II
1.The army，in a few minutes，stood perfectly ready to meet that of the enemy，whose troops，in three immense close columns，were by this time moving rapidly down the side of the opposite heights.in each of these square，solid masses-I think I have heard it stated at six or seven thousand.They kept steadily together，and their appearance was the most imposing and formidable thing I recollect ever having seen，either before or since.
2.The purser and I stood near the centre of the position when the battle commenced；but as the ground was rather flat，we found it difficult to see wellinto the valley.We therefore climbed an abruptrisingground on the left，on which two or three regiments were posted.About half-way up this rising ground stood three British field-pieces.These guns worked away briskly at the French columns as soon as they came within range.
3.The French battery the set about silencing the fire of our artillery，and our position became rather unpleasant.The small six-pound shot of the British field-pieces had whistled over us merrily enough；but when the heavy metal of the enemy came screaming about our ears，the story told quite differently.Several of these balls hit our guns；while every shot that fell short came plump into the little hollow space where we stood.We agreed that a retreat was the proper measure.The French gunners just at that moment pitched a shot so that it fell between us，and threw the dirt and stones quite over us.We took the warning in good part，and moved off towards a rising ground still farther to the left.
4.Here we made acquaintance with the colonel and the other officers of one of the regiments of the reserve.The colonel held a pocket spy-glass in his hand，and very kindly described to us the nature of the different movements as they took place.By this time the centre，and a portion of the left of the British line，gradually became engaged in the valley；but the severest fighting of all was at the village of Elvina，which was in possession sometimes of the one party，sometimes of the other.
5.The road leading into Corunna was soon covered along its whole length with wounded men，some of whom were walking alone，some supported by comrades who were less severely hurt，and a good many in carts.Soon a large group passed near us，bearing along a wounded officer.It was evident that he was some person of consequence；and while we were trying to discover who it could be that engaged so much attention，an officer rode up the hill.He told us that in the centre was carried their brave commander-in-chief，Sir John Moore，who had been struck off his horse by acannon-shot a few minutes before.The command now devolved upon Sir John Hope.
6.The battle，which had commenced nearly at the foot of the British hill，had gradually moved itselfforward toward the French side of the valley；and the much-contested village of Elvina remained finally in our possession.The advantage was manifestly on the side of the British，for it became easy to distinguish，towards the end of the day，that the struggle was carried on at a position considerably in advance of that on which the British had stood when first attacked.
7.When the action was over，and the army was withdrawn to the position it had occupied in the morning，every demonstrationwas made of an intention to retainpossession of the ground.Large fires were kindled along the line，and kept up during the whole night；which deceived the enemy，and gave time for the different corps not only to retire at leisure in good order，but to embark almost as regularly as if nothing had happened.
8.The details of Sir John Moore‘s death are now so well known that they need not be repeated here；but at the time I am speaking of，being new to every one，they produced a great effect.
During the whole night，while the troops were em-barking，after their late commander’s body had beenconsignedto its truly military grave，his dying remarkthat he had always wished to end his days thus，hisexultationat the success of his last engagement，andhis satisfaction at the conduct of the soldiers，passed eagerly from mouth to mouth.Such，indeed，is the influence of authority，that these expressions appeared to the army an ample recompense for all the hard-ships they had endured on this memorable retreat，which had ended so mournfully，but at the same timeso gloriously.
