Chapter IV

The bishop of Oporto flies to Lisbon, and joins the
regency--Humanity of marshal Soult--The Anti-Braganza party
revives in the north of Portugal--The leaders make proposals
to Soult--He encourages them--Error arising out of this
proceeding--Effects of Soult’s policy--Assassination of
colonel Lameth--Execution at Arifana--Distribution of the
French troops--Franceschi opposed, on the Vouga, by colonel
Trant--Loison falls back behind the Souza--Heudelet marches to
the relief of Tuy--The Spaniards, aided by some English frigates,
oblige thirteen hundred French to capitulate at Vigo--Heudelet
returns to Braga--The insurrection in the Entre Minho e Douro
ceases--Sylveira menaces Oporto--Laborde reinforces Loison,
and drives Sylveira over the Tamega--Gallant conduct and death
of colonel Patrick at Amarante--Combats at Amarante--French
repulsed--Ingenious device of captain Brochard--The bridge of
Amarante carried by storm--Loison advances to the Douro--Is
suddenly checked--Observations 231

BOOK VIII.

CHAPTER I.

Anarchy in Portugal--Sir J. Cradock quits the command--Sir
A. Wellesley arrives at Lisbon--Happy effect of his
presence--Nominated captain-general--His military position
described--Resolves to march against Soult--Reaches
Coimbra--Conspiracy in the French army--D’Argenton’s
proceedings--Sir A. Wellesley’s situation compared with that of
Sir J. Cradock 262

CHAPTER II.

Campaign on the Douro--Relative position of the French and
English armies--Sir Arthur Wellesley marches to the Vouga--Sends
Beresford to the Douro--A division under general Hill passes
the lake of Ovar--Attempt to surprise Francheschi fails--Combat
of Grijon--The French re-cross the Douro and destroy the
bridge at Oporto--Passage of the Douro--Soult retreats upon
Amarante--Beresford reaches Amarante--Loison retreats from
that town--Sir Arthur marches upon Braga--Desperate situation
of Soult--His energy--He crosses the Sierra Catalina--Rejoins
Loison--Reaches Carvalho d’Esté--Falls back to Salamonde--Daring
action of major Dulong--The French pass the Ponte Nova
and the Saltador, and retreat by Montalegre--Soult enters
Orense--Observations 277