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.

    64/192 (page 60)
    [1810] [Oct.] continued during the Afternoon, but nothing material occurred. On the morning of the 26th there was a thick Fog, which at length cleared up, and displayed to each other the Rival Armies drawn up on opposite Hills. A Valley between of considerable breadth separated them : their Numbers appeared most formidable, but the eagerness evinced by our Troops to receive their attack may have been equalled but can never have been surpassed. The Morning passed with only now and then a random Shot. They were evidently unprepared. In the afternoon the skirmishing between the Light Troops became brisk; it ceased at Dusk without much loss on either side. General Officers were observed busily reconnoitring our Position, and the expectation of an Attack the following Morning was universal.—Our ideas were well founded; at dawn of Day the Enemy made a most furious Assault upon our Right & Centre. All remained quiet on the left, in which was our Division. We were consequently Spectators, and a most gratifying view we had of the whole Affair. Lord W. had directed the Troops to suffer the Enemy to come within a short distance of the top of the Hill, when they were to give them a deliberate Volley and charge. This we distinctly observed. They were almost instantly thrown into the greatest confusion, and fled precipitately. This Action lasted but a short time, and skirmishing concluded the Day. It was a subject of universal regret that they did not make a general attack upon us. From the nature of our position, and the valour of our Troops, there is little doubt but their Army would have been nearly annihilated. Our loss this day was, including Portugueze, seven hundred in killed and wounded. That of the enemy, as we have since been able pretty correctly to ascertain, was six General Officers, a great number of other Officers, and four thousand Men. Gratifying as was the result of this Battle it was more particularly so from the great gallantry evinced by our Allies the Portugueze. It was true much had been expected from them