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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..f0e9f03 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #56211 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56211) diff --git a/old/56211-8.txt b/old/56211-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e518ac5..0000000 --- a/old/56211-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4739 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Recollections of Rifleman Harris, (old 95th), by -Benjamin Harris - -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: Recollections of Rifleman Harris, (old 95th) - with anecdotes of his officers and his comrades - -Author: Benjamin Harris - -Editor: Henry Curling - -Release Date: December 20, 2017 [EBook #56211] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF RIFLEMAN HARRIS *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - - RECOLLECTIONS - OF - RIFLEMAN HARRIS, - (OLD 95TH.) - WITH - Anecdotes of his Officers and his Comrades. - - EDITED BY - HENRY CURLING, Esq., - HALF-PAY 52D FOOT, - AUTHOR OF "JOHN OF ENGLAND." - - "This story - The world may read in me: my body's mark'd - With Roman swords; - And when a soldier was the theme, my name - Was not far off." - - Shakespeare. - - LONDON: - H. HURST, 27, KING WILLIAM STREET, - CHARING CROSS. - - 1848. - - - - - CLAYTON AND CO, PRINTERS, - 16, HART STREET, COVENT GARDEN. - - - - -NOTICE. - -Since the printing of this volume was commenced, "Rifleman Harris" has -removed from Richmond Street, Soho, to 4, Upper James Street, Golden -Square. - - - - - TO THE MOST NOBLE - THE MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY, - G.C.B. AND G.C.H., - COLONEL OF THE SECOND LIFE GUARDS, _&c._ _&c._, - This Volume, - IN TOKEN OF HIGH ADMIRATION OF HIS LORDSHIP'S - CHIVALROUS BEARING - DURING THE BATTLES OF THE PENINSULA, - IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, - - BY HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT, - THE EDITOR. - - _London, March, 1848._ - - - - -ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. - - -The following pages, describing the chequered life of a private -soldier, who served during the most glorious period of our military -history, speak so plainly for themselves, as scarcely to need any -introductory remarks from the editor, further than the assurance of his -own sincere conviction of their truth. Such works as the narratives -of Rifleman Harris, from the very nature of their details, afford -occasionally more graphic sketches of the actual scenes of war, in its -stern realities and concomitant circumstances, than the more stately -and largely-grouped pictures of the Historian. - -Nor are these humble records without their moral. - -Many abuses and grievances are incidentally brought to light, that can -be but rarely heeded in the excitement and bustle of active service, -but which, nevertheless, for the good of the soldier, may be of -sufficient importance to require correction. - -The main source of our military superiority over foreign nations has -been almost universally ascribed to the incomparable discipline of -the British army. That the well-being and judicious treatment of the -private soldier is the basis of this system can (we think) scarcely -be doubted. To maintain this discipline it is surely incumbent on -the officers to become acquainted with the nature and peculiar -characteristics of the men they have to conduct and control, both in -the elation of victory and the more difficult emergencies consequent -upon retreat. How this is best effected--by what potent influence this -mastery is exercised--and by what sort of standard the "rough and -ready" private soldier estimates, and accordingly respects and obeys -his officer, will be duly shewn in the autobiography of. Rifleman -Harris. - - Henry Curling. - - _March, 1848._ - - - - -RECOLLECTIONS - -OF - -RIFLEMAN HARRIS (OLD 95TH). - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - Recruiting for the Army of Reserve--The penalty for desertion--General - Craufurd's cure for cowardice and treachery--Trial of General - Whitelock--Irish recruits and the shillelagh--Protestant and - Catholic--Danish expedition--Riflemen at home. - - -My father was a shepherd, and I was a sheep-boy from my earliest youth. -Indeed, as soon almost as I could run, I began helping my father to -look after the sheep on the downs of Blandford, in Dorsetshire, where -I was born. Whilst I continued to tend the flocks and herds under my -charge, and occasionally (in the long winter nights) to learn the -art of making shoes, I grew a hardy little chap, and was one fine day -in the year 1802, drawn as a soldier for the Army of Reserve. Thus, -without troubling myself much about the change which was to take place -in the hitherto quiet routine of my days, I was drafted into the 66th -Regiment of Foot, bid good-bye to my shepherd companions, and was -obliged to leave my father without an assistant to collect his flocks, -just as he was beginning more than ever to require one; nay, indeed, -I may say to want tending and looking after himself, for old age and -infirmity were coming on him; his hair was growing as white as the -sleet of our downs, and his countenance becoming as furrowed as the -ploughed fields around. However, as I had no choice in the matter, it -was quite as well that I did not grieve over my fate. - -My father tried hard to buy me off, and would have persuaded the -Serjeant of the 66th that I was of no use as a soldier, from having -maimed my right hand (by breaking the fore-finger when a child). The -Serjeant, however, said I was just the sort of little chap he wanted, -and off he went, carrying me (amongst a batch of recruits he had -collected) away with him. - -Almost the first soldiers I ever saw were those belonging to the corps -in which I was now enrolled a member, and, on arriving at Winchester, -we found the whole regiment there in quarters. Whilst lying at -Winchester (where we remained three months), young as I was in the -profession, I was picked out, amongst others, to perform a piece of -duty that, for many years afterwards, remained deeply impressed upon -my mind, and gave me the first impression of the stern duties of a -soldier's life. A private of the 70th Regiment had deserted from that -corps, and afterwards enlisted into several other regiments; indeed, -I was told at the time (though I cannot answer for so great a number) -that sixteen different times he had received the bounty and then -stolen off. Being, however, caught at last, he was brought to trial at -Portsmouth, and sentenced by general court-martial to be shot. - -The 66th received a route to Portsmouth, to be present on the occasion, -and, as the execution would be a good hint to us young 'uns, there were -four lads picked out of our corps to assist in this piece of duty, -myself being one of the number chosen. - -Besides these men, four soldiers from three other regiments were -ordered on the firing-party, making sixteen in all. The place of -execution was Portsdown Hill, near Hilsea Barracks, and the different -regiments assembled must have composed a force of about fifteen -thousand men, having been assembled from the Isle of Wight, from -Chichester, Gosport, and other places. The sight was very imposing, -and appeared to make a deep impression on all there. As for myself, I -felt that I would have given a good round sum (had I possessed it) to -have been in any situation rather than the one in which I now found -myself; and when I looked into the faces of my companions, I saw, by -the pallor and anxiety depicted in each countenance, the reflection -of my own feelings. When all was ready, we were moved to the front, -and the culprit was brought out. He made a short speech to the parade, -acknowledging the justice of his sentence, and that drinking and evil -company had brought the punishment upon him. - -He behaved himself firmly and well, and did not seem at all to flinch. -After being blindfolded, he was desired to kneel down behind a coffin, -which was placed on the ground, and the Drum-Major of the Hilsea depôt, -giving us an expressive glance, we immediately commenced loading. - -This was done in the deepest silence, and, the next moment, we were -primed and ready. There was then a dreadful pause for a few moments, -and the Drum-Major, again looking towards us, gave the signal before -agreed upon (a flourish of his cane), and we levelled and fired. We -had been previously strictly enjoined to be steady, and take good aim, -and the poor fellow, pierced by several balls, fell heavily upon his -back; and as he lay, with his arms pinioned to his sides, I observed -that his hands waved for a few moments, like the fins of a fish when -in the agonies of death. The Drum-Major also observed the movement, -and, making another signal, four of our party immediately stepped up -to the prostrate body, and placing the muzzles of their pieces to the -head, fired, and put him out of his misery. The different regiments -then fell back by companies, and the word being given to march past -in slow time, when each company came in line with the body, the word -was given to "mark time," and then "eyes left," in order that we might -all observe the terrible example. We then moved onwards, and marched -from the ground to our different quarters. The 66th stopped that night -about three miles from Portsdown Hill, and in the morning we returned -to Winchester. The officer in command that day, I remember, was General -Whitelock, who was afterwards brought to court-martial himself. This -was the first time of our seeing that officer. The next meeting was at -Buenos Ayres, and during the confusion of that day one of us received -an order from the fiery Craufurd to shoot the traitor dead if he could -see him in the battle, many others of the Rifles receiving the same -order from that fine and chivalrous officer. - -The unfortunate issue of the Buenos Ayres affair is matter of history, -and I have nothing to say about it; but I well remember the impression -it made upon us all at the time, and that Sir John Moore was present -at Whitelock's court-martial; General Craufurd, and I think General -Auchmuty, Captain Eleder of the Rifles, Captain Dickson, and one of -our privates, being witnesses. We were at Hythe at the time, and I -recollect our officers going off to appear against Whitelock. - -So enraged was Craufurd against him, that I heard say he strove hard to -have him shot. Whitelock's father I also heard was at his son's trial, -and cried like an infant during the proceedings. Whitelock's sword was -broken over his head I was told; and for months afterwards, when our -men took their glass, they used to give as a toast "Success to _grey -hairs_, but bad luck to _White-locks_." Indeed that toast was drunk in -all the public-houses around for many a-day. - -Everything was new to me, I remember, and I was filled with -astonishment at the bustling contrast I was so suddenly called into -from the tranquil and quiet of my former life. - -Whilst in Winchester, we got a route for Ireland, and embarking -at Portsmouth, crossed over and landed at Cork. There we remained -nine weeks; and being a smart figure and very active, I was put -into the light company of the 66th, and, together with the light -corps of other regiments, we were formed into light battalions, and -sent off to Dublin. Whilst in Dublin, I one day saw a corps of the -95th Rifles, and fell so in love with their smart, dashing, and -devil-may-care appearance, that nothing would serve me till I was a -Rifleman myself; so, on arriving at Cashel one day, and falling in -with a recruiting-party of that regiment, I volunteered into the 2nd -battalion. This recruiting-party were all Irishmen, and had been sent -over from England to collect (amongst others) men from the Irish -Militia, and were just about to return to England. I think they were -as reckless and devil-may-care a set of men as ever I beheld, either -before or since. - -Being joined by a Serjeant of the 92nd Highlanders, and a Highland -Piper of the same regiment (also a pair of real rollicking blades), -I thought we should all have gone mad together. We started on our -journey, one beautiful morning, in tip-top spirits, from the Royal -Oak, at Cashel; the whole lot of us (early as it was) being three -sheets in the wind. When we paraded before the door of the Royal Oak, -the landlord and landlady of the inn, who were quite as lively, came -reeling forth, with two decanters of whiskey, which they thrust into -the fists of the Sergeants, making them a present of decanters and all, -to carry along with them, and refresh themselves on the march. The -Piper then struck up, the Sergeants flourished their decanters, and -the whole route commenced a terrific yell. We then all began to dance, -and danced through the town, every now and then stopping for another -pull at the whiskey decanters. Thus we kept it up till we had danced, -drank, shouted, and piped thirteen Irish miles, from Cashel to Clonmel. -Such a day, I think, I never spent, as I enjoyed with these fellows; -and on arriving at Clonmel, we were as glorious as any soldiers in -all Christendom need wish to be. In about ten days after this, our -Sergeants had collected together a good batch of recruits, and we -started for England. Some few days before we embarked (as if we had not -been bothered enough already with the unruly Paddies), we were nearly -pestered to death with a detachment of old Irish women, who came from -different parts (on hearing of their sons having enlisted), in order to -endeavour to get them away from us. Following us down to the water's -edge, they hung to their offspring, and, dragging them away, sent forth -such dismal howls and moans that it was quite distracting to hear -them. The Lieutenant commanding the party, ordered me (being the only -Englishman present) to endeavour to keep them back. It was, however, -as much as I could do to preserve myself from being torn to pieces by -them, and I was glad to escape out of their hands. - -At length we got our lads safe on board, and set sail for England. - -No sooner were we out at sea, however, than our troubles began afresh -with these hot-headed Paddies; for, having now nothing else to do, -they got up a dreadful quarrel amongst themselves, and a religious row -immediately took place, the Catholics reviling the Protestants to such -a degree that a general fight ensued. The poor Protestants (being few -in number) soon got the worst of it, and as fast as we made matters up -among them, they broke out afresh and began the riot again. - -From Pill, where we landed, we marched to Bristol, and thence to Bath. -Whilst in Bath, our Irish recruits roamed about the town, staring at -and admiring everything they saw, as if they had just been taken wild -in the woods. They all carried immense shillelaghs in their fists, -which they would not quit for a moment. Indeed they seemed to think -their very lives depended on possession of these bludgeons, being ready -enough to make use of them on the slightest occasion. - -From Bath we marched to Andover, and when we came upon Salisbury Plain, -our Irish friends got up a fresh row. At first they appeared uncommonly -pleased with the scene, and, dispersing over the soft carpet of the -Downs, commenced a series of Irish jigs, till at length as one of -the Catholics was setting to his partner (a Protestant), he gave a -whoop and a leap into the air, and at the same time (as if he couldn't -bear the partnership of a heretic any longer), dealt him a tremendous -blow with his shillelagh, and stretched him upon the sod. This was -quite enough, and the bludgeons immediately began playing away at a -tremendous rate. - -The poor Protestants were again quickly disposed of, and then arose a -cry of Huzza for the Wicklow boys, Huzza for the Connaught boys, Huzza -for Munster, and Huzza for Ulster! They then recommenced the fight as -if they were determined to make an end of their soldiering altogether -upon Salisbury Plains. We had, I remember, four officers with us, and -they did their best to pacify their pugnacious recruits. One thrust -himself amongst them, but was instantly knocked down for his pains, -so that he was glad enough to escape. After they had completely tired -themselves, they began to slacken in their endeavours, and apparently -to feel the effect of the blows they dealt each other, and at length -suffering themselves to be pacified, the officers got them into Andover. - -Scarcely had we been a couple of hours there, and obtained some -refreshment, ere these incorrigible blackguards again commenced -quarrelling, and, collecting together in the streets, created so -serious a disturbance that the officers, getting together a body of -constables, seized some of the most violent and succeeded in thrusting -them into the town jail; upon this their companions again collected, -and endeavoured to break open the prison gates. - -Baffled in this attempt, they rushed through the streets knocking down -every body they met. The drums now commenced beating up for a volunteer -corps of the town, which, quickly mustering, drew up in the street -before the jail, and immediately were ordered to load with ball. - -This somewhat pacified the rioters, and our officers persuading them -to listen to a promise of pardon for the past, peace was at length -restored amongst them. - -The next day we marched for Ashford, in Kent, where I joined the 95th -Rifles, and about six months after my joining, four companies of the -second battalion were ordered on the expedition to Denmark. We embarked -at Deal, and sailing for the hostile shores, landed on a little place -called, I think, Scarlet Island, somewhere between Elsineur and -Copenhagen. - -The expedition consisted of about 30,000 men, and at the moment of -our getting on shore, the whole force set up one simultaneous and -tremendous cheer, a sound I cannot describe, it seemed so inspiring. -This, indeed, was the first time of my hearing the style in which our -men give tongue when they get near the enemy, though afterwards my -ears became pretty well accustomed to such sounds. - -As soon as we got on shore, the Rifles were pushed forward as the -advance, in chain order, through some thick woods of fir, and when -we had cleared these woods and approached Copenhagen, sentries were -posted on the roads and openings leading towards the town, in order to -intercept all comers, and prevent all supplies. Such posts we occupied -for about three days and nights, whilst the town was being fired on -by our shipping. I rather think this was the first time of Congreve -rockets being brought into play, and as they rushed through the air in -the dark, they appeared like so many fiery serpents, creating, I should -think, terrible dismay among the besieged. - -As the main army came up, we advanced and got as near under the walls -of the place as we could without being endangered by the fire from our -own shipping. We now received orders ourselves to commence firing, and -the rattling of the guns I shall not easily forget. - -I felt so much exhilarated that I could hardly keep back, and was -checked by the Commander of the company (Capt. Leech), who called to me -by name to keep my place. About this time, my front-rank man, a tall -fellow named Jack Johnson, shewed a disposition as though the firing -had on him an effect the reverse of what it had on many others of the -company, for he seemed inclined to hang back, and once or twice turned -round in my face. I was a rear-rank man, and porting my piece, in the -excitement of the moment I swore that if he did not keep his ground, I -would shoot him dead on the spot; so that he found it would be quite as -dangerous for him to return as to go on. - -I feel sorry to record the want of courage of this man, but I do so -with the less pain as it gives me the opportunity of saying that during -many years' arduous service, it is the only instance I remember of a -British soldier endeavouring to hold back when his comrades were going -forward. - -Indeed, Johnson was never again held in estimation amongst the Rifle -corps; for the story got wind that I had threatened to shoot him for -cowardice in the field, and Lieut. Cox mentioned to the Colonel, that -he had overheard my doing so; and such was the contempt the man was -held in by the Rifles, that he was soon afterwards removed from amongst -us to a veteran battalion. - -Whilst in Denmark we led a tolerably active life, the Rifles being -continually on the alert--ordered hither to-day, and countermanded the -next. Occasionally, too, when wanted in a hurry, we were placed in -carts, and rattled over the face of the country, in company with the -dragoons of the German Legion; so that, if we had not so much fighting -as afterwards in the Peninsular, we had plenty of work to keep us from -idleness. - -Occasionally, also, we had some pleasant adventures among the blue-eyed -Danish lasses, for the Rifles were always terrible fellows in that way. - -One night, I remember, a party of us had possession of a gentleman's -house, in which his family were residing. The family consisted of the -owner of the mansion, his wife, and five very handsome daughters, -besides their servants. - -The first night of our occupation of the premises the party was treated -with the utmost civility, and everything was set before us as if we -had been their equals; for although it was not very pleasant to have a -company of foreign soldiers in the house, it was doubtless thought best -to do everything possible to conciliate such guests. Accordingly, on -this night, a large party of the green-jackets unceremoniously sat down -to tea with the family. - -Five beautiful girls in a drawing-room were rather awkward companions -for a set of rough and ready Riflemen, unscrupulous and bold, and I -cannot say I felt easy. All went on very comfortably for some time; our -fellows drank their tea very genteelly, whilst one young lady presided -at the urn to serve it out, and the others sat on each side of their -father and mother, chatting to us, and endeavouring to make themselves -as agreeable as they could. - -By and bye, however, some of our men expressed themselves dissatisfied -with tea and toast, and demanded something stronger; and liquors were -accordingly served to them. This was followed by more familiarity, and, -the ice once broken, all respect for the host and hostess was quickly -lost. I had feared this would prove the case, and on seeing several -of the men commence pulling the young ladies about, kissing them, and -proceeding to other acts of rudeness, I saw that matters would quickly -get worse, unless I interfered. Jumping up, therefore, I endeavoured -to restore order, and upbraided them with the blackguardism of their -behaviour after the kindness with which we had been used. - -This remonstrance had some effect; and when I added that I would -immediately go in quest of an officer, and report the first man I saw -ill use the ladies, I at length succeeded in extricating them from -their persecutors. - -The father and mother were extremely grateful to me for my -interference, and I kept careful guard over the family whilst we -remained in that house, which luckily was not long. - -Soon after this the expedition returned to England, and I came, with -others of the Rifles, in a Danish man-of-war (the Princess Caroline), -and landed at Deal, from whence we had started. - -From Deal we marched to Hythe, and there we lay until the year 1808, -and in that year four companies of the second battalion, to which I -belonged, were ordered to Portugal. - -In that year I first saw the French. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - Embarkation for Portugal--Aldermanic fare--Lord Hill over his wine, - and in the field--Use of a dead Rifleman--Wounded wine-butts. - - -I wish I could picture the splendid sight of the shipping in the Downs, -at the time we embarked with about 20,000 men. Those were times which -the soldiers of our own more peaceable days have little conception of. - -At Cork, where our ships cast anchor, we lay for something like six -weeks, during which time the expedition was not disembarked, with the -exception of our four companies of Rifles, who were every day landed -for the purpose of drill. On such occasions our merry bugles sounded -over the country, and we were skirmished about in very lively fashion, -always being embarked again at night. - -At the expiration of the time I have mentioned, our sails were given to -the wind, and amidst the cheers of our comrades, we sailed majestically -out of the Cove of Cork for the hostile shore, where we arrived safely, -and disembarked at Mondego Bay. - -The Rifles were the first out of the vessels, for we were, indeed, -always in the front in advance, and in rear in the retreat. Like the -Kentish men of old, we claimed the post of honour in the field. - -Being immediately pushed forwards up the country in advance of the main -body, many of us, in this hot climate, very soon began to find out the -misery of the frightful load we were condemned to march and fight -under, with a burning sun above our heads, and our feet sinking every -step into the hot sand. - -The weight I myself toiled under was tremendous, and I often wonder at -the strength I possessed at this period, which enabled me to endure -it; for, indeed, I am convinced that many of our infantry sank and -died under the weight of their knapsacks alone. For my own part, being -a handicraft, I marched under a weight sufficient to impede the free -motions of a donkey; for besides my well-filled kit, there was the -great-coat rolled on its top, my blanket and camp kettle, my haversack, -stuffed full of leather for repairing the men's shoes, together with -a hammer and other tools (the lapstone I took the liberty of flinging -to the devil), ship-biscuit and beef for three days. I also carried my -canteen filled with water, my hatchet and rifle, and eighty rounds of -ball cartridge in my pouch; this last, except the beef and biscuit, -being the best thing I owned, and which I always gave the enemy the -benefit of, when opportunity offered. - -Altogether the quantity of things I had on my shoulders was enough and -more than enough for my wants, sufficient, indeed, to sink a little -fellow of five feet seven inches into the earth. Nay, so awkwardly was -the load our men bore in those days, placed upon their backs, that the -free motion of the body was impeded, the head held down from the pile -at the back of the neck, and the soldier half beaten before he came to -the scratch. - -We marched till it was nearly dark, and then halted for the night. I -myself was immediately posted sentinel between two hedges, and in a -short time General Fane came up, and himself cautioned me to be alert. - -"Remember, sentinel," he said, "that we are now near an active enemy; -therefore be careful here, and mind what you are about." - -Next day the peasantry sent into our camp a great quantity of the -good things of their country, so that our men regaled themselves -upon oranges, grapes, melons, and figs, and we had an abundance of -delicacies which many of us had never before tasted. Amongst other -presents, a live calf was presented to the Rifles, so that altogether -we feasted in our first entrance into Portugal like a company of -aldermen. - -The next day we again advanced, and being in a state of the utmost -anxiety to come up with the French, neither the heat of the burning -sun, long miles, or heavy knapsacks were able to diminish our ardour. -Indeed, I often look back with wonder at the light-hearted style, the -jollity, and reckless indifference with which men who were destined -in so short a time to fall, hurried onwards to the field of strife; -seemingly without a thought of anything but the sheer love of meeting -the foe and the excitement of the battle. - -It was five or six days before the battle of Roliça, the army was on -the march, and we were pushing on pretty fast. The whole force had -slept the night before in the open fields; indeed, as far as I know, -(for the Rifles were always in the front at this time,) they had -been for many days without any covering but the sky. We were pelting -along through the streets of a village, the name of which I do not -think I ever knew, so I cannot name it; I was in the front, and had -just cleared the village, when I recollect observing General Hill -(afterwards Lord Hill) and another officer ride up to a house, and give -their horses to some of the soldiery to hold. Our bugles at that moment -sounded the halt, and I stood leaning upon my rifle near the door of -the mansion which General Hill had entered: there was a little garden -before the house, and I stood by the gate. Whilst I remained there, -the officer who had entered with General Hill came to the door, and -called to me. "Rifleman," said he, "come here." I entered the gate, -and approached him. "Go," he continued, handing me a dollar, "and try -if you can get some wine; for we are devilish thirsty here." Taking -the dollar, I made my way back to the village. At a wine-house, where -the men were crowding around the door, and clamouring for drink, (for -the day was intensely hot,) I succeeded, after some little difficulty, -in getting a small pipkin full of wine; but the crowd was so great, -that I found as much trouble in paying for it as in getting it; so I -returned back as fast as I was able, fearing that the general would -be impatient, and move off before I reached him. I remember Lord Hill -was loosening his sword-belt as I handed him the wine. "Drink first, -Rifleman," said he; and I took a good pull at the pipkin, and held it -to him again. He looked at it as I did so, and told me I might drink -it all up, for it appeared greasy; so I swallowed the remainder, and -handed him back the dollar which I had received from the officer. "Keep -the money," he said, "my man. Go back to the village once more, and -try if you cannot get me another draught." Saying this, he handed me -a second dollar, and told me to be quick. I made my way back to the -village, got another pipkin full, and returned as fast as I could. -The general was pleased with my promptness, and drank with great -satisfaction, handing the remainder to the officer who attended him; -and I dare say, if he ever recollected the circumstance afterwards, -that was as sweet a draught, after the toil of the morning march, as he -has drank at many a nobleman's board in old England since. - -I remember remarking Lord Hill, for the second time in my life, under -circumstances which (from their not being of every-day occurrence) -fixed it upon my mind. The 29th regiment received so terrible a fire, -that I saw the right wing almost annihilated, and the colonel (I think -his name was Lennox) lay sprawling amongst the rest. We had ourselves -caught it pretty handsomely; for there was no cover for us, and we -were rather too near. The living skirmishers were lying beside heaps -of their own dead; but still we had held our own till the battalion -regiments came up. "Fire and retire"[1] is a very good sound; but -the Rifles were not over fond of such notes. We never performed that -manoeuvre, except when it was made pretty plain to us that it was quite -necessary; the 29th, however, had got their fairing here at this time; -and the shock of that fire seemed to stagger the whole line, and make -them recoil. At the moment, a little confusion appeared in the ranks, -I thought. Lord Hill was near at hand, and saw it, and I observed him -come galloping up. He put himself at the head of the regiment, and -restored them to order in a moment. Pouring a regular and sharp fire -upon the enemy, he galled them in return; and, remaining with the 29th -till he brought them to the charge, quickly sent the foe to the right -about. It seemed to me that few men could have conducted the business -with more coolness and quietude of manner, under such a storm of balls -as he was exposed to. Indeed, I have never forgotten him from that day. - -At the time I was remarking these matters (loading and firing as I -lay), another circumstance divided my attention for a while, and made -me forget even the gallant conduct of General Hill. A man near me -uttered a scream of agony; and, looking from the 29th, who were on -my right, to the left, whence the screech had come, I saw one of our -sergeants, named Frazer, sitting in a doubled-up position, and swaying -backwards and forwards, as though he had got a terrible pain in his -bowels. He continued to make so much complaint, that I arose and went -to him, for he was rather a crony of mine. - -"Oh! Harris!" said he, as I took him in my arms, "I shall die! I shall -die! The agony is so great that I cannot bear it." - -It was, indeed, dreadful to look upon him; the froth came from his -mouth, and the perspiration poured from his face. Thank Heaven! he was -soon out of pain; and, laying him down, I returned to my place. Poor -fellow! he suffered more for the short time that he was dying, than any -man I think I ever saw in the same circumstances. I had the curiosity -to return and look at him after the battle. A musket-ball, I found, had -taken him sideways, and gone through both groins. - -Within about half-an-hour after this I left Sergeant Frazer, and, -indeed, for the time, had as completely forgotten him, as if he had -died a hundred years back. The sight of so much bloodshed around, will -not suffer the mind to dwell long on any particular casuality, even -though it happen to one's dearest friend. There was no time either -to think, for all was action with us Rifles just at this moment; and -the barrel of my piece was so hot from continual firing, that I could -hardly bear to touch it, and was obliged to grasp the stock beneath -the iron, as I continued to blaze away. James Ponton was another crony -of mine (a gallant fellow!); he had pushed himself in front of me, and -was checked by one of our officers for his rashness. "Keep back, you -Ponton!" the lieutenant said to him, more than once. But Ponton was not -to be restrained by anything but a bullet when in action. This time he -got one; which, striking him in the thigh, I suppose hit an artery, -for he died quickly. The Frenchmen's balls were flying very wickedly -at that moment; and I crept up to Ponton, and took shelter by lying -behind, and making a rest for my rifle of his dead body. It strikes -me that I revenged his death by the assistance of his carcase. At any -rate, I tried my best to hit his enemies hard. There were two small -buildings in our front; and the French, having managed to get into -them, annoyed us much from that quarter. A small rise in the ground -close before these houses, also favoured them; and our men were being -handled very severely in consequence. They became angry, and wouldn't -stand it any longer. One of the skirmishers, jumping up, rushed -forward, crying, "Over, boys!--over! over!" when instantly the whole -line responded to the cry, "Over! over! over!" They ran along the grass -like wildfire, and dashed at the rise, fixing their sword-bayonets as -they ran. The French light bobs could not stand the sight, but turned -about, and fled; and, getting possession of their ground, we were soon -inside the buildings. After the battle was over, I stepped across to -the other house I have mentioned, in order to see what was going on -there; for the one I remained in was now pretty well filled with the -wounded (both French and English,) who had managed to get there for a -little shelter. Two or three surgeons, also, had arrived at this house, -and were busily engaged in giving their assistance to the wounded, now -also here lying as thickly as in the building which I had left; but -what struck me most forcibly was, that from the circumstance of some -wine-butts having been left in the apartment, and their having in the -engagement been perforated by bullets, and otherwise broken, the red -wine had escaped most plentifully, and ran down upon the earthen floor, -where the wounded were lying, so that many of them were soaked in the -wine with which their blood was mingled. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: "Fire and retire,"--one of the bugle sounds to the -skirmishers, when hard pressed.] - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - Coming up with the enemy--Manoeuvres of the advance--Battle of - Roliça--Conjugal devotion. - - -It was on the 15th of August, when we first came up with the French, -and their skirmishers immediately commenced operations by raining a -shower of balls upon us as we advanced, which we returned without delay. - -The first man that was hit was Lieutenant Bunbury; he fell pierced -through the head with a musket-ball, and died almost immediately. I -thought I never heard such a tremendous noise as the firing made on -this occasion, and the men on both sides of me, I could occasionally -observe, were falling fast. Being overmatched, we retired to a rising -ground, or hillock, in our rear, and formed there all round its summit, -standing three deep, the front rank kneeling. In this position we -remained all night, expecting the whole host upon us every moment. At -day-break, however, we received instructions to fall back as quickly as -possible upon the main body. Having done so, we now lay down for a few -hours' rest, and then again advanced to feel for the enemy. - -On the 17th, being still in front, we again came up with the French, -and I remember observing the pleasing effect afforded by the sun's rays -glancing upon their arms, as they formed in order of battle to receive -us. Moving on in extended order, under whatever cover the nature of the -ground afforded, together with some companies of the 60th, we began a -sharp fire upon them; and thus commenced the battle of Roliça. - -I do not pretend to give a description of this or any other battle -I have been present at. All I can do is, to tell the things which -happened immediately around me, and that, I think, is as much as a -private soldier can be expected to do. - -Soon afterwards the firing commenced, and we had advanced pretty close -upon the enemy. Taking advantage of whatever cover I could find, I -threw myself down behind a small bank, where I lay so secure, that, -although the Frenchmen's bullets fell pretty thickly around, I was -enabled to knock several over without being dislodged; in fact, I fired -away every round I had in my pouch whilst lying on this spot. - -At length, after a sharp contest, we forced them to give ground, and, -following them up, drove them from their position in the heights, and -hung upon their skirts till they made another stand, and then the game -began again. - -The Rifles, indeed, fought well this day, and we lost many men. They -seemed in high spirits, and delighted at having driven the enemy -before them. Joseph Cochan was by my side loading and firing very -industriously about this period of the day. Thirsting with heat and -action, he lifted his canteen to his mouth; "Here's to you, old boy," -he said, as he took a pull at its contents. As he did so a bullet went -through the canteen, and perforating his brain, killed him in a moment. -Another man fell close to him almost immediately, struck by a ball in -the thigh. - -Indeed we caught it severely just here, and the old iron was also -playing its part amongst our poor fellows very merrily. I saw a man -named Symmonds struck full in the face by a round shot, and he came to -the ground a headless trunk. Meanwhile, many large balls bounded along -the ground amongst us so deliberately that we could occasionally evade -them without difficulty. I could relate many more of the casualties I -witnessed on this day, but the above will suffice. When the roll was -called after the battle, the females who missed their husbands came -along the front of the line to inquire of the survivors whether they -knew anything about them. Amongst other names I heard that of Cochan -called in a female voice, without being replied to. - -The name struck me, and I observed the poor woman who had called it, -as she stood sobbing before us, and apparently afraid to make further -inquiries about her husband. No man had answered to his name, or had -any account to give of his fate. I myself had observed him fall, as -related before, whilst drinking from his canteen; but as I looked at -the poor sobbing creature before me, I felt unable to tell her of his -death. At length Captain Leech observed her, and called out to the -company, - -"Does any man here know what has happened to Cochan? If so, let him -speak out at once." - -Upon this order I immediately related what I had seen, and told the -manner of his death. After awhile Mrs. Cochan appeared anxious to seek -the spot where her husband fell, and in the hope of still finding -him alive, asked me to accompany her over the field. She trusted, -notwithstanding what I had told her, to find him yet alive. - -"Do you think you could find it?" said Captain Leech, upon being -referred to. - -I told him I was sure I could, as I had remarked many objects whilst -looking for cover during the skirmishing. - -"Go then," said the captain, "and shew the poor woman the spot, as she -seems so desirous of finding the body." - -I accordingly took my way over the ground we had fought upon, she -following and sobbing after me, and, quickly reaching the spot where -her husband's body lay, pointed it out to her. - -She now soon discovered all her hopes were in vain; she embraced a -stiffened corpse, and after rising and contemplating his disfigured -face for some minutes, with hands clasped, and tears streaming down -her cheeks she took a prayer-book from her pocket, and kneeling down, -repeated the service for the dead over the body. When she had finished -she appeared a good deal comforted, and I took the opportunity of -beckoning to a pioneer I saw near with some other men, and together -we dug a hole, and quickly buried the body. Mrs. Cochan then returned -with me to the company to which her husband had been attached, and -laid herself down upon the heath near us. She lay amongst some other -females, who were in the same distressing circumstances with herself, -with the sky for her canopy, and a turf for her pillow, for we had -no tents with us. Poor woman! I pitied her much; but there was no -remedy. If she had been a duchess she must have fared the same. She -was a handsome woman, I remember, and the circumstance of my having -seen her husband fall, and accompanied her to find his body, begot a -sort of intimacy between us. The company to which Cochan had belonged, -bereaved as she was, was now her home, and she marched and took equal -fortune with us to Vimiero. She hovered about us during that battle, -and then went with us to Lisbon, where she succeeded in procuring a -passage to England. Such was my first acquaintance with Mrs. Cochan. -The circumstances of our intimacy were singular, and an attachment grew -between us during the short time we remained together. What little -attention I could pay her during the hardships of the march I did, -and I also offered on the first opportunity to marry her. "She had, -however, received too great a shock on the occasion of her husband's -death ever to think of another soldier," she said; she therefore -thanked me for my good feeling towards her, but declined my offer, and -left us soon afterwards for England. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - Battle of Vimiero--Presentiments--The cobbler and the cannon - ball--Value of a handicraft--A lubberly artilleryman--A bad shot and a - good one--Conversation during the heat of action. - - -It was on the 21st of August, that we commenced fighting the battle of -Vimiero. - -The French came down upon us in a column, and the Riflemen immediately -commenced a sharp fire upon them from whatever cover they could get -a shelter behind, whilst our cannon played upon them from our rear. -I saw regular lanes torn through their ranks as they advanced, which -were immediately closed up again as they marched steadily on. Whenever -we saw a round shot thus go through the mass, we raised a shout of -delight. - -One of our corporals, named Murphy, was the first man in the Rifles -who was hit that morning, and I remember more particularly remarking -the circumstance from his apparently having a presentiment of his -fate before the battle began. He was usually an active fellow, and up -to this time had shewn himself a good and brave soldier, but on this -morning he seemed unequal to his duty. General Fane and Major Travers -were standing together on an early part of this day. The general had -a spy-glass in his hand, and for some time looked anxiously at the -enemy. Suddenly he gave the word to fall in, and immediately all was -bustle amongst us. The Honourable Captain Packenham spoke very sharply -to Murphy, who appeared quite dejected and out of spirits, I observed. -He had a presentiment of death, which is by no means an uncommon -circumstance, and I have observed it once or twice since this battle. - -Others besides myself noticed Murphy on this morning, and, as we -had reason to know he was not ordinarily deficient in courage, the -circumstance was talked of after the battle was over. He was the first -man shot that day. - -Early on the morning of the battle, I remember being relieved from -picket, and throwing myself down to gain a few hour's repose before the -expected engagement. So wearied was I with watching that I was hardly -prostrate before I was in a sound sleep,--a sleep, which those only -who have toiled in the field can know. I was not, however, destined -to enjoy a very long repose before one of our serjeants, poking me -with the muzzle of his rifle, desired me to get up, as many of the -men wanted their shoes repaired immediately. This was by no means an -uncommon occurrence, and I would fain have declined the job, but as -several of the Riflemen who had followed the serjeant, soon afterwards -came round me and threw their shoes and boots at my head, I was fain to -scramble on my legs, and make up my mind to go to work. - -On looking around, in order to observe if there was any hut or shed in -which I could more conveniently exercise my craft, I espied a house -near at hand, on the rise of a small hill. So I gathered up several -pairs of the dilapidated boots and shoes, and immediately made for it. -Seating myself down in a small room as soon as I entered, I took the -tools from my haversack and prepared to work; and as the boots of the -Captain of my Company, were amongst the bad lot, and he was barefooted -for want of them, I commenced with _them_. - -Hardly had I worked a quarter of an hour, when a cannon-ball (the -first announcement of the coming battle) came crashing through the -walls of the house, just above my head, and completely covered the -Captain's boot (as it lay between my knees) with dust and fragments -of the building. There were only two persons in the room at the time, -an old and a young woman, and they were so dreadfully scared at this -sudden visitation, that they ran about the room, making the house echo -with their shrieks, till at length they rushed out into the open air, -leaving me alone with the boots around me on the floor. - -For my own part, although I was more used to such sounds, I thought it -was no time and place to mend boots and shoes in, so, being thus left -alone in my glory, I shook the dust from my apron, gathered up the -whole stock-in-trade from the floor, and hastily replacing my tools in -my haversack, followed the example of the mistress of the mansion and -her daughter, and bolted out of the house. When I got into the open -air, I found all in a state of bustle and activity, the men falling -in, and the officers busily engaged, whilst twenty or thirty mouths -opened at me the moment I appeared, calling out for their boots and -shoes.--"Where's my boots, Harris, you humbug?" cried one. "Give me -my shoes, you old sinner," said another. "The Captain's boots here, -Harris, instantly," cried the Serjeant. "Make haste, and fall into the -ranks as fast as you can." - -There was, indeed, no time for ceremony, so, letting go the corners of -my apron, I threw down the whole lot of boots and shoes for the men -to choose for themselves; the Captain's being amongst the lot, with -the wax-ends hanging to them (as I had left them when the cannon-ball -so unceremoniously put a stop to my work), and quickly shouldering my -piece, I fell into the ranks as I was ordered. - -Just before the battle commenced in earnest, and whilst the officers -were busily engaged with their companies, shouting the word of command, -and arranging matters of moment, Captain Leech ordered a section of our -men to move off, at double quick, and take possession of a windmill, -which was on our left. I was amongst this section, and set off full cry -towards the mill, when Captain Leech espied and roared out to me by -name to return.--"Hallo! there, you Harris!" he called, "fall out of -that section directly. We want you here, my man." I, therefore, wheeled -out of the rank, and returned to him. "You fall in amongst the men -here, Harris," he said. "I shall not send you to that post. The cannon -will play upon the mill in a few moments like hail; and what shall we -do," he continued, laughing, "without our head shoemaker to repair our -shoes?" - -It is long since these transactions took place. But I remember the -words of the Captain as if they had been uttered but yesterday; -for that which was spoken in former years in the field, has made a -singular impression on my mind. As I looked about me, whilst standing -enranked, and just before the commencement of the battle, I thought it -the most imposing sight the world could produce. Our lines glittering -with bright arms; the stern features of the men, as they stood with -their eyes fixed unalterably upon the enemy, the proud colours of -England floating over the heads of the different battalions, and the -dark cannon on the rising ground, and all in readiness to commence -the awful work of death, with a noise that would deafen the whole -multitude. Altogether, the sight had a singular and terrible effect -upon the feelings of a youth, who, a few short months before, had -been a solitary shepherd upon the Downs of Dorsetshire, and had never -contemplated any other sort of life than the peaceful occupation of -watching the innocent sheep as they fed upon the grassy turf. - -The first cannon-shot I saw fired, I remember was a miss. The -artilleryman made a sad bungle, and the ball went wide of the mark. We -were all looking anxiously to see the effect of this shot; and another -of the gunners (a red-haired man) rushed at the fellow who had fired, -and in the excitement of the moment, knocked him head over heels with -his fist. "D---- you, for a fool," he said; "what sort of a shot do you -call that? Let me take the gun." He accordingly fired the next shot -himself, as soon as the gun was loaded, and so truly did he point it at -the French column on the hill side, that we saw the fatal effect of the -destructive missile, by the lane it made and the confusion it caused. - -Our Riflemen (who at the moment were amongst the guns), upon seeing -this, set up a tremendous shout of delight, and the battle commencing -immediately, we were all soon hard at work. - -I myself was very soon so hotly engaged, loading and firing away, -enveloped in the smoke I created, and the cloud which hung about me -from the continued fire of my comrades, that I could see nothing for -a few minutes but the red flash of my own piece amongst the white -vapour clinging to my very clothes. This has often seemed to me the -greatest drawback upon our present system of fighting; for whilst in -such state, on a calm day, until some friendly breeze of wind clears -the space around, a soldier knows no more of his position and what is -about to happen in his front, or what _has_ happened (even amongst his -own companions) than the very dead lying around. The Rifles, as usual, -were pretty busy in this battle. The French, in great numbers, came -steadily down upon us, and we pelted away upon them like a shower of -leaden hail. Under any cover we could find, we lay; firing one moment, -jumping up and running for it the next; and, when we could see before -us, we observed the cannonballs making a lane through the enemy's -columns as they advanced, huzzaing and shouting like madmen. - -Such is my remembrance of the commencement of the battle of Vimiero. -The battle began on a fine bright day, and the sun played on the arms -of the enemy's battalions, as they came on, as if they had been tipped -with gold. The battle soon became general; the smoke thickened around, -and often I was obliged to stop firing, and dash it aside from my face, -and try in vain to get a sight of what was going on, whilst groans and -shouts and a noise of cannon and musketry appeared almost to shake the -very ground. It seemed hell upon earth I thought. - -A man named John Low stood before me at this moment, and he turned -round during a pause in our exertions, and addressed me: "Harris, you -humbug," he said, "you have got plenty of money about you, I know; for -you are always staying about and picking up what you can find on the -field. But I think this will be your last field-day, old boy. A good -many of us will catch it, I suspect, to-day." "You are right, Low," I -said. "I have got nine guineas in my pack, and if I am shot to-day, -and you yourself escape, it's quite at your service. In the meantime, -however, if you see any symptoms of my wishing to flinch in this -business I hope you will shoot me with your own hand." Low, as well as -myself, survived this battle, and after it was over, whilst we sat down -with our comrades and rested, amongst other matters talked over, Low -told them of our conversation during the heat of the day, and the money -I had collected, and the Rifles from that time had a great respect for -me. It is, indeed, singular, how a man loses or gains caste with his -comrades from his behaviour, and how closely he is observed in the -field. The officers, too, are commented upon and closely observed. -The men are very proud of those who are brave in the field, and kind -and considerate to the soldiers under them. An act of kindness done -by an officer has often during the battle been the cause of his life -being saved. Nay, whatever folks may say upon the matter, I know from -experience, that in _our_ army the men like best to be officered by -gentlemen, men whose education has rendered them more kind in manners -than your coarse officer, sprung from obscure origin, and whose style -is brutal and overbearing. - -My observation has often led me to remark amongst men, that those -whose birth and station might reasonably have made them fastidious -under hardship and toil, have generally borne their miseries without -a murmur;--whilst those whose previous life, one would have thought, -might have better prepared them for the toils of war, have been the -first to cry out and complain of their hard fate. - -And here let me bear testimony to the courage and endurance of that -army under trials and hardships such as few armies, in any age, I -should think, endured. I have seen officers and men hobbling forward, -with tears in their eyes from the misery of long miles, empty stomachs, -and ragged backs, without even shoes or stockings on their bleeding -feet, and it was not a little that would bring a tear into the eyes of -a Rifleman of the Peninsular. Youths, who had not long been removed -from their parents' home and care, officers and men, have borne -hardships and privations such as (in our own more peaceful days) we -have little conception of; and yet these men, faint and weary with -toil, would brighten up in a moment when the word ran amongst us that -the enemy were at hand. - -I remember on the march from Salamanca seeing many men fail. Our -marches were long, and the weakly ones were found out. It was then -pretty much "every one for himself;" those whose strength began to fail -looked neither to the right nor the left, but, with glassy eyes, they -kept onward, staggering on as well as they could. When once down, it -was sometimes not easy to get up again, and few were inclined to help -their comrades when their own strength was but small. On this march, -I myself (strong as I was) felt completely done up, and fell in the -streets of a town called, I think, Zamora, where I lay, like one dead, -for some time. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - The battle-field of Vimiero--Major Travers and his wig--A military - family--A scapegrace--Unpleasant surprise--Playing fast and loose with - fortune--General Napier--Boney's invincibles--Firing cold steel at the - enemy--Church plunder--A haphazard shot. - - -It was just at the close of the battle of Vimiero: the dreadful turmoil -and noise of the engagement had hardly subsided, and I began to look -into the faces of the men close around me, to see who had escaped the -dangers of the hour. Four or five days back I had done the same thing -at Roliça. One feels, indeed, a sort of curiosity to know, after such -a scene, who is remaining alive amongst the companions endeared by good -conduct, or disliked from bad character, during the hardships of the -campaign. I saw that the ranks of the Riflemen looked very thin; it -seemed to me one half had gone down. We had four companies of the 95th, -and were commanded that day by Major Travers. He was a man much liked -by the men of the Rifles, and, indeed, deservedly beloved by all who -knew him. He was a tight hand; but a soldier likes that better than a -slovenly officer. - -I had observed him more than once during this day, spurring here and -there, keeping the men well up, and apparently in the highest spirits. -He could not have enjoyed himself more, I am sure, if he had been at -a horse-race, or following a good pack of hounds. The battle was just -over; a flag of truce had come over from the French; General Kellerman, -I think, brought it. We threw ourselves down where we were standing -when the fire ceased. A Frenchman lay close beside me; he was dying, -and called to me for water; which I understood him to require more -from his manner than his words (he pointed to his mouth). I need not -say that I got up, and gave it him. Whilst I did so, down galloped the -major in front, just in the same good spirits he had been all day; -plunging along, avoiding, with some little difficulty, the dead and -dying, which were strewed about. He was never a very good-looking man, -being hard-featured and thin; a hatchet-faced man, as we used to say. -But he was a regular good 'un,--a real English soldier; and that's -better than if he had been the handsomest ladies'-man in the army. -The major just now disclosed what none of us, I believe, knew before; -namely, that his head was bald as a coot's, and that he had covered -the nakedness of his nob, up to the present time, by a flowing Caxon, -which, during the heat of the action, had somehow been dislodged, and -was lost; yet was the major riding hither and thither, digging the -spurs into his horse's flanks, and just as busy as before the firing -had ceased. "A guinea," he kept crying as he rode, "to any man who will -find my wig!" The men, I remember, notwithstanding the sight of the -wounded and dead around them, burst into shouts of laughter at him as -he went; and "a guinea to any man who will find my wig," was the saying -amongst us long after that affair. - -Many a man has died in crossing a brook, it is said, who has escaped -the broad waves of the Atlantic half-a-dozen times; the major had -escaped the shot and shell of the enemy in many a hard-fought field, -and came off with credit and renown; but it is somewhat singular that -Punch and Judy were the individuals who were destined by the Fates to -cut his thread of life, for his horse was startled one day, as he rode -through the streets of Dublin city, by the clatter those worthies made -with their sticks in one of their domestic quarrels, and, swerving to -one side, that noble soldier was killed. - - -THE FAMILY OF THE COMYNS. - -In the band of the first battalion of the Rifles, we had a father -and seven sons, of the name of Comyns. The elder son, who was called -Fluellyn, was the best musician of them all, and on the regiment -going on service to Portugal, he was made band-master. Whilst -fighting against Massena, Fluellyn Comyns, one night, took offence at -a man named Cadogan, also belonging to our band, and, catching him -at advantage, beat him so severely that he left him for dead. The -transaction having been seen by some of the soldiery, Fluellyn Comyn -was fearful of the consequences, and, supposing he had committed -murder, fled to Marshal Massena's army, where he was received kindly, -and, in consequence of his musical knowledge, promoted to a good -situation in the band of one of the French regiments. After a while, -however, he made some mistake or other _there_, and, the French army -being no safe place for him any longer, he once more changed service, -and returned amongst his old companions, the Rifles, where he found, to -his surprise, Cadogan in the ranks, sound and well again. This species -of inconstancy not being approved of by our leaders, he was tried by -court-martial, and sentenced to be shot. Two or three other men, who -had also committed heavy crimes, were under orders at the same time, I -recollect, to undergo the same punishment. Colonel Beckwith was at that -time our lieutenant-colonel, and, having a great respect for Comyn's -father, made application to the Duke of Wellington for a pardon for his -son Fluellyn. Accordingly, when he was brought forth amongst the other -criminals, it was notified to him that, taking into consideration the -interest made by his lieutenant-colonel, he should be forgiven: but the -Duke, I understand, desired it to be expressly stated to him, that if -he ever detected him in that country again, in the garb of a soldier in -the British service, nothing should save him from punishment. Comyn, -therefore, left Spain, without the good wish of a single man in our -corps, for he was pretty well known to be altogether a bad subject. -Meanwhile, the news had reached his friends in England that he had been -shot, and his wife, having quickly found a substitute, was married -again, when he thought proper, somewhat tardily, to seek his home. At -first the meeting was rather a stormy one, and the neighbours thought -that murder would ensue, for Comyn found himself provided, not only -with a _locum tenens_, but also with a little baby, neither of whom he -could possibly have any great liking for. - -However, matters were eventually amicably arranged, and Fluellyn Comyn -having made out his claim, and satisfied the second husband that he had -never had a musket-ball in his body, broke up the establishment, and -took his wife off to Hythe, in Kent, where he again enlisted in the -_third_ battalion of the Rifles, and joined them at Shoreham Cliff. -In the third battalion he once more displayed his art, and, from his -excellence as a musician, was made master of the band. Not satisfied -with his good fortune, he again misconducted himself, and was once more -reduced to the ranks. After a while he succeeded in getting exchanged -to the eighty-fifth regiment, where he likewise managed to insinuate -himself into the good graces of the commanding officer, and by his -musical talents, also, once more, into the situation of master of -the band. Here he might even yet have retrieved himself, and lived -happily, but he began to cut fresh capers, and his ill-disposition and -drunken conduct were so apparent the moment he got into an easy way -of life, that it was found impossible to keep him in the situation, -and he was again reduced, and eventually entirely dismissed, as _too -bad for anything_. One of his brothers had, meanwhile, obtained the -situation he held in the first battalion of the Rifles, and was greatly -respected for his good conduct. He was killed, I remember, at Vittoria, -by a cannon-ball striking his head from his shoulders. The other five -Comyns, as far as I ever knew, lived and prospered in the service. The -old father was eventually discharged, and received a pension. What was, -however, the ultimate fate of the bad sheep of this flock (Fluellyn -Comyn), and whether he ever succeeded in becoming a band-master in the -service of any other country, or whether he ultimately reached a still -more elevated situation, I never heard, but should think from all I -knew and have related, that it was not likely he ever came to good. - - -GENERAL NAPIER. - -I remember meeting with General Napier before the battle of Vimiero. He -was then, I think, a major; and the meeting made so great an impression -on me, that I have never forgotten him. I was posted in a wood the -night before the battle, in the front of our army, where two roads -crossed each other. The night was gloomy, and I was the very out-sentry -of the British army. As I stood on my post, peering into the thick wood -around me, I was aware of footsteps approaching, and challenged in a -low voice. Receiving no answer, I brought my rifle to the port, and -bade the strangers come forward. They were Major Napier, (then of the -50th foot, I think,) and an officer of the Rifles. The major advanced -close up to me, and looked hard in my face. - -"Be alert here, sentry," said he, "for I expect the enemy upon us -to-night, and I know not how soon." - -I was a young soldier then, and the lonely situation I was in, together -with the impressive manner in which Major Napier delivered his caution, -made a great impression on me, and from that hour I have never -forgotten him. Indeed, I kept careful watch all night, listening to -the slightest breeze amongst the foliage, in expectation of the sudden -approach of the French. They ventured not, however, to molest us. Henry -Jessop, one of my companions in the Rifles, sank and died of fatigue on -this night, and I recollect some of our men burying him in the wood at -day-break, close to my post. - -During the battle, next day, I remarked the gallant style in which -the 50th, Major Napier's regiment, came to the charge. They dashed -upon the enemy like a torrent breaking bounds, and the French, unable -even to bear the sight of them, turned and fled. Methinks at this -moment I can hear the cheer of the British soldiers in the charge, and -the clatter of the Frenchmen's accoutrements, as they turned in an -instant, and went off, hard as they could run for it. I remember, too, -our feeling towards the enemy on that occasion was the north side of -friendly; for they had been firing upon us Rifles very sharply, greatly -outnumbering our skirmishers, and appearing inclined to drive us off -the face of the earth. Their lights, and grenadiers, I, for the first -time, particularly remarked on that day. The grenadiers (the 70th, I -think) our men seemed to know well. They were all fine-looking young -men, wearing red shoulder-knots and tremendous-looking moustaches. -As they came swarming upon us, they rained a perfect shower of balls, -which we returned quite as sharply. Whenever one of them was knocked -over, our men called out "There goes another of Boney's Invincibles." -In the main body, immediately in our rear, were the second battalion -52nd, the 50th, the second battalion 43rd, and a German corps, whose -number I do not remember, besides several other regiments. The whole -line seemed annoyed and angered at seeing the Rifles outnumbered by the -Invincibles, and as we fell back, "firing and retiring," galling them -handsomely as we did so, the men cried out (as it were with one voice) -to charge. "D--n them!" they roared, "charge! charge!" General Fane, -however, restrained their impetuosity. He desired them to stand fast, -and keep their ground. - -"Don't be too eager, men," he said, as coolly as if we were on a -drill-parade in old England; "I don't want you to advance just yet. -Well done, 95th!" he called out, as he galloped up and down the line; -"well done 43rd, 52nd, and well done all. I'll not forget, if I live, -to report your conduct to-day. They shall hear of it in England, my -lads!" - -A man named Brotherwood, of the 95th, at this moment rushed up to the -general, and presented him with a green feather, which he had torn out -of the cap of a French light-infantry soldier he had killed.