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 The Pocket Atlas
of Human Anatomy
 The Pocket Atlas
of Human Anatomy
A Reference for Students of
Physical Therapy, Medicine,
Sports, and Bodywork

Chris Jarmey
Copyright © 2018 by Chris Jarmey. All rights reserved. No portion of
this book, except for brief review, may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—
without the written permission of the publisher. For information,
contact Lotus Publishing or North Atlantic Books.

First published in 2018 by

Lotus Publishing
Apple Tree Cottage, Inlands Road, Nutbourne, Chichester, PO18 8RJ
and
North Atlantic Books
Berkeley, California

All Drawings Amanda Williams

Text Design Medlar Publishing Solutions Pvt Ltd., India
Printed and Bound in India by Replika Press

The Pocket Atlas of Human Anatomy: A Reference for Students of Physical

Therapy, Medicine, Sports, and Bodywork is sponsored and published
by the Society for the Study of Native Arts and Sciences (dba North
Atlantic Books), an educational nonprofit based in Berkeley,
California, that collaborates with partners to develop cross-cultural
perspectives, nurture holistic views of art, science, the humanities,
and healing, and seed personal and global transformation by
publishing work on the relationship of body, spirit, and nature.

North Atlantic Books’ publications are available through most

bookstores. For further information, visit our website at
www.northatlanticbooks.com or call 800-733-3000.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978 1 905367 85 6 (Lotus Publishing)
ISBN 978 1 62317 252 7 (North Atlantic Books)

Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Names: Jarmey, Chris, author. | Society for the Study of Native
Arts and Sciences, sponsoring body.
Title: The pocket atlas of human anatomy / Chris Jarmey.
Description: Berkeley, California : North Atlantic Books, 2018.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017052631 (print) | LCCN 2017053235
(ebook) | ISBN 9781623172534 (ebook) | ISBN
9781623172527 (pbk.)
Subjects: | MESH: Anatomy | Atlases
Classification: LCC QM23 (ebook) | LCC QM23 (print) | NLM
QS 17 | DDC 611—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017052631
 Contents

Foreword
A Note About Peripheral Nerve Supply

1 Anatomical Terms
Positions
Regions
Planes
Movements

2 Tissues
Connective Tissue
Muscle Tissue

3 Bones
Bone Development and Growth
Cartilage
Functions of Bones
Types of Bone—According to Density
Types of Bone—According to Shape
Components of a Long Bone
 Bone Markings

4 The Axial Skeleton

The Skull, Comprising the Cranium and the Facial Bones
The Vertebral Column (Spine)
The Bony Thorax

5 The Appendicular Skeleton

The Pectoral Girdle
The Upper Limb
The Pelvic Girdle (Os Innominatum)
The Lower Limb
General Skeletal Interrelationships
Bony Landmarks Seen or Felt Near the Body Surface

6 Joints
Part One—Classification of Joints
Part Two—Features of Specific Joints
Joints of the Head and Vertebral Column
Joints of the Ribs and Sternum
Joints of the Shoulder Girdle and Upper Limb
Joints of the Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb

7 The Musculoskeletal System

Structure and Function of Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal Mechanics
References

8 Fascia and the Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians

Thomas Myers
 Practical Holism
The Single Muscle Theory
Whole Body Communicating Networks
The Connective Tissue System
Tensegrity
The Anatomy Trains

Appendix 1: Muscle Innervation Pathways

Appendix 2: Muscles Involved in Movement
Resources
Index
 Foreword

Between 1988, when Chris married my sister and 2008, the year of
his untimely death, I had the good fortune to benefit from Chris’
depth of knowledge on matters pertaining to the health of the
human body. As a physiotherapist and shiatsu practitioner, his
understanding of anatomy and physiology was extensive. In
addition, Chris’ skills as a teacher of shiatsu, yoga and meditation
were widely respected, in particular his ability to explain complex
concepts in simple, practical terms.
As a practicing GP I was delighted when Chris began to write books
that encompassed the wide scope of his expertise. The Concise Book of
the Moving Body, along with its companion The Concise Book of
Muscles, sits on the shelf in my GP surgery. It is especially helpful as
an aide-memoire when I need a quick revision of anatomy. The clear,
concise language and accompanying illustrations are easy to access
and take the reader straight to the point. On occasion, I have found it
useful in explaining symptoms to my patients, who are grateful for
explanations that help demystify their ill health.
I’m delighted that The Concise Book of the Moving Body has now been
repackaged and rebadged as The Pocket Atlas of Human Anatomy, and
I am confident that it will serve as an excellent text for all students of
anatomy and bodywork, whether in the field of medicine, sport or
rehabilitation. I have no hesitation in recommending Chris’ textbook
and will continue to appreciate the valuable contribution he has
made. My hope is that this book will enhance your understanding of
the human body and will become a trusted companion on your
journey of discovery.

Dr. David Simpson, 2018

 A Note About Peripheral Nerve
Supply

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) comprises all the neural structures
outside the brain and spinal cord, which constitute the central nervous
system (CNS). The PNS has two main components: the somatic nervous
system and the autonomic nervous system; the latter deals with
involuntary control of smooth muscle and glands. As this book is
concerned with skeletal muscles, it is only the somatic nervous
system that is of interest.
The PNS consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal
nerves, along with their subsequent branches. The spinal nerves are
numbered according to the level of the spinal cord from which they
arise, known as the spinal segment. Muscle innervation pathways are
described in detail in Appendix 1.
In Appendix 2 the relevant peripheral nerve supply is listed with
each muscle, as this information may be useful for healthcare
practitioners. However, the spinal segment* from which the nerve
fibers arise often varies between different sources. This is because
spinal nerves are organized into networks known as plexuses (plexus
= a network of nerves: from Latin plectere = “to braid”), which supply
different regions of the body, and nerve fibers from different spinal
segments will contribute to the individual named nerve that supplies
a particular muscle.
For each muscle in Appendix 2, the spinal levels that typically
contribute to its named nerve are indicated. The relevant spinal
segments are represented by C for cervical, T for thoracic, L for
lumbar, and S for sacral, followed by a number representing the level.

A spinal segment, showing the nerve roots combining to form a spinal nerve,
which then divides into ventral and dorsal rami.

* A spinal segment is the part of the spinal cord that gives rise to each pair of spinal
nerves, one for each side of the body. Each spinal nerve contains sensory and motor
fibers from the dorsal and ventral roots respectively. Soon after the spinal nerve
exits through the foramen or opening between adjacent vertebrae, it divides into a
dorsal primary ramus, which is directed posteriorly, and a ventral primary ramus,
which is directed anteriorly and laterally. Fibers from the dorsal rami innervate the
skin and extensor muscles of the neck and trunk. The ventral rami supply the
limbs, as well as the sides and front of the trunk.
 CHAPTER 1

Anatomical Terms

Positions

To describe the relative positions of body parts and their movements,

it is essential to have a universally accepted initial reference position.
This is known as the anatomical position, which is simply the upright
standing position, with feet flat on the floor, arms hanging by the
sides and the palms facing forward (see Figure 1.1). The directional
terminology used always refers to the body as if it were in the
anatomical position, regardless of its actual position. Note also that
the terms left and right refer to the sides of the object or person being
viewed, and not those of the reader.
Figure 1.1: Anterior. In front of; toward or at the front of the body.

Figure 1.2: Posterior. Behind; toward or at the back of the body.

Figure 1.3: Superior. Above; toward the head or the upper part of the structure or
the body.
 Figure 1.4: Inferior. Below; away from the head or toward the lower part of the
structure or the body.

Figure 1.5: Medial. (from Latin medius = “middle”). Toward the midline of the body;
on the inner side of a limb.
Figure 1.6: Lateral. (from Latin latus = “side”). Away from the midline of the body;
on the outer side of the body or a limb.
Figure 1.7: Proximal. (from Latin proximus = “nearest”). Closer to the center of the
body (the navel), or to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk.

