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.

    92/192 (page 88)
    [1811] side of the water, intending to follow the Brigade to Elvas the [April] following day. This plan was frustrated by the Bridge being carried away, the heavy Rains we have lately had having swollen the River to an unusual height. We know not what was the intention of our going towards Elvas, & we are equally ignorant what we are now going to do. Yesterday Afternoon we were directed to march to Olivenza, and this morning we proceeded from that place to Valverde, where we remain this Night, and go on to-morrow to Talavera Real, & from thence it is supposed to Merida, where we shall again meet our Brigade ; in the mean time we are attached to the Light Brigade under Genl. Alten. The weather has been for some time & still is very unfavourable for carrying on the Siege; it is to be hoped on the settling of the fine weather everything will be ready for conducting it vigorously. 27th. We reached Talavera yesterday Afternoon after a fatiguing March of five Leagues through a most barren Country. We have as yet no orders to proceed further. This place is called Talavera la Real to distinguish it from Talavera de la Reyna where Lord Wellington gained his celebrated Victory.—It would appear as if the principal seat of warfare will be in the North, Lord W. having left us again to join the Army there. [May] May 2d. On the 28th Ulto. we quitted Talavera, and proceeded to a village called Lobon, two Leagues further on the Merida road; we halted there till yesterday morning, when we reached Merida, where we crossed the Guadiana, and to-day came to a small Town called La Puebla immediately opposite to Lobon. The two other Regiments of the Brigade are quartered in Montejo about half a Mile from hence. We expect to remain here till the commencement of the siege; the accommodation is better than we have for a long time experienced. Merida is a town of very great antiquity ; the scientific Antiquarian will find in it ample scope for his research;