Our army now commenced its retreat in earnest and marched to Las Rozas and bivouacked near the river Guadiana.
1812 Nov. 1st
I was truly glad to get away from this unfortunate place, as we could not do the people any good, and pity is at best (under the circumstances) a sorry way of showing good wishes. It would have delighted me, as well as thousands more, if our noble Commander could have risked a battle; that was impossible. He was in full retreat from Burgos, having failed in an assault of it, owing to the guns used on this occasion being too light to make a sufficient breach in its walls, also a very powerful French army was ready to attack him under Marshal Soult, and a large force was moving upon Madrid to attack us.
2nd
Marched to the camp of the Escorial.
3rd
Crossed the Sierra de Guadarama and bivouacked near Villacastin. General Hill took the command. My brother Joseph joined. He was in a very bad state of health. The 34th were encamped near us. I brought Maud to dine.
4th
Marched to near La Vega and bivouacked.
5th