292 SWABEY DIARY. 
to occasion filing and occupy the enemy’s time in formation, whilst 
our artillery has beautiful situations for annoying them. I should — 
mention that the town on our left flank forms a strong defence, stand- 
ing on a perpendicular declivity and every means is being taken to 
strengthen it. 
22nd June.—W ent on picket to the edge of the wood on the Albuera 
road, and at one o’clock marched with the heavy brigade, now strength- 
ened by the 4th Dragoon Guards, and encamped near Santa Martha 
having two miles to send to that place for water ; we got nothing to 
eat till very late. The light brigade was skirmishing all night with 
the enemy’s cavalry. It now appears that Soult has not brought up 
the whole of his force to Azeuchal and no battle is expected. Thus we 
shall probably advance again into a country where we shall be despised 
for retreating, yet not deservedly so, because of course our plans are 
dependent on Lord Wellington’s, and we have good reasons for our 
conduct which are not likely to be known to or understood by the 
people. 
23rd June.—Exposed to the torrid heat of the sun without water and 
in harness all day and twice called on to move. It was at last deter- 
mined that we should move to the wood near Albuera, where we 
encamped by the side of a beautiful river with excellent shade ; we were 
quite in luxury in comparison with the night before. 
24th June.—Still in our delightful bivouac; the men falling sick, and 
Whinyates agueish from the effect of the sun. 
25th June.—This day passed with little variation from yesterday. 
To enliven us we had indeed a fire in our camp, owing to some sparks 
falling on the dry grass which immediately kindled and spread and 
threatened our horses, baggage, etc. ‘This is an accident very common 
in these woods where everything is parched up and there is scarcely 
any dew to keep vegetation alive. 
26th June.—Still without means of discovering why with a superior 
force we should give up so fine a country as that we have retired from 
to the enemy, who are daily employed in collecting the harvest; the 
natives will of course be left to all the horrors of want. 
27th June.—The French to-day made a reconnaissance in force: we 
were turned out but nothing occurred. We sent forage parties to 
Almendral occupied by the Spanish infantry, when Morillo refused 
to allow our foraging though in a regular manner, and turned out his men 
to resist ours; fortunately our men were unarmed. The Spanish General 
behaved with great and unjustifiable impropriety in striking and ill- 
using our fellows who acted with the strictest decorum and discipline. 
Nevertheless Lieut.-General Sir William Hrskine was guilty of a gross 
dereliction of duty and of acting contrary to the proper feelings of a 
British officer in listening only to the history given by Morillo, and in 
censuring our conduct without even hearing what we had to say, 
though the ill-usage experienced by the men under his command would 
one would suppose naturally have made him their advocate. 
At 6 o’clock this evening I went to relieve Carter on picket with the 
light brigade of cavalry and supped with General Long. 
