Zr-..~ .-■^''it f ■' <ir' "'^ 1 'f ■fc- *.' ^* %.--^- :>'^: ^: J IT. ^^^ -•A *CBpae>js.: y-;. "-aV^ ^^^J; Presented to the LIBRARY of the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO by Harry Sutherland ^tiom me coileclion o£ Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2010 witii funding from University of Toronto Iittp://www.arcliive.org/details/liistoryofcampaig04lond A HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGNS OF THE BRITISH FORCES IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, Undertaken to relieve those Countries FROM THE FRENCH USURPATION ; COMPREHENDING MEMOIRS OF THE OPERATIONS OF THIS INTERESTING AVAR, CHARACTERISTIC REPORTS OF THE SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE TROOPS, AND ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTES OF Distinguished Military Conduct in Individuals, Whatever their Rank in the Army. Tros tyriusve mihi nullo discrimine agetur. Virc. VOL. IV. MILITARY STATE OF THE PENINSULA, IN 1809. DEFENCE OF THE EASTERN FRONTIER OF PORTUGAL. ADVANCE OF AN ARMY UNDER SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY, (MARQUIS WELLINGTON,) INTO SPAIN. THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA. LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. GODDARD, MILITARY LIBRARY, 1, PALL-MALL. 1813. \V. Marghant, Prm^er, Ingram-Court, Fcnchurch-Street, London. PREFACE TO THE FOURTH VOLUME. Arrived at a fourth division of the annals of the peninsular war, it is agreeable to find that its progress should be marked by an advancement of the general cause, and the increased glory of the British arms ; notwithstanding the various reverses sus- tained by the one and the obstructions which have impeded the other. In the present volume, a greater variety of circumstances have perhaps occurred than in any of those which have preceeded it ; and a greater variety of documents have been employed in it which cannot fail to be interesting to the active soldier; and in respect to which, the writer will have greatly deceived himself, if they do not bring him A 2 IV PREFACE. intimately acquainted with the service of this period in the Peninsula ; and no less so, if the experience of that various service be not highly advantageous to those who may be employed in future armies. The character of the partisan will be seen here in a new and important point of view ; that of the defence of an extensive frontier, against a regular army skilfully commanded. Let the troops employed in this arduous and extraordinary service be called corps of observation, out-posts, or even reconnoitring parties, or piquets ; if vanguard of the army be too lofty a name, — or, indeed, be incor- rect, since they had no army to support them ! — Never was there a finer illustration of the elements of war ; — never did partisan so nmch resemble the first duties of the general ; — never did general attain more perfect success ; — never did heroes more modestly return to comparative obscurity of rank ; — never were soldiers less osten- tatiously rewarded. In the latter duty, as in the former, all concerned appear exemplary: the young officer is not only taught the best parts of his profession, but he is also inspired PREFACE. with patience of promotion, and forbearance from undue exultation. The people of England are shewn that the sovereign can form a body of officers and soldiers, with no other reward than the impulse of honour, unalloyed by inordinate ambition, and yet capable of coping with " ari army constituted like that of France."^ The mingled mass of matter from the seat of war, hitherto unarranged, has been ad- mitted from these views ; as well as several documents of the commander-in-chief, as they were presented to Parliament, but hitherto unpublished. They familiarize the reader with the peculiar circumstances of the army : — he partakes, through them, of the alternations of hope and doubt ; ex- periences, in imagination, all the embarras- ments of the general, and all the evils of the army, and then turns to the experience of of their remedy. * This phrase, so often repeated, whatever its justice, in re- gard to the French, cannot be too soon exploded. It may be often wise to learn from an enemy, but never to despair of com- petition. VI PREFACE. In this, as in the former volumes, the writer has avoided any beaten track of vul- gar popularity, and equally guarded against the vaccinations of opinion. The splendid achievements of a Wellington, or the exalted services of a Beresford, must not induce an over-weening fondness for their defects, (and who is without them,) any more than the established reputation of a Burrard or a Dalrymple, or the immortality of a Moore ! In remarks of this kind, however, in- considerate spleen, or personal rancour, is no where to be found ; for, whence could the writer derive them ? Equally un- known to them all, and independent of them all, he has no view to serve, but to furnish instruction from their experience ; and to collect and digest, as far as may be, the materials which this unprecedented war has produced, into a faithful depository for future reference to its facts, whose decent fidelity shall ultimately remunerate the book- seller, the expense of his laudable endea- vours for the service ; nor would either dare to obtrude such unworthy principles before •PREFACE. Va that illustrious person, who, solely from a desire to further every useful object, was graciously pleased to grant to it the sanction of his name. Notwithstanding the extent of the docu- ments inserted in the present volume, there are some by no means unimportant, of which from their length, and still more as keeping alive a disputed point between the allies,* the omission was deemed expedient. These chiefly relate to the correspondence, which took place between December, 1808, and March 24, 1809, relative to the occu- pation of Cadiz by British troops. The points upon which this correspond- ence chiefly hinge are the opinions of the allies, expressed in a letter from M. Garay to Mr. Frere, on the 1st of March, as he says, " particularly after the events in Gal- licia ;'' the desire on both sides of Cadiz, to cover a retreat ; and the doubts enter- tained, by both, of each other : the neces- * The same may be said with respect to a letter of Mr. Per- ceval, among other documents, relating to the immense expen- diture of sir John Moore's army, and other subjects. V"l PREFACE. sity in the junta of respecting public opi- nion ; and the difference of sentiment as to the safety of Cadiz, the Spaniards concei- ving it to be out of danger, and the British ministers from the fears of the merchants, urging the inexpedience of risking an army, " where wools and cottons were deemed un- safe." Some original anecdotes, both personal and local, will be found in this volume, which it is wished to increase. The mili- tary antiquary may be also referred to a letter of general Cuesta, which, in the absence of any other information on the subject, states the arch of the bridge of Trajan, at Alcantara, that was destroyed, to be one hundred and twenty feet wide. IK CONTENTS. Preface to Vol. IV. BOOK. IV. CHAP. I. STATE OF THE SPANISH ARMIES, AND OF THE FRON- TIER OF PORTUGAL, AFTER SIR JOHN MOORe's RETREAT. §. 1 . Letter of Lord Castlereagh demonstrative of the Perseverance of His Majesty^ s Government. §. 2. Short Campaign under Sir Robert Wilson with the Lusitanian Legion. \. 3. Good Conduct of that small Force, and its In- fluence on the general hopes, under Colonel Mayne. §,4. Efforts of the remaining Spanish Armies. §. 5. Second Siege, and fall of Saragossa. CHAP. II. APPOINTMENT OF SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY, (AFTER- WARDS LORD WELLINGTON,) TO THE COMMAND OF THE BRITISH ARMY, AND PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEW CAMPAIGN. ^. 1. Instructions of Sir Arthur Welleslei/, Commander- in-Chief. §. 2. Intimations in regard to Cadiz. §. 3. Correlative Instructions to the British Minister. §. 4. Arrival of Sir Arthur Wcllesley. §. 5. His Staff, and the new Force placed under his Command. CONTENTS. §. 6. Communication with the British Minister in Spain, on a Plan of Operations. §. 7. Intelligent Anticipation of Mr. Frere. §. 8. Intercepted Commumca lions of the Enemy. §. 9. Reports of the Spanish Generals. §. 10. French Force in Estremadura. §.11. Sir Arthur Wellesley assumes the Command. CHAP. III. COMMENCEMENT OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1809, UNDER SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY, (AFTERWARDS LORD WELLINGTON.) §. 1. Freparatory Circumstances and Detail. §. 2. Communications between the British Commander- in-Chief cuid the Allies. §. 3. Active Politico-Military Exertions of the British Minister. CHAP. IV. MARCH OF THE ARMY UNDER SIR ARTHUR WEL- LESLEY, AND DISPOSITION OF THE FRENCH FROM THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL. §.1. British Liyie of Battle. §. 2. Rapid Advance of the Troops. §. 3. Stratagem of Marshal Soult. §. 4. Action at Oporto. §. 5. Destructive Pursuit of Sou It's Army. ^. 6. Rapid Return of the British Army to the South- ward. CHAP. V. OPERATIONS ON THE EASTERN FRONTIER OF POR- TUGAL. PASSAGE OF THE FRENCH IMPEDED TILL THE ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH ARMY. §. 1 . Movements of the French, under Marshal Victor, (Duke of Belluno.) I. CONTENTS. 3a |. 2. Exposition of the admirable Principles of the brave and loyal hu&itanian Legion. §. 3. Excellent partizan Operations of that Force. §. 4. Jffair of Sir Robert Wilson, at Barba del Puerco. ^. 5. Views of the Petite Guerre, conducted by Lieut. - Colonel Grant. \. 6. Colonel Mayne's Defence of Trajayi's Bridge, at J leant ar a. |. 7. Desertions from the Enemy, and Means by which produced. ^. 8. Remarks on the Re-organization of the Portuguese Forces. CHAP. VI. ADVANCE OF SIR A. WELLESLEY INTO SPAIN. §. 1. Wants of the Army. §. 2. Advance to Ahrantes. §. 3. Approval of these Operations by his Majesty. §. 4. Second Attack of the Enemy at the Bridge of Alcantara, and antient Inscription upon the centre Arch. §.5. Instructions to the Van-Guard of tlie Army of Generals Campbell and Mackenzie. §. 6. Sir Arthur Wellesley's Intelligence of the Enemy; Colonel Grant's ; Mr. Frere's. §. 7. Intercepted Despatches, containing Details of the Enemy's Operations. §. 8. Diplomatic Exertions of Sebastiani to win over the minor Spanish Generalsfrom the Patriotic Cause. §. 9. Details of the Treaty of Peace between Great Britain and Spain, in Instructions to the Mar- quis Wellesley, preparatory to his Spanish Mission as Ambassador. VlO. Symptoms of an approaching Battle. ^" CONTENTS. CHAP. VII. -. OPERATIONS WHICH LED TO THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA. §. 1. Movements of the Enemy indicative of a general BatUe. §. 2. Relative Circumstances of the Allies. §. 3. Amicable military Communications between the British Minister, Mr. Frere, and the British Commander-in-Chief. §. 4. Reports of the Spanish Generals. &. 5. Communications between Sir Arthur Wellesley and the British Government. §. 6. Improved Views of the Campaign. §. 7. Instruction in respect to an Advance into the Interior of Spain, and the Appointment of a British Commander-in-Chief to the Allied Army, CHAP. VIII. THE BATTLE OF TALAVERA. §. 1 . Affair at the Spanish Outposts. §. 2. Arrangement of the British and Spanish Generals. &. 3. Unexpected Decampment of the French. • §. 4. Situation of the British Army, as powt rayed by its General, inferior in respect to Provision to that under Sir John Moore. §. 5. Details of the Spanish Geiierals in advance. §. 6. Communications and Opitiions on the State of the . ;, British Army. §.7. Memoir of Sir Arthur Wellesley, and other Ac- counts of the Action. §. 8. Immediately subsequent Operations. \. 9. Comparative Remarks between the Situation of the British General and that of Sir John Moore. HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGNS, &c, BOOK IK CHAP. I. State of the Spanish Armies, and of the Frontier of Portugal, after Sir John 3Ioore^s Retreat. — Letter of Lord Castlereagh demonstrative of the Perseverance of His Majesty's Government. — Short Campaign under Sir Robert TVilson zvith the Lusitanian Legion. — Good Conduct of that small Force, amd its Influence on the general hopes, under Colonel Mayne. — Efforts of the remaining Spanish Armies. — Second Siege, and fall of Saragossa. A HE hapless retreat of sir John Moore, while it BOOK IV. 1809. January. could not fail to influence the affairs of the allies state of Spaia and Portugal, VOL. IV. B BOOK IV CBAP. I. 1809. CAMPAIGN'S IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, in a very particular manner, as soon as its circum- stances should become generally known, did not, januarj. fj.^^^^ j^^ rapidity, extend the news of its disasters State of Spain ^ '^ and Portugal, bcyoud the line of march, and its vicinity, for a considerable time. It was, indeed, rumoured, that the British army was retiring in some places, and known in others ; but the effect was rather doubt and consternation than any positive results, particularly when reports became prevalent of the final battle and embarkation. Along the line of march, unhappily, were left sufficient proofs of the disasters of that army, which erewhile approached in such gallant array to aid the cause of Spain ; while the wretched troops of Romana, in the state in which they have been described, wandered for shelter and repose, or rather retired to die ; and the British stragglers from an army, no longer seeking the enemy, who found their way into Portugal, gradually confirmed all the fears which had been formed. Nor were the tirades of the boastful enemy wanting, much quicker than either, to tell how the English had been driven into the sea, and French eagles had overtopped Corunna ! The hopes of Spain, however, were not repres- sed, still less the spirit of those British troops which remained in Portugal; and, with the natives cf that kingdom, anxiously looked to the moment UNDER SIR JOHN F, CRADOCK. 3 when in their turn they should advance against bookiv. J f^ CHAP. I. the common enemy. ^*^^X^^ 1809. The armies of count Palafox, the duke del In- •^'^""'^^y*. State of Spaia fantado, the marquis del Palaicio, and general and Portugal. Cuesta, were recruited and re-organized during the diversion which, whatever the nature or causes of sir John Moore's retreat, was evidently created in his pursuit; and during the absence of the French army, also, in that pursuit, La Mancha, Estremadura, and a great number of towns in the south of Spain, either possessed or overawed by it, were occupied with the greatest advantage. The French garrisons were chased from Catalonia to the fortresses of the neighbouring passes of the Pyrennees, to Figueras and Rosas. New depots in this quarter were, in course, formed with the great- est agility to the cause. Saragossa, which, in the former books has been seen to more than emulate the highest deeds of antient story, resumed her vigour, as well as Gerona, dear to the Catalonians. And when even the views of the French army, whose overwhelming columns had been intended to complete the subjugation of the peninsula, were called to the banks of the Rhine and Vienna, the advantage of these operations became apparent^ from engrossing the whole attention of the con- centrated French armies, v^rhich still remained in Spain. This exception may be admitted, that b2 4 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^^HA^.l^ those which were intended to occupy Lisbon ^"-^J^JlJ"'"*^ drew towards Madrid, and endeavoured to secure jdaunry. ^hc siuiplc Communication between the capital and the direct transit to France through Bayonne. Previous to entering upon tlie subject of a new campaign under all the circumstances which have been exhibited, it is proper to shew the feehngs of the government as they were expressed by lord Castlereagh, previously to any positive knowledge of the close of sir John Moore's disastrous cam- paign. The letters are pregnant with facts, and shew that the objects of Mr. Frere's anxiety were no less those of the minister at home. Viscount Cas- tlereagh to sir John Moore. 1 ii * December 10, ^ 12, and 13, Doivning-street, Jan. 3d, 1 809. Sir, Your letters of the dates stated in the margin,* have been received and laid before the king. His majesty has observed, with the highest satisfaction, the measures adopted by you for uniting your army with that under sir David Baird, and for directing the British force thus concentrated against the enemy's line of commu- nications. His majesty trusts, that so seasonable and vio-orous a demonstration in the rear of th« enemy may be productive of the best effects. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. « The change that has taken place in the position ^f„^^ J.^' of the British army since my letters of the 24th ^'"^'^JJT*^ ult. were written (duplicates of which are here- January. Viscount Cas- with transmitted) has determined his majesty to tiereagh to »ir John M«ore. order the 5000 infantry, then destined to the Tagus, to proceed in the first instance to Co- runna, leaving it to your judgment to make sucli an appropriation of this force as, under all the cir- cumstances of the war in the peninsula, you may deem the most advisable. The 15th regiment of light dragoons, and 300 artillery-horses, are ordered to embark, and will proceed immediately to Corunna. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) Castlereagh. To lieutenant-general tir John Moore, K. B. SfC. Do'iXning-slreetyJan. S, 1809. Sir, Under a full persuasion of the importance viscount Cas ' * tlereagJi to of a large force of cavalry being attached to your Joi'n Moore army, for the purpose of giving effect to the ope- ration in which you are at present engaged, I can- not but regret that the services, even of a single regiment of dragoons, have at the present moment been diverted from your immediate support : but you will recollect, that, when the 14th regiment sailed from hence, sir David Baird was at that " CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^?i?Af.}^' nioment actually advanced upon his retreat to- isoT**"^ wards Vigo ; in consequence of which, and an January, intimation from that officer, that vou had ordered Viscount Gas- "^ jor'*M^°*''^ him to proceed without delay to the Tagus, this regiment, together with the 600 horses for the artillery, was directed, instead of calling at Vigo (as before ordered) to go at once to the Tagus. My former letters will have explained to you that the requisition for tonnage, for the reception of 2000 horsps at Vig-o, arising; out of the intended re-embarkation of sir David Baird's corps, alone prevented your receiving from hence the four regi- ments of cavalry, and two troops of horse-artil- lery, at that time embarked and nearly ready to sail ; and although, had this force proceeded to its desti- nation, it would not, in addition to what had pre- ceded it, have carried your cavalry to the full amount which might at the present moment en- able you to do much, viz. 7 or 8,000 men ; yet, it would have added, in the first instance, not less than 3,500 rank and file to your present numbers : and if the transports which were to convey the above regiments, together M'ith the other empty cavalry-transports then in the Tagus and at Co- runna, (capable of transporting not less than 5,500 horses,) had been immediately sent back, we should have had the means of detaching from UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 7 hence the remainino^ five regiments of cavalry under book iv. ^ *-" *' CHAP. I, orders, with a full proportion of horse-artillery, ^"-^-v-w/ which would have fully accomplished, so far January. I , , , 1 1 • 1111 Viscount Cas- as depended on numberSj the object we had both tiereagh to sir ,, , John Aloore. equally at heart. I trust you will be persuaded, that this state- ment is not brought forward for the purpose of questioning the propriety of any thing that has been done, but simply for the purpose of explaining why you are not at present supplied with all the means you might wish for and expect, if nothing had occurred to interrupt the ordinary progress of the service, and which I am the rather led to make, as I observe sir David Baird, in a letter of the 17th, from Benevente, to admiral de Courcy, writes as confidently of the immediate approach of not less than four regiments of cavalry, as if he never had made a requisition ; to comply with which, his majesty's government had no other op- tion, but instantly to disembark a considerable force of cavalry then on the point of sailing. Your expeience in the difiiculty as well as ex- pense of extensive equipments of cavalry will make it no matter of surprise to you, that we should en- deavour to assign some limit to our establishment under this head ; in truth, such has been the ex- tent of the efforts already made, and the means of supply have in consequence been so much nar- O CA5IPA1GNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, *?H*^J^ 17' rowed, that we find it difficult at present to procure ^^"^"^CT*^ ^^^^ necessary tonnage for meeting- the other de- Jaauary. mauds of the army. I feel it necessary, therefore. Viscount Gas- , -i i • • r tiereagh to sir to Tcpcat, that if you dccm an addition of cavalry John 3Ioore. . , . , important to the operations in which you are likely to be engaged, it can only be obtained by your sending back a proportion of empty horse- transports now with you. I am aware that it must depend on the prospect which presents itself, aC" cording to the nature of the service, of cavalry being wanted, and also to the general turn of the campaign, how far it may.be prudent, with a view to augment the army, to deprive yourself of the immediate use of the transports in question ; this is a mihtary consideration we must trust to your judgment on the spot. If the prospect of render- ing service to the cause in which we are engaged is encouraging, we ought not to be discouraged from making this eiFort, by an apprehension of ultimately losing a number of horses, provided we retain the means of re-embarking the men them- selves; and, as bearing upon this part of the ques- tion, it may be worth your consideration whether, by previously strengtheriing positions upon the harbour of Vigo, and establishing magazines on the Bayonne islands, the security of such of the cavalry and draught horses of the army might not be provided for, by throwing them into those UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. S islands, which admit of naval protection, as could book iv. * ' CHAP. I. not be carried by a single operation, with the ton- v^^-v-"*-* nage you possess, to any part of the peninsula, to Januarj^. , . , . . r 1 • 1 Viscount Cas- which the circumstances or the war ma}' induce tiereagh to sif . Jolin Moore. you, by sea, to dnect the operations of the army. To meet any demand for reinforcements of ca- valry you may have occasion to make, two regi- ments will be held in readiness for immediate embarkation at Falmouth, and two at Portsmouth, with a proportion of horse-artillery attached to each. With respect to the general nature of the war, and the difficulties imposed upon the British army, by the disasters and defective co-operation of the Spanish armies, I beg to offer you my sincere ac- knowledgments for the plain and candid manner in which, with a fixed determination to omit no effort within the ability of your own army to make, you state to me the considerations which preclude you from forming any sanguine expectations with respect to the issue of the present contest. It is difficult in so complicated a question to arrive at any precise conclusion with regard to the probable result of such a struggle. We can only usefully aim at doing our own duty with the means we possess, and trust the rest to the exertions of those in whose behalf we have to contend. Our efforts with those means must be regulated by the 10 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, military discretion of your officers commanding 1809. ^" ^^^^ ^P°^ ' ^"^ ^ ^"^ confident, however delicate January. ^j^g dccision ott Certain occasions may be, that Viscount Cas- tiereagh to sir you will fulfil thc task imposcd on YOU with John Moore. ... ability and judgment. In adverting to the extent of the means which it is in our power to employ, I think it right distinctly to apprise you, that, with the ex- ception of the cavalry now under orders, and the 5,000 infantry about to sail, I do not consider that any further force can at present be conveniently spared ; nor, indeed, could we calculate in pru- dence, until supplies of silver from South America shall be assured, upon the means of realising in Spain the funds necessary for bringing a larger force into the field; On this subject you are already in possession of the limits imposed upon our exertions. On this part of the question, nothing further occurs to me, unless it is to remark upon the esti- mate which I have received from you of the force now under your orders, which you state at not more than 28,000 men, including the three regi- ments ordered to join you from Portugal. Com- paring this with the enemy's force, taken at 80,000 men, exclusive of their force in Catalonia, it ap- pears taken as high as I should suppose relative numbers would justify; but as compared with the UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 11 return of effective rank and file of the British army b o o k iv. •^ CHAP. I. on service in Spain, it is much lower than by any ^>-»-"\^-^««-' * ^ ^ J809. deductions which occur to me to be made from January. ■t -J- , . _ - ,. Viscount Cas- tne returns 1 can explam. In the adjutant-gene- tieieagh to sir ral's return for December, for the army of Spain and Portugal, the effective rank and file, exclusive of artillery, are stated at 45,273. The 14th light ^ . •^ ^ Estimate of dragoons have since sailed, making a total of ^'^'^^^, Bri'Lsi* '-' ' o y troops in the 47,649> not reckoning the 5,000 infantry now P'^'»»*"ia. cindered to Corunna. By the latest accounts from sir John Cradock, he had only the four regiments of the King's German Legion and two British regiments at Lisbon ; he had one at Santarem, one at Abrantes, and one at Elvas ; in the whole not more than 6,000 men. The remainder of the force, with the exception of what you may have left at Almeida, I consider either assembled or assembling under your orders; and although an allowance must be made for sick and detachments, your gross force, in rank and file, amounts to not less than 40,000 men. L cer- Sirjohn^ioore'g anuj esUinated tainly had hoped that your effective force under at 40,00a. arms in the field would have been much more con- siderable than you have stated it is likely to amount to. Whilst I am upon this subject, it may bewell to observe that the two regiments from Gibraltar can only be considered as an exchange with two 12 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, 1809. January. Viscoont C»s- tlercagh to sir JohQ Moore. ^ooK IV. from Portugal, of less strength and efficiency ; and in this view, in forming your decision of what it may be wise under all circumstances to do, you must not count upon tliese regiments as dispos- able, independent of and in addition to the force in Portugal. It is left to you to apply the whole, or such proportion, of the 5,000 men as you may think fit, either directly to strengthen your own army — to strengthen it collaterally, by adding to sir J. Cradock's means of protecting Portugal, through which, if carried, the enemy would pro- bably push a corps northward, along the coast, to threaten Vigo, and thereby compel you to retire for the security of your re-embarkation, whilst they pressed you with another corps in front, — or, if your information should lead you to consider a British force could be more advantageously em- ployed than in either of the modes above stated, you will send your orders accordingly to major- general Sherbrook, who is directed to wait for your directions at Corunna; he sails on Thursday with the two battalions of guards, the 87th and B8th, from Portsmouth. The 83d is ordered to meet him at Corunna. If you should take only a part of this force for your own immediate operations, I conclude it vill be the guards; in that case you will give di- UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 13 rections to major-oeneral Sherbrooke, whether he ^^ok iv. JO 1 CHAP. nr. is to join you, or to proceed with the troops ^""^""'^T'*^ elsewhere. I shall apprise sir J. Cratlock of the Jan«iary. . . Viscount Cas- change which, in consequence of the alteration in tiereagh to sir John Moore, your plan of operations, has been made in the first destination of this corps. The considera- tions which would have influenced its disposal, will still, I have no doubt, be taken equally into your consideration, and have their due weight in your decision : and I have only to request that you will lose no time in apprising sir J. Cradock and Mr. Frere, to whom the former arrange- ment was communicated, of the determination you have formed. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) CASTI.EBEAGii, To tieiit.-general oil- John Moore, K. B. S^c. The feelings of his majesty's government must be infinitely better conceived than described, on the results which followed the arrangements thus in contemplation. The utility of these arrange- ments, however, it will appear, was not des- troyer!. As first in order of the procedure, which fol- lowed the capitulation of Corunna to marshal Soult, upon the evacuation of the British army, 14 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. r. 1809. Jaauarv. the articles of that treaty, sufficiently mild in its stipulations, may be here added.* • Though, from their intruisic interest, notwithstanding the general outcry against the capitulation of Madrid, the capitula- tion of that capital was not deemed necessary to be introduced to these pages, it may not be improper to shew that the stipula- tions were not nr.ore extraordinary in point of favour thaii those even of the battle of Coranna. Treaty of capi- Article I. — The preservation of the Catholic, Apostolic, and tulation of Ma- ... . i • i ti i i . dfid. Roman religion, without any other being legally tolerated. Ans. — Granted. 2. —The liberty and sec:urity of the lives and properties of the citizens and other persons residing in Madrid, as well as of those in public employments : the preservation of their situations, or the option of their retiring from this court, if they should prefer it. Likewise, the lives, privileges, and properties, of the se- cular and regular ecclesiastics, of both sexes, together with the respect due to the churches, all in conformity to our laws and customs. Ans. — Granted. 3. — The lives and properties of all military officers of rank are likewise to be safe. Ans. — Granted. 4. — No person shall be liable to persecution, on account of their political opinions or writings, any more than those employed in a public capacity, for what they m.ay have done hitherto in the exercise of their employments, or in obedience' to the former go- vernment ; nor shall the people suffer for the efforts vyhich they .have made for their defence. Ans. — Granted. 5. — No other contributions shall be exacted beyond the ordi- nary ones that have hitherto been paid. Ans. — Granted, till the realm shall definitively be organized. 6. — Our laws, customs, and courts of justice, shall be pre- served in their present constitution. Ans. — Granted, until the kingdom undergoes its definitive organization. 7. — The French troops and their officers shall not be quartered UNDER Sill JOHN F. CRADOCK. 15 Art. 1.— The place of Corunna, the fortified ^?„°;J^./.^- works, the batteries and ports which depend on ^"^^^^^^ January. in private houses, but in military lodging: -fiouses and tents, and Treaty of capi- , . . ^ , . ., n J lulatioa of Ma- ny no means in convents or monasteries ; tlie privileges allowed dj-id. to the respective classes by the laws being preserved. Ans. — Granted ; it being well understood that both the officers and pri- vates must have quarters and tents that are furnished conformably to the military regulations, unless the said buildings be insuffi- cient. 8. — The troops shall march out of tlie town with the honours of war, and be at liberty to retire whithersoever they choose. Ans. — The troops shall march out with the honours of war : they shall march off by files to-day, at four o'clock in the afternoon, and leave their arms and cannon ; the armed peasants shall also leave their arms and artillery ; after which the inhabitants shall retire to their houses, and those from without the town, to their villages. All the individuals that have enlisted among the troops of the line, four months ago, shall be free from their engagemenls,. and retire to their villages. All the rest shall continue prisoners of war till an exchange takes place, which will commence im- mediately between equal numbers, and rank for rank. 9. —The public debts and engagements of the state shall be faithfully and constantly discharged. Ans. — This being a poli- tical object, belongs to the cognizance of the assembly of the realm, and depends on the general administration. 10. — Those generals who wish to continue in the capital shall preserve their rank ; and such as are desirous of quitting it, shall be at liberty so to do. Ans. — Granted ; they shall remain in their station, although their pay can only continue till the king- dom receives its ultimate organization. Additional Art. 11. — A detachment of guards shall this day, at four o'clock, take possession of the palace gates. The differ- ent gates of the city shall, about the same time, be delivered up to the French army. The guard -house of tlie body guards, and 16 BOOK IV. CHAP, I. 1809. January. Articles of trea ty for the eva- cuation of Ck)- runna. CA.MPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, It, artillery, amniuuition, inagazines, charts, plans, and memoirs, shall be given up to the troops of his majesty the emperor and king, Na- poleon. For this purpose his excellency t^e mar- shal duke of Dalmatia shall be at liberty to take possession of the gate, called the Lower Tower, (la tour d'en bas,) this evening. 2. — The Spanish garrison which is in Corunna; the persons in civil authority, as well judicial as administrative or financial ; the clergy, and the inhabitants in general, shall take the oath of fidelity and homage to his majesty the king of Spain and the Indies, Don Joseph Napoleon. Treaty of capi- tulation of I^Ia- drid. the general hospital, shall be surrendered at the same time. At the same hour the park of artillery, and the arsenals, together with the engineers, shall be surrendered to the French artillery and engineers. The works and entrenchments shall be levelled, and the streets repaired. The French officer about to take the command of Madrid, shall, about mid-day, repair, under a mili- tary guard, to the house of the principal, (governor,) in order to concert with government, regulations of police, and measures for the re-establishment of good order and public security in all parts of the town. We, the undersigned commissioners, authorised by full pow- ers for settling and signing the present capitulation, have agreed upon the faithful and entire execution of the above measure. Fernando de la Veray Pantoga. Thsmas de MORtA. Alseandro. Imperial Camp, Madrid, the ■ith of Dec. 1 808i UNDER SIR JOHN" F. CRADOCK. ^7 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. 3. — The persons concerned in the civil admi- nistration, as well judicial as financial ; the in- tend ant 2:eneral of the kino-dom of Gallicia and ~ . "-^ _ Articles of trea- of file province of Corunna, the corregidors, tyforthceva- * / c^ cuation of Co- alcaides, and other functionaries, sliall he pro- runna. visionally preserved in their employments, and shall exercise their functions in the name of his majesty king Joseph Napoleon. All the acts of the civil administration shall be made in the name of his said majesty. 4. — The military of the garrison, wliatever be their rank and employment, may enter into the service of his majesty, king Joseph Napoleon, and be allowed to retain the same rank, after having taken the customary oaths of fidelity and allegiance, as is provided in the second article. For this purpose a list of the names of the prin- cipal and inferior officers and soldiers shall be made out. This list shall be certified by his ex- cellency general Don Antonio D'AIzedo, governor of Corunna, to the end that a particular destina- tion may be given to the military, according to the orders of his excellency the minister of war in the kingdom of Spain ; but, in the mean time, the military shall wait at Corunna. The means of subsistence and quarters shall be furnished to them as to the French troops. The officers, and those employed in the royal marine, who are at VOL. IV. c iS CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL ^ciPa!^. T' Coriuina, are included in the present article, and ^^^J^J^^ must await at Corimna the orders of thg minister j^iuary. ^f mariuc. Articles of trea- ty for the eva- 5. — The military of the f^arrison, whatever cuation of Co- runna. their rank, who wish to quit the service, shall be at liberty to retire to their respective habitations, after they shall have received their dismissal in due form, under the authority of his excellency the minister at war ; and on taking the oath of fidelity described in the second article. — Such as refuse to take such oath, shall be considered pri- soners of war. 6. — The property of the inhabitants shall be respected, and no contribution shall be levied on them, but a subsistence for the troops in garrison shall be provided by the province. That the places of public worship, and the government, shall be placed under safe custody ; religion shall be respected, and its ministers shall be protected in the exercise of their functions. 7. — The administration of the royal revenues shall be continued as heretofore, but in the name of, and to the use of, his majesty king Joseph Napoleon ; and, to that effect, all the ecclesias- tical and civil authorities, as well as those em- ployed for the king, shall continue to fulfil their respective functions, and shall be paid according to their several appointments. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 19 . BOOK IV. 8. — If any one employed in the courts, or m chap. i. the administration, shall be desirous of resigning 1809. his office, his resignation shall be accepted, and ^.tij^j^/trea. no one shall prevent such measure ; and if he ^uation^of Co- should desire to leave the town with his effects '"""* and property, he shall be permitted so to do, granting him proper sureties, and a passport for that purpose. 9. — The deputies of towns, and all other indi- viduals, called to form a part of the Junta of the kingdom of Gallicia, may return to their houses, with their equipages and their property, if they shall so wish ; and an escort shall be granted to them for their personal security, on their requi- ring it. 10. — Every inhabitant of the place shall be at liberty to retire whithersoever he pleases, with his moveables, effects, and whatever belongs to him, provided the place of his retirement be in the in- terior of the kingdom. * 11. — The houses and effects of all persons who may be absent by order or leave, business, or any other cause, shall be respected, and the pro- prietors shall be at liberty to return when they find it convenient. 12. — The benefit of a general amnesty, granted by the emperor and king in his own name, as well as in the name uf his majesty king Joseph Na- o 2 BOOK IV, CHAP. I, 1809. CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, poleon, shall be extended to the garrison and the inhabitants of Corunna, as also to jDcrsons who January. have filled officlal situations. For this purpose no Articles of trea- ty for the eva- individual shall be prosecuted, arrested, or pun- cuation of Co- ' runna. ished, for au}' share they may have had in the disturbances which have agitated the kingdom, nor for their speeches, writings, or actions, the measures, resolutions, or orders, which have been adopted or executed during the commo- tions. The benefit of the same general amnesty shall be extended to all the towns, villages, and communes, of the kingdom of Gallicia, as soon as they shall have submitted, and as soon as the inhabitants shall have taken the oath of fidelity to his majesty the king Joseph Napoleon. I'?. — The laM's, customs, and dress of tlic people, shall be preserved without any infringe- ment, or modification : the laws shall be those which are, or shall be, established by the consti- tution of the kingdom. Done at Corunna, the 19th day of January, 1809. . (Signed) Marshal the duke of Dalmatia. Antonio de Alzedo. Decrees had already been issued from IMadrid, for securing the imports and the administration of justice to such parts of Spain as were under the fJXDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 21 mfluence of the French, abrogating monopolies, ^^^^f l^^' reducing to one-third the religious in monastic se- """^.p*^ elusion, and for the destruction of the barriers ^mn^u- between the provinces. As to Portugal, to which attention will now necessarily be drawn in tlie first instance, among the early steps of its government, for which it had also the advantage of leisure from the diversion created by the disastrous expedition of sir John Moore, was the following ordinance for a general armament of- the people. The defence of the country beino- the first duty Prodam^tion " ^ "^ ot the govcrn- \rhich honour, reason, and even nature itself, im- «'e"t oi Ponu- ' gal, llili Dec pose on all men, wh^n a barbarous nation, des- ^^*^^- pising the most sacred rights acknowledged in the world, aims at enslaving a country, plundering its property, destroying its religion, violating its temples, and committing the greatest atrocities that the perversity of manners or inhumanity can invent. Portugal, unfortunatel}';, is threat- ened with all these evils ; and its inhabitants have no means to avoid the horrors to which they are exposed, but by liaving recourse to arms, to repel by force the odious and w icked designs of their enemies. We have, therefore, resolved, that the whole Portuguese nation shall be armed in the manner 22 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, If ■^cH^xI^i^.^* ^v^^ich to each inhabitant may be practicable; ^^"•'^^^J^'*^ that all the males, without exception of person or January. class, sliall providc themsclves with a pike, twelve Proclamation of _ the government or thirteen palms (six or seven feet) in leng-th, of Portugal, ' ^ ^ ^ ' ^ ' 11th December, and such Other arms as their circumstances may 1808. . "^ permit. That all the cities, towns, and considerable villages, shall be fortified by blockading the en« trances and principal streets with two, three, or more, cross-beams, in order that all the inhabi- tants mav be enabled to defend themselves vi^or- ousl}^ when the enemy shall present himself. That all the officers in Lisbon, and administra- tors of districts, shall, within the space of eight days from the date of this ilecree, deliver in to the military-governor-general of their respective provinces, a list of such persons as from their ac- tivity, ability, good conduct, and the respect they are held in by the people, are qualified to take a command, always preferring, in similar circum- stances, those who arc already military officers, and pointing out such of the said officers as by their age, incumbrances, or other circumstances, ought no longer to fill the posts they occupy. Tiiat all the generals charged with the military government of provinces, shall divide their go- vernments into districts, and appoint an officer of known activity and probity, whether of the UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRATjOCK. BOOK IV CHAP. 1. troops of the line or militia, whom the chief and other officers shall obey in consequence of the ^g^^ said appointment, who shall visit the different vil- ^^^^-^^y- FruclamatioD of lajjes of their district, examine the state of the tiie government ■^ of Portugal, several companies, and from the persons recom- mh December, ' ' ' 1808. mended to them, appoint such for officers as they shall judge deserving and capable; who shall im- mediately begin to exercise their companies, which shall assemble on all Sundays and saints' days in their respective districts, in order to ren- der themselves expert in the use of the arms they have, and in military evolutions : comprehending all the males from fifteen to sixty. Lastly, we have resolved, that every person who shall not take up arms, but refuse to concur with the nation in general, to the defence of our country, shall incur and suffer the punishment of death ; and the same punishment shall await all those who shall furnish any succour or aid to the enemy, by supplying them, with provisions, or assisting them in any other mode. In like manner, any village which shall not de- fend itself against" the assailants of the kingdom, but permit their entrance without making every possible resistance, shall be burnt and levelled with the ground. And we hereby order all generals, military go- vernors of provinces, the intendant-general of '2-* CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^c^i?p^x!^' police, and all corregidors, auditors, and in ge- ^^^"^^^^ "eral all officers, military ifffd civil, to aid and ProcSSnof assist in Carrying into effect the provisions of this oKugar"' 5oyal decree, which shall be affixed up in all the inhDec.n.bcr, ^^^^^Ic pLiccs, all the cltics, towns, and villages, of this kingdom, in order that it may be made known by every inhabitant. Approved Inj the coimc'd of icar, zvJw will cause it to be e:c edited. From this proclamation the regular army and militia were numerically recruited to seventy thousand men ; but of those arms were not to be had for ten thousand, nor of the remaining equip- ments for one. The French had employed their leisure previous to, and perhaps after, the conven- tion of Cintra, in breaking the stocks, and bend- ing the bairels, of the small arms, of which ten thousand stand remained in Almeida, and many dep6ts in the minor garrisons, useless, in January, 1809. This was among the unavoidable effects of the nature and political origin of the war; — the em- barrassments of converting nations, (at best scarcely more than neutral,) into, if not princi- pals, at least allies. From the same principle, also, was to be en- dured the evil, that of the numerical force, very UNDER SIR JOHN F. CIiABOCl<;. 