History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)

Name: History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)
Author: Southey, Robert

Southey, Robert

Peninsular War, 1807-1814

On the 25th the army moved to Hellin and Tobarra, the object being to
cover Murcia, call off the attention of the enemy from Valencia, and
receive reinforcements from both those kingdoms and from Andalusia.
Infantado was more enterprising and more hopeful than some of the
generals under his command, who would have had him retreat to the
city of Murcia, there to refit his troops, or take shelter even at
Carthagena. The minister at war submitted to his consideration whether
it would not be advisable to take up a position between the Peñas de S.
Pedro and Carcelen, for the purpose of communicating with the Sierra
Morena by the Sierra de Alcaraz. This the Duke thought a bad position
in itself, even if it were not in a desert, and without water; and as
he had ascertained that Victor was moving upon Villarrobledo with the
intention of cutting off the vanguard of the Carolina army at Villarta,
he took measures for averting a blow, which, if it had succeeded, would
have left the passes of the Sierra Morena open to the enemy. It had
been intended that this detachment, consisting of 5000 men, should
have co-operated with him in his projected movement upon Toledo, which
had been so fatally frustrated at Ucles; they were therefore under
his command. He now ♦1809. FEBRUARY.♦ sent orders that they should
instantly retire to S. Cruz de Mudela, or to El Viso; and while he
hastened thither himself to join them, sent off 500 horse, divided
into four parties, to act as _guerillas_ in the rear of the French.
They did this with great success, imposing upon them by their rapidity
and boldness: and the Duke by forced marches reached S. Cruz de Mudela
in time to save the Carolina troops, the enemy having just arrived in
front of them. The French, seeing a force which they had not expected,
and were not in strength to attack, retired toward Toledo, leaving
the open country to the Spaniards: and Infantado then communicated
♦INFANTADO, 180–189.♦ with General Cuesta, that he might act in concert
with the army of Extremadura.

♦INFANTADO SUPERSEDED BY CARTAOJAL.♦

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)Southey, Robert

History

History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)

Southey, Robert

Peninsular War, 1807-1814

On the 25th the army moved to Hellin and Tobarra, the object being to
cover Murcia, call off the attention of the enemy from Valencia, and
receive reinforcements from both those kingdoms and from Andalusia.
Infantado was more enterprising and more hopeful than some of the
generals under his command, who would have had him retreat to the
city of Murcia, there to refit his troops, or take shelter even at
Carthagena. The minister at war submitted to his consideration whether
it would not be advisable to take up a position between the Peñas de S.
Pedro and Carcelen, for the purpose of communicating with the Sierra
Morena by the Sierra de Alcaraz. This the Duke thought a bad position
in itself, even if it were not in a desert, and without water; and as
he had ascertained that Victor was moving upon Villarrobledo with the
intention of cutting off the vanguard of the Carolina army at Villarta,
he took measures for averting a blow, which, if it had succeeded, would
have left the passes of the Sierra Morena open to the enemy. It had
been intended that this detachment, consisting of 5000 men, should
have co-operated with him in his projected movement upon Toledo, which
had been so fatally frustrated at Ucles; they were therefore under
his command. He now ♦1809. FEBRUARY.♦ sent orders that they should
instantly retire to S. Cruz de Mudela, or to El Viso; and while he
hastened thither himself to join them, sent off 500 horse, divided
into four parties, to act as _guerillas_ in the rear of the French.
They did this with great success, imposing upon them by their rapidity
and boldness: and the Duke by forced marches reached S. Cruz de Mudela
in time to save the Carolina troops, the enemy having just arrived in
front of them. The French, seeing a force which they had not expected,
and were not in strength to attack, retired toward Toledo, leaving
the open country to the Spaniards: and Infantado then communicated
♦INFANTADO, 180–189.♦ with General Cuesta, that he might act in concert
with the army of Extremadura.

♦INFANTADO SUPERSEDED BY CARTAOJAL.♦

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)

History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)

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