Chapter IV: Part 4

The British force, twenty-nine thousand strong, joined at Toro on the 21st of December, and on the 23d of that month Sir John Moore advanced with the whole army. The cavalry had already met with that of the enemy, and the infantry were 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, when, after a day’s halt, the cavalry under Lieut.-General Lord Paget and Brigadier-General the Honorable Charles Stewart had an engagement with some of the Imperial Guards that had forded the river Esla under General Le Fevre, 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 ninety-three men.

[Sidenote: 1809.]

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 under very disheartening circumstances, 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 to do therein. 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 Honorable John Hope.

At eight o’clock on the night of the 16th of January the troops quitted their position, leaving the piquets 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.[24]

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, &c.
“(Signed) DAVID BAIRD,
“_Lieut.-General_.

“_Officer commanding First Battalion_
“SEVENTY-FIRST regiment.”

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, when it was directed that the clothing, arming, and discipline should be the same in all respects as the forty-third, fifty-second, sixty-eighth, and eighty-fifth regiments.

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 amounted to 40,000 men, commanded by Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham; the naval portion consisted of thirty-nine ships of the line, thirty-six frigates, and numerous gun-boats and 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 three field officers, six captains, twenty-seven subalterns, five staff, forty-eight serjeants, 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 regiment.

A battery and flagstaff 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 eighteen 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 it, 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 gradually 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 shortly after proceeded 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, &c., was finally evacuated on the 22d of December.

On the 23d 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.

Serjeants, Drummers,
Officers. and Rank and File.
Died on service 1 57
Killed 2 19
Died after return home 2 9
-- --
Total 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 Serjeant Steel’s legs above the knees.

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 putting 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 between Lieut.-Colonel Pack and the Adjutant-General in April 1810, and the following reply was received from head-quarters.

“_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.[25]

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

“_Lieut.-Colonel Pack,_
“_71st 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,
2d, or “ Hall’s,
3d, or “ Adamson’s,
4th, or “ Walker’s,
6th, or “ Spottiswoode’s,
10th, or “ Lewis Grant’s.

They consisted of two field officers, six captains, fifteen lieutenants, seven ensigns, four staff, thirty-eight serjeants, twelve drummers, and six hundred and three 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 2d of October to Mafra, where it was shortly afterwards joined by Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable 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 piquets were violently attacked by the enemy’s advance, and retired skirmishing. In the meantime the place was ordered to be evacuated, and the piquets having joined, the SEVENTY-FIRST took up a position on the outside, within musket-shot of the town. In this affair the detachment had eight men killed, and thirty-four 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 Honorable Henry Cadogan, commanding the SEVENTY-FIRST, and that of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel 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 were ordered to withdraw into the position at Zibriera, which was a 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, and 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 reconnoissances 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 the presence of each other.

The division in which the six companies of the SEVENTY-FIRST were placed advanced by the route of Alemquer, Cartaxo, Atelaya, and Almoster, and halted in and about the latter place from the 20th to the 26th of November inclusive. The enemy in the meantime 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 Cartaxo, and the different corps of the army cantoned in the villages. The brigade to which the SEVENTY-FIRST belonged occupied Alquintrinha.

[Sidenote: 1811.]

At this place the SEVENTY-FIRST remained in quarters until March 1811, at which period the army, having been reinforced[26], 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 advanced 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 2d of May, when the enemy, having been strongly reinforced, moved 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 Conception, 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 3d 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 Alameda. In the afternoon of the 3d 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 were now ordered up to support, and, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable 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, were obliged to give way; having been immediately supported by the seventy-fourth and eighty-eighth regiments, they 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. They went into action about 320 strong, and lost nearly one half of their number in killed and wounded.

The SEVENTY-FIRST had Lieutenants John Consell, William Houston, and John Graham, and Ensign Donald John Kearns, together with four serjeants and twenty-two 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, six serjeants, three buglers, and one hundred rank and file, were wounded. Two 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.

Viscount Wellington particularly mentioned the name of Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable Henry Cadogan in his despatch, and being highly gratified with the conduct of the SEVENTY-FIRST on this occasion, directed that a non-commissioned officer should be selected for a commission. According to his Lordship’s recommendation, Quartermaster-Serjeant 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[27] army, at this time besieging Badajoz, and threatened by the advance of Marshal Soult from the south of Spain.

[Sidenote: 2d bat.]

On the 15th of May 1811, the second battalion embarked at Leith for South Britain, arrived at Ramsgate on the 23d 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 of 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 reinforcement, which being considered no longer necessary, the battalion retired to Elvas, where it remained two days; the battalion again moved 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 the 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 collecting contributions in Spanish Estremadura, Lieut.-General Rowland Hill, with a view of putting a stop to his movements, broke up his cantonments at Portalegre upon the 22d of October, proceeding by Albuquerque and Malpartida. On the 27th, when within a moderate march of the enemy at _Arroyo-del-Molinos_, Lieut.-General Hill 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 piquets were rushed upon 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 trifling loss.

