Military journal of Colonel Leslie, K.H., of Balquhain [microform]

16 January 1809

Battle of Corunna

PART [.—-1807-8.

Portugal being now completely liberated from the French yoke, the British government determined on sending a force to the north of Spain to act in conjunction with the Spanish armies. It was notified to Sir Hew Dalrymple, commanding the forces in Portugal, that he was to send a corps of 20,000 infantry, two regiments of German light cavalry, and a certain number of brigades of artillery, to join 10,000 troops under Sir David Baird, who would land at Corunna, and that the whole was to be under the command of Sir John Moore, as Commander-in-Chief, he having received his appointment on the 6th October, 1808.

PART II.—1809.

We heard reports that the Spanish armies had been defeated by the French, that Napoleon was at Madrid, and that, consequently, our army, not having been supported by the Spaniards, as was expected, was left exposed, and liable to be pressed on all sides by an overwhelming foe under Bonaparte himself, and had been obliged to retreat. Soon 16th Jan. afterwards the news arrived of the battle of Corunna, Battle ot — fought 16th January, which victory proved what English § British soldiers can do under the most adverse embarks. circumstances, and added to the glory of our arms. But from the untoward events which had occurred, the only alternative left was to embark, which the army successfully accomplished, without leaving even a gun as a trophy in the hands of the enemy.

27–28 July 1809

Battle of Talavera

PART II.—1809.

We understood that Sir Arthur Wellesley, immediately after our victory at Talavera, had intended to follow up the defeated foe and push his way to Madrid, but that owing to the Spanish government having failed to afford him the requisite supplies which they had promised, he was obliged to del»y the intended movement. In the interim he received intelligence of Soult’s movements from Salamanca, and when the news was confirmed that Soult had forced the pass of Puerto de Bannos, and was expected at Placentia, thus threatening his rear, he proposed to General Cuesta that he should remain at Talavera to keep the French in check should they attempt to advance again on that post, and also to cover our hospitals and protect the wounded left there, while he would move back to Oropeza, and give battle to Soult. To this arrangement Cuesta agreed, and even ordered General Basscourt’s division to march on the 2nd August to Oropeza, preceding the British army, and acting as its advanced guard.

DSO),

As the weather was excessively warm, we determined to follow the custom of the county, by setting out betimes in the morning, Lo repose at the first halting place during the heat of the day, and to complete the remainder of our day’s journey in the cool of the evening, Accordingly, next morning, the 12th August, we were on the alert by peep of day. After proceeding some way, we overtook a friend who had passed us on the road, the day of Talavera, On that day he came rantering after us on horseback, in plain clothes, and told us that he was severely wounded, being shot through the arm, that two of his ribs were broken, and with- out further explanation went on, leaving us lost in conjecture who he could be. When we overtook him now, to our surprise he was tramping on foot at a swinging pace, warbling an Trish tune, accompanied by a dozen dogs of all descriptions and sizes sporting round him, having been attracted by his whistling “View hullo!” On our ex- pressing our wonder that a person who had had his ribs stoved in should be walking so gaily, he with great naiveté

DSO),

days previous to the battle of Talavera, ud consequently had not had time to furnish themselves with uniform, but had put the distinguishing mark of the rank of major in the Spanish service (two strips of silver lace) on the cults of their blue coats, When the French made their grand attack on our centre, the Spanish regiment to which they were attached happened to be the one on the left of the Spanish line, and of course the one next the British right flank, which was the 61st Regiment. When the enemy’s column pressed rapidly on, this Spanish corps, instead of manfully waiting the attack, went to the right-about, and scampered off, leaving our two friends, who gallantly stood their ground. Fortunately, the Spanish regi- ment of cavalry del Rey, ashamed of the conduct of their infantry, immediately dashed forward, and not only filled up the gap left vacant by the dastardly corps, but on the French corps being routed by us, they charged them with great effect. The two majors, disgusted with this sample of their troops, tore off their si, er lace, and instantly joined the 61st Regi- ment, each taking a musket, and putting on a cartouch box taken from some of the slain, and they fought most bravely as volunteers until both were severely wounded. We found the major a remarkably good-tempered and very interesting gentleman.

DSO),

We heard that General Venegas, who had failed to make a demonstration on Toledo in rear of the French army during ast Aug, the battle of Talavera, as had been intended, had 1809. been defeated by Sebastiani on the 21st August, at Almonacid. Towards the end of August reports began to spread that the French indicated symptoms of threatening Portugal.