25 properly called into notice, if not action, by llie ^^J^^^^^^- preccdintr order, scarcely any part could be >^^v-«**/ r o ' J ^ \ 1809. deemed absolutely efficient ; for the levies were J^nuarj. .only to be marched from their several parishes on an actual invasion of their country, and were no otherwise embodied than for drill on particular days. The British army remaining under the com- Brigadiei-genc- mand of sir John Cradock, in Portugal, could brigade. not have brought into the fi^ld ten thousand troops. To these^ however, were added, the de- tachments and the brigade, under brigadier-ge- neral Cameron, which, from the intelligence of the embarkation of the British army at Corunna, returned to Lisbon. These were aided in the organization of the new Origin of ti« . . . „ Lusilaiiian Le- Portuguese levies, by those enterprismg omcers gioo. who had been appointed under the auspices of lord Castlereagh, to the formation of a body of troops from the loyal Portuguese, who had been induced to emigrate to England. In September, 1808, sanctioned by the chevalier deSouza, am- bassador to Great Britain, they landed at Oporto; and, welcomed by the patriotic bishop, proceeded to recruit for active service, ultimately forming the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, under the chief command of sir Robert Wilson. The hardy peasantry from which the legion was 26 BOOK IV. cjiAr 1. t809. Ja^auary. Origrn of the Lusitdiiian Le- gion, Uotnments of tiW legion by col Miiyne. CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIX AND POllTUGAL, recruited, were the same which, united with the inhabitants of Oporto, in the preceding June, favored by a position, had attacked the French general, Loison, on his march against that place, and taken his baggage. The discipline and true military subordination of a part of these troops, had also been evinced in restraininjj the vensreance of their countrymen against the French atQporto, on their embarkation. Colonel Mayne joined this body, as colonel- commandant of the first battalion, in the end of September, and continued employed in organizing the new levy till December, by which time were effective three battalions of light infantry, some cavalry, and a brigade of artillery, with four six-pounders, and two howitzers, amounting to two thousand men, well disciplined, clothed, and appointed : the uniform of the infantry was green, to which were added white facings for the cavalry, and black for the artillerj^ The legion might have been soon increased to ten thousand men, but means for their equipment were want- ing, and recruits were therefore obliged to be re- jected daily. No men, says colonel Mayne, could more deserve praise by every good quality of re- cruits and soldiers, whether of diligence, obedi- ence, &c. to learn our discipline, or of zeal, spirit, ;&c. to exercise it when taught. This corps formed UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 2/ a model for the reo-eneration of the Portuguese book iv. army. There was a fine enthusiasm which ran in "— --v-^*-^ '' 1309. rapid improvement from man to man, from rank January. Documents of to rank. the Legion bj The energies of sir Robert >V ilson, and the ot- ficers next in command, would not suffer this efficient body of men to lie idle, when the neces- sity for their activity became apparent. At a no- tice of thirty six hours, therefore, agreeably to the orders of lieut.-general sir John Cradock, the first division of the loyal Lusitanian Legion, had marched from Oporto on the 14th of December, 1808, in the direction of the eastern frontier, leaving the second division to await there the ar- rival of its equipments from England, under baron Eben, who was as quickly as possible to march it as a corps of reserve to the first, but which did not take place. The march of this little army, under its active and intelligent partizans, is thus forcibly des- cribed by the narrator of its circumstances in a recent sketch.* Sir Robert Wilson and the British officers'}' at- * Narrative of the Campaigns of the Loyal Lusitanian Le- gion, &c. p. j9. t These Britisli officers were colonels Mayne, baron Eben, baron Perponger, lieut.-col. Grant, captain Charles, aide-de- camp to sir Robert, captain Liilie, who had been with the Bri- 2S CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^ci^A^.T' Cached to the legion, marched witli the first divi- '^"*'J^^^]"*^ sion, and took, it seems, the direction of Almeida January. pj^^j ^iudacl Rodri^^o, tlnouiih which places the Bri- Documeiits of . n > n i the Legion by tish amiv, uttdcT slr Jolin Moore, had passed a short col. Majne. time before. The line of march was through Pe- iiifiel and Amaranthe, along the right bank of the river Douro, through Alezon Frio to Passa de lle- goa, where (says col. Mayne) we crossed the Douro and proceeded to Lamago ; the reception we met with from the Portuguese, during our march, was truly hospitable, having brought us in the kindest manner to tlicir houses ; and the gratitude and attention evinced particularly to the British of- ficers, for the interest they seemed to take in their cause, was to them particularly flattering. The weather had hitherto been very iine ; however, on our march from Lamago, the rain poured on us in torrents, continuing for several days without intermission ; but, as it was conceived that affairs at that period would not permit us to delay our march, we were obliged to proceed, notwith- standing the floods. The roads we passed were deemed nearly impassable ; and to many who may be unacquainted with the state of them in tish army under sir Arthur VVcIIcsley, and volunteered to remain with the Legion, and captains Ru man and Western, Drs. Mil- lengea and Bolman. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 2Sf tills country, at certain periods of tlie vear, It bookiv. •• ' ' V ' CHAP. I. may appear extraordinary to state that we were ^^"^^^^'T^ actually obliged to swim our horses ; and it was January- '^ . 1 T r^- 7 Documents of With tiie greatest exertion ana dimculty we were thcLegionby enabled to bring forward our artillery, bemg obliged to take the beasts from the guns, and officers and men, hand in hand, pulled them through tlie waters, which in many places reached up to their shoulders ; and, as an ex- ample to junior ranks, we remarked our leaders among the number. We at length arrived, with considerable ditliculty and inconvenience, at Pin- ficl, a bishop's see, three leagues west of Aimed a, and four of the Spanish frontier ; here the corps halted for a few days, to make the necessary ar- rangements for the commencement of active ope- rations, as well as to descatisar ahcr their severe . ], and fatiguing march from Oporto, which they bore with great patience and fortitude, and only seemed anxious to come in contact with the ene- mies of their country, manifesting such confi- dence in their officers as gave us every reason to anticipate the subsequent bravery they displayed when opportunities offered. However, the un- favourable change which took place at this pe- riod in the cause of the peninsula cast an universal damp on the Spaniards and Portuguese, by the retro- ^h effect of im retreat of sir grade movement of tlie main British force under sir JohuMoore. 30 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV CHAP. I. 1809. John Moore, on \\ hich the patriots of the penin- sula had cast their eyes as the means of their sal- jaiiuary. vation froHi thc French yoke. Documents of the Legion by The fcw British troops and stores that had been col Mayne. _ * then on their way to join the British army, were immediately countermanded ; some to Oporto, and others to Lisbon, for which places they pro- ceeded with all possible despatch. Under such circumstances the situation of the loyal Lusitanian Legion may be easier conceived than expressed. Orders had been received from British general officers for our retreat, and inti- mation had been received likewise by sir Robert Wilson, from lieut. -general sir Jolin Cradock, Orders for rc- commaudcr of the forces in Portugal, of its hav- treat to the officers of the '^^ bccu his wisli that thc British officers of the Lusitanian Lt- ^ gion. legion should witlidraw and provide for their own personal safety : we, therefore, were rather awk- wardly circumstanced, having entered the Por* tuguese service and embarked in their cause, and finding the country on the eve of evacuation by the British, and invaded by the French. And if the British army had embarked at Lisbon, in all probability the retreat of the corps would have been cut off by marshal Soult; for, marshal Soult, on the 28th of February, with 16,000 men, did, capture Oporto ; and another FVench corps then at Placentia, were expected to move down the UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 31 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. Taffus. Sir Robert Wilson communicated their situations to the British otlticers with him, leaving ^^^^ it at their option either to go or stay- But they J='-'"<«y- ^ . Documents of considered that as they then conceived them- i^e Legion by •^ col. Mavne, selves really to be in the service of Portugal, that it would be highly disgraceful at this critical juncture, and inconsistent with the character of a British soldier, and with the principles by which their conduct had hitherto been guided, to leave this service; they all consequently determined on not abandoning their brave brethren in arms, but to remain and share the fate of the Portuguese officers and men, whose confidence they had gained, and whom they had brought to the fron- tiers for the purpose of defending their country, well armed, and perfectly equipped, for active and immediate service. On the evacuation of the garrison of Almeida, by the British troops, under Brigadier-general Cameron, consisting of the 45th and Q7th regi- ments, retii ing to Lisbon, colonel Mayne was by that officer appointed his successor, to secure the removal of the valuable British stores deposited in this fortress, for the expected campaigns of sir John Moore's army. The garrison consisted of the Portuguese troops of the line already there, and a detachment of the loyal Lusitanian Legion. 32 CAMPAIGNS IK SPAIN AND PORTUGAL^ ^^HA? i!^* ^*^ Robert iiiimediately inarched into Spain, niov- ^^^•^■^v^^*^ ing in the direction of Ciiidad Rodrigo; his ad- jaiiuaij. vance, consisting of two companies of infantry, Documents of the Legion by a scjuadron of cavalry, and two s^uns, commanded •of. Mayne. ... by captain LiUie. Sir R,obert having pushed across the Spanish frontier, resolved on placing his corps in front of the garrisons of Almeida and Ciudad Rodrigo, in the direction of Salamanca, where he occupied a very extensive line of coun- try. * The doQuments of colonel Mayne convey not only the following spirited account of his com-' mands, during this campaign, which deserve to be read and studied by every miHtary man, liable in this variegated war to become a partizan, but also a liberal detail of the services of his superiors and inferiors ; and memoirs of those of the troops at different times under his command (in effect) as brio:adier-2:encral ; which cannot fail to be Do ' equally interesting to the soldier, and important to anything which approaches to the form of history. I remained (says colonel Mayne) in Almeida in charoe of British stores, from the 5th of Ja- tiuary to the l6th of February ; during which time, under my immediate direction and superin-" tendance, stores were conveyed to Lamago, to UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 3S the valuable amount of ^150,000 sterling. The ^^^„^^,^^' remainder was preserved by the advance of the ^^"''[^JT^^ legion into the plains of Salamanca. January, The following documents, alluding to these transactions, as well as some others which will be inserted in their place, will exhibit the circum- stances of this short campaign. Sir, Inconsequence of despatches which bri- Coi. Guard, ' 45th regiment ; ojadier-general Cameron has just received, he de- <^ated f one de ° ° J » Moiirero, Jan. sires me to request that you will, with all possible 9- 1*^^^' tocoi. despatch, forward the ordnance and hospital J|Jj^e|"y^^i- stores that are in Almeida, to Lamago. The ge- ™^''^*' ^*^ *'^' neral requests also that you will acquaint sir R. Wilson, that he recommends it to him to fall back on Oporto without delay. Should any of the Shrapnell shells still remain in Almeida, you will have them completely destroyed ; and all stragglers from the British army must be forwarde(;l to Lamago, to wait further orders. W. Guard, Lieut.~col. 43th Regt, Of the importance of this trust, and the con- duct of the respectable officer to whom it was confided, the following will afford the best testi- mony. VOL. IV. r> 3^ CAMPAIGNS IX SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. CHAP. I. ' From the increase of expense that must attend ^^"^^(^^^^^ the situation of commanding officers of Elvas, January Ahncida, &c. &c. the commander of the forces Oeneral orders, Lisbon, Jan. 2, U'lY J ohii Cradock) directs, until the pleasure of 1809, reiauve ^ -' ' I totheoccupa- government shall be known, that the officers in tion ot the ior- " ' meida' ^^' ^ctu^l Command shall receive an extraordinary- allowance according to their rank : colonef, 24*. per diem ; lieutenant-colonel, 20^. per diem : and these allowances to take place from the time of their actually holding the command. Thomas Reynell, Lieut-col. Adjutant-general. Sir R- Wilsons ' J hereby certify, that colonel Mayne, of the certificate oa ^ j ' j j hese orders Loyal Lusitauian Legion, was placed with a de- tachment of this corps in the command of the fortress of Almeida, from the 5th of January to the l6th of February, 180.9, inclusive, to super- intend the transportation of valuable artillery- stores, and other arrangements relating to the commissariat and hospital stores ; which duty he completely executed with the greatest zeal, and to the great advantage of his majesty's service. (Signed) Robert Wilsox, Chcffe L. L. L. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 3j Upon the British troops leavins: Almeida, the ^oo^ iv. ' r o ' CHAP. I. fort was occupied by a division of the Loyal Lusi- ^>^^/'^»-^ ' •' *^ 1809. tanian Legion, commanded by colonel Mayne, who January. , 1 . ,/• • 1 1 1 • T.ieut -general acquitted nimselr in that duty much to my satis- sir j. cradock'* 1 f' 1 certificate re- faction ; and it appears to me, that from whatever laiivetothess orders. source the money can be issued, that that officer has just pretensioQs to the allowances enjoyed by his predecessors, for such period as he com- manded the fortress of Almeida. (Signed) J. F. Cradock, Lieut-general. Hereford-street, Nov. 20, 1809. ]\Iy dear Mayne, Amidst all your other hard duties, I have Brigadier-gen. . i^ir R Wilson, the cruelty to employ you still more : the officer relative to the removal of the with the prize-cotton (worth ^20,000,) taken by prize-cotton from Almeida: the 18th lio;ht drao-oons, is here in o-reat distress, fiated ciudad *^ * ' ^ Kodrieo, Jan. I would have sent this cotton to Seville, but it le, 1809, to co- lonel Mayne, would have taken three or four months to transport commanding the *• fortress ol Al- it, and I have now desired him to get it transported ™^'''"* to Almeida, and from thence to the Douro ! It re- quires 120 carts: will you employ your interest with Azeido* to get this work completed r Send it to Lamago, or the point the ammunition went from : I prefer Lamago ; but at all events there is much * A general in the Portuguese service. ^^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, I ^ cH^AP.i^.^' ^^azard, as the Portuguese will not like to see the i ^^"^09^^ property move out of their country. „ Z''"""^^- Believe me, most faithfully yours, ' ««• II. Wilson to (Sisrned) Robert Wilson. I colonel -Mayne. v o / After the most valuable of these British stores and the prize-cotton had been removed by the greatest exertions, colonel IVIayne marched his di- vision to join sir R. Wilson in Spain. At this time, continues the colonel, sir R. Wilson and his officers were again strongly recommended to withdraw, as it was supposed, as general sir John Moore's army had actually retreated ; that the remains of the British army would embark at Lis- bon ; and that in all probability the retreat of the corps would be cut off by marshal Soult. [For marshal Soult, on the 28th February, with 16,000 men, did capture Oporto ! and another French corps, then at Placentia, was expected to move down the Tagus !] But it would have been highly disgraceful at this critical juncture to have thus abandoned our Spanish allies, and wholly incon- sistent with the principles which had hitherto guided our conduct, and had gained us their ap- probation and confidence ! The legion therefore did persevere, and in the presence of 12,000 of the enemy did maintain their posts in the plains of Salamanca ! This French UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 37 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. 1809. force was under the command of general Lapisse of which force there were above 1,500 dragoons ! The legion, in tlie presence of this very superior January force, surprised Ledesma on the Tormes, only six miles from Salamanca! and re- captured, and re- stored to the junta of Ciudad Rodrigo the horses and the public money which the French had put in requisition there ! The legion were most critically placed; their services were most effectual and important, for all the very great objects in view ! And such were the happy effects from his bold, though certainly hazardous, resolution, of thus maintaining their positions in advance of Ciudad Rodrigo. Many people in Portugal, and almost all out of Portugal, apprehended that we were surrounded and lost; for this adventure was certainly full of peril. But the peril passed, the rewarding results from it were conspicuous ; and the legion enjoyed the British praise, for having thus saved, from French investment and possession, the fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida ! and Almeida then had not a garrison ! and had great (piantities of provisions, indispensable stores. in the i^enerous allowance of our countrvmen, it was confessed also that the gallant determination of the kgion prevented the immediate irruption of the enemv into Portugal ! when thcv would have 58 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. ^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, thrown the British suhjects in Lisbon into the ^^^^^"^ greatest alarm, and excited popular clamours and dnudry. cliscontcnts among the Portuguese ; to which, even to explosion, they then seemed so formidably prone ! And this must have been most fatal to all our future operations. Let here also be added the fair enhancement of these attending circumstances, as to time and place ! That these arduous .and successful move- ments of our Portuguese legion were achieved at the moment, wlien all were depressed by sir John Moore's lamented death ; when the British armies were in retreat from Corunna ! when the cause itself was drooping, almost out of hope, if not into despair; and Spain and Portugal appeared to be al- most, if not altogether, irrecoverably lost ! It was in the depths of gloom like this that the legion revived the dying campaign, when Buona- parte, already returned to Paris, flattered himself that he had thoroughly extinguished the little na- tional spirit that remained in these devoted coun- tries ! — when, not only private individuals, and a large j)art of the population, but what remained of the British army in Portugal, were preparing and prepared, to seek for safety, by quitting the shores of the peninsula ! — when all confidence seemed extinct ! not more by the retreat before-mentioned, \lian by the apathy of those who had authority in UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 39 Portuo-al and Spain ! — wlien, accorclino* to every ^<^<^k iv. thins^ in human foresight, nothine; remained but ""^^ ^ n > a -1809. for the French to maich, to overrun, and, ravage January to the vvliole ! This eventful period, and these momentous cir- cumstances, fixed the legion's claim to military estimation and regard ! Foi-, besides the preser- vation of Almeida and Ciudad Roderigo, and their stores ; the movements of the legion successfully regenerated the public s])irit and confidence, and relieved the combined armies from the most serious difficulties and dangers. At Alcantara, and at Pucrte de Bainos, as well as on the Agueda, and in the plains of Salamanca, the legion contrived to defeat the purposes of the enemy, and that enemy of very superior force. All this M'hile, the legion had nothing ! — no commissariat! — no carts! — no tents! — not even camp-kettles ! Sir R, Wilson had no money ! no, not even to pay for the subsistence of this small corps ! — no means of horsing ; no, not even the artillery nor dragoons ! The legion, for themselves and by themselves, contrived to do or suffer all ! They did all ! They supplied all, as far as supplies could be taken from the enemy; and the su])phes were for the most part such as to suffice. Nay, even at Alcantara, there, was no commis- CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. I. sariat ! &c, &c. and Alcantara was apart, from the ^g^jj nearest post of the allied army, 150 miles ! where jaBuarj two bodics of PoTtiiguese, one of 1,800, and the other of 2,500, were subsisted for almost two months, with little or no expense to either govern- ment, by the exertions of lieut.-col. Grant and myself, in securing the cattle, &c. Sec. that would otherwise have fallen into the hands of the enemy. The legion must lay claim to good consider- ation for another species of service of avail, not flight,* to th6 interesting cause ! This was, inter- cepting the enemy's despatches and mails; and securing the transit of our own ! Foi', the intercourse grbwing with the emer- gencies On both sides, was great between both — between our ministers, our officers, and all the juntas, &c. &c. and between Paris and Madrid. Proofs of this service liappily abound in the official correspondence and reports, as well as in ihe intercepted despatches, frustrating move- ments of the enemy, who thence were led to over-rate very greatly the numbers of the legion according lo the official narrative from the ]\Ioni- teur, from tlie varieties and character of their * So far from this negative merit attributed by the enlightened commandant to this service being at all overcharged, the common sense ot every military man will decide that it is yet underrated. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 4l enterprises. For the legion never were more than ^'^j,^,^^^' 5,000 ; they were, very often, less ! ^""TsoT^ Far, very far indeed, be it from any officer of the January. British service to slight any other's claim ; and such a claim as that of the brave and patriot Por- tuguese officers ! They had, every one of them, their full share with each British officer of the legion, whereever there might be any trial, of hardship and of hazard, for merit and fame. The men too, alt, in each battalion, did their best, with a patience, an alacrity, zeal, and courage, well worthy to support and decorate any cause! And that, too, at the moment when all was doubt or difficulty, despondence or despair ! when every struggle seemed the last ; and the enemy, unresisted or irresistible, hovered over all ! The British officers serving ^\ilh the legion, were, as already stated :-^col. sir R. Wilson, brig.- general in Portugal col. ]\layne, lieut.-col. Grant, captains Lillie, Western, I)ubra\va, surgeons Alel- lingen, Boliman ; and those of the British officers reconnoitring in advance of the British army, who at times attached themselves to the legion, were, colonel D'Urban, lieut.-col. Wilsou, major L'Es- trange, major Ruman, lieutenant L'Estrange. The names of the officers remainina: with a di- vision of the corps in the northern provinces of 42 CAMPAIGNS IK" SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV'. CHAP. I. 1809. Januarv, Portugal, were, — colonel baron Eben, major Durs- b;ich. i\fajor and lieutenant L'Estrange were unfortu- nately taken prisoners and carried to Paris; the one reconnoiterin"- on the hrid^-e of Ecla, the other in an affair of posts, in the plains of Salamanca. The following shews the enemy's calculation at one time of the strength of the legion. jo<K>ph Buona- Qn tlic 22d of Julv, says the Moniteur, his ma- pane's account ., ' .. ofthep-sitionof jesty rcccived intellio-ence, from marshal duke of the imperial >J ^y o ' army, ;md the Pelluna, tiiat tlic Euolish army had formed a eucui^' s arm)'. ~ •' junction between the Tagus and the Tietar, with that of Cuesta's, while a corps of 10 or 12,000 men, commanded by general Wilson, was advancing towards Escalona, along the right bank of the Al- berche, the danger was imminent, and it was necessary to take decided measures. In proceeding to Naval Carniero, his majesty had a two-fold object to check ; the march of general Wilson (who endeavoured to get in the rear of the first corps by Escalona,) and to form a junction with marshal Belluna. Fortune certainly favoured the exertions of the legion, which, with the efforts of our Spanish allies, gave a happier and more promising appearance to the campaign. UNDER SIR JOHN T. CRADOCK. 43 Tlie contest was resumed with additional vigour, ^^^^^f;^^' At this time I was entrusted with the largest ^^^^^^^ <]ivision of tlic legion at the Puerte de Bainos, January. keeping that pass in aid of general Cuesta's army: in this we were successful, by mining the bridge, roads, kc. &c. and for some time prevented the junction of general Hammerstein and 10,000 men, with the corps of Victor, in Estremadura, for which I received general Cuesta's thanks ; and at the same time being employed in planning, &c. &c. the fortifications of the town of Bejar, the vaunted residence of the dukes, the junta of Bejar presented nie with the sword of the dukes of Bejar, as a token of their gratitude and regard. The nature and importance of this present will be perceived by its inscription. " This is the sword, accordino; to tradition, of "^^^ ^'^°^^ ^^ ^ ' Bejar, Senhor Don Diego O Unigo Lopez, a most brave captain, who fought against the Moors, as was seen in the miraculous battle of the Nauas de To- loza, where he was found in the service of the king of Navarre, his uncle, Don Sancho ! " He was the first who forced the iron chains which king Miramolim had barricaded his camp with ; and, in commemoration of this action, he joined to his arms the chains, which were kept by his descendants down to the house of Bejar, which originated in him." 41 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK TV. T;^}^jg sword, marshal Beresforcl honoured by CHAP. I 1809. accepting from me ! And still more honoured is it January. HOW, (whcrc it may well gratify even the House of Bejar. Bcjar,) forit is, I underst and,in Carlton House ! After this, the legion united and moved to Sal- vatierra, and Castello Branco, in Portugal, when sir R. Wilson was ordered by marshal Beresford to another Portuguese brigade, and the command of the legion was conferred on me by marshal Be- resford. What has hitherto been said of the Lusitanian legion, cannot be better concluded at present than by the following brief but eloquent recapitulation of its conduct to this period. It is a document of accredited estimation, at Lisbon, and of date March 1, 1809- Account of the ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ DccCmber, one division of the ofX Sa" legion left Oporto, in a direction towards Almeida, with a view to occupy the attention of the French, and cover the removal of stores from the above place, to maintain tlie communications with the a^ljacent provinces and sir J. Moore, then supposed fo have no idea of abandoning the peninsula. After a march that the best European troops could riot have struggled through without loss and mivjmuring, the battalions arrived at their desti- nation without having a single straggler ; and let it nJan legion. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 45 be observed, at the same time, it was the first march i^ o o k iv. ' ' CIl \ p. I. thev had made after beinar embodied. Every day •^— '-v-**-^ the rain fell in torrents : continually they passed January. 1 • • , 1 1 1-11 11 Account of the the precipices edge; or, breast-high, the swollen brave conduct oi the Lusi- torrents of the mountains. Cannon and waggons taaiau legion. were drawn up steeps before deemed inaccessible to such carriages, by manual exertion, and brought through the rapid stream, to the imminent danger frequently of horses and men. Sometimes, where, from the depth, the carriages would have swam, the wheels were taken off, and they were slidden over on the foot-bridges. Over other bridges which overhung the vast hills, and connected the almost perpendicular sides of mountains, cannon, &c. were transported, when, from the extreme nar- rowness of the passage, half of the felly of each wheel only had any support, and this only was that of angular stones placed point upwards, which formed the edge of the road. This passage was most awful and terrific : yet under these and other very trying circumstances, the troops marched twenty or thirty miles a day, cheering each other with their songs, and entered their nightly resting- place with their spirits unflagged. Ciudad Rodrigo became the head-quarters ; the infantry were put in cantonments until the other division should arrive, and arrangements could be combined for efiective operations against the enemy. 46 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. jj;, |-|jg mean time, several excursions were made ; CHAP. I. ' ' ^^-^'^T^-^ ^ii<i a laro;e district, in a semicircle, from the Por- 1809. ^ ' ' .lanuary. tugiiesc frontier, by Salamanca, &c. was either oc- Accoutit of the . , , . • i i ^ ^ i brave conduct cupicd or Kcpt ni contuiual alarm, to the loss and taniaij legion, mtcrruption of thc cncm}^, whose collections of money, horses, and provisicms, were frequently stopped, and their posts carried in the open day. This continual harassing, it appears by an inter- cepted letter from the French general, had rendered his tenure of Salamanca precarious, and his situation unpleasant altogether, while it had the effect of re- viving the confidence of the peasantry, who had thought themselves abandoned. In approbation of this and other measures, the supreme junta have conferred on sir R. Wilson, the rank of brigadier- general, and placed at his disposal all the troops in the province and garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo. The appearance of the Spanish infantry is reported to be equal to that of any troops, and their steadi- ness and coolness remarkable. The few dragoons, or cavaliers, under sir Robert's orders, thoua:li a motley group, and rather resembling the knights and w^arriorsofthe fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, have, with the severe and fierce aspect, the courage and constancy, of their ancestors. At present there are 200, but an addition of British cavalry would be eminently useful in the present partizan move- ments. As yet but few have been engaged with UNDER SIR JOirX F. CRADOCK. 47 the eneniv : vet, on all sides, their quarters and book iv. •'•'•' ' ^ CHAP. I. parties have been disturbed and forced back. v,-*^-^^^-^^ '■ 1809. The disposition of the country is now excellent, January. . . J Accftuut of the ever read}' to point out opportunities and to en- brave conduct . ot" the Lusi- courage enterprize, which they enjoy; and ever tanian legioa, willing to turn out to attract the attention of the enemy, and give time for our patroles when pursued by a superior force. When they perceived they were wot flying friends wlio came to share their danger and had resolution to defend the country, even without the assistance of the inhabitants, and to hold their ground in every extremity, their con- fidence and rei^ard awoke. Sir Robert issued a Excellent pr.- '~ cautions or ttie proclamation, advising the peasants not to be in- ftomier army. timidated bv the declaration of the French, that they would put to death those who did not obey the requisitions, as he had informed the enemy that if that atrocious threat was executed, he would hang a Frenchman for every Spaniard. Late in the month of February several skirmishes took place, and the enemy always suffered loss and retreated. Every one now perceives the happy consequences of sir Robert's bold and gallant resolution to main- tain this country till the last, though at the time at which it was taken (the period of alarm and dan- ger,) it was considered the height of temerity. To his devotion to the cause, may, in some degree, be attributed the backwardness of the French in their 48 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. proceedings ao-ainst Portiioal. They have been CHAP. I * no o J ^^•'ff^-w^^"^ confined to the walls of Salamanca, instead of 1809. January. ravaging the country, and entering Portugal on its brave cowhici wcak sidc. Had tliey pushed forward to Almeida, of tlie Liisi- taniw legion, and theucc to Porto, Roniana must have l>een cut oif, and all the forces on this side the Douro ; but Portugal is now defended on all sides, and the enemy checked in his attempts on Cuesta, by the position sir R. Wilson had just moved to in the Sierra Francia. A few days march may carry a British army to Madrid, for the heart of the country is open to us. Several couriers and mails hav€ been intercepted, with important and curious de- spatches, letters, &c. Sir Robert has addressed a proclamation to all the foreigners in the French army, (of whom the proportion is one half in Spain,) inviting them to quit the standard of the tyrant and oppressor of their respective nations, promising gratuities and a safe asylum to those who adopt that resolution. Above fifty came over directly, and assured us that a battalion of 700 would follow in a body the next week. It should appear that the enemy's force in Spain does not amount to a third of what the alarmists have created, and their apprehensions of being overwhelmed are continual. All their preparations have retreat in view. On the appearance of a re- UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 49 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. 1809. spectable British force, these ideas will be soon ma- nifested, and Spain once again be free. The marquis Romana had the intention of uniting January. himself with sir Robert's corps immediately ; but it is no\v reported, from the late favourable ap- pearance in Gallicia, it will not take place. Whatever may have been the cause of the sub- sequent fate of this corps, nothing can be more certain than that it effected a diversion of great im- portance to the Spanish armies, prevented the junc- tion of a powerful force of the enemy, and even for a time protected the frontier of Portugal in a man- ner almost incredible. And this, too, at a time when apprehensions in respect to the enemy were so well founded, that sir .John Cradock took the precaution of embarking the heavy baggage of the army, dismantling even the batteries of Lisbon, and making the dispositions necessary to the evacuation of Portugal* * Sudden as this resolution may appear in addition to other evidence, it will be seen from the following document, included among the papers. presented to. parliament ; that it was anticipated bj tho.se who had the control of the campaign, when a minister was ordered to that point to which it was probable the British force might be successfully directed; ,,. ^ V iscount Las- o- tlereaoh to col. ^'^* sir G.^ Smith, Under the revenses the Spaniards have sustained, and Doj^mng-Street * 18th Decern, 1808. VOL. IV. E «56 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGALj BOOK rv. CHAP. I. His majesty's ministers, watchful of the success ^^_^^ of this mode of ascertaining the vaUie and steadiness January. q^ ^\^^ Portugucse troops, notwithstanding the dis- heartening picture afforde<l hy sir John Moore, in his artswer to the inquiry made of him with respect Appominieiitof ^o ^hc probabifity of creating a Portuguese force,* gen. esior . ^^^^^^ j^^ March, major-general Bcresford to Lisbon, "^ with more British officers, arms, and appointments, the position the enemy now occupies at Madrid, I consider It o^ much importance to have a confidential officer stationed at Cadiz, who knows tlie leading individuals, and can keep our naval and military officers in that quarter informed of the events that are passing in that important place. With this view, I am desirous, if your health will permit of it, that you should immediately pro- ceed in the vessel which carries this letter to Cadiz. Your own sagacity and experience render it unnecessary for me to furnish you with detailed circumstances for the direction of your conduct. You will watch the events that are passing, and keep sir J. Cradock and sir J, Moore informed of them. Mr. DufF will assist you in explaining to him the object of your mission, as far as his means will enable him. You will feel the delicacy of avoiding any step which might excite jealousy or alarm ; but if such a crisis should be approaching as may make the Spaniards desirous of receiving Cither naval or military aid from us for the security of Cadiz, you will lose no time in forwarding any requisition they may be dis- posed to make to the Tagus. Proper directions should be given to the naval and military commanders, to furnish every possible aid in tlieir power, should it become necessary. I have, &c. (Signed) Castlf.reacu, • See Book II. chap, v, ii)\. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 51 for thereor2:anization of the whole Portu2:uese arm v. ^ ^ ^ ^ i''-^- O O „ C H A P . I . General Beresford received his appointment under ^^^"""XT^ the prince regent of Portugal, with the rank of Jjiuuary. field-marshal. Events, in which the Lusitanian legion cannot hut be allowed the most prominent share; con- tinuing to warrant a spirited support of the war ia tlie peninsula ; in the beginning of April, landed at Lisbon, major-general Hill, with 6,000 British troops, which entirely altered the military face of affairs ; this, however, was but the prelude to uni- versal spirit, and the most animated expressions of joy, which announced the arrival of sir Arthur Wellesley, (afterwards lord Wellington,) on the 22d of the same month, appointed marshal-general of the Portuguese troops, by the prince regent of Portugal. Of the exertions made on the part of Spain, whatever the hapless nature of their results, the second siege and capitulation (for such it must be called,) of Saragossa, will naturally form the most leading feature. Saragossa capitulated on the 19th of February, I8O9, after a defence the most glorious and ob- stinate which occurs in modern military history. Don Pedro Maria Ric, regent of the royal au- e2? 52 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP I. dience of Arragon, in an exposition, dated Fonz,* ^„^,^ the4tli of June, has given a memoir, M'hich with 1809. ^^ January. ^jj^^j ^'^,. y,y\^\c\\ this woik has becH indebted to Siege and ca- pituiatiunoiSa- ]\J r. Vaughan,f form memoirs quite worthy' of. ragossa. the subject. J On the lOtii of January, the French began to bombard Saragossa, w itli such fury, that tlie bravest and most intrepid men concurred in the necessity of taking precautions, and even the clergy suspended the administration of the sacra- ments. By this may easily be conceived the im- practicability which the audience experienced of continuing its functions, since there were neither plaintiffs nor defendants, nor subordinate officers of the court, who had courage to remain there during the term of audience; and at last the members themselves were afraid, because the building beingcontiguous to that occupied by the general, occasioned the enemy to direct his fire principally to that quarter; and so many bombs and grenades fell that ultimately they consumed that precious monument of antiquity with what- ever it contained, except the registers and papers, * A town in Arragon. -J Sec Book II. c. ii. 78. + The origin of lliis account was first published in a weekly patriotic publication at Seville, (Seemamrio Pniriotico) and of a' correct translation, of which the English reader ii indebted to- the liberal and intelligent Mr. Kuj, of the Post-Oflice. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 53 which were in the offices, and which were all ^^„^J^j^^" tliat could he saved, notwithstanding tlie most """^^^^^^ efficacious measures. January. Siege au(i capi- Of Sarao'ossa, attacked so vlirorouslv, and con- tuiatiouotsura- stantly !)omharded for forty-two days, oppressed hy disease, and exhausted hy famine ; the fall was inevitahle, especially without succours from any quarter. Saragossa had almost exceeded the limits of pos- sibility by her unwearied fidelity and love to her sovereign ; and affairs had reached such a deplo- rable crisis, that, as early as the 1st of February, persons, says Don Ric, of accredited honour and loyalty came to suggest to me the necessity of capitulating, in order that I should represent it to the captain-general ; and, doubtless, according to military rules, the city might, and ought to have, surrendered several days before; since, be- sides possessing nothing of a fortitied town but the name, and even that only in the report of strangers, the batteries, which liad been construc- ted, M'erc demolishefl, and there were not only open breaches, but the enemy was already among us, occupying various points within the city. But to surrender, when our cause was so just and neces- sary, appeared so hartl, that I improved the charge which the general had given me of rousing the people, and even availed myself of some of those •^■i CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND POIITUGAL, '^^■Z^.i^'' ^^^^^ ^^^^'^ inclined to cajDitulate, for carrying into isoT""^ effect the measures I judged proper, according to January. |.]^p knowlcdo'c I posscssccl of that pcoplc, which Siege and OHpi- , tuiaiioaoiSara- knowiediic also atfordcd me many ideas whicli I proposed, and were adopted by the general with so good an effect, that, in spite of impossibility, the city held out till destitute of all resource. The captain - general, being himself attacked by the cpidemy, transferred all his authority, and civil and military powers, to a supreme junta of govern- ment, which he formed in the night between the 18th and 19th of Pebruary, naming me president of it. I immediately summoned all its members, and tbey began their functions at one o'clock in the mornino'. o Nobody was ignorant of the lamentable deso- lation of the city ; all called for a capitulation; and although the junta saw and thought the same, it ^Endeavoured to see if it was possible to save it, and, in duty to the king our sovereign, to accom- plish the services it desired ; but, on investigating the real state of affairs, there was not a heart ca- pable of sustaining so deplorable a situation. The chiefs of the army were called for, to give their opinions verbally, and in writing; the major-ge- neral of cavalry represented the impracticability of further defence, there remaining only sixty-two weak and unserxiceable horses, the rest havinx UNDER SIR JOHN F. CJIADOCK. 55 died of hunger; the major- general of infantry book iv. presented a statement of the army, by whicli it "^-^^/^^ - ' •^ 1809. appeared tiiere were only two tliousand and eiglit January. 1111 /• r» • m^ Siege and capj nundred and twenty-two men fit tor service. The tuiationofSai--- gossa, commandant of artillery urged the surrender, on account of tlie ammunition being nearly exhaust- ed, and not having any more than was manufac- ♦tured in the inquisition, which manufacture would vanish the moment a bomb or grenade fell there. The commandant of engineers reporte/l the forti- fications unserviceable, and the means of repairino* them wanting, as there were neither men nor ma- terials, and all the cloth which could serve for bags of earth was consumed.* All these chiefs not orrly gave their opinion for the surrender of the place, but held the junta re- sponsible to God and the king for the many lives which were every moment sacrificed, as it was mo- rally impossible to save the city, whose surrender would not prevent it from returning to the domi- nion of its legitimate sovereign, if the nation tri- umphed over him who so unjustly oppressed it. The junta, appalled by so melancholy a repre- sentation, wished to hear the opinion of lieutenant- general Don Philip San Marc, ^v'ho was one of its members. This worthy general had so signally * See ante, Mr. Vaughan's Narrative;, p. 12. 56 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAlN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. I. 1809. t gobsa, manifested his loyalty, valour, and niilitaiy talents, tliat bis vote could not fail to satisfy the general- january. jn-chief, t^]e junta, and all the people, since all Siege and capi- uiptionofsara- wci'c witncsscs of thosc estimable qualities; and I should be deficient in my duty if I did not declare, that, in m}' opinion, many and great rewards are necessary to recompense the extraordinary merits of Don Philip San Marc* This discreet and brave general stated ingenu- ousl}', that if the enemy made a general attack, as was to be feared from the preparations which were observable, the utter ruin of Saragossa was inevitable, together with all that accumulation of horror and calamity consequent on the fury with which the French troops treat every town they conquer, and which would be greater in that city, on account of the wrathful hatred with which it was viewed by them, their chiefs, and their em- peror ; but that, if the attacks were partial, like those they repeatedly made every day, the city might hold out for two, or four days at most, pro- vided that more people were furnished for defence, and for the works ; it being understood that this defence was to be attempted only in case of there being well-founded expectations of speedy relief, * Alas ! these are moments when the merit of dying for one's country, with the sentiments whicli ought to impress every mili- tary man, must form one's chief reward. gosba. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 57 Since otherwise it would be hiohly reprehensible to book iv. ~ "^ •• CHAP. r. sacrifice so many persons as j^erished daily ; the ^^—"^v-^i-^ surrender of the city being unavoidable within the January. Skge and capi- short term mentioned. tuiationofSara^ In order to proceed with due knowledge, the duke of Viliahermosa went to inquire of the ge- neral what intelligence he had respecting succours, and as he was so seiiously ill that he could give no account of any thing, they demanded of the secre- tary the letters and documents he might have on that subject, who transmitted an enigmatical scrap of paper, necessity so requiring it, as it had had to pass through the enemy's line : it appeared to be from the Conde de Montijo : in it he informed the general that himself and the duke del Infantado wished to come to the relief of Saragossa, but that the central junta had ordered that '' the Swiss should go,"* and they were to fall upon Madrid. By the Swiss, the junta understood Don Theodore Reding; and, although the fame of this brave ge- neral was sufficient to encourage it, it could not rely much on his assistance, because, being in Ca- talonia, be had to cross the Ebro, which was more * This designation, it may, in passing, be observed, (though it were to have been wished some other mode of writing in ci- pher had been used amongst the naturally fertile resources of military men,) was characteristic of the state of Spanish poli- tics at the time. 05 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIX AND PORTUCAL, BOOK IV. ^\^r^^^ difficult, on account of the enemy liavin^- ^'^'^^^y^^'^ possessed himself of the suburb,* thereby prevent- jiuiuHry, ■ |-]^g passai>e ovTr the Stone Bridiiie. Another .