5445_0133

1811 July
Is moving towards the North, with the exception of the 2nd Division and a strong Portuguese Division making a complement of near 10,000 men Independent of Spaniards under the Command of Gen.l Hill.
5th We marched to Villa Velha 4 leagues  about half a league from Niza the road is very barren & afterwards becomes tremendously bad & mountainous, descending down the side of a steep mountain  the crossing of the Tagus, on the opposite side of which is Villa Velha, is one of the grandest sights I ever beheld  two rocky mountains pending over the river, (which in itself is very grand) & forming an insurmountable barrier to passengers, exceed description.
6th Left Villa Velha, ascending the opposite mountain by a winding road, & arrived at Samadas 2 ½ leagues, a small village where we found equal accommodation with the day before 
7th Left Samadas & arrived at Castel Branco, a large & what appears once to have been a very respectable town  this