--"God -bless you general!" he said; "wear this for the sake of the 95th." I -saw the general take the feather, and stick it in his cocked hat. The -next minute he gave the word to charge, and down came the whole line, -through a tremendous fire of cannon and musketry,--and dreadful was the -slaughter as they rushed onwards. As they came up with us, we sprang to -our feet, gave one hearty cheer, and charged along with them, treading -over our own dead and wounded, who lay in the front. The 50th were -next us as we went, and I recollect, as I said, the firmness of that -regiment in the charge. They appeared like a wall of iron. The enemy -turned and fled, the cavalry dashing upon them as they went off. - -After the day's work was over, whilst strolling about the field, just -upon the spot where this charge had taken place, I remarked a soldier -of the 43rd, and a French grenadier, both dead, and lying close -together. They had apparently killed each other at the same moment, for -both weapons remained in the bodies of the slain. Brotherwood was lying -next me during a part of this day; he was a Leicestershire man, and was -killed afterwards by a cannon-ball at Vittoria. I remember his death -more particularly from the circumstance of that very ball killing three -of the company at the same moment, viz. Lieutenant Hopwood, Patrick -Mahone, and himself. Brotherwood was amongst the skirmishers with me -on this day. He was always a lively fellow, but rather irritable in -disposition. Just as the French went to the right-about, I remember -he d--d them furiously; and, all his bullets being gone, he grabbed a -razor from his haversack, rammed it down, and fired it after them. - -During this day I myself narrowly escaped being killed by our own -dragoons, for, somehow or other, in the confusion, I fell whilst they -were charging, and, the whole squadron thundering past, just missed me, -as I lay amongst the dead and wounded. Tired and overweighted with my -knapsack and all my shoe-making implements, I lay where I had fallen, -for a short time, and watched the cavalry as they gained the enemy. -I observed a fine, gallant-looking officer leading them on in that -charge. He was a brave fellow, and bore himself like a hero; with his -sword waving in the air, he cheered the men on, as he went dashing -upon the enemy, and hewing and slashing at them in tremendous style. I -watched for him as the dragoons came off after that charge, _but saw -him no more_; he had fallen. Fine fellow! his conduct indeed made an -impression upon me that I shall never forget, and I was told afterwards -that he was a brother of Sir John Eustace. - -A French soldier was lying beside me at this time; he was badly -wounded, and hearing him moan as he lay, after I had done looking at -the cavalry, I turned my attention to him, and, getting up, lifted his -head, and poured some water into his mouth. He was dying fast; but he -thanked me in a foreign language, which, although I did not exactly -understand, I could easily make out by the look he gave me. Mullins, of -the Rifles, who stepped up whilst I supported his head, d--d me for a -fool for my pains. "Better knock out his brains, Harris," said he; "he -has done _us_ mischief enough, I'll be bound for it, to-day." - -After the battle, I strolled about the field, in order to see if -there was anything to be found worth picking up amongst the dead. -The first thing I saw was a three-pronged silver fork, which, as it -lay by itself, had most likely been dropped by some person who had -been on the look out before me. A little further on I saw a French -soldier sitting against a small rise in the ground or bank. He was -wounded in the throat, and appeared very faint, the bosom of his coat -being saturated with the blood which had flowed down. By his side -lay his cap, and close to that was a bundle containing a quantity of -gold and silver crosses, which I concluded he had plundered from some -convent or church. He looked the picture of a sacrilegious thief, -dying hopelessly, and overtaken by Divine wrath. I kicked over his -cap, which was also full of plunder, but I declined taking anything -from him. I felt fearful of incurring the wrath of Heaven for the -like offence, so I left him, and passed on. A little further off lay -an officer of the 50th regiment. I knew him by sight, and recognised -him as he lay. He was quite dead, and lying on his back. He had been -plundered, and his clothes were torn open. Three bullet-holes were -close together in the pit of his stomach: beside him lay an empty -pocket-book, and his epaulette had been pulled from his shoulder. - -I had moved on but a few paces, when I recollected that perhaps the -officer's shoes might serve me, my own being considerably the worse -for wear, so I returned again, went back, pulled one of his shoes off, -and knelt down on one knee to try it on. It was not much better than -my own; however, I determined on the exchange, and proceeded to take -off its fellow. As I did so I was startled by the sharp report of a -firelock, and, at the same moment, a bullet whistled close by my head. -Instantly starting up, I turned, and looked in the direction whence the -shot had come. There was no person near me in this part of the field. -The dead and the dying lay thickly all around; but nothing else could I -see. I looked to the priming of my rifle, and again turned to the dead -officer of the 50th. It was evident that some plundering scoundrel had -taken a shot at me, and the fact of his doing so proclaimed him one -of the enemy. To distinguish him amongst the bodies strewn about was -impossible; perhaps he might himself be one of the wounded. Hardly had -I effected the exchange, put on the dead officer's shoes, and resumed -my rifle, when another shot took place, and a second ball whistled past -me. This time I was ready, and turning quickly, I saw my man: he was -just about to squat down behind a small mound, about twenty paces from -me. I took a haphazard shot at him, and instantly knocked him over. I -immediately ran up to him; he had fallen on his face, and I heaved him -over on his back, bestrode his body, and drew my sword-bayonet. There -was, however, no occasion for the precaution, as he was even then in -the agonies of death. - -It was a relief to me to find I had not been mistaken. He was a -French light-infantry man, and I therefore took it quite in the way -of business--he had attempted my life, and lost his own. It was the -fortune of war; so, stooping down, with my sword I cut the green string -that sustained his calibash, and took a hearty pull to quench my -thirst. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - Booty--Portuguese chivalry--General Kellerman--Day after a battle. - - -After I had shot the French light-infantry man, and quenched my thirst -from his calibash, finding he was quite dead, I proceeded to search -him. Whilst I turned him about in the endeavour at finding the booty I -felt pretty certain he had gathered from the slain, an officer of the -sixtieth approached, and accosted me. - -"What! looking for money, my lad," said he, "eh?" - -"I am sir," I answered; "but I cannot discover where this fellow has -hid his hoard." - -"You knocked him over, my man," he said, "in good style, and deserve -something for the shot. Here," he continued, stooping down, and feeling -in the lining of the Frenchman's coat, "this is the place where these -rascals generally carry their coin. Rip up the lining of his coat, and -then search in his stock. I know them better than you seem to do." - -Thanking the officer for his courtesy, I proceeded to cut open the -lining of his jacket with my sword-bayonet, and was quickly rewarded -for my labour by finding a yellow silk purse, wrapped up in an old -black silk handkerchief. The purse contained several doubloons, three -or four napoleons, and a few dollars. Whilst I was counting the money, -the value of which, except the dollars, I did not then know, I heard -the bugle of the Rifles sound out the assembly, so I touched my cap to -the officer, and returned towards them. - -The men were standing at ease, with the officers in front. As I -approached them, Major Travers, who was in command of the four -companies, called me to him. - -"What have you got there, sir?" he said. "Shew me." - -I handed him the purse, expecting a reprimand for my pains. He, -however, only laughed as he examined it, and, turning, shewed it to his -brother-officers. - -"You did that well, Harris," he said, "and I am sorry the purse is not -better filled. Fall in." In saying this, he handed me back the purse, -and I joined my company. Soon afterwards, the roll being called, we -were all ordered to lie down and gain a little rest after our day's -work. - -We lay as we had stood enranked upon the field, and in a few minutes, -I dare say, one half of that green line, overwearied with their -exertions, were asleep upon the ground they had so short a time before -been fighting on. After we had lain for some little time, I saw several -men strolling about the fields, so I again quietly rose, with one or -two others of the Rifles, and once more looked about me, to see what I -could pick up amongst the slain. - -I had rambled some distance, when I saw a French officer running -towards me with all his might, pursued by at least half a dozen -horsemen. The Frenchman was a tall, handsome-looking man, dressed in a -blue uniform; he ran as swiftly as a wild Indian, turning and doubling -like a hare. I held up my hand, and called to his pursuers not to hurt -him. One of the horsemen, however, cut him down with a desperate blow, -when close beside me, and the next wheeling round, as he leaned from -his saddle, passed his sword through the body. - -I am sorry to say there was an English dragoon amongst these -scoundrels; the rest, by their dress, I judged to be Portuguese -cavalry. Whether the Frenchman thus slaughtered was a prisoner trying -to escape, or what was the cause of this cold-blooded piece of cruelty, -I know not, as the horsemen immediately galloped off without a word -of explanation; and feeling quite disgusted with the scene I had -witnessed, I returned to my comrades, and again throwing myself down, -was soon as fast asleep as any there. - -I might have slept perhaps half an hour, when, the bugles again -sounding, we all started to our feet, and were soon afterwards marched -off to form the picquets. Towards evening I was posted upon a rising -ground, amongst a clump of tall trees. There seemed to have been a -sharp skirmish here, as three Frenchmen were lying dead amongst the -long grass upon the spot were I was standing. As I threw my rifle to -my shoulder, and walked past them on my beat, I observed they had -been plundered, and their haversacks having been torn off, some of the -contents were scattered about. Among other things, a small quantity of -biscuit lay at my feet. - -War is a sad blunter of the feelings, I have often thought since those -days. The contemplation of three ghastly bodies in this lonely spot -failed then in making the slightest impression upon me. The sight had -become, even in the short time I had been engaged in the trade, but -too familiar. The biscuits, however, which lay in my path, I thought a -blessed windfall, and, stooping, I gathered them up, scraped off the -blood with which they were sprinkled with my bayonet, and ate them -ravenously. - -As I stood at the edge of the little plantation, and looked over to the -enemy's side, I observed a large body of their cavalry drawn up. I love -to call to mind the most trivial circumstances which I observed whilst -in the Peninsular, and I remember many things, of small importance in -themselves, and, indeed, hardly remarked at the time, as forcibly as if -they had been branded into my memory. I recollect keeping a very sharp -look-out at the French cavalry on that evening, for I thought them -rather too near my post; and whilst I stood beneath one of the tall -trees and watched them, it commenced raining, and they were ordered to -cloak up. - -General Kellerman and his trumpets at this moment returned to the -French side; and soon afterwards, the picquets being withdrawn, I was -relieved from my post, and marched off to join my company. A truce, I -now found, had been concluded, and we lay down to rest for the night. -Next day was devoted to the duty of burying the dead and assisting -the wounded, carrying the latter off the field into a churchyard near -Vimiero. - -The scene in this churchyard was somewhat singular. Two long tables had -been procured from some houses near, and were placed end to end amongst -the graves, and upon them were laid the men whose limbs it was found -necessary to amputate. Both French and English were constantly lifted -on and off these tables. As soon as the operation was performed upon -one lot, they were carried off, and those in waiting hoisted up: the -surgeons with their sleeves turned up, and their hands and arms covered -with blood, looking like butchers in the shambles. I saw as I passed -at least twenty legs lying on the ground, many of them being clothed -in the long black gaiters then worn by the infantry of the line. The -surgeons had plenty of work on hand that day, and not having time to -take off the clothes of the wounded, they merely ripped the seams and -turned the cloth back, proceeding with the operation as fast as they -could. - -Many of the wounded came straggling into this churchyard in search of -assistance, by themselves. I saw one man, faint with loss of blood, -staggering along, and turned to assist him. He was severely wounded in -the head, his face being completely incrusted with the blood which had -flowed during the night, and had now dried. One eyeball was knocked out -of the socket, and hung down upon his cheek. - -Another man I observed who had been brought in, and propped against -a grave-mound. He seemed very badly hurt. The men who had carried -him into the churchyard, had placed his cap filled with fragments of -biscuit close beside his head, and as he lay he occasionally turned his -mouth towards it, got hold of a piece of biscuit, and munched it. - -As I was about to leave the churchyard, Dr. Ridgeway, one of the -surgeons, called me back, to assist in holding a man, he was -endeavouring to operate upon. - -"Come and help me with this man," he said, "or I shall be all day -cutting a ball out of his shoulder." - -The patient's name was Doubter, an Irishman. He disliked the doctor's -efforts, and writhed and twisted so much during the operation that -it was with difficulty Dr. Ridgeway could perform it. He found it -necessary to cut very deep, and Doubter made a terrible outcry at every -fresh incision. - -"Oh, doctor dear!" he said, "it's murdering me you are! Blood an' -'ounds! I shall die!--I shall die! For the love of the Lord don't cut -me all to pieces!" - -Doubter was not altogether wrong; for, although he survived the -operation, he died shortly afterwards from the effects of his wounds. -After I was dismissed by the doctor, I gladly left the churchyard, -and returning to the hill where the Rifles were bivouacked, was soon -afterwards ordered by Captain Leech to get my shoe-making implements -from my pack, and commence work upon the men's waist-belts, many of -which had been much torn during the action, and I continued to be so -employed as long as there was light enough to see by, after which I lay -down amongst them to rest. - -We lay that night upon the hill-side, many of the men breaking boughs -from the trees at hand, in order to make a slight cover for their -heads; the tents not being then with us. - -I remember it was intensely cold during that night. So much so that I -could not sleep, but lay with my feet drawn up, as if I had a fit of -the cramp. I was indeed compelled more than once during the night to -get up and run about, in order to put warmth into my benumbed limbs. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - The march to Spain--A hornet's nest--Beating up for quarters--A - momentous question--The reply--Salamanca--Heavy marches. - - -Three days' march brought us without the walls of Lisbon, where we -halted, and, the tents soon after coming up, were encamped. The second -day after our arrival, as I was lying in my tent, Captain Leech and -Lieutenant Cox entering it, desired me to rise and follow them. We took -the way towards the town, and wandered about the streets for some time. -Both these officers were good-looking men, and, in their Rifle uniform, -with the pelisse hanging from one shoulder, and hessian-boots then -worn, cut a dash, I thought, in the streets of Lisbon. There were no -other English that I could observe in the town this day; and, what with -the glances of the black-eyed lasses from the windows, and the sulky -scowl of the French sentinels as we passed, I thought we caused quite -a sensation in the place. Indeed I believe we were the first men that -entered Lisbon after the arrival of the army without its walls. - -After some little time had been spent in looking about us, the officers -spied an hotel, and entering it, walked up-stairs. I myself entered -a sort of taproom below, and found myself in the midst of a large -assemblage of French soldiers, many of whom were wounded, some with -their arms hanging in scarfs, and others bandaged about the head and -face. In short, one half of them appeared to carry tokens of our -bullets of a few days before. - -At first they appeared inclined to be civil to me, although my -appearance amongst them caused rather a sensation, I observed, and -three or four rose from their seats, and with all the swagger of -Frenchmen strutted up, and offered to drink with me. I was young then, -and full of the natural animosity against the enemy so prevalent with -John Bull. I hated the French with a deadly hatred, and refused to -drink with them, shewing by my discourteous manner the feelings I -entertained; so they turned off, with a "_Sacré!_" and a "_Bah!_" and, -reseating themselves, commenced talking at an amazing rate all at once, -and no man listening to his fellow. - -Although I could not comprehend a word of the language they uttered, -I could pretty well make out that I myself was the subject of the -noise around me. My discourteous manners had offended them, and they -seemed to be working themselves up into a violent rage. One fellow, in -particular, wearing an immense pair of mustachios, and his coat loosely -thrown over his shoulders, his arm being wounded, and in a sling, rose -up, and attempted to harangue the company. He pointed to the pouch at -my waist, which contained my bullets, then to my rifle, and then to -his own wounded arm, and I began to suspect that I should probably get -more than I had bargained for on entering the house, unless I speedily -managed to remove myself out of it, when, luckily, Lieutenant Cox and -Captain Leech entered the room in search of me. They saw at a glance -the state of affairs, and instantly ordered me to quit the room, -themselves covering my retreat. - -"Better take care, Harris," said the captain, "how you get amongst such -a party as that again. You do not understand their language; I do: they -meant mischief." - -After progressing through various streets, buying leather and -implements for mending our shoes, the two officers desired me again to -await them in the street, and entered a shop close at hand. The day -was hot, and a wine-house being directly opposite me, after waiting -some time, I crossed over, and, going in, called for a cup of wine. -Here I again found myself in the midst of a large assemblage of -French soldiers, and once more an object of curiosity and dislike. -Nevertheless, I paid for my wine, and drank it, regardless of the -clamour my intrusion had again called forth. The host, however, -seemed to understand his guests better than I did, and evidently -anticipated mischief. After in vain trying to make me understand him, -he suddenly jumped from behind his bar, and seizing me by the shoulder -without ceremony, thrust me into the street. I found the two officers -looking anxiously for me when I got out, and not quite easy at my -disappearance. I however excused myself by pleading the heat of the -day, and my anxiety to taste the good wines of Lisbon, and together we -left the town, with our purchases, and reached the camp. - -Next morning Captain Leech again entered my tent, and desired me to -pick out three good workmen from the company, take them into the town, -and seek out a shoemaker's shop as near the camp as possible. - -"You must get leave to work in the first shop you can find," he said, -"as we have a long march before us, and many of the men without shoes -to their feet." - -Accordingly, we carried with us three small sacks filled with old -boots and shoes, and entering Lisbon, went into the first, shoemaker's -shop we saw. Here I endeavoured in vain to make myself understood for -some time. There was a master shoemaker at work and three men. They -did not seem to like our intrusion, and looked very sulky, asking us -various questions, which I could not understand; the only words I could -at all comprehend being "Bonos Irelandos, Brutu Englisa." I thought, -considering we had come so far to fight their battles for them, that -this was the north side of civil; so I signed to the men, and, by way -of explanation of our wishes, and in order to cut the matter short, -they emptied the three sacksful of boots and shoes upon the floor. -We now explained what we would be at; the boots and shoes of the -Rifles spoke for themselves, and, seating ourselves, we commenced work -forthwith. - -In this way we continued employed whilst the army lay near Lisbon, -every morning coming in to work, and returning to the camp every night -to sleep. - -After we had been there several days, our landlord's family had the -curiosity to come occasionally and take a peep at us. My companions -were noisy, good-tempered, jolly fellows, and usually sang all the time -they hammered and strapped. The mistress of the house, seeing I was -the head man, occasionally came and sat down beside me as I worked, -bringing her daughter, a very handsome dark-eyed Spanish girl, and as a -matter of course I fell in love. - -We soon became better acquainted, and the mother, one evening, after -having sat and chattered to me, serving me with wine, and other good -things, on my rising to leave the shop, made a signal for me to follow -her. She had managed to pick up a little English, and I knew a few -words of the Spanish language, so that we could pretty well comprehend -each other's meaning; and after leading me into their sitting-room, she -brought her handsome daughter, and, without more circumstance, offered -her to me for a wife. The offer was a tempting one; but the conditions -of the marriage made it impossible for me to comply, since I was to -change my religion, and desert my colours. The old dame proposed to -conceal me effectually when the army marched; after which I was to live -like a gentleman, with the handsome Maria for a wife. - -It was hard to refuse so tempting an offer, with the pretty Maria -endeavouring to back her mother's proposal. I, however, made them -understand that nothing would tempt me to desert; and, promising to try -and get my discharge when I returned to England, protested I would then -return and marry Maria. - -Soon after this the army marched for Spain; the Rifles paraded in the -very street where the shop I had so long worked at was situated, and -I saw Maria at the window. As our bugles struck up, she waved her -handkerchief; I returned the salute, and in half an hour had forgotten -all about her. So much for a soldier's love. Our marches were now long -and fatiguing. I do not know how many miles we traversed ere we reached -Almeida, which I was told was the last town in Portugal: some of my -companions said we had come five hundred miles since we left Lisbon. - -We now passed to the left, and bade adieu to Portugal for ever. We had -fought and conquered, and felt elated accordingly. Spain was before us, -and every man in the Rifles seemed only anxious to get a rap at the -French again. On and on we toiled, till we reached Salamanca. I love to -remember the appearance of that army, as we moved along at this time. -It was a glorious sight to see our colours spread in these fields. The -men seemed invincible; nothing, I thought, could have beaten them. We -had some of as desperate fellows in the Rifles alone as had ever toiled -under the burning sun of an enemy's country in any age; but I lived to -see hardship and toil lay hundreds of them low, before a few weeks -were over our heads. At Salamanca we stayed seven or eight days, and -during this time the shoemakers were again wanted, and I worked with my -men incessantly during their short halt. - -Our marches were now still more arduous; fourteen leagues a-day, I -have heard the men say, we accomplished before we halted; and many -of us were found out, and floored in the road. It became every one -for himself. The load we carried was too great, and we staggered on, -looking neither to the right nor the left. If a man dropped, he found -it no easy matter to get up again, unless his companion assisted him, -and many died of fatigue. As for myself, I was nearly floored by this -march; and on reaching a town one night, which I think was called -Zamora, I fell at the entrance of the first street we came to; the -sight left my eyes, my brain reeled, and I came down like a dead man. -When I recovered my senses, I remember that I crawled into a door -I found open, and, being too ill to rise, lay for some time in the -passage unregarded by the inhabitants. - -After I had left the house I have alluded to in the account of the -battle of Roliça, I walked a few paces onwards, when I saw some of -the Rifles lying about and resting. I laid myself down amongst them, -for I felt fatigued. A great many of the French skirmishers were -lying dead just about this spot. I recollect that they had long white -frock-coats on, with the eagle in front of their caps. This was one of -the places from which they had greatly annoyed us; and, to judge from -the appearance of the dead and wounded strewed around, we had returned -the compliment pretty handsomely. I lay upon my back, and, resting -upon my knapsack, examined the enemy in the distance. Their lines were -about a couple of miles off: here they remained stationary, I should -think, until near sunset, when they began to vanish, beating towards -Vimiero, where we had at them again. Whilst I lay watching them, I -observed a dead man directly opposite to me whose singular appearance -had not at first caught my eye. He was lying on his side amongst some -burnt-up bushes; and whether the heat of the firing here had set -these bushes on fire, or from whatever cause they had been ignited, -I cannot take upon me to say; but certain it is (for several of my -companions saw it as well as myself, and cracked many a joke upon the -poor fellow's appearance,) that this man, whom we guessed to have been -French, was as completely roasted as if he had been spitted before a -good kitchen-fire. He was burnt quite brown, every stitch of clothes -was singed off, and he was drawn all up like a dried frog. I called the -attention of one or two men near me, and we examined him, turning him -about with our rifles with no little curiosity. I remember now, with -some surprise, that the miserable fate of this poor fellow called forth -from us very little sympathy, but seemed only to be a subject of mirth. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - A gallant fop--An ill-humoured recruit--The military agriculturist and - the gentleman farmer--Death or glory--The Duke at Vimiero--Picking off - the enemy--The brothers Hart. - - -I remember there was an officer, named, I think, Cardo, with the -Rifles. He was a great beau; but although rather effeminate and -ladylike in manners, so much so as to be remarked by the whole regiment -at that time, yet he was found to be a most gallant officer when we -were engaged with the enemy in the field. - -He was killed whilst fighting bravely in the Pyrenees; and amongst -other jewellery he wore, he had a ring on his finger worth one hundred -and fifty guineas. - -As he lay dead on the field, one of our Riflemen, named Orr, observed -the sparkling gem, and immediately resolved to make prize of it. The -ring, however, was so firmly fixed that Orr could not draw it from the -finger, and whipping out his knife cut the finger off by the joint. -After the battle, Orr offered the ring for sale amongst the officers, -and, on inquiry, the manner in which he had obtained it transpired. Orr -was in consequence tried by court-martial, and sentenced to receive -five hundred lashes, which sentence was carried into execution. - -A youth joined the Rifles soon after I myself put on the green jacket, -whose name was Medley. He was but a small chap, being under the -standard one inch;[2] but our officers thought he promised fair to -become a tall fellow, and he was, accordingly, not rejected. Medley -did not deceive them; for, on the day he first joined the Rifles, he -was five feet one inch in height, and on the day he was killed, at -Barrossa, he was exactly six feet one. He was celebrated for being the -greatest grumbler, the greatest eater, and the most quarrelsome fellow -in the whole corps. I remember he cut a most desperate figure in the -retreat to Corunna; for there he had enough to bear both of fatigue and -hunger; and a very little of either of these disagreeables would make -him extremely bad company at any time. It was dangerous, too, to bid -him hold his tongue sometimes; for he had picked up so amongst us since -he was only five feet one, and grown so bony as well as tall, that he -would challenge and thrash any man in the corps. Corunna, however, -though it could not stop his growling, took the desire of boxing quite -out of him; and he sprawled, scrambled, and swore, till he somehow got -through that business. If General Craufurd could have heard but the -twentieth part of what I heard him utter about him on that retreat, I -think he would have cut Medley in half. He was, as I said, a capital -feeder; and his own allowance was not half enough to satisfy his -cravings, so that he often got some of his comrades to help him out -with a portion of theirs. He was my comrade for about two years; and, -as I was a shoemaker, I often had food to give him; indeed it was -highly necessary either to give him what I had for my own allowance, -or find some provision elsewhere, for he was the most cross-grained -fellow, if his belly was not filled, that we ever had amongst us. He -was killed at Barrossa, as I said, and he carried his ill-humour with -him to the very last hour of his life; for, being knocked over by a -musket-ball in the thigh, he was spoken to as he lay by some of his -comrades, who, asking if they should assist him, and carry him to the -rear, he told them to "_Go and be d--d!_" and, bidding them mind their -own business, abused them till they passed on and left him. I was told -this last anecdote of him by the very men who had spoken to him, and -got this blessing as he lay. - -We had another tall fellow in the four companies of Rifles who were in -that retreat. His name was Thomas Higgins; he was six feet one and a -half, and quite as lank and bony as Medley. He also was an ill-tempered -fellow, but nothing to compare with him either in eating or grumbling. -The tall men, I have often observed, bore fatigue much worse than the -short ones; and Higgins, amongst others of the big 'uns, was dreadfully -put to it to keep on. We lost him entirely when about half through this -business, I remember; for, during a short halt of about ten minutes he -was reprimanded by one of our officers for the slovenly state of his -clothing and accoutrements; his dress almost dropping from his lower -limbs, and his knapsack hanging by a strap or two down about his waist. -Higgins did not take it at all kind being quarrelled with at such a -time, and, uttering sundry impertinences, desired to know if they -were ever to be allowed to halt any more, adding that he did not see -very well how he was to be very smart after what he had already gone -through. The officer spoke to one of the sergeants upon this, and bid -him remember, if they got to their journey's end, to give Higgins an -extra guard for his behaviour. "Oh! then, d--n me," says Higgins, "if -ever I take it!" and, turning about, as we all moved on at the word to -march, he marched off in the contrary direction, and we never either -saw or heard of him from that hour; and it was supposed afterwards, -amongst us, that he had either perished alone in the night, or joined -the French, who were at our heels. These were the two tallest men in -the four companies of Rifles; and both were in the company I belonged -to. Higgins was the right hand, and Medley the left hand man. - - -THE YORKSHIRE FARMER. - -It was about the year 1807 or 8, that a man volunteered from the -Nottingham Militia into the Rifles. After receiving the half of -his bounty, he thought that was quite as much as would serve him -of the Rifle regiment, and so he declined to serve them in return, -and accordingly made off, without joining them at all at that time. -Four years afterwards he was discovered by the very sergeant of the -Nottingham Militia who belonged to his own company when he volunteered -from them into our corps. This same sergeant was then himself -recruiting, and fell in with his former comrade in some town, of which -I forget the name; but it was in Yorkshire. The man (whose name, also, -I have forgotten now,) was then grown very fat, and was, likewise, as -much altered in dress as in condition, being clad in the habiliments -of a respectable and comfortable farmer of that delightful county. The -sergeant, however, had a sharp eye, and penetrated both through the -disguise of his then calling, and also even his portly look failed in -throwing him off the scent. In fact, he went warily to work, made his -inquiries, compared his notes, allowed for the time and circumstances, -and, notwithstanding the respectability and reputed worth of our -farmer, arrested him forthwith as a deserter from the Ninety-fifth. -From Yorkshire he was marched a prisoner to Hythe, in Kent; and I -remember seeing him brought in, dressed as he was apprehended, and -handcuffed, and guarded by a corporal and three or four men. He was, -as I said, clad in his farmer's dress, and that it was which made -myself and others (who happened to be out) more especially regard him; -for, although it was no great sight at that time to see a deserter -brought along, yet it was not often we beheld one so apparently well -off and respectable looking in such a situation. In fact, the Yorkshire -farmer made a great talk amongst us; and we pitied him much. No man in -his present circumstances could, I should think, feel more acutely, -and he dwindled perceptibly in bulk every day, till he was brought to -trial. During his confinement he had written to the colonel of the -regiment, offering him sixty pounds to let him off; but I believe he -never at that time got any reply to his offer, and, being tried, was -sentenced to receive seven hundred lashes. When he was brought into -the hollow square to receive his punishment, I remember the anxiety -amongst us was twice as great as on an ordinary occasion of the sort. -He did not seem a man who was afraid of the lash, as regarded the pain -of its infliction, but the shame of it (considering the situation he -had attained to) was apparently the thing that hurt him most. Even now, -although fallen away, he was a jolly and portly-looking man, though -his flesh seemed to hang about him from the quickness he had been -reduced in bulk by long marches, and anxiety of mind. He addressed a -few words to the colonel in a firm and manly tone, and begged him to -consider his situation and circumstances, and that he was the husband -of a respectable woman, and father of several children; but, however, -it was not possible for the colonel to forgive him at that time, and -he was ordered to be quick and prepare. The farmer, accordingly, -stripped, and was tied up. The colonel addressed him, and referred to -the offer he had made him when in confinement, which, he told him, -had much aggravated his crime, as supposing him (the colonel) capable -of selling his honour for sixty pounds. So the farmer received his -seven hundred lashes that day, and never uttered a word of complaint -during the infliction, except that, as he sometimes turned his head, -and looked after the can of water, he would say, "Oh! poor Tom! poor -Tom! I little thought ever to come to this!" I remember, after four -hundred, the colonel asked him if he would sign his banishment, telling -him it was to send him to another regiment, which was in foreign -parts; but the farmer refused to do so, and the punishment went on. I -recollect, too, that the doctor desired the drummer to lay the lash -on the other shoulder, and the farmer received the whole sentence, as -he well deserved. In a week or more he was to be seen walking in the -barrack-square; but he avoided the society of the men, and in about -two or three days afterwards, he was missing altogether, having taken -an opportunity to escape; and we never again either heard of, or saw, -the Yorkshire farmer. - -There was another agriculturist who, I remember, was in the Rifles -with me. He was the eldest son of a gentleman-farmer, who resided in -Yorkshire, and as handsome a youth as I think I ever beheld; but he was -one of the wildest chaps, perhaps, in the whole county, and, although -he was not above four or five-and-twenty, his parents had found it -out to their cost. In one of his sprees, happening to fall in with -Sergeant Sugden of our corps, nothing would content him but he must -enlist. Sugden, you may easily conceive, was not averse to indulge -such a "_perspiring_" hero, and very soon had him for a recruit. -Although there must have been considerable difference in the style of -life amongst us to what he had been used to, yet he appeared nowise -displeased with, the change. To be sure, he was rather too lively a -bird at times, and, having plenty of money, occasionally got himself -into trouble, but nothing particularly disagreeable happened, and -altogether he was very much liked in the corps, in which he went by -the name of "The Gentleman Farmer." Just before a detachment of the -Rifles started for Portugal, a gentleman rode into the barrack-square, -and inquired of some of the men for this young spark, whose name I -cannot now remember. The meeting was not a very amicable one, for -the new-comer was the gentleman-farmer's brother, who upbraided him -with his conduct in enlisting, and told of the anxiety and sorrow -this new freak had caused at home. After they had somewhat mollified -their quarrel, they sought an interview with our commanding-officer; -and the brother immediately, in the name of the parents, offered any -reasonable sum the colonel chose to name, so he would but grant the -gentleman-farmer a discharge. The colonel, however, was not willing to -lose him, and refused at that time to grant the request. - -"He is a wild and untamed spirit," he said; "and as he is just now -under orders for foreign service, he had better go; let him have a year -of that fun; it will do his complaint good; and, if he lives, we shall -see him, I hope, return an improved man." - -The new-comer, therefore, was fain to put up with this answer, and -next morning returned home to his parents, apparently much cut up and -disappointed at his ill success. Accordingly the gentleman-farmer -embarked for Portugal, and was soon after witness of a wilder scene of -discord and horror than, I dare say, even his hair-brained ideas quite -contemplated when he enlisted for a soldier; in short, he took his -first lesson of actual warfare at the siege of Badajoz, and, entering -with heart and soul into the breach, his head was dashed into a -hundred pieces by a cannon ball. - -Thomas Mayberry was a man well known at that time in the Rifles. He was -a sergeant in my day, and was much thought of by our officers as a very -active and useful non-commissioned officer, being considered, up to the -time of his committing the slight mistake I shall have to tell of, one -of the most honest men in the army. With the men he was not altogether -so well liked, as he was considered rather too blusterous and -tyrannical. Whilst in the town of Hythe, he got the fingering of about -two hundred pounds, for the purpose of paying for necessaries purchased -for the men of his company, and which two hundred pounds he had, in a -very short space of time, managed to make away with, and lose in the -society of a party of gamblers, who at that time infested the town of -Hythe. Captain Hart, who then commanded the company Mayberry belonged -to, was not a little thunderstruck, some little time after, at finding -that the several tradesmen who furnished the articles for the men had -never been settled with, and, sending for Mayberry, discovered the -delinquency. Mayberry was a prisoner in a moment; and Captain Hart was -as much astonished as if his own father had committed a fraud, so well -and so much was Mayberry thought of. He was brought to court-martial, -together with two other men, whom he had seduced to become partners -in his gambling transactions; and, on the inquiry, it was further -discovered that he had been in the habit of cheating the men of his -company out of a farthing a-week each for the last ten months. That -was, perhaps, the worst thing against him. He was sentenced to receive -seven hundred lashes. Corporal Morrisson and Patrick Divine, his two -participators in this roguery, got, I remember, the former three, and -the latter one hundred, awarded to them. - -When the square was formed for punishment, and the three were brought -out, it was necessary to check the men of the regiment, or they -would have hooted and hissed them on the parade. I recollect, also, -that there was a civilian, of the name of Gilbert, whom Mayberry had -defrauded, and he had inquired the time of his punishment, and was -present in the rear during the infliction, having expressed to some of -Mayberry's companions that he was content to lose the money, so that -he saw the fellow well flogged:--a pretty good proof that, when their -own interests are nearly concerned, your civilian has no objection -to even be an eye-witness of the infliction of the lash, about which -there has lately been such an outcry. It is, indeed, no uncommon thing, -now-a-days, to see a man who has committed crimes, which have caused -him to receive the execrations of his sometime companions in arms, -as he is being drummed out of the corps, received by a host of folks -without the barrack-gates, and taken to their bosoms as an object of -commiseration. - -When Mayberry was tied up, he was offered, as was then customary, the -option of banishment; but he refused it, notwithstanding considerable -entreaty was made to him by his two comrades to accept it, as, by so -doing, they thought they all would escape the lash. However, Mayberry -decided to take the seven hundred, and bore the sentence without a -murmur. Not so the two others: Morrisson screamed and struggled so -much, that he capsized the triangle, and all came sprawling together, -so that he was obliged to be held by a man at each side. Divine came -last. He was rather an effeminate-looking man; and the colonel rode -round, and told him he lamented being obliged to break so fair a skin; -but he must do his duty. However, as he had borne a good character, -and was not so much to blame as the other two, he let him down after -five-and-twenty. - -Mayberry after this was much scouted by his fellow-soldiers, and also -ill-thought of by the officers; and, on a detachment being sent to -Portugal, he volunteered for the expedition. Captain Hart, however, -would fain have declined taking him, as he had so bad an opinion of him -after this affair; but Mayberry shewed himself so desirous of going, -that at last he consented, and took him. At the siege of Badajoz, -Mayberry wiped off, in a measure, all his former ill conduct. He was -seen by Captain Hart to behave so bravely in the breach, that he -commended him on the spot. - -"Well done, Mayberry!" said he; "you have this day done enough to -obliterate your disgrace; and, if we live, I will endeavour to restore -you to your former rank. Go now to the rear; you have done enough for -one day." Mayberry, however, refused to retire, although covered with -wounds; for he was known to have killed seven with his own hand, with -his rifle-sword-bayonet. - -"No going to the rear for me," he said. "I'll restore myself to my -comrades' opinion, or make a finish of myself altogether." - -He accordingly continued in the front of all, till at last he was seen -to be cut down, in the clear light of the fire-balls, by a tremendous -sword-cut, which cleft his skull almost in twain. Morrisson, I heard, -also died at that siege. Divine returned safe home, and died of fatigue -at Fermoy. - -It has been said, I have heard, by officers of high rank in the army -of the Peninsula, that there never were such a set of devil-may-care -fellows, and so completely up to their business, as the 95th. It would -be invidious to make a distinction, or talk of any one regiment -being better, or more serviceable, than another; but the Rifles were -generally in the mess before the others began, and also the last to -leave off. It was their business to be so; and if they did their work -well, so did every other British corps engaged in that country, at -least I never either heard or saw to the contrary. There was, perhaps, -as intelligent and talented a set of men amongst us, as ever carried a -weapon in any country. They seemed at times, to need but a glance at -what was going on to know all about its "why and wherefore." I remember -seeing the Duke of Wellington during the battle of Vimiero; and in -these days, when so much anxiety is displayed to catch even a glance of -that great man's figure as he gallops along the streets of London, it -seems gratifying to me to recollect seeing him in his proper element, -"the raging and bloody field," and I have frequently taxed my mind to -remember each action and look I caught of him at that time. - -I remember seeing the great Duke take his hat off in the field of -Vimiero, and methinks it is something to have seen that wonderful man -even do so common-place a thing as lift his hat to another officer in -the battle-field. We were generally enveloped in smoke and fire, and -sometimes unable to distinguish or make remarks upon what was going -on around, whilst we blazed away at our opponents; but occasionally -we found time to make our comments upon the game we were playing. -Two or three fellows near me were observing what was going on just -in the rear, and I heard one man remark, "Here comes Sir Arthur -and his staff;" upon which I also looked back, and caught sight of -him just meeting with two other officers of high rank. They all -uncovered as they met, and I saw the Duke, as I said, (then Sir Arthur -Wellesley) take off his hat and bow to the other two. The names of -the new-comers, however they were learnt, whether from some of the men -who had before seen them, or picked up on the instant from an officer, -seemed to be well known, as well as the business they were engaged in -talking of; for it ran along the line from one to the other that Sir -Hugh Dalrymple and Sir Harry Burrard were about to take the command, -instead of Sir Arthur Wellesley, a circumstance which, of course, could -only be a random guess amongst these fellows at the moment. - -The intelligence of these men was indeed very great, and I could relate -instances of their recklessness and management which would amuse the -reader much. I remember a fellow, named Jackman, getting close up to -the walls at Flushing, and working a hole in the earth with his sword, -into which he laid himself, and remained there alone, spite of all -the efforts of the enemy and their various missiles to dislodge him. -He was known, thus earthed, to have killed, with the utmost coolness -and deliberation, eleven of the French artillerymen, as they worked at -their guns. As fast as they relieved each fallen comrade did Jackman -pick them off; after which he took to his heels, and got safe back to -his comrades. - -There were three brothers in the Rifles, named Hart,--John, Mike, and -Peter,--and three more perfectly reckless fellows, perhaps, never -existed. Nothing ever escaped their notice; and they would create -the greatest fun and laughter, even when advancing under the hottest -fire of the enemy, and their comrades being shot down beside them. I -remember Lieutenant Molloy, who was himself as fine a "soldier as ever -stepped, and as full of life in the midst of death" as these Harts, -being obliged to check them at Vimiero. "D--n you!" he said to them, -"keep back, and get under cover. Do you think you are fighting here -with your fists, that you are running into the teeth of the French?" - -I never saw those three men, to appearance, the least worse for -hard work during the time we remained in Portugal. They could run -like deer, and were indeed formed by Nature and disposition for the -hardships, difficulties, and privations of the sort of life we then -led. They were, however, all three pretty well done up during the -retreat to Corunna; though, even in that dreadful business, their -light-heartedness and attempts at fun served to keep up the spirits of -many a man, who would else have been broken-hearted before the English -shipping appeared in sight. They even carried their pleasantry on that -occasion so far as to make a jest of their own appearance, and the -miserable plight of the whole turn-out, as we disembarked upon the -beach at Portsmouth. One of them even went so far as to observe, "that -we looked more like the rakings of h-- than the fragments of an army!" - -Nothing, indeed, but that grave of battalions, that unwholesome fen, -Flushing, could have broken the spirits of three such soldiers as John, -Mike, and Peter Hart. A few weeks, however, of that country sufficed -to quiet them for evermore. One, I remember, died; and the other two, -although they lived to return, were never worth a rush afterwards, but, -like myself, remained living examples of what climate can bring even a -constitution and body framed as if of iron to. - -Nothing, I suppose, could exceed the dreadful appearance we cut on -the occasion of the disembarkation from Corunna; and the inhabitants -of Portsmouth, who had assembled in some numbers to see us land, -were horror-stricken with the sight of their countrymen and relatives -returning to England in such a ghastly state; whilst the three Harts, -with feet swathed in bloody rags, clothing that hardly covered their -nakedness, accoutrements in shreds, beards covering their faces, eyes -dimmed with toil, (for some were even blind,) arms nearly useless to -those who had them left, the rifles being encrusted with rust, and the -swords glued to the scabbard;--these three brothers, I say (for I heard -them myself,) as they hobbled up the beach, were making all sorts of -remarks, and cracking their jokes upon the misery of our situation, and -the appearance they themselves cut. - -I recollect seeing at this time an affecting instance of female -affection displayed. One of our officers, whose name I will not -mention, and who was much beloved by us all, observed his wife waiting -for him on the beach, as he disembarked from the boat. He met her as -she rushed into the sea to embrace him, and they were locked in each -others' arms before they touched the dry land. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 2: The standard at that time, when men were quickly used up, -was five feet two with us.] - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - The North Mayo militiaman--Chances of warfare--Marshal - Beresford--Eight hundred for nothing--Moneymaking. - - -Whilst we lay near Cork we were joined by one Richard Pullen, amongst -others; he had exchanged from the English militia into the Irish, and -volunteered to us Rifles from the North Mayo. He brought with him -little else to boast of but his wife and his two children, Charles -and Susan. Charles was a mischievous boy of about twelve, and Susan -was a pretty little lass, of about fourteen years of age. I remember -they all went with us to Copenhagen, and got through that expedition -pretty well. That affair suited a man of Pullen's description, for he -didn't like too much service; and we soon found he was rather a shy -cock. "None of your North May_ho_, here, Master Pullen!" used to be -constantly flung in his teeth, when he was lagging behind on the march. -In 1808 he was again wanted, when our four companies went to Portugal; -but Pullen begged off, on account of the wife and the two children, -Charles and Susan. Often had he to endure the taunt again, "_None of -your North Mayho here, Master Pullen!_" till we were fairly away from -Hythe. - -After we had knocked the frogs out of Portugal, marching on Sahagun, -we fell in with the army under Sir John Moore, and, amongst the Rifles -that came with them fresh from England, we found Pullen and his wife, -with their two children, Charles and Susan. I remember that the -meeting with Pullen caused no small fun amongst us; and North May_ho_ -was again the bye-word for a few days. Nothing, I thought at that time, -could tame down the high spirits and thoughtlessness of the British -soldier. Alas! I lived to see that I was mistaken; and, indeed, saw -them pretty well tamed before many days more were over our heads! I -remember remarking that Pullen (even on the first day of the retreat -to Corunna) looked very chap-fallen and seedy; and he was beginning -even then to complain that he could not stand much more. The wife and -children, too, were dropping behind. _They_ all thought, poor souls! -that when night came on they were, of course, to be billeted; but the -open world was now their only refuge; and no allowance to stop or lie -down, even on the bare heath, at that time. I saw Pullen again on the -third or fourth day; neither the wife nor children were then with -him, nor could he tell _where_ they were; he could only answer for -himself, and expected to drop dead, he said, every step. That's all -I saw of Pullen, and his wife and children, on the retreat, or even -thought of them; for I had enough to do to keep my own strength up. -When we landed at Portsmouth, both myself and others (to our no small -surprise), saw Pullen once more; and much we wondered at the sight of -him, when so many better and stronger soldiers had died before half of -that retreat was accomplished. We had not even then spirits enough left -to jeer him about North May_ho_; and, to add to the dejection of poor -Pullen, we found that he had left behind him, and knew nothing of the -fate of either his wife or his children, Charles and Susan. As the men -continued to disembark, however, there was Pullen inquiring anxiously -of every one for some tidings of them. None, however, could he get. At -last he saw his wife coming up the beach, and hobbled off to meet her, -each at the same moment inquiring for the children, Charles and Susan. -_He_ trusted they were with the wife; and _she_ hoped they were with -the husband; and both sat down upon the beach, and cried in concert. -All our men thought it useless of them to continue their inquiries; -but they never failed to ask after their offspring of every fresh face -they fell in with, who had been in that retreat. In about a fortnight's -time, not satisfied, they advertised Charles and Susan in the public -newspapers; and we all laughed at the very idea of their ever finding -them again, and told them they might have spared the money. To our -no small surprise, however, the artillery at Plymouth answered their -advertisement, stating that a little girl had been heard screaming upon -the mountains in Spain by them in the night, and that they had taken -care of her as well as they could, and had her then with them. The -description answering, the girl was forwarded to Hythe; and Pullen and -his wife once more embraced their daughter Susan. - -Meanwhile, no tidings came of the boy; and Pullen died at Walcheren, -with many a gallant soldier for his fellow-victim in that dreadful -country. The wife had confessed long before that the child she had -given birth to after the retreat, she had every reason to believe, -was a Frenchman by the father's side; for she related her adventures -to many of us at that time, and told, amongst other things, that she -and other women, having taken refuge in a barn, were there overtaken -by the French in the night, and treated by those gentlemen in a very -unceremonious manner. - -It is easy to suppose that Mrs. Pullen had no great wish to go on -service again, and much did she endeavour to persuade Pullen to evade -it too; but, the whole regiment being under orders for Walcheren, -Pullen could not escape the chance. At last, however, he tried to -excuse himself by tampering with his eyes, which he made sore by -putting snuff in them. He was, however, detected, disgraced, and, -sailing with the expedition, died, as I before said, at Walcheren. - -After his death, Mrs. Pullen and her daughter were sent to their -parish, which was in Warwickshire; and, after she had left us some -time, a letter arrived from her son, Charles, who was a prisoner in -France. There was, I think, not a man in the regiment who recollected -the North May_ho_ recruit but myself. War, and pestilence, and -discharge, had taken all away. The bugle-major opened the letter; and, -on inquiry, found that I alone knew the parents of the writer; but no -answer, that I ever heard of, was sent to poor Charles. The captain -of Pullen's company (Crampton) was dead, and the company was almost -entirely new. I myself was then almost in a dying state, and the matter -was soon altogether forgotten. So that, whether Mrs. Pullen ever again -saw her son, I cannot take upon me to say. - -It was during the heat of the day of Vimiero. We were rather hotly -pressed by the enemy, after having advanced somewhat too near their -force. Give and take is all fair enough; but we were getting more -kicks than halfpence, as the saying is; and their balls stung us so -sharply that the officers gave the word to "_fire and retire_".