Chapter III: Part 3

The French made a daring effort to retake their artillery both with cavalry and infantry; but the gallant conduct of the grenadier company, and the advance of Major-General Ferguson’s brigade, finally left the guns in the possession of those who had so gallantly captured them.

George Clark, one of the pipers of the regiment, and afterwards piper to the Highland Society of London, was severely wounded in this action, and being unable to accompany his corps in the advance against the enemy, he deliberately sat down, and unstrapping his pipes, called out, “Well my bra’ lads, I can no farther wi’ ye a fighting, but diel ha’ my soul if ye sal want music,” and immediately began playing “Up and war them a’ Willie.” He was afterwards presented with a handsome stand of pipes by the Highland Society. This is the second instance in which the pipers of the Seventy-first have behaved with particular gallantry, and evinced high feeling for the credit and honour of the corps.

During the advance of the battalion, several prisoners were taken, among whom was the French General Brennier, who surrendered himself on the columns giving way to corporal John M^cKay. The latter was afterwards promoted to an ensigncy in the Fourth West India Regiment.

The result of this battle was the total defeat of the enemy, who subsequently retreated on Lisbon, with the loss of twenty-one pieces of cannon, twenty-three ammunition waggons, with powder, shells, stores of all descriptions, and 20,000 rounds of musket ammunition, together with a great many officers and soldiers killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.

The conduct of the battalion, and of its commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Pack, was noticed in the public despatches, and the thanks of the Houses of Parliament were conferred on the troops.

The following officers of the Seventy-first were wounded in the battle of Vimiera: Captains Arthur Jones and Maxwell Mackenzie; Lieutenants John Pratt, William Hartley, Augustus M^cIntyre, and Ralph Dudgeon; Ensign James Campbell, and Acting Adjutant R. M^cAlpine. Twelve rank and file were killed; six sergeants, and eighty-six rank and file wounded.

The Seventy-first subsequently received the royal authority to bear the word “Vimiera” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of this battle.

The _Convention of Cintra_ was the result of this victory; it was signed on the 30th of August, and by its provisions the French Army evacuated Portugal.

The British Army was ordered to move forward to Lisbon, some of the reinforcements for it having preceded it by water, and occupied the forts at the mouth of the Tagus. The French Army having by this convention fallen back on Lisbon, the British proceeded to the vicinity of Fort St. Julien, and encamped there.

All the objects of the expedition being carried into effect, and the French troops embarked for France, the British Army remained for some time at Lisbon and its vicinity. At this period (September) Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, having assumed the command, made dispositions for entering Spain.

The first battalion of the Seventy-first was now brigaded with the Thirty-sixth and Ninety-eighth Regiments, under Brigadier-General Catlin Craufurd, and placed in the division under the command of Lieut.-General the Honourable John Hope, afterwards the Earl of Hopetoun. On the 27th of October the division was put in motion, and after a short stay at Badajoz, resumed the march, proceeding by Merida, Truxillo, Jaraicejo, Puerto-de-Merivette, and crossing the Tagus at the bridge of Almaraz, directed its route upon Talavera-de-la-Reyna. From this town the column proceeded to the Escurial, seven leagues to the north-west of Madrid.

Intelligence was here received of the enemy’s approach towards Madrid, and two companies of the Seventy-first, under Major Archibald Campbell, were pushed forward to occupy the important pass in the Guadarama Mountains, which separate Old from New Castile. After a halt of a few days, the division was put in motion over the Guadarama Pass to Villa Castin, at which place Lieut.-General the Honourable John Hope, in consequence of the intelligence which he received of the enemy’s movements, made a night march to the left, by Avila and Peneranda, and finally proceeded to Alba de Tormes. At the latter place a junction was formed with a detachment from the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, then at Salamanca. The army under Sir John Moore was shortly afterwards put in motion towards Valladolid, and subsequently to the left, to form a junction with Lieut.-General Sir David Baird’s division, which had landed at Corunna.

Previously to this period, the Spanish Armies under General Blake, near Bilboa on the left, General Castanos in the centre, and General Palafox lower down the Ebro on the right, had been completely defeated. Lieut.-General Sir John Moore consequently made arrangements for a retreat on Portugal by Ciudad Rodrigo; but it having been represented to him that Madrid held out against the French, he was induced to effect a junction with Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, in order to make a diversion in favour of Madrid, by attacking Marshal Soult on the River Carion.

The British force, twenty-nine thousand strong, joined at Toro on the 21st of December, and on the 23rd of that month Sir John Moore advanced with the whole army. The cavalry had already met with that of the enemy, and the infantry was within two hours’ march of him, when an intercepted letter informed the British Commander that Napoleon, who had entered Madrid on the 4th of December, was then in full march for Salamanca and Benevente. A retreat on Corunna, through Gallicia, was immediately decided on, that through Portugal being then impracticable.

Accordingly the several divisions marched towards the Esla, the greater part crossing by the bridge of Benevente. On the 26th of December, after a day’s halt, the cavalry under Lieut.-General Lord Paget and Brigadier-General the Honourable Charles Stewart had an engagement with some of the Imperial Guards that had forded the River Esla under General Le Févre, who was made prisoner, with several of his men.

At this period the situation of the British Army was dispiriting in the extreme. In the midst of winter, in a dreary and desolate country, the soldiers chilled and drenched with the heavy rains, and wearied by long and rapid marches, were almost destitute of fuel to cook their victuals, and it was with extreme difficulty that they could procure shelter. Provisions were scarce, irregularly issued, and difficult of attainment. The waggons, in which were their magazines, baggage and stores, were often deserted in the night by the Spanish drivers, who were terrified by the approach of the French. Thus baggage, ammunition, stores, and even money were destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy; and the weak, the sick, and the wounded were necessarily left behind. The Seventy-first suffered in proportion with the rest, and by weakness, sickness, and fatigue lost about 93 men.

