no ford by which the English army could cross. But, at this critical moment, a Portuguese barber paddled over in a skiff. Colonel Waters, a Portuguese, jumped into it, re-crossed the river, and soon returned with several barges, undiscovered by the French. "Let the men cross," was the order instantly given by the English commander, and in twelve minutes his men were seen on the other side of the stream. Their passage was defended by the Sanctuary which Sir A. Wellesley had seized, and in which he had placed twenty cannon. As the 3rd detachment under Paget was landing, they were discovered by the enemy in the city, who immediately rushed forth to attack them. The Portuguese with shouts encouraged the English; but the conflict which ensued was dreadful, from the inequality of numbers. The Sanctuary was also attacked; but the English cannon kept the enemy at bay, till enough of the troops had crossed to seize part of the city. Hill meanwhile threw the enemy into utter disorder and rout from the Sanctuary, took their guns, and numerous prisoners. Soult was completely defeated, and "at four o'clock, Wellington quietly sat down to the dinner and table service which had been prepared for Marshal Soult,"* in Oporto. The crossing of the Douro, and the whole of this memorable victory, was considered one of the most brilliant exploits ever achieved. The title of Marquis of Douro was

* Alison.

RETREAT OF SOULT.

73

given to Sir Arthur Wellesley in reward for this service.

left

Beresford had succeeded in driving Loison from Amarante, so that Soult had no way of escape but by abandoning his baggage and artillery, after destroying all that he could of it, and finally crossing the mountains, followed by such of his troops as could make their escape, and pursued by Sir A. Wellesley. The difficulties and perils encountered by the French army were incredible; numerous prisoners fell into the hands of the English, but by giving up everything but his men, Soult at length secured his retreat with 19,000 only of the army of 26,000 with which he entered Portugal. Nothing marks more strongly the character of the British general than the generous care he always took to preserve the lives of his enemies. The cruelties which the French had perpetrated on the Portuguese had so infuriated the latter, that, but for his interference, they would have retaliated fearfully upon them. As soon as he took Oporto, he issued the following proclamation :

"Head-Quarters, Oporto, 13th May, 1809. "Arthur Wellesley, Commander of the British Army in Portugal, and Marshal-General of the Armies of H.R.H. the Prince Regent;

"Inhabitants of Oporto!

"The French troops having been expelled from

this town by the superior gallantry and discipline of the army under my command, I call upon the inhabitants of Oporto to be merciful to the wounded and prisoners. By the laws of war they are entitled to my protection, which I am determined to afford them; and it will be worthy of the generosity and bravery of the Portuguese nation not to revenge the injuries which have been done to them, on these unfortunate persons, who can only be considered as instruments in the hands of the more powerful, who are still in arms against us.

"I therefore call upon the inhabitants of this town to remain peaceably in their dwellings. I forbid all persons not military to appear in the streets with arms; and I give notice that I shall consider any person who shall injure any of the wounded, or of the prisoners, as guilty of the breach of my orders.

"I have appointed Colonel Trant to command in this town till the pleasure of the government shall be known; and I have ordered him to take care that this proclamation is obeyed."*

The Marquess de Romana obtained some success against Ney, but afterwards was beaten by him ; nevertheless, the late victories of the English had in some degree revived the spirits of the Spaniards.

The Portuguese at this time threw some serious difficulties in the way of the English commander, * Despatches.

LETTER TO LORD CASTLEREAGH.

75

by claims of rank in the army which it was difficult to settle; but the latter, as ever, took what he considered to be the side of right, against all personal or national considerations. In a similar spirit he acted when, at the taking of Oporto, an immense booty, amounting to at least half a million, would have been fairly his proportion of the spoils; he refused to take any of it, and insisted on its being secured to the Portuguese inhabitants, to whom he thought it rightfully belonged. But new troubles beset the path of the victor. The government at home left the troops so destitute of supplies, that they fell into disorder, and committed great irregularities. Their conduct is thus described in a letter to Lord Castlereagh :

"The army behave terribly ill; they are a rabble who cannot bear success any more than Sir John Moore's could bear failure. I am endeavouring to tame them; but if I should not succeed, I must make an official complaint of them, and send one or two corps home in disgrace. They plunder in all directions."*

His march onwards was delayed at least a month by want of stores. An interview then took place between Cuesta, the Spanish general, and Sir Arthur Wellesley, in which a plan of united operations was concerted; but the Spanish want of faith was shown as usual: and the promises on their part were never fulfilled. Nor was the treatment he expe* Despatches.

rienced from the government at home at all better; besides which, cruel reports were circulated, injurious to the character of the general.

"If," he says, 66 we are fit to be trusted with the charge with which we are invested, our characters are not to be injured by defamatory reports of this description. But I am aware that there are not wanted in England channels for circulating defamation of this kind."*

Yet unreasonable expectations were entertained of what he ought to accomplish, of which he thus complains:

"According to your account, I have 35,000 men ; according to my own, I have only 18,000; and the public will not be satisfied, either with you or me, if I do not effect all that 35,000 men are expected to do."

Nothing could exceed the difficulty of managing the Spanish army; and their general, Cuesta, in spite of all Wellington's advice, got himself into inextricable difficulties. Victor was encamped in the neighbourhood of Talavera, and to this point the attention of the British commander was directed, with a resolution to hazard a battle, in case an advantageous opportunity offered. After a careful survey of the position, a spot peculiarly adapted for the purpose was discovered, and upon this he seized. Talavera is situated on the north of the Tagus, and well defended by nature. A post

* Despatches.