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- margin-bottom: .1em; - visibility: hidden; - color: white; - width: .01em; - display: none; - } - - blockquote {margin: 1.5em 3% 1.5em 3%;} - - .poem-container {text-align: center;} - .poem {display: inline-block;} - .poem .attrib {max-width: 25em; margin-right: 0;} - .poem .stanza {page-break-inside: avoid;} - - .hang {margin: .5em 0 1em 2em; text-align: left;} - - .transnote { - page-break-inside: avoid; - margin-left: 2%; - margin-right: 2%; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - padding: .5em; - } - - .covernote {visibility: visible; display: block; text-align: center;} -} - </style> - </head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Peninsular War Volume III -(of 6), by Robert Southey - -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: History of the Peninsular War Volume III (of 6) - -Author: Robert Southey - -Release Date: September 30, 2019 [EBook #60388] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF THE PENINSULAR WAR, VOL 3 *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Coe, Charlie Howard, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="all"> - -<div class="sec"> -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="center">Transcriber’s Note:</p> -<p class="covernote">Cover created by Transcriber and placed in the Public Domain.</p> -<p class="center"><a href="#Transcribers_Notes">Notes at the end</a> of this eBook explain special -notation used to highlight Sidenotes.</p> -</div> - -<h1>HISTORY<br /> -<span class="xxsmall wspace">OF THE</span><br /> -<span class="larger">PENINSULAR WAR.</span></h1> - -<p class="newpage p4 center vspace">LONDON:<br /> -<span class="smaller">PRINTED BY THOMAS DAVISON, WHITEFRIARS.</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="newpage p4 center vspace2 large bold"> -HISTORY<br /> -<span class="xxsmall wspace">OF THE</span><br /> -<span class="larger">PENINSULAR WAR.</span></p> - -<div class="p2 poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i18">“Unto thee<br /></span> -<span class="i0">“Let thine own times as an old story be.”<br /></span> -</div> - -<div class="attrib"><span class="smcap">Donne.</span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p class="p2 center large vspace"> -BY ROBERT SOUTHEY, ESQ. LL.D.<br /> -<span class="smaller">POET LAUREATE,</span></p> - -<p class="center smaller vspace">HONORARY MEMBER OF THE ROYAL SPANISH ACADEMY, OF THE<br /> -ROYAL SPANISH ACADEMY OF HISTORY, OF THE ROYAL<br /> -INSTITUTE OF THE NETHERLANDS, OF THE<br /> -CYMMRODORION, OF THE MASSACHUSETTS<br /> -HISTORICAL SOCIETY, ETC.</p> - -<p class="p2 center larger">A NEW EDITION.</p> - -<p class="p2 center"><i>IN SIX VOLUMES.</i></p> - -<p class="p1 center larger">VOL. III.</p> - -<p class="p2 center vspace large">LONDON:<br /> -<span class="smaller">JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-STREET.<br /> -<span class="smaller">MDCCCXXVIII.</span></span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="newpage p4 b0">Ἱστορίας γὰρ ἐὰν ἀφέλῃ τις τὸ διὰ τί, καὶ πῶς, καὶ τίνος χάριν -ἐπράχθη, καὶ τὸ πραχθὲν πότερα εὔλογον ἔσχε τὸ τέλος, τὸ καταλειπόμενον -αὐτῆς ἀγώνισμα μὲν, μάθημα δὲ οὐ γίγνεται· καὶ -παραυτίκα μὲν τέρπει, πρὸς δὲ τὸ μέλλον οὐδὲν ὠφελεῖ τὸ παράπαν.</p> - -<p class="p0 sigright"> -<span class="smcap">Polybius</span>, lib. iii. sect. 31. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">v</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table id="toc" summary="Contents"> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a>.</td></tr> - <tr class="small"> - <td> </td> - <td class="tdr">PAGE</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Treaty between Great Britain and Spain</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Surrender of Coruña</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Situation and strength of Ferrol</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Surrender of Ferrol</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Exultation of the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Pursuit of Romana’s army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Dismay in Galicia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Romana retreats toward Monterrey</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Blake leaves the army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French cease the pursuit</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Buonaparte is advised that Austria is arming</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Change in his views concerning Spain</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He returns to France</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">His professions to the Spaniards at Madrid</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Registers opened</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The people of Madrid take the oath of allegiance to Joseph</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Addresses to the Intruder</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Edicts of the Intruder before his return to Madrid</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">His entrance into Madrid</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Edicts against the patriots</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Circular epistle to the clergy</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Condition of Madrid</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">False intelligence published by the intrusive government</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_36">36</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">vi</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Unwillingness of the Spaniards to believe that Morla was a traitor</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proofs of his prior treachery</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Morla’s letter to the Central Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">His letter to the governor of Cadiz</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Arrest and cruel imprisonment of the French at Cadiz</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Death of Florida Blanca</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Marques de Astorga chosen president of the Central Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Catalonia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Siege of Barcelona</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">St. Cyr appointed to command the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He determines upon besieging Rosas</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Dilapidated state of that fortress</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Preparations for the siege</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">British squadron in the Bay of Rosas</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Disposition of the Italian troops to desert</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Attack upon Fort Trinidad repulsed</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French establish themselves in the town</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lord Cochrane arrives, and throws himself into Fort Trinidad</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Gallant defence of the fort</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The citadel captured, and the fort evacuated</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">St. Cyr marches to relieve Barcelona</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_63">63</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He discovers a mountain path near Hostalrich</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Indecision of General Vives</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He marches against the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Rout of the Spaniards at Llinas</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Retreat of the Spaniards from Barcelona to the Llobregat</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">St. Cyr marches against them</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Indecision of the Spaniards</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Spaniards routed and pursued to Tarragona</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a>.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Spaniards not discouraged by their reverses</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Condition of Infantado’s army at Cuenca</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Dreams of offensive operations</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_83">83</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">vii</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Movement against the French at Tarancon</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Venegas falls back from Tarancon to Ucles</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Rout of the Spaniards at Ucles</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_86">86</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cruelties committed there by the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Infantado collects the fugitives</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Retreat from Cuenca</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Loss of the artillery</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Infantado frustrates a movement of the enemy against the Carolina army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He is superseded by Cartaojal</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Calumnies against Castaños</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">His memorial to the Central Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Conde de Montijo’s intrigues</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Progress of the French in Castille and Leon</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">New levies raised by the Spaniards</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Temporizing conduct of certain magistrates</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sir Robert Wilson</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He raises a Portugueze legion at Porto</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sir Robert goes to Ciudad Rodrigo</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He refuses to return to Porto</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Effect of his movements</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Part of the legion detained at Porto</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Displeasure of the authorities there</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Rank given him by the Spanish government</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proposal that British troops should be admitted into Cadiz</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Objections of the Spanish government</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Troops arrive in the bay</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Frere’s representations to the Central Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Reply of the Spanish government</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Their proposal for employing the troops</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Conference with Mr. Frere</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Frere requests Cuesta’s opinion</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cuesta’s reply</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Close of the discussion</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Insurrection at Cadiz</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Confidence of the people in the English</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proclamation of the governor</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_130">130</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">viii</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Murder of D. Juan de Heredia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The tumult subsides</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proclamation of the Central Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a>.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Castaños accused at Zaragoza as a traitor</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">State of public feeling in that city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_136">136</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Measures of precaution</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">None of the inhabitants leave the city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_139">139</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Supposed miracles</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_140">140</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Works of defence</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The city crowded with soldiers</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_144">144</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Preparations within the city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Marshal Moncey reconnoitres the Torrero</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French appear before the city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">They take the Torrero</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Unsuccessful attack upon the suburbs</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_148">148</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Moncey summons Palafox to surrender</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The investment of the city completed</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proclamation of Palafox to the people of Madrid</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Junot takes the command of the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">St. Joseph’s and the Redoubt of the Pillar taken</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Rumours of success, and rejoicings in the city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">An infectious disease appears in the city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Attempts of Lazan and Francisco Palafox to succour the city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Condition of the army in Catalonia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Reding takes the command</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159">159</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The army re-formed at Tarragona</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Conduct of the French under St. Cyr</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_162">162</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Orders to attempt the relief of Zaragoza</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Tardiness in obeying them</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Defeat of the peasantry</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Alcañiz occupied by the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Movements in Navarre and Aragon</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Marshal Lasnes takes the command</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He summons Palafox to surrender</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_168">168</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">ix</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French enter the city, but with great loss</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">They establish themselves in the Trinidad Convent</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Convents of S. Augustin and S. Monica won</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The enemy proceed by mining</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_173">173</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Progress of the pestilence</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">First talk of surrender in the city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The contest carried on by fire</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Convent of Jesus in the suburb taken</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_179">179</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">St. Francisco taken</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_180">180</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French begin to murmur</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Not even an attempt is made to relieve the city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_183">183</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The suburbs taken</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_185">185</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The university taken</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Palafox transfers his authority to a Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Condition of the besieged</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Flag of truce sent to the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Last efforts of the besieged</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">D. Pedro Maria Ric goes out to treat with Marshal Lasnes</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_192">192</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Capitulation</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_194">194</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Farther conditions asked, and refused</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Conduct of the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Treatment of the prisoners</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Palafox compelled by threats of death to sign orders for delivering up four fortresses</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He is sent into France</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_202">202</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Demands of the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lasnes makes his entrance</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Baseness of the suffragan bishop</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Language of the French upon their triumph</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Decree of the Central Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Address to the nation</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Honours decreed to the inhabitants of Zaragoza</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Falsehoods of the French government</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_212">212</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a>.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">x</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Portugal threatened by the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Preparations of the English for evacuating Lisbon</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Address of the Portugueze Regency to the nation</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">State of public feeling at Lisbon</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Marshal Soult ordered to enter Portugal from Galicia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Difficulty of providing for the French army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_219">219</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">His confidence of success</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_220">220</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Combined plans of the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_220">220</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Vigo and Tuy occupied by the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Preparations for crossing the Minho below Tuy</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Failure of the attempt</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_223">223</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Soult marches by way of Orense</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_223">223</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Romana rouses the Galicians</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_224">224</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Opinion of his strength</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_225">225</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Villages burnt by the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_226">226</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Intended plan of co-operation between Romana and Silveira</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_226">226</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Difference between Marshals Soult and Ney</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_227">227</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Rout of Romana’s army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French remove their sick and wounded to Monterrey</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Situation of Chaves</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_230">230</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Silveira retires from Chaves</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Some mutinous officers resolve to defend it</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_232">232</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Surrender of Chaves</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_232">232</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French establish their hospital there</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Preparations for defence at Porto</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_235">235</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Advance of the French from Chaves</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_237">237</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Tumults at Braga</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_238">238</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">General Freire murdered</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Portugueze routed before Braga</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_242">242</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French enter Braga</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_243">243</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">They appear before Porto</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Oliveira murdered</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Bishop leaves the city</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Porto taken</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Massacre there</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_248">248</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">xi</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Soult remains in Porto</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_250">250</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Disposition of the inhabitants</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_251">251</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Marshal Soult’s views respecting the Liberals and the Jews</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_252">252</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">His hopes of becoming King of Northern Lusitania</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_254">254</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He visits the Church of N. Senhor de Bouças</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_256">256</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Chaves retaken by Silveira</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_260">260</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proceedings at Coimbra</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_262">262</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Colonel Trant takes a position upon the Vouga</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cruelties of the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_268">268</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Positions of the French and Portugueze</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_269">269</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Romana captures the garrison at Villa Franca</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Efforts of the Galicians</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_273">273</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Barrios sent into Galicia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Portugueze and Galicians blockade Tuy</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_276">276</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Vigo</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_277">277</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Spaniards appear before Vigo</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_278">278</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Recapture of that place</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_279">279</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Blockade of Tuy</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_283">283</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Portugueze recross the Minho</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_284">284</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French in Tuy relieved and withdrawn</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_284">284</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a>.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Plans of the intrusive government</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_286">286</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Effect of the war upon the French soldiery</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_287">287</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Temper of the Spanish generals in La Mancha and Extremadura</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_290">290</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Reforms in the Spanish army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_291">291</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Duque del Alburquerque</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_291">291</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He proposes offensive operations</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_292">292</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">They are undertaken when too late</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_293">293</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Duke sent to join Cuesta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cartaojal advances against the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Rout of the Carolina army at Ciudad Real</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_295">295</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Operations of Marshal Victor</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_295">295</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French cross the Puente del Arzobispo</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_296">296</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cuesta retreats from the Puerto de Miravete</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_297">297</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xii">xii</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Skirmishes at Truxillo and Miajadas</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_298">298</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Junction with Alburquerque’s division</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_301">301</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cuesta offers battle at Medellin</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_301">301</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Battle of Medellin</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_303">303</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Misconduct of the Spanish cavalry</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_304">304</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cuesta thrown and wounded</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_304">304</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Dispersion of the Spanish army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_305">305</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">No quarter given</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_306">306</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Escape of Alburquerque</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_307">307</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The remnant of the Spanish army collect</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_308">308</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cuesta disgraces those who had behaved ill</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_309">309</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Junta act wisely and generously upon these defeats</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_310">310</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Their appeal to the people</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_311">311</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Tribunal of public safety</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_312">312</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Correspondence on the Intruder’s part with the Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_313">313</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Measures for securing Badajoz</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_317">317</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">A crusade proclaimed there</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_318">318</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Regulations concerning the ejected religioners</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_319">319</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Plans of the intrusive government</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_320">320</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sir Robert Wilson’s conduct at Ciudad Rodrigo</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_321">321</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Attempt to surprise that fortress</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French summon it</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_324">324</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">March of Lapisse to unite with Victor</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_325">325</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French enter Alcantara</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_325">325</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Junction of Lapisse and Victor</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_327">327</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a>.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Conduct of the opposition in England</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_328">328</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Return of the troops from Coruña</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_332">332</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The King’s speech</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_333">333</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proceedings in Parliament</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_334">334</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lord Sidmouth</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_334">334</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Earl St. Vincent</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_335">335</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lord Grenville</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_335">335</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Earl of Liverpool</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_336">336</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Ponsonby</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_338">338</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Whitbread</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_339">339</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiii">xiii</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Debates on the overture from Erfurth</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_341">341</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lord Grenville</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_341">341</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lord Auckland</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_341">341</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Canning</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_341">341</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lord Henry Petty</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_343">343</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Whitbread</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_343">343</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Croker</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_346">346</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Whitbread’s speech circulated by the French government</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_347">347</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Debates on the campaign in Portugal</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_348">348</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Both parties agree in extolling Sir John Moore</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_348">348</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Inquiry into the campaign in Spain called for</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_349">349</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lord Grenville</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_349">349</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lord Erskine</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_349">349</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Ponsonby</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_350">350</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lord Castlereagh</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_354">354</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Tierney</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_354">354</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Canning</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_357">357</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Windham</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_361">361</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sir John Moore’s dispatches</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_367">367</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Frere’s correspondence with Sir John Moore</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_372">372</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Earl Grey</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_373">373</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Earl of Liverpool</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_374">374</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mr. Canning</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_377">377</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Earl Grey</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_381">381</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Expedition to the Scheldt</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_382">382</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Troops sent to Portugal</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_384">384</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Earl of Buckinghamshire</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_384">384</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a>.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Feelings of the Portugueze toward the English</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_387">387</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sir Arthur Wellesley’s instructions</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_388">388</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">General Beresford appointed commander-in-chief of the Portugueze army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_389">389</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He begins to reform the army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_390">390</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Intercepted letter from General Kellermann to Soult</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_392">392</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Laborde sent to attack Silveira at Amarante</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_393">393</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiv">xiv</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">State of Penafiel when the French entered</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_394">394</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Bridge of Amarante</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_395">395</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick killed in defending it</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_397">397</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French endeavour to throw a bridge over the river</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_398">398</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Repeated attempts to effect the passage</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_399">399</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Plan for demolishing the Portugueze entrenchments</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_400">400</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French win the bridge</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_401">401</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Situation of the enemy</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_402">402</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sir Arthur Wellesley lands at Lisbon</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_404">404</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He communicates his plans to Cuesta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_404">404</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Views of the Philadelphes in Marshal Soult’s army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_406">406</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Sieur D’Argenton goes to Sir Arthur Wellesley to explain their views</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_409">409</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Advance of the British army towards Porto</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_410">410</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">D’Argenton is arrested</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_411">411</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Soult prepares to retreat from Portugal</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_412">412</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French driven from Albergaria</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_413">413</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">They are driven from their position at Grijo</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_414">414</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Measures of Soult to prevent the passage of the Douro</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_415">415</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Passage of that river</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_416">416</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Deliverance of Porto</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_418">418</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Soult and Loison effect a junction on their retreat</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_421">421</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sir Arthur pursues the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_422">422</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Sufferings of the enemy in their flight</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_423">423</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Loss of the French at Puente de Misarella</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_425">425</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The pursuit given over at Montalegre</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_425">425</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Movement of troops from Aragon</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_426">426</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Reasons for not continuing the pursuit</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_427">427</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Victor enters Portugal by way of Alcantara, and speedily retreats</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_428">428</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Soult reaches Orense</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_429">429</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Romana enters Asturias, and displaces the Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_429">429</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Combined movements of the French against Romana</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_430">430</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Romana escapes by sea</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_431">431</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Ney returns into Galicia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_432">432</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French in Lugo relieved by Soult</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_433">433</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mahy returns to Mondoñedo</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_434">434</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French driven from Compostella</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_435">435</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xv">xv</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Combined operations of Marshals Ney and Soult in Galicia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_436">436</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Romana rejoins his army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_437">437</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proceedings of Soult</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_437">437</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Cruelties exercised by the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_439">439</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Defeat of the French at the Bridge of S. Payo</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_440">440</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Spaniards retaliate upon the invaders</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_443">443</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Soult retreats out of Galicia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_443">443</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Ferrol and Coruña evacuated by the French</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_444">444</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Soult complains of certain officers</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_446">446</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He recommends a plan for securing Galicia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_447">447</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Romana summoned to take his place in the Central Junta</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_448">448</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He orders a monument to be erected to Sir John Moore</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_449">449</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">His farewell to the army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_450">450</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Address of the Central Junta to the Galicians</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_451">451</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdc chap" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</a>.</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proceedings of the French after the fall of Zaragoza</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_456">456</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">State of the Catalan army</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_457">457</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Reding determines to act on the offensive</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_460">460</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Spaniards driven from Igualada</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_461">461</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Failure of the French against the Abbey of the S. Creus</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_462">462</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Reding takes the field, and collects his scattered troops</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_465">465</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He is advised to retreat</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_466">466</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Battle of Valls</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_469">469</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French received at Reus</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_472">472</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Arrangement concerning the wounded</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_473">473</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Alarm at Tortosa</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_474">474</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Lazan separates his army from Reding’s command</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_475">475</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Mortality in Tarragona</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_476">476</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">St. Cyr removes to the plain of Vicq</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_477">477</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Vicq deserted by its inhabitants</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_480">480</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Arrest of the persons in office at Barcelona for refusing the oath</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_481">481</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Prisoners sent into France</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_483">483</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Barcelona relieved by sea</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_484">484</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xvi">xvi</span></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Reding dies of his wounds</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_484">484</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Peasants of the Vallés</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_486">486</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Blake appointed to the command</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_488">488</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Movements of the Aragonese</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_488">488</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Monzon recovered by the Spaniards</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_490">490</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Capture of a French detachment</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_491">491</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Blake moves upon Alcañiz</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_492">492</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The French withdraw</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_495">495</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Suchet comes against him</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_496">496</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Defeat of the French before Alcañiz</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_497">497</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Anniversary of the insurrection at Valencia</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_499">499</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Celebration of S. Ferdinand’s day</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_500">500</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Executions in Barcelona</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_502">502</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Blake advances toward Zaragoza</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_504">504</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Suchet attacks the Spaniards</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_505">505</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Blake retreats to Belchite</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_506">506</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Flight of the Spaniards</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_507">507</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Blake’s resignation not accepted</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_509">509</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Commencement of the Guerillas</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_511">511</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Porlier</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_511">511</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">The Empecinado</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_511">511</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Renovales in the valleys of Roncal</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_512">512</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He defeats a French detachment</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_512">512</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">A second party defeated</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_513">513</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Proclamation of the Duque de Mahon</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_514">514</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Executions and reprisals</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_516">516</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Attempts to win over Renovales</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_517">517</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Troops sent from Zaragoza against him</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_520">520</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">He capitulates for the valleys</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_522">522</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Xavier Mina</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_523">523</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl">Siege of Gerona commenced</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_526">526</a></td></tr> -</table> - -</div> - -<div class="main"> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">1</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="HISTORY" class="vspace"><span class="smaller">HISTORY</span><br /> -<span class="xxsmall">OF THE</span><br /> -PENINSULAR WAR.</h2> -</div> - -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVI" class="nobreak p2">CHAPTER XVI.</h2> - -<blockquote class="inhead"> - -<p class="hang">TREATY BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND SPAIN. -SURRENDER OF CORUNA AND FERROL. SITUATION -OF ROMANA’S ARMY. BUONAPARTE RETURNS -TO FRANCE. PROCEEDINGS AT MADRID. -OPERATIONS IN CATALONIA.</p></blockquote> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809. January.</span> -<hr /> -Treaty between Great Britain and Spain.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p><span class="firstword">Happily</span> for the interests of Great Britain, -and for its honour, which is paramount to all -interests, the British government entertained -more generous hopes than its General had done, -and acted upon wiser views. At the very time -when the Spaniards had sustained the heaviest -losses, and our own army was known to be in -full retreat, a treaty was signed at London between -Great Britain and the Spanish nation -acting in the name of Ferdinand. It proclaimed -a christian, stable, and inviolable peace between -the two countries, perpetual and sincere amity, -and strict alliance during the war with France;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">2</span> -and it pronounced an entire and lasting oblivion -of all acts of hostility done on either side in the -course of the late wars wherein they had been -engaged against each other. His Britannic -Majesty engaged to assist the Spaniards to the -utmost of his power, and not to acknowledge -any other King of Spain, and of the Indies -thereunto appertaining, than Ferdinand VII., -his heirs, or such lawful successor as the -Spanish nation should acknowledge; and the -Spanish government engaged, on behalf of Ferdinand, -never to cede to France any portion of -the territories or possessions of the Spanish -monarchy in any part of the world. The contracting -parties bound themselves to make -common cause against France, and not to make -peace except by common consent. It was -agreed by an additional article, that as the -existing circumstances did not admit of the regular -negotiation of a treaty of commerce with -all the care and consideration due to so important -a subject, such a negotiation should be -effected as soon as it was practicable; and -meantime mutual facilities afforded to the commerce -of both countries, by temporary regulations, -founded on reciprocal utility. Another -separate article provided that the Spanish government -should take the most effectual measures -for preventing the Spanish squadrons, in -all their ports, from falling into the power of -France. Before the treaty could reach Spain, -the mischief against which this latter article<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">3</span> -was intended to provide had been done in the -ports of Galicia.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Surrender of Coruña.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>There were Englishmen at Coruña, who, -when Sir John Moore was preparing to embark, -doubted whether the inhabitants would protect -his embarkation. In the bitterness of grief and -shame they said, “should the Galicians tell us -that we came into their country and by the -imposing display of our well-equipped army -prevented them from defending their native -mountains; that they entrusted their passes to -us and we abandoned them to the enemy; that -disregarding any service which seemed immaterial -to our own safety, we let the French occupy -the approaches to their city; ... should the -volunteers of Coruña tell us this (they said), -and throw down their arms when they see us -flying to our ships, ... we should have little -right to complain of desertion or abandonment!” -But the Spaniards are a more generous -people than these doubts implied. Astonished -indeed they were at the manner in -which an army that had excited by its proud -appearance the highest hopes as well as the -highest admiration, had retreated through one -of the strongest and most defensible countries -in Europe; but severely as these hopes were -disappointed, and cruelly as they suffered in -consequence, they were not betrayed into one -unworthy act or expression of resentment. -The Governor of Coruña, D. Antonio de Alcedo, -had made vigorous preparations as soon as it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">4</span> -seemed likely that the enemy might enter Galicia. -His name will be remembered as the -author of a Geographical Dictionary of Spanish -America, much more accurate and copious than -any former work relating to those countries. -It would be well for him could it be forgotten -in the history of his own. While he expected -that the British army would make a stand, and -maintain Coruña and Ferrol at least, even if -they abandoned the field, he held brave language, -calling upon the inhabitants to supply -stakes, beams, fascines and butts for additional -works, and exhorting the women to busy themselves -in providing sacks to be filled with earth. -“If the French come,” said he in his proclamation, -“I will take such measures that Coruña -shall be not less gloriously distinguished -than Gerona, Valencia, and Zaragoza. But -should fortune prove adverse to us, as a chastisement -from God for our sins, I will bury -myself in the ruins of this fortress rather than -surrender it to the enemy: thus finishing my -days with honour, and trusting that all will -follow my example.” Wherever in Spain a -Governor was found willing to set such an -example, the resolution to follow it was not -wanting.</p> - -<p>Coruña is a regular fortress, and might long -have held out against any means which Marshal -Soult could have brought against it. But when -an English army with the sea open to them for -succours did not think of maintaining it, it is<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">5</span> -not surprising that the inhabitants should have -despaired of making a successful resistance. -Their Governor was prepared to play the traitor; -he had still however honour enough left -not to propose a capitulation till the last transport -was beyond the enemy’s power. Terms -were then easily agreed on, the one party asking - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Jan. 19.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -only what the other would have imposed. -Alcedo stipulated for a general amnesty; that -all persons in office should retain their appointments -on taking an oath to the Intruder; and -that the military who took that oath might -either continue in the service or receive their -dismissal at their own option, such as refused -the oath becoming prisoners of war. He himself -set the example of swearing allegiance to -Joseph Buonaparte; and soon in his own person -properly experienced with what fidelity the -French kept their engagements, for they presently -dismissed him from his government and -sent him into France.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Situation and strength of Ferrol.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Coruña and Ferrol are situated on the opposite -sides of a spacious bay which receives in -four deep inlets the rivers Mero, Mandeu, Eume -and Juvia. Ferrol is placed in the deepest and -most capacious of these inlets, and nothing -which skill and expense could effect had been -spared during the last half century for improving -the natural advantages of the harbour, -and rendering it impregnable. It had thus -been rendered one of the strongest naval establishments -in the world, being also one of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">6</span> -most commodious. To force the passage is -impossible, ships having for the distance of a -league to file one by one along a shore defended -by forts. Equal care had been taken -to protect it on the land side. There were at -this time eight ships of the line in the harbour, -of which three were of the largest size, ... three -frigates, and a considerable number of smaller -vessels. From Betanzos to Ferrol was but a -march of fourteen miles farther than from Betanzos -to Coruña; and it was a topic of exultation -for the French, that the English in the -precipitance of their flight had not marched -upon Ferrol instead of Coruña, where they -might have occupied a fortress strong enough -to be called impregnable, and have secured the -squadron. It was still fresh in remembrance -that when Sir James Pulteney had landed on -the coast there with a part of that army by -which the French were afterwards expelled -from Egypt, he deemed it more prudent to re-embark -his troops without attempting any thing, -than to hazard an attack against so formidable -a place. It is indeed almost impossible to lay -regular siege to it: the nature of the ground -being such that trenches cannot be opened -there.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Surrender of Ferrol.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Soult found in Coruña a battering -train sufficient for making a feint of besieging -Ferrol; that it would not be in his power to -take it he well knew; ... but he reckoned upon -the pusillanimity and treason of the commanders,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">7</span> -and upon the fortune of Buonaparte. The -population was estimated at 8000, double the -number in Coruña; but the peasantry from the -adjacent country had flocked thither, and there -were 8000 men within its walls, burning with -hatred and indignation against the French, and -requiring only a leader in whom they could -confide. The persons in authority they suspected, -and with too much reason. One of -these, the admiral D. Pedro Obregon, they displaced -and threw into prison; it was only removing -one traitor to make room for another. -D. Francisco Melgarejo, who succeeded to the -command of the squadron, opened a correspondence -with the enemy by water; and the -military commanders, equally ready to betray -their country and their trust, sent messengers -round by land at the same time. Accordingly -General Mermet had no sooner made a demonstration -of investing the town, than the -Castles of La Palma and San Martin were -abandoned to him; and as the disposition of -the people was of no avail against the vile purposes -of their chiefs civil and military, the town - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Jan. 26.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -was delivered up, upon the same terms as Coruña; -a few additional articles being added, -stipulating for the arrears of pay, as also that if -resistance were made in any part of Galicia, no -inhabitant of Ferrol should be compelled to -serve against his countrymen. Obregon was -then released from prison, and placed by the -French at the head of the arsenal; he and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">8</span> -comrades of his treason took the oath of allegiance -to the Intruder; and those persons who -had been most active in arresting him and in -promoting the national cause were seized and -reserved for punishment.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Exultation of the enemy.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>If the Central Junta had at one time dissembled -the danger of the country (or rather -partaken too much of that unreasoning confidence -which was one characteristic of the -Spaniards), they never attempted to conceal its -disasters, nor to extenuate them. On such occasions -their language was frank and dignified, -becoming the nation which they represented. -In announcing the loss of Coruña and Ferrol, -they pronounced the surrender of those strong -places to have been cowardly and scandalous, -and promised to condemn the persons who had -thus betrayed their duty, to condign punishment. -The enemy meantime failed not to blazon -forth their triumphs in this Galician campaign: -to represent the battle of Coruña as a -victory on their part was a falsehood, which all -circumstances, except those of the action itself, -tended to confirm; ... and the results of the campaign -had been so rapid, and apparently so -complete, as to excite their own wonder. Three -British regiments, they said, the 42d, 50th, and -52d, had been entirely destroyed in the action, -and Sir John Moore killed in attempting to charge -at their head, with the vain hope of restoring -the fortune of the day. The English had lost -every thing which constitutes an army, artillery,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">9</span> -horses, baggage, ammunition, magazines, and -military chests. 80 pieces of cannon they had -landed, they had re-embarked no more than 12. -200,000 weight of powder, 16,000 muskets, and -2,000,000 of treasure (about £83,000) had fallen -into the hands of the pursuers, and treasure yet -more considerable had been thrown down the -precipices along the road between Astorga and -Coruña, where the peasantry and the soldiers -were now collecting it. 5000 horses had been -counted which they had slaughtered upon the -way, ... 500 were taken at Coruña, and the carcasses -of 1200 were infecting the streets when -the conquerors entered that town. The English -would have occupied Ferrol and seized the squadron -there, had it not been for the precipitance -of their retreat, and the result of the battle to -which they had been brought at last. Thus then -had terminated their expedition into Spain! thus, -after having fomented the war in that unhappy -country, had they abandoned it to its fate! In -another season of the year not a man of them -would have escaped; now the facility of breaking -up the bridges, the rapidity of the winter -torrents, shortness of days, and length of nights, -had favoured their retreat. But they were driven -out of the peninsula, harassed, routed, and disheartened. -The kingdom of Leon, the province -of Zamora, and all Galicia, which they had been -so desirous to cover, were conquered and subdued; -and Romana, whom they had brought -from the Baltic, was, with the wreck of his army,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">10</span> -reduced to less than 2500 men, wandering between -Vigo and Santiago, and closely pursued.... -This was the most stinging of all the French reproaches. -Wounded to the heart as we were -that an English army should so have retreated, -still we knew that wherever our men had been -allowed to face the enemy they had beaten them; -and that, however the real history of the battle -of Coruña might be concealed from the French -people, the French army had received a lesson -there, which they would remember whenever it -might be our fortune to encounter them again. -But that we should have drawn such a force in -pursuit of Romana, who, if he were taken prisoner, -would be put to death with the forms of -justice, by a tyrant who made mockery of justice, -was of all the mournful reflections which this -disastrous expedition excited, the most painful -and the most exasperating.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Pursuit of Romana’s army.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>At this time indeed Romana’s situation might -have appeared hopeless to any but a Spaniard, -and few Spaniards would have regarded it with -such equanimity as this high-minded nobleman. -In the virtuous determination of doing his duty -to the uttermost, whatever might betide, he -trusted Providence with the event, and gave -way to no despondent or repining thought. A -detachment under G. Franceschi had pursued -his army after it had separated from Sir J. Moore -at Astorga, and according to the French statements -taken some 3000 men, and killed a great -number before he entered the Val de Orras.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">11</span> -The charge of completing its destruction was -then transferred by Soult to M. Ney, and he -dispatched G. Marchand’s division and a regiment -of cavalry as amply sufficient for the intended -service. Romana left his vanguard under -D. Gabriel de Mendizabal to cover the Val de -Orras, and the Riberas del Sil; ... one division -was posted at Pueblo de Tribes and Mendoya, -to support him if he should be attacked, and -defend the bridge over the Bivey; the others -were distributed where they could find subsistence, -and at the same time afford support to -the more advanced.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Dismay in Galicia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The country was in a state of the utmost -alarm. The Vizconde de Quintanilla, one of -the deputies for Leon to the Central Junta, had -been sent to Romana’s army, and disagreeing -with him before the retreat commenced, had -preceded him, in the hope of taking some measures -which might be serviceable to the common -cause. Manifest as it was that Sir J. Moore -had given up that cause in his heart as hopeless, -it had never been apprehended that he would -retreat with such precipitation, and abandon -Coruña and Ferrol to their fate; ports the -maintenance of which was of so great importance -to Great Britain as long as she took any -part in the contest. Of all the Spaniards the -Galicians had least reason to fear that the war -would be brought to their own doors; and their -consternation was extreme when they saw the -enemy among them. Quintanilla repaired to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">12</span> -Santiago, from which city the Archbishop had fled, -having been insulted by the people, and dreading -farther outrages from the insubordination -which these dreadful times produced. As it -seemed that nothing could be done for resisting -the enemy, Quintanilla endeavoured at least to -disappoint them of their expected booty, and -proposed that the church plate should be removed. -In such treasure that city was peculiarly -rich, having been during many centuries -more in vogue than any other place of pilgrimage -in Europe; but his advice was rejected, -upon the ground that the populace, who were -suspicious of whatever was done, would not suffer -it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Romana retreats toward Monterry.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Romana’s was a buoyant spirit, not to be depressed -by any dangers. He had read the British -General rightly, but his confidence in the British -character was unshaken; and in the expectation -that something would be attempted upon the -coast, he moved one of his divisions from Mazeda -to Taboada and other villages near Lugo, -for the purpose of observing and harassing the -enemy. This movement was ordered the day -before the battle of Coruña. On the afternoon -of the 17th he was apprised that 5000 French -were at St. Esteban de Ribas del Sil, three -leagues from Orense, and in the night advice -came from Mendizabal that he had been attacked -by a detachment moving upon that city. Romana -reconnoitred this force; they were plainly waiting -for reinforcements, but even in their present<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">13</span> -state he was not strong enough to resist them; -for as soon as he entered Galicia, the whole of -the new levies had dispersed: they belonged to -that province, and feeling themselves within -reach of home, believed with some reason that -they could provide better for themselves than -it was in the power of their general and their -government to provide for them.</p> - -<p>At his last interview with Sir J. Moore it had -been arranged that the British army should make -its stand at Villafranca, and there defend the -entrance into Galicia, while the Marquis should -endeavour to collect and reform his troops upon -the river Sil. But because this resolution, fatally -for Sir J. Moore, had been abandoned, -Romana’s left flank and rear were exposed to -the enemy. They were at leisure to direct their -efforts against him, and he saw that the only -way of escape open for him was by Monterry. -In that direction therefore he moved, and fixed -his head-quarters on the 21st at Villaza, a league -from that town, on the side of Portugal. Here, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Blake leaves the army.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to his surprise and displeasure, he found that -Blake, who had continued with the army till -this day, had left it without giving him any intimation -of his departure, taken with him the -officers whom he could trust, and left directions -for others to follow him through Portugal. The -camp-marshal, D. Rafael Martinengo, was missing -also: his conduct, though irregular, was afterwards -honourably explained; he had gone to -collect stragglers. With regard to General Blake,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">14</span> -serving only as an individual after he had been -removed from the command, he was at liberty -to retire whither and when he pleased, ... but not -thus, in a manner derogatory to the commander, -subversive of discipline, and injurious to the -army. His disappearance, and that of the officers -who followed him, increased the distrust -and despondency of the troops; and the reports -which they spread to excuse themselves for thus -withdrawing, contributed still farther to dishearten -the people. “I assure your excellency,” -said Romana, when he communicated this to the -war minister, “that I never gave a more trying -proof of patriotism, love to my King, and gratitude -to the government which in his name has -conferred so many honours upon me, than in -taking upon myself the command of this army -in such circumstances, and retaining it, though -abandoned by those who ought to have assisted -me. I know not wherein this patriotism consists -which is so loudly vaunted ... any reverse, any -mishap, prostrates the minds of these people, -and, thinking only of saving their own persons, -they sacrifice their country, and compromise -their commander.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French cease the pursuit.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The next intelligence was of Sir J. Moore’s -death in action with M. Soult. The first thought -which occurred to Romana was that this would -not have happened if they had given battle -to that very Soult at Saldaña. It was his firm -persuasion that if the British force and his ill-fated -troops had been united in October, they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">15</span> -might have driven the French beyond the -Pyrenees. The British had now actually embarked. -Coruña and Ferrol were still points of -hope; and if the governors there performed -their duty, he could yet render them some service -in the field. With this view he moved to -cover the province of Tuy; but having reached -La Guironda, he learnt in the night that the -French with superior forces were at hand. His -troops, though well equal to the business of -harassing an enemy that should be otherwise -employed, would have been lost if brought to -action; he returned therefore to Oimbra, with -the intention, if he should be pursued, of entering -Portugal, and making through Tras-os-Montes -for Ciudad Rodrigo, there to refit his -army, or reinforce some other with the remnant -that was left. A little respite was allowed him, -for the French did not think the wreck of this -army of sufficient consequence to fatigue themselves -by pursuing and hunting it down. Where -he and his handful of fugitives were secreting -themselves they knew not, and on his part -Romana knew as little what was passing in -other parts of Spain.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Buonaparte advised that Austria is arming.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Buonaparte had never appeared so joyous as -when he left Madrid with the expectation of -surprising Sir John Moore. He had intended - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>De Pradt, 211.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to go to Lisbon, and the troops had actually received -orders to hold themselves in readiness -for beginning their march toward that capital, -but the desire of encountering a British army<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">16</span> -made him change his intention; and Lisbon -was thus doubly preserved from a second subjugation, -for this movement interposed between -the British and Portugal, and if Sir J. Moore -had retreated thither, he would have abandoned -Lisbon as he did Coruña. When there was no -longer a hope of overtaking the English, Buonaparte -stopped at Astorga; it was more consistent -with his dignity that a detachment of his -army should hunt them to the coast, than that -he should continue the pursuit in person. Beyond -that city, therefore, he would not have -proceeded, even if dispatches had not reached -him there which recalled him into France. He -had designs against Austria, concerning which -the Emperor Alexander had been deceived at -Erfurt: his intention had been to complete the -easy subjugation of Spain before he began to -execute these further projects of insatiable -ambition; but he was informed that Austria, -instead of waiting for the blow, was preparing -to avail herself of the advantage which the -Spanish war afforded her. The news was not -unwelcome to him; for he had now entertained -a new train of ambitious and perfidious thoughts, -which made him desirous of leaving Spain. From -Astorga he turned back to Valladolid, and remained -there a few days to make his last arrangements -before he returned into France.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Change in his views concerning Spain.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>An attachment to his family was almost the -only human part of Buonaparte’s character; but -when any object of aggrandisement presented<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">17</span> -itself to his all-grasping desires, that attachment -stood as little in his way as the obligations of -truth, honour, and justice. He had been sincere -in his intention of giving Spain to Joseph, while -he thought it an easy gift, and one which in its -results would prove beneficial to the giver. The -resistance which had been made to the intrusion, -and the reverses which his arms had for a time -experienced, disturbed and mortified him; and -in that temper of mind which escapes self-condemnation -by reproaching others, he imputed to -Joseph’s flight from Madrid, as a consequence, -the very spirit of resistance which had rendered -that measure necessary for his own preservation. -For this reason there had been no cordiality at -their meeting; he had treated Joseph with disrespect, -as well as coldness, and leaving him in -the rear, had issued edicts by his own authority, -and in his own name. This had been resented -by Joseph, as far as one who was the receiver -of a stolen crown could resent it: having been -made King, he represented it was proper he -should appear to be such; to debase him was -not the way of rendering him more acceptable -to a proud and high-minded nation. In addition -to this there was another cause of discontent -between them. Whatever country Buonaparte -entered, that country was made to support his -army; war was to him no expense, ... the cost -fell always upon his enemies or his allies. Thus -he had expected to proceed in Spain; ... but even -when he was master of Madrid the intrusive<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">18</span> -government had no other revenue than the -duties which were paid at his gates, and Joseph, -instead of paying his brother’s armies, looked to -him for the maintenance of his own court. Joseph -had represented also the impolicy of continuing -to exasperate the people by a system of -military exactions; and Napoleon, impatient of -any contradiction, instantly perceived that a -King of Spain, whether of the Buonaparte or -the Bourbon dynasty, must have a Spanish feeling -incompatible with that entire subserviency -to himself which he expected and required. -Having so lately and so solemnly guaranteed the -integrity of Spain, and proclaimed his brother -king, he could not at once subvert his own arrangements; - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>De Pradt, 207–225.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -but he avowed to M. de Pradt at -this time that when he had given that kingdom, -he did not understand the value of the present: -follies would be committed, he said, which would -throw it again into his hands, and he would then -divide it into five viceroyalties.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He returns to France.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>He apprehended no difficulty in this: any -military opposition which could be attempted -he despised, the more entirely because of the -ease with which the Spanish armies had been dispersed, -... and the moral obstacles he was still -incapable of appreciating. A dispatch reached -him from Galicia, and upon reading it he said -to those about him, “Every thing proceeds -well. Romana cannot resist a fortnight longer. -The English will never make another effort; and -three months hence the war will be at an end.”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">19</span> -One of the marshals hinted at the character of -the people and of the country. “It is a La -Vendée,” he replied; “I have tranquillized La -Vendée. Calabria also was in a state of insurrection, -... wherever there are mountains there -are insurgents; but the kingdom of Naples is -tranquil now. It is not enough to command an -army well, ... one must have general views. The -continental system is not the same as in the time -of Frederick; the great powers must absorb the -smaller. The priests have considerable influence -here, and they use it to exasperate the people: -but the Romans conquered them; the Moors -conquered them; and they are not near so fine -a people now as they were then. I will settle -the government firmly; I will interest the nobles, -and I will cut down the people with grape-shot. -What do they want? the Prince of Asturias? -Half the nation object to him: ... besides he is -dead to them. There is no longer any dynasty to -oppose to me. They say the population is against -us. Why Spain is a perfect solitude, ... there are -not five men to a square league. Besides, if it - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Jones’s Account of the War, vol. i. 165.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -be a question of numbers, I will pour all Europe -into their country. They have to learn what -a first-rate power can effect.” With this flagitious -determination the remorseless tyrant returned -into France.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Professions to the Spaniards at Madrid.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Before he left Madrid to march against the -English, an address framed by the traitors of -that city in the name of the magistrates and -citizens was presented to him by the Corregidor.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">20</span> -They thanked him for his gracious clemency, -that in the midst of conquest he had -thought of the safety and welfare of the conquered, -and forgiven all which had been done -during the absence of Joseph, their king: and -they entreated that it might please him to grant -them the favour of seeing King Joseph once -more among them, to the end that under his -laws that capital and the whole kingdom might -enjoy the happiness which they expected from -the benevolence of their new sovereign’s character. -The tyrant replied to this in one of his -characteristic harangues. “I am pleased,” he -said, “with the sentiments of the city of Madrid. -I regret the injuries she has suffered, -and am particularly happy that, under existing -circumstances, I have been able to effect her -deliverance, and to protect her from great calamities, -and have accomplished what I owed to -myself and my nation. Vengeance has had its -due: it has fallen upon ten of the principal -culprits; ... the rest have entire and absolute -forgiveness.” He then touched upon the reforms -by which he thought to reconcile the -Spaniards to a foreign yoke. “I have preserved -the spiritual orders, but with a limitation -of the number of monks: they who were influenced -by a divine call shall remain in their -cloisters; with regard to those whose call was -doubtful, or influenced by worldly considerations, -I have fixed their condition in the class -of secular priests. Out of the surplus of monastic<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">21</span> -property I have provided for the maintenance -of the pastors, that important and useful -branch of the clergy. I have suppressed that -court which was a subject of complaint to Europe -and the present age. Priests may guide -the minds of men, but must exercise no temporal -or corporal jurisdiction over the citizens. -I have annulled those privileges which the grandees -usurped during times of civil war. I have -abolished feudal rights, and henceforth every -one may set up inns, ovens, mills, employ himself -in fishing and rabbit-hunting, and give free -scope to his industry, provided he respects the -laws. The selfishness, wealth, and prosperity -of a small number of individuals were more injurious -to your agriculture than the heat of the -Dog-days. All peculiar jurisdictions were usurpations, -and at variance with the rights of the -nation. I have abolished them. As there is -but one God, so should there be in a state but -one judicial power.</p> - -<p>“There is no obstacle,” he continued, “which -can long resist the execution of my resolutions. -But what transcends my power is this, to consolidate -the Spaniards as one nation, under the -sway of the king, should they continue to be -affected with those principles of hatred to France -which the partizans of England and the enemies -of the continent have infused into the -bosom of Spain. I can establish no nation, no -king, no independence of the Spaniards, if the -king be not assured of their attachment and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">22</span> -fidelity. The Bourbons can no longer reign in -Europe. The divisions of the royal family were -contrived by the English. It was not the dethronement -of King Charles and of the favourite, -that the Duke del Infantado, that tool of -England, had in view. The intention was, to -establish the predominant influence of England -in Spain; a senseless project, the result of which -would have been a perpetual continental war. -No power under the influence of England can -exist on the continent. If there be any that -entertain such a wish, the wish is absurd, and -will sooner or later occasion their fall. It would -be easy for me, should I be compelled to adopt -that measure, to govern Spain, by establishing -as many viceroys in it as there are provinces. -Nevertheless, I do not refuse to abdicate my -rights of conquest in favour of the king, and to -establish him in Madrid, as soon as the 30,000 -citizens which this capital contains, the clergy, -nobility, merchants, and lawyers shall have declared -their fidelity, set an example to the provinces, -enlightened the people, and made the -nation sensible that their existence and prosperity -essentially depend upon a king and a -free constitution, favourable to the people, and -hostile only to the selfishness and haughty passions -of the grandees. If such be the sentiments -of the inhabitants, let the 30,000 citizens -assemble in the churches; let them, in the presence -of the holy sacrament, take an oath, not -only with their mouths, but also with their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">23</span> -hearts, and without any jesuitical equivocation, -that they promise support, attachment, and -fidelity to their king; let the priests in the confessional -and the pulpit, the merchants in their -correspondence, the lawyers in their writings -and speeches, infuse these sentiments into the -people: ... then will I surrender my right of -conquest, place the king upon the throne, and -make it my pleasing task to conduct myself as -a true friend of the Spaniards. The present -generation may differ in their opinions; the -passions have been too much brought into action; -but your grandchildren will bless me as -their renovator; they will reckon the day when -I appeared among you among their memorable -festivals; and from that day will the happiness -of Spain date its commencement. Thus,” he -concluded, addressing himself to the Corregidor, -“you are informed of the whole of my -determination. Consult with your fellow-citizens, -and consider what part you will choose; -but whatever it be, make your choice with sincerity, -and tell me only your genuine sentiments.”</p> - -<p>There was something more detestable in this -affectation of candour and generosity than in -his open and insolent violence. “Consult! and -consider what part you will choose, and make -your choice with sincerity!”... The Spanish -nation had made their choice! They had made -it at Baylen and at Reynosa, at Cadiz and at -Madrid, at Valencia and at Zaragoza; for life<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">24</span> -or for death; deliberately, and yet as if with -one impulse, ... with enthusiasm, and yet -calmly, ... had that noble people nobly, and -wisely, and religiously made their heroic choice. -They had written it in blood, their own and -their oppressors’. Its proofs were to be seen in -deserted houses and depopulated towns, in the -blackened walls of hamlets which had been laid -waste with fire, in the bones which were bleaching -upon the mountains of Biscay, and in the -bodies, French and Spaniard, which were at -that hour floating down the tainted Ebro! Here, -in the capital, their choice had been recorded; -they who had been swept down by grape-shot -in its streets, or bayoneted in the houses, they -who had fallen in the heat of battle before its -gates, and they who in cold blood had been sent -in droves to execution, alike had borne witness -to that choice, and confirmed it, and rejoiced -in it with their dying breath. And this tyrant -called upon the people of Madrid now to tell -him their sentiments, ... now when their armies -were dispersed, and they themselves, betrayed -and disarmed, were surrounded by his legions!</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Registers opened.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Registers were opened in every quarter, and, -if French accounts could be believed, 30,000 -fathers of families rushed thither in crowds, and -signed a supplication to the conqueror, entreating -him to put an end to their misfortunes, by -granting them his august brother Joseph for -their king. If this impossible eagerness had -really been manifested, it could admit of no<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">25</span> -other solution than that the people of Madrid, -bitterly as they detested and heartily as they -despised Joseph, yet thought it a less evil to be -governed by him than by the tyrant himself, ... -for this was the alternative allowed them. But -a census of this kind, as it is called, like those -which coloured Buonaparte’s assumption, first -of the consulship for life, and then of an hereditary -throne, was easily procured, when neither -threats, nor persuasions, nor fraud, nor violence -were spared.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The people of Madrid take the oath of allegiance to Joseph.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The ceremony of voting and taking the oath -was delayed till after Buonaparte’s departure, -“because,” said the French journalists, “a suspicion -of fear might else have attached to it. -The act was now more noble, as being entirely -free, ... as being confirmed by the weightiest -considerations whereby a people can be influenced, -their interest, their happiness, and their -glory.” With such language the better part of -the French nation were insulted, and the unreflecting -deceived, while all knowledge of the -real state of things was shut out by the vigilance -of a government, conscious enough of wickedness -to know that it required concealment. The -votes were then exacted, the host was exposed -in all the churches, and the priests were compelled -to receive from their countrymen at the -altar, and as they believed in the actual and -bodily presence of their Saviour and their God, -a compulsory oath of allegiance to the Intruder. -The Catholic system has a salvo in such cases;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">26</span> -and the same priests who administered the oath -were believed by the French themselves to have -released those who took it from its obligations.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Addresses to the Intruder.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The higher ranks in Madrid had shown themselves -from the commencement of these troubles -as deficient in public spirit as they had long -been in private virtues. Scarcely an individual -in that capital who was distinguished for rank, -or power, or riches, had stood forward in the -national cause, so fallacious is the opinion that -those persons will be most zealous in the defence -of their country, who have what is called the -largest stake in it. Addresses from all the councils -and corporate bodies of the metropolis were -dispatched to Buonaparte while he tarried at -Valladolid, ... all alike abject, and all soliciting -that they might be indulged with the presence -of their king. The Council of state, by a deputy, -expressed its homage of thanks for the -generous clemency of the conqueror. “What -gratitude,” said he, “does it not owe you for -having snatched Spain from the influence of -those destructive councils which fifty years of -misfortune had prepared for it; for having rid -it of the English armies, who threatened to fix -upon its territories the theatre of continental -war! Grateful for these benefits, the Council of -state has still another supplication to lay at the -feet of your majesty. Deign, sire, to commit -to our loyalty your august brother, our lord and -King. Permit him to re-enter Madrid, and to -take into his hands the reins of government;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">27</span> -that under the benevolent sway of this august -prince, whose mildness, wisdom, and justice, are -known to all Europe, our widowed and desolate -monarchy may find a father in the best of Kings.” -D. Bernardo Yriarte spoke for the Council of -the Indies. “It entirely submits itself,” he -said, “to the decrees of your Majesty, and to -those of your august brother, the King our -master, who is to create the happiness of Spain, -as well by the wisdom and the assemblage of -the lofty virtues which he possesses, as by the -powerful support of the hero of Europe, upon -whom the Council of the Indies founds its hopes -of seeing those ties reunited, which ought always -to unite the American possessions with the -mother country.” The Council of finance requested -that it might behold in Madrid the -august and beloved brother of the Emperor, -expecting from his presence the felicity and -repose of the kingdom. The Council of war -supplicated him, through an effect of his august -beneficence, to confer upon the capital the felicity -of the presence of their sovereign, Joseph I. -This was the theme upon which all the deputations -rung their changes. The Council of marine -alone adding an appropriate flattery to the same -request, expressed its hope of contributing to -the liberty of the seas.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Edicts of the Intruder before his return to Madrid.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Joseph meantime had exercised his nominal -sovereignty in passing decrees. By one the circulation -of French money was permitted till -farther measures concerning it should be announced;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">28</span> -by another all persons entitled to -any salary or pension from the government were -deprived of it till they should have taken the -oath of allegiance to him. He made an attempt -also in the autumn, before reinforcements entered -Spain, to place the persons belonging to -his army under civil protection: and for this -purpose required that in every district occupied -by the army, from eight to thirty stand of arms -should be deposited in every town-house, and -an equal number of the respectable inhabitants -registered to serve as an escort therewith for -any officer or serjeant either on his road as an -invalid, or in the execution of any commission. -They were also to act as a patrol, for the purpose -of preventing any insults or outrages which -might be offered to the military, and if men did -not volunteer for this service, which would entitle -them to pay and rewards, the magistracy -were to fix upon those whom they deemed fit -to discharge it. He created also a new military -order by the name of the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Orden Militar de -España</i>. The Grand Mastership was reserved to -himself and his successors; and the two oldest -Captains General of the Army and the Fleet -were always to be Grand Chancellor and Grand -Treasurer: but the order itself was open to -soldiers of every rank who should deserve it. -A pension of 1000 <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">reales vellon</i> was attached to -the order, and the device was a crimson star, -bearing on one side the Lion of Leon with this -motto ... <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">Virtute et Fide</i>; on the other the Castle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">29</span> -of Castille with <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">Joseph Napoleo, Hispaniarum et -Indiarum Rex, instituit</i>. Decrees were also issued -for raising new regiments, one to be called the -Royal Foreign, and the other the first of the -Irish Brigade.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Joseph’s entrance into Madrid.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the 22d of January the Intruder re-entered -that city, from which he had been driven -by the indignation of a whole people. At break -of day his approach was announced by the discharge -of an hundred cannon; a fit symphony, -announcing at once to the people by what right -he claimed the throne, and by what means he -must sustain himself upon it. From the gate of -Atocha to the church of St. Isidro, and from -thence to the palace, the streets were lined with -French troops, and detachments were stationed -in every part of the city, more for the purpose -of overawing the inhabitants than of doing honour -to this wretched puppet of majesty, who, -while he submitted to be the instrument of -tyranny over the Spaniards, was himself a slave. -The cavalry advanced to the Plaza de las Delicias -to meet him; there he mounted on horseback, -and a procession was formed of his aides-de-camp -and equerries, the grand major domo, -the grand master of the ceremonies, the grand -master of the hounds, with all the other personages -of the drama of royalty, the members of -the different councils, and those grandees who, -deserting the cause of their country, stained -now with infamy names which had once been -illustrious in the Spanish annals. At the gate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">30</span> -of Atocha the governor of Madrid was ready to -present him with the keys. As soon as he entered -another discharge of an hundred cannon -proclaimed his presence, and all the bells struck -up. He proceeded through the city to the -church of St. Isidro, where the suffragan Bishop, -in his pontificals, the canons, vicars, and rectors, -the vicar-general, and the prelates of the religious -orders, received him at the gate, and six -of the most ancient canons conducted him to the -throne. Then the suffragan Bishop addressed -him in the only language which might that day -be used, the language of servility, adulation, -impiety, and treason. The Intruder’s reply was -in that strain of hypocrisy which marked the -usurpation of the Buonapartes with new and -peculiar guilt. This was his speech:</p> - -<p>“Before rendering thanks to the Supreme -Arbiter of Destinies, for my return to the capital -of this kingdom entrusted to my care, I wish -to reply to the affectionate reception of its inhabitants, -by declaring my secret thoughts in -the presence of the living God, who has just -received your oath of fidelity to my person. I -protest, then, before God, who knows the hearts -of all, that it is my duty and conscience only -which induce me to mount the throne, and not -my own private inclination. I am willing to -sacrifice my own happiness, because I think you -have need of me for the establishment of yours. -The unity of our holy religion, the independence -of the monarchy, the integrity of its territory,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">31</span> -and the liberty of its citizens, are the conditions -of the oath which I have taken on receiving the -crown. It will not be disgraced upon my head; -and if, as I have no doubt, the desires of the -nation support the efforts of its king, I shall soon -be the most happy of all, because you through -me will all be happy.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Edicts against the Patriots.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Two rows of banqueting tables were laid out -in the nave of the church, where the civil and -military officers of the intruder, and the members -of the councils, were seated according to -their respective ranks. High mass was performed -by the chapel-royal, and a solemn Te -Deum concluded the mockery. That done, -Joseph proceeded with the same form to the -palace, and a third discharge of an hundred -guns proclaimed his arrival there. On the day -which followed this triumphal entry, its ostentatious -joy, and the affected humanity and philanthropy -of his professions, he issued a decree -for the formation of special military tribunals, -which should punish all persons with death who -took arms against him, or enlisted others for the -patriotic cause: the gallows was to be the mode -of punishment, and over the door of the sufferer’s -house a shield was to be placed, for infamy, recording -the cause and manner of his ignominious -death. Any innkeeper or householder in whose -dwelling a man should be enlisted for the Junta’s -service should undergo the same fate; but if they -gave information, 400 reales were promised them, -or an equivalent reward. The very day that this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">32</span> -decree was issued, mingling, like his flagitious -brother, words of blasphemy with deeds of blood, -he addressed a circular epistle to the Archbishops -and Bishops of the realm, commanding them to - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Circular epistle to the clergy.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -order a Te Deum in all the churches of their -respective dioceses. “In returning to the capital -(this was his language), our first care, as well -as first duty, has been to prostrate ourselves at -the feet of that God who disposes of crowns, -and to devote to him our whole existence for -the felicity of the brave nation which he has -entrusted to our care. For this only object of -our thoughts we have addressed to him our -humble prayers. What is an individual amid the -generations who cover the earth? What is he -in the eyes of the Eternal, who alone penetrates -the intentions of men, and according to them -determines their elevation? He who sincerely -wishes the welfare of his fellows serves God, and -omnipotent goodness protects him. We desire -that, in conformity with these dispositions, you -direct the prayers of the faithful whom Providence -has entrusted to you. Ask of God, that -his spirit of peace and wisdom may descend -upon us, that the voice of passion may be stifled -in meditating upon such sentiments as ought to -animate us, and which the general interests of -this monarchy inspire: that religion, tranquillity, -and happiness may succeed to the discords to -which we are now exposed. Let us return thanks -to God for the success which he has been pleased -to grant to the arms of our august brother and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">33</span> -powerful ally the Emperor of the French, who -has had no other end in supporting our rights -by his power than to procure to Spain a long -peace, founded on her independence.”</p> - -<p>A heavy load of national guilt lay upon the -nations of the Peninsula; and those persons, -who, with well-founded faith, could see and -understand that the moral government of the -world is neither less perfect, nor less certain in -its course, than that material order which science -has demonstrated, ... they perceived in this dreadful -visitation the work of retribution. The bloody -conquests of the Portugueze in India were yet -unexpiated; the Spaniards had to atone for extirpated -nations in Cuba and Hayti, and their -other islands, and on the continent of America -for cruelties and excesses not less atrocious than -those which they were appointed to punish. -Vengeance had not been exacted for the enormities -perpetrated in the Netherlands, nor for -that accursed tribunal which, during more than -two centuries, triumphed both in Spain and Portugal, -to the ineffaceable and eternal infamy of -the Romish church. But the crimes of a nation, -like the vices of an individual, bring on their -punishment in necessary consequence, ... so -righteously have all things been ordained. From -the spoils of India and America the two governments -drew treasures which rendered them independent -of the people for supplies; and the war -which their priesthood waged against knowledge -and reformation succeeded in shutting them out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">34</span> -from these devoted countries. A double despotism, -of the throne and of the altar, was thus -established, and the result was a state of degradation, -which nothing less than the overthrow -of both, by some moral and political earthquake, -loosening the very foundations of society, could -remove. Such a convulsion had taken place, -and the sins of the fathers were visited upon the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Condition of Madrid.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -children. Madrid, the seat of Philip II., “that -sad intelligencing tyrant,” who from thence, as -our great Milton said, “mischieved the world -with his mines of Ophir,” that city which once -aspired to be the mistress of the world, and had -actually tyrannized over so large a part of it, -was now itself in thraldom. The Spanish cloak, -which was the universal dress of all ranks, was -prohibited in the metropolis of Spain, and no -Spaniard was allowed to walk abroad in the -evening, unless he carried a light. All communication -between the capital and the southern -provinces, the most fertile and wealthiest of the -kingdom, was cut off. Of the trading part of -the community, therefore, those who were connected -with the great commercial cities of the -south coast were at once ruined, and they whose -dealings lay with the provinces which were the -seat of war were hardly more fortunate. The -public creditors experienced that breach of -public faith which always results from a violent -revolution. The intrusive government acknowledged -the debt, and gave notice of its intention -to pay them by bills upon Spanish America: for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">35</span> -this there was a double motive, the shame of -confessing that the Intruder was unable to discharge -the obligations of the government to -whose rights and duties he affected to succeed, -and the hope of interesting the holders of these -bills in his cause: but so little possibility was -there of his becoming master of the Indies, that -the mention of such bills only provoked contempt. -While commercial and funded property -was thus destroyed, landed property was of as -little immediate value to its owner. No remittances -could be made to the capital from that -part of Spain which was not yet overrun; and -the devastations had been so extensive every -where as to leave the tenant little means of -paying the proprietor. These were the first-fruits -of that prosperity which the Buonapartes -promised to the Spaniards, ... these were the -blessings which Joseph brought with him to -Madrid! He, meantime, was affecting to participate -in rejoicings, and receiving the incense -of adulation, in that city where the middle classes -were reduced to poverty by his usurpation, and -where the wives whom he had widowed, and the -mothers whom he had made childless, mingled -with their prayers for the dead, supplications -for vengeance upon him as the author of their -miseries. The theatre was fitted up to receive -him, the boxes were lined with silk, the municipality -attended him to his seat, he was presented -with a congratulatory poem upon his -entrance, and the stage curtain represented the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">36</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />February.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Genius of Peace with an olive-branch in his left -hand, and a torch in his right, setting fire to -the attributes of war. Underneath was written, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -“Live happy, Sire! reign and pardon!” At -the very time when this precious specimen of -French taste complimented the Intruder upon -his clemency, an extraordinary criminal Junta -was formed, even the military tribunals not -being found sufficiently extensive in their powers -for the work of extermination which was begun. -It was “for trial of assassins, robbers, recruiters -in favour of the insurgents, those who maintained -correspondence with them, and who -spread false reports.” Persons apprehended -upon these charges were to be tried within -twenty-four hours, and sentenced to the gallows, -and the sentence executed without appeal.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>False intelligence published by the intrusive government.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Another of the Intruder’s decrees enjoined -that the Madrid Gazette should be under the -immediate inspection of the Minister of Police, -and copies of it regularly sent to every Bishop, -parochial priest, and municipality, that the -people might be informed of the acts of government, -and of public events. Joseph’s ministers, -under whatever self-practised delusion they entered -his service, conformed themselves in all -things now to the spirit of Buonaparte’s policy, -and employed force and falsehood with as little -scruple as if they had been trained in the revolutionary -school. While they affected to inform -the people of what was passing, they concealed -whatever was unfavourable, distorted what they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">37</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />January.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -told, and feigned intelligence suited to their -views. They affirmed that the English goods -taken at Bilbao, S. Andero, and the ports of -Asturias, would defray the expenses of the war; -and that England itself was on the point of -bankruptcy. Such multitudes, it was affirmed, -had repaired to Westminster Hall to give bail -for their debts, that it seemed as if all London -had been there; numbers were thrown down -by the press, and trodden under foot, ... many -almost suffocated, and some were killed. Such -falsehoods were not too gross for the government -where it could exclude all truer information; -where this was not in its power, it resorted -to the more feasible scheme of exciting suspicions -against England; and here the Buonapartes -had a willing agent in Morla.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Unwillingness of the Spaniards to believe that Morla was a traitor.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Prone as the Spaniards were in these unhappy -times to suspect any person, and to act upon -the slightest suspicion, they were slow in believing -that Morla had proved false. The people -of Cadiz would hardly be convinced that their -governor, whose patriotic addresses were still -circulating among them, could possibly have -gone over to the Intruder. So many measures -of utility, so many acts of patriotism and of disinterested -vigilance in his administration, were -remembered, that the first reports of his perfidy -were indignantly received; a fact so contrary -to all their experience was not to be credited, -and they felt as if they injured him in listening -to such an accusation. He had established<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">38</span> -among them a reputation like that which a Cadi -sometimes enjoys in Mahommedan countries, -where his individual uprightness supplies the -defects of law, and resists the general corruption -of manners. A peasant, whom he had -acquitted upon some criminal charge, brought -him a number of turkeys, as a present in gratitude -for his acquittal. Morla put him in prison, -consigned the turkeys to the gaoler for his -food, and set him at liberty when he had eaten -them all. There was neither law, equity, nor -humanity in this, ... yet it had an extravagant, -oriental ostentation of justice, well calculated -to impress the people with an opinion of his -nice honour and scrupulous integrity. But this -man, who in all his public writings boasted of -his frankness and of his honourable intentions, -was in reality destitute both of truth and honour; -and the revolution, which developed -some characters and corrupted others, only unmasked -his. Early in these troubles Lord -Collingwood and Sir Hew Dalrymple had discovered - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Proofs of his prior treachery.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -his duplicity. He had signed, and was -believed to have written, Solano’s ill-timed and -worse-intended proclamation, in which the English -were spoken of with unqualified reprobation, -and as the real enemies against whom all -true Spaniards ought to unite; and when warned -by Solano’s fate, he joined in the national -cause, the desire of injuring that cause by every -possible means seems to have been the main -object of his crooked policy. When Castaños<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">39</span> -wanted the assistance of General Spencer’s -corps, he threw out hints to that General that -it would be required for the defence of Cadiz; -though, from jealousy of the English, at that -very time he prevented the Junta from bringing -the garrison of Ceuta into the field, and had -given it as his decided opinion that no English -troops should be admitted into any Spanish fortress. -And while he endeavoured to make the -Junta of Seville suspicious of English interference, -he recommended to the accredited -agents of England, that they should interfere -early and decidedly in forming a central government, -and appointing a commander-in-chief, and -that their influence should be strengthened by -marching an army into Spain.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Morla’s letter to the Central Junta;<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>But the most prominent feature of Morla’s -sophisticated character was his odious hypocrisy. -In the letter which announced to the Central -Junta the capitulation of Madrid he bestowed -the highest eulogiums upon the Intruder and -himself. “Yesterday,” said he, “as a Counsellor -of State I saw Prince Joseph, our appointed -King, and the object of the rabble’s contumely. -I assure you, with all that ingenuousness -which belongs to me, that I found him -an enlightened philosopher, full even to enthusiasm -of the soundest principles of morality, -humanity, and affection to the people whom his -lot has called him to command. My eulogies -might appear suspicious to those who do not -know me well; I suppress them therefore, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">40</span> -only say thus much, that the Junta, according -to circumstances, may regulate its own conduct -and resolutions upon this information. My -whole aim and endeavour will always be for the -honour and integrity of my country. I will not -do myself the injustice to suppose that any of -the nation can suspect me of perfidy; my probity -is known and accredited, and therefore I -continue to speak with that candour and ingenuousness -which I have always used.” He also -delivered his opinion as an individual who was -most anxious for the good of the nation, that -the governor of Cadiz should be instructed not -to let the English assemble either in or near -that city in any force; but that, under pretext -of securing himself from the French, he should -throw up works against them, reinforce the -garrison, and secretly strengthen the batteries -toward the sea. And that advices should be -dispatched to the Indies, for the purpose of -preventing treasure or goods from being sent, -lest they should fall into the hands of these -allies, who having no longer any hope of defending -the cause, would seek to indemnify -themselves at the expense of the Spaniards. -The Junta published this letter as containing -in itself sufficient proofs of perfidiousness and -treason in the writer. And they observed that -at the very time when this hypocrite was advising -them to distrust the English, and arm -against them, large sums had been remitted -them from England, farther pecuniary aids were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">41</span> -on the way, their treasures from America had -been secured from the French, by being brought -home in British ships, and Great Britain had -given the most authentic proof of its true friendship -with Spain, by refusing to negotiate with -Buonaparte.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>and to the governor of Cadiz.