But in the mean time, Soult's position at Oporto had become more critical every day. Vigo had surrendered to the Spaniards, aided by some English ships, while Silveira had retaken Chaves, with 1,300 sick, and had continued his advance by Amarante to Penafiel. Lapisse had advanced as far as Ciudad Rodrigo, but, on finding himself opposed by Sir R. Wilson and the Spanish troops, he made no attempt to communicate with or join Soult, and, after a little skirmishing, passed on to join Victor on the Tagus. Soult's communications were thus wholly destroyed, and his force had been much dispersed in trying to make them good; not less than between six and 7000 men having been sent into the valley of the Tamega and other points. But, although Marshal Soult had not above half the number of men collected at Oporto that Victor's army consisted of, still the British army was not strong enough to oppose both at once. It became necessary, therefore, to act with vigour on one point, and the former army being the weakest, and in the Portuguese territory, while its retreat was endangered, drew the more immediate attention of the British General. Lest Victor should be enabled to advance to the south of the Tagus, Sir Arthur lost no time at Lisbon, and, after a stay of but six days, set out on the 23d for the army, part of which had arrived at Coimbra. All the towns were illuminated on the road, and on his Excellency's arrival at Coimbra on the 2d, in addition to other demonstrations of joy, the ladies from the balconies covered him with roses and sugar-plums! The army was brigaded anew on the 4th of May. _Cavalry._ MAJOR-GEN. COTTON. 14th Light Dragoons. 20th — — 16th — — 3rd — — King's G. L^n. _Infantry._ BRIG.-GEN. H. CAMPBELL. 2 Battalions of Guards. 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. _First Brigade._ MAJOR-GEN. HILL. 3rd or Buffs 66th Regiment. 48th — 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. _Third Brigade._ MAJOR-GEN. TILSON. 5 Comp. 5 Batt. 60 Regt. 88th Regiment. 1 Batt. Port^{se}. Grenadiers. 87th Regiment. _Fifth Brigade._ BRIG.-GEN. A. CAMPBELL. 7th Fusileers. 1 Batt. 10th Port^{se}. Regt. 53rd Regiment. 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. _Seventh Brigade._ BRIG.-GEN. CAMERON. 9th Regiment 2nd Batt. 10th Port^{se}. Regt. 83rd Regiment 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. _Sixth Brigade._ BRIG-GEN. STEWART. 1st Batt. Detachments. 1st Batt. 16th Port^{se}. Regt. 29th Regiment. _Fourth Brigade._ BRIG.-GEN. SONTAG. 2nd Batt. Detachments. 1st. Batt. 16th Port^{se}. Regt. 79th Regiment. 1 Comp. 5 Batt. 60th Regt. _Second Brigade._ MAJOR-GEN. M'KENZIE. 27th Regiment 45th — 31st — _King's German Legion._ MAJOR-GEN. MURRAY. 1 Brigade (2 Regiments) BRIG.-GEN. LANGWORTH. 2 Brigade (2 Regiments) BRIG.-GEN. DRIBOURG.