[3] -Doubtless, many got a leaden messenger as they did so, which saved -them the unpleasant necessity of retracing their ground altogether. -Jock Gillespie and myself wheeled about, and obeyed the order. Just -as we had done so, I saw Gillespie limp along as though some one had -bestowed a violent kick upon his person. However, he didn't give up at -first, but continued to load, and fire, and make off with the other -skirmishers, till we halted, and made another stand; for we never went -further from them when once engaged, than we could possibly help. - -Gillespie loaded, and fired very sharply, I recollect; seemingly quite -affronted at the treatment he had received; but he got weaker and more -lame as he did so, and at last was quite unable to continue the game -any longer; and, when we advanced again, he was floored from loss of -blood. I had asked him once or twice where he was hit, but he seemed -unwilling to say, till at last he confessed; and the confession gave -him apparently as much pain as the wound. - -After the battle was over, I observed him endeavouring to get about, -and limping as badly as if one leg was a foot shorter than the other, -whilst our men, who had got hold of the story, kept calling after, and -making all sorts of fun about his wound; till poor Gillespie (who was -a very sensitive man) sat down and cried like a child with vexation. -I never saw him after that night; and I rather think his wound had -completely disabled him, and that eventually he got a discharge. - -I remember a great many of the leaders and heroes of the wars of my own -time. Alas! they have been cleared off of late pretty handsomely! A few -years more, and the world will be without another living remembrancer -of either them or their deeds. The ranks are getting thin, too, amongst -those who, like myself, were the tools with which the great men of -former days won their renown. I don't know a single living man now -who was a comrade during the time I served. Very nearly fifteen years -back, I remember, however, meeting with Robert Liston; and that meeting -brings Marshal Beresford to my mind. Robert Liston was a corporal -in the second battalion of the Rifles, when we lay for a few days in -the passages of a convent in Portugal. We were then making for the -frontiers of Spain, when we were swept into that disastrous retreat to -Corunna. There was a punishment parade in the square of this convent. -A soldier of the Ninety-second or Seventy-ninth was the culprit, and -the kilts were formed to witness the performance. Some of the Rifles -were looking from the windows of the convent at the punishment of the -Highlander, when a brickbat was hurled from one of the casements, and -fell at the very toe of the lieutenant-colonel, who was standing in the -midst, and in command of the regiment. The lieutenant-colonel (whose -name I never knew,) was of course indignant at such an act; he gazed -up at the window from which the brick had been thrown, and caused an -inquiry instantly to be made. It was between the lights when this -happened, and it was impossible to discover who had done it; however, -two or three men of the Rifles were confined on suspicion. A man named -Baker flatly accused Corporal Liston of the act; upon which Liston was -marched a prisoner to Salamanca (a distance, I should think, of some -hundred miles); and often did he complain of his hard fate in being a -prisoner so long. When we got to Salamanca we halted there for eight -days; and Liston, being tried by general court-martial, was sentenced -to receive eight hundred lashes. The whole brigade turned out on the -occasion; and I remember that the drummers of the Ninth regiment were -the inflictors of the lash. Liston received the whole sentence without -a murmur. He had, indeed, been a good soldier, and we were all truly -sorry for him; in fact, he always declared solemnly that he had no -more to do with the brickbat than Marshal Beresford who commanded the -brigade. Whoever committed the act, in my opinion, well deserved what -_Liston got_. Marshal Beresford was in command of the brigade at this -time; and I well remember what a fine-looking soldier he was. He was -equal to his business, too, I should say; and he, amongst others of our -generals, often made me think that the French army had nothing to shew -in the shape of officers who could at all compare with ours. There was -a noble bearing in our leaders, which they, on the French side (as far -as I was capable of observing) had not; and I am convinced that the -English soldier is even better pleased to be commanded by some man of -rank in his own country, than by one who has risen from his own station. - -They are a strange set, the English! and so determined and -unconquerable, that they will have their way if they can. Indeed, -it requires one who has authority in his face, as well as at his -back, to make them respect and obey him. They see too often, in the -instance of serjeant-majors, that command does not suit ignorant and -coarse-minded men; and that tyranny is too much used even in the -brief authority which they have. A soldier, I am convinced, is driven -often to insubordination by being worried by these little-minded men -for the veriest trifles, about which the gentleman never thinks of -tormenting him. The moment the severity of the discipline of our army -is relaxed, in my opinion, farewell to its efficiency; but for our men -to be tormented about trifles (as I have seen at times) is often very -injurious to a whole corps. - -I never saw Liston after that punishment whilst in Spain; and I suppose -he remained behind, and got on in the best manner he was able in the -rear; but, about ten years afterwards, as I was passing down Sloane -Street, Chelsea, I observed a watchman calling the hour. It struck me -that I knew his face, and, turning back, I stopped him, asking if he -was not Robert Liston, formerly a corporal in the Ninty-fifth Rifles? -After answering in the affirmative, the first words he spoke were, "Oh! -Harris! do you remember what happened to me at Salamanca?" - -"I do _well_," I said. - -"I was never guilty," he continued. "There is no occasion for me to -deny it now; but I tell you that I was never guilty of the crime for -which I suffered. Baker was a villain, and I believe that he was -himself the culprit." - -I recollect Marshal Beresford making a speech on the subject of the -buttons of our great-coats; and, however such a subject may appear -trifling for a general officer to speak on, I can tell you, it was a -discourse which our men (some of them) much needed; for they had been -in the habit of tearing off the buttons from their coats, and after -hammering them flat, passing them as English coin, in exchange for the -good wines of Spain. So that, at last, the Spaniards, finding they got -nothing by the exchange but trumpery bits of battered lead, and the -children in that country not being in the habit of playing at dumps as -ours are, they made complaints to the Marshal. Halting the brigade, -therefore, one day, he gave them a speech upon this fraud, and ended -by promising a handsome flogging to the first man he found thereafter, -whose great-coat would not keep buttoned in windy weather. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 3: One of the light-infantry movements, when pressed by the -advance of the enemy.] - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA. - - Hiding the gunpowder--False alarm--A halt--The Advance countermanded, - and the Retreat commenced. - - -At Sahagun we fell in with the army under command of Sir John Moore. -I forget how many thousand men there were; but they were lying in and -around the town when we arrived. The Rifles marched to an old convent, -some two miles from Sahagun, where we were quartered, together with a -part of the 15th Hussars, some of the Welsh fusileers and straggling -bodies of men belonging to various other regiments; all seeming on the -_qui vive_, and expecting the French to fall in with them every hour. -As our small and way-worn party came to a halt before the walls of the -convent, the men from these different regiments came swarming out to -greet us, loudly cheering us as they rushed up and seized our hands. -The difference in appearance between ourselves and these new comers was -indeed (just then) very great. _They_ looked fresh, from good quarters, -and good rations. Their clothes and accoutrements were comparatively -new and clean, and their cheeks ruddy with the glow of health and -strength; whilst our men, on the contrary, were gaunt-looking, -way-worn, and ragged; our faces burnt almost to the hue of an Asiatic's -by the sun; our accoutrements rent and torn; and many without even -shoes to their feet. However, we had some work in us yet; and perhaps -were in better condition for it than our more fresh-looking comrades. -And now our butchers tucked up their sleeves, and quickly set to work, -slaughtering oxen and sheep, which we found within the convent walls; -whilst others of our men, lighting fires in the open air upon the snow, -commenced cooking the fragments, which were cut up, and distributing -to them; so that very soon after our arrival, we were more sumptuously -regaled than we had been for many days. - -After this meal we were ordered into the convent, and, with knapsacks -on our backs, and arms in our hands, threw ourselves down to rest upon -the floor of a long passage. Overcome with hard toil, and long miles, -our wearied men were soon buried in a deep and heavy sleep. In the -middle of the night I remember, as well as if the sounds were at this -moment in my ear, that my name was called out many times without my -being completely awakened by the summons. The repeated call seemed -mixed up with some circumstance in my dreams; and it was not until -the noise awoke some of the men lying nearer to the entrance of the -passage, and they took up the cry, that I was effectually aroused. -From weariness, and the weight of my knapsack, and the quantity of -implements I carried, I was at first quite unable to gain my legs; but -when I did so, I found that Quarter-master Surtees was the person who -was thus disturbing my rest. - -"Come, be quick there, Harris!" said he, as I picked my way by the -light of the candle he held in his hand; "look amongst the men, and -rouse up all the shoemakers you have in the four companies. I have a -job for them, which must be done instantly." - -With some little trouble, and not a few curses from them, as I stirred -them up with the butt of my rifle, I succeeded in waking several of -our snoring handicrafts; and the quarter-master bidding us instantly -follow him, led the way to the very top of the convent stairs. -Passing then into a ruinous-looking apartment, along which we walked -upon the rafters, there being no flooring, he stopped when he arrived -at its further extremity. Here he proceeded to call our attention to -a quantity of barrels of gunpowder lying beside a large heap of raw -bullock's hides. - -"Now, Harris," said he, "keep your eyes open, and mind what you are -about here. General Craufurd orders you instantly to set to work, and -sew up every one of these barrels in the hides lying before you. You -are to sew the skins with the hair outwards, and be quick about it, for -the General swears that if the job is not finished in half-an-hour he -will hang you." - -The latter part of this order was anything but pleasant; and whether -the General ever really gave it, I never had an opportunity of -ascertaining. I only know that I give the words as they were given -me; and, well knowing the stuff Craufurd was made of, I received the -candle from the hands of Surtees, and bidding the men get needles and -waxed thread from their knapsacks, as the quarter-master withdrew, I -instantly prepared to set about the job. - -I often think of that night's work as I sit strapping away in my -little shop in Richmond Street, Soho. It was a curious scene to -look at, and the task neither very easy nor safe. The Riflemen were -wearied, unwilling, and out of temper; and it was as much as I could -do to get them to assist me. Moreover, they were so reckless, that -they seemed rather to wish to blow the convent into the air than to -get on with their work. One moment the candle was dropped, and nearly -extinguished; the next they lost their implements between the rafters -of the floor, flaring the light about amongst the barrels; and wishing, -as I remonstrated with them, that the powder might ignite, and blow -me, themselves, and the General to ----. Such were the Riflemen of -the Peninsular War,--daring, gallant, reckless fellows. I had a hard -task to get the work safely finished; but, at length, between coaxing -and bullying these dare-devils, I managed to do so, and together we -returned down the convent stairs; and, finding Surtees awaiting us in -the passage below, he reported to General Craufurd that his order had -been obeyed. After which we were permitted again to lie down, and sleep -till the bugle awoke us next morning. - -We remained in the convent part of the next day, and towards evening -received orders to leave all our women and baggage behind, and advance -towards the enemy. Our four companies accordingly were quickly upon -the move, and before long we came up with the remainder of the Rifle -corps, which had recently arrived from England with Sir John Moore. As -these men saw us coming up they halted for the moment, and gave us one -hearty cheer, allowing our four companies to pass to the front, as the -post of honour, calling us "The heroes of Portugal." As we passed to -the front, we returned their cheer with pride. Our worn appearance and -sun-burnt look gave us the advantage over our comrades, we thought, and -we marched in the van of the vanguard. - -War is a sad blunter of the feelings of men. We felt eager to be at -it again. Nay, I am afraid we longed for blood as the cheer of our -comrades sounded in our ears; and yet, amidst all this, softer feelings -occasionally filled the breasts of those gallant fellows, even whilst -they were thirsting for a sight of the enemy. Some of the men near me -suddenly recollected, as they saw the snow lying thickly in our path, -that this was Christmas eve. The recollection soon spread amongst the -men; and many talked of home, and scenes upon that night in other -days, in Old England, shedding tears as they spoke of the relatives and -friends never to be seen by them again. - -As the night approached we became less talkative. The increasing -weariness of our limbs kept our tongues quieter, and we were many of -us half asleep as we walked, when suddenly a shout arose in front that -the French were upon us. In an instant every man was on the alert, -and we were rushing forward, in extended order, to oppose them. It -proved a false alarm; but it nearly cost me a broken bone or two. The -honourable Captain Pakenham (now Sir Hercules Pakenham), on the first -sound of the enemy being in sight, made a dash to get to the front, at -the same moment I myself was scrambling up a bank on the road side. In -the darkness and hurry, the mule the captain was mounted on bore me to -the ground, and, getting his fore-feet fast fixed somehow between my -neck and my pack, we were fairly hampered for some moments. The captain -swore, the mule floundered, and I bellowed with alarm lest the animal -should dig his feet into my back, and quite disable me. At length, -however, the captain succeeded in getting clear, and spurred over the -bank, as I rolled back into the road. It might be somewhere about two -o'clock in the morning that our advance into Spain was, for that time, -checked, and the retreat to Corunna might be said to commence. General -Craufurd was in command of the brigade, and riding in front, when I -observed a dragoon come spurring furiously along the road to meet us. -He delivered a letter to the General, who turned round in his saddle -the moment he had read a few lines, and thundered out the word "to -halt!" A few minutes more, and we were all turned to the right-about, -and retracing our steps of the night before;--the contents of that -epistle serving to furnish our men with many a surmise during the -retrograde movement. When we again neared Sahagun, I remember seeing -the wives and children of the men come rushing into the ranks, and -embracing the husbands and fathers they expected never to see again. - -The entire Rifle corps entered the same convent we had before been -quartered in; but this time we remained enranked in its apartments -and passages, no man being allowed to quit his arms or lie down. We -stood leaning upon the muzzles of our Rifles, and dozed as we stood. -After remaining thus for about an hour, we were then ordered out of -the convent, and the word was again given to march. There was a sort -of thaw on this day, and the rain fell fast. As we passed the walls -of the convent, I observed our General (Craufurd) as he sat upon his -horse, looking at us on the march, and remarked the peculiar sternness -of his features: he did not like to see us going rearwards at all; and -many of us judged there must be something wrong, by his severe look and -scowling eye. - -"Keep your ranks there, men!" he said, spurring his horse towards some -Riflemen who were avoiding a small rivulet. "Keep your ranks and move -on,--_no straggling_ from the main body." - -We pushed on all that day without halting; and I recollect the first -thing that struck us as somewhat odd, was our passing one of the -commissariat waggons, overturned and stuck fast in the mud, and which -was abandoned without an effort to save any of its contents. A serjeant -of the 92nd Highlanders, just about this time, fell dead with fatigue, -and no one stopped, as we passed, to offer him any assistance. Night -came down upon us, without our having tasted food, or halted--I speak -for myself, and those around me--and all night long we continued this -dreadful march. Men began to look into each other's faces, and ask the -question "Are we ever to be halted again?" and many of the weaker sort -were now seen to stagger, make a few desperate efforts, and then fall, -perhaps to rise no more. Most of us had devoured all we carried in our -haversacks, and endeavoured to catch up anything we could snatch from -hut or cottage in our route. Many, even at this period, would have -straggled from the ranks, and perished, had not Craufurd held them -together with a firm rein. One such bold and stern commander in the -East, during a memorable disaster, and that devoted army had reached -its refuge unbroken! Thus we staggered on, night and day, for about -four days, before we discovered the reason of this continued forced -march. The discovery was made to our company by a good tempered, jolly -fellow, named Patrick Mc Lauchlan. He inquired of an officer, marching -directly in his front, the destination intended. - -"By J----s! Musther Hills," I heard him say, "where the d---l is this -you're taking us to?" - -"To England, Mc Lauchlan," returned the officer, with a melancholy -smile upon his face, as he gave the answer,--"_if we can get there_." - -"More luck and grace to you," said Mc Lauchlan; "and it's that you're -maning, is it?" - -This Mc Lauchlan was a good specimen of a thorough Irish soldier. -Nothing could disturb his good-humour and high spirits; and even during -a part of this dreadful march, he had ever some piece of Irish humour -upon his tongue's end, whilst he staggered under the weight of his -pack. He would in all probability have been amongst the few who did -reach England; but, during the march, he was attacked with the racking -pains of acute rheumatism, and frequently fell to the ground screaming -with agony. On such occasions, his companions would do that for him -which they omitted to perform towards others. They many times halted, -heaved him up, and assisted him forwards. Sir Dudley Hill, too, was -greatly interested for Mc Lauchlan, trying to cheer him on, whilst the -men could scarcely refrain from laughter at the extraordinary things he -gave utterance to whilst racked with pain, and staggering with fatigue. -At length, however, Mc Lauchlan fell one dark night, as we hurried -through the streets of a village, and we could not again raise him. - -"It's no use, Harris," I heard him say, in a faint voice, "I can do no -more." - -Next morning, when day broke, he was no longer seen in the ranks, and -as I never saw him again, I conclude he quickly perished. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA. - - Sufferings of the troops--Skirmishes with the pursuers--Two narrow - escapes--The general on his rounds--The enemy--Capture of a French - general--New year's day. - - -The information Mc Lauchlan obtained from Lieutenant Hill quickly -spread amongst us, and we now began to see more clearly the horrors of -our situation, and the men to murmur at not being permitted to turn and -stand at bay,--cursing the French, and swearing they would rather die -ten thousand deaths, with their rifles in their hands in opposition, -than endure the present toil. We were in the rear at this time, and -following that part of the army which made for Vigo, whilst the other -portion of the British, being on the main road to Corunna, were at -this moment closely pursued and harassed by the enemy, as I should -judge from the continued thunder of their cannon and rattle of their -musketry. Craufurd seemed to sniff the sound of battle from afar with -peculiar feelings. He halted us for a few minutes occasionally, when -the distant clamour became more distinct, and his face turned towards -the sound, and seemed to light up, and become less stern. It was then -indeed that every poor fellow clutched his weapon more firmly, and -wished for a sight of the enemy. - -Before long, they had their wish: the enemy's cavalry were on our -skirts that night; and as we rushed out of a small village, the name -of which I cannot now recollect, we turned to bay. Behind broken-down -carts and tumbrils, huge trunks of trees, and everything we could -scrape together, the Rifles lay and blazed away at the advancing -cavalry, whilst the inhabitants, suddenly aroused from their beds to -behold their village almost on fire with our continued discharges, and -nearly distracted with the sound, ran from their houses, crying "_Viva -l'Englisa!_" and "_Viva la Franca!_" in a breath;--men, women, and -children flying to the open country, in their alarm. - -We passed the night thus engaged, holding our own as well as we could, -together with the 43rd Light Infantry, the 52nd, a portion of the -German Legion, part of the 10th Hussars, and the 15th Dragoons. Towards -morning we moved down towards a small bridge, still followed by the -enemy, whom, however, we had sharply galled, and obliged to be more -wary in their efforts. The rain was pouring down in torrents on this -morning I recollect, and we remained many hours with our arms ported, -standing in this manner, and staring the French cavalry in the face, -the water actually running out of the muzzles of our rifles. I do not -recollect seeing a single regiment of infantry amongst the French force -on this day; it seemed to me a tremendous body of cavalry--some said -nine or ten thousand strong--commanded, as I heard, by General Lefebvre. - -Whilst we stood thus, face to face, I remember the horsemen of the -enemy sat watching us very intently, as if waiting for a favourable -moment to dash upon us like beasts of prey; and every now and then -their trumpets would ring out a lively strain of music, as if to -encourage them. As the night drew on, our cavalry moved a little to the -front, together with several field-pieces, and succeeded in crossing -the bridge; after which we also advanced, and threw ourselves into some -hilly ground on either side the road; whilst the 43rd and 52nd lay -behind some carts, trunks of trees, and other materials with which -they had formed a barrier. - -General Craufurd was standing behind this barricade, when he ordered -the Rifles to push still further in front, and conceal themselves -amongst the hills on either side. A man named Higgins was my front-rank -man at this moment. "Harris," said he, "let you and I gain the very top -of the mountain, and look out what those French thieves are at on the -other side." - -My feet were sore and bleeding, and the sinews of my legs ached as -if they would burst, but I resolved to accompany him. In our wearied -state, the task was not easy, but, by the aid of Higgins, a tall and -powerful fellow, I managed to reach the top of the mountain, where we -placed ourselves in a sort of gully, or ditch, and looked over to the -enemy's side, concealing ourselves by lying flat in the ditch, as we -did so. Thus, in favourable situations, like cats watching for their -prey, were the rest of the Rifles lying perdu upon the hills that -night. The mountain, we found, was neither so steep nor so precipitous -on the enemy's side. The ascent, on the contrary, was so easy, that -one or two of the videttes of the French cavalry were prowling about -very near where we lay. As we had received orders not to make more -noise than we could help, not even to speak to each other, except in -whispers, although one of these horsemen approached close to where -I lay, I forebore to fire upon him. At length he stopped so near -me, that I saw it was almost impossible he could avoid discovering -that the Rifles were in such close proximity to his person. He gazed -cautiously along the ridge, took off his helmet, and wiped his face, -as he appeared to meditate upon the propriety of crossing the ditch in -which we lay; when suddenly our eyes met, and in an instant he plucked -a pistol from his holster, fired it in my face, and, wheeling his -horse, plunged down the hill side. For the moment I thought I was hit, -as the ball grazed my neck,[4] and stuck fast in my knapsack, where I -found it, when, many days afterwards, I unpacked my kit on ship-board. -About a quarter of an hour after this, as we still lay in the gully, I -heard some person clambering up behind us, and, upon turning quickly -round, I found it was General Craufurd. The General was wrapped in -his great-coat, and, like ourselves, had been for many hours drenched -to the skin, for the rain was coming down furiously. He carried in -his hand a canteen full of rum, and a small cup, with which he was -occasionally endeavouring to refresh some of the men. He offered me a -drink, as he passed, and then proceeded onwards along the ridge. After -he had emptied his canteen, he came past us again, and himself gave us -instructions as to our future proceedings. - -"When all is ready, Riflemen," said he, "you will immediately get the -word, and pass over the bridge. Be careful, and mind what you are -about." - -Accordingly, a short time after he had left us, we were ordered to -descend the mountain-side in single file, and having gained the road, -were quickly upon the bridge. Meanwhile the Staff Corps had been hard -at work mining the very centre of the structure, which was filled with -gunpowder, a narrow plank being all the aid we had by which to pass -over. For my own part, I was now so utterly helpless, that I felt as -if all was nearly up with me, and that, if I could steady myself so -as to reach the further end of the plank, it would be all I should be -able to accomplish. However, we managed all of us to reach the other -side in safety, when, almost immediately afterwards, the bridge blew -up with a tremendous report, and a house at its extremity burst into -flames. What, with the concussion of the explosion, and the tremulous -state of my limbs, I was thrown to the ground, and lay flat upon my -face for some time, almost in a state of insensibility. After awhile I -somewhat recovered; but it was not without extreme difficulty, and many -times falling again, that I succeeded in regaining the column. Soon -after I had done so, we reached Benevento, and immediately took refuge -in a convent. Already three parts of it were filled with other troops, -among which were mingled the 10th Hussars, the German Legion, and the -15th Dragoons; the horses of these regiments standing as close as they -could stand, with the men dismounted between each horse, the animals' -heads to the walls of the building, and all in readiness to turn out on -the instant. Liquor was handed to us by the Dragoons, but having had -nothing for some time to eat, many of our men became sick, instead of -receiving any benefit from it. - -Before we had been in the convent as long a time as I have been -describing our arrival, every man of us was down on the floor, and -well nigh asleep; and before we had slept half an hour, we were again -aroused from our slumbers by the clatter of the horses, the clash of -the men's sabres, and their shouts for us to clear the way. - -"The enemy! The enemy!" I heard shouted out. - -"Clear the way, Rifles! Up boys, and clear the way!" - -In short, the Dragoons hardly gave us time to rise, before they were -leading their horses amongst us, and getting out of the convent as -fast as they could scamper, whilst we ourselves were not long in -following their example. As we did so, we discovered that the French -cavalry, having found the bridge blown-up, had dashed into the stream, -and succeeded in crossing. Our cavalry, however, quickly formed, and -charged them in gallant style. - -The shock of that encounter was tremendous to look upon, and we stood -for some time enranked, watching the combatants. The horsemen had it -all to themselves; our Dragoons fought like tigers,[5] and, although -greatly overmatched, drove the enemy back like a torrent, and forced -them again into the river. A private of the 10th Hussars--his name, -I think, was Franklin--dashed into the stream after their General -(Lefebvre), assailed him, sword in hand, in the water, captured, and -brought him a prisoner on shore again. If I remember rightly, Franklin, -or whatever else was his name, was made a Serjeant on the spot. The -French General was delivered into our custody on that occasion, and we -cheered the 10th men heartily as we received him. - -After the enemy had received this check from our cavalry, and which -considerably damped their ardour, making them a trifle more shy of us -for awhile, we pushed onwards on our painful march. I remember marching -close beside the French general during some part of this day, and -observing his chap-fallen and dejected look as he rode along in the -midst of the green jackets. - -Being constantly in rear of the main body, the scenes of distress and -misery I witnessed were dreadful to contemplate, particularly amongst -the women and children, who were lagging and falling behind, their -husbands and fathers being in the main body in our front. We now came -to the edge of a deep ravine, the descent so steep and precipitous, -that it was impossible to keep our feet in getting down, and we were -sometimes obliged to sit, and slide along on our backs; whilst before -us rose a ridge of mountains quite as steep and difficult of ascent. -There was, however, no pause in our exertion, but, slinging our rifles -round our necks, down the hill we went; whilst mules with the baggage -on their backs, wearied and urged beyond their strength, were seen -rolling from top to bottom; many of them breaking their necks with the -fall, and the baggage crushed, smashed, and abandoned. - -I remember, as I descended this hill, remarking the extraordinary sight -afforded by the thousands of our red-coats, who were creeping like -snails, and toiling up the ascent before us, their muskets slung round -their necks, and clambering with both hands as they hauled themselves -up. As soon as we ourselves had gained the ascent we were halted for a -few minutes, in order to give us breath for another effort, and then -onwards we moved again. - -It is impossible for me to keep any account of time in this -description, as I never exactly knew how many days and nights we -marched; but I well know we kept on for many successive days and -nights, without rest, or much in the way of food. The long day found us -still pushing on, and the night caused us no halt. - -After leaving the hills I have mentioned, and which I heard at the time -were called the Mountains of Galicia, as we passed through a village, -our Major resolved to try and get us something in the shape of a -better meal than we had been able hitherto to procure. He accordingly -despatched a small party, who were somewhat more fresh than their -comrades, to try and procure something from the houses around; and -they accordingly purchased, shot, and bayoneted, somewhere about a -score of pigs, which we lugged along with us to a convent just without -the town; and, halting for a short time, proceeded to cook them. The -men, however, were too hungry to wait whilst they were being properly -dressed and served out. - -After this hasty meal, we again pushed on, still cursing the enemy for -not again shewing themselves, that we might revenge some of our present -miseries upon their heads. - -"Why don't they come on like men," they cried, "whilst we've strength -left in us to fight them?" - -We were now upon the mountains; the night was bitter cold, and the snow -falling fast. As day broke, I remember hearing Lieutenant Hill say to -another officer (who, by the way, afterwards sank down, and died), - -"This is New Year's Day; and, I think if we live to see another, we -shall not easily forget it." - -The mountains were now becoming more wild-looking and steep, as we -proceeded; whilst those few huts we occasionally passed seemed so -utterly forlorn and wretched-looking, it appeared quite a wonder -how human beings could live in so desolate a home. After the snow -commenced, the hills became so slippery (being in many parts covered -with ice), that several of our men frequently slipped and fell, and -being unable to rise, gave themselves up to despair, and died. There -was now no endeavour to assist one another after a fall; it was every -one for himself, and God for us all! - -The enemy, I should think, were at this time frequently close upon our -trail; and I thought at times I heard their trumpets come down the wind -as we marched. Towards the dusk of the evening of this day I remember -passing a man and woman lying clasped in each other's arms, and dying -in the snow. I knew them both; but it was impossible to help them. -They belonged to the Rifles, and were man and wife. The man's name was -Joseph Sitdown. During this retreat, as he had not been in good health -previously, himself and wife had been allowed to get on in the best -way they could in the front. They had, however, now given in, and the -last we ever saw of poor Sitdown and his wife was on that night, lying -perishing in each other's arms in the snow. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 4: This ball I found in one of my shirts, and kept it long -afterwards.] - -[Footnote 5: It was said that Napoleon observed this encounter from the -heights.] - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA. - - The wind and the shorn lamb--General Craufurd, and his treatment of - the mutineers--An officer unmanned--Craufurd's inflexibility and - endurance. - - -Many trivial things which happened during the retreat to Corunna, and -which on any other occasion might have entirely passed from my memory, -have been, as it were, branded into my remembrance, and I recollect -the most trifling incidents which occurred from day to day during that -march. I remember, amongst other matters, that we were joined, if I may -so term it, by a young recruit, when such an addition was anything -but wished for during the disasters of the hour. One of the men's -wives (who was struggling forward in the ranks with us, presenting a -ghastly picture of illness, misery, and fatigue,) being very large in -the family-way, towards evening stepped from amongst the crowd, and -lay herself down amidst the snow, a little out of the main road. Her -husband remained with her; and I heard one or two hasty observations -amongst our men, that they had taken possession of their last -resting-place. The enemy were, indeed, not far behind at this time, the -night was coming down, and their chance seemed in truth but a bad one. -To remain behind the column of march in such weather was to perish, and -we accordingly soon forgot all about them. To my surprise, however, -I, some little time afterwards (being myself then in the rear of our -party), again saw the woman. She was hurrying, with her husband, after -us, and in her arms she carried the babe she had just given birth to. -Her husband and herself, between them, managed to carry that infant to -the end of the retreat, where we embarked. God tempers the wind, it -is said, to the shorn lamb; and many years afterwards I saw that boy, -a strong and healthy lad. The woman's name was M'Guire, a sturdy and -hardy Irishwoman; and lucky was it for herself and babe that she was -so, as that night of cold and sleet was in itself sufficient to try -the constitution of most females. I lost sight of her, I recollect, on -this night, when the darkness came upon us; but with the dawn, to my -surprise, she was still amongst us. - -The shoes and boots of our party were now mostly either destroyed or -useless to us, from foul roads and long miles, and many of the men were -entirely barefooted, with knapsacks and accoutrements altogether in a -dilapidated state. The officers were also, for the most part, in as -miserable a plight. They were pallid, way-worn, their feet bleeding, -and their faces overgrown with beards of many days' growth. What a -contrast did our corps display, even at this period of the retreat, -to my remembrance of them on the morning their dashing appearance -captivated my fancy in Ireland! Many of the poor fellows, now near -sinking with fatigue, reeled as if in a state of drunkenness, and -altogether I thought we looked the ghosts of our former selves; still -we held on resolutely: our officers behaved nobly; and Craufurd was -not to be daunted by long miles, fatigue, or fine weather. Many a man -in that retreat caught courage from his stern eye and gallant bearing. -Indeed, I do not think the world ever saw a more perfect soldier than -General Craufurd. It might be on the night following the disaster -I have just narrated, that we came to a halt for about a couple of -hours in a small village, and together with several others, I sought -shelter in the stable of a sort of farm-house, the first roof I saw -near. Here, however, we found nothing to refresh ourselves with, by -way of food, but some raw potatoes lying in a heap in one of the empty -stalls, and which, for want of better rations, we made a meal of, -before we threw ourselves down upon the stones with which the place -was paved. Meanwhile, others of the men, together with two or three -of our officers, more fortunate than ourselves, had possession of the -rooms of the adjoining building, where they found at least a fire to -warm themselves. Lieutenant Hill had a black servant with him in this -retreat, a youth he had brought with him from Monte Video, where, -I heard, the Rifles had found him tied to a gun they had captured -there. This lad came and aroused me as I lay in the mule-stable, and -desired me to speak with his master in the adjoining room. I found the -lieutenant seated in a chair by the fire when I entered. He was one -of the few amongst us who rejoiced in the possession of a tolerably -decent pair of boots, and he had sent for me to put a few stitches in -them; in order to keep them from flying to pieces. I was so utterly -wearied, that I at first refused to have anything to do with them; but -the officer, taking off his boots, insisted upon my getting out my -wax threads and mending them; and himself and servant, thrusting me -into the chair he arose from, put the boots into my hands, got out my -shoe-making implements, and held me up as I attempted to cobble up the -boots. It was, however, in vain that I tried to do my best towards the -lieutenant's boots. After a few stitches, I fell asleep as I worked, -the awl and wax-ends falling to the ground. I remember there were two -other officers present at the time, Lieutenants Molloy and Keppel, -the latter of whom soon afterwards fell dead from fatigue during this -retreat. At the present time, however, they all saw it was in vain to -urge me to mend Lieutenant Hill's boots. He therefore put them on again -with a woeful face and a curse, and dismissed me to my repose. Our rest -was not, however, of long duration. The French were upon our trail, and -before long we were up and hurrying onwards again. - -As the day began to dawn, we passed through another village--a long, -straggling place. The houses were all closed at this early hour, and -the inhabitants mostly buried in sleep, and, I dare say, unconscious of -the armed thousands who were pouring through their silent streets. When -about a couple of miles from this village, Craufurd again halted us -for about a quarter of an hour. It appeared to me that, with returning -daylight, he wished to have a good look at us this morning, for he -mingled amongst the men as we stood leaning upon our rifles, gazing -earnestly in our faces as he passed, in order to judge of our plight -by our countenances. He himself appeared anxious, but full of fire and -spirit, occasionally giving directions to the different officers, and -then speaking words of encouragement to the men. It is my pride now -to remember that General Craufurd seldom omitted a word in passing to -myself. On this occasion, he stopped in the midst, and addressed a few -words to me, and glancing down at my feet, observed: - -"What! no shoes, Harris, I see, eh?" - -"None, sir," I replied; "they have been gone many days back." He -smiled, and passing on, spoke to another man, and so on through the -whole body. - -Craufurd was, I remember, terribly severe, during this retreat, if he -caught anything like pilfering amongst the men. As we stood, however, -during this short halt, a very tempting turnip-field was close on the -side of us, and several of the men were so ravenous, that although -he was in our very ranks, they stepped into the field and helped -themselves to the turnips, devouring them like famishing wolves. He -either did not or would not observe the delinquency this time, and soon -afterwards gave the word, and we moved on once more. - -About this period I remember another sight, which I shall not to -my dying day forget; and it causes me a sore heart, even now, as I -remember it. Soon after our halt beside the turnip-field the screams -of a child near me caught my ear, and drew my attention to one of -our women, who was endeavouring to drag along a little boy of about -seven or eight years of age. The poor child was apparently completely -exhausted, and his legs failing under him. The mother had occasionally, -up to this time, been assisted by some of the men, taking it in turn -to help the little fellow on; but now all further appeal was vain. No -man had more strength than was necessary for the support of his own -carcass, and the mother could no longer raise the child in her arms, as -her reeling pace too plainly shewed. Still, however, she continued to -drag the child along with her. It was a pitiable sight, and wonderful -to behold the efforts the poor woman made to keep the boy amongst us. -At last the little fellow had not even strength to cry, but, with mouth -wide open, stumbled onwards, until both sank down to rise no more. The -poor woman herself had, for some time, looked a moving corpse; and -when the shades of evening came down, they were far behind amongst the -dead or dying in the road. This was not the only scene of the sort I -witnessed amongst the women and children during that retreat. Poor -creatures! they must have bitterly regretted not having accepted the -offer which was made to them to embark at Lisbon for England, instead -of accompanying their husbands into Spain. The women, however, I have -often observed, are most persevering in such cases, and are not to be -persuaded that their presence is often a source of anxiety to the corps -they belong to. - -I do not think I ever admired any man who wore the British uniform more -than I did General Craufurd. - -I could fill a book with descriptions of him; for I frequently had my -eye upon him in the hurry of action. It was gratifying to me, too, -to think he did not altogether think ill of me, since he has often -addressed me kindly when, from adverse circumstances, you might have -thought that he had scarcely spirits to cheer up the men under him. The -Rifles liked him, but they also feared him; for he could be terrible -when insubordination shewed itself in the ranks. "You think, because -you are Riflemen, you may do whatever you think proper," said he, one -day, to the miserable and savage-looking crew around him, in the -retreat to Corunna; "but I'll teach you the difference before I have -done with you." I remember one evening, during the retreat, he detected -two men straying away from the main body: it was in the early stage -of that disastrous flight, and Craufurd knew well that he must do his -utmost to keep the division together. He halted the brigade with a -voice of thunder, ordered a drum-head court-martial on the instant, -and they were sentenced to a hundred a-piece. Whilst this hasty trial -was taking place, Craufurd dismounting from his horse, stood in the -midst, looking stern and angry as a worried bull-dog. He did not like -retreating at all, that man. - -The three men nearest him, as he stood, were Jagger, Dan Howans, and -myself. All were worn, dejected, and savage, though nothing to what we -were after a few days more of the retreat. The whole brigade were in -a grumbling and discontented mood; and Craufurd, doubtless, felt ill -pleased with the aspect of affairs altogether. - -"D--n his eyes!" muttered Howans, "he had much better try to get us -something to eat and drink, than harass us in this way." - -No sooner had Howans disburdened his conscience of this growl, than -Craufurd, who had overheard it, turning sharply round, seized the rifle -out of Jagger's hand, and felled him to the earth with the butt-end. - -"It was not I who spoke," said Jagger, getting up, and shaking his -head. "You shouldn't knock me about." - -"I heard you, sir," said Craufurd; "and I will bring you also to a -court-martial." - -"I am the man who spoke," said Howans. "Ben Jagger never said a word." - -"Very well," returned Craufurd, "then I'll try you, sir." - -And, accordingly, when the other affair was disposed of, Howans' case -came on. By the time the three men were tried, it was too dark to -inflict the punishment. Howans, however, had got the complement of -three hundred promised to him; so Craufurd gave the word to the brigade -to move on. He marched all that night on foot; and when the morning -dawned, I remember that, like the rest of us, his hair, beard, and -eye-brows, were covered with the frost, as if he had grown white with -age. We were, indeed, all of us in the same condition. Scarcely had -I time to notice the appearance of morning before the general once -more called a halt--we were then on the hills. Ordering a square to be -formed, he spoke to the brigade, as well as I can remember, in these -words, after having ordered the three before-named men of the 95th to -be brought into the square:-- - -"Although," said he, "I should obtain the good-will neither of the -officers nor the men of the brigade here by so doing, I am resolved to -punish these three men, according to the sentence awarded, even though -the French are at our heels. Begin with Daniel Howans." - -This was indeed no time to be lax in discipline, and the general knew -it. The men, as I said, were, some of them, becoming careless and -ruffianly in their demeanour; whilst others, again, I saw with the -tears falling down their cheeks from the agony of their bleeding feet, -and many were ill with dysentery from the effects of the bad food they -had got hold of and devoured on the road. Our knapsacks, too, were a -bitter enemy on this prolonged march. Many a man died, I am convinced, -who would have borne up well to the end of the retreat, but for the -infernal load we carried on our backs. My own knapsack was my bitterest -enemy; I felt it press me to the earth almost at times, and more than -once felt as if I should die under its deadly embrace. The knapsacks, -in my opinion, should have been abandoned at the very commencement of -the retrograde movement, as it would have been better to have lost them -altogether, if, by such loss, we could have saved the poor fellows who, -as it was, died strapped to them on the road. - -There was some difficulty in finding a place to tie Howans up, as the -light brigade carried no halberts. However, they led him to a slender -ash tree which grew near at hand. - -"Don't trouble yourselves about tying _me_ up," said Howans, folding -his arms; "I'll take my punishment like a man!" - -He did so without a murmur, receiving the whole three hundred. His -wife, who was present with us, I remember, was a strong, hardy -Irishwoman. When it was over, she stepped up and covered Howans with -his grey great-coat. The general then gave the word to move on. I -rather think he knew the enemy was too near to punish the other two -delinquents just then; so we proceeded out of the corn-field in which -we had been halted, and toiled away upon the hills once more, Howans' -wife carrying the jacket, knapsack, and pouch, which the lacerated -state of the man's back would not permit him to bear. - -It could not have been, I should think, more than an hour after the -punishment had been inflicted upon Howans, when the general again -gave the word for the brigade to halt, and once more formed them into -square. We had begun to suppose that he intended to allow the other two -delinquents to escape, under the present difficulties and hardships of -the retreat. He was not, however, one of the forgetful sort, when the -discipline of the army under him made severity necessary. - -"Bring out the two other men of the 95th," said he, "who were tried -last night." - -The men were brought forth accordingly, and their lieutenant-colonel, -Hamilton Wade, at the same time stepped forth. He walked up to the -general, and lowering his sword, requested that he would forgive these -men, as they were both of them good soldiers, and had fought in all the -battles of Portugal. - -"I order _you_, sir," said the general, "to do your duty. These men -shall be punished." - -The lieutenant-colonel, therefore, recovering his sword, turned about, -and fell back to the front of the Rifles. One of the men, upon this (I -think it was Armstrong), immediately began to unstrap his knapsack, -and prepare for the lash. Craufurd had turned about meanwhile, and -walked up to one side of the square. Apparently he suddenly relented -a little, and, again turning sharp round, returned towards the two -prisoners. "Stop," said he. "In consequence of the intercession of your -lieutenant-colonel, I will allow you thus much: you shall draw lots, -and the winner shall escape; but one of the two I am determined to make -an example of." - -The square was formed in a stubble-field, and the sergeant-major of -the Rifles, immediately stooping down, plucked up two straws, and the -men, coming forward, drew. I cannot be quite certain, but I think it -was Armstrong who drew the longest straw, and won the safety of his -hide; and his fellow gamester was in quick time tied to a tree; and the -punishment commenced. A hundred was the sentence; but when the bugler -had counted seventy-five, the general granted him a further indulgence, -and ordered him to be taken down, and to join his company. The general -calling for his horse, now mounted for the first time for many hours; -for he had not ridden all night, not, indeed, since the drum-head -court-martial had taken place. Before he put the brigade in motion -again, he gave us another short specimen of his eloquence, pretty -much, I remember, after this style:-- - -"I give you all notice," said he, "that I will halt the brigade again -the very first moment I perceive any man disobeying my orders, and try -him by court-martial on the spot." He then gave us the word, and we -resumed our march. - -Many who read this, especially in these peaceful times, may suppose -this was a cruel and unnecessary severity under the dreadful and -harassing circumstances of that retreat; but I, who was there, and -was, besides, a common soldier of the very regiment to which these -men belonged, say _it was quite necessary_. No man but one formed of -stuff like General Craufurd could have saved the brigade from perishing -altogether; and, if he flogged two, he saved hundreds from death by -his management. I detest the sight of the lash; but I am convinced the -British army can never go on without it. Late events have taught us -the necessity of such measures. - -It was perhaps a couple of days after this had taken place that we came -to a river. It was tolerably wide, but not very deep, which was just as -well for us; for, had it been deep as the dark regions, we must have -somehow or other got through. The avenger was behind us, and Craufurd -was along with us, and the two together kept us moving, whatever was -in the road. Accordingly, into the stream went the light brigade, and -Craufurd, as busy as a shepherd with his flock, riding in and out of -the water, to keep his wearied band from being drowned as they crossed -over. Presently he spied an officer who, to save himself from being -wet through, I suppose, and wearing a damp pair of breeches for the -remainder of the day, had mounted on the back of one of his men. The -sight of such a piece of effeminacy was enough to raise the choler of -the general, and in a very short time he was plunging and splashing -through the water after them both. - -"Put him down, sir! put him down! I desire you to put that officer down -instantly!" And the soldier in an instant, I dare say nothing loth, -dropping his burden, like a hot potatoe, into the stream, continued his -progress through. "Return back, sir," said Craufurd to the officer, -"and go through the water like the others. I will not allow my officers -to ride upon the men's backs through the rivers: all must take their -share alike here." - -Wearied as we were, this affair caused all who saw it to shout almost -with laughter, and was never forgotten by those who survived the -retreat. - -General Craufurd was, indeed, one of the few men who was apparently -created for command during such dreadful scenes as we were familiar -with in this retreat. He seemed an iron man; nothing daunted -him--nothing turned him from his purpose. War was his very element, and -toil and danger seemed to call forth only an increasing determination -to surmount them. I was sometimes amused with his appearance, and that -of the men around us; for, the Rifles being always at his heels, he -seemed to think them his familiars. If he stopped his horse, and halted -to deliver one of his stern reprimands, you would see half-a-dozen -lean, unshaven, shoeless, and savage Riflemen, standing for the moment -leaning upon their weapons, and scowling up in his face as he scolded; -and when he dashed the spurs into his reeking horse, they would throw -up their rifles upon their shoulders, and hobble after him again. He -was sometimes to be seen in the front, then in the rear, and then you -would fall in with him again in the midst, dismounted, and marching -on foot, that the men might see he took an equal share in the toils -which they were enduring. He had a mortal dislike, I remember, to a -commissary. Many a time have I heard him storming at the neglect of -those gentry, when the men were starving for rations, and nothing but -excuses forthcoming. - -"Send the commissary to me!" he would roar. "D--n him! I will hang him -if the provisions are not up this night!" - -Twice I remember he was in command of the light brigade. The second -time he joined them he made, I heard, something like these remarks, -after they had been some little time in Spain:-- - -"When I commanded you before," he said, "I know full well that you -disliked me, for you thought me severe. _This time I am glad to find -there is a change in yourselves._" - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA. - - Nightfall in the wilderness--Dangerous ground--Men lost--Craufurd's - magic lantern--A friend in need--Sir Dudley Hill. - - -Towards evening, of the same day Howans was punished, we came to a -part of the country of a yet wilder and more desolate appearance even -than that we had already traversed; a dreary wilderness it appeared -at this inclement season: and our men, spite of the vigilance of the -General, seemed many of them resolved to stray into the open country, -rather than traverse the road before them. The coming night favoured -their designs, and many were, before morning, lost to us through their -own wilfulness. Amongst others, I found myself completely bewildered -and lost upon the heath, and should doubtless have perished had I not -fallen in with another of our corps in the same situation. As soon -as we recognised each other, I found my companion in adversity was a -strapping resolute fellow named James Brooks, a north of Ireland man. -He was afterwards killed at Toulouse, by a musket ball which struck him -in the thigh. He was delighted at having met with me, and we resolved -not to desert each other during the night. Brooks, as I have said, -was a strong, active, and resolute fellow, as indeed I had, on more -occasions than one, witnessed in Portugal. At the present time, his -strength was useful to both of us. - -"Catch hold of my jacket, Harris," said he: "the ground here is soft, -and we must help each other to-night, or we shall be lost in the bogs." - -Before long, that which Brooks feared, happened; and he found himself -stuck so fast in the morass, that although I used my best efforts to -draw him out, I only shared in the same disaster; so that, leaving him, -I turned and endeavoured to save my own life if possible, calling to -him to follow before he sank over head and ears. This was an unlucky -chance in our wearied state, as the more we floundered in the dark, -not knowing which way to gain a firmer foundation, the faster we fixed -ourselves. Poor Brooks was so disheartened, that he actually blubbered -like a child. At length, during a pause in our exertions, I thought -I heard something like the bark of a dog come down the wind. I bade -Brooks listen, and we both distinctly heard it--the sound gave us new -hope, just as we were about to abandon ourselves to our fate. I advised -Brooks to lay himself as flat as he could, and drag himself out of -the slough, as I had found some hard tufts of grass in the direction I -tried; and so, by degrees, we gained a firmer footing, and eventually -succeeded in extricating ourselves, though in such an exhausted state, -that for some time we lay helplessly upon the ground, unable to proceed. - -At length with great caution, we ventured to move forwards in the -direction of the sounds we had just heard. We found, however, that our -situation was still very perilous; for in the darkness we hardly dared -to move a step in any direction, without probing the ground with our -rifles, lest we should again sink, and be eventually smothered in the -morasses we had strayed amongst. On a sudden, however (as we carefully -felt our way), we heard voices shouting in the distance, and calling -out "_Men_ lost! _men_ lost!" which we immediately concluded were the -cries of some of our own people, who were situated like ourselves. - -After awhile, I thought I saw, far away, something like a dancing -light, which seemed to flicker about, vanish, and reappear, similar -to a Jack-o'-lantern. I pointed it out to Brooks, and we agreed to -alter our course, and move towards it. As we did so, the light seemed -to approach us, and grow larger, and presently another and another -appeared, like small twinkling stars, till they looked something like -the lamps upon one of our London bridges, as seen from afar. The sight -revived our spirits, more especially as we could now distinctly hear -the shouts of people, who appeared in search of the stragglers, and as -they approached us, we perceived that such was indeed the case. The -lights, we now discovered, were furnished by bundles of straw and dried -twigs, tied on the ends of long poles, and dipped in tar. They were -borne in the hands of several Spanish peasants, from a village near at -hand, whom Craufurd had thus sent to our rescue. - -He had discovered, on reaching and halting in this village, the number -of men that had strayed from the main body, and immediately ordering -the torches I have mentioned to be prepared, he collected together a -party of Spanish peasants, and obliged them to go out into the open -country, and seek for his men, as I have said; by which means he saved -(on that night) many from death. - -To return to my own adventures on this night. When Brooks and myself -reached the village I have mentioned, we found it filled with soldiers, -standing and lying, huddled together like cattle in a fair. A most -extraordinary sight it appeared, as the torches of the peasants flashed -upon the way-worn and gaunt figures of our army. The rain was coming -down, too, on this night, I remember; and soon after I reached our -corps, I fell helplessly to the ground in a miserable plight. Brooks -was himself greatly exhausted, but he behaved nobly, and remained -beside me, trying to persuade some of our men to assist him in lifting -me up, and gaining shelter in one of the houses at hand. "May I be --!" -I heard him say, "if I leave Harris to be butchered in the streets by -the cowardly Spaniards the moment our division leaves the town." At -length Brooks succeeded in getting a man to help him, and together they -supported me into the passage of a house, where I lay upon the floor -for some time. After awhile, by the help of some wine they procured, I -rallied and sat up, till eventually I got once more upon my legs, and, -arm in arm, we proceeded again into the streets, and joined our corps. -Poor Brooks certainly saved my life that night. He was one of the many -good fellows whom I have seen out, and I often think of him with -feelings of gratitude as I sit at my work in Richmond Street, Soho. - -When the division got the order to proceed again, we were still linked -arm in arm, and thus we proceeded; sometimes, when the day appeared, -stopping for a short time and resting ourselves, and then hurrying on -again. - -I remember Sir Dudley Hill passing me on a mule this day. He wore a -Spanish straw-hat, and had his cloak on. He looked back when he had -passed, and addressed me. "Harris," said he, "I see you cannot keep -up." He appeared sorry for me, for he knew me well. "You must do your -best," he said, "my man, and keep with us, or you will fall into the -hands of the enemy." As the day wore on, I grew weaker and weaker; -and at last, spite of all my efforts, I saw the main body leave me -hopelessly in the lurch. Brooks himself was getting weaker too; he -saw it was of little use to urge me on, and at length, assenting to my -repeated request to be left behind, he hurried on as well as he was -able without a word of farewell. I now soon sank down in the road and -lay beside another man who had also fallen, and was apparently dead, -and whom I recognised as one of our sergeants, named Taylor, belonging -to the Honourable Captain Pakenham's (now General Sir Hercules -Pakenham) company. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA. - - Fate of the stragglers--A Spanish welcome--Scenes upon the line of - march--The English ships in sight--The embarkation and arrival of the - troops in England. - - -Whilst we lay exhausted in the road, the rear guard, which was now -endeavouring to drive on the stragglers, approached, and a sergeant of -the Rifles came up, and stopped to look at us. He addressed himself -to me, and ordered me to rise; but I told him it was useless for him -to trouble himself about me, as I was unable to move a step further. -Whilst he was urging me to endeavour to rise up, the officer in -command of the rear guard also stepped up. The name of this officer was -Lieutenant Cox; he was a brave and good man, and observing that the -sergeant was rough in his language and manner towards me, he silenced -him, and bade the guard proceed, and leave me. "Let him die quietly, -Hicks," he said to the sergeant. "I know him well; he's not the man to -lie here if he could get on.