off their wounded, which was granted. They advanced to their old ground,
and we lay looking at each other for three days, the two first of which
the rain never ceased to pour; the third day was good and dry. During
this time, the French withdrew their lines, and left only picquets. On
the third day, an officer and twelve men went to the wall, as the French
sentinels were become very remiss. He looked over, and saw a picquet of
fifty men playing cards and amusing themselves. Our party levelled their
muskets, and gave them a volley. They took to their heels, officers and
all. There was no further attack made that day, and we retired behind
the line batteries at night, quite worn out with hunger and fatigue. For
five nights I had never been in bed, and, during a good part of that
time, it had rained hard. We were upon ploughed land, which was rendered
so soft, that we sunk over the shoes at every step. The manner in which
I passed the night was thus: I placed my canteen upon the ground, put my
knapsack above, and sat upon it, supporting my head upon my hands, my
musket between my knees resting upon my shoulder, and my blanket over
all--ready to start in a moment at the least alarm. The nights were
chill: indeed, in the morning I was so stiff, I could not stand or move
with ease for some time; my legs were benumbed to the knees. I was
completely wet three nights out of the five. A great number of the men
took the fever and ague, after we retired behind the lines. I was not a
whit the worse.
On our arrival behind the lines, our brigade, consisting of the 50th,
71st, and 92d, commanded by Major-General Sir William Erskine, was
quartered in a small village called Sabreira. Our first care was to
place outposts and sentinels between the batteries, about twenty yards
distant from each other. We communicated with the Foot Guards on our
right, and the Brunswick infantry on our left. Those off duty were
employed throwing up batteries and breast-works, or breaking up the
roads. The day after we fell into the lines, the French placed sentinels
in front of us without any dispute. There was a small valley and stream
of water between us.
We remained thus for five weeks; every day, when off duty, forming
defensive works, or breaking up the roads; it being a place that no army
could pass, save upon the highway. The advanced picquet of the French
lay in a windmill: ours, consisting of one captain, two subalterns, and
400 men, in a small village. There was only a distance of about 150
yards between us. We learned, from the deserters, that the French were
much in want of provisions. To provoke them, our sentinels, at times,
would fix a biscuit to the point of their bayonets, and present to them.
One day the French had a bullock, in endeavouring to kill which their
butcher missed his blow, and the animal ran off right into our lines.
The French looked so foolish. We hurraed at them, secured the bullock,
brought him in front, killed him in style. They looked on, but dared not
approach to seize him. Shortly after an officer and four men came with a
flag of truce, and supplicated, in the most humble manner, for the half
of the bullock, which they got for godsake.
On the evening of the 14th November the French made their outposts
stronger than they had yet been, and kindled great fires after dark. We
were all under arms an hour before day, expecting to be attacked; but
when the day dawned there was not a Frenchman to be seen. As soon as the
sun was up, we set off after them. When we arrived at Sobral, we found a
great number of our men, who had been wounded on the 14th and 15th
October, besides a greater proportion of French wounded and sick. We
were told by our men, that the weakly men, and the baggage of the
French army, had been sent off eight days before. We were halted at
Sobral until provisions came up; when three days allowance was served
out to each man. We again commenced our advance. The weather was very
bad. It rained for a great part of the time without intermission. On the
fourth day we took about 100 prisoners, who had concealed themselves in
a wood.
This retreat brought to my mind the Corunna race. We could not advance
100 yards without seeing dead soldiers of the enemy stretched upon the
road, or at a little distance from it, who had lain down to die, unable
to proceed through hunger and fatigue. We could not pity them, miserable
as they were. Their retreat resembled more that of famished wolves than
men. Murder and devastation marked their way; every house was a
sepulchre, a cabin of horrors! Our soldiers used to wonder why the
Frenchmen were not swept by heaven from the earth, when they witnessed
their cruelties. In a small town called Safrea, I saw twelve dead bodies
lying in one house upon the floor! Every house contained traces of their
wanton barbarity. Often has a shade of doubt crossed my mind, when
reading the accounts of former atrocities; often would I think--they are
exaggerated--thank God we live in more civilized times. How dreadfully
were my doubts removed. I cease to describe, least I raise doubts
similar to my own.
