The Journal of an Army Surgeon

by Boutflower, Charles

  15th. On the 12th we marched from our encampment, and passing by Badajos halted at Campo Mayor. The following Day we bivouacked in the Neighbourhood of Arronches, and yesterday reached Portalegre. This morning we came to a most comfortable quarter called Castel de Vida, about two Leagues distant from Portalegre. We have no Orders as yet to continue our March to-morrow, but it is probable they will arrive in the course of the Evening, and that Nisa will be our next halting place; the following day we expect to cross the Tagus. Every One is horrified at the idea of again going to the North, but it is rendered necessary by the Enemy taking advantage of our absence at the Siege of Badajos, & making incursions into Portugal in considerable force; they entered Castel Branco, and, it is said, came as far as Villa Velha. It is to be feared we shall be kept continually in hot water between the two Fortresses of Badajos & Rodrigo: so much marching is disheartening in the extreme. The Army is far from healthy or rather that part of it employed in the late Siege; the dreadful weather, aided by the horrid intemperance that took place after the assault, is making a melancholy ravage amongst the men; till drunkenness becomes a punishable crime a British Army in the Peninsula never can be properly effective.

  Since quitting Badajos we have received Accts. of an Affair between a Brigade of our Cavalry, and some Cavalry of the Enemy in which the latter were completely routed with the loss of seven or eight hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners; our loss is not yet stated, but it is said to be comparatively very trifling.

  18th. We remained the 16th at Castel de Vida, & yesterday marched to a most miserable Village called Povoa das Meadas, where we still are. Tomorrow we cross the Tagus at Villa Velha, and proceed to Sarnadas, a wretched place about two Leagues on this side of Castel Branco. Head Quarters reached the latter place yesterday. We are entirely ignorant as to what is going on Northward, but from the slowing of our Movement it would not appear that Lord W. is under much apprehension respecting Almeida or Ciudad Rodrigo.

  21st. We quitted Povoa on the 19th, & crossing the Tagus halted at Villa Velha. Yesterday we reached Castel Branco, and this day marched to Escalhas de Cima. It is understood that Marmont has about twenty five thousand Infantry, & two thousand Cavalry, a force altogether inadequate to make a stand against the number Lord W. can bring against him; Ciudad Rodrigo & Almeida are still in a state of Blockade, but the Governor of the former is said to have written to Lord W. stating his ability to hold out till the 1st of the Month; it is supposed that as soon as a sufficient Convoy of Stores & Provisions shall be thrown into the place, we shall again go Southward.

  The Enemy in their late incursion to this part of the country found the same determined hostility that they before experienced; not an individual remained in their Houses; everything that could possibly be serviceable to the French, that they could not carry away, they destroyed. Surely such a People never can be subdued; such unexampled patriotism must present a barrier more insurmountable than a wall of Adamant, to the iniquitous designs of their unprincipled Invaders.

  25th. On the 22nd we halted at a small village called Aldea de Santa Margaritta, and on the 23rd proceeded to Val de Lobo or the Valley of Wolves, a Village so called from the number of those Animals found in its Neighbourhood; yesterday we came to another wretched place called Quinta de Saint Bartholomew, and to our astonishment remain here to-day, nor have we any Orders to proceed further to-morrow. Head Quarters were yesterday at Alfayates, but we know nothing of them to-day; we are also entirely ignorant as to the movements of the Enemy: it is said, that Don Carlos has succeeded in destroying the Bridges over the Agueda, and that they cannot in consequence effect their retreat; this intelligence is to be doubted, as the Coa which is close to us here is perfectly fordable.

  The Enemy have been in all the Villages thro' which we have lately passed, and it is impossible to describe the unprofitable mischief & devastation they have everywhere committed; the misery of the Inhabitants beggars description, indeed I cannot conceive how they will be able to support life.

  MAY

  May 2nd. On the 26th we quitted Quinta San Bartholemew, which is close to Sabugal, & instead of crossing the Coa, as we expected, received a route to proceed in the direction of the Douro. The Enemy have entirely abandoned the Neighbourhood of Ciudad Rodrigo. On the 26th we halted at Parades, 27th, Lamegal, 28th, Cerejo; 29th Marialva; 30th Rehnadas, and yesterday arrived at our destination San João de Pesqueira, which is a small town about a league from the Douro. Here it is probable we shall remain for some time to recruit. The 3rd & 5th Divisions are also in this Neighbourhood. Genl. Graham with the 1st 6th & 7th Divisions has marched again Southward, and Lord Wellington with the Light Division & 2 Regiments of Cavalry remained when we last heard in the Vicinity of Rodrigo.