--I am sorry, Harris," he said, "to see you -reduced to this, for I fear there is no help to be had now." He then -moved on after his men, and left me to my fate. - -After lying still for awhile, I felt somewhat restored, and sat up to -look about me. The sight was by no means cheering. On the road behind -me I saw men, women, mules, and horses, lying at intervals, both dead -and dying; whilst far away in front I could just discern the enfeebled -army crawling out of sight, the women[6] huddled together in its rear, -trying their best to get forward amongst those of the sick soldiery, -who were now unable to keep up with the main body. After awhile, I -found that my companion, the sergeant, who lay beside me, had also -recovered a little, and I tried to cheer him up. I told him that -opposite to where we were lying there was a lane, down which we might -possibly find some place of shelter, if we could muster strength to -explore it. The sergeant consented to make the effort, but after two -or three attempts to rise, gave it up. I myself was more fortunate: -with the aid of my rifle I got upon my legs, and seeing death in my -companion's face, I resolved to try and save myself, since it was quite -evident to me that I could render him no assistance. - -After hobbling some distance down the lane, to my great joy I espied -a small hut or cabin, with a little garden in its front; I therefore -opened the small door of the hovel, and was about to enter, when I -considered that most likely I should be immediately knocked on the head -by the inmates if I did so. The rain, I remember, was coming down in -torrents at this time, and, reflecting that to remain outside was but -to die, I resolved at all events to try my luck within. I had not much -strength left; but I resolved to sell myself as dearly as I could. I -therefore brought up my rifle, and stepped across the threshold. As -soon as I had done so, I observed an old woman seated beside a small -fire upon the hearth. She turned her head as I entered, and immediately -upon seeing a strange soldier, she arose, and filled the hovel with her -screams. As I drew back within the doorway, an elderly man, followed by -two, who were apparently his sons, rushed from a room in the interior. -They immediately approached me; but I brought up my rifle again, and -cocked it, bidding them keep their distance. - -After I had thus brought them to a parley, I got together what little -Spanish I was master of, and begged for shelter for the night and a -morsel of food, at the same time lifting my feet and displaying them -a mass of bleeding sores. It was not, however, till they had held a -tolerably long conversation among themselves that they consented to -afford me shelter; and then only upon the condition that I left by -daylight on the following morning. I accepted the conditions with joy. -Had they refused me, I should indeed not have been here to tell the -tale. Knowing the treachery of the Spanish character, I however refused -to relinquish possession of my rifle, and my right hand was ready in an -instant to unsheath my bayonet, as they sat and stared at me whilst I -devoured the food they offered. - -All they gave me was some coarse black bread, and a pitcher of sour -wine. It was, however, acceptable to a half-famished man; and I felt -greatly revived by it. Whilst I supped, the old hag, who sat close -beside the hearth, stirred up the embers, that they might have a -better view of their guest, and the party meanwhile overwhelmed me -with questions, which I could neither comprehend nor had strength to -answer. I soon made signs to them that I was unable to maintain the -conversation, and begged of them, as well as I could, to shew me some -place where I might lay my wearied limbs till dawn. - -Notwithstanding the weariness which pervaded my whole body, I was -unable for some time to sleep except by fitful snatches, such was the -fear I entertained of having my throat cut by the savage-looking -wretches still seated before the fire. Besides which, the place they -had permitted me to crawl into was more like an oven than anything -else, and being merely a sort of berth scooped out of the wall, was so -filled with fleas and other vermin, that I was stung and tormented most -miserably all night long. - -Bad as they had been, however, I felt somewhat restored by my lodging -and supper, and with the dawn I crawled out of my lair, left the hut, -retraced my steps along the lane, and once more emerged upon the -high-road, where I found my companion, the sergeant, dead, and lying -where I had left him the night before. - -I now made the best of my way along the road in the direction in which -I had last seen our army retreating the night before. A solitary -individual, I seemed left behind amongst those who had perished. It -was still raining, I remember, on this morning, and the very dead -looked comfortless in their last sleep, as I passed them occasionally -lying on the line of march. - -It had pleased Heaven to give me an iron constitution, or I must -have failed, I think, on this day, for the solitary journey, and the -miserable spectacles I beheld, rather damped my spirits. - -After progressing some miles, I came up with a cluster of poor devils -who were still alive, but apparently, both men and women, unable to -proceed. They were sitting huddled together in the road, their heads -drooping forward, and apparently patiently awaiting their end. - -Soon after passing these unfortunates, I overtook a party who were -being urged forward under charge of an officer of the 42nd Highlanders. -He was pushing them along pretty much as a drover would keep together a -tired flock of sheep. They presented a curious example of a retreating -force. Many of them had thrown away their weapons, and were linked -together arm-in-arm, in order to support each other, like a party of -drunkards. They were, I saw, composed of various regiments; many were -bare-headed, and without shoes; and some with their heads tied up in -old rags and fragments of handkerchiefs. - -I marched in company with this party for some time, but as I felt after -my night's lodging and refreshment in better condition I ventured to -push forwards, in the hope of rejoining the main body, and which I once -more came up with in the street of a village. - -On falling in with the Rifles, I again found Brooks, who was surprised -at seeing me still alive; and we both entered a house, and begged for -something to drink. I remember that I had a shirt upon my back at this -time, which I had purchased of a drummer of the Ninth regiment before -the commencement of the retreat. It was the only good one I had; I -stripped, with the assistance of Brooks, and took it off, and exchanged -it with a Spanish woman for a loaf of bread, which Brooks, myself, and -two other men, shared amongst us. - -I remember to have again remarked Craufurd at this period of the -retreat. He was no whit altered in his desire to keep the force -together, I thought; but still active and vigilant as ever, he seemed -to keep his eye upon those who were now most likely to hold out. I -myself marched during many hours close beside him this day. He looked -stern and pale; but the very picture of a warrior. I shall never forget -Craufurd if I live to a hundred years, I think. He was in everything a -soldier. - -Slowly and dejectedly crawled our army along. Their spirit of endurance -was now considerably worn out, and judging from my own sensations, I -felt confident that if the sea was much further from us, we must be -content to come to a halt at last without gaining it. I felt something -like the approach of death as I proceeded--a sort of horror, mixed up -with my sense of illness--a reeling I have never experienced before or -since. Still I held on; but with all my efforts, the main body again -left me behind. Had the enemy's cavalry come up at this time I think -they would have had little else to do but ride us down without striking -a blow. - -It is, however, indeed astonishing how man clings to life. I am certain -that had I lain down at this period, I should have found my last billet -on the spot I sank upon. Suddenly I heard a shout in front, which was -prolonged in a sort of hubbub. Even the stragglers whom I saw dotting -the road in front of me seemed to have caught at something like -hope; and as the poor fellows now reached the top of a hill we were -ascending, I heard an occasional exclamation of joy--the first note of -the sort I had heard for many days. When I reached the top of the hill -the thing spoke for itself. There, far away in our front, the English -shipping lay in sight.[7] - -Its view had indeed acted like a restorative to our force, and the -men, at the prospect of a termination to the march, had plucked up -spirit for a last effort. Fellows who, like myself, seemed to have -hardly strength in their legs to creep up the ascent, seemed now to -have picked up a fresh pair to get down with. Such is hope to us poor -mortals! - -There was, I recollect, a man of the name of Bell, of the Rifles, who -had been during this day holding a sort of creeping race with me,--we -had passed and repassed each other, as our strength served. Bell was -rather a discontented fellow at the best of times; but during this -retreat he had given full scope to his ill-temper, cursing the hour he -was born, and wishing his mother had strangled him when he came into -the world, in order to have saved him from his present toil. He had not -now spoken for some time, and the sight of the English shipping had -apparently a very beneficial effect upon him. He burst into tears as he -stood and looked at it. - -"Harris," he said, "if it pleases God to let me reach those ships, I -swear never to utter a bad or discontented word again." - -As we proceeded down the hill we now met with the first symptoms of -good feeling from the inhabitants, it was our fortune to experience -during our retreat. A number of old women stood on either side the -road, and occasionally handed us fragments of bread as we passed -them. It was on this day, and whilst I looked anxiously upon the -English shipping in the distance, that I first began to find my -eyesight failing, and it appeared to me that I was fast growing blind. -The thought was alarming; and I made desperate efforts to get on. -Bell, however, won the race this time. He was a very athletic and -strong-built fellow, and left me far behind, so that I believe at that -time I was the very last of the retreating force that reached the -beach, though doubtless many stragglers came dropping up after the -ships had sailed, and were left behind. - -As it was, when I did manage to gain the sea-shore, it was only by the -aid of my rifle that I could stand, and my eyes were now so dim and -heavy that with difficulty I made out a boat which seemed the last that -had put off. - -Fearful of being left half blind in the lurch, I took off my cap, and -placed it on the muzzle of my rifle as a signal, for I was totally -unable to call out. Luckily, Lieutenant Cox, who was aboard the boat, -saw me, and ordered the men to return, and, making one more effort, -I walked into the water, and a sailor stretching his body over the -gunwale, seized me as if I had been an infant, and hauled me on board. -His words were characteristic of the English sailor, I thought. - -"Hollo there, you lazy lubber!" he said, as he grasped hold of me, "who -the h-ll do you think is to stay humbugging all day for such a fellow -as you?" - -The boat, I found, was crowded with our exhausted men, who lay -helplessly at the bottom, the heavy sea every moment drenching them -to the skin. As soon as we reached the vessel's side, the sailors -immediately aided us to get on board, which in our exhausted state -was not a very easy matter, as they were obliged to place ropes in -our hands, and heave us up by setting their shoulders under us, and -hoisting away as if they had been pushing bales of goods on board. - -"Heave away!" cried one of the boat's crew, as I clung to a rope, quite -unable to pull myself up, "heave away, you lubber!" - -The tar placed his shoulder beneath me as he spoke, and hoisted me up -against the ship's side; I lost my grasp of the rope and should have -fallen into the sea, had it not been for two of the crew. These men -grasped me as I was falling, and drew me into the port-hole like a -bundle of foul clothes, tearing away my belt and bayonet in the effort, -which fell into the sea. - -It was not very many minutes after I was on board, for I lay where the -sailors had first placed me after dragging me through the port-hole, -ere I was sound asleep. I slept long and heavily, and it was only -the terrible noise and bustle on board consequent upon a gale having -sprung up, that at length awoke me. The wind increased as the night -came on, and soon we had to experience all the horrors of a storm at -sea. The pumps were set to work; the sails were torn to shreds; the -coppers were overset; and we appeared in a fair way, I thought, of -going to the bottom. Meanwhile, the pumps were kept at work night and -day incessantly till they were choked; and the gale growing worse and -worse, all the soldiery were ordered below, and the hatches closed; -soon after which the vessel turned over on one side, and lay a helpless -log upon the water. In this situation an officer was placed over us, -with his sword drawn in one hand, and a lantern in the other, in order -to keep us on the side which was upper-most, so as to give the vessel -a chance of righting herself in the roaring tide. The officer's task -was not an easy one, as the heaving waves frequently sent us sprawling -from the part we clung to, over to the lower-most part of the hold, -where he stood, and he was obliged every minute to drive us back. - -We remained in this painful situation for, I should think, five or -six hours, expecting every instant to be our last, when, to our great -joy, the sea suddenly grew calm, the wind abated, the vessel righted -herself, and we were once more released from our prison, having tasted -nothing in the shape of food for at least forty-eight hours. Soon after -this we arrived in sight of Spithead, where we saw nine of our convoy, -laden with troops, which had been driven on shore in the gale. After -remaining off Spithead for about five or six days, one fine morning -we received orders to disembark, and our poor bare feet once more -touched English ground. The inhabitants flocked down to the beach to -see us as we did so, and they must have been a good deal surprised at -the spectacle we presented. Our beards were long and ragged; almost -all were without shoes and stockings; many had their clothes and -accoutrements in fragments, with their heads swathed in old rags, and -our weapons were covered with rust; whilst not a few had now, from toil -and fatigue, become quite blind. - -Let not the reader, however, think, that even now we were to be -despised as soldiers. Long marches, inclement weather, and want of -food, had done their work upon us; but we were perhaps better than we -appeared, as the sequel shewed. Under the gallant Craufurd we had made -some tremendous marches, and even galled our enemies severely, making -good our retreat by the way of Vigo. But our comrades in adversity, and -who had retired by the other road to Corunna, under General Moore, -turned to bay there, and shewed the enemy that the English soldier is -not to be beaten even under the most adverse circumstances. - -The field of death and slaughter, the march, the bivouac, and the -retreat, are no bad places in which to judge of men. I have had some -opportunities of judging them in all these situations, and I should -say, that the British are amongst the most splendid soldiers in the -world. Give them fair play, and they are unconquerable. For my own -part, I can only say, that I enjoyed life more whilst on active -service, than I have ever done since; and as I sit at work in my -shop in Richmond Street, Soho, I look back upon that portion of my -time spent in the fields of the Peninsula as the only part worthy of -remembrance. It is at such times that scenes long passed come back upon -my mind as if they had taken place but yesterday. I remember even the -very appearance of some of the regiments engaged; and comrades, long -mouldered to dust, I see again performing the acts of heroes. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 6: Some of these poor wretches cut a ludicrous figure, -having the men's great-coats buttoned over their heads, whilst their -clothing being extremely ragged and scanty, their naked legs were very -conspicuous. They looked a tribe of travelling beggars.] - -[Footnote 7: Our division, under Craufurd, in this retreat, as I have -before mentioned, made for Vigo.] - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION. - - Filling up the ranks--Going out recruiting--Bagging a - blackbird--Coaxing the militia, and hoaxing them--A demon - runner--Winning a commission. - - -After the disastrous retreat to Corunna, the Rifles were reduced to a -sickly skeleton, if I may so term it. Out of perhaps nine hundred of -as active and fine fellows as ever held a weapon in the field of an -enemy's country, we paraded some three hundred weak and crest-fallen -invalids. - -I myself stood the third man in my own company, which was reduced from -near a hundred men, to _but three_. Indeed, I think we had scarce a -company on parade stronger than ten or twelve men, at the first parade. -After a few parades, however, our companies gradually were augmented -(by those of the sick who recovered), but many of those who did not -sink in hospital, were never more of much service as soldiers. - -The captain of my company was sick, and Lieutenant Hill commanded the -three men who answered for No. 4 on this occasion. - -I remember he smiled when he looked at me. "Harris," he said, "you -look the best man here, this morning. You seem to have got over this -business well." - -"Yes, Sir," I said, "thank God I feel pretty stout again now, which is -more than many can say." - -Both battalions of the Rifles had been in that retreat. The first -battalion lay at Colchester at this time. Ours (the second) was -quartered at Hythe. Colonel Beckwith commanded the first, and Colonel -Wade the second. I remember the 43rd and 52nd Regiments paraded with -our battalion on this occasion at Hythe, and both having been with us -on the Corunna retreat, cut as poor a figure as we ourselves did. - -After awhile, some of the strongest and smartest of our men were picked -out to go on the recruiting service, and gather men from the militia -regiments to fill up our ranks. I myself started off with Lieutenant -Pratt, Sergeant-Major Adams, and William Brotherwood, the latter of -whom was afterwards killed at Vittoria by a cannon-ball, which at the -same moment ended Patrick Mahon and Lieutenant Hopwood.[8] - -I was a shoemaker in the corps, and had twenty pounds in my pocket -which I had saved up. With this money I hired a gig, and the -Sergeant-Major and myself cut a very smart figure. The only difficulty -was, that neither of us knew how to drive very well, consequently we -overturned the gig on the first day, before we got half way on our -journey, and the shafts being broken we were obliged to leave it behind -us in a small village, midway between Hythe and Rye, and take to our -legs, as was more soldier-like and seemly. We reached Rye the same -night, and I recollect that I succeeded in getting the first recruit -there, a strong, able-bodied chimney-sweep, named John Lee. This fellow -(whose appearance I was struck with as he sat in the taproom of the -"Red Lion" on that night, together with a little boy as black and sooty -as himself) offered to enlist the moment I entered the room, and I took -him at his word, and immediately called for the Sergeant-Major for -approval. - -"There's nothing against my being a soldier," said the sweep, "but my -black face; I'm strong, active, and healthy, and able to lick the best -man in this room." - -"Hang your black face," said the Sergeant-Major; "the Rifles can't be -too dark: you're a strong rascal, and if you mean it, we'll take you to -the doctor to-morrow and make a Giniril of you the next day." So we had -the sweep that night into a large tub of water, scoured him outside, -and filled him with punch inside, and made a Rifleman of him. - -The Sergeant-Major, however, on this night, suspected from his -countenance, what afterwards turned out to be the case, that Lee was -rather a slippery fellow, and might repent. So, after filling him -drunk, he said to me--"Harris, _you_ have caught this bird, and _you_ -must keep him fast. You must both sleep to-night handcuffed together -in the same bed, or he will escape us;" which I actually did, and the -next morning retraced my steps with him to Hythe, to be passed by the -doctor of our regiment. - -After rejoining Sergeant-Major Adams at Rye, we started off for -Hastings in Sussex, and on our way we heard of the East Kent Militia -at Lydd; so we stopped there about an hour to display ourselves -before them, and try if we could coax a few of them into the Rifles. -We strutted up and down before their ranks arm-in-arm, and made no -small sensation amongst them. When on the recruiting service in those -days, men were accustomed to make as gallant a show as they could, -and accordingly we had both smartened ourselves up a trifle. The -Sergeant-Major was quite a beau, in his way; he had a sling belt to -his sword like a field-officer, a tremendous green feather in his cap, -a flaring sash, his whistle and powder-flask displayed, an officer's -pelisse over one shoulder, and a double allowance of ribbons in his -cap; whilst I myself was also as smart as I dared appear, with my rifle -slung at my shoulder. - -In this guise we made as much of ourselves as if we had both been -Generals, and, as I said, created quite a sensation, the militia-men -cheering us as we passed up and down, till they were called to order by -the officers. - -The permission to volunteer was not then given to the East Kent, -although it came out a few days afterwards, and we persuaded many men, -during the hour we figured before them, that the Rifles were the only -boys fit for _them_ to join. - -After looking up the East Kent, we reached Hastings that same night, -where we found that the volunteering of the Leicester Militia (who were -quartered there) had commenced, and that one hundred and twenty-five -men and two officers had given their names to the 7th Fusileers, and -these, Adams and I determined to make change their minds in our favour -if we could. - -The appearance of our Rifle uniform, and a little of Sergeant -Adams's[9] blarney, so took the fancies of the volunteers, that we -got every one of them for the Rifle corps, and both officers[10] into -the bargain. We worked hard in this business. I may say that for -three days and nights we kept up the dance and the drunken riot. Every -volunteer got ten guineas bounty, which, except the two kept back for -necessaries, they spent in every sort of excess, till all was gone. -Then came the reaction. The drooping spirits, the grief at parting with -old comrades, sweethearts, and wives, for the uncertain fate of war. -And then came on the jeers of the old soldier; the laughter of Adams -and myself, and comrades, and our attempts to give a fillip to their -spirits as we marched them off from the friends they were never to look -upon again; and as we termed it, "_shove them on to glory_"--a glory -they were not long in achieving, as out of the hundred and fifty of the -Leicestershire, which we enlisted in Hastings, scarce one man, I should -say, who served, but could have shewn at the year's end some token -of the fields he had fought in; very many found a grave, and some -returned to Hythe with the loss of their limbs. - -I remember the story of many of these men's lives; that of one in -particular, named Demon, whom I myself enlisted from the Leicester -Militia, is not a little curious. Demon was a smart and very active -man, and serving as corporal in the light company of the Leicestershire -when I persuaded him to join our corps, where he was immediately made -a sergeant in the 3rd battalion, then just forming; and from which -he eventually rose to be a commissioned officer in one of our line -regiments, but whose number I cannot now remember. The cause which led -to Demon's merits being first noticed was not a little curious, being -neither more nor less than a race. - -It happened that at Shoreham Cliff, (soon after he joined) a race was -got up amongst some Kentish men, who were noted for their swiftness, -and one of them, who had beaten his companions, challenged any soldier -in the Rifles to run against him for two hundred pounds. The sum was -large, and the runner was of so much celebrity, that although we had -some active young fellows amongst us, no one seemed inclined to take -the chance, either officers or men, till at length Demon stepped forth -and said he would run against this Kentish boaster, or any man on -the face of the earth, and fight him afterwards into the bargain, if -any one could be found to make up the money. Upon this, an officer -subscribed the money, and the race was arranged. - -The affair made quite a sensation, and the inhabitants of the different -villages for miles around flocked to see the sport; besides which the -men from different regiments in the neighbourhood, infantry, cavalry, -and artillery, also were much interested, and managed to be present, -which caused the scene to be a very gay one. In short, the race -commenced, and the odds were much against the soldier at starting, as -he was a much less man than the other, and did not at all look like the -winner. He however kept well up with his antagonist, and the affair -seemed likely to end in a dead heat, which would undoubtedly have -been the case, but Demon, when close upon the winning-post, gave one -tremendous spring forward, and won it by his body's length. - -This race, in short, led on to notice and promotion. General Mackenzie -was in command of the garrison at Hythe. He was present, and was highly -delighted at the Rifleman beating the bumpkin, and saw that the winner -was the very cut of a soldier, and in short that Demon was a very smart -fellow, so that, eventually, the news of the race reached the first -battalion then fighting in Spain. Sir Andrew Barnard, as far as I -recollect from hearsay, at the time, was then in command of the Rifles -in Spain; and, as I now remember the story, either he or some other -officer of rank, upon being told of the circumstance, remarked that, as -Demon was such a smart runner in England, there was very good ground -for a Rifleman to use his legs in Spain. He was accordingly ordered out -with the next draft to that country, where he so much distinguished -himself that he obtained his commission, as already mentioned. - -I could give many more anecdotes connected with the recruiting at this -time for the three battalions of Rifles, but the above will suffice; -and soon after the incident I have just narrated (our companies being -full of young and active men), we started off with the expedition, -then just formed, for Walcheren. I could not help feeling, when we -paraded, that I stood enranked for this first expedition comparatively -amongst strangers, since in the company I belonged to, not a single -man, except James Brooks, whom I have before named, then paraded with -me who had been a fellow comrade in the fields of Portugal and Spain. -I felt also the loss of my old Captain (Leech), whom I much loved -and respected, and who left the second battalion at that time to be -promoted in the first. When I heard of this change, I stepped from the -ranks and offered to exchange into the first, but Lieutenant Hill, who -was present, hinted to Captain Hart (my new commanding officer) not to -let me go, as, if he did, he would perhaps repent it. I will not say -here what the Lieutenant then said of me, but he persuaded Captain Hart -to keep me, as my character had been so good in the former campaign; -and accordingly I remained in the second battalion, and started on the -Walcheren expedition. - -From Hythe to Deal was one day's march; and I remember looking along -the road at the good appearance the different regiments made as we -marched along. It was as fine an expedition as ever I looked at, and -the army seemed to stretch, as I regarded them, the whole distance -before us to Dover. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 8: The manner in which these three soldiers met with their -death is extraordinary. As they were creeping from their cover to try -and shoot one of the French generals, who was much exposed, the enemy -pointed a gun at them, and succeeded in sweeping down all three, as -they crawled along.] - -[Footnote 9: The history of Sergeant-Major Adams is somewhat singular. -I was his great friend at this time, and he confided some part of -it to me. He had been a croppy, (a rebel) and had fought at Vinegar -Hill. When the rebels were defeated he escaped, and lived some time -in the wilds of Connemara. He afterwards thought it best to enlist in -the Donegal Militia, and then volunteered to the Rifles. Here he soon -rose (whilst in Spain) to the rank of Sergeant. During the retreat to -Corunna, Sergeant-Major Crosby failed, and Craufurd promoted Adams -in his place. At St. Sebastian he was noticed by General Graham, for -his bravery with the forlorn hope, a commission was given him, and he -afterwards joined a regiment in Gibraltar, where he was made Adjutant. -He then went to America, where he served with credit till he died. I -believe I was the only man in the regiment who knew of his having been -a rebel, and I kept the secret faithfully till his death.] - -[Footnote 10: The names of these two officers were Chapman and Freere, -and I believe they are living now.] - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION. - - The embarkation--Flushing--The Walcheren fever--The doctors at - fault--The Riflemen attacked--The one survivor out of thirty-nine--The - veteran battalion--The independent companies. - - -At Deal, the Rifles embarked in the Superb, a seventy-four, and a -terrible outcry there was amongst the women upon the beach on the -embarkation; for the ill consequences of having too many women amongst -us had been so apparent in our former campaign and retreat, that the -allowance of wives was considerably curtailed on this occasion, and the -distraction of the poor creatures at parting with their husbands was -quite heart-rending; some of them clinging to the men so resolutely, -that the officers were obliged to give orders to have them separated by -force. In fact, even after we were in the boats and fairly pushed off, -the screaming and howling of their farewells rang in our ears far out -at sea. - -The weather being fair, and the fleet having a grand and imposing -appearance, many spectators (even from London) came to look at us as we -lay in the Downs, and we set sail (I think on the third day from our -embarkation) in three divisions. - -A fair wind soon carried us off Flushing, where one part of the -expedition disembarked; the other made for South Beveland, among which -latter I myself was. The five companies of Rifles immediately occupied -a very pretty village, with rows of trees on either side its principal -streets, where we had plenty of leisure to listen to the cannonading -going on amongst the companies we had left at Flushing. - -The appearance of the country (such as it was) was extremely pleasant, -and for a few days the men enjoyed themselves much. But at the -expiration of (I think) less time than a week, an awful visitation came -suddenly upon us. The first I observed of it was one day as I sat in -my billet, when I beheld whole parties of our Riflemen in the street -shaking with a sort of ague, to such a degree that they could hardly -walk; strong and fine young men who had been but a short time in the -service seemed suddenly reduced in strength to infants, unable to stand -upright--so great a shaking had seized upon their whole bodies from -head to heel. The company I belonged to was quartered in a barn, and -I quickly perceived that hardly a man there had stomach for the bread -that was served out to him, or even to taste his grog, although each -man had an allowance of half-a-pint of gin per day. In fact I should -say that, about three weeks from the day we landed, I and two others -were the only individuals who could stand upon our legs. They lay -groaning in rows in the barn, amongst the heaps of lumpy black bread -they were unable to eat. - -This awful spectacle considerably alarmed the officers,[11] who were -also many of them attacked. The naval doctors came on shore to assist -the regimental surgeons, who, indeed, had more upon their hands than -they could manage; Dr. Ridgeway of the Rifles, and his assistant, -having nearly five hundred patients prostrate at the same moment. In -short, except myself and three or four others, the whole concern was -completely floored. - -Under these circumstances, which considerably confounded the doctors, -orders were issued (since all hopes of getting the men upon their legs -seemed gone) to embark them as fast as possible, which was accordingly -done with some little difficulty. The poor fellows made every effort -to get on board; those who were a trifle better than others crawled to -the boats; many supported each other; and many were carried helpless as -infants. - -At Flushing matters were not much better, except that there the -soldiers had a smart skirmish with their enemies before the fever and -ague attacked them. On ship-board the aspect of affairs did not mend; -the men beginning to die so fast that they committed ten or twelve to -the deep in one day. - -It was rather extraordinary that myself, and Brooks, and a man named -Bowley, who had all three been at Corunna, were at this moment -unattacked by the disease, and, notwithstanding the awful appearance -of the pest-ship we were in, I myself had little fear of it, I thought -myself so hardened that it could not touch me. It happened, however, -that I stood sentinel (men being scarce) over the hatchway, and Brooks, -who was always a jolly and jeering companion (even in the very jaws -of death) came past me, and offered me a lump of pudding, it being -pudding-day on board. At that moment I felt struck with a deadly -faintness, shaking all over like an aspen, and my teeth chattering in -my head so that I could hardly hold my rifle. - -Brooks looked at me for a moment, with the pudding in his hand, which -he saw I could not take. "Hallo," he said, "why Harris, old boy, _you_ -are not going to begin, are you?" - -I felt unable to answer him, but only muttered out as I trembled, "For -God's sake get me relieved, Brooks!" - -"Hallo?" said Brooks, "it's all up with Harris! You're catched hold of -at last, old chap." - -In fact I was soon sprawling upon the forecastle, amongst many others, -in a miserable state, our knapsacks and our great-coats over us. In -this state the doctors, during our short voyage, were fully employed; -pails of infusion of bark were carried amongst us and given to the men -in horn tumblers, and thus we arrived at Dover. - -As I lay on the deck, I looked up at that splendid castle in the -distance. It was identified with old England, and many a languid eye -was cheered by its sight. Men naturally love to die upon their native -land, and I felt I could now do so contentedly! Nay, I have that -frowning English fortress in my eye, at this moment, as I then beheld -it. The Warwickshire Militia were at this time quartered at Dover. They -came to assist in disembarking us, and were obliged to lift many of -us out of the boats like sacks of flour. If any of those militia-men -remain alive, they will not easily forget that piece of duty; for I -never beheld men more moved than they were at our helpless state. -Many died at Dover and numbers in Deal; whilst those who had somewhat -rallied, on getting from the land of pestilence, were paraded, in order -to get them on to their old quarters at Hythe. - -I remember that the 43rd and 52nd Regiments (all that were able) -marched with us this day to Hythe; but I'm afraid we did not (any of -us) cut much of a figure on the road. In fact, such was the shaking -fever we felt, we were left pretty much to our own discretion to get -to our journey's end in the best manner we could. Many, indeed, would -never have got into barracks without assistance. In short, when I sat -down exhausted by the road-side several times during the march, and -looked at the men, I thought it bore in some degree a similitude to the -Corunna retreat; so awfully had disease enfeebled them. - -The hospital at Hythe being filled with the sick, the barracks became -a hospital, and as deaths ensued, and thinned the wards, the men were -continually removed, making a progress from barrack to hospital, and -from hospital to the grave. The ward of the hospital in which I myself -was, accomodated eleven men, and I saw, from my bed in the corner where -I lay, this ward refilled ten times, the former patients being all -carried out to the grave. I had been gradually removed as the men died, -until I was driven up into a corner of the ward, where I lay, and had -plenty of leisure to observe my comrades in misfortune, and witness -their end. Some I beheld die quietly, and others were seized in various -ways. Many got out of bed in a shivering delirium, and died upon the -floor in the night-time. - -Having been a shoemaker in the Rifles, I had saved during my service -near two hundred pounds, which I had in the bank at Hythe at this time, -so that I was enabled to procure extra wine and other nourishing -things, and often gave my companions in misfortune a treat also; and -this I think enabled my iron constitution to keep death so long at bay. - -I saw one or two of my old Peninsular comrades, whom I had often seen -fighting bravely in the field, die in this hospital in a miserable -condition, their bodies being swollen up like barrels. - -Everything was done for us that skill could devise, and nothing could -exceed the kindness and attention of Dr. Ridgeway towards us. Hot baths -were brought into the hospital--and many a man died whilst in the bath. - -I remember hearing, as I lay sick, that the firing over the graves of -our comrades was dispensed with, the men died so fast; and when I got -out, and went to the churchyard to look upon their graves I saw them -lying in two lines there. As they in life had been enranked, so they -lay also in similar order in death. - -The medical men made every effort to trace the immediate cause of this -mortality amongst us; and almost all the men were examined after death; -but it was of no avail, as nothing could arrest the progress of the -malady after it had reached a certain height. The doctor, I heard, -generally attributed the deaths, in most cases, to enlargement of the -spleen, as almost all were swollen and diseased in that part. I myself -was dreadfully enlarged in the side, and for many years afterwards -carried "an extra paunch." - -As soon as the prospect began to brighten, and the men to recover a -little, we managed to muster outside the hospital, some three hundred -of us parading there morning and evening, for the benefit of fresh air; -and medicine was served out to us as we stood enranked, the hospital -orderlies passing along the files, and giving each man his dose from -large jugs which they carried. - -As we got better, an order arrived to furnish two companies of the -second battalion, and two companies of the third battalion, of Rifles, -for Spain, as they were much wanted there. Accordingly an inspection -took place, and two hundred men were picked out, all of whom were most -anxious to go. I myself was rejected at that time, as unfit, which I -much regretted. However, on making application, after a few days, I was -accepted, principally on the recommendation of Lieutenant Cochrane, -who much wished for me; and I, in consequence, once more started for -foreign service. - -From Hythe to Portsmouth, where we were to embark, was eight days' -march; but the very first day found out some of the Walcheren lads. -I myself was assisted that night to my billet, the ague having again -seized me, and on the third day waggons were put in requisition to get -us along the road. As we proceeded, some of those men who had relapsed -died by the way, and were buried in different places we passed through. -At Chichester, I recollect, a man was taken out of the waggon in which -I myself lay, who had died beside me; and at that place he was buried. - -At Portsmouth I remained one night, billeted with my fellow-travellers -at the Dolphin. Here I was visited by an uncle who resided in the town; -and who was much shocked at seeing me so much reduced, concluding it -was impossible I could survive many days. Such was the sad state we -were again reduced to. The next morning spring-waggons were procured -for us, and we were sent back to Hilsea barracks for the benefit of -medical advice; and I took a farewell of my uncle, expecting never to -see him again. Such, however, was not to be the case, as, out of the -thirty-nine Riflemen who went into Hilsea hospital, I alone survived. - -It may seem to my readers extraordinary that I should twice be the -survivor of so many of my comrades. I can only, therefore, refer them -to the medical men who attended us, if they yet live, Dr. Ridgeway, of -the Rifles, and Dr. Frazer, who at that time was the surgeon at Hilsea. - -I must not forget to mention an act of great kindness and humanity -which was performed towards the soldiery whilst we lay sick at Hilsea -Hospital. Lady Grey, who, I believe, was the wife of the Commissioner -of Portsmouth Dockyard at this time, was so much struck with the state -of the sufferers, that she sent, one morning, two carts loaded with -warm clothing for them; giving to each man, of whatsoever regiment, who -had been at Walcheren, two pairs of flannel drawers and two flannel -waistcoats. This circumstance was greatly appreciated by the men, and -many, like myself, have never forgotten it. - -After this, being the only Rifleman left at Hilsea, Lieutenant Bardell -made application to the General for leave for me to go into Dorsetshire -to see my friends, which was granted; but the doctor shook his head, -doubting I should ever be able to endure the journey. In about a week, -however, I considered myself fit to undertake it; and, accordingly, a -non-commissioned officer of one of the line regiments put me into a -Salisbury coach. A lady and gentleman were my fellow passengers inside, -and we started about four o'clock. They seemed not much to relish -the look of a sick soldier in such close quarters; and, indeed, we -had hardly cleared the town of Gosport before I gave them a dreadful -fright. In short, I was attacked all at once with one of my periodical -ague-fits, and shook to so desperate a degree that they were both -horror-struck, and almost inclined to keep me company in my trembling. -The lady thought that both herself and husband were lost, and would -certainly catch the complaint; expressing herself as most unhappy in -having begun her journey on that day. These fits generally lasted an -hour and a quarter, and then came on a burning fever, during which -I called for water at every place where the coach stopped. In fact, -coachman, guard, and passengers, outside and in, by no means liked it, -and expected every minute that I should die in the coach. - -"Here's a nice go," said the coachman, as he stopped at a place called -Whitchurch, "catch me ever taking up a sick soldier again if I can help -it. This here poor devil's going to make a die of it in my coach." - -It seemed, indeed, as if I had personally offended the burly coachman, -for he made an oration at every place he stopped at, and sent all the -helpers and idlers to look at me, as I sat in his coach, till at last I -was obliged to beg of him not to do so. - -I had two attacks of this sort during the night, and was so bad that I -myself thought with the coachman, that I should never get out of the -vehicle alive. Never, I should think, had passengers so unpleasant a -journey as the lady and gentleman I travelled with. - -At length, early in the morning, the coach stopped at a village one -mile from my father's residence, which was on the estate of the present -Marquis of Anglesey. I had left my father's cottage quite a boy, and -although I knew the landlord of the little inn where the coached -stopped, and several other persons I saw there, none recognised me; so -I made myself known as well as I could, for I was terribly exhausted, -and the landlord immediately got four men to carry me home. - -My father was much moved at beholding me return in so miserable a -plight, as were also my stepmother and my brother. I remained with -them eight months, six of which I lay in a hopeless state in bed, -certificates being sent every month to Hythe, stating my inability -to move; and during which time Captain Hart sent four letters to the -commanding officer, desiring I might be drafted out, if possible, to -Spain, as, being a handicraft, I was much wanted there. - -The medical men round the neighbourhood hearing of my state, many of -them came to see me, in order to observe the nature of a complaint that -had proved so fatal to our soldiers. - -At the end of the eighth month (being once more somewhat recovered, -and able to crawl about, with the aid of a stick, a few yards from our -cottage door), as my mother-in-law had once or twice expressed herself -burthened by this long illness, I resolved to attempt to return to my -regiment. I was therefore transported in a cart to the King's Arms Inn, -at Dorchester, my body being swollen up hard as a barrel, and my limbs -covered with ulcers. Here the surgeons of the 9th and 11th Dragoons -made an examination of me, and ordered me into Dorchester hospital, -where I remained seven weeks; and here my case completely puzzled the -faculty. - -At length Dr. Burroughs, on making his rounds, caught sight of me as I -sat on my bed, dressed in my green uniform. - -"Hallo! Rifleman," he said, "how came you here?" - -Being told, he looked very sharply at me, and seemed to consider. - -"Walcheren," he inquired, "eh?" - -"Yes, sir," I said, "and it has not done with me yet." - -"Strip, my man," he said, "and lie on your back. What have you done -for him?" he asked sharply of the doctor. - -The doctor told him. - -"Then try with him mercury, sir," he said, "_both externally_ and -_internally_." - -After saying which in a rapid manner, he turned as quickly, and -proceeded in his rounds amongst the rest of the patients. - -I was now salivated most desperately, after which I got a little -better, and resolved, at all hazards, to try and rejoin my regiment, -for I was utterly tired of the hospital life I had altogether so long -led. "For Heaven's sake," I said, "let me go and die with my own -regiment!" - -With some little difficulty I got leave to go, and once again started, -at my own expense, for Hythe, in Kent, by the coach. Before doing so, -however, to my surprise, the medical man who had attended me under -my father's roof, brought me in his bill, which was a pretty good -one, amounting to sixty pounds! I thought this was pretty well for a -poor soldier to be charged. Having still, however, enough left of my -savings, I paid it; but I kept the bill, and afterwards shewed it to -Dr. Scott, of the Rifles, who remarked--"It could not have been higher, -Harris, if you had been a man possessing a thousand a year." - -When I made my appearance in the barrack-square at Hythe, I was like -one risen from the dead; for I had been so long missing from amongst -the few I knew there, that I was almost forgotten. A hardy Scot, named -Mc Pherson, was one of the first who recognised me. - -"Eh, my certie," he said, "here's Harris come back. Why I thought, man, -ye was gane amangst the lave o' them, but the deil will na kill ye, I -think!" - -The day after my arrival I was once more in hospital, and here I -remained under Dr. Scott for twenty-eight weeks. Such was the -Walcheren fever, and to this day I sometimes feel the remains of it in -damp weather. From Hythe I was sent, amongst some other invalids, to -Chelsea. Sixty of us marched together on this occasion. Many had lost -their limbs, which, from wounds as well as disease, had been amputated; -and altogether we did not make a very formidable appearance, being -frequently obliged to be halted in the road to repair our strength, -when the whole turn-out would be seen sitting or sprawling at full -length by the way side. - -This march took us ten days to accomplish, and when we halted at -Pimlico, we were pretty well done up. We were billeted in the different -public-houses in Chelsea. With others, I lodged at the Three Crowns, -close beside the Bun House. - -I remember we paraded in the Five Fields, then an open space, but now -covered with elegant mansions, and become a part of London. Three -thousand invalids mustered here every morning--a motley group, -presenting a true picture of the toils of war. There were the lame, the -halt, and the blind, the sick, and the sorry, all in a lump. With those -who had lost their limbs, there was not much trouble, as they became -pensioners; but others were, some of them, closely examined from day to -day as to their eligibility for service. Amongst others I was examined -by Dr. Lephan. - -"What age are you, Rifleman?" he said. - -"Thirty-two, sir," I replied. - -"What trade have you been of?" he inquired. - -"A shoemaker," I replied. - -"Where have you been?" he said. - -"In Denmark, Spain, Portugal, and Walcheren," I said, "in which latter -place I met the worst enemy of all." - -"Never mind that," he said, "you'll do yet; and we will send you to a -Veteran Battalion." - -Accordingly I was appointed to the 8th Veteran Battalion, with -others, and sent to Fort Cumberland. Here I joined Captain Creswell's -company--an officer who had lost one eye, whilst in the 36th Regiment, -in Spain. - -I was again the only green jacket of the lot, and the officers -assembled round me during the first muster, and asked me numerous -questions about my service amongst the Rifles, for we had a great -reputation in the army at this time. Major Caldwell commanded the -battalion; he had been in the fifth, and received a grievous wound in -the head. He was a kind and soldier-like man, but if you put him out of -temper, you would soon find out that he felt his wound. Captain Picard -was there, too, and Captain Flaherty, and Lieutenant Moorhead; all of -them were more or less shattered, whilst their men, although most of -them were young, were very good specimens of war's stern service. One, -perhaps, had a tale to tell of Salamanca, where he lost an eye, another -spoke of the breach at Badajoz, where he got six balls at once in his -body. Many paraded with sticks in their hands, and altogether it was -something of a different sort of force to the active chaps I had been -in the habit of serving amongst. In fact, I much regretted my green -jacket, and grieved at being obliged to part with it for the red coat -of the Veterans. - -I remained in the Veterans only four months, as, at the expiration of -that time, Napoleon was sent to Elba. We were then marched to Chelsea, -to be disbanded, where we met thousands of soldiers lining, the -streets, and lounging about before the different public-houses, with -every description of wound and casualty incident to modern warfare. -There hobbled the maimed light-infantry man, the heavy dragoon, the -hussar, the artilleryman, the fusileer, and specimens from every -regiment in the service. The Irishman, shouting and brandishing his -crutch; the English soldier, reeling with drink; and the Scot, with -grave and melancholy visage, sitting on the steps of the public-house -amongst the crowd, listening to the skirl of his comrades' pipes, and -thinking of the blue hills of his native land. Such were Chelsea and -Pimlico in 1814. - -In about a week's time I was discharged, and received a pension of -sixpence per day; and, for the first time since I had been a shepherd -lad on Blandford Downs, I saw myself in plain clothes, and with liberty -to go and come where I liked. Before, however, my pension became due, I -was again called upon to attend, together with others, in consequence -of the escape of Bonaparte from Elba; but I was then in so miserable a -plight with the remains of the fever and ague, which still attacked -me every other day, that I did not answer the call, whereby I lost my -pension. And here I may perhaps as well mention a slight anecdote of -the Great Duke. - -The Duke, I was told, observed in Spain that several men who had come -out from England after Walcheren were unable to keep up on the march, -and afterwards completely failed. He inquired the reason of this, and -was told they were men who had been on the Walcheren expedition. - -"Then never," said the Duke, "let another man be sent here who has been -at Walcheren." - -At Fort Cumberland I remember another curious circumstance, which may, -perhaps, in these times, be thought worthy of narration. - -Many of the French prisoners had volunteered into the English -service, and were formed into four companies, called the Independent -Companies. These men were smart-looking fellows, and wore a green -uniform, something like the Rifles. Whilst I was with the Veterans, -one of these men deserted and was re-taken at Portsmouth, and tried -by court-martial at Fort Cumberland. Besides his crime of desertion -he had aggravated it by gross insubordination, and he was accordingly -sentenced to be flogged. We all, French and English, paraded to see the -sentence carried into effect, and, in case of anything happening, and -our opposite neighbours, the green jackets, shewing fight, the Veterans -were all ordered to load with ball. - -When the culprit heard the sentence read out to him, he was a good deal -annoyed, and begged that he might be shot, as would have happened to -him in his own country. Such, however, it was explained to him, could -not be allowed, and he was accordingly punished. The Duke of York, who -was then Commander-in-Chief, had thought it necessary to make this -example, although all of us would have been glad to see him forgiven. - -Shortly after this, on Napoleon's being sent to Elba, these men were -all liberated and sent home to their own country, with four pounds -given to each man; and gloriously drunk they all were at Portsmouth the -night they embarked. - -The Veterans were very intimate and friendly with these Frenchmen, as -they were quartered together; and we were all sorry to hear (whether -true or false I cannot say) that on their return, their uniforms -betraying their having served us, they were grossly maltreated by their -fellow countrymen. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 11: Lord Chatham (as is well known) commanded this -expedition, and Marshal Beresford had command of that part of it which -occupied the island of South Beveland at this time.] - -THE END. - - -Clayton and Co., Printers, 16, Hart-street, Covent Garden. - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Recollections of Rifleman Harris, (old -95th), by Benjamin Harris - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF RIFLEMAN HARRIS *** - -***** This file should be named 56211-8.txt or 56211-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/2/1/56211/ - -Produced by MWS, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Recollections of Rifleman Harris, (old 95th) - with anecdotes of his officers and his comrades - -Author: Benjamin Harris - -Editor: Henry Curling - -Release Date: December 20, 2017 [EBook #56211] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF RIFLEMAN HARRIS *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="hidehand"> -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /> -</p></div> - - - - - - - - - -<p class="ph2" style="margin-top: 10em;">RECOLLECTIONS</p> -<p class="ph6">OF</p> -<p class="ph1">RIFLEMAN HARRIS,</p> -<p class="ph3">(<span class="smcap">OLD 95th.</span>)</p> -<p class="ph5">WITH</p> -<p class="center"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="title" /> -</p> - - - -<p class="ph4" style="margin-top: 5em;">EDITED BY</p> -<p class="ph3">HENRY CURLING, <span class="smcap">Esq</span>.,</p> -<p class="ph6">HALF-PAY 52D FOOT,</p> -<p class="ph5" style="margin-bottom: 5em;">AUTHOR OF "JOHN OF ENGLAND."</p> - -<p class="ph5a" style= "margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 14em;">"This story</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The world may read in me: my body's mark'd</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With Roman swords;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And when a soldier was the theme, my name</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Was not far off."</span> - -<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span></span></p> - - - -<p class="ph5" style="margin-top: 10em;">LONDON:<br /> -H. HURST, 27, KING WILLIAM STREET,<br /> -CHARING CROSS.</p> - -<p class="ph6">1848. -</p> - - - - -<p class="ph6" style="margin-top: 10em;"> -CLAYTON AND CO, PRINTERS,<br /> -16, HART STREET, COVENT GARDEN. -</p> - - - - -<p class="ph3" style="margin-top: 5em;">NOTICE</p> - -<p>Since the printing of this volume was commenced, "Rifleman Harris" has -removed from Richmond Street, Soho, to 4, Upper James Street, Golden -Square.</p> - - - - - -<p class="ph5" style="margin-top: 5em;">TO THE MOST NOBLE</p> -<p class="ph3">THE MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY,</p> -<p class="ph6"><span class="smcap">G.C.B. and G.C.H.</span>,</p> -<p class="ph4">COLONEL OF THE SECOND LIFE GUARDS, <i>&c.</i> <i>&c.</i>,</p> -<p class="ph5">This Volume,</p> -<p class="ph4">IN TOKEN OF HIGH ADMIRATION OF HIS LORDSHIP'S<br /> -CHIVALROUS BEARING<br /> -DURING THE BATTLES OF THE PENINSULA,<br /> -IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,</p> - -<p class="ph6" style="margin-left: 40%;">BY HIS OBEDIENT SERVANT,</p> -<p class="ph5" style="margin-left: 45%;">THE EDITOR.</p> - -<p><small><i>London, March, 1848.</i></small> -</p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR.</p> - - -<p>The following pages, describing the chequered life of a private -soldier, who served during the most glorious period of our military -history, speak so plainly for themselves, as scarcely to need any -introductory remarks from the editor, further than the assurance of his -own sincere conviction of their truth. Such works as the narratives -of Rifleman Harris, from the very nature of their details, afford -occasionally more graphic sketches of the actual scenes of war, in its -stern realities and concomitant circumstances, than the more stately -and largely-grouped pictures of the Historian.</p> - -<p>Nor are these humble records without their moral.</p> - -<p>Many abuses and grievances are incidentally brought to light, that can -be but rarely heeded in the excitement and bustle of active service, -but which, nevertheless, for the good of the soldier, may be of -sufficient importance to require correction.</p> - -<p>The main source of our military superiority over foreign nations has -been almost universally ascribed to the incomparable discipline of -the British army. That the well-being and judicious treatment of the -private soldier is the basis of this system can (we think) scarcely -be doubted. To maintain this discipline it is surely incumbent on -the officers to become acquainted with the nature and peculiar -characteristics of the men they have to conduct and control, both in -the elation of victory and the more difficult emergencies consequent -upon retreat. How this is best effected—by what potent influence this -mastery is exercised—and by what sort of standard the "rough and -ready" private soldier estimates, and accordingly respects and obeys -his officer, will be duly shewn in the autobiography of. Rifleman -Harris.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 60%;"><span class="smcap">Henry Curling.</span></span><br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 10%;"><i>March, 1848.</i></span><br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">RECOLLECTIONS</p> - -<p class="ph4">OF</p> - -<p class="ph3">RIFLEMAN HARRIS (<span class="smcap">Old 95th</span>).</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER I.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Recruiting for the Army of Reserve—The penalty for desertion—General -Craufurd's cure for cowardice and treachery—Trial of General -Whitelock—Irish recruits and the shillelagh—Protestant and -Catholic—Danish expedition—Riflemen at home.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>My father was a shepherd, and I was a sheep-boy from my earliest youth. -Indeed, as soon almost as I could run, I began helping my father to -look after the sheep on the downs of Blandford, in Dorsetshire, where -I was born. Whilst I continued to tend the flocks and herds under my -charge, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> occasionally (in the long winter nights) to learn the -art of making shoes, I grew a hardy little chap, and was one fine day -in the year 1802, drawn as a soldier for the Army of Reserve. Thus, -without troubling myself much about the change which was to take place -in the hitherto quiet routine of my days, I was drafted into the 66th -Regiment of Foot, bid good-bye to my shepherd companions, and was -obliged to leave my father without an assistant to collect his flocks, -just as he was beginning more than ever to require one; nay, indeed, -I may say to want tending and looking after himself, for old age and -infirmity were coming on him; his hair was growing as white as the -sleet of our downs, and his countenance becoming as furrowed as the -ploughed fields around. However, as I had no choice in the matter, it -was quite as well that I did not grieve over my fate.</p> - -<p>My father tried hard to buy me off, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> would have persuaded the -Serjeant of the 66th that I was of no use as a soldier, from having -maimed my right hand (by breaking the fore-finger when a child). The -Serjeant, however, said I was just the sort of little chap he wanted, -and off he went, carrying me (amongst a batch of recruits he had -collected) away with him.</p> - -<p>Almost the first soldiers I ever saw were those belonging to the corps -in which I was now enrolled a member, and, on arriving at Winchester, -we found the whole regiment there in quarters. Whilst lying at -Winchester (where we remained three months), young as I was in the -profession, I was picked out, amongst others, to perform a piece of -duty that, for many years afterwards, remained deeply impressed upon -my mind, and gave me the first impression of the stern duties of a -soldier's life. A private of the 70th Regiment had deserted from that -corps, and afterwards enlisted into several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> other regiments; indeed, -I was told at the time (though I cannot answer for so great a number) -that sixteen different times he had received the bounty and then -stolen off. Being, however, caught at last, he was brought to trial at -Portsmouth, and sentenced by general court-martial to be shot.</p> - -<p>The 66th received a route to Portsmouth, to be present on the occasion, -and, as the execution would be a good hint to us young 'uns, there were -four lads picked out of our corps to assist in this piece of duty, -myself being one of the number chosen.</p> - -<p>Besides these men, four soldiers from three other regiments were -ordered on the firing-party, making sixteen in all. The place of -execution was Portsdown Hill, near Hilsea Barracks, and the different -regiments assembled must have composed a force of about fifteen -thousand men, having been assembled from the Isle of Wight, from -Chichester, Gosport, and other places. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> sight was very imposing, -and appeared to make a deep impression on all there. As for myself, I -felt that I would have given a good round sum (had I possessed it) to -have been in any situation rather than the one in which I now found -myself; and when I looked into the faces of my companions, I saw, by -the pallor and anxiety depicted in each countenance, the reflection -of my own feelings. When all was ready, we were moved to the front, -and the culprit was brought out. He made a short speech to the parade, -acknowledging the justice of his sentence, and that drinking and evil -company had brought the punishment upon him.</p> - -<p>He behaved himself firmly and well, and did not seem at all to flinch. -After being blindfolded, he was desired to kneel down behind a coffin, -which was placed on the ground, and the Drum-Major of the Hilsea depôt, -giving us an expressive glance, we immediately commenced loading.