Chapter 5 - Oropesa, 21 July 1809

Chapter 5

Oropesa, 21 July 1809

‘Not a damn thing!’ Arthur snapped at Somerset as he threw down his riding crop and sat down heavily in his chair. ‘There is not one wagon of supplies, not even one cart. And no remounts for the cavalry, nor spare mules for our own vehicles.’

He shut his eyes and breathed in deeply to calm his irritation. The two armies had met on the appointed date and Arthur had at once ridden across to the Spanish headquarters to arrange for the distribution of supplies to his men. The army had been on half-rations for two days already and he was determined that they would march to battle with Marshal Victor on full stomachs. General Cuesta and his staff were at lunch when Arthur arrived. Several long tables had been arranged in the shade beneath the boughs of some Mediterranean oak trees. The table was piled with racks of roast mutton, freshly baked bread and bottles of wine. Arthur was ushered to the side of Cuesta, who sat on a large, cushioned seat, jaws working furiously as he hurried to finish his mouthful of meat. General O’Donoju had caught sight of the new arrival and rose from his bench, dabbing at his mouth as he came to interpret for the two commanders.

Arthur was covered with a fine layer of dust from the road and Cuesta gestured to the nearest bottle as he spoke.

‘His excellency says that you must be thirsty after the day’s march. He bids you refresh yourself.’

‘Please tell General Cuesta that I thank him for his offer and will have a drink, once he confirms that the supplies he has promised me are ready for my men to collect.’

O’Donoju did not translate the remark and simply shrugged his shoulders. ‘There are no supplies, sir.’

‘No supplies,’ Arthur repeated leadenly. ‘How can this be? General Cuesta gave me his word that the supplies would be here. Where are they?’

O’Donoju turned to his commander. Cuesta waved his hands dismissively, then stabbed another chunk of mutton with his fork and raised it to his mouth.

‘His excellency says that he gave orders to the local mayors for the supplies to be gathered, and that the local people have failed him. He regrets this and suggests that if you supply him with sufficient gold he will see that his best staff officers are sent out to buy what is needed.’

Arthur glanced round the tables. The men he could see, despite their finery, seemed to be the very last men he would entrust with what remained in the British army’s war chest. He turned back to O’Donoju and shook his head.