Chapter XIII

The Light Division crosses the Agueda. Lord Wellington
reconnoiters Rodrigo. Don Julian Sanchez. The French governor
taken prisoner by Guerillas. A picket of our light cavalry made
prisoners in the Sierra de Gata. The Light Division reinforced
by the third battalion of the 95th Rifle corps from Cadiz.
Deaths by Alemtejo fever. I cross the mountains with my own
company and one of Portuguese. Wild scenery. Goatherds. Their
dress, language, and habitations. Rejoin the Light Division.
Marmont advances to Rodrigo. The Light Division in position on
the Vadillo. Gallant conduct of General Colville’s brigade. The
Light Division joins the 3d and 4th near Guinaldo. The army
falls back to Aldea de Ponte. The Light Division engaged with
the French cavalry and dismounted chasseurs. Brilliant charge of
the Fusileer brigade. General Picton’s light troops engaged. The
army retires to Soita. Marmont follows the allied army no
further, and falls back to Placentia. Our army goes into
cantonments. Comparative merits of Spanish and English
greyhounds. A new governor arrives at Rodrigo. Winter quarters
in Spanish villages. Libraries not in vogue. An essay on cigars,
and their utility in campaigning. A party made to shoot wild
deer. General Hill surprises a French division. A shooting party
in the mountains. Boleros, fandangos, and Irish jigs. Capital
sport with the woodcocks. A good dancer and a particularly bad
shot. Excursion to Robadillia. Just punishment inflicted on a
demi-brigade of padres. The Light Division invests and lays
siege to Ciudad Rodrigo. Redoubt of San Francisco stormed and
taken. The siege and storming of Rodrigo. Death of Generals
Crawford and M’Kinnon. Remarks on the defence made by the French
governor. Contrast between the siege of 1810 and that of 1812.
The army marches to the southward and besieges Badajoz.
Difficulty of keeping our horses alive during the march. Siege
of Badajoz. Storming of the place. 227