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> - -<p>This was done in the deepest silence, and, the next moment, we were -primed and ready. There was then a dreadful pause for a few moments, -and the Drum-Major, again looking towards us, gave the signal before -agreed upon (a flourish of his cane), and we levelled and fired. We -had been previously strictly enjoined to be steady, and take good aim, -and the poor fellow, pierced by several balls, fell heavily upon his -back; and as he lay, with his arms pinioned to his sides, I observed -that his hands waved for a few moments, like the fins of a fish when -in the agonies of death. The Drum-Major also observed the movement, -and, making another signal, four of our party immediately stepped up -to the prostrate body, and placing the muzzles of their pieces to the -head, fired, and put him out of his misery. The different regiments -then fell back by companies, and the word being given to march past -in slow time, when each com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>pany came in line with the body, the word -was given to "mark time," and then "eyes left," in order that we might -all observe the terrible example. We then moved onwards, and marched -from the ground to our different quarters. The 66th stopped that night -about three miles from Portsdown Hill, and in the morning we returned -to Winchester. The officer in command that day, I remember, was General -Whitelock, who was afterwards brought to court-martial himself. This -was the first time of our seeing that officer. The next meeting was at -Buenos Ayres, and during the confusion of that day one of us received -an order from the fiery Craufurd to shoot the traitor dead if he could -see him in the battle, many others of the Rifles receiving the same -order from that fine and chivalrous officer.</p> - -<p>The unfortunate issue of the Buenos Ayres affair is matter of history, -and I have nothing to say about it; but I well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> remember the impression -it made upon us all at the time, and that Sir John Moore was present -at Whitelock's court-martial; General Craufurd, and I think General -Auchmuty, Captain Eleder of the Rifles, Captain Dickson, and one of -our privates, being witnesses. We were at Hythe at the time, and I -recollect our officers going off to appear against Whitelock.</p> - -<p>So enraged was Craufurd against him, that I heard say he strove hard to -have him shot. Whitelock's father I also heard was at his son's trial, -and cried like an infant during the proceedings. Whitelock's sword was -broken over his head I was told; and for months afterwards, when our -men took their glass, they used to give as a toast "Success to <i>grey -hairs</i>, but bad luck to <i>White-locks</i>." Indeed that toast was drunk in -all the public-houses around for many a-day.</p> - -<p>Everything was new to me, I remember,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> and I was filled with -astonishment at the bustling contrast I was so suddenly called into -from the tranquil and quiet of my former life.</p> - -<p>Whilst in Winchester, we got a route for Ireland, and embarking -at Portsmouth, crossed over and landed at Cork. There we remained -nine weeks; and being a smart figure and very active, I was put -into the light company of the 66th, and, together with the light -corps of other regiments, we were formed into light battalions, and -sent off to Dublin. Whilst in Dublin, I one day saw a corps of the -95th Rifles, and fell so in love with their smart, dashing, and -devil-may-care appearance, that nothing would serve me till I was a -Rifleman myself; so, on arriving at Cashel one day, and falling in -with a recruiting-party of that regiment, I volunteered into the 2nd -battalion. This recruiting-party were all Irishmen, and had been sent -over from England to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> collect (amongst others) men from the Irish -Militia, and were just about to return to England. I think they were -as reckless and devil-may-care a set of men as ever I beheld, either -before or since.</p> - -<p>Being joined by a Serjeant of the 92nd Highlanders, and a Highland -Piper of the same regiment (also a pair of real rollicking blades), -I thought we should all have gone mad together. We started on our -journey, one beautiful morning, in tip-top spirits, from the Royal -Oak, at Cashel; the whole lot of us (early as it was) being three -sheets in the wind. When we paraded before the door of the Royal Oak, -the landlord and landlady of the inn, who were quite as lively, came -reeling forth, with two decanters of whiskey, which they thrust into -the fists of the Sergeants, making them a present of decanters and all, -to carry along with them, and refresh themselves on the march. The -Piper then struck up, the Sergeants flourished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> their decanters, and -the whole route commenced a terrific yell. We then all began to dance, -and danced through the town, every now and then stopping for another -pull at the whiskey decanters. Thus we kept it up till we had danced, -drank, shouted, and piped thirteen Irish miles, from Cashel to Clonmel. -Such a day, I think, I never spent, as I enjoyed with these fellows; -and on arriving at Clonmel, we were as glorious as any soldiers in -all Christendom need wish to be. In about ten days after this, our -Sergeants had collected together a good batch of recruits, and we -started for England. Some few days before we embarked (as if we had not -been bothered enough already with the unruly Paddies), we were nearly -pestered to death with a detachment of old Irish women, who came from -different parts (on hearing of their sons having enlisted), in order to -endeavour to get them away from us. Following us down to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> water's -edge, they hung to their offspring, and, dragging them away, sent forth -such dismal howls and moans that it was quite distracting to hear -them. The Lieutenant commanding the party, ordered me (being the only -Englishman present) to endeavour to keep them back. It was, however, -as much as I could do to preserve myself from being torn to pieces by -them, and I was glad to escape out of their hands.</p> - -<p>At length we got our lads safe on board, and set sail for England.</p> - -<p>No sooner were we out at sea, however, than our troubles began afresh -with these hot-headed Paddies; for, having now nothing else to do, -they got up a dreadful quarrel amongst themselves, and a religious row -immediately took place, the Catholics reviling the Protestants to such -a degree that a general fight ensued. The poor Protestants (being few -in number) soon got the worst of it, and as fast as we made matters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> up -among them, they broke out afresh and began the riot again.</p> - -<p>From Pill, where we landed, we marched to Bristol, and thence to Bath. -Whilst in Bath, our Irish recruits roamed about the town, staring at -and admiring everything they saw, as if they had just been taken wild -in the woods. They all carried immense shillelaghs in their fists, -which they would not quit for a moment. Indeed they seemed to think -their very lives depended on possession of these bludgeons, being ready -enough to make use of them on the slightest occasion.</p> - -<p>From Bath we marched to Andover, and when we came upon Salisbury Plain, -our Irish friends got up a fresh row. At first they appeared uncommonly -pleased with the scene, and, dispersing over the soft carpet of the -Downs, commenced a series of Irish jigs, till at length as one of -the Catholics was setting to his partner (a Pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>testant), he gave a -whoop and a leap into the air, and at the same time (as if he couldn't -bear the partnership of a heretic any longer), dealt him a tremendous -blow with his shillelagh, and stretched him upon the sod. This was -quite enough, and the bludgeons immediately began playing away at a -tremendous rate.</p> - -<p>The poor Protestants were again quickly disposed of, and then arose a -cry of Huzza for the Wicklow boys, Huzza for the Connaught boys, Huzza -for Munster, and Huzza for Ulster! They then recommenced the fight as -if they were determined to make an end of their soldiering altogether -upon Salisbury Plains. We had, I remember, four officers with us, and -they did their best to pacify their pugnacious recruits. One thrust -himself amongst them, but was instantly knocked down for his pains, -so that he was glad enough to escape. After they had completely tired -themselves, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> began to slacken in their endeavours, and apparently -to feel the effect of the blows they dealt each other, and at length -suffering themselves to be pacified, the officers got them into Andover.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had we been a couple of hours there, and obtained some -refreshment, ere these incorrigible blackguards again commenced -quarrelling, and, collecting together in the streets, created so -serious a disturbance that the officers, getting together a body of -constables, seized some of the most violent and succeeded in thrusting -them into the town jail; upon this their companions again collected, -and endeavoured to break open the prison gates.</p> - -<p>Baffled in this attempt, they rushed through the streets knocking down -every body they met. The drums now commenced beating up for a volunteer -corps of the town, which, quickly mustering, drew up in the street -before the jail, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> immediately were ordered to load with ball.</p> - -<p>This somewhat pacified the rioters, and our officers persuading them -to listen to a promise of pardon for the past, peace was at length -restored amongst them.</p> - -<p>The next day we marched for Ashford, in Kent, where I joined the 95th -Rifles, and about six months after my joining, four companies of the -second battalion were ordered on the expedition to Denmark. We embarked -at Deal, and sailing for the hostile shores, landed on a little place -called, I think, Scarlet Island, somewhere between Elsineur and -Copenhagen.</p> - -<p>The expedition consisted of about 30,000 men, and at the moment of -our getting on shore, the whole force set up one simultaneous and -tremendous cheer, a sound I cannot describe, it seemed so inspiring. -This, indeed, was the first time of my hearing the style in which our -men give tongue<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> when they get near the enemy, though afterwards my -ears became pretty well accustomed to such sounds.</p> - -<p>As soon as we got on shore, the Rifles were pushed forward as the -advance, in chain order, through some thick woods of fir, and when -we had cleared these woods and approached Copenhagen, sentries were -posted on the roads and openings leading towards the town, in order to -intercept all comers, and prevent all supplies. Such posts we occupied -for about three days and nights, whilst the town was being fired on -by our shipping. I rather think this was the first time of Congreve -rockets being brought into play, and as they rushed through the air in -the dark, they appeared like so many fiery serpents, creating, I should -think, terrible dismay among the besieged.</p> - -<p>As the main army came up, we advanced and got as near under the walls -of the place as we could without being endangered by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> fire from our -own shipping. We now received orders ourselves to commence firing, and -the rattling of the guns I shall not easily forget.</p> - -<p>I felt so much exhilarated that I could hardly keep back, and was -checked by the Commander of the company (Capt. Leech), who called to me -by name to keep my place. About this time, my front-rank man, a tall -fellow named Jack Johnson, shewed a disposition as though the firing -had on him an effect the reverse of what it had on many others of the -company, for he seemed inclined to hang back, and once or twice turned -round in my face. I was a rear-rank man, and porting my piece, in the -excitement of the moment I swore that if he did not keep his ground, I -would shoot him dead on the spot; so that he found it would be quite as -dangerous for him to return as to go on.</p> - -<p>I feel sorry to record the want of courage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> of this man, but I do so -with the less pain as it gives me the opportunity of saying that during -many years' arduous service, it is the only instance I remember of a -British soldier endeavouring to hold back when his comrades were going -forward.</p> - -<p>Indeed, Johnson was never again held in estimation amongst the Rifle -corps; for the story got wind that I had threatened to shoot him for -cowardice in the field, and Lieut. Cox mentioned to the Colonel, that -he had overheard my doing so; and such was the contempt the man was -held in by the Rifles, that he was soon afterwards removed from amongst -us to a veteran battalion.</p> - -<p>Whilst in Denmark we led a tolerably active life, the Rifles being -continually on the alert—ordered hither to-day, and countermanded the -next. Occasionally, too, when wanted in a hurry, we were placed in -carts, and rattled over the face of the coun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>try, in company with the -dragoons of the German Legion; so that, if we had not so much fighting -as afterwards in the Peninsular, we had plenty of work to keep us from -idleness.</p> - -<p>Occasionally, also, we had some pleasant adventures among the blue-eyed -Danish lasses, for the Rifles were always terrible fellows in that way.</p> - -<p>One night, I remember, a party of us had possession of a gentleman's -house, in which his family were residing. The family consisted of the -owner of the mansion, his wife, and five very handsome daughters, -besides their servants.</p> - -<p>The first night of our occupation of the premises the party was treated -with the utmost civility, and everything was set before us as if we -had been their equals; for although it was not very pleasant to have a -company of foreign soldiers in the house, it was doubtless thought best -to do everything<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> possible to conciliate such guests. Accordingly, on -this night, a large party of the green-jackets unceremoniously sat down -to tea with the family.</p> - -<p>Five beautiful girls in a drawing-room were rather awkward companions -for a set of rough and ready Riflemen, unscrupulous and bold, and I -cannot say I felt easy. All went on very comfortably for some time; our -fellows drank their tea very genteelly, whilst one young lady presided -at the urn to serve it out, and the others sat on each side of their -father and mother, chatting to us, and endeavouring to make themselves -as agreeable as they could.</p> - -<p>By and bye, however, some of our men expressed themselves dissatisfied -with tea and toast, and demanded something stronger; and liquors were -accordingly served to them. This was followed by more familiarity, and, -the ice once broken, all respect for the host and hostess was quickly -lost. I had feared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> this would prove the case, and on seeing several -of the men commence pulling the young ladies about, kissing them, and -proceeding to other acts of rudeness, I saw that matters would quickly -get worse, unless I interfered. Jumping up, therefore, I endeavoured -to restore order, and upbraided them with the blackguardism of their -behaviour after the kindness with which we had been used.</p> - -<p>This remonstrance had some effect; and when I added that I would -immediately go in quest of an officer, and report the first man I saw -ill use the ladies, I at length succeeded in extricating them from -their persecutors.</p> - -<p>The father and mother were extremely grateful to me for my -interference, and I kept careful guard over the family whilst we -remained in that house, which luckily was not long.</p> - -<p>Soon after this the expedition returned to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> England, and I came, with -others of the Rifles, in a Danish man-of-war (the Princess Caroline), -and landed at Deal, from whence we had started.</p> - -<p>From Deal we marched to Hythe, and there we lay until the year 1808, -and in that year four companies of the second battalion, to which I -belonged, were ordered to Portugal.</p> - -<p>In that year I first saw the French.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER II.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Embarkation for Portugal—Aldermanic fare—Lord Hill over his wine, -and in the field—Use of a dead Rifleman—Wounded wine-butts.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>I wish I could picture the splendid sight of the shipping in the Downs, -at the time we embarked with about 20,000 men. Those were times which -the soldiers of our own more peaceable days have little conception of.</p> - -<p>At Cork, where our ships cast anchor, we lay for something like six -weeks, during which time the expedition was not disem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>barked, with the -exception of our four companies of Rifles, who were every day landed -for the purpose of drill. On such occasions our merry bugles sounded -over the country, and we were skirmished about in very lively fashion, -always being embarked again at night.</p> - -<p>At the expiration of the time I have mentioned, our sails were given to -the wind, and amidst the cheers of our comrades, we sailed majestically -out of the Cove of Cork for the hostile shore, where we arrived safely, -and disembarked at Mondego Bay.</p> - -<p>The Rifles were the first out of the vessels, for we were, indeed, -always in the front in advance, and in rear in the retreat. Like the -Kentish men of old, we claimed the post of honour in the field.</p> - -<p>Being immediately pushed forwards up the country in advance of the main -body, many of us, in this hot climate, very soon began to find out the -misery of the frightful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> load we were condemned to march and fight -under, with a burning sun above our heads, and our feet sinking every -step into the hot sand.</p> - -<p>The weight I myself toiled under was tremendous, and I often wonder at -the strength I possessed at this period, which enabled me to endure -it; for, indeed, I am convinced that many of our infantry sank and -died under the weight of their knapsacks alone. For my own part, being -a handicraft, I marched under a weight sufficient to impede the free -motions of a donkey; for besides my well-filled kit, there was the -great-coat rolled on its top, my blanket and camp kettle, my haversack, -stuffed full of leather for repairing the men's shoes, together with -a hammer and other tools (the lapstone I took the liberty of flinging -to the devil), ship-biscuit and beef for three days. I also carried my -canteen filled with water, my hatchet and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> rifle, and eighty rounds of -ball cartridge in my pouch; this last, except the beef and biscuit, -being the best thing I owned, and which I always gave the enemy the -benefit of, when opportunity offered.</p> - -<p>Altogether the quantity of things I had on my shoulders was enough and -more than enough for my wants, sufficient, indeed, to sink a little -fellow of five feet seven inches into the earth. Nay, so awkwardly was -the load our men bore in those days, placed upon their backs, that the -free motion of the body was impeded, the head held down from the pile -at the back of the neck, and the soldier half beaten before he came to -the scratch.</p> - -<p>We marched till it was nearly dark, and then halted for the night. I -myself was immediately posted sentinel between two hedges, and in a -short time General Fane came up, and himself cautioned me to be alert.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Remember, sentinel," he said, "that we are now near an active enemy; -therefore be careful here, and mind what you are about."</p> - -<p>Next day the peasantry sent into our camp a great quantity of the -good things of their country, so that our men regaled themselves -upon oranges, grapes, melons, and figs, and we had an abundance of -delicacies which many of us had never before tasted. Amongst other -presents, a live calf was presented to the Rifles, so that altogether -we feasted in our first entrance into Portugal like a company of -aldermen.</p> - -<p>The next day we again advanced, and being in a state of the utmost -anxiety to come up with the French, neither the heat of the burning -sun, long miles, or heavy knapsacks were able to diminish our ardour. -Indeed, I often look back with wonder at the light-hearted style, the -jollity, and reckless indifference with which men who were destined -in so short a time to fall, hurried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> onwards to the field of strife; -seemingly without a thought of anything but the sheer love of meeting -the foe and the excitement of the battle.</p> - -<p>It was five or six days before the battle of Roliça, the army was on -the march, and we were pushing on pretty fast. The whole force had -slept the night before in the open fields; indeed, as far as I know, -(for the Rifles were always in the front at this time,) they had -been for many days without any covering but the sky. We were pelting -along through the streets of a village, the name of which I do not -think I ever knew, so I cannot name it; I was in the front, and had -just cleared the village, when I recollect observing General Hill -(afterwards Lord Hill) and another officer ride up to a house, and give -their horses to some of the soldiery to hold. Our bugles at that moment -sounded the halt, and I stood leaning upon my rifle near the door of -the mansion which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> General Hill had entered: there was a little garden -before the house, and I stood by the gate. Whilst I remained there, -the officer who had entered with General Hill came to the door, and -called to me. "Rifleman," said he, "come here." I entered the gate, -and approached him. "Go," he continued, handing me a dollar, "and try -if you can get some wine; for we are devilish thirsty here." Taking -the dollar, I made my way back to the village. At a wine-house, where -the men were crowding around the door, and clamouring for drink, (for -the day was intensely hot,) I succeeded, after some little difficulty, -in getting a small pipkin full of wine; but the crowd was so great, -that I found as much trouble in paying for it as in getting it; so I -returned back as fast as I was able, fearing that the general would -be impatient, and move off before I reached him. I remember Lord Hill -was loosening his sword-belt as I handed him the wine.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> "Drink first, -Rifleman," said he; and I took a good pull at the pipkin, and held it -to him again. He looked at it as I did so, and told me I might drink -it all up, for it appeared greasy; so I swallowed the remainder, and -handed him back the dollar which I had received from the officer. "Keep -the money," he said, "my man. Go back to the village once more, and -try if you cannot get me another draught." Saying this, he handed me -a second dollar, and told me to be quick. I made my way back to the -village, got another pipkin full, and returned as fast as I could. -The general was pleased with my promptness, and drank with great -satisfaction, handing the remainder to the officer who attended him; -and I dare say, if he ever recollected the circumstance afterwards, -that was as sweet a draught, after the toil of the morning march, as he -has drank at many a nobleman's board in old England since.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> - -<p>I remember remarking Lord Hill, for the second time in my life, under -circumstances which (from their not being of every-day occurrence) -fixed it upon my mind. The 29th regiment received so terrible a fire, -that I saw the right wing almost annihilated, and the colonel (I think -his name was Lennox) lay sprawling amongst the rest. We had ourselves -caught it pretty handsomely; for there was no cover for us, and we -were rather too near. The living skirmishers were lying beside heaps -of their own dead; but still we had held our own till the battalion -regiments came up. "Fire and retire"<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> is a very good sound; but -the Rifles were not over fond of such notes. We never performed that -manœuvre, except when it was made pretty plain to us that it was -quite necessary; the 29th, however, had got their fairing here at this -time; and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> shock of that fire seemed to stagger the whole line, -and make them recoil. At the moment, a little confusion appeared in -the ranks, I thought. Lord Hill was near at hand, and saw it, and I -observed him come galloping up. He put himself at the head of the -regiment, and restored them to order in a moment. Pouring a regular and -sharp fire upon the enemy, he galled them in return; and, remaining -with the 29th till he brought them to the charge, quickly sent the foe -to the right about. It seemed to me that few men could have conducted -the business with more coolness and quietude of manner, under such a -storm of balls as he was exposed to. Indeed, I have never forgotten him -from that day.</p> - -<p>At the time I was remarking these matters (loading and firing as I -lay), another circumstance divided my attention for a while, and made -me forget even the gallant conduct of General Hill. A man near me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> -uttered a scream of agony; and, looking from the 29th, who were on -my right, to the left, whence the screech had come, I saw one of our -sergeants, named Frazer, sitting in a doubled-up position, and swaying -backwards and forwards, as though he had got a terrible pain in his -bowels. He continued to make so much complaint, that I arose and went -to him, for he was rather a crony of mine.</p> - -<p>"Oh! Harris!" said he, as I took him in my arms, "I shall die! I shall -die! The agony is so great that I cannot bear it."</p> - -<p>It was, indeed, dreadful to look upon him; the froth came from his -mouth, and the perspiration poured from his face. Thank Heaven! he was -soon out of pain; and, laying him down, I returned to my place. Poor -fellow! he suffered more for the short time that he was dying, than any -man I think I ever saw in the same circumstances.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> I had the curiosity -to return and look at him after the battle. A musket-ball, I found, had -taken him sideways, and gone through both groins.</p> - -<p>Within about half-an-hour after this I left Sergeant Frazer, and, -indeed, for the time, had as completely forgotten him, as if he had -died a hundred years back. The sight of so much bloodshed around, will -not suffer the mind to dwell long on any particular casuality, even -though it happen to one's dearest friend. There was no time either -to think, for all was action with us Rifles just at this moment; and -the barrel of my piece was so hot from continual firing, that I could -hardly bear to touch it, and was obliged to grasp the stock beneath -the iron, as I continued to blaze away. James Ponton was another crony -of mine (a gallant fellow!); he had pushed himself in front of me, and -was checked by one of our officers for his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> rashness. "Keep back, you -Ponton!" the lieutenant said to him, more than once. But Ponton was not -to be restrained by anything but a bullet when in action. This time he -got one; which, striking him in the thigh, I suppose hit an artery, -for he died quickly. The Frenchmen's balls were flying very wickedly -at that moment; and I crept up to Ponton, and took shelter by lying -behind, and making a rest for my rifle of his dead body. It strikes -me that I revenged his death by the assistance of his carcase. At any -rate, I tried my best to hit his enemies hard. There were two small -buildings in our front; and the French, having managed to get into -them, annoyed us much from that quarter. A small rise in the ground -close before these houses, also favoured them; and our men were being -handled very severely in consequence. They became angry, and wouldn't -stand it any longer. One of the skirmishers, jumping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> up, rushed -forward, crying, "Over, boys!—over! over!" when instantly the whole -line responded to the cry, "Over! over! over!" They ran along the grass -like wildfire, and dashed at the rise, fixing their sword-bayonets as -they ran. The French light bobs could not stand the sight, but turned -about, and fled; and, getting possession of their ground, we were soon -inside the buildings. After the battle was over, I stepped across to -the other house I have mentioned, in order to see what was going on -there; for the one I remained in was now pretty well filled with the -wounded (both French and English,) who had managed to get there for a -little shelter. Two or three surgeons, also, had arrived at this house, -and were busily engaged in giving their assistance to the wounded, now -also here lying as thickly as in the building which I had left; but -what struck me most forcibly was, that from the circumstance of some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -wine-butts having been left in the apartment, and their having in the -engagement been perforated by bullets, and otherwise broken, the red -wine had escaped most plentifully, and ran down upon the earthen floor, -where the wounded were lying, so that many of them were soaked in the -wine with which their blood was mingled.</p> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> "Fire and retire,"—one of the bugle sounds to the -skirmishers, when hard pressed.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER III.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Coming up with the enemy—Manœuvres of the advance—Battle of -Roliça—Conjugal devotion.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>It was on the 15th of August, when we first came up with the French, -and their skirmishers immediately commenced operations by raining a -shower of balls upon us as we advanced, which we returned without delay.</p> - -<p>The first man that was hit was Lieutenant Bunbury; he fell pierced -through the head with a musket-ball, and died almost immediately. I -thought I never heard such a tremendous noise as the firing made on -this occasion, and the men on both sides of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> me, I could occasionally -observe, were falling fast. Being overmatched, we retired to a rising -ground, or hillock, in our rear, and formed there all round its summit, -standing three deep, the front rank kneeling. In this position we -remained all night, expecting the whole host upon us every moment. At -day-break, however, we received instructions to fall back as quickly as -possible upon the main body. Having done so, we now lay down for a few -hours' rest, and then again advanced to feel for the enemy.</p> - -<p>On the 17th, being still in front, we again came up with the French, -and I remember observing the pleasing effect afforded by the sun's rays -glancing upon their arms, as they formed in order of battle to receive -us. Moving on in extended order, under whatever cover the nature of the -ground afforded, together with some companies of the 60th, we began a -sharp fire upon them; and thus commenced the battle of Roliça.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> - -<p>I do not pretend to give a description of this or any other battle -I have been present at. All I can do is, to tell the things which -happened immediately around me, and that, I think, is as much as a -private soldier can be expected to do.</p> - -<p>Soon afterwards the firing commenced, and we had advanced pretty close -upon the enemy. Taking advantage of whatever cover I could find, I -threw myself down behind a small bank, where I lay so secure, that, -although the Frenchmen's bullets fell pretty thickly around, I was -enabled to knock several over without being dislodged; in fact, I fired -away every round I had in my pouch whilst lying on this spot.</p> - -<p>At length, after a sharp contest, we forced them to give ground, and, -following them up, drove them from their position in the heights, and -hung upon their skirts till they made another stand, and then the game -began again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Rifles, indeed, fought well this day, and we lost many men. They -seemed in high spirits, and delighted at having driven the enemy -before them. Joseph Cochan was by my side loading and firing very -industriously about this period of the day. Thirsting with heat and -action, he lifted his canteen to his mouth; "Here's to you, old boy," -he said, as he took a pull at its contents. As he did so a bullet went -through the canteen, and perforating his brain, killed him in a moment. -Another man fell close to him almost immediately, struck by a ball in -the thigh.</p> - -<p>Indeed we caught it severely just here, and the old iron was also -playing its part amongst our poor fellows very merrily. I saw a man -named Symmonds struck full in the face by a round shot, and he came to -the ground a headless trunk. Meanwhile, many large balls bounded along -the ground amongst us so deliberately that we could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> occasionally evade -them without difficulty. I could relate many more of the casualties I -witnessed on this day, but the above will suffice. When the roll was -called after the battle, the females who missed their husbands came -along the front of the line to inquire of the survivors whether they -knew anything about them. Amongst other names I heard that of Cochan -called in a female voice, without being replied to.</p> - -<p>The name struck me, and I observed the poor woman who had called it, -as she stood sobbing before us, and apparently afraid to make further -inquiries about her husband. No man had answered to his name, or had -any account to give of his fate. I myself had observed him fall, as -related before, whilst drinking from his canteen; but as I looked at -the poor sobbing creature before me, I felt unable to tell her of his -death. At length Captain Leech observed her, and called out to the -company,</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Does any man here know what has happened to Cochan? If so, let him -speak out at once."</p> - -<p>Upon this order I immediately related what I had seen, and told the -manner of his death. After awhile Mrs. Cochan appeared anxious to seek -the spot where her husband fell, and in the hope of still finding -him alive, asked me to accompany her over the field. She trusted, -notwithstanding what I had told her, to find him yet alive.</p> - -<p>"Do you think you could find it?" said Captain Leech, upon being -referred to.</p> - -<p>I told him I was sure I could, as I had remarked many objects whilst -looking for cover during the skirmishing.</p> - -<p>"Go then," said the captain, "and shew the poor woman the spot, as she -seems so desirous of finding the body."</p> - -<p>I accordingly took my way over the ground we had fought upon, she -following and sobbing after me, and, quickly reaching the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> spot where -her husband's body lay, pointed it out to her.</p> - -<p>She now soon discovered all her hopes were in vain; she embraced a -stiffened corpse, and after rising and contemplating his disfigured -face for some minutes, with hands clasped, and tears streaming down -her cheeks she took a prayer-book from her pocket, and kneeling down, -repeated the service for the dead over the body. When she had finished -she appeared a good deal comforted, and I took the opportunity of -beckoning to a pioneer I saw near with some other men, and together -we dug a hole, and quickly buried the body. Mrs. Cochan then returned -with me to the company to which her husband had been attached, and -laid herself down upon the heath near us. She lay amongst some other -females, who were in the same distressing circumstances with herself, -with the sky for her canopy, and a turf for her pillow, for we had -no tents with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> us. Poor woman! I pitied her much; but there was no -remedy. If she had been a duchess she must have fared the same. She -was a handsome woman, I remember, and the circumstance of my having -seen her husband fall, and accompanied her to find his body, begot a -sort of intimacy between us. The company to which Cochan had belonged, -bereaved as she was, was now her home, and she marched and took equal -fortune with us to Vimiero. She hovered about us during that battle, -and then went with us to Lisbon, where she succeeded in procuring a -passage to England. Such was my first acquaintance with Mrs. Cochan. -The circumstances of our intimacy were singular, and an attachment grew -between us during the short time we remained together. What little -attention I could pay her during the hardships of the march I did, -and I also offered on the first opportunity to marry her. "She had, -however, received too great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> a shock on the occasion of her husband's -death ever to think of another soldier," she said; she therefore -thanked me for my good feeling towards her, but declined my offer, and -left us soon afterwards for England.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER IV.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Battle of Vimiero—Presentiments—The cobbler and the cannon -ball—Value of a handicraft—A lubberly artilleryman—A bad shot and a -good one—Conversation during the heat of action.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>It was on the 21st of August, that we commenced fighting the battle of -Vimiero.</p> - -<p>The French came down upon us in a column, and the Riflemen immediately -commenced a sharp fire upon them from whatever cover they could get -a shelter behind, whilst our cannon played upon them from our rear. -I saw regular lanes torn through their ranks as they advanced, which -were immediately closed up again as they marched steadily on. Whenever -we saw a round shot thus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> go through the mass, we raised a shout of -delight.</p> - -<p>One of our corporals, named Murphy, was the first man in the Rifles -who was hit that morning, and I remember more particularly remarking -the circumstance from his apparently having a presentiment of his -fate before the battle began. He was usually an active fellow, and up -to this time had shewn himself a good and brave soldier, but on this -morning he seemed unequal to his duty. General Fane and Major Travers -were standing together on an early part of this day. The general had -a spy-glass in his hand, and for some time looked anxiously at the -enemy. Suddenly he gave the word to fall in, and immediately all was -bustle amongst us. The Honourable Captain Packenham spoke very sharply -to Murphy, who appeared quite dejected and out of spirits, I observed. -He had a presentiment of death, which is by no means an un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>common -circumstance, and I have observed it once or twice since this battle.</p> - -<p>Others besides myself noticed Murphy on this morning, and, as we -had reason to know he was not ordinarily deficient in courage, the -circumstance was talked of after the battle was over. He was the first -man shot that day.</p> - -<p>Early on the morning of the battle, I remember being relieved from -picket, and throwing myself down to gain a few hour's repose before the -expected engagement. So wearied was I with watching that I was hardly -prostrate before I was in a sound sleep,—a sleep, which those only -who have toiled in the field can know. I was not, however, destined -to enjoy a very long repose before one of our serjeants, poking me -with the muzzle of his rifle, desired me to get up, as many of the -men wanted their shoes repaired immediately. This was by no means an -uncommon occurrence, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> would fain have declined the job, but as -several of the Riflemen who had followed the serjeant, soon afterwards -came round me and threw their shoes and boots at my head, I was fain to -scramble on my legs, and make up my mind to go to work.</p> - -<p>On looking around, in order to observe if there was any hut or shed in -which I could more conveniently exercise my craft, I espied a house -near at hand, on the rise of a small hill. So I gathered up several -pairs of the dilapidated boots and shoes, and immediately made for it. -Seating myself down in a small room as soon as I entered, I took the -tools from my haversack and prepared to work; and as the boots of the -Captain of my Company, were amongst the bad lot, and he was barefooted -for want of them, I commenced with <i>them</i>.</p> - -<p>Hardly had I worked a quarter of an hour, when a cannon-ball (the -first announcement of the coming battle) came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> crashing through the -walls of the house, just above my head, and completely covered the -Captain's boot (as it lay between my knees) with dust and fragments -of the building. There were only two persons in the room at the time, -an old and a young woman, and they were so dreadfully scared at this -sudden visitation, that they ran about the room, making the house echo -with their shrieks, till at length they rushed out into the open air, -leaving me alone with the boots around me on the floor.</p> - -<p>For my own part, although I was more used to such sounds, I thought it -was no time and place to mend boots and shoes in, so, being thus left -alone in my glory, I shook the dust from my apron, gathered up the -whole stock-in-trade from the floor, and hastily replacing my tools in -my haversack, followed the example of the mistress of the mansion and -her daughter, and bolted out of the house. When I got into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> open -air, I found all in a state of bustle and activity, the men falling -in, and the officers busily engaged, whilst twenty or thirty mouths -opened at me the moment I appeared, calling out for their boots and -shoes.—"Where's my boots, Harris, you humbug?" cried one. "Give me -my shoes, you old sinner," said another. "The Captain's boots here, -Harris, instantly," cried the Serjeant. "Make haste, and fall into the -ranks as fast as you can."</p> - -<p>There was, indeed, no time for ceremony, so, letting go the corners of -my apron, I threw down the whole lot of boots and shoes for the men -to choose for themselves; the Captain's being amongst the lot, with -the wax-ends hanging to them (as I had left them when the cannon-ball -so unceremoniously put a stop to my work), and quickly shouldering my -piece, I fell into the ranks as I was ordered.</p> - -<p>Just before the battle commenced in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> earnest, and whilst the officers -were busily engaged with their companies, shouting the word of command, -and arranging matters of moment, Captain Leech ordered a section of our -men to move off, at double quick, and take possession of a windmill, -which was on our left. I was amongst this section, and set off full cry -towards the mill, when Captain Leech espied and roared out to me by -name to return.—"Hallo! there, you Harris!" he called, "fall out of -that section directly. We want you here, my man." I, therefore, wheeled -out of the rank, and returned to him. "You fall in amongst the men -here, Harris," he said. "I shall not send you to that post. The cannon -will play upon the mill in a few moments like hail; and what shall we -do," he continued, laughing, "without our head shoemaker to repair our -shoes?"</p> - -<p>It is long since these transactions took place. But I remember the -words of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> Captain as if they had been uttered but yesterday; -for that which was spoken in former years in the field, has made a -singular impression on my mind. As I looked about me, whilst standing -enranked, and just before the commencement of the battle, I thought it -the most imposing sight the world could produce. Our lines glittering -with bright arms; the stern features of the men, as they stood with -their eyes fixed unalterably upon the enemy, the proud colours of -England floating over the heads of the different battalions, and the -dark cannon on the rising ground, and all in readiness to commence -the awful work of death, with a noise that would deafen the whole -multitude. Altogether, the sight had a singular and terrible effect -upon the feelings of a youth, who, a few short months before, had -been a solitary shepherd upon the Downs of Dorsetshire, and had never -contemplated any other sort of life than the peaceful occupation of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -watching the innocent sheep as they fed upon the grassy turf.</p> - -<p>The first cannon-shot I saw fired, I remember was a miss. The -artilleryman made a sad bungle, and the ball went wide of the mark. We -were all looking anxiously to see the effect of this shot; and another -of the gunners (a red-haired man) rushed at the fellow who had fired, -and in the excitement of the moment, knocked him head over heels with -his fist. "D—— you, for a fool," he said; "what sort of a shot do you -call that? Let me take the gun." He accordingly fired the next shot -himself, as soon as the gun was loaded, and so truly did he point it at -the French column on the hill side, that we saw the fatal effect of the -destructive missile, by the lane it made and the confusion it caused.</p> - -<p>Our Riflemen (who at the moment were amongst the guns), upon seeing -this, set up a tremendous shout of delight, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> battle commencing -immediately, we were all soon hard at work.</p> - -<p>I myself was very soon so hotly engaged, loading and firing away, -enveloped in the smoke I created, and the cloud which hung about me -from the continued fire of my comrades, that I could see nothing for -a few minutes but the red flash of my own piece amongst the white -vapour clinging to my very clothes. This has often seemed to me the -greatest drawback upon our present system of fighting; for whilst in -such state, on a calm day, until some friendly breeze of wind clears -the space around, a soldier knows no more of his position and what is -about to happen in his front, or what <i>has</i> happened (even amongst his -own companions) than the very dead lying around. The Rifles, as usual, -were pretty busy in this battle. The French, in great numbers, came -steadily down upon us, and we pelted away upon them like a shower of -leaden hail.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> Under any cover we could find, we lay; firing one moment, -jumping up and running for it the next; and, when we could see before -us, we observed the cannonballs making a lane through the enemy's -columns as they advanced, huzzaing and shouting like madmen.</p> - -<p>Such is my remembrance of the commencement of the battle of Vimiero. -The battle began on a fine bright day, and the sun played on the arms -of the enemy's battalions, as they came on, as if they had been tipped -with gold. The battle soon became general; the smoke thickened around, -and often I was obliged to stop firing, and dash it aside from my face, -and try in vain to get a sight of what was going on, whilst groans and -shouts and a noise of cannon and musketry appeared almost to shake the -very ground. It seemed hell upon earth I thought.</p> - -<p>A man named John Low stood before me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> at this moment, and he turned -round during a pause in our exertions, and addressed me: "Harris, you -humbug," he said, "you have got plenty of money about you, I know; for -you are always staying about and picking up what you can find on the -field. But I think this will be your last field-day, old boy. A good -many of us will catch it, I suspect, to-day." "You are right, Low," I -said. "I have got nine guineas in my pack, and if I am shot to-day, -and you yourself escape, it's quite at your service. In the meantime, -however, if you see any symptoms of my wishing to flinch in this -business I hope you will shoot me with your own hand." Low, as well as -myself, survived this battle, and after it was over, whilst we sat down -with our comrades and rested, amongst other matters talked over, Low -told them of our conversation during the heat of the day, and the money -I had collected, and the Rifles from that time had a great respect for -me.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> It is, indeed, singular, how a man loses or gains caste with his -comrades from his behaviour, and how closely he is observed in the -field. The officers, too, are commented upon and closely observed. -The men are very proud of those who are brave in the field, and kind -and considerate to the soldiers under them. An act of kindness done -by an officer has often during the battle been the cause of his life -being saved. Nay, whatever folks may say upon the matter, I know from -experience, that in <i>our</i> army the men like best to be officered by -gentlemen, men whose education has rendered them more kind in manners -than your coarse officer, sprung from obscure origin, and whose style -is brutal and overbearing.</p> - -<p>My observation has often led me to remark amongst men, that those -whose birth and station might reasonably have made them fastidious -under hardship and toil, have generally borne their miseries without -a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> murmur;—whilst those whose previous life, one would have thought, -might have better prepared them for the toils of war, have been the -first to cry out and complain of their hard fate.</p> - -<p>And here let me bear testimony to the courage and endurance of that -army under trials and hardships such as few armies, in any age, I -should think, endured. I have seen officers and men hobbling forward, -with tears in their eyes from the misery of long miles, empty stomachs, -and ragged backs, without even shoes or stockings on their bleeding -feet, and it was not a little that would bring a tear into the eyes of -a Rifleman of the Peninsular. Youths, who had not long been removed -from their parents' home and care, officers and men, have borne -hardships and privations such as (in our own more peaceful days) we -have little conception of; and yet these men, faint and weary with -toil, would brighten up in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> moment when the word ran amongst us that -the enemy were at hand.</p> - -<p>I remember on the march from Salamanca seeing many men fail. Our -marches were long, and the weakly ones were found out. It was then -pretty much "every one for himself;" those whose strength began to fail -looked neither to the right nor the left, but, with glassy eyes, they -kept onward, staggering on as well as they could. When once down, it -was sometimes not easy to get up again, and few were inclined to help -their comrades when their own strength was but small. On this march, -I myself (strong as I was) felt completely done up, and fell in the -streets of a town called, I think, Zamora, where I lay, like one dead, -for some time.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER V.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">The battle-field of Vimiero—Major Travers and his wig—A military -family—A scapegrace—Unpleasant surprise—Playing fast and loose with -fortune—General Napier—Boney's invincibles—Firing cold steel at the -enemy—Church plunder—A haphazard shot.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>It was just at the close of the battle of Vimiero: the dreadful turmoil -and noise of the engagement had hardly subsided, and I began to look -into the faces of the men close around me, to see who had escaped the -dangers of the hour. Four or five days back I had done the same thing -at Roliça. One feels, indeed, a sort of curiosity to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> know, after such -a scene, who is remaining alive amongst the companions endeared by good -conduct, or disliked from bad character, during the hardships of the -campaign. I saw that the ranks of the Riflemen looked very thin; it -seemed to me one half had gone down. We had four companies of the 95th, -and were commanded that day by Major Travers. He was a man much liked -by the men of the Rifles, and, indeed, deservedly beloved by all who -knew him. He was a tight hand; but a soldier likes that better than a -slovenly officer.</p> - -<p>I had observed him more than once during this day, spurring here and -there, keeping the men well up, and apparently in the highest spirits. -He could not have enjoyed himself more, I am sure, if he had been at -a horse-race, or following a good pack of hounds. The battle was just -over; a flag of truce had come over from the French; General Kellerman, -I think, brought it. We threw our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>selves down where we were standing -when the fire ceased. A Frenchman lay close beside me; he was dying, -and called to me for water; which I understood him to require more -from his manner than his words (he pointed to his mouth). I need not -say that I got up, and gave it him. Whilst I did so, down galloped the -major in front, just in the same good spirits he had been all day; -plunging along, avoiding, with some little difficulty, the dead and -dying, which were strewed about. He was never a very good-looking man, -being hard-featured and thin; a hatchet-faced man, as we used to say. -But he was a regular good 'un,—a real English soldier; and that's -better than if he had been the handsomest ladies'-man in the army. -The major just now disclosed what none of us, I believe, knew before; -namely, that his head was bald as a coot's, and that he had covered -the nakedness of his nob, up to the present time, by a flowing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> Caxon, -which, during the heat of the action, had somehow been dislodged, and -was lost; yet was the major riding hither and thither, digging the -spurs into his horse's flanks, and just as busy as before the firing -had ceased. "A guinea," he kept crying as he rode, "to any man who will -find my wig!" The men, I remember, notwithstanding the sight of the -wounded and dead around them, burst into shouts of laughter at him as -he went; and "a guinea to any man who will find my wig," was the saying -amongst us long after that affair.</p> - -<p>Many a man has died in crossing a brook, it is said, who has escaped -the broad waves of the Atlantic half-a-dozen times; the major had -escaped the shot and shell of the enemy in many a hard-fought field, -and came off with credit and renown; but it is somewhat singular that -Punch and Judy were the individuals who were destined by the Fates to -cut his thread of life, for his horse was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> startled one day, as he rode -through the streets of Dublin city, by the clatter those worthies made -with their sticks in one of their domestic quarrels, and, swerving to -one side, that noble soldier was killed.</p> - - -<p class="center">THE FAMILY OF THE COMYNS.</p> - -<p>In the band of the first battalion of the Rifles, we had a father -and seven sons, of the name of Comyns. The elder son, who was called -Fluellyn, was the best musician of them all, and on the regiment -going on service to Portugal, he was made band-master. Whilst -fighting against Massena, Fluellyn Comyns, one night, took offence at -a man named Cadogan, also belonging to our band, and, catching him -at advantage, beat him so severely that he left him for dead. The -transaction having been seen by some of the soldiery, Fluellyn Comyn -was fearful of the consequences, and, supposing he had committed -murder, fled to Marshal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> Massena's army, where he was received kindly, -and, in consequence of his musical knowledge, promoted to a good -situation in the band of one of the French regiments. After a while, -however, he made some mistake or other <i>there</i>, and, the French army -being no safe place for him any longer, he once more changed service, -and returned amongst his old companions, the Rifles, where he found, to -his surprise, Cadogan in the ranks, sound and well again. This species -of inconstancy not being approved of by our leaders, he was tried by -court-martial, and sentenced to be shot. Two or three other men, who -had also committed heavy crimes, were under orders at the same time, I -recollect, to undergo the same punishment. Colonel Beckwith was at that -time our lieutenant-colonel, and, having a great respect for Comyn's -father, made application to the Duke of Wellington for a pardon for his -son Fluellyn. Accordingly, when he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> brought forth amongst the other -criminals, it was notified to him that, taking into consideration the -interest made by his lieutenant-colonel, he should be forgiven: but the -Duke, I understand, desired it to be expressly stated to him, that if -he ever detected him in that country again, in the garb of a soldier in -the British service, nothing should save him from punishment. Comyn, -therefore, left Spain, without the good wish of a single man in our -corps, for he was pretty well known to be altogether a bad subject. -Meanwhile, the news had reached his friends in England that he had been -shot, and his wife, having quickly found a substitute, was married -again, when he thought proper, somewhat tardily, to seek his home. At -first the meeting was rather a stormy one, and the neighbours thought -that murder would ensue, for Comyn found himself provided, not only -with a <i>locum tenens</i>, but also with a little baby, neither of whom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> he -could possibly have any great liking for.</p> - -<p>However, matters were eventually amicably arranged, and Fluellyn Comyn -having made out his claim, and satisfied the second husband that he had -never had a musket-ball in his body, broke up the establishment, and -took his wife off to Hythe, in Kent, where he again enlisted in the -<i>third</i> battalion of the Rifles, and joined them at Shoreham Cliff. -In the third battalion he once more displayed his art, and, from his -excellence as a musician, was made master of the band. Not satisfied -with his good fortune, he again misconducted himself, and was once more -reduced to the ranks. After a while he succeeded in getting exchanged -to the eighty-fifth regiment, where he likewise managed to insinuate -himself into the good graces of the commanding officer, and by his -musical talents, also, once more, into the situation of master of -the band. Here he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> might even yet have retrieved himself, and lived -happily, but he began to cut fresh capers, and his ill-disposition and -drunken conduct were so apparent the moment he got into an easy way -of life, that it was found impossible to keep him in the situation, -and he was again reduced, and eventually entirely dismissed, as <i>too -bad for anything</i>. One of his brothers had, meanwhile, obtained the -situation he held in the first battalion of the Rifles, and was greatly -respected for his good conduct. He was killed, I remember, at Vittoria, -by a cannon-ball striking his head from his shoulders. The other five -Comyns, as far as I ever knew, lived and prospered in the service. The -old father was eventually discharged, and received a pension. What was, -however, the ultimate fate of the bad sheep of this flock (Fluellyn -Comyn), and whether he ever succeeded in becoming a band-master in the -service of any other country, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> whether he ultimately reached a still -more elevated situation, I never heard, but should think from all I -knew and have related, that it was not likely he ever came to good.</p> - - -<p class="center">GENERAL NAPIER.</p> - -<p>I remember meeting with General Napier before the battle of Vimiero. He -was then, I think, a major; and the meeting made so great an impression -on me, that I have never forgotten him. I was posted in a wood the -night before the battle, in the front of our army, where two roads -crossed each other. The night was gloomy, and I was the very out-sentry -of the British army. As I stood on my post, peering into the thick wood -around me, I was aware of footsteps approaching, and challenged in a -low voice. Receiving no answer, I brought my rifle to the port, and -bade the strangers come forward. They were Major Napier,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> (then of the -50th foot, I think,) and an officer of the Rifles. The major advanced -close up to me, and looked hard in my face.</p> - -<p>"Be alert here, sentry," said he, "for I expect the enemy upon us -to-night, and I know not how soon."</p> - -<p>I was a young soldier then, and the lonely situation I was in, together -with the impressive manner in which Major Napier delivered his caution, -made a great impression on me, and from that hour I have never -forgotten him. Indeed, I kept careful watch all night, listening to -the slightest breeze amongst the foliage, in expectation of the sudden -approach of the French. They ventured not, however, to molest us. Henry -Jessop, one of my companions in the Rifles, sank and died of fatigue on -this night, and I recollect some of our men burying him in the wood at -day-break, close to my post.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> - -<p>During the battle, next day, I remarked the gallant style in which -the 50th, Major Napier's regiment, came to the charge. They dashed -upon the enemy like a torrent breaking bounds, and the French, unable -even to bear the sight of them, turned and fled. Methinks at this -moment I can hear the cheer of the British soldiers in the charge, and -the clatter of the Frenchmen's accoutrements, as they turned in an -instant, and went off, hard as they could run for it. I remember, too, -our feeling towards the enemy on that occasion was the north side of -friendly; for they had been firing upon us Rifles very sharply, greatly -outnumbering our skirmishers, and appearing inclined to drive us off -the face of the earth. Their lights, and grenadiers, I, for the first -time, particularly remarked on that day. The grenadiers (the 70th, I -think) our men seemed to know well. They were all fine-looking young -men, wearing red shoulder-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>knots and tremendous-looking moustaches. -As they came swarming upon us, they rained a perfect shower of balls, -which we returned quite as sharply. Whenever one of them was knocked -over, our men called out "There goes another of Boney's Invincibles." -In the main body, immediately in our rear, were the second battalion -52nd, the 50th, the second battalion 43rd, and a German corps, whose -number I do not remember, besides several other regiments. The whole -line seemed annoyed and angered at seeing the Rifles outnumbered by the -Invincibles, and as we fell back, "firing and retiring," galling them -handsomely as we did so, the men cried out (as it were with one voice) -to charge. "D—n them!" they roared, "charge! charge!" General Fane, -however, restrained their impetuosity. He desired them to stand fast, -and keep their ground.</p> - -<p>"Don't be too eager, men," he said, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> coolly as if we were on a -drill-parade in old England; "I don't want you to advance just yet. -Well done, 95th!" he called out, as he galloped up and down the line; -"well done 43rd, 52nd, and well done all. I'll not forget, if I live, -to report your conduct to-day. They shall hear of it in England, my -lads!"</p> - -<p>A man named Brotherwood, of the 95th, at this moment rushed up to the -general, and presented him with a green feather, which he had torn out -of the cap of a French light-infantry soldier he had killed.