_Journal—15th August-30th September 1810_
Removes to Pedroso for sea-bathing, accompanied by Lieutenant Harry
Smith—The English merchant's wife's account of the French officers
billeted on her in 1808—French opinions of the British before Vimeiro
and after—A wounded French officer's description of British Rifle Men
in action.
Letter No. VIII
_To his Parents, from Pedroso, Lisbon, dated 30th September 1810_
Complains of inactive life due to wound, and reproves his father for
styling the 95th Rifles "_a dangerous regiment_"—Description of the
French plot in Lisbon—Much about brother Maud—Results of Colonel
Sibthorp's well-meant endeavours to stop him joining the 95th—Dislike
of the French to the "_green fellows_"—Severe comments on brothers
John and Joseph.
_Journal—1st October-31st December_
Determines to leave Pedroso and rejoin his regiment—Joins a draft
of convalescents marching from Lisbon to the front—The Rifle Men
under Simmons ordered to do rear-guard to prevent desertion—Retreat
of the British army on Torres Vedras—Rejoins the Rifles at
Arruda—Construction of the Lines—Rifles engaged at Sobral—On piquet
with Lieutenant Hopwood—Captures two French soldiers—Lieutenants
Strode and Simmons bury an old woman in the vault of a Portuguese
grandee—Hatred of the Portuguese for the French—Description of
the Lines of Torres Vedras—Arrival of English bell-tents—Retreat
of the French under Marshal Massena—Advance of the Light Division
in pursuit—General Craufurd is about to attack a supposed French
rear-guard, but is stopped by Lord Wellington, who knows that the
whole of Marshal Junot's Corps is in front of him—The Rifles engaged
on the Rio Mayor—General Craufurd, with three Rifle Men, reconnoitre
the French outposts, but disturbs a hornet's nest. Simmons's wound
begins to trouble him, owing to wet and exposure—He removes the
_abatis_ on the bridge across the Rio Mayor, assisted by three Rifle
Men—Invalided back to Lisbon with fever and dysentery—Difficulties in
obtaining a billet—Gets into quarters at last.
Letter No. IX
_To his Parents, from Lisbon, dated 16th December 1810_
Describes life in the Lines of Torres Vedras—Visits his brother Maud
at Bucellas—The advance from the Lines in November—Wanton havoc
wrought by the French and miserable condition of Portuguese—Murders
committed by French soldiers—Some candid opinions of the French
nation—Pursuit of the French—Account of troubles due to his wound
and during his return to Lisbon—Regrets as to his brother John's
career, etc.—The French at "their wits' end" at having the worst of it
whenever they meet Lord Wellington.
_Journal—15th August-30th September_
[Sidenote: 1810 Aug. 15th]
An Englishwoman married to a Portuguese shopkeeper informed my servant
that the British sick and wounded were to be put to death on that
night, and that the people were to attempt to take the different
forts and declare in favour of the French. He lost no time in making
me acquainted with this news, which I laughed at as a nonsensical
story. Later on, two officers who were billeted opposite me entered
my apartment and told me that the soldiers were under arms, that the
British ships of war were shifting their moorings with their broadsides
towards the town, and that a number of Marines had been put on shore to
co-operate with the soldiery. A number of Frenchmen had clandestinely
entered Lisbon, and had succeeded in hatching a plot, which was luckily
found out before it came to maturity. Several of the principal families
were connected with them in it. By this incident I became acquainted
with two officers, who visited me frequently, and made my days pass
away more agreeably than before. The ringleaders in the plot were taken
up, and terror and confusion were produced amongst the rest of them. So
this business blew over and was soon forgotten.
[Sidenote: 1810 Sept. 17th]
I removed to Pedroso for the convenience of sea-bathing, my thigh
being much better, which enabled me, with crutches, to move about.
(The house belonged to a Frenchman named Chapellon.) Lieutenant Harry
Smith[14] was also with me. I found great benefit from the sea-bathing.
I became acquainted with a merchant's wife, who frequently sent me
milk and butter. She was an Englishwoman, her husband being also of
the same country. They were in Lisbon when the French under Marshal
Junot entered it, and having the whole of their property there, they
determined to stay and abide the consequences. She told me that she
expected every moment to see her husband dragged away to prison. A
colonel and a captain came to their house with a billet. They were glad
to lodge them and their servants and feed the whole of them, which was
done in such good style, that the two officers interested themselves
on behalf of the English family and prevented any harm falling upon
them. In a little time they became very good friends, and the French
captain would call the lady to the window and say, "Look at my fine
company of soldiers; have you got anything like them in England?" Her
pride being hurt, she answered, "Yes, indeed we have plenty." "Well,
madam, I hope one day or other to meet them in the field. I have fought
in many battles, but never against the English, and really I have no
good opinion of them as a military nation." "You may learn, sir, to
think differently ere long," she observed to him. Time passed away and
the French had completely reduced the Portuguese to obedience, when
one day, suddenly, during High Mass, the French were informed that the
English had landed on the coast. All the authorities were assembled at
the church and the people were keeping holiday, so that the inhabitants
were highly pleased to see the confusion produced amongst the French
when the English were named. The troops were assembled and ordered
to march to attack the invaders. The captain informed the lady, "I
am going to fight against the English, and I will give you, my dear
madam, a good account of them when I return." She very good-humouredly
said, "Take care you do not burn your fingers." The captain's regiment
marched and joined the French army previous to the battle of Vimeiro,
where his company was annihilated and himself badly wounded. The lady
was one day seated at her window and perceived a crowd of persons
coming towards her; curiosity made her anxious to know the cause. They
soon approached near enough to show her that they were the wounded men
upon bullock cars in great numbers. They passed along to the hospital,
with the exception of one car, which stopped at her door. On it she
perceived the poor French captain; he was directly put into the chamber
that he had occupied before, and every possible attention shown him.
