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New Directions in Sock Knitting 18 Innovative Designs Knitted From Every Which Way 1st Edition Ann Budd Instant Download

New Directions in Sock Knitting by Ann Budd presents 18 innovative sock designs that explore various knitting techniques beyond traditional methods. The book features projects that range from simple to complex, utilizing unique constructions such as double knitting and multidirectional knitting. Detailed instructions ensure that knitters of all skill levels can successfully create these original sock patterns.

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100% found this document useful (2 votes)
152 views53 pages

New Directions in Sock Knitting 18 Innovative Designs Knitted From Every Which Way 1st Edition Ann Budd Instant Download

New Directions in Sock Knitting by Ann Budd presents 18 innovative sock designs that explore various knitting techniques beyond traditional methods. The book features projects that range from simple to complex, utilizing unique constructions such as double knitting and multidirectional knitting. Detailed instructions ensure that knitters of all skill levels can successfully create these original sock patterns.

Uploaded by

birnarzsu1339
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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New Directions In Sock Knitting 18 Innovative

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New Directions In Sock Knitting 18 Innovative Designs
Knitted From Every Which Way 1st Edition Ann Budd
Digital Instant Download
Author(s): Ann Budd
ISBN(s): 9781620339435, 1620339439
Edition: 1
File Details: PDF, 23.28 MB
Year: 2016
Language: english
NEW DIRECTIONS IN

NEW DIRECTIONS IN
TA K E A S T E P I N A
NEW DIRECTION!
Go beyond top-down or toe-up construction in New
Directions in Sock Knitting. In the eighteen designs
SOCK
CRAFTS ⁄ KNITTING

KNITTING
curated by knitting superstar Ann Budd, you’ll be
treated to projects that range from traditional sock
patterns to more challenging and innovative sock

SOCK KNITTING
constructions.

The socks in this collection use a variety of knitting


techniques including double knitting, intarsia in 18 Innovative Designs Knitted from Every Which Way
the round, short-row shaping, mirrored color and
texture patterns, and multidirectional knitting in both
traditional and innovative ways. These techniques
will have you casting on and knitting your socks from
unexpected places—starting at the heel or sole or even
from side to side! The instructions are all written in
step-by-step detail that will ensure success, no matter
which design you choose to knit.

Knitted from Every Which Way


18 Innovative Designs
Original, innovative, and unique, it’s New Directions in
Sock Knitting!

ANN BUDD is a best-selling author of many books including


The Knitter’s Handy Book series, Getting Started Knitting
Socks, Sock Knitting Master Class, as well as coauthor of a
variety of books in the Style series. She teaches workshops
throughout North America and beyond. Ann lives in
Boulder, Colorado.

US $26.99
16KN01 (CAN $29.99)
ISBN-13: 978-1-62033-943-5
ISBN-10: 1-62033-943-9

52699
EAN
UPC
cnVlZ2VyAFXwJrcCMTMDMTAwATEFVVBD

12787 02051
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SW9sYSBkaXZpc2lvbikPR3JlZ29yeSBL

cnVlZ2VyAFX6phEEMTAuNAI4MAExBkVB
LUEMODEyNzg3MDIwNTExcA==

JUYrVyBQdWJsaWNhdGlvbnMsIEluYyAo
SW9sYSBkaXZpc2lvbikPR3JlZ29yeSBL
Ti0xMw05NzgxNjIwMzM5NDM1AA==

8 1 9 781620 339435
04 0120

04 0124
FnL1
01
02
03
04

FnL1
01
02
03
04

ANN BUDD

NDSK_CoverMechanical.indd All Pages 9/18/15 3:26 PM


NEW DIRECTIONS IN

SOCK
KNITTING
18 Innovative Designs Knitted from Every Which Way

Ann Budd

001-059NDSK_new.indd 1 9/16/15 11:33 AM


Table of Contents
4 Introduction: Socks Every Which Way 10 16 22
4 Fit
5 Yarn and Gauge
6 Needle Choice

Chapter 1
Top-Down Construction
10 Mirror Socks by Kate Atherley
16 Enduring Stripes by Cat Bordhi
22 Crystalline by Carissa Browning
32 Bertha by Rachel Coopey 62 70
38 Cleave by Hunter Hammersen
46 Tilt-A-Whirl by Jennifer Leigh
52 Gold Digger by Heidi Nick

Chapter 2
Toe-Up Construction
62 Mitered Triangles by Kathryn Alexander
70 Harlequin by Anne Berk
78 Cumulus by Carissa Browning
86 Crossfade by Marjan Hammink

Chapter 3
Other Types of Construction
96 U-Turn by General Hogbuffer
104 Zigzag by Anne Campbell
112 Boomerang by Louise Robert
96 104 112
118 Seed Beds by Betty Salpekar
126 Vanishing Point by Jeny Staiman
134 Square Socks by Nicola Susen
140 Smokey ZickZacks by Natalia Vasilieva

150 Glossary of Terms and Techniques


165 Sources for Yarns
166 Acknowledgments
167 Index

001-059NDSK_new.indd 2 9/16/15 11:33 AM


32 38 46 52

78 86

118 126 134 140

001-059NDSK_new.indd 3 9/16/15 11:33 AM


INTRODUCTION

Socks Every
Which Way
When I set out to acquire socks for this book, I wanted to assemble a collection that differed from every other sock
book on the market—hence the title New Directions in Sock Knitting. In this book, you’ll fi nd an array of socks that
deviate a little to a lot from the traditional top-down or toe-up construction. From the imaginative ways that heels,
gussets, and toes are formed to the ingenious directions of the knitting, this book will change the way you think about
knitting socks.
The eighteen designs herein represent the efforts of seventeen designers who have puzzled out new ways to knit
socks. The designs range from quite simple socks that are appropriate for fi rst-time sock knitters to quite challenging
socks that may require a leap of faith for those accustomed to traditional sock constructions.
The socks in this collection include mitered triangles and scallops, double knitting, intarsia in the round, short-
row shaping, mirrored color and texture patterns, the addition of laceweight mohair for warmth and durability, and
multiple knitting directions. In all cases, the instructions are written in step-by-step detail that will ensure success,
no matter which design you choose to knit.
The designs are separated into three chapters. Chapter 1 (beginning on page 8) covers socks that are knitted from
the top down. Chapter 2 (beginning on page 60) includes socks that are knitted from the toe up. But don’t expect
“normal” socks in these chapters—they all feature something different, whether it’s unusual heel, gusset, or toe
shaping, a clever use of color, or a neat trick in construction. Chapter 3 (beginning on page 94) includes socks that are
knitted from side to side, bottom of the sole to the top of the leg, and in multiple directions. These socks include true
engineering feats that are the marks of sock-knitting genius.
But before you begin any sock, you need to take fit, yarn, and gauge into consideration.

Fit
The best way to determine the size to knit is to wrap
a tape measure around the widest part of your foot
(Figure 1). To measure your foot length, place a ruler on
the floor and lightly step on it, aligning the back of your
heel with the “0" and measuring the length to the tip of
your longest toe (Figure 2). To measure your leg length,
hold a ruler against a wall with the “0" on the floor, then
place the back of your leg against the ruler and measure 1 2 3
how high up your leg you want the sock to extend
(Figure 3). If you’re knitting socks as a gift, use the table Choose a fi nished size that’s about ½ to 1 inch (1.3 to
on page 5 to get a general idea of foot (and therefore sock) 2.5 cm) smaller in circumference than your actual foot
size based on shoe size. measurement, unless otherwise directed. If there’s not
enough stretch, your foot will slide back and forth in the
In general, socks should fit with negative ease so
sock and cause friction points that are likely to wear out
that the stitches have to stretch to hug the foot and leg.
more quickly that the rest of the sock.

001-059NDSK_new.indd 4 9/16/15 11:34 AM


Yarn and Gauge (2.5 cm). Denser stitches wear better because only the
outer fibers are subject to abrasion. But be careful not to
Many sock yarns contain some percentage of man-made knit the sock so densely that elasticity is lost and the sock
fiber (such as nylon) that adds strength to the dominant can’t be pulled over your heel.
fiber (typically wool). If your yarn doesn’t contain one of Be sure to measure your gauge on a swatch that has
these additions, consider working a strand of reinforcing been knitted the same way (in rounds or rows) that the

INTRODUCTION
nylon thread or yarn (available at most knitting stores sock will be knitted, using the same yarn, needles, and
that carry sock yarn) along as you knit the heel, toe, and stitch pattern you’ll use for the sock. Many knitters
any other areas of stress. Although the nylon doesn’t knit more tightly than they purl, or vice versa, so that
prevent the yarn from wearing, it’s much slower to wear the gauge they get working stockinette stitch in rounds
and therefore provides a thin foundation of stitches that (when the right side is always facing forward) is different
you can use as a guide for darning worn areas. from the gauge they get knitting back and forth in
The knitted fabric of a sock should be sturdy enough rows (when stockinette stitches are alternately knitted
to withstand the friction that results from walking and purled). Work a swatch large enough that you can
and rubbing inside a shoe. A perfectly fitting sock will measure at least 2 inches (5 cm) both horizontally (stitch
not wear well if the stitches are so loose that they slide gauge) and vertically (row gauge) well away from the
along the path of friction at the toes, bottom of foot, and edges of the swatch. To ensure an accurate reading, take
back of heel. For me, the sturdiest socks are knitted at measurements in two or three places. Also, be sure to
a gauge that’s one stitch per inch (2.5 cm) tighter than include any partial stitches in your gauge measurements.
recommended on the ball band. For example, if the ball Although a half stitch may not seem significant over a
band recommends knitting at a gauge of 7 stitches per 2-inch (5-cm) width, it can add an inch or more to the
inch (2.5 cm), I’ll knit that yarn at 8 stitches per inch entire sock circumference.

SOCK SIZE AS A FUNCTION OF SHOE SIZE


U.S. (EUROPEAN) SHOE SIZE FOOT CIRCUMFERENCE TOTAL FOOT LENGTH

Children’s 9–12 (26–30) 6½" (16.5 cm) 7" (18 cm)

Children’s 1–4 (31–34) 7½" (19 cm) 8¼" (21 cm)

Women’s 5–7 / Men’s 4–6 (35–38) 8" (20.5 cm) 9½" (24 cm)

Women’s 8–10 / Men’s 7–9 (38.5–43) 9" (23 cm) 10¼" (26 cm)

Women’s 11–14 / Men’s 10–13 (44–48) 9¾" (25 cm) 11" (28 cm)

HOW MUCH YARN DO YOU NEED?


