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.

    78/192 (page 74)
    [1811] expect operations would speedily commence, as Sir S. Cotton [Jan.] and other General Officers are proceeding to England. 20th. We were last night awoke at midnight with an Order to pack the baggage, and be in readiness to march at a Moment’s Notice. At nine o’Clock this morning, however, intelligence arrived from Head Quarters that this precaution was no longer necessary. It seems the Enemy entered Rio Mayor yesterday evening in force, & it was deemed likely that they were about to advance to their old ground. They moved back again however towards Leyria in the course of the Night, and in consequence the bustle amongst us subsided. 25th. The utmost tranquillity again prevails; the gth Corps has joined Massena, but it is probable that his whole force is not at present more than it was when he first entered Portugal. The Marquis Romana died the day before yesterday at Head Quarters ; his death adds another to the many instances of the awful uncertainty of Human Life. On the 23rd Inst, his Baggage passed thro’ this place, and he was to have followed it as yesterday ; it being his intention to have proceeded to the Alemtejo with his Army to increase the Allied force in that Quarter, under the apprehension that Mortier with the 5th Corps was about to invade that Province. A few hours after his Baggage had set out he was seized with spasms in his stomach & almost immediately expired. His zeal in the cause was unquestionable, but his Talents were considered below par. [Febr.] February i. This Morning one of the Brunswick Corps was shot here for attempting to desert to the Enemy. So many of these men have lately been guilty of the same Crime, that Lord W. found it necessary to remove them from the position they occupied in front. They are now quartered in this place. Their defection will furnish matter of great triumph to the malicious Soul of Cobbett,