shall never forget. While the boats, -crowded with soldiers, with their arms glittering -in the sun, were pushing off, women were to be -seen up to their middles in the water, bidding, -perhaps, a last farewell to their husbands; while -others were sitting disconsolate on the rocks, -stupified with grief, and almost insensible of what -was going forward. Many of the poor creatures -were pouring out blessings on the officers, and -begging us to be kind to their husbands. At<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">261</a></span> -last, when we had got the soldiers fairly seated -in their places, which was no easy task, we pulled -off, while the shouts of our men were echoed back -in wailings and lamentations, mixed with benedictions, -from the unhappy women left behind -us. As for the officers, most of us being young -fellows, and single, we had little to damp our -joy at going on foreign service. For my own -part, I confess I felt some tender regrets in parting -with a fair damsel in the neighbourhood, with -whom I was not a little smitten; but I was not of -an age to take these matters long to heart, being -scarcely sixteen at the time. Poor A—— R—— -has since been consigned, by a calculating mother, -to an old officer, who had nearly lost his sight, -but accumulated a few thousand pounds in the -West Indies.</p> - -<p>We soon got under way, with a fair wind, for -Holland. Instead of being crammed into a transport, -with every circumstance which could -render a sea-voyage disagreeable, we felt ourselves -lucky in being in most comfortable quarters, -with a most excellent gentlemanly fellow for our -entertainer in Captain Nixon. To add to our -comforts, we had the regimental band with us, -who were generally playing through the day, -when the weather or sea-sickness would allow -them. On arriving off Goeree, we were overtaken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">262</a></span> -by one of the most tremendous gales I -have ever experienced, and I have had some experience -of the element since. We had come to -anchor, expecting a pilot from the shore, between -two sandbanks, one on each side of us, while another -extended between us and the land. The gale -commenced towards night, blowing right on shore. -Our awful situation may well be conceived when -the wind increased almost to a hurricane, with -no hope of procuring a pilot. The sea, which -had begun to rise before the commencement of -the gale, was now running mountains high, and -we could see the white foam, and hear the tremendous -roar of the breakers on the sandbank -astern of us. Of the two transports which accompanied -us with the troops on board, one had -anchored outside of us, and the other had been -so fortunate as to get out to sea before the gale -had reached its greatest violence. We had two -anchors a-head, but the sea was so high, that -we had but little expectation of holding-on during -the night. About midnight, the transport which -had come to anchor to windward, drifted past us, -having carried away her cables.</p> - -<p>The sea every now and then broke over us -from stem to stern, and we continued through a -great part of the night to fire signals of distress. -It is curious to observe on these occasions the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">263</a></span> -different effects of danger on the minds of men: -the nervous, alarmed too soon, and preparing -themselves for the worst that may happen; the -stupid and insensible, without forethought of -danger, until they are in the very jaws of destruction, -when they are taken quite unprepared, -and resign themselves up to despair; and the -thoughtless, whose levity inclines them to catch -the external expression of the confidence or fear in -the countenances of those around them. About one -o'clock in the morning, the captain got into bed, -and we followed his example, but had hardly lain -down, when the alarm was given that one of the -cables was gone. We immediately ran on deck, -but it was soon discovered that the wind had -shifted a few points, and that the cable had only -slackened a little. As the day dawned, the wind -gradually abated, and at length fell off to a dead -calm. A light haze hid the low land from our -view, and hung over the sea, which still rolled -in huge billows, as if to conceal the horrors of -our situation during the preceding night. In an -hour or two, the fog cleared away sufficiently to -enable us to see a few miles in all directions. -Every eye was strained in search of the two -transports, with our regiment on board, but -seeing nothing, we all gave them up for lost; -for we could hardly conceive the possibility of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">264</a></span> -transport, which drifted past us in the night, -escaping shipwreck on this low and dangerous -coast, or of the other being able to get out to -sea. By the help of our sweeps and a light -breeze, we were getting more in with the land, -when at last we observed a pilot-boat coming out -to us. Our little Dutch pilot, when he got alongside -of us, soon relieved our minds from anxiety -as to the fate of one of the transports, which had -fortunately escaped the sandbanks, and was safe -in Helvoet Sluys.</p> - -<p>A Dutchman being an animal quite new to -many of us, we were not a little diverted with -his dress and demeanour. Diederick was a little, -thick-set, round-built fellow, about five feet three -inches in height, bearing a considerable resemblance -in shape to his boat: he was so cased up -in clothes, that no particular form was to be -traced about him, excepting an extraordinary -roundness and projection "<i>a posteriori</i>," which -he owed as much, I believe, to nature as to his habiliments. -He wore a tight, coarse, blue jerkin, -or pea-jacket, on his body, and reaching half-way -down his legs, gathered up in folds tight round -his waist, and bunching out amply below. His -jacket had no collar, but he had a handkerchief -tied round his neck like a rope, which, with his -protruding glassy eyes, gave him the appearance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">265</a></span> -of strangulation. On his legs he wore so many -pairs of breeches and trowsers, that I verily -believe we might have pulled off three or four -pairs without being a whit the wiser as to his -natural conformation. On his feet he wore a -pair of shoes with huge buckles, and his head -was crowned with a high-topped red nightcap. -Thus equipped, with the addition of a short pipe -stuck in his mouth, "<i>ecce</i>" Diederick, our worthy -pilot, who stumping manfully up to the Captain, -with his hand thrust out like a bowsprit, and a -familiar nod of his head, wished him "<i>goeden -dag</i>," and welcomed him cordially to Holland. -I observed that our Captain seemed a little -"taken aback" with the pilot's republican -manners; however, he did not refuse honest -Diederick a shake of his hand, for the latter had -evidently no conception of a difference in rank -requiring any difference in the mode of salutation. -After paying his respects to the captain, he proceeded -to shake us all by the hand in turn, with -many expressions of goodwill to the English, -whom he was pleased to say had <i>always</i> been -the Dutchmen's best friends. Having completed -the ceremonial of our reception, he returned to the -binnacle, and, hearing the leadsman sing out "by -the mark three," clapping his fat fists to his sides, -and looking up to see if the sails were "clean<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">266</a></span> -full," exclaimed with great energy, "Bout -Skipp!" The captain was anxious to procure -some information regarding the channels between -the sandbanks, and depth of the water, but all -the satisfaction our friend Diederick would vouchsafe -him was, "<i>Ja, Mynheer, wanneer wij niet -beter kan maaken dan moeten wij naar de anker -komen</i><a name="FNanchor_44" id="FNanchor_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44" class="fnanchor"><sup>44</sup></a>." We soon reached Helvoet Sluys, -and came to anchor for the night.</p> - -<p>On landing next day, we found the half of the -regiment which had so fortunately escaped shipwreck, -with the transport which had drifted -past us in the night of the gale. Here we took -leave of our kind friends the captain and officers -of the Nightingale, and next day marched to -Buitensluys, a little town nearly opposite to -Willemstadt. Here we were detained for several -days, it not being possible to cross the intervening -branch of the sea, in consequence of the -quantities of ice which were floating down from -the rivers. We soon got ourselves billeted out -in the town and neighbouring country, and established -a temporary mess at the principal inn -of the place, where we began to practise the -Dutch accomplishments of drinking gin and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">267</a></span> -smoking, for which we had a convenient excuse -in the humidity and coldness of the climate. -Our hard drinkers, of course, did not fail to inculcate -the doctrine, that wine and spirits were -the "sovereignest remedy" in the world for the -ague, of which disease they seemed to live in -constant dread, particularly after dinner. During -our sojourn at Buitensluys, our great amusement -through the day was skaiting on the ice with the -country girls, who were nothing shy, and played -all manners of tricks with us, by upsetting us, -&c. &c. thus affording rather a dangerous precedent, -which was sometimes returned on themselves -with interest.