Chapter 39
The Siege of Burgos
September - October 1812
Wellington
left Madrid on August 31st with the 1st, 5th and 7th Divisions,
Pack’s and Bradford’s Portuguese, and Boch’s
and Ponsonby’s Dragoons to join Clinton with the
6th Division and force Clausel and the Army of Portugal
back north. He left Alton in command in Madrid with the
3rd, 4th, Light and Espana’s Divisions, shortly
to be joined by Hill from |
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Estremadura.
John Gomersall was still with the 21st Regiment, part
of the 3rd Division until at least 22nd September (a letter
from Brig. Genl. Manley Powers written on that day in
Madrid, refers to Lt. Col. Gomersall awaiting orders to
return to the 16th regiment - see below) and probably
into October before he returned to the 16th Regiment at
Burgos. Wellington joined Clinton at Arabelo on September
3rd (via Escurial and Villa Castin). On the 4th Wellington
marched to Olmado. On the 5th to Valdestillas, on the
6th to Bascillo and crossed the Douro between Tedda and
Puerte de Douro. Around the 9th and 10th he was in front
of Valladolid. On the 12th he was at Magaz having bypassed
Palencia. On the 17th Clausel was near Burgos, but evacuated
it on the 18th.
Wellington invested the Castle of Burgos
on 19th September, and on the same night ordered an assault
on the hornwork by Pack’s Portuguese assisted by
the 42nd Regiment, without any artillery preparation.
The storm succeeded, but |
with great and unnecessary loss of life, partly because
the storming ladders were too short. (Pack lost 3 officers
and 17 men killed, 5 officers and 88 men wounded.) There
was an attack on the castle itself, by the 1st and 6th
Divisions, on the 23rd September which failed. A third
unsuccessful attempt was made on 29th September. |
| A final attempt was
made on 18th October, which again failed, and most of
the army was moved to face the French outside the city
leaving charge of the city to Pack’s Portuguese.
On the 21st Wellington ordered a general retreat in the
face of advancing French Armies, and Pack’s Brigade
retired from the city on the night of 21st/22nd October.
[Note British losses during the siege were 24 officers
and 485 men killed, 68 officers and 1,487 men wounded;
almost the whole of the loss came from the ranks of the
1st Divisions and Pack’s Portuguese Brigade]. |
 |
Letter from Brigadier
General Manley Powers commander of the Portuguese Brigade
which included the 21st regiment.
Madrid Sept 22nd 1812
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith to be laid before
his Excellency Marshal Condé de Trancoso (Beresford)
the half yearly Report, of the 21st Regt of Infantry of
the Line, commanded by Lt Col Birmingham, which would
have been sent in before, but the Lt Colonel is but very
lately joined from Salamanca, where he was detained in
consequence of sickness, & Lt Col Gomersall of the
16th Regt who was ordered by his Excellency to take the
Command of 21st Regt in his Absence, is not sufficiently
acquainted with the Officers, to be able to decide upon
their respective merits.
The Observations made by Lt Col Birmingham upon the different
Officers, are perfectly correct as to those who I have
seen & am acquainted with, & the Lt Colonel is
himself a most zealous & attentive Officer, although
he has lately from ill health, been unable to exert himself
so much; as he has every wish & inclination to do,
& he has no other Field Officer to assist him, except
Lt Col Gomersall for the present – who waits for
an Answer to a Letter, I addressed to you, upon the subject
before he returns to the 16th Regt - the 1st Major St
Clair, commands the depot at Coimbra – The 2nd Major
Ignasio Gomes de Cunha – is unable from ill health
& incapacity, to be of any service & has been
absent for some Months, 2 Captains, 7 Subalterns, 1 Lt
Master(?), 1 Serjt Major & 12 Sergeants are also employed
at the depots of Mafra & Coimbra & the absence
of so many Officers & Non Commiss'd Officers is a
great disadvantage to the Regt. Two Companies only are
supplied with the Orders of the day since 1809, but ever
since I joined the Brigade, all Orders have been regularly
copied & preserved by each Company. The Commanding
Officer has written for printed Copies of the Orders of
the day for the Years 1809, 10, 11 – for every Officer,
but they have not yet been received.
This is a very efficient & good Corps, & fit for
any Service & the Conduct of the Officers & Men
in general very correct
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your most obed
humble servt
M Powers
Brigr Genl
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