Chapter X

Battle of Buzaco. Flag of truce. General Simon’s baggage brought
in. Wounded of the two armies removed from the field. Terrible
carnage in and near Sula. The light troops constantly engaged.
Deserters come over to us. Their reports of Massena’s
intentions. The French army breaks up, and marches away to our
left. Lord Wellington retires from Buzaco to the lines of Torres
Vedras. Occurrences on the march. Stores destroyed at Pombal.
King John’s coffin in the cathedral at Battalha. Affair between
our rear-guard and the French advanced guard. Our habitation
takes fire, and we are nearly burnt out of it,—horses, mules,
donkeys, and baggage. Affair of cavalry near Alcoentre.
Speculations on Massena not having pursued us more vigorously in
the retreat. The Light Division reaches Alemquer. The French
turn us out of it without our dinners. We retire to Arruda in
bad humour and in dreadful weather. An agreeable surprise. A
word or two relative to the lines of Torres Vedras. Gun-boats on
the Tagus. Jack Tar’s zeal. Great sufferings of the Portuguese
from the French invasion. Reconnoissances made by Massena, and
skirmishes brought on by it. Sharp affair between Sir Brent
Spencer’s division and the enemy. Scarcity of provisions in the
country in our front. Our employments whilst we remained in the
lines. The French army falls back to a position behind the Rio
Maior. Sentries of straw. We march in pursuit, and take some
prisoners. Dead Frenchmen, horses, mules, and donkeys, on the
road-side. The Light Division comes up with the enemy near
Cartaxo. We are preparing to attack, when Lord Wellington
arrives and countermands it. Causes thereof. The French retire
across the Rio Maior. Rough sketch of their position. General
Hill crosses the Tagus. The Light Division bivouac in a
pine-wood. Washed out of a water-course by the rain. Lord
Wellington makes demonstrations against the French position. The
Light Division engaged with the enemy’s light troops on the
left. The troops are withdrawn. 164