lum, so that it was a long time before he and the generals got housed. There was, indeed, little trouble in getting billets; for the inhabitants got hold of the British officers where they could find them, and insisted on making them inmates of their houses.

"On the 13th of August was proclaimed, by order of the Marquis of Wellington, as Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo, the constitution of the kingdom, as formed by the cortes; Don Carlos Espana, governor of the capital and its province, and Marshal Miguel Alava, presiding on this solemn occasion. The ceremony was performed amidst the roar of the enemy's cannon, who were then making their last efforts to defend the inclosure of the Retiro; and thus, at the same time, it may be said, were heard the last groans of oppression and the first voice of independence. Thus did the suffering patriots see themselves freed from the horrid load of disgrace, at the same instant in which appeared to their eyes the luminous torch of their future felicity and social security.

portune; the enemy cannot much longer support themselves in the interior of the country; and, in retiring from our frontiers, your fate is decided:-you are going to perish in the war of the north.

"Your country, brothers, friends, are greatly offended by your infamous desertion; and you will give rise to a new war, unless you accept the offers of this proclamation. Hasten then to present yourselves to the Spanish authorities, or the advanced posts of the allied army; and in this manner you will cause your faults to be forgotten, by shewing that your heart was Spanish, although your exterior deportment gave reason for doubting it.'

"The Spanish general concluded his address by stating, that all those who came in should also be paid for their arms, and such other military articles as they should bring with them; and so great was the effect of the proclamation, that, even in the course of a few days, a great number of those unfortunate and misguided men made their appearance, and, having taken the oaths of fidelity, joined their brethren in arms. In fact, it had such an influence, as even to produce daily desertions from Joseph's army, to the amount of thousands. His whole line of retreat, in short, was covered with deserters; and, on the 21st, it was known that the intrusive king had changed his route, and was then proceeding

"The council of Madrid, in the midst of this scene of war and politics, were not unmindful of the softer duties of social life; and, wishing to offer the Marquis of Wellington a proof of their gratitude, determined to entertain him with a magnificent ball. The numerous and enlightened concourse who assisted at it, the decorations of the ball itself, the abundance of the wines, fruits, &c., the order and urbanity of all, and the pre-by the Arragon road.” sence of the great general, presented a scene worthy of admiration, even to those most accustomed to these

scenes.

"The Spanish authorities, however, were not content with mere demonstrations of joy; but, under the guidance of the marquis, took a most important step for the speedy return of the misled juramentados to their social and military duties; and General Alava republished his proclamation to the Spanish soldiers under Joseph's colours, which had already been issued from the head-quarters of the Anglo-Hispano-Portuguese army on the 29th of the preceding month, in which he says

The towns of La Mancha were at this time inundated with deserters from Joseph's army; and nearly two thousand, it was said, had entered the capital, whilst many of the French partisans, who had not actually taken up arms, returned to their houses, disgusted with the treatment which they had met with from the retreating army.

The Marquis of Wellington remained at Madrid until the 22d of August; and on that morning the new council went in a body from the Consistorial Hall, with the ceremonies of state, under the presidency of FieldMarshal Don Carlos d'Espana, commandant-general ad interim of New Castile, and of the capital, and pro

General Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo; and, being admitted into his presence, the general addressed his excellency, in the name of the whole council, in the following terms:

"The General and Extraordinary Cortes of the na-ceeded to the royal palace, to compliment our hero as tion, wishing to celebrate the political constitution of the monarchy, have decreed a general pardon to all Spanish military men, of whatever rank they may be, and who are in the service of the tyrant, upon their abandoning it, and presenting themselves to the Spanish chiefs, with as little delay as possible. Being charged by the supreme government to the Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo, I judge it my duty to make you acquainted with the favourable disposition of our legitimate government, in order that you may take advantage of it, and return into the bosom of your beloved country, and the estimation of your countrymen. The moment is most op

"Most excellent lord,-The council of the capital of Spain, which has deserved the public confidence, and which was elected according to the laws of the Spanish monarchy, sanctioned by the General and Extraordinary Cortes of the nation, comes to offer to your excellency the sincere expression of its respect and gratitude. The inhabitants of Madrid, justly celebrated in history by their heroic patriotism, and who, in the glorious strug

gle in which the nation is engaged, were the first peo- | rendered its inhabitants prisoners on the land-side, and ple who, without other force than their loyalty, shed their blood to defend the independence of their country and the rights of their legitimate sovereign, manifest to your excellency, by the voice of their magistrates, the satisfaction they feel at seeing, in the palace of their kings, the illustrious conqueror of Vimiera and Talavera; the deliverer of Portugal; the conqueror of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz; the hero who, in the plains of Salamanca, humbled the pride of our perfidious and cruel enemies, frustrated their designs, and broke the chains which disgraced the capital of the Spanish empire a memorable victory, which history shall transmit to the most remote posterity.

