Chapter XI

The Light Division holds the outposts at the bridge of Santarem.
General Junot wounded near Rio Maior. The allied army is put
into cantonments. How we passed the winter. Sufferings of the
French army from want of provisions and forage. They are
harassed by the armed peasantry and militia. Shooting and
coursing parties close to the French videttes. Their courteous
conduct on those occasions towards us. Anecdote of a dragoon and
his cloak. Burlesque on horse-racing in the cantonments of the
Light Division. Flags of truce. Conversation with French
officers at the bridge of Santarem. Theatrical performances. The
Marquis de la Romana dies. The Duke of Brunswick’s corps joins
the Light Division. They desert by wholesale to the French.
Several are shot by sentence of a court-martial. The corps is
sent out of the Light Division. Lord Wellington contemplates
relieving the Light Division for a time at the outposts, to give
the men rest. This is not carried into effect. Some regiments
join the army from England. The 7th division of infantry is
formed. I go with a brother-officer on a frolic to Lisbon for
five days. Return to our old post at the bridge. Lieutenant
Strenowitz, of the 1st German Hussars, surprises a French
cavalry post. Marshal Mortier defeats a Spanish army near
Badajoz, and lays siege to the place. Massena commences his
retreat out of Portugal. State of Santarem. The 1st battalion
95th Riflemen drives the French from a village. The Light
Division and cavalry come up with the French near Pombal. The
castle is attacked. Action near Redinha. Reach Condeixa. The
Portuguese militia gain possession of Coimbra. Massena changes
his line of retreat. Lord Wellington attacks Marshal Ney. He
falls back to Miranda de Corvo. Conduct of the French army
during the retreat. The French leave numbers of baggage-animals
on the road much lacerated. The Light Division finds the enemy
on the Ceira. Action near Foz d’Aroce. Remarks. The army
out-marches the commissariat. Major Stewart of the 95th Rifle
corps. His character. Lord Wellington crosses the Alva. Massena
retreats towards Celerico. Affair near Freixadas. The 95th loses
its adjutant. His character. The army marches on Guarda. Massena
falls back behind the Coa. Action near Sabugal. Colonel
Beckwith. 185