The whole Baggage, Money, Artillery, and those of the French Army were taken—Carriages, and Animals, and a great many Ladies. The French Officers said they were so pinched, we did not leave them a Pinch of Snuff.
[102] Such was the rapidity of the Conflict, and such the nature of the Ground, very few of our Gallant Cavalry were engaged; wide, deep, and watery Ditches intersected the Country in all directions. Had the ground admitted, our Cavalry must have intercepted Thousands.
The French could only take two small Field-pieces with them, which, from the rapidity of the pursuit, fell into the Conqueror’s hands before they reached Pampeluna; but in their usual depredatious way, they plundered all the Houses, and burned many.
[103] The Hussars made a gallant charge through the Town, and in their progress attacked, and drove the Enemy’s Cavalry out.
[104] King Joe, or, as the Spaniards properly style him, the Intruder, was so pressed, he jumped on a horse, lost his Hat, and galloped at full speed out of the Town; and, as Officers and Men, afterwards taken, assured the Author, he actually threw money to the French Soldiery to let him pass.
[105] Madame, the Countess Gazon, a charming woman, was taken by the Hussars. Major R——t’s, 10th Hussars, it is said, had the Gallantry and Honour to protect her: she was allowed to follow her Husband a few Days after.—Part of the Cavalry only passed through the Town, the Army went right and left of it.
[106] The numerous Carriages of all descriptions, and Tumbrils, so completely blocked the Road, and filled the contiguous Fields, it was difficult to pass; the Carriages were completely loaded with Baggage, and the miserable Animals pushed into Deep, and Wet Ditches. The four-wheeled Tumbrils were loaded with Ammunition, and Money. It is supposed that those who divided the Spoil were enriched: certainly the Soldiers got Thousands of Dollars and Doubloons. It is said, more Persons than Soldiers shared in the Spoil; one got £8000 of Doubloons. It is to be lamented that, in consequence of the hurry and confusion, the Money was thus distributed—but it was inevitable; and the good fortune fell to the lot of many who did not share in the Conflict.
Two hundred and five Pieces of Ordnance were taken, and five hundred Tumbrils; large quantities of Army Stores, and Mules, and Horses, and much inferior Plunder also.—Vittoria is a superior Spanish Town, and situated in a fertile Plain.
[107] It was considered rather an uncommon instance of good fortune, the Noble L——d should, on any pretence, have been so unaccountably promoted in the same Gazette, Major and Lieut.-Colonel.
[108] A Badge of Merit is a most honourable Distinction, as the reward of Merit and Gallant achievement; but its value is eclipsed from the influence of interest.