5445_0130

1811 July
1st Marched to Crato through Alter do Chao a very pretty town  The General Hospital of the Alentejo Army is stationed here a very extensive & healthy situated town with a very fine Convent in it 
I was introduced here to D. Inspector Hagg 
Crato is an old Moorish town very much out of repair it is a very extensive town as managed to cram the whole Division into it as it was a long march & an extremely hot day the men were very much fatigued especially as we had not marched so early as was necessary for the time of year  I here saw as strong an instance of the ignorant & absurd superstition of the Inhabitants of the Peninsula as I ever remember 
An unfortunate Portuguese Soldier of the 11th Regiment who was excessively fatigued from the heat of the march came in some time after the Division & lay himself down in the shade at the door of our Commanding Officer  some Priests passing by observing that he appeared faint immediately set off for their Brethern