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.

    144/192 (page 140)
    [1812] move forward his Army with safety, preparations were [JDNE] immediately made for commencing the Siege of it. Ground was broke that Night as near as possible ; on the 19th our Batteries opened, but from a scarcity of Ammunition no great impression was made on the Works ; the Fire from the enemy was excessively galling and our loss considerable, particularly in Artillery. On the morning of the 20th we received a sudden Order to cross the River & advance, the Enemy having appeared in force about three Leagues distant. Lord W. took up an extremely advantageous position within a League of the Town, & in the Afternoon the two Armies were in sight of each other; some skirmishing took place. A portion of the 6th Division remained in the Town, but the Siege was for a time converted into a Blockade. On the 21st there was a general expectation that we should be attacked, but the day passed with a little skirmishing only; in the Afternoon the Enemy were observed to receive considerable reinforcements. On the 22d at Day Break they were found to have possession of a Hill which threatened our right; they were in consequence attacked and driven from it by the 7th Division, with the loss of about 70 Men on our side : Marshal Marmont was observed extremely busy the whole day in reconnoitring. At Daylight on the 23d they were not to be seen, and it appeared they went off about ii o’Clock the preceding Night. They did not retrograde much, but brought up on some Hills about a League distant. The remainder of the 6th Division were again ordered into town, and in the Afternoon our Batteries recommenced firing. In the Evening the Enemy were observed crossing Troops over the River ; in consequence of which Genl. Graham crossed likewise. At night the Enemy’s works in Town were twice attempted to be stormed, but both attacks failed, as is said thro’ the short- ness of the ladders; on this occasion Genl. Bowes was killed, and our total loss was several Officers, and about 130 men. On the 24th the whole Army moved to its right, the Enemy having made a parallel movement to their left: they had