OF THE

DUKE OF WELLINGTON.

COMPILED FROM

HIS GRACE'S DESPATCHES,

AND OTHER AUTHENTIC RECORDS AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

BY

GEORGE SOANE, A.B.

"Esse quam videri bonus malebat."-SALLUST.

IN TWO VOLUMES.-VOL. II.

LONDON:

E. CHURTON, 26, HOLLES STREET.

MDCCCXL.

LONDON:

BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.

CONTENT S.

CHAPTER I.

1811.

Massena's utter Want of Good Faith.-Indiscretion of the British Officers.-Complaints against the Portuguese Government.-Grand Plan of Campaign in Spain.-Recapture of Campo Mayor.-Fall of Olivença.-Floods of the Guadiana.-Memorandum.-Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro.Almeida evacuated by the French.-Wellington's Advice to Lord Liverpool.-Reply to Mr. Whitbread.-Massena recalled from Spain, and succeeded by Marmont.-Lord Wellington goes to Estremadura

CHAPTER II.

1811.

Battle of Albuera.-Defeat of the French.-Lord Wellington arrives at Elvas, and visits the Field of Battle.-Beresford pursues the Enemy to Llerane, and gives up the Command to Hill.-First and second British Sieges of Badajoz.Marmont forms a Junction with Soult.-Wellington raises the Siege and retires upon the Caya.-He despatches Blake to Seville.-Soult in consequence marches back to the South. -Thanks of the two Houses of Parliament, and of the Lord Mayor and City of London

30

CHAPTER III.

1811.

Blake despatched to the Attack of Seville.- Wellington blockades Ciudad - Rodrigo. —Marmont advances to its Relief.-Combat of Elbodon.-Marmont retires.-Hill totally defeats Girard in Estremadura.-Pretended Conspiracy.-Indignation of Lord Wellington against the Portuguese Authorities.-They submit to his vigorous Measures

52

State of the Armies.-Preparations for the Siege of Ciudad-
Rodrigo. The Siege commenced.-The Town taken by a
desperate Assault. Preparations for the third Siege of
Badajoz.—The French defeated in various Quarters.—
Wellington's Advice to Lord Melville on the Affairs of
India

PAGE

64

CHAPTER V.
1812.

Preparations for the third Siege of Badajoz continued.-Neglect of the Spaniards in completing the Works of Ciudad-Rodrigo. -Investment of Badajoz.-Assault of the Picurina.Storming of the Castle.-The English make themselves Masters of the Town.-Surrender of Philippon.-Excesses of the Soldiers

77

CHAPTER VI.
1812

Financial Difficulties.- Portuguese Factions.-French Method of raising the Supplies.-Wellington's Plans.-Combat at Almaraz.-Entrance of the Allies into Salamanca.-Siege and Capture of the Forts.-Manœuvres of Marmont.March of both Armies to the Guareña.-Combat of the Arapiles Battle of Salamanca.-Marmont is wounded.Clausel succeeds to the Command

CHAPTER VII.

1812.

Wellington enters Madrid.-The French in the Buen Retiro capitulate.-Sufferings of the Madrilenos-Soult's Advice and Plans. He abandons the South.-Valencia.-Wellington leaves Madrid for the North.--Clausel again retreats. -Description of Burgos.-Wellington repeatedly assaults the Castle, and is repulsed.-His Reply to the Portuguese Government.-Wellington accepts the Command of the Spanish Armies

92

122