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A BOY IN THE PENINSULAR WAR
A BOY IN THE PENINSULAR WAR
A BOY IN THE PENINSULAR WAR THE SERVICES, ADVENTURES, AND EXPERIENCES OF ROBERT BLAKENEY SUBALTERN IN THE 28TH REGIMENT AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY EDITED BY JULIAN STURGIS AUTHOR OF “JOHN A DREAMS,” “COMEDY OF A COUNTRY HOUSE,” ETC. WITH A MAP Second Impression LONDON JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET 1899 TO HIS WIFE THE EDITOR DEDICATES THESE MEMOIRS OF HER MOTHER’S FATHER, FOR WHOSE ACQUAINTANCE HE IS GLAD TO OWN YET ONE MORE DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO HER....
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INTRODUCTION.
INTRODUCTION.
Othello, confessing that he cannot grace his cause with studied eloquence, pleads that at the tender age of seven years he gave himself to the grim labours of the tented field. Compared with this dark heroic babe, young Blakeney, joining the 28th Regiment as a boy of fifteen, must seem a hardy veteran. Yet he too pleads, as excuse for lack of style in the Memoirs which he left behind him, that soldiering and fighting began so early in his life as to leave scant time for acquisition of the litera
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CHAPTER I. I JOIN THE ARMY AND MAKE ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE PERILS OF THE SEA.
CHAPTER I. I JOIN THE ARMY AND MAKE ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE PERILS OF THE SEA.
In the Gazette of July 1804 it appeared that Robert Blakeney, gentleman, was appointed to an ensigncy in the 28th Regiment of infantry. Relying on the delusive promise that zeal would meet certain reward, I immediately joined my regiment near Cork, where they lay encamped, forming part of a corps under command of Sir Eyre Coote. On the second day after my joining, the whole of the troops marched to Kinsale, and having taken up a position on some high ground looking down on the bay, the men comme
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CHAPTER II. I SERVE IN A DANISH CAMPAIGN WITH SMALL GLORY.
CHAPTER II. I SERVE IN A DANISH CAMPAIGN WITH SMALL GLORY.
For some days the most friendly intercourse was maintained between the inhabitants and the British officers. Parties from the fleet landed daily, were hospitably received, and both liberally and cheerfully provided with all such articles as could contribute to their comfort; no suspicion of our hostile intentions was even conjectured by the deluded Danes. At length, the true object of our designs being suspected, a Danish frigate which lay near us slipped her cable on the night of the 13th and c
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CHAPTER III. WE LAND IN THE PENINSULA.
CHAPTER III. WE LAND IN THE PENINSULA.
Everything being now in readiness which we could carry away, we departed from the shores of Denmark in the latter end of October, and after a most boisterous passage, in which all the gunboats perished at sea, we arrived in England towards the latter end of November. The 28th Regiment landed at Portsmouth, and a few days later marched for Colchester. Here we occupied our old barracks, in little more than four months from the period of our departure thence for foreign service, but within that sho
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CHAPTER IV. WITH THE ADVANCE OF SIR JOHN MOORE.
CHAPTER IV. WITH THE ADVANCE OF SIR JOHN MOORE.
All arrangements being now in a state of forwardness, the army broke up the camp of Queluz about the middle of October and, following different routes and moving by regiments in succession, marched for Spain; and an army in better heart, finer condition, or more gallantly commanded were never produced by any nation upon earth. We, the 28th Regiment, marched on the 14th. I recollect the date well, being on that day appointed to the light company. To attempt to give a daily account of our march to
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CHAPTER V. WE RETREAT WITH SIR JOHN MOORE.
CHAPTER V. WE RETREAT WITH SIR JOHN MOORE.
We were now in active preparation for a march, but whether to be led back to Portugal or forward to Valladolid not a soul in the army could tell. All our movements depended on the information received from the Spaniards, which to a tittle always proved to be false; and if we had been guided by it, although it frequently passed through official English authorities, the British forces in Spain must have been lost. The army now underwent a partial remodelling. A corps of reserve were formed, compos
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CHAPTER VI. WITH THE REARGUARD OF THE RETREATING ARMY.
CHAPTER VI. WITH THE REARGUARD OF THE RETREATING ARMY.
