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 I 
 
THE 
 
 SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
Tat.ersall, Primer, 63, Upper Thame, Street. 
 
day "began to dawn, the stui pe 
 
 Lveryl>eaTi 
 
 I 
 
THE 
 
 SUBALTERN OFFICER 
 
 A NARRATIVE. 
 
 BY CAPTAIN GEORGE WOOD, 
 
 ii — 
 
 OF THE LINE. 
 
 A prosperous life, passed at home, has little incident for narrative; it 
 is only poor devils, that are tossed about the world, that are true heroes 
 of story." Washington Irvine. 
 
 SECOND EDITION. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, 
 PATERNOSTER-ROW. 
 
 1826. 
 

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PREFACE, 
 
 If my condescending readers, in taking up 
 this Narrative, entertain an expectation of 
 finding any thing to delight them in *tyle 
 and composition — any of the graces of dic- 
 tion, or flowers of language — they will be 
 greatly disappointed. I am aware of my in- 
 ability to gratify them in this respect; and 
 sensible that any pretensions whatever of a 
 literary nature, on my part, would be com- 
 pletely ridiculous, because I am sure they 
 would be wholly unfounded : — 
 
 " Rude am I in speech, 
 
 And little bless'd with the set phrase of peace ; 
 For, since these arms had first their manly growth, 
 Till now, some few years wasted, they have used 
 Their dearest action in the tented field ; 
 And little of this great world can I speak, 
 Save what pertains to feats of broil and battle." 
 
Vi PREFACE. 
 
 Let me hope, therefore, that this confession 
 of my incapacity will have its due weight 
 with the critic (if, indeed, any critic can be 
 found who will stoop to notice such a pro- 
 duction as mine) ; that he will be merciful in 
 proportion as he is mighty, and will not seek 
 " to break a butterfly upon the wheel." He 
 cannot, I assure him, think more humbly of 
 my little Work, than I do myself. 
 
 To the reader who is unacquainted with 
 military affairs, I would observe, that in 
 " The Subaltern Officer," he will find a 
 plain unvarnished account of the different 
 adventures and scenes described in the course 
 of % the Narrative, which, whatever be its 
 other demerits, can at least lay claim to truth 
 and accuracy: nor will it, I trust, be found 
 without its share of novelty. The Journals 
 and Memoirs of Private Soldiers have been 
 frequently published ; but not those of Subal- 
 tern Officers, on whom so much depends, and 
 whose duties are of a different nature, and 
 far more arduous than those imposed upon 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 individuals in the ranks. Indeed, one prin- 
 cipal object which I have had in view, has 
 been to correct the too general misapprehen- 
 sion, that the sufferings and hardships of war 
 are almost exclusively the lot of the private 
 soldier. Those who peruse the following 
 pages will perceive, that persons in the situa- 
 tion which I had the honour to fill in the 
 Army, during the most eventful period of my 
 Country's struggles, were no less exposed to 
 pains and privations than those placed under 
 them; besides having to contend with the 
 mental anxiety arising from a much greater 
 degree of responsibility. 
 
 I have endeavoured, in the present Narra- 
 tive, to avoid technicalities as much as possi- 
 ble, as they might appear obscure to the 
 general reader. It will also be observed, that 
 I have not paid any attention to dates in 
 recounting the adventures detailed ; being un- 
 willing, as I had not kept memorandums to 
 ensure correctness on this head, to trust to 
 conjecture in what, if mentioned at all, ought 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 to be mentioned with precision. There is, 
 moreover, a degree of fashion in omitting 
 such data: but I have avoided the introduc- 
 tion of them not merely for these reasons. 
 As my readers, however, may not be fond of 
 ambiguities, I hope, by a candid confession 
 of one principal motive that has influenced 
 me in this omission, to obtain from them an 
 excuse for what I trust will be considered a 
 pardonable weakness. A widower, not yet 
 " sunk into the vale of years," — not insensible 
 to the bewitching smile of Beauty, nor al- 
 together hopeless of finding favour in her 
 eyes — I, like many others, try to steal a few 
 years from Father Time, which I should not 
 be so well able to do, did I confine myself 
 strictly to dates. 
 
 This Narrative was written some few years 
 since ; and would have been submitted to the 
 public much earlier, had circumstances al- 
 lowed: I, however, hope it is not even now 
 too late to do that which may in the least 
 degree afford them amusement; and if the 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 events here related are not so fresh in the 
 memory as they were at the period of their 
 occurring, their narration will at least have 
 the effect of reviving, in the minds of Britons, 
 those deeds of arms which by them never 
 should, and I trust never will, be forgotten. 
 For although a nation be wrapped in profound 
 tranquillity, such a nation as this, which has 
 been justly styled " The anchor and hope of 
 the world I" should not permit a single spark 
 of its martial spirit to expire. Indeed, in a 
 time of peace, it should be even more on the 
 alert, to stimulate the rising generation to 
 heroic feeling, by keeping that national fire 
 alive which has blazed so conspicuously in the 
 hour of need, and which, I trust, no time 
 will damp and no foe extinguish. 
 
 These, then, are the principal reasons which 
 have induced me to lay my humble produc- 
 tion before the public, with a view of having 
 the honour to add my mite to the many who 
 have contributed to the renown and glory of 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 England. May her laurels, her character, 
 her liberties, and her blessings, ever remain 
 undiminished! 
 
 bnovs 
 
 
 noil 
 has 
 
 to *£T3 
 
 uqo 3 
 
 
TO THE PUBLIC. 
 
 The Author, with gratitude and pride, begs 
 leave to state, that in consequence of the 
 Royal and August Patronage with which the 
 first edition of this humble production was 
 honoured, he was induced to publish it in that 
 splendid and expensive form, so far beyond 
 its merit. 
 
 It gives him equally as great gratification 
 to find there is a second edition required, and 
 in compliance with the wish of several of 
 the reviews, * he has caused it to be re-printed, 
 
 * " This work is at present printed in an expensive form, which 
 will prevent it getting into the hands of any but persons of opu- 
 lence. It is one, however, which it is peculiarly desirable to have 
 printed in a cheap form, for the Captain pourtrays the course of 
 military service with a degree of sincerity that is rarely met with 
 in such narratives ; and the whole work is eminently calculated to 
 sober the young, or those who might be intoxicated with the parade 
 of such a profession. Excepting some few faults, his style, as may 
 have been perceived from the extracts we have already given, is 
 simple, unostentatious, and attractive ; and if the publisher, or the 
 author, should be inclined to send forth a less costly edition, in 
 proportion to its cheapness will be its utility, and we should hope 
 his profits, for it deserves to become popular." — Journal of Lite- 
 rature. 
 
Xll PREFACE. 
 
 with the price so reduced, (but with equally 
 as good a type) as to come within the compass 
 of general purchasers. 
 
 He cannot, however, let this opportunity 
 pass, without expressing the great satisfaction 
 he feels at "The Subaltern Officer" 
 having been read by so many high and dis- 
 tinguished veteran Officers, who would in- 
 stantly have pointed out incorrect statements, 
 and taken off the glaze of false colouring, 
 could any such be found. 
 
 With these few remarks he must beg leave 
 to express his sincere wish, that it may now 
 meet general approbation, not only with 
 regard to the price, but in every other par- 
 ticular. 
 
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 HIS MAJESTY. 
 
 His Royal Highness the Duke op York, K. G. &c. 
 
 His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, K. G. &c. 
 
 His Royal Highness the Duke op Gloucester, K. G. &c. 
 
 His Royal Highness the Prince op Saxe Cobourg, K. G. &c. 
 
 Her Royal Highness the Princess Augusta. 
 
 Her Royal Highness the Duchess op Kent. 
 
 Her Serene Highness the Princess Feodore. 
 
 Military Oppicers. 
 
 Field Marshal His Grace the 
 Duke of Wellington, K. G. &c 
 
 General Lord Beresford, G. C. B. 
 &c 
 
 General the Earl of Cork. 
 
 General Lord Hill, G.C.B. &c 
 
 General Lord Howden, G. C. B. 
 &c 
 
 Lieut. General J. Fraser. 
 
 Lieut. General Sir William 
 Inglis, K. C. B. &c 
 
 Lieut. General Sir Herbert Tay- 
 lor, K. C. H. &c 
 
 Lieut. General Vincent. 
 
 Major General Moore. 
 
 Major General Lord Fitzroy 
 
 Somerset, K. C. B. &c 
 Major General Sir Henry Tor- 
 
 rens, K. C. B. &c. 
 Colonel Sir Ulysses Burgh, 
 
 K. C. B. &c. 
 Colonel Sir Henry Hardinge, 
 
 K. C. B. &c. 
 Colonel S. G. Higgins. 
 Colonel Le Mesurier. 
 Lieut. Colonel Clanchy. 
 Lieut. Colonel O'Neill. 
 Lieut. Colonel Wildman. 
 
XIV 
 
 SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel De Bethe. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Brown. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Warburton. 
 
 Major Byrne. 
 
 Major Green. 
 
 Major Kean. 
 
 Major Maling. 
 
 Major Symcox. 
 
 Major Sir Thomas Ormsby. 
 
 Major Charles Teulon. 
 
 Captain Lord Thomas Cecil. 
 
 Captain Charters. 
 
 Captain Conroy. 
 
 Captain J. Deranzy. 
 
 Captain Ingram. 
 
 Captain Jenkins. 
 
 Captain Kyle. 
 
 Captain Mills. 
 
 Captain Smith. 
 
 Captain Sweetman. 
 
 Captain Thompson. 
 
 Captain Taylor. 
 
 Captain Willock. 
 
 Captain Wynn. 
 
 Captain Charleston. 
 
 Captain Foster. 
 
 Captain W. F. Foster. 
 
 Captain O'Conner. 
 
 Captain J. J. Watts. 
 
 Mr. Arthur. 
 
 Mr. Blunt. 
 
 Mr. Brownrigg. 
 
 Mr. Bullen. 
 
 Mr. Clune. 
 
 Mr. Macnamara. 
 
 Mr. Perry. 
 
 Mr. Sayers. 
 
 Mr. Webb 
 
 Mr. Westropp. 
 Mr. Belstead. 
 Mr. G. Brockman. 
 Lord Crofton. 
 Mr. P. Maitland. 
 Mr. R. F. Martin. 
 Mr. Ross. 
 Mr. J. Stewart. 
 Mr. Herbert Taylor. 
 Mr. R. Wynyard. 
 Mr. John Watson. 
 Mr. Westmoreland. 
 
 
 
 Naval Officers. 
 Captain H. B. Martin. 
 Captain W. F. Martin. 
 Captain Yorke. 
 Lieutenant J. Brander. 
 Lieutenant J. F. Brown. 
 Lieutenant E. Gordon. 
 
 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE 82D REGIMENT. 
 
 And others who did belong to that 
 
 Corps. 
 
 General Pigot. 
 
 Lieut. General Sir Thomas Brad- 
 ford, K. C. B. &c. 
 Major General Grant. 
 Colonel King. 
 Lieut. Colonel Conyers. 
 Lieut. Colonel Montagu. 
 Lieut. Colonel Sir Henry Pym. 
 Major Carew. 
 Major W. E. Fitzgerald. 
 Major C. Fitzgerald. 
 Major Vincent. 
 Captain Agnew. i M 
 
 Captain G. W. Derenzy. 
 
Captain Huxley. 
 
 Mr. Butler. 
 
 Captain Langley. 
 
 Mr. G. G. Carey. 
 
 Captain Pigott. 
 
 Mr. J. Cook. 
 
 Captain Sterne 
 
 Mr. S. Cook. 
 
 Mr. Bourne. 
 
 Mr. Cox 
 
 Mr. Browne. 
 
 Mr. Crewe. 
 
 Mr. Baldock. 
 
 Mr. Crowford. 
 
 Mr. Carew, 
 
 Mr. Cunninghame. 
 
 Mr. Delancy. 
 
 Mr. M'Donald. 
 
 Mr. Donnellan. 
 
 Mr. Drury. 
 
 Mr. Goslett. 
 
 The Hon. Agar Ellis, M. P. 
 
 Mr. Lacy. 
 
 Alderman Garratt. 
 
 Mr. Marley. 
 
 Mr. Green. 
 
 Mr. Wigley. 
 
 Mr. J. T. Hall, jun. 
 
 Mr. Winning. 
 
 Mr. C. Judson. 
 
 
 TVfr K Ti!)iir1pr 
 
 Gentlemen of the Faculty. 
 
 ItJL I • XV. UalXyXVl . 
 
 The Rev. George Laurence. 
 
 Mr. Alexander. 
 
 Earl Manvers. 
 
 Sir Astley Cooper, Bart. 
 
 Mr. Palmer. 
 
 Dr. Thomas Derenzy. 
 
 Mr. L. Parkinson. 
 
 Mr. Fiddes. 
 
 Mr. Sams. 
 
 Sir Wm. Franklin, M. D. 
 
 Sir George Shiffner, Bart. M.P. 
 
 Mr. Guthrie. 
 
 Mr. Slayd. 
 
 Sir James M'Grigor, M. D. 
 
 Mr. R. Smith. 
 
 Dr. J G. Hibhert. 
 
 Mr. J. F. Smith. 
 
 Mr. Laisne. 
 
 Mr. C. Stanfield. 
 
 Dr. Wm. Milligan. 
 
 Mr. J. G. Strutt. 
 
 Mr. Tyrell. 
 
 Mr. John Teulon, jun. 
 
 
 Mr. J. Thompson. 
 
 
 Mr. W. Abbott. 
 
 Mr. Henry Watson, Mayor of 
 
 Lieutenant Brander, R. N. 
 
 Limerick. 
 
 Mr. Bray. 
 
 Mr. J. Wilkinson. 
 
 Mr. Brocksop. 
 
 Mr. Window. 
 
 Mr. Packer. 
 
 Mr. H. Houghton. 
 
 Mr. War rand. 
 
 Mr. Dalston. 
 
 Mr. W. L. Thomas. 
 
 Mr. G. Stephen. . 
 
 Mr. T. W. Thomas. 
 
 Mr. W. Smith. 
 
 
 
THE 
 
 SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The morning's sun is gleaming bright, 
 And Britain's flag is waving light, 
 And widely where the gales invite 
 
 The charger's mane is flowing. 
 Around is many a staring face 
 Of envious boor and wondering grace, 
 And Echo shouts through all the place, 
 
 " The soldiers be a-going." Etonian. 
 
 On sitting* down quietly by our own fire-side, after 
 the fatigues of an active life, our reflections generally 
 turn towards the chequered and various events of the 
 past; and, should these deviate from the common 
 track, they may, by being recorded, prove entertain- 
 ing and instructive to those who have not moved in 
 the same sphere, and recal to the minds of ,those who 
 have, gratifying recollections of their profession. In 
 
2 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 hopes, therefore, that my present undertaking may in 
 some measure answer these purposes, I proceed with 
 my narrative. 
 
 In the first place, I shall merely mention that I am 
 the son of an officer in the Army, of an ancient Irish 
 family, but an Englishman by birth. I commenced 
 my military career with an Ensigncy in the Line, and 
 immediately joined my regiment at Uxb ridge. I was, 
 I must confess, much struck with the new mode of 
 life I was about to lead, from its apparent splendour. 
 Impressed as I was with the high opinion I had formed 
 of the military profession, I conceived no other could 
 equal it in point of pleasure, idleness, and grandeur : 
 all around me seemed gaiety, freedom, and ease: in 
 fact, it was that kind of life, of all others, best agree- 
 ing with my disposition, and I fancied myself one of 
 the most enviable young men in existence ; but, like 
 every thing in this mutable world, my dream of hap- 
 piness was of short duration, as will be seen in the 
 course of events. 
 
 I imagined I had only to order and be obeyed ; and, 
 to support these consequential ideas, I assumed an 
 appearance I could not afford, living at the same rate 
 as those gentlemen who possessed independent for- 
 tunes, and spending fifteen shillings a day, when, in 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 6 
 
 reality, I had not more than five ; so deceived was I 
 by false appearances and want of experience. It is to 
 be hoped that this, and other confessions of my errors, 
 will not be lost on those young officers who are liable 
 to commit similar follies ; it is my wish to warn them 
 against those irregularities, which they will presently 
 see experience alone taught me to avoid. But, before 
 I proceed, let me consider what confessions I am 
 about to make — why, those of my past follies, for the 
 caution of others ; by which means I necessarily ex- 
 pose my own. Be it so: as I am not ashamed of any 
 transaction, I shall not be deterred by the animadver- 
 sion, even of the most censorious ; let him examine 
 his own passage through the busy scenes of life, and 
 say, whether he has not also been subject to the inad- 
 vertencies and frailties of human nature. 
 
 Not to digress farther; I was now at the head- 
 quarters of my corps, and in a few days was ordered 
 to mount the uniform of my regiment. This welcome 
 command was joyfully and quickly obeyed, from the 
 delightful anticipation of the fine figure I flattered 
 myself I should make in my gay attire. I desired my 
 servant to take my coat immediately, and have the 
 epaulette sewed on ; but, whether he did it himself, 
 whether the tailor had been making too free with the 
 bottle, or whether it was done for the joke's sake, I 
 
 b 2 
 
4 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 know not, but it had been sewn on the wrong shoulder ; 
 the belt was consequently put on wrong", and the 
 sword hung on the wrong side. Never having worn 
 a red coat before, not even in the Volunteers, I was 
 a perfect novice in the military art ; therefore, to the 
 parade I strutted, with my left shoulder decorated 
 more like that of an Aid-de-camp than a Subaltern 
 Officer. After having been the laughing-stock of the 
 parade for some time, a friend came and told me of 
 my ridiculous appearance. Conceive my chagrin 
 when I found out the cause of their mirth ! I ran off 
 the ground as fast as I could, and had my dress altered 
 as if by magic, for in less than ten minutes I was 
 again on the parade: but my astonishment and shame 
 were heightened on finding myself in a more ludicrous 
 predicament than before ; for my servant, in his great 
 hurry, had left all the threads sticking in the shoulder 
 that the epaulette had been removed from; and, in 
 my confusion, I did not observe this fresh disgrace, 
 but made my re-appearance accordingly. By this 
 time the Colonel had arrived ; of course his attention 
 was directed towards me, as a new-comer, and he 
 very soon accosted me with a satirical smile: " So, 
 Sir, you have made your first appearance with a turned 
 coat?" — " A turned coat, Sir," replied I; "Ido not 
 know what you mean : I hope, Sir, I shall never be 
 found a turn-coat." — " Why," said he, " you have 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. O 
 
 epaulette holes and threads on your left shoulder, 
 which plainly shows your coat has been turned." — 
 Just as I was going to explain, the drum beat to fall 
 in, so that I had not an opportunity of convincing 
 him to the contrary ; but my pride was so much hurt, 
 that I took care to clear up the mistake to my friends, 
 which, I supposed, reached my commanding officer, 
 as he never mentioned the circumstance afterwards. 
 
 Here, then, commenced my life as a soldier, from 
 the time of getting my commission until that of my 
 becoming a reduced Captain, which it has been my 
 good fortune to attain from actual service, in about 
 seven years, without money or interest, being, in 
 every sense of the word, a soldier of Fortune, though 
 that lady has now left me in the back-ground, having 
 no farther occasion for my services in the pursuits of 
 war. 
 
 I remained in these, my first quarters, in rather an 
 unpleasant state; for being, as I before observed, 
 quite a novice in my new profession, it was necessary 
 to give me some instruction, for which purpose I was 
 sent to drill every morning at six o'clock ; at which 
 exercise I remained about three hours, and to my 
 comfort was placed in the awkward squad, with strict 
 orders to rise gradually, till I was reported by the 
 
6 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 Adjutant lit for duty. This little difficulty was got 
 over in about six weeks ; nor did it at all curb my 
 pleasures, for I used to drink at the mess as long as I 
 could sit, and enjoy every amusement. It happened 
 one night, as I was going to my quarters, about two 
 miles distant, very much the worse for tippling, I fell 
 asleep on the battlements of a bridge. A person who 
 was passing at the time, seeing me in danger, pulled 
 me off, when, being very pot-valiant, I immediately 
 drew my sword, thinking it was some one going to 
 rob me. The man ran away, and while engaged in 
 pursuit of him, I fell down on the road, and there 
 went to sleep ; but the mail-coach coming by soon 
 after, the coachman pulled up, and cut me with his 
 whip to wake me, in which he succeeded. I proceeded 
 some distance on my way, when sleep again over- 
 powered me ; and on waking in the morning I found 
 myself in a wet ditch, and a very pretty figure I cut 
 till I changed my dress for parade. This was my 
 kind of life while in my first quarters ; when all of a 
 sudden the route came, and we were ordered to march 
 the next morning at five o'clock. It is almost impos- 
 sible for one who has not witnessed the scene to form 
 an adequate idea of the convulsion of a regiment at this 
 critical juncture. Every person and every thing appears, 
 at such a time, in the utmost confusion ; but the princi- 
 pal cause of alarm is the presence of so many creditors 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 7 
 
 for the payment of their bills, and the scarcity of 
 money to meet their demands. Next to this, are the 
 severe pangs felt at parting with sweethearts ; and in 
 this agreeable place these were experienced in an 
 extraordinary degree; for the corps having been sta- 
 tioned at Uxbridge a great length of time, there was 
 scarcely one, from the splendid epaulette to the qui- 
 vering fife, that had not charmed the heart of some 
 sweet maid of this dear town. The morning soon 
 began to dawn — the baggage already towered on the 
 creaking waggons: the women and children scaled 
 the massive pile, where seated, they might enjoy their 
 short pipe and little bottle, as they slowly moved 
 along the weary way. The lively bugle sounding the 
 well-known general, plainly told the sorrowful tale 
 that " the soldiers were a-going." Then came the 
 trying scene — the lovely lasses taking their last fare- 
 well, and clinging to their dejected lovers — crying, 
 fainting, sighing, till another sound summoned them 
 to tear themselves away. Poor girls ! they shrieked, 
 implored, intreated. Another sound ! the soldiers are 
 gone ; but the dear creatures are resolved to follow. 
 Such, however, was the concourse of despairing 
 maidens, that precaution was found necessary, and 
 sentries were placed at each end of the bridge, to pre- 
 vent their passing : but even this had not the desired 
 effect; they rushed by the guard — but being unable 
 
8 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 to pass the next, one of these damsels, in despair,, 
 scaled the battlements and plunged into the water r 
 making- an effort to swim after her desponding lover r 
 but the struggle was vain; she was with difficulty 
 taken out almost a corpse, and restored to her hapless 
 parents. These trying scenes I afterwards found of 
 frequent occurrence in military life; but certainly their 
 first appearance was not calculated to give me any 
 very unfavourable impression of it,. 
 
 We set off on our march for Derby, where we were- 
 stationed some time. Here I still practised the same 
 extravagance as before — spending " half a crown out 
 of sixpence a-day ;" but this excess could not last 
 long. I had been in this town only about a month, 
 when an order arrived for a Captain, two Subalterns, 
 and one hundred men, to join the first Battalion, which, 
 was then at Cork, forthwith. 
 
 I must here notice a circumstance which had nearly 
 blasted my future prospects in the Army. Some ma- 
 licious person, by way, I suppose, of ingratiating 
 himself with the Commanding Officer, informed him 
 I had designated him an old fool ; and, to my great 
 astonishment, being quite innocent of the charge, I 
 was summoned before a Court of Inquiry, to have 
 this weighty matter investigated ; when, by the state- 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 9 
 
 ment of the gentlemen who were present at the time 
 this improper expression was said to have been uttered, 
 I was fully cleared from the imputation. The occur- 
 rence, however, was of service to me ; as I learned, 
 that had the epithet been used, however justly applied, 
 the consequences to me would have been serious* 
 
 To return to the subject: among- the Officers ap- 
 pointed to accompany this detachment, I was included 
 — and a very pleasant situation I was in, truly: a 
 march of about two hundred miles before me, without 
 any money in my purse, and about thirty pounds in 
 debt to the tradesmen of the town : — but there was 
 now no time to lose, and upon informing" my creditors 
 that they should be paid as soon as I arrived at my 
 destination, they very kindly agreed ; to this arrange- 
 ment. We set off the next morning, with only 
 sixpence between my brother Sub and myself, which 
 we shared in a glass of ale on the march, wishing 
 each other better luck and more prudence in future. 
 We trudged on, meditating and moralizing on our late 
 extravagance; for in general it is only necessity that 
 reminds us of our folly. 
 
 For the sake of some of my young military readers, 
 I hope to be excused for pursuing this topic a little 
 farther. On a young gentleman's joining a regiment, 
 
10 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 he is too apt to be dazzled by the new life of apparent 
 pleasure that he is about to lead ; but, if his fortune be 
 limited, the greatest care and economy are requisite. 
 The utmost circumspection, too, is required in his 
 conduct, especially at the mess-table, where the want 
 of politeness, good address, and propriety of speaking 
 oii his first appearance, is often lastingly attended with 
 the most unpleasant consequences. A deficiency in 
 these qualifications will not fail to impress his asso- 
 ciates with an unfavourable opinion of him; and 
 according to the impression made, will he be subject 
 to be treated till that impression is removed, which, 
 in many instances, is not the case during the time of 
 his remaining in the regiment. It may be supposed 
 that no gentlemen enter the Army without these pre- 
 vious acquirements ; but admitting this to be the case, 
 they cannot have that experience which their seniors 
 have gained by long habits of military decorum and 
 observation. It is, therefore, particularly displeasing 
 to see these young men officious, talkative, presump- 
 tuous, and conceited, which, unfortunately, is too 
 often the case. They should have the modesty, how- 
 ever clever they may be, to keep reserved ; and for 
 the first two or three years employ themselves in the 
 study of men and manners, which they will find one 
 of incalculable benefit. Be it observed, that I am not 
 one of those tyrants who say that Subalterns should 
 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 11 
 
 not be allowed even to think ; nor do I mean to insi- 
 nuate that they are not to join in the convivial conver- 
 sation and merriment of the jovial companions with 
 whom they associate — I only prescribe moderation 
 and economy. Had I myself observed these prudent 
 maxims on my entrance into the Army, I should not, 
 at the time of which I am narrating", have found myself 
 pennyless ; neither should I have fallen asleep on the 
 highway from inebriety, and run the risk of being 
 crushed to death by the wheel of a mail coach. 
 
 " Chewing the cud of not " sweef but " bitter 
 fancy, 11 in this kind of meditation, we had arrived at 
 our billets, when our ears were saluted by hearing 
 our noble Captain order two courses, with plenty of 
 wine, for dinner. It was now, indeed, that we 
 blushed for our late prodigality, which, as marching- 
 money was not then allowed, caused these orders to 
 give us no small pain. We well knew that our late 
 extravagance would not permit us to partake of the 
 proposed cheer, and were obliged to explain to our 
 commandant the state of our finances. The generous 
 soul, instead of the conduct too common to pampered 
 insignificance, when applied to on such occasions, 
 sympathised with our feelings, and said, " Do not 
 let that distress you, my boys ; I will supply you with 
 every necessary till we arrive at the end of our route, 
 
12 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 when you can take such means to reimburse me as 
 may best suit your convenience." This kind and 
 liberal act never can be obliterated from my memory. 
 Indeed, a pleasanter march than this I never had, 
 though I have experienced many a one since. Our 
 route lay from Derby to Liverpool, where we em- 
 barked for Dublin, but were obliged to put into 
 Amloch, in Wales. We were treated there in the 
 most friendly manner by the ancient Britons: more 
 kindness and hospitality could not be shown to 
 strangers than we met with; they vied with each 
 other who should best entertain us — some with the 
 lively dance, some with the- melodious harp, while 
 others made parties of hunting, coursing, and shoot- 
 ing. Here, too, I had an opportunity of visiting their 
 extensive copper-mines, whose richness and novelty 
 much delighted me. 
 
 In this agreeable harbour we remained wind-bound 
 a fortnight; during which time the inhabitants not 
 only continued their kind attention to the officers, but 
 even sent potatoes and other vegetables on board, to 
 the men, who were living on salt provisions, and in 
 every respect afforded us all the comfort and attention 
 in their power. Having left these good-natured peo- 
 ple with regret, we reached the great city of Dublin, 
 and in a few days marched for Cork. I could enlarge 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 13 
 
 much on the occurrences of this journey; but, as 
 almost every one is acquainted with travelling from 
 one town in the United Kingdom to another, and the 
 many incidents in general met with at the different 
 stages, it would be uninteresting to enter minutely 
 into details. Let it suffice to say, that on arriving at 
 Cork, I found myself in the midst of my friends and 
 relations, by whose means I was not only enabled 
 to pay my kind benefactor his advances to me, but 
 also to send back the amount of my debts to Derby, 
 as I did not return to that place, having in the interim 
 become effective in the fir^st Battalion, then quartered 
 in the barracks of Cork. 
 
 Behold me now, then, stationed where I receive 
 every indulgence and friendship ; in short, I am quite 
 at home. After adorning my person with plenty of 
 powder and perfumes, a long queue, and all the 
 et cetera of military finery, away I strut to the grand 
 parade, admiring the belles and the bon-ton of this 
 gay place, and fancying myself equally admired, 
 little dreaming how soon these fine ornaments would 
 be tarnished, and the white powder exchanged for 
 black, on a more arduous and active kind of service. 
 
 We remained here about four months, which were 
 spent in one continual round of amusement, — balls, 
 
14 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 plays, assemblies, parties, &c. Indeed, a man may 
 travel far before he meets with more hospitality than 
 is to be found here. At length orders arrived to 
 embark for England ; and after taking an affectionate 
 leave of all my friends, I sailed from Passage, and 
 landed at Ramsgate, without any remarkable incident; 
 a tedious passage and bad weather being mere com- 
 mon-place occurrences. We arrived safe at Deal 
 barracks, where in a few days we received orders to 
 embark on a secret expedition. 
 
 I must here beg leave to state, for the particular 
 information of my younger military readers, the kind 
 and soldier-like admonition of our brave Colonel, Sir 
 George Smith, on this serious occasion. He con- 
 vened a meeting of all the officers, and having politely 
 and kindly congratulated us on the present under- 
 taking, he thus addressed us : " Now, gentlemen, you 
 are about to join a grand expedition; and if I mistake 
 not, there is not one of you that has yet had the 
 honour of seeing a shot fired from an enemy. It is 
 therefore necessary to acquaint you, that the whizzing 
 of the balls is apt to cause a disagreeable sensation ; 
 but this, gentlemen, arises from a mistaken idea, for 
 the moment you hear that sound, the danger is past. 
 You will not, therefore, show a bad example to the 
 men by ducking your heads and flinching your bodies, 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 15 
 
 for that is unsoldier-like, and may cause a panic 
 among- the troops ; but always keep the head up, the 
 body erect, and even in danger show a pleasing and 
 determined aspect, which may command respect and 
 admiration in your men, and animate them to that 
 glory which Britons have a right to anticipated This 
 salutary advice was lost on me at the time, for the 
 duty of the heavy baggage being in dispute between 
 another officer and myself, and decided in his favour, 
 he consequently proceeded with the regiment ; and I 
 remained behind, and thus lost all the honours of the 
 glorious siege of Copenhagen, where the very officer 
 with whom this demur in regard to priority had taken 
 place, and in whose identical situation I should have 
 stood, holding the same colours, received his death- 
 wound. This event I took much to heart at first, but 
 after hearing his fate, I became more reconciled, and 
 fancied myself reserved for much greater under- 
 takings, 
 
 In this I was not mistaken, nor was I long kept in 
 suspence ; for the regiment had scarcely returned to 
 England, and again settled in Deal barracks, when it 
 received the route for Portsmouth, to rendezvous there 
 for another secret expedition, which was to be com- 
 manded by General Spencer. The destination we 
 ultimately found to be Ceuta, in Africa. 
 
10 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 I was determined that no circumstances whatever 
 should prevent my going- on this occasion, so anxious 
 was I to share the fortune of my brave comrades. 
 We commenced our march, and soon arrived at the 
 port of embarkation. Here was a new scene to me ; 
 an army of about ten thousand men, all busy in 
 preparing and laying in stock for a long voyage ; all 
 appeared bustle and conjecture; however, after 
 remaining here some time waiting for a fair wind, 
 we set sail with a favourable breeze, which lasted just 
 long enough to waft us into the swell of the Bay of 
 Biscay, the name of which will ever cause my bosom 
 to swell with horror : we were hardly in it, when the 
 unpleasant command was given by the Master of the 
 transport to take in sail- This was repeated again 
 and again, till at length a storm stay-sail only was 
 left standing. This was soon literally shivered to 
 rags, and we were left to scud under bare poles. 
 The storm now increased, and the density of the 
 clouds became thicker and thicker, till it blew a most 
 tremendous gale, which continued with little variation 
 about ten days and nights. During this time, we 
 were prevented obtaining either fire or candle-light, 
 and those who could eat were glad to make their 
 Christmas dinner off cold junk and biscuit; but the 
 troops had little occasion for any, their appetites 
 being quite gone. Judge, then, the situation of one 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 17 
 
 who had been so little at sea before ; I cannot recol- 
 lect half the dreadful sensations that seized me — from 
 the noise of the pumps that were continually kept 
 going, the different parts of the masts and rigging 
 giving way, with the bustle and confusion of the crew 
 endeavouring to work the vessel, and the great proba- 
 bility that we should founder, our ship having but just 
 returned from a long voyage to South America, and 
 being so much out of trim, that she was more fit to be 
 taken into dock than to contend against a violent 
 storm. In this plight our situation became truly dread- 
 ful, distress was depicted on every countenance ; to look 
 around, all was awfully sublime — nothing to be seen 
 but huge waves, on the tops of which we seemed like 
 the inhabitants of the skies ; then descending into the 
 trough of the sea, we were as if entombed in the 
 bottomless pit, never more to rise. Every swell 
 seemed as if it would overwhelm our little bark ; not 
 a single ship was in sight, for the convoy had long 
 since dispersed, many of them never again to meet, as 
 they experienced that fate which we had every reason 
 to expect. During the whole of the time we remained 
 in this perilous state, the Master had not a single 
 opportunity of taking an observation, as the sun never 
 made its appearance: we could not, therefore, tell 
 whither the storm was driving us. I am unable to 
 
 c 
 
18 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 give the reader the exact time this terrible tempest 
 continued, for, never having" kept a journal, I am 
 entirely indebted to my memory, which, although not 
 very strong, is nevertheless pretty correct ; nor would 
 I exaggerate intentionally, upon any consideration, 
 one particular of this narrative. About the tenth day 
 the Master was enabled to take an observation, and 
 found us nearly in the latitude of Vigo. Indeed, we 
 soon had proofs that he was accurate in his reckoning ; 
 for the sky had scarce begun to wear a milder aspect, 
 the wind and waves to abate their fury, and the men 
 to get a little respite from their fatigue, than we 
 descried, bearing down upon us under a press of sail, 
 a French lugger privateer, supposed to be from that 
 port. Orders were instantly given to clear the deck 
 for action, which were as instantaneously obeyed. In 
 this dilemma, imagine to yourself a being like me, 
 more dead than alive from sea-sickness, now ordered 
 to get up and fight, and to set an example to the men 
 by boarding from the bows. I certainly obeyed my 
 orders to the best of my strength and ability, but must 
 confess I would rather have remained in my berth, 
 had it not been for the honour of the thing; whieh, 
 by the way, I could have well dispensed with at the 
 time — such is the all-powerful effect of this terrible 
 malady. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 19 
 
 The troops, amounting to two hundred men, were 
 directed to prime and load : the one half of them to 
 lie concealed below, and the other to be ready on 
 deck, a proportionate number having- been allotted to 
 assist in manning* the guns, for we had carronades on 
 board. During the time of these preparations, the 
 enemy was fast coming up with us, and continually 
 firing to bring us to ; but we not complying, they ran 
 alongside, and hailed us, asking what we were: the 
 answer was, " a transport." They then asked where 
 from, and whither bound. We informed them; and 
 they, seeing us so well prepared to receive them, put 
 their ship about and sheered off. On seeing this, we 
 fired one shot, which they did not think proper to 
 return, but going right before the wind, were very 
 soon out of sight. We were now just beginning to 
 put things in order, and make ourselves a little more 
 comfortable, the soldiers to commence cooking and 
 cleaning themselves, the sailors to dry themselves, 
 and repair the damage the vessel had sustained, when 
 another strange sail hove in sight, and of course the 
 same preparations were necessary ; but we were soon 
 at ease on this head, as it was discovered to be one of 
 our own fleet that had parted convoy, and, like our- 
 selves, weathered out the storm, which, I must here 
 observe, the greater part were not able to do, being 
 compelled to put back into Falmouth harbour. 
 
 c 2 
 
20 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 We had now arrived in a certain latitude, in which 
 instructions were given to open our sealed orders. 
 These directed us to rendezvous off the Rock of Lisbon, 
 and we made that head-land in a few days. We were 
 standing off and on there for some time waiting farther 
 instructions, and had the pleasure of seeing the King 
 of Portugal sail through our fleet, (which by this time 
 had in part collected,) on his escape from the French 
 to his Brazilian colonies, under the protection of Sir 
 Sidney Smith. Fresh orders now arrived, instructing 
 us to proceed to Gibraltar, for which place we imme- 
 diately steered, and cast anchor in that Bay three days 
 after. I received here the pleasing intelligence of my 
 promotion to a Lieutenantcy ; but many, as you will 
 find, were the storms and dangers I had to encounter 
 previous to my obtaining farther promotion. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 21 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 See how the golden groves around me smile, 
 That shun the coast of Britain's stormy isle ; 
 Or, when transplanted and preserved with care, 
 Curse the cold clime, and starve in northern air ! 
 Here kindly warmth their mountain juice ferments 
 To nobler tastes and more exalted scents : 
 Ev'n the rough rocks with tender myrtles bloom, 
 And trodden weeds send out a rich perfume. 
 
