Historical records of the 91st Argyllshire ... - waughfamily.ca

9 1ST AEGYLLSHIRE HIGHLANDERS. 35the 23rd was only made known on the 28th, and isos.Sir John saw that under the circumstances hehad no option but to fall back on Portugal.Baird was tosea to Lisbon.regain Corunna or Yigo, and go byOn the 13th of December, by intercepting adespatch of Napoleon's addressed to Soult, SirJohn ascertained that Madrid was in the handsof the French, and that corps of the French armyhad been despatched in directions which wouldeventually lead to their surrounding him ;heaccordingly moved his head-quarters to Toro, andordered Hope, who was at Tordesilla, topass theDuero and go towards Villepando, Baird's headquartersbeing at Benevente.The retreat of Sir John's army,which consistedof only 19,000 men fit to fight, commencedon the 16th, the head-quarters beingat Castro Nuevo on the 18th. On the 22ndNapoleon placed himself at the head of his army,but reached Yalderas twelve hours too late tostop the English troops,who had crossed theEsla. Soult, however, was in full pursuit. Moore,knowingthe line of the Esla could not be maintained,retired towards Lugo. Napoleon enteredAstorga on the 1st of January, 1809, and had 1809.