—"God -bless you general!" he said; "wear this for the sake of the 95th." I -saw the general take the feather, and stick it in his cocked hat. The -next minute he gave the word to charge, and down came the whole line, -through a tremendous fire of cannon and musketry,—and dreadful was the -slaughter as they rushed onwards. As they came up with us, we sprang to -our feet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> gave one hearty cheer, and charged along with them, treading -over our own dead and wounded, who lay in the front. The 50th were -next us as we went, and I recollect, as I said, the firmness of that -regiment in the charge. They appeared like a wall of iron. The enemy -turned and fled, the cavalry dashing upon them as they went off.</p> - -<p>After the day's work was over, whilst strolling about the field, just -upon the spot where this charge had taken place, I remarked a soldier -of the 43rd, and a French grenadier, both dead, and lying close -together. They had apparently killed each other at the same moment, for -both weapons remained in the bodies of the slain. Brotherwood was lying -next me during a part of this day; he was a Leicestershire man, and was -killed afterwards by a cannon-ball at Vittoria. I remember his death -more particularly from the circumstance of that very ball killing three -of the company at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> the same moment, viz. Lieutenant Hopwood, Patrick -Mahone, and himself. Brotherwood was amongst the skirmishers with me -on this day. He was always a lively fellow, but rather irritable in -disposition. Just as the French went to the right-about, I remember -he d—d them furiously; and, all his bullets being gone, he grabbed a -razor from his haversack, rammed it down, and fired it after them.</p> - -<p>During this day I myself narrowly escaped being killed by our own -dragoons, for, somehow or other, in the confusion, I fell whilst they -were charging, and, the whole squadron thundering past, just missed me, -as I lay amongst the dead and wounded. Tired and overweighted with my -knapsack and all my shoe-making implements, I lay where I had fallen, -for a short time, and watched the cavalry as they gained the enemy. -I observed a fine, gallant-looking officer leading them on in that -charge. He was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> brave fellow, and bore himself like a hero; with his -sword waving in the air, he cheered the men on, as he went dashing -upon the enemy, and hewing and slashing at them in tremendous style. I -watched for him as the dragoons came off after that charge, <i>but saw -him no more</i>; he had fallen. Fine fellow! his conduct indeed made an -impression upon me that I shall never forget, and I was told afterwards -that he was a brother of Sir John Eustace.</p> - -<p>A French soldier was lying beside me at this time; he was badly -wounded, and hearing him moan as he lay, after I had done looking at -the cavalry, I turned my attention to him, and, getting up, lifted his -head, and poured some water into his mouth. He was dying fast; but he -thanked me in a foreign language, which, although I did not exactly -understand, I could easily make out by the look he gave me. Mullins, of -the Rifles, who stepped up whilst I supported his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> head, d—d me for a -fool for my pains. "Better knock out his brains, Harris," said he; "he -has done <i>us</i> mischief enough, I'll be bound for it, to-day."</p> - -<p>After the battle, I strolled about the field, in order to see if -there was anything to be found worth picking up amongst the dead. -The first thing I saw was a three-pronged silver fork, which, as it -lay by itself, had most likely been dropped by some person who had -been on the look out before me. A little further on I saw a French -soldier sitting against a small rise in the ground or bank. He was -wounded in the throat, and appeared very faint, the bosom of his coat -being saturated with the blood which had flowed down. By his side -lay his cap, and close to that was a bundle containing a quantity of -gold and silver crosses, which I concluded he had plundered from some -convent or church. He looked the picture of a sacrilegious thief, -dying hopelessly, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> overtaken by Divine wrath. I kicked over his -cap, which was also full of plunder, but I declined taking anything -from him. I felt fearful of incurring the wrath of Heaven for the -like offence, so I left him, and passed on. A little further off lay -an officer of the 50th regiment. I knew him by sight, and recognised -him as he lay. He was quite dead, and lying on his back. He had been -plundered, and his clothes were torn open. Three bullet-holes were -close together in the pit of his stomach: beside him lay an empty -pocket-book, and his epaulette had been pulled from his shoulder.</p> - -<p>I had moved on but a few paces, when I recollected that perhaps the -officer's shoes might serve me, my own being considerably the worse -for wear, so I returned again, went back, pulled one of his shoes off, -and knelt down on one knee to try it on. It was not much better than -my own; how<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>ever, I determined on the exchange, and proceeded to take -off its fellow. As I did so I was startled by the sharp report of a -firelock, and, at the same moment, a bullet whistled close by my head. -Instantly starting up, I turned, and looked in the direction whence the -shot had come. There was no person near me in this part of the field. -The dead and the dying lay thickly all around; but nothing else could I -see. I looked to the priming of my rifle, and again turned to the dead -officer of the 50th. It was evident that some plundering scoundrel had -taken a shot at me, and the fact of his doing so proclaimed him one -of the enemy. To distinguish him amongst the bodies strewn about was -impossible; perhaps he might himself be one of the wounded. Hardly had -I effected the exchange, put on the dead officer's shoes, and resumed -my rifle, when another shot took place, and a second ball whistled past -me.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> This time I was ready, and turning quickly, I saw my man: he was -just about to squat down behind a small mound, about twenty paces from -me. I took a haphazard shot at him, and instantly knocked him over. I -immediately ran up to him; he had fallen on his face, and I heaved him -over on his back, bestrode his body, and drew my sword-bayonet. There -was, however, no occasion for the precaution, as he was even then in -the agonies of death.</p> - -<p>It was a relief to me to find I had not been mistaken. He was a -French light-infantry man, and I therefore took it quite in the way -of business—he had attempted my life, and lost his own. It was the -fortune of war; so, stooping down, with my sword I cut the green string -that sustained his calibash, and took a hearty pull to quench my -thirst.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VI.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Booty—Portuguese chivalry—General Kellerman—Day after a battle.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>After I had shot the French light-infantry man, and quenched my thirst -from his calibash, finding he was quite dead, I proceeded to search -him. Whilst I turned him about in the endeavour at finding the booty I -felt pretty certain he had gathered from the slain, an officer of the -sixtieth approached, and accosted me.</p> - -<p>"What! looking for money, my lad," said he, "eh?"</p> - -<p>"I am sir," I answered; "but I cannot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> discover where this fellow has -hid his hoard."</p> - -<p>"You knocked him over, my man," he said, "in good style, and deserve -something for the shot. Here," he continued, stooping down, and feeling -in the lining of the Frenchman's coat, "this is the place where these -rascals generally carry their coin. Rip up the lining of his coat, and -then search in his stock. I know them better than you seem to do."</p> - -<p>Thanking the officer for his courtesy, I proceeded to cut open the -lining of his jacket with my sword-bayonet, and was quickly rewarded -for my labour by finding a yellow silk purse, wrapped up in an old -black silk handkerchief. The purse contained several doubloons, three -or four napoleons, and a few dollars. Whilst I was counting the money, -the value of which, except the dollars, I did not then know, I heard -the bugle of the Rifles sound out the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> assembly, so I touched my cap to -the officer, and returned towards them.</p> - -<p>The men were standing at ease, with the officers in front. As I -approached them, Major Travers, who was in command of the four -companies, called me to him.</p> - -<p>"What have you got there, sir?" he said. "Shew me."</p> - -<p>I handed him the purse, expecting a reprimand for my pains. He, -however, only laughed as he examined it, and, turning, shewed it to his -brother-officers.</p> - -<p>"You did that well, Harris," he said, "and I am sorry the purse is not -better filled. Fall in." In saying this, he handed me back the purse, -and I joined my company. Soon afterwards, the roll being called, we -were all ordered to lie down and gain a little rest after our day's -work.</p> - -<p>We lay as we had stood enranked upon the field, and in a few minutes, -I dare say, one half of that green line, overwearied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> with their -exertions, were asleep upon the ground they had so short a time before -been fighting on. After we had lain for some little time, I saw several -men strolling about the fields, so I again quietly rose, with one or -two others of the Rifles, and once more looked about me, to see what I -could pick up amongst the slain.</p> - -<p>I had rambled some distance, when I saw a French officer running -towards me with all his might, pursued by at least half a dozen -horsemen. The Frenchman was a tall, handsome-looking man, dressed in a -blue uniform; he ran as swiftly as a wild Indian, turning and doubling -like a hare. I held up my hand, and called to his pursuers not to hurt -him. One of the horsemen, however, cut him down with a desperate blow, -when close beside me, and the next wheeling round, as he leaned from -his saddle, passed his sword through the body.</p> - -<p>I am sorry to say there was an English<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> dragoon amongst these -scoundrels; the rest, by their dress, I judged to be Portuguese -cavalry. Whether the Frenchman thus slaughtered was a prisoner trying -to escape, or what was the cause of this cold-blooded piece of cruelty, -I know not, as the horsemen immediately galloped off without a word -of explanation; and feeling quite disgusted with the scene I had -witnessed, I returned to my comrades, and again throwing myself down, -was soon as fast asleep as any there.</p> - -<p>I might have slept perhaps half an hour, when, the bugles again -sounding, we all started to our feet, and were soon afterwards marched -off to form the picquets. Towards evening I was posted upon a rising -ground, amongst a clump of tall trees. There seemed to have been a -sharp skirmish here, as three Frenchmen were lying dead amongst the -long grass upon the spot were I was standing. As I threw my rifle to -my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> shoulder, and walked past them on my beat, I observed they had -been plundered, and their haversacks having been torn off, some of the -contents were scattered about. Among other things, a small quantity of -biscuit lay at my feet.</p> - -<p>War is a sad blunter of the feelings, I have often thought since those -days. The contemplation of three ghastly bodies in this lonely spot -failed then in making the slightest impression upon me. The sight had -become, even in the short time I had been engaged in the trade, but -too familiar. The biscuits, however, which lay in my path, I thought a -blessed windfall, and, stooping, I gathered them up, scraped off the -blood with which they were sprinkled with my bayonet, and ate them -ravenously.</p> - -<p>As I stood at the edge of the little plantation, and looked over to the -enemy's side, I observed a large body of their cavalry drawn up. I love -to call to mind the most trivial<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> circumstances which I observed whilst -in the Peninsular, and I remember many things, of small importance in -themselves, and, indeed, hardly remarked at the time, as forcibly as if -they had been branded into my memory. I recollect keeping a very sharp -look-out at the French cavalry on that evening, for I thought them -rather too near my post; and whilst I stood beneath one of the tall -trees and watched them, it commenced raining, and they were ordered to -cloak up.</p> - -<p>General Kellerman and his trumpets at this moment returned to the -French side; and soon afterwards, the picquets being withdrawn, I was -relieved from my post, and marched off to join my company. A truce, I -now found, had been concluded, and we lay down to rest for the night. -Next day was devoted to the duty of burying the dead and assisting -the wounded, carrying the latter off the field into a churchyard near -Vimiero.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> - -<p>The scene in this churchyard was somewhat singular. Two long tables had -been procured from some houses near, and were placed end to end amongst -the graves, and upon them were laid the men whose limbs it was found -necessary to amputate. Both French and English were constantly lifted -on and off these tables. As soon as the operation was performed upon -one lot, they were carried off, and those in waiting hoisted up: the -surgeons with their sleeves turned up, and their hands and arms covered -with blood, looking like butchers in the shambles. I saw as I passed -at least twenty legs lying on the ground, many of them being clothed -in the long black gaiters then worn by the infantry of the line. The -surgeons had plenty of work on hand that day, and not having time to -take off the clothes of the wounded, they merely ripped the seams and -turned the cloth back, proceeding with the operation as fast as they -could.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<p>Many of the wounded came straggling into this churchyard in search of -assistance, by themselves. I saw one man, faint with loss of blood, -staggering along, and turned to assist him. He was severely wounded in -the head, his face being completely incrusted with the blood which had -flowed during the night, and had now dried. One eyeball was knocked out -of the socket, and hung down upon his cheek.</p> - -<p>Another man I observed who had been brought in, and propped against -a grave-mound. He seemed very badly hurt. The men who had carried -him into the churchyard, had placed his cap filled with fragments of -biscuit close beside his head, and as he lay he occasionally turned his -mouth towards it, got hold of a piece of biscuit, and munched it.</p> - -<p>As I was about to leave the churchyard, Dr. Ridgeway, one of the -surgeons, called me back, to assist in holding a man, he was -endeavouring to operate upon.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Come and help me with this man," he said, "or I shall be all day -cutting a ball out of his shoulder."</p> - -<p>The patient's name was Doubter, an Irishman. He disliked the doctor's -efforts, and writhed and twisted so much during the operation that -it was with difficulty Dr. Ridgeway could perform it. He found it -necessary to cut very deep, and Doubter made a terrible outcry at every -fresh incision.</p> - -<p>"Oh, doctor dear!" he said, "it's murdering me you are! Blood an' -'ounds! I shall die!—I shall die! For the love of the Lord don't cut -me all to pieces!"</p> - -<p>Doubter was not altogether wrong; for, although he survived the -operation, he died shortly afterwards from the effects of his wounds. -After I was dismissed by the doctor, I gladly left the churchyard, -and returning to the hill where the Rifles were bivouacked, was soon -afterwards ordered by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> Captain Leech to get my shoe-making implements -from my pack, and commence work upon the men's waist-belts, many of -which had been much torn during the action, and I continued to be so -employed as long as there was light enough to see by, after which I lay -down amongst them to rest.</p> - -<p>We lay that night upon the hill-side, many of the men breaking boughs -from the trees at hand, in order to make a slight cover for their -heads; the tents not being then with us.</p> - -<p>I remember it was intensely cold during that night. So much so that I -could not sleep, but lay with my feet drawn up, as if I had a fit of -the cramp. I was indeed compelled more than once during the night to -get up and run about, in order to put warmth into my benumbed limbs.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VII.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">The march to Spain—A hornet's nest—Beating up for quarters—A -momentous question—The reply—Salamanca—Heavy marches.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Three days' march brought us without the walls of Lisbon, where we -halted, and, the tents soon after coming up, were encamped. The second -day after our arrival, as I was lying in my tent, Captain Leech and -Lieutenant Cox entering it, desired me to rise and follow them. We took -the way towards the town, and wandered about the streets for some time. -Both these officers were good-looking men, and, in their Rifle uniform, -with the pelisse hanging from one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> shoulder, and hessian-boots then -worn, cut a dash, I thought, in the streets of Lisbon. There were no -other English that I could observe in the town this day; and, what with -the glances of the black-eyed lasses from the windows, and the sulky -scowl of the French sentinels as we passed, I thought we caused quite -a sensation in the place. Indeed I believe we were the first men that -entered Lisbon after the arrival of the army without its walls.</p> - -<p>After some little time had been spent in looking about us, the officers -spied an hotel, and entering it, walked up-stairs. I myself entered -a sort of taproom below, and found myself in the midst of a large -assemblage of French soldiers, many of whom were wounded, some with -their arms hanging in scarfs, and others bandaged about the head and -face. In short, one half of them appeared to carry tokens of our -bullets of a few days before.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> - -<p>At first they appeared inclined to be civil to me, although my -appearance amongst them caused rather a sensation, I observed, and -three or four rose from their seats, and with all the swagger of -Frenchmen strutted up, and offered to drink with me. I was young then, -and full of the natural animosity against the enemy so prevalent with -John Bull. I hated the French with a deadly hatred, and refused to -drink with them, shewing by my discourteous manner the feelings I -entertained; so they turned off, with a "<i>Sacré!</i>" and a "<i>Bah!</i>" and, -reseating themselves, commenced talking at an amazing rate all at once, -and no man listening to his fellow.</p> - -<p>Although I could not comprehend a word of the language they uttered, -I could pretty well make out that I myself was the subject of the -noise around me. My discourteous manners had offended them, and they -seemed to be working themselves up into a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> violent rage. One fellow, in -particular, wearing an immense pair of mustachios, and his coat loosely -thrown over his shoulders, his arm being wounded, and in a sling, rose -up, and attempted to harangue the company. He pointed to the pouch at -my waist, which contained my bullets, then to my rifle, and then to -his own wounded arm, and I began to suspect that I should probably get -more than I had bargained for on entering the house, unless I speedily -managed to remove myself out of it, when, luckily, Lieutenant Cox and -Captain Leech entered the room in search of me. They saw at a glance -the state of affairs, and instantly ordered me to quit the room, -themselves covering my retreat.</p> - -<p>"Better take care, Harris," said the captain, "how you get amongst such -a party as that again. You do not understand their language; I do: they -meant mischief."</p> - -<p>After progressing through various streets,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> buying leather and -implements for mending our shoes, the two officers desired me again to -await them in the street, and entered a shop close at hand. The day -was hot, and a wine-house being directly opposite me, after waiting -some time, I crossed over, and, going in, called for a cup of wine. -Here I again found myself in the midst of a large assemblage of -French soldiers, and once more an object of curiosity and dislike. -Nevertheless, I paid for my wine, and drank it, regardless of the -clamour my intrusion had again called forth. The host, however, -seemed to understand his guests better than I did, and evidently -anticipated mischief. After in vain trying to make me understand him, -he suddenly jumped from behind his bar, and seizing me by the shoulder -without ceremony, thrust me into the street. I found the two officers -looking anxiously for me when I got out, and not quite easy at my -disappearance. I however<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> excused myself by pleading the heat of the -day, and my anxiety to taste the good wines of Lisbon, and together we -left the town, with our purchases, and reached the camp.</p> - -<p>Next morning Captain Leech again entered my tent, and desired me to -pick out three good workmen from the company, take them into the town, -and seek out a shoemaker's shop as near the camp as possible.</p> - -<p>"You must get leave to work in the first shop you can find," he said, -"as we have a long march before us, and many of the men without shoes -to their feet."</p> - -<p>Accordingly, we carried with us three small sacks filled with old -boots and shoes, and entering Lisbon, went into the first, shoemaker's -shop we saw. Here I endeavoured in vain to make myself understood for -some time. There was a master shoemaker at work and three men. They -did not seem to like our intrusion, and looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> very sulky, asking us -various questions, which I could not understand; the only words I could -at all comprehend being "Bonos Irelandos, Brutu Englisa." I thought, -considering we had come so far to fight their battles for them, that -this was the north side of civil; so I signed to the men, and, by way -of explanation of our wishes, and in order to cut the matter short, -they emptied the three sacksful of boots and shoes upon the floor. -We now explained what we would be at; the boots and shoes of the -Rifles spoke for themselves, and, seating ourselves, we commenced work -forthwith.</p> - -<p>In this way we continued employed whilst the army lay near Lisbon, -every morning coming in to work, and returning to the camp every night -to sleep.</p> - -<p>After we had been there several days, our landlord's family had the -curiosity to come occasionally and take a peep at us. My<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> companions -were noisy, good-tempered, jolly fellows, and usually sang all the time -they hammered and strapped. The mistress of the house, seeing I was -the head man, occasionally came and sat down beside me as I worked, -bringing her daughter, a very handsome dark-eyed Spanish girl, and as a -matter of course I fell in love.</p> - -<p>We soon became better acquainted, and the mother, one evening, after -having sat and chattered to me, serving me with wine, and other good -things, on my rising to leave the shop, made a signal for me to follow -her. She had managed to pick up a little English, and I knew a few -words of the Spanish language, so that we could pretty well comprehend -each other's meaning; and after leading me into their sitting-room, she -brought her handsome daughter, and, without more circumstance, offered -her to me for a wife. The offer was a tempting one; but the conditions -of the marriage made it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> impossible for me to comply, since I was to -change my religion, and desert my colours. The old dame proposed to -conceal me effectually when the army marched; after which I was to live -like a gentleman, with the handsome Maria for a wife.</p> - -<p>It was hard to refuse so tempting an offer, with the pretty Maria -endeavouring to back her mother's proposal. I, however, made them -understand that nothing would tempt me to desert; and, promising to try -and get my discharge when I returned to England, protested I would then -return and marry Maria.</p> - -<p>Soon after this the army marched for Spain; the Rifles paraded in the -very street where the shop I had so long worked at was situated, and -I saw Maria at the window. As our bugles struck up, she waved her -handkerchief; I returned the salute, and in half an hour had forgotten -all about her. So much for a soldier's love.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> Our marches were now long -and fatiguing. I do not know how many miles we traversed ere we reached -Almeida, which I was told was the last town in Portugal: some of my -companions said we had come five hundred miles since we left Lisbon.</p> - -<p>We now passed to the left, and bade adieu to Portugal for ever. We had -fought and conquered, and felt elated accordingly. Spain was before us, -and every man in the Rifles seemed only anxious to get a rap at the -French again. On and on we toiled, till we reached Salamanca. I love to -remember the appearance of that army, as we moved along at this time. -It was a glorious sight to see our colours spread in these fields. The -men seemed invincible; nothing, I thought, could have beaten them. We -had some of as desperate fellows in the Rifles alone as had ever toiled -under the burning sun of an enemy's country in any age; but I lived to -see hardship and toil lay hundreds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> of them low, before a few weeks -were over our heads. At Salamanca we stayed seven or eight days, and -during this time the shoemakers were again wanted, and I worked with my -men incessantly during their short halt.</p> - -<p>Our marches were now still more arduous; fourteen leagues a-day, I -have heard the men say, we accomplished before we halted; and many -of us were found out, and floored in the road. It became every one -for himself. The load we carried was too great, and we staggered on, -looking neither to the right nor the left. If a man dropped, he found -it no easy matter to get up again, unless his companion assisted him, -and many died of fatigue. As for myself, I was nearly floored by this -march; and on reaching a town one night, which I think was called -Zamora, I fell at the entrance of the first street we came to; the -sight left my eyes, my brain reeled, and I came down like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> a dead man. -When I recovered my senses, I remember that I crawled into a door -I found open, and, being too ill to rise, lay for some time in the -passage unregarded by the inhabitants.</p> - -<p>After I had left the house I have alluded to in the account of the -battle of Roliça, I walked a few paces onwards, when I saw some of -the Rifles lying about and resting. I laid myself down amongst them, -for I felt fatigued. A great many of the French skirmishers were -lying dead just about this spot. I recollect that they had long white -frock-coats on, with the eagle in front of their caps. This was one of -the places from which they had greatly annoyed us; and, to judge from -the appearance of the dead and wounded strewed around, we had returned -the compliment pretty handsomely. I lay upon my back, and, resting -upon my knapsack, examined the enemy in the distance. Their lines were -about a couple of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> miles off: here they remained stationary, I should -think, until near sunset, when they began to vanish, beating towards -Vimiero, where we had at them again. Whilst I lay watching them, I -observed a dead man directly opposite to me whose singular appearance -had not at first caught my eye. He was lying on his side amongst some -burnt-up bushes; and whether the heat of the firing here had set -these bushes on fire, or from whatever cause they had been ignited, -I cannot take upon me to say; but certain it is (for several of my -companions saw it as well as myself, and cracked many a joke upon the -poor fellow's appearance,) that this man, whom we guessed to have been -French, was as completely roasted as if he had been spitted before a -good kitchen-fire. He was burnt quite brown, every stitch of clothes -was singed off, and he was drawn all up like a dried frog. I called the -attention of one or two men near me, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> we examined him, turning him -about with our rifles with no little curiosity. I remember now, with -some surprise, that the miserable fate of this poor fellow called forth -from us very little sympathy, but seemed only to be a subject of mirth.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER VIII.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">A gallant fop—An ill-humoured recruit—The military agriculturist and -the gentleman farmer—Death or glory—The Duke at Vimiero—Picking off -the enemy—The brothers Hart.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>I remember there was an officer, named, I think, Cardo, with the -Rifles. He was a great beau; but although rather effeminate and -ladylike in manners, so much so as to be remarked by the whole regiment -at that time, yet he was found to be a most gallant officer when we -were engaged with the enemy in the field.</p> - -<p>He was killed whilst fighting bravely in the Pyrenees; and amongst -other jewellery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> he wore, he had a ring on his finger worth one hundred -and fifty guineas.</p> - -<p>As he lay dead on the field, one of our Riflemen, named Orr, observed -the sparkling gem, and immediately resolved to make prize of it. The -ring, however, was so firmly fixed that Orr could not draw it from the -finger, and whipping out his knife cut the finger off by the joint. -After the battle, Orr offered the ring for sale amongst the officers, -and, on inquiry, the manner in which he had obtained it transpired. Orr -was in consequence tried by court-martial, and sentenced to receive -five hundred lashes, which sentence was carried into execution.</p> - -<p>A youth joined the Rifles soon after I myself put on the green jacket, -whose name was Medley. He was but a small chap, being under the -standard one inch;<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> but our officers thought he promised fair to -become<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> a tall fellow, and he was, accordingly, not rejected. Medley -did not deceive them; for, on the day he first joined the Rifles, he -was five feet one inch in height, and on the day he was killed, at -Barrossa, he was exactly six feet one. He was celebrated for being the -greatest grumbler, the greatest eater, and the most quarrelsome fellow -in the whole corps. I remember he cut a most desperate figure in the -retreat to Corunna; for there he had enough to bear both of fatigue and -hunger; and a very little of either of these disagreeables would make -him extremely bad company at any time. It was dangerous, too, to bid -him hold his tongue sometimes; for he had picked up so amongst us since -he was only five feet one, and grown so bony as well as tall, that he -would challenge and thrash any man in the corps. Corunna, however, -though it could not stop his growling, took the desire of boxing quite -out of him; and he sprawled, scrambled, and swore,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> till he somehow got -through that business. If General Craufurd could have heard but the -twentieth part of what I heard him utter about him on that retreat, I -think he would have cut Medley in half. He was, as I said, a capital -feeder; and his own allowance was not half enough to satisfy his -cravings, so that he often got some of his comrades to help him out -with a portion of theirs. He was my comrade for about two years; and, -as I was a shoemaker, I often had food to give him; indeed it was -highly necessary either to give him what I had for my own allowance, -or find some provision elsewhere, for he was the most cross-grained -fellow, if his belly was not filled, that we ever had amongst us. He -was killed at Barrossa, as I said, and he carried his ill-humour with -him to the very last hour of his life; for, being knocked over by a -musket-ball in the thigh, he was spoken to as he lay by some of his -comrades, who, asking if they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> should assist him, and carry him to the -rear, he told them to "<i>Go and be d—d!</i>" and, bidding them mind their -own business, abused them till they passed on and left him. I was told -this last anecdote of him by the very men who had spoken to him, and -got this blessing as he lay.</p> - -<p>We had another tall fellow in the four companies of Rifles who were in -that retreat. His name was Thomas Higgins; he was six feet one and a -half, and quite as lank and bony as Medley. He also was an ill-tempered -fellow, but nothing to compare with him either in eating or grumbling. -The tall men, I have often observed, bore fatigue much worse than the -short ones; and Higgins, amongst others of the big 'uns, was dreadfully -put to it to keep on. We lost him entirely when about half through this -business, I remember; for, during a short halt of about ten minutes he -was reprimanded by one of our officers for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> slovenly state of his -clothing and accoutrements; his dress almost dropping from his lower -limbs, and his knapsack hanging by a strap or two down about his waist. -Higgins did not take it at all kind being quarrelled with at such a -time, and, uttering sundry impertinences, desired to know if they -were ever to be allowed to halt any more, adding that he did not see -very well how he was to be very smart after what he had already gone -through. The officer spoke to one of the sergeants upon this, and bid -him remember, if they got to their journey's end, to give Higgins an -extra guard for his behaviour. "Oh! then, d—n me," says Higgins, "if -ever I take it!" and, turning about, as we all moved on at the word to -march, he marched off in the contrary direction, and we never either -saw or heard of him from that hour; and it was supposed afterwards, -amongst us, that he had either perished alone in the night, or joined -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> French, who were at our heels. These were the two tallest men in -the four companies of Rifles; and both were in the company I belonged -to. Higgins was the right hand, and Medley the left hand man.</p> - - -<p class="center">THE YORKSHIRE FARMER.</p> - -<p>It was about the year 1807 or 8, that a man volunteered from the -Nottingham Militia into the Rifles. After receiving the half of -his bounty, he thought that was quite as much as would serve him -of the Rifle regiment, and so he declined to serve them in return, -and accordingly made off, without joining them at all at that time. -Four years afterwards he was discovered by the very sergeant of the -Nottingham Militia who belonged to his own company when he volunteered -from them into our corps. This same sergeant was then himself -recruiting, and fell in with his former comrade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> in some town, of which -I forget the name; but it was in Yorkshire. The man (whose name, also, -I have forgotten now,) was then grown very fat, and was, likewise, as -much altered in dress as in condition, being clad in the habiliments -of a respectable and comfortable farmer of that delightful county. The -sergeant, however, had a sharp eye, and penetrated both through the -disguise of his then calling, and also even his portly look failed in -throwing him off the scent. In fact, he went warily to work, made his -inquiries, compared his notes, allowed for the time and circumstances, -and, notwithstanding the respectability and reputed worth of our -farmer, arrested him forthwith as a deserter from the Ninety-fifth. -From Yorkshire he was marched a prisoner to Hythe, in Kent; and I -remember seeing him brought in, dressed as he was apprehended, and -handcuffed, and guarded by a corporal and three or four men. He was,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> -as I said, clad in his farmer's dress, and that it was which made -myself and others (who happened to be out) more especially regard him; -for, although it was no great sight at that time to see a deserter -brought along, yet it was not often we beheld one so apparently well -off and respectable looking in such a situation. In fact, the Yorkshire -farmer made a great talk amongst us; and we pitied him much. No man in -his present circumstances could, I should think, feel more acutely, -and he dwindled perceptibly in bulk every day, till he was brought to -trial. During his confinement he had written to the colonel of the -regiment, offering him sixty pounds to let him off; but I believe he -never at that time got any reply to his offer, and, being tried, was -sentenced to receive seven hundred lashes. When he was brought into -the hollow square to receive his punishment, I remember the anxiety -amongst us was twice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> as great as on an ordinary occasion of the sort. -He did not seem a man who was afraid of the lash, as regarded the pain -of its infliction, but the shame of it (considering the situation he -had attained to) was apparently the thing that hurt him most. Even now, -although fallen away, he was a jolly and portly-looking man, though -his flesh seemed to hang about him from the quickness he had been -reduced in bulk by long marches, and anxiety of mind. He addressed a -few words to the colonel in a firm and manly tone, and begged him to -consider his situation and circumstances, and that he was the husband -of a respectable woman, and father of several children; but, however, -it was not possible for the colonel to forgive him at that time, and -he was ordered to be quick and prepare. The farmer, accordingly, -stripped, and was tied up. The colonel addressed him, and referred to -the offer he had made him when in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> confinement, which, he told him, -had much aggravated his crime, as supposing him (the colonel) capable -of selling his honour for sixty pounds. So the farmer received his -seven hundred lashes that day, and never uttered a word of complaint -during the infliction, except that, as he sometimes turned his head, -and looked after the can of water, he would say, "Oh! poor Tom! poor -Tom! I little thought ever to come to this!" I remember, after four -hundred, the colonel asked him if he would sign his banishment, telling -him it was to send him to another regiment, which was in foreign -parts; but the farmer refused to do so, and the punishment went on. I -recollect, too, that the doctor desired the drummer to lay the lash -on the other shoulder, and the farmer received the whole sentence, as -he well deserved. In a week or more he was to be seen walking in the -barrack-square; but he avoided the society of the men, and in about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> -two or three days afterwards, he was missing altogether, having taken -an opportunity to escape; and we never again either heard of, or saw, -the Yorkshire farmer.</p> - -<p>There was another agriculturist who, I remember, was in the Rifles -with me. He was the eldest son of a gentleman-farmer, who resided in -Yorkshire, and as handsome a youth as I think I ever beheld; but he was -one of the wildest chaps, perhaps, in the whole county, and, although -he was not above four or five-and-twenty, his parents had found it -out to their cost. In one of his sprees, happening to fall in with -Sergeant Sugden of our corps, nothing would content him but he must -enlist. Sugden, you may easily conceive, was not averse to indulge -such a "<i>perspiring</i>" hero, and very soon had him for a recruit. -Although there must have been considerable difference in the style of -life amongst us to what he had been used to, yet he appeared nowise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> -displeased with, the change. To be sure, he was rather too lively a -bird at times, and, having plenty of money, occasionally got himself -into trouble, but nothing particularly disagreeable happened, and -altogether he was very much liked in the corps, in which he went by -the name of "The Gentleman Farmer." Just before a detachment of the -Rifles started for Portugal, a gentleman rode into the barrack-square, -and inquired of some of the men for this young spark, whose name I -cannot now remember. The meeting was not a very amicable one, for -the new-comer was the gentleman-farmer's brother, who upbraided him -with his conduct in enlisting, and told of the anxiety and sorrow -this new freak had caused at home. After they had somewhat mollified -their quarrel, they sought an interview with our commanding-officer; -and the brother immediately, in the name of the parents, offered any -reasonable sum the colonel chose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> to name, so he would but grant the -gentleman-farmer a discharge. The colonel, however, was not willing to -lose him, and refused at that time to grant the request.</p> - -<p>"He is a wild and untamed spirit," he said; "and as he is just now -under orders for foreign service, he had better go; let him have a year -of that fun; it will do his complaint good; and, if he lives, we shall -see him, I hope, return an improved man."</p> - -<p>The new-comer, therefore, was fain to put up with this answer, and -next morning returned home to his parents, apparently much cut up and -disappointed at his ill success. Accordingly the gentleman-farmer -embarked for Portugal, and was soon after witness of a wilder scene of -discord and horror than, I dare say, even his hair-brained ideas quite -contemplated when he enlisted for a soldier; in short, he took his -first lesson of actual warfare at the siege of Badajoz, and, entering -with heart and soul into the breach,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> his head was dashed into a -hundred pieces by a cannon ball.</p> - -<p>Thomas Mayberry was a man well known at that time in the Rifles. He was -a sergeant in my day, and was much thought of by our officers as a very -active and useful non-commissioned officer, being considered, up to the -time of his committing the slight mistake I shall have to tell of, one -of the most honest men in the army. With the men he was not altogether -so well liked, as he was considered rather too blusterous and -tyrannical. Whilst in the town of Hythe, he got the fingering of about -two hundred pounds, for the purpose of paying for necessaries purchased -for the men of his company, and which two hundred pounds he had, in a -very short space of time, managed to make away with, and lose in the -society of a party of gamblers, who at that time infested the town of -Hythe. Captain Hart, who then commanded the com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>pany Mayberry belonged -to, was not a little thunderstruck, some little time after, at finding -that the several tradesmen who furnished the articles for the men had -never been settled with, and, sending for Mayberry, discovered the -delinquency. Mayberry was a prisoner in a moment; and Captain Hart was -as much astonished as if his own father had committed a fraud, so well -and so much was Mayberry thought of. He was brought to court-martial, -together with two other men, whom he had seduced to become partners -in his gambling transactions; and, on the inquiry, it was further -discovered that he had been in the habit of cheating the men of his -company out of a farthing a-week each for the last ten months. That -was, perhaps, the worst thing against him. He was sentenced to receive -seven hundred lashes. Corporal Morrisson and Patrick Divine, his two -participators in this roguery, got, I remember, the former three,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> and -the latter one hundred, awarded to them.</p> - -<p>When the square was formed for punishment, and the three were brought -out, it was necessary to check the men of the regiment, or they -would have hooted and hissed them on the parade. I recollect, also, -that there was a civilian, of the name of Gilbert, whom Mayberry had -defrauded, and he had inquired the time of his punishment, and was -present in the rear during the infliction, having expressed to some of -Mayberry's companions that he was content to lose the money, so that -he saw the fellow well flogged:—a pretty good proof that, when their -own interests are nearly concerned, your civilian has no objection -to even be an eye-witness of the infliction of the lash, about which -there has lately been such an outcry. It is, indeed, no uncommon thing, -now-a-days, to see a man who has committed crimes, which have caused -him to receive the execrations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> of his sometime companions in arms, -as he is being drummed out of the corps, received by a host of folks -without the barrack-gates, and taken to their bosoms as an object of -commiseration.</p> - -<p>When Mayberry was tied up, he was offered, as was then customary, the -option of banishment; but he refused it, notwithstanding considerable -entreaty was made to him by his two comrades to accept it, as, by so -doing, they thought they all would escape the lash. However, Mayberry -decided to take the seven hundred, and bore the sentence without a -murmur. Not so the two others: Morrisson screamed and struggled so -much, that he capsized the triangle, and all came sprawling together, -so that he was obliged to be held by a man at each side. Divine came -last. He was rather an effeminate-looking man; and the colonel rode -round, and told him he lamented being obliged to break so fair a skin; -but he must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> do his duty. However, as he had borne a good character, -and was not so much to blame as the other two, he let him down after -five-and-twenty.</p> - -<p>Mayberry after this was much scouted by his fellow-soldiers, and also -ill-thought of by the officers; and, on a detachment being sent to -Portugal, he volunteered for the expedition. Captain Hart, however, -would fain have declined taking him, as he had so bad an opinion of him -after this affair; but Mayberry shewed himself so desirous of going, -that at last he consented, and took him. At the siege of Badajoz, -Mayberry wiped off, in a measure, all his former ill conduct. He was -seen by Captain Hart to behave so bravely in the breach, that he -commended him on the spot.</p> - -<p>"Well done, Mayberry!" said he; "you have this day done enough to -obliterate your disgrace; and, if we live, I will endeavour to restore -you to your former rank. Go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> now to the rear; you have done enough for -one day." Mayberry, however, refused to retire, although covered with -wounds; for he was known to have killed seven with his own hand, with -his rifle-sword-bayonet.</p> - -<p>"No going to the rear for me," he said. "I'll restore myself to my -comrades' opinion, or make a finish of myself altogether."</p> - -<p>He accordingly continued in the front of all, till at last he was seen -to be cut down, in the clear light of the fire-balls, by a tremendous -sword-cut, which cleft his skull almost in twain. Morrisson, I heard, -also died at that siege. Divine returned safe home, and died of fatigue -at Fermoy.</p> - -<p>It has been said, I have heard, by officers of high rank in the army -of the Peninsula, that there never were such a set of devil-may-care -fellows, and so completely up to their business, as the 95th. It would -be invidious to make a distinction, or talk of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> any one regiment -being better, or more serviceable, than another; but the Rifles were -generally in the mess before the others began, and also the last to -leave off. It was their business to be so; and if they did their work -well, so did every other British corps engaged in that country, at -least I never either heard or saw to the contrary. There was, perhaps, -as intelligent and talented a set of men amongst us, as ever carried a -weapon in any country. They seemed at times, to need but a glance at -what was going on to know all about its "why and wherefore." I remember -seeing the Duke of Wellington during the battle of Vimiero; and in -these days, when so much anxiety is displayed to catch even a glance of -that great man's figure as he gallops along the streets of London, it -seems gratifying to me to recollect seeing him in his proper element, -"the raging and bloody field," and I have frequently taxed my mind to -remem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>ber each action and look I caught of him at that time.</p> - -<p>I remember seeing the great Duke take his hat off in the field of -Vimiero, and methinks it is something to have seen that wonderful man -even do so common-place a thing as lift his hat to another officer in -the battle-field. We were generally enveloped in smoke and fire, and -sometimes unable to distinguish or make remarks upon what was going -on around, whilst we blazed away at our opponents; but occasionally -we found time to make our comments upon the game we were playing. -Two or three fellows near me were observing what was going on just -in the rear, and I heard one man remark, "Here comes Sir Arthur -and his staff;" upon which I also looked back, and caught sight of -him just meeting with two other officers of high rank. They all -uncovered as they met, and I saw the Duke, as I said, (then Sir Arthur -Wellesley) take off his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> hat and bow to the other two. The names of -the new-comers, however they were learnt, whether from some of the men -who had before seen them, or picked up on the instant from an officer, -seemed to be well known, as well as the business they were engaged in -talking of; for it ran along the line from one to the other that Sir -Hugh Dalrymple and Sir Harry Burrard were about to take the command, -instead of Sir Arthur Wellesley, a circumstance which, of course, could -only be a random guess amongst these fellows at the moment.</p> - -<p>The intelligence of these men was indeed very great, and I could relate -instances of their recklessness and management which would amuse the -reader much. I remember a fellow, named Jackman, getting close up to -the walls at Flushing, and working a hole in the earth with his sword, -into which he laid himself, and remained there alone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> spite of all -the efforts of the enemy and their various missiles to dislodge him. -He was known, thus earthed, to have killed, with the utmost coolness -and deliberation, eleven of the French artillerymen, as they worked at -their guns. As fast as they relieved each fallen comrade did Jackman -pick them off; after which he took to his heels, and got safe back to -his comrades.</p> - -<p>There were three brothers in the Rifles, named Hart,—John, Mike, and -Peter,—and three more perfectly reckless fellows, perhaps, never -existed. Nothing ever escaped their notice; and they would create -the greatest fun and laughter, even when advancing under the hottest -fire of the enemy, and their comrades being shot down beside them. I -remember Lieutenant Molloy, who was himself as fine a "soldier as ever -stepped, and as full of life in the midst of death" as these Harts, -being obliged to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> check them at Vimiero. "D—n you!" he said to them, -"keep back, and get under cover. Do you think you are fighting here -with your fists, that you are running into the teeth of the French?"</p> - -<p>I never saw those three men, to appearance, the least worse for -hard work during the time we remained in Portugal. They could run -like deer, and were indeed formed by Nature and disposition for the -hardships, difficulties, and privations of the sort of life we then -led. They were, however, all three pretty well done up during the -retreat to Corunna; though, even in that dreadful business, their -light-heartedness and attempts at fun served to keep up the spirits of -many a man, who would else have been broken-hearted before the English -shipping appeared in sight. They even carried their pleasantry on that -occasion so far as to make a jest of their own appearance, and the -miserable plight of the whole turn-out, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> we disembarked upon the -beach at Portsmouth. One of them even went so far as to observe, "that -we looked more like the rakings of h— than the fragments of an army!"</p> - -<p>Nothing, indeed, but that grave of battalions, that unwholesome fen, -Flushing, could have broken the spirits of three such soldiers as John, -Mike, and Peter Hart. A few weeks, however, of that country sufficed -to quiet them for evermore. One, I remember, died; and the other two, -although they lived to return, were never worth a rush afterwards, but, -like myself, remained living examples of what climate can bring even a -constitution and body framed as if of iron to.</p> - -<p>Nothing, I suppose, could exceed the dreadful appearance we cut on -the occasion of the disembarkation from Corunna; and the inhabitants -of Portsmouth, who had assembled in some numbers to see us land,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> -were horror-stricken with the sight of their countrymen and relatives -returning to England in such a ghastly state; whilst the three Harts, -with feet swathed in bloody rags, clothing that hardly covered their -nakedness, accoutrements in shreds, beards covering their faces, eyes -dimmed with toil, (for some were even blind,) arms nearly useless to -those who had them left, the rifles being encrusted with rust, and the -swords glued to the scabbard;—these three brothers, I say (for I heard -them myself,) as they hobbled up the beach, were making all sorts of -remarks, and cracking their jokes upon the misery of our situation, and -the appearance they themselves cut.</p> - -<p>I recollect seeing at this time an affecting instance of female -affection displayed. One of our officers, whose name I will not -mention, and who was much beloved by us all, observed his wife waiting -for him on the beach, as he disembarked from the boat.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> He met her as -she rushed into the sea to embrace him, and they were locked in each -others' arms before they touched the dry land.</p> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The standard at that time, when men were quickly used up, -was five feet two with us.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER IX.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">The North Mayo militiaman—Chances of warfare—Marshal -Beresford—Eight hundred for nothing—Moneymaking.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Whilst we lay near Cork we were joined by one Richard Pullen, amongst -others; he had exchanged from the English militia into the Irish, and -volunteered to us Rifles from the North Mayo. He brought with him -little else to boast of but his wife and his two children, Charles -and Susan. Charles was a mischievous boy of about twelve, and Susan -was a pretty little lass, of about fourteen years of age. I remem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>ber -they all went with us to Copenhagen, and got through that expedition -pretty well. That affair suited a man of Pullen's description, for he -didn't like too much service; and we soon found he was rather a shy -cock. "None of your North May<i>ho</i>, here, Master Pullen!" used to be -constantly flung in his teeth, when he was lagging behind on the march. -In 1808 he was again wanted, when our four companies went to Portugal; -but Pullen begged off, on account of the wife and the two children, -Charles and Susan. Often had he to endure the taunt again, "<i>None of -your North Mayho here, Master Pullen!</i>" till we were fairly away from -Hythe.</p> - -<p>After we had knocked the frogs out of Portugal, marching on Sahagun, -we fell in with the army under Sir John Moore, and, amongst the Rifles -that came with them fresh from England, we found Pullen and his wife, -with their two children, Charles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> and Susan. I remember that the -meeting with Pullen caused no small fun amongst us; and North May<i>ho</i> -was again the bye-word for a few days. Nothing, I thought at that time, -could tame down the high spirits and thoughtlessness of the British -soldier. Alas! I lived to see that I was mistaken; and, indeed, saw -them pretty well tamed before many days more were over our heads! I -remember remarking that Pullen (even on the first day of the retreat -to Corunna) looked very chap-fallen and seedy; and he was beginning -even then to complain that he could not stand much more. The wife and -children, too, were dropping behind. <i>They</i> all thought, poor souls! -that when night came on they were, of course, to be billeted; but the -open world was now their only refuge; and no allowance to stop or lie -down, even on the bare heath, at that time. I saw Pullen again on the -third or fourth day; neither the wife nor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> children were then with -him, nor could he tell <i>where</i> they were; he could only answer for -himself, and expected to drop dead, he said, every step. That's all -I saw of Pullen, and his wife and children, on the retreat, or even -thought of them; for I had enough to do to keep my own strength up. -When we landed at Portsmouth, both myself and others (to our no small -surprise), saw Pullen once more; and much we wondered at the sight of -him, when so many better and stronger soldiers had died before half of -that retreat was accomplished. We had not even then spirits enough left -to jeer him about North May<i>ho</i>; and, to add to the dejection of poor -Pullen, we found that he had left behind him, and knew nothing of the -fate of either his wife or his children, Charles and Susan. As the men -continued to disembark, however, there was Pullen inquiring anxiously -of every one for some tidings of them. None, however, could he get. At -last he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> saw his wife coming up the beach, and hobbled off to meet her, -each at the same moment inquiring for the children, Charles and Susan. -<i>He</i> trusted they were with the wife; and <i>she</i> hoped they were with -the husband; and both sat down upon the beach, and cried in concert. -All our men thought it useless of them to continue their inquiries; -but they never failed to ask after their offspring of every fresh face -they fell in with, who had been in that retreat. In about a fortnight's -time, not satisfied, they advertised Charles and Susan in the public -newspapers; and we all laughed at the very idea of their ever finding -them again, and told them they might have spared the money. To our -no small surprise, however, the artillery at Plymouth answered their -advertisement, stating that a little girl had been heard screaming upon -the mountains in Spain by them in the night, and that they had taken -care of her as well as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> they could, and had her then with them. The -description answering, the girl was forwarded to Hythe; and Pullen and -his wife once more embraced their daughter Susan.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, no tidings came of the boy; and Pullen died at Walcheren, -with many a gallant soldier for his fellow-victim in that dreadful -country. The wife had confessed long before that the child she had -given birth to after the retreat, she had every reason to believe, -was a Frenchman by the father's side; for she related her adventures -to many of us at that time, and told, amongst other things, that she -and other women, having taken refuge in a barn, were there overtaken -by the French in the night, and treated by those gentlemen in a very -unceremonious manner.</p> - -<p>It is easy to suppose that Mrs. Pullen had no great wish to go on -service again, and much did she endeavour to persuade Pullen to evade -it too; but, the whole regiment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> being under orders for Walcheren, -Pullen could not escape the chance. At last, however, he tried to -excuse himself by tampering with his eyes, which he made sore by -putting snuff in them. He was, however, detected, disgraced, and, -sailing with the expedition, died, as I before said, at Walcheren.</p> - -<p>After his death, Mrs. Pullen and her daughter were sent to their -parish, which was in Warwickshire; and, after she had left us some -time, a letter arrived from her son, Charles, who was a prisoner in -France. There was, I think, not a man in the regiment who recollected -the North May<i>ho</i> recruit but myself. War, and pestilence, and -discharge, had taken all away. The bugle-major opened the letter; and, -on inquiry, found that I alone knew the parents of the writer; but no -answer, that I ever heard of, was sent to poor Charles. The captain -of Pullen's company (Crampton) was dead,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> and the company was almost -entirely new. I myself was then almost in a dying state, and the matter -was soon altogether forgotten. So that, whether Mrs. Pullen ever again -saw her son, I cannot take upon me to say.</p> - -<p>It was during the heat of the day of Vimiero. We were rather hotly -pressed by the enemy, after having advanced somewhat too near their -force. Give and take is all fair enough; but we were getting more -kicks than halfpence, as the saying is; and their balls stung us so -sharply that the officers gave the word to "<i>fire and retire</i>".<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> -Doubtless, many got a leaden messenger as they did so, which saved -them the unpleasant necessity of retracing their ground altogether. -Jock Gillespie and myself wheeled about, and obeyed the order. Just -as we had done so, I saw Gillespie limp along<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> as though some one had -bestowed a violent kick upon his person. However, he didn't give up at -first, but continued to load, and fire, and make off with the other -skirmishers, till we halted, and made another stand; for we never went -further from them when once engaged, than we could possibly help.</p> - -<p>Gillespie loaded, and fired very sharply, I recollect; seemingly quite -affronted at the treatment he had received; but he got weaker and more -lame as he did so, and at last was quite unable to continue the game -any longer; and, when we advanced again, he was floored from loss of -blood. I had asked him once or twice where he was hit, but he seemed -unwilling to say, till at last he confessed; and the confession gave -him apparently as much pain as the wound.</p> - -<p>After the battle was over, I observed him endeavouring to get about, -and limping as badly as if one leg was a foot shorter than the other, -whilst our men, who had got hold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> of the story, kept calling after, and -making all sorts of fun about his wound; till poor Gillespie (who was -a very sensitive man) sat down and cried like a child with vexation. -I never saw him after that night; and I rather think his wound had -completely disabled him, and that eventually he got a discharge.