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Shortly afterwards a letter of Morla’s was intercepted, -written in the same strain to D. Josef -Virues, the provisional governor of Cadiz. The -thorough hypocrite talked of the good which -he had done in surrendering Madrid, and the -consolation which he derived from that reflection; -he lamented over his beloved Cadiz and -its estimable inhabitants, who had given him so -many proofs of their confidence and affection, -and wished that he could avert the dangers -that impended over them with the sacrifice of -his own blood. “If it became an English garrison,” -he said, “it would be more burdensome -to the nation than Gibraltar, and the commerce -of the natives would be ruined: much policy -as well as courage would be required to prevent -this. I need not,” he concluded, “exhort your -excellency to defend Cadiz with the honour -and patriotism which become you; but when -you have fulfilled this obligation, honourable -terms may save the city, and secure its worthy -inhabitants.” In consequence of this letter it -became necessary to remove Virues from the -command, more for his own sake than for any -distrust of his principles, though he had at one -time been Godoy’s secretary, and though Morla<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">42</span> -had been his friend and patron. Unwilling, and -perhaps unable to believe that one whom he -had so long been accustomed to regard with -respect and gratitude was the consummate hypocrite -and traitor which he now appeared to -be, Virues attempted to excuse Morla as having -acted under compulsion, an excuse more likely -to alleviate for the time his own feelings than -to satisfy his judgement. But he felt that under -these circumstances it was no longer proper for -him to remain in possession of an important -post: high as he stood in the opinion of his -countrymen, the slightest accident might now -render him suspected; and at this crisis it was -most essential that the people should have entire -confidence in their chiefs. He therefore gladly -accepted a mission to England, and D. Felix -Jones, who had distinguished himself in the -operations against Dupont, was appointed governor. -Instead of additional defences toward -the sea, new works were begun on the land -side, to protect the city against its real enemies, -and Colonel Hallowell came from Gibraltar to -direct them. Ammunition and stores in abundance -were sent from Seville. The new governor -began by taking measures of rigorous -precaution. No person whatever, not even an -Englishman, was permitted to go a mile beyond -the city without a passport. Every Frenchman - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Arrest and cruel imprisonment of the French at Cadiz.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -in the place was arrested and sent on board the -ships. This was intended for their own security -as well as the safety of the city; for so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">43</span> -highly were the people incensed against that -perfidious nation, and such was their fear of -treachery in every person belonging to it, that -they purposed putting all whom they should -find at large to death; and it was said that three -hundred knives had been purchased at one shop, -to be thus employed. Had there been leisure, -or had the Spaniards been in a temper for humane -considerations, these persons ought to -have been supplied with means of transport to -their own country; instead of which they were -consigned to a most inhuman state of confinement. -The property also of all French subjects, -under which term the natives of all countries -in subjection to France were included, was -confiscated; ... and in consequence above three -hundred shops were shut up, and more than as -many families reduced to ruin. Thus it is, that -in such times injustice provokes retaliation, -wrongs lead to wrongs, and evil produces evil -in miserable series.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Death of Florida Blanca.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>At this juncture, when every hour brought -tidings of new calamities and nearer danger, -Florida Blanca, the venerable president of the -Central Junta, died, at the great age of eighty-one; -fatigue, and care, and anxiety having accelerated -his death. When the order of the -Jesuits was abolished, he was ambassador at -Rome, and is believed to have been materially -instrumental in bringing about that iniquitous -measure; and it was under his ministry that -Spain joined the confederacy against Great Britain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">44</span> -during the American war. These are acts -of which he had abundant reason to repent; -but there were specious motives for both; and -this must be said of Florida Blanca, that of all -the ministers who have exercised despotic authority -in Spain, no other ever projected or accomplished -half so much for the improvement -of the people and the country. Whatever -tended to the general good received his efficient -support, and twenty years of subsequent misrule -had not been sufficient to undo the beneficial -effects of his administration. It was Godoy’s -intention that his exile from the court -should be felt as a disgrace and a punishment; -but the retirement to which it sent him suited -the disposition and declining years of the injured -man, and he passed his time chiefly in -those religious meditations which are the natural -support and solace of old age. Many rulers -and statesmen have retired into convents when -they have been wearied or disgusted with the -vanities and vexations of the world; few have -been called upon, like Florida Blanca, in extreme -old age, to forsake their retirement, their -tranquillity, and their habits of religious life, -for the higher duty of serving their country in -its hour of danger. The Central Junta manifested -their sense of his worth by conferring a -grandee-ship upon his heir, and all his legitimate -descendants who should succeed him in - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Marques de Astorga president of the Junta.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the title. He was succeeded as president by the -Marques de Astorga, a grandee of the highest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">45</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1808.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -class, and the representative of some of the -proudest names in Spanish history. The education -of this nobleman had been defective, as -was generally the case with Spanish nobles, and -his person excited contempt in those who are -presumptuous and injurious enough to judge -only by appearances. But he had not degenerated -from the better qualities of his illustrious -ancestry: they who knew him best, knew that -he possessed what ought to be the distinctive -marks of old nobility: he was generous, magnanimous, -and high-spirited, without the least apparent -consciousness of being so.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Catalonia, 1808.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>After the fall of Madrid there was yet one -quarter to which the Junta might look with reasonable -hope, amid the disasters that crowded -upon them. If Barcelona could be recovered, -the acquisition of that most important place -would balance the worst reverses which they -had yet sustained. But ill fortune every where -pursued them, and there was this to aggravate -the disappointment, that their losses in Catalonia -were more imputable to misconduct than -to any want of strength. A force had been collected -there fully equal both in numbers and -discipline (had it been directed with common -prudence) to the services expected from it. -After the arrival of the troops from Portugal -and Majorca, and the Granadan army, it consisted -of about 28,000 regular troops, and 1600 -cavalry, besides the garrisons of Rosas, Hostalrich, -and Gerona, who were nearly 6000. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">46</span> -sea being commanded by their allies, was open -to them along the whole line of coast, except -at Barcelona; and the people, who have always -been eminently distinguished for their activity, -industry, hardihood, and invincible spirit of independence, -were ready to make any sacrifices -and any exertions for the deliverance of their -native land. The province too was full of fortified -places, and even in so defensible a country -as Spain peculiarly strong by nature. But -to counterbalance these advantages, there were -the confusion and perplexity, as well as the distance -of the Central Junta; the inexperience -and rashness of those who had taken upon -themselves the local government; want of science, -of decision, and of ability in the generals; -want of authority every where; the fearful spirit -of insubordination, which on the slightest -occasion was ready to break out; ... and, above -all, that reckless and unreasonable confidence -which had now become part of the Spanish -character.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Siege of Barcelona.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>There was some excuse for this confidence in -the Catalans; they knew their own temper and -the strength of their country; and they had -obtained some signal successes before any regular -troops came to their assistance. But this -remembrance, and the knowledge that so large -a regular force was in the field, induced a fatal -belief that the difficulties of the struggle were -over, and that nothing remained to complete -their triumph but the recovery of Barcelona.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">47</span> -And this, they said, might easily be effected: -the enemy there were weak, in want of provisions, -sickly, dispirited by defeat and desertion; -the English squadron at hand to assist in an -attack upon Monjuich and the citadel; and the -inhabitants ready upon the first appearance of -success to rise upon their invaders and open the -gates. Among the French and Italians themselves, -there were some, they affirmed, who -would gladly forsake the wicked cause wherein -they were engaged, and by contributing to deliver -up these places atone for the treachery in -which they had been compelled to bear a part. -This was the cry of the people; and these representations -were strengthened by some of the -citizens, who were perpetually proposing plans -contradictory to each other, and alike impracticable: -the Supreme Junta represented the people -but too faithfully, partaking their inexperience, -their impatience, and their errors; and -General Vives, surrounded by ignorant advisers, -controlled if not intimidated by popular opinion, -and himself altogether incompetent to -the station which he filled, wasted the precious -weeks in a vain display before Barcelona; not -perceiving or not regarding that the possession -of the city would have been useless to him while -the French possessed the citadel and Montjuich; -that he had no means for besieging those -strong places; ... and above all, that if the -French were prevented from relieving them,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">48</span> -they must inevitably soon fall into his hands -without a blow.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr appointed to command the French in Catalonia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Duhesme, in fact, had announced to his government -that his provisions would not hold out -beyond the month of December; and to throw -in supplies by sea was impossible. Buonaparte -was well aware of the danger, and saw in part -what consequences might be apprehended from -it. He knew how Barcelona had been defended -in the Succession war, and had calculated that if -it were now to be recovered by the Spaniards it -would cost him not less than fourscore thousand -lives to regain possession of it. Such a sacrifice -he would have made without one compunctious -feeling; but that blood might have been expended -without effecting the purchase, ... for if -such a siege had been undertaken, England must -and would have made exertions commensurate to -the occasion. That these consequences did not -follow was owing to the errors and incapacity -of his opponents, not to his own measures. In -other cases the force which he prepared was -always fully equal to the service for which it -was designed; in the present, it was so inadequate, -as to excite in the General, Gouvion -Saint Cyr, a suspicion that failure on his part -would be more agreeable to the Emperor than -success. That General had belonged to the -army of the Rhine, which was an original sin -in Buonaparte’s eyes; and having a command -in Naples he had refused to obtain addresses -from the troops soliciting the First Consul to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">49</span> -take upon himself the imperial dignity; ... an -irremissible offence. Moreover, great commander -as Buonaparte was, he was jealous of -any victories which were not obtained when he -was in the field, so that the renown might redound -to himself. Indulging at once this littleness -of mind, and his personal or political dislike, -it was his wish that Gouvion St. Cyr should -not distinguish himself by any brilliant success; -at the same time he knew the miserable state of -the Spanish armies, and still more of the counsels -by which they were directed, well enough to -rely upon his relieving Barcelona. His instructions -were to effect that object, to collect -considerable magazines in Figueras at the -enemy’s expense; to subdue the valleys, making - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 26. 42. Do. -<br /> -Pièces Justificatives, No. 7.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -them feel the whole weight of the war, and in -fine to crush the enemy: having these objects -in view, every thing was left to his own discretion.</p> - -<p>When St. Cyr arrived at Perpignan, at the -end of August, the town was full of sick and -wounded, for whose relief no preparation had -been made, so little had any reverses been expected. -He found there some Tuscan regiments, -the poor Queen of Etruria’s guards, and a battalion -from the Valais ... for even that country -was called upon to contribute from its recesses -to this insatiable tyrant’s demand for human life. -These troops had been sent back from Figueras -by General Reille as being quite unable to take -the field, not for want of discipline only, but of -equipments, arms, and even necessary clothing.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">50</span> -So miserable was their condition, that it was -deemed prudent to quarter them in remote -places, and train them out of sight, lest they -should excite indignation as well as commiseration -in the people, who in the south of France -had always been ill affected toward Buonaparte, -and suffering at this time from the loss of their -trade with Spain, detested the injustice of the -war, and were in a temper which might have - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 19. 34.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -produced formidable consequences if any serious -invasion had been attempted on that side. During -the autumn troops continued to arrive there, -mostly consisting of conscripts from Genoa, -Naples, and other parts of Italy: under good -training they soon became good soldiers, and -only less to be trusted than the French because -they were more inclined to desert. These forces -when collected amounted to 18,000 men. Reille -had 4000 at Figueras, and 8000 were with Duhesme -in Barcelona.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He determines upon besieging Rosas.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Early in November St. Cyr received orders to -enter Spain, and he determined to commence -his operations with the siege of Rosas. While -the fine roadstead which that fortress commands -was open to the English, there was scarcely a -chance of throwing supplies into Barcelona by -sea; to escort them by land was not possible -while Gerona and Hostalrich were in possession -of the Spaniards; and if those places had been -taken they could not be provisioned unless Rosas -also were held by the French. Rosas is situated -four leagues east of Figueras, in the bottom of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">51</span> -the bay, where the plain of Ampurdan touches - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1808.<br />November.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the skirts of the Pyrenees. The town, containing -then about 1200 inhabitants, is built along -the shore, and completely commanded by the -fortress; the fortress, which is an irregular -pentangle, the town, and a smaller fort, called, -after a custom too prevalent in Catholic -countries, Fuerte de la Trinidad, forming a -semi-circle round the bay. This place had sustained -a most gallant siege of ten weeks in 1795 -after Figueras, strong as it was, had been surrendered -without defence; and when the commander, -D. Domingo Yzquierdo, could maintain -the almost demolished works no longer, he -succeeded in embarking the remains of his garrison. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Marcillac. 299–313.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -During the peace nothing had been done -to repair the works, as if no future war was to -be apprehended. Even after the present struggle -had commenced, six months, in that supineness -which belongs to the Spanish character, had been -suffered to elapse without taking any measures -for strengthening and securing a place of such -evident importance. There were many persons, -and even some members of the nearest Juntas, -who were acquainted with the details of the last -siege, and knew what repairs were necessary, and -also what the points were which it was most material -to strengthen. But their attention was -wholly engrossed by local and immediate interests, -and the pressing representations which -the commandant of engineers repeatedly addressed -to the higher authorities produced no<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">52</span> -effect. Nothing could rouse them from their -dream of recovering Barcelona by force of arms.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Dilapidated state of that fortress.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Governor, however, D. Pedro O’Daly, -Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment of Ulster, -as soon as he apprehended an attack had made -some preparations; he ordered all strangers who -had taken refuge there to depart, and sent away -by sea such of the garrison as were incapable of -service. The ditches were cleared, parapets -formed, and guns mounted. The north angle of -the fort had been demolished by the explosion -of a magazine; a wall of stones without mortar -was run up by the peasants; it closed the breach, -but that part of the works remained useless. -The stores were as incomplete as the works: -there were neither measures for the powder, nor -saws for the fusees, ... hats and axes were used -instead. The buildings within the fort were in -ruins, an old church and one other edifice being -all that were serviceable. Before the former -siege a line nearly half a mile in length, with -some redoubts, had been formed from the citadel -to that part of the mountain range which is -called Puig-rom, for the purpose of covering the -town; but it was now in all parts so dilapidated, -that though the garrison as well as the inhabitants -were aware how much they needed this additional - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, c. 10.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -protection, any attempt at re-establishing -it was deemed hopeless.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Preparations for the siege.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Preparations for the siege had been made at -Figueras, and in order to deceive the Spaniards -a report had been encouraged that the design<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">53</span> -was against Gerona. St. Cyr established his head-quarters -at Figueras, and General Reille, to whom -the conduct of the siege had been entrusted, -encamped before Rosas with his own division -and that of the Italian General Pino. General - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Nov. 6.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Souham took a position between Figueras and -the Fluvia, to protect the besiegers on that side -against any attempt which might be made from -Gerona; and Chabot was stationed nearer the -frontier, the General being well aware that the opposition -which he had to apprehend was not so -much from regular troops as from the whole population -of the country. But the measures of the -Catalans were so ill-directed at this time, that the -invaders suffered more from the weather, and -from the gross neglect of their own government -in sending them supplies, than from all the -efforts of their enemies. St. Cyr was obliged to -send his cavalry back into France to the neighbourhood -of Beziers, that the horses might not -perish for want of fodder during the siege; and -when he wrote pressingly for supplies for his -men, directions were sent him in return to collect -and convoy provisions to Barcelona. He - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 34–41<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -was desired not to regard any reports concerning -the rabble opposed to him, for it was nothing -more, and the time was fixed within which the -Emperor expected that he would be master of -Barcelona and of the country ten leagues round. -In reply to this he stated that he would not -break up the siege of Rosas without positive -orders; that it was sufficiently hazardous to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">54</span> -advance leaving Gerona behind him; but if -Rosas were left also, Figueras would be again -blockaded by the Spaniards, and must fall, because -it was not possible to store it: so that the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Do. Pièces Justif. 45–16.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -only way to secure that most important fortress -was to take Rosas.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>British squadron in the Bay of Rosas.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>However much St. Cyr and the government -under which he acted differed in other points, -they both knew the incapacity of the forces -opposed to them, and relied upon it. They -knew that there would be no difficulty in routing -the Spaniards whenever they were brought -to action, that nothing was to be apprehended -from any combined operations, and that neither -by sea or land was any such exertion as the time -required to be expected from the English, ... the -siege of Rosas would otherwise have been a more -perilous undertaking than the march to Barcelona. -The English had just force enough in -the Bay to give the French an opportunity of -boasting that the siege was effected in spite of -them, and to show what might have been done -if a flying squadron with troops on board had -been on the coast ready to act wherever it might -be most serviceable. Captain West was in the -bay in the Excellent, with the Lucifer and -Meteor, bomb-vessels; and when the enemy, -having taken possession of the heights which -encompass the whole bay, had driven the troops -in, and the peasants from the nearest villages -with them, and entered the town, these vessels -bore a part in the action, and assisted in dislodging<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">55</span> -them. Five-and-twenty marines were -then sent to reinforce Fort Trinidad, and the -rest of the marines, with fifty seamen, went -cheerfully to assist in defending the citadel. -Upon this a report was spread by the enemy, -who were always endeavouring to make the -Spaniards jealous of their allies, that the English -had taken possession of the place; and as while -this report was circulated they succeeded in -intercepting all communications from Rosas to -Gerona, the Junta of that city wrote to Captain -West, requesting an explanation of his conduct. -The artifice was then discovered; but not till -the end had been answered of deceiving the -Junta for a time, and thus preventing them from -taking such measures for the relief of the place -as might have been in their power.</p> - -<p>Reille had expected to take Rosas by a sudden -attack. The commandant of the engineers had -served in that same capacity at the last siege, -and was therefore well acquainted with the place -and with its weakness. On the evening of the -9th a breach was made in the ramparts of the -citadel sufficient for twenty men abreast; but it -was so dark that the enemy did not discover the -extent of the mischief. Immediate intelligence -was sent to the ships; one of the bomb-vessels -was then stationed where it could flank the -breach, and the boats appointed to enfilade the -shore with carronades, while more seamen were -landed to repair the damage. British seamen -are made of such materials, that it is indifferent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">56</span> -to them on what service they are employed; -whether at sea or ashore, whatever is to be done -by courage, activity, intelligence, and strenuous -exertion, they can accomplish. The Spaniards -exerted themselves with emulous alacrity, and -this, against which the enemy had directed their -fire as the weakest part of the works, was by -their united labour placed in a respectable state -of defence.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Disposition of the Italian troops to desert.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Reille now found that neglected as Rosas had -been, with its feeble works, its unsupported garrison, -and its insufficient stores, it was necessary -to proceed against it by regular siege. Some difficulties -he encountered from the state of the -weather, some from the sallies which were made -to interrupt him; but his greatest uneasiness -arose from the desertion of the Italians, which -was so frequent as to leave no doubt that in case - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 38.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -of any serious reverse the whole division would -go over to the Spaniards. The state of durance -in which the Pope was held had probably offended -their religious feelings, and the Tuscans -perhaps in their indignation for the treatment -of the Queen of Etruria felt some sympathy with -the Spaniards. But Buonaparte cared not for -the hearts of men, so their hands were at his -service and their lives at his disposal. And such -are the effects of discipline, that the Italians, who -when left to themselves are the worst troops in -the world, became as efficient as the best soldiers -in his army. One regiment at this siege was -composed of subjects turned out from others,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">57</span> -the refuse of the whole Italian army: example, -encouragement, and restraint, made them behave -well in the field, ... and how they behaved -out of it was a matter of indifference to their -officers and the government which employed -them. Two companies of Italians having been -surrounded and made prisoners by the Somatenes, -under an old man of seventy, (who had -been a captain of Miquelets in the last war, and -now acted under the orders of the Spanish commander, -D. Juan Claros), St. Cyr gave orders -to seize an equal number of the inhabitants, and -send them into France; there to be confined till -an exchange should take place; and this he did -to give a humaner character to the war, upon -so brutal a system had it been carried on by his -predecessors. His plea was that the peasantry -had entrapped his troops by leading them astray; -but the Catalans did not understand upon what -principle he acted, and were more exasperated -than if he had pursued the old system of burning -their villages, because they believed that -their countrymen were thus carried off as recruits -for Buonaparte’s armies in the north. -Among the Italian prisoners was the wife of an -officer who accompanied her husband in man’s -attire.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Attack upon Fort Trinidad repulsed.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the 16th the French attempted to carry -Fort Trinidad by assault. They were repulsed; -returning in greater strength, they forced the -outer gate, and endeavoured to force the -second; but here such a steady fire of musquetry<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">58</span> -and hand-grenades was kept up against -them, that they retired a second time, leaving -many of their men under the walls. Captain -West expecting a third attack, reinforced the -fort with a party of marines, who entered by -means of a rope-ladder under an incessant fire. -Nothing could be more cordial than the co-operation -of the Spaniards and English at this -time; but they were not strong enough to prevent -the enemy from erecting batteries, which -compelled the ships to keep at a distance, and -a brave but unsuccessful attack from Gerona -upon Souham’s division on the Fluvia was the -only effort made to relieve them: on that side -the Spaniards would have done more had it not -been for want of cavalry. There were two -regiments in Tarragona with excellent horses, -but so miserably in want of equipments, that it -was impossible for them to take the field; there -was no money to equip them, and while they -were thus remaining inactive the enemy were -overrunning the Ampurdan, and carrying on -the siege of Rosas at their will, because the -Spaniards had no cavalry to keep them in -check. The French acted with a full knowledge -of the Spaniards’ embarrassments, and in -full reliance upon the paralysing imbecility -which such difficulties must needs produce; -nevertheless St. Cyr was far from feeling at ease, -knowing that Barcelona must fall unless it were -speedily succoured, and that if the force which -was now idly besieging it were brought to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">59</span> -relief of Rosas, Catalonia might speedily be -cleared of its invaders, and Rousillon become -in its turn the scene of invasion. It was therefore -necessary to press the siege, the farthest -day which had been appointed for his reaching - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French establish themselves in the town.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Barcelona being past. During the night of the -27th an attack was made upon the town; the -helpless part of the inhabitants had been removed -by sea at the first approach of danger; -there were about 500 men stationed there, some -of whom were peasants, the others part of the -garrison: they defended themselves with a -courage to which the French, who are seldom -just to their enemies, bore witness; but they -were overpowered; about 300 fell, and hardly -fifty escaped into the citadel. The conquerors -immediately established batteries under cover of -the houses, then set fire to the houses, and cut off -the communication between the citadel and the -fort. They rendered it also impossible for the English -to communicate with the citadel. Captain -West had at this time been superseded by Captain -Bennett of the Fame; and when an officer from -the Marques de Lazan came on board his ship with -dispatches for the governor, some lives were lost -in an unsuccessful attempt at landing him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lord Cochrane throws himself into Fort Trinidad.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The citadel was soon in a desperate state, and -the fort might have been considered so; for it -was at this time battered in breach, and a passage -to the lower bomb-proof being nearly -effected, the marines of the Fame were withdrawn. -At this juncture Lord Cochrane arrived<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">60</span> -in the Imperieuse. During the month of September -this gallant officer with his single ship -had kept the whole coast of Languedoc in alarm, -destroyed the newly-constructed semaphoric -telegraphs (which were of the utmost consequence -to the numerous coasting convoys of -the French) at Bourdique, La Pinede, St. Maguire, -Frontignan, Canet, and Foy; demolished -fourteen barracks of the gens-d’armes; blown up -a battery and the strong tower upon the lake of -Frontignan; and not only prevented any troops -from being sent from that province into Spain, -but excited such dismay there, that 2000 men -were drawn from Figueras to oppose him. The -coasting trade was entirely suspended during -this alarm; and with such consummate prudence -were all his enterprises planned and executed, -that not one of his men was either killed or hurt, -except one, who was singed in blowing up the -battery.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Gallant defence of the fort.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Lord Collingwood, with his wonted prudence, -had entrusted Cochrane with discretionary orders -to assist the Spaniards wherever it could -be done with most probability of success, and -he hastened to the Bay of Rosas as soon as he -knew of the siege, ... too late, and yet in time to -signalize himself. Captain Bennett, though he -had withdrawn his own men, did not alter Lord -Collingwood’s orders, and Cochrane threw himself -into Fort Trinidad with eighty seamen and -marines, at a time when the garrison, amounting -to the same number, would else have surrendered,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">61</span> -perceiving that further resistance had -been thought unavailing by the English themselves. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1808.<br />December.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -This garrison was changed, and the new -men brought with them fresh hope and unexhausted -strength. Cochrane formed a rampart -within the breach of palisadoes and barrels, -ships’ hammock-cloths, awning, &c. filled with -sand and rubbish; these supplied the place of -walls and ditches. Sanson, the commandant -of the engineers, pronounced the breach practicable. -His opinion was relied on with the more -confidence because he was well acquainted with -the place; but the Captain who was ordered to -lead the assault thought otherwise; he had been -in the Spanish service, and in garrison at that -very fort, and he said that it was not possible to -enter there; nevertheless he would make the -attempt if he were ordered, with the certainty -of perishing in it, and leading his party to destruction. -Under such circumstances it requires -more firmness to give the order than to obey, ... -but it is of a different kind. The order was -given, and the officer perished as he had foreseen -and foretold. Two of his companions -escaped by the humanity of the English, who, -instead of killing four men whose lives were at -their mercy, suffered two to retire, while they -drew up the others by a rope, to secure them as -prisoners. When the breach had been rendered -practicable, a more formidable assault was made. -Lord Cochrane had prepared for it with that -sportiveness by which English sailors are as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">62</span> -much characterised as schoolboys. He not only -stationed men with bayonets immediately within -the breach, to give the assailants an immediate -greeting, but he laid well-greased planks across -the breach, upon which many of the French -slipped and fell in endeavouring to pass; and -he hung ropes there with fish-hooks fastened to -them, by which not a few were caught in their -retreat. The enemy suffered a severe loss on -this occasion. There was in Lord Cochrane’s -conduct here, and in all places, that contempt of -danger which in former ages would have been -imputed to a reliance upon charms, and which -never fails to inspire confidence. Once, while -the besiegers were battering the fort, the Spanish -flag fell into the ditch: he let himself down by -a rope through a shower of balls to recover it, -returned unhurt, and planted it again upon the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The citadel captured, and the fort evacuated.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -walls. The citadel at length having been battered -in breach till it was no longer tenable, -capitulated, and the garrison, marching out with -the honours of war, were sent prisoners<a id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> into<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">63</span> -France. Two thousand men, who had given -proof of steadiness and courage, were thus lost -to Spain. Lord Cochrane then saw that any -farther resistance in Fort Trinidad was impossible; -and having maintained its shattered walls -twelve days after they had been deemed untenable, -he embarked all the men, and blew up -the magazine.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr marches to relieve Barcelona.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French had thus been detained a whole -month before a neglected and ill-provided fortress. -But the men who so often during this -war heroically defended half-ruined works, had -too much reason to feel how little it availed by -their exertions to gain time for generals who -knew not how to use it. By the French commanders -every thing was calculated, ... by the -Spanish, nothing. On the day after the capitulation -the conquerors marched from Rosas; -on the next day the whole army was collected -on the Fluvia, the cavalry having returned from -France. The force disposable for the relief of -Barcelona consisted of 15,000 foot and 1500 -horse: more than twice their number might have -been brought against them, besides the Miquelets, -who were esteemed by the French themselves -as the best light troops in Europe, and -the whole peasantry, always remarkable for their -hardihood, and now animated with a hatred of -their invaders as intense as it was well-founded.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">64</span> -To deceive an enemy who was easily deceived, -St. Cyr manœuvred as if he intended to besiege -Gerona. One precaution, and one only, had -been effectually taken by the Spaniards: they -had broken up the road along the coast, so as -to render it impracticable, and any attempt at -repairing it must have been made under the -guns of the English squadron. Hostalrich commanded -the other road, but this was not passable -for artillery. He sent back his guns and his -ammunition waggons to Figueras, and having -reached La Bisbal, distributed to every soldier -four days’ biscuit and fifty cartridges, and with - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Dec. 12.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -no farther ammunition than ten rounds per man -more, which were carried upon mules, set off to -force his way to Barcelona, sure of well storing -it when he arrived there from the magazines of -the besiegers.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He discovers a mountain path near Hostalrich.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Claros, who saw the enemy debouche from -La Bisbal, dispatched immediate intelligence to -General Vives, and taking a position with his -Miquelets and a party of Somatenes at Col de -la Grange, opposed their march. If this system -had been well followed up, the French must -soon have expended their cartridges; but every -thing had been concerted on their part, and with -the Spaniards in their multitude of counsellors -there was neither concert nor wisdom; and so - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, p. ii. p. 92.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -well were the French prepared, that they were -better acquainted with the country than the -Spaniards themselves. In passing near Palamos -they received some shot from the English ships;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">65</span> -it was the only part of the route they had chosen -which exposed them to this danger. They encamped -that night in the Val de Aro. The destination -of the army could then no longer be -concealed; still it was of importance to keep -the Spaniards in doubt concerning its course, -and St. Cyr profited by every hour which they -passed in indecision. The next day he arrived -at Vidreras. Lazan’s troops were seen behind -them, to the right, on the heights of Casa de la -Selva; and on the 14th some skirmishing took -place near Mallorquinas between these troops -and the rear of the French. This gave them -little interruption, and no alarm: what St. Cyr -apprehended was, that he should find Vives -upon the Tordera, a strong position, where some -bodies of Miquelets and peasantry, well posted, -might have made him expend his ammunition, -and easily have frustrated his design; but it was -the fate of the Spaniards now never to profit -by the opportunities which were offered them. -Passing by Masanet and Martorell de la Selva, -upon the heights which command Hostalrich, -he halted his right at Grions and his left at -Masanes, while search was made for a mountain -path, which leading out of reach of shot from -the fortress, comes into the Barcelona road beyond -it. A man who had formerly kept sheep -in these parts had assured him that such a path -existed, in opposition to the statement of all the -smugglers whom St. Cyr consulted before he -left Perpignan, and it was in reliance upon his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">66</span> -single but sure testimony that this course was -taken. The officers of the staff went to look for -it, and returned exhausted with fatigue, declaring -that no such path was there. St. Cyr -then, who had full reliance upon his informant, -set out himself, and after two hours’ search discovered -it, but in the attempt he had nearly -fallen into the hands of a party of Somatenes.</p> - -<p>By this path, on the 15th, the French succeeded -in passing Hostalrich; they started at -daybreak, and had just regained the high road -when the garrison, having discovered the way -which they had taken, came out and annoyed -their rear. In the course of the day they lost -about two hundred men by repeated attacks of -the Miquelets: and the troops, harassed by these -skirmishes and by a fatiguing march, in which -they had to cross many torrents, would fain have -halted for the night when they arrived at Puente -de la Tordera. The defile of Treinta-pasos was -before them six miles in length, and St. Cyr -knew that if they did not pass it that night, they -must fight their way through on the morrow. -He urged them forward therefore, leaving a -handful of men at the entrance, to keep the -Miquelets in check. The Spaniards had endeavoured -to impede the way by breaking up -the road and felling trees across it: but they -had neglected to occupy this important pass, -and by eleven o’clock the whole of the French - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 52–63.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -army bivouacqued on the plain a league from -Llinas.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">67</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Indecision of General Vives.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>General Vives, during the whole time that -the French were before Rosas, had been occupied -with the insane purpose of laying regular -siege to Barcelona. From this dream he -was disturbed by advices from Gerona that the -firing at Rosas had ceased; and any hope which -might have remained was soon put an end to by -certain intelligence of its surrender from the -British squadron. The Spanish Commander had -taken none of the ordinary means for obtaining -information of the enemy’s movements; he knew -as little of their strength as of their plans: he -was ill acquainted with the country, and the -persons by whom he was surrounded were -utterly ignorant of military affairs, and might -have perplexed a firmer spirit and a clearer understanding, -by their contrarious and vacillating -counsels. It was a moment at which a blow -might have been struck not less momentous -than the battle of Baylen; for the destruction -of St. Cyr’s army (and destruction must have -been the consequence of defeat) would have -drawn after it the recovery of Barcelona and -Figueras, and effectual assistance might then -have been afforded to Zaragoza. But the unreasonable -hopes which he had long indulged were -followed by an ominous prostration of mind. -Fretted as well as embarrassed by want of -money; alarmed by tidings of the rout at Tudela, -and of the appearance of the enemy again -before Zaragoza; still more alarmed by receiving -no advices from the side of Madrid,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">68</span> -and therefore with too much reason apprehending -the worst, he had no government to look to -for orders, no reliance upon others, and none - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Dec. 11.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -upon himself. Four days were wasted in hopeless -indecision; then came intelligence at midnight -from the Junta at Gerona that St. Cyr -was on his march, and, having sent his artillery -to Figueras, it was evident that Barcelona was -his object. Immediately General Reding was -dispatched with his division, consisting of about -4000 men, to oppose him. Succeeding advices -left no doubt of the direction of the French; a -council of war was held; Caldagues was of - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>He marches against the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -opinion that the General should march against -the enemy with the greater part of his force, -leaving only enough to keep up the blockade: -he took however not more than 5000 with him, -and, having dispatched instructions to the Marques -de Lazan, followed Reding, and having - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Dec. 15.</span> -Cabañes, p. 9. c. II.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -joined him at Granollers, set out from that -place at midnight just when the French had -passed without opposition through the defile of -Treinta-pasos: the Spaniards as they left Granollers -saw the fires of the enemy’s bivouac.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rout of the Spaniards at Llinas.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The intention was to occupy an advantageous -position between Villalba and Llinas: the artillery -and the want of order in some of the raw -troops impeded their march; it was morning -when the head of the column arrived at Cardedeu, -and before Vives could reach the ground -which he had intended to take he came in sight -of the enemy, and his men, after a night march<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">69</span> -of eight hours, had to draw up for battle. The -French were refreshed by rest: but they had -consumed their biscuit, and so much of their -ammunition had been expended in skirmishing -with the Miquelets, that what remained would -not have been sufficient for an hour in action. -St. Cyr had formed them in one column at daybreak. -When the Spanish artillery began to -play upon the head of that column, Pino, of -whose division it was composed, sent an aide-de-camp, -to ask if any change was to be made -in the dispositions for battle. St. Cyr’s reply -was, “We have neither time nor means to -make dispositions. In this covered country it -would take at least three hours to reconnoitre -the enemy well, ... in less than two, Lazan -might arrive to attack us in the rear, and Milans -might fall upon our left. We have not a -minute to lose; but must bring our whole force -to bear upon the centre of their line.” Notwithstanding -these orders, the first brigade deployed, -and attacking the left of Reding’s division suffered -considerably, and began to give way. St. -Cyr, when he saw his orders disobeyed, instructed -Pino to execute his original plan with -the second brigade, and, changing the direction -of Souham’s division, sent it to turn General -Reding’s right. Two battalions were ordered -to make a false attack upon the left of the -Spanish position. Here the rout began. The -centre was forced at the same time; and Vives -and his staff, seeing all hope lost on that side,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">70</span> -hastened to the right, where the advantage -had hitherto appeared to be with Reding. But -they carried panic with them; Souham’s division -decided the battle in that quarter with -equal celerity, and the steadiness with which -some of the old troops behaved was not supported -well enough to save the Spaniards from -a total and scandalous defeat. It was eight -o’clock when they formed for action, and before -nine they were in full flight. General Vives -lost his horse, and, escaping on foot across the -mountains, reached Mataro, and got on board -a vessel. There was an end of all order: officers -and men shifted as they could, each for -himself. One column alone under Colonel -Ybarrola retreated unbroken; and two out of -fourteen guns were brought off by a Sub-lieutenant -named Uzurrun. Reding, who had been -saved by the speed of his horse from close pursuit, -fell in with these at Mommalo, rallied -what fugitives could be collected, and retreated -with them by S. Culgat, across the Llobregat -to Molins de Rey. The artillery had been well -served, and the French loss by their own account -amounted to 600 men. Of the Spaniards -2000 are said to have been taken, of whom 800 -were wounded. Their killed were about 400. -The loss in men was trifling, for the fugitives -dispersed in all directions, and the conquerors -wasted no time in pursuit: but the most favourable - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, p. 3. c. 11. -<br /> -St. Cyr, 63–70.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -opportunity which presented itself to the -Spaniards during the whole war was lost, ... the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">71</span> -opportunity of cutting off a second French -army, which would have drawn after it the recovery -of Barcelona, and a second deliverance -of Zaragoza.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Retreat of the Spaniards from Barcelona to the Llobregat.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The firing was heard at Barcelona, from -whence Duhesme, seeing so large a part of the -besieging force drawn off, sallied against the -remainder: he was bravely received, and repulsed -at all points. But when night came, -Caldagues, who had been left in the command, -hearing the fatal issue of the battle, withdrew -behind the Llobregat, removing almost the -whole of his artillery, but leaving copious magazines -which Vives, with that want of discretion -that characterized all his conduct, had collected -at Sarrea, and which it was now impossible -to save. The retreat was effected without -molestation; but so miserable a scene had not -for many generations been witnessed in Catalonia. -The country around Barcelona was one -of the most flourishing and delightful parts of the -whole kingdom, bearing every mark of industry -and opulence and comfort. The whole population -of that vicinity followed the retreat, men, -women, and children carrying upon their backs -such effects as they could bear, and leaving all -the rest to the spoilers. The nuns of three -convents were among the fugitives: about an -hundred of these poor women were so advanced -in years that they were hardly able to walk, ... -since childhood they had never been beyond -the walls of their cloister, and now they were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">72</span> -thus driven abroad into the world. Reding had -reached Molins de Rey at midnight, and by -great exertions restoring some order among the -troops which he had collected in his flight, took -a position upon the heights that command the -bridge.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr marches against them. -<br /> -<span class="date">Dec. 17.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>St. Cyr entered Barcelona on the following -morning, ill satisfied with Duhesme for not -having interposed to cut off the fugitives; and -still more displeased when he found that the distress -of the garrison for provisions had been -greatly exaggerated, and that in consequence -of these false representations he had been compelled -to undertake a march so perilous that -nothing but the gross incapacity of his opponents - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Dec. 20.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -could have saved the army from<a id="FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> destruction. -He rested his men three days, and -on the fourth took a position on the left bank -of the Llobregat in face of the Spaniards, that -they might have no time to strengthen themselves -in the advantageous post which they occupied, -nor to be joined by the troops under -Lazan and Milans. But these officers had no -intention of joining; and Reding, upon whom<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">73</span> -the temporary command had devolved, was less -able than a Spaniard would have been to struggle -with the difficulties in which he found himself. -A Spanish General would neither have -foreseen defeat nor have been cast down by it; -he would have thought a change of fortune as -likely as a change of weather; he would have -relied upon the Saints and the Virgin, his good -cause and the insuperable constancy of his -countrymen. But Reding saw only the fearful -realities of his situation; he knew that his -own knowledge of the art of war was of -no avail when he could depend neither upon officers -nor men; and his sole hope was, that a -speedy and honourable death might remove him -from the sight of calamities which he deemed -it impossible to avert. A more pitiable condition -cannot be conceived, ... except that of the -brave and honourable men employed against -him, who from a sense of military duty served -with their utmost efforts a cause which they -knew to be infamously unjust, and acting in -obedience to a merciless tyrant with miscreants -worthy of such a master, aided and abetted -crimes at which their hearts revolted ... sinning -thus against God and man, against the light of -conscience and against their own souls.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Indecision of the Spaniards. Dec. 18.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the second day after the rout, Vives, who -had landed at Sitges, appeared upon the Llobregat, -and having approved of Reding’s dispositions, -left him in the command while he -went to Villafranca to take measures with the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">74</span> -Junta for calling out the whole peasantry of the -country, and for reuniting the dispersed troops. -There was the difficult task of providing for the -army, ... their magazines had been abandoned to -the enemy, and they were in a country which -now for six months had been the immediate -scene of war. They were without clothes and -without shelter, and a piercing wind from the -mountains swept down the valley of the Llobregat. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Dec. 20.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -While they were employed in felling -trees and erecting huts, the alarm was given -that the French were taking a position in front -of them. The men were immediately placed -under arms, and dispositions were made for -maintaining a post strong in itself, and defended -by numerous artillery. But it was soon perceived -that the attack would not be made that -day. St. Cyr fixed his head-quarters in the -centre at San Feliu, having his left at Cornella -and his right at Molins de Rey. He saw by -the movements of the Spaniards that they expected -the main attack would be at that place, -by the bridge over which the high road passes -to Tarragona, and a little way beyond branches -off to Zaragoza. They had in fact made such -preparations that it was impossible for the French -to debouch there while the point was defended -with any resolution. St. Cyr therefore ordered -General Chabran to draw their attention thither -during the night, and not to make any real -attempt till he should see both the centre and -the right of the enemy turned: for the river was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">75</span> -fordable in several places, and the Spaniards -with strange improvidence had taken no means -for rendering it impassable in those points. -Indeed as soon as they were satisfied that the -attack was delayed till the morning, Reding -held a council of war in his tent; and all who -were present agreed that considering the temper -of the troops after their late defeat, it would be -imprudent to hazard another engagement.... -Some were for retreating to Ordal, and occupying -a position there; ... it was not so defensible -as that which they proposed to abandon; but -to men in their state of mind it seemed better, -because it was at a distance: others were for -retiring at once to Tarragona, where the army -might be re-organized in safety. Reding himself -thought it certainly advisable to retreat: -but he who had no fear of death was miserably -afraid of responsibility; and wanting resolution -to act upon his own judgement, dispatched a -courier to solicit instructions from General -Vives, who was seven leagues off. Night came -on; the troops were under arms, exposed to -severe cold and snow; the fires of both armies -were seen along their whole lines; ... an alarm -was kept up at the bridge by Chabran’s division, -and from time to time the Spanish batteries -fired where they saw any movement on -the opposite bank. At midnight no answer -from Vives had arrived; and Reding, not -doubting that it would confirm the opinion of -the council, issued orders that the troops should<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">76</span> -be in readiness to commence their retreat as -soon as it came. But Vives also sought to -shift the responsibility from himself; and when -his answer arrived, which was not till four in -the morning, its purport was, that Reding was -to retire to Ordal if he could not maintain himself -on the Llobregat. Reding now felt that -the night had been lost in this ruinous indecision, -and finding the responsibility which he -dreaded thrown back upon him, deemed it -better to die where he was than commence a -retreat with the certainty of being instantly and -closely pursued. He made this determination -known to the officers who were about his person, -exhorting them to do their duty like true Spaniards, -and die in defence of their country: - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, p. 3. c. 12.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -they shook hands with him in pledge of their -promise, and in this temper waited for the attack.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Dec. 21.</span> -<hr /> -The Spaniards routed, and pursued to Tarragona.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>At break of morning on the shortest day in -the year, the left wing of the French under -General Souham forded the river at St. Juan -d’Espi, and ascended the right bank to protect -the centre, which in like manner crossed in a -line from St. Feliu, opposite to the right of the -Spaniards. The first brigade of the centre effected -its passage before any such intention -was perceived or apprehended by their opponents. -The Spaniards could have given no -greater proof of negligence than in leaving undefended -points which were so easily defensible, -and upon which the security of their position -depended; but in making dispositions as soon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">77</span> -as they discovered the enemy’s movements, -they evinced a degree of skill which convinced -the French that there were officers among them -who would have been formidable antagonists -had they commanded troops upon whom they -could have relied. The first brigade, however, -was in time to establish itself with little opposition -upon the heights of Llors and S. Coloma; -the second followed, and placed itself at the -foot of those heights, masked, in column, and -ready to debouch. Chabot’s troops crossed at -the same ford, and marched to the left of the -others, with the intention of turning the Spaniards’ -right. The effect of these movements -was, that the Spanish troops, dismayed, as their -officers had anticipated, by the late reverses, -easily gave way: the right was driven back -behind the centre; that being attacked also, -was thrown back upon the left toward the -bridge; their retreat upon Villa Franca was cut -off by Chabot: a detachment from the French -right, which had crossed at a ford above the -bridge, intercepted them also on the way to -Martorell; and if Chabran had then forced the -passage of the bridge, they would have been -beset on all sides, and driven together for -slaughter like wild beasts at a royal hunt in the -East. Chabran, however, not willing to expose -his men to a loss which might be spared, waited -till Souham’s troops arrived on the opposite -bank, and then debouched from the bridge.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">78</span> -There are no troops in the world except the -Spaniards, says St. Cyr, who could have escaped -from such a situation. They did it by abandoning -every thing, and flying every man his own -way. General Reding and the officers who had -pledged themselves to die with him in maintaining -the position had not even an opportunity -of dying afforded them, unless they had sought -it like suicides. The country being craggy, -wooded, and full of ravines, favoured the fugitives, -so that during an active pursuit of fifteen -hours not more that some 1100 prisoners were -taken. Caldagues was among them, and the good -service which he had performed in relieving -Gerona did not exempt him now from a suspicion -of having betrayed the Spaniards in favour -of his countrymen. The pursuit was followed -to the very gates of Tarragona, and some of -the fugitives did not stop till they reached the -Ebro. All the artillery, consisting of 50 pieces -of cannon, was taken; and large magazines of -ammunition were found at Villa Franca, to the -great relief of the French, who had not enough -in Barcelona for a month’s consumption. Chabran’s -division established itself at Martorell, -Chabot’s at S. Sadurni, Souham’s at Vendrell -and upon the left bank of the Gaya, Pino’s -at Villa Franca, Villa Nueva, and Sitjas. St. -Cyr fixed his head-quarters at Villa Franca. -Thus far he had completely succeeded in whatever -he had proposed: ... there was no longer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">79</span> -an army in the field to oppose him; Barcelona -was not only relieved, but stored and rendered -secure; and Zaragoza (which in a moral if not -a military point of view was an object of more importance) - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 82–88. -<br /> -Cabañes, p. 3. c. 12.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -was precluded from all succour in -that quarter, from whence alone an effectual -effort might reasonably have been expected.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">80</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote class="inhead"> - -<p class="hang">MOVEMENTS OF THE CENTRAL ARMY UNDER THE -DUKE DEL INFANTADO. BATTLE OF UCLES. -RETREAT FROM CUENCA. CARTAOJAL APPOINTED -TO THE COMMAND. PROGRESS OF -THE FRENCH. SIR ROBERT WILSON ENTERS -CIUDAD RODRIGO. NEGOTIATION CONCERNING -THE ADMISSION OF BRITISH TROOPS INTO CADIZ.</p></blockquote> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1808.<br />December.</span> -<hr /> -The Spaniards not discouraged by their reverses.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p><span class="firstword">Sir</span> John Moore’s movements, fatal as they -were to his army and himself, and most injurious -to public opinion in England, were not -without some good effect, though far inadequate -to the price at which it was purchased. They -drew into Galicia those forces which would -otherwise have taken possession of Lisbon and -of Seville, and they afforded the Junta time for -raising new levies and bringing new armies into -the field. The spirit of the nation was in no -degree abated; their numerous defeats, the loss -of their capital, and the treachery of chiefs in -whom they had entirely trusted, seemed rather -to exasperate than dismay them; and there -would have been no lack of strength had there -been arms for the willing people, officers to discipline -them, a government which could have -provided for their support, and generals capable -of directing their zeal and courage. A memorable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">81</span> -instance of the national disposition was -displayed in the little town of Luzena. According -to a decree of the Junta, four men of every -hundred were to be drawn for military service; -all who were liable to the lot assembled, 400 in -number, and when the magistrate was proceeding -to ballot for sixteen, the whole 400 volunteered, -and marched off that same day to join -the troops at Seville.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Condition of Infantado’s army at Cuenca.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Had the British army made a stand in Galicia, -as there was every reason to expect, the -Duke del Infantado was to have advanced from -Cuenca upon Ocaña and Aranjuez, and in conjunction -with the army collected at La Carolina, -under the Marques del Palacio, to have pushed -for Madrid. The retreat of Sir John Moore -frustrated this plan; the Duke was then ordered -to remain on the defensive, and new levies were -sent to reinforce him as fast as they were raised. -But in the miserable circumstances of his army, -increase of numbers was no increase of strength. -Arms, clothing, and provision were wanting; -it was alike without resources, discipline, or -system; in want of efficient officers of every -rank, and those which there were, were divided -into cabals and factions. The province of -Cuenca was the best point which could have -been chosen for deriving supplies from La -Mancha, Murcia, and Valencia, the two latter -provinces as yet unexhausted by the war; but -it was not a military position. The city stands -upon high ground, where the Huecar falls into<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">82</span> -the Jucar at the skirts of Monte de S. Christobal, -and it is completely commanded by the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado, Manifiesto, 32–37.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -heights. All that the Duke could hope for in -case he were attacked was to secure his retreat, -and for this purpose he occupied some eminences -on the left bank of the Huecar, leaving the -road to Valencia by Moya open for his artillery. -The van was stationed at Jabaya, four leagues -from Cuenca, in the direction of Madrid.</p> - -<p>The Duke had acquired some reputation in -the former war with France when serving as -Colonel of a regiment which he had raised himself. -He had now given the highest proof of -devotion to his country, in accepting a command -under circumstances which rendered success -absolutely impossible, and yet where any disaster -would compromise his reputation, and -expose him to the suspicion and fury of his own -soldiers. In endeavouring to restore order -among the troops, and to obtain food and -clothing for them, he was indefatigable; no -man could have exerted himself with greater -activity and zeal. The condition of his army -indeed, officers as well as men, was pitiable. -The military chest having been taken to Zaragoza, -they were without pay; and a great proportion -of those who had endured the fatigue -and sufferings of the retreat were now sinking -under the effects. They lay upon straw, half-naked, -in that severe season, and in the keen -climate of that high country, ... hundreds were -perishing thus. The Duke established hospitals,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">83</span> -collected beds from the city and from all -the places within reach, appointed officers to -the sole charge of seeing that the sick were -supplied, and ordered the friars to attend upon -them. His authority was exerted as far as it -would extend, and when that failed, he begged -for their support. These exertions were not -without effect; the progress of disease was - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado, 42–44.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -stopped, men and stores were obtained, subordination -was restored, and with little efficient -strength there was the appearance as well as the -name of an army.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Dreams of offensive operations.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Spaniards were not sensible how low they -had fallen as a military people. Remembering -what they had been, no lessons, however severe, -could make them see themselves as they were; -and this error was not confined to the multitude; -it was partaken by all ranks, and seemed, -indeed, inherent in the national character. It -was an error which exposed their armies always -to defeat, and yet as a nation rendered them -invincible; ... the French could have invaded -no people whom it would have been so easy to -rout, none whom it was so impossible to subdue. -Infantado had his full share of this delusion; he -planned extensive and combined operations, such -as required good troops, intelligent officers, -and ready means; ... he thought of relieving -Zaragoza, ... of recovering Madrid; or of pursuing -the left wing of that army which was -then employed against the English; ... and this -with men and leaders whose incapacity was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">84</span> -manifest upon every occasion. Upon intelligence -that about 1500 French cavalry were -scouring the country on both sides of the -Tagus, and plundering great part of the provinces -of Cuenca and La Mancha, he concerted -a scheme for surprising them at Aranjuez and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Movement against the French at Tarancon frustrated.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Tarancon, sending Venegas with 4000 foot and -800 horse to attack them in the latter place, -while D. Antonio de Senra, with an equal force -of foot and 1000 horse, was to fall upon Aranjuez, -overcome the enemy there, and intercept -those who would retreat thither in their endeavour -to escape from Tarancon. The attempt -failed, wholly through mismanagement. Senra -stopped short at El Horcajo, in fear of a detachment -of French cavalry at Villanueva del Cardete, -though that force had been calculated -upon in the combinations of Infantado. The -division with Venegas lost their way in the -night and the snow; some went in one direction, -some in another, ... the cavalry who were -thus separated had no directions how to act; -and the infantry, instead of surprising the -enemy in Tarancon, were themselves surprised - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado, 45–55.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -by them. There were, however, some good -troops among them, who stood firm, and the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Dec. 25.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -French, being very inferior in number, retreated -with some loss to Aranjuez.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Venegas falls back from Tarancon to Ucles.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>This failure had the ill effect of creating discord -among the Spaniards. Infantado blamed -the commanders; they reproached the officers -under them; and both were willing to excuse<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">85</span> -themselves by supposing that what had failed -in the execution had been planned unskilfully. -Yet, as some advantage had been gained, the -Duke resolved to pursue it.... The left bank -being now cleared as far as Aranjuez, he hoped -to take possession of that point and of Ocaña, -and as in that rainy season the Tagus was nowhere -fordable, his purpose was to remove the -boats, break down the bridges, and place himself -at Toledo. Venegas therefore was ordered -to canton his troops in Tarancon, Ucles, and the -neighbouring villages, preparatory to this movement, -and his force was increased to 8000 foot -and 1900 horse, ... the commander-in-chief retaining -with himself about 10,000, of whom a -third part were without arms, and a considerable -number otherwise unfit for service. This - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -was their position at the beginning of the year. -Of what was passing in other parts they were -ill-informed, and the false reports which abound -in such times were always on the favourable -side. They believed the French in Madrid -were in hourly fear that this army would appear -before the capital; and that Romana had entirely -destroyed the enemy at Guadarama. Some -movements, however, on the part of the French -about Aranjuez made Venegas resolve to fall -back from Tarancon upon Ucles. He apprehended -that it was their intention to attack the -part of his force which was stationed at this -latter place, and he resolved therefore to march<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">86</span> -his troops thither as a better position than Tarancon, -and one where he might cover the army.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />January.</span> -<hr /> -Rout of the Spaniards at Ucles.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Ucles is a decayed town, where the Knights -of Santiago had their chief convent in the bright -ages of that military order: here their banner -was kept which Gregory XI. had blessed, and -which the Kings of Spain delivered to every -new master on his appointment: hither the -knights from all the other provinces resorted -when their services were required, and from -hence they had set forth for the conquest of -Cordoba, and Seville, and Jaen, and Murcia. -To a Spaniard of these times it was a melancholy -place, for the proud as well as the mournful recollections -which it recalled; for here Alonso VI. -had lost his only son, in the most disastrous -defeat that the Christians had ever suffered from -the Moors since the destruction of the kingdom -of the Goths. He fell in battle with the Almoravides; -and because seven Counts had died -bravely in defending the Infante, the African -fanatics, in their insolent triumph, called the -spot where they fell the Place of the Seven Swine. -This ill-omened ground was now to become the -scene of an action disgraceful to the Spaniards -for the facility with which they were routed, -and infamous to the French for the enormous -wickedness with which they abused their victory.</p> - -<p>Venegas supposed that the French were -bringing forces against him across the Tagus, -by the ferry at Villamanrique. His danger was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">87</span> -from a different quarter. Victor had marched -from Toledo against Infantado’s army, knowing -as little of the Spaniards’ movements as they -did of his, but with such troops, that his only -anxiety was to find the enemy, and bring them -to action wherever they might be found. Victor -himself, with General Ruffin’s division, went by -way of Alcazar, and General Villate, taking the -direction of Ucles, discovered the Spaniards -there on the morning of the 13th. Venegas -apprehended an attack on his right, or in the -rear; but the French crossed the brook, and -fell upon the left wing of the Spaniards, who were -stationed upon some high and broken ground, -commanding the convent and the town. If the -general erred in not strengthening this position, -the troops allowed him no time for remedying -his error; they retreated precipitately to the -town, and when orders came to occupy the convent -it was too late; ... the enemy were within -the enclosure, and fired from thence, as under -cover of a parapet. The panic presently spread, -the raw levies disordered those who would have -done their duty, and many officers made a brave -but vain sacrifice of their own lives in endeavouring -to rally and encourage the men. The -fugitives in one direction came upon the enemy’s -artillery, under General Cenarmont, and were -cut down with grape-shot; in another they fell -in with Victor and the remaining part of the -French army. One body, under D. Pedro -Agustin Giron, seeing that all was lost, made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">88</span> -their way desperately through the enemy in good -order, and got to Carrascosa, where they found -the Duke. It was a series of errors on the part -of the Spaniards, and the consequences were as -disastrous as they could be. The French boasted -of having taken 300 officers and 12,000 men, ... -the whole force, however, which Venegas had -with him did not amount to this, but the loss -was very great. The prisoners were marched to - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rocca, p. 79.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Madrid, and such as fell by the way from hunger -and exhaustion were shot by their inhuman -captors.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cruelties committed there by the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Never indeed did any men heap upon themselves -more guilt and infamy than those by -whom this easy conquest was obtained. The -inhabitants of Ucles had taken no part in the -action; from necessity they could only be passive -spectators of the scene. But they had -soon cause to lament that they had not rather -immolated their wives and children with their -own hands, like the Numantians of old, and -then rushed upon the invaders to sweeten death -with vengeance, instead of submitting to the -mercy of such enemies. Plunder was the first -object of the French, and in order to make the -townspeople discover where their valuables were -secreted, they tortured them. When they had -thus obtained all the portable wealth of the -place, they yoked the inhabitants like beasts, -choosing especially the clergy for this outrage, -loaded them with their own furniture, and made -them carry it to the Castle Hill, and pile it in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">89</span> -heaps, where they set fire to it, and consumed -the whole. They then in mere wantonness -murdered above threescore persons, dragging -them to the shambles, that this butchery might -be committed in its proper scene. Several women -were among these sufferers, and they might -be regarded as happy in being thus delivered -from the worse horrors that ensued: for the -French laid hands on the surviving women of -the place, amounting to some three hundred, ... -they tore the nun from the altar, the wife from -her husband’s corpse, the virgin from her mother’s -arms, and they abused these victims of -the foulest brutality, till many of them expired -on the spot. This was not all, ... but the farther -atrocities which these monsters perpetrated -cannot even be hinted at without violating the -decencies of language and the reverence which -is due to humanity. These unutterable things -were committed in open day, and the officers -made not the slightest attempt at restraining -the wretches under their command; they were -employed in securing the best part of the plunder -for themselves. The Spanish government -published the details of this wickedness, in order - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Gazeta del Gobierno, <span class="date">April 24, 1809.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -that if the criminals escaped earthly punishment, -they might not escape perpetual infamy.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado collects the fugitives.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Infantado was severely censured for exposing -his advanced guard fourteen leagues from his -head-quarters, so that support was impossible; -and an equal want of judgement had been shown -by Venegas in not falling back upon the main<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">90</span> -body, which he knew was actually on the way -to join him. The Duke left Cuenca on the -morning preceding the action, and took up his -quarters that night at Horcajada. Desirous to -know for what reason Venegas had retreated -from Tarancon, he rode forward on the 13th -with his aides-de-camp, and when he reached -Carrascosa, which is a league and half from -Ucles, some carriers informed him that as they -were leaving that town they heard firing at the -outposts. Part of his troops were at Carrascosa; -they had heard nothing; and the Duke -was preparing to sit down to table with their -general, the Conde de Orgaz, when news came -that horse and foot were approaching in disorder. -Immediately he mounted and rode forward; the -first person whom he met was the commandant -of the light troops, D. Francisco Copons y Navia, -an officer in whom he had great confidence: -seeing him without his battalion, he knew that -some fatal blow must have been sustained, and -asking what had happened, was told that the -troops at Ucles were all either killed or taken. -His first impulse was to rush forward, and throw -himself upon the enemy’s bayonets. A timely -thought of duty withheld him from this act of -desperation. The troops under Giron, who had -fought their way through the French, came up -now in good order; with these and with such -fugitives as could be brought together, he made -dispositions which checked the pursuit in this -direction, and retired when the evening was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">91</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado, 119–132.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -closing to Horcajada. They rested there during -the early part of the night, and setting forward -at three in the morning, reached the Venta -de las Cabrejas before daybreak.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Retreat from Cuenca.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Here, while the troops were receiving their -rations, the generals held a council whether -they should retreat to the borders of Valencia, -and take up a position for the defence of that -kingdom, which was threatened on the side of -Daroca; or join the Marques del Palacio in La -Mancha, and if compelled, fall back to La Carolina -or Despeña-Perros; or march for Zaragoza, -to attack the besiegers, and raise the siege. -This was gravely proposed; but the madness of -making such an attempt with an unprovided, -undisciplined, routed army, dispirited by a long -series of disasters, and above all, by the scandalous -defeat of the preceding day, was universally -acknowledged. The scheme of joining Palacio, -and making for the Sierra Morena, was likewise -rejected, because in the plains of La Mancha -they would be exposed to the enemy’s cavalry; -and it was resolved without a dissentient voice -to retreat into Valencia, where there were great -resources for refitting and increasing the troops. -This being determined, the army reached Cuenca -that night, and continued its retreat on the following -morning, the artillery being sent off in -the middle of the night by a better road, to join -them at Almodovar del Pinar. But four-and-twenty -hours of the heaviest rain rendered this -road also impassable; and in spite of every exertion<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">92</span> -the greater number of the guns could not -be got farther than Olmedilla, one league from -Cuenca, by the following midnight, and there -the escort left them. The Duke, who was with -the artillery himself, in hope of expediting the -most difficult part of their movements, had preceded -them to Tortola, where a few of the guns -had arrived, and whither the rest were to be -brought next day, the worst part of the road -being past. He sent orders therefore that one -regiment of horse and another of foot should be -dispatched to Tortola, for the purpose of escorting -the artillery when it should be thus brought -together, and went himself to join the army at - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Loss of the artillery.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Valera de arriba. On his arrival there on the -evening of the 16th he found that no infantry -had been sent; being barefooted and exhausted -by marching in such weather, they had been -deemed actually incapable of the service. Presently -advice arrived that a company of the -Ordenes Militares, which he had left at Tortola, -had thought proper to leave the place immediately -after his departure: that a party of -enemy’s cavalry had come up, and that the regiment -of dragoons at the very sound of the -French trumpets had taken flight, abandoning -the guns to them. He now ordered a battalion -of infantry and the Farnese regiment of dragoons -to hasten and retake them: the night was dark, -the distance considerable, the roads in the worst -imaginable state; and when at daybreak they -came to Tortola, scarcely an hundred infantry<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">93</span> -could be mustered, the rest having lost the way, -or dispersed. The dragoons behaved well, and -twice made themselves masters of the guns, but -to no purpose; they were embedded in the soil -too deeply to be removed at once; and while -they were vainly labouring there, reinforcements -came up to the enemy, and many brave men -were sacrificed before the regiment desisted -from the attempt at saving these guns, which -with such exertions had been brought thither -from Tudela. Infantado knew that any farther -effort, considering the state of his army, must -be hopeless, and would moreover expose him to -the imminent danger of having his retreat cut -off, for one column of the enemy appeared to be -taking the direction of Almodovar; and in fact -when the Duke reached that place, it was ascertained -that they were within three leagues of it. -After a few hours’ rest therefore he ordered the -retreat to be continued to La Motilla del Palancar, -near Alarcon; and being, however unfortunate -as a commander, willing to perform a -soldier’s part to the last, took his station with -his own family and his orderly dragoons, as an -outpost, within three miles of the enemy. This -had an excellent effect upon the troops; so -many indeed had deserted since the rout at -Ucles, that few perhaps remained except those -who acted upon a sense of duty, and their movements -were now conducted with more composure. -Infantado remained at La Motilla till he was -assured that the French had turned aside from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">94</span> -the pursuit; removing then to Albacete and -Chinchilla, he gave his troops a few days’ necessary - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado, 133–141.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -rest, and issued directions for the better -observance of discipline and order.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado frustrates a movement of the enemy against the Carolina army.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the 25th the army moved to Hellin and -Tobarra, the object being to cover Murcia, call -off the attention of the enemy from Valencia, -and receive reinforcements from both those -kingdoms and from Andalusia. Infantado was -more enterprising and more hopeful than some -of the generals under his command, who would -have had him retreat to the city of Murcia, -there to refit his troops, or take shelter even at -Carthagena. The minister at war submitted to -his consideration whether it would not be advisable -to take up a position between the Peñas -de S. Pedro and Carcelen, for the purpose of -communicating with the Sierra Morena by the -Sierra de Alcaraz. This the Duke thought a -bad position in itself, even if it were not in a -desert, and without water; and as he had ascertained -that Victor was moving upon Villarrobledo -with the intention of cutting off the -vanguard of the Carolina army at Villarta, he -took measures for averting a blow, which, if it -had succeeded, would have left the passes of -the Sierra Morena open to the enemy. It had -been intended that this detachment, consisting -of 5000 men, should have co-operated with him -in his projected movement upon Toledo, which -had been so fatally frustrated at Ucles; they -were therefore under his command. He now<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">95</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />February.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -sent orders that they should instantly retire to -S. Cruz de Mudela, or to El Viso; and while -he hastened thither himself to join them, sent -off 500 horse, divided into four parties, to act -as <em>guerillas</em> in the rear of the French. They -did this with great success, imposing upon them -by their rapidity and boldness: and the Duke -by forced marches reached S. Cruz de Mudela -in time to save the Carolina troops, the enemy -having just arrived in front of them. The French, -seeing a force which they had not expected, and -were not in strength to attack, retired toward -Toledo, leaving the open country to the -Spaniards: and Infantado then communicated - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado, 180–189.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -with General Cuesta, that he might act in concert -with the army of Extremadura.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado superseded by Cartaojal.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The troops had now recovered heart; the -advanced guard, under the Duque del Alburquerque, -gained some advantage at Mora, where, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -by a well-planned expedition, he surprised the -French; and Infantado thought that he had -performed no inconsiderable service to his country, -in having gathered up the wreck of the -central army, and brought it into an efficient -state, when he received an order from the Supreme -Junta to give up the command to the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 6.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Conde de Cartaojal. He obeyed reluctantly, -and with the feelings of an injured man. The -government at that time perhaps, like the people, -attributed too large a part of their disasters -to the generals, and therefore appointed and -displaced them upon no better ground than that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">96</span> -of complying with public opinion. The soldiers -appear to have been well satisfied with the Duke; -they indeed had seen the incessant exertions -which he had made for supporting them when -the government could send them no supplies: -but the officers were divided into cabals, and -there was a strong party against him. His -offended pride did not however abate his desire -of continuing to serve his country in the field, -and he requested permission to remain with the -army as Colonel of the Royal Spanish Guards; -but he was informed that this was incompatible -with his elevated rank, and therefore he was - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 12.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -called to Seville. No inquiry concerning the -rout at Ucles was instituted; the opinion prevailed -that it was imputable to his error in exposing -the advanced guard at such a distance -from the body of his army; but the faults with -which he charged Venegas were overlooked, -and the government continued to place a confidence -in that General, to which, in any other -capacity than that of a commander, his honourable -character and personal qualities entitled him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Calumnies against Castaños.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French, at the commencement of their -revolutionary war, sent every unsuccessful general -to the scaffold, the Convention in its -bloody acts keeping pace with the bloodiest -desires of a deceived and infuriated populace. -The Central Junta contracted no such guilt, -though humanity is not the characteristic of the -Spaniards, and justice in state affairs had in that -country for centuries been unknown. They gave<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">97</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -no ear to vulgar or malignant accusations; but, -on the other hand, they allowed their generals -no opportunity of vindicating themselves. Upon -this ground Castaños, as well as Infantado, had -cause to complain. The order which called him -from the command of the central army during -its retreat intimated no dissatisfaction at his conduct; -on the contrary, it summoned him to take -the presidency of the Military Junta, saying that -the fate of armies depended upon the plans which -were laid down for them. That restless intriguer, -the Conde de Montijo, who had visited him at his -head-quarters at Tudela, professed the warmest -friendship towards him, and spoken of him -in the language of unbounded admiration, left -the army suddenly two days before the battle, -and wherever he went reported that Castaños -was a traitor, and had sold the country to the -French. This nearly proved fatal to the General, -when, in obedience to his summons, he set -out to join the Central Junta, taking with him -merely such an escort as his rank required: for -he soon found that fifteen horse and thirty foot -were not sufficient to protect him from imminent -danger; the clamour which Montijo raised -had spread far and wide, and they could not -enter a village without preparations as serious -as if they were about to engage in action. At -Miguel-turra, in La Mancha, the Junta exerted -themselves ineffectually to restrain the populace, -who were crying out, Kill him! kill him! The -members of that body, the better to secure him,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">98</span> -gathered round his person, and accompanied him -on foot; the rabble pressed upon them with blind -fury, and their lives, as well as that of Castaños, -would have been sacrificed, if his cavalry had -not charged the multitude sword in hand, and -opened the way. But the danger was not over -when he had been housed; the house was beset, -and it was only by the exertions of the better -classes, and especially of a priest, that he was -enabled to leave the place before daybreak the -following morning. It became necessary for -them to avoid all populous places, and take up -their lodging in the smallest and most retired -hamlets; and yet with these precautions his life -was frequently threatened. In addition to this -evil there was the uncertainty of knowing whither -to direct his course: three times on his journey -he found that the Central Junta had changed -their place of residence; and when he finally -made for Seville, it was with a belief that they -had removed to Puerto de Santa Maria. Upon -approaching Seville, he was ordered to take up -his abode in the monastery of S. Geronimo de -Buenavista, and there await the farther determination -of the government. Montijo had accused -him as an instrument of Tilly, engaged -with him in treasonable designs, and also in a -scheme for rendering Andalusia independent, -and making it the head of a confederacy of - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Castaños, Representacion, 15–18.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -provinces. This was the mere fabrication of a -man who scrupled at no means for promoting -his own insane ambition, and as such the Junta<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">99</span> -received it; but they deemed it expedient to -treat the general as if he were under their displeasure, -lest a suspicion, which in its consequences -might be most fatal to the country, -should be raised against themselves.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>His memorial to the Junta.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Castaños was not aware of the accusation -which had been thus preferred; least indeed of -all men could he have supposed that a charge -of federalism would have been brought against -him, who had with so much decision and effect -opposed the dangerous disposition of the provincial -authorities to consult their own security -alone. But he complained of the injurious restraint -in which he was placed, and in an able -and temperate memorial appealed to his past -services, showed that the defeat at Tudela was -not imputable to any error or indiscretion on -his part (his opinion having been over-ruled by -their representative, D. Francisco Palafox), and -required that his conduct might be judged of -by the circumstances in which he was placed, -and the actual condition of his army, not as if -he had commanded 80,000 effective men. An -army in the field, he said, was like a musical instrument -with many keys and many registers: -if these did not answer to the touch, if many -strings were wanting, and the others not in tune, -the best musician would be deemed a sorry performer -by those who heard the broken and jarring -sounds which he produced, and knew not -the state of the instrument. Still, he maintained,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">100</span> -the French were far from being able to subdue -Spain. Castaños was not unsupported while he -thus defended himself with the confidence of an -innocent and injured man. The Junta of Seville -honourably espoused his cause, and the government -allowed him to remove to his own house -at Algeciras, there to remain while the inquiry -into his conduct which he demanded should be -carried on.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Intrigues of Montijo.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Montijo was one of those men who in disordered -times are intoxicated with ambition and -vanity. His object in seeking the ruin of Castaños -was to obtain a command for himself. He -represented to the Junta that the resources by -which the miracle of restoring the country might -be effected could only be drawn from Andalusia; -but that to call them forth activity, energy, patriotism, -and above all the confidence of the -public were required. Under any other circumstances -he should have blushed to designate -himself as the person in whom these qualifications -were united, and unhappily the only person -who possessed the last; but in such an -emergency a good Spaniard must sacrifice even -his modesty. Spain might still be saved if he -were commissioned to take what cavalry he -could raise, put himself at the head of the -forces in La Mancha, and march upon Madrid; -and he pledged his sacred word of honour -that he would resign the command as soon as -the French should be driven back to the Ebro.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">101</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />January.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -This proposal met with as little attention as it -deserved; and Montijo then joined the army of -Carolina, there to sow fresh intrigues, and meet -with deserved humiliation.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Progress of the French in Castille and Leon.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French themselves were at this time in -such a situation, that the desultory and harassing -warfare which the Junta of Seville advised at the -commencement of the struggle might now have -been pursued against them with great effect. A -disposition in some of the marshals to disregard -Joseph, and act without any deference to his -wishes or commands, had shown itself before -Buonaparte left Spain; the attention of the -French cabinet was directed toward Austria, -and the affairs of Spain were left to the intrusive -government, which had in fact no control over -the armies by whom alone it was to be supported. -But as there was no enemy in the field alert and -able enough to take advantage of the fair occasions -which offered, the French commanders -believed the struggle was at an end, and that -they had only to march over the country and -receive the submission of the inhabitants. While -Victor occupied Toledo, waiting only a convenient -season to disperse the hasty levies which -were brought together for the defence of Andalusia, -General Dorneau marched against Zamora, -scaled the walls of that ancient city, and put to -death those inhabitants who, in the flagitious -language of the French bulletin, were called the -most guilty. Castille and Leon were overrun,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">102</span> -and wherever they went those scenes of profanation, -violence, and murder were exhibited, in -which Buonaparte’s soldiers were systematically -allowed to glut the worst passions of corrupted -and brutalized humanity.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>New levies raised by the Spaniards.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Yet while the country was thus at the mercy -of the French, the panic which their appearance -every where excited extended nowhere beyond -their immediate presence. In all places which -were not actually occupied by the enemy, the -local authorities acted as if no enemy had been -at hand, and their own government had been as -efficient as it was legitimate. The enlisting went -on, and promises of speedy triumph and sure deliverance -were held forth with a confidence which -no reverses could shake. The fugitives from the -different armies no sooner reached their own -homes than they were again enrolled to be embodied, -and exposed again to privations and -sufferings such as those from which they had -so hardly escaped. Before their strength was -recruited, they were sent off to form new armies, -neither better disciplined, better commanded, -nor better provided than those which had been -routed and dispersed. They went hungered, -half naked, and cursing their fortune, without -confidence in their officers, each other, or themselves, -yet believing fully that the deliverance -of Spain would be effected with a faith which -seemed to require and perhaps very generally -expected miracles for its fulfilment. Human<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">103</span> -means indeed seem to have been provided as -little as if they had not been taken into the -account.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Temporizing conduct of certain magistrates.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>This unreasoning confidence brought with it -evil as well as good. Many of those who had -something to lose, and hoped that part at least -might be saved by submission, took either side -according as the scale inclined. When the -enemy was absent, they joined the national -voice, which expressed what were their real -feelings: if the French appeared, they were -ready to take the oaths, and act under them, -as far as was necessary for their own safety or -advantage, longing at the same time and looking -for the day of deliverance and vengeance. -In many places, the magistracy acted with no -other view than that of averting from themselves -and their immediate jurisdiction as much -of the common misery as they could. This was -particularly the case in those parts of Leon and -Castille which lay most open to the enemy. The -enrolment was rigorously enforced there, and -men were hurried off: but any means of local -defence were rather dreaded than desired. -Offers of assistance were made from Ciudad -Rodrigo to Ledesma and Salamanca, and both -cities declined the proffered aid, as unnecessary; -but in truth, because they believed it to be unavailing, -and had determined not to provoke the -enemy by resistance.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sir Robert Wilson.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Ciudad Rodrigo had at that time become a -point of great interest, owing to a well-timed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">104</span> -movement of Sir Robert Wilson’s with a small -body of Portugueze volunteers. This adventurous -officer had been rewarded by the Emperor -of Germany with the order of Maria -Theresa, for a brilliant affair in which the 15th -regiment of dragoons was engaged during the -siege of Landrecy. He served afterwards in -Egypt, and published a history of the British -expedition to that country, in which work he -charged Buonaparte with the massacre of his -prisoners at Jaffa, and the empoisonment of his -own sick and wounded. The facts were boldly -denied at the time, and willingly disbelieved -by Buonaparte’s admirers; they have since been -substantiated by ample evidence, and by his own -avowal; but the merit of having first proclaimed -them was Sir Robert Wilson’s, and it marked -him for an object of especial vengeance should -he ever fall into the hands of the tyrant, whose -true character he had been the first to expose. -This rendered him more conspicuous than he -would have been for his rank, which was that -of Lieutenant-Colonel. Having, in pursuance -of the convention, superintended the embarkation -of the French at Porto, and by great exertions -contributed to save them from the just -fury of the populace, he applied himself with - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>He raises a Portugueze legion at Porto.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -characteristic activity and enterprise to raising -and disciplining a Portugueze legion in that -city. The plan was entirely approved by Sir -Hew Dalrymple, and zealously forwarded by -the Bishop. Two thousand men presently presented<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">105</span> -themselves, and that number might have -been increased five-fold could he have relied -upon resources for them; for the alertness with -which they learned our discipline, the confidence -which they acquired, the pride which -they felt at being displayed, and which their -officers partook in displaying them, excited the -emulation of their countrymen. Some jealousy -was felt at Lisbon, and some obstacles were -thrown in his way, upon the pretext that an -invidious distinction would be occasioned between -these and the other Portugueze troops. -Sir John Cradock, however, when the command -in that capital devolved upon him, authorised -Sir Robert to act according to his own judgement. -His first thought had been to embark -for Carthagena, and march from thence to Catalonia. -Afterwards, Asturias seemed a nearer -and more important point. But after Blake’s -army had been dispersed, and before Sir John -Moore and Sir David Baird had formed a junction, -he resolved to march toward the frontiers, -thinking that he might move from Miranda or -Braganza, and so to facilitate the communication -between them, and cover, as far as his -means permitted, the approach to the northern -provinces. With this intent he marched the -first division of his legion, consisting of 700 men -with six pieces of cannon; they were to be followed -by the second, under Baron Eben, an -Hanoverian officer in the British service; and -this by the third. And Sir J. Cradock had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">106</span> -ordered a battalion of Portugueze infantry and -a regiment of cavalry to join him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sir Robert goes to Ciudad Rodrigo.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>When Sir Robert reached Lamego, he there -found information, that a small British detachment -which had been stationed in Ciudad Rodrigo, -had, in consequence of the approaching -danger, forsaken it. Always hopeful himself, -and well aware of what importance it was that -that position should be maintained, he left his -troops, and hastened thither to consult with the -Junta. It was a point from which he could act -upon that division of the enemy who were then -forcing their way into Extremadura, ... or, co-operate -with any Spanish force that might take the -field from Salamanca. The people, on their part, -declared their determination to defend the place -resolutely; his aid, therefore, was accepted as -frankly as it was offered, and the legion accordingly -advanced from Lamego through a -country almost impracticable at that season. -By dint of human exertion, carts and artillery -were drawn up steeps which hitherto had been -deemed inaccessible for carriages. Sometimes -men and officers, breast-deep in the water, -dragged the guns through torrents so formidable, -that cattle could not be trusted to perform -that service. Sometimes, where the carriages -would have floated and have been swept -away, the wheels were taken off, and they were -slidden over on the foot-bridges. Sometimes -they were hauled along causeways and connecting -bridges so narrow, that the wheels rested on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">107</span> -half their fellies upon the stones which were set -edge upwards on the verge of the road. It was the -first march these troops had ever made, but notwithstanding -the severity of such labour, performed -at such a season, and during incessant -rain, not a man deserted, and there was no -straggling, no murmuring amid all their difficulties: -they sung as they went along, and -reached their resting-place at night with unabated -cheerfulness.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He refuses to return to Porto.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Sir Robert had plainly stated to the Junta -that his legion was not to form part of the garrison, -but that in every operation without the -walls he should think it his duty to aid, and -even in defence of the suburbs before the Salamanca -gate, as long as his return over the bridge -was assured. The Junta and the people of that -city displayed a hearty willingness to co-operate -with their allies in any manner that might appear -most conducive to the common cause; and from -that generous spirit they never departed during -all the vicissitudes of the war. At first there -was a fair prospect of acting offensively; but -when the authorities at Ledesma and Salamanca -declined the assistance which was offered them -from this quarter, Sir Robert, instead of maintaining -the line of the Tormes, as he had hoped -to do, formed on the Agueda, having his head-quarters -at San Felices. When he had marched -from the coast, it was with the hope of facilitating -the plans and contributing to the success -of a British army perfectly equipped and disciplined,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">108</span> -strong in itself, and confident in its -commanders and its cause. He now learnt that -that army was retreating with a speed which the -most utter defeat could hardly have precipitated: -at the same time he was privately advised to fall -back on Porto. But though weak himself, he - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Effect of his movements.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -had already ascertained that the French in that -part of Spain were not strong, that the activity -and appearance of his little corps had imposed -upon them a salutary opinion of his strength, -and that his continuance there was of no trifling -importance, not merely as covering the removal -of the British stores from Almeida, but as checking -the enemy’s advance in that direction, counteracting -the report which they busily spread -and indeed believed themselves, that the English -had entirely abandoned Spain, encouraging -the Spaniards, and gaining time for them to -strengthen the works of Ciudad Rodrigo, and -for training a brave and well-disposed people.</p> - -<p>This became of more consequence when the -Junta of that city had, in their own language, -“the melancholy honour of being the only one -which held out in all Castille,” Ledesma and -Salamanca having, without a show of resistance, -admitted the enemy. For him to obtain intelligence -was as easy, owing to the disposition of -the people, as it was difficult for the French. -Having ascertained that they had few cavalry -and only 1500 foot in Salamanca, that they -were proportionally weak in the country about -Zamora and Villalpando, and that they had not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">109</span> -occupied Ledesma for want of men, he entered -Ledesma, carried off, in Ferdinand’s name for -the Junta of Rodrigo, the treasure and money -which had been raised there for the French in -obedience to requisition, and compelled them -to seek and convoy what provisions they extorted -from the country. They had given -public notice that every person who disobeyed -their requisitions should be punished with death. -Sir Robert sent forth a counter-proclamation, -declaring, that if this threat were effected, he -would hang a Frenchman for every Spaniard. -By incessant activity, attacking their posts in -open day, he kept them perpetually on the -alarm, and made them apprehend a serious -attack on Salamanca itself. Upon that score -their apprehensions would have been realized, -if the whole force which Sir Robert had raised -had been then at his command; or if even with -such poor means as he possessed he had not -been withheld by orders from Lisbon. But the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Part of the legion detained at Porto.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -remaining corps of his legion had been detained -at Porto, and when he had applied for them, -and for clothing and military stores, he had -been answered that the men were wanted for -the defence of Porto itself, and that, even if -stores might have been spared, they could not -be sent without imminent danger from the -people. It was in vain for him to represent that -the measures which he had taken were those -which were best adapted for the protection of -Portugal, by covering her weakest side; that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">110</span> -Portugal must be defended beyond her frontiers; -that the service in which he was engaged -was of all others that in which the troops might -soonest acquire the discipline and experience in -which the Portugueze soldiers were so notoriously -deficient; that he wanted the men only; -not provisions, those he could assure to them; -not money, for if what had been received from -England for the express use of the legion were -withheld from it, he would apply elsewhere. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Displeasure of the authorities there.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Reasoning was of no avail when the danger from -the side of Galicia appeared to be so near as in -reality it was; and the Bishop of Porto, though -he had warmly encouraged the formation of the -legion, as an important measure towards restoring -the military character of his countrymen, -and though Sir Robert had succeeded in gaining -his good opinion to a high degree, was nevertheless -offended at the disrespect which seemed -to be shown to him and the other Portugueze -authorities, by the manner in which that officer -was now acting as if wholly independent of -them. From the Spanish government, however, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rank given him by the Spanish government.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Sir Robert received as much encouragement -as he could have desired in his most sanguine -hopes. They gave him the rank of Brigade-General, -and placed the garrison of Ciudad -Rodrigo and the troops in the province at his -disposal. And this proof of confidence was -given at a time when a misunderstanding had -arisen between the two cabinets, which might -have been fatal to the common cause, if each<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">111</span> -party had not rendered full justice to the upright -intention of the other.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />February.</span> -<hr /> -Proposal that British troops should be admitted into Cadiz.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>As soon as the dispersion of Blake’s army -was known in England, the British government -anticipating the disasters which would follow, -considered Cadiz as the ultimate point of retreat -to which the Spaniards would be driven; -there, supported by that fortress on one side, -and by Gibraltar on the other, they might make -a stand which no force that France could bring -against them could overpower. Accordingly, -when Sir John Moore’s first intention of retreating -was communicated, government resolved -that his army should immediately be -transferred to the south of Spain, for it was impossible -to foresee the miserable state to which -the manner of his retreat would reduce it. But -the representations of that general concerning -the little assistance which he received from -the Spaniards, and the little patriotism which -he could discover, so far influenced ministers, -that they thought it improper to hazard an -army in the south, unless a corps of it were admitted -into Cadiz. The treachery of Morla, -and the danger of similar treasons, rendered -this precaution advisable. Upon this subject -Mr. Frere was instructed to communicate with -the Junta, and as it was not apprehended that -the required proof of confidence would be refused, -General Sherbrooke, with 4000 men, was -ordered to sail immediately for Cadiz. He was -not to require the command of the garrison, ...<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">112</span> -that might have offended the feelings of the -Spaniards. If, however, the Junta should not -admit him, he was then to proceed to Gibraltar, -and any operations in the south were necessarily -to be abandoned, though there was no intention -even in that case of abandoning the cause of -Spain. Sir John Cradock also was instructed -to sail for Cadiz, if he should find it necessary -to abandon Portugal; but he was not to take -this step till he had been apprized of the determination -of the Spanish government.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Objections of the Spanish government.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Before it was known that the Junta had quitted -Aranjuez, Sir George Smith had been sent to -Cadiz on a local mission, to provide for the possible -case of British troops being necessary for -the defence of that city, at a time when it -might be impracticable to obtain the opinion of -the central government. When the government -was removed to Seville, his mission ceased with -the necessity of it. He, however, not only -considered it as still existing, but went beyond -his instructions; informed the governor of -Cadiz that he had authority to require that -British troops should be admitted to garrison -that place; and sent to Sir John Cradock, directing -him to dispatch troops thither from -Lisbon, ... a measure which was not to have -been taken except at the direct solicitation -of the Spanish authorities at Cadiz. And this -he did without waiting for their consent, and -without consulting or even communicating with -the English ambassador. The Junta immediately<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">113</span> -conceived that some secret designs were -on foot, with which Mr. Frere had not been -entrusted, because he had not been thought a -proper instrument; and that minister had the -vexation of hearing the justice which they did -to his frankness urged as a ground for unjust - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 7.