But every one, from Generals Spencer and Ferguson down to the youngest private, was utterly puzzled at the tame and inconsequent end to such a glorious day. [231] Evidence of Col. Torrens at the Court of Inquiry (_Proceedings_, p. 127). [232] Message sent by Ferguson, borne by his aide-de-camp, Captain Mellish (_Proceedings of the Court of Inquiry_, p. 121). [233] Evidence before the Court of Inquiry of Wellesley (_Proceedings_, pp. 116, 117), and of Col. Torrens (p. 127). [234] Burrard’s account of his own views before the Court of Inquiry (_Proceedings_, pp. 115, 116, 135). The losses had been very moderate--four officers and 131 men killed, thirty-seven officers and 497 men wounded, two officers and forty-nine men missing. Of the total of 720 no less than 573 were from the ten battalions of Fane’s, Anstruther’s, and Ferguson’s brigades. Those of Hill, Bowes, and Catlin Crawfurd did not return a single casualty. The handful of prisoners were mainly supplied by the 20th Light Dragoons, and by the two rifle battalions, whose pickets had been driven in at the commencement of the fight[235]. The French losses were very different: both Foy and Thiébault acknowledge a total of 1,800, and this may be taken as a minimum: of these some 300 or 400 were unwounded prisoners. Delaborde and three brigadier-generals--Charlot, Brennier, and Solignac--as well as Colonels Foy and Prost of the artillery, were wounded. Two battalion commanders were killed, a third and the disabled Brennier were prisoners. Men and officers were alike disheartened: every single corps present had been engaged: even the squadron of volunteer cavalry had been in action against Taylor’s dragoons: more than half the guns had been lost, and the officers who brought back those that remained asked themselves in wonder how they had ever been permitted to get away[236]. But at least they were unmolested in their retreat: using the two battalions that had just come up from Lisbon as his rearguard, Junot retired unharmed, but full of despair, on Torres Vedras. It was not till early on the next morning that the last stragglers of his scattered army drifted in to join the main body. [235] See table of losses at Vimiero in the Appendix. [236] _Souvenirs Militaires_ of Hulot, who commanded one of the two reserve batteries, p. 235: ‘J’étais étonné de ne pas voir l’ennemi fondre sur mes pièces,’ &c. SECTION IV: CHAPTER IV THE CONVENTION OF CINTRA