  We are much disappointed in this place, having heard it was an excellent Cantonment, and furnishing everything in abundance; whereas it barely affords accommodation for two weak Regiments, and there is scarcely any single thing to be procured with the exception of wine.

  12th. We remain still at San João de Pesqueira, nor is it probable that there will be any Movement in the Army till Rodrigo & Almeida are well provisioned. Head Quarters are yet at Guinaldo. Lord W. wrote to Genl. Pakenham who is ill in Lisbon, that the Spaniards had deceived him in not provisioning the former place according to promise, by which means he had been compelled to remove his Army Northward, and had in consequence lost the finest sport that ever any Troops had in view. As war has undoubtedly ere this taken place between France & Russia, it is probable that there will be a very active Campaign in this Country, & the South certainly would appear as the most likely part for the Scene of Action: it is generally expected therefore that we shall again move in that direction in the course of a very short time.

  26th. Since my last date I have visited Oporto, attracted by the double motive of Curiosity, and the necessity of fitting myself out afresh with almost everything. I left this place (San João de Pesqueria) on the 16th, & returned yesterday, highly gratified by my Expedition. The distance from hence is about eighty miles. I was accompanied by a Friend; we went by Water, but owing to unfavorable Winds we did not reach Oporto till the afternoon of the 18th. Our Horses & Servants went by Land; the Navigation of the Douro is at all times somewhat perilous, and in the Winter is absolutely impracticable from the Rapidity of the current, & the number of concealed Rocks. The Scenery on some parts of the River is fine beyond all description; never before did I so much regret not being a Draughtsman. Oporto itself is a very large & populous Town, being the second in Portugal: it is most beautifully situated, and in point of comfort is superior to any I ever saw out of England; indeed it resembles an English Town more than I could have possibly expected. It is infinitely cleaner than Lisbon, and superior to it in every respect; like Lisbon however it abounds in Churches & Convents, and the number of Monks parading the Streets is absolutely disgusting. The Theatre is a very elegant one, but the Performers are wretched. I had the gratification of seeing that part of the Douro, which was the scene of Lord W.'s brilliant exploit in April 1809, when Soult fled with such precipitation before him. The Inhabitants are excessively loyal, & his Lordship is little less than a Divinity in their estimation.

  We quitted Oporto on the afternoon of the 22nd, and rode to Penafiel, a large Town distant six Leagues; here we found a good hotel, kept by a Black. On the 23rd we rode to Amaranthe, four leagues; from this place the Portuguese General Silveira takes his Title of Count. It is impossible that any Situation can be more truly beautiful, but the French having met with an unusual resistance from the Portugueze Militia, headed by Sylveira about three years since, on gaining possession of the Town they entirely destroyed it, with the exception of a large Convent of the Dominican Order. At this Convent we were entertained by the Monks, & though there was the appearance of Hospitality, it was that niggardly sort of hospitality, that leaves no impression of gratitude on the Mind. On the 24th we rode seven Leagues to a Village about six Leagues from hence, where we were
comfortably entertained in the house of a Fidalgo. The Fidalgos in Portugal are a set of superior Gentry, and have in general more pride than the Nobility; the word Fidalgo, is derived from Filho de Algo, which in English may be literally translated Son of Somebody. Yesterday we rejoined our Regiment and find there is a general expectation of an early move, though various opinions as to its direction; some thinking we shall march immediately Southward, while others conceive we shall in the first instance make a dash at Salamanca, & then proceed South by the way of Placentia.

