The Military Life of the Duke of Wellington, by B. Jackson and C.R. Scott (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1840 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XX. THE ENGLISH ARMY RETURNS TO COIHBRA. MOVEMENT OF MAR-SHAL VICTOR. SIB ARTHUR WELLESLEY MARCHES TO THE TAGUS. HIS PLAN FOR THE CAMPAIGN.--VICTOR WITHDRAWS ACROSS THE TAGUS. POSITIONS OF THE FRENCH AND ALLIED ARMIES. MARSHAL BERESFORD DETACHED TO THE EASTERN FRONTIER OF PORTUGAL. JUNCTION OF THE BRITISH AND SPA-NISH ARMIES. BATTLE OF TALAVERA. Having thus, in the short period of ten days from Chap. the time of leaving Coimbra, driven Soult's army xx"--a mass of fugitives--into Galicia, and thereby 1809. reanimated the sinking courage of the Portugueze, Sir Arthur Wellesley led his wearied troops back to that place, where he allowed them a few days' respite previous to marching them towards the Tagus. In planning the campaign, he considered the defeat of Victor as his primary object, although the position of Soult at Oporto required that the country should be relieved from the pressure and menace of his presence in that city; and he now prepared to act vigorously in conjunction with Cuesta for the following up of his own admirable plan of operations. But unhappily the Spanish general was old, self-willed, and ignorant of the science of war; and Sir Arthur found him incapable of comprehending the principles upon which his own views of proceeding were founded. Fortunately he had so far attended to the wishes of the British general as not to hazard any considerable portion of his force Chap. in Spanish enterprises against the enemy, although he did not keep it altogether quiet. His troops 1809. were scattered about, occupying various posts on the north side of the Sierra Morena, head-quarters being at Fuente de Maestre, keeping retreat open upon Seville by the great road from Badajos. In the meantime, Marshal Victor, who was still in Estremadura, had ...