displayed no military talents, or, being far superior in numbers, they might have prevented any one from retreating.

Badajoz still continued the scene of warfare. On the 6th of February, the Portuguese cavalry having been unsupported in their passage of the Evora, were obliged to retire across the Evora, in which operation they sustained some loss. The whole of the cavalry and infantry were then drawn into the fort of Badajoz; and on the 7th, they made a sortie upon the enemy, in which they succeeded in obtaining possession of one of the enemy's batteries, but they were obliged to retire again, and, unfortunately, the guns in the battery were not spiked, or otherwise destroyed or injured. Their loss was about eighty-five offcers and 500 soldiers killed and wounded, including the Brigadier-general Don Carlos D'Espagne among the latter. The Spanish troops behaved remarkably well upon this occasion.

While the troops were in Badajoz, the French cavalry again crossed the Evora, and interrupted the communication between that place and Elvas, and Campo Major. They came out of Badajoz, however, on the morning of the 9th, and the French cavalry were obliged to retire across the Evora. The troops afterwards took up a position on the heights between the Caya, the Evora, and the Guadiana, by which they kept open the communication between Badajoz and the country on the right of the latter river.

The enemy continued the siege; and, on the night of the 11th, they attacked the redoubt of Pardalleirus, which they carried; but they had not, on the 13th, been able to establish themselves within the redoubt, on account of the fire from the body of the place. They constructed a work on the left bank of the Guadiana, below the place, to fire upon the bridge of communication with the right bank, but the fire of this work had but little effect. They made no progress in the operations of the siege; but their position on the right of the Guadiana gave them great advantages. On the 19th the French attacked General Mendizabel in the position which he had taken on the heights of St. Christoval, near Badajoz, and totally defeated him. The enemy had to cross the Guadiana and the Evora, but surprised the Spanish army in their camp, which was standing, and was taken, with baggage and artillery.

At length the Spanish corps (late Romana's) under the command of General Carrera, received an overthrow at Badajos. They were about 7,000 strong, and General Madden had a strong corps of Portuguese cavalry. The Spaniards had posted themselves on the north of the Guadiana, near fort Christoval, between the Abaraquena and the road to Campo Major. Soult was besieging Badajos on the south side: he threw a bridge over the Guadiana on the left of Ba

dajos, and having crossed the Abaraquena, BOOK IX. without opposition, destroyed the Spaniards in their camp. Carrera and Mendizabel escaped; CHAP. VII. General Vara, and another general, nephew to Godoy, were taken.

An importaut victory, however, was obtained soon after over the French by General Graham. In February the general fanded, with about 4,500 men, at Algesiras, and having marched for Tariffa, arrived there on the 26th.

The dispatch of General Graham to the Earl of Liverpool, relative to this glorious victory, is so clear and circumstantial as to preclude the necessity of any other account:

Isla de I zon, March 6, 1811. "My Lord,-Captain Hope, my first aid-decamp, will have the honor of delivering this dispatch, to inform your lordship of the glorious issue of an action fought yesterday by the division under my command, against the army commanded by Marshal Victor, composed of the two divisions Rufin and Laval.

"The circumstances were such as compelled me to attack this very superior force. In order as well to explain to your lordship the circumstances of peculiar disadvantage under which the action was begun, as to justify myself from the imputation of rashness in the attempt, I must state to your lordship, that the allied army, after a night-march of sixteen hours from the camp near Veger, arrived in the morning of the 5th on the low ridge of Barrosa, about four miles to the southward of the mouth of the Santi Petri river. This height extends inland about a mile and a half, continuing on the north the extensive heathy plain of Chiclana. A great pine-forest skirts the plain, and circles round the height at some distance, terminating down to Santi Petri; the intermediate space between the north side of the height and the forest being uneven and broken.

"A well-conducted and successful attack on the rear of the enemy's lines near Santi Petri, by the van-guard of the Spanish army, under Brigadier-general Ladrizabel, having opened the communication with the Isla de Leon, I received General la Pena's directions to move down from the position of Barrosa to that of the Torre de Bermesa, about half way to the Santi Petri river, in order to secure the communication across the river, over which a bridge had been lately established. This later position occupies a narrow woody ridge, the right on the sea-cliff, the left falling down to the Almanza creek, on the edge of the marsh. A hard sandy beach gives an easy communication between the western points of these two positions.

