CHAPTER X
Journal—1st-31st August 1812
The Light Division march on Madrid—Bivouac in the park of the Escorial—A wild-boar hunt—Visit to the mausoleum in the Escorial and the public buildings in Madrid—King Joseph's quarters—Joy of the inhabitants at the arrival of Lord Wellington's army—The French in the Buen Retiro surrender—Bull-fight in honour of the British army.
Letter No. XVI
To his Parents, from Madrid, dated 8th September 1812
Narrates the loss of his horse and mule, and discomfort and hardships resulting therefrom—Unable to remit any more money in consequence, until after Christmas—Joseph to join the Rifles—Intends to make him study—Sends his picture to sister Ann and remittance of £22 to his parents.
Journal—1st September-31st December 1812
In cantonments near Madrid—News of brother Joseph being ill—Visit to Alcala—News of the failure of the assault on Burgos—The British army forced to retire from Madrid—Halt at Salamanca—Fatal accident to Lieutenant Firman of the Rifles—Retreat from Salamanca—Joseph very ill—Light Division on rear-guard—Bad weather and great privations—The soldiers starving—Subsist on acorns—Two soldiers shot by order of Lord Wellington for shooting pigs—Combat of the Huebra (San Munoz)—The rear-guard sharply pressed—Cross the Huebra under heavy fire—Finds his brother has been left behind—Recrosses the river and saves him—The French relinquish the pursuit and fall back on Salamanca—In cantonments at Villar del Puerco—Amusing incident with three Dragoon officers—Stratagem to induce them to march after their men—A friendly parting—In winter quarters at Almeida—A regimental mess formed.
Letter No. XVII
To his Parents, from Alameda, Spain, dated 12th December 1812
Describes the retreat from Madrid—The three brothers meet—Hardships of the retreat—Joseph made to do five hours' study daily—Is very proud of his green clothes.
Letter No. XVIII
To his Father, from Alameda, Spain, dated 29th December 1812
Lecture to his father—No faith in M.P.'s—News of the Moscow campaign and successes of the Russians—Joseph's health, appetite, and studies—Does not like being shot at—Warns his father not to show his letters abroad.
Journal—1st-31st August 1812
1812 Aug. 1st
Marched to Tudela de Duero.
2nd
Visited Valladolid, a gloomy, sombre-looking town. Returned to camp and marched to Aldea Mayor. Recrossed the Duero.
6th
Marched early and bivouacked in a wood near Mata de Cuellar.
7th
Marched and bivouacked on the right bank of the Piron.
8th
At daylight marched, and passed through Carbonnero. The women in this part of Spain had tremendous pigtails, which produced much joking amongst the soldiers as they went along. Bivouacked in a wood near the Rio Eresma.
9th
Marched through Madrona and bivouacked in a wood near Palacio del Rio Frio.
10th
Marched and bivouacked near Otero and Madrona. Segovia is about 1¼ leagues from the latter place, which I could not visit, being on duty.
11th
Passed through the Puerto de Guerto de Guadarama—these mountains separate New from Old Castile—and bivouacked in the park of the Escorial. The men of the Division had only just got off their knapsacks when two large wild boars were started from a thicket. They were so alarmed at the sight of so many men that they literally ran directly amongst them, and tumbled over numbers of them, but after receiving a cut or a stab from a hundred bayonets or swords, they fell covered with wounds, and in five minutes their carcases were divided and distributed.
12th
Halted.
13th
Marched to Las Rozas. Two days back, some Portuguese cavalry and two guns were in advance from here when the French Dragoons made a dash at the Portuguese, who did not show fight, but set off. The guns in consequence fell into the enemy's possession before any British could be brought up.
14th
The enemy had moved away. Marched to Villaverde, three miles from Madrid. In the afternoon I went into the city. The public buildings are really splendid, and in general the streets spacious and houses well built. No abominable dunghills in every direction, like Lisbon, which is a great comfort.
20th
Marched to Getafe, eight miles from Madrid. Nothing could exceed the frantic joy expressed by the people of all classes on Lord Wellington's entering Madrid. Ladies threw down their most valuable veils and shawls for his horse to pass over; they got hold of his legs as he sat on horseback and kissed them. The French had left a garrison in a place which had formerly been a palace and also a china factory, called the Buen Retiro. The place was enclosed with a deep ditch and stockade. It had plenty of cannon for the use of the fort. It was closely invested, and the men on the third day had orders to storm it. They were formed upon the glacis ready to be slipped at the place, when the Governor begged to be allowed to remove his movables and baggage, as well as the men and officers, which terms were granted and they became prisoners of war. The mob wanted to be allowed to stab them as they passed out of it, but we got the prisoners as fast as possible with some difficulty out of the town.
Lord Wellington left the Light Division in and about Madrid, as well as the 2nd Division, and proceeded with the remainder of his army to Burgos, which place he invested.
31st
A bull-fight was given in honour of Lord Wellington's entering Madrid. I was present at it. The bulls were most tremendous animals. The men that attacked them displayed the greatest intrepidity and courage. The poor horses suffered the most.