At this time I got a distaste I could never overcome. A few of us went
into a wine-store, where there was a large tun, with a ladder to get to
the top, in which was a hole about two feet square. There was not much
wine in it, so we buckled our canteen straps together, until a
camp-kettle attached to them reached the liquor. We drew it up once,--we
all drank: down it went again--it got entangled with something at the
bottom of the tun--a candle was lowered;--to our great disappointment,
the corpse of a French soldier lay upon the bottom! Sickness came upon
me, and for a long time afterwards I shuddered at the sight of red wine.
The Portuguese soldiers never would drink red wine, if white could be
got. When I asked the reason, their reply was, they knew how it was
made.
We continued our pursuit, every day taking more or less prisoners who
were unable to keep up with the main army, until we came in front of
Santarem. Here we piled arms upon the sandy ground: the French were in
possession of the heights. Colonel Cadogan made the smartest of the men
run races, in front, for rum. From this sport we were suddenly called to
form line for attack: but the French position was too strong for us. By
this time it was quite dark, and we had a large plain to cross, to a
village where we were to halt all night. In our march we were put into
confusion, and a good number of the men knocked over by a flock of
goats, of which we caught a few, which made a delicious supper for us.
On our arrival at the village we were forced to break up the doors, as
the inhabitants would not let us in. Next morning was very wet. The
following evening we halted at a village; but two Portuguese regiments
had been before us, and swept all away. We sent out parties to forage,
and got some Indian corn, which we ground, ourselves, at a mill; the
inhabitants having all fled. We were then quartered in a convent in
Alcanterina, where we lay from the beginning of December, until 5th
March, 1811. Provisions were very scarce. Fatigue parties were sent out
every day for Indian corn and pot herbs. We had beef, but we could not
subsist upon beef alone, which was seldom good, being far driven, very
tough, and lean. An accident procured us a short relief: some of our
men, amusing themselves in piercing the ceiling with their bayonets,
discovered a trap door, and found a great concealed store of food and
valuables. We fared well while it lasted. Having very little duty, our
time was spent at foot-ball. We were very badly off for shoes, but, by
good luck, discovered a quantity of leather in a tan-yard. Those who
found it helped themselves first, and were wasting it. The Colonel then
ordered each man a pair of soles and heels, to be put up in his
knapsack.
The French gave us the slip at the commencement of their retreat, by
placing wooden guns in their batteries, and stuffing old clothes with
straw, which they put in place of their sentinels. By this means their
retreat was not discovered for two days; and only then, by one of our
cavalry riding up to their lines, to take a sentinel prisoner who
appeared asleep. As soon as it was ascertained there was a trick, we set
off after them, and beginning to come up with them, took a good many
prisoners. Our advance was so rapid, that provisions could not be
brought up to us. We were often two days without bread. The rear of the
army being always served first, we, who were in advance, seldom got
enough. For four or five days we were so close up with the French, that
we had skirmishes with them every day; but having received no bread for
three days, we were forced to halt for two, until we got a supply.
During these two days I had an opportunity of witnessing the desolation
caused by the French soldiers. In one small village I counted seventeen
dead bodies of men, women, and children; and most of the houses were
burnt to the ground.
The Portuguese were not unrevenged of their destroyers, great numbers of
whom had lain down unable to proceed, from wounds or fatigue, and had
been either killed by the peasantry, or died, unheard, amongst the
devastation themselves or their fellows had made.
At this time we were forced either to forage or starve, as we were far
in advance of our supplies. I was now as much a soldier as any of my
comrades, when it fell to my turn. At this time I was so fortunate as
to procure the full of my haversack of Indian corn heads, which we used
to call turkeys. I was welcomed with joy; we rubbed out some of our
corn, and boiled it with a piece of beef; roasted some of our turkeys,
and were happy. Bread, at length, coming up, we received three days
allowance a-man, and recommenced our advance; but never came up with the
enemy until they reached the Aguida, on the 9th April, 1811.
We were marched into winter quarters. Our division, the 2d, was posted
in a small town called Alberguira, on the frontiers of Spain, where we
remained till the 30th April. During our stay I had an adventure of a
disagreeable kind. I was strolling, as usual, when I heard a voice;
pleading in the most earnest manner, in great distress. I hastened to
the spot, and found a Portuguese muleteer taking a bundle from a girl.
