Lastly, the indefatigable compiler of the Index must receive once more my heartfelt thanks for a labour of love. The reader will find several topographical notes appended at the end of chapters, the results of my first and second tours along the borderland of Spain and Portugal. Two long visits to the battlefield of Bussaco, and some days spent between the Coa and the Agueda, and behind the Lines of Torres Vedras, gave me many new topographical facts of importance. Drives and walks in the Badajoz-Elvas country, and about Coimbra, also turned out most profitable. But my notes on the battlefields of Fuentes d’Oñoro and Albuera can only be utilized in my next volume, which I trust may not be long in following its predecessor into print. The spelling of many of the Spanish, and more especially the Portuguese, names may appear unfamiliar to some readers. But I believe that correctness should be studied above all things, even though the results in cases like Bussaco with the double s, Golegão, or Santa Comba Dao, may produce a momentary shock to the eye. Portuguese spelling, both in personal names and in topography, was in a state of flux in 1810. For example, the General commanding the Artillery always appears as da Rosa in the official army lists, yet signed his name da Roza; countless other instances could be produced. Where it was possible I have followed the individual’s own version of his name: he ought to have known best. There are still, no doubt, errors of spelling surviving: no man is infallible, but I have done my best to reduce them to a minimum. C. OMAN. OXFORD: _March 1, 1908_. CONTENTS SECTION XVII FROM TALAVERA TO OCAÑA CHAPTER PAGE I. Introductory. The Central Junta. Wellesley and Wellington 1 II. Events in Eastern Spain during the Summer and Autumn of 1809: the Siege of Gerona begins 9 III. The Fall of Gerona (Aug.-Dec. 1809) 37 IV. The Autumn Campaign of 1809: Tamames, Ocaña, and Alba de Tormes 67 SECTION XVIII THE CONQUEST OF ANDALUSIA I. The Consequences of Ocaña (Dec. 1809-Jan. 1810) 103 II. The Conquest of Andalusia: King Joseph and his plans 114 III. Andalusia overrun: Cadiz preserved (Jan.-Feb. 1810) 128 SECTION XIX THE PORTUGUESE CAMPAIGN OF 1810 THE PRELIMINARIES: JAN.-AUG. 1810 I. The Military Geography of Portugal 153 II. Wellington’s Preparations for Defence 167 III. The French Preparations: Masséna’s Army of Portugal 197 IV. The Months of Waiting: Siege of Astorga (March-May 1810) 212 V. The Months of Waiting: Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo (May-July 1810) 231