march is to be accommodated at the halting places. On arriving, he receives an order from the magistrate on a house; and the accommodation afforded is according to the rank of the officer. Mine, a field-officer, consisted of a room, a seat and table of some sort, a pitcher of water, a bason, and a lamp. The Portuguese are perfectly aware of the order, and aware also that there is some little partiality in their favour, perhaps for good reasons, and rigidly do perform their part; nor will they, in general, allow you any thing else for love or money. I received my billet, and was conducted to a room of the kind that, in England, would be allotted for lumber. My table, stool, and lamp, had served their time many years past, the worms having full possession of the two former. I pitched my own bedstead, took a dinner, or rather supper, of a bit of cold beef, out of what I intended for my wash-hand bason; smoked a segar, drank a glass of spirits and water, and went to bed, when, notwithstanding a myriad of fleas, I slept soundly till three o'clock, when I recommenced my journey. A part of the baggage was once more moved into a boat, and sent on to Abrantes; and the cart being also loaded, I proceeded on my route.

It is astonishing how much this mighty religious people are addicted to thieving; the Portuguese warn you against each other, and yet you are robbed. One of my men caught a fellow running off with his blanket, who said he was sent for it, and for which my man drubbed him severely. I saw another fellow very unconcernedly take up a paper parcel, and put it into his coat pocket; I was standing at a balcony over him, and as he was marching away, called out and presented a pistol at him. He immediately dropped the parcel, and fell on his knees; but I could not resist my men horse-whipping him for his larceny, so that it is not wise to leave any article out of your sight.

As my horse walked faster than the cart was drawn, I got a head; and having by some accident taken a wrong course, by the time I considered myself near to the place of my destination, Azambujo, I asked how near I was to it; and a carter told me, I had left it some miles on my right; and made me understand I must strike into a road that led to the right, and up the mountains; that I should fall in with a quinta in half an hour, and an English Lady residing there would direct me. It was, at this time, about five o'clock P. M.-but I had nothing to resort to but perseverance. I rode forward, my man following on his mule; but I was soon at a loss to know in which quarter the quinta lay, as I was confounded by a variety of roads branching to the right and left; luckily I took the proper one, which led me to the quinta. I accosted two or three men to ask the way, when a Lady, possessing the remains of beauty, asked me in English what I wanted. I told her that I had lost my way, and asked how I should find the road to Azambujo. She immediately directed me, and at the same time entreated that I would make haste, there being bandittis of deserters of all countries infesting the hills in these parts, who rob and murder all they can. I thanked her, and returned to my man, whom I had left in the road, and whose mule was tired out. However, I bid him get a good stick, as he had no other weapon, and I had my pistols loaded: he is an intrepid man, and at once accorded with our defending ourselves, but lamented his mule being knocked up. I trotted on, but soon was perplexed with such numerous tracks, that if I had not fortunately rode towards the sun, I might have stopped in the mountains all night. As I was ascending a hill, I heard my man's voice calling to me; I stopped my horse, and at first thought be was killed. As I could only see the mule, I returned and extricated his leg from

the stirrup. He was looking on his left, as his mule trotted on, thinking he saw something move, and fell off his balance; but he bid me be on my guard, for he saw a man, if not more than one, on the other side of some bushes. I remounted my horse, and gave him one of my pistols, and with the other advanced to the bushes, where I at once came upon five fellows; two were standing, and three appeared asleep. I put on an unconcerned air, and asked them if a party of cavalry had not passed that way? One of the men answered me in French-No, Sir. I said to him, that when they came up, to bid them follow me pretty fast. He said he would, but I saw confusion in his looks. I then went on to the track, rather expecting a volley of balls after us; but on arriving at a rising ground, 1 looked for the men, and saw them all stealing among the rocks; and so I made haste on my way, my man following as fast as his mule would let him, and looking sharply about for more. I at last got sight of the Tagus, and descending into a valley, a shepherd put me into the high road. When I mentioned what we had seen and done, the fellow crossed himself; said there were above 300 deserters in those places, and was amazed how I escaped. A short mile placed me billeted on a dismal house, belonging to a Spanish Donna. The French had, during Massena's retreat, cruelly devastated all the towns and villages on this road; the houses unroofed, and every thing destroyed. The poor Donna made me up a sort of bed, but as I slept in my clothes it was of little consequence. Here I luckily fell in with an intelligent officer of the waggon-train, who was conducting a party of the regiment to Ciudad, and we travelled together for two days. We halted the first at Santarem, at present the establishment of a general hospital, and also the depôt where sick officers are sent; but which place has also dreadfully suffered from French barbarity. I must confess, from the daily specimens the Portuguese give us, their protectors and friends, of their own brutality, inhospitability, knavery, and roguery, I am not much surprised the French were rough with them.