 Addison. 
 
 On our arrival at Gibraltar, the strongest garrison in 
 the world, we were not permitted to land our troops, the 
 fortress being already too full, and provisions exceed- 
 ingly scarce ; we therefore remained on board about 
 three weeks, waiting the arrival of the rest of the 
 convoy from England. During this time it came on to 
 blow from the Eastward, which is here termed a 
 Levanter : blow, indeed, it did, if possible, more hard 
 than in the Bay of Biscay, and the havoc caused to 
 the ships then at anchor here baffled all description; 
 some cut their cables and tried to beat out to sea, 
 many were jumbled together by means of their cables 
 twisting* others had signals of distress flying and 
 minute-guns firing, but no one dared venture out to 
 their assistance in this tempestuous sea. Amidst this 
 
22 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 confusion, to increase the scene of horror, night 
 approached, and a small vessel came floating along- 
 side our transport without a soul on board, as we 
 afterwards found. The sentry hailed, and receiving 
 no answer, according to orders fired into it ; this was 
 followed by others doing the same, supposing it to 
 have been an enemy, sent among us from Algesiras 
 by the Spaniards, who might have taken advantage of 
 the gale for that purpose, as they were then at war 
 with us: this circumstance gave the greatest alarm, 
 and caused a brisk fire of musketry to be kept up for 
 some minutes. From the darkness that now prevailed, 
 no one knew the cause, but we were apprehensive 
 that fire-ships had been sent among us by the enemy. 
 This kept us on the alert the whole night, and the next 
 morning such a spectacle of woe presented itself as is 
 seldom witnessed: eleven fine ships, one a transport 
 full of troops, all stranded, some gone to pieces, 
 others lying on their beam ends. An American trader > 
 close alongside our vessel, drifted on the rocks, bilged, 
 and went down; indeed, we could have thrown a 
 biscuit on her from on board; and, had not the gale 
 moderated after continuing three days, we must inevit- 
 ably have shared her fate, as we had also drifted a 
 great deal. At last it ceased, and an ill wind it is that 
 blows nobody good ; for, from the disaster of the un- 
 fortunate American, we derived much benefit, hauling 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 23 
 
 up three pipes of fine Cape wine that floated along- 
 side our ship, which was shared in regular daily pro- 
 portions among the whole on board. 
 
 We remained in this disagreeable Bay three weeks, 
 and saw no appearance of the rest of the convoy joining 
 us. The communication of the garrison was shut in 
 consequence of its neighbouring enemies, and there 
 were no more provisions than were necessary for the 
 troops stationed there, together with a deficiency of 
 water ; it was therefore found expedient to send us to 
 Sicily, particularly as that island was at that time 
 seriously threatened with an invasion by the French on 
 the Calabrian coast. Orders were accordingly given 
 to proceed: our sea-stock by this time being quite 
 exhausted, we procured a fresh supply, which, though 
 rather scanty, from the dearth of the place, was in a 
 great measure compensated by the many fine turtle we 
 caught on the voyage. They were not, it is true, of 
 the same species that an Alderman would like to par- 
 take of, yet we managed to make most delicious soup 
 of them ; and, instead of Madeira, took care to relish 
 it with copious draughts of black-strap. The wind, 
 which on our sailing had been fair, favoured us as far 
 as Sardinia, into which kingdom we were obliged to 
 put, owing to the breeze becoming adverse. We 
 came to anchor in the Bay of Parma, where we 
 
24 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 were detained many days waiting* a more favourable 
 gale. During this period we spent our time in various 
 pursuits — boating, fishing, visiting the country, &c. 
 
 Amusements of this kind, however pleasant they 
 may appear, had nearly ended very disastrously to me. 
 One day, accompanied by four others, I went to the 
 farthest part of the island to shoot wild-pigeons: as 
 soon as we reached the shore, which was very high 
 land, we perceived the Blue Peter, which is the signal 
 for sailing-, hoisted; but, as we had frequently seen 
 this flying* many days before that event took place, we 
 treated it very lightly, and pursued our sport, thinking* 
 that we should have time to join the fleet previous to its 
 departure. In this, however, we were much mistaken; 
 for when we returned to the beach, our consternation 
 was excited at seeing the convoy under weig*h, and, to 
 complete our embarrassment, the boat which conveyed 
 us to land was not to be found. We had directed the 
 boatman to go about a mile along-shore, at which 
 place we intended to meet him ; but having struck into 
 the country, we could not direct our course exactly to 
 the spot we wished, owing to the obstruction we met 
 with from the great quantity of high myrtles and gera- 
 niums, whiph grew there as plentifully as our furze- 
 bushes on waste lands : we now began to halloo, and 
 fire our fowling pieces, in hopes of making the boat- 
 
 I 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 25 
 
 man hear us ; but to no purpose. Supposing therefore 
 that he had gone off to the fleet, we held a Council of 
 War, to decide whether we should go to the Martello 
 Tower, at the extremity of the island, near which the 
 ships would pass, and make signals to them for assist- 
 ance, or proceed to the little village of Antioco, (to 
 which I had been before, along with the Master of 
 the transport, to purchase stock,) and endeavour to 
 get a passage in one of their feluccas for Malta. We 
 determined on the latter measure, taking care to keep 
 along the shore in hopes of seeing our boat, which, 
 after proceeding about half a mile, we had the good 
 fortune to descry, making all sail to gain the ship ; we 
 lost no time in firing all our pieces together, and the 
 man hearing them, directly put the boat back for us, 
 and we reached the vessel just in time to save our 
 passage. 
 
 That the reader may have a better idea of our 
 unpleasant adventure, he must be informed that this is 
 one of the most wild and savage-looking places 
 imaginable. On our excursion, we met some of the 
 inhabitants, and saw their habitations, into which 
 they invited us to enter, asking in a kind of lingua 
 Franca — a language peculiar to the Mediterranean — 
 whether we were French or English. From this cir- 
 
26 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 cumstance you may form an idea of their ignorance ; 
 with respect to their barbarity, I can only judge from 
 their appearance, not from their actions, for they were 
 certainly very civil, and particularly assiduous in 
 pointing out the places in which we were most likely 
 to meet with different kinds of birds. But the figure 
 and savage appearance of this race of mortals was 
 truly original ; their visages were dark, rough, and des- 
 perate ; their make exceedingly athletic, and their dress 
 nearly resembling that which Robinson Crusoe is 
 represented to have worn, only that instead of having 
 pistols in their girdles, they had a large stiletto on one 
 side of their goat-skin jackets, which they wore with 
 the fleecy side outwards, and a smaller one on the 
 other. Besides these, they constantly carry a musket 
 about six feet long, of a different kind from any I had 
 seen before, the barrel being hardly large enough to 
 admit the top of the fore-finger into the muzzle. They 
 are in general mounted on very pretty little horses, 
 which are here found in their wild state: they are 
 extinct in all the other countries of Europe, but 
 abound in the woods of Canais, in the Island of An- 
 tioco. They are a very small race, exceedingly swift, 
 and belong to whoever can catch them. I should 
 imagine these people are so constantly armed from 
 the fear of wild beasts, or more probably of the Bar- 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 27 
 
 bary pirates, who frequently make a descent on these 
 shores, and carry off every thing that comes within 
 their reach. 
 
 I could not perceive much beauty in the women of 
 this country, with the exception of their fine sparkling 
 black eyes ; their awkward dress, which was a short 
 blue gown, very thick about the waist, and coming 
 very little below their knee, prevented any judgment 
 being formed of their make, but their feet were small 
 and pretty. They appeared very industrious, and in the 
 village of Antioco were all busily employed in a man- 
 ner that might prove advantageous to most cottage 
 families in this kingdom. In every house, I observed 
 a small mill placed in one corner of the room, in 
 which they grind their corn : this machine was worked 
 by a donkey, with very little trouble ; they thus saved 
 the expense of the miller, and were certain of getting 
 their flour genuine, the benefit of which is obvious. 
 Indeed, I never ate better, finer, or whiter bread in 
 my life, but their meat was altogether as bad. On 
 killing some sheep which we had brought on board, 
 they were literally so poor, that when hung up, and 
 a candle placed in their carcass, they were no bad 
 substitute for a lantern. 
 
 This is not a neat village, being built very strag- 
 
28 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 gling; but the scenery about is pretty enough, particu- 
 larly as you look towards an old monastery, which is 
 entirely grown over by the prickly pear — a plant very 
 common in these Islands, which gives it much the 
 appearance of the ivy-covered ruins so frequently to 
 be met with in my own country. 
 
 From the singularity of this place, I am afraid I 
 have been led to lengthen this description beyond my 
 limits; I shall therefore conclude by saying, that 
 their deportment was civil, though, from their terrific 
 look, I have often blessed my good fortune in getting 
 so well out of their power. 
 
 It being late at night when we reached the ship, I 
 soon turned into my berth, and this, during the whole 
 of the voyage, was on the cabin-floor ; for, being the 
 junior Subaltern on board, I was obliged to put up 
 with the worst accommodation, it being in our profes- 
 sion, seniores priores ; but, bad as it was, I could not 
 help fancying it a bed of down, in comparison to the 
 one I should have got, had we been left behind in 
 that deplorable and horrible place. It may be a fine 
 country, and the inhabitants were certainly civil to us, 
 yet it is deplorable, from the excessive poverty so 
 prevalent along the shores of the Mediterranean, and 
 I say horrible, because I have still my suspicions with 
 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 29 
 
 regard to their barbarity; and notwithstanding their 
 courtesy to us while our fleet was in the Bay, I 
 should not like to trust myself with them unprotected. 
 
 The next morning was very fine, and we had just 
 made the high land of Sicily, going at the rate of 
 about four knots, when our Master, who had never 
 been in this latitude before, observed the Commodore 
 and other ships taking in sail, the cause of which he 
 could not conjecture; but he soon found it out, to his 
 cost. I am not going to take up the reader's patience 
 and time again with a tedious account of a long storm, 
 a gale, a hurricane, or a Levanter ; but merely to give 
 him some idea of what is termed in these seas, a 
 White Squall. It first made its appearance by a little 
 white cloud, which became larger as it hastily ap- 
 proached, and in less than ten minutes burst upon us 
 with a most tremendous roar, like the whizzing and 
 exploding of a bomb. It proved fortunate that we 
 were in the rotten state just described, from a previous 
 long voyage ; for, had the sails been of new canvass, 
 nothing could have saved us from being capsized. 
 Luckily as it was, they were shivered into a thousand 
 pieces, and we lay on our beam-ends for some 
 minutes, in such a situation as I cannot describe, but 
 I observed every soul clinging in the greatest dismay 
 to every thing that could be laid hold of. This state 
 
30 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 of apprehension was exceedingly awful, for we feared 
 that the vessel would not recover herself; happily she 
 soon righted again, and in about ten minutes all was as 
 calm and serene as if nothing had happened, and the 
 only remaining vestiges of the squall were, the deck 
 being covered ancle-deep with hail-stones of an enor- 
 mous size, and the tattered appearance of our sails. 
 From the great damage that we in particular had sus- 
 tained, the whole convoy were obliged to put into 
 Palermo to refit, and we now again experienced the 
 good effects of an ill wind, for it gave us the opportunity 
 of seeing this beautiful city, while the sight of us was 
 equally gratifying to the inhabitants, as they never, I 
 believe, had before seen British soldiers there, and were 
 much in want of them, from the apprehended invasion. 
 
 We remained here about three weeks, and took 
 every opportunity of seeing the most noted edifices and 
 curiosities of this great city and its vicinity. The 
 buildings here are very fine, and so are the public gar- 
 dens, which are laid out in most delightful walks, 
 shaded by cypress, citrons, myrtles, jessamines, and 
 geraniums, interspersed with elegant fountains, the 
 most fragrant groves, and shady bowers. Here you 
 may seek a retreat from the rays of the sun, and 
 reclining at your ease, observe the verdant balmy 
 avenues, promenaded by the most lovely women. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 31 
 
 Indeed, the very air of this sweet spot seemed to 
 breathe that soft voluptuousness of feeling-, that can 
 create none other but the most tender passions, which, 
 ' indeed, are here cherished in the fondest degree. If 
 the fair Eve had a paradise like this, how she could 
 commit a deadly sin, I cannot conceive ! 
 
 In company with some brother officers, I went in a 
 hackney-chariot, of which there are a great number, 
 as in London, for the accommodation of the public, to 
 visit Montreal, a small town at a short distance, and 
 which has the finest church I ever saw. I do not 
 recollect to what Saint it is dedicated, but it is distin- 
 guished by noble architecture, fine statuary, superb 
 pillars inlaid with mosaic to the very top, and repre- 
 senting various kinds of figures, paintings by the 
 greatest masters, and altar-pieces of the finest por- 
 phyry, adorned by the richest sculpture representing 
 Scriptural subjects. Here are also the most valuable 
 relics of religion; and the structure is likewise en- 
 dowed with costly gifts of jewels, pearls, and all 
 kinds of precious treasure ; in short, such is its magni- 
 ficence, that I can only regret my inability to do 
 justice to it in description. The situation is as elevated 
 as the fabric is grand, and on our way to it we were 
 continually winding up a steep ascent, which gave us 
 a most delightful view of the city and bay below, with 
 
32 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 our fleet at anchor; but this was surpassed by the 
 country around, which was for the most part composed 
 of plantations of orange-groves, interspersed with 
 olives ; indeed, so plentiful was the former fruit, that 
 the country-people ate it with bread as our peasants 
 do cheese. Even the little children on the road ran 
 after our carriage with small branches of this tree, con- 
 taining four or five fine oranges in a cluster, in hopes 
 of receiving a few halfpence : these oranges, when cut 
 in two, produced a juice as red as the coats on our 
 backs, from being engrafted on the pomegranate- 
 tree, and they are certainly the finest species of this 
 kind of fruit in Europe. 
 
 We every day came on shore to enjoy the fine 
 walks, the grand prospects, and the amusements of 
 this fascinating place, on which Art and Nature have 
 been so profuse in lavishing their beauties, the whole of 
 which we were only prevented from enjoying, by For- 
 tune not being quite sO bountiful in the embellishment 
 of our purses. 
 
 It was with great regret we were obliged to quit 
 this charming town and all its fascinations, but it is 
 rarely the fate of a soldier to remain long in one place. 
 We proceeded to Messina, where we landed, and 
 marched the same day into the interior, so that we had 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 33 
 
 not an opportunity of seeing much of that great city, 
 but in passing through it, observed that it had suffered 
 much from the convulsions of Nature : and so exceed- 
 ingly subject is this place to earthquakes, that we felt 
 a severe shock of one during the time we lay along- 
 side the quay, which agitated the water so as to 
 occasion great motion to be felt in our ship ; but the 
 natives appeared to regard the phenomenon with much 
 unconcern. 
 
 Our road was here truly romantic: we had many 
 glens and vales to pass, and precipices and mountains 
 to ascend, one of which struck us all with conster- 
 nation ; for on arriving at the summit, it appeared as if 
 it had been cleft asunder; and in reality so it had: 
 I suppose, by one of those tremendous shocks so 
 frequent in that country. The opening was about 
 fifteen feet wide, and so deep that the bottom could 
 not be seen ; it appeared as if the earth had yawned 
 with wide-extended jaws to receive us into her bowels. 
 This gulph we were compelled to cross by files, by 
 means of a plank placed across, and a rope on one 
 side to steady us; only one could pass at a time, from 
 the apparent flimsy construction of this bridge, over 
 which, however, the mountaineers ran with the 
 greatest indifference. Passing this defile as fast as 
 the incumbrance of our accoutrements would permit, 
 
 D 
 
34 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 we soon reached our quarters, which were in pretty 
 villages, dispersed over the heights of this singularly 
 diversified country. 
 
 Our men, after being so long at sea, now began to 
 find themselves very comfortable, and asked for a 
 little money to add to their happiness ; when, although 
 I gave them only the value of one sixpence each, to 
 my great surprise, on visiting their rooms, I found 
 them all completely intoxicated, the wine being here 
 so exceedingly strong and cheap — about one penny 
 per bottle ; this circumstance made me more cautious 
 in future how I distributed their pay. 
 
 The village in which I was quartered was named 
 Jesso, and a most excellent billet I had. My habita- 
 tion was a very large monastery, part of which was 
 allotted to the men, and the remainder occupied by a 
 great number of jolly fat Friars: indeed, I may well 
 call them such, for they gave me one of their cells 
 with a bed, crucifix, beads, and every apparatus simi- 
 lar to their own ; and every evening, on returning from 
 the mess, I received a constant visit from the Abbot, 
 with a bottle of excellent wine in one hand, and a 
 plate of fine fruit in the other, the produce of his own 
 vineyard: over this we used in general to sit and talk, 
 although he knew not a word of English but " Long 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 35 
 
 live King* George de Third, 1 ' nor I one word of Italian 
 but " Bono vino, Signor." Another great advantage I 
 had in this cloister was the romantic and delightful 
 view from the window of my cell ; for, independent 
 of the most picturesque coup-d'ceil of every thing that 
 could be found in rural scenery, was Mount iEtna 
 throwing out clouds of smoke on the one side; and 
 on the other, in the midst of the sea, Mount Strom- 
 boli vomiting a perpetual torrent of flame. This last 
 phenomenon being at so great a distance, appeared 
 to me like a light-house well lighted; and it was, 
 perhaps, intended as such by nature, to caution the 
 wandering mariner against the dreaded rocks of Scylla 
 and Charybdis. 
 
 In this agreeable society time passed pleasantly 
 enough: but the duty was rather severe, as our 
 picquets had to descend a great distance to gain the 
 beach, where it was conjectured a landing might be 
 attempted. This descent was easily effected; but it 
 took us some hours to return, owing to the difficulty 
 of re-ascending these precipices, which were rendered 
 very slippery by the wet weather. We were now 
 ordered to retrace our route to Messina, there to 
 re-embark and proceed to Syracuse. In the spacious 
 harbour of that place, (for a finer, I suppose, there 
 is not in the universe,) we remained at anchor about 
 
 d 2 
 
36 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 a month, disembarking' our men daily to exercise: 
 this duty finished, we amused ourselves by visiting 
 this now small town, once the emporium of the 
 world. It even yet bears evident marks of its once 
 towering- grandeur, in the mouldering- ruins, scattered 
 in ponderous heaps over an immense space. In my 
 perambulations about this ancient town and its envi- 
 rons, my attention was continually engag-ed by the 
 amazing- masses of grand antiquity that presented 
 themselves; " the gorgeous palaces, the solemn 
 temples" — all dwindled away. Among these I ob- 
 served the pillars of Jupiter Olympus, which have at 
 present the appearance of two columns, such as might 
 be met with in some old abbey in my own country. 
 
 I then visited the fountain of Alpheus and Arethusa, 
 where I was informed I should find the most beautiful 
 nymphs bathing ; and so I did ; but they were in the 
 shape of smart young washerwomen, with their petti- 
 coats tucked up far beyond their knees, scrubbing 
 their linen. The baths, which have still the remains 
 of grandeur, are now the receptacle of all kinds of 
 filth. 
 
 I next went in company with several others to see 
 the cave of Dionysius, where that tyrant used to con- 
 fine all persons suspected of treason. This horrible 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 37 
 
 and extensive cavern was cut out of a solid rock, in 
 the shape of a man's ear, with a tube at the end, 
 communicating with a secret chamber, in which this 
 king used to sit and listen to the conversation of the 
 prisoners below ; and if any of them displeased him 
 by their discourse, he directly ordered them to be 
 decapitated in his presence. To this secret chamber 
 there is now no access but by means of a rope, slung 
 through a pulley, at the bottom of which is tied a 
 piece of wood. Across this the curious put their legs, 
 and are thus drawn up to a height of about two hun- 
 dred feet. On this slight conductor, one of my com- 
 panions got across, with the intention of being drawn 
 up a little way, and after that let down again. 
 Having gone about twenty yards, he called out lustily 
 to be let down; but the Sicilians mistaking this for 
 his anxiety to go faster, pulled with greater velocity, 
 and he soon arrived at the secret chamber, where 
 there was a man stationed to haul him in — after which 
 they let off some patararas in the cave below, which 
 made a roaring louder than the loudest thunder. The 
 difficulty was now to get him down, which was 
 effected by the guide above tying a handkerchief 
 round the waist of our adventurer and the rope, by 
 which method he was lowered in perfect safety. 
 There were some naval gentlemen looking on, who 
 were used to rope exercise, but they would not ven- 
 
38 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 ture up, so perilous did this expedition appear. Indeed, 
 we were all quite satisfied with the description our 
 friend gave of it, without going through the same 
 aerial exploit. 
 
 We next went to view the Amphitheatres, some of 
 which were nearly perfect: they gave us a good idea, 
 from their spaciousness, of the immense number of 
 spectators that must have assembled together, to 
 witness the gladiators and public tournaments, when 
 in the zenith of their glory; but, in their present 
 state, they only reminded us of the gradual rise 
 and rapid fall of the most flourishing cities of anti- 
 quity. 
 
 From these remains we walked to pay our respects 
 to the inhabitants of the regions of the dead — a kind 
 of sepulchre under their churches. Here we saw 
 thousands of their forefathers, who had not been in 
 existence for many centuries, all standing upright, 
 by means of wires by which they are suspended, and 
 in great preservation, having gone through a certain 
 process of embalming, something, I should suppose, 
 in the manner of the Egyptian mummies. It was 
 very remarkable that in this awful abode there was 
 not the least disagreeable smell ; but the physiognomy 
 of some of the figures was horribly ghastly— -a cir- 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 39 
 
 cumstance plainly distinguishable by the burning' of 
 several lamps : indeed, the scene was not calculated 
 to gratify any other feeling than that of curiosity. 
 These receptacles of the dead are visited once a year 
 by the relatives of the deceased, who kiss them, bow 
 to them, kneel to them, and pray for them, and show 
 them every respect, as if they were alive. 
 
 Our next visit was to the catacombs — another habi- 
 tation of those who have long since departed this 
 life. These are subterraneous vaults, cut out of the 
 rock, of such an amazing extent that the termination 
 is not now to be found. In the passages niches are 
 cut, in which the bodies are placed as if in a coffin ; 
 they are most wonderful undertakings, and show 
 what care and trouble the ancients must have taken 
 for the accommodation and preservation of their dead: 
 indeed, we might almost imagine that they paid more 
 respect to their deceased parents, in former times, 
 than the present generation do to their living rela- 
 tions. 
 
 The various relics of antiquity in this place are so 
 numerous, that I must refer my readers to the more 
 interesting pages of Bridone, for a full and correct 
 description of this beautiful and curious island. Mine 
 is not a book of travels, but is intended merely to give 
 
40 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 an idea of the variety of scenes which those who 
 embrace the profession of arms are likely to witness. 
 
 Before quitting the subject of this enchanting* coun- 
 try, I cannot refrain mentioning the very moderate 
 price of provisions here. My friends may recollect, 
 when I first entered the military life, I was spending 
 more than double my pay ; in this island I could not make 
 away with one half of it, for it only cost me one shil- 
 ling a day for my messing — indeed, I could have lived 
 on my rations (for which I paid twopence halfpenny 
 only), being allowed a pint of good wine per day, 
 besides bread and meat ; but I chose to pay the above 
 sum for the delicacies of the season. 
 
 At length we received orders to quit Sicily, and 
 reluctantly set sail for Cadiz, to join the other part of 
 the expedition, which had proceeded to that port, and 
 had not for a length of time known what had become 
 of us. On our way we touched at Malta, where we 
 came to anchor for the night; but had not time to see 
 this strong fortress, except from the offing: it ap- 
 peared to be wonderfully fortified. The next morning 
 we got under weigh, favoured by a gentle breeze ; 
 and nothing more than plain sailing occurred during 
 our passage, except that one night, as we were going 
 pleasantly before the wind, every one snug in his 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 41 
 
 berth but myself, being with the watch on deck, we 
 perceived a large ship close on our stern, which the 
 mate hailed, and desired to keep off; but hardly were 
 the words out of his mouth, when down she came 
 upon us with a tremendous crash, In an instant the 
 commanding officer and all hands were upon deck, in 
 their undressed state, to know what was the matter, 
 supposing we had struck on a rock and were going to 
 find a watery grave. Of course the first person the 
 Commandant called for was the officer of the watch : 
 on perceiving me, he saluted me with, ei God help me ! 
 God help me, Sir! what is the cause of all this 
 commotion?" I related the particulars to him, which 
 convinced him that no blame attached to us; and, 
 observing that I was busy with the men on duty in 
 assisting to get clear of our unwelcome visitor, he 
 soon returned to his warm berth again. The case 
 was very different with our poor little doctor, who 
 was the greatest sufferer ; for his berth being near the 
 stern, where there was a large utensil, which he in 
 general contrived to keep pretty full, this was unfor- 
 tunately broken to pieces, and the contents nearly 
 smothered the poor little man, who, as he appeared on 
 deck in this shivering plight, was the cause of afford- 
 ing us much mirth. He, however, soon retired to 
 shift his night-robes, and change his resting-place to 
 a drier corner. This accident was very severe, and 
 
42 
 
 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 caused our vessel considerable damage — smashed the 
 skiff, stove in her stern, carried away the main chains, 
 and otherwise materially injured her. 
 
 Soon after this occurrence we made the rock of 
 Gibraltar: we took in a small supply of water, and 
 stood on for Cadiz, where we arrived the next day, 
 and joined our expedition, after being separated more 
 than three months. We were received with great 
 pleasure by our old acquaintances, who, while they 
 were in harbour, pitied our unfortunate fate, thinking 
 our rotten transport could not have outlived the length 
 and fury of that outrageous storm. However, I con- 
 sider we had by far the best of it ; as I should have 
 been sorry to have exchanged the opportunity of 
 seeing the Mediterranean Islands, particularly that 
 kingdom which was once esteemed the garden of the 
 world, for their view of Falmouth. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 43 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Wide o'er th' ensanguin'd field, with carnage strew'd, 
 
 In horrid triumph Death exulting strode ; 
 
 And piteous was the sight of slaughter there, 
 
 And thrilling were the groans of agony. 
 
 But soon the warrior in the battle-field 
 
 Becomes familiar with these scenes of blood ; 
 
 By duty lesson'd, and by custom taught, 
 
 Their horrors views with unaverted eye, 
 
 Though still of feeling soul — nor less humane 
 
 Than he, with sinews yet unused to war, 
 
 Who would turn^pale, and sicken at the sight. 
 
 Penrose. 
 
 The bustle and gaiety of this fine town, although 
 in a state of bombardment by the French fleet at the 
 time, afforded us considerable amusement and plea- 
 sure during our continuance ; for here, indeed, gaiety 
 itself appeared, attended by all the Graces, in the 
 lovely persons of the Spanish ladies, who, after their 
 siesta* promenaded the public walks (the shot from 
 the enemy not reaching farther than the suburbs) in 
 the greatest crowds, and with the most stately and 
 graceful deportment. It is a pity my fair country- 
 women have not an opportunity of imitating their 
 
 * A sleep after dinner — a general custom in Spain. 
 
44 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 majestic carriage, which is the only acquisition in 
 which these pretty brunettes have the advantage; 
 for, with respect to every other grace and virtue, 
 no nation in the universe can possibly claim the pre- 
 eminence. 
 
 The attack upon Ceuta having been abandoned, in 
 consequence of the dispersion of the fleet, and other 
 affairs of greater moment demanding our exertions, 
 our troops were for the present to be disembarked at 
 Santa Maria, on the opposite side, where we remained 
 very comfortably situated for about three weeks ; but 
 the weather was so excessively hot, that we were 
 obliged to exercise in the night, and sleep during the 
 meridian heat — a heat, indeed, so intense; that the 
 Spaniards have a proverb, which says, that only 
 Englishmen and dogs are to be seen in the streets at 
 that time. 
 
 We now received orders to embark and join our 
 great chief, Sir Arthur Wellesley, who subsequently 
 so conspicuously distinguished himself in the late 
 glorious war. This intelligence gave me the greatest 
 joy; I was now in hopes of gaining some of those 
 laurels of which I was deprived on the expedition to 
 Copenhagen. We sailed, and reached Portugal 
 before the army had commenced its march, and landed 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 45 
 
 at Figueras with as little delay as possible, but with 
 the greatest difficulty, owing to a most tremendous 
 high surf, in which the inhabitants were obliged to 
 come naked and take the men from the boats, to pre- 
 vent their ammunition from being wet : this was at- 
 tended with some danger, several of the boats being 
 swamped. Having landed without any serious accident, 
 after a long and tiresome march, for the most part up 
 to our ancles in sand, we came into camp with the 
 grand army that evening. 
 
 I was rather premature, when I remarked, on my 
 first joining the regiment, that then began my life as 
 a soldier: I had hitherto partaken more of that of a 
 sailor — now indeed was the martial life commenced, 
 and that too in the most irksome manner ; the fatigues 
 of which are probably more severely felt by those 
 moving in the situation of Subalterns, than by any 
 others. Many of those officers, I am persuaded, did 
 they please to dedicate a little time to the illustration 
 of the active part of their career, would accumulate 
 honour for themselves, and benefit their profession. 
 Indeed, had I the just pretensions belonging to many 
 of my friends who have served in these campaigns, de- 
 licacy would prevail over my inclinations also, and I 
 should rather attempt to smother than mention my ser- 
 vices, fearing a narration of them might appear like 
 
40 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 ostentation or egotism. But as they are trifling in 
 comparison with what most of my military readers 
 have met with, I am under no such apprehension, par- 
 ticularly as I am aware that the life of a Subaltern, 
 however imperfectly told, will, if replete with greater 
 incident, be read by a generous public with greater 
 interest, than that of a Field Marshal. But to resume 
 the thread of my narrative. On our arrival in camp, 
 the first thing- done was to select the officers and men 
 for duty ; this falling on me, I was instantly placed 
 on the quarter-guard, stationed on the top of a hill 
 which commanded an extensive view of all approach 
 to the camp. Here was my couch for the nights— a 
 great contrast to the snug warm berth I had been used 
 to on my marine excursion : indeed, I now began to 
 wish I had made choice of the Navy for my pro- 
 fession, from its greater apparent advantages. 
 
 We did not halt long here ; for the enemy being in 
 the immediate neighbourhood, and hovering about us 
 in every direction, it was found necessary to proceed 
 to active operations ; for which purpose we had pre- 
 vious directions to land in light marching order, that 
 is, with not more than one man can carry on his back. 
 My kit consisted of only two shirts, two pair of 
 stockings, and other little necessaries in my haversack, 
 with a great coat, and three days' provisions — which, 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 47 
 
 however, was a very fatiguing load in this hot climate : 
 the men are of course more burdened, but then they 
 are from infancy more inured to hardships, and pro- 
 portionably better able to bear the inclemency of the 
 « weather, and the fatigues and privations incident to 
 war, than those who are nursed in the lap of luxury, 
 which, unfortunately for me, had been my lot in the 
 early part of my life ; and I had been rendered almost 
 too delicate for this hardy service, by the over-anxiety 
 and care of too fond a mother. 
 
 Before entering upon the account of my first cam- 
 paign, I think it necessary to observe, that were I to 
 mention every particular occurrence — the state of the 
 weather, the number of leagues of each day's march 
 and countermarch, for the thousand of miles I tra- 
 velled the country, almost incessantly for the space of 
 six years, with the names of the different halting- 
 places, and the daily duty which is usually performed, 
 it would swell this work to an endless extent, and 
 would render it quite insipid, from the constant and 
 unavoidable repetitions. I shall therefore give the 
 reader a general idea of our daily route, which was 
 commonly observed throughout the whole of our ope- 
 rations, by giving a condensed view of one day's 
 march, and can afterwards repeat any extraordinary 
 
48 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 journey, should I find it necessary for the better eluci- 
 dating- of different events. 
 
 One day's march. — The route having been received, 
 the drum beats at any hour of the day or night, as 
 occasion may require, to assemble the troops — I 
 cannot say in all cases to strike the tents, for in this 
 campaign we had none. After the Adjutant has col- 
 lected the reports, the troops move off in as large di- 
 visions as the nature of the road will permit to march 
 commodiously, encountering the dust or the rain, the 
 heat or the cold, the mountain or the valley, as the cli- 
 mate or the country may chance to present, till they 
 arrive at the ground on which they are to bivouac for 
 the night. Here, after piling arms, parties are sent 
 out under the superintendance of a Subaltern to fetch 
 water, others to draw rations, some to cut wood both 
 for fuel and to build huts, while others are selected 
 for guard, piquet, foraging, and other duties. This 
 being done, fires are lighted, and (should the utensils 
 have arrived) cooking commences. After getting a 
 scanty meal, a parade is formed, to see that the men 
 have cleaned themselves and their accoutrements, in 
 readiness for the next day's march, and that they have 
 their necessaries, particularly their ammunition, com- 
 plete. This daily routine of duty being performed, 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 49 
 
 the soldier is glad to lie down soon after on his bed of 
 fern, straw, or, if nothing else is to be had, to repose 
 his wearied limbs on that cold bed which will eventu- 
 ally receive him into its bosom. 
 
 Being now entirely equipped for the ensuing cam- 
 paign — having provided bill-hooks, camp-kettles, and 
 mules for carrying them, with baggage-horses and 
 every other convenience, we broke up camp to prose- 
 cute our active duties, and continued marching till we 
 came up with the enemy, who had taken an amazingly 
 strong position on the heights of Rolessa, from which, 
 after marching four leagues that day, we had to attack 
 and dislodge them. Measures being accordingly 
 taken, by executing such manoeuvres as would bring 
 us in contact with the foe — having 1 previously fixed bay- 
 onets, primed and loaded, &c. we drew nearer and 
 nearer to the scene of action. It was now that I could 
 have dispensed with the honours of a military life ; and 
 had it been as honourable to have gone to the rear as 
 to the front, I should certainly have preferred the 
 former, and that in double quick time; for whatever 
 heroes may say, yet to me I must confess it caused a 
 little imperceptible tremor, notwithstanding the brave 
 -and manly admonitions of Sir George. I wag, however, 
 fully convinced of the truth of his assertions ; therefore, 
 stifling this sensation, I soon found that spirit which I 
 
 E 
 
50 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 imbibed from ray ancestors take possession of my heart, 
 and which, thank God ! never forsook me in the hour 
 of danger. 
 