Figure 1.8: Distal. (from Latin distans = “distant”). Farther away from the center of
the body, or from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk.
 Figure 1.9: Superficial. Toward or at the body surface.

Figure 1.10: Deep. Farther away from the body surface; more internal.
Figure 1.11: Dorsal. (from Latin dorsum = “back”). On the posterior surface, e.g. the
back of the hand.

Figure 1.12: Palmar. (from Latin palma = “palm”). On the anterior surface of the
hand, i.e. the palm.

Figure 1.13: Plantar. (from Latin planta = “sole”). On the sole of the foot.
 Regions

The two primary divisions of the body are its axial parts, consisting of
the head, neck, and trunk, and its appendicular parts, consisting of the
limbs, which are attached to the axis of the body. Figures 1.14 and
1.15 shows the terms used to indicate specific body areas. Terms in
parentheses are the lay terms for the area.

Figure 1.14: Terms used to indicate specific body areas, anterior view.
 Figure 1.15: Terms used to indicate specific body areas, posterior view.

Planes

The term plane refers to a two-dimensional section through the body;

it provides a view of the body or body part, as though it has been cut
through by an imaginary line.

The sagittal planes cut vertically through the body from anterior
to posterior, dividing it into right and left halves. Figure 1.16
shows the mid-sagittal plane. A para-sagittal plane divides the body
into unequal right and left parts.
The frontal (coronal) planes pass vertically through the body,
dividing it into anterior and posterior sections, and lie at right
 angles to the sagittal plane.
The transverse planes are horizontal cross sections, dividing the
body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections, and lie at
right angles to the other two planes.

Figure 1.16: The most frequently used planes of the body.

Movements

The direction in which body parts move is described in relation to the

fetal position. Moving into the fetal position results from flexion of all
the limbs; straightening out of the fetal position results from
extension of all the limbs.
Figure 1.17: (a) Flexion into the fetal position. (b) Extension out of the fetal position.

Main Movements

Figure 1.18: Flexion: bending to decrease the angle between bones at a joint.
From the anatomical position, flexion is usually forward, except at the knee joint
where it is backward. The way to remember this is that flexion is always toward
the fetal position. Extension: to straighten or bend backward away from the fetal
position. Hyperextension: to extend the limb beyond its normal range.
Figure 1.19: Lateral flexion: to bend the trunk or head laterally (sideways) in the
frontal (coronal) plane.

Figure 1.20: Abduction: movement of a bone away from the midline of the body
or a limb. Adduction: movement of a bone toward the midline of the body or a
limb.
 Figure 1.21: Rotation: movement of a bone or the trunk around its own
longitudinal axis. Medial or internal rotation: to turn inward, toward the midline.
Lateral or external rotation: to turn outward, away from the midline.

Other Movements
Movements described in this section are those that occur only at
specific joints or parts of the body, usually involving more than one
joint.

Figure 1.22: Pronation: to turn the palm of the hand down to face the floor (if
standing with elbow bent 90 degrees, or if lying flat on the floor) or away from the
anatomical and fetal positions.
 Figure 1.23: Supination: to turn the palm of the hand up to face the ceiling (if
standing with elbow bent 90 degrees, or if lying flat on the floor) or toward the
anatomical and fetal positions.

Figure 1.24: Circumduction: movement in which the distal end of a bone moves
in a circle, while the proximal end remains stable; the movement combines
flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction.
 Figure 1.25: Plantar flexion: to point the toes down toward the ground.
Dorsiflexion: to point the toes up toward the ceiling.

