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.

    118/192 (page 114)
    [1811] has expressed his sense of it in terms of approbation quite [Oct.] unusual to him. He was himself in the whole of it, and had thus an opportunity of observing the gallantry he so much admired. It is nothing less than miraculous how he escapes on these occasions, as he constantly exposes himself in the most unguarded manner; his Staff both on that day & the 27th were in utmost alarm for his safety. The Regiments who distinguished themselves on the 25th were the ist German Hussars & nth Dragoons, and the 2nd Battn. 5th & 77th Regiments, and 21st Regt. of Portugueze Infantry. 13th. The Enemy are in considerable force at Placentia, and it is conjectured that they will unite with the Army of the South, and endeavour to make an irruption into the Alemtejo. Should this be the case, we shall of course be compelled to retrace the steps we so lately trod, and make the best of our way to that part of the Country. The weather is at present fine, but, as the wet season may be almost immediately expected, we anticipate a march of such magnitude with no very agreeable feelings. Lord W.’s dispatch to the Regency states that the Force we should have had opposed to us at Guinaldo, had we waited their attack, was not less than Sixty thousand, among which were six thousand Cavalry & twenty two Battalions of the Imperial Guards ; their Artillery amounted to one hundred and twenty five pieces. When reflecting on the small force we had to oppose to this terrific one, it is impossible to con- template without horror the consequences that might have resulted, had we awaited the result of so unequal a conflict. 17th. Our Division yesterday changed its cantonments ; we now occupy a line extending from Espeja on the right to Barba del Puerco on the left ; the 40th are quartered in Gallegos, distant only eight Miles from Ciudad Rodrigo. The Enemy’s Garrison there consists of a few Cavalry, and about two thousand five hundred Infantry ; we are not there- fore very apprehensive of a visit from them ; such a proceeding