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.

    63/192 (page 59)
    [Oct.] They took fifty Prisoners. The French as they advance use the Inhabitants most cruelly, from which we infer that they despair themselves of gaining the Country, or otherwise they would be more likely to conciliate. Lord Wellington’s Head Quarters are near this place, at a celebrated Convent called Busaco. It is the finest building of the kind in Portugal, and well known formerly as an Exile for Persons of Rank from the Court. Lord W. is constantly on Horseback recon- noitring, and if we may judge from his Countenance & Spirits he anticipates a complete triumph over the Enemy. This place is about four Leagues from Coimbra, and the Advanced Posts of the French are within two Leagues of us. 24th. We still remain at Sula, but are in -^c^st^t expectation of an order to change our ground a Irftle more to the left. There was smart skirmishing yest^^1!^y a few miles in our front. The firing was very lou^.^nd distinct. Last night the whole of the Cavalry retired to our rear. The Light Division continue in advance’. If hardly pressed they will fall back upon us, and the action is then likely to become general. All has been quiet hitherto this Day, and it is now past Noon. * -r October 7th. I take up my Narrative from the last Date, which has been a most eventful period, but,having lost my Memorandums, my sketch will, I fear, be very imperfect. On the 25th Ulto. the attack of the Enemy on our Light Troops was of that Nature, that the Comr. of the Forces, perceiving they meditated a general attack, directed them to retire, which they did in the most perfect order. In the meantime the whole Army took up its position on a ridge of Mountains a little way in the rear of the Villages they had occupied. This position may justly be considered one of the strongest in the World. The enemy advanced to the ground we had quitted. Hope brightened the countenance of Lord Wellington, as he observed their approach., Skirmishing