History of the Peninsular War, Volume 6 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 6 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
The French seem now for the first time to have comprehended Lord
Wellington’s plan, and found themselves out-manœuvred by an enemy to
whom they had hitherto allowed no credit for any thing except courage,
and that only because they had been so often beaten by them that it
was no longer for their own credit to deny it. No sooner were they
menaced by the advance of the columns than they destroyed the bridge
at Zamora, and retired from that city and from Toro. Both cities
were entered by the allies; and at daybreak on the first of June the
hussar brigade under Colonel Grant came up near Toro with the enemy’s
rear-guard, who retired rapidly to the village of Morales, in the
direction of Tordesillas. After having been cannonaded by two guns,
which were all that could be brought up in time through the deep sandy
roads, the French formed behind the village. The hussars passed on
both sides of the village, and instantly charged them; upon which they
made off with all speed for a little bridge across a marshy bottom,
faced about there, being supported by some guns belonging to their
infantry, and stood a charge. They were worsted in it, but passed the
bridge; part of the 10th hussars pursued, and Captain Lloyd advancing
with great spirit, but few followers, was taken: they were again
pressed, and retired hastily on the infantry, losing more than 200
prisoners in these affairs, and so many in killed and wounded, that
the 16th regiment of dragoons was almost destroyed. Captain Lloyd was
ill-treated by his captors; they beat him and rifled him, but left
him in their retreat. Though the fighting was almost in the street of
Morales, the Spaniards were now so accustomed to sights of war, that
within ten minutes after the firing had ceased the women were spinning
at their doors, and the little children at play as if nothing had
happened.
♦SIR ROWLAND HILL CROSSES THE DOURO.
JUNE 3.♦
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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