[Sidenote: 1809.]

[Sidenote: 1st bat.]

On the 5th of January, 1809, a position was taken up at Lugo, where some skirmishing occurred, in which three companies of the Seventy-first were engaged, and repulsed the enemy.

Lieut.-General Francis Dundas was appointed from the Ninety-fourth Regiment to be Colonel of the Seventy-first on the 7th of January, 1809, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir John Francis Cradock, K.B., removed to the Forty-third Regiment.

The retreat was again commenced on the 9th of January, and on the 11th the army, still nearly fifteen thousand strong, reached Corunna. The British Army, having accomplished one of the most celebrated retreats recorded in modern history, repulsing the pursuing enemy in all his attacks, and having traversed two hundred and fifty miles of mountainous country, accompanied by severe privation, was not destined to embark for England without a battle.

The transports not having arrived, a position was occupied in advance of Corunna, and some sharp skirmishing ensued, in which four companies of the Seventy-first were warmly engaged, and lost several men in killed and wounded. Lieutenant William Lockwood was severely wounded. On this ground the battle of Corunna was fought on the 16th of January; but the Seventy-first being placed on the extreme left of the British line, had little part in it. The result of the action was glorious to the British Army, but was darkened by the loss of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, who received a severe wound during the battle, and died at ten o’clock on the same night. His remains were wrapped in a military cloak, and interred in the Citadel of Corunna, over which Marshal Soult, with the true feeling of a soldier, erected a monument.

Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, who succeeded to the command upon Sir John Moore being wounded, was also wounded, and the command devolved upon Lieut.-General the Honourable John Hope.

At eight o’clock on the night of the 16th of January the troops quitted their position, leaving the pickets posted and a few men to keep up the fires, and then marched into Corunna, where they embarked for England on the following day.

In commemoration of this battle, and of the conduct of the battalion during the expedition, the Seventy-first, in common with the army employed under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, received the royal authority to bear the word “Corunna” on the regimental colour and appointments.

The thanks of both Houses of Parliament were conferred on the troops, and were communicated to Lieut.-Colonel Pack by Lieut.-General Sir David Baird in the following letter:—

“_Portsmouth, 30th January, 1809._

“Sir,

“I have great pleasure in transmitting to you copies of letters
from the Lord Chancellor and the Speaker of the House of Commons,
enclosing the resolutions of both Houses of Parliament, dated 25th
of January, 1809, which contain the thanks of those Houses to the
army lately engaged before Corunna.

“In communicating to you, Sir, this most signal mark of the
approbation of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, allow me to add my warmest congratulations
upon a distinction which you, and the corps under your command on
that day, had a share in obtaining for His Majesty’s service.

“I have, etc.,
(Signed) “DAVID BAIRD,
“_Lieut.-General_.

“_Officer commanding first battalion
“Seventy-first Highlanders._”

After the battalion had landed at Ramsgate it was marched to Ashford, in Kent, where it continued for some time collecting the men, who, from contrary winds, were driven into different ports.

While at Ashford the battalion was brigaded with the Warwick Militia and the Ninety-first Regiment, under Brigadier-General the Baron de Rottenburg. Great sickness prevailed at this station, and Surgeon James Evans and several of the soldiers died of typhus fever.

On the 20th of March, 1809, the Royal authority was granted for the Seventy-first to be formed into a light infantry regiment, since which time it has been distinguished as the Highland Light Infantry.

The first battalion marched on the 27th of April, 1809, for Brabourne-Lees Barracks, and was brigaded with the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry Regiments. Every exertion was here made to increase the strength and improve the discipline of the corps. In June the first battalion was increased by a large reinforcement, consisting of several officers and 311 non-commissioned officers and privates from the second battalion, which continued to be stationed in North Britain. Several volunteers from the militia were also received at this period.

Immense preparations had been made by the British Government to fit out the most formidable armament that had for a long time proceeded from England. The troops, amounting to 40,000 men, were commanded by Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham. The naval portion consisted of 39 ships of the line, 35 frigates, and numerous gunboats, bomb-vessels, and other small craft, under Admiral Sir Richard Strachan. The object of the expedition was to obtain possession of the islands at the mouth of the Scheldt and to destroy the French ships in that river, with the docks and arsenals at Antwerp. The first battalion of the Seventy-first, towards the end of June, received orders to prepare for the above service, and marched on the 28th and 29th of that month in two divisions, encamping near Gosport.

On the 16th of July the battalion, consisting of 3 field officers, 6 captains, 27 subalterns, 5 staff, 48 sergeants, and 974 drummers and rank and file, embarked at Portsmouth on board His Majesty’s ships _Belleisle_ and _Impérieuse_, and towards the end of the month sailed for the Downs.

The battalion was brigaded, under Brigadier-General the Baron de Rottenburg, with the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry, in the division commanded by Lieut.-General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser, and in the corps of Lieut.-General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B.

The expedition sailed from the Downs on the 28th of July, and having arrived off the Roompet Channel, preparations were made for landing; small craft to cover the landing were also sent in shore, and the light brigade, composed of the Sixty-eighth, Seventy-first, and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry, were landed under their fire. In an instant they were in contact with the enemy’s sharpshooters, who fell back, skirmishing. Being pushed hard, four guns, with their equipment and several prisoners, were taken by two companies of the Seventy-first, under Captains George Sutherland and Henry Hall, and one company of the Eighty-fifth.

A battery and flag-staff on the coast were taken possession of by the tenth company of the Seventy-first, and in lieu of a flag a soldier’s red jacket was hoisted on it.

