The forced march on Talavera—Scene on the battlefield—French dead and French prisoners—Kindness of French to English prisoners—Return to Portugal—Meeting with brother Maud—Forecasts as to his future military career—Messages to his family. Letter No. IV _To his Parents, from Campo Mayor, dated 29th October 1809_ Life in cantonments—Movements of the French—Vanity and incapacity of the Spanish officers—Opinion of the army of Lord Wellington—A letter from brother Maud—Advice to his parents and messages to his sister. _Journal—11th-31st December 1809_ The Light Division ordered to form a Corps of Observation on the Coa—March from Campo Mayor to Coimbra _en route_ for the Coa. _Journal—18th July-10th December 1809_ [Sidenote: 1809 July 18th] Marched to Ladocir. [Sidenote: 19th] Marched to Zibreira, a tolerable village close to the Spanish frontier. Country hilly. [Sidenote: 20th] Entered Spain by crossing the river Herjas, which takes its name from the Castle of Herjas; it runs close to the walls, and is the boundary between Spain and Portugal for some considerable distance. Halted at Zarza la Mayor. [Sidenote: 21st] Moraleja. [Sidenote: 22nd] Marched to Coria, which is a nice little city surrounded by a wall, and stands upon a plain. The river Alagon runs close to it. The cathedral is a fine building. I went into it and heard some sacred music played upon the organ by a blind man. The people since we entered Spain are much cleaner in their persons and houses than the Portuguese, but the Portuguese are more hospitable and attentive to our wants. [Sidenote: 24th] Marched to Galisteo, a town strongly situated and walled all round, upon the Alagon. [Sidenote: 25th] Marched to Malpartida and saw at a distance the Gata mountains with their summits covered with snow. [Sidenote: 26th] Marched to the river Tietar and crossed by a bridge of boats; the day exceedingly hot and the column much fatigued. Arrived at Venta de Bazagona. [Sidenote: 27th] Marched to Navalmoral. Heat very oppressive. [Sidenote: 28th] [Sidenote: 29th]