Figure 1.26: Inversion: to turn the sole of the foot inward, so that the soles would
face toward each other. Eversion: to turn the sole of the foot outward, so that the
soles would face away from each other.
Discovering Diverse Content Through
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considerably to our left, to assist in the capture of the flying host. By
these various movements, the latter became so sensible of their own
inability to continue the conflict, but at a very unnecessary sacrifice
of human life, that after throwing away their arms, or rendering
them useless, they attempted to escape from our toils; but the great
proportion seeing that to be impossible, a white flag was at length
hoisted on the point of a sword, in token of submission. The
remainder continuing their retrograde movement across the
mountain, and the British troops being much in want of repose,
General Hill gave over the pursuit of the fugitives to General Morillo,
who followed them twenty miles—killed a number, and made many
prisoners.
Our loss in this admirably conducted affair, was extremely trifling,
compared with that of the enemy. We had only seven killed, fifty-
seven wounded, and one officer, Lieutenant Strenuwitz, aid-de-camp
to Sir William Erskine, missing.—That of the French, consisted of one
general (Brun), Colonel the prince D'Aremberg, two lieutenant-
colonels, an aid-de-camp of General Gerard's, thirty other officers,
and from thirteen to fourteen hundred non-commissioned officers
and soldiers prisoners. The whole of their artillery, money, baggage,
and provisions, also fell into our hands. Their loss in killed must have
been severe, for besides those who fell in action, Morillo found
upwards of six hundred dead in the woods and mountains, when in
pursuit of the remains of this little army, which in the action and
pursuit, was reduced from 3100 to 300, who with their wounded
chief, effected their escape.
The 18th regiment of Portuguese infantry, and Brigadier-General
Campbell's brigade of Portuguese infantry, having joined us at the
close of the action, these corps, together with General Long's
brigade of cavalry, and the 50th, 71st, and 92nd regiments of British
infantry, quitted the field of battle, immediately after the prisoners,
&c. were collected, and moved forward to St Pedro, two leagues
from Arroyo-del-Molinos.
We had not been long in camp, before a party of twenty-three
French dragoons were observed scampering across the plain in our
front, in the direction of Medellin. As no time was to be lost, one of
our cavalry piquets, consisting of seventeen men, dashed across the
plain to intercept them. In a few minutes the two parties stood in
the presence of each other, and without much ceremony, proceeded
to business. The action, however, was of short duration, for the
enemy, after a feebler resistance than was anticipated, agreed to
accompany our dragoons into camp, where they were received with
three hearty cheers. Both parties being in full view the whole time,
the scene was altogether extremely interesting.
At three o'clock in the morning of the 29th, we quitted our bivouac
at St Pedro, and after a march of fifteen hours, under torrents of
rain, entered Merida, wet, weary, and hungry. The following day
being one of rest, all the horses, mules, and asses, captured on the
28th, were sold by auction in the square of Merida, the produce of
which, together with the money found in Gerard's military chest, was
ordered to be divided at a subsequent period amongst the troops
actually engaged on that day.
Our mission into Estremadura being ended, the whole of the troops
in Merida, retired on the 31st to Montejo, and on the 1st of
November, to Campo Major. The distance being fully seven leagues,
we marched two hours before day-break, and at twelve o'clock,
halted to refresh the soldiers. Having a few minutes before crossed a
deep, rapid, narrow river, which struck some of our men a little
under the arm-pits, our situation at the time was not very
comfortable. However, a two hours rest, before a rousing fire, aided
by a glass of grog, and the rays of a powerful sun, soon banished all
traces of our ducking. In high spirits, therefore, we quitted our
temporary bivouac. But we had not proceeded above four hundred
yards, before another river, broader, deeper, and more rapid than the
other, crossed our path, and again drenched us to the neck. How we
came to halt in such a position, none could form any notion; but all
were agreed, that however amusing the spectacle of a few thousand
men standing in water to the neck may be to members of the
Quarter-Master General's department, those individuals must be told
that mistakes such as this cannot be tolerated, for to the weary, and
but too often heated pedestrians, duckings such as those just
mentioned, are the prolific sources of almost every disease, which
on service, hurries the young soldier into a premature grave.
We remained in Campo-Major on the 2nd of November, and on the
3rd moved to Arronches, an old fortress, the walls of which seemed
tottering to their base. Resuming our retrograde movement next
morning, we re-entered Portalegre about one o'clock, amid the loud
acclamations of a grateful and delighted populace. Satisfied that the
spontaneous and grateful effusions of the multitude on this occasion,
flowed from hearts untainted with hypocrisy, we received them as a
people's thanks—the noblest reward a soldier can receive.
Thus terminated our memorable trip into Spain, the success
attending which very far exceeded the expectations, either of the
noble individual who planned it, or the gallant and truly amiable
General who carried the plan into execution. And it is but justice to
the soldiers to state, that by a praise-worthy exercise of those
military qualities—patience, firmness, and valour, in a manner
peculiarly their own, their General was enabled to surmount every
obstacle which attempted to arrest his progress.
 CHAPTER V.
If General Gerard required evidence to convince him that it is easier
to prevent a surprise, than to banish the effects which are generally
produced by this worst of all military misfortunes, the issue of the
conflict on the 28th of October must have furnished him with proof
of the most ample description. Prolific as the page of history is in
examples of surprises of a similar nature, yet I doubt much whether
it affords one where the officer surprised, reposed in a more criminal
security than General Gerard did on the above occasion. When first
informed that the British troops were in motion, and advancing upon
the town in order of battle, the French chief who was then in bed,
raised himself on his elbow, and said to his informant, "Pooh, pooh,
the English troops will not march in such a morning as this!" and
then threw himself into his former position.
Almost the greatest military blunder which any officer can commit, is
that of allowing himself to be surprised. When a general loses a
battle, his honour and reputation remain unsullied, provided he has
discharged the duties of his office with fidelity and zeal. But the very
reverse befalls that general, who through carelessness, or a gross
dereliction of the duties confided to him, permits himself to be
surprised and beaten. Any general may have the laurel torn from his
brow, however conspicuous his military talents may be; but a
shameful defeat is rarely the reward of that individual, who, as far as
his means will permit, provides against every contingency; who
adopts every precaution in his power to prevent a surprise; and who
never for a moment leaves any thing to chance, lest fortune, if
trusted too far, may prove faithless; and, as in the case of General
Gerard at Arroyo-del-Molinos, entail on himself and followers, defeat,
and an overwhelming load of disgrace.
The military annals of the world exhibits to our view a long list of
commanders, who by forming too high an opinion of their personal
military qualifications, and spurning the advice of generals of inferior
rank, have placed themselves and followers in situations of imminent
peril. In this list, I fear we must insert the name of General Gerard.
At all events, his conduct at Arroyo-del-Molinos should serve as a
beacon to warn all officers of the dangers to be apprehended from
the smallest neglect of duty, from whatever cause it may arise, and
also to convince them of the folly of rejecting the advice of an
experienced or talented friend, simply because he may be junior in
rank to themselves.
The necessity of British troops being instructed in every description
of field and camp duty, previous to quitting their native shore, was
never more clearly developed than in our bivouac at Codeceira on
the 22nd of October. Our arms were no sooner piled, than the old
stagers flew like lightning through the woods in search of comforts.
But our poor Johnny Raws, as all young soldiers were denominated,
instead of imitating their brethren in their laudable vocation, formed
themselves into little groups, and seated on their knapsacks, sat
shivering in expectation that fire, water, and beef would be provided
them without any personal trouble. The fruits of this gross ignorance
of camp duty were soon obvious. In two hours the experienced
soldiers were called to dinner—the young ones had not then placed
their camp-kettles on the fire.
It would be an act of gross injustice, however, to throw the smallest
blame on the shoulders of those young men, for the ignorance
exhibited by them on that occasion. Totally uninstructed in field-
cookery, or any other portion of camp duty, what else could be
expected of them? But, should the British soldiers be longer
permitted to embark for a foreign clime in this state of ignorance?
Should they not rather be marched regularly as the state of the
weather will permit, to a convenient piece of ground in the vicinity of
their cantonments, then encamp, and after being instructed in every
description of camp duty which they can be called upon to perform
in the face of an enemy, return to their quarters in the evening.
Some such plan as this is indispensably necessary, for it is principally
