Chapter XIV

Marmont penetrates into Portugal during the siege. Lord Wellington
marches back to the north. General Alten appointed to command
the Light Division. The army advances to Salamanca. Takes up a
position. Marmont’s army opposite. A fortified convent in
Salamanca is besieged by the 6th Division. It is set fire to,
and the garrison capitulates. Marmont retreats behind the Douro.
We follow him. A dance at Navis del Rey. Arrive at Rueda. Wine
vaults. French soldiers assassinated by the Spaniards. Marmont
is reinforced. The Light Division falls back to Castrejon. The
French cross the Douro. Attack the troops at Castrejon. We fall
back behind the Guarena, closely followed by Marmont. Beautiful
evolutions of the two armies. The 27th and 40th regiments
repulse the French with loss. Deaths from want of water and
excessive heat. British six-pounders and French nines, with
their respective advanced guards. Observations on the fire-arms
of French and British dragoons. The two armies march within
cannon-shot of each other for several days in succession. The
Light Division crosses the Tormes, by a ford at night, in a
tremendous thunder-storm. Battle of Salamanca. Marmont’s
promises to the Spaniards of destroying Lord Wellington’s army
not fulfilled. Opinions of certain British officers in the
Portuguese army, as to the comparative merits of Portuguese,
British, and French soldiers. Gallant attack of General Bock’s
cavalry brigade on the French rear-guard. We pursue the French
many days. Various reports of Marmont’s death. Corpse of the
French General Ferez dug up and exposed to view by the
Spaniards. We cross the Douro. Valladolid. Mode adopted of
raising the wind to purchase bread, &c. The army marches on
Madrid. Segovia. A beautiful Castilian. Palaces of El Rio Frio
and San Ildefonso. Pass the Guadaramma mountains. Encamp in the
park of the Escurial. The palace. Affair between some Portuguese
and French cavalry. The army enters Madrid. Its reception.
French garrison in the Retiro capitulates. A word or two about
the capital. Its palace, streets, public walks, Castilian women,
&c. Pheasant-shooting in Joseph Bonaparte’s park. A grand ball.
A bull-fight. Extravagant fondness of the Spaniards of both
sexes for this amusement. Four divisions march to Burgos, and
lay siege to the castle. Soult raises the siege of Cadiz and
marches on Madrid. General Hill and Colonel Skerrit join the
troops at Madrid. Colonel Skerrit repulses Soult’s advanced
guard at the bridge of Aranjuez. The Light Division marches to
the front from Madrid. Soult passes the Tagus. We bid adieu,
with great regret, to Madrid. 260