SWABEY DIARY. 301 
On the approach of the enemy who had four squadrons and 400 
infantry, the Hussars who had only two squadrons behaved most gallant- 
ly charging them three times. Major Bussche repeatedly sent to Sir 
William Erskine for support, who instead of pushing on, unwarrant- 
ably delayed the troops, and left him to retire as well as he could with 
the loss of an officer and 20 men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, 
besides about ten of the 9th likewise killed and wounded, and he 
actually halted whilst 4 squadrons of cavalry and 400 infantry were 
doing what they pleased in Ribera, though he had the Hussars, the 
9th and 13th Dragoons, 3rd Dragoon Guards, with our guns; and he 
might have had the 71st regiment 700 strong. As it was the 71st 
regiment did not arrive till after the enemy had retired, but the force 
was adequate without, and no danger could be apprehended from their 
infantry. If we had advanced and looked into the town, in case of the 
enemy’s retiring, we should have killed half their infantry with our 
guns, and if they had not thought proper to retire in face of them we 
should have delayed till the 71st gave an account of them. 
The transaction is altogether calculated to dispirit the soldier, 
discontent the officer, and take away all confidence in the General, 
whose conduct must be generally ridiculed and despised. 
The Portuguese infantry under General Campbell behaved very 
differently the day before yesterday at Zafra, where a similar attempt 
was made with about the same force by the enemy, General C. placed 
his men in a wood, so as to allow them to pass and get the rations, 
and on their return he fell upon and made prize of them all killing, 
wounding, and taking prisoners about 60. 
drd August.—Diseracefully abandoning our post at Ribera, we now 
only keep our outpost in the wood on the road. 
5th August.—Ambrose and Lefebure being already seriously attacked 
by typhus fever, and Whinyates ill with the ague, and Carter with a 
bilious complaint, I fell sick with the fever, which by timely remedies 
I thank God I got rid of before night, as its consequences are very 
alarming. I was extremely fortunate in knowing what it was and 
arresting its progress. No news. 
6th August.—Sutton sickened to-day with the fever, which likewise 
threatened me again towards evening. 
7th August.—I woke this morning with the most violent and 
insupportable pain in my head I ever felt, which having endured for 
some hours, at last turned into a fit of the ague, which I was extremely 
glad to change for the apprehensions that an alarming fever occasions. 
Mr. Peach of the 9th Dragoons who attended me, made me immediately 
get into water during the hot fit, and repeat this operation several 
times. The getting into water in a fever makes one shudder almost as 
much as if told to get into a furnace. One of the worst of my com- 
plaints was the total want of money, so that I could not even get fruit 
and wine, that were particularly recommended. When the fit left me 
after 8 hours, I began to feel a wish to be quietly reposing in some cool 
spot in Hngland, and it brought to my remembrance every tender re- 
collection and regret. Sickness is at any time bad, but under all my 
