We remained quietly cantoned in Almendralejo, from the 13th of April to
the 11th of May. At day-light, on the 12th, the 13th light dragoons,
one brigade of artillery, the 28th, 34th, 50th, 71st, and 92nd British
infantry, the 6th and 18th Portuguese infantry, 6th caçadores, and two
companies 60th rifle battalion, moved from Almendralejo for Almarez to
break a link or two of the enemy's chain of communication, between the
French army under Marmont, and that of the south commanded by Soult.
That evening we encamped about a mile from Merida, on the left bank
of the Guadiana. The arches of the bridge which were destroyed during
the siege of Badajoz, having been temporarily restored, the infantry
passed the river by the bridge on the 18th, all the rest of the troops,
including the baggage, crossed by a ford above it. In the evening we
halted at St Pedro; next morning advanced to Villa-Macia, and on the
15th entered Truxillo.
At eleven o'clock, the same evening, we proceeded to our alarm-post,
and soon after moved off towards Almarez. By sun-rise, our main body
was ensconced in the bosom of a wood, three leagues in advance, so that
the enemy neither got a glimpse of our persons or arms. Here we cooked;
and those friends who were to lead the storming party, had their limbs
pretty well exercised, by running one hundred and one times up ladders
placed against the front of an old stone bridge. On hearing one of
the party, a jolly ensign, afterwards complain of stiffness of the
joints, a friend of his, who overheard him, turned round and said, "Be
thankful, my good-fellow, if your _limbs are not stiffer to-morrow_;
what you have received to-day, is only in part payment of what you,
as a member of the FORLORN CLUB, may expect to receive at day-light
to-morrow morning." Being a married man, the joke was not at all well
received.
There being three distinct points of attack, the troops were formed
into as many columns. The left column consisted of the 28th and 34th
regiments, and 6th Portuguese caçadores, and was placed under the
command of Lieutenant-General Tilson Chowne, who had a short time
before assumed the command of the second division. The centre commanded
by Major-General Long, was composed of the 13th light dragoons,
the 6th and 18th Portuguese infantry; and the right column led by
Major-General Howard, consisted of the 50th, 71st, and 92nd regiments,
and one company 60th rifles. Each column was provided with scaling
ladders.
The works against which the right column moved, consisted of a pontoon
bridge, thrown over the Tagus by the French, near the village of
Almarez, defended by a tete-du-pont on the left bank, rather strongly
entrenched. On a height above the latter, the bridge was farther
defended by a fort called Napoleon, mounting ten guns; and on the
right bank by another fort, named Ragusa, mounting eight guns. Four
miles from the bridge, the road from Truxillo runs through the pass of
Mirabete, at the highest point of which the enemy had a fort, and so
judiciously was it erected, that its guns not only swept the Truxillo
road many hundred yards, but flanked the various turnings of the road,
which, on the opposite side of the mountain, winds along the face of
it in a zig-zag manner all the way from the base to the very summit of
the long and very steep ascent. The centre column was ordered to attack
this point. On the very summit of a rugged peak, which, from the fort
just mentioned, rises several hundred feet, in an almost perpendicular
manner, an old convent had, by French ingenuity, been converted into
a place of strength, and dignified with the title of "Castle of
Mirabete." The guns of this fort were so planted, as to bear upon that
part of the road from Truxillo, which was out of range and view of
those at the pass; and so great was the altitude of the castle, that it
could be seen from points many leagues distant both on the south and
the north. To capture this formidable little castle, was the portion of
labour allotted to the left column.
Formed in this manner, the whole corps moved from their bivouac in rear
of Jaracejo, about eight o'clock in the evening of the 16th, towards
the several points of attack. But a body of troops, when marching
in the night, frequently meet with obstacles against which no human
foresight can provide, particularly when cross roads, or difficult
passes intersect, or branch out from the principal line of march. One
of those obstacles most unfortunately interposed its baleful influence
on this occasion, between the right column and the enemy, and so
effectually, that when the hour arrived at which the works were to be
assaulted, the column was still five miles from its destination. Under
these circumstances, Sir Rowland Hill deemed it prudent to halt the
right column on the summit of a bleak ridge called the Lina, which
overlooks the vale of the Tagus, and to order the other columns to
withdraw from under the guns of Mirabete.
