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.

    120/192 (page 116)
    [1811] very dashing might have been done. We were directed (as [Nov.] -were the whole Army) to return to our Cantonments, which we did this day. Circumstances have turned out much more favourably in the South under General Hill; we have not all the particulars, but it appears that ten days ago, Genl. H. surprized a Corps of the enemy under Genl. Girard, and besides killing a great many made a thousand Prisoners & took three pieces of Cannon. The Prince of D’Aremberg & Genl. Brunn were also taken as was Genl. Girard, but the latter got away afterwards. The Duke D’Aremberg, brother to the Prince, was among the killed. The brilliancy of this affair is consider- ably enhanced by its having been performed almost without bloodshed, our loss on the occasion being only thirty in killed & wounded. We may expect to hear of many more Prisoners being made, as, when the despatches came away, the Cavalry were in pursuit, & the Enemy’s force were in the utmost disorder & completely dispersed.—General Hill is a man so entirely beloved by every one, that the business having been atchieved by him has afforded the most general and lively satisfaction. On our way to and from El Bodon, we passed over the hill on which was placed the Portugueze Artillery on the 25th Sept. It was taken by the enemy and retaken by a most gallant and successful charge made by the 5th Regiment. The scene of action is marked by the unburied Bones of the unfortunate French, who on that day closed there their earthly career, victims of the Ambition of the wretch who is yet permitted by Heaven to live as a scourge to Europe. 15th. Since my last date no single circumstance whatever has occurred worth relating; at Head Quarters Chimnies are building in all the Houses, and everything appears to indicate a long period of inactivity. Lord W. has got out a pack of Fox Hounds from England, with which he