“Stay, though, was it the eighth? Upon my life, I’m not quite clear as to that; blot the word a little and go on—”
That the—corps, under Marshal Victor, had commenced a forward
movement towards Alcantara, I immediately ordered a flank
movement of the light infantry regiment to cover the bridge over the
Tagus. After breakfast—
“I’m afraid, Major, that is not precise enough.”
“Well—”
About eleven o’clock, the French skirmishers attacked, and drove
in our pickets that were posted in front of our position, and following
rapidly up with cavalry, they took a few prisoners, and killed old
Alphonzo,—he ran like a man, they say, but they caught him in
the rear.
“You needn’t put that in, if you don’t like.”
I now directed a charge of the cavalry brigade, under Don
Asturias Y’Hajos, that cut them up in fine style. Our artillery,
posted on the heights, mowing away at their columns like fun.
Victor didn’t like this, and got into a wood, when we all went
to dinner; it was about two o’clock then.
After dinner, the Portuguese light corps, under Silva da Onorha,
having made an attack upon the enemy’s left, without my orders,
got devilish well trounced, and served them right; but coming up
to their assistance, with the heavy brigade of guns, and the cavalry,
we drove back the French, and took several prisoners, none of whom
we put to death.
“Dash that—Sir Arthur likes respect for the usages of war. Lord, how dry I’m getting!”
The French were soon seen to retire their heavy guns, and
speedily afterwards retreated. We pursued them for some time, but
they showed fight; and as it was getting dark, I drew off my forces,
and came here to supper. Your Excellency will perceive, by the
enclosed return, that our loss has been considerable.
I send this despatch by Don Emanuel Forgales, whose services—
“I back him for mutton hash with onions against the whole regiment—”