Journal of the Campaign of 1810.

hood of Lord Wellington promoted the efficacy of his brother's efforts; and he was at hand, moreover, to avail himself of their success. The main point of these attempts, I believe, was to procure his brother to be nominated Generalissimo of the Spanish armies.

December 7th. If such, however, were the advantages of the position on the Guadiana, in every other respect it was a most ineligible one. The low flat plains of Spanish Estremadura, and nearly the whole of the country watered by the Guadiana, are the most unhealthy parts of the Peninsula. The British army experienced its effects, and great numbers sunk under the pestilential contagion. The inaction of the troops, likewise, concurred to spread sickness amongst them, and in a short time its prevalence became very alarming. To counteract these causes, as far as was possible, orders were given, that the troops should be occasionally exercised in short marches. The end of autumn, and the latter part of a campaign, produce the same effects in all armies, and it was observed, moreover, that the season itself was peculiarly sickly, and that the malignant fever was prevalent in several parts of Spain and Portugal,

December 8th. As Lord Wellington's chief reasons for staying in this position as above stated, were to facilitate his brother's negotiation, and to give countenance to the Spanish army in La Mancha. So the ultimate decision, and, as it were, the utter extinction of these causes, occasioned him to take the resolution of an immediate renioval. Accordingly, he was no sooner informed of the failure of the Marquis's mission, (for fail it did), and of the defeat of the Spanish army in La Mancha, than orders were immediately issued to prepare for a general march. On this day, therefore, December 8th, at eight in the morning, the guards commenced their march from Badajos, with a brigade of heavy six-pounders, and were followed on successive days by the king's German legion and General Cameron's brigade. They reached Elvas about mid-day, and remained there the whole of the 9th.

December 10th. The advance of the army moved to Barbacena, twelve iniles over a heath covered with myrtle and rosemary, and here and there clumps of olive-trees. The day was remarkably cold, with a thick fog.

December 11th. Continued their march to Montforte, a distance of twelve English miles. The country through which the road lay was extremely picturesque and well wooded. Montforte is a town of some distinction, with

the ruins of an ancient castle.

December 12th. To Portalegre, twenty miles. The face of the country was extremely beautiful; the greater part a forest of fine oak, cork, and pinetrees. This city is delightfully situated on a hill, and the surrounding country is rich, beautiful, and well cultivated. Here the brigade re-united, the Coldstream having proceeded from Elvas by a different route, through the towns of San Olaia and Assumar on the right.

December 13th. The brigade halted, which allowed the officers the opportunity of visiting the bishop's palace and cathedral, the latter a very noble pile.

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Journal of the Campaign of 1810.

December 14th. Marched to Gatete, 16 miles. Soon after leaving the beautiful environs of Portalegre, the column entered on a wild uncultivated district, and about four o'clock halted in Gafete, the road throughout was rugged, and the guns in front could only proceed slowly, which obstructed the march of the troops. As there was not sufficient accommodation in Gafete, the light infantry and artillery went forwards to the small town of Toloza.

December 15th. To Gavio, 16 miles. The country was similar to what the advance had passed on the preceding day, but became exceedingly picturesque and beautiful as they approached the banks of the Tagus.

December 16th. Marched to Abrantes, 16 miles. The road for the whole of the way was through a most beautiful district, in a line with the course of the Tagus. The appearance of the castle of Abrantes from the south side of the river had an imposing air of grandeur. About three in the afternoon the advance crossed the bridge of boats, and ascended the eminence on which the town stands, in the midst of a fertile country.

December 17th. The brigade halted in Abrantes, where the sick of the army were embarked on the Tagus for Lisbon.

December 18th. The stormy and boisterous night of the 17th was succeeded by a lovely morning; and the advance marched for Punhete, over the lovely vale of Abrantes, which is esteemed the granary of Portugal. The orange trees, tinted with the yellow foliage of autumn, and bending beneath the weight of their golden fruit, gave a most rich luxuriance to the scenery. They reached Punhete about noon.

December 19th. Marched to Thomar. On the following day to Oureno; on the 21st to Leira; and thence through Pombal and Condeira to Coimbra, which they reached on Christmas-day. On the 27th they marched to Malheada, 13 miles.

