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.

    174/192 (page 170)
    lyo [1812] up before daylight a position on some heights above that Town [Nov.] cover the retreat of Genl. Howard s Brigade from it, this done the army retired near a League & took up its position. The Troops in position on this side of the River consisted of the Light 2d, 3d, & 4th Divisions. The intentions of the Enemy very soon manifested themselves; they moved with rapidity to their left; some skirmishing took place, but before the Evening our right flank was completely turned. Immediately after dusk, the Army was again in motion, we retrograded another League, and a position was taken up upon the Arapiles, the same heights where the battle of the 22d July was fought j Lord W. had this time the advantage of being able to take possession of both Hills, our left, which was formed by the 4th Division, rested on the village of Calvaraia di Amiba. All this day the enemy continued to move across the river immense Columns of Infantry. On the 15th it was very soon evident that the Enemy declined attacking us in position ; he pursued the same system as the preceding day, and moved to his left. Lord W. was therefore compelled to withdraw the several Divisions from the other side of the Water, & abandon Salamanca to its fate. To prevent the enemy getting possession of the high road leading to Ciudad Rodrigo, the position of the Arapiles was also abandoned, and the whole Army moved upon that Road. About noon it commenced raining in torrents, which did not cease during the whole Afternoon & Evening; the Army bivouacked about two Leagues from Salamanca on the Ciudad Rodrigo Road.—The Morning of the i6th was equally wet, but it cleared in the course of the day ; the Army marched in two Columns ; we were in the left Column, & had the Rear Guard, we marched three leagues, & halted in a wood near the Village of Martilla. We were not annoyed by the Enemy during our march, but we had scarcely been an hour upon our ground when they shewed themselves upon some heights, & also in a place about a Mile in our front ; the 2d Divn. on our right skirmished with them ; fortunately they had not any Artillery up, & we therefore passed the Evening quietly.