</p> - -<p>We are accustomed to hear of the Dutch -phlegm, which certainly forms a distinguishing -feature in their "physical character;" they are -dull and slow in being excited to the strong emotions, -but it is a great mistake to suppose that -this constitutional sluggishness implies any deficiency -in the milder moral virtues. The Dutch, -I generally found to possess, in a high degree, -the kindly, charitable feelings of human nature, -which show themselves to the greater advantage, -from the native simplicity of their manners. I -had got a comfortable billet at a miller's house, -a little out of the village. The good folks finding -that I was a Scotchman, for which people they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">268</a></span> -have a particular liking from some similarity -in their manners, began to treat me with great -cordiality, and threw off that reserve, which is so -natural with people who have soldiers forced into -their houses whether they will or not. The miller -and his cheerful "frow" never tired of showing -me every kindness in their power while I remained -with them, and to such a degree did they carry -this, that it quite distressed me. On leaving -Buitensluys, neither my landlord nor his wife -would accept of any remuneration, though I -urgently pressed it on them. When the avarice -of the Dutch character is taken into account, -they certainly deserve no small praise for this -disinterested kind-heartedness.</p> - -<p>The ice having broken up a little, we were enabled -to get ferried over to Willemstadt, and -proceed on our march to Tholen, where we arrived -in two or three days. The cold in Holland -this winter was excessive, and Tholen being -within four miles of Bergen op-Zoom, a great -part of the inhabitants, as well as garrison, were -every day employed in breaking the ice in the -ditches of the fortifications. The frost, however, -was so intense, that before the circuit was completed, -which was towards evening, we were -often skaiting on the places which had been -broken in the morning; we could not, with all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">269</a></span> -our exertions, break more than nine feet in -width, which was but an ineffectual protection -against the enemy, had they felt any inclination to -attack us in this half-dilapidated fortress, with -our small garrison.</p> - -<p>After we had been here some days, the remainder -of our regiment, who had been saved by -the transport getting out to sea, joined us. -They had sprung a leak, and were near perishing, -when it was fortunately stopped, and the gale -abated. The first thing we all thought of on -coming to Tholen was procuring snug billets, -as we might remain some time in garrison. With -this view, I employed a German corporal, who -acted as our interpreter. He volunteered from -the Veteran Battalion at Fort George to accompany -us. After looking about for some time, -he found out a quarter which he guessed would -suit my taste. The house was inhabited by a -respectable burgher, who had been at sea, and -still retained the title of Skipper. His son, as I -afterwards learned, had died a few months before, -leaving a very pretty young widow, who -still resided with her father-in-law. I had not -seen her long before I became interested in her. -Johanna M—— was innocence and simplicity -itself; tender, soft, and affectionate; her eyes -did not possess that brightness which bespeaks<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">270</a></span> -lively passions, and too often inconstancy; but -they were soft, dark, and liquid, beaming with -affection and goodness of heart. On coming -home one day, I found her with her head resting -on her hands and in tears; her father and -mother-in-law, with their glistening eyes resting -on her, with an expression of sympathy and -sorrow, apparently more for her loss than their -own; as if they would have said, "Poor girl! -we have lost a son, but you have lost a husband." -Johanna, however, was young, and her spirits -naturally buoyant: of course it cannot be supposed -that this intensity of feeling could exist but -at intervals. As usual, I soon made myself quite -at home with the Skipper and his family, and -became, moreover, a considerable favourite, from -the interest I took in Johanna, and a talent at -making punch, which was always put in requisition -when they had a visit from the "<i>Predikaant</i>," -or priest of the parish; on these occasions -I was always one of the party at supper, -which is their principal meal. It usually consisted -of a large tureen, with bits of meat floating -in fat or butter, for which we had to dive with our -forks; we had also forcemeat-balls and sour-crout. -The priest who was the very picture of good-nature -and good-living, wore a three-cornered -cocked-hat, which, according to the fashion of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span> -the middle classes, never quitted his head, excepting -when he said grace. When supper was -over and the punch made, which always drew -forth the most unqualified praises of the "<i>Predikaant</i>," -he would lug out a heap of papers from -his breeches-pocket, inscribed with favourite -Dutch ditties, which, so far as I could understand -the language, contained political allusions to the -state of matters in Europe at the time. The -burden of one of the songs I still remember, from -the constant recurrence of the words, "<i>Well mag -het Ue bekoomen</i>," at the end of each stanza. -The jolly priest being no singer, always read -these overflowings of the Dutch muse with the -most energetic gestures and accent. At the end -of each verse, which seemed by its rhyme to -have something of the titillating effect of a feather -on the sober features of the "Skipper," the -reader would break out into a Stentorian laugh, -enough to have shaken down the walls of Jericho, -or the Stadt-huis itself. The good "<i>vrow</i>," -whose attention was almost entirely occupied -with her household concerns, and who had still -more prose in her composition than her mate, -would now and then, like a good wife, exhibit -some feeble tokens of pleasure, when she observed -his features to relax in a more than ordinary -degree.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">272</a></span></p> - -<p>Soon after I had taken up my abode in the -house, I observed that Johanna had got a Dutch -and English grammar, which she had begun to -study with great assiduity, and as I was anxious -to acquire Dutch, this naturally enough brought -us often together. She would frequently come -into my room to ask the pronunciation of some -word, for she was particularly scrupulous on this -head. On these occasions, I would make her -sit down beside me, and endeavour to make her -perfect in each word in succession; but she -found so much difficulty in bringing her pretty -lips into the proper form, that I was under the -necessity of enforcing my instructions, by -punishing her with a kiss for every failure. But -so far was this from quickening her apprehension, -that the difficulties seemed to increase at -every step. Poor Johanna, notwithstanding this -little innocent occupation, could not, however, -be entirely weaned from her affection for the -memory of her departed husband, for her grief -would often break out in torrents of tears; when -this was the case, we had no lesson for that day.</p> - -<p>Garrison duty is always dull and irksome, and -soldiers are always glad of any thing to break -the monotony of a life where there is no activity -or excitement. One day, while we lay at Tholen, -a letter was brought from head-quarters, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">273</a></span> -was to be forwarded from town to town to Admiral -Young, who was lying in the Scheldt at -the time. A couple of horses and a guide were -procured, and I was sent with the letter, much -to my own satisfaction, as I was glad of an opportunity -to see more of the country. I was ordered -to proceed to a certain town, the name of which -I forget, where another officer should relieve -me. It was late when I got to the town, and -not being aware that it was occupied by a Russian -regiment, I was not a little surprised in being -challenged by a sentry in a foreign language. -I could not make out from the soldier what they -were, until the officer of the guard came up, -who understood a little English. He informed -me that they were on their march to Tholen, -where they were to do garrison duty. On desiring -to be conducted to his commanding officer, -he brought me to the principal house in the -town, at the door of which two sentries were -posted. The scene in the interior was singular -enough. The first object that met my eyes on -entering the Colonel's apartment, was a knot of -soldiers in their green jackets and trowsers, -lying in a heap, one above another, in the corner -of the room, (with their bonnets pulled over their -eyes,) like a litter of puppies, and snoring like -bull-frogs. These were the Colonel's body-guard.