The amount of yarn you’ll need for a pair of socks depends on the gauge and sock size. In general, the finer the yarn and
the bigger the sock, the more yarn you’ll need. If you plan to add a heavily textured pattern such as cables, you’ll also
need more yarn. Use the table here as a guideline for yarn amounts based on gauge and foot circumference.

FOOT CIRCUMFERENCE

8¼" (21 cm) 9½" (24 cm) 10¼" (26 cm) 11" (28 cm)

6 stitches/inch 266 yd (243 m) 317 yd (290 m) 394 yd (361 m) 466 yd (426 m)

7 stitches/inch 293 yd (268 m) 349 yd (319 m) 434 yd (397 m) 513 yd (469 m) 5


GUAGE

8 stitches/inch 322 yd (294 m) 384 yd (351 m) 477 yd (437 m) 564 yd (516 m)

9 stitches/inch 357 yd (326 m) 423 yd (387 m) 524 yd (479 m) 620 yd (567 m)

001-059NDSK_new.indd 5 10/19/15 1:24 PM


Needle Choice Four or Five Double-Pointed
New Directions in Sock Knitting

Historically, most socks were knitted using double- Needles


pointed needles with the stitches held on three or four Most Americans learn to knit socks with four double-
needles, and a fourth or fi fth needle was used to knit pointed needles—the stitches are distributed between
with. More recently, knitters use circular needles that three needles and the fourth is used for knitting. When
they fi nd easier to manage and that reduce the number you work from the top down, the stitches can be evenly
of transitions between needles within each round of distributed on three needles while working the leg, but
knitting. Most of the projects in this book specify the they’re rearranged at the start of the heel flap so that the
needle configuration the designer used, but as long as you heel stitches are worked on one needle while the instep
keep track of the instep (or front-of-leg) stitches, the sole stitches are distributed equally between the other two.
(or back-of-leg) stitches, and any other key sections of the After the heel is completed, the stitches are rearranged
pattern, you can substitute the type of needle you prefer, so that half of the heel stitches are on the fi rst needle
as long as it’s long enough to hold the specified number of (Needle 1), all of the instep stitches are on the second
stitches (an important consideration with the socks that needle (Needle 2), and the remaining half of the heel
are knitted side to side). stitches are on the third needle (Needle 3). The round
typically begins at the back of the leg and along the
bottom of the sole.
Europeans typically learn to knit socks with five
One Very Short Circular Needle| double-pointed needles—the stitches are distributed
Recently, 9-inch and 12-inch (23- and 30.5-cm) circular between four needles and the fi fth is used for knitting.
needles have been manufactured specifically to The stitches are arranged so that the back-of-leg, heel,
accommodate the relatively small number of stitches and sole stitches are equally divided between two
around a sock. The rigid needle sections at the tips of needles, and the front-of-the-leg and instep stitches
these needles are quite short and take some getting are equally divided between the other two. The round
used to, but the advantage is that all of the stitches are typically begins at the back of the leg and along the
on a single needle, and you can knit around and around bottom of the sole.
without interruption. It’s a good idea to use markers Many of the socks in Chapters 1 and 2 can be knitted
to separate the front-of-leg (instep) stitches from the with these needle configurations.
back-of-leg (sole) stitches to ensure that the heel and toe
stitches are perfectly aligned. The round typically begins
at the back of the leg and along the bottom of the sole.
Many of the socks in Chapters 1 and 2 can be knitted
with this type of needle.

001-059NDSK_new.indd 6 9/16/15 11:34 AM


Two Circular Needles
Some knitters prefer to knit socks on two circular needles.
The back-of-leg, heel, and sole stitches are worked on one
needle, and the front-of-leg and instep stitches are worked

INTRODUCTION
on the second. For this method, the round begins at the
side of the leg (between the instep and sole). The key is to
keep the stitches and the needles separate—each needle
is used only for the stitches it holds. Most followers of this
method use 16-inch or 24-inch (40 or 60 cm) circulars, on as it’s in progress. However, some knitters fi nd that
which have longer rigid needle sections that are easy to the needle not in use flops about in an annoying way.
handle. The advantages are 1) because there are only two
breaks between the needles, no needle is ever completely Anne Campbell’s Zigzags (page 104), Jennifer Leigh’s
empty (making it difficult to lose one), and 2) the stitches Tilt-A-Whirl (page 4), and Heidi Nick’s Gold Digger
can stretch over the cables, allowing the sock to be tried (page 52) specify this needle configuration.

One Long Circular Needle|


(Magic Loop)
In a method called “the magic loop,” Sarah Hauschuka
simplified the method of working socks circularly on
a single 40-inch (100 cm) circular needle. To use this
method, cast on the stitches as usual, then slide them to
the center of the cable, fold the cable and stitches exactly
at the midpoint, pull out a loop of cable in the center of
the cast-on to make two sets of stitches, then slide each
group toward a needle point. Half of the stitches will be
on one needle tip and the other half will be on the other
tip. Hold the needle tips parallel so that the working yarn 1
comes out of the right-hand edge of the back needle tip.
*Pull the back needle tip out to expose about 6 inches
(15 cm) of cable and use that needle to knit the stitches
off the front needle tip. At the end of those stitches,
pull the cable so that the two sets of stitches are at the
ends of their respective needle tips again, turn the work
around, and repeat from *. When working the socks, the
back-of-leg, heel, and sole stitches are in one group, and
the front-of-leg and instep stitches are in the other group.
The round begins at one side of the leg, between the two 2
sections. The advantage to this method is that all of the
stitches are on a single needle so there’s no chance of
losing the needle. But some knitters are distracted by the
“wings” of cable loops between the groups of stitches. Armed with this information, you’re ready to start
Louise Robert’s Boomerang (page 112), Jeny Staiman’s your own adventure in knitting socks in new directions.
Vanishing Point (page 126), and Natalia Vasilieva’s Smokey Even if you opt not to knit every sock shown, I encourage
ZickZacks (page 140) specify this type of needle for its you to read the chapter introductions as well as the 7
length. Their socks are knitted in unusual constructions individual sock introductions to get a feel for the huge
that involve stitches for the leg and foot to be worked at variety and technical mastery they exhibit!
the same time. —Ann Budd

001-059NDSK_new.indd 7 9/16/15 11:34 AM


Mirror Socks Enduring Stripes Crystalline

Gold Digger Bertha

Cleave Tilt−A−Whirl

001-059NDSK_new.indd 8 9/16/15 11:34 AM


CHAPTER 1

Top−Down
Construction
Top-down sock construction is probably the most common method among Western knitters. The
sock begins with a flexible cast-on that can stretch over the heel. The leg is typically worked to the
desired length, then the heel stitches are worked back and forth in rows for the heel flap and heel
turn. Stitches are picked up along each side of the heel flap, then rejoined to the instep stitches for
working in rounds while gusset stitches are decreased to the desired number of foot stitches. The
foot is worked in rounds to the toe, which can be shaped a number of ways.
The seven socks in this chapter follow the general top-down method, but include clever alterations
or deviations that make uncommon socks from this common method.
Kate Atherley’s Mirror Socks (page 10) are somewhat of a knitted puzzle. The socks are worked
simultaneously, one inside the other, and not separated until the toes are complete. Then, the
inner sock is pulled out of the outer sock. For fun—and a bit of mental exercise—Kate alternated
the colors for the cuff, leg, heel, foot, and toe on the two socks.
Cat Bordhi’s Enduring Stripes (page 16) are worked according to standard top-down construction,
including her signature Sweet Tomato Heel. Cat added two colors of laceweight mohair along with
the sock yarn to provide extra strength, warmth, and a striped pattern that’s mirrored between
the two socks.
For her Crystalline socks (page 22), Carissa Browning worked a short-row variation of the
traditional flap-and-gusset heel and wedge toe. Throughout the sock, she added short-rows and
multidirectional knitting to create the faceted look of natural crystals. These socks are best
worked in solid-color yarns.
Rachel Coopey’s Bertha (page 32) follow the standard top-down construction, but she added visual
interest with colorwork patterns on the leg, heel flap, and toe. Like Kate Atherley’s Mirror Socks,
Rachel reversed the color placement on the two socks for a “fraternal” pair.
For Cleave (page 38), Hunter Hammersen worked a variation of the flap-and-gusset heel that’s
worked in rounds (no need to pick up gusset stitches). The heel is turned with short-rows, but part
of the sole is worked flat in rows.
Jennifer Leigh’s mirrored Tilt-A-Whirl socks (page 46) are a twist on traditional top-down shaping.
The leg is worked in a bias lace pattern, then the heel flap is shaped with gusset increases and the
heel is turned with short-rows. The foot follows Elizabeth Zimmermann’s arch-shaped foot, then
ends in a spiral toe that closes at the top of the foot rather than the tip of the toes.
Heidi Nick’s Gold Digger socks (page 52) feature a Fleegle heel (no need to pick up gusset stitches)
in which the gussets are worked simultaneously with the heel flap. The heel is turned with short-
rows. Heidi chose to continue the leg pattern along the top of the foot to the point at which the
toes are fi nished with Kitchener stitch.

001-059NDSK_new.indd 9 9/16/15 11:34 AM


001-059NDSK_new.indd 10 9/16/15 11:35 AM
Mirror Socks
KATE ATHERLEY

These socks are perfect mirror images, not just in the


coloring, but also in how they’re constructed. One is
knitted inside out from the other, as the mirror of the
first. And for extra fun, they’re worked at the same time
and on the same needles, using the “War & Peace”
method—so called because it’s mentioned in Tolstoy’s
epic novel. It’s really just very careful double knitting—
the trick is not to let the yarns cross at any point. When
you finish the toes, simply pull the socks apart to reveal
a perfect mirrored pair!

