_Journal—12th January-21st March 1814_
Is appointed to superintend the telegraph of the Light Division—Visit
from brother Maud—Commencement of the campaign of 1814—The 1st
Battalion sent to St. Jean-de-Luz for new clothing—Simmons joins
the 2nd Battalion—Bayonne invested—The 2nd and 3rd Battalions ford
the Gaves—Simmons and some of the 2nd Battalion occupy a house
and fire from the windows—Excitement of the lady who owned it—The
French peasantry are in great fear of the English, but are soon
reassured—Passage of the Gave de Pau—Simmons puts his socks in his
cap, as he is certain the Rifles will be sent across the river—Three
British Divisions cross by a pontoon bridge.
_Battle of Orthez_
The 1st Battalion and the gallant 43rd Light Infantry not present—The
52nd Light Infantry make "a beautiful advance in the face of
thousands"—The French driven off the field—The French people treat
the British soldiers as friends—The 1st Battalion rejoins the army
and Simmons his Battalion—Sharp skirmish by 15th Hussars, supported
by some Rifle Men and two six-pounders with French cavalry—Advance
resumed.
_The Action of Tarbes_
The French occupy a strong position—The three Battalions of Rifles
ordered to dislodge them—The French fill a wood with skirmishers, but
are driven out—A very stiff fight—Heavy losses—"Never saw Frenchmen so
thick on the ground"—Towards evening is severely wounded—Rescued by
his servant, Henry Short—Is moved into Tarbes—Brother Maud hears he is
wounded and searches for him all night—Finds him and gets him a good
billet—Battle of Toulouse—"Is much hurt at not being there."
Letter No. XXIII
_To his Parents, from Tarbes, France, dated 27th March 1814_
France a most delightful country—Detestation of the people for
Buonaparte—Their faith in the British—Description of Soult's
position at Tarbes—The eighteen companies of Rifle Men (1st, 2nd,
and 3rd Battalions of the 95th) attack it and have some "fine
rifle practice"—Is knocked over at close of fight—Holds a medical
examination of himself, and finds his knee-pan is fractured—"Not
for Chelsea yet"—Hopes to get well and have another fight with
_Johnny_—"Our Boys got sadly mauled as usual."
_Finished by Maud Simmons_
Describes his brother George's wound and the life at Tarbes.
_Journal—13th April-23rd July 1814_
Is moved to Pau in a coach—Recovers and starts to rejoin—Marches to
Toulouse—Goes to the theatre with his two brothers—Rejoins the 1st
Battalion at Castel-sarrasin—Pleasant life amongst the French—End of
the war—Orders to return to England—The Rifles give a ball—The Light
Division bid farewell to their Portuguese comrades—Gets leave for
England—Sails down the Garronne for Pauillac—Embarks on a transport—In
collision—The voyage home—Lands at Portsmouth, takes the London coach,
and arrives at the Old Slaughters Coffee House.
_Journal—12th January-21st March 1814_
[Sidenote: 1814 Jan. 12th]
This day I was appointed to superintend the telegraph of the Light
Division stationed near "Garat's house."[25] Had a log house formed to
remain in. This post was near Arraunts.
[Sidenote: 15th]
My brother Maud paid me a visit. I gave him a good beaf-steak. The
battalion he belonged to was returning from St. Jean-de-Luz with new
clothes. One of his baggage animals lay down close to my post. I was
obliged to send for a mule and take the half-starved devil in exchange.
His servant seemed quite delighted when he had got his master's baggage
upon my mule, and hurried away for fear I might change my mind.
[Sidenote: 24th]
The 1st Battalion Rifles was placed in the 2nd Brigade, and the Brigade
is now commanded by Colonel Barnard. The 2nd Battalion joined the other
Brigade of the Light Division.
Numbers of French families who had left their homes have returned, as
they find the British soldiers only war with those who have arms in
their hands, and not with the unfortunate inhabitants of the country.
[Sidenote: 1814 Feb. 16th]
The British army was again put in motion. The Light Division moved to
within a league and a half of Labastide-Clairence.
[Sidenote: 17th]
Marched near the town, and encamped near the heights overlooking it.
[Sidenote: 18th]
Put into houses, the weather being very cold and rainy, also changing
into sleet and snow.
[Sidenote: 19th]
The 1st Battalion Rifles with the 43rd Light Infantry marched to St.
