CHAPTER XX

State of the opposing armies previous to the battle of Page 232 Salamanca—Preliminary movements—The Duke of Ragusa's false movement—Pakenham engaged with the enemy’s left—Defeats the division under General Thomières—Reinforced, they again advance to the attack—Their destruction by a brigade of British cavalry—The Portuguese repulsed—Desperate exertions of the French—Final charge of Clinton’s division—Complete defeat of the French army