December 28th. Marched this day to Martigoa, 16 miles. The route lay over the steep and rugged mountain of Busaco, on whose summit the towers of a convent appeared to rise out of a beautiful wood. The extensive grounds were enclosed within a lofty wall, and it is scarcely possible to conceive a more Romantic and sequestered spot. How soon had it to hear the din of battle.

December 29th. Marched to Tondella, 16 miles. This little town is situated in a beautiful district.

December 30th. After a march of 15 miles, entered the episcopal city of Vizeu. This city is situated in the centre of the province of Beira, and is of great antiquity. Its site is between the rivers Vouga and Mondego, and there is reason to believe that it was built by Sertorius, who called it Vicontium. Two towers adjoining the cathedral are yet remaining, of Roman construction, on which appear the Roman eagle and the names of Flaccus and Frontinius. Northward of the city is a Roman camp of considerable magnitude,

Journal of the Campaign of 1810.

in which the hitherto victorious legions of Rome were compelled to remain inactive before the town by the renowned General Veriatus, whose memory is still heid in repute by his Portuguese countrymen. A small village, Alvola, in the Serra d'Estrella, is pointed out as the birth-place of this leader, who, from being a captain of a banditti, was chosen to command the Lusitanian army.

January 7, 1810. The whole of the British army had arrived by this time in their new position, and were quietly settled in winter quarters. Lord Wellington, after a short visit to Lisbon, for the purpose of reconnoitring the chain of works, had returned to Vizeu, in front of which the main body of his infantry was cantoned in the several towns and villages along the road to the frontier. The second division, and major-general Slade's division of ca. valry must be excepted, as they continued on the line of the Tagus, under the command of lieutenant-general Hill.

The out-posts were stationed on the banks of the Coa, and the duty taken by the light brigade, and 1st German hussars, under the orders of brigadiergeneral Crawford. The third division, major-general Picton's, was next in advance, and was supported from behind by the fourth, major-general Cole's, division, at Guarda, Celerico, and in the villages of the Mondego. General Fane's brigade of heavy cavalry was in Coimbra, and the 16th light dragoons at Combadao.

February 11. Nothing occurred for the first six weeks of this year except · very insignificant brushes of the out-posts. But on this date, (February 11), the French, to the number of nine or ten thousand approached Ciudad Rodrigo at four different points. At half past seven in the morning a flag of truce arrived with a letter from Marshal Ney, requiring the surrender of that fortress. The governor Don Andrea Herrasti returned a spirited refusal.

February 12. The enemy bombarded Ciudad Rodrido for several hours, but with very little impression. Being thus disappointed in his hope of entering Ciudad Rodrigo without resistance, marshal Ney pushed his corps down to the river Agueda, and crossed it at the bridge of San Felices; but finding it impossible to bring his artillery over this pass, he withdrew his troops, and cantoned them in the villages between Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca, leava small corps of observation on the Agueda.

February 14. Intelligence was received that Victor had arrived at Port St. Mary's opposite Cadiz, and was in possession of Seville, Jaen, Cordova, and Granada. A most fortunate occurrence, however, took place, and which, as the event has proved, was almost the salvation of Spain. Victor was on rapid march to Cadiz, when the Duke of Albaquerque being informed of it, and knowing how much depended on that city, the only impregnable fortress in the kingdom, made one of the most successful marches in military history, and contrived to reach the city, with 10,000 men, only twelve hours before Victor appeared. Lord Wellington had detached general William Stewart, with a brigade of infantry, from Lisbon, for the same purpose, but the general

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did not arrive till after the Duke of Albaquerque had put it in safety. This was in fact one of the most auspicious events of the year.

February 16. A smart skirmish took place on this day at the out-posts. The enemy passed a body of 600 men after dusk over the Aguida. They were immediately met and opposed by four companies of the 95th regiment, under lieutenant-colonel Beckwith, who compelled them to retire with a loss of 50 killed, wounded, and prisoners. On the side of the British, lieutenant Mercer and 12 men were killed.

March 14. The corps of the enemy began gathering around the Portuguese frontier, so as to form a cordon from Corunna to Cadiz.

Junot was between Corunna and Vigo. Marshal Ney on the Agueda, with his out-posts at San Felices, twelve miles from Lord Wellington's at Almeida. Marshal Soult on the other side of the Serra de Francia, with his head-quarters at Placencia, securing with his right the important pass of Banos. Marshal Mortier at Talavera la Real, with his corps cantoned in the neighbouring towns and villages, Zafra, Valverde, &c. Victor in front of Cadiz. And Massena coming from France with large reinforcements, and as commander-in-chief.

