Is sent out on a reconnaissance by General Craufurd—Marshal Marmont advances in force—The Light Division falls back across the Agueda—The Light Division chaplain oversleeps himself and falls into the hands of the French—Narrow escape of General Craufurd from capture by French Dragoons—Marshal Marmont, having effected his object, falls back into Spain. Letter No. XIV _To Lieutenant Maud Simmons, 34th Regiment, 2nd Division, Portugal, from Aldea Velha, Portugal, dated 1st October 1811_ Describes General Marmont's concentration and advance to protect the convoy destined to revictual Ciudad Rodrigo—The position at El Bodon—General Picton attacked—Lord Wellington withdraws on Aldea da Ponte—The Rifles on rear-guard—The French advanced guard press them, but are driven back—The French cavalry capture some Portuguese guns, but the latter are recaptured by the 5th Fusiliers with the bayonet—The British army draws up on the heights of Alfayates, but Marmont refuses action and falls back—The Light Division "out of a scrape" for the first time without losses—Regrets at this. _Journal—1st October-10th December 1811_ Gets the ague, the result of repeated drenchings—Don Julian Sanchez, the guerrilla chief, captures General Renaud, the Governor of Ciudad Rodrigo—The Light Division ordered out to endeavour to intercept the new Governor reaching that fortress—Simmons's stable on fire—Nearly loses his horses—Again attacked by ague—Lord Wellington inspects the three British regiments of the Light Division (43rd, 52nd, and 95th Rifles) near Fuenteguinaldo—The Light Division goes into cantonments for the winter. Letter No. XV _To his Parents, from Atalaya, Spain, dated 8th December 1811_ Anxious inquiries about brother Joseph, and further instructions as to his voyage out, his uniform and equipment—How to make an officer's cocked hat—Severe lecture to his father. _Journal—26th May-21st August 1811_ [Sidenote: 1811 May 26th] [Sidenote: 27th] The Light Division marched to Nava de Avel and Aldea da Ponte, fully expecting to proceed to Alentejo. Countermanded and took up again the line of outposts from the 5th Division in front of Espeja and Gallegos. [Sidenote: 1811 June 5th] Having correct information that the enemy's cavalry had been collecting in large force for some days upon the Agueda, made us much upon the alert to know where the attack would be made, and before day we marched out of Espeja (Beckwith's Brigade) and bivouacked in a wood in rear of that place. Returned about noon. [Sidenote: 6th] The Light Division retired, the outposts being put back with a body of cavalry. We passed through Aldea da Ponte and bivouacked in the wood near Alfayates. We heard that Marshal Marmont commanded the French, and that Massena had been recalled to Paris to explain to Napoleon why he had been repulsed and beaten at Fuentes de Oñoro; so the deserters inform us. [Sidenote: 7th]