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -suspicions. “Cadiz,” they said, “was not -threatened, and a measure so extraordinary as -that of admitting English troops there might -compromise the Supreme Junta with the nation. -Many would imagine that the prognostics -of Morla, which the government had considered -as dreams, had assumed at least an air -of reality; and however the Junta might be -persuaded of the purity of the motives by which -Great Britain was influenced, it would not be -in their power to counteract this imagination. -Spain had addressed herself to Great Britain, -and had obtained succours and good offices, -which would for ever redound to the honour of -England. Spain had opened her heart to unbounded -gratitude; but never could believe -that her misfortunes obliged her to this. Let -the allied troops disembark in small divisions, -so as to leave room for each other, proceed -without delay to occupy cantonments at Xeres, -Port St. Mary’s, and the neighbourhood, and -then pursue their march into the interior. It -would be easy to fall back upon Cadiz if that -should be necessary; but that necessity was at -all events very distant.” This, as the final resolution -of King Ferdinand, the Junta (governing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">114</span> -in his name) communicated to Mr. Frere: -“trusting,” they said, “in his discernment and -in his religious probity, that he would feel the -truth of their representations, and give the -most peremptory orders for the British troops -to abide by what had been agreed upon, and -under no pretext whatever to remain in the -fortress of Cadiz.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Troops arrive in the bay.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>During these discussions, the two regiments -under General Mackenzie, which Sir George -Smith had so precipitately ordered from Lisbon, -arrived in the bay. About the same time Mr. -Frere received a copy of the instructions intended -for Sir John Moore, directing him, in -case he could not keep his ground in the north, -to embark his troops, and carry them round -either to Lisbon or to the south of Spain. These -the ambassador communicated to the Junta; -and at the same time informed them that the -British government expected Buonaparte would -have driven back the English army into Galicia, -and marched himself into Andalusia to make -himself master of Seville, and shut the door -against every hope of succour. Expecting that -he would pursue this plan, government, while -it sent these instructions to Sir John Moore, -dispatched the corps under General Sherbrooke, -with a view of preventing at least the surrender -of Cadiz, and ensuring to the auxiliary army - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Frere’s representations to the Central Junta.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -some safe landing-place. In such a scheme, -Mr. Frere argued, there was nothing unreasonable; -it did not become the British ministers to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">115</span> -risk their army without any place of retreat from -an enemy who was less formidable for his military -force than for the means of corruption -which he employed, ... means which the capitulation -of Madrid evinced to have been not less -successful in Spain than in other countries. -Should the English then expose themselves to -the danger arising from the enemy’s intrigues, -only in deference to the injurious suspicions -which that very enemy wished to excite against -them in the minds of the Spanish government, -... a government to which that of his Britannic -Majesty had never ceased to offer proofs of disinterestedness -and of good faith? “The members -of the Junta,” said Mr. Frere, “will do me -the justice to admit that I have never endeavoured -to promote the interests of my nation, -but as being essentially connected with those of -their own. If, however, I have always been -guided by the same sentiments and the same -views which a Spanish politician might have, I -do not think it is to depart from them, if I deliver -the same opinion which I should give had -I the honour of occupying a place in the council -of your nation; namely, that the whole -policy of the Spanish government rests essentially -on a persuasion of perfect good faith on -the part of England, and that it is important to -confirm it more and more by testimonies of mutual -confidence, and by avoiding the slightest -appearance of distrust between government and -government.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">116</span> -One other point Mr. Frere adverted to, which, -though less important, was of great weight. -The precariousness of commerce, occasioned by -the supposed insecurity of Cadiz, was prejudicial -to the finances of Spain. There was no longer -a place in the peninsula where British goods -could be deposited; and the government was -therefore under the necessity of cutting off all -mercantile intercourse between the colonies and -the rest of the civilized world, or of affording -to foreign commerce a security which it could -not find in the sole protection of a Spanish garrison. -On this head he appealed to the custom-house -registers, and to the applications made -by neutrals for permission to reship goods, which - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Reply of the Spanish government. <span class="date">Feb. 17.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -they did not deem any longer safe. A note was -transmitted in reply to this, saying, that the -Junta would dispatch an extraordinary courier -to London, and empower their minister there -to settle a point of so much importance in a -manner agreeable to the interests of both nations. -Meantime, the English troops which -were at present in the bay, and those which -should arrive there, might disembark, for the -purpose of proceeding to Port St. Mary, San -Lucar, Xeres, and the other places proposed for -their cantonment. No misfortune which could -happen to the Spanish cause could prevent the -English from falling back on Gibraltar and -Cadiz; and this step would prevent the inconvenience -and perhaps sickness to which they -might be exposed by remaining on board ship<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">117</span> -or in Cadiz, the appointed stations being in a -country the most healthy in the world.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Their proposal for employing the troops.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Having thus considered the convenience of -the troops, the Junta submitted two propositions -to Mr. Frere, the only person, they said, alluding -to Sir George Smith’s interference, whom -they acknowledged as the representative of the -British nation. First, that the British troops -should proceed to Catalonia, and garrison the -maritime ports of that principality, thus enabling -the Spanish army in that quarter to march -to the relief of Zaragoza. Secondly, that they -should co-operate with Cuesta: that general -was threatened by a force not very superior in -number to his own, and the assistance of the -English might give him the superiority; thus -Cadiz would be secured, and time given to set -on foot the troops who were now only waiting -for muskets from England. The note concluded -by expressing a feeling of honourable pain in -the Junta, that England should distrust the -safety of Cadiz unless it were garrisoned by -English troops. They asserted, that the constancy -and valour of the Spanish nation, manifested -in this arduous struggle, entitled it to -the respect of Europe; and, gently hinting at -what had passed in Galicia, they requested that -a veil might be drawn over it. Cadiz was not -situated like Coruña, the same events therefore -could not possibly occur there.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Conference with Mr. Frere. <span class="date">Feb. 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Upon the receipt of this note, Mr. Frere requested -a conference. They proposed to him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">118</span> -that he should name a governor for Cadiz. He -replied, it was a responsibility with which he -would not charge himself for all the world. -Four months ago he should have chosen Morla, -Espeleta six months before that: both had been -found wanting in the day of trial, though neither -had been placed in a situation so trying as -that of a governor holding out in the last remaining -garrison. Then replying to the argument, -that the Junta could not act against popular -opinion, “it must likewise be recollected,” -he said, “that the British government could -not proceed in opposition to an opinion equally -decided in England; and which of the two pretensions -was the more just? England was willing -to expose an English army to any hazard -which resulted absolutely from the nature of -things; but England would not consent that -that danger should be aggravated in the slightest -degree, out of deference to the caprice of -popular opinion, or suspicions which were unworthy -of either country. England required -of Spain that it should place confidence in the -British government, binding itself by the most -formal engagements; Spain offered the choice -of a governor and the chance of his fidelity. -Our proposal was in every respect the fairest -and the most rational, and it could not be expected -that we should depart from a demand -of right, for the sake of conferring a favour. -Mr. Frere offered to propose to General Mackenzie, -that he should leave 1000 men in Cadiz,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">119</span> -and proceed with the rest to act in concert -with Cuesta for the protection of Seville, and -that when General Sherbrooke arrived, 3000 -should proceed to the same direction, and he -should content himself with garrisoning Cadiz -with 2000 men, and proceed with or forward -the remainder of his own force to General -Mackenzie. To this proposition the Junta had -so nearly acceded, that the agreement was only -broken off by their insisting that the public -mind could not be reconciled to the admission -of 2000 troops into Cadiz, and offering to admit -half the number, a force which Mr. Frere -judged altogether inadequate to a purpose for -which his own government allotted four times -that amount.</p> - -<p>The conference, which was conducted on both -sides with perfect moderation and temper, concluded -with a fair avowal from the Junta, that -they were convinced of the good faith of the -British government, and of the advantage that -would result to Spain from the admission of -British troops into Cadiz, if that were to be the -indispensable condition of their co-operation; -but that their own existence as a government -depended upon popular opinion; and the English -ambassador could not be ignorant what -numerous and active enemies were endeavouring -to undermine them. The Junta of Seville, -who gave themselves great credit for resisting -the introduction of the English into Cadiz last -year when the French were advanced as far as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">120</span> -Ecija, were upon the watch now, and calling -the attention of the people to the conduct of -the Central Junta in the present instance. Mr. -Frere made answer, that he could not of course -expect his opinion should be submitted to -upon a subject on which their existence as a -government and their personal security (for -such in fact was the case) were involved. But -he advised them to consider whether the responsibility -to which they exposed themselves -in the other alternative was not equally dangerous, -and whether their enemies would not -be as ready and as able to make a handle of -the rejection of British assistance as of its acceptance.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Frere requests Cuesta’s opinion.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Mr. Frere was aware that the uppermost feeling -in the minds of some of the Junta was an -apprehension of the resentment which Cuesta -might entertain against them, convinced as that -general must have been of their weakness by -the manner of his appointment. Being desirous, -therefore, of obtaining his opinion in favour -of the measure which the British government -proposed, or at least in such terms as -would remove all fear of his declaring himself -in opposition to it, he wrote to him, explaining -what Great Britain was willing to do in aid of -Spain, and what condition was required. That -condition, he said, was to be considered as indispensable, -not only in the opinion of government, -but in that of the nation, the individuals -of which did not at that moment consider Cadiz<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">121</span> -as sufficiently secure even for a place of disposal -for their merchandize, so that they were -daily soliciting permission to re-export it; and -it might easily be judged whether the nation -would risk its army upon an assurance which -individuals did not consider sufficient for their -woollen and cotton. Lisbon had twice been -garrisoned by British troops, without the smallest -inconvenience to the Portugueze government. -Madeira had in like manner been garrisoned: -the Portugueze knew us by long experience; -they knew also the internal state of -England; knew that the English government -never entertained a thought of abusing the confidence -of its allies; and the state of public -opinion was such in England, that it could not -do this, even though it wished it. Under the -present circumstances, the political question -came before General Cuesta, both as a commander -and a patriot, who, as he must be interested -in any thing that might appear to -injure the honour and independence of his -country, so also he could not regard with indifference -any thing that might derange the -military plans of his government, and perhaps -its political relations, by repeated acts of mistrust -and mutual displeasure. 4300 good British -troops might at this time march to co-operate -with him upon the frontier of Extremadura, -they would be followed by 1500 more as -soon as General Sherbrooke arrived, and the -auxiliary army would be delayed no longer than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">122</span> -was necessary to dispose of its wounded and -prisoners, and to be re-equipped. The question -therefore was, whether General Cuesta -could dispense with the present reinforcement, -and Spain with the aid of an auxiliary army; -for these were the points to be decided by the -resolution of admitting or sending back the -British troops, such being the alternative in -which those troops were placed by the orders -under which they left Lisbon.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cuesta’s reply.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Cuesta returned a reply in terms of proper -respect, both for the British government and -his own. He did not, he said, discover any difficulty -which should prevent the British troops -from garrisoning Cadiz; but he was far from -supposing that the Central Junta could be without -good ground for their objections, and that -they should have objections was sufficient to -prevent him from giving any opinion unless they -consulted him. With regard to the 4300 men, -there could be no doubt but that he stood in -need of them; and he hoped that England would -lend him much greater assistance, particularly -if from any change of circumstances the Central -Junta should no longer appear repugnant to the -condition which the British government required. -This reply did not alter the determination which -Mr. Frere had made, of sending the troops back -to Lisbon, considering Seville as comparatively -safe, and conceiving that the principle which -the English ministry had originally laid down, -of not attaching small corps of British troops to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">123</span> -a Spanish army, was one he should not be justified -in departing from, for any object less important -than the security of Cadiz or the capital. -He communicated this determination to -Don Martin de Garay, alleging that the information -which he had lately received from -Lisbon rendered such a measure necessary.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Close of the discussion.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Garay’s answer closed the discussion. It was -meant to be at the same time conciliatory, and -capable of being produced for the exculpation -of the Junta. He represented, “that if any -immediate attack upon Cadiz was to be feared, -... if the Spanish forces were incapable of defending -that point, ... if there were no others of -the greatest importance where the enemy might -be opposed with advantage, the Junta would -not fear to hurt the public feeling by admitting -foreign troops into that fortress, because public -feeling would then be actuated by the existing -state of things. But no such emergency existed; -the armies were strengthening themselves -in points very distant from Cadiz; the enemy -had much ground to pass, and many difficulties -to conquer, before he could threaten it; time -could never be wanted for falling back upon -that fortress; it was easy to be defended, ... it -was to be considered as a last point of retreat, -and extreme points ought to be defended in advance, -never in themselves, except in cases of -extreme urgency. The army of Extremadura -defended Andalusia on that side, those of the -centre and La Carolina at the Sierra Morena;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">124</span> -the enemy for some time past had not been able -to make any progress; and there if superior -forces could be collected against him, a decisive -blow might be struck. Catalonia too was -bravely defending itself, and Zaragoza still resisted -the repeated attacks of an obstinate and -persevering besieger. Either in Extremadura, -or with the central army or in Catalonia, the -assistance of Great Britain would be of infinite -service. This was the opinion of the Junta; -this was the opinion of the whole nation, and -would doubtless be that of every one who contemplated -the true state of things. If the auxiliary -troops already in the bay, or on their passage, -should disembark in the neighbourhood -of Cadiz, and proceed to reinforce General -Cuesta, they would always find a safe retreat in -Cadiz in case of any reverse; but should a body -of troops, already very small, leave part of its -force in Cadiz, in order to secure a retreat at -such a distance, the English ambassador himself -must acknowledge that such assistance could -inspire the Spaniards with very little confidence, -particularly after the events in Galicia. But -it appeared to Mr. Frere that the presence of -these troops was necessary at Lisbon, and therefore -he had given orders for their return. Of -this measure the same might be said as of the -proposed one for securing Cadiz. Lisbon was -not the point where Portugal could be defended; -the greatest possible number of troops -ought to be employed in those advanced lines<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">125</span> -where the enemy was posted, and where he -might be routed decisively. For all these reasons -the Supreme Junta were persuaded, that -if the British government should determine that -its troops should not act in union with theirs, -except on the expressed condition, this non-co-operation -could never be imputed to them. The -Junta must act in such a manner, that if it -should be necessary to manifest to the nation, -and to all Europe, the motives of their conduct, it -might be done with that security, and with that -foundation, that should conciliate to them the -public opinion, which was the first and main -spring of their power.”</p> - -<p>Thus terminated the discussion concerning -the admission of English troops into Cadiz. -Mr. Frere warned the Junta of the ill consequences -which must result to Spain, if it should -appear that the efforts and offers which the -King of England had made should have the -effect of producing embarrassment to his government -at home. It appears, indeed, as if -both governments acted more with reference to -their enemies at home, than from any real importance -which they could attach to the point -in dispute. With the Spanish government this -was confessedly the case; they did not, and -could not, possibly suspect the good faith of -England: ... between Spain and England, the -honourable character of one country was sufficient -security for the other; but they stood -equally in fear of a set of men who criticised<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">126</span> -all their measures with factious acrimony, because -their own enthusiastic hopes of complete -triumph and thorough reformation had not been -fulfilled; and of Morla and the other traitors, -whose aim was to excite suspicion of Great Britain. -Under the influence of this feeling, they -opposed a measure which they did not think -otherwise objectionable, but which they opposed -the more firmly because they did not perceive -that it was necessary. The English ministry -on their part wanted a point of defence -against the opposition, who, as they omitted no -means of wounding the pride and calumniating -the character of the Spaniards, were continually -saying that they did not desire our assistance, -and that they had no confidence in us. It was -against this party at home that Cadiz was wanted -as a point of defence, ... not as a point of retreat -upon a coast where we possessed Gibraltar, -and where also we were sure of the disposition -of the people in Cadiz itself, whatever -might be the conduct of its governor. The governor -at Coruña had failed in his duty, but -still the embarkation of the English was protected -by that fortress.</p> - -<p>Mr. Frere concluded this unpleasant transaction -according to his own judgement. He had -the satisfaction of finding that the ministry perfectly -accorded with him. They sent him Sir -George Smith’s instructions, authorising him, -if he thought proper, to communicate them to -the Supreme Junta. They recalled Sir George,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">127</span> -and assured the Junta that no such separate or -secret commission, as they apprehended to have -been given to him, ever had been, or ever would -be, entrusted to any officer or other person; -and that it never could be in the contemplation -of the English government to select any other -channel of communication than the King’s accredited -minister, in a transaction of such importance, -much less to engage in such a transaction -without the entire consent and concurrence -of the Spanish government. They dispatched -orders after General Sherbrooke, directing -him to proceed to Lisbon instead of -Cadiz. Nevertheless, if at any time the Junta - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Papers relating to Spain and Portugal, C.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -should require a British force for the actual -garrison of Cadiz, Mr. Frere was authorized to -send to Lisbon for that purpose, and the commanding -officer there was ordered to comply -with his requisition.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Insurrection at Cadiz.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>While this question was discussed at Seville, -Cadiz itself became the scene of an insurrection, -in which the popular feeling in favour of -the English was unequivocally expressed. The -people of that city were dissatisfied with the -Central Junta; they complained that, instead of -informing them of the true state of affairs, their -government kept them in ignorance; and having -been deceived by Morla, the slightest circumstance -sufficed to make them suspect any one -who had the means of betraying them. A corps -of foreigners had been raised from the prisoners -taken at Baylen; they consisted chiefly of Poles<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">128</span> -and Germans, who might have fought with a -better will against Buonaparte than for him, but -who were less to be relied on than deserters, -because they had enlisted to escape confinement. -This corps was ordered to do garrison -duty at Cadiz; while the volunteers of that city -and of Port St. Mary’s were drafted to other -parts. But the people, thinking that if Cadiz -wanted defenders, it could by none be so faithfully -defended as by its own children, determined -to oppose both measures, and on the morning of -the 22d of February they broke out in insurrection. -Their first act of violence was to seize a -courier charged with dispatches from the Junta -to the Marquis of Villel, a member of that body, -and its representative in this important fortress. -The Marquis had rendered himself suspected -by setting persons at liberty who were confined -for their supposed attachment to the French, -and by imposing restrictions upon the public -amusements. A report that he had committed -women of respectable rank to the house of industry, -and threatened others with the same -scandalous punishment, excited indignation in -the rabble; they seized and were dragging him -to the public jail, where, if he had arrived alive, -it is little probable that he could long have been -protected from popular fury. But P. Moguer, -a capuchin friar, persuaded them to commit him -to the capuchin convent, and pledged himself to -produce his person, that he might suffer condign -punishment, if his treason should be proved.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">129</span> -Luckily the confidence of the people was -possessed by the governor, Don Felix Jones, -and in a still greater degree by the guardian of -the Capuchins, Fr. Mariano de Sevilla. The -former represented to General Mackenzie, that -it would tend to re-establish tranquillity if an -assurance were given that the English would -take no part in the tumult; for they had been -called upon to land and assist against the -traitors. Accordingly the British General sent -some officers who could speak the Spanish language, -and they, in the presence of the governor -and the principal capuchin friars, distinctly -declared, that the British troops would -by no means interfere in any thing relating to -the internal concerns of the people, but that -they were ready to assist in defending the town -to the last extremity. This seemed for a time -to allay their agitation. In the course of a few -hours they again became tumultuous; still an -opinion prevailed that they were betrayed, and -that measures were arranged for delivering up -Cadiz to the French. They called for the dismissal -of those whom they suspected, and they -required that two British officers should be appointed -to inspect the fortifications, jointly with -two Spanish officers, and to direct the preparations - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Confidence of the people in the English.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -for defence. General Mackenzie deputed -two officers for that purpose; and all those of -his staff accompanied the most active and popular -of the friars to a balcony, from whence -these orators harangued the people, assuring<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">130</span> -them of the co-operation of the British troops -and the support of the British nation, and frequently -appealing to the British officers to confirm -by their own voices the pledges given in -their name and in their presence. This satisfied -the populace, and they dispersed with loud -huzzas, in honour of King George and King -Ferdinand.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Proclamation of the governor.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the following morning the governor issued -a proclamation, in which, considering the discontent -which had been manifested, “and keeping -in mind,” he said, “the loyalty of the inhabitants -at all times, but particularly under -the present circumstances, and the good and -signal services which they had done, and daily -were doing, he dismissed from office four persons -whose discharge had been loudly demanded; -and declared also, that if the people -wished to have the Junta of Cadiz suppressed, -their desire should be fulfilled. He assured -them that no foreign troops should be admitted; -but that officers of their faithful ally the British -nation were invited to examine the posts and -works of the city and its dependencies, and that -every thing necessary for its defence should be -concerted with them. He promised that the -papers of the Marquis should be examined without -delay; that there should be no longer any -cause of complaint respecting the ignorance in -which the people were kept of public affairs, -for that whatever occurred should punctually -and faithfully be made public; that the enlistment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">131</span> -of the inhabitants for the provincial regiment -of Ciudad Rodrigo should cease till further -consideration; and that no part of the -volunteers, the light troops, and companies of -artillery should be ordered away.” Notwithstanding -the popularity of Don Felix Jones, it -was thought advisable that this proclamation -should be countersigned by the guardian of the -Capuchins.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Murder of D. J. de Heredia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Still the tumult continued. Caraffa, who had -been second in command of the Spanish troops -in Portugal, was confined in the Castle of Catalina, -under a charge of misconduct or treachery, -with the viceroy of Mexico and other -prisoners, who had been sent home from New -Spain. The mob proceeded thither, and demanded -the prisoners, that they might put -them to death. Colonel Roche, who had just -arrived from Seville with another English officer, -interposed, addressed the people, and succeeded -in dissuading them from their purpose. But -shortly afterwards they fell in with Don Joseph -de Heredia, a particular object of their suspicion, -who that very day had at their demand been -dismissed from his office of collector of the -public rents. He was stepping into a boat to -make his escape to Port St. Mary’s: the attempt -cost him his life, and he was murdered upon - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The tumult subsides.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the spot. The popular fury seemed now to -have spent itself, and the clergy and friars, who -throughout the whole insurrection had exerted -themselves to pacify the people, and protect<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">132</span> -the threatened victims, succeeded in restoring -peace. To have attempted to quell the mob by -force would have occasioned great bloodshed, -for they had got possession of arms and of the -park of artillery.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Proclamation of the Central Junta.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Fifty of the rabble, who had been most conspicuous -for violence, were seized by the volunteers -of Cadiz, and imprisoned. The Central -Junta addressed a proclamation to the people -of that city, reprehending them with dignified -severity for their conduct. “It was absurd,” -they said, “to apprehend danger in so populous -and so brave a city from a single battalion of -foreigners, even if there could be any reason to -doubt the fidelity of Poles and Germans, who -had been forcibly dragged into Spain, and were -in every quarter deserting from the flag under -which they had been compelled to march. As -little reason was there for their suspicion of -the Marquis. His papers were now before the -Junta, and nothing was expressed in them but -zeal for the country, and diligence to promote -all means for the security of Cadiz. Let the -state of those means before his arrival be compared -with the works projected and executed -since. And had the people no other way of -manifesting their disapprobation than by tumult? -No one came to the Junta to complain -of the Marquis’s conduct; no one informed -them that their commissioner at Cadiz had lost -the confidence of the people. Some anonymous -letters only had reached the government, some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">133</span> -on one side, some on the other, but all contemptible -in the eye of equity. But what was -the course which would have become the open -and generous character of the Spaniards? To -have made their complaint frankly and nobly, -and the government would have done them -justice.”</p> - -<p>The Junta then warned them to beware of -the insidious arts of the enemy. “It is not,” -said they, “the traitors who fled with the French -and returned with them who do most injury to -their country; but it is the obscure agitators, -hired by them or by the tyrant, who abuse the -confidence and mislead the patriotism of the -people. It is they who, disseminating distrust -and suspicion, lead you through crooked and -guilty paths to the precipice, and to subjugation; -it is they who convert loyalty into rage, -and zeal into sedition. The Junta have proofs -enough of these infernal machinations in the -intelligence which they receive every day, and -in the correspondence which they intercept.” -But, notwithstanding the government declared -its persuasion of Villel’s innocence, it was not -thought proper completely to exculpate him -without such farther inquiry as might satisfy -the people: this proclamation, therefore, announced -that a commission would be appointed -to examine his conduct, and that it would not -be composed of members of the Central Junta, -in order to avoid all shadow of partiality in -an affair so serious. “Any person,” said the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">134</span> -Junta, “shall be heard who desires to accuse -him, and the sentence will be adjudged according -to law. He himself demands in justice that -this may be done; his honour, the estimation of -the government, and the public satisfaction, necessarily -prescribe it. If the Marquis be culpable, -he shall be punished in proportion to his -abuse of the high functions and national confidence -which he has enjoyed; but if he be declared -innocent, it is necessary that the reparation -made to his good name be as solemn and -public as the aggression was cruel and scandalous.” -These proceedings satisfied the people, -of whom the better sort were grieved at the -excesses which had been committed; and their -suspicions against the Marquis were in some -degree removed when Don Felix Jones, to -whom his papers were delivered, declared that -no indication of treason was to be discovered in -them.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">135</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XVIII" class="vspace">CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> - -<span class="subhead">SECOND SIEGE OF ZARAGOZA.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1808.<br />December.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p><span class="firstword">The</span> Central Junta perfectly understood and -truly represented the spirit of the nation, partaking -in some things its blindness and its obstinacy, -but also its exalted feeling, its true -heroism, and its incomparable devotion to the -cause of national independence. Its information -concerning the real state of affairs was as imperfect -as its other arrangements. In the correspondence -concerning Cadiz, Garay assured the -British Ambassador that Zaragoza was still holding -out, not considering that by little less than -miracle that glorious city could have held out -so long, and not knowing that the enemy had -then been eight days in possession of its ruins.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Castaños accused at Zaragoza as a traitor.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Palafox was not present at the battle of Tudela. -He had embarked on the river just before -the action began, little apprehending that -it was so near, and believing that his presence -was required at Zaragoza. This was one cause -among the many which led to the misfortunes -of that day; for Castaños, who would otherwise -have been with his own troops, remained with - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Representaciones, &c. del G. Castaños, p. 195.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the Aragonese to supply his place, and each -army was thus deprived of the General who -knew the troops, and in whom they trusted.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">136</span> -During the short time that these Generals had -acted together, there had been no want of confidence -and frankness between them: but after -their separation, and the refusal of Castaños to -throw his troops into Zaragoza instead of retreating -toward Madrid, in obedience to the -orders of the Central Junta, the disasters which -had been sustained were imputed by Palafox to -his errors. He had been far from apprehending, -he said, that he should have to prepare for a -second siege; and never could any combination -of his own have placed him under such a necessity. -The charge of incapacity against Castaños -was more broadly made in an official account -of the action by General O’Neille, and he -was publicly accused of having sold the army -and betrayed his country.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>State of public feeling in that city.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Castaños himself did Palafox the justice to -believe that he had been deceived by malicious -representations. The other charges proceeded -from men who sought to shelter their own misconduct -by appearing as accusers, or from private -malice, which in such times never loses the -opportunity of exerting itself with sure effect. -Zaragoza was in a state of tremendous agitation; -the same spirit was still prevailing there which -had so wonderfully repulsed the French, but -that spirit had broken the bonds of order; and -Palafox, who was so well able to direct the popular -feeling in the hour of danger, found it necessary -at other times in many things to yield to it. His -power was absolute while he held it; but though<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">137</span> -it had been confirmed to him by the Supreme -Junta, it was in fact held only by the tenure of -popular opinion, which among large masses of -men, and more especially in perilous circumstances, -is always influenced less by the considerate -and the wise, than by the headstrong, -the audacious, and the profligate. Victims whom - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cavallero, p. 67.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -he dared not interfere to save were sacrificed, -and the utmost he could do in behalf of any accused -persons, was to secure them in prison, and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Measures of precaution.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -thus respite them from immediate death. During -the former siege the French who resided in the -city had been put under arrest; and there had -been the twofold anxiety of guarding against -any correspondence between them and the besiegers, -and protecting them against the fatal -effects of popular suspicion, which at any -moment might have produced a massacre of -these unfortunate persons. To prevent both -the inconvenience and the danger, Palafox sent -them away to distant places of confinement; but -it was necessary to prepare the people for this -by a proclamation, appealing to their honour, -and courage, and humanity, and cautioning -them against the enemy’s emissaries, who were -seeking to bring a stain upon their cause by exciting -them to acts of murder. The prisoners -and deserters were also removed. The nuns -were permitted to remove to other convents -not within the scene of immediate danger, where -they might occupy themselves without interruption -in their holy exercises. Aware that in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">138</span> -so large a city there must be persons whom their -own wealth would have bribed to betray their -country, and who would fain have submitted -for the sake of preserving their property, Palafox -decreed that the inhabitants of Zaragoza, of -whatever rank or condition, should consider -themselves bound to devote their persons, their -property, and their lives to its defence; that the -rich should foster, and assist, and clothe the -poor, enable them to maintain their respective -posts, and remunerate them for the zeal with -which they defended their lives, their estates, -and their common country. If any man were -unnatural enough to disregard this sacred duty, -which he owed both to his native land and his -religion, he should be fined in proportion to the -magnitude of his offence, and the amount of the -fine appropriated to the subsistence of the army. -All persons who served the cause of the enemy, -by pasquinades, by endeavouring to excite a -want of confidence in the chiefs, the people, or -the army, or by raising disturbances and riots, -should be carried before the newly-appointed -judge of the police, who would pass judgment -according to their crimes, and suitable to the -danger of the country; but before he imposed -the punishment of death, he should consult the -captain-general. Every house was ordered to -be well supplied with vessels of water, in order -to extinguish fires; and the officers of the ward -were charged to superintend this important -measure of preparation. Persons entering or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">139</span> -leaving the city were to be watched with care, -because the enemy assumed the dress of the -Spaniards, and, greatly superior as they were, -resorted to every artifice. “All these measures,” -said Palafox, “should be obeyed with -religious respect, because they are all directed -to the good of our country, which, in happier -times, will recompense all the sacrifices we -make, ... sacrifices so acceptable in the sight of -God, and of the Virgin Mother of God, who is -our celestial protectress.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>None of the inhabitants leave the city.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Three days were allowed for all women, all -men above threescore, and all boys under fourteen, -to leave the city; a general order being -issued, that whithersoever they might go, they -should be welcomed, and provided for. But not -one of the inhabitants left the place. The sentiment -of patriotism was as ardent in the women -as in the men; they thought it a worse evil to -seek bread and protection apart from their husbands -and fathers than to abide the siege with -them, and triumph or perish together: and even -if this sentiment had not been so general and -so strong, whither were they to betake themselves -for security in a land which was every -where overrun or threatened by the enemy’s -armies? In no place would they have imagined -themselves so secure as in Zaragoza itself, which -had been so wonderfully defended and delivered, -and which they believed to be invincible through -the protection of Our Lady of the Pillar, who had -chosen it for the seat of her peculiar worship.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">140</span> -During the former siege prints of that idol had -been distributed by women in the heat of action, -and worn by the men in their hats both as a -badge and an amulet. The many remarkable -escapes and deliverances which had occurred - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Supposed miracles.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -were ascribed not to all-ruling and omnipresent -Providence, but to the immediate interference - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Memoria de lo mas Interesante, &c. 121.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -of the <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">Magna Mater</i> of Zaragoza. Palafox himself -had been trained up with more than common -care in the superstition of the place; he -and his brethren in their childhood had been -taken every day to attend mass in the Holy -Chapel where the image was enshrined, dressed -at such times in the proper costume of the Infantes, -as a mark of greater honour to the present -Goddess. An appearance in the sky, which at -other times might have passed unremembered -and perhaps unnoticed, had given strong confirmation -to the popular faith. About a month -before the commencement of the first siege a -white cloud appeared at noon, and gradually -assumed the form of a palm tree; the sky being -in all other parts clear, except that a few specks -of fleecy cloud hovered about the larger one. -It was first observed over the church of N. -Señora del Portillo, and moving from thence -till it seemed to be immediately above that of -the Pillar, continued in the same form about -half an hour, and then dispersed. The inhabitants -were in a state of such excitement, that -crowds joined in the acclamation of the first beholder, -who cried out, A miracle! and after the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">141</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1808.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -defeat of the besiegers had confirmed the omen, -a miracle it was universally pronounced to have -been, the people proclaiming with exultation that - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Do. 11.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the Virgin had by this token prefigured the victory -she had given them, and promised Zaragoza -her protection as long as the world should endure.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Works of defence.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>In many recorded instances superstition such -as this has deluded men to their destruction. -But the Zaragozans knew that to obtain the -divine support, wherein they trusted, they must -deserve it by works as well as faith, and that -the manner in which heavenly aid would be -manifested would be by blessing their human -exertions. Palafox himself, confidently as he -had expected that the army which he commanded -would be successful in the field, had -not been negligent in preparing to withstand -a second siege. Works of considerable extent -and importance had been designed, and executed -as far as time and means permitted. It -was impossible to convert so large a city into a -good fortified place, accessible as it was on all -sides, and every where commanded within reach -of cannon; but with a population so resolute in -defending themselves, every thing became of -consequence which could impede the enemy. -The houses within 700 <em>toises</em> of the place were -demolished, and their materials employed in the -fortifications; and the numerous and valuable -plantations of olive trees within the same distance -were cut down: there was reason to regret<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">142</span> -that this precaution had not been carried -farther. During the autumn the works had not -been prosecuted with vigour, because all men of -a certain age were required for military service, -and those who might have been disposable for -such employment were busied in the vintage, -or in gathering hemp. Moreover volunteers did -not offer themselves for this labour, while the -danger appeared remote; and when there were -so many demands upon the treasury, the expense -of wages could ill be defrayed. It so happened -that no mischief resulted from this dangerous -economy: after the battle of Tudela there were -hands enough at the General’s disposal; and the -French allowed time for completing all that had -been intended, while they were collecting means -and materials for a siege, the difficulties of which -they had been taught how to estimate. The -works were directed by the Commander of the -Engineers, Colonel San Genis; and what was defective -in them was imputable not to any want -of science, but to the difficulty of fortifying the -whole circuit of a great city. The Aljafaria, -which had been the palace of the Moorish kings, -then of the kings of Aragon, and was now called -the Castle of the Inquisition, because it contained -the prisons of that accursed tribunal, had -been converted into a fortress by Philip V., and -was now repaired and strengthened. It was a -square, with four tower-bastions, surrounded by -a good ditch, and communicating with the city<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">143</span> -by a double caponiere. From thence to the -bridge over the Guerva the place was protected -by a long line of wall and batteries; two Capuchin -convents which came into the line were -fortified, and served to flank it. A ditch was -carried from one of these to the bridge, and the -bridge itself secured by a <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">tête-de-pont</i>. A double -retrenchment extended from thence to the memorable -Convent of St. Engracia, which was -made a sort of citadel; and from that Convent -to the Ebro the old wall had been strengthened; -this part of the city being covered also by the -bed of the Guerva, and by the Convent of St. -Joseph on the farther bank of that river, which -had been well fortified, and was the most salient -point of the whole circle, serving as a strong -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">tête-de-pont</i> to protect the besieged when they -sallied in the direction of Valencia. The suburb -beyond the Ebro was defended by redoubts and -fleches, with batteries and traverses at the entrance -of the streets. The artillery amounted -to 160 pieces, the greater part being four, eight, -and twelve pounders: what pieces there were -of larger calibre had mostly been recovered from -the canal into which the French had thrown -them on their retreat. Great part of the cannon -balls also were what the French had fired -or left behind them. To prevent all danger -from the explosion of their magazines, it was -determined not to prepare a stock of gunpowder, -but to make it day by day as it should be -wanted; and this could easily be done, because<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">144</span> -Zaragoza was the place where all the saltpetre -of Aragon was refined. There was no want of -musquets, either for the inhabitants or the troops -and peasantry with whom the city was crowded. -The stores contained corn, wine, brandy, oil, -salt-fish, and pulse, sufficient for six months’ - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cavallero, 74–80. Rogniat, 4–6.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -consumption for 15,000 men; this ought to have -been the amount of the garrison; but fatal circumstances, -and the more fatal error of supposing -that the means of defence would be in -proportion to the number of the defenders, had - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The city crowded with soldiers.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -doubled it. Palafox would have had the central -army, as well as his own troops, take refuge there -after the battle of Tudela. Castaños indeed led -away the wreck of that army in a different direction; -but there were other persons in authority -who, not having the same foresight, thought -the best means of succouring Zaragoza was by -increasing its garrison. The Central Junta fell -into this error, and ordered the Valencian government -to send thither all the force it could -raise, which was not absolutely required for its -own safety. A Walloon battalion, which had -served during the former siege, was sent from -Tarragona. A proclamation was issued from -Zaragoza, inviting the dispersed soldiers to repair -thither, and fill up the places of their brethren -who had fallen in that holy cause, and -were already in glory, enjoying their reward. -By these means not less than 30,000 regular -troops were collected there; as many as 15,000 -peasants entered the city to share in the dangers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">145</span> -and merit of its defence; and the hospitals were - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cavallero, 82.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -filled with the sick and wounded from Tudela, -who had all been removed hither as the place -to which they could most easily be conveyed.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Preparations within the city.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Except in the great and fatal error of thus -crowding the city with men, the means of defence -were wisely provided. That the enemy -would effect an entrance was not doubted; traverses -therefore were made in the streets which -were near the wall, the doors and the windows -of the ground-floor were walled up, communications -opened within from house to house, and -the house-tops parapeted to secure the defendants. -Every householder, providing for life as -well as death, laid in ample supplies. The convents -were well stored. In the general fervour -of national feeling men were as liberal of their -means as of their lives. Nor was this feeling -confined to those who could gratify it by taking -an active part in military service, and by the -expectation or the enjoyment of vengeance: -among instances of a rarer heroism that of a -physician may be noticed, Miguel Guillen by -name, who came from Valencia, and, refusing all -pay, devoted himself to the service of the hospitals.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>M. Moncey reconnoitres the Torrero.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Moncey, on whom the odious service -of besieging Zaragoza had been imposed, fixed -his head-quarters at Alagon, while he waited for -reinforcements, and preparations were making -to commence it. At the end of November he -reconnoitred the Torrero, a point which it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">146</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1808.<br />December.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -necessary to occupy before he could begin the -siege; some warm skirmishes ensued, which -tended to encourage the Spaniards, because the -enemy, when they had well examined the ground, -returned to Alagon. The importance of the Torrero -seems not to have been duly appreciated by -the Zaragozans; they contented themselves with -throwing up some slight works there, faced with -unburnt bricks. Moncey had with him 17,000 -men, and was joined by Mortier with 14,000 -in the middle of December. Meantime a battering -train of sixty pieces was brought from -Pamplona; projectiles also were supplied from -the same arsenal; the country was compelled -to furnish means of transport as far as Tudela, -and there they were embarked upon the canal. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French appear before the city.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -All being ready, they appeared before Zaragoza -on the 20th. Gazan’s division crossing the Ebro -at Tauste marched to Zuera and Villa Nueva; -Suchet’s took a position upon the right bank -of the river, within a league of the city; and -Moncey, following the right bank of the canal, -placed one of his divisions on the left of the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 3.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Guerva, opposite the great sluice, the two others -on the right.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>They take the Torrero.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Buonaparte had declared that bombs and -mines should bring Zaragoza to reason; and in -the spirit of that declaration had prepared the -fullest means for overpowering moral resistance -by military force. Skilled as he was in the art -of war, he did not, like a Mahommedan conqueror, -reckon upon numbers for success: to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">147</span> -have employed a larger army (even if the Austrian -war had not occurred) would have been -wasting men here who might be more serviceably -employed in other quarters; there was the -difficulty of feeding them, and no danger could -be apprehended from any efforts which might -be made to raise the siege; but the number of -engineers was unusually large, and the means of -destruction were in proportion. General Lacoste -commanded this department; he was perfect -master of his profession, and having served with -Buonaparte in Egypt, had acquired at the siege -of Cairo some knowledge of the kind of difficulties -with which he had now to contend. -During the night the enemy erected a battery -which commanded the Torrero, and was opened -upon it at daybreak: a false attack was made -upon that post in front, where the canal covered -it; meantime another brigade, which under -cover of the olive-yard of St. Joseph had got -possession of an aqueduct the preceding evening, -passed the canal under that aqueduct, and -moved rapidly up the left bank with the intention -of interposing between the city and the -point of attack. The Spaniards were thrown into -confusion by the explosion of an ammunition-cart; -and the exertions of a very able officer, -and the example of a few steady corps, were not -able to restore order or confidence. But, considering -the distance of the Torrero from the -city, they had expected to lose it, and prepared -accordingly; so that by blowing up the Puente<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">148</span> -de America they prevented the cavalry from -pursuit, and retreated in good order. The officer -who had drawn off his men from this position -during the former siege had been put to - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>See vol. ii. p. 12.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -death with circumstances of great cruelty. It - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sebastian Hernandez, 3–5.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -was fortunate for San Marc, the general of the -Valencian troops, who now commanded there, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 6. Cavallero, 89.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -that Palafox knew how to appreciate his excellent -talents and distinguished worth. For being -a Frenchman, he was peculiarly obnoxious to -suspicion; and if he had fallen a victim to popular -jealousy, the Zaragozans would have lost -the ablest military man employed in their defence.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Unsuccessful attack upon the suburbs.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Meantime Gazan’s division moved from Zuera -and Villa Nueva, drove back a corps of Swiss, -who were posted on the road to Villa Mayor, -dislodged them with the loss of some 300 from -the Torre del Arzobispo, and attempted to -enter the suburbs by a coup-de-main. This was -in conformity to Lacoste’s opinion. Its success -would materially have facilitated the progress -of the besiegers, who might then have -established breaching batteries upon the left -bank of the Ebro, and opened a way into the -city by demolishing the line of houses on the -quay. D. Josef Manso, of the royal guards, -commanded on that side; and after a severe action, -repulsed the enemy: they renewed the attack -with their reserve, and the Spaniards gave -way. Palafox, who saw from a window what -was passing, hurried across the bridge, cut down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">149</span> -some of the runaways, and by his voice and -example changed the fate of the day. Time -had been gained for San Marc to arrive there -with the troops who had retired from the Torrero, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 7. -<br /> -Cavallero, 90, 1.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and the enemy were repelled with a loss -which they stated at 400 men, and the Spaniards -at 4000.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Moncey summons Palafox to surrender.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the following day Moncey, who had fixed -his head-quarters at the Torrero, addressed a -letter to Palafox and the magistrates of Zaragoza, -warning them that the city was now besieged -on all sides, and all its communications -cut off, and that he might now employ against -it every means of destruction which the laws of -war allowed. Madrid, he said, had capitulated, -and thereby saved itself from the miseries which -a longer resistance must have drawn on. Zaragoza, -however she might confide in the courage -of her inhabitants, could not possibly succeed -against the means which were now brought -against her, and her total destruction must be -inevitable if she caused those means to be employed. -He called upon them to spare the effusion -of blood, and save so fine and so estimable -a city, and to inspire the people with peaceful -sentiments, as the way to deserve their love -and gratitude. On his part, he promised them -every thing compatible with his feelings, his -duty, and the power which the Emperor had -given him. Marshal Moncey was an upright -and honourable man, unstained by any of the -revolutionary crimes; what his feelings were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">150</span> -may therefore well be supposed. Gladly would -he have induced the Zaragozans to submit, that -he might have saved himself from the enormous -guilt of destroying the city and its inhabitants -for resisting what he and every man in the -French army who acknowledged the difference -between right and wrong, felt in their hearts to -be an insolent and iniquitous usurpation. Palafox -replied to the summons, and told him it -was in vain to think of appalling men by the -horrors of a siege, who had endured one, and -who knew how to die. If Madrid had capitulated -(which he could not believe), it had been -sold: and what then? Madrid was but a single -place, and there was no reason why Zaragoza -should yield, when there were 60,000 men determined -to defend it. The Marshal had tried -them yesterday, and his troops had left at the -gates witnesses enough of that determination. -It might be more fitting for him to assume a -lofty tone, and talk to the Marshal of capitulating, -if he would not lose his army before the -town. The spirit of eleven million Spaniards - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cavallero, 92. -<br /> -Sebastian Hernandez, 6, 7.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -was not to be extinguished by oppression; and -they who had resolved to be free, were so. As -for the blood which Marshal Moncey was desirous -of sparing, it was as glorious for the Spaniards -to lose it in such a cause, as it was ignominious -for the French to be the instruments of -shedding it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The investment of the city completed.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>During that and the ensuing day General -Gazan completed the investment of the suburb.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">151</span> -One of his brigades extended on the right of -the Zuera road, the other on the left, with two -battalions at the bridge over the Galego on the -road to Valencia. The swampy nature of the -ground, upon which the inhabitants relied in -some degree for their protection on that side, -was favourable to the besiegers also, for it enabled -them to form inundations along the greater -part of their line, which secured them against -any sorties. On the right bank Suchet’s division, -forming the left of the besieging army, -extended from the Ebro to the valley of the -Huerba; that valley was occupied by Morlot’s; -Meusnier’s was encamped on the heights of the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 7.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Torrero; and Grandjean’s extended from thence -to the Ebro on the other end of the bow, where -a bridge of boats was laid, to establish their -communication with the troops on the side of -the suburb. It was determined to make three -attacks; one upon the Castle of the Inquisition, -with the view of employing the garrison on that -side, which was their strongest part; one upon -the bridge over the Huerba, where the name of -that Pillar which was regarded as the palladium -of the city had been given to the redoubt; and -the third upon S. Joseph’s: this was the immediate -object of the enemy; they deemed it the -weakest point, and thought to connect their attack -against it with an attempt upon the suburb, -where Lacoste still hoped that the French -might establish themselves. The weather was -peculiarly favourable to their operations, being<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">152</span> -at once mild and dry; the nights were long and -dark, and every morning a thick fog effectually -covered them from the fire of the besieged, who -could never see where to point their guns till it - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cavallero, 95.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -was near mid-day. Meantime they were not -idle; a line of counter-approaches was commenced -which compelled the enemy to prolong -their works, lest they should be enfiladed; sallies -were made from S. Joseph’s to interrupt -them, and to cut down the olive-trees and destroy -the buildings which afforded them cover; -and on the last day of the year the Spaniards -made a general attempt along the whole line. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cavallero, 94. -<br /> -Rogniat, 9.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -It was every where repulsed; but Palafox, who -knew of what importance it was to excite a spirit -of emulation in the troops, ordered those -who had distinguished themselves by some partial -success to wear a red riband as a badge of -honour on the breast. He addressed a proclamation - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Proclamation of Palafox to the people of Madrid.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -also to the people of Madrid. The dogs -by whom he was beset, he said, scarcely left -him time to clean his sword from their blood, -but they still found their grave at Zaragoza. -The defenders of that city might be destroyed, -but compelled to surrender they could not be: -and he promised that, so soon as he was at liberty, -he would hasten to the deliverance of -Madrid. All Palafox’s proclamations were in -the same spirit; his language had the high -tone, and something of the inflation of Spanish -romance, suiting the character of those to whom -it was directed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">153</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />January.</span> -<hr /> -Junot takes the command of the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>At the beginning of the year Mortier received -orders to move upon Calatayud with Suchet’s -division. It was thought that they would be -more serviceably employed in keeping that part -of Aragon in awe, than in forwarding the operations -of the siege. The position which they -left was filled up by extending Morlot’s division, -and securing its front by three redoubts. Moncey -and Mortier, holding independent commands, -appear to have been mutually jealous -of each other; and Gazan, conceiving that his -orders required him only to cover the siege, refused -to make any farther attempt upon the -suburb, after the severe repulse which he had -sustained, strongly as the commandant of the engineers -advised a second attack. The arrival of -Junot to take the command did not put an end -to this disunion: there were indeed plain indications, -that if Buonaparte had died at this time, -his generals, like Alexander’s, would have made -some atonement to mankind by taking vengeance -upon each other. The works, however, -went on, under a heavy fire; and on the 10th -eight batteries were opened against St. Joseph -and the redoubt of the Pillar. Colonel Mariano -de Renovales commanded the former post, a -man who made himself conspicuous throughout -the whole course of the war by his activity and -enterprising courage. An old brick convent, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Joseph’s and the redoubt of the Pillar taken.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and works faced with unburnt bricks, were soon -demolished; and in the night it was found necessary -to remove the heavy artillery into the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">154</span> -town, as it could no longer be used. A brave -sally was made at midnight against one of the -batteries; but the adventurers were taken in -flank by two guns placed at the right of the second -parallel, and being exposed to a murderous -fire in front, retreated with considerable -loss. The next day, the convent being in ruins, -and the breach practicable, an assault was made -in the evening; at the same time a party of the -enemy, turning the convent, effected an entrance -by a bridge which the besieged had neglected -to remove, and obtained possession of -the ruins. The French employed three days in -repairing the works and connecting them with -their second parallel. It had been an easy but -an important conquest; for they were now secured -against the garrison on that side by the -river, and by an escarp eight feet high. On the -15th they attacked the redoubt ... it was defended -by the second regiment of Aragonese -volunteers, and it was not till the works were -reduced to ruins, and the flower of that regiment - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 11, 14. -<br /> -Cavallero, 96.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -had perished, that the survivors retreated -into the city, and blew up the bridge. A second -parallel was then opened against the town, -which had now no longer any defence on this side -but its feeble wall and the houses themselves.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rumours of success, and rejoicings in the city.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Meantime a tremendous bombardment was -kept up upon this devoted city. The enthusiasm -of the inhabitants was not abated by the -loss of their outworks: from the beginning they -knew that this contest must come to the knife’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">155</span> -point, and the event of the former siege made -them look with full hope for a similar deliverance. -They were encouraged also by false rumours -which arrived announcing a victory over -Buonaparte by the combined armies of Romana -and Sir John Moore. Palafox immediately announced -it in an extraordinary gazette; it was -just as night closed; the people crowded into -the streets and squares, the bands of all the regiments -were collected, bells were rung, salutes -fired, and the multitude with shouts and acclamations -of joy went in tumultuous procession -to the Church of the Pillar, to return thanksgiving, -and join in the hymn of <i>Salve Regina</i>. -The besiegers heard the music and the uproar, -and ascribed to the artifices of Palafox and the -other leaders what was in fact the genuine impulse - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 15. -<br /> -Seb. Hernandez, 13.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -of public feeling. By good fortune the -bombardment was suspended at the time, but in -the course of the night more than six hundred -shells were thrown into the city.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>An infectious disease appears in the city.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The worst evil arising from the bombardment -was one which had not been anticipated from -that cause, and against which, had it been -foreseen, it would hardly have been possible to -provide. A great number of the inhabitants -retired into cellars, the women especially retreated -there with their children, for security -from the shells. In these long low vaults, -where wine and oil had formerly been kept, -they were crowded together day and night, -where it was necessary to burn lamps during<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">156</span> -the day, and where fresh air entered as scantily -as daylight. Such places soon became hot-beds -of infection, and other causes contributed to -extend the calamity. On the first day of the -siege, when the attack was made upon the -suburbs, part of the troops, exhausted by the -previous exertions, were under arms for some -hours in the Cozo, exposed first to a heavy snow, -and then to a severe frost: this produced a -catarrh, which proved infectious, and was soon -followed by all the dreadful symptoms of camp -contagion. The number of soldiers and of -countrymen would at any time have crowded -the city, but more especially now, when the inhabitants -of all those houses which were prepared -and blockaded for street warfare were compelled -to seek quarters in the inner parts of the town. -The Murcian and Valencian troops came from -a country where great part of their food consisted -in fresh or preserved fruits; the mere -change of diet from such aliment to garrison -stores was sufficient to produce disease. They -had also been used to drink well water: change -of water is a cause of illness as frequent as it is -unsuspected; and that of the Ebro, though it -is preferred by the Aragonese to any other, is -thought unwholesome for those who are not accustomed -to it. To these causes must be added -scantiness of food (an evil consequent upon the -fatal error of crowding the place with men), -unusual exertions, and the impossibility of recruiting -exhausted strength by needful sleep in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">157</span> -a city which was now bombarded without intermission; -and among that part of the population -who were not immediately engaged in the -defence, fear, anxiety, and perpetual agitation -of mind, predisposing the body for endemic -disease.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Attempts of Lazan and Francisco Palafox to succour the city.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Every rumour of success, however preposterous -in its circumstances, and incredible in itself, -was readily believed by the Zaragozans; they -were too ill-informed to judge of probabilities, -or to understand the real condition of their -country; but this they knew, that if in other -parts the Spaniards did their duty as devoutly -as they themselves were discharging it, the deliverance -of Zaragoza and the triumph of Spain -were certain. They were always in hope that -some vigorous effort would be made for their -relief; and, to accelerate this, D. Francisco -Palafox left the city, embarked at night in a -little boat, and descending the Ebro and getting -to Alcañiz, began to organize the peasantry, -who lost no opportunity of harassing the enemy’s -communications. His situation, like that of the -Marquez de Lazan, was truly pitiable; not only -their brother, but their wives and families, were -in Zaragoza, ... to them more than to any other -individuals the inhabitants looked for succour, -from the same hereditary feeling which had -made them at the beginning of their troubles -turn as it were naturally to the house of Palafox -for a leader. But both were ordinary men, unequal -to the emergency in every thing except<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">158</span> -in good-will. General Doyle was in Catalonia; -he had passed through Zaragoza on his way to -that province, had commanded the Spanish -cavalry in a spirited and successful affair at -Olite a few days before the battle of Tudela, -and as a complimentary memorial of that service, -Palafox had formed a legion, and named it after -him. From him also, as an Englishman, the -Zaragozans expected aid, and if zeal and activity -could have supplied the place of adequate -means, their expectations would not have been -disappointed. He had been indefatigable in -his exertions for storing the city before the -French encamped around it: he succeeded by -repeated representations to the local and provincial -Juntas in making them put Mequinenza -in a state of defence, ... an old town with a -castle which commanded the navigation of the -Ebro, about half way between Zaragoza and its -mouth; and he was now endeavouring to make -Reding attempt something in aid of the besieged -city.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Condition of the army in Catalonia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>St. Cyr had not known how to improve a -victory so well as the Spaniards did how to -remedy a defeat. As soon as the fugitives from -Molins de Rey brought the first tidings of their -rout to Tarragona, the populace, supposing -themselves to be betrayed, rose tumultuously, -and took the power into their own hands. They -blocked up the gates, unpaved the streets, and -removed the stones to the windows and varandas, -that they might be ready for a civic defence.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">159</span> -They got possession of the arsenal, and distributed -the arms and ammunition; they moved -the artillery from one place to another, at the -will of any one who fancied himself qualified to -give orders; and they called out for the head -of Vives, as the traitor who had been the cause -of all their misfortunes. In this imminent -danger Vives made a formal resignation of the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Reding takes the command.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -command, and Reding, upon whom it devolved, -was enabled to save his life by letting him be -put in confinement. The superior Junta, apprehensive -alike of the populace and of a siege -or an immediate assault, got out of the city as -soon as they could (for the people had forbidden -any person to leave it), and fixed themselves at -Tortosa, leaving, however, two of their members -to represent them in the Junta of that district. -If while this insubordination prevailed the -French had attempted to carry the place by a -coup-de-main, they might probably have succeeded; -but St. Cyr was not so well acquainted -with the inability of the Spaniards as with the -difficulties of his own position. A few days -after the battle a strong detachment of French -appeared before the city; the generale was -beaten, the somaten was sounded from the -Cathedral, one of the forts fired, and the place -was in the utmost confusion, when a flag of truce -arrived, with a request that an aid-de-camp of -M. St. Cyr might be allowed to confer with -General Vives. Reding, to whom the letter -was delivered, suspected that the real intent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">160</span> -must be to discover the state of the place; he -communicated it to the Junta, and two of their -members, with two officers, were sent out to -know the purport of the mission. It was not -without difficulty that these persons could get -out of the gate, so fearful were the people of -being betrayed; the general opinion was, that -the French had sent to summon the town, and -the universal cry was, that they would not capitulate, -they would listen to no such proposals, -they would die for their king, their religion, -and their country. It proved, however, that -the aid-de-camp came only to propose an exchange -of prisoners. The impolicy of agreeing -to this was obvious; but Reding knew how ill -the prisoners on both sides were treated, and -thought it due to humanity to exchange them. -The advantage was wholly on the enemy’s side; -they received disciplined soldiers, who had now -been many months in the country, and had had -opportunities since their capture of observing -the state of the Spaniards, and even learning -their intentions, for every thing like secrecy -seemed to be despised; and they gave in return - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, p. iii. c. 13.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -only men of the new levies, not exchanging a -single dragoon or artilleryman, nor one of the -Swiss troops.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The army re-formed in Tarragona.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Reding was fully sensible how injurious it -was that the enemy should thus be enabled to -fill up their ranks; he suffered it, however, for -the sake of mitigating the evils of a war in which -he considered success absolutely hopeless. From<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">161</span> -the same hopelessness he committed the greater -error of suffering himself to be surrounded by -persons, some of whom were suspected by the -superior Junta, and others by himself: but with -this there was a generous feeling mingled; he -would not, because they were unpopular, cease -to employ men of whom he had a good opinion, -nor would he upon a strong suspicion of guilt -dismiss others as if they were guilty. His despondency -was rooted in the constitution of his -mind, but it did not make him omit any efforts -for enabling the army again to take the field; -and it was one happy part of the Spanish character, -that no defeat, however complete and -disgraceful, produced any effect in dispiriting -the nation. The very men who, taking panic -in battle, threw down their arms and fled, believed -they had done their country good service -by saving themselves for an opportunity of -better fortune; and as soon as they found themselves -in safety, were ready to be enrolled and -take their chance again. Such of the runaways -as had reached the Ebro, when they could get -no farther, turned back, and came in troops to -Tarragona. They came in pitiable condition, -and without arms: ... Reding knew not where -to look but to the English for money and muskets, -and a failure of powder also was apprehended, -the materials having hitherto been -supplied from Zaragoza. It would have been -madness to have attempted punishing any of -these fugitives; the better mode of impressing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">162</span> -upon them a sense of military duty was to let -them see that their superiors could not behave -ill with impunity: Reding therefore degraded -one colonel and several inferior officers for their -conduct at Molins de Rey, and made them -serve in the ranks; but by posting them in advanced -parties gave them an opportunity of retrieving -their character and their rank. The -government never acted with so much energy -as when it was refitting an army after a defeat: -its efforts were then such as the danger required. -Two regiments arrived from Granada, a Swiss -one from Majorca; supplies were sent from -Valencia; men came in from all quarters as the -hopes of the people rose, and by the middle of -January the force in Tarragona was not inferior -to that which had been so shamefully dispersed -at Granollers. The men recovered heart, and -acquired confidence from frequent success in -the desultory warfare wherein Reding practised -them. But he himself continued<a id="FNanchor_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> to despond; - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, p. iii. c. 13.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and, in sad anticipation of defeat, deferred acting, -when activity and enterprise might have -found or made opportunities for success.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Conduct of the French under St. Cyr.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>It was their victories which made the French -most sensible of the difference between this and -the other wars wherein they had been engaged; -... the spoils of the field were the only fruits of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">163</span> -success. These indeed had been of signal consequence -in Catalonia; they had enabled St. -Cyr to relieve Barcelona, to refit his troops, and -to strengthen himself with a park of field-pieces. -He had profited by the first panic to dislodge -the Spaniards from the pass of Bruch, which they -had twice so gloriously defended; his troops had -entered Igualada after the success, and the dangerous -impression which his ostentation of justice -and his observance of the humanities of war -were likely to produce upon the wealthier classes, -was seen by the conduct of the inhabitants, -who seemed to think it a matter of indifference -whether their houses were occupied by the national -troops or by the French. But the system -upon which Buonaparte carried on this wicked -war rendered it impossible for any general to -persist in a course of honourable conduct. The -army which he had ordered into Catalonia was -left to provide for itself, in a province which -had now been many months the seat of war, -and which never even in peace produced half -its own consumption of corn. It had also to store -the places of Rosas, Figueras, and Barcelona; -for no attempt was made to bring provisions -from France by land ... (the pass indeed between -Bellegarde and Figueras was so dangerous to -the French, that they called it the Straits of -Gibraltar); and it was seldom that a vessel could -escape the vigilance of the British cruisers. -Eleven victuallers intended for Barcelona were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">164</span> -lying in the port of Caldaques under convoy -of a cutter and a lugger, when Lord Cochrane -landed his men, drove the French from the -town, took their batteries, and captured the -whole. St. Cyr, however humane by nature, -however honourable by principle, was engaged -in a service with which humanity and honour -were incompatible: he could support his army -by no other means than by plundering the inhabitants, -and the Catalans were not a people -who would endure patiently to be plundered. -The difficulty was increased by the Moorish -custom still retained in that part of Spain of -preserving corn, not in barns or granaries, but -in mattamores. In the towns these subterranean -magazines were emptied before the French -could enter; in the country they were so easily -concealed, that, after long and wearying search, -it was a rare fortune to discover one. And the -Miquelets and Somatenes were so constantly on -the alert, that frequently when the marauders -had seized their booty they were deprived of it. -In this sort of warfare their loss was generally -greater than that of the natives, who on such -occasions had them at vantage. How considerable - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 92–99.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -it must have been may be in some degree -estimated from the fact, that in the course of -seven weeks St. Cyr’s foraging parties fired -away not less than two million cartridges.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Orders to attempt the relief of Zaragoza.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>But plainly as it would have been the policy -of the Spaniards to confine themselves to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">165</span> -slow and sure method of weeding out their invaders, -till they could bring their regular troops -into a fit state for taking the field, the pressing -danger of Zaragoza called for immediate efforts. -Francisco Palafox, looking every where for that -aid which was nowhere to be found, had gone -to Cuenca, and proposing that Infantado should -march the central army to his brother’s relief, -had been present at a council where the proposal -was discussed, and had seen with his own -eyes how utterly incapable that army was of -engaging in such an attempt, or even of attempting - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Infantado, Manifiesto, 87.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -such a march. Orders to undertake -something for its relief had been dispatched -from the Central Junta to the provinces of Valencia -and Catalonia. The Valencians were offended -with Palafox for having detained General -St. Marc with a division of their army; no -man contributed more by his military talents to -the defence of the city than that general, but -he and his men were now cooped up to die of -pestilence, when they might have effectually -served the Zaragozans in the field. Want of -will therefore made the Valencians take only -half measures, and these so tardily as to be of -no avail. Neither did Reding manifest the feeling -which he ought to have partaken upon this -subject, partly because the sense of his own difficulties -possessed him, and partly perhaps from -a personal dislike to the Palafox family. One -natural consequence of thus delaying succour<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">166</span> -in quarters where there was most ability was to -produce premature and rash attempts on the -part of those who felt more generously. Palafox - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Tardiness in obeying them.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -had written to say, that as long as provisions -lasted, and there were ruins to shelter them, -Zaragoza would not surrender. The place -chosen for a depot was Mequinenza, and there, -chiefly by the exertions of General Doyle, stores -in considerable quantity were collected; but -impatient of waiting, when time was so precious, -till a well-concerted attempt to introduce -supplies could be made, a Colonel who had - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Defeat of the peasantry.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -several thousand peasants under his command -moved to Belchite, within five leagues of Zaragoza, -with a convoy under protection of this -force, which was as unmanageable in a body, as -it might have been efficient in its proper mode -of warfare. The enemy, at the beginning of the -siege, had stationed General Vathier at Fuentes -with 600 cavalry and 1200 foot to command the -country and collect provisions. This movement -of the peasants was too near him to be concealed; -he fell upon them, routed them with some -slaughter, and got possession of all their stores. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Alcañiz occupied by the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -The pursuit led him as far as Ixar, and from -thence he proceeded against Alcañiz. The -peasantry whom Francisco Palafox had collected -there drew up on the heights before the -town, and withstood the attack with more firmness - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 17.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -than might have been expected from such -a force; but they were not equal to contend<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">167</span> -with disciplined troops; and Vathier occupied -the towns of Alcañiz and Cuspe as long as the -siege endured.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Movement in Navarre and Aragon.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>These misfortunes did not discourage the -Spaniards, and the movements of the inhabitants -both in Navarre and Aragon were formidable -enough to excite some uneasiness in the besiegers. -While the Navarrese bands interrupted -their communication with Pamplona, the mountaineers -of Soria threatened Tudela, and those -of the Sierra de Muela endangered their hospitals -and establishments at Alagon Lazan, -meantime, with his brother Francisco, occupied -the country from Villa Franca de Ebro to Licineña -and Zuera, and sending detachments as -far as Capavrosa to intercept the enemy’s convoys, -straitened Gazan’s division in their camp. -More than once the French were without meat, -and upon half rations of bread; and they might -have been foiled a second time before Zaragoza, -more shamefully than the first, if the heroism of -the inhabitants had been in any degree seconded -from without, and if the want of capacity in the -Spanish leaders had not been as glaring as the -want of order in the field and of reason in their -councils. The besiegers had felt some ill effects -from the latter cause; but an end was put to -jarring pretensions and contrarient views when - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>M. Lasnes takes the command.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Marshal Lasnes arrived on the 22d of January -to take the command. He had previously ordered -Mortier to leave Calatayud, and act with -Suchet’s division on the left of the Ebro; having<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">168</span> -dispersed the force which Francisco Palafox had -collected there, they took possession of Zuera, -and scouring the country as far as Pina, Sarineña, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 18, 20.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and Huesca, secured the besiegers from -interruption on that side. The French Marshal -hoped that this might abate the spirit of the -Zaragozans as much as it had cheered them - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>He summons Palafox to surrender. <span class="date">Jan. 25.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -when they saw the force of their countrymen -upon the surrounding heights; and he addressed -a letter to Palafox, telling him that the force -upon which he had relied for relief had been -destroyed, that the English had fled to Coruña -and embarked there, leaving 7000 prisoners, -and that Romana had escaped with them, his -army with their officers having yielded to the -Emperor: that Infantado had been defeated at -Ucles with the loss of 18,000 men; and that if -after this true statement he persisted in withstanding -a force more than sufficient for effecting -its purpose, the destruction of the city and -of its inhabitants must rest upon his head. Palafox - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cavallero, 107.<span class="sne">♦</span> -<br /> -<span class="sne">♦</span>Seb. Hermandez, 14, 15.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -replied, that M. Lasnes would cover himself -with glory if he were to win the city by -force of manly courage with the sword, and not -by bombarding it; but that the Zaragozans -knew their duty, and would not surrender.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French enter the city, but with great loss. -<span class="date">Jan. 26.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>All the outworks had now been taken except -the Castle of the Inquisition, which had never -been seriously attacked, because its possession -was of no importance to the enemy. The batteries -against the city itself were completed, and on -the day after the summons fifty pieces opened<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">169</span> -their fire upon the wall, and on the morrow -three practicable breaches were made. One -was by an oil-mill, a building standing alone, -without the walls, and close to them; the enemy -had established themselves in it during the night. -The second was to the left of this, immediately -opposite S. Joseph’s; the third in the monastery -of S. Engracia. All these were attacked. -A column issuing from the oil-mill presently -reached the first, and the explosion of two fougades -at the foot of the breach scarcely appeared -to impede their progress. But they found an inner -intrenchment, well constructed and mounted -with two guns; and when they attempted to carry -this the bell of the Torre Nueva rang, the inhabitants -manned the adjacent houses, and a -fire was opened from roofs and windows which -it was neither possible to return nor to withstand. -Profiting, however, by the cover which -the exploded fougades afforded them, they succeeded -in lodging themselves upon the breach. -On the left they were more successful; after -gaining the ramparts, they made their way into -the opposite house, which the artillery had -breached, and into the two adjoining ones; -their progress was then stopped, but they established -themselves within the walls, and repaired -and lengthened for their own use a -double caponier, by which the besieged used to -communicate with S. Joseph’s. The attack -upon the third breach was more formidable. -After a severe struggle the enemy entered the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">170</span> -convent of S. Engracia, obtained possession of -its ruins and of the nunnery of S. Joseph, which -stood near, and of which little more than the -mere shell was remaining. Piercing the walls -of this, they enfiladed the curtain from S. Engracia -to the bridge of the Huerba, and taking -the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">tête-de-pont</i> in reverse, became masters of -the bridge, over which fresh troops joined them -to follow up their success. They pushed on to -the Capuchin convent of La Trinidad, which -made part of the line; forty artillerymen, who -were stationed there without support, as a place -not in danger of attack, were cut to pieces at -their guns, and the convent was taken. It was -recovered by the Spaniards; but two battalions -came to support the assailants, who took it a -second time, and maintained their conquest, -though at a dear price. The greater part of -the French who occupied the curtain fell under -the fire from the houses. They suffered also -considerably in a vain attempt to possess themselves -of a single house which defended an imperfect -breach to the right of all their other -attacks. Their whole loss was stated by themselves -at 600, that of the besiegers at eight. -The Spaniards, with better reason, believed -that a much greater proportion of the enemy -had fallen; and the French had in fact received -so severe a lesson, that they determined not to - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 22, 26. -<br /> -Cavallero, 102–105.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -risk any more direct attacks, but proceed always -as much as possible under cover: there was -danger otherwise that the troops would become<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">171</span> -impatient of so fatal a service, and even that all -their efforts might be unavailing.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The enemy establish themselves in the Trinidad convent.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>As it was now no longer necessary to carry -on the false attack upon the Aljafaria, the engineers -were called from thence to fortify the -Trinidad convent, and establish a communication -with it and with a house by the bridge; -commanding in this manner the whole intermediate -space. During the night the Spaniards -endeavoured to recover the ruins of S. Engracia -and the adjoining houses, but without success. -They attempted twice also to regain the Trinidad, -and once succeeded so far as to force open -the church door: the enemy had formed an -epaulement within of bags of earth, and fought to -advantage behind that protection. A friar was -at the head of the assailants, with a sword in one -hand and the crucifix in the other; one of his -brethren was killed in the act of administering -extreme unction to a Spaniard who was mortally -wounded; another took the holy oil from the -slain, and continued to perform the same office -to his dying countrymen. Women also mingled -with the combatants, distributing cartridges to -them, and bearing refreshments to their sons, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 25, 28. -<br /> -Cavallero, 105.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -their husbands, and fathers, and sometimes rushing -upon the enemy when these dear relatives -fell, to revenge their deaths, and to die with -them.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Convents of S. Augustin and S. Monica won.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French had in vain attempted to get -possession of the convents of S. Augustin and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 1.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -S. Monica. Having been repelled in assaulting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">172</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />February.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the breaches, they sprung a mine under the -partition wall, and by that means effected an -entrance, turning all the works which the Spaniards -had constructed for their defence. They -forced their way into the church. Every column, -every chapel, every altar, became a point -of defence, which was repeatedly attacked, -taken, and retaken, and attacked again; the -pavement was covered with blood, and the aisles -and nave of the church strewed with the dead, -who were trampled under foot by the combatants. -In the midst of this conflict the roof, -which had been shattered by bombs, fell in; the -few who were not crushed, after a short pause -which this tremendous shock and the sense of -their own escape occasioned, renewed the fight -with increased desperation: fresh parties of the -enemy poured in: monks, and citizens, and soldiers -came to the defence, and the contest was -continued upon the ruins and the bodies of the -dead and the dying. It ended in favour of the -invaders, who succeeded in keeping the disputed -position. Taking advantage of the opportunity -afforded while the attention of the Spaniards -was directed to this point, they entered the -Rua Quemada, where no attack was at that -time apprehended, and got possession of one -side of the street to the angle which it makes -with the Cozo: their sappers were beginning to -pierce the walls of the houses, barricade the -doors and windows, and establish traverses in -the street, when the Zaragozans charged them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">173</span> -with redoubled spirit, drove them out with considerable -loss, and recovered four houses which -had been taken on a preceding day. At the -same time an attack was made on the side of S. -Engracia, when, after exploding two mines, the -Poles got possession of some ruined houses; but -in obtaining this success, General Lacoste, the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 27, 30. -<br /> -Cavallero, 106.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -French commandant of engineers, was killed. -His opponent, Colonel San Genis, had fallen the -preceding day: he was succeeded by Colonel -Zappino, Lacoste by Colonel Rogniat.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The enemy proceed by mining.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Now that the city was open to the invaders, -the contest was to be carried on once more in -the streets and houses. But the French had -been taught by experience that in such domestic -warfare the Zaragozans derived a superiority from -the feeling and principle which inspired them, -and the cause wherein they were engaged. They -had learned that the only means of conquering -it was to destroy it house by house, and street -by street; and upon this system of destruction -they proceeded. Three companies of miners -and eight of sappers carried on this subterranean -war. The Spaniards had officers who -could have opposed them with not inferior skill; -but men were wanting, and the art of sapping -and mining is not one which can be learned on -the spot where it is wanted; their attempts -therefore were frequently discovered, and the -men suffocated in their own works. Nor indeed -had they been more expert could powder have -been supplied for their consumption. The stock<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">174</span> -with which the Zaragozans began had been exhausted; -they had none but what they manufactured -day by day, and no other cannon-balls -than those which had been fired against them, -and which they collected and fired back upon -the enemy.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Progress of the pestilence.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Zaragozans expected miracles for their -deliverance; and they exerted themselves so -excellently well, that the French, with all their -advantages, would have found themselves unequal -to the enterprise in which they were engaged, -and other armies must have been brought -up to supply more thousands for the slaughter, -if the defenders had not been suffering under -an evil which in their circumstances it was -equally impossible to prevent or to alleviate. -The consequences of that evil, when it had once -appeared, were but too surely to be apprehended; -and in bitter anticipation, yet while a hope - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Miralles, Elogio de Zaragoza, p. 42.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -remained, an Aragoneze exclaimed, Zaragoza -surrenders not, if God is neutral! If the seasons -had only held their ordinary course, this -heroic people might a second time have delivered -themselves. In that part of Spain January -is commonly a wet month. Had the rains -fallen as usual, the enemy would hardly have -been able to complete their approaches; had -the weather, on the contrary, been severe, it -might have stopped the contagion, and then the -city would have had hands as well as hearts for -its defence. But the season proved at once -dry enough for the ground to be in the most favourable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">175</span> -state for the besiegers’ operations, and -mild enough to increase the progress of the disease, -which was now more destructive than the -enemy, though no enemy ever employed the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cavallero, 71.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -means of destruction with less remorse. When -once the pestilence had begun it was impossible -to check its progress, or confine it to one quarter -of the city. It was not long before more -than thirty hospitals were established; ... as -soon as one was destroyed by the bombardment -the patients were removed to some other building -which was in a state to afford them temporary -shelter, and thus the infection was carried -to every part of Zaragoza. The average of -daily deaths from this cause was at this time -not less than three hundred and fifty; men -stretched upon straw, in helpless misery lay -breathing their last, and with their dying breath -spreading the mortal taint of their own disease, -who, if they had fallen in action, would have -died with the exultation of martyrs. Their sole -comfort was the sense of having performed their -duty religiously to the uttermost ... all other -alleviations were wanting; neither medicines -nor necessary food were to be procured, nor -needful attendance ... for the ministers of charity -themselves became victims of the disease. -All that the most compassionate had now to bestow -was a little water in which rice had been -boiled, and a winding-sheet. The nuns, driven -from their convents, knew not where to take -refuge, nor where to find shelter for their dying<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">176</span> -sisters. The Church of the Pillar was crowded -with poor creatures, who, despairing of life, -hoped now for nothing more than to die in the -presence of the tutelary saint. The clergy were -employed night and day in administering the -sacraments to the dying, till they themselves -sunk under the common calamity. The slightest -wound produced gangrene and death in -bodies so prepared for dissolution by distress of -mind, agitation, want of proper aliment and of -sleep. For there was now no respite neither -by day nor night for this devoted city; even the -natural order of light and darkness was destroyed -in Zaragoza: by day it was involved in a red -sulphureous atmosphere of smoke and dust, -which hid the face of heaven; by night the fire -of cannon and mortars, and the flames of burning -houses, kept it in a state of horrible illumination. -The cemeteries could no longer afford -room for the dead; huge pits were dug to receive -them in the streets and in the courts of -the public buildings, till hands were wanting for -the labour; they were laid before the churches, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sebastian Hernandez, p. 17. -<br /> -Cavallero, p. 108.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -heaped upon one another, and covered with -sheets; and that no spectacle of horror might -be wanting, it happened not unfrequently that -these piles of mortality were struck by a shell, -and the shattered bodies scattered in all directions.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>First talk of surrender in the city.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the 1st of February the situation of the -city appeared so desperate, that persons of approved -and unquestionable patriotism came to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">177</span> -the Regent of the Royal Audience of Aragon, -D. Pedro Maria Ric, and besought him to represent -to Palafox the necessity of capitulating; but -Ric, with a spirit like that of Palafox himself, -could not submit to this while there was any possibility -of prolonging the defence. He knew that -of all examples there is none which makes so sure -and so powerful an impression as that of heroic -suffering; and that if Zaragoza were defended -to the last gasp, the influence of its fall under -such circumstances would be not less honourable -and hardly less salutary than a happier termination. -Nor indeed would the people have -consented to a surrender; their spirit was unsubdued, -and the principle which supported it -retained all its force. The worst effect of their -sense of increasing danger was, that it increased -their suspicions, always too easily excited; and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>D. P. M. Ric, Semanario Patriotico, No. 28, p. 214. -<br /> -Cavallero, p. 110.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to those suspicions several persons were sacrificed, -being with or without proof hung during -the night in the Cozo and in the market-place. -The character indeed of the struggle was such -as to excite the most implacable indignation and -hatred against an enemy, who having begun the -war with such unexampled treachery, prosecuted -it with a ferocity equally unexampled in -later ages.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The contest carried on by fire.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Four days the French were employed in forming -three galleries to cross the Rua Quemada. -They failed in two; the third opened into the -cellar of an undefended house; thence they -made way along great part of the street from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">178</span> -house to house, and crossing another street by -means of a double epaulement of bags of earth, -established themselves in the ruins of a house -which formed an angle of the Cozo and of the -Rua del Medio, Their next object was to get -possession of the Escuelas Pias, a building which -commanded some traverses made for defending -the Cozo. The French often attacked it, and -were as often repulsed; they then attempted -the adjoining houses. The system of blowing -up the houses exposed them to an evil which -had not been foreseen, for when they attempted -to establish themselves upon the ruins, the Spaniards -from the dwellings near fired upon them -with sure effect. They endeavoured therefore -so to proportion the charge in their mines as to -breach the house without destroying it; but to -deprive them of the cover which they would -thus have obtained, the Zaragozans with characteristic -desperation set fire now to every -house before they abandoned it. They began -this mode of defence here, maintaining the entrance -till they had prepared the building for -burning; for so little wood was used in the construction, -that it was necessary to smear the -floors and beams with melted resin, to make -them more combustible. When all was ready -they then set fire to the place, and retired into -the Escuelas Pias, interposing thus a barrier of -flames between them and the assailants. The -enemy endeavoured in vain to extinguish the -fire under a shower of balls; and the time thus<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">179</span> -gained was employed by the Zaragozans in forming -new works of defence. Unable to win the -Schools by any other means, the enemy at length -prepared a mine, which was discovered too late - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 30, 1. -<br /> -Cavallero, 121. <span class="date">Feb. 7.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -for the Spaniards to frustrate their purpose, but -in time to disappoint them of their expected -advantage by setting fire to the disputed edifice.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Convent of Jesus taken in the suburbs.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the same day operations were renewed -against the suburbs, where the enemy, at the -commencement of the siege, had received so -severe a repulse. General Gazan, availing himself -of an ambiguity in his orders, had, after -that lesson, contented himself with keeping up -the blockade; nor could any representation induce -him to engage in more active operations, -till M. Lasnes arrived with authority to enforce -his orders. The Convent of Jesus, situated on -the road to Barcelona, formed part of the defence -on that side; the engineers, not having -time to rase it, deeming it better that it should -be occupied than abandoned for the enemy. -Trenches were now opened against this building, -and twenty battering pieces soon effected -a breach, which was carried almost as easily as -it had been made; but when the enemy, flushed -with success, entered the suburbs in pursuit of -the retreating garrison, they were driven out -with great slaughter, as on their former attempt. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 34, 35.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -They entrenched themselves, however, on the -ruins of the convent, established a communication -with it, and lodgements on the right -and left.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">180</span> -The attack in the centre was pursued with -the same vigour, and resisted with the same -desperate determination. Every door, every -staircase, every chamber was disputed; the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>S. Francisco taken.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -French abandoned all attacks to the left for the -sake of concentrating their efforts here, that they -might the sooner reach the Cozo, extend themselves -along it to the right as far as the quay, -and thus connect their operations with those of -Gazan on the other side the Ebro: and these -increased efforts were met with proportionate -exertions by the Zaragozans. Grenades were -thrown from one floor to another, and bombs -were rolled among the enemy, when they were -so near that the Spaniards who rolled them expected -themselves also to perish by the explosion. -Their resolution seemed, if it were possible, -to increase with their danger; every spot -was defended with more obstinacy than the last; -and this temper would have been, as it deserved -to be, invincible, if pestilence the while had -not been consuming them faster than fire and -sword. The sense of honour as well as of duty -was carried to its highest point; the officers -preferred dying upon the stations which they -had been appointed to defend, rather than to live -after having lost them, though every possible -resistance had been made. On this side, after -having occupied and been driven from the vaults -of the Hospital, which had been reduced to -ruins in the former siege, the enemy succeeded -at length in carrying a gallery to the great convent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">181</span> -of S. Francisco; ... a countermine was prepared, -which compelled them to stop before -they could get under the walls of the convent. -The engineer, Major Breuille, immediately -charged the mine with three thousand weight -of powder, and fired it, having drawn by feigned -preparations for an assault as many Spaniards -as he could within the sphere of destruction. -The explosion was terrible, and brought down -part of the building: the enemy rushed through -the breach, and making way into the church, -formed an epaulement there to establish themselves. -Some Zaragozans who were acquainted -with the building got, by passages connected -with the tower, upon the cornices of the church; -others mounted the roof, and broke holes in it, -and from thence they poured down grenades -upon the invaders, and drove them from their -post. The ruins of this convent, which had -been burnt during the first siege, and now shattered -by the mine, were disputed two whole -days, till the defenders at length were driven -from the last chapel by the bayonet. For the -advantage now both in numbers and in physical -power was on the side of the enemy, the pestilence -having so wasted the Spaniards, that men - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 36. -<br /> -Cavallero, 126.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -enough could not be provided to man the points -which were attacked without calling up from -the hospitals those who had yet strength enough -to use a weapon.</p> - -<p>From the tower of this building the French<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">182</span> -commanded the Cozo for a musket-shot distance - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French begin to murmur.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -on either side. After many desperate attempts -their miners succeeded in crossing that street; -but they were baffled in their attacks upon the -University, and so many of their officers and -best soldiers had fallen in this murderous struggle, -that the disgust which ought to have been -excited by their abominable cause was produced -by the difficulty which they found in pursuing -it. Not the men alone, but the officers also, -began to complain that they were worn out, -though they had as yet only taken a fourth part -of the town; it was necessary, they said, to wait -for reinforcements, otherwise they should all be -buried in these cursed ruins, before they could -drive the fanatics from their last retreat. Marshal -Lasnes represented to them, that destructive as -the mode of war was, it was more so to the -besieged than to them, whose operations were -directed by more skill, and carried on by men -trained to such service; that pestilence was -doing their work; and that if these desperate -madmen chose to renew the example of Numantia, -and bury themselves under the ruins of -their city, bombs and mines would not now be - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 38.