OCCURRENCES IN CATALONIA.

207

his soldiers, he proceeded to Zamora, in order CHAP. VI. to co-operate with the other armies.

We shall now give a brief sketch of the occurrences in Catalonia.

General Reding, who commanded in that province, had wisely determined to confine his efforts to the maintenance of a desultory warfare, without risking his army by a general engagement. Vigorous measures were adopted for the embodying of new levies, and every fifth man in the province was called on to bear arms. The French army having exhausted the resources of the country, was obliged to quit its position at Martorel and Villa Franca, and draw nearer to Tarragona.

Had Reding adhered to the prudent line of policy which his judgment dictated, there is little reason to doubt its being eventually crowned with success. But the popular voice was against it. The people were anxious for more immediate and striking results than could be expected to follow the more sure and cautious policy of their leader.

Against his better judgment, therefore, Reding consented to embark the army in a scheme for surprising Barcelona. A line of posts was

1809. February.

208

IGUALADA TAKEN BY THE FRENCH.

CHAP. VI. taken up, extending from Martorel through the Col de St. Christina to Tarragona; the headquarters of the whole, under Don Juan de Castro, being established at Igualada.

1809. February.

The project, however, was soon frustrated. The intention of the Spanish leader was anticiFeb. 16. pated by St. Cyr, who, on the sixteenth of February, when a general movement was about to be commenced, attacked the left of their line, which had been too much extended, and drove it back on Igualada, where large magazines had been most imprudently collected. These were taken by the enemy. The Spanish army, having neglected to occupy the road Llacuna in sufficient strength, were attacked in rear, and fell back, dispirited and in confusion, in the direction of Cervera, Cardona, and Manresa.

In consequence of this disaster, Castro was removed from the command, and subsequently disgraced his character by entering the service of the intruder.

No sooner did Reding receive intelligence of the defeat of Castro, than he determined to collect the scattered troops, and conduct them to Tarragona. Accordingly, with a Swiss battalion, three hundred horse, and six pieces of

MOVEMENTS OF REDING.

209

light artillery, he set out, on the twentieth of CHAP. VI.

February, to execute his important mission. 1809. He was speedily joined by the troops which February. were retreating from the Col de St. Christina, and by a body of twelve hundred men, who, after bravely defending themselves in the Monastery of Santa Cruz, had succeeded in cutting their way through the He then proceeded to St. Colonna de Queralt, where he effected a junction with Castro, by which his army was augmented to about ten thousand

men.

enemy.

At this moment, however, Reding received intelligence that Valls was already occupied by the enemy, with a view of intercepting his retreat. Had Reding then moved on Igualada, and subsequently on Montbuy, as St. Cyr was apprehensive he might, the French detachment at the former place, would probably have been cut off. But measures of promptitude and vigour were alien to the character of Reding. A council of war was held, by which it was decided that the army should proceed to Montblanch, where they arrived on the twenty-third. During Feb. 23. the day, a reconnoitring party of the enemy had been observed in their rear; and thus certain

210

BATTLE OF VALLS.

1809.

CHAP. VI. that their motions were known to the enemy, a second council of war was held, at which it was determined to pass the Col de Riba, and thence retreat as they best could to Tarragona.

February.

The movement thus about to be attempted, was one of great danger. It was to be made in a very difficult country, and in face of an enemy very

superior both in numbers and in the quality of Feb. 25. his troops. In passing near to Valls the army of

Feb. 26.

Reding was attacked by the division of Souham, by whom that town was occupied. That General allowed the advanced-guard and part of the centre to pass unmolested, in the hope of cutting off the rear. In this manœuvre, however, he was foiled by the able dispositions of Reding, who rallying his troops which had been thrown into temporary confusion by the unexpectedness of the attack, succeeded in repelling the enemy with considerable loss.

On the following day, the retreat to Tarragona was continued. The French, however, again came up with augmented force, and an engagement followed. The Spanish position was forced, yet the troops retreated from the field in good order for a considerable distance. Panic then seized them, and subordination was at an end.

DEATH OF REDING.

211

The greater part of the soldiers, however, suc- CHAP. VI. ceeded in reaching Tarragona, being favoured 1809. by the darkness. Reding arrived there on the February. night of the action. This brave but unfortunate leader had received several wounds, of which he made no mention in his despatches. One of these subsequently proved mortal. The artillery and baggage fell into the enemy's hands.

After the battle of Valls, St. Cyr remained for about three weeks in the plain of Tarragona, where he experienced continual annoyance from the attacks of the Miquelets. This circumstance and the difficulty of feeding his army in a situation where his communications and foraging parties were continually liable to be cut off, at length induced him to retire towards the Llobregat. The retreat of the French was of the greatest importance to the inhabitants of Tarragona. A fever had broken out in the city, and the departure of the enemy gave room for the distribution of the sick, and opportunity to relieve the over-crowded population collected within its walls. Reding died of his wounds. He was a Swiss by birth, and brother to the celebrated patriot, Aloys Reding. Theodore fell in

April.