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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    [Oct.] between the Armies of Soult & Suchet was threatened. By the last Accts. Soult had arrived at Granada, on his way, it was supposed, to \ alencia. On the whole, everything goes on most prosperously, & it is not too much to expect that before Christmas there will not be a Frenchman on this side of the Ebro. The weather has lately been hot beyond all precedent, but, heavy rain having set in the last few days, the temperature has become much milder. 23d. We still remain at the Escorial; Head Quarters are at Burgos, & the Siege of the Castle at that place has commenced ; we do not know the amount of the Force the Enemy has left there; this place is wretchedly stupid, & we are entirely out of the way of all news. Genl. Hill is said to be at Talavera. 28th. It appears that on the 19th at Night a strong Outwork at Burgos was stormed ; our People were repulsed the first attack, but succeeded on the second; our loss was severe amounting to about four hundred & fifty killed & wounded; the Fort was garrisoned by five hundred of the Enemy, of which number only seventy remain who were not bayonetted. On the Evening of the 22d a second Outwork was stormed, but without success ; the loss was not very great; Majr. Laurie of the 79th was killed on the occasion. Genl. Hill’s Corps is at Toledo & Aranjuez. Octr. 6th. Another unsuccessful attack was made at Burgos on the Evening of the 29th, and, as is said, under circumstances not at all creditable to the assailants. After the very distinguished proofs of gallantry performed by the British Army in the Peninsula, it is painful to have to record these several failures, which only required the accustomed Spirit of a British Soldier to have ensured their success. I write this at Madrid, to which place I came on the 2d Inst. I had yesterday an opportunity of witnessing a Bull fight, a spectacle the most delightful there can be to the people