Slight operations in Gallicia, Castile, the Asturias, Estremadura, and Andalusia--Reynier passes the Tagus--Hill makes a parallel movement--Romana spreads his troops over Estremadura--Lord Wellington assembles a reserve at Thomar--Critical situation of Silveira--Captures a Swiss battalion at Puebla de Senabria--Romana’s troops defeated at Benvenida--Lascy and captain Cockburne land troops at Moguer but are forced to reimbark--Lord Wellington’s plan--How thwarted--Siege of Almeida--Allies advance to Frexadas--The magazine of Almeida explodes--Treachery of Bareiros--Town surrenders--The allies withdraw behind the Mondego--Fort of Albuquerque ruined by an explosion--Reynier marches on Sabugal, but returns to Zarza Mayor--Napoleon directs Massena to advance--Description of the country--Erroneous notions of lord Wellington’s views entertained by both armies 296 CHAPTER VI. Third Invasion of Portugal--Napoleon’s prudence in military affairs vindicated--Massena concentrated his corps--Occupies Guarda--Passes the Mondego--Marches on Viseu--Lord Wellington falls back--Secures Coimbra, passes to the right bank of the Mondego, and is joined by the reserve from Thomar--General Hill anticipates his orders, and by a forced march reaches the Alva--The allied army is thus interposed between the French and Coimbra--Daring action of colonel Trant--Contemporaneous events in Estremadura, and the Condado de Niebla--Romana defeated--Gallantry of the Portuguese cavalry under general Madden--Dangerous crisis of affairs--Violence of the Souza faction--An indiscreet letter from an English officer, creates great confusion at Oporto--Lord Wellington rebukes the Portuguese Regency--He is forced to alter his plans, and resolves to offer battle--Chooses the position of Busaco 312 CHAPTER VII. General Pack destroys the bridges on the Criz and Dao--Remarkable panic in the light division--The second and sixth corps arrive in front of Busaco--Ney and Regnier desire to attack, but Massena delays--The eighth corps and the cavalry arrive--Battle of Busaco--Massena turns the right of the allies--Lord Wellington falls back, and orders the northern militia to close on the French rear--Cavalry skirmish on the Mondego--Coimbra evacuated, dreadful scene there--Disorders in the army--Lord Wellington’s firmness contrasted with Massena’s indolence--Observations 325 CHAPTER VIII.