9º. It has been observed by French writers, and the opinion has been also entertained by many English officers, that after the battle Wellington should have passed the frontier in mass, and marched upon Bayonne instead of chasing Clauzel and Foy on the right and left; and if, as the same authors assert, Bayonne was not in a state of defence and must have fallen, there can be little question that the criticism is just, because the fugitive French army having lost all its guns and being without musket ammunition, could not have faced its pursuers for a moment. But if Bayonne had resisted, and it was impossible for Wellington to suspect its real condition, much mischief might have accrued from such a hasty advance. Foy and Clauzel coming down upon the field of Vittoria would have driven away if they did not destroy the sixth division; they would have recovered all the trophies; the king’s army returning by Jacca into Aragon, would have reorganized itself from Suchet’s dépôts, and that marshal was actually coming up with his army from Valencia; little would then have been gained by the battle. This question can however be more profitably discussed when the great events which followed the battle of Vittoria have been described.
Vol. 5. Nº. 1.
click here for larger image.
Explanatory Sketch
of the
SURPRISE of ALMARAZ.
May 1812.
The Scene of Action Enlarged.
Vol. 5. Nº. 2.
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Explanatory
Sketch
of the
Sieges of the Fort
and Operations, round
SALAMANCA.
1812.
Vol. 5. Nº. 3.