PREFACE. THE story of the Peninsular War must always form one of the brightest pages in the history of the British nation. At the time when no part of the Continent, except Russia or Turkey, offered any asylum for the victim of Napoleon's tyranny, the inhabitants of "the silver-coasted isle" did not despair of European freedom; and when the great northern Power also joined the coalition, and the collapse of the Spanish power of resistance had disappointed the expectation of finding a strong ally in a whole people in arms, the nation-except in some despairing moments—was still resolutely bent on making no terms with the despot. No sustained effort had been made by the British army in Europe since the days of Marlborough: its prowess was disparaged, and in recent years ignominious failure had attended its operations on the Continent; whereas for more than a decade the advance of the army of the Revolution had been almost a triumphal progress. The first expedition to the Peninsula, that for the deliverance of Portugal, was successful, although not to the unmixed satisfaction of the nation. The result of the second expedition, Moore's unfortunate march, plunged the British people into the deepest despair; but still the Government exhibited no sign of retiring from the struggle, and the destined Deliverer of Europe attracted the notice of the oppressed nations by his victory on the Douro, which for a second time liberated Portugal. The failure of the Talavera campaign after so glorious a victory, and the retreat brightened by the victory of Busaco - before Masséna into the Lines of Torres Vedras, gave occasion to the craven-hearted to clamour for the evacuation of the Peninsula; but Masséna's disastrous retreat silenced them, and the nation was cheered by the victories of Fuentes d'Oñoro and Albuera, which proved that the British soldiers could maintain their ground against vastly superior numbers, even when those were led by commanders of the highest genius for war. The storming of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajos secured the gates of Portugal, and the great victory of Salamanca opened the road to Madrid. promise of success was for a season dashed by the failure at Burgos and the enforced retreat. But, on the ruin of Napoleon's Grand Army amid the frozen wastes of Russia, the march into Spain was repeated; and with the crowning The victory of Vitoria, the hurling back of Soult's bands in their attempt again to cross the Pyrenees, and the fall of San Sebastian and Pampeluna, the scenes of the Peninsular War closed in a blaze of glory. For a brief time France was trodden by the invaders, whose laurel-wreath was increased by the victories of the Bidassoa, the Nivelle, the Nive, Bayonne, Orthes, and Toulouse. The Peninsular War and the campaigns in the south-west of France had, in the short space of six years, displayed to the world Wellington's extraordinary genius, and the daring courage and invincible obstinacy of the British soldiers; but one achievement was yet needed to crown their glory, -a victory over the great chief himself and his chosen veterans. Waterloo was the fitting sequel of Badajos and Salamanca the flight of Napoleon and the rout of the Imperial Guard proclaimed Wellington the greatest captain of his age, won for his army (though it was so largely composed of raw recruits) the honour of being truly unconquerable, and proved England to be one of the greatest of military powers-in her wealth, in her manhood, in her self-sacrifice. The scope of this work includes the whole of this great struggle. The Author's aim has been to present within its |