001-059NDSK_new.indd 11 9/16/15 11:35 AM


Finished Size Yarn Adjust needle size if necessary to
New Directions in Sock Knitting

obtain the correct gauge.


About 6½ (7, 7½, 8, 8½, 9)" (16.5 [18, 19, Fingering weight (#1 Super Fine).
20.5, 21.5, 23] cm) foot circumference,
Shown here: Koigu Painter’s Palette Notions
8¾ (9¼, 9¾, 10¼, 10¾, 11¼)" (22 [23.5, Spare needle(s) in same size as main
Premium Merino (KPPPM) (100%
25, 26, 27.5, 28.5] cm) foot length from needle(s); stitch holders; removable
merino wool; 175 yd [160 m]/50 g):
back of heel to tip of toe (length is stitch marker (m); cable needle (cn);
#P239 Green Mix and #P157 Pink Mix, 1
adjustable), and 6½ (6½, 7, 8, 8, 8)" (16.5 tapestry needle.
(1, 1, 2, 2, 2) skein(s) each.
[16.5, 18, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5] cm) leg length
from top of cuff to start of heel flap. Needles Gauge
Socks shown measure 7" (18 cm) foot Size U.S. 1 (2.25 mm): set of 4 or 17 sts and 25 rnds = 2" (5 cm) in
circumference. 5 double-pointed (dpn), one 32" double-knit St st worked in rnds,
to 40" (80 to 100 cm) circular (cir) relaxed after blocking.
or two 16" (40 cm) cir.

Notes
• The two socks are worked at the same time the inside of the cylinder, and its yarn sits
in double knitting, with one sock inside at the back of the work. This is considered
the other; use a separate ball of yarn for “home position” for the yarns.
each sock.
• In “home position,” Y1 is whichever color
• The stitches are distributed on the needles is currently being used for the outer sock
so that one stitch for the outside sock is at the front of the work, and Y2 is the color
followed by one stitch for the inside sock. being for the inner sock at the back of the
work.
• You might need to use smaller needles
than usual to get gauge in double-knitting • Periodically, check to make sure the socks
stockinette stitch. remain separate. Look between the needle
tips as you work to be sure the layers have
• The two colors exchange places four times:
not become locked together and run your
after the ribbed cuff, at the start of the
fingers up from underneath, between the
heel flap, at the start of the gusset joining
two socks, all the way to the needles.
round, and at the beginning of the toe.
• It’s not unusual for the outer sock to get
• When swapping colors, cut the old color
ladders of loose stitches between the
leaving a 6" (15 cm) tail. Tie the new color
needles. This happens because the yarn has
around the old color, also leaving a 6"
to travel a little farther around the outside
(15 cm) tail, so that the knot of the new
of the cylinder between the needles. To
color can slide up the old tail and fit snugly
help alleviate the loose stitches, pull the
against the needle. Doing so will keep the
first two Y1 stitches after a needle change
last stitch of the old yarn and the first stitch
a little tighter than usual. Most ladders will
of the new yarn tight and tidy and reduce
disappear after washing and wearing, so
the risk of tangling. Tuck the tails between
don’t worry too much if you can’t eliminate
the two socks to keep them out of the way.
them entirely as you knit.
• For ease of knitting, the socks are worked
with their right sides touching to minimize
yarn movement and reduce tangling. For
12
the stockinette portions, the outer sock
has its purl side on the outside of the
cylinder, and its yarn sits at the front of the
work. The inner sock has its purl side on

001-059NDSK_new.indd 12 9/16/15 11:35 AM


Cuffs Legs
The two socks are CO separately at the start of the cuff. Cut the yarns and swap them so that former Y1 sts will
With Yarn 1 (Y1), main needle(s), and using a flexible be worked with Y2, and former Y2 sts will be worked with
Y1 (see Notes). The new Y1 will rem at the front of the

MIRROR SOCKS
method (see Glossary), CO 56 (60, 64, 68, 72, 76) sts.
Arrange sts as preferred (see page 6), place marker (pm), work; the new Y2 will rem at the back.
and join for working in rnds, being careful not to twist sts. St st rnd: *P1 with Y1, k1 with Y2; rep from *.
Y1 set-up rnd: *K1, p1; rep from *. Rep the last rnd until piece measures 6½ (6½, 7, 8, 8, 8)"
Set aside. (16.5 [16.5, 18, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5] cm) from CO, or desired
length to top of heel flap.
With Yarn 2 (Y2) and spare needle(s), CO 56 (60, 64, 68, 72,
76) sts onto a single dpn or cir needle. Do not work any
sts yet.
Heels
Transfer sts to same needles: Hold the needles together
Cut the yarns and swap them again so that former Y1 sts
and parallel so the needle with the Y2 sts is behind the
will be worked with Y2, and former Y2 sts will be worked
needle with the Y1 sts. The working strand of Y1 should
with Y1; see the note at the start of the heel flaps for
be at the right needle tip, and the working strand from
yarn-handling instructions.
the Y2 cast-on should be at the end of the Y2 sts. Slip all
sts purlwise (pwise) with Y1 in front of work and Y2 in Heel Flaps
back of work.
Notes: The heel flaps are worked back and forth in
Without working any sts, slip sts alternately onto the stockinette double knitting on the fi rst half of the Y1
main needles as foll: *Sl 1 Y1 st pwise on front needle, stitches and the corresponding half of the Y2 stitches.
sl 1 Y2 st pwise from back needle onto front needle; rep When working in rows, purl or slip the stitches of the front
from *—112 (120, 128, 136, 144, 152) sts total on same layer (the side facing you) keeping the yarn in front (wyf);
needles; 56 (60, 64, 68, 72, 76) sts of each color, alternating and knit or slip the stitches of the back layer, keeping the
Y1 and Y2. yarn in back (wyb). Take care that the yarns don’t cross or
If working with multiple needles, make sure each needle interlock at the ends of the rows; the two heel flaps should
begins with a Y1 st and ends with a Y2 st, and if using remain completely separate from each other.
a single cir needle for magic-loop, make sure each side
begins with a Y1 st and ends with a Y2 st.
Y2 set-up rnd: Working with Y2 only, *sl 1 Y1 st, k1
with Y2, sl 1 Y1 st, p1 Y2 st; rep from *—all Y1 sts have
been slipped without being worked; one rnd of k1, p1 rib
completed on Y2 sts.
Note: When working k1, p1 rib in double knitting, move
Y1 to the back of the work to knit a Y1 stitch, then move
it to the front of the work again; move Y2 to the front
of the work to purl a Y2 stitch, then move it to the back
of the work again. You must always move the yarns in
this manner immediately before and after working a stitch;
otherwise, the two layers will become interlocked.
Rib rnd: Moving yarns as described in the note above, *k1
with Y1, k1 with Y2, p1 with Y1, p1 with Y2; rep from *.
Rep this rnd until pieces measure 1½" (3.8 cm) from CO.
Place a removable stitch marker in the fabric of the outer 13
sock to help you keep track of which is which when you
swap the two colors.

001-059NDSK_new.indd 13 9/16/15 11:35 AM


on the cable needle to the left needle, then work the Y2
New Directions in Sock Knitting

decrease. For decreases worked with the Y2 side facing,


rearrange the stitches in the same manner, but reverse
the colors in the description.
Work short-rows to turn heels as foll.
Short-Row 1: (Y1 facing) [P1 with Y1, k1 with Y2] 19
(20, 21, 23, 24, 25) times, p2tog with Y1, ssk with Y2, turn
work.
Short-Row 2: (Y2 facing) Sl 1 Y2 st wyf, sl 1 Y1 st wyb,
[p1 with Y2, k1 with Y1] 10 (10, 10, 12, 12, 12) times, p2tog
with Y2, ssk with Y1, turn work.
Short-Row 3: Sl 1 Y1 st wyf, sl 1 Y2 st wyb, [p1 with Y1,
k1 with Y2] 10 (10, 10, 12, 12, 12) times, p2tog with Y1, ssk
with Y2, turn work.
Short-Row 4: Sl 1 Y2 st wyf, sl 1 Y1 st wyb, [p1 with Y2,
k1 with Y1] 10 (10, 10, 12, 12, 12) times, p2tog with Y2, ssk
with Y1, turn work.
Rep Rows 3 and 4 only 6 (7, 8, 8, 9, 10) more times—24 (24,
24, 28, 28, 28) heel sts total rem; 12 (12, 12, 14, 14, 14) sts
for each sock.

Gussets
Row 1: (Y1 side facing) [P1 with Y1, k1 with Y2] 28 (30, 32, Note: You’ll resume working in rounds with the outer
34, 36, 38) times—28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) sts for each heel sock facing you. When picking up stitches for the
flap. Place rem 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) sts for each sock onto gusset, pick up stitches on the outer sock purlwise
holder to work later for instep. Turn work so Y2 side is (see Glossary); and pick up stitches for the inner sock
facing. knitwise (see Glossary).

