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.

    168/192 (page 164)
    [1813] 28th, The Enemy are in force at Aranjuez, but it is not [Oct.] known that they have as yet passed the Tagus, though the Fords are all practicable. A general Action is expected in a day or two, and nothing is heard of Lord W. The Spaniards in particular are in despair on the occasion, & augur nothing but defeat from his absence ; it is yet to be hoped he may arrive in time. The Enemy made a strong reconnoisance in front of Burgos, with fifteen Squadrons of Cavalry & about ten thousand Infantry ; Lord W. attacked them & immediately repulsed them with loss. Since that he has entirely raised the siege, & our army is said to be in position about two Leagues on this side of Burgos. [Nov.] Novr. I, The events of the last few days have been of the most painful nature, nor were they at all suspected by any one. On the 2gth rumours were afloat in the Morning, that the British Army was about to retreat for the purpose of concentrating with Lord W. Towards the Afternoon an unusual bustle was observed to prevail among the Civil Authorities & their Families, & Equipages were seen severally quitting the Town. On the morning of the 30th the removal of all the sick & wounded and the destruction of the Guns in the Retiro left no sort of doubt that we were going to abandon the Capital ; the Shops were nearly all shut, & the greatest agitation evidently prevailed.—I quitted Madrid myself in the Afternoon of the 30th, having previously taken leave of the Family I have before spoken of and for whom I must ever entertain the most grateful recollection. Their situation is peculiarly a painful one ; the state of health of the old general entirely precludes his being removed, & from the Family having been always suspected during the time the Enemy were in Madrid before, c& their having given constant proof during our stay of their attachment to the British, they will, I fear, have to undergo many hardships & indignities. The most profound grief pervaded them when I bade them