Jean-de-Luz for their clothing. I took the advantage of being on
telegraph duty, and remained with the army.
[Sidenote: 21st]
Marched to Isturits and joined Captain Duncan's company (2nd Battalion)
until the return of the 1st Battalion.
[Sidenote: 22nd]
Marched to St. Palais. The enemy had blown up the bridge over the
Bidouze River. Sir John Hope with the 1st Division passed the Adour
near its mouth and invested the citadel of Bayonne. A bridge was soon
after constructed, and the town closely blockaded.
[Sidenote: 23rd]
Marched to near La Chére and Charrette; on piquet.
[Sidenote: 24th]
Passed the Gave de Mauléon at a ford near the village of Nabas. Moved
forward to the Gave d'Oleron. Found a squadron of French Dragoons drawn
up on the opposite bank of the river. A neat little cottage close to
the river had been built upon an eminence on its bank. I entered with
some men and commenced firing from the chamber windows upon the French
to cover the advance through the ford; the river being nearly up to
the men's shoulders, compelled them to link together by the arms to
enable them to cross. Millar's and Duncan's companies were the first
that crossed. The poor housekeeper, when my men began to fire from the
windows, laughed and cried and jumped about in a most extraordinary
manner, but still her curiosity led her to the window. I was afraid the
foolish woman would be shot, and with little ceremony, assisted by one
of the men, put her into a back room and bolted the door upon her. One
bold fellow galloped forward to the ford. One of my Rifle Men from the
window shot him off his horse in very pretty style. The ford was at
Ville Nave.
Marched to near Oreon and encamped. I went into a respectable farmhouse
on the roadside and found the people within in great confusion and some
of the women in tears. It was very wet and cold, and my appearance was
not much improved from having so recently waded up to my shoulders
in the river. I sat down by the fire and asked for a little wine and
something to eat. The people ran to get me some. A chubby, rosy-faced
child, who appeared to be the only one of the family that did not look
upon me with horror, came near. I took him up and began to kiss him.
We were soon, as well as the whole family, great friends. These poor
people expected that we should carry fire and sword amongst them. The
French, I am sorry to say, did so in Spain and Portugal, and too often
in their career committed atrocities that savages would shudder at.
[Sidenote: 25th]
Marched to near Orthez. The enemy blew up the stone bridge over the
Gave de Pau on our approach. The suburbs ran on both sides of the
river, so that a sharp fire was kept up between the French and our
Light troops. Towards evening, as a column of the enemy were entering
Orthez, Lord Wellington ordered it to be cannonaded. Some French
officers rode up and down their line of march to make the men move
steadily along. The enemy appeared in great force, having concentrated
large bodies near the town.
[Sidenote: 26th]
About 12 o'clock the Light Division was ordered to move to the right of
Orthez and pass a ford. I was so much impressed with the certainty of
an attack being made that I pulled off my socks and put them into my
cap to keep them dry. A large force of the enemy was formed up ready
for us, with several pieces of cannon. When we were nearly within
range, an order came to retire, and now a movement was made to the
left of Orthez, so that by this feint the 3rd, 4th, and 7th Divisions
had crossed the Gave de Pau by a pontoon bridge thrown over the river
some distance to our left, and we were now moving to these Divisions.
The Light troops skirmished with the enemy until dark. Encamped near
Salles, close to the pontoon bridge.
Battle of Orthez
[Sidenote: 27th]
The enemy were in position in great force, determined to wait our
attack. We passed the river and moved forward. Unluckily our 1st
Battalion and the gallant 43rd Light Infantry were away from the Light
Division, so that during this action the Division was scarcely engaged,
being only occasionally exposed to a cannonade, with the exception
of the 52nd Light Infantry, who made a most beautiful advance in the
face of thousands, and drove the enemy from their commanding position,
which seemed to be the signal for the whole line to retire. Our columns
followed until dark. The French appeared to me to have fought this day
better than usual. The loss was severe on both sides. Numbers of killed
and wounded were found upon the roads, and several of their soldiers
threw away their arms and put on farmers' clothing. Encamped for the
night near Bonne Garde.
[Sidenote: 28th]
Move forward to Duerse.
[Sidenote: 1814 March 1st]
Crossed the Adour at a very deep ford, and entered Mont de Marsan. The
last of the enemy left it as we approached.
