stian.
He was returning from San Sebastian to his head-quarters on the night of
the 17th of July, when he received intelligence that the great army
of Soult, from 70,000 to 80,000 strong, was in rapid motion; that the
French had overpowered his troops in two of the mountain passes on
the right of the allied army; had penetrated into the valleys of the
Pyrenees, and were pressing onwards for Pamplona. "We must do the best
to stop them," was the prompt reply; and stop them he did after a week's
almost incessant fighting. From the 25th of July to the 2nd of August a
series of engagements took place, the result of which was the retreat of
Soult from the Spanish frontiers into France, with a loss, in killed
and prisoners, of nearly 20,000 men. In a private letter, just after the
"battles of the Pyrenees," Wellington wrote, "I never saw such fighting
as we had here. It began on the 25th of Jury, and, excepting the 29th,
when not a shot was fired, we had it every day till the 2nd of August.
The battle of the 28th was fierce bludgeon work. The fourth division was
principally engaged, and the loss of the enemy was immense. I hope Soult
will not feel any inclination to renew his expedition. The French army
must have suffered considerably. Between the 25th of last month and the
2nd of this they were engaged seriously not less than ten times, on many
occasions in attacking very strong positions, in others beat from them
or pursued. I understand their officers say they have lost 15,000 men:
I thought so; but as they say so, I now think more. I believe we have
about four thousand prisoners. It is strange enough that our diminution
of strength up to the 31st did not exceed 1,500 men, although I believe
our casualties are 6,000." In his retreat Soult was closely followed
by his adversaries; but, after meeting with severe loss, especially in
crossing the Bidassoa, he conducted the main body of his army in safety
to France. Lord Wellington at first designed to follow the enemy into
his own country, but weighty considerations induced him to abandon this
design; and the two armies therefore rested quiet in their respective
positions. In the interval of repose efforts were made by the French to
relieve San Sebastian; and these were met by an increased activity on
the part of the allies to capture both, that place and Pamplona. In
his attempt to relieve San Sebastian Soult was defeated by the Spanish
troops alone, and the place was captured on