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"Three times the French was take the bridge:" A King's German
Legion Officer at Albuera, May 1811
By Donald Graves
In the Archives of Ontario, Toronto, Canada, is a scrapbook of newspaper
clippings of military subjects dated between about 1800 and 1820. Included
are several letters from serving officers from various theatres of war,
including the following letter from an officer in the King's German
Legion in Spain in 1811. From the casualty return which he gives for
his unit, it can be identified as the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion of
Alten's King's German Legion brigade, part of Marshal William Beresford's
army. Although the author includes a number of accounts of the treatment
of British prisoners by the Polish lancers of the Vistula Legion, it
should be remembered that he was not involved in this part of the action
and these accounts, although interesting, are hearsay.
Letter from an officer of the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion, King's
German Legion
Via Alba, in Spain, 27th May [1811]
We reached Olivenca, the day after it was taken; but there was very
little to be done there, or we should have been in time; from thence
we first accompanied Lord Wellington to reconnoitre Badajoz, and unfortunately
a party of ours was surprized by a party of French cavalry, and one
Officer and six, or seven men killed, a few wounded, and a Captain,
the two Doctors, and above 30 men were taken; the French however left
about 60 on the grass. Three days after, we were ordered to bivouaque
in a small wood of olive trees, rather more than a mile in front of
the town.
Trenches were soon opened, and one battery had commenced a fire on
the town from three 24-pounders and a howitzer, which was smartly returned;
a sortie was expected from the garrison the first night our fire opened,
and we were posted in the rear of the battery and nearest works, in
reaching which the General brought us by the side of a hill in front
of another battery of the town, which whilst we were in their range
(being between two hills) pelted away very decently with heavy shot;
luckily not one took effect. I had a narrow escape, as one shot struck
very near, but buried itself, had it rebounded I think both myself and
horse must have fallen; the dirt flew about us which, with the sudden
start (I suppose), was near occasioning a separation between
me and my horse.
From this place we received, with most of the troops investing it,
very hasty instructions to march towards Valverde, &c. &c. as
a strong French force was coming up, and which, on the third day's march,
we got a sigh of, at least of their advanced cavalry, and next day came
on that desperate and memorable battle which, before this reaches you,
will no doubt be fully detailed.
Two or three circumstances, however, attending it most probably will
not; and if any part appears like the bounce of a traveller's story,
you will, I am sure, on recollection, do me the justice to admit I was
not in the habit of, and you may believe me I do not now exaggerate.
The conflict, which was generally severe, was more particularly so on
the right wing, where the greater part of the British force was posted,
near three-fourths of which, I regret to say were either killed or wounded.
Your old regiment, the 66th, was completely cut up, and both their
colours taken, they were first broken through; and many, whilst lying
on the ground wounded, were pierced through; and many, whilst lying
on the ground wounded, were pierced through with the spears of the Polish
Uhlans, and who were really guilty of such atrocities that several of
our regiments have declared, that if they ever meet with them again
they will give no quarter.
In one instance an officer of the 4th dragoons who had fallen into
their hands, was, as usual, stripped of his watch and money, of which
I suppose he had rather a small stock, as there had been no pay issued
for some time, on being asked if that was all, and replying in the affirmative,
they deliberate cut off one or both of his ears, I believe both.
Another who had singly brought one of the artillery drivers who had
been taken, into the wood, after praising his jacket, desired him to
take it off, and exultingly went on with every article, individually,
in the same way, except the boots, the feet of which being too small,
he said were of no use, he might therefore cut them off, give him the
legs, and keep the feet as slippers, and when reduced to this state,
without the smallest addition of dress, he told him he should take some
mark to his comrades that he had been in their power, and giving
him a stab in the back with his lance, bid him go.
During the heat of the action a heavy rain came on, and continued for
some hours; but at the time the enemy was completely repulsed on the
right, the blood in that quarter was so profuse, that in several places,
mingling with the rain, it ran in torrents like blood itself; but recollect,
at this moment, it had, within the space of three-quarters of
a mile, flowed from the veins of upwards of 8000 men, and exhausted
many, the scene may be imagined, but I will not attempt to describe
it.
Our battalion did not suffer much comparatively; one Officer and three
men only being killed on the spot, and between 30 and 40 wounded. One
of our Captains received a shot in the forehead, and the ball is now
actually in his throat, He is, however, expected to recover.
The account given by one of our men, of what took place in the part
where most of our men were stationed to defend a bridge, is this; --
"Three times the French was take the bridge; three times they must
leave it." The fact is, they brought two field-pieces and cavalry
three different times to the attack, and got upon the bridge, but were
in every instance driven back, and in one they left fifteen behind them.
The next day the enemy began to retreat, and we have followed them
thus far; but I do not think we shall go much farther. The cavalry and
some Spaniards, who have crossed the country, continue to harass the
enemy's rear, and yesterday sent in 200 of the cavalry prisoners; as
many more were killed and wounded. I think it probable we shall return
to invest Badajoz once more. That place must fall. I hope shortly.
Placed on the Napoleon Series: October 2005
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