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.

    62/192 (page 58)
    [1810] Indeed it is now confidently asserted that they cannot bring [Sept.] sixty thousand musquets into the Field, and, as they advance into the interior, their force will rapidly decrease from Sickness and other Casualties. On the contrary we are retreating upon reinforcements. Besides a considerable force landed a few days since in Lisbon, accounts have this day reached Head Quarters of the arrival of three thousand men in Mondego Bay, which from their proximity can immediately join the Army. Certain it is that we never anticipated with so much confidence as at present the entire defeat of the Enemy, should they dare to attack us. 22d. On the 20th at daylight we quitted San Miguel, and in the course of the forenoon crossed the Mondego at a Ford called Barca de Conselto. The crossing of the River excited a good deal of astonishment throughout the Army, as it was generally supposed that our Position would be immediately in the vicinity of Coimbra. Our halt that night was at Penna Cova, where we found very good accommo- dation, and from the circumstance of our advancing towards the Enemy the-Inhabitants were more civil than we had experienced from them while we were retrograding. Yester- day Morning we again commenced our route and marched several Leagues thro’ cross Roads, till we reached the high Road leading from Coimbra to Vizeu. We halted at a most . ’ miserable Village called Sula, where we could with difficulty procure covering even for the Officers, the Men being obliged to go into Huts. Here we still remain, and are likely to do so till the Enemy come on us, our positions being all round this Neighbourhood. Nothing in appearance can be stronger than the Country about here. The Roads are extremely narrow, passing through immense Chains of Mountains, which will entirely prevent the Cavalry of the Enemy from getting into Action. Our advanced Parties are continually skirmishing. The Portugueze under Brigr. Genl. Pack were yesterday engaged, and very much distinguished themselves.