-.lege and capi- O I o o tuiaiioii of Sara- l^.l^^Y was scnt by the secretary, which was from gossa. -J -J ' Don Francisco Palafox to his brother the general of Arragon : that zealous representative manifested, in the most striking manner, how many and great exertions he had in vain made to collect troops, and that, destitute of the resources he wished for, he was then at Tortosa assembling the peasantry and some troops of the ganisons on the coast, which h-e designed to reinforce with some gun- boats that were to ascend the Ebro. These papers were of a very anterior date ; and, all circumstances considered, induced the belief that the nation had suifcred misfortunes in common with Saragossa, which prevented it from affording relief. It was known that the brav€ and intrepid Perena had collected a body of peasantry, but it it was thought to be certain that they had been defeated, as the French general had stated in his last summons ; and besides, it was not likely that a lx)dy of inexperienced peasants, in want of arms and annnunition, could encounter so formidable an army as that which besieged Saragossa. While the junta was deliberating on the part it * Vide Mr. Vdiighan'i Narrative, p. I. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK, 59 ought to take, the enemy renewed the bombard- ^^^^f;^^^' ment in a tremendous manner : no one beheved ^"'"'T^^C!''*^ that tlie citv could or ought to hold out any January. Siege and capi- lon^er: but to all it was distressing to abandon a tuiationofSa^a- treasure like Saragossa, which had acquired the es- teem of all Spain, and even of all Europe '. Of thirty-four members, who composed the juntj^, only eight were of opinion with me that the city should be maintained ; not because the grounds on which the others voted were unknown, but with the desperate resolution of braving the last danger, in the hope that it was within the bounds of possi- bility that some relief might arrive. It was at length agreed to acquaint the general ^\^th the de- })lorable state of the city, in order that lie should send a flag of truce to the French general, request- ing a suspension of liostilities for three days, which he did, assigning for his object, the sending of- ficers to ascertain the situation and condition of our armies, and to treat for tlie surrender of the place, according to the intelligence they might bring.* This mode had been proposed by marshal Lannes himself, in the above-named summons, notwithstanding which, he replied that it oJJ'oukd '■' This is entirely to be attributed to the unacquaintancc,. prac- tically, of those who proposed the mode, not to the Spanish ge- neral. 60 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN' AND PORTUGAL, ^?„??/^' him e.vceedin<ylii, and vented several threats against CHAP* I C? o^ ' Cj '^•^"^^^Jip*^ the city, unless it surrendered immediately — our January. f|jjg retumcd witli a second letter, in which he was Siege and capl- *~ tuiationofSara- reminded that the proposal came from himself, and gosia. * was invented hy the French, who practised in one of the towns of Portugal — to this he- gave no other reply than a shower of grenades, hombs, and shot; and, at a favourable time, ordered his troops to make the attack in several places in a manner that was irresistible.* We lost that evening the quarter of the Tanneries, and a part of the Strand leading to the Stone Bridge, and the Puerta-del-Angel, which point, if in possession of the enemy, fa- cilitated to him the massacre of the inhabitants, without having recourse to mines and explosions, of which he had made use, ever since, mixed with our troops. The acquisition of each house had cost liini a struggle. That same evening we had the misfortune to have four cannon spiked, which were in the battery of the wooden bridges; and, notwith- standing this was supposed to be treaclierously done, it could not be ascertained, circumstances not affording the opportunity for investigation. General San Marc, knowing the small number of men that remained for the defence of the city, recjuested of me only two liundred for the points • Nothing could be more natural or proper in a military vie\v. UNDER Sill JOHN F. CRADOCK. 6l attacked: I immediately took measures, which, bookiv. ' '' CHAP. I. at another time, woukl have produced a thousand ^w^-v-'*^-^ armed peasants within a quarter of an hour, since, January. I'll- ^ 1 1 1 1^ A*' 1 ^^^?,^ ^^^ capi- besides, havmg that same day charged Don Miguel tuiationofSara- gossa, Marraco, beneficed priest of Pdar, and commis- sioned by the general with the organization of the peasantry, to form a reserve of a thousand armed men, and another thousand for the works, I sent liim an impressive note, capable of inflaming the most lukewarm ; a similar one I addressed to Don Mariano Cerezo, an honourable citizen, who, from the commencement of the war, had known how to improve his influence with the people ; a third I sent to a priest named Laborde, who, a short time previously, had united with several ecclesiastics and friars, for the purpose of training anil encou- raging the peasants; I likewise ordered tlie gen6- rale to be beaten, in the new Tower, and profiting by a favourable moment when the enemy was driven by the bayonet from tlie Convent del Se- pulchre, directed the public crier to run through the streets, proclaiming that we contended sug- cessfully ; and, by the sound of thetrumpetjCalling on the people to complete, the, victory! This ended, general San Marc came to inform nit. that seventeen men only had joined him, which clearly shewed the diminution of inhabitants ; and, indeed, the few w4io remained alive were either gUSM. 62 CAMPATGKS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. ^•^^.K Q^, atteiKlins2r those that were attacked by the CHAP. I. ' O •/ ^^-'"■"■v-"*'^ disorder. Never were tlie reports from the vari- 1809. '■ January. Q^g coiiinKUiders SO melaiicholy as on that day ; Sic-^e and c-api- i • t r- i • m i ^ i tuiationof^ura- oiie complaiiied or being cut oil; another that the enemy were about to do so ; another that they had undermined him, and m the same manner the others ; all called for troops, ammunition, and la- bourers, at a time when all were wanting ; in short, the painful moment arrived when every one was Convinced of the necessity of surrendering, since the contrary, so far from benefiting the city, gave greater advantages to the enemy in the effects he would have made himself master of by entering with fire and sword. The junta despatched a flag of truce to marshal Lannes, requesting a suspension of hostilities for twenty-four hours, to negotiate the capitulation, and, at the same time, ordered the almoners of each parish to acquaint their parishioners with the state of the city, and to transmit to the junta the opinion they formed in consequence. In this si- tuation of affairs, a French officer, said to be com- mandant of the besieging-artillery, was brought to me, who informed me that his general, in conse- quence of the flag of truce, had determined that the junta should wait upon him within two hours. I instantly ordered it to assemble; nufl, as all the members could not be collected with that prom|>- BOOK IV. CHAP. I. 1809. UN£)ER SIR JOilN F. CRADOCK. 63 titude which the French ofticer desired, (who as- sured me that, after tlie time was expired, the ge- neral woukl not listen to us,) I resolved to proceed J*""'^;^' . ^ Siege and oapi- with some of those who had met, leaving three or tuiation ot Sara- gosaa. four to acquaint the others with the result of the tlag of truce, and to take such measures as cir- cumstances might require. The firing continued with vigour on both sides, and it seemed expedient to take a trumpeter with us to announce the parley ; hut, notwithstanding this, the enemy's hattery at Trinitarios discharged a royal grenade at me and my companions ; which violation of the rights of men, I directly remon- strated against, refusing to proceed further, unless assurance was given that the laws of war should be observed ; an ai<l-de-camp of the French ge- neral, who, a little while before, had come to an- nounce that the junta was to repair to the Casa Blanca,* and not to the suburb, whither it had been ordered, was immediately despatched, who gave directions that the junta should be respected; and, for greater security, brought an escort of in- fantry to conduct it to the presence of marshal Lannes. The marshal was surrounded by general of- * The Casa Blanca is a large " white house/' situated near the end of the canal of Arragon, between two and three imle* from Saragossa. ^4< CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ficcis, and various persons of inferior rank : he re- 1809 ceived the junta with extraordinary gravity, and, January, ^ftcr tlic usual formahtics on both sides, took some Siege and capi- tulation of Sara- turns about the room, treatina: it with the QTcat- gossa. _ ' & o est indifference, and even contempt.* At length, addressing himself to me as presi- dent, he began to reprove Saragossa with much severity, enlarging on the little consideration it deserved, especially for not having credited his assertion when he summoned it to surrender. I cut him short, by saying, that he disquieted himself to no purpose, because the junta had com- menced its sessions only on the preceding day, and could not be responsible for what was not under its direction : that to have surrendered, with- out ascertaining the necessity of it, would have been a madness w4iich the marshal himself ought to consider as such, but that, informed of the real state of affairs, and bearing in mind that summons of which he made so much merit, it liad consi- dered of a capitulation, for which purpose the. letter he stated to have given so much offence, had been sent by the captain-general : that this liad been repeated, at the same time acquainting him * This is given literally for the purpose of staling how con- temptible is a conduct of this kind, in any of the relations of military service whatever, when compared with that practised by Don Ric, in opposition to this miserable French genera!. 65 B 0 0 K IV. CHAP. IV. 1809. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. with the reasons for demanding a suspension of hostilities, and that some of our officers might go out to investigate the state of the nation : which, January. _ ^ Siege and capi- not having merited a reply from him, the junta miationotsara- had of itself despatched a third flag, requesting a ° ■suspension for twenty-four hours, "vrhich term was necessary for ascertaining the will of the people, to whom it was accountable ; because Saragossa, which had so eminently distinguished itself in the mode of carrying on the war, ought also to distin- guish itself in the mode of capitulating ; since, among all the places conquered by the Frencli, none had been found possessing the honour, sin- cerity, and good faith, of Saragossa ; and that, acting on these principles, it w^as my duty to re- present that I brought neither powers nor instruc- tions, nor did I yet know the will of the people, but that I supposed they would accept a capitula- tion, if it was reasonable, and becoming the he- roism with which the city had defended itself.* This discourse, it appears, disarmed the mar- shal ; since, laying aside the bitter reproaches he had used, he said that the women and children should be respected, and that the negotiation was concluded. But, I replied, it was not yet begun ; * Allhougli of a pristine aimplicity, it is scarcely possible not to admire the manner in which this excellent patriot endeavoured to oui-diphmaiize the subtle French officer. VOL. IV. F 66 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAtN AND PORTUGAL, BOO K IV CHAP. I. 1809. because that was surrendering at discretion, which was very far fioni the intentions of Saragossa; and January. j£- ^jjg niarshal insisted on that idea, he might fol- Siege and capi- tulation otSara^ low Up his attacks on the city, whither I should gossa. "^ return with my companions, and continue to de- fend ourselves, since there were yet arms, ammu- nition, and daggers ; and, as the fortune of war was precarious, it ^\'ould finally be seen for whom victory declared. He then called his secretary, and dictated the preamble of the capitulation, and some of the ar- ticles ; which, when read, I proposed an addition to be made to the first, stipulating that the garri- son should, as became it, march out with military honours, to be stated by the major-general of in- fantry, whom I had taken with me for that pur- pose. Lannes would not consent to the article be- ing expressed in any other terms than those he had prescribed ; but promised, on his word of ho- nour, that the garrison should not only march out witli military honours, but that the othcers should retain their baggage, and the soldiers their knap- sacks. I also proposed the articles respecting re- ligion and the laws, which were granted, though not with the sj)ecification suggested relative to the privileges of this kingdom. I likewise proposed another article, by which liberty should be guaranteed to general Don Jo- UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 67 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. 1809. seph Palafox, to go wherever lie pleased with all his staff; the marshal replied that a particular in- dividual never was the subject of capitulation, but January. . _ Siege and capi- that he pledged his word of honour, general Pa- tuiationofSara- '^ gossa. lafox should go wherever he wished, to Mallen, to Toledo, — and on my saying these places would not suit him, on account of being occupied by French troops, whose presence could not be agreeable, and, moreover, that I had understood he thought of proceeding to Majorca ; Lannes gave his word of honour that he should go to whatever place was convenient to him. On the same security he offered to give a pass- port for myself, and as many as wished to leave Saragossa, in order to avoid the contagion ; ad» ding, that the article I proposed on this head was U7inecessary^ as he was desirous of terminating the capitulation, and that all who wished if might go out. Whilst two copies of the capitulation were drawing up, Lannes produced a topographical plan of Saragossa, pointing out the part which would have been blown up that night, for which purpose 44,000 lbs. of powder were already lodged;* this • The subterraneous war, and the horrible effects of the mines, intluced Saragossa to surrender : not the 21,000 borabs and grenades, which fell in the city, says the editor ; b'.i: the 68 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. I. January. Siege and capi- tulation of Sara- gossa, was to be followed by a bombardment from thirty 18097*' mortars and se\enty pieces of cannon, which at that time they were mounting in the suburb ; (it was in fact known, that a number of batteries and embrasures had been constructed in that quarter.) Immediately he changed his discourse, and de- ^scanted on tlie benefits lavished by the emperor and liis brother Joseph, whose speech, in reply to that of the auxiliary bisliop of INIadrid, he read. No- thing could be said against the account he gave of (heir conquests and victories, because the siege hav- ing been so rigorous, nothing was known of what occurred out of Saragossa. He then held out a parcel of papers, which appeared to be French journals, but 7iot one of the junta took or et'e?i noticed them. Duplicates of the capitulation be- ing signed, I withdrew with my companions, car- rying a copy to lay before the other members of the junta, who accepted, ratified, and signed it, assured of the wish of the citv.* soldier will conceive the possession of Uic plan, and the means ot operation sufficient, * Unfortunate city ! adds the worthy judge ; — scarcely did it contain, in the middle of February, 4000 men capable of bear- ing arms: the sick exceeded 14,000, others were convalescent; the rest had died by the explosions or the destructive contagion which devoured the inhabitants and garrison, and which origin Slated in^ or was increased by, the want of beds, of clothing, and UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 69 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. January. Siege and capi- tulation of Sara- "ossa. The junta resolved that I should try if tlic French general would grant some additions they '"^'^ considered necessary, which were a statement in the capitulation of the honours of war, v/hich, on his word, he had promised to the garrison ; since, otherwise, they would not be mentioned in the gazettes, v/here the written capitulation only ap- pears. It was also required that the peasants, who had been compelled to take arms, in order to form temporary corps, should not be prisoners of war, since they ought not to be considered as regular soldiers, and, besides, would be a severe loss to manufactures and agriculture. Lastly, on the petition of the clergy, an addi- tional article was solicited, stipulating the punctual payment of their revenues from the funds assigned by the government ; which, to the junta, appeared very {)roper, as, without it, the clergy would be re- duced to incHgence ; and as, in fact, they have been, not receiving any dues except those arising from funerals. But hardly had I begun my proposals, in terms which neither could or ought to have oifended any one, when marshal Lannes flew into a violent rage, and snatching the paper from me, threw it behind of food, m which condition the soldier saw himself from the commencement of the siege. 70 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, him into the fire, of which action it appears one of ^g^^ his generals was ashamed, since he stooped to res- January. ^,^^^ jj- ^^om tllC flamCS.*' Siege and capi- Lanncs stronelv insisted on the prompt surren- tulation of Sara- . . . gossa, (ler of the city; and I, with the rest of the junta, returned to it, after having requested, that, as the capitulation had been ratified, the corresponding copy should be delivered to us, which was done. It seems that they M'ell knew our honour and magnanimity ; for, before the surrender took place, several French officers and soldiers entered in search of wine, and to walk about the city, and were re- ceived in a manner answerable to the capitulation, in the expectation that they would on their part observe it as they ought ; but, so far from that, they began that night the most atrocious pillage ima- ginable, continuing it with such effrontery, that the day following they robbed publicly, and without the least reserve il their licentiousness went still * In the whole compass of antient or modern history, there is not a fact more simple or illustrative than this in a military or political view. t In respect to the garrison, an order was communicated on the 22d, by general Frere, for all the officers to quit Saragossa within twenty-four hours, under pain of being shot if they re- mained after that time ; this was obeyed by those who were still there ; uniting themselves to the column of the other prisoners of the garrison, which amounted to about 2300 men, aud was es- corted by a French regiment under the command of general UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 71 further, since the governor, whom they had placed ^ook iv. in Saragossa, having ordered the metropolitan chap- ^^^.^^^ ter, prelates, curates, &c. to go and compliment January, , I'l n • ^ n r ii Sieee and capi- tne marshal, which was faithfully performed; the tuiationoiswa- gossa. most painfully-cruel violations followed : the curate of San Lorenzo, was rohhed of his gown, in the Plaza del Carmen, a friar of his hood, and another priest of his cape, tearing from him even his shoes. I ceased not from making repeated and strong re- monstrances ; but either I received no answer, or was told that the evil was unavoidable, because the troops had to indemnify themselves for the plunder they looked upon as certain, and which they would hav'e had the next day ; but in my opinion, and that of many others, they stole, particularly mules, in concert with the French generals : since redress could not be obtained, notwithstanding that many times restitution of the mules was demanded before the completion of the robbery ; and a Frenchman, from whom they had stolen twelve, succeeded, on account of being a Frenchman, in getting tlicni re- stored ; but with the hint that one of them was adapted for the coach of the general-in-chief, to whom he had to present it. They took possession Morlot; marching over 270 dead bodies of the prisoners taken in the suburb on the 18th, whom the barbarians had immolated, because fatigue and weakness prevented tho^c unfortunate men from keeping up with their rapid march. 72 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, "^^iiA?!^^' of the public funds, plundered the magazines even ^^-*'^|^jj^^^ of the army, and introduced into the city confusion January. ^^^\ cijsorder, at the same time that they wished to Siege and capi- tulation of Sara- be treated with kindness and attention. gossa. They demanded of me* 50,000 pair of shoes, 8,000 pair of boots, and 1,200 shirts, the whole new ; a large quantity of medicines, with every re- quisite for a hospital ; an service of china for general Junot, and that a tennis-court should be fitted up where he might play. Several officers demanded table-equipage and linen ; even curtains, pens, . paper, &c. &c. there not being a single article which they did not exact, with injunctions that it might be good and abundant, and, above all, at the ex- pense of the unhappy Spaniards. It may easily be inferred how much 1 had to dis- pute and suffer, in order to avoid these exorbitant demands, which would for ever have completed the ruin of Saragossa, and of this unfortunate kingdom. I contended with firmness against maintaining the chiefs of the French army, who so eagerly wished to support their pompous titles at the cost of others, till, after several debates, they tlireatrned me with sending in a squadron of hussars, to w hich I re- • These details are not copied here citlicr in a military or po- litical view, but that it may be seen how highly superior is an English command on ?uch an occasion. UXDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 73 plied that well they might, since the gates of the ^^^fj^' city were demolished and in their power; but, that ^"^'^T*^ the nation would avenge the outrage, and from JaHuary. 1 1 111 r r S'*"g^ ^'"^ capi- tnat moment they would not advance a root or tuiationofSara- ground without first moistening it with French blood. A member of the junta, who ought to have shuddered at the discourse, had the weakness to promise that the junta should take upon itself the expense from the following day. How it con- trived to bear such enormous profusion I know not, because I returned to my house, as I designed, from the day of the capitulation, lliere demanding the liberty of going where I pleased, as has been said ; and having moreover determined to resign my em- ployments, I had the satisfaction of obtaining my wishes, the French having reinstated, in the post of regent, my predecessor.* restoring me to that of '* Don Joseph de Villa y Torre, who was confirmed in the functions of regent of the audience, by a decree of Junot, dated the 26th of INIarch, and inserted in the Saragossa gazette of the 30th idem. On the same day, the 26di, this intrusive governor of the kingdom nominated don Mariano Dominguez, corregidor of Saragossa and its district, adding shortly afterwards the ap- pointment of commissary-general of police, the duties at^ pre- rogatives of which are specified in another decree of the 17lh of April ; in this he assigns for the expenses of the police the duty of one quarto on every pound of meat sold, and 16 reals on each lamp, in addition to the duties already appropriated to them. Thus did a French general, in the centre of a kingdom which they iuppose independent in the person of Joseph, alter and new-model gossa. -^"^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, auditor, and having officially renounced that also, ^gQ as they understood it, since all the members were January. summoued except myself.* Siege and capi- ' '' tuiarion of Sara- It would tire the attention too much to relate all that occurred respecting passports, and various other subjects, wherein the chiefs and others of the French army proved their meanness, their extrava- gant ideas, their avarice, bad faith, and, above all, their pride, which is their predominant vice, and in which they chiefly differ from the rest of mankind, each one appearing a Lucifer clothed in blue, and llie government ; by his own authority, imposed taxes ; in a |W)rd, excercised all the attributes of sovereignty, and loaded with new extortions the wretched inhabitants who occupied the ruins of Sa- ragossa. Junot left us yet another monument of his legislative talents, and of the mild administration with which he endeavoared to suppress the noble and patriotic efforts of the invincible Arra- gonesc. In a decree, inserted in the same gazette of the SOtli of March, he speaks thus, " The carrying of arms being wholly prohibited in the kingdom of Arragon, the inhabitants who shall be found with muskets or any fire-arms whatsoever will be con- sidered as brigands and assassins, and tried by a military commis- sion." The subsequent armaments of Arragon, and the glorious energy with which it still resists the French yoke, shew clearly how much attention those brave Spaniards have paid to the furious and barbarous threats of the Duke of Ahrantes. * Tlie members of the audience, who, having been out of Sara- gossa during the siege, voluntarily returned to that capital, called by the French governor, and who remain in it, having taken the oath of fidelity to Joseph Napoleon are Ruiz de Celada, Quintana, Pastoret, JMarch, and Rlcgo; according to the last official ac- counts.—£<i/<or. gossa. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK.. 75 covered with eagles, almost all of them being thus ^^jf^J"/^' dressed ; but I ouo-ht not to omit statinsr, that, not- '>«-*'-v-*»-' withstanding that word of honour given to our .Tanuary. general, don Joseph Palafox, he was immediately tuiJiionoiS^ri made a prisoner, surrounded by French, and desti- tute of necessary food; for although I remonstrated, both verbally and by writing, against such treat- ment, 1 could only obtain ver}' scanty relief, and soon afterwards he was carried towards France ; but they were obliged to return with him on account of the illness he laboured under, from which he had not recovered when they tore him away from the toun. It was said that they had put to death father Basi- lius de Santiago, who was his first master, and that the same fate befel Presbyter don Santiago Sass, for whom the general had a particular esteem, owing to the bravery w^ith which he had behaved during the war : the fact is, that the French took them by means of an alcaide mayor, (chief magis- trate,) and they have never been seen since. Although I have the satisfaction of having in great measure restrained French ferocity, by adopt- ing: means suited to circumstances, and the cha- racter of the people I had to deal with, 1 could not prevent the removal of the principal jewels belonging to our Lady of Pilar, which by order of the mar- shal were carried to the Casa Blanca, and returned again, with the specious pretext, that they wished to 76 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^??,^ }^' ^^ake an offering oC them to Ma7ia Santissima, and to worship her with the greatest splendour, es- pecially on the day of the marshal's entry; but, Siege and capi- tniationofSara- soon afterwards, the governor sent forme to wait gossa. _ upon him, accompanied by a member of the junta, who understood the French language : he did not explain the object of this order, nor could I go, on account of being ill, but the member of the junta having gone, he told him that it was necessary to make a present to the principal officers of the army, intimating the sum or value of about eighty thou- sand dollars, for the commander-in-chief, and in the same proportion for the rest. This shock was terrible to a town like Saragossa, particularly at a time when all was misery, deso- lation, and wretchedness ; the metropoHtan chapter continuing its great services in favour of the king and the people, and desirous of ransoming these from farther troubles at the expense of any sacrifice whatsoever, afforded the means of surmounting the diflficulty, by bestowing the jewels that might be requisite, from our Lady of Pilar, which in every respect were considered as very insecure from French rapacity ; some members of the said chap- ter and of the junta conveyed the resolution to me, and I hiid to carry into effect the measures agreed to by them ; but not one of the French ge- nerals accepted the jewel assigned him ; and the UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 77 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. affair terminated in ordering me to remain in my house, and that one member only of the junta should o-o with the jewels to the French governor, „. January, ty J o ' ijiege and c where a commissuy, who occasionally acted as in- *"'^^o" of Sara tendant,met him ; and, taking the jewels, proceeded with the member to the church of Pilar, to carry- away the remainder, marshal Lannes, as was re- ported, retaining the whole. The two or three times that I waited on tbc marshal, in order to tender the resionation of mv employments, and treat of public concerns, I was never received; and it seems that on the day of his entry into Saragossa, he did not wish even to hear me, notwithstanding the attachment Mhicli the French have for harangues, since the above- mentioned commissary informed me, before-hand, that he would address the marshal in my name, so that I had not to speak a word^ Saragossa contended for sixty-two days, in the midst of the melancholy events which internally oppressed her ; exhibiting one of the most heroic examples that have ever been given by men. Not so with those who, against an open city, with na- tural and weak defences, employed subterraneous warfare, the last recourse for subduing a city, un- conquerable by other means. More than thirty thousand soldiers, the flower of our armies, one 78 CAMPAIGNS IX SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. hvmdred and sixty pieces of artillery, sixty tliou- '^-^^z'^*^ sand muskets, all was lost with Sarai^ossa; five 1809. January. Inuidred officcrs lie beneath those venerable rums. tubtioucisara- So many sacrifices, such enormoiafs losses of houses ^"^ and property, besides the lives of numberless in- habitants, which have left the streets of that august capital desert, delivered the southern provinces of Spain from the invasion of the enemy, and will ever cause the name of Saragossa to be pronounced with enthusiasm and aifection, by patriots of all ages and countries. Saragossa ! a name of terror, of shame, of re- proach, to that monster who thought himself om- nipotent I — A name of example to every town iii Spain. In thy ashes and ruins ; in thy stately edifices, shattered by bombs or blown up by mines; in thy streets, drenched with French blood; in thy cemeteries, which inclose as many heroes as dead bodies there ; — there, and not in the obsolete ac- counts of Sparta, of Athens, and of Rome, is where should in future be sought the sacred fire of liberty ; where should be cherished the flame of patriotism, and where the whole world should learn lessons of sacrifice, fidelity, and greatness. Thus fell Saragossa ! and thus did the French government announce the acquisition it had made. The bulletin confirms, in every material respect, UNDEK SIB JOHN F. CRADOCK. 79 BOOK IV. CHAP. I the preceding account ; and, if possible, goes far ther in exhibiting its own armies altogether in th( most disreputable point of view. Jaauarj. Paris, Mh March, 1 8O9. Saragossa has surrendered! the calamities which buiietinofthe have befallen this unhappy town are a terrifying *^""^ "^ ^'^"' example to the people. The peace which has been restored in Saragossa, extends to the whole of Arragon ; and the two armies which were around the town have been set at liberty. Saragossa was the centre of the insurrection of Spain ; it was in this town that the party was formed, which wished to call in a prince of the house of Austria to reign on the Tagus. The individuals of this party had partly inherited tliese notions, which were irre- coverably destroyed, from their ancestors during the war of the succession. The battle of Tudela was won on the 23d of No- vember; and, after the 27th, the French army was encamped at a small distance from Saragossa ; the people of this town were armed, the peasants of Arragon had repaired thither, and Saragossa con- tained fifty thousand men, formed into regiments of one thousand, and companies of one hundred; the general othcers and subalterns, consisted of monks. A body of ten thousand men, who had escaped from Tudela, had thrown themselves into • so •CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND POUTUGAI-, BOOK TV, CHAP. I. 1809. army of Spain. tlie town, which was furnished with provisions heaped up in innumerable magazines, and defended angary- ijy i-^yo hunched pieces of cannon. The image of buiie'tin ot the our Ladv of Pihir wrought miracles at the will of the monks, who, by such means, animated the zeal and preserved the confidence of the multitude. In the field, these fifty thousand men would not have withstood three regiments ; but, shut up in their town, and wrought upon by the leaders of parties, how could they escape the miseries which ignorance and fanaticism heap upon the heads of so many wretches? Every thing possible was done to en- lighten them, and bring them to reason. Im- mediately after the battle of Tudela, the belief entertained at Saragossa that Madrid held out, and that they might be relieved ; and that the armies at Somosierra, Guadarrama, Estiiemadura, Leon, and Catalonia, might furnish a pretext for the chiefs of the insurgents to keep alive the fana- ticism of the inhabitants. It was resolved not to surround the town, but to permit it to main- tain a communication with all Spain, in order that they might be informed of the annihilation of the Spanish armies, and of the circumstances which attended the entrance of the French into Madrid : but all this intelligence came to the ears of the ringleaders alone, and was unknown by the body of the people. The truth was not only concealed UNDER SIR ,10HN F. CRADOCK. 81 from them, but their courage was kept up by lies: ^^^^f ]J' at one time, the French had lost forty thousand ^"^^^J^^^**^ men before Madrid :— at another time, Romana had ^^.•'^''""^• entered France, and the French eai^les were com- French ' ^ bulletin ot the pclled to fly before the teirible leopard. This army of Spain. period, sacrificed to political ol^jects, in order to allow a multitude to come to reason, who were in-*" fatuated by fanaticism, and a terror inspired by their eniaged leaders, was not lost to the French army. The general of engineers, Lacoste, aid-dc camp of the emperor, and an officer of the greatest merit, collected, at Alagon, tlie materials and in- struments for mini no;, in order to carry on the subterraneous zvar^' which the emperor had com- manded. The general of division, Dedon, who commanded tlie artillery, collected a great quantity of mortars, bombs, and howitzers, of every calibre ; all these were brought from Pampeluna, seven days march from Saragossa. In the mean while, it was observed, that the enemy had availed himself of this delay, in order to fortify Monte Torrero, and • Though it were certainly not to be wished that the British mode of warfare should be changed to that which is here ex- hibited ; )etit is extremely desirable that these operations should enter more into contemplation of the British army than at present. In them it is deficient in an unaccountable degree when the numerous mines of this country are considered; similar to this is the defectiveness of our commissariat in a commercial nation. VOL. IV. « 82 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^Z?Af. !^' ^^^^^^ Strong posilions. On the 20tb of December, '^"^^^^^'^^ the division of Sachet droxe him from the heights January. of San Lambcrto, and from two outworks, which Thirty-third French werc within reach of the town. The division of bulktin of the anuyoi Spain, general Gazan, drove the enemy from the heights of San Gregorio, and, with the 21st regiment of light infantry, and the 100th regiment of the line, took the refloubts whicli were thrown up in the suburb, and defended the roads of Sueva ^nd Bar- celona. He also made himself master of a great laboratory, near Galliego, in which five hundred Swiss had entrenched themselves. On the same day the duke of Cornegliano made himself master of the works and position of Monte Torrero ; he took all tlie cannon, made a great number of prisoners, and did great injury to the enemy. The duke of Corneghano being sick, tlie duke of Abrau- tes came, at the beginning of January, and took command of the third division : he signalized his arrival by taking the monastery of San Josef, and pursued his advantages on the l6th of January, by taking the bridge of La Hueba, where his troops fixed themselves; the chief of battalion, Stahl, of the 14th regiment of the line, distinguished him- self in the attack on the monastery of San Josef, and the lieutenant, Victor tie Baffon, was first in the assault. -The circumvention of Saragossa was not yet resolved upon ; that was considered as in- UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 83 expedient; and a free communication was still left book rv. i ^ CHAP. I. open, in order that the insurs-ents mio-jit be in- *>«-''^v-'«^ formed of the defeat of the English, and their January. infamous flight out of Spain. It vv^as on the l6th French^ '"^ />, , ^„, ,. . . bulletin of the ot January that the English were driven mto the armyofSpam. sea at Corunna, and it was on the 26th that the operations before Saragossa were seriously begun. The duke of Montebello* arrived there on the 20th, in order to assume the command of the siege. As soon as lie was assured that the intelligence which was brought into the town had no effect, and that a few monks governed the minds of the people, he resolved to put an end to these indulgences ; fifty thousand peasants were collected on the left bank of the Ebio ; at Pardiguera, the duke of Treviso attacked them with three regiments, and, notwith- standing the fine position they possessed, the 64 th regiment routed them, and threw them into dis- order; the 10th regiment of hussars was on the plain to receive them, and a great number remained upon the field of battle* Nine pieces of cannon, and several standards, were the trophies of this victory. At the same time the duke of Monte- bello had sent the adjutant-commandant, Guesquet, to Zuera, in order to disperse an assemblage of in- surgents; this of^cer attacked four thousand of * Lannes. Cr Si ^■* CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. I, them with three battalions, overthrew them, and took four pieces of cannon, with their carriages and Iiorses. General Vattier was at the same time riurty-third French sent with tliree hundred infantry and two liundred bulletin of the '' army ot Spain, cavahj towards Valencia; he met five thousand insurgents at Alcaniz, compelled them, even in the town, to throw down their arms ; in their flight he killed six thousand men, and seiztid magazines, provisions, and arms ; among the latter were on« hundred English muskets. The adjutant-comman- dant. Carrion Nizos, conducted himself gloriously at the head of a column of infantry. Colonel Burthe, of the 4th regiment of hussars, and the chief of battalion, Camus, of the 28th regiment of light Infantry, distinguished themselves. These operations took place between the 20th and 26th of January. On the 26th, the town was seriously attacked, and the batteries were unmasked, and at noon on the 27th the breach was practicable in several places ; the troops were lodged in the mo- nastery of Santa Engracla. The division of Grandjean entered some thirty houses. The co- lonel Calolscki, and the : soldiers of the VVeixel, distinguished themselves : at the same moment the general of division, IMorlat, In an attack upon the left wing, made himself master of the whole fore- ground of the enemy's defence. Captain Guet- temar, at the head of the pioneers and thirty-six UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 85 grenadiers of the 44th regiment, had, with a rare intrepidity, ascended tlie breach. Mr. Babieski, * *" 1809. an officer of the Voltigeurs of the Weixel, a young January. 1 • 1 Thirtv-lhird man 17 years or age, and covered with seven French bulletin of the wounds, was tlie first who appeared upon the army of Spain. breach. Tlie cliicf of battahon, Lejeune, aid-de- camp to the prince of Neufchatel, distinguished himself, and received two slight wounds; tlie chief of battahon, Haxo, is also shgluly wounded and likewise distinguished himself. On the 30th, the monasteries of the Monique and the Greek Au- gustines were occupied. Sixty houses were pos- sessed by undermining. The miners of tlie 14th regiment distinguislied tliemselves. On the 1st of February, general Lacosta received a ball, and died in the field of honour ; he was a brave and dis- tinguished officer ; he has been lamented b}- the whole army, but more especially by the emperor. Colonel Regniat succeeded him in the command of the engineers, and in the management of the siege. The enemy defended every house : three attacks were made by mines, and every day several houses were blown up, and afforded the troops an oppor- tunity of stationing themselves in other houses. Thus we proceeded to the Cozo, (a great street nearh' in the centre of Saragossa) where we made our- selves Blasters of the buildings, of the public school and university. 'J1ie enemy endeavoured to op- 86 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. pQgg miners to miners : but, less used to this sort of CHAP. I. * ' ' ^—"'^v"''*'^ operation, their miners were every day discovered January. ^ud suffocated. This mode of besieoins; rendered Thirty-third . . French its progress slow, but sure and less destructive to bulletin of the /-> • i army of Spain, tlic amiy. While three companies of miners and St'ent"orTub^ eio-^if companies of sappers carried on this subter- iations oTthr* I'aneous War, the consequences of which were so French army, (^^eadful, the firc Oil the towu was kept up by mor- tars. Ten days after the attack had begun, the surrender of the town was anticipated ; the army had possessed itself of one third of the houses and fortified itself in them. The church which con- tained the image of our Lady of Pilar, which by so many miracles had promised to defend the town, was battered down by bombs and no longer in- habitable. The duke of ]\lontebello deemed it necessary to take possession of the left bank of the river, in order that his fire might reach the middle of the town. The general of division, Gazan, made himself master of the bridge by a sudden and impetuous attack on the morning of the 17th (February) ; a battery of fifty pieces was played oif at three o'clock in the afternoon ; a battalion of the SSth regiment attacked and took possession of a very large monastery, the walls of which were of brick, and from three to four feet thick. General Gazan then repaired with rapidity to the bridge, over v/hich the insurgents matie their retreat to the UNDER SIR JOHH F. CRAOOCK. 87 towti ; he killed a vast number, made four thousand ® J?^^^ ]^' prisoners, amongst whom were two generals, twelve '^'^'^''^j***^ colonels, nineteen lieutenant-colonels, and two January- Tliirt^'-third hundred and thirty officers. He also took thirty Frencii ^ "^ bullednofthe pieces of artillery. Nearly all the troops of the ^rmj of Spain. line in the town had beset this important part, which had been threatened since the 10th. At the same moment the duke of Abrantes entered the Cozo through the several covered ways, and by means of two small mines blew up the extensive buildings of the Schaals. After these events, ter- ror spread throughout the town ; the junta, in order to precure delay and obtain time to abate the terror of the inhabitants, sought a parley ; but their bad faith was known, and this artifice was useless. Thirty other houses were possessed by undermining or by mines. At length, on the 21st of Februar}' the whole town was possessed by our troops. Fif- teen thousand infantrv and two thousand cavalry laid dovv'n their arms at the gate of Portillo, and forty flags and one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon were delivered up. The insurgents lost twenty thousand men during the siege, tliirteen thousand were found in the hospitals ; five hun- dred died daily. The duke of Montebello would allow no capitu- lation to the towii of Saragossa. He only published the following provisions : 88 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK rv. CHAT- I. 1809. " The garrison shall, at noon, on the 21st lay clown their arms at the gate of Portillo, where they January. g]-,^|| yewcim prisoners of war. Those of the troops Thirty-third ^ ^ * French of thc line, who are willino; to take the oath to bulletin of the ^ '^ armyofspaiu King Joscph, may be allowed to enter into his service. In case this entrance shall not be per- mitted by the minister of war to King Joseph, they shall be prisoners of war, and sent to France. The worship of God shall be reverenced. All the ar- tillery and ammunition of every kind shall be de- livered up. All the arms shall be deposited at the doors of the different houses, and collected by the respective alcaides." The magazines of corn, rice, and fruit, which have been found in the town, are very considerable. The duke of JMontebello has nominated general Laval, governor of Saragossa. A deputation of the priesthood and different inhabitants has set out for Madrid. Palafox is dangerously ill ; he was the object of contempt of the whole hostile army, who accused him oj arrogance and meanness. He was never seen where there was any danger. The Conde de Fuentes, grandee of Spain, who had been arrested by the insurgents two months ago on his estates, was found in a dungeon of eight feet square, and released ; no idea can be formed of the miseries he had undergone. UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 89 If any thins: were wantins; to render this memoir ^^ook iv. •^ ~ i^ CHAP. I. or bulletin contemptible, nothina: could effect it, as ^-^^.-'^fc^ !■'!=> ' 1809. a powerful decree, more completely than this January. personal abuse of the brave Palafox. To abuse an enemy, is surely one of the last resources of meanness ; to resort to falsehood for the purpose, something, for which there is yet no expression in language. On the subiect of this slorious and important Gioriotradc *f ^ » crce on the iall example to the Spanish cause, it is impossible not ofSaragossa. to add the following worthy recognizance of the Body, executing the supreme authority of the state. Decree on the Surrender of Saragossa. '* Spaniards ! — The only boon which Saragossa implored of our unfortunate king, when at Vic« toria a mark of roval favour was, tendered, was that she should, among the Spanish cities, be the first sacrificed in his defence. You do not want, nor does Europe want, to recollect this generous incident, in order to add motives of interest and admiration in favour of that illustrious city. But when we behold the grand sacrifice actually ofi^ered upon the altars of loyalty and patriotism, the mind swells whilst it looks back upon the fearful 90 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAIv I. and sublime path of immortality and glory, which 1809 ^^^ ^^^" opening upon Saragossa. January. u ]\^j()j.g |.}^^j^ j-^y.^ nioHths of this most san^uin- Glorions de- cree on the fall arv and cvuel siege had passed away ; nearly all ol Saragossa. " o i j ^ j the edifices were destroyed, and the rest were un- dermined ; the living were exhausted, and pro- visions were consumed; more than 16,000 sick were struggling with a sharp and mortal disease, which hurried every day hundreds to the grave ; the garrison was reduced to less than a sixth part ; the general was dying of the contagion ; his se- cond, O'Neille, had already perished ; and St. Marc, upon whom the command next devolved, was also sick, and weakened by a fever. All these things were requisite, Spaniards, to make Sara- gossa yield to the rigour of fate, and suffer herself to be occupied by the enemy. The surrender took place on the 20th of last month, on the same con- ditions upon which the French have entered other towns, and M'hich have been kept as usual. It is thus the enemy was able to take possession of those glorious precincts, incumbered with pros- trate edifices and temples, ami peopled only by the dying and the dead, where every street, every ruin, every wall, every stone, seemed mutely to say to the beholder, Go and tell my king, that Sa- ragossa, faithful to her word, Iras sacrificed herself with joy, displaying her loyally ! UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 91 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. " A series of events, as mournful as they are notorious, frustrated all the exertions which were ^^^^ made to relieve the city ; but the imaginations of J'^u^r^- G lorious de- all the o^ood, fixed upon her lot, accompanied her cree on the fail ^ ' * '1 of Saragoisa. defenders in all their dangers, fought with them all their combats, compassionated their privations and labours, and attended them in all the terrible vi- cissitudes of their fortune ; and when at last the means failed them of continuing a resistance, which they had prolonged almost beyond belief, the intelligence of the disaster has so afflicted every heart, that, in the first moment of anguish, it seemed as if the torch of liberty were at once extinguislied, and the column of independance overthrown. " But, Spaniards, Saragossa is still standing, and lives in imitation and in example; she survives still in public spirit, which is ever imbibing lessons of valour and constancy from energies so heroic ; for who is the Spaniard, proud of that name, who would be less than the brave Saragosans, and not seal the proclaimed liberty of his country, and his promised fidelity to his king, at the cost of the same perils and the same labours? Let vile ego- tists, and men without courage, be alarmed at these, but not the other towns of Arragon, who are ready to imitate and deliver their capital — not the firm and loyal patriots who behold in that town 9^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGALj ^?H^^i!^' a- model to imitate, a vengeance to take, and the ^^^^^^^^ sole path of conquest. Forty thousand French- january. j^^g„^ ^^,|-,q j^^^g pcrlshed beforc the feeble walls Glorious de- cree on the fall whicli defended Saraoossa, cause France to deplore ot baragossa. "^ *^ the barren and ephemeral triumph she has gained, and evince to Spain that three towns, of equal constancy and resolution, will save the country and disconcert her tyrants. Valour springs from valour ; and when the unhappy, who have suffered there, shall hear that their fellow-citizens, follow- ing them in the paths of glory, have been more favoured by fortune, they will bless their destiny, however hard, and look forward with joy to new triumphs. " Europe, reflecting on the circumstances of this singular event — estimating the means of de- fence, and those of attack — and comparing the resistance which Saragossa made to the ravagers of the world, with that which was exhibited by for- tifications of the first rank — will determine to whom belongs the palm of valour, and whether they are the vanquished who tore it from the conquerors. Time passes away, and days will come when those desolating earthquakes will subside with which the genius of iniquity has tormented the earth ; the friends of virtue and loyalty will then come to the shores of the Ebro, to visit those majestic ruins; and, contemplating them with admiration UNDER SIR JOHN F. CilADOCK. 93 BOOK IV, CHAP. I. and envy, will say, " Here stood that town wliich, in modern aws, realised, or even excelled, those =• ' ' 1809. antient prodigies of self-devotion and constancyj January. " Glorious de- which are scarcely credited in history." At first, creeontheiaii of Saragos«a, without a single regiment, or other defence than a weak wall, or other resources than the energies of its inhabitants, it dared to provoke the rage of the tyrant, and twice withstood the in}pulse of hit conquering legions. The subjection of this open and defenceless town cost France more blood, more tears, and more deaths, than the conquest of whole kingdoms. It was not French valour which sub- dued it, but a deadly and universal contagion, which deprived its defenders of their strength ; and the enemy, when he entered the city, tri- umphed over a few who were dying and diseased, but he did not vanquish warriors, or conquer citi- zens. " These considerations of merit, gloiy, and pub- lic enthusiasm, have induced the supreme junta of of government to pass the following decree : — Royal Decree of His Majesty. *' His majesty, our sovereign, Don Ferdinand VH. and in his name the supreme junta of govern- 94 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^CH^A?. ]^' "^^"^ considering that the services rendered to the ^"^Q^^*^ country ouglit to be estimated more from valour January, and sacrificc than from the issue, vvhicli often de- Glorious de- cree on the fall pends upon fortune; considering that Saragossa cf Saragossa. was not only not impregnable, but, in reference to military rules, was not even capable of defence, and that it has, notwithstanding made a defence, such as no fortress, however strong, can boast of; and that honours and rewards, whicli are granted to a people who have deserved so well of their country, are, with respect to those who have pe- rished, the just reward of their valour and martyr- dom; with respect to those who have survived, a motive of consolation and resource necessary to abate the rigour of their calamity ; and, with re- spect to others, a powerful stimulus to follow their example; knowing that Saragossa will, in the me- mory of Spaniards, be an ever-flowing spring of heroic actions and civic virtues, which are to save the state from the desolating tempest ; estimating, as is due, the singular gloiy which results to the Spanish nation from the admirable defence this city has made, as precious in the eyes of virtue and patriotism as the most glorious victory ; and desiring, finally, as a mark of the high estimation in which he holds Saragossa and its inhabitants, to grant a testimony of its merit as singular and as UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 9S great as the deserts it treats of, has been pleased to ^'^^J^^}^' decree as follows : — ^"""Tsm^'^ January- Glorious dc- " 1. That Sarao'ossa, its inhabitants, and f^arri- creeonthefaii ^ ofSaragoisa. son, have deserved well of their country, in an eminent and heroic degree. " 2. Tliat as soon as the worthy and brave cap- tain-general of Arragon shall be restored to liberty, for the obtaining of which no means shall be spared, the junta, in the name of the nation, will grant him that reward which will be most worthy of his invincible constancy and ardent pa- triotism. " 3. That every officer en^ployed in the siege be promoted one degree, and that every soldier pos- sess the rank and pay of a serjeant. " 4. That all the defenders of Saragossa, and its inhabitants and their heirs, enjoy personal no- bility. " 5. That all the widows and orphans of those who have perished in the defence, enjoy a pension suited to their rank and circumstances. " 6. That the having been w^ithin the walls du- ring the siege, be considered as a claim, on occa- sion, of pretensions to future employment. " 7. That Saragossa be free from all contribu- tions, for the term of ten years from the date of the peace. 9S CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGALj ^oi^.^/.^' " ^- That, at that period, the rebuilding of the ^-'"J^v^^*^ public edifices be begun M'ith all possible magnifi- january. ccHce, and at thc expense of the state. Glorious de- . cceo on the fall '^ 9. That a monuiTient be erected m the square of the city, in perpetual memory of the valour or its inhabitants, and its glorious defence. " 10. That in the squares of all the cities in the kingdom an inscription be erected, containing the most heroic circumstances of the two sieges which Saragossa has sustained. •' 11. That a medal be struck in its honour, as a testimony of national gratitude for such eminent services. " 12. That to every city of Spain, which shall resist a like siege with like constancy and tenacity, the same honours and prerogatives shall be granted. " l^. That Spanish poets and orators be stimu- lated to exercise their talents upon this sublime subject ; and that a reward be offered in the name of the nation, of a medal of gold and 100 doubloons to him who shall present the best poem, and the like to him who shall compose the best prose es- say, on this immortal siege : in both, the object being, not only to recommend to the admiration and memory of the present age and posterity, the valour, constancy, and patriotism, of Saragossa ; but to inflame, with like warmth, the enthusiasm of tlie nation, and fill Spanish hearts with the L N D ER S [ R J O !1 X F. C RADOC K. 97 same love of liberty, and the same detestation of ^^^^^f J^'' " The IMarquis of Astorga, Vice-President. ^nu^ry- " Royal Castle of Stville, March 9, 1 809. " Martin de Garay." It only remains to notice, that the furtherance of the organization of the Portuguese army, be- came regularly puisued under general Beresford, now field-marshal and generalissimo of Portugal. To this end m-eatly contributed the issuins; of bul- ut'iity of bui- n J ^ Ictms ot the letins, in which the events of the campaign were f.^J/^"^""*^ generally communicated to the army and nation, and through which were shewn the advantages of discipline and good order, and the evils of anarchy and insubordination. The Spanish troops, under Silviera, in the mean time, cut off the communications of the French in the north of Portugal, by the successful siege of Siege of Chaves. the important frontier-town of Chaves, in the province of Tralos Montes. Notwithstanding its being supposed to possess a garrison of 10,000 men, it capitulated on the 25th of March, and greatly tended to inspirit troops, which had al- ready suffered every discouragement, and prepare them to bear up against the reverses to which they were unhappily more liable. This spirit became shortly put to the test by the • VOL. IV.. 11 riAMP^.lGNS IN 5PAIN AND PORTUGAL, failure of an attack on Victor, \vhohad drawn up his army of 20,000 infantry and 5000 cavalry in front of Medellan, a town on tlie Guadiana, in Estremadura. In close columns, prepared for at- tack or defence, the flanks covered by cavalry, and ill front six batteries, the enemy was vigor- ously attacked by Cuesta, who failed by the defec- tion of the cavalry, which supported his left wing on an attack from that of the French : it was con- sequently thiown into disorder, and compelled to leave the whole brunt of the action on the right. The infantry, nevertlieless, evinced great steadi- ]iess ; a oreat loss of ofhcers and men in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was the result, and ge- neral Cuesta cashiered some others. A much more important result, however, ensued in the celerity with which he was enabled to re-assemble the army after his retreat, and render it again formidable to the enemy. Nothing could exceed the many formed exag- gerations of the soi-disant king Joseph on this ac- tion, which tended to shew the importance at- tached to it ; an importance, nevertlieless, which could not but be decreased by the speedy reforma- tion of the broken army. The Spanish general and his troops were pro- nounced, by a decree of the supreme junta, to have deservetl well of their county. Those who UNDER SIR JOHN F. CRADOCK. 99 particularly distinguished themselves were ho- ^^„^^/7' noured and promoted ; and the pay for one month ^'****^^7*^ of two reg-iments of cavalry, and two of Chasseurs, ^^^'■«=h- ^ . . Battle of Me- which accompanied them, was mulcted, and ap- deJiin. plied to the reward of those who had given so much promise to the future energies of Spain, H '2 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, CHAP. II. APPOINTMENT OF SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY, (AF- TERWARDS LORD WELLINGTON) TO THE COM- MAND OF THE BRITISH ABMY, AND PREPARA- TIONS FOR THE NEW CAMPAIGN. Insiiniciions of Sir Arthur IVellesley, Commander- in-Chief. — Intimations in regard to Cadiz. — Correlative Instructions to the British Minis- ter.— Arrival of Sir Arthur JFellesley. — His Staff, and the new Forxe placed under his Com- mand.— Communication zvitk the British Minister in Spain, on a Plan of Operations. — Intelligent Anticipation of Mr. Frere. — Intercepted Com- 7nunications of the Enemy — Reports of the Spa- nishGenerals. — French Force in Fstremadura. — Sir Arthur JVellesley assumes the Command. BOOK IV. The result of all that has heen described in the CHAP. II. 1809. preceding cliapter, was very properly a determina- March. tioH, OH thc part of tlic British ministry, neither to abandon the cause of Europe in its dcmonstra- UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. lOi , 1 1 . B 0 O K IV. tions on the peninsula, nor to alter the course it chap. h. had pursued in respect to this war; nor, what is 1809. more, to displace, prematurely, its active and intel- ligent minister there. The effects of the campaign, recited in the last book, were, nevertheless, evidently felt, both in the operations of the field and the cabinet ; and were even, as will be seen, found to affect, to a certain degree, one little likely to be influenced by ordinary impulses against the strongest energies of war. The employment of sir Arthur Wellesley, whose genius, according to the opinions of some, had overstepped his orders, and anticipated his su- periors in the first instance, and been found but too compliant* in the second, could not but be expected as soon as the vague procedure, which took place upon the convention of Cintra, should be put into a complectional form ; and those arrangements which, notwithstanding all that fa- cility of principle which can, occasionally, elevate or depress, without any obvious reason for either one or the other, were necessary previously to * The allusion, here made, affords a splendid instance of the necessity of a certain discretion, in respect to military obedience, and a judicious discrimination between " lawful " and unlaivful orders. 102 BOOK IV. CHAP. 11. 1809. April. CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, enabling sir Arthur Wellesley to ensue to the com- mand held by sir John Cradock. Accordingly, (the pubhc mind having been long directed to, by a variety of means, and every ar- rangement completed,) sir Arthur Wellesley re- ceived the following instructions, which will shew the importance attached by the British government to this new expedition, and the undiminished vi- gour with which it continued its determination to prosecute, as far as compatible with the national interests, the peninsular war : — Despatch from QJ.- lord visconnt ' w'^'^enfrd'" ^^^^ majcsty having been graciously ley^' ^^''"^'' pleased to nominate lieut. -general sir John Cradock fdXiifitoT' to the chief command, at Gibraltar, has thought fit to select you to replace that officer in the com- mand of his majesty's forces at Portugal. You will receive inclosed a return of all the troops, either actually arrived, or under orders for Portugal ; and it is his majesty's pleasure that you do proceed, without loss of time, to Lisbon, in execution of the orders which I am now to con- vey to you by his majesty's command. Your attention will be directed, in the first in- stance, to prepare and equip the British army for the field. You will, in the next place, direct UNDER LORD WELLINGTOX. lOo your utmost exertions to the brinmnir forward the ^^^^ i\. •^ O O CHAP. II. Portuguese arm}-, and rendering it capable of co- ^^^'Troq^*^ operating with his majesty's troops. -^p"'- , , . . 1 Despatch from In the furtherance of this latter object, \n ad- lord viscount Castlereagh t* dition to the arrangement ah'eady made, you will lieut.generai * ■' . ''""■ "^ Welles- make such requisitions from time to time, either %. '■ Dowmiig-street, to the Porti -uese government, or to the govern- '^^ April, iao9. ment at ]'i?me, as, upon comnmnication with ge- neral Bcresford, you may deem requisite for ren- dering " 'e Portuguese troops fit for service. The defence of Portugal you will consider as the first and immediate object of your attention. But, as the security of Portugal can only be effectually provided for in connection with the defence of the peninsula in a larger sense, his majesty, on this ac- count, as well as from the unabated interest he takes in the cause of Spain, leaves it to your judgment to decide, when your army shall be advanced on the frontier of Portugal, how your efforts can best be combined with the Spanish, as well as with the Portuguese, troops, in support of the cDirunon cause. In any movements you may undertake, you will, however, keep in mind, that, until you re- ceive further orders, your operations must neces- sarily be conducted with a special reference to the protection of that country. 104 BOOK IV. CHAP. II. CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, i\Ir. Villiers will be instructed to procure for iyo9. -'^^^ every necessary assistance from the Portu- Aprii. g^(,3g govei-nment, and you will consider him as Despatch from lord viscount the proDcr clianucl for such communications as Castltreagh lo liput.-geiKrai you uiav liave to muke to the re^encv. sir A. 'Welles- ^ o ^ ^'y- I liave, &c. (Signed) Castlereagh. To these instructions, on the next day, were added the following, on the subject of precau- tions to be used for the necessary preservation of Cadiz : — Lord viscount Castlereagh to Jieut.-general sir A. Welles- Sir, Upon the fall of Madrid, and the retreat Down^n ''^street ^^ ^^^^ Spanish amiies, in the south of Spain, his sdApni, 1809. i-,-,ajesty was pleased to signify, through his ma- jesty's ministers, to the central government of Spain, that liis majesty was ready to send an aux- iliary army, to sustain the Spanish efforts in that quarter, provided the British troops were assured of tlie port and fortress of Cadiz, as a secured point of retreat, in case of disaster in the field. The government of Spain not having thought lit to accede to this preliminary and indispensable condition, and having actually declined to permit the British troops, under major-generals Sberbrooke UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 105 and Mackenzie, (who were sent as tlie advance- i5 0oki\. ' ^ CHAP. II. o^uard of the British army,) to land at Cadiz, his "^^—^v-^' majesty does not feel that he can, in justice to the ^p"'- . Lord viscount sarety or his own troops, again employ an aux- Castiereagh to sir A. Welles- ihary army in Spain, till the Spanish government le.v, k. b. and nation sliall cease to entertain tliose feelings of jealousy, which are equally inconsistent with their own interests, and the effectual prosecution of tlie war. You will, therefore, understand, that it is not his majesty's intention, in authorising you to co- operate with the Spanish armies in the defence of Portugal, and of the adjacent Spanish provinces, that you should enter on a campaign in Spain, PrecauUoas »br the preservaticu without the express authority of your government, of Cadiz. and in any consent you may form with the armies in Spain, you will cause it to be understood, that it is to be confined to the specific objects in view ; and that the service of your army (under the orders you have received; cannot Ije employed in general operations in Spain, as the force under * sir John iMoore was intended to have been, with- out a previous arrangement being settled to that effect between the two governments. Should the enemy penetrate, in force, towards Cadiz, it is not improbable that the reluctance of the Spanish government, to admit a British 06 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^^u^^nT' ^^^^^ '"to Cadiz, may yield to the sense of imme- ^^''TsoQ^ ^^^^^ danger. Should such a change of sentiment April. fj^i^g place, every effort should be made to assist Precautions for the preservation in the preservation of that important place : and I of Cadiz. IF' am to convey to you the king's commands, that in case Mr. Frere should, at any time, notify to you the actual consent of the Spanish government to admit a British garrison into Cadiz, you do detach an adequate force for that purpose, notifying im- mediately to me the amount of such force, that mea- sures may be adopted for supporting the corps so detached, and for replacing it in Portugal. Should you receive a requisition to the above effect from the governor of Cadiz, or other com- petent authority, you are authorised to act, with- out waiting for a communication through the British minister. I have. Sec. (Signed) Castlereagh. And to these were again added the following decisive instructions, in regard to the appropriation of the British forces in the event of the evacuation of Portugal, a circumstance which could not but enter into consideration from the advance of the French, of which his majesty's government had re- ceived accounts. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 107 Sir, BOOK IV. ' CHAP. It. I am to acquaint you, that, upon a full ^"^"J^Jp*^ consideration of the state of the affairs in Portugal, ^p"'- . Lord viscount as communicated in the despatches received up to Castiereagu to lieut. -general the 24th ultimo inclusive, from Lisbon, it does sir a. wdies- . . . ley, K.B. not appear to his majesty's ministers expedient Downing-street, ^ *^ J J i 11th Apr. 1809. that any alteration should take place in the mea- sures now in progress for reinforcing the British army in that country. Should the British army be unfortunately com- The question of British embark- pelled to evacuate Portugal, his majesty, notwith- atiou at Cadk. standing the late refusal to admit his troops into Cadiz, is, nevertheless, prepared to renew that offer on the same conditions ; and, in the event of its acceptance, it is the king's pleasure that the whole force now in Portugal, including the cavalry, should be disembarked at Cadiz, from thence to be employed in such manner as may appear to you expedient for the support of the common cause. Should this proposal of generous and disinte- rested aid be again declined by the government of Spain, it is his majesty's intention, (unless you re- ceive orders to the contrary,) that, after reinforcing the garrison of Gibraltar to 8,000 British infantry, (the detailed arrangements of which you will con- cert with sir John Cradock,) you do return home with the remainder of the force. BOOK IV. CHAP. II. 1809. April. 108 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, A copy of these instructions will be sent to Mr. Frere, through whom, in the above contingency, you-will make the offer, hereby directed, to the central government. I have the honour to be, Sec. Castlereagh. To these were added the following : — Sir, cSe^^Suo Should you, in the execution of my Xnhufwei'- orders of the 11th instant, have occasion to pro- Dowuing-strect, cccd with thc wholc of your force to the southward, i8oy''"' before the determination of the Spanish govern- ment, as to your reception, is ascertained, it is the king's pleasure, in that case, that you do repair in the first instance to Gibraltar, and not to Cadiz, vrnlcss previously assured of being admitted. As it is matenal, however, that the intentions of the Spanish government should be known with- out delay, ]\Ir Frere will be directed to press for a decision on this point, in order that his majesty's government may know how far they are to con- sider the force now in Portugal as required for the service of Spain ; or disposable, in thc event of the evacuation of Portugal, for other services. ^Ir. Frere will communicate to you, for your UNDER LOUD WELLIXGTON. 109 guidance in the execution of the orders you have ^^^^i'^ ^^'^ ^ '^ CHAP. 11. received, the result of his inquiries. "^-^ ^ 1809. I have tlu- honour to he, &c. ^p^''- Castlereagii. The whole of these are explained and confirmed by the following correlative instructions to the British minister in Spain. Sir, Your despatches, No. 32 to 35, inclusive, Mr secretary Canning to the have been received this day, and will be forthwith right hon. j. h, Frere, laid before the king. April 12. 1809. The immediate departure of sir Arthur Wellesley, who is actually embarked at Portsmouth, and by whom 1 forward this despatch, onl}' allows me time to inclose to you copies of the additional in- structions, which his majesty has directed to he given to him by his majesty's secretary of state for the war department, in consequence of the intelli- gence received yesterday from Lisbon of the ad- vance of the French armies under marshals Victer and Soult, towards the northern and eastern pro- vinces of Portugal. You will observe, that in the alternative (for which it is necessary to provide, though I trust, nevertheless, it is not likely to take place) of the evacuation of Portugal by his majesty's forces ; J^O CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^c^iAP.ii. " sir Arthur Wellesley is directed to proceed with '^""''^^^^^'^^^ the army to Cadiz, to be landed there on the ac- April, ceptance bv tlie Spanish oovernmenl of the con- Mr. Canning to _ " * ^ Mi. Frere. dition, which you have aheady been instructed to propose, of the admission of British troops into the garrison of the fortress of Cadiz. The repetition of this offer is intended to afford one more opportunity to the Spanish government to decide upon a question, the delicacy of which is felt and acknowledged ; and their answer to which has been received here without the smallest resent- ment or surprise. But as that answer was founded on circumstances of a local and temporary nature, which may have varied with the succession of events in the penin- sula, as the prejudices of the people of Cadiz do not in fact appear to have run, as the junta appre- hended, against the admission of British troops, but rather in a contrary direction ; as the readiness with which those troops were withdrawn, upon the refusal of the junta to receive them, must have created a strong impression of the sincerity and disinterestedness with which they were offered ; as the arrival at Cadiz, subsequently to that event, of large quantities of arms and military stores, must have renewed and confirmed the confidence which previously subsisted in the good disposition of his majesty towards the Spanish nation ; as the fall of UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. Ill Saragossa, and the defeat of o:eneral Rediim'j have bookiv. *--' ~ ~ CHAP. II. considerably chansfed the face of miHtarv affairs ^-^^^^^^ - '^ - 1809. and prospects in the peninsula as the military se- ^^p"'- Mr. Canning t» curity of the south, and therewith of Cadiz itself, Mr. Frere. must be in no small degree impaired by the occu- pation of Portugal b}' the French ; and lastly, as his majest}'"s army being once altogether withdrawn from tlie peninsula, there would be great difficulty, if not an entire impossibility, of renewing tliis offer again at any future period : I am commanded by his majesty to direct you to lay the subject thus once more before the supreme junta, witli tlie same frankness and temper which you have manifested in the conduct of this delicate discussion on a former occasion, and to bring them, with as little delay as possible, to a final decision upon it. You will understand, however, that these in- structions apply only to the specific case of the evacuation of Portugal actually taking place, and the troops thereby becoming actually dis- posable, of which event you will receive due notice from his majesty's commanders in Portugal, and upon receipt of that notice only you will open the subject to the Spanish government. I am, &c. (Signed) George Canning. Sir Arthur Wellesley accordingly having sailed ] ' '>. CAMPAIGNS IN 8PAIN' AND rORTL'GAL, 1809. from Portsmouth on Saturday, the 15th of April, in the Siirveillante, capt. sir George Collier arrived Ap"i. at Lisbon tiie 22d of the same month, and on the 24th made his first conirnunication with the British minister, Mr. Frere. In the same ship with sir Arthur Wellesley sailed the honourable major-gen. Stewart, major- gen. IMurray, lord Fitzroy Somerset, tlie hon. Fitz- roy Stanhope, and lieutenant Fitzclarence. The staifof the commander-in-chief and general officers serving under him were nearly as follows : of the The right honourable sir Artlmr Wellesley, K.B. commanderof the forces, Lieut.-col. Bathurst, military secretary. Lord Fitzroy Somerset, ^ The hon. Fitzroy Stanhope, /- Aides-de-camp. Lieutenant Fitzclarence, 3 Brigadier-gen. the hon. Charles Stewart, adjutant- general. Col. Murray, quarter-master-general. Major Colin Campbell, — Major Berkeley, assistant- adjutanl-general. Generals of division and brigade. Lieutenant-gen. Cartwright, Major-gen. Sherbrooke, Lord William Bentinck, UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. lis The hon. Edward Paget, Hill, Payne, Cotten, John Murray, M'Kenzie, Beresford, Alexander Campbell. B 0 0 K IV. CHAP. II. Tlie whole force to be estimated about Of this remaining in Portugal (of which are to be reckoned 2,700 of the stragglers from sir John Moore, preserved by the peasants of the Gal- licias) Embarked from Ireland, under general Hill, about . . To follow cavalry, about . « besides artillery, &c. 30,000 Estimationor the forces. 13,000 5,000 4,000 Of the forces embarked at Portsmouth there were, in the following order : 3d dragoon guards, 4th light dragoons, Battalions of 48th, 5 2d, 95 th, Squadrons of the 16th, &c. &c. VOL. IV. I ^^"^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV, CHAP. II. Of the force collected at Coik, the following ^g^g might be the staft-return : ' 'if*^^. Major-gen. Hill, commander of the forces, Lieut. Plill, capt. Ciirrie 90th reg. aids-de-camp, Capt. Fordyce, major of brigade, Brig.-gen. Alexander Campbell, second in com- mand, Capt, Campbell, 7th regiment, aid-de-camp, Capt. Hunter Blair, .9 1st regiment, brigade-major, Lieut.-col. Hinaber, 68th regiment, ass. adjut.-gen. Bat.-major Williamson, SOth reg. ^ Capt. Elliot, 48th regiment, \^' ^' ^^--ge"- Lieut, col. William Delaney, assist, quarter-master- general, Capt. Scovell, 57th foot, ■) Capt. Waller, 103d foot, j'^' ^- V-^^^^i^^S^"- The following regiments composed the force which sailed from Cork under general Hill: MEN. COMMANDED BY 1st bat. guards say 1000 lieut.-colonel 2d bat. 7th foot, 700 lieut.-col. sir W. Myers, 2d bat. 30th foot, 660 lieut.-col. Minnett, 2d bat. 48th foot, 800 Duckworth, 53d foot, 800 Bingham, 66th, 680 major IMurray, ^ 83d, 900 lieut.-col. Gordon. 5540 ,f0 UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. H-^ This force moved under major-gen. Hill's orders ^ch?p^iJ.^' till it arrived at Coimbra, when (1st May) lord Wei- ^^"^^^^^q^ lington succeeded sir J. Cradock in command ; ^p"'' and the arm y was divided into divisions and brigades ; a Portuguese regiment and a rifle com- pany of the 60th being attached to each brigade. The 1st bat of 3d or buffs, It.-col. div. 700^ effec- 2d, 48th regiment, 6^0 V tive 2d, 66th regiment, 600) men. 1 company 5th bat. 60, 70 2060 This force, under general Hill, formed the ad- vance of the army, and afterwards, consequently, engaged the enemy at Oporto : three troops of the 14th, 16th, and 20th light dragoons, followed up the defeat. Sir John Cradock having advanced with the army will account for the first paragraph of the commander-in-chief's despatch to Mr. Frere. It was as follows : My dear sir, I arrived here the day before yesterday, sir ArthurWeU •^ ./ ./ Jeslcy to Mr. and I propose to take the command of the army in ^'"^"^iyo^; this coimtry as soon as I shall have communicated with sir John Cradock. 12 11^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. n. 1809. I concliule that sir John has kept you informed of tlie movements of tlie French in the north of April. Portugal. I do not find that there has been any Sir Arthur Wel- f lesieytoMr. material alterations lately in their position. They have not passed the Vanga to the south ; nor have they extended themselves into Tralos Montes, since the loss of Chaves ; but they have made some movements towards the Tamaga, which divides Tralos Montes from Minho, and it is supposed they intend to acquire for themselves the option of re- treating into Spain through Tralos Montes, if they should be passed by the British troops. I intend to move towards Soult, and attack him, if I should be able to make any arrangement in the neighbourhood of Abrantes which can give any se- curity for the safety of this place during my ab- sence to the north. I am not quite certain, however, that I should not do more good to tlie general cause by contri- buting with general Cuesta against Victor; and I believe I should prefer this last, if Soult was not in possession of a part of Portugal which is very fer- tile in resources, and of the town of Oporto ; and if tlie operation with general Cuesta would not take up time which might be profitably employed against Soult. It is probable, however, that Soult will not remain in Portugal when I shall pass the Mondego, and UNDER LORD WELLINGTON'. 117 if he should, I shall attack : if he retires, I am sure book iv. ' ' ' CHAP. II. that it will be most advantageous for the common ^^-^--v-^-' ° ^ _ 1809. cause that we should remain on the defensive, in April. 1 ^ n T-, 11 • 1-1 Sir Arthur Wel- tne north or rortugal, and act vigorously with lesiey to Mr. Cuesta against Victor. In the first place, I do not know that singly I should be equal to tlie French force in Gallicia; and I am convinced, that a movement of the Britisli force into that province, inasmuch as it would oblige the French to collect their force, would put an end for the present to the war of the peasantry, which has been so successful hitherto, has been so distressing to the enemy, and, in fact, prevents them from doing all the mischief which their po- sition enabled them to do. An operation against Victor is attended by these advantages : — if successful, it relieves effec- tually Seville and Lisbon : and in case affairs should take such a turn as to enable the king's ministers to make another effort for the relief of Spain, the corps under my command in Portugal vvill not be removed to such a distance from the scene of ope- rations as to render co-operation impossible, and we might hope to see an effectual effort made by a combined and concentrated force. It is true that Gallicia and other parts, which might be relieved b a ilifferent and more dispersed application of our ibrce, will continue for some CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, time longer in the possession of the enemy ; but it ^ggg must be recollected, that the relief of Gallicla is ^r^",., , certain, if this srreat effort should be successful. Sir Aithur VVel- ' ^ ^ leskv to Mr. ^ud it is probable that the Relief, provided by these means, will be permanent. I am assured that the French will be in great danger in Spain only when a great force will be assembled, which may oblige them to collect their force ; and this combined operation of the force in this country with that under general Cuesta may be the ground- work of further measures of the same sort. I shall be obliged to you if you will communicate to me any accounts you may have of the strength and position of the different French corps in Spain. (Signed) Arthur Welleslet. The intelligence thus frankly desired by the commander-in-chief, immediately on his arrival in Portugal, had been in a great degree already fur- nished, by the steady vigilance of Mr. Frere ; as will appear from the following despatch : Sir, sir John Cra- Thc copics of intercepted letters which I i Seville, 21st liavc tne honour to transmit, will enable vou, upon April, 1809. . , „ . „ " your own judgment, to form a satisfactory con- dock. rr I UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 1^9 elusion upon the point respecting which, in your bookiv. last letter, you express yourself so particularly ^-^-v-ow/ anxious ; namely, — The intention of the enemy April. With regard to a movement mto rortugal troni the sir joimCra- side of Estramadura. The letters of latest date, and greatest authority, seem to speak decidedly of the march of an army against this city ; but as it is probable the destruction of a British army, and the rescue of marshal Soult would, at the present moment, be considered as objects preferable to any other, I have much satisfaction in informing you, that general Cuesta's army, which consists at this moment of 24,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry, and which, by the arrival of daily reinforcements, will be increased to the amount of 25,000 infantry and at least 4,000 cavalry in the course of a week, have received orders to preserve a strict defensive sys- tem, from the consideration that a second defeat on the part of this army might enable general Victor to march himself, or to detach considerably against the British forces, while advancing northward to the attack of marshal Soult. If general Victor should evacuate the country which he now occupies, and undertake a march to the relief of marshal Soult, general Cuesta would advance in proportion, and endeavour to harass and detain him as far as possible, without making a general action. This latter point I consider as agreed, and with respect 120 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. II. 1809. dock. to the first, I have the honour to enclose copies of the instructions transmitted to general Cuesta. ^P"'- I have been urged by the junta to represent, in sir John Cra- the Strongest terms, the necessity of some im- mediate active operation on the part of the British ; but ignorant as I am, even of the number of our troops in Portugal, and without any pretension to judgment in a case which must depend entirely on military combination, I can only represent to you their wishes, and the arrangements which they have made, in ^ the expectation that it may be found possible to realize them. Enclosed, I find a state- ment of the enemy's force, which appears detailed with sufficient exactness. The detention of the 40th has not proceeded from any inattention to your repeated instances on that subject, but from the idea which I found likewise en- tertained by the officers, that under the then situation of things, military delicacy would hardly admit of their abandoning a point so immediately menaced^ I shall be entirely guided by them, having no wish, and being very far from the pretension of inter- fering with, or deferring that execution of, your orders upon any other ground. At the instances of the government, I took upon myself to sound colonel Kemmis upon the subject of an advance to Santa Olalla, but I found his opinion so decided, and his reasons so satisfactory, affainst a movement of that kind, that I did not UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 121 think it proper to propose the subiect to him in a book iv. ^ * * ^ " CHAT II, formal shape. v.-*-v'^%-/ ^ 1809. I have the honour to be, &c. -'^P"'- (Signed) J. H. Frere. The following are the enclosures of intercepted papers : I have received your letter. j\Iarshal Victor Josepi, Buona- •/ parte to general is to keep between IMerida and Badajos, till he Jjl^'ijfiif"'' shall have had news from marshal Soult, and have ^thApni.isog. been joined by general Pisse. I shall undertake nothing against Valenera, until I have news from marshal Ney, and am apprised of the total destruction of Romana's corps. Rely upon it, my dear Sebastiani, that I shall imerceptoj let- ever do what is agreeable to you, and that I shall Ihe^situanoSd solicit myself your departure from Spain, the mo- tncm?'' ment that I think you may be better employed for your glory, elsewhere than in Spain ; till then, I keep you. You know my long friendship for you. Yours affectionately, (Signed) Joseph. Sir, I have received the letter which you have MarshaUour- done me the honour to write to me on the 8th inst. 2 !w,5,!r'"^ and I have submitted it to the king. His majesty ApdljIS!" directs me to have the honour of informing- yon, that he docs not think proper to have the intrencli- 122 BOOK lY. CHAP. II. 3 809. CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ments of tlie Sierra Morena attacked, before the moment wlien the duke of Belhmo shall march -April. against Seville; and that the duke of Bellunois not Marihal Jour- dan to general to commencc his march, till he shall have been Subasliani. joined by the division of La Pisse, and when he shall have intelligence from the duke of Dalmatia. Meanwhile, general, his majesty wishes you would endeavour to disperse those bodies which appear from time to time in the rear of the army; to render your communications as sure as possible, to disarm the province which you occupy, and re- store order and confidence. This, general, I am expressly commanded by his majesty to write to you. The marshal of the empire, Major-general of H. C. M. (Signed) Jour dan. To general Sehastiani, cominander-in- chief, ad interim, of the 1 0/// corps of the armi/. ISIy dear General, General Bel- I thank you for your kind remembrance. srh'^-stiaS""''' I have learnt, with pleasure, the re-establishment Ajitriso'!! ' of your health. Why would you not put an end to the rabble? The opinion of the inhahitants of Madrid does not improve. It is true that the piicsts^ do not take much pains to form it. You are ♦ La Sacre Ministere, UNPER LORD WELLIT^GTON. 123 right in saying the priesthood****. How is it that i-ook^iv. La Mancha is not organised ? Why not make them """^"^^q^^ recognise king Joseph and Napoleon? Why not ^i'"'- 1 !• T 1 «, • 1 II General Bel- estabhsh the new system ? I beheve that you would liard to general Sebastiaui. do well, my dear general, to profit of a moment or tranquillity to over-run the country with two moveable columns; and disarm it entirely. (Signed) Belliard. General Sebastiaui, SfC. ^'C. 4C' Tlie following communication, though equally referred to and necessary for information, goes farther, and, indeed, anticipates a fact which, however, to have been long before expected from the judgment and bravery of colonel IMayne, and the native troops under his command, had not even yet taken place, the possession of Alcan- tara by the enemy. It moreover exhibits the Spanish general in the best extreme of the military character, with an adventurous rather than a vacillating, cold, indeci- sive, spirit. Most excellent Sir, The supreme iunta of the kingdom m. Comcito t^ -> ^ general Cuesta, orders me to state to your excellency, that, in the seviUe, 20th April, 1809. supposition of the troops which took Alcantara, ^24 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, CHAP. II.' being on their march to reinforce Victor, it is to ^^J^^J^]^"^ be inferred that they propose to put in execution Apni ^]^g attack ordered by kin*? Joseph, in the letter M. Cornel to _ J rt 1 J general Cuesta. whicli 1 ycstcrday transmitted to your excellency. His majesty, therefore, having consulted the general military junta, and in concert with the minister of his Britannic majesty, thinks it right that you should take up such positions as may ap- pear most advantageous to your excellency ; that you should avoid a general attack ; disputing with the enemy their passage to those points, and to- wards this city ; that this measure appears to be pointed out by the consideration of your army being the salvation of the country, as that of Victor, is of the French ; and that your excellency, continuing the operations of your advanced posts, should prevent the enemy from annoying and plundering the villages ; that, with this under- standing, the English minister has offered to apply, in the strongest terms, to the general-in-chief of the English forces, to march in force against Soult ; and, having beaten him, to proceed, without delay, with a respectable power, to Elvas, to settle the plan to be followed for the future ; and his ma- jesty thinks it would be advantageous that your excellency should write to the general-in-chief, stating the importance of this measure to the com- mon cause; and the junta, likewise, thinks that. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 125 as at present, the fortress of Badaioz has nothhi"; ^^ok iv. to fear on its flank ; and in case of Victor's attack- ^^^^.^^-^ 1809. ing you, it should make a sally of infantry, ca- -^p"'- ' 1 • I 1 11 General Bel- valry, and artillery, to annoy them, and draw Hard to geaerai Sebastian'. their attention ; and if your excellency thinks proper that the army of the centre should make any movement, that you shoidd notify the same to Vanegas : — Finally, I transmit the accompanying letter to your excellency for your guidance, his majesty not doubting, if its contents be certain, that your excellency will be able to assemble such of the peasantry as have arms, whenever you shall think proper. (Signed) Cornal. His Excellency/ Don Greg, de la Cuesta> SfC. ^c. 4c. In the same frank and zealous manner did Mr, Frere also address the Spanish general on the deli- cate subject of altering the appointment, or post- ing, even of the superior officers of the Spanish army. pf Sir, In a letter which I addressed to sir John Mr. Frere io general CuPita. Cradock, and of which the junta have done me the sevuie, 22d '^ April, iao9. honour to communicate a copy to your excellency, I give him reason to hope that a diversion will be 125 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. made in the direction of La Mancha, a movement, CHAP. H. ' K.^^-^.'