There being no road by which artillery could be transported across this
chain of hills, but that in possession of the enemy, Sir Rowland had
now the choice of two rather bad alternatives, viz. either to carry the
works at the pass, and open a passage for his artillery, or attack
the bridge and forts without the latter, and carry them by escalade.
Giving a preference to the latter, the 17th and 18th were spent in
reconnoitring the road leading from our encampment to the bridge, which
was little better than a sheep path, and in many parts so narrow, that
not more than one man could move along it at a time. About ten o'clock
in the evening of the 18th, the 50th, 71st, and 92nd regiments, two
companies 60th rifles, and 6th Portuguese infantry, descended the
Lina, and moved towards the banks of the Tagus, with the intention of
attacking their opponents a little before day-light, on the following
morning. But owing to the darkness of the night, and the narrow and
broken state of the foot-path, the sun had appeared, before the rear
of the column had closed up, and formed for the attack. This second
disappointment caused a temporary depression of our spirits, but on it
being made known that Sir Rowland was resolved to attempt the capture
of the works, by an immediate assault, the men resumed their usual
gaiety.
The circumstances in which the detachment was thus again unfortunately
placed, caused Sir Rowland Hill to abandon the original plan of attack,
and substitute the following. The detachment was divided into three
columns. The 50th, and one wing of the 71st, composed the column
destined to attack Fort Napoleon, and was placed under the command
of Major-General Howard. The 92nd regiment, and the remaining wing of
the 71st regiment were ordered to support the former, and to be in
readiness to move to the assistance of their friends, or to attack the
tete-du-pont, and fort Ragusa, and the 6th Portuguese, and 60th rifle
company formed the third column, or reserve.
Formed ready for the assault, behind a little height, one hundred
and fifty yards from the fort, the 50th, on a given signal, moved
from their hiding-place between six and seven o'clock, A.M. on the
19th, and, covered by the 71st light infantry, advanced with great
firmness to the attack, the enemy all the while pouring on them
grape, round-shot, and musketry, in quantities sufficient to gratify
the appetite of the most determined fire-eater. On descending into
the ditch, some of the ladders were discovered to be too short.
This unfortunate obstacle was soon removed by the presence of mind
of General Howard, who led the assault, and whose cool and intrepid
conduct on the occasion, was the subject of general admiration.
This little check, however, instead of blunting the courage of the
assailants, tended rather to increase their ardour in the pursuit
of victory. The first that ascended the ladders, met with a warm
reception; and not a few of them tumbled from the top of the ladders
into the ditch head foremost--some dead, others to die, and the rest
to fight some other day. The bravery of the assailants was most
conspicuous; and for a little time that of the assailed was not less
deserving of praise. But the French officer in charge of the artillery
having retired from the fort _without leave_ from his commanding
officer, the arms of the private soldiers became paralized, and after a
sharp conflict of _eleven minutes_, the "OLD DIRTY HALF-HUNDRED," and
their friends of the SEVENTY-FIRST, fairly established themselves in
Fort Napoleon.
Pending these operations, the second column was moved forward in a
zig-zag manner round every little knoll which afforded them protection
from the fire of fort Ragusa, until they arrived at a point, nearly
opposite to the left flank face of Fort Napoleon, when turning to the
left, they advanced direct upon the tete-du-pont at a quick pace.
Perceiving that our object was to cut off their retreat, the enemy, on
retiring from Napoleon, rushed towards the bridge in order to escape.
But some of their own people having previously cut the bridge, and
drawn two or three of the pontoons to the right bank, a great many of
them to preserve their liberty, threw themselves into the dark rolling
current, where, instead of that inestimable blessing, not a few of them
found a watery grave. All the others surrendered at discretion.
The head of the second column had arrived within a few yards of the
chasm, before it was discovered that the bridge had been cut. This
was rather an awkward situation to be placed in, and one which, but
for the panic which seized the governor of Fort Ragusa, might have
produced disagreeable consequences. But fortunately the latter, instead
of attempting to add a hundred more to our list of killed and wounded,
very considerately retired towards Almarez, leaving us at liberty to
get out of our dilemma in any manner most convenient for ourselves.
