The Journal of an Army Surgeon

by Boutflower, Charles

  Octr. 9th. I resume my Journal of our proceedings.—On the 1st instant at Day Break our Cavalry and those of the Enemy were drawn up in a plain opposite each other about half a league on the other side of Coimbra. No general action ensued. The skirmishing however was very sharp, and several were killed and wounded on both Sides. At length our Cavalry retired through the Town, which was almost immediately occupied by the Enemy. At Noon we received a sudden Order to march two Leagues on the high road leading to Lisbon. The Enemy evinced every disposition to press our rear, and we expected to be engaged in the course of the Afternoon. To describe the confusion of this Day is utterly impossible. The Road was so thronged with Fugitives, that it was with the utmost difficulty we reached our destination before sunset. On passing through Condixe, a considerable Town, I observed Lord W. at a window evidently affected at the Scenes of distress which were passing. It had never been apprehended that the Enemy would advance so rapidly, and therefore a great proportion of the Inhabitants had not left their Houses. In one mixed scene of confusion and misery were seen the old, the lame, and the blind, all hastening away as fast as their infirmities would allow, and all alike insensible to the blessings of French Protection which so immediately they might have enjoyed. We passed the night in an Olive Grove near the Road Side, and could distinctly hear throughout the whole of it the noise occasioned by the Fugitives. A number of Stores and a large quantity of Ammunition was destroyed at Condixe from the impossibility of removing them.

  On the 2nd we commenced our march before Day Break, and halted half a League on this side of Pombal amongst some Fir Trees. This day's march was most fatiguing, the distance twenty-five Miles, and the Heat more oppressive than I ever recollect to have experienced. The Fugitives on the Road were in immense numbers, but from the great width of it they were enabled to get along without incommoding the Troops. Lord W. had his Head Quarters this Evening at Leyria.

  On the 3rd we pursued our march five leagues further, and passing through Leyria halted among some Trees a mile and a half from that City. Here we halted on the 4th. This once populous Town was now become a Desert, not an Inhabitant remaining in it.—This day Lord W. expressed his thanks to the Troops in General Orders for their conduct at Busacos, and took that opportunity of informing them that, tho' circumstances had compelled him to abandon the Position the Enemy had in vain endeavoured to force, he yet confidently hoped to frustrate all their intentions and finally to emancipate this country from the Shackles the French were preparing to impose upon it. This Order was both politic and necessary; for, from the precipitate manner with which we had abandoned so large a track of Country, melancholy forebodings had possessed the minds of a large portion of the Army.

  On the 5th we marched three Leagues, and halted near Cavalhos. Our rear Guard had this Day a very sharp skirmish with the Enemy, in which we took several Officers and sixty Men. I had a conversation with them subsequently, in which they stated their force to be less than sixty thousand Men. They expressed their astonishment at the Gallantry of the Portugueze displayed in the Action of the 27th ulto., and their wonder was not less excited at their appearance and discipline as they passed them on the Road.—They were perfectly aware of our retiring to a strong position, but remarked, whatever might be the strength of it, Massena had no alternative but must of necessity attack us. They allowed the possibility of his failure, and accompanied it with a shrue more significant than could have been expressed in any language. They admitted that since entering Portugal they had scarcely seen an Inhabitant, which was of course productive of much distress to their Army. It is said that Massena wrote to Lord W. remonstrating on the Order he had given to the People to quit their homes on the approach of the Enemy; to which his Lordship merely replied that " He regretted extremely his Excellency suffered any personal inconvenience from it."

  Nothing particular occurred on the 6th. We halted near Rio Mayor, at which place Lord W. had his Head Quarters. The Enemy continued to advance, occupying the Ground as fast as we quitted it.

  On the 7th we marched to Abrigada, three Leagues, and distant from Lisbon nine. On our march we fell in with a party of the Duke of Brunswick Oels Corps whose appearance excited general astonishment. anything so fierce I never before saw; their Dress is Black, and in their Caps they wear a Death's Head.

