The victories of the British armies

CAMPAIGN OF SIR JOHN MOORE.

Burrard succeeded by Dalrymple. — Sir Arthur Wellesley returns Home. — British Army reinforced. — Sir John Moore appointed to the command in chief — assembles his Army at Villa Vicosa — advances. — Spanish Armies defeated. — Fall of Madrid. — Prepares to attack Soult. — Affair of Sahagun. — Retreat commences. — Nar- rative of its Occurrences. — Battle of Corunna. — Death and Cha- racter of Sir John Moore. — Troops return to England . 118

CAMPAIGN OF SIR JOHN MOORE.

Burrard succeeded by Dalrymple. — Sir Arthur Wellesley re- turns home. — British army reinforced. — Sir John Moore appointed to the command in chief — Assembles his army at Villa Vicosa — Advances. — Spanish armies defeated. — Fall of Madrid. — Prepares to attack Soult. — Affair of Sahagun. — Retreat commences. — Narrative of its occurrences. — Battle of Corunna. — Death and character of Sir John Moore. — Troops return to England.

SIR JOHN MOORE. 139

Here the exhausted soldiery were halted from sheer necessity. They were literally marched to a stand-still, — and although the rain fell in tor- rents, they lay down upon the soaked earth, and in that comfortless situation remained until at evening the ranks were again formed, and the retreat continued on Corunna, where Sir John had now decided on embarking the ruins of his army.

RIVAL OF SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY.

THE immediate consequence of the embarka- tion, was the surrender of Corunna on the second day from that on which the once proud army of England quitted the coast of Spain. Ferrol soon followed the example — and in both these places an immense supply of stores and ammu- nition was obtained. All effective resistance was apparently at an end — and French dominion seemed established in Gallicia more strongly than it had ever been before.

BATTLE OF ALBUERA.

BATTLE OF ALBUERA.

TO THE BATTLE OF BAROSA. 24?

might be anticipated ; and the Marshal was authorized by Lord Wellington, in the event of his being able to engage the French on fair terms, to accept battle at Albuera.

BATTLE OF ALBUERA.

BATTLE OF ALBUERA.

BATTLE OF ALBURRA. 281

Much military controversy has arisen from the fight of Albuera, and Marshal Beresford has re- ceived some praise and more censure. Probably the battle should not have been fought at all ; or, if it were unavoidable, greater care might have been bestowed in taking the positions, and, certain- ly; the investment of Badajoz should not have been continued so long. Much, however, can be urged in favour of Marshal Beresford. His was a most embarrassing command, and he had numerous and unexpected difficulties to contend with. Op-