Altogether Junot left seven battalions, not less than 6,500 men, in Lisbon and the neighbouring forts, a much greater number than was really required, for, as Napoleon afterwards observed, capitals wait, before declaring themselves, for events outside to cast their shadows before[213]. Knowing that a decisive blow given to the English would be the best way to keep the city quiet, the Duke of Abrantes would have been wise to cut down his garrisons round Lisbon to 3,000 men, however great the risk, and take every available man to meet Wellesley[214]. It is probable that his error, which no French general would have committed at a later period of the war, was due to that tendency to despise the fighting power of the British which was prevalent on the Continent all through the early years of the century. [213] See his curious criticism on Junot, recorded by Thiébault in iv. 268, 269 of his _Mémoires_. [214] For clearness it may be worth while to give the dislocation of Junot’s army on the day of the battle of Vimiero, adding the force of each unit on July 15, the last available return. 1st Division, Delaborde:-- Brigade Avril: _Men._ _Station._ 15th Line (3rd batt.) 1,086 At Saccavem and in Lisbon city. 47th ” (2nd batt.) 1,541 In forts south of the Tagus-mouth. 70th ” (1st and 2nd batts.) 2,358 Field-army. Present at Vimiero. Brigade Brennier: 86th Line (1st and 2nd batts.) 2,501 Field-army. Present at Vimiero (except four companies left at Elvas). 4th Swiss (1st batt.) 985 Six companies at Peniche. Two present at Vimiero. 2nd Division, Loison:-- Brigade Thomières: ‘1st Provisional Léger’-- 2nd Léger (3rd batt.) 1,075 Field-army. Present at Vimiero. 4th ” ” 1,098 Field-army. Present at Vimiero. ‘2nd Provisional Léger’-- 12th Léger (3rd batt.) 1,253 Field-army. Present at Vimiero. 15th ” ” 1,305 Field-army. Present at Vimiero. Brigade Charlot: 32nd Line ” 1,034 Field-army. Present at Vimiero. 58th ” ” 1,428 Field-army. Present at Vimiero. 2nd Swiss (2nd batt.) 1,103 In garrison at Elvas. 3rd Division, Travot:-- Brigade Graindorge: 31st Léger (3rd batt.) 846 { Partly on the heights of Almada, 32nd ” ” 1,099 { partly guarding the Spanish { prisoners at Lisbon. 26th Line ” 517 At Belem. 66th ” (3rd and 4th batts.) 1,125 At Cascaes.