From the spot where he fell, Sir John Moore had been carried to the town by a party of soldiers. His blood flowed fast, and the torture of his wound was great; yet such was the unshaken firmness of his mind, that those about him, judging from the resolution of his countenance that his hurt was not mortal, expressed a hope of his recovery. Hearing this, he looked steadfastly at the injury for a moment, and then said, "No; I feel that to be impossible. " Several times he caused his attendants to stop and turn him round, that he might behold the field of battle; and when the firing indicated the advance of the British, he discovered his satisfaction, and permitted the bearers to proceed.
Being brought to his lodging, the surgeons examined his wound; but there was no hope. The pain increased, and he spoke with great difficulty. At intervals he asked if the French were beaten; and addressing his old friend, Colonel Anderson, he said, "You know that I always wished to die this way. " Again he asked if the enemy were defeated; and, being told that they were, observed, "It is a great satisfaction to me to know that we have beaten the French. " His countenance continuedfirm and his thoughts clear. Once only, when he spoke of his mother, he became agitated; but he often inquired after the safety of his friends and the officers of his staff; and he did not, even in that moment, forget to recommend those whose merit had given them claims to promotion.
His strength failed fast, and life was nearly extinct, when, with an almost unsubdued spirit, he exclaimed, "I hope the people of England will be satisfied! I hope my country will do me justice! " A few minutes afterwards he died; and his corpse, wrapped in a military cloak, was interred by the officers of his staff in the citadel of Coruna. The guns of the enemy paid his funeral honours; and Soult, with a noble feeling of respect for his valour, raised a monument to his memory.
Thus ended the career of Sir John Moore, a man whose uncommon capacity was sustained by the purest virtue, and governed by a disinterested patriotism, more in keeping with the primitive than with the luxurious age of a great nation. He maintained the right with a vehemence bordering upon fierceness; and every important transaction in which he was engaged increased his reputation for talent, and confirmed his character as a stern enemy to vice, a steadfast friend to merit-a just and faithful servant of his country.
- SIR W. NAPIER
WORDS
agitated, moved. approached, neared. attempted, endeavoured. augmented, increased. capacity, ability.
citadel, fortress. consuming, exhausting. convinced, satisfied. defeated, beaten. devolved, fell.
disadvantageous, unfavourable. discovered, exhibited. disinterested, unselfish. embarking, going aboard. encumbrances, baggage. interlaced, entangled.
interred, buried. melancholy, sad. precautions, measures. promotion, advancement.
protection, cover. reputation, fame. resolution, firmness. resolved, determined. steadfast, firm.
sufficiently, adequately. transaction, business. traversed, crossed. violence, force.
NOTES
① Coruna, a sea-port of Galicia, in the north- west of Spain, with a fine harhour and bay. The Battle of Coru?a was fought on January 17th, 1809, to cover and secure the embarkation of the British troops. Sir John Moore, the commander- in-chief in Spain, had learned, when in the heart of Leon, that Napoleon was master of Madrid. There was no course open to him but to retreat towards the shore of Galicia. This retreat was effected with consummate skill, in the face of the greatest obstacles-an inclement season, a poor country, and with the enemy constantly pressing on the rear.
② Vigo, a bay and sea-port in the south ofGalicia, by sea fully 120 miles distant from Coru?a.
③ Captain Hardinge, afterwards Sir Henry Hardinge, who, as Governor-General of India,annexed the Punjab to the British dominions, and was made Viscount Hardinge of Lahore. He died in 1856.
④ General Hill, afterwards Sir Rowland, and Viscount Hill, was commander-in-chief from1828 till his death in 1842.
⑤ General Ber"esford, afterwards Baron, and Viscount Beresford. He defeated Soult at Albuera, and greatly distinguished himself at Vitoria. He carried the heights of Toulouse in 1814. He was governor of Woolwich Academy till his death in 1854.
QUESTIONS
When was the Battle of Coru?a fought? Who was the British commander- in-chief? Why was it necessary to fight the battle? What proposal of some of his officers did he reject? How was he wounded? What was the result of the engagement? When did the embarkation take place? In whom did Moore show much interest in his later moments? What were his last words? What was his character?