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -long in destroying the last of them. Marshal -Lasnes was a man after the Emperor Napoleon’s -own heart; with so little honourable feeling, -that he regarded the Zaragozans merely as -madmen; and with so little human feeling, that -he would have completed the destruction of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">183</span> -the city and its last inhabitants with the same -insensibility that he declared his intention of -doing so.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Not even an attempt is made to relieve the city.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>S. Genis had repeatedly said, “Let me never -be appealed to if there is any question of capitulating, -for I shall never be of opinion that we -can no longer defend ourselves.” In the same -spirit Palafox wrote to his friend General -Doyle: “Within the last forty-eight hours,” -said he, “6000 shells have been thrown in; -two-thirds of the city are in ruins; but we will -perish under the ruins of the remaining part, -rather than surrender.” It was not by any -promises or hopes of external succour that this -spirit was supported. Palafox well knew that -no efforts would be wanting on the part of his -brothers, or of his friends; but he knew also -what divided counsels and jarring interests were -opposed to them, and that willing lives were all -they could have had at their command. General -Doyle with great exertions got together -ammunition and stores at Mequinenza, in the -beginning of February; and the Marques de -Lazan took the field from Lerida with a nominal -force of 7000 foot and 250 horse to attempt -something for the relief of the besieged city. -It was soon learnt by their spies that a corps of -10,000 foot and 800 horse was ready to oppose -them; and rather than make an attempt which -must inevitably have ended in the utter rout of -his ill-disciplined troops, Lazan waited at Monzon, -to be joined by a division from Valencia,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">184</span> -which the Junta of that kingdom had at last -consented to send across the Ebro. But a -French division in Aragon threatened to impede -the junction: ammunition was wanted from -Lerida, which the Junta of that city demurred -at granting; time was consumed in miserable -counsels and hopeless expectation, Lazan looking -to Reding for some great exertion, and -Reding deterred from attempting any thing, -though with a superior force, by total want of -confidence in his army, and the suspicion that -whatever passed at his head-quarters was immediately -communicated to the enemy; and thus -while Lazan and his brother were in the most -pitiable distress, knowing the state of Zaragoza, -where their families were suffering under the -unexampled horrors of such a siege, ... while -every man in their division partook that feeling -which the situation of the besieged excited in -all their countrymen ... an anxiety as unexampled -as it was great, ... and while every where it was -expected that some efforts such as the occasion -required would be made; even the most ready -and devoted courage was of no avail where preparation, -order, discipline, prompt judgement, -and vigorous authority were all wanting; and -though the province and the nation were in -arms, Zaragoza was left to its fate without even -an attempt to save it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Progress of the pestilence.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Meantime pestilence was consuming the Zaragozans -faster than fire and sword. The points -which were not immediately threatened were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">185</span> -now wholly manned by men who rose from -their straw in the hospitals, and sate at their -posts, unable to support themselves standing, -wrapped in their blankets, and shivering or -panting for breath, as the ague or the hot fit of -the disease might prevail. The officer whose -dreadful task it was to choose out patients for -the service became in his turn a victim to the -contagion. Hopeless of finding relief any where, -the sick resigned themselves quietly to their -fate; the dying and the dead were buried together -beneath the houses which were blown up, -or consumed in the flames; and the French -found court-yards and chambers filled with -corpses, and said themselves that they were -fighting now only to obtain possession of a cemetery. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 39. -<br /> -Cavallero, 129.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -The ravages of the disease were such, -that many, bearing up with invincible resolution -to the last, fell in the streets and died. The -enemy did not remit their attacks while death -was thus doing their work; they profited by -the weakness of the besieged, and opening a fire - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -from their batteries on both sides the Convent -of Jesus upon the suburbs, made another attempt -upon the feeble works where they had -twice been repulsed with such great loss. A fire - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The suburbs taken.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -from fifty pieces soon made the way open, and -the bridge being flanked by some of their guns, -no succour could be sent from the city. Baron -de Versaje, who commanded there, and had distinguished -himself in the defence, was killed -in repairing to his post. A breach was made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">186</span> -in the Convent of S. Lazarus on the left bank; -the garrison, exhausted by privations and fatigue -and sickness, opposed all the resistance in their -power, ... the greater number dying in its defence; -and this edifice being taken, the Spaniards -could neither retreat from the suburbs, -nor hope to support themselves there, when they -could no longer be supplied with food or ammunition -from the city. Finding themselves -separated by the enemy into two columns, the -one body crossed the bridge with considerable -loss, and effected their retreat into the town; -the other cut their way through the enemy, -and endeavoured to escape in the open country - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rogniat, 41. -<br /> -Cavallero, 137.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -along the bank of the Ebro; they were pursued -by the French horse, and after sustaining a -second action till their powder was exhausted, -were taken prisoners to the number of 1500.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The University taken.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The loss of the left bank exposed to the enemy -the only part of the city which had not yet -been open to their direct attacks, but had only -suffered from the bombardment. On the other -side, the University, after repeated attempts, -had been taken, and the traverses which the -Spaniards had so well defended in the Cozo. -Palafox had now been seized with the disease. -Capitulation had been mentioned at the last -council in which he was present, and when it -was asked how long the city could hold out, his -answer had been, <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">hasta la ultima tapia</i>; “to the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Palafox transfers his authority to a Junta.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -last mud-wall.” Being now utterly disabled, he -transferred all his authority, civil and military,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">187</span> -on the night of the 18th, to a Junta, naming -Ric to be the president. That noble-minded -Spaniard immediately summoned the members, -and they began their functions at one on the -morning of the 19th. The chiefs of the various -military departments were summoned to deliver - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Condition of the besieged.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -their opinions. The general of cavalry represented, -that there remained only sixty-two -horses, and those weak and unserviceable, the -rest having died of hunger. From a statement -of the infantry it appeared that there were only -2822 men fit for service. Ammunition was nearly -exhausted; there was none but what was manufactured -in the Inquisition, and that would -be destroyed if a shell should fall there. The -commandant of engineers reported that the -fortifications were demolished, there were neither -men nor materials for repairing them, and -all the cloth which could serve for bags of earth -had been consumed. All the officers who had -thus been consulted gave their opinion that the -place ought to be surrendered, and that the -Junta would be responsible to God and the -King for the lives which every hour were sacrificed, -if they persisted in resistance, now that -it was become manifestly impossible to save the -city. Having heard this melancholy representation, -the Junta required General San Marc, who -was one of their members, to express his judgement; -the eminent talents and courage which -he had displayed during the whole siege would -render his opinion decisive both with them and -the commander-in-chief and the people. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">188</span> -stated, that if the enemy made a general attack, -which the preparations that were observed -appeared to indicate, the loss of the city was -inevitable, and would be followed by every -imaginable horror. It was known with what -fury the French treated every place which they -conquered, and their rage would be greater -here, on account of the hatred which they and -their general and their bloody Emperor bore -towards a city that had once put them to such -shame, and now cost them so dearly. If the -attacks were partial, such as those which were -repeatedly made every day, they might hold out -two days longer, or possibly four, provided men -could be found for defence and for the works; -longer than four days it was not possible to -maintain the contest: San Marc concluded by -declaring, that unless there were well-founded -expectations of speedy relief, it was unjustifiable - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ric, Sem. Patr. 215, 6.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to sacrifice the lives which in these days must -be lost, the loss of the city in that short time -being unavoidable.</p> - -<p>Upon this the Junta proceeded to make inquiry -what expectations of relief there were: -for this purpose the Duke of Villahermosa was -sent to Palafox; but Palafox was now so ill that -he could give no account of any thing, for the -fever had fixed upon his brain. His secretary -was applied to for any letters and documents -which might be in his possession: he delivered -in two, both of which were dated long back. -One was a letter from Francisco Palafox, saying, -that after making the utmost exertions to collect<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">189</span> -troops, but in vain, he was then at Tortosa, assembling -the peasantry with some soldiers from -the garrisons on the coast, and that he designed -to strengthen this force with some gun-boats -that were to be sent up the Ebro. The other -was a scrap of paper, written in enigmatical -terms (for it had to pass through the enemy’s -lines), and, as it was supposed, by the Conde de -Montijo. It said, that the writer and the Duke -del Infantado wished to come to the relief of -Zaragoza, but the Central Junta had ordered -that the Swiss should go, and that they were to -fall upon Madrid. The Swiss was understood -to mean General Reding; but he was so situated -that no succour could be expected from -him; for he was in Catalonia, and the enemy -being masters of the suburbs, it was not possible -for him now to cross the bridge. Moreover -there could be no doubt, that other divisions -of the French gave him full employment. -These papers, therefore, only confirmed -the Junta in their apprehensions that the French -were victorious every where, and that in the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ric, 216, 7.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -general distress of the country they could expect -no relief.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Flag of truce sent to the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>While they were deliberating the bombardment -was renewed. They knew that the city -could not hold out; twenty-six members voted -for a capitulation, eight, with Ric among them, -that they should still continue their resistance, -urging that there was a possibility of being succoured. -Such was the high spirit of these brave -men, that the opinion of the minority was followed:<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">190</span> -for they who had voted for surrendering -had done so for the sake of others, ... for themselves, -there was not one among them who -would not rather have died than capitulated. -They agreed to send a flag of truce to the -enemy, requesting a suspension of hostilities -for three days, that officers might in the meantime -be sent to ascertain the situation of the -Spanish armies, and according to the intelligence -which might thus be obtained, they -would then treat for a surrender. Lasnes, when -he had summoned the city, had proposed this -method himself, ... he now resented the proposal -as an insult, and vented the most ferocious -threats against the city, unless it were immediately -delivered up. The flag was remanded -with a second letter, reminding him that the -proposal was originally his own: he did not -vouchsafe to answer in any other manner than - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ric, 217, 8.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -by a shower of bombs, and by ordering the attack -to be renewed.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Last efforts of the besieged.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>In the evening of that day the quarter of the -Tanneries was lost, a part of the strand leading -to the stone bridge, and the Puerto del Angel, -a point of great importance. Four cannon in -the battery of the wooden bridge were spiked, -treacherously it was supposed, ... but there was -no time for ascertaining this and punishing the -traitors. The handful of men who remained -were at their posts, manifesting their wonted -resolution; but they were too few for the severe -service to which they were exposed, and -San Marc applied to Ric to reinforce with only<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">191</span> -200 the points which were attacked, ... more he -did not ask for, knowing the deplorable state of -the city. Ric had already charged Don Miguel -Marraco, a beneficed priest of the Church of -the Pillar, whom the general had commissioned -to organise the peasantry, to provide men for -the works, ... he now sent him a note which -would have excited him to new exertions had -there been any remissness on his part. Don -Mariano Cerazo, an honourable citizen, who -had distinguished himself by his zeal and his -influence with the people, was called upon in -like manner; and certain priests also, who had -united for the purpose of training and encouraging -the peasantry, were requested in this -emergency to furnish men. These measures, -before the pestilence had so widely extended -itself, would in a quarter of an hour have produced -a thousand armed men. Ric ordered also -the alarm to be beaten in the New Tower, and -taking advantage of a favourable moment, when -the enemy were driven back by the bayonet from -the Convent del Sepulcro, he sent the public crier -through the streets to proclaim this success, and -summon the people by sound of trumpet to -complete the victory. But disease had subdued -them; of the surviving population, the few who -were not suffering under the disorder were attending -their sick or dying friends, and neither -hope nor despair could call them out, ... hope, -indeed, they had none, and the dreadful duty in -which they were engaged rendered them insensible -to all evils but those before their eyes.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">192</span> -San Marc was joined by only seventeen men; -ill tidings came upon him from every quarter; -one commander complained that he was cut off -at his station, another that he was on the point -of being so, a third that he was undermined, ... -from every quarter they called for troops and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ric, 218, 9.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -labourers and ammunition, at a time when all -were wanting.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>D. P. Maria Ric goes out to treat with M. Lasnes.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Thus situated, the Junta ordered the almoners -of the different parishes to inform their parishioners -of the state of the city, and report -the opinion which they should form in consequence. -Two-thirds of the city had been destroyed; -thirty thousand of the inhabitants had -perished, and from three to four hundred persons -were daily dying of the pestilence. Under -such circumstances the Junta protested that -they had fulfilled their oath of fidelity, <em>for Zaragoza -was destroyed</em>; and they dispatched a -flag of truce to the French commander, requesting -a suspension of hostilities for four-and-twenty -hours, that they might in that time negotiate -for a capitulation. A French officer came -with the reply, requiring the Junta to wait -upon Marshal Lasnes within two hours, and -declaring that after that time was expired he -would not listen to any terms. Ric instantly -summoned the Junta, and as they could not -all be immediately collected, he proceeded -with some of them toward Marshal Lasnes, -leaving some to acquaint the others with the -result of the flag of truce, and to act as circumstances -might require. They took a trumpeter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">193</span> -with them to announce a parley, because -the firing was still continued on both sides; -but, notwithstanding this, the Spanish deputies -were fired at from one of the enemy’s batteries. -Ric protested against this violation of the laws -of war, and refused to proceed till he was assured -that it should not be repeated. An aide-de-camp -of the French general had just before -arrived, with instructions that the Junta should -repair to the Casa Blanca, not to the suburbs, -as had been first appointed; this officer went -for an escort of infantry, and conducted Ric -and his colleagues to the general’s presence. -Lasnes received them with an insolent indifference, -while his despite for the brave resistance -which he had found betrayed itself in marks of -affected contempt. He took some turns about -the room, then addressing himself to Ric, began -to inveigh against the Zaragozans for not believing -him when he said that resistance was in -vain, ... for which, he said, they deserved little -consideration from his hands. He reproached -the Junta also. Ric interrupted him. The Junta, -he said, had commenced their sittings on the -yesterday, and therefore could not be responsible -for any thing before that time. The Marshal -himself must feel, that if they had surrendered -without having ascertained the absolute necessity -of surrendering, they would have failed in -their duty. When they were informed of the -actual state of affairs, they had considered of a -capitulation, and addressed a letter, proposing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">194</span> -measures which he himself had suggested in the -summons to which he now alluded. This had -offended him, and he did not condescend to -notice their second letter in explanation of the -first. They had then dispatched a third flag, requesting -a suspension of four-and-twenty hours, -because they were accountable to the people, -and that time was necessary for ascertaining -the public will. Zaragoza, which had so nobly -distinguished itself by the manner of its resistance, -must also distinguish itself in the manner -of capitulating, when capitulation was become -inevitable. “Acting upon these principles,” -said Ric, “it is my duty to declare that I bring -neither powers nor instructions, neither do I -know the will of the people; but I believe they - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ric, 229–231.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -will accept a capitulation, provided it be reasonable, -and becoming the heroism with which -Zaragoza has defended itself.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Capitulation.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The manner and the manliness of this declaration -were not lost even upon Lasnes: in spite of -himself he felt the superiority of the men who -stood before him, and, abstaining from farther -insults, he said, that the women and children -should be safe, and that the negotiation was -concluded. Ric replied, it was not yet begun; -for this would be surrendering at discretion, -and Zaragoza had no such thought. If the -Marshal insisted upon this, he might renew his -attacks on the city, “And I and my companions,” -said the noble Aragoneze, “will return -there, and continue to defend ourselves; we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">195</span> -have yet arms and ammunition, and daggers: -war is never without its chances; and if we are -driven to despair, it yet remains to be seen who -are to be victorious.” This answer did not appear -to irritate the French general; he knew, -indeed, that though farther resistance could not -possibly save Zaragoza, every inch which he had -to win must be dearly purchased, and, for the -honour of France, the sooner the siege was concluded -the better; ... it had already lasted too -long. There was another reason, too, why he -did not refuse to grant terms, ... it would be in -his power to break them. He called for his -secretary, and dictated the preamble of the -capitulation and some of the articles. The first -stipulated that the garrison should surrender -prisoners. Ric proposed that they should march -out, as became them, with the honours of war; -Lasnes would not consent to make any alteration -in the words of the article, but he promised -that those honours should be allowed them, and -that the officers should retain their baggage, -and the men their knapsacks. Ric then required -that Palafox might be at liberty to go -whithersoever he pleased, with all his staff. It -was replied, that an individual could never be -the subject of capitulation; but Marshal Lasnes -pledged his word of honour that Palafox should -go to any place he pleased; and he specified -Mallen or Toledo. Those places, Ric replied, -would not suit him, because they were occupied -by French troops, and it was understood that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">196</span> -he thought of going to Majorca. Lasnes then -gave his word of honour that he might go to -any place which he thought best. It was demanded -that all persons, not included in the -garrison, who wished to leave Zaragoza, in order -to avoid the contagion, should be allowed -passports. Lasnes replied, all who wished it -might go out, ... he pledged his word to this; - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ric, 231, 2.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -but it was not necessary, he said, to insert an -article upon this head, and he was desirous of -terminating the capitulation.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Farther conditions asked, and refused.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>While copies of the capitulation were drawing -out, the French general produced a plan of -the city, and laid his finger upon the part which -was that night to have been blown up, telling -Ric that 44,000 lbs. of powder were already -lodged for the explosion, and that this would -have been followed by a cannonade from seventy -pieces of artillery, and a bombardment from -thirty mortars, which they were at that time -mounting in the suburbs. The duplicates being -signed, Ric and his companions returned to -lay the terms before the other members of the -Junta; and they, who had ascertained the opinion -of their fellow-citizens, accepted, ratified, -and signed the act. Some farther stipulations, -however, they still thought desirable; they -wished it to be stated in the articles, that the -garrison were to march out with the honours of -war; for, as only the written capitulation would -appear in the gazettes, if this were not expressed -it would not be understood. They<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">197</span> -required also, that the peasants who had been -formed into temporary corps should not be -prisoners of war, urging, that they ought not -to be considered as regular soldiers, and representing -the injury which it would be to agriculture -if they were marched away. And at the -petition of the clergy, they requested that an -article might be added, securing to them the -punctual payment of their revenues from the -funds assigned by the government for that purpose. -With these proposals Ric returned to -Marshal Lasnes; the two former were in every -respect unexceptionable; the last was the only -one upon which any demur might have been -looked for. The French commander, however, -broke into a fit of rage, snatched the paper out -of Ric’s hand, and threw it into the fire. One -of his generals, sensible of the indecency of this - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ric, 232–4.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -conduct, rescued it from the flames; and Ric, -unable to obtain more, received a ratified copy -of the capitulation, and returned to the city.</p> - -<p>The French, by their own account, threw -above 17,000 bombs during the siege, and expended -near an hundred and sixty thousand -weight of powder. More than 30,000 men, and -500 officers, the flower of the Spanish armies, -lay buried beneath the ruins of Zaragoza; and -this is far from the amount of lives which were -sacrificed in this memorable and most virtuous -defence, the number of women and children who -perished by the bombardment, by the mines, by -famine and pestilence, remaining untold. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">198</span> -loss of the besiegers was carefully concealed; -it was sufficient to cripple their army; the Paris -papers declared, that one part was to march -against Lerida, another against Valencia, and -neither of these movements could be effected.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Conduct of the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the evening of the capitulation the French -troops entered. They began immediately to pillage. -General Laval was appointed governor. -He ordered all the clergy of the city to go out -and compliment Marshal Lasnes; ... the yoke -was upon their necks; they went forth to appear -at this ceremony, like prisoners in a Roman -triumph, and as they went, the French soldiers -were permitted to rob them of their apparel in -the streets. Laval, when complaint was made to -him of such outrages, observed, that his troops -had to indemnify themselves for the plunder -which they looked upon as certain, and which - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ric, 235.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -they would have had in another day, if the capitulation -had not disappointed them.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Treatment of the prisoners.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>When the French entered the city six thousand -bodies were lying in the streets and -trenches, or piled up in heaps before the -churches. The people, still unsubdued in spirit, -were with difficulty restrained from declaring -that the capitulation was concluded without -their consent, and rushing upon the invaders -with the determination of taking vengeance and -dying in the act. The armed peasants, instead -of delivering up the weapons which they were -no longer permitted to use, broke them in pieces -with generous indignation. General O’Neille<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">199</span> -died before the surrender; St. Marc was one of -the many hundreds whom the pestilence carried -off within a few days after it. P. Basilio escaped -from the danger of the war and of the -contagion. He was a man of exemplary life -and great attainments; and having been tutor -to Palafox, and fought by his side in both sieges, -remained now at his bedside, to wait upon him -in his illness, and administer, if need should be, -the last offices of religion to his heroic and beloved -pupil. There the French found him, as -they had ever found him during the siege, at -the post of duty; and they put him to death for -having served his country with all his heart, -and with all his soul, and with all his strength. -P. Santiago Sass suffered a like martyrdom. -The officers received orders to come out of the -city, on pain of being shot if they remained - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 22.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -there after four-and-twenty hours. Immediately -upon forming without the town for their -march, they were, in contempt of the capitulation, -plundered of every thing, stripped -of the devices of their different ranks, and -pushed in among the common soldiers as leaders -of insurgents. It was affirmed in the French -bulletin that 17,000 men laid down their arms: -there were not more than four-and-twenty hundred -capable of bearing them; the rest were in -the hospitals, and this, with five-and-twenty -hundred taken in the suburbs and during the -siege, was the number which was marched off -for France. Two hundred and seventy of these<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">200</span> -men, who from fatigue and weakness could not -keep up the pace which their ferocious guard -required, were butchered and left on the road, -where their companions in the next division -might march over their bodies. Augustina Zaragoza -was among the prisoners. She had distinguished -herself in this siege as much as in -the former. At the commencement she took -her former station at the Portillo, by the same -gun which she had served so well; “See, general,” -said she, with a cheerful countenance, -pointing to the gun when Palafox visited that -quarter, “I am again with my old friend.” Her -husband was severely wounded, and she pointed -the cannon at the enemy, while he lay bleeding -among his companions by her side. Frequently -she was at the head of an assaulting party, sword -or knife in hand, with her cloak wrapt round -her, cheering the soldiers, and encouraging them -by her example; constantly exposed as she was, -she escaped without a wound: yet once she was -thrown into a ditch, and nearly suffocated by -the dead and dying who covered her. At the -close of the siege she was too well known by -the French to escape notice, and they made her -prisoner. Fortunately, as it proved, she had at -that time taken the contagion, and was removed -to the hospital, where, as she was supposed to -be dying, little care was taken to secure her. -Feeling herself better, she availed herself of -this, and effected her escape. Another heroine, -whose name was Manuella Sanchez, was shot<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">201</span> -through the heart. Donna Benita, a lady of -distinction, who headed one of the female corps -which had been formed to carry provisions, bear -away the wounded, and fight in the streets, -escaped the hourly dangers to which she exposed -herself, only to die of grief upon hearing -that her daughter had been killed. During the -siege six hundred women and children perished, -not by the bombardment and the mines, but in -action, by the sword, or bayonet or bullet.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Treatment of Palafox.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Lasnes had pledged his word of honour -that Palafox should be at liberty to go -wherever he would, as soon as he should be able -to travel; in contempt of that pledge, he was -immediately made prisoner, surrounded entirely -by French, and left even in want of necessary -food. Ric, who was ever ready to exert himself -when any duty was to be performed, remonstrated -against this treatment both verbally and -in writing. He could obtain little immediate - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>He is compelled by threats of death to sign orders for delivering up other fortresses.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -relief, and no redress. Arrangements were concerted -for his escape, and so well laid, that there -would have been every prospect of success, if -he had been sufficiently recovered to make the -attempt. They were not, however, altogether -fruitless; for M. Lasnes having extorted from -him, by threats of immediate death if he refused, -orders to the governors of Jaca, Benasque, Monzon, -and Mequinenza, to deliver up those places -to the French, he found means to advise his -brother, the Marques de Lazan, of the iniquitous -proceeding, and to direct that no obedience<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">202</span> -should be given to orders so obtained. Unfortunately -Jaca and Monzon had been entrusted -to commanders who waited only for an opportunity -of betraying their charge, and they opened -the gates to the enemy. Before Palafox had -recovered he was hurried away into France, a -country from which and to which, while it was -under the iron yoke of Buonaparte, no prisoner -returned. On the way he was treated with insolence -and barbarity, and robbed even to his -very shirt. Buonaparte, who, feeling no virtue -in himself, acknowledged none in others, had -already reproached him as a coward and a runaway -in the field; he now, with contradictory -calumny, reviled him for having defended Zaragoza -against the will of the inhabitants. “The -people,” it was said in the French papers, “held -him in such abhorrence, that it was necessary -to station a guard before his door, for otherwise -he would have been stoned. An idea of the -detestation in which he and the monks of his -party were held could only be formed by remembering -the hatred with which those men -were regarded in France, who governed by terror -and the guillotine.” Yet while they thus -asserted at one time that Palafox defended the -city against the will of the people, at another -they affirmed that the Spanish troops would -have surrendered long before, being perfectly -sensible that resistance was unavailing after the -French had entered the city, but it did not depend -upon them, ... they were obliged to submit<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">203</span> -to the wills of the meanest of the inhabitants. -Any one who should have expressed a wish to -capitulate would have been punished with death: -such a thought could not be uttered till two-thirds -of the city were lying in ruins, and -20,000 of its defenders destroyed by disease.... -No higher eulogy could be pronounced upon -Zaragoza than was comprised in the very calumnies -of its unworthy conqueror.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Demands of the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Before the main body of the French made -their entry they demanded of Ric 50,000 pair -of shoes, 8000 pair of boots, and 1200 shirts, -with medicines and every requisite for an hospital. -Several of the officers demanded for -themselves double equipage and linen, curtains, -pens, paper, and whatever they wanted, insisting -that plenty of every thing should be supplied -them, and the best of its kind, at the expense -of the city. A service of china was required -for Junot; and this merciless oppressor, -who had escaped the proper punishment of his -crimes in Portugal, insisted that a tennis-court -should be fitted up for his amusement, in a city -of which two-thirds were then lying in ruins, -beneath which so large a proportion of the inhabitants -lay buried! Ric resisted demands which -it was impossible for the city to supply. The -French generals, provoked at his refusal to engage -for the maintenance of their household, -threatened to send in a squadron of hussars. -He replied, that well they might, since the gates -of the city were demolished and in their power,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">204</span> -but that from that moment they would not advance -a foot of ground till they had moistened -it with French blood. Another member of the -Junta, who had less courage, undertook that -these ruffians should be satisfied as far as was -possible. Ric, who was too true a Spaniard to -live under the government of the Intruder, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ric, 245–9.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -renounced the high office which he held, and, -not being considered a prisoner, obtained his -liberty.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lasnes makes his entrance.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Lasnes made his entrance on Sunday the 5th -of March; his approach was announced by the -discharge of 200 cannon, and he proceeded in -triumph through that part of the city which remained -standing, to the Church of the Pillar. -The wretched inhabitants had been compelled -to adorn the streets with such hangings as could -be found, and to witness the pomp of festive -triumph, and hear the sounds of joy and exultation. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Baseness of the suffragan bishop.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -The suffragan bishop of the diocese, a -traitor who had fled from the town when it took -arms, and now returned thither to act as the instrument -of the oppressors, met Lasnes at the -great door of the church, and conducted him -in procession, with the crucifix and the banner, -to a throne prepared before the altar, and near -the famous idol, which had escaped destruction. -Then the wretch addressed a sermon to his -countrymen upon the horrors of war! “They -had seen,” he said, “in their unhappy city, the -streets and market-places strewn with dead, -parents expiring and leaving their children<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">205</span> -helpless and unprotected, babes sucking at the -dry breast of the famished mother, palaces in -ruins, houses in flames, dead bodies heaped at -the doors of the churches, and hurried into -common graves without any religious ceremony. -And what had been the cause of all this ruin? -I repeat it,” said the villanous time-server, “I -shall always repeat it, your sins and your seditious -spirit, your forgetfulness of the principles -of the gospel. These horrors have ceased: and -to whom are you indebted for this unexpected -happiness? To God in the first place, who -raises and destroys monarchies according to -his will; after God, to the Virgin of the Pillar, -who interceded for us; and in the next place to -the generous heart of the great Napoleon, the -man who is the messenger of God upon earth -to execute his divine decrees, and who is sent to -punish us for our sins. Nothing can equal his -power except his clemency and his goodness! -He has granted us the inestimable favour of -peace; oh that, at the expense of my tears and -my blood, I could render it eternal! It is fitting, -O my God, that for this great and unexpected -mercy, this signal mercy, we should all exclaim, -<i xml:lang="la" lang="la">Te Deum Laudamus!</i> We praise thee, O God!” -Such were the blasphemies which this hoary -traitor uttered over the ruins of his heroic city! -It is not possible to record them without feeling -a wish, that some one of the noble-hearted Zaragozans, -who at that hour of bitterness were -wishing themselves in the grave, had smitten<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">206</span> -him upon the spot in the name of his religion -and his country.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Language of the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The oath of obedience and allegiance was -then administered to those persons who either -retained or accepted office under the Intruder’s -government. A superb entertainment followed, -at which Lasnes and his chief officers sate down -to a table of four hundred covers, and at every -health which was drunk to the family of Buonaparte -the cannons were discharged. The transactions -of the day furnished a fine topic for the -journalists at Paris. “All the people,” they -said, “manifested their joy at so sudden and -happy a change in acclamations of ‘long live -the Emperor!’ they were edified by the behaviour -of their conquerors during the religious -ceremony; that ceremony had melted the most -obdurate hearts, the hatred of the French was -eradicated from all breasts, and Aragon would -soon become one of the most submissive provinces -in Spain!” At the time when these -falsehoods were circulated in France, Junot -issued a proclamation, declaring, that every -Aragoneze found in arms should be punished -with death. Upon this the Supreme Junta addressed -an order to their generals, requiring -them to apprise the French commanders to -whom they might be opposed, that every Spaniard -who was capable of carrying arms was a -soldier, so their duty required them to be, and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Decree of the Central Junta.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -such the Supreme Junta declared them: “This,” -they said, “was not a war of armies against<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">207</span> -armies, as in other cases, but of an army against -a whole nation, resisting the yoke which a -tyrant and usurper sought to force upon them; -every individual, therefore, of that nation was -under the protection of the laws of war, and the -general who should violate those laws was not a -soldier, but a ruffian, who would provoke the -indignation of Heaven, and the vengeance of -man. The Junta well knew,” they said, “that -the French, when they were victorious, ridiculed -principles which the observance and respect of -all nations had consecrated, and that they did -this with an effrontery and insolence equal to -the affectation with which they appealed to -them when they were vanquished. The Spaniards -were, however, in a condition to enforce -that justice which they demanded. Three -Frenchmen should suffer for every Spaniard, -be he peasant or soldier, who might be put to -death. Europe would hear with admiration -as well as horror, that a magnanimous nation, -which had begun its struggle by making 30,000 -prisoners, was forced, in opposition to its natural -character, to decimate those prisoners without -distinction, from the first general to the meanest -in the ranks. But it was the chiefs of their -own nation who condemned these unfortunate -wretches, and who, by imposing upon Spain the -dreadful necessity of retaliation, signed the -death of their own countrymen when they murdered -a Spaniard.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Address to the nation.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Junta pronounced the funeral oration of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">208</span> -Zaragoza, in an address to the people. “Spaniards,” -said they, “the only boon which Zaragoza -begged of our unfortunate monarch at -Vittoria was, that she might be the first city to -sacrifice herself in his defence. That sacrifice -has been consummated. More than two months -the murderous siege continued; almost all the -houses were destroyed, those which were still -standing had been undermined; provisions were -nearly exhausted, ammunition all consumed; -16,000 sick were struggling with a mortal contagion, -which every day hurried hundreds to -the grave; the garrison was reduced to less -than a sixth part; the general dying of the -pestilence; O’Neille, the second in command, -dead; St. Marc, upon whom the command then -devolved, prostrated by the fever: so much was -required, Spaniards, to make Zaragoza yield to -the rigour of fate, and suffer herself to be occupied -by the enemy. The surrender was made -upon such terms as the French have granted to -other towns, and those terms have been observed -as usual by the perfidious enemy. Thus only -were they able to take possession of those glorious -precincts, filled only with demolished -houses and temples, and peopled only with the -dead and the dying; where every street, every -ruin, every wall, every stone, seemed mutely to -say to the beholder, Go, tell my king, that Zaragoza, -faithful to her word, hath joyfully sacrificed -herself to maintain her truth.</p> - -<p>“A series of events, as mournful as they are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">209</span> -notorious, frustrated all the efforts which were -made to relieve the city; but the imagination of -all good men accompanied her defenders in -their dangers, was agitated with them in their -battles, sympathised in their privations and -efforts, and followed them through all the -dreadful vicissitudes of their fortune; and when -strength failed them at last through a continued -resistance, which they had prolonged almost -beyond belief, in the first moment of grief it -seemed as if the light of liberty had been at once -extinguished, and the column of independence -overthrown. But, Spaniards, Zaragoza still survives -for imitation and example! still survives -in the public spirit which, from her heroic exertions, -is for ever imbibing lessons of courage -and of constancy. For where is the Spaniard, -priding himself upon that name, who would be -less than the Zaragozans, and not seal the liberty -of his country, which he has proclaimed, and -the faith to his king, which he has promised, at -the cost of the same perils and the same labours? -Let the base, the selfish, and the cowardly be -dismayed by them; not the other towns of -Aragon, who are ready to imitate and to recover -their capital; not the firm and faithful patriots, -who see in that illustrious city a model to imitate, -vengeance to be exacted, and the only -path of conquest. Forty thousand Frenchmen, -who have perished before the mud walls of Zaragoza, -cause France to mourn the barren and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">210</span> -ephemeral triumph which she has obtained, and -evince to Spain, that three cities of equal resolution -will save their country, and baffle the -tyrant. Valour springs from valour; and when -the unhappy who have suffered, and the victims -who have died there, shall learn that their fellow-citizens, -following them in the paths of glory, -have surpassed them in fortune, they will bless -their destiny, however rigorous it has been, and -rejoice in the contemplation of our triumphs.</p> - -<p>“Time passes away, and days will come -when these dreadful convulsions, with which the -genius of iniquity is now afflicting the earth, -will have subsided. The friends of virtue and -patriotism will come to the banks of the Ebro -to visit those majestic ruins, and beholding -them with admiration and with envy, Here, -they will say, stood that city which in modern -ages realised, or, more truly, surpassed those -ancient prodigies of devotement and constancy, -which are scarcely credited in history! Without -a regiment, without other defence than a weak -wall, without other resources than its courage, -it first dared to provoke the fury of the tyrant: -twice it withstood the force of his victorious -legions. The subjection of this open and defenceless -town cost France more blood, more -tears, more slaughter, than the conquest of -whole kingdoms: nor was it French valour that -subdued it; a deadly and general pestilence -prostrated the strength of its defenders, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">211</span> -the enemy, when they entered, triumphed over -a few sick and dying men, but they did not -subdue citizens, nor conquer soldiers.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Honours decreed to the inhabitants.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>This address was followed by a decree, declaring -“that Zaragoza, its inhabitants, and -garrison, had deserved well of their country, -in an eminent and heroic degree: That whenever -Palafox should be restored to liberty, to -effect which no efforts on the part of the government -should be wanting, the Junta, in the -name of the nation, would confer upon him that -reward which might seem most worthy of his -unconquerable constancy and ardent patriotism: -That every officer employed in the siege should -be promoted one step, and every private soldier -enjoy the rank and the pay of serjeant: That all -the defenders of Zaragoza, and its inhabitants, -and their heirs, should enjoy personal nobility: -That pensions, conformable to their rank and -circumstances, should be granted to the widows -and orphans of all who had perished there: -That the having been within the walls during -the siege should be considered as a claim in -future pretensions: That Zaragoza should be -exempt from all contributions for ten years, -from the time when peace should be established; -and that at that time the rebuilding of the public -edifices, with all possible magnificence, should -be begun at the expense of the state, and a monument -erected in the great square of the city, -in perpetual memory of the valour of the inhabitants -and their glorious defence: That in all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">212</span> -the cities of the kingdom an inscription should -forthwith be set up, relating the most heroic -circumstances of the two sieges, and a medal be -struck in its honour, as a testimony of national -gratitude. Finally, the Junta promised the same -honours and privileges to every city which should -resist a like siege with like constancy, and proposed -rewards for the best poem and best discourse -upon this memorable event; the object -being not only to hold up the virtues of the -Zaragozans to the present generation and to -posterity, but to inflame the hearts of the Spaniards -with the same ardent patriotism, the same -love of freedom, and the same abhorrence of -tyranny.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Falsehoods of the French government.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The capitulation was published by the Intruder’s -ministers in the Madrid gazette, and -inserted in a French journal printed in the same -capital. That journal was suppressed by order -of Buonaparte as soon as he was informed of -this; and it was stated in his bulletin that Lasnes -would allow no capitulation, and had only published -certain provisions as his<a id="FNanchor_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> pleasure; and -that the French possessed themselves of the -whole town by force. Had the facts been thus,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">213</span> -it would not have derogated in the slightest degree -from the heroism of a people who had discharged -their duty to the uttermost. But the -falsehood is worthy of notice, not only as showing -Napoleon Buonaparte’s systematic disregard -of truth, but as exemplifying also that want of -generosity which peculiarly characterized him, -and made him incapable of doing justice in any -one instance to the principles, virtues, talents, -or even courage, of those by whom he was -opposed.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">214</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XIX" class="vspace">CHAPTER XIX.<br /> - -<span class="subhead">INVASION OF PORTUGAL BY MARSHAL SOULT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.</span> -<hr /> -Portugal threatened by the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p><span class="firstword">The</span> conquest of Portugal was announced by -Buonaparte not less confidently than his sentence -of subjugation against Zaragoza; and no -difficulty was expected in effecting it. It was -stated in the bulletins that the rage of the Portugueze -against the English was at its utmost -height; that they were as indignant at the perfidy -of their allies as they were disgusted by -their difference of manners and religion, by -their brutal intemperance, and by that arrogance -which made these islanders odious to the -whole continent; that bloody affrays between -them were occurring every day, and that the -British garrison of Lisbon had embarked in -order to abandon a people whom they had deceived -and outraged. The real state of things -gave some plausibility to these falsehoods; for -the French were well informed of the alarm that -prevailed in Lisbon, which was indeed such as -seemed to justify their vaunts, and might easily - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Preparations by the English for evacuating Lisbon.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -enable them to accomplish their purpose. Preparations -had been made for evacuating that -capital; transports were collected in the Tagus, -and notice officially given to the British merchants -to hold themselves in readiness for immediate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">215</span> -embarkation in case the enemy should -advance towards them. These measures were -taken early in January, before it was known -that Sir John Moore was retreating. As soon -as intelligence of his retreat was received, the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Address of the Regency to the Portugueze.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Regency communicated it to the people. “Portugueze,” -they said, “the governors of the kingdom -do not mean to deceive you. They themselves -announce that the armies of Moore and -Romana have retired to the interior of Galicia, -leaving our frontiers uncovered; that those -frontiers, from their great extent, are exposed -to invasion; that the Emperor of the French is -accustomed to employ his whole force when he -attacks a nation; that his rapid marches give no -time for the reunion of troops to act against -him on the defensive; and that he presses on to -the capital, endeavouring to surprise the government, -and to spread anarchy and confusion. -This mode of warfare exposes some cities and -towns to the ravages of invasion; but such partial -ravages are not the ruin of a state. It -was in the centre of Portugal that our ancestors -sealed our independence with their blood. -Knowing this, the governors have directed their -measures accordingly; strong passes, formed by -nature to be the bulwarks of our liberty, and -deep rivers, which cannot without danger be -crossed, will be defended in a military manner; -and if, in spite of this, the enemy of Europe -should proceed to Lisbon, he will find around<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">216</span> -it a determined people, who will cause the glorious -deeds of those times to be remembered, -when the walls of that city were the scene of -their heroism and their triumph.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>State of public feeling at Lisbon.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>This was wise language, and though it proceeded -from a government on which they had -little reason to rely, the Portugueze answered -the appeal with enthusiasm. The squares were -filled, the streets lined with volunteers, practising -their evolutions with a zeal deserving -better teachers than it found. In these ranks -the old man and the stripling stood side by side, -... all pedantry of inches and proportion was forgotten; -the strength to carry arms, and the -heart to use them, were the only qualifications -required. Some were armed with fowling-pieces, -some with bayonets screwed upon poles, some -with pikes and halberds, which for centuries -had hung idly in the hall; bullets were piled -up in heaps at every stall, with flints and ramrods; -and rusty weapons of all kinds were -brought out from the dust to answer the general -demand for arms. The children with -their flags and wooden guns were playing at -soldiers, imitating the discipline of their fathers -with that spirit which, if well fostered and directed, -would render any country invincible. -There was no want of courage, of enthusiasm, -or of patriotic feeling; but the people had none -to direct and train them, none to whom they -could look with confidence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">217</span> -It was the beginning of February before the -news arrived of Sir John Moore s death, and -that his army had withdrawn from Spain. Fourteen -thousand English troops had been left at -Lisbon when that army began its march. Some -regiments had advanced to the frontiers, that -they might be near the commander-in-chief if -he should require to be reinforced, or find it -expedient to fall back upon them. These, learning -that he had retreated by a different route, -and that superior forces were hastening against -them, returned by forced marches to the capital. -Every thing was in confusion there. One -day the cavalry was embarked, the next it was -relanded. The sea batteries were dismantled, -and their guns shipped for Brazil; those at Fort -St. Julien alone were left mounted, as a defensible -post if the British troops should be forced to -embark precipitately. The women belonging -to the army were sent on board. These preparations -exasperated the people: they were -eager to do whatever should be required of -them in the defence of their country: that their -own governors wanted courage or ability to -stand by them was nothing more than what -they expected; but from the English, the old -and faithful friends of the Portugueze, they -looked for that assistance which England had -never refused to Portugal in its time of need. -The feeling which this intended abandonment -produced was rather anger than fear; and they -resented it more as if they felt ashamed for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">218</span> -allies long trusted, and always found worthy, -than alarmed for the consequences to themselves. -A party of the armed populace seized -the English Ambassador’s baggage, which was - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 24.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -packed up for removal. The government affected -to consider this as the work of French -emissaries, though it was evidently a manifestation -of the general temper. Threats of condign -punishment were denounced against any person -who should again offer insult to a British subject; -and the people were assured it was only -by the powerful assistance of the British army -that their national independence could be maintained.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>M. Soult ordered to enter Portugal from Galicia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The bulletins had announced that Marshal -Soult would cross the Minho from Tuy on the -11th of February, reach Porto by the 20th, and -Lisbon by the 28th. His instructions were to -march along the coast, as the shortest and most -convenient line, where, though there was no -high road, there were no mountains, and the -ways every where practicable for carriages; he -was to govern the country as Junot had done, -and induce the people as soon as possible to request -from Napoleon a King of his appointment. -The nominal force allotted him was 50,000 men, -and the staff might have sufficed for twice that -amount; but the efficient numbers fell far short. -They had suffered much in the battle of Coruña; -they had suffered also by their rapid advance -through so difficult a country in the severest -weather; and in means also they were deficient;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">219</span> -for though it was their system to take whatever -they required, they were now in a province -where little was to be found. Plate, jewels, indigo, -Peruvian bark, whatever marketable plunder -Galicia afforded, these dealers in wholesale -rapine shipped from Coruña for France. Articles - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Difficulty of providing for the French army.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -of immediate necessity were not so readily -obtained. The military hospitals were in want -of every thing, even rags for the wounded, for -linen here was a luxury not in general use. The -mills of that country (which are of the simplest -construction, working by a single horizontal -wheel) were so small that ninety of them could -not supply more flour in a day than was required -for the daily consumption of the invading army; -and as the invaders could find no Spaniards to -serve them, they were obliged to draw not only -millers, but bakers and butchers from the regiments. -Grain was scarce, Galicia being a -grazing province, which at no time produced -more than a third of what its own inhabitants -required. The summary mode of stripping them -by requisitions, to which the French as usual -resorted, was in this instance impeded by their -own people: for the detachments who were -stationed in different parts to keep the communication -open, finding how scanty the resources -were, and apprehending that if food were sent -away they should be left without it, suffered the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mém. sur les Operations du M. Soult, 56, 60.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -orders of the commissariat to be neglected, and -took care of themselves alone.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">220</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>His confidence of success.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Soult, however, entered upon his expedition -in full confidence of success. He believed -that a great proportion of the British -troops had perished by shipwreck during the -heavy gales which had prevailed after their -embarkation; that they had determined as soon -as he should approach Lisbon to blow up the -magazines and arsenals, and abandon the place; - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Intercepted letter to Joseph. <span class="date">Feb. 4.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -that they talked of nothing more enterprising -than a landing at Quiberon; and that this was -a mere vaunt, for certainly it would be long before -their army would be again in a condition -to show itself.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Combined plans of the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The plan which had been laid down for him -was well concerted. Marshal Victor was to -manœuvre on the side of Badajoz, and send a -column in the direction of Lisbon to facilitate -the operations against that city. Lapisse was -to threaten the frontier between the Douro and -Almeida, occupy Ciudad Rodrigo, march upon -Abrantes as soon as Soult should have reached - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Oper. du M. Soult, p. 50.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Porto, and when that general was master of -Lisbon, Lapisse was then to join Victor, and -enter Andalusia, the conquest of the south of -Spain as well as Portugal being considered certain. -Ney, meantime, was to occupy Galicia, -and communicate with the army of Portugal. -Leaving him in command of this province, which -was said to be subjugated, Soult removed his -head-quarters to Santiago, and ordered General -Lahoussaye from Mellid to march upon Ribadavia<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">221</span> -and Salvatierra, obtain intelligence of Romana’s -movements, and ascertain what means -might be found there for crossing the Minho. -General Franceschi at the same time was dispatched -with his light cavalry to take possession -of Tuy, and examine whether the passage might -not best be effected near that city; and General -Merle with a division of infantry was sent from -Betanzos to Pontevedra to support them. Franceschi - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Vigo and Tuy occupied by the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -fell in with a body of Spaniards at Redondela, -and took from them four guns. Profiting -by the panic which the fugitives were likely to -impart, he sent a detachment to summon Vigo, -and the governor was weak or treacherous enough -to surrender a fortified and well-provided town -at the first summons of a division of cavalry. Tuy -also, which in former wars had been a place of -great importance, the strongest upon that frontier, -was entered without resistance. Somewhere -below this city it was resolved to attempt the -passage, and there accordingly the main body -of the army was collected.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Preparations for crossing the Minho below Tuy.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Two rivers, the Lama and Tamboga, which -rise in the north-east part of Galicia, unite and -form the Minho; but the Sil, which joins it with -an equal body of waters, is believed to have been -the Minius of the ancients. It is the boundary -between Spain and Portugal along a considerable -line; upon that line it is never fordable, except -at one place above Melgaço, and there only after -an unusual continuance of dry weather. There -is no bridge over it below the city of Orense,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">222</span> -and the Portugueze had been sufficiently aware -of their danger to remove all the boats to their -own side of the river. Just at its mouth it is -joined from the Portugueze side by the river -Coura; each stream has formed a bar, and upon -an island between these bars the Portugueze had -a fortress and a small Capuchine convent. On -the Spanish side, immediately at the mouth of -the river, Mount St. Thecla rises, a place of -great local celebrity, because of an annual pilgrimage, -and known to sailors as a sea-mark. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 10.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -On the other side of this mountain is the little -port and town of S. Maria de la Guardia, and -thither Soult went with the captain of a French -frigate and some seamen who had been prisoners -at Coruña, to reconnoitre and consult concerning -the passage. Means of transport were found -in the fishing-boats of Guardia; but it would -have been difficult to double the point in them -when laden as they must have been for that -service, and they would have been perilously -exposed to the fire of the island. He determined, -therefore, to carry the boats overland a -distance of about three miles to a lake or broad, -from which the little river Tamuga issues, and -enters the Minho above the village of Campos -Ancos. There was great difficulty in removing -them, and still more in conveying two pieces of -artillery to the same place. Means, however, -for transporting three hundred men at once -were collected, and the troops appointed for -this service were exercised in embarking and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">223</span> -disembarking on the lake, where it could be -done in safety. The attempt was to be made -at high-water, and under favour of the night, -though little danger was apprehended from the -old frontier fortress of Caminha, in the face of - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Failure of the attempt.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -which they were to cross; for the works, originally -ill planned and ill situated, had long been -neglected, and the French held in equal contempt -the place and the people by whom it was -garrisoned. However, in order to deceive them, -the troops were withdrawn from the opposite -shore, and a feint made of marching up the river. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 15.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -The flotilla descended the Tamuga easily and in -good order; but when they came into the great -stream the want of sailors was felt. The boats -separated; those that were best manned reached -the shore; but the Portugueze were upon the -alert. General Bernardim Freire, who had been -appointed to the command of Porto and of that -province, had sent a detachment with two six-pounders -to this point. They kept up a fire -with good effect; the tide turned; the other -boats unable to stem it, or approach the shore, -where they could assist their comrades, found -it necessary to return; some were sunk, and -about forty men were made prisoners.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Soult marches by way of Orense.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Four days had been consumed in preparations -for this vain attempt. It was impossible to wait -till the river should have fallen so as to render -the passage practicable, for the troops could not -be supplied where they were, and they were -beginning to suffer from inaction. Soult therefore<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">224</span> -left General Lamartiniere to command at -Tuy, with 350 men, besides 900 who were on -the sick list. Some public money had been -found in that city, and six-and-thirty field-pieces -were left there, besides some guns and -ammunition which had been brought from Vigo. -It was thought a position of some importance at -this time, and this force sufficient to maintain it. -He then marched for Orense, making this long -circuit to cross the river with less unwillingness -because he had received intelligence from Lahoussaye - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations du M. Soult, 73, 80.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -that the peasantry were in a state of -insurrection in consequence of Romana’s proclamations.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Romana rouses the Galicians.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Romana indeed had not been inactive during -the short respite which had been allowed him. -Had the French rightly appreciated his unconquerable -spirit, and apprehended the effect which -such a man was capable of producing upon a -brave and generous peasantry, they would have -deemed his single destruction of more importance -to their cause than the capture of Ferrol - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 13.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and Coruña. By this time he had collected -some 9000 men; to form an efficient army was -in his circumstances impossible, utterly destitute -as he was of means; but what was of more consequence, -he had roused the country; his presence -was infinitely important there, and his name and -his example hardly less so in other parts of Spain, -for in every part the people were encouraged by -a persuasion that their countrymen elsewhere -were more fortunate than themselves. Every<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">225</span> -where except upon the spot it was believed by -the Spaniards that Romana was at the head of -a formidable army; when his troops were so - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Opinion of his strength.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -broken, a victorious enemy so close upon him, -and his condition so hopeless in all human appearance, -that he himself must have considered -his escape from captivity, and the death to which -he would then have been condemned, as manifestly -providential. The Galicians at Lisbon -(in which city there were always some thousands -of those industrious men) were at that time embodied -for the purpose of marching to join him; -and the Spanish minister wrote to desire that he -would send officers to discipline and take charge -of them. The dispatch found him on the Portugueze -frontier: he represented in reply that his -own force consisted chiefly of new volunteers, -so that none of his officers could be spared: he -could only send some who belonged to the provincial -regiments of Tuy and Compostella. But -of men there was no want; for even if they had -been less willing to take arms for their country -and their cause, mere desperation would have -driven them to it. Had the French been better -disposed to observe what for the last century at -least had been the common humanities of war, -it would not have been possible when they were -to support themselves as they could by preying -upon the countries which they invaded. Free -licence in one thing led to it in all, and when -resistance was provoked by the most intolerable -outrages, it was punished with fire and sword.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">226</span> -The little towns of S. Miguel de Zequelinos and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Villages burnt by the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -S. Christobal de Mourentan, with their adjacent -hamlets, were burnt by the invaders, and more -than 2000 persons, who were thus reduced to -ruin and deprived of shelter, fled into the Portugueze -territory, hoping to find refuge there.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Intended plan of co-operation between Romana and Silveira.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Portugueze General, Francisco da Silveira, -had taken the command upon that frontier; -his force consisted of 2800 regular troops, -2500 militia, and only fifty horse. Romana - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 24.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -had an interview with him at Chaves, while the -enemy were preparing for their vain attempt to -pass the Minho; and they had resolved upon -attacking the French at Tuy, when they learnt -that Soult was advancing up the river. They -then took up a position for the defence of -Chaves, the Spaniards upon the right bank of -the Tamega from Monterrey to that fortress, -Silveira from the bridge of Villaça to Villarelho. -The Portugueze were elated by the failure of -the French in their attempt to cross the Minho, -which indeed had in some degree dispirited the -invaders; and Romana, though fully aware of -the inefficiency of his own force, had yet an -entire reliance upon the national character and -the spirit which had been raised. The secular -clergy as well as the monks were zealously aiding -him; the monks of S. Claudio, of S. Mamed, -and of S. Maria de Melon, and the parochial -priest of the latter place, distinguished themselves -especially in this good work. His orders -were, that all should take arms who were capable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">227</span> -of using them, and that the remaining part of -the population wherever the French came should -abandon their houses, and carry away all provisions.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Difference between M. Soult and M. Ney.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>These orders were very generally obeyed. -The small parties of the French were harassed -or cut off wherever they appeared; and when -Soult approached Ribadavia a brave resistance -was made in the village of Franzelos and before -the town. The peasantry were not dispersed -till great carnage had been made among them; -and the invaders upon entering the town found -only about a dozen persons remaining there. -Detachments were dispatched against the peasantry -on all sides, and the greater part of the -artillery was sent back to Tuy, as much because -of the opposition which was experienced, as -owing to the state of the roads. At Orense - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations de M. Soult, 92–99.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -part of the people remained, and the magistrates<a id="FNanchor_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> -submitting of necessity, came out to -meet the French. Here Marshal Soult received -dispatches from Ney; the contents were kept -secret, but it was reported that Ney advised him -not to pursue his intention of entering Portugal. -The report considerably affected the superior -officers, and those especially who, having belonged<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">228</span> -to Junot’s army, understood the horrible -sort of war in which they were again to be engaged. -The two Marshals were upon ill terms -with each other, and a spirit of dissension was -thus introduced into the army.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rout of Romana’s army.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>After remaining more than a week at Orense, -endeavouring by force to suppress the peasants, -and by allurements to seduce the higher classes -from their duty, Soult resumed his march for -Portugal, by way of Monterrey and Chaves. In -this line he expected to find a road practicable -for artillery, and he thought Romana would be -so effectually crushed, that he should meet with -no enemy capable of molesting him in that -quarter. He had sent a trumpet to that general’s -outposts, requesting permission for an -officer to pass with a letter to the Marquis. It -was granted. The letter merely contained an -offer of honours and employments in the Intruder’s -name, if Romana would acknowledge -him as King, and bring over his troops. Romana -having glanced at the contents, bade the -bearer return, and say that the only answer to -be given to such proposals was from the mouth -of the cannon: but the real object of the overture -was, that the officer who had been selected -for this service might reconnoitre the position; -and this the Spaniards, unaccustomed as they -were to military precautions, gave him full -opportunity of doing. On the following day -General Franceschi was ordered to attack their -right, which was posted to the south-east of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">229</span> -Monterrey, on the heights of Orsona. The -rout was so complete, that the actual loss did -not amount to more than some 300 slain, and as -many prisoners: the French considered the dispersion -of the army which ensued as its destruction, -and believed that Romana had fixed upon -so remote a point as Asturias for the rallying -place. While Franceschi was thus employed -on the right, Laborde attacked the vanguard of -the Portugueze at Villaça, who retired<a id="FNanchor_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> at night, -after a good resistance, losing one of their two -guns.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French remove their sick to Monterrey.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French had left 200 sick and wounded -at Ribadavia; they had removed them to Orense, -where nearly 500 were added to the number, -and now the whole were ordered to Monterrey, -in so insecure a state did Soult consider the -country which he was leaving. The old works -at Monterrey, he thought, might be so repaired -as to render that place tenable, and make it -serve as a base for his line of operations. There -and in the little town of Verin, on the opposite<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">230</span> -side of the Tamega, which contained about 2000 -inhabitants, scarcely twenty persons had remained; -and the French began to doubt the -saying of Buonaparte, that men with bayonets -could want for nothing. The fugitives, however, -had left wine in Verin; and in order to pay -some part of his establishment, Soult raised a -few thousand pounds by a loan from the troops, ... -part of the money which had been thrown away -in Sir John Moore’s retreat. General Merle -was left to collect his division there, forming -the reserve, and the rest of the army advanced -down the Tamega, to enter Portugal, before -any effectual preparations could be made for -resisting them. Marshal Soult was so apprehensive - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations de M. Soult, 107–111, 115.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -lest the troops should suffer in health, -that when they crossed the river by a ford little -more than knee deep, he erected two temporary -bridges there for the infantry.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Chaves.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Chaves is the frontier town of Portugal on -that side, as Monterrey is that of Spain; both -are on the Tamega, a river which, rising in the -Sierra de S. Mamed, and watering the fertile -vales of Monterrey and Oimbra, enters Portugal -at Chaves, turns again into Galicia among -the mountains of Barroso, and re-entering <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">Tras -os Montes</i>, joins the Douro at <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">S. Miguel de -Entre ambos os Rios</i> with a stronger and larger -volume of waters than is borne to it by any -other of its tributary streams. Chaves is known -to have been the <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">Aquæ Flaviæ</i> of the Romans, -so named because of its hot springs, and in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">231</span> -honour of its founder Vespasian. The baths, -when flattery in course of nature was out of -date, supplanted the memory of the Emperor; -and the place then obtained the more appropriate -name of <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">Aquæ Calidæ</i>, which in process -of time was abbreviated and corrupted into -Chaves. The springs are said to be more efficacious -than any other in Portugal; but the -buildings which formerly served to accommodate -invalids who came to seek relief from these -waters were demolished by the Conde de Mesquitella, -toward the close of the seventeenth -century, in order that the guns might command -the approach on that side without impediment: -he has been censured for this as having committed -a certain mischief for the sake of a frivolous -precaution. At that time Chaves was -considered a place of importance. The walls -were now in many places fallen to decay, and -though the citadel was in better repair, both it -and the town were commanded from several -points, and at short distances.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Silveira retires from Chaves.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Whatever hopes Silveira might have entertained -of opposing the French with the assistance -of Romana’s army, he was fully sensible -after the rout of the Spaniards that he could -neither stand his ground in the vale, nor defend -the dilapidated works of the town with men of -whom the greater number were half armed and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 7.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -wholly undisciplined. On the day therefore -when the enemy entered Monterrey he gave -orders for evacuating Chaves, and withdrew to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">232</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />March.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the heights of Outeiro Joam, and S. Pedro de -Agostem. Small as the regular force was which -he commanded, Portugal, he well knew, could -ill afford to lose it; opportunity for seriously -annoying the invaders was likely to occur, but -to expose his men now would be vainly and -wantonly to sacrifice them. Thus he reasoned; - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Some mutinous officers resolve to defend it.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -but the spirit of insubordination was abroad. -The peasantry, in ignorant but honest zeal, -insisted upon defending the place, and they -were supported by certain of his officers, who -were actuated some by mere presumption, others -by the intention of ingratiating themselves with -the enemy, whom they thus should serve. To -Chaves therefore these persons returned, and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Diario Official. Correio Braziliense, t. iii. p. 110–11.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the vanguard which, having been stationed at -Villarelho to observe the French, he had ordered -to follow him, joined with this party, and prepared -to defend the town, in contempt of his -authority. If Silveira’s character had been any -ways doubtful, or if he had been less esteemed -and less beloved by the soldiers, he must at this -time have fallen a sacrifice to popular suspicion.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Surrender of Chaves.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Part of the enemy’s advanced guard came in -sight of Chaves the next day. On the following -Silveira went into the town, and endeavoured, -but in vain, to convince the refractory officers -that it was not possible to oppose any effectual -resistance. Again on the morrow he entered -it, summoned all the superior officers to a -council of war, and protested against the resolution - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 10.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -which had been taken, explaining at the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">233</span> -same time the grounds of his opinion. All the -officers agreed with him except those who by aid -of the populace had taken upon themselves the -command. By this time the place was invested -on three sides, and Soult summoned the general -to surrender. Silveira returned a verbal answer, -that he had nothing to do with the defence of -Chaves, but only with the army which he commanded; -he then retired to the Campo de S. -Barbara. A letter from Marshal Soult followed -him, requiring him to retain the army and govern -the province in the Emperor Napoleon’s name, -and spare the effusion of blood which must -otherwise follow. Silveira replied by word of -mouth, that one who had the honour to command -Portugueze could give ear to no such proposals; -and that he would never listen to any except -that of Marshal Soult’s surrender. Meantime -a fire was kept up from the place with as little -effect as judgement, and the French suffered -some loss from the peasantry and from small -parties who were on the alert to seize every occasion. -A second summons was now sent in; -by this time the ardour of the refractory troops -had begun to cool, and the self-elected commandant -dispatched a messenger to Silveira, -requesting orders. Silveira’s reply was, that he -who had taken upon himself to defend Chaves -contrary to his orders must act for himself. -He desired, however, that the officers who were -in the place might be directed to bring off the -troops during the night, saying that he would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">234</span> -cover their retreat by bringing down a greater -force upon Outeiro Joam. The movement was -made on his part; but he looked in vain for any - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Diario Off. Cor. Braz. 112.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -attempt on the part of the garrison, and on the -following morning they surrendered prisoners -of war.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French establish their hospital there.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>It was now seen what motives had influenced -the promoters of this mock defence, for all the -staff-officers offered their services to the Emperor -Napoleon; the troops of the line followed -their example, but with a very different intention, -and took the first opportunity to escape. -Marshal Soult could spare no force for marching -off his prisoners, nor for securing them at -Chaves; he therefore required an oath from the -militia and peasants that they would never again -bear arms against the French, and dismissed -them. This conduct excited murmurs among -those who would rather, after the example of -their Emperor, have made sure work. If Junot -had commanded the army, they said, the place -would have been stormed as soon as they appeared -before it. Marshal Soult was not a jot -more scrupulous than his predecessor; but at -this time the treasonable disposition which -had been manifested by a few officers led him -to suppose that it might be more easy to conciliate -the Portugueze than he had found it to -coerce their neighbours, and under this persuasion -he established his hospital at Chaves; accordingly -the sick and wounded were once more -removed, and about 1400 were left there with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">235</span> -a small force for their protection under the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">chef -de bataillon</i> Messager. The Marshal then announced -his appointment as Governor-general - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations de M. Soult, 118–124.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -of Portugal, ... the rank which Junot (whom -the Portugueze called the Duke <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">in partibus</i>) had -held, and proceeded on his march.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Preparations for defence at Porto.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>His effective force consisted at this time of -21,000 men, the country through which he had -to pass is one of the most defensible in Europe, -nor would it be possible any where to find a -peasantry better disposed to defend their hearths -and altars, nor better able, had there been common -prudence to direct their willing strength. -But the military profession had fallen in Portugal -to the lowest point of degradation; and governments -which weaken every thing for the miserable -purpose of rendering a corrupt and anile -despotism secure, find themselves powerless and -helpless at the first approach of danger. The -Portugueze in these provinces were aware that -invasion would be attempted, though they -knew not on what side; and the effect was to -produce tumults among the people, insubordination -in the soldiers, apprehension, vacillation, -and confusion among the chief officers and rulers, -and a state of suspicious excitement which predisposed -the public mind equally for impulses -of furious cruelty or of unreasonable panic. -The Bishop of Porto applied to the Regency for -succours; but Lisbon at that time was itself as -likely to be attacked, nor indeed had the government -any troops upon whom the slightest -confidence could be placed. How capable the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">236</span> -Portugueze were of becoming good soldiers, -though well understood by those who knew the -people, and indeed not to be doubted by any -who had any knowledge of human nature, had -not yet been tried: with excellent qualities and -the best disposition they were perfectly inefficient -now. The Bishop had been offended with -Sir Robert Wilson for having passed into Spain -with a body of Portugueze troops. The consequences -of Sir Robert’s movement to Ciudad -Rodrigo had been more important than he himself -could have anticipated, and yet in leaving -Porto he lost one of the fairest occasions that -was ever presented to an active and enterprising -spirit. Acting as he did there with the full -concurrence of the Bishop, and possessing his -confidence, there was time to have disciplined -a force which might have impeded the passage -of Soult’s army through the strong defiles it had -to pass, and have presented a resistance at Porto -as successful as that of Acre, and more fatal to -the enemy. The means of defence were in -abundance, order and intelligence for directing -them alone were wanting. The population of -the city may be estimated at 80,000, and there -were 2000 troops of the line there, 3000 militia, -and 15,000 <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">ordenanças</i>; the latter half armed, -and the greater part without discipline. A line -of batteries was erected round the city and -suburbs, extending from the Castle of Queijo -on the coast to the village of Freixo on the -Douro; the line was about three miles in extent, -and between two and three hundred pieces<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">237</span> -of artillery were mounted there in thirty-five -batteries. Had it been well constructed, a large -force would have been necessary to defend it: -but there had been as little skill in the formation -as in the plan; the batteries were without -parapets, and the houses and trees which -might afford cover to an enemy were not taken -down.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Advance of the French from Chaves.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Soult meantime, as soon as he had entered -Chaves, thought to cut off Silveira; but that general -frustrated his intent by retiring first to -the mountains of Oura and Reigaz, and then to -Villa Pouca, where he took a position with the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 13.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -determination of defending it. The French, -however, did not think this little force of sufficient -consequence to delay their march; and -sending out parties in different directions, in -the hope that the report of their entrance spreading -on all sides, might reach the Generals who -were to co-operate with them, but with whom -they had no means of communicating, they proceeded -by the Braga road. The resistance which -they found evinced the brave spirit of the people, -and the incapacity of those who commanded -them. The villages were abandoned, stragglers -were cut off, they were fired upon by the peasantry -from the heights and the cover of crags -or trees; any military attempt to impede them -was conducted with so little skill or order, that -it served only to confirm their contempt for the -nation upon whom they had brought and were -about to bring such unutterable miseries; but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">238</span> -sometimes a handful of Portugueze stood their -ground with a spirit like that of their ancestors; -and sometimes an individual would rush upon -certain death, so he could make sure of one - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations de M. Soult, 128.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Frenchman, knowing that if his countrymen -would act upon the same principle of life for -life, the kingdom would soon be delivered from -its unprovoked invaders.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Tumults at Braga.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Bernardim Freire, not knowing whether the -enemy would take the way by Braga or by Villareal, -had given orders to secure the positions of -Ponte de Cavez and Salto on the latter road, -Ruivaens and Salamonde on the other: his head-quarters -were at Braga, a city which had long -been in a state of strange confusion. The clergy -with whimsical indecorum had embodied themselves -to serve as a guard of honour for the -Primate till their services should be needed for -the defence of the place; and part of the exercise -of this ecclesiastical corps was with one - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Dialogo entre Braga e o Porto, 19–21.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -hand to take off the hat at the Ave Maria bell, -and present arms with the other. Men lose -their proper influence when they go out of their -proper sphere; and the extraordinary circumstances -which justified the clergy in taking arms, -and even increased their authority while they -acted individually either in the ranks or in command, -did not save them from ridicule when -they thus exposed themselves to it as a body. -At any time this would have been an evil; it -was especially so when the bonds of authority -had been loosened, and envy, cupidity, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">239</span> -hatred were under no restraint. General Freire -had neither the talents nor the character to command -respect; and on his return from inspecting - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 15.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the positions at Ruivaens and Salamonde -he had been insulted and menaced by the rabble -at S. Gens. On the following day, having -received intelligence that the enemy were on -the way to Ruivaens, he went to the heights of -Carvalho d’Este, with the intention of occupying -a strong position there, not indeed in any -expectation of defeating the enemy, for having -just military knowledge enough to see all the -difficulties of his situation, he knew himself and -the men under his command too well to entertain -any hope; but time he thought might be -gained for removing the stores from Braga, and -whatever else could be saved. It was soon understood -that the pass of Ruivaens had been -forced, and this intelligence was presently followed -by the fearful tidings that the French -had won the defiles of Salamonde also. His -only thought now was of retiring upon Porto; -and having dispatched in the night an order -written in pencil to his adjutant-general for removing -the military chest from Braga, and advising - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 17.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Parreiras, who commanded at Porto, of -the enemy’s approach, he entered the city in -the morning, and found it in a state of complete -anarchy. His dispatches had been seized and -opened by the mob, and some of his messengers -murdered. Conceiving that his only course -now was to provide for the defence of Porto,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">240</span> -he gave orders accordingly. The populace were -of a different opinion; they thought the position -at Carvalho d’Este ought to be defended, -and considered it either an act of cowardice or -of treason to let the French advance without -resistance. Freire, however, left the city without -receiving any injury, and took the high road - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sentença sobre as Atrocidades, &c. Corr. Braz. iv. 521–531.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to Porto. At the village of Carapoa the peasants -detained him as a traitor; he was rescued -by the timely arrival of a commandant of brigade, -and proceeded with a guard of twenty -men for his protection; but falling in presently -with a party of <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">ordenanças</i>, they seized him, and -insisted upon taking him back to Braga.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>General Freire murdered.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Meantime the peasantry from all sides had -flocked to that city, some retreating before the -French, some hastening to meet them; some -armed with pikes, those who had fowling-pieces -looking for ammunition, all demanding to be -embodied and led out against the enemy. At -this juncture Baron d’Eben arrived on his retreat, -in obedience to the General’s instructions. -This Hanoverian nobleman, who was then a -major in the British service, and equerry to the -Prince of Wales, commanded the second battalion -of the Lusitanian legion, and after Sir -Robert Wilson’s departure for the frontier had -continued to train his men with a diligence and -success which won the confidence of the people. -The populace crowded round him, seized -the reins of his horse, exclaimed that they were -determined to defend the city, reviled the General<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">241</span> -for not leading them against the invaders, -and insisted upon his taking the command. -Baron d’Eben promised to assist their patriotic -exertions in the best manner he could, but said -it was necessary that he should first speak with -the General. By thus complying with their -wishes he hoped to obtain an ascendancy which -might enable him to prevent excesses; and for -the moment he seemed to have succeeded, for -they allowed him to leave the city for that purpose -with an escort of an hundred <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">ordenanças</i>. -They had not proceeded far before they met -Freire on foot between two ruffians, who held -him by the arms, and followed by a ferocious -mob, who threatened to fire upon D’Eben when -he attempted to interfere. Yielding to a rabble -whom he was unable to oppose, he turned his -horse toward Braga; the rabble then cheered -him, and when he reached the house where his -quarters were, thither the unfortunate General -was brought. Freire called upon him for protection; -but when the Baron endeavoured to -lead him into the house, one of the infuriated -multitude thrust at the General with a sword, -and wounded him slightly under D’Eben’s arm. -He got, however, within the door, and D’Eben -hoping to save him by employing the people, -went out and ordered the drum to beat, and the -<i xml:lang="es" lang="es">ordenanças</i> to form in line. The mob continued -to fire upon the house where Freire was sheltered; -and D’Eben then, as the only means of -saving him, proposed that he should be put in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">242</span> -prison. This was done: and seeing him as he -thought safe there, he yielded to the clamours -of the people, who required to be led against -the enemy. Accordingly he formed them in -such order as he could, and set out. Presently -a firing was heard in the city, and he was informed -that the rabble had dragged out the -General from the prison, and murdered him -with circumstances of atrocious cruelty. Men, -like wild beasts, when once they have tasted -blood, acquire an appetite for it. The cry of -treason, while it served as a pretext for old enmities -and private designs, deceived the ignorant -and inflamed the furious; and several persons -of rank, as well as many of Freire’s officers, -were butchered in the city and in the neighbouring -villages.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Portugueze routed before Braga.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The command was now a second time forced -upon Baron d’Eben by acclamation, and to him -the papers of the murdered General were -brought. He sealed them up, dispatched them -to Porto, and prepared as well as he could to -put his tumultuary force in order. The bells -from all the churches were ringing the alarm, and -the <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">ordenanças</i> were coming in at the call: no -preparation had been made for supplying them -with food when they were ordered to their stations, -nor were there any cartridges which would -fit their pieces. A single mould was at length -found of the just size, lead was taken from the -churches, and bullets were made during the -night as fast as this slow process would allow.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">243</span> -Meanwhile the French vanguard under Generals -Franceschi and Laborde, with the brigade -of General Foy, arrived before the position of -Carvalho, which a part of this tumultuary force -had occupied, about five miles in front of Braga. -During three days frequent attacks were made, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 20.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and the Portugueze kept their ground. By this -time the other divisions of the French had come -up, and D’Eben had collected about 23,000 men; -2000 consisted of regular troops, the legion and -the Braga militia; of the remainder only 5000 -were armed with fire-arms, and most of these -had only three rounds of ammunition. Such a -multitude was little able to withstand the well-concerted -and well-sustained attack of a disciplined -force nearly equal in numbers. They -were presently routed, and the French having -found one of their fellow-soldiers horribly mutilated -by some ferocious persons into whose - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations de M. Soult, 142.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -hands he had fallen, showed little mercy in the -pursuit. D’Eben and some of his officers attempted -in vain to rally the fugitives, that they -might defend the city; the answer to all his exhortations -was, that there was no ammunition. -The last act of the rabble was to murder those remaining -objects of their suspicion whom D’Eben -had hoped to save by putting them in prison.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French enter Braga.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French might impose upon the world by -representing the dispersion of this tumultuous -assemblage as a splendid victory; but they could -not deceive themselves concerning the temper -of the nation, when upon entering the city they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">244</span> -found it deserted by all its inhabitants, and -stripped of every thing which could be carried -away. If their light vanity could be elated with the -vaunt that in the course of eleven days they had -won many battles, taken two towns, and forced -the passage of a chain of mountains, there was -enough to abate their pleasure, if not their pride, -in the fact that empty houses were all that they -had gained; that they were masters of no more -country than their troops could cover, and only -while they covered it; and in the ominous apprehension -excited by knowing how deeply and -how deservedly they were hated by the people -whom they had invaded. They consoled themselves -with the thought that the rich merchants -of Porto would not abandon their property as -the people of Braga had done their dwellings; -and Marshal Soult was not sparing of professions, -that it was with regret he had been compelled -to employ force, when his only object in -entering Portugal was to deliver that fine country -from the ruinous yoke of the English, the eternal -enemies of her prosperity. Some of the inhabitants -were induced to return, and one was -found timid or traitorous enough to take upon -himself the office of Corregidor by Marshal -Soult’s appointment. The most important business -which this wretched instrument of the enemy -was called upon to perform was to provide them -with food; for which purpose he was instructed -to assure his countrymen that if they did not -bring in provisions, the French would take them;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">245</span> -that in that case the officers could not control -the men; it would therefore be for their own - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. 146–8.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -interest to act as they were required to do, and -for all which they supplied they should receive -receipts, payable in a manner afterwards to be -explained.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>They appear before Porto.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>After resting his army three days, and leaving -700 sick and wounded in the hospitals, Soult -proceeded on his march. One division, which - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 24.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -found the bridge over the Ave at Barca da Trofa -broken down, and the ford guarded too well to -be passed without loss and difficulty, succeeded -in winning and repairing the Ponte de S. Justo -over the same river, higher up. The Ponte de -Ave also was forced by Colonel Lallemand in a -second attempt; and the officers who defended -it were murdered by their men, who, feeling in -themselves no want of courage or of will, imputed -every reverse to treachery in their leaders. -Without farther opposition the enemy advanced -upon Porto, and the Marshal sent in a summons - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 28.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to the Bishop, the magistrates, and the General, -in the usual French style, protesting that the -French came not as enemies to the Portugueze, -but only to drive away the English; and that -the rulers of the city would be responsible before -God and man for the blood that would be -shed, and the horrors which must ensue, if they -attempted to oppose an army accustomed to -victory. It was not without danger that the -summons could be delivered; and General Foy, -who either being deceived by the gestures of a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">246</span> -party of soldiers, or mistaking them, advanced -to receive their submission, was surrounded and -carried into the city. A cry was set up that -they had taken Loison; and Foy would have -been torn to pieces, in vengeance for Loison’s - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. 159–168.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -crimes, if he had not possessed presence of mind -enough to lift up both hands, and thus prove to -the people that he was not their old one-armed -enemy.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Oliveira murdered.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The persons in authority had sufficient influence -to save his life, and put him in confinement -for security; but they were unable to protect - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Vol. ii. p. 64.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Luiz de Oliveira, who having been deservedly -thrown into prison in June, had been -left there as if forgotten, with that iniquitous -neglect of justice which had long been usual -in Portugal. He was murdered and dragged -through the streets by the rabble; and a few -other victims perished in this last explosion of -popular fury. The Bishop, who appears to have -been at that time in the battery of S. Francisco -encouraging the troops, saw now what had been -represented to him vainly, though in time, that -the works were too extensive, as well as too weak. -He had been advised to strengthen them by -throwing up works <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">en flèche</i>, to place 1500 of -the best troops in their rear, as a reserve for -supporting the point which should be attacked, -and to throw up a second line close under the -suburb, and have the houses loop-holed, in preparation -for that sort of defence which the inhabitants -were in a temper to have maintained,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">247</span> -had there been spirits to have directed them, as -at Zaragoza. None of these things had been -done; and the Bishop, sensible when too late of - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The bishop leaves the city.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the errors which had been committed, and the -value of the time which had been lost, and perceiving -also too many proofs of that confusion -which insubordination always produces, crossed -to the left bank of the Douro during the night, -leaving the ill-planned and ill-constructed works -to be defended by an inadequate force and an -inefficient general. All night the bells of all the -churches were ringing the alarm; the churches -were filled with supplicants, the streets with a -multitude, who wasted in furious demonstrations -that strength which should have been reserved -for the defence of their streets, and houses, -and chambers. At midnight a storm of wind -and rain and thunder broke over the city, and -while the lightnings flashed above, a useless discharge -of cannon and musketry was kept up by -the Portugueze along the line, at which the -enemy gazed as at a spectacle, for not a shot -could reach them. Soult had given orders that -the works should be attacked at six on the ensuing -morning, which was Good Friday. Napoleon -and Glory was the word. The storm ceased - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. 168–9.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -about three, and the attack was postponed till -seven, that the soil might have time to dry, so -as not to impede the troops in their movements.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Porto taken.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>General Parreiras before the attack was made -had lost all hope of opposing a successful resistance. -Yet when the enemy attacked the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">248</span> -Prelada, a <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">quinta</i>, or country-seat, about a mile -from the city, where the lines formed an angle, -they did not force it without a loss of 500 men, -including two <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">chefs de bataillon</i>. Having forced -it, they flanked the greater part of those troops -who did their duty. The right and left were -attacked also; a panic soon spread: in less -than an hour after the commencement of the -action, the General seeing that all was lost, had -crossed the bridge, and the French were in the -town. A tremendous carnage ensued; the -cavalry charging through the streets, and slaughtering -indiscriminately all whom they overtook: -for an officer who accompanied General Foy -the preceding day had been killed, having attempted -to defend himself when the General -surrendered, and the circumstance of his death -was made a pretext for this butchery. But the -greatest destruction took place in the passage -of the river; the inhabitants rushed to the -bridge of boats in such numbers, that the first -pontoon sank under their weight; the crowd -from behind still pressed on, forcing those who -were foremost into the stream, and themselves -in like manner precipitated in their turn; the -French meantime keeping up a fire of grape-shot -upon the affrighted and helpless fugitives. -From three to four thousand persons are supposed -to have perished thus; and not satisfied -with this, the enemy kept up a fire from the -most commanding points upon those who were -endeavouring to cross in boats. Of the numbers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">249</span> -who were thus killed a large proportion consisted -of women and children. But in this -miserable day neither sex, age, nor innocence -could obtain mercy, nor manly and heroic -courage command respect from the inhuman -enemy. The men, and they were not few, who -did their duty, singly or in small parties where -a handful of brave Portugueze had got together, -were put to the sword. About two hundred, -whom the French praised in reality when they -intended to depreciate them by calling them -the most fanaticised, collected near the Cathedral, -and fought till the last man was cut down. -The scenes which ensued were more odious and -more opprobrious to humanity than even the -horrors of this carnage; the men, however, were -not allowed to commit enormities of every kind -till they were glutted, as they had been at - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Col. Jones’s Acc. of the War, i. 195.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Evora. Marshal Soult exerted himself to check -their<a id="FNanchor_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> excesses with an earnestness which, even<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">250</span> -if it proceeded from mere motives of policy, -must be recorded to his honour. And he had -some officers to second him with true good will -in this good work; for though the miscreants -were with him who had disgraced their country -and their profession by the atrocities which -they had perpetrated or permitted at Evora and -Leiria, there were others who abhorred the -iniquitous service in which they were engaged, -and who were members of a secret society, the -object of which was to throw off Buonaparte’s -yoke, and restore peace to France and Europe.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Soult remains at Porto.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Complete as his success had hitherto been, -and little as it had cost him, Marshal Soult did -not find it advisable to push on for Lisbon. He -now knew what was the spirit of the nation, -and he was without any intelligence from Lapisse -and Victor, whose movements were to be -combined with his. He applied himself therefore -to securing what he had won, and endeavoured -to conciliate the Portugueze, and raise -a party among them in favour of the ambitious -designs which, like Junot, he appears now to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">251</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />April.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -have formed. For this purpose a newspaper -was published at Porto a week only after its -capture, and the first number opened with a -panegyric upon the conqueror because he had -not totally destroyed the city. While the streets -were yet stained with the blood of the carnage, -and there was mourning in every house, and -bodies were every day cast up by the river and -along the sea-beach, ... while it was stated officially -in the Madrid Gazette that the whole -garrison had been put to the sword, ... Marshal -Soult was panegyrized for clemency! The -dreadful catastrophe which Porto had suffered, -said his writers, might serve as a warning for -all who undertook great enterprises without -calculating the means, or looking on to the end. -But amid the horror with which so severe an -example affected every feeling heart, there was -abundant matter of consolation for minds capable -of weighing things in the balance of philosophy. -Towns carried by assault had invariably, -among the most civilized nations, paid -with their total destruction the penalty of their -contumacy. This was the fate which Porto had -had to apprehend; and from this it had been -spared by a hero who always listened to the voice -of mercy, and in whose heart valour and humanity -contended for the ascendance!</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Disposition of the inhabitants.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Portugueze are not so light a people as -to be thus easily deceived. They had seen the -tender mercies of the French too recently to be -duped by their professions, and not more than a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">252</span> -sixth part of the inhabitants remained in Porto -under their government. If this proof of their - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. 183.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -disposition augured ill for the French, it lessened -the difficulty of providing for the city, which -was an object of no small anxiety to the captors. -They who had undertaken to supply the troops -went into the country by night to make their -bargains with persons whom they could trust, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Do. 206.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and the supplies were brought in darkness at a -stated hour to a stated place; for if any person -had been seen engaged in thus administering to -the enemy, his life would have been the penalty -of his treason. When the English property -was put up to sale, not a person would bid for -it: an individual at last ventured to offer about -a third part of its value for certain goods, but -before four-and-twenty hours had elapsed he -absconded, either for the fear of being marked -as one who had dealt with the French, or unable - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. 205.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to bear the shame of having been the only Portugueze -in Porto who had thus disgraced himself.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Marshal Soult’s views respecting the Liberals and the Jews.