 We now began to advance over those who had fal- 
 len : among them was my brother Sub, who had been 
 out skirmishing; and we came under what I then 
 thought a pretty hot fire, both of field-pieces and mus- 
 ketry, not having witnessed the like before : but this I 
 found was a mere joke to what I was hereafter to ex- 
 perience. However, it gave me a seasoning — as I was 
 soon after knocked down by a musket-ball striking me 
 on the left groin ; and I only attribute escaping a se- 
 vere wound to having some papers in the pocket of my 
 pantaloons, which prevented its penetrating the flesh ; 
 but it caused a great contusion : I was, however, in a 
 few minutes able to proceed with the regiment, and 
 soon had the pleasure of seeing the French flying 
 before us. We followed them till the lateness of the 
 evening compelled us to halt, when, this being the first 
 field of glory I had the honour of sharing in, I could 
 not help noticing immediately at my feet a fine youth 
 who was shot through some vital part. This poor sol- 
 dier, when I first observed him, was lying on his back, 
 his head supported by his knapsack: his visage ap- 
 peared serene and calm, with a very healthy, ruddy 
 colour in his manly cheeks : but every time I looked 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 51 
 
 at him, I perceived his countenance gradually be- 
 coming- paler, and his fine blue eyes losing- their lustre, 
 which I observed soon became fixed in death, without 
 his uttering a groan or a struggle. 
 
 From reflecting on this mournful spectacle, I was 
 soon diverted, by being ordered to go on the out-post 
 of a field-officer's piquet, about two miles in advance. 
 I went accordingly, and took my station behind a furze- 
 hedge, from which I could hear the French videttes 
 talk as plainly as I now hear the passengers under my 
 window. 
 
 I was now, for the first time, on an out-pust before 
 the enemy ; no covering but my great-coat — no pillow 
 but my cocked hat. The fine ornaments which had 
 shone so conspicuously on the parades on home ser- 
 vice, b^gan to lose their brilliancy ; the glittering epau- 
 lette was crushed into a thousand forms, and the pretty 
 tight boot cut with many a slit to ease the blistered 
 foot. Most glad was I to feel the morning sun warm 
 my dewy limbs ; and, hardly had it made its appear- 
 ance, when we were called in, and had but just time to 
 get a little warm tea, so refreshing to the weary frame, 
 when off we marched in pursuit of the enemy, whom 
 we followed up for a few r days, till we reached the field 
 of Vimiera, where we halted some time. 
 
 e 2 
 
52 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 About nine o'clock on the morning of the third 
 day, we perceived the French in great force on the . 
 heights of Torres-Vedras, coming down upon us, 
 formed in strong divisions, and in the most regular 
 array. We quickly stood to our arms, and marched to 
 our alarm-posts, which soon brought the contending 
 bodies in contact; when, forming the line with the 
 71st Regiment, which had been engaged some time 
 previously, we came in for our share of the conflict of 
 that day, by being opposed to a strong French regi- 
 ment, which advanced to within half pistol-shot of 
 us, when a most tremendous point blank fire ensued. 
 This not proving effectual, Charge ! was the word new 
 vociferated from flank to centre : but, on their seeing 
 us come to this awful position of destruction in the 
 art of war, they had not courage to withstand our im- 
 petuous movement; for just as we were in the act of 
 crossing bayonets, to the right-about they went, in the 
 quickest time. We followed as rapidly, driving them 
 from their artillery, I believe, about twelve field-pieces, 
 passing it on the right flank at the same time the Tlst 
 Regiment did on the left, and I trust we had an equal 
 share in the honour of capturing them. 
 
 The French, however, having now gained pos- 
 session of the village on the heights, which had been 
 strongly barricaded, remained there for the present, 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 53 
 
 and we received orders to halt in the ravine. Indeed, 
 .a little breathing-time had become very necessary, as 
 we had for the last two hours been firing, shouting, 
 running, swearing, sweating and huzzaing. 
 
 On the ground was found General Brenier, con- 
 cealed in the rushes: he had been wounded in the 
 leg, and was now taken prisoner, and brought to our 
 surgeon to dress. On cutting off his boot, we were 
 surprised to find he had no stockings on; on this 
 being observed to him, he very coolly replied, " Le 
 soldat Fran^ais n'a pas besoin de bas. ,, From this 
 place we were ordered to make a retrograde move- 
 ment, as a ruse de guerre; which had the desired 
 effect of enticing the enemy to rally. Having thus 
 drawn them to a sufficient distance from their fast- 
 nesses, we came to our proper front, and gave them 
 such a reception that they again ran off, and took pos- 
 session of their strong hold, whence we soon had the 
 pleasure of seeing the gallant Riflemen completely 
 drive them. It was near this spot that I saw, as we 
 advanced, a Scotch piper of the 71st Regiment lying 
 on the ground wounded. This, however, did not 
 prevent his cheering his comrades on to glory with 
 their national music. They certainly are a brave peo- 
 ple ; but as to their being more so than their neigh- 
 
54 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 bours, I never saw any thing- in them, as men or 
 soldiers, to make me think that they were. 
 
 We were not allowed to pursue the enemy farther 
 than this village, being informed that we had done 
 enough for that day. Why we were not permitted to 
 do more, when we had it in our power, I am at a loss 
 to conjecture — it is best known to those who were 
 there, and held a higher command. It is not my pro- 
 vince to comment on the conduct or orders of my 
 superiors in rank — I am now merely recording what 
 occurred to myself: and this reminds me of my levity 
 previous to the engagement; for, being in general 
 blessed with a good flow of spirits, and making it a 
 rule to put on the best face I was able on every 
 unpleasant occasion, even were it only for example, 
 I was laughing and joking, when one of my brother- 
 officers came to me, with his visage very much cast 
 down, being unwell at the time, and remarked that I 
 ought to be thinking of something more serious at 
 that critical moment. He observed that many a fine 
 fellow would soon be laid low, and sent to the next 
 world; adding, that he had a presentiment that some- 
 thing fatal would that day happen to himself. The 
 poor fellow, in about ten minutes after, received a 
 cannon-ball in his neck, which almost severed his 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 55 
 
 head from his body. Another occurrence happened, 
 previous to our line advancing", to my brother Sub, 
 which had nearly terminated in a similar manner. He 
 was very near-sighted, and the French artillery play- 
 ing* on us at some distance, the unevenness of the 
 ground made the balls come hopping similar to those 
 bowled at cricket, which caused the men to open right 
 and left to let them pass : at one of these openings 
 this officer stood, and addressing himself to me, asked 
 what was the matter? I replied, " Do not you see 
 what is coming ?" at the same time giving him a hard 
 pull, I was the means of saving him from that sudden 
 death the other had just experienced; however, 
 taking his quizzing-glass to his assistance, he gladly 
 observed the ball pass about one hundred yards to 
 his rear. 
 
 When this day's fight was over, those who had 
 escaped had congratulated each other on their good 
 fortune. Amongst these was an officer who had his 
 hat much shattered by the splinter of a shell, which a 
 junior one perceiving, said — " Oh, my dear fellow, I 
 am very sorry to see your hat so broken !" — " Thank 
 you, 1 ' replied the other, " but I suppose you would 
 rather have seen my head, and then you would have 
 risen a step." 
 
56 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 We now returned to our former ground, and imme- 
 diately fell to work making- fires to boil our kettles •; 
 for, though the killed and wounded presented shock- 
 ing sights on all sides, this did not take away our 
 appetites: the more habitual a distressing scene 
 becomes, the less it is regarded, till at length such 
 sights are rendered familiar. 
 
 We went to sleep on this bed of honour with as 
 much unconcern as if it had been on soft and downy 
 beds at home, hoping that the morning's dawn would 
 lead us on to a rapid pursuit. As usual, one hour 
 before daylight we stood to our arms; but, to our 
 astonishment, we received no orders to follow the 
 enemy. I well recollect the observation of every 
 individual — " What keeps us here after so complete a 
 victory? why do we not advance and overtake the 
 foe?" No one could tell — all was conjecture and 
 amazement, till we were at length informed of the 
 well-known Convention of Cintra, which put an end 
 to this campaign. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 57 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Convention is the dwarfish demon styled, 
 That foil'd the Knights in Marialva's dome, 
 And turn'd a nation's short-lived joy to gloom. 
 Here folly dash'd to earth the victor's plume, 
 And policy regain'd what arms had lost. 
 
 \ Byron, 
 
 An armistice now took place, and such terms having* 
 been agreed on between the chiefs of the two con- 
 tending armies as enabled the French to abandon the 
 kingdom without farther molestation, we continued 
 a leisurely march to Lisbon. After about three days, 
 we halted in a most delightful spot, in the midst of 
 vineyards, olives, and orange-groves. My comrade 
 and myself set about constructing our little hut, and 
 pitched upon a hollow piece of ground for that purpose. 
 This slight shelter merely consisted of a few green 
 branches, to screen us from the scorching rays of the 
 sun and the dews of the night. A finer evening than 
 this there could not be; and at dusk we stretched 
 ourselves on our bed, made of fine soft rushes, which 
 grew here in great abundance. We had enjoyed the 
 blessings of a sound repose but little more than an 
 hour, when we were awakened by peals of thunder 
 
08 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 breaking over our heads ; these became more loud and 
 dreadful the nearer they approached, until the whole 
 earth seemed to tremble. The thunder was accom- 
 panied by vivid flashes of lightning, followed, in a 
 few minutes, by the most impetuous torrents of rain. 
 Our snug settlement in the ravine was very quickly 
 covered with a rapid stream, in which, by the constant 
 light of the electric fluid, we perceived all our loose 
 articles of dress, the only part we had taken off, such 
 as shoes, hats, sashes, belts, &c, all floating away, 
 and we had great difficulty in saving them. So heavy 
 did the rain fall, that it ran down the boughs of our hut 
 like as many water-spouts pouring upon us; and we 
 found it more eligible to stand out in the midst of it, 
 than to remain in the occupation of the hut. Nor was 
 this the worst part of the business ; for I had unfor- 
 tunately been very unwell, even before the campaign 
 commenced, but feared to acknowledge it, lest it 
 might occasion my being left in the rear and deprived 
 of the honours of it. As soon as the morn appeared, 
 and the rain had ceased, we dried ourselves, by 
 collecting all the huts together and setting them on 
 fire, and then continued our march to Calloose, where 
 the army went into camp for some weeks. I pro- 
 ceeded to Lisbon on duty, where I saw the French 
 army embarking for France, on board the very 
 transports that brought us to this country, agreeably 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 59 
 
 to the late Convention. An extraordinary sight it 
 was; for they had their standards displayed in the 
 square of Belem, with as much sang-froid as if they 
 had been the victorious army, and had dictated the 
 agreements. Indeed, they seemed to have some rea- 
 son for considering themselves so, from the terms 
 they made ; for they embarked with their heavy bag- 
 gage, (I should rather say plunder,) their arms, 
 horses, and artillery, with colours flying, drums beat- 
 ing, bayonets fixed, &c. 
 
 Immediately after the evacuation of Lisbon by the 
 French, our regiment received orders to march into 
 the city, and was quartered in the citadel. This 
 capital has so often been described by its numerous 
 visitors, that I shall content myself with observing, 
 that I thought it most remarkable for its excessive 
 filth; it is not, however, without its advantages. In 
 this city we remained about a month, enjoying all the 
 amusements of a town life ; but in the midst of these 
 pleasures, the route again came to embark and sail for 
 Oporto. We had a very pleasant passage ; but it is 
 not my intention again to enter into the particulars of 
 a sea-voyage, which could only have the effect of 
 tiring and perplexing those who have patience to 
 peruse these common occurrences. 
 
60 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 On our arrival off the harbour of Oporto, we found 
 that there was not sufficient water to take us over the 
 bar, so that we were obliged to take to our boats, and 
 land among the rocks. In doing this, there was great 
 danger, from the prodigious swell and exceeding high- 
 surf which constantly prevail here, and render the 
 presence of skilful pilots necessary in landing troops. 
 These, when what they call the master-wave made its 
 appearance, gave a signal to us with their hats, 
 waiting for which we lay upon our oars. As soon as< 
 they made the motion, the Portuguese boatmen, who 
 were well acquainted with the business, pulled away 
 with such surprising quickness, that, from the exact- 
 ness of the time which they kept, it was more like 
 clock-work than manual labour, and the swell, with 
 their dexterity, generally carried the boat high and 
 dry on shore. I was told, that had this not been 
 the case, the next wave would inevitably have 
 swamped the boat: this, however, did not happen in 
 a single instance during our disembarkation ; so well 
 do these men understand this kind of navigation. 
 
 On our landing, we marched into the fine and 
 friendly city of Oporto ; and a most excellent, gene- 
 rous, and hospitable town we found it. We were 
 here shown the greatest attention possible: I never 
 heard men or officers complain of their billets, so 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 61 
 
 accommodating' were the inhabitants in consequence 
 of the great intercourse between this place and 
 England. Indeed, speaking from my own experience, 
 I have ever met with more condescension, respect, 
 kindness, and favours from foreigners, even in an 
 enemy's country, than I have hitherto found in my 
 own : with them, in the hour of need, have I shared 
 the frugal repast of the peasant, and the more 
 sumptuous entertainment of the grandee. 
 
 From this benevolent town we marched to, join the 
 army under the command of Sir John Moore. I 
 accompanied my regiment as far as Lamego, where, 
 being taken seriously ill, I was left with orders to 
 take charge of, and, as soon as I was able, to bring 
 on a detachment of convalescents; so that, though 
 sick, I was still on duty. 
 
 In the mean time my illness increased to such a 
 degree, that my life was despaired of by the Portu- 
 guese; and I have since been informed that their 
 priests were about to administer extreme unction to 
 me. Considering all hopes of recovery over, they 
 went through this solemn ceremony peculiar to their 
 religion; and having thus, as they thought, sent my 
 soul thus to migrate quietly into another world, it 
 was not deemed necessary to give me any more 
 
62 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 medical aid or nutriment in this mortal state. They 
 even objected to my servant's rendering- me any 
 longer the only assistance I could obtain; for this 
 town not being" at this time a sick depot, no surgeon 
 of our own was to be had. My servant communicated 
 this strange proceeding to an officer who was detained 
 in the town; and this gentleman, by means of an 
 interpreter, begged they would leave me to my fate, 
 stating that I was not of the Catholic religion, and 
 that my servant would do every thing necessary for 
 me, whether I lived or died. He also desired that he 
 might be allowed to pay me every attention. 
 
 In a few days after this event a favourable crisis 
 occurred ; and in about three weeks I was able to pro- 
 ceed with the detachment to my regiment, which had 
 joined the troops under Sir John Moore. This being 
 the winter season, I marched with my party a most 
 fatiguing route, in the worst of weather, and over 
 miserable roads, through dreary woody mountains, 
 interspersed with wretched villages, inhabited by the 
 most deplorable objects of poverty and filth I ever 
 beheld ; in fact, misery appeared to be the only visible 
 object of the day. So very offensive was it to enter 
 these repulsive abodes, that we should have much pre- 
 ferred remaining outside, had it not been for the 
 inclemency of this severe and wintry season. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 63 
 
 We had proceeded some distance beyond Almeida, 
 and within a few days' march of the army, when we 
 were met by an express, informing us that the French 
 had reached Astorga, and consequently had cut us off 
 from Sir John Moore, who was now in full retreat. 
 We therefore joined that part of his army who were, 
 like ourselves, cut off; consisting of several entire 
 regiments, with various detachments. In fact, this was 
 part of General Moore's troops, retrograding on a 
 different line of march, encountering similar wet 
 weather, equally bad roads, the same if not greater 
 distance, and probably more privations, than any other 
 part of his army — having no Commissary with us, and 
 being obliged to retrace our steps through cork and 
 chestnut forests, which were in many places rendered 
 impassable from swamps and quagmires. The country, 
 too, had been so continually ransacked, that poverty, 
 wretchedness, filth, and disease, only were to be met 
 with. Every thing that could be got at had already 
 been destroyed by the enemy, and Desolation had laid 
 her withering hand on all within her grasp. In this 
 deplorable state of affairs, I was compelled to endure 
 such unusual hardships, immediately on getting the 
 better of my late illness, that I was brought to a very 
 low condition, and obliged to crave assistance even 
 from these unhappy peasants, into whose huts I was 
 often driven from weakness, fatigue, and hunger. In 
 
64 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 these dwellings of sorrow have I frequently begged 
 the scanty meal of boiled chestnuts, which these poor 
 people cheerfully gave me. This fruit is, indeed, their 
 principal food ; the woods in these parts abound with 
 it : the poor people gather the chestnuts in the season, 
 and preserve them for winter store. They are prepared 
 much in the same manner as potatoes are in Ireland, and 
 are eaten with salt. 
 
 On our return to Lamego, we embarked in boats, 
 and went down the Douro to Oporto. Owing to the 
 rapidity of the current, we arrived the next day — a 
 distance of about one hundred and fifty miles. On this 
 passage we overtook a boat which had just preceded 
 ours, but had unfortunately struck on a hidden rock, 
 and upset. We passed it, keel uppermost : and the 
 day after we saw about two hundred dead bodies 
 floating in all directions — there being very few out of 
 more than two hundred that embarked, including 
 women and children, that were saved. 
 
 Thus I again arrived in this city ; but, from the fa- 
 tigue and harrassing duty I had lately endured, I was 
 not in the same state of health as when I left it. 
 Hardships had brought on a relapse of illness ; and 
 from the constant hurry and confusion, I had not an 
 opportunity of changing my linen — so that on my 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 65 
 
 arrival at Oporto I was literally swarming with the 
 worst description of vermin. In this state the physi- 
 cian of the forces visited me, and finding me labouring 
 under a severe rheumatic fever, he ordered me to be 
 removed to another billet. By great good fortune I 
 got into such quarters, in point of grandeur, as I had 
 never before met with, in the mansion of a Portuguese 
 Fidalgo or grandee. Here was an immediate change 
 from absolute wretchedness to the height of magnifi- 
 cence ; but a few hours before, I was either exposed 
 in an open boat to the rain and the rapidity of a dan- 
 gerous current, or perishing in the thick woods ; now, 
 I was housed in a superb palace, decorated with the 
 most splendid chandeliers, beautiful mirrors, and costly 
 furniture. As soon as I entered, my noble and worthy 
 host came to pay his respects, and appeared to sympa- 
 thise in my miseries. He requested to know my 
 wants ; I informed him all I then wished for, in my 
 weak state of health, was to retire to rest. A 
 sumptuous apartment was immediately prepared, where 
 I slept very comfortably, and found myself much 
 refreshed; having been provided with clean linen, 
 while that which I had on was thrown off and com- 
 mitted to the flames, previous to my taking possession 
 of my grand bedchamber. 
 
66 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 The next morning the butler came to know what I 
 chose for breakfast, and I informed him my physician 
 had prescribed milk diet. He then went away, and 
 soon sent a servant, in a rich livery, carrying an urn of 
 gold upon a salver of the same metal ; I had only to 
 turn this reservoir into a beautiful china basin, when it 
 was instantly filled with the richest milk. All this 
 appeared like enchantment, when but a day or two 
 previous I was getting my scanty repast on the high 
 road, and my bed in some old pillaged church, deserted 
 house, or open field. I could not help fancying that 
 the ancestors of this wealthy man must have been com- 
 panions of Pizarro, Gonzalvo, Cortez, or some of those 
 adventurers to the New World, and had gained these 
 immense riches from the spoils of the innocent natives. 
 My breakfast being finished, my patrone paid me a 
 morning visit, when he requested to know whether I 
 would dine with his family or by myself : I preferred 
 the latter, in consequence of my illness. He also 
 invited me to take an airing in one of his carriages, 
 which I refused for the same reason. He then took 
 his leave; and soon after came the steward with a bill 
 of fare, to know what I would choose for dinner, and 
 whether I would please to have it cooked by a French 
 cook, or by their own. I, partly out of compliment, 
 preferred their own cookery, with the exception of 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 67 
 
 garlic, which they commonly introduce most profusely 
 into their dishes, and to which luxury I afterwards 
 became quite reconciled. He desired me to name the 
 wine I chose to drink; but this indulgence I was 
 obliged to decline, not being allowed to live so high. 
 
 The same etiquette was observed daily; the time 
 passed very pleasantly, and I found myself improving* 
 in health very fast. I had a fine library for my amuse- 
 ment, and a beautiful garden for my recreation, inter- 
 sected by most delightful walks and transparent 
 fountains, in the basons of which sported multitudes of 
 the finny tribe, variegated with the most beautiful gold 
 and silvery hues, as if they partook of their owner's 
 riches: here were also delightful groves and bowers, 
 formed by plantations of orange, lemon, and jes- 
 samine tress, woodbines, and various other fragrant 
 shrubs. 
 
 In this enviable state of comfort I remained but a 
 short time, for it is not a soldier's fate to be allowed a 
 long indulgence in the peaceful enjoyment of social 
 happiness. I had only been in this hospitable and 
 magnificent abode about three weeks, when one morn- 
 ing my noble patrone came to my bed-side with a 
 woeful countenance, and said, " Ah Senhor ! Senhor !" 
 
 f 2 
 
68 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 he then paused awhile, and with tears trickling down 
 his aged but good-natured and manly visage, proceeded 
 to inform me that he had just received certain intelli- 
 gence of the French army, which had so recently 
 driven the English into the sea at Corunna, being now 
 under the command of Marshal Soult, within three 
 days' march of this city. 
 
 This unwelcome news was in a few minutes con- 
 firmed by my servant bringing me the orderly book, 
 in which I had the mortification of seeing orders for 
 the British troops, then in the town, to march to 
 Lisbon, and the sick to embark on board a transport 
 in this port, for the same place. Now the enchant- 
 ment was broken : every one was in bustle and con- 
 fusion ; some flying with their goods and chattels into 
 the interior of the country, there to hide themselves 
 in the mountains ; others trying to secrete their wealth 
 from the rapacious grasp of that overwhelming host 
 which was now about to pour down upon them. 
 
 After taking a grateful farewell of my kind benefac- 
 tor, I went on board, and we had nearly suffered a 
 great misfortune: for as we were in a very large ship, 
 there was not water sufficient to take her over the bar, 
 and we were delayed another day. The French being 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 69 
 
 now within one day's march, every countenance wore 
 the appearance of despair ; we could not get over by 
 the evening's tide, but determined, even contrary to 
 the advice of the pilot, to make a dash at all events 
 the next morning. It soon arrived, and the advance- 
 guard of the enemy were now seen on the neighbour- 
 ing heights : we cut our cables, and struck with great 
 violence on the bar ; but fortunately the succeeding 
 swell carried us clear out to sea, and on our arrival at 
 Lisbon we learned that the French had entered imme- 
 diately after we had quitted the Douro, which made 
 us not a little pleased at our narrow escape from 
 being made prisoners by them. 
 
 We here formed a junction with the other troops, 
 for all the regiments and detachments that had been 
 cut off from joining the northern army were ordered to 
 rendezvous at this place; and here, from our great 
 numbers, we were formed into battalions, called the 
 first and second battalions of detachments, which 
 composed a very fine body of men. I was attached to 
 the latter. We remained waiting reinforcements about 
 six weeks, which appeared to me a long time, not 
 having been so long in one place for the last two 
 years. I suppose the same struck our commanders, as 
 we were desired immediately to re-equip ourselves in 
 
70 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 complete marching order, and be in readiness to 
 move at a moment's notice. The moment soon came, 
 and a strong body of troops having arrived from 
 England, we left our cantonments at Lamere, in 
 the vicinity of this town, and again took the field, 
 to commence a more arduous and glorious campaign. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 71 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 By Heaven ! it is a splendid sight to see 
 (For one who hath no friend, no brother there) 
 Their rival scarfs of rich embroidery — 
 Their various arms that glitter in the air ! 
 What gallant,war-hounds rouse them from their lair, 
 And gnash their fangs, loud yelling for the prey ! 
 All join the chase, but few the triumph share: 
 The grave shall bear the chiefest prize away, 
 And havoc scarce for joy can number their array. 
 
 Bvron. 
 
 We commenced our march for Oporto, to which 
 spot our line of operations was directed; and had 
 only been on our route about four days, when to our 
 great joy we were overtaken by our former General, 
 Sir Arthur Wellesley, who came to re-assume the 
 command. I well remember with what enthusiastic 
 huzzas we cheered him as he passed our line of 
 march ; the men from that moment, as if by instinct, 
 wore the countenance of confidence which never 
 forsook our army even to the conclusion of the 
 contest. 
 
 We halted a few days at Coimbra, to be reviewed, 
 and a very tight little army it was ; such a one as was 
 
72 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 soon to make these legions of boasting- invincibles * 
 fly, who had, as they termed it, driven the English 
 into the sea at Corunna. 
 
 On the march to Oporto, with what pleasure and 
 satisfaction, as we moved tediously along the road, 
 did I think of revenge on those fellows who had so 
 recently broken the enchantment of my princely resi- 
 dence, and endangered my liberty on the bar of that 
 port! The time was fast approaching, when I was to 
 experience the same pleasure that they had enjoyed 
 on entering the town — that of seeing them fly in all 
 haste, with the addition of leaving the greater part of 
 their plunder, baggage, artillery, and many prisoners, 
 behind them. On this march we halted a few days 
 at Alhobaca, in whose hospitable monastery the friars 
 entertained us in the most sumptuous and friendly 
 manner. In this religious and spacious mansion, I 
 sat down to dinner with about three hundred officers : 
 they accommodated us in the grand saloon, with 
 their Padre, who appeared to be a venerable, good, 
 and agreeable man, at the head of the principal table. 
 I am told that this monastery had been granted thirty 
 
 * Previous to the taking of Oporto, they really fancied them- 
 selves Invincibles ; for though they were fairly beaten out of the 
 field at Vimiera, yet, from the advantageous Convention they 
 made at that place, they considered themselves victors. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 73 
 
 thousand dollars yearly to entertain all travellers, 
 of whatever nation ; but the French have since burnt 
 this magnificent and benevolent institution to the 
 ground. 
 
 As we approached nearer to the banks of the 
 Douro, every step brought us into scenes more horrid. 
 The enemy's advanced posts had in these parts left 
 numerous marks of their ravages, and traces of their 
 skirmishing. We now began to see the dying and 
 the dead: some of these had been mangled in a 
 manner too shocking to be described, by the Portu- 
 guese female peasants, out of revenge for the brutal 
 treatment previously experienced from them. Now 
 we passed clusters of inhabitants hanging mutilated 
 on one tree, and on the next as many French were 
 suspended, all hacked and gored in the same manner, 
 by way of retaliation; such was the animosity sub- 
 sisting between these inveterate foes! The priests 
 were busily employed in taking down their unfor- 
 tunate countrymen, praying for them, and burying 
 them. 
 
 Having at length reached the banks of the Douro, 
 we perceived the enemy in great numbers in the town 
 of Oporto, which they had partially fortified, and had 
 destroyed the bridge to prevent our crossing. This 
 
74 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 did not daunt the energy of our Commander, or the 
 courage of his troops; we were directly ordered to 
 take to our boats, and after a severe conflict the 
 enemy were driven from their guns, and the town 
 soon after taken possession of. It was with the 
 greatest difficulty that the Duke of Dalmatia and his 
 staff escaped : and so sudden and successful was the 
 attack, that they had not time to sit down to the dinner 
 which had been prepared for them ; but, quitting the 
 place with precipitation, left this good cheer to the 
 conquerors, who so much better deserved it. My 
 wishes now became realized by this glorious triumph. 
 I had now the satisfaction of seeing the foe run 
 helter-skelter away as fast as their legs could carry 
 them ; the streets were strewed with their dead, which 
 the inhabitants allowed to remain a few days in a 
 naked state, as a mark of scorn and derision — a con- 
 duct which the French had entailed on themselves by 
 the atrocities they had committed in this unfortunate 
 town. 
 
 But it still remains for me to describe one of the 
 most melancholy tales of woe. We halted here the 
 next day for a supply of provisions, of which we were 
 much in want, while the light division of the army 
 followed up the enemy ; and I took this opportunity 
 of paying my good old patrone a congratulatory visit 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 75 
 
 on the expulsion of the French. My astonishment 
 may be more easily conceived than described, when, 
 on arriving' at the scene of my late happiness, I found 
 nothing" but bare walls remaining. The house had 
 been completely stripped of all its costly furniture 
 and every thing that was valuable, by the desperate 
 robbers who were now flying before us. To witness 
 the destruction occasioned in this beautiful residence, 
 was truly pitiable: on entering*, I perceived the fine 
 balustrades broken ; the chandeliers and mirrors were 
 shattered to pieces; all the portable furniture had 
 been taken away, and the remainder either wantonly 
 burned, or otherwise destroyed; the choice pictures 
 were defaced, and the walls more resembled a French 
 barrack than the abode of a Portuguese Fidalg-o, 
 from the obscene paintings that were daubed upon 
 them. The beautiful garden was entirely ransacked ; 
 the charming walks and fragrant bowers torn up and 
 demolished ; the fountains broken to pieces ; and the 
 crystal-like water drained off to catch the little fish, 
 I suppose to satisfy the wanton appetites of these all- 
 devouring marauders. However, I was somewhat 
 relieved from my apprehension and sorrow on the 
 account of this worthy family, by being informed that 
 they had made their escape to England, in a vessel of 
 their own, at the time we sailed, with all their plate, 
 money, and most valuable property. 
 
76 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 While here, I went to visit a Welsh gentleman who 
 had married a Portuguese lady. He was a resident bf 
 this town, on whom I had been billeted on our first 
 landing here, and from whose family I received much 
 attention, but had been unable to wait on them on my 
 last arrival, owing to indisposition. He was not living 
 at the same house, but I was directed where I might 
 find him. My interview with him proved of the most 
 painful description: he met me on the stairs, and 
 received me with great kindness, but appeared in a very 
 dejected state of mind. He shewed me into the par- 
 lour ; and, pointing to an arm-chair, told me that in 
 that seat a French officer had, a few hours before, 
 blown out the brains of his poor old father-in-law, 
 because he would not resign one of his daughters to 
 gratify the abominable lust of this detestable assassin, 
 who suspected she was secreted in the house, though 
 in reality she was fled to the mountains on the first ap- 
 proach of the enemy. There was no corroboration of 
 this shocking catastrophe necessary, as the blood and 
 parts of the skull were still visible in the chamber, but 
 the body had been removed. His amiable wife, from 
 whom I had received the greatest civility, and whom I 
 wished to congratulate on the liberation of their town 
 from such vile miscreants, to my regret could not make 
 her appearance ; she was too much overwhelmed with 
 grief. My friend was about to enter into the particulars 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 77 
 
 of his misfortunes, occasioned by the arbitrary contri- 
 butions and severities of the French, when the drum 
 beat for us to fall in, and continue the pursuit of the 
 routed army. On taking my leave of him, he squeezed 
 me by the hand, offering- up at the same time his fervent 
 prayers, that we might soon overtake these execrable 
 murderers. These sights I merely mention as having 
 come under my own observation, and as specimens of 
 what must have been the general atrocities, bad state 
 of discipline, and insubordination of the French troops, 
 under the command of their blood-thirsty leaders. We 
 pursued the enemy night and day, barely taking suf- 
 ficient rest to support nature, till we came to the fron- 
 tiers of Spain, taking a great many prisoners, baggage, 
 and commissariat stores. At length, finding them- 
 selves so hardly pressed, and not being able to make 
 another stand, they were compelled to take to the 
 mountains, and disperse in all directions, which ren- 
 dered it impossible for a regular army to follow them 
 any farther. 
 
 We had no sooner dispersed these legions, than our 
 indefatigable Commander-in-chief received information 
 of another French army, under the command of Mar- 
 shal Jourdan, being concentrated in the neighbourhood 
 of Madrid. To this part we were ordered instantly to 
 direct our route — an exceedingly severe trial for troops 
 
78 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 who for the last four months had been incessantly 
 harassed, and were now in the greatest want of every 
 article of dress, shoes in particular, and of almost 
 every comfort of life. The very moment in which we 
 thought we should have rest, by ending the campaign 
 in the dispersion of the French, brought orders to con- 
 tinue a march, with little intermission, of about five 
 hundred miles. Yet not a murmur was heard on this 
 critical occasion: for what will not British soldiers 
 perform under a brave and victorious general % We 
 retraced our steps in the first instance from Chaves, a 
 frontier town, towards Oporto, the roads being exces- 
 sively bad, and the weather very showery, as it was the 
 commencement of the spring. A few days after we 
 passed through the fine town of Braga, but owing to 
 the intricacies of the roads in this unknown part of the 
 country ,we penetrated into a forest, where they narrowed 
 into unbeaten tracks. There we became benighted, 
 and very short of rations, which obliged us to provide 
 in the best manner we could for ourselves, till the bugle 
 assembled us at day-break. Straying about this wet 
 and miry spot, being too cold to sleep, I at last saw a 
 light at some distance, and I made towards it. I found 
 that it proceeded from a large deserted farm-house ; 
 for this situation being near the borders, was more 
 open to the country. On entering the house, I found a 
 large fire, around which were many soldiers occupied 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 79 
 
 in picking fowls, which they had purloined; and before 
 it hung" several half-picked that were roasting ; some 
 of the party, more fatigued, lay sleeping about till the 
 repast was ready. Having warmed and dried myself, 
 I had the good fortune to get some tea made, (a little 
 of which we in general carried in our pockets, as 
 the baggage, owing to impediments, was frequently 
 two or three days' march in the rear,) and eat a leg 
 of a fowl, which one of the men gave me, but without 
 any bread with it. After this refreshment, I laid 
 myself down on a mattress, the covering of which had 
 been taken away. Here I got a sound but short nap, 
 and waking in the morning, I fancied there was some- 
 thing uncommon under me, as the mattress felt hard 
 and uneven : on looking, I found, to the agreeable sur- 
 prise of myself and the men, who observed they wished 
 they had had it last night with the fowls, four immense 
 flat loaves of yellow pong, a kind of bread made of 
 Indian corn, well known to the troops by the above 
 name — quantities of this grain growing here. This 
 bread is very sweet and wholesome; it resembles 
 pound-cake very much, and constitutes the principal 
 food of the inhabitants in this part of Portugal. 
 
 Continuing our long and difficult route, we again 
 arrived at Oporto ; through which town we proceeded 
 without any delay. One circumstance I ought to 
 
80 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 notice, which was pointed out to me on passing — this 
 was a large opening- in the wall, on the inside of a 
 building, out of which the French had taken upwards 
 of 100,000 doubloons, about £300,000 English money. 
 There is no doubt that they must have had private in- 
 formation of the treasure, as the wall had been plas- 
 tered up so completely, after it had been deposited, 
 that no eye could possibly have discovered the hoard. 
 
 We now trudged on over a vast extent of country : 
 into the toils and difficulties of this route I shall not 
 enter minutely, as I have already given a general out- 
 line of one day's march. Perseverance at length 
 brought us to Abrantes, about the centre of Portugal ; 
 here we rendezvoused for about three weeks, to give 
 the whole army time to concentrate and re-equip, and 
 to afford an opportunity for the fresh troops from 
 England, then on their march from Lisbon, to join us. 
 This being accomplished, we prepared to leave this 
 fine encampment for the heart of Spain : I call it a 
 fine encampment, because we had had time to build 
 our huts with neatnesss, regularity, and strength ; they 
 were thatched with boughs, had chimneys, were railed 
 in, and formed into regular streets, which gave them 
 the appearance of a fine green village. 
 