Row 2: (Y2 side facing) Sl 1 Y2 st wyf, sl 1 Y1 st wyb, Cut the yarns. Exchange the colors, but rejoin them in
[p1 with Y2, k1 with Y1] 27 (29, 31, 33, 35, 37) times, turn the corner of the heel flap at the end of the instep sts.
work. The former Y1 sts will be worked with Y2; former Y2 sts
will be worked with Y1. As for the legs, the new Y1 will
Row 3: Sl 1 Y1 st wyf, sl 1 Y2 st wyb, [p1 with Y1, k1 with rem at the front of the work and the new Y2 will rem at
Y2] 27 (29, 31, 33, 35, 37) times, turn work. the back.
Row 4: Sl 1 Y2 st wyf, sl 1 Y1 st wyb, [p1 with Y2, k1 with Set-up rnd: Starting at end of instep sts, with outer sock
Y1] 27 (29, 31, 33, 35, 37) times, turn work. facing, [pick up 1 st pwise with Y1 from edge outer sock
Rep Rows 3 and 4 only 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 16) more heel flap, pick up 1 st kwise with Y2 from edge of inner
times—24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 36) heel flap rows; flap measures sock heel flap] 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) times. Work across 24
about 2 (2, 2¼, 2½, 2½, 2¾)" (5 [5, 5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 7] cm). (24, 24, 28, 28, 28) heel sts as [p1 with Y1, k1 with Y2] 12
(12, 12, 14, 14, 14) times. [Pick up 1 st pwise with Y1 from
Turn Heels edge of outer sock heel flap, pick up 1 st kwise with Y2
Notes: In order to work decreases, the stitches have to be from edge of inner sock heel flap] 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
rearranged so that two Y1 stitches are adjacent to each times. Work across 56 (60, 64, 68, 72, 76) held instep sts as
other, and two Y2 stitches are adjacent to each other. [p1 with Y1, k1 with Y2] 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) times—136
14 You might fi nd a cable needle helpful for rearranging (144, 152, 164, 172, 180) sts total: 68 (72, 76, 82, 86, 90)
stitches. With the Y1 side facing, place 2 stitches (Y1 sts for each sock; pm for beg of rnd at start of sole sts. If
and Y2) onto a cable needle and hold in back of the work, you’re not dividing the sole and instep sts on separate
return the Y1 at the beginning of the cable needle to needles, place another marker at the end of the sole sts.
the left needle—2 sts of Y1 adjacent to each other at left Notes: As for the heel turn, rearrange the stitches as
needle tip. Work the Y1 decrease, return the Y2 stitch necessary for decreasing. These instructions use the

001-059NDSK_new.indd 14 9/16/15 11:35 AM


p2togtbl decrease (see Glossary) for the gusset and the
toe so the two completed socks will look exactly the same. Finishing
If you prefer, you can substitute the ssp decrease (see Cut both yarns, leaving 8" (20.5 cm) tails. Thread each tail
Glossary) instead. on a tapestry needle, draw through rem sts of the same

MIRROR SOCKS
Rnd 1: [P1tbl with Y1, k1tbl with Y2] 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) color, and pull tight to cinch the holes at the tips of the
times along side of flap, [p1 with Y1, k1 with Y2] 12 (12, 12, toes.
14, 14, 14) times across heel sts, [p1tbl with Y1, k1tbl with Pull the socks apart triumphantly.
Y2] 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19) times along other side of flap, [p1
Block lightly.
with Y1, k1 with Y2] 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 28) times across
instep sts. Weave in loose ends.
Rnd 2: (dec rnd) P1 with Y1, k1 with Y2, p2tog with Y1,
ssk with Y2, *p1 with Y1, k1 with Y2; rep from * to last 6
sole sts (3 sts for each sock), p2togtbl with Y1, k2tog with
Y2, **p1 with Y1, k1 with Y2; rep from ** to end of rnd—
4 sts total dec’d; 2 sts dec’d each sock.
Rnd 3: *P1 with Y1, k1 with Y2; rep from *.
Rep Rnds 2 and 3 only 5 (5, 5, 6, 6, 6) more times—112 (120,
128, 136, 144, 152) sts rem; 56 (60, 64, 68, 72, 76) sts for
each sock; 28 (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) sts for instep and sole of
each sock.

Feet
Cont even until feet measure 7¼ (7¾, 8, 8½, 8¾, 9¼)" (18.5
[19.5, 20.5, 21.5, 22, 23.5] cm) from center back heel or
1½ (1½, 1¾, 1¾, 2, 2)" (3.8 [3.8, 4.5, 4.5, 5, 5] cm) less than
desired total length (allowing for a bit of negative ease).

Toes
Cut the yarns and swap them so that former Y1 sts
will be worked with Y2 and former Y2 sts will be worked
with Y1. As for the legs and feet, the new Y1 will rem at
the front of the work and the new Y2 will rem at the back.
Dec rnd: P1 with Y1, k1 with Y2, p2tog with Y1, ssk with
Y2, *p1 with Y1, k1 with Y2; rep from * to last 6 sole sts
(3 sts for each sock), p2togtbl with Y1, k2tog with Y2, [p1
with Y1, k1 with Y2] 2 times, p2tog with Y1, ssk with Y2,
**p1 with Y1, k1 with Y2; rep from ** to last 6 sts (3 sts for
each sock), p2togtbl with Y1, k2tog with Y2, p1 with Y1, k1
with Y2—8 sts dec’d total; 4 sts dec’d for each sock; 2 sts
for top and bottom of each toe.
[Work 1 rnd even, rep dec rnd] 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) times, then
work 1 rnd even—64 (64, 72, 72, 80, 80) sts rem; 32 (32, 36,
36, 40, 40) sts for each sock; 16 (16, 18, 18, 20, 20) sts for Kate Atherley is a very keen sock knitter who
is always seeking new and interesting ways to knit socks. 15
top and bottom of each toe. Rep dec rnd every rnd 6 (6, 7,
7, 8, 8) times—16 sts rem for all size; 8 sts on each sock; She’s written four books—most recently Custom Socks:
Knit to Fit Your Feet—and is a frequent contributor to
4 sts for top and bottom of each toe.
other publications, including Sockupied. You can find her
online at kateatherley.com.

001-059NDSK_new.indd 15 9/16/15 11:35 AM


001-059NDSK_new.indd 16 9/16/15 11:36 AM
Enduring
Stripes
CAT BORDHI

The Sweet Tomato heel used in this sock emerged


last winter after several days of sitting with my mother
beside the woodstove while trying to fiddle my way
toward a new type of short-row heel construction.
Almost unconsciously, I did a small thing—and just like
that, the clean heel of my dreams existed. This small
thing closes gaps without forming holes or requiring
wraps. This heel is worked in three wedges with gently
sloping sides. The process is logical and user-friendly,
so it’s easy to accommodate different foot sizes.

To make the socks nearly indestructible while adding


a stripe pattern, I worked a strand of laceweight
mohair along with sock yarn in stripes according to
the Fibonacci sequence pattern. The stripe pattern is
reversed on the two socks.

001-059NDSK_new.indd 17 9/16/15 11:36 AM


Finished Size Shown here: Frog Tree Pediboo Adjust needle size if necessary to
New Directions in Sock Knitting

Sport (80% washable merino wool, obtain the correct gauge.


About 7½ (8, 8½, 9½, 10¾)" (19 [20.5,
20% viscose from bamboo; 255 yd
21.5, 24, 27.5] cm) foot circumference, Notions
[233 m]/100 g): #1100 Natural (MC), 2
9¼ (9½, 10, 10½, 11)" (23.5 [24, 25.5, Markers in different colors or styles
skeins for all sizes.
26.5, 28] cm) foot length from back of (m); tapestry needle.
heel to tip of toe (length is adjustable), Schulana Kid-Seta (70% kid mohair,
and 7¼ (7¼, 7½, 8, 8)" (18.5 [18.5, 19, 30% silk; 230 yd [210 m]/25 g): #02 Gauge
20.5 20.5] cm) leg length from top of Almond (CC1) and #43 Regal Blue 15 sts and 22 rnds = 2" (5 cm) in St st
cuff to start of heel. (CC2), 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) ball(s) each. with one strand of MC held together
with one strand of CC1 or CC2,
Socks shown measure 7½" (19 cm) Needles
foot circumference. worked in rnds.
Size U.S. 1 (2.25 mm): set of 4 or 5
Yarn double-pointed (dpn), 2 circular (cir),
or 1 long circular (cir) as desired for
Sportweight (#2 Fine) and laceweight
working in rnds (see page 6).
(#0 Lace).

Notes
• The stripes are created by Stitch Guide
changing the color of the
Leg-Stripe Pattern Foot-Stripe Pattern
laceweight mohair contrast color
(CC), which is held together with Work 51 rnds as follows, Work 51 rnds as follows,
the main color (MC). exchanging CC1 and CC2 exchanging CC1 and CC2
for the second sock. for the second sock.
• Work using one strand of MC held
together with one strand of either 1 rnd with MC and CC1. 6 rnds with MC and CC1.
CC1 or CC2 throughout. 6 rnds with MC and CC2. 6 rnds with MC and CC2.
• Use the jogless jog technique (see 2 rnds with MC and CC1. 5 rnds with MC and CC1.
Glossary) to prevent jogs from
6 rnds with MC and CC2. 6 rnds with MC and CC2.
forming between the last stitch of
one color on one round and the 3 rnds with MC and CC1. 4 rnds with MC and CC1.
first stitch of another color on the 6 rnds with MC and CC2. 6 rnds with MC and CC2.
next round.
4 rnds with MC and CC1. 3 rnds with MC and CC1.
• The first sock is predominantly
6 rnds with MC and CC2. 6 rnds with MC and CC2.
blue; the second sock is the
predominantly natural. 5 rnds with MC and CC1. 2 rnds with MC and CC1.
6 rnds with MC and CC2. 6 rnds with MC and CC2.
6 rnds with MC and CC1. 1 rnd with MC and CC1.

18

001-059NDSK_new.indd 18 9/16/15 11:36 AM


Leg
Work according to the instructions for the fi rst or second

ENDURING STRIPES
sock as foll.

First Sock
With MC and CC2 held tog, use the Old Norwegian
method (see Glossary) to CO 56 (60, 64, 72, 80) sts.

Second Sock
With MC and CC1 held tog, use the Old Norwegian
method (see Glossary) to CO 56 (60, 64, 72, 80) sts.

Both Socks
Join for working in rnds; rnd begins at side of leg.
Next rnd: *K2, p2; rep from *.
Rep the last rnd for k2, p2 rib until piece measures
1¾" (4.5 cm) from CO.
Change to St st and work even until piece measures
2¾ (2¾, 3, 3½, 3½) “ (7 [7, 7.5, 9, 9] cm) from CO or 4½"
(11.5 cm) less than desired length to start of heel.
Work 51 rnds of leg-stripe patt (see Stitch Guide), reversing
CC1 and CC2 for second sock—piece measures about 7¼
(7¼, 7½, 8, 8)" (18.5 [18.5, 19, 20.5 20.5] cm) from CO.