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My division being halted on the eastern slope of the Barrosa height, was marched about 12 o'clock through the wood towards the Ber

1811.

It

"As I considered that position as the key of that of Santi Petri, I immediately counter-marched, in order to support the troops left for its defence; and the alacrity with which this manoeuvre was executed served as a favorable omen. was however impossible, in such intricate and difficult ground, to preserve order in the columns, and there never was time to restore it entirely. "But before we could get ourselves quite disentangled from the wood, the troops on the Barrosa hill were seen returning from it, while the enemy's left wing was rapidly ascending. At the same time his right wing stood on the plain, on the edge of the wood, within cannon-shot. A retreat in the face of such an enemy, already within reach of the easy communication by the sea-beach, must have involved the whole allied army in all the danger of being attacked during the unavoidable confusion of the different corps arriving on the narrow ridge of Bermesa nearly at the same time.

Trusting to the known heroism of British troops, regardless of the numbers and position of their enemy, an immediate attack was determined on. Major Duncan soon opened a powerful battery of ten guns in the centre. Brigadier-general Dilkes, with the brigade of guards, Lieutenant-colonel Browne's (of the 28th) flank battalion, Lieutenant-colonel Norcott's two companies of the 2d rifle corps, and Major Acheson, with a part of the 67th foot, (separated from the regiment in the wood) formed on the right.

Colonel Wheatly's brigade, with three companies of the Coldstream Guards, under Lieutenant-colonel Jackson (separated likewise from his battalion in the wood), and Lieutenant-colonel Barnard's flank battalion, formed on the left.

"As soon as the infantry was thus hastily got together, the guns advanced to a more favorable position, and kept up a most destructive fire.

"The right wing proceeded to the attack of General Rufin's division on the hill, while Lieutenant-colonel Barnard's battalion and Lieutenantcolonel Bushe's detachment of the 20th Portu

guese, were warmly engaged with the enemy's

tirailleurs on our left.

“General Laval's division, notwithstanding the havoc made by Major Duncan's battery, continued to advance in very imposing masses, opening his fire of musketry, and was only checked by that of the left wing. The left wing now advanced, firing; a most determined charge, by the three companies of guards, and the 87th regiment, sup

"Meanwhile the right wing was not less successful: the enemy, confident of success, met General Dilkes on the ascent of the hill, and the contest was sanguinary, but the undaunted perseverance of the brigade of guards, of Lieutenant-colonel Browne's battalion, and of Lieutenant-colonel Norcott's and Major Acheson's detachment, overcame every obstacle, and General Rufin's di vision was driven from the heights in confusion, leaving two pieces of cannon.

"No expressions of mine could do justice to the conduct of the troops throughout. Nothing less than the almost unparalleled exertions of every officer, the invincible bravery of every soldier, and the most determined devotion of the honor of his majesty's arms in all, could have achieved this brilliant success, against such a formidable enemy, so posted.

"In less than an hour and a half from the commencement of the action, the enemy was in full retreat. The retiring divisions met, halted, and seemed inclined to form: a new and more advanced position of our artillery quickly dispersed them.

"The exhausted state of the troops made pursuit impossible. A position was taken on the eastern side of the hill; and we were strengthened on our right by the return of the two Spanish battalions that had been attached before to division, but which I had left on the hill, and which had been ordered to retire.

ny

"These battalions (Walloon guards and Ciu dad Real) made every effort to come back in time, when it was known that we were engaged.

"I understand, too, from General Whittingham, that with three squadrons of cavalry he kept in check a corps of infantry and cavalry that attempted to turn the Barrosa height by the sea. One squadron of the 2d bussars, king's german legion, under Captain Busche, and directed by Lieutenant-colonel Ponsonby, (both had been attached to the Spanish cavalry,) joined in time to make a brilliant and most successful charge against a squadron of French dragoons, which was entirely routed.

"An eagle, six pieces of cannon, the general of division Rufin, and the general of brigade, Rosseau, wounded and taken; the chief of the staff,

General Bellegrade, an aid-de-camp of Marshal Victor, and the colonel of the 8th regiment, with many other officers, killed, and several wounded and taken prisoners; the field covered with the dead bodies and arms of the enciny, attest that my confidence in this division was nobly repaid. "Where all have so distinguished themselves, it is scarcely possible to discriminate any as the most deserving of praise. Your lordship will, however, observe how gloriously the brigade of guards, under Brigadier-general_Dilkes, with the commanders of the battalions Lieutenant-colonel the Hon. C. Onslow, and Lieutenant-colonel Sebright wounded, as well as the three separated companies under Lieutenant-colonel Jackson, maintained the high character of his majesty's household troops. Lieutenant-colonel Browne, with his flank battalion, Lieutenant-colonel Norcott, and Major Acheson, deserve equal praise.