 Being provided with necessaries, and proper 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 81 
 
 arrangements being made, we broke up camp, and 
 soon arrived at Placentia, where we halted a few days. 
 This was certainly a most oppressive situation: in 
 Portugal we had experienced the most distressing 
 cold and wet weather ; it was now as suddenly become 
 as intensely hot, and we had very little except the 
 olive-trees, which we were prohibited from cutting, to 
 screen us from the scorching rays of a sun almost 
 vertical. This being an open corn country, we were 
 the whole day exposed to its beams, and the ground 
 was so exceedingly warm, that it produced the greatest 
 number of insects I ever saw. We were infested and 
 annoyed, beyond measure, by the scorpions and cen- 
 tipedes crawling over us, and the musquitoes stinging 
 us in such a manner, that I have frequently seen 
 officers and men with their eyes so swollen that they 
 could not see out of them for some hours. In the day 
 we sometimes amused ourselves by catching these 
 scorpions, which we did by turning up a large stone, 
 under which there were in general two of these little 
 animals nestled together ; then throwing a thread with 
 a noose in it over them, and touching them at the same 
 time with a straw, they would instantly dart their long 
 tails over their heads to sting ; and by drawing the 
 noose tight we caught them alive, and hung them on 
 a tree as a punishment for their nightly depredations. 
 They are very venomous visitors ; one of our men lost 
 
 G 
 
82 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 his eye from their sting, and many others were 
 much hurt by them. 
 
 Our advance continued, and the weather retained 
 its sultry heat. Many a weary step, over many a 
 dreary league, we dragged through the dusty way ; 
 sometimes not seeing a house for days together, some- 
 times without a drop of water to wet the parched and 
 swollen tongue of the way-dropped soldier — for there 
 were many who sunk under the oppression of this ex- 
 cessive heat. We had frequently no fuel, not even a 
 shrub that would serve as piquet for the baggage- 
 horse ; and occasionally no forage was to be had for 
 these poor animals after their hard day's labour, in 
 which case they had to move on till they came to a 
 more verdant spot. However, as our commissariat 
 had hitherto procured us plentiful supplies, and we 
 received our rations very regularly, we were enabled 
 to continue our exertions till we arrived at Talavera 
 de la Reyna. 
 
 Here we halted some time ; when, about the third 
 day, as we had just commenced cooking, the drum 
 beat to arms, and we distinctly heard the advanced 
 division under General M'Kenzie, who so gloriously 
 fell there, severely engaged. We seized the meat, 
 half-cooked as it was, out of the camp-kettles, and 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 83 
 
 putting it into our havresacks, marched off, and 
 arrived at the position just in time to receive the 
 enemy. They experienced a pretty hot reception from 
 our British soldiers, who were a handful in compa- 
 rison of their numerous battalions; for it was well 
 ascertained that they had from forty to fifty thousand 
 men, while the British had barely nineteen drawn up 
 in line. This line their legions made repeated efforts 
 to break, attacking our flank, centre and flank, and 
 flank and centre again; but with very little effect. The 
 engagement commenced about four in the afternoon ; 
 and towards midnight there was a general cessation 
 of fire, as if by mutual consent, each army appearing 
 to wish a respite from this destructive carnage. During 
 this short pause, by the light of the bright moon, 
 reclining on their arms, the expectant warriors stood, 
 sanguine for the renewal of the fight; — ere dawn of 
 day, the dreadful roar of all-destructive cannon again 
 commenced, and a fresh attack ensued even more 
 spirited than the former. It was a most tremendous 
 day ; such a continual clash of arms, incessant fire of 
 musketry, balls whizzing, and shells exploding, that I 
 am at a loss to describe the consternation, yet sub- 
 limity, of this great battle. 
 
 I must here observe, that, although we had so small 
 a number of the British, there were about thirty thou- 
 
 g 2 
 
84 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 sand of our allies, the Spaniards, in line with us ; but 
 they were mere cyphers on the occasion, being neither 
 attacked nor engaged during the conflict. My batta- 
 lion being on the right of the line, nearly joining 
 theirs, I could plainly observe their actions ; they cer- 
 tainly fired, but I could not perceive what they fired 
 at, nor did I afterwards see many of their troops dead 
 on the field, out of about 15,000 who shared that fate. 
 
 Night now began again to draw her sable veil be- 
 tween these murderous hosts of mortals ; the musketry 
 again ceased, but only as it were to increase the roar 
 of cannon. We were now under a most tremendous 
 fire of shot and shells; but luckily our flank only 
 being exposed to it, they fell in every direction about 
 us, without doing material mischief. 
 
 By this time I became much exhausted for want of 
 food ; for the meat that we had taken half-cooked with 
 us, had, from the heat, become so full of animaleulse, 
 that I could eat but little of it ; I therefore gave it to 
 the man next me, who, not being quite so nice, gobbled 
 it up in a moment. Bread, however, was out of the 
 question, and water only to be procured by going into 
 greater danger. In this state, as we were resting on 
 our arms, notwithstanding the roar of the cannon, I 
 fell fast asleep for an hour or two, as soundly as if I 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 85 
 
 had reelined on the softest couch. The dawn re- 
 appeared, and one of the men roused me from my 
 slumber, which indeed he had some trouble in doing. 
 The cannonading had ceased, and we again stood to 
 our arms, expecting another attack; but it appeared 
 the enemy had got enough of it; for they, as we after- 
 wards found, had moved off the ground, taking care to 
 leave their advanced sentries to the very last moment. 
 These were constantly calling out Qui vive? and 
 making a great noise, to make us believe that the 
 enemy were still there ; but, as they did not come on to 
 renew the contest, our light troops were sent out to 
 reconnoitre ; when they found that the French, under 
 cover of the night, had taken the opportunity of re- 
 treating from the scene of action, leaving us masters 
 of this hard-fought field. We then heard at intervals 
 a few shots, and learned that they proceeded from the 
 Spaniards, who were shooting the wounded French. 
 There was in consequence an officer and twenty men 
 from each brigade immediately sent out, to protect and 
 gather together the wounded enemy : and I was one 
 on this duty. I had only gone about one hundred yards, 
 when one of my men, who were scattered for the pur- 
 pose, called out for me to go to him, and told me that 
 a Spaniard, whom he pointed out, was about to shoot 
 a Frenchman, badly wounded ; who was crying most 
 piteously " Mon Dieu ! Mon Dieu /" I waited to see 
 
86 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 what were really the Spaniard's intentions: he delibe- 
 rately loaded his piece, and was going- to present it at 
 this unfortunate creature, when I arrested his arm, and 
 sent him away ; but, on looking behind me, I ob- 
 served him creeping through the vineyard to return 
 and accomplish the diabolical and cowardly act of 
 killing a fallen enemy in cool blood ! Gn seeing this.. 
 I ordered my men to take the wounded man and re- 
 move him from the spot where he was, to some shady 
 olive-trees, with which this plain was planted; and 
 there I formed a kind .of depot for these poor suffering 
 wretches, with a guard to protect them till the carts 
 came to take them away. 
 
 This was a. most unpleasant duty: the scenes of 
 horror I here witnessed, I cannot, nor do I wish, mi- 
 nutely to describe ; but one circumstance I cannot help 
 noticing. On passing the ravine where the contest had 
 been most severe, I perceived that a quantity of high 
 sere grass which grew there had taken fire from the 
 wadding of the guns ; and the poor fellows who had 
 fallen there, wounded and deprived of the power of 
 escape, were literally burnt to death ; which gave them 
 all the appearance of pigs that had been roasted. A 
 huge desperate-looking bravado of a Spaniard, passing 
 at the time, drew his sabre, and deliberately plunged 
 it into the body of one of these dead Frenchmen, who 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 87 
 
 could now be distinguished only by their ear-rings, as 
 the English and French lay here in mixed numbers, 
 with their clothes entirely consumed. He then, pulling 
 it out, all reeking with gore, triumphantly made use of 
 a common Spanish expression, not proper here to 
 mention, looking, at the same time, ferociously at me. 
 I certainly thought his conduct most dastardly ; but on 
 cool reflection, imagined that his motive was probably 
 revenge. He might have had his wife torn from his 
 arms, his family contaminated, his house burned, and 
 his property destroyed ; or, possibly, the same causes 
 to seek satisfaction as my unfortunate friends at 
 Oporto : yet, even under such circumstances, I could 
 not help thinking it poor and paltry revenge to take 
 such useless satisfaction. 
 
 Whatever sensations this gory scene might have 
 caused to a reflecting mind, I must confess my own 
 was engrossed by thoughts of a more interested 
 nature ; for having had nothing for the last two days, 
 except one biscuit per man, and the piece of meat I 
 have just mentioned, hunger became the most pre- 
 dominate feeling. I in vain searched among the dying 
 and the dead, in hopes of finding some food to eat; 
 but, if they had had any, it had already been taken by 
 the men on duty and the Spaniards ; all I could see 
 that strewed the field, besides their apparel and ac- 
 
88 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 coutrements, was an immense number of billet doux, 
 for which the French are so famous. For these, how- 
 ever, I had at this time very little relish, as they were 
 a poor substitute for food. On this disagreeable duty I 
 was strolling about, when I met an officer on the staff* 
 whom I knew ; and telling him my situation, he shared 
 with me a piece of bread, which he luckily had with 
 him, and a little wine from his canteen, mixed with 
 water, which had now become plentiful, the river, 
 before occupied by the enemy, being free of ac- 
 cess. This refreshment was a most seasonable and 
 opportune relief, and I returned to my battalion, when 
 I laid myself down to sleep; and owing to the two 
 last days' fatigue, I did not wake till we stood to our 
 arms at day-break. 
 
 This day we were in hopes of the arrival of the 
 Commissariat, who we expected would have stuck to 
 us in the hour of danger, and given us our rations. If 
 meat was wanting, they might have given us bread or 
 biscuit, or, at any rate, they might have issued out 
 wine or spirits ; but, I am sorry to say, no provisions 
 were yet delivered to us. I will not attach blame to 
 that useful department, because I know not what was 
 the cause of this omission ; but this I do know, that 
 we were the sufferers, and if the French had possessed 
 the resolution to have attacked us another day, they 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 89 
 
 would probably have penetrated our lines, not from 
 their physical strength or courage, but owing to our 
 exhausted condition, occasioned in a great measure by 
 the want of these common necessaries of life. 
 
 The day after the battle came, and we received a 
 pint of wheat a man ; the following day the same; and 
 the next, if I recollect right, the same. This supply, 
 scanty as it might have appeared to those who were 
 partaking of the roast-beef of Old England, with us, 
 who were partaking in its glory, was as satisfying to 
 the craving appetite, as mock-turtle to the pampered 
 cit ; for being boiled up with a little chocolate, it as- 
 sumed a similar colour, and, what was more pleasing, 
 it answered the same end. I cannot here omit a say- 
 ing which one of the soldiers made use of on this 
 occasion ; which was : " They have given us corn 
 to-day ; I suppose they will give us hay to-morrow." 
 
 We remained some days on this field of putrid 
 honour, if I may be permitted such an expression. In 
 fact, it was literally and truly so ; for the foetid stench 
 that proceeded from the spot, was, from the heat of 
 the weather, rendered intolerable. Indeed, the system 
 of warfare appeared entirely changed; at 'the onset we 
 used to bury our dead, but it now became more a-la- 
 
90 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 mode to let them variegate the field with their 
 bleaching bones. 
 
 At this period a most shocking spectacle took place. 
 In consequence of many of the Spanish soldiers 
 having run away during the action, twenty-seven of 
 these unfortunate men, who had been taken, were 
 tried by courts-martial, and sentenced to be shot. 
 They were placed rank-entire on the battle-field, 
 already strewed with dead bodies, and the priests 
 having confessed and absolved them, the fatal word 
 was given to a company of their own countrymen, 
 drawn up for the purpose, to fire ; and in an instant 
 these poor wretches lay prostrate, adding to the 
 dreadful slaughter, already too great, and affording a 
 melancholy example to the cowardly. 
 
 About the fourth day, we received orders to move. 
 Mucbiias been said of the retreat from Talavera; but 
 at this time there was no such thing in contempla- 
 tion — at least as far as I could judge. We moved to 
 the rear, it is true ; but this rear had now become our 
 front : and the intention of the movement was to meet 
 another army which was rapidly advancing upon us, 
 under the command of Marshal Soult, whom we had 
 so recently put to the route, and dispersed in the 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 91 
 
 mountains to the north of Oporto. He had again 
 collected his forces, to the number of twenty thou- 
 sand, and was marching" in this direction to attack us ; 
 and he had already reached Placentia, when the 
 intelligence arrived at our head-quarters. * 
 
 Our great and provident General, taking- his mea- 
 sures accordingly, left the Spanish army, which had 
 suffered but little in the engagement, to keep posses- 
 sion of the field of battle, and protect our sick and 
 wounded in the hospitals at Talavera from falling into 
 the hands of the enemy ; the force of our allies being 
 quite adequate in point of numbers to have stopped 
 the progress of the French, in the event of their 
 again advancing ; the former having still nearly thirty 
 thousand men on the position, and the enemy being 
 reduced to about the same number. We, therefore, 
 left this glorious, though terrible and sadly offensive 
 field, and counter-marched for Placentia, being fully 
 persuaded, from the valour of the Spaniards, of the 
 security of our poor wounded comrades, who were 
 previously comfortably lodged in hospitals, and not, 
 as I have heard erroneously represented, abandoned 
 by the British army. 
 
 Having taken up our ground for the night at 
 Orapesa, a little town about a day's march from Tala- 
 
92 
 
 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 vera, we began to boil our kettles, and make dump- 
 lings with the flour that was this day delivered to u&in 
 lieu of bread ; when we perceived the Spanish army, 
 in whom we had placed such confidence, in full 
 retreat, and close at our heels : and to this dastardly 
 conduct alone is the abandonment of our unfortunate 
 wounded to be attributed, as well as the necessity of 
 our commencing a retreat. 
 
 This was the moment that the great discipline 
 of British troops shone conspicuous — this was the 
 moment that talents and generalship were to be dis- 
 played: — a powerful enemy advancing both in front 
 and rear ; the Spanish army in confusion, and no con- 
 fidence to be placed in them ; and provisions not to be 
 had, as the French had cut off our principal supplies. 
 These circumstances, together with the heat of the 
 weather and the forced and harassing marches, ren^ 
 dered the state of affairs truly critical. In this 
 dilemma, the most prompt and judicious plans were 
 necessary ; and such it will be seen in the sequel were 
 adopted by our brave and noble Commander. 
 
 Our advance being, by these circumstances, con- 
 verted into a retreat, the plan of operations was con- 
 sequently altered. We proceeded towards the south- 
 ern frontiers of Portugal, which being, I believe, a 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 93 
 
 track never before pursued by British troops, led us 
 completely out of the way of our depots and com- 
 missariat stores. We were, therefore, compelled to 
 provision ourselves in the best manner we were able ; 
 but the all-wise Providence, in whom we trusted, 
 never forsakes the brave, or the counsels of the just, 
 when acting- in a good and righteous cause. 
 
 This season of the year was exceedingly fine — in 
 the midst of harvest, but excessively hot. However, 
 we had plenty of forage for our cattle, which kept up 
 our baggage. Mine was lost in the confusion of the 
 battle of Talavera ; but I was afterwards amply remu- 
 nerated for it by the liberality of Government, 
 
 The mention of harvest reminds me of an occur- 
 rence of the second day's march on the retreat. — 
 Being entirely destitute of provisions, and halting in a 
 field of wheat in the sheaf, our cattle living on clover, 
 and we on air ; they being turned into one, and we 
 into the other; my servant, Thomas Standfast, and 
 myself set our wits, which were well sharpened by 
 hunger, to work. I undertook the task of rubbing 
 out the corn from the ears, and he took one of the 
 horses to go and seek what he could find: in about an 
 hour he returned, with little success, so many being 
 on the same errand, and brought only some ripe mul- 
 berries. However, these mixed with the corn and 
 
94 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 some milk, which a goat that I had caught in the 
 mountains gave me, and boiled up together, afforded 
 us a most delicious repast, much resembling the fur- 
 mety which I got when at school at Marlow : nor did 
 I, over this meal, envy the sumptuous banquet of the 
 most profuse gourmand. Indeed, our principal em- 
 ployment at this time, after the march, was to invent 
 new modes of satisfying hunger ; as the Commissariat, 
 in these days, thought nothing of letting us shift for 
 ourselves for two or three weeks together. 
 
 Under these distressing circumstances, we were 
 proceeding in as quick time as large bodies can well 
 move, getting for the next fortnight nothing but 
 goat's flesh, which we commonly collected and drove 
 from the mountains, either on or after the march. 
 In fact, so hard were we now pressed for provisions, 
 that I hope I am not incorrect in saying, we had 
 permission to forage for every article that came under 
 that denomination. 
 
 The march now became still more harassing, as 
 our brigade brought up the rear, which was closely 
 followed by the enemy till we passed the bridge of 
 Arza-Bispo. In its neighbourhood we remained three 
 days, to get the cannon up a steep mountain ; this 
 fatiguing duty came to our turn twice a day, to enter 
 on which we had to wade through a river waist 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 95 
 
 high — a very pleasant employment truly, on not very 
 full stomachs! however, by attaching about fifty men 
 with ropes to each gun, besides oxen, we accom- 
 plished this work, with indefatigable labour, in the 
 time above specified. 
 
 During our halt here, as some of our men were 
 prowling about, seeking wild honey, goats, or any 
 thing they could find to satisfy their wants, they by 
 chance discovered, secreted in the cavity of a rock, 
 about five hundred pairs of Spanish shoes, and a 
 great many sacks of flour, which were most season- 
 ably divided — the shoes among those who were most 
 in need of them, many being now entirely destitute ; 
 and the flour equally among the brigade. 
 
 On my returning late, one evening, from this duty, 
 I found the troops had crossed the river, which agree- 
 ably prevented my recrossing that night; and the 
 next morning, on rising from our bed of shingles, 
 we continued our route, having previously destroyed 
 all the useless lumber that could not be brought away. 
 The enemy all this time looked down upon us from 
 the opposite hills, neither attacking nor following us 
 farther than this place, having had a sufficient exam- 
 ple of their temerity on the bloody field of Talavera. 
 
96 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 Proceeding- by easy marches — the weather still very 
 hot, and extremely fine — affairs appeared to wear a 
 more cheerful aspect, and every day's journey 
 brought us into a more fertile and friendly country. 
 We bivouacked in the environs of Truxillo, a very 
 fine town, in which is the mansion of Pizarro, the 
 conqueror of America, which was now our Bead- 
 quarters. Adjoining this, stood the small house of 
 his father; who, I am informed, was a cobbler in this 
 place, though afterwards enriched by his son's good 
 fortune. Curiosity led my comrade and myself to 
 visit these buildings, as we had heard that they 
 abounded with the choicest rarities of the new world. 
 Having seen most of the apartments, we were just 
 about quitting them, when the Commander-in-chief 
 himself arrived, and inquired our business there; 
 and on being informed it was merely curiosity, he 
 politely desired us to continue our researches. 
 
 Pursuing our now leisurely retreat, we passed 
 through a most delightful and luxuriant country, 
 abounding with pleasant villages and towns; among 
 which may be mentioned, particularly, Merida and 
 Medelin. Oxen are here employed, in general, to 
 tread out the corn, there being no barns to house or 
 thresh it in. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 97 
 
 There was now no want of supplies, the Commis- 
 sary having* joined us ; and every thing" bore the 
 appearance of content. We were in a plentiful coun- 
 try, and continued our route till we reached the well- 
 fortified town of Badajos, and went into camp in the 
 wood of Albuquerque, which ended this campaign. 
 It was found necessary — in consequence of our having" 
 been in the country upwards of two years constantly 
 on the alert, and without an opportunity of getting 
 other regimentals than those in which we first landed, 
 and which were now in a most tattered state — to pro- 
 ceed on to Lisbon; no trifling distance! However, not 
 to be too prolix in my details, I shall concentre the 
 ensuing chapter in the account of one night's ad- 
 venture. 
 
 H 
 
98 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Je traversal je ne sais combien de champs et de bruydres, et 
 sautant tous les fosses que je trouvais sur mon passage, j 'arrival 
 enfin aupres d'une foret. J'allais m'y jetter, lorsque deux hommes 
 a cheval s'offrirent tout-a-coup au-devant de mes pas. 
 
 Gil Blas. 
 
 One Nighfs Adventure on the Road to Lisbon. — We 
 now had nearly terminated the march, and halted for 
 the night within six leagues of the banks of the 
 Tagus, when some circumstance obliged me to pro- 
 ceed this distance, about thirty English miles, alone. 
 I must observe, that this is one of the most noted 
 places in Portugal for all that is dismal, dreary, and 
 forlorn — wide extended heaths, immense forests, mur- 
 dering banditti, &c. To increase my pleasant antici- 
 pations, we had previously been talking about the 
 numerous murders and robberies committed in this 
 neighbourhood; which, even by a good fireside, and 
 snugly seated at our dinner, sounded sufficiently 
 frightful and terrific. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 99 
 
 About seven in the evening, I left the battalion to 
 go on particular duty, I mounted my horse, having 
 now made myself master of one by the fortune of 
 war, and set off. I had proceeded about a league 
 over the heath when night closed over me, rendered 
 more gloomy by the wild-looking waste around. I 
 fancied myself, like Gil Bias, made captive by the 
 marauders who infest these wilds, dragged into a 
 cavern, and perhaps doomed to servility under another 
 Dame Leonardo. Other thoughts likewise intruded, 
 which created ideas still more horrid. While I in- 
 dulged in such meditations, a wolf, a wild boar, a 
 large dog, or some such animal, I could not distin- 
 guish which, rushed from the brakes ; but at all events 
 it kept dogging me for about a mile. Sometimes it 
 darted across the road near my horse's head ; at other 
 times, I could perceive it lurking behind me: at 
 length, I lost it altogether. Proceeding a few miles 
 farther, with my mind still absorbed by unpleasant 
 intrusions of the imagination, my horse all of a sudden 
 made a dead stop, and I saw something very tall and 
 white, apparently in the middle of the road. It had 
 the resemblance, from what I could discern by the 
 light of the stars, of a tall person in a white garment ; 
 but to guess what it really was, puzzled me as much 
 as it did my horse : indeed, I was much of his opinion, 
 being more inclined to go back, than to face this 
 
 LofC. 
 
100 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 direful ghost-like-looking object before us ; but there 
 was no alternative : — I had nearly completed half my 
 journey; it was about the hour of midnight, and, 
 recollecting that delay is in general the harbinger 
 of danger, I again applied the spurs to my Cavallo, 
 and made him approach a little nearer; the moon, 
 at this moment bursting forth in great splendor from 
 behind a dark cloud, discovered most fully to my 
 view this terrible, ghastly-looking monster, in its 
 real form — that of a beautiful white marble monu- 
 ment, which, by the inscription on it, I could discern 
 had been erected in this lonely spot to the memory of 
 a merchant, who had been murdered here by banditti : 
 it did not, however, stand in the middle of the 
 road, as I had first imagined, but by the road-side. 
 This silent tomb did not at all tend to elevate my 
 spirits, and I thought it prudent, in case of accidents, 
 to proceed at a slower pace than before, lest by 
 going faster I should knock up my horse, which 
 had been on the previous day's march, and was 
 in low condition. 
 
 I now approached the environs of a dismal-looking 
 forest. The trees were stripped of their leaves; the 
 moon shone very bright, and the branches being 
 moved by a gentle breeze, and their shadows on 
 the ground in constant motion, had the appearance 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 101 
 
 of living" objects, showing themselves in all mariner 
 of shapes and forms. In passing through this wood, 
 I saw at some distance four or five horses, tied to 
 a tree, ready accoutred, and as many men lying on 
 the ground. From my imagination being on the 
 stretch, I conceived them to be banditti in reality; 
 accordingly, I grasped my sword, not having pistols 
 with me, but recollecting that there was little to be 
 expected from its protection, and not wishing to 
 appear hostilely inclined, I let it remain in its scab- 
 bard ; and as I had no choice but that of going 
 forward, I drew nearer, and called out to them. 
 They answered in English, which certainly gave 
 me some satisfaction; I inquired who they were, 
 and was informed, a Quarter-master's baggage be- 
 nighted, who had gone on in the day to procure 
 billets. I proceeded a few miles farther, and arrived 
 at an old house in this forest — the only one I had 
 hitherto seen, and at which, as my horse and myself 
 were much jaded, I was inclined to stop, and the 
 poor animal seemed quite to concur with me, being 
 very loath to pass it ; but I had been informed in my 
 previous conversation with my brother officers, that 
 this was the haunt of nightly adventurers. I saw here 
 no kind glimmer of light, nor indeed any friendly 
 appearance — nothing of that look of cheerfulness and 
 content, which might tempt the way-worn traveller to 
 
102 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 stop and seek refreshment: on the contrary, it had 
 a very different aspect, somewhat wild and appalling ; 
 nor did it appear to be inhabited. I gladly left behind 
 me this dismal retreat, into which I have no doubt 
 many a weary passenger had been dragged by these 
 freebooters, and never heard of more, being sacri- 
 ficed to the rapacious views of the desperate ruffians. 
 
 I had now approached the skirts of the forest, and 
 perceived, at a distance, two men mounted on excellent 
 horses. The nearer they drew towards me, the more 
 terrific was their appearance : I could plainly distin- 
 guish their ferocious countenances; they were as 
 dark in their visages, as, from their appearance, I 
 took them to be in their hearts ; they had tremendous 
 mustachios, large brimmed hats and small feathers,, 
 cigars in their mouths, pistols in their waist-belts, 
 large mantillas, or cloaks, thrown loosely over them, 
 which nearly covered their horses, and at the bottom 
 of which appeared the end of a huge cutlass. On 
 coming up to me, with a fierce and penetrating look^ 
 they sternly said, Bona noche! This unexpectedly 
 agreeable salutation I politely returned, thinking 
 myself fortunate in passing them so easily ; but I 
 suppose, from experience, they had found that there 
 is very little use in robbing a soldier: had I been 
 a merchant, most likely there would have been cause 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 103 
 
 for another monument in this sequestered thicket. 
 I must, however, beg* pardon of those gentlemen, 
 if I am wrong in my conjecture ; there never being 
 greater room for suspicion from personal appear- 
 ances. 
 
 At length I had cleared the wood, and day began 
 to dawn ; the sun peeping over the distant hills, and 
 glittering with silvery beauty through the dew-drop- 
 ping trees. I arrived at a romantic, verdant spot, on 
 the banks of a clear brook, when my companion, for 
 indeed a horse, on these occasions, may almost be 
 permitted to claim this appellation, asked permission 
 to stop and take a snack, which he made me under- 
 stand by stretching his neck out to reach the green 
 herbage under his feet. My feelings being in perfect 
 unison with his, I slipped off his bridle and turned 
 him out to graze, and seating myself on a craggy 
 projecting bank by the stream, ate what the contents 
 of my haversack afforded, which I qualified with, 
 draughts of the clear water at my feet. 
 
 I now perceived a great dust at a distance, and I 
 could not surmise what else was advancing to arrest 
 my farther progress on this tedious little journey: 
 indeed I now fancied myself another knight-errant, 
 
104 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 which I certainly was, as far as regarded my Rosi- 
 nante, for it was the counterpart of that celebrated 
 animal. 
 
 The dust, accompanied with great noise and glitter 
 of arms, was fast approaching, and my mind was 
 soon relieved from conjecture, by seeing the 27th 
 British regiment coming up to join the army. I now 
 mounted my horse, and continued my journey. Here 
 I could not help observing the long rear this regiment 
 had, while our battalion, from being hardened to the 
 climate, and used to the roads, kept together like a 
 swarm of bees, exhibiting the striking contrast between 
 a regiment that had become veterans in the country, 
 and those who had just landed. The reason was 
 obvious ; the feet of the latter not being hardened to 
 the soil, were easily blistered, which caused the num- 
 ber of stragglers I met. I am convinced this gallant 
 regiment will not be hurt at my remark, as I appre- 
 hend all are much in the same way on their first 
 arrival. 
 
 Soon after passing this regiment I reached Aldei- 
 golega, the place of my destination, and glad enough 
 I was to get into a billet. I got some tea, and my 
 horse some straw, which is here almost their only 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 105 
 
 food, and then went to bed — the only one in which I 
 had slept for the last nine months. I thought with 
 pleasure of my safe arrival, with so few obstructions, 
 on so lonely and dismal a road; and soon resigned 
 myself to a sleep so sound, that I did not even dream 
 of ghosts, wild beasts, or banditti. 
 
106 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Here Britain's matchless fortress frown'd from high, 
 
 Proud on the lofty and stupendous rock, 
 
 Where awful nature spurns the aid of art 
 
 To guard her giant strength ; defiance bold, 
 
 The island mistress of the mighty seas 
 
 Hurl'd from its summit, to the vain attempt 
 
 Of foes to dispossess her of her reign 
 
 Over the narrow water, that divides 
 
 Europe's fair realms from Afric's burning shore. 
 
 Clark's Siege, 
 
 Having arrived at Lisbon, we remained there a few 
 days, and were then ordered to embark for England. 
 We got rid of all our camp-equipage and cattle, 
 which compelled me very reluctantly to dispose of my 
 old friend, Fawn, (this name I had given my horse, on 
 account of its colour) ; but I took care to procure him 
 a good master, for no servant better deserved one. 
 
 In our passage we were much buffetted about by 
 bad weather, and driven into the Scilly islands : here 
 we remained some time wind-bound, which did not 
 much displease us; for they are most delightfully 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 107 
 
 situated, living is remarkably cheap, and the inhabit- 
 ants gave us an idea of old England again. From the 
 many hardships we had experienced in the country we 
 had just left, we fancied this plentiful place a com- 
 plete retreat of security and contentment ; and had I 
 had my choice, I would gladly have accepted a snug 
 little cot, with competency and tranquillity, in these 
 sweet little islands, in preference to an unsettled duke- 
 dom of the continent; and would willingly have 
 resigned the delicious wines, choice fruits, and tempt- 
 ing viands, of the Peninsula, with all its broils and 
 contentions, for this peaceful abode. 
 
 Quitting this rocky harbour, we arrived at Gosport, 
 where we landed, as may easily be conceived, in a 
 most motley and tattered condition. Our coats were 
 patched over with different coloured cloth, for which 
 purpose we had even cut off our skirts. My own coat 
 was mended with the breeches of a dead Frenchman, 
 which I found on the field — the only trophy I yet had 
 to boast of having retained from the spoils of the 
 enemy. In this state we marched for Salisbury, when 
 we were invited to dine with the Mayor and Corpo- 
 ration of that town. It so happened that I sat next 
 to a major of the local militia, whose splendid uniform 
 and sparkling epaulettes, contrasted with the thread- 
 worn patched jacket and mud-like looking shoulder- 
 
108 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 knot, once so brilliant on these parades, afforded a 
 fertile source of a'musement for the jocose part of the 
 company. However, the jest was rather in my fa- 
 vour — a circumstance which caused some mortification 
 to my bedizened neighbour. 
 
 In this town our battalion was broken up ; each 
 detachment proceeding- to join its respective regiment. 
 I marched with mine to Lewes, in Sussex ; and on our 
 arrival we certainly cut a very ludicrous appearance, 
 from our ragged state ; but we were received with a 
 hearty welcome by our long-lost comrades, after so 
 long an absence. We were now, however, able to get 
 at our heavy baggage, and undergo a thorough refit, 
 so that I again appeared bedecked in new finery, and 
 forgetting all my past troubles, I strutted, and dressed, 
 and thought myself as fine a fellow as ever ; but these 
 splendid trappings, alas ! were also doomed ere long 
 to be dyed of a deeper stain than those they had 
 replaced. 
 
 We had only remained in our native land about six 
 weeks, when we were again ordered on foreign ser- 
 vice. We left Lewes barracks, and marched for 
 Portsmouth, where we embarked for Gibraltar, at 
 which fortress we arrived after a tedious passage of 
 five weeks. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 109 
 
 Having landed here, we commenced garrison-duty, 
 which was much more severe than we expected to find 
 it, for we frequently had not more than one night in 
 bed, and the next on guard. This was extremely un- 
 pleasant, for though we had now got rid of our former 
 companions — the scorpions and centipedes — yet these 
 were superseded by wooden beds in general swarming 
 with bugs; and the rooms were besides so infested 
 with rats, that we were obliged to collect all the bones 
 and scraps that remained at dinner, and, on lying 
 down on the stretcher at night, leave them on the 
 floor for these gentry to devour, in order to prevent 
 their scampering over our faces as we lay asleep, and 
 gnawing the powder and pomatum out of our hair; 
 indeed, had we slept too soundly between the reliefs, 
 they would probably have commenced on the peri- 
 cranium itself. All this, however, was ease and 
 luxury in comparison to campaigning, for here we 
 had a warm room, good food, and a comfortable bar- 
 rack to retreat to, after being relieved. Indeed, on 
 the whole, the Rock is rather a desirable quarter for 
 soldiers, particularly the private men, as it is impos- 
 sible they can live better in any part of the world. 
 They have a good basin of coffee or cocoa for 
 breakfast, good meat, soup, and vegetables, for dinner, 
 and bread and cheese for supper ; wine and spirits being 
 so cheap that they commonly get too much of them. 
 
110 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 Here our time passed on very agreeably ; sometimes 
 we dined with the governor, and other families in the 
 garrison, or went to balls, concerts, and evening par- 
 ties. Before dinner, we generally promenaded on the 
 saluting battery, or retired from the heat to the more 
 edifying lounge of a grand library: occasionally we 
 explored the Rock, rode on the neutral ground, or 
 bathed. 
 
 This place has, however, great disadvantages, par- 
 ticularly its being so subject to autumnal pestilential 
 fevers — a calamity very fatal in this climate: they 
 break out with the most direful effects, and in their 
 malignancy may almost vie with the plague. During 
 this season the garrison is exceedingly unpleasant, 
 owing to the sultry and languid heat, which is almost 
 insupportable when coming from the Levant, or east- 
 ward : at this time every duty is extremely oppressive, 
 from the relaxed and low state of the system, caused 
 by this unwholesome and contagious air. I have been 
 on the barrier-guard and frequently opened the gates 
 during the night, to let cart-loads of the dead bodies of 
 those, to whom this disease had proved fatal, pass 
 through to the neutral ground for interment. A 
 Lazaretto was, however, soon established, and its 
 construction was attended with the most beneficial 
 consequences. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. Ill 
 
 At this season the communication with Spain is 
 constantly closed, which renders the necessaries of life 
 very dear; I have known ten dollars given for a 
 turkey, three shillings for a pound of butter, and 
 sixpence for an egg, &e. 
 
 An expedition had been fitted out at this port, under 
 the command of Lieutenant-general Lord Blaney, for 
 the purpose, as we understood, of making a descent 
 on Malaga, in which my regiment received orders to 
 embark. Being shipped on board an old Spanish man- 
 of-war, under jury-masts, we proceeded after the ex- 
 pedition with all sail possible, but only reached them 
 as this unfortunate affair was terminating, and that 
 with the greatest disaster. Our flank companies, how- 
 ever, landed to support them ; but support was now 
 almost too late, for they were withdrawing in the 
 greatest confusion and haste to our boats, into which 
 they got, and which ought to have been sent back for 
 the remainder of the regiment. The artillery was 
 lost, and a great number of prisoners taken, among 
 whom was the Commander-in-chief himself ; but the 
 greater part of the troops had the good fortune to 
 escape under the fire of the Rodney man-of-war, 
 and our flank companies, who were the last that re- 
 embarked. 
 
112 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 We left this old hulk and went into transports, 
 where we were a little more comfortable, not having 
 taken off our clothes from the time we left the Rock 
 till now — about a fortnight ; lying all this time about 
 fifty of us together on the cabin floor, on a sail-cloth 
 spread out for our accommodation. 
 
