HISTORY

OF THE

WAR IN THE PENINSULA

AND IN THE

SOUTH OF FRANCE,

FROM THE YEAR 1807 TO THE YEAR 1814.

BY

MAJOR-GENERAL SIR W. F. P. NAPIER, K.C.B.

SAVILL AND EDWARDS, PRINTERS, 4, CHANDOS STREET,

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

BOOK THE ELEVENTH.

--

CHAPTER V.

Slight operations in Gallicia, Castille, the Asturias, Estremadura, and

Andalusia-Reynier passes the Tagus-Hill makes a parallel move-

ment-Romana spreads his troops over Estremadura-Lord Welling-

ton assembles a reserve at Thomar-Critical situation of Silveira-

Captures a Swiss battalion at Puebla de Senabria-Romana's troops

defeated at Benvenida Lacy and captain Cockburn land troops at

Moguer but are forced to re-embark-Lord Wellington's plan-How

thwarted-Siege of Almeida-Allies advance to Frexadas--The maga-

zine of Almeida explodes-Treachery of Bareiros-Town surrenders-

The allies withdraw behind the Mondego-Fort of Albuquerque ruined

by an explosion-Reynier marches on Sabugal, but returns to Zarza

Mayor-Napoleon directs Massena to advance-Description of the

country-Erroneous notions of lord Wellington's views entertained by

both armies

CHAPTER VI.

p. 1

Third invasion of Portugal-Napoleon's prudence in military affairs

vindicated-Massena concentrates his corps-Occupies Guarda —

Passes the Mondego-Marches on Viseu-Lord Wellington falls back

-Secures Coimbra, passes to the right bank of the Mondego, and is

joined by the reserve from Thomar-General Hill anticipates his

orders, and by a forced march reaches the Alva-The allied army is

thus interposed between the French and Coimbra-Daring action of

colonel Trant-Contemporaneous events in Estremadura, and the Con-

dado de Niebla-Romana defeated-Gallantry of the Portuguese

cavalry under general Madden-Dangerous crisis of affairs-Violence

of the Souza faction-An indiscreet letter from an English officer

creates great confusion at Oporto-Lord Wellington rebukes the Por-

tuguese regency-He is forced to alter his plans, and resolves to offer

battle-Chooses the position of Busaco

CHAPTER VII.

13

General Pack destroys the bridges on the Criz and Dao-Remarkable
panic in the light division-The second and sixth corps arrive in front
of Busaco-Ney and Reynier desire to attack, but Massena delays—

The eighth corps and the cavalry arrive-Battle of Busaco-Massena

turns the right of the allies-Lord Wellington falls back, and orders

the northern militia to close on the French rear-Cavalry skirmish on

the Mondego-Coimbra evacuated, dreadful scene there-Disorders in

the army-Lord Wellington's firmness contrasted with Massena's

indolence Observations

CHAPTER VIII.

p. 22

Massena resumes his march-The militia close upon his rear-Cavalry

skirmish near Leiria-Allies retreat upon the lines-Colonel Trant

surprises Coimbra-The French army continues its march-Cavalry

skirmish at Rio Mayor-General Craufurd is surprised at Alemquer

and retreats by the wrong road-Dangerous results of this error-

Description of the lines of Torres Vedras-Massena arrives in front of

them--Romana reinforces lord Wellington with two Spanish divisions

-Remarkable works executed by the light division at Aruda-The

French skirmish at Sobral-General Harvey wounded-General St.

Croix killed-Massena takes a permanent position in front of the lines

-He is harassed on the rear and flanks by the British cavalry and

the Portuguese militia
36

CHAPTER IX.

State of Lisbon-Embargo on the vessels in the river-Factious conduct

of the patriarch-The desponding letters from the army-Base policy

of ministers-Alarm of lord Liverpool-Lord Wellington displays the

greatest firmness, vigour, and dignity of mind-He rebukes the Por-

tuguese regency, and exposes the duplicity and presumption of the

patriarch's faction-Violence of this faction-Curious revelation made

by baron Eben and the editor of the 'Braziliense'-Lord Wellesley

awes the court of Rio Janeiro-Strengthens the authority of lord Wel-

lington and Mr. Stuart-The French seize the islands in the river—

Foolish conduct of the governor of Setuval-General Fane sent to the

left bank of the Tagus-Lord Wellington's embarrassments become

more serious-The heights of Almada fortified-Violent altercation of

the regency upon this subject—The patriarch insults Mr. Stuart and

nearly ruins the common cause

CHAPTER X.

48

Massena's pertinacity-He collects boats on the Tagus, and establishes a
depôt at Santarem-Sends general Foy to Paris-Casts a bridge over
the Zezere-Abandons his position in front of the lines-Is followed
by lord Wellington--Exploit of serjeant Baxter-Massena assumes the
position of Santarem-Lord Wellington sends general Hill across the
Tagus-Prepares to attack the French-Abandons this design and
assumes a permanent position-Policy of the hostile generals exposed
---General Gardanne arrives at Cardigos with a convoy, but retreats
again-The French marauders spread to the Mondego-Lord Welling-
ton demands reinforcements-Beresford takes the command on the left
of the Tagus - Operations of the militia in Beira-General Drouet enters
Portugal with the ninth corps-Joins Massena at Espinal-Occupies

Leiria Claparede defeats Silveira and takes Lamego-Returns to the

Mondego Seizes Guarda and Covilhoa-Foy returns from France—

The duke of Abrantes wounded in a skirmish at Rio Mayor-- General

Pamplona organizes a secret communication with Lisbon-Observa-

tions.

· P. 58

BOOK THE TWELFTH.

CHAPTER I.

General sketch of the state of the war-Lord Wellington objects to

maritime operations-Expedition to Fuengirola --Minor operations in

Andalusia National Cortes assemble in the Isla de Leon-Its pro-

ceedings-New regency chosen-Factions described-Violence of all

parties-Unjust treatment of the colonies

CHAPTER II.

. 75

Soult assumes the direction of the blockade of Cadiz-His flotilla-

Enters the Troccadero canal-Villantroys, or cannon mortars, em-

ployed by the French-Inactivity of the Spaniards-Napoleon directs

Soult to aid Massena-Has some notion of evacuating Andalusia--

Soult's first expedition to Estremadura-Forces the bridge of Merida

-Besieges Olivenza-Ballesteros defeated at Castellejos-Flies into

Portugal-Romana's divisions march from Cartaxo to the succour of

Olivenza―That place surrenders-Romana dies-His character-Lord

Wellington's counsels neglected by the Spanish generals-First siege

of Badajos-Mendizabel arrives-Files the Spanish army into Badajos

-Makes a grand sally-Is driven back with loss-Pitches his camp

round San Christoval-Battle of the Gebora-Continuation of the

blockade of Cadiz-Expedition of the allies under general La Peña-

Battle of Barosa-Factions in Cadiz .
88

CHAPTER III.

Siege of Badajos continued - Imas surrenders - His cowardice and
treachery Albuquerque and Valencia d'Alcantara taken by the
French-Soult returns to Andalusia-Relative state of the armies at
Santarem-Retreat of the French-Massena's able movement-Skir-
mish at Pombal-Combat of Redinha-Massena halts at Condeixa
-Montbrun endeavours to seize Coimbra-Baffled by colonel Trant-

Condeixa burnt by the French--Combat of Casal Nova-General Cole

turns the French flank at Panella-Combat of Foz d'Aronce-Massena

retires behind the Alva.

108

"

CHAPTER IV.

Allies halt for provisions-State of the campaign-Passage of the Ceira
-Passage of the Alva-Massena retires to Celorico-Resolves to