both in Spain and Portugal, though not carried on under Sir Arthur Wellesley, because it was just at this point, in which every other resource failed, and all seemed reduced to a state of utter and hopeless ruin, that his great genius was called forth, and equally, by his clear judgment and undaunted bravery, a complete change was wrought in the affairs of the Peninsula.

CHAPTER III.

Sir A. Wellesley takes the Command in Portugal-Plan of Campaign-Application of the Spaniards-Battle of the Douro -Wellington takes Oporto-Soult's Retreat-Wellington's Proclamation-Battle of Talavera-Sufferings of the ArmyWellington made Captain-General of the Spanish Army-He goes to Badajos-Sickness in the Army-Lines of Torres Vedras-Loss of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida-Battle of the Coa-Battle of Busaco-Application for Help for the Portuguese-Final Retreat of Massena-Surrender of BadajosBattle of Sabugal-Proclamation.

No sooner was it known in Portugal that Sir Arthur Wellesley was going to assume the command, than the most unbounded joy prevailed. The cause which they had thought hopeless, they now looked upon as secure; and he was at once nominated Marshal-General of the Portuguese army. The troops were put under his command, to be manned by British officers; and on April 27, 1809, he landed, and commenced that memorable struggle which ended in the liberation of Europe.

Marshal Soult was still at Oporto. Lapisse had joined Victor at Merida, upon the Guadiana ; Cuesta, who had been defeated by the French, was at Llerina. This being the situation of the

DIFFICULTIES OF SIR A. WELLESLEY.

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respective armies, Sir A. Wellesley determined to move northward with 6000 Portuguese and nearly all the British forces-leaving the rest to guard the Tagus, and prevent the enemy from crossing it. His plan was first to drive the French from the north of Portugal, then to move to the east, and gradually to expel them altogether from that kingdom.

After all their disasters, many looked upon this plan as visionary; but the great mind that had conceived it, was able also to execute it. Every step he took had been thoroughly considered beforehand. Nothing was more remarkable in the mighty mind of Sir A.Wellesley than the combination of the calmest judgment with that clear, quick discernment, which enabled him at once to seize on every point, at which either danger or success could be anticipated. Then, with an endurance which, step by step, led to the accomplishment of what he saw intuitively, might be done, he dared calumny, impatience, mistrust, and jealousy, both in those he was aiding, and those by whom he was employed. He was often called to bear the hardest of all trials,-the cruel misrepresentation of his actions by his own countrymen, because he knew that he was doing right; and that the right must finally prevail. To use his own words: "I believe I am as anxious as any other man that my character should not suffer; I do not mean in the mouths of common reporters and

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APPLICATION OF SPANIARDS.

scandal-bearers, but in the eyes of a fair-judging people."*

At this crisis the Spaniards applied to him for assistance, but he was forced to refuse their request, considering that the duty he was appointed to fulfil was to expel the French from Portugal. Yet he held out the hope of assisting them hereafter; advising, in the mean time, that they should attend only to the defence of the country, and avoid, as far as possible, actual operations.

A characteristic proof of Sir Arthur Wellesley's indefatigable character is found at this date in his despatches: "I am obliged to you for your offer to procure me assistance to copy my despatches; but I have plenty of that description. The fact is, that, excepting upon very important occasions, I write my despatches without making a draft; and those which I sent to you were so written before I set out in the morning, and I had not time to get them copied before they were sent, which was the reason why I asked you to return a copy of them."

The scheme Wellesley resolved to carry out first, was to dislodge Soult from Oporto. To secure Lisbon during his absence, he caused the bridges to be blown up, by which the French might have approached the city.

He had now the co-operation of some of the best

* Despatches.

generals, in whom he could place entire confidence; Beresford, Hill, Paget, Grant, &c. The Portuguese were unfortunate in an encounter with Laborde; but a dangerous conspiracy was going on in the army under Soult's command, and overtures were made to Sir Arthur Wellesley by the disaffected French soldiers, but he refused to take any part in so base a transaction.

sea.

Wellington and Hill agreed to attack Soult at two different points. Some sharp skirmishes took place between the advanced posts, which ended in the French being dislodged and driven across the Douro. Still Soult felt himself secure in Oporto, fancying that the English could only attack him by The Douro, a rapid river, 300 yards in width, separated the two armies, and the English were totally destitute of boats by which to cross it. The French were in full strength on the other side of the stream, and the English army was divided. Almost any other general would have despaired; but danger only added strength to the indomitable spirit of the British commander. From the heights he took a view of the surrounding country to see if there was any vulnerable point on which he could seize.

Opposite the Serra he observed a strong building, called the Sanctuary, and he at once decided to take it. It commanded the Valonga road, along which Soult's army was marching. They had destroyed the bridge across the river, and there was