 We now steered our course to Gibraltar, not too 
 much elated with the laurels we had gained. I will 
 not enter into particulars, as there was no great 
 honour attached to this undertaking; I shall only 
 observe, that those who escaped were exceedingly glad 
 to reach their comfortable station again, after their 
 expedition to Malaga. Indeed we might on the whole 
 consider ourselves very fortunate, as the rotten old 
 Spanish hulk in which we first sailed, soon after went 
 to the bottom, and all hands on board perished; so 
 that the regiment, every man of which was in her 
 but a few days previously, had an almost miraculous 
 escape. 
 
 Being again settled in garrison, we remained 
 quietly for some time ; but the French soon making 
 their appearance in the neighbourhood, caused us 
 much trouble. They had compelled General Ballas- 
 teros with his army to retreat and take refuge under 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 113 
 
 the cover of our guns, together with all the inhabit- 
 ants of St. Roque, and the villages in its vicinity: 
 which gave the neutral ground the effect of a large 
 country fair, and was at the same time a scene of the 
 greatest distress. The fugitives had fled with their 
 goods, children, cattle, and provisions ; but the enemy 
 withdrawing in a short time, these poor people re- 
 turned to their dwellings, and the duty of the garrison 
 became more easy in consequence. We had thus an 
 opportunity of making excursions to Algeziras, St. 
 Roque, and even to the Castle of Andalusia, which 
 were very pleasant recreations, as a most charming 
 country is to be seen in a few hours' ride. 
 
 Having now much leisure, I had an opportunity of 
 seeing all the beauties and curiosities of this strong 
 fortress, for I believe, in point of strength, it has not 
 its equal in Europe ; indeed, it appears as if art and 
 nature had combined in rendering it so. Colonel 
 Drinkwater has given so elaborate a description of it 
 in his account of the siege of this place, that it would 
 appear like plagiarism to enlarge on the subject. I 
 may, however, be excused for mentioning some obser- 
 vations I was enabled to make in person on parts of 
 this amazing rock. I visited St. Michael's cave, which 
 is a most wonderful subterraneous cavern, situated 
 about half-way up to the top of the rock, and nearly 
 
114 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 in the centre of it ; it runs under ground to a dis- 
 tance that has never yet been explored : this wonderful 
 place is rendered extremely Gothic in appearance by 
 its great number of petrified pillars; it is besides 
 very lofty, and when lighted up, which is once a year, 
 it bears a great resemblance to a beautiful cathedral. 
 Its grandeur is greatly enhanced by the glittering 
 lustre of the particles of granite and crystal-like sub- 
 stances, and also by the stately columns formed in 
 rather a pleasing irregular order, by means of the 
 trickling drops of water, which congeal like icicles, 
 and petrify as they hang from the roof, until they 
 become vast pillars, which seem the support of this 
 monstrous and curious cave. 
 
 Leaving this large illuminated cavern, we entered 
 one not so spacious, but more damp and very gloomy : 
 we passed by a pond of clear water ; and then by 
 stooping, got into a passage, which leads downwards, 
 and in which, I was informed, that General O'Hara, 
 when Governor of this fort, went farther than any one 
 has since adventured to proceed, and left his sword as 
 a mark of his progress, and as a reward for those who 
 might be bold enough to go and fetch it ; but it still 
 remains, no person having as yet had sufficient reso- 
 lution. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 115 
 
 On our way from this extraordinary place, a cir- 
 cumstance of a trifling" nature struck me, which 
 probably would not enter into the elevated minds of 
 those engaged in describing these wonderful fortifica- 
 tions, or the much more wonderful operations of their 
 batteries, when opened on the enemy; their glacis, 
 fascines, scarps and counterscarps, embrasures, che- 
 vaux-de-frize, ramparts, sallyports, stockades, and 
 caponnieres. The exalted ideas of such persons 
 would not descend to notice the trifles that attract the 
 attention of common observers, and by which my mind 
 at this moment was entirely engrossed — I mean the 
 numerous groups of apes and monkeys skipping 
 about the rock ; some with their cubs on their backs, 
 others cleaning their little ones and grinning at the 
 dogs that barked at them, setting them at defiance by 
 jumping from rock to rock and throwing stones at 
 them. The circumstance of these animals having 
 taken up their abode on this height can only be ac- 
 counted for by its producing the palmato, eringo-root, 
 and wild dates, on which it is understood they chiefly 
 subsist: it is, however, very singular, that there are 
 none of them in any other part of Spain, not even on 
 the Malaga mountains, which are contiguous and more 
 fertile ; but there are great numbers on the hill oppo- 
 site, on the Barbary coast, called Ape's Hill ; so that 
 it is possible they have a passage from this place under 
 
 i 2 
 
116 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 the Straits to Saint Michael's Cave, as its end could 
 never be found, and might have taken the brave ex- 
 ploring" General to Africa, had he continued his adven- 
 turous exploit. The reader will, I hope, pardon this 
 stretch of conjecture, as I must confess, in this 
 instance, my ideas nearly outstep the bounds of proba- 
 bility. Since writing the above, I am informed that 
 the worthy old General himself was the person who 
 imported this lively race of bipeds; and, indeed, so 
 partial was he to these queer animals, that, in the 
 goodness of his heart, he even allowed them a regu- 
 lar ration of peas, rice and other food, till they became 
 familiarized to the spot. 
 
 Another expedition, which acted so gallantly at 
 Barossa, being now in this quarter, the flank compa- 
 nies of my regiment were ordered to join it; detach- 
 ments were also sent to Tariffa and Ceuta ; to the 
 last of which places I accompanied them, and we 
 relieved the 4th Regiment, then in possession of the 
 citadel. 
 
 We here received every mark of attention and in- 
 dulgence from the Commandant, General Fraser : here 
 was no ostentatious parade, no unnecessary duty, so 
 often seen in garrison towns, but a regular good sys- 
 tem of subordination and consistency kept up, on 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 117 
 
 which all good and great men pride themselves ; and 
 which must give a general satisfaction, not to be 
 expected from that outward, tawdry, and useless show, 
 so often practised. We were entertained by this 
 worthy gentleman with that hospitality and kindness 
 which is peculiar only to well-regulated and domestic 
 families. The Spaniards here were also very polite 
 and attentive, being for the most part grandees who 
 had been obliged to fly, with their families, from their 
 estates, which were confiscated by our common enemy 
 the French, and to take refuge in this place of secu- 
 rity. In general, however, they were extremely poor, 
 owing to their loss of property, and their servants were 
 frequently obliged to bring the silver relics of their 
 ancient splendour, and offer them for sale to supply 
 their immediate wants. 
 
 We found this a healthy, plentiful, and agreeable 
 quarter, in which we partook of every pleasure and 
 amusement; frequenting their Tertullias, conversa- 
 tiones, bull-fights, &c. We were also highly enter- 
 tained by their fandangos, boleros, concertos, and 
 seranatas ; but what struck me most, on meeting the 
 ladies the day after these parties, was to observe their 
 condescension and affability in addressing their part- 
 ners in the dance ; a custom so much neglected with 
 
118 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 us; or if by chance observed, amounting only to a 
 slight inclination of the head, hardly perceptible. 
 
 This extensive fortress was almost the reverse of 
 that I had just left: the one had been rendered the 
 strongest of fortifications by nature : the other by art. 
 It contains tiers upon tiers of ramparts, with a great 
 many draw-bridges, &c. Instead of passing only one, 
 as at Gibraltar, we here went over at least half-a- 
 dozen, on the way to the neutral ground, with an equal 
 number of covert-ways, strongly barricadoed ; and, to 
 add to its wonderful security, it has been made an ar- 
 tificial island. Indeed, these two projecting rocks 
 may well be called the pillars of Hercules ; for two 
 such are scarcely again to be met with, possessing 
 such astonishing strength. 
 
 After having passed the different barriers above- 
 mentioned, we arrived on a fine open plain, with a hill 
 on the left which commands the garrison. From this 
 side, on turning to take a view of the foTt, I could 
 not but admire its prodigious strength; having been 
 once employed on an expedition to take it ; and 
 surmised there would have been many a broken 
 head on the occasion, had the project been exe- 
 cuted. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 119 
 
 This plain is neutral between the Moors and Spa- 
 niards ; on passing- it, you are in the territories of the 
 Emperor of Morocco. Sentries from the Barbary 
 troops are placed on these borders, whom you must 
 pass on entering- their country. Having an inclination 
 to do this, in company with a gentleman in the Com- 
 missariat, I approached them, and a most singular 
 race of beings they were. They sat at the door of 
 a little hut, (which was their guard-house) on the 
 grass, with their legs across, like so many tailors at 
 work, with beards hanging down to their waist, high 
 turbans on their heads, and in their mouths long 
 pipes, which reached about two yards from them and 
 rested on the ground. Their complexions are exceed- 
 ingly swarthy, and they have a dirty and shabby ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 On coming up to their post, I made them under- 
 stand by signs that I wanted to pass, which they 
 agreed to, but would not acquiesce in the request 
 of the Commissary to accompany me, taking him from 
 his blue uniform to be a Spaniard, to which nation they 
 have a mortal hatred ; they, therefore, in a careless 
 morose manner, permitted me to go alone. I went 
 with an intention of visiting a large seraglio, which is 
 seen at a distance : but when I got about half-way, I 
 began to consider the danger of trusting myself among* 
 
1 20 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 these barbarians, and, as second thoughts are some- 
 times best, I resolved to turn back ; for, had these 
 Mahometans taken me into the interior of their 
 country and condemned me to perpetual slavery, who 
 would have been able to have obtained my ransom, or 
 where could I have applied for redress 1 These appre- 
 hensions induced me to hasten back to the garrison,* 
 quite satisfied with my travels in Africa. 
 
 In this delightful and healthy situation we had 
 remained about six weeks, when, being relieved by 
 part of the 26th Regiment, we again embarked to join 
 our battalion, and enter anew upon actual service. 
 
 On our arrival at the Rock, we found the regiment 
 all bustle going on board, in consequence of orders to 
 join again the grand army in Portugal. We soon 
 reached Lisbon, and landed there; when we found that 
 the lines of circumvallation were broken up, the 
 French having retreated ; and that the forces under 
 Marshal Marmont and the Duke of Wellington were 
 some hundreds of miles up the country, manoeuvring in: 
 sight of each other : we, therefore, lost no time in 
 equipping for the field. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 121 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Here what thousands fell in vain, 
 Wasted with disease and anguish — 
 Not in glorious battle slain. 
 
 Hosier's Ghost. 
 
 Being soon furnished with tents, for we now re- 
 ceived these necessary incumbrances, which on our 
 former services in this country had not been the case, 
 and having provided ourselves with baggage animals 
 and all other field-equipage, we set out to undertake 
 a campaign, perhaps one of the most arduous ever 
 encountered by British troops. 
 
 The drum now summoned us from the capital of 
 Portugal; we ascended the Tagus some distance in 
 boats, and landed at Villa Franca, whence we pro- 
 ceeded, by forced marches, to overtake our army, 
 previous to its being engaged. Expresses continually 
 met us on the road to hasten our movement, as an 
 action was N every moment expected to take place; 
 and we had barely time to give nature sufficient 
 
122 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 repose, as we continued marching- nearly night and 
 day towards Salamanca. We found this excessively 
 harassing-, as the weather was in its heig-ht of sum- 
 mer heat. We at length reached Ciudad Rodrigo, 
 where we were obliged to halt one day, leaving two 
 officers and some men sick from fever brought on 
 by extreme exertion. Having nearly reached Sala- 
 manca, we heard the sound of cannon-shot all 
 through the day; and on arriving at that town we 
 learned that an action had taken place, which ren- 
 dered all our forced marches useless. The enemy 
 were, as usual after a battle, flying; and we still 
 continued, if not increased, our exertions to come 
 up with the army, which was now on the high-road 
 to Madrid, leaving behind us at this place more 
 officers and men that had fallen sick. We passed 
 over the distressing yet glorious field of Salamanca, 
 about the third day after the battle — a scene, if possible, 
 more horrid to us than if we had been in the battle 
 itself and gone on with the conquering army. The 
 ground was now become disgusting from the number 
 of dead that lined the roads; and these, from their 
 putrescent state, caused by the heat, were so ob- 
 noxious, that we were obliged to stop our noses with 
 our pocket-handkerchiefs as we went along, to pre- 
 vent contagion; which, in spite of all precaution, 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 123 
 
 proved as fatal to us, as if we had actually been in the 
 action. 
 
 I left my comrade sick on the road ; and on the 
 next day's march I was taken so ill myself, that I 
 was obliged to go back and join him. Our sickness 
 proved to be a fever of the most malignant kind, 
 and we were in consequence obliged to return to 
 the sick depot at Salamanca. Although I had a 
 horse, I was so extremely ill that I could not sit on it, 
 and we were occasionally laid together on a bullock- 
 car, to be conveyed to the city. In our way we 
 had to re-pass this dreadful scene of decayed bodies — 
 a circumstance which appeared to add to our disease, 
 which was also increased by a rough road of many 
 leagues, on a still more rough and disagreeable 
 carriage. The jolting of the conveyance, the intense 
 heat of the sun, and the raging state of my blood 
 caused by the burning fever, made me try to get 
 out of this uncouth carriage, wishing to lay myself 
 down by the road-side, and there take my chance, 
 in preference to being so tormented by this painful 
 method of conveyance ; for the bullocks, being bit by 
 the flies, would run and plunge over rugged stones 
 out of the common track ; indeed, death itself would 
 have been preferable to a long continuance of this 
 wretched existence : although burning with thirst, 
 
124 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 we had not water to moisten our parched tongues; 
 and to add to our misery, my poor fellow-sufferer 
 would exclaim that he was dying", and that I was not 
 half so bad as he was; and I, on the other hand, 
 did not pity him, conceiving I was in a much more 
 deplorable situation. In this state of wretchedness 
 we arrived at the wished-for town, and billets were 
 procured for us; but on being conducted to mine, 
 the inhabitants were gone out. This circumstance 
 obliged me to lie on the steps of the door till they 
 returned, which was in a few hours. On the arrival 
 of the hostess, who was an old widow-woman, she 
 had me directly taken in, and a bed prepared for me, 
 as well as she, being very poor, was able. The bed 
 was on the floor in one corner of the room : however, 
 it was such as generally fell to our subordinate lot. 
 Having, with the assistance of this good woman, 
 got into bed, my servant went in search of a doctor, 
 but he could not procure one at that late hour. Here 
 I lay in a most miserable condition, till my man, 
 Standfast, came in the morning to know what I would 
 take for breakfast. " Take ! my good fellow,' 1 said I ; 
 " what can be got?" He replied that there was a 
 little tea left, after dividing our small stock with my 
 brother Sub on parting. " But then, Sir," added he, 
 " there is no sugar, milk, bread, butter, or any thing 
 besides." Here was a state for a sick man to be in ! 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 125 
 
 not a farthing* of money had I seen since I left Lisbon ; 
 therefore, I desired him to take one of my shirts, and 
 with what sum he could get for it, to buy some sugar, 
 milk, butter, and bread ; he went, and soon brought 
 me these necessary articles. The money for which he 
 had disposed of the shirt was a jpistreen and a half- — 
 about half-a-crown ; nearly six months before I had 
 given a guinea for it : but what I now got in exchange 
 was of much more value to me. 
 
 This day a doctor came to me : he told me I was 
 very ill, and sent me some medicine, and desired I 
 would get some chocolate, some lemons to make 
 lemonade, and other necessaries ; I therefore told my 
 trusty servant, Thomas, to take another shirt, which 
 reduced my stock to two; and with this supply he 
 procured me what was requisite. He also brought 
 me an account of one of our officers lying dead in the 
 town, and that my poor comrade was not likely to 
 live the night out. This news affected me very much ; 
 but from my weak state of health and depressed con- 
 dition of mind, I resigned myself to the thoughts of 
 soon experiencing their fate. 
 
 On the following morning, finding that my little 
 stock of comforts was gone, I sent Thomas with 
 another of the aforesaid linen articles to procure more, 
 
126 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 which reduced me to my last shirt : indeed, I might 
 say, my last shift. However, he got what he could 
 purchase with so small a sum, and brought me intelli- 
 gence of the fate of my poor companion, who had 
 now ended all his miseries, toils, and troubles. 
 Standfast likewise mentioned that he had met a 
 surgeon of my acquaintance, whom he had seen 
 visiting me at Gibraltar, and who was now on duty 
 at this depot. I immediately sent him in search of 
 this gentleman, whom he had the good fortune to 
 find ; and in whom he brought me not only a doctor, 
 but a friend and a benefactor. This worthy man, 
 whom gratitude bids me mention, is now surgeon of 
 the 85th Regiment of foot: on seeing me, he could 
 not help shaking his head; then taking me by the 
 hand, he said, " You are certainly very ill ; but keep 
 up your spirits, and I will send you some medicine 
 that will do you good ; then buy a fowl, and get some 
 
 broth made, and barley-water, and some ." He 
 
 was going on, when I interrupted him, by asking him 
 how I was to procure these necessaries'? — " Why, buy 
 them, to be sure !" — This was a sore reply, which he 
 soon perceived; and guessing by my dejected counte- 
 nance the state of my purse, he immediately asked if 
 I had not money for that purpose : I frankly, but with 
 a heavy heart, told him I had not. He made no reply ; 
 wishing, I suppose, not to add to the distress of my 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 127 
 
 feelings, already too much overpowered: but taking 
 me kindly again by the hand, and giving me a friendly 
 squeeze, left me ; and returning in a short time, put 
 half a doubloon by my bed-side, at the same time 
 desiring I would let him know when I wanted more ; 
 telling me that, as the fever had now abated, I stood 
 less in need of medicine than real comforts ; and that 
 had those officers of my regiment just deceased had 
 them, they might still have been alive. 
 
 A few days after, when the fever had quite left me, 
 he sent me from the hospital, wine, baked rice- 
 puddings, tea, &c. and with the money I got one of 
 my shirts back, the rest having been disposed of; I 
 also bought grapes, melons, chocolate, and all kinds 
 of necessaries ; being now pronounced in a state of 
 convalescence. My old landlady, during the whole 
 time, gave me all the assistance and attention that 
 her age and poverty would permit. 
 
 I now began to walk about and take the air, 
 gaining strength very fast, and went to pay a visit 
 to my friend the doctor, who informed me that I 
 had been dangerously ill ; that my tongue was black 
 with disease, and that he had even doubted of my 
 recovery, on which he now congratulated me. 
 
128 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 On my way to his billet, my old hostess, who 
 accompanied me part of the way, pointed out a 
 poor, mean, antique-looking- house, and informed 
 me it had been in olden time an apothecary's shop, 
 which had been kept by a Doctor San Grado, a man 
 who had been famous in his day for the simpleness 
 and efficacy of his remedies; in short, she told me 
 it was the identical house in which dwelt that prince 
 of the Esculapian school, from whom Le Sage took 
 the great character he so humorously and admirably 
 delineated. Notwithstanding the encomiums of this 
 good lady, I certainly found an inward pleasure that 
 I had not been placed, during my late illness, in his 
 hands, as I fancied his copious draughts of warm 
 water and incessant bleeding would not have reco- 
 vered me so soon as my kind doctor's more experienced 
 practice, and modern mode of treatment. 
 
 Being in this improving state of health, and walking 
 one day with a friend for the purpose of recruiting my 
 strength, we perceived a bullock-car coming in, and, 
 to my surprise, two more officers of my regiment on 
 it, in a most miserable condition. We went and pro- 
 cured them billets ; and having got the worse-looking 
 object of the two into one, we took the other poor 
 fellow into his : he begged for a mattress to be spread 
 on the floor, to lie upon, while the bed was preparing, 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 12$ 
 
 being so exhausted that he could not stand. This 
 being complied with, he stretched himself on it, and 
 in a few minutes paid his debt of nature. A finer 
 young man was rarely to be seen; his countenance, 
 even after death, displayed more colour and animation 
 than that of many persons when alive. This poor 
 fellow had also been destitute of money, and conse- 
 quently of every kind of comfort to be procured by 
 its all-powerful aid. However, " out of evil eometh 
 good 5" for these unfortunate deaths, caused in a great 
 measure by privations, reaching head-quarters, our 
 good Commander-in-chief directly issued orders that 
 all sick officers in future should be supplied with 
 necessary comforts from the hospitals, in the same 
 manner as the men, which ever afterwards was the 
 case ; and which kind act of humanity, I am convinced, 
 will be remembered with lasting gratitude by those 
 gentlemen who have benefited by it. 
 
 After being here about six weeks, I found myself 
 perfectly recovered, and was ordered to march a 
 strong detachment, composed of different regiments, 
 to Madrid: this duty I performed accordingly, and 
 arrived there before my regiment, who were halted at 
 Cuellar; but I am afraid the reader will find it too 
 tedious to follow my irksome steps through this heavy 
 march; I shall therefore merely say, that I reached 
 
 K 
 
130 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 the Spanish capital, with my men, in good health and 
 spirits. 
 
 Madrid is certainly a very fine city ; but does not 
 answer the description the Spaniards give of it, who 
 call it "the metropolis of the world." The princi- 
 pal streets are spacious, and the buildings very fine, 
 particularly the Palace, which is much enriched 
 by the great improvements at that time making by 
 their French King Joseph. What, however, struck 
 me most forcibly, were the grand streets, terminating 
 in as grand and spacious avenues, shaded in the most 
 agreeable manner by stately and wide-spreading trees. 
 In these walks are numberless delightful fountains 
 of the most cool and refreshing nature, around which, 
 sitting and walking, may be seen the most elegant, 
 and though not fair, yet most charming of the fair ; 
 but these great inducements for taking the air, were, 
 however, in a great measure suppressed, by the un- 
 usual number of miserable objects of charity, every 
 moment begging alms in the most suppliant manner — 
 an appearance which greatly diminished the attraction 
 of these recreative groves. 
 
 Indeed, I never witnessed greater scenes of human 
 misery than this town presented. This state of things 
 naturally resulted from the heavy contributions, and 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 131 
 
 other arbitrary sufferings, which the inhabitants had 
 endured while groaning under the yoke of their late 
 intruders. As a proof of this, I was informed that 
 there were generally every morning several of these 
 poor wretches found dead in the streets, who had 
 perished in the night with cold and hunger, the con- 
 comitant evils of those countries which, from the am- 
 bition or policy of their rulers, are made the theatre of 
 war. God forbid, that my own dear land should ever 
 experimentally feel that dreadful scourge ! 
 
 Here I visited all the public places, particularly the 
 Museum, which far exceeds my powers of description. 
 It consisted of the rarest curiosities ; the finest paint- 
 ings, by Rubens, Raphael, Michael Angelo, &e. ; an 
 excellent assortment of fossils, minerals and shells, 
 birds, beasts, and fishes ; besides a most magnificent 
 display of diamonds, jewels, massy pieces of gold, 
 and all kinds of precious stones, the produce of the 
 Peruvian mines, so renowned for their inexhaustible 
 store of wealth. It was to me a subject of infinite 
 surprise that the French should not have laid their 
 plundering hands on these immense treasures. On 
 farther consideration, however, I supposed the reason 
 to be, that their King knew very well we should not 
 disturb them, and that there was every probability of 
 
 K2 
 
132 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 his returning to take possession of them ;' which, in- 
 deed, was very soon the case. 
 
 We visited the palace, which is really superb, parti- 
 cularly with regard to the tapestry, pictures, furniture, 
 and the great number of clocks and watches, one of 
 which is in every chamber. In one of these apart- 
 ments, I observed, in the middle of a beautiful ma- 
 hogany table, a most brilliant and valuable diamond, 
 set in gold, which had been spoiled by a French 
 soldier getting in, and with his bayonet trying to dig 
 it out ; but being caught in the fact, he was obliged 
 to desist, having left ocular demonstration of his 
 roguish intention. [■ 
 
 This, certainly, is a most stately palace, and when 
 finished, will no doubt be one of the finest in Europe ; 
 being situated on an eminence, commanding a most 
 extensive and charming prospect, having in its front 
 a river and gardens, which in point of beauty 
 and magnificence will correspond with this pompous 
 edifice. 
 
 As to their operas, theatres, and public places of 
 amusement, I saw none of them, either here or in any 
 other place that I have been (I do not even except 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 133 
 
 Paris), that could at all be compared to our own ; and 
 any regular description of their public buildings, foun- 
 tains, bridges, churches, &c, or of their carnivals, 
 tournaments, and bull-fights, on my part, even were I 
 competent to the task, would be an intrusion, after 
 their having been frequently and minutely depicted by 
 many able travellers, and would besides be too great a 
 digression from a confined narrative. 
 
 From this great city I proceeded to join my regi- 
 ment, then quartered in the Escurial, certainly an un- 
 common place, rendered famous, not for its beautiful 
 palace, but for its enormous pile of buildings. It is 
 situated in a sequestered spot, at the foot of the Gua- 
 darama mountains, and is built, they say, in the form 
 of a gridiron ; but for my part, I could not see that it 
 had any shape at all, except the most confused, It 
 was erected by Philip the Second of Spain, in com- 
 memoration of a vow he had made for a victory gained 
 over the Moors, on the day of St. Lawrence, to whom 
 this structure is dedicated, and who is said to have 
 suffered martyrdom on the utensil that this building is 
 supposed to represent, and from \yhieh it takes its 
 name. 
 
 This palace was now converted into our barracks ; 
 indeed, I believe there is room enough to aceom- 
 
134 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 modate twenty thousand men here, so large is this 
 astonishing* fabric. 
 
 Here we remained but a short time, when the regi- 
 ment received the route from Pinto, a large village 
 some miles beyond the capital. I was detained a few 
 days, and then proceeded after them; and during the 
 long day's march, which was about seven leagues, was 
 overtaken by a most violent thunder-storm, that 
 greatly delayed my journey, and made it very late 
 at night when I arrived again at Madrid. Every house 
 was shut, and there was no possibility of obtaining a 
 billet. After wandering about the streets for some 
 time, I luckily found out my old quarter. I knocked 
 at the door, and it was speedily opened. The people 
 did not recollect me at first, from the wet and dirty 
 plight I was in ; but they soon welcomed me in, made 
 a fire to dry me, got me some supper, and prepared 
 my bed. I have often heard this generous nation railed 
 against, and have even done it myself ; but when we 
 reflect we were among a persecuted people, whose 
 language we were not masters of, whose manners and 
 customs are so different from our own, and whose 
 religion we so much ridicule and despise ; when we 
 consider that we were imposed upon their families as 
 inmates, and remember how often that privilege was 
 abused, and recollect that they still continued to invite 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 135 
 
 us to their daily fare — when I think of this generosity, 
 and know how often they were, in return for it, disre- 
 garded, contemptuously treated, offended by us, and 
 sometimes robbed by our servants, I cannot but wonder 
 they had the patience to treat us so kindly as they did- 
 With regard to their troops, whom we so much scorn, 
 I have no hesitation in saying that they possess physi- 
 cal properties which would render them equal to any 
 in the world, had they the advantages we enjoy, of 
 being well-officered, well-disciplined, and serving 
 under a wise and judicious Government. They 
 would then, indeed, be a great military nation, and 
 sufficiently able to fight their own battles; but of 
 all these advantages they are unfortunately des- 
 titute. 
 
 Having again quitted Madrid, I came up with my 
 regiment at Pinto, in the beautiful province of La 
 Mancha, famous for the birth-place of the renowned 
 knight of the rueful countenance, and celebrated for 
 its delicious wines : I took this opportunity of seeing 
 their vaults, which, from their amazing extent, were 
 well worth notice. Here were exceeding large vases 
 in which the wine stood the year round, without any 
 covering except what was formed by the lees, a thick 
 scum, something like yeast, caused by the fermentation. 
 This being well incrusted together, answered much 
 
136 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 better than a wooden covering- ; for as the wine is 
 drawn off it gradually sinks with it, and thereby keeps 
 the air out and the wine sound, although it is con- 
 stantly on the draught. These large vessels put me in 
 mind of the story of the forty thieves getting- into 
 the different barrels : had they been here, I think they 
 might have all got into one of these pretty little tubs* 
 and there remained quite at their ease. 
 
 Another great advantage to us was the luxuriant 
 abundance of fruit that every where presented itself. 
 It being now their vintage, their houses were stored 
 with it : the chamber which I occupied was decorated 
 in a very tasteful manner, the ceiling being hung with 
 festoons of the most beautiful clusters of grapes, and 
 delicious verdant melons, here and there garnished 
 with the finest figs and other fruits, in order to pre- 
 serve them for winter use. 
 
 This place was also noted for its amazingly large 
 pigeon-houses; they were of equal extent, and at a 
 distance had an appearance resembling that of gentle- 
 men's seats in my country. They were adapted en- 
 tirely to the breed of these birds, for the supply of the 
 Madrid and other markets, as they are a very common 
 article of food in this kingdom. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 13T 
 
 Although still destitute of money, yet in this abund- 
 ant country we managed to procure many comforts 
 besides our rations. As for the fruit, the inhabitants 
 had no objection to our eating what we chose, fre- 
 quently giving us wine and other presents : but as 
 it often happened, that where we found ourselves the 
 most comfortable, we remained the shortest time, so it 
 proved here ; for we had to continue our advance till 
 we came to the pretty village of Ciempucellas, situ- 
 ated on a river, on the opposite side of which was the 
 fine town of Aranjuez, where the enemy were in great 
 force. 
 
 Here we left our cantonments, and again took the 
 field. I was sent with a party of men to the river that 
 divided us, to throw up breast- works at the bridge, 
 in order to obstruct the enemy should they attempt to 
 cross ; but, after being at work the whole day, I had 
 the mortification of seeing all our labour blown into 
 the air, according to orders received for that purpose, 
 the more effectually to prevent their crossing. 
 
 News now arrived of the siege of Burgos being 
 raised, and the army under the Duke of Wellington 
 on its retreat. In consequence of this information, 
 General Lord Hill also commenced a retreat, in order 
 to form a junction with the Burgos army. The night 
 
138 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 that preceded this movement I was on piquet, with 
 about seventy men, having strict orders to guard a 
 ford by which the enemy's cavalry were expected 
 every moment to cross, and to make every resistance in 
 my power, but on no account to give way; and that 
 as soon as they heard me engaged, I should receive 
 support. This of course kept me on the alert the 
 whole night, expecting every moment to see their 
 dragoons plunge into the river to ford it, as they were 
 in great numbers on the other side, and ready ac- 
 coutred : fortunately for me they did not attempt it, 
 although they kept up a great noise and bustle the 
 whole night, which was merely a ruse de guerre, as 
 they crossed a few miles higher up. 
 
 At break of day we were called in, and I had to 
 join my regiment; to gain which, after being on the 
 advance about four miles, I had to ascend an exceed- 
 ingly high hill, almost a day's march in itself : and I 
 had hardly time to take a little refreshment, when we 
 were ordered to fall in. 
 
 A retreat now commenced, such as perhaps sur- 
 passed any that British troops had hitherto encoun- 
 tered: the Corunna retreat, from what I experienced 
 of it, and the opinion that I have heard given by 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 139 
 
 those officers who were on both, will bear no 
 comparison with this. 
 
 We moved off our ground about mid-day ; and 
 about five in the evening it began to rain, which 
 seemed to increase as we moved through the dark and 
 dismal night. As the day began to dawn, the wea- 
 ther became clearer ; and we now made greater pro- 
 gress, halting only a few minutes at a time, when 
 necessity compelled us; and late in the evening lay 
 down on some ploughed land by the road side, after 
 a march of about ten leagues across a fine country ; 
 but the finest country is, from the depth of soil, in 
 general* the most difficult to get over in bad weather. 
 Such was the case here : on this swampy bed, after 
 eating a melon, the only thing I had left, I was so 
 overcome with fatigue and hard marching, that I fell 
 fast asleep ; and in all probability I should have re- 
 mained there till this time, had I not been roused by 
 the men. As we proceeded, the sun, now darting his 
 fiercest rays upon our dewy garments, made them 
 smoke as if they had been drying our wet and miry 
 clothes by a good fire. 
 
 It was deplorable here to behold the beautiful vil- 
 lages, in which we had so lately and pleasantly been 
 quartered, left to the mercy of those who were about 
 
140 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 to take possession of them. The inhabitants had fled ; 
 their fine fruit had been taken by the troops ; and it 
 was with the greatest difficulty, and even severity, that 
 we could restrain them from taking too much of the 
 strong wine, which was now let flow into the vaults, 
 to prevent it from falling into the hands of the 
 French. 
 
 At last we reached the stately avenues leading to 
 the capital, which now looked gloomy enough, where 
 we halted, and the troops got as much biscuit as they 
 could carry, with other provisions, and an allowance 
 of rum. The rest of the stores were destroyed ; and 
 the remaining casks of wine and spirits stove in, and 
 let run into the street in the greatest profusion, to 
 prevent its becoming a booty to the enemy, who were 
 now close at our heels. We remained here barely 
 sufficient time to receive our rations, and then con- 
 tinued our retrograde movements. The next day we 
 came into the vicinity of the Guadarama mountains, 
 where, from the increased fatigue, excessive marching, 
 and exposure to the nightly damps of the field, I was 
 seized with a swelling in my legs, that obliged me to 
 go on in front, being in consequence placed on my 
 horse : I was unwilling to mount him before, from the 
 poor state he was in for want of food, but necessity 
 now compelled me to ride him. I went on, through 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 141 
 
 that day and the following night, endeavouring to 
 recross these prodigious mountains : when I had nearly 
 attained their summit, I saw on the road what I con- 
 ceived to be a flock of wild turkeys ; but, on a near 
 approach, I discovered them to be a flight of large 
 vultures, or eagles, voraciously devouring a horse that 
 had died on the way. These birds paid very little 
 regard to me on my passing them ; they merely flew 
 up, and hovered over my head ; and no sooner had I 
 passed, than they pounced down on their carrion, and 
 continued their feast. I must confess I did not at all 
 like the look of these monstrous birds, being some- 
 what afraid of their attacking my poor steed, which 
 was in a very little better plight than the one on which 
 they were so ravenously feeding. 
 
 I proceeded in the greatest torture till I descended 
 these mountains ; when I found myself in such a state 
 from rheumatism, that I was obliged to be taken off 
 the horse, and carried into a cow-house near the road. 
 Here I lay in great agony ; but, by a fortunate circum- 
 stance, the surgeon of the regiment coming to this 
 place with some sick men, bathed my feet in spirits, 
 which gave me great relief, and the next morning I 
 found myself much better; but still I could neither 
 walk, nor ride on horseback, from the pain I suffered : 
 I was therefore put into a spring waggon, in which I 
 
142 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 rode the greatest part of the day. — I may here allow- 
 ably advert to the usefulness of this Royal Corps : for, 
 although they did not go into extreme danger them- 
 selves, they were the means of taking others both into 
 it, and out of it. 
 
 On arriving at a cross-road, where the army turned 
 off and proceeded by a different route, I was taken 
 out of the waggon, and again placed on my horse, 
 which my servant had with him, and was desired to 
 proceed to Arviola, where I was informed there was a 
 depot: but, on arriving at that place, I did not meet 
 with a single British soldier in the town ; and so far 
 from its being a depot, it was entirely deserted, with 
 the exception of a Spanish regiment of dragoons, 
 fully accoutred and in readiness to abandon it to the 
 enemy, who were now very near. In this state of 
 affairs necessity compelled me to go to the Alcaide 
 for billets. He told me that he was much astonished 
 at our application (for I had, on entering this town, 
 overtaken an officer who was very ill, and who had 
 also been misinformed); that the French were seen 
 very distinctly from his balcony, advancing on this 
 place; that they had set the fine town of Segovia 
 on fire, and that the smoke was also visible from his 
 window. However, strange as it may appear, he 
 gave us billets, and we went in. I do not now 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 143 
 
 recollect of what regiment this poor officer was, nor 
 is it of much importance : he was, like myself, very 
 ill; but necessity compelled us, even in the face of 
 danger, to seek some refreshment, for nature was 
 now literally sinking" under the effects of famine, 
 filth, and disease : therefore, while our servants were 
 feeding the horses, we set about preparing some 
 chocolate, and had just time to drink it, when we 
 were informed that the French were entering the 
 town. We instantly mounted our horses, and joined 
 the cavalcade that were flying on the road, with what 
 valuables they could bring off with them; we were 
 now thrown out of the route of the British army, 
 and pursued by a part of the French; and it was 
 only by the greatest perseverance and diligence that 
 we got out of their reach. 
 
