Chapter VII: Part 7

On the morning of the 27th. of August, the French made a sally against the new batteries on the isthmus, but were repulsed. St. Sebastian was again attacked by storm on the 31st. of August, and the heroic perseverance of all the troops concerned was at length crowned with success. The column of attack was formed of the second brigade of the fifth division, commanded by Major-General Robinson, with the following detachments as supports:—one hundred and fifty volunteers of the light division, under Lieutenant-Colonel Hunt, of the 52nd.; four hundred of the first division, consisting of two hundred of the brigades of guards, under Lieutenant-Colonel Cook; one hundred of the light battalion, and one hundred of the line battalions of the King’s German Legion, under Major Robertson; and two hundred volunteers of the fourth division, under Major Rose, of the 20th. Foot. In reserve were the remainder of the fifth division, consisting of Major-General Spry’s Portuguese brigade, and the first brigade under Major-General Hay, together with the fifth battalion of Caçadores of Major-General Bradford’s brigade, under Major Hill; the whole were under the direction of Lieutenant-General Sir James Leith, commanding the fifth division. The difficulties to be overcome were so formidable, and the resistance of the enemy so determined, that the reserve brigade was pushed on by degrees. For five hours the conflict raged at the beaches, when an explosion destroyed the enemy’s traverses. The guns were turned against the curtain, against which a heavy fire of artillery was directed. This passed a few feet only over the heads of the troops on the breach, and was kept up with remarkable precision. The advance of the first battalion of the 13th. regiment, under Major Snodgrass, over the open breach and across the river, and a detachment of the 24th. regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Mac Bean, in support, was gallantly made under a very severe fire of grape. A great effort was next made to gain the high ridge, and to storm the hornwork. The second brigade of the fifth division, under Colonel the Honourable Charles Greville, moved out of the trenches for this purpose, and the third battalion of the 1st. foot, under Lieutenant-Colonel Barns, supported by the 38th., under Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, opportunely arrived to assault the trench of the curtain about the time when the explosion had created some confusion amongst the garrison. After a severe conflict the narrow pass was gained, and the troops on the right of the breach having succeeded in forcing the barricades on the top of the narrow line wall, found their way into the houses which joined it. After an assault which lasted over two hours, a firm footing, under the most trying circumstances, was obtained. Nothing could restrain the impetuosity of the troops, and in an hour more the enemy were driven from all the complications of defences prepared in the streets, and after suffering severe loss, they abandoned the town and retreated into the castle.[54]

Batteries mounting fifty-four pieces of ordnance opened a tremendous fire upon the citadel on the 8th. of September, and in less than three hours the garrison hoisted the flag of truce, and after some discussion surrendered. The loss of the garrison was related to have amounted to two-thirds of their numbers at the commencement of the siege.

From the 28th. of July to the 31st. of August the British had thirty-six officers, thirty-one sergeants, one drummer, and five hundred and three men killed; seventy officers, (including Lieutenant-General Sir James Leith and Major-Generals Oswald and Robinson,) fifty-four sergeants, six drummers, and nine hundred and seventy-three rank and file were wounded. The Portuguese had eight officers and one hundred and eighty-one men killed, and thirty-five officers and five hundred and fifty-nine men wounded.

ST. SEBASTIAN on the colours of the 1st., 4th., 9th., 38th., 47th., and 59th. regiments, commemorates this arduous and glorious service.

THE GOLD CROSS AND CLASPS.[55]

Officers in the course of the war had received so many medals, that it became extremely inconvenient to wear them, and it was the practice for a short time to engrave the name of the second or third action on the medal originally given to them.[56] It was afterwards determined that only one medal should be worn by any officer; for every other action in which he might distinguish himself, a gold clasp, with the name of the event, was to be attached to the ribbon, until two clasps had been received. On the next occasion whereon he might signalize himself, a gold cross, having on each compartment the names of each of the four services, was to be conferred instead of the medal and clasps originally received. For every subsequent action a clasp was to be issued, to be attached to the ribbon above the cross. In the centre of the cross, which was fastened to the ribbon or swivel by a large ring, chased with laurel, is a lion statant; in each compartment, surrounded by an edge of laurel, is the name of the battle or action. Wreaths of laurel are also round the names of the actions on the clasps.

So much reluctance was evinced by officers to relinquish the original medals, that the design of having them returned was given up. When officers had received both the medals, as necessarily happened during the lengthened struggle in the Peninsula, the large one was worn, with the clasps of the actions for which the small medals had been conferred.

The following regulations regarding the grant of the Cross and clasps were published in the “London Gazette”:—

“Horse Guards, October 7th., 1813.

Whereas considerable inconvenience having been found to attend the
increased number of medals, that have been issued in commemoration of
the brilliant and distinguished events, in which the success of His
Majesