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Presented to the
LIBRARY of the
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
by
Harry Sutherland
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Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive
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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