  JUNE

  June 3rd. We still remain at Pesqueira; English Papers to the 11th Ulto. have been received, which do not furnish anything very interesting, but a private letter from London of the 12th mentions the assassination of Mr. Percival in the Lobby of the House of Commons the preceding Evening. There is something so truly dreadful in this proceeding, that the reflection on it I find attended with an horror I never before experienced. Independent of the great loss I conceive the Nation to have sustained by their deprivation of Mr. P.'s talents & integrity, I fear this diabolical act is the precursor of much woe & bloodshed to England: the Country appears ripe for mischief, & I have a melancholy presage that she is about to bleed at every pore. It is impossible not to consider this most foul murder as a visitation from Heaven on a guilty land; England, blessed beyond other Nations by her insular situation, and consequently a stranger to the horrors of war, is at length I fear about to become a prey to all the accumulated woes of internal discord. The long-suffering of the Almighty, so visibly displayed in her exemption from those miseries, that for so many years have afflicted Continental Europe, has never been remembered by her with a gratitude proportionate to mercies so distinguished; on the contrary these blessings of Heaven have been received with the same unthankfulness as they were by the Israelites of old, and to us may justly be applied the passage of the Prophet, " Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord, and shall not my soul be avenged on such a Nation as this? " That England, is about to suffer for her manifold iniquities, I can have no doubt, but I indulge the hope that the Mercy of Heaven may be yet extended to her, from the consolatory reflection that she still retains within her Bosom her "Seven thousand, who have not yet bowed the Knee to Baal."

  Great exertions are making to complete a Depôt forming on the Douro not far from Almeida; it is generally supposed we shall then march, and that the operations of the Army will be carried on with a degree of activity unparallelled in the Annals of Military History; tho' it is to be feared the lamented death of Mr. Percival, by introducing a new set of Men into the Cabinet, (& consequently new Measures) may tend to paralyze the exertions of Lord Wellington. For my own part I indulge the hope that the new Administration will be formed by Lord Wellesly, in which case the war in this Country may be expected to be carried on with ever increased vigour.

  Genl. Hill it seems has been again successful, taking the Bridge at Almaraz by a Coup de Main, with loss to the Enemy of upwards of five hundred men and a very large depôt of Stores etc. etc. Our loss on this occasion is said to be about one hundred in killed & wounded.

  6th. On the Evening of the 3rd a Route was received, directing us to quit San João de Pesqueira on the 5th Inst. & march to a large wood near Espeja, & about three Leagues from Ciudad Rodrigo. We reached Rehnadas yesterday, & were to have proceeded on our March this day, for which purpose we fell in at 4 o'Clock this morning: just as we were about to set off, an Order was received to remain at Rehnadas to-day, & to go on according to route to-morrow. This delay is said [to] be occasioned by the Road we are to go not being clear of another Division of the Army.

  We are ignorant of the object of our march to Espeja, but we hear that the whole Army is to rendezvous there, with the exception of the ad Division; if this be the case there can be no doubt that we are going against Salamanca; the Enemy are said to have collected immense Magazines in that place.

  On the 7th we quitted Rehnadas and halted at a small Village called Cotinos. On the 8th we reached Pinhel, formerly a very neat Town but at present bearing the most deplorable marks of French devastation; it is a Bishop's See, but his Excellency's House is entirely devasted. On the 9th we marched to Aldea de Bispa; & the morning of the 10th proceeded according to route in the direction of Espeja. On reaching Alamada, we received an order to bivouack in the wood near that place; it was generally understood the Division would be viewed by Lord W. on this day, but yesterday evening we were directed to proceed by Gallegos, & cross the river Agueda at the Bridge of Marialva. We are encamped about a league from Ciudad Rodrigo & it appears to be generally understood we shall march immediately upon Salamanca without any delay whatever.

  14th. On the 12th we halted, & yesterday crossed the Agueda at Ciudad Rodrigo & proceeded three Leagues beyond that place on the Salamanca road; we bivouacked in a wood near a small Village called Santispiritus. This day we have had a march of four Leagues and are in bivouack in a beautiful wood near San Munoz; we are at present nine Leagues from Salamanca. It is confidently reported the Enemy have quitted the place, which may make a difference in our movements; should they be Northward it would appear hazardous to follow them, as Lisbon would then be open to the incursions of Soult & Suchet.

  The weather is so intensely hot, that it is scarcely supportable.

  15th. We marched to-day three leagues thro' a beautiful Country and are encamped in the Neighbourhood of a Village called Cojos de Robliza. It does not appear that the enemy have as yet quitted Salamanca, tho' from several movements there is reason to believe they do not purpose making a stand there.