I purchased a horse for twenty-five dollars, and took him away to my
billet. This place is large, and abounds with wine and eatables of
all descriptions. The next morning the Frenchmen would not have sold
me the horse under a hundred dollars, so that I was very lucky. It is
quite droll to see the French people treating us as if we were friends
instead of enemies. We certainly paid for everything, and now it was
found necessary to pay us regularly. A horse of mine died here.
[Sidenote: 2nd]
Marched to Bretagne. Bad weather.
[Sidenote: 4th]
Marched to Barcelonne, nine miles, and bivouacked near Aire. Frosty and
cold.
[Sidenote: 10th]
At daylight marched to some straggling houses near Arblada. Snowy day.
[Sidenote: 11th]
Moved into a better house.
[Sidenote: 12th]
My Battalion joined the army again. I left the 2nd Battalion. I gave my
friends an account of the late operations. Took over the accounts of
Captain C. Smith's company.
[Sidenote: 14th]
The Light Division formed on the high road. An attack expected.
Continued here the whole day. At six o'clock marched back to quarters.
Marshal Soult menaced the 2nd Division. Nothing done.
[Sidenote: 16th]
A party of the 15th Hussars, supported by some Rifle Men and two
six-pounders, attacked a party of French cavalry and cut them up in
good style and took a number of prisoners. Strange enough, a French
captain was desperately wounded close to his father's house, which
house he had not seen for many years. He was taken into it, and died
soon after.
[Sidenote: 17th]
Marched to St. Simon. On piquet.
[Sidenote: 18th]
The Division assembled at Ville St. Germain. Crossed the Arros at Task.
The Division halted at Plaisance. Three companies of our battalion
crossed the river, and took up their quarters in a small village. Close
to the house that I, with the company, occupied, an inhabitant was
murdered. I heard the shot fired just before I lay down, but had no
idea that a human being had been deprived of his existence. We tried
every means to find out the villain, but to no purpose. We collected
and gave the widow a sum of money.
[Sidenote: 19th]
Marched to near Auriébat. Continued there some hours. Moved to Aget and
vicinity.
Action of Tarbes
[Sidenote: 20th]
Marched through Rabastens to near Tarbes. The enemy were posted in
very strong position on a chain of heights, and occupying the town of
Tarbes. Our three battalions of Rifle Men were ordered to dislodge the
enemy, which we went about at once. The front of the commanding ground
was covered with wood. The enemy filled it with skirmishers, which we
turned out, and then attacked their line. We were a considerable time
in driving _Johnny_ from all the strong ground whereon he was posted,
but ultimately we succeeded. I never saw Frenchmen before so thick upon
the ground; it was covered with dead bodies. Captain Duncan was killed;
Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott, three captains, and five lieutenants
wounded, and a number of our poor fellows bit the dust towards evening,
after having passed through the day's fight. A Frenchman took a long
shot at me; the ball fractured my right knee-pan and knocked me down as
if I had been struck with a sledge-hammer. Some others, seeing me down,
fired several shots at me. My noble servant, Henry Short, as soon as
he observed me, came running to me, and, with an oath, observed, "You
shall not hit him again but through my body," and deliberately placed
himself in front of me. Colonel Barnard rode up, jumped off his horse,
and showed me the greatest kindness.[26]
[Sidenote: 21st]
The following morning I was moved into Tarbes in a cart. Part of my
brother Maud's regiment remained to guard the wounded. He was acting
as Town Major. He was afraid I might be hurt, and before dark came to
see me. Several soldiers told him I was wounded. He hunted about to
find me the whole night, but without success, and quite in despair
was returning into the town when I espied him. He soon got me a good
billet. The battle of Toulouse took place soon after. I felt much hurt
at not being there.
The fighting now terminated, and we lived upon the best terms possible
with the French people.
Letter No. XXIII
Tarbes, France, _27th March 1814_.
My dear Parents—I received your letter at Arraunts. As I had nothing
worthy of your notice at that time, I deferred writing until this
period. The remark in your letter pleased me. "You could willingly
forego the pleasure of seeing me, if it was not compatible with my
duty to leave my regiment." It was a remark that showed a nobleness of
soul which every father of a soldier ought to possess when duty and
honour are the barriers. My brother Maud's regiment casually passed my
quarters the day I received your letter. He was pleased with it. He
took a beef-steak and set off. Joe left the regiment "on command" two
months back to take charge of all the convalescents belonging to the
Division in Spain. I have heard from him several times. I have at last
got him relieved, so he will soon be again with his regiment.