"My dear lady," he observed as soon as he saw her, "your countrymen
have made me pay handsomely for my boasting. The fine fellows that
daily paraded before your windows for so many weeks are now lifeless
and inanimate clay, and will trouble you no more. Would to God it
had been my fate also!" He was now frightfully distressed with past
recollections; she left him to give him time to moderate his anguish.
When he became calmer she returned, and he followed up his story. "I
met the English. Oh, that morning was one of the most happy of my
life! My men to a man had the same feeling. I was sent out to skirmish
against some of those in green—grasshoppers I call them; you call
them Rifle Men. They were behind every bush and stone, and soon made
sad havoc amongst my men, killing all the officers of my company, and
wounding myself without being able to do them any injury. This drove
me nearly to distraction. In a little time the British line advanced.
I was knocked down, bayoneted, and should have been put to death upon
the spot if an English officer had not saved me. I find by my own
feelings that I am not long for this world. Our army has been defeated
by your countrymen in a succession of battles, and you will have them
with you soon in Lisbon."
This officer sank in a few days, although every possible care and
attention were paid him by the English family, who owed their
preservation on a former occasion to the good offices of this officer
and the French colonel.
Letter No. VIII
Pedroso, near Lisbon,
_30th September 1810_.
My dear Parents—-A friend made me a present of this sheet of English
paper, which I dedicate to you. I have long been in expectation of
a letter from you, and luckily received yours, dated the 30th of
August, the other day. I am happy I had it in my power to remove your
anxiety, though I am sorry to say my leg does not feel so strong as
I could wish. I have left Lisbon and removed into this small village
by the seaside for the purpose of bathing. I have already found some
benefit, and hope soon to be able to rejoin my regiment. I assure you
my feelings are much hurt at being so long idle, and at a time when we
daily expect a great battle is to be on the eve of taking place.
You make me blush at the idea or observation in the letter, "_a
dangerous regiment_." My dear father, "the more danger the more
honour." Never let such weak thoughts enter your head. When I turned
soldier it was not for the purpose of admiring myself like a peacock
in gaudy plumage; no, it was to meet the enemies of my country and go
wherever my duty called me, and merit the name of a soldier, which I
now say is the greatest pleasure I ever enjoyed. Thank God, I have
succeeded far above my expectations in everything; I mean I have
established my name as a man worthy to rank with the veterans of my
regiment, and am esteemed and respected by every brother officer. This,
my dear parents, is a pleasure which makes me proud of myself, and
increases when I think my friends must also allow I have done my duty
and not mistaken my profession.
A most dastardly and nefarious plot was found out on the 13th of the
month. The 15th was the day appointed for the conspirators to have
assembled in the evening, or rather at midnight, to have rushed out and
surprised the guards at their different posts, murdered them of course,
and also assassinated all the wounded and sick English officers; a fine
reward for fighting for such a villainous set of cowardly rascals!
One-half of Lisbon was implicated; two hundred of the first people in
the town have been arrested and put into a fort. On the evening of the
15th inst. strong patrols of Dragoons were moving through the streets
all night.
The Marines were ready to land at a moment's notice, but the affair
was checked in time. Marshal Beresford took a leading character in the
conspiracy, and gave timely notice, so every one was on his guard.
I could scarcely be convinced that any set of men would think of acting
so infamously and illiberally. Assassination is not now so common as
it used to be in this country, but still the diabolical practice is not
yet done away with.
One morning on looking out of my window in Lisbon, and asking what a
man was laid in the street for, I was told that he had been stabbed in
the night and must lie there until a sufficient quantity of money was
collected to bury him.
I am quite delighted with my rural country situation. I have bought
a nice little horse, and I now ride about the country, and live well
and cheaper than in Lisbon. When I first landed I was carried on a
mattress to an hotel. I soon found my pocket could not long stand out
against such exorbitant charges. I spent a guinea a day. I had not half
the comforts I should have had in an English house. I therefore was
compelled to suffer myself to be lugged on a board along the streets
for two English miles with a mob, who, finding out I was a wounded
officer, followed from motives of curiosity.
I had a letter the other day from my Captain, who informs me there is
every possibility of a battle soon taking place; he also informed me
he fell down by accident and injured his leg so materially as to be
obliged to leave and go to the rear. He was very anxious to be with
me, and yesterday I was going to take a passage for Figueira, but was
prevented by an order issued to prevent any officer not able to join
his regiment from going to Coimbra, as, in event of a battle, room
would be wanted for the wounded, so I daily expect the arrival of
Captain O'Hare in Lisbon.
