MARCH to Almarez - Storming of Fort Almarez - Retreat from Burgos - Skirmishes, &c. at Alba Tormes - ludicrous incident there.
Our brigade, consisting of the 50th, 71st, and 92d regiments, set off, and marched all day, until noon. On the second day, our officers got orders that every person in the village of Almarez should be put to death; there being none but those belonging to the enemy in it. We marched all night, until break of day next morning, when we halted on a height opposite the large fort, just as they fired their morning gun. As the day broke up, they got sight of our arrival, and gave us a shell or two, which did us no harm We were moved down the hill out of their view. Then we were marched to the height again, where we stood under arms for a short time, until we were ordered to pile arms and take off our packs. We remained thus until twelve o'clock, when we got half an allowance of liquor; oxen were brought up and killed on the spot; each man received two pounds of beef in lieu of bread. We got this for three days.
On the evening of the third day, General Hill ordered our left companies to move down to the valley, to cover his recognisance. When he returned, the officers were called. A scaling-ladder was given to each section of a company of the left wing, with the exception of two companies. We moved down the hill in a dismal manner; it was so dark we could not see three yards before us. The hill was very steep, and we were forced to wade through whins and scramble down rocks, still carrying the ladders. When day-light, on the morning of the 19th, at length showed us to each other, we were scattered all over the foot of the hill like strayed sheep, not more in one place than were held together by a ladder. We halted, formed, and collected the ladders, then moved on. We had a hollow to pass through to get at the battery. The French had cut a part of the brae-face away, and had a gun that swept right through into the hollow. We made a rush past it, to get under the brae on the other side. The French were busy cooking, and preparing to support the other fort, thinking we would attack it first, as we had lain next it.
On our approach, the French sentinel fired and retired. We halted, fixed bayonets, and moved on in double-quick time. We did not receive above four shot from the battery, until we were under the works, and had the ladders placed to the walls. Their intrenchment proved deeper than we expected, which caused us to splice our ladders under the wall; during which time they annoyed us much, by throwing grenades, stones, and logs over it; for we stood with our pieces cocked and presented. As soon as the ladders were spliced, we forced them from the works, and out of the town, at the point of the bayonet, down the hill and over the bridge. They were in such haste, they cut the bridge before all their men had got over, and numbers were either drowned or taken prisoners. One of our men had the honour to be the first to mount the works.
Fort Napoleon fired two or three shot into Fort Almarez. We took the hint from this circumstance, and turned the guns of Almarez on Fort Napoleon, and forced the enemy to leave it. It being a bridge of boats, two companies were sent, with brooms, to burn and cut it away; but the enemy, being in superior force upon the other side, compelled them to retire, under cover, until reinforced.
We moved forward to the village of Almarez, and found plenty of provisions, which had been very scarce with us for some days. We filled our haversacks, and burned the town; then encamped close by it, all night, and marched next morning; leaving a company of sappers and miners to blow up the works. We marched back to our old quarters; and continued marching up and down watching the motions of the enemy.
On the night of the 22d July, when we were in a wood, we received the joyful news of the defeat of Marmont at Salamanca, and got a double allowance of liquor. Colonel Cadogan took the end of a horn, called a tot, and drank, "Success to the British arms." Some of us had money, and sent to the village for liquor. We made a little treat, in the best manner we could, and passed a joyful night.
We advanced to Aranjuez, where we lay for some time. It is a palace of the King of Spain. The whole country is beautiful; fruit was very plenty, and of all kinds. We were eight days in the Escurial, and continued to watch the motions of the French alongst the Tagus, skirmishing almost every day. Individuals of the 13th and 14th Light Dragoons, used to engage, in single combat, with the horsemen of the enemy. Often whole squadrons would be brought to engage, by two men beginning.
We remained thus skirmishing till Lord Wellington raised the siege of Burgos; when we fell back to the Iacamah, in the beginning of November; then on Alba Tormes, where we skirmished two days and two nights. A part of us here were lining a wall; the French in great strength in front. One of our lads having let his hat fall over, when taking cartridges from it, laid his musket against the wall, went over to the enemy's side, and came back again unhurt. At this very time the button of my stock was shot off.
