CHAPTER I |
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The Author leaves the depot at Chelmsford, and proceeds to join his regiment in Portugal—The Samaritan—Arrival at Lisbon—Measures adopted by General Junot—A night’s rest—Portuguese barbers—Priest Fernando and Major Murphy—March to Aldea Gallega—First sight of the Connaught Rangers | Page 1 |
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CHAPTER II |
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Headquarters of the 88th Regiment—Its losses from sickness—Unhealthy state of the country—The British army leaves the Alemtejo—General Picton takes the command of the 3rd Division—Remarks on the general’s conduct—His apology to Colonel Wallace—The Connaught boy and the goat | Page 12 |
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CHAPTER III |
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MassÉna’s invasion of Portugal—Fall of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida—Craufurd’s fight on the Coa—Anecdote of Colonel Charles Napier—The British retire to the position of Busaco | Page 23 |
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CHAPTER IV |
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Battle of Busaco—Daring advance of the French—The achievements of the 88th—Adventure of Captain Seton—AlcobaÇa—Remarks on the battle | Page 30 |
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CHAPTER V |
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Occupation of the Lines of Torres Vedras—An army in motley—An Irish interpreter—Death of the Marquis de la Romana—Retreat of MassÉna’s army from Portugal—Indulgence of Lord Wellington—The amenities of a subaltern’s existence | Page 47 |
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CHAPTER VI |
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Excesses and sufferings of the French during their retreat—Combats of Foz d'Aronce and Sabugal—Battle of Fuentes d'OÑoro—Sir E. Pakenham, Colonel Wallace, and the 88th Regiment | Page 56 |
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CHAPTER VII |
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State of the town of Fuentes d'OÑoro after the battle—The wounded—Visit to an amputating hospital—General Brennier’s escape from Almeida—Booty in the camp | Page 70 |
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CHAPTER VIII |
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Guerilla warfare; its true character—The 3rd Division marches for the Alemtejo—Frenchmen and Irishmen on a march—English regiments—Colonel Wallace—Severe drilling—Maurice Quill and Dr. O‘Reily—Taking a rise | Page 81 |
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CHAPTER IX |
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Second siege of Badajoz—A reconnoissance—Death of Captain Patten—Attacks on Fort San Christoval—Their failure—Causes of their failure—Gallant conduct of Ensign Dyas, 51st Regiment—His promotion by the Duke of York | Page 91 |
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CHAPTER X |
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We withdraw from Badajoz—Dislike of the British soldier for siege-work—Affair of El Bodon—Gallant conduct of the 5th and 77th Regiments—Narrow escape of the 88th from being made prisoners—Picton’s conduct on the retreat to Guinaldo | Page 103 |
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CHAPTER XI |
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Retreat of the French army—Vultures on the field of battle—The Light Division and private theatricals—Major Leckie and the musician—Privations—The Connaught Rangers and the sheep—Deficient kits—Darby Rooney and General Mackinnon | Page 118 |
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CHAPTER XII |
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Officers and sergeants—Fairfield and his bad habit—Regimental mechanism—Impolitic familiarity—3rd Division at the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo—Lieutenant D‘Arcy and Ody Brophy—The Irish pilot | Page 128 |
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CHAPTER XIII |
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Spanish village accommodation—The siege of Ciudad Rodrigo—Picton’s address to the Connaught Rangers in front of the breach—Lieutenant William Mackie and the forlorn hope | Page 139 |
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CHAPTER XIV |
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Storm of Ciudad Rodrigo—Gallant conduct of three soldiers of the 88th—Desperate struggle and capture of a gun—Combat between Lieutenant Faris and the French grenadier—A Connaught Ranger transformed into a sweep—Anecdote of Captain Robert Hardyman of the 45th—Death of General Mackinnon—Plunder of Ciudad Rodrigo—Excesses of the soldiers | Page 149 |
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CHAPTER XV |
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Results of the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo—The town revisited—Capture of deserters—Sale of the plunder—Army rests in cantonments—An execution of deserters—A pardon that came too late | Page 167 |
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CHAPTER XVI |
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Preparations against Badajoz—Description of this fortress—Its investment—Line of circumvallation formed in the night—Sortie of the garrison repulsed—Destructive fire of the besieged—Dreadful explosion from a shell—Indifference—Deaths of Captain Mulcaster and Major Thompson | Page |