I ran up to him and bade him desist: he flew into a passion, drew his
knife, and made a stab at me. I knocked him down with my fist; the girl
screamed and wept. I stood on my guard, and bade him throw away his
knife. He rose, his eyes glistening with rage, and stabbed furiously at
me. In vain I called to him: I drew my bayonet. I had no choice, yet,
unwilling to kill, I held it by the point, and knocked him to the ground
with the hilt as he rushed to close with me; left him there, and brought
home the weeping girl to her parents.
On the 30th of April we set off for Fuentes de Honore, where we arrived,
after a fatiguing march of three days, and formed line about two miles
in rear of the town, hungry and weary, having had no bread for the last
two days. On the 3d of May, at day-break, all the cavalry and sixteen
light companies occupied the town. We stood under arms until three
o’clock, when a staff-officer rode up to our Colonel, and gave orders
for our advance. Colonel Cadogan put himself at our head, saying, “My
lads, you have had no provision these two days; there is plenty in the
hollow in front, let us down and divide it.” We advanced as quick as we
could run, and met the light companies retreating as fast as they could.
We continued to advance at double quick time, our firelocks at the
trail, our bonnets in our hands. They called to us, “71st, you will come
back quicker than you advance.” We soon came full in front of the enemy.
The Colonel cries, “Here is food, my lads, cut away.” Thrice we waved
our bonnets, and thrice we cheered; brought our firelocks to the
charge, and forced them back through the town.
How different the duty of the French officers from ours. They,
stimulating the men by their example; the men vociferating, each chafing
each, until they appear in a fury, shouting to the points of our
bayonets. After the first huzza the British officers, restraining their
men, still as death. “Steady, lads, steady,” is all you hear, and that
in an under tone.
The French had lost a great number of men in the streets. We pursued
them about a mile out of the town, trampling over the dead and wounded;
but their cavalry bore down upon us, and forced us back into the town,
where we kept our ground in spite of their utmost efforts. In this
affair my life was most wonderfully preserved. In forcing the French
through the towns, during our first advance, a bayonet went through
between my side and clothes to my knapsack, which stopped its progress.
The Frenchman to whom the bayonet belonged, fell, pierced by a musket
ball from my rear-rank man. Whilst freeing myself from the bayonet, a
ball took off part of my right shoulder wing, and killed my rear rank
man, who fell upon me. Narrow as this escape was, I felt no uneasiness,
I was become so inured to danger and fatigue.
During this day the loss of men was great. In our retreat back to the
town, when we halted to check the enemy, who bore hard upon us in their
attempts to break our line, often was I obliged to stand with a foot
upon each side of a wounded man, who wrung my soul with prayers I could
not answer, and pierced my heart with his cries, to be lifted out of the
way of the cavalry. While my heart bled for them, I have shaken them
rudely off. We kept up our fire until long after dark. About one o’clock
in the morning we got four ounces of bread served out to each man, which
had been collected out of the haversacks of the Foot Guards. After the
firing had ceased, we began to search through the town, and found plenty
of flour, bacon, and sausages, on which we feasted heartily, and lay
down in our blankets wearied to death. My shoulder was as black as a
coal, from the recoil of my musket; for, this day, I had fired 107 round
of ball-cartridge. Sore as I was, I slept as sound as a top, till I was
awakened by the loud call of the bugle, an hour before day. Soon as it
was light the firing commenced, and was kept up until about ten o’clock,
when Lieutenant Stewart, of our regiment, was sent with a flag of truce,
for leave to carry off our wounded from the enemy’s lines, which was
granted, and at the same time they carried off theirs from ours. As soon
as the wounded were all got in, many of whom had lain bleeding all
night, many, both a day and a night, the French brought down a number of
bands of music to a level piece of ground, about ninety or a hundred
yards broad, that lay between us. They continued to play until sunset,
whilst the men were dancing and diverting themselves at foot-ball. We
were busy cooking the remainder of our sausages, bacon, and flour. After
dark, a deserter from the French told us, that there were five regiments
of grenadiers picked out to storm the town. In the French army, the
grenadiers are all in regiments by themselves. We lay down, fully
accoutred, as usual, and slept in our blankets. An hour before day we
were ready to receive the enemy. About half-past nine o’clock, a great
gun from the French line, which was answered by one from ours, was the
signal to engage. Down they came, shouting as usual. We kept them at bay
in spite of their cries and formidable looks. How different their
appearance from ours! their hats set round with feathers, their beards
long and black, gave them a fierce look; their stature was superior to
ours. Most of us were young. We looked like boys,--they like savages!