^"'^ of which it is unnecessary to particularize all the 1809. ^ *■ April. advantages. I have, however, refrained from Mr, Frere to "^ ' ' general Cuesta. touchjug upou a point on which, in my opinion, the good or bad issue of this operation must ab- solutely depend, — I mean, the choice of the per- son who is to conduct it. I think that an army torn by factions, as well as by successive removals of its officers, and dis- couraged by adverse fortune, can have no hope of being speedily re-established, and conducted to victory, but by a general known to them by a successful battle, and who is personally popular in the army, as well as in the province in which he is to act. Among our disposable generals, the duke of Albuquerque is the only one who unites in his person all these circumstances. But, as he has also the happiness to enjoy the favour and con- fidence of .J our excellency, I did not think it right to take a step tending to withdraw and sepa- rate him from your immediate orders, without having previously obtained your consent, bein^ fully awave that your excellency, satisfied like myself of the importance of the object, will have no objection to dispense with the services of the duke, when you think they may be more bene- ficially employed elsewhere. I am not competent to enter into discussions with your excellency con- UNDER LORD WELLINGTON". 127 BOOK IV, CHAP, ir ceining tlic description and degree of military merit, which distinguished the duke de Alba- ^^^^ querque and M. de Vanegas; but, perhaps, your ^^p"'- *■ "^IMr. Frcre to excellency might be of opinion, that the latter general Cuesta. having served always under your orders, and not only near your person, but more immediately under your eyes, would be neither less useful, nor less vigorous, than the former, who, from other cir- cumstances, seems to be more fit for a distant command. It only remains to add, that, at this moment, I have no other means of influence upon the plans of our generals in Portugal, than by suggesting to them good reasons, and by raising hopes ; and that your excellency would powerfully support me in both, if you should think proper to accede to the arrangement which I have the honour to make to you. » I request, &c. (Signed) J. H. Frere. His Excellency General Cuesta. Under all the circumstances, whatev^er tlie utility of the preceding suggestion, the following re- port is not only natural but dignified ; and, at the same time, adds to the account, already desired by the commander-in-chief, of the enemy's plans, those of the Spanish army, which could not be considered by his excellency as less important. 128 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^ci?Afu' General Cuesta, after acknowledging the receipf ^^-"''V'"*^ of his orders to avoid an action, says, " Beins 1809. > J 3 O April. fully possessed with the same idea and views, I had Translation of a r i n ^ f • ^ • leport fronige- already formed my plan of defence, in the points ueral Cuesta to . iM. Cornel whicli I tliouglit iiiost convcnicnt for stopping the Head quarters, Moiiast.rio, enemy's passage to Andalusia, which it is very 1803. likely he will attempt upon this side with his late reinforcements. I have established my most advanced post at INIedina de la Torres, with 640 horse and 800 foot, most of them light troops, under the command of the Marques de Campo Don Pedro de Agn. de Echevarna, mIio spread their skirmishing parties in all directions, and follow the enemy close into Almendralejo. State of the Spa- A little on this side of Fuente de Cantos, I have geaeMrfuesta! a corps of 1800 hoi'sc, uiidcr the command of lieut. -general Don Juan de Henestrosa, to support and strengthen the above advanced post, and take advantage of any favourable opportunity. A league more this way, where the Sierras begin, is stationed another advanced post of 3200 foot, and 650 horse, under the command of the brigadier Don Josef de Zagas, to assist and support the body of cavalry and first position, in case of their being attacked by superior forces, and obliged to re- treat A league and a half m the rear, at this my head UNDER LOUD WELLINGTON. 129 BOOK IV. CHAP. II. April. State of the Spa- quarters, I have posted the rest of my infantiy, with about 900 horse, at the back of the village. ^^^^^ No one of the above positions present great ad vantag-es, but I maintain them, for the sake of nish amw under •^ general Cuesta. confining the enemy, and to support the retreat of the advanced post, which, in case of necessity, must unite here. About a league in my rear the various fortified posts begin ; and those which are most defensible as far as St. Olalla, and Ronquilla, which I have ordered to be manned with the battalions of in- fantry which are come from la Carolina, and with the division under the command of commo- dore Don Josef Lerreno Baldenebro. Not being able to make use of cavalry in this broken country, I have directed that those corps, which arrived from Andalusia, should be cantoned beyond Ronquillo, in the villages nearest to the Arrecife, and where the ground begins to be prac- ticable, and the broken country ends, a point in which I shall make my last resistance with the power of attacking the enemy with my whole force, as soon as he begins to descend into the plain. Besides this, I have despatched a battalion to Guadalianal, and ] 000 men to Casella, to defend the passes of Guadalianal and San ^Miguel de VOL, lY. K ISO CAMPAIGNS IV SpAiN AND PORTUGAL, "^cnA^^^i/T* ^^^'Js, assisted by sharp-shooters and the armed ^*'][^J^**^ peasants of that district. y^prii. J pj.QpQse fo write to the ofeneral-in-chief of the State of the Spa- . . iiishaimy under Enf^lish armv in Portu2:al, ursinsr him, as soon as general Cuestaj ^ "^ o » » » » he has beat marshal Soult, to approach the borders of Estremadura, that we ma}' combine our opera- tions; but I look upon this assistance as very re- mote. Be pleased to lay this before his majesty, for his information, and any change he may please to di- rect ; assuring him on my part, that if niy troops behave, as I hope they will, the enemy will not pass into Andalusia on this side, unless over the body of my army. (Signed) Gueg. De la Cuesta. His ExceUoicj/ Don Ant. Cornel, Si'C. SfC. 4r. General Cuesta tims expresses himself to M. de Cornel, in continuation. A report from j^f^jg^ excellent Sir, general Cuesta ' t^oM. deCor- Nothing new has occurred at the out- MrnlSSd posts of this army. The enemy remain with some Apru, 1809. foj-ce of horsc and foot in Villa Franca, Fuente del Maestro, and St. Marta. The same wlio at- tempted to enter Gafra the day before yesterday, UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 131 and filled, from the good resistance made by a ^^J^^^]^"^' strons^ o'uard of the kino-'s resriment of cavahy, '^-^-v-'"^ 3 O SO ^ ' 1809. who had a seijeant and two soldiers killed, and ap"^- A report from three wounded ; and from the fire of some pea- general Cuesta to M. de Cor- santry, of the honorary militia of that town, who nei. had two killed and four wounded ; and, they as- sert, that the enemy suffered considerably in the attack and retreat. (Signed) Greg. De la Cuesta. Jlis Excellency Don Ant. Cornel ^ Sfc. SfC. SfC. To the same effect is the following report of the Spanish officer, second in command to general Cuesta; while, in acuteness of examination, it appears infinitely beyond the scrutiny to which the conduct of their forces has been subjected, even by the most unfortunate of British com- manders. Most excellent Sir, General Vene. gas to M. de The captain of our reconnoitring party Comei. ^ or./ Head-quarters, saw and pursued two enemies on the road, from st. Eiena, 22d ^ ' April, 1809. Torrenueva and Santa Cruz, but could not over- take them. The colonel, Don Josef Antonia de Sauz, who commands the advanced posts of the van-guard, K 2 132 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. ir. 1809. reports, that, last night, seven cavalry soldiers, and a French officer, were at Viso, asking the April. Alcaide to conceal them, in order to surprise our leneral Vcue- fir to M. de reconnoitring party ; that house was shewn them, in which the eight \vere all assassinated and buried. I doubt this report, because they give no account of the horses, and I shall ascertain it to-morrow. A mail-bag has just arrived, whicli I have sent to the junta of La Carolina, to be forwarded im- mediately to the capital ; the justice of Villa Man- rique forwarded it to the post of Montezon, having been sent from justice to justice from that of Puebla del Principe, with the account that it was taken in Fillimusterre, by Francisco Aloyan, of Morpart, and four companies, who killed the bearers. Another despatch came from Don Martin de Garay, which tlie M, de Campo, Don Pedro Grimarez, sent immediately, taking advantage, as he tells me, of the passing of the Courier with the post from Valencia, and wishing not to delay the accounts, which those who took it might give him. Having united in Montazon 4000 foot, and the regiment of dragoons of Granada, 4 cannon and howitzers, a van-guard has been form.ed, under the brigadier Don Diego Vallesteros ; and troops have been advanced to Villa Mamicjue and Torre de Juan, to encourage the neighbourhood and UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 133 cover the villages from the inroads of the enemy, ^ch^p^m^* Brigadier Don Celendonia Emeteria Banedo, and ^^^'^^JT**^ the lieut.-colonel Don Josef Martinez, presented ^p"'- Central Vene- themselves to me to-night, with whom I have confer- g" i" m. de ^ ' ^ _ Corucl, red upon the means of annoying the enemy with the body of 1,000 infantry and 400 horse, or what our force and circumstances admit ; and we have agreed that the point of IMontizon itself is the most proper for making sallies, increasing the troops in it, and supporting, in case of retreat, the advanced troops. To-morrow 1 sliall determine, positively, what is most convenient. (Signed) Francisco Venegas. To this intelligence is to be added the following particulars to the subject : — Confidential information respecting the state of ^^^"^'^*'°",^( ^ * o statement of the the enemy's force in Estremadura, f '"'"'^^ ^^'"^ '"^ '' ±iStremaaura. Infantry, regiments 9, 24, 97, 43, 63, 94, 95^ ^p'"' ^^'^• and 96. Chasseurs a Chcval, regiments 2, 5, 10, and 25. Dragoons, regiments 1, 2, 4, 9, 14, and 26. Besides one regiment of the confederation. ^34 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. II. 1809. Supposing the regiments of infantry not to ex- ceed 2,000 men, their force would amount to Apnl. J ^^^(3(3 Translation of a statement of the * Add to those which cutercd Frcncii iorce in Estiemaduia. \)y Alcaiitara, cstimatcd at . . . 5,200 Total . . 22,800 Infantry. It is asserted that the Cuirassiers, and Carabi- niers, have returned to France. The following report, tending only to shew the temper of the Spanish ofticei', is inserted in repe- tition : — General Cnesta Most exCcllcnt Sir, to M. de Cor- nel. Nothing now has occurred at the out- He.id-quarters, M.masterio.ssd posts of this amiy. The enemy remain with some April, 1809. ^ . force of horse and foot in Villa Franca, Fuente del Maestra, and St. Marta, the same who at- Irtnch force * These regiments are since learnt to be the regiments 8, 14, iniraediatelyop- " po^ed to the al- 4-5, and 54, infantry; and the cavalry, 5th dragoons and We.st- "■ phalian Chasseurs a Cheval, which, according to the above com- putation, would make this corps amount to .8,800 infantry, and 1 ,000 cavalry ; and the total force in Estremadura would be 26,000 infantry, and 6,500 cavalry. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 195 tempted to enter Zafra the day before yesterday, ^^^^^^^^^' and failed, from the good resistance made by a ^^^^^^T*""^ stronsr ffuard of the kino-'s regiment of cavalry, "^p"'* ^ ^ C3 » ^ ^' Trench force who had a serieaiit and two soldiers killed, and "nmediateiyop- -' posed to Ike al- three wounded ; and from the lire of some of the ^'*^*' peasantry of the honorary militia of that town, who had two killed and four wounded ; and, they assert, that the enemy suffered considerably in the attack and retreat. (Signed) Greg. De la Cuesta. From the results of such inquiries as he coidtl make with effect, sir Arthur Wellesley proceeded to form the plan of his operations, thus announcing his excellency's reception of tlic command : ^ly lord, I arrived here on the 22d instant, and V®f-p"^'[f\ ' sir Arthur Wel- havinsr communicated with sreneral sir John Cra- l^*'/-'" ^^-^ ^"^ o ~ lord vricount dock, he put me in orders on the 25th, and I have £tl^|^^5fjj' assumed the command of the army. -^p"^' ^^^'^' The whole of the Biitish army in Portugal, arc assembled at Leyria and Alcohaca, with the ex- ception of the 2d battalion of the 30th regiment in garrison at Lisbon; of the l6th dragoons, on its. march to join the army, and of the 2d, ;24th foot, and 3d dragoon guards, and 4th dragoons^ just landed. ^36 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^cHAP. II. ' The corps of marshal Soult is still in the ^-^'^[^J^^^'^^ north of Portugal, occupying the city of Oporto, April. ^^,jj.|^ l^jg advanced posts at Ova: It is enajaged Lieut. -general * v- I-" sir Arthur \vei- with its left in an attack upon general Silveira, lesley, K.B. to I & iord viscount on thc TamaQ,fi, with a view to open the province of Castlereagh. ^ ' r i Tras Ids Montes, for its communication with Spain. The corps of general la Pisse, which had advan- ced from Salamanca, and threatened an attack upon the province of Beira, has marched along the fron- tiers of Portugal to Alcantara, where it crossed the Tagus, and it is now joined with that under the command of marshal Victor, at Merida, upon the Guadiaua. This last corps has been upon the Guadiana since the defeat of the Spanish army under general Cuesta, with its advanced posts south of that river. General Cuesta is at Llerena ; and I understand, by a comnumication from ]\Ir. Frere to the secretary of state, a copy of which has been sent here, that the Spanish government are taking measures to re- inforce that general, and that he will move to Portugal, if Victor should take advantage of the absence of the British army engaged in operations to tlie northward, to invade Portugal. Under these circumstances I have determined forthwith to move to the northward, I propose to take 6,000 Portuguese troops with me, and the whole of the British troops now in Portugal, UNDER LORD WELLINGTOy. l37 with the exception of the liiul battalion of the ^^OK iv, I CHAP. II. 30th, the 2nd battalion of the 24th ; the brigade ^^^T^^CT*^ 1809, of infantry under the command of major-general ^p"'- . Lieut.-gcnera! Mackenzie, and the 3d dragoon ouards, and 4th sir Arthur wt-u ^ ^ lesley, K.B. to dragoons. lord Viscount ^ Caadereagh. These troops, with about 7,000 of the Portuguese infantry and cavalry, will be left on the Tagus, to watch the movements of the enemy upon the fron- tier, and to guard the passes over tliat river between Abrantes and Santarcm. As soon as the enemy will have evacuated the north of Portugal, it is my intention to return to the eastern frontier of that kingdom, and to co- operate with the Spanish general Cuesta, against the army of Victor. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) Arthur Wellesley. Nothing can more completely evince the ex- treme delicacy and anxious care required to the con- duct of the campaign at this period than the foilowinG: document : o In my despatch, says i\Ir. Secretary Canning, Mr. spcret^irj •^ ^ *^ Canning which I forwarded to Lisbon by sir Arthur Wei- to the right hon •^ J. H. trerc. lesley, a duplicate of which I herewith inclose. Foreign-office, •^ ' ' ^ 17th Apal, you are directed not to bring the question of ^^^5. Cadiz again under discussion with the Spanish ^3S CAMPAIGNS IS SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^ch?p^j!.^' governinent, until you shall receive notice from the 3809. commander of his majesty's forces in Portugal, of T.T ^ll *^^^ actual evacuation of that country by the British Canpngtot'he army. right hon. J, H. -^ iJSn-office Upon consideration, however, of the time which Apns IT, 1809. ^^^y elapse before such notice can reach you, and of the disadvantao^es wliich mieht arise from tlie actual appearance of a Britisli army off Cadiz a second time, without the certainty of being ad- mitted, I am now to direct you to ascertain, with as little delay as possible, whether, in the event of our evacuation of Lisbon, the Spanish government would desire or accept the services of the British army, consisting at present of upwardsof 25,000 men, including between 3 and 4,000 cavalry, and 1,200 artillery, at Cadiz; on the condition so often spe- cified, of the admission of a part of that force into the garrison of that fortress. I have so repeatedly staterl to you the grounds upon which this condition is annexed to the offer, and have so fully explained the motives which in- duce a repetition of the offer at the present mo- ment, after having been so distinctly refused, that I have nothing to add upon that subject. You will not fail to communicate, with the ut- most expedition, to his majesty's commajiders at Lisbon, the result of your application to the Spanish government, in order that in the unfortunate event UNDER LORD WELLINGTON, iSg of the evacuation of Lisbon, (to the possibility of book iv. ' ■ CHAP. II. which event alone this whole instruction applies), v-^-v-^.^^ \ 1B09, the British commanders may be timely apprise^!, April. ISIr. Canning to whether it be, or be not, necessary, that they Mr. Frere. should carry the army to Cadiz, or whether they should at once carry it to such other destniation, as his majesty may, in the alternative of its not being wanted at Cadiz, have assigned for it. I am, Sec. (Signed^ George Canning. The following remarks form a mere public in- » strument of military diplomacy, on the delicate subject of obtaining possession of Cadiz by British troops on the part of their government, and on the desire of British detachments to serve with the i Spanish forces on that of Spain. His majesty's determination not to allow small Mr. secretary ^ ^ Canning to the detachments of his troops to be annexed to the r^gi»t.hoQ-J.H. Spanish armies, or to serve under the command ygJjf^'T?^' of a Spanish general, was signified at a very early ^^^^• period to the government of Spain : yet, notwith- standing their knowledge of this determination, and of the cogent motives vvhich dictated it, their applications for separate corps to be attached to the Spanish armies have been continually repeated. 140 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^iZ^v^^' -^^^^^^ ^^^^ retreat of the British army from Corin^na, ^"^'^^^^^ ^^is majesty was still solicitous to support the "^P"^''- Spanisli cause, and was willing to appropriate a IMr. Canning Jo Mi. Frere. considcrablc body of British troops for service in that part of the Peninsula, which was Hkely to be- come the principal theatre of the war ; but the un- fortunate result of the campaign in the north, and the disasters wliich the British army had experienced in effecting their retreat through the open and de- fenceless town of Corunna, rendered it impossible for his majesty to expose his troops to a recurrence of similar calamities. It therefore became indis- pensably necessary for the British troops to obtain the temporary occupation of some strong fortress, in which, in the case of reverses, tliey might find a secure retreat, and keep open their communication with the sea, for the purpose of either receiving reinforcements, or, in the worst extremity, of em- barking in safety. Although no satisfactory or dis- tinct motive has been assigned by the Spanish go- vernment for their rejection of his majesty's offer to place a garrison in Cadiz, it is yet hoped that the motives which produced that offer cannot be misunderstood or misinterpreted. His majesty, on his part, does not think liimself authorized, in any degree, to complain of its rejection. So long, how- ever, as the Spanish government sliall remain in^ UNDER LORD WELLINGTON*. 141 sensible to what appears to he as much their interest ^^'^ok iv. i i ' CU AP. H. as it would be essential to the safety of a Britisli v-^^-v--^-' 1809. army in Spain, his majesty must adhere to his ori- '^i>r''- ginal determination ; and, for the present, leave Mr! iv^.:. ' the struggle against France in Spain itself, to be carried on by the military efforts of Spain alone. His majesty, nevertlieless, though precluded, by the act of the Spanish government, from joining his military efforts to those of their own armies, will remain faithful to his engagement. His majest\' is persuaded that the enthusiasm of the Sp/mish nation, for the cause of their legitimate sovereign, and of their national independence, continues un- impaired ; but that spirit may, too probably, evaporate or exhaust itself to no purpose, in desul- tory and unproductive exertions, unless their go- vernment adopt a system of energy and decision, adequate to the magnitude and the dangers of the crisis in which they are placed. No such obstacles as have prevented the assem.- bling of a British force in Spain exist, in regard of Portugal. The large army which his majesty has directed to be collected in that part of the Penin- sula, occupies the fortresses of that country ; and, in the case of reverses, a secure port of embarkation is at his disposal. His majesty doubts not, that in the possession of these advantages, aided by the 142 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^^?J^if.^* efforts of the Portuguese nation, his army will be **"'*'^'^^5j'**^ equal to the purposes ; not only of providing for Mr cillJin to *^^^ immediate protection of Portugal, but in due Mr. Frere. ^j^^g q^' effectually covering the adjacent provinces of Spain. I am commanded to state these observations to you, in order that you may make such represen- tations founded upon them to the Spanish govern- ment, as you may deem to be proper and seasonable. You will, however, most carefully avoid the ex- pression of any sentiment which might have the appearance of resentment or reproach; and you will avail yourself of these observations only to induce tb.e Spanish government to abandon the narrow system of policy upon which they are now acting, and to repose that unbounded confidence in his majesty's intentions to which, from the dis- interestedness and magnanimity that have uni- formly marked his majesty's conduct towards Spain, his majesty is justly entitled ; and which, even if the intentions of his majesty could have been originally misapprehended, the sanction in the face of the world, by a solemn treaty of the en- gagements which his majesty has taken in behalf of the independence and integrity of Spain, might liave been expected to secure to him. UN'^DEa LORD WELLINGTON. Ill the foUowipff brief despatch is described the sook 17, "^ *■ CHAP. il. first advance of the army.* 1809. My lord, I have the honour to inform you, that, Sf'^tJ^^f^J^*'" in conformity with the intention which I announced ^"'*^t'«^^»eh- * It is a matter of mere military curiosity, to insert the state of the British army, which had taken the field under the com- mand of lieut. -general sir John Cradock, K. B. and K. G. and reached Leyitisk. Second in command, major-general Sher- brooke. Cavalry, major-general Cotton. — Commanding officers of re- giments.— I^th Light Dragoons, colonel Hawker; 1 6th Light Dragoons, colonel Anson ; detachment 20th Light Dragoons, major Blake ; ditto 3d Light King's German Legion, captain Meyer. FIRST LINE. Brigadier-general Campbell. — 1st Bat, Cold. Guards, Heut.' colonel Hulse ; 1 ditto 3d Guards, colonel Stopford. Major-general Mackenzie,— 3d Batt. 47th Regiment, lieut.- colonel M'Lean ; 2d ditto, 31st Regiment, major Watson; 1st ditto^ iotli Regiment, lieut.-colonel Guard. Brigadier -general Stewart. — 29th Regiment, lieut, -colonel White ; 1 Batt. Detachments, lieut.-colonel Bunbury. Majfrr-general Tilson. — 1 Batt. 3d, or BufFs, Heut.-colonel Drummond; 2 ditto 87th, major Cough; 1 ditto 88th, major Vandeleur. Major-general Murray, and brigadier-generals Draberg and Langworth.— 1st Line Batt. King's GerniAU Legion, major Ro-!' 144 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP- II. to your lordship, on the 27th April, I have assem- iao9.""^ 't>led the army at this place, with the exception of Lieut -^riiprai ^^^^ ^d battaliott of the 30th regiment, employed air Arthur WeU Icsley, K.E. to lord viscount Cabtlerea^h. , , ,.,.,. i i -n i- »• Coimbra/7th ocKcr ; 2 oitto ditto, lieut.-colonel Brown ; 5 ditto ditto, major Muj, iGOy. Gcrbcr ; 7 ditto ditto, heut-colonel Low. SECOND LINE. Brigadier-general A. Campbell. — 2d Batt. 7th, or Royal Fusi- leers, lieut. -colonel sir W. Myers ; 3d Ditto, 53d, lieut.-colone! Bingham. Brigadier-goneral Sontag, 97th Regiment, lieut. -colonel Lyon; 2d Batt. Detachments, lieut.-colonel Copson. Brigadier-general Cameron. — 2d Batt. 9th Foot, lieut.-Qolonel Mollej 2d Bait, 83d, lieiit.--colonel Gordon. RESERVE, Major-general Hill. — 2d Batt. 48th, lieut. -colonel Duckworth; Sth Batt, 60tli (Light) major Davcy; 2d Batt. 66th, major Murray. In garrison at Lisbon, 2d Batt. 30th Regiment, colonet Minnett. Brigadier-general Howarlh, commaixling the Artillery. Chief Engineer — Lieut.-colonel Fletcher. Deputy ailjutant-general — Lieut.-colonel Darroch. Deputy quarter-master-general — Colonel Dunkin. Deputy commissary-general — P. Rawlings, Esq. Inspector of hospitals — Alexander Thomson, Esq. PERSONAL STAFF OF THE COMMANDER OF THE FORCES. Lieut.-colonel Reynell, 7 1 st. Military Secretary. Capt. Morris, 3d Foot ; capt. Burgh, 92d Foot ; ensign Free- mantle, Coldstream Guards; viscount Ebrington, 9tli Foot, aides-de-camp. UNDER LORD "WELLINGTON". 14^ to garrison Lisbon, and the detachment on the ^ook iv. ^ , CHAP. II. Tagiis under the command of maior-oeneral Mac- ""-^^/""w^ ^ JO 5 809. kenzie. -'^pf'i- The whole were assembled here on the 5th inst. sirArthurWei- J 1 1 ,1 • ■ r lesley, K.B. to and, on the same day, a detachment consistnig or lord viscount Castlereagh. one brigade of British infantry, and one squadron of British cavalry, and a corps of about 6,000 Portuguese troops, cavalry, infantry, and ar- tillery, moved towards Viz'ea, under general Be- resford, in order to operate upon the enemy's left, while I shall move upon hi^ right at Oporto, with the main body of the British array, and two regiments of Portuguese infantry; the Bri- tish advanced guard commenced its march this morning. '-* The enemy remained nearly in the same position, as well on the eastern frontier, as in the northern provinces of this kingdom, as he did when I wrote | :; last. No alteration whatever that 1 know of has been made in the positions of the French army on the Guadiana; and the only difference in this quar- ter is, that the Portuguese general, Silveira, has been defeated upon the Tamega, and that the French had obtained possession of the bridge of Amaranthe, on the 2d instant. This acquisition is important, inasmuch as it affords them the VOL. IV. L 145 CAMPAIGNS |N SPAIN AND PORTUGALs ^cJU^T^"^' facility of retreating through the province of ^^"^"^^^^""^ Tras Ids ]\lontes. ^•y'^- I have the honour to be, Sec. Sir Arthur Wei- ,.,. ,^ ^ ,,^ i«ieytoiord (Signed) Arthur V/elleslet. -viscount Cattle- reag.h. UNDER lORD WELX-TXCTOX. 147 CHAP. in. COMMENCEMENT OF THE CAMVAIGN OF 1809, UNDER SIR ARTHUR WELLESLET, (AFTER- WARDS LORD "WELLINGTON). *■ Preparatory Circumstances and Detail. — Commji- nications betzveen the British Cornmander-iti-Chief and ike Allies. — Active Politico-Military Ex- ertions of the British Minister, MARSHAL BERESFORD had already com- menced operations in his new character, and pre- pared reinforcements for sir Robert Wilson, among the mountains southward of Salamanca, as well as an auxiliary force to general Cuesta, of between two and three thousand men, for a post on the line of the Thietar. He had also issued the following general orders ; to which, whatever exception may occur, it falls not within the present observation. Operations of marshal Bercs. ford. 148 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, K 0 0 K IV. tc jjjg royal highness the prince reafent of Por- •CHAP. III. JO I O ''^■^^■'^^ tugal, having most graciously been pleased to en- ''^P"^- trust to field-marshal Beresford the command-in- Gcneral orders. ... . . chief of his armies ; the field-marshal thinks it right, on assuming the command, to state and declare to his comrades in arms his sentiments on this occasion. " The field-marshal and commander-in-chief, during the time he served in the army which was sent by his Britlvinic majesty to support the ad- mirable and prodigious efforts made by the Portu- guese, to recover their liberty and independence so imjustly attacked, had an opportunity of becoming intimately acquainted with the military character of this nation ; and although he thinks he has given the most effectual proofs of the high idea he had formed of that character, by accepting the above command, yet he declares, in a still more de- cisive manner, that the command-in-chief of the Portuguese army, could not have possibly been con- fded to any other officer, so thoroughly convinced of the innate military talents and disposition of the Portuguese, who want nothing but skill and uni- formity of plan, in the direction of their warlike energies, to prove that they still are Mdiat they have always been, if not the best soldiers, at least equal to the most valiant and most intrepid troops of Europe. The field-marshal, commander-in-chief, UNDER LORD WELLINGTON". 149 will therefore exert himself, with incessant zeal and book i\. application, to render those qualities as efficient as CHAT. III. 1809. they are accustomed to be, when they are assisted ^p"'- ... General ordprs. by a strict and well-regulated discipline. It is uni- versally acknowledged, that the Portuguese are loyal to their sovereign, obedient to their lawful authorities who represent him, and that they en- dure, without murmurs, those privations, and incon- veniences to which armies are frequently obliged to submit. The patriotism, energy, and enthusiasm, of which they have but very lately given the most unquestionable proofs j the glory which they ac- quired in Roussillon, and the successes zvhich they obtained on the 7iorthern frontiers, clearly shew their determined intrepidity and valour,— qualities which cannot but render them worthy of their ancestors, and as illustrious as they. " No nation, ye men of Portugal, is therefore better qualified than you are, to become most ex cellent troops. The field-marshal, commander-in- chief, convinced of this trust, finds himself with the utmost pleasure identified with the Portuguese nation. He is a Portuguese officer, and confides to the Portuguese his character and honour, per- fectly satisfied that they will be preserved unim- paired. The field-marshal, commander-in-chief, deems it necessary to assure you^ that he will at all time^ consider it as one of his most important 160 CAJIPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. duties, to raise and reward merit, whenever he shall CHAP III. ' ' ^-^■^^•^^^ meet with it: and that the only recommendation 1809. *' April. lie shall notice, will be that derived from activity, skill, valour, and patriotism, — qualities which will at all times Hnd in him a sure and zealous protector. The field-marshal, com mandei-- in-chief, calls tlie attention of all the general and subaltern officers, to the present state and improvement of the army ; and being convinced that the best method of intro- ducing discipline, and a strict observance of duty in a military corps, consists in the example set by officers, he hopes they will never fail to give their men a lesson so necessary and important. The field-marshal, commander-in-chief, feels anxious to embrace the earliest opportunity of inspecting the diffisrent corps which have already taken the field, as well as the rest of the army ; and lae shall avail himself of all occasions which offer to pro- mote the satisfaction, decorum, and advantage, of the offi'cers and soldiers who are entrusted to his care." ' " Head-quarters, Lisbon, March 1 ^th, 1 809." Under the circumstances also in which the com- mander-in-chief assumed his appointment, nothing could be more necessary than a frequent, however cursory, retrospect of the following details. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 151 The total number of troops that embarked for service in Spain and Portusral, in the year 1808, r » J J J 1809. shewing the numbers of those that have returned ^p^^'- to Great Britain, and those remaining on service : EMBARKED. Field officers . , 137 Captains . . . 404 Subalterns . . 1,158 Staff 273 Sergeants . . 2,234 Drummers . . 960 Rank and file . 40,616 RETURNED OR RE- MAINING ON SER- VICE. 131 390 1,109 259 2,133 871 34,147 DEFICIENCY. ....'. 6 14 . . . . . 49 .... 14 , . . . . 101 , . . . . 89 , . . . . 6,469 The stores shipped by the store-keeper- general for the use of the British forces serving in Spain and Portugal, according to official returns, were, Camp equipage for 10,000 cavalry, Ditto . , for 48,000 infantry, Purveyor's stores for 2 1,000 men for twelve months, Ditto ... for 35,000 men for six months, Extra sets of bedding . . 500 Flannel waistcoats • . . 50,000 Pairs of shoes .... 54,884 Pairs of boots, soles and heels 4,000 Shoes ditto 8,000 152 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^Z^^rlT' Sets of accoutrements . . 4,700 Extra pack-saddles and bridles 1 00 1809. •*i*"'' Provision-marquees ... 3 The money sent from this country to Spain and Portugal, from the first of May, 1 808, amounted, according to an account laid before the house of commons, to £2,896,050. 12^. 9d. The money obtained by the negociation of bills made payable in this country for the use of the inhabitants of Spain and Portugal, amounts to ^220,434 I4s. 3d. And the total of the money lost, or taken by the enemy, during the campaign, is £,77,950. The medicines supplied to the troops are esti- mated at^l 1,000, exclusive of some instruments. According to an account laid before the house of commons, the transports employed for the trans- portation of the army, stores, &c. to Portugal and Spain, in the year 1808, amounted to 806, — ton- nage, 194,670,— expense, i: 1,292,783. Supplies to Spain. and Portugal. The followmg is an official account of the ex- pense incurred in furnishing arms, and other ord- nance supplies, to; the Spaniards and Portuguese, since May, 1808 ; prepared pursuant to an order of UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 153 the house of commons, dated March 27, 1809, bookiv. ' CHAP. in. £670,32S 17 1. SENT SINCE THE IST OF MAY, 1808. Pieces of cannon 98 and 31,600 rounds of ammunition. Howitzers . 33 7,200 ditto. Carronades . 20 4,000 ditto. Muskets . 200,177 Cloth . yards 125,000 Rifles 220 Calico . do. 82,000 Swords 61,391 Serge . pieces 6,489 Pikes 79,000 Cloth . do. 4,015 Infantry accoutrement Great coats 50,000 sets 39,000 Suits clothing 92,000 Bali cartridges 23,477,955 Shirts 35,000 Lead balls . 6,260,000 Shoes 98,600 Whole barrels of Shoe soles 15,000 powder 15,408 Calico pieces 22,212 Specie =£'1,934,903 &c. &c. &c . Bills of exchange Canteens . 50,000 negociated 220,409 Haversacks 54,000 Camp equipage 10,000 Hats and caps . 16,000 Tents 49,000 Pouches and belts 240,000 Linen . yards 118,000 Pieces sheeting 702 ON THEIR PASSAGE. Cloth . pieces 293 | Shoes 78,000 Shirts 4,100 Shoe soles 35,000 Pouches 47,000 Boots 8,100 rm BE SHIPPED AS SOON AS RE CEIVEU FROM CONTRACTORS. Boots 29,400 Pouches 130,450 Shoes 233,400 Cloth . yards 125,000 Suits 100 The above account acquaints us with the quan- t ityof articles sent, but neither infornjS us when they were shipped off, nor when they reached Spain. 1809. Mav. ^^^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAIo BOOK IV CHAP. 111. 1809 Preparatory also to the useful combination of efforts on the part of the armies about to be allied, April. was the care of Air. Frere, to produce on the part of the Spanish general a slower inclination for the attack, than had been evinced by general Cuesta, who was wanting in any thing rather than active bravery. It is thus communicated to his friend in power at home : — Sir, J. H"Frere°t'o I profit by thc detention of the Malta Canning/*'^ packct, to inform you, in addition to my despatch April, 'i809. of last wcck, that the junta had been for some time exceedingly anxious to tie up general Cuesta's hands from any measure of general attack, to which it was appreliended he was too much inclined, it being the opinion of all military men, and con- firmed by the event of the battle of Medellin, that, in the present state of the Spanish armies, a regular pitched battle would constantly be attended with the same results. It was agreed, therefore, that a defensive system should be made the subject of a specific argument, to which I, as his majesty's minister, was to be a party ; and which, of course, the general would not feel himself at liberty to break through. Conformably to this idea, I wrote . the letter, of which the inclosed is a copy, to sir John Cradock, communicating the instructions- UXDEa L©RD WELLINGTON. 155 BOOK rv. CiiAP. Ill- Catiiiiiig. which had been transmitted to general Cuesta, and in which it is enjoined him to remain upon the de- fensive, with the main body of liis army, in th€ ^p'^'^- ,,-,.., r» 1 • Eight Hon. J.H. understanding that the British army, atter beating FreretoMr general Soult at Oporto, or driving him from that point, and shutting him up in Gallicia, might come down in time to act upon the flank or rear of general Victor, in Estremadura, or pursue and profit by his weakness, after such a loss as he would experience in forcing a strong position, resolutely defended by a large army, however inferior in dis- cipline. I at the same time forwarded the accom- panying copies of intercepted letters, of which tlie latest appeared to point decidedly to an attack upon Andalusia. In order that the British might not be exposed to an attack from the comhiued forces of marshals Soult and Victor, who might march for- ward, after having routed general Cuesta ; it was to be considered as a condition, that that general should, as far as possible, avoid an action. A translation of this letter was communicated to the junta, and to general Cuesta, and I accordingly took an opportunity, at the end of it, of making an indirect anssver to many solicitations and represen- tations, which had been made to me on the subject of the 40th regiment. In pursuance to the anxious wish which I have entertained, to see a diversion made on the side of 156 BOOK IV, CHAP. HI. 1809. Canning. CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, La Manclia, under the command of the duke of Albuquerque, I took an opportunity, founded upon April. this communication, to write a letter to general -Right hon. J.H. ^^ FreretoiMr. Cucsta upou this SLibject. I liavc not yet received his answer. The question of the direction in which the force at Alcantara had arrived, and Which was still in doubt at the date of my last despatch, was, as you will see, sir, decided, by the intercepted letters above mentioned. I am sorry to add, that, by sir R. Wilson s account, the safety of this detachment, in so long and exposed a march, is to be attributed to the panic and negligence of the Portuguese, who retired immediately upon the approach of the enemy. Sir Robertas last letter is dated the 15th, from Castello Branco, from whence he was going "to Thomar, upon a summons to confer with gene- ral Bercsford ; I earnestly wish that the result may be some immediate operation upon the right flank of the enemy, or, at least, upon his communications. The possession of Elvas, Badajos, and Alcantara, seems to afford every opportunity for efforts of this natui-e. In the mean time, however, we learn that marshal Soult has evacuated Oporto, but we are still at a loss as to the direction which, he has taken, whether to unite himself with his garrisons in Gallicia, or to come and join himself with gene- ral Victor: nor does the expression of Joseph Buo- UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 157 naparte, " That Victor is not to advance till he is book iy. . . . . CHAP. III. joined by La Pisse, and till he receives news from '^-•-^r^'**-/ marshal Soult," enable us to.clearup the difficulty, April'. though it seems rather to point to the latter con- Frfre tHir. * , . Canning. elusion. I have the honour to inclose general Cuesta's report, received yesterday, and another of the 21st, in which he details the disposition of his force, and his plan of defence. It is, I am afraid, to be feared, that so much cavalry will rather prove an incumbrance, at least in the event which we must look to, of defending the narrow passes. The general appears so far aware of this, that he has ordered the further reinforcements of this army, which were coming to join him, to halt, beside the cavalry enumerated in general Cuesta's statement above-mentioned, and which amounts to 3,990. There are stationed in his rear at Gerona, Guillena, and Algaroba, the six regiments of Rey, Bourbon, Pavia, Saguntum, volunteers of Madrid and Seville, which may serve in case of extremity to cover the retreat of the army after being forced from the strong pass of Heradura, on this side of Ronquillo. The road from Guellena to St. Olalla, is one con- tinued defile. It is, perhaps, to be wished, that some part of the 3,990 cavalry, which would be cut oif in case of the army being driven back into the strong imprac- ^•5S CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^ciiAi. in. " ticable country, should be sent betimes into the rear, instead of beinsr left to encumber the retro- L809. '^"'j ...vyLv,t*v. w. i^viii^ April. ^rade movements of the infantry, in a situation in Freic-toMr. which their service could not possibly be made Canning. ' •' useful. Their present utility in aunoying and harassing the enemy appears too slight to justify so great a risk. I have the honour to be, &c. J. H. Frere. A few days after, Mr. Frere thus communicates answers to the \vhole : — My dear sir, Sir Artluir 'v^'cI- jesioy to Mr. I reccivcd ycstcrday your letter of the Frere. vii!;i Franca. 2 Ist instaut, too:ether with one from 2;eneral Cuesta, April 29, 1809. ° ^ and one from Don Martin de Garay. I send you the copy of the answer which I have written to the former, and my answer to the latter. According to my instruction, I think that I ought not to have any communication with the Spanish government, excepting through you, and if you should be of the 5am e opinion, I request you to tell Don Martin, that I can communicate with him only through you, and acquaint him with my sentiments as con- tained in the inclosed letter. I hope that the Spaniards will adhere to their determination of acting upon the defensive, till I UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 159 shall' return to the eastward ; they should reinforce so ok iv. ' '' CHAP. in. Cuesta as much as possible; he has only 19,000 ^""^'^y*^ infantry, and 1,500 cavalry, as he tells me in his ^p"'- Sir Arthur Wel- letter of the 23(1. It M'ill also be very deswable, lesiejtoMr. Frere. that Cuesta should observe the motions of the French if they should enter Alentejo, and follow them. If their object should be to invade Portugal, which, however, is very improbable, — at all events, if they should invade Portugal, we shall not be without a force upon the Tagus, and in the passes of the mountain between Alcantara and Abrantes. I recommend that Cuesta should observe Victor's movements in Alentejo, because it is not impossible that he might enter that province, with a view to the invasion of Andalusia. It is very improbable, however, that in the present state of the French force in Spain he will move at all till he will have heard of Soult. Ever yours, most sincerely, Arthur Wellesley. P. S. In respect to the 40th regiment, I certainly must have it; but in the present state of affairs, I think it best it should remain at Seville till I shall be able to lix upon a safe route for it. And upon *these subjects, the closest of all, thus writes the cornmaiider-in-chief : [60 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOKIl^ Si CHAP. III. ' ^■^'^Y'''^*-' I have had the honour of receiving your April. excellency's letter of the 21st, and am happy to Sir Arthur Wel- . i-iTiiii.J lesiey to M. de find that thc plan of operations which 1 had acloptea Garay. i • j* 1 Villa Franca, for the tioops undcr my command immediately 29thAprill809 ' ... Upon my arrival in this country, and upon which they have already marched; viz. — to remove Soult from the north of Portugal, is approved by the supreme junta. As soon as that operation will be performed, it is my intention to collect the whole of the army under my command on the east fron- tier of Portugal, and to co-operate by every measure in mypowerwith Cuesta, in attack upon marshal Victor. In the mean time, I cannot sufficiently recommend a strict defensive in all quarters. In the present situation of affairs, we have every reason to hope, that in a short time we shall be able to CO- operate in a vigorous attack upon the whole re- maining force of the enemy, in which attack we liave reasonable prospect of success, if we do not lose any of the valuable positions which we still possess, or the men which defend them, in fruitless attack of the enemy in the plains. It cannot be a matter of such importance, whether they possess for a short time longer more or less of the plains of La IMancha, provided the Spanish troops do not incur the risk of sustaining a fresh defeat by the superior cavalry of the enemy. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON". l6l and by diminishing the strength and efficiency of the corps destined to defend the passes of the ^^^^ Sierra ]\Iorena, with the loss of those important -^p"'- . , Sir Arthur Wel- positions, and of all that remams that is valuable, icsie^r to m. de Garay. I do not conceive that the enemy are now in a situation to undertake any thing of importance, particularly till they will hear of marshal Soult ; and, if this be true, there is every prospect of ul- timate success, if we should wait till all t^n join in the attack of Victor. (Signed) Arthur Wellesley. His excellency continues more fully to the Spa* nish general with whom he is to co-operate. Sir, I had the honour of receiving yesterday sir Arthur Wei- <-> '^ " lesley to gene- your excellency's letter, of the 23d of April, and yju^ p^'g^.^.^ I assure your excellency, that it will gi^^e me the ig^g^^"'' greatest satisfaction to co-operate with your ex- cellency, as far as may be in my power, to defeat those forces of the enemy which thr^ten the cities of Seville ami Lisbon. Your excellency must be aware of the state of the Portuguese army ; a commencement has only lately been made to or- ganize and discipline it ; and although I have the utmost reliance on the valour, tlie zeal, and the loyalty, of the troops in Portugal. I cannot, VOL. IV. M 162 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^cH?r!