  Yesterday I consider as the most uncomfortable Day of my Life without any exception. We commenced our March at Day break having to go to Sobral, a distance of three Leagues. It blew and rained with the most dreadful violence, and in a very short time rendered the Roads nearly impassable. Unfortunately we had a Brigade of Portugueze in our Front, who, unused to march in such fearful weather, could with difficulty be persuaded to face " the pitiless pelting of the Storm." Such was our delay in consequence, that at the end of thirteen hours we found ourselves still a League from our destination. Most fortunately an order arrived for us to take up our abode for the Night in Villages near us, where by means of large Fires we succeeded in making ourselves tolerably comfortable.

  This morning (9th) is showery. It is now ten o'clock, but we have as yet no orders to continue our March.

  11th. In the Afternoon of the 9th we received orders to move to Villages about a Mile nearer our Position. In the course of the same Evening an express arrived, that the 14th Dragoons had been compelled to quit Abrigada about two Leagues from us by a very superior force of the Enemy. In consequence we were directed to march the next Morning (10th) to a village called Filiteira, which we reached about Noon. If possible the Day was more violent than the 8th.

  Fortunately we had no Portugueze in our front, which rendered our march comparatively .very short. We passed through Sobral, a Town of considerable size, in which was quartered the first Division under Lieut. Genl. Sir B. Spencer. We still remain at Filiteira, and probably shall till the French oblige us to retire to our Position, which I conceive is very near. We are scarcely two miles from Sobral. The first Division has been under Arms there the whole of the Morning, the enemy having compelled our Dragoons & Light Troops to retire there. It is impossible from the severity of the weather that they can commence Operations on any large scale at present, as the Roads are so much cut up by the Rains, that they will be unable to bring up their heavy Artillery.—This place is distant from Lisbon six leagues.

  14th. On the evening of the 11th it was intended that General Spencer's Division should attack the enemy who had possession of Sobral, and our Division was in consequence ordered out on the Road leading to that place to support them in case of necessity. The night was dreadful. After remaining upwards of an hour we were directed to return to our Cantonments, the French having retired from Sobral.

  The morning of the 12th proved equally violent with the preceding Night. The Commissary attached to our Division, a Young Man of most amiable manners, and a most valuable Character in his situation, was unfortunately drowned in attempting to cross a narrow Bridge. His Horse slipped and fell into the River, and he was immediately carried down by the violence of the Torrent, and seen no more. No trace could ever be discovered of his Body. Nothing material occurred this Day. There was a good deal of skirmishing in the vicinity of Sobral; but the badness of the weather prevented any action of importance. We remained in our Cantonments in Filiteira.

  Yesterday Morning broke upon us in "Thunder and Clouds & Storms:" notwithstanding we were ordered to remain under Arms. Fortunately about eight, when we received our Orders to march, the weather had cleared considerably. We ascended some Hills behind the Village we had occupied, where we remained till the Afternoon, when we were again put under Cover, it appearing evident that we should not be called upon, at least as yesterday.—The skirmishing between the Picquets was considerable, and the first fortieth Blood was drawn in the afternoon, one man on picquet being severely wounded. The 11th Portugueze Regiment, one of two attached to this Division, had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves. They had never been before engaged, and their Conduct was most heroic. They were charged by a
body of French Troops which they not only gallantly resisted, but charged their Enemy in return & killed a great many of them. Col. Harvey, who commanded them and who has the merit of bringing them to their present state of discipline, was severely wounded. The privation of his services is considered a great publick loss.

  This day all remains quiet. The enemy show themselves in force on the opposite Hills, but do not manifest any disposition to advance. The weather is at present fine, but does not appear entirely settled. Should it continue favourable, they must of necessity commence their operations, as the exhausted state of the Country they have passed through will not admit of delay.