I had a letter from my brother, who mentioned they had been marching
very rapidly to concentrate with the other Divisions of the army, and
expected soon to give an account of the enemy. He is in very high
spirits. I have no doubt but he will behave himself bravely and merit
the appellation of a _British soldier_. I often receive an amusing
epistle from Maud, and as I generally send mine with advice, he took
the liberty to give me a few hints in that way as follows:—"I hope you
will not think of returning so soon as you state, as you must be well
aware should you subject yourself to harassing marches you would soon
be again laid up." (I must beg leave to differ with him, knowing well
my constitution is as strong as ever.) He then says, "Go to England,
and if you find yourself better in two months, return here." I am well
aware of his affection for me. I will just give you an instance of his
generosity. His Colonel a few days back sent for him and informed him
it was his intention directly to recommend him for a lieutenancy (my
brother being, through good luck, at the top of the list of ensigns).
It will be an additional increase of pay nine dollars monthly as well
as the rank. The young rogue, thinking he might as well endeavour to
kill two birds with one stone, told the Colonel I had a particular
wish to be with him; he said he would recommend me also and enumerate
my services to the Commander-in-Chief. I was rather vexed at Maud
asking favours for me without consulting me first. However, I know
the reason that actuated him was from the most generous and brotherly
feeling, which feeling I hope will always continue through life. He is
a noble and generous youth in his sentiments. I am proud to have such
a brother; how you must feel to have such a son. My dear parents, you
have met with great misfortunes in life, but you have children who love
you, and in a great measure counteract the ill-effects of adversity. If
I live you shall always command my last shilling. I live for my family,
and hope to see them all happy; it will ever be my greatest pleasure
to assist them. I believe I informed you that Colonel Sibthorp was so
highly averse to my leaving his regiment that he used every scheme in
his power to dissuade me, and being so confident of success, stopped my
recommendation into the Line. The consequence was, instead of having
twenty second-lieutenants under me, they were gazetted above me. If I
had stayed in England Colonel Sibthorp would have tried to have had
it redressed. Under this unfortunate interference I am now receiving
ensign's pay with the name of lieutenant only. I hope in a few months
to have my lieutenancy through the regular routine of promotion.
I must say I should part from my regiment with great regret. I live
very comfortably, and if I escape, in time, through the regular course
of things, I must get promotion very fast, much quicker than in any
other regiment. We have numbers of young men who have got companies in
five years. If I had thought my lameness had been likely to continue
so long in the first instance, I should have left the country for a
short time, but now that there is a great probability of soon being
able to move with my regiment and once more enter the lists of fame,
my duty commands me to remain. I must not think for a moment of coming
to England. I shall ride on horseback when I am tired. I am not yet
afraid of meeting the French, I assure you. I hope to see numbers more
bite the ground. Some deserters that came from the enemy stated that
the French did not like those _green fellows_ at all; we made sad havoc
amongst them, particularly their officers. Numbers of our men are most
capital shots. It would astonish you to see how coolly they go on and
take the same aim as at a bird. I feel great pleasure to be with such
fighting fellows and hardy soldiers. The men are so seasoned, that rain
or any other kind of weather makes no impression. The intense heat now
and then makes the men cross into shady places. We have been in want
of tents for months together, sleeping on the ground without any other
covering than the canopy of heaven. I never slept better than in such
places. _This is the regiment to make the soldiers._ I wish my dear
brother had had the same opportunity. The French are very cautious when
we are near them, and go where they will, we always keep up with them.
The officer that was taken on the 24th of July was wounded; he was very
ill-used by the French, nearly stripped and put in a common prison. He
contrived to make his escape, and is again with the regiment. I was
lucky in getting away from the field of battle as I did.
My love to my dear Ann. Tell her not to dream about my being again
hit, for fear of her conjectures being realised. I hardly know how I
could comply with her wish to have my picture, I am so ugly a fellow,
and particularly now my face is nearly black from heat and exposure to
every kind of weather.
I am much stouter even now than when in England, and never enjoyed
better health; if my wound did not ache now and then I should be quite
saucy.
If Joseph behaves well and makes himself worthy of my assistance, I can
in twelve months promise him an ensigncy, but I must have proofs of his
improvement, as I should subject myself to great censure to recommend
an ignorant boy; let him know these are my sentiments. If he likes
anything better I should be sorry to persuade him to enter the army.
I am glad you have procured a bull-dog for me. Take care of him, and I
shall be happy to have him out here on the very first opportunity.—I
remain, sincerely yours,
Geo. Simmons, Lt., 95th Regmt.
Send Charles and Betsy to school. God bless them. I desire any subject
I may write to you upon may be kept secret, as it would be very
unpleasant to have any of my affairs made public. As in all probability
by the time you receive another letter I shall be with my regiment,
direct Lieut. G. S., 95th or Rifle Regiment, Brig.-Gen. R. Craufurd's
Division, Army, Portugal.