This advance having succeeded at all points, and the enemy having fallen back on Flushing and Middleburg, the army was disembarked. The advance then dividing, proceeded by different routes. The Seventy-first moved by the sea dyke on a fort called Ter Veer, the situation and strength of which was not sufficiently known, an enemy’s deserter having given but imperfect intelligence respecting it.

After nightfall the column continued to advance in perfect silence, with orders to attack the post with the bayonet, when, on a sudden the advance-guard fell in with an enemy’s party, who came out for the purpose of firing some houses which overlooked the works. The column following the advance-guard had entered an avenue or road leading to the fort, when the advance commenced the action with the enemy, who, retiring within the place, opened a tremendous fire from his works with artillery and musketry. Some guns pointing down the road by which the battalion advanced did great execution, and the Seventy-first had Surgeon Charles Henry Quin killed, and about 18 men killed and wounded. The column, after some firing retired, and the place was the next day regularly invested by sea and land. It took three days to reduce, when it capitulated, with its stores and a garrison of 800 men.

Flushing having been invested on the 1st of August, the Seventy-first, after the surrender of Ter Veer, were ordered into the line of circumvallation, and placed on the extreme left, resting on the Scheldt. The preparations for the attack on the town having been completed, on the 13th a dreadful fire was opened from the batteries and bomb-vessels, and congreve-rockets having been thrown into the town, it was on fire in many places. The ships having joined in the attack, the enemy’s fire slackened, and at length ceased. A summons being sent in, a delay was demanded, but, being rejected, the firing recommenced.

On the 14th of August one of the outworks was carried at the point of the bayonet by a party of detachments and two companies of the Seventy-first under Lieut.-Colonel Pack.

In this affair, Ensign Donald Sinclair of the Seventy-first was killed; Captain George Spottiswoode and a few men were wounded.

Flushing, with its garrison of 6,000 men, capitulated on the 15th of August, and the right gate was occupied by a detachment of 300 men of the First or Royal Scots, and the left gate by a detachment of similar strength of the Seventy-first under Major Arthur Jones. The naval arsenal and some vessels of war which were on the stocks, fell into the hands of the British.

The Seventy-first proceeded shortly afterwards to Middleburg, where the battalion remained for a few days, when it was ordered to occupy Ter Veer, of which place Lieut.-Colonel Pack was appointed Commandant, and Lieutenant Henry Clements, of the Seventy-first, Town Major. The battalion remained doing duty in the garrison until this island, after destroying the works, etc, was finally evacuated on the 22nd of December.

On the 23rd of December the battalion embarked in transports and sailed for England, after a service of five months in a very unhealthy climate, which cost the battalion the loss of the following officers and men:—

Sergeants, Drummers,
Officers. and Rank and File.
Died on service 1 57
Killed 2 19
Died after return home 2 9
-- --
5 85

In passing Cadsand, that fort opened a fire on the transports, one of which, having part of the Seventy-first on board, was struck by a round shot which carried off Sergeant Steel’s legs above the knees.[7]

On the 25th of December the first battalion of the Seventy-first disembarked at Deal, and marched to Brabourne-Lees barracks, in Kent, where it was again brigaded with the Sixty-eighth and Eighty-fifth Light Infantry, and was occupied in keeping itself in an efficient state for active service.

[Sidenote: 1810.]

Upon the Seventy-first being made light infantry, they were permitted to retain such parts of the national dress as might not be inconsistent with their duties as a light corps. A correspondence on the subject took place as follows between Lieut.-Colonel Pack and the Adjutant-General in April, 1810:—

“Sir,

“I beg leave to state that until I read the Adjutant-General’s
letter of the 31st January last, a copy of which I have the honour
herewith to enclose, I did not think it possible any misconception
could exist as to the Seventy-first being no longer considered
a Highland Regiment, having myself clearly understood from His
Royal Highness the Duke of York and the present Commander-in-Chief
that in becoming light infantry the corps was to be put, as to
Colonel’s allowances, clothing, and appointments, exactly on the
same establishment as English regiments of the line, being only
allowed to retain our name and such characteristics of the old
corps as were in no way found objectionable, and out of which in
point of ‘esprit de corps’ much good and no possible harm could
arise, and it was under this impression that the bonnet cocked as a
regimental cap was submitted to the Horse Guards for approval, and
was sealed by the Adjutant-General for our use. With this security
I should now rest satisfied, but on a point affecting the honour
of the regiment, I cannot allow a shadow of doubt to rest. I have,
therefore, to entreat the Commander-in-Chief that unquestionable
authority may be given for our wearing the bonnet so cocked, for
retaining our pipes, and still dressing our pipers in the Highland
garb. It cannot be forgotten how those pipes were obtained, and how
constantly the regiment has upheld its title to them. These are
the honourable characteristics alluded to, which must preserve to
future times the previous remains of the old corps, and of which I
feel confident His Majesty never will have reason to deprive the
Seventy-first Regiment.

“I have the honour to be,
“Sir,
“Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) “D. PACK,
“_Lieut.-Colonel Seventy-first
“Regiment_.

“_The Adjutant-General of the Forces, “Horse Guards London._”

“_Horse Guards,
“12th April, 1810._

“Sir,

“Having submitted to the Commander-in-Chief your letter of the 4th
instant, I am directed to state that there is no objection to the
Seventy-first being denominated Highland Light Infantry Regiment,
or to their retaining their pipes, and the Highland garb for the
pipers, and that they will, of course, be permitted to wear caps
according to the pattern which was lately approved and sealed by
authority.

“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “WILLIAM WYNWARD,
“_Deputy Adjutant-General_.

