Chapter XXVII

Intention of the Spanish Government respecting our winter quarters—March
to Vittoria—Enemy oblige us to go round—The rear of the Legion
engaged—Baggage divided from it—Commencement of the plunder at
Bilboa—Arrival at Castro—Enemy supposed to be in the vicinity—We
remain at Castro—March the next day—Mountainous route—An accident—The
pass of Las Goras—March to Bonia—My company placed in the
advance—Orders to prepare for cavalry—Doubts and fears—A narrow
escape—Arrival at Breviesca—Breviesca—Head Quarters—My old
Patrone—Hints to revolutionists—System of regular drill begun—Riflemen
drilled collectively—I practice my company in sham fighting—Provosts
and hardship—Lay in a winter stock of sickness—Legion paid up to
November, 1835—Last payment—March of death—We march for Vittoria—Pass
of Pancorbo—The dead Patrone—Approach to Vittoria—My old
recollections—The 45th—Halt about three miles from the city—Spanish
troops come out to meet us—Triumphant entry into Vittoria—The veteran
Colonel 222

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Vittoria as it then was—A bad wind that blows nobody any good—Rifles
rather comfortable at first—Severe weather—Morning scenes and cries in
Vittoria—The flogging system—Men not starved—A comparison of
facts—Hospitals get crammed with sick—Singular economy—The old
Colonel’s two sons—The Chapelgorris decimated by order of
Espartero—The Rifles march to Matuca—The whole Legion assemble at
Matuca—Cordova engaged—A Carlist village—A confession—A night
retreat—Colonel’s anxiety—Arlaban—Change of looks both in the men and
the inhabitants—March to Trevina—Sharp winter of 1835 232

CHAPTER XXIX.

Return to Vittoria—The mortality and state of the hospitals—Deaths among
the medical officers—Scenes in the wards—Legion supposed to be
poisoned—Don José Elgoez—His first ordeal—A discovery—Execution of the
two bakers—Description of the “Garotta”—Legion march and
counter-marches—Mode of warfare adopted by General Evans—Frequent
desertion 238

CHAPTER XXX.

Sudden and unjust dismissal of the officers—Copies from General
Orders—Spanish compliments to the French and British Legions—Cordova
between two fires—Some French officers resign—Difference betwixt the
British and French Legion—Parting moments between a French Colonel and
his men—Legion receive orders to proceed to San Sebastian—The sick
left behind to guard the sick—March through the country to
Santander—Arrival at the Convent of Carbon—New clothing—Recruits,
&c.—My opinion of the Legion 244

CHAPTER XXXI.

Embark for San Sebastian—A thirty-two-pounder, and no mistake—A bloody
force—Brains where they were wanted, unfortunately—A prize—Arrival at
San Sebastian—Anticipated attack—Colonel de Rottenberg taken ill—Major
Fortescue—Opinions—His maiden speech—Two companies broke up the others
of the regiment—5th of May—Attack on the lines of San Sebastian—A
hullabaloo—6th Scotch taken for enemies—Helter-skelter—I receive a
severe wound—Am carried into San Sebastian—My letter to my
wife 250

CHAPTER XXXII.

The loss of my company in the late action—Apprehensions about my
leg—Medal and pewter—A candidate for Knighthood—Captain Plunkett—His
death, &c.—A Rifleman assassinated—Fire-eaters—Sketch of San
Sebastian—Lord John Hay’s battery—Ramble towards Passages—Something
serious—Awkward squads—Singular decline of Spanish Bigotry—A Sectarian
alarmed 256

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Disorganised state of the Legion—Three months’ pay—A holiday—The 6th and
8th Scotch lay down their arms—Reasons—My wishes to retire from the
Legion—I give up the command of the company—A reflection—I embark for
Santander—Report myself to Colonel Arbuthnot—My new command—The
convent of Carbon—Short description—Inhabitants of—First sample—A
speculation—A Quarter-master’s conscience—I place him under arrest—A
horse! A horse! 263

CHAPTER XXXIV.

An orderly dragoon puts us all in confusion—A stir—Retreat upon
Santander—The dangers of forgetfulness—Cure for a fever—We return to
our old quarters—Captain Shields and Major Clark’s visit—An appeal—A
new mode of raising “Volunteers”—Glory or death by famine—One hundred
and twenty men are starved into the service again—Scene in
Santander—British soldiers and subjects—More assassinations—A
cold-blooded Spaniard—A peace-loving Commandant—Captain Oakley and his
“cats”—Continued horrors of the convent—Assassination—A relief from
purgatory—A conclusion 268

ADVENTURES

OF

A SOLDIER.