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">274</a></span> -The room with its furniture exhibited a scene of -the most outrageous debauchery. Chairs overturned, -broken decanters and bottles, fragments -of tumblers and wine-glasses lay scattered over -the floor and table. Two or three candles were -still burning on the table, and others had been -broken in the conflict of bottles and other missiles. -Taking a rapid glance at the state of matters in -passing, we approached the Colonel's bed, which -stood in one corner of the room. My conductor -drew the curtains, when I saw two people lying -in their flannel-shirts; the elder was a huge, -broad-faced man, with a ferocious expression of -countenance, who I was informed was the -Colonel; the other was a young man about -seventeen years of age, exceedingly handsome, -and with so delicate a complexion, that I actually -thought at the time he must be the Colonel's -wife. With this impression I drew back for a -moment, when he spoke to me in good English, -and told me he was the Adjutant, and begged I -would state what I had to communicate to the -Colonel, which he would interpret to him, as -the latter did not understand English. The -Colonel said he should forward the letter by one -of his officers, and as I could then return to -Tholen, we should proceed to that place next -morning. We proceeded accordingly next morning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">275</a></span> -on our march to Tholen. The Colonel had -sent on his light company as an advanced-guard, -some time before us, with orders to halt at a -village on the road, until the regiment came up. -Whether they had mistaken his orders I know -not, but on coming to the village, no light company -was to be found; and on inquiry, we learned -that they had marched on. The rage of the -Colonel knew no bounds, and produced a most -ridiculous and childish scene betwixt himself -and the officers. With the tears running down -his cheeks, and stamping with rage, he went -among them; first accusing one, and then the -other, as if they were to blame for the mistake of -the advanced-guard. Each of them, however, -answered him in a petulant snappish manner, -like enraged pug-dogs, at the same time clapping -their hands to their swords, and some of -them drawing them half out of the scabbards, -when he would turn away from them, weeping -bitterly like a great blubbering boy all the while. -The officers, however, began to pity the poor -Colonel, and at last succeeded in appeasing his -wrath and drying his tears. He proceeded forthwith -to order an enormous breakfast to be prepared -for us immediately. It was of no use for -the innkeeper to say that he had not any of the -articles they desired, he was compelled by threats<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">276</a></span> -and curses to procure them, come whence they -would. As our landlord knew well whom he -had to deal with, our table soon groaned under -a load of dishes, enough apparently to have -dined four times our number. In a trice we had -every thing that could be procured for love or -money, and it was wonderful to observe with -what alacrity the landlord waited on us, and -obeyed the orders he received. He appeared, in -fact, to have thrown off his native sluggishness, -and two or three pairs of breeches for the occasion. -Before proceeding on the march, I wished -to pay my share of the entertainment, but my -proposal was treated with perfect ridicule. At -first, I imagined that the Russians considered -me as their guest, but I could not discover that -the innkeeper received any remuneration for the -entertainment prepared for us. The Russians -had many odd customs during their meals, such -as drinking out of each other's glasses, and eating -from each other's plates; a compliment, which -in England, we could willingly dispense with. -They seemed to have a great liking to the English, -and every day our men and theirs were -seen walking arm-in-arm about the streets together. -The gin, which was rather too cheap -in this country, seemed to be a great bond of -union between them; and strange to say, I do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">277</a></span> -not recollect a single instance of their quarrelling. -Notwithstanding the snapping between the commanding -officer and the other officers, they -seemed on the whole to be in excellent discipline -in other respects. The manner in which they -went through their exercise was admirable, particularly -when we consider that they were only -sailors acting on shore. There was one custom, -however, which never failed to excite our disgust -and indignation; hardly a day passed but we saw -some of their officers boxing the ears of their men -in the ranks, who seemed to bear this treatment -with the greatest patience, and without turning -their eyes to the right or left during the operation; -but such is the effect of early habits and -custom, that the very men who bore this degrading -treatment, seemed to feel the same disgust -for our military punishment of flogging; -which, however degrading in its effects on the -character of the sufferer, could not at least be -inflicted at the caprice of the individual. We may -here observe the different effects produced on the -character of men by a free and a despotic system -of Government: it was evidently not the <i>nature</i>, -but the <i>degree</i>, of punishment in our service -which shocked the Russian prejudices.</p> - -<p>We had all become thoroughly sick of the monotony -and sameness of our duties and occupations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">278</a></span> -at Tholen, when we received orders to -march the next day, (8th March, 1814). As -the attack on Bergen-op-Zoom, which took place -on that evening, was of course kept a profound -secret, the common opinion was, that we were -destined for Antwerp, where the other division -of the army had already had some fighting. -Though elated, in common with my brother officers, -with the prospect of coming to closer quarters -with the enemy, it was not without tears -on both sides that I parted with poor Johanna, -who had somehow taken a hold of my affections -that I was hardly aware of till this moment. The -time left us to prepare for our march I devoted to -her, and she did not even seek the pretext of her -English grammar to remain in my room for the -few hours we could yet enjoy together. We had -marched some miles before I could think of any -thing but her, for the recollection of her tears -still thrilled to my very heart, and occasioned a -stifling sensation that almost deprived me of utterance. -But we were soon thrown into a situation -where the excitement was too powerful -and engrossing to leave room for other thoughts -than of what we were immediately engaged in.</p> - -<p>It was nearly dark when we arrived at the -village of Halteren, which is only three or four -miles from Bergen-op-Zoom, where we took up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">279</a></span> -our quarters for the night. On the distribution -of the billets to the officers for the night, I received -one upon a farm-house about a mile in the -country. I had not been long at my new lodging, -when I was joined by four or five officers of -the 4th Battalion Royal Scots, who had just arrived -by long marches from Stralsund, and were -billetted about the country. They had heard that -an attempt to surprise Bergen-op-Zoom would -be made that same night. It is not easy to describe -the sensations occasioned in my mind by -this intelligence; it certainly partook but little of -fear, but the novelty (to me at least) of the situation -in which we were about to be placed, excited -a feeling of anxiety as to the result of an -attempt, in which, from the known strength of -the place, we dared hardly expect to be successful. -There is also a degree of melancholy which -takes hold of the mind at these moments of serious -reflection which precede the conflict. My -comrades evidently shared this feeling with me. -One of them remarked, as we were preparing to -march, "My boys, we'el see something like service -to-night," and added, "we'el not all meet -again in this world." Poor Mac Nicol, who -made the remark, fell that night, which was the -first and the last of my acquaintance with him. -I believe every one of us were wounded. Learning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">280</a></span> -from my new acquaintances that the grenadier -company of their regiment, (Royal Scots), which -was commanded by an old friend of mine, (Lieutenant -Allan Robertson,) and whom I had not seen -for some years, was only about a mile farther off, -I thought I should have time to see him and join -my regiment before they marched, should they be -sent to the attack. However, the party of the -Royals whom I accompanied lost their way, from -their ignorance of the road, and we in consequence -made a long circuit, during which I heard from -an aid-de-camp who passed us, that the 21st -were on their march to attack the place on -another quarter from us. In these circumstances -I was exceedingly puzzled what course to take; -if I went in search of my regiment, I had every -chance of missing them in the night, being quite -ignorant of the roads. Knowing that the Royals -would be likely to head one of the columns from -the number of the regiment, I took what I -thought the surest plan, by attaching myself to -the grenadier company under my gallant friend. -There is something awfully impressive in the -mustering of soldiers before going into action; -many of those names, which the serjeants were -now calling in an under tone of voice, would -never be repeated, but in the tales of their comrades -who saw them fall.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">281</a></span></p> - -<p>After mustering the men, we proceeded to the -general "rendez-vous" of the regiments forming -the column; the Royals led the column followed -by the other regiments according to their number. -As every thing depended on our taking the -enemy by surprise, the strictest orders were given -to observe a profound silence on the march.