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.

    57/192 (page 53)
    [1810] [Adgost] Augst. 4th. The Enemy continue before Almeida, but, as all communication is cut off between that place and this, we are ignorant of the progress they make in the Siege. They pushed their Patrols last night within a league and a half of this Garrison. Lord Wellington is at Celerico, but the main body of the Army is considerably in the rear. It is now generally conceived that Lord W. will, if possible, bring the Enemy to action between Ponte de Murcella & Coimbra, and from the very great strength of the Position he augurs a complete triumph. 6th. This Morning pursuant to the sentence of a general Court Martial two soldiers of the 97th Regiment were shot in presence of the whole Garrison paraded for that purpose. The one was a German, the other an Irishman. They met their fate with remarkable firmness. A large party of Portugueze Peasantry yesterday attacked a French foraging Party, & succeeded in killing an officer and twenty-four men. They came in here this Morning, bringing with them the Horses & Arms of the Enemy. From the enormities committed by the French, it is not to be wondered at that the Portugueze pursue so sanguinary a mode of warfare; but, if persisted in, the war must inevitably become a war of extermination. 9th. The Enemy have not yet opened their Batteries on Almeida. It is difficult to account for this delay. The Deserters and Prisoners generally agree that they will not advance into this Country till the Conquest of that Fortress shall have been effected. In the meantime Lord W. is making every preparation to give them a warm reception. We amuse ourselves in this place chiefly at Cricket, and from the ground where we play can distinctly see the Fire from the Garrison of Almeida. From the Spirit with which the Officers in general enter into this game one would hardly suppose there was an Enemy within an hundred Leagues of us.