owing to their total ignorance in the mode of cooking in the fields,
and sheltering themselves from the surly attacks of the mid-night
hurricane, that so many of our best and bravest spirits are hurried
into hospital in the early stages of a first campaign. Some individuals
would, no doubt, grumble and growl like bears at the new duty, but
these would always be few in number; for there are but few officers
or soldiers who would not willingly exchange a little inconvenience at
home, for health and some little comfort when roughing it at a
distance from their native land.
On crossing an extensive plain between Malpartida and Aldea-del-
Cano on the 27th of October, the troops were highly entertained by
the mounted officers of the corps, the latter having accidentally
started a hare, all the greyhounds belonging to the corps, were
instantly put in requisition to run down poor puss. The little, timid,
short-legged elf, ran hard for existence, but notwithstanding all its
arts and stratagems, it at length fell under the snouts of its
numerous pursuers. Perceiving that the soldiers were highly
delighted with the sport, the officers set about coursing in earnest,
and continued to amuse their companions, till they arrived at the
extremity of the plain. Trifling as this little piece of attention may
appear, it produced a much greater effect on the spirits of the men,
than the most sanguine promoter of the sport anticipated. Time was
so wonderfully beguiled, that on the arrival of the column at
Alcuesca, many of the men conceived that they had not marched
above half the distance they had really done. Should not this tend to
convince us that much good may at times be effected by the officers
finding harmless amusements for the soldiers under their command?
The 34th French infantry having preceded their commandant to the
field of honour at Arroyo, the latter who was still in his quarters
when we passed through the town, mounted his charger soon after,
and with his powerful arm raised for mischief, galloped along one of
the principal streets, resolved to rejoin it, or perish in the attempt.
Colonel Cadogan, 71st regiment, happening to be in the same
street, attempted to stop him, but in making a cut at the head of his
opponent, Cadogan completely neglected to guard his own, which
the former perceiving, returned the favour of his antagonist with
such effect, that, but for the tough materials surmounting it, the
head of Cadogan would have been severed in two. The gallant
Frenchman, however, was made prisoner, and having on various
occasions shewn a great deal of disinterested kindness to British
officers who had had the misfortune to be made prisoners, the same
marked attention was shewn to him at Portalegre. As a more
memorable reward for his humanity towards our countrymen, he,
soon after his arrival in England, received permission to return to the
bosom of his family in France. Were all officers to act a similar part
to those who fall into their hands, the horrors of war would be
considerably mitigated, and much of that ferocity which but too
frequently characterizes the actions of men in the field of strife,
would be altogether unknown.
The numerous escapes which soldiers have had from instant death
in the field of battle, would, if collected and published, form a most
interesting volume. Buttons, pen-knives, stocks, pencil-cases, keys,
watches, pocket-combs, sword-handles, and pieces of old paper,
would be found recorded as instruments made use of by Divine
Providence to prolong the lives of thousands of them. Amongst
those whose lives have been thus preserved by the kind interposition
of the Divine Being, I may name Colonel Cameron of the 92nd
regiment. The captain of the grenadier company of his regiment
having been wounded early in the action, the senior lieutenant, on
assuming the command of it, made a false movement, on perceiving
which, the Colonel greatly irritated, repeated his former orders in a
voice of thunder, and as was his usual custom when displeased, he
struck his left breast with his right hand, which then grasped the hilt
of his sword. The last syllable of his orders had just been delivered,
and his right hand had scarcely touched his breast, when a bullet,
dispatched by one of the enemy's riflemen, struck the Colonel on the
first joint of the middle finger, shattered the bone, passed through
the handle of the sabre, and then struck the breast so violently, that
he relinquished the command of the battalion to Major Mitchell, in
the full conviction that the ball had passed into his body. On being
undeceived, however, the gallant Colonel instantly rejoined his
battalion, and with his middle finger dangling by a small piece of
skin only, and the blood flowing from the wound in copious streams,
he remained at the head of his Highlanders to the close of the
engagement.
A few days previous to the battle of Arroyo-del-Molinos, a private
soldier of very weak intellect, named Brown, lost his firelock, but
where, or in what manner, he could give no proper account. On the
circumstance being reported to the commanding officer, he was so
enraged, that he ordered Brown to be taken into the first action
without arms. The captain of his company, however, feeling for the
situation of the poor fellow, ordered him to fall out when close to the
village of Arroyo. But no: the proud spirit of the half-witted creature
would not permit him to accept of the kind indulgence tendered him.
Brown continued in his proper place in the ranks, during the whole
of the engagement. Seeing some firelocks without owners, Captain
D—— desired Brown to arm himself with one of them, but the latter
replied, "Colonel Cameron having been pleased, Sir, to order me into
action without arms, here I will remain unarmed until the action is
over, or poor Jack Brown is sent into another world;" which
resolution the heroic simpleton faithfully kept.
 CHAPTER VI.
The commanding officer conceiving that five of us who had
accompanied the detachment from Ireland, properly belonged to the
2nd battalion, applied to Lord Wellington on our return to Portalegre,
for permission to send us home. Leave being granted, we, after
mutual expressions of regret, parted with our friends at Portalegre,
on the 22nd day of November, and proceeded to Gaffeta. Next day
we moved to Gavao, but finding an officer there taking quarters for
Colonel O'Callagan, and the first battalion, 39th regiment, we
departed instantly for Villa Franca, a small village two leagues from
Abrantes. On approaching the residence of the chief magistrate, in
order to procure billets, that worthy personage testified his joy at
our arrival, by throwing the door in our faces. Enraged at the insult
offered us, it is possible we might have adopted a summary mode of
obtaining an interview with this truly amiable personage, had not a
most interesting and lady-like woman introduced herself, and kindly
offered us all the shelter of her rural abode for the night. Having
previously invoked a blessing upon our patrona and her interesting
family, for her genuine hospitality, we bade adieu on the following
morning to the residence of this most excellent woman, and
proceeded to Abrantes.
After stowing away our baggage, and putting every thing in a fair
train for dinner, we strolled about the streets and ramparts of
Abrantes for a couple of hours, and then returned to head-quarters,
where we fancied a nice dish of soup and a beef-steak would greet
our return. Our disappointment therefore may be more easily
conceived than described, when I state, that instead of such
excellent fare greeting our entrance, we were welcomed by two
servants with rueful countenances, and each relating, in a plaintive
strain, tales of woe, sufficient to melt a heart of adamant. Moving as
these were, however, they proved but a poor substitute for dinner.
To work, therefore, we went; and partly by threats, and partly by
entreaty, procured from the inmates a few culinary articles, which
they very kindly had refused our servants. Our disappointments,
however, were not yet at an end, for when every thing was ready,
the amiable couple refused us even a single piece of earthen-ware to
put it on. Had Cruickshank witnessed the infernal pair standing
sentry over their stone-ware, the wife at one cupboard, and the
husband at the other, he must have acknowledged that a finer
subject for his pencil was never afforded, for truly they had more
resemblance to the inhabitants of Pandæmonium, than of this world.
After disposing of our baggage animals, we embarked at Abrantes in
a small commissariat boat on the 26th, and with a gentle breeze,
glided down the surface of the majestic Tagus, till the shades of
night made it dangerous to proceed farther. On arriving at a point
opposite to the neat, clean village of Chamusca, we hauled our boat
ashore, and proceeded to the town, where we were treated with
true hospitality. On the following day we dropped down to Valada,
where, on the 28th, we embarked in a large boat, and after
spending a rather uncomfortable night, landed at day-break next
morning, at the Black Horse Square in Lisbon.
On the 2nd of December, thousands of hand-bills were circulated in
Lisbon, intimating that at one o'clock on the following day, a British
officer, accoutred in cork-boots, would walk across the Tagus, from
Fort Belem, to the nearest point of land on the opposite shore.
Conceiving this to be the project of some hair-brained or unfortunate
individual, who, tired of life, was about to solicit the assistance of old
Neptune to carry him into another world, I walked down to Belem to
view the sports of the day. By eleven o'clock, the various streets
leading from the city to Belem, were literally crammed with people of
all nations and conditions, from the peer to the peasant, hurrying
along to the starting-post, some on foot, and the rest on every kind
of conveyance, from the humble donkey, to the carriage-and-four.
Being admitted into Belem Fort, I had a fine view of almost every
person, place, and thing in the vicinity. The Fort was filled to an
overflow with officers and ladies. Belem Castle was crowded with