“_Lieut.-Colonel Pack, Seventy-first
“Regiment._”

On the 8th of May, 1810, the first battalion marched to Deal Barracks, where every exertion was continued to render it fit for active service. Here the battalion was deprived of the services of Lieut.-Colonel Pack, who was appointed a brigadier in the Portuguese army under Marshal William Carr Beresford, afterwards General the Viscount Beresford.

Nothing of moment occurred until the early part of September, when the battalion received orders to hold six companies in readiness for foreign service. They were prepared accordingly by drafting into them, from the companies which were to remain at home, the most effective officers and men, several not having recovered from the Walcheren fever.

The following were the companies selected and completed for foreign service, namely:—

1st or Capt. M^cIntyre’s.
2nd ” Hall’s.
3rd ” Adamson’s.
4th ” Walker’s.
6th ” Spottiswoode’s.
10th ” Lewis Grant’s.

They consisted of 2 field officers, 6 captains, 15 lieutenants, 7 ensigns, 4 staff, 38 sergeants, 12 drummers, and 603 rank and file.

On the 14th of September the above companies embarked in the Downs on board the Melpomene and St. Fiorenzo frigates, three companies with the staff, and Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Nathaniel Levett Peacocke, on board the former; the remaining three companies, under Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Reynell, afterwards colonel of the regiment, on board the latter. They sailed on the following day for Lisbon, and entered the Tagus on the 25th of September, after a short and pleasant passage. The companies were disembarked on the following day, and quartered in the San Benito and Espirito Santo convents.

The greatest exertions were made to complete the companies in field equipment, bât-mules, &c., which being effected, the detachment marched from Lisbon on the 2nd of October to Mafra, where it was shortly afterwards joined by Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, who assumed the command, and Lieut.-Colonel Peacocke returned to the second battalion in North Britain. The detachment being ordered to join the army under Lieut.-General Viscount Wellington, then retreating before Marshal Massena, Prince of Essling, marched from Mafra on the 8th of October, and on the 10th of that month effected the junction at Sobral, where it was brigaded with the Fiftieth and Ninety-second Regiments under Major-General Sir William Erskine, in the first division under Lieut.-General Sir Brent Spencer, K.B.

The army having retired into a position in the rear of Sobral, that place was occupied by the Seventy-first, having for its support the Fiftieth and Ninety-second Regiments and Major-General Alan Cameron’s brigade. On the 12th of October the pickets were violently attacked by the enemy’s advance, and retired skirmishing. In the meantime the place was ordered to be evacuated, and the pickets having joined, the Seventy-first took up a position on the outside, within musket-shot of the town. In this affair the detachment had 8 men killed and 34 wounded.

In this position the Seventy-first continued, when on the 14th of October they were again attacked with the greatest impetuosity, and charged with the bayonet. The enemy was completely repulsed, with very considerable loss in killed and wounded, being chased to the spot from which he made the attack. Both parties resumed their original position.

In Viscount Wellington’s despatch reporting this affair, the names of Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, commanding the Seventy-first, and that of Brevet Lieut.-Col. Thomas Reynell, were particularly mentioned.

A soldier of the sixth company, named John Rea, behaved on this occasion in the most gallant manner, and particularly distinguished himself, for which he received a silver medal with the following inscription:—“To John Rea, for his exemplary courage and good conduct as a soldier at Sobral, 14th October, 1810.”

On the 15th of October the Seventy-first was ordered to withdraw into the position at Zibriera, which was in continuation of the lines of Torres Vedras. In this celebrated position, which bid defiance to the French army, the troops were constantly on the alert, occupied in rendering it as strong as circumstances would admit, and in observing the motions of the enemy.

Marshal Massena did not think proper to attack the British army in this stronghold, and occupied his time in reconnaissances and demonstrations, until compelled, through want of provisions and consequent sickness of his troops, to abandon his designs, and retire to a position in his rear. This object he finally effected in a masterly manner, in the night, between the 14th and 15th of November, followed by the allied forces. Both armies thus evacuated positions on which the attention of Europe had been fixed, and which they had occupied for a month in presence of each other.

The division in which the six companies of the Seventy-first were placed advanced by the route of Alemquer, Cartajo, Atataya, and Almoster, and halted in and about the latter place from the 20th to the 26th of November, inclusive. The enemy, in the mean time, retired to an extremely strong position at and in the vicinity of Santarem, where Marshal Massena halted, although threatened by Viscount Wellington, who, after some manœuvring, took up a position immediately in the enemy’s front, having his head-quarters at Cartajo, and the different corps of the army in the villages. The brigade to which the Seventy-first belonged occupied Alquintrinha.

[Sidenote: 1811.]

[Sidenote: 1st bat.]

At this place the Seventy-first remained in quarters until March, 1811, at which period the army, having been reinforced, was about to resume the offensive, when the enemy retired during the night of the 5th of March, taking the same road, through Estremadura, by which he entered Portugal.

The British army accordingly marched in pursuit of Marshal Massena, and the brigade in which was the Seventy-first accompanied it, moving by Redinha, Miranda de Corvo, and Saryedes, passing the Coa, a little above Sabugal, upon the 5th of April, and on the 9th arrived at Albergaria, a small town on the frontiers of Spain. The Seventy-first remained in Albergaria until the 2nd of May, when the enemy, having been strongly reinforced, moved off from Salamanca, and on that day crossed the frontier with a large convoy of provisions for Almeida, then closely invested by the Portuguese forces under Brigadier-General Pack.

In consequence of this movement the allied army broke up its cantonments on the Azava, and formed in order of battle upon the high ground behind the Duas Casas, the left extending to the high road to Almeida, which crossed the river by a ford near Fort Concepcion, and the right keeping up a communication with the bridge at Sabugal; opposite the centre the village of Fuentes d’Onor was strongly occupied by light infantry.

