By Sergt. Peter Facey

1811 - Retreat to Alburquerque
         - Skirmishing with the enemy at La Roca
         - Description of Merida
1812 - Further skirmishes
         - Escorting the French Prisoners
         - The relief of Badajoz
         - Execution of a deserter


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RETREAT TO ALBURQUERQUE

It is to be understood that the only regiments actually engaged with the enemy were the 28th, 34th, 39th and about 60 riflemen of Infantry, two squadrons of the 2nd Hussars K.G. Legion. two Brigades of Portuguese Artillery and one Brigade of British Artillery. This was all of the division that could come up until the action was over. We immediately sent the prisoners back under escort of the 34th Regt. and lodged them in a chapel in the centre of the town - the cannon was under escort of the 28th Regiment. We halted that night in the village of Arraya de Molenia. The next morning retreated to Alquerque where we arrived about 1 o'clock. We continued everyday retreating by the same road we advanced until we came back to the town of San Vicenta, when the Division separated and marched to different contoonments. The 28th and 39th Regiments marched to Alburquerque, distance 3 leagues of pretty level country, but numerous rivers to ford.

Alburquerque is a large Pueblo situated on the side of a huge rugged rock, it is of an oblong form, has no commerce or manufactory of any kind except one, which is an oil factory. Even this does not employ more than 6 or 8 people for 6 months. Their chief employment in summer is sitting under the sunny walls cracking pecans. Adjoining to this town is a Citadel, and on the summit of an immense rock stands a castle which was, before the French entered it, very strongly fortified, but on their arrival, which was about 6 months ago, they took the whole of the cannon from the castle as well as from the line wall, and several batteries around it, and carried to the Garrison of Badejos - they likewise compelled the inhabitants of the town to assist them in throwing down and destroying the whole of the breast works on the line wall, batteries and ridouts.

The south-west side is perpendicular, which from the bottom of the rock to the top of the castle (is) about 500 feet. In the castle are barracks for soldiers and magazines for stores. The streets of the Citadel are quite narrow and filthy. The houses are, as is in general in Spain, very irregular built, not of equal height. This town is the property of the Duke of Alburquerque, late Spanish Ambassador to the Court of London where he breathed his last.

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SKIRMISHING WITH THE ENEMY AT LA ROCA

We commenced our march, the weather being exceeding cold and rainy. We marched about 5 and a half leagues and bivouaced near La Roca, having over us our usual canopy (the sky). The next day we proceeded to La Noie where our cavalry surprised 900 of the enemy who immediately retreated on the road for Merida This part of the country, being as much interset with woods that it much annoyed our cavalry. Several charges we attempted but the enemy, continuing in close column and square that few lives were lost on either side. Our artillery, through the thickness of the woods, could not have an opportunity of firing more than 2 or 3 shots, by which we found 7 killed - the number wounded we cannot say as they were taken away by their own men. Night coming on, the troops were ordered to bivouac about 2 miles from the village. At 7 o'clock in the evening a false alarm circulated through the camp, of our being surrounded by the enemy. The troops immediately flew to their arms - all was hurry and confusion for a few moments. As soon as the men seized their arms, silence and good order took place. The alarm proceeded from a small party of the enemy's cavalry who had been sent out in search of plunder, and returning to the town, was totally unacquainted of the British being there, however, the darkness of the night favoured their escape to Merida.

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DESCRIPTION OF MERIDA

On the morning of the 30th November (1811) we proceeded on for Merida where we arrived at 3 o'clock pm. Here we expected to have a combat with the enemy, but on our arrival we found they had retreated 4 leagues. We then took up our night's quarters in some open broken-down houses which neither contained inhabitants, horse, pig or dog.