_Journal—1st October-31st December 1810_
Remained here (Pedroso) very comfortably, and bathed every day in the
sea, which did me much good. Captain Mitchell, who was wounded through
the elbow, came to live near us, and Lieutenant C. Eeles, who had
landed with two companies of the 3rd Battalion, being unwell, remained
with us. Being very tired of this inactive life, although my wound was
not healed, I was determined to return to my regiment. Lieutenant
Smith, who had a ball in his leg, and was also lame, was just as
anxious as myself. Dr. Hossack, with some entreaty, allowed us to go,
but the Commandant (Colonel Tucker, 29th Regiment) ordered us to take
over money to subsist a number of men, and march with a detachment,
which was a sad annoyance, having sufficient to do to take care of
ourselves.
[Sidenote: 1810 Oct. 7th]
The detachment was formed at Belem under the command of Major Murphy
of the 88th Regiment; he had men belonging to every regiment in the
country, amongst whom several who had much rather remained at Belem
than have paraded their bodies in a field to be shot at. We marched off
about seven o'clock in the morning. The men of the Light Division who
had been wounded with us and were well again, formed the rear-guard,
and I travelled with it; but in spite of all my precautions several
men skulked away unobserved, slipping into houses and other places.
When we halted and called the rolls, 100 out of 800 that had marched
off were missing, which sadly annoyed Major Murphy. He asked me how
many of mine were gone. "Not one," was my answer, "and depend upon it
none will leave now." "Well, then, sir, take the rear-guard to-morrow
and make any straggler a prisoner, and I will bring him to a Drumhead
Court-Martial"; which order he made known to the detachment. The rain
had fallen heavily all day. We got under shelter into miserable houses
that had been left by their inhabitants at Lumiar.
[Sidenote: 8th]
Marched under continued rain to Cabeza de Monchique, meeting numbers of
poor people, making their way to Lisbon in the most wretched plight,
telling us the British army were in full retreat before the French.
At the end of this day's march, another one hundred _heroes_ had
disappeared, which made our Commandant raving mad. Smith called upon
me to assist him in a medical capacity. I had a bucket of spring water
thrown upon him, which did him good; he had several fits, but this put
an end to them, and he was better after he had rested a night.
[Sidenote: 9th]
Still raining tremendously. Arrived at Sobral. The 1st Division entered
the town, retiring before the French. I soon found that the Light
Division was marching to Arruda, so I moved off with my detachment,
and arrived in that place about eight o'clock, wet through. The
Quartermasters of regiments came in soon after, and then the town
was divided; the troops followed. I took possession of a good house
for Captain O'Hare's officers, and had a good fire against their
arrival. They were glad to see me again, and we passed some hours
in a description of the march of the enemy and the different fights
and skirmishes they had had since I left the army, which was highly
interesting to me.
[Sidenote: 10th]
This place, distant from Lisbon six leagues, is studded with rich
merchants' country houses; many of them well built and adorned with the
most splendid furniture. The people had left there from the dread of
falling into the hands of the French. The British army having retired
before Massena to the identical spot where our gallant Commander meant
to oppose the enemy's further advance, our days were now spent in
making the position as strong as possible with _abatis_, scarping the
ground and throwing up field-fortifications. Long before we retired,
our General foresaw that in all probability, whenever the vast forces
that the French could bring against him were put in motion, we must
have to do so. These very lines that we now occupy had been planned out
long before, and numbers of Portuguese and British Engineers had been
employed for a considerable time building forts from the Tagus to the
sea. So much for the wisdom of our gallant Commander, Wellington.
[Sidenote: 12th]
A body of the enemy's infantry moved against the 1st Division near
Sobral, but were repulsed in good style, leaving a number of dead.
Lieutenant C. Eeles, who had quitted the detachment and joined his
company when I passed through, was shot through the body and put upon
the road to Lisbon; also Captain Percival, who commanded the company,
shot through the wrist. The 3rd Battalion company behaved _like Rifle
Men_ and were complimented.
Our gun-boats went up the Tagus and fired upon the working parties of
the enemy at Villa Franca, which annoyed them considerably. Sir B.
Spencer's Division was placed in Zibreira, a little to the rear. Lord
Wellington's headquarters were at Pero Negro, and Marshal Massena's at
Alenquer.
[Sidenote: 13th]
The company detached with the 3rd Caçadores under the command of
Colonel Elder to the heights above Arruda, for the purpose of assisting
in throwing up field-works, retired to a _quinta_ at night, and were
hospitably treated by the Colonel.
[Sidenote: 21st]
The whole British and Portuguese troops had been daily employed in
strengthening the position from the Tagus to our extreme left at Torres
Vedras, cutting down trees and forming _abatis_ wherever the ground
was not bold and precipitous. The enemy had also been employed in
throwing up some field-works.
[Sidenote: 22nd]
This day joined Captain Mitchell's company above Villa Mata, the
country in our front being covered with farmhouses and gentlemen's
cottages, which were generally well stored with provisions and wine. A
number of French soldiers were observed entering them and collecting
the different articles, which they carried to their encampment and
distributed amongst their comrades. We found the enemy were suffering
very much from want of food.
[Sidenote: 23rd]
On piquet. Two French soldiers entered a house in our front. Hopwood
and myself with three men crawled from our post into an avenue of
trees, which covered us from the immediate view of the French vedette
posted on a little eminence to apprise his friends of any danger. We
succeeded in entering the house unobserved, and surprised the two
Frenchmen, who were filling some canteens with wine, but sprang to
their arms. One of them snapped his firelock, but it did not go off.