Upon the 3rd of May the French took post on the opposite side of the valley of the Duas Casas, their left fronting Fuentes d’Onor, and their right extending about two miles and a half to Almeida. In the afternoon of the 3rd of May they attacked Fuentes d’Onor with much vigour. That post was defended with the greatest bravery, until the light companies, being worn out and harassed by repeated attacks, were obliged to retire, and the enemy possessed himself of the lower part of the village.

The Seventy-first was now ordered up in support, and, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, charged the enemy through the village and across the Duas Casas, taking ten officers and about a hundred men prisoners. The corps retained its conquest that night and the whole of the next day, but upon Sunday, the 5th of May, the French having succeeded in turning some troops to the immediate right, was obliged to give way; but having been promptly supported by the Seventy-fourth and Eighty-eighth Regiments, it again advanced, took possession of and retained the village until the conclusion of the action.

A struggle of such duration could not be carried on without great loss, and the Seventy-first suffered severely. It went into action about 320 strong, and lost nearly one-half of its number in killed and wounded.

The Seventy-first had Lieutenants John Conseil, William Houston, and John Graham, and Ensign Donald John Kearns, together with 4 sergeants and 22 rank and file killed. Captains Peter Adamson and James M^cIntyre, Lieutenants William M^cCraw, Humphrey Fox, and Robert Law (Adjutant), Ensigns Charles Cox, John Vandeleur, and Carique Lewin, 6 sergeants, 3 buglers, and 100 rank and file, were wounded. 2 officers, with several men, were taken prisoners.

In commemoration of the gallantry displayed in this prolonged action, the Seventy-first subsequently received the royal authority to bear the words “Fuentes d’Onor” on the regimental colour and appointments.

The following letter from Lord Fitzroy Somerset will serve to show the opinion entertained by Lord Wellington of the conduct of the Seventy-first on this occasion.

“_Villa Formosa, 8th May, 1811._

“Sir,

“Lord Wellington being highly gratified with the conduct of the
Seventy-first Regiment, has directed me to request that you will
transmit to me the name of a non-commissioned officer who may be
eligible for a commission, in order that his Lordship may recommend
him for an Ensigncy on the present occasion.

“I have the honour to be, Sir,
“Your most obedient servant,
“FITZROY SOMERSET.

“_Lieut.-Colonel
“The Honourable Henry Cadogan,
“Seventy-first Regiment._”

According to his Lordship’s recommendation, Quartermaster-Sergeant William Gavin was shortly afterwards promoted to an ensigncy in the regiment.

The Seventy-first upon the 14th returned to their old quarters at Albergaria, and remained there until the 26th of May, when the brigade was ordered to the Alemtejo frontier, as a reinforcement to Marshal Sir William Beresford’s army, at this time besieging Badajoz, and threatened by the advance of Marshal Soult from the south of Spain.

[Sidenote: 2nd bat.]

On the 15th of May, 1811, the second battalion embarked at Leith for South Britain, arrived at Ramsgate on the 23rd of that month, and remained stationed in England for nearly two years.

[Sidenote: 1st bat.]

The first battalion, upon its route southward, crossed the Tagus on the 31st of May, and arrived near Albuhera on the 14th June, having passed through Portalegre, Aronches, Campo Mayor, and Talavera Real.

The sanguinary battle of Albuhera, fought on the 16th of May, had obliged Marshal Soult to retire previously to the arrival of the reinforcements, which being considered no longer necessary, the battalion retired to Elvas, where it remained two days, moving to Toro de Moro on the 19th of June, where it remained for a month. At this encampment a detachment of 350 men, with a proportion of officers, joined from the second battalion then stationed at Deal.

About this period the first battalion became a part of the army, under Lieut.-General Rowland (afterwards Viscount) Hill. The junction of the armies of Marshals Marmont and Soult having obliged Viscount Wellington to raise the siege of Badajoz, which had been resumed after the battle of Albuhera, the battalion, in co-operation with his Lordship’s retrograde movement, retired to Borba on 20th of July. Here it remained until the 1st of September, when it moved to Portalegre, and thence marched to Castello de Vido, on the 4th of October.

A detachment from Marshal Soult’s army, under General Girard, having been levying contributions in Spanish Estremadura, Lieut.-General Rowland Hill, with a view of putting a stop to his movements, broke up his cantonment at Portalegre, upon the 22nd of October, proceeding by Albuquerque and Malpartida. On the 27th, when, within a moderate march of the enemy at Arroyo-dos-Molinos, he halted his troops, and, at night, breaking up his bivouac, made a flank movement close to the road by which the French intended to march on the following morning. In that position he awaited the approach of day, when on the 28th of October, the British marched directly on the rear of the town with such celerity that the cavalry pickets were attacked before they had time to mount.

The French main body, though in the act of filing out, had so little intimation of danger, that the officers and men were surrounded before their formation was effected, and to seek safety they individually dispersed. Many of them were killed, and about 1,400 were taken prisoners. All the enemy’s artillery and baggage were captured. General Brun, and Colonel the Prince of Aremberg, together with several other officers, were among the prisoners.

In this brilliant affair the Seventy-first was one of the three corps that advanced through the centre of the town, and were, therefore, principally engaged; but the enemy, from his complete surprise, being unable to make a combined resistance, the British sustained but a trifling loss.

The battalion subsequently returned to Portalegre, where it arrived early in November. Although the Thirty-fourth Regiment was allowed to inscribe the words, “Arroyo dos Molinos” on its colours, still, for some inexplicable reason, the same privilege has always been refused to the other regiments that were present at that action.

