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.

    66/192 (page 62)
    [1810] [Oct.] Octr. gth. I resume my Journal of our proceedings.—On the 1st instant at Day Break our Cavalry and those of the Enemy were drawn up in a plain opposite each other about half a league on the other side of Coimbra. No general action ensued. The skirmishing however was very sharp, and several were killed and wounded on both Sides. At length our Cavalry retired through the Town, which was almost immediately occupied by the Enemy. At Noon we received a sudden Order to march two Leagues on the high road leading to Lisbon. The Enemy evinced every disposition to press our rear, and we expected to be engaged in the course of the Afternoon. To describe the confusion of this Day is utterly impossible. The Road was so thronged with Fugitives, that it was with the utmost difficulty we reached our destination before sunset. On passing through Condixe, a considerable Town, I observed Lord W. at a window evidently affected at the Scenes of distress which were passing. It had never been apprehended that the Enemy would advance so rapidly, and therefore a great proportion of the Inhabitants had not left their Houses. In one mixed scene of confusion and misery were seen the old, the lame, and the blind, all hastening away as fast as their infirmities would allow, and all alike insensible to the blessings of French Protection which so immediately they might have enjoyed. We passed the night in an Olive Grove near the Road Side, and could distinctly hear throughout the whole of it the noise occasioned by the Fugitives. A number of Stores and a large quantity of Ammunition was destroyed at Condixe from the impossibility of removing them. On the 2d we commenced our march before Day Break, and halted half a League on this side of Pombal amongst some Fir Trees. This day’s march was most fatiguing, the distance twenty-five Miles, and the Heat more oppressive than I ever recollect to have experienced. The Fugitives on the Road were in immense numbers, but from the great width of it they were enabled to get along without incommoding the Troops. Lord W. had his Head Quarters this Evening at Leyria.