[47] See also some pregnant remarks in Wellesley’s dispatch dated Badajoz, 21st November 1809. It will be remembered that at the time of the Russian-Japanese war, newspaper men were wisely precluded from publishing particulars of proposed movements and similar intelligence likely to be of service to the enemy. During the recent conflict between Italy and Turkey the most rigid censorship was exercised by the former Power.
[48] “I rather think that Mortier had removed from Zaragoza; but some time elapsed before he arrived in Old Castile.”—Note by Wellesley.
[49] “The Adventures of a Soldier,” by Edward Costello.
[50] Oman, vol. ii. p. 334. This disposes of the often-repeated story that Waters discovered the little craft in the reeds. Brailmont, for instance, says that the Colonel “suddenly darted off from the throng,” and half an hour later the skiff “shot out into the deep” with six men on board.
[51] At the approach of the enemy no fewer than 6000 Spaniards took to their heels and played no part in the battle.
[52] Napoleon made a similar error of judgment at Waterloo by keeping the Imperial Guard in reserve until after 7 p.m. (See post, p. 222).
[53] Sir Herbert Maxwell, vol. i. p. 165, says 6268; Professor Oman (“Cambridge Modern History,” vol. ix. p. 452) gives 5300, the Spanish casualties “trifling.” The latter authority states that 7200 Frenchmen were killed or wounded.
[54] “Passages in the Early Military Life of General Sir George T. Napier, K.C.B.” (London, 1884), pp. 111–12.
[55] See post, p. 130.
[56] “Cambridge Modern History,” vol. ix. p. 455. This authority gives the date of the battle of Tamames as the 18th October, but Wellington states that it occurred on the 19th.—See “Dispatches,” vol. v. pp. 261 and 350.