102 SWABEY DIARY. 
are so complete that the arrangement will answer. We would 
contrive to give them another ammunition car to carry spheri- 
cal case for this howitzer.” “ Wellington Despatches,” Vol. 
WAOUL, jo. 259 
31st October.—Foraging all day in the rain. The howitzer arrived 
to-day, and Gunner Nettal, Driver Eld, and one sick horse from Castel 
Branco. Sent Sutton to Guarda with a pack-saddle for Walcott. 
Dyneley brought with him three black horses, Gunner Lowrey and 
Driver Phillips, besides his own people from Lisbon. Frank Chambers! 
bad with ague. Z THD Nae 
1st November.—An idle day with much rain. Sutton returned late. 
2nd November.—I was awakened at daylight by an unforseen order to 
march to Mineresa, and contrived, having three days’ corn to draw from 
the store, and to pack all the stores, &., to get the troop ready to 
march by 11 o’clock. Just as Captain D. was giving the word to 
march, our orderly, who was sent on to Mineresa, appeared with a 
counter-order, but it came too late for me. I was particularly clever, 
and sent my baggage on, the difficulty now was to get it back; how- 
ever, the daily state going through the place to Pena Macor surprised 
Sutton with the news, and he made his appearance just as I was think- 
ing how I should make myself comfortable without a bed. 
drd November.—Rain all day, Captain M. and Newland returned 
from head-quarters. We heard to-day that two divisions were ordered 
to the front to intercept a convoy of 8000 men who were endeavouring 
to throw supplies into Ciudad Rodrigo from the Alemtejo. The news 
is that a party of French has advanced by crossing the Tagus at 
Alcantara to Caceres and levied contributions. General Hill? took his 
measures so well that he surprised 1400, took 900 prisoners with the 
treasure, and is in pursuit of the rest. ‘This was done with the loss of 
six officers and 50 men killed and wounded. ‘The cavalry is in pursuit 
of the remaining 500, who have taken to the mountains. 
This was the surprise at Arroyo de Molinos. ‘‘ While Rodrigo 
was being blockaded, General Hill co-operated with the 
Spaniards in Hstremadura against Drouet, who at first joined 
Girard, but after various movements returned to the Morena, 
leaving his colleague at Caceres between the Tagus and the 
Guadiano. Hull advancing from Alberquerque drove him from 
this place on the 26th October, and hoping to cut him off from 
the bridge of Merida moved by a cross road next day. On 
the march he heard that Girard had halted at Arroyo de 
Molinos leaving a rear-guard on the Caceres road, thus show- 
ing he knew nothing of the cross road movement, and looked 
only for pursuit from Caceres. By a forced march Hill 
moved to within one league of Arroyo, and on the morn- 
1 His groom. 
2 Afterwards General Lord Hill. ‘‘ He was called by the men ‘Daddy, eat is his attention 
to them, being much esteemed by all ranks.’”? “ Cavalry Officer’s Diary,” p. 108. 
