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.

    146/192 (page 142)
    [1812] [June] possession of the Town. The present period is certainly an eventful one; on the issue of the next few days in all prob- ability depends the question, whether Spain shall or shall not be free. 30th. The firing continued against the Fort all day of the 26th with considerable effect; in the evening red hot Shot were thrown which succeeded in setting Fire to the Convent which however was got under; at Night a storming party fell in, and were on the point of moving off, when they were countermanded. On the Morning of the 27th the Convent was again set on fire ; it burned with considerable violence and evidently could not be subdued ; the breach in the works was also considered practicable. Under these circumstances, Lord W. summoned the Enemy, who refused to surrender ; the storming party which was previously ready immediately advanced, when the Enemy held out a white Flag, & the several Forts were taken possession of without resistance ; the number of Prisoners made was between six & seven hundred. The Town was instantly in a tumult of joy, & were it not for the protection afforded by the British, the French would certainly have fallen Victims to the Ferocity of the Lower Orders of the Inhabitants. The 28th was completely a Gala Day, and the satisfaction of the People was in no small degree enhanced by the circumstance of the Enemy having gone off the preceding night. The Cathedral was magnificently decorated, & Te Deum performed at which Lord W. attended in state; at night the Town was illuminated. The Square in Salamanca is one of the handsomest in Europe, and the lights on this occasion being extremely numerous, rendered it uncommonly beautiful. Yesterday Morning the whole Army marched, and this day continued their route; we are at present six Leagues from Salamanca, but are altogether ignorant what is our destination. Valladolid is generally supposed to be the place we are going to, but it is not improbable the enemy will avail themselves of the extremely strong position of Toro, which may give us some