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>There were, however, in Portugal, as in every -country, men who have no other principle than -the determination of promoting their own interest -by any means; and there were some few -who entertained that abject and superstitious -faith in Buonaparte’s fortune which his partizans -and flatterers every where endeavoured to promote. -Some also there were who, in their vehement -abhorrence for the besotted despotism -and the filthy superstition which degraded their -country, had renounced their national feeling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">253</span> -and their Christian faith. The scheme of Soult’s -policy was to make such persons (whom he supposed -more numerous than they were) stand -forward as a party, engage them in the irremissible -offence of swearing fidelity to Napoleon -and obedience to his representative, and employ -them in corrupting their countrymen, and -in watching and subjugating those whom they -could not seduce. For this purpose he had his -emissaries in the capital and in the provinces to -spread disaffection by representing the abuses -and evils both of the civil and ecclesiastical -system, ... abuses which it was hardly possible -to exaggerate, and evils which in themselves -and in their consequences were only more tolerable -and less pernicious than the iron tyranny -which Buonaparte would have substituted in - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Campaign of 1809 in the Peninsula, 15. Do. Appendix A.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -their place. Marshal Soult had also conceived -the strange intention of making the Jews, whose -number in Portugal he estimated at 200,000, -avow their religion under the protection of -France, and hold upon an appointed day a -general feast for the success of the Emperor’s -arms. It is probable that he overrated them as -greatly as he mistook their character; but if -they had been mad enough to act in conformity -to his wishes, a general massacre would have -been the certain consequence. For the old inhuman -prejudice against this persecuted race, -when yielding to wiser laws and the spirit of -the age, had been revived by the manner in -which Buonaparte courted them. It was observed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">254</span> -by some of the Spanish journalists, that -when the Turks were the terror of Christendom, -they had derived their information from the -Jews, who were their instruments every where; -and the promise of Buonaparte to abolish the -Inquisition provoked only from the Spaniards -the remark that this measure must have been -suggested by some Israelite of the Sanhedrim.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>His hopes of becoming King of Northern Lusitania.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Among the Portugueze who, from the perversion -of good feelings, or the original prevalence -of base ones, were open to corruption, -persons were found to forward the design which -Soult had now formed of becoming King of -Northern Lusitania. Buonaparte’s formation of -new principalities and kingdoms for his brothers -and favourites had made the generals of this -new Alexander suppose that his conquests would -be divided among them, and a petty kingdom -under this title had been carved out in the secret -treaty of Fontainebleau. A deputation of twelve -principal inhabitants of Braga, as they were represented -to be, waited upon the Marshal, and -published in his gazette an account of their interview -with him, and an address in consequence -to the Portugueze people. They assured their -countrymen that Marshal Soult had conversed -with them at great length upon the produce, -commerce, and interests of the province between -the rivers, in a manner which formed a striking -contrast to the conduct of their old government. -That government, they said, had been indifferent -about all things except the raising of its<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">255</span> -revenues. The flight of the Prince Regent -amounted to a voluntary abdication of the -throne, and a happy futurity might now be anticipated -under a better dynasty. The House -of Braganza, said these traitors, no longer exists. -It is the will of Heaven that our destinies should -pass into other hands; and it has been the peculiar -favour of Divine Providence to send us a -man exempt from passions, and devoted to true -glory alone, who desires to employ the force -entrusted to him by the great Napoleon only -for our protection and deliverance from the -monster of anarchy which threatened to devour -us. Why do we delay to assemble round him, -and proclaim him our father and deliverer? -Why do we delay to express our anxiety to see -him at the head of a nation, of whose affections -he has made so rapid a conquest? The sovereign -of France will lend a gracious ear to our -supplications, and will rejoice to see that we -desire one of his lieutenants for our King, who, -in imitation of his example, knows how to conquer -and to pardon.</p> - -<p>Such an address could not have been published -in a journal which was under French superintendence -unless it had been in unison with -Soult’s designs. On another occasion, when -he gave audience to a second deputation from -Braga, and to the civil, religious, and military -authorities of Porto, the obsequious traitors requested -that till the supreme intentions of the -Emperor should be ascertained they might be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">256</span> -allowed to swear fidelity to his most worthy representative, -who had so many claims upon the -love, respect, and gratitude of the Portugueze. -The Marshal expatiated as usual in reply upon -the felicities which were about to be showered -upon Portugal under a French master: “As to -what concerns myself,” he added, “I feel obliged -by the frank expressions which you have used -relating to my person; but it does not depend -upon me to answer them.” He had, however, -depended so much upon realizing this dream of -ambition, that proclamations were prepared, -announcing him as King. It was fortunate for -the parties concerned that they went no farther; -for one of his staff, who was supposed to be a -principal agent in the scheme, was recalled to -Paris, and Buonaparte, addressing him by name -at a grand levee, said to him, “Take care how - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Col. Jones’s Hist. of the War, i. 199, note.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -you draw up proclamations! My empire is not -yet sufficiently extended for my generals to -become independent. One step farther, and I -would have had you shot.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He visits the church of N. Senhor de Bouças.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Expecting no such impediment to his hopes, -the “worthy representative” of Buonaparte -proceeded, as his master had done in Egypt, to -show his attachment to the religion of the people -whom he came to govern. There is a famous -crucifix, known by the name of Nosso Senhor -de Bouças, in the little town of Matosinhos, -upon the coast, about a league from Porto. According -to tradition it is the oldest image in -Portugal, being the work of Nicodemus; and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">257</span> -though the workman neither attempted to represent -muscle nor vein, it is affirmed that there -cannot be a more perfect and excellent crucifix. -Antiquaries discovered another merit in it, for -there has been a controversy concerning the -number<a id="FNanchor_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> of nails used in the crucifixion, and in -this image four are represented, agreeing with -the opinion of St. Gregory of Tours, and the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>D. Rodrigo da Cunha, Cat. dos Bispos do Porto, pp. 393, 4.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -revelation made to the Swedish St. Bridget. -The sea cast it up, and its miraculous virtue -was soon attested by innumerable proofs. One -of the arms was wanting when it was found; -the best sculptors were employed to supply this -deficiency; but in spite of all their skill not one -of them could produce an arm which would fit -the place for which it was designed. One day -a poor but pious woman, as she was gathering -shell-fish and drift-wood for fuel, picked up -upon the beach a wooden arm, which she, supposing -that it had belonged to some ordinary -and profane image, laid upon the fire. The -reader will be at no loss to imagine that it -sprung out of the flames, ... that the neighbours -collected at the vociferations of the woman, ... -that the priests were ready to carry it in procession -to the church of N. Senhor; and that -the moment it was applied to the stump whereto<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">258</span> -it belonged, a miraculous junction was effected. -Our Lord of Bouças became from that time one -of the most famous idols in Portugal; and on - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Corografia Portugueza, t. i. 361.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the day of his festival five-and-twenty thousand -persons have sometimes been assembled at his -church, coming thither in pilgrimage from all -parts.</p> - -<p>To this idol Marshal Soult thought proper -to offer his devotions. He and his staff visited -the church, and prostrating themselves before -the altar, paid, says his journal, that tribute of -respect and reverence which religion requires -from those who are animated with the true -spirit of Christianity. “There cannot,” continued -the hypocritical traitor who recorded -this mummery, ... “there cannot be a more affecting -and interesting spectacle, than to see a -Great Man humbling himself in the presence of -the King of kings and Sovereign Disposer of empires. -All the inhabitants of Matosinhos who -were present at this religious solemnity were -wrapt in ecstasy!” The French Marshal testified -his great concern at hearing that the plate -and jewels and ornaments of the church had -been carried off; and he promised the rector -that he would offer two large silver candlesticks -to Nosso Senhor, and dedicate a silver lamp to -him, and assign funds to keep it burning night -and day, and, moreover, that he would double -the stipend of the rector and the sacristan. -“Let this fact,” said his penman, “be contrasted -with what we have been told respecting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">259</span> -the irreligion of the French troops and their -leaders! It is time to open our eyes, and to -acknowledge the hand of Providence in the -events which have befallen us. How fortunate -are we that Heaven has destined us to be governed -by a hero who possesses a heart disposed -to be deeply and warmly impressed with the -majesty of our holy religion, and who aspires -only to make it shine forth with new and never-fading -splendour! Let the calumniators be confounded, -and the timid be tranquil! Our hopes -ought to be re-animated now that they have obtained -a support, which, resting on religion, -and lifting its head above the storms, promises -them entire realization.”</p> - -<p>Not a word of restoring the spoils of the -church had been said by Marshal Soult; ... his -promise of the lamp and the funds for the oil, -and the increase of salaries, was confirmed by a -decree in which he dedicated the lamp, assigned -a revenue of sixteen milreas for its support, -and doubled the incomes; as far as the -decree went he performed his promise ... and -no farther. His situation, indeed, was becoming -too perilous to allow him time for the farce of -superstition. On one hand the events in Galicia -alarmed him, ... on the other he learnt that -the English, instead of evacuating Lisbon, were -expecting a fresh army there; and that General -Beresford was already arrived, with the title of -Field-marshal conferred upon him by the Prince -of Brazil, to take the command of the Portugueze<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">260</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />March.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -army, and reorganize it. He had experienced -the courage and the patriotism of the -Portugueze, and knew that discipline was all -they wanted to make them as formidable in the -field as their forefathers. From the centre of -Spain he could expect little assistance, so rapidly -had the Spaniards re-formed their armies; ... -and from France itself no reinforcements were -to be looked for, for Buonaparte was even -obliged to withdraw troops from the Peninsula, -that he might march against the Austrians.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Chaves retaken by Silveira.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The first ill news which reached him was -from Chaves. Bernardim Freire had directed -Silveira, as soon as the enemy should enter -Portugal, to retire by the passes of Salamonde -and Ruyvaens, and so join the main force assembled -for the defence of Portugal. The spirit -of insubordination which broke out at Chaves -seems to have frustrated this purpose. Silveira -waited till the last in the vicinity of that place, -hoping to bring off the garrison when they -should feel that it was untenable: failing in that -hope, he found it necessary to fall back before -the French in a different direction to Villa -Pouca. The enemy, believing that his little -army was what they called demoralized, had -contented themselves with making a strong -reconnoissance there under General Lorges, for -the double motive of deceiving the Portugueze -with regard to their intended march, and intimidating -the country; then pursued their way, -holding the force which they left behind them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">261</span> -in as much contempt as that which they advanced -to attack. But no sooner had Silveira -ascertained their movements than he returned -to his position at S. Barbara; and when the last -party of the enemy’s cavalry had withdrawn -from observing him to follow the main body, he - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 20.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -entered Chaves, easily overcoming the little -resistance which the garrison were able to make. -Messager, the commandant, withdrew into the -fort, where the Portugueze, having no artillery, -blockaded him for four days: on the fifth they -prepared to take it by escalade; the French -then proposed to capitulate, on condition of -marching out with arms and baggage to join -Marshal Soult. Five minutes were allowed them -to determine whether they would surrender prisoners -at war, and they were glad to secure -their lives by submitting to that condition. -About 1300 men were thus taken, and 114 -Spaniards whom Soult had left there as prisoners -were restored to liberty. Silveira then followed -the steps of the enemy. Hearing that they had -entered Braga, his intention was to cut off their -garrison there, as he had done at Chaves; but -while he was arranging measures for this, he -learned the fate of Porto, and marched in consequence -toward Villa Real. On the way he -was informed that the enemy intended to enter -Tras os Montes by way either of Canavezes or -of a little town known by the awkward name -of <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">Entre ambos os rios</i>, from its position near -the point where the Tamega falls into the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">262</span> -Douro. Immediately he occupied both places, -repulsed the French in two attempts upon the -former, and reaching Amarante himself just as -a party of the enemy, having burnt the villages -of Villa Meam, Manhufe, and Pildre, were advancing - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Diario Official. Corr. Braz. iii. 113, 115.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to take possession of it, he made them -retire to Penafiel, and entered that city the next -day on their withdrawing from it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Proceedings at Coimbra.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Silveira’s activity raised the hopes of the Portugueze: -it was said in Porto that he would -soon take his coffee in that city, and this was -repeated to Soult, who desired Silveira might -be assured that he would provide him with -sugar for it. The jest is said to have kept up - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. p. 199.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the spirits of those Portugueze who had consented -to serve the French interest. But the -cup which they had prepared for themselves -was one which, drug it as they might, nothing -could sweeten. Every sacrifice and every success -on the part of their countrymen, every act -of heroism and virtue, every manifestation of -the old national spirit, was a reproach to them; -and tidings which would have elated and rejoiced -their hearts if they had not fallen from -their duty, brought to them feelings only of -fear, and shame, and self-condemnation. The -Portugueze were so persuaded of their own -strength, and the experience even of the preceding -year had so little abated that persuasion, -that they had considered it impossible for the -French to enter Porto, or had expected at least -that the city would have made a long and glorious<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">263</span> -resistance. And yet the tidings of its capture, -with all the shameful and all the dreadful -circumstances that attended it, occasioned no -consternation. That miserable event was known -at Coimbra on the following day; it was known -also that no means had been taken for removing -the boats and destroying the bridge; that the -part which had been broken by the crowd of -fugitives had speedily been repaired by the -enemy, and that their advanced parties had -proceeded as far as Grijo. It was considered -certain that they would lose no time in occupying -so important a city as Coimbra and the intermediate -country, one of the finest and most -fertile parts of the kingdom. Colonel Trant, -who commanded there, knew how inadequate -his means were to prevent this; but he knew -that efficient aid might soon be expected from -England, that much might sometimes be done -by mere display, and by the judicious use of a -scanty force, and that if the evil could be but -for a little while delayed, it might ultimately be -averted.</p> - -<p>The force at his disposal consisted of the Coimbra -militia and a detachment of volunteers -who had enlisted for the army, in all 500 men; -but to these an academical corps of 300 was -immediately added, the students offering themselves -with that alacrity, and displaying that -promptitude and intelligence, which belong to -youth in their station. The people began to -recover confidence when they knew that one<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">264</span> -party from this little force took the road to -Aveiro and another that to Sardam, the two directions -in which Coimbra might be approached -from Porto. Report magnified the designs of -Colonel Trant and the means which he possessed; -and the double good was produced of -encouraging the Portugueze and delaying the -progress of the French, who, if they advanced -to Coimbra, would have commanded the resources -of a fertile country, have approached -nearer to the armies with which their operations -were to be combined for effecting the conquest -of the kingdom; and moreover, in case of failure, -would have had an easier retreat open through -Beira. A most timely supply was obtained from -the magistrates of Aveiro, who having consulted -the Camara of Coimbra, placed the public money -which had been collected in their city at Colonel -Trant’s disposal, and also a considerable magazine -of maize and other grain, ... both being thus -secured from the enemy, into whose hands they -must otherwise have fallen, if even a slight detachment -had been sent thither. The fugitives -from Porto and from that part of the country -which the invaders occupied found in Coimbra -all the assistance that could be afforded, and -were thus prevented from carrying the panic -farther; and the soldiers who had escaped the -butchery were refitted and re-embodied as they -came in. Colonel Trant offered the command -to Baron d’Eben; but the Baron knew by experience -what it was to command a hasty and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">265</span> -tumultuous force, and chose rather to employ -himself in re-collecting his battalion of the Lusitanian -Legion. It was offered also to the Portugueze -Brigadier Antonio Marcellino da Victoria; -but he had witnessed the fate of Freire, -and desired to accompany Trant as a simple -volunteer. In addition to the force which was -thus augmenting, two squadrons of regular -troops unexpectedly arrived in Coimbra, with -their commander, the Visconde de Barbacena: -they had been ordered in a different direction; -but being mostly natives of the Campo de Coimbra, -they had insisted upon going to defend -their own immediate country, and the Viscount -deemed it better to obey their inclinations than -withstand a spirit of insubordination to which -he might too probably have fallen a sacrifice. -Colonel Trant removed them as soon as possible -out of the city, and separating them from the -other troops, stationed them in advance at Mealhada. -The Commander-in-chief being duly apprized -of what had occurred, gave orders that -these troops should remain under his command; -and the men, whose intentions had been good -when their conduct was most irregular, were -thus brought again into the line of duty.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Col. Trant takes a position upon the Vouga.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>With this motley force, a week after the capture -of Porto had been known, Colonel Trant -set forth. Taking the students’ corps under his - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">April 6.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -own command, he advanced toward Aveiro, and -effected the important purpose of securing the -boats and provisions in that port. The right<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">266</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />April.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell -(who had escaped from the carnage at Porto), -he sent to the bridge of Vouga. That river -(the Vacca of the ancients) rises in the Serra -de Alcoba, and having received the Portugueze -Agueda, which brings an equal volume of waters, -enters the Lake of Aveiro, and forms a harbour -there not less beautiful than singular: it is separated -from the sea by two long wings of sand, -and if the entrance were but good, would be -perhaps the most commodious and capacious in -Europe. A party of the enemy had crossed by -the bridge of Vouga, and recrossed by that of -Marnel, leaving in all the intermediate places -the accustomed marks of their sacrilegious barbarity. -They were part of a considerable cavalry -force, under General Franceschi. For having -taken Porto, and being masters of the Douro, -the French, accustomed to consider military -posts and the course of rivers as every thing, -and the people as nothing in the scale, held that -the country as far as the Mondego was already -theirs by right of conquest; and Franceschi’s -division would have advanced to occupy Coimbra -if he had not thought that the force opposed -to him was respectable both in numbers and -quality. Its number, which the enemy supposed -to be from ten to twelve thousand, did not in -reality exceed 2000, even after two companies -of grenadiers had joined them from Guarda. -They had been stationed there under Camp-Marshal -Manoel Pinto Bacellar’s command; but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">267</span> -choosing to act upon their own judgement -in those days of general insubordination, they -compelled their officers to conduct them to the -Vouga, as the place where they might soonest -be enabled to act against the invaders of their -country. With regard to the quality of this -little force, the French supposed that there -were English troops with it, and a great proportion -of English officers. A panic seized -Campbell’s men; they fled towards Coimbra; -some of the fugitives joined Trant, and added -in no slight degree to the anxieties of his situation -by the alarm which they communicated. -The academical corps indeed, under his immediate -command, was one in which he placed just -confidence; but the fatal consequence of exposing -the flower of a nobility and gentry like -ordinary lives had been severely felt in England -during the great rebellion; and the Portugueze -remembered an example still more ruinous of -the same prodigality, when with their King -Sebastian they lost every thing except their -honour. He addressed them therefore on this -occasion; told them they would have to contend -against superior numbers, and hinted at -the reproaches which he might bring upon himself -if he should lead so large a portion of the -illustrious youth of Portugal to destruction. -The address produced the animating effect for -which it was intended, and they answered him -with a general exclamation of <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">Moriamur pro -Rege nostro</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">268</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cruelties of the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Fortunately the enemy gave him time; they -were delayed by the expectation of Victor’s advance, -by Silveira’s movements, and by ill news -from Galicia; and Trant profited by their inactivity -to guard the bridges, remove the boats, -and bring over the flocks and herds of that pastoral -country from the northern bank, the owners -assisting in this the more readily when they saw -some of their cattle seized by the French. Whether -it were that Marshal Soult despaired of -conciliating the people whom he came to invade -and enslave, or if the system of severity was -more congenial to his own temper as well as to -that of the tyrant whom he served, he endeavoured -at this time to intimidate them by measures -as atrocious as those which his predecessor -Junot had pursued. Such Portugueze as -he suspected of communicating either with -Trant or Silveira were hung from the trees -along the road side, with or without proof, and -their bodies left to putrefy there, all persons -being forbidden to bury them. Deep as was -the detestation of such enemies which this conduct -excited, there were other actions at this -time which excited, if possible, a stronger feeling -of indignant abhorrence. A party of disbanded -militia, with a Portugueze Lieutenant-Colonel -at their head, surprised a <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">chef d’escadron</i> -near the village of Arrifana, and killed him and -three dragoons of his escort. He was one of -the Lameth family, so noted in the first stage -of the French revolution; and having been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">269</span> -Soult’s aide-de-camp, had served in the Peninsula -with a zeal which could never have been -employed in a worse cause. Having been a favourite -with the commander and his staff, it -was determined to take vengeance for his death; -it had taken place in a part of the country of -which they had military possession, and they -thought proper therefore to consider it as an - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>See vol. i. p. 161, and vol. ii. p. 134. -<br /> -Operations, &c. p. 196.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -action not conformable to the laws of war. General -Thomieres, who had been accustomed to -such services, was sent to inflict what the French -called an exemplary and imposing chastisement, -... not upon the individuals concerned, -for they were doing their duty elsewhere in defence -of their country, but upon the people of -Arrifana indiscriminately. A French detachment -accordingly entered the village at daybreak, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">April 17.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -seized twenty-four of the inhabitants, -marched them into a field, and, having tied -them in couples back to back, fired upon them -till they were all killed. The rest of the villagers, -... brethren and sisters, parents, wives, -and children, were compelled to be spectators -of this butchery; the village was then set on -fire, and many of the women and girls carried -into an Ermida or chapel, and there<a id="FNanchor_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> violated.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Positions of the French and Portugueze on that side.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Satisfied with keeping the country north of -the Vouga in subjection, and believing that -Trant’s corps consisted of ten or twelve thousand -men, the enemy made no attempt to pass<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">270</span> -that river; Franceschi, who commanded the cavalry, -having his head-quarters at Albergaria -Nova, and Thomieres at Villa de Feira, where, -and at Ovar and Oliveira d’Azemeis, the infantry -were stationed. Trant, cautious of exposing -his real weakness, advanced only his -scanty cavalry to the Vouga; the foot were quartered -in Sardam and Agueda, flourishing and -industrious villages, which are separated only -by the Agueda, a small but navigable stream. -The road from thence toward Porto passes -through a pine forest, and there, profiting by -the broken ground, he had fortified a position, -where the enemy could have derived no advantage -from their cavalry if they should pass the -Vouga. From hence he communicated with -Silveira, and even with Porto itself, where there -were some citizens ready to expose themselves -to any hazard in the hope of serving the national -cause.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Romana captures the garrison at Villafranca.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>To gain time in this quarter while a British -force was soon and surely expected, was to gain -every thing: and Marshal Soult was not in a situation -to turn his undivided attention in that -direction. Tidings for which he was little prepared, -even after what he had experienced of -the Galician spirit, came upon him from Galicia. -The news of Romana’s defeat before -Monterrey had been circulated over that province -with such exaggerations as were deemed -likely to intimidate the people. The French -affirmed that Romana himself had been taken<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">271</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />March.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -prisoner; they fired salutes and made rejoicings -for their victory, and proceeded even to the -mockery of offering thanksgiving in the churches. -Romana meantime collected and rested his harassed -troops at La Puebla de Sanabria: in spite -of all the enemy’s artifices his real situation was -soon known to the Spaniards, and deputations -from some town or village came every day to -this faithful General, assuring him that the Galicians -were and would continue true to their -country. Some 3000 new levies from Castille -joined him there, and finding himself more secure -and more hopeful than at any time since -he had taken the command, he resolved upon -striking a blow against the enemy upon the line -of posts which they occupied from Astorga to -Villafranca. The walls of the former city, ancient -as they were, were not to be won without -artillery; but Villafranca had no other fortress -than the old castle or palace of the Marqueza -de Astorga, which the French had occupied; -and there he determined to attack them, moving -first upon Ponferrada, where he made some prisoners, -and recovered a good quantity of corn, -several four-pounders, and one dismounted -twelve-pounder, part of his own stores and artillery. -Having remounted the larger gun, Romana -dispatched his Camp-marshal D. Gabriel -de Mendizabal to attack the garrison at Villafranca. -That officer’s first care was to get between -them and Galicia, while the commander-in-chief -intercepted their retreat towards Astorga:<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">272</span> -for this purpose he proceeded to Cacabelos, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 17.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and sent one detachment round by the -right to occupy the bridge at the other end of -the town, while another filed round by the left -to join it there; every horseman taking up a -foot soldier behind him to ford the Valcarce, -and the smaller river which falls into it. Mendizabal, -with the remainder of the troops, advanced -along the road. His advanced parties -drove in the French at all points, till they retired -to the castle. The twelve-pounder was -brought up; but the Spaniards found that the -French fired securely from the old fortification -while they themselves were exposed; upon this -they entered, and, with fixed bayonets, advanced -to storm the castle. Mendizabal was at their -head; a ball passed through his clothes without -wounding him. He summoned the enemy to -surrender, and upon their hesitating what answer -to return, repeated the summons with a -threat, that if they refused, every man should -be put to the sword. The white flag was then -hoisted, and a negotiation begun, which the -French were conducting with a view to gain -time, till the Spanish commander cut it short, -by allowing them a quarter of an hour to surrender -at discretion. Upon this they submitted; -Mendizabal then, as an act of free grace, permitted -the officers to keep their horses and portmanteaus, -and the men their knapsacks; and -the colonel-commandant of the French, in returning -thanks for this generosity, complimented<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">273</span> -him upon his good fortune in having captured -the finest regiment in the Emperor Napoleon’s -service. The prisoners were about 800. The -Spaniards lost two officers and thirty men, -eighty-two wounded. The result of the success -was, that the Bierzo was cleared of the -French, who fell back from the neighbouring -part of Asturias upon Lugo, there to make a -stand, supported by their main force, which was -divided between Santiago, Coruña, and Ferrol.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Efforts of the Galicians.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Ney had still a predominant force in -Galicia after Soult’s army was departed; there -were garrisons in every town which was sufficiently -important, either for its size or situation, -to require one, and the French had military -possession of the province. But they had yet -to subdue the spirit of the people; and the Galicians, -who had no longer an example of panic -and disorder before their eyes, carried on the -war in their own way. Captain M’Kinley in -the Lively frigate, with the Plover sloop under -his command, arrived off the coast to assist -them. He discovered none of that apathy for -their own country, none of that contented indifference -who was to be their master, none of -that sullen and ungrateful dislike of the English, -of which the retreating army had complained -so loudly; he heard from them only expressions -of gratitude to the British government -and praise of the British nation; he perceived -in them the true feelings of loyalty and patriotism, -and saw in all their actions honest, enthusiastic<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">274</span> -ardour, regulated by a cool and determined -courage. The invaders attempted, by -the most unrelenting severity, to keep them -down. On the 7th of March a party of French -entered the little towns of Carril and Villa Garcia, -murdered some old men and women in the -streets, set fire to the houses of those persons -whom they suspected of being hostile to them, -and then retreated to Padron. To lay waste -villages with fire, abandon the women to the -soldiery, and put to death every man whom -they took in arms, was the system upon which -the French under Marshals Ney and Soult proceeded. -Such a system, if it failed to intimidate, -necessarily recoiled upon their own heads; -and the thirst of vengeance gave a character of -desperation to the courage of the Galicians. -About an hundred French were pillaging a convent, -when Don Bernardo Gonzalez, with two-and-thirty -Spaniards, fell upon them, and did -such execution while the enemy were in disorder -and encumbered with their plunder, that -only sixteen escaped. During three days the -French attempted to destroy the peasants of -Deza and Trasdira; the men of Baños and Tabieros -came to aid their countrymen, and the -invaders at length retreated with the loss of 114 - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 9.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -men. A party from Pontevedra entered Marin: -here the Lively and the Plover opened their fire -upon them, and as they fled from the English -ships, their officers fell into the hands of the -peasantry. In this kind of perpetual war the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">275</span> -French were wasted; a malignant fever broke -out among them, which raged particularly at -their head-quarters in Santiago, and many who -had no disease died of the fatigue which they -endured from being incessantly harassed, and -kept night and day on the alarm.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Barrios sent into Galicia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>D. Manuel Garcia de Barrios, who held the -rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, had arrived in Galicia -early in March with credentials from the -Central Junta authorising him to take such -measures as he might deem expedient for its -recovery, ... and this was all with which the government -could furnish him. He had, however, -two brave and able officers under him, -D. Manuel Acuña and D. Pablo Morillo, then a -young man, who had already distinguished himself - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Vol. ii. p. 460.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -upon the Tagus. These officers took the -coast and the interior in this military mission, -while Barrios took the southern part of the province; -and they communicated with Romana -and Silveira. Barrios was with the latter General -when the French approached Chaves, and, -being prevented by an accident from leaving -the town with him, was shut in there during its -short siege. Aware that if the enemy recognised -him they would probably put him to -death, or at best compel him to choose between -imprisonment and taking the oaths to the Intruder, -he escaped over the walls when they -entered the place, and remained for some days -secreted in a cottage, suffering severely from a -fall and from want of food, and having lost<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">276</span> -every thing, even his papers. He made his -way, however, to the Valle Real de Lobera, -where he thought Romana would have taken -some measures for raising men; and there he -found the spirit which he expected. His report -of himself and of his commission was believed, -though he had no credentials to produce: -a Junta was formed, volunteers were raised, and -there, in a confined district, where they were half -blockaded by the enemy, plans were laid for -the deliverance of Galicia, Barrios having for -his coadjutors the abbots of S. Mamed and -Couto. Their communication with Romana -was impeded by the French at Lugo; but they -received tidings of co-operation in another quarter -where they had not looked for it, and prepared -with all alacrity to take advantage of the -opportunity that offered.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Portugueze and Galicians blockade Tuy. -<br /> -March 10.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>While Soult was before Chaves a party of -Portugueze, under Alexandre Alberto de Serpa, -crossed the Minho near its mouth, and were -joined at Guardia by the peasantry; in a few -days some thousand men had collected; the -Mayorazgo, D. Joaquin Tenreyro, put himself -at their head, and their parish priests acted as -officers. The two Abbots, who had taken the -title of Generals, and disputed which should be -called Commander-in-chief of Galicia, compromised -their difference by electing Barrios -commandant-general of the province of Tuy -and division of the Minho, and they set out -with all the force they could muster to join one<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">277</span> -party of these insurgents who blockaded the -French in Tuy, while Morillo and Acuña were -directed to join the others, who, officered as -they were, undisciplined and ill equipped, had -proceeded to besiege the enemy’s garrison in -Vigo. It had been Soult’s intention, neglecting -all points of less importance, to concentrate -in Tuy all the troops belonging to his army whom -he had left in Galicia. But when a column of -about 800 men, under the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">chef d’escadron</i> Chalot, -bringing with it the heavy baggage of the general -officers and the military chest, was on the way -thither from Santiago, General Lamartiniere -ordered them to Vigo, where the resources were -greater both for the men and horses.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Vigo.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The town of Vigo is situated in a bay, which -is one of the largest, deepest, and safest in the -whole coast of the peninsula. It is built upon -a rock; but, notwithstanding the severe loss -which the Spaniards, during the War of the -Succession, suffered in that port, no care had -been taken to fortify it; it had merely a wall, a -fort flanked with four bastions on the land side, -and an old castle, equally dilapidated, toward -the sea. The neighbourhood of Ferrol has made -it neglected as a naval station, and Galicia is too -poor a country for foreign commerce. There -was, however, a manufactory of hats there, which -were exported to America; and a fishery was -carried on so extensively as to afford employment -for thirty mercantile houses. It derived -some importance also from being the seat of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">278</span> -government for the province of Tuy. The -population amounted to 2500. Sir John Moore -had at first fixed upon this port as the place of -his embarkation, and ordered the transports -there; and the delay occasioned by waiting till -they came round Cape Finisterre to join him at -Coruña gave time for the French to come up, -and for that battle, which, while it redeemed -the character of the army, proved fatal to himself.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Spaniards appear before Vigo.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Captain Crawford, in the Venus frigate, was -off the port, and he wrote to Captain M’Kinley, -who was then at Villa Garcia, in the Lively, -telling him how much the presence of his ship -would contribute to the success of the Spaniards. -Meantime Morillo arrived to examine the state -of the siege. He learnt that a reinforcement of -1800 French were at this time in Pontevedra, -about four leagues off. They had to cross the -bridge of St. Payo, over a river which discharges -itself into the head of the Bay of Vigo, and -Morillo immediately took measures for defending -the passage. From Don Juan Antonio -Gago, an inhabitant of Marin, who was at the -head of 500 peasants, he obtained two eight-pounders, -and from the town of Redondella one -twenty-four and two eighteen-pounders. With -these means of defence he entrusted this position -to Don Juan de O’Dogherty, a lieutenant in the -Spanish navy, who had the command of three -gun-boats. While he was taking these necessary -measures, part of Romana’s army, which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">279</span> -Soult boasted of having destroyed a fortnight -before, drove the enemy back from Pontevedra, -and took possession of the town. Morillo joined -them; and being of opinion that the reduction -of Vigo was the most important object which -could then be undertaken, they proceeded to -that place.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Recapture of that place.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French governor Chalot, a <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">chef d’escadron</i>, -had replied to every summons which Tenreyro -sent him, that he was not authorised to -surrender to peasantry. Captain M’Kinley -having now arrived, he was again summoned to -surrender, and negotiations were begun, which -continued till the third day, when Morillo joined -the besiegers with the force from Pontevedra, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 26.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -consisting of new levies and retired veterans, -1500 of whom had come forward to assist in the -deliverance of their country; a council of war -was held, by which Morillo was appointed commander-in-chief, -and requested to assume the -title of colonel, for the sake of appearing of -more consequence to M. Chalot, whose complaint -it was, that he was not summoned by an -officer of sufficient rank. Having been thus - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 27.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -promoted to accommodate the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">chef d’escadron</i>, -he sent him a summons in due form to surrender -within two hours. Chalot replied, that he could -not possibly capitulate till he had heard the -opinion of the council of war, of which he was -president; the members were at present dispersed, -and he required twenty-four hours to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">280</span> -collect them. Morillo returned a verbal answer, -that he granted him another two hours, and the -French, after ineffectually attempting to prolong -the term, delivered in their proposals of capitulation, -which were, that they should march out -with arms, baggage, the whole of their equipage, -and with the honours of war; that they should -be conveyed in English vessels to the nearest -French port, on parole not to bear arms against -Spain or her allies till exchanged, or till peace -should have taken place; that the money belonging -to the French government, and destined -for the payment of the troops, should remain in -the hands of the paymaster, who was accountable -for it; and that the papers relating to the -accounts of the regiments should be preserved; -finally, that the troops should not lay down their -arms, nor the town and forts be delivered up, -till the moment of embarking. Morillo, with -the three French officers who brought these -proposals, and two Spaniards, went on board -the Lively, to lay them before Captain M’Kinley, -and answer them with his concurrence. -The answer was in a spirit becoming England -and Spain. The garrison were required to -ground their arms on the glacis, and surrender -themselves prisoners of war, the officers being -allowed to retain their swords and wearing apparel, -nothing more. The demand respecting -the money was refused; the place was to be -taken possession of as soon as the French<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">281</span> -grounded their arms, and if these articles were -not ratified within an hour, hostilities were to -recommence.</p> - -<p>The officers who were sent to negotiate agreed -to these terms, but the ratification was delayed -beyond the hour allotted; and the Spaniards, -who were prepared to execute what they had -threatened, began the assault between eight and -nine at night; while those who had muskets -kept up a fire upon the enemy, others began to -hew down the gates. An old man particularly -distinguished himself at the gate of Camboa, -by the vigour with which he laid on his strokes, -splintering the wood, and when a ball went -through him, by the composure with which he -died, happy to have fallen in the discharge of -his duty, and in the hour of victory. D. Bernardo -Gonzalez, the commanding officer of the -detachment from Pontevedra, sprang forward, -and taking up the axe of the dead, continued -the same work, notwithstanding he was thrice -wounded; till a fourth wound disabled him, and -he was borne away: seven Spaniards fell at this -point. Meantime Morillo was informed that -the capitulation was now ratified, and forcing -his way through the ranks amidst the fire, with -great difficulty he made himself heard, and put -a stop to the assault.</p> - -<p>On the following morning, when Morillo had -made preparations to enter and occupy the place, -information was brought him from the little -town of Porriño, that a reinforcement from Tuy -was on the way to the French. Porriño is about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">282</span> -a league to the eastward of the road between -these two places, and equidistant about two -leagues from both. News, therefore, could not -be brought so soon but that the troops must -closely follow it. Morillo instantly sent off a -part of his force as secretly as possible to intercept -them, and he remained hurrying the embarkation -of the French, by telling them that -he could not restrain the rage of the peasantry. -How well they had deserved any vengeance -which the peasantry could inflict the garrison -were perfectly conscious, and were therefore as -eager to get on board as Morillo was to see -them there. In this haste, the baggage could -not be examined conformably to the capitulation, -for the hurry of both parties was increased -by hearing a firing from the town. The troops -from Tuy had arrived under its walls, and, to -their astonishment, a fire was opened upon them. -They were attacked, routed, and pursued with -such vigour, that out of 450, not more than a -fifth part escaped; seventy-two were taken prisoners, -and sent on board to join their countrymen; -the rest were either killed or wounded. -The military chest, containing 117,000 francs, -had been delivered up according to the terms; -but an examination of the baggage was thought -necessary; about 20,000 more were discovered; -and the whole of both<a id="FNanchor_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">10</a> sums was distributed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">283</span> -among the troops and peasantry. Never had a -more motley army been assembled: ... men of -all ranks and professions bore arms together at -this time in Galicia; among those who distinguished -themselves were soldiers and sailors; -D. Francisco Sanchez Villamarin, the Alferez -of a band of students from Santiago; the Abbot -of Valladares, and the first preacher of the Franciscans, -Fr. Andres Villagelvi.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Blockade of Tuy.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French had at this time 5000 men at -Santiago, where they were fortifying themselves. -Morillo hastened to place Pontevedra in a state -of defence against them, and to secure the bridge -of S. Payo, that they might not be able to form -any farther junction; for they were now calling -in all their smaller detachments, and General -Lamartiniere had then collected about 3300 -men in Tuy, including some 1200 invalids. A -fire which was opened against that place across -the river from Valença was soon silenced, and -the efforts of the disorderly besiegers were not -more effectual. Report magnified their numbers -to 20,000; but when Barrios arrived to -recompose the dispute between the General-Abbots, -by taking the command, he found only -a fifth part of the estimated force, and only a -fourth of these provided with muskets. Having -obtained six pieces of cannon from Salvatierra -and Vigo, and a scanty supply of ammunition -from the same places, from Bayona, and from -his Portugueze neighbours at Valença and Monçam, -he carried on the blockade in spite of all -the efforts of the garrison.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">284</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />April.</span> -<hr /> -The Portugueze recross the Minho.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Soult was under no small anxiety for -this place; he had recommended it to Ney’s -especial care; but he had reason to fear that -Ney would have sufficient employment for all his -force; and he knew what effect the fall of a -second garrison would produce not upon the -people of the country alone, but also upon his -own men; for he was not ignorant that the -better spirits in his army detested the service -upon which they were employed, and that many -even of the worst dreaded it. After entering -Braga he dispatched a party of horse in that -direction, for of the many messengers whom he -had sent to Tuy since he marched from thence -on his expedition into Portugal, not one had -returned. They learnt at Barcellos that it was -blockaded, that it had thrown shells into Valença, -and that the garrison were strong enough -to sally and incommode the besiegers. Soult -could take no measures then for their relief, -and he supposed that the news of his success -in Portugal would alone relieve them to a considerable -degree, by drawing off the Portugueze -from the blockade: so in fact it proved; they -recrossed the Minho as soon as they heard of -his entrance into Braga, and it was their departure -which enabled Lamartiniere to make -his unfortunate attempt for relieving Vigo.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French in Tuy relieved and withdrawn.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Having removed his sick and wounded from -Braga to Porto, for they were safe nowhere but -under the immediate protection of the army, -the Marshal sent Generals Graindorges and -Heudelet to relieve Tuy and subdue the intermediate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">285</span> -country, where the Portugueze General -Botelho had put the Corregidor of Barcellos to -death for having welcomed the French on their -former reconnoissance from Braga. They entered - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">April 8.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Ponte de Lima after some resistance; the -weak and dilapidated fortress of Valença was -surrendered to them, and Barrios, who upon - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">April 10.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -tidings of their movements had made an unsuccessful -attack upon Tuy, retired during the -night to S. Comba. The French boasted that -Lapella and Monçam, Villa Nova and Caminha -had opened their gates to them, and that the -fort of Insoa, at the mouth of the Minho, had -capitulated: the names carried as lofty a sound -as if the places were of any strength, or possessed -any importance, or could have been defended -against them, or held by them. But in fact the -only advantage expected or derived from the -expedition was that of removing with all speed -the garrison and all the moveable effects first -from Tuy to Valença, that they might be on -the safer side of the Minho, and then with -the least possible delay to Porto. In that city -Marshal Soult remained, unable to prosecute -his plans of conquest, and not more in hope of -co-operation from Lapisse and Victor, than in -apprehension that a British force might anticipate -their tardy movements.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">286</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XX" class="vspace">CHAPTER XX.<br /> - -<span class="subhead">OPERATIONS IN LA MANCHA AND EXTREMADURA. -BATTLES OF CIUDAD REAL AND MEDELLIN.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />March.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p><span class="firstword">Marshal</span> Soult imputed the failure of his -expedition to a deviation from the plan which -Buonaparte had prescribed, in not taking possession -of Ciudad Rodrigo. Lapisse had been -prevented from doing this when it might have -been done without difficulty, by the unexpected -appearance of Sir Robert Wilson in that quarter; -and Victor, who might have taken the place in -spite of any resistance which could then have -been opposed, was employed in operations more -likely to gratify the pride of the French, but of -much less importance to the iniquitous cause in -which they were engaged.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Plans of the intrusive government.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Reasons, however, were not wanting for this -change of plan. The danger from the spirit of -the people in Galicia and in Portugal had either -not been foreseen, or disregarded; while the -French, well knowing in how short a time men -of any nation may be made efficient soldiers by -good discipline, and seeing with what celerity, -after so many severe defeats, the armies of La -Carolina and Extremadura had been brought -into the field, deemed it necessary to attack -those armies before they should become formidable,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">287</span> -and destroy them, as far as their destruction -could be effected by the most merciless -carnage, ... for such Buonaparte’s generals, to -whose pleasure the government of Spain was in -fact entrusted, were determined to make. They -had been trained in the school of the Revolution, -and the temper which they had acquired there -fitted them for the service of such a master; and -Joseph’s miserable ministers, who had penned -their edicts of extermination in the hope of intimidating -their countrymen, had the misery of -knowing that those edicts were acted upon to -the letter. Wrung with compunction their hearts -were, for some of them had begun life with good -hearts, generous feelings, and upright intentions; -but having allowed themselves to be engaged in -an evil cause, they were now so far in blood, -that one deadly sin drew on another, in dreadful -and necessary series.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Effect of the war upon the French soldiery.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>By the letters which were intercepted at this -time it appeared that mothers and wives in -France congratulated themselves if the objects -of their affection were employed in Spain, rather -than in the Austrian war, so little did they apprehend -the real and dreadful character of such -a service. The armies in La Mancha were not -better supplied than those in Galicia; weeks -sometimes elapsed in which they received neither -bread for themselves nor barley for their -horses, having to subsist as they could by chance -and by plunder. This mode of life had given -them the ferocity and the temper of banditti,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">288</span> -and would have led to the total subversion of -discipline among any soldiers less apt for discipline -than the French. The infantry sometimes -murmured under their privations, delivered -their opinions freely, and held sometimes -towards their officers a language which might -be deemed insolent; but a jest produced more -effect upon them than a reprimand, a good-humoured -reply brought them into good humour; -and the prospect of action giving them -a hope of discharging their ill feelings upon the -Spaniards, always animated them, and made -them alert in obedience. The cavalry had -better means of providing for themselves, and -more opportunities of plunder; they therefore -were always respectful as well as submissive to -their officers, lest they should be dismounted -and deprived of these advantages. The character -of the service in which they were incessantly -employed gave both to men and horse -a sort of Tartar-like sagacity which perhaps had -never before been seen among the troops of a -highly civilized people. Savages could scarcely -have been more quick-sighted in discovering a -pass, detecting an ambush, or descrying a distant -enemy. And the attachment between horse -and rider became such, that if a trooper waking -from sleep saw by the condition of his beast -that in a fit of drunkenness he had over-ridden -or any ways abused it, he would in the first -emotions of self-reproach abjure wine and shed -tears, with imprecations upon himself, go on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">289</span> -foot whenever he could to spare the horse, and -give him the bread which should have been his -own portion. And yet this humanizing feeling -did not render them more humane toward their -enemies. Since the religious wars in France no -contest had been carried on with so ferocious a -spirit on both sides. That cruelty which in the -middle ages was common to all nations had been -continued among the Spaniards by the effects -of the Inquisition, and by their bull-fights, ... -among the French by the inhuman character of -their old laws, and afterwards by the Revolution; -on both sides it was called into full action, -retaliation provoking retaliation, and -revenge. Even the cheerfulness of the French, -which is their peculiar and happy characteristic, -which if not a virtue itself, is connected with -many virtues, and without which no virtue can -have its proper grace, ... even that quality was -corrupted by the dreadful warfare in which they -were engaged. Light minds go beyond the point -of fortitude in that disregard of death which the -continual presence of danger necessarily induces. -That which the wise and good regard with silent -composure is to them a theme for bravados and -heart-hardening mockery. It became common - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rocca, 84, 87.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -for the French, when they recognised a comrade -among the slain, to notice him not by any -expression of natural feeling, but by some coarse -and unfeeling jest. The evil here was to themselves -alone; but their oppressions were rendered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">290</span> -more intolerable, and their cruelties more -devilish, because they were exercised mirthfully.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Temper of the Spanish generals in La Mancha and Extremadura.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The armies under Cartaojal and Cuesta were -at this time in such a state that they deserved -to have been better commanded, if the government -had known where to look for better commanders. -With all Cuesta’s good qualities, his -popularity among the troops, his sure integrity, -his courage, and the enterprising energy which -in spite of age and infirmities he was capable -of exerting, caprice, obstinacy, and a desperate -rashness which no experience could correct, -made him a most unfit man to be trusted with -such a stake in such times. All his desire was -to meet the enemy in fair battle, where he could -draw out his men in full display; and if all his -men had been as thoroughly brave as himself, -the old man’s system would not have been erroneous. -Cartaojal, on the contrary, was so convinced -that discipline was every thing, and that -the best thing which could be done with his -troops was to drill them, that he let slip fair -opportunities of exercising them in successful -enterprise. It seems almost as if a fatality overruled -the councils of the Spaniards, both in the -cabinet and in the field; and that if these generals -had merely been interchanged, Cartaojal’s -caution might have saved the Extremaduran -army, and Cuesta’s enterprise have seized the -advantages which were presented to that of La -Carolina.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">291</span> -If severe measures could have restored discipline, -they were not wanting; and they were -used with such effect as for a time to stop desertion. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Reforms in the Spanish army.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -One essential reform was introduced. -All the infantry officers were till this time -mounted, and this practice occasioned a great -consumption of forage when forage could hardly -be obtained for the cavalry; it led also to these -farther inconveniences, that the march of the -columns was never conducted as it ought, for -want of the immediate presence and attention -of the officers; and that in case of retreat the -mounted officer had a facility for expediting -his escape which might operate as a dangerous -temptation upon such officers in such times. -No general could have ventured upon this needful -reformation without drawing upon himself -the ill-will of those whom it affected; the Junta, -however, sent orders that no person in the -infantry under the rank of major (except the -adjutant) should be allowed a horse. This was -done by British advice; and if there had been -no more jealousy of the British in inferior agents -than existed in the Central Junta, the cordial -co-operation of the two nations would have met -with no obstruction.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Duque de Alburquerque.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The most efficient arm of Cartaojal’s force was -the cavalry. It had been under the Marquez -de Palacios, who had the reputation of being -the best cavalry officer in Spain, and was at -this time commanded by the Duque de Alburquerque, -D. Jose Maria de la Cueva. This nobleman,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">292</span> -then in his thirty-fifth year, united in -his own person many of those names which are -most illustrious in Spanish history, and he had -inherited also in no diminished portion the best -and noblest qualities of that proud ancestry. -His education had been neglected, so that his -mind was not stored like Romana’s, neither -was it equally under self-government. But his -military talents were such as to impress upon -all who knew him the belief that if experience -and opportunity had been afforded, he would -have ranked among the great captains of the -age: for he was ardent without being incautious, -capable alike of planning with clear forethought -and executing with celerity, far-sighted, -prompt in decision, and above all endowed with -that true and rare nobility of soul which is -essential to true greatness.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He proposes offensive operations.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>A man of this stamp wins the love of the soldiery -as certainly as he obtains their confidence. -Hope became their ruling passion when Alburquerque -was present; and their success in some -enterprises, and the skill with which their commander -baffled the movements of the enemy in -others, gave the fairest prospect of success if -the system of enterprise were persevered in. -In pursuance of that system, and with the intention -of making a diversion in favour of -Cuesta, against whom there was reason to believe -that the French were preparing a serious -attack, the Duke proposed to advance upon Toledo, -where they had 4000 foot and 1500 horse,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">293</span> -with 12,000 or 15,000 infantry, 4000 horse, and -twenty pieces of horse artillery; and perceiving -but too well that his reputation and popularity -were regarded with jealous eyes, he advised -that the expedition should be not under his -own command, but that of a superior officer; -and he represented to Cartaojal that the object -of forming and disciplining the raw troops would -be carried on more certainly and securely while -that part of the army which was fit for service -occupied the enemy by harassing and keeping -them on the alarm. The plan was too bold for -one of Cartaojal’s temper; he saw the necessity -of training the army, and did not consider that -enterprise is the best training, and the only, -that can be carried on within reach of an active -enemy. He ordered him, however, to advance -with 2000 horse and four pieces of artillery; and -the Duke felt that, as an attempt made with -such a force could only end in a precipitate -retreat, the intention must be to wreck his reputation -by exposing him to certain failure.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>They are undertaken when too late.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>His representations, however, to the Junta -were so well seconded, that instructions came -for advancing upon Toledo with all the disposable -force of the army. But when Cartaojal -communicated this to the Duke, he ordered him -to deliver up the command of the vanguard to -D. Juan Bernuy, and march himself immediately -with Bassecourt’s and Echavarri’s divisions -of 3500 men and 200 cavalry for Guadalupe, -to reinforce Cuesta. It was sufficiently mortifying<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">294</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Duke sent to join Cuesta.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -for the Duke to be removed from the -cavalry which had acquired credit and confidence -while he was at their head, and this too -at the moment when the measure which he had -so strenuously urged was about to be undertaken; -but it was more painful to know that -the attempt had been delayed till there was no -longer any reasonable prospect of success. With -the little body of new-raised infantry which was -now placed under his command he began his -march for Extremadura, and the ill-fated army -of La Carolina commenced its operations at a -moment when it was thus deprived of the only -General who possessed its confidence.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cartaojal advances against the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The head-quarters of that army were at Ciudad -Real, the cavalry occupying a line from -Manzanares to that city through Damiel, Torralva, -and Carrion, and the infantry in the -towns to the left and in the rear of Valdepenas. -Cartaojal thought this a most advantageous position, -having the Sierra Morena behind him as -a sure refuge if he were defeated, whereas the -enemy, were they to be repulsed in an attack, -would be exposed in the open plains, and have -to cross the Zeucara and the Guadiana in their -flight. Having advanced to Yebenes, and found -the French ready to advance themselves, Cartaojal -retreated upon Consuegra; that place, to -his surprise, was occupied by the enemy in great -strength: he fell back, therefore, to his former -position, in the advantage of which he trusted, -... and there, eight and forty hours after he had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">295</span> -commenced this useless and harassing movement, -the French appeared in pursuit, drove in -his cavalry, and prepared to attack him in force -on the following morning. They were commanded -by General Sebastiani, who had superseded -Marshal Lefebvre. The action which - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rout of the Carolina army at Ciudad Real.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -ensued is, even upon their own accounts, disgraceful -to both parties; to the Spaniards, because - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 17.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -they were successively driven from every -point where they attempted to stand, and pursued -to the entrance of the Sierra; to the conquerors, -because Sebastiani stated in his official -report that the Spaniards fled on the first charge -without resistance, and that he had sabred more -than 3000 of them in their flight. Eighteen pieces -of cannon, and 4000 prisoners, including nearly -200 officers, were, according to the same report, -taken. The fugitives felt a confidence in the -Sierra which they had not done in their General, -and collected in considerable numbers at -Despeñaperros, Venta Quemada, and Montizon; -head-quarters were established in the village of -S. Elena, two leagues in advance of Carolina, -and the French, without pursuing them into -the mountains, halted at Santa Cruz, awaiting -there the success of Victor’s operations against -Cuesta.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations of Marshal Victor.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Victor’s corps, leaving La Mancha -about the middle of the preceding month, occupied -a line upon the Tagus from Talavera to -Almaraz; his head-quarters were at the latter -place, where he was preparing materials for a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">296</span> -floating bridge, Cuesta having blown up the -arches of the Puente de Almaraz. A bridge -was necessary here, because, though they could -have crossed the river at two other points, there -was no road from either of those points practicable -for artillery. But the bridge could not -be constructed while the Spaniards occupied a -post which effectually commanded the passage. -Cuesta was aware of these preparations, and -also that there was an intention of passing over -a detachment higher up to attack him on that -flank; accordingly he reinforced it, and removed -his head-quarters from Jaraicejo to Puerto de -Miravete, that he might be near the scene of -operations.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French cross the Puente del Arzobispo.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French detachment, as he had foreseen, -effected their passage at Puente del Arzobispo, -or the Archbishop’s Bridge, so called from its -founder, D. Pedro Tenorio. A wooden bridge - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 16.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -which existed in his days had been swept away -by a flood; and as it was there that pilgrims -from the western side of the river passed to pay -their devotions to the famous image of our Lady -of Guadalupe, he built the present edifice of -stone, and founded an hospital for their accommodation, -and a town, which he named Villa -Franca, but which soon took its appellation -more conveniently from the bridge. It became -a point of considerable importance in the -campaigns of this year. The enemy crossed - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 17.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -with little or no resistance, and the advanced -parties of the Spaniards fell back upon the division<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">297</span> -which was stationed at La Mesa de Ibor, -and thence, after an unsuccessful stand, to the -village of Campillo, but in good order; their -whole conduct having been such as to satisfy -the Commander-in-chief, who occupied a strong -position, and expected that he should well be -able to repel this division of the enemy, while -Camp-Marshal Henestrosa, with the vanguard, -would prevent their main body from establishing -their bridge at Almaraz.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cuesta retreats from the Puerto de Miravete.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>But the French, who had crossed at Arzobispo, -after dislodging the Spaniards from their -positions at Mesa de Ibor and Fresnedoso, -divided into two columns; the one proceeded -by the circuitous way of Deleitosa and Torrecillas, -with the intent of getting into Cuesta’s -rear, between Jaraicejo and Miravete, and thus -to cut off his communication and supplies; the -other marched by Valduaña toward the bridge -of Almaraz, to dislodge Henestrosa, and thereby -free the passage of the river. Cuesta’s army -consisted of about 16,000 men; the French -were little if at all superior in numbers, but he -believed that they had 20,000 foot and 3000 -cavalry; and learning that Henestrosa, under -the belief that his right was threatened by a -superior force, had withdrawn from his post, -and that the enemy had already begun to cross -the Tagus, he determined to retreat toward -Truxillo, lest he should be attacked at the same -time both in the front and in the rear. This - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -brave old man was cautious when he ought to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">298</span> -have been bold, and rash in enterprise when he -ought to have been cautious. Had Henestrosa -been supported in time (for there had been -time enough to support him), the ground was -so strong, and the Spaniards in such a temper, -that the French could hardly have reached the -position at Miravete without sustaining a loss -severe enough to have crippled them. In pursuance -of this unwise resolution, on the night -of the 18th he began his retreat, with the intention -of forcing his way through the French -corps, which he expected to fall in with, and of -taking up the best position he could find for his -own subsistence, and for covering the frontiers -of Andalusia. But by thus abandoning an excellent -position, he left Extremadura open to a -hungry enemy.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Skirmishes at Truxillo and Miajadas.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>When the Central Junta were informed of -these movements, they imputed the disastrous -measure to Henestrosa’s abandonment of his -post, and ordered Cuesta to proceed against -him with all the rigour of the law. But the old -General, though disposed at first to condemn -him, was too generous to do this. He replied -that the Camp-Marshal had in all other cases -behaved well, and with a courage amounting -to rashness, and that in this he had acted only -under an error of judgement. He met with no -enemies on his night march, and halting in the -morning beyond the Rio Monte, learnt that -the detachment which he had expected to encounter -was taking a direction for Truxillo.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">299</span> -To Truxillo he proceeded on his retreat, and, -leaving Henestrosa to cover that city, took up -a position at the Puerto de Santa Cruz, forty -miles from the stronger pass whence he had retreated. -There it was his intention to wait till -it should be seen whether Alburquerque’s division -could effect its junction, and whether it - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 20.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -would make him equal to the enemy. On the -following morning Henestrosa was attacked, -and driven to a little bridge on the other side of -Truxillo: there he repulsed the enemy, and the -skirmishing continued all day, with equal loss -on either side, the Spaniards behaving in such -a manner as to increase the General’s confidence -in his troops. Cuesta expected now to be attacked -on the morrow, either in front or on his -left toward the village of Abertura, and had -made up his mind to abide an action. But -Cuesta’s resolutions were sometimes changed -with as little consideration as they had been -taken, for he was a man who acted more frequently -upon the impulse of the moment than -upon reflection. The whole of Victor’s force -was collected at Truxillo; his advanced parties -kept the Spaniards upon the alarm as well as -the alert, and Cuesta then began to apprehend -that the Puerto de S. Cruz was not defensible -against the superior force that would be brought -against him, especially as the ground was not -favourable for cavalry. In the morning, therefore, -he recommenced his retreat, evidently not -knowing whither, and with no determined purpose,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">300</span> -but in good order and in good heart, for, -injudicious and ruinous as all the late movements -had been, the men were not yet dispirited. -While he was halting near Miajadas to refresh -the troops, the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">chasseurs</i> of the enemy’s advanced -guard approached near enough to expose themselves; -the advantage was well taken, and the -French Colonel tore his hair in an agony of -grief when he saw some hundred and fifty of his - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Rocca, 93.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -finest men cut down. This success was obtained -by the regiments of Infante and Almanza. It -raised the spirits of the men, a feeling of useful -emulation was showing itself, and Cuesta formed -the wise resolution (if he had been steady enough -in his purposes to have kept it) of exercising -them in various movements from one position -to another, without exposing them in battle, -and thus detaining the enemy till Cartaojal’s -advance upon Toledo should operate as a diversion -in his favour. That same evening, therefore, -he retired to Medellin; and the next day, -thinking it probable that if he remained the -French would attack him on the morrow, he -marched for Campanario, to join Alburquerque, -who with his little division was coming by way -of Aguda and Garbayuela. He did not, however, -remain there till the junction was effected, -but moved to Valle de la Serena, chiefly for the -sake of facilitating his supplies. Some magazines -had fallen into the enemy’s hands at -Truxillo, one of the ill consequences arising -from his rash retreat; there was no want of food<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">301</span> -in that as yet unravaged country, but he complained -to the government of the incapacity and -irregularity of all the persons employed in that -department, and protested that unless this evil -was remedied it would be impossible for him to -maintain discipline, or prevent dispersion.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Junction with Alburquerque’s division.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The information which Cuesta received at -this time, that a train of heavy artillery had -been sent from Madrid toward Extremadura, -made him apprehend the chief object of the -enemy was to lay siege to Badajoz. The possession -of that fortress was so important toward -the success of their operations against Portugal, -that this design had been apprehended as soon -as they became masters of the field, and the -Governor had been repeatedly charged to omit -no means for putting it in a good state of defence. -Forming a new plan in consequence of -this, Cuesta informed the Central Junta that he -should annoy the besiegers, and cut off their -communication with Madrid. But he had no -sooner effected his junction with Alburquerque -than he determined upon seeking the enemy, -and offering battle in the first favourable situation. -It was not the addition of strength which -induced him to this measure, for he had expected -to meet 6000 men, and had found little more -than half that number; ... but long irresolution -usually ends in some rash resolve.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cuesta offers battle at Medellin.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Having forsaken that strong ground, which, -if it had been defended as well as it was wisely -chosen, would have covered Extremadura, it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">302</span> -was as much Cuesta’s policy to have avoided an -action now as it had been then to have stood an -attack, for he knew that he might expect a -British army to co-operate with him. Sometimes -as facile and vacillating as he was obstinate -and impracticable at others, no man was -more unfit to command an army in critical -times; and yet the honest originality of his -character, his fearless and buoyant spirit which -nothing could cast down, his energy which -neither age nor infirmity had abated, and the -warmth of his heart as well as his temper, had -won for him in no common degree the attachment -not of the soldiers alone, but of those even -who perceived and lamented his errors. The -enemy at this time occupied Merida and Medellin: -the latter town, memorable as having -been the birth-place of Hernan Cortes, stands -on the left bank of the Guadiana, in a wide and -open plain, without tree or cover of any kind. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 28.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -On that plain Cuesta formed his whole force in -one line, of about a league in extent, without -any reserve, disdaining all advantage of ground, -as if he had desired nothing but a fair field and -mere individual courage were to decide the day. -His army consisted of 20,000 infantry and 2000 -cavalry. The vanguard, under Henestrosa, and -the Duque del Parque’s division, formed the -left, which Cuesta took under his own charge, -as being placed on the highest ground, from -whence he could overlook the field. The centre -was under D. Francisco de Trias. D. Francisco<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">303</span> -de Eguia, who was second in command, was -with the right wing, which consisted of the Marques -de Portago’s division and Alburquerque’s, -the Duke having with him his own horse. -The cavalry were on the left, that being the -point where the French presented the greatest -force.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Battle of Medellin.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Victor’s army consisted of about 18,000 foot -and 2500 horse. He had collected his whole -force there, for the purpose of striking an efficient -blow, and destroying, if that were possible, -the Spanish army, in pursuance of the murderous -system upon which he had been instructed to -act. They were formed in an arc between the -Guadiana and a cultivated ravine which extends -from Medellin to the village of Mengabril; -Lasalle’s division of light cavalry on the left, -the division of German infantry in the centre, -in large close columns; the dragoons under -General Latour-Maubourg on the right, the -divisions of Villate and Ruffin in reserve; their -front was covered by six batteries of four guns -each. The action began about eleven o’clock. -These batteries opened on the Spanish infantry, -who were ordered by Cuesta to charge with -the bayonet and take them. The order was -bravely obeyed; two regiments of French dragoons -charged the foot, and were repulsed with -loss: the German division formed itself into a -square, and resisted with such difficulty the -resolute attack of the Spaniards, that Cuesta -was in full hope of a complete victory, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">304</span> -Victor not without apprehensions of a defeat, -till part of his reserve succeeded in enabling his -infantry to keep their ground. The Spaniards -on the left had taken the first battery; a strong -body of horse, protected by a column of infantry, -advanced to recover it, and at that moment -the whole of the Spanish cavalry on the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Misconduct of the Spanish cavalry.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -left took panic, and without facing the foe, -without attempting to make the slightest stand, -fled in the greatest disorder from the field, most -of them to the distance of many leagues. Instances -of such scandalous panic were but too -frequent in the Spanish armies during the war, -but in no instance was it more fatal or more -unaccountable than in this; for the day was -going on well, the infantry were in good heart, -the advantage was on their side; and the regiments -which at that crisis disgraced themselves, -and betrayed their country, had displayed both -skill and courage during the retreat from the -Tagus, and had distinguished themselves in the -affair near Miajadas.</p> - -<p>Cuesta, who was at the other end of the wing -when he saw this shameful abandonment, clapped -spurs to his horse in the hope of rallying them; -his staff followed, ... but in vain; the enemy, -quick in seizing opportunity, turned the left, -which was thus exposed, and as there was no -second line or reserve, defeat then became - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cuesta thrown, and wounded.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -inevitable. The old General was thrown, and -wounded in the foot, and not without great difficulty -rescued and saved from capture by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">305</span> -exertion of his two nephews and some other -brave and faithful officers. But the day was -irrecoverably lost; and the French, having -routed the left wing, turned upon the centre -and the right.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Dispersion of the Spanish army.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The right wing of the Spaniards, meantime, -had made the enemy give ground, and were following -up their success; but Alburquerque, seeing -what had occurred in the other flank, proposed -to form in close columns of battalions, and -begin their retreat. Eguia overruled this, saying -he had no instructions to that effect, and not -daring even in this evident emergence to act -upon his own responsibility. Indeed it is affirmed, -that not one of Cuesta’s officers knew -his intention of giving battle an hour before the -action began. Affairs were every moment growing -worse, and Eguia having left the right of the -line, the Duke gave the necessary command; -but it had been delayed too long; the whole -force of the French artillery was concentred -upon these columns, who were now the only -troops that remained unbroken; a total dispersion -took place; and the enemy, forming a chain -of cavalry all round the routed army, executed -their orders, which were to give no quarter. -They had suffered enough in the action to make -them obey this atrocious command with good -will. They had themselves 4000 men killed and -wounded, ... nearly a fifth of their whole force; -their official statement of the Spanish loss made -it 7000 killed; other accounts carried it to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">306</span> -12,000. Cuesta could only state that it was very -great, and ascertain that a hundred and seventy -officers of infantry and ten of cavalry were killed, -wounded, or missing.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>No quarter given.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Weariness, rather than compunction, on the -part of the French, at length put a stop to the -carnage, and the account of prisoners is variously -stated from three thousand to seven; but it is -certain that not two ever reached Madrid. A -wounded Spanish officer was brought into the -room where Victor was at supper, and the French -Marshal said to him, “If my orders had been -obeyed, sir, you would not have been here.” -Those orders had been obeyed too well. The -dragoons that night in the French camp were -rubbing their sword arms with soap and spirits, -to recover the muscles from the strains of that -day’s slaughter. Their cruelty was not satiated -even with this success. A peasant in one of the -near villages had a son who was in Cuesta’s army, -where he had served for some time. When the -army drew near Medellin, this Juan went to his -father’s house, and his conversation induced his -two brothers, Antonio and Carlos, to go with -him as volunteers. Juan was never seen after -the battle; but the father upon searching the -field found Antonio’s body, and the other -brother, wounded, and weeping over it. He -removed the dead son and the living one to his -cottage, that the one might receive Christian -burial, and the other such help as might have -restored him. A party of the French, in their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">307</span> -work of pillage, entered the house, and finding -a wounded Spaniard there, deliberately shot him, -before his father’s face.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Escape of Alburquerque.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>When the dispersion of his columns took place, -the Duke of Alburquerque found his retreat -completely cut off. Four officers were with him; -with these he advanced upon the French cordon -of cavalry, and when at the distance of about -an hundred yards, turning to one of his companions, -he said, “You see that officer of chasseurs -so gaily caparisoned? I will have him -down in a moment.” He then spurred his -horse, and rode at him full speed: of course his -companions followed; ... the French officer was -startled, and moved rapidly on one side, several -of the chasseurs imitated his movement, and -Alburquerque with his friends got through the -opening they had thus made. D. Miguel de -Alava was one of those friends; he had behaved -with distinguished gallantry that day, and just -before the dispersion of the last battalions, sword -in hand, singly retook a Spanish nine-pounder -from two French dragoons who had taken possession -of it. Soon after they had broken -through, and were still hotly pursued, a wounded -artilleryman besought Alava to save him from -the general massacre. “Get up behind me,” -was the answer, “and I will carry you off, or -we will perish together.” This little party, -happily for Spain, effected their escape. About -midnight they arrived at a lone farm-house, far -enough from the field to feel themselves in safety;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">308</span> -and having got some wood upon the fire, and -lighted their cigars, they agreed unanimously -that the loss of the battle was of no<a id="FNanchor_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> importance. -Such was the spirit of the Spaniards; a -spirit which no misfortunes could abate, which -no defeats could subdue.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The remains of the Spanish army collect.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The battle itself, most unfortunate as it was, -afforded Cuesta some vindication for the error -which he had committed in risking it. It had -been fought so well by the infantry, that they -had obtained, and that for a considerable time, -a decided advantage, till the horse took fright, -and abandoned them. But it was after the -defeat that the strength of the old man’s character -appeared with full effect; and certainly -on that memorable occasion both the General -and the government proved themselves worthy -of their country and their cause. The advance -of the French was impeded by the weather, a -storm of wind and heavy rain having raged uninterruptedly -for three days after the battle, and -swollen the brooks so as to render them like -rivers. A mishap also had befallen them at -Almaraz, where their bridge gave way while -some ammunition carts were passing: many -lives were lost, and the operations of the army -were delayed in consequence. They collected, -however, in and about Merida, and their advanced -parties appeared at Almendralejo and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">309</span> -Villa Franca. This seemed to indicate an intention -of entering Andalusia; and Cuesta was -of opinion, that, knowing the total dispersion of -his army, they would not hesitate at dividing -their own force, and execute this design with -one part, while they laid siege with the other to -Badajoz, which was not in a state for making a -long military defence. He urged the government -to send all the disposable force in Andalusia -to S. Olalla without delay; between that -place and Ronquillo, he said, was the only -position where they could resist the enemy with -good probability of success, provided there were -troops, and artillery and subsistence.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cuesta disgraces those who had behaved ill.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>He had appointed Llerena as the rallying -point for the fugitives. The infantry came -slowly in, but when Cuesta arrived he found -that the cavalry had collected there with little -diminution. He thanked the army in his general -orders for their good conduct at Medellin, -excepting by name the horse regiments which -had so disgracefully taken flight, and thereby -occasioned that to be a defeat, which, if they -had done their duty like the foot, would have -proved a most glorious and important victory. -For this offence he suspended three Colonels -from their rank. It does not appear that any -heavier punishment was inflicted: ... the fault -had been too general to fix it upon individuals; -... and if recourse had been had to lot, it might -have fallen upon men who, with the best heart -and will, had not been able in that precipitate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">310</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />April.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -movement to check either their companions or -their horses. The privates were disgraced by -having one of their pistols taken from them, till -by some good service they should regain the -honour which they had lost.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Junta act wisely and generously upon these defeats.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>It was reported that the Central Junta upon -the first intelligence of the defeat had fled from -Seville. The danger was considered so imminent, -that they had deliberated concerning -their removal; and the Junta of Seville, who -had been consulted, proposed that if such a -measure were adopted, absolute power should -be left in their hands. But the government -did nothing precipitately, and on no occasion -throughout the war did it display more magnanimity -or so much energy as at this time of -trial. The same day brought them tidings of -the defeat at Ciudad Real and of that at Medellin; -the same gazette communicated both to -the people. There was nothing to qualify the -disgrace and loss which Cartaojal had sustained; -he was therefore quietly removed from the command. -Whatever errors the Central Junta may -have committed, no other government ever -exercised its power with such humanity in such -times, no other government ever made such just -and humane allowances for inexperience and -weakness, nor dealt so generously with the unfortunate. -They decreed pensions to the widows -and orphans of all who had fallen at Medellin, -in proportion to their rank and circumstances, -and a badge of distinction to those corps which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">311</span> -the General should commend; and they promoted -all the officers who had distinguished -themselves. They pronounced that the General -and the body of the army had deserved well of -their country. Knowing that Cuesta had been -lamed by his fall, they required him in all his -dispatches to report the state of his own health; -and though they appointed D. Francisco de -Venegas to succeed Cartaojal, they placed both -armies under Cuesta’s orders, giving him the -rank of Captain-general. In the preamble to -this decree they said that all the details of the -battle tended to console them for its loss, and -that the spirit of Hernan Cortes might have -beheld with joy the courage which his countrymen -had manifested upon the scene of his childhood. -The example of that day, they said, might -make them hope that with perseverance they -might form an infantry capable of defending -the national independence; an infantry that -should be the worthy rival and successor of -those famous <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">Tercios</i> which under the best captains -in the world had supported the glory of -Spain in Flanders and in Italy and in Germany.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Their appeal to the people.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Junta felt it necessary to defend themselves -at this time against the base enemies who -charged the late calamities upon their misconduct, -and who were agitating the people of Seville -by false alarms, reporting that the French -were within five leagues of that city, and that -the nation was betrayed and sold by its Government. -In reply to these senseless accusations<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">312</span> -the Junta appealed to the fact, that in the course -of two months it had set on foot two armies for -the defence of the Andalusias, consisting of -50,000 men and nearly 12,000 horse. This they -had done beside the assistance which they had -afforded to other provinces; and when was it -known that the injuries which the ship sustains -in a storm had been imputed to the pilot? The -Junta had issued an abominable edict, whereby, -after denouncing the punishment of death against -all persons who should endeavour to raise distrust -of the existing Government, or to overturn -it by exciting popular commotions, they -invited informers to denounce such persons to - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Tribunal of public safety.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the Tribunal of Public Safety which they had -instituted, holding out the promise of secresy -and reward. When this decree appeared Mr. -Frere saw to what an atrocious system of tyranny -it might lead. Judging of the Junta by their -individual characters, he felt assured that they -would each have shrunk from carrying such -measures into effect; but he was well aware how -little the personal characters of any men placed -in such circumstances are to be relied on, and -apprehended that after some natural hesitation -the majority might either yield to the guidance -of one or two members, more violent and less -scrupulous, or abandon themselves to the direction -of this Tribunal of Public Safety; the very -name of which, he said, must remind us of the -worst revolutionary horrors. But though the -State Papers of the Junta were on most occasions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">313</span> -wiser than their actions, in this instance -their conduct was better than their language; -and it now appeared, most honourably for the -national character, that, notwithstanding this -public encouragement to the nefarious practice -of delation, not a single secret information had -been laid. If any person, said the Junta, had -complaint to make, or suspicion to allege against -any of the public functionaries, let him lay his -proofs before this Tribunal. But this has not -been done, and all the processes which that -Tribunal has instituted have been public prosecutions, -not one upon the accusation of an individual.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Correspondence on the Intruder’s part with the Junta.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Intruder and his partizans hoped at this -time that the defeat and dispersion of two armies -on two succeeding days would break the spirit -of the Government, if not of the nation, and that -the Junta might be induced to secure themselves -and their own possessions by submission. Accordingly -a Spanish traitor, by name Joaquim - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">April 12.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Maria Sotelo, addressed a letter from Merida to -the vice-president, saying, that the greater number -of the provinces of Spain had sufficiently -suffered from the effects of war and conquest, -and now the rest were threatened with the same -calamities. Filled with consternation, he said, -at the defeats of Cartaojal and Cuesta, the honourable -Spaniards at the court of Madrid, who -could not contemplate without the most poignant -grief the desolation of their country, had implored -the King to alleviate the distresses of such<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">314</span> -provinces as were occupied by the French troops, -and to prevent them in those which were not yet -in their possession. To these prayers the King -had attended, had ordered him to announce his -compliance to the Junta, and authorized him to -confer with such deputies as the Junta might -appoint, on the best means of fulfilling his wishes. -He could not suppose that they would refuse to -take steps on which the salvation of Andalusia -and the happiness of the whole kingdom depended. -And, as the business was most important -and most urgent, Sotelo represented, -that it would be improper to conduct it in -writing, but that all the disputes and irregularities -and doubts which it would otherwise -cause might be obviated by a personal conference. -On this ground, he hoped that deputies -would be named to confer with him.</p> - -<p>The Junta replied, not to this traitor himself, -but to Cuesta. “They had not forgotten,” they -said, “the character with which they were invested, -and the oath which they had taken, in -unison with the wishes of the nation. If Sotelo -were the bearer of powers sufficiently extensive -to treat for the restitution of their King, and -for the immediate evacuation of the Spanish -territory by the French troops, let him publish -them in the usual form, and they would be announced -to the allies of Spain. The Junta had -no authority to listen to any treaty, or terminate -any transaction, which was not founded -on the basis of eternal justice. Any other principle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">315</span> -of negotiation, without benefiting the empire, -would only tend to degrade the Junta, -which had entered into the most awful engagements -to bury itself beneath the ruins of the -monarchy, rather than sanction any proposition -which should diminish the honour and independence -of the Spanish people.” This answer -they desired Cuesta to transmit to the Intruder’s -agent, and they published the proposal and the -reply. Perceiving, however, of what importance -the safety of the government was to the national -cause, and the danger therefore of associating it -in the minds of the people with any particular -place of residence, in times when no place was -secure, they published a decree upon this subject. -It began by an avowal, that in their anxiety -to provide immediate remedy for the calamities -which had befallen the armies of La Mancha and - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">April 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Extremadura, they had imprudently hazarded -their own safety by remaining at Seville. But -having provided for the reinforcement and -equipment of the troops, and furnished all the -supplies which were requisite for the defence -of Andalusia, they had in cool consideration -reflected, that their security was inseparable -from that of the state; that the preserval of the -deposit of the sovereignty entrusted into their -hands was the first of their obligations; and that -they could not again expose it to the danger of -being destroyed, without doing wrong to the -nation which had confided it to them. The -Speed with which the tyrant of Europe advanced<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">316</span> -against Madrid in November, and sent troops -towards Aranjuez, made it apparent that a principal -object of his policy was to strike a blow at -the government, and, seizing the body which -administered it, cut all the bonds of political -association, and thus throw the nation into confusion. -These were still his objects: trusting -more to his cunning than his force, he still pursued -the government, hoping to get its members -in his power, and then renew the infamous -scenes of Bayonne, by compelling them to authorize -his usurpation, or sacrificing them to his -rage if they resisted his seductions and his menaces. -Thus to degrade the government in the -eyes of the nation itself would, he thought, be -the best means of degrading the nation also, and -reducing it to that servitude, which, in the insolence -of his fortune, this tyrant designed to -inflict upon Spain. To frustrate these aims, -they decreed, that, whenever the place of their -residence might be threatened, or when any -other reason should convince them of the utility -of so doing, they would transfer the seat of government -elsewhere, where they might preserve -the august deposit of the sovereignty, and watch -over the defence, the well-being, and the prosperity -of the nation. And they declared, that, -whatever the accidents of the war might be, the -Junta would never abandon the continent of -Spain, while a single spot could be found in it -where they could establish themselves for defending -the country against the force and fraud<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">317</span> -of its perfidious enemy, as they had solemnly -sworn to do.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Measures for securing Badajoz.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>When the news of Cuesta’s defeat at Medellin -reached Paris, it was affirmed in the Moniteur, -that by this battle Seville was laid open to the -French armies, and that probably by that time -Lisbon also was once more in their possession, -... so confident was the French government of -speedy and complete success. In the same confidence, -and with the hope of subduing the spirit -of the Aragoneze, the French Governor of Zaragoza -ordered mass to be celebrated in the Church -of the Pillar, for the capture of Lisbon and Seville, -as events which had taken place. Soult -would undoubtedly have advanced upon the Portugueze -capital, if he could have relied upon -Victor’s movements; but that General found -that the battle of Medellin had rather raised the -hopes of the Spaniards than depressed them. -His views were upon Badajoz. Aware of this, -the Government, with that promptitude which -characterised all their measures at this crisis, -supplied the place with money and arms, and -addressed public letters to the Junta of that -city and the Governor, reminding them that -Zaragoza had held out two months not against -the enemy alone, but against hunger and pestilence; -and that her defenders would be held in -grateful and everlasting remembrance, while the -names of those who had so basely delivered up -Coruña would be handed down for lasting infamy -from generation to generation. To the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">318</span> -General, D. Antonio Arce, they said, that true -glory was to be gained by overcoming great -dangers, and an opportunity for such glory was -now afforded him. The Extremadurans were -not less brave than the Aragoneze, and Badajoz -possessed a defence in her fortifications which -had not existed at Zaragoza. The soldier fought -with best hope, and sacrificed himself with most -alacrity, when he saw his commander set the -example; and such an example would not be -wanting in one whose ancestors filled a distinguished -place in the annals of their country. -At all times Extremadura had produced heroes. -There had the Pizarros, and there had Cortes -been born, to be examples now for their countrymen.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>A crusade proclaimed there against the invaders.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Victor sent to summon Badajoz, -though he was not prepared to lay siege to it; -but the pitiable state of the country rendered -it always possible that a governor might be -found weak enough in principle or in mind to -betray his trust. A spirit however such as the -time required prevailed there, and the parties -which he sent out in that direction were attacked -at advantage and driven back with loss. The -Junta informed the Government, that, in consideration -of the sacrileges which the enemy -committed wherever they went, they were enlisting -the peasantry under the banner of the -Crusade with which the misbelievers in old -times had been pursued and conquered. The -Government approved this measure, saying that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">319</span> -if their forefathers had proclaimed crusades for -the recovery of the Holy Land, with much more -reason now might they have recourse to the -same means for defending their religion in the -bosom of their own country against profanations -more impious than had been heard of in the -darkest ages or among the most barbarous people. -And they directed that the persons who -should be embodied in these new corps should -be distinguished by wearing a red cross on the -breast. The Central Junta entertained a thought -that this might be extended with good effect; -but it did not spread; the feeling and the enthusiasm -denoted by such a badge would not -have been partaken by the officers, and it might -have raised a temper in the men unfavourable -to any expected co-operation with their British -allies.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Regulations concerning the ejected Religioners.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Another measure which the Government -adopted at this time was intended to lessen -the ill effect that the dispersion of so many -monks and friars was likely to produce. The -same calamities which had set them loose in -every part of the country which the enemy had -overrun, deprived them also of their accustomed -means of subsistence; and it was but too probable -that among those who took arms, as was -very generally done by those who were able to -bear them, the licence of a military life might -lead to scandals which on every account it was -desirable to prevent. A Junta therefore was -formed of persons holding high stations in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">320</span> -different Religious Orders, the Prior of Zamora, -who was one of the members of the Government, -being appointed President. The business -of this Junta was to dispose of those Religioners -who, having been driven from their cloisters -(the edict said), were crying night and day before -the throne of a terrible God to revenge the -blood of their innocent brethren, which had so -wantonly been shed. They were to be distributed -in towns, hospitals, and armies, as they -might be deemed most qualified; and the Generals -were instructed not to receive any persons -of their profession unless they produced credentials -or commissions from this board.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Plans of the Intrusive Government.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Six thousand men had been detached from -La Mancha to reinforce Victor after the battle - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">April 9.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -of Medellin. His instructions were to remain -between Merida and Badajoz till he should receive -advices of Soult’s movements, and till -Lapisse should join him. The Intrusive Government -persuaded themselves that the struggle -would soon be over, and Joseph waited only to -hear from Marshal Ney of the total destruction -of Romana’s army, to give orders for marching -against Valencia. But the tide had now turned -in Galicia; there came no intelligence from -Ney but what was disastrous; and Soult could -neither communicate with Victor nor with Lapisse, -neither could they at this time communicate -with each other. Soult’s communication -was cut off by Silveira on the Tamega, by Trant -on the Vouga, ... and Sir Robert Wilson, by his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">321</span> -position at Ciudad Rodrigo, cut off Lapisse -equally from co-operating with his countrymen -in Portugal or in Extremadura.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sir Robert Wilson’s conduct at Ciudad Rodrigo.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Of how great importance that position was -likely to become Mr. Frere had perceived as -soon as Sir John Moore’s army began their -dolorous retreat; and he had obtained from -the Spanish Government such reinforcement -for the garrison as could be spared at a time -when demands for aid came upon them from all -quarters. The command which they conferred -upon Sir Robert Wilson, disposed as the Spaniards -were to act heartily with him, was of more -consequence than any succour which they could -then afford. He meantime had spared no exertions -for increasing his little force, and continuing -to impose upon the enemy that useful -opinion of its strength which they were known -to entertain: for it was seen by their intercepted -letters that they had applied for reinforcements -under the fear of being attacked by him in Salamanca, -where, they said, the inhabitants were -as much to be dreaded as the enemy. Sir Robert -circulated addresses inviting the Germans and -Poles and Swiss in the French service to abandon -an iniquitous cause into which they had -been forced, and in which they had no concern. -There was no press in the city, but the parochial -clergy throughout the line of country -which he occupied multiplied copies by transcription: -many men were brought over by -these means, and the enemy suffered not only<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">322</span> -from this continual drain, but from the suspicion -and inquietude which was thus produced. -Some stragglers from Sir John Moore’s army, -and some prisoners from it who had effected -their escape, joined him, having every where -received from the peasantry every possible assistance -and kindness; for that retreat had not -lessened in the Spanish people their sense of -gratitude towards Great Britain, nor their respect -for the British character. Some convalescents -also from Almeida were added to his -numbers, and he obtained two reinforcements, -each of a more extraordinary kind. A captain -of banditti, with five-and-twenty followers, who -had exercised their vocation in the country -about Segovia, repaired to him, as men who -preferred risking their lives in a legal and honourable -way, and were desirous of doing good -service in a good cause. The other party told -a sadder tale. They were South Americans -from the Plata, who having been made prisoners -at Montevideo in the ill-advised and worse conducted -expedition of the English to that province, -had been landed in Spain, there to be -neglected and left destitute by their own government. -More than 200 had perished through -want and misery, and the survivors were almost -naked and pitiably emaciated with the privations -and sufferings which they had endured. There -were seven officers among them, who were all -men of polished manners; and the soldiers were -willing and well disposed, though deeply sensible<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">323</span> -of the cruelty and injustice with which they -had been neglected.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Attempt to surprise that fortress.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Suspecting that the enemy would endeavour -to reach Extremadura, get in Cuesta’s rear, and -menace Portugal on that side, Sir Robert occupied -the Puerto de Baños with a small force -under Colonel Mayne. This was effected just -in time, Lapisse having marched the greater -part of his force to Alva de Tormes on the way -thither, but finding it occupied, and not knowing -in what strength, the French returned. This -was a month before the battle of Medellin, at -which time Sir Robert had gone to confer with -General Cuesta, no one except the Governor of -Ciudad Rodrigo being informed of his absence. -Immediately after his return the French, having -been reinforced at Salamanca, attempted to - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">March 2.