Heel
Use different markers for A, B, and C so you can identify
each marker as you work. The heel is worked using MC
First Wedge
and CC2 for fi rst sock (MC and CC1 for second sock). The 18 (20, 22, 24, 26) sts between Markers A and B are the
instep sts. The heel is worked back and forth in rows on
Set-up rnd: K33 (35, 37, 42, 47), place Marker A, k18 (20,
the rem 38 (40, 42, 48, 54) sts, beg with a WS row worked
22, 24, 26), place Marker B, k5 (5, 5, 6, 7) to Marker C at
from Marker A, past Marker C, and ending at Marker B.
end of rnd, slip marker (sl m), and knit the fi rst 33 (35, 37,
42, 47) sts again to end at Marker A. Marker C will rem in place to mark the original beg-of-
rnd as you work the heel; slip Marker C as you come to it.
Note: Keep fi rm tension on the fi rst few stitches of each
short-row.
middle
C
ir
pa
pa

p
ir
ga

ga

ir
pa

B A
p
pa

p
ir
ga

ga

ir
pa

pa
front

p
ga
ir

ga
p

A B

19

Marker positions for heel: Working yarn is at Marker A. Wedge in process: Markers A and B mark the start and end
First row of heel will be a WS row that is purled of the heel. Slipped stitches (blue) begin each row. A pair of
counterclockwise from Marker A, past Marker C, stitches (a slipped stitch followed by a knit stitch when viewed
to end at Marker B. from the right side) is located above each gap.

