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Hope, afervare Zar y Buren Krant avris Madrid Major

single of hussars comenad de acude v de simma: mide rangementa were made vi si frigo mi pimes a that the troops are a Feramen v TWITT miles of Madné lode fomed in the best order and in the highest pinna. The recent pots of rendervous for the army was Salamanca in the ricinity of which it was expected the donkive Flow weild be struck. Thither, accordingly, after leaving Navalcarnero, Hope's division proceeded by the road of the Escurial, General Stewart with his hussars still covering the advance, The

VOL. I.

X

CHAP.

IV.

1808.

tugal.

4.

island was still smarting under the wounds received, and agitated by the passions awakened, during the Rebellion of 1798, and the outbreak in Dublin in 1803. As his known firmness and resolution of character had procured for him in perilous times this important situation, so the mingled steadiness of his administration, and courtesy of his manners, secured to him during the whole time that he held it which was till the Peninsular war broke out in 1808-the respect and regard of all classes of the community. This period of his life was signalised by an event of great importance. During his residence at the Castle of Dublin he became intimate with the Earl of Darnley's family, and on the 8th August 1808 he was married to an elegant and accomplished lady, Lady Catherine Bligh, fourth daughter of that nobleman, by whom he had a son, who afterwards became the fourth Lord Londonderry.

But more stirring times were approaching; and the First opera- trumpet of war, which sent forth a loud blast from the tions in Por- Spanish peninsula, called Colonel Stewart alike from his pacific duties and the endearments of home to more animating dangers in the field. No sooner had Government determined on sending out an expedition to Portugal than he relinquished his high situation in Ireland, and proceeded to that country with the force commanded by Sir John Moore, in which he had obtained the command of a brigade of hussars. The armament to which he was attached, which consisted of ten thousand men, was the second, in order of time, which sailed from the British shore, and proceeded to Mondego Bay, there to await orders from Sir Hew Dalrymple, who was the Commanderin-Chief. Adverse winds, however, rendered landing there impossible at that time; and as it was of the highest importance that the latter should be informed as soon as possible of the approach of so powerful a reinforcement, Sir John Moore looked anxiously round for an officer upon whose spirit and steadiness he could rely to carry the

1808.

information. His choice fell upon Colonel Stewart, who CHAP. forthwith set out on his mission, which was not a little IV. perilous, as the intervening country was for the most part inundated with the enemy's light troops. It was performed, however, with perfect success. The first part of the journey was made in a frigate when it neared the shore he got into an open boat, which landed him with no small difficulty at the village of St Nazarath, at a considerable distance from the British headquarters. Thither the journey had to be performed on foot; but after undergoing great fatigue, and surmounting severe hardships, he reached the place of his destination, four days after the battle of Vimeira had rendered the approach of the succour, in the mean time at least, of comparatively little importance.

5.

into Spain

After this, Colonel Stewart remained with the army in Portugal, of which, after the recall of Sir Harry His advance Burrard, and the return of Sir Arthur Wellesley on leave with Sir to give evidence on the convention of Cintra, Sir John John Moore, Moore assumed the command. An advance into Spain having been resolved on to support the movements of the Spanish armies, which after their surprising successes were converging in pursuit of the French towards the Ebro, Colonel, now Major-General, Stewart was attached to the division which, under the command of Sir John Hope, afterwards Earl of Hopeton, advanced towards Madrid. Major-General Stewart with his brigade of hussars covered the advance of the column; and the arrangements were made with such foresight and judgment that the troops arrived at Navalcarnero, within twenty miles of Madrid, little fatigued, in the best order and in the highest spirits. The general point of rendezvous for the army was Salamanca, in the vicinity of which it was expected the decisive blow would be struck. Thither, accordingly, after leaving Navalcarnero, Hope's division proceeded by the road of the Escurial, General Stewart with his hussars still covering the advance. The

VOL. I.

X

IV.

1808.

CHAP. junction with the main body at Salamanca having been effected, Sir John Moore, after considerable hesitation, determined to advance. Whilst forming the advanced guard, General Stewart came with his brigade of cavalry upon a French detachment lying at Rueda, between Tordesillas and Nava, which he succeeded in surprising, and where he took a large supply of cotton. On entering Villapondo he again surprised a French major of cavalry, who was proceeding with an escort to join his regiment, and, with his followers, was made prisoner.

6.

actions near

The army, 25,000 strong, having made a forward Gallant movement on Sahagun, threatened the communications of Sahagun, the French army. The greatest enthusiasm for a brief and retreat period pervaded the British troops. In several skirtowards mishes between the cavalry of the British and that of Dec. 1808. the French, the superiority of the former was strikingly

of the army

Galicia.

evinced, particularly on the 20th December, when Lord Paget defeated a considerable body of the French hussars, and made a hundred and fifty-seven prisoners. But as it was known that Napoleon in person was hastening at the head of 50,000 men from Madrid, across the Guadarama Pass, to attack them in flank and threaten their rear, while Soult with 18,000 lay in their front, this bold line of action was of necessity abandoned; and, to the infinite mortification of the soldiers, orders were given to retreat towards Galicia. General Stewart with his brigade of hussars, consisting of the 10th, 18th, and 8th German dragoons, were intrusted with the arduous duty of covering the rear, and they were soon brought in contact with the very best horsemen in the French army, 1 London consisting of the cavalry of the Imperial Guard, which insular had come up with the Emperor in person. This brought 254. on a most brilliant cavalry action near Benavente, in which General Stewart particularly distinguished himself.1

derry's Pen

War, i. 250

The rearguard had halted for the night in the little town of that name, under the shadow of the magnificent old castle, second to none in Europe, which it contains,

CHAP.
IV.

7.

Benavente.

belonging to the Duke of Ossuna. Near it flows the little river Esla, over which a bridge had been thrown at some little distance, which was broken down to secure 1808. the troops from surprise during the night. The night Gallant acpassed over without alarm; but early next morning a tion near large body of the enemy's horse, mustering six hundred Dec. 28. sabres, were seen trying a ford not far from the ruins of the bridge, and they were soon afterwards crossed and formed on the British side of the stream. The English hussars under General Stewart, deeming the ford impassable, were somewhat scattered in their night-quarters; so that two hundred men, composed of the detachments forming the outposts, alone could be got together at first to check the progress of the enemy, who were already formed, and preparing to attack the British rearguard. Notwithstanding the disparity of force, this small body under Colonel Otway gallantly advanced, and repeatedly charged the leading squadron, so as to impede the formation and check the advance of the enemy. Meanwhile, the 10th, forming part of the brigade, was rapidly formed in the rear, concealed by some houses; and while they were mustering, the pickets in front continued charging and retiring so as to cause the enemy's horsemen to advance, which they did as if to certain victory. Suddenly, when they were sufficiently near, the pickets halted; the reserve wheeled out from behind their cover; and General Stewart at the head of the pickets, and Lord Paget leading the 10th, with a loud cheer, at full speed bore down upon the enemy. The shock was very violent for the cavalry of the French were the hussars of the Imperial Guard, second to none in that noble array for prowess and hardihood-and for a few seconds they stood their ground stoutly. In the mêlée, General Stewart, who was in the front, had his sword struck out his hand; but it was immediately replaced by that Lieutenant-Colonel Hosy. After a vehement struggle, the 254-256. Imperial Guard broke, and fled in haste across the Esla,

1

of Napier's

Pen. War,

of. 467;

Lond. i.

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