but we had the true spirit in us. We foiled them in every attempt to
take the town, until about eleven o’clock, when we were overpowered and
forced through the streets, contesting every inch. A French dragoon, who
was dealing death around, forced his way up to near where I stood;
every moment I expected to be cut down. My piece was empty; there was
not a moment to lose; I got a stab at him beneath the ribs, upwards; he
gave a back stroke before he fell, and cut the stock of my musket in
two: thus I stood unarmed. I soon got another, and fell to work again.
During the preceding night we had been reinforced by the 79th regiment,
Colonel Cameron commanding, who was killed about this time.
Notwithstanding all our efforts the enemy forced us out of the town, and
then halted and formed close column betwixt us and it. While they stood
thus, the havoc amongst them was dreadful. Gap after gap was made by our
cannon, and as quickly filled up. Our loss was not so severe, as we
stood in open files. While we stood thus firing at each other, as quick
as we could, the 88th regiment advanced from the lines, charged the
enemy, and forced them to give way. As we passed over the ground where
they had stood, it lay two and three deep of dead and wounded. While we
drove them before us through the town, in turn, they were reinforced,
which only served to increase the slaughter. We forced them out and kept
possession all day. After sunset, the enemy sent in a flag of truce, for
leave to carry off their wounded and bury their dead, which was granted.
About ten o’clock, we were relieved, and retired back to our lines. In
these affairs we lost four officers, and two taken prisoners, besides
400 men killed and wounded. This statement, more than any words of mine,
will give an idea of the action at Fuentes de Honore. On my arrival in
the lines, when unpacking my knapsack, I found a ball had pierced into
the centre of if, and dimpled the back of my shoebrush. We remained
seven days in the lines, the French showing themselves three or four
times a-day. On the 7th, they retired, and we went back to our old
quarters in Alberguira.
While here, we received a draught of 200 men, and again set off. Our
division consisted of the 24th, 42d, 50th, 71st, 79th, 92d, and one
battalion of the King’s German Legion. We were assembled after dark, and
marched off all that night, next day, and night following, when we
arrived at a town, situated upon a hill, called Pennemacore. The heat
was so great we were unable to keep together. I do not believe that ten
men of a company marched into the town together; they had lain down upon
the road, or straggled behind, unable to climb the hill. Two men
belonging to the Foot Guards fell down dead, and one of the 50th, from
heat and thirst. Two or three times my sight grew dim; my mouth was dry
as dust; my lips one continued blister. I had water in my canteen, but
it tasted bitter as soot, and it was so warm it made me sick. At this
time I first tried a thing which gave me a little relief: I put a small
pebble into my mouth and sucked it; this I always did afterwards, in
similar situations, and found drought easier to be borne.
Early next morning, the 50th, 71st, and 92d, were marched on; and the
remainder of the division returned to their old quarters at Alberguira.
After a most distressing march of seven days we arrived at Badajos,
where we remained one night; then marched, nine miles, to a town called
Talavera Real, where we halted three days; then marched, at six o’clock
in the evening, to the camp at Albuera, a few days after the battle,
which had been the cause of our rapid movement. We remained in camp at
Albuera a short time, then marched to Elvas, a strong town on the
Portuguese frontier, opposite Badajos. We remained here four days, and
then marched into camp at Toro de Moro, where we remained for a
considerable time. Here I enjoyed the beauties of the country more than
at any former period. Often, when off duty, have I wandered into the
woods to enjoy the cool refreshing shade of the cork trees, and breathe
the richly perfumed air, loaded with the fragrance of innumerable
aromatic plants. One evening, as I lay in the wood thinking upon home,
sweeter than all the surrounding sweets, almost overcome by my
sensations, I heard, at a small distance, music: I listened some time
ere I could be satisfied it was so: it ceased all at once, then began
sweeter than before. I arose, and approached nearer, to avoid the noise
of a small burn that ran rippling near where I had been reclining; I
soon knew the air; I crept nearer, and could distinguish the words. I
became riveted to the spot; that moment compensated for all I had
suffered in Spain. I felt that pleasure which softens the heart and
overflows at the eyes. The words that first struck my ear, were,
“Why did I leave my Jeanie, my daddy’s cot an’ a’,
To wander from my country, sweet Caledonia.”