Portuguese nobility and gentry, and the whole space around, and
between these two places, was completely covered with carriages,
equestrians, and pedestrians. Of the former, I at one time counted
four hundred and fifty. The river, for a considerable distance around
the spot whence the hero was to start, was covered with hundreds
of boats, carrying immense numbers of ladies and gentlemen, a
great proportion of the latter wearing the naval and military uniforms
of Old England. Six, eight, and even ten dollars were given for the
hire of a boat from Lisbon, on this occasion—the ordinary fare of
which was only about two shillings.
As the hour of one was announced by the bell of an adjoining clock,
the dense masses on shore pushed and jolted each other so much,
in order to get a peep at the cork accoutred hero before he set out
on his perilous excursion, that the company of Portuguese militia
stationed to preserve an opening for the officer to get to the river,
kept their ground with great difficulty. Soon after one, a voice
announced the hero's approach, but the intimation was premature.
Two o'clock was chimed, still he was absent. Three o'clock was at
length tolled, but he was not forthcoming. Not long after this, the
people, whose appetites were getting a little keen, whetted, no
doubt, by the fresh breeze from the Tagus, began to steal slily away,
and by four o'clock the greater proportion of the immense multitude,
between forty and fifty thousand, had retired to their respective
domiciles, fully satisfied that they had been completely hoaxed, and
vowing vengeance on the British officer and his cork-boots.
Having received a letter of recal from my commanding-officer, I
parted with my friends of the second battalion on the evening of the
4th, and early next morning embarked at Belem, with a detachment
which had just landed from England, and after spending an
uncomfortable night, we landed at Valada next day at noon. On the
7th we marched to Santarem—on the 8th to Gallegao—9th to
Punhete—the 10th to Abrantes, where we halted the 11th and 12th.
On the 13th we proceeded to Gavao—the 14th to Gaffeta—and on
the following morning bade our companions in Portalegre all hail.
 CHAPTER VII.
The well picked bones of a Christmas goose had scarcely been
removed from our mess-table, when an orderly entered, and
announced the unwelcome intelligence that our attendance was
required at the alarm-post next morning before day-break,—and
worst of all, in light marching order. Had this personage been the
bearer of a warrant for the execution of the whole party, our
countenances could not have presented a more rueful appearance.
We could have wished the evil day put off for twenty-four hours, but
as any memorial to that effect would only have been productive of
further disappointment, we at once resolved to make a virtue of
necessity, and accordingly retired to our respective quarters, and
made the necessary preparations for another excursion into Spain.
A little before sun-rise on the 26th December, the whole of the
troops quartered in Portalegre bade a temporary adieu to that
friendly town, and in the evening our brigade occupied Codeceira.
Next day we moved to Albuquerque, and on the 28th quitted that
city for Merida. Two leagues from the former we passed to the right
of the Castle of Zagala, beautifully situated on the summit of a hill,
from which there is a delightful view of the surrounding country.
Three leagues farther we passed through the miserable village of La
Rocka, and on the western slope of an eminence, a few hundred
yards in front of it, we went into bivouac. General Dombrousky being
in possession of Merida, with a mixed force of 1500 men, General
Hill requested commanding-officers of corps to have their fires as
much under the hill as possible, in order to favour the design he
then meditated of taking the Pole napping. The object, though not
expressed, was so obvious to every one, that the order was readily
and most cheerfully obeyed.
Next morning at day-break we quitted our bivouac, and under cover
of a dense fog, moved towards the point of attraction. General Hill
not being aware that the enemy had, the previous evening, pushed
forward a party of 150 cavalry, and 300 infantry, to the village of La
Nava, about half-way between our bivouac and Merida, the cavalry,
under General Long, were permitted to precede the infantry some
miles. This movement turned out unfortunately; for General Long
being also in ignorance of the proximity of this body to his own,
came bump upon one of the enemy's videttes close to La Nava, and
made him prisoner, but not till by discharging his carabine he had
made his friends aware of the danger that threatened them. The
density of the fog at the time rendering it impossible for either party
to ascertain the other's real numerical strength, the French troops
rushed to arms, and in a few minutes were formed ready for action,
on an eminence in rear of the village; but the British cavalry halted
so long, that before General Long finally resolved to attack, the
favourable moment had fled—never to return.
The fog soon after this first collision began to disperse, which
enabled our advanced guard to get a peep of their opponents.
Continuing to clear away, General Long was at length enabled to
draw near to the enemy without any fear of being surprised.
Although formed in square, the General resolved to attack, and if
possible compel them to surrender; but the little band of French
infantry received his charge with firmness, and finally beat him off.
This success gave the enemy some idea of their own strength, for
they instantly commenced a retrograde movement towards Merida,
fully convinced, no doubt, that they could effect their escape, should
no other opponents take part in the deadly feud. Charge succeeded
charge,—but from each our cavalry were forced to retire with loss,
and without making the least impression on the little column. These
repeated assaults proving ruinous to us, the dragoons were ordered
to hang on the flanks of the retiring foe, and take advantage of any
opening that might occur, either from the inequality of the ground
over which he had to retire, or the fire of two pieces of artillery,
which latterly joined in the pursuit. Accordingly, a gap no sooner
appeared, than our cavalry instantly prepared to renew the assault;
but before any advantage could be taken of it, some other brave
spirits had stepped forward and filled it up. Not one of the enemy's
infantry ever once appeared to shrink from the terrible conflict; on
the contrary, the whole party, individually and collectively, exhibited
throughout the action a degree of coolness and firmness which none
but the truly brave can possess in the hour of danger. In the manner
now described the parties traversed several miles, till the French
being reinforced from Merida, our cavalry gave over the pursuit,
more than satisfied that a body of well-disciplined infantry, when
under the guidance of an officer of courage, experience, and
prudence, has nothing to fear from a body of cavalry of double their
numerical strength. In the evening our corps closed up, and
bivouacked in front of La Nava, and next morning moved forward to
Merida, which the enemy had precipitately evacuated during the
night, leaving behind them a considerable quantity of corn.
The conduct of the French captain and his little band at La Nava,
affords to all officers and soldiers one of the noblest examples for
imitation on record. It is when placed in situations such as this, that
the prudence of an officer, and the courage of himself and soldiers,
is put to the severest trial. It is on occasions of a similar kind that
the soldier who combats for honour and glory, possesses such
decided advantages over him whose mercenary propensities lead
him to look upon honour and military renown as secondary objects.
Bear this then in remembrance, my brave fellow-countrymen, that it
is when duty calls you to defend a post against great numerical
superiority, that your courage is put to the severest trial; but never
forget, that it is also on those occasions you may expect to reap the
richest harvest of military renown.
When honour does the soldier call
To some unequal fight,
Resolved to conquer or to fall,
Before his general's sight.
Advanced—the happy hero lives,
Or, if ill-fate denies,
 The noble rashness heaven forgives,
And gloriously he dies.
The 31st was a day of rest; but at day-break on the 1st of January
1812, the whole corps crossed the Guadiana, and moved towards
Almendralejo, where we expected our arrival would be announced
by a royal salute from the field artillery of the Count D'Erlon. For a
league and a-half our route led us over a very barren heath, then
across a large, rich, but partially cultivated plain. As the road
between these two places rises with a gentle acclivity for at least
five miles from the banks of the river, the leading battalions enjoyed
a delightful view of the long and party-coloured columns, as they
winded along the heath towards their destination; and I have no
doubt but the spectacle would have appeared still more gratifying,
could we have banished from our recollection the object of our
movement—the destruction of our fellow-creatures. But
notwithstanding this, shall I say, almost only draw-back to a military
life, we enjoyed the interesting scene while it lasted; and when
deprived of that, we jogged along the plain as cheerily and merrily,
as the fatiguing nature of the march would permit us, till our
proximity to the enemy told us to prepare for battle.
It was now one o'clock, and a dense fog so enveloped every
surrounding object, that it was quite impossible to discover any thing
beyond a few paces from where we stood. As this unfavourable state
of the atmosphere prevented General Hill from ascertaining whether
the enemy held possession of Almendralejo, with five hundred, or
twice as many thousands; the cavalry, a few pieces of artillery, and
the 1st brigade, moved towards the town in order of battle. We had
not proceeded far, when the cavalry came into contact with the
French piquets, which were instantly attacked and driven in. To be