  Our Army moves in three Columns. The centre comprised of the 4th, 5th, & Light Divisions, with the 1st Hussars, 12th & 16th Dragoons, and heavy German Brigade, is more immediately under the command of Lord Wellington in Person; the right, consisting of the 1st, 6th, & 7th Divisions, with the 14th Dragoons, is commanded by Sir Thos. Graham; & the left, of the 3rd Division, Genl Pack's & Bradford's Portugueze Brigades, with the 11th Light Dragoons & Genl. Le Marchant's Heavy Brigade, are under the command of Genl. Picton. Lord W. is gone to reconnoitre as near as possible; on his return it is probable the orders that will be then issued will give us some insight into his intentions.

  16th. We are in bivouack about a League & a half from Salamanca. There has been some skirmishing to-day in which we lost three Officers, & a few men wounded. Marmont is supposed to be still there, with about a thousand Cavalry and five thousand Infantry, but it is probable they will go off to-night, leaving a Garrison in two very strongly fortified Convents, which it is thought may give us some trouble. By a variety of intercepted Letters it appears that they have an intrenched camp, a short distance on this side of Valladolid, where they will be able to concentrate near forty thousand men, & where they purpose making a stand. Our force is about the same, added to which we are to be joined by twenty thousand Spaniards under Castanos. There is said to be little danger from Soult & Suchet, Lord W. having combined a plan of operations in the South, that will keep them fully employed.

  26th. The Enemy went off on the night of the 16th, leaving seven or eight hundred men in the Convent of [San Vincente] which is fortified by several strong works. On the Morning of the 17th the whole Army moved to their front; Genl. Graham's & Picton's Columns crossed the Tormes by two Fords one above & the other below the River [? Town]; the 6th Division entered the Town, & the 4th & 5th Divisions bivouacked in a wood near the Ford where Genl. Picton's Column crossed. As the Convent the enemy possessed commanded the Bridge, without which Lord W. could not move forward his Army with safety, preparations were immediately made for commencing the Siege of it. Ground was broke that Night as near as possible; on the 19th our Batteries opened, but from a scarcity of Ammunition no great impression was made on the Works; the Fire from the enemy was excessively galling and our loss considerable, particularly in Artillery. On the morning of the 20th we received a sudden Order to cross the River & advance, the Enemy having appeared in force about three Leagues distant. Lord
W. took up an extremely advantageous position within a League of the Town, & in the Afternoon the two Armies were in sight of each other; some skirmishing took place. A portion of the 6th Division remained in the Town, but the Siege was for a time converted into a Blockade. On the 21st there was a general expectation that we should be attacked, but the day passed with a little skirmishing only; in the Afternoon the Enemy were observed to receive considerable reinforcements. On the 22nd at Day Break they were found to have possession of a Hill which threatened our right; they were in consequence attacked and driven from it by the 7th Division, with the loss of about 70 Men. on our side: Marshal Marmont was observed extremely busy the whole day in reconnoitring. At Daylight on the 23rd they were not to be seen, and it appeared they went off about n o'Clock the preceding Night. They did not retrograde much, but brought up on some Hills about a League distant. The remainder of the 6th Division were again ordered into town, and in the Afternoon our Batteries recommenced firing. In the Evening the Enemy were observed crossing Troops over the River; in consequence of which Genl. Graham crossed likewise. At night the Enemy's works in Town were twice attempted to be stormed, but both attacks failed, as is said thro' the shortness of the ladders; on this occasion Genl. Bowes was killed, and our total loss was several Officers, and about 130 men. On the 24th the whole Army moved to its right, the Enemy having made a parallel movement to their left: they had about 10,000 men across the river, to which Force Lord W. opposed some Cavalry & the 1st Division; a slight skirmishing only took place; in the afternoon the Enemy again retired, and are brought up a League from us, where they still remain. There is no doubt they are anxious to relieve the Garrison in Town and are manoeuvring for that purpose. Their force is supposed to be nearly equal to ours, but on these terms they do not appear willing to attack. It is generally understood they will be joined to-morrow by Bonnet from the Asturias, which will probably give them a numerical superiority over us of nearly eight or ten thousand men. A general confidence however prevails that the result will be glorious to the allied Arms, should there be a general conflict. Of the Spanish Northern Army under Castanos we have a thousand contradictory reports, it is natural to suppose however, they are somehow or other acting in concert with us.—Accounts from the South state that on the 20th & 21st Genl. Hill & Soult were drawn up opposite to each other at Albuhera without coming to action; it is reported that General Hill has since retired upon Portalegre, but this requires confirmation.