“My lord duke,—The representatives of a most loyal and grateful people hope, that your excellency, thus worthily placed at the head of Spanish greatness, will be pleased to take this capital under your particular protection; and that the effects of this benefit will be the continuation of that precious liberty which we acknowledge to owe to your excellency, and the restoration to his throne of the monarch, who is the object of our persevering love and honour, and destined to reign, according to a wise constitution, over an illustrious people, who will for ever be worthy of their liberty from the sacrifices they have made."

subjected them to much distress from scarcity and sickness. This was aggravated by the sense of danger from a bombardment, which, though distant, had latterly, by means of improvements in destructive contrivance, be, come more serious. All the attempts of the Spaniards themselves to break up the blockade bad failed; and even where the enemy had been obliged to withdraw the greater part of their troops, the strength of the works discouraged any effort to force them. The victorious career of Lord Wellington, and the recalling of some of the French veterans from Spain, made it necessary for the enemy to concentrate their forces; and, as a step towards this purpose, they resolved upon abandoning the siege. Accordingly, on the 24th and 25th of August, they abandoned their works opposite to Cadiz and the Isla; leaving behind them a numerous artillery, and a large quantity of stores and powder; most of the ordnance, however, was rendered unserviceable.

a

Two days after the evacuation of the lines of Cadiz, combined force, under General Le Cruz and Colonel Skerret, entered the city of Seville, in which were eight French battalions of infantry and two regiments of cavalry; and, after an obstinate conflict, in the streets, on the bridge, and in the suburbs, the French were driven out, leaving behind them their horses, baggage, and effects, and about two hundred prisoners. About the same time, the French evacuated the city and castle of Arcos, in Andalusia, and all the line from Guadalate to Ronda, blowing up their fortifications, and destroying their cannon and ammunition.

But to return to the operations of Lord Wellington's

To this the marquis returned the following answer:"I am very sensible of the honour which the most noble and loyal council of Madrid has done me in this visit, and am highly gratified with the polite language in which your excellency, speaking in its name, has been pleased to mention the principal occurrences of the war in which I have borne a part. I have par-army-As Massena was now expected to take the comticular satisfaction in receiving a body of magistrates elected by the faithful people of Madrid, according to the forms provided by the constitution, sanctioned by the general and extraordinary Cortes, which, possess ing the confidence and influence of the people, carry into execution the laws with impartiality and vigour. The events of war are in the hands of Providence; but I trust that these gentlemen and inhabitants of Madrid, will not doubt that I shall continue to make every effort in my power, to carry into execution the orders of his royal highness, who exercises the authority in the name of his Britannic majesty, in behalf of the interesting cause of Spain; and I hope that these efforts will not only contribute to preserve the peace and security of the city of Madrid, but also, ultimately, to establish the independence, prosperity, and happiness of Spain." The most important result attending the victory of Salamanca, and the advance of our hero to Madrid, was the raising the siege of Cadiz by the French. This city had, for a considerable time, been in a state which

mand of the French army of Portugal, and once more to try his fortune against his illustrious rival, it became necessary for Lord Wellington to watch his motions. Accordingly, he quitted Madrid on the 1st of September, having previously ordered his troops to be collected at Arevalo. At this time, Joseph Buonaparte had joined Marshal Suchet, in Valencia. The latter was posted upon the Xucar, watching the troops under General Maitland; which, after an advance from Alicant, had retreated, and were cantoned in the villages around that city. Marshal Soult was in Granada he had been followed by Ballasteros, who had been suc cessful in harassing his rear. Cordova and Jean were cleared of the invaders. General Sir Rowland Hill was at Truxillo, whence he was to advance to Oropesa.

Lord Wellington's army marched from Arevalo on the 4th of September, and passed the Douro on the 6th, at the fords of Herrera and El Abrojo. General Foy, in the mean time, having heard of the surrender of Astorga, returned to the Esla, and marched upon Garva,

jales, with a view to surprise and cut off the Portuguese | when he was joined at Pampliega by three divisions of militia, employed under Lieutenant-general the Conde d'Amarante in blockading Zamora. This general, however, effected his retreat, without loss, to the frontiers of Portugal; and General Foy could do no more than carry off the French garrison, which he did on the 29th of August, thinking their position unsafe, and then marched for Tordesillas.

three pieces of cannon, and one captain, with sixty-two others, prisoners; but, at the same time, owing to the strength of the work, their loss was very severe. On the two following days, the allied troops were ac-on which both were immediately stormed by the second tively employed in establishing themselves on the hill of St. Michael's, and in constructing such works as were hest adapted to forward their future operations. At that period, the whole army had crossed the Arlanzon, with the exception of the sixth division of the Spanish infantry; and the siege of the castle of Burgos was regularly commenced.