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -surprise Ciudad Rodrigo. A plan had been -concerted with some traitors in the town, who, -from an outwork that might easily be stormed, -had thrown a bridge to the body of the place, -so solidly constructed that Sir Robert had remonstrated -against it as promoting their own -destruction in case of an assault. Timely advice, -however, came from the Corregidor of Salamanca; -and the enemy, apprehending from -the movements of Sir Robert’s troops that a -counterplot had been formed with the intent of -attempting Salamanca, and cutting off their retreat, -fell back hastily, and not without loss. -Treachery there had been; but as there was no -proof who had been the traitors, Sir Robert<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">324</span> -took measures for removing the suspected persons -without discrediting them.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French summon it.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>After it was known that Cuesta had fallen -back from the Tagus to the Guadiana, and before -tidings of his defeat had arrived, Sir Robert, -who had been urging him to form a corps -on the Tietar, and thereby preserve from the -enemy a fertile part of the country which had -not yet been overrun, withdrew his troops from -the Puerto de Baños to collect them at Ciudad -Rodrigo. Lapisse now brought together the -whole remaining force under his command, -which had been reduced to about 7000 men, -advanced against that city, and summoned it. -The officer by whom the summons was sent -wished to enter the place with it, but a detachment -of the Lusitanian Legion with four guns, -under Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, had been stationed -outside the works, and he was not permitted -to proceed. Before the Governor’s answer -could be given, the French, in disregard -of the custom of war, continued advancing toward -the gates, upon which a fire was opened -upon them, and continued with effect till they -halted. The Governor’s reply was, that he -should not think of surrendering, even under a -greater necessity than then appeared to exist. -Some skirmishing took place, to the advantage -of the garrison, and on the following day the -enemy retreated, with some loss both in men -and in reputation.</p> - -<p>This movement of the French had been so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">325</span> -little serious, that it was supposed they had expected -some co-operation from Soult’s army. -Soon afterwards, however, a second summons -came in the name of the Intruder, holding out - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>March of Lapisse to unite with Victor.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -threats to the garrison and inhabitants if they -suffered themselves longer to be misled by a -few British officers, and promising them King -Joseph’s favour if they would open their gates. -A verbal reply was returned, stating that the -proper answer to such a summons was from the -cannon’s mouth, and there the enemy would receive -it if they chose to advance. At this time -the peasantry, encouraged by the example of -this brave garrison, had risen throughout a wide -extent of country; and the situation of Lapisse -was becoming critical, when by a movement - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">April 7.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -which ought not to have been unexpected, he -moved rapidly toward the Puerto de Perales. -That pass he could hardly have forced, if it had -been occupied; but Colonel Mayne could not -reach it in time after the intention of the enemy -was ascertained, and all that Sir Robert could -do was to dispatch advices into Portugal, and -harass their march by pursuing them with all -speed, in the hope that when they arrived at -Alcantara, where they must cross the Tagus, -they would find it occupied by a sufficient force -of Portugueze.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French enter Alcantara.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The bridge at that point, which was then one -of the durable monuments of Roman magnificence, -has given name to a city of some renown, -as the chief seat of one of the military<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">326</span> -orders famous in old times. The town is on -the left bank, and the inhabitants, aware of danger, -thought to avert it by defending the entrance -of the bridge with a kind of <i xml:lang="la" lang="la">abbatis</i>, and -breaking up the road to a depth of eighteen or -twenty feet. These rude works not being defended -by any regular force, nor with any skill -or military means, were soon forced, and the -town was entered. Lapisse had marked his -whole route by the most wanton cruelties, in -return for which every straggler who fell into -the hands of the peasantry was put to death. -He remained only during the night in Alcantara; -but that night was employed in plunder, -and in the commission of every crime by which -humanity can be disgraced and outraged. Lieutenant-Colonel -Grant and Don Carlos d’España -(officers whose names appear often during the -war, and always honourably), arrived near the -town with a small body of cavalry in pursuit -during the night, and entered it in the morning -just after the enemy had left it. They found -the houses in flames, and the streets literally -obstructed with mutilated bodies, some lying in -heaps, and others thrown upon piles of furniture -and valuable goods, which the ruffians, -having no means of removing, had brought out -in front of the houses and set on fire. Dogs -had been murdered like their masters, swine -butchered for the mere pleasure of butchery, -and their bodies heaped together in mockery -with those of the human victims. The churches<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">327</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Campaigns of the Lusitanian Legion, 65–68.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -had been polluted as well as plundered, images -mutilated, pictures, the value of which was not -suspected by these destroyers, cut to pieces, -graves opened in the hope of finding money or -plate concealed there, even the very coffins violated, -and the dead exposed.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Junction with Victor.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Victor’s force, after he had been joined by -this division, amounted to 23,000 foot and 5800 -horse. It was apprehended from some intercepted -letters that he would immediately make -for Seville, and Cuesta had formed his plan of -defence accordingly. Portugal, however, was -the object of the French, as a point of more importance -at that time; but they had let the hour -go by, and the English were now once more in -the field.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">328</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXI" class="vspace">CHAPTER XXI.<br /> - -<span class="subhead">PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT RELATING TO THE -WAR.</span></h2> -</div> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />January.</span> -<hr /> -Conduct of the Opposition in England.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p><span class="firstword">During</span> the first success of the Spaniards, -the enemies of Government either were silent -or joined faintly in the expression of national -feeling which was heard from all parts of the -united kingdoms. No sooner had the prospect -begun to darken than their real wishes were disclosed, -and, true to their belief in the omnipotence -of Buonaparte, they expatiated upon the -folly and insanity of opposing one against whom -it was impossible that any resistance could be -successful. They dwelt upon the consummate -wisdom of his cabinet, the unequalled ability of -his generals, the inexhaustible numbers of his -armies, and their irresistible force; but they -neither took into this account the character of -the Spanish people, nor the nature of their country, -nor the strength of moral principles and of -a righteous cause, being ignorant alike of all. -That faith in English courage, by which the -fields of Cressy, and Poictiers, and Agincourt -were won, and which in our own days we had -seen proved, not only upon our own element, -our empire of the seas, at the mouths of the -Nile and at Cape Trafalgar, but before the walls<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">329</span> -of Acre, and in Egypt, and at Maida, and in -Portugal; ... that faith which should ever be the -first article of an Englishman’s creed, for while -it is believed, so long is it true; ... that faith -these men had abjured, and substituted in its -place a political heresy, baneful as it was false, -that upon land nothing could withstand the -French. The world was made for Buonaparte, -and he had only to march over it, and take possession. -When they were reminded of this -Tyrant’s guilt, they thought it a sufficient reply -to tell us of his greatness, and would have had -us fall down and worship the Golden Image at -the very time when the Spaniards were walking -amid the burning fiery furnace.</p> - -<p>They began by predicting the failure of all -our efforts, and the total ruin of the Spanish -cause; laying down as “a proposition too plain -to be disputed, that the spirit of the people, -however enthusiastic and universal, was in its -nature more uncertain and short-lived, more -liable to be extinguished by reverses, or to go -out of itself amid the delays of a protracted contest, -than the steady, regular, moderate feeling -which calls out disciplined troops, and marshals -them under known leaders, and supplies them -by systematic arrangements.” That it was in -the power of England to assist the Spanish people -with such troops, such leaders, and such -arrangements, they had neither heart to feel nor -understanding to perceive. They ridiculed the -“romantic hopes of the English nation;” hopes,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">330</span> -they said, which had been raised by “the tricks -of a paltry and interested party.” Could any -man of sense, they demanded, any one “above -the level of a drivelling courtier, or a feeble fanatic, -look at this contest, without trembling -every inch of him for the result?”</p> - -<p>But the baseness of party went beyond this. -Not only were ministers blamed for what they -had done in assisting Spain, and counselled to -withdraw their assistance as speedily as possible, -but the Spaniards themselves were calumniated -and insulted. They had neither courage, -nor honour, nor patriotism; no love for their -country, nor any thing in their country worth -defending. What mattered it to them whether -their King were called Joseph or Ferdinand, a -Buonaparte or a Bourbon? God would dispense -sunshine and showers upon the peninsula, whoever -was his vicegerent there; the corn and -the olive would ripen, and the vine and the -fig-tree yield their fruits. What folly then to -contend for a feeble and oppressive government, -of which the loss was gain! The Emperor of -the French had rid them of this wretched government; -he had abolished the Inquisition, -reduced the monastic orders, and would suppress -them and all other remaining grievances -as soon as the obstinacy of the people would -allow him leisure. And indeed the people were -sensible of these benefits: ... a few chiefs, the -overgrown aristocracy of the land, had for a -while misled them; but those chiefs had only a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">331</span> -little hour to strut and fret; and for the people, -whose detestation of the French government -had been carried to a pitch wholly unauthorized -by its proceedings toward them, their eyes -were opened now; they saw that Buonaparte -was doing good; while, on the other hand, they -regarded the English as heretics; and nothing -could overcome the antipathy which this feeling -occasioned.</p> - -<p>The circumstances of Sir John Moore’s retreat, -and the return of his army, were matter -of triumph to the journalists of this shameless -faction. “The dismal news,” they said, “was -at last arrived! the truth of the bulletins was -established to its utmost latitude! the pledge of -throwing the English into the sea was almost to -its literal meaning fulfilled! The Spanish Junta -and their allies, after six months’ trifling, blundering, -and vapouring, were now finally defeated! -the spirit of patriotism, both in Spain -and Portugal, was extinct! the majority of the -Spaniards had all along been indifferent respecting -the dynasty by which they were to be governed; -yea, many were more attached to the -Buonapartes than the Bourbons. The triumphs -of France, the defeat and dispersion of the -Spanish armies, wherever they were attacked, -the retreat and discomfiture of the British -forces, ... these were the melancholy events -which concluded the fatal campaign of 1808, -the fifth year of the war, ... this most unjust -and unnecessary war, into which England, in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">332</span> -violation of its own treaty with France, had -rushed with equal eagerness and frenzy, and -which she was now carrying on with the professed -object of the preservation of the most -corrupt branch of the Romish church!” Such -was the language, not of the revolutionary propagandists -alone, but of political faction and -puritanical bigotry; while the condition in -which the troops arrived, and the tale which -they related, excited the feelings of the people, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Return of the army from Coruña.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and rendered it easy to mislead them. Never -had such a scene of confusion and distress been -witnessed at Plymouth as on the arrival of this -miserable fleet. Above 900 women were landed, -all ignorant whether their husbands were dead -or living; they were searching through the -transports, and officers and men in like manner -looking after their wives, children, and friends. -Of the wounded there were some whose wounds -had never been dressed: many were brought on -shore dead: some died in the streets, on their -way to the hospitals. They who had escaped -from any farther evil, having lost all their -baggage, were, even the officers, covered with -filth and vermin. Letters were written from -the Medical Transport Board to all the surgical -lecturers in London, requesting that their -pupils would repair to the ports, and assist -during the immediate emergency. The form -of having passed the Hall was dispensed with, -and nothing more required than a certificate -from the lecturer whom they had attended.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">333</span> -The people of Plymouth behaved on this occasion -with the characteristic activity and beneficence -of the English nation. A committee of -gentlemen was immediately appointed, who sat -night and day, providing food, clothing, and -assistance. The ladies of the place attended -the sick and wounded, and assisted in dressing -the wounds: thus supplying the want of a sufficient -number of medical men. Many a woman -gave her only second garment to her who had -none. A charitable fund was raised, and 1400 -women and children belonging to the expedition -received immediate relief. The inhabitants of -Portsmouth had a less mournful task. That -part of the army which landed there had not -embarked from the field of battle; and they -who were well enough to partake of festivity - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Dr. Neale’s Travels, p. 217.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -were feasted in the Town-Hall. The troops -brought back with them a pestilential fever, -which spread through the military hospitals, -and raged for some months before it could be -subdued.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Jan. 19.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Parliament met before the issue of Sir John -Moore’s campaign was known, but it was understood -that he was hastily retreating toward -the coast with the intention of embarking, and -intelligence was hourly looked for with fearful - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The King’s speech.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -expectation. The King’s speech was in a spirit -suited to the times. He had given orders, he -said, that the overtures from Erfurth should be -laid before both Houses, and he was persuaded -they would participate in the feelings which he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">334</span> -had expressed when it was required that he -should consent to commence the negotiation -by abandoning the cause of Spain. So long as -the people of that country remained true to -themselves, so long would he continue to them -his most strenuous assistance: and in the moment -of their difficulties and reverses he had -renewed to them the engagements which he -had voluntarily contracted at the outset of their -struggle. He had called his Parliament in perfect -confidence that they would cordially support -him in the prosecution of a war which -there was no hope of terminating safely and honourably -except through vigorous and persevering -exertions. The various grades of opposition -were distinctly marked in the debates - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lord Sidmouth.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -which ensued. Lord Sidmouth said, that there -prevailed among the people a feeling of dissatisfaction -which was most honourable to them, -because it arose from their zealous loyalty and -generous desires. They were neither contented -with the extent of the exertions which had been -made to support the Spaniards, nor with the -manner in which those exertions had been directed. -Something, he trusted, would be done -to allay this laudable discontent, while he -avowed his full belief that it behoved us to prosecute -the war with vigour. Such language was -consistent with the constant tenor of Lord Sidmouth’s -conduct; a man who never in a single -instance allowed either personal or party feeling -to prevail over his natural integrity. Earl St.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">335</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Earl St. Vincent.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Vincent agreed in the necessity of carrying -on determined hostilities against the common -enemy, but he condemned the ministers alike -for what had been done, and what had been left -undone. They had brought upon us, he said, -the greatest disgrace which had befallen Great -Britain since the Revolution. It appeared as -if they had not even a geographical knowledge -of the Peninsula, insomuch that they ought to -go to school again, to make themselves masters -of it. Why had there been that disgraceful -delay before our troops were sent to Spain? -Why had not some of our Princes of the blood -been appointed to lead our armies? all those -illustrious persons had been bred to arms, and for -what purpose, if they were not to be employed? -Why had not the Portugueze been called into -action? He knew them well; they were as -brave a people as any upon the continent of -Europe, and under British officers would have -presented an undaunted front to the enemy. -Ministers ought to have known their value, and -if they did not, their ignorance was inexcusable. -If the House of Lords did its duty, they would -go to the foot of the throne, and there tell the -Sovereign the bold truth, that if he did not remove -those ministers he would lose the country.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lord Grenville.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Lord Grenville said there was but one opinion -in the country concerning the base and treacherous, -the atrocious and cruel invasion of the -Spaniards; but one opinion as to the cause -wherein they were fighting against the Tyrant<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">336</span> -who unjustly and cruelly attacked them; but -there had been no prospect which should have -induced reasonable men to send a British army -into the interior of Spain, though fleets with -troops on board, to hover about the coast, and -take advantage of every favourable opportunity, -might be of essential service. We had injured -our allies instead of serving them. We had -forced the Junta of Seville to abandon the excellent -system of defence which they had arranged, -and, by sending an army into the heart -of the country, compelled them to engage in -pitched battles with regular troops. Care must -now be taken not to waste our resources in -Quixotic schemes which it was impossible to -accomplish. Our army, brave as it was, well-disciplined, -and capable of doing every thing -which men could be expected to perform, would -find employment enough in securing our own -defence. If the country was to be saved, its -salvation could alone be effected by maintaining -a force upon a scale commensurate with the increasing -dangers of our situation. But, said -he, I have no hesitation in declaring it to be -my most decided opinion, that if the system -hitherto acted upon be farther pursued, and -the whole armed force of the country sent into -the interior of Spain, the destruction of this -monarchy is inevitable; and that we shall soon -be reduced to the same condition with Prussia - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Earl of Liverpool.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and the conquered states of the continent. To -these speakers it was replied by the Home Secretary,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">337</span> -who had now upon his father’s death -become Earl of Liverpool, that it would ill -become us to be dismayed by those reverses -which were from the beginning to be expected, -and to renounce that system of support to which -the nation was solemnly pledged, and in which -those very reverses made it a more sacred duty -to persevere. He entreated those who were -inclined to despond that they would call to -mind the lessons of history. There it would be -found, that nations, after maintaining struggles -for ten or twenty years, in the course of which -they had been almost uniformly worsted in -battle, had eventually succeeded in securing -the object for which they strove. It was difficult -to conceive any situation which would -better warrant hopes of ultimate success than -that of Spain. The people were unanimous in -their resistance to the invader; and it was the -only instance since the French revolution in -which a whole people had taken up arms in their -own defence. The territory of Spain was as -large as that of France within its ancient limits, -and the country possessed many local advantages -for defence, ... advantages, the value of which -the Spanish history in former times ought to -teach us duly to appreciate. The cause itself -was most interesting to the best feelings of the -human mind: it offered the last chance of salvation -to the continent of Europe; and if it -were considered in a selfish and narrower point -of view, our own immediate security was in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">338</span> -some degree involved in its fate. Was there -then nothing to be risked in support of a generous -ally? ... nothing for the re-establishment of -the general tranquillity? ... nothing for our own -safety and independence?</p> - -<p>The opposition in the Lower House betrayed -a wish to shake off the Spaniards and withdraw -from the contest in whatever manner we could. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Ponsonby.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Never, said Mr. Ponsonby, since Great Britain -attained its present rank, has its public force -been directed with so little skill, so little foresight, -or so little success; though, in the expenditure -of public money, he believed none -would accuse his Majesty’s counsellors with -ever having been wanting in vigour. It was -their duty now to examine whether they ought -to risk an army in Spain, or confine their assistance -to supplies. Elizabeth, under circumstances -sufficiently like the present, took care -to possess cautionary towns, and thereby assured -herself of a retreat, and gained a safe point -whither to send reinforcements, as well as a security -that the United Provinces should not -abandon her in the contest wherein they were -engaged. He should not indeed think of abandoning -the Spaniards in the hour of misfortune, -but he could not admit that the present obligations -were to be considered in the light of a -solemn treaty; they had been entered into in -a moment of hurry and precipitation; they had -not been laid before Parliament, and were therefore -unauthorized by it, and Parliament might<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">339</span> -approve or disapprove, grant or refuse the supplies - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Whitbread.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -for carrying them into effect. Mr. Whitbread -declared that if the recent disasters should -appear to have proceeded from the misconduct -of ministers, the House ought to demand condign -punishment on their heads. It was now -doubtful whether we had not been proceeding -upon false information both with respect to -Spain and Portugal. Were our troops agreeable -to the people of Portugal? or were we not -obliged to keep a certain force there for the -purpose of keeping that people quiet, that is, -to strike terror into our friends instead of our -enemies? Were our troops, or were they not, -welcome to the people of Spain? He had reason -to doubt that fact. He was fearful that a multitude -of Spaniards wished success to Buonaparte -rather than to us. Although we must condemn -the injustice of Buonaparte in his attack upon -Spain, yet his measures were extremely judicious. -He abolished the Inquisition, feudal -rights, and unequal taxation. This was certainly -holding out some temptation to the people -to acquiesce in the changes which he wished to -introduce, and unquestionably it had produced -great effect. The government which England -supported was not connected with any thing -like a promise of the reform of any of the evils -of the old system, nor with any thing like a melioration -of the condition of the Spaniards. God -forbid that we should abandon their cause while -it was possible to support it with any prospect<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">340</span> -of success; but he was far from being sure that -the time might not come when we should have -to treat with France after she had totally subdued -Spain. Ministers were justified in refusing -to treat on the terms offered at Erfurth; -indeed they must have been the basest of mankind -if they had accepted such a preliminary. -But he could not avoid regretting that the -country had lost so many fair opportunities -of negotiating a peace, and that it had at length -been reduced to so foul a one that it could not -have been accepted without eternal disgrace. -Mr. William Smith said, with a similar feeling, -that though he concurred in the propriety of -rejecting the last offer of negotiation, he by -no means meant to declare that the country -ought never to commence another while Spain -was in the hands of the French government.</p> - -<p>This first debate made it apparent that the -cause of the Spaniards, in which all Britain had -appeared to partake so universal and generous -a sympathy, was now regarded by a party in -the state as a party question; and that because -ministers, true to the interest of their country, -and to its honour (of all interests the most important), -were resolved to continue faithful to -the alliance which they had formed with Spain, -there were men who felt little concern for what -Europe and liberty and human nature would -lose if Buonaparte should succeed in bowing the -Spaniards beneath his yoke, and who looked on -with ill-dissembled hope to the advantage which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">341</span> -such a catastrophe might give them over their -parliamentary opponents. Their disposition was -more broadly manifested when the overtures -from Erfurth were discussed, and an address -moved approving the answer which had been - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Debates on the Overtures from Erfurth. -<br /> -<span class="date">Jan. 26.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -returned. They admitted that the overtures -were insincere, and could not possibly have led -to peace, and yet they took occasion to carp -and cavil at what they could not in common -decency oppose.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lord Grenville.<span class="sne">♦</span> -<br /> -<span class="sne">♦</span>Lord Auckland.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>In the Upper House a feeling of utter hopelessness -was expressed with sincere regret by -Lord Grenville and Lord Auckland: the former -asserted that Buonaparte went to Spain with -the moral certainty of effecting its subjugation, -the most important object of any that he had -yet had in view; and that in the course of two -months he actually had attained that object. -The latter affirmed, that what we called the -Spanish cause was lost, for the present at least, -and without any rational hope that it could be - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Canning. -<span class="date">Jan. 31.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -soon revived. To such opinions Mr. Canning -alluded, saying, it was said that whenever Buonaparte -declared he would accomplish any measure, -his declaration was to be received as the -fiat of a superior being, whom it was folly to -resist! <em>He</em> never pledged himself to any thing -but what he could accomplish! <em>His</em> resolves -were insurmountable! <em>His</em> career not to be -stopped! Such, said the orator, is not my opinion, -nor the opinion of the British people. Even -were the ship in which we are embarked sinking,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">342</span> -it would be our duty still to struggle against -the element. But never can I acknowledge -that this is our present state. We are riding -proudly and nobly buoyant upon the waves! -To the argument that we ought, as Buonaparte -had done, to have held out a prospect of political -reform to the Spaniards, he replied we had -no right to assume any dictatorial power over -a country which we went to assist. We were -not to hold cheap the institutions of other countries -because they had not ripened into that maturity -of freedom which we ourselves enjoyed; -nor were we to convert an auxiliary army into -a dominating garrison; nor, while openly professing -to aid the Spaniards, covertly endeavour -to force upon them those blessings of which -they themselves must be the best judges. If -the Spaniards succeeded, they would certainly -be happier and freer than they had hitherto -been; but that happiness and freedom must be -of their own choice, not of our dictation. The -Central Junta was not indifferent to this prospective -good, for it called upon all literary men -to contribute their assistance in suggesting such -laws as might best be enacted for the good of -the state. If the suggestion of such laws were -to accompany a subsidy, he doubted much whether -it would meet with assent: and sure he -was that the Spaniards could not but dislike -them, if dictated at the point of the bayonet. -In these enlightened days, said he, the imposition -of a foreign dynasty is not regarded with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">343</span> -so much abhorrence, as it is considered what -useful internal regulations the usurpers may introduce! -So detestable a mode of reasoning is -confined to only a few political speculators; the -general sense and feeling of mankind revolt at -it. There is an irresistible impulse which binds -men to their native soil; which makes them -cherish their independence; which unites them -to their legitimate princes; and which fires them -with enthusiastic indignation against the imposition -of a foreign yoke. No benefit to be received -from a conqueror can atone for the loss -of national independence. Let us then do homage -to the Spanish nation for their attachment -to their native soil; an attachment which in its -origin is divine; ... and do not let us taunt -them with being a century behind us in civilization -or in knowledge, or adhering to prejudices -in religion, in politics, or in arts, which we have -happily surmounted.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lord H. Petty.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The more moderate opposition members, such -as Mr. Ponsonby and Lord Henry Petty, agreed -that the government had taken a proper course -in demanding an explanation with regard to -Spain before any negotiation was commenced. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Whitbread.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -But Mr. Whitbread said he lamented that the -offer had been so abruptly put an end to. Even -in breaking with France it was better to break -with her in a spirit of as little acrimony as possible, -... for let gentlemen say what they would, -we must ultimately treat with France, ... to this -complexion we must come at last; and it would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">344</span> -not be easy to say when we might calculate -upon even as good terms as we had been offered -in the late overture. With respect to Spain, -the hopes he once had were nearly gone; and -the various reports from different quarters, from -some of the want of wisdom in the government, -from others of want of energy in the people, -were not calculated to revive them. Perhaps -before this Portugal was reconquered. Buonaparte -was hastening to fulfil all his prophecies. -If ever we wished for peace, with this man probably -we must make it, and it was always wrong -to use insulting language towards him; the least -price of peace would be for us to use something -like decorous language to a power which was -perhaps the greatest that had ever existed on -the face of the world. And it was extraordinary -indeed that a government which had committed -the attack upon Copenhagen should call -the usurpation of Spain unparalleled! It really -carried with it an air of ridicule. Why should -we talk of atrocity? Why should we blasphemously -call on our God ... we, the ravagers of -India, ... we who had voted the solemn thanks -of the House to the despoilers of that unhappy, -persecuted country?</p> - -<p>Thus did Mr. Whitbread attempt, ... not indeed -to justify Buonaparte, few of his admirers -had at that time sufficient effrontery for this, ... -but to defend him by the yet viler method of -recrimination; to apologize for his crimes by -the false assertion that England had perpetrated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">345</span> -crimes as great; to stand forth as the accuser -of his country; and to disarm it, as far as his -ability and his influence might avail, of its moral -strength, and of its hope in God and a good -cause. Six months before he had prayed God -to crown the efforts of the Spaniards with success - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Vol. i. p. 449.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -as final as those efforts were glorious. “Never,” -he then said, “were a people engaged in -a more arduous and honourable struggle. Perish -the man,” he then exclaimed, “who would entertain -a thought of purchasing peace by abandoning -them to their fate! Perish this country -rather than its safety should be owing to a compromise -so horridly iniquitous!” It was now -apparent that the sympathy which had been -thus strongly expressed had not been very deep. -He moved as an amendment upon the address, -that though we should have witnessed with regret -any inclination to consent to the abandonment -of the cause of Spain, it did not appear -that any such disgraceful concession was required -as a preliminary by the other belligerent -powers. The stipulation, therefore, on our -part, that the Spaniards should be admitted as -a party, was unwise and impolitic; an overture -made in respectful terms ought to have been -answered in more moderate and conciliatory language, -and immediate steps taken for entering -into negotiation on the terms proposed in that -overture. The amendment concluded by requesting -that his Majesty would be graciously -pleased to avail himself of any opportunity which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">346</span> -might offer of acceding to, or commencing a -negotiation for the restoration of the blessings -of peace, on such terms as the circumstances of -the war in which we were engaged might render -compatible with the true interests of the -empire, and the honour of his Majesty’s crown.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Croker.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The proposed amendment provoked a severe -reply from Mr. Croker. He exposed the inconsistency -of the mover, who in his letter to -Lord Holland, when he had stated his opinion -that it became the Government at that time to -negotiate, recommended that “the complete -evacuation of Spain by the French armies, the -abstinence from all interference in her internal -arrangements, and the freedom of the Royal -Family, should be the conditions of the negotiation.” -Mr. Croker commented also with just -indignation upon the strain of argument which -Mr. Whitbread had pursued. “He has set out,” -said he, “by doing Buonaparte the favour of -trying to find a parallel for his attack on Spain; -and he boasts of having found many. But in -the registers of British discussion, in the recollections -of British feeling, I defy the honourable -gentleman to find a parallel for his own -speech, ... a speech calculated only to plead the -enemy’s cause. I do not mean to represent him -as intentionally their advocate; but I will assert -that, whether intentionally or not, he has taken -that course by seeking for examples which might -keep the French government in countenance. -But even if he were not so deeply to blame for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">347</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />February.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -this, ... supposing even that this course was necessary -to his argument, ... even then he had -been in error: he had produced no parallel instance; -the history of the world did not furnish -one; and he had fruitlessly gone out of the path -to weaken the cause of his country.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Whitbread’s speech circulated by the French government.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Mr. Whitbread’s amendment was so little in -accord with the feelings even of his colleagues -in opposition, that it was not put to the vote. -But his speech was so favourable to Buonaparte, -and so suited to the furtherance of his -purposes, that the French government availed -themselves of it. A very few omissions adapted -it to the meridian of Paris; it was translated, -inserted in the provincial papers as well as those -of the capital, and circulated through France -and those countries which were under its dominion -or its influence. To deceive the French -and the people of the continent by the official -publication of false intelligence was part of Buonaparte’s -system; but no fabrication could so -well have served his purpose as thus to tell them -that an English statesman, one of the most eminent -of the Whigs, of the old advocates of liberty, -a leading member of the House of Commons, -had declared in that House that the overtures -of peace made by France were unexceptionable, -and had been unwisely, impoliticly, -and unnecessarily answered with insult; that -Buonaparte, wielding the greatest power which -had ever existed, was hastening to fulfil all his -prophecies; that England must be reduced to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">348</span> -treat with him at last, and therefore that the -King of England ought to be advised by his -Parliament to commence a negotiation as soon -as possible upon such terms as circumstances -might permit!</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Debates on the Portugueze campaign.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The debates upon the campaign in Portugal -and the Convention of Cintra terminated in -confirming by the sense of Parliament the -opinion which the Court of Inquiry had pronounced. -Events indeed had followed in such -rapid succession, that the Convention having -been regarded only as to immediate interests, -not with reference to principles which are of -eternal application, seemed like a subject obsolete -and out of date. Ministers derived another -advantage from the manner in which they -were attacked. No man could blame them, except -in the mere spirit of opposition, for having -sent an expedition to Portugal; the public sense -of what had been lost by the armistice sufficiently -proved the wisdom of its destination; and -that the force had been sufficient for its object -we had the decisive authority of Sir Arthur -Wellesley, and the complete evidence of the -victory which he had gained. The discussions -upon the expedition to Spain were more frequent - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Both parties agree in extolling Sir J. Moore.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and more angry. Both parties, however, as -soon as the subject was brought forward, agreed -in voting the thanks of Parliament to the army -for their services, and a monument to the General. -It had been the intention of Government -to make a provision for the female part of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">349</span> -Sir John Moore’s family; but upon an intimation -of their wish that it might be transferred to -a male branch, a pension of a thousand pounds -was granted to his elder brother. This was a -becoming act of national generosity; but the -opposition eagerly consecrated, and as it were -canonized, the memory of Sir John Moore, that -they might impute the whole misconduct of the -campaign, with all its loss and its disgrace, to -Government; and the ministers, always willing -to avert a harassing investigation, were well -pleased that their opponents should thus preclude -themselves from pressing it upon military -grounds.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Inquiry into the campaign in Spain called for.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Inquiry, however, was called for, not upon -that reasonable ground, but in the avowed hope -that it would prove the ministry guilty of that -utter misconduct for which their enemies so - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lord Grenville.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -loudly and exultingly arraigned them. Lord -Grenville said it was indeed a sinking country -if such mismanagement were suffered to continue -in the midst of our unexampled perils and -difficulties. The hand of Providence appeared -to be on us. Within three years we had lost the -two great statesmen in whom the nation reposed -its confidence, an admiral who had carried our -navy to a pre-eminence which it never before -enjoyed, and now a great military chieftain, -whose talents were of the first order. “Was it - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lord Erskine.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -possible,” Lord Erskine asked, “to deplore the -loss of friends whom we loved, and of men whose -lives were precious to their country, without<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">350</span> -lamenting in bitterness that they were literally -immolated by the ignorance and folly of those -who now wished to cover their own disgrace by -the just and natural feelings of the public towards -men who had died for their native land? -But for their immortal renown, it would have -been better for them, certainly much better for -their country, to have shot them upon the parade -of St. James’s Park, than to have sent them, not -to suffer the noble risk of soldiers, in a practicable -cause, but to endure insufferable, ignoble, -and useless misery, in a march to the very centre -of Spain, where for them to attack was impracticable, -and to retreat only possible, by unparalleled -exertions: and what sort of retreat? ... a -retreat leaving upon the roads and in the mountains -of Spain from 8000 to 9000 of our brave -men, dying of fatigue, without one act of courage -to sweeten the death of a soldier. What -could, then, be a more disgusting and humiliating -spectacle, than to see the government of -this great empire, in such a fearful season, in -the hands of men who seemed not fit to be a -vestry in the smallest parish?”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 24.</span> Mr. Ponsonby.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Mr. Ponsonby insisted that it was the duty of -ministers, before they engaged in such a contest, -to have ascertained the real state of Spain. -It was not sufficient to know that monks could -excite some of the poorer and more ignorant -people to insurrection. The disposition and -views of the upper classes, who from their rank -and property possess a natural influence, ought<span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">351</span> -to have been ascertained; and, above all, the -inclination of that middle class which is every -where the great bond and cement of connexion -between the higher and lower orders. Some -information too they might have collected from -history before they ventured upon sending an -army into Spain: for, as far as history went, -they would not find much to encourage them in -relying upon the character of the Spaniards for -cordial or active co-operation in such a contest. -“I am not disposed,” said he, “to speak disrespectfully -of the Spaniards; but history does -not represent them as remarkable for that -daring, enthusiastic, high-spirited disposition -which prompts and qualifies men to make a -great struggle for freedom and independence. -The most powerful principles to excite mankind -have uniformly been religion and liberty: have -either been found materially to operate upon the -recent movements of the Spanish people? These -are the only principles which have ever served -to excite the noble daring, the heroic resolution -to conquer or die; and it was necessary therefore -to inquire whether they were actuated by -both, or by either, to calculate upon the probability -of their success in the war. If they -were influenced by neither of these motives, -how could any reflecting man look for energy, -zeal, or perseverance among them? Let me -not be misinterpreted. I do not desire that -they, or any people, should become wild or mad, -and destroy society itself in order to improve its<span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">352</span> -condition; that in order to remove abuses they -should tear away all their ancient institutions; -that in order to reform religion they should -destroy Christianity itself; but I do say, while -the Inquisition existed, that if the Spaniards -were not sensible of the multitude of abuses -which pressed upon them, if they felt not a wish -to reform abuses and to restore their rights, and -were not willing, for that reformation and restriction, -to encounter all the dangers and endure -all the difficulties inseparable from the species -of warfare in which they were engaged; I say, -that if this people were not actuated by the wish -for, and encouraged by the hope of an improved -condition, it was impossible for any statesman, -for any man of common sense, to suppose that -they would fight with success. If they were -insensible of the cause of their degradation, and -indifferent as to its removal, it was in vain for -England to calculate upon materially exciting -the spirit, or effectually aiding the exertions of -such a people.”</p> - -<p>Then, after intimating a belief that Sir John -Moore had acted against his own judgment, and -in consequence only of Mr. Frere’s repeatedly -urging him to advance, he asked whether the -Spaniards had been found willing and cordial in -their assistance to the British army? whether -they had received them as deliverers and guests, -or with jealousy and fear? “Perhaps,” he continued, -“ministers may say that the Spaniards -did not discover all that cordiality which was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">353</span> -expected. But can it be permitted that they -shall say this after they have involved the country -in such a ruinous, unproductive, and inglorious -struggle? For let us not forget this, that, although -we have obtained renown for our military -bravery, England has for ever lost its character -as a military nation. Were you to propose -to send your soldiers again, as an encouragement -and aid to other foreign powers, what -would be the answer? It would be, ‘No! Your -troops are good; your officers are skilful and -courageous; but there is something in the councils -of England, or in the nature and manner of -the application of her force, that renders it impossible -ever to place any reliance upon her -military assistance.’ When you appeared in -Holland and Germany as auxiliaries, you failed; -true it is, your force in these cases was comparatively -small, and the question remained undecided. -The problem is solved, however, by -what has passed in Spain. You professed to -send forth the largest army that ever went from -England, for the purpose of meeting the force -of France; and what has been the result? A -shameful retreat before the armies of France, -and a disgraceful desertion of the power you -wished to assist. This campaign, I say, will -have an influence upon the character of England -long after all of us shall cease to live. I ask the -House, then, to institute an inquiry. I call upon -the country to seek for one, in order to show how -much distress, difficulties, dangers, and perils<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">354</span> -unexampled, our soldiers have endured in this -fruitless and inglorious struggle. I call upon -you, by the gratitude you owe to those who were -thus shamefully sacrificed at Coruña, ... by that -which you owe to their companions in arms, who -are still in existence, and able and willing to -defend their country; I call upon you, by the -interest you take in those who yet remain, to -institute this inquiry, in order that they may -not be sacrificed by similar misconduct upon -a future occasion. I call upon you, as you value -the glory of our country, the preservation of -our future power and reputation, as well as our -interest, by every thing that can excite the exertions -of brave men, to institute this investigation.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lord Castlereagh.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Lord Castlereagh, in his reply to this speech, -observed with sarcastic truth, there could not -be a greater mistake than to suppose they who -called for inquiry meant that they wanted information. -It happened, however, that by pronouncing -upon facts of which he was imperfectly - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Tierney.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -informed, Mr. Tierney was led into a course of -argument most unfavourable to the intentions -of himself and those who acted with him. Why, -he demanded, had not the 10,000 men who were -embarked been sent forward with all speed to -Sir John Moore’s assistance? On board the -transports they were, and Lord Castlereagh took -them out. Had they been sent, Sir John might -have been still alive, and a real diversion then -have been effected; for our army might for some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">355</span> -time have maintained itself in Coruña, and have -obliged the enemy to turn their whole attention -to that quarter. The loss which we had sustained -in our retreat, he said, was carefully -glossed over, but he understood that it was at -least from 8,000 to 10,000 men. Such a scene -of woe, indeed, had scarcely ever been heard of. -Think of blowing up the ammunition, destroying -three or four hundred waggons, staving the dollar -casks, leaving the artillery to be cast away, and -the Shrapnell shells to the French, who would -thus discover their composition! He meant not -to ascribe these disasters in the smallest degree -to the General: all might have been avoided, if -only 10,000 men had been sent to his support. -Inquiry, therefore, was more than ever necessary; -and by the result of that night’s debate -Great Britain would judge of the character of -the House of Commons. That House ought to -convince the army that, though they might be -exposed to unavailing exertions, and useless hardships, -by the mismanagement of ignorant councils, -they had protection in Parliament, who -would never be slow in attending to their interest -and their comforts. Unless the officers -of the army had this support to look to, all would -with them be absolute despair; for, with the -exception of some of the connexions of ministers, -there was not an officer who came home from the -expedition who did not vent execrations against -the authors of it ... there was not a man engaged -in that retreat of unparalleled hardship who did<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">356</span> -not curse those who placed them in such a -situation.</p> - -<p>The fact was as Mr. Tierney stated it; ... he -was only mistaken in imputing it to the government. -Four regiments and two troops of horse -artillery were actually on board, and had been -disembarked. Five more regiments of cavalry -were under orders for Spain, and would have -been dispatched as soon as the transports could -return for them. Nor had Mr. Tierney overstated -the advantages which might have been -expected had they arrived at the scene of action. -On the contrary, far more important results than -that of maintaining Coruña for a time must have -ensued, if the British army had found these reinforcements -there, even if it could be supposed -that the retreat would have been made with -such desperate precipitance, the General knowing -he had such support at hand. He would -then have retreated like one who was falling -back upon his reinforcements, not flying to his -ships. Broken in strength as the army was by -severe exertion and excessive sufferings, broken -in spirit too and almost in heart by the manner -of its retreat, it had beaten the pursuers in fair -battle, and 10,000 fresh troops would have -turned the tide. Galicia would have been delivered -from the enemy, Portugal saved from -invasion, and Soult’s army have been cut off, -unless they could have crossed the mountains -faster in flight than they had done in pursuit. -Ministers would indeed have deserved the imputation<span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">357</span> -so confidently cast on them by their -opponents, if these advantages had been lost -by their misconduct. Mr. Canning stated in -their defence, that the reinforcements had been -countermanded by the Generals, and empty -transports sent out in conformity to their distinct -requisition. “It was an afflicting circumstance,” -said he, “to send out empty, for the -purpose of bringing off the army, those ships -which had been filled for the purpose of reinforcing -it. Among all the decisions to which -I have been a party, no one has ever in the -course of my life occurred which gave me more -pain than this; ... every dictate of the understanding -was tortured, every feeling was wrung -by it. But his Majesty’s ministers had no choice. -They felt that it would excite dissatisfaction in -England and dismay in Spain; and yet they had -no alternative.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Canning.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Mr. Canning then proceeded to examine the -more general arguments of Mr. Ponsonby. “It -had been argued,” he said, “that before the -assistance of this country had been given to -Spain, we ought to have ascertained whether -or not the Spaniards were instigated by the -monks; whether they were encouraged by the -higher ranks; whether they were wedded to -their ancient institutions, or disposed to shake -off the oppression of their former government; -to abjure the errors of a delusive religion; and -to forswear the Pope and the Grand Inquisitor. -The policy of his Majesty’s government was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">358</span> -different. They felt that the Spanish nation -wanted other and more aids than lectures on -municipal institutions; they were content that -a British army should act in Spain, though the -Grand Inquisitor might have been at the head -of the Spanish armies; though the people might -have been attached to their ancient monarchy, -and with one hand upheld Ferdinand VII., -whilst with the other they worshipped the Lady -of the Pillar. God forbid we should be so intolerant -as to make a conformity to our own -opinions the price of our assistance to others, -in their efforts for national independence; to -carry the sword in one hand, and what we may -choose to call the Rights of Man in the other! -But the enthusiasm of the Spaniards was not -pretended; what they had in their mouths, they -felt in their hearts: they were enthusiastically -determined to defend their country to the last -extremity, or to perish under its ruins. The -cause was not desperate; the spirit of the people -was unsubdued; the boundaries of French -power were confined within the limits of their -military posts; the throne of Joseph was erected -on sand, and would totter with the first blast; -and Buonaparte, even should he succeed, instead -of a yielding and unreproaching ally, would have -an impatient, revolting, and turbulent nation to -keep down. The cause was not therefore desperate, -because our army of 30,000 or 40,000 -men had been obliged to withdraw; and it was -not just to the country, or to the army, which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">359</span> -he hoped would again prove the stay and bulwark -of Europe, to assert that its honour was -in consequence gone for ever. All the energy -of liberty, and all the sacredness of loyalty, still -survived; and the Spanish revolution was, he -trusted, destined by Providence to stand between -posterity and French despotism, and to -show to the world, that, amidst the paroxysms -of freedom, a monarch might still be loved. If, -therefore, ministers could show that these were -the feelings by which they were influenced, and -that they had acted up to these feelings, their -justification would be complete; and he was -convinced that the liberal and disinterested -measures of his Majesty’s government towards -Spain were more congenial to British feeling, -and more honourable to the national character, -than if they had set out in their career of assistance -by picking up golden apples for ourselves. -For himself, as an humble individual -of the government, and having a share in these -transactions, the recollection would be a source -of gratification which he should carry with him -to the grave. If we had been obliged to quit -Spain, we had left that country with fresh laurels -blooming upon our brows; and whatever -failure there had been upon the whole might -still be repaired. If that was to be brought -forward as the ground for accusation, he stood -there for judgement. The object of the motion -was to take the reins of government out of the -hands of those who held them; and upon that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">360</span> -ground he desired that the present ministers -might be judged by comparison. Was it the -pleasure of the House that Spain should be -abandoned? Was it a principle agreed upon, -that the direction of government should be -committed to other hands? Was it then a -settled opinion, that there was something fatal -in the will, and irresistible in the power of -Buonaparte? and was the world to submit to his -tyrannous resolves, as to a divine infliction? -Whatever might be the fruits of Buonaparte’s -victories in other respects, the spirit of the -Spanish nation was yet unsubdued. His fortune, -no doubt, had been augmented; but still -it was fortune, not fate; and therefore not to -be considered unchangeable and fixed. There -was something unworthy in the sentiment that -would defer to this fortune, as to the dispensations -of Providence; looking upon it as immutable -in its nature, and irresistible by human -<span class="locked">means:—</span></p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="i30">‘Te<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Nos facimus Fortuna Deam, cœloque locamus.’”<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p>This was a triumphant reply. The arguments -of the opposition had been so misdirected, that -there was no occasion of subterfuge, sophistry, -or the shield of a majority to baffle them: they -were refutable by a plain statement of facts, -where they relied on facts, ... by an appeal to -principles and feelings, where they pretended -to philosophy. Mr. Canning spoke from his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">361</span> -heart. There was nothing which he was required -to extenuate or to exaggerate; all that -was needful was a manly avowal of what had -been done, and of the reasons why it had been -done. He had a good cause to plead, and he -pleaded it with a force and eloquence worthy -of the occasion. The same cause was in effect - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Windham.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -pleaded by Mr. Windham, though he took his -place in the opposition ranks, and voted for the -inquiry as an opposition question. “Our expedition -to Spain,” he said, “had been so managed -as to produce what was much worse than -nothing. What we called our best army had -retreated from the field without striking a blow, -on the mere rumour of the enemy’s advance. -We had shown them that our best troops could -do nothing, and therefore that there was little -chance of their undisciplined peasantry succeeding -better. There were two courses which -might have been pursued, either that of striking -a blow upon the Ebro while the enemy were -weak and their attention distracted, ... or, if this -were hopeless, of proceeding at once upon some -general plan with a view to the final deliverance -of the Peninsula. The first was a mere question -on which few but those in office could have -the means of judging. But if the force sent to -the Ebro had (as it ought to have been) been -chiefly cavalry (which the enemy most wanted, -and we could best spare), such a force, even -if it had been found insufficient for its immediate -object, could have retired in safety to that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">362</span> -part of the Peninsula where, at all events, and -in every view, the great mass of our force should -be collected ... the neighbourhood of Cadiz and -Gibraltar. These were the only two places from -which a large body of troops, when pressed by -a superior army, could hope to get away; and -there was no other part of Spain to which a -British army, large enough to be of any use, -could with propriety be trusted.</p> - -<p>“There, therefore,” Mr. Windham continued, -“I would have collected the greatest force that -this country could by any possibility have furnished. -There was no reason why we might -not have had an army of 100,000. An hundred -thousand men, with Gibraltar to retreat upon, -was a far less risk to the country than 30,000 in -the situation in which the ministry had placed -them; nay, than 30,000 in the very situation -spoken of; because a general must be miserably -deficient in knowledge of his business, who, in -such an abundant country, and with such a fortress -behind him, would, with an army of that -amount, suffer himself to be prevented from -making good his retreat, by any force which -the enemy could bring against him. For when -we talked of Buonaparte’s numbers, we must recollect -where those numbers were to act. To -meet in the south of Spain a British force of -100,000, Buonaparte must bring over the Pyrenees -a force of not less than 200,000; to say -nothing of the demand that would be made -upon him by the Spanish army which might<span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">363</span> -be raised in that part of Spain, to co-operate -with the British, and which the presence of -such a British force would help to raise. Buonaparte -would have a whole kingdom, which he -must garrison, behind him, if he would either -be sure of his supplies, or make provision against -total destruction, in the event of any reverse. -He must fight us at arm’s-length, while our -strength would be exerted within distance, with -an impregnable fortress at hand, furnishing a -safe retreat in case of disaster, and a source of -endless supply, by means of its safe and undisturbable -communication with this country. And -let it not be said, that while the army continued -in the south, Buonaparte might continue master -of the north. What mastery could he have of any -part of Spain, while such an army could keep -on foot in any other? And why, in case of success, -did the security of its retreat require that -it should never advance? There was never any -thing so demonstrable, therefore, as that the -only way of carrying on effectually a campaign -in Spain, whatever else you might have done, -was to collect your army in the south. A force -raised to the greatest possible amount to which -the mind and means of the country, ... then elevated -above itself, and exalted to something of -a preternatural greatness, ... could have carried -it, should have been placed where it would have -been safe from the risk of total loss, and would -not have been kept down by the idea that the -deposit was too great for the country to hazard. -This should have been the great foundation,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">364</span> -the base line of the plan of the campaign. On -this the country might have given a loose to all -its exertions, with the consolatory reflection, -that the greater its exertions, the greater its -security, ... the more it made its preparations -effectual to their purpose, the less was the risk -at which it acted.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Windham then censured in strong terms -the neglect of those opportunities which our -command at sea had offered upon the eastern -coast of Spain; “a coast,” he said, “which was -placed as the high road for the entry of troops -from France, which was every where accessible -for our ships, and which was inhabited by the -race of men who fought at Gerona and Zaragoza. -Total forgetfulness could alone explain -this most unaccountable neglect. But the great -and pregnant source of error in ministers,” he -observed, “besides the fault of not knowing -better, was that which they had in common -with many other ministers, and which he had -signally witnessed in some of his own time, ... -that of mistaking bustle for activity, and supposing -that they were doing a great deal, when -they were only making a great deal of noise, -and spending a great deal of money. They -looked at every measure, not with a view to -the effect which it was to produce abroad, but -to the appearance which it was to make at -home.” He then spoke of the campaign in -Spain more fairly than either party had ventured -to represent it. “He could not,” he said, -“help perceiving in the conduct of this war,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">365</span> -and certainly in much of the language held -about it, a certain mixture of that error which -prevailed in many years of the last, of looking -to other powers for what ought to have been -our own work. We did not set our shoulders -to the wheel, as people would who estimated -truly what the exertions of this country could -do, when fairly put forth. In this point there -was a want of confidence in ourselves; ... in -another there was a want, not merely of generosity, -but of common justice toward our allies. -There could be nothing more fallacious than to -estimate the feelings of a country towards any -cause by the feelings excited in that part of it -which should be exposed to the immediate -pressure of an army. If the scene of war lay -in England, and we had an army of allies, or -even of our own countrymen, acting for our -defence, they would not be very popular in the -places where they were quartered or encamped; -and there would not be wanting complaints -among the farmers whose provisions were consumed, -whose hen-roosts were plundered, whose -furniture was stolen, whose ricks were set on -fire, and whose wives and daughters might not -always escape insult, that the French themselves -could not do them greater mischief. Now, if -this were true, as infallibly it would be, of English -troops upon English ground, might we not -suppose that a good deal more of the same sort -would happen when English troops were on -Spanish ground, where every cause of dissatisfaction<span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">366</span> -must be aggravated a thousand-fold, by -difference of habits and manners, and the want -of any common language, by which the parties -might understand one another? It must be confessed, -too, he was afraid, that we were not the -nation who accommodated ourselves best to -strangers, or knew best how to conciliate their -good will: and when to all this was added, that -we were a retreating army, and an army compelled -to retreat with extraordinary rapidity, -and much consequent disorder, it would not be -surprising if neither we appeared to the people, -nor they to us, in the most advantageous form. -Nor were the inhabitants of the towns and villages -on the line of our march to be considered -as a fair representation of the feelings and sentiments -of the mass of people in Spain. On -many occasions the soldiers, at the end of a -long march, had nothing provided for them to -eat, and were obliged to help themselves. The -inhabitants, whether they staid or had fled, had -locked up their houses, and nothing was to be -got but by breaking them open; and when once -soldiers, whether from necessity or otherwise, -began to break open houses, farther irregularities -must be expected. Galicia was probably -an unfair specimen of what was to be looked -for from the rest of Spain; not so much from -the character of the inhabitants, as from the -state of society there, where the gentry were -few, and of little influence; and where there -was almost a total want of those classes which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">367</span> -might direct and methodize the exertions of the -lower orders. But to talk of the Spaniards generally, -as wanting in zeal, or courage, or determination -to defend their country, was more than -any one would venture, after such examples as -Zaragoza. A defence had there been made, -so far exceeding what was to be expected -from a regular army, that a general in this -country would have been made a peer for -having surrendered Zaragoza, in circumstances -far short of those in which its inhabitants defended -it.”</p> - -<p>There was an English spirit in this speech, -such as might have been looked for from Mr. -Windham: for if sometimes he seemed to delight -in making with perverse ingenuity the worse -appear the better reason, and treated as a sport -for the intellect subjects which deserved a serious -and severe feeling, no political views or -enmities ever betrayed him into an unworthy -act, or sentiment inconsistent with his natural -generosity. The motion for inquiry was rejected; -but whatever papers were called for -were granted, though Lord Liverpool warned -his opponents, that if they insisted upon making - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sir John Moore’s dispatches.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -some of these documents public, they would -perceive the impropriety when it was too late. -They found in these papers what they wanted, ... -an assertion broadly made by Sir John Moore, -“that the Spaniards had neither the power nor -the inclination to make any efforts for themselves. -To convince the people of England, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_368">368</span> -well as the rest of Europe, of this,” he said, “it -was necessary to risk his army, and for that -reason he made the march to Sahagun. As a -diversion,” he continued, “it succeeded. I -brought the whole disposable force of the -French against this army, and it has been allowed -to follow me, without a single movement -being made to favour my retreat. The people -of Galicia, though armed, made no attempt to -stop the passage of the French through the -mountains. They abandoned their dwellings -at our approach, drove away their carts, oxen, -and every thing that could be of the smallest -aid to the army. The consequence has been, -that our sick have been left behind: and when -our horses or mules failed, which, on such -marches, and through such a country, was the -case to a great extent, baggage, ammunition, -stores, and even money, were necessarily destroyed -or abandoned.” This was a heavy -charge against the Spaniards, and it was triumphantly -repeated by those who, being the opponents -of ministry, became thereby the enemies -of the Spanish cause. Yet it might have occurred -to them that it was neither generous nor prudent -to reproach an undisciplined peasantry for not -attempting to defend defiles through which the -finest army that had ever left England, with a -man who was supposed to be their best general -at its head, was retreating faster than ever army -had retreated before. If these passes were not -defensible, why should the Galicians be condemned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_369">369</span> -for not defending them? If they were, -why did the British army run through, leaving -their baggage, stores, and ammunition, their -money, their horses, their sick, their dying, and -their dead, to track the way?</p> - -<p>This accusation against our allies the opposition -had expected to find; but they had not -looked for a heavier charge against the army -itself from the same authority, ... a charge too -which, if any thing more than the consternation -and flight of the British force had been required -to excuse the Galicians, would have supplied it. -For the General added in this unhappy dispatch, -“I am sorry to say, that the army whose -conduct I had such reason to extol on its march -through Portugal, and on its arrival in Spain, -has totally changed its character since it began -to retreat. I can say nothing in its favour, but -that when there was a prospect of fighting the -enemy, the men were then orderly, and seemed -pleased, and determined to do their duty.” -“Of what nature,” it was asked, “was this misconduct -with which General Moore so roundly -accused a whole army, almost with his dying -breath? Did the officers behave ill, or the men, -or both? Did they refuse to fight, or did they -refuse to fly? What had they done, or what -had they omitted to do?” These questions -were asked by the wiser part of the public, and -the narratives of the campaign, which were afterwards -published, amply answered them. It -then appeared that the army, from the hour in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_370">370</span> -which it was turned into a rout, considered -themselves like sailors after a shipwreck, released -from all discipline by the common ruin; -... that they plundered, burnt, and destroyed -before them; ... that while many of the officers -murmured against the conduct of the commander, -the men cried out loudly against the -disgrace of running away; ... that order, discipline, -temperance, and even humanity, were -laid aside by them in their desperation: but -that they had never forgotten the honour of -England; and that whenever a hope of facing -the enemy was held out to them, order was instantaneously -restored, they were themselves -again, and, in spite of all their fatigues and sufferings, -manifested that invincible courage -which, happily for themselves and for their -country, they were allowed at last to prove upon -the French at Coruña.</p> - -<p>Such consequences, however, humiliating as -they were, were inevitable in a retreat so conducted. -But Sir John Moore’s dispatch contained -a more startling avowal, for it was then -first made known that he had been advised to -propose terms to the enemy, that he might be -permitted to embark quietly. It was indeed an -unexpected shock to learn that there were officers, -and of such rank as to offer advice to the -General, who were for asking leave of the French -to embark, and purchasing by such dishonour -that safety which the army, broken-hearted as -it was, without horse, and almost without artillery,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_371">371</span> -won gloriously for itself. From this incalculable -evil, this inexpiable disgrace, Sir -John Moore had saved us. But who were the -men who had so little confidence in British -valour, that they would not have fought the -battle of Coruña? Who were they who, instead -of relying upon their own hearts and hands, -would have proposed terms to Marshal Soult, -and set the Spaniards an example to which -every traitor or every coward among them might -have appealed as a precedent for any baseness? -This question was not asked in Parliament; nor -was any pledge required from Government, or -given, that these men should never on any -future occasion be trusted with command. Not -a single remark was made in either House by -either party upon this subject, nor upon any of -the information contained in a dispatch which -had been loudly called for as of such great importance. -It furnished no matter of reproach -against the ministry, and therefore it was not -the kind of information which their opponents -wanted. And ministers themselves could make -no use of it in their own justification, for, having -it in their hands, they had passed a vote of -thanks to the officers and men of whose previous -misconduct they possessed these proofs; and -instead of defending their own measures by -arguing that the campaign might probably have -turned out well, and beyond all doubt less disastrously, -if the Commander had acted with -more vigour and more discretion, they had asserted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_372">372</span> -that every thing had been ably executed, -as well as wisely planned.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Frere’s correspondence with Sir John Moore.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Some matter, however, for accusation the -opposition thought they had found in Mr. -Frere’s correspondence with Sir John Moore. -They affirmed that the fatal event of the campaign -had been caused by his interference, he -having been the sole cause of the army’s advance. -To have his conduct fairly and impartially -considered is what no agent of the -British government expects from a party in opposition -to the government, the just and honourable -feelings of private life being so commonly -cast aside in political warfare, that the -wonder is when a trace of them is found remaining. -But Mr. Frere was attacked with -peculiar acrimony, as the intimate friend of -Mr. Canning; this being motive enough for -virulence when a spirit of faction prevails. He -was charged in the most unqualified terms with -folly, ignorance, and presumption; it was declared -that his incapacity had given Buonaparte -the same advantage as that Emperor was accustomed -to derive from corruption and treason; -and it was announced that an address would be -moved for his immediate recall. That intention -was not pursued when it was understood that -Marquis Wellesley would be appointed to succeed -him in the embassy; and upon every point -except that of having desired that Colonel -Charmilly might be examined before a council -of war, his conduct was fully vindicated and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_373">373</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />April.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -approved by the ministers. In so doing they -thought he had adopted an improper course; -but they proved from the documents which had -supplied the grounds of the accusation, that Sir -John Moore had not been guilty of the gross -fault which his admirers, in their desire of criminating -another, imputed to him: he had not -made a forward movement which endangered -the army contrary to his own judgement, and -in deference to an opinion which he disapproved; -but upon his own plans, and in consequence of -the information which he obtained from an intercepted -dispatch.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Earl Grey. April 21.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>In the course of these debates Earl Grey -complained that only 2000 cavalry had been -sent to Spain, though we had 27,000, and -though that description of force was peculiarly -necessary in that country; and he contrasted -the conduct of the British government with -that of Buonaparte, “the consummate general -whose plans they had to oppose. In rapidity -of execution,” said his lordship, “he is only -equalled by his patience in preparing the means. -He has all the opposite qualities of Fabius and -Marcellus, whether you consider the country in -which he acts, the people with whom he has to -contend, or the means by which he is to subdue -them. He rivals Hannibal in the application -of the means, and is exempt from his only fault, -that of not improving by past experience. The -means provided by Buonaparte for the accomplishment -of his purposes are so well combined,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_374">374</span> -and his objects so ably prosecuted, as generally -to give him a moral certainty of success; and -whatever may be thought of his total disregard -of the justice of those objects, it is impossible -not to admire the ability and wisdom with which -he combines the means of accomplishing them. -In order to maintain against such an antagonist -the ultimate contest which is to decide for ever -the power and independence of this country, -the true policy of those who govern it must be, -to pay a strict attention to economy, to be actuated -by a determination to concentrate our -means, not to endanger them in any enterprise -or speculation in which the event is doubtful; -but pursuing the economical system of husbanding -our resources, by which alone we could -enable ourselves to continue a contest, the cessation -of which does not depend upon us, but -upon the injustice of our enemy.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Earl of Liverpool.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Earl of Liverpool remarked, in reply, -how singular it was that every one who censured -the plan which ministers had followed with -regard to Spain had a plan of his own, and that -none of those plans should have a single principle -of agreement with each other. This at -least, he said, showed the difficulty which government -must have felt in forming its measures, -though it afforded a facility in defending them. -As to the accusation of not sending a sufficient -force of cavalry, he stated that as much tonnage -was required for 5000 horse as for 40,000 foot; -and moreover that vessels of a different description<span class="pagenum" id="Page_375">375</span> -were necessary, of which a very limited -number could at any time be procured. Yet -from 8000 to 9000 horse had been sent, and -there would have been not less than 12,000, -had not the General countermanded the reinforcements -which were ready. Weak as Earl -Grey might be pleased to deem the ministers, -they had not been so foolish as to expect that -the first efforts of the Spaniards would meet -with uninterrupted success; they were not yet -guilty of calculating upon impossibilities; they -had not supposed that such a cause as the cause -of Spain, to be fought for with such an enemy -as the ruler of France, could be determined in -one campaign. Reverses they had met; but -those reverses were not owing to the indifference -or apathy of the Spaniards; they were imputable -to their want of discipline, and to an ill-judged -contempt for the French, a proof in itself of -their zeal and ardour. And what would have -been the general sentiment in that country and -in this if our army had retired without attempting -any thing? If, when after all her repeated -disasters, the spirit of Spain was unsubdued, -and her capital bidding defiance to an immense -army at the very gates; if a British army, so -marshalled and equipped, and after a long march -to the aid of their ally, had in that hour of trial -turned their backs upon her danger, what would -have been thought of the sincerity of our co-operation? -“I believe in my conscience,” he -continued, “that that movement of Sir John<span class="pagenum" id="Page_376">376</span> -Moore saved Spain. There are some, perhaps, -who may be startled at the assertion: it is my -fixed and decided opinion, and as such I will -avow it. After the destruction of Blake’s army, -the defeat of Castaños, and the dispersion of -the army of Extremadura, ... after the capitulation -of Madrid, which promised to emulate the -glory of Zaragoza, and would have done so, -had not treachery interposed; if at that crisis -Buonaparte had pursued his conquests, by pushing -to the southern provinces, the Spanish -troops would never have had time to rally there. -But that time was given by Sir John Moore’s -advance in their favour. Never was there a -more effectual diversion. Sir John Moore himself -said, that as a diversion it had completely -and effectually succeeded. Nor was the moral -effect of thus re-animating the spirit of the nation -to be overlooked. Let the final issue of -the contest be what it may, France has not yet -succeeded in subduing Spain. I admit that -Buonaparte has 200,000 men in that country; -that his troops are of the bravest, and his generals -among the most skilful in the world; -and, above all, that he has been himself at their -head: and yet, with all this, he has not got possession -of more territory than he had last year: -he only holds such parts as in every war fell to -the lot of whichever brought the largest army -into the field. I am far from saying, regard -being had to the man and the circumstances of -the case, that the Spaniards must ultimately<span class="pagenum" id="Page_377">377</span> -succeed; but, at the same time, looking at the -spirit they have evinced, and the actions that -have happened, particularly the defence of Zaragoza, -I cannot feel lukewarm in my hope that -their efforts will be crowned with ultimate success. -In that fatal contest with America we -gained every battle; we took every town we -besieged, until the capture of General Burgoyne; -and yet the Americans ultimately succeeded, -by perseverance, in the contest. In the -present struggle, do not the extent and nature -of the country afford a hope of success? does -not its population forbid despair? We have -not lost the confidence of the Spanish people; -we know that every true Spanish heart beats -high for this country; we know that whatever -may happen, they do not accuse us. Submission -may be the lot they are fated to endure in the -end; but they do not impute to us the cause of -their misfortunes: they are sensible that neither -the thirst after commerce, nor territory, nor -security, is to be imputed to us, in the assistance -we have afforded to them upon this important -occasion. Whatever may be the result, we have -done our duty; we have not despaired; we -have persevered, and will do so to the last, -while there is any thing left to contend for with -a prospect of success.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mr. Canning. -<hr /> -<span class="date">May 9.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Mr. Canning also declared, that considering -Sir John Moore’s advance in a military point, -in his poor judgement he could not but think -it a wise measure; but in every view which ennobles<span class="pagenum" id="Page_378">378</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />May.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -military objects by exalting military character, -he was sure it was so. With all its consequences -and disasters, he preferred it to a retreat -at that time. Of those disasters he would -not say a word: the battle of Coruña covered -every thing; but the retreat itself, and the precipitancy -of it, he could never cease to regret. -This single expression was the only hint even of -censure as to the conduct of the retreat which -was heard in Parliament. In the course of the -debate an extraordinary confession was made - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 9.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -by Mr. Canning. “During the whole time,” -he said, “that these events were passing, government -had no means of arguing from the -past: the occasion was without precedent, and -such as it was impossible to lay their hand on -any period of history to parallel, either from its -importance with regard to individuals, to this -happy country and to Europe, or the difficulty -that arose from there being so little knowledge -to guide their steps in the actual scene of -their operations. Why should government be -ashamed to say they wanted that knowledge of -the interior of Spain, which they found no one -possessed? With every other part of the continent -we had had more intercourse: of the situation -of Spain we had every thing to learn.” -With what contemptuous satisfaction must Buonaparte -and the French politicians have heard -such a confession from the British secretary of -state for foreign affairs! With whatever feelings -the government might make this avowal, it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_379">379</span> -heard with astonishment by the thoughtful part -of the people, and not without indignation. To -them it was a mournful thing thus to be told -that their rulers laid in no stock of knowledge, -but lived, as it were, from hand to mouth, upon -what they happened to meet with! Is there a -country or a province in Europe, it was asked; -is there a European possession in any part of -the world, of which the French government does -not possess maps, plans, and the most ample accounts -of whatever may guide its politics, and -facilitate its invasion? Even respecting Spanish -America, such a confession would have been -disgraceful, because it would have betrayed an -inexcusable negligence in seeking for information; -but as regarding Spain itself, it became -almost incredible. Did there not exist faithful -and copious accounts of that kingdom, both by -foreign and native writers? Had we not still -living, diplomatists who had resided for years -at the Spanish court; consuls and merchants who -had been domesticated, and almost naturalized -in Spain; and travellers who, either for their -pleasure, or on their commercial pursuits, had -traversed every province and every part of the -Peninsula? Was not information always to be -found, if it were wisely and<a id="FNanchor_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> perseveringly -sought?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_380">380</span> -The truth was, that though we had means -adequate to any emergency, troops equal to any -service, and generals worthy to command them, -Government had the art of war to learn: it had -been forgotten in the cabinet since the days of -Marlborough and Godolphin. The minds of -men expand with the sphere in which they act, -and that of our statesmen had long been deplorably -contracted. The nation, contented -with its maritime supremacy, hardly considered -itself as a military power; and had well nigh -acquiesced in what the French insultingly proclaimed, -and the enemies of the Government -sedulously repeated, that we had ceased to be -so. We had been sinking into a feeble, selfish -policy, which would have withered the root of -our strength; its avowed principle being to fix -our attention exclusively upon what were called -British objects; in other words, to pursue what -was gainful, and be satisfied with present safety, -regardless of honour, and of the certain ruin -which that regardlessness must bring on. The -events in Spain had roused the country from a -lethargy which otherwise might have proved -fatal; and ministers, as undoubtedly the better<span class="pagenum" id="Page_381">381</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -part of their opponents would have done had -they been then in office, heartily participated -the national feeling: but when vigorous measures -were required, they found themselves without -precedent and without system. They had -entered, however, into the contest generously -and magnanimously, with a spirit which, if it -were sustained, would rectify the errors of inexperience, -and work its way through all difficulties.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Earl Grey. -<hr /> -<span class="date">April 21.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Earl Grey took occasion in one of his speeches -to notice an opinion, that it was of no consequence -by which party the administration of affairs -was directed. “How can it,” he asked, -“be seriously urged, that it is the same thing -whether the government be entrusted to incapable -persons, or able statesmen? I am really -astonished at the absurd extravagance of the -doctrine into which men of general good sense -and good intentions have been recently betrayed -upon this subject.” But no person had ever -pretended that it was the same thing whether -the government were administered by weak -heads or by wise ones. What had been maintained -was, that the party out of place was in -no respect better than the party in, and in many -respects worse: that they did not possess the -slightest superiority in talents; that a comparison -of principles was wholly to their disadvantage; -and that the language respecting the present -contest held, even by those among them -whose attachment to the institutions of their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_382">382</span> -country could not be doubted, was such as left -no hope for the honour of England if it were -committed to their hands. The existing ministry -acted upon braver and wiser principles, -and, whatever errors they committed in the management -of the war, to the latest ages it will -be remembered for their praise, that in the worst -times they never despaired of a good cause, nor -shrunk from any responsibility that the emergency -required.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Expedition to the Scheldt.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>An error, and one most grievous in its consequences, -they committed at this time, by dividing -their force, and sending a great expedition -against the Isle of Walcheren, as a diversion in -aid of Austria, instead of bringing all their -strength to bear upon the Peninsula. It was a -wise saying of Charles V. that counsels are to -be approved or condemned for their causes, not -for their consequences. When the causes which -led to this unhappy resolution are considered, -it will appear imputable in part to the conduct -of the Spanish government, still more to that -of the opposition in England. By refusing to -put us in possession of Cadiz as a point of retreat -and safe depôt, the Spaniards afforded -their enemies in England an argument in support -of their favourite position, that these allies -had no confidence in us. The opposition writers -did not fail to urge this as an additional proof -that they were unworthy of our assistance; and -the impression which they laboured to produce -was strengthened by persons whose hearts were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_383">383</span> -with their country, but who thought by heaping -obloquy upon the Spaniards, and making -their very misfortunes matter of accusation -against them, to excuse the manner of Sir John -Moore’s retreat. To the effect which had been -thus produced on public opinion ministers in -some degree deferred. They deferred still more -to the pitiful maxim that the British government -ought to direct its efforts towards the attainment -of what were called purely British objects: -now there were ships at Antwerp and at -Flushing, and it was deemed a British object to -destroy the naval resources of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Men in England regarded the commencement -of the Austrian war with widely different feelings, -each party expecting a result in conformity -to its own system of opinions. Those journalists -who taught as the first political commandment -that Buonaparte was Almighty, and that Europe -should have none other Lord but him, as from -the commencement of the troubles in Spain they -had represented the cause of the Spaniards to -be hopeless, so they predicted now that that resistless -conqueror was only called a while from -his career of conquest in the Peninsula to win -new victories upon the Danube, after which he -would return to the Guadalquivir and the -Tagus, and bear down every thing before him -there. Others, who had too sanguinely expected -immediate success from the Spaniards, with -equal but less excusable credulity rested their -hopes now upon Austria, ... there, they said, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_384">384</span> -battle was to be fought, and the fate of Spain as -well as of Germany depended upon the issue. -The wiser few looked for little from the continental -governments, though they knew that -much was possible from the people; but from -the beginning of this new contest, it appeared -to them important chiefly because it effected a -diversion in favour of the Spaniards; especially -they hoped that England would seize the opportunity, -and by meeting the enemy upon that -ground with equal numbers, secure a certain -and decisive victory.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Troops sent to Portugal.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Great and unfortunate as the error was of dividing -their efforts, the Government acted with -a spirit and vigour which have seldom been seen -in the counsels of a British cabinet. At a time -when they expected that not Spain alone, but -Portugal also, would be abandoned by our troops, -they made preparations for sending thither another -army with all speed, under Sir Arthur -Wellesley, who consequently resigned his seat -in Parliament, and his office as Chief Secretary -in Ireland. Sir John Craddock, who had then -the command in Portugal, being a much older -officer, was appointed Governor of Gibraltar. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Earl of Buckinghamshire. -<br /> -<span class="date">April 10.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -The Earl of Buckinghamshire complained of -this, as being an ill reward for those exertions -in collecting the scattered British force, and -preparing it for resistance, to which it was owing -that the determination of embarking from Lisbon -was abandoned. This complaint drew from the -Earl of Liverpool a just tribute to Sir John<span class="pagenum" id="Page_385">385</span> -Craddock’s merits, and some remarks not less -just upon the impropriety of bringing such a -subject before Parliament, as at once trenching -upon the prerogative, and virtually destroying -that responsibility which ministers possessed.</p> - -<p>Lord Buckinghamshire was of opinion that -we had acted unwisely in reinstating the Portugueze -Regency; that it became the duty of - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 1.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -ministers to form a provisional government in -that country till the subject could be submitted -to the Prince of Brazil’s decision; and that -when Marquis Wellesley went out as ambassador -to Seville, he should take with him powers -for making those changes in Portugal which -could not be delayed without most serious injury -to the common cause of that kingdom and -of Spain, and to the security of Great Britain -and Ireland. To this it was replied, that what -had been done was done because it was presumed -to be most in accord with the sentiments -of the government in Brazil, at the same time -that due regard was paid to the feelings and -even the prejudices of the people. Lord Buckinghamshire -strongly recommended that we -should avail ourselves of the strength of Portugal -as a military position, and of the excellent -qualities of the Portugueze, which, under good -discipline, whenever they had had it, made -them among the best soldiers in the world. -Such measures for that great purpose had at that -time been taken as the Earl of Buckinghamshire -wished. That nobleman spoke more wisely<span class="pagenum" id="Page_386">386</span> -upon the affairs of the Peninsula than any other -member of the opposition, and without the -slightest taint of party spirit. There were some, -of whom it would be difficult to say whether -their speeches displayed less knowledge of facts, -or less regard of them.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_387">387</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote class="inhead"> - -<p class="hang">SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY’S SECOND CAMPAIGN IN -PORTUGAL. PASSAGE OF THE DOURO, AND EXPULSION -OF THE FRENCH. DELIVERANCE OF GALICIA.</p></blockquote> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.</span> -<hr /> -Feelings of the Portugueze toward the English.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p><span class="firstword">There</span> were members who boldly asserted in -Parliament that the Portugueze did not like the -English. A more groundless assertion had seldom -been hazarded there. The connexion between -England and Portugal was not an ordinary -one, built upon immediate interests, and liable -to change with the chance of circumstances. -There were nations with whom, during the long -struggle against Buonaparte, we were in league -one day, and at war the next, the hostility being -without anger, and the alliance without esteem. -Our friendship with Portugal was like our enmity -to France, founded upon something deeper. From -the day when Portugal first became a kingdom, -with the exception of that unfortunate period -when the Philips usurped its crown, England had -been its tried and faithful friend. When Lisbon -was conquered from the Moors, English crusaders -assisted at the siege; ... English archers -contributed to the victory of Aljubarrota, which -effected the first deliverance of Portugal from -Castille; ... an Englishwoman, a Plantagenet,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_388">388</span> -was the mother of that Prince Henry, whose -name will for ever remain conspicuous in the -history of the world; ... the Braganzan family, -when it recovered its rights, applied, and not in -vain, to its hereditary ally; ... and when Lisbon -was visited by the tremendous earthquake of -1755, money was immediately voted by the -English parliament for the relief of the Portugueze -people; and ships laden with provisions -were dispatched to them in a time of scarcity at -home<a id="FNanchor_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">13</a>. These things are not forgotten ... if -there be a country in the world where the character -of the English is understood, and England -is loved as well as respected, it is Portugal. The -face of its rudest mountaineer brightens when -he hears that it is an Englishman who accosts -him; and he tells the traveller that the English -and the Portugueze were always ... always friends.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sir A. Wellesley’s instructions.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>That old and honourable friendship was now -once more to be tried and approved. An expedition -sailed in March for Portugal. The -commander’s instructions were, in case he should -find that Lisbon had been evacuated by the British -troops, to proceed to Cadiz, and land the -army there, if the government would admit them -into the garrison. Mr. Canning stated in his -advice to Mr. Frere, that the delicacy of this -point was felt and acknowledged, and the former<span class="pagenum" id="Page_389">389</span> -refusal had been received without the least resentment -or surprise. But circumstances were -now materially changed. The security of Cadiz -was impaired while the French possessed Portugal, -and it was thought advisable to give the -Junta one more opportunity of reconsidering -the question. Permission would now undoubtedly -have been granted had it been required; -fortunately it was not needed.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>General Beresford appointed commander-in-chief of the Portugueze army.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Prince of Brazil, perceiving the necessity -of forming an efficient Portugueze army, and -the impossibility of remedying the old and inveterate -evils which had ruined the existing -establishment, without the assistance of officers -trained in a better school, had appointed General -Beresford commander-in-chief with the rank of -Marshal. Immediately upon taking the command -that General published an address to the -army, saying that no person had studied the -disposition and military character of the nation -more than himself, and that no one could be -more thoroughly convinced of the good qualities -of the Portugueze soldiers, who were now what -they always had been, if not the best in Europe, -equal to the bravest. His care would be to give -their qualities that efficiency which could only -be derived from discipline. They were loyal to -their Prince, obedient to the legitimate authorities -who represented him, patient under -privations, and they had recently given proofs -of patriotism, energy, and enthusiasm worthy -of their illustrious ancestors. He was proud,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_390">390</span> -therefore, of identifying himself with such a -people: he was now a Portugueze officer, and -he pledged himself that desert should be the -only passport to his favour, and that he would -avail himself of every occasion for promoting -the comfort, honour, and advantage both of the -officers and men.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He begins to reform the army.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Portugueze army was indeed in the most -deplorable state; but Marshal Beresford, in appealing -to the national pride, did not exaggerate -the good points of the national character; and -had it been as easy in an army which had been -so long and so thoroughly debased to form good -officers as good men, his task would not have -been difficult. With the aid of a certain number -of British officers, who volunteered into that -service, retaining their rank in their own, he -commenced the task with indefatigable zeal. -The capture of Porto excited great alarm in -Lisbon, which was increased when the refugees -from that unfortunate city arrived, and related -the horrors that had been committed there. The -spirits of the people, however, were encouraged -by the expectation of British aid, confirmed by -a well-timed order of Sir John Craddock’s for -the army to advance, giving proof thereby of a -determination to defend the country, and of confidence -in the means for defending it. The reinforcement -which had arrived rendered his force -respectable, and he collected part in front of -Santarem, and part upon the road to Coimbra, -to be ready either against Soult or Victor, on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_391">391</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">April 8.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -whichever side the attack might be made. -Beresford announced the fall of Porto in his -general orders, and took that opportunity of -delivering a wholesome monition to the army. -“Porto,” he said, “defended by four-and-twenty -thousand men, and two hundred pieces -of artillery, had fallen an easy conquest, notwithstanding -both the people and the troops -were brave and loyal, because the enemy had -been able to produce a general insubordination -under the appearance of patriotism.” He warned -them against the French partizans; whatever -reports such men propagated were to be received -with distrust, seeing they were undoubtedly -paid by the enemy to promote confusion -and distrust. “Let the troops,” he pursued, -“be subordinate to their officers; let them observe -strict discipline, and the country will have -nothing to fear. The enemy is in possession of -Porto; so he was of Chaves; but that place he -has lost with more than 1500 men. Recollect, -soldiers, that when General Silveira saw the necessity -of retiring from Chaves, where, from the -nature and number of his forces, he was incapable -of resisting the French, there were pretended -patriots who raised a cry of treason -against him, and induced a great number of the -despisers of discipline to attempt the defence of -that place, which they surrendered without firing -a gun, and the troops with it, who had been deceived -by them. The firmness of the General -saved the rest of the army, and placed it in a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_392">392</span> -situation to acquire greater glory, and merit the -thanks of his country. The Marshal,” he concluded, -“cannot sufficiently warn the people -and the troops against those who, while they -assume the appearance of patriotism, are in -reality leaders of sedition; nor can he sufficiently -recommend union and confidence, for -every thing may be hoped from the loyalty, -valour, and enthusiasm which animate the Portugueze -in defence of their country.” And he -assured them that he should always inform them -of the disasters which might occur, as well as of -the successes, being convinced that their zeal -would be in proportion with the services which -might be required, and that they would display -a courage equal to the exigency of the times, -and worthy of the Portugueze character.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Intercepted letter from General Kellermann to Soult.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Beresford soon had occasion to announce -something more encouraging. Troops -were marched from Spain to be employed in the -war against Austria; they knew not whither they -were going till they had left the Peninsula, nor -even that a continental war had recommenced, -so completely had the all-pervading despotism -of the French government cut off all private intelligence, -as well as withheld all public. The -commanders alone were of necessity made acquainted -with the real state of affairs, and Beresford -now published an intercepted letter from -Kellermann to Soult, communicating this news. -The war in Germany, said he, produced by the -intrigues and gold of England, renders our situation<span class="pagenum" id="Page_393">393</span> -extremely critical. Such he represented -his own situation to be, in what he called Upper -Spain, where he occupied the plain country with -a considerable cavalry force, watching the Asturian -army and Romana, and doing all he could -to keep down the people between Valladolid and -Madrid. He told Soult that he could expect no -reinforcement unless it were from Marshal Ney, -of whose ability to co-operate with him Kellermann -could not judge, not having any communication -with him, because the whole of Galicia -was in a state of insurrection. Marshal Soult -was at this time spreading a report that Buonaparte -was about to arrive at the head of 80,000 -men. Thus it is, said the Portugueze address, -that Marshal Soult, who calls himself Governor -of Portugal, endeavours to conceal their danger -from the unfortunate troops whom he is sacrificing -to the ambition of a tyrant. And when -it is thus ascertained that a general publishes -falsehoods in one case, his army and the people -will know how to appreciate his accounts in -others.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Laborde sent to attack Silveira at Amarante.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French general at this time felt the difficulties -of his situation, though far from apprehending -as yet the vigour and ability of the -enemy with whom he was soon to contend. -His immediate object was to open a communication -with Lapisse and Victor, and this was -not possible while Trant defended the Vouga, -and Silveira the Tamega. The latter enemy, -who was near enough to disquiet him, had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_394">394</span> -broken down all the bridges over that river except -at Amarante. Laborde was sent against -him with a considerable force; he had Loison’s -division together with his own, and was to be -joined by Lahoussaye’s. Silveira, in advancing -to Penafiel, had supposed that Soult, instead of -tarrying at Porto, would have marched upon -Lisbon without delay; in which case he would -have entered Porto, and, by occupying the -Douro, have effectually excluded the enemy -from the province between the rivers. Upon -the approach of this force he withdrew to the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>State of Penafiel when the French entered.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Campo de Manhufe. When the enemy entered -Penafiel the scene was such as to make them -sensible how deep was the feeling of abhorrence -which they had excited and deserved. The -whole city was deserted; all food and every -thing that could have been serviceable to the -invaders had been either carried away or destroyed. -Every house had been left open; the -churches alone were closed, that the Portugueze -might not seem to have left them open to pollution. -The very silence of the streets was awful, -broken only when the clocks struck; and now -and then by the howling of some of those dogs -who, though living, as in other Portugueze -towns, without an owner, felt a sense of desertion -when they missed the accustomed presence -of men. The royal arms upon the public buildings -had been covered with black crape, to indicate -that in the absence of the Braganza family -Portugal was as a widow. Of the whole population<span class="pagenum" id="Page_395">395</span> -one old man was the only living soul who -remained in the town. Being in extreme old -age, he was either unable to endure the fatigue -of flight, or desirous of ending his days in a -manner which he would have regarded as a religious -martyrdom; he placed himself, therefore, -on a stone seat in the market-place; there the -French found him in the act of prayer, while -the unsuppressed expression of his strong features -and fiery eye told them in a language not -to be misunderstood that part of his prayer was -for God’s vengeance upon the invaders of his - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Naylies, 102.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -country. This was in the true spirit of his nation: -and that spirit was now in full action. It -had reached all ranks and classes. The man of -letters had left his beloved studies, the monk -his cloister; even women forsook that retirement -which is every where congenial to the -sex, and belongs there to the habits of the people. -But it was not surprising that in a warfare -where women were not spared, they should take -part. Nuns had been seen working at that -battery which defeated the French in their attempt -at crossing the Minho; and here a beautiful -lady, whose abode was near Penafiel, had -raised some hundred followers; and in the sure - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Naylies, 107.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -war of destruction which they were carrying -on, encouraged them, sword in hand, by her -exhortations and her example.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The bridge of Amarante. -<hr /> -<span class="date">April 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>After some skirmishing for two days, Silveira, -understanding that a division of the enemy was -moving from Guimaraens to take him in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_396">396</span> -rear, and place him thus between two fires, gave -orders for retiring to Amarante, and there defending -the passage of the bridge. Antiquaries -have maintained that this bridge was the work -of Trajan; but a tradition too long established, -and too fondly believed to be shaken by any -historical arguments, has ascribed its foundation -to St. Gonçalo de Amarante, a Saint, who, -having taken up his abode there in a hermitage, -and commiserating the numerous accidents -which happened in passing the river, determined -to build a bridge. The alms which he obtained -would have fallen short of the necessary charges -for feeding his workmen, if the Saint had had -no other resources; he, however, by making a -cross upon the water, drew as many fish to his -hand as he pleased to take, and then supplied -his labourers with a fountain of oil from the -rock for the purpose of dressing them, and another -of wine, that their hearts might be gladdened, -as well as their countenances made -cheerful. The bridge consists of three arches, -the middle one being so large as to appear very -disproportionate; but through this the Saint is -believed to have guided with his staff a huge -oak which the flood was bringing down, and -which, if it had struck the pier, must have demolished -it, ... a miracle so necessary, that he -rose from his grave to perform it. Portugal -has never been ungrateful to such benefactors: -near as Compostella is, the shrine of St. Gonçalo -was preferred by the Portugueze to that of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_397">397</span> -Santiago; whole parishes went thither in procession, -and not a day passed in which some -joyous party of devotees was not to be met on -every road leading to Amarante, travelling with -music, and increasing their noisy mirth by firing -off sky-rockets in the face of the sun. It is the -custom for every pilgrim to offer a small wax -taper, and these tapers have amounted to more -than twelve hundred weight on the day of his -annual festival, at which sometimes more than -30,000 persons have assembled from all parts.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick killed in defending it.