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.

    149/192 (page 145)
    Sir Thomas Graham has been compelled from ill health to quit the Army, and is gone home to the great regret of everybody: conjecture says that he will be succeeded by Sir Edw. Paget, a very deservedly popular Officer. The present second in command is Sir Stapleton Cotton, an officer who has some knowledge of Cavalry Movements, but who is entirely inexperienced in all the detail necessary to make a good Commander in Chief. It would indeed be dreadful, were anything now to happen to Lord W.; to say the least of it, the safety of the Army would be endangered. 16th. In consequence of the enemy making a movement to their right yesterday, & concentrating a large force opposite the Ford at Polios, where the 3d Division are stationed. Lord Wellington moved his troops to their left in order to be able to support that Division in case of their being attacked ; Head Quarters also were changed from Rueda to a place called Nava del Rey about two leagues further to the left. As it was not unlikely that the enemy would this morning attempt to force the Ford at Polios, we were under Arms an hour before Daylight to be in readiness. Everything however remained very quiet, & about seven we took up our ground on some heights, near to those we quitted last night, the Light Division occupying those we left. We have now been a fortnight in this neighbourhood, and we are still unable to form an idea when we shall be able to advance. The very strong position of the Enemy renders them secure from our Attack, and notwithstanding the arrival of their reinforce- ments they appear as unwilling to attack us. In the meantime a singular mode of warfare is carried on ; it is not uncommon to see five hundred of the Enemy, and as many of our men, bathing together in the Douro in the most perfect good humour possible, at the same time that the Cavalry of the two rival Armies come down on their respective sides of the River to water, it being perfectly understood that neither party shall ever approach the River armed. Any infringement of this agreement is noticed by firing on any armed Cavalry or Infantry of either side.