BATTLE of Fuentes de Honore - Contrast between the French and British soldiers when advancing to charge - Distressing march to Albuera - Pursuit of General Girard - Surprise and total rout of his army.
On the 30th of April, we set off for Fuentes de Honore, where we arrived, after a fatiguing march of three days; and formed line, about two miles in rear of the town, hungry and weary, having had no bread for the last two days.
On the 3d of May at day-break, all the cavalry, and sixteen light companies, occupied the town. We stood under arms until three o'clock, when a staff-officer rode up to our Colonel, and gave orders for our advance. Colonel Cadogan put himself at our head, saying "My lads, you have had no provision these two days; there is plenty in the hollow in front, let us down and divide it." We advanced as quick as we could run, and met the light companies retreating as fast as they could. We continued to advance, at double-quick time, our firelocks at the trail, our bonnets in our hands. They called to us, "Seventy-first, you will come back quicker than you advance." We soon came full in front of the enemy. The Colonel cried, "Here is food, my lads, cut away." Thrice we waved our bonnets, and thrice we cheered; brought our firelocks to the charge, and forced them back through the town.
How different the duty of the French officers from ours! They, stimulating the men by their example; the men vociferating, each chafing each until they appear in a fury, shouting, to the points of our bayonets. After the first huzza, the British officers, restraining their men, still as death - "Steady, lads, steady." is all you hear; and that in an under tone.
The French had lost a great number of men in the streets. We pursued them about a mile out of the town, trampling over the dead and wounded; but their cavalry bore down upon us, and forced us back into the town, where we kept our ground, in spite of their utmost efforts.
In this affair, my life was most wonderfully preserved. In forcing the French through the town, during our first advance, a bayonet went through between my side and clothes, to my knapsack, which stopped its progress. The Frenchnmanm to whom the bayonet belonged, fell, pierced by a musket-ball from my rear-rank man. Whilst freeing myself from the bayonet, a ball took off part of my right-shoulder wing, and killed my rear-rank man, who fell upon me. Narrow as this escape was, I felt no uneasiness, I was become so inured to danger and fatigue.
During this day, the loss of men was great. In our retreat back to the town, when we halted to check the enemy, who bore hard upon us, in their attempts to break our line, often was I obliged to stand with a foot upon each side of a wounded man, who rung my soul with prayers I could not answer, and pierced my heart with his cries to be lifted out of the way of the cavalry. While my heart bled for them, I have shaken them rudely off.
We kept up our fire, until long after dark. About one o'clock in the morning, we got four ounces of bread served out to each man, which, [sic] had been collected out of the haversacks of the Foot Guards. After the firing had ceased, we began to search through the town, and found plenty of flour, bacon, and sausages, on which we feasted heartily, and lay down on our blankets, wearied to death. My shoulder was as black as a coal, from the recoil of my musket; for this day I had fired 107 rounds of ball-cartridge. Sore as I was, I slept as sound as a top, till I was awakened by the loud call of the bugle, an hour before day.
Soon as it was light, the firing commenced, and was kept up until about ten o'clock, when Lieutenant Stewart, of our regiment, was sent with a flag of truce, for leave to carry off our wounded from the enemy's lines, which was granted; and at the same time, they carried off theirs from ours. As soon as the wounded were all got in, many of whom had lain bleeding all night - many both a day and a night - the French brought down a number of bands of music to a level piece of ground, about ninety or a hundred yards broad, that lay between us. They continued to play until sunset; whilst the men were dancing, and diverting themselves at football. We were busy cooking the remainder of our sausages, bacon, and flour.
After dark, a deserter from the French told us that there were five regiments of grenadiers picked out to storm the town. In the French army, the grenadiers are all in regiments by themselves. We lay down, fully accoutred, as usual, and slept in our blankets. An hour before day, we were ready to receive the enemy.
About half-past nine o'clock, a great gun from the French line, which was answered by one from ours, was the signal to engage. Down they came, shouting as usual. We kept them at bay, in spite of their cries and formidable looks. How different their appearance from ours! their hats set round with feathers, their beards long and black, gave them a fierce look. Their stature was superior to ours; most of us were young. We looked like boys' [sic] they like savages. But we had the true spirit in us. We foiled them, in every attempt to take the town, until about eleven o'clock, when we were overpowered, and forced through the streets, contesting every inch.
A French dragoon, who was dealing death around, forced his way up to near where I stood. Every moment I expected to be cut down. My piece was empty; there was not a moment to lose. I got a stab at him, beneath the ribs, upwards; he gave a back stroke, before he fell, and cut the stock of my musket in two; thus I stood unarmed. I soon got another, and fell to work again.
