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.

    172/192 (page 168)
    [1812] [Nov.] 168 retire once more behind the Agueda; the mere possibility of such an event is mortifying in the extreme. 8th. Yesterday morning we marched to Alba de Tormes, and the whole day was occupied in passing over the Bridge the Sick, Baggage, Stores, &c. &c. Most fortunately the enemy did not press us or the consequences must have been either to abandon them, or otherwise, an Action to cover them. In the Evening the 2d Division crossed the River, & bivouacked on the opposite side; the Baggage continued to pass the whole Night & this Morning the 3d, 4th, & Light Divisions crossed, as also the Cavalry, the Enemy shewing no disposition to come after us. Genl. Hill had given directions that his Head Quarters should be this Evening at Calvaraia, a village midway between Alba & Salamanca, but about midday this arrangement was altered, & he determined on remaining here this Night; the 2d& Portugueze Divisions, with the Brigade of Cavalry that accompanied them from the Alemtejo, recrossed the river and are cantoned here. It is said the enemy are in Peharanda, but I know not whether they are there in force or not; strong picquets of Cavalry & Infantry are gone out on that Road. Hopes are revived in consequence of the 3d, 4th, & Light Divisions having marched to join Lord W. at Salamanca, that it is his intention to defend the City; a very short time must show what is his policy, as the weather has set in so very bad that it will be altogether impossible to keep the Field many days. nth. On the gth I quitted Alba, & repaired to Salamanca where I received orders to join the 4th Division as Staff Surgeon ; on that day nothing particular occurred. Yesterday Morning the Light Division marched into Salamanca, where they were cantoned with the yth. The ist, 5th, and Gth were in Position in front of the Town, on the same ground we occupied during the Siege of the Forts at that place; the 3d & 4th remained in bivouack midway between Alba & Salamanca near to Calvaraia de Amiba, and Genl. Hill at