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.

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    as could have been wished. The business was soon over with a loss to the Division of 5 Officers killed and wounded, and about two hundred men, of which one Officer and seventy [Men] belonged to my Regiment: the loss of the Enemy was estimated at upwards of six hundred Men. After this Affair the Enemy did not attempt to advance a step, but took up a position, while we did the same.—We remained in position on the 19th till the Evening, when the French were observed moving in force to their left, the British Army in consequence moved to their right, and head quarters were established for the night at Villase,—At dawn of day on the morning of the 20th the whole British Army was formed in order of Battle on an immense plain, which was as fair a Challenge to the Enemy as could possibly be given; they however declined it and continued to move to their left; we were again necessarily put in motion, and moved parallel with them. We halted about Noon near a Village, three Leagues from Salamanca, the Enemy being in position between us and the Tormes—At daylight this Morning, we marched in the direction of Salamanca, and are now bivouacked on the Tormes about a mile from that City. Genl. Picton with a column is on our old position, to prevent the Enemy getting possession of it; Genl. Clinton with the 6th Division is across the River, observing the Motions of a part of the French Army that went over yesterday Evening, and the remainder of our force are along the banks of the River, to be ready to cross it or move to the position, according as the motions of the Enemy shall render one or the other necessary—Thus without fighting a battle have they compelled us to retrograde all the way from the Douro to this place, and it is even now very doubtful whether we shall be able to maintain ourselves at Salamanca, as in the event of their continuing to move to their left, we must of necessity move parallel with them, and uncover it. I have not been into the Town, but I hear the utmost consternation prevails there at the idea of again having the French with them. Events may