the 8th of September, when
the garrison, consisting of about 1,800 men, were made prisoners. On the
31st of October, also, the French in Pamplona, having lost all hope of
relief, surrendered prisoners of war to Don Carlos de Espana, who had
latterly commanded the blockading forces. But before the reduction of
Pamplona Lord Wellington had called down part of his troops from the
heights of the Pyrenees, and had led them forward a march or two on
French ground. Early in October he took possession of the French hills
of La Rhune; and on the 10th of November he called down the rest of the
allied army, and began to descend into the valleys on the French side.
Before taking this decisive step he told the officers and soldiers of
the various nations that followed his standard, to remember that they
were at war with France because the ruler of the French would not allow
them to be at peace, and wanted to force them to submit to his yoke; and
he exhorted them not to retaliate on the peaceable inhabitants of France
the injuries that the soldiers of Napoleon had inflicted on their own
countrymen. It was difficult to convince the Spanish and Portuguese
troops that they ought not to retaliate upon the French; but the
Portuguese at least attended to the exhortation. The admirable
discipline maintained, indeed, the care bestowed to see that the
property and persons of the French were protected, converted all around
into friends, and they came flocking to the English camp with provisions
and wine as to a friendly market. Men, women, and children, struck with
admiration at their conduct, followed our troops and wished them success
in their enterprise. In the meantime, Soult had retired to a strong
position on the Nivelle, his right resting upon St. Jean de Luz, and
his left upon Ainhoe. From this position he was driven on the 10th of
November, and Lord Wellington established his head-quarters at St. Jean
de Luz, on the right bank of the Nivelle, while the allies went into
cantonments between the sea and the river Nive, where their extreme
right rested on Cambo. The enemy guarded the right bank of the Nive from
Bayonne to St. Jean Pied de Port; but Lord Wellington, being straitened
for room and supplies for his army, resolved to cross the Nive, and
occupy the country between that river and the Adour. This was effected,
and the French were driven to Bayonne. Subsequently, during the month of
December, Soult made several attempts to dislodge