OF THE

WAR IN THE PENINSULA

AND IN THE

SOUTH OF FRANCE,

FROM THE YEAR 1807 TO THE YEAR 1814.

BY

W. F. P. NAPIER, C. B.

COLONEL H. P. FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT, MEMBER OF THE ROYAL SWEDISH ACADEMY
OF MILITARY SCIENCES.

FROM THE FOURTH EDITION.

COMPLETE IN FOUR VOLUMES.

With Numerous Engravings.

VOL. II.

PHILADELPHIA:

CAREY AND HART.

I 3845

to 14818

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

BOOK VIII.

CHAPTER I.

Campaign of Talavera-Choice of operations-Sir Arthur Wellesley moves into

Spain-Joseph marches against Venegas-Orders Victor to return to Talavera

-Cuesta arrives at Almaraz-Sir Arthur reaches Placencia-Interview with

Cuesta-Plan of operation arranged-Sir Arthur, embarrassed by the want of

provisions, detaches Sir Robert Wilson up the Vera de Placencia, passes the

Tietar, and unites with Cuesta at Oropesa-Skirmish at Talavera-Bad con-

duct of the Spanish troops-Victor takes post behind the Alberche-Cuesta's

absurdity-Victor retires from the Alberche-Sir Arthur, in want of provisions,

refuses to pass that river-Intrigues of Mr. Frere-The junta secretly orders

Venegas not to execute his part of the operation

CHAPTER II.

13

Cuesta passes the Alberche-Sir Arthur Wellesley sends two English divisions

to support him-Soult is appointed to command the second, fifth, and sixth

corps-He proposes to besiege Ciudad Rodrigo and threaten Lisbon-He enters

Salamanca, and sends General Foy to Madrid to concert the plan of operations

-The king quits Madrid-Unites his whole army-Crosses the Guadarama

river, and attacks Cuestȧ-Combat of Alcabon-Spaniards fall back in confu-

sion to the Alberche-Cuesta refuses to pass that river-His dangerous position

-The French advance-Cuesta recrosses the Tietar-Sir Arthur Wellesley

draws up the combined forces on the position of Talavera-The king crosses

the Tietar-Skirmish at Casa de Salinas-Combat on the evening of the 27th-

Panic in the Spanish army-Combat on the morning of the 28th-The king

holds a council of war-Jourdan and Victor propose different plans-The king

follows that of Victor-Battle of Talavera-The French recross the Alberche

-General Crawfurd arrives in the English camp-His extraordinary march-

Observations
23

CHAPTER III.

The king goes to Illescas with the fourth corps and reserve- -Sir Robert Wilson

advances to Escalona-Victor retires to Maqueda-Conduct of the Spaniards

at Talavera-Cuesta's cruelty-The allied generals hear of Soult's movement

upon Baños-Bassecour's division marches towards that point-The pass of

Baños forced-Sir Arthur Wellesley marches against Soult-Proceedings of

that marshal-He crosses the Bejar, and arrives at Placencia with three corps

d'armée-Cuesta abandons the British hospitals, at Talavera, to the enemy,