BOOK IV. under the command of Sir John Moore,* and those which were sent from England, under the CHAP. VI. command of Sir David Baird.+ The latter arrived at Corunna on the 13th of October, and 1808 Sir David Baird was astonished and disappointed to find that the Junta of Galicia at first refused him permission to land his troops; and when their tardy acquiescence was at length obtained, his reception was so extremely cold and dispiriting, that he was disposed to doubt whether the reluctance of the Spanish government, expressed in the first stages of their resistance to the French oppression, had yet been overcome. The same impression was made on Sir John Moore, when he arrived at Salamanca, on the 13th of November; and this officer wrote from that place to the British minister at Madrid, desiring him frankly to in. form the Spanish government, that if they expected his army to advance, they must prepare themselves to pay more attention to its wants. The further Sir John Moore advanced into Spain, the more strongly was he impressed with the conviction, that the information upon the faith of which he had crossed the frontiers of Portugal, was utterly destitute of foundation. He had been officially informed that his entry into Spain would be covered by between sixty and seventy thousand men ; but so far was this from being the fact, that he had now advanced within three marches of the French army, and not even a Spanish piquet had appeared to protect his front. All the principal Spanish armies were beaten and dispersed; Burgos was in possession of the French; and even Valladolid had been entered and occupied by their cavalry. Under these circumstances, Sir John Moore determined to retreat; but before he could put his determination into effect, he received a communication from Mr. Frere, the British Ambassador at Madrid, strongly urging him to advance to that capital, and presenting a highly coloured picture of the enthusiastic and determined spirit of the people, as well as of the ample resources of the country. This communication was speedily followed by a messenger, sent expressly by the Prince of Castelfranca, and General Morla, the Governors of Madrid, with a paper dated September 2d, bearing their signatures, as the organ of the Supreme Junta. This paper was still more flattering in its representations of the zeal and resources of the Spaniards than even Mr. Frere's letter; and in an evil hour, the British general suffered his judgment to give way to the representations of the Spanish government and the English minister. and the English minister. Under this influence, he was induced to suspend his retreat and to order Sir David Baird to advance. After the main body of the army had been joined by General Hope's division, they advanced towards Valladolid, with the corps under Sir David Baird in their rear. Before they had proceeded a day's march on their route, Sir John Moore learnt, by an intercepted dispatch, that Bonaparte, who had entered Madrid on the 4th of December, was advancing towards Lisbon, and that a body of eighteen thousand men, under Soult, was posted at Saldana, on the banks of the Carrion. Sir John, anxious to meet the wishes of his troops, by leading them against the enemy, and willing to embrace any opportunity of benefiting the Spanish cause, quitted his route towards Valladolid, and, by a movement on the left, having effected his junction with Sir David Baird, advanced by rapid marches to the Carrion. Here the advanced posts of the two armies first met, and the superiority of the British cavalry, under Lord Paget, was eminently displayed in a most brilliant and successful skirmish. But just as Sir John Moore had issued his orders for the main body of the army to commence a general attack, and had requested the Marquis of Romana to co-operate with his forces, he received, from different quarters, information on which he could confidently rely, that Bonaparte in person was advancing with his army in order to get into the rear of the British; that the army which had been stationed at Talavera had moved forward to Salamanca, and that Soult himself had received strong reinforcements. There was now no alternative; a retreat had become indispensable, and the only difficulty lay in the route that ought to be pursued. The numbers of the French army that were now dispatched against Sir John Moore amounted to upwards of seventy thousand. The corps of Soult, before it was reinforced, consisted of eighteen thousand men; the right flank of the British was threatened by Junot, who, liberated by the convention of Cintra from his perilous situation in Portugal, had now again advanced into Spain with fifteen thousand men ; while Bonaparte, who had quitted Madrid on the 18th, with forty thousand troops, was at this moment advancing, with his usual rapidity, upon the British force. So rapid was