"And I must equally recommend to your lordship's notice Colonel Wheatly, with Colonel Belson, Lieutenant-colonel Prevost, and Major Gough, and the officers of the respective corps composing his brigade.

"The animated charges of the 87th regiment were most conspicuous; Lieutenant-colonel Barmard (twice wounded), and the officers of his flank battalion, executed the duty of skirmishing in advance with the enemy in a masterly manner, and were ably seconded by Lieutenant-colonel Busche, of the 20th Portuguese, who, (likewise twice wounded,) fell into the enemy's hands, but was afterwards rescued. The detachment of this Portuguese regiment behaved admirably throughout the whole affair.

"I owe too much to Major Duncan, and the officers and corps of the royal artillery, not to mention them in terms of the highest approbation; never was artillery better served.

"The assistance I received from the unwearied exertions of Lieutenant-colonel Macdonald, and the officers of the adjutant-general's department, of Lieutenant-colonel the Hon. C. Cathcart, and the officers of the quarter-master-general's department, of Captain Birch and Captain Nicholas, and the officers of the royal engineers, of Captain Hope, and the officers of my personal staff, (all animating by their example,) will ever be most gratefully remembered. Our loss has been severe as soon as it can be ascertained by the proper return, I shall have the honor of transmitting it; but much as it is to be lamented, I trust it will be considered as a necessary sacrifice, for the safety of the whole allied army.

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Having remained some hours on the Barrosa heights, without being able to procure any supplies for the exhausted troops, the commissariat males having been dispersed on the enemy's first attack of the hill, I left Major Ross, with

the detachment of the 3d battalion of the 95th, BOOK IX. and withdrew the rest of the division, which crossed the Santi Petri river early the next CHAP. VIL morning.

"I confidently trust that the bearer of this dispatch, Captain Hope, (to whom I refer your lordship for further details) will be promoted, on being permitted to lay the eagle at his majesty's feet.

"I have the honor to be, &c. "THOMAS GRAHAM, Lieutenant-general." "P. S. I beg leave to add, that two Spanish officers, Captains Miranda and Naughton, attached to my staff, behaved with the utmost intrepidity. T. G."

The merit of this victory will be best understood by recalling to mind the circumstances under which the battle was fought. La Pena had detached General Graham in advance from Veser to Bermesa. The British army had made this march, which is sixteen hours in length, during the night, and had taken no rest, till they had reached the heights of Barrosa, and even then only rested whilst they were posting the Spanish troops. After this short repose, about an hour, they again pushed on for Bermesa. The ground between Barrosa and Bermesa is a rough plain, succeeded by a wood. The English had passed over the plain and reached the wood, when notice was brought that the enemy was in motion towards the heights of Barrosa. General Graham instant orders for a counter-march, and to hasten towards the heights, which orders were immediately executed, It was soon, however, perceived, that the French, anticipating them, had already gained them, and that the Spaniards had retired.

gave

The force of the enemy which had thus seized the heights, and which were posted there to maintain them, amounted to not less than 3,500 men, under General Rufin. Another body of 4,000 was drawn up on the left of Rufin to oppose the approach of the English. The total, therefore, of the French force opposed to the English, and to the English alone, was about 7,500 men, being considerably more than double the force of General Graham. The French regiments, moreover, were the flower of the French service, and had received honorary distinctions from the French emperor in reward of their previous services and experienced gallantry. The description of the enemy, indeed, is as important a feature in the value and importance of this victory as even their superiority of number. It is a matter of no great difficulty for a disciplined force to carry a victory over new levies, but it requires a great portion of courage to oppose the united advantages of a superiority of number and of greater experience. The victory of General Graham, therefore, was com

1811.

Moira, but they were driven from that position with the loss of 6,000 prisoners: On the 21st they reached Galiza. The British head-quarters were at Pombeira on the 11th, and at Algazil on the 20th. The cavalry and light troops continued in sight of the French rear-guard, and the movement of the allied army along the skirts of the Estrella, which flank the positions in the valley of the Mondego, afforded new impediments to their retreat.

