[575] A and I batteries R. H. A. were both late for Talavera.
[576] Joseph to Napoleon, from Talavera, July 9, 1809.
[577] Joseph to Napoleon, from Almagro, July 2, 1809.
[578] Joseph to Napoleon, from Madridejos, July 3, 1809. It is fair to the King to say that in this letter he concludes that he had better call Mortier down into New Castile if the English are really on the move.
[579] The July strength of Sebastiani’s corps, présents sous les armes, was 1st division (French) 8,118, 2nd division (Valence’s Poles) 4,784, Milhaud’s dragoons 2,249—total 15,151.
[580] Joseph to Napoleon, from Illescas, June 23: ‘Le général Sebastiani a devant lui des forces triples des siennes.’ Joseph to Napoleon, from Moral, July 1: ‘L’armée de 36,000 à 40,000 hommes qui menaçait le 4me Corps s’est enfuie et a repassé la Sierre Morena.’
[581] For all this see Joseph to Napoleon, from Moral [July 1], and from Almagro [July 2].
[582] Victor to King Joseph, from the head quarters of the 1st Corps, Calzada, near Oropesa, June 25. Intercepted dispatch in the Record Office.
[583] Napoleon to Clarke [Minister of War], from Schönbrunn, June 12, 1809.
[584] The Emperor’s dispatch contained many rebukes to Victor for not pushing towards the North, to join hands with Soult. Jourdan very truly remarks that if the 1st Corps had been sent in that direction, King Joseph must infallibly have lost Madrid.