</p> - -<p>While we are proceeding to the attack, it will -not be amiss to give the reader a slight sketch of -the situation of Bergen-op-Zoom, and the plan of -the operations of the different columns, to render -my relation of the proceedings of the column I -served with the more intelligible.</p> - -<p>Bergen-op-Zoom is situated on the right bank -of the Scheldt, and takes its name from the little -river Zoom, which, after supplying the defences -with water, discharges itself into the Scheldt. -The old channel of the Zoom, into which the tide -flows towards the centre of the town, forms the -harbour, which is nearly dry at low-water. The -mouth of the harbour was the point fixed upon for -the attack of the right column, under Major-General -Skerret, and Brig.-Gen. Gore. This -column consisted of 1100 men of the 1st regiment, -or Royal Scots, the 37th, 44th, and -91st, (as far as I can recollect). Lieut.-Col. -Henry, with 650 men of the 21st, or Royal -Scot's Fusileers, was sent on a false attack near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">282</a></span> -the Steenbergen-gate, to the left of the harbour, -(I suppose the reader to be standing at the entrance -of the harbour facing the town). Another -column, consisting of 1200 men of the 33d, 55th, -and 69th regiments, under Lieut.-Col. Morrice, -were to attack the place near the Bredagate, -and endeavour to enter by escalade. A third -column, under Col. Lord Proby, consisting -of 1000 men of the 1st and Coldstream Guards, -was to make nearly a complete circuit of -the place, and enter the enemy's works by -crossing the ice, some distance to the right of the -entrance of the harbour and the Waterport-gate. -This slight account of the plan of attack I have -borrowed in some degree from Col. Jones' -Narrative, who must have procured his information -on these points from the best sources. However, -as I only pretend to speak with certainty -of what fell under my own immediate observation, -I shall return to the right column, with which I -served on this occasion.</p> - -<p>When we had proceeded some way we fell in -with a picket, commanded by Capt. Darrah, of -the 21st. Fusileers, who was mustering his men -to proceed to the attack. Thinking that our regiment -(the 21st), must pass his post on their -way to the false attack, he told me to remain with -him until they came up. I, in consequence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">283</a></span> -waited some time, but hearing nothing of the regiment, -and losing patience, I gave him the slip -in the dark, and ran on until I regained my place -with the grenadier company of the Royals. On -approaching the place of attack, we crossed the -Tholen-dike, and immediately entered the bed of -the Zoom, through which we had to push our way -before we entered the wet ditch. It is not easy -to convey an idea of the toil we experienced in -getting through the deep mud of the river; we -immediately sank nearly to our middles, and -when, with great difficulty, we succeeded in -freeing one leg from the mire, we sank nearly to -the shoulder on the other side before we could -get one pace forward. As might be expected, we -got into some confusion in labouring through this -horrible slough, which was like bird-lime about -our legs; regiments got intermixed in the darkness, -while some stuck fast, and some unlucky -wretches got trodden down and smothered in the -mud. Notwithstanding this obstruction, a considerable -portion of the column had got through, when -those behind us, discouraged by this unexpected -difficulty, raised a shout to encourage themselves. -Gen. Skerret, who was at the head of the column, -was furious with rage, but the mischief -was already done. The sluices were opened, and -a torrent of water poured down on us through the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">284</a></span> -channel of the river, by which the progress of -those behind was effectually stopped for some -time. Immediately after the sluices were opened, -a brilliant firework was displayed on the ramparts, -which showed every object as clearly as -daylight. Several cannon and some musketry -opened on us, but did us little harm, as they -seemed to be discharged at random. At the moment -the water came down, I had just cleared the -deepest part of the channel, and making a great -effort, I gained a flat piece of ice which was -sticking edgeways in the mud; to this I clung -till the strength of the torrent had passed, after -which I soon gained the firm land, and pushed -on with the others to the ditch. The point at -which we entered was a bastion to the right of -the harbour, from one of the angles of which a -row of high palisades was carried through the -ditch. To enable us to pass the water, some -scaling-ladders had been sunk to support us in -proceeding along the palisade, over which we -had first to climb with each other's assistance, -our soldiers performing the office of ladders to -those who preceded them. So great were the obstacles -we met with, that had not the attention of -the enemy fortunately (or rather most judiciously), -been distracted by the false attack under -Col. Henry, it appeared quite impossible for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">285</a></span> -us to have affected an entrance at this point. -While we were proceeding forward in this manner, -Col. Muller<a name="FNanchor_45" id="FNanchor_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45" class="fnanchor"><sup>45</sup></a> of the Royals was clambering -along the tops of the palisade, calling to -those who had got the start of him, to endeavour -to open the Waterport-gate, and let down -the drawbridge to our right; but no one in the -hurry of the moment seemed to hear him. On -getting near enough, I told him I should effect it -if it was possible.</p> - -<p>We met with but trifling resistance on gaining -the rampart; the enemy being panic struck, fled -to the streets and houses in the town, from -which they kept up a pretty sharp fire on us for -some time. I got about twenty soldiers of different -regiments to follow me to the Waterport-gate, -which we found closed. It was constructed -of thin paling, with an iron bar across it about -three inches in breadth. Being without tools of -any kind, we made several ineffectual attempts to -open it. At last, retiring a few paces, we made -a rush at it in a body, when the iron bar snapped -in the middle like a bit of glass. Some of my -people got killed and wounded during this part of -the work, but when we got to the drawbridge, -we were a little more sheltered from the firing. -The bridge was up, and secured by a lock in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">286</a></span> -right hand post of the two which supported it. -I was simple enough to attempt to pick the lock -with a soldier's bayonet, but after breaking two -or three, we at last had an axe brought us from -the bastion where the troops were entering. With -the assistance of this instrument we soon succeeded -in cutting the lock out of the post, and -taking hold of the chain, I had the satisfaction to -pull down the drawbridge with my own hands.</p> - -<p>While I was engaged in this business, Col. -Muller was forming the Royals on the rampart -where we entered; but a party of about 150 men -of different regiments, under General Skerret, -who must have entered to the left of the harbour, -were clearing the ramparts towards the Steinbergen-gate, -where the false attack had been made -under Col. Henry; and a party, also, under -Col. Carleton, of the 44th regiment, was proceeding -in the opposite direction along the -ramparts to the right, without meeting with -much resistance. Hearing the firing on the opposite -side of the town from Gen. Skerret's -party, and supposing that they had marched -through the town, I ran on through the streets -to overtake them, accompanied by only one or -two soldiers, for the rest had left me and returned -to the bastion after we had opened the -gate. In proceeding along the canal or harbour, -which divided this part of the town, I came to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">287</a></span> -loop-holed wall, which was continued from the -houses down to the water's edge. I observed a -party of soldiers within a gate in this wall, and -was going up to them, taking them for our own -people, when I was challenged in French, and had -two or three shots fired at me. Seeing no other -way of crossing the harbour but by a little bridge, -which was nearly in a line with the wall, I returned -to the Waterport-gate, which I found -Col. Muller had taken possession of with two -or three companies of his regiment. I went up -to him, and told him that I had opened the -gate according to his desire, and of the interruption -I had met with in the town. Not knowing -me, he asked my name, which he said he would -remember, and sent one of the companies up -with me to the wall, already mentioned, and ordered -the officer who commanded the company, -after he should have driven the enemy away, to -keep possession of it until farther orders. On -coming to the gate, we met with a sharp resistance, -but after firing a few rounds, and preparing -to charge they gave way, leaving us in possession -of the gate and bridge.