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.

    136/192 (page 132)
    [1812] [Apr,] the loss of seven or eight hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners; our loss is not yet stated, but it is said to be comparatively very trifling. 18th. We remained the i6th at Castel de Vida, & yesterday marched to a most miserable Village called Povoa das Meadas, where we still are. Tomorrow we cross the Tagus at Villa Velha, and proceed to Sarnadas, a wretched place about two Leagues on this side of Castel Branco. Head Quarters reached the latter place yesterday. We are entirely ignorant as to what is going on Northward, but from the slowing of our Movement it would not appear that Lord W. is under much apprehension respecting Almeida or Ciudad Rodrigo. 2ist, We quitted Povoa on the 19th, & crossing the Tagus halted at Villa Velha. Yesterday we reached Castel Branco, and this day marched to Escalhas de Cima. It is understood that Marmont has about twenty five thousand Infantry, & two thousand Cavalry, a force altogether in- adequate to make a stand against the number Lord W. can bring against him ; Ciudad Rodrigo & Almeida are still in a state of Blockade, but the Governor of the former is said to have written to Lord W. stating his ability to hold out till the Ist of the month; it is supposed that as soon as a sufficient Convoy of Stores & Provisions shall be thrown into the place, we shall again go Southward. The Enemy in their late incursion to this part of the country found the same determined hostility that they before experienced; not an individual remained in their Houses; everything that could possibly be serviceable to the French, that they could not carry away, they destroyed. Surely such a People never can be subdued; such unexampled patriotism must present a barrier more insurmountable than a wall of Adamant, to the iniquitous designs of their unprincipled Invaders.