“August 16.—Saw a number of ships at anchor in Figuero Roads. At two o’clock Captain Malcolm came on board, and brought instructions for the General as to the disposition of the troops.
“August 17.—Sent a boat with despatches for Sir Arthur Wellesley on board the transport sent from Figuero (for this purpose).
“August 19.—At anchor off the Burlings. Light airs and cloudy weather. At three o’clock a Portuguese boat came alongside with a messenger having despatches for Brigadier-General Anstruther from Sir Arthur Wellesley. At daylight a very thick fog. At eleven the fog cleared away, weighed and made sail to the southward. At three, anchored off Panago in company, hoisted out all the boats and sent them to disembark the troops. At six, the General and his staff quitted the ship. Light airs and fine weather. All the boats of the fleet employed landing the troops.”
The landing went on all night, and was finished next morning.
On Sunday, the 21st: “Observed an action between the English and French armies on the heights over Merceira.” This was the battle of Vimiera, where Kellerman and Berthier vainly endeavoured to dislodge the British from the crest of the hills.
August 22.—“Sent all the boats on shore to assist in taking off the wounded of our army to the hospital ships. Boats also employed embarking French prisoners on board some of the transports.”
August 24.—“On the passage towards Oporto.” Thence they went back to England, where on September 2 the French prisoners were discharged at Spithead to the prison ships in the harbour.
PORTCHESTER CASTLE
(The French prisoners were interned in the neighbouring buildings after the Battle of Vimiera.)
Two letters written to the Honble. W. Wellesley Pole, brother of Sir Arthur Wellesley, give this story in a different form.