breathe the richly perfumed air, loaded with the fragrance of innumerable aromatic plants. One evening, as I lay in the wood, thinking upon home, sweeter than all the surrounding sweets, almost overcome by my sensations, I heard, at a small distance, music. I listened some time ere I could be satisfied it was so. It ceased all at once; then began sweeter than before. I arose, and approached nearer, to avoid the noise of a small burn that ran rippling near where I had been reclining. I soon knew the air; I crept nearer, and could distinguish the words; I became rivetted to the spot: That moment compensated for all I had suffered in Spain. I felt that pleasure which softens the heart, and overflows at the eyes. The words that first struck my ear were,

"Why did I leave my Jeanie, my daddy's cot, an' a', To wander from my country, sweet Caledonia.

-Soon as the voice ceased, I looked through the underwood, and saw four or five soldiers seated on the turf, who sung, in their turn, Scotland's sweetest songs of remembrance. When they retired, I felt as if I was bereft of all enjoyment. I slowly retired to the camp, to reflect, and spend a sleepless night. Every opportunity, I returned to the scene of my happiness; and had the pleasure, more than once, to enjoy this company unseen.

While encamped here, we received a draft of 350 men from England. Shortly after, we marched to Burbo, to protect the siege of Badajos. We lay here till the 17th June, when Soult raised the siege, and we retired to Portalegre. We then were marched to Castello de Vido, another hill town, about two leagues from Portalegre.

On the 220 October, we received information that General Girard, with 4000 men, infantry and cavalry, was collecting contributions in Estremadura, and had cut off part of our baggage and supplies. We immediately set off from Portalegre, along with the brigade commanded by General Hill, and, after a most fatiguing march, the weather very bad, we arrived at Malpartida. The French were only ten miles distant. By a near cut, on the Merida road, through Aldea del Cano, we got close up to them, on the 27th, at Alcuesca, and were drawn up in columns, with great guns, ready to receive them. They had heard nothing of our approach. We went into the town. It was now nigh ten o'clock; the enemy were in Arroyo del Molino, only three miles distant. We got half a pound of rice served out to each man, to be cooked immediately. Hunger made little cooking necessary. The officers had orders to keep their men silent. We were placed in the houses; but our wet and heavy accoutrements were, on no account, to be taken off. At twelve o'clock, we received our allowance of rum; and, shortly after, the sergeants tapped at the doors, calling not above their breath. We turned out, and, at slow time, continued our march.

The whole night was one continued pour of rain. Weary, and wet to the skin, we trudged on, without exchanging a word; nothing breaking the silence of the night, save the howling of the wolves. The tread of the men was drowned by the pattering of the rain. When day at length broke, we were close upon the town. The French posts had been withdrawn into it, but the embers

still glowed in their fires. During the whole march, the 71st had been with the cavalry and horse-artillery, as an advanced guard.

General Hill rode up to our Colonel, and ordered him to make us clean out our pans (as the rain had wet all the priming), form square, and retire a short distance, lest the French cavalry had seen us, and should make an attack: however, the drift was so thick, they could not; it blew right in their faces, when they looked our way. The Colonel told us off in three divisions, and gave us orders to charge up three separate streets of the town, and force our way, without halting, to the other side. We shouldered our arms. The General, taking off his hat, said, "God be with you-quick march." On reaching the gates, we gave three cheers, and in we went; the inhabitants calling, "Live the English," our piper playing "Hey Johnny Cope;" the French swearing, fighting in confusion, running here and there, some in their shirts, some half accoutred. The streets were crowded with baggage, and men ready to march, all now in one heap of confusion. On we drove: our orders were to take no prisoners, and neither to turn to the right nor left, until we reached the other side of the town.

As we advanced, I saw the French General come out of a house, frantic with rage. Never will I forget the grotesque figure he made, as he threw his cocked hat upon the ground, and stamped upon it, gnashing his teeth. When I got the first glance of him, he had many medals on his breast. In a minute, his coat was as bare as a private's.

We formed, under cover of some old walls. A' brigade of French stood in view. We got orders to fire: not ten pieces in a company went off, the powder was again so wet with the rain. A brigade of Portuguese artillery came up. We gave the enemy another volley, leaped the wall, formed column, and drove them over the hill; down which they threw all their baggage, before they surrendered. In this affair, we took about 3000 prisoners, 1600 horse, and 6 pieces of artillery, with a great quantity of baggage, &c.

We were again marched back to Portalegre, where the horses were sold and divided amongst the men, according to their rank. I got 2s. 6d. for my share; but I had provided myself a good assortment of necessaries out of the French stores at Molino.

We remained at Portalegre, until the campaign began, in the month of January 1812. We were in advance, covering the operations against Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos. We had a most fatiguing spring, marching and counter-marching between Merida and Almandralajo. We were first marched to Merida, but Dombrosky fled with the utmost precipitation. We then marched against Drouet, who was at Almandralajo; but he, likewise, set off for Zafra, leaving his stores and ammunition, to us a welcome gift. The weather was so wet, the very shoes were soaked off our feet; and many were the contrivances we fell upon to keep them on.

Almandralajo is a low swampy place; the worst town I ever was in in Spain: our men called it Almandralajo Craco, (cursed). Seldom a day

passed but we had a skirmish with the enemy at Merida, or Almandralajo.

In the month of March, we got the route for Albuera, where we formed our lines, and were working at the batteries day and night. An alarm was given three different times, and we were marched on to the position; but nothing occurred, and we fell back.

sad;

When I first came upon the spot where the battle of Albuera had been fought, I felt very the whole ground was still covered with the wrecks of an army, bonnets, cartridge-boxes, pieces of belts, old clothes, and shoes: the ground in numerous ridges, under which lay many a heap of mouldering bones. It was a melancholy sight; it made us all very dull for a short time.

The whole army receiving orders to advance, we moved in solid columns, cavalry on right and left. The enemy fell back as we advanced. Our brigade was marched up a hill, where we had a beautiful view of the armies, threatening each other, like two thunder clouds charged with death. Shortly after we were marched into the valley; the enemy fired two or three round shot at us, which did no harm. We were encamped, till next day at noon: when we set off, pursuing them for two days, and were then marched back to Almandralajo Craco, where we lay till the beginning of April.

Next we advanced to cover the operations a gainst Badajos, which surrendered on the 6th, the day of our arrival. Next morning the band played The Downfal of Paris. We remained until May, when we were marched to Almarez, where the French had two forts which intercepted our