The short time we remained at Tormes, we were very ill off for provisions. One of our men, Thomas Caldwell, found a piece of meat, near the hospital, on the face of the brae; he brought it home, and cooked it. A good part of it was eaten, before one of the men, perceiving him, said, "What is that you are eating?" Tom said, it was meat he had found. The others looked, and knew it to be the fore-arm of a man: the hand was not at it; it was only the part from a little below the elbow, and above the wrist. The man threw it away, but never looked squeamish; he said it was very sweet, and was never a bit the worse.
The French left strong picquets in front, stole down the river, and crossed, hoping to surprise us, and come upon our rear. We immediately blew up the bridge, and retired. Many of our men had to ford the river. We left a Spanish garrison in the fort, and retired to the heights.
There was a mill on the river side, near the bridge, wherein a number of our men were helping themselves to flour, during the time the others were fording. Our Colonel rode down and forced them out, throwing a handful of flour on each man as he passed out of the mill. When we were drawn up on the heights, he rode along the column, looking for the millers, as we called them. At this moment, a hen put her head out of his coat-pocket, and looked first to one side, and then to another. We began to laugh; we could not restrain ourselves. He looked amazed and furious at us, then around. At length the major rode up to him, and requested him to kill the fowl outright, and put it into his pocket. The Colonel, in his turn, laughed, called his servant, and the millers were no more looked after.
We moved along the heights, for two or three miles, towards the main body of the army, and lay down in column for a few minutes, until Lord Wellington came up and reconnoitred the movements of the enemy, when we immediately got orders to follow the line of march. We continued to follow, for some time, until we came to a place covered over with old ammunition-barrels and the wrecks of an army. This was the ground the battle of Salamanca had been fought on. We got not a moment to reflect. The word was given, " Fix bayonets, throw off all lumber;" and we were moved up the hill at double-quick time. We pushed up as hard as possible, reached the top almost out of breath, and met the enemy right in front. They were not twenty paces from us. We gave them a volley. Two companies of the German Legion were sent to keep them in play, whilst the lines were forming. Two brigades came up, at double quick time. We formed in three lines, and forced them to retire. They lost, in their fight, a great number of men by the fire of our cannon.
After dark, we withdrew our lines, and encamped in a wood. We were in great want of necessaries, having very little bread or beef amongst us, and no water. I set off in quest of some, slung round with canteens belonging to the mess. After searching about for a long time, faint and weary, I was going to give up in despair, and sat down to reflect what I should do. Numbers were moving around, looking anxiously for water of any kind, quality was of no moment. I thought I heard a bustle on my right. I leaped up, ran towards it; I heard voices and the croaking of frogs. Tempting sound! I stopped not to reflect. As I drew near, the sound became more distinct; I heard the welcome words, "Water, water!" In I ran, up to the knees amongst mules and men, and, putting down my head, drank a sweet draught of it, dirty as it was, then filled my canteens, and came off quite happy. The croaking of the frogs was pleasanter music, at that time, and more welcome, than any other sound. When I came to the camp ground, I was welcomed with joy. We got our allowance of liquor, and mixed it with the water; then lay down, and slept till an hour before day, when we moved on to our old position on the hills. The French lay in column close by Salamanca. We remained there, till Lord Wellington perceived the French were endeavouring to get into our rear, to cut off our communications, they being very superior in force. The army received orders to draw up in column, and move on in brigades each brigade in succession, leaving the 71st for the rear guard.
I, at this time, got a post, being for fatigue, with other four. We were sent to break biscuit, and make a mess for Lord Wellington's hounds. I was very hungry, and thought it a good job at the time, as we got our own fill, while we broke the biscuit - a thing I had not got for some days. When thus engaged, the prodigal son never once was out of my mind; and I sighed as I fed the dogs, over my humble situation and ruined hopes.
As we followed the army, Colonel Cadogan made us halt in a plain upon ploughed land, where he began to drill us. We were wet and weary, and like to faint with hunger. The ground was so soft with the rain, we could scarce keep the step. The French were coming down from the heights. " Now," says he, " there they are; if you are not quicker in your movements, I will leave you every one to them." At this moment, General Hill's aid-de-camp rode up, saying, "Move on, and cover the brigade of artillery, by the General's order, or you will be all prisoners in five minutes." We immediately left off drill, and marched on, until dark, under a heavy rain, and over miserable roads; one shoe in our hand, the other on our knapsack.