Lieut.-General Hill, on the 7th of November, issued the following General Order:—

“_Portalegre, 7th November, 1811._

“Lieut.-General Hill has great satisfaction in congratulating the
troops on the success which has attended their recent operations
in Estremadura, and in so doing he cannot but endeavour to do
justice to the merits of those through whose exertions it has been
obtained. A patient, willing endurance of forced and night marches,
during the worst of weather, and over bad roads, of bivouacs in wet
weather, oftentimes without cover and without fire, and a strict
observance of discipline, are qualities, however, common in British
soldiers, which the Lieut.-General cannot pass unnoticed. Having on
this occasion witnessed the exertion of them in no ordinary degree,
he feels that nothing but the most zealous attention of commanding
officers, the goodwill and zealous spirit of the non-commissioned
officers and soldiers, could produce such an effect, and he
requests they will, generally and individually, accept his warmest
thanks, particularly those corps which were engaged in the action
of Arroyo dos Molinos, whose silent attention to orders, when
preparing to attack, and when manœuvring before the enemy, could
not but excite his notice, and give them an additional claim on
him.”

Letters from the Secretary of State, dated the 2nd, and from His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief, dated the 6th December, were promulgated, expressive of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent’s approbation and thanks to Lieut.-General Hill, and the troops under his command, for their brilliant operations on the recent expedition in Spanish Estremadura, in having totally surprised and defeated the enemy, under General Girard.

Viscount Wellington, having made preparations for the recapture of Ciudad Rodrigo, concentrated the main body of the army in that neighbourhood, and the troops, under Lieut.-General Hill, were therefore ordered to divert the enemy’s attention in the south.

The first battalion of the Seventy-first remained at Portalegre, until the 25th of December, when the brigade moved into Estremadura, for the purpose of expelling the French, who were ravaging the country. After the performance of this duty, the battalion returned to its former quarters at Portalegre, in February, 1812.

[Sidenote: 1812.]

[Sidenote: 1st bat.]

Upon the 19th of March, 1812, the battalion moved northward to Castello Branco, where it remained for about a week, and afterwards returned for the last time to Portalegre. The Earl of Wellington having made arrangements for the third siege of Badajoz, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s corps was destined to cover his movements, and with that view proceeded on the 21st of March towards Merida, and afterwards to Don Benito, where the troops remained for a few days; but upon the approach of Marshal Soult with a large army, with the intention of raising the siege, Lieutenant-General Hill retired upon Albuhera, through Arroyo de San Servan and Talavera Real.

Badajoz having been assaulted and carried by the troops, under the Earl of Wellington, on the night of the 6th of April, after a sanguinary conflict, the movement of Marshal Soult was rendered nugatory, and the troops under his orders retired into Andalusia.

Marshal Marmont, having, during the progress of the siege, penetrated into the province of Beira, and threatened Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida, the Earl of Wellington, after the fall of Badajoz, crossed the Tagus, leaving Sir Rowland Hill’s force to watch Marshal Soult, which took post at Almendralejos for that purpose.

The battalion was stationed at this town, from the 13th of April until the 11th of May. It having then become expedient to render the communications between the French armies on the north and south of the Tagus as precarious as possible, by the destruction of the bridge of boats at Almaraz, the corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, being the most disposable and convenient force, was accordingly ordered on this important service.

The French, feeling the importance of this bridge to their mutual strength and security, had surrounded it on both sides of the river with formidable enclosed works, having in the interior of them casemated and loop-holed towers. The troops appointed for these strong works, consequently, anticipated an arduous struggle.

Upon the 12th of May the corps broke up from Almendralejos, and marching by Truscillo and Jaraicejo, reached on the 18th of that month the Sierra, 5 miles from Almaraz, on which stands the Castle of Mirabete. This post was so strongly fortified that it blocked up the only road to Almaraz for the passage of artillery, which was considered by the enemy absolutely necessary for the destruction of the works. Sir Rowland Hill thought otherwise, and ascertaining that infantry could cross the Sierra by a track through Roman Gordo, he left his artillery, and descended at night with a column of 2,000 men. The leading company arrived at dawn of day, close to the principal fort, built on a height a few hundred yards in front of the _tête de pont_, but such were the difficulties of the road, that a considerable time elapsed before the rear closed, during which the troops were fortunately sheltered by a ravine, unseen by the enemy.

On the 19th May the Fiftieth Regiment, and the left wing of the Seventy-first, having been provided with ladders, were appointed to escalade the works of Fort Napoleon, supported by the right wing of the Seventy-first and the Ninety-second Regiment.

From a feint made upon Mirabete, the French were aware that an enemy was in the neighbourhood. The garrison on the alert immediately opened a heavy fire, and vigorously resisted the efforts made to push up the escarp; but the moment the first men gained a footing on the parapet, the enemy took to flight. The whole of this brilliant affair was completed in the short space of 15 minutes, and with little loss. The Seventy-first had Captain Lewis Grant, with 1 sergeant and 7 rank and file killed; Lieutenants William Lockwood and Donald Ross, 3 sergeants, and 29 rank and file were wounded.

The names of 36 non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Seventy-first were inserted in regimental orders for conspicuous bravery upon this occasion, and the Royal authority was subsequently granted for the word “Almaraz,” to be borne on the regimental colour and appointments.

The following orders were issued upon this occasion:—

“_Bivouac, near Fort Napoleon,
19th May, 1812._

“BRIGADE ORDER.

“Major-General Howard cannot delay expressing his warmest
acknowledgments to Lieut.-Colonel Stewart and Major Harrison, of
the Fiftieth Regiment, and Major Cother, of the Seventy-first
Regiment, who commanded the three columns of attack this morning
on Fort Napoleon, and the works on the Tagus, for the gallant
and distinguished manner in which they led the columns intrusted
to them, as well as to all the other officers, non-commissioned
officers, and privates, for their bravery and good conduct, which
produced the brilliant result of the capture of the works in
question.”

