o days. Even if I
should have been willing, under such circumstances, to continue my
co-operation with General Ouesta, I am unable to do so with justice to
my troops." Sir Arthur, however, was soon compelled to recommence active
operations. While he halted at Talavera, on a sudden, Cuesta was seized
with an irrepressible energy and activity. His columns dashed forwards,
with him at their head, to Torrijos; but on the 26th he returned with
the French in full pursuit of him. The French halted before they came
upon Talavera; but it became evident to Sir Arthur that he would not be
permitted to enjoy long repose, and therefore he busily employed himself
in examining and strengthening his position at Talavera. While thus
employed, a great army was collecting in his front, under Victor, while
his old enemy, Soult, supported by Marshal Mortier, was unknowingly
rapidly advancing from Salamanca against his rear; and Marshal Ney was
hurrying from Astorga, with the hope of falling upon his flank. His
front was threatened by 50,000 men, and an equal number was ready
to fall upon his flank and rear, while he had only 20,000 British to
withstand them, save Cuesta's army, on which he could not place much
reliance. It was under these disadvantageous circumstances that the
battle of Talavera was fought. But, notwithstanding their superior
force, the French were utterly defeated: out of the 50,000 men which
Victor headed against the British, 7,000 were either killed or wounded,
and among them an immense number of officers and two generals. On
the side of the British 857 were killed, 3,913 wounded, and 653 were
reported missing: the Spaniards returned about 1,200 killed and wounded;
but the correctness of their report was much doubted. This great battle
was fought on the 27th and 28th of July; and by the 1st of August
Sebastiani's corps and the reserve retreated to Illescas, on the road
between Madrid and Toledo, while Victor entrenched himself behind the
Alberche. By this time Soult had entered Plasencia, whence he designed
joining the forces of Victor. Sir Arthur Wellesley determined to prevent
this junction; and on the 3rd of August he marched forward to Orepesa,
leaving Cuesta at Talavera to take care of the hospitals. On that day
Sir Arthur learned that Soult's advanced posts were at Naval Moral,
and consequently between him and Portugal, and soon after he received
intelligence that the forces which he had defeated were re-collecting