 Being now out of the main track, many were the 
 difficulties, in addition to that of preventing ourselves 
 from being taken prisoners, which we had to sur- 
 mount; but after many days' distressing travelling, 
 and concealing ourselves in the woods by night, exist- 
 ing on what their shades afforded, we reached Sala- 
 manca ; but in a most filthy and impoverished state, not 
 having taken off our clothes or changed our linen 
 since the retreat commenced. It is singular that amid 
 all these privations I had completely regained the use 
 
144 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 of ray limbs; and a few days' kind treatment from 
 my good old widow, to whose house I went without 
 ceremony, and who received me in the kindest man- 
 ner, soon restored me to my former state. I was 
 now, however, able to show her some attention in 
 return ; for having 1 a number of soldiers quartered on 
 her, who were, as they often are, extremely incon- 
 venient and troublesome, I got a great part of them 
 removed, and made the rest treat her with proper 
 respect. 
 
 In a few days I joined my regiment, previous to 
 which I had the misfortune to see my servant, 
 Thomas Standfast, lodged in the hospital. He in his 
 turn had now become ill: for there were few in 
 these campaigns that had not their portion of illness. 
 I heard soon after I left the town, that he had ended 
 his earthly career. Poor fellow ! a better soldier, or 
 more honest man, did not exist. 
 
 The troops had now re-crossed the Tormes, near 
 which the retreating army from Burgos had formed 
 a junction with us : here we remained in camp several 
 days, when the enemy threatened to cross the river, 
 the bridge of which was, in consequence, blown up ; 
 but that did not prevent them from effecting their 
 purpose. They forded it in spite of us, and made 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. U5 
 
 their appearance directly in our front; our brigade 
 being- in line, with two field-pieces of German artil- 
 lery in the centre, which were well directed and did 
 much execution, the first shot scattered them in all 
 directions ; and they drew off their forces from this 
 quarter, taking- with them one of the captains of my 
 regiment prisoner, who was a little in advance on 
 reconnoissance. We remained during the night under 
 arms ; and the next day took up another position upon 
 a gravelly soil, where there was not a herb growing, 
 or a stick to lig-ht a fire. I remember it was here that 
 I went on duty to demolish some houses of a deserted 
 village, in order to obtain fuel. We remained on this 
 spot during the night ; and a door which we brought 
 among other fire-wood served three of us exceedingly 
 well for shelter ; as, when the evening came on, we 
 wrapped our blankets and cloaks about us, then laying 
 down on the ground, we put the door over us, as it 
 began to rain, which kept us warm and dry till we 
 fell in at day-light. All this time our horses were tied 
 to our arms, there being no other fastening ; we after- 
 wards made a fire of the door, and sat round it warm- 
 ing ourselves, and wishing most heartily for something 
 to eat. I had in my haversack some chocolate, about 
 a square each, which was shared among us, and im- 
 mediately devoured ; we choosing to eat it raw, rather 
 than make it into a liquid, as we conceived it to be 
 
 L 
 
146 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 more substantial diet. One of the three now went 
 to the next division on a venture, and luckily re- 
 turned -with part of a loaf, which in these circum- 
 stances completely verified the old adage, " That half 
 a loaf is better than no bread." He generously shared 
 it amongst us; and I certainly found it one of the 
 most delicious morsels I had ever eaten. This brave 
 man, I am sorry to say, had the misfortune to have 
 that very arm, which he so benevolently stretched out 
 to relieve us, shot off in the next action in which we 
 were engaged. 
 
 The whole army being now collected, took up a new 
 and more advantageous position on the Aripales, a 
 name then rendered famous by the late most glorious 
 victory ; it being the very ground on which the battle 
 of Salamanca was fought. The relics of bones and 
 other fragments that still strewed these memorable 
 hills, struck such terror into the French army, by 
 reminding them of a spot so fatal to them, that they 
 dared not attack us in this position, but endeavoured 
 to out-flank us ; which our chief observing, ordered his 
 troops to continue the most rapid and retrograde move- 
 ment, in order to prevent this numerous army, which, 
 according to report, was about one hundred thou- 
 sand men, cavalry and infantry, from getting into our 
 rear ; as our own forces consisted of only about thirty 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 14T 
 
 thousand English, and fifteen thousand Portuguese: 
 but of the force of our allies, the Spaniards, I could 
 form no idea, and indeed it was of little conse- 
 quence. 
 
 At the time of our receiving orders to recede from 
 this place, we were dividing the only provisions that 
 had been served out to us for the last two days, which 
 were some starved bullocks ; but, from the hurry of 
 the moment, we were obliged to leave the greater 
 part behind us. I saw those men who were fortunate 
 enough to get some, tearing the raw flesh from the 
 bones on the march, like so many hungry hounds 
 gnawing carrion. 
 
 The mention of hounds reminds me of a singular 
 statement I met with in " The Journal of a Soldier." 
 — He says, " I at this time got a post, being for 
 fatigue, with other four. We were sent to break 
 biscuit, and make a mess for Lord Wellington's 
 hounds. I was very hungry, and thought it a good job 
 at the time, as we got our fill while we broke the bis- 
 cuit—a thing I had not got for some days. When thus 
 engaged, the prodigal son never once was out of 
 my mind ; and I sighed as I fed the dogs, over my 
 humble situation and ruined hopes." 
 
 l 2 
 
148 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 In justice to the great Commander, to whom we 
 are so much indebted for the judicious arrangement 
 of his commissariat, and the anxiety manifested by 
 him upon all occasions to administer to our wants 
 in the field, and our comforts when sick, I cannot 
 omit making some observations on this report. That 
 such a circumstance might have happened in one 
 solitary instance, I admit — I am not impeaching the 
 man's veracity ; but that it was of frequent or ge- 
 neral occurrence, I utterly deny. Upon many occa- 
 sions, even the most anxious endeavours of the 
 Duke for the welfare of his troops failed, from the 
 impracticability of procuring supplies ; and that this 
 was the case at this critical juncture I well know, 
 as I was also with my regiment and in the rear-divi- 
 sion of the army at that unhappy period. — The 
 scarcity of bread and biscuit was certainly very great, 
 as I have already mentioned — so much so that I 
 should imagine it was almost impossible to have 
 procured it for the hounds of the Duke, had he been 
 disposed to have them so fed : but, in the first place, 
 it should be remembered, that there were always 
 servants in charge of these dogs, for the purpose of 
 feeding and taking care of them ; and at this mo- 
 ment we could not move one hundred yards without 
 coming- in contact with either a dead horse, ox, mule, 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 149 
 
 or ass, which, if I know any thing of hounds, they 
 would much rather make a meal of, than bruised bis- 
 cuit; indeed, they must have been so full of carrion at 
 this time, that I have my doubts whether they would 
 have eaten such a mess at all. But, supposing they 
 would have tasted it, where could it have been pro- 
 cured, unless there might have been some saved by 
 the hounds' attendants from the stores at Alba de 
 Tormes, which otherwise would have been destroyed 
 (there being no mode of conveying it away to prevent 
 it falling into the hands of the enemy), after our men 
 had been supplied with as much as they could conve- 
 niently carry. The relater of this anecdote may not 
 have been intentionally malicious, but, from the man- 
 ner in which it is told, the reader would be led to 
 infer, that if he attended on the dogs one day, it 
 would be the turn of some one else another ; in fact, 
 that it was a regular duty. Such a conclusion would 
 imply that the hounds " fared sumptuously every day," 
 while the soldiers were not even so well off as the 
 dogs at the rich man's table — not being allowed to 
 feed upon their crumbs. Another circumstance which 
 strikes me most forcibly is, that these animals are 
 reckoned among the baggage of an army : then what 
 brings this species of baggage in the rear, when every 
 other is in front, on a retreat ? If they had been 
 blood-hounds, it is most probable this would have been 
 
150 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 their station ; but, as harmless harriers, I cannot con- 
 ceive why they should have been ailowed to remain 
 there. 
 
 It is considered no bad food, to give dog's, when 
 carrion is not to be had, the sweeping's of the com- 
 missariat biscuit stores, when conveniently obtained; 
 but at this time I cannot conceive how men could take 
 such pains about dogs, when flesh was so plentiful 
 Indeed, had biscuit been given to the hounds daily at 
 this serious moment, such conduct would have been 
 sufficient to have caused a mutiny in an army labour- 
 ing, as it then was, under privations of so severe a 
 nature. 
 
 This occurrence may, as I have already said, be 
 true, and mentioned without any malignant design; 
 but I cannot refrain from remarking that there ap- 
 pears to me, in the manner of making the statement, 
 a desire of impressing on the public mind an idea that 
 Lord Wellington took more interest in the fate of his 
 hounds than in that of his troops — a supposition too 
 revolting to be for a moment entertained. That 
 Lord Byron, who has so egregiously misrepresented 
 the affair, should have been among the number misled 
 by this statement, I am much surprised. A man of 
 his transcendent talents might have known, that the 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 151 
 
 mind of a Commander-in-chief of such an army, 
 under such circumstances, must have matter of much 
 more consequence to occupy his attention than that 
 of feeding* of hounds ! I am aware that this asper- 
 sion is not of sufficient magnitude to attract the notice 
 of the illustrious Chief ; but I feel it incumbent on me, 
 as a British officer, to make my observations on what 
 appears to me an attempt to affix so unmerited a slur 
 on the character of that great man. 
 
 But to return from this digression, for which I am 
 persuaded no apology will be considered necessary, to 
 the thread of my narrative: — I have mentioned the 
 circumstance of the men being- compelled to feed upon 
 the raw flesh they could procure; and, indeed, had 
 we halted, cooking- was out of the question : it would 
 have given the men more fatigue in dressing their 
 meat than the nutriment of it would have afforded 
 them strength; the wood being- far too wet for the 
 purpose of lighting fires. The rainy season had now 
 completely set in, and our retreat at this time was 
 almost as incessant as the rain. The difficulties, pri- 
 vations, and hardships we encountered, were probably 
 almost as severe as those endured in the retreat of 
 the French from Moscow, with the exception of the 
 distance; and, for myself, I certainly should prefer 
 marching through frost and snow, to rain and mire. 
 
152 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 I do not think that I exaggerate greatly in sayings 
 that we lost nearly as great a number of men, in pro- 
 portion, as the ill-fated host of fugitives from Russia. 
 
 To increase the misery of our situation, this wet 
 and gloomy weather was rendered still more insuf- 
 ferable by the tempestuous gusts of wind, which now 
 prevailed like the equinoctial gales in this country, 
 but with much greater force ; and meeting us in the 
 avenues and defiles through which we passed, drove 
 the rain in our faces with such violence, that many 
 were blown down, and others could scarcely make 
 head against it: and during the short rest we got, 
 in the darkness of the night, we had no other shelter 
 but the thick forest, nor any covering but the cloudy 
 sky, as we frequently did not see our baggage for days 
 together. 
 
 This period I consider the worst part of the retreat, 
 and the principal cause of those dire calamities which 
 ensued. We contended with every difficulty, moving 
 slowly through an immense tract of country ; for im- 
 pediments of all kinds prevented our going fast. Out 
 route was not on the high road, but through woods, 
 desarts, heaths, mountains, and flats, covered with 
 sheets of water, like the meadows in our own country 
 when overflown by the rivers. How closely the enemy 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 153 
 
 pursued us may easily be conceived, from the dashing 
 General Paget having been overtaken by them in 
 these wilds. The moment we attempted to bivouac, 
 that moment they commenced cannonading us; and 
 under this destructive fire, without covering or food, 
 having every thing to apprehend, have we sat shiver- 
 ing on the cold ground the whole night, praying for 
 day-light to see our way forward. Rising one morn- 
 ing from one of these swampy resting-places, our 
 regiment was ordered to fall in and form square, when 
 the General of Division made his appearance, and 
 severely reprimanded us for the loss of so many men, 
 whom we were obliged to leave on the road to the 
 mercy of the enemy. 
 
 In this distressing state we proceeded, I may say, 
 for about five days together (I speak only of the 
 brigade to which I belonged), without any supply of 
 food from the Commissariat; and the consequences 
 attending this privation will soon be seen. My readers 
 will naturally be surprised at such an assertion, and 
 will inquire how this army could exist. Indeed, their 
 existence can only be attributed to the mercy of an 
 all-bounteous Providence ; for these very wet and dis- 
 mal forests, through which we passed, not only 
 afforded us shelter from the cutting winds, but pro- 
 vided a sufficient substitute for bread to save a famish- 
 
154 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 ing army. They abounded in acorns of a species 
 quite different from those found in England, growing 
 on a small oak with a prickly leaf, somewhat resem- 
 bling the holly. These acorns, when boiled or 
 roasted, were as sweet as chestnuts ; and even eaten 
 raw, they were very palatable. Besides these, the 
 men sometimes got meat from the bullocks and horses 
 that were dead on the road ; the soldiers would run 
 out of the ranks, and with their knives and bill-hooks 
 cut them up with as much dexterity as the butchers 
 in Leadenhali-market ; then sticking the flesh on their 
 bayonets, they would march on with this chance sup- 
 ply. In this state of suffering and hardship we con- 
 tinued our retreat. The roads (if they deserved that 
 name) were rendered almost impassable: to many r 
 indeed, quite so; for several of the poor men at 
 length became so exhausted, that they stuck in the 
 mud, and had not strength to extricate themselves; 
 we were therefore obliged to leave them to their fate, 
 for it was now " every one for himself." Being much 
 worn with dysentery, I went on one day with the 
 baggage-guard, and, with the rest of the troops that 
 passed this route, had to ford upwards of twenty 
 rivers — a circumstance which every poor fellow on 
 this march will well remember. It was literally 
 nothing less than wading through water, sometimes 
 breast-high, at others knee-deep. I cannot exagge- 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 155 
 
 rate the horrors of this retreat, were I even inclined 
 to do so ; for many will probably peruse this narrative 
 who had to endure the same conflict with myself. 
 
 On this occasion, as I was about to cross the most 
 deep and rapid of these streams, being" very weak and 
 tired, I got on my horse, now become as weak as 
 myself, and whose life I only preserved by leading 
 him by my side. However, in order to lessen my 
 difficulty, and imagining that he might be strong 
 enough for this little exertion, I mounted him: but, 
 unfortunately, when about the middle, the poor 
 animal fell down, and plunged me over head and 
 ears into the water ; so that, in order to avoid a little 
 wet, I found myself even in no small danger of being 
 drowned, for my foot had got entangled in the stirrup, 
 and I had great trouble in extricating it. On getting 
 out with my horse, I was glad to continue marching, 
 in order to circulate my blood and keep myself from 
 perishing with cold: at last we came to a house, 
 a thing which we had not seen for many days. I 
 went in and got myself warm, roasted some acorns, 
 and prepared some tea, which I had not till now 
 had the means of boiling; this was the last of the 
 little stock I had in my pocket, and proved to me 
 a greater restorative than even Doctor Solomon's Balm 
 of Gilead. 
 
15£> THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 Tea is an article of luxury very little known in 
 this part of the world. Even in the towns, where 
 there is nothing to disturb the business of the shops, 
 it is not to be had at the grocers', as in this kingdom : 
 but, should any traveller ask for it as a medicine at an 
 apothecary's, he will be sure to obtain it. I state 
 this circumstance for the information of those who 
 may hereafter travel in any part of the Spanish 
 dominions. 
 
 As we gradually approached the frontiers of Por- 
 tugal, we left the forests and flat country behind us, 
 and came into a very mountainous district. We now 
 got occasionally half an allowance of rum, and by 
 chance even a regular supply, till at length we left 
 Ciudad Rodrigo in our rear, beyond which place the 
 French did not pursue us. We then halted a few 
 days, and, for the first time since the retreat had 
 commenced, were quartered in a village: this was 
 called Villa d'Agua, literally, Water-town — a name 
 most applicable to the face of the country we had 
 been passing through. 
 
 Still we were destitute of money, not having had 
 more than half a month's pay issued out for the last 
 six months; we had, therefore, nothing to exist on 
 but the scanty allowance of the Commissary. After 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 157 
 
 this short respite, we continued retreating, and the 
 weather, as if determined to keep time with us, con- 
 tinued its stormy violence ; for it was in the worst part 
 of the year that we were compelled to undertake this 
 severe duty. The latter end of November had arrived 
 when we got into winter-quarters, after continually 
 advancing and retrograding from the time we landed 
 at Lisbon — a period of about seven months, three of 
 which were spent on this trying retreat. We at last 
 arrived at Momento, a little village at the foot of the 
 Estrella Mountains, and there went into cantonments : 
 and thus ended this disastrous campaign; but the 
 dreadful consequences attending it were only com- 
 mencing, as will be shown in the sequel of this 
 Narrative. 
 
158 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 * They close in clouds of smoke and dust, 
 With sword-sway and with lances' thrust ; 
 
 And such a yell was there, 
 Of sudden and portentous birth, 
 As if men fought upon the earth, 
 
 And fiends in upper air : 
 O ! life and death were in the shout, 
 Recoil and rally, charge and rout, 
 
 And triumph and despair." 
 
 Marmion. 
 
 In this little dirty village I got a little dirty billet, 
 such as commonly fell to the lot of officers of my rank, 
 and with which, had it even been worse than it then 
 was, I should have been contented — glad of any shel- 
 ter from this inclement season. My quarter was in the 
 house of a poor peasant, who gave me a small room, 
 with a straw mattress and a little covering in one 
 corner, and a few stones for a fire-place in another. 
 There was no chimney, the smoke always finding its 
 own passage through the crevices of the tiles. We 
 still remained without any money, which we had 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 159 
 
 almost learnt to do without. Indeed, so much was I 
 in the habit of taking- what I could get in the shape 
 of food, that I am ashamed to confess I had nearly 
 robbed this poor family of all their potatoes — such a 
 luxury did I think vegetables with our meagre ration 
 of beef. Had private soldiers been in the house, they 
 probably would not have confined themselves to this 
 article. 
 
 An order now arrived for the pay-master to proceed 
 to head-quarters for one month's pay; and he soon 
 returned with the money. This desirable supply gave 
 me the means of purchasing eggs, fruit, flour, &c. from 
 my poor old host, and of otherwise recompensing him 
 for my depredations. 
 
 We next moved our quarters to Santa Marhina, 
 which was the nearest village, there not being room 
 enough for us in this. I here got a better billet : indeed, 
 we even began to make ourselves comfortable : the 
 men were in snug quarters, and had good provisions, 
 good fires, warm beds, and fine chocolate for breakfast, 
 with even necessary comfort, and above all, rest, 
 after their fatigue. But this sudden and welcome 
 change from the greatest sufferings to a state of com- 
 fortable repose, was the very cause of our consequent 
 
160 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 calamities. No sooner were we settled in our canton- 
 ments, than we experienced the fatal effects of the 
 almost unparalleled suffering's we had undergone ; and 
 the sudden transition, already mentioned, to compara- 
 tive plenty, brought on the most malignant complaints, 
 especially fever, dysentery, and rheumatism. The en- 
 tire regiment was on the sick list ; for a considerable 
 time we had not a man on parade, not even convales- 
 cent men enough to attend the sick : it was therefore 
 found necessary to call in the assistance of the inha- 
 bitants ; indeed, we were now in such a deplorable 
 state, that a staff-surgeon and four assistants were 
 sent us, in addition to our own — so much did we stand 
 in need of medical aid. With respect to hospitals, 
 nearly half the houses in the village were converted 
 to that purpose. It was truly distressing to see the 
 situation of this fine regiment, which had only landed 
 about seven months previously upwards of a thousand 
 strong, and which, when at Salamanca on the advance, 
 was allowed to be the strongest English regiment ever 
 seen in that part of the country, now reduced to a 
 number insignificant to form a parade, and that too 
 without firing a shot. The church-yard was now a 
 more common resort for them; for we buried from 
 seventy to eighty men in this town in little more 
 than a month — a proof how many more are killed by 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 161 
 
 privations and hardships of a long campaign, than by 
 the violence of the sword. 
 
 Severe, indeed, were our sufferings : in many in- 
 stances the feet and legs of the men swelled, then 
 turned black, gradually decayed, and finally dropped 
 off. I will not enlarge on this unpleasant subject, 
 which cannot, I am sure, be agreeable to the reader ; 
 I shall only observe, that I was in a very sickly state 
 myself, labouring under violent dysentery, which had 
 now become a chronic complaint. Most of the officers 
 were in the same unfortunate condition, and many 
 of them died. Fortunate, indeed, was he, who, escap- 
 ing all the vicissitudes and changes of this eventful 
 scene, has been enabled to enjoy the remainder of his 
 life in his domestic circle ! — a blessing which I con- 
 ceive not to have fallen to the lot of more than one in 
 ten of those who went through the Peninsular cam- 
 paigns. It is true, I have escaped with life; but 
 this severe dysentery, which has lasted for upwards 
 of eight years, and other diseases, the concomitants 
 of this long and severe campaigning, have so de- 
 ranged my nervous system, as ultimately to deprive 
 me of the sight of my left eye, and otherwise mate- 
 rially injure my constitution. 
 
 In this town we passed the remainder of the win- 
 
162 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 terj and at length began to get the better of our 
 afflictions, and even to muster a few men on pa- 
 rade. I had here a very good room with a brazero 
 (a kind of grate to hold charcoal), a tolerable bed, and 
 a very kind hostess. Time passed pretty agreeably ; 
 and more money being issued to us, we had the means 
 of providing greater comforts. The sutlers or hux- 
 ters, however, charging a most exorbitant price for 
 every article, we were obliged to be extremely frugal ; 
 as experience had taught us, on the last campaign, to 
 endeavour to provide better for the ensuing, which was 
 ere long to commence with all the vigour of the 
 former one, and which might probably be found as 
 long and as eventful as any that had preceded it. 
 
 About this time a very unpleasant circumstance oc- 
 curred in my habitation. My poor landlady, a widow 
 with a large family, a very good humane creature, 
 and who had paid great attention to the sick troops, 
 at last, unfortunately, caught the fever, which carried 
 her off in a few days, leaving her numerous orphan 
 family destitute — a misfortune which excited in all 
 who knew and appreciated her benevolent character, 
 the greatest and most sincere regret. 
 
 From our long stay in this quarter, it became very 
 difficult to obtain forage for our cattle ; and we were 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 103 
 
 obliged to go to so great a distance in search of it, 
 that we were frequently out for a week together. On 
 these excursions we had to cross the Estrella, or Starry 
 Mountains, which are prodigiously high, and difficult 
 to ascend ; and, on descending', the animals could 
 scarcely keep their footing, from the quantity of snow 
 that fell here, which being sometimes thawed in the 
 day, and afterwards frozen, rendered the declivity very 
 slippery. Indeed, such was the difficulty of gaining the 
 villages situated among these vast mountains, that the 
 inhabitants informed me the French had never ven- 
 tured to pay them a visit. We found the people ex- 
 tremely civil, always lodging and feeding the parties 
 that went among them. In one of my rambles on 
 this duty, I had the misfortune to lose a mule, that 
 slipped down a precipice, and was killed. On return- 
 ing we found the animal nearly devoured by wolves, 
 which prowl about in packs on these heights. One of 
 them stood and looked at us with great ferocity ; but 
 on coming closer it made off, just as one of the men 
 was about loading his piece to shoot it, which I or- 
 dered him to do, being myself a very bad shot. So 
 numerous were these creatures in this quarter, that, 
 being pressed with hunger from the severity of the 
 weather in the cold regions, they often descended 
 during the night to our villages, and scratching open 
 the graves of our recently buried men, preyed upon 
 
 M 2 
 
164 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 their flesh. Many of the inhabitants in this neigh- 
 bourhood constantly ride with the skins of these 
 animals over their saddles, by way of trophy; but 
 never unless the rider has himself killed the wolf — 
 otherwise they consider it usurping the honours of 
 another. 
 
 We benefited greatly by these little journeys; get- 
 ting many articles of provisions at a cheaper rate from 
 the villages to which we went, such as fowls, eggs, 
 bacon, and a vast quantity of chestnuts, which were 
 here so plentiful that the inhabitants made us presents 
 of large quantities of them. The abundance of these 
 towns may be conceived from their names, which in 
 general referred to what they most abound in, such as 
 Villa de Porco, Villa de Montaga, Villa de Castanos, 
 Villa de Vino, &c— Pork Town, Butter Town, Chest- 
 nut Town, Wine Town, &c. 
 
 The regiment now began to make a respectable 
 appearance on parade, mustering about four hundred 
 men, besides convalescents ; for this long continuance 
 in quarters gave time for those who were left at 
 depots to come up, the sick to recover, the men who 
 had been overtaken on the retreat and made prisoners 
 to escape, and join the regiment; as well as for fresh 
 detachments from EnHand to arrive. We once more 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 165 
 
 began to wear a joyful countenance, and to enjoy some 
 pleasure. The spring* approached with hasty steps, 
 and Nature began to appear bedecked in her fairest 
 robes ; but what most benefited us of all her gifts, was 
 an abundant supply of green forage, which the neigh- 
 bouring fields now afforded without being obliged 
 to go to so great a distance to fetch it. 
 
 We had by this time in a great measure repaired our 
 past misfortunes; the baggage we lost had been 
 re-placed, and the cattle we left drowned in the rivers 
 and broken down on the ground, had been supplied 
 by others. We began to assume an air of gaiety, 
 amusing ourselves with horse-racing, shooting-parties, 
 riding about the country, &c. The ladies of the place 
 claimed our attention, which indeed had never been 
 altogether dormant; but we had been unable to 
 display our gallantry before in so jovial and entertain- 
 ing a style as we now had it in our power to do, from 
 a more free circulation of money, which enabled us to 
 decorate the ball-room, the theatres, and the festive 
 board. I shall not enter into detailed accounts of 
 these various recreations enjoyed by those happy fel- 
 lows who had the good fortune to survive their late dis- 
 asters ; but shall perform an act of duty in attempting 
 effectually to remove a stigma which was thrown on 
 the regiment in which I had the honour to serve, for 
 
166 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 I think it never too late to destroy an erroneous im- 
 pression. To do this I must refer to our landing- at 
 Lisbon, where we disembarked with our full comple- 
 ment of men, and were certainly by much the strongest 
 regiment in the country, even to the time of our reach- 
 ing the capital of Spain ; for we had received a 
 detachment from home to supply the place of those 
 left at sick depots. In this effective state we were 
 when the retreat commenced from Aranjuez, which 
 is about twenty leagues beyond Madrid ; and hitherto 
 we had had a regular supply of rations, and experienced 
 good weather; so that even through forced and 
 harassing* marches the troops had kept their ranks, 
 although but a few weeks before they were at their 
 ease in the finest and most pampered garrison in the 
 world. They were the most part merely boys, who 
 had never before gone a long march, for the flower of 
 our regiment had been lost on other services, particu- 
 larly at Flushing ; and these were not to be compared 
 to the veteran troops who had become inured to change 
 of climate, to hardships, and fatigue. When these 
 young men began to feel the dampness of the wet 
 ground, the want of their accustomed good fare and 
 warm covering, and to continue an incessant march, 
 each loaded with sixty rounds of ball cartridge, his 
 knapsack, haversack, musket, blanket, canteen, ac- 
 coutrements, and provisions, (when these last could 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 167 
 
 be obtained), how could it be matter of surprise, that 
 we should be compelled to leave three times as many 
 as any other corps did on the road, seeing that we 
 were nearly treble the. strength, and destitute of the 
 advantages possessed by those regiments who had been 
 familiarized with the arduous duties of a campaign ? 
 In consequence of this, we were reprimanded by the 
 General of Division for the number of casualties we 
 daily experienced: he appeared to imagine that the 
 officers, particularly ^he subalterns, were deficient in 
 their duty, and we were therefore turned out of the 
 division for this apparent want of discipline. But I have 
 seen these very officers do their duty on the most ur- 
 gent occasions in an exemplary manner : I have known 
 them exert the greatest severity towards these unfor- 
 tunate men, and even threaten them with punishment ; 
 but all to no purpose. I have also seen them employ 
 the kindest methods, encourage them, take their mus- 
 kets, knapsacks, &c, and carry them for these poor 
 fellows; but without avail. Entirely exhausted, the 
 unfortunate creatures lay down on the road-side and 
 were overtaken by the enemy in such numbers, that in 
 the course of twenty-four hours our regiment had lost 
 from sixty to seventy men ; but what was to be done 
 in this deplorable case, more than intreaty or persua- 
 sion could effect'? It was impossible to carry them on 
 our backs, the spring waggons and all other modes 
 
168 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 of conveyance were either too far in our front, or 
 loaded to such a degree that they could not receive 
 more. 
 
 We were accordingly turned out of the division, 
 and our commanding officer socn after placed under 
 an arrest, for the supposed negligent conduct of this 
 now unfortunate regiment. We were placed in the 
 division that was considered the refuse of the army; 
 but the sequel will show whether this very regiment, 
 brigade, and division, were not to rank among the 
 first, for the bravery and gallantry of their conduct. 
 Indeed, as soon as the suffering's which brought this 
 supposed disgrace on our regiment were made known 
 to the Commander-in-chief, he immediately ordered 
 our Colonel out of arrest, and gave us every facility in 
 his power to free ourselves from these distressing 
 calamities. 
 
 With respect to the report of numbers of our men 
 having strayed from their battalions, and carried on a 
 kind of plunder, by shooting the wild pigs, with 
 which these woods are stocked, I am sorry to say it is 
 too correct: but there are ill-disposed men in every 
 corps; and if these men were determined to desert 
 their companies, and pursue this occupation, how 
 could their officers prevent it any more than they 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 169 
 
 could hinder their desertion for different purposes? 
 They had no other means than bringing- them before 
 a military tribunal, which could not then be assem- 
 bled, or of the temporary one of a trial at the drum- 
 head, by resorting to which the army might have been 
 delayed there for a long time, and one half of them 
 shot for mutiny — the crime attached to those who 
 will not obey their officers ; for all our 'persuasions, 
 threats, and intreaties, were now totally disregarded. 
 Nor can this be wondered at: the men conceived that 
 they might escape punishment for plundering, but 
 they did not think it possible to escape starvation 
 without acting as they did. 
 
 Let me now return to my companions in arms. In 
 the month of April, we received instructions to hold 
 ourselves in readiness for advancing again, and to 
 provide ourselves with all kinds of camp equipage. 
 We now had constant field-days to bring us again 
 into discipline. The month of May arrived, when, 
 with all our losses, we mustered seven hundred 
 strong, and as fine a regiment as any that left 
 their winter-quarters, to encounter the ensuing cam- 
 paign. 
 
 At length the long looked-for route arrived; and 
 we marched from Santa Marhina, about the middle of 
 
170 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 this month, as fresh and in as good spirits as if we 
 had never suffered by the incidents consequent on this 
 exposed and active kind of life. 
 
 Previous to my proceeding, permit me to observe 
 that, in relating the vast sufferings which I have so 
 faintly described, it cannot for a moment be imagined 
 that I attribute one particle of these misfortunes to 
 the great chief who commanded this persevering and 
 enterprising army. On the contrary, they are only 
 to be attributed to the fortune of war, which no 
 human foresight could avert, nor any calculation 
 obviate ; and the principal reason of my attempting to 
 delineate them is to show to Old England the true 
 worth of her martial sons, conceiving that the greater 
 the perils and dangers encountered by her soldiers, 
 the greater praise will they have for surmounting 
 them. 
 
 I shall now proceed to relate even greater under- 
 takings, greater victories, and perhaps as great 
 disasters, as I have aleady described; and, if there 
 be any of my countrymen who have read this narrative 
 thus far, and conceive I am not entitled to a compen- 
 sation for the serious loss I have sustained in conse- 
 quence of these sufferings, let them be kind enough 
 to proceed, and I hope they will be induced to decide 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 171 
 
 in my favour before they come to the conclusion of 
 this little volume.* 
 
 Be this as it may, I shall not dwell on such 
 casualties, but endeavour to forget disappointments, 
 and move cheerfully and pleasantly forward, con- 
 ducting you smoothly through those rough and 
 eventful scenes in which it has been my fate to be 
 both an actor and a spectator. 
 
 Our march for the first two or three hundred miles 
 was like a party of pleasure, in comparison to others 
 we had encountered: we passed through a most de- 
 
 * I trust my lenient readers will pardon the expression of my 
 feelings on this occasion, as I conceive I had been borne out in 
 my expectation, by the strongest certificates from the most eminent 
 oculists, under whose care and examination 1 have been, and who 
 have honoured me with their names as Subscribers to this book. 
 They state, that " in this instance it appears to them, that the dis- 
 ease has entirely originated from the hardships to which Captain 
 Wood has been exposed, and the complaints occasioned by such 
 exposure." 
 
 There is nothing to be regretted in losing a member, even more 
 than adequate to a limb, in our country's cause : I suffer such a 
 loss without a murmur ; but, when I am informed by officers, and 
 one of these of my own corps, that they have been remunerated 
 for similar losses, incurred in the same manner, and on service of 
 the same nature, my mind becomes agitated, and my honour con- 
 cerned, to know the cause of my not receiving a similar reward : 
 I trust, however, that this circumstance will be attributed, by my 
 liberal countrymen, to any thing but dereliction of duty. 
 
172 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 lightful level country, abounding in all the verdant 
 beauties of nature, and affording- the greatest plenty 
 of forage for cattle, which is the principal support 
 to an army en grande route. Every thing and every 
 countenance now wore the aspect of joy — the men 
 singing, and telling their jocose stories, as they 
 passed along hill and dale; till, leaving many fine 
 towns and an open country in our rear, we came in 
 sight of the enemy's videttes, and the next morning 
 had to cross a rapid river, I believe the Ebro : part 
 of the troops forded it ; but most of the battalion-men 
 were obliged to wait for the pontons, as many of the 
 soldiers who attempted to ford, not being tall 
 enough, were swept away by the rapidity of the 
 current. 
 
 We expected the French on the other side would 
 oppose our crossing ; but we were mistaken, as they 
 withdrew on our appearance. Had they defended 
 this wonderfully advantageous position, on high land 
 nearly perpendicularly to the water's edge, making 
 it almost impossible to cross at any spot except where 
 the pontons were placed, and kept a steady fire of 
 artillery on our working parties, and, indeed, all 
 along our line of march on the banks of this river, 
 they must have done great execution. We crossed, 
 however, without opposition, in sight of our noble 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 173 
 
 Commander, who was seated on a rock in company 
 with General Lord Lynedoch. We defiled with music 
 playing-, colours flying, and bayonets glittering, which 
 had a very imposing effect. On winding up the 
 opposite hills, we halted on the top; and had no 
 sooner got our meat on the fire, anxious to appease 
 our appetites, after a long and sultry march, when 
 we observed one of the Duke's staff running down 
 a hill in the advance, and waving his hat to us. We 
 understood him; and in less than ten minutes the 
 troops were fully accoutred, and in march to the place 
 which this officer had pointed out, leaving the fires, 
 kettles, and dinners, to cook themselves: but the 
 enemy, finding us so much on the alert, and so 
 quickly in position, withdrew their forces, and we 
 betook ourselves to our old ground, where we found 
 our rations extremely well boiled, and we were not 
 long in demolishing them. 
 
