The battles of the world

by J. Douglas Borthwick

Once more they ascended the hill, and struggled hand to hand with the English infantry. General Hill was wounded, and many officers fell around him. But the French never gained the upper hand. After a severe contest, they fell back; and the English pressed down the hill, after them, until the whole of the attacking column got into confusion, and finally rushed down the declivity in headlong rout. This single attack, which lasted only forty minutes, cost the French nearly 1500 men.

A consultation was now held in the French camp, as to the expediency of immediately risking a general battle. Jourdan strongly urged the taking up a position behind the Alberche, and there awaiting the approach of Soult, who, with another army, was expected to menace the English on their flank and rear in a few days. Victor was more confident, promising to carry the hill on the English left, if Sebastiani would attack the centre and right at the same moment. He added, “If such a combination can fail, it is time that we gave up war.”

King Joseph hesitated; when, at that moment, a despatch arrived from Soult, stating that he could not reach the neighbourhood in less than a week. This decided the matter, and orders were given to attack.

Meanwhile, many discouragements prevailed in the English camp. Provisions were scarce, and the men suffered from hunger. Among the Spaniards all was confusion and distrust. Such alarm was created by Cuesta’s conduct, that in the very midst of the battle, his own countryman, the Duke d’Albuquerque, sent one of his staff to warn Sir Arthur Wellesley that “Cuesta was betraying him.” Sir Arthur received the message while seated on the hill, intently watching the movements of the French. He listened to it without even turning his head; and coolly replied to the officer who brought him the message, “Very well, you may return to your brigade;” and then quietly resumed his survey.

But now the battle began. The allied army was posted near Talavera, having that city and the Tagus on its right, a hill already referred to on its left, a sort of ravine and water-course in front; and looking towards the Alberche,—a river which flows into the Tagus,—in front of which lay the whole French army. “The British and Germans,” says Sir W. Napier, “were somewhat above 19,000 sabres and bayonets, with 30 guns. The Spaniards were 33 or 34,000 men, with 70 guns. The French advanced with 80 guns, and nearly 50,000 men. But what a difference in the quality of the troops! The French were all hardy veterans; while the genuine soldiers of the allied army did not exceed 19,000.”

Before one o’clock the French soldiers were seen to gather round their eagles, and the rolling of drums was heard along the whole line. Half an hour later, King Joseph’s guards, the reserve, and the fourth corps were descried in march; and soon the table-land and the height on the French right were covered with dark and lowering masses. Victor gave the signal for battle, and 80 pieces of artillery sent a tempest of bullets before the light troops, who came on with all the swiftness and violence of a hailstorm, followed by the broad black columns in all the majesty of war.

“Sir Arthur Wellesley from the hill viewed the whole field of battle. He saw the fourth corps rushing forwards with the usual impetuosity of French soldiers and falling upon Campbell’s division, which held the right centre, with infinite fury; yet that General, assisted by Mackenzie’s brigade and two Spanish battalions, withstood their utmost efforts. The British regiment met the advancing columns with loud shouts, broke their front, lapped their flanks with fire, and at last pushed them back with a terrible carnage. Ten guns were taken; but as Campbell feared to break his line by a pursuit, the French rallied, and made head for another attack. Then the British artillery played vehemently upon them; a Spanish regiment of cavalry charged their flank; they retired in disorder, and the victory was secured in that quarter.”

This was on the right of the English line. On the left, two different columns of French were seen advancing towards the hill, the key of the position. Sir Arthur sent forward an English regiment of cavalry, and the 1st German hussars, to charge the heads of these columns. A hollow cleft, not before perceived, stopped the Germans; some of the English leaped it, in twos and threes, and in desultory manner fell upon the French infantry. Some Polish lancers charged them while thus disordered, and the regiment was broken, and lost 207 officers and men.

Meanwhile, one of the French attacking columns was actually contending for possession of the hill; and at the same time a powerful mass of infantry, crossing the ravine, pressed hard upon the English centre. The French attack was at first driven back; then the English Guards, in the excitement of success, rushed after them with reckless ardour. The French reserves charged them; the Guards, disordered, were broken; the German Legion, adjoining, got into confusion, and for the moment the English centre seemed to be shaken and in disorder.

But when the Guards had made their rash charge, Sir Arthur, foreseeing the issue of it, had ordered up the 48th regiment; and had also sent for Cotton’s light-horse. The French came on, pushing before them the disordered foot-guards. Sir Arthur charged them with the 48th, brought them to a stand; the Guards and the German Legion speedily recovered their ranks; and at last this terrible attack was defeated, and the French were pushed back over the ravine, carrying with them their general, Lapisse, mortally wounded.