Lie of Lari Pura.

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Sir Juan. Havre, having made his march from Lisbon in four divisions, assendied us any a Slamanca, November 234, 1908. He had reached Salamanca, huwever, my an ind that there was no other reasonable method si procveting, but u smesure às march, and to retreat instantly upon Lisden. Se Juda, according to a latter of instructions from Lord Castlereagh, was sent a act is axillary to the Spanish armies, and to support the patriots. Now let us see what was the condition of these armies and patriots. Sir John dansest rescued Ramanca on the 13th. On the same day, the 13th, he received intelligence of the defeat of the Count de Belvidere, and the taking of Burgus. On the 15th, he received an express with an account of the taking ef Valabriad, a townodiy saty miles north of him. On the 16th, he received intelagence of the defiest of Blake. On the 27th, he was informed of the an■ihilated of Castanos. And on the 25th, he deemed it necessary to write to general Burd, who was advancing from Corunna, and to general Hope, who was marching up to him by a circuitous reate, in the neighbourhood of Madrid, that he found it necessary to order an immediate retreat, and that they would take their measures accordingly; that Baird would fall back upon Corunna, and Hope hasten up to him at Salamanca

Life of Lord Paget.

Sir John now only delayed at Salamanca till general Hope should come up. Here a new face of things apparently started up. The populace at Madrid put on an air of resolution and self-devotion which excited some new hopes of the cause. Mr. Frere and the junta likewise concurred in a remonstrance against Sir John's proposed retreat. Sir John, therefore, though fully persuaded that nothing could be done, deemed that, under these circumstances, something must be attempted. He accordingly looked around him, and only one possible service presented itself. Marshal Soult was at Saldanha, in the neighbourhood of Leon. By a march, therefore, in this direction, he might possibly succeed in cutting him off, or at any rate would create a diversion in favour of the Spaniards in the south, by drawing the enemy from Madrid to the aid of Soult. He resolved, therefore, upon this attempt; and on the 13th of December, commenced his march on Saldanha with this purpose. On the 14th, his head quarters were at Aleajos. On the 16th, he reached Toro, only eighty miles from Saldanha. On the 17th, he remained at Toro. On the 18th, he moved to Castro Novo. On the 19th, he continued his march on Villa Banda and Vandaras. On the 20th, he reached Majorga, where he was joined by sir David Baird. The whole army was now united under the commander in chief, and consisted of 23,000 infantry, and 2,300 cavalry. Lord Paget had here a brave affair with a detachment of the enemy. The head-quarters of the army, as has been above said, were at Majorga, but the cavalry and horse artillery were advanced to Monastero Melgar Albaxa, within twelve miles of Sahagun. Lord Paget obtained information that a party of the enemy's cavalry, in number about 700, were posted at Sahagun, and resolved to make an attempt to cut them off.

The weather, according to the season of the year, was desperately cold, and the ground covered with deep snow. Lord Paget, however, deemed this circumstance as only advantageous to his enterprise. His lordship began his march at two o'clock in the morning, and sent general Slade with the 10th hussars along the Coa to enter the town, whilst himself proceeded towards it in another direction with the 10th dragoons and horse artillery.

His lordship approached the town at dawn and surprised a picquet, but two or three men escaped, and gave the alarm. He immediately pushed forward, and discovered the enemy formed up not far from the town. The two corps manœuvred for some time, each endeavouring to gain the flank of its opponent. At first, the ground was unfavourable to Lord Paget, and particularly from the situation of a hollow. His lordship, however, by his superior dexterity, surmounted this difficulty, passed the hollow, completely outmanœuvred the enemy, and charged them at a favourable moment; the French having wheeled into line, and then most absurdly halted to receive the shock. The British charge overthrew them in a moment, and dispersed them in every direction. Many of the French were killed, and the prisoners amounted to 15, including two lieutenant-colonels. The loss of the British was

Life of Lord Paget.

to take the route by Valentia, whilst the rest of the army proceeded by Castro Gonsalo; thus moreover covering the magazines at Benevente and Zamora, The army, therefore, proceeded by this route, and on the 26th of December Bir David Baird reached the river Eslar, passed it without difficulty, and took post at Valentia.

On the same day, the 26th, the other divisions of infantry, under generals Fraser and Hope, reached Castro Gonsalo. Sir John Moore followed with the reserve, and lord Paget closed up with the cavalry. Buonaparte's army was now immediately in the rear, and lord Paget fell in with a detachment of them (the same day) at Majorga. His lordship immediately ordered colonel Leigh, with two squadrous of the 10th hussars, to attack this corps, which had halted on the summit of a steep hill. Colonel Leigh rode briskly up the hill, but on approaching the top, where the ground was rugged, reined in to refresh his horses, though exposed to a severe fire from the enemy. Having recovered their breath, he charged them in most distinguished style, overthrew them in every part, and took about a hundred prisoners.

The cavalry, the horse artillery, and a light corps, remained on the night of the 26th at Castro Gonsalo, and the divisions under generals Hope and Fraser marched to Benevente. On the 27th, the rear-guard followed the same route. A general order was here (at Benevente) issued, reproving the growing indiscipline of the army on its march.

