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44 RECOLLECTIONS IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. rious war,” yet they did not in the least damp our ardour to step out, for, though generally young in years, we were veterans in warfare, and as well inured to the warlike sounds of the cannon as to that of the bugle or drum.

“About six o'clock, A. M., we came in sight of our troops on the field of battle at Albuera; the French were discerned in a wood, about a mile and a half in their front. We now advanced in subdivisions, at double distance, to make our numbers appear as formidable as possible, and arriving on the field piled our arms, and were permitted to move about. With awful astonishment we gazed on the terrific scene before us; a total suspension took place of that noisy gaiety so characteristic of Irish soldiers; the most obdurate or risible countenances sunk at once into a pensive sadness, and for some time speech was supplanted by an exchange of sorrowful looks and significant nods. Before us lay the appalling sight of upwards of 6,000 men, dead, and mostly stark naked, having, as we were informed, been stripped by the Spaniards during the night; their bodies disfigured with dirt and clotted blood, and torn with the deadly gashes inflicted by the bullet, bayonet, sword, or lance, that had terminated their mortal existence. Those who had been killed outright appeared merely in the pallid sleep of death, while others whose wounds had been less suddenly fatal, from the agonics of their last struggle, exhibited a fearful distortion of features. Near our arms was a small stream almost choked with bodies of the dead, and from the deep traces of blood on its miry margin it was evident that many of them had crawled thither to allay their last thirst. The waters of this oozing stream were so deeply tinged that it seemed actually to run blood. A few perches distant was a draw well, about which were collected several hundreds of those severely wounded, who had crept or had been carried thither. They were sitting or lying in the puddle, and each time the bucket reached the surface with its scanty supply there was a clamorous and heart rending confusion, the cries for water resounding in at least ten languages, while a kindness of feeling was visible in the manner this beverage was passed to each other.

“Turning from this painful scene of tumultuous misery we again strolled amongst the mangled dead. The bodies were seldom scattered about, as witnessed after former battles, but lying in rows or heaps; in several places whole subdivisions or sections appeared to have been prostrated by one tremendous charge or volley.

“We here found the fusileer and Portuguese brigade of our subdivision, whom we had not seen since we went to Badajoz, where they had also been employed. They had arrived on the ground just before the action commenced, in which the former brigade was nearly annihilated. When we separated from that at Olivenza the fusileers amounted to at least 2,250 men, and on their muster this day only about 350 stood in their ranks. Before their going to Badajoz twentynine men of our regiment had been detached to this brigade to assist as artificers during the siege of that fortress; of these only one now remained fit for service. The loss in several other British regiments was reported to have been equally severe; those of the 3d, 31st, 48th, 57th, and th, were particularly mentioned, and the field before us presented ample proofs that those reports were but too true. All the survivors with whom we conversed were heartless and discontented. They complained bitterly that the army had been sacrificed by a series of blunders, especially in placing the Spaniards on the key of the position, and in not crediting that the lancers, who had for a time been mistaken for Spaniards, were really French. In our inquiries amongst the fusileers the following particulars were collected on the spot; but, before proceeding to their relation, I shall notice the numbers of the contending armies and relative situations to the bloody field.

“The combined army was under the orders of Marshal Beresford, and amounted to nearly 28,000 men, forming in round numbers about the following proportions: -12,000 Spaniards, 8,000 Portuguese, some German artillery and riflemen, and the remainder British. Marshal Soult commanded the French forces, consisting of at least 25,000 veteran troops, about 4,000 of whom were cavalry, a species of force in which we were very defective. The enemy occupied exactly the same position as noticed on our advance thither, and our army the same ground as at this time. About half a mile in our front was a river from which the ground towards us rose in a gentle swell, free from ditches or wood, except a few dwarfish shrubs. Near the extremity of our line, on the right, the ground was more elevated, rising into a few knolls; and rather in front, on the left, was the ruinous village of Albuera, on the great road leading to a bridge over the river. The only living creatures seen in Albuera at this time were an old man and a cat.

“About eight o'clock, on the morning of the 16th, the enemy began to move from the wood seen in front, which, till that time, had concealed. their numbers. Soon after several columns advanced towards the river, one of which immediately crossed on the right, and commenced a vigorous attack on the Spaniards, while others attempted to pass at fords, and at the bridge.The Spaniards, consisting of the united corps of Generals Blake, Castanos, and Ballasteros, defended themselves with the utmost bravery, but were at length driven from their position, leaving behind them ample and indubitable proofs of the obstinate valour by which it had been maintained. From this post the enemy's artillery was now enabled to rake the field, and scattered death throughout our line. Before even attempting its recovery it became necessary to change our front, and while executing this manœuvre a large body of French lancers, which had been for some time hovering about, dashed between the open divisions, and in the confusion that ensued a dreadful havoc was made before they. could be expelled. Favoured by a tremendous shower of rain and hail, which had fallen early in