About this book
My library
Books on Google Play
:
Guarda its climate during winter: lofty situation: founded by
Sancho I. Opinions of Dumouricz and Lord Galway respecting the
defence of Portugal. Character of Loisson. Character of Loisson. Atrocities perpetrated
by the French at Alpedrinha. Anecdote of the Inquisition
LETTER XXXIII.
Almeida described. Change in the art of war.. Unpromising aspect
of affairs in Spain. The Spanish armies exist but in name. The
Juntas: their apathy: they delay the landing of Sir David Baird's
army at Corunna, under frivolous pretences. Brigadier-General
Anstruther. Ignorance of the inhabitants of Almeida of the state of
affairs in Spain
LETTER XXXIV.
195
200
Spanish frontier. Fort de la Conception. Coa River, the natural
boundary Riba de Coa annexed by King Dennis. Change of
aspect in the houses and peasants. Distant view of Cuidad Rodrigo :
bridge: square tower: battlements change of manners: superior
cleanliness: costume of the inhabitants. Tartan plaiding. But-
chers' shops. Spanish painters Spagnoletti, Murillio, and Velasquez 204
LETTER XXXV.
Arrival of the fiftieth regiment: Colonels Roche and Lopez.. State of
affairs in Spain. Defeat of Blake's army at Reynosa. Disappoint-
ment of the British. Indifference of the Spaniards
LETTER XXXVI.
Road from Cuidad Rodrigo to Salamanca. Lime-stone mountains.
Village of Espiritu Santo. St, Martin's del Rio. Robeda de Castro.
Village of Siette Carreros. A Leonese farmer's fire side. Spanish
hospitality
LETTER XXXVII.
Dismal state of things in Spain. Defeat of Cuesta at Burgos. French
cavalry enter Valladolid. Apprehensions for the safety of General
Hope's division. Apathy of the people of Salamanca. Defeat of
Castanos and Palafox at Tudela. Spaniards unprepared for a change
in their affairs. Count Florida Blanca. Don Thomas Morla.
cellent conduct of the British army
Ex-
209
214
- 218
Description of Salamanca: its magnificent bridge partly Roman:
grand appearance. The river Tormes. Pasturage of Valdios. Gua-
darrama mountains. Roman tower. A robber's skull. Cathedral.
Ci-devant college of the Jesuits. Plaza Mayor. Plaza de Verdura.
Spanish Xantippes. Pictures in the cathedral. Jealousy of the
clergy. Paintings by Bayeaux. Irish college. Cloister of the bare-
footed Carmelites. Nunnery of St. Ursula. The nun of Guarda - 224:
LETTER XXXIX.
Colonel Graham arrives from General Castanos's head-quarters: con-
firms the intelligence of the battle of Tudela. Probable progress of
Bonaparte. Army of reserve under St. Juan posted at Somosierra.
Panic and distrust evinced by the inhabitants of Madrid. Don
Thomas Morla endeavours to allay the ferment. Disagreeable situa-
tion of a British officer. Sobriety and good conduct of the garrison.
Pamphlet of Don Pedro Cevallos
LETTER XL.
Junction of Lieutenant-general Hope's division at Alva de Tormes.
Enemy attacks and carries the pass of Somosierra. Fate of Madrid
unknown. Sir John Moore abandons his design of retreating upon
Portugal. French mail intercepted: remarks on its contents. Spe-
culations respecting the siege of Madrid
LETTER XLI.
Colonel Graham returns from Talavera de la Reina. The surrender of
Madrid. The Duke of Castel Franco and M. de Morla suspected of
treachery. Lord Paget's brigade of cavalry arrives at Zamora. State
of public opinion at Salamanca
LETTER XLII.
Critical and embarrassing situation of Sir John Moore's army. Ami-
able private character of the Commander-in-chief. The Spanish
army. The Spanish nation
-
232
- 237
243
- 247
British army quits Salamanca. Calizal. Alaejos. A French foraging
party taken. Prisoners described. Sir John Moore proceeds to
Toro. French dispatches intercepted. Miserable style of living
in this part of Spain. Zamora. The banks of the Duero. Intelli-
gence from Madrid
Page
250
LETTER XLIV.
Zamora. Reflections suggested by its history. Ferdinand of Arragon.
The Inquisition. Castro Nuevo. Villalpando. Valderas. A fall of
snow. Mayorga. Sahagun. Lord Paget's action with a body of
French cavalry
LETTER XLV.
