Halted. I had my baggage with me and the horse I rode; two horses to take care of, and no servant. By accident I met with a half-starved Portuguese boy in the street, whom I engaged for a servant. I found the Commandant wanted to send me "on command" with a detachment of sick men to Lisbon. I requested he would allow me to proceed and join my regiment, observing that as in all probability it would soon be actively employed, I should feel sadly disappointed to be absent from it. My anxiety, he said, was highly praiseworthy, but he felt it necessary for the good of the service to send me in another direction. I found it useless to argue the question further, but I determined to start back, let the consequence be what it would. [Sidenote: 10th] At one in the morning took "French leave" and marched to Escalos de Cima. [Sidenote: 11th] Marched to San Miguel d'Acha in the cool of the evening. Moved on to Pedrogão. Bivouacked near a rivulet; made tea. My Portuguese boy very unwell. I cut grass for my horses and tied them close to where we lay down for the night. [Sidenote: 12th] Started up with the dawn, saddled my horse and loaded my baggage, and proceeded to Maimoa in the evening. [Sidenote: 13th] Proceeded to San Estevão. Bivouacked and marched to Sabugal. [Sidenote: 14th] Marched to Alfayates. Bivouacked during the heat of the day. In the evening to Aldea da Ponte. [Sidenote: 15th] Marched to Fuenteguinaldo. [Sidenote: 16th] Marched to Mortiago and joined the Battalion. Colonel Beckwith complimented me for returning, and although the Commandant had made a formal complaint of me to headquarters, I had nothing said to me upon the subject. I found the Light Division thus distributed: 52nd and Horse Artillery in Saugo, 43rd and right wing of Rifles at Martiago, one troop of Royals and left wing of Rifles and 1st Caçadores at Lariquella, and the 3rd Caçadores at Villarejo. [Sidenote: 21st] Colonel Barnard joined the Division with four companies of the 3rd Battalion Rifles; these men had been with the army stationed in Cadiz. They were placed in Colonel Beckwith's Brigade. Marched to Villarejo, and the 3rd Caçadores to Las Agallas. Letter No. XIII Martiago, Spain, _26th August 1811_. My dear Father—I received your letter dated 19th of May, which affected me most sensibly. Your misfortunes affect me most seriously. Would to God it was in my power to prevent them. At present it is not. After the battle of Fuentes de Oñoro we enjoyed ourselves in the advance near Ciudad Rodrigo, the Spaniards being convinced we had given the French a good drubbing. We had dances with the villagers every night. I do not ever remember spending a more happy time.