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.

    122/192 (page 118)
    [1811] Our last accounts from England inform us that Parliament [Dec.] jg further postponed. The policy of the Regent therefore as far as regards the Peninsula remains yet to be discovered. It would seem almost impossible that the enormous expense attending this contest can be long supported; Money is already so scarce that the Army is only paid up to the 24th August, an arrear unprecedented in our Military History ; the supplies also in consequence are not so good as formerly ; a plenty might be obtained, but the People are tired of promissory payment, & conceal their Corn, etc, etc. nth. It is rumoured that the enemy purpose attempting to introduce another convoy about the 20th, in the event of which it is supposed we shall cross the Agueda at a Ford in our front (if the Rains do not set in very much) instead of going round by El Bodon. It is certain, notwithstanding Marmont’s boast of having thrown in supplies for a year, that they are by no means well off for Provisions ; it will however be impossible for them to relieve the place, unless they bring a Force superior to ours, w'hich at this Season of the year they cannot do without the utmost annoyance to themselves. The Affairs in the Peninsula fluctuate between hope & fear. The Enemy as a prelude to the conquest at Valencia, have taken the Fortress of Sagunto. They obtained it by Capitulation after five ineffectual attempts to take it by Storm. On the other hand, the Guerillas are daily increasing in numbers & boldness. A most brilliant affair was lately performed by the celebrated Partizan Mina ; with nine hundred men he attacked eleven hundred of the enemy of which number three only escaped who were not either killed or made Prisoners. A singular hoax was a few days since played off upon the good People of Lisbon. Advertisements were stuck up in all parts of the Town, stating that a British Officer had invented a pair of Cork Boots of a very singular construction, with which he purposed on such a day at twelve o’Clock to walk across the Tagus from Belem to the opposite side of the River