</p> - -<p>Leaving the company here, and crossing the -little bridge, I again set forward alone to overtake -Gen. Skerret's party, guided by the firing on -the ramparts. Avoiding any little parties of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">288</a></span> -enemy, I had reached the inside of the ramparts -where the firing was, without its occuring to me -that I might get into the wrong box and be taken -prisoner. Fortunately I observed a woman looking -over a shop door, on one side of the street; -the poor creature, who must have been under the -influence of some strong passion to remain in her -present exposed situation, was pale and trembling. -She was a Frenchwoman, young, and not bad-looking. -I asked her where the British soldiers -were, which she told me without hesitation, pointing -at the same time in the direction. I shook -hands with her, and bade her good night, not entertaining -the smallest suspicion of her deceiving -me; following her directions, I clambered up the -inside of the rampart, and rejoined Gen. Skerret's -party.</p> - -<p>The moon had now risen, and though the sky -was cloudy, we could see pretty well what was -doing. I found my friend Robertson here, with the -grenadier company of the Royals; I learned from -him that the party, which was now commanded -by Capt. Guthrie of the 33d regiment, had been -compelled by numbers to retire from the bastion -which the enemy now occupied, and should endeavour -to maintain the one which they now possessed, -until they could procure a reinforcement. -He also told me of Gen. Skerret's being dangerously<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">289</a></span> -wounded and taken prisoner, an irreparable -loss to our party, as Capt. Guthrie was ignorant -of the General's intentions. In the mean time -the enemy continued a sharp firing on us, which -we returned as fast as our men could load their -firelocks. Several of the enemy who had fallen, -as well as of our own men, were lying on the ramparts; -one of our officers, who had been wounded -in the arm, was walking about, saying occasionally, -in rather a discontented manner, "This -is what is called honour;" though I could readily -sympathise with him in the pain he suffered, I -could not exactly understand how, if there is any -honour in getting wounded, any bodily suffering -can detract from it.</p> - -<p>We found a large pile of logs of wood on the -rampart; these we immediately disposed across -the gorge of the bastion, so as to form a kind of -parapet, over which our people could fire, leaving, -however, about half the distance open towards -the parapet of the rampart. On the opposite side -of the bastion were two twenty-four-pounders of -the enemy's, which being raised on high platforms, -we turned upon them, firing along the -ramparts over the heads of our own party. However -valuable this resource might be to us, we were -still far from being on equal terms with the -French, who besides greatly exceeding us in numbers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">290</a></span> -had also brought up two or three fieldpieces, -which annoyed us much during the night. -There was also a windmill on the bastion they -occupied, from the top of which their musketry -did great execution among us. In the course of -the night, they made several ineffectual attempts -to drive us from our position: on these occasions, -which we always were aware of from the shouts -they raised to encourage each other, as soon as -they made their appearance on the rampart, we -gave them a good dose of grape from our twenty-four-pounders, -and had a party ready to charge -them back. I observed our soldiers were always -disposed to meet the enemy half-way, and the -latter were soon so well aware of our humour, -that they invariably turned tail before we could -get within forty or fifty paces of them. The -firing was kept up almost continually on both -sides until about two o'clock in the morning, -when it would sometimes cease for more than -half-an-hour together. During one of these intervals -of stillness, exhausted with our exertions, -and the cold we felt in our drenched clothes, some -of the officers and I lay down along the parapet -together, in hopes of borrowing a little heat from -each other. I fell insensibly into a troubled -dozing state, in which my imagination still revelled -in the scenes of night. While I yet lay the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">291</a></span> -firing had recommenced, which, with the shouts -of the enemy, and the words of those about me, -seemed to form but the ground work of my fitful -dream, which continued to link imaginary circumstances -to reality. How long I might have -lain in this stupor, between sleeping and waking, -I know not, when suddenly I felt the ground -shake under me, and heard at the same time a -crash as if the whole town had been overwhelmed -by an earthquake; a bright glare of light burst -on my eyes at the same instant and almost blinded -me. A shot from the enemy had blown up our -small magazine on the ramparts, on which we depended -for the supply of the two twenty-four-pounders -which had been of such material use to us -during the night. This broke our slumbers most -effectually; and we had now nothing for it but to -maintain our ground in the best way we were able -until we could receive a reinforcement from some -of the other parties. Immediately after this disaster, -raising a tremendous shout or rather yell, -the enemy again attempted to come to close quarters -with us, in hopes of our being utterly disheartened; -but our charging party, which we had -always in readiness, made them wheel round as -usual. In the course of the night, we had sent -several small parties of men to represent the state -of our detachment, and endeavour to procure assistance,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">292</a></span> -but none of them returned, having, we -supposed, been intercepted by the enemy. Discouraged -as we were by this circumstance, we -still continued to hold our ground until break of -day.</p> - -<p>By this time the firing had entirely ceased in -the other part of the town, naturally leading us, -in the absence of all communication, to conclude -that the other parties had been driven from the -place. However this may have been, the first -dawn of day showed us in but too plain colours -the hopelessness of our situation. The enemy -now brought an overwhelming force against us; -but still we expected, from the narrowness of the -rampart, that they would not be able to derive the -full advantage of their superiority; but in this we -were deceived. The bastion we occupied was -extensive, but only that portion of it near the -gorge was furnished with a parapet. At this spot, -and behind the logs which we had thrown up, -our now diminished force was collected. Keeping -up an incessant fire to divert our attention, -the French (who now outnumbered us, at least -three to one,) detached a part of their force, -which skirting the outside of the ramparts, and -ascending the face of the bastion we occupied, -suddenly opened a most destructive fire on our -flank and rear. From this latter party we were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">293</a></span> -totally unprotected, while they were sheltered by -the top of the rampart: we were thus left to defend -ourselves from both at once as we best could. -But still they would not venture to charge us, and -it would have been of little use for us to charge -them, for the moment we quitted the parapet, we -would have been exposed to a cross fire from the -other bastion.</p> - -<p>The slaughter was now dreadful, and our poor -fellows, who had done all that soldiers could in -our trying situation, now fell thick and fast. Just -at this moment, my friend Robertson, under -whose command I had put myself at the beginning -of the attack, fell. I had just time to run -up to him, and found him stunned from a wound -in the head; when our gallant commander, seeing -the inutility of continuing the unequal contest, -gave the order to retreat. We had retired in -good order about three hundred yards, when poor -Guthrie received a wound in the head, which I -have since been informed deprived him of his -sight. The enemy, when they saw us retreating, -hung upon our rear, keeping up a sharp fire all -the time, but they still seemed to have some respect -for us from the trouble we had already given -them. We had indulged the hope, that by continuing -our course along the ramparts, we should -be able to effect our retreat by the Waterport-gate,<a name="FNanchor_46" id="FNanchor_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46" class="fnanchor"><sup>46</sup></a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">294</a></span> -not being aware that we should be intercepted -by the mouth of the harbour. We were -already at the very margin before we discovered -our mistake and completely hemmed in by the -French. We had therefore no alternative left to -us but to surrender ourselves prisoners of war, -or to attempt to effect our escape across the harbour, -by means of the floating pieces of ice with -which the water was covered. Not one of us -seemed to entertain the idea of surrender, however, -and in the despair which had now taken possession -of every heart, we threw ourselves into -the water, or leaped for the broken pieces of ice -which were floating about. The scene that ensued -was shocking beyond description—the canal -or harbour was faced on both sides by high brick -walls; in the middle of the channel lay a small -Dutch decked vessel, which was secured by a rope -to the opposite side of the harbour. Our only -hope of preserving our lives or effecting our -escape, depended on our being able to gain this -little vessel. Already, many