The country is varied, and certainly very much improves in beauty and fertilization, the higher you arrive up the Tagus. The land is uncommonly fertile, and besides vines and corn, is covered with olive trees: hills and mountains also covered with fir trees, which poisoning the earth beneath them, whatever green catches the eye is the tops of the tree, for the soil has in the fir woods a clay colour. The roads are execrable; Nature is the sole operator; and as she, in this country, at one season of the year is superabundantly moist, the torrents have uncontrouled power and cut up the roads, and often renders them impassable; so that a traveller is often, by breaking a current, obliged to make a new tract. The towns and villages are generally narrow, and about them the roads are much the same, and full of large stones.

In two days I reached Abrantes: all I shall say therof is, that it is the filthiest place I ever saw; the magistrate is a coxcomb and brute; and as for the inhabitants, the worse they can treat the English officer, who has the misfortune to be ordered this way, I verily believe the more they are pleased. Policy sent us here, no doubt; but I am certain if any thing sent us home again, or to fight battles in any other place, we should all rejoice.

Lord Wellington, who performs every thing with a masterly hand, has established a chain of posts from Lisbon to Salamanca; and, at certain distances, depôts and hospitals, and appointed an intelligent officer as commandant; by this means, all that depends on supplies is well arranged. About every third stage is a

A

depôt, where you draw your provisions and forage; it is well done, particularly in regard to the sick, who are left and placed in hospitals; and as they recover, are sent by detachments to the army.

The weather is fine, but sultry; the corn is nearly housed, and the vineyards looking luxuriant. There are 2000 Portuguese in garrison here, but though well clothed, I cannot think them well disciplined; there is a cavalry regiment, but dismounted and weak. I am rather glad to get out of this country, I must confess; for as if the hardships of war were not sufficiently unpleasant, these infamous people add to the distress of officers. Could you suppose that they deny any sort of accommodation to the British officers who come here wounded? That they should this day have obliged a poor mutilated officer to go into an hospital, as they refused to give him an empty room, and to let his servant dress his meat in the kitchen! Lord Wellington, I am certain, had no view of placing such power in their hands, to the mortification and distress of those, whose gallantry aided in forming a wreath for his brow! His Lordship certainly considered the Portuguese as grateful, and it is too well proved they are deliberately cruel.

PORTUGUESE ORDER OF THE TOWER AND SWORD.

The following are Honorary Grand Crosses of this Order :CHARLES STUART, Esq. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from his Britannic Majesty, at Lisbon.

Lieutenant-General Sir STAPLETON COTTON.

Honorary Knights Companions of the same Order:

There are 20 Colonels, and 9 Lieut.-Colonels, Knights of the same Order.

Correspondence from the Theatre of War in the Peninsula.

Bivouac five miles in front of Salamanca, 14th Nov.-YESTERDAY, my friend, the army marched to occupy the heights here; precisely the same ground the French occupied at the last general action. By this movement I should suppose our General is desirous to try his fortune again; and, although the enemy are superior in force, yet, as I should imagine they will attack, it nearly reduces affairs to an equality;— and, if the Portuguese and Spaniards act as their situation and our exertions demand, I have no doubt of the result; and a victory gained will then go a great way towards realizing John Bull's reputation. The prelude to a great battle carries with it an effect awful and striking-the troops all collected,-a march compact as possible the approaches of the enemy-the firing of cannon;--that followed up by the prattle of skirmishing, the sending away baggage, all combining to present a forcible and active solemnity to the scene: but the thoughtless manner of the soldiers is astonishing; the same boisterous noise-the same jollity pervades them, as at all other times, and they talk of fighting and beating the enemy with as much nonchalance as they would of eating their dinner. Something more serious is to be perceived in the countenances of officers, although the generality, if they do

feel, disguise their sentiments; and a prevailing wish for a decisive action seems the order of the day, as the supposed end of our immediate toils and sufferings.

Conceive, my friend, with what little thought the expected battle is considered ;— around my tent I hear the usual bustle of cooking, dressing, drinking, swearing, little thinking how many may lay this night festering in wounds ;-how many of our brother officers, who now wear the face of mirth and merriment, may, before the day is over, be the chilled possessor of a few feet of ground. The friend, the companion wrested from us, or agonized by wounds ;-yet, in the midst of all, a careless apathy pervades the firing is at this moment heavy on our right;-the opposing Generals are manœuvring,—this may last for some days :—it was at this place Marmont thought to out-manœuvre the Marquis; and, by detaching to his left, turn the right flank of the British army-but he weakened his centre and got defeated. I am this moment informed the enemy's advanced guard has received a severe repulse from our second division, who drove them back over the river; and 'tis now reported that the French have recrossed the river, and we are to return to Salamanca this evening; so it is, my friend, a delightful state of uncertainty; one night under a roof, the next under a tent, and the next under the canopy of heaven-and very cold quarters, I assure you, we find them. It is supposed the enemy will not attack us, and it is said Lord Wellington will attack them if they cross the river-and so the matter rests at present. Possibly, until the rains sets in, which is at this moment commencing, we shall be teazed in almost daily marches to the frontiers from Salamanca. We have now been some days without English news; and I assure you we are extremely anxious to learn what has been done in the North; a heavy blow there would give life to our cause-the Dons would then observe what a people, jealous of their own glory, can excite; but I do think the Dons are only jealous of us. The attempt to incorporate them in our regiments has failed: they get clothed and desert to their own people —it was on the whole an unwise measure. An order is arrived for the heavy baggage to be sent to the rear, about four leagues; this looks like leaving Salamanca, but time will shew. I begin to think, as it rains very hard, we shall have a dismal wet march to night, or perhaps not see our baggage for some days. I may possibly not be able to send this at present, as our baggage is to be carried off immediately; and, as a double allowance of rum is served out to the troops, we expect a battle. I hear the French could not get their men to attack this morning, and that our fellows waved their hats to invite them on; such are the current reports of our camp. The enemy do not like close engagements with us, for they fight to disadvantage; and, if beaten, hordes of Spaniards fall on them and shew no mercy.