^iny' ^^ ^^'^ moment, consider them in such a state of '^■^^^j^'*^ discipline as to confide to their exertions the safety April. Qf Portugal, which is especially committed to my Sir Arthur Wel- esiey to gene- carc, against the further attempts which may be made upon it by the disciplined troops of France, which have already invaded and are in possession of an important part of this kingdom. Under these circumstances, my attention has necessarily been directed : In the first instance, to remove from Portugal the further evils with which both Spain and Portugal are threatened by marshal Soult ; and the greatest part of the army, under my com- mand, is now on its march for that purpose, A small detachment of British troops, with one of Portuguese troops, will remain upon the Tagus to watch the movements of the enemy, and to guard the passage of that river, in case the enemy should direct his attack upon this country. If I should succeed in removing marshal Soult from the north of Portugal, I intend to go forthwith with all the troops under my command, (consisting of about 25,000 men, of which nearly 4000 will, at that time, be cavalry,) to the eastern frontier of Por- tugal in the neighbourhood of Elvas, and I shall be happy to co-operate with you in any place which may be agreed upon for the attack of Victor. In the mean time a detachment of the garrison of Elvas has been directed to take the field in co- UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. l6S BOOK IV. Cll AP. III. 1809. ral tuesta. Operation with a similar detachment of the garri- son of Badajos, to act as a corps of observation in that quarter; but I cannot avoid taking this op- -^p"'- . 1 . 111''''^ Arthur Wei- portunity of recommending, that this corps should lesicy to gen?- not be exposed to the attack of the enemy, or to be cut off from the garrisons to which the parts of it respectively belong. In the present situation of affairs, all that we require is time, and that we should not lose our men, or any of the valuable positions which we still possess. In a short time we shall all be enabled to co-operate in a vigorous attack upon the enemy ; and, till that period will arrive, it is not very material whether he acquires a little more of the open country, provided we do not lose any of the men who are destined to de- fend the valuable points and positions which re- main in our hands. Your excellency is mistaken respecting the position of sir Robert Wilson's corps. He has been remanded to the neighbour- hood of the Douro, to confine himself in that quarter. I consider the possession of Alcantara, however, so important at this moment, in respect both to the defence of Portugal, and to our future design upon Victor, that I wmU give diiections that it should be occupied by a Portuguese, if it should be possible to form one fit for that purpose. I shall be obliged to you if you will give directions M 2 1(54! BOOK IV. CHAP. III. CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIJTAND PORTUGAL, that any Portuguese or British corps, which may 1809. S^ ^° Alcantara, may be received there, e- /r"^',., . I ^^^^'^ written to your excellency a lono: letter Sir Arthur VVel- _ «/ v' o lesiey to gene- in EngHsli, unclerstandinQ^ that you have officers under your command in your confidence, who can explain it to you, in which I have taken thehberty of giving you my opinion with great freedom. I hope that you will receive them as they are iu' tended, as a mark of my sincere desire to be of use to you, as fur as is in my power at present, M'hich I hope and believe, from the situation of the enemy, I shall have still better opportunities of proving to you before much time will elapse. (Signed) Arthur Welles ley* And, upon one of the most delicate of topics, thus easily writes M. de la Cuesta in his answer to Mr. Frere. Most excellent Sir, General Cuesta I havc cousidcred thc couteuts of vour toRJr. Frcre. " Monasterio. cxccllency's vcry polite letter of the 22d instant, oOth April, J J I » 1809. (which I received yesterday by the common post, with the consequent delay,) which solicits my co- operation with your excellency, in order that ge- neral Vanegas may be replaced by the duke of Albuquerque, in the army of La Mancha^ and that the former should come and serve under my UNDEll LORD WELLINGTOlSr. }65 BOOK IV. CHAP. III. 1809. to Mr. Frcre. immediate orders, which your excellency tliinks would be advisable, considering all that has hap- pened in that army, and other reasons which you ■'^p"'- General Cues! r^ give. Your excellency will allow me to declare, witlx my characteristic frankness, that I am, to a certain degree, forbidden to enter into them, considering that the supreme junta, upon mature considera- tion ; and having brought him from such a distance as Valencia, named general Vanegas, to command the army of La Mancha, the duke of Albuquerque being at that time at Seville, which does not di- minish his merit, but, no doubt, ought to make me abstain from entering upon the question you treat of, however well I may know the brilliant qualities wliich adorn the duke, and however sin- cere the affection which I profess for him. Above all, I regret that the circumstances which I men- tion deprive me of the particular satisfaction which I should have in obliging your excellency ; and I wish for other opportunities of giving you proofs of the sincere esteem and regard with which I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) GiiEOORiA de la Cuesta. Though the following document is rather poli- tical than military, yet it is, in one respect, so 5^^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^c^.?i.^^in^'' closely connected with the history of the cam- ^^„<^ paign, as to be identified with it. It decides a -Vii- point in which the preceding book, and the narra- tive of the operations which formed its subject, are at issue ; the confidence due to Mr. Frere, on those matters in which he so essentially differed from sir John Moore. Can.?ng1o^-the " ^^ "^7 clcspatch," says Mr. Canning, " written abiej.Tuw. ^^^^^' tl^^ arrival in this country of Don Pedro Ce-^ ist^ily.im). vallos, as ambassador-extraordinary, from his Ca- tholic majesty ; and, in his royal name, from the supreme and central junta of Spain and the Indies, I stated to you, by his majesty's command, that his majesty had not then determined whether this mission might, or might not, require a correspond- ent mission on his majesty's part, of a minister in- vested with a similar diplomatic character. " The continued stay of Don Pedro Cevallos in this country, induces the supposition, that the junta may possibly expect a return to the compli- ment which they paid to his majesty, and the pro- bability that other powers of Europe, particularly Austria, may send a person of ambassadorial rank to Seville, appears to render it expedient, that the British mission, at that residence, should be placed forthwith on the highest footing, both in respect to personal rank and diplomatic character. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 1^7 BOOK IV. CHAP. m. 1809. " From these considerations, his majesty has been graciously pleased to appoint the marquis Wellesley to proceed to Seville, with the character of his ^^"y. Mr. Secretary majesty's ambassador-extraordinary and plenipo- Canning to th tentiary ; and I am commanded by his majesty to abiej.H.frere direct you to announce to the junta the appoint- ment of this nobleman, and to inform them, that he has received his majesty's command to repair to his post with the least possible delay. *' I am to direct you to continue in the exercise of General appro •^ bation of his your functions, until the arrival of the marquis political miii- '' *■ tary conduct. Wellesley ; and I am especially co7nmanded to re- peat to you the expression of his majesty s 7?iost gracious approbation of your general conduct in that arduous and delicate situation, during a period of unexampled interest, difficulty, and embarrassment. " I am, &c. (Signed) ^* George Canning." Nothing can be more important than this decla- ration of approval from his majesty's government, of the conduct of Mr. Frere, after the severe scru- tiny which it had undergone in parliament, and by almost every class of the pubhc. And the more so, because Mr. Frere seemed evidently to have satisfied both the government and people of Spain, during a period the most cii- J 58 BOOK IV. CHAP. III. 380'J. CAMPAIGNS^IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, tical, when the British army appeared to have resigned, as entirely hopeless, the Spanish cause ; ^^y- and to have taken with advantage, and with Mr. Secretary . Canning to the the acquiescencc of the new commander-in-chief, light honour- able J. H.Frere. a more active part than ever in the discussion, and aid, of mihtar}^ operations, in the commencement of this campaign. ' ■ A degree of energy in the cause of active in- quiry, and discriminative zeal, is evident through the whole of the preceding communications ; and that freedom of action which, above all things, bounded by that due caution which will ever mark the projects of a great general, cannot fail to be advantageous even under the worst of circum- stances. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 16^ CHAP. IV. HARCH OF THE ARMY UNDER SIR ARTHUR WEL- LESLEY, AND DISPOSSESSION OF THE FRENCH FROM THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL. British Line of Battle. — Rapid Advajice of the Troops. — Stratagem of Marshal Soidt. — Actio?i at Oporto. — Destructive Pursuit of Soulfs Artny. — Rapid Return of the British Army to the Southward. Sir Arthur Wellesley having arrived at Co- book iv- CHAP. IV. imbra on the 2d of May, with a reception worthy v.^^-y-^w' of the hero of Vimiera, a general peal of bells, fire- Maj.' works, and illuminations, (to which the judicious commander did not fail to return the imposing hom- age of a numerous staff, and at the same time with every demonstration of amenity), as he passed through an acclaiming multitude, to the rich au- gustine monastery of Santa Cruz, appointed his ffo hOOK IV. CHAl'. IV. CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, head-quarters,— reviewed the army on the fine plain ^g^^ below the city, on the 6th of May. Nothing ^^^^- could be more satisfactory. March of the army uuder sir The Staff, as hath already been partly described, A. Wellesley. ^ r J » preceded the order of battle, as follows : — Lieut- gen. the right hon. sir A. Wellesley, K. B. commander of the forces. Lieut-colonel Bathurst, military secretary. Captains. — The hon. Fitzroy Stanhope, Lord Fitzroy Somerset, f Aids-de George Bouverie, ^ camp. C. F. Canning, Major-generals Sherbrooke, ^Servingwith Paine, ^ local rank of Lord W. Bentinck,^lieut. -gene- Hon. E. Paget. J^'^^^* Cotton, Hill. Murray, Erskine, M'Kenzie, Tilson. JJrigadier-generals A, Campbell, UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. j-j H. F. Campbell, book iv. R. Stewart, ^^chap.^^^ Cameron, ^jj^; Fane, Drieberp;, Langwortb. • Colonel Donkin, colonel on the staff Adjutant-general's department. Brigadier-general the hon. C, Stewart, adjutant- general, Lieut.-colonels Darrock, 36th regiment, Lord Aylmer, Coldstream, Edwards, Heimber, 6$th regiment, Elley, horse-guards. Majors, Tidy, 14th regiment, Williamson, 30th, Berkelv, and C. Campbell. Assistant-adjutant-generals. Captains Cotton, Elliot, Dashwood, Graham, Cockburn, Mellish, and During, Deputy assistant-adjutant-generals. Quarter-master-generals' department. Col. Murray, 3d guards, quarter-master-general, Lieut-col. Dclancey, dep. quarter-master-general. 17^ CA3IPAIGNS IN SPAIISir AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. ciiAr. iv; 1309. Lieutenant-colonels Bathurst, Bourke. Majors Blaquire, .and Morthey, ^^"^'" Assistant quarter-masters-general. Caj^tains Mercer, Sutton, Langton, Kelly, Haver- field, Scovii, Waller, and Beresford, Deputy assistant quarter-mastei-generals. - The army is brigaded, and will stand in line as follows : viz. CAVALRY. Lieutenant-gen. Payne, and major-gen. Cotton, 14tli light dragoons, colonel Hawker, 20th ditto. ^ major Blake, 3d K.'s Ger. It. hussars, It.-col. Arentschild, l5th light dragoons colonel Anson. GUARDS. Brigadier-general H. F. Camphell. 1st battalion Coldstream, lieutenant-col. Hulse, 1st battalion 3d regiment, hon. colonel Stopford, 1st con)pany 60th captain Haines. INFANTRY. 1st brigade, major-general Hill. 3d or buffs, lieut-col. Muter, UNDER lORD- W^ELLINGTON. .|78 66th reffiraent, 2d bat. maior Murray, book iv. <-> ^ O J ^ CHAP. IV. 48th ditto. Ueut-colonel Duckworth. ^*-^-v-^> 1809. 60th 1st company. ^W- 3d brigade, major-general Tilson. 60th, 5 companies, major Woodgate, 88th, Isthattahon, major Vandeleur, ]st battalion Portuguese grenadiers, ,87th, 2d battalion, major Gough. 5 th brigade, brigadier-general A Campbell. 7th, 2d battalion, lieut.-colonel sir W. Myers, 53d, ditto. lieut.-colonel Bingham, l6th Potuguese, 1st bat. Heut. -colonel Oliver, 6oth, 1 company. 7th brigade, brigadier-general Cameron. 9th regiment, lieutenant-colonel Molle, 10th Portuguese, 2d battalion, 83d regiment, ditto, lieutenant-col. Gordon, 60th, 1 company. 6th brigade, brigadier-general R. Stewart. * Detachments 1st battalion, lieut.-col. Bunbury, l6th Portuguese regiment, lieut.-colonel Doyle, 29th regiment, lieut.-colonel White, * The battalions of detachments were formed of those soldiers of sir John Moore's army who were left sick in Lisbon, or fcU out from sickness in the march through Portugal to Salamanca, and the sick and. st8.asgi.ers dyrirg the retreat toCorunna. 174 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTU($AI, 4th brigade, brigadier-general Sontag. * Detachments 2d battahon, lieut.-col. Copson, 1 6th Portuguese. P7th regiment, lieut.-col. Lyon, 90th, 1 company. 2d brigade, major-general Mackenzie. 27th regiment, 3d bat. lieutenant-col. Maclean, 45th ditto 1st, lieutenant-col. Guard, 31st ditto 2d, major Watson. king's GERMAN LEGION. Major-general IVfurray, with Brigadier-generals Drieberg, and Langsvorth, ROYAL ARTILLERY. Brigadier-general Howarth, Lieut— colonels Framlingham, and Robe, In the folloM'ing letter, addressed to his own mi- nister, the Spanish general is, however, less scru- pulous in his remarks, and these most painfully recall the memory to those scenes of the last book from which they have been deduced. This is compensated, however, in a great degree, by find- ing the defence of Alcantara, at least, omitted in * See note to preceding page. UNDER LORt> WELLINGTON. 175 tii€ acerbity of general Cuesta's remarks upon the book iv. Other parts of the plan, v,^.^^^ ^ r 1809. May. Most excellent Sir, Nothing new has occurred to-day in the toTrdeConS. vanguard of this army. The enemy, who had MontSoS left iVlerida, in the direction of Carecus, and had "•^' gone as far as the Casas De St. Antonio, have re- turned to the former place and its neighbourhood, where they continue fortifying themselves. I have received to-day a very polite and attentive answer from sir Arthur Wellesley, dated Villa Franca, the 29th ultimo, by which he appears determined to march, with nearly the whole of his force, against marshal Soult, at Oporto, consisting of about 20,000 infantry and 4000 cavalry, (for which place he was already on his march,) besides the Portuguese army, amounting to something less. This operation completed, he has great hopes of making the French retire from thence ; and, coming afterwards with his troops towards Elvas, to act in concert with me, and drive the enemy from Estremadura. By this I see that he has only in view the driving the French from Portugal towards ^linho, by which operation we should gain little or nothing ; for Soult would return and unite him- self with the forces which he has in Gallicia, and subject still more that kingdom, without the pea- ^76 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^c^fp^ivT' ^^^^U or the marquis of Romana being sufficient ****^;(^7*^ ^^ hinder it. It appears to me that the object of ^%- tlie Enghsh general should be, to surround the General Cuesta toM.de Cornel, rrench m Oporto, or place himself between that city and the Minho, to hinder such a retreat, con- sidering the superiority of allies. By this position they would prevent, also, the arrival of succours which Soult may receive from Gallicia. I know- not whether the observation, which I propose making on this subject, will arrive in time, or, if they do, wliether they will have any effect. The Remarks on the svntem ot the British appearins: to be never to ex- British system . . under sir/. pQse thcir troops, owing to which they never gain decisive actions by land, and sacrifice those in con- tinned retreats and precautions, as happened to ge- neral Aloore, from not having attacked the enemy in time at Sahagun and Placentia, before they were reinforced. He speaks again of a camp of obser- vation between Elvas and Badajos, composed of a small detachment from each place ; so that the re- treat of neither could be cut off by the enemy. I do not see the utility of this, especially for us; this small corps not being able either to ob- serve or resist the enemy. In like manner he says, that brigadier-general Wilson has been destined with the troops, under his command, to the banks of the Douro, though he thinks the bridge of Al- cantara is of importance to be preserved, to which I UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 177 point he will send a corps of Portuguese troops, if any capable of defending it can be formed ; and he ^^^^ requests to me to give orders, at the above place, ^^^^y- General Cuesta for the admission of whatever English or Portu- toM.deComci. guese troops may arrive there, to which I can see no objection. He wishes, also, to persuade me not to undertake any thing against Victor, till he should return from his expedition to Oporto ; in which case he repeats, that he will come down upon Elvas, and act in concert with rae, to drive them out of the province. (Signed) Gregoria de la Cuesta. Mr. Frere, ever active, very early furnished am- ple details to the British general, as will appear from the following despatch : — Dear Sir, By information received last nioht, it ap- Mr. Frere to sir •^ =• ' ^ A. Wclleslev. pears certain that a body of French, calculated at about 15,000 men, have left Arragon ; they passed through the town of Alagon on the 4th ultimo, in the direction of Tudela, which they would reach on the l6th. By letters from Madrid, it appears that this force was understood to be marching to the assistance of marshal Ney, from whom no in- telligence had been received for some time past. This agrees perfectly with a passage in an inter- VOL. IV. N Seville, 4th May, 1809. CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND t»ORTUGAL, cepted letter from king Joseph to Sebastian!, dated Madrid, 9th of April, in which he says, *' Je ne veux rien entreprendre sur Valence tant que je n'aurais des nouvelles du M. Ney, et que je ne s^aurais la destruction totale du corps de la Ro- niana ;" a combination of ideas, which docs not appear so obvious or capable of explanation under any other supposition, as under that of the march of the army of Arragon towards Gallicia and As- turias. It has'been an object of constant anxiety with me to accomplish the destruction of the roads leading from Ponferrado and Villa Franca, into Gallicia. Orders have been given to that effect, and I have been assured, by intelligence from thence, that they have been carried into execution. Nevertheless, in order, if possible, to obtain a greater security since the news of the marquis of Romana's success at Villa Franca, I prevailed upon the government to send instructions to the autho- rities of those towns, for their complete and ef- fectual obstruction. If this should have been effected, (and I should imagine almost in any case,) the same reasons, and much stronger ones, which gave rise to this march, for the relief of marsJial Ney, would lead the enemy to proceed to the re- lief of the more competent corps under marshal Soult, exposed, as it is, to the arrival of the army UNDER LORD WELLINCTOK. 179 under your command ; a circumstance, as I appre- ^^^k iv. '' ' ' 1 r CHAP. rv. liend, orio-inally out of the contemplation of the ^^-^^^"^-^ usurped government, and classed hy them among ^%- Blr. Frere lo the many illusive reports, by which the Spaniaids sirA. Weiie«- ley. endeavour to keep up the spirits of their country- men. Our intelligence from the north is so tardy, and so precarious, that I can hardly venture to speak, with any degree of certainty, as to the amount of the reinforcements, which he may be able to pick up on his march ; but, except at Burgos and Zamore, I do not imagine that, upon any one point, they would find more than 1000 men. The division which reached Alcantara, consisted of the whole of the regiments formerly at Sala- manca. At Zamora, it was said there were 1500 infantry and 500 horse. From Burgos we have no intelligence ; but the general amount there has usually varied from 2000 to 600 men. As I apprehend that the intelligence from Arra- gon may so far vary your plan, as to induce you to push with greater eagerness for the destruction of marshal Soult, instead of leaving him to re- treat, with the possibility of uniting and becoming again a formidable force, by the addition of the corps of marshal Ney, and the division from Arra- gon, I shall prepare the government here for the probability of such a determination. N 2 180 BOOK IV. C((AP. IV. 1809 k-v CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIX AND PORTUGAL, Before the arrival of this inteUigeiice, I had a discussion upon the supposition of your accom- ^^"y- plishing tlie plan, wliich you communicated, of Mr. Frere to ^ ^ sir A. Welles- comiug' dowu upou Estrcmadura, to co-operate with general Cuesta, after having determined M. Soult to a retreat upon GalHcia. AVith this view I in- sisted upon a plan, the utility of which is acknow- ledged by every one, and which has been already experienced, I mean an offensive operation on the side of La ]\Iancha. The partial success of such an operation, under the duke of Albucjuerque, had the effect of re- tarding the plans of the enemy for upwards of a month ; and, if he had not been withheld by posi- tive orders, there can be little doubt that the southern campaign would have been still more com- pletely disconcerted. It is obxious that success, on this side, menaces IMadrid ; and the example of count Cartaojal's defeat ought to set us at ease even to the consequences wliich might be appre- hended from a repetition of the same misfortune. Not onlv the nature of the couutrv, and the dis- tribution of the enemy's force; but the intelligence which we constantly receive, and the intercepted letters of the enemy, particularly one from king Joseph to Scbastiani, " telling him that he is to at- tempt nothing till Victor is at Seville," are sufficient to shew that we have no real attack to fear, except UNDER LORD AVELLINGTOX: 18l "on the side of Estremadiira. It is equally evident book iv. '■ '' CHAP. IV. that the only real and immediate danger to the ^*^T^^C^^ -J '^ 1809 enemy, is on the side of La IVIancha. ^%- - ^Ir. Frerc to We have there, at this moment, 10,000 mfantry, sirA. Weiie.> k'y. and 1 300 cavalry, fit for action ; and, of the latter, a larger number disabled, for \vant of various ac- coutrements. Seven hundred are on their march : We have here, under the orders of the duke of Albuquerque, a force of 300 cavalry, considered as a part of the army of Estremadura, but \yhich are obliged to remain on this side of Sierra Morena, from tlie impossibility of proceeding thereon with forage. Their situation, however, was not con- sidered devoid of utility, at a time when it was apprehended Victor might risk an attack upon ge- neral Cuesta, in his defensive position, and force the different points which guard the entrance into Andalusia. It was considered that the cavalry, so stationed, might serve to cover the retreat of the infantry, and enable them to re-unite, with less confusion and dispersion, under the walls of this city ; since your arrival, however, an attack of this kind is no longer to be feared, as j\I. Victor had orders (before it was even expected) " not to attack till he had been joined by the division from Salamanca, and had received news from M. Soult ;" and, even if it were, general Cuesta has B O O K IV. CHAP. IV. 1809. May. Mr. Frere to CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND POllTUGAL, with him 4000 cavahy;and surve3's of the country have been made, and precautions taken to enable them, as soon as the enemy should be engaged in sir A. Welles- the dcfilcs, to retreat and form in the rear, for the purpose before-mentioned. We have, therefore, 3000 cavalry, who would be kept there without use or excuse, of any kind, and who might be most profitably and importantly employed in a di- version of 5000 cavalry, with a sufficient pro- portion of infantry, which, if the enemy refused to attend to it, would become a serious and, per- haps, a decisive operation. The real difficulty is this; — this division is under the command of Al- buquerque; he has been successful in a similar command ; he is adored by the army, and in the province, (La Mancha,) if the division were to be sent ; the expedition could not, in justice, be en- trusted to other hands, especially as he is a cavalry officer, which general Vanegas (who commands at Carolina) is not. My fear is, that the military junta will separate this force of 3000 men, in order to leave the duke, with whatever part is detained here, in the most painful predicament possible, and send the other under the command of Vanegas, giving him, at the same time, discretionary, instead of positive, orders ; a measure against which it is impossible to UNDER LORD WF.LLIXGION. 183 BOOK IV. CHAP. IV. 1809. object, without undertaking a responsibility for all the consequences : they will contrive, in this man- ner, to cripple and defeat the whole operation. ^^*y- ' ' . ' Mr. Frere to J\ly opinion of these gentlemen is founded upon sir A.Wcik*- a general observation of their conduct, confirmed by the general voice of the public, and most par- ticularly impressed on my own mind with respect to this very subject, by a long conference which he had with them yesterday. As it was my object to obtain a diversion in La Mancha, as the price of co-operation on your part; and the impression which they received from colonel Alava's report was, that your intention was, after defeating or driving Soult into Gallicia, to come down upon Estremadura, to attack general Victor ; I w^s under some disadvantage, inasmuch as they ima- gined that the point, which I wanted to make a condition, was already conceded. This morning, however, the minister and section of war shewed me the inclosed letter, which they had received from general Cuesta, which seemed to have brought them a little to reason ; and will, I hope, have the same effect upon the gentlemen of the junta, above-mentioned. They seemed disappointed ; but I did not, under the present circumstances, ex- pect any thing, but that you will maintain a de- fensive system in the north of Povtugal^ exposed. ^^^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. IV, 1809. as 3'ou are, to a force so niuch greater than that which you reckoned upon at the time of writing Mr FrlTto ^^^^^ letter, unlcss they will voluntarily^ and, in sir A. Welles- the hopcs of assistaucc from England, make those efforts which necessity, sooner or later, will oblige them to make ; and employ the only person they have now disposable, who enjoys, in any degree, the confidence of the army, and the reputation of military skill and success. When I speak above of an attack upon Victor, as a condition, which I thought myself authorised to offer, I follow nearly the expression of your letter to me ; but I did not, by any means, ex- press an expectation or a wish that the British army, under your command, should compromise itself any farther than by occupying a position on the north of the Tagus, together with Alcantara, a measure which would naturally oblige Victor to retreat by the bridge of Ahnaray, (if he could re- establish it,) exposed, as he would be, to all the difBculties arising from the situation of the two armies ; if he wished to preserve his baggage and artillery, or abandoning both, by the bridge of Arzobispo, which he must reach by roads impass- able to carriages, if not to cavalry, a situation very little removed from capitulation. I took an opportunity to say to theni, " Gentle- BOOK IV. CHAP. IV. 1809. ley. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. l85 men, the honour of the British army will be re- covered by the defeat or capitulation of marshal Soult. The appearance of a British force will de- ^%- IMr. Frere to termine the retreat of marshal Victor, and relieve sirA.w«iies- you from your present apprehensions, if you wish that this retreat should be ruinous, or that we should have the satisfaction of seeing a fourth French army capitulate in Spain ; the decision is in your hands : but you must not expect that we should make efforts, if you are unwilling to co- operate." It was concluded that general Cuesta, to whose army the 3000 cavalry, before-mentioned, belong, should be written to. I have already mentioned my fear, that they would separate this force ; and, my persuasion is, that they will contrive that it shall be general Cuesta's doing ; to obviate this will require a determined declaration on your part, which I shall support and justify most steadily here. I will now conclude this long letter, only wish- ing, if you see the two main points of it, an opera- tion on the side of La jNIancha, and the appoint- ment of a proper person to conduct it in a less important view than I do, you would have the kindness, frankly, to tell m,e so, in order that I may not expose myself to the reflection of being more eager upon a point foreign to my profession, sir ley, 186 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. ^^^^ J^'* ^^^^^ the person best acquainted with the subject, ^— ''■■"^^'""*-^ and most immediately interested. ^^■•'y- Colonel Alva will have given you a very correct Mr. I'rere to r • i ^ r ^ A.Welles- Statement, as tar as it was known here, ot the force of the enemy in La Mancha and Estrema- dura. No change has to my knowledge, or that of the government, taken place since his depar- ture. I remain, &c. (Signed) J. II. Frere. These details are additionally explained in the following despatch, to the right honourable George Canning : — fbrt^HTTr- I liatl the honour of receiving your despatches ».)Mr.s.;crctury ^q j^^y^ og inclusivc, bv tlic messensjcr Meates, on Canning. ' 'J o ' mI''!^i8o$. ^^""^ ^^^^^ "^t* ^"*^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^' ^^ ^y t^^^ messen- ger Lyell, who arrived here on Friday morning. Though a longer interval than usual has elapsed since the date of my last despatches, little of any interest has taken place in any quarter. Both the armies of Estremadura remain in that state of inactivity, which it is so much our interest they should observe ; in the mean time the pea- santry, and irregular volunteer force, are beginning to swarm round the French army on the side of U!?DER LORD WELLINGTON. 187 Zafra; and, besides having repulsed the attack ^^^^^^J;^^' which was made upon that town, they have sur- ^^^^^^ prised some of the enemy's advanced posts, and ^^^•y- are acting in concert and communication with ge- ^ir- Camiiag, iieral Cuesta*s advanced guard, under general Echivari. I received from sir Arthur Wellesley the letter, of which I have the honour to inclose a copy, ac- quainting me with his arrival in Portugal, and his proposed plan of operations ; and, in my answer, endeavoured to put him, as far as I was ahle, in possession of the military position of the country, both as to the strength of its armies, and the spirit of that part of the government here whicK • is more immediately charged with the direction of them. I am glad to find, by a subsequent letter from him, that he does not attach the same importance to the effecting a diversion at present on the side of La Mancha, as I had thought it might derive ; and, in the discussion of which measure, I had occasion more particularly to remark that want of energy in the military junta of which I com- plained in my letter to him. General Cuesta's answer to my letter, which was inclosed in my No. 51, and in which I took oc- casion to suggest the advantages which would re- sult from such an operation, conducted by the 183 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. ^ui^e of Albuquerque, has since reached me, in CHAP. IV. 1 •• ' *^'^*^'''^^ which he dechnes my proposal, which he could 1809. . . May. not carry into execution without interfering; with Mr! Canning, the junta, who had appointed general Vanegas to the command of this army ; and sir Arthur Wel- lesley's letters, both to general Cuesta and M. de Garay, are so strongly in favour of defensive ope- rations, that there will, of course, be no more question at present of such a diversion. General Cuesta is ambitious of uniting as large a force uuder his command, as he can collect ; and I observe, that it is likewise recommended by sir Arthur Wellesley, that he should be reinforced as milch as possible ; but how far this opinion may have been influenced by the statement which ge- neral Cuesta gives him of his force, and which is very much below the returns government receive from him, I cannot judge. By accounts received to-day it appears, that the communication is again open with Ciudad Rodrigo. We learn through that channel, that the French have a force, in Sa- lamanca, of 400 infantry and 600 cavalry, and nearly the same number in Zamora. They have withdrawn the posts which WTre stationed at Barco de Avila, Puente de Congesto, and one or two other points upon that line, and do not ven- ture to maintain, upon any point, a force of less than 400 men. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 189 BOOK IV. CHAT. IV. It does not appear that the French have any other force in Arragon but that stationed at Sara- ^^^^ gossa, which is calculated at 12,000 men. The '^^=*y- JMr. Frere to corps which I mentioned, in my letter to sir Arthur Mr. Canning. Wellesley, to have left that country in the direc- tion of Tudela, and, probably, destined against the marquis of La Romana, or to the relief of Soult, has, by the last reports, been ascertained to have taken the road of Burgos ; but the estimate of its strength, which was before reckoned at 15,000 men, is, by the same report, diminished to 12,000. A very seasonable supply of 5000 stand of arms has arrived at Valencia and Alicante, from Sicily and Malta ; and these, together with 2000 sent from hence to the former city, out of those last received from England, will enable general Blake to act with effect, as every musket which is sent will find a soldier ready to make use of it. Ge- neral Blake, who has already 16,000 men under him, has been appointed to the chief command of the three provinces of Arragon, Valencia, and Catalonia, general Lazan being to act under his orders. Beside the advantages which may be looked for, from placing so extensive a command under a person of such tried abilities as general Blake, it is to be hoped that it will put an end to the distrac- IpO CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. tions arisina: from the contracted views of those CHAP. IV. 1809. who directed the provincial junta, particularly that ^%- of Valencia, which have been so embarrassing to sir. Frere to , . , Mr. Canning, lus predeccssors. We are told, likewise, to-day, that 4000 mus- kets have been received at Cadiz from Asturias. I have been promised that 500 of these shall be sent to the inhabitants of Melina, who behave with the greatest courage. They have intercepted two mails, and cut off a convoy of cattle the enemy had collected; and these arras would put them in a situation to undertake an expedition in search of others, which are concealed in Arragon. The people of Castile, in the neighbourhood of Burgos, are likewise in a state of insurrection ; they, as well as those of Estremadura, style the war in which they are engaged, a crusade, and carry on with all the enthusiasm of such a cause. Upon the whole, I may venture to say, that, at no period since the commencement of the war, the spirits of the country have been raised to a higher pitch, or more sanguine hopes entertained of their ultimate success. The junta have determined to establish a school for cavalry at Ettrera, or Carmona, which is to be placed under the command of the marquis of Pa- Jacias. He has made that branch of military science his peculiar study, and is avowedly the UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. Ipl best qualified, both by his personal character and i^ook iv. ^ ' J I cH AP. rv. by his skill in his profession, for promoting the oh- '^-^'-v-**-^ jects of such an institution. ^^''y* Nothing could more eminently illustrate the in- fluence of the public mind upon this service, than thfe various censures from all quarters, on the com- mander and the army, which had dared to advance at once without mature deliberation against the enemy, and beat a marshal, and even duke, of France ! This, nevertheless, was absolutely the case; for within a week after sir Arthur Wellesley received the command of the army, he was in Oporto, and a part of his army in advance from that city. Lieutenant-general Payne, on the 8th, with the cavalry and infantry under major-generals Cotton and Hill, marched by Averro, where the infantry was to embark for Ovar, and turn the enemy's right by the coast. IMarshal Beresford made a feint or diversion with his division, by Lameigo, on the upper Douro. The remainder moved to- wards Aveiro. Marshal Soult, aware of his inequality to main- tain Oport# against the united British force which- was marching againt him, had recourse to stratagy ; first, to enable him to withdraw his troops with safety, and next, if favoured by fortune, to endea* considered. Iy2 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. vour |-Q draw after him, northward, sir Arthur cnAH. IV. ' ' "^■^■"v^^*^ Wellesley ; whicli would tlms leave Victor tlie op- ^^■•^y- portunity of marching tlie French force, that after, tlie ])attle of Medellin, had remained stationary be- tween Merida and Badajos, b}^ the Tagus, into the south of Portugal. up^orskA^^ But the judgment and vigilance of the British L^t'Su'k*^''' commander, and his active generals-of-division, precluded his accomplishment of either the one or the other ; and therefore, notwithstanding the hy- percriticisms on the declarations contained in sir Arthur Wellesley's despatch upon the action which ensued, marshal Soult must be considered as having suffered signaKlefeat. Soult having determined to evacuate Oporto, and pass through Leon to the French force in Gallicia, on the principle of concentration, took care to have it generally understood, that, certain of receiving due succours, and confident in his own strength, he was determined to defend Oporto to the last extremity. In the mean time, however, he manceuvcred his troops about the city, and for that ostensible purpose sent out a considerable body in detachments, many of which never re- turned. Of the body which remained, however, the British troops left few to follow. Nothing could be more steady or vigorous than the advance of the British army, according to every Slratageia of UNDER LORD WELLIXGTOJf. 1.93 account. Sir Arthur Wellesley thus describes the ^^^.^JJ-^^' circumstances of the action to the British govern- '^^'TsS^*^ I\fy lord, I had tlie lionour to apprise your lordship, Jj AnhuTm'i- on the 7th, that I intended that the army shoidd S-seofnt'" inarch on the 9th, from Coimbra, to dispossess the opoltoTMay enemy or Oporto. The advanced suard and the cavalrv had Actional o " Oporto. marched on the 7th, and the whole had halted on the 8th, to afford time for marshal Beresford, with his corps, to arrive upon the upper Douro. The infantry of the army was formed into three divisions for this expedition, ' of which, two, the advanced guard, consisting of the Hanoverian legion, and brigadier-general R. Stewart's brigade, with a brigade of six- pounders, and a brigade of three- pounders, under lieutenant-general Paget, and the cavalry, under lieutenant-general Payne, and the brigade of guards, brigadier-general Campbell, and brigadier-general Son tag's brigades of infantry, with a brigade of six-pounders, under lieutenant- general Sherbrooke, moved by the high road from Coimbra to Oporto; and one composed of major- general liill's, and brigadier-general Cameron's, brigades of infantry, and a brigade of six-pounders, VOL. IV. O 194 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. under the command of maior-s:eneral Hill, by the CHAP. IV. JO 'J ^"^""^v^'^-^ road from Coimbra to Aveiro. 1809. ^^^y- On the 10th, in the morning before day-light, Sir Arthur Wel- lesieytoiord tlic cavalrj and the advanced guard crossed the Castlereagh. ... • i /r- Actional Vouga, witli the intention to surprise and cut oft Oporto. four regiments of French cavalry, and a battalion of infantry and artillery, cantoned in Albagana Nova, and the neighbouring villages, about eight miles from that river, in the last of which we failed ; but the superiority of the British cavalry was evident throughout the day. We took some prisoners and their cannon from them ; and the advanced guard took up the position of Oliveira. On the same day, major-general Hill, who had embarked at Aveiro, on the evening of the 9tb, arrived at Over in tlie rear'of the enemy's right, and the head of lieutenant-general Sherbrooke'sxli- vision passed the Vouga on the sanje evening. On the nth, the advanced guard and cavalry continued to move on the high road towards Oporto, with major-general Hill's division, in a parallel road which leads to Oporto from Ovar. On the arrival of the advance at Vendos Novas, between Santo Redondo and Grijon, they fell in with the out-post of the enemy's advanced guard, which were immediately driven in, and shortlj afterwards we discovered the enemv's advanced UNDER LORD WELLIXGTOX. IQ^ guard, consisting: of about 4,000 infantrv, and some i^ook iv. ^ O ' »/ ' CHA P I V. squadrons of cavalry, stron2:lv posted on the heights ^'-'^v-**-^ above Gijon ; their fronts being covered with ^i^^- 1 m^ r Sir Arthur Wel- woods and broken grounds. The enemy s left lesieytoiord Casllereagh. ilank was turned, bv a movement well executed by Action at " _ _ Oporto. major-general Murray, with brigadier-general Langwerth's brigade of the Hanoverian legion, whilst the l6th Portuouese reefiment of brisfadier- general Richard Stewart's brigade attacked their right, and the rifle-men of the 95th, and the flank companies of the 29th, 43d, and 52d, of the same brigade, under major Way, attacked the infantry in the wood and villages, in their centre. These at- tacks soon obliged the enemy to give way, and the honourable brigadier-general Charles Stewart, and two squadrons of the l6th and SOth dragoons, under the commandof major Blake, in pursuit of the enemy, and destroyed many and took many prisoners. On the night of the 1 1th, the enemy crossed the Douro, and destroyed the bridge over that river. It was important, with a view to the operations of marshal Beresford, that I should cross the Douro immediately, and I had sent major-general Murray in the mOrninu: with a battalion of the Hanoverian kgions, a squadron of cavalry, and two six- poun- ders, to endeavour to collect boats, and, if possible, to cross the river at Avintas, about four miles above Oporto, and I had as many boats as could be col- 19^ CAMPAIGNS IX SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, liooK IV. lected brouo-ht to the feirv, immediately above the CHAP. IV. t> ;» J ^*-'^~^"''*^ town.s of Oporto and Villa Nova. The rrround on 1809. ' ° J^'ay* the right bank of the river at this ferry is protected Sir Arthur Wel- lesiey to lord and Commanded by the fire of cannon placed on. Castlereaj^h. Action at the heights of the Siena Convent, at Villa Nova; Oporio. and there appeared to be a good position for our troops on the opposite side of the river, till they should be collected in sufficient numbers. The eneni}' took no notice of our collection of boats, or of the embarkation of the troops, till after the first battahon, (the bufts,) were landed, and had taken up their position under the com- mand of lieutenant-general Paget, on the opposite side of the river. They then comuienced an attack upon them with a large body of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, under the command of marshal Soult, which that corps most gallantly sustained till supported suc- cessively by the 48th and 66th regiments, belonging to major-general Hill's brigade, and a Portuguese battalion, ami afterwards by the first battalion of detachments, belonging to brigadier-general Richard Stewart's brigade. Lieutenant-general Paget was unfortunately wounded soon after the attack commenced, when the command of those gallant troops devolved upon major-general Hill. Although the French miule repeated attacks UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. ^97 BOOK IV. CHAP. IV. 1809. apon them, they made no impression; and, at last, major-general Murray having appeared on the enemy's left flank, on his march from Avintos, ^^''y- '' ' Sir Aj-ihurWeU which he had crossed, and lieutenant-general Sher- lesiey to lord Castlercagh, brooke, who by this time had availed himself of Action at the enemy's weakness in the town of Oporto, and ^^'''' crossed the Douro, at the ferry, between the towns of Villa Nova and Oporto ; having appeared on their right, with the brigade of guards and the 29th regiment: tlie whole retired in the utmost con- fusion towards Amaranthe, leaving behind them five pieces of cannon, eight ammunition tumbrils, and many prisoners. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded in this action has been very large ; and they have left be- hind them in Oporto,* sick and wounded. Briga- dier-general the honourable Charles Stewart then directed a charge, by a squadron of the 14th dra- goons, under the command of major Harvey, who made a successful attack upon the enemy's rear guard. In the different actions with tlie enemy, of which I have abov^e given your lordship an account, we have lost some, and the immediate services of other, valuable officers and soldiers. In lieutenant-general Paget, among the latter, I have lost the assistance of a friend who had been * The numbers not ascertained, but supposed about 7Q0. 198 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. most useful to me, in the few clays which had CHAP. IV. ' "^ ^'■"*'^^*^ elapsed since he had joined the army. ^^"y- He had rendered a most important service at Sir Arthur Wel- . ^ . , ^ . i • i • lesiey to lord thc moiiient he received his wound, in taking up Castlereagh. Action at the position which the troops afterwards main- Oporlo. tained, and in bearing the first brunt of the enemy's attack. Major Harvey also distinguished himself at the moment he received his Mound, in the charge of the cavalry on this day. I cannot say too much in favour of the officers and troops. They have marched in four da}'s over eighty miles of most difficult country, have gained many important positions, and have engaged and defeated three diffisrent bodies of the enemy s troops. I beg particularly to draw your lordship's atten- tion, to the conduct of lieutenant-general Paget, major-general Murray, major-general Hill, lieut.