156 Account of ihe late Lieut.-General Sir John Moore. [March 15 
Sahagun; it was necessary to halt there, 
in order to refresh the men, and on ac- 
count of provisions. The information 
that-[ received was, that Marshal Soult 
was at Saldana with 16,000 men, with 
posts along the river from Guarda to 
Carrion.” 
No sooner did this object present it- 
self to his view, than the heutenant-ge-~ 
neral determined on_ striking a blow. 
He accordingly gave orders for bis troops 
to advance in two colamns, on the night 
of the 23d; but, during that very evening, 
he received intelligence that the enemy 
had obtained. considerable - reinforce- 
ments. This, however, would not have 
prevented him from carrying his resolu- 
tion into effect, had not the Marquis de 
la Romana iniormed him, nearly at the 
same time, that the French were advan- 
eing from Madrid, either to Vailadolid, or 
Salamanca. 
On this, a retreat was instantly resolved: 
on, and Lord Paget was placed with the 
cavalry, so as to give notice of the first 
“approach of the enemy’s infantry, their 
horse having already advanced. On the 
30th of December, Sir Jolin carrived at 
Astorga, whence he proceeded to Viila 
Franca, and continued to move on to- 
wards Corunna, amidst innumerable dif- 
pissin such, ia. fine, as scarcely ever 
decurred before. On this occasion, a 
large portion of the cavalry was destroy- 
éd, i in conseyuence of the severity of the 
service, while many of the officers and 
men died from faugue alone.” To pre- 
vent the military ‘chest from falling into 
the hands of the enemy,”some thousands 
of dollars intended for the pay of the 
troops weré buried; but the object that 
Jay nearest the heart of the general, was 
the preservation of the cannon, #.e safe- 
ty of which is looked upon as a point of 
honour, among military men. It may be 
easily conceived, that at such a period, 
every thing -fikely to encumber the troops, 
was thrown away, and it has even been 
said, although perhaps withoat founda- 
tion, that, at the passage of the last 
bridge, a suficiency of tools to cut if 
down, was not to be obtained. , 
At ‘length, the port of Corunna, being 
the place: destined for the embarkation, 
presented itself to the view of an arn 1, 
already overcome with the difficulties of 
2 long and fauguing merch, during which 
they were butscanti! y supplied with food. 
At the’same time, however, the pursuing 
enemy appeared In sight, an enemy flush- 
ed with their recent victories over the 
native Spaniards, and not a little boast- 
1 
line, 
ful, that they had beheld the English for 
the first time flying before the conquering 
eagles. 
‘About two o'clock, in the afternoon of 
the 16th of January 1809, after forming 
various columns for that purpose, the at- 
tack took place on the front of the Bri- 
tish position. : The part against which 
it happened to be first directed, was the - 
right, occupied by Lieutenaut-General 
Sir Dayid Baird, the second in command, 
who received a severe wound, in conse- 
quence of which he was obliged to leave 
the field. Tie commander in chief, who 
had instantly proceeded to the scene of 
action, made the most able dispositions, 
and forced the French to alter their ori- 
ginal intentions ; for being unable to force 
the right wing, they endeavour ed to turn 
it, but without effect, and they soon be- 
held their own left t! hreatened by the 
movements that ensued. ; 
Their next effort was against the cen- 
ter, but there again they were manfully 
resisted; on which, varying their designs 
according to cinraalis ope cae they obtained 
‘possession of a neighbouring village, and 
advanced against the left of the British 
Bat there again, they were foiled, 
and obliged to give way. 
Meanwhile Sir Joba Moore, who had 
exerted himself, with his usual anima- 
tion, fell like Wolfe, inthe moment of 
victory. His death was occasioned by 
acannon ball, which struck him m @ 
mortal part, aud he was carried towards 
Corunna in a blanket, supported by 
sashes. While his wound. was probed, 
he said to an officer, whom he desired to 
attend him during the shert period he 
had to live, “ You know I have always 
wished to die this way!” Although suf- 
ferlilg great pain, he appeared eager to 
speak again, and the first question put by 
him, “was, « Are the French beaten?” 
On being ‘assured of this fact by--several 
officers, who arrived in srceession, he 
exclaimed: “ I hape the people of Eng- 
land will be satisfied! I hopé my country 
will do me justice!” Then addressing 
himseif tb one of his aid-de-camps, he 
continged: ‘ You will see my friends as 
soon as you possibly can—tell them every 
thing—sav ‘to’ mv mother — se 
‘There his voice failed; but he Be 
soon after in a still ‘weaker tone : 
. ope ae have much to Say 
but cannot get it out Is Colonel Gra- 
* He was advancing at the head of the 
42d, which he had just addressed in a shorg 
Aas 
ham, 
3 2 
a 