There was now a large force suddenly collected in Benevente, which under any circumstances causes much confusion, but more particularly at that moment, when our chief employment was the destruction of stores. Nevertheless the duty was performed with extraordinary forbearance on the part of the men, particularly when it is considered that the Spanish authorities, either from disinclination to serve the British or from a dread of the enemy, who, as they knew, must occupy the town in a very short t
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CHAPTER VII. THE RETREAT CONTINUED.
CHAPTER VII. THE RETREAT CONTINUED.
The Commander of the forces, with the main body of the cavalry, had marched in the morning from Bembibre, and immediately on his arrival at Villa Franca used every endeavour to remedy and quell the disorders committed there. The disgraceful conduct which took place at Astorga and Bembibre was here perpetrated by the preceding divisions. All the doors and windows were broken open, the stores robbed, and the commissaries so intimidated as to be prevented from making any careful distribution of the
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CHAPTER VIII. THE RETREAT CONTINUED.
CHAPTER VIII. THE RETREAT CONTINUED.
On leaving Calcabellos three or four miles behind, we approached Villa Franca. The whole town seemed on fire. This conflagration was caused by the destruction of stores and provisions; and so tenacious were the commissariat in preserving everything for the flames that they had guards posted around even the biscuits and salt meat to prevent the men as they passed from taking anything away. A commissary or one of his satellites stood close to each sacrifice, who exhorted the officers as they passe
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CHAPTER IX. THE RETREAT CONTINUED.
CHAPTER IX. THE RETREAT CONTINUED.
On this hill the artillery attached to the reserve were embattled; the 95th Regiment were drawn up in line on either side, and one company advanced in loose order to cover the front. The road itself was now occupied by the 28th Light Company, close to the guns, being the only bayonets present. From this position the road descended suddenly in semicircular direction down to the bridge which separated us from Constantino, a village built on the slope of another hill beyond the stream. To arrive at
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CHAPTER X. THE RETREAT CONTINUED.
CHAPTER X. THE RETREAT CONTINUED.
This night we passed in feasting, supplies of provision having been sent out from Corunna; and the commissary gave our mess a canteen full of rum, some biscuits, and an extra piece of salt pork in exchange for a wax candle, which enabled him to serve out the rations and saved him from error in securing his own slight portion. We were excessively happy at the exchange, as it enabled us to entertain some friends that night; and we felt proud at furnishing the candle, which was not the less appreci
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CHAPTER XI. AT THE BATTLE OF CORUNNA.
CHAPTER XI. AT THE BATTLE OF CORUNNA.
And now, before I join the army at Corunna, I beg to make a few remarks about the light company, 28th Regiment, during the retreat which ended at El-Burgo. It must, I imagine, appear evident from the narrative that this company fully participated in all the fatigues, hardships and privations which occurred throughout the campaign in question; that they, in common with the reserve, traversed eighty miles of ground in two marches, passed several nights under arms among the snow-covered mountains,
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CHAPTER XII. WE AFFECT THE SENTIMENTAL BRITISH PUBLIC, AND GAIN BUT LITTLE GLORY IN HOLLAND.
CHAPTER XII. WE AFFECT THE SENTIMENTAL BRITISH PUBLIC, AND GAIN BUT LITTLE GLORY IN HOLLAND.
On January 18th, 1809, the British army sailed from Corunna, and having encountered very boisterous weather, the fleet were dispersed, and the regiments arrived in England at different ports and at different periods during the latter end of the month and the beginning of February. One wing of the 28th Regiment landed at Portsmouth; the other, to which I belonged, disembarked at Plymouth. Our appearance on landing was very unseemly, owing principally to the hurry attending our embarkation at Coru
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CHAPTER XIII. WE RETURN TO THE PENINSULA.
CHAPTER XIII. WE RETURN TO THE PENINSULA.
After having filled up some hundred vacancies caused by our Dutch expedition, we again received orders to prepare for foreign service; and in January 1810 the 28th Regiment for the fourth time in four successive years marched from Colchester to go out and meet the foe in foreign lands. On this occasion we proceeded to Portsmouth, and with the 2nd Battalion of the 4th or King’s Own Regiment embarked for Gibraltar, where we arrived towards the latter end of the ensuing month. In the April followin
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CHAPTER XIV. A LITTLE CAMPAIGN FROM TARIFA.
CHAPTER XIV. A LITTLE CAMPAIGN FROM TARIFA.
