Note 491 — SECTION VII: CHAPTER V

It is impossible to acquit Castaños of the charge of carelessness on this point. Doyle’s letter of the night of Nov. 22 is conclusive: ‘Not one soldier has been left to observe the motions of the enemy, or to check the progress of his advanced guard, common pickets excepted, which are pushed a little outside the town. I confess I have not a shade of doubt that the enemy will attack at daybreak, and confusion must naturally ensue’ (Doyle’s correspondence in the Record Office). It is seldom that a military prophecy is so exactly fulfilled.