But let justice be done to its defenders. Much was expected from them-- and assuredly, the governor and garrison of the castle of Burgos realized the high reliance placed upon their skill and heroism by their countrymen. On the 18th, the British corps united. On the 20th some trifling affairs occurred between the outposts--and on the 21st the siege of Burgos was regularly raised, and Lord Wellington issued orders for retiring from before the place. RETREAT FROM BURGOS. Retreat commences.--Affair at Harmoza.--The Carrion passed.-- Excesses at Torquemada.--Affairs of the Pisuerga and Villa Muriel.--Retreat.--Affair at Huebra.--A British division endangered.--Irregularities of the army produce a strong official rebuke.--Lord Wellington’s honours increased.--Army goes into cantonments for the winter. A retreat was unavoidable; and, to be successful, it must be rapid. Two roads were open; and by either Lord Wellington might fall back. The longer of the two was by the bridge of Villaton--and by taking it the allies would be safe from present interruption. The other crossed the river of Arlanzan at Burgos--and by following that the retreat would be shortened by a day’s march--but to gain that road, the army must defile directly beneath the guns of the castle. By this latter route, however, Wellington determined to retire--and the strictest secrecy was observed, while all was prepared for a night-march. When darkness had shrouded the besiegers and the besieged, the position was quietly abandoned; the infantry defiled across the bridge in perfect silence--while the wheels of the gun-carriages were muffled with straw, to prevent their being overheard by the French sentinels, and thus provoke a fire from the place.[208] There is no doubt that this dangerous passage would have been accomplished without discovery, had not some guerilla horsemen rashly galloped over, and betrayed to the garrison the movement of the allies then in progress. In anticipation of the attempt, the guns of the works having been already trained upon the bridge, the first discharge from the French artillery was destructive; but the range was lost after a round or two, and in the darkness it could not be recovered. By this bold and well-planned manœuvre, Lord Wellington extricated his entire baggage and field equipage; and the allies were placed on the other side of the Arlanzan, and in the direct line of their retreat, with a loss comparatively trifling. That night, the infantry reached Hormillas and Cellada del Camino, and the cavalry, Estepar and Villa Baniel--while Souham remained in perfect ignorance of Wellington’s retreat, until late on the evening of the 22nd.