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.

    178/192 (page 174)
    [1812] [Nov.] [Dec.] next Year be in a state to commence another brilliant Campaign, & which in its consequences, will prove more fortunate than the one we have just concluded. The Enemy are not nearer to us than Salamanca, & it appears that Joseph, not willing to trust himself with the good people of Madrid, has for the present established his Court at Valladolid.—The weather has set in frosty, & promises to be fine for some time. Deer. 4th. On the Evening of the 26th our Route arrived, and on the morning of the 27th we commenced our march for our old Cantonment, San Joao de Pesqueira; our route lay as follows;— 27th. Junca. 28th. Azinhal. 2gth. Laminas. 30th. Sant’ Euphemia. Dec. I St. Manilva. 2nd. Sedevin. 3rd. San Joao de Pesqueira. Nothing could be more miserable than our accommodation during the whole march, and even here at Pesqueira we are anything but comfortable, tho’ only one Regiment is here with the Headquarters of the Divn. It is probable we shall remain at least a period of three Months, & under that presumption Chimnies are building in all the Houses, where it is possible to persuade the owners of them to add this species of Comfort, a case frequently of great difficulty. It is to be understood that the expence attending the building of a Fireplace is always paid by the Officer ; five times out of six the Chimnies are destroyed by the owners of the Houses immediately on our quitting them. 17th. This place affords no matter for a Journal; it has rained incessantly ever since we have been here nor is there any prospect of better weather. Lord W. is gone to Cadiz to consult with the Regency as is supposed in his Capacity of Generalissimo, the plan of the next Campaign, & enforce by his presence the adoption of such preparations as in the meantime may be requisite.