The battalion subsequently returned to Portalegre, where it arrived early in November.

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-del-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 2d, 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.]

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_, Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill’s[28] 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, Lieut.-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 Truxillo and Jaraicejo, reached on the 18th of that month the sierra, five 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 of 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 was on the alert; immediately opened a heavy fire, and vigorously resisted the efforts made to push up the scarp; 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 fifteen minutes, and with little loss.

The SEVENTY-FIRST had Captain Lewis Grant, with one serjeant and seven rank and file, killed; Lieutenants William Lockwood and Donald Ross, three serjeants, and twenty-nine rank and file were wounded.

The names of thirty-six 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.[29]

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 honorable to them, and equally advantageous to
their country.”

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 were not engaged.

From Llerena the battalion returned to Zafra, where, 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 22d 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 one serjeant and six rank and file killed; one bugler and five 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: 2d 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 23d 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 cantonments 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 were 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 Honorable 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.[30]

While recording the deep sense of sorrow which the SEVENTY-FIRST experienced in the demise 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 spirit 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 Honorable 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 one field officer, one captain, two lieutenants, six serjeants, one bugler, and seventy-eight rank and file killed; one field officer, three captains, seven lieutenants, thirteen serjeants, two buglers, and two hundred and fifty-five rank and file were wounded.

The officers killed were Colonel the Honorable 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 M^cIntyre, Charles Cox, William Torriano, Norman Campbell, and Thomas Commeline.

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 was 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 honor: “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 Jourdan, 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 22d 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 four hundred 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 before them in all its fertile beauty. Joy was diffused through every heart; every trial and danger were 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 thirteen thousand 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 gallant corps. Lieut.-General the Honorable 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 honor 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:--Three serjeants and fifty-four rank and file killed; six serjeants, one bugler, and seventy-six 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 they were 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 were seriously engaged, and had one serjeant and twenty-three rank and file killed; two serjeants, one bugler, and thirty-three rank and file were wounded.

The enemy having been foiled in all the objects of his attacks, found it necessary, in his turn, to retreat, moving on the 31st of July by the pass of _Doña Maria_, where he left a strong corps in an excellent position. This force was immediately attacked by the columns of Lieut.-Generals Sir Rowland Hill and the Earl of Dalhousie, and dislodged, after a gallant resistance. In the action of this day the first brigade, consisting of the fiftieth, SEVENTY-FIRST, and ninety-second regiments, had the honor of bearing its share, and of distinguishing itself. The SEVENTY-FIRST had one serjeant and twenty-nine rank and file killed; two serjeants and forty-five rank and file were wounded.

The battalion now returned to the heights of Maya, from whence, after a halt of a few days, it moved to Roncesvalles.

Previously to this change of quarters, an order was issued by Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, relative to the conduct of the troops in the actions of the Pyrenees, of which the following is a copy:--

“_Arrizi, August 3rd, 1813._

“GENERAL ORDER.

“Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill requests that the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates of the corps of the
army under his command will accept his best thanks for the
gallant conduct they have displayed during the late active and
interesting operations.

“The chance of service has placed the troops under his command
in situations where they were exposed to an immense superiority
of forces, a circumstance unavoidable in operations so
extensive as those in which this army has been engaged; and it
has at all times been necessary to cede ground to the enemy.
The Lieut.-General, however, has the satisfaction of knowing
that the troops have on every occasion maintained their high
character; that they have only withdrawn from their positions by
superior orders, and then it has been invariably attended with
circumstances highly creditable to them. The Lieut.-General has
not failed to report to the Commander of the Forces the details
of the several affairs in which the corps have been engaged,
and he knows that their services are duly appreciated by his
Excellency.”

The royal authority was subsequently granted to the SEVENTY-FIRST to bear the word “PYRENEES” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of the services of the first battalion in the actions of the 25th, 30th, and 31st of July, which have been designated the “_Battles of the Pyrenees_.”

In these actions the SEVENTY-FIRST had Lieutenant Alexander Duff killed; Major Maxwell Mackenzie, Captains Leslie Walker and Alexander Grant, Lieutenants Thomas Park, John Roberts, William Woolcombe, William Peacocke, and Anthony Pack wounded.

The following “Morning Reports” of the 14th of June and 7th of August, the former being prior to the battle of Vittoria, and the latter a few days subsequent to the actions in the Pyrenees, will show how the ranks of the SEVENTY-FIRST were thinned within a period of less than two months.

