Chapter XLVII: Section III: Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, January 15

“What appears to be my duty is to keep the fixed idea that the _army in Portugal should remain to the last moment_.”

_Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, February 15._

“I am just favoured with your communication about the dangerous effects likely to be produced by the measure of withdrawing the troops from Lisbon to occupy the military position of Oyeras, Passo d’Arcos, &c. I fear (though the contrary was intended to be expressly stated) that you are led into the idea that the position in question was solely intended for embarkation. My avowed design was to await (in a military post suited to our force) orders from England, or to defend ourselves with reasonable prospect of success against any attempt from the enemy, or even from thence to make a forward movement, should future events lead to such a proceeding.”--“What I must object to is to take up a false position, say Alcantara, or other heights about the town, which would only defend a certain position and leave the remainder to the power of the enemy, one which we must leave upon his approach and seek another bearing the appearance of flight and yet not securing our retreat. The whole having announced the intention to defend Lisbon, but giving up that idea upon the appearance of the enemy: for positions liable to be turned on every side cannot be persevered in by an inferior force.”--“My political reasoning upon this subject was contained in the letter I wrote the admiral, and, I must repeat, it continues unweakened,” &c.--“After your strong representations of this morning, I shall certainly not persevere; and, as there is no instant necessity for the measure, will await the progress of events.”

* * * * *

No. XI.

STATE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE FORCE UNDER SIR J. CRADDOCK, JANUARY 6, 1809, EXTRACTED FROM THE HEAD-QUARTER STATES.

Disposable for the Field.

Garrisons. Artillery. Cavalry. Infantry.
Men. Men. Men.
Santarem 68 190 2,492 General Richard Stewart.
Saccavem 97 169 1,450 General M’Kenzie.
Lisbon .. 519 .... General Cotton.
.. .. 236 attached to different
--- --- ----- battalions.
165 879 4,178
--- --- -----
Total 5,222

Garrisons. Artillery. Cavalry. Infantry.
Men. Men. Men.
Almeida 38 .. 1,440
Elvas 33 .. 679
Oporto .. .. 379
Lisbon and Forts 315 .. 2,682
--- -- -----
Total 486 .. 5,170
-----
General total 10,392
------

Note.--Every man capable of bearing arms is included in this
state.

ORDER OF BATTLE, APRIL 6, 1809, CALDAS.

Sir J. Cradock, commander-in-chief.

Major-general Sherbrooke, second in command.

Artillery.--Major-general Howarth. Cavalry.--Major-general Cotton.

Under arms.
Men.
First line, five brigades 10,418
Second line, three brigades 3,810
Reserve, one brigade 1,858
Cavalry 800
------
Total 16,886
------

STATE OF THE ARMY UNDER SIR A. WELLESLEY, APRIL 22.

Head-quarters, Leyria.

Under arms. Sick. Command. Effective.
Men. Men. Men. Men.
Artillery 441 88 408 937
Cavalry 1,439 13 418 1,870
Infantry 16,539 1,937 314 18,790
------ ----- ----- ------
Total 18,419 2,038 1,140 21,597
------ ----- ----- ------

6lb. 3lb. Howitzers.
Number of guns 20 6 4

Total 30

STATE OF SIR A. WELLESLEY’S ARMY, MAY 1, 1809.

Head-quarters, Coimbra.

Artillery. Cavalry. Infantry. Waggon train. Total rank and file.
Men. Men. Men. Men. Men.
1,413 3,074 19,510 230 24,227
Deduct { Hospital 2,357
{ Absent 1,217
------
Total present under arms 20,653
------

STATE OF SIR A. WELLESLEY’S ARMY, JUNE 25, 1809.

Head-quarters, Abrantes.

Artillery. Cavalry. Infantry. Waggon train. Total rank and file.
Men. Men. Men. Men. Men.
1,586 3,736 21,267 406 26,995
Deduct { Hospital 3,246
{ Commands 1,396
30 Pieces of artillery. ------
Total present under arms 22,353
------

STATE OF SIR A. WELLESLEY’S ARMY, JULY 25, 1809.

Head-quarters, Talavera.

Artillery. Cavalry. Infantry. Waggon train. Total rank and file.
Men. Men. Men. Men. Men.
1,584 3,734 29,694 398 35,410
Deduct { Hospital 4,827
{ Commands 1,596
------
Total present under arms 28,987
Deduct regiments on march 9,141
30 Pieces of artillery. ------
Real present under arms 19,846
------

STATE OF SIR A. WELLESLEY’S ARMY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1809.

Head-quarters, Badajos.

Artillery. Cavalry. Infantry. Waggon train. Total rank and file.
Men. Men. Men. Men. Men.
1,947 4,273 28,409 389 35,018

In Hospital 8,827 }
Command and missing 2,526 } Total absent 11,353
------
Total present under arms 23,765
------

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No. XII.