As we entered a wood, we were agreeably annoyed by the grunting of hogs and squeaking of pigs. "There is a town here," says my comrade. We all longed for "Pile arms." At length the word was given, and cooks ordered to cut wood. More cooks than one turned out of each mess, and went in different directions in search of forage. All this time the whole wood resounded with the reports of muskets. It resembled a wood contested by the enemy. At length our cooks returned, one with a pig, another with a skin of wine, or with flour; and we made a hearty supper, and lay down happy and contented.
Next morning we continued the line of march, under a heavy rain; the horses were scarce able to drag the cannon through the mud. We marched thus, about eight miles, and halted at a village, where we encamped, and cooked the remains of our pork. Every one was engaged cooking or cutting wood, when the French made their appearance on the opposite heights. The bugle sounded to fall in; immediately we formed square, to receive cavalry. They galloped down close to our square. We had not time to load our pieces; and many of us were only half accoutred, they had come so quick upon us. Many of them were very much in liquor: three or four galloped into the centre of our square; we opened to receive them. A brigade of guns coming to our relief, they put to the right about, and fled. We stood under arms for some time. A brigade of French infantry was drawn up on the opposite heights. It being only their advanced guard, Lord Wellington gave orders to pile arms, but to remain accoutred. We stood in this position, the rain pouring upon us, until we were forced to lie down, through fatigue.
Day at length appearing, we got orders to move on, after the army, in sections; the enemy having retired through the night. We had not moved thus two miles, until the French advance came down upon us, picking up every individual who fell out. The cries of the women and children were dreadful, as we left them. We were retiring in square, playing a howitzer from the centre, to keep their cavalry in check. We continued to move on, in this manner, sending out the left company to fire and retire. The rain poured; the roads were knee-deep; when one had to stop, all were obliged to stop. Each of the enemy's cavalry had a foot-soldier behind him, who formed when they came close. When we were halted, and advanced to charge, they mounted and retired.
At length we forded the Aguida, and encamped on the opposite side. Rear-guards and quarter-guards were immediately sent out, and picquets planted. We were not an hour and a half encamped, when a dreadful firing commenced on our left. We were all under arms in a moment. The firing continued very severe, for the space of two hours. We then piled arms and began to cut wood, to lay under us, that the water might run below, as the rain continued to pour in torrents. We might as well have lain in the river. We were up an hour before day, and wrung out our blankets, emptied our shoes of the water, each man trembling like the leaf of a tree. We followed the line of march for about four leagues, and encamped in a plain, expecting to be attacked every moment. The French did not advance this night.
Next morning we were marched into a town. Sergeants were called out for quarters; and we were put in by sections, into the best quarters they could find. This town we called the reeky town; it was the most smoky place I ever was in. The sergeants got two months' pay for each man; every one had a little. Canteens were immediately in requisition; wine and accadent were the only words you could hear. Three dollar's for wine, and one for accadent, made a joyful night, and a merry mess. We had no care; the song went round: we were as merry as if we had not suffered in our retreat. The recollection of our wants made our present enjoyments doubly dear. Next morning we did the best we could to clean ourselves; but we made a very shabby figure. Our haversacks were black with grease; we could not get the marks of the pork out all we could do.
Here we remained eight days; then marched to Porto Banyes, where we received a draft of 150 men from England, and staid about eight days; then marched to Monte Moso. We got here a new kitt. Before this, we were completely in rags; and it used to be our daily labour to pick the vermin off ourselves. We were quartered in the villages, until Colonel Cadogan arrived from England, who inspected and reviewed us in our new clothes. We looked very well. The Colonel told us we were as fat as fowls.
During the time the 50th were in Boho, the French made an attempt to surprise it. We were marched up to it, at double-quick time. We ran up hill for four miles, and were formed in the town, and marched up to the walls, making as great a show as possible. The French stood in column, on the opposite side of the town. We had picquets of the 50th posted on the outside. Boho being a town of great trade, the French hoped to get a supply of clothing; but finding they could not succeed, they retired, and we went back to our old cantonments.
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