During the preceding night, we had been reinforced by the 79th regiment, Colonel Cameron commanding, who was killed about this time. Notwithstanding all our efforts, the enemy forced us out of the town, then halted, and formed close column betwixt us and it. While they stood thus, the havoc amongst them was dreadful. Gap after gap was made by our cannon, and as quickly filled up. Our loss was not so severe, as we stood in open files. While we stood thus, firing at each other as quick as we could, the 88th regiment advanced from the lines, charged the enemy, and forced them to give way. As we passed over the ground where they had stood, it lay two and three deep of dead and wounded. While we drove them before us through the town, in turn, they were reinforced, which only served to increase the slaughter. We forced them out, and kept possession all day.
After sunset, the enemy sent in a flag of truce, for leave to carry off their wounded and bury their dead; which was granted. About ten o'clock, we were relieved, and retired back to our lines. In these affairs we lost four officers, and two taken prisoners, besides 400 men killed and wounded. This statement, more than any words of mine, will give an idea of the action at Fuentes de Honore.
On my arrival in the lines, when unpacking my knapsack, I found a ball had pierced into the centre of it, and dimpled the back of my shoe-brush. We remained seven days in the lines, the French showing themselves three or four times a day. On the 7th they retired; and we went back to our old quarters in Alberguira.
While here, we received a draught of 200 men, and again set off. Our division consisted of the 24th, 42d, 50th, 71st, 79th, 92d, and one battalion of the King's German Legion. We were assembled after dark, and marched off, all that night, next day, and night following, when we arrived at a town, situated upon a hill, called Pennemacore. The heat was so great, we were unable to keep together. I do not believe that ten men of a company marched into the town together; they had lain down upon the road, or straggled behind, unable to climb the hill. Two men belonging to the Foot Guards and one of the 50th, fell down dead, from heat and thirst. Two or three times, my sight grew dim; my mouth was dry as dust; my lips one continued blister. I had water in my canteen, but it tasted bitter as soot, and it was so warm it made me sick. At this time, I first tried a thing which gave me a little relief: I put a small pebble into my mouth, and sucked it. This I always did afterwards, in similar situations, and found drought easier to be borne.
Early next morning, the 50th, 71st, and 92d, were marched on; and the remainder of the division returned to their old quarters a [sic] Alberguira. After a most distressing march of seven days, we arrived at Badajos, where we remained one night; then marched nine miles, to a town called Talavera Real, where we halted three days; then marched, at six o'clock in the evening, to the camp at Albuera, a few days after the battle, which had been the cause of our rapid movement. We remained in camp at Albuera a short time; then marched to Elvas, a strong town on the Portuguese frontier, opposite Badajos. We remained here four days; and then marched into camp, at Toro de Moro, where we remained for a considerable time.
Here I enjoyed the beauties of the country more than at any former period. Often when off duty, have I wandered into the woods to enjoy the cool refreshing shade of the cork-trees, and breathe the richly perfumed air, loaded with the fragrance of innumerable aromatic plants. One evening as I lay in the wood, thinking upon home, sweeter than all the surrounding sweets, almost overcome by my sensations, I heard, at a small distance, music. I listened some time ere I could be satisfied it was so. It ceased all at once; then began sweeter than before. I arose, and approached nearer, to avoid the noise of a small burn that ran rippling near where I had been reclining. I soon knew the air; I crept nearer, and could distinguish the words; I became rivetted to the spot: that moment compensated for all I had suffered in Spain. I felt that pleasure which softens the heart, and overflows at the eyes. The words that first struck my ear were,
"Why did I leave my Jeanie, my daddy's cot, an' a',
To wander from my country, sweet Caledonia."
- Soon as the voice ceased, I looked through the underwood, and saw four or five soldiers seated on the turf, who sung in their turn, Scotland's sweetest songs of remembrance. When they retired, I felt as if I was bereft of all enjoyment. I slowly retired to the camp, to reflect and spend a sleepless night. Every opportunity, I returned to the scene of my happiness; and had the pleasure, more than once to enjoy this company unseen.
While encamped here, we received a draft of 350 men from England. Shortly after, we marched to Burbo, to protect the siege of Badajos. We lay here till the 17th June, when Soult raised the siege, and we retired to Portalegre. We then were marched to Castello de Vido, another hill town, about two leagues from Portalegre.
On the 22d October, we received information that General Girard, with 4000 men, infantry and cavalry, was collecting contributions in Estremadura, and had cut off part of our baggage and supplies. We immediately set off from Portalegre, along with the brigade commanded by General Hill, and, after a most fatiguing march, the weather very bad, we arrived at Malpartida. The French were only ten miles distant. By a near cut, on the Merida road, through Alden del Cano, we got close up to them, on the 27th, at Alcuesca, and were drawn up in columns, with great guns ready to receive them. They had heard nothing of our approach. We went into the town. It was now nigh ten o'clock; the enemy were in Arroyo del Molino, only three miles distant. We got half a pound of rice served out to each man, to be cooked immediately. Hunger made little cooking necessary. The officers had orders to keep their men silent. We were placed in the houses; but our wet and heavy accoutrements were on no account to be taken off. At twelve o'clock, we received our allowance of rum; and, shortly after, the sergeants tapped at the doors, calling not above their breath. We turned out, and, at slow time, continued our march.