the march of the main body of the French army, under Bonaparte, and so closely did they pursue Sir John Moore, that the advanced-guard of the enemy reached Tordesillas on the same day that the British began to retreat from Sahagun. At Benevente the cavalry and part of the artillery of Bonaparte's army came up with the rear of the British, and another skirmish took place, which terminated greatly to the glory and honour of the British cavalry, and in which the French General Lefevre, at the head of his chasseurs, was taken prisoner. This check served to convince Bonaparte that his main force could not come up with Sir John Moore before he had quitted Benevente; and the presence of the emperor being required in France, he committed the further prosecution of the pursuit to Marshal Soult, the Duke of Dalmatia, who, with three divisions under his command, was ordered to follow the British without intermission, and to effect their destruction. tish, who saw themselves exposed to a superior BOOK IV. The difficulties and anxiety of the British The French army was now pressing hard The situation of the British army was at this time dispiriting in the extreme. In the midst of winter, in a dreary and desolate country, the soldiers, chilled and drenched by deluges of rain, and wearied by long and rapid marches, were almost destitute of fuel to cook their victuals, and it was with extreme difficulty that they procured shelter. Their provisions were scanty, irregular, and difficult of attainment; the waggons, in which were their magazines, baggage, and stores, were often deserted in the night by the Spanish drivers, terrified by the approach of the French. Thus, baggage, ammunition, stores, and even money, were frequently obliged to be destroyed, to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy; and the weak, the sick, and the wounded, were necessarily left behind. In the midst of these distresses, the Spanish peasantry offered no assistance, and shewed no sympathy; on the contrary, though armed, they fled at the approach of the English, carrying with them every thing that could alle. viate their distress, or contribute to their preservation or comfort. Neither money nor threats could induce them to afford any relief or assistance. In short, the whole behaviour of the Spaniards, during the retreat of Sir John Moore's army, was calculated to add, in no trifling degree, to the dissatisfaction of the Bri * Sir John Moore's last Dispatch, dated Corunna, January 13th, 1809. 1808 CHAP. VI. 1808 BOOK IV. division, which was drawn up near the road to Vigo, about half a mile from Corunna; and the reserve, under Major-general Paget, occupied a village on the Betanzos road, about half a mile in the rear of General Hope. On the 14th, in the evening, the transports appointed to convey the British army to their native shores, hove in sight. On the 15th the enemy advanced to the height opposite the British position. About noon, on the 16th, he began to place some guns in the front of the right and left of his line, and followed up this preparatory movement by a rapid attack upon the division of General Baird. When the enemy's line first began to assume a hostile attitude, Sir John Moore was employed in visiting the outposts, and in explaining to the general officers his plans for conducting the embarkation. Surprised, but by no means disconcerted by this intelligence, he flew to the field of battle, expressing his regret that the advanced hour of the day would not allow the British army to reap all the advantages of that victory which he felt assured now awaited them. The first attack of the enemy was directed against the right wing of the British, and Sir John Moore, well aware that this was his vulnerable point, placed himself in front of the position, in order to animate and to direct the operations of his troops. Early in the engagement, Sir David Baird, the second in command, while leading his division, had his arm dreadfully shattered by a grape shot, and was in consequence obliged to quit the field. An attempt was now made by the French to turn the right flank of the British line; but this manœuvre was completely defeated by the 4th regiment falling back, and opening a flanking fire upon the assailants. Sir John Moore, after exclaiming" that is exactly what I wished," rode up to the 50th regiment, and directed them to charge the enemy; this order they obeyed, notwithstanding the intervention of an inclosure in front, and the enemy was driven out of the village of Elvina with great slaughter. The general next proceeded to the 42d, who, being addressed by him in the flattering and proud words, "Highlanders, remember Egypt!" charged the French with irresistible impetuosity, and forced their ranks to retreat. The career of this gallant officer was now drawing to a close; and at the moment when Captain Hardinge