As soon as the enemy had fairly taken to their heels, permission was
given to our troops to help themselves to some of the good things which
had fallen into our hands. In a few minutes, wine, brandy, and rum,
flowed in abundance, while bacon hams, and pieces of pickled pork and
beef decorated hundreds of bayonets, many of which were still tarnished
with the blood of the enemy. Some of the knowing ones obtained valuable
prizes from the officers mess-room, but by far the greater part of the
men were amply satisfied with a haversack well stuffed with bread, or
a canteen filled to an overflow with some of the heart-moving liquids
just mentioned. At the close of this extraordinary scene, the troops
were moved back about half-a-mile, and ordered to bivouac.
The attention of the victors was now directed to the fallen brave,
who in and around Fort Napoleon lay in considerable numbers. Our loss
amounted to 177 killed and wounded, and that of the enemy to 450
killed, wounded, and prisoners. Parties from every regiment were
employed during the remainder of the day in removing the wounded,
destroying the forts, cannon, bridge, and such stores as we could not
carry off. Every thing being accomplished to the entire satisfaction
of Sir Rowland, we quitted the blood-stained eminence at eight o'clock
next morning, and retired, first to the Lina, and thence, the same
afternoon, to our former bivouac behind Jaracejo. On the 21st we
re-entered Truxillo, where we halted during the 22d and 23d. On the
24th we bivouacked at Villa Macia, and on the 25th retraced our steps
to St Pedro. On the following day we retired to a ridge half-way
between Medellin and Merida, and on the 27th re-entered the latter
place amid the cheers of the populace, and the warm gratulations of
those friends who were left to protect that part of the country in our
absence.
Soon after the British troops entered Fort Napoleon, a French soldier
begged his life from one of the 50th, just as the fatal weapon was on
the point of performing its office; the honest Briton at once, and with
pleasure, granted the boon of the petitioner. But the gallant fellow
had soon but too good cause to repent the generous deed, for on turning
round to follow his comrades, his ungrateful and unworthy antagonist
endeavoured to bury his bayonet in the breast of his preserver. On
perceiving the danger to which he was exposed, the British youth
wheeled about, and received the bayonet of the cowardly wretch in
his arm. Irritated at such conduct, the former raised his musket, and
instantly plunged his bayonet into the body of his dastardly opponent,
who, on uttering a few inarticulate sounds, took leave of all earthly
things.
When the French colonel commanding in Fort Napoleon perceived that
farther resistance was fruitless, he adopted the prudent course of
surrendering himself a prisoner of war. Being permitted to retain his
sword, the commandant was leaning on his best friend and companion in
many hard-fought fields, and ruminating on the mutability of every
thing below, when, little dreaming that he was so soon to receive a
farther confirmation of it in his own person, an officer belonging to
the storming party entered the fort, and being equally ignorant of
the French language, as of the terms on which the Colonel had been
permitted to retain his sword, made a lounge at him, which the other
being totally unprepared to parry, a mortal wound was the consequence
of this extremely thoughtless, rash, and ill-judged act. Lingering in
great agony for ten days, the Commandant expired, and two days after
was buried in the Great Church of Merida with military honours, the
whole of the British officers assisting at the ceremony.
Lieutenant Theile, of the German artillery, having been instructed to
destroy the enemy's works at Ragusa, his people had the whole mined
at an early hour on the 20th. On being informed that every thing was
ready, Theile proceeded to apply the match to the train. The powder,
however, being longer in igniting than he expected, he hastened to the
fort to ascertain the cause. But, alas! Theile had scarcely entered the
fort when the mine exploded, and carried him into the air.
About an hour after the capture of Fort Napoleon, I observed a private
soldier of the 50th regiment, bending over the lifeless trunk of one of
his comrades, and apparently wiping away the tear from his eye. Anxious
to ascertain the cause of his grief, I stepped forward, and diverted
his attention from the melancholy scene before him, by inquiring the
name of the deceased. Till I spoke, the poor man imagined he was
pouring out his grief in secret, for on lifting his head he blushed,
and instantly dried up the fountain of tears. In answer to my query,
I was informed that the deceased was my informant's brother, and the
third of the family who had given their lives for their country.