Merida is a large and very ancient city, was built by the Romans in the time of Julius Caesar. It stands on a high ground on the north bank of the River Guadiana. The city is about 2 miles in circumference with a pleasant country in the east, west and south, and bounded by the River Guadiana on the north. The river is so frequently spoken of in history that I shall not say much on this subject. On the boundaries of Merida it is about 600 yards across, some parts are very deep, other parts are formidable. A fine bridge leads across the river from the city. Its length is about 800 yards, and 7 yards wide, containing 64 turned? arches on the centre of the bridge. On each side are 36 stone steps to descend from the top of the bridge down to the water, over these steps is a beautiful arch ornamented with wrought iron work resembling a cage, containing the head of a man which was quartered at Cuidad Roderigo. This bridge had its foundation with the city about 100 yards above the bridge. The river is divided by a small island of sand which is a considerable preservation to the bridge in the time of flood when the current flows excessively strong. In a beautiful valley on the east side of the town stand the remains of 37 pillars of an ancient and surprising aqueduct for the conveyance of water to the city. These pillars are from 30 to 40 feet high and stand about 7 yards distant from each other.

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FURTHER SKIRMISHES

On the 1st of January (1812) we marched 4 leagues grand? to the town of Almendralejo where we dislodged the enemy and took a few prisoners. This proved a dreadful march, the soldiers being knee deep every step, and under torrents of rain. On the 3rd, our Regiment and two squadrons of the 2nd Hussar K.G.Legion advanced 3 leagues to the village of Fuento del Maestra under the command of Lieut. Col. the Hon. A.Abercrombie where we arrived about the dusk of the evening and attacked a piquet of the enemy's cavalry in which skirmishing 10 or so were killed, 2 officers, 32 men and 7 horses taken prisoners, and was sent back to Almendralejo immediately. Our loss was only one man killed, 3 men and 2 horses wounded. Night coming on, and we not knowing what force they might bring against us during the night, caused us to retreat and form a line of battle on a height about 500 yards in the rear of the town when the men were ordered to pile arms and lie down under them. Though the night was exceeding dark and the rain falling in torrents, not a fire could be allowed nor a single light of any sort during the night. About half an hour before day-break next morning we commenced our retreat back to Almendralejo, and from thence to Merida where we remained until the 13th and commenced a counter-march by the road of La Nova and La Sugal, and arrived at Alburquerque on the 15th. On the evening of the 18th we arrived at Allgretta which is a smart village on the border of Portugal situated on an exceeding high rock, it being late when we entered. a dark night, and we not being much inclined to walk about after a long march, I can say nothing about this apparent distressed place.

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ESCORTING THE FRENCH PRISONERS

'The following day we proceeded on our way to Alphalia, a small straggling town of 4 leagues north of Portalegro. This town is situated on a plain without any kind of defence, its inhabitants appear remarkably poor, and nothing in the town worthy of observation. On the 20th to ...?ing a small straggling village, and the inhabitants in general appear very poor. On the 25th we marched to Nisa, a town situated on the main road from Lisbon to Cuidad Roderigo which garrison was taken by storm by Lord Wellington on the 8th instant. On the 28th our regiment was a guard to escort 1700 French prisoners to Abrantes, those that were captured at Cuidad Roderigo. A number of these poor unfortunate men were in ill health and several of them actually died on the road. The severity of the weather, the want of shoes, shirts and other necessaries of life, add to this the calamities of war being shut up in garrison for several months.

On the 3rd February we commenced our march for Castelo de Vido and entered the town about 3 pm. This town is situated on the declivity of a hill and in a flourishing state, and is surrounded by a high wall which by appearance seemed to have been built against archery, but age has much reduced it. The next day we marched to San Vincente and the following day to Alburquerque. This proved to be a dreadful and severe march as it continued a constant rain, and the worst roads that ever were trod by human foot, and through numerous rapid rivers. Also, half way between the towns of Castelo de Vido and San Vincente we passed that extraordinary and remarkable town of Marvao whose top seems to reach the clouds, it being situated on the top of the highest mountain in Portugal. It has an excellent line wall and is defended by 110 pieces of cannon.