prepared for whatever might occur, the rear brigades quickly moved
up on our left, and occupied the stations assigned them. When the
first collision took place, the French troops in Almendralejo were
busily engaged in preparing their dinners, and consequently had
their thoughts rivetted on something more palatable than either
gun-powder, bullets, or bayonets. Part of them instantly moved to
the support of the piquets, and the remainder retreated to a rising
ground in rear of the town. The former, on receiving a few shots
from our artillery, wheeled also to the right about, and in a few
minutes were alongside of their friends. On the re-union of the two
bodies, the whole retired towards a height a considerable distance
from the town, over which runs the roads to Villa-Franca, and
Fuente-del-Maestre. Our light troops pursued the fugitives closely,
skirmishing with them all the way, and we followed, in hopes that
the Count would make his appearance at the head of his corps,
ready to receive us. In this, however, we were disappointed, for on
the fog clearing away, we were sorry to find that he had withdrawn
to Zafra with the main body, leaving behind him a strong rear-guard
only to cover his retreat.
As the fog died away, the rain which began to fall about one o'clock,
continued to increase in violence, till about three, when one would
actually have supposed that it was falling from buckets. Under these
circumstances, night approaching, and there being no chance of
bringing the enemy to close quarter, General Hill gave orders for
strong piquets to be posted on all the roads around Almendralejo,
and the rest of the troops to march into the town—which were
obeyed with the greater cheerfulness, that not one of them had a
dry jacket or shirt on their backs.
On taking possession of the quarters allotted to another officer and
myself, the poor people instantly pointed to the dinners of seven
Frenchmen, which in their hurry, they had found it necessary to
leave behind in a stew-pan by the fire. Preferring, however, a little
tea, to a mess of beef, pork, beans, garlic, and oil, we desired the
family to make use of it themselves. Permission was no sooner
granted, than the contents of the stew-pan was emptied into a large
stone bason, into which, sixty fingers and thumbs were instantly
plunged, and then, grasping a piece of the delicious morsel, carried
to the mouth, streaming with grease, like as many candles receiving
a polishing touch at the hands of their maker. The scene was a
laughable one, but very short, for in two or three minutes not a
vestige of any part of the dinner was visible.
The enemy shewing a reluctance to retire from Villa-Franca and
Fuente-del-Maestre, two detachments were despatched from
Almendralejo on the 3rd of January to dislodge them. The one which
moved against Villa-Franca, consisted of the 9th and 13th light
dragoons, two pieces of artillery, the 50th, 71st, and 92nd
regiments, and 60th rifle company, and was commanded by Major-
General Howard. The other which was under the command of the
Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Abercromby, 28th regiment, was
composed of the 2nd hussars, king's German legion, the 4th and
10th Portuguese cavalry, and 28th British regiment of infantry. Both
detachments moved from Almendralejo, at twelve o'clock. On a
height about half way between the latter place and Villa-Franca, we
first obtained a view of the enemy, drawn up on a commanding
piece of ground, a few hundred yards from the town, on the road to
Los-Santos. Soon after this, the detachment was formed into two
columns, the right composed of the 92nd regiment, 60th rifle
company, and one piece of artillery, was placed under Colonel
Cameron; and the left, which consisted of the remainder of the
detachment, was led by Major-General Howard in person. The left
column moved direct upon the town, in order to attack their right
flank and centre, while the right was to co-operate with the right
battalion of the left column, in its assault on the centre, if it could
not throw itself in rear of the left wing. The enemy not only
appeared prepared for a visit from us, but for some time gave most
unequivocal indications that they would pepper us well before they
retired. Indeed so satisfied were we all of this, that we looked
forward to a tight little affair with them. But appearances on this, as
on many former occasions, proved deceitful;—for just as we had
approached that point from which we intended to apply those
means, by which British soldiers are accustomed to remove every
obstacle which attempts to arrest their progress, the French chief
considering it imprudent to stake the fate of his little corps on the
issue of a brush with us, faced about, and walked off towards Los-
Santos, pursued by our cavalry.
Lest the enemy should attempt to pay us home in the coin of
Arroyo-del-Molinos, piquets composed of whole companies were
posted on every road branching from Villa-Franca. The rest were
thrown into the town, with orders to remain accoutred, to be ready
to turn out at a moment's warning, and to be on the alarm-post two
hours before day-break. From nine o'clock in the evening, till seven
o'clock on the following morning, rain and hail fell in such prodigious
quantities, and was forced to the earth with such violence by the
wind, which blew a perfect hurricane, that all those who were on
piquet, joined their battalions in the morning in a most deplorable
condition. One of the officers in particular, was to all appearance a
perfect maniac. Two hours before day-light, we who were in Villa-
Franca proceeded to the alarm-post, where, in ten minutes, we were
as thoroughly drenched as if we had just emerged from a six months
ablution in the Bay of Biscay. Never before did I witness such a
tempest. After a four hours exposure to its utmost fury, we departed
from Villa-Franca, and returned to Almendralejo.
The detachment under Colonel Abercromby was more successful in
killing and maiming than we were. On the road to Fuente-del-
Maestre, a French regiment of cavalry crossed the path of the
detachment. On coming in sight of the enemy, the 2nd German
dragoons flew at them like as many bull-dogs, and being supported
by the Portuguese, the enemy was defeated with the loss of twenty
killed and wounded, and thirty-one taken prisoners. Our loss was
trifling. This detachment also rejoined the main body on the 4th, and
the whole retraced their steps to Merida on the following day.
None but those who were present can have any idea of the fatigue
which the soldiers endured from the 1st to 5th January, from the
wretched state of the roads from Merida to Villa-Franca. On
returning to Merida, they had more the appearance of troops that
had been six months under canvass, than men returning to
cantonments after a ten day's campaign. On the marches of the 1st,
3rd, 4th and 5th, a great many of the soldiers sunk deep into clay of
such an adhesive quality, that in extricating themselves from its
grasp, many of them tore their gaiters to pieces, and some of them
actually left their shoes behind them, and trudged along in their
stockings. On these occasions I seldom had less than four pounds of
clay at my feet, which fatigued me so much, that on retiring to rest
each night, I dropped asleep without the aid of any stimulant. Such
then being my situation, who had neither musket, knapsack,
canteen, or haversack to carry, what must the soldiers have suffered
who had to march encumbered with all these, weighing altogether
nearly three stone?
To those who are eternally croaking about the half-pay and pensions
of those officers, non-commissioned officers and privates, who
served in the late war, I wish no greater punishment than to be
made to serve but one short campaign in a country where hardships
and dangers, similar to those the British troops encountered in
Spain, may stare them in the face at every step, and where their
only comforts, when summed up, may, as in the Peninsula, consist of
a daily allowance of one pound of tough beef, and a similar quantity
of hard biscuit; being well convinced that on their return to their
native land, they will have tasted so freely of the sweets of a
soldier's life, when engaged in the active operations of the field, that
they will be prepared to convert their hoarse murmurs of
disapprobation of the half-pay and pension-list, into a sweet-
sounding and rapturous applause.
In the suite of General Hill, on the 1st of January, moved the
Marquis of Alemeida, a Spanish nobleman, between fifty and sixty
years of age. Having suffered severely from French rapacity, the
Marquis, as may be supposed, was one of their bitterest enemies.
Being a warm admirer of the British character, he not only
accompanied us in all our wanderings, but laid aside his native habit,
and assumed the scarlet, in humble imitation of his friend, our
worthy General. In addition to a long scarlet coat, the Marquis
generally wore a cocked-hat, always decorated with one, sometimes
with two, and not unfrequently with three long red and white
feathers dangling to his shoulders, in as many different directions.
His appearance altogether was rather odd, but the singularity of his
costume soon ceased to attract notice, and in a little time he
became a considerable favourite with all classes.
On arriving in front of the enemy's piquets, the Marquis had no idea
that he was so close upon the enemy, until the unexpected
intelligence was announced to him by one—two—three from our
artillery, a few yards in front. Neither the worthy nobleman or his
horse being prepared to accede to this mode of conversing with the
plunderers of his estates, the former stared, and the latter reared
and plunged, as if anxious to get quit of its burden, fancying, no
doubt, that the Marquis was the sole cause of his being in such noisy
company. On the third gun being fired, the Marquis, with a
countenance which at once denoted the fervour of his prayer,
exclaimed,—"Oh, Jesus, Maria, Jose!" and then casting a glance
towards those around him, as much as to say, "I am off," put spurs
to his willing nag, which being as anxious to get out of the scrape as