- general Sherbrooke, brigadier-general the hon. Charles Stewart, heutenant-colonel De Lancy, de- puty quarter-mastcr-general, and captain Mellish, assistant adjutant-general, for the assistance they respectively rendered general Stewart, in the charge of the cavalry, this day and on the eleventh ; ma- jor Colin Campbell, assistant-adjutant-general, for the assistance he rendered major-general Hill, in the defence of his post; and brigadier-general Stewart, in the charge of the cavalry, this day ; UNDER LORD WELLINGTON'. 19.9 BOOK IV. CHAP. IV. and hrigadier-TTiajor Fordyce, captain Curry, and captain Hill, for the assistance they rendered gene- ^^^^ ral Hill. . ^^^y- Sir Arthur Wel- I have also to request vour lordship's attention lesicy to lord "^ Cabtlereugh. to the conduct of the rifle-men, and of the flank Aciion at Oporto. campanies of the 29th, 43d, and 52d regiments, under the command of major Way of the 29th, and that of the 16th Portuguese regiment, commanded ^ by colonel Machado, of which lieutenant-colonel Doyle is lieutenant- colonel, and that of the brigade of the Hanoverian legion, under the command of brigadier-general Langwerth, and that of the two squadrons of the l6th and 20th light dragoons, under the command of major Blake, of the 20th, in the action of the 1 ] th ; and conduct of the buffs, commanded by lieutenant-colonel Drum- mond ; the 48th, commanded by major Murray, who was wounded ; and of the squadron of the 14th dragoons, under the command of major Har- vey, in the action of this day, I have received the greatest assistance from the adjutant-general, and quarter-master-general colo- nel Murray, and from all the officers belonging to the departments respectively throughout the ser» vice ; as well as from lieutenant-colonel Bathurst;^ and the officers of my personal staff; and I have every reason to be satisfied with the artillery and qfficers of engineers, 200 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^^J^^^l^' I send this despatch by captain Stanhope, whom ^^•T^JJT*^ ^ ^^o ^^ recommend to your lordship's protection. ^^^y- His brother, the honourable major Stanhope, was Sir Arthur Wel- "^ . ,. lesiey to lord uufortunatelv wounded l)y a sabre, whilst leadmg Casllereagh. ^ Actional ^ chargc of the l6th light dragoons, on the 10th Oporto. instant. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) Arthur Welleslet. \ After the evacuation of Oporto by the French, ihe commander-in-chief took the laudable pre- caution to issue the following proclamation : " Inhabitants of Oporto ! PTocii^nation of « As tlic Frcnch troops have been ex- sir Arthur Wel- _ ... lesiey, general- pellcd from this city, by the bravery and disci plme in-chief of the Briiisharmyin of thc amiv whicli I comuiand, I require from Portugal, and *^ ^ marshal-general ^-^q inhabitants that they shall comport themselves? ot the armies ot j i. the prince re- y%f\\\^ compassion and humanity towards the said troops who may be made prisoners. By the laws of war, they are entitled to my protection, and it is my duty to afford it. It would be very incon- sistent with the generosity and magnanimity of the Portuguese nation to revenge upon unfortunate individuals the outrages and calamities which it has suffered ; I direct the inhabitants of the city to remain tranquil in the town, and that no person that does not belong to a military corps shall ap- UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 201 pear armed in the citv. In case of this order bookiv. . " CHAP. IV. being contravened, or of any attack being made v-^^^-v-*!^ 1R09. upon the said individuals, such persons shall be May. punished as guilty of having disobeyed my orders P^°'^'*™'*t"^°- — I appoint colonel Trant commandant of this city, unless the government of his royal highness shall object to this nomination. I order the com- mander to use all the means necessary to enforce obedience to this order, and to produce the effect of complete tranquillity and peace, for which I am so anxiously solicitous." (Signed) "Arthur Wellesley." " Head-quarters, Oporto, May 13, 1S09." Nothing could be more judicious than this pro- clamation in the second city of Portugal, where, among the first objects which presented themselves, were the stripped bodies of the dead enemy. The army was there received, as it had been every where, with the highest demonstrations of joy ; and as on the march the officers had been re- ceived in the houses of the inhabitants, and the troops into the convents ; so in Oporto, they were all received by the inhabitants with hospitalit}'. The ladies graced their entrance by waving their handkerchiefs from the balconies ; the aged wept and blessed them. And, indeed, though charges of this kind are successively made as of course, by 202 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. IV. 1809. every army which succeeds another, there was sufficient evidence that the French soldiery under May. Loison had so particularly degraded themselves, by enormities against the people of Oporto, as to hand his name down with the especial infamy of those transactions. The French ge- Soult, notwithstandiuG: his evident determination iieral Soult ^ surprised. ^q cvacuatc Oporto, ccrtaiuly did not count upon the rapidity of the British operations, and therefore fairly incurs the censure of being surprised. Having destroyed the bridge of Amaranthas, by which marshal Beresford was to pass, and des- patched Loison there ; he evidently counted upon a leisure M'hich sir Arthur Wellesley denied him. Above a thousand sick were found in the hos- pitals. The early mention of so many names in this first operation of the army has not escaped censure ; but who that studies human nature, (and he that does not is ignorant of the highest art of a general,) can conceive a recognizance censurable, or even unnecessary, of those acts which in the outset of a campaign are of vital importance, not only for the ends to be immediately attained, but as in- spirations to future and greater acquisitions. The British army continued indefatigable in the pursuit of the French, of which there was every prospect of success. By a variety of feints, howr UNDER LORD WEL LIN GTOJf. 203 ever, and forced marches, their general drew them ^^^f,,^,^^' towards the mountains. ^^"^isog"**^ May. When I determined (says sir Arthur Wellesley) ^jTrSwi upon the expedition to the north of Portugal, 2^i,^ofnV'* against marshal Soult, I was in hopes that the MonSeJre, Portug-uese sfeneral Silveira would be able to hold '' ^^' his post upon the Tamaga till he should be re- inforced, by which, and by the possession of Chaves, the enemy's retreat would have been cut off, excepting across the Minho ; and I intended, if successful, to press him so hard, as that the passage of that river would have been impracti- cable. The loss of the bridge of Amarantha, however, on the 2d inst. altered our prospects; I had then no hopes that marshal Beresford, who marched to\vards the upper part of the Douro on the 5th, and arrived at Lamego on the 10th, would be able to effect more than confine the enemy on that side, and oblige him to retire by Chaves into Ga- licia, rather than by Villa Ileal into Castille. General Beresford, however, having obliged the enemy's posts at Villa Real, and Maisan Frien, to fall back with some loss ; and, having crossed the Douro, drove in general Loisson"s out-posts at the bridge of Amarantha, and again acquired posses- sion of the left bank of the Tamaga on the 12 th, 20i CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. cif »p. IV. 1809. the day which the corps, under my command, formed the passage of the Douro at Oporto. ^^^y- Loison retired from Amarantha on the morninsr Sir Arthur Wel- * lesh-v to lord of tlie 1 3th, as soon as he had heard of the events vi>L')unt Castle- je<t;h. at Oporto of the preceding day, and met the ad- vanced guard of the French army at a short dis- tance from the town, which general Beresford immediately occupied. I was unable to commence the pursuit of the enemy till the morning of the 13th, when the Hanoverian Legion moved to Va- longa, under major-general Murray. On that evening I was informed that the enemy had in the morning destroyed a great proportion of his cannon in the neighbourhood of Penafril, and had directed his march towards Braga. This appeared to be the probable result of the situation in which he found himself, in conse- quence of general Beresford's operations upon the Tamaga ; and, as soon as 1 had ascertained that the fact was true, I marched on the morning of the 14th, with the army in two columns, towards tlie river Minho. At the same time I directed general Beresford upon Chaves, in case the enemy should turn to his right ; and major-general Murray to communi- cate with general Beresford, if he should find, as reported, that Loison remained in the neighbour- hood of Amarantha. UNDER LORD WELLIXGTON. l^Oa On the evenins: of the 14th I was certain, from ^^^^ ^'^• O 'CHAP. 1 V. tlie movements of the enemy's detachments in the '^-""^v"*^ 1 809. neighbourhood of Braga, that he intended to direct ^^''^• Sir Arthur Wel- his retjeat upon Cliaves, or Monte Alegre, and lesieytoiord viscount Castle- directed general Beresford, in case of the latter reagh. movement, to push on for Montery, so as to stop the enemy, if he should pass by Villa de Ric. General Beresford had anticipated my orders to march his own corj)s upon Chaves, and had al- ready sent general Silveira to occupy the passes of Tuivaes and iMellgassy, near Salomonde, but he was unfortunately too late. I arrived at Brapa on the 15th, sreneral Murrav being at Guimaraens, and the enemy about fifteen miles in our front ; and at Salomonde, on the l6th, we had an affair with the rear guard. The guards, under lieut. -general Sherbrooke and brigadier-general Campbell, attacked their posi- tion ; and, having turned their left flank by the heights, they abandoned it, leaving a gun and some prisoners behind them. This attack was necessarily made at a late hour in the evening. On the 17th we moved to Ruiveas, waiting to see whether the enemy would turn upon Chaves, or continue his retreat upon Monte Alegre, and oa the 18 th to this place. BOOK IV. CHAP. IV. 1809. May. Disasters of the retreat of the Treuch. 206 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, I here found that he had taken a road through the mountains, towards Orense, by which it would be difficult, if not impossible, for me to overtake him, and on which I had no means of stopping him. The enemy commenced his retreat, as I have above informed your lordship, by destroying a great proportion of his guns and ammunition. He afterwards destroyed the remainder of both, and a great proportion of his baggage, and kept nothing, excepting what the soldiers and a few mules could carry. Injurious effects jjg j-j^g ]gf^ bchittd him his sick and wounded; to au anuy ot a crueUarfare. ^^^^^ ^|jg j.^^j f^^^^ Pcnafiel to Montc Alcgrc, is strewed with the carcasses of horses and mules, and French soldiers, who were put to death by the peasantry before our advanced guard could save them. This last circumstance is one of the natural effects of the species of zcarfare which the enemy have carried on in this country. Their soldiers have plundered and murdered the peasantry at their pleasure ; and I have seen many persons hanging in the trees by tlie sides of the road, executed for no reason that I could learn, excepting that they have not been friendly to the French invasion and usurpation of the government UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 207 of their country ; and the route of their column, ^^^^^^^^^' on their retreat, could be traced by the smoke of "^"^7^?^*^ - •' 1809. the villages to which thev set fire. . ^^''^■ Injurious efFecU We have taken about 500 prisoners. Upon the to an annj ot a cruel warlare. whole, the enemy has not lost less than a fourth of his army, and all his artillery and equipments, since we attacked him upon the Vouga. I hope your lordship will believe me, that no measure which I could take was omitted to inter- rupt the enemy's retreat. It is obvious, however, that if an army throws away all its cannon, equip- ments, and baggage, and every thing which can strengthen it, and can enable it to act together as a body, and abandon all those who are entitled to its protection, but add to its weight, and impede its progress, it nmst be able to march by roads, through which it cannot be followed, with any prospect of being overtaken by an army which has not made the same sacrifices. It is impossible to say too much of the exertions of the troops. The weather has been very bad, indeed, since the 13th; the rain has been constant, and the roads, in this difficult country, almost im- practicable. But they have persevered in the pur- suit to the last, and have generally been upon the mnrch from day-light in the morning till dark. Notwithstanding the desolation produced in the French army by this pursuit, the loss of the British cruel warfare. -08 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^c^?p^il^" ^'^^> according to the best estimates, more trifling ^-*'7^;;^7"*^ ^^^''^^'^ could be admitted as probable, were it not ^^■■^y- that while the troops pursued with the utmost ra- Injurious effects to an army of a piclity, thcy did Dot abuwdon any or the equip- ments or stores of their force as was constantly the case with the French. The losses are thus estimated : — On the 12//?, at Albtrgai^ia Nova. IVouiidtd — 1 officer, 2 rank and file. Missing — 1 rank and file. 1 1 th, at Grijon. Killed — 1 officer, 18 rank and file. Wounded — 6 officers, 50 rank and file. Missing — 14 rank and file. IQtk.— Killed— Q.3 rank and file. JVoujided — \0 officers, 86 rank and file. Missine; — 2 rank and file. From the enemy were taken :-■ In Ike Field. 5 pieces of cannon. UNDER LORD V.-ELLIXGTOX. 209 Left in the Ai^senal at Oporto. 69 pieces of cannon. 37 Tumbrils. Agreat quantity of ammunition. BOOK IV. CHAP. IV. 1H09. In the prosecution of the operations thus suc- cessfully conducted, sir Arthur Wellesley states his intelligence and consequent plans : — After I had determined to discontinue the fur- Lient-generai • sir Arthur W ei- ther pursuit of marslial Soult's army, and to return '^-^'fy- i<b- to 1 ^ ' lord viscount with the British troops to the southward, I heard ^';^^j"*;jfjj; that marshal Victor had broken up on the Gua- ^^''^' ^^°^- diana, and had made an attack, and had carried Alcantara on the 14th. A small o^arrison, consistino; of the second bat- Defence of the CI ' o Irontier by the talion of the Lusitanian Leo-ion, under colonel '-"s'f^"'^" Le- Mayne, and the Idanha Nova battalion of Portu- guese jNIilitia, had occupied that place since the army marched to the northward, which it was forced to evacuate with some loss, in consequence of this attack. An attempt was made to blow up the bridge over the Tagus, which failed, and the enemy's ca- valry crossed immediately. VOL, IV. p 210 CAMPAIGNS IN ^1»AIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. rv. 1809. My former despatches will have apprised your lordship of the measures which I had adopted, with ^^^y- a view to the defence of that part of Portugal, in Sir Arthur Wei- . lesiey to lord casc it should hc invaded during the absence or the viscouut Castle- reagh. army to the northward ; and I have now the ho- nour to inform your lordship, that the army is in march to the southward, and the head of it will cross the Mondego before the end of this week. The energies which had been displayed in the conduct of sir Arthur Wellesley, immediately upon his assuming the command of the army, were suf- ficient to produce an immediate extension of his instructions in respect to an advance into Spaia. It is contained in the following letter. Sir, Lord viscount UpoH referring: to mv instruction to you Castlereagh to I O J J lieut-generai of thc 3d of April, aud of thc coursc that opera- sir Arthur Wei- i ' ^ lesiey, K.B. tions mav take, should Victor retire upon your iJowniug-street, yi f i v 25thiMay,i809. niovitt": towards the Tasus, I have received his majesty's commands, in order that you may be enabled the better to co-operate with the Spanish armies against the common enemy, to authorise you to extend your operations in Spain, beyond the provinces immediately adjacent to the Portu- guese frontiers, provided you shall be of opinion that your doing- so is material to the success of UNDER LORD WELLINGTO^^ 211 your operations, and oot inconsistent with the bookiv. '' -l ' CHAP. IV. safety of Portuij^al. , ^-.^-v-'*^ •^ ^ 1809. I have, &c. ^^i-\>"- (Signed) Castlereagh. And the general approbation of his majesty's government, of the operations which have been described, was thus attentively expressed. Sir, I have received and laid before the kino- ^°^^ viscount '-' Castlereagh to your despatch of the 12th inst. stating your sue- 'j^^li'^'fiy^f cessful commencement of the campaign in Por- '^^ley.K.B. tugal. His majesty commands me to express his intire satisfaction in the decision and celerity of your operations ; the excellence of your disposition, and the vigour of your attacks ; by which you have been enabled to defeat the enemy in three actions, to pass the Douro in his presence, to re- cover Oporto, and to force the army under marshal Soult to retire with much loss, and abandon a great part of their ammunition and artillery. You will make it known to the officers and troops under your command, that the conspicuous valour and intrepidity they have displayed is highly satisfactory to his majesty. The conduct of the first battalion of the Buffs, 2112 BOOK IV. CHAP. IV, CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, commanded by licut.-genfial Paget, and after- wards, when he w^as obliged to leave the field, by- major-general Hill, reflects the highest credit on 1809. May. Lord visccunt CasUereaghto that coros and the ofliicers who led them. lieut-geiieral ' sir A. Welles- Whilst hls niajestv is sensible of the loss his ser- lej, K. B. ^ . vice must sustain by the absence from duty which tlie wound received by lieut.-general Paget must necessarily occasion, he feels great satisfactioti to learn that there is a fair prospect of his speedy re- coverv. I have, &c. ;^Signe<:l) Castlereagh. If the activity, energy, and politico-military judgment, exercised in the arrangements described in the preceding chapter, demanded praise, how worthily have the Ibperations by which they were put into effect succeeded them ' How consolatory and how animating ! It combines the vigour of command exercised at the outset of the campaign, which formed the subject of the second book, with the determined courage of the army, unhappily exercised in the affair which forms the close of the third ; and opens a new prospect to the exertions of both, under circumstances and with results, at least quite compatible with the character of the British army and the dignity of the nation. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 21: Tlie desirable acquisition of the duke of Albu- querque, with the Spanisli force under his cqpi- niand, was thus promoted by iVIr. Frere, BOOK ly. CHAP. IV. 10119. J UUf. Sir, I inclose a copy of a letter, which I send S. h"?;';. by this conveyance, to sir Arthur Wellesley. I canni'ng"^'"'^ trust that my having made the insinuation, there june.*^i309. alluded to, will i>Dt be disapproved of, as the re- sult must, at least, be free from any inconvenience. I have the honour to be. With great truth and respect. Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, J. H. Frere. In addition to the despatches which I send open ^i^AnhurWei' for your information, I forward an exact statement g^l^l'^ pth of general Cuesta's force, as he transmitted it to ^"''''' ^^°'^: this government on the 30th of last month ; since which time he has been reinforced by 2,300 in- fantry, having reason to believe that he somewhat understated it in a communication which he made to you before. I have prepared the junta to expect that you would demand to be joined by a corps of Spanish cavalry, as a necessary addition to the British, for many services on which only natives can be cm- 214 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. ployed ; and that you might possibly pitch upon the *^-'*'v-"*^ division of the duke of Albuquerque, which is now 1809. _ ~l p. ' June. iji ii^Q Ye3.T, and which may easily be spared from Mr. Frere to sir i • i • Arthur Welles- such a force, as appears upon a statement which is inclosed. Orders have been sent to Badajos, to procure the greatest number of mules and other beasts, for the service of the troops under your command. Such is the progress of the operations connected with the affair of Oporto, in reference to the fu- ture views of the British general UNDER LORD WELLINGTON, 215 CHAP. V. OPERATIONS ON THE EASTERN" FRONTIER OF PORTUGAL. PASSAGE OF THE FRENCH IM- PEDED TILL THE ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH AR3IY. Movements of the French, under Marshal Vict or j (Duke of Belluno) . — E.vposition of the admi- rable Principles of the hr axe and loyal Lusitanian l/Cgion. — Edxellent partizan Operations of that Force. — Affair of Sir Robert JFilson, at Barba del PuercQ. — Views of the Petite GueiTc, con- ducted bif Lieutenant-Colonel Grant. — Colonel Maynes Defence of Trajan's Bridge, at Alcan- tara.— Desertions from the Enemy, and means by which produced. — Remarks on the Re-orga- nization of the Portuguese Forces. BOOK IV. CHAP. V. 3809. June. SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY's allusion, in his Moven>ent,of ' the Irench letter from Braga to lord Castlereagh, to the capture y'lcto™''"^'*'' 2l5 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK It. CHAP V. 1st battalion L"i>itaiiian Le- gion. of Alcantara by marshal Victor, naturally rccals attention to the operations which had taken place in that quarter, under sir Robert Wilson, now so justly celebrated, on the one hand, and the brave and intelligent colonel IMayne on the other. The loyal Lusitanian Legion, after the circum- stances which have been detailed of it in the first chapter of the present book, as it has been seen, was included in the orders of marshal Beresford, and, of course, almost immediately lost its character as <i party, in the force under the general command of sir Arthur Wellesley. There is, however, something in the conduct of this force, both as relates to the known activity and vigilance of sir Robert AVilson, and to the less pro- minent, but admirable, energies of colonel Mayne, and the vigorous and intelligent lieutenant-colonel Grant;' Avhich seems to call for a further notice of their operations, before the original character of the corps is dissolved in its subsequent change : — And, indeed, this notice deems further to be neces- sary to supply an hiatus in any account assuming the form of History of the Campaigns. To do this, it will be necessary, very briefly, to recur to the earlier part of the period which has been already treated. The extensive line of country occupied by the 1st battalion Lusitanian Legion, and the Spanish UXDER LORD WELLINGTON'. 2.17 troops and Portuguese cavalry by which it waS booiC iv. reinforced, formino- the advance of the corps of *«— -'-v-'"*-^ ' '^ ^ 1809. observation, left by sir Arthur Welleslcy under J"^*^- general Mackenzie, at Abrants, extending from raUong. Almeida on the left, to the inaccessible Sierra de Franca, on the right, with a garrison of six thou* sand Spaniards at Ciudad Rodrigo, in their rear, made such a demonstration towards the enemy as could not but leave him in doubt, — a doubt, diffi- cult to solve, — whether a force, by many multipli- cations more powerful, might not defend the whole eastern frontier of Portiio-al. In fact, not only every mean was strictly prac- tised to preclude the enemy from ascertaining the » real strength, or rather weakness, of the force em- ployed ; but even the allies had reason to conceive it very much greater than it ever was. For the advanced posts of tlie French were even attacked, and picquets surprised and captured, and every thing wore the a])pearance of o-ffensive activity, so that the supreme junta of Spain placed under the chief command of sir Robert Wilson the whole of the Spanish troops in Leon. The exultation of the French, on the embarkation of sir John Moore's army, was thus damped, by the unexpected prospect of another regular army in readiness to oppose it ; and, as has been already CIS Exposition of the coiidi.cl of rhe Portuguese Legiasi. CAMPAIGNS rx SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, described, nothing could have a better effect on the general cause. The noble feelings and just views with which this little army was inspired cannot be so well de- scribed as by a sort of exposition of its leaders, made by one of themselves at the time, but which cannot fail to be useful and agreeable at any pe- riod of the war, which is indebted to it for admirable illustration. It is conveyed in a private letter from Cuidad Rodrigo, written on the 25 th of January, by which period the Lusitanian Legion, by its suc- cess in impeding and annoying the marauders of the enemy, which scattered themselves on the fron- tier, had attracted to it colonel, afterwards general, D' Urban, and other enterprising and intelligent British officers, among whom were lieutenant-col. Mllson, major L'Estrange, aiid captain Charles of the royal artillery. " Though, (says the writer to a Portuguese friend) at 200 miles distance from all British suppdrt, un- aided even by your own supine government, and reduced to consult our peisonal safety, as all appears abandoned to France ; we not only maintain our ground, but press on the enemy, even at the gates of Salamanca. Why do we act so rashly, perhaps you will say? Because we flatter ourselves that ¥NDER LORD WELLINGTON. 219 our perseverance may miti2:ate the disasters of the book iv. ' •' '--' CHAP. V. times, — because we know, tliat, by constancy, tlic '^^^^^^"^^ great and interesting cause to which Great Britain June. Frontier ope- 13 pledged must finally prosper ; — because we rations. ^ . Admirable spirit know that the enemy has not the means or achiev- of this iittie • 1 . . . ^ corps — anex- ing tlie conquest of a nation whose spirit inflames ample to Hrmies, as the danger approaches ; — and because we think it our duty to continue at our posts, while any utility can arise from it. From every quarter our news is excellent : the Arragoncse contend with success. The out-posts of the duke de I'lnfantado are at Aranjuez. Great armies are forming in Va- lencia and Andalusia. The enemy is obliged to detach himself from the most interesting points ; and although he possess Salamanca, he is rather prepared to fly than to advance. Such is the true picture. It is, indeed, true, that the experienced battalions of France may beat the Spanish troops in the field ; but who supposed that a peaceable people could in an instant assume a martial cha- racter,— that the levies of a moment should rival the Spanish infantry under Charles V. which the service of numerous campaigns alone had formed? *' It has been a great evil to the world that the sentiment of fortitude has not been cherished, as more essential to officers than animal courajie. '* Have we not been sufficiently taught by that precipitation which has occasioned such catas- £20 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAI2f ANI> PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. trophes to Austria and Russia? Are we alwavs tto en AT. V. I " ' '^^•""'^r-^'''^ a]}o\v Buonaparte to boast, tliat wherever his Juue. eagles appear, his enemies regard tliem as basilisks, rdibns. and become incapable of resistance ! " You have to blush for the lethargy of your country ; but we shall have further cause to mourn, if Great Britain abandon the peninsula, because, forsooth, she could not in a moment reach the Pyrenees. Wliether Gallicia was the best point to stavt from, admits of discussion ; and the battle Qf tlie world must be fought on Spanish ground, unless the nations who are still free riiean to yoke themselves voluntarily in the train of the enslaved people. This is a favourable part of Spain to act ii3, because its defence covers the defence of Por- tugal : when we first came, Ciudad Rodrigo had some magazines ; but the city was without troops, and in despondence. Now there is a formidable garrison, — every means of defence, a valiant spirit within the walls, and a resolute peasantry to pro- tect the passes to them. '^ The little affair which we had at Calpadella, Avithin six miles of Salamanca, where we took at mid-day a post n\'c11 defended in a house, (but un- fortunately with the loss of captain Picaluga, a most accomplished gentleman and a brave officer), has ingratiated us with tliem highly, because they fmd that their own allies will cheerfully act with UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 2'2l tbem, and mingle in their combats with common ^ooKiv. ' O CHAT. V. 1809. " We liave now marched forward 250 infantry, ''"^^• Frontier opt- 2 guns, and zvith great difficulty we have obtained ratione. from Almeida 70 dragoons ; so that with 30 Spanisli cavaliers, we have 100 horse; and with this little force, aided by the peasantry, we hope to preserve the country between the Tonnes and the Agiieda^ until the grand operations commence by the re^ appearance of the British arnay in the field. The rest of the legion remains in their cantonments within the Agueddy where they were posted when we returned from Monte El Rigo ; and there we expect the 2d division, which was so long detained for its clothing, and which perhaps is now pre- vented from advancing by the selfish and miserable policy of the regenc\\ " There is, however, some pride for us in tlie reflection, that our corps was formed in less than ten weeks, — a corps which was the only one that marched to the assistance of the allies, and which has appeared with some honour to its country ; I should rather say, honour to itself, and shame to Portugal ; for we had no especial assistance, and even the common means which the government had at its command were neglected. It is the knowledge of the good sentiments which have been so neglected, which renders me indignant 222 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. V. 1809. June. Frontier ope- rations. with the regency, and only entitles them to the protection of Buonaparte. " Never did people behave better than the sol- diers of the legion, and they are all in admirable Older. " With our second division, we are about 2,000 strong. We brought seven guns, notwithstanding the pretended impracticability. What are we to do with the corps, if France is to triumph, 72emine cotitradicente ? Shall we save this valuable wreck for the prince, and conduct it to Gibraltar? or shall we disperse them, in order that they may be collected by the French banditti, that they may sarrison Italian towns? Our commander is with- out instructions, or security for the payment of the troops, although he has written for money long since. Sir John Cradock has done all in his power for us ; he wished to establish the concerns of the legion on a most satisfactory footing; but sir John Moore's retreat has discomfited every project, and may prove fatal to every thing; but we act under a a carte blanche granted to our general, who acts according to his judgment, and that judgment will never bring us to trial for deserting our posts. It is not that or money that Europe wants, but perseverance. Outposts are at Bociles, where we expect to be to-morrow; and, the next day, if we can, within the enemy's lines." UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 223 To make any application of the principles of eookiv. this interestins: paper, would be but to weaken its ^"-^^ ""^^ ^ ^ *^ 1809. effects, without any positive result; unless to con- J""^- firm opinions which in another book have been, rations. °^^ perhaps, unsatisfactorily declared. Some comments, however, may be admitted. They are the best, the simple, memoranda of a few early effbrts of the Lusitanian Legion. A small French force, forming an out-post at the FreUc'rcut-^ village of Labobada, sir Robert Wilson with his p°"' British officers and some dragoons of the legion, galloped into it, surprized, and after a short resist- ance made the whole prisoners. Captain Picaluci, Lusitanian light-horse, acting aid-de-camp to col. Mayne, leading his men forward in the most gal- lant manner, received a ball through his heart. The arms of the prisoners were delivered to Spanish peasants, and themselves sent into the woods. Irritated at the loss, the French sent a con- siderable body to redeem it, but without any other success than compelling the little party to retire, and taking lieutenant I'Estrange, 71st regiment, prisoner; who had mounted one of the captured horses, as superior to his own. General D' Urban and lieutant-col. Grant, eminently distinguislied themselves in this affair. Intelligence being obtained that tlie French had Anticipation of , -111 . . . ^ , ^ French reqiii- made a very considerable requisition of money and sit.on, by thc»<j ^'24 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^?J^?" J^' Worses, from the town of Sedesma, on the Toures, under penalty of its destruction, with its magis- C'HAP. V. 1809. arm •'""^- trates ; tlie same ofiicers with a squadron of cavahy able partizans ; ^ , • i i i i including stras- mouuted ou mules and horses, witli an imndred glers from sir johr^^Moore's infautrv, (both inchiding by the way, several strag- glers of sir John Moore's army), proceeded to that town for tlie purpose of intercepting the enemy with his booty. The junta were found waiting in state, with the requisitions in readiness, the rapacious plunderers ^ not having yet returned for it, so that it was deemed best to transfer it into the safer hands of the junta of Ciudad Rodrigo, leaving instead sir Robert Wilson's receipt for the enraged enemy, who arrived within an hour afterwards^ but was thus precluded from exercising any severities against the inhabitants, A French garrison was in consequence imme- diately sent to occupy it; the out- posts of which, lieutenant-col. Grant almost immediately after sur- prized, and destroyed or dispersed, with a de- tachment of the legion, as they were sitting round their fires in the woods. Those and similar affairs cleared the neighbour- hood from the French marauders, who were intimi- midatcd by their active intrepidity, which excited also the spirit and vigilance of the Spanish peasants and Guerillas, and prevented the corps under UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 225 general La Pisse from enterino; Portusjal by Al- bookiv. "^ O O J CHAP. V. meida, in aid of marshal Soult against lord Wel- 1809. lino-ton. June. 'a I When the occnpation of Puerto de Bainos became i necessary to prevent the communication between j that general and marshal Victor, opposed to general Cuesta, on the Tagus, at Almarez, colonel Mayne with two battalions of the legion were employed on that service with similar effect. The colonel strengthened this pass by artillery, on the com- manding points, and mining the roads through it. He also assisted in fortifying the town of Bejar; receiving in compliment from its inhabitants the celebrated ducal sword preserved there. And, thousfh last, not least, on this subiect. Contents of a ' » ' ' J > French mail. among other passing captures was that of a large convoy with important despatches and Paris mails for Madrid. Of these, the first naturally were appropriated to the consideration and disposal of sir Robert Wil- son ; there were, also, of no less consequence, the seals of the soi-disant King Joseph's government ; and there were also presents for the French officers, with a handsome watch for the intendant-general Danei, at Madrid, which, from the captor, colonel Mayne, having twelve years before become, by the VOL. IV. Q 226 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV, CIl A P. V. accidents of war, both liis prisoner and captor at '^^'^**^ sea, lie will yet probably receive. June. There were, also, innumerable love-letters, of the tenderest nature, from the Parisian fair, which must ever remain sacred ; to say nothing of the effects of such billets doux on the vivid imaginations of generous partizans, wandering amid the lonely and romantic scenes of the lofty Sierra d'Estrella. But among the tokens of imperial favOur and affection, there was one which was neither exempt, reserved, nor sacred, tliough, as an object of do- mestic endearment, it might certainly claim a various tribute of regard, — it was French butter for the table of King Joseph, and was, by the laws of want and war, it is feared, entirclv estrans-ed from his pseudo majesty. A subsequently-captured despatch of La Pisse to Victor, also, described his having marched a column of 0,000 men towards him, and its return in consequence of the occupation of Puesto de Bainos. His feelings on this subject were soon after de- monstrated, by an attack on the post of major TEstrange, at the bridge of Esla, in which that officer was made prisoner, and his force compelled to retire. And also in a severe attack upon the post of colonel J. Wilson, by general liamerstein's UNDER LORD WELLINGTON". 227 regiment of chasseurs a Cheval, whicli was, how- -^^jj^^,,^^'- ever, compelled to retire. 1809. An attack on Ciudad Rodris-o succeeded by the J""^- '^ *' . sir Robert Wil- force of 7000 men from Salamanca threatenmg .son to marshal assault, which lieut-colonel Grant, with a detach- ment of the Legion and four guns, posted in front, received by a salute of artillery, and a reply of the governor, that accession was inconsistent with his duty. Upon which general La Pisse found it well to remonstrate gently on the impropriety of the Spanish general and Garus suffering themselves to be misled by British officers to resistance against his soldiers, plunder the king of Spain, &c. To the repulsion of this tricking siege is to be added another brilliant affair with a French co' iumn at San Felices, on the Agueda, at the same time, in which lieut.-colonel Grant, as usual, emi- nently distinguished himself. Of the latter action, a weak account of the French papers having described sir Robert as beaten by an inferior force, his luminous account of the affair is added. It is only necessary previously to observe, that sir Robert had gone to Coria, to take the com- mand of a corps sent by general Beresford, to be united with another detached by general Cuesta, to acton tlie rear and right flank of marshal Victor. On his way he received information that Cuesta q2 Beresford. 22S CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^?u^^ ^^' "^^^^ retreatin2^, and that the combination could not CHAP. V. 1809. June. take place. Sir Robert Wil- son to marshal OH*, Bercslbrd. I liave the honour to inform your excel- lency, that I marched, on the morning of the 1st of April, with the detachment of troops, consist- ing of about 200 men of the regiment of Avila, 130 of the legion under my command, 60 Spanish and 30 Portuguese dragoons, with one howitzer and one field-piece, with the intention of surprising or carrying the posts of tiie enemy at Barba del Puerco. When within a quarter of a mile of the village, I detached lieut.-colonel Wilson, with 80 Spaniards and some horse, to alarm the enemy in his rear, in case of resistance ; the main body was close upon the village before the enemy's sentries perceived its appi-oach ; when lieut.-col. Grant, and lieut.-col. Don Carlos D'Espagne, aid-de-camp to his excel- lency the captain-general, gallopped forward with the cavalry, and killed or secured such part of the enemy as could not reach in time the rocks in the descent of the mountains. The commanding officer and 16 men were J)ressed so hard by the detachment under the com- jnand of heut.-colonel Wilson, that they were unable to reach the bridge, and were obliged to Bercsford. UNDER LORD M'ELLIXGTON. £29 tlirow themselves into a cave at the base of the >^^0Kiv. CHAP. V. mountain, which was extieniely difficult of ac- '^-^^/'*^*^ ' • 1809. cess. June. rr^i c • I /- 1 1 • Sir Robert Wil- The Spaniards and a part of the legion went son to marihui down the sides of the mountain, and I posted the remainder of the legion, with the howitzers, on the height commanding Barba del Piierco, and the road of San Felices; and I brought the gun through the village to the ridge of the path leading to the bridge, from which situations the artillery played, with very great eifectj on the guards ascending the San Felices road, and the reinforcements which subsequently descended. The enemy sent immediately forward from San Felices, where he had 3000 men, detachments of light troops, who took post on the side of the mountain opposed to us, and where they kept up nvexy brisk fire; which was as briskly answered, from eight o'clock in the morning until two in the afternoon, but with considerable loss on their part, from our activity, and the excellence of some of our marksmen, particularly some officers and chas- seurs, peasants. Finding that the enemy persevered in throwing more troops forward, and not having the means or intention to occupy the post of Barba del Puerco, especially as I was aware that he could and did, by single persons, pass and assemble a large force on 230 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAtj ^''cJl^v^' this side of the bridge, who could divide and turn ^^'^^jj^'*^ our position to right and left ; I withdrew my June. gyj^g ^'j-Qj^ Barba del Puerco to its hei«ht ; when SirllobertWil- . son to marshal the Spaniards re-ascended the hill, and formed on Bercsford. a height, about 400 yards from the village. The troops of the legion maintained the ground obstinately against the tirailleurs of the enemy, who appeared on every side. I gradually withdrew my guns and the Spanish infantry in separate divisions ; then the cavalry, as the ground did not admit of its acting ; and when the main body had thus descended the hill, and passed an intervening open space, extremely un- favourable to cross, under an enemy's fire from the height, I withdrew the troops of the legion ; and, by keeping up a fire from behind the rock that fa- voured my skirmishers, I passed also the rear-guard, without any loss or the smallest disorder, to the rocky height beyond the plain, where, again making a stand in some strength, the enemy halted and retired up the hill. The troops had directions to halt at Viella de Cervo, where I remained during the night, con- stantly patroling to Barba del Puerco ; and where I found that the enemy early at night had, from fear of an attack, withdrawn his forces, leaving only a small guard. It is a painful circumstance to be under the ne- UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 231 oessity of citing, even against the enemy, a most flagitious breach of faith and military honour; but it is not only to recoril a reproach, it is to save BOOK IV. CHAP. V. 1809. June. Sir Robert Wil" "■allant officers, in the exercise of o'enerous huma- son to maLsimi to Beresfurd. iiity, from perishing by similar treachery, that I am obliged to relate, that when informed of the officer and his party being in the cave, at whojn the Spaniards were endeavouring to pour lire from every direction, I desired lieutenant Wilson to offer them their lives, on condition of surrendering; and lieut. -colonel Don Carlos D'Espagne accom- panied him, to prevent the Spanish infantry from firing. Findino; that the communication could not be i;ow treachery o ot the eneiu^ . matle on this side of the bridge, these officers, joined by lieut.-colpnel Grant and lieut. Charles, of the Royal British Artillery, passed the l^ridge, advanced with a white handkerchief, and proposed the terms I desired. The officers came forward, and said it was what they wished, and beggecl , lieut.-colonel AVilson to approach nearer. At the instant a volley was fned at liim and the rest of the officers ; and t^e fire was continued until they passed the bridge again. Unfortunately it hap- pened at the moment that the enemy's detach- ments were descending the hill, so that the comr plete example could not be made which auch pqnduct imperiously demanded ; but most of the 232 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^cH^i^ v.^' assassins perished, and I am assured that only the ^■^'J^^^^'*^ officer and four men came out of the cave alive. "^''"''- It is a more as^reeable duty for me to add, that Sir Robert WiU , . . ° "^ son to marshal in this expcditiou I have had much to praise. All Uereslord. ' the officers attached to me did whatever bravery and judgment could achieve ; and your excellency well knows, that both must have been required under our ciicumstances, in the conduct of new levies, naturally brave, but inexperienced. This affair has cost the enemy dear, and it is another lesson that no occasion is omitted to attack him, and that he cannot, with impunity, presume in a country where his name is in abhorrence, and where his crimes daily augment the virulence of hatred and the fury of vengeance. Hitherto it is true that the character of the war, which I have been able to direct against him, has not been on the great scale of military operations ; but it is one which has kept him in continual alarm, dimi- nished his ranks, and, I trust, discomfited many of his objects. It Would be improper, at tliis momient, to no- tice publicly the patriotic zeal and valour of several peasants, who accompanied and served in yester- day's affair ; but I have the honour to transmit foi: his majesty and the central junta, their names, and, among so many brave and worthy men, there is yet one to be particularly distinguished for his UNDER LORD WELLINOTON. 235 rhost gallant conduct— I have the honour to be, ^^.^J^J,^' your excellency's most obedient and humble ser- ""^^soP^ vant, •^"""• ' Sir Robert Wil- RODERT Wilson, sontomarsbal Bereafoid. Brigadier-general. Veilla de Cervo, April 2, 1809. The co-operation and communication of the R«treatofSouit i to jom Victor. French general being cut off, and the peasantry of the surrounding country excited against him, he found himself impelled to make a sudden movement towards the south, for a junction with Victor's corps on the left bank of the Tagus, by crossing it at the bridge of Alcantara. Colonel Mayne's division was thus brought into an embarrassing situation in his front. The re- sources of this excellent officer, however, did not fail him ; he moved on Cacillas de Flores, and tried to gain tlie pass of Peralis, which headed the enemy's column, with the hope of arresting its progress, till a junction of every Spanish and Por- tuguese force could be effected ; and, finding this in vain, endeavoured to cut off their detachment at Paio, and, though unsuccessful, made some prisoners. It, however, formed a junction at this place with colonels Wilson and Grant, to whom at night arrived sir Robert Wilson, who had made a considerable number of prisoners. 