vres on both sides,
Marmont, inspired with the hope of destroying at one blow the whole
English army, extended his line in order to enclose his allies within
the position which they had taken up. This was an error of which
Wellington immediately took advantage. Nearly the whole of his army was
brought opposite to the enemy's left, and an attack was commenced upon
that wing. Three divisions, under Generals Leith, Cole, and Cotton,
charged in front, while General Pakenham formed another across the
enemy's flank. This movement decided the victory. The left wing first,
then the centre, and finally the right wing were defeated, and as the
evening closed the whole force of the enemy was in total rout. The first
great blow was given to the power of the French in Spain. In this battle
the French lost three generals slain, and Marmont, Bonnet, and Clausel
were wounded. Their total loss in killed and wounded was very great, and
they left 7000 prisoners, eleven guns, and two eagles in the hands of
the conquerors. The loss of the allies was also great, nearly 5000 being
slain and wounded: among the slain was General Le Marchant, and among
the wounded Generals Beresford, Leith, Cole, Spry, and Cotton; The
pursuit of the enemy was renewed next day beyond the Tormes, when the
British troops succeeded in capturing three brigades. In the course of
the day Marmont was joined by a corps of 1200 cavalry from the army of
the north, which covered the retreat of the centre as it hastened toward
Valladolid. The pursuit was continued on the 24th, and the enemy
was driven from Valladolid towards Burgos. Lord Wellington reached
Valladolid the eighth day after the battle, and here he gave over the
pursuit in order to make another important movement. On the day after
the battle of Salamanca King Joseph had marched from the Escurial with
20,000 men, for the purpose of joining Marmont. On arriving at Arevalo
he heard of Mar-mont's defeat, and he then marched off by the right
to Segovia, to attempt a diversion in favour of Clausel, who was
now leading the retreating army. Lord Wellington therefore quitted
Valladolid, recrossed the Duero, and marched against King Joseph,
leaving a force on the Duero under General Paget to watch Clausel. King
Joseph now retreated towards Madrid, whither he was followed by Lord
Wellington, and from whence he was driven by his lordship. The British
forces entered Madrid on the 12th of August, and was received with
enthusia