The whole night was one continued pour of rain. Weary, and wet to the skin, we trudged on, without exchanging a word; nothing breaking the silence of the night, save the howling of the wolves. The tread of the men was drowned by the pattering of the rain. When day at length broke, we were close upon the town. The French posts had been withdrawn into it, but the embers still glowed in their fires. During the whole march, the 7lst had been with the cavalry and horse-artillery, as an advanced guard.
General Hill rode up to our Colonel, and ordered him to make us clean out our pans (as the rain had wet all the priming), form square, and retire a short distance, lest the French cavalry had seen us, and should make an attack: however, the drift was so thick, they could not; it blew right in their faces, when they looked our way. The Colonel told us off in three divisions, and gave us orders to charge up three separate streets of the town, and force our way, without halting, to the other side. We shouldered our arms. The General, taking off his hat, said, "God be with you - quick march." On reaching the gates, we gave three cheers, and in we went; the inhabitants calling, "Live the English!" our piper playing "Hey Johnny Cope;" the French swearing, fighting in confusion, running here and there, some in their shirts, some half accoutred. The streets were crowded with baggage and men ready to march, all now in one heap of confusion. On we drove: our orders were to take no prisoners, and neither to turn to the right nor left, until we reached the other side of the town.
As we advanced, I saw the French general come out of a house, frantic with rage. Never will I forget the grotesque figure he made, as he threw his cocked hat upon the ground, and stamped upon it, gnashing his teeth. When I got the first glance of him, he had many medals on his breast. In a minute, his coat was as bare as a private's.
We formed, under cover of some old walls. A brigade of French stood in view. We got orders to fire: not ten pieces in a company went off, the powder was again so wet with the rain. A brigade of Portuguese artillery came up. We gave the enemy another volley, leaped the wall, formed column, and drove them over the hill; down which they threw all their baggage, before they surrendered. In this affair, we took about 3000 prisoners, 1600 horse, and 6 pieces of artillery, with a great quantity of baggage, &c.
We were again marched back to Portalegre, where the horses were sold and divided amongst the men, according to their rank. I got 2s. 6d. for my share; but I had provided myself a good assortment of necessaries out of the French stores at Molino.
We remained at Portalegre, until the campaign began, in the month of January 1812. We were in advance, covering the operations against Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos. We had a most fatiguing spring, marching and counter-marching between Merida and Almandralajo. We were first marched to Merida, but Dombrosky fled with the utmost precipitation. We then marched against Drouet, who was at Almandralajo; but he, likewise, set off for Zafra, leaving his stores and ammunition, to us a welcome gift. The weather was so wet, the very shoes were soaked off our feet; and many were the contrivances we fell upon to keep them on.
Almandralajo is a low swampy place; the worst town I ever was in, in Spain: our men called it Almandralajo Craco, (cursed). Seldom a day passed but we had a skirmish with the enemy at Merida, or Almandralajo.
In the month of March, we got the route for Albuera, where we formed our lines, and were working at the batteries day and night. An alarm was given three different times, and we were marched on to the position; but nothing occurred, and we fell back.
When I first came upon the spot where the battle of Albuera had been fought, I felt very sad; the whole ground was still covered with the wrecks of an army, bonnets, cartridge-boxes, pieces of belts, old clothes, and shoes: the ground in numerous ridges, under which lay many a heap of mouldering bones. It was a melancholy sight; it made us all very dull for a short time.
The whole army receiving orders to advance, we moved in solid columns, cavalry on right and left. The enemy fell back as we advanced. Our brigade was marched up a hill, where we had a beautiful view of the armies, threatening each other, like two thunder clouds charged with death. Shortly after we were marched into the valley; the enemy fired two or three round shot at us, which did no harm. We were encamped, till next day at noon: when we set off, pursuing them for two days, and were then marched back to Almandralajo Craco, where we lay till the beginning of April.
Next we advanced to cover the operations against Badajos, which surrendered on the 6th, the day of our arrival. Next morning the band played The Downfal [sic] of Paris. We remained until May, when we were marched to Almarez, where the French had two forts which intercepted our supplies, as they commanded the bridge over the Tagus.
Return to Background
Return to Contents
Back to Previous Section
Forward to Next Section
Return to Etexts
Return to Main Page
Content Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002 Susan H Law and her licensors. All rights reserved.
Last update 10/8/02