Chapter II: Conclusion: Of Captain Cooke's Narrative

CHAPTER I.

Page

Dwellings and habits of the farming classes in Navarre—Military
quarters—The Author obtains leave to proceed to St. Sebastian
as a spectator of the assault—Situation of that city,
and appearance of the breaches—Groups collected from the
neighbouring parts to witness the storming—Advance of the
"forlorn hope," and death of Lieut. Mac Guire—Critical situation
of the attacking troops—Seasonable measure adopted by General
Graham—Effect produced by the heavy artillery—Destructive
explosion among the French—Capture of the city after continued
difficulties. 1

CHAPTER II.

The Duke of Dalmatia crosses the Bidassoa—Sharp contest at
the heights of St. Marzial and the Bridge of Bera—Touching
scene witnessed by the Author on his way to rejoin his division
at Santa Barbara—A present from England—Passage of the
Bidassoa by the English troops on the 6th of October—Active
fighting—The French driven over the mountains into their
own territory—Delights of good quarters after hard
work—Reconnoitring—Habits and condition of the Spanish
soldiery—A mock fight—Military pastimes—Preparations for the
invasion of France. 16

CHAPTER III.

Advance of the light division—Singular nocturnal
orgies—Skirmishing preliminary to the battle of the
Nivelle—Details of that battle—British head-quarters
established at St. Jean de Luz—More skirmishing, and a slight
reverse—Combative anecdotes—Advance of the British line of
picquets. 40

CHAPTER IV.

Tolerable quarters—Beguiling of time on picquet duty—The
army again in motion—A critical position—French cunning,
and occasional politeness—Skirmishing affairs preceding the
battle of the Nive—Details of that engagement—Its advantageous
consequences to our army—Acts of complaisance between the
vanguards of the opposed forces—Christmas festivities. 56

CHAPTER V.

An unproductive alarm—The Duke d'Angoulême visits the British
army—Orders received by the Duke of Dalmatia—General position
of Napoleon's affairs—The author visits Bera on leave of
absence—Remarks on the mischiefs committed by camp followers—A
scene for contemplation—The author's friends at Bera—Love
inimical to harmony—Return to quarters—Movement for penetrating
into the interior of France—The author's regiment enters St.
Palais, crosses the Gave, and passes through Sauveterre to
Orthes. 75

CHAPTER VI.

A wrong direction—An affair with the enemy's cavalry—Bivouac
in a wood—A ludicrous mistake in the dark—Arrival at St.
Sever—Welcome supply of bread—The Duke of Dalmatia leaves
Bordeaux unprotected, to preserve the communication with
Toulouse—Reception of the English at Mont de Marsan—A dancing
scene and other amusements at the village of Brinquet—The
disappointed purveyors—The author regains his corps—Adventure
gained over the enemy by General Hill—Gascon peasantry—Various
movements of the opposed armies—The French driven through the
town of Vic Bigorre—An agreeable march. 91

CHAPTER VII.

Advance towards Tarbes—Sharp and successful encounter of
the riflemen with the French, who are forced to retire from
Tarbes—A beautiful coup-d'œil—Retreating movement of the enemy
towards Toulouse—The little French cobbler and his daughter—A
burdensome benefactor—Inconveniences of a miry march—The
author's adventure at a farm-house—The conscious hosts—A true
French château—Approach of the troops towards Toulouse—Critical
situation of the author and another officer. 106

CHAPTER VIII.

Flank movement to the right—Method of feeding cattle in
Gascony—Catching a goose—Halt at St. Simon—Cross the Garonne
and advance on Toulouse—The French take up a position to the
east of that town—The Spaniards attack the heights of La
Pugade—Their terrible slaughter and precipitate retreat—The
enemy advance against the fourth and sixth divisions—The sixth
division carry the front of the enemy's position—Retreat of the
French from Toulouse towards Carcassonne. 120

AN ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN OF 1809, under Sir Arthur
Wellesley, in Portugal and Spain. By the EARL OF MUNSTER. 137

NARRATIVE OF THE CAMPAIGN IN HOLLAND IN 1814, with details of the
attack on Bergen-op-Zoom. 257

MEMOIRS OF CAPTAIN COOKE.