was reporting to him that the guards were advancing to the assistance of the 42d, a cannon ball from the enemy's battery struck Sir John Moore, and carrying away his left shoulder and part of the collar bone, left his arm hanging to his body by the flesh. The violence of the stroke threw him to the ground; but so composed and unaltered was his countenance, and so intently was his mind fixed upon the advancing Highlanders, that for a few moments it was hoped that he was rather stunned than materially hurt by the shot. It was soon, however, discovered that the wound was mortal, and the expiring hero was prevailed upon to suffer himself to be removed to the rear. his way from the field he ordered Captain Hardinge to report his wound to General Hope, who now assumed the command.* The soldiers, although aware of the situation of their chiefs, continued to support the contest with undiminished constancy. The attack of the French upon On * The particulars of the last moments of General Sir John Moore are thus related by his friend, Colonel Anderson :-"I met the general in the evening of the 16th of January conveyed off the field in a blanket and sashes. He knew me immediately, though it was almost dark, squeezed me by the band, and said, ' Anderson, don't leave me.' He spoke to the surgeons on their examining his wounds, but was in such pain that he could say little. After some time he seemed very anxious to speak to me, and, at intervals, got out as follows: Anderson, you know that I have always wished to die this way.' He then asked, Are the French beaten?' which he repeated to every one he knew, as they came in. I hope the people of England will be satisfied!—I hope my country will do me justice!-Anderson, you will see my friends as soon as you can-Tell them-every thing-Say to my mother'...Here his voice quite failed, and he was excessively agitated.-' Hope-Hope-I have much to say to him,--but cannot get it out-are Colonel Graham—and all my aides-de-camp, well?—I have made my will, and have remembered my servants.-Colborne has my will,—and all my papers.' "Major Colborne then came into the room. He spoke most kindly to him, and then said to me, Anderson, remember you go to ——, and tell him it is my request, and that I expect he will give Major Colborne a lieutenantcolonelcy. He has been long with me, and I know him most worthy of it.' He then asked Major Colborne, if the French were beaten ?' and, on being told they were on every point, he said, 'It's a great satisfaction to me to know we have beaten the French.-Is Paget in the room? On my telling him, no; he said, 'remember me to him.-It's General Paget I mean he is a fine fellow.I feel myself so strong-I fear I shall be long dying.—It is great uneasiness-It is great pain.' He thanked the surgeons for their trouble. Captains Percy and Stanhope, two of his aides-de-camp, then came into the room. He spoke kindly to both, and asked Percy,§ if all his aides-de-camp were well?' After some interval, he said. Stanhope,||-remember me to your sister.' He pressed my hand close to his body, and in a few minutes died without a struggle." § The Honourable Captain Percy, son of Lord Beverley. || The Honourable Captain Stanhope, third son of Earl Stanhope, and nephew of the late Mr. Pitt. the right of the British line was completely repulsed; and they were, in their turn, obliged to draw back their left flank, to prevent it from being turned. Their next attempt was against the centre: but here they were successfully resisted by Generals Manningham and Leigh. The last effort of the enemy was directed against the left of the British army, but they were almost instantly driven back with loss; and although the discharge of cannon, and the report of musketry, continued till night put an end to the operations, yet at four o'clock in the afternoon the English had taken up a position in advance, and victory was no longer doubtful. When all the disadvantages under which this complete and brilliant victory was achieved, are taken into consideration, the honour which it reflects on the British arms will be duly appreciated. Exhausted and worn out by rapid imarches over a country two hundred and fifty miles in extent, in the most inclement season of the year, destitute of food and shelter, and deprived by sickness and the casualties of war of ten thousand of their companions in armsfifteen thousand British troops resisted and successfully repelled the attacks of an enemy amounting to at least twenty thousand men :* and while the loss of the British in the battle of Corunna amounted to from seven to eight hundred, the loss of the French is estimated at two thousand. General Hope, aware of the approaching succours of the French army, and of the circumstances under which the British troops were placed, judged it advisable to proceed in the embarkation, for which indeed the preparatory