[7] Our division, under Craufurd, in this retreat, as I have before mentioned, made for Vigo.
CHAPTER XV.
THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION.
Filling up the ranks—Going out recruiting—Bagging a blackbird—Coaxing the militia, and hoaxing them—A demon runner—Winning a commission.
After the disastrous retreat to Corunna, the Rifles were reduced to a sickly skeleton, if I may so term it. Out of perhaps nine hundred of as active and fine fellows as ever held a weapon in the field of an enemy's country, we paraded some three hundred weak and crest-fallen invalids.
I myself stood the third man in my own company, which was reduced from near a hundred men, to but three. Indeed, I think we had scarce a company on parade stronger than ten or twelve men, at the first parade. After a few parades, however, our companies gradually were augmented (by those of the sick who recovered), but many of those who did not sink in hospital, were never more of much service as soldiers.
The captain of my company was sick, and Lieutenant Hill commanded the three men who answered for No. 4 on this occasion.
I remember he smiled when he looked at me. "Harris," he said, "you look the best man here, this morning. You seem to have got over this business well."