a severe encounter with Suchet, and defeated him with considerable loss. The Guerilla troops were also actively and successfully engaged in various but detached operations against the common enemy.

Troops re organized-Reinforcements-Movements in EuropeFlight of Joseph-Battle of Vitoria-Spoils of the ArmyBlockade of Pampeluna-Siege of St. Sebastian-Advance of Soult-St. Sebastian taken-Crossing the Bidassoa-Wellington enters France-Proclamation-Surrender of PampelunaBattles of the Pyrenees-Return of Napoleon to Paris-Advance of the Allies-Proclamation of Alexander-Victories on each side-Treaty of Chaumont-Siege of Bayonne-Wellington enters Bordeaux-Battle of Toulouse-Abdication of Napoleon -Wellington goes to Paris-End of Peninsular War.

THE winter had been spent by Lord Wellington in completely reorganizing his army, and bringing them into the highest state of discipline. Large numbers of troops had been sent out from England, and he found himself, at the opening of the campaign in the spring, at the head of 200,000 men, eager to be led forth to victory. This was the finest army he had ever commanded, and he was filled with sanguine hopes of success, such as subsequent events more than justified. The enemy's force amounted to 240,000 men, but changes were going on in Europe which soon obliged Napoleon to recall Soult with a portion of the army. Prussia had revolted from the emperor, and his Russian campaign had been disastrous. Wellington con

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certed his plans so admirably, that the French were at a loss where to combine their forces to oppose him. At length he marched forward, determined to attack them in flank, and sweep them back through the Pyrenees. "Thus, 70,000 Portuguese and British, 8,000 Spaniards from Estramadura, and 12,000 Galicians that is to say, 90,000 fighting men-would be suddenly placed on a new front, and marching abreast against the surprised and separated masses of the enemy, would drive them, refluent, to the Pyrenees-a grand design, and grandly it was executed—for, high in heart and strong of hand, Wellington's veterans marched to the encounter; the glories of twelve victories played about their bayonets, and he, the leader, so proud and confident that, in passing the stream which marks the frontier of Spain, he rose in his stirrups, and, waving his hand, cried out, Farewell, Portugal!'"*

Having arranged the position of the right wing of his army, Wellington determined to inspect his left wing. To accomplish this, he had to cross the Douro, at Miranda, where the river was 200 yards wide, and too much swollen to be passed in any other way than in a hammock, suspended by a rope, which was hung thirty feet above the level of the water, from rocks, 500 feet high.

The allied army advanced with such unexpected speed, that Joseph Bonaparte thought his safety * Napier.

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BATTLE OF VITORIA.

could only be secured by a precipitate flight; and he hastily quitted Madrid for ever.

He commanded Burgos to be blown up; and this cruel order was partially executed, so that the English were enabled to seize the town. The British commander pushed forward his army with such speed, through almost insurmountable difficulties, in order to gain the sources of the Ebro, that, where the French fancied themselves secure, they were suddenly overpowered by the English, and found their retreat cut off both on the north and west. Joseph and Jourdan, with two large armies under their command, united their forces near Vitoria, Joseph occupying the town itself.

Wellington immediately determined to give them battle, but several days were spent in preparing for the engagement. The leaders of the respective armies then selected opposite hills from whence to direct the movements of their troops; Wellington, with perfect calmness, as if no struggle was at hand. On June 21st, 1813, the memorable battle of Vitoria took place, which was thus described by the conqueror :

"We attacked the enemy yesterday, and I am happy to inform your lordship that the allied army under my command obtained a complete victory, having driven them from all their positions, having taken from them 151 pieces of cannon, waggons of ammunition, all their baggage,

provisions, cattle, treasure, &c., and a considerable number of prisoners."*

After the victory the French were pursued as far as Pampeluna, whence they escaped with great loss, and "it is probable," adds Lord Wellington, "that the enemy will continue their retreat into France." The plunder obtained by the soldiers at Vitoria amounted at least to a million in money. "Never before in modern times had such a prodigious accumulation of military stores and private wealth fallen to the lot of a victorious army. Jourdan's marshal's baton, Joseph's private carriage and sword of state, 151 brass guns, 415 caissons of ammunition, 1,300,000 ball cartridges, 14,000 rounds of ammunition, and 40,000 lbs of gunpowder, constituted the military trophies of a victory, where 6000 also were killed and wounded, and 1000 prisoners taken. It at one blow destroyed the warlike efficiency of the French army, swept them like a whirlwind from the Spanish plains, and made Joseph's crown drop from his head. No estimate can be formed of the private plunder taken in the field." "Of wealth, the amount was so prodigious, that for miles together the combatants may be almost said to have marched upon gold and silver without stooping to pick it up."+

Success attended the Allies also in other parts of the Peninsula. On July 8th, Lord Wellington says: