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.

    116/192 (page 112)
    [1811] [Oct.] commenced our march on the Morning of the 28th from above Aldea de Ponte, expecting that the Enemy would follow us to the Position near Soito, where Lord W. was determined to give them Battle, & under circumstances that promised the most happy issue, they had themselves gone off two hours before quite satisfied with the reception they had met with in their two attacks on the preceding day ; they returned thro’ Fuente Guinaldo with Colours flying, Bands playing etc. etc. assuring the Inhabitants that they had near annihilated the British Army. It is pleasing to observe the decided antipathy to French dominion that still pervades the Breasts of the Portugueze. When we commenced our retreat the other Evening, & the poor People were of course ignorant how far we might go, they one and all packed up what little they had, & with the utmost cheerfulness set off as last year for the Mountains. Whilst this Spirit continues amongst them, it is impossible they can be subdued. 5th. The 4th Division is cantoned in Villages extending from Villa Formosa to Nava d’Aver, at which latter place we are quartered ; Almeida & Fuente d’Onore likewise are a part of the Cantonments of our Division ; Genl. Crawford with the Light Division occupies diflferent villages on our right; the Head Quarters of the Army are at Frenada, about a League in our rear. There is no doubt that the French have all left this Neighbourhood, but it is not • yet satisfactorily ascertained, whether the whole body has retired from Sala- manca, or whether a large portion of them have taken the route towards Gallicia for the purpose of destroying the Spanish Army at present organising there. The 97th Regiment, being almost entirely wasted by the casualties of war, marched thro’ this place yesterday on their way to Lisbon to embark for England. It is impossible to conceive a more happy set of Fellows than they appeared ; as they marched by, they excited certain emotions in my Mind,