The 17th.—We have this day a strong French report that peace is signed, and that the Pyrenees are to be the boundary of France on this side. Nothing said about England; but even at this rate, we must be off if this prove true. The news you told me of the fifty thousand men, under Soult, you will have seen was tolerably correct; it was intended he should have been here sooner, to prevent the mischief which happened at Vittoria. As soon as the report came that we were threatening to cross the Ebro he was sent off, but he did not allow sufficiently for Lord Wellington’s rapid movements, and was a little too late. It is clear, from many circumstances, as Lord Wellington says, that he intended to drive us back to the Ebro this last push, and that his measures were all taken accordingly; his cavalry, which he brought with him, and which, as regards the country as far as Pamplona, would have been useless, has suffered much from the roads, want of shoes, &c., and had no employment except that of carrying off the wounded.
Our army is now nearly as follows: first and fifth divisions, Oyarzun and St. Sebastian, under Graham; Jeron, with his Spaniards of Gallicia, in their front at Irun; Longa between them and this place, with his diminished Guerillas; here the fourth division and the light division in front, and the Spaniards of O’Donnell the reserve next, on the right of the others, in front; then the seventh division above Echalar, &c.: then the third and sixth in Maya and Roncesvalles Pass, with Spaniards I believe also, and General Hill’s second division behind them in the valley of Bastan, Elisondo, &c.; six thousand Spaniards watching Pamplona, and our cavalry about there principally or in the rear of Graham.
The 18th, still Lezaca.—O’Donnell is unwell, from the wound in his leg, from which thirty splinters have been extracted: he is going to the baths. He is the Conde de Bispal, commanding the army of Reserve. Jeron is to take his command now, and give up the Gallicians; our men, however, I am glad to learn, are in general considered as very healthy: General Cole told me that his division was particularly so, after all their fatigues. The army have Lord Wellington to thank principally, even for this. Last year the mules per company allowed by Government were employed in carrying the heavy iron camp-kettles, and our men had no tents; though they were allowed them, they could not be carried. This year Lord Wellington had light tin kettles made, one for every six men, for the mess, to be carried by one of the men, each having a small cooking machine of tin besides. This plan sets the mules free and disposable, and thus three tents have been carried for every company, and allowing for absentees, guards, officers’ servants, sentries, &c.; this now nearly houses or covers all our men, and contributes much to the health of the army. It was entirely an arrangement of his own. The Portuguese are still without tents, as are the French and the Spaniards.
The French, however, are very expert at making wood huts, with fern for the top and for the bedding, tolerably comfortable except in heavy rains. So are now the Portuguese indeed, and many of them (as well as our men who happen not to have tent room) join two together, and giving up their blankets for sleeping on, make a good tent of them, which holds two very well, and only consists of their two muskets and two blankets; and now, since we have obtained so much plunder, generally a good sack or piece of carpet at the rough weather side. Orders were given before we marched from Granada, by Lord Wellington, to have all blankets looped and strengthened at the corners, for this purpose, all ready, as an excellent defence from the sun, even better than a tent, for it is cooler, and a very tolerable one from rain.
I am to dine with General Cole, who is quartered here. My people in this house are up all night, making a noise, and baking for Longa, and all day the children are shaking the dirt from above down upon me.
FOOTNOTES:
[5] It is situated in the Val de Soto.
CHAPTER XII.
Reported renewal of Operations against St. Sebastian—Effects of the War on Spain and Portugal—Wellington’s Account of recent Proceedings—Courts-martial—Prisoners Shot—Discussions on War between Wellington and a French Deserter—The Siege resumed—Work of the Heavy Batteries—Trial of General O’Halloran—Volunteers for the Storming-parties.
Head-quarters, Lezaca,
August 21, 1813.