A Change of Plans

Abstract

Moore reached Alaejos, 34 miles distant, the day after he left Salamanca and there received a document which caused him to alter his plans. The previous day a French courier had arrived at Valdestillas, a village not far from Tordesillas, and east of Rueda. He had been on his way to Soult with a dispatch from Napoleon’s headquarters, and was so imprudent as to abuse the postmaster of the town. His insolence had so irritated the villagers that they had killed him. An English officer, Captain Waters, sent in advance to get information, arrived at Valdestillas soon after the killing occurred. The villagers related what had happened and sold Waters the courier’s dispatch for twenty dollars. It was this dispatch which was brought to Moore at Alaejos on the 14th. It was from Berthier to Soult, dated 10th December from Chamartin, Napoleon’s headquarters near Madrid. “Take possession of Leon,” Berthier instructed Soult, “throw the enemy back into Galicia, seize Benavente and Zamora … His Majesty feels sure that you will use every effort to subdue the country between the Duero, Galicia, and Asturias.” ¹ Berthier assured Soult that in executing these orders he would encounter no resistance. All available information, he declared, pointed to the probability that the English who had been at Salamanca had retreated into Portugal. “Our advance guard,” Berthier reported, “is today at Talavera de la Reina on the road to Badajos and will shortly be in that city. You will understand that this movement will force the English to retreat hastily to Lisbon, if they have not already done so. At the moment, Marshal, you can be certain that everything justifies the presumption that there are no English on your front, and that you can march ahead with confidence.” ²