The National Register.
London, England, 1812-09-13 00:00:00

plain,
which every additional triumph serves to unfold and
which now lies open to every fair and unprejudiced observer.
Lord W. knew that although the Russian war had comoelleci
BUON AP ARTE to recap several corps from Spain to the North,
the French force in that country was still considerable ;
surpassing far that which he had under his own command,
or which he could derive from Spain itself. But it was
divided, and Offered him several points of attack. on which
he could bring, if not a superiority, at least au equality of
force. if he engaged them separately, the tried valour able •
men, their confidence in his abilities, and their devotion to
the cause in which they fought, secured him from defeat, if
they did not insure him victory. A doubtful battle left him
the power of retiring unbroken, whilst a triumph enabled
him, from the distance at which " the other French armies
were posted. to pursue the advantages he had gained, until
he had either destroyed the force with which he had been
engaged, or unfitted it for further operations. He might
then fill upon.a new enemy and follow the same system until
there ,:bould remain no opponent to conquer. At the period
this plan was formed the French force in the Peninsu'a waft
divided into three armies. That of M A UMW< T o' cipied the
north, SOULT the south, and SUCHET the east. T...lere
were besides a fi.wo intermediary corps to maintain their com-
munications with each other, and a pretty considerable divi-
viston.for the protection of the capital. Had our Colman-
. der,•at the opening of the campaign, marched direct against
Madrid, SOULT and M A RMONT would have instantly joined.
and compelled him, from their overbea,ing •superiority. to a
precipitate, and, perhaps, a ruinous retreat. To fight them
with success be must have kept them divided, and for this
purpose, as well as to conceal his real intent whilst he was
securing the means of carrying it into execution, he distract-
-1
1 cd the attention of the enemy by the sudden attack and cap-
Iture of Ciudad Ilt)drigo in the north, the destruction of the
1 bridge and forts at Almaraz in the centre, and the brilliant
storm and reduction of Badajoz in the south. Thus, on three
I most important points, he not only alarmed, but materially
; weakened the French, and cleared the way f.or the invasion
1 of Spain either in the north or in the south, leaving his op-
ponents unable to ascertain on which side he intended to act.
I and therefore to unite for its defence. M ARNIONT being
i the neare3t, he resolved to attack him, and, if he succeeded
in defeating him, to drive the Usurper from his capital.
II The greatest rapidity was requisite to prevent a junction of
;hostile forces, and by the capture of Salamanca his Lordship
I hoped to bring MARMON T singly to a battle; but when
he found that General had taken up a position behind the
Douro where he could receive r,!infi,rcements, he drew him
from his strong holds by a retrograde movement, and by a
show of timidity filled him with that excess of _confidence
which anticipates triumph but meets with ruin, and which, in
this instance, emboldened M A RMONT to tight even before he
had been joined by his cavalry and the powerful division
Ibrought Ly JOSEPH in his rear. No sooner, had cur Comm
1. mander punished his presumption at the sanguinary battle
1 of Salamanca, than he followed his routed opponent to the
1 of
pis ruectt-ttrh.aat nhdisa! thieiusatem.
timeba" k sleav intgheJ opsoEurrn",no"crnsuPsieettiongsuls)