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.

    54/192 (page 50)
    [1810] The Marquis Romana passed thro’ here a few Days [JoLY] since on his return to Badajos. He had been to Head Quarters to have an interview with Lord Wellington. He speaks, I am told, with great confidence of the ultimate triumph of Spain over her oppressors. He is most devoted to his Country, and I really believe determined not to survive the extinction of her liberty. His appearance proves that a very great soul does sometimes inhabit a very mean body. 12th. The enemy entered Ciudad Rodrigo by Capitulation the Evening before last. Conjecture is afloat as to what will be their next movement. Some think they will push on for Almeida; others are of opinion they will direct their force against Badajos. A short time will determine. In a skirmish Yesterday Colonel Talbot of the 14th Dragoons was killed. He is much lamented. The Night before last a most horrid Murder was committed a short distance from this place. There is too much reason to suppose that the perpetrators were British. I was directed by the General Yesterday Morning to go down there, when the most dreadful Sight I ever witnessed presented itself. Three Bodies, viz., a Man, Woman, and their Daughter, a Child about eight years of Age, lay on the Floor, weltering in Blood; the former and the latter quite dead, and the Mother with little sign of Life. A Hatchet lay beside them with which the deed had evidently been completed. The Heads of the deceased were literally beat to a Jelly. The Woman still lives, and there are hopes of her recovery. She is at present incapable of making a deposition, but her return to reason is anxiously looked for, in the hope that it may lead to the discovery of the Murderers. The wretches were doubtless instigated to the Murder from the fear of discovery, as Lord Wellington invariably punishes Housebreaking with death,