On hearing of the landing in Mondego Bay, Junot hastily recalled Loison, with orders to join De la Borde, who, with 5000 men, was sent forward to observe and check the British army, till a concentration of the French forces could take place. Loison, however, whose force had a long and weary march, was delayed at Santarem, and, on the day of Roliça, was full fifteen miles away from the scene of the fight. De la Borde, who left Lisbon on August 6th, advanced as far as Alcobaça, but fell back on a position he had selected near Roliça. On August 16th the forces came into contact, and on the 17th was fought the first combat of the Peninsular War, which takes its name from Roliça. The action is described in the letter from Lourinhao. Wellesley after the action moved on still by the coast-line, neglecting Loison and allowing him unmolested to join Junot at Cercal. He was anxious to pick up Acland and Anstruther, who were reported off Peniche. They landed at Porto Novo, at the mouth of the little river Maceira, 12 miles south of Roliça.
Meanwhile Junot, after many delays, had moved by Villa Franca on Torres Vedras. It was not until the 20th that he learnt for certain that the British force was keeping the coast road. On the evening of the 20th he was ten miles south of Vimiero, where the British army lay covering the disembarkation of the two Brigades. During the night the French army marched, and at dawn on the 21st found itself close under the British position. Followed on that day the Battle of Vimiero, which is graphically described in the letters.
The victory was won; but to the disgust of the army, and afterwards of the whole British nation, it was shorn of its glory, and possible advantages, by the command of Sir Harry Burrard, who landed in the course of the morning of the 21st, superseding Sir Arthur Wellesley, and forbidding all pursuit. Burrard himself was shortly superseded by Sir Hew Dalrymple, and the result which ensued, in the Convention of Cintra, is too well known to need comment here.
After the battle of Vimiero, William Warre was laid up with an attack of enteric fever, which brought him to death’s door. He recovered slowly, and by the month of October was sufficiently well to see active service again as A.D.C. to General Beresford, who commanded a brigade in the army of which Sir John Moore was the C.-in-C. General Ferguson had not, as he had expected, returned from England.
LETTERS
Porto Roads, July 25, 1808.
My Dear Father,
We arrived this morning off this place, which was the appointed Rendezvous. I have not been able to communicate with the shore yet, and it is very uncertain whether I shall be able to see my friends there, or land at all. I have just heard a Frigate is going to England, and the boat is waiting to take my letter, so I have only time to say we are all well. I think we are to land at Lisbon and attack Junot. This is my idea, but nothing is known. To express my feelings at seeing the spot of my birth, the place in which I spent some of the happiest days of my life, would be impossible, or how tantalised at not being able to communicate. Should we land, you shall hear further and by first opportunity. At present they are calling for my letter.
Your ever affectionate son,