[49] Napoleon says (and no mean authority) that “Clum and Albuera were the two heaviest battles on record for the numbers engaged.” It was bludgeon work; on each field they were what may be called gluttons. The former against the Russians and Prussians; the latter, against the English. Our allies, the Spaniards, bolted. On both fields the French were beaten.
[50] The crushing blow at Vittoria loosened the grasp of Napoleon on Spain. It swept them, like chaff before the wind, out of their fertile plains, valleys, and mountains, and at once exposed their extraordinary system of forced contributions, i.e., “That war should maintain war.” In one province alone, it was found that, for the year 1811, the French Marshal had imposed a contribution of two hundred million reals—or about two millions sterling—upon its unhappy people. This sum was equal to five millions sterling in England. The half of this sum exhausted the whole money in the province in gold, silver, plate, and jewels; the remainder was taken by force in grain, cattle, clothing, and all articles necessary for the troops. The inhabitants were exasperated beyond all bounds, and were butchered in cold blood; and their daughters and wives were insulted and disgraced before their husbands’ and fathers’ eyes, who, if they opened their lips, were at once shot, or cut limb from limb. It roused the people to frantic madness; they swore to conquer or die.
[51] If the finger of God was ever shown in the history of a nation, it was during those troublesome times Europe was convulsed. Whole nations trembled at the feet of the great conqueror. Victory followed victory at a rapid pace. But God had steeled the minds of our forefathers to combat him when, to all appearance, it was a doubtful struggle; but with noble devotion, perseverance, and valour unequalled in the history of the world, although achieved with painful sacrifices, God in His providence watched over old England, and deemed us as a nation worthy to accomplish such great things. Britain, as a nation, had for years past openly acknowledged God’s providential Fatherly care, and stood up openly and determinately to abide in the trust of the strong arm of the Great I AM.
[52] It would have been more in accordance with his past glorious career to have placed himself at the head of his faithful Old Guards, and here met a soldier’s death for that beautiful France he pretended to love so well. Posterity would then have regarded him as an undaunted hero, true till death.
[53] It was repeatedly proved, during this sanguinary struggle, that man to man, the enemy’s cavalry, although clad in glittering steel, could not withstand our heavy Dragoons. They rode completely over them, time after time; their ringing shouts of Vive l’Empereur being more than once altered to “Quarter! quarter!” with the Union Brigade riding victoriously through or over them. It was then as at Balaclava: “Hurrah! hurrah!” and “Hurrah for Ould Ireland and Scotland for ever.” They shall not lord it over us. And then, as if they were pasteboard (the foe is advancing)—
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Sound! Bid your terrible trumpets bray, Blow, till their brazen throats give way. Sound to the charge! Sound, I say. Hurrah! hurrah! |
[54] Kick them.
[55] That is more than thousands of foreigners can say, although they live in the midst of us year in and year out.