its master, flew like lightning in the direction which it was supposed
the Marquis wished him, and in a twinkling both were lost to our
view in the fog.
A private soldier of the 28th regiment having sipped rather freely of
the juice of the grape, previous to our departure from Almendralejo
on the 5th of January, fell out of the ranks unperceived, laid himself
down to banish all traces of the copious draught, and enjoyed his
nap so comfortably, that night's sable shroud had shut every earthly
object from the view of man before he awoke. Alone, enveloped in
darkness, and in a part of the country totally uninhabited, the poor
lad frequently fancied during the stillness of the night, that he saw
his name as a deserter to the enemy, handed in to the Adjutant-
General—the members of the court-martial assembling to try him—
the sentence of death passed, and the provost-marshal at the head
of his party, ready to carry the sentence into execution. With such
thoughts as these darting across his mind, the victim of dissipation
rose from his cold and cheerless couch at dawn, on the 6th, and
bended his steps towards Merida. Afraid to join his corps, however,
the bragge slasher proceeded to a small village about three miles
from head-quarters on the opposite bank of the Guadiana, in hopes
that some humane individual would intercede for him at head-
quarters.
Receiving information soon after his arrival that there were two
French soldiers concealed in the village, the worshipper of Bacchus
proceeded with a few of the natives to their residence, and after
securing them, and fastening their hands, he marched them off in
triumph for Merida. Strolling on the bridge with a few friends, when
the trio were first observed, and considering it rather an odd
circumstance to see a British soldier marching two Frenchmen as
prisoners from the left bank of the Guadiana, where there were no
British soldiers then quartered, we inquired at the worthy Hibernian
where he became possessed of the friends in his company? Shewing
some disinclination to satisfy our curiosity, we repeated our query in
a more peremptory manner. We had scarcely done so, however,
when we perceived the poor man struggling hard to give utterance
to his inward thoughts, but notwithstanding his utmost exertions, he
could not utter a syllable, till his heart was relieved by a few pearly
drops trickling over his weather-beaten cheeks. On these drying up,
the repentant soldier related to us the foregoing particulars, and
then with a palpitating heart, (the vision of the previous night being
still before his eyes,) he moved into town with his prisoners. He was
of course placed in confinement, and but for this singular adventure,
would have paid dearly for his libations to Bacchus at Almendralejo.
If the various members of the British army would reflect for a
moment on the consequences which but too generally follow in the
train of dissipation, before seating themselves to taste the pleasing,
but intoxicating beverage, numerous crimes which now stain the
pages of the character-books of every regiment in the service, would
never be heard of. The conduct of the Macedonian conqueror on
various occasions, shews us to what a degrading condition this most
detestable vice sometimes reduces the most celebrated individuals,
and his death furnishes a memorable example, that dissipation
hurries all its votaries to the narrow house, without any regard to
age or station in society. On launching into the world, therefore, all
military men should ever be on their guard against the assaults of
dissipation, for by dipping deep into the cup of intemperance, they
will not only destroy their mental faculties, ruin their pecuniary
resources, as well as their constitutions, but may at length be led to
commit crimes, for which, like Alexander on the death of Clitus, they
may be made to suffer all the horrors which a conscience, burdened
with the murder of a fellow-creature, and that individual a bosom
friend, can inflict upon them.
 CHAPTER VIII.
Sir Rowland Hill having received an order early in the morning of the
12th of January, to retrace his steps to Portalegre, we marched from
Merida at nine o'clock, a.m. and in the afternoon bivouacked behind
La-Nava. Next evening we reposed on the bank of a little river, under
the castle of Zagala, and on the 14th returned to Albuquerque. We
retired to Alegreta on the 16th, and to Portalegre on the 17th. On
the succeeding day, the men were busily employed in renewing their
stock of clean linen; and on the 19th, we moved to Alpalhao, on our
way to the North, to tender Lord Wellington our assistance, should
his lordship require it. We reached Niza on the 20th, where, on the
following morning, we received the glad tidings of the fall of Ciudad-
Rodrigo. As Marmont, however, still shewed a disposition to give
battle, we advanced from Niza to the Tagus on the 25th, crossed
that river by a bridge of boats at Villa-Velha, and then moved two
leagues farther, and occupied a few miserable villages. Next day we
entered Castello-Branco, where we had the pleasure of meeting with
the French garrison of Ciudad-Rodrigo, on their way to British
transports.
Marmont having withdrawn his army to Salamanca, to wait an
opportunity of resuming the offensive, when his chances of success
should appear more inviting, we bade adieu to Castello-Branco on
the 1st of February, and retraced our steps as far as Villa-Velha,
where we bivouacked. On the 2nd, we occupied Niza, the 3rd
Alpalhao, and re-entered Portalegre the following morning.
The siege of Ciudad-Rodrigo, forms one of the most glorious
achievements of the late Peninsular war, and marks in an eminent
degree the consummate military talent of the General who brought it
to a successful conclusion.
The Marshals Marmont, Soult, and Suchet, viewing the inactivity of
the allied army in the latter months of 1811, as something
tantamount to an acknowledgment on the part of the British chief,
that he was not in a condition to undertake any offensive movement
of importance, formed a triple league, by which Marmont appears to
have agreed to favour his brother Marshals with a few of his
brigades during the winter months, on condition of receiving a
similar favour from them in the following summer. Marmont's
reinforcements quitted the banks of the Tormes and Tagus in the
end of November and beginning of December 1811, and moved
towards the seat of war in the east and south of Spain. On the
approach of their friends, Soult laid siege to Tariffa, and Suchet to
Valencia.
Having instantly discovered the deep game which his powerful
opponents were playing, Lord Wellington took measures to render it
a losing one. With the eye of the eagle, he watched their every
movement, but never attempted to derange their plans, or arrest the
progress of the brigades, till the latter had arrived at a point so
distant, that they could not return to the banks of the Agweda in
time to prevent his Lordship carrying into execution his designs upon
Ciudad-Rodrigo. But on Marmont's troops arriving at that point,
instructions were immediately transmitted to Sir Rowland Hill, to
carry into execution the first part of those admirably planned
operations, which terminated in the capture of that important
military post.
No better proof can be adduced of the ability with which the whole
of these operations were planned and executed, than the signal
advantages which resulted from them to the common cause. Sir
Rowland Hill's grand object in marching upon Merida, being to draw
the attention of the enemy to a point far distant from that to be
assailed, his movement was attended with all the success which
could have been anticipated, The Count D'Erlon no sooner heard of
our arrival on the banks of the Guadiana, than he withdrew
precipitately from Almendralejo, and for a day or two after,
dispatched a courier to Soult every two hours, soliciting immediate
assistance, otherwise he would be inevitably devoured by the
"Arroyo-del-Molinos devils," who were in close pursuit of him. Being
totally ignorant as to the number of "devils" that were following his
friend D'Erlon, Soult, on receiving a few of these applications for
succour, transmitted instructions to General Laval, commanding
before Tariffa, to raise the siege of that place, and at the expence of
all his battering-train, &c. fly with all possible celerity to the Count's
relief, which instructions were implicitly obeyed. From these
proceedings of the enemy in Andalusia, and the subsequent tardy
movements of Marmont on the side of Ciudad-Rodrigo, it appears
quite evident that the eyes of the two were rivetted too long upon
our movements, for before they recovered from the panic which our
march created amongst them, they thus allowed the British flag
proudly to wave over the turrets of Ciudad-Rodrigo.
With all deference to the experience and high military characters of
the three Marshals, it seems evident that their plan of operations
was based on a capital military error,—that of under-rating the
strength of their opponent. By adopting this view of Lord
Wellington's forces, Marmont denuded himself of the means of
affording the necessary protection to that portion of the Spanish
territory which his Imperial Master had placed under his charge, and
as a natural consequence of such conduct, lost possession of
Ciudad-Rodrigo. Soult, on the other hand, committed another error,
little inferior in magnitude to the one just mentioned, that of over-
rating the force under General Hill. By doing so, Soult not only raised
the siege of Tariffa in a disgraceful manner, but allowed his attention
to be completely abstracted from that point towards which the eyes
of every Frenchman in the Peninsula should have been directed.
These facts, I conceive, shew us the folly of any general either
under-rating or over-rating the numbers, courage, or discipline of an
opponent's forces. For although I most readily admit that it may be a
little difficult at times for a general to banish from his breast the
timidity of a Druet, who exaggerated the danger that threatened
