Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
MEMOIR
OFTHE EARLY CAMPAIGNSOF THEDUKE OF WELLINGTON,INPORTUGAL AND SPAIN,
A
MEMOIR,
&c.
The following sheets pretend to no merit incomposition, the writer pretends to no reputationas an author; the subject must be interestingto every British reader, and if the eventsare faithfully recorded, the work will deservesome attention.
Unaccustomed for a series of years to anygreat or continued exertion upon the continent,the people of England almost doubted theirpower or means of supporting one. The geniusof Lord Wellington, the bravery of Britishtroops, have removed this doubt.
2To the detail of the brilliant exploits bywhich the early campaigns in Portugal andSpain were distinguished, this work is dedicated.The author has undertaken it, emboldenedby the consideration, that from the opportunitieswhich he enjoyed of observing the transactionsin the Peninsula, in most of which hewas personally engaged, he has the means ofrelating them correctly.
In the summer of 1808 the first deputiesfrom the Asturias arrived in England; theywere so rapidly succeeded by others from everypart of the Peninsula, that after a very shorttime there remained no doubt that the greatpeople, whom they came to represent, weredetermined to struggle for independence.
The British ministers did no more than echothe sentiments of the nation when they decidedto give every support to this people;and Sir Arthur Wellesley, who had been appointedto the command of a corps destined3for a different service, was selected to lead thefirst armament which should carry assistanceto Portugal and Spain.
The force under his orders sailed from Corkin the beginning of July; Sir Arthur Wellesleyhimself proceeded in a single ship to Corunna.The state of things upon his arrival at thatport was unfavourable to the Spaniards. TheGallician army under Blake, and that of Castileunder Cuesta, had been defeated by a Frenchcorps commanded by Marshal Bessières, in theneighbourhood of Rio Seco; and there appearedno obstacle to the march of the enemy to Corunna.In this situation of affairs Sir ArthurWellesley hinted to the Junta, that if a requestto land his army for the protection of Galliciashould be made to him, he would not hesitate inacceding to it. The Junta, however, actuatedby