design to raise the siege. The army of Portugal had been reinforced by fresh troops from France, and by all the disposable force of the army of the north, and was now in considerable strength. On the 13th, they made a reconnoissance of the allied outposts at Monasterio; and, on the 18th, they made an attack in force, and gained possession of the heights commanding that town, whence the outposts had been compelled to retire. They afterwards attempted to drive in other outposts, but for the time they were repulsed.

loss. On the 26th, the Marquis of Wellington ordered the army to break up from the Carrion; and be immediately marched up Cabecon del Campo, where he again crossed the Pisuerga. Here the army halted for two days; and, on the 27th, the marquis had an opportunity of seeing the whole of the French army, as they placed themselves opposite to him on the Pisuerga. They ap peared to be in great strength; and, from the best information, it was stated that the army of Portugal had received a reinforcement of ten thousand men, includ ing cavalry, from France. Two divisions of infantry belonging to the army of the north had also joined; and, as the cavalry of the latter army was with them, it gave to the pursuing enemy a force of five thousand men in that department alone. The advanced guard of the French army was now about two miles in front of

There were four armies at this period south of the Douro; Joseph Buonaparte's, Suchet's, Soult's, and a force formerly employed in the blockade of Cadiz. All these had now united, and were advancing in a column towards the Tagus. This force, amounting to nearly eighty thousand men, was, nominally, under the command of Joseph Buonaparte; but, in reality, its move-their main body, and about one mile from Cabecon; ments were directed by Marshal Soult. General Hill and, on the 28th, they not only extended their right, now sent intelligence to Lord Wellington of the ene- but endeavoured to force the bridges of Simances and my's advance towards the Tagus, which was already Valladolid; the former of which was defended by Cofordable by individuals in many places, and was likely lonel Halket with bis brigade of the seventh division, soon to become so for an army. Lord Wellington, and the latter by the Earl of Dalhousie, with the retherefore, ordered him to retire from his position on the mainder of the seventh division. At length, Colonel Tagus, if he should find that he could not maintain it Halket, being closely pressed, blew up the bridge; dewith advantage; and it was necessary, on account of the taching at the same time the Brunswick Oels regiment foregoing circumstances, that his lordship should be to Tordesillas, towards which quarter the enemy had near to him, in order that his own army should not be pushed on a body of troops on this evening; and, as insulated from Sir Rowland, in consequence of any of soon as the marquis was acquainted with this circumthe movements which he might find himself under the stance, he judged it proper to break up from the Pisunecessity of making. erga, and to cross the Douro; which object was effected without difficulty on the 29th, by the bridges of Puente Douro and Tudela.

In consequence of this arrangement, his lordship raised the siege of Burgos on the night of the 20th; and, by the activity of the various staff-officers, every thing was carried off in the course of one night, excepting a few pieces of ordnance: and such was the secrecy used, that the enemy appears not to have known of it for some time; for they did not follow the allies until the evening of the 22d, when ten thousand of their troops were encamped between Burgos and the British army.

On the evening of the 22d, the allies were encamped at Celada del Camino and Hornillos, with the light cavalry at Estapan and Baniel. On the 23d, they continued their march, the right to Torquemada, the left to Cordevilla; at which two places the whole crossed the river Pisuerga. During these movements, the enemy pressed close on the rear of the allied army, attacking with their cavalry and light troops, whenever they had an opportunity. On the 24th, the army continued its retreat, and took up its ground on the Carrion, with its right at Duenas, and its left at Villa Murial. On this day the army was joined by the first guards from Corunna. On the 25th, the enemy attacked the left wing of the allies at Villa Murial, but were repulsed with some

On the approach of the enemy's detachment to Tordesillas, the bridge there had been destroyed; but the marquis sent orders to the regiment of Brunswick Oels, to take post on its ruins, in such a manner, as to prevent the enemy from repairing it. In the course of the night, however, of the 29th, he received intelligence that the corps had been obliged to abandon its posts; and, as he had seen the whole of the French army in march towards Tordesillas on that evening, he felt that no time was to be lost; he therefore marched the whole of the British force to that quarter, at an early hour, on the morning of the 30th, moving upon his left, and posting the troops on the heights between Tordesillas and Rueda.

On his arrival, the marquis found that the enemy had nearly repaired the bridge, but had hitherto made no attempt to pass it, being in some measure taken by surprise by the promptitude and rapidity of the British movements. Our hero's appearance, indeed, seems totally to have disconcerted the plans of the French general; for, on the 31st, it appeared that he had no con