In the conduct of an affair which terminated so gloriously for the divisions engaged, the system of defence adopted by Lord Wellington was very masterly. Every arm of his force was happily employed, and all were well combined for mutual protection. Massena had every advantage for arranging his attack--for thick woods in front enabled him to form his columns unseen--and until the moment of their _débouchement_, none could tell their strength, or even guess the place on which they were about to be directed. Hence, the French marshal had the means of pouring a mass of infantry on any point he pleased--and of making a serious impression before troops could be moved forward to meet and repel the assault. His superiority in cavalry and artillery was great. He might, under a cannonade that the British guns could not have answered, have brought forward his cavalry _en masse_, supported by columns of infantry,--and the allied line, under a masked movement of this kind, would in all probability have been penetrated. Or, by bringing his cavalry round the right of the British flank, and crossing the Coa, he might have obliged Lord Wellington to pass the river under the greatest disadvantages. Indeed, this was apprehended on the 5th-- and there was but one alternative, either to raise the blockade of Almeida, or relinquish the Sabugal road. The latter was done. “It was a bold measure, but it was not adopted without due consideration; and it received an ample reward in the successful termination of this hard-fought battle.” BRENNIER’S ESCAPE--AND SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONS. Almeida closely blockaded.--Brennier destroys the works, and makes preparations for escaping--Breaks out from the fortress, and succeeds.--Badajoz invested.--Progress of the siege.-- Interrupted by Soult’s advance.--Beresford raises the siege-- Unites with the Spanish army under Blake, and takes a position at Albuera.--Numbers of the rival armies.--Their composition.-- Remarks. Although the French moved so slowly on the Rodrigo road during the 9th, that it seemed a doubtful point whether this dubious retreat did not mask some other plan of Massena against the British position, the morning of the 10th dispelled all anxiety on that head--for then it was ascertained, that nothing but a few cavalry pickets remained on the line of the Azava. Wellington, liberated from all fear of present annoyance, after strengthening the position at Fuentes with field-works, resumed the blockade of Almeida. To the sixth division, under General Campbell, that duty was intrusted--for, unfortunately, as the event turned out, that officer asked and obtained permission to reduce the place.