</p> - -<p>I remember a great many of the leaders and heroes of the wars of my own -time. Alas! they have been cleared off of late pretty handsomely! A few -years more, and the world will be without another living remembrancer -of either them or their deeds. The ranks are getting thin, too, amongst -those who, like myself, were the tools with which the great men of -former days won their renown. I don't know a single living man now -who was a comrade during the time I served. Very nearly fifteen years -back, I remember, however, meeting with Robert Liston; and that meeting -brings Marshal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> Beresford to my mind. Robert Liston was a corporal -in the second battalion of the Rifles, when we lay for a few days in -the passages of a convent in Portugal. We were then making for the -frontiers of Spain, when we were swept into that disastrous retreat to -Corunna. There was a punishment parade in the square of this convent. -A soldier of the Ninety-second or Seventy-ninth was the culprit, and -the kilts were formed to witness the performance. Some of the Rifles -were looking from the windows of the convent at the punishment of the -Highlander, when a brickbat was hurled from one of the casements, and -fell at the very toe of the lieutenant-colonel, who was standing in the -midst, and in command of the regiment. The lieutenant-colonel (whose -name I never knew,) was of course indignant at such an act; he gazed -up at the window from which the brick had been thrown, and caused an -inquiry instantly to be made. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> was between the lights when this -happened, and it was impossible to discover who had done it; however, -two or three men of the Rifles were confined on suspicion. A man named -Baker flatly accused Corporal Liston of the act; upon which Liston was -marched a prisoner to Salamanca (a distance, I should think, of some -hundred miles); and often did he complain of his hard fate in being a -prisoner so long. When we got to Salamanca we halted there for eight -days; and Liston, being tried by general court-martial, was sentenced -to receive eight hundred lashes. The whole brigade turned out on the -occasion; and I remember that the drummers of the Ninth regiment were -the inflictors of the lash. Liston received the whole sentence without -a murmur. He had, indeed, been a good soldier, and we were all truly -sorry for him; in fact, he always declared solemnly that he had no -more to do with the brickbat than Marshal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> Beresford who commanded the -brigade. Whoever committed the act, in my opinion, well deserved what -<i>Liston got</i>. Marshal Beresford was in command of the brigade at this -time; and I well remember what a fine-looking soldier he was. He was -equal to his business, too, I should say; and he, amongst others of our -generals, often made me think that the French army had nothing to shew -in the shape of officers who could at all compare with ours. There was -a noble bearing in our leaders, which they, on the French side (as far -as I was capable of observing) had not; and I am convinced that the -English soldier is even better pleased to be commanded by some man of -rank in his own country, than by one who has risen from his own station.</p> - -<p>They are a strange set, the English! and so determined and -unconquerable, that they will have their way if they can. Indeed, -it requires one who has authority in his face,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> as well as at his -back, to make them respect and obey him. They see too often, in the -instance of serjeant-majors, that command does not suit ignorant and -coarse-minded men; and that tyranny is too much used even in the -brief authority which they have. A soldier, I am convinced, is driven -often to insubordination by being worried by these little-minded men -for the veriest trifles, about which the gentleman never thinks of -tormenting him. The moment the severity of the discipline of our army -is relaxed, in my opinion, farewell to its efficiency; but for our men -to be tormented about trifles (as I have seen at times) is often very -injurious to a whole corps.</p> - -<p>I never saw Liston after that punishment whilst in Spain; and I suppose -he remained behind, and got on in the best manner he was able in the -rear; but, about ten years afterwards, as I was passing down Sloane -Street, Chelsea, I observed a watchman calling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> the hour. It struck me -that I knew his face, and, turning back, I stopped him, asking if he -was not Robert Liston, formerly a corporal in the Ninty-fifth Rifles? -After answering in the affirmative, the first words he spoke were, "Oh! -Harris! do you remember what happened to me at Salamanca?"</p> - -<p>"I do <i>well</i>," I said.</p> - -<p>"I was never guilty," he continued. "There is no occasion for me to -deny it now; but I tell you that I was never guilty of the crime for -which I suffered. Baker was a villain, and I believe that he was -himself the culprit."</p> - -<p>I recollect Marshal Beresford making a speech on the subject of the -buttons of our great-coats; and, however such a subject may appear -trifling for a general officer to speak on, I can tell you, it was a -discourse which our men (some of them) much needed; for they had been -in the habit of tearing off the buttons from their coats, and after -hammer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>ing them flat, passing them as English coin, in exchange for the -good wines of Spain. So that, at last, the Spaniards, finding they got -nothing by the exchange but trumpery bits of battered lead, and the -children in that country not being in the habit of playing at dumps as -ours are, they made complaints to the Marshal. Halting the brigade, -therefore, one day, he gave them a speech upon this fraud, and ended -by promising a handsome flogging to the first man he found thereafter, -whose great-coat would not keep buttoned in windy weather.</p> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> One of the light-infantry movements, when pressed by the -advance of the enemy.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER X.</p> - -<p class="center">THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Hiding the gunpowder—False alarm—A halt—The Advance countermanded, -and the Retreat commenced.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>At Sahagun we fell in with the army under command of Sir John Moore. -I forget how many thousand men there were; but they were lying in and -around the town when we arrived. The Rifles marched to an old convent, -some two miles from Sahagun, where we were quartered, together with a -part of the 15th Hussars, some of the Welsh fusileers and straggling -bodies of men belonging to various other regiments; all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> seeming on the -<i>qui vive</i>, and expecting the French to fall in with them every hour. -As our small and way-worn party came to a halt before the walls of the -convent, the men from these different regiments came swarming out to -greet us, loudly cheering us as they rushed up and seized our hands. -The difference in appearance between ourselves and these new comers was -indeed (just then) very great. <i>They</i> looked fresh, from good quarters, -and good rations. Their clothes and accoutrements were comparatively -new and clean, and their cheeks ruddy with the glow of health and -strength; whilst our men, on the contrary, were gaunt-looking, -way-worn, and ragged; our faces burnt almost to the hue of an Asiatic's -by the sun; our accoutrements rent and torn; and many without even -shoes to their feet. However, we had some work in us yet; and perhaps -were in better condition for it than our more fresh-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>looking comrades. -And now our butchers tucked up their sleeves, and quickly set to work, -slaughtering oxen and sheep, which we found within the convent walls; -whilst others of our men, lighting fires in the open air upon the snow, -commenced cooking the fragments, which were cut up, and distributing -to them; so that very soon after our arrival, we were more sumptuously -regaled than we had been for many days.</p> - -<p>After this meal we were ordered into the convent, and, with knapsacks -on our backs, and arms in our hands, threw ourselves down to rest upon -the floor of a long passage. Overcome with hard toil, and long miles, -our wearied men were soon buried in a deep and heavy sleep. In the -middle of the night I remember, as well as if the sounds were at this -moment in my ear, that my name was called out many times without my -being completely awakened by the summons. The repeated call seemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> -mixed up with some circumstance in my dreams; and it was not until -the noise awoke some of the men lying nearer to the entrance of the -passage, and they took up the cry, that I was effectually aroused. -From weariness, and the weight of my knapsack, and the quantity of -implements I carried, I was at first quite unable to gain my legs; but -when I did so, I found that Quarter-master Surtees was the person who -was thus disturbing my rest.</p> - -<p>"Come, be quick there, Harris!" said he, as I picked my way by the -light of the candle he held in his hand; "look amongst the men, and -rouse up all the shoemakers you have in the four companies. I have a -job for them, which must be done instantly."</p> - -<p>With some little trouble, and not a few curses from them, as I stirred -them up with the butt of my rifle, I succeeded in waking several of -our snoring handicrafts; and the quarter-master bidding us instantly -follow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> him, led the way to the very top of the convent stairs. -Passing then into a ruinous-looking apartment, along which we walked -upon the rafters, there being no flooring, he stopped when he arrived -at its further extremity. Here he proceeded to call our attention to -a quantity of barrels of gunpowder lying beside a large heap of raw -bullock's hides.</p> - -<p>"Now, Harris," said he, "keep your eyes open, and mind what you are -about here. General Craufurd orders you instantly to set to work, and -sew up every one of these barrels in the hides lying before you. You -are to sew the skins with the hair outwards, and be quick about it, for -the General swears that if the job is not finished in half-an-hour he -will hang you."</p> - -<p>The latter part of this order was anything but pleasant; and whether -the General ever really gave it, I never had an opportunity of -ascertaining. I only know that I give<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> the words as they were given -me; and, well knowing the stuff Craufurd was made of, I received the -candle from the hands of Surtees, and bidding the men get needles and -waxed thread from their knapsacks, as the quarter-master withdrew, I -instantly prepared to set about the job.</p> - -<p>I often think of that night's work as I sit strapping away in my -little shop in Richmond Street, Soho. It was a curious scene to -look at, and the task neither very easy nor safe. The Riflemen were -wearied, unwilling, and out of temper; and it was as much as I could -do to get them to assist me. Moreover, they were so reckless, that -they seemed rather to wish to blow the convent into the air than to -get on with their work. One moment the candle was dropped, and nearly -extinguished; the next they lost their implements between the rafters -of the floor, flaring the light about amongst the barrels; and wishing, -as I remonstrated with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> them, that the powder might ignite, and blow -me, themselves, and the General to ——. Such were the Riflemen of -the Peninsular War,—daring, gallant, reckless fellows. I had a hard -task to get the work safely finished; but, at length, between coaxing -and bullying these dare-devils, I managed to do so, and together we -returned down the convent stairs; and, finding Surtees awaiting us in -the passage below, he reported to General Craufurd that his order had -been obeyed. After which we were permitted again to lie down, and sleep -till the bugle awoke us next morning.</p> - -<p>We remained in the convent part of the next day, and towards evening -received orders to leave all our women and baggage behind, and advance -towards the enemy. Our four companies accordingly were quickly upon -the move, and before long we came up with the remainder of the Rifle -corps, which had recently arrived from England with Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> John Moore. As -these men saw us coming up they halted for the moment, and gave us one -hearty cheer, allowing our four companies to pass to the front, as the -post of honour, calling us "The heroes of Portugal." As we passed to -the front, we returned their cheer with pride. Our worn appearance and -sun-burnt look gave us the advantage over our comrades, we thought, and -we marched in the van of the vanguard.</p> - -<p>War is a sad blunter of the feelings of men. We felt eager to be at -it again. Nay, I am afraid we longed for blood as the cheer of our -comrades sounded in our ears; and yet, amidst all this, softer feelings -occasionally filled the breasts of those gallant fellows, even whilst -they were thirsting for a sight of the enemy. Some of the men near me -suddenly recollected, as they saw the snow lying thickly in our path, -that this was Christmas eve. The recollection soon spread amongst the -men; and many talked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> of home, and scenes upon that night in other -days, in Old England, shedding tears as they spoke of the relatives and -friends never to be seen by them again.</p> - -<p>As the night approached we became less talkative. The increasing -weariness of our limbs kept our tongues quieter, and we were many of -us half asleep as we walked, when suddenly a shout arose in front that -the French were upon us. In an instant every man was on the alert, -and we were rushing forward, in extended order, to oppose them. It -proved a false alarm; but it nearly cost me a broken bone or two. The -honourable Captain Pakenham (now Sir Hercules Pakenham), on the first -sound of the enemy being in sight, made a dash to get to the front, at -the same moment I myself was scrambling up a bank on the road side. In -the darkness and hurry, the mule the captain was mounted on bore me to -the ground, and, getting his fore-feet fast fixed some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>how between my -neck and my pack, we were fairly hampered for some moments. The captain -swore, the mule floundered, and I bellowed with alarm lest the animal -should dig his feet into my back, and quite disable me. At length, -however, the captain succeeded in getting clear, and spurred over the -bank, as I rolled back into the road. It might be somewhere about two -o'clock in the morning that our advance into Spain was, for that time, -checked, and the retreat to Corunna might be said to commence. General -Craufurd was in command of the brigade, and riding in front, when I -observed a dragoon come spurring furiously along the road to meet us. -He delivered a letter to the General, who turned round in his saddle -the moment he had read a few lines, and thundered out the word "to -halt!" A few minutes more, and we were all turned to the right-about, -and retracing our steps of the night before;—the contents of that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> -epistle serving to furnish our men with many a surmise during the -retrograde movement. When we again neared Sahagun, I remember seeing -the wives and children of the men come rushing into the ranks, and -embracing the husbands and fathers they expected never to see again.</p> - -<p>The entire Rifle corps entered the same convent we had before been -quartered in; but this time we remained enranked in its apartments -and passages, no man being allowed to quit his arms or lie down. We -stood leaning upon the muzzles of our Rifles, and dozed as we stood. -After remaining thus for about an hour, we were then ordered out of -the convent, and the word was again given to march. There was a sort -of thaw on this day, and the rain fell fast. As we passed the walls -of the convent, I observed our General (Craufurd) as he sat upon his -horse, looking at us on the march, and remarked the peculiar sternness -of his features:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> he did not like to see us going rearwards at all; and -many of us judged there must be something wrong, by his severe look and -scowling eye.</p> - -<p>"Keep your ranks there, men!" he said, spurring his horse towards some -Riflemen who were avoiding a small rivulet. "Keep your ranks and move -on,—<i>no straggling</i> from the main body."</p> - -<p>We pushed on all that day without halting; and I recollect the first -thing that struck us as somewhat odd, was our passing one of the -commissariat waggons, overturned and stuck fast in the mud, and which -was abandoned without an effort to save any of its contents. A serjeant -of the 92nd Highlanders, just about this time, fell dead with fatigue, -and no one stopped, as we passed, to offer him any assistance. Night -came down upon us, without our having tasted food, or halted—I speak -for myself, and those around me—and all night long we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> continued this -dreadful march. Men began to look into each other's faces, and ask the -question "Are we ever to be halted again?" and many of the weaker sort -were now seen to stagger, make a few desperate efforts, and then fall, -perhaps to rise no more. Most of us had devoured all we carried in our -haversacks, and endeavoured to catch up anything we could snatch from -hut or cottage in our route. Many, even at this period, would have -straggled from the ranks, and perished, had not Craufurd held them -together with a firm rein. One such bold and stern commander in the -East, during a memorable disaster, and that devoted army had reached -its refuge unbroken! Thus we staggered on, night and day, for about -four days, before we discovered the reason of this continued forced -march. The discovery was made to our company by a good tempered, jolly -fellow, named Patrick Mc Lauchlan. He inquired of an officer,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> marching -directly in his front, the destination intended.</p> - -<p>"By J——s! Musther Hills," I heard him say, "where the d—-l is this -you're taking us to?"</p> - -<p>"To England, Mc Lauchlan," returned the officer, with a melancholy -smile upon his face, as he gave the answer,—"<i>if we can get there</i>."</p> - -<p>"More luck and grace to you," said Mc Lauchlan; "and it's that you're -maning, is it?"</p> - -<p>This Mc Lauchlan was a good specimen of a thorough Irish soldier. -Nothing could disturb his good-humour and high spirits; and even during -a part of this dreadful march, he had ever some piece of Irish humour -upon his tongue's end, whilst he staggered under the weight of his -pack. He would in all probability have been amongst the few who did -reach England; but, during the march, he was attacked with the racking -pains of acute rheumatism, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> frequently fell to the ground screaming -with agony. On such occasions, his companions would do that for him -which they omitted to perform towards others. They many times halted, -heaved him up, and assisted him forwards. Sir Dudley Hill, too, was -greatly interested for Mc Lauchlan, trying to cheer him on, whilst the -men could scarcely refrain from laughter at the extraordinary things he -gave utterance to whilst racked with pain, and staggering with fatigue. -At length, however, Mc Lauchlan fell one dark night, as we hurried -through the streets of a village, and we could not again raise him.</p> - -<p>"It's no use, Harris," I heard him say, in a faint voice, "I can do no -more."</p> - -<p>Next morning, when day broke, he was no longer seen in the ranks, and -as I never saw him again, I conclude he quickly perished.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XI.</p> - -<p class="center">THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Sufferings of the troops—Skirmishes with the pursuers—Two narrow -escapes—The general on his rounds—The enemy—Capture of a French -general—New year's day.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>The information Mc Lauchlan obtained from Lieutenant Hill quickly -spread amongst us, and we now began to see more clearly the horrors of -our situation, and the men to murmur at not being permitted to turn and -stand at bay,—cursing the French, and swearing they would rather die -ten thousand deaths, with their rifles in their hands in opposition, -than endure the present toil. We were in the rear at this time, and -follow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>ing that part of the army which made for Vigo, whilst the other -portion of the British, being on the main road to Corunna, were at -this moment closely pursued and harassed by the enemy, as I should -judge from the continued thunder of their cannon and rattle of their -musketry. Craufurd seemed to sniff the sound of battle from afar with -peculiar feelings. He halted us for a few minutes occasionally, when -the distant clamour became more distinct, and his face turned towards -the sound, and seemed to light up, and become less stern. It was then -indeed that every poor fellow clutched his weapon more firmly, and -wished for a sight of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Before long, they had their wish: the enemy's cavalry were on our -skirts that night; and as we rushed out of a small village, the name -of which I cannot now recollect, we turned to bay. Behind broken-down -carts and tumbrils, huge trunks of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> trees, and everything we could -scrape together, the Rifles lay and blazed away at the advancing -cavalry, whilst the inhabitants, suddenly aroused from their beds to -behold their village almost on fire with our continued discharges, and -nearly distracted with the sound, ran from their houses, crying "<i>Viva -l'Englisa!</i>" and "<i>Viva la Franca!</i>" in a breath;—men, women, and -children flying to the open country, in their alarm.</p> - -<p>We passed the night thus engaged, holding our own as well as we could, -together with the 43rd Light Infantry, the 52nd, a portion of the -German Legion, part of the 10th Hussars, and the 15th Dragoons. Towards -morning we moved down towards a small bridge, still followed by the -enemy, whom, however, we had sharply galled, and obliged to be more -wary in their efforts. The rain was pouring down in torrents on this -morning I recollect, and we remained many hours with our arms ported, -standing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> in this manner, and staring the French cavalry in the face, -the water actually running out of the muzzles of our rifles. I do not -recollect seeing a single regiment of infantry amongst the French force -on this day; it seemed to me a tremendous body of cavalry—some said -nine or ten thousand strong—commanded, as I heard, by General Lefebvre.</p> - -<p>Whilst we stood thus, face to face, I remember the horsemen of the -enemy sat watching us very intently, as if waiting for a favourable -moment to dash upon us like beasts of prey; and every now and then -their trumpets would ring out a lively strain of music, as if to -encourage them. As the night drew on, our cavalry moved a little to the -front, together with several field-pieces, and succeeded in crossing -the bridge; after which we also advanced, and threw ourselves into some -hilly ground on either side the road; whilst the 43rd and 52nd lay -behind<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> some carts, trunks of trees, and other materials with which -they had formed a barrier.</p> - -<p>General Craufurd was standing behind this barricade, when he ordered -the Rifles to push still further in front, and conceal themselves -amongst the hills on either side. A man named Higgins was my front-rank -man at this moment. "Harris," said he, "let you and I gain the very top -of the mountain, and look out what those French thieves are at on the -other side."</p> - -<p>My feet were sore and bleeding, and the sinews of my legs ached as -if they would burst, but I resolved to accompany him. In our wearied -state, the task was not easy, but, by the aid of Higgins, a tall and -powerful fellow, I managed to reach the top of the mountain, where we -placed ourselves in a sort of gully, or ditch, and looked over to the -enemy's side, concealing ourselves by lying flat in the ditch, as we -did so. Thus, in favourable situations, like cats watching<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> for their -prey, were the rest of the Rifles lying perdu upon the hills that -night. The mountain, we found, was neither so steep nor so precipitous -on the enemy's side. The ascent, on the contrary, was so easy, that -one or two of the videttes of the French cavalry were prowling about -very near where we lay. As we had received orders not to make more -noise than we could help, not even to speak to each other, except in -whispers, although one of these horsemen approached close to where -I lay, I forebore to fire upon him. At length he stopped so near -me, that I saw it was almost impossible he could avoid discovering -that the Rifles were in such close proximity to his person. He gazed -cautiously along the ridge, took off his helmet, and wiped his face, -as he appeared to meditate upon the propriety of crossing the ditch in -which we lay; when suddenly our eyes met, and in an instant he plucked -a pistol from his holster, fired it in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> my face, and, wheeling his -horse, plunged down the hill side. For the moment I thought I was hit, -as the ball grazed my neck,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> and stuck fast in my knapsack, where I -found it, when, many days afterwards, I unpacked my kit on ship-board. -About a quarter of an hour after this, as we still lay in the gully, I -heard some person clambering up behind us, and, upon turning quickly -round, I found it was General Craufurd. The General was wrapped in -his great-coat, and, like ourselves, had been for many hours drenched -to the skin, for the rain was coming down furiously. He carried in -his hand a canteen full of rum, and a small cup, with which he was -occasionally endeavouring to refresh some of the men. He offered me a -drink, as he passed, and then proceeded onwards along the ridge. After -he had emptied his canteen, he came past us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> again, and himself gave us -instructions as to our future proceedings.</p> - -<p>"When all is ready, Riflemen," said he, "you will immediately get the -word, and pass over the bridge. Be careful, and mind what you are -about."</p> - -<p>Accordingly, a short time after he had left us, we were ordered to -descend the mountain-side in single file, and having gained the road, -were quickly upon the bridge. Meanwhile the Staff Corps had been hard -at work mining the very centre of the structure, which was filled with -gunpowder, a narrow plank being all the aid we had by which to pass -over. For my own part, I was now so utterly helpless, that I felt as -if all was nearly up with me, and that, if I could steady myself so -as to reach the further end of the plank, it would be all I should be -able to accomplish. However, we managed all of us to reach the other -side in safety, when, almost immediately afterwards, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> bridge blew -up with a tremendous report, and a house at its extremity burst into -flames. What, with the concussion of the explosion, and the tremulous -state of my limbs, I was thrown to the ground, and lay flat upon my -face for some time, almost in a state of insensibility. After awhile I -somewhat recovered; but it was not without extreme difficulty, and many -times falling again, that I succeeded in regaining the column. Soon -after I had done so, we reached Benevento, and immediately took refuge -in a convent. Already three parts of it were filled with other troops, -among which were mingled the 10th Hussars, the German Legion, and the -15th Dragoons; the horses of these regiments standing as close as they -could stand, with the men dismounted between each horse, the animals' -heads to the walls of the building, and all in readiness to turn out on -the instant. Liquor was handed to us by the Dragoons,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> but having had -nothing for some time to eat, many of our men became sick, instead of -receiving any benefit from it.</p> - -<p>Before we had been in the convent as long a time as I have been -describing our arrival, every man of us was down on the floor, and -well nigh asleep; and before we had slept half an hour, we were again -aroused from our slumbers by the clatter of the horses, the clash of -the men's sabres, and their shouts for us to clear the way.</p> - -<p>"The enemy! The enemy!" I heard shouted out.</p> - -<p>"Clear the way, Rifles! Up boys, and clear the way!"</p> - -<p>In short, the Dragoons hardly gave us time to rise, before they were -leading their horses amongst us, and getting out of the convent as -fast as they could scamper, whilst we ourselves were not long in -following their example. As we did so, we discovered that the French -cavalry, having found the bridge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> blown-up, had dashed into the stream, -and succeeded in crossing. Our cavalry, however, quickly formed, and -charged them in gallant style.</p> - -<p>The shock of that encounter was tremendous to look upon, and we stood -for some time enranked, watching the combatants. The horsemen had it -all to themselves; our Dragoons fought like tigers,<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> and, although -greatly overmatched, drove the enemy back like a torrent, and forced -them again into the river. A private of the 10th Hussars—his name, -I think, was Franklin—dashed into the stream after their General -(Lefebvre), assailed him, sword in hand, in the water, captured, and -brought him a prisoner on shore again. If I remember rightly, Franklin, -or whatever else was his name, was made a Serjeant on the spot. The -French General was delivered into our custody on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> that occasion, and we -cheered the 10th men heartily as we received him.</p> - -<p>After the enemy had received this check from our cavalry, and which -considerably damped their ardour, making them a trifle more shy of us -for awhile, we pushed onwards on our painful march. I remember marching -close beside the French general during some part of this day, and -observing his chap-fallen and dejected look as he rode along in the -midst of the green jackets.</p> - -<p>Being constantly in rear of the main body, the scenes of distress and -misery I witnessed were dreadful to contemplate, particularly amongst -the women and children, who were lagging and falling behind, their -husbands and fathers being in the main body in our front. We now came -to the edge of a deep ravine, the descent so steep and precipitous, -that it was impossible to keep our feet in getting down, and we were -sometimes obliged to sit, and slide along on our backs; whilst<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> before -us rose a ridge of mountains quite as steep and difficult of ascent. -There was, however, no pause in our exertion, but, slinging our rifles -round our necks, down the hill we went; whilst mules with the baggage -on their backs, wearied and urged beyond their strength, were seen -rolling from top to bottom; many of them breaking their necks with the -fall, and the baggage crushed, smashed, and abandoned.</p> - -<p>I remember, as I descended this hill, remarking the extraordinary sight -afforded by the thousands of our red-coats, who were creeping like -snails, and toiling up the ascent before us, their muskets slung round -their necks, and clambering with both hands as they hauled themselves -up. As soon as we ourselves had gained the ascent we were halted for a -few minutes, in order to give us breath for another effort, and then -onwards we moved again.</p> - -<p>It is impossible for me to keep any ac<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>count of time in this -description, as I never exactly knew how many days and nights we -marched; but I well know we kept on for many successive days and -nights, without rest, or much in the way of food. The long day found us -still pushing on, and the night caused us no halt.</p> - -<p>After leaving the hills I have mentioned, and which I heard at the time -were called the Mountains of Galicia, as we passed through a village, -our Major resolved to try and get us something in the shape of a -better meal than we had been able hitherto to procure. He accordingly -despatched a small party, who were somewhat more fresh than their -comrades, to try and procure something from the houses around; and -they accordingly purchased, shot, and bayoneted, somewhere about a -score of pigs, which we lugged along with us to a convent just without -the town; and, halt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>ing for a short time, proceeded to cook them. The -men, however, were too hungry to wait whilst they were being properly -dressed and served out.</p> - -<p>After this hasty meal, we again pushed on, still cursing the enemy for -not again shewing themselves, that we might revenge some of our present -miseries upon their heads.</p> - -<p>"Why don't they come on like men," they cried, "whilst we've strength -left in us to fight them?"</p> - -<p>We were now upon the mountains; the night was bitter cold, and the snow -falling fast. As day broke, I remember hearing Lieutenant Hill say to -another officer (who, by the way, afterwards sank down, and died),</p> - -<p>"This is New Year's Day; and, I think if we live to see another, we -shall not easily forget it."</p> - -<p>The mountains were now becoming more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> wild-looking and steep, as we -proceeded; whilst those few huts we occasionally passed seemed so -utterly forlorn and wretched-looking, it appeared quite a wonder -how human beings could live in so desolate a home. After the snow -commenced, the hills became so slippery (being in many parts covered -with ice), that several of our men frequently slipped and fell, and -being unable to rise, gave themselves up to despair, and died. There -was now no endeavour to assist one another after a fall; it was every -one for himself, and God for us all!</p> - -<p>The enemy, I should think, were at this time frequently close upon our -trail; and I thought at times I heard their trumpets come down the wind -as we marched. Towards the dusk of the evening of this day I remember -passing a man and woman lying clasped in each other's arms, and dying -in the snow. I knew them both;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> but it was impossible to help them. -They belonged to the Rifles, and were man and wife. The man's name was -Joseph Sitdown. During this retreat, as he had not been in good health -previously, himself and wife had been allowed to get on in the best -way they could in the front. They had, however, now given in, and the -last we ever saw of poor Sitdown and his wife was on that night, lying -perishing in each other's arms in the snow.</p> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> This ball I found in one of my shirts, and kept it long -afterwards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> It was said that Napoleon observed this encounter from the -heights.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XII.</p> - -<p class="center">THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">The wind and the shorn lamb—General Craufurd, and his treatment of -the mutineers—An officer unmanned—Craufurd's inflexibility and -endurance.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Many trivial things which happened during the retreat to Corunna, and -which on any other occasion might have entirely passed from my memory, -have been, as it were, branded into my remembrance, and I recollect -the most trifling incidents which occurred from day to day during that -march. I remember, amongst other matters, that we were joined, if I may -so term it, by a young recruit, when such an addition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> was anything -but wished for during the disasters of the hour. One of the men's -wives (who was struggling forward in the ranks with us, presenting a -ghastly picture of illness, misery, and fatigue,) being very large in -the family-way, towards evening stepped from amongst the crowd, and -lay herself down amidst the snow, a little out of the main road. Her -husband remained with her; and I heard one or two hasty observations -amongst our men, that they had taken possession of their last -resting-place. The enemy were, indeed, not far behind at this time, the -night was coming down, and their chance seemed in truth but a bad one. -To remain behind the column of march in such weather was to perish, and -we accordingly soon forgot all about them. To my surprise, however, -I, some little time afterwards (being myself then in the rear of our -party), again saw the woman. She was hurrying, with her husband, after -us, and in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> her arms she carried the babe she had just given birth to. -Her husband and herself, between them, managed to carry that infant to -the end of the retreat, where we embarked. God tempers the wind, it -is said, to the shorn lamb; and many years afterwards I saw that boy, -a strong and healthy lad. The woman's name was M'Guire, a sturdy and -hardy Irishwoman; and lucky was it for herself and babe that she was -so, as that night of cold and sleet was in itself sufficient to try -the constitution of most females. I lost sight of her, I recollect, on -this night, when the darkness came upon us; but with the dawn, to my -surprise, she was still amongst us.</p> - -<p>The shoes and boots of our party were now mostly either destroyed or -useless to us, from foul roads and long miles, and many of the men were -entirely barefooted, with knapsacks and accoutrements altogether in a -dilapidated state. The officers were also,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> for the most part, in as -miserable a plight. They were pallid, way-worn, their feet bleeding, -and their faces overgrown with beards of many days' growth. What a -contrast did our corps display, even at this period of the retreat, -to my remembrance of them on the morning their dashing appearance -captivated my fancy in Ireland! Many of the poor fellows, now near -sinking with fatigue, reeled as if in a state of drunkenness, and -altogether I thought we looked the ghosts of our former selves; still -we held on resolutely: our officers behaved nobly; and Craufurd was -not to be daunted by long miles, fatigue, or fine weather. Many a man -in that retreat caught courage from his stern eye and gallant bearing. -Indeed, I do not think the world ever saw a more perfect soldier than -General Craufurd. It might be on the night following the disaster -I have just narrated, that we came to a halt for about a couple of -hours in a small village, and together with several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> others, I sought -shelter in the stable of a sort of farm-house, the first roof I saw -near. Here, however, we found nothing to refresh ourselves with, by -way of food, but some raw potatoes lying in a heap in one of the empty -stalls, and which, for want of better rations, we made a meal of, -before we threw ourselves down upon the stones with which the place -was paved. Meanwhile, others of the men, together with two or three -of our officers, more fortunate than ourselves, had possession of the -rooms of the adjoining building, where they found at least a fire to -warm themselves. Lieutenant Hill had a black servant with him in this -retreat, a youth he had brought with him from Monte Video, where, -I heard, the Rifles had found him tied to a gun they had captured -there. This lad came and aroused me as I lay in the mule-stable, and -desired me to speak with his master in the adjoining room. I found the -lieutenant seated in a chair by the fire when I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> entered. He was one -of the few amongst us who rejoiced in the possession of a tolerably -decent pair of boots, and he had sent for me to put a few stitches in -them; in order to keep them from flying to pieces. I was so utterly -wearied, that I at first refused to have anything to do with them; but -the officer, taking off his boots, insisted upon my getting out my -wax threads and mending them; and himself and servant, thrusting me -into the chair he arose from, put the boots into my hands, got out my -shoe-making implements, and held me up as I attempted to cobble up the -boots. It was, however, in vain that I tried to do my best towards the -lieutenant's boots. After a few stitches, I fell asleep as I worked, -the awl and wax-ends falling to the ground. I remember there were two -other officers present at the time, Lieutenants Molloy and Keppel, -the latter of whom soon afterwards fell dead from fatigue during this -retreat. At the present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> time, however, they all saw it was in vain to -urge me to mend Lieutenant Hill's boots. He therefore put them on again -with a woeful face and a curse, and dismissed me to my repose. Our rest -was not, however, of long duration. The French were upon our trail, and -before long we were up and hurrying onwards again.</p> - -<p>As the day began to dawn, we passed through another village—a long, -straggling place. The houses were all closed at this early hour, and -the inhabitants mostly buried in sleep, and, I dare say, unconscious of -the armed thousands who were pouring through their silent streets. When -about a couple of miles from this village, Craufurd again halted us -for about a quarter of an hour. It appeared to me that, with returning -daylight, he wished to have a good look at us this morning, for he -mingled amongst the men as we stood leaning upon our rifles, gazing -earnestly in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> our faces as he passed, in order to judge of our plight -by our countenances. He himself appeared anxious, but full of fire and -spirit, occasionally giving directions to the different officers, and -then speaking words of encouragement to the men. It is my pride now -to remember that General Craufurd seldom omitted a word in passing to -myself. On this occasion, he stopped in the midst, and addressed a few -words to me, and glancing down at my feet, observed:</p> - -<p>"What! no shoes, Harris, I see, eh?"</p> - -<p>"None, sir," I replied; "they have been gone many days back." He -smiled, and passing on, spoke to another man, and so on through the -whole body.</p> - -<p>Craufurd was, I remember, terribly severe, during this retreat, if he -caught anything like pilfering amongst the men. As we stood, however, -during this short halt, a very tempting turnip-field was close on the -side of us, and several of the men were so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> ravenous, that although -he was in our very ranks, they stepped into the field and helped -themselves to the turnips, devouring them like famishing wolves. He -either did not or would not observe the delinquency this time, and soon -afterwards gave the word, and we moved on once more.</p> - -<p>About this period I remember another sight, which I shall not to -my dying day forget; and it causes me a sore heart, even now, as I -remember it. Soon after our halt beside the turnip-field the screams -of a child near me caught my ear, and drew my attention to one of -our women, who was endeavouring to drag along a little boy of about -seven or eight years of age. The poor child was apparently completely -exhausted, and his legs failing under him. The mother had occasionally, -up to this time, been assisted by some of the men, taking it in turn -to help the little fellow on; but now all further appeal was vain. No -man had more strength<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> than was necessary for the support of his own -carcass, and the mother could no longer raise the child in her arms, as -her reeling pace too plainly shewed. Still, however, she continued to -drag the child along with her. It was a pitiable sight, and wonderful -to behold the efforts the poor woman made to keep the boy amongst us. -At last the little fellow had not even strength to cry, but, with mouth -wide open, stumbled onwards, until both sank down to rise no more. The -poor woman herself had, for some time, looked a moving corpse; and -when the shades of evening came down, they were far behind amongst the -dead or dying in the road. This was not the only scene of the sort I -witnessed amongst the women and children during that retreat. Poor -creatures! they must have bitterly regretted not having accepted the -offer which was made to them to embark at Lisbon for England, instead -of accompanying their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> husbands into Spain. The women, however, I have -often observed, are most persevering in such cases, and are not to be -persuaded that their presence is often a source of anxiety to the corps -they belong to.</p> - -<p>I do not think I ever admired any man who wore the British uniform more -than I did General Craufurd.</p> - -<p>I could fill a book with descriptions of him; for I frequently had my -eye upon him in the hurry of action. It was gratifying to me, too, -to think he did not altogether think ill of me, since he has often -addressed me kindly when, from adverse circumstances, you might have -thought that he had scarcely spirits to cheer up the men under him. The -Rifles liked him, but they also feared him; for he could be terrible -when insubordination shewed itself in the ranks. "You think, because -you are Riflemen, you may do whatever you think proper," said he, one -day, to the miserable and savage-looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> crew around him, in the -retreat to Corunna; "but I'll teach you the difference before I have -done with you." I remember one evening, during the retreat, he detected -two men straying away from the main body: it was in the early stage -of that disastrous flight, and Craufurd knew well that he must do his -utmost to keep the division together. He halted the brigade with a -voice of thunder, ordered a drum-head court-martial on the instant, -and they were sentenced to a hundred a-piece. Whilst this hasty trial -was taking place, Craufurd dismounting from his horse, stood in the -midst, looking stern and angry as a worried bull-dog. He did not like -retreating at all, that man.</p> - -<p>The three men nearest him, as he stood, were Jagger, Dan Howans, and -myself. All were worn, dejected, and savage, though nothing to what we -were after a few days more of the retreat. The whole brigade were in -a grumbling and discontented mood;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> and Craufurd, doubtless, felt ill -pleased with the aspect of affairs altogether.</p> - -<p>"D—n his eyes!" muttered Howans, "he had much better try to get us -something to eat and drink, than harass us in this way."</p> - -<p>No sooner had Howans disburdened his conscience of this growl, than -Craufurd, who had overheard it, turning sharply round, seized the rifle -out of Jagger's hand, and felled him to the earth with the butt-end.</p> - -<p>"It was not I who spoke," said Jagger, getting up, and shaking his -head. "You shouldn't knock me about."</p> - -<p>"I heard you, sir," said Craufurd; "and I will bring you also to a -court-martial."</p> - -<p>"I am the man who spoke," said Howans. "Ben Jagger never said a word."</p> - -<p>"Very well," returned Craufurd, "then I'll try you, sir."</p> - -<p>And, accordingly, when the other affair was disposed of, Howans' case -came on. By the time the three men were tried, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> was too dark to -inflict the punishment. Howans, however, had got the complement of -three hundred promised to him; so Craufurd gave the word to the brigade -to move on. He marched all that night on foot; and when the morning -dawned, I remember that, like the rest of us, his hair, beard, and -eye-brows, were covered with the frost, as if he had grown white with -age. We were, indeed, all of us in the same condition. Scarcely had -I time to notice the appearance of morning before the general once -more called a halt—we were then on the hills. Ordering a square to be -formed, he spoke to the brigade, as well as I can remember, in these -words, after having ordered the three before-named men of the 95th to -be brought into the square:—</p> - -<p>"Although," said he, "I should obtain the good-will neither of the -officers nor the men of the brigade here by so doing, I am resolved to -punish these three men, according<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> to the sentence awarded, even though -the French are at our heels. Begin with Daniel Howans."</p> - -<p>This was indeed no time to be lax in discipline, and the general knew -it. The men, as I said, were, some of them, becoming careless and -ruffianly in their demeanour; whilst others, again, I saw with the -tears falling down their cheeks from the agony of their bleeding feet, -and many were ill with dysentery from the effects of the bad food they -had got hold of and devoured on the road. Our knapsacks, too, were a -bitter enemy on this prolonged march. Many a man died, I am convinced, -who would have borne up well to the end of the retreat, but for the -infernal load we carried on our backs. My own knapsack was my bitterest -enemy; I felt it press me to the earth almost at times, and more than -once felt as if I should die under its deadly embrace. The knapsacks, -in my opinion, should have been abandoned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> at the very commencement of -the retrograde movement, as it would have been better to have lost them -altogether, if, by such loss, we could have saved the poor fellows who, -as it was, died strapped to them on the road.</p> - -<p>There was some difficulty in finding a place to tie Howans up, as the -light brigade carried no halberts. However, they led him to a slender -ash tree which grew near at hand.</p> - -<p>"Don't trouble yourselves about tying <i>me</i> up," said Howans, folding -his arms; "I'll take my punishment like a man!"</p> - -<p>He did so without a murmur, receiving the whole three hundred. His -wife, who was present with us, I remember, was a strong, hardy -Irishwoman. When it was over, she stepped up and covered Howans with -his grey great-coat. The general then gave the word to move on. I -rather think he knew the enemy was too near to punish the other two -delinquents just then; so we proceeded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> out of the corn-field in which -we had been halted, and toiled away upon the hills once more, Howans' -wife carrying the jacket, knapsack, and pouch, which the lacerated -state of the man's back would not permit him to bear.</p> - -<p>It could not have been, I should think, more than an hour after the -punishment had been inflicted upon Howans, when the general again -gave the word for the brigade to halt, and once more formed them into -square. We had begun to suppose that he intended to allow the other two -delinquents to escape, under the present difficulties and hardships of -the retreat. He was not, however, one of the forgetful sort, when the -discipline of the army under him made severity necessary.</p> - -<p>"Bring out the two other men of the 95th," said he, "who were tried -last night."</p> - -<p>The men were brought forth accordingly, and their lieutenant-colonel, -Hamilton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> Wade, at the same time stepped forth. He walked up to the -general, and lowering his sword, requested that he would forgive these -men, as they were both of them good soldiers, and had fought in all the -battles of Portugal.</p> - -<p>"I order <i>you</i>, sir," said the general, "to do your duty. These men -shall be punished."</p> - -<p>The lieutenant-colonel, therefore, recovering his sword, turned about, -and fell back to the front of the Rifles. One of the men, upon this (I -think it was Armstrong), immediately began to unstrap his knapsack, -and prepare for the lash. Craufurd had turned about meanwhile, and -walked up to one side of the square. Apparently he suddenly relented -a little, and, again turning sharp round, returned towards the two -prisoners. "Stop," said he. "In consequence of the intercession of your -lieutenant-colonel, I will allow you thus much:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> you shall draw lots, -and the winner shall escape; but one of the two I am determined to make -an example of."</p> - -<p>The square was formed in a stubble-field, and the sergeant-major of -the Rifles, immediately stooping down, plucked up two straws, and the -men, coming forward, drew. I cannot be quite certain, but I think it -was Armstrong who drew the longest straw, and won the safety of his -hide; and his fellow gamester was in quick time tied to a tree; and the -punishment commenced. A hundred was the sentence; but when the bugler -had counted seventy-five, the general granted him a further indulgence, -and ordered him to be taken down, and to join his company. The general -calling for his horse, now mounted for the first time for many hours; -for he had not ridden all night, not, indeed, since the drum-head -court-martial had taken place. Before he put the brigade in motion -again, he gave us another short spe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>cimen of his eloquence, pretty -much, I remember, after this style:—</p> - -<p>"I give you all notice," said he, "that I will halt the brigade again -the very first moment I perceive any man disobeying my orders, and try -him by court-martial on the spot." He then gave us the word, and we -resumed our march.</p> - -<p>Many who read this, especially in these peaceful times, may suppose -this was a cruel and unnecessary severity under the dreadful and -harassing circumstances of that retreat; but I, who was there, and -was, besides, a common soldier of the very regiment to which these -men belonged, say <i>it was quite necessary</i>. No man but one formed of -stuff like General Craufurd could have saved the brigade from perishing -altogether; and, if he flogged two, he saved hundreds from death by -his management. I detest the sight of the lash; but I am convinced the -British army can never go on without it. Late events<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> have taught us -the necessity of such measures.</p> - -<p>It was perhaps a couple of days after this had taken place that we came -to a river. It was tolerably wide, but not very deep, which was just as -well for us; for, had it been deep as the dark regions, we must have -somehow or other got through. The avenger was behind us, and Craufurd -was along with us, and the two together kept us moving, whatever was -in the road. Accordingly, into the stream went the light brigade, and -Craufurd, as busy as a shepherd with his flock, riding in and out of -the water, to keep his wearied band from being drowned as they crossed -over. Presently he spied an officer who, to save himself from being -wet through, I suppose, and wearing a damp pair of breeches for the -remainder of the day, had mounted on the back of one of his men. The -sight of such a piece of effeminacy was enough to raise the choler of -the general, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> in a very short time he was plunging and splashing -through the water after them both.</p> - -<p>"Put him down, sir! put him down! I desire you to put that officer down -instantly!" And the soldier in an instant, I dare say nothing loth, -dropping his burden, like a hot potatoe, into the stream, continued his -progress through. "Return back, sir," said Craufurd to the officer, -"and go through the water like the others. I will not allow my officers -to ride upon the men's backs through the rivers: all must take their -share alike here."</p> - -<p>Wearied as we were, this affair caused all who saw it to shout almost -with laughter, and was never forgotten by those who survived the -retreat.</p> - -<p>General Craufurd was, indeed, one of the few men who was apparently -created for command during such dreadful scenes as we were familiar -with in this retreat. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> seemed an iron man; nothing daunted -him—nothing turned him from his purpose. War was his very element, and -toil and danger seemed to call forth only an increasing determination -to surmount them. I was sometimes amused with his appearance, and that -of the men around us; for, the Rifles being always at his heels, he -seemed to think them his familiars. If he stopped his horse, and halted -to deliver one of his stern reprimands, you would see half-a-dozen -lean, unshaven, shoeless, and savage Riflemen, standing for the moment -leaning upon their weapons, and scowling up in his face as he scolded; -and when he dashed the spurs into his reeking horse, they would throw -up their rifles upon their shoulders, and hobble after him again. He -was sometimes to be seen in the front, then in the rear, and then you -would fall in with him again in the midst, dismounted, and marching -on foot, that the men might see he took an equal share in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> toils -which they were enduring. He had a mortal dislike, I remember, to a -commissary. Many a time have I heard him storming at the neglect of -those gentry, when the men were starving for rations, and nothing but -excuses forthcoming.</p> - -<p>"Send the commissary to me!" he would roar. "D—n him! I will hang him -if the provisions are not up this night!"</p> - -<p>Twice I remember he was in command of the light brigade. The second -time he joined them he made, I heard, something like these remarks, -after they had been some little time in Spain:—</p> - -<p>"When I commanded you before," he said, "I know full well that you -disliked me, for you thought me severe. <i>This time I am glad to find -there is a change in yourselves.</i>"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XIII.</p> - -<p class="center">THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Nightfall in the wilderness—Dangerous ground—Men lost—Craufurd's -magic lantern—A friend in need—Sir Dudley Hill.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Towards evening, of the same day Howans was punished, we came to a -part of the country of a yet wilder and more desolate appearance even -than that we had already traversed; a dreary wilderness it appeared -at this inclement season: and our men, spite of the vigilance of the -General, seemed many of them resolved to stray into the open country, -rather than traverse the road before them. The coming night fa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>voured -their designs, and many were, before morning, lost to us through their -own wilfulness. Amongst others, I found myself completely bewildered -and lost upon the heath, and should doubtless have perished had I not -fallen in with another of our corps in the same situation. As soon -as we recognised each other, I found my companion in adversity was a -strapping resolute fellow named James Brooks, a north of Ireland man. -He was afterwards killed at Toulouse, by a musket ball which struck him -in the thigh. He was delighted at having met with me, and we resolved -not to desert each other during the night. Brooks, as I have said, -was a strong, active, and resolute fellow, as indeed I had, on more -occasions than one, witnessed in Portugal. At the present time, his -strength was useful to both of us.</p> - -<p>"Catch hold of my jacket, Harris," said he: "the ground here is soft, -and we must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> help each other to-night, or we shall be lost in the bogs."</p> - -<p>Before long, that which Brooks feared, happened; and he found himself -stuck so fast in the morass, that although I used my best efforts to -draw him out, I only shared in the same disaster; so that, leaving him, -I turned and endeavoured to save my own life if possible, calling to -him to follow before he sank over head and ears. This was an unlucky -chance in our wearied state, as the more we floundered in the dark, -not knowing which way to gain a firmer foundation, the faster we fixed -ourselves. Poor Brooks was so disheartened, that he actually blubbered -like a child. At length, during a pause in our exertions, I thought -I heard something like the bark of a dog come down the wind. I bade -Brooks listen, and we both distinctly heard it—the sound gave us new -hope, just as we were about to abandon ourselves to our fate. I advised -Brooks to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> lay himself as flat as he could, and drag himself out of -the slough, as I had found some hard tufts of grass in the direction I -tried; and so, by degrees, we gained a firmer footing, and eventually -succeeded in extricating ourselves, though in such an exhausted state, -that for some time we lay helplessly upon the ground, unable to proceed.</p> - -<p>At length with great caution, we ventured to move forwards in the -direction of the sounds we had just heard. We found, however, that our -situation was still very perilous; for in the darkness we hardly dared -to move a step in any direction, without probing the ground with our -rifles, lest we should again sink, and be eventually smothered in the -morasses we had strayed amongst. On a sudden, however (as we carefully -felt our way), we heard voices shouting in the distance, and calling -out "<i>Men</i> lost! <i>men</i> lost!" which we immediately concluded were the -cries of some of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> our own people, who were situated like ourselves.</p> - -<p>After awhile, I thought I saw, far away, something like a dancing -light, which seemed to flicker about, vanish, and reappear, similar -to a Jack-o'-lantern. I pointed it out to Brooks, and we agreed to -alter our course, and move towards it. As we did so, the light seemed -to approach us, and grow larger, and presently another and another -appeared, like small twinkling stars, till they looked something like -the lamps upon one of our London bridges, as seen from afar. The sight -revived our spirits, more especially as we could now distinctly hear -the shouts of people, who appeared in search of the stragglers, and as -they approached us, we perceived that such was indeed the case. The -lights, we now discovered, were furnished by bundles of straw and dried -twigs, tied on the ends of long poles, and dipped in tar. They were -borne in the hands of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> several Spanish peasants, from a village near at -hand, whom Craufurd had thus sent to our rescue.</p> - -<p>He had discovered, on reaching and halting in this village, the number -of men that had strayed from the main body, and immediately ordering -the torches I have mentioned to be prepared, he collected together a -party of Spanish peasants, and obliged them to go out into the open -country, and seek for his men, as I have said; by which means he saved -(on that night) many from death.