Memoirs of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton; Including His Correspondence, from Originals in Possession of His Family Volume 1-2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER H. French forces on the frontier of Portugal Interval of inactivity.--Position of the Allied army.--Lord Wellington's intention to blockade Ciudad Rodrigo.--Sudden advance of the French.--Horsemen charged by Infantry. --General Picton's critical situation.--Trying manoeuvre. --Retreat of the Allies.--Interval of repose.--Omen of success.--Death of General Picton's uncle. Marmont, Drouet, and Soult were collecting their forces on the frontiers of Portugal, to cooperate against the allies in one more effort to drive them from that kingdom. The main body of the British army was still behind the Agueda, under the orders of General Sir Brent Spencer; and as the army of Portugal continued to move by its left to form a junction with the corps under Drouet and Soult, the British army was manoeuvred so as to keep on its front, and still protect Portugal, until it effected a junction with the force around Bada VOL. II. D joz. By the 26th of June, Lord Wellington had concentrated the whole of his troops to give battle to Marmont if he attempted the invasion of Portugal. The French in Badajoz were gratified by the sight of their own army on the 19th, when the united corps of Soult and Marmont came to their relief. General Picton had been ordered to take up his old position at Campo Mayor, and accordingly he marched his own and the seventh division to that place, which now formed the extreme left of the British line, the right resting on Elvas; and in this position the army remained for some weeks: that of the French, amounting to about seventy thousand men, under the united marshals, being in cantonments along the course of the Guadiana, between Badajoz and Merida. It was natural to expect that, while the two armies were within so short a...