I was appointed Director of the Light Division Telegraph, for which
I received a dollar per day for some time. Colonel Barnard presented
me with a gold watch, which he purposely sent for to London. France
is a most delightful country and abounds with everything. The people
detest Buonaparte—all but the officers of the army and those others
who only support him and his diabolical cause from interested motives.
The people are astonished at the liberality of the English. We behave
to them as if we were at home, and, though fighting frequently with
Soult's army, in their towns the peaceable inhabitants have more faith
in us, generally speaking, than in their own army. This is a happy way
of making war, for how many thousands of our brave fellows when wounded
and left on the ground would not otherwise have been murdered by the
injured peasantry. Instead of that, they take the wounded to their
houses, protect and feed them. The army that is now opposed to ours is
Marshal Soult's. He is a persevering fellow. Though thrashed every time
we come in contact with him, still he moves to another position, making
it as strong as possible, and waits till we move up and thrash him out
of it. The French army fought very obstinately at the battle of Orthez,
better than usual, but every cock ought to fight better upon its own
dung-hill. After the business at Orthez our army seldom could get a
peep at _Johnny_. Though we endeavoured to stick close to him, still he
moved off in the night. However, Soult began to pluck up courage and
get very bold, he having drawn us back to the Pyrenees. His army was
placed in position, the left upon the base of the Pyrenees, the centre
covering the town of Tarbes (the high road to Toulouse passes through
this place, and it is consequently a place of importance to Soult);
his right ran along the high ridges of hills that rise abruptly from a
fine plain. There was a small river in front of the position, the hills
occasionally patched with clumps of brushwood and trees, which assisted
the enemy much, as he had an opportunity of hiding his columns.
Lord Wellington, with his usual coolness, took a peep at the enemy's
position (our columns were at the same time concentrating) with the
eye of an eagle, and ordered the different columns to advance to
their different points. Our eighteen companies of Rifle Men attacked a
steep hill, covered with wood, under a tremendous fire; we soon hunted
them out of it, and had fine rifle practice upon the plain. This day
my usual good luck did not attend me, for near the close of the day
about ninety men threw themselves behind a ditch and kept up a running
fire. We were moving upon it to dislodge them when a musket-ball struck
me upon the knee, forced into the wound my trousers and drawers, and
glanced off. My fighting was finished. I fell, and seeing my knee
bloody, I began to think I should soon be without a leg. However, on
examination, after collecting myself a little, I found the joint had
not received material injury, only the knee-pan, which is fractured,
so that I shall not enlist for Chelsea yet. I hope in two months to
be on the march with my regiment. I had the pleasure to see the enemy
beaten at all points before I left the field of battle, which was great
consolation. On the 21st I was moved on a waggon into this town. The
first person that saluted me was Maud. Judge how delighted I was. He
had got me a comfortable quarter. I had nothing to do but enter it. I
have kept my bed until to-day. I have managed to get up and sit by the
fire with my leg supported upon pillows. The pleasure I feel in having
done my duty more than doubly repays me for the pain I suffer. If I
am rendered incapable of joining my regiment as soon as I could wish,
I shall come home for a while, but on the other hand, if I soon get
better, I must have another fight with _Johnny_. I had been collecting
some money for you, as my pay and other emoluments were very good, but
this job has brought me back upon six shillings and sixpence per day,
and the money will only support me with what I have saved. My brother
told me I ought to be very thankful I had it. I assure you it is a
great pleasure and a comfort to me to have him here. Three companies
of his regiment have been left to protect us from any armed peasantry,
so I am safe enough. You will see by the _Gazette_ our boys got sadly
mauled as usual. I am glad Joe was not there as things have turned out.
If I can purchase a veil for Ann I will. God bless her. My best love
to dear mother. I am glad Charlie is so stout. Betsy I have forgotten;
she was young when I left home. My love to her. I am happy to hear
my uncle approves of my conduct. I am striving always to deserve his
esteem. Let him see my letters, but again I caution you not to mention
them publicly on any account. Maud will finish. I am tired. Sergeant
Fairfoot is well and with the regiment, unless wounded on the 20th.
_Finished by Maud Simmons_
My dear Parents—I am happy to say your brave son is in a fair way of
recovery, thank God! He and I spend our days together very comfortably.