 At some distance from this place we halted for a 
 few days, when we were reviewed by our Commander ; 
 and a fine healthy appearance the troops made. At 
 this review a singular occurrence happened to me : — 
 on passing by in review order, and coming to the spot 
 of salutation, I was so engrossed with contemplating* 
 a man who had been so great a favourite of Fortune 
 as our Commander-in-chief, that I absolutely forgot 
 
174 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 to salute him ; nor did I recollect myself until I had 
 passed him, when I stole my sword down from the 
 support to the present, without ever coming" to the 
 recover. This circumstance, however, if observed, 
 was not noticed by him ; for great minds are generally 
 engaged in great undertakings, and seldom affected 
 by trifles. 
 
 We pursued our way, with good roads, good wea- 
 ther, good provisions, and plenty of dust, till we 
 arrived in the environs of Vittoria, in the front of 
 which town the enemy were posted most advantage- 
 ously, and in great numbers : they certainly made a 
 most imposing appearance as they formed their line of 
 battle, towards which we advanced with a confident 
 step ; peals of artillery echoing through the lofty hills, 
 as we descended their trembling slopes to gain the 
 glorious field. We advanced through the tumultuous 
 scene with a battery in our front, dealing out dire 
 destruction ; and halting here, as if to defy its greatest 
 efforts, we waited the signal of attack: men and 
 officers fell in every direction ; and their wounds were 
 most dreadful, being all inflicted with cannon-balls or 
 shells, except that of our Colonel, who received a 
 musket-shot in his stomach. Our front was exposed 
 to the full range of this redoubt, and had to contend 
 with a French regiment on the right of the battery ; 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 175 
 
 but after politely receiving us with a few sharp volleys, 
 which we as politely returned, they retreated firing-, 
 and bent their course into a thicket. Towards this 
 we advanced firing-, and drove them furiously before 
 us, till they were completely routed ; and we had the 
 satisfaction of passing over numbers whom we had 
 laid prostrate. It was now that the hurry, bustle, and 
 confusion of a great battle were experienced: such 
 smoke, such noise, such helter-skelter! the cries of 
 the wounded — the groans of the dying — the shouts of 
 the victors — the dragoons and artillery flying — dust in 
 clouds — caps, muskets, and knapsacks, strewing the 
 ground — baggage, carriages, waggons, and carts, 
 broken down. Such a spectacle might indeed cause 
 the conquering army to exclaim, " Oh ! what a glorious 
 thing is battle!" But what must be the situation and 
 feelings of the vanquished? 
 
 This scene continued, till night put an end to the 
 bloody fray and equally bloody pursuit; when we 
 halted, leaving Vittoria some miles in our rear. We 
 had not had a morsel to eat the whole of this day, as 
 we moved off our ground before the supplies had 
 arrived: bread, indeed, we had not received for two 
 days previously; we therefore appeased our hunger 
 by plucking the corn from the ears, as we trampled 
 over the fields of it, with which this fine country 
 
176 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 abounds, and which was at this moment fit for the 
 sickle. This expedient satisfied our craving- wants 
 till the action commenced, when our attention was 
 attracted by other objects. One of my men picked 
 up a French haversack, out of which he got a large 
 biscuit, which he began eating most greedily without 
 offering his comrade any part : at this instant a shell 
 burst very near him, a splinter of which broke his 
 leg ; he hopped screaming away, and let fall the 
 bread, which his comrade snatched up and ate, ob- 
 serving, that it served the other right for his gree- 
 diness. 
 
 At this time we were halted; and were in some 
 measure compensated for the loss of bread, by the 
 plentiful supply we got of water, which, indeed, was 
 a great advantage, after the heat and fatigue of the 
 day. 
 
 We had now taken up our ground and piled our 
 arms, when some of the men went to the rear under 
 various pretences, but soon returned: some with 
 bread, brandy, fowls, and all kinds of eatables; 
 others with dollars, doubloons, plate, and every 
 article that could be procured from the French bag- 
 gage, which we had passed, but dared not fall out 
 of our ranks to take possession of at the time, having 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 177 
 
 a more serious duty to perform than attending 1 to 
 plunder — that of first beating- the enemy away from 
 it. I certainly must confess I regarded these waggons 
 loaded and broken down with specie, over which we 
 were obliged to drive the foe, with a wishful, eye; 
 but honour being with a soldier preferable to riches, 
 I relinquished the latter for the former. We were, 
 however, amply supplied with every thing that was 
 good, by those who had the good fortune to share in 
 the spoil. Indeed, for my own part, I could not 
 complain, having contrived to get a very fine young 
 horse, belonging to the Polish Lancers, which came 
 running in my way without a rider, completely 
 accoutred ; and a handsome quilt, which I found very 
 useful at night. Such plenty now prevailed, that I 
 do not suppose there was a man in the field who had 
 not a good meal that night from the stores of the 
 enemy, which were copiously supplied with every 
 comfort, and now came to us so very seasonably; 
 for, 'although every man had not an opportunity of 
 partaking in the plunder, yet there was so great 
 an abundance of every necessary brought into camp, 
 that they were enabled to share the provision with 
 each other. We also got a most seasonable supply 
 of those valuable articles — good shoes, taken from 
 the French magazines. Our men had been constantly 
 on the tramp for many weeks together, without having 
 
 N 
 
178 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 time or opportunity to get their old ones mended; 
 indeed several of them had marched for the last few 
 days barefooted. Not getting- quite enough to supply 
 all my men (having the charge of a company), I sent 
 the remainder to exchange theirs with the dead men, 
 many of whom were found scattered about the field 
 with much better shoes than their living comrades 
 had on; so that all got completely suited in this 
 respect. We likewise obtained a good supply of 
 salt, an article of great luxury in this part of the 
 country, where it is very dear and scarce ; and also 
 tobacco, which could not be obtained previous to 
 this day's victory — a victory that crowned us with 
 almost every desirable gift that honour and good 
 fortune could confer. 
 
 To paint the scene that now ensued after the battle, 
 among the troops, would be far beyond my power. 
 Some were carousing over their spoils, others swear- 
 ing at their ill-luck at not obtaining more; some 
 dancing mad with eau-de-vie, others sharing doubloons, 
 dollars, watches, gold trinkets, and other valuable 
 articles. The more rational and feeling were talking 
 of their suffering comrades, somewhat in the following 
 strain : 
 
 " This was a devil of a fight sure-ly ! that was a 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 179 
 
 woundy crack poor Barney got, wor'n't it, Joe?' — 
 " Ah! but poor Bill Flint got a worse: he be laid 
 low enough, poor fellow !" " But what do you think 
 of that fine young lieutenant of the grenadiers?" 
 " Why, dang it, his limbs be shivered to splinters : 
 but I hope as how I shall see the brave fellow on a 
 timber-toe some of these odd days; for he be a 
 damn'd good officer." "Ay! that he be; and bad 
 luck to the French frogs, if they don't hop away 
 too fast for us, we will pay them off for it yet ; but 
 we can't help trifles; so come along, Joe; here's to 
 ye, and let's have the old song, ' Our lodgings be on 
 the cold ground.' " 
 
 Amidst this extraordinary and novel scene, with 
 a bottle of French brandy in one hand, some biscuit 
 in the other, the fine large quilt thrown over 
 me, and two fat fowls under my head, I sunk on 
 my pillow to sleep. Morning now came, and we 
 rose from our verdant couch, with spirits become 
 light as air, to continue the pursuit. Our provisions 
 being issued, we set off, completely elevated by 
 our late success and the defeat of the enemy. 
 Besides their killed, wounded, and prisoners, they 
 lost one hundred and fifty-one pieces of cannon, 
 upwards of four hundred waggons of ammunition, 
 all their treasure, baggage, provisions, cattle, stores, 
 
 N 2 
 
180 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 carriages, waggons loaded with bullion, magazines, 
 horses, mules, carts; in short, every thing, to the 
 very baton of their Field-Marshal. Indeed, it was 
 with the utmost difficulty that the Ex-king Joseph 
 himself escaped. Greater spoils than this field pro- 
 duced were never, I believe, witnessed by British 
 troops in Europe, either before or since. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 181 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The foe, before retiring fast arid far, 
 
 First slowlier fled, then rallied, then withstood ; 
 
 Now flame for flame, and blood for blood, must tell 
 
 The tide of triumph ebbs that flow'd too well ; 
 
 Now wrath returns to renovated strife, 
 
 And those who fought for conquest strike for life. 
 
 Byron. 
 
 We were now in quick pursuit, and hitherto had 
 scarcely experienced a rainy day since we left our 
 winter-quarters. It was at this time the height of 
 summer, and very hot ; but being- inured to the climate, 
 it made little impression on us. We continued fol- 
 lowing up the fugitive forces incessantly ; and about 
 the third day the atmosphere became sultry to an al- 
 most insupportable degree : the sky appeared overcast 
 with portending clouds, containing a great portion of 
 electric fluid — the thunder was soon heard at a dis- 
 tance, and the storm gained on us rapidly, accompa*- 
 nied with the most vivid flashes of lightning ; and it 
 now broke over our heads in so dreadful and alarming 
 
182 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 a manner, as to confound us much more than the roar- 
 ing* of the French artillery : the drenching 1 rain poured 
 down on us in torrents, and the roads streamed with 
 water. Night approaching, we struck into a thicket, 
 the only place that could afford the least shelter 
 from this dreadful tempest; and, in this state, we 
 remained, anxiously awaiting the dawn of day, when 
 we with difficulty lighted fires to dry our wet and 
 miry clothes, and warm our cold and miserable 
 persons. 
 
 Being half-dried, we proceeded; and the sub 
 bursting forth in all its splendour, soon re-animated 
 our benumbed frames. On this day's march we were 
 informed that the storm had killed an officer of the 
 34th regiment, and much hurt several of the men ; 
 indeed, it shook the whole army as if they were elec- 
 trified—- or rather, as if they were standing on ground 
 agitated by an earthquake. 
 
 We arrived in the neighbourhood of Pampeluna, 
 which place the French had got possession of : a great 
 part of the troops were therefore left to invest it, 
 whilst my division went in pursuit of General Clausal, 
 who had taken a different route from the main body of 
 the French army. After much distressing and in- 
 effectual marching, we found they had proceeded by 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 183 
 
 the nearest road out of the country : we were conse- 
 quently obliged to retrace our steps, and in a few days 
 joined the main body of the army in following up the 
 French, who were now retreating across the Pyrenees. 
 We ascended these mountains, with many a rugged 
 step, over steep precipices and craggy rocks; and, 
 after winding up these stupendous heights for days 
 together, reached the summit. We were now in some 
 measure compensated for our toils, by seeing those 
 troops which had so often harassed us at last driven 
 into their own country ; imagining that we at length 
 had gained our object, in having effectually relieved 
 the Spanish dominions from these hosts of locusts. 
 
 These airy regions, on whose " cloud-capp^' tops 
 we were now encamped, we did not find the most un- 
 pleasant spot to be met with ; for here we were 
 supplied by the French smugglers with brandy and 
 wine, as well as bread, fruit, and other necessaries. 
 Another thing still more unexpected was, that among 
 these mountains we found great quantities of wild 
 cherries, plums, and apples ; and the men even dis- 
 covered green tobacco, probably cultivated by the 
 mountaineers, which they made very palatable by 
 drying it in the sun. We were, however, much incon- 
 venienced by the thick and misty fogs that commonly 
 encompassed these vast heights. Indeed, the clouds 
 
184 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 were on some occasions beneath us, and the sun 
 shining on our camp, while it was raining in the 
 enemy's, who were posted in the country below. 
 
 Here we remained some weeks, looking down on the 
 enemy, who were in huts at a little distance in their 
 native land. Forage became extremely scarce, and 
 difficult to procure, all vegetation being now scorched 
 up, so that our animals got very little to eat, except 
 chopped furze, with which they made a very good 
 shift to preserve life ; but even this was with difficulty 
 obtained, as I have too good reason to remember. 
 Being sent out one morning, very early, I travelled with 
 my party a great distance, till at length I perceived a 
 little village on the extreme right of our line, but far 
 secluded in the towering mountains that extended in 
 this direction. This being a spot which I did not con- 
 ceive to be much visited by either French or English 
 foraging parties, I expected to obtain here a good 
 store of this necessary article : I therefore entered the 
 place, and desired my men to search those out-build- 
 ings most likely to contain it ; in which undertaking I 
 was prevented from assisting them, for, just at this 
 time, being subject to ague, I found a fit coming on, 
 and was in consequence induced to ask the landlady of 
 a petty dirty posado, where our mules were baiting, to 
 permit me to lie down on a bed for about an hour. This 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 185 
 
 she consented to, but remarked that she had no room 
 in which she could accommodate me, except one at the 
 top of the house ; however, I was thankful for any 
 place to lay my head upon at this moment, and without 
 ceremony was shown up a flight of narrow dark stairs, 
 by a bonny, dirty, curly-haired lass, whose demeanour 
 corresponded with the appearance of every thing I 
 saw about me : still I was glad to follow her, that I 
 might cover myself up and protect myself from the 
 cold fit, which now began to make me tremble 
 severely. On coming to the door, she pointed to a 
 button, and spoke a great deal ; but not one syllable 
 did I comprehend, it being a language peculiar to the 
 mountaineers : however, she made me understand, by 
 placing her hand on her mouth, that I should preserve 
 silence. This certainly looked suspicious; never- 
 theless I turned the little wooden fastening, and 
 gained admittance to a long gloomy chamber, not 
 much unlike a loft : here were five or six common bed- 
 steads, with a palliasse, a pillow, and an enormous 
 wrapper to each, which seemed quite calculated for 
 the hardy race of this district, who seldom take off 
 their clothes. At the farther end of the room, on 
 one of these beds, which was partly hid by the 
 crossing of some beams put to prop up the roof, and 
 which was only discernible by means of a few rays 
 that penetrated the crevices of the tiles, lay two men, 
 
186 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 one of whom appeared to be in much bodily pain, as 
 if he had been severely wounded ;- the other, from the 
 slight glances I could catch of him, appeared a huge 
 bearded sallow-looking fellow, whose countenance 
 did not savour much of the milk of human kindness. 
 It struck me that this man had been left to take care of 
 the sick one ; and as they were conversing in a low 
 French accent, and very reserved, I considered them 
 to be French soldiers, who had hid themselves in this 
 village, (which was partly in the French and partly in 
 the Spanish territories), particularly as I observed two 
 muskets by their bed-side, with two grenadier-caps 
 stuck on the top of them, and two hairy knapsacks 
 hanging over their heads — all which appeared like 
 French accoutrements. However, as they did not seem 
 hostilely inclined, I pretended to take no notice of 
 them, but wrapping myself in the covering of the bed, 
 I laid my head, which ached most sorely, on the 
 pillow : at any other time I would much rather have 
 rested it on a stone, than on a spot that had so strong 
 an effluvia of garlic and every other obnoxious scent. 
 Here I remained shaking, and indeed I might say 
 quaking, for I certainly had strong apprehension, that 
 had I fallen asleep, these fellow house-mates of mine 
 would not have acted so disinterestedly with me as 
 their present manner seemed to indicate : however, 
 after my fit had subsided, I took my departure without 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 187 
 
 molesting them, conceiving* them to be poor wounded 
 devils, who at all events would only have been an 
 incumbrance to me, had I taken them prisoners ; so I 
 left them to remain in their unenviable retreat for the 
 present, being determined to'see who they were on my 
 return. I now found my way, by means of a savoury 
 odour which pervaded the house, to the kitchen, 
 whence it proceeded : here I was presented with a fine 
 dish of ollapodrida* by the aforesaid lively curly- 
 haired maid, whom I now found to be the cook, and 
 also the mistress's daughter, and who had by this time 
 cleaned and smartened herself up. This refreshment 
 I enjoyed much, notwithstanding her former dirty 
 appearance; and I found myself renovated exceed- 
 ingly. Having finished this repast, and thanked my 
 hostess and my pretty maid, (for I now began to 
 admire her, in spite of her late slovenly appearance), 
 having nothing else to offer to the latter, I thought 
 myself in gratitude bound to embrace her, which she 
 most cordially returned, and made me understand I 
 should be welcome there again when I came that road. 
 I took my departure, and went directly in search of 
 my party, whom I found loading their mules with 
 Indian corn straw, which they had discovered in a 
 deserted dwelling a long way from the village. As 
 
 * A species of cookery in much estimation in Spain. 
 
188 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 soon as they had completed this, we set off on our 
 return; but as I conceived it my duty, I was deter- 
 mined to call at the inn, in order to ascertain who 
 these suspicious characters were : but we had pro- 
 ceeded only a trifling distance, when we observed a 
 scowering party of the enemy a little to our right, who 
 from their manoeuvres appeared desirous of cutting us 
 off ; I therefore ordered my men to prime and load, to 
 drive the cattle as fast as they could before them, and 
 to keep together so as to be able to form in an instant. 
 This precaution being strictly observed, and the 
 French^perceiving that we were perfectly on our guard 
 and determined to Tesist any attack they might make, 
 slackened their pace, which permitted us to proceed 
 at our leisure, but we were obliged to avoid the 
 village, towards which the enemy were bending their 
 course; and after travelling all night, this escort 
 arrived the next morning in safety at our camp. 
 
 We still remained in a state of suspense, which I 
 soon found could not be of long duration. Being one 
 day on piquet, I heard a brisk fire of musketry on my 
 right, and on getting on higher ground (fearing a sur- 
 prise) I observed the advanced brigade desperately 
 engaged ; and, to my great regret, I perceived those 
 gallant regiments, the 50th and 71st, overpowered by 
 numbers, falling back for support, and had the mor- 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 189 
 
 tification of seeing- the French take possession of their 
 camp and strike their tents. However, the support 
 they needed was most promptly afforded by my regi- 
 ment, which after a hot contest was also compelled 
 to move to the rear by alternate wings : a part, how- 
 ever, still kept possession of a commanding" height, 
 which the French wished to gain ; and in the defence 
 of it, our men, having expended all their ammunition, 
 resorted to the novel expedient of throwing stones at 
 the enemy, and in this manner preserved it till the 
 remainder of the division arrived. I could not help 
 remarking the determined bravery of the Brunswickers, 
 who, as soon as they came near enough, rushed down 
 upon the enemy like so many furies : this severe charge, 
 and the support of other troops who now came up, 
 arrested for the present the progress of the enemy. 
 The evening drawing to a close, the firing gradually 
 ceased, and both parties kept their ground; and the 
 cessation was a scene of gloomy reflexions. This was 
 a most sanguinary day, the bone of contention being 
 the pass of Maya. 
 
 With the cloudy night came on a thick fog, accom- 
 panied with misty rain ; and it was very dark. We 
 were now about to suffer tremendous disasters : thank 
 God, their duration was not longer than about five 
 days ; had they continued five more, inevitable destruc- 
 
190 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 tion must have overtaken our troops, for we were now 
 about to fly in our turn, and suffer all the horrors of 
 a repulsed army, in its worst plight ; — such is the for- 
 tune of war ! 
 
 Previous to quitting- this gory spot, we were em- 
 ployed in collecting- our wounded, by the sound of 
 their piteous groans, as the foggy darkness prevented 
 our finding them by any other means. These poor 
 fellows were brought and laid by the fires made for 
 that purpose. Now an order came to light more fires, 
 to make the enemy imagine we were cooking, and 
 meant to keep our ground ; but this was mere finesse, 
 for as soon as this order was executed, the word, or 
 rather whisper, was circulated through the field, to 
 stand to our arms, and we moved off by sections to 
 commence this perilous retreat, leaving the wounded 
 by the dwindling fires to the mercy of the foe : many 
 were scattered among the bleak mountains far out of 
 the main track, where perhaps they had a shorter 
 period put to their existence by the hungry wolves, 
 as several were at their last gasp when we left them ; 
 but there was no alternative. We could scarcely 
 make our way over these unfrequented craggy wilds, 
 and it was therefore impossible to render our comrades 
 more assistance ; and as to spring-waggons, carts, or 
 any mode of conveyance, these were now out of the 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 191 
 
 question — nothing* of that kind being able to come 
 among these mountains. 
 
 On quitting this position, the most dismal sensations 
 took possession of our breasts. Not a voice, not a 
 sound was heard, save the slow step and casual 
 murmur of the dejected soldiers, intermingled with 
 the moans and groans of the wounded. To add to 
 these horrors, I once or twice trod, in the dark, directty 
 upon, and fell over, a dead body, cold and naked as the 
 clay it was stretched on. 
 
 In this state we kept moving on the whole of this 
 sad and sorrowful night, amidst the mountains, the 
 woods, and the rain ; the ways being so deluged with 
 mire, owing to the great number of cattle and baggage 
 passing before us, that it was with difficulty we could 
 wade through it. Day-light at length appeared, as 
 we passed through the mournful town of Elisonda, 
 leaving far in our rear the fine and romantic village of 
 Roncesvalles. 
 
 We now took up our ground on these heights ; 
 where we had been stationed but a few minutes, when 
 we saw our numerous enemy coming down the opposite 
 hills, like flocks of sheep, or rather packs of hounds 
 in full cry, making much the same noise, and at a dis- 
 
192 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 tance much resembling them from their dress, which 
 is a whitish frock, that they generally wear in wet 
 weather. 
 
 They posted themselves on the ground in our front ; 
 and their audacity induced them to pitch the very 
 tents that I have before mentioned as having been 
 taken from us, directly in our view, by way of bra- 
 vado. This was certainly very mortifying to us, par- 
 ticularly as we were obliged to continue retrograding. 
 The siege of St. Sebastian was now about to be raised, 
 and a general and precipitate retreat was enforced: 
 we were therefore obliged to leave this bivouac, and 
 march till we were benighted, and completely ob- 
 scured in darkness and rain. So entangled were we 
 among carts, horses, vicious mules, baggage and 
 artillery broken down, together with ammunition and 
 other stores, which lined the roads, that we could not 
 extricate ourselves from these impediments. Some 
 lighted sticks and candles, which the muleteers had 
 with them, only added to the confusion ; for we were 
 not able to see one yard beyond the light, owing 
 to the thick haze, which seemed to render even dark- 
 ness still more dark. — Here the Colonel asked me 
 where my men were, for I had only three with me out 
 of forty, the strength of the company of which I had 
 the command : I told him I did not know, as I could 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 193 
 
 not see in the dark : however he did not put me under 
 an arrest for it, and a short time after day-light the 
 lost sheep in question rejoined their battalion. 
 
 In this bewildered spot, many who could not stand 
 were obliged from fatigue to sit down in the mire : to 
 attempt going on was impossible, except by climbing 
 over the different vehicles that lined the road. In 
 this miserable plight, I seated myself against a tree, 
 where weariness caused me, even amidst this bus- 
 tle, mud, and riot, to fall fast asleep. My servant 
 coming up, disturbed my repose, by presenting me 
 with his cap full of tea, having trod in a box of it on 
 the way : but he might as well have given me some of 
 the mire that we were in to eat, as, at this time, there 
 were no fires to make it, or, if there had, there was no 
 utensil to have boiled it in, or any thing to have eaten 
 with it ; but still I felt grateful for his attention. We 
 had, notwithstanding, one advantage here ; for although 
 the enemy were at our heels, we were not cannonaded, 
 as they could not get their field-pieces up these accli- 
 vities in sufficient time. Moving on a few miles far- 
 ther, to a more congenial spot, where some fires were 
 lighted, near to one of them I could not but observe 
 our brave and. hardy Colonel; 
 
194 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 " His sqnare-turn'd joints, and strength of limb, 
 Showed him no carpet knight so trim ; 
 But in close fight a champion grim, 
 In camps a leader sage." 
 
 He was stretched on his back sound asleep, and seemed 
 to be in a pleasant dream, although the rain, which 
 was mizzling fast, trickled down his weather-beaten 
 furrowed cheeks: this, added to the appearance of 
 his venerable snowy locks, his projecting bristly 
 eye-brows, and his manly Caledonian countenance, 
 presented one of the most martial and dignified 
 pictures that a poet could describe, or a painter 
 depict. 
 
 We now continued, I may say, flying the whole of 
 the day, without any food being issued, except half an 
 allowance of rum, which recruited our sinking spirits. 
 After refreshing ourselves with this and a little rest, 
 w T e proceeded on the whole of the next night, descend- 
 ing the most rugged and dangerous precipices, and 
 surmounting the highest hills, with indescribable fa- 
 tigue. The next day, which was the fourth of this 
 disastrous march, and during which we had scarcely 
 tasted food, division orders were issued, whilst we 
 halted a few hours. Iwell remember reading them: 
 they were the most distressing, at the same time most 
 
THE* SUBALTERN OFFICER. 195 
 
 feeling- orders, that I ever heard, commencing some- 
 what in this manner : — " The General is aware of the 
 many privations and hardships the troops have suffered 
 during the last few days : but he assures them, that if 
 they will bear them with patience and fortitude for 
 another day, their wants shall be supplied, ,, &c. 
 
 I trust the candid observer, who may refer to these 
 orders, will pardon any error I may have committed 
 in expressing* them ; as I inadvertently took no notes 
 or memorandum when on service to assist my me- 
 mory, not having then any idea of writing on this 
 subject. 
 
 After halting a few hours we went forward, and 
 before night came on, reached a strong position on the 
 heights of Pampeluna : here we found these orders 
 fulfilled according to promise, a fi ll portion of rations 
 being delivered out to us — the most seasonable supply 
 that troops so famished and harassed could possibly 
 obtain. We now commenced boiling our kettles, and 
 got some tea, our allowance of rum, meat, and bis- 
 cuit, — the first since our retreat commenced, and which, 
 indeed, we had hardly patience to wait the cooking of, 
 having been about four days without a morsel to eat, 
 except the withered leaves of the trees, which we 
 chewed as we passed along, to assuage the cravings of 
 
 02 
 
196 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 hunger. We had now a delicious repast, our full 
 
 portion of rations, and tea, which was plentiful enough 
 
 — witness my servant treading into a box of it. We 
 
 were literally wallowing in luxury, which gave us such 
 
 spirits, that, woe to the enemy who should dare to 
 
 oppose us ! We had taken up our ground on a very 
 
 elevated spot, which commanded an extensive view ; 
 
 and I was here highly amused, just before dusk, by 
 
 observing many of our soldiers run into a field between 
 
 the hostile piquets and dig with their bayonets. Soon 
 
 after I saw many of the enemy do the same thing : 
 
 they did not molest each other, but appeared even 
 
 familiar, laughing and joking promiscuously. How 
 
 strange, thought I, that these men, who to-morrow 
 
 would be slaying each other, should now be so good- 
 
 humouredly employed together! They were digging 
 
 potatoes ; and this ground, I believe, is generally, in 
 
 point of honour, allowed to be neutral. 
 teum 
 
 lo t gq< 
 
 We now laid ourselves down to repose : our arms 
 iodic 
 piled, and every man wrapped up in his blanket, close 
 
 to the butt-end of his firelock ; the enemy immediately 
 
 in our front, and our piquets within half pistol-shot. 
 
 In this state we remained waiting the morning's light, 
 
 to witness the eiforts attending another struggle for the 
 
 Peninsula. 
 
 : 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 197 
 
 Before the day dawned, we were awakened by the 
 fire of musketry close upon us, with an alarm that 
 the enemy had surprised us in our camp : we started 
 up; and, half asleep, " Fall in, fall in ! stand to your 
 arms ! quick, quick !" was the word, and instantly we 
 were wheeled into line. The piquets only were en- 
 gaged ; but they were so near that their balls came 
 whistling among us. Ours were directly called in, 
 and the dazzling rays of this day's sun, peeping over 
 the tops of the hills, displayed to our view the un- 
 furled banners and glittering arms of the Gallic lines, 
 which were drawn up in order of battle, waiting the 
 attack. This day was ordained to crown the British 
 arms with increased laurels, and to decide the fate of 
 Spain. The enemy had intended this day to relieve 
 the garrison of Pampeluna ; and, had they succeeded 
 in this attempt, this portion of the British army could 
 never have witnessed the glories of Waterloo ! They 
 never could have fought at that battle — they must 
 have shared the fate of Sir John Moore's troops, or 
 again retired to the lines of Lisbon, or some other 
 line of demarcation, had it not been for the consum- 
 mate bravery of our soldiers on this glorious day. 
 
 The fight was already begun, and it was our turn 
 to come in contact with the formidable foe. Thev 
 were posted on a great height, and to that spot we 
 
198 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 hastened to dislodge them : here we saw the enemy 
 in such force that we were obliged to show a front of 
 six hundred men, when in reality we had not four ; but 
 we boldly advanced, till the shot fleW as thick as a 
 shower of hail about us, with a noise like the buzzing- 
 of bees. 
 
 This was severe fighting- ; as we were compelled to 
 drive the enemy from mountain to mountain at the 
 point of the bayonet, without the assistance of either 
 the dragoons or the artillery.* 
 
 In less than ten minutes one half of my company 
 were killed or wounded ; my brother subaltern and 
 the serjeant gone to support the colours, the ensign 
 being shot; my corporal was knocked down, and 
 myself severely wounded by a musket-ball: my men 
 were now, therefore, left without even a non-commis- 
 sioned officer to command them ; but the brave fellows 
 went on in line with the regiment, and in about five 
 minutes more I had the satisfaction of seeing them 
 carry the hill. 
 
 * I am informed by a Gentleman on the Staff, who was imme- 
 diately near His Grace at this moment, that the Duke, seeing the 
 corps advance so gallantly, asked what regiment it was ; and when 
 informed, replied, " Oh ! let them alone ; they will do their busi- 
 ness well, I am sure !" or words to this effect. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 109 
 
 I cannot help comparing this scene to a gunner 
 firing at a flock of sparrows ; one-half .of which, at 
 the moment, may be seen on the ground — some 
 kicking-, some chirping, some hopping away ; others 
 panting, sighing, and dying: and such was the case 
 with us. 
 
 After lying some time, I was taken to the rear and 
 dressed ; and horses or mules being sent for, as no 
 other conveyance can pass in these mountains, I soon 
 joined my Colonel and half-a-dozen other officers of 
 the regiment in the same predicament, who were wait- 
 ing a conveyance, and proceeded with them towards 
 Vittoria, the depot of the wounded. It was here that 
 I heard this brave man, who, as I before observed, was 
 placed under an arrest in winter-quarters by the Ge- 
 neral of the Division, and who was subsequently shot 
 in his stomach in the battle of Vittoria, then slightly 
 wounded at the pass at Maya, and now covered with 
 similar bleeding honours, after having his horse shot 
 under him in this great action, exclaim, "You see, 
 by Gad ! — you see we can fight as well as the 
 General and his Division : ^you see, though he did 
 turn us out of it — by Gad ! you see . . . ." or some 
 such words as these. 
 
 We now went at about four leagues a-day, which 
 
200 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 was excessively distressing, from the intense heat of 
 the sun, and the pain we travelled in ; for although 
 it was so cold and foggy in the high regions from 
 which we had just descended, we found it intensely 
 hot in the level country, it being in the month of 
 August. 
 
 While we were making the best of our way to this 
 place, our brave conquerors of the Pyrenees were in 
 their turn pursuing that enemy, who had so recently 
 and tauntingly displayed their trifling capture of 
 tents to our retiring columns, till they again chased 
 them out of the Spanish dominions — never more to 
 return. 
 
 Indeed, this part of the Peninsular war, I mean from 
 the first attack at Maya to the time of the British re- 
 taking that pass, and subsequently, I think, was cer- 
 tainly the most arduous and enterprising duty that 
 British troops ever performed : I do not by any means 
 except the last campaign in Flanders ; for that, with 
 the exception of the three days' conflict, I regard as 
 a mere party of pleasure in comparison with the affairs 
 of the Pyrenees and the disastrous retreats of the 
 Peninsula. The troops in Flanders were never without 
 the Commissariat at hand, plenty of all kinds of 
 necessaries, a general run of good weather, with the 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 201 
 
 exception of two or three days, and a fine country to 
 pass through, particularly as respected the roads ; they 
 were likewise under the most favourable circumstances 
 — that of following- up a victory, with no privations 
 or any great fatigue to suffer. But during this Pyre- 
 nean contest, there were few days elapsed in which we 
 had not a partial or general engagement, with every 
 privation and hardship ; and I should suppose our 
 losses were equal in proportion. 
 
 God forbid that I should be thought to mention that 
 glorious field of Waterloo with envy ! I am too well 
 aware of the laurels gained by the heroes who fought 
 there, to depreciate their merit in the least ; on the 
 contrary, I revere them : but to those officers who 
 have fought in Spain, and who have also shared in the 
 magnanimous victory of La Belle Alliance, I submit 
 my ideas with confidence. They will surely admit, 
 that the troops in the Peninsula behaved with as 
 much bravery as those who had fought at Water- 
 loo 5 and that the important services rendered their 
 nation by the troops in the Spanish conflict, was not 
 inferior. 
 
 Oh ! that I had had the good fortune to have been 
 at the renowned battle of Waterloo, instead of the 
 various actions, retreats, advances — advances and 
 
202 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 retreats again! how easily should I have gained a 
 medal, honour, and fame. 
 
 It may appear from these remarks, that I am de- 
 sirous of a reward of merit ; and I will candidly con- 
 fess that I should be proud of any thing- that would 
 add in the least degree to the honour of a soldier: 
 but in this case I am speaking in a general point 
 of view; for when I behold on the Continent the 
 Russian, the Prussian, the Frenchman, the Spaniard, 
 and soldiers of all nations, most of whom are de- 
 corated with these honourable badges, I certainly 
 cannot help sighing at the scarcity of these memorable 
 tokens of glory in a country that has made its thun- 
 dering cannons sound from Pole to Pole, and has 
 planted its numerous and victorious standards — em- 
 blems of its fame and greatness — from the Torrid to 
 the Frigid Zone. 
 
 It is not the intrinsic value of these baubles that 
 makes the soldier so covetous of them ; for were only 
 a part of the brass cannon that has been captured in 
 the different actions, melted down and converted to 
 this use, it would be as dear to the breast it hung on 
 as the purest gold : nor is it for the gaiety of the 
 variegated ribbon dangling at the button-hole that 
 the veteran desires it -: but for the heartfelt satis- 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 203 
 
 faction he would feel when retired to his peaceful 
 abode, where he could still keep the spark of martial 
 glory alight, by showing this badge of emulation and 
 distinction to his children, his family, and friends — a 
 badge which would entitle him to say, " Merit, like 
 this, my boys, has supported your King, your Consti- 
 tution, your laws, and your freedom ; gain but these, 
 and you will for ever secure them.' 1 
 
204 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 To kinder skies, where gentler manners reign, 
 I turn, and France displays her bright domain. 
 Gay, sprightly land of social mirth and ease, 
 Pleased with thyself, whom all the world can please ! 
 How often have I join'd thy sportive choir, 
 In dance and song beside the murm'ring Loire ; 
 Where the g*ay grandsire, skill'd in gestic lore, 
 Has frisked beneath the burden of threescore ! 
 
 Goldsmith. 
 
 I little thought, when leaving Vittoria, that I 
 should have so soon to retrace my steps to that town ! 
 During a journey of about thirty leagues, my wound 
 had been dressed but once, since the first day. 
 Fortunately for me, on entering this depot, I met an 
 old playfellow of mine, when a boy, whom I had not 
 seen for some years, and who had now obtained the 
 rank of Staff-surgeon. He looked at me very hard 
 for some time before he could recollect me, as I was 
 dusty, dirty, and bloody ; but as soon as he did, he 
 came to me, and asked how I happened to be in such 
 a sorry condition. I briefly acquainted him ; when he 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 205 
 
 desired me to come with him to his hospital, and I 
 gladly accepted his invitation. They took me from 
 my horse, and examined the wound, which was found 
 much in want of dressing — an operation that my old 
 friend performed very tenderly, and then sent me to 
 his billet to procure some refreshment, until I could 
 get one prepared, which was soon done. Being re- 
 moved to it, I was there confined to my bed some 
 weeks, and went many weeks after on crutches. Here 
 I cannot refrain from again observing the great atten- 
 tion shown by the people of the house, who brought 
 me fruit, coffee, and cakes, and showed me every 
 civility : I lived in this abode some time, forgetting all 
 my troubles, and even enjoying some pleasure, for, 
 my wound healing fast, I began to walk to the billiard- 
 room, the Prada, and the Plaza, to see the bull- 
 fights, and other places of amusement; and on finding 
 myself sufficiently well to join my regiment, I ob- 
 tained leave of the Commandant, and left this 
 sprightly town for that purpose. 
 
