Note 707 — SECTION XXXIII: CHAPTER X

‘Confound all spiritless and dilatory generals,’ writes Swabey of the R.A. in his diary, ‘... Sir W. E. actually halted while four squadrons and 400 infantry were doing what they liked in Ribera, though he had the Hussars, the 9th and 13th Light Dragoons, the 3rd Dragoon Guards and our guns, and he might have had the 71st regiment also, though it did not arrive till all was over. The transaction was calculated to dispirit the soldier, to discontent the officers, and to take away all confidence in the general.’