Either Duhesme was as blind to the real state of affairs as his master, or he considered that unquestioning obedience was his first duty. He told off the two columns as directed, only cutting down their strength a little, so as not wholly to ungarnish Barcelona. For the Valencian expedition he told off General Chabran, with the best brigade in his army, three veteran French battalions of the 7th and 16th of the line[299]. With this force he sent his single brigade of French cavalry, two regiments under General Bessières (the brother of the Duke of Istria). The whole amounted to 2,500 foot and 600 horse. For the attack on Lerida, he had to send out troops of more doubtful value--all foreigners, for there were no more French to be spared. General Schwartz was given one Swiss, two Neapolitan, and one Italian battalion[300], with no more than a single squadron of cavalry, for his march was to lie over a very mountainous country. His whole force was 3,200 strong. To the general directions given by Napoleon, Duhesme added some supplementary orders of his own. Chabran was to pass by Tarragona, leave a battalion in its citadel, and take as a compensation the two battalions of Wimpfen’s Swiss Regiment, which was to be incorporated in the French army. It was expected that he would get into touch with Marshal Moncey when he should reach Castellon de la Plana. Schwartz, on the other hand, was told to march by the mountain road leading to Manresa, in order to punish the inhabitants of that town for their rebellion. He was to fine them 750,000 francs, and to destroy a powder-mill which they possessed. He was then to march on Lerida, from which he was to evict the insurrectionary Junta: the city was to pay a heavy war-contribution, and to receive a garrison of 500 men. With the rest of his brigade Schwartz was to join the French forces before Saragossa, not later than June 19. [299] This force was Goulas’s Brigade of Chabran’s Division, viz.:-- 7th of the Line (1st and 2nd batts.) 1,785 16th ” (3rd batt.) 789 ----- 2,574 and Bessières’ Cavalry: 3rd Provisional Cuirassiers (minus one squadron) 205 3rd Provisional Chasseurs 416 ---- 621 ----- 3,195 with eight guns. [300] Schwartz’s force was:-- 2nd Swiss (3rd batt.) 580 1st Neapolitans (1st and 2nd batts.) 1,944 1st Italian _Velites_ (1st batt.) 519 ----- 3,043 One squadron of the 3rd Provisional Cuirassiers 204 ----- 3,247 with four guns.