[662] In James Moore’s book this gallant officer appears under the English disguise of Major Bagwell, under which I did not at first recognize him (p. 181). Oddly enough Adam Neale makes the same mistake (p. 179).
[663] Nap. Corresp., 14,623 (Napoleon to Josephine, from Benavente, Dec. 31), ‘Les Anglais fuient épouvantés.’
[664] Nap. Corresp., 14,626 (Napoleon to King Joseph). Joseph is to insert in the Madrid papers letters written from these three places with descriptions of the brigandage practised by the English—‘à Leon ils ont chassé les moines.’ No English troops had ever been within thirty miles of Leon!
[665] ‘Cette affaire m’a coûté une soixantaine de mes chasseurs. Vous sentez combien cela m’a été désagréable’ (ibid.).
[666] Symes to Moore, from La Romana’s camp at Mansilla, Dec. 25.
[667] Ibid.
[668] All witnesses agree that the army of Galicia was in a most distressing condition. ‘This army was literally half naked and half starved,’ says Adam Neale. ‘A malignant fever was raging among them, and long fatigues, privation, and this mortal distemper made them appear like spectres issuing from a hospital rather than an army’ (p. 181). ‘T.S.’ describes them as ‘looking more like a large body of peasants driven from their homes, and in want of everything, than a regular army ’ (p. 56). The men fit for service are described as being no more than 5,000 strong.
[669] ‘We all wished it, but none believed it,’ writes ‘T.S.’ ‘We had been told the same at Benavente, but our movement had no appearance of a retreat in which we were to face about and make a stand: it was more like a shameful flight’ (p. 56). This undoubtedly was the prevailing view in the ranks.
[670] Moore to Castlereagh, from Astorga, Dec. 31, 1808.
[671] This plea is not to be found in any of Moore’s dispatches, but only in La Romana’s account of the interview which he sent to the Junta.