To relate the many and divers occurrences which took place during our stay at Tarifa, although all more or less interesting, would swell these pages to an imprudent size. I shall therefore pass over many and come down to the month of January 1811. The Duke of Dalmatia, who directed the operations carried on against Cadiz and commanded the French force in Andalusia, was ordered by the Emperor to proceed into Estremadura, principally for the purpose of reducing the fortresses of Olivenza and Badaj
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CHAPTER XV. WE ENTERTAIN RIGHT ROYALLY AT TARIFA.
CHAPTER XV. WE ENTERTAIN RIGHT ROYALLY AT TARIFA.
On the day following that upon which we returned to Tarifa I was sent to Gibraltar with despatches giving an account of our late movements to the lieutenant-governor, who was much pleased with the conduct of the regiment in general, but particularly with that of Colonel Browne for the determined and judicious manner in which he conducted the whole of the operations, as was fully testified by General Beguines in a despatch written to General Campbell on the subject. Rather excited than depressed
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CHAPTER XVI. FROM TARIFA TO BAROSSA.
CHAPTER XVI. FROM TARIFA TO BAROSSA.
Our revels continued until the morning; and in the morning, while many a Spanish fair with waving hands and glistening eyes was seen in the balcony, we marched out of Tarifa with aching heads but glowing hearts. Towards evening we halted, and the army was modelled. The leading division was placed under the command of General Lardizabal, an officer in every way qualified for the post. The Prince of Anglona was appointed to the centre or principal body of the Spaniards; but with this body La Peña
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CHAPTER XVII. IN THE BATTLE OF BAROSSA.
CHAPTER XVII. IN THE BATTLE OF BAROSSA.
The result of the conflict between such a force and our lone little battalion, whose strength I have already mentioned, must be anticipated. The enemy, seeing so small a force, detached from any apparent support, advancing against them, allowed us to approach close; and the orders given by Colonel Browne were that not a shot should be fired, but to proceed to work as soon as possible with the bayonet. As soon as we crossed the ravine close to the base of the hill and formed on the opposite side,
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CHAPTER XVIII. WE RETURN TO TARIFA AND THENCE TO LISBON.
CHAPTER XVIII. WE RETURN TO TARIFA AND THENCE TO LISBON.
Thus terminated the celebrated battle of Barossa, by Spaniards termed the bloody fight of the wild boar, fought under extraordinary difficulties against a gallant foe more than double in number, by harassed British troops, whose gallantry called forth the admiration of all Europe and the malignant jealousy of their allies—a battle which immortalised the genius and valour of the commanding general, who coolly directed our movements until all was prepared for the bayonet, when, laying aside the pe
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CHAPTER XIX. WE AGAIN ADVANCE INTO SPAIN.
CHAPTER XIX. WE AGAIN ADVANCE INTO SPAIN.
Next morning at dawn we commenced our second campaign in Portugal. Crossing the Tagus, we continued our route through the Alemtejo, and arrived at Villaviciosa on the 10th. Here we joined our 2nd Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie. It was the first meeting of the battalions since our separation at the Curragh of Kildare in 1805, and was very interesting. The old veterans of the 1st Battalion with measured phrase recounted their feats in Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Portugal and
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CHAPTER XX. IN THE BATTLE OF ARROYO MOLINOS.
CHAPTER XX. IN THE BATTLE OF ARROYO MOLINOS.
About dawn, weather still dreadful and favoured by a dense fog, the troops were formed under rising ground within half a mile of the enemy, who, strange to be said, did not present even a single vedette. They occupied Arroyo Molinos, a small town situated under the northern extremity of Sierra Montanchez, a broad chain of mountains which receded from Arroyo in a semicircular form, its extreme points being upwards of two miles asunder. It is everywhere impassable, even by goats, except within abo
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CHAPTER XXI. I AM MADE BEAR-LEADER.
CHAPTER XXI. I AM MADE BEAR-LEADER.
The troops now entered the town of Arroyo Molinos, and I proceeded directly to the Prince D’Arenberg’s quarters, to which I was called by General Hill, who requested that I would accompany the prince to Lisbon, and this too at the prince’s request. Upon my expressing an unwillingness thus to go to the rear, the general paid me a very flattering compliment, saying that had he not deemed it necessary to retire in a day or two at the farthest, he would not request, nor even consent to my leaving th
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CHAPTER XXII. I CONTINUE TO PLAY THE GAOLER.