Almadilla, 20th Nov. 1812.-You must make allowances for any errors that may be made in what I am now going to write, for, to tell you the truth, my ideas are so confined, my brains, as the Portuguese express it, are completely rompêd: after waiting three days at Salamanca, I suppose to give time for the store and baggage to retire, we left that city about two o'clock, having blown up the bridge, which, to the credit of the officers of engineers, was completely effected ;-from that day, my friend, we have been continually on the march,—both by day and night, the weather buffets me on one side, and the enemy on the other: after severe partial actions, and certainly experiencing excessive wet weather, cold, hunger, and fatigue, we reached Cuidad Rodrigo. I lament to say, that on the 16th inst. Sir E. Paget, having the charge of the rear-guard, led by his anxiety in the execution of that duty, fell into the hands of the French: it so happened as the divisions and baggage marched in columns on the road, which was surrounded

by woods, the division, in front of the seventh, were about one mile in advance, which created an interval of that distance between the front of the seventh and the rear. A troop of Portuguese cavalry were directed to flank the left of the road; this corps fell in with a party of the French cavalry, who drove them off, and the Portuguese, gallopping to the road, pursued by the enemy, led the latter amidst the train of baggage ;-Lieut.-Gen. Lord Dalhousie's baggage, of considerable value, with a great deal more, was taken. Lieut.-Gen. Sir E. Paget was riding to the rear without his escort, and unthinkingly fell in with the French cavalry, who took him off; great military errors were certainly committed, or this unfortunate circumstance could not have Lappened. We were marching in woods and closely followed, and indeed almost surrounded by the enemy, and it seems we depended on the vigilance and courage of a party of the Portuguese cavalry; no doubt flanking parties from the Light divisions should have been detached, and a communication kept up between the divisions. Respecting minor occurrences, I saw a considerable waste of men on many occasions ;-in one instance I witnessed a detachment of one hundred men and nine officers sent to drive away about forty of the enemy, skirmishers; one Captain and a few men of this detachment were sacrificed in the course of half an hour: a fresh body of Portuguese, about 200, were ordered to the same position, which brought on a heavy fire from a field-piece, at about four hundred yards distance; the officer who commanded the first detachment withdrew his party, and in less than half an hour about twenty of the Portuguese were killed. I have since been informed this detachment was sent to protect a ford, which was not two hundred yards from a division of our army, of 5000 men.

I have to animadvert on the very negligent conduct of the Staff-Officers; it is a fact that some divisions, after being on their feet from four o'clock in the morning, and, having marched over swamps and through rivers until seven o'clock in the evening, under a heavy shower of rain, were kept waiting for the Officer of the Staff, whose business it was to shew divisions where to bivouac for the night. I have heard many old and experienced Officers condemn, in strong terms, the negligent conduct of the Staff Officers, particularly those educated at High Wycombe; the remark is just, that those gentlemen are generally too high-minded for their situation-they all aim at being chiefs of departments instead of being as they are, subordinate;—always occupying themselves in observations on positions, and the observation is correct that, if active, intelligent officers were selected from the line to fill the departments of Quarter-Master-General and AdjutantGeneral, the business would be well and correctly done; these High Wycomb pedants may be well viewed in the theory, but many of them are incompetent to the practical part, either in respect to ability, or activity; you may depend upon it this is the general sentiment on that subject, in short, I believe it is a fact, well established, that a youthful Staff is the ruin of an army; taking, therefore, the various retreats we have made, the distressing manner in which they have been conducted, our tardy method of pursuit, our mode of assaulting fortified places, it will amount to this, that we have evinced a greater ability in hard fighting than any other points of war. I may venture to assert, and without any fear of contradiction, our attack and retreat from Burgos, and Lieut.-Gen. Sir Rowland Hill's retreat from Toledo, has expended 5000 men;-but after all let us take a fair view of the position of affairs at this moment; we have taken Badajos, Cuidad Rodrigo, Salamanca, and Madrid, the stores of the two latter; we have obtained and destroyed 35,000 men; relieved Cadiz, Seville, and all the South of Spain, and have forced the French to concentrate all their force, by which means the Spaniards, if they choose, may form,