We have everything very cheap. Claret and Bordeaux wines very good and
cheap—about a shilling a bottle; every other thing in proportion. We
are well out of the fighting at present, confound it! Left here as a
guard to take care of the sick and wounded in this town. However, I am
repaid for being out of the fight by being able now and then to drink
George's allowance of wine as well as my own and talk over past times.
The lady with whom I live is a most respectable woman. She made me
laugh heartily just as I finished this letter. She observed I was
uneasy, and asked me the cause. I told her my leg was very cold. She
immediately pulled off her flannel petticoat and wrapped my leg in it;
so much for French politeness. She has been showing me all her fine
clothes and dressing herself in the most ludicrous manner. Of course
I tell her she looks charming. I have now a dozen French books upon
my table, and the good lady is determined to learn me the language.
She has also got me a master, so I shall be a complete Frenchman in a
little time by force. My time, as you may suppose, with the exception
of ague by way of interlude, passes very comfortably. George, I can
assure you, is a desperate fellow amongst the French boys, but I do not
think he will see any more fighting. Soult's army is deserting in great
numbers. I am adjutant here for the present, merely for amusement,
as I have had the command of a company for nearly twelve months, and
lost nearly two-thirds of my company when I was wounded. However, M.
Français has been paid off all old scores lately. Joe is expected up
here. This is a very fine town, and contains everything to make a man
happy. I am delighted with it, and could spend my life here were there
not such people in the world as dear father and mother and sisters.
Peace must shortly bring us together, when I hope we shall all meet
without the loss of legs or arms. I am advising George to go home, but
he wishes to see more fighting. If George gets his company before an
old soldier like me, it will be strange. I wish he may, for he deserves
it. Tell Ann I was inquiring the price of veils, and find them too dear
as yet. We may go on to Paris, and then we will have an opportunity to
buy cheap. Let my mother know I have a snuff-box for her, which French
manners oblige me to keep filled, and I now and then take a pinch
myself, which never fails to remind me of my dear mother. George and I
mess together for the first time since we came to the Continent, and
live here like fighting-cocks. I wish it was possible for you to come
and spend a few days with us. You would not be a little surprised to
see how happy we live in an enemy's country, as they call it, but I
think them friends. The Dragoon is just going off, so excuse. My love
to you all. God bless and take you into His Holy Keeping.
M. Simmons,
Lieutenant, 34th Regiment.
_Journal—13th April-23rd July 1814_
[Sidenote: 1814 April 13th]
Moved in a coach to Pau. Got into a billet the next day. Went to the
Mayor and got a superb one upon M. Colombots. The kindness I received
from this gentleman and his charming lady will never be erased from my
mind. Passed my time pleasantly, visited the play, and attended their
balls. The ladies pretty and handsomely dressed.
[Sidenote: 1814 May 9th]
On the 9th of May, with much reluctance, took my departure from Pau.
Rode to Tarbes. My former landlady highly rejoiced to see me.
[Sidenote: 10th]
Halted.
Moved forward to Rabastens, being crowded.
[Sidenote: 11th]
Moved on to Contal. The roads covered with Spaniards returning from
prison.
[Sidenote: 12th]
Marched to Mirande.
[Sidenote: 13th]
To Auch, a very fine and large town. Halted at the inn and dined. Moved
forward in the evening to a country house near Aubliet; the countrymen
very civil.
[Sidenote: 14th]
Marched through Gimont to L'île en Jourdain. Tired of dining _à la mode
Français_, so bought a fine piece of veal on my way and had it roasted.
[Sidenote: 15th]
Marched to the famous city of Toulouse, and met my brother. The town
well built, the entrance by the west gate very pleasing. The bridge a
very fine one, composed of arches over the Garronne.
[Sidenote: 16th]
Visited the position and redoubts carried on Easter Sunday by the
English. I arrived at Toulouse and went to my brother's quarters, his
battalion (the 2nd Battalion 34th Regiment) being in the town. To my
agreeable surprise I found my brother, the Rifle Man, with him. We
talked over battles together, and in the evening we went to the play.
Some whim struck me, and I put on my brother's red jacket, and he took
mine. The Colonel said, "I think Simmons looks very dark in the face
to-night, much darker than I ever saw him before." The officer laughed
and told him I was the Rifle Man, which afforded them much amusement,
and made me acquainted with a person, who but for this freak I should
not have known.
[Sidenote: 19th]
Marched through Castelnau to Grizolles. Dined with Captain Eaton, 2nd
Battalion.
