[548] His first dispatch, that to Craufurd, is dated at 10.20.
[549] See Leach’s Diary, p. 178.
[550] Wellington to Fane, Nov. 15: ‘The enemy retreated last night. He intends either to retire across the Zezere into Spain, or across the Tagus into Spain, or across the Zezere to attack Abrantes. The last is possible, as I last night received an account that on the 9th they had a considerable reinforcement coming on the frontier at Beira Alta.’
[552] All from the orders issued at 10.30 in the morning ‘from the hill in front of Sobral’. Dispatches, vi. 623.
[553] All from the orders issued at 10.30 in the morning ‘from the hill in front of Sobral’. Dispatches, vi. 623.
[554] Leach’s Journal, p. 179.
[555] George Simmons’s Journal, pp. 121-2.
[556] For a full description of the doings of the 16th on this day, see Tomkinson, pp. 59-60.
[557] Leach thinks, with William Napier (iii. 41), that Wellington acted wisely in refusing Craufurd leave to attack (p. 180). Tomkinson, another eye-witness, thinks that an opportunity was missed (pp. 60, 61).