“_Truxillo, May 22nd, 1812._

“GENERAL ORDER.

“Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill congratulates the troops on
the success which has attended their exertions in the present
expedition. Every object for which it was undertaken has been
attained, and in the manner most desirable and effectual. It is
highly gratifying to the Lieut.-General to report on this occasion
his admiration of the discipline and the valour of the troops
under his command. The chance of war gave to the Fiftieth and
Seventy-first Regiments the most conspicuous share in these events,
who nobly profited by the opportunity; but the Lieut.-General is
satisfied that the same zeal and the same spirit would have been
found in every corps if there had been occasion for bringing them
into play.

“The Lieut.-General has not failed to report to his Excellency the
Commander of the Forces the particulars of this brilliant service,
and the good conduct of all those concerned in it. He will,
therefore, not say more at present than to express his warmest
thanks for the assistance which he has received from all ranks; and
he is confident, when it shall again be his good fortune to lead
them against the enemy, he shall have to report conduct equally
honourable to them and equally advantageous to their country.”

The following is an extract from Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s despatch to Lord Wellington:—

“I cannot sufficiently praise the conduct of the Fiftieth and
Seventy-first Regiments to whom the assaults fell, the constant
steady manner in which they formed and advanced and carried the
place was worthy of those distinguished corps and the officers who
led them.”

The bridge and works in the neighbourhood of Almaraz having been completely destroyed, the Seventy-first returned to Truxillo, where they remained a few days, then moved to Merida, and afterwards to Almendralejos. Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s force having received orders to make a diversion in the south, while the main army was moving northward on Salamanca, the battalion again moved from Almendralejos to the borders of Andalusia, through Llerena. On this march, the advanced parties of cavalry were constantly skirmishing with the enemy, but the Seventy-first was not engaged.

From Llerena the battalion returned to Zafra, whence, after a short halt, it proceeded to Villa Franca, and finally to Don Benito. In these marches through Estremadura, the weather was oppressively hot, and, joined to the clouds of dust raised by the troops, was so fatiguing that it was considered expedient at one time to move by night, and thus these inconveniences were alleviated.

While the force under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill had been thus employed, the allied army, under the Earl of Wellington, had gained a victory on the 22nd of July over the French at Salamanca, for which he was advanced to the dignity of Marquis.

From Don Benito, the battalion moved upon the 13th of September, and passing through Truxillo, Talavera, and Toledo, arrived at Aranjuez upon the 1st of October, from which place, after a halt of three weeks, it moved to Ponte Duenna, further up the Tagus.

The sudden approach of the united armies of Marshals Soult and Suchet rendered a speedy retreat necessary, and the division accordingly retired from Ponte Duenna in the night of the 28th of October, moving to form a junction with the army of the Marquis of Wellington, who had now relinquished the siege of Burgos. Near Madrid, the division halted for a short period, when, being joined by the garrison of that city, the troops retired leisurely by the Guadarama Pass on Alba de Tormes. This town, the Seventy-first occupied from the 7th to the 13th of November, and during that period sustained a loss in action with the enemy of 1 sergeant and 6 rank and file killed; 1 bugler and 5 rank and file wounded.

The army having received orders to retire on Portugal, the battalion abandoned this post, arriving at Coria upon the 1st of December, where the retreat terminated. In this quarter, the Seventy-first continued until the 13th of December, at which time they were pushed forward to Puerto de Bannos, where they were joined by a draft of 150 men from the second battalion.

[Sidenote: 1813.]

While stationed at this post, an attempt was made, in February, 1813, by the French, to surprise Bejar, then occupied by the Fiftieth regiment. The Seventy-first were ordered forward to support, but previously to their arrival that brave regiment had driven back the enemy and completely foiled his efforts.

[Sidenote: 2nd bat.]

On the 18th of March, 1813, the second battalion of the Seventy-first embarked at Gravesend for North Britain, and arrived at Leith on the 23rd of that month.

[Sidenote: 1st bat.]

Upon the 5th of April, the Seventy-first changed quarters with the Fiftieth regiment, and continued to occupy Bejar until the 21st of May, at which period the army broke up from its winter quarters for active operations. The battalion on its advance moved by Salamanca and Toro, and encamped at La Puebla on the 20th of June, the evening before the memorable battle of Vittoria.

Upon the morning of the 21st of June, the two armies being in position, the Seventy-first was ordered to ascend the heights of La Puebla, to support the Spanish forces under General Morillo. They accordingly advanced in open column, and having formed line, were immediately hotly engaged with the enemy, and upon this occasion suffered an irreparable loss in the fall of their Commanding Officer the Honourable Colonel Henry Cadogan, who fell mortally wounded while leading his men to the charge, and being unable to accompany the battalion, requested to be carried to a neighbouring eminence, from which he might take a last farewell of them and the field. In his dying moments, he earnestly inquired if the French were beaten, and on being told by an officer of the regiment who stood by supporting him, that they had given way at all points, he ejaculated, “God bless my brave countrymen,” and immediately expired.

While recording the deep sense of sorrow which the Seventy-first experienced in the loss of a commanding officer who had so often fought at their head, and whose devoted gallantry had so frequently called forth their admiration, it is but a meet tribute to the memory of that brave officer to extract from the despatch of the Marquis of Wellington the following expressions of his Lordship’s regret at his loss:

“And I am concerned to report that the Honourable Lieut.-Colonel
Cadogan has died of a wound which he received. In him His Majesty
has lost an officer of great zeal and tried gallantry, who had
already acquired the respect and regard of the whole profession,
and of whom it might be expected that if he had lived he would have
rendered the most important services to his country.”