Marshal Soult moved in the middle of the month towards Seville, at the head of 4,000 infantry and 1,500 cavalry. No considerable force was left in the town of Badajoz, which had been captured by the enemy. The siege of Campo Major (which place the French had taken a few days before), continued during the 19th, 20th and 21st. A breach having been effected, the place capitulated on the morning of the 21st. The garrison, in number about 250, militia, remained prisoners of war. The French force before the place consisted of 4,000 infantry and 500 cavalry. About the beginning of April, the enemy occupied the Upper Coa, having his right at Rovina and guarding the fort of Rapoilla de Coa with a detachment at the bridge of Ferrerias, and his left at Sabugal, and the 8th corps was at Alfayates. The right of the British army was opposite Sabugal, and the left at the bridge of Ferrerias.

The militia under General Trant, and Colonel Wilson crossed the Coa below Almeida, in order to threaten the communication of that place with Ciudad Rodrigo and the enemy's army.

The river Coa is difficult of access throughout its course; and the position which the enemy had taken was very strong, and could be approached only by its left.

The troops were therefore put in motion on the morning of the 3d, to turn the enemy's left above Sabugal, and to force the passage of the bridge of that town; with the exception of the 6th division, which remained opposite the 6th corps, which was at Rovina; and one battalion of the 7th division, which observed the enemy's detachment at the bridge of Ferrerias.

The 2d corps were in a strong position, with their right upon a height immediately above the bridge and town of Sabugal, and their left extending along the road to Alfayates, to a height which commanded all the approaches to Sabugal from the fords of the Coa, above the town. The 2d corps communicated by Rindo with the 6th corps at Rovina.

It was intended to turn the left of this corps; and with this view the light division and the cavalry, under Major-general Sir W. Erskine and Major-general Siade, were to cross the Coa by two separate fords upon the right, the cavalry upon the right of the light division; the 3d divi

sion, under Major-general Picton, at a ford on BOOK IX. their left, about a mile above Sabugal; and the 5th division, under Major-general Dunlop, and CHAP. VIIL the artillery, at the bridge of Sabugal. 1811.

Colonel Beckwith's brigade of the light division were the first that crossed the Coa, with two squadrons of cavalry upon their right. Four companies of the 95th, and three companies of Colonel Elder's caçadores, drove in the enemy's piquets, and were supported by the 43d regiment. At this moment a rain-storm came on, which rendered it impossible to see any thing; and these troops having pushed on in pursuit of the enemy's picquets, came upon the left of the main body, which it had been intended they should turn.

The light troops were driven back upon the 43d regiment, and as soon as the atmosphere became clear, the enemy having perceived that the body which had advanced were not strong, attacked them in a solid column, supported by cavalry and artillery. These troops repulsed the attack, and advanced in pursuit upon the enemy's position, where they were attacked by a fresh column on their left, and were charged by the 1st hussars on their right. They retired and took post behind a wall, from which post they again repulsed the enemy; and advanced a second time in pursuit of them, and took from them a howitzer.They were, however, again attacked by a fresh column with cavalry, and retired again to their post, where they were joined by the other brigade of the light division, consisting of the two battalions of the 52d regiment and the 1st caçadores. These troops repulsed the enemy; and Colonel Beckwith's brigade and the 1st battalion of the 52d regiment again advanced upon them. They were attacked again by a fresh column, supported by cavalry, which charged their right, and they took post in an inclosure upon the top of the height, from whence they could protect the howitzer which the 43d had taken; and they drove back the enemy.

The enemy were making arrangements to attack them again in this post, and moved a column on their left, when the light infantry of Majorgeneral Picton's division, under Lieutenant-col. Williams, supported by the Hon. Major-general Colville's brigade, opened their fire upon them.

At the same moment the head of Major-gen. Dunlop's column crossed the bridge of the Coa, and ascended the heights on the right flank of the enemy; and the cavalry appeared on the high ground in the rear of the enemy's left, and the enemy retired across the bills towards Rendo, leaving the howitzer in the possession of those who had so gallantly gained and preserved it, and about 200 killed on the ground, and six officers, and 300 prisoners.

Although the operations of this day were, by unavoidable accidents, not performed in the