Journal—7th May-8th August 1810
The Light Division are posted as a Corps of Observation on the Portuguese frontier with General Picton's Division (3rd) in support—The French invest Ciudad Rodrigo and open fire on the fortress—The Light Division constantly on the alert owing to rumoured movements of French—Don Julian Sanchez, the Spanish guerrilla chieftain—French cavalry reconnaissances on the Azava—The Light Division occupy the high ground at Gallegos—Advance of the French in force—Combat between a 14th Light Dragoon and a Grénadier à Cheval—The Grénadiers à Cheval act as "mounted infantry" and occupy Alameda—"A body of men of this description at the end of a day's march would be unpleasant neighbours"—Two companies of Rifles occupy Fort Concepçion—The French capture Ciudad Rodrigo after a forty days' siege—The Rifles march to Barquilla—Skirmish near Barquilla—A squadron of the 14th Light Dragoons charges the French cavalry and takes many prisoners—Colonel Talbot charges the French infantry, but is slain and his Dragoons driven off—The French make good their retreat—The Light Division retire on Almeida—Massena advances against it—Results of the fall of Ciudad Rodrigo—Boastful utterances of the French, who announce their intention of driving the "Leopard" into the sea at Lisbon—Blowing up of Fort Concepçion—The Light Division retire from Almeida, leaving it garrisoned—The Combat of the Coa—Position occupied by the Light Division—The French advance to the attack—Conduct of their officers in leading on their men—The Rifles fall back on the bridge—Charged by French Hussars—The 43rd Light Infantry check the advance of the latter—General Craufurd orders the Rifles to retire from a hill covering the passage—The retreat of the 52nd is thereby imperilled—Colonel Beckwith, with the Rifles, recaptures the hill "in style," but with heavy loss—Simmons severely wounded—Napier assists him until wounded himself—Simmons is carried off by the Rifle Men—Stratagem of the French to effect a crossing—The Rifle Men tricked—The French attempt to storm the bridge, but are defeated—A flag of truce—Compliments by French officers on the stand made by the Light Division—Losses of the Division—Simmons conveyed in a bullock cart to Pinhel—Severe nature of his wound—Moved to Celorico with Lieutenants Reilly, Pratt, and Harry Smith—Death of Lieutenant Reilly—Shocking condition of wounded owing to sun and flies—The Portuguese bullock-drivers desert—Adventures on the road to the Mondego—Embark in boats on the Mondego—Sad death of Lieutenant Pratt—Arrival at Coimbra—Sails for Lisbon—Arrival at Lisbon—Simmons is billeted comfortably and nursed by his servant, Rifleman Short.
Letter No. VII
To his Parents, from Lisbon, dated 10th August 1810
Describes advance of Massena in July and many incidents of the Combat of the Coa and of his journey to Lisbon—His arrangements in case of death—General good advice to his parents, brothers, and sisters—Expectation of speedy recovery—Unabated confidence in Lord Wellington.
Journal—7th May-8th August 1810
1810 May 7th
The Light Division assembled for the inspection of General Craufurd.
The Division occupied the following villages, Gallegos, Espeja, Nava de Avel (a Portuguese village), and Fuentes de Oñoro on the Duas Casas; Headquarters of the British army, Celorico. The 3rd Division, under the command of General Picton, being in support to the Light at Pinhel, and the rest of the army at Vizeu, Trancoso, and adjacent towns and villages considerably in the rear of us.