 It is useless to enter into the particulars of a march 
 of this kind, as there is nothing strange or new in 
 coming up from the rear. I met at the respective 
 stations with a depot, where I was supplied with 
 rations; and pursuing my way, I came to St. Sebas- 
 
206 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 tian's, the ruins of which, caused by its great siege, 
 very much astonished me, as I had never before 
 witnessed the destructive effects of such a species 
 of warfare. — It had been rendered little else than 
 one continued heap of rubbish, and its wreck con- 
 ferred the greatest honour on the brave fellows 
 engaged there. 
 
 Leaving- this skeleton of a town, I soon arrived at 
 Fontarabia, a frontier town of Spain, and remained 
 there a few days to rest my cattle after so long a 
 march. I afterwards entered the French territories 
 by crossing the Bidassoa, our troops having previously 
 descended into this open and agreeable country. 
 Here I found them cantoned in the most wretched 
 out-houses and cabins; but, miserable as were the 
 quarters, yet they were comfortable in comparison 
 with being on the mountains. The enemy were in the 
 immediate neighbourhood, consequently we were 
 kept in continual hot water, from the alarms that 
 every moment occurred ; and at all hours of the night 
 were obliged to get under arms, and stand there in 
 this cold season, waiting the light of day to be dis- 
 missed, that we might go to our habitations, which 
 indeed were very extraordinary ones: they were 
 situated in the country of Basquensa, in the province 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 207 
 
 of Gascony, on the frontiers of France. I must here 
 offer a few remarks on the peculiarities of the 
 inhabitants. 
 
 They dress in a singular style, with a very flat 
 cap on their heads ; they have in general a short pipe 
 in their mouths; they wear a sort of leathern jacket, 
 and usually go without shoes or stockings, but have 
 wooden shoes to wear occasionally; they commonly 
 make use of stilts, with steps on them, that they may 
 rise according to the depth of the mire they are 
 obliged to pass through, for this country is more miry 
 than any other I have been in. They looked very 
 gigantic on these extraordinary helpers out of the 
 mud, which appeared to me more likely to stick them 
 faster in it; but I should imagine there is a gravelly or 
 stony bottom under the surface, which prevents their 
 sinking deep, and that the great quantity of mud is oc- 
 casioned by the dust blown from the high ground in the 
 summer season. Upon these machines they are most 
 dexterous ; and at the theatres I have seen the perform- 
 ers,-^ way of interlude, dance a country dance on them, 
 and keep good time with the music. Their physiog- 
 nomy is also very singular ; they have extremely long 
 features, with an exceeding thin visage; but they 
 are a manly and athletic race, and some of their 
 females are very pretty and agreeable. I used to sit 
 
208 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 round their family fire-sides, to pass the long winter 
 nights, and endeavour to learn their language; and 
 I amused myself, when off duty, (which by the way 
 was very seldom), having no books, by assisting 
 my landlady's daughters in their chief occupation — 
 that of making turpentine rushlights. This process 
 was very simple — merely boiling the material, taking 
 care not to let it run over, or the house would be 
 in flames. The task allotted me was to keep it 
 stirring whilst the more expert young ladies dipt 
 in the wicks. After hanging them round the room 
 to cool, these articles are packed up, and sold 
 the next morning at market, at about a penny a 
 dozen. — Their language is also peculiar to them- 
 selves, and very difficult to attain, as it has not the 
 least affinity to either French or Spanish, although 
 the people are situated between those two nations, 
 but is a dialect in itself, called Basque. The few 
 words that I could collect were very odd in their 
 sound: as, housquake, a bellows; scaragasca, shake 
 hands ; sketch-a-polita, a pretty girl ; Debrainchin, the 
 Devil take you, &c. The names of the ladies were 
 equally droll and romantic ; but I cannot now recol- 
 lect them. Their customs and manners were as outre 
 as their dress and language, and would take a history 
 itself to describe : they were, however, a very good- 
 natured, obliging kind of folk ; but at first much pre- 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 209 
 
 judiced against the English ; being told by the French, 
 when retreating through their country, by way of 
 making them regard us with abhorrence, that we were 
 cannibals, and would take great pleasure in devouring 
 their children ; that our very coats were stained with 
 the blood of our enemies, and that we lived entirely 
 on plunder, rapine, and destruction. They of course 
 looked upon us with a jealous eye; but after being 
 accustomed to us, they became quite at ease on this 
 head, finding us as rational as themselves ; and, from 
 the good conduct and quiet behaviour of the men, 
 we dwelt together in the greatest harmony. These 
 people live in a very frugal manner; commonly by 
 toasting a bit of fat pork, which they let drop on 
 a piece of bread, then bite it off, and let more drop, 
 till all is consumed. Sometimes for dinner they 
 have cabbage, oil, and garlic, boiled together ; and 
 by sopping some bread in this mixture, they appear to 
 make an agreeable meal, of which I have frequently 
 been happy to partake, when on different duties in this 
 country. 
 
 The enemy, who now came on in earnest, compelled 
 us to leave our snug abode, and take again to the 
 field, even in this inclement season of the year. It 
 was now the depth of winter, and they again com- 
 menced their old business of attacking us, so that we 
 
 p 
 
210 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 were obliged to march out to meet them ; but they did 
 not come to an engagement the first day, only 
 arranging their forces for that purpose. 
 
 In the night, I was on piquet on the banks of 
 the Nieve: a strong French one was posted on the 
 other side, with a breastwork thrown up to protect 
 them, my advanced sentry being within twenty yards 
 of them, posted in a meadow without any covering. 
 About break of day, my attention was attracted by a 
 great noise from the French piquet : on going to learn 
 the cause of it, I found them hallooing, and making 
 signs to my sentry to fall back, at the same time 
 presenting their pieces at him, and threatening to 
 shoot him. On observing these proceedings I ad- 
 vanced, and demanded of the French officer what 
 were his wishes'? He informed me that my sentry 
 was too far in the advance : this caused me to con- 
 sider what was to be done, as I dared not take him 
 from his post without orders ; but on looking about me 
 1 perceived, from the beaten path he had made on his 
 daily walk, that the serjeant had not withdrawn him 
 the usual number of paces at day-break : I rectified this 
 omission, and wished the officer of the French piquet 
 good morning, who politely returned the compliment. 
 The reason of all this particularity I afterwards found 
 out, seeing them retreat in about two hours' time. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 211 
 
 We went to take possession of their ground, and 
 hailed the ferry-man for that purpose, but found they 
 had scuttled the boat; which accounted for their 
 insisting on the sentry's retiring farther from the river, 
 in order that he might not observe their motions: 
 however, I was glad this affair terminated so well, as, 
 had they commenced firing, my piquet must have 
 stood but a poor chance in so exposed a situation, 
 while the enemy were so very secure. But I could 
 not help admiring the coolness of my sentry, for, 
 although they threatened, and presented their muskets 
 at him, still he walked backwards and forwards on his 
 post, with as much unconcern as if nothing had been 
 the matter. 
 
 Here let me most strongly recommend to all young 
 officers to make themselves acquainted with foreign 
 languages, particularly with the French ; for in our 
 profession there is no knowing of what essential ser- 
 vice that knowledge may be. 
 
 The piquets being now called in, I marched two 
 French soldiers prisoners to my regiment, who had 
 deserted from the opposite piquet and delivered them- 
 selves up to me. After doing this, a general engage- 
 ment took place, and a very sharply contested one it 
 was. 
 
 p 2 
 
212 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 It was the battle of Nivelle, in which my brigade 
 bore no very active part, being in the reserve. We 
 were ordered to deploy on our right, in order to coun- 
 teract a movement of the French troops, which 
 threatened this point: this manoeuvre was quickly 
 performed, and the enemy seeing their designs fru- 
 strated, did not come on to the attack ; but, as the 
 evening was now wearing to a close, they drew off 
 their forces, leaving us, as usual, masters of the 
 field. After being on the alert the whole night and 
 day, we piled our arms, and lighted fires on the 
 ground where we stood ; this was most dreadful cam- 
 paigning — lying out in the open fields in this cold 
 and wintry weather, without any covering but our 
 blankets or cloaks. In this bleak situation we re- 
 mained, wishing most heartily for morning, preferring 
 a contest with the enemy to perishing in the cold and 
 damp of the night. Day-light at length came, and we 
 waited the whole of the day, expecting the French 
 every moment to attack us again ; but they thought 
 better of it, so we lighted our fires, and set ourselves 
 to work, broiling our rations on the wood-ashes, 
 having no baggage or cooking utensils with us. At 
 night we again cringed together round the fires : some 
 fell asleep, some were telling stories to drown care, 
 but most were grumbling and swearing, till a thick 
 and drenching misty rain coming on, pretty well 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 213 
 
 quieted us, and made us huddle more closely together, 
 waiting- in silent and sullen expectation the approach 
 of light; for my part, being never of a very strong 
 constitution, and having at this time a severe dysen- 
 tery, which weakened me much, I fell fast asleep, with 
 my feet close to the fire for warmth. I was awakened 
 by the heat, and to my sorrow, on examination, I 
 found I had scorched the soles of my shoes in such a 
 manner that one of them literally fell from its upper 
 leather. In this situation we stood to our arms ; but 
 it would have required the pencil of Hogarth to paint 
 the figure I here cut ; with a wearing disease on me, 
 on arduous and fatiguing duty, exposed for some days 
 to the inclemency of the most rigorous weather, at 
 this dreary season of the year, rising from my com- 
 fortless bed, and falling shivering into the ranks, with 
 my cap, which had served me both for pillow and 
 nightcap, crushed into different forms, my beard 
 somewhat grown, my eyes sunk in, my cheeks quite 
 hollow, my frame diseased and filthy, my countenance 
 woeful, my 'shoes without a sole, my sword, from 
 having been drawn all day and sheathed in a wet 
 scabbard at night, covered with rust, my belt of a 
 deep brown, my epaulette very blue, my shirt very 
 black, and my coat any colour but red, and in the 
 most wet and miry condition : had I been transported 
 from this unhappy spot by some magic hand, and 
 
214 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 placed on the centre arcli of London Bridge, I should 
 have filled more hearts with pity and compassion than 
 any mendicant of this great metropolis. It was now 
 that the fine uniform I mounted in Lewes Barracks 
 made the appearance I before hinted it would ere long- 
 be subject to. 
 
 The enemy, however, still forbore to attack us ; in- 
 deed, such was the bad state of the weather, that they^ 
 like us, were unable to keep the field, and we received 
 orders to move off to our respective cantonments, — 
 most joyful news for us! We arrived late in the 
 evening- at our quarters, where we soon made ourselves 
 comfortable by a good fire, this country abounding in 
 fuel ; and after taking some refreshment, I soon got 
 into a comfortable bed, and drowned all my miseries 
 in sleep. 
 
 We had now a little respite, owing to the badness 
 of the weather, attending only to the common routine 
 of duty, as guards, piquets, foraging, &c. In this 
 suspense we remained for a short time, but on Christ- 
 mas day, just as we were about to make ourselves as 
 jovial as circumstances would permit, and drink a good 
 health to all our good friends in Old England, the 
 drum beat to arms. We immediately fell in, and left 
 our roast beef and plum-pudding (for we had exerted 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 215 
 
 ourselves much on this occasion to procure so grand a 
 dinner), and again marched to bivouac in the open 
 fields, which we kept for several days, observing the 
 motions of the enemy, which wore a threatening 
 aspect. 
 
 On one of these mornings, as my comrade and 
 I were reclining on the side of a rocky mountain, 
 the sun just breaking through the frosty horizon, and 
 the enemy appearing, moving in the glittering attire 
 of martial array, I jocosely observed to him, " See 
 what a glorious life we warriors lead, what honour and 
 renown we acquire ! surely from this experience we 
 shall become second Hannibals !" " D — n your honours 
 and your Hannibals!" said he ; "give me a good leg 
 of mutton and a snug little cot, and I would gladly 
 resign to you warriors this honour, fame, and glory, 
 with every kind of success attending it." This poor 
 fellow lost his life afterwards by shipwreck, going 
 with his regiment to his native country, Ireland, after 
 surmounting all the difficulties of several campaigns. 
 
 We were now ordered to change our position, and 
 remain a few days longer in the field, going through 
 much the same kind of unpleasant duty as formerly ; 
 the particulars of which, I am afraid, I have been 
 already too tedious in detailing. 
 
216 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 During the remainder of the time we continued out, 
 we had the advantage of fine weather, the nights 
 being clear and moon-light, though very cold; and 
 we enjoyed a regular supply of provisions, the sea- 
 ports on the coast being open to our shipping. 
 
 The bad weather soon began to set in, which drove 
 us again into our cantonments, where my complaint 
 increasing, and my wound breaking out afresh, . I was 
 confined to my quarters. At this time an order 
 came to advance; but not being well enough to 
 proceed immediately with the regiment, I remained 
 in the house of my French host. I was now in an 
 enemy's country; yet for the politeness, care, and ten- 
 derness of these people, I must ever feel the sincerest 
 gratitude. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 217 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The hardy veteran, mark'd with many a scar, 
 Leans on his sword to take a farewell view, 
 And sighing, bids the glorious camp, adieu ! 
 
 Tickell. 
 
 My regiment having departed, I was obliged to 
 go to a depot for medical assistance, where I remained 
 for some weeks. At length I began to gain strength ; 
 and on looking one day at the Gazette, I had the satis- 
 faction of seeing myself promoted to a company, soon 
 after which I proceeded to join my regiment. I 
 passed over the floating bridge of ships across the 
 Adour, and halted for the night in the immediate 
 neighbourhood of Bayonne* when, about three in the 
 morning, I was awakened by a tremendous fire of 
 small arms, with a heavy gun at intervals : I directly 
 got up ; and going to the spot, had a fine view of the 
 famous sortie made from that fortress ; but being an 
 individual, I could not take an active part — nor was 
 there any occasion, for I soon had the gratification of 
 
218 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 seeing- our brave troops drive in the enemy to their 
 strong garrison; though they suffered here a great 
 loss, and their Commandant, General Sir John Hope, 
 was taken prisoner — in consequence of his horse 
 havihg been shot under him, and its rider being so 
 entangled in its fall that he could not escape. 
 
 The success of our forces seemed to reanimate my 
 spirits, and I continued my route daily through the 
 forests of pine-trees, so numerous in this part of the 
 country. I observed the process by which they 
 obtained the turpentine from them, of which they 
 make most of their candles in the neighbouring towns. 
 It is sufficiently simple : it consists in merely digging 
 a small hole at the foot of the tree, and then 
 cutting streaks in the bark, by which the turpentine 
 is conducted to it, and thus they take it out with little 
 more trouble. 
 
 In a few days I arrived at Dax, a fine town, famous 
 for a great phenomenon, which I cannot pass without 
 noticing — I mean a pond of very considerable size, as 
 clear as crystal, and perpetually on the boil : I could 
 plainly see to the bottom, though it was in a state of 
 constant fermentation, and had in every respect the 
 appearance of a copper of boiling water, bubbling up 
 and steaming in the same manner. Though I saw every 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 219 
 
 symptom of this large sheet of water being* very hot, 
 I could not believe it without sensible demonstration : 
 I therefore put my finger into it ; but was instantly 
 forced to draw it out again — it being as much scalded 
 as if I had put it into an utensil of the same liquid 
 boiling on the fire. 
 
 I was informed that the inhabitants on the spot 
 make use of it on all requisite occasions : it certainly 
 is very convenient, and saves them the expense of fuel, 
 as they can make their chocolate with it, or boil an 
 egg in three minutes. 
 
 On leaving this town, every day brought me into 
 a more beautiful country. I now met thousands of the 
 army lately under the command of the ci-devant Em- 
 peror, the greater part of whom had laid down their 
 arms since his defeat by the Northern Allies, and were 
 dispersing to their different homes. They were com- 
 posed of the most singular medley of nations ; French, 
 Corsicans, Portuguese, Italians, Spaniards, &c. who 
 had been forced into his service. Some of these were 
 desperate looking characters, and had committed all 
 kinds of robberies and depredations on the road ; this 
 part of the kingdom being at that time infested with 
 brigands, which made it very unpleasant and dangerous 
 to travellers. These hordes of ragamuffins were con- 
 
220 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 stantly passing me, but I was never molested by them : 
 I suppose my cloth again protected me, and that they 
 thought every one of the profession as poor as them- 
 selves. I jogged on very leisurely through this 
 charming country — an armistice having taken place 
 between the contending forces. As I proceeded, I 
 was overtaken by a French nobleman and his servant ; 
 the former bore on his breast a* Cross of St. Louis, 
 which he afterwards informed me he had not worn 
 externally for the last twenty years, although he had 
 constantly carried it next his heart. On coming up to 
 him, he politely accosted me, and asked the particulars 
 of the late sortie at Bayonne : I made him understand 
 what I knew of the affair but indifferently ; for, 
 although I could comprehend the language tolerably 
 well, yet for want of practice I could not speak it 
 fluently; but he very kindly assisted me, instead of 
 laughing at the attempt of a foreigner to make himself 
 understood, as I have so frequently seen done in my 
 own country. He afterwards requested that I would 
 do him the honour of dining with him, and halting at 
 the same inn for the night. My route did not specify 
 my stopping at this town ; but I gladly accepted his 
 kind invitation, and a most excellent dinner we had, 
 with the choicest wines. I shall not mention the dif- 
 ferent delicacies that were served up ; but among them 
 was a dish somewhat resembling stewed larks, and 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 221 
 
 after my dinner was nearly finished, the Chevalier, 
 taking" up the dish, said, " Monsieur, voulez-vous 
 prendre un petit morceau de fricassee de grenouilles ? " 
 I recollected immediately the name of frog", and out of 
 pure curiosity took some, which I found very palat- 
 able ; but, from the natural antipathy an Englishman 
 has to these animals, I did not neglect to wash them 
 down with a bumper of good wine, the more effec- 
 tually to do away with any disagreeable sensation. 
 
 We met with excellent accommodation at this inn, 
 and the next day, after breakfast, our servants having, 
 brought our horses to the door, we travelled on 
 together very pleasantly. It being now the spring of 
 the year, the hawthorn had begun to blossom, the vine- 
 yards were already decked in their greenest attire, as 
 well as the campaign fields and flowery meadows ; 
 the little choristers warbled incessantly wherever we 
 passed, and all nature appeared in her gayest colours. 
 The robust peasants, with the comely, healthy, country 
 lasses, were toiling in the fields and tending their 
 flocks. These pleasing objects formed a picture that 
 even our very horses seemed to enjoy. We heard, 
 too, that sweet little messenger of spring, the night- 
 ingale, which my fellow-traveller remarking, ex- 
 claimed, " he voild, Monsieur le Capitaine, entendez- 
 vous le musicien du bois?" In this agreeable manner 
 
222 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER, 
 
 we went on, conversing- on different .topics; and he 
 informed me that he was going to Bourdeaux to visit 
 his daughter, who was married to a gentleman of that 
 city. He said, that if I would do him the pleasure of 
 accompanying him thither on a visit, every attention 
 should be shown me: this kind offer, I told him, my 
 duty prevented my accepting, as I was on my way to 
 join my regiment, which was stationed at Langon, 
 about three days' journey, through which place he 
 must pass, as it was on the high road. He asked me 
 what regiment it was ; I informed him it was se le 
 Regiment de Volontaires du Prince de Galles" — i( Ah! 
 ma foisT said he, "ilfaut que je voie ce brave regi- 
 ment." I replied that I should have great pride in 
 showing them to him ; and on my arrival, after break- 
 fast, as they were on parade, I accompanied him 
 thither. Not having seen an English regiment before, 
 he appeared very much pleased with their appearance, 
 particularly with the band, which was always in great 
 repute ; and he was very familiar with the officers, to 
 whom I introduced him. He observed, that in point of 
 our numbers he was much disappointed : I informed 
 him, that when we first landed we were upwards of a 
 thousand strong, but that his countrymen and the for- 
 tune of war had reduced us to the number he then saw. 
 He shook his head and exclaimed, u Mon Dieqi ! telle 
 est la fortune de la guerre / " On our return he very 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 223 
 
 affectionately took leave of me, and requested that if 
 I ever came to Bourdeaux, I would consider his son's 
 house my home. So saying, he bade me a friendly 
 adieu. 
 
 Some time after this we received orders to proceed 
 to that city, where we went into quarters. I very 
 much regretted not being able to wait on my agree- 
 able travelling-companion, having lost his address. 
 Indeed, I suppose he had returned into the country, as 
 I never met him after. 
 
 We remained some time in this gay town, which 
 was indeed a different scene to what we had been 
 accustomed to. Here were amusements of every kind 
 to be met with ; elegant theatres, operas, assemblies, 
 fine public walks, and parks adorned with beautiful 
 females of exquisite symmetry, promenading with the 
 most graceful deportment. To an agreeable and fas- 
 cinating air, they joined great vivacity, piercing, spark- 
 ling eyes, and much animation of countenance ; in 
 fact, most of them are charming, pretty women. 
 
 From the length of time I had now been on active 
 service, my health was much impaired; and it was 
 thought necessary by the Physician of the Forces that 
 I should go to England ; particularly as I no longer 
 
224 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 belonged to this battalion, my promotion transferring 
 me to another. I therefore waited a passage for that 
 purpose ; and being now convalescent, began to enjoy 
 the fine walks about this delightful town. My appetite 
 also improved, and was easily gratified by the choice 
 collection of every thing rare, which this abundant 
 place produced. A wonderful change was also per- 
 ceptible in the countenances of the men, who had so 
 lately had the appearance of famine, dejection, and 
 fatigue, from their late sufferings. Their countenances 
 were now beaming with health and content, for this 
 was a most excellent quarter ; the finest fat beef, fed 
 on the luxuriant pastures of the fertile meadows which 
 border the lively Garonne, was here to be had for 
 about twopence per pound; bread, wine, fruit, and 
 every article of life, in proportion, except tea and 
 sugar, which were imported in a great measure from 
 England. Our troops living on this kind of fare, 
 regained their natural ruddy, robust, and soldier-like 
 appearance. The sick and wounded recovering, 
 and fresh detachments now arriving, increased our 
 regiment so much, that it again became one of the 
 strongest in this country ; it was consequently one of 
 the first ordered to embark for America — an unlucky 
 order, for it deprived us of sharing in the honour of the 
 battle of Waterloo ; but I think we may boast of this 
 consolation, that our generous country gives equal 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 225 
 
 praise to her troops, wherever they gallantly dis- 
 tinguish themselves. 
 
 For this service we were allowed a considerable 
 time to prepare; which interval we passed very 
 pleasantly, living in the most sumptuous style. For 
 about half-a-guinea a-day we got, at the first inns in 
 the town, a sumptuous dinner, with champagne, claret, 
 and all kinds of rich wines, as well as an excellent 
 dessert ; after which we generally went to the play, 
 the opera, a ball, or to some private party; for the 
 gentry of the town took great pleasure in paying the 
 most marked respect to the English officers, and 
 showed them all imaginable civility. The ladies, in 
 particular, were exceedingly attentive and affable; so 
 much so, that they made a strong impression upon the 
 hearts of our young sparks, and one of our officers 
 was fortunate enough to make a lovely damsel in this 
 neighbourhood the partner of his life. There are 
 moments of happiness, to cheer even the heart of the 
 wandering soldier ! but so capricious is Fortune to the 
 sons of war, that this dashing gallant indulged but a 
 very short time in the charms of his amiable spouse ; 
 he was ordered to embark two days after, and his 
 disconsolate bride was obliged to wait with impatient 
 anxiety the return of the object of her affections from 
 an American campaign. 
 
 Q 
 
226 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 So very engaging and agreeable are the charming 
 young ladies of this town, that I may with truth 
 assert, nearly the whole of the officers had in a great 
 measure lost their hearts: even in the married ones, it 
 required the greatest constancy and resolution to 
 retain their attachment for their affectionate wives at 
 home ; and so deeply were many of the batchelors in 
 love, that, had not a sudden order snatched them from 
 this paradise of fascinating female society, many 
 more would, I have no doubt, soon have sacrificed at 
 the nuptial shrine ; but love, however powerful, must 
 yield, though reluctantly, to the imperative call of 
 war! 
 
 In this routine of pleasure, time flew quickly away. 
 The regiment embarked for its destination in the 
 New World, and I proceeded to Old England to join 
 another battalion : but it was with the greatest regret 
 I left this fine corps, in which I had seen so many 
 arduous but glorious days. 
 
 tfl bfl 
 
 After remaining at anchor in the roads some days, 
 
 we set sail for our different destinations. We were 
 favoured with a fair breeze, and my heart was full of 
 joy at the prospect of again seeing my country and 
 friends, after so long an absence, attended with such 
 constant hardships, difficulties, and anxiety of mind. 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 227 
 
 But though these agreeable sensations occupied my 
 mind almost entirely, I felt some regret at leaving a 
 country with which I had now become familiar, and 
 where I had experienced content and happiness, from 
 the kindness and friendship I had met with in it, 
 which even counterbalance the discomfitures I had 
 suffered. 
 
 We had just come into soundings, when the fine 
 wind changed into a gale directly against us, so that 
 we could not lay our course ; and it ultimately drove 
 us into the Bay, by me so. much dreaded, from the 
 furious storm with which I had to contend there on 
 my first going out. I was apprehensive of a repetition 
 on my return ; which, indeed, proved to be the case : 
 but I shall not trespass on the patience of the reader, 
 by again entering into particulars similar to those 
 stated in the early part of this Narrative. We 
 sustained all the violence and fury of the hurricane 
 with patience ; for experience, among other desirable 
 acquisitions, teaches us this great one. The wind at 
 last favoured us, and we bore away for the Channel, 
 made land the day after, and the next day disembarked 
 at Plymouth. I was not yet recovered from the effects 
 of the late storm; but being determined to make 
 myself as comfortable as possible, I put up at the 
 principal hotel: I immediately called for the landlord, 
 
 Q 2 
 
228 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 to know what was the best fare the larder afforded for 
 supper : he answered any thing- I might please to 
 order. I at once recognised in his reply English 
 accommodation, which is certainly the best in the 
 world, although the best price must be paid for it, as 
 I found out in the morning, before taking my 
 departure from the town. 
 
 On arriving at Bath, I found the action of the ship 
 not yet out of my head : the confusion of my brain 
 was such, that, although sitting still, I fancied myself 
 in perpetual motion. I therefore found it necessary 
 to remain all night : and, to drown ennui and make 
 myself at ease, to order something reviving. ^ 
 called the waiter, and desired him to get me as 
 quickly as possible for dinner some veal-cutlets, ham, 
 and green peas. At the mention of the last article, 
 he looked at me very hard: "Sir!" said he. "Get 
 me some veal-cutlets and green peas," said I. "I can 
 procure you some green peas, Sir ; but they are half- 
 a-guinea a quart!" This answer made me stare in 
 my. turn. "Why!" replied I, "I have had them in 
 plenty at Bourdeaux for the last fortnight." " That 
 may be, Sir, but they are not to be had here in such 
 plenty at present." " Then," answered 1, "you must 
 entertain me in the best manner you can ; I will leave 
 things entirely to you and the chamber-maid." A 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 229 
 
 very good accommodation I had: yet I could not but 
 reflect on the very great difference a few leagues made 
 in climate ; — Bath not having the same vegetables tit 
 for the table for at least three weeks after they 
 had been plentiful in Bourdeaux; and one quart of 
 green peas, at the former place, costing as much as 
 the Champagne wine, dinner, dessert, and all the luxu- 
 ries of the table put together, had done at the latter. 
 In point of economy, the South of France is certainly 
 a most desirable residence. 
 
 BBW 
 
 The next day I set off for London, where I arrived 
 in a very reduced state of health. I remained some 
 time in the capital, as I was obliged to undergo a 
 complete refit, in order to join the 2d Battalion.^itef 
 campaigning uniform was so completely tattered, that 
 I was compelled to throw it out of the window at 
 Bourdeaux, and dress myself in plain clothes for tra- 
 velling in, which I procured in that town, made in 
 the most stylish and fashionable manner. As it was 
 then almost a novelty to appear in London with a 
 French dress, the tailors and shoemakers solicited the 
 inspection of my apparel as a most finished cut ; in- 
 deed, the boots made at Bourdeaux are certainly the 
 neatest I ever saw, not excepting those made in Bond- 
 Street. Every kind of trinket may also be procured 
 there very cheap, such as watches, rings, brooches, &c. 
 
230 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 They appear at first sight very beautiful, and of 
 exquisite workmanship ; but on wearing- them a short 
 time, they are found to be so flimsily put together, 
 that it is far better to purchase substantial articles of 
 this kind in England, which, though at a higher 
 price, will in the end be found the cheapest, to say 
 nothing of running no risk of losing them by the 
 officers of the Revenue. 
 
 Having completed my re-equipment, I proceeded to 
 join my regiment, which was stationed at Alderney. 
 This diminutive island is only seven miles in circum- 
 ference; but little places and little persons I have 
 commonly found the most agreeable, and so it was 
 here. The quarters were exceedingly pleasant and 
 comfortable, and we received every attention both 
 from the civil and military Governors. Here we were 
 stationed some time looking at the enemy's coast, 
 which had again become hostile, owing to the 
 Corsican's escape from Elba. This was the means of 
 keeping us much on the alert here ; the Commandant 
 of this small fortress being aware of the local import- 
 ance of this little island. It was formerly famous 
 for the retreat it afforded to smugglers ; at present 
 it is principally celebrated for its very fine breed of 
 pretty little dairy cows, which are here so productive 
 that they are milked three times a-day, and afford 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 231 
 
 perhaps the most delicious butter in the world. 
 Every precaution was taken to defend it in case of an 
 attack, and the most judicious arrangements were made, 
 which kept our little garrison in the greatest order and 
 most active state of discipline : in this respect, indeed, 
 it might rank in miniature with the great fortress of 
 Gibraltar. 
 
 This island, although so small, possesses very great 
 advantages : its situation is healthy, its scenery beau- 
 tiful, and its appearance romantic. Great taste has 
 been displayed in the improvements made by its Go- 
 vernor, Colonel Le Mesurier ; and in the spring of the 
 year I hardly know a more enchanting spot ; the ve- 
 getation is nearly equal, in point of quickness and lux- 
 uriousness, to that of the neighbouring shore, which is 
 easily seen from what is here called the Bley — a large 
 piece of ground, of about five hundred acres, divided 
 into an immense number of parcels, occupied by the 
 different inhabitants, and sown with various kinds of 
 vegetables. Thus this spot has almost the appearance 
 of a quilt made of patch-work, so variegated is the 
 face of its beautiful inciosure. In harvest it retains 
 the same form, but with different colours : from various 
 shades of green, they are now transformed into the 
 most beautiful bright colours of yellow and green in- 
 termixed. From this place there is a delightful view 
 
232 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 of the French coast opposite ; and the inhabitants may 
 clearly be seen, by the help of a tolerable glass, tending* 
 their flocks. This prospect renders the fields here 
 very pleasing- walks, but not very shady, there being 
 but very few trees on the island. 
 
 On this large and well-cultivated piece of ground 
 the worthy Governor, at the conclusion of the harvest, 
 gives annually a most sumptuous entertainment to the 
 inhabitants and the military, which is extremely in- 
 viting. The society you meet with is agreeable ; a 
 full band of music attends, and the beauty of the sur- 
 rounding scenery is enhanced by the natural spright- 
 liness of the peasant lads and lasses who resort to this 
 rendezvous of mirth and jollity, which not a little re- 
 sembles a country fair. 
 . 
 
 With respect to the amiable qualities of the females 
 belonging to the higher classes in this pleasant island, 
 there is reason to say every thing complimentary. 
 — Alderney may justly be compared to the Island 
 of Calypso ; and the attractions of these fair damsels 
 is even more potent than hers ; for should any gallant 
 get entangled in the snares of love here, it is almost 
 impossible for him to extricate himself. This no less 
 than five of my brother-officers who were quartered in 
 this fascinating place can testify, having each married 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 233 
 
 one of the fair residents : and which indeed is not to 
 be wondered at ; for where young gentlemen 
 experience attention, respect, and friendship, it is 
 very natural that they should, in return, be induced 
 to share their heart, love, and fortune, with such 
 engaging and endearing objects ; and were this 
 condescension a little more practised in England, I 
 am of opinion that the female part of society would 
 be materially benefited. 
 
 When I remark that it is impossible for a gentle- 
 man to extricate himself if he fall in love in this 
 island, I do not mean to infer that he is entangled 
 like a bird in a net; but should he quit the island 
 without marrying the object of his attachment, he is 
 obliged to return and complete his courtship by mar- 
 riage. This is owing to a strange practice prevalent 
 in these islands, which is called flouncing ; and when 
 this, which is nothing more than keeping each other 
 company, takes place, it is held as sacred as a mar- 
 riage-contract : thus, if once a gentleman is flounced, 
 or engaged to a lady, she never by any chance 
 thinks of another object of affection, but implicitly 
 relies on her gallant's honour, which is rarely, if ever, 
 forfeited. 
 
 !fifft 
 
 Although this colony is very small, yet, besides the 
 
234 THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 
 
 land cultivated on the Bley, it has an extensive com- 
 monage, on which a great many of their young cows 
 are reared. Upon the whole, this pretty little island is 
 a very desirable quarter, and in every respect cal- 
 culated for a pleasant summer residence. I consider 
 it one of the most unique retirements in the British 
 dominions. 
 
 Time, stealing quickly on, removed us from this 
 spot ; for it is commonly the case, in our restless pro- 
 fession, too soon to quit the place in which we are 
 most desirous to remain. The route came, and we 
 embarked by detachments in a small vessel for 
 Guernsey, where transports soon arrived and conveyed 
 us to Portsmouth, at which place we disembarked and 
 went into barracks. We remained in "them but a few 
 days, when we marched for Winchester, which town 
 I anticipated great pleasure in seeing, from having 
 heard that it was the place of my nativity ; but I did 
 not observe any thing peculiarly attractive or extra- 
 ordinary in that ancient city, which we left a few 
 weeks afterwards, and proceeded to Fort Monkton — 
 our final destination. After remaining there some 
 weeks, the death-warrant of our regimental existence 
 was at last signed, and we were with very little pre- 
 amble released from our long and arduous duties. 
 Peace had been proclaimed with all the world, 
 
THE SUBALTERN OFFICER. 235 
 
 and there was no farther occasion for our ser- 
 vices. 
 
 Being- now my own master, and not subject 
 to orders, reprimands, or martial law, I found myself 
 as light as a bird that has had the door of its cage 
 thrown open and been set at liberty. Oh! happy 
 Liberty ; at thy shrine let me offer up my devotions 
 for all thy favours conferred upon me. I have no 
 longer different climes to contend with, nor hardships, 
 storms, or dangers, to encounter; and living in thy 
 happy land, at my own free will and pleasure, envying 
 no man's wealth, but perfectly satisfied with the liberal 
 allowance of Government for my trifling services, 
 there is nothing that would induce me to quit this free 
 State, but the honour of again serving my King and 
 my Country ! 
 
 bib I ivi 
 
 W9I B Jfoi THE END. 
 
 — Hv. 
 
 OflTO 
 
 Tattersall, Printer, 63, Upper Thames Street. 
 


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