Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed]

LIV.

1808.

CHAP. the guns, spiked the heavy cannon, and set fire to the works; while Duhesme, with the great body of the besiegers' force, was sufficiently engaged in observing the enemy which threatened them from the outside. Finding it totally impossible to continue the siege, Duhesme broke up in the night, and, dividing his force into two columns, took the road for Barcelona. But here fresh difficulties awaited him: two English frigates, under the able direction of Lord Cochrane, cannonaded and raked the road by the sea-coast; overhanging cliffs prevented them from getting out of the destructive range; while the route by the mountains in the interior, besides being closed by the cannon of Hostalrich, was in many places steep and intersected by ravines, and beset by armed peasants, who, from the rocks and woods above, kept up a destructive fire upon the troops beneath. In these circumstances the French general did not hesitate to sacrifice his artillery and stores; and thus lightened, he suc1 Cabanes, ii. ceeded in fighting his way back, by mountain-paths on 62, 81, Foy, the summit of the cliffs which overhang the sea, amidst a Tor. i. 37, 40 constant fire, to Barcelona. In this disastrous expedition above two thousand men and thirty pieces of artillery, besides extensive stores, were lost; and at its conclusion the French possessed nothing in Catalonia but the fortress of Barcelona and the citadel of Figueras.1

iv. 172, 193.

Nap. i. 85,

86. St Cyr.

40, 47. Duhesme, 28, 39.

50. Universal transports in

Unbounded was the joy which these extraordinary successes in every part of Spain excited among its inhabitants. The variety of quarters in which they had arisen the Penin- augmented their moral effect: it was supposed that popsula. Entry ular energy was irresistible, when it had triumphed over of the Span- its enemies at once in Andalusia and Arragon, Valencia

ish troops

into the

capital.

2 Tor. ii. 82, 85. Nap. i.

287. South. ii. 287.

and Catalonia. Abandoning themselves to a pleasing and allowable, though short-lived illusion, the Spaniards generally believed that the war was at an end; that the Castilian soil was finally delivered from its invaders; and that, relieved of all disquietude as to the defence of their own country, the only question was, when they should unite their victorious arms to those of the English, and carry the torrent of invasion across the Pyrenees into the French plains.2 These enthusiastic feelings rose to a perfect climax when the Spanish army from Andalusia entered the capital, in great pomp, with Castanos at their

head, under a

citizens to dI DENG 7
Spain, now dal Pens Tur
of the s

Navarre and u de Em
of national existem 201
The press jet IF TH
Newspapers, wa
established at an

towns of Span

added to the ge
extravagant being
necessity of pro

chance of bringing to
issue. But in der
was observed with
measures were ad
pendent juntas to
a feeling increased
of Bilboa, which ha
glorious news fromm
first instance, hai sum
rison; but being mas
or Galicia, the law
slaughter, by a From

done by the exits camada

whom this danger s portance, so me mac

had been the site

boasted in his tec

tion at Bilben ist we

twelve hundred THES

Meanwhile ext

character had ve Lu L oppressors. In ever prae: observed that Portuga course of change wit re Spain; and it we mart and heart-stirring an ever. independence was 100 26 kingdom so deir ingre

LIV.

1808.

CHAP. under the evils of Gallic oppression. At a very early period, accordingly, symptoms of an alarming effervescence manifested themselves in Portugal; and Napoleon, appreciating more justly than Junot the probable course of events in that kingdom, strongly enjoined him to abandon the pompous proclamations in which he was endeavouring to win the affections of the people, and in good earnest prepare for military operations.* Not anticipating, however, any immediate hostilities, he ordered him to detach four thousand men to support Bessières in Leon, and three thousand to co-operate with Dupont in Andalusia. But these detachments were rendered impossible by the pressure of events in Portugal itself. No sooner did the intelligence of the massacre at Madrid and the insurrection in Galicia reach Oporto, than the Spanish troops there, ten thousand strong, dispossessed the French authorities and marched off in a body towards Galicia, from whence, as already mentioned, they were forwarded to Leon in time to share in the disaster of Rio Seco. The inhabitants, in the first moment of enthusiasm, installed insurrectionary authorities in room of the French ones who had been dispossessed. But after the departure of the Spanish troops, they became alarmed at their own boldness, and hastened to reinstate the tricolor flag, and to renew their protestations of fidelity to the French general at Lisbon. The moment, however, that he was apprised of the events at Oporto, Junot made preparations to effect the disarming of the Spanish troops in the capital; and with such secresy and decision were his measures taken, that before they were well aware of the danger impending over them, they were all surrounded by greatly superior masses of French troops, and compelled to surrender.1 By this able

June 5.

June 9.
1 Lond. i.
117, 119.

South. ii. 41,
47. Nevis,
99, 109. Foy,
iv. 202, 210.

"What is the use," said he, "of promising to the Portuguese what you will never have the means of fulfilling? Nothing is more praiseworthy, without doubt, than to gain the affections of the people; but it should never be forgotten, that the primary object of a general should be the safety of his soldiers. Instantly disarm the Portuguese; watch over the soldiers who have been sent to their homes, in order that their chiefs may not form so many centres of insurrection in the interior. Keep your eye on the Spanish troops; secure the important fortresses of Almeida and Elvas. Lisbon is too large and populous a city; its population is necessarily hostile. Withdraw your troops from it; place them in barracks on the sea-coast. Keep them in breath-well disciplined, massed, and instructed, in order to be in a condition to combat the English army, which sooner or later will disembark on the coasts of Portugal."-NAPOLEON to JUNOT, May 24, 1808; Fox, iv. 198, 199.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
« AnteriorContinuar »