After the fall of the Lieut.-Colonel, the Seventy-first continued advancing, and driving the enemy from the heights, until the force which was opposed to them became so unequal, and the loss of the battalion so severe, that it was obliged to retire upon the remainder of the brigade. In the performance of this arduous duty, the battalion suffered very severely, having had 1 field officer, 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 6 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 78 rank and file killed; 1 field officer, 3 captains, 7 lieutenants, 13 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 255 rank and file were wounded.

The officers killed were Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, Captain Henry Hall, Lieutenants Humphrey Fox and Colin Mackenzie. Those wounded were Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Charles Cother, Captains Samuel Reed, Joseph Thomas Pidgeon, William Alexander Grant, Lieutenants Alexander Duff, Loftus Richards, John McIntyre, Charles Cox, William Torriano, Norman Campbell, and Thomas Commeline.

Lieut.-General Sir William Stuart, on subsequently receiving the thanks of the House of Commons for his gallantry at Vittoria, thus recorded the bravery of this regiment on that day, in the course of his answer to the Speaker:—

“I cannot advert to that battle and not submit to the memory,
and, if I may use the term, to the affection of this House the
name of one gallant officer upon whom the brunt of this contest
particularly fell—I mean, Sir, the late Colonel Cadogan; the fall
of that officer was glorious, as his last moments were marked by
the success of a favourite regiment upon the magnanimity of whose
conduct he kept his eyes fixed during the expiring hour of a
well-finished life.”

On this occasion the French suffered a great loss of men, together with all their artillery, baggage, and stores. King Joseph, whose carriage and court equipage were seized, had barely time to escape on horseback. The defeat was the most complete that the French had sustained in the Peninsula. It was this victory which gained a bâton for the Marquis of Wellington, who was appointed a Field-Marshal. In a most flattering letter, the Prince Regent, in the name and behalf of His Majesty, thus conferred the honour:—

“You have sent me among the trophies of your unrivalled fame
the staff of a French Marshal, and I send you in return that of
England.” This was in allusion to the bâton of Marshal Jourdon,
which was taken by the Eighty-seventh Regiment at Vittoria.

The Seventy-first subsequently received the Royal authority to bear the word “Vittoria” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of this signal victory.

When the Seventy-first paraded on the morning of the 22nd of June, the dreadful havoc made by the action of the preceding day became painfully manifest, and an universal gloom was thrown over all, at missing from their ranks nearly 400 brave comrades who had been either killed or wounded on the heights of La Puebla.

The enemy having been completely beaten at all points was forced to retreat in confusion on Pampeluna, and the British army immediately followed in pursuit. The battalion in this advance arrived at Pampeluna on the 29th of June, and shortly afterwards followed, as part of Sir Rowland Hill’s army, a large force of the enemy, who were retreating into France by the valley of Bastan. During this forward movement the Seventy-first had some skirmishing in the valley of Elizondo, but without loss. Upon the 8th of July the Seventy-first arrived at the heights of Maya, from whence, for the first time, they had the cheering prospect of beholding the empire of France extended under them in all its fertile beauty. Joy was diffused through every heart: every trial and danger was forgotten while viewing this splendid and gratifying sight. Upon these heights the battalion was encamped until the 25th of July.

Marshal Soult having been selected by Napoleon for the command of the French army in Spain, with the rank of “Lieutenant of the Emperor,” that officer used the most active exertions for its re-organization, and made immediate arrangements for forcing the British position in the Pyrenees. With this view he advanced in person with a large force against the right, stationed at Roncesvalles, and detached Count D’Erlon with about 13,000 men to attack the position of Maya.

The Count D’Erlon, upon the 25th of July, advanced against the right of the Maya heights, where the ridges of the mountains branched off towards his camp. The force at this point was not sufficient to resist such formidable numbers, and the reserve being posted at some distance to watch passes of importance, which could not be left wholly unguarded, was brought up by battalions as the pressure increased.

The intrepidity with which these attacks were met, and the obstinate bravery with which every inch of ground was disputed, were obliged at last to yield to overwhelming numbers; but although the troops were forced to retrograde, yet in their retreat they took advantage of every rising ground, and disputed it with the utmost tenacity. At the commencement of this attack a part of the first battalion of the Seventy-first Regiment was detached to a neighbouring high peak, under the command of Major William Fitzgerald of the Eighty-second Regiment, and was strengthened by a company of that corps. Lieut.-General the Honourable Sir William Stewart, in his report to Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, thus expressed himself respecting these men:—“I cannot too warmly praise the conduct of that field officer (Major Fitzgerald) and that of his brave detachment. They maintained the position to the last, and were compelled, from the want of ammunition, to impede the enemy’s occupation of the rock by hurling stones at them.”

In another part of this communication, the Lieut.-General thus alluded to the Eighty-second Regiment and to the first brigade, which was composed of the Fiftieth, Seventy-first, and Ninety-second Regiments:—

“I feel it my duty to recommend to your attention, and favourable
report to the Commander of the Forces, the conduct and spirit of
Colonel Grant, and of his brave corps, the Eighty-second Regiment;
also the whole of the first brigade, than which His Majesty’s army
possesses not men of more proved discipline and courage. The wounds
of him, and every commanding officer in that brigade, were attended
with circumstances of peculiar honour to each of them, and to those
under their orders.”

The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the action of the 25th of July, as nearly as could be ascertained:—

3 sergeants and 54 rank and file killed; 6 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 76 rank and file wounded.

The Seventy-first continued retiring until the 30th, when Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill took up a strong position beyond Lizasso. In this post he was attacked with much spirit by the enemy, who at the same time, by manœuvring on the left flank, rendered necessary a change of position to a range of heights near Eguaros, which all the efforts of the French failed to carry. Upon this occasion the Seventy-first was seriously engaged, and had 1 sergeant and 23 rank and file killed; 2 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 33 rank and file were wounded.