[Sidenote: 20th]
Joined my Battalion at Castel-sarrasin once again, and found the
officers living in the gayest manner possible. The people extremely
kind to us. On the 22nd passed the Garronne with a party of ladies and
gentlemen to dine and dance at Belpeart. Passed a pleasant afternoon,
the dinner _à la mode Français_. Plenty of eatables, but no knives or
salt.
[Sidenote: 26th]
On the 26th passed the ferry opposite Moissac and visited the town. The
French officers were jealous of the civility shown us by the people,
and requested we would not visit the town any more.
[Sidenote: 31st]
The order having arrived for the English army to leave the country, we
gave a ball and supper to the gentry, who were highly delighted with
our generosity.
[Sidenote: 1814 June 1st]
Marched from Castel-sarrasin, the people in tears at our departure, and
hundreds followed us a great distance; showed the greatest concern at
leaving us. Halted at Montech.
[Sidenote: 2nd]
Passed the Garronne by two boats at a ferry and billeted in the town of
Bourret.
[Sidenote: 3rd]
Halted. Visited Le Mas, situated on the left bank of the Garronne. The
country very well cultivated and abounding with everything.
[Sidenote: 4th]
Marched to Beaumont. The people at my house very kind. The good lady
very sad and in tears in consequence of a tremendous hailstorm having
materially injured her young crop of corn.
[Sidenote: 5th]
Marched to Tournecoupe. Yesterday left a fine turkey behind; a woeful
mistake.
[Sidenote: 6th]
Marched to Lectoure. Billeted upon an apothecary.
[Sidenote: 7th]
Marched to Condom. Very wet. The road extremely bad.
[Sidenote: 8th]
Halted.
[Sidenote: 9th]
Marched to Nérac.
People remarkably civil. A lady presented me with some good Bordeaux
wine.
[Sidenote: 10th]
Casteljaloux, an interesting place. The country covered with woods of
pines, and the soil sandy. It reminded me of some bivouac in Spain near
Madrid.
[Sidenote: 11th]
Bazas. The Portuguese in our Division formed into a Brigade. Colonel
Cerquiero commanded it. All the Portuguese boys and women, and Spanish
ones also, to leave us and to go home in charge of this Brigade,
in order to be able to draw rations on the road to their different
homes. These soldiers had been in the Light Division for several
years and were brave fellows. The Portuguese regiments, viz. 1st and
3rd Caçadores and 17th Portuguese regiment of the line, formed in
contiguous columns. The 52nd and 1st 95th were drawn up on each side of
the market-place and at 2 o'clock presented arms and gave three cheers
to the regiments as they filed through us, which mark of our attention
highly flattered the Portuguese.
[Sidenote: 14th]
Sailed down the Garronne from this place, the banks covered with
vineyards and highly cultivated villages; country houses innumerable.
Arrived at the celebrated mercantile city of Bordeaux about 9 o'clock
A.M. Found my brother, who happened to have got there before me. Dined
with him. Visited the theatre, and also the small one (Gaieté).
[Sidenote: 15th]
Marched at 4 A.M. Followed the regiment to the camp near Blanquefort,
about two leagues from Bordeaux. Joe went to see his brother.
[Sidenote: 17th]
Returned to the town.
[Sidenote: 19th]
Camp.
[Illustration: =SKETCH-MAP=
_ILLUSTRATING MOVEMENTS OF_
=LIGHT DIVISION=
_DURING THE CAMPAIGNS OF 1813-14._]
[Sidenote: 20th]
Dined with Clerk, 66th regiment, at a small venta. Lambrecht not there.
[Sidenote: 21st]
Dined with Terry, 74th, and some others. Drank to the memory of our
brave fellows who fell at Vitoria. The men very jovial in camp.
[Sidenote: 22nd]
Returned to Bordeaux.
[Sidenote: 23rd]
Got leave for England.
[Sidenote: 24th]
Took leave of my brothers and sailed with Captain Kelly, 60th, and
Lieutenant Dixon, from this place in a boat about 5 o'clock. Went on
shore at an _auberge_. Had a dinner. Dixon and an officer of the 32nd
fell out. Got into the boat at 10, rolled myself up in my blanket, and
did not wake until daylight, when the boatmen informed me I had arrived
at Pauillac. Everything very expensive. Got a billet upon M. Mathier at
Masset, two miles off. Bad people.
