Spaniards ravaged the country up to Pampeluna. Minas then crossed the mountains in search of Soulier, though worn out with fatigue and almost famishing. The march was conducted with such secrecy that the French General was in bed when a heavy fire of musketry announced his presence. Soulier's force consisted of 1600 infantry and 170 cavalry, posted in the town of Sangrassa; "and he formed his infantry with his usual coolness and valour," writes the Spanish chief to Sir Howard, "notwithstanding the surprise, and the loss he had sustained." The Spaniards had seized the bridge, and his first object was to drive them from this point, which he attempted directly, leading the attack himself. Minas allowed him to advance within pistol-shot, and then opened on him with his field-gun and a volley of musketry, by which his column was almost destroyed. But he retained his coolness, threw himself into the broken ranks, and maintained a running fight for five hours, effecting a retreat to Sos, and wresting the highest praise from his brave enemy. The loss of the French was 900 killed and wounded, Soulier himself being hit; while that of the Spaniards was only 200 wounded and 30 killed, including four officers.

Minas again left his fastness in the mountains at the beginning of April, and accomplished a march of fifteen leagues in one day, with the intention of intercepting a French convoy, escorted by 150 cavalry and 2000 infantry composed of Poles and the Imperial Guard. He showed himself near Victoria, and caused letters to be dispersed in the town intimating that he was on his way to the Pyrenees, but he had no

' Despatch of General Minas to Sir Howard Douglas, in the 'Douglas Papers.'

M

thought of such a movement, and made a forced march to Artaban, where he took post unobserved. His force was so placed as to form a circle, which would surround the convoy on its coming up, as well as the escort, but he gave an order that no man should molest the convoy till the escort was defeated. The French were seen approaching in a careless way, without suspecting an ambush, the high rocks concealing the Spaniards, who did not present themselves till a shower of balls had thrown the escort in confusion. They tried to rally, but the Spaniards now poured over the rocks and charged them with the bayonet, completing their rout. “The haughty Poles and Imperial Guard, being completely dismayed," writes Minas to Sir Howard, "threw away their arms and fell victims on our bayonets."

The carnage in this action was dreadful, and Minas informed Sir Howard that not one of the French would have escaped only for the vicinity of the castle of Artaban. To this fortress about 800 made good their retreat, after a loss of nearly 600 killed, 500 wounded, and 150 prisoners. Among the killed was Deslandes, Cabinet Secretary to King Joseph; and the captives included his wife, Donna Carlotta Ariana, who was wounded, and two other ladies, with five children. The spoil embraced 100 waggons, two standards, the military chest of the Polish regiment of infantry, the correspondence of King Joseph, which Deslandes was conveying to France, the carriage and valuables of Deslandes, and eight drums.1

1 Despatch of General Minas to Sir Howard Douglas, in the 'Douglas Papers.'

Such were some of the achievements of the irregular forces during the time that Sir Howard undertook to hold Gallicia, and occupy the French in the north of Spain. They had the effect desired, in keeping Lord Wellington from being embarrassed at a critical period; and Sir Howard received a despatch from Lord Fitzroy Somerset towards the end of April, announcing the capture of Badajoz.

The guerilla successes exasperated the French, who resorted to the severest reprisals, and the peasants returned from their forays to find their homes devastated and their wives and daughters dishonoured and sometimes butchered. These atrocities were so common that they are mentioned as things of course by the guerilla chiefs in their despatches to Sir Howard. But he relates one enormity that drove them to madness, and excites a shudder even at this distance of time. The French desired to occupy a monastery commanding a strong pass, but admission was denied by the monks, who made a stout resistance. They were overcome, and the French punished their temerity by roasting several of them, and putting the rest to the sword. A party of the French afterwards fell into the hands of the guerillas, who obtained possession of an immense oven constructed for the use of a regiment, and baked them alive. Such are the horrors of invasion!

CHAPTER XVII.

SERVING WITH THE SPANISH ARMY.

THE enthusiasm of the Alarms and guerillas at these successes was damped by the absence of Sir Howard, who no longer superintended their musters and drills. He continued to furnish them with arms, and to correspond with their chiefs, directing the movement with the same zeal, but he was not seen at their posts. They had become so used to his presence that the change excited remark; and a rumour spread that the Government had forbidden him to attend. The sensation produced showed the popularity he had attained, and how completely he had won their confidence. Addresses poured in upon him from all parts; exasperated crowds paraded the streets of the towns; and the Alarms broke up from their musters with threatening cries. The military became frightened at these demonstrations, and proposed that the bands should be disarmed; effecting this measure in several villages, though at such risk that it was carried no further. Indeed the Supreme Junta ordered it to be discontinued, and the arms to be restored, at the same time censuring the Generals; and they begged Sir Howard to resume his inspections of the Alarms, of the interruption of which

A translation of one of these addresses is given in the Appendix.

they now first heard. But he felt that such a course would confirm the popular impression, and widen the breach with the army, which he desired to heal; and he convineed the Junta that it would be better to give out that he was kept away from the musters by his other duties, which might be said with truth. He was always ready to renounce himself, and never more so than now; for it was important to avoid offending General Abadia, whom he wished to join in some operations on the Esla. He had put the army in a serviceable condition, supplying it with arms and clothing; and the influence he thus acquired had been exerted to push forward its training. His withdrawal from the supervision of the Alarms gratified General Abadia, and the reason he pleaded for the step screened him from blame, and soothed the people; so that he preserved his influence with both, while he calmed the jealousies a foreigner naturally provoked. This appeared on his next visit to the camp, when General Abadia received him with compliments; and he might feel proud that one so prejudiced acknowledged his services, and expressed appreciation of what he had done for Spain. He paid the General a tribute in return, crediting him with the improved efficiency of the army, and then unfolded the plan of Lord Wellington, which contemplated the advance of the division of General Castaños, to co-operate with the Gallician army on the Orbigo and Esla, and keep the French in that quarter employed. He entreated Abadia to act at once, and the General replied that he had but one objection, his want of artillery, which