  15th. Yesterday at noon a very smart skirmish took place in which the 71st was principally engaged. They maintained the high Character which has so long distinguished them. It was an experiment on the part of the Enemy which entirely failed. They lost several Officers and two Hundred Men. Our loss was about fifty. In the Evening an Aide du Camp of Genl. Miller, who has a command in the Portugueze service, passed through here on his way to Head Quarters from Coimbra. He represents that place in possession of the Portugueze, Genl. M. being there with five thousand Men. They found there four thousand sick and wounded French, who were sent down to Oporto.

  The whole of this Day has been perfectly quiet, but doubtless the Enemy has been preparing for the Attack which from their desperate situation cannot be long delayed. The weather continues unfavourable.

  18th. Since the last Date nothing material has occurred; indeed scarcely a shot has been fired. The Weather has become much finer, and the Enemy as well as ourselves have been busy in throwing up Works. Our Advance Posts are very near each other. We observe their Generals constantly reconnoitring. One of them a few days since, advanced too near and was fired at from one of the Batteries. He was killed by the first Shot. His name is said to be La Croix or St. Croix, an Officer of considerable eminence.

  Many opinions are formed as to the cause of the delay of the Enemy in attacking us. The most probable one is that they are waiting for reinforcements. Deserters say that the Ni11th Corps is expected in a few days, and that operations will not commence till their arrival.

  21st. Scarcely a single shot has been fired since the last date. Our advanced Posts and those of the enemy are within three hundred yards of each other. It was for several days the practice of the men of both Armies to meet in the same Vineyards in the Valleys, and even to talk and shake hands with each other. This has however very properly been put a stop to, it being very justly considered that the Simplicity of our Fellows was no match for the Cunning of a Frenchman. Desertions from the enemy are frequent—on an average not less than fifty a Day. They all concur in stating their extreme want of Provisions; and indeed the voracity with which they devour anything given them is ample Confirmation of the truth of their Statement.

  I this day visited an immense Fort which is situated about Midway between the sea and the Tagus. It is a most stupendous Work, and commands the admiration of all Military Men. The View from it is very extensive; the sea and the Tagus can be distinctly seen. From its great height, it has the advantage of exposing all the movements of the Enemy.

  The Marquis Romana with ten thousand Men arrived in the Neighbourhood Yesterday. From the emulation existing between the Spaniards and the Portugueze much is expected from these Troops.

  25th. We remain as quiet as if we had not an Enemy within an hundred miles of us. Marshal Ney's Corps is said to be gone to the Rear to open a communication with Almeida, and the Enemy are busily employed in throwing a Bridge across the Tagus near Santarem for the purpose of procuring Provisions from the Alentejo side. Unfortunately their having possession of Villa Franca prevents our Gun Boats from getting up and impeding them. It is thought however, that some Dash will yet be done by the Navy to prevent their accomplishing their object.

  The whole of the Enemy's Picquets are now French, and they keep so vigilant a look out, that the Germans and other Foreign Troops find it almost impossible to desert; consequently but few come in.

  29th. Still no movement on either Side. Our men are constantly employed in throwing up works, making entrenchments,&c.,thus strengthening what was before considered almost impregnable. The weather has today a very threatening appearance. Should the Rain set, in the Enemy will suffer infinitely more than ourselves from it. A few Mornings since we were very much astonished here at the excessively loud roaring of the Sea, and it appears that at the same time the People at Lisbon were very much alarmed by the shock of an Earthquake, which does not appear however to have done any particular injury.

  NOVEMBER

  Novr. 3rd. The Enemy manifest no intention of either advancing or retiring. We know not by what means they have been able to subsist themselves so long, but we trust they will ere long be compelled to attack us or retreat. There is scarcely a possibility of their succeeding in the former; and if they attempt the latter they will doubtless suffer considerably. Massena has failed in redeeming the pledge he made to his Troops to be in Lisbon by the 1st of this Month, and it is probable he has postponed his intention sine die. The weather is very unpleasant, being extremely cold, attended frequently with rain. The place we are in is most wretched, and furnishes no one species of comfort. Scarcely a house in the whole Village is weatherproof.