[Sidenote: 27th]
Got an order to embark, hired a boat, and sailed at 1 A.M. for Verdon
Roads. Captain Kelly's servant deserted and, by mistake, took away a
bag of provisions. The Garronne very wide and rough. Never so sick in
my life. Every wave ducked me and passed over us. Sailed among the
vessels, and found the ship had sailed the day before. Returned to
Pauillac. Went to my old billet. Not well received. Gave me a bed. Had
a good dinner and plenty of wine.
[Sidenote: 28th]
No ship for England. The boatman wanted 100 francs. I offered him 40.
He refused. Took him before the Mayor and an officer of Marine. Nothing
satisfactory. Damned him and left him.
[Sidenote: 30th]
The boatman took 40 francs. Major Lynche and Captain Dillon came into
our quarters. Dixon played the flute, danced, and astonished the
natives.
[Sidenote: 1814 July 1st]
Got an order to embark on board the transport B.M. A brig very much
crowded and a very small cabin (name _Louisa_).
[Sidenote: 2nd]
Went down the river. A signal made from a man-of-war to come near and
put our people on board. Found it was a mistake.
[Sidenote: 3rd]
Continued at anchor.
[Sidenote: 4th]
Our Commodore on the _Zephyr_ brig had the Blue Peter flying. Got under
weigh at 8 o'clock A.M. Passed the Cordouan Lighthouse, situated about
four miles from the shore. Captain Kelly, 60th; Lieutenant Dalton,
R.A.D., a curious fellow; Lieutenant Dixon, and myself formed a mess.
The wind now unfavourable daily.
[Sidenote: 10th]
Our fresh provisions out; the ship's beef not very good; but the
Captain did everything in his power to make us comfortable. Taken in
tow frequently by the _Zephyr_.
[Sidenote: 12th]
Becalmed when in tow. The _Zephyr_ could not clear us, and stove in the
quarter-gallery, giving the vessels a tremendous shock. Dalton, not
having much faith in the vessel being able to put up with such rough
usage, sprang out of bed and bellowed out, "Sinking, by G—!" He ran out
of the cabin. Kelly and Dixon also turned out. I also made the best
possible haste, being asleep, but started by the uproar on deck, where
every one expected we should be stove in. I believe, from the good
skill displayed in nautical affairs, the Captain cleared us. Dalton
uttered some heavy "damns" against the _Zephyr_ and took three or four
stiff glasses of grog.
[Sidenote: 14th]
Caught two sharks. The sailors persuaded me to try some. I was tempted,
having been so long feeding on salt food. The flesh very disagreeable.
In the evening caught some mackerel, which was a great luxury.
[Sidenote: 17th]
Entered the chops of the Channel. Soon had a view of the shores of
Albion; a sight very gratifying after the long absence.
[Sidenote: 22nd]
Disembarked on the 22nd of July at Portsmouth. My messmates dined with
me at an inn. Took the coach the same night for London.
[Sidenote: 23rd]
Arrived in town. Went to Old Slaughters Coffee House.
CAMPAIGN OF 1815
Napoleon, on his return from Elba in March 1815, finding that his
overtures to the European Powers were without avail, and not daring
to risk another defensive war, decided on assuming the offensive.
For many reasons, the allied armies in Belgium offered him the
most advantageous point to aim at, since, from their position
and propinquity, they menaced Paris; also the Belgian nation was
sympathetic to his cause, and if he could defeat the British and
Prussians and possess himself of the Rhine frontier, he would be on
the flank of the advancing hosts of Russia and Austria, and in the
most favourable position for making peace on advantageous terms.
Having concentrated over 92,000 infantry, 22,000 cavalry, and 350 guns
on the frontier, he suddenly broke in on 15th June, and the following
day defeated the Prussians at Ligny with his main body, whilst his
left wing, under Ney, fought an indecisive action with the British at
Quatre Bras. After despatching Grouchy to pursue the Prussians, he
turned with all his force on Wellington, who fell back to the position
of Waterloo.
Here, on 18th June, the decisive battle was fought, the British and
Hanoverians sustaining the repeated attacks of Napoleon throughout the
day. The arrival of the Prussians on the right flank of the French
during the afternoon greatly relieved the pressure on the British
position, and towards evening the French, having been repulsed in all
their attacks on Wellington, and being taken in flank by Blucher, were
completely defeated and driven off the field of battle.
The Allies marched on Paris, which they entered on 7th July.