Soon as the voice ceased I looked through the underwood, and saw four or
five soldiers seated on the turf, who sung, in their turn, Scotland’s
sweetest songs of remembrance. When they retired, I felt as if I was
bereft of all enjoyment. I slowly retired to the camp, to reflect, and
spend a sleepless night. Every opportunity I returned to the scene of my
happiness, and had the pleasure, more than once, to enjoy this company
unseen. While encamped here we received a draft of 350 men from England.
Shortly after we marched to Burbo, to protect the siege of Badajos. We
lay here till the 17th June, when Soult raised the siege, and we retired
to Portalegre. We then were marched to Castello de Vido, another hill
town about two leagues from Portalegre.
On the 22d October we received information that General Girard, with
4000 men, infantry and cavalry, was collecting contributions in
Estremadura, and had cut off part of our baggage and supplies. We
immediately set off from Portalegre, along with the brigade commanded by
General Hill, and, after a most fatiguing march, the weather very bad,
we arrived at Malpartida. The French were only ten miles distant. By a
near cut, on the Merida road, through Aldea del Cano, we got close up to
them on the 27th, at Alcuesca, and were drawn up in columns, with great
guns, ready to receive them. They had heard nothing of our approach. We
went into the town. It was now nigh ten o’clock, the enemy were in
Arroyo del Molino, only three miles distant. We got half a pound of rice
served out to each man, to be cooked immediately. Hunger made little
cooking necessary. The officers had orders to keep their men silent. We
were placed in the houses, but our wet and heavy accoutrements were, on
no account, to be taken off. At twelve o’clock we received our
allowance of rum, and shortly after the serjeants tapped at the doors,
calling not above their breath. We turned out, and at slow time
continued our march. The whole night was one continued pour of rain.
Weary and wet to the skin, we trudged on without exchanging a word;
nothing breaking the silence of the night save the howling of the
wolves. The tread of the men was drowned by the pattering of the rain.
When day at length broke, we were close upon the town. The French posts
had been withdrawn into it, but the embers still glowed in their fires.
During the whole march, the 71st had been with the cavalry and
horse-artillery as an advanced guard. General Hill rode up to our
Colonel, and ordered him to make us clean out our pans, (as the rain had
wet all the priming,) form square, and retire a short distance, lest
the French cavalry had seen us and should make an attack: however, the
drift was so thick they could not; it blew right in their faces when
they looked our way. The Colonel told us off in three divisions, and
gave us orders to charge up three separate streets of the town, and
force our way, without halting, to the other side. We shouldered our
arms. The General, taking off his hat, said, “God be with you--quick
march.” On reaching the gates we gave three cheers, and in we went, the
inhabitants calling, “Live the English,” our piper playing “Hey Johnny
Cope;” the French swearing, fighting in confusion, running here and
there, some in their shirts, some half accoutred. The streets were
crowded with baggage, and men ready to march, all now in one heap of
confusion. On we drove: our orders were to take no prisoners, and
neither to turn to the right nor left until we reached the other side of
the town. As we advanced, I saw the French General come out of a house,
frantic with rage. Never will I forget the grotesque figure he made, as
he threw his cocked hat upon the ground and stamped upon it, gnashing
his teeth. When I got the first glance of him he had many medals on his
breast. In a minute his coat was as bare as a private’s. We formed under
cover of some old walls. A brigade of French stood in view. We got
orders to fire,--not ten pieces in a company went off, the powder was
again so wet with the rain. A brigade of Portuguese artillery came up.
We gave the enemy another volley, leaped the wall, formed column, and
drove them over the hill, down which they threw all their baggage before
they surrendered. In this affair we took about 3000 prisoners, 1600
horse, and 6 pieces of artillery, with a great quantity of baggage, &c.
We were again marched back to Portalegre, where the horses were sold and
divided amongst the men, according to their rank: I got 2_s._ 6_d._ for
my share, but I had provided myself a good assortment of necessaries out
of the French stores at Molino.