234 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, UOOK IV. CHAP. V. laoQ. Tin's whole force, with irregular additions, pur- sued the enemy, for two days, with every species June. of harassment, the enemy conceiving himself pur- iBteresting ^ rr • con.munications sucu by a large and emcient army. of the Partizans . oi sirR. wii- There is a degree ot interest in the operations of sun's corps. this period, which, as they will not individually appear after the present chapter, will warrant the introduction of the few following letters, which more eminently tend to shew the military qualities required in them than volumes of description. Those of colonel Grant evince all the talents of an accomplished partizan, and all the prompt energy of a great general. The mingled circumstances of the pecuVmr pet i I e- guerre, which they describe, the passions excited, the disappointments Mdiich accrued on the most favourable expectations; the different lights in which the unhappy soldiery and peasantry, who formed the half-equipped troops employed, ap- peared on different occasions, all yield an insight to the war, which nothing else can give, and agreeably increase the stock of information on the subject. Pucrtes ile Banos, 2^th February, 1809. O^ie o'clock in the Morning. Sir, Major Human I liavc tlic lioHOur to inform you, that I to sir Robert i r> rr" i i •!» Wilson. am just now returned from Turnebacas, and \w\\\ lose no time in my report to you. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON". Q35 Turnebacas can be easily defended witb 400 or book rv. •^ CHAP. V. 500 men, and an equal number of inhabitants ; the '^—■^v-**-' ^ 1809. defile is very wide ; it is e.v tended from the side of J""<=- Til T) 1 A •! 1 1 • Major Ruman ±.1 Larro de Avila by two roads ; betwixt both is a to sir Robert Wilson. rising ground, that commands them, and every ap- proach from that side completely. The approach is not so difficult as in Banas or so steep. The en- tiance of the defile is one leao-ue from the village of Turnebacas; and^ if this entrance should be lost, the ground thence to the village affords a thou- sand opportunities to make the approach of an enemy almost impossible. The pass of Turnebacas cannot be turned. The mountain* that forms its west side, runs down to Almarez; — the east is formed by the Sierra de Bejar. There is no other road between Turnebacas and Banos. Artillery can pass at Turnebacas, but with difficulty, and can get no farther. The road betwixt these and Xerte, is impracticable; it would require the blow- ing up of rocks, and building of bridges, to make it otherwise. From Xerte to Cavcsuela, 1 leao-ue, a tolerable good road, with the exception of one bridge ; the other 6 leagues to Placenzia ; and also the way to El Barro de Avila, I understand, is passable for artillery. * Siera de Beira. 136 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^?H?^ J^" The road from here to Turnebacas is horrid ; it CHAr. V. 1809 leads on the highest mountain near this, and is al- June. Major Ruinan to sir Robert from ^V^lsoll, most impracticable for cavalry. Another road goes Banos Puertes 1 Bejar If Besesas 2 Salanna 3 Turnebacas 3 Banos Eibash 1 Cavesuella 3 Xerte 1 Turnebacas 1 10 Want of time has prevented me from reconnoi- tring this road. No more than fifty of the inhabitants of Turne- bacas are armed, six in Xerte ; but the rest are wil- ling to give all necessary assistance, and amount to about 400. To ascertain the exact number of men that we may expect from the different villages, I have left a paper, directed to the Alcaides, in the hands of a Spanish colonel ; wherein I have desired them to give you the wished-for information. The colonel has promised to collect it from the greatest number of villages, as he is to receive the accounts from them, and to forward it to me from Bejar. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 23? Forty French infantry which marched yesterday ^^^^^^^' mornino'fiom Piedrohuts, for El Barco de Avila, were ^—^'^'-^•^ ° ' ' 1809. on the way, attacked by a party of Spanish soldiers /""«• and armed peasantry, who killed four and took to sir Robert Wilson. five prisoners ; four other French soldiers deserted the French, and joined the Spaniards. The Spa- niards did not lose a single man, I have picked up four French deserters, all Ger- mans, two of them left this yesterday morning, in disguise, for Avilo. I am at a loss if I can enlist the four men, who are all very anxious to enter the British ser- vice ; all of them were in the Spanish service, taken by the French, and compelled to enter theirs. For want of clothing, the French have dressed them in the long coats of the Spanish cavaliers. Each has accounts of dates, as they arrived, with their arms and accoutrements. I shall want your farther orders about them, and, until then, keep them here with me. I wish we could keep them ; they are stout, good-looking, men, and some of them have been trained to the guns. Colonel IVIayne has sent us a barrel of gun- powder and ammunition, so that we do not want any thing, but more men and flints, of which the detachment stands very much in need. 238 CAMPAIGNS IK SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. V. 1809. June. Major Human to sir Robert Wilson. r Turnabacas from LEAGUES. Banos .... 6 Piedro hut ... 8 Avila . . . .18 EI Barco de Avila 5 Placencia ... 8 V^aragoiia . . .12 Bcjar .... 6 I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, S. RUMAN, Col. 97th, Sir Robert Wilson, b? ii^adier-seneraL 4c. ^-c. 4"c. Major Ruman to cqL Mayiie. Turnabacas is lost ! At 12 o'clock 300 French infantry, and about 20 or 30 horse, attacked it on the heights : we kept possession of the high road till 2 o'clock, when our right and left wing turned, retired through the village, and went to the moun- tains between Turnabacas and Testes. If I re- main here the night — God knows. I\Iy detachment has behaved very ill. — To make them fight with any regularity was impossible ; most of them are t Turncbacas was quickly recovered. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 239 1 Portuguese corporal is dead, 2 Spanish soldiers dead. BOOK- IV. CIIA P. V. 1809. June, JIISSING. Major Human to col. Mayne. S. E. P. 1 1 14 Portuguese. 2 2 36 Espagnols. 3 3 30 Valvons. t7 6 80 Farewell, yours, J. RuMAN. Major. IStk March, half past 3, P. M, My dear sir Robert, SsfrR^wiS^ Having communicated the contents of go^Marchsd? colonel D'Urhan's letter to the governor, he ^^^^' agreed to the necessity of immediately sending the reinforcements you require, and desired me to at- tend the meeting of the junta, at twelve o'clock, when he should propose it for their approbation. He says, he thinks they will not agree to the march of more than 400 men. It is, he is well aware of, the advantageous position in which they are to be placed, and that, should a retreat be necessary, they are as secure from being cut off as they would be in the town of Rodrigo. 240 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. V. tosu I am determined, however, to apply for 60O, jg^^ and shall press it to the utmost of my power. June. jIj^ captain of banditti who took the French Uuy 1 tistrange R.Wilson, niail, is here ; he promises to join you to-morrow or on the following day, with 25 men, well mounted; this will be a very desirable reinforce- ment, under an enterprising and intelligent leader. The governor says that 60 more cavalry are pre- paring to join you, but the want of people to make their saddles at present delays them ; all possible despatch shall be used to equip them. Captain Lauda seems much hurt at a report which has been circulated about him, of the Portuguese dragoons not doing their duty yesterday ; this has been communicated to the good people of the town, by letters from the Spaniards who were with you. Several people were acquainted with the affair, and discussed it in the Plaza, before I heard any thing of it. There are in the stables here three Portuguese horses, which the junta represent as being an un- necessary expense, as said horses eat barley, though they do no work: — I have seen them, and agree in the opinion of the junta of Rodrigo, Laurdaalso confirms my sentence, which is, that they should either be shot, or sent to their regiment at Almeida; the latter seems the most just and perhaps \\}e most merciful decision. UNDER LORD "WELLINGTONS £41 BOOK IV. CHAP. V. 1809. I have just returned from the junta, who are at this blessed moment in consultation as to the 600, and the result of their decision on this subject, as J"ne. -Guy 1 'Estrange well as with respect to the horses for our dra- tosirR.wuson. goons, will be communicated to me at half past two o'clock. They beg their congratulations to Grant, on his fortunate escape, by which they assure me they are convinced that the life of " a very valuable officer has been saved." When the governor commu- nicates the result of their debates, I shall finish my letter. The governor informs me that, after mature de- liberation, the junta have decided on giving 300 men of the regiment of. Avilla, and if it should happen that there are any men above that number remaining belonging to the same companies, they shall also accompany them. He says, the junta intend writing to you their reasons for not sending more men, and explaining the various corps, de- tachments, and duties, formed by the governor. He told me, he believed if we had not demanded more than 400, they would have limited their bounty to 200. The horses for the dragoons are ready, 1 have given a receipt for them, and they will be sent off immediately. His excellency begs that I may not deceive you as to the hour of their arrival, which he says is uncertain, as he has VOL. IV. R 242 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN A:;^ i> PORTUGAL, ^c?i?p^v^^' ^^^^'^ys great difticulty in gelling his people out of '^^''•'^^^-''•^ the town ; he has, however, ordered their major to 1809. ^75 J June. send chosen men, and assures nie he will hasten Guy I'Estrange. i • i . , . x to sir R. Wilson, thcu* departure by every means ni his power. 1 shall go over to St. Estevan in the morning, to make myself as much acquainted as lies in my power, with your intentions as to the detachment, and shall return to Sfuto Espirito before their arrival. Believe me, dear sir, Your most faithful servant, Guy L'Estrange. P. S. Your letters to colonel Alayne, >cia Abad, MajorRumaii to "■ col. Mayne. Lisbou, and Seville, have already set out on their 1 uniaviicas, "^ Marchi6,iao9. scvcral joumies. Dear colonel, A Walloon, that was in the engagement of yesterday, has deserted the French this morning at El Barco, and arrived here at 1 1 o'clock ; 300 in- fantry and 55 cavalry attacked us ; infantry are foreigners, and willing to desert, but closely watched l^y the cavalry. I inclose to you a parcel of papers which the French left in Los Casas de Puertos : how thev came in their possession I cannot tell ; they did not find them neither in mine nor in Terrerossy's portman- teau. UXDEli LORD WELLINGTON'. 243 6 o'clock, p.m. BOOK IV. CHAP. V. I have iust now received your note of the 16th 1809. ^' ^ June. instant. The French have left El Barco, and jiajorRumant. marched for Piedrohits, but promised to return ^°'' ^^"^"^ very soon. I shall quietly expect their arrival, try my men once more, but at all events make good my retreat through the mountains. A good po- sition can be taken at Sertos, another at Cave- suella ; Til take one after the other, and only consider Banos as my last retreat. This valley can be defended, inch for inch, with few troops, — but not with the kind that I have here. ]\Ty servant is in Banos, you will oblige me in sending him here ; also the letters. Sir Robert's box (No. 1.) is lost, with the rest of my baggage. Another instance of the bravery of Spanish peasants. More than 100 of them arrived here to- day, offered their services to me, and promised to do every thing. At 2 o'clock in the afteraoon we had an alarm, more than 100 peasants marched with us from hence, — but no more than 25 arrived on the heights : I no sooner left them for a few minutes, tlian every one disappeared. I want ammunition and men. Pray what can you give me? Money is very scarce with me : I have already borrowed from my officers : — What can be the R 2 244 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. reason of it, my tailors do not send me the blue CHAP. V. ' -> ^"^^^^^ jackets? they must be ready, and my men want Jane. them very much. Major Ruman .,,.,. ^ . , . , , tosoi. Mayne. Where IS the brigadier r and where is colonel D'Urban ? A cannonade towards Almarez has been heard this morning by 9 o'clock, by some peasants, but not by me. I hope you have got my letter of this morning. Yours, &c. &c. S. Ruman. My letter of this morning is brought back to me by a peasant, who says, that he cannot pass the mountains on account of the snow. I enclose it, and thank yon to send it to the brigadier. S. R. My dear Ruman, major Ruman!' Sir Robcrt Wilsou dlrccts me to acquaint MTrcirgs'ieog. you, that as the enemy seems to have made but a vain menace against Ciudad Rodrigo, and that it is probable he is about to retire ; he wishes colonel Mayne and his division to movT in the direction of the city, taking particular care to send an officer forward to Ciudad Rodrigo, as soon as you arrive at Perales, to inform the general of your approach. Should you precede the division, you will leave UNDER LORD WELLINGTON, 245 these instructions for colonel Mayne, at Perales, ^^J^^^^'- observing at the same time, to order the necessary ^^"^^^^^ provisions for the men as you advance. • •^"'»*- ^ , " 111 ColJ.Wilson to It appears certain, that the Portuguese have had major Ruman. a cannonade with the enemy, under the walls of the city, and ha-ve conducted themselves very well. Yours, most sincerely, J. Wilson. In Gallicia, the Spaniards have taken Vigo, and JeSefbT Villa Franca del Bcrcio, where they made prisoners BrozSiayii, one of the best regiments of the French empire ; ^^^^' they have also taken the town of Santiago, in which place was destroyed the division of general Ney, and himself killed : this was done by the marquis la Romaaa, and the inhabitants of Galicia ; and in that province there are no French except in Co- runna, and in Ferrol. We are also assured that Russia has declared war against France. The French at Oporto have desired to capitulate, but general sir Arthur Wellesley will not accept the terms they have proposed. The French have lost a great many men at Perros, and they have also lost some men at Molino de Aragon. An insurrection appears to have taken place in Paris, where they have killed two generals. Cuesta 246 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV CilAP. V. gets every day new reinforcements, and he is forming; an army of reserve. 1809. ^ "^ juHc. xi^e French have evacuated Merida, and are dying every day, to the amount of fifty and seventy. I give every credit to the ahove. J. GliANT, Lieut.-colonel, L. L. Legion. N. B. I inclose a gazette from Seville, of the 1st of May. J. G. Col. Grant to col. Rlayne. Ikozas.MavU, My dear colonel, Yesterday, on receipt of your favor,* I 1809. ■ was on my way to attack, if possible, the enemy's cavalry, they having entered Las Navas, two very short leagues in my front ; on entering that village, I found they had again retired; there were only 30 of ihem. They ordered rations for 600 infantry and 200 cavalry, to be ready this morning. — 60 cavalry of the enemy have just now entered the village of Las Navas, and I am quite prepared to receive them should they advance here ; the legion are very well disposed, and 1 shall pay every at tention to your instructions, either as to retreat or advance, 1,000 of them having only advanced to Caceres ; we all of us are sufficient for them, if I should be forced back on you. 1 left yesterday four men at Las Navas, two of them have behaved very well; I shall report their names to you. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 247 BOOK rv. CHAP. V. A peasant has just come in from Las Navas, and states, that the enemy have again retired, and tliat they had not seen any infantry. J"»<^- ^ . . "^ J. Grant to I am not ot opinion they mean to advance se- coi. Ma^ne riously on Alcantara, yet it is better to be prepared, taking care not to alarm the people, or allow them to think we mean to desert them, else we shall have no rations ; all the people here have escaped into the countr}\ Soon as I learn more of the enemy's motions, I shall send you immediate notice, and attend to your orders soon as possible in respect to the corps. My dear colonel, excuse this scroll ; I am in the field, and it is wrote on a wall. Faithfully yours, J. Grant, Lieut.-colonelj Lt. Legion. Do me the favour to send me back the serjeant who delivers you this; he may be very useful to me. C'est bien sensible jour cette t»nta, ce i>o«i^amon y '^ ' Blanco to cul qui elle vienne de savoir par la lettre, qui vous ^^J^*"' lui faites I'honneur d'ecrire. Vos plaintes sur le resus des habitants de Miranda a le fournissement dcs rations pour les soldats du LL.L. meritent de I'attei^tion, et cette junta ne pourra pas se passer 248 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. (le prendre sur le champ toutes les mesures possibles CHAP. V. i l^ ' '^■■^•"v'^i^ pour faire comprendre A. Miranda le sacr^ de son June. devoir a cet egard. Don Ramon t» • m i Blanco to coL J El Ihonncur de vous tonoigner, ^^^' Monsieur le Colonel, Toute ma consideration, Come gouverneur president, Ramon Blanco.* M. Le Colonel Moj/ne. Brozas, \6thMay, 1809. My dear Colonel, SI Macule!* The day before yesterday I patrolled to my front, by way of Las Navas, being there in- formed that a considerable quantity of shoes were collecting at Caceres for the enemy. Seven leagues * It is very painful to this junta to hear, what it is informed of by the letter which you have done it the honour to write. Your complaints of the refusal of the inhabitants of Miranda, to furnish rations for the soldiers of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, merit every attention; and this junta cannot lose a moment to take ' every possible means of making Miranda comprehend the sacred- ness of its duty in this respect. I have the honour to evince to you, Colonel, All my consideration Ramon Blanco, Governor-president. Colonel Mayne. UNDEU LORD WELLINGTON", 249 BOOK IV, CUAP. V. from hence I determined to seize them : by seven at niofht I was about to enter the town, but was in- * ^ 1809. formed it was already in possession of the enemy's J""«5- Col. Grant to cavahy, 60 in number, nnich on the alert, with coi.Ma^ne. fires in the street. I encamped, during the night, within a short distance of the town ; at day-light 1 retired to Las Navas, and from thence here. At six, yesterday morning, the enemy's cavalry retired, (taking with them some nezv saddles,) they returned back in one hour ; and, at two o'clock yesterday, 1000 men entered the village, viz. 600 infantry and 400 cavalry. You may believe I keep my detachment on the alert, by patrols, and their intentions as yet I am not able to penetrate ; at all events, it is our occu- pying Alcantara and Brozas, and patrolling, has called their attention more immediately : They wish to protect Caceres, and to overawe the vil- lages in the vicinity, from whence they draw pro- visions and other stores, and at the same time hamper us. Caceres are in general French, and many of the villages in its vicinity in their favour, so that greater caution is requisite. The enemy, say they, intend marching this way ; but I rather imagine they fear an advance on our part. -50 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. At all events I think it will be highly necessarv, CHAP. V. O J -^ ' '^-•'"v-'**^ that I should have fifty more men of the leo-ion, 1809. -^ o » June. two officers, four Serjeants, six corporals, an.l two Col. Grant to . i' i i • t i i toi.Mayne. tlrums, onc or them legion; i must have always one drum on the main guard. The Serjeants I have are without any species of arms, and hope you will send them Jit^e-locks. I, at the same time, find, amongst my militia, a considerable want of ammunition. Do me the favour to send, by the detachment, a box of spare ammunition, flints, &c. the militia have only one each. There is also a total want of blankets for the men; and I understand with the amnuinition I should receive blankets. In respect to the Alcaides of this village, he replies that he feels it sufficient to find provisions for the troops here ; and that the Alcaide, mayor of Alcantara, has, under his direction, forty villages, he only this of Brozas. I have sent to the Alcaide of las Navas, to en- force an order of your Alcaide, in respect to cattle, ^nd Ihaye po doubt but, in the course of to-day, you will receive some cattle from them. I still hope, in some days, to fall in with some French shoes. It is a most unpleasant circumstance that I liave merely the name of cavalry^ some of them want UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 251 even swortls, many of them pistols; and I have ^^^^f;^- no aminnnition wliatever that will suit for either "^^^^^ their pistols or carbines. I rather think the Spa- ^""'=' ^ Co). Grant to nish ball-cartridges will suit better than the Eng- coi. Mujne. lish. Send me one box of the former, or a pro- portion for thirty carbines. I shall send by the sejjeant a return of what the Almeida heroes want, to be sent to Cox, with a strong letter from you on the subject. Indeed, it will be ne- cessary to send a copy to general JMackenzie, Abrantes, stating the absolute inutility of cavalry wanting every equipment to meet an enemy. Ciudad Pvodrigo should also be wrote to, in strong terms, requesting cavalry; the cause is their own, and that city at present can well spare a considerable number. Do, my dear sir, remedy these evils as far as in your power ; they, in exist- ing circumstances, are extremely essential. In- deed, if general Alackenzie does nothing as to the cavalry, I must renounce the command of them ; I know them ; they will hardly meet an enemy when well armed. What will they do in their present state .^ I have not as vet been able to reconnoitre the back, but will soon. I have got a very good local map of this pro- vince. Do send me a pair of compasses, and, if ^52 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. BOOK IV. possible, the Spanish and EngHsh book I men- '^-""■v"*^ tioned to you, or any other. 1809. , \. . T^ , J June. Is there any thmg fro'.n sn* Robert, or any word CJol. Grant to ^ , «, col. Ma;ne. oi my scrvant ? I send you a hare and two rabbits for dinner. I had intimated being in Alcantara to-day ; but I am anxious to ascertain something more of my friends in Caceres. On this occasion I find our friend Ruman has forgot us as to information. I send back by the serjeant some sick, having here no means of recovering them. A surgeon, I presume, at present, you cannot spare. I have estabhshed a tolerable connexion with the Alcaides, in the way of Noticias. There is a road along the river from Alcantara to Barca via Abconeta ; it is no great distance from Caceres. There is another bank up the river, called Valdecanas, and no great distance from Truxillo. I am just informed, from a very respectable chan- nel, that there has been an action betwixt Cuesta and the enemy, decidedly in favour of Cuesta, the enemy losing very considerably both in cavalry and infantry; the French having retreated four leagues, and the artillery of the enemy that was at S. Servan, had also retreated back on Merida, UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. ^SS lam apt to give this news much credit, from 1000 ^^j,^^^ J^* of the French, having so unexpectedly entered ^^^^^^T^^ Caccres: and the cavahv party, of 60, having so J""^. -^ ' *^' . ^ Col. Grant t9 suddenly returned with them, having heen gone coi Mayrj«. only one hour. All the people I have sent out to gain intelligence, con^rm the above statement : the battle is said, to have principally disputed iu the vicinity of Fuentes de Cantos. The enemy in Caceres have demanded a quan- tity of mortar so be carried to Truxillo, for the purpose of building some fortifications : this is still a further confirmation of Cuesta's having suc- ceeded. You will, perhaps, feel it necessary, by some means, to convey the whole of the above intelli- gence to head quarters, in which case pray ixjnem- ber your humble servant, as it will be useful, through our friend the quarter-master-general. Money I find very useful here, and absolutely necessary to open an account against the public, for the purpose of gaining intelligence. My dear sir, BelievT me most faithfully, yours, J. Grant, Lieut. -colonel Colonel Mai/ne, S^c. ^c. ^c. Alcanttra, ^^^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. Cj CHAP. V. •JJlj ^"^[^J^^J]**^ On my arrival here I found that all that June. ^yj^g written to you about the Pont de Conp-aspo, Communication o i of John Pink to was but reports. Martha has sent two men from col. Majne. here to inquire ; he doubts much that any French came there. I think it is useless mv G:oin2: there, . it being four leagues hence instead of three, as we thought. I remain here until nine o'clock, waiting for the post, which will bring the news from Cuesta's army, and Estremadura. All the French at Salamanca took yesterday, a 4, p. m. the road to Ciudad Rodrigo, with 100 waggons, loaded with rations, ladders, and ropes; they were 6000 men strong. No other news. I am, Sir, Your most humble servant, John Pink, I I o'clock, p. m. Broias, WilMay^ 1809. My dear Colonel, CjI. Grant to riii i , i -i • col. wa^ae. 1 lic cncmy have not made their appear- ance since I wrote you in the morning. They are anxious to gain intelligence in respect to us all, and our strength. UNDER LORD ^VELLINGTO^^ 255 The same division that entered Las Navas this book iv. -CIl Al>. V. mornino-, entered Roi Del Parco, last ni"ht, at ^«— -v-*-^ ■^ J o 7 1809. eleven o'clock, and ordered guides for Brozas ; but J"»°- , . "^ . Col. Grant to on their road turned off to Las Navas, and agani coi. Majne. returned about eight o'clock to Caceres. I have sent after them to ascertain what they are about. Another party of cavalry went still more to my right; they formed in some measure a circle. The reply made by the Alcaide, mayor of Las Navas, to their inquiry, was, that we were in Alcantara 5000 strong; at Brozas, 500 infantry and 100 cavalry. Soon as I can I shall attend to your or- ders in respect to the Barcas, and to your instruc- tions in general ; at tlie same time you must be well aware, that our out-posts are liable to so many casualties, that it is impossible to be correct in point of time on reports, or otherwise. Hi- therto I have been always guided by circumstances and situation; at the same time I shall endeavour to comply, at least, with the spirit of your in- structions. I have seen a very spirited proclamation from the junta of Badajos, directing a general armament of the inhabitants of Estremadura ; indeed, this province wants nothing to appear in arms but the sight of troops, to any respectable number. With 3000 mote regular troops, I am well con- ^56 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK TV. CHAP. V. 1809. June. Col. Grant to eel. Majne viiiced this province would immediately join against the enemy. One soldier from Ahueida informs me, that eleven of our cavahy reported themselves ready ibr marcli to (Local) brigadier-general Cox, and that he ordered them to remain where they were. And he liad also the audacity to take from our cavalry the new swords they had received, and give them old, useless ones. In short, the legion is no favourite with Mr. Cox. Whv? because sir Robert has distins;uished himself, and they have come out to reap the har- vest. I inclose a return of what is wanting in the ca- valry ; in short, they want every thing, and 1 have sent to general Betlair, even now appointed. The whole of this, I think, should be repre- sented to sir Robert, I think it an insult on us all ; be is a very great man with his new elevation. I have drawn from Las Navas, notwithstanding the enemy, for your use, twenty bullocks : I keep two of them here, and eighteen will be with you to-morrow by eleven o'clock. The most friendly man I have found at Las Navas, and to whom I am very much obliged, in many respects, (and tlie same individual now sends these eighteen cattle,) is the very person you di- UNDER LORD WELLINGTON, ' 257 BOOK IV. CHAP. V. rectcd me to make a prisoner of; but more of this when we meet. JMeantimc you may rest assured ^^^^ he is a good patriot. ■^"°*'- Col. Grant to I have just seen a gazette extraordinary, from coi. Mayne. Seville, stating our destroying the enemy's fleet in Basque Roads, and the arrival of general Wel- lesley, with 30,000 English troops. I inclose you the substance of a letter, just now received by our Alcaide mayor, to which I give every credit. Your Serjeant has just arrived, but brought nothing from you. I need hardly again say, that another drum is necessary ; it is impossible for two drums, alternately, to do this duty. Collecting all this news in a body, you will pro- bably think it necessary to send a courier to ge- neral Beresford, concerning the same, to general Machin, Abrantes. Do send to the latter for some cavalry : in that case you are properly adequate to drum the enemy out of Caceres ; this would be glorious ! The enemy's cavalry are of Westphalia, conse- quently not the better in the cause of France. My dear colonel, Your's, most faithfully, J. Grant, Colonel Mayne, cobnel of brigade. Commandant, SfC. Alcantara. VOL. IV. S 258 CHAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. ]s^^ j^ Russia has certainly declared, or is about CHAP. V, J ' ''-'''"v"'*^ declarins:, war ao:ainst France. — Every news good. 1809. a' & .7 o June. You will be, &c. &c. Col. Grant to col. Maj?nc. Xhe cavalry officer is unwell, and I have ordered the ■ to join immediately. J. G. My dear colonel. Col. Grant to All icmains quiet here, nothinsr of the col. Mayne. _ n > h> ^ Brozas.Maj^ 12, enciiiy siucc yesterday-morning, I have a spy in Caceres ; he observed the party of yesterday enter that village about II a.m. on their return. I had patroles two leagues to the front during the night, and I have a corporal and four men in Las Navas, with regular rounds during the night, and the whole of the troops are under arms by day-light, and remain so until my last cavalry-pa- troles return and make their report. I have inclosed the most recent news, and I believe you may depend on its being correct. Only 500 men, including cavalry, are now in Caceres, and I rather imagine, they do not mean to remain long ; there would be an excellent opportu- nity for us ; Cox's infantry, the cavalry, and two guns, would force them to retire immediately. I shall watch their niotions and numbers, and in the mean time you will probably think of a movement against them, and give me your opinion and di- rections to that effect. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 259 I have sent this morning a small patrole to Gar- ^^Jl^^^^' rillas, a village within a league of the bark of ^^^*^JJ^^*^ Albeoneta, with positive orders to the alcaide J^"«- ' . Col. Grant to mayor of that place, to destroy the connection of coi, Mayne. the bark with this side of the river ; I shall look at it myself as soon as I can leave this vicinity. The cattle would have been with vou this morn- ing, but the weather is so'warm that I was advised to defer it until the afternoon. Believe, most faithfully yours, J. Grant, Lieut.- colonel, L. L. Legion. I wish the doctor would send my book and map by the bearer. Compliments to him and Mrs. Mellingen. Do send back the bearer to-night, with any other of those fellows that may be skulking about in your city. J. G. N. B. My dear colonel, my corporal from Navas has just come to say that the enemy have evacu- ated Caceres, but adds, that the alcaide of Navas wishes me to be careful of admitting the bearer of this news (a priest,) into this post, as he believes his intention is, to ascertain our numbers and in- tentions; I have accordingly directed him to be stopped at the main guard, outside of the town, s S Col. Grant to col. r: Broza 130&. 2>60 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, and will detain him until the news he brings is confirmed or otherwise. The result you will be made acquainted with as soon as I learn any thing certain. Two days ago general Cuesta wrote to the governor of Badajos that he was convinced the Brozaaiiyi2, ^^^^Y ^^crc preparing for a march, but that he in- tended to keep close in their rear ; that a part of them had fallen back on Cordovilla, five leagues from Merida, and the enemy at Montego had already marched from thence towards the rear. Cuesta had also sent to Badajos for 4,000 in- fantry and 700 cavalry, and directed them, at the same time, to prepare for him a bridge of boats, to be carried on mules, for the purpose of following the enemy, and tracing it across the Tagus, at Al- marez, the French being in possession of a bridge there sufficient to cross themselves and their artil- lery ; as in the event of their retreat, they will most likely destroy it, general Cuesta having previously done the same to the stone one. The line of march of the enemy's left is Truxillo, Javaiceja, and Almarez, the right, in Cordovilla, and its vicinity. At the bridge of Arzobispo, the French artillery cannot pass. Within these few days Zafra was the head-quar- ters of general Cuesta. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 261 I believe the above statement to be perfectly ^^J^^^J^' correct. ^"^T^XT^ J. Grant, lieut.-Gol. juuc L. L. Legion. N. B. The enemy have again retired from Caceres. J- G. My dear colonel. The enemy have certainly entirely left Caceres ; ^^/jJJ^y'JfJ'' they had parties of cavalry out in every direction, BrMas.Mayii, and on the return of their cavalry from Las Navas yesterday at 12 o'clock, they immediately marched to Alcuescar, on the Muida road, six leagues from Caceres, and two from Muida ; it was from Al- cuescar they originally came. Medellin is again in possession of a post of Cuesta's army; they also occupy Villa Franca. His head-quarters, sometimes Zafra, sometimes Monestered. The enemy, when in Caceres, were not appa- rently in much spirits, — said nothing of the Ger- man war, but the Westphalians were not on the best terms with their French allies ; many of them had deserted. I send tliis by a dragoon sent in charge of the cattle. My dear colonel, Always most faithfully yours, J. Grant, lieut.-col. L, L. Legion, 262 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. V. N. B. I am sorry to be under the necessity of stating to you, that on examining the militia under my command, as to ammunition wanting, to receive 1809. June. Col. Grant to col. Mayne. a ictum of 1007, Several of tliem bavins: none. This is terrible ; had we had occasion to have used them. I thought the colonel had reported them on all points complete. J.G. ^f' £""**" What I stated to you last niaht in respect col. Mayne. -^ ® ' My dear colonel. What I St; ?8o?''^^^^^' to the enemy having quitted Caceres, was correct. But I have now to inform you, that yesterday, at four in tlie afternoon, intelligence was received of 10,000 infantry, cavalry, with their artillery; (I imagine, light pieces.) I have patroles out in every direction ; this morning I have heard nothing of them ; should I not see them by mid-day, their intentions are on some other object than Alcantara. I shall give you immediate notice of their ad- vance, and in force fall back with the cavalry to the village in my rear, sending you the infantry, excepting a few cacadores, that may annoy tliem a little amongst the walls, between the village and Alcantara. Did you fire any of your artillery last night ? — Tell me if you approached. I imagine, (if you find it necessary,) there will be plenty of time to draw your guns from the town. UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 263 I certainly think they do not mean passing this ^^Jl^J^^' way :— It may have been influenced by some news, ^^g^^' Yours, faithfully, J""^- J. Grant, lieut.-col. The result of these little operations terminated as follows : " By advices from Alentejo it is confirmed that a ^jf ^^q^'^^^- column of the enemy, 11,000 strong, detached from the French army at Merida, attempted to pass the bridge of Alcantara, with the intention, as is supposed, of coming to assist Soult ; but about a thousand Portuguese, who were at the bridge, obliged them to fall back, killing 16OO of them. This number, so unequal, shews well the bravery of the Portuguese." " It is known that the French army ofEstre- Lisbon Gazette, of Hay 20. madura, having abandoned the Guadarama, marched in the direction of Alcantara, to cross the Tagus. On the 12th instant the place was attacked by a division of from 10 to 12,000 men, commanded, as is supposed, by marshal Victor in person. — No other troops happened to be there than one battalion of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, and the regiment of the militia of Idanha, with six pieces of can- non, and 150 horse of the regiment No. 11, all commanded by colonel Mayne, of the Loyal Legion, the troops not exceeding in the whole 1,800 men. 264 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK IV. CHAP. V. 1809. June. Lisbon Gazette, That valiant garrison, which had already disputed the ground with the enemy in Braga, occupied by its advanced parties, succeeded in obstructing the of May 20. passagc for six hours, in presence of an enemy vastly superior in number, and artillery, with some loss in men killed and wounded, yet without losing one smgle piece of ordnance. Major Grant de- serves the highest praise on account of his conduct in this action.'* Extract of a letter dated the 14th of May, at night, from the camp near Alcantara. " This morning, at eight o'clock, three of the, enemy's columns, with artillery and cavalry, at- tacked furiously our position on the height before this place ; the small force which the brave colonel Mayne of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion, governor of the town, had, consisted of 1,200 men of the regi- ment of Idanha, and 600 of the first division of the Lusitanian Legion. '.' The enemy had 10,000 infantry, 1,500 cavalry, and 12 field-pieces. Our artillery and infantry fought with such fury, and such indescribable bra- very until sun-set, that they maintained the pass against all the efforts of the enemy, whose supe- riority was so excessive." ^up"ieienf ^ ^^"^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ of Alcantara, th^ French have UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. 265 not yet advanced in that part of Spain ; they are in ^^^^^^ J^* force in Valentia de Alcantara, and make inroads '^^^.^'^»^ 1809. into the vicinity, yet without penetrating farther J""e. into the interior. foTheS„ " On the 19th and 20th instant, two Portuguese gg,''"' ''^'^^"^ regiments of infantry of the Hne, one Enghsh regi- ment of foot, four squadrons of Portuguese horse, two squadrons of English cavalry, and an excellent Portuguese park of artillery, marched from this capital. These troops are proceeding, partly by water and partly by land, to Santareni, in order to form a junction with the corps commanded by lieutenant-general Miranda, and which, reinforce*! by the above troops, will be from 20 to 30,000 men strong. His head -quarters were removed on the 1st instant, from Thomar 10 Abrantes." The present narrative now arrives at the period at which sir Arthur Wellesley makes the allusions which conclude the last chapter. As therein stated, the enemy under Victor made i^t attack of •^ Alcantara. an attack on the small garrison of Alcantara, and carried it on the 14th of May. The inhabitants of this antient and renowned, though poorly fortified, city, endeavoured to ob- struct the passage of the river, over which is a magnificent Roman bridge, built by the dignified -6^ CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK W. CHAP. V. 1809. Trajan, and the last act of his grandeur in Spain. They excavated the road to the depth of near June. twenty feet, and also constructed a kind of abbatis Aiclntara. across it. They then urgently solicited, by every means, a British force for its defence. Colonel Mayne, under whose command the bri- gade at Alcantara remained, had already, on the 7th, issued the following orders : Instructions of lieut.-col. Grant, In the event of the enemy moving upon Alcan- conimandnig ^.^^^ -^ great forcc, vou will order immediately the out-posts of o » J J AiJnZy' ^^^^ -0^ infantry under your command to fall back MaT?; ifoT^ to the heights of Alcantara, on the east side of the Tagus, remaining with the cavalry under your orders as long as you can in safety, for any in- formation concerning the enemy's advance. I find the town of Alcantara so thoroughly indefen- sible, that it is out of the question to take any steps for its defence ; and the greater object being the pass of the Tagus, it must be abandoned ; but should the enemy come forward in small force, or in any numbers equal to our own, I should re- commend a skirmishing retreat, falling back upon my force, which shall, in this case, be prepared to give them a very warm reception. You will patrole on the line of Caceres, towards Aroyo de Puerco, and in the circle of Alcantara, UNDER LORD WELLINGTON, - 26? BOOK IV. CHAP. V. as your judgment may point out to you, keeping a watchful eye on the upper line of the Tagus. You will send reports to my head-quarters every J""^- i^ J ^ J Col. Mayneto third day, of every thing that passes under your coi. Graut. command ; being careful in procuring and for- warding, immediately, every other iuformation of greater importance. I have the honour to be, &c. &c. &c. (Signed) William ^VIjAyne, Colonel, .commanding the brigade at Alcantara. On the following day, general Cuesta thus ad- dressed him for a co-operation. Most excellent sir, The news that I have received, that General Cuest* to col. Mayne, 2,000 troops have arrived under your conmiand in comraandaut of ^ '' the allied troops the place of Alcantara, has o-jven me the greatest ^ ^'""J'"'''; * ' o O Dated May 8, satisfaction, and the more particularly so, as I un- ^^°^- derstand these to be tiie advance of a large army of British troops, under his excellency general Wel- ]esley, moving into Spain. I should think marshal Victor with his army will make a disposition to enter Portugal from Estre- madura, to relieve general Soult ; and it will give me much pleasure to concert any plans for the im- pediment of the enemy's movement in the vicinity -^8 CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, ^cJl^v^' o^ ^a^'ijos and Elvas, the former place being now ^"^^J^*^ fortified and strengthened in the best possible maii- june. j^gj.^ jj. J5 j^jgQ probable, they may try to pass the General Cuesta to col. Majue. Tagus at Alcantara, and to move on to Castello Branco, in Portugal. Your excellency may depend upon every infor- mation that I can obtain ; and of my determination to pursue the enemy's movement in either case ; and to harass them by every means in my power. I trust your excellency will have the goodness to inform me of all the circumstances that may transpire for the good of our common cause, and to believe that it will be my greatest desire to ren- der every assistance to the allies, as captain-general of the province of Estremadura, May God preserve your excellency ! &c. &c. &c. (Signed) Greg, de la Cuesta. The several juntas thus followed : — The«upreme This Supreme junta has been very much pleased ofEstremadura, . i f i i • to col. Mayne, at the TCccipt of your despatch of the 7th instant, cornmandant at ^ ^ ^ Alcantara. in which you iuform them of your safe arrival, with the troops under your command, at Alcantara. They beg to send you their most cordial thanks for the energetic disposition that your military skill UNDER LORD WELLINGTON. S.69 and sound penetration has made, to put the po- bookiv. sition of Alcantara in a vioorous state of defence, ^"-"^"v^"-^ ° ' 1809. and they are well persuaded that your presence, -f"""^- 1 11 !• I MI 1 . The supieme ana well-dnected measures, will prevent the wrongs junta of that Alcantara has suffered, in its weak state, from tocoLxMa^jne, being repeated ; and that the enemy will be repelled .with steadiness whenever they attempt to renew their invasion. The honourable, faithful, and most cordial al- liance, that so firmly unites the three nations, must reanimate the glorious cause in which all are so much interested ; and the junta, confiding in your military knowledge, with all pleasure confer on you their full powers of government, for the de- fence of Alcantara and its dependencies. God preserve your important life for many years \ (Signed) Louis Maria de Mendoza, Juan Cabrera de la Rocha. In the 7ia7ne of the supreme junta of Estremadura. Badajos, May 10, 1809. The junta of government and war of the tlie^ITnta^'^fAi citadel and town of Alcantara, and its dependen- Sa^ne,' com-^' cies, in full meeting assembled, haVing taken into J'^?"'^'"- ^''^ consideration your military and political knowledge, of so much importance in any case of invasion from the enemy, and so useful and beneficial to the gade of Al- cantara. 1809. June. Address from the junta of i cantara to co 27f> CAMPAIGNS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL, BOOK w. Spanish nation, and its ally Great Britain, bee: leave CHAP-. V. ■» ' •/ ' O to name you a member of it, and to request 3^our presence at their councils, when your other occu- the junta of Ai- patjous Will admit or it, and to beg that you will cantara to col. Mayne. allow thcin to distiuguish you with the cross and medal * of the junta of the government and war, as worn by the members, and to present you with them. God preserve you for many years ! (Signed) Fernando Maria Pantoza, Julian Romero Flores. In the name of the junta of Alcantara. Alcantara, May 12, 1809. Letter from tiie Thc supcrlor juuta of Castillc has received your superior junta ofcastiue communicatiou I they are happy to hear that the dated Ciudad _ -^ ' * -^ Rodrigo, May ffood aud Valiant troops that were lately so suc- 12, 1809, to *^ ^ -^ col. Mayne, ccssfully uscful at Ciudad Rodrio-0, are likely to be commandmg o ^ «/ the brigade of tlic samc undcr A'our orders, for the defence of our Alcantara. *' ' grand cause, at Alcantara. The junta have lately received the agreeable news, that the mo^t ex- cellent general Cuesta has, upon late occasions, been very successful in his attacks upon the enemy, and that his operations are proving very injurious to them. * A red cros"; with a pendant gold inedal, one side, "AI Meiito ;" the reverse, a right hand and eye, with thc word, " Cuidado." UXDER LORD WELLINGTON. 271 The junta are very sorry they cannot accord ^^^j^^^^^' with your request, of placing, under the orders of ^"^^^J^"*^ lieut.-colonel Grant, the cavahy that he had with J""*^- Letter from the him in Castille, as they are actually now employed superior jimta •^ " , to col. Mayne. with a division of our army to the great inconve- nience of the enemy at Bozan and Ledesma, or they would have had great satisfaction in comply-, ing, in every possible manner, with your wishes. (Signed) Ramon Blanco. Govr. and President, In the name of the