CHAPTER XIII.

ALBUERA.

Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers. When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found. Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit. The retreat of Massena was masterly. Ney's division covered the rear, and several sharp fights took place which are known in history as the combats of Pombal, Redinha, Cazal Nova, Foz d'Aronce, and Sabugal.

In most of these the enemy were driven from their position by the British outflanking them and threatening their line of retreat; but in the last, by a mistake of General Erskine, a portion of his division attacked the enemy in rear, and, although vastly outnumbered, drove him off from the crest he held with desperate valor. Wellington himself said, "This was one of the most glorious actions British troops were ever engaged in."

The next day the French crossed the Coa and Turones, and took up their position under the guns of Ciudad Rodrigo, which they had left six months before with the full assurance that they were going to conquer Portugal, and drive the British into the sea. The invasion cost Massena thirty thousand men, killed in battle, taken prisoners, or dead from hardships, fatigues and fevers.

Based on the article and the following list of answers, write a list of questions.

1. The Norfolk Rangers
2. Torres Vedras
3. yes
4. to strike their tents and push on
5. Ney's division
6. several sharp fights took place
7. yes
8. the combats of Pombal and Redinha, Cazal Nova
9. from November until March
10. unknown
11. Massena broke up his camp
12. to retreat
13. the British outflanking them
14. yes
15. General Erskine
16. drove him off from the crest he held
17. the enemy
18. Wellington
19. unknown
20. thirty thousand
1. Who remained in their quaters throughout the winter?
2. Where was it?
3. Were they happy to receive orders?
4. What were the orders?
5. Who covered the back?
6. What happened there?
7. Are these documented?
8. What are they known as?
9. How long were they at Torres?
10. Did the time pass quickly?
11. What happened in March?
12. To do what?
13. What was the driving force of the enemies?
14. Were they threatened?
15. Who made a mistake?
16. What was the result?
17. Who did?
18. Who declared it to be glorious?
19. How many men were killed in the battle?
20. How many men were somehow affected?