CHAPTER XXII. I CONTINUE TO PLAY THE GAOLER.
After a short halt at Portalegre Prince Pierre returned to his regiment, and we continued our route to Lisbon. On arriving at Abrantes Prince Prosper was splendidly entertained by Colonel Buchan, who commanded there. The roads being here impassable for a carriage, that in which the prince travelled was left behind; and we proceeded in a comfortable boat down the Tagus to Lisbon, where we safely arrived. The orders which I received immediately on my arrival were that the prince should never leave
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CHAPTER XXIII. I GET MY COMPANY AND PROCEED TO BADAJOZ.
CHAPTER XXIII. I GET MY COMPANY AND PROCEED TO BADAJOZ.
On the departure of the prince I immediately joined my regiment at Albuquerque. On my arrival I had the honour of dining with General Hill. He congratulated me on my good fortune in carrying the prince safely to Lisbon, remarking that had I not been able to harangue the peasantry in their native language, sixty soldiers instead of six would scarcely have been a sufficient guard. The general had heard from several Spanish officers of the difficulty and danger which I had encountered. He then cong
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CHAPTER XXIV. AT BADAJOZ.
CHAPTER XXIV. AT BADAJOZ.
At length the bugles of the 4th and light divisions sounded the recall. At this moment General Bowes, whom I accompanied in the early part of the fight, being severely wounded, and his aide-de-camp, my old comrade and brother officer Captain Johnson, 28th Regiment, being killed, as I had no duty to perform (my regiment not being present), I attended the general as he was borne to his tent. He enquired anxiously about poor Johnson, his relative, not being aware that this gallant officer received
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CHAPTER XXV. AFTER SOME ADVENTURES BY SEA AND LAND I JOIN MY NEW REGIMENT IN THE PYRENEES.
CHAPTER XXV. AFTER SOME ADVENTURES BY SEA AND LAND I JOIN MY NEW REGIMENT IN THE PYRENEES.
All the troops, except those left to repair and garrison Badajoz, having moved off, I proceeded immediately to Lisbon. Here I remained as short a time as possible, not from over anxiety to see England, but because, although I had the horrors of the sacking of Badajoz in painful recollection, I felt greater horror at the idea that I might be taken for a Belemite. During the splendid campaigns which took place in the Peninsula from 1808 to 1813 many British officers were collected at Belem, and wi
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CHAPTER XXVI. FIGHTING IN THE PYRENEES.
CHAPTER XXVI. FIGHTING IN THE PYRENEES.
Soon after the battle of Vittoria the titular king, Joseph, returned to Paris and was replaced in the chief command of the French army of Spain by the Duke of Dalmatia. On July 12th this marshal arrived at Bayonne from Dresden, despatched thence by Napoleon. Soult, inferior to no officer in France (except perhaps the emperor), either in judgment or activity, immediately set about remodelling his army; and to revive their confidence and rouse their drooping spirits, cast down by repeated disaster
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CHAPTER XXVII. IN THE BATTLE OF NIVELLE.
CHAPTER XXVII. IN THE BATTLE OF NIVELLE.
Early in October the Duke of Wellington, having San Sebastian now secure in his rear and foreseeing that a great battle must soon be fought, determined to push forward his left wing, gain the lower Bidassoa and the great Rhune mountain and thus establish a part of his army within the French frontier. The better to conceal his design, which was rather hazardous, continual manœuvring took place from right to left of the allied lines, which completely succeeded in deceiving the enemy. Everything wa
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CHAPTER XXVIII. I RETURN WOUNDED TO IRELAND, AND TRAVEL IN A COACH OF THAT COUNTRY.
CHAPTER XXVIII. I RETURN WOUNDED TO IRELAND, AND TRAVEL IN A COACH OF THAT COUNTRY.
This memorable battle, which introduced the victorious British army and their allies into France, commenced before daybreak and continued until after dark. The enemy were beaten back from their strong frontier position, losing fifty-one guns, two thousand prisoners, stores incalculable and some thousands killed and wounded; the nature of the ground prevented the number of these from being ascertained,—it must have been immense. As to our regiment’s advance up the hill to the attack, it may perha
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CHAPTER XXIX. AT THE GRAND REVIEW IN PARIS.
CHAPTER XXIX. AT THE GRAND REVIEW IN PARIS.
