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
at Bornos upon the right bank of the Guadalete, with 2000 foot, 160
horse, and three pieces of artillery. All the mules and baggage fell
into the hands of the Spaniards; about 100 prisoners were taken, and
the corps was put ♦OCT. 5.♦ to flight. This fresh misfortune proved
fatal to Godinot, whom Soult recalled to Seville. On his arrival in
the evening he went to rest; early the next morning he came out of his
chamber, took the musket of the sentry unobserved, and blew out his own
brains.
The plans of Marshal Soult, however, were not to be frustrated by
partial reverses, though they were impeded by them. France has rarely
or never had an abler man in her service than this general, nor
one who might have attained a higher reputation, if his consummate
abilities had not been devoted to the service of a tyrant, and sullied
by cruelties which bring disgrace upon France and upon human nature.
He had lost Tarifa by relying too confidently on the supineness and
inattention of the allies. The French entered it when they first
overran Andalusia; and having, as they thought, taken possession,
passed on to other points of more immediate importance. The governor
of Gibraltar, General Colin Campbell, seized the opportunity, and
occupied it with about 250 men and thirty gunners under Major Brown of
the 28th. A few weeks afterwards, a thousand French arrived to garrison
it: the general hatred of the Spaniards prevented them from getting
any information but what their own people, and the few traitors whom
they had seduced, could supply; and their troops were under no little
surprise when they found the gates closed against them. They drew up
below the eastern hills, within musket-range, and poured their bullets
into the town; and they entered the suburbs, where several of our men
were killed; but they were without artillery, and seeing a detachment
issue through the sea-gate to take possession of the south-east hills,
and bring some guns to bear upon their flank, they hastily retired, and
made no farther attempt to occupy the place, till this time.
♦TARIFA.♦
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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