[131] Arteche accuses Belmas of giving only 505 wounded, remarking that Verdier stated the higher number of 900. But my edition of Belmas (Paris, 1836) distinctly says ‘quinze cent cinq blessés’ (ii. 64). Napier gives no figures at all: Thiers, understating French losses in his usual style, speaks of 300 dead and 900 wounded.

[132] The best known was the batallon literario, composed of the students of the University of Santiago.

[133] Oddly enough, in the Duke of Rovigo’s own Mémoires the statement is made that these troops arrived too late to fight at Rio Seco, a curious error (ii. 248).

[134] See the dispatch of July 13, to Savary, and that of the same day to King Joseph (Nap. Corresp., 14,191).

[135] Bessières’ army seems to have consisted of the following elements:—

Infantry.Cavalry.
(1) One regiment of the Fusiliers of the Imperial Guard (three batts.)1,900
Three squadrons of cavalry of the Imperial Guard 300
(2) From Verdier’s Division:
Ducos’ Brigade
13th Provisional Regiment (four batts.)2,000
14th Provisional Regiment (one batt.)a500
Sabathier’s Brigade
17th Provisional Regiment (four batts.), and
18th Provisional Regiment (four batts.)b2,800
(3) From Merle’s Division:
D’Armagnac’s Brigade
47th of the Line (one batt.)c, and
3rd Swiss Regiment (one batt.)1,600
(4) From Mouton’s Division:
Reynaud’s Brigade
4th Léger (three batts.), and
15th of the Line (two batts.)d3,000
(5) Lasalle’s Cavalry Brigade:
10th Chasseurs, and
22nd Chasseurs 850
11,8001,150

We may add 750 men for the five batteries of artillery and the train, and so get a total strength of 13,700. Napoleon (Corresp., 14,213) called the force 15,000.

Note a: The other three batts. of the 14th were with Verdier at Saragossa. This odd battalion was in the battle attached to D’Armagnac’s brigade. Merle was given Ducos’ and D’Armagnac’s brigades to make up a division.

Note b: These battalions were much weakened by detachments.

Note c: A very strong battalion: it was 1,200 strong on June 1, and must still have had 1,000 bayonets.