Speculations respecting the fate of Spain. French prisoners: their dress
and appearance. Superiority of the helmet over the fur cap. Their
national character contrasted with that of the Spaniards. General
orders issued to attack the enemy's position at Carrion. These are
suddenly revoked on the arrival of a messenger from the Marquis de
la Romana. Disappointment of the troops. The Duke of Dalmatia.
Conduct of the Juntas. The reasoning of a Benedictine monk
LETTER XLVI.
- 258
264
A Christmas evening at Valderas. Effects of a thaw on the road from
Mayorga. Cavalry of the Madrid army arrives near Villalpando.
Alarm of the Spaniards. French proclamation. Rapidity of French
movements. Probable effect of Sir John Moore's march to Sahagun 271
LETTER XLVII.
Lieutenant-Generals Hope and Fraser's divisions quit Valderas. Di-
lemma occasioned by the conduct of the Spanish waggoners. Alarm
caused by the approach of the French pickets. Misconduct of some
troops on Christmas evening. Valencia de Don Juan. Ford over
the river Ezla. Ruins of Don Juan's castle: murder perpetrated
there. Humanity of an English soldier. Villa Maniana. March
to Ponte del Orbigo. Army of Romana
- 275
LETTER XLVIII.
Ponte del Orbigo. Raseality of the Spanish peasantry. Astorga. Im- perial guards defeated near Benevente. General orders issued by
Sir John Moore. Mystery thrown over the proceedings of the army.
French system. Village of Manzanal. The Mauregatas: conjectural
origin. Contrast of barbarous and civilized life. Sierra de Fuen
Sevadon. Village of Sevadon. Molina Seca. Ponferrada. Valley
of El Bierzo. Reach Cubillos.
LETTER XLIX.
Cubillos described. Road to Cacabellos and Villa Franca del Bierzo.
Valcarsa river. Castle of the Marquis of Villa Franca. General Le
Febvre. Action near Benevente. Baggage taken near Valderas.
Destruction of ammunition. Celerity of the retreat. Surprize and
incredulity of the Spaniards
LETTER L.
Road from Villa Franca del Bierzo. Pass of Sta. Magdalena. Vil
lage of Herresias. Troops disgusted at the rapidity of the retreat,
but eager to engage the enemy. Mountain irrigation. Village of
Cebrero. Enter Gallicia. Fatal effects of fatigue. Village of Ho-
norias. Black hellebore. Nogalis. Bridge near Constantine.
Want of horse-shoes. Officers of the Imperial guards
LETTER LI.
An old licentiate at Lugo: his philippic against the English. Arrival
of Sir John Moore. Hussar shot at Villa Franca for marauding.
Lieut.-General Fraser's division recalled from Sobrado. Army takes
up a position in front of Lugo. Battle offered to Soult: he declines
it. British retire. Guitterez. Betanzos. Bravery and spirit dis-
played by the stragglers
LETTER LII.
Bridge of Burgo. Suburbs
Explosions of the powder
Army quits Betanzos. Bridge over the Rio Mandea destroyed. Feel-
ings excited by the view of the ocean.
of Corunna. Description of that port.
magazines. Zeal and friendship of the inhabitants of Corunna. Loss
of baggage and horses. State of public opinions
286
297
302
309
318
'LETTER LIII.
The battle at Corunna, as viewed from the outer harbour. Scene on
the morning of the 17th in the inner harbour. State of suspense.
Death of an old acquaintance. Sick officers
LETTER LIV.
An escape from the dangers of shipwreck. Action of the 16th. Further
particulars. Opinions of officers at Gosport on the celerity of the re-
treat. Utility to be derived from the free discussion of such ques-
tions. Lieutenant-General Hope's orders
LETTER LV.
Apology for the conduct of the soldiery towards the Spaniards. Hu-
manity of British soldiers exemplified at the battle of Vimiera. Bri-
tish and French armies contrasted. Imperial geographers. Ignorance
of minute geographical details often severely felt in conducting the
operations of armies. The force of opinion. Change necessary in
the army of Austria: and in the conduct of affairs in Spain
LETTER LVI.
Illness and death of Brigadier-General Anstruther. Sir John Moore:
his public life: interesting anecdote: elegant tribute paid to his
memory by the Duke of York
324
329
- 337
343