strength, and he was in the saddle by daybreak, making his way to Salamanca.

Here he found troops of friends, and took up his quarters with Marshal Beresford, than whom there could be no kinder host, and at whose table he passed a pleasant evening, discussing the campaign, and both hearing and telling good stories, which it is to be regretted that he forgot to insert in his note-book. He was early mounted in the morning, and his friend Colonel Hardinge conducted him over the field of battle, so fruitful of interest to his eye. Indeed, he never passed by these practical illustrations of the art of war; and his example is suggestive to young soldiers debarred from his experience of service; for such lessons are open to all, and what he could study with advantage must to them be full of instruction. Nor is it easy to appreciate the genius of the Great Captain till we have thus stood on one of his positions, and recalled his manœuvres on the spot where they were executed. Sir Howard's companion knew all the incidents of the combat, and related them in the clearest manner, with a soldier's pride and grasp. He often spoke of Colonel Hardinge's description of the battle, which he characterised as a perfect representation, bringing before him the whole scene. How must he have felt at the time the influence he had exercised over the action himself, in preventing Lord Wellington from being crushed by numbers!

He made a long ride from the field to Arivalo, where he met General Churton, who told him that Lord Wellington would arrive next day, and this

determined him to await his coming. It was two in

T

the afternoon before the Commander-in-Chief appeared. He met Sir Howard in the friendliest manner, invited him to dinner, and directed him to remain at headquarters till further orders. He was to have another opportunity of displaying his abilities before he returned to England.

CHAPTER XXI.

AT THE SIEGE OF BURGOS.

SIR HOWARD marched with the army in the advance on Burgos, and learnt from his friend Colonel Gordon' that he would probably be kept at head-quarters till the movement was completed. But Lord Wellington did not make known his intentions, though they were in frequent communication, and he dined with him nearly every day. They were riding together on the morning of the 6th, when the enemy appeared in front, posted on some commanding heights near Valladolid. Lord Wellington made dispositions for attack, ordering up General Anson's brigade of cavalry, with the 6th Division as a support; and a dash at the French brought off some prisoners. The heads of the English columns came up in succession, and marched to their places on the ridge, where their Commander had taken ground, and Sir Howard expected a general action. To this he looked with the more satisfaction, as he considered a victory would restore Lord Wellington the advantages he conceived him to have lost by not following up the pursuit from Salamanca. But the opportunities of war are moments, and must be seized as they pass, for they neither linger nor return. No one better knew their value than the English Commander; and doubtless he was now aware of any slip he had made in that operation, though Sir

1 Afterwards General Sir Willoughby Gordon, G.C.B.

Howard witnesses that he may have been influenced by considerations which did not transpire. He showed every desire to seize the present opening, but was prevented from attacking by the absence of the 9-pounder brigade; and it did not arrive till late in the day, when the time for action had passed. All waited impatiently for the morning, but only to meet disappointment; for the French withdrew from the position during the night, though they still occupied the city. Sir Howard rode forward with Lord Wellington to reconnoitre, and saw all that had occurred. An advanced party of the 12th entered the Campo Major, and drove before it the French pickets; while their army was seen retiring across the bridge, leaving a small rearguard in the Tree Walk. These made a rush at a smaller party of English sent to cut off their advanced men, and gave them a check, killing and wounding the foremost, and then retreated over the bridge, which was instantly blown up. The explosion shook the earth, and the fragments shot up as from a volcano, for a moment veiling the spot with smoke and dust. Sir Howard felt alarmed for Lord Wellington's safety, as he exposed himself in an unusual manner; but he turned aside after the destruction of the bridge, and they rode into the garden of the Scots' College, on the road to Calderon, where they obtained a view of the whole French army marching very close to the river on the opposite bank, and Sir Howard estimated their number at 17,000. They left the English in possession of Valladolid.'

1 Napier describes the recovery of Valladolid very briefly, and his account is different. He merely says, "Clausel abandoned Valladolid on the night of the 6th, and, though closely followed by Ponsonby's cavalry, crossed the

The French Marshal covered his retreat by a series of movements which brought the English to Burgos; and hence he fell back upon Briviesca, in company with Caffarelli, who had joined him in time to reinforce the garrison. The appearance of Burgos greatly interested Sir Howard, and he rode forward to reconnoitre the works in the train of Lord Wellington. The castle occupied a steep hill in front of the city, and comprised a strong wall, with parapet and flanks, and the additional defence of two palisaded retrenchments, one within the other. The innermost enclosed the crown of the hill, surmounted by the castle keep, which was entrenched and casemated, and capped by a battery, named after the Emperor, and commanding all around. To the north stood a hill of almost equal height, sustaining a strong hornwork, not quite finished, but closed with palisades.

Sir Howard noted every point, and looked upon the place as of great strength in relation to Lord Wellington's means; but the other scientific officers conceived a different impression, and thought the means equal to the attack. His knowledge of their opinion made him doubt his own, as he entertained a high appreciation of their judgment, and he determined to satisfy himself more fully before he expressed dissent. He possessed an old plan of the castle, which he carefully studied, and then rode out in the twilight to steal a closer view. The town, the castle, and the open all lay still in the terrible suspense before battle, and the shades of

Pisnerga and destroyed the bridge of Berecal on that river."-Peninsular War, v. 259. Sir Howard's notes make no mention of the pursuit by cavalry, and affirm that the French held the town in the morning, as stated above.