had, by leaping first -on one piece of ice and then on another, succeeded -in getting on board the vessel, which they -drew to the opposite side of the canal by the rope, -and thus freed one obstruction: but immediately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">295</a></span> -afterwards, being intercepted by the Waterport redoubt, -they were compelled to surrender. The -soldiers in particular, when they found themselves -inclosed by the enemy, seemed to lose the power -of reflection, and leaped madly into the water, -with their arms in their hands, without even -waiting until a piece of ice should float within -their reach. The air was rent with vain cries for -help from the drowning soldiers, mixed with the -exulting shouts of the enemy, who seemed determined -to make us drain the bitter cup of defeat -to the very dregs. Among the rest I had -scrambled down the face of the canal to a beam -running horizontally along the brick-work, from -which other beams descended perpendicularly -into the water, to prevent the sides from being -injured by shipping. After sticking my sword -into my belt, (for I had thrown the scabbard away -the previous night,) I leaped from this beam, -which was nine or ten feet above the water, for a -piece of ice, but not judging my distance very -well, it tilted up with me, and I sunk to the bottom -of the water. However, I soon came up -again, and after swimming to the other side of the -canal and to the vessel, I found nothing to catch -hold of. I had therefore nothing for it but to -hold on by the piece of ice I had at first leaped -on, and swinging my body under it, I managed -to keep my face out of the water. I had just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">296</a></span> -caught hold of the ice in time, for encumbered as -I was with a heavy great coat, now thoroughly -soaked, I was in a fair way to share the fate of -many a poor fellow now lying at the bottom of -the water. I did not, however, retain my slippery -hold undisturbed. I was several times -dragged under water by the convulsive grasp of -the drowning soldiers, but by desperate efforts I -managed to free myself and regain my hold. -Even at this moment, I cannot think without -horror of the means which the instinct of self-preservation -suggested to save my own life, while -some poor fellow clung to my clothes: I think I -still see his agonized look, and hear his imploring -cry, as he sank for ever.</p> - -<p>After a little time I remained undisturbed -tenant of the piece of ice. I was not, however, -the only survivor of those who had got into the -water; several of them were still hanging on to -other pieces of ice, but they one by one let go -their hold, and sank as their strength failed. At -length only three or four besides myself remained. -All this time some of the enemy continued firing -at us, and I saw one or two shot in the water -near me. So intent was every one on effecting -his escape, that though they sometimes cast a -look of commiseration at their drowning comrades, -no one thought for a moment of giving us any -assistance. The very hope of it had at length so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">297</a></span> -completely faded in our minds, that we had ceased -to ask the aid of those that passed us on the -fragments of ice. But Providence had reserved -one individual who possessed a heart to feel for -the distress of his fellow-creatures more than for -his own personal safety. The very last person -that reached the vessel in the manner I have already -described, was Lieut. M'Dougal, of the -91st Regiment. I had attracted his attention in -passing me, and he had promised his assistance -when he should reach the vessel. He soon threw -me a rope, but I was now so weak, and benumbed -with the intense cold, that it slipped through my -fingers alongside of the vessel; he then gave me -another, doubled, which I got under my arms, -and he thus succeeded, with the assistance of a -wounded man, in getting me on board. I feel -that it is quite out of my power to do justice to -the humanity and contempt of danger displayed -by our generous deliverer on this occasion. While -I was assisting him in saving the two or three -soldiers who still clung to pieces of ice, I got a -musket-ball through my wrist; for all this time -several of the enemy continued deliberately firing -at us from the opposite rampart, which was not -above sixty yards from the vessel. Not content -with what he had already done for me, my kind-hearted -friend insisted on helping me out of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">298</a></span> -vessel; but I could not consent to his remaining -longer exposed to the fire of the enemy, who had -already covered the deck with killed and wounded, -and M'Dougal fortunately still remained unhurt. -Finding that I would not encumber him, he left -the vessel, and I went down to the cabin, where -I found Lieut. Briggs, of the 91st, sitting on one -side, with a severe wound through his shoulder-blade. -The floor of the cabin was covered with -water, for the vessel had become leaky from the -firing. I took my station on the opposite side, -and taking off my neckcloth, with the assistance -of my teeth, I managed to bind up my wound, so -as to stop the bleeding in some measure. My -companion suffered so much from his wound that -little conversation passed betwixt us.</p> - -<p>I fell naturally into gloomy reflections on -the events of the night. I need hardly say -how bitter and mortifying they were: after all -our toils and sanguine anticipations of ultimate -success, to be thus robbed of the prize -which we already grasped, as we thought, with -a firm hand. Absorbed in these melancholy -ruminations, accompanied from time to time -by a groan from my companion, several hours -passed away, during which the water continued -rising higher and higher in the cabin, -until it reached my middle, and I was obliged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">299</a></span> -to hold my arm above it, for the salt-water -made it smart. Fortunately the vessel grounded -from the receding of the tide. Escape in our -state being now quite out of the question, my -companion and I were glad on the whole to -be relieved from our present disagreeable situation -by surrendering ourselves prisoners.</p> - -<p>The firing had now entirely ceased, and the -French seemed satiated with the ample vengeance -they had taken on us. As there was no -gate near us, we were hoisted with ropes over -the ramparts, which were here faced with brick -to the top. A French soldier was ordered to -show me the way to the hospital in the town. -As we proceeded, however, my guide took a -fancy to my canteen which still hung by my -side, and laying hold of it without ceremony, -was proceeding to empty its contents into his -own throat. Though suffering with a burning -thirst from loss of blood, I did not recollect -till this moment that there was about two-thirds -of a bottle of gin remaining in it. I immediately -snatched it from the fellow's hand and clapping -it to my mouth, finished every drop of -it at a draught, while he vented his rage in -oaths. I found it exceedingly refreshing, but -it had no more effect on my nerves than small -beer in my present state of exhaustion.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">300</a></span></p> - -<p>The scene as we passed through the streets, -strewed here and there with the bodies of our -fallen soldiers, intermixed with those of the enemy, -was, indeed, melancholy; even could I have -forgotten for a moment how the account stood -between the enemy and us, I was continually -reminded of our failure, by the bodies of many -of our people being already stripped of their -upper garments. When we arrived at the hospital, -I found one of the officers of my regiment, -who had been taken prisoner, standing -at the door. My face was so plastered with -blood from a prick of a bayonet I had got in -the temple from one of our soldiers, that it was -some time before he knew me. In passing along -the beds in the hospital, the first face I recognised -was that of my friend Robertson, whom I had -left for dead when our party retreated. Besides -the wound he received in the head, he had received -one in the wrist, after he fell.</p> - -<p>On lying down on the bed prepared for me, -I was guilty of a piece of simplicity, which I -had ample occasion to repent before I left the -place. I took all my clothes off, and sent them -to be dried by the people of the hospital, but -they were never returned to me. I was in consequence -forced to keep my bed for the three -days I remained prisoner in Bergen-op-Zoom.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">301</a></span></p> - -<p>The hospital was crowded with the wounded -on both sides. On my right hand lay Ensign -Martial of the 55th regiment, with a grape-shot -wound in his shoulder, of which, and ague -together, he afterwards died at Klundert. On -my left, in an adjoining room, lay poor General -Skerret, with a desperate wound through the -body, of which he died next night. It was said -that he might have recovered, had it not been -for the bruises he had received from the muskets -of the enemy after he fell. This story I can -hardly credit. However that may be, there is -no doubt we lost in him a most gallant, zealous, -and active officer, and at a most unfortunate -time for the success of the enterprise. -On the opposite side of the hospital lay Capt. -Campbell, of the 55th regiment. He had a -dreadful wound from a grape which entered -at his shoulder and went out near the back-bone. -He was gifted with the most extraordinary flow -of spirits of any man I have ever met with. He -never ceased talking from sun-rise till night, -and afforded all of us who were in a condition -to relish any thing, an infinite deal of amusement. -I had told Campbell of the trick they -had played me with my clothes, and it immediately -became with him a constant theme for -rating every Frenchman that passed him.