measures had been taken by Sir John Moore. Accordingly, about ten o'clock on the night of the 16th, the troops quitted their position, and marched into Corunna, where the embarkation for England immediately commenced; and so well concerted were the arrangements, that during the night, and in the course of the following day, the whole army, including the sick and wounded, were placed on board the transports without molestation from the enemy. As it had always been the wish of Sir John Moore to die upon the field of battle, so it had been his earnest request that he should be buried where he fell. This request, so congenial to the mind of a general whose distinguishing charac- BOOK IV. teristic it was to have "spent his life among his troops," was strictly complied with. At the solemn CHAP. VI. hour of midnight the corpse was carried to the citadel of Corunna by Colonel Graham, Major 1808 Colborne, and the aides-de-camp, and deposited in Colonel Graham's quarters. A grave was dug on the ramparts by a party of the 9th regiment, the aides-de-camp attending by turns. No coffin could be procured, and the body was never undressed, but wrapped up by the officers of his staff in a military cloak and blankets. At eight o'clock in the morning of the 17th the interment took place; the officers of his family bore the body to the grave; the funeral service was read by the chaplain; and the earth received the remains of the departed hero. The benefits derived to an army from the example of a distinguished commander, do not terminate at his death; his virtues live in the recollection of his associates, and his fame remains the strongest incentive to great and glorious actions. Educated in the school of regimental duty, Sir John Moore at an early period obtained, with general approbation, that conspicuous station in which he gloriously terminated his honourable life. His country, the object of his latest solicitude, has reared a monument to his lamented memory, and at his death the commander-in-chief held him forth as an example to the British army.t. This first campaign in Spain was disastrous try, entirely failed, and the apathy of the Spanish * Narrative of the Campaign of the British Army in Spain, by James Moore, Esq. BOOK IV. 1808 CHAPTER VII, FOREIGN HISTORY: Mediation of Austria-Perilous Situation of Sweden-Subsidiary Treaty between Great Britain and Sweden-Invasion of Finland by the Russians, under Count Buxhovden—Surrender of Abo and Biorneberg to the Russians—Fall of Sweaborg-Armistice between the Russian and Swedish Forces-Unsuccessful Efforts of Sweden against Norway -English Army dispatched to the Baltic-Operations of the Squadron under Sir Samuel Hood-Predominant Influence of French Politics at the Court of St. Petersburg-Expulsion of the Swedes from Finland-Death of Christian VII. King of Denmark-Changes in Italy— Establishment of an Order of Hereditary Nobility in France-Nomenclature of the Court of the Emperor Napoleon-(note)-French Annual Exposé-Relations between the United States of America and the belligerent Powers of Europe. was THE year 1808 was ushered in by an offer from the Emperor of Austria to become the CHAP. VII. mediator of a general peace.* A similar offer had been made in the spring of the preceding year, when the emperor proposed his amicable mediation to the courts of London, Paris, Berlin, and St. Petersburg, and invited them to open a negociation for peace; intimating that any place in his dominions, remote from the seat of war, might be fixed upon for assembling the congress. To this proposal the British government acceded, provided that the proffered mediation was accepted by the other belligerents. The affairs of the continent at this period were, however, such as to afford little expectation of the return of tranquillity, and seven months elapsed before any thing more heard on the subject. The Prince de Stahremberg, the Austrian envoy extraordinary to the court of London, then transmitted another note to the secretary of state for foreign affairs,§ announcing, that he had received positive orders from his court, to make the most earnest representations on the importance of putting an end to the struggle which still existed between England and France, the effects of which might produce to the rest of Europe the most fatal consequences; and the emperor, therefore, officially and earnestly requested a formal assurance from the British government, of its readiness to enter into a negociation for a maritime peace. To this proposal Mr. Canning replied, that his majesty was now, as he had at all times been, prepared to enter into a negociation for the conclusion of such a peace as should be con sistent with his fidelity to his allies, and should *Note from Count Stahremberg to Mr. Secretary Canning, dated London, Jan. 1, 1808. § Dated November 20, 1807. November 23, 1807. |