Chapter XII

The French army re-enters Spain. They leave a garrison in Almeida,
which is blockaded. The Light Division and 1st German Hussars
take up their original line of posts. Skirmishes at Marialva
bridge. Some companies of our corps are sent to shoot the cattle
at Almeida. Massena assembles his army to relieve Almeida. The
Light Division and 1st German Hussars fall back and join the
army in position, near Fuentes d’Onoro. Battle of Fuentes
d’Onoro. Flag of truce in the evening. The wounded removed.
Conversation with some French officers. A sprig of nobility in
the French army at the head of one of their Hussar regiments.
Colonel Beckwith’s brigade occupies Fuentes d’Onoro for the
night. Precautions for its defence. The hostile armies remain
close to each other for many days. Waggon-loads of wounded
Frenchmen sent to Rodrigo. Marshal Marmont arrives from France.
Assumes the command of the army in our front, and supersedes
Massena. He inspects the infantry of the Imperial Guard within
view of our position. The French army retires behind the Agueda.
We resume our original line of outposts. Almeida is blown up,
and the garrison escape. Marmont sends a cavalry force to
reconnoiter Colonel Beckwith’s brigade. We send them back faster
than they advanced. Intelligence reaches us of the battle of
Albuera. We celebrate the king’s birth-day. Sudden order to
march in the midst of our festivity. Affair between the 1st
Royal Dragoons and the French cavalry. We march into Alemtejo. A
few lines relative to the march thither. Encamp on the Caya.
Gallant but unsuccessful attempts against Fort San Christoval.
The army offers battle to the united armies of Soult and
Marmont. They decline the challenge, and fall back to Seville
and Placentia. Terrible sickness in our army. Action of cavalry
near Campo Maior. Fort La Lippe. I receive a present from a
Portuguese don. Starved state of our horses. The army marches
back to the northern frontier of Portugal. A bee-hive captured.
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