</p> - - <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">302</a></span></p> - -<p>In the course of the next day a French serjeant -came swaggering into the hospital, with -an officer's sash tied round him, and stretched -out to its utmost breadth. He boasted that he -had killed the officer by whom it had been worn. -Twice a-day two of the attendants of the -hospital went about with buckets in their hands, -one containing small pieces of boiled meat, which -was discovered to be horseflesh by the medical -people, while another contained a miserable kind -of stuff, which they called soup, and a third contained -bits of bread. One of the pieces of meat -was tossed on each bed with a fork in passing; -but the patient had always to make his choice -between flesh and bread, and soup and bread, it -being thought too much to allow them soup and -meat at the same time. I was never so much -puzzled in my life as by this alternative. Constantly -tormented with thirst, I usually asked -for soup, but my hunger, with which I was no -less tormented, made me as often repent my -choice. While we lay here we were attended -by our own surgeons, and had every attention -paid to us in this respect that we could desire.</p> - -<p>In the mean time arrangements were entered -into with Gen. Bizanet, the French commander, -for an exchange of prisoners, and in consequence -the last of the wounded prisoners were removed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">303</a></span> -in waggons to Rozendaal, on the third day after -we had been taken. On this occasion I -was obliged to borrow a pair of trowsers from -one of the soldiers, and a coat from my neighbour -Martial, of the 55th, who being a tall -man and I rather little, it reached half-way -down my legs. Altogether I cut rather an odd -figure as I started from the hospital. My regimental -cap and shoes had, however, escaped -the fate of my other habiliments, so, considering -circumstances, matters might have been -worse. But, one trial to my temper still remained -which I did not expect: the old rascal, -to whom I delivered my clothes when I -sent them to be dried, had the unparalleled impudence -to make a demand on me for the hospital -shirt, with which, in place of my own wet -one, I had been supplied on entering the hospital. -I was so provoked at this unconscionable -request, that I believe I should have answered -him with a box on the ear, but my only available -hand was too well employed at the time in supporting -my trowsers. There was still another reason -for my objecting to his demand: before I was -taken prisoner, while lying in the vessel, I had -managed to conceal some money which happened -to be in my pockets on going to the attack; -this I had carefully transferred, with due secrecy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">304</a></span> -to the inferior margin of the hospital shirt -in which it was tied with a garter, when we -were preparing to leave the place. This treasure, -though not large, was of some importance -to me, and I determined that nothing short -of brute force should deprive me of it. My -gentleman, however, pertinaciously urged his -claim to the aforesaid garment, and a violent -altercation ensued between us, in which I had -an opportunity of showing a proficiency in Dutch -swearing, that I was not aware of myself till -this moment. My friend Campbell came up -at last to my assistance, and discharged such -a volley of oaths at the old vampire, that he -was fairly beaten out of the field, and I carried -away the shirt in triumph.</p> - -<p>We were marched out of the town by the -Bredagate to Rozendaal, a distance of about -fifteen miles, where we arrived the same night. -The French soldiers who had fallen in the conflict -had all been removed by this time, but, -as we proceeded, escorted by the victors, many -a ghastly corpse of our countrymen met our -half-averted eyes. They had all been more or -less stripped of their clothing, and some had -only their shirts left for a covering, and were -turned on their faces. My heart rose at this -humiliating spectacle, nor could I breathe freely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">305</a></span> -until we reached the open fields beyond the -fortifications. All who were unable to march -were crowded into the waggons which had been -prepared for them, while those who were less -disabled straggled along the road the best way -they could. As may be supposed, there were -no needless competitors for the waggon conveyance, -for the roads were rough, and every -jolt of the vehicles produced groans of agony -from the wretched passengers.</p> - -<p>On arriving at Wouw, which I took in my -way, I explained my absence from the regiment -to the satisfaction of the commanding officer. -I soon heard of the fate of poor Bulteel, -(2nd Lieutenant 21st Regiment,) who fell during -this ill-starred enterprise, by a cannon-ball, -which carried off the top of his head. Never -was a comrade more sincerely lamented by his -messmates than this most amiable young man. -His brother, an officer in the Guards, whom -he had met only a few days before, fell the -same night. The captain of my company, and -kind friend, M'Kenzie, had his leg shattered -by a shot on the same occasion, and I was informed -that he bore the amputation without suffering -a groan to escape from him. Four others -were more slightly wounded. The dead had all -been collected in the church, and a long trench<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">306</a></span> -being dug by the soldiers, they were all next -day deposited in the earth without parade, and -in silence. In a few days I proceeded to Rozendaal, -where, for the present, the prisoners -were to remain.</p> - -<p>At this place I had more cause than ever to -feel grateful for the kindness of my Dutch landladies -and landlords; the surgeon who attended -me finding it necessary to put me on low diet, -and to keep my bed, the sympathy of the good -people of the house knew no bounds; not an -hour passed but they came to inquire how I was. -So disinterested was their unwearied attention, -that on leaving them I could not induce them -to accept the smallest remuneration. After -some time we went to Klundert, where we -were to remain until our exchange should be -effected.</p> - -<p>Before concluding my narrative of the unfortunate -attack on Bergen-op-Zoom, the reader may -expect some observations relative to the plan -of attack, and the causes of its ultimate failure; -but it should be remembered, before venturing -to give my opinions on the subject, that -nothing is more difficult for an individual attached -to any one of the different columns -which composed the attacking force, than to -assign causes for such an unexpected result,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">307</a></span> -particularly when the communication between -them has been interrupted. In a battle in the -open field, where every occurrence either takes -place under the immediate observation of the -General, or is speedily communicated to him, -faults can be soon remedied, or at least it may -be afterwards determined with some degree of -accuracy where they existed. But in a night-attack -on a fortified place, the case is very different. -As the General of the army cannot be personally -present in the attack, any blame which -may attach to the undertaking, can only affect -him in so far as the original plan is concerned; -and if this plan succeeds so far that the -place is actually surprised, and the attacking -force has effected a lodgment within it, and -even been in possession of the greater part of -the place, with a force equal to that of the -enemy, no candid observer can attribute the failure -to any defect in the arrangements of the -General. Nothing certainly can be easier than, -after the event, to point out certain omissions -which, had the General been gifted with the -spirit of prophecy, <i>might possibly</i>, in the -existing state of matters, have led to a happier -result; but nothing, in my humble opinion, can -be more unfair, or more uncandid, than to blame -the unsuccessful commander, when every possible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">308</a></span> -turn which things might take was not -provided against, and while it still remains a -doubt how far <i>the remedies proposed</i> by such -critics would have succeeded in the execution.</p> - -<p>According to the plan of operations, as stated -in Sir Thomas Graham's dispatch, it was directed -that the right column, under Major-General -Skerret, and Brig.-General Gore, which entered -at the mouth of the harbour, and the left column -under Lord Proby, which Major-General Cooke -accompanied in person, and which attacked -between the Waterport and Antwerp gates, -should move along the ramparts and form a junction. -This junction, however, did not take place, -as General Cooke had been obliged to change the -point of attack, which prevented his gaining the -ramparts until half-past eleven o'clock, an hour -after General Skerret entered with the right -column; a large detachment of which, under -Colonel the Hon. George Carleton, and General -Gore, had, unknown to him, (General Cooke), -as it would appear, penetrated along the ramparts -far beyond the point where he entered. The -centre column, under Lieut.