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.

    80/192 (page 76)
    [1811] [Ff.br.] [March] the French Army under Mortier on the other side has taken Olivenza, & besieged or rather invested Badajos. The Garrison made a Sortie a few days since, destroyed the Enemy’s works, & killed twelve hundred ; their own loss was severe. General Foix, returning from Paris to the Head Quarters of Massena a short time since, with an Escort of two thousand Infantry and a thousand Cavalry, had his Rear Guard attacked by a Colonel Miller with only Eighty of the Ordinanza with him. It is worthy of record, that with this small force he captured a great part of the Baggage and killed two hundred & seven Men, among whom was the Colonel of the 70th Regiment. Castanos is appointed to succeed the Marquis Romana. This appointment has given great satisfaction. March i. Since my last date we have papers to the and Ulto., at which time the Regency Bill had not passed both Houses. Reinforcements to a large amount are coming out, which will, it is generally supposed, render Lord W. sufficiently strong to enable him to commence offensive Operations with advantage. At all events it appears impossible that the Enemy can remain long in their present Position : there are the most unquestionable proofs of them at present undergoing the severest privations, and two French Officers who passed through this place Prisoners a few days since unequivocally stated that the French Army was too weak to hazard the attempt of forcing the Lines. Indeed they avowed their opinion that Portugal would not be conquered now or at any other time; and this idea they principally founded on the extraordinary devotion of the lower Orders to their Country, & consequent detestation of their Invaders. And indeed it is impossible not to admire this people. On the approach of the enemy they instantly pack up their little all, and abandon their Homes with a cheerfulness almost inconceivable.—In the different Towns and Villages where there are Military, subscriptions have been received by which means several thousand of them are daily provided with an excellent Dinner,