On the march from Castro Gonsalo to Benevente, a messenger came up to sir John with the intelligence, that the French were hastening up in all quarters. He had passed Buonaparte and his army, who were making forced marekes to overtake the British.

There are two roads to Vigo, the one by Orense, the other by Astorga. The one by Orense is the shortest, but is not practicable for artillery, nor for any species of waggon. The British army took the road by Astorga, and generals Hope and Fraser proceeded on the 28th on this road to La Banissa. Orders were at the same time sent to sir D. Baird, who was still reposing his army at Valentia, to march to the same point.

On the 29th, at day break, sir John followed the divisions of generals Fraser and Hope with the reserve, lord Paget being ordered as before to bring up the rear with the cavalry. But at nine o'clock in the morning, before his lordship had moved, some of the enemy's cavalry were observed trying a ford near the bridge which had been blown up, and presently between five and six hundred of the imperial guards of Buonaparte plunged into the river and crossed over. They were immediately opposed by the British picquets under colonel Otway, and being reinforced by a small party of the 3d dragoons, the colonel charged them with so much fury that the front squadron broke through, and was for a short time surrounded by the enemy's rear squadron wheeling up. They extricated themselves by charging back again through the enemy. Lord Paget now galloped up with a small part of the rear guard, and found brigadier-general Stuart, at the head of the picquets, very sharply engaged, the squadrons on both sides sometimes intermixing. His lordship was desirous of drawing the enemy farther from the ford, till the 10th hussars, who were forming at some distance, were ready. This regiment soon arrived,

Life of Lord Paget.

and lord Paget immediately wheeled it into line in the rear of the picquets, The latter then charged the enemy, supported by the 10th hussars. Before they could close, however, the French wheeled round, fled to the ford, and plunged into the river. They were closely pursued, and left on the field 55 killed and wounded and 70 prisoners, amongst whom was general Le Febvre, the commander of the imperial guards. Upon reaching the opposite bank of the river, the enemy formed again, but a few shots from the horse artillery, who now came up, quickly dispersed them, and they were seen riding up the hill, and flying in great disorder. It is but justice to add, that the imperial guards fought with a gallantry which could only be excelled by their conquerors. It was learned from the prisoners that Buonaparte was only twenty miles behind, having slept the preceding night at Vallalpondo. Having so brilliantly finished this brisk affair, lord Paget with the cavalry followed the reserve to La Banissa.

Sir John had not as yet determined whether he should retire upon Vigo or Corunna. It was necessary that he should keep in his hands the power of effecting either. General Craufurd was, therefore, on the 30th, detached from La Banissa with three thousand men lightly equipped, for Vigo by the Orense road. The rest of the army proceeded to Astorga, where they were joined by sir David Baird's division from Valentia. The camp equipage be. Jonging to the corps of sir David Baird was here consumed, lest it should impede the march. A general order was now and here issued, (Astorga, Dec. 30th, 1808,) calling upon the army to exhibit that cheerful patience and ready submission to difficulties and privations, which were military qualities not less estimable than valour. The good will of the inhabitants, so useful to the army, could only be obtained by good conduct on the part of the troops. The general expected that good conduct both on the march and in the can. tonments. It was probable that the army would soon have to meet the enemy, and the commander of the forces had no doubt but that they would eagerly imitate the brave example of the cavalry.

On the 31st December, sir John Moore, with lord Paget and the reserve, moved on for Cacabelos and Bemimbre, the advanced guard and main body having preceded them. Sir John and the reserve reached Cacabelos in the evening, and the cavalry followed, and reached it at midnight. The reserve then again proceeded, and arrived the next morning, January 1st, at Bemimbre, precisely as the preceding divisions were marching off to Villa Franca, The French, under Soult and Buonaparte, were now so close up that their patroles during the night fell in with our cavalry picquets. Our picquets did their duty with equal courage and vigilance, retiring slowly as the enemy advanced, and performing the double duty of a guard and a reconnoitering detachment.

The French force, under Soult and Buonaparte, joined at Astorga. It amounted to 70,000 men; and other corps were hourly expected up. The French emperor here reviewed this immense force, and detaching three marshals with as many divisions to continue the pursuit of sir John, he himself halted at Astorga to await the event.

On the 24 January, 1809, the reserve and cavalry moved from Bemimbre for Villa Franca. As the town (Bemimbre) was full of stragglers of the preceding divisions, the general left colonel Ross behind, with the 20th regiment and a small detachment of cavalry, to warn them and drive them out of the houses. They amounted to nearly a thousand in number. Neither threats, nor the sight of the advancing enemy, could induce the greater number of these infatuated wretches to move forward. The rear-guard was at length compelled to march and to leave them to their fate. The enemy now poured into the town, and as the most stupid now saw their danger, the road was filled with these unfortunate people, men, women, and children. The French dragoons, galloping through the long line of them, slashed them with their swords mercilessly to their right and left, and so insensible were