Note 81 — SECTION XXIII: CHAPTER II

D’Urban (Beresford’s chief of the staff) has in his diary under March 8th: ‘At 3 o’clock the Marshal crossed the river (Tagus) at Torres Novas and had an interview with Lord Wellington. The immediate relief of Badajoz, whose danger becomes imminent, has been judged desirable, this to be done with the 2nd and 4th Divisions. The Marshal returned at 8. Orders sent to Punhete to throw the bridge of boats over the Tagus at Tancos for the re-passage of General Stewart (2nd Division) and the passage of General Cole (4th Division). The troops still on the south bank of the Tagus are thrown into march upon Portalegre [near Elvas]. Orders to Mr. Ogilvie, the commissary, to take measures for supplies southward. General Menacho’s last sally, in which he is unfortunately killed, has probably saved the place by gaining of time, even if but for a few additional days.’ On the evening of the 9th March the movement was stopped, on a false rumour that Masséna was offering battle near Thomar, but news of it had been sent to General Leite at Elvas, who passed it by semaphore from Fort La Lippe to San Cristobal, which safely received it. It was not till the 12th that the 2nd Division was ordered to Crato in the Alemtejo, and Beresford reached Portalegre only on the 20th, nine days after Badajoz fell. Wellington says (Dispatches, vii. 360-1) ‘the Governor surrendered on the day after he received my assurances that he should be relieved, and my entreaty to hold out till the last moment.’ Cf. ibid., 367.