Rank
Sergts. Buglers. and File.
14th June 1813, present and }
fit for duty } 54 21 909
7th August 1813 Ditto 21 15 356
-----------------------
Decrease 33 6 553
=======================

For nearly three months the battalion was encamped on the heights of Roncesvalles, during which period _St. Sebastian_ and _Pampeluna_ were captured. The men were principally employed during this interval in the construction of block-houses and batteries, and the formation of roads for the artillery.

In the early part of the season the neighbouring heights of _Altobispo_ were occupied weekly by the brigades of the division; but as the cold increased with the high winds, the piquets alone were appointed for this duty. Such was the inclemency of the weather, and natural advantages of this position, that it was scarcely thought that the enemy would attempt an attack. This opinion, however, was ill founded, as upon the night of the 11th of October an attempt was made by a strong party upon the advance, composed of fifteen men of the SEVENTY-FIRST, under Serjeant James Ross. Instead of flinching from an unequal contest, this small band, relying upon the strength of the position, and being, moreover, favored by the darkness, which concealed its strength, maintained its ground, and forced the enemy to retire. The bravery of this party called forth high encomiums from Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir William Stewart, commanding the division, and at his request the soldiers composing it were all presented with medals.

On the 8th of November the division was again in motion, for the purpose of entering the French territory; and on the 9th of that month it bivouacked near the heights of Maya, where orders were received to march as light as possible. The heights were passed that night by moonlight, for the purpose of joining the grand army; but the march over bad roads was so fatiguing that when the brigade arrived in position on the _Nivelle_ it was not called upon to take an active part in the glorious proceedings of the rest of the army on the 10th of November, in forcing the French from their fortified position on that river.

After the battle of the Nivelle, the battalion marched in the direction of Cambo, on the Nive, where some smart skirmishing occurred, in which two men were killed, and four serjeants, one bugler, and forty-one rank and file wounded. When the French crossed to the right bank, the SEVENTY-FIRST occupied part of the town of Cambo.

The battalion remained in Cambo for nearly a month, and was here joined by a detachment of four serjeants and eighty-two rank and file, under the command of Lieutenant Charles Henderson, from the second battalion, at this period stationed at Glasgow.

On the 9th of December the first battalion was engaged in the passage of the _Nive_. The left wing of the SEVENTY-FIRST entered the river, supported by the fire of the right, and reached the opposite bank without experiencing any loss.

The enemy now retired within Bayonne, and the corps of Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill was established with its right on the Adour, the left above the Nive, and the centre at _St. Pierre_, across the high road to St. Jean Pied-de-Port.

In this disposition the second division, of which the SEVENTY-FIRST formed part, was placed at St. Pierre. Marshal Soult having completely failed in an attempt which he made against the left of the army, moved with his whole force against Sir Rowland Hill’s corps, with the expectation of overwhelming him before he could be supported.

The enemy came on with great boldness upon the 13th of December, and made vigorous efforts against the centre, which he repeatedly attacked; but at last, finding his most earnest endeavours fruitless, he drew off. In the action of this day the loss of the first battalion of the SEVENTY-FIRST regiment was very severe, having been placed close to the main road, against which the French made such formidable and repeated attacks.

Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell Mackenzie, and Lieutenants William Campbell and Charles Henderson, together with two serjeants, one bugler, and twenty-three rank and file were killed. Captains Robert Barclay and William Alexander Grant, and Lieutenants John M^cIntyre and William Torriano, with thirty-seven rank and file, were wounded.

The following short but highly expressive Division Order was issued by Lieutenant General the Honorable Sir William Stewart, K.B.:

“_Head-Quarters, near Petite Moguerre,_
“_December 14th, 1813._

“The second division has greatly distinguished itself, and its
gallantry in yesterday’s action is avowed by the Commander of the
Forces and the allied army.”

In commemoration of these services, the SEVENTY-FIRST subsequently received the Royal authority to bear the word “NIVE” on the regimental colour and appointments.

The battalion marched on the 19th of December to Urcuit, and to Urt upon the 28th of that month. A small piquet of the SEVENTY-FIRST, under the command of Corporal Dogherty, here distinguished itself, by beating off an enemy’s party of nearly treble its strength.

[Sidenote: 1814.]

While stationed in this quarter, the companies were frequently engaged in skirmishes with the enemy, particularly at St. Hellette, heights of Garris, and St. Palais, in the month of January 1814.

In the beginning of February the battalion marched from Urt, and during its advance had frequent skirmishes with the enemy’s rear-guard.

On the 26th of February the battalion was in action at _Sauveterre_, and upon the 27th had the honor of participating in the battle of _Orthes_.

In commemoration of this victory the SEVENTY-FIRST afterwards received the Royal authority to bear the word “ORTHES” on the regimental colour and appointments.