On the west side it stands near a mile perpendicular beside a considerable descent. I am sorry to add in consequence of the hazy, foggy morning I can give no further particulars. We remained at Alburquerque until the 14th of March at which time the remainder of the division assembled. We immediately commenced our march for Merida where we arrived on the 17th, on the 18th to Almendralejo along the banks of the Guadiana to La Sarsa, and the following day to Guerina where we received intelligence that Lieut. Gen. Graham was with two divisions manoeuvring on our right, his headquarters being at Sapa, which Lieut. Gen. Sir W. Erskine with the heavy artillery advanced as far as ...? and Villa Gracia keeping the advance of the enemy in check whilst we, an army of observation, manoeuvred on the banks of the Guadiana. On the 31st of March we found that His Excellency Lord Viscount Wellington had commenced operations against Badajoz, and broke ground on the 17th. Our army immediately counter-marched and fell back to Sarsa and Merida. It is now communicated that the siege of Badajoz was carrying on with great vigour and (were ready) to surrender.

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THE RELIEF OF BADAJOZ

On the 5th of April (1812) orders to fall back on the south bank of the Guadiana and Lieut. Gen. Graham to fall back on Albura as Marshall Sault had already advanced as far as Villa Franca with an army of 30,000 men determined, if possible, therewith to relieve Badajoz. In consequence of this movement of the enemy Gen. Graham took up his position on the Height of Albura, leaving Sir W. Erskine with 2 Brigades of heavy, and one Brigade of Light Cavalry at Santa Martha, at which time our army, under the immediate command of Lieut. Gen. Sir Rowland Hill were falling back by the road of Aroya de St. Severn and Labon to Little Talavera where we arrived on the 6th and took up our position, with a thick wood on the right and the Guadiana on our left, and the town of Little Talavera on the rear of our centre.

On our arrival on the ground we received the welcome news that Badajoz was taken by storm after a siege of 27 days, and a bombardment of 21 days in which I am sorry to say we had losses:-

Killed: 72 officers, 52 Sergeants, 2 Drummers, 910 Rank & File.
Wounded: 306 officers, 216 Sergeants, 17 Drummers, 3248 Rank & File.

Return of stores taken at Badajoz:

   5481 - musquets and bayonets 311 - 24lb grape shot
   163,000 - musquet ball cartridges 15 - 18lb. grape shot
   10 tons of loose musquet balls 40 - 16lb. grape shot 
   12,000 lbs of gun powder 183 - 4lb. grape shot
   23,650 - 24lb. round shot 156 - 16 inch shells filled
   3,260 - 18lb. round shot 70 - 13 inch shells filled
   12,847 - 16lb. round shot 60 - 12 inch shells filled
   3,467 - 12lb round shot. 165 - 10 inch shells filled
  22,856 - 9lb. round shot 108 - 8 inch shells filled
  50 - 6lb. round shot 75 - 6 inch shells filled
  26,200 - 4lb. round shot

With a large quantity of materials for making gun carriages, etc.

Spanish guns taken : 

39 - 24 pounders; 19 - 16 pounders; 17 - 12 pounders; 3 - 9 pounders;16 - 6 pounders; 39 - 4 pounders.

The commander-in-Chief, general Phillipe and 4,700 prisoners.

Our Division remained in camp near Talavera until these prisoners were sent into Portugal on their way to Lisbon for embarkation for England. Its walls under works being so much shattered that it was necessary to leave a strong force of Portuguese until, the breaches in the walls were rebuilt. In order to accomplish this work as soon as possible all artificers from the army were ordered to repair to Badajoz with all possible expedition - but such is the calamities of war that the damage done in 21 days could scarcely be repaired in twelve months.

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EXECUTION OF A DESERTER

On the 9th early in the morning, I was obligated to be one of the spectators of that scene of seeing a man of our Regiment shot to death for desertion, which execution was carried to effect in presence of the Division. The man's name was Cann.

On the 13th we broke our bivouac and proceeded to Almendralejo, from thence to Villa Franca where we remained until the 24th when we marched to Fuenta del Maestra. Our Division was now distributed into different contoonments where we expected to remain for some time. However, in this we were disappointed for on the 5th of May we received orders to hold everything in readiness for a march. Accordingly on the following day we marched to Almendralejo where we remained only for one night and proceeded to Merida and bivouaced on the south bank of the 'Sweet Guadiana'

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David Ryall

Colleytown, Chittlehampton.

This page last updated on 15 Jul 2004