A British Rifle Man: The Journals and Correspondence of Major George Simmons, Rifle Brigade, During the Peninsular War and the Campaign of WaterlooSimmons, George
History
A British Rifle Man: The Journals and Correspondence of Major George Simmons, Rifle Brigade, During the Peninsular War and the Campaign of Waterloo
Simmons, George
Peninsular War, 1807-1814; Waterloo, Battle of, Waterloo, Belgium, 1815
Light Division, Major-General Baron Charles Alten; the cavalry under
Sir Stapleton Cotton; the Portuguese under Marshal Beresford. Sir
Thomas Graham was made his second-in-command after the battle of
Salamanca. The 2nd Division was detached in Estremadura. Napoleon's
gigantic designs against Russia had caused the French armies in Spain
to contribute ten men per company from a number of regiments for the
purpose of having veteran soldiers mixed with the new levies. The
British and Portuguese armies were now fully equipped and in the
highest order. The Light Division was assembled and reviewed upon the
plains of Espeja by Lord Wellington, most of whom had seen several
campaigns, and few of them but what could boast of having been wounded
in their country's service, and who were also ready to receive more if
required.
[Sidenote: 1813 May 21st]
Part of the Light Division marched to the ford of Marialba and crossed
the Agueda near a mill and then moved on to San Felices, and the
remainder of the Division joined us. Bivouacked. The Division is
divided into two Brigades, the first commanded by Major-General Sir
James Kempt, and consists of the following:—1st Battalion 43rd; five
companies 3rd Battalion Rifles; six companies 1st Battalion Rifles
and 17th Portuguese Regiment of Line under Colonel Rolt; 2nd Brigade
commanded by Major-General Vandeleur; 1st Battalion 52nd; 1st and 3rd
Portuguese Caçadores; six companies 2nd Battalion Rifles. Major Ross's
troop of Horse Artillery still attached to the Division.
[Sidenote: 22nd]
At daylight, moved forward and passed Santiespiritus and the river
Yeltes to Martin del Rio, where we bivouacked. This river rises in the
Sierra de Françia, connected with the Gata mountains, and falls into
the Huebra. The whole army now advanced in a most efficient state, and
under the most favourable circumstances we commenced the campaign of
1813.
[Sidenote: 23rd]
Marched to San Munoz, upon the Huebra, and under very different
feelings I now passed through the river at the same ford where the
French had cannonaded us on the 17th of November last.
[Sidenote: 24th]
Halted and bivouacked. The Household Brigade joined us, viz. Horse
Guards and Oxford Blues.
[Sidenote: 25th]
Marched through Castro, crossing the Matilla rivulet, and bivouacked a
little beyond the village of Robliza.
[Sidenote: 26th]
Marched some distance upon the road to Salamanca and pitched our tents
near a small stream called the Valmuza, as the enemy's rear-guard was
in possession of Salamanca. About two hours after, moved forward to the
ford of Villa Mayor, upon the left bank of the Tormes, about a league
below the town. Pitched our tents. The other Divisions of the army made
corresponding movements, and General Fane's Brigade of cavalry crossed
the ford of Santa Marta and the Hussar Brigade moved towards the bridge.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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