001-059NDSK_new.indd 19 9/16/15 11:36 AM


Other documents randomly have
different content
one-third of Spain was relieved from their presence.
Spain and Portugal had set the example which Russia
had followed, with the great advantage of having a
government in full activity to direct all its strength.
The example thus set and thus followed would have
an effect among the other nations of Europe, would
rouse their spirit, animate their exertions, and teach
them in what manner to resist oppression, ... teach
them that an united nation, determined to resist an
Earl Bathurst. invader, could not be conquered! ... Earl Bathurst
argued to the same purpose, saying, that something
had been effected, if the views of England were what
Marquis Wellesley had powerfully described them to
be at the beginning of the war in Spain, ... first, to
create a diversion in favour of our allies; secondly, to
encourage resistance in other countries, by showing
its effects in Spain; and thirdly, to prevent the
commercial and military means of that country from
falling into the hands of our enemy. Those had been
the views of England, those were the views of the
present Government, and those views had been
forwarded by the last campaign. And Lord Wellington
was satisfied with the conduct of the administration
during that campaign, ... a declaration which had not
been sought for by the ministers, but which he had
voluntarily made.
In these debates the Whigs manifested the same
disposition to magnify our reverses and depreciate our
success, and the same propensity for predicting
discomfiture and disgrace which had characterized
their conduct during the whole struggle. The feeling
with which they continued to regard Buonaparte,
notwithstanding his inordinate ambition and his
April 2. remorseless tyranny, was farther exhibited by Lord
Lord Holland. Holland, when, upon presenting some petitions for
peace, he expressed his trust that ministers
entertained no chimerical notions of wresting from
France what she had acquired during the last twenty
years, nor of humiliating the great prince who now
ruled that country; and his willingness to believe that
they had not neglected the opportunity which the
successes of Russia afforded for opening a
negotiation! But they better understood their duty to
their allies, and to Europe, and to their country; and
being instructed by experience as well as encouraged
by sure hope, they spared no efforts now for enabling
Lord Wellington to open the ensuing campaign with
Lord Wellington means which should render success certain. Lord
goes to Cadiz. Wellington went to Cadiz at the close of the year, to
make arrangements with the Spanish ministers for the
co-operation of the Spanish armies. A deputation from
the Cortes was sent to compliment him on his arrival;
he paid his respects, in consequence, to that
assembly; expressed his thanks in a brief and modest
speech, for the different marks of honour and
confidence which he had received from it; and said,
that not the Spaniards alone looked to it with hope,
but the whole world was concerned in the happy issue
of their vigorous endeavours to save Spain from
general destruction, and to establish in that monarchy
a system founded upon just principles, which should
promote and secure the prosperity of all the citizens,
and the greatness of the Spanish nation. In reply, the
president complimented him upon his victories, which
had been celebrated, he said, like those of the Genius
of Good over the Genius of Evil. The Cortes did not
now hope or trust for new triumphs from the Duque
de Ciudad Rodrigo, they looked upon them as certain;
and looked, not only that the Spanish and allied
armies under such a leader would drive the French
beyond the Pyrenees, but that, if it should be needful,
they would pitch their victorious tents upon the banks
of the Seine; it would not be the first time that the
Spanish lions had trampled on its banks upon the old
fleur-de-lys of France.
Arrangements It was arranged that 50,000 Spanish troops should
for the co- be placed at his disposal. The army under Castaños
operation of formed part of these; it consisted of what had
the Spanish
formerly been called the 5th, 6th, and 7th armies,
armies.
now comprehended under the name of the fourth:
Castaños was to hold also the captaincies-general of
the province of Extremadura, Old Castille and Leon,
Galicia and Asturias. There was to be an army of
reserve in Andalusia under the Conde de Abisbal, and
an army of reserve in Galicia. The other armies were
that of Catalonia, which was the first; of this Copons
held the command: he was also captain-general of
that province, and of that part of Aragon which was
on the right of the Ebro; the second, which Elio,
captain-general of Valencia, Murcia, and New Castille,
commanded; and the third (formerly the fourth)
under the Duque del Parque, who was also charged
with the captaincies-general of Jaen and Granada.
Lord Wellington From Cadiz, Lord Wellington repaired to Lisbon.
goes to Lisbon. Triumphal arches were erected in all the towns
through which he passed, from Elvas to the Tagus.
The ships, the troops, and the people of Lisbon,
received him with such honours as he deserved;
greater could be paid to no man; and there was a
general and voluntary illumination during three
successive nights. A drama was composed to
celebrate his victories, and represented in his
presence at the royal theatre of San Carlos, where all
the boxes were decorated with angels bearing crowns
and shields, on which the initials of Lord Wellington
were inscribed; O Nome, “The Name,” was the title of
the piece, and it was preluded by a hymn in honour of
the Prince of Brazil, and the exhibition of his portrait
under a canopy. The scene then represented the
Elysian fields, where, in the pitiable style of operatic
invention, Glory, and Posterity, and Camoens, and the
Great Constable, Nuno Alvares Pereira, with sundry
other Lusitanian worthies, recitatived in praise of Lord
Wellington, Lord Beresford, and the Portugueze and
British armies; and down came angels and genii
presenting illuminated scrolls, inscribed with the
names of his victories.
Relaxed The Portugueze army was, at this time, reproved
discipline of the by Lord Beresford for its want of discipline during the
Portugueze late retreat, in terms not less severe than those of
army.
Lord Wellington’s letter. Certain officers were
suspended for scandalous neglect and total disregard
of their duties: and it was stated, that, in every
instance, complaints had been made by the
commandants of corps or brigades, of inactivity and
want of zeal in the officers of all those corps which
had suffered extraordinary loss during the retreat.
That such losses were occasioned by the negligence
of the officers was proved by the fact, that other
corps in the same marches, and under the same
circumstances, difficulties, and privations, had none of
their men missing; the officers of those corps were
named with due praise. Marshal Beresford added, he
deemed it important to remind the army, that with all
the reasons which he had (and he was happy to say
that he had every reason) for praising the conduct of
the Portugueze officers, when they were in presence
of an enemy, and exposed to fire, valour,
nevertheless, was not the only thing needful; firmness
and constancy were equally so for supporting the
reverses, and fatigues, and privations, to which a
military life is subject; and if the officers did not yield
under such circumstances, the soldiers certainly would
not; for no soldier, and especially no Portugueze
soldier, ever would be backward in any thing when his
officer set him an example; nor would ever commit
any fault or manifest any discontent, so long as he
saw his officer doing his duty under the same
circumstances, and setting him an example of
courage, firmness, and constancy. One of the army
surgeons had been brought before a court-martial for
neglecting the sick and wounded under his care, while
they were in the hospital at Madrid. He was sentenced
to a month’s imprisonment, and the loss of a month’s
pay. Marshal Beresford, in confirming the sentence,
expressed his disapprobation of it; a punishment so
little in proportion to the crime, he said, was not likely
to impress persons who had neither the proper
feelings of men or of Christians; for what could be
more horrible, than to see men who had been
wounded in the service of their Prince and of their
country, or whose health had been broken in that
service, neglected by one who had received rank,
honour, and pay, for the express intent of making him
more attentive in his treatment of them? What could
be worse than that such a person should be found
preferring his own ease, or interest, or temporary
convenience, to his duty towards his God, and his
Prince, and his fellow-creatures, and leaving them
either to perish through his neglect, or to fall into the
hands of the enemy?
January. The consequences of the retreat were severely felt;
in January, more than a third of the British army were
on the sick list, fever being the principal disease,
which want of clothing had, with fatigue, contributed
to produce, and want of cleanliness to propagate. In
personal appearance and in clothing, the British
troops were at this time much worse than the
Portugueze. But supplies of every kind, as well as
large reinforcements, were received during the winter,
no time being lost, and no care neglected. The
infantry had suffered so much from want of cover,
that they were now provided with tents, three for
each company, and these were borne by the animals
which used before to carry the camp kettles, tin
kettles being substituted for iron ones, ... one to six
men, and light enough for the men to carry it by turns
on their knapsacks. Tents were not thought necessary
for the cavalry, because not being either heated or
exhausted so much in their marches, they were better
able to stand the cold at night.
Buonaparte While the British force in the Peninsula was
withdraws increased, and the Spanish rendered more available
troops from than it had been in any former campaign, that of the
Spain.
French was weakened; the enormous loss which
Buonaparte had suffered in Russia, and the obstinate
ambition with which he kept large garrisons in the
north of Germany, rendering it necessary for him to
withdraw troops from Spain. From 10 to 20,000
repassed the Pyrenees; not fewer than 140,000 were
still left, ... good troops, well-officered, and under
commanders of high reputation and approved skill.
But both officers and men had had their confidence
abated; the generals felt that even the resources of
the conscription were exhaustible; and as little hope,
when they considered the present state of their
Emperor’s fortunes, could be entertained of
subjugating the Spaniards, the object upon which all
seemed to be most intent was that of enriching
Exactions of themselves by plunder, while it was still in their power
the French. to do so. M. Suchet left scarcely one picture of any
value in Valencia, either in the convents, churches, or
private houses; and that city was thus deprived of the
finest works of Juanes, ... works which, precious as
they are, were there enhanced in value by the local
and religious feeling with which his fellow-citizens
regarded the productions of their saintly painter.
There and everywhere contributions were imposed
and exacted in a manner which made it apparent that
the Intrusive government treated them now not as
subjects who were to be taxed, but as enemies from
whom all that could be extorted was to be taken.
Their operations on the side of New Castille and Leon
were at this time confined to periodical circuits for the
purpose of enforcing the payment of contributions. On
the side of the Tagus they fortified the right bank of
the river, repaired the Puente del Arzobispo, and
occupied Almaraz, though they did not restore the
bridge there.
Longa acts Meantime the Spaniards were not idle. Longa
successfully surprised General Fromant in the valley of Sedano,
against the when returning to Burgos with the requisitions which
enemy.
he had collected, and with sixty respectable
Nov. 28.
householders whom he was taking away as hostages
for the contribution: the hostages were rescued,
Fromant with about 700 of his men killed, and nearly
500 taken prisoners. A party of the enemy had
entered Bilbao, these also he surprised, and they
suffered the loss of 200 men; then making for Salinas
de Anaña, which was the strongest hold of the French
in that district, he besieged it with 2500 men and five
pieces of artillery, and after three days, the remainder
of the garrison, consisting of 250, surrendered at
discretion. This so dismayed the enemy that they
abandoned Nauclares and Armiñon, which he was
proceeding to attack, and both fortresses were
demolished by his orders. His next object was the
Fuerte del Cubo de Pancorbo, a post of importance for
its situation, and for the care with which it had been
strengthened; here too the garrison were made
prisoners and the fort demolished. Caffarelli meantime
was vainly besieging Castro, where he suffered some
loss, and found it necessary to give up the attempt,
that he might check Longa in his career of success.
That active partizan was now threatening Breviesca;
he eluded Caffarelli and Palombini when they moved
against him, and retreating to Zovalina, there to
refresh his troops, ordered his retreat so well that
they were uncertain what direction he had taken;
Caffarelli therefore reinforced his garrisons, and
repairing to Vittoria himself, left Palombini at Poza
with 3000 foot and 300 horse to protect the high
road, and be ready to act against Longa. But while a
Feb. 13. third of that force was detached to levy contributions,
Longa surprised the remainder at daybreak: their
collected plunder and some 300 prisoners fell into his
hands, and they suffered a further loss of between
two and three hundred in killed and wounded. The
approach of their detachment, and of a large body on
its way from Burgos to Vittoria, then rendered it
necessary for him to retire.
While Longa thus harassed the enemy in the north
Mina’s of Spain, Mina was assailing them with his wonted
movements. activity in Navarre and Aragon. The English landed
two 12-pounders for him in the Deva, together with
clothing, ammunition, and other things of which he
was in need; 600 of his men were ready to receive
and escort these. The French endeavoured to
intercept them, and were repulsed in the attempt;
and Mina was no sooner possessed of the guns than
he attacked the enemy in Tafalla, where they had a
garrison of 400 men. General Abbé moved to relieve it
Feb. 11. with all the disposable force from Pamplona; but he
was beaten back by a part of Mina’s force which had
been left to observe that city, and on the fifth day of
the siege the garrison surrendered as prisoners of
war. The wounded he sent under an escort to
Pamplona; destroyed the fort at Tafalla, and the
works, ... also a Franciscan Convent, and an old
palace in which the French might have established a
garrison; and he demolished in like manner two other
such edifices at Olite, that the road might be clear
between Pamplona and Tudela. From Tafalla he
proceeded to Sos in Upper Aragon, a fort which the
enemy had occupied more than three years, and
fortified sufficiently as long as the Spaniards could
bring no guns against it. They were on the point of
surrendering after a four days’ siege, when General
Paris arrived from Zaragoza and carried off the
garrison, leaving the fort half ruined: Mina completed
its demolition, and by this enterprise laid open the
road between Pamplona and Jaca. Shortly after,
Fermin de Leguia, who was under his orders,
Feb. 20. ventured, without instructions, upon an adventure
which was executed as boldly as it was designed.
With only fifteen men, being the whole of his party,
March 11.
he approached the castle of Fuenterrabia in the night,
scaled the wall with one man by the help of spikes
and ropes which supplied the place of a ladder,
surprised the sentinel, got possession of the keys,
opened the gates for his men, and took eight
artillerymen prisoners, while the remainder of the
garrison, who dreamt of no danger, were sleeping in
the town. He then spiked the guns, threw into the sea
all the ammunition which he could not carry away, set
fire to the castle, and though pursued by the enemy
retreated without loss. Mina was heard of next at
Lodosa, where he attacked a detachment of 1000
French, few of whom escaped, 635 being made
March 29. prisoners. Caffarelli had at this time been called to
Caffarelli France, giving up the command in the north to
recalled from Clausel; that able general hoped to signalize himself
Spain. by destroying an indefatigable enemy who had baffled
the efforts of all his predecessors; and this was the
first proof which he made of that enemy’s ability. Mina
next attempted to intercept a convoy which was going
from Tolosa to Pamplona; the convoy was alarmed in
time, but the attempt led to an affair with Abbé’s
force, in which the French retired with the loss of full
300 men.
Clausel Clausel had left a considerable garrison in Puente
endeavours to la Reyna, well fortified for the sort of war which they
hunt Mina might have to sustain; and an advanced post of 50
down.
men at Mendigorria, in an old church of S. Maria,
which they had fortified. While he was in pursuit of
Mina from Estella, and Abbé from Pamplona, their
skilful antagonist led them to suppose that he was in
the valley of Berrueza, ... then making a rapid
counter-march with one of his regiments, appeared in
Mendigorria. The garrison at Puente outnumbered him
both in horse and foot, but they did not venture to
April 21. interrupt him in his operations; and he set fire to the
church. The French had no other resource than to
ascend the tower, and fire upon them from thence. He
sent a trumpet to offer terms, but they would not
allow him to approach, either in the confident
expectation of being succoured from Puente, or
because they were confounded by the situation in
which they found themselves; for the smoke and the
flames distressed them so dreadfully, that in the
course of half an hour, they prepared to let
themselves down by ropes; but Mina ordered ladders
to the roof of the church, from whence they
descended, and were made prisoners. The Guerrilla
chief, now Camp-Marshal in the regular service, took
credit to himself for sparing their lives when by the
laws of war they had placed them at his mercy: by
this time indeed both the invaders and the Spaniards
in Navarre had found it their interest to revert to the
humanities of civilized warfare. His own hospital was
in the valley of Roncal, and from the combined
movements of Clausel and Abbé he inferred that it
was their intention to deprive him of that retreat, the
only one which there was for his wounded and
invalids. Not being strong enough to resist the force
which was now brought against him, he removed all
who were in a condition to bear removal, and left the
others to the enemy’s mercy, calling to mind no doubt
with satisfaction his own recent conduct at Tafalla and
Mendigorria: as he had hoped, the men were
humanely treated by General Abbé, though the
hospital effects were destroyed, and Isaba, which had
been deserted by its inhabitants, was set on fire, and
150 houses burnt. Clausel employed the months of
April and May in endeavouring to hunt this formidable
enemy down, of whom in an intercepted letter to the
Intruder, he said, that he would be Lord of Navarre
unless it were occupied by a corps of from 20 to
25,000 men; because when he was weak he always
avoided an action, and fell upon detachments when
he was sure of victory. In the course of this attempt
the loss which his own men sustained from fatigue far
exceeded any that he inflicted upon Mina’s hardy
troops, who were intimately acquainted with the
country, and accustomed to the hair-breadth scapes
of such campaigns. At no time, however, was so much
apprehension entertained for Mina’s safety, though he
himself relied with his wonted confidence upon his
resources and his fortune, now too not without certain
knowledge that his pursuers would soon be called off
to a contest which for them would be of a far more
serious kind.
Renovales On the side of Biscay the enemy were more
made prisoner. successful; they surprised and captured Renovales,
with six of his officers, at Carvajalez de Zamora; and
Castro, from which Caffarelli had been repulsed, was
taken by General Foy, after a siege of eighteen days.
Castro de The Governor Don Pedro Pablo Alvares discharged his
Urdiales taken duty to the utmost, and the Lyra, Royalist, and
by Gen. Foy. Sparrow sloops of war, and the Alphea schooner,
under Captain Bloye, assisted in the defence. Foy
brought all the force which he could collect against it,
and proceeded as if he hoped to strike the province as
well as the garrison with terror, ... for he offered no
terms, and seemed determined to take the place by
storm, let it cost what it would. When he had made a
breach wide enough to admit twenty men abreast, he
turned his guns on the town and castle, and threw
shells incessantly at the bridge that connected the
May 11. castle with the landing-place, hoping thus to cut off
the retreat of the garrison, which at the
commencement of the siege consisted of 1200 men.
At noon the enemy entered in great numbers through
the breach and by escalade in various parts; the
garrison when they could no longer defend the town
retreated into the castle, the ships’ boats were in
readiness to receive them, and they were embarked
by companies under a tremendous fire of musquetry,
two companies remaining to defend the castle, till the
last gun was thrown into the sea. Every soldier was
brought off, and many of the inhabitants, and landed
at Bermeo on the following day. The town was burnt.
Foy indeed acted in the spirit of his Portugueze
Enormities campaign; as he had offered no terms he showed no
committed mercy, but when the town was entered put the
there by the defenders to the bayonet without distinction. It had
French. been well if the wickedness of the enemy had ended
there; but in one of their unsuccessful attacks many
of their men had been pushed down a ravine by their
fellows while pressing forward to the charge, the
bridge by which they expected to cross having been
destroyed by the English; and because the inhabitants
had not informed them of the destruction of this
bridge, they butchered men and women, sparing
none, and inflicting upon them cruelties which nothing
but a devilish nature could devise.
Little attempt was made on the enemy’s part to
annoy the allies during the winter and spring. Foy,
with 1500 infantry and 100 horse, had endeavoured,
in February, to surprise the post at Bejar, but was
promptly repulsed; and the French in the same month
advanced from Orbigo and Castro Gondoles as far as
