History of the Peninsular War, Volume 5 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 5 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
The Spaniards had only ten men killed and twenty-three wounded; but
O’Donell was disabled by his wound, and a General who had displayed
so much ability, and in whose fortune the soldiers had acquired
confidence could ill be spared. The system of maritime enterprise
which had been thus well commenced ♦THE ENEMY’S BATTERIES ON THE COAST
DESTROYED.♦ was actively pursued. Upon General Doyle’s representation
it was resolved to attack the batteries which the enemy had erected
upon the coast between Barcelona and Tarragona, and by means of which,
with few men, they kept the maritime towns in subjection; they were
placed always in commanding situations, ... boats with supplies lay
at anchor under them all day, in safety from the cruisers, and under
cover of the night crept along shore toward their destination. Doyle
embarked for this service, and with the aid of Captain Buller, in the
Volontaire, effectually performed it, destroying every battery, and
carrying off the artillery and stores. The same service was performed
a second time upon the coast between Mataro and Rosas, where the
enemy had re-occupied stations; the batteries were again destroyed,
their coasters taken, and the Spanish Lieutenant-Colonel O’Ronan,
who embarked in the Volontaire with authority from the provincial
government, collected the imposts and levied contributions upon
those persons who traded with France, or were known partizans of the
♦OCTOBER.♦ French. He had the boldness to enter the town of Figueras
with twenty-five men, and draw rations for them in sight of the enemy’s
garrison; but in this cruise the Volontaire suffered so much in a gale
of wind, that it was necessary to make for Port Mahon.
♦CAPTURED PROVISIONS PURCHASED FOR THE FRENCH IN BARCELONA.♦
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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