[241] Napoleon to Berthier, Jan. 11, 1810.
[243] For the letters of Loison to Santocildes and the reply of the Spanish brigadier, see the correspondence in Belmas, iii. pp. 53-6.
[244] Loison to Berthier, Feb. 16, from La Baneza.
[245] For notes as to the cause and execution of this abortive movement, see the diary of Ney’s aide de camp, Sprünglin, pages 402-3.
[246] Wellington to Craufurd, Feb. 16. Compare similar remarks in Wellington to Beresford, from Vizeu, Feb. 21, 1810.
[247] Even the 8th Corps had to leave guns behind at Bayonne for want of horses, Belmas, ii. 13.
[248] There are good narratives in the autobiographies of Noël and Hulot of the artillery, beside the excellent account in Belmas, vol. iii.
[249] Only consisting of four 24-pounders, one 16-pounder, four 12-pounders, eight 6-inch howitzers, and one 6-inch mortar. See Belmas, iii. 28.
[250] ‘Les Espagnols rispostèrent avec vivacité; on s’étonnait d’autant plus que, le parapet étant en pierres sèches, chaque boulet qui le frappait en faisait jaillir de nombreux éclats.’ Belmas, iii. 34.