</p> - -<p>To return to my own adventures on this night. When Brooks and myself -reached the village I have mentioned, we found it filled with soldiers, -standing and lying, huddled together like cattle in a fair. A most -extraordinary sight it appeared, as the torches of the peasants flashed -upon the way-worn and gaunt figures of our army. The rain was coming -down, too, on this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> night, I remember; and soon after I reached our -corps, I fell helplessly to the ground in a miserable plight. Brooks -was himself greatly exhausted, but he behaved nobly, and remained -beside me, trying to persuade some of our men to assist him in lifting -me up, and gaining shelter in one of the houses at hand. "May I be —!" -I heard him say, "if I leave Harris to be butchered in the streets by -the cowardly Spaniards the moment our division leaves the town." At -length Brooks succeeded in getting a man to help him, and together they -supported me into the passage of a house, where I lay upon the floor -for some time. After awhile, by the help of some wine they procured, I -rallied and sat up, till eventually I got once more upon my legs, and, -arm in arm, we proceeded again into the streets, and joined our corps. -Poor Brooks certainly saved my life that night. He was one of the many -good fellows whom I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> seen out, and I often think of him with -feelings of gratitude as I sit at my work in Richmond Street, Soho.</p> - -<p>When the division got the order to proceed again, we were still linked -arm in arm, and thus we proceeded; sometimes, when the day appeared, -stopping for a short time and resting ourselves, and then hurrying on -again.</p> - -<p>I remember Sir Dudley Hill passing me on a mule this day. He wore a -Spanish straw-hat, and had his cloak on. He looked back when he had -passed, and addressed me. "Harris," said he, "I see you cannot keep -up." He appeared sorry for me, for he knew me well. "You must do your -best," he said, "my man, and keep with us, or you will fall into the -hands of the enemy." As the day wore on, I grew weaker and weaker; -and at last, spite of all my efforts, I saw the main body leave me -hopelessly in the lurch. Brooks himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> was getting weaker too; he -saw it was of little use to urge me on, and at length, assenting to my -repeated request to be left behind, he hurried on as well as he was -able without a word of farewell. I now soon sank down in the road and -lay beside another man who had also fallen, and was apparently dead, -and whom I recognised as one of our sergeants, named Taylor, belonging -to the Honourable Captain Pakenham's (now General Sir Hercules -Pakenham) company.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XIV.</p> - -<p class="center">THE RETREAT TO CORUNNA.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Fate of the stragglers—A Spanish welcome—Scenes upon the line of -march—The English ships in sight—The embarkation and arrival of the -troops in England.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>Whilst we lay exhausted in the road, the rear guard, which was now -endeavouring to drive on the stragglers, approached, and a sergeant of -the Rifles came up, and stopped to look at us. He addressed himself -to me, and ordered me to rise; but I told him it was useless for him -to trouble himself about me, as I was unable to move a step further. -Whilst he was urging me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> to endeavour to rise up, the officer in -command of the rear guard also stepped up. The name of this officer was -Lieutenant Cox; he was a brave and good man, and observing that the -sergeant was rough in his language and manner towards me, he silenced -him, and bade the guard proceed, and leave me. "Let him die quietly, -Hicks," he said to the sergeant. "I know him well; he's not the man to -lie here if he could get on.—I am sorry, Harris," he said, "to see you -reduced to this, for I fear there is no help to be had now." He then -moved on after his men, and left me to my fate.</p> - -<p>After lying still for awhile, I felt somewhat restored, and sat up to -look about me. The sight was by no means cheering. On the road behind -me I saw men, women, mules, and horses, lying at intervals, both dead -and dying; whilst far away in front I could just discern the enfeebled -army crawl<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>ing out of sight, the women<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> huddled together in its rear, -trying their best to get forward amongst those of the sick soldiery, -who were now unable to keep up with the main body. After awhile, I -found that my companion, the sergeant, who lay beside me, had also -recovered a little, and I tried to cheer him up. I told him that -opposite to where we were lying there was a lane, down which we might -possibly find some place of shelter, if we could muster strength to -explore it. The sergeant consented to make the effort, but after two -or three attempts to rise, gave it up. I myself was more fortunate: -with the aid of my rifle I got upon my legs, and seeing death in my -companion's face, I resolved to try and save myself, since it was quite -evident to me that I could render him no assistance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - -<p>After hobbling some distance down the lane, to my great joy I espied -a small hut or cabin, with a little garden in its front; I therefore -opened the small door of the hovel, and was about to enter, when I -considered that most likely I should be immediately knocked on the head -by the inmates if I did so. The rain, I remember, was coming down in -torrents at this time, and, reflecting that to remain outside was but -to die, I resolved at all events to try my luck within. I had not much -strength left; but I resolved to sell myself as dearly as I could. I -therefore brought up my rifle, and stepped across the threshold. As -soon as I had done so, I observed an old woman seated beside a small -fire upon the hearth. She turned her head as I entered, and immediately -upon seeing a strange soldier, she arose, and filled the hovel with her -screams. As I drew back within the doorway, an elderly man, followed by -two, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> were apparently his sons, rushed from a room in the interior. -They immediately approached me; but I brought up my rifle again, and -cocked it, bidding them keep their distance.</p> - -<p>After I had thus brought them to a parley, I got together what little -Spanish I was master of, and begged for shelter for the night and a -morsel of food, at the same time lifting my feet and displaying them -a mass of bleeding sores. It was not, however, till they had held a -tolerably long conversation among themselves that they consented to -afford me shelter; and then only upon the condition that I left by -daylight on the following morning. I accepted the conditions with joy. -Had they refused me, I should indeed not have been here to tell the -tale. Knowing the treachery of the Spanish character, I however refused -to relinquish possession of my rifle, and my right hand was ready in an -instant to un<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>sheath my bayonet, as they sat and stared at me whilst I -devoured the food they offered.</p> - -<p>All they gave me was some coarse black bread, and a pitcher of sour -wine. It was, however, acceptable to a half-famished man; and I felt -greatly revived by it. Whilst I supped, the old hag, who sat close -beside the hearth, stirred up the embers, that they might have a -better view of their guest, and the party meanwhile overwhelmed me -with questions, which I could neither comprehend nor had strength to -answer. I soon made signs to them that I was unable to maintain the -conversation, and begged of them, as well as I could, to shew me some -place where I might lay my wearied limbs till dawn.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the weariness which pervaded my whole body, I was -unable for some time to sleep except by fitful snatches, such was the -fear I entertained of having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> my throat cut by the savage-looking -wretches still seated before the fire. Besides which, the place they -had permitted me to crawl into was more like an oven than anything -else, and being merely a sort of berth scooped out of the wall, was so -filled with fleas and other vermin, that I was stung and tormented most -miserably all night long.</p> - -<p>Bad as they had been, however, I felt somewhat restored by my lodging -and supper, and with the dawn I crawled out of my lair, left the hut, -retraced my steps along the lane, and once more emerged upon the -high-road, where I found my companion, the sergeant, dead, and lying -where I had left him the night before.</p> - -<p>I now made the best of my way along the road in the direction in which -I had last seen our army retreating the night before. A solitary -individual, I seemed left behind amongst those who had perished.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> It -was still raining, I remember, on this morning, and the very dead -looked comfortless in their last sleep, as I passed them occasionally -lying on the line of march.</p> - -<p>It had pleased Heaven to give me an iron constitution, or I must -have failed, I think, on this day, for the solitary journey, and the -miserable spectacles I beheld, rather damped my spirits.</p> - -<p>After progressing some miles, I came up with a cluster of poor devils -who were still alive, but apparently, both men and women, unable to -proceed. They were sitting huddled together in the road, their heads -drooping forward, and apparently patiently awaiting their end.</p> - -<p>Soon after passing these unfortunates, I overtook a party who were -being urged forward under charge of an officer of the 42nd Highlanders. -He was pushing them along pretty much as a drover would keep together a -tired flock of sheep. They pre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>sented a curious example of a retreating -force. Many of them had thrown away their weapons, and were linked -together arm-in-arm, in order to support each other, like a party of -drunkards. They were, I saw, composed of various regiments; many were -bare-headed, and without shoes; and some with their heads tied up in -old rags and fragments of handkerchiefs.</p> - -<p>I marched in company with this party for some time, but as I felt after -my night's lodging and refreshment in better condition I ventured to -push forwards, in the hope of rejoining the main body, and which I once -more came up with in the street of a village.</p> - -<p>On falling in with the Rifles, I again found Brooks, who was surprised -at seeing me still alive; and we both entered a house, and begged for -something to drink. I remember that I had a shirt upon my back at this -time, which I had purchased of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> drummer of the Ninth regiment before -the commencement of the retreat. It was the only good one I had; I -stripped, with the assistance of Brooks, and took it off, and exchanged -it with a Spanish woman for a loaf of bread, which Brooks, myself, and -two other men, shared amongst us.</p> - -<p>I remember to have again remarked Craufurd at this period of the -retreat. He was no whit altered in his desire to keep the force -together, I thought; but still active and vigilant as ever, he seemed -to keep his eye upon those who were now most likely to hold out. I -myself marched during many hours close beside him this day. He looked -stern and pale; but the very picture of a warrior. I shall never forget -Craufurd if I live to a hundred years, I think. He was in everything a -soldier.</p> - -<p>Slowly and dejectedly crawled our army along. Their spirit of endurance -was now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> considerably worn out, and judging from my own sensations, I -felt confident that if the sea was much further from us, we must be -content to come to a halt at last without gaining it. I felt something -like the approach of death as I proceeded—a sort of horror, mixed up -with my sense of illness—a reeling I have never experienced before or -since. Still I held on; but with all my efforts, the main body again -left me behind. Had the enemy's cavalry come up at this time I think -they would have had little else to do but ride us down without striking -a blow.</p> - -<p>It is, however, indeed astonishing how man clings to life. I am certain -that had I lain down at this period, I should have found my last billet -on the spot I sank upon. Suddenly I heard a shout in front, which was -prolonged in a sort of hubbub. Even the stragglers whom I saw dotting -the road in front of me seemed to have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> caught at something like -hope; and as the poor fellows now reached the top of a hill we were -ascending, I heard an occasional exclamation of joy—the first note of -the sort I had heard for many days. When I reached the top of the hill -the thing spoke for itself. There, far away in our front, the English -shipping lay in sight.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> - -<p>Its view had indeed acted like a restorative to our force, and the -men, at the prospect of a termination to the march, had plucked up -spirit for a last effort. Fellows who, like myself, seemed to have -hardly strength in their legs to creep up the ascent, seemed now to -have picked up a fresh pair to get down with. Such is hope to us poor -mortals!</p> - -<p>There was, I recollect, a man of the name of Bell, of the Rifles, who -had been during this day holding a sort of creeping race<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> with me,—we -had passed and repassed each other, as our strength served. Bell was -rather a discontented fellow at the best of times; but during this -retreat he had given full scope to his ill-temper, cursing the hour he -was born, and wishing his mother had strangled him when he came into -the world, in order to have saved him from his present toil. He had not -now spoken for some time, and the sight of the English shipping had -apparently a very beneficial effect upon him. He burst into tears as he -stood and looked at it.</p> - -<p>"Harris," he said, "if it pleases God to let me reach those ships, I -swear never to utter a bad or discontented word again."</p> - -<p>As we proceeded down the hill we now met with the first symptoms of -good feeling from the inhabitants, it was our fortune to experience -during our retreat. A number of old women stood on either side the -road,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> and occasionally handed us fragments of bread as we passed -them. It was on this day, and whilst I looked anxiously upon the -English shipping in the distance, that I first began to find my -eyesight failing, and it appeared to me that I was fast growing blind. -The thought was alarming; and I made desperate efforts to get on. -Bell, however, won the race this time. He was a very athletic and -strong-built fellow, and left me far behind, so that I believe at that -time I was the very last of the retreating force that reached the -beach, though doubtless many stragglers came dropping up after the -ships had sailed, and were left behind.</p> - -<p>As it was, when I did manage to gain the sea-shore, it was only by the -aid of my rifle that I could stand, and my eyes were now so dim and -heavy that with difficulty I made out a boat which seemed the last that -had put off.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> - -<p>Fearful of being left half blind in the lurch, I took off my cap, and -placed it on the muzzle of my rifle as a signal, for I was totally -unable to call out. Luckily, Lieutenant Cox, who was aboard the boat, -saw me, and ordered the men to return, and, making one more effort, -I walked into the water, and a sailor stretching his body over the -gunwale, seized me as if I had been an infant, and hauled me on board. -His words were characteristic of the English sailor, I thought.</p> - -<p>"Hollo there, you lazy lubber!" he said, as he grasped hold of me, "who -the h-ll do you think is to stay humbugging all day for such a fellow -as you?"</p> - -<p>The boat, I found, was crowded with our exhausted men, who lay -helplessly at the bottom, the heavy sea every moment drenching them -to the skin. As soon as we reached the vessel's side, the sailors -immediately aided us to get on board, which in our ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>hausted state -was not a very easy matter, as they were obliged to place ropes in -our hands, and heave us up by setting their shoulders under us, and -hoisting away as if they had been pushing bales of goods on board.</p> - -<p>"Heave away!" cried one of the boat's crew, as I clung to a rope, quite -unable to pull myself up, "heave away, you lubber!"</p> - -<p>The tar placed his shoulder beneath me as he spoke, and hoisted me up -against the ship's side; I lost my grasp of the rope and should have -fallen into the sea, had it not been for two of the crew. These men -grasped me as I was falling, and drew me into the port-hole like a -bundle of foul clothes, tearing away my belt and bayonet in the effort, -which fell into the sea.</p> - -<p>It was not very many minutes after I was on board, for I lay where the -sailors had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> first placed me after dragging me through the port-hole, -ere I was sound asleep. I slept long and heavily, and it was only -the terrible noise and bustle on board consequent upon a gale having -sprung up, that at length awoke me. The wind increased as the night -came on, and soon we had to experience all the horrors of a storm at -sea. The pumps were set to work; the sails were torn to shreds; the -coppers were overset; and we appeared in a fair way, I thought, of -going to the bottom. Meanwhile, the pumps were kept at work night and -day incessantly till they were choked; and the gale growing worse and -worse, all the soldiery were ordered below, and the hatches closed; -soon after which the vessel turned over on one side, and lay a helpless -log upon the water. In this situation an officer was placed over us, -with his sword drawn in one hand, and a lantern in the other, in order -to keep us on the side which was upper-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>most, so as to give the vessel -a chance of righting herself in the roaring tide. The officer's task -was not an easy one, as the heaving waves frequently sent us sprawling -from the part we clung to, over to the lower-most part of the hold, -where he stood, and he was obliged every minute to drive us back.</p> - -<p>We remained in this painful situation for, I should think, five or -six hours, expecting every instant to be our last, when, to our great -joy, the sea suddenly grew calm, the wind abated, the vessel righted -herself, and we were once more released from our prison, having tasted -nothing in the shape of food for at least forty-eight hours. Soon after -this we arrived in sight of Spithead, where we saw nine of our convoy, -laden with troops, which had been driven on shore in the gale. After -remaining off Spithead for about five or six days, one fine morning -we received orders to disembark, and our poor bare feet once more -touched English ground.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> The inhabitants flocked down to the beach to -see us as we did so, and they must have been a good deal surprised at -the spectacle we presented. Our beards were long and ragged; almost -all were without shoes and stockings; many had their clothes and -accoutrements in fragments, with their heads swathed in old rags, and -our weapons were covered with rust; whilst not a few had now, from toil -and fatigue, become quite blind.</p> - -<p>Let not the reader, however, think, that even now we were to be -despised as soldiers. Long marches, inclement weather, and want of -food, had done their work upon us; but we were perhaps better than we -appeared, as the sequel shewed. Under the gallant Craufurd we had made -some tremendous marches, and even galled our enemies severely, making -good our retreat by the way of Vigo. But our comrades in adversity, and -who had retired by the other road to Corunna, under General Moore,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> -turned to bay there, and shewed the enemy that the English soldier is -not to be beaten even under the most adverse circumstances.</p> - -<p>The field of death and slaughter, the march, the bivouac, and the -retreat, are no bad places in which to judge of men. I have had some -opportunities of judging them in all these situations, and I should -say, that the British are amongst the most splendid soldiers in the -world. Give them fair play, and they are unconquerable. For my own -part, I can only say, that I enjoyed life more whilst on active -service, than I have ever done since; and as I sit at work in my -shop in Richmond Street, Soho, I look back upon that portion of my -time spent in the fields of the Peninsula as the only part worthy of -remembrance. It is at such times that scenes long passed come back upon -my mind as if they had taken place but yesterday. I remember even the -very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> appearance of some of the regiments engaged; and comrades, long -mouldered to dust, I see again performing the acts of heroes.</p> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Some of these poor wretches cut a ludicrous figure, -having the men's great-coats buttoned over their heads, whilst their -clothing being extremely ragged and scanty, their naked legs were very -conspicuous. They looked a tribe of travelling beggars.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Our division, under Craufurd, in this retreat, as I have -before mentioned, made for Vigo.</p></div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XV.</p> - -<p class="center">THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">Filling up the ranks—Going out recruiting—Bagging a -blackbird—Coaxing the militia, and hoaxing them—A demon -runner—Winning a commission.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>After the disastrous retreat to Corunna, the Rifles were reduced to a -sickly skeleton, if I may so term it. Out of perhaps nine hundred of -as active and fine fellows as ever held a weapon in the field of an -enemy's country, we paraded some three hundred weak and crest-fallen -invalids.</p> - -<p>I myself stood the third man in my own company, which was reduced from -near a hundred men, to <i>but three</i>. Indeed, I think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> we had scarce a -company on parade stronger than ten or twelve men, at the first parade. -After a few parades, however, our companies gradually were augmented -(by those of the sick who recovered), but many of those who did not -sink in hospital, were never more of much service as soldiers.</p> - -<p>The captain of my company was sick, and Lieutenant Hill commanded the -three men who answered for No. 4 on this occasion.</p> - -<p>I remember he smiled when he looked at me. "Harris," he said, "you -look the best man here, this morning. You seem to have got over this -business well."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Sir," I said, "thank God I feel pretty stout again now, which is -more than many can say."</p> - -<p>Both battalions of the Rifles had been in that retreat. The first -battalion lay at Colchester at this time. Ours (the second) was -quartered at Hythe. Colonel Beckwith<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> commanded the first, and Colonel -Wade the second. I remember the 43rd and 52nd Regiments paraded with -our battalion on this occasion at Hythe, and both having been with us -on the Corunna retreat, cut as poor a figure as we ourselves did.</p> - -<p>After awhile, some of the strongest and smartest of our men were picked -out to go on the recruiting service, and gather men from the militia -regiments to fill up our ranks. I myself started off with Lieutenant -Pratt, Sergeant-Major Adams, and William Brotherwood, the latter of -whom was afterwards killed at Vittoria by a cannon-ball, which at the -same moment ended Patrick Mahon and Lieutenant Hopwood.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> - -<p>I was a shoemaker in the corps, and had twenty pounds in my pocket -which I had saved up. With this money I hired a gig, and the -Sergeant-Major and myself cut a very smart figure. The only difficulty -was, that neither of us knew how to drive very well, consequently we -overturned the gig on the first day, before we got half way on our -journey, and the shafts being broken we were obliged to leave it behind -us in a small village, midway between Hythe and Rye, and take to our -legs, as was more soldier-like and seemly. We reached Rye the same -night, and I recollect that I succeeded in getting the first recruit -there, a strong, able-bodied chimney-sweep, named John Lee. This fellow -(whose appearance I was struck with as he sat in the taproom of the -"Red Lion" on that night, together with a little boy as black and sooty -as himself) offered to enlist the moment I entered the room, and I took -him at his word, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> immediately called for the Sergeant-Major for -approval.</p> - -<p>"There's nothing against my being a soldier," said the sweep, "but my -black face; I'm strong, active, and healthy, and able to lick the best -man in this room."</p> - -<p>"Hang your black face," said the Sergeant-Major; "the Rifles can't be -too dark: you're a strong rascal, and if you mean it, we'll take you to -the doctor to-morrow and make a Giniril of you the next day." So we had -the sweep that night into a large tub of water, scoured him outside, -and filled him with punch inside, and made a Rifleman of him.</p> - -<p>The Sergeant-Major, however, on this night, suspected from his -countenance, what afterwards turned out to be the case, that Lee was -rather a slippery fellow, and might repent. So, after filling him -drunk, he said to me—"Harris, <i>you</i> have caught this bird, and <i>you</i> -must keep him fast. You must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> both sleep to-night handcuffed together -in the same bed, or he will escape us;" which I actually did, and the -next morning retraced my steps with him to Hythe, to be passed by the -doctor of our regiment.</p> - -<p>After rejoining Sergeant-Major Adams at Rye, we started off for -Hastings in Sussex, and on our way we heard of the East Kent Militia -at Lydd; so we stopped there about an hour to display ourselves -before them, and try if we could coax a few of them into the Rifles. -We strutted up and down before their ranks arm-in-arm, and made no -small sensation amongst them. When on the recruiting service in those -days, men were accustomed to make as gallant a show as they could, -and accordingly we had both smartened ourselves up a trifle. The -Sergeant-Major was quite a beau, in his way; he had a sling belt to -his sword like a field-officer, a tremendous green feather in his cap, -a flaring sash, his whistle and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> powder-flask displayed, an officer's -pelisse over one shoulder, and a double allowance of ribbons in his -cap; whilst I myself was also as smart as I dared appear, with my rifle -slung at my shoulder.</p> - -<p>In this guise we made as much of ourselves as if we had both been -Generals, and, as I said, created quite a sensation, the militia-men -cheering us as we passed up and down, till they were called to order by -the officers.</p> - -<p>The permission to volunteer was not then given to the East Kent, -although it came out a few days afterwards, and we persuaded many men, -during the hour we figured before them, that the Rifles were the only -boys fit for <i>them</i> to join.</p> - -<p>After looking up the East Kent, we reached Hastings that same night, -where we found that the volunteering of the Leicester Militia (who were -quartered there) had commenced, and that one hundred and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> twenty-five -men and two officers had given their names to the 7th Fusileers, and -these, Adams and I determined to make change their minds in our favour -if we could.</p> - -<p>The appearance of our Rifle uniform, and a little of Sergeant -Adams's<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> blarney, so took the fancies of the volunteers, that we -got every one of them for the Rifle corps, and both officers<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> into -the bargain. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> worked hard in this business. I may say that for -three days and nights we kept up the dance and the drunken riot. Every -volunteer got ten guineas bounty, which, except the two kept back for -necessaries, they spent in every sort of excess, till all was gone. -Then came the reaction. The drooping spirits, the grief at parting with -old comrades, sweethearts, and wives, for the uncertain fate of war. -And then came on the jeers of the old soldier; the laughter of Adams -and myself, and comrades, and our attempts to give a fillip to their -spirits as we marched them off from the friends they were never to look -upon again; and as we termed it, "<i>shove them on to glory</i>"—a glory -they were not long in achieving, as out of the hundred and fifty of the -Leicestershire, which we enlisted in Hastings, scarce one man, I should -say, who served, but could have shewn at the year's end some token -of the fields he had fought in; very many found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> a grave, and some -returned to Hythe with the loss of their limbs.</p> - -<p>I remember the story of many of these men's lives; that of one in -particular, named Demon, whom I myself enlisted from the Leicester -Militia, is not a little curious. Demon was a smart and very active -man, and serving as corporal in the light company of the Leicestershire -when I persuaded him to join our corps, where he was immediately made -a sergeant in the 3rd battalion, then just forming; and from which -he eventually rose to be a commissioned officer in one of our line -regiments, but whose number I cannot now remember. The cause which led -to Demon's merits being first noticed was not a little curious, being -neither more nor less than a race.</p> - -<p>It happened that at Shoreham Cliff, (soon after he joined) a race was -got up amongst some Kentish men, who were noted for their swiftness, -and one of them, who had beaten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> his companions, challenged any soldier -in the Rifles to run against him for two hundred pounds. The sum was -large, and the runner was of so much celebrity, that although we had -some active young fellows amongst us, no one seemed inclined to take -the chance, either officers or men, till at length Demon stepped forth -and said he would run against this Kentish boaster, or any man on -the face of the earth, and fight him afterwards into the bargain, if -any one could be found to make up the money. Upon this, an officer -subscribed the money, and the race was arranged.</p> - -<p>The affair made quite a sensation, and the inhabitants of the different -villages for miles around flocked to see the sport; besides which the -men from different regiments in the neighbourhood, infantry, cavalry, -and artillery, also were much interested, and managed to be present, -which caused the scene to be a very gay one. In short, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> race -commenced, and the odds were much against the soldier at starting, as -he was a much less man than the other, and did not at all look like the -winner. He however kept well up with his antagonist, and the affair -seemed likely to end in a dead heat, which would undoubtedly have -been the case, but Demon, when close upon the winning-post, gave one -tremendous spring forward, and won it by his body's length.</p> - -<p>This race, in short, led on to notice and promotion. General Mackenzie -was in command of the garrison at Hythe. He was present, and was highly -delighted at the Rifleman beating the bumpkin, and saw that the winner -was the very cut of a soldier, and in short that Demon was a very smart -fellow, so that, eventually, the news of the race reached the first -battalion then fighting in Spain. Sir Andrew Barnard, as far as I -recollect from hearsay, at the time, was then in command of the Rifles -in Spain;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> and, as I now remember the story, either he or some other -officer of rank, upon being told of the circumstance, remarked that, as -Demon was such a smart runner in England, there was very good ground -for a Rifleman to use his legs in Spain. He was accordingly ordered out -with the next draft to that country, where he so much distinguished -himself that he obtained his commission, as already mentioned.</p> - -<p>I could give many more anecdotes connected with the recruiting at this -time for the three battalions of Rifles, but the above will suffice; -and soon after the incident I have just narrated (our companies being -full of young and active men), we started off with the expedition, -then just formed, for Walcheren. I could not help feeling, when we -paraded, that I stood enranked for this first expedition comparatively -amongst strangers, since in the company I belonged to, not a single -man, except James Brooks,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> whom I have before named, then paraded with -me who had been a fellow comrade in the fields of Portugal and Spain. -I felt also the loss of my old Captain (Leech), whom I much loved -and respected, and who left the second battalion at that time to be -promoted in the first. When I heard of this change, I stepped from the -ranks and offered to exchange into the first, but Lieutenant Hill, who -was present, hinted to Captain Hart (my new commanding officer) not to -let me go, as, if he did, he would perhaps repent it. I will not say -here what the Lieutenant then said of me, but he persuaded Captain Hart -to keep me, as my character had been so good in the former campaign; -and accordingly I remained in the second battalion, and started on the -Walcheren expedition.</p> - -<p>From Hythe to Deal was one day's march; and I remember looking along -the road at the good appearance the different regiments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> made as we -marched along. It was as fine an expedition as ever I looked at, and -the army seemed to stretch, as I regarded them, the whole distance -before us to Dover.</p> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> The manner in which these three soldiers met with their -death is extraordinary. As they were creeping from their cover to try -and shoot one of the French generals, who was much exposed, the enemy -pointed a gun at them, and succeeded in sweeping down all three, as -they crawled along.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> The history of Sergeant-Major Adams is somewhat singular. -I was his great friend at this time, and he confided some part of -it to me. He had been a croppy, (a rebel) and had fought at Vinegar -Hill. When the rebels were defeated he escaped, and lived some time -in the wilds of Connemara. He afterwards thought it best to enlist in -the Donegal Militia, and then volunteered to the Rifles. Here he soon -rose (whilst in Spain) to the rank of Sergeant. During the retreat to -Corunna, Sergeant-Major Crosby failed, and Craufurd promoted Adams -in his place. At St. Sebastian he was noticed by General Graham, for -his bravery with the forlorn hope, a commission was given him, and he -afterwards joined a regiment in Gibraltar, where he was made Adjutant. -He then went to America, where he served with credit till he died. I -believe I was the only man in the regiment who knew of his having been -a rebel, and I kept the secret faithfully till his death.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> The names of these two officers were Chapman and Freere, -and I believe they are living now.</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="ph2">CHAPTER XVI.</p> - -<p class="center">THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang">The embarkation—Flushing—The Walcheren fever—The doctors at -fault—The Riflemen attacked—The one survivor out of thirty-nine—The -veteran battalion—The independent companies.</p></blockquote> - - -<p>At Deal, the Rifles embarked in the Superb, a seventy-four, and a -terrible outcry there was amongst the women upon the beach on the -embarkation; for the ill consequences of having too many women amongst -us had been so apparent in our former campaign and retreat, that the -allowance of wives was considerably curtailed on this occasion, and the -distraction of the poor creatures at parting with their husbands was -quite heart-rending; some of them clinging to the men so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> resolutely, -that the officers were obliged to give orders to have them separated by -force. In fact, even after we were in the boats and fairly pushed off, -the screaming and howling of their farewells rang in our ears far out -at sea.</p> - -<p>The weather being fair, and the fleet having a grand and imposing -appearance, many spectators (even from London) came to look at us as we -lay in the Downs, and we set sail (I think on the third day from our -embarkation) in three divisions.</p> - -<p>A fair wind soon carried us off Flushing, where one part of the -expedition disembarked; the other made for South Beveland, among which -latter I myself was. The five companies of Rifles immediately occupied -a very pretty village, with rows of trees on either side its principal -streets, where we had plenty of leisure to listen to the cannonading -going on amongst the companies we had left at Flushing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p> - -<p>The appearance of the country (such as it was) was extremely pleasant, -and for a few days the men enjoyed themselves much. But at the -expiration of (I think) less time than a week, an awful visitation came -suddenly upon us. The first I observed of it was one day as I sat in -my billet, when I beheld whole parties of our Riflemen in the street -shaking with a sort of ague, to such a degree that they could hardly -walk; strong and fine young men who had been but a short time in the -service seemed suddenly reduced in strength to infants, unable to stand -upright—so great a shaking had seized upon their whole bodies from -head to heel. The company I belonged to was quartered in a barn, and -I quickly perceived that hardly a man there had stomach for the bread -that was served out to him, or even to taste his grog, although each -man had an allowance of half-a-pint of gin per day. In fact I should -say that, about three weeks from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> day we landed, I and two others -were the only individuals who could stand upon our legs. They lay -groaning in rows in the barn, amongst the heaps of lumpy black bread -they were unable to eat.</p> - -<p>This awful spectacle considerably alarmed the officers,<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> who were -also many of them attacked. The naval doctors came on shore to assist -the regimental surgeons, who, indeed, had more upon their hands than -they could manage; Dr. Ridgeway of the Rifles, and his assistant, -having nearly five hundred patients prostrate at the same moment. In -short, except myself and three or four others, the whole concern was -completely floored.</p> - -<p>Under these circumstances, which considerably confounded the doctors, -orders were issued (since all hopes of getting the men upon their legs -seemed gone) to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> embark them as fast as possible, which was accordingly -done with some little difficulty. The poor fellows made every effort -to get on board; those who were a trifle better than others crawled to -the boats; many supported each other; and many were carried helpless as -infants.</p> - -<p>At Flushing matters were not much better, except that there the -soldiers had a smart skirmish with their enemies before the fever and -ague attacked them. On ship-board the aspect of affairs did not mend; -the men beginning to die so fast that they committed ten or twelve to -the deep in one day.</p> - -<p>It was rather extraordinary that myself, and Brooks, and a man named -Bowley, who had all three been at Corunna, were at this moment -unattacked by the disease, and, notwithstanding the awful appearance -of the pest-ship we were in, I myself had little fear of it, I thought -myself so hardened that it could not touch me. It happened, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> -that I stood sentinel (men being scarce) over the hatchway, and Brooks, -who was always a jolly and jeering companion (even in the very jaws -of death) came past me, and offered me a lump of pudding, it being -pudding-day on board. At that moment I felt struck with a deadly -faintness, shaking all over like an aspen, and my teeth chattering in -my head so that I could hardly hold my rifle.</p> - -<p>Brooks looked at me for a moment, with the pudding in his hand, which -he saw I could not take. "Hallo," he said, "why Harris, old boy, <i>you</i> -are not going to begin, are you?"</p> - -<p>I felt unable to answer him, but only muttered out as I trembled, "For -God's sake get me relieved, Brooks!"</p> - -<p>"Hallo?" said Brooks, "it's all up with Harris! You're catched hold of -at last, old chap."</p> - -<p>In fact I was soon sprawling upon the forecastle, amongst many others, -in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> miserable state, our knapsacks and our great-coats over us. In -this state the doctors, during our short voyage, were fully employed; -pails of infusion of bark were carried amongst us and given to the men -in horn tumblers, and thus we arrived at Dover.</p> - -<p>As I lay on the deck, I looked up at that splendid castle in the -distance. It was identified with old England, and many a languid eye -was cheered by its sight. Men naturally love to die upon their native -land, and I felt I could now do so contentedly! Nay, I have that -frowning English fortress in my eye, at this moment, as I then beheld -it. The Warwickshire Militia were at this time quartered at Dover. They -came to assist in disembarking us, and were obliged to lift many of -us out of the boats like sacks of flour. If any of those militia-men -remain alive, they will not easily forget that piece of duty; for I -never beheld men more moved than they were at our helpless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> state. -Many died at Dover and numbers in Deal; whilst those who had somewhat -rallied, on getting from the land of pestilence, were paraded, in order -to get them on to their old quarters at Hythe.</p> - -<p>I remember that the 43rd and 52nd Regiments (all that were able) -marched with us this day to Hythe; but I'm afraid we did not (any of -us) cut much of a figure on the road. In fact, such was the shaking -fever we felt, we were left pretty much to our own discretion to get -to our journey's end in the best manner we could. Many, indeed, would -never have got into barracks without assistance. In short, when I sat -down exhausted by the road-side several times during the march, and -looked at the men, I thought it bore in some degree a similitude to the -Corunna retreat; so awfully had disease enfeebled them.</p> - -<p>The hospital at Hythe being filled with the sick, the barracks became -a hospital,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> and as deaths ensued, and thinned the wards, the men were -continually removed, making a progress from barrack to hospital, and -from hospital to the grave. The ward of the hospital in which I myself -was, accomodated eleven men, and I saw, from my bed in the corner where -I lay, this ward refilled ten times, the former patients being all -carried out to the grave. I had been gradually removed as the men died, -until I was driven up into a corner of the ward, where I lay, and had -plenty of leisure to observe my comrades in misfortune, and witness -their end. Some I beheld die quietly, and others were seized in various -ways. Many got out of bed in a shivering delirium, and died upon the -floor in the night-time.</p> - -<p>Having been a shoemaker in the Rifles, I had saved during my service -near two hundred pounds, which I had in the bank at Hythe at this time, -so that I was enabled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> to procure extra wine and other nourishing -things, and often gave my companions in misfortune a treat also; and -this I think enabled my iron constitution to keep death so long at bay.</p> - -<p>I saw one or two of my old Peninsular comrades, whom I had often seen -fighting bravely in the field, die in this hospital in a miserable -condition, their bodies being swollen up like barrels.</p> - -<p>Everything was done for us that skill could devise, and nothing could -exceed the kindness and attention of Dr. Ridgeway towards us. Hot baths -were brought into the hospital—and many a man died whilst in the bath.</p> - -<p>I remember hearing, as I lay sick, that the firing over the graves of -our comrades was dispensed with, the men died so fast; and when I got -out, and went to the churchyard to look upon their graves I saw them -lying in two lines there. As<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> they in life had been enranked, so they -lay also in similar order in death.</p> - -<p>The medical men made every effort to trace the immediate cause of this -mortality amongst us; and almost all the men were examined after death; -but it was of no avail, as nothing could arrest the progress of the -malady after it had reached a certain height. The doctor, I heard, -generally attributed the deaths, in most cases, to enlargement of the -spleen, as almost all were swollen and diseased in that part. I myself -was dreadfully enlarged in the side, and for many years afterwards -carried "an extra paunch."</p> - -<p>As soon as the prospect began to brighten, and the men to recover a -little, we managed to muster outside the hospital, some three hundred -of us parading there morning and evening, for the benefit of fresh air; -and medicine was served out to us as we stood enranked, the hospital -orderlies passing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> along the files, and giving each man his dose from -large jugs which they carried.</p> - -<p>As we got better, an order arrived to furnish two companies of the -second battalion, and two companies of the third battalion, of Rifles, -for Spain, as they were much wanted there. Accordingly an inspection -took place, and two hundred men were picked out, all of whom were most -anxious to go. I myself was rejected at that time, as unfit, which I -much regretted. However, on making application, after a few days, I was -accepted, principally on the recommendation of Lieutenant Cochrane, -who much wished for me; and I, in consequence, once more started for -foreign service.</p> - -<p>From Hythe to Portsmouth, where we were to embark, was eight days' -march; but the very first day found out some of the Walcheren lads. -I myself was assisted that night to my billet, the ague having again -seized me, and on the third day waggons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> were put in requisition to get -us along the road. As we proceeded, some of those men who had relapsed -died by the way, and were buried in different places we passed through. -At Chichester, I recollect, a man was taken out of the waggon in which -I myself lay, who had died beside me; and at that place he was buried.</p> - -<p>At Portsmouth I remained one night, billeted with my fellow-travellers -at the Dolphin. Here I was visited by an uncle who resided in the town; -and who was much shocked at seeing me so much reduced, concluding it -was impossible I could survive many days. Such was the sad state we -were again reduced to. The next morning spring-waggons were procured -for us, and we were sent back to Hilsea barracks for the benefit of -medical advice; and I took a farewell of my uncle, expecting never to -see him again. Such, however, was not to be the case, as, out of the -thirty-nine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> Riflemen who went into Hilsea hospital, I alone survived.</p> - -<p>It may seem to my readers extraordinary that I should twice be the -survivor of so many of my comrades. I can only, therefore, refer them -to the medical men who attended us, if they yet live, Dr. Ridgeway, of -the Rifles, and Dr. Frazer, who at that time was the surgeon at Hilsea.</p> - -<p>I must not forget to mention an act of great kindness and humanity -which was performed towards the soldiery whilst we lay sick at Hilsea -Hospital. Lady Grey, who, I believe, was the wife of the Commissioner -of Portsmouth Dockyard at this time, was so much struck with the state -of the sufferers, that she sent, one morning, two carts loaded with -warm clothing for them; giving to each man, of whatsoever regiment, who -had been at Walcheren, two pairs of flannel drawers and two flannel -waistcoats. This circumstance was greatly appreciated by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> men, and -many, like myself, have never forgotten it.</p> - -<p>After this, being the only Rifleman left at Hilsea, Lieutenant Bardell -made application to the General for leave for me to go into Dorsetshire -to see my friends, which was granted; but the doctor shook his head, -doubting I should ever be able to endure the journey. In about a week, -however, I considered myself fit to undertake it; and, accordingly, a -non-commissioned officer of one of the line regiments put me into a -Salisbury coach. A lady and gentleman were my fellow passengers inside, -and we started about four o'clock. They seemed not much to relish -the look of a sick soldier in such close quarters; and, indeed, we -had hardly cleared the town of Gosport before I gave them a dreadful -fright. In short, I was attacked all at once with one of my periodical -ague-fits, and shook to so desperate a degree that they were both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> -horror-struck, and almost inclined to keep me company in my trembling. -The lady thought that both herself and husband were lost, and would -certainly catch the complaint; expressing herself as most unhappy in -having begun her journey on that day. These fits generally lasted an -hour and a quarter, and then came on a burning fever, during which -I called for water at every place where the coach stopped. In fact, -coachman, guard, and passengers, outside and in, by no means liked it, -and expected every minute that I should die in the coach.</p> - -<p>"Here's a nice go," said the coachman, as he stopped at a place called -Whitchurch, "catch me ever taking up a sick soldier again if I can help -it. This here poor devil's going to make a die of it in my coach."</p> - -<p>It seemed, indeed, as if I had personally offended the burly coachman, -for he made an oration at every place he stopped at, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> sent all the -helpers and idlers to look at me, as I sat in his coach, till at last I -was obliged to beg of him not to do so.</p> - -<p>I had two attacks of this sort during the night, and was so bad that I -myself thought with the coachman, that I should never get out of the -vehicle alive. Never, I should think, had passengers so unpleasant a -journey as the lady and gentleman I travelled with.</p> - -<p>At length, early in the morning, the coach stopped at a village one -mile from my father's residence, which was on the estate of the present -Marquis of Anglesey. I had left my father's cottage quite a boy, and -although I knew the landlord of the little inn where the coached -stopped, and several other persons I saw there, none recognised me; so -I made myself known as well as I could, for I was terribly exhausted, -and the landlord immediately got four men to carry me home.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> - -<p>My father was much moved at beholding me return in so miserable a -plight, as were also my stepmother and my brother. I remained with -them eight months, six of which I lay in a hopeless state in bed, -certificates being sent every month to Hythe, stating my inability -to move; and during which time Captain Hart sent four letters to the -commanding officer, desiring I might be drafted out, if possible, to -Spain, as, being a handicraft, I was much wanted there.</p> - -<p>The medical men round the neighbourhood hearing of my state, many of -them came to see me, in order to observe the nature of a complaint that -had proved so fatal to our soldiers.</p> - -<p>At the end of the eighth month (being once more somewhat recovered, -and able to crawl about, with the aid of a stick, a few yards from our -cottage door), as my mother-in-law had once or twice expressed herself -burthened by this long illness, I resolved to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> attempt to return to my -regiment. I was therefore transported in a cart to the King's Arms Inn, -at Dorchester, my body being swollen up hard as a barrel, and my limbs -covered with ulcers. Here the surgeons of the 9th and 11th Dragoons -made an examination of me, and ordered me into Dorchester hospital, -where I remained seven weeks; and here my case completely puzzled the -faculty.</p> - -<p>At length Dr. Burroughs, on making his rounds, caught sight of me as I -sat on my bed, dressed in my green uniform.</p> - -<p>"Hallo! Rifleman," he said, "how came you here?"</p> - -<p>Being told, he looked very sharply at me, and seemed to consider.</p> - -<p>"Walcheren," he inquired, "eh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," I said, "and it has not done with me yet."</p> - -<p>"Strip, my man," he said, "and lie on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> your back. What have you done -for him?" he asked sharply of the doctor.</p> - -<p>The doctor told him.</p> - -<p>"Then try with him mercury, sir," he said, "<i>both externally</i> and -<i>internally</i>."</p> - -<p>After saying which in a rapid manner, he turned as quickly, and -proceeded in his rounds amongst the rest of the patients.</p> - -<p>I was now salivated most desperately, after which I got a little -better, and resolved, at all hazards, to try and rejoin my regiment, -for I was utterly tired of the hospital life I had altogether so long -led. "For Heaven's sake," I said, "let me go and die with my own -regiment!"</p> - -<p>With some little difficulty I got leave to go, and once again started, -at my own expense, for Hythe, in Kent, by the coach. Before doing so, -however, to my surprise, the medical man who had attended me under -my father's roof, brought me in his bill, which was a pretty good -one, amount<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>ing to sixty pounds! I thought this was pretty well for a -poor soldier to be charged. Having still, however, enough left of my -savings, I paid it; but I kept the bill, and afterwards shewed it to -Dr. Scott, of the Rifles, who remarked—"It could not have been higher, -Harris, if you had been a man possessing a thousand a year."</p> - -<p>When I made my appearance in the barrack-square at Hythe, I was like -one risen from the dead; for I had been so long missing from amongst -the few I knew there, that I was almost forgotten. A hardy Scot, named -Mc Pherson, was one of the first who recognised me.</p> - -<p>"Eh, my certie," he said, "here's Harris come back. Why I thought, man, -ye was gane amangst the lave o' them, but the deil will na kill ye, I -think!"</p> - -<p>The day after my arrival I was once more in hospital, and here I -remained under Dr. Scott for twenty-eight weeks. Such was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> the -Walcheren fever, and to this day I sometimes feel the remains of it in -damp weather. From Hythe I was sent, amongst some other invalids, to -Chelsea. Sixty of us marched together on this occasion. Many had lost -their limbs, which, from wounds as well as disease, had been amputated; -and altogether we did not make a very formidable appearance, being -frequently obliged to be halted in the road to repair our strength, -when the whole turn-out would be seen sitting or sprawling at full -length by the way side.</p> - -<p>This march took us ten days to accomplish, and when we halted at -Pimlico, we were pretty well done up. We were billeted in the different -public-houses in Chelsea. With others, I lodged at the Three Crowns, -close beside the Bun House.</p> - -<p>I remember we paraded in the Five Fields, then an open space, but now -covered with elegant mansions, and become a part of London. Three -thousand invalids mustered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> here every morning—a motley group, -presenting a true picture of the toils of war. There were the lame, the -halt, and the blind, the sick, and the sorry, all in a lump. With those -who had lost their limbs, there was not much trouble, as they became -pensioners; but others were, some of them, closely examined from day to -day as to their eligibility for service. Amongst others I was examined -by Dr. Lephan.</p> - -<p>"What age are you, Rifleman?" he said.</p> - -<p>"Thirty-two, sir," I replied.</p> - -<p>"What trade have you been of?" he inquired.</p> - -<p>"A shoemaker," I replied.</p> - -<p>"Where have you been?" he said.</p> - -<p>"In Denmark, Spain, Portugal, and Walcheren," I said, "in which latter -place I met the worst enemy of all."</p> - -<p>"Never mind that," he said, "you'll do yet; and we will send you to a -Veteran Battalion."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> - -<p>Accordingly I was appointed to the 8th Veteran Battalion, with -others, and sent to Fort Cumberland. Here I joined Captain Creswell's -company—an officer who had lost one eye, whilst in the 36th Regiment, -in Spain.</p> - -<p>I was again the only green jacket of the lot, and the officers -assembled round me during the first muster, and asked me numerous -questions about my service amongst the Rifles, for we had a great -reputation in the army at this time. Major Caldwell commanded the -battalion; he had been in the fifth, and received a grievous wound in -the head. He was a kind and soldier-like man, but if you put him out of -temper, you would soon find out that he felt his wound. Captain Picard -was there, too, and Captain Flaherty, and Lieutenant Moorhead; all of -them were more or less shattered, whilst their men, although most of -them were young, were very good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> specimens of war's stern service. One, -perhaps, had a tale to tell of Salamanca, where he lost an eye, another -spoke of the breach at Badajoz, where he got six balls at once in his -body. Many paraded with sticks in their hands, and altogether it was -something of a different sort of force to the active chaps I had been -in the habit of serving amongst. In fact, I much regretted my green -jacket, and grieved at being obliged to part with it for the red coat -of the Veterans.</p> - -<p>I remained in the Veterans only four months, as, at the expiration of -that time, Napoleon was sent to Elba. We were then marched to Chelsea, -to be disbanded, where we met thousands of soldiers lining, the -streets, and lounging about before the different public-houses, with -every description of wound and casualty incident to modern warfare. -There hobbled the maimed light-infantry man, the heavy dra<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>goon, the -hussar, the artilleryman, the fusileer, and specimens from every -regiment in the service. The Irishman, shouting and brandishing his -crutch; the English soldier, reeling with drink; and the Scot, with -grave and melancholy visage, sitting on the steps of the public-house -amongst the crowd, listening to the skirl of his comrades' pipes, and -thinking of the blue hills of his native land. Such were Chelsea and -Pimlico in 1814.</p> - -<p>In about a week's time I was discharged, and received a pension of -sixpence per day; and, for the first time since I had been a shepherd -lad on Blandford Downs, I saw myself in plain clothes, and with liberty -to go and come where I liked. Before, however, my pension became due, I -was again called upon to attend, together with others, in consequence -of the escape of Bonaparte from Elba; but I was then in so miserable a -plight with the remains of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> fever and ague, which still attacked -me every other day, that I did not answer the call, whereby I lost my -pension. And here I may perhaps as well mention a slight anecdote of -the Great Duke.</p> - -<p>The Duke, I was told, observed in Spain that several men who had come -out from England after Walcheren were unable to keep up on the march, -and afterwards completely failed. He inquired the reason of this, and -was told they were men who had been on the Walcheren expedition.</p> - -<p>"Then never," said the Duke, "let another man be sent here who has been -at Walcheren."</p> - -<p>At Fort Cumberland I remember another curious circumstance, which may, -perhaps, in these times, be thought worthy of narration.</p> - -<p>Many of the French prisoners had volunteered into the English -service, and were formed into four companies, called the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> Independent -Companies. These men were smart-looking fellows, and wore a green -uniform, something like the Rifles. Whilst I was with the Veterans, -one of these men deserted and was re-taken at Portsmouth, and tried -by court-martial at Fort Cumberland. Besides his crime of desertion -he had aggravated it by gross insubordination, and he was accordingly -sentenced to be flogged. We all, French and English, paraded to see the -sentence carried into effect, and, in case of anything happening, and -our opposite neighbours, the green jackets, shewing fight, the Veterans -were all ordered to load with ball.</p> - -<p>When the culprit heard the sentence read out to him, he was a good deal -annoyed, and begged that he might be shot, as would have happened to -him in his own country. Such, however, it was explained to him, could -not be allowed, and he was accordingly punished. The Duke of York, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> -was then Commander-in-Chief, had thought it necessary to make this -example, although all of us would have been glad to see him forgiven.</p> - -<p>Shortly after this, on Napoleon's being sent to Elba, these men were -all liberated and sent home to their own country, with four pounds -given to each man; and gloriously drunk they all were at Portsmouth the -night they embarked.</p> - -<p>The Veterans were very intimate and friendly with these Frenchmen, as -they were quartered together; and we were all sorry to hear (whether -true or false I cannot say) that on their return, their uniforms -betraying their having served us, they were grossly maltreated by their -fellow countrymen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Lord Chatham (as is well known) commanded this -expedition, and Marshal Beresford had command of that part of it which -occupied the island of South Beveland at this time.</p></div></div> - -<p class="center">THE END.</p> - - -<p class="ph6" style="margin-top: 5em;">Clayton and Co., Printers, 16, Hart-street, Covent Garden.</p> - - - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Recollections of Rifleman Harris, (old -95th), by Benjamin Harris - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF RIFLEMAN HARRIS *** - -***** This file should be named 56211-h.htm or 56211-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/6/2/1/56211/ - -Produced by MWS, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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