Section 3: pages 28-38 Summary

General Jean Herault is thirty years old, handsome, and covered in glory after leading a charge at Albubera that destroyed a British battalion, even though the battle had been lost. After his glory was enhanced in battles against Ballesteros' Spaniards, Soult promoted Herault to command the South Army's horsemen, and now, Herault must capture the bridge at San Miguel de Tormes. He gives the problem a lot of though and, realizing the danger lay in going through the mountains, impresses Ducos by suggesting they send 300 men to Avila to distract the guerilleros while the rest of them ride straight across the hills to San Miguel and hold the bridge until Ducos arrives. Ducos approves of this plan which will save Madrid, end Marmont's retreat and force the British back to the Portuguese border. He plans to recommend Herault to...