[582] Napier (iii. p. 317) suggests that since the stores of Elvas had run low, and its ammunition reserve in especial had been much depleted by the expenditure of shot and shell before Badajoz, the place was in such a dangerous condition that ‘Soult (had he known this state of affairs) might have passed the Guadiana by the fords, and by means of his pontoons from Badajoz, might have overpowered the Allies’ right, invested Elvas, and covered his army by lines, unless indeed the English general, anticipating the attempt, defeated him between the Caya and Elvas. This might not have been easy in an open country, which offered every advantage to the overwhelming cavalry and artillery of the French.’ With all humility, I must express my doubts as to the wisdom or practicability of this course. An army of 60,000 men, with another of 54,000 in its front, cannot, surely, venture to form the siege of a first-class fortress unless it has previously beaten the covering army in a general action. Napier suggests that Soult should push back Wellington’s right and surround Elvas. But the attempt must have brought on a general action, close under the walls of Elvas, in which the Allies would have had every advantage of position.
[583] Soult’s dispatch of June 24 says that he has just heard that Blake has gone off southward.
[584] Four battalions, two cavalry regiments, and a battery had been lent for the field army.
[585] Of the four regiments garrisoning that region three (12th Léger, 51st, 55th) had joined the Albuera army. Sebastiani had to lend several battalions to take their place.
[586] See Mémoires, iv. p. 47.
[587] i. e. two infantry divisions, and Briche’s light cavalry, 14,000 men, since the drafts had come under Drouet.
[588] When a siege seemed probable General Leite demolished a number of houses and trees too close to the walls, improved the works by clearing the ditch and strengthening parapets, and did his best to draw in all available provisions. This last was hard, when so large a friendly army was close at hand, eating up the country-side.
[589] Elaborate marching arrangements, and timing for all these destinations, are found in D’Urban’s diary under July 18.
[590] Dispatches, vii. p. 503.
[591] The new arrivals were (see Atkinson’s ‘British Army in the Peninsula’ in English Historical Review for 1907): 2nd Hussars K.G.L. (15th April), 11th Light Dragoons (by June 1), 12th Light Dragoons (by July 1), 9th Light Dragoons (by August 1), 3rd Dragoons and 4th Dragoon Guards (before September 1). The brigading became—1st Division (Stapleton Cotton): Slade’s brigade, 1st Royals and 12th Light Dragoons; Anson’s brigade, 14th and 16th Light Dragoons; Alten’s brigade, 11th Light Dragoons, 1st Hussars K.G.L.; Le Marchant’s brigade, 3rd Dragoons and 4th Dragoon Guards. 2nd Division (Erskine): Long’s brigade, 2nd Hussars K.G.L., 9th and 13th Light Dragoons; De Grey’s brigade, 3rd Dragoon Guards, 4th Dragoons.