Astorga and Manzanal in one direction, and to the
Puebla de Sanabria and Mombuey in another, the
Gallician army retreating before them, and then
resuming their former position when the enemy in
their turn had retired. Much greater activity was
shown in plundering the inhabitants; and this kind of
war, wherein there could be no resistance, was carried
on so shamelessly, that the Intruder, it was said,
deemed it necessary to call one of the generals to
account.
Clausel was of opinion that an error had been
committed in not concentrating their forces more
upon the Ebro, which might have been done, he said,
without abandoning Castille, and this error, he feared,
they should find cause to repent. But the Intruder’s
council had determined upon taking the Douro for
their line of defence; and with this view they threw up
works on the right bank at every assailable point,
relying, as Soult had formerly done at Porto, upon the
M. Soult called security which that deep and rapid river might afford
from Spain. them. Marshal Soult had been called away in March to
take part in the campaign in Germany. The head-
quarters of what had been his army were removed
from Toledo to Madrid early in April, and Toledo was
abandoned; but troops were kept at Illescas, and
reconnoissances made by the cavalry towards
Escalona, the Alberche, and Añobes del Tajo,
apprehending some movement of Sir Rowland’s army
The Intruder in this direction. The Intruder, leaving that capital to
goes to which he was never to return, removed his court, or
Valladolid. rather his head-quarters, to Valladolid, where the
Palace Gardens were put in order for his recreation,
and some defensive works constructed. On the 11th
of April, General Hugo, who had been left with the
command in Madrid, informed the Ayuntamiento that
the troops were about to depart, and that they must
take measures for preserving tranquillity and guarding
the public buildings, civil and military. The most
precious articles in the cabinet of natural history were
sent off, with whatever else could be removed from
the other public establishments, and all arrears of
contribution were exacted with the utmost rigour.
Beasts enough were not left in Madrid for the
scavengers’ use, so that the inhabitants were ordered
to collect the sweepings of the streets into the
squares, and there burn what used to be carried into
the country for manure. The people of that poor
capital had always clung to the hope of deliverance
with a strength of belief which characterizes the
nation, and in the movements of their oppressors they
now saw reasonable ground for expecting that it could
not be long delayed.
Anglo-Sicilian The pride of the French too had been at this time
army. abated on the eastern coast, where Suchet had
hitherto boasted of success in all his undertakings.
Major-General William Clinton arrived at Alicante in
November to take the command from which his health
had compelled General Maitland to retire; and
notwithstanding the difficulties which were opposed
by a false point of honour, by a jealousy as ill-founded
as it was ill-timed, and perhaps by treasonable
intentions, he succeeded in obtaining consent to
garrison the castle with British troops. In December a
reinforcement of 4000 men, British and foreign,
arrived from Palermo, under Major-General James
Campbell, who by seniority superseded General
Clinton in the command, which he was to hold till the
then hourly expected arrival of Lord William Bentinck
from Sicily. But Lord William was detained by political
circumstances in that island, where the hopeless
attempt had been undertaken of improving a
government before any improvement has been
effected either in those who are to govern or be
Sir John Murray governed; and, as no end could be seen to this delay,
takes the Lieutenant-General Sir John Murray was sent out from
command. England to command the allied forces in that part of
Spain. Feeble as that allied force was, and inert as its
feebleness had compelled it to be, it had yet
employed Suchet’s attention during the autumn and
winter.
That general had his head-quarters for the most
part at San Felippe, between Alicante and Valencia,
and about three leagues from the Xucar. Some trivial
affairs were all that occurred, till Sir John Murray soon
after his arrival took the army out of its cantonments,
apparently with the view of making the French
marshal fall back and concentrate his forces on that
river. After an unsuccessful attempt at surprising an
enemy’s detachment in the populous village of Alcoy,
he moved forward and took up a position near the
town of Castalla, where in the preceding summer Don
Joseph O’Donnell had sustained a severe defeat.
Defeat of Elio’s While Sir John made this movement on the right,
corps. General Elio with a separate Spanish corps of 12,000
men moved on the left to Yecla, Villena, and the flat
country in that direction. There was an old castle in
Villena, and Elio garrisoned it with 800 of his best
troops. Suchet was not a man to lose any opportunity
which was presented him: he saw that one of Elio’s
divisions had taken post at Yecla, within reach of
Fuente-la-Higuera, where his own advance was
placed, and too far from that of the allies which was
at Villena, 25 miles distant. During the night he
collected the flower of his army at Fuente-la-Higuera,
and marched with one division, the cavalry and the
reserve, upon Villena, while, with the other part of his
force, General Harispe proceeded rapidly to Yecla,
April 12. unseen by the Spaniards. At break of day he came in
sight of them; they retreated from one position to
another, but were out-manœuvred and beaten, and
after losing some four or five hundred men, 1200 laid
down their arms.
Suchet On the afternoon of the same day, Suchet was
marches seen advancing within a few miles of Villena, which is
against the about two leagues to the westward of Castalla. Sir
Anglo-Sicilian
John Murray immediately withdrew the Majorcan
army.
division from Alcoy, and concentrating his force,
occupied the strong position of Castalla. His left,
consisting of that division, was placed on the rocky
and almost inaccessible hills south of the town, ... the
range terminating there. Major-General Mackenzie’s
division, and the 58th regiment from Lieutenant-
General Clinton’s occupied the town, and the ground
to the right; here and in front of the castle some
redoubts and batteries had been constructed. The
remainder of the position was covered by a strong
ravine which rendered it almost inaccessible on that
side; and there Lieutenant-General Clinton was
stationed, supported by three battalions of General
Roche’s division as a column of reserve. The position
was well taken. The second battalion of the 27th foot,
the 1st Italian regiment, and the Calabrian free corps,
had on the first alarm been pushed forward beyond
Villena, under Colonel Adam, and with them a
detachment of cavalry commanded by Colonel Lord
Frederick Bentinck. The object of this movement was
to observe the enemy’s motions: it brought on a
cannonade, and the French endeavoured to break in
upon our troops, and enter Villena pell-mell with
them; but Colonel Adam, following his instructions,
fell back upon Biar without loss. Sir John, being now
assured that Suchet meditated a serious movement,
urged General Elio to withdraw his 800 men from
Villena, where the castle, in its imperfect state of
defence, was not tenable against such an enemy; but
the Spanish general was not to be persuaded. The
French entered Villena that evening, pushing their
light troops beyond it towards Biar; and on the
April 12. morrow the commandant surrendered at the first
summons, and he and his battalion were made
prisoners of war.
In the afternoon, Suchet advanced in force towards
Biar; which village is situated at the entrance of a
strong pass, in a range of hills running nearly parallel
with the position of the allies. About four o’clock he
commenced a serious attack upon Colonel Adam’s
detachment. That officer’s orders were to fall back
upon Castalla, but to dispute the pass; and this he did
for five hours against a very superior force, with the
utmost gallantry and skill; till being overpowered by
numbers, and having both flanks turned, he retreated
then to the pass, and took the place which had been
allotted to him in the position, on the high ground to
the left of Castalla, having in this unequal conflict
both inflicted and sustained very considerable loss.
Two mountain guns fell into the enemy’s hands; they
could not be brought off, because they were disabled;
Colonel Adam therefore directed Captain Arabin to
fight them to the last, and then abandon them. Before
day closed, the French were seen in great force on
the road to Biar, and on the hills opposite the position;
Battle of but darkness prevented any farther operations for the
Castalla. night. At daybreak they were perceived in great
April 13. numbers along the defile of Biar, and in the plain
ground which separates it from the hills near Castalla;
and in the course of the morning they posted several
large masses of infantry, as if in preparation for a
decided attack. Their success against Elio’s corps had
increased their confidence; and they had accustomed
themselves to speak of this army as composed of the
rabble of the allied nations, and to talk of driving
them into the sea.
About one, they pushed forward a large column of
cavalry to the village of Onil, about two miles in front
of Castalla, and this movement was continued parallel
to the front of the allies, until nearly opposite the right
of the position. Sir John Murray had foreseen this: the
ground was unfavourable for cavalry, and no notice
was taken of the movement. Three masses of infantry
at the same time moved rapidly from their right,
crossed the plain ground in front of the pass, and with
a gallantry, which, in the words of the British general,
entitled them to the highest praise, commenced an
attack on the centre and the left. The left had been
weakened; for about an hour before the attack,
General Whittingham had been ordered, with the
three regiments which he had in position there, to
make a reconnoissance upon the enemy’s right flank;
but this was the key of the position; and the
consequence of thus weakening it might have been
disastrous if Colonel D. Julian Romero had not
opportunely arrived there with two regiments from
Alcoy. Upon this point, from whence more than half its
force had been withdrawn, the main attack was
made; and notwithstanding the difficult approach to
it, the assailants gained ground. The Spaniards, who
had expended all their cartridges, were observed to
be retiring, and the enemy moving in considerable
force to the left of our centre. The moment was
critical. Just as the assailants had gained the summit,
Colonel Adam, whom they were proceeding to attack
in front, prevented them, and giving them no time to
recover breath after the exertion of such an ascent,
charged and overthrew their column, killing,
wounding, or taking prisoner, during the pursuit,
almost every man opposed to his brigade. The
Spaniards resumed their ground. Whittingham too had
no sooner apprehended the intention of the enemy,
than he returned with all speed, and arrived in time to
take part in the action, in which, and in the pursuit,
the Spaniards distinguished themselves. The total
failure of the enemy here seemed to be felt along
their whole line of attack; they retreated every where.
The cavalry, which had now advanced toward the
front of the allies, fell rapidly back on perceiving this
unexpected reverse, and entered the defile in such
confusion, that had the advantage been vigorously
pursued, a signal victory might, in all likelihood, have
been obtained. Suchet, having united his broken
battalions with those which he kept in reserve, took
up a hasty position at the entrance of the defile. Sir
John Murray, still retaining the height, moved a
considerable part of his army into the plain, and
formed it in front of the enemy, within cannon-shot,
his right flank covered with the cavalry, his left resting
on the hills. In this state, Marshal Suchet thought that
the English did not choose to make an attack, and Sir
John Murray, that the French did not choose to wait
for one; ... for the line of the allies was scarcely
formed when the enemy began their retreat, and
continued it through the night, the action terminating
at dusk with a distant cannonade.
The French had 18,000 infantry in the field, and
1600 cavalry: the allies were not much inferior in
infantry; but greatly so in horse. The loss of the allies
was 670 killed, wounded, and missing, the greater
number of the killed being Spaniards: 800 of the
enemy were left dead in front of the line which they
had attacked: no prisoners were taken except such as
were wounded; but Suchet sent 2000 of Elio’s soldiers
prisoners to Tortosa on their way to France, and
represented that his success on the one part of the
operations balanced his failure on the other. If this
had been the case numerically, which it was not, it
was far otherwise in reputation. He had suffered a
mortifying defeat; but what must most have tended to
console him for it was, his satisfaction at perceiving
that there was no intention on the part of the allies to
pursue their victory. He retreated that night to Villena
through Biar, where he left many dead and dying. Sir
John, on the following day, marched his army in two
columns to Alcoy, hoping (though with little
confidence in that hope) that he might force the
strong pass of Albayda, and reach the intrenched
position of the enemy at S. Felippe before they could;
this he thought better than a direct pursuit, because
the road which the French had taken was favourable
for cavalry, and he was greatly inferior in that arm. In
the vicinity of Alcoy he remained till the 17th, and
then advanced with the whole army into the open
country, to the foot of the Albayda pass, about a
league in front of Alcoy. But this being a lateral
movement, made after the enemy had so far the start
as to have passed all that was perilous for him, and
got into a strong country, with his forces collected and
restored to order, was an unimportant demonstration
which had no effect; and he returned after it to his
position at Castalla.
Marshal Suchet had not been more successful in
machinations of another kind. Before the battle of
Castalla, an Italian regiment in the Anglo-Sicilian army
had been corrupted, and would have betrayed its post
in an attack concerted with that view, if a timely
discovery had not been made. A scheme also had
been formed for delivering Alicante into his hands; but
this also was detected, and three of his emissaries
suffered death for it at Alcoy. Frey Assensio Nebot,
known as a Guerrilla chief, by the name of El Frayle,
the Friar, had more than any other partizan annoyed
the French in Valencia. His party was well organized,
and provided with a regularity which was seldom to
be found in the regular Spanish armies: so rigorous
were the measures employed against him, that
women were put to death for supplying him with
means and intelligence; and at length it was affirmed,
that three criminals who had been condemned to
capital punishment obtained their lives, and the
promise of a good reward, on condition of presenting
themselves to the Friar as volunteers, and taking an
opportunity to assassinate him. Mr. Tupper, who had
been the British consul at Valencia, and whose
zealous services were never wanting to the common
cause, obtained information of this villany, and the
Friar was thus put upon his guard.
Lord Wellington Lord Wellington was now prepared to open the
opens the campaign, and, for the first time, with such means as
campaign. enabled him to act in full confidence of success. If the
Anglo-Sicilian army should not achieve any signal
service, he was yet assured that it would give
sufficient employment to Suchet, so that the Intruder
could look for no support from that side. The British
force under his command consisted of 48,000
effective men; the Portugueze of about 28,000; the
Galician of 18,000. The enemy were not inferior in
number, and could more surely rely upon the whole of
May. their troops; but the change in their Emperor’s fortune
and in their own had been such, that they looked only
to a defensive campaign, and trusted to their strong
position on the Douro. In the middle of May Lord
Wellington put his troops in motion. The cavalry which
had wintered in the neighbourhood of Coimbra began
their movement at the end of April: they went by the
way of Porto to Braga, where they rested some days,
and proceeding to Braganza, reached that place,
which was the point of union for the left of the army,
on the 22d of May. The left of the army under Sir
Thomas Graham crossed the Douro in Portugal,
between Lamego and the frontier. The siege of Ciudad
Rodrigo in the preceding year could not have been
undertaken unless that river had been rendered
navigable far above the point to which the Portugueze
barks formerly ascended: it had now been opened as
high as to the mouth of the Agueda; and boats had
been quietly collected at different points, without
The left of the exciting any suspicion that they were designed for the
army crosses passage of the troops. Five divisions of infantry and
the Douro. two brigades of cavalry were thus placed upon the
right bank of the Douro, while the enemy supposed
that they had only to guard against an attempt from
the left. The difficulties of the march were indeed very
great; most of the roads are so narrow that carriages
could barely pass between the thick walls which
bounded them; and the mountain streams had their
course in ravines, from whence the ascent is so
laborious that sixty men could not without great
exertion enable the horses to drag the artillery up.
Nevertheless, hope and ardour overcame all
difficulties; and the advantage which the troops
derived from being provided with shelter was sensibly
felt: out of a division of 6000 men, there were but
120 sick after a march of 250 miles, through such a
country. When these were far on their way, Lord
Wellington, with two divisions of British infantry, a
Portugueze one under the Conde de Amarante, a
Spanish one under Morillo, and some corps of cavalry,
advanced from Ciudad Rodrigo by the direct road to
Salamanca; the remainder of the army under Sir
Rowland Hill moved upon the same point by Alba de
Tormes.
The line of their retreat in November was still too
evidently marked by the skeletons of the poor animals
who had been worked to death in that cruel service. A
division of infantry under General Villatte had been
left in Salamanca, with some artillery, and three
squadrons of horse. They evacuated the city upon the
approach of the allies, but they lingered too long upon
May 26. the high ground in its vicinity. When Lord Wellington
was within half a league of Salamanca, he and his
Affair near staff got upon a rocky height which commanded a full
Salamanca. view of the city and adjacent country. Below him were
his own videttes, and beyond them those of the
enemy, each supported by piquets. To the right were
the Arapiles, a name known only in topography
before, but which had now a place in military history;
and in the same direction, but more behind him, the
heads of two columns, forming Sir Rowland’s division,
were seen on two nearly parallel roads. Through a
glass, the enemy were observed drawn up; two
battalions and a squadron to the right of the city, near
a ruined convent; two squadrons on the Tormes, near
the bridge; half a squadron guarding the ford, about a
mile above the city, near S. Martha; ... and behind the
city a battalion in reserve. Villatte having barricadoed
the bridge and the principal communications
throughout the town, seemed to have thought himself
sure of an easy retreat. The 1st German hussars,
favoured by ground which concealed them from the
enemy, inclined toward the ford, while the 14th light
dragoons, keeping beyond the reach of fire, edged
along the left bank of the river. The enemy appeared
in some confusion, but remained stationary, as if
waiting for something; and beyond the city, in the
direction of Miranda de Duero and Zamora, their
piquets were withdrawing, and mules and baggage
joining them from all sides. It was now nearly ten in
the forenoon, and the day very hot. The head of Sir
Rowland’s right column, which consisted of cavalry,
and a troop of horse artillery, under General Fane,
were within two miles of S. Martha, marching for the
ford: the enemy now began to move, first in the
direction of Toro, but presently, as if wavering,
bending to their right, they kept close to the Tormes,
in the direction of Arevalo; and retired rapidly, but in
good order, when Fane with his six squadrons had
crossed the river. It was well for them that this cavalry
was already jaded by a long march; but the horse
artillery, as soon as, owing to the ravines and the
intricacies of the ground, it could be brought into use,
opened upon them with great effect, every shot going
through their crowded ranks. They retired with
extreme rapidity, but in excellent order, and the
artillery pursued as quickly as a very deep country,
occasionally intersected with hollow roads, would
allow. When the enemy came to Aldea Lengua, there
was an opportunity of attacking them with every
probability of forcing them to lay down their arms; but
strict orders had been given not to pass a ravine just
by that village; and the moment (never to be regained
in war) went by. When orders came to proceed, it was
just too late; the pursuit however was continued, and
some three miles beyond the village a charge was
attempted by two squadrons, but feebly, for the
horses were now far spent; the enemy formed into
squares, and repulsed them by a volley, though with
little loss. The pursuit was continued about three
miles farther. Some of the French were taken, being
unable to march farther from fatigue; and many threw
away their knapsacks, and sacks full of biscuit, and of
corn, but no troops under such circumstances could
have behaved better; ... and some proofs were given
of what better deserves to be called ferocious
intrepidity than courage. One of their men who was
severely wounded attempted to destroy himself; and
another obstinately refusing to surrender when it was
not possible for him to escape, compelled those who
would fain have saved his life to cut him down. The
affair ended in front of Aldea Rubia; a corps of
infantry and cavalry retiring from Alba, when
threatened by Major-General Long and by Morillo’s
division, joined the enemy here; and Lord Wellington,
as his infantry had not come up, recalled the troops
from the pursuit. Above fourscore of the French lay
dead on the road, and many fell among the standing
corn: some 200 were made prisoners; and some
baggage, ammunition, and provisions, with Villatte’s
coach, were taken.