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The town, which contained about five hundred -families, stands on the right bank, consisting -chiefly of one long and narrow street, leading -down a steep descent to the bridge. Hither -the Portugueze retreated: a retrograde movement, -in the presence of an active and adventurous -enemy, tries the best troops; to the ill -or the undisciplined it is usually fatal. Silveira’s -rear-guard fell back in disorder, ... the confusion -spread, and the enemy, when they entered Amarante -pell-mell with their despised and broken -opponents, thought themselves sure of winning -the passage, and destroying a force upon which -they were eager to wreak their vengeance. This -expectation might probably have been fulfilled, -if Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick, a British officer -who had come out with Beresford, had not been -present. Short as the time was which he had -been with the Portugueze, it had been long -enough for him to become acquainted with their -character; and rallying a handful of men, who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_398">398</span> -required only such a leader to be fit for any -service, he posted himself at the head of the -bridge. The example became as contagious as -the previous disorder, and the Portugueze, who, -despairing to maintain the passage, had begun -to withdraw toward Mezam-frio, rallied and re-formed. -The enemy persisted in the attack, -knowing the importance of the passage; but -the defendants stood their ground, and actually -entrenched themselves in the street with the -dead bodies of their enemies; they occupied -the houses also, and the Convent of St. Gonçalo, -one of the finest which the Dominicans possessed -in that kingdom; and from thence they -kept up a most destructive fire, till the enemy -were driven out of the town with considerable -loss. But Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick received -several wounds, was carried off exhausted with -loss of blood, and died within a few days, after -having performed a service for which it is to be -hoped a monument will one day be erected to -his memory on the spot.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French endeavour to throw a bridge over the river.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French set fire to the town before they -abandoned it. On the following day, having -been joined by Lahoussaye’s division, they won -the Convent, after a brave resistance: they -were now masters of the town; but the suburb -of Villa Real, on the other side the river, was -occupied by the Portugueze, who had barricadoed -the bridge, and planted batteries which -commanded the approach to it. They kept up -a fire also from some houses in the suburb upon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_399">399</span> -those who approached to reconnoitre, and killed, -among many others, Loison’s aide-de-camp, and -his chief officer of engineers. The loss was so -severe in these attempts, that Laborde despaired -of forcing the passage, and gave directions for -forming a wooden bridge some quarter of a mile -from the town. When the materials were prepared, -the best swimmers from the different -regiments were ordered to be upon the spot at -midnight, as soon as the moon had gone down; -but they found the water so deep, that no diver -could touch the bottom in the mid stream, and -so rapid, that no one could reach the opposite -shore; this project, therefore, was abandoned.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Repeated attempts to effect the passage.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Captain Bouchard, of the engineers, who was -present at this attempt, had been sent by Marshal -Soult to form an opinion upon the spot -concerning difficulties which both Laborde and -Loison represented as of the most formidable -kind. In reconnoitring the Portugueze works -of defence from the church tower, which was -close to the bridge, he discovered a string so -placed as to leave no doubt in his mind that it -was fastened to a trigger, which was to fire a -mine and blow up the farther arch in case the -entrenchments should be forced: at the same -time he was convinced that there was no other -possible means of effecting the passage than by -forcing them. Ten days had been occupied in -vain attempts, which had discouraged not only -the men, but their commanders; more ammunition -and artillery had been sent them from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_400">400</span> -Porto, and another division was placed at Laborde’s -disposal, and positive orders given that -the passage must be attempted and won, and -the opposite bank cleared of the enemy. A -plan of Bouchard’s was then tried, against the -opinion of the Generals, and the troops were -held in readiness to act in case of its success: -this plan was to demolish the entrenchments on -the bridge by four barrels of powder placed -against them under cover of the night.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Plan for demolishing the Portugueze entrenchments.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>To call off the attention of the Portugueze -guard, some twenty men were stationed to keep -up a fire upon the entrenchments, so directed -as not to endanger the sappers who had volunteered -for the real service of the hour. It was -a service so hopeful and hazardous as to excite -the liveliest solicitude for its success. The -barrel was covered with a gray cloak, that it -might neither be heard nor seen, and the man -who undertook to deposit it in its place wore a -cloak of the same colour. The clear moonlight -was favourable to the adventure, by the blackness -of the shadow which the parapet on one -side produced. In that line of darkness the -sapper crept along at full length, pushing the -barrel before him with his head, and guiding it -with his hands. His instructions were to stop -if he heard the slightest movement on the Portugueze -side; and a string was fastened to one -of his feet, by which the French were enabled -to know how far he had advanced, and to communicate -with him. Having placed the barrel,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_401">401</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />May.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and uncovered that part where it was to be -kindled, he returned with the same caution. -Four barrels, one after the other, were thus arranged -without alarming the Portugueze. The -fourth adventurer had not the same command -of himself as his predecessors had evinced. Possessed -either with fear, or with premature exultation, -as soon as he had deposited the barrel -in its place, instead of making his way back -slowly and silently along the line of shadow, he -rose and ran along the middle of the bridge in -the moonlight. He was seen, fired at, and shot -in the thigh. But the Portugueze did not take -the alarm as they ought to have done; ... they -kept up a fire upon the entrance of the bridge, -and made no attempt to discover for what purpose -their entrenchments had been approached -so closely.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French win the bridge. -<hr /> -<span class="date">May 2.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Four hours had elapsed before the four barrels -were placed: by that time it was midnight, -and in another hour, when the Portugueze had -ceased their fire, a fifth volunteer proceeded in -the same manner, with a saucisson fastened to -his body; this he fixed in its place, and returned -safely. By two o’clock this part of the business -was completed, and Laborde was informed that -all was ready. Between three and four a fog -rose from the river, and filled the valley, so that -the houses on the opposite shore could scarcely -be discerned through it. This was favourable -for the assailants. The saucisson was fired, and -the explosion, as Bouchard had expected, threw<span class="pagenum" id="Page_402">402</span> -down the entrenchments, and destroyed also the -apparatus for communicating with the mine. -The French rushed forward; some threw water -into the mine, others cleared the way; the fog -increased the confusion into which the Portugueze -were thrown by being thus surprised; -they made so little resistance that the French - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations de M. Soult, 209–222.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -lost only nine men; and Silveira, saving only -four pieces of artillery, but preserving order -enough soon to restore the spirits of his countrymen, -retired upon Entre ambos os rios.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Situation of the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The advantage which the enemy had gained -would have been great, if it had been earlier; -it was too late to profit by it now. Loison had -been ordered to establish himself in Villa Real -after the passage should have been won, ... he -only came in sight of it, and returned to -Amarante. On the way the post from Lisbon -was intercepted, and in that mail the intelligence -which had been so carefully concealed -from the enemy was found, that hostilities had -recommenced in Germany. The superior officers -knew now the whole danger of their situation, -and began to think only of how to<a id="FNanchor_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">14</a> secure -the booty they had acquired by such flagitious -means. The soldiers partook the spirit of their -leaders; ... they were now in fact a body of freebooters, -retaining still the form, and unhappily -the strength of an army, but with the feelings<span class="pagenum" id="Page_403">403</span> -and the temper of banditti; and it was in vain -for Marshal Soult, after the system of pillage in -which all ranks had indulged, to appeal to any -principle of honour, and call upon men to exert -themselves for the good of the service, whose -sole care was how to enrich themselves. Loison’s -division had to fight for the resources which -were within their reach, on the left bank of the -Tamega; ... if they got sight of a peasant, a cry -was set up as if a beast had been started, and -they hunted him till he was slain. One Portugueze -who was thus brought down among the -crags by a shot which broke his thigh held fast -his fowling-piece when he fell, raised himself on -the other knee, and with an unerring aim killed -a French officer before he himself was put to -death. Another gray-headed old man, armed -with a musket and bayonet, posted himself to -such advantage among the rocks, that, refusing - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Naylies, 117–8.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -quarter, he wounded three men and four horses -before he could be cut down. Every day made -the French generals more sensible of the difficulties -of their situation. In any other country, -they said, with a fourth part of the means of -every kind which were employed here to obtain -intelligence, and without success, they should -have been informed of every design of their -enemies, even the most secret thoughts. All -that they could learn now with all their means -amounted only to the certainty that Sir Arthur - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. 229.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Wellesley had arrived at Lisbon, and that General<span class="pagenum" id="Page_404">404</span> -Beresford had begun to discipline the -Portugueze army.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sir Arthur Wellesley lands at Lisbon.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Sir Arthur had landed on the 22nd of April. -A general rejoicing was made for his arrival, -and every town throughout the kingdom, where -the French were not in possession, was illuminated -three successive nights. The Prince of -Brazil had appointed him Marshal-General of -the Portugueze army, thus enabling him to direct -its movements, while Beresford was continued -in the command. He would at once -have proceeded into Spain, there in co-operation -with Cuesta to have struck a blow against -the French in Extremadura, had it not been -that the part of Portugal which the enemy occupied -was fertile in resources, and also for the -importance of the city of Porto. Therefore he - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>He communicates his plans to Cuesta.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -determined to drive Soult out of the kingdom, -leaving such a force about Abrantes as might -secure Lisbon against any attempt on the part -of Victor; and he resolved not to pursue him -into Galicia, because he was not certain that he -should, singly, be equal to the French there, -and because the appearance of a British army -in that province would make the French collect -their force, and thus suspend the war of the -peasantry, which was at this time carrying on in -a way that harassed and wasted the enemy, and -materially impeded their plans: Galicia, he -thought, might be more certainly and permanently -relieved by striking a blow against Victor,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_405">405</span> -than by following Soult. This plan he communicated -to Cuesta, requesting him not to -undertake any thing against Victor till the expedition -to Porto should be concluded, when he -would come down upon Elvas, and co-operate -with him. Cuesta was not well pleased with -these intended operations. Little or nothing, -he thought, would be gained by driving Soult -toward the Minho, for in that case he would be -able to re-enter Galicia and complete its subjugation, -neither the peasantry nor Romana being -able to prevent him. “The object of Sir -Arthur,” he said, “ought to be to surround the -French in Porto, or get between them and the -Minho, so as to cut off the resources of Soult -and prevent his retreat. But,” he added, “the -system of the British is never to expose their -troops; and it was owing to that system, that -instead of ever gaining a decisive action by land, -they sacrificed their men in continual retreats -and precautions, as General Moore had done, -for not having attacked the enemy in time.”</p> - -<p>In this opinion the brave but ill-judging old -man wronged the English, as much as he underrated -the exertions of Romana and the Galicians: -and he recommended a plan which was impossible, -unless Soult should remain quietly at Porto, -and allow the enemy to get in his rear. Sir -Arthur’s plans were well formed and vigorously -pursued, nor were they altered in any degree -by the intelligence that the passage of the Tamega -had been effected, and that Lapisse had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_406">406</span> -crossed the Tagus at Alcantara to form his -junction with Victor. He stationed two dragoon -regiments, two battalions and a brigade of -infantry, with about 7000 Portugueze under -Major-General Mackenzie, to defend the fords -of the Tagus between Santarem and Abrantes, -and the mountain passes between that city and -Alcantara. The latter place was occupied by -600 of the Lusitanian Legion, 1100 Portugueze -militia, and a squadron of Portugueze cavalry -under Colonel Mayne. In case Victor, now that -the junction had been effected, should enter -Alemtejo, which Sir Arthur thought was not -impossible, he advised that Cuesta should follow -him; but his opinion was, that the French in -that quarter would make no movement till they -should hear of Soult.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Views of the Philadelphes in Marshal Soult’s army.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Soult, in conformity to Buonaparte’s -system, had endeavoured to keep his army ignorant -of the continental war. But copies of -Marshal Beresford’s address, which contained -the intercepted letter from Kellermann, were carried -to Porto by a brave inhabitant of that city, -Manoel Francisco Camarinho by name, and -means were even found of fastening it upon the -walls of Soult’s own quarters. This intelligence -raised the hopes of those officers who, under the -appellation of Philadelphes, had formed a plan -for overthrowing the military despotism under -which France, as well as her conquests, was suffering, -and restoring peace to Europe. The -restoration of the Bourbons made no part of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_407">407</span> -scheme, for the leaders had grown up in those -republican opinions which it is the tendency of -youthful studies to promote, and which are congenial -to a generous mind till time and knowledge -have matured it. The end whereat they -aimed, as far as they saw the end, was meritorious; -... the means had a fearful character, such -as is common to all secret societies, but which -no circumstances can<a id="FNanchor_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">15</a> justify.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_408">408</span> -The plan had proceeded to a great length in -Soult’s army, and some of the general officers -were engaged in it. The more dangerous part -was taken upon himself by the Sieur D’Argenton,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_409">409</span> -who was then Adjutant-Major, and had -formerly been Soult’s aide-de-camp. It is one -of the worst evils of revolution, that in such -times good and honourable men are forced into -situations where nothing can enable them to act -innocently and uprightly except that unerring -religious principle which it is the sure tendency -and undisguised intent of modern revolutions to - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Sieur D’Argenton goes to Sir Arthur Wellesley to explain their views.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -destroy. D’Argenton was worthy to have fallen -on better times, for he was a man of kind and -generous affections, at once firm of purpose and -gentle of heart. When the French entered Porto, -no individual exerted himself more strenuously -in repressing the excesses of the troops; and -many families in those dreadful days were beholden -to him not only for their lives and properties, -but for preservation from evils more -dreadful than ruin and death. This officer undertook -to open a communication with the -British army, and finding his way to Colonel -Trant’s head-quarters, was sent by him to Sir -Arthur. Several interviews took place; and he -went backward and forward by the French posts -with such ease, and so little apprehension of -danger, as naturally to excite a suspicion that -he was acting under Soult’s, instructions, and -endeavouring to dupe the British Commander. -There were no means of ascertaining this; but -the manner in which his overtures were received -was that which would have been equally proper -whether they were sincere or treacherous. He -was assured by Sir Arthur that no change in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_410">410</span> -French army, either in contemplation or actually -carried into effect, would induce him to delay his -operations as long as it continued in Portugal; -... he should march against it with equal activity -whether revolutionized or counter-revolutionized. -D’Argenton, however, well knew that if -the army declared unequivocally against Buonaparte, -an arrangement with the British Commander -must of necessity follow, and he asked -for passports from the Admiral for the purpose -of communicating with the army in Germany. -Sir Arthur warned him of the danger to which -he exposed himself by having such documents -in his possession; but he was particularly solicitous -to obtain them, and accordingly they -were given him.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Advance of the British army towards Porto.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The movements of the troops, meantime, were -continued without any reference to the politics -or projects in the French army. On the 5th of -May the whole of the British force which was -intended to march against Porto was assembled -at Coimbra. On the same day Beresford advanced -from that city toward Viseu, with about -6000 Portugueze, a brigade of British infantry, -and a squadron of British horse, to act upon the -enemy’s left, in the hope that he might so disconcert -their plans as to make them retreat by -Chaves into Galicia, rather than by Villa Real -in a direction which would enable them to effect -a junction with Victor. Trant was still on the -Vouga, where the students had now the proud -feeling that they formed the advanced post of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_411">411</span> -that army which was about to deliver their country. -He had taken measures for collecting provisions, -whereby one difficulty that might have -impeded the advance was lessened. A strong -division under Major-General Hill proceeded to -Aveiro, and there, in boats which Trant had -got together for that service, embarked for -Ovar, which is upon the northern creek of that -singular harbour. The main body proceeded -by the high road, and began their march on the -7th. They halted the next day, to allow time -for Beresford’s movements.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>D’Argenton is arrested.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>At this time Soult was informed that there -existed a conspiracy in his own army. A general -officer, to whom D’Argenton had just opened -himself without being sufficiently sure of his -man, gave the information. D’Argenton was -instantly arrested, and all doubt concerning the -truth of the accusation, if any there could have -been, was removed by discovering Admiral -Berkeley’s passports among his papers. He was -not a man who held his life cheap, for he had -a wife and children in France whom he loved; -but he valued it at no more than it was worth, -and had made up his mind how to act in case -of such a discovery. He avowed that he had -been both to Lisbon and to Coimbra, and -had communicated with Generals Wellesley and -Beresford, who, he said, would in two days’ -time open the campaign upon the Vouga with -30,000 men. If the French army of Portugal -would declare, what they well knew, that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_412">412</span> -Peninsular war in which they were employed -was unjust, the British, he said, would unite -with them, march in concert with them toward -France, compel the different corps in Spain to -join them, and when they had passed the Pyrenees, -they would find there an expedition of -60,000 English. Officers would be sent to the -armies in Italy and Germany, inviting them to -follow the example, and an English ship would -be dispatched to bring home Moreau from America, -and place him at the head of the army and -of the government. The English would supply -funds for all this; and if Marshal Soult refused -the splendid invitation to act the part which -became him, the intention was to secure his person, -and give the command to another.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Soult prepares to retreat from Portugal.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The principle upon which D’Argenton acted -was that of saying nothing which could compromise -his associates, and any thing that might -assist their purpose. He was sent to prison, -and two officers upon whom the Marshal’s suspicions -fell were placed under arrest. But Soult -was alarmed, as well he might, by what he had -heard; and though the general officers whom he -convened assured him they knew of no discontent -in the army, it was certain that all those -who retained any moral or religious feeling, any -respect for humanity and justice, any sense of -right and wrong, had abundant reason to be discontented -with a service so flagrantly iniquitous -as that wherein they were engaged. Not knowing -how far he could depend upon the fidelity<span class="pagenum" id="Page_413">413</span> -of his army, and certain that such of them as -had been present at Roliça and Vimeiro had not -forgotten the lessons which they received there, -he thought no longer of conquering Portugal, -but of escaping out of it without delay. He informed -Loison, therefore, who was at Amarante, -that he should retreat by that road, and so by -Braganza upon Zamora; and he ordered the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. 239.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -troops from Viana to march upon Amarante, by -way of Guimaraens, while he remained at Porto -to secure their movements.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French driven from Albergaria.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the day that this determination was taken, -the British attempted to surprise the advanced -guard of the enemy under General Franceschi. -Some troops crossed the Vouga on the preceding -evening, others during the night. They -proceeded silently and in darkness, along rocky -passes where there was sometimes room only to -march in single file: but the fidelity of Portugueze -guides was not doubted, and they were -led safely to an open heath, where about sunrise -they came in sight of the enemy’s videttes. -The French were not taken by surprise, as had -been hoped, ... they were formed in line with a -pine wood in their rear; but they were beaten -out of the field, and driven through the wood -with the loss of their cannon; and having then -to pass a deep ravine, the artillery came up in -time to play upon their rear-guard. Such of -the wounded as they were not able to bear away, -the Portugueze peasantry dispatched, and miserably -mutilated in their vengeance. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_414">414</span> -French had provoked them by their barbarous -usage of the militia who fell into their hands, ... -for the peasants had found their bodies hanging -there, and marks upon them of the cruelties -which they had endured before death. The villages -of Albergaria Velha and Nova, which the -enemy had lately occupied, bore proofs of the -atrocious temper in which this war was carried -on by the invaders. They had destroyed in -mere wantonness and malignity every thing that -was destructible, ... broken open every house, -burnt the furniture and the thatch, staved all -the liquor which they could not drink, slaughtered -the cattle, and pigs, and poultry which -they could not carry off, strewn about their -limbs, and trampled them in the road. And in -this manner they acted along the whole of their - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Military Chronicle, vol. iv. 193. -<br /> -General Mackinnon’s Journal, p. 13.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -retreat to Porto. The inhabitants, who were -thus reduced to ruin, welcomed the British with -tears of joy as their deliverers, and followed -them with prayers that they might overtake and -punish these unprovoked invaders, who had -brought such unutterable evils upon Portugal.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>They are driven from their position at Grijo.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The enemy retired first upon Oliveira de Azemeis, -then upon Feira. On the next day their -outposts were driven in, and soon afterwards -the two divisions of Franceschi and Mermet -were seen strongly posted on the heights above -Grijo, their front covered by woods and broken -ground. Here they were attacked by Brigadier-General -R. Stewart; Major-General Manners, -with a brigade of the German Legion,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_415">415</span> -turned their left; they were dislodged and pursued -till night, when the British army halted, -their advance on the heights beyond Carvalhos, -and the rear at S. Antonio da Arrifana, the -former about seven miles from the Douro, the -latter about twenty-five. The enemy continued -their retreat, and having crossed the bridge in -the night, set fire to it, and completely destroyed -it. At daybreak the British troops were again -in motion, in full expectation and hope of again -bringing the enemy to action; but before they -could be reached there was a river to be crossed, -more formidable than ever general had attempted -to pass in the presence of a respectable foe.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Measures of Marshal Soult to prevent the passage of the Douro.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Douro, which has the longest course of -any river in the Peninsula, and rolls a larger -volume of waters than the Tagus to the sea, is -about three hundred yards wide at Porto, its -deep and rapid stream being contracted between -high and rocky shores. Soult had prepared for -leaving the city, but he did not dream of being -driven out of it. Having stood upon the quay -from midnight till four in the morning, and seen -not only the breaking up of the bridge, but the -pontoons consumed as they floated down, and -having previously given orders that all boats -should be brought to the Porto side of the river, -and collected at one place, that they might be -the better guarded, he is said to have supposed -that the English would avail themselves of their -maritime means, embark their troops, and attempt -a landing near the mouth of the Douro;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_416">416</span> -and in that belief he went to his head-quarters, -which were between the city and the sea, expecting -that he could remain another day in -perfect safety, which would allow time for the -movements of the troops from Viana. Franceschi -was instructed to guard the coast with -the rear-guard; Laborde was to support him; -Mermet to station one brigade at Val-longo, and -two at Baltar, and to have frequent parties on -his right to observe the river, and destroy all -boats that could be discovered. Orders were -also dispatched to Loison, requiring him to keep -his ground at Mezam-frio and at Pezo da Ragoa, -to prevent the enemy from crossing at -either of those points. Every thing was prepared -for retreating, biscuit distributed to the -troops, the money from the public treasury delivered -over to the paymaster, and a battalion -was stationed on the quay, with the artillery. -But the French were so possessed with the notion - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. 241–246.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -that the English must make a maritime -descent, that this whole battalion was stationed -below the bridge, and not a single post placed -above it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Passage of that river.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Sir A. Wellesley knew how important it was, -with reference to Beresford’s operations, that he -should cross the Douro without delay. In the -morning he sent Major-General Murray up the -river, to send down boats if he could find any, -and endeavour to effect a passage at Avintes, -about five miles above the city, where it might -be possible for the troops to ford. The Guards,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_417">417</span> -under Lieutenant-General Sherbrooke, were to -cross at the ferry below the city as soon as boats -could be obtained, and he himself directed the -passage of the main body from the Convent of -S. Agostinho da Serra, which stands in the -suburb of Villa Nova upon the most elevated -spot on that side. It was certain that the enemy -would have taken all common precautions for -securing the boats, but it was equally certain -that the inhabitants would do every thing in -their power to assist their deliverers. Two -boats were brought over by them to the foot of -the eminence on which the Convent stands, and -two more were sent down the stream to the same -spot. There was a large unfinished building on -the opposite side, designed for the Bishop’s palace, -which afforded a good position for those -who should land first till they could be supported; -and some guns were placed in the Convent -garden, where they were masked by fir -trees, in a situation to bear upon the enemy -with effect.</p> - -<p>Four boats only had been collected when the -passage was begun; but more were presently on -the way, for the inhabitants were on the alert to -promote their own deliverance. Lieutenant-General -Paget crossed in one of the first, and -took up a position with the Buffs as fast as they -landed and reached the summit. They were -attacked in great force, and stood their ground -most gallantly till the 48th and 66th and a Portugueze -battalion arrived successively to support<span class="pagenum" id="Page_418">418</span> -them. General Paget lost an arm early in -the action, and the command devolved upon -Major-General Hill. The most strenuous exertions -were made by the inhabitants for transporting -the troops, while this contest was maintained, -in which sure hope and British resolution -counterbalanced the great inequality of numbers. -About two hours after the commencement -of the action General Sherbrooke, with -the Guards and the 29th, appeared on the -enemy’s right, having crossed at the lower -ferry; and about the same time General Murray -was seen coming from the side of Avintes in -the opposite direction. If any thing could be -needed to animate the spirit of Englishmen -at such a time, they had it that day. Hastening -up the steep streets of Porto as fast as -they could be landed and formed to support -their countrymen, they were welcomed by the -inhabitants with such demonstrations of joy as -might have warmed colder hearts than those to - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Military Chronicle, vol. iv. p. 28. -<br /> -Stothert’s Narrative, p. 41.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -which they were addressed. Handkerchiefs -were waved from every balcony, and blessings -breathed upon them, and shouts of triumphant -gratulation and convulsive laughter mingled -with the tears and prayers that greeted them.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Deliverance of Porto.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French had been completely surprised. -The very boldness of the attempt, for history -has recorded no passage of the kind so bold, -was its security; till they saw that it was accomplished -they did not believe it would be attempted. -A <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">chef de bataillon</i> told one of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_419">419</span> -generals that the English were passing, and his -report was disregarded. Soult was assured by -the French governor of the city that it was only -some stragglers of their own people who had -tarried behind till the bridge had been destroyed, -and that the boatmen had gone to bring them -across, but that he had forbidden the passage -of boats on any pretext to the left bank. The -Marshal was satisfied with this; and the report -that the enemy were coming was not believed -till General Foy, going upon the high ground -opposite to the Convent, from whence Sir Arthur - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Operations, &c. 245–7.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -was directing the operations, saw the troops -crossing, and Portugueze upon the walls making -signals to them. In the confusion that ensued -among the French General Foy was wounded, -and narrowly escaped being taken, for the enemy -thought only of retreating as fast as possible, -when they saw troops on either side arriving to -support General Hill. It was about five in the -afternoon when the action was terminated by -their flight. The British were too much fatigued -to follow up their victory that evening, when -they might have completed the destruction of -an enemy not less thoroughly dispirited than -discomfited. But in the last four days they had -marched over fourscore miles of difficult country. -So complete and signal a success against an equal -enemy was perhaps never before obtained at so -little cost; the loss at Porto consisted only of -twenty-three men killed, ninety-six wounded, -and two missing, and in the preceding affairs at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_420">420</span> -Albergaria and Grijo of 102 in all. That of the -enemy was very considerable; they left behind -them five pieces of cannon, eight ammunition -tumbrils, many prisoners, and about a thousand -men in the hospitals.</p> - -<p>Porto presented an extraordinary scene that -night; every house was illuminated, while the -gutters were still red with blood, and the streets -strewn with dead bodies both of horses and men. -There had been three hours’ fighting in the -suburbs, and before night the French who had -fallen were stripped and left naked where they -lay; ... they had their plunder about them for -removal, and they had provoked by the most -intolerable wrongs a revengeful people. Sir -Arthur the next morning issued a proclamation, -requiring the inhabitants to comport themselves -with humanity toward such of the French as -might be made prisoners; they were entitled to -his protection by the laws of war, he said, it -was his duty to afford it, and it would be inconsistent -with the magnanimity of the Portugueze -nation to revenge the outrages which it -had suffered upon unfortunate individuals. He -prohibited any person from appearing armed in -the city, unless he belonged to a military corps; -and appointed Colonel Trant to be commandant, -provided the nomination should be approved by -the Portugueze government. D’Argenton<a id="FNanchor_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">16</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_421">421</span> -escaped during the night, as much through the -good-will of those who guarded him, as by the -services of his fellow Philadelphes.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Soult and Loison effect a junction on their retreat.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the following morning Sir Arthur commenced -the pursuit, the Hanoverian Legion, -under Major-General Murray, moving to Val-longo, -from whence the enemy had commenced -their retreat during the night, in the direction -for Amarante. But Beresford had moved with -more celerity than even the British Commander -had relied on; driving back the enemy’s posts -at Villa Real and Mezam-frio, he followed up -his success, and drove them from the left bank -of the Tamega; and Loison, not venturing to -defend the bridge that had been so gallantly -defended against him, retired from Amarante -under cover of the night, in some apprehension -that Silveira or Beresford might have crossed -the Douro, and that thus he might be prevented -from rejoining Soult. The intelligence of the -loss of Porto reached him about the same time -that Soult was apprised of his retreat, and that -the point which would have opened the surest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_422">422</span> -way for escape was occupied by the allies. They -met, however, within a few miles of Penafiel, and -it was matter of congratulation that the junction -had been effected. Soult’s determination was -promptly taken. There were officers who were -heard to say that the English treated their prisoners -well, and that a passage to England in -British transports was no great evil. Loison -himself is said to have advised another convention -like that of Cintra; but the Marshal well -knew that the circumstances were widely different, -and that nothing remained for them but -flight, with the utmost speed, and by the most -difficult road, abandoning every thing that might -encumber them. As the treasure could not be -transported, every one was allowed to take what -he could of it; but there was too much haste -and alarm for either officers or men to profit - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Naylies, 123. -<br /> -Operations, &c. 249–255.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -largely by this licence; some chests which could -not readily be forced open were abandoned by -the soldiers, and the greater number were so -placed as to be blown to pieces when the guns -were burst.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sir Arthur pursues the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>As soon as Sir Arthur was informed of the -rapidity and success of Beresford’s movements, -he directed that General upon Chaves, to intercept -the enemy should they turn to the right. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 14.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Beresford had anticipated this order, and had -already dispatched Silveira to occupy the passes -of Salamonde and Ruyvaens; but the French -were flying too fast for this to be executed in -time. Their flight, however, was conducted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_423">423</span> -with great presence of mind and judgement. -Marshal Soult, when all his divisions were collected, -made a display of them near Lanhoso, -not to the pursuers, but for the sake of his own -men, that they might see their own numbers, -and acquire some confidence in their strength. -Dispirited as they were by the abandonment of -their artillery and baggage and the loss of their -plunder, this had a good effect; and the retreat -would have been honourable to Marshal Soult -if it had not been disgraced by such cruelties -as leave an uneffaceable stigma upon the commander -of any troops by whom they are perpetrated. -Marshal Soult’s soldiers plundered -and murdered the peasantry at their pleasure: -many persons, when the English arrived, were -found hanging from the trees by the way-side, -who had been put to death for no other reason -than that they were not friendly to their insolent -invaders; and the line of their retreat might - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sir Arthur Wellesley’s dispatch, <span class="date">May 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -every where be traced by the smoke of the villages -which they burnt. They suffered for this -as was to be expected: whatever stragglers fell -into the hands of the peasantry before the advanced -guard could come up to save them were -put to death with as little humanity as they had -shown. Some of them were thrown alive amid -the flames of those houses which their comrades -had set on fire.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Sufferings of the enemy in their flight.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>On the evening of the 14th Sir Arthur thought -it certain, by the enemy’s movements about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_424">424</span> -Braga, that they intended to retreat either upon -Chaves or Montalegre; and he sent orders to -Beresford, in case they should take the latter -direction, to push on for Monterrey, so as to -stop them if they should pass by Villa del Rey. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 16.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -At Salamonde the pursuers came up with their -rear-guard, and drove them out of the town, -which they had destroyed. The pursuers slept -on the ground that night, and dressed their food -and dried their clothes by the fires which the -enemy had lighted for their own use. The sufferings -of the French during the retreat were -only not so severe as those of Sir John Moore’s -army, because it was in a milder season; ... but -it was made under a fear of the pursuers which -the British soldiers had never felt; the rain was -heavy and incessant, and time enough for necessary -rest was not allowed, ... their danger -was so imminent. They who halted at ten at -night were on the march again at three in the -morning, and in the few intervening hours the -cavalry had to seek both provisions and forage, -and the infantry to provide for themselves as -they could. The greater part of the men had -nothing for eight days except parched maize; -very many died of want and exhaustion, and -not a few lay down by the way to take the -chance of life or death, as they might fall into -the hands of the British troops or of the peasantry. -Their track was strewn with dead -horses and mules, who had either been driven -till they fell, or killed, or more barbarously<span class="pagenum" id="Page_425">425</span> -hamstrung, when it was not possible by any -goading to make them proceed farther.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Loss of the French at Puente de Misarella.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>A bridge over the Cavado had been occupied -by the armed peasantry, but mistaking some -Swiss troops who were clothed in red for British, -they allowed them to pass; but many hurrying -over in the darkness, fell into the torrent and -were lost. A greater destruction took place -at the Puente de Misarella, a bridge with a low -parapet over a deep ravine, and so narrow as -not to admit two horsemen abreast. The enemy -had driven away the peasants who were attempting -to destroy it, but a fire was kept up -upon them by others from the crags of that wild -and awful pass; and upon the report of some -cannon fired by the advanced guard of the -pursuers upon their rear, the French were seized -with panic; many threw down their arms and -ran; they struggled with each other to cross -the bridge, losing all self-command; and the -British advance, when they arrived at the spot, -found the ravine on both sides choked with -men and horses, who had been jostled over in - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Naylies, 126. -<br /> -Operations, &c. 262.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the frantic precipitancy of their flight. Here -the papers of the army, and the little and more -precious part of the baggage, which had hitherto -been saved, were lost.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The pursuit given over at Montalegre.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Soult was guided in this retreat by -an itinerant Navarrese, who, in the exercise of -one of the vilest callings (that of hangman alone -excepted) in which a human creature can be -employed, had acquired a thorough knowledge<span class="pagenum" id="Page_426">426</span> -of the country. This man conducted him by -cross roads and mountainous paths, where -neither artillery nor commissariat could follow. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Sir Arthur continued the pursuit as far as Montalegre, -and then halted, finding that the enemy -had gone through the mountains toward Orense -by roads impracticable for carriages, and where -it was impossible either to stop or overtake -them. He estimated that Soult had lost all his -artillery and equipments, and not less than a -fourth of his men, since he was attacked upon -the Vouga. “If,” said he, “an army throws -away all its cannon, equipments, and baggage, -and every thing that can strengthen it and -enable it to act together as a body, and if it -abandons all those who are entitled to its protection, -but add to its weight and impede its -progress, it must obviously be able to march -through roads where it cannot be overtaken by -an enemy who has not made the same sacrifices.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Movement of troops from Aragon.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>When the British Commander was commencing -his operations from Coimbra, he received -information from the Embassador at -Seville that a French division of 15,000 men -had certainly left Aragon, with the intent, it -was believed, of joining either Ney or Soult. -It became, therefore, a grave question for his -consideration, whether to return, in pursuance -of his plan of co-operating with Cuesta, when -he should have driven the enemy out of the -north of Portugal, ... or push with greater eagerness -for the entire destruction of Soult’s army,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_427">427</span> -instead of leaving him to retreat, unite with -Ney, and become again formidable by the junction -of this force from Aragon. Upon mature -deliberation he determined not to vary from his -first purpose, because, though the intelligence -was announced as indubitable, no tidings of -this division had been transmitted from Ciudad -Rodrigo, Braganza, or Chaves, quarters where -it might have been expected to be known, and -because his instructions enjoined him to make -the protection of Portugal his principal object. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Reasons for not continuing the pursuit.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -If it were not necessary, therefore, to remain -for that object in the northern provinces, he -conceived that he should act in the best manner -both for Portugal and Spain, by joining Cuesta -with all speed, and commencing active operations -against Victor. Thus he had determined -before he advanced from Coimbra, and -therefore he now desisted from the pursuit, satisfied -with having done, if not all that he -wished, all that was possible, and more than he -had expected. Had the Portugueze at Chaves -been active in obeying their instructions, and -occupying the defiles near Salamonde, the -French, who had abandoned their ammunition - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Naylies, 128.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and their guns, must have been irretrievably -lost; the very cartridges which the men carried, -and which constituted their whole stock, were -rendered useless by the rain, and they could no -otherwise have escaped the fate they deserved -from the hands of the Portugueze than by surrendering - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Col. Jones, vol. i. 204–7.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to the British. As it was, they had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_428">428</span> -lost not less than a fourth of their army since -Sir Arthur attacked them on the Vouga.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Victor enters Portugal by way of Alcantara, and speedily retreats.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>If Sir Arthur had not made this previous determination, -and if it had been possible for the -commissariat, imperfect as it then was, to have -kept up with a longer pursuit in a country -which could supply neither food, nor carriages, -nor beasts of draught, the tidings which he now -received of Victor’s movements would probably -have recalled him toward the south. That -Marshal, having been joined by Lapisse, had at -length made the movement which Soult had so -long and anxiously expected; he had broken up -from the Guadiana, and marched for the Tagus -at Alcantara. Colonel Mayne occupied this -important point with 600 of the Lusitanian Legion, -1100 Portugueze militia, and fifty Portugueze -cavalry. With this far inferior force he -withstood 10,000 infantry and 1000 horse for -six hours, and then effected his retreat without -losing a single gun, though not without a heavy -loss in killed and wounded, the Legion alone -losing 170 men. He had endeavoured to blow -up the bridge; the attempt failed, and the enemy, -being thus masters of the passage, advanced a -little way into Portugal in the direction of Castello -Branco. But no sooner had Victor learnt -that Sir Arthur had recrossed the Douro, than -he retired by the same course, evacuated Alcantara, -and concentrated his army between -the Tagus and the Guadiana, in the neighbourhood -of Caceres.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_429">429</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Soult reaches Orense.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>When Soult’s army had re-entered Spain, and -found that the pursuit was not continued, their -hopes rose, and they rejoiced in the thought of -communicating with the other corps of their -countrymen. The red uniform of the Swiss -again led to a serviceable mistake, ... they were - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 19.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -taken for British soldiers at Allariz, and the -inhabitants, under that delusion, hastened to -bring them provisions and wine, blessing them -as their deliverers. On the following day they -reached Orense, and there learnt that the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Naylies, 132.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -French in Lugo were at that time besieged, -and that both Ney and Romana had marched -into Asturias.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Romana enters Asturias, and displaces the Junta.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Romana, after he had succeeded in surprising -the enemy at Villa Franca, had received information -that Ney was collecting a considerable force -at Lugo for the purpose of attacking him. Upon -this he turned into Asturias, crossing the mountains -at the passes of Cienfuegos, and descending -upon Navia de Suarna; there he left his -army under the command of D. Nicolas Mahy, -and went himself to Oviedo, in the hope of -rendering the resources of the principality more -efficient than they had hitherto been found. -The Junta of that province had received larger -assistance of every kind from England than any -other provincial government, and were said to -have made less use of it in the general cause. -They were accused of looking only to the establishment -of their own indefinite authority, -their own interest and that of their followers,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_430">430</span> -and the destruction of all who were not subservient -to them. Complaints to this tenor -had reached Romana in Galicia, and he found -upon inquiry that the greater part of the supplies -which they had received were consumed -in the support of idle and ostentatious offices; -and that the corps which were raised, and which -he wished to serve as a nursery for his army, -drafting volunteers from them to fill up his regiments -from time to time, were rendered useless -by the want of capacity or conduct in the -officers, who either remained in their houses, or -did not support with any firmness the points to -which they were ordered. Abuses of every -kind were complained of in the misapplication -of money, the disposal of offices, the contempt -of public orders, the neglect of the laws, and -the interception not only of private correspondence -but of official papers. Romana was persuaded -that these accusations were well-founded; -and by virtue of the authority of which he believed -himself possessed, as Captain-General of - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 2.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -that province, he dismissed the members of the -Junta, as unworthy of their station, and nominated -others in their place, among whom were -the first deputies who had been sent to England, -D. Andres Angel de la Vega, and the Visconde -Materosa, now by the death of his father Conde -de Toreno.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Combined movements of the French against Romana.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>In consequence of this movement of Romana’s, -a combined operation was concerted -between the French generals Ney, Kellermann,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_431">431</span> -and Bonnet, for the purpose of cutting off him -and his army, and subjugating Asturias. Proclamations -in French and Spanish were printed - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 8.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -at Coruña, wherein Ney assured the Asturians -that almost all Spain had now submitted, Zaragoza -having surrendered after losing three-fourths -of its inhabitants, Valencia having -opened its gates without resistance, and the -Central Junta having taken refuge in Cadiz, -which could not long serve as an asylum. He -bade them rely upon his word, that their persons -and their property should be respected, and -prayed Heaven to enlighten them, that he might -not be under the necessity of putting in force -against them the terrible rights of war. Having -sent abroad these threats and falsehoods, he, -who had collected about 12,000 men at Lugo, -entered Asturias by the Concejo de Ibias, a -traitorous priest guiding him by roads which -were unsuspected because they were almost impassable. -Bonnet at the same time advanced -along the coast from the east, and Kellermann -with some 6000 men entered by Pajares.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Romana escapes by sea.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>This was an occasion upon which the Spaniards -acted with as much alertness as their enemies. -Mahy was apprised in time of Ney’s approach, -and effectually disappointed one part of his -scheme by returning into Galicia, there to profit -by his absence. When the Marshal reached -Navia de Suarnia he found the troops had escaped -him; but deeming the single person of -Romana of more importance than his army,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_432">432</span> -and learning that he was in Oviedo, he hastened -toward that city with such celerity, and by such -a route (the priest still guiding him), that the -enemy were in Salas and Cornellana as soon as -it was known in Oviedo that they were on the -march. Not an hour was to be lost. Romana -sent the single regiment which was with him to -join Ballasteros at Infiesto, withdrew to Gijon, -and there embarked for Galicia with his staff - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 19.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and the Bishop of St. Andero. Before he had -embarked the French had entered Oviedo; -having pillaged that city, they proceeded to -Gijon, but too late for securing the prey of -which they were most desirous.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ney returns into Galicia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>But though Romana had been thus nearly -surprised, the Asturians, under Generals Worster -and Ballasteros, prevented the enemy from -deriving any benefit from their transient success. -Barcena, who commanded a division of -the corps under Worster, by rapid marches -upon Teberga and Grado, prevented the French -from uniting their forces, and defeated them in -three partial actions. Worster then collecting -his whole army, advanced toward Oviedo; but -Kellermann, perceiving that he could not maintain -possession of the city, evacuated it in time, -and retreated precipitately into Leon. Ballasteros -meantime, who was on the eastern frontier -of the principality, finding that Bonnet was -between him and Worster, turned rapidly upon -St. Andero, chiefly with a view of drawing -Bonnet out of Asturias. He attacked the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_433">433</span> -French garrison in that city, killed 800, made -600 prisoners, and won the place. The ill conduct -of part of his army, which he had stationed -in the passes near, deprived him of the fruits of -his victory; they suffered themselves to be surprised -by Bonnet’s whole force; the remainder -of his men in consequence had no other alternative -than to abandon the city and disperse, -while he himself, like Romana, had just time to -escape by sea. These movements on the part -of the two Asturian commanders compelled -Ney to hasten his return to Galicia, where -indeed he rightly judged his presence was necessary. -He retreated therefore along the sea-coast -by Castropol, and found in that province -intelligence of a nature which more than counterbalanced -the temporary triumph he had obtained.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French in Lugo relieved by Soult.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Mahy, when he turned back from Asturias, -hastened toward Lugo, where the greater part -of the French then in Galicia had been left. -At first the enemy despised his ill-provided -numbers, and relying upon their artillery and -discipline, went out against him; but having -been baffled in two skirmishes, and suffered -considerable loss at Puente-nuovo, where many - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 19.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -of the Germans deserted, they were glad to -take shelter within the walls of Lugo, which, -old as they were, were an effectual defence -against men who had neither scaling ladders -nor cannon. There, however, he blockaded -them; and the French must soon have been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_434">434</span> -compelled to surrender, if Soult had not arrived -to their relief. That commander, knowing their -danger, allowed his troops only one day’s rest -at Orense, and hastened for Lugo, sending a detachment -forward to reconnoitre the besiegers, -and assure the garrison of speedy support. -Mahy then, in pursuance of Romana’s system, -withdrew; but the appearance of the French -was such, after the sufferings which they had -endured, that the garrison suspected a stratagem, -and could not be persuaded that any French -troops could appear in so miserable a state of -clothing and equipments, till some of the officers -were personally recognized.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mahy retires to Mondoñedo.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The force with Mahy consisted of about 10,000 -men. Knowing that the troops before whom -he retired had been driven from Portugal, he -counted with reason upon the speedy deliverance -of the province, and withdrew toward -Mondoñedo, to receive supplies and reinforcements, -and be ready for acting as opportunity -might offer, against Coruña or Ferrol. The remainder -of the regular forces then in Galicia -consisted of 8000 men at Vigo under Brigadier -D. Martin de la Carrera, to whom Barrios had - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 21.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -given up the command. That officer, as soon -as he received advices of Soult’s arrival on the -frontier with the intent of joining Ney, took -the field in the hope of intercepting him and -preventing the junction. But finding when he -reached Pontevedra that Soult had hastened on -toward Lugo, and was two or three days’ march<span class="pagenum" id="Page_435">435</span> -distant, he perceived that pursuit must be unavailing; -and resolving to profit by the time, he -advanced upon Santiago to strike a blow against -the French in that city, prevent them from -joining their countrymen, and distract the attention -of the enemy.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French driven from Compostello.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The garrison consisted of about 1900 men -and 200 cavalry. Aware of the approach of the -Spaniards, and despising them as usual, they -advanced to meet them on the Campo de - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 23.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Estrella. The Spanish vanguard, under D. -Ambrosio de la Quadra, withstood them, till -Morillo arrived to charge their right flank; the -reserve came to the support of the van; Carrera -advanced against them in front; they were twice -driven from the positions where they attempted -to make a stand; and a reinforcement of 800 -men arrived in time only to share their defeat. -They were driven into the city, and through it, -and pursued more than a league beyond it, till -night came on: the loss of the Spaniards was -130 in killed and wounded; the French had -more than 400 killed, ... they left only thirty-eight -prisoners, of whom the most part were -wounded; but very many wounded were carried -to Coruña. The conquerors did not fail to -remark, that this success had been obtained on -the day of Santiago’s apparition, and on the field -where his body had been discovered by the star -which rested on his grave.</p> - -<p>This was the intelligence which Marshal Ney<span class="pagenum" id="Page_436">436</span> -found when he reached Lugo on his return -from Asturias; and though Lugo itself had been -saved by the unexpected arrival of the army -from Portugal, the appearance of that army, and -the recital of its adventures, were alike discouraging. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Combined operations of Marshals Ney and Soult in Galicia.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -The two Marshals had not parted upon -good terms, they met upon worse, and the ill -feeling that existed between them extended to -their troops. Ney’s soldiers talked of the Portugueze -campaign in terms which provoked resentment, -and quarrels arose, in which the officers - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Naylies, 134.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -took part. This, however, was no time -for reproaches and bickerings; all fear of pursuit -from the English being over, a plan was -concerted for destroying Romana’s army, and -recovering what had been lost in Galicia. For -this purpose Ney was to act against Carrera and -Morillo, and having defeated them, and retaken -Vigo, to send a column upon Orense; while -Soult was to pursue Romana’s army in the valley -of the Sil, and disperse it, after which he -was to march upon the Puebla de Sanabria, and -there observe the Portugueze frontier, threatening -to re-enter it, and keeping up a communication -with Ney by Orense, and with the corps -under Mortier by Zamora. In pursuance of -this plan Ney hastened to Coruña; and Soult, -having been supplied from that fortress with -field-pieces and stores, commenced a pursuit - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Opérations de M. Soult, 276.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -little resembling that from which he had so -recently escaped.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_437">437</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Romana rejoins his army.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The day on which Carrera drove the enemy -from Santiago Romana<a id="FNanchor_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">17</a> landed at Ribadeo, -and joined his army at Mondoñedo. Here he -was informed of Soult’s arrival at Lugo, and apprehending -immediately that an effort would be -made by the two Marshals to enclose him, he -marched by the Valle de Neyra to Orense, and -there took up a defensive position, covered by -the Minho and the Sil. The Conde de Noroña, -D. Gaspar Maria da Nava, had just at this time -arrived in Galicia, with the appointment of second -military and political chief, and had taken -the command at Santiago: him he directed to -withdraw from that city and retire upon Pontevedra, -and he applied to Silveira for assistance; -but the Portugueze general could not -move without orders from Marshal Beresford. -It was believed by the Galician army, that if -the Portugueze had continued the pursuit two -days longer, even without the British, Soult’s -men were in so helpless and miserable a state, -that they would gladly have surrendered, Lugo -must have fallen, and the remainder of the -enemy have been shut up in Coruña. If the -event was less advantageous to the common -cause, it was more honourable to the Galicians.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Proceedings of Soult.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Soult had remained eight days at Lugo, and -had sent off for France 1100 men, who were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_438">438</span> -completely broken down by the sufferings of -the campaign. Still his troops were in such a -state that when he reached Monforte it was -found necessary to give them some days more -of rest. They were in one of the finest parts -of Galicia, and in the most delightful season of -the year; but there was the dreadful feeling for -those whose hearts were not completely hardened, -that every inhabitant of that country was -their mortal foe. Into whatever town or village -they entered, not a living soul was to be found, -except those who from infirmity were unable to -follow their countrymen. They who had arms -were gone to join the army; the others, with -the women and children, had taken refuge in -the wild parts of that wild region, and were on -the watch for every opportunity of weakening -their invaders by putting a straggler to death. -During the five days that they halted, the French -suffered considerable loss; and when they attempted -to cross the Sil, they found it not so -practicable for them to effect a passage in the -face of an enemy, as it had been for the English -at Porto. That sort of war was kept up which, -under the circumstances of Spain, tended to -the sure destruction of the invaders. The Spaniards -never exposed themselves, and never lost -an opportunity of harassing the enemy. They -availed themselves of their perfect knowledge -of the country to profit by every spot that afforded -cover to their marksmen; and leaving -their fields to be ravaged, their property to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_439">439</span> -plundered, and their houses to be destroyed, -they applied themselves, with a brave recklessness -of every thing except their duty, to the -great object of ridding the country of its invaders. -Wherever the French bivouacked, the -scene was such as might rather have been looked -for in a camp of predatory Tartars than in that -of a civilized people. Food, and forage, and -skins of wine, and clothes and church vestments, -books and guitars, and all the bulkier articles -of wasteful spoil, were heaped together in their -huts with the planks and doors of the habitations -which they had demolished. Some of the -men, retaining amid this brutal service the characteristic -activity and cleverness of their nation, -fitted up their huts with hangings from -their last scene of pillage, with a regard to comfort - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Naylies, 147.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -hardly to have been expected in their situation, -and a love of gaiety only to be found -in Frenchmen. The idlers were contented with -a tub, and if the tub were large enough, three -or four would stow themselves in it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cruelties exercised by the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The utmost efforts of the French were ineffectual -against the spirit which had now been -raised in Galicia. It was in vain that detachments -were sent wherever the Spaniards appeared -in a body: accustomed as the invaders -were to the work of destruction, they were baffled -by a people who dispersed before a superior -force could reach them, and assembled again as -easily as they had separated. The task of burning -villages, erecting gibbets, and executing, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_440">440</span> -if in justice, such Spaniards as fell into his -hands, was assigned to Loison, who discharged -it to the utmost of his power with characteristic -remorselessness. But it is not upon Loison, -however willing and apt an agent of such wickedness, -and however much of the guilt he may -have made his own, that the infamy of these -measures must be charged; it was the system -of the French government, and the French Marshals -had consented to act upon it; and that -they were as ready to have acted upon it toward -the British army, if fortune had enabled them, -as toward those whom they called the Spanish -insurgents, was evinced by their putting to death - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>See vol. ii. p. 451.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -a handful of stragglers near Talavera, and by -the manner in which the bulletins announced -an act as disgraceful to the army which permitted -it, as it was repugnant to all the laws and -usages of war.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Defeat of the French at the bridge of S. Payo.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>While Soult was thus employed in the interior -of the province, laying it waste with fire -and sword, always in pursuit, but always baffled, -and harassed always by a people whom -his cruelty served only to exasperate, Ney proceeded -to execute his part of their concerted -operations, with a force of 8000 foot and 2500 -horse. Upon his approach the Conde de Noroña -retreated from Pontevedra to the Bridge of -S. Payo, where, immediately after the recovery -of Vigo, Morillo had broken down two of the -arches, and thrown up works for defending the -passage. In this position, which had thus in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_441">441</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />June.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -good time been strengthened, Noroña resolved -to make a stand for covering Vigo, from whence -the Spaniards now received their stores. Boats -were procured from Vigo and Redondela to -form a bridge for the passage of the troops; -enough could not be found to construct one in -the usual form, and it was necessary to moor -them broadside to the stream, fasten them together -head and stern, and then lay planks -along, torn from the neighbouring houses. -The narrowness of this bridge considerably -lengthened the time employed in passing, nevertheless -the passage was effected before the -enemy appeared. The troops were formed on -the southern bank; they were now increased to -between 6000 and 7000 men, besides 3000 who -were without fire-arms; they had 120 horse, and -nine field-pieces, and a battery of two eighteen-pounders -planted on a height above the bridge. -Captain M’Kinley, who was still in the port of -Vigo, was informed of this on the evening of -the 6th of June. Very early the following morning -he went up in his barge to S. Payo, and -while he was conferring with Carrera, the French -appeared on the opposite bank. The Galician -troops had undergone great fatigue, having been -constantly exposed to continued and heavy -rain: nothing, however, could exceed their spirit; -it required all the efforts of their officers to -prevent them from pushing across and attacking -an enemy whom they had such cause to hate. -Ney posted his troops in the houses on the right<span class="pagenum" id="Page_442">442</span> -bank and in a wood a little below, and kept up -his attack the whole day. During the night he -erected a battery; some of his men also laid -ladders upon the first breach, and got upon the -brink of the second; but when daylight appeared -they were soon driven back.</p> - -<p>Captain M’Kinley passing safely within gunshot -of the enemy’s field-pieces, returned to -Vigo as soon as the action commenced: with -the assistance of Colonel Carol, he provided for -the security of that place, and the Spanish commodore -sent up three gun-boats to assist in the -defence. One of these Captain Wynter manned -under charge of Lieutenant Jefferson. A Spanish -schooner and a Portugueze one went also -upon this service. At daybreak the French -battery opened both upon the troops and the -boats; but the latter, taking advantage of the -tide, got near, and destroyed the battery. -When the tide fell, the enemy made two desperate -attempts with horse and foot to cross above -the bridge; the Spaniards steadily resisted, and -both times drove them back with great slaughter. -Baffled here, a detachment went up the -river, thinking to cross at the ford of Sotomayor; -Morillo was sent to oppose them, and after they -had vainly persevered in their attempt for an -hour and half, compelled them to retire. They -made another attack under cover of a thick -fog; this also was as unsuccessful as the former, -and Ney being thus defeated by a new-raised -army of inferior numbers, nearly half of whom<span class="pagenum" id="Page_443">443</span> -were unarmed, retreated during the night, leaving -some of his wounded, and 600 dead.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Spaniards retaliate upon the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Marshal Ney had acted upon the same infamous -system of cruelty as his brother Marshals. -The peasantry from the beginning repaid -their inhumanities: and although it was -long before the Spanish officers could resolve -upon resorting to the dreadful principle of retaliation, -they also were at length compelled to -it. It was not to be supposed that they could -see their countrymen murdered without using -those means of prevention and punishment -which were in their hands. At Lourizon thirty -religioners and forty-nine of the principal inhabitants -had been hung by the French, who then -set the place on fire: in return for this barbarity -130 prisoners taken at the Bridge of S. Payo -were put to death. Barrios, while he commanded, -had repeatedly remonstrated with Ney -upon the atrocious system of warfare which he -pursued; his representations were treated with -contempt, and at length he executed the threats -with which he had vainly endeavoured to enforce -them, and threw at one time 700 Frenchmen -into the Minho.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Marshal Soult retreats from Galicia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>These terrible examples were not lost upon -the enemy: if they did not make them abate of -their barbarities, they made them eager to get -out of a province where the people were able -and determined to take such vengeance as their -invaders had provoked. Marshal Ney indeed -would have endeavoured yet to make a stand,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_444">444</span> -if Soult would have continued to co-operate -with him; but even if there had been no<a id="FNanchor_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor">18</a> ill -will between them, views of more extensive -measures, and necessity also, would have induced -that General to form a different determination. -He had received neither succours of -any kind, nor instructions, nor even intelligence -from Madrid for five months, so well had the -Spaniards and Portugueze cut off all communication. -There was not a place in Galicia where -he could rest and supply his troops, or leave his -sick in security, except the two great ports; and -there he well knew they would be shut up between -the Galician force and the English ships. -He therefore refused to concur in any further -movements, and began his retreat from Val de Orras -and Viana by the Portillas de la Cauda and -Requejo to the Puebla de Sanabria. Ney, finding -he was thus left to his own resources, immediately - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Ferrol and Coruña evacuated by the French.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -prepared to evacuate Coruña and Ferrol. -He destroyed the magazines and stores of every -kind, and the defences on the land side, spiked -the guns, and completely disarmed both the -place and the people. Ferrol was evacuated by -the last division of the enemy on the 21st, Coruña -on the following day, and Ney retreated through<span class="pagenum" id="Page_445">445</span> -Lugo, Villafranca, and Astorga. He had formed -an encampment between Betanzos and Lugo; -and this, before his final retreat was known, -kept the persons whom he had established in -authority in fear or hope of his return, so that -no communication was suffered with the British -ships, except by flag of truce. The batteries -and lines on the sea-side having been left uninjured, -Captain Hotham of the Defiance, impatient -of this conduct, landed a party of seamen -and marines, and dismounted all the guns -which bore upon the anchorage. When Noroña -arrived a few days afterwards, he expressed some -displeasure at this; but the propriety of the -measure was so evident when the circumstances -which occasioned it were explained, that this - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">June 26.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -feeling was only momentary. Captain Hotham -having thus opened a communication with -Coruña, sent Captain Parker to Ferrol, where -the joy of the people, at seeing an English -officer in their streets, was manifested by the -loudest acclamations, and by every possible -mark of attachment. The Castle of S. Felipe -was still held by a traitor whom Ney had appointed -to the command. He had under him -a legion which the French had raised while -they were in possession of the two towns, and -over these men he retained his authority as long -as the real state of affairs could be concealed. -This traitor gave orders to fire upon any English -ships or boats that might attempt to pass: Captain -Hotham, upon this, stood over to Ferrol in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_446">446</span> -the Defiance, and landed the marines of that -ship and of the Amazon, with a party of armed -seamen under Captain Parker, who proceeded -to attack the castle. But though the men who -garrisoned it had been weak enough to suffer -themselves to be enrolled in the Intruder’s service, -they refused to obey their commander, now -that it was in their power to deliver themselves, -and joyfully welcomed the English, who entered -preceded by the Spanish colours.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Marshal Soult complains of some of his officers.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The retreat of the French was conducted in -what was now their usual manner. They are -described by Romana as leaving every where -marks of their atrocities, whole villages consumed -by fire, victims of both sexes and all -ages butchered, and committing enormities too -dreadful to be recounted. The system had in -reality been so wicked, that even some of the -French themselves revolted at the course of -crimes into which they had been led; and -Marshal Soult, in a dispatch to the intrusive -government, complained of what he called a -moral debility in some of his generals. “In -the kind of war which we carry on,” he said, -“and with the sort of enemy whom we have to -contend with, it is of great importance to the -success of our operations that the chiefs who -are at the head of the troops should be not only -impassible, but that they possess a force of mind -which places them in all circumstances above -events even the most vexatious.” It was evident -from this that there were officers who were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_447">447</span> -shocked at the atrocities which they were called -upon to order, and to witness, and to execute. -The moral debility which was complained of -meant a lingering of humanity, a return of honourable -feeling, an emotion of conscience, a -sense of the opprobrium that they were bringing -upon their country, and of the guilt and -infamy they were heaping upon themselves. -For such a service officers were wanted who -should be <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">impassible</i>, ... not merely unmoved at -any effects, however horrible, of the system in -which they were engaged, but incapable of any -feeling whereby they could possibly be moved.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He recommends a plan for securing Galicia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The dispatch in which this memorable avowal -was contained was intercepted by one of those -guerilla parties which now began to show themselves -in different parts of Spain. It was written -from Sanabria, at a time when Soult was not -acquainted with Marshal Ney’s intention to -evacuate Galicia. The war in that province, -he said, was become very murderous, and infinitely -disagreeable, and its termination was -far distant. The only means of bringing it to -a good conclusion would be to fortify seven or -eight important posts, each capable of containing -a garrison of 500 or 600 men, an hospital, -and provisions for four months; by this means -the people might be kept in check, the principal -passes closed, and points of support provided for -the columns acting in the province, in whatever -direction they moved, where they might receive -assistance and deposit their sick. This, he said,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_448">448</span> -was a very powerful consideration; for it was -not to be concealed that the present circumstances -had a great effect upon the minds of the -soldiers, knowing as they did, that if they were -wounded or seized with fever at a distance from -a place of safety, they were liable to perish for -want of assistance, or to be put to death by the -peasantry. A million of French money would -suffice to put Galicia in this state of defence, -and no money could be employed to better -purpose, especially as a smaller number of troops -would then suffice to occupy it. Lugo should -be fortified, three block-houses erected on the -line of Villafranca in the Bierzo, and the fortifications -of Tuy, Monforte, Monterey, Viana, -and the Puebla de Sanabria restored, which -might easily be done. A few other posts might -be added if needful.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Romana summoned to take his place in the Central Junta.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Some of these measures, Marshal Soult said, -he had persuaded Marshal Ney to undertake. -But when that dispatch was written Ney was -on his retreat, and so harassed by the Spaniards, -that he did not feel himself safe till he had got -beyond Astorga into the plain country. Soult -on his part proceeded to Zamora, and Galicia -was thus delivered from its invaders. That kingdom -was left in a state of dreadful exhaustion, -and the anarchy to which all things tended was -thereby increased. Men who had done their -part in driving out the enemy, having now no -means of providing for themselves, roamed about -in armed parties, and lived as freebooters, so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_449">449</span> -that the condition of the helpless inhabitants -was little better than when they were under the -French yoke. Romana appointed military governors -in every province, and was taking measures -for making its resources available to the -general cause, when the Junta superseded him -in the command. The pretext was that they -required his presence among them; for upon -the demise of the Principe Pio he had been -chosen to succeed him as one of the deputies -for Valencia, his native province; but the real -cause was the complaints which were made -against him by Jovellanos and his colleagues, -for his interference in Asturias. Romana regarded -not their accusations, knowing that he -had acted with the best intentions, and believing -that he had done what was best for the country: -but he said to his friends that the Junta had -never taken so false a step as in removing him -at that time.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He orders a monument to be erected to Sir John Moore.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Before he left Coruña he erected a<a id="FNanchor_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">19</a> temporary -monument, in the name of his country, to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_450">450</span> -the memory of Sir John Moore and the brave - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>His farewell to the army.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -men who had fallen with him. And he published -a farewell address to the remnant of those -faithful soldiers whom he had brought from the -Baltic, and who had accompanied him through -all his dangers and privations. “Neither the -marches of the Carthaginians in former times,” -said he, “nor of the French in latter, can be -compared with those incessant ones which you -have made among the mountains of Castille, -Galicia, and Asturias, during six months of -nakedness, hunger, and misery. You have -fought no boasted battles, but you have annihilated -one of the tyrant’s proudest armies; -aiding the national spirit, keeping up its noble -excitement, wearying the enemy’s troops, destroying -them in petty actions, and circumscribing -their command to the ground upon -which they stood. You have fulfilled the -highest duties of the soldier; and I owe to you -the reward, which all my labours, and cares, and -thoughts as a general have aspired to. Your -country was long ignorant of your best services; -but the actions of Villa Franca, Vigo, the fields -of Lugo, Santiago, and San Payo, free you from -all reproach for having avoided to engage in fatal -battles, and will make you terrible to those enemies<span class="pagenum" id="Page_451">451</span> -who have been conquered and driven out, -wherever the superiority of their forces was not -too great to be overcome. Brave Spaniards, -I acknowledge this day the want of that composure -which I have always felt at your head. -I am no longer your General. The government -calls me from you to take a place in the Supreme -Central Junta. Nothing but its irresistible will -should separate me from you, nor make me renounce -the right I have to partake in your future -welfare, under your new commander. Take, -soldiers, the last farewell of your General, and -reckon always upon the gratitude and paternal -love of your compatriot and companion in arms.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Address of the Central Junta to the Galicians.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Central Junta, upon the deliverance of -Galicia, addressed one of their animated proclamations -to the inhabitants. “People of Galicia,” -they said, “upon seeing you fall into the -power of the enemy without resistance, your -naval ports and arsenals occupied by them, and -so powerful and important a province subjected -from sea to sea, indignation and grief made your -country break out in cries of malediction and -reproach, like a mother who complains to heaven -and earth of the degradation of a daughter in -whom alone she had confided. At that time -reverses followed each other, as successes had -done before. After the battles of Espinosa, and -Burgos, and Tudela, came the passage of the -Somosierra, the capture of Madrid, and the rout -at Ucles, and then, to afflict the heart of the -country, the ruin of Zaragoza, the defeat in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_452">452</span> -Catalonia, and at Medellin. In all these memorable -events, though fortune failed, our reputation -was not lost, and Spain, suffering as she -did, retained her confidence. But Galicia ... Galicia, -entered without resistance, subdued without -opposition, and bearing tranquilly the yoke -of servitude, ... Galicia deranged all calculations -of prudence, and was destroying the country by -destroying hope. Who then in that night of -misfortunes would have looked to Galicia for -the first day-spring of joy? More glorious in -your rise, than you had seemed weak in your -fall, magnanimous Galicians! despair itself made -you feel the strength of which you had not before -been conscious. The cry of independence -and vengeance was heard in your highways, -your villages, your towns; the conquerors in -their turn began to fear they should be conquered, -and retired into their strong places; -there they were pursued, and assaulted, and -taken. Vigo delivered itself up with its oppressors, -and Galicia, sending these prisoners to -the other side of the sea, gave a proof as authentic -as it was great, that the Spaniards had not -wholly forgotten the art of subduing and binding -the French. This was the first day of good -fortune that rose on Spain after five months of -disasters, ... others followed. In vain did Soult, -hardly escaping from our allies at Porto, come -with the relics of his beaten division to succour -the weakened Ney. Harassed in their marches, -decimated in their parties, cut off in their communications,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_453">453</span> -and baffled in their hope of fighting -great actions, these arrogant Generals despair of -conquest, and execrate a war in which their men -are consumed without glory. Weary of struggling -against a physical force which every day strengthened, -and a moral resistance which had made -itself invincible, they fled at last from your soil -in a state of miserable exhaustion, giving to -Castille a new and great example that it is not -possible to force the yoke upon a people who -are unanimous in resisting it.</p> - -<p>“<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">The Spaniards do not yet know what war is</i>, -said those traitors to their country, who under -the mask of a false prudence concealed their -guilty selfishness. With such disheartening language -they endeavoured to repress the generous -impulses of loyalty. Base and pusillanimous -men, we know what war is now! this terrible -lesson is written upon our soil with the finger -of desolation, it is engraved in our hearts with -the dagger of vengeance. The execrable criminals -whose instruments you have made yourselves -have in their atrocities exceeded all that -your perfidious mind could have foreseen, all that -your terrified imagination could have foreboded. -Transport yourselves to Galicia, if ye dare do -it, ye miserable men, and there learn what is -the standard of the true Spanish character! The -blood which has there been shed is still steaming -to heaven, the houses which have been burnt -are still smoking, and the frightful silence of -depopulation prevails over a country which was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_454">454</span> -lately covered with villages and hamlets. But -ask those families who, wandering among the -mountains, chose rather to live with wild beasts, -than communicate with the assassins to whom -you had sold them: ask them if they repent of -their resolution; seek among them one voice -that shall follow you, one vote that shall exculpate -you!</p> - -<p>“People of Galicia, you are free! and your -country, in proclaiming it, effaces with her tears -of admiration and tenderness the mournful words -wherein, in other times, she complained of you. -You are free, and you owe your freedom to your -exaltation of mind, to your courage, to your -constancy. You are free, and Spain and all -Europe congratulate you the more joyfully in -proportion as your case had appeared desperate. -All good men bless your name; and in holding -you up as a model to the other provinces, we -regard the day of your deliverance as a fortunate -presage for the country.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_455">455</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> -</div> - -<blockquote class="inhead"> - -<p class="hang">CATALONIA. BATTLE OF VALLS. DEATH OF REDING. -BLAKE APPOINTED TO THE COMMAND. -BATTLE OF ALCANIZ. FLIGHT OF THE SPANIARDS -AT BELCHITE. COMMENCEMENT OF THE GUERILLAS.</p></blockquote> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />February.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p><span class="firstword">Three</span> circumstances had materially contributed -to the success of the Galicians: the aid -and confidence which they derived from the -British ships, whereby they were assisted first -in recovering Vigo, and afterwards at the bridge -of S. Payo; the rare virtues of Romana, whose -single thought was how to serve his country, -and who for that object, shrinking neither from -responsibility nor obloquy, acted always with -promptitude and decision upon his own judgement; -and, lastly, the very condition, or rather -destitution of his army: its name and presence -had a powerful effect in rousing and encouraging -the people, while the troops themselves felt and -understood their utter inability for any other -mode of warfare than that which their leader -was pursuing, and thus derived strength from -the very knowledge of their weakness. In Catalonia -the people were not less brave and patriotic; -there was a stronger British squadron -off the coast; and the army was respectable for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_456">456</span> -numbers, sufficiently equipped, and in a state -of discipline not to be despised. But the Generals -in succession were deficient either in military -skill or natural talent, or that vigour of -mind without which all other qualifications in -a commander are of no avail.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Proceedings of the French after the fall of Zaragoza.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Neither in Aragon nor in Catalonia had the -French been able to follow up their success. -They had paid dearly for Zaragoza: even the -army of observation had been so harassed during -that ever-memorable siege, that it was necessary -to allow them some repose. Having possessed -themselves of Jaca by the treachery of the governor, -and of Monzon, which was evacuated -by the garrison because Lazan had taken no -effectual measures for supplying it with provisions; -they were repulsed in three attempts -upon Mequinenza. They summoned Lerida, -thinking to intimidate the inhabitants by the -fate of the Zaragozans; but that example had -produced an effect which neither Buonaparte -nor his Generals were capable of anticipating; -they estimated every thing by success, and with -them to be unfortunate was to be despised and -miserable. Marshal Lasnes was told in answer -to his summons, that Zaragoza, unprotected as -it was, had held out ten months against its -besiegers, and that Lerida was a strong place. -The Spaniards were also reminded that the -Prince of Condé had been baffled before that -fortress. It was expected by some of the Spanish -officers that St. Cyr, in conjunction with the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_457">457</span> -French from Aragon, would besiege the city -without delay; that he would afterwards attack -Tarragona, and then, marching from conquest -to conquest, proceed against Valencia. Others - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, c. 14.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -supposed, that for the more immediate object -of securing the communication between France -and Barcelona, his first measure would be to get -possession of Hostalrich. Orders were indeed -sent to St. Cyr to undertake with his corps the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 130.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -sieges of Gerona, Tarragona, and Tortosa, at the -same time; enterprises so much beyond his -means, that the order made him doubt whether -it was an error in the ciphers of the dispatch, -or an act of folly in those who dictated instructions -which could not have been obeyed without -exposing the army to some great and inevitable -disaster. That General had as little reason to -be satisfied with his situation, as with the cause -in which he was employed. Having exhausted -the resources within reach, he was obliged to -quit his position at Martorell, S. Sadurni, Villa -Franca, and Vendrell, and draw nearer to Tarragona, -Reus, and Valls. His great object was -to bring on another action, for the purpose of -establishing the superiority of the French arms -in the feelings of his own army, as well as of -the Spaniards; for notwithstanding the splendid -successes which he had achieved, that opinion - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 118.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -was daily losing ground while the Catalans confined -themselves to a system of desultory warfare.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>State of the Catalan army.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Upon such a system Reding had resolved to -act in conformity to the opinion of all his best<span class="pagenum" id="Page_458">458</span> -officers. Hope, enterprise, and activity, were -thus excited; and the spirit not of the irregular -force alone, but of the troops, was raised, as -every day brought tidings of some partial and -animating success. Meantime he exerted himself -in endeavouring to bring the army into -a state of discipline, acting when that was in -question with a decision which he wanted at -other times. One regiment he broke for having -refused to obey a Swiss officer in action. His -character stood so high with the Catalans, that -this vigorous measure did not injure his popularity; -for he had the full support of public feeling -and of the local authorities. The Junta of -Tarragona coined not only the plate of individuals, -but that of the churches also, for the pay -of the troops; and for two months the hospitals -received their whole supplies, and the army the -whole of their pay, clothing, and food, from the -inhabitants of that faithful city. It was at this - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, c. 14.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -time that one of the best and ablest men whom -these calamitous times forced into action, the -Baron de Eroles, D. Joaquin Ybañez, resigned his -place in the Superior Junta, and putting on the -Miquelet uniform, took the command of a body -of those troops, believing that he could serve -his country more effectually in the field than -in council. Throughout the whole subsequent -course of the war no Spaniard made himself -more conspicuous, nor has any one acquired a -higher or more irreproachable name.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>New levies.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>A conscription of every fifth man throughout<span class="pagenum" id="Page_459">459</span> -the principality was called for, without distinction -of ranks, in obedience to the decree of the -Central Junta; the men were willing to serve, -but an error was committed in embodying them -with the regular troops, because the Catalans -disliked that service, and were proud of the -name as well as attached to the privileges of the -Miquelets. Some attempt was made to bring -this irregular but most useful force into a better -state of order and uniformity, for which purpose -the camp-marshal, D. Josef Joaquin Marti, was -appointed their commander-in-chief; but this -proved altogether abortive. Even the proper -returns of the men who were to be under his -command could not be obtained; and though -he had ability as well as zeal to qualify him for -the charge, nothing could be done, when means -of every kind were wanting. The province, however, -was in arms. The people, knowing their -own physical strength, and impatient of seeing -their country oppressed by a handful of invaders, -began to murmur at the General’s inactivity: -he was assailed by anonymous writings, -accusing him of incapacity or treason; and this -General was as sensitive to such attacks as he -was sensible of the difficulties that surrounded - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, c. 14.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -him. Brave, honourable, humane, and well acquainted -with the art of war, he wanted the main -qualifications for it when entrusted with command; -having neither fortitude to persevere -against vulgar clamour in the cautious system -which he was sensible was best suited to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_460">460</span> -time, nor promptitude to act with vigour and -decision when he departed from it.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Reding determines to act on the offensive.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Central Junta had sent D. Tomas de -Veri, one of its members, as its representative -to Catalonia. A like measure had been adopted -in the tumultuous times of the French Revolution; -the circumstances in Spain were altogether -different, and these missions appear -neither to have produced good nor evil. On -the present occasion Veri was in favour of -active operations; and that opinion, which had -necessarily much weight with Reding, was -strengthened by assurances that an insurrection -would be attempted in Barcelona as soon as any -movements on his part should be made to favour -it. The Camp-marshal Marti was called -upon to form the plan of a general attack; his -own judgement was decidedly opposed to it, -but Reding had determined upon action in deference -to the popular cry. He did not like to -hear it remarked that the troops were more -willing to eat their rations than to march against -the enemy; and he wished also to ascertain in -the field whether any reliance might be placed -upon the Somatens, and upon that general enthusiasm -which he did not participate, and in -which he had no faith. If he entertained any -hope, it was founded upon the promised effort -in Barcelona, ... which of all hopes had the least -foundation; ... for the fortresses having now -been well victualled, the time was gone by when -it might have been of advantage to have got<span class="pagenum" id="Page_461">461</span> -possession of the city. But even after his resolution -to act on the offensive was taken, the -movements of the army were delayed by that -ominous mood of mind which draws on ill fortune -more surely than it foresees it. And in -strange opposition to what happened in all other -parts of the Peninsula, all Reding’s plans were -perfectly well known to the French, while he -obtained no information of their movements or -of their numbers on which he could rely. On - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Staff. Befreiungs Krieg der Katalonier, p. 148.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the other hand, by a singular perversion of principle, -the Catalans whom the French had in their -pay made it a point of honour and conscience -to communicate full and true intelligence. The -task was not difficult; for Reding, in the certainty -that his intentions were betrayed as soon -as they were formed, gave up all hope of secrecy; -and every thing was talked of in public, with a -desperate carelessness, as if it were useless to -observe even the rules of common prudence.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Spaniards driven from Igualada.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Spaniards occupied a line from Martorell -to Tarragona, through Bruch, Capelladas, S. -Magi, and Col de S. Cristina; the head-quarters, -under Camp-marshal D. Juan Bautista de Castro, -being at Igualada: this line covered the -whole south of the principality, and touched -upon the north at Valls, where the levy in mass -was to be effected. St. Cyr waited till the -Spaniards had weakened themselves to his desire -by extending their line so far as to render it -vulnerable in many points: then leaving Souham’s -division at Vendrell to observe the troops<span class="pagenum" id="Page_462">462</span> -at Col de S. Cristina and near Tarragona, he, -with the divisions of Pino, Chabot, and Chabran, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 17.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -attacked the Spaniards on their left at various -points, and, though at one time Chabot’s division -was in danger of being routed, succeeded in -driving them back upon Igualada, where, with -an imprudence which experience had not corrected, -large magazines had been assembled. -They had neglected to occupy the road from -Llacuna in sufficient strength, though it was the -key to all their positions on the way to Barcelona; -by this road they found themselves attacked -in the rear, when falling back already -dispirited and in confusion; and it was only by -flight that they escaped in the directions of - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 103–106. -<br /> -Cabañes, c. 14.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Cervera, Cardona, and Manresa. Castro was -removed from his command, for the want of -skill or of zeal which he had manifested in these -operations. His subsequent conduct confirmed -the worst suspicions that could then have been -entertained; for he entered the Intruder’s service, -and holding a military command under -him, became, as far as his power extended, the -scourge of his countrymen.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Failure of the French attempt against the Abbey of the Creus.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>It was part of St. Cyr’s plan that Souham, -when he was apprised of the success of these -operations, either by the ceasing of the fire, or -by any other means, should beat the detachment -at Col de S. Cristina, and join him at Villarradoña, -when it was hoped that the Spaniards -might be driven from all their positions, in utter -rout, once more within the walls of Tarragona.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_463">463</span> -To effect this the French commander proceeded -with Pino’s division against a body of Spaniards -under Brigadier D. Miguel de Iranzo, who occupied - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the position of S. Magi. The distance -had appeared trifling upon the map: it proved -long and difficult, the road during great part of -the way being so narrow that the troops, foot -as well as horse, could only defile man by man: -they did not reach the position till four in the -afternoon; the attack lasted till night closed, -and the Spaniards then, unable to maintain -their ground, retreated under cover of the darkness. -Here, however, an unexpected difficulty -impeded the conquerors; they were not acquainted -with the country, nor had they been -able, with all their exertions upon the march, -to find any person who could serve them as a -guide. From this perplexity they were relieved -by a circumstance which would not have occurred -if St. Cyr had not deserved and obtained -a reputation, most unusual among Buonaparte’s -generals in Spain, for observing the humanities -of war. A Spanish officer, who had been -wounded and taken prisoner in this last affair, -relying upon the French commander’s character, -entreated that he would let him be carried to -Tarragona: St. Cyr not only granted his request, -but finding from him that he was able to -direct those who bore him, added, that as there -were no peasants to be found at S. Magi or in -the adjoining parts, he would send him as far -as the Convent of the Creus. By this act of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_464">464</span> -compassion the French were extricated from -the difficulty in which they had placed themselves. -The wounded officer gratefully acknowledged -this kindness, little thinking in what -manner he was to serve the enemy. On the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 19.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -morrow accordingly he was sent forward; two -or three persons at convenient distances behind -observed his way, and the French by their direction -followed the unconscious guide. During -the whole day they did not fall in with a single -person; but in the evening when they drew -near the monastery, instead of finding there, as -they had expected, good quarters and comfortable -stores for the troops, who stood in need of -both after four days’ exertions, they discovered -that Iranzo had fallen back to this very point, -and occupied it in strength. The French immediately -saw that the post could not be forced -without artillery, and they had none with them; -they made, however, a feint of attacking it, -with the intention of attempting an escalade, if -the Spaniards should betray any want of alacrity -in the defence. But the walls of the enclosure, -the windows of the buildings, the roof of the -church, and the tower, were presently manned; -and a fire was opened upon them from two -<i xml:lang="es" lang="es">violentos</i>, ... pieces of small artillery, so named -from the manner in which they are used; they -are fired not less than twelve times in a minute, -and the exertion which this requires is so great, -that the strongest and most expert artillerymen - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 107–111.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -cannot continue it more than a quarter of an hour.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_465">465</span> -The French had learnt at Zaragoza what it -was to attack the Spaniards where there were -walls and buildings to be defended; and St. Cyr -was not a man who would throw away the lives -of his soldiers. His men, instead of the good -quarters and better fare which they had promised -themselves, were fain to bivouac upon -the heights; and in the morning when the -General had determined to cross the Gaya for -the purpose of getting into a more open country, -and effecting his junction with Souham’s division, -they were obliged to defile under a sharp -and well-directed fire of musketry from the -Convent. When they reached Villarrodoña, to -their great disappointment Souham was not -there; the dispatches which had been sent to -him had been all intercepted, and a day and half -were lost in waiting till he arrived from Vendrell. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Reding takes the field, and collects his scattered troops.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Reding meantime, as soon as he heard -that his line had been broken, concluded that -nothing now was to be done but to collect as -many of the troops as he could, and withdraw -them again under the protection of Tarragona; -and feeling that this service was of too much -importance to be entrusted to any one in whom -he had not the most entire confidence, he set -out himself on the morning in which St. Cyr -marched from his unsuccessful attempt upon -the Convent. He took with him only a battalion -of Swiss, 300 horse, and six pieces of flying -artillery; and as he marched from Pla saw the -enemy on his right, where they were employed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_466">466</span> -in sacking and burning Villarrodoña and La -Puebla. Reding was not aware that the French -Commander-in-chief was with this body of the -invaders, nor did St. Cyr know that the Spanish -General was passing within sight with such a -handful of troops. His force, however, was -soon increased with the detachment which had -retired from Col de S. Cristina, and with the -1200 men under Iranzo, whom he now recalled. -He then proceeded to S. Coloma de Queralt, -and there effected his junction with Castro, -with the detachment stationed at that place, -and with the force which Castro had collected -after his defeat. But here he was alarmed by -learning that the enemy had entered Valls.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He is advised to retreat.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>St. Cyr on his part was not without some -anxiety concerning Reding’s intention. The -movement which that General had made from -his right upon his centre, led him to apprehend -a purpose of re-establishing the line of communication -with his left beyond the Noya, in which -case the French detachment at Igualada would -be in danger. That thought had passed across -Reding’s mind. He had supposed that the -object of the French, by occupying Valls, was -to cut off his retreat to Tarragona, and intercept -his communications with that fortress; and his -first impulse was to move upon Igualada, and -then upon Montbuy, to cut off the enemy at -both places. But it was his fate never to decide -resolutely and act with promptitude: a council -of war was held; the Deputy Veri was for retreating,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_467">467</span> -with the view of covering the plain of -Tarragona. Accordingly they set out from S. -Coloma, with the intent of leaving Valls on the -right. That day they reached Montblanch. A -party of French appeared in their rear, reconnoitred -them, and then turned by the Col de -Cabra toward Pla and Valls. As it was thus -made certain that the enemy was observing -them, a second council was held on the following -morning, at which Marti was present, who -had been summoned from Tarragona, where he -had been left with the command. The force -which Reding had with him consisted at this -time of 10,000 men, who were in a better state -than any body of troops which the Spaniards -had yet brought into the field in that quarter. -The question was asked, Where the French -were posted, and in what numbers? The General -could only answer that they were supposed -to be in Valls, and that he estimated them at -from 5000 to 6000, without artillery. Marti’s -opinion was, that as the object was to save the -army and protect the plain of Tarragona, where -Reus and the other towns would otherwise be -at the mercy of the enemy, it was not advisable -to risk an action with a foe whom they knew to -be superior in cavalry, and who, they had reason -to conclude, had other troops near enough at -hand to be brought together and overpower -them if a battle should be ventured. He advised, -therefore, that a few light troops and -Miquelets should make a demonstration by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_468">468</span> -Col de Lilla against Valls in the morning, and -make their way afterwards as they could, either -to join the corps on the Llobregat, or to Lerida; - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, c. 15.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -that their guns should be sent to that fortress, -and that the troops should defile during the -night by Prades and a mountain path impracticable -for artillery to Constanti, where the whole -army might be collected safely in a position -that would cover the plain.</p> - -<p>General Doyle, who, after the most anxious -endeavours to effect something for the relief of -Zaragoza, had joined the Catalan army that -day on its march, was for hope and enterprise. -The troops were in good condition and in good -heart, and the opportunity favourable, when -they were within reach of a force inferior in -number. Reding, perplexed by these jarring -opinions, and never venturing to decide at once -upon his own responsibility, took a middle -course. He thought it derogatory to steal as -it were away through a mountain path like a -guerilla chief; and moreover Marti was one of -the persons on whom his suspicions had fixed. -The course on which he determined had neither -the prospect of advantage, nor the certainty of -safety. It was to retreat with his artillery and -baggage by the Col de Riba and the banks of -the Francoli; to begin the march that evening; -not to seek the enemy, but not to refuse battle -if a favourable opportunity should be offered. -Marti represented that to take this line was not -only seeking the enemy, but putting it in their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_469">469</span> -power to bring on an action upon ground advantageous -to themselves. But Reding certainly -had not come to this determination in -the view of bringing on a battle, without incurring -the responsibility of such a measure. -He suffered some provision carts to be cut off -by a reconnoitring party almost under his eyes, -without permitting his troops to resent the -insult; ... they were tired, he said, and he -would not weaken the main body by sending - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, c. 15.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -out any detachments. Nor could Doyle prevail -upon him to make his retreat by day. It -was commenced at seven in the evening, in -good order and with all possible silence.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Battle of Valls.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>St. Cyr, who was at this time with Pino’s -division at Pla, had ordered Souham never to -lose sight of Reding’s movements. That General -occupied Valls; he had entered it on a -market day, and supplied his hungry troops -with the corn brought thither from Aragon -and the plain of Urgel, as if there had been no -enemy to fear! His advanced guard was to -the north of that town, having its left upon the -Francoli; his right was in the direction of Pla, -and he had a post at Picamoxons, the point at -which Reding must debouche upon the plain -of Valls, if he went either by the valley of -Montblanch or the Col de Lilla. At this point -Souham’s orders were to give him battle; though -some apprehension was entertained that he -might pass by the Col de Cabra, with the view -of cutting off the French from Barcelona. No<span class="pagenum" id="Page_470">470</span> -such thought had ever entered Reding’s mind<a id="FNanchor_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor">20</a>. -The narrowness of the passes and the badness -of the road made the night march slower than -had been calculated; at five in the morning, -however, the vanguard under Castro and half -the centre had passed Valls, leaving the enemy’s -camp-fires on the left. They were proceeding - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Feb. 25.