They were instantly taken from them. A moment after, one soldier
offered me some brandy he had in a calabash slung across his shoulders.
I gave both a large goblet of wine, sent a soldier to get all the
canteens he could muster from the piquet and return, we keeping a
good look-out. We filled sixty, then destroyed the hogshead, took our
prisoners to the piquet, and sent an escort with them to the General.
[Sidenote: 25th]
Assisted, in conjunction with Lieutenant Strode, in depositing the
remains of a poor old woman in a most splendid vault in the church at
Arruda. I found her dead near the altar, where she had gone to offer
up her prayers as a last effort, not being strong enough to fly with
the inhabitants from the French, and had finished her mortal career.
I looked round and saw a beautiful marble slab covered with armorial
blazonry; it caught my eye, and I said to my friend, "The old woman
little thought what good offices an English soldier would perform when
she entered the church." "What are they?" says he. "Why, she shall be
put under that stone, and you must assist." We found a large crow-bar,
and soon finished the business to my satisfaction.[15]
[Sidenote: 31st]
Deserters now very frequently came in and informed us that the enemy
were losing a number of men from disease, and that there was a great
scarcity of provisions; that Colonel Trant had assembled the Portuguese
Militia in large force and had entered Coimbra, and had taken a number
of sick and wounded officers and men and stopped the communications
with Spain, cutting off the supply of provisions.
Massena begins to feel that entering a country with an army disposed
to commit every description of brutal atrocity upon the unarmed
inhabitants, and driving them like wild beasts to their fastnesses
(which, from the nature of this country, abounds with such ground), has
already kindled the spirit of revenge in their hearts. This has obliged
the French to keep together, and they literally only have in possession
the ground that their army for the moment occupies, and has also caused
severe losses, for any straggler or sick man, unless he has an escort,
is sure to be stabbed with the stiletto.
[Sidenote: 1810 Nov. 2nd]
English bell-tents arrived for the Light Division, to replace the poor
and small Portuguese ones, which proved a great luxury.
[Sidenote: 13th]
The Duke of Brunswick Oel's corps joined the Light Division. The enemy
detached General Loison for the purpose of obtaining possession of
the bridge of boats over the Tagus at Villa Velha, but the bridge was
destroyed on their approach.
[Sidenote: 15th]
As soon as the fog cleared away we found the enemy's piquets were gone
and the position had been vacated. About three o'clock in the afternoon
the Light Division advanced upon the road to Alenquer and bivouacked
near it for the night. I examined several encampments that the enemy
had occupied and found them in a most filthy state, and in several
huts I found dead men who had fallen victims to the inclement weather.
The enemy's fires appeared five miles off. Colonel Winch took command
of the 2nd Light Brigade, formerly commanded by Colonel Barclay, 52nd
Regiment.
[Sidenote: 16th]
The Light Division advanced at daylight and followed the enemy to Villa
Nova. They had attempted to destroy the bridge here, but we advanced
too rapidly for them. Moved forward to Izambuja, a town on the right
bank of the Tagus, and remained for the night. We took a number of
stragglers this day who had been suffering sadly from starvation and
disease. The road was found strewn with rags and pieces of Frenchmen's
appointments and caps, and occasionally a dead horse, mule, or jackass
to enliven the scene.
[Sidenote: 17th]
The Light Division marched two leagues to Cataxa; cavalry in front.
The enemy showed three battalions of infantry and six squadrons of
cavalry as a decoy, the remaining part of Junot's corps being concealed
from our view. General Craufurd fancied that he saw the whole of the
rear-guard and had made his dispositions to attack them, when Lord
Wellington arrived on the ground and stopped the attack, observing,
"Are you aware, General, that the whole of Junot's corps is close to
the advanced body you now see, amounting to, at least, 23,000 men,
a large portion of which is cavalry?" The attack was, of course,
abandoned. General Slade's Brigade of cavalry advanced and took up the
line of piquets. The Light Division entered Cataxa for the night. I was
on inlying piquet. The cavalry sent in 105 prisoners.
[Sidenote: 18th]
At daybreak we moved on, accompanied by Captain Ross's[16] Horse
Artillery, which now is to remain attached to the Light Division. We
advanced across a plain in considerable force, the enemy retiring
before us and crossing a causeway and bridge over the Rio Mayor,
the whole country in the neighbourhood of the river being a boggy
impassable swamp. Our cavalry had a piquet close to the bridge,
the advanced vedettes from which were dismounted, and occasionally
exchanging long-shots across the causeway with the enemy. These men
were highly pleased to see me arrive with some Rifle Men and take the
post of honour from them, as the company I belonged to was sent on
piquet, with orders to remain at the bridge. The French sent a few men
forward to commence a fire upon us. I crawled on the bridge with three
men, and lay down by a dead mule, where we had a good rest and took
deliberate aim. The Frenchmen soon became wary of showing themselves,
which convinced me we had hit some of them. The company, having had a
hard day's work, were relieved at night by a company of the 52nd, but
we were ordered to remain near at hand during the night as a reserve to
it.
