Touring the Peninsula With Matt
Ciudad
Rodrigo
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We
entered the great fortifications through what was, and still is,
the Salamanca Gate.
This
fortified town was another stop in our great trek across northern
Spain and Wellington's battlefields and it was of utmost importance
that Wellington captured this fortified town, as it was one of the
two great fortresses that barred the two great roads that led into
the centre of Portugal.
If
Wellington did not capture both of these fortresses then one or
both of these roads would have given open passage into Portugal
and on to Lisbon for one of Napoleon's Spanish Armies, and, more
importantly, would not give him an open passageway to Spain.
As
we drove in through the gate we wound left through the town until
we came past the great cathedral and parked just opposite it.
Getting
out of the car we headed for the cathedral, found it was locked
for two hours, and so decided to go for a walk around the walls
of the town.
Climbing
up you saw what a commanding view the fortress had on the countryside
and as we gazed out you could see where the British gun batteries
were placed during the bombardment of the town, even though there
were very few viewable remains of their positions. Walking along
we came to the Little Breach, which was assaulted by Vandeleur's
Brigade of the Light Division.
It
had long been filled in, but it was quite easy to see where it had
collapsed - and how truly small it was.
Behind
us we noticed that on the walls and the bell tower of the cathedral
were roundshot marks and large chippings off the gargoyles that
lined the tower.
Walking
along further we came to the Great Breach, which McKinnon's Brigade
of the 3rd Division assaulted, it was slightly larger than the Little
Breach (as would be expected, judging by its name), and was marked
by a plaque commemorating the storming, but was still, however,
surprisingly small.
As
we turned along the western side of the wall we were heading towards
seemingly marshy River Agueda, with its small islands that caused
eddies and rapids along its path.
We
walked along the western ramparts to where Campbell's Brigade of
the 3rd Division was ordered to launch feint escalades on the flank
of the great breach, and along the southern end of the fortress
walls to divide attention from the breaches.
This
was one of the three feint attacks to be launched by Wellington
10 minutes before the main attack would begin, and as we headed
further down the western wall towards the River Agueda, we came
to the joint part of the first attack.
This
was the place where the 2/5th were sent around the western side
of the castle, and ordered to set their ladders against the redoubt
and scramble over the wall.
Walking
further along we came to where Colonel O'Toole's Brigade came charging
over the old Roman Bridge and silenced the two guns under the castle.
Meeting
with the 2/5th here, they both escaladed the walls, and entered
the fortress virtually undetected. Colonel O'Toole's attack was
the second of the feint attacks.
Walking along the southern edge of the fortress we passed the castle
and then came around the eastern half of the stronghold. Following
this route we came to the San Pelayo gate.
Brigadier-General
Pack's Portuguese battalions were ordered to attack this gate, and
this was the 3rd and final feint attack on the fortress, launched
from the east, and to begin, a signal rocket would launch the assaults.
Overall
the assault was a complete success, however, unsurprisingly, the
British did lose casualties, as is the way of war. They suffered
a high death toll of just under 600, two of whom were major-generals,
and one of which was Robert Crauford, the great and invaluable commander
of the outposts.
Walking
around we came back to the Salamanca Gate, and after spending a
few hours wandering round this fortress town, we went back to the
car and headed out across the plains of central Spain as we continued
our odyssey (Yee-ha!).
- Matt
Mahabadi
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