Forded the Duero. Encamped upon the right bank about six miles from Valladolid. CHAPTER X _Journal—1st-31st August 1812_ The Light Division march on Madrid—Bivouac in the park of the Escorial—A wild-boar hunt—Visit to the mausoleum in the Escorial and the public buildings in Madrid—King Joseph's quarters—Joy of the inhabitants at the arrival of Lord Wellington's army—The French in the Buen Retiro surrender—Bull-fight in honour of the British army. Letter No. XVI _To his Parents, from Madrid, dated 8th September 1812_ Narrates the loss of his horse and mule, and discomfort and hardships resulting therefrom—Unable to remit any more money in consequence, until after Christmas—Joseph to join the Rifles—Intends to make him study—Sends his picture to sister Ann and remittance of £22 to his parents. _Journal—1st September-31st December 1812_ In cantonments near Madrid—News of brother Joseph being ill—Visit to Alcala—News of the failure of the assault on Burgos—The British army forced to retire from Madrid—Halt at Salamanca—Fatal accident to Lieutenant Firman of the Rifles—Retreat from Salamanca—Joseph very ill—Light Division on rear-guard—Bad weather and great privations—The soldiers starving—Subsist on acorns—Two soldiers shot by order of Lord Wellington for shooting pigs—Combat of the Huebra (San Munoz)—The rear-guard sharply pressed—Cross the Huebra under heavy fire—Finds his brother has been left behind—Recrosses the river and saves him—The French relinquish the pursuit and fall back on Salamanca—In cantonments at Villar del Puerco—Amusing incident with three Dragoon officers—Stratagem to induce them to march after their men—A friendly parting—In winter quarters at Almeida—A regimental mess formed. Letter No. XVII _To his Parents, from Alameda, Spain, dated 12th December 1812_ Describes the retreat from Madrid—The three brothers meet—Hardships of the retreat—Joseph made to do five hours' study daily—Is very proud of his green clothes. Letter No. XVIII _To his Father, from Alameda, Spain, dated 29th December 1812_ Lecture to his father—No faith in M.P.'s—News of the Moscow campaign and successes of the Russians—Joseph's health, appetite, and studies—Does not like being shot at—Warns his father not to show his letters abroad. _Journal—1st-31st August 1812_ [Sidenote: 1812 Aug. 1st] Marched to Tudela de Duero. [Sidenote: 2nd] Visited Valladolid, a gloomy, sombre-looking town. Returned to camp and marched to Aldea Mayor. Recrossed the Duero. [Sidenote: 6th] Marched early and bivouacked in a wood near Mata de Cuellar. [Sidenote: 7th] Marched and bivouacked on the right bank of the Piron. [Sidenote: 8th] At daylight marched, and passed through Carbonnero. The women in this part of Spain had tremendous pigtails, which produced much joking amongst the soldiers as they went along. Bivouacked in a wood near the Rio Eresma. [Sidenote: 9th]