him, or the temerity of a Marmont, who as much underrated them;
yet I am quite satisfied, that unless a general's experience and
knowledge of his duties are such as will enable him to steer clear of
timidity on the one hand, and temerity on the other, he should be
held incapable of conducting any field operation, if the result is
expected to have any influence on the issue of the campaign.
On passing a church one morning during our residence in Portalegre,
a melancholy sound struck my ear,—it was a funeral dirge. In a few
minutes the mournful procession entered the portal of the church,
and being anxious to observe the ceremony, I followed. Around the
bier stood an assemblage of priests and friars, who for a
considerable time chaunted hymns for the soul of the deceased. At
the conclusion of the service I stepped forward to view the coffin,
and the piece of inanimate clay it contained. The coffin being open, I
beheld a female figure laid out in the usual manner, with her face
uncovered, and decorated in a rich muslin dress. The countenance,
though then in ruins, exhibited marks of beauty. The junior priests
having removed the corpse to a grave dug for its reception in the
body of the church, the bottom of the coffin was withdrawn, when
the body descended into its place of repose, in a manner the most
revolting I ever witnessed. But distressing to the feelings as was this
disgusting mode of depositing the body of a fellow-creature in the
silent tomb, the subsequent operations of the sexton was ten times
more so. The latter, after sprinkling a little mould over the body,
instantly began to pound it with a log of wood, resembling a
paviour's mallet, and continued to do so, after every additional layer
of earth, till the whole of the latter had been so far replaced in its
original position, as to permit the flag which surmounted the grave
to be laid on a level with those around it. During the latter part of
the ceremony I remained close to the grave, gazing in silent
astonishment at the scene before me. At length, however, I was
roused from my reverie, by a most offensive effluvia proceeding
from the depository of the deceased. I did not, however, for some
time, desert the post which I had assigned to myself; but being at
length completely overcome, I made the best of my way towards the
door, lest the exertions of the grave-digger might impose on his
superiors the disagreeable duty of bearing me to my lodgings.
There being no places of public amusement in Portalegre, time, long
before the end of February, had become such a drug on our hands,
that the collective wisdom of the garrison was frequently reduced to
its last shift to devise a rational mode of employing it. Our walks
being few, and miserably bad, and having no books "save the
devil's," by scanning the pages of which we could hope to spend a
few hours each day with pleasure and advantage, not a few of the
idlers paid more visits to a place denominated hell, than were at all
profitable either for their purses or their morals. When officers are
once induced to give up their time to play, and employ all the
powers of their mind to gratify the low, grovelling ambition of
acquiring wealth at the expense of those whom they consider their
friends and brothers;—when the love of play leads officers to prefer
the amusements of the card and billiard-tables, and the rattling of
dice, to the faithful discharge of their public and private duties;
when they become so wedded to their favourite pursuits, as to
consider it a punishment to eat, drink, and sleep, they must be held
as totally useless to the service,—to be worthless members of
society,—the slaves of vice,—and of that low cunning and chicanery
which borders upon villany.
Accursed game! thy blight is every-where,
Thy lawless fingers pilfer every purse;
The smart mechanic, and the pamper'd peer,
Endure alike the pressure of thy curse.
When hopeless ruin hath dissolv'd thy snare,
The pistol or the bowl are things of course;
And few can from thy gripping fangs depart
Without a blighted name or broken heart.
 CHAPTER IX.
Lord Wellington having finally resolved upon the siege of Badajoz,
the advanced guard approached our cantonments on the 2nd of
March. Next day we moved forward to Alegreta, and on the 4th to
Albuquerque. Here we remained until every preparation was made
which our Generalissimo considered necessary to ensure the success
of the enterprise.
On the 16th of March we bade a final adieu to Albuquerque, and
with the exception of one Portuguese brigade, the whole of Sir
Rowland Hill's corps moved upon Merida. That evening we
bivouacked near Zagala, next afternoon at La Nava, and on the 17th
we entered Merida.
Sir Rowland Hill finding Merida in possession of a few of the enemy's
dragoons, and that the latter were supported by a battalion of
infantry, encamped about a mile from the town, on the opposite
bank of the Guadiana, gave orders to General Long to cross the river
a little below the bridge, with his brigade of cavalry, in order to
capture those of the enemy in Merida, and keep the infantry from
retreating too quickly, till we could get up to them. On the first
alarm, however, the French cavalry fled from Merida, some by the
bridge, others by a ford a little above it. The former, by discharging
their carabines on the bridge, gave their friends in the wood
intimation of their danger. As no time was now to be lost, the 1st
brigade, 50th, 71st, and 92nd regiments, moved towards the town
at a trot. In a few minutes we were on the bridge, and a few more
carried us across it. Here we halted a minute, and then renewed the
pursuit with renovated strength; but notwithstanding all our efforts,
and those of our mounted friends, to bring them to action, the
enemy retreated at such a goodly pace, that fast as our brigade ran,
the fugitives always continued to run faster. Success at length
appearing hopeless, and our men being completely blown, we gave
over the pursuit, and retraced our steps to Merida, carrying with us a
few prisoners, whose joints being less supple than their more
fortunate friends, were obliged to fall behind, and were consequently
taken.
Sir Thomas Graham crossed the Guadiana on the 16th, at the head
of the right wing of the covering army, consisting of the greater part
of the cavalry, the 1st, 6th, and 7th divisions of infantry, and then
directed his march upon Santa Martha, Zafra, and Llerena. On Sir
Thomas' arrival at the latter, the right wing of the covering army
rested on the heights on the south of Llerena, and the left on the
Guadiana at Don Boneto.
Lord Wellington also crossed the Guadiana on the 16th, invested
Badajoz the same evening, and broke ground before the fortress on
"St Patrick's day."
At day-break on the 18th, Sir Rowland Hill's corps crossed the
Guadiana at Merida, advanced to Almendralejo, and retraced their
steps on the 21st. In the afternoon of the 26th, we again crossed
the river, moved up its left bank to La Zarza, and next morning still
farther to Quarena. On the 28th, the cavalry, one brigade of artillery,
and the 1st brigade of infantry, advanced to Medellin and Don
Beneto. On the march the detachment was formed into two
columns, the left consisting of the 92nd regiment, and two pieces of
artillery, moved against Medellin; and the right column, commanded
by General Howard, and composed of the cavalry, 50th and 71st
regiments, one company 60th rifle corps, and remaining pieces of
artillery, against Don Beneto. Medellin was occupied about sun-set
without opposition. Informed that the enemy had retired from Don
Beneto, General Howard, on arriving close to the village, dispatched
Captain Blacier with his rifles into the town, to see that none of the
enemy lurked in it, and to obtain an interview with the chief
magistrate regarding quarters. The gallant Captain was plodding his
way through the streets, thinking on the good things of this world,
when all at once his thoughts were rivetted on the things of the
world to come. Unconscious of their contiguity to the British, a
French cavalry patrol had entered the village on a reconnoitring
excursion, and like my friend the Captain, were thinking of every
thing but what was before them. Each party was therefore moving
along in conscious security, when, on turning the corner of a street,
they unexpectedly met. With eyes looking amazement, they gazed at
each other for a few moments, and then proceeded in the usual
manner to extricate themselves from the dilemma into which false
intelligence had led both parties. A pretty little skirmish ensued, in
which the balls of the rifles made a suitable return for the favours
showered upon their heads by the Gallic sabres. After a few mortal
wounds had been given and received, the enemy, suspecting they
had got into the wrong-box, wheeled to the right-about, retired
rather precipitately, and left the gallant Captain in possession of the
well-won honours of the street.
Medellin is built along the base of a lonely hill, on the left bank of,
and close to the Guadiana. On the summit of the little conical
mount, stands a castle, better calculated to repel the assault of a
pop-gun, than a twenty-four pounder. On our arrival, we threw a
strong piquet into it, which was followed by the whole battalion two
hours before day-break next morning. On ascending the eminence,
the air was disagreeably cold, but the scene which opened to our
view at sun-rise, soon banished past miseries into the shades of
forgetfulness.
Twelve miles to the west lay before us the memorable plains and
surrounding hills of Arroyo-del-Molinos, where hundreds of Gerard's
followers breathed their farewell sigh on the 28th of October 1811.
From the ramparts of Badajoz, the continual rolling of Phillipon's
thunder, reminded us every minute that the work of mutual
destruction was proceeding with unabated violence. A few miles to
the east we had a most commanding and beautiful view of the
memorable field of Medellin, where Victor and Cuesta contended for
victory in 1810, and where, before the close of that memorable day,
victory perched on the standard of Victor, which on that fatal
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