Passage of the During the two following days, Lord Wellington


Ezla. established the troops which had marched from the
Agueda and Extremadura Alta between the Tormes
and the Lower Douro. On the 29th he left Salamanca,
and reached Miranda de Duero. The enemy had
destroyed all the bridges upon the river except that at
Zamora. Opposite Miranda there is a ferry, where this
deep and rapid stream is from 80 to 100 yards wide,
and the rocks on either side from 400 to 500 feet
high. When it is so swoln that the ferry is
impracticable, the only way by which travellers can
cross is after the old Peruvian manner, in a sort of
hammock or cradle, fastened to a rope, which is
secured upon two projecting points of rock, about
Florez Esp. thirty feet above the ordinary level of the water. Here
Sagrada, t. 16, Lord Wellington crossed, and on the following day
p. 3. joined Sir Thomas Graham’s corps at Carvajales on
the Ezla. This river, which upon good grounds is
believed to have been the Astura of the ancients, and
in Leon is called the Rio Grande, descends from the
Puertos de Asturias, passes by Mansilla to Benevente,
near which town it receives the Cea from the east,
and the larger river Orbigo from the west, and enters
the Douro below Zamora. At daybreak on the 31st the
troops began to ford: the enemy so little apprehended
danger on that side, that they had only a piquet
there, and thus no opposition was offered to a very
difficult and perilous passage. The ford was intricate;
the water nearly chin deep; the bottom rough and
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