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.

    98/192 (page 94)
    [1811] the Army I never before entertained. I see however no [May] prospect of an early termination to the Campaign; on the contrary every thing seems to indicate that it will be a very protracted one. It is to be hoped we shall see but few more such Battles as that of the i6th, as they would in a very short time render the British Army a mere Name. 23d. We remainedin the wood during the2ist,& marched from it Yesterday Morning at daybreak in the direction of Almandralejo. We halted for the Night about two Leagues from that place, understanding that the enemy continued in the neighbourhood of Azenchal. The Army moved forward this Morning in that direction, with the intention of giving them a broad hint to take themselves off; on arriving near we found they had gone. The 2d Division was therefore directed to march to Almandralejo into Cantonments, & our Division [the 4th) is quartered in Azenchal. We have now the expect- ation of remaining some Days quiet, and indeed the Army stands much in need of it. This is a miserable place for the accommodation of so many. The French quitted it yesterday Morning, which furnishes the Inhabitants with an excellent excuse for denying the possession of any one Comfort, alleging that they took away every thing away with them. It is melancholy to observe the Apathy that prevails among the People in general; it appears to me that they think it a matter of little moment whether they surrender their independence or not. A letter from a Genl. Gazan to Soult has been intercepted in which he says that he has with him four thousand some hundred wounded in want of every species of Aid & Comfort; he mentions also having been obliged to leave three hundred in Almandralejo, which we have found to be the case. Their loss on the i6th was very great, it cannot be estimated at a less number than eight thousand. Lord Wellington has taken up his Head Quarters at Elvas and Badajos is again invested by a Division of Portugueze; there is no doubt that,