Perceiving that previous to my arrival he had been endeavouring to
dig a grave for his brother on the counterscarp, with nothing but
his fingers and his bayonet, I, on moving away, kept my eyes upon
him for some time, and was not less astonished than delighted to see
him succeed in forming a grave sufficiently capacious to contain the
mangled remains of his beloved brother.
On re-entering Truxillo from Almarez, we found the inhabitants busily
engaged in preparing to treat us to a grand bull-fight, as a small mark
of respect and gratitude for the services rendered at Almarez by the
British General and his humble followers.
The market-place being the grand arena where the two and the
four-legged combatants were to contend for victory, every street
leading from the square was barricaded with waggons, carts, ploughs,
&c. to prevent the escape of the poor animals. In a house adjoining
the square, the bulls were kept in durance, till released in order to
appear before those for whose amusement they were to be tormented in
every possible manner which the ingenuity of man could invent.
The Spaniards who were to act the most conspicuous parts in this
extraordinary drama, entered the theatre of action about seven o'clock,
each carrying a pike in his right hand, and a brown cloak in the left.
As soon as they had moved to their respective stations, one of the
bulls was released from prison. On entering the scene of action the air
rang with the loud acclamations of thousands of delighted spectators,
while the poor animal, astonished at his reception, surveyed the
surrounding multitude with an eye of fury. With that bold and
determined frown so characteristic of his species, he first gazed on
his tormentors, and then with a wildness in his countenance altogether
inexpressible, scampered around the square bellowing hideously, until
he perceived an opening under a waggon, at the lower part of it, when
darting towards the port of liberty, he endeavoured to obtain that
which is alike dear to bulls as to men. The waggon being _crowded_ with
men and women, the whole on the approach of the furious animal were
precipitated in various curious and somewhat laughable attitudes, from
their elevated station to the same level with the object of their fears.
At this crisis, the Spanish combatants advanced and with a war-whoop
equalled in wildness only by that of the Savage, pursued their
antagonist and probing him in the hip, made him stop short in his
victorious career. Turning round to resent this act of cruelty, and
seeing five or six men all equally near, he spent a few moments in
deliberation, before he selected an antagonist, on whom to wreak his
vengeance. Having at length made choice of a tall, dark, powerful
opponent, he pursued the latter with such speed, that the female
spectators, trembling for the consequences, uttered the most horrific
screams imaginable. The life of the man certainly appeared to be in
imminent danger, but at the very moment when his fate seemed to be
decided, he made use of the _weapon_, which above almost all others
is the best calculated to avert the dreadful collision, I mean the
_cloak_. By throwing that at the head of the bull, the latter seldom
fails to stop short, conceiving he has his antagonist in his power,
and in order not to let the animal get too close to him before he takes
this step, the Spaniard always runs, with his cloak at _full arms'
length from his body_. Just as the bull had tossed the cloak in the
air, one of the Spaniards, from an opposite corner, went unperceived
behind the poor brute, probed him in the hip, then made off, hotly
pursued by his four-footed antagonist, until stopped by the cloak of
the fugitive, and pike of one of his friends as before. Thus the fight
continued till the animal could neither shake his head nor wag a foot.
On recovering a little, he was removed to make room for another, which
afforded no sport.
The third, on making his appearance, seemed completely out of humour.
Foaming and bellowing, he made the circuit of the square several times.
From eyes sparkling fire, the bull darted looks of scorn upon the
surrounding spectators, and after frisking and capering a little, and
attempting to pay home his tormentors for their acts of cruelty, at
length effected his escape, and made room for others, none of which
afforded much amusement.
A similar exhibition took place the following evening, but the sport
was bad. Three soldiers, more expert at handling a musket than the
horns of a bull, were, on their endeavouring to seize upon one of the
infuriated animals, tossed into the air and dreadfully injured.
This savage-like amusement is considered a refined one in Spain, by all
classes, from the peer to the peasant. Even the fair Donnas think so.
I suspect, however, that but very few of my fair country-women will
feel inclined to join their Spanish sisterhood in their admiration of a
sport, the principal feature of which is cruelty.