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.

    170/192 (page 166)
    [1812] Bridge defended by our People, and tho’ they attacked it in [Nov], very superior numbers they were driven back with loss, not- withstanding it is said their Officers made most extraordinary exertions to animate their men—In the North there was a sharp affair in which we sustained a severe loss it is said in Cavalry, particularly the i6th Dragoons ; the enemy’s Cavalry came on in a manner perfectly wild, & from their numbers drove our People before them ; they were at length however checked by the German Light Infantry. It is impossible to calculate the consequences of our being compelled to quit the Capital, but it is not unlikely that it will have so great an effect on the minds of the People as to excite a despondency fatal to the liberties of the Country. It is certain that they have not availed themselves as they should have done of the much that has been done, & it may I think be fairly questioned whether in that time, with two thirds of their country unoccupied by the French, they have added ten thousand Men to their Army. 3d. I moved yesterday morning with the Head Quarters of Sir R. Hill from the Escorial; we crossed the Guadarrama & halted at the village of Espinar. This morning we marched five Leagues, and are now at a place called Lavajos. Lord Wellington is at Rueda, & the probability that we could not effect a junction with him without an action is now at end ; our Force may now be said to have joined him, at least to- morrow such will be the case.—The enemy did not arrive at Madrid till the night before last ; they approached it very cautiously with a small party of Dragoons, &, having ascer- tained that we had entirely left it, they demanded the Keys, & having ordered forty thousand Rations for three days they quitted it, & proceeded to Valdemoro, where they were in force. It is not known whether they have since returned to it, but there is a very general idea that they do not mean to occupy it, but that the present movements of Soult indicate an intention of proceeding down the Valley of the Tagus, &