  6th. This Morning we distinctly saw a number of General & other Officers busily employed in reconnoitring our Position. They came very near, but were not fired at. From the richness of Uniform, the number of Officers attending and the strength of the Escort, there is no doubt that it was Massena himself. No idea however is entertained that they will venture to attack us.

  9th. The Day before yesterday Marshal Beresford was installed a Knight of the Bath at the Palace at Mafra. This circumstance may be considered as an Era in Military History. Lord Wellington having availed himself of the opportunity to give a splendid Dinner to two hundred People, in the Evening there was a Ball and Supper to which a proportion of the Officers of the Army were invited. Besides Lord Wellington & General Beresford, most of the General Officers were present. Several of the Regency and Ministers of State, with Adml. Berkely and Family, and several Families of the first distinction from Lisbon attended; also the Marquis Romana with other Spanish General Officers, and at least four or five hundred Officers of inferior Rank of the Spanish, Portugueze and British Armies. Lord W. was in the highest Spirits. He withdrew privately about Midnight, and the whole had retired soon after two o'Clock in the Morning. It was difficult to conceive at the Moment that we were before an Enemy, everything being conducted in the same manner as if it were in a Country in a state of profound Peace.

  The Palace at Mafra is a most magnificent pile of building, and in every respect worthy of being a Royal Residence. It was dark when we arrived there, which prevented our seeing more of it than the Rooms that were thrown open; and its distance from this part of the Position, renders it difficult to go there by Day for the purpose of viewing it with that attention it is undoubtedly deserving of.

  The weather is bad, and appears to be breaking. All ideas of taking the Field seem to be abandoned, as the Tents which were served out are ordered again to be returned into Store. The Enemy remain in the same Positions they have for some time occupied.

  21st. On the Evening of the 14th we observed that the Enemy made much larger Fires than usual, which gave reason to believe they were about retreating. Our ideas were well founded, as on the Morning of the 15th when Day broke not one of them was to be seen. Lord W. in consequence ordered forward immediately the Dragoons and Light Division, supported by the First and Second Divisions. On the 17th, it being considered probable that our Division would not march for some Days, I took the advantage of our proximity to Lisbon, being only six Leagues, to go there, from whence I returned this Day. I found the people there, so far as I could observe, generally dissatisfied that the French had got away. They appeared to think that we should have attacked them, and in their opinion the Portugueze Troops alone were a
mply sufficient to have annihilated them. The Enemy on their retreat took the direction of Santarem, where they still remain, but whether from choice or necessity is uncertain. It is supposed that they are detained there in consequence of some Bridges being carried away by the late very heavy Rains having swelled the Rivers. A variety of Prisoners have already fallen into our Hands. The 40th Regiment left Palmira on Sunday Morning the 19th, and marched to Alenquer, a Town of considerable size, and where it seems for some time Massena had his Head Quarters. Yesterday they came to another large Town called Azemboja where they still remain, and in which place I found them this Morning on joining. I came here by way of Villa Franca, which formed the advance of the French Army. From that town to this, a distance of three Leagues, is exhibited one melancholy scene of desolation. The Skeletons of the Houses only remain, and the Roads are strewn with the Carcases of dead Animals.

  26th. We still remain at Azemboja, and the enemy continue at Santarem. Lord W.'s Head Quarters are at Cartajo, about two leagues on this side of Santarem and the same distance from this place. Of the minor movements of the Enemy we know nothing. Their communication with the Alemtejo is prevented by Geol. Hill, who crossed the River some days since with the whole of his Division. This Town is nearly two Miles from the Tagus, and separated from it by a flat Marsh which in the Months of August, September, and October, must render it in my opinion little less unwholesome than the Island of Walcheren.

  This is generally and justly considered one of the most sickening Campaigns in Military History; notwithstanding the advanced Season of the Year, there being no probability of an early conclusion to it. A great portion of the Officers of the British Army are disgusted with it, as the Gazette some few Months hence will, I conceive, abundantly evince.