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -silently and in the best order, and no advanced -post of the enemy had yet been discovered, -when, as the General was passing a little bridge, -a volley of musketry opened upon him within -pistol shot. This unexpected attack occasioned -a momentary disorder: measures, however, -were immediately taken to prevent the enemy -from cutting off that half of the army which -had not yet come up; the troops took their -station with alacrity and precision; the artillery -on both sides began to play: the French descended -from the heights of Valls in several -columns; they were met by the Spaniards, and -attacked so vigorously, that notwithstanding -the advantage of the ground, they were driven -back.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_471">471</span> -All the information which Reding had previously -obtained concerning the enemy agreed -in affirming that they had no artillery. It was -therefore not without surprise that he had found -two batteries open upon him. They had been -silenced, however; the Spaniards had behaved -even to his wish, and a manifest advantage had -been gained. But when the French had been -driven to the heights, reinforcements arrived -which enabled them to make a stand, and Reding -perceived by their smoke-signals and their -rockets, that they were communicating with a -fresh body of troops. It was now noon; his -own men had been marching all night, and -having been several hours in action, they began -to feel exhausted. He therefore concentrated -them, sent off the whole of the baggage, and -determined to continue his retreat, as soon as -they should have taken food or rest. The position -which he had chosen was a good one, behind -the bridge of Goy, on the right bank of -the Francoli, and covered by that river. But -time for rest was not allowed them. Pino’s -division had now come up, and St. Cyr himself -had arrived. That General, who was desirous -of gaining such a victory as should give the -French the utmost confidence in what was called -their moral superiority, forbade his artillery to -fire; though the opportunity for firing with advantage -was such, that the commandant feigned -not to understand the order, and when after a -third discharge it was repeated to him in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_472">472</span> -most formal manner, expressed the unwillingness -with which he obeyed. That of the Spaniards -was well served; and when, having crossed -the river and ascended the height, the French -proceeded with the bayonet to the attack, they -advanced under a fire of musketry which could -not have been more regular at a review. The - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 125.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -right wing of the Spaniards was threatened, but -the main attack was made upon the left, and -this the enemy succeeded in breaking between -four and five in the evening, about an hour after -the action had been renewed. The Spaniards -then began to retreat in good order for the next -half hour, ... but then as usual fear and insubordination -prevailed as soon as hope was lost. -Reding himself, when it was no longer possible -to perform the part of a general, was distinguished -for his personal bravery. A body of -French dragoons surrounded him and some of -his staff: two of his aide-de-camps were killed, -and he himself received five sabre wounds from -a French Colonel, with whom he was personally -engaged. The cavalry rendered little service -in covering the retreat; but the infantry of the -right and centre, and part of the left, retired - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Cabañes, c. 15. -<br /> -St. Cyr, 117, 126.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -through the vineyards, where the horse could -not pursue them. The other part of the broken -wing took to the mountains, and made their way -to Tortosa.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French received at Reus.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The French estimated their own loss in this -action at about a thousand men, that of the -Spaniards at four; ... the Spaniards supposed it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_473">473</span> -to be about two thousand on either side. In -fact the evening was so far advanced, that they -suffered comparatively little in their flight. Reding -reached Tarragona that night; ... that city -was only three leagues from the scene of action, -and thither the greater part of the dispersed -troops found their way before morning, some -corps in good order, others in small parties. -Some made for Reus, and from thence to Cambrils -and Col de Balaguer. The artillery and -baggage fell into the enemy’s hands. On the -following day Souham entered Reus, a rich commercial -city, second only in size and importance -to Barcelona. The inhabitants had not, as had -every where till now been done, forsaken it; on -the contrary the municipality went out to receive -the conquerors, and agreed to raise a contribution -for the use of the army. Their wealth may -explain a conduct which, in the then state of -public feeling, surprised the French<a id="FNanchor_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">21</a> themselves. -This supply came at a time when the -paymaster had not a single <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">sous</i> in the chest. -Resources of every kind were also found here, -and here were some thousand of sick or wounded -Spaniards in the hospital, whom St. Cyr sent to - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Arrangement concerning the wounded.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Tarragona. This measure led to a negotiation -with Reding, by which it was agreed that in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_474">474</span> -future whatever patients might be found in the -hospitals should not be regarded as prisoners, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 127–8.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -but allowed to remain where they were, and -to rejoin their respective armies upon their -recovery.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Alarm at Tortosa.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The enemy now occupied Villaseca and the -port of Salon, and thus cut off Tarragona from -all communication by land with the rest of Spain. -They profited by their success with their wonted -alacrity; and yet they might have improved it -farther, and gained a far more important advantage -than the victory itself, had they been aware of -the alarm which prevailed at Tortosa, and of the -condition in which that fortress had been left. -The Governor and the Junta sent for General -Doyle, who, as far as personal influence and -example could go, possessed in an extraordinary -degree the talent of exciting activity and creating -confidence. He found the fortifications in such -a state that they could not have resisted a coup-de-main; -and the city so ill provided, that if the -works could have resisted an enemy, it must -presently have been reduced by famine. Provisions -were now collected by requisition from -the neighbourhood, receipts being given for the -amount (for the public money had been constantly -ordered to Tarragona), and the citizens -were called out to work upon the ramparts; so -that the place was put in a state for resisting any -sudden attack. There were but two roads by -which artillery could be brought against it: one -was defended by the fort at Col de Balaguer;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_475">475</span> -but from that post the troops at this important -crisis were deserting for want of provisions. -By General Doyle’s exertions it was immediately -stored, and the other road, through Falcat, which, -there had been no attempt to guard, was occupied -according to his directions by 600 Somatenes. -This was a position which could well be -maintained by a small force, and this timely -occupation prevented the advance of a French -detachment which had been ordered thither. -The Tortosans were soon encouraged by the -arrival of the Marques de Lazan, who brought -his army there when they might better have -kept the field. The want of cordiality between - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Lazan separates his army from Reding’s command.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -this General and Reding had been sufficiently -manifested to be known even by the enemy; -and Lazan now formally announced, that having -previously been appointed second in the Aragonese -army by the Cortes of that kingdom, he -had upon the loss of his brother succeeded to -the command in chief; and considering himself -as independent of the commander in Catalonia, -should thenceforth look upon the protection of -Aragon as his proper business: but he would do -whatever he could consistently with this object, -for covering Catalonia on that side. Reding -represented this to the war-minister as an act -by which Lazan crippled the Catalan army, and -exposed his own troops to certain destruction, -without the possibility of effecting any service; -and instructions were accordingly dispatched -from Seville that he should obey Reding’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_476">476</span> -orders. The same spirit of provincialism was -prevailing in Valencia; a corps of 6000 men - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />May.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -from that kingdom was stationed at Morela, -with orders to remain there, though neither this -place not that part of the country were threatened, -but because that position covers Valencia -on the side of Aragon. There was neither unity -in counsel nor in command; ... each of these -three provinces had its own army, acting upon -its own views, and of course all acting without -effect.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Mortality in Tarragona.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>And yet St. Cyr had mistaken the character -of the Spaniards when he supposed that the -battle of Valls would convince them of their -moral inferiority to the conquerors. Far from -it; it had even raised the spirit of the Catalans; -and the Central Junta spake of it in their proclamations -as one of those defeats in which ill -fortune brought with it no dishonour, but rather -hope and confidence. It proved to the Spanish -army far more disastrous in its consequences -than in itself; they were crowded into Tarragona, -and the French commander, by sending -thither several thousand sick and wounded from -the hospitals at Reus, increased or perhaps occasioned -an infectious disease which broke out -among them, and was aggravated by the uncleanliness -arising from want of linen, the neglect -of those precautions, and the destitution -of all those means without which armies cannot -be kept in health. We reconcile ourselves to -the slaughter of a battle or a siege, because such<span class="pagenum" id="Page_477">477</span> -destruction is the business of war, and the men -engaged in it take their chance bravely for the -evils which they are inflicting upon others; ... - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />March.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -but there is somewhat at which the heart revolts -in making a league with pestilence or famine, -however much the system of war may require -and justify it. St. Cyr knew that disease was -doing his work in Tarragona; officers as well -as men were dying in such numbers, that if he -could have kept them thus shut up within the -seat of the contagion, more would perish in a -month than he could have hoped to destroy in -four pitched battles. He determined therefore - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 133.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to remain in the plain of Tarragona as long as -his army could be supplied with a quarter of a -ration.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr removes to the plain of Vicq.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>But the Spaniards were not idle. The Somatenes -were once more in force and in activity; -and the left of the Catalan army, which -had not been engaged in the defeat, harassed -the enemy on their right and in the rear. When -Reding had formed his unfortunate plan of operation, -10,000 Miquelets and Somatenes, under -Wimpffen, had been sent beyond the Llobregat -to take advantage of any insurrection that might -be attempted in Barcelona. These irregular -troops, when they had no longer to depend -upon the combinations of the Commander-in-chief, -but were left to themselves to carry on -their own kind of warfare in their own way, -began again to acquire that superiority which -such warfare assured them; Chabran’s division,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_478">478</span> -harassed by repeated assaults, fell back -successively from Igualada upon Llacuna, S. -Quinto, and Villa Franca; and the Spaniards in -that quarter, full of hope as ever, resumed the -blockade of Barcelona. For a time they cut -off St. Cyr’s communication with that city, and -their position excited no trifling uneasiness in -Duhesme and Lechi, who well knew the disposition -of the inhabitants. But the English squadron, -the sight of which always afforded hope -to the Barcelonans, was compelled by a heavy -gale to stand out to sea: and Chabran’s division, -recovering the ground and the reputation -which it had lost, once more broke up the irregular -blockade. St. Cyr meantime maintained -his position as long as it was possible to feed his -army there; he then determined upon moving -it into the little plain of Vicq, where he expected -to find corn, and to remain till the harvest -should be ripe in the environs of Gerona, -where he foresaw that in the course of the siege -his army must be established. The battle of -Valls had not given that army the confidence -which their General was so desirous they should -possess; there was in fact an impression upon -them which they had never felt in any other -service; they knew that they were not the objects -of mere military hostility, in which there -is neither enmity nor ill will between man and -man, but that they had the hatred and the curses -of the whole country. Their removal now they -looked upon as a retreat, and they knew what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_479">479</span> -were the dangers of a retrograde movement in -Catalonia. St. Cyr better understood how little -able Reding was to take advantage of such a -movement at that time; and for the purpose of -showing his men that he could defy the Spaniards, -while at the same time he was careful not to -wound the feelings of a General whom he respected, -he sent an officer to Tarragona with a -flag of truce, and a letter stating that, as circumstances -rendered it necessary for him to -draw nearer the French frontier, he should depart -from Valls the following day at noon, and -if General Reding would send a detachment -thither at that time, the hospital which had -been formed in that town, and which it was of -such consequence for him to preserve, considering -the number of his sick, should be consigned -to him as it stood. It was well furnished from - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 134, 145–7.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the houses which the inhabitants of Valls had -abandoned on the entrance of the enemy. The -French commander left only a very few wounded -men, who were not in a state to bear removal; -because he doubted whether Reding would be -able to make the Spaniards observe the agreement -which had been concluded upon that -subject. As far, however, as opportunity was -given, it was properly performed.</p> - -<p>This done, after having remained something -more than three weeks in the plain of Tarragona, -the French retreated toward the Llobregat. Chabot’s -division occupied at this time Montblanch, -for the double purpose of rendering it more<span class="pagenum" id="Page_480">480</span> -difficult for Reding to communicate with -Wimpffen, and of preventing the latter from -holding any communication with Lerida. A -brisk firing in a quarter where no alarm was -looked for, occasioned this General to send out -a reconnoissance. It was in time to save a detachment -of 600 horse and foot, with two pieces -of cannon, which Marshal Mortier had sent -from Fraga to communicate with St. Cyr’s army, -and bring him back intelligence of the state of -things from Catalonia. A smaller party would -have had no chance of succeeding in this service; -and if this had been four-and-twenty hours -later, it would have been cut off. They were -fortunate enough to find a division of their -countrymen here, but only half their object was -accomplished; for though the army delayed its - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 138.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -movements two days in the hope of facilitating -their return, and escorted them to some distance, -the attempt was found to be so hopeless, -that they were fain to continue with St. Cyr.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Vicq deserted by its inhabitants.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The troops in Tarragona were not in a condition -to harass the French on their retreat; -but the retreat was most important to them. -They obtained room to distribute their sick, and -the progress of the contagion was stopped as -soon as its main cause was thus removed. Some -affairs took place beyond the Llobregat with -Wimpffen’s division, which dispersed, as it became -irregular troops to do, when they were not -acting at advantage. When the enemy reached -Vicq, they found that that city had not been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_481">481</span> -infected by the ill example of Reus; the Bishop, -five or six old men, and the sick who were unable -to remove, were the only inhabitants of -that populous city who remained. The others, -with a spirit worthy of their country and their -cause, upon the unexpected approach of the invaders -abandoned all that they could not carry -with them in their instant removal, and went to -seek shelter where they could; many of them -actually lived among the mountains during the -whole three months that the French continued -there, though at the time of their flight the -weather was severe, and the snow daily falling. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 156.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -There had been no time to destroy the provisions, -much less to remove them; if St. Cyr -had not succeeded in effectually concealing his -intention of quartering the troops there, this -would have been done, and his army could then -have derived no advantage from their change -of position. As it was, they found corn enough -to last till the harvest, lard for a month, and -wine for a fortnight: but the change of diet, -air, and climate (for they had moved into a -higher region), and the want of wine as soon -as the stock was exhausted, produced disease -among the soldiers; and it was well for them -that neither Reding nor his army was in a state -to resume offensive operations; so that they were -enabled to rest.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Arrest of the persons in office at Barcelona for refusing the oath.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>St. Cyr himself remained some three weeks -in Barcelona. From the depôts of the Spaniards, -which, in the course of this successful<span class="pagenum" id="Page_482">482</span> -campaign had fallen into his hands, he had supplied -the garrison of that city with grain, pulse, -and salt for three months’ consumption: but -there was not enough ammunition for a fortnight’s -siege. Of being formally besieged indeed -there was not now even the remotest danger; -but from within there was sufficient cause -for inquietude. The honourable feeling of nationality, -for which the Catalans are eminently -distinguished, was in no part of the principality -stronger than in its capital. At this very time -Barcelona had two <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">tercios</i> of Miquelets in the -field, raised among its inhabitants, and paid and -clothed by them. The individuals of those regiments, -having no uniform by which they could -be recognised, used to enter the city fearlessly -whenever it suited them, for the purpose of -visiting their friends, raising recruits, and receiving -money or clothing: nor was it in Duhesme’s -power, with all the vigilance, and it -may be added, all the villany of his police, to -detect a single person in this practice; so unanimous -were the Barcelonans in their detestation -of the intrusive government, and so well -was the secret kept. That police was continually -reporting to Duhesme and Lechi, and -these again to the Commander-in-chief, the existence -of conspiracies which they had discovered; -but the members of the police were men -of such character, that St. Cyr suspected these -schemes to be suggested by their agents, if they -were not mere fabrications, brought forward for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_483">483</span> -the most nefarious motives. Now, however, -that he was on the spot, he allowed Duhesme - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />April.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -to exact an oath of allegiance to the Intruder -from all the public functionaries, and from the -Spanish soldiers who had been disarmed after - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 142–4.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the treacherous seizure of the place. Sunday -was the day chosen for this act of oppression. -They were summoned to the house of the Royal -Audience, which was surrounded with horse -and foot, and 3000 troops were drawn up on the -esplanade and the sea-wall; the display and the -actual force being necessary to keep down the -indignation of a generous and most injured people. -Every member of the Audience refused -thus to disgrace himself and betray his country; -only one of the <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">Relatores</i> took the oath, and -only three of the numerous persons employed -in the inferior departments. The French were -not more successful in tempting the military. -Persuasions and promises availed as little as the -threat of immediate imprisonment. The Contador -Asaguerre told Duhesme, that if all Spain -were to acknowledge Joseph, he would expatriate -himself. The French executed their -threat. Nine-and-twenty of these honourable -Spaniards were sent prisoners, some to Monjuic, -others to the citadel. The people, undeterred -by their strong escort, followed them as in procession, -cheering them as they went, and promising -that their families should be well provided - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Prisoners sent to France.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -for during their imprisonment. Many -others were put under arrest in their own houses,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_484">484</span> -and the whole of the military were, by St. Cyr’s -orders, marched with the prisoners of war, under -convoy of Lechi’s division, as far as the Fluvia, -where Reille received and sent them into -France: and by Lechi’s return the commander-in-chief - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>St. Cyr, 151, 158.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -received the first intelligence from that -country which had reached him since he crossed -the Fluvia himself, ... five months before. His -last remaining anxiety was for the provisionment -of Barcelona; and that was removed soon -afterward by the arrival of a squadron from -Toulon, which had the rare good fortune to -reach its destined port and return in safety. - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Barcelona relieved by sea.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -The place was thus amply supplied with military -stores as well as provisions, and the siege -of Gerona then became the only object of the -French.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Reding dies of his wounds.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The dispatch in which Reding informed the -Central Junta of his defeat at Valls, was marked -equally by his habitual despondency and his -magnanimity as to every thing which regarded -himself. He rendered the fullest justice both -to the policy and humanity of St. Cyr’s conduct -as opposed to that of Duhesme and Lechi, and -expressed an apprehension that it had produced -some effect upon the public mind. Some ground -for this had been afforded by what had happened -at Igualada and at Reus; but the evil extended -no farther. He had no reliance upon the Somatenes, -he said, nor upon the enthusiasm -which they displayed; order was wanting among -them, and where order ended confusion began.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_485">485</span> -He complained that he could obtain no intelligence -of the enemy’s numbers, whereas they -were well informed of every thing that related -to his army; and he gave as a reason for having -taken the field, the opinions of those whom he -had consulted, and the popular cry. He made -no mention of his own wounds; and when the -government published such parts of his dispatch -as were intended for publication, they noticed, -as it became them, his silence upon this point. -The wounds, though many, were not thought -dangerous, and they appeared for a time to be -going on well; but the symptoms changed, and -in the course of a month they proved mortal. -He fell in a foreign land, and in the service of a -foreign state; but the cause in which Theodore -Reding fell was the same for which his brother -Aloys had fought amid their native mountains; -and it was the cause of his own countrymen as -well as of the Spaniards; the cause of all good -men every where. The motives for which ordinary -wars have been undertaken are so mean -and transitory, and come so little to the heart -of man, that after a few years have elapsed all -interest concerning them is exhausted; and even -nationality does not prevent us from feeling, -that they, whose lives have been expended in -such contests, have died rather in the exercise -of their profession than of their duty. But the -struggle of Spain against Buonaparte is of the -same eternal and unfading interest as the wars -of Greece against Xerxes: at whatever distance<span class="pagenum" id="Page_486">486</span> -of time its records shall be perused, they will -excite in every generous mind the same indignant -and ennobling sympathy. Not, therefore, -in an ungrateful service did Reding lay down -his life, for with those records his name will be -perpetuated: Switzerland will remember him -with pride, as one of the most honourable, -though not most fortunate of her sons, and -Spain with respectful gratitude, as a soldier not -unworthy of her service in its best day, and true -to it in its worst.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Peasants of the Vallés.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Right as this General was in his opinion, -that the co-operation of an irregular force was -not to be relied on in a plan of regular operations, -he estimated the effects of a popular resistance -below its real importance, nor did he -fairly appreciate the Catalan spirit. A fine -example of it was shown immediately after his -death by the peasants in the Vallés. Their -country lies in the line between Vicq and Barcelona, -and the peasants taking arms to impede -the communication occupied the heights near -the Church of Canovellas, about a mile from -Granollers, which is the capital of that district. -The district is so strong, that the invaders were -desirous of opening the communication by persuasion -rather than by force; and therefore -communicated to these insurgents in due form, -that the French commanders ordered their -troops to make war upon soldiers only, not upon -peasants; that if they would lay down their -arms, and retire every man to his house, no injury<span class="pagenum" id="Page_487">487</span> -should be done them; but otherwise there -was a division of the enemy in their front, and -another was coming in their rear. A written -answer was returned, in the name of the peasants -of the Vallés. “They held it a great -honour,” they said, “to form a part, though -but a small one, of the Spanish nation; and -they had seen what their requital had been for -receiving and entertaining the French troops, -when their government had commanded them -so to do; their peaceful habitations had been -invaded, their property plundered, their houses -burnt, their women violated, their brethren -murdered in cold blood, and above all, the religion -of their fathers outraged and profaned. -Nothing remained for them but to repel force -by force; and as they could not by themselves -defend their open villages, they had taken to -the mountains as to a strong hold: from thence -they would defend their valleys, and oppose to -the enemy the most obstinate resistance, as -long as the government enjoined them to consider -as enemies the subjects of Napoleon. The -Spanish general in Catalonia was the person -whose instructions they were to obey. For -themselves, emulating as they did the courage -and constancy of all Spain, they would never -depart from those principles which the whole -nation maintained. General St. Cyr and his -companions might have the dreadful glory of -seeing nothing but ruins in all that country; ... -they might pass in triumph over the bodies of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_488">488</span> -those whom they had sacrificed; but neither -they nor their masters should ever say that the -people of the Vallés had submitted their necks -to a yoke which the whole nation had justly -rejected.” The Spaniards are a nation upon -whom deeper impression would be made by a -circumstance of this kind than by the defeat of -one of their armies; and the success with which -these peasants harassed the French, and cut -off some of their artillery and baggage, raised -the spirits of the Catalans more than the battle -of Valls had depressed them.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Blake appointed to the command.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Upon Reding’s death the command devolved -upon the Marques de Coupigny, till Blake was -nominated as his successor, and with more extensive -powers, being appointed Commander-in-chief -in Catalonia, Valencia, and Aragon. This -General, after leaving Romana, had been sent -to serve under Reding, and was in Tortosa at -the time of Reding’s decease, where Lazan, -obeying without hesitation the Central Junta’s -instructions, resigned to him the charge of his -division, and continued with it, to serve under -him. The Aragonese had not been disheartened -by the loss of their capital; they had regarded -the former siege with a happier, but not with a -prouder feeling, for of all examples, that of dignified -suffering makes the deepest impression -upon a generous and high-minded nation. The - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Movements of the Aragonese.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -lordship of Molina de Aragon was surrounded -with points which were occupied by the enemy. -Nevertheless, the people, cut off as they were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_489">489</span> -from support, took arms, trusting in themselves -and the strength of their country: for want of -better weapons some of them used slings, as -the Somatenes also had done with good effect; -and they made wooden artillery, so light, that a -single man could carry one of these pieces up -the heights, and yet strong enough to bear from -fifteen to twenty rounds. The French endeavoured -to surprise them with a detachment of -1800 men, for the purpose of opening the communication -with Madrid, which they had cut -off; but part of this body was itself surprised in -Iruecha, and put to flight with some loss. The -Molinese were about to pursue their success -against another party in Alcolea, when they -learned that General Suchet, who had now the -command in Aragon, had passed the Puerto de -Daroca, and was entering the lordship on its -open side, with some 4000 foot and 600 horse. -In the course of two hours the cavalry would -reach Molina. The Junta gave instant orders -for removing the ammunition, the town was deserted -by all its inhabitants, and the men in -arms retired with the Junta to the mountains -five leagues distant. The efforts of the French -to arrest the Junta or any of its members were -in vain; the proclamations which they issued -to intimidate or to delude the people were of -no effect; and after remaining five days in Molina, -they returned with no other advantage -from this expedition than that of carrying away -all the flocks and herds they could find.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_490">490</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />May.</span> -<hr /> -Monzon recovered by the Spaniards.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>There was no part of Spain in which the French -had imagined themselves to be so secure as in -Aragon, after the fall of Zaragoza. During that -siege the army of Aragon had proved completely -inefficient, and the Catalans were too hardly -pressed themselves to make any efforts in behalf -of their neighbours. In reliance upon this, some -troops had been withdrawn to march into Germany; -and that larger detachment under Mortier -had been called off towards the Douro, which -was to co-operate with Marshal Soult. Advantage -was taken of this when Blake’s appointment -to the command had raised the spirits of the -soldiers and of the people, ... both being alike -ready to impute their ill success to any cause -except the true one, and to expect better fortune -with every new commander. Blake brought -with him a good name, for though always unfortunate, -the Spaniards had never suffered any -disgrace under his guidance; and the Roman -government never demeaned itself with more -generosity toward an unsuccessful general than -the Central Junta. The first effect of the impulse -which his arrival communicated was on -the side of Lerida. As soon as Mortier had -withdrawn from the neighbourhood of that city, -the garrison, in conformity to Blake’s instructions, -was on the alert. A French detachment -occupied Barbastro and the places near, with -other points on the right of the Cinca; on the -left of that river they were in possession of -Monzon; and from thence, as from a strong<span class="pagenum" id="Page_491">491</span> -hold, they tyrannized over the country, levying -contributions without mercy. The town of -Albalda having refused to answer one of these -oppressive demands, a detachment of 1400 was -sent to make what was called an example of -that place for its disobedience. The governor -of Lerida, D. Josef Casimiro de Lavalle, who -was apprised of this movement, stationed 700 of -his garrison at Tamarite, under Colonels Perena -and Baget, with some Aragonese and Catalan -Somatenes, who succeeded in routing the enemy; -the greater part retreated to Barbastro, and in -consequence of this movement and defeat, about -200 only remained in Monzon. The inhabitants -rose against them, though they had only seven -muskets; knives and bludgeons supplied the -place of other weapons; they recovered the -Castle, and drove the invaders out.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Capture of a French detachment.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Monzon, though in these days a place of little -strength, was nevertheless a fortress of importance -in that country, and in a war where every -advantage, however trifling, raised the spirits of -a people whom no disasters, however severe, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 16.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -could depress. The French therefore being -determined to retake it, and punish the people, -came in considerable force, horse and foot, -down the right bank of the Cinca to Pomar, -where they crossed by the ford and the ferry. -Perena, who had hastened to Monzon upon its -recapture, was there to receive them with his -battalion and with a <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">tercio</i> of Miquelets; and -they were repulsed in their attack. They obtained<span class="pagenum" id="Page_492">492</span> -reinforcements, and repeated it on the -morrow, and forced their way into the streets; -but Baget with his detachment came in all speed -from Fonz, and arrived opportunely enough to -assist in driving them out a second time, with -considerable loss. They called to their assistance -the 2000 men that were left in Barbastro, -but meantime the Cinca had risen so as to be -no longer fordable; and while they were thus -cut off from succour, the Spaniards at Monzon -were in communication with Lerida. Perceiving -now their danger, they made for Albalete, hoping -to cross at Fraga by the bridge; their intention -had been foreseen, and a detachment from the -garrison of Lerida, weak as it was, was dispatched -to secure that point. Thus anticipated in that -direction, and being now not more than 1000 -men, with about forty horse, they fled toward -Fonz and Estadilla, to cross the river in the -mountains, above its junction with the Eseva. -They were closely pursued by Perena and Baget; -their commander was drowned in attempting -the passage, eight companies were made -prisoners, the whole detachment which had -crossed the Cinca was thus cut off, and the -French in consequence withdrew from Barbastro.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Blake moves upon Alcañiz.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The prisoners were marched to Tarragona, -where the Catalans, after so many reverses, were -in no slight degree elated by seeing them. More -however from humanity than from a motive of -ostentation, proposals for exchanging them were -immediately made to St. Cyr, and accepted by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_493">493</span> -him. The French suffered another check, less -mortifying indeed and less important, but one -which impeded their movements, in the destruction -of their flying bridge upon the Ebro. This, -which was large enough to carry some hundreds -at a time, they had removed from the river -where it approaches Caspe, to the part near -Alborge, where it was surprised and burnt by a -detachment from Mequinenza. Blake meantime -was not less successful in his own operations. -Part of his troops were stationed at Morelia, -to oppose the French division which occupied -Alcañiz and its district, and to cover that -part of Catalonia and Valencia which there borders -upon Aragon: others formed a cordon -along the Algas, to guard the difficult country -by which they might have threatened Tortosa, -or interrupted the communication between that -place and Mequinenza. With the approbation -of the Junta Blake formed a plan for driving -the enemy from this part of the country; for -which purpose it was necessary to collect these -troops, and strengthen them with a small detachment -from the garrison of Tortosa. The -French division was that which Junot had commanded -at the siege of Zaragoza, and was now -under General Laval; it consisted of from 6000 -to 7000 men and 500 horse, having lost about -half its number during the siege. Laval’s head-quarters -were at Alcañiz, where the greater part -of the division was stationed; but he was at -this time in the field with 2000 or 3000 men, for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_494">494</span> -the purpose of driving away the Spaniards, who -were observing him too closely, and continually -harassing his posts.</p> - -<p>D. Pedro Roca was to conduct the troops from -Morella to the place appointed for their junction, -Lazan those from the Algas. Both had orders -to avoid any action with the enemy till the junction -should have been effected. But it so happened -that Laval took up his quarters in the -village of Beceyte on the day when Lazan had -to arrive there, and the Spanish general rightly -concluded that his instructions were not intended -to prevent him from seizing any decided -advantage which might present itself. He stationed - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 16.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -some light troops in points that commanded -the defiles through which the French -must pass, and killed or wounded about an -hundred of the enemy, with the loss of only five -or six men on his own part. On the following -day the junction was effected at Monroyo, great -difficulty having been overcome in bringing -the artillery through such a country. Having -reached the Ermita at Fornoles, the vanguard - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -under D. Pedro Texada was sent forward to interpose -between Alcañiz and Val de Algorfa, -which was the usual position of the enemy’s -van. Two columns, under D. Martin Gonzalez -da Menchaca and D. Joseph Cucalo, had preceded -them to occupy the villages of Castelseras -and Torrecilla. The remainder of Blake’s little -army, consisting of three columns of infantry, -the cavalry, and the artillery, began their march<span class="pagenum" id="Page_495">495</span> -by night along the only road from Morella to -Alcañiz, from which place they were five or six -hours distant.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>The French withdraw.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Upon reaching Val de Algorfa, it was seen -that the enemy were protected by the walls of -the inclosures, and by a chapel, where they had -formed a parapet. They were some 500 or 600 -in number, and being dislodged from thence by -the artillery, retreated toward Alcañiz; but -when they had advanced about half a league, -they came upon Texada’s detachment, and being -thus between two fires, dispersed with as -much alacrity as a body of Spaniards could -have done. By this time Menchaca and Cucalo -were approaching the city from the left, and -the French, who were sallying forth against -Texada, seeing themselves threatened on that -side also, began to retreat hastily in the direction -of Samper. There, and at La Puebla and -Hijar, they collected their troops, withdrawing -them from Caspe and Calanda. The people of -Alcañiz, priests, women, young and old, went -out to meet their deliverers, carrying refreshments -for the soldiers, and blessing them with -prayers and tears. Blake himself was affected -at the sight, and said, that if the tyrant of the -world, as he called Buonaparte, could have seen -the emotions of that multitude, and heard their -shouts for their King, their country, and their -religion, he would perhaps have begun to doubt -the possibility of raising for his brother in Spain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_496">496</span> -a party, not of persons attached to his cause, -but even of those who would be resigned to his -usurpation.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Suchet comes against him.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Upon the approach of a Spanish detachment -the enemy withdrew from Samper to the Puebla -de Hijar, and being there reinforced from Zaragoza, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 21.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -advanced towards Alcañiz, to revenge -themselves for their late reverses. They were -now 10,000 foot, with 800 horse and twelve -pieces of artillery. Suchet commanded in person. -Blake was informed of their approach, and drew -up his army to meet them on the plain of Alcañiz, -before that city. The plain is surrounded -with heights. About two musket shot from the -city is a range of hills, accessible for cavalry, -and on all sides sloping gently to the plain. The -road to Zaragoza crosses there. Here he stationed -the main body of his forces, their wings -being supported by two batteries, which, with -others in the centre, completely flanked the -whole line. The weak side of this position was -on the right, where the plain was lowest, and -there were trees enough to afford cover to -the enemy; but the heights terminated here, -and upon their loftiest part, where a chapel -commanded the road from Caspe, he stationed -2000 men, under Camp-marshal D. Juan Carlos -Areizaga. The vanguard, under Texada, was -placed on an eminence in front of the position; -some light troops, among the olive-yards on the -left, to prevent the French from turning them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_497">497</span> -on that side; and the cavalry, under D. Miguel -Ibarrola, in front of all, upon the Zaragoza -road.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May 23.</span> Defeat of the French before Alcañiz.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>At six in the morning the enemy appeared: -the advanced parties retired before them, and -the cavalry and the vanguard fell back before -superior numbers, as they had been instructed; -the infantry to the chapel on the right, the horse, -with two pieces of flying artillery, to the protection -of their batteries. The chapel, as Blake -had anticipated, was the main point of attack; -the enemy presented themselves in front of this -post and on the right, and occupied all the immediate -heights. After a brisk fire on both -sides, a column of about a thousand grenadiers -attempted to take this position with the bayonet: -they were broken presently, and the light -troops of the Spaniards in their turn attacked -the French on the heights, who kept their -ground. In the hope of relieving this post, -which he saw would be again attempted in -force, Blake directed Menchaca to make an attack -upon the enemy’s centre; but the French -were strong enough to attend to this and renew -their efforts against Areizaga. The second -effort, however, was not more successful than -the first. The Spanish cavalry had been ordered -from the Zaragoza to the Caspe road, to assist -in supporting this point: and as they came out -from the trees, a discharge from the French infantry -wounded their commander Ibarrola; they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_498">498</span> -were attacked with a superior troop of horse, -and fell back to the position. The enemy, -now abandoning their first plan of winning the -chapel, turned upon Menchaca, who found himself -suddenly assailed by very superior numbers; -he fell back in good order to the position, but -one light battalion found it necessary to retire -upon Areizaga’s post. Encouraged by this, the -French made a desperate attack upon the centre -of the Spanish line: it was saved by the artillery: -they approached almost to the cannon’s -mouth, but were mown down by a fire of grape; -and those who turned one of the batteries fell -by the fire of the troops. Defeated in this attempt -also, they withdrew to the heights on -which they had first been seen, and after an -action of seven hours, both armies remained -looking at each other. The rich plain of Alcañiz -was between them; and Blake said in his -dispatch that the sight of it might have warmed -the heart of the coldest Spaniard, and animated -him to defend the beautiful country which God -had given him. It would have been rash in -him to have attacked the enemy when they had -the advantage of the ground; to have thus decidedly -repulsed them was no inconsiderable -advantage in the state of his army, some corps -of which had never before been in action. The -French retreated under cover of the night, and -took up a strong position behind the Huerba -near Zaragoza. They left 500 dead on the field,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_499">499</span> -and their total loss was estimated at<a id="FNanchor_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor">22</a> 2000; -that of the Spaniards did not amount to 400.</p> - -<p>Among the officers whom Blake particularly -commended for their conduct Lazan was one, -who was at his side during the whole day; -Loigorri, the commandant of the artillery, was -also deservedly noticed, and Areizaga, upon -whom the brunt of the action had fallen; to -the two latter he frankly declared that the victory -was owing. He returned thanks to his -army; and noticing that a few wretched men -had fled from the field, said their names should -be struck off the roll, that the Spanish army -might no longer be disgraced by them. The -Central Junta, in consequence of this success, -nominated him Captain General of Aragon, -Catalonia, Valencia, and Murcia, as well as -General-in-chief of the united army of those -provinces, and conferred upon him the Encomienda -of the Peso Real in Valencia. The officers -whom he recommended were promoted also, -Areizaga to the rank of Lieutenant-General.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Anniversary at Valencia.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The day on which the battle of Alcañiz was -fought was celebrated at Valencia as the anniversary -of their insurrection against the intrusive -government. The ceremonies were characteristic -of the times and of the people. The festivities, -as usual in Catholic countries, began on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_500">500</span> -the eve of the holiday; the city was illuminated -on the preceding night, the portraits of Ferdinand -and his ally the King of Great Britain were -exhibited under the flags of the allied kingdoms; -and the Valencians displayed their national humour -in caricatures of Murat, Buonaparte, and -Joseph. In the morning, the civil authorities, -the new-raised levies, and the city volunteers, -went in procession to the Plaza of the Cathedral, -where a statue of Ferdinand had been erected -upon a Grecian column. The statue was concealed -behind a silk curtain, so disposed as to -fall in tent-hangings and disclose it, when the -Captain General, D. Joseph Caro, asked the -people in their own dialect if they wished to see -their King? At the same moment the music -struck up, the bells were rung, the guns fired, -and the shouts of the multitude were heard prevailing -over all. They then proceeded to the -Cathedral, where the banners of the volunteers -were blessed by the Archbishop at the high altar, -and afterwards delivered to them at the feet of -the statue. The display was in French taste, -but it was sanctified by Spanish feeling. The -Valencians were reminded of their defeats as -well as of their triumphs; they were told that -many of their countrymen who had assisted in -driving Moncey from their gates had fallen in -the field of Tudela, or lay buried under the -ruins of Zaragoza.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Celebration of King St. Ferdinand’s day.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>A week after the ceremony Blake reviewed -his army at Caspe, on St. Ferdinand’s day, which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_501">501</span> -of all festivals in the year the Spaniards then -regarded with most feeling. The Romanists, -instead of birthdays, keep the festival of the -saint from whom they take their names; this -therefore was especially sacred to a people who, -measuring the virtues of their captive King by -their own loyalty, believed him to be all that -they desired, and all that he ought to have been. -They were told by their government that King -St. Ferdinand, who had united in himself all the -virtues of a man, all the talents of a hero, and -all the qualities of a monarch, looked down from -the heights of Heaven with complacent eyes -upon the defenders and avengers of one who, -as he inherited his throne and name, so also did -he imitate and adore his virtues. An annual -service on this day was appointed to be held in -all cathedral and collegiate churches for evermore -in remembrance of the sacred war against -the usurper; and the day following was to be -kept as a perpetual anniversary for the souls of -all who fell in it. Blake’s army had now been -increased to 14,000 men: their late conduct had -filled him with what might have seemed a well-founded -hope; and their appearance and discipline -were now so satisfactory, that as they -filed before him, he said, a few more such days -as that of Alcañiz would open for them the way -to France. There were indeed at that time -evident marks that the French were dispirited: -they had been weakened by the withdrawal of -Mortier’s division; and having in this last action<span class="pagenum" id="Page_502">502</span> -for the first time been beaten by a Spanish force, - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />June.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -not superior to them in number, and when the -advantage of cavalry was on their side, it was -believed that they were preparing to retire from -Zaragoza. Blake was informed that their papers -and baggage were already without the city, ready -to be removed; and that they had actually begun -their march toward Navarre, but returned in consequence -of receiving dispatches on the way. -The news of Buonaparte’s failure at Essling -arrived at this time; and when Blake communicated -it to the troops in general orders, he -observed that it had taken place on the day -when they had defeated another of his armies -at Alcañiz.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Executions in Barcelona.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>While the hopes of the Spaniards in this -quarter had thus been raised by their own success, -by the events in Germany, and by the -news from Portugal, circumstances occurred at -Barcelona to heighten their indignation against -the oppressors of their country, and exasperate - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">May. 16.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the desire of vengeance. In conformity to a -scheme concerted with the inhabitants of that -city, Coupigny had sent a body of troops, who -were to be admitted in the night, while the attention -of the garrison should be called off by -the cannonade of a Spanish frigate upon one of -the batteries. The ship performed its part, and -the troops approached the gates; but no movement -was made to favour them. The French -had obtained sufficient intelligence to put them -upon their guard, and render it impracticable,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_503">503</span> -and several persons were in consequence arrested. -One of these, by name Pou, a doctor of laws in -the university of Cervera, being asked upon his -trial before the military tribunal whether he had -not distributed fifty muskets, replied yes, and -that he would do so again if he had an opportunity, -as they were for the defence of his religion, -his King, and his country. They told -him this could not be, for religion forbade the -shedding of blood, the King desired no such -proceedings, and the country abhorred them: -he replied, that as they neither professed the -Catholic religion, nor acknowledged Ferdinand -for King of Spain, nor belonged to that country, -it was to be expected that he and they should -differ in opinion. They asked him to whom the -muskets had been distributed: his answer was, -to good and loyal Spaniards, whose names he -would never disclose. A young tradesman, -who was tried before the same tribunal for endeavouring -to purchase ammunition for the -same purpose, threw back the appellation of -traitor upon Duhesme, saying, “Your Excellency -is the traitor, who, under the cloak of -friendship, took possession of our fortresses: I -only bought part of what you plundered from -us.” This person, with two others, was hanged, -at the same time that Pou and the Prefect of S. -Cayetano were strangled, the Prefect administering -the last offices of religion at the place of -execution to his fellow-sufferers.</p> - -<p>These executions occasioned a strong feeling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_504">504</span> -among the Catalans, and it was heightened by -a decree of Duhesme’s against the clergy, who -were at the head, he said, of all the conspiracies -for assassinating the French, and who made their -churches and convents so many places of meeting - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Blake advances toward Zaragoza.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -for the conspirators. All such buildings therefore -were ordered to be closed at six in the evening, -and not opened till half after five in the -morning. If any person were found in a church -or belfry between those hours, or in a convent -if he did not belong to it, he was immediately -to be delivered over to a military commission -as a conspirator; and a secret agent of the police -was to be appointed, who was to watch every -church and convent, and be paid at its expense. -The indignation of the Spaniards made them -more eager in their hopes and expectations of -deliverance; and the Valencians more especially -expressed their confidence of fresh victories, -because of the appearance and temper of the -troops who marched from their city to join the -army under Blake. That general’s head-quarters -were at Samper de Calanda, part of his -troops being stationed at Hijar and Puebla de -Hijar. Having received intelligence that a -French corps, which was estimated at a third -part of the force under Suchet, had been detached -to Carineña, and was committing its -usual excesses in the surrounding country, he -formed a plan for cutting off this corps, and -then advancing upon Zaragoza, in the hope of -effecting the deliverance of that city, an exploit<span class="pagenum" id="Page_505">505</span> -which, if it were achieved, would of all possible -successes produce the greatest impression upon -the public mind, not in Spain alone, but throughout -Europe. With this view he directed Areizaga -to take post with his division at Botorrita, -while he with the rest of the army proceeded to -Villanueva de la Huerva. The artillery was to -move behind Longares, where it was expected -that the enemy would pass on their retreat to -Zaragoza as soon as they knew the Spaniards -were in motion. When Areizaga reached Botorrita, -he learned that the greater part of the -French had retired to their main body, about -1500 only remaining at Puebla de Muel, and -these moved off so quickly towards the Xalon, -that it was not possible to cut them off, ... only -a convoy which they would have escorted to -Zaragoza was taken by the Spanish advance.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Suchet attacks the Spaniards.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>As this corps had not fallen back upon the -main body, which it might easily have done, -but had passed on toward Alagon, Blake was -confirmed in his opinion that the French did -not mean to defend Zaragoza if it should be -attacked. Nevertheless, reflecting that the -country in his rear was entirely open, and considering -the general situation of the Spanish -armies, the importance of preserving his own, -which was in so promising a state, and the complicated -and hazardous movements of a retreat, -in which he knew how little it could be trusted, -he deemed it by no means advisable to bring on -a general action, and therefore did not alter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_506">506</span> -Areizaga’s position, looking upon Botorrita as -a strong post, where, in case of any reserve, the - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">June 14.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -enemy might be detained. When he joined -Areizaga there, the troops had begun to skirmish; -this had been brought on by that general’s -making a reconnoissance in considerable -strength; and Blake was so well satisfied with -the behaviour of his troops, that he endeavoured -to surround the enemy, but they retired in time. -Early on the following morning Suchet drew -out his whole force from Zaragoza to attack -him. The firing began at the advanced posts -by five in the morning, and went on increasing -till the same hour in the afternoon, when the -French resolved to break the Spanish line, supposing -that the men were weary and the ammunition -spent.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Blake retreats to Belchite.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Blake’s advanced guard was at Maria, where -the road from Zaragoza to Madrid crosses the -cordillera: the ground between him and the city -consisted of hills and vales, ridge behind ridge. -His cavalry was stationed in the high road, the -rest of the line was formed by the infantry and -artillery. The Spaniards, fighting and retreating -in good order, fell back successively from -one of these heights to another, but when they -reached the fourth, their cavalry had been -worsted. Blake then thought it necessary to -fall back on Botorrita, which he did with as -much order as the nature of the ground would -permit. A few guns were spiked and abandoned; -not from necessity, but because it was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_507">507</span> -more advantageous to fire them to the last than -bring them off. The two armies were near, and -in sight of each other, when night closed. Blake - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">June 16.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -expected to be attacked the next day; but as the -enemy manifested no such intention, he rightly -concluded that they were manœuvring either -with a view to surround him, or to threaten his -rear. Accordingly he ascertained that 3000 -French were posted at Torrecilla. About two -hours before nightfall a brisk fire was opened -upon his left, with the intent of making him -change his position, in which case his rear would -have been exposed to this detachment. But the -attack was repulsed, as was a second which the -enemy made upon the centre a little before midnight. -The Spanish general then retreated to -Belchite in perfect order, which he did without -being molested. The next day the enemy came -again in sight, and Blake, who had hitherto had -no reason to distrust his troops, took a position -in full expectation of being attacked on the -morrow, and in good hope of repelling the -enemy as completely as he had done before -Alcañiz.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Flight of the Spaniards.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Belchite, once the capital of a petty Moorish -sovereignty, stands upon the slope of some bending -hills, which almost surround it: toward -Zaragoza the country is level, covered with -gardens and olive-yards. The position which -Blake had taken was singularly advantageous; -his right was completely safe from the enemy’s -cavalry, and protected by a chapel, with a number<span class="pagenum" id="Page_508">508</span> -of outbuildings and two large sheep-folds, -which were all pierced for musketry: to attack -the centre, the enemy’s horse must be exposed -to a tremendous cross fire, and the left had their -retreat upon the strong post which was occupied -by the other wing. Blake’s arrangement was -so made, that if the enemy, as he expected, -should make a great effort on his left, three -columns might be brought to attack them on -that side; and if unsuccessful, they could have -fallen back upon the centre and the right flank, -being meantime assailable only in front, and -protected the while by their artillery, which -also had its retreat secure to the same strong - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">June 18.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -post. He had harangued his troops, and they -made a thousand protestations that they would -do their duty. The attack was made, as he had -expected, on the left; four or five shot were -fired on both sides, and the French threw a few -shells, which wounded four or five men. But -upon one shell falling into the middle of a regiment, -the men were seized with a sudden panic -and fled; the panic instantly spread, ... a second -and a third regiment ran away without firing a -gun, and in a few minutes the generals were left -with none but a few officers in the midst of the -position. With all their efforts they could not -rally more than two hundred men, and nothing -was left for them but to make for the nearest -strong place, leaving artillery, baggage, and -every thing to the enemy.</p> - -<p>The defeat was in all its circumstances so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_509">509</span> -thoroughly disgraceful, ... so disheartening and -hopeless in its consequences, that Blake almost - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Blake offers his resignation, which is not accepted.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -sunk under it. He told the government that -he was incapable of entering into details, but -considered it due to the nation that a judicial -inquiry should be instituted into the conduct of -a general under whose command an army of -from 13,000 to 14,000 effective men had been -utterly routed and dispersed. “He knew that -he had not been culpable,” he said, “but after -so many proofs of his unhappy fortune, he -wished not to be employed any longer in command. -As a Spaniard and a soldier he was still -ready to serve his country in an inferior station, -and he requested only that some portion of his -present pay might be continued for the support -of his family, or a part of the <i xml:lang="es" lang="es">Encomienda</i> which -had recently been conferred upon him, but -which it was not fitting that so useless a person -should retain. The government, however, neither -accepted his proffered resignation, nor instituted -any inquiry. The former would have -been unjust towards a brave and honourable -officer whose conduct was unimpeachable, and -his character above suspicion; the latter must -have been altogether nugatory. The panic had -been instantaneous and general, and it was impossible -to punish a whole army. All that could -be done was to publish the whole details, in no -degree attempting to disguise or palliate the -injury and disgrace which had been brought on -the nation: to declare that the commander-in-chief<span class="pagenum" id="Page_510">510</span> -and the generals had done their duty, and -retained the full confidence of the country, and -to brand the fugitives in a body, as men who -were the opprobrium of the Spanish name, and -had rendered themselves objects of execration -to their countrymen.</p> - -<p>The men who in their panic had thus lost all -use of reason, as well as all sense of honour and -of duty, were not likely, when they found themselves -in safety, and recovered their senses, to -be affected by this denunciation. A religion -which is contented to accept the slightest degree -of attrition, and keeps short reckonings -with conscience, had taught them to be upon -easy terms with themselves; ... moreover the -moral disease was so endemic, that it had ceased -to be disgraceful: the greater part of these men -had behaved well at Alcañiz and in the subsequent -operations; and no doubt expected to be -more fortunate on a better occasion, for a report -was raised that the French had received so -great a reinforcement at the moment of commencing -the action as to render resistance hopeless; -and though this was indignantly contradicted -by Blake, the men found an excuse for -themselves in believing it. The disgrace was -deeply felt by the government, and by the general -whose hopes were blasted by it in the -blossom; but the Spaniards were in no degree -disheartened, not even those upon whom it -brought immediate danger; and when the -French, in the course of a few days, attempted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_511">511</span> -to carry Mequinenza by a <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">coup de main</i>, they -were beaten off with considerable loss.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Commencement of the guerillas.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>At this time also that system of warfare began -which soon extended throughout Spain, and -occasioned greater losses to the French than -they suffered in all their pitched battles. The -first adventurers who attracted notice by collecting -stragglers from their own dispersed armies, -deserters from the enemy, and men who, -made desperate by the ruin of their private affairs -in the general wreck, were ready for any service -in which they could at the same time gratify -their just vengeance and find subsistence, were - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Porlier.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Juan Diaz Porlier in Asturias, and Juan Martin -Diaz in Old Castille, the latter better known - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>The Empecinado.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -by his appellation of the<a id="FNanchor_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">23</a> Empecinado. A -lawyer, by name Gil, commenced the same -course in the Pyrenean valleys of Navarre and -Aragon. After a short career of some two months -he disappeared, and Egoaguerra, who renewed -the attempt, withdrew from that wilder way of -life to engage in Doyle’s battalion. The third -adventurer who at this time raised the spirits of -the Pyrenean provinces, and for a while gave -employment to the French in Navarre, was that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_512">512</span> -D. Mariano de Renovales by whom the Convent -of S. Joseph had been so gallantly defended - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />May.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -at the last siege of Zaragoza. Having been - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Renovales in the valley of Roncal.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -made prisoner when the city surrendered, he -had effected his escape on the way to France, -and collected in the valleys of Roncal and Anso -a body of men and officers, who, like himself, -believed that the scandalous manner in which -the terms of capitulation had been violated by -the French released them from any obligation -of observing it. They had probably agreed to -rendezvous in these valleys as many of them as -could escape, and his intention was to form -them into a body, and rejoin the army. But -when it was known that they were collecting -there, and that the mountaineers, confiding in -their presence, refused obedience to the intrusive -government, 600 men were ordered from -the garrison of Pamplona to enter the valleys -at six points, and reduce them to subjection.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>He defeats a French detachment. -<hr /> -<span class="date">May 21.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Men who, like Renovales and his officers, had -served at Zaragoza, were neither to be lightly -surprised nor easily taken. They were upon -the alert, the mountaineers were ready for their -assailants, and of the column which advanced -against the little town of Anso not a man escaped. -The four columns which entered by -Navasques, Uztarroz, Salvatierra, and Fago, effected -their junction; but the movements of the -Spaniards were concerted and executed with as -much precision; and after two days’ fighting the -French were driven to the foot of a high rock<span class="pagenum" id="Page_513">513</span> -called Undari, where all that survived, seventy-eight -in number, with their commander, the -chef de bataillon, Puisalis, were taken prisoners: - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />June.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -the sixth column was not engaged, forty men -having deserted from it before they entered the -valleys; the others thought it imprudent to proceed, -and thus they were preserved from suffering -a like fate with their companions. Puisalis, -being severely wounded, was lodged by -Renovales in his own quarters, and treated with -the utmost care. The other prisoners were sent -with a guard of forty men to be delivered to -General Blake, but the ruffian, Buruchuri by -name, who had charge of the escort, when he -had advanced far enough to be under no control, -massacred them all; ... a crime which he -appears to have committed with impunity. -Puisalis was more fortunate; as soon as his -wounds were healed, he was sent with five other -prisoners to Blake, and reaching him a little before -the rout at Belchite, recovered his liberty -at that time.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>A second party defeated.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>This intelligence cheered the Aragonese and -the Catalans after that most disgraceful dispersion, -and both Lazan and Blake took measures -for assisting and encouraging the mountaineers. -Ammunition was sent from Lerida; Renovales -himself was indefatigable in his exertions: he -collected arms from all the villages within reach, -sent for armourers from Eybar and Placencia, -and set up an armoury in Roncal. A second -force was dispatched to crush the growing insurrection.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_514">514</span> -The valley of Roncal was the part -which they attacked; the Spaniards were driven - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">June 15.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -from the point of Yso, where their advance was -stationed; but Renovales arrived in time with -200 men of the vale, and as many more from -that of Anso; he drove the enemy out, and -pursued them as far as Lumbier, with the loss -of more than forty killed; and twice that number -of wounded were removed on the following -day to Pamplona. This second defeat had so -weakened the garrison of that city, that the -Spaniards now cut off their communication both -with Aragon and with France; they scoured -the roads in all directions; not a day passed in -which some party of the invaders, who hitherto -had travelled in safety in those parts, was not -intercepted and cut off, and sometimes the -enemy were pursued to the very gates.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Proclamation of the Duque de Mahon.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The Duque de Mahon, one of those traitors -to their country who had sided with the Intruder, -in full confidence that they were taking -the safe part, was at that time Viceroy of Navarre: -and he addressed a proclamation to the -inhabitants of Roncal, affecting to believe that -they had taken no share in the insurrection; -calling upon them to unite with the French -troops for the purpose of apprehending and punishing -the disturbers of the peace; and assuring -them that the present struggle was excited -solely by the personal resentment of certain individuals, -whose interests were opposed to those -of the nation, of the clergy, and of the nobles.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_515">515</span> -If they should be seduced by these deceivers, -the result could only be, the loss, if not of their -lives, yet certainly of their liberty, and of that -happiness which they had hitherto enjoyed. -But, on the contrary, if they proved themselves -worthy of the King’s favour, by their obedience -to his government and their cordiality with the -allied French troops, it was his intention and -that of the French commandant at Pamplona, -General D’Agoult, to represent their good behaviour -to the throne; that when the arms of -the Emperor, now victorious at Vienna and -throughout all Italy, should expel the enemies -of public order from Spain, they might partake -in the benefits which were to be expected from -so wise and humane a prince. This proclamation -was answered by Renovales with the bitterest - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">June 28.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -scorn. He addressed the viceroy as Ex-Duque -de Mahon, telling him, if he disliked -that style, that the person who used it was a -Spaniard, and one who respected the orders of -his sovereign; which sovereign, acting through -the Supreme Central Junta, had proscribed him -as a traitor, and therefore he had now no title. -He reproached him with ingratitude towards -the house of Bourbon, with disgracing his ancestors, -with sacrificing his religion, his king, -his country, and his honour. He told him that -the people of Roncal, like those of Anso, were -attached to their own institutions, and true to -their lawful king; that they had fought for him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_516">516</span> -with a spirit like that of their ancestors; that -the magistracy had encouraged the enthusiasm -of the people; and that he, unworthy as he was, -had enjoyed the honour of leading them to victory. -They despised his favour, and they despised -his threats; and if he would march out -at the head of a French division, and fix time -and place where the question between them -might be put to the decision of the sword, he, -Renovales, would meet him there, a true Spaniard -in the cause of a rightful though an oppressed -king, against a false one in the cause of -a potentate whom his followers impiously called -almighty; and if the Ex-Duque would appoint -this meeting, that almightiness should be tried.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Executions and reprisals.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Five persons who were charged with having -joined the insurgents of Roncal were put to -death at Pamplona upon the Intruder’s law of -extermination against all who should take arms -against him. The gallows was erected without -the gate of S. Nicholas, and the sufferers were -executed with their faces toward Roncal, and -left hanging there. The proclamation which -announced their punishment, declared, that for -every person, whether soldier or countryman, -who should be murdered by the banditti, a prisoner -who had belonged to them should be put -to death. This was answered by an act of retaliation. -Renovales seized five persons who -were acting under the intrusive government, -beheaded them, and exposed their bodies on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_517">517</span> -the high road, with an inscription on their -shoulders, saying they were agents of the French -robbers, who had been thus punished by Spanish -justice. He declared, that, for every Spaniard -whom the French should put to death, he -would behead two French prisoners; and that -if the commandant of Jaca continued to plunder -the people and the churches, and burn the -houses, as he had begun, he would, for every -house that should be burnt, set a village on fire -on the French side of the Pyrenees, instead of -promoting peace and friendly intercourse, as he -had hitherto done, between the peasants on the -frontier.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Attempts to win over Renovales.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>General D’Agoult tried what might be done -with Renovales by conciliatory means. He -thanked him for his treatment of Puisalis, -and of those prisoners whom Buruchuri had -butchered; a crime of which he entirely acquitted -the Spanish officer. He applied to him -now, he said, by General Suchet’s orders; and -joined his own entreaties to that General’s -offers. First he requested him to send back -twenty-five artillerymen who had been captured -by his people on the road from Tafalla, and who -he understood were well treated. Renovales, -he observed, owed him this in consideration of -the manner in which his prisoners were used, -though more than six and thirty officers had -broken their parole, beginning with the Camp-Marshal -Villava. After experiencing every -kindness, he had found means to escape by a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_518">518</span> -bribe of 4000 livres, and was said to be now in - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809<br />August.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -Roncal, having thus dishonoured himself. If -Renovales also had broken his word by escaping -when he was a prisoner of war, there had been -something in his conduct which justified it; -and if he would now pacificate Roncal and the -valleys of Aragon, and restore order there, he -would entitle himself to esteem and to the -King’s favour. “You are supporting a chimera,” -said the French commander; “your troops are -routed on all sides. You reckon upon the English. -I know them better than you do; and if -you desire the good of your country, take the -advice of an old soldier, who went through the -Revolution as a royalist, and joined the present -government when he saw that the only man capable -of supporting it had appeared. You are -in a like position. The Bourbons exist no -longer upon the throne. The Emperor and his -family have superseded them. Let us be his -faithful friends and allies, and render our -country happy, instead of contributing to its -ruin.”</p> - -<p>Renovales answered, the artillerymen were -his prisoners, thought themselves fortunate in -being so, and would have entered among the -troops if he would have allowed them. Villava -was not in Roncal, nor in the district under his -command; wherever he was, he would be able -to answer for his own conduct in making his -escape. “If I did the same,” said he, “on the -way to Pamplona, it was because the French<span class="pagenum" id="Page_519">519</span> -had violated a solemn capitulation. I was the -first person whom General Morlot, in contempt -both of his word and honour, and in breach of -the terms, plundered of horse and baggage; -and if a French general may be allowed thus to -disregard so sacred a right, I know not why a -Spanish prisoner should be withheld from attempting -to escape. Wonder not at seeing me -at the head of the Spaniards, since I have seen -General Junot in Zaragoza at the head of the -French, after his<a id="FNanchor_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor">24</a> capitulation in Portugal.” -To all the offers which were held out to him, he -replied, that he was and would continue true to -his legitimate King, whose faithful subjects -would freely shed their blood in his cause, and -would yet reverse the scene, and re-establish -him upon his rightful throne. “I know,” said -he, “that your Excellency feels the injustice of -the cause which France is supporting; ... that -you hear the voice of honour in your heart, and -that you know what is the right path.” General -Plique, commander of the citadel at Zaragoza, -endeavoured also to bring over Renovales to -the Intruder’s service, representing to him that -the Austrian army was destroyed, that Russia -had given the most public proofs of its connexion -with France, and that the French had -obtained a most decisive victory<a id="FNanchor_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor">25</a> in S. Domingo.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_520">520</span> -No efforts, no combination of events -could now prevent the complete establishment -of King Joseph. The blow which had ruined -Austria had destroyed all the hopes of the Spaniards. -“Insurrection,” said the Frenchman, -imitating the style of his Emperor, “insurrection -passes away; madness rages and destroys, and -then becomes calm; the good alone is permanent. -Secure for yourself the glory and the -delight of saving a country which ought to be -dear to you; join the cause of a good King, -who desires not, by a terrible and necessary execution, -to reign over ruins and carcasses; and -I am authorized to offer you the rank in his -armies which you hold among the insurgents.”</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Troops sent from Zaragoza against the Valleys.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>The answer was such as became a man who -had done his duty at Zaragoza. “Till the -moral strength of the Spaniards and of their -government were destroyed,” he said, “it was -in vain to think of ruining their armies. Neither -the supposed victories upon the Danube and in -S. Domingo, nor the adhesion of the Emperor -Alexander, nor the immense forces which were -said to be at Napoleon’s command, would break -the spirit of Spain or of England, actuated as -those countries were by principles of justice -and high-minded rectitude.” The hope of seducing -Renovales being now no longer entertained, -5000 men were sent against him from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_521">521</span> -Zaragoza; 2000 of these, being reinforced with -500 more at Jaca, proceeded against S. Juan -de la Peña; and having, after a long resistance, -driven D. Miguel Sarasa from that post, advanced - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Aug. 21.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -upon the valley of Anso. Plique, with -the other 3000, occupied the positions of Salvatierra, -Castella Nuevo, and Navascues: 800 -from Orbayceta and Pamplona united in the -valley of Salazar, and 450 from Lumbier at -Zavalza. Their numbers enabled them to move -upon more points than the Spaniards could - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Aug. 27.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -guard; and having entered Salvatierra, where -the advanced parties were driven before them, -they proceeded next day in four columns, two -on the right attacking the heights of Sasi and -Virgen de la Peña, the centre by the strait -called La Foz, and the left by the heights of -Mayhia, which divide the jurisdictions of Salvatierra, -Navascues, and Burgui. These positions -were attacked by 3000 men, and defended -only by 600; they were maintained from six in -the morning till two hours after mid-day; the -French then on the right gained the height at -Sasi; and this success would have enabled -them to come upon the rear of the Spaniards at -the other point. Renovales therefore fell back -to the bridge and town of Burgui, from which -he was compelled to withdraw as evening began -to close, and the enemy then entered and set -fire to it. The town of Anso was entered the -same day by the first division of the French, -after a brave resistance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_522">522</span></p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">Aug. 29.</span> Renovales capitulates for the Valleys.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>From Burgui, on the following morning, the -French in three divisions attacked the Spaniards, -the right and left on the heights of Mendivelza -and Odieta, the centre upon Bochuela. At all -these points they were three times repulsed, -some Russian deserters distinguishing themselves -greatly on the Spanish side. The mountaineers -thought the day their own, till, at noon, -they were apprised that the French division from -Anso was coming by Garde upon their rear, -and already occupied the heights of Puyeta and -Muga de Roncal. Renovales then fell back in -good order upon the town of Roncal, took up a -position there, and maintained it till evening -closed. But as the ground there was open -enough to give the enemy room for manœuvring, -he fell back to the strong ground about Urzainqui, -the position where he had before determined -that in case of necessity the last stand -was to be made. During the night, he was apprised -that 4000 men were marching from -Oloron upon those valleys, and 800 by way of -Salazar. Many of his people had dispersed; -those who remained were well nigh exhausted; ... -but he was enabled to demand terms, and capitulate -for the valleys, as for a fortified town, in -a manner of which there had been no other -example during the war, and to withdraw with -those who chose to follow him, for other opportunities -of serving their country; ... more fortunate -their future services might be; they -could not be more honourable.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_523">523</span> -The French are said to have lost 500 killed -and 800 wounded in these latter actions, and -this by their own account. Among the Spanish -officers who distinguished themselves were D. -Miguel Sarasa, and D. Gregorio Cruchaga, -names soon connected with that of Mina, which -now first began to be known.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Xavier Mina.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>Xavier Mina<a id="FNanchor_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor">26</a>, the son of a landholder who -cultivated his own estate, and was deputy for -one of the valleys of Navarre, was a student at -Pamplona when the revolution began. He was -then in the eighteenth year of his age, and -during the earlier part of the war had been -confined to his father’s house by a severe illness, -from which he recovered just after Renovales -had been compelled to withdraw from -Roncal. A French commander, whose corps -was encamped in the neighbourhood, sent a -serjeant requiring the father in his capacity as -deputy to provide rations for his<a id="FNanchor_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27" class="fnanchor">27</a> men. The -serjeant disappeared on the road, and in consequence -the house was surrounded at midnight -by a detachment of infantry, who had orders to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_524">524</span> -arrest the elder Mina, and bring him to head -quarters. The son, however, had time enough -to secure his father’s escape, and then in his -name presented himself to the officer. The -French General before whom he was carried -threatened him with death, unless the serjeant -were produced; but as every thing in that -quarter was to be arranged by means of money, -Mina obtained his liberty after being detained -three days. The party who arrested him had -plundered his father’s house. This usage, the -danger he had escaped, and the injustice of the -whole proceeding, roused into full action those -feelings which had only been suspended by disease -and languor. He provided himself with -a musket and cartridge-box, and in that trim -presented himself in his own village, and offered -to take the command of as many Spaniards as -would engage with him in the good work of -avenging their country upon its invaders. -Twelve adventurers joined him; they took to -the near mountains, and there, while they -waited an opportunity of action, maintained -themselves on his father’s sheep.</p> - -<p>His first adventure was to surprise a party of -seven artillerymen, who were escorting two -pieces of cannon and a quantity of ammunition -from Zaragoza to Pamplona. This success procured -him twenty volunteers. He sent off his -prisoners to Lerida, retired again to the mountains, -and being informed that a general officer -was on the road, travelling with an escort of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_525">525</span> -thirty-four foot and twelve horsemen, he laid -an ambuscade for them, in so favourable a spot, -that a volley was fired upon the French with -sure effect before they had any apprehension of -danger. The general was shot in his carriage, -some of the escort were made prisoners, and -some money fell into Mina’s hands. This he -immediately distributed among his men, recommending -them to send part of it to their families, -and retain no more than would be necessary to -defray the expenses of their own interment, -exposed as they must now continually be to -death. The men were thus raised in their own -esteem and in that of their countrymen where-ever -this was told; and volunteers now presented -themselves in abundance, attracted by a -success which was reported every where, with -such exaggerations as such tales gather in their -way. He received however none but those who -brought arms, or whom he could supply with -the spoils already taken from the enemy. His -party amounted now to about threescore persons, -distinguished by a red riband in their hats, -and a red collar to their jackets.</p> - -<p>He proceeded now toward the frontiers of -Aragon, where a band of fifty robbers were -adding to the miseries of that afflicted country. -These he succeeded in surprising; the greater -number were killed on the spot, the rest he sent -prisoners to Tarragona. Twelve horses were -taken from the party, on which he mounted -some of his men, and armed them with lances;</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_526">526</span> - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span><span class="date">1809.<br />September.</span><span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -and every day added now to his numbers and -his reputation. Rations were voluntarily provided -for his people wherever they were expected, -and given as freely at one time, as they -were paid for at another from the spoils of the -enemy. He levied a duty on the passes, where -a considerable trade in colonial produce was -then carried on; the clergy also assisted him -from their funds, and with these resources he -paid and equipped his men, and kept in pay -also a sufficient number of intelligencers. It -was in vain that the French made repeated -efforts to crush this enterprising enemy; if his -troops dispersed upon the appearance or the -attack of a formidable detachment, it was only -to reunite, and by striking a blow in some weak -point or distant quarter, render themselves more -formidable than before. General D’Agoult was -accused of secretly favouring this young adventurer, -and sending convoys under weak escort, -with the intent that he should intercept them. -Perhaps this suspicion was entertained only because - -<span class="sni"><span class="sne">♦</span>Two Minas, p. 16.<span class="sne">♦</span></span> - -he had been a royalist, and therefore may -have been supposed to abhor at heart the service -wherein he was engaged. An inquiry into his -conduct was instituted, and before it was concluded -he put an end to his life by poison.</p> - -<div class="sidenote"><span class="sne">♦</span>Siege of Gerona commenced.<span class="sne">♦</span></div> - -<p>St. Cyr meantime was informed that Marshal -Augereau had been appointed to supersede him -in Catalonia, and that General Verdier, who -had been an old aide-de-camp of Augereau, had -already arrived in the Ampurdan to take the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_527">527</span> -command in place of General Reille, and commence -the siege of Gerona. The rout at Belchite -enabled the enemy to make all their preliminary -movements with little other molestation -than what the insufficient garrison of that city -could give them; and when Verdier encamped -before the place, St. Cyr removed from Vich, -and took up a position to cover the siege.</p> - -<p class="p2 center">END OF VOL. III.</p> - -<p class="p4 center">LONDON:<br /> -<span class="small">PRINTED BY THOMAS DAVISON, WHITEFRIARS.</span></p> -</div> - -<div class="sec"> -<div class="chapter"><div class="footnotes"> -<h2 id="FOOTNOTES" class="nobreak p1">FOOTNOTES</h2> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> St. Cyr (p. 50) reproaches -the English for this, and says, -‘<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Nous n’avions jamais espéré -prendre à la vue, et sous le canon -de l’escadre, une garnison forte -encore d’environ 3000 hommes. -Il aurait été possible aux Anglais, -en plein jour, et sur-tout facile -durant la nuit, d’embarquer la -garnison, et de la transporter, en -quelques heures, sur la rive droite -de la Fluvia, en laissant seulement -un faible detachement pour -remettre la forteresse; comme -cela s’était pratiqué, en Février, -1795, quand une escadre Espagnole -occupait la baie.</i>’ But in that -siege the enemy were not masters -of the town, and they had now -established a battery in it to cut -off the communication between -the citadel and the ships, which -was done so effectually, that five -days before the surrender Captain -Bennett found it impossible to -land a single messenger there. -M. St. Cyr adds, that when the -prisoners defiled along the shore -the English ships opened a brisk -fire upon them, and that the -Spaniards would never be persuaded -that this was done in -mistake. The Marshal was not -upon the spot himself; if he had, -this statement would not have -appeared in his Journal.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> The officers were so aware -of their danger, that Cabañes -heard one of the staff say they -should certainly have believed it -was their General’s intention to -betray them to the enemy, ... if -they had not had the most entire -confidence in him. It seems indeed -probable that Buonaparte, -not foreseeing what the consequences -of a defeat in Catalonia -would be, would have thought -the disgrace or destruction of a -general whom he disliked a compensation -for the loss of this -army. -</p> -<p> -General Duhesme perished in -the flight from Waterloo: the -stain of his blood was pointed out -to me on the threshold of the inn -at Genap, where he was cut down -by a Brunswicker.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> M. Gouvion St. Cyr, who -renders justice in other respects -to General Reding, represents -him as full of confidence at this -time, and dreaming of a second -affair of Baylen. It is upon the -most indisputable authority, confirmed -too by his own dispatches, -that I have delineated his state of -mind so differently.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> Baron Rogniat also in his relation -of the siege says, <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">le Maréchal -exigea que la ville se rendît -à discretion</i> (p. 44), and omits -to say that terms of capitulation -were required and granted. Baron -Rogniat declares that one of -his motives for publishing this -relation, which he was not permitted -to do during the reign of -Buonaparte, was to celebrate the -glory of his comrades. For a man -of honour and humanity to have -been in the course of military -service involuntarily engaged in -effecting such a conquest, would -be the greatest of all misfortunes; -but to look back upon it with -complacency, and record it as -glorious, is a crime.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> The veracious historian of -Marshal Soult asserts that Romana -had compelled the Bishop -to withdraw, knowing how much -the example of his submission -would influence the Galicians; -as if he thought that to make a -man sacrifice any thing to a sense -of patriotism and of duty compulsion -was necessary! and as if -he were utterly ignorant of the -part which that excellent Prelate -sustained throughout these troubles. -See vol. i. p. 409, for the -character of the man who is thus -traduced.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> Marshal Soult’s historian represents -this affair as of great -importance, because it removed -the impression which their failure -in crossing the Minho had made -upon the army. What is more -curious, he finds in it a justification -for their invasion of Portugal! -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Les Portugais avaient -fait trois lieues sur les terres -d’Espagne pour venir attaquer -l’armée Française engagée avec -les Espagnols, mouvement hostile -concerté avec la Romana pour faciliter -sa retraite, et qui justifiait -l’entrée que nous allions faire en -Portugal.</i>—P. 106. If any thing -can be more detestable than the -avowed and exultant profligacy -of these men during their season -of triumph, it is the manner in -which they have afterwards attempted -to gloze over actions -which public opinion (and still -more the event) has made them -feel are too nefarious to be openly -defended.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> Marshal Soult’s historian -expresses himself upon this subject -in a manner altogether -worthy of such a writer: “<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Le -Français, si passionné pour la -beauté, sacrifia ses plaisirs à -l’honneur de protéger les femmes -qui réclamèrent son appui.</i>” -</p> -<p> -I believe that no other portion -of history was ever so entirely -and audaciously falsified as that -of the peninsular war has been -by the French. This writer asserts -that few days have been so -brilliant for the French arms as -that on which Porto was taken; -that they were astonished at their -own success when they saw how -many obstacles they had overcome; -for that <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">des officiers -du genie Portugais et Anglais -s’étaient occupés à reunir à l’avantage -de la position, tout ce que -l’art a inventé pour la defense -d’un camp</i>; and that these formidable -works were manned by -70,000 men determined to defend -them to the last extremity. -Pp. 159–60–77. -</p> -<p> -There is another statement of -this writer’s which deserves -notice. He says that the former -campaign in Portugal had been -distinguished by cruelties on the -part of the inhabitants (p. 56); -and that in the present “<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">pour</i> -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">animer le peuple contre les Français, -on avait répandu les bruits -les plus absurdes. La haine les -peignait aux yeux de la superstition -et de la crédulité, comme -des hérétiques qui foulaient aux -pieds tous les principes religieux, -commes des barbares qui au -mépris des lois divines et humaines, -dévoraient les enfans, -livraient le sexe à tous les outrages, -et envoyaient les hommes -dans le nord pour renforcer leurs -armées.</i>”—(P. 119.) The charges -against which this contemptuous -indignation is affected are true to -the very letter, with the exception -of that of eating the children, -which, be it remembered, -was never made. They did -not <em>eat</em> children; ... they only -butchered them sometimes, and -sometimes (as will be shown -hereafter) let them die of hunger -before their eyes.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> The matter is of more importance -than may be immediately -perceived by a protestant. -For more than three of these -nails are shown as relics in different -churches; and, therefore, -if only three, according to the -prevailing opinion, were used, -the fourth must be spurious, and -thus, as all cannot be genuine, a -doubt would be cast upon the -authenticity of each.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn1"><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> This is the substance of a declaration upon oath by one of the -eye-witnesses.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="fnanchor">10</a> It is said that there were -some articles of very great value -in the baggage, particularly some -jewels of which General Lahoussaye -had possessed himself at the -Escurial, and which Chalot was -supposed to have secreted.—Campaign -of 1809, p. 20.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Que la perdida de la batalla -nada importaba.</i> The French -used to say that the best General -in Spain was the General <em>no importa</em>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> When Clarkson wanted evidence -respecting the manner in -which slaves were obtained up -the rivers Calabar and Bonny, -he heard, by accident, that there -was one person who could give -it, but he neither could obtain -his name, nor learn the place of -his abode: ... all that was known -was, that he belonged to some -ship of war in ordinary. That -indefatigable and admirable man -immediately set out in search of -him: he went on board every -ship in ordinary at Deptford, -Woolwich, Chatham, and Sheerness, -... above an hundred and -sixty vessels, ... but in vain. He -boarded above an hundred more -at Portsmouth, equally in vain, -and fifty-six at Plymouth, with -as little success. In the fifty-seventh -he found his man, after -a labour of three weeks; obtained -the knowledge which he wanted; -and established by that evidence -a point of main importance to the -abolition of the slave trade.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="fnanchor">13</a> While the Americans carried -over ready-built houses for sale; -and the French sent a frigate, by -which the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Grand Monarque</i> expressed -his condolence for what -had happened, and requested to -know if he could be of any use.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="fnanchor">14</a> M. de Naylies says (p. 120), -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">J’ai vu compromettre le salut -d’une troupe, pour sauver le fruit -des concussions et du pillage</i>.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15" class="fnanchor">15</a> It is curious to observe in -how many points this secret society -resembled the system of the -monastic orders. The person who -was admitted to the higher grades -changed his name, and was bound -to keep a journal of all his actions, -that the <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Censeur</i> might at -any time see what his moral conduct -had been in all its details. -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">L’homme qui y était admis cessait -d’être autre chose, au moins quant -à ceux de ses devoirs particuliers -qui auraient contrarié les devoirs -de l’institution. Il sortait de la -société générale pour devenir l’instrument -aveugle de la société -spéciale à laquelle il s’était dévoué, -et cet engagement étendait son -obligation bien au-delà de l’obligation -de la vie. On ne crut pas -pouvoir isoler le Philadelphe de ce -grade par trop de moyens divers; -et le seul de ces moyens que je -puisse écrire fut l’abnégation de -nom. Il fallait un nouveau baptême -pour un dévouement de sang. -L’influence de ces noms était si -puissante, qu’elle s’étendait visiblement -sur la vie privée. Caton, -Themistocles, et Cassius sont morts -par le suicide comme leurs patrons.</i>—Hist. -des Sociétés Secrètes de -l’Armée, pp. 36–8. -</p> -<p> -The author of this singular history -(who is no common writer) -has a very proper note upon this -part of the statement. <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Il y a -quelque chose d’effrayante dans -cette idée, qui jette un homme hors -de toute la société, et qui le depouille, -jusqu’à un certain point, -non-seulement de son existence civile, -mais encore de son propre -caractère, et de son identité morale, -pour le modeler sur la vie -d’un autre. Il ne me serait pas -difficile de donner des exemples -très-remarquables de la singulière -influence que cette métamorphose -exerçait sur l’esprit ardent de -quelques adeptes, dans lesquels on -voyait s’opérer une véritable métempsycose -historique. Mais il -est naturel de conclure aussi, de -ces simples aperçus, qu’une institution -pareille entraînerait quelques -inconvénients dans l’état ordinaire -et naturel de la société. -Tout ce que tend à isoler les citoyens -de l’ordre des choses dans -lequel le hasard de leur naissance -les a placés, pour les transporter -dans un ordre factice et idéal, ne -saurait être évité avec trop de soin.</i>—Hist. -des Soc. Sec. &c., p. 180. -</p> -<p> -The founder and chief of the -Philadelphes was Colonel Jacques -Joseph Oudet, a native of the -Jura, ... <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">homme de vingt-cinq ans, -ivre de jeunesse, fou de plaisir, -inconsequent dans ses manières,</i> -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">frivole dans ses goûts, créature -légère, inconstante, mobile, qui -paraissait ne devoir exciter d’autres -soupçons que ceux d’un père -sage ou d’un mari defiant, et qui -tenait d’une main le fil des intrigues -les plus vaines, et de -l’autre celui des conjurations les -plus serieuses.</i>—(P. 33.) The -description of this person is so -characteristic, that no language -except its own could do justice -to it. <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">La nature, en le formant, -le destinait à tout ce qu’il y a de -bon et de beau. Il aurait été à son -choix poète, orateur, tacticien, -magistrat: l’armée entière l’a -proclamé brave; personne ne l’a -égalé en éloquence; il faudrait -l’âme d’une ange pour se faire -une idée de sa bonté, si on ne -l’avait pas connu. Jamais on n’a -rassemblé des qualités si contrastées -et cependant si naturelles; -il avait la naïveté d’un -enfant, et l’aisance d’un homme du -monde; de l’abandon comme une -jeune fille sensible, de la fermeté -comme un vieux Romain: de la -candeur et de l’héroïsme. C’était le -plus actif, et le plus insouciant des -hommes; paresseux avec délices, -infatigable dans ses entreprises, -immuable dans ses resolutions; -doux et sévère, folâtre et sérieux, -tendre et terrible, Alcibiade et -Marcus</i>.—(P. 13.) <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Oudet aimait -les femmes avec fureur, les aimait -toutes, les trompait toutes, et n’en -abandonnait aucune de pensée, de -souvenir, d’affection. Son cœur -était devenu un abime de tendresse, -où se fondaient les sentimens -les plus contradictoires. Il -n’y avait pas un moment de sa vie -où l’on ne pût lui tirer des larmes -pour la première femme qu’il avait -trahie; pas un où il ne méditât, -peut-être malgré lui, d’en séduire -une autre. Il était né Werther, -et le monde l’avait fait Lovelace.</i>—(P. -17.) -</p> -<p> -The writer more than insinuates -that Oudet, who was killed -on the night after the battle of -Wagram, fell, not by the Austrians, -but by a premeditated act of -Buonaparte. The fact is likely, -and the fate not an unfitting one, -... where life was the stake, and -the game Catch who can. <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Ses -funerailles resemblerent à celles -d’Othon</i>, for some of his fellow-soldiers -killed themselves. -</p> -<p> -But the most extraordinary -part of the book is its brave assertion -that the army never was -the passive instrument of Buonaparte -(which indeed in one sense -is true, for it was always an active -one); that it always detested -his tyranny, and was the only -body which restrained it; that -the love of liberty and of legitimate -rights always was cherished -in it; and that the restoration of -the Bourbons was owing to it: -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">Je ne sortirai pas de cette question -sans rappeler que c’est encore -à l’armée que le bienfait de la restauration -est dû, puisqu’elle l’a -appelée par ses vœux, secondée par -ses efforts, par le concours des -supérieurs, par le bon esprit des -soldats, et quelle l’aurait opérée -d’elle-même quelques jours plus -tard. Il n’y à pas un officier -Français qui en doute.</i>—(P. 43.)</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_16" href="#FNanchor_16" class="fnanchor">16</a> He was sent to England, -and there with commendable -humanity provided for by the -Government; but soon venturing -over to France for the purpose of -bringing back his wife and children, -he was apprehended, and -shot. Nothing could be drawn -from him to criminate any of his -confederates, but he affirmed that -Marshal Soult was engaged in the -design; and this he had determined -to do in case he should be -discovered. It cannot be doubted -that the intentions of this unfortunate -officer were good; and -that he was a man of good and -generous feelings was proved both -by his conduct at Porto, and by -the motive which induced him -to venture into his own country, -under the certainty of being put -to death if he should be recognized -there. And yet he made a -false accusation, and persisted in -it at his death. The best and -purest intentions will not preserve -a man from guilt, if he engages -in one of those secret societies -where he is required to -deliver his conscience out of his -own keeping.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_17" href="#FNanchor_17" class="fnanchor">17</a> The historian of Marshal -Soult’s campaigns in 1809 describes -Romana’s <em>land journey</em> -from the Asturias (p. 276) with -a precision worthy of notice ... -because it shows what credit is -due to such a writer. My statement -is taken from Romana’s -own letters.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_18" href="#FNanchor_18" class="fnanchor">18</a> The writer of Marshal Soult’s -campaigns loses no opportunity of -displaying this temper. According -to him (p. 290) Marshal Ney -concealed the fact of his defeat -at S. Payo, and assured Soult -that he found the position of the -enemy too strong to think of attempting -it. He has so represented -this as to conceal the fact -himself, his book not giving the -slightest intimation of an action -that effected the deliverance of -Galicia.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_19" href="#FNanchor_19" class="fnanchor">19</a> What he saw erected was a -wooden model of what was afterwards -to be executed in marble, -with this inscription: -</p> - -<p class="center vspace"> -<span class="smcap">A la Gloria<br /> -DEL<br /> -Ex^{mo}. S^{r}. D. Juan Moore, Gen^{l}. del Ex^{to}. Ingles,<br /> -Y a la de sus valientes compatriotas<br /> -LA<br /> -Espana agradecida.</span> -</p> - -<p class="in0">On the other side:</p> - -<p class="center vspace b1"> -<span class="smcap">Batalla de Coruña a 18 de Enero,<br /> -Ano 1809.</span></p> - -<p> -Marshal Soult also ordered the -following inscription to be engraved -upon a rock near the spot -where Sir John Moore fell: -</p> - -<p class="center vspace b1"> -<span class="smcap">Hic cecidit Johannes Moore, Dux Exercitus,</span><br /> - -<span class="smcap">In pugna Januarii xvi. 1809,<br /> -Contra Gallos a Duce Dalmatiæ ductos.</span></p> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_20" href="#FNanchor_20" class="fnanchor">20</a> M. St. Cyr (p. 118) represents -Reding as seeking this action -by General Doyle’s advice; -but it is certain that his intention -was not to risk one. The -French Commander renders justice -to this brave and unfortunate -General in all respects, except -that he always imputes to him a -presumptuous confidence, which -Reding never felt. The constitution -of his mind disposed him -to the very opposite error. This -is not asserted speculatively, but -upon his own statements and -other equally incontestable documents. -M. St. Cyr says that -Reding escaped in the ensuing -action from the hands of a young -officer only because that officer -had the generosity not to kill -him, as he might easily have -done, when a pistol shot put an -end to his own life. The condition -in which Reding escaped -does not seem to show that there -was much desire of sparing him.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_21" href="#FNanchor_21" class="fnanchor">21</a> It is said by M. St. Cyr that -they acted by Reding’s advice, -and that by so advising them he -saved the city from inevitable -destruction. But this does not -accord with Reding’s own language, -for in a part of his dispatch -to the Central Junta which -was not published, he mentions -this conduct of the Cabildo with -indignation.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_22" href="#FNanchor_22" class="fnanchor">22</a> Marshal St. Cyr speaks of -this as <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">un petit événement heureux</i>. -(165.) Comparatively small -as the numbers were on either -side, and uninfluential as it was -upon the issue of the war, it was -a well-fought battle, in which -the French, under one of their -ablest generals, were fairly defeated.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_23" href="#FNanchor_23" class="fnanchor">23</a> Various explanations have -been offered of this name. One -account says, that upon finding -his family murdered by the -French, he smeared his face with -pitch, and made a vow of vengeance. -Another, that he was -so called because of his swarthy -complexion. But in the account -of his life it is said that all the -inhabitants of Castrillo de Duero, -where he was born, have this -nickname indiscriminately given -them by their neighbours, in consequence -of a black mud, called -<em>pecina</em>, deposited by a little -stream which runs through the -place; and the appellation became -peculiar to him from his -celebrity.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_24" href="#FNanchor_24" class="fnanchor">24</a> Renovales evidently did not -know the terms of that capitulation.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_25" href="#FNanchor_25" class="fnanchor">25</a> There could be no intention -of deceiving Renovales, nor was -a victory in S. Domingo likely to -have any effect in determining -his conduct. But this mention -of one may show how little the -French officers knew of public -events; nothing in fact but what -their own government chose to -let them know, ... and that government -gave them always as -much falsehood as truth.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_26" href="#FNanchor_26" class="fnanchor">26</a> This account of Xavier -Mina differs materially from that -which has been published under -the title of The Two Minas and -the Spanish Guerillas, as extracted -from the work of a German -officer, Captain H. Von -Brandt. The German officer, -who collected his information in -the country, acknowledges that -the accounts given upon the spot -differ essentially from each other. -My statement was derived from -Mina himself during his short -abode in England. Certainly I -have never seen any person whom, -from his countenance and manners, -I should deem less likely -to be given to such company and -such courses as in that publication -are imputed to him.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p class="fn2"><a id="Footnote_27" href="#FNanchor_27" class="fnanchor">27</a> They were to be a pound -and a half of bread, ten ounces -of meat, and a bottle of wine per -day for every man.</p></div> -</div></div> - -<div class="chapter"><div class="transnote"> -<h2 id="Transcribers_Notes" class="nobreak p1">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> - -<p>Punctuation and spelling were made consistent when a predominant -preference was found in this book. Simple typographical -errors were corrected and some unbalanced quotation marks -were remedied. Other errors of these types were not changed -because the corrections were not obvious to the Transcriber.</p> - -<p>Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained; occurrences -of inconsistent hyphenation have been changed only when -there was a predominant preference throughout the book.</p> - -<p>The source book used many Sidenotes, printed in italics. Most match -entries in the Table of Contents, but some are either dates or -citations. To preserve proximity with the original text, if they were -printed mid-paragraph, that is where they appear here. Depending on -the format in which you are reading this eBook, Sidenotes may be -distinguished from regular text by being shown in some combination -of italics, boldface, UPPER-CASE, enclosed in ♦DIAMOND SYMBOLS♦, -being offset into the left-margin, or in a rectangular area within -the regular text. 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