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The Celtic magazine. A monthly periodical devoted to the literature ...

The Celtic magazine. A monthly periodical devoted to the literature ...

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ITHE CELTIC MAGAZIXE. 293<strong>The</strong> 42d and 50tli were eminently distinguished. Sir John Moore wentlip <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> one and bade <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> " remember Egypt," and tlie o<strong>the</strong>r heapproved by— " Well done Eiftieth." <strong>The</strong> 79tli under Lieutenant-ColonelPhilips Cameron, and <strong>the</strong> 92d under Lieutenant-Colonel I^apier, were in <strong>the</strong>brigade of General Eraser, "a fine specimen of an open generous Highlandchieftain, a good soldier, with plain common sense, whom everybodyloved."* <strong>The</strong> British—or ra<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> remnant left from <strong>the</strong> retreat and <strong>the</strong>fight—embarked for England <strong>the</strong> same evening, and left 8])ain, for aseason, a prey <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Erench.Chapter XIX.General Camerox, who had been relieved as Commandant of Lisbon byGeneral Sir John Craddock, was advancing <strong>to</strong>wards Spain with a reinforcement<strong>to</strong> INIoore's army Avhen he was placed in a most critical positionby <strong>the</strong> unexpected retreat on Corunna. Never<strong>the</strong>less he succeeded inconducting his force back <strong>to</strong> Lisbon, undergoing great difficulties from<strong>the</strong> nature of <strong>the</strong> country, and <strong>the</strong> inclemency of <strong>the</strong> Avea<strong>the</strong>r. It wasconsiderably augumented by <strong>the</strong> stragglers from IMoore's army, collected, as<strong>the</strong>y went along. For this act of perseverance General Cameron received<strong>the</strong> acknowledgments aiid personal thanks of <strong>the</strong> Commander-in-Chief.<strong>The</strong> preservation of so large a number of men under <strong>the</strong> circumstanceswas fortunate, inasmuch that after <strong>the</strong> delay of a week Sir John Craddock,with <strong>the</strong>m and those at Lisbon, was able <strong>to</strong> be of considerable assistance<strong>to</strong> Welling<strong>to</strong>n on his return <strong>to</strong> Portugal.After <strong>the</strong> Battle of Corunna, Soult set forward with <strong>the</strong> design ofseizing Opor<strong>to</strong> and so advancing upon Lisbon, in wdiich object he had <strong>the</strong>aid of Generals Vic<strong>to</strong>r and Lapisse, <strong>The</strong> resistance of Opor<strong>to</strong> Avas slight,and <strong>the</strong> Erench soldiers <strong>to</strong>ok advantage of <strong>the</strong> tumult prevailing by indulgingin indiscriminate plunder. Soult, in <strong>the</strong> first place, announcedhy proclamation that he Avas <strong>the</strong> representative of <strong>the</strong> Erench Emperorand tliat he intended <strong>to</strong> afford <strong>the</strong>m just laAvs and personal liberty.Einally, he assured <strong>the</strong>m that <strong>the</strong> hour of <strong>the</strong>ir deliverance from <strong>the</strong>liondage of England had arrived, and invited <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> place confidence inhim. Such Avas <strong>the</strong> state of <strong>the</strong> Peninsula Avhen <strong>the</strong> British Governmentdecided on making ano<strong>the</strong>r effort <strong>to</strong> clear it of its invaders. <strong>The</strong> chiefconmiand Avas conferred on Sir Arthur Welleslej^ Avho arriA^ed in liisbonin April. A force under <strong>the</strong> direction of Sir John Craddock had previouslymoved from <strong>the</strong> capital <strong>to</strong>A\^ards <strong>the</strong> imprisoned city of Opor<strong>to</strong>, inAvhich body General Cameron commanded a brigade, consisting of <strong>the</strong>79th, 83d, and 95th regiments. Sir Arthur over<strong>to</strong>ok this body at Coimbra,and innnediately set about dislodging Soult from Opor<strong>to</strong>. His armyamounted <strong>to</strong> 20,000, six thousand of Avhom Avere allotted <strong>to</strong> act as a separatecorps under Marshal Beresford ; Generals Hill and Cot<strong>to</strong>n, Avith brigades,Avere directed <strong>to</strong>Avards it by Avay of Aveira, and Generals Sherbrooke andCameron by Ovar; Avhile <strong>the</strong> chief himself, and <strong>the</strong> remainder <strong>to</strong>okanotlier route. All arrived at <strong>the</strong> rendezvous as designed, but found that* S<strong>to</strong>cqulei's His<strong>to</strong>ry of <strong>the</strong> British army—London 1854,t Annnal Eegister for 1828.

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