After remaining in London at a heavy expense while I awaited the answers of my commanding officers and the result of my memorial, I left town and joined the 2nd Battalion of the regiment, then quartered at Lewes. Here I remained for some time; and then being still on sick, or rather wounded, leave, I visited my old acquaintance, the Prince d’Arenberg, from whom I had received repeated and pressing invitations. Arriving in Brussels, I found that unfortunately he was then in Italy. When I was rath
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From the Right Honourable General Lord Lynedoch, G.C.B.
From the Right Honourable General Lord Lynedoch, G.C.B.
“ Isla de Leon , March 30th, 1811 . “ Sir ,—I have the honour to state to you that I have just received a report from Lieutenant-Colonel Browne of the 28th Regiment, who commanded the flank battalion which so greatly distinguished itself in the action of the 5th instant ( i.e. , at Barossa), of the eminent services of this officer. All the other officers of the regiment left wounded, and himself severely hurt by a contusion, he continued to animate and keep the men of those companies together du
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From the Honourable Colonel Abercrombie, C.B.
From the Honourable Colonel Abercrombie, C.B.
“ Albuquerque , November 20th, 1811 . “ Sir ,—I have the honour to enclose to you herewith a memorial which has been transmitted to me by Lieutenant Blakeney belonging to the battalion under my command, and which I request you will be good enough to forward to Major-General Howard. “As far as I had an opportunity of judging of the merits of Lieutenant Blakeney, I have every reason to be well satisfied with him as an officer of great zeal and activity. His exertions at the battle of Barossa obtai
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From the Right Honourable General Lord Hill, G.C.B.
From the Right Honourable General Lord Hill, G.C.B.
“ Portalegre , November 24th, 1811 . “ My Lord ,—I had an opportunity of witnessing Lieutenant Blakeney’s zeal and gallantry at the head of the light infantry which formed the advance guard of General Howard’s column at Arroyo de Molinos on the 28th ultimo. I have therefore much pleasure in forwarding and recommending his memorial herewith enclosed. “I have the honour to be, etc., etc., etc., “ R. Hill , “ Lieutenant-General . “ Lord Fitzroy Somerset , Military Secretary .”...
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From Lieutenant-Colonel Browne, C.B., late 28th Regiment, commanding 56th Regiment.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Browne, C.B., late 28th Regiment, commanding 56th Regiment.
“ Sheerness , October 4th, 1814 . “ My dear Blakeney ,—I have to acknowledge yours of the 28th ultimo, and am happy to bear testimony to your gallant conduct as an officer whenever an opportunity offered, which was conspicuous in the battle of Barossa, so much so that it was the cause of my recommending you to the protection of Sir Thomas Graham. And believe me, my dear Blakeney, your ever sincere friend, “ T. F. Browne. “ Captain Blakeney , 36th Regiment .”...
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From Lieutenant-Colonel Cross, C.B.
From Lieutenant-Colonel Cross, C.B.
“ Kilkenny , August 23rd, 1814 . “ Sir ,—Understanding that Captain Blakeney is about memorialising His Royal Highness the Commander-in-chief for the rank of major in the army, founding his claims on his services and wounds, I have great pleasure in bearing testimony to the fact of his having twice volunteered to serve with this battalion in the Peninsula before he was effective; and that upon every occasion after his joining that the regiment was in fire his conduct was highly meritorious, and
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From Major-General Sir Charles Belson, K.C.B.
From Major-General Sir Charles Belson, K.C.B.
“ Fermoy Barracks , August 22nd, 1814 . “ Sir ,—Captain Blakeney of the 36th Regiment (late of the 28th Regiment) having written to me for testimonials of his services whilst under my command, to be submitted to you, I have the honour of stating that he entered into the 28th Regiment very young, and that he served with it until March 1812 in the campaign under the late Sir John Moore, on that retreat and at the battle of Corunna. He was in the light company, and distinguished himself particularl
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CHAPTER XXXI. I MAKE MY BOW.
CHAPTER XXXI. I MAKE MY BOW.
Disappointed in all my well-founded hopes, for such I thought them, I departed to rejoin my regiment at Malta. Landing at Calais, I proceeded to Paris and thence continued my route to Marseilles. On the day we arrived at Avignon, where a large garrison was stationed, it happened that the commandant dined at the table d’hôte . I sat opposite to him, conversing with a young Spanish nobleman attached to the Spanish Embassy at the British Court, who took this route to return to Spain. Having met him
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