The weather was very rainy, but, fortunately for us, this part of the
country was covered with olive-trees. This wood is very hard and so
greasy that it is as inflammable as coal, so that, in spite of rain,
we managed to have good fires. General Craufurd, over his wine, took
it into his head that the enemy was moving off and he was anxious to
be the first to find it out. He came to the piquet and took three
soldiers and walked cautiously along the causeway until the French
sentry challenged and fired. The General ordered his men to fire and
retire. This circumstance created so much alarm in the enemy's camp,
who imagined that the British army was passing the bridge and falling
upon them, that they became panic-struck and commenced a tremendous
fire in every direction for some time. The balls came rattling among
the trees, and General Craufurd was sadly annoyed at being deceived in
his conjectures and having caused such an uproar, with a great chance
of foolishly throwing away his life.
[Sidenote: 19th]
As soon as the day cleared sufficiently to see what the enemy were
about, we found that during the night they had been very busy cutting
down olive-trees and forming _abatis_ on the position. This they had
every appearance of occupying for some time; it was a most commanding
one, the left upon the Tagus, the swampy Rio Mayor all along its front,
with a _tête de pont_ at the end of the bridge over the river. The
country was very bold and hilly, with the large town of Santarem about
a league in the rear of their position, which Marshal Massena had made
his headquarters.
General Hill's Corps, about 12,000 British and Portuguese, crossed the
Tagus at Vallada.
General Spencer's Division came to Valle this morning, and, with our
Division, remained under arms all day. Lord Wellington reconnoitred the
enemy's position, but no attack took place. Bivouacked in a wood near
Valle. A deserter informed us that Junot's and Regnier's Corps were in
position in front of Santarem.
I had left Lisbon to join my regiment before the wound in my thigh was
quite healed, and from the continued hardship I had suffered, and being
exposed night and day to very inclement weather, my health became very
much impaired, but I was in hopes of being able to shake off disease.
[Sidenote: 20th]
Passed a most miserable night; rain fell in torrents. The Light
Division moved with some Dragoons towards the left of the enemy's
position. They filled the wooded slope with numbers of Light troops.
Some of them skirmished with our advanced parties. We returned at
midday and were put into cantonments, the 52nd and 1st Caçadores and
the Brunswick Oels into Valle, the 43rd into a large _quinta_ above the
village mentioned. The 95th Rifles were put into straggling farmhouses
on the banks of the river, where we saw opposite to us, upon the wooded
heights, numbers of Frenchmen on duty, observing our movements.
[Sidenote: 21st]
I felt much refreshed from dry clothes and something to eat, but my
thigh was getting worse and my body sadly out of order.
[Sidenote: 23rd]
Symptoms of dysentery.
[Sidenote: 25th]
On outlying piquet. A most dreadful night, which made me so ill that I
could scarcely crawl.
[Sidenote: 26th]
General Craufurd came this morning and ordered the _abatis_ to be
advanced some yards upon the bridge in case we should have occasion to
blow up the principal arch, which would then be clear. I got over the
parapet on the enemy's side and went forward to the place the General
had ordered the _abatis_ to be moved to. Three of my men began to pull
it to pieces and bring the wood. I expected the French would fire at me
from the _tête de pont_, and I was suffering so much from disease that
I was really careless what happened, but I was allowed to finish my job
without interruption.
[Sidenote: 30th]
Worse and worse, and on the 2nd of December obliged to go from my
regiment. I was put into a boat at Vallada, and arrived at Lisbon about
midnight. By the greatest good luck, La Tour's Hotel was open, and I
got a bed there; excessively ill.
[Sidenote: 1810 Dec. 3rd]
Removed to a billet with much difficulty; people very uncivil.
[Sidenote: 4th]
Got another billet upon equally uncivil folks with bad accommodation.
Ordered to be removed by the Commandant, Colonel Peacock, as the family
had sufficient interest with him to put me out. I found the people
behaved ill to me for fear of bringing a fever into their family, which
induced them to try every means to get quit of me. I was now in a very
forlorn state, my servant being obliged to go hunting after a billet,
which at last was procured upon an empty house. I was put into a large
and gloomy apartment.
[Sidenote: 6th]
Made another attempt to get a billet of a comfortable description with
the same ill success, which induced me to send a clear statement of
the number of bad billets I had been sent to, and to request the Town
Major to let me have a proper one. I had now the good luck to get
into a comfortable house kept by an old gentleman and his two maiden
sisters—the kindest people possible. They nursed me and paid me every
necessary attention. I was exceedingly debilitated by a continued
fever and dysentery. I remained very ill for some days, but gradually
recovered.
Each army was occupied in strengthening their position and endeavouring
(in case of an attack) to make them as strong as possible.
Lord Wellington took up his headquarters at Cataxa with General
Spencer's Division. Nothing of moment occurred to terminate the year.
Letter No. IX
Lisbon, _16th December 1810_.
Dear Parents—I left Lisbon on the 7th of October. I was unfortunate at
starting; the rainy season had just commenced. I had a detachment of
men from different regiments to bring up with me. Nothing but continued
rain, bad quarters, my clothes never dry until I joined my regiment at
a village called Arruda. I was extremely happy when I got to them, I
assure you. The last five miles I was obliged to walk, as my horse was
quite knocked up. On the 12th, the French had brought up a great force.