-Colonel Morrice, -which had attacked near the Steenbergen lines, -being repulsed with great loss, and a still longer -delay occuring before they entered by the scaling-ladders -of General Cooke's column, the enemy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">309</a></span> -had ample opportunities to concentrate their force, -near the points in most danger. However, notwithstanding -all these delays and obstructions, -we succeeded (as already stated) in establishing -a force equal to that of the enemy along the ramparts. -But still, without taking into account the -advantage which the attacking force always possesses -in the alarm and distraction of the enemy, -(which, however, was more than counterbalanced -by our entire ignorance of the place,) we could -not, in fact, be said to have gained any decided -superiority over our adversaries; on the contrary, -the chances were evidently against our being able -to maintain our position through the night, or -until reinforcements could come up. "But -why," I have heard it often urged, "were we not -made better acquainted with the place?" In -answer to this question, it may be observed, that -though there can be no doubt that the leaders of -the different columns, at least, had seen plans -of the place, yet there is a great difference -between a personal knowledge of a place, and -that derived from the best plans, even by daylight; -but in the <i>night</i> the enemy must possess a -most decided advantage over their assailants, in -their intimate knowledge of all the communications -through the town, as well as in their acquaintance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">310</a></span> -with the bearings of the different works -which surround it.</p> - -<p>Another circumstance which must have tended -most materially to the unfortunate result of the -attack was, that the two parties, which had been -detached from the right column, were deprived -of their commanders in the very beginning of the -night, by the fall of Generals Skerret and Gore, -and Colonel Carleton. The reader, were I inclined -to account for our failure, by these early -calamities alone, need not go far to find instances -in history where the fate of an army has been -decided by the fall of its leader. There are some -statements, however, in the excellent account -published by Colonel Jones, (who must have had -the best means of information on these points), -which irresistibly lead the mind to certain conclusions, -which, while they tend most directly -to exonerate Sir Thomas Graham, as well as the -General entrusted with the command of the enterprise, -from the blame which has so unfairly -been heaped on them, at the same time seem to -imply some degree of misconduct on the part of -the battalion detached by General Cooke to support -the reserve of 600 men under Lt. Col. Muller at -the Waterport gate. This battallion, he (Colonel -Jones), states, perceiving the enemy preparing to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">311</a></span> -attack them after having got possession of the -Waterport-gate, left the place, by crossing the -ice. No reason is given why this battalion did -not fall back on General Cooke's force at the -Orange bastion.</p> - -<p>The surrender of the reserve at the Waterport-gate -seems to have arisen either from some -mistake, or from ignorance of the practicability of -effecting their escape in another direction, for it -does not appear that they were aware of General -Cooke's situation. The loss of these two parties -seems, therefore, to have been the more immediate -cause of the failure of the enterprise; for -had both these parties been enabled to form a -junction with General Cooke, we should still, -notwithstanding former losses, have been nearly -on an equality, in point of numbers at least with -the enemy. As matters now stood, after these -two losses, which reduced our force in the place -to less than half that of the French, General -Cooke appears to have done all that could be -expected of a prudent and humane commander, -in surrendering to prevent a useless expenditure -of life, after withdrawing all he could from the -place. It would appear, in consequence of the -delay that occurred before General Cooke entered -the place, and the repulse of Colonel Morrice's -column, that the plan of the attack had been -altered; otherwise it is difficult to account for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">312</a></span> -proceedings of General Skerret in his attempting -to penetrate so far along the ramparts to the left -of the entrance of the harbour, with so small a -force.</p> - -<p>In Sir Thomas Graham's dispatch, (as I have -already noticed), it is stated that the right column, -under General Skerret, and the left under General -Cooke, "were directed to form a junction as soon -as possible," and "clear the rampart of opponents." -From the latter words it is evident that -he meant by the nearest way along the ramparts; -consequently, according to this arrangement, -General Skerret's column, after entering at the -mouth of the harbour, should have proceeded -along the ramparts to its right. In this direction, -Colonel Carleton had proceeded with 150 men, -while General Skerret pushed along the ramparts -in the opposite direction; from these circumstances, -it is fair to conclude that General Skerret -despaired of being able to form a junction with -the left column, and therefore wished to force -the Steenbergen-gate, and admit the 21st Fusileers, -under Colonel Henry, while Colonel Carleton -should form a junction with Colonel -Jones. It is stated in Col. Jones's account -that General Skerret attempted to fall back on -the reserve at the Waterport-gate, but was prevented -by the rising of the tide at the entrance of -the harbour. Though it would be rash at this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">313</a></span> -distance of time to venture to contradict this -statement, I cannot help thinking that he -has been misinformed on this point; for, on -my joining the party, after opening the Waterport-gate, -I heard nothing of such an attempt -having been made; and if they had still entertained -the idea of retiring from their position, I -could have easily shown them the way by the -foot-bridge across the harbour, where Colonel -Muller had sent a company of the Royals from -the Waterport-gate. The party were, when -I came to them, at bastion 14,<a name="FNanchor_47" id="FNanchor_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47" class="fnanchor"><sup>47</sup></a> to which -they had just retired from bastion 13, where -General Skerret had been wounded and taken -prisoner, and they were now commanded by -Captain Guthrie of the 33rd Regiment: it was -under the orders of the last mentioned officer that -we threw up the log parapet, which was of such -use to us during the night. The admirable judgment -and coolness displayed by this gallant -officer, upon whom the command so unexpectedly -devolved, cannot be mentioned in too high terms -of commendation.</p> - -<p>In concluding my narrative, it will, I trust, -be admitted, that however much we may deplore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">314</a></span> -the unfortunate issue of the enterprise, and the -unforeseen difficulties which tended to frustrate -the best concerted plan of operations, there have -been few occasions during the war in which the -courage and energies of British soldiers have been -put to such a severe test, or have been met by -a more gallant and successful resistance on the -part of the enemy.</p> - - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44" id="Footnote_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44">44</a> "When we can't do better we must come to anchor,"—a -common Dutch saying.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45" id="Footnote_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45">45</a> Now of the Ceylon regiment.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46" id="Footnote_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46">46</a> This was the only gate which was opened during the -night.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47" id="Footnote_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47">47</a> See the plan at the end of the 2nd vol. of Colonel Jones's -Journals of Sieges, &c.</p> -</div> - - -<p class="center in0 p2t">END.</p> - - -<p class="center in0 p2t">LONDON:<br /> -G. SCHULZE, 13, POLAND STREET.</p> - - - - -<hr /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<h2 class="nobreak p1">Transcriber's Note</h2> - -<p><a href="#Page_56">Pg. 56</a>: "CHAPTER VI" changed to "CHAPTER IV"</p> - -<p>Footnotes placed at end of respective chapter.</p> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations -in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and -punctuation remains unchanged.</p> -</div> -</div> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Memoirs of the Late War, Vol 2 (of 2), by -John Cooke and George Fitzclarence and John Moodie - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEMOIRS OF THE LATE WAR *** - -***** This file should be named 55953-h.htm or 55953-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/9/5/55953/ - -Produced by Brian Coe, Larry B. 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