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.

    114/192 (page 110)
    [1811] opposed to them was not more than fifteen hundred of the [Sept ] former and about twelve thousand of the latter. In the course of the Day further reinforcements were observed to come to them, as also a large Force of Artillery of the largest calibre. They had now such an overwhelming superiority that Lord W. directed the whole Army to retreat that night in the direction of Sabugal. The next morning (27th) a considerable part of our Force was assembled near a Village called Aldea de Ponte in Portugal, & about three Leagues distant from Fuente Guinaldo; at ten o’Clock the enemy’s Cavalry began to appear, and in a very short time presented a most formid- able appearance supported by Infantry; at noon they drove in our out posts and advanced rapidly upon us; the business lasted about an hour, when they were completely repulsed. All remained quiet for some hours, & we were about to make ourselves comfortable for the Night, when just before dusk they renewed their attack, and were repulsed, as in the Day. Our loss amounted in both affairs to not more than sixty in killed & wounded besides several Officers.—At two o’Clock Yesterday Morning we again commenced our march and halted at a place called Soito at Daylight; a position was taken up on some heights above it, and we were in a moment- ary expectation of again seeing the Enemy. They have not however since appeared, and without knowing anything certain an idea is entertained that they have taken the direction of Almeida by way of proceeding to Celorico, where we have Stores, a General Hospital &c. This idea is strengthened by the Circumstance of the 5th Division having received orders this morning (29th) to make a forced March beyond Sabugal in the direction of Guarda. We occupy still the high ground above Soito, but are in momentary expectation of an Order to march. It is not probable that the Enemy can with any force penetrate far into Portugal, as the Country is so entirely destitute of every species of supply; for my own part I conceive the game in Spain as nearly up, & I doubt not that our future attention will be almost exclusively directed to this