We had expected a battle, but the wary Massena took care not to bring
on a general action. We had some very smart skirmishing. Our regiment
lost two officers badly wounded. We are now in our Lines; our position
remarkably strong; cannon mounted upon every strong hill. Every day we
were in hopes the enemy would attack us, but were disappointed. I found
my leg occasionally a torment to me, but took little notice of it.
I heard my brother's regiment was at Bucellas, a town famed for its
wine, and about six miles off. I rode over to see him. He was delighted
to see me, little expecting, from accounts he had received, to shake
me by the hand again. I dined with him, spent the day; he would give
me a bottle of cherry brandy. I was much pleased with his appearance.
He has grown a very handsome and soldier-like fellow. He is very much
respected and very happy, which is an additional gratification to me,
and makes me very proud of him. Since that period he has several times
visited me at the outposts.
On the 15th of November we got information of the French having
retired. Our army immediately marched after them. The first night we
passed through several French camps and found a number of dead bodies.
We halted near a large village, and lay down for the night in the
fields. In the morning we marched through a place, Alenquer, which
was entirely sacked by the enemy, the windows and doors torn down and
burnt, as well as most of the furniture in each house, beautiful
china, pier-glasses and chandeliers all dashed to pieces, and every
kind of devastation that is possible for savages to be guilty of. They
had left numbers of miserable objects behind them in the houses, that
were so ill as not to be able to march; these were of course put to
death by the Portuguese when we happened to miss finding them out.
On the 16th we followed the French as quickly as possible, took some
prisoners, and spoiled their cooking. Found several peasants the French
had murdered and left upon the road, also saw several French killed
by the Portuguese. It was a dreadful sight to see so many fine towns
without a creature in them. The poor unfortunate inhabitants only a
few weeks back were living happily and comfortably, now destitute of
everything and afraid of coming near their own property for fear of
losing their lives. It is a dreadful consideration. Oh, happy England!
may such scenes as these ever be unknown to my countrymen! The French
are certainly the greatest curse the Almighty ever sent into the world.
Universal conquest and ruin of everything sacred and binding between
man and man is their sole aim. I hope their career will be checked
sooner or later; they have long reigned almost uncontrolled.
On the 17th and 18th we continued marching after the enemy, taking
occasionally a few stragglers and sick. On the 20th the enemy halted
and began to throw up breast-works and _abatis_ along a high ridge in
front of Santarem; a very fine commanding position in front of the
mountains; towards the river Tagus there was a plain covered with
vineyards, and the opposite way and to our left, a perfect morass,
impassable. We expected to attack them even in their strong position.
The company I belong to were ordered on piquet, which was at a bridge
over a river in front of the French. As soon as the enemy saw us
coming they commenced firing upon us. We soon took and established our
piquet ground, fired a few shots at the French, who went off to a more
respectable distance and disturbed us no more. We luckily had no one
wounded. A corporal going on the bridge with me shot a Frenchman who
had just discharged his piece at him. That day our sentries were upon
the bridge within two hundred yards of each other.
The excessive wet and bad weather has had great influence upon my
constitution since I was wounded. I feel myself, I am sorry to say,
quite a different man. This last march we have been exposed very much
to the weather. We have had nearly a continuance of rain, and sleeping
on the ground, the water making a gutter on both sides of one's body,
was not pleasant to me. There was a time when I would not have cared a
fig for it, but my leg, after lying thus, became very painful, and I
felt as though I had to drag a ten-stone weight about with me. In the
morning, possibly obliged to march for miles through grape gardens,
fighting with the enemy, I limping along, and often finding difficulty
to keep up with my men. Only a little while back I could run miles,
always the first to go through or over anything; judge how my feelings
must be hurt at so serious a difference. I continued with my regiment
as long as possible, until my mind became so much hurt and my body so
much debilitated that I could hardly drag myself along. In this state I
went on piquet; rain all night. I was stationed at the bridge of Valle
with a section of the company. I lay down occasionally by the fire. I
was so ill I could not smoke a pipe, the greatest luxury a man can have
in bad weather. The next morning I was relieved and went to bed, not
a feather bed, but some straw in the corner of an old stable, with a
knapsack for a pillow. I was recommended to start directly for Lisbon
by my friend, the surgeon. I argued against it and said, as I had got
a good comfortable bed, I should soon come round. Here, for the first
time in my life, I was attacked with dysentery and in indescribable
torture.
On the 3rd of December I found if I put off many days longer I should
not be able to leave the regiment. I was conveyed on a mule to Vallada,
on the right bank of the Tagus, took a boat, and arrived at Lisbon
about twelve o'clock at night, got a bed by the merest chance and good
luck, and the following morning procured a billet—a bad one, people
uncivil. The next day got one on a very good house—people very friendly
and kind. I am as happy as my unfortunate situation will admit of.
I have kept my bed ever since my arrival here. My leg and thigh are
frequently very painful. The dysentery has subsided in some measure,
and upon the whole I feel much better to-day or I could not have given
you this long epistle. I have had a medical examination. The medical
men have ordered me to continue here six weeks. If I am not better in
that time I shall procure leave to come to England. I hope that will
not be the case. As God knows, I have little business to be at home at
this period. I have got some curiosities taken from the French. I have
a beautiful piece of silk for a pelisse for Ann, five or six yards,
colour crimson. I mean to deposit my curiosities on board of some ship.