Romano at Badajos, and Ballasteros, with the right of his army, at Olivenza, and the left at Albuquerque; their two armies about 20,000 men. The second division of infantry at Portalegre. General Slade's brigade at Abrantes. Lieutenant-general Hill in the neighbourhood of Badajos, watching General Regnier. And all the other part of the army in Vizeu, and its neighbourhood.

April 14. General Robert Crawford passed the frontier with the light division and a troop of horse artillery, and threw himself into Fort Conception, two miles beyond Almeida; and on this day the head quarters were moved to Cea, a small town on the acclivity of the Serra d'Estrella, the largest mountain in Portugal, twenty-four miles from Vizeu. Upon its summit are two lakes; from the greater, two of the principal rivers in the kingdom, the Mondego and the Zezene, take their rise; and the Alba from the lesser. The country is highly beautiful and romantic, and the green vallies at the foot of the Estrella form a remarkable contrast with the snow on its top.

April 24. Two Spanish deputies arrived from Ciudad Rodrigo, to request that Lord Wellington would move up to the relief of that city, in the event of its being besieged, for which the French appeared to be making serious preparation.

April 27. An order was issued about one o'clock on the morning of the 27tb, for the guards to advance, each man carrying three days provisions, and biscuits for six days on mules. Although this order was equally sudden and unexpected, yet the whole were in readiness at the appointed hour, and marched from Vizeu, nine miles, to Mongualde, nearer to the frontier. The country was extremely beautiful and picturesque. The weather hazy, with frequent showers. Sir Stapleton Cotton's head quarters were at the magnif

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cent mansion of the Paez family. The whole of the army was put in motion; at the same time general Cameron's brigade immediately followed the guards, and Lord Wellington passed through to Celerico.

April 28. The advance moved to Fornos, twelve miles, over a hilly road, In these two last towns the troops were very indifferently accommodated. The day was remarkably warm; and the beautiful green fields everywhere careully cultivated, formed a delightful contrast to the barren summit of the neighbouring strella.

April 29. The advance moved to Celerico. The river Mondego, as has been before said, rises in the Serra d'Estrella, and thence flows due north to Celerico. At Celerico it makes a bend round to the west, and flows in that direction into the Atlantic ocean. Celerico was the Siliobrigum of the Romans. Ten miles from Celerico is the ancient city of Guarda, situated on the northerm extremity of the Serra d'Estrella. After passing through the village of Lagiosa, and the romantic scenery of the valley of the Mondego, the road winds up a steep hill, from whence, as you ascend, the city first appears at the distance of a mile. The cathedral of Guarda is worthy of notice for its antiquity; it is a rude gothic pile, and was built about the year 1050. The castle is likewise very ancient, and is now in complete ruins, the French having destroyed what time had spared. From the walls there is a most fine and extensive view of the country from Guarda to Ciudad Rodrigo; the prospect is bounded only by a range of hills forty miles distant. On the left appears Pinhel, and twelve miles farther the fortress of Almeida, on the Spanish side of the Coa, over which there is a stone bridge, two miles from the town.

The fine commanding plain of Guarda naturally pointed it out as the station of a body of troops to observe and check the incursion of an invading army on this part of the frontiers. And should an enemy advance with a superior force, the commander of the forces saw that it was in his power to fall back by the roads on either side of the Estrella.

Marshal Ney was on the Tormes, and Massena and Junot had arrived at Salamanca. Their united force was estimated at 70,000 men. The Tormes is the river which flows by Salamanca; the piquets of the army are pushed from thence to the Agueda, which is the boundary line of the two armies. Massena brought 40,000 men with him from France; Junot 20,000 from the north, and Ney had about 18,000. Add to this that Regnier was moving up from Spanish Estremadura with 16,000. Such was the state of things at this period, and such the preparation and the hopes with which the French were about to open the campaign. They certainly promised themselves that they would absolutely overwhelm us; and the appearance, indeed, was such as to daunt a courage less determined, and a confidence less confirmed, than that of Lord Wellington. But this admirable commander kept not only his courage, but even his cheerfulness, and the most composed tranquillity. He played the awful game of war with as much self-possession as if he was