I had been very unwell, and had kept my bed for some days. Suddenly this morning, the order to march came; my servant brought me the news. I instantly jumped out of bed and dressed myself. Dr. Burke, our surgeon, saw me mounting my horse. "What, sir, are you mad? You cannot go in your present state with the Division. I have got a car to send you away with the sick." I thanked him, but observed, "I am determined to try." I was exceedingly ill, but during the march I was violently attacked with vomiting, and in a very debilitated state got into a billet with my captain at Portalegre upon a _padre_ (clergyman), who gave me some chocolate and a comfortable bed, and I was somewhat better the following morning and went with the Division to Arronches. [Sidenote: 16th] Marched to Elvas and found myself getting better. [Sidenote: 17th] Marched to the camp before Badajoz. The 3rd and 4th Divisions were upon the ground. Some time after dark, broke ground before Fort Picurina and the town. [Sidenote: 18th] On piquet with the company near an old ruin some little distance from the town, and from which we had a good view of the working parties' operations in the trenches. [Sidenote: 19th] Weather for some days back cold and rainy. The enemy collected a body of horse and foot and made a sortie upon our works. They had a number of men to take away our tools and fill up the trenches. They drew back very soon. At the moment of the attack our different parties were relieving, and the weather being very dull, accompanied with a drizzling rain, the enemy got very close before they were observed. The enemy's cavalry dashed through our camp, and at the spot where the Engineers were engaged in carrying on the work for the siege, captured an officer, and a Dragoon tried to drag him away with him. Our people in the camp at the moment fancied they were the Portuguese cavalry, but soon were undeceived, and a number took up arms and ran forward to attack them. They made their way back as rapidly as they had moved forward. The officer, Colonel Seres, who commanded the sortie, died of his wounds in the town. [Sidenote: 25th] About twelve o'clock A.M. our first battery opened and played handsomely upon Fort Picurina. Storming of Fort Picurina [Sidenote: 26th]