Chapter IX

General Crawford falls back to Junsa, on the Coa. The French
advance. Fort Conception is destroyed by mines. Action of the
Coa, 24th July, 1810. Major M’Leod of the 43d regt. French
grenadiers storm the bridge, and are destroyed. General Crawford
retires at night to Valverde. Reflections on the events of the
day. We march to Celerico, and make huts near the town. The
Light Division is divided into two brigades. Massena besieges
Almeida. The Light Division moves up to support the cavalry. The
powder magazine in Almeida explodes and destroys the town. The
garrison capitulates. Affair between our cavalry and the French
near Freixadas. The army retires towards Coimbra. Excursion to
the summit of a mountain to see a lake. Discussion with a padre
as to the qualities attributed to its waters. We continue the
retreat. The Light Division arrives at Mortagoa. Affair of
cavalry. We fall back on Buzaco, engaged with the French
advanced guard. Sketch of the position. 144