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.

    176/192 (page 172)
    [1812] no small degree of consternation prevailing there, from the [Nov.] circumstance of the breach (which had been entirely repaired) having given way from the violence of the late rains. The people were however soon tranquilized on finding that the Enemy were ceasing to follow us ; in fact they were as completely exhausted as ourselves and in consequence incapable of further annoying us.—On the 20th the Rains again commenced with all their former violence ; the march of the Divn. was this Day a most painful one, four Leagues & a half through almost impassable Roads : we bivouacked on the very same ground that we were on on the loth [of] June last, when the Army was concentrating for the purpose of proceeding against Salamanca.—On the 21st we went into Cantonments, the Head Quarters of the Division being at Villa de Ciervo, the same place they were in on the 21st November last. These Cantonments however are considered merely temporary, it being understood that we shall proceed in a few days to occupy winter Cantonments in the direction of the Douro for the purpose of being nearer our supplies.— On reviewing the late retreat there is certainly cause of much mortification. After so splendid a campaign results more brilliant were doubtlessly expected ; at the same time it is but fair to take the whole campaign, and not look only to the last two months as is the case with many ; if the question is fairly put, what has Lord W. done this campaign ? the answer as fairly is ; he has secured the two keys of Portugal ; raised the siege of Cadiz, cleared the South of Spain ; destroyed the French Magazines at Madrid, and fed his army five months on those supplies which otherwise would have been possessed by the Enemy. In point of what is called military luck Lord W. has lately not had his usual good fortune ; had the rains when we were at Madrid set in two days earlier, the Enemy could not have crossed the Tagus, & thus the junction of their Armies would have been prevented ; again had they com- menced two days sooner than they did at Salamanca, they could not have passed the Tormes, and instead of having that