Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 edition. Excerpt: ...and forcibly described the qualities, which are most valuable in a military body. "These," he says, "are not bravery "alone, but patience and hardship, obedience to com"mand, sobriety, firmness and resolution in every dif"ferent situation in which they may be placed. It is tl by the display of such qualities alone, that the army "can expect to deserve the name of soldiers; that they "can be able to withstand the forces opposed to them, "or to fulfil the expectations of their country." From any participation in the excesses which were committed, the 26th or Cameronian Regiment appear to have been singularly free, as one man only was punished; and he, though taken in company with others, was supposed, from being somewhat idiotic, to have been a spectator rather than a sharer in the plunder. On the 31st of December, the Regiment quitted Astorga on its march to Lugo. At this time, Sir John Moore's despatch showed that the hope of disputing the passes of the mountains, which afforded positions of great strength, as expressed in his correspondence with Romana, was finally relinquished; for, besides the de 1808. struction of the ammunition and stores collected there, lst the sick were abandoned, and he stated, "we must all "make forced marches to the coast from the scarcity of "provisions, and to be before the enemy, who by roads "upon our flanks may otherwise intercept us." He added, "I hope to find upon the coast transports for the "embarkation of the troops." Under these discouraging circumstances, the retreat was continued to Lugo. Shortly after the British evacuated Astorga, Napoleon arrived, and was joined by Marshal Soult. The whole French army that...