The journal of an Army surgeon during the Peninsular War / [by Charles Boutflower].

  • Boutflower, Charles, 1782-1844.
Date:
[1912]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The journal of an Army surgeon during the Peninsular War / [by Charles Boutflower]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    102/192 (page 98)
    [1811] Day is now mentioned when the Breach may be expected to [June] complete. It is said that Fort St. Christoval will be taken to-night by Storm ; the possession of it will materially contri- bute to the success of the ulterior Operations ; the excessive heat of the weather and the entire want of Shelter must make the whole duty most painful to the besiegers. We hear nothing further of the Enemy ; but it cannot be doubted that Soult is making every exertion to raise a Force sufficient to compel us to abandon our intentions. loth. We yesterday received Orders to be in immediate readiness to march, which were repeated early this Morning with directions to have the Baggage Animals kept saddled ; eight hours have elapsed since this latter Order, & we hear no further on the subject. An attempt was made the other Night upon St. Christoval, which failed, as is said, from the Storming Party mistaking the proper place and the Ladders being too short by several feet; we lost fifty Men on the occasion. nth. lo a.m. We have this moment received orders to march and to reach Albouera this Evening. There is not a doubt that the enemy are in motion, and it seems probable there will be another sanguinary Contest on the same ground; much depends upon the issue. Another unsuccessful attempt was made upon St. Chris- toval the Night before last: we lost many Men ; it is said that the Siege was raised last night. 13th. We quitted Azenchal on the Afternoon of the nth, but did not march further than a League; we are encamped in an Olive Grove midway between Azenchal & Solano on the Road leading to .\lbouera. Every thing is again quiet in front, the movements of the Enemy the other day could have been nothing more than a reconnoissance, tho’ it is highly probable they will again advance. It seems certain that the Siege of Badajos has been converted into a Blockade: the