Joseph, I hope, is going on properly. I have said enough about it
already. If he does right and minds his education, I will—provided he
wishes to come into the army—do everything I can to serve him, but he
must make himself deserving of my intercession. If he chooses anything
else, I should be sorry to dissuade him from it. He must not, as a
soldier, expect to live in luxury and ease. He must often live hard and
fight hard and expose his body to all kinds of weather and climate. I
hope poor Charlie gets better. Do not quack with him. Get good advice,
and he must recover. Let him take plenty of exercise at all times. I
hope you will take care he is well educated. Send him to some good
Latin school. Let me know how Betsy comes on; I should suppose she is
a tall girl. I shall take care of something for her if I come to old
England again.
I am nearly worn to a skeleton. I was laughing at myself when shaving
in the glass this morning at my hollow eyes and squalid visage. Now
would be the time for Ann to have a likeness. I thought it would be
worth staring at. This coming backward and forward to Lisbon makes a
sad hole in my little savings, which does not please me at all. For the
last eight days I could take nothing but Madeira with any degree of
pleasure (three shillings a bottle here).
My best respects to Aunt. Maud, my brother, desires me when I write to
remember him to her and my uncle. Any letter I receive from you I let
Maud have the particulars directly. My love to you all. My dear mother
I hope enjoys good health. I have often called out for her to nurse me.
I am sorry to say I have often wanted so kind a friend. God bless and
preserve her many years.—Yours truly and affectionately,
G. Simmons, Lt., 95th Regt.
I hope a little time will bring me round again. It would be a serious
thing to be obliged to come home now after enduring all the hardships
of so long a campaign without being present at a general action. I have
one great consolation, if I am incapable of following the profession
of a soldier, I can always get a living as a surgeon. I have not been
idle even in this country, frequently attending hospitals, as I always
endeavour to gain knowledge whenever I can find it, as it may one
day or other be of use to me. I shall always be allowed to retire on
half-pay, which would assist me very materially, but I am in hopes this
will not be the case. I still fancy there is enough of me left to make
a soldier. The French were never before put so much to their wits' end
as at present; whenever they come on they always have the worst of it.
Under Lord Wellington's command every one is confident of success. The
Portuguese, led on by English officers, fight like tigers. They have
behaved astonishingly well. I have witnessed several regiments of them
come on with the greatest enthusiasm.
CAMPAIGN OF 1811
At the commencement of 1811, Soult was master of the whole of
Andaluçia, with the exception of Cadiz, which place was blockaded by
Victor. Soult, however, having been ordered in March to co-operate
with Massena, thus leaving Victor unsupported, the Allies in Cadiz
decided on a maritime expedition so as to raise the blockade of that
place. General Graham embarked with some 4000 troops, and, landing at
Algeçiras, joined La Peña and his Spanish force and marched on Cadiz.
The battle of Barrosa was fought a few miles south of the Isla, the
French under Victor being defeated and Graham marching into Cadiz.
At the same time, Soult was engaged in invading Portugal on the south
of the Tagus, while Massena, unaware of the former's successes over
the Spaniards, was retiring from before the Lines of Torres Vedras on
the north of the Tagus.
Wellington at once followed in pursuit of Massena, and severe combats
took place at Pombal, Redinha, Cazal Nova, Foz de Aronce, and Sabugal.
Massena withdrew to Ciudad Rodrigo, and eventually, for want of
provisions, to Salamanca.
Wellington now invested Almeida, on the Portuguese frontier, but
Massena, having received strong reinforcements, advanced to raise the
blockade, and encountered Wellington at Fuentes de Oñoro, but having
been worsted, he retired across the Agueda.
Shortly after this, owing to a series of unfortunate mistakes, the
French garrison of Almeida succeeded in cutting its way through the
blockading troops and escaped.
Marshal Beresford had meanwhile been despatched to hold Soult in check
south of the Tagus, and after a fight at Campo Mayor he laid siege
to Badajoz, but learning that Soult was advancing from Seville to
attack him, he raised the siege and took up a position at Albuera,
where after one of the most sanguinary battles of the war, he defeated
the French and they withdrew. Badajoz was thereupon besieged for
the second time; but Marmont having joined Soult and advanced with
overwhelming numbers, the siege had to be again abandoned, the French
entering Badajoz.
It was now September, and the war entered upon a new phase. Napoleon
largely reinforced his armies in Spain, King Joseph commanding one
about Madrid, Soult a second in the south, Marmont a third on the
Tagus, whilst a fourth was styled the army of the north, under
Dersenne.
This combination was too strong for Wellington to contend against,
but he quickly noted that the fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and
Badajoz were somewhat isolated, and decided to operate against them.
Having also received strong reinforcements, he aimed at blockading
Ciudad Rodrigo. Massena, however, at once advanced to its relief
with a strong force, and Wellington, uncertain what was in front of
him, took up a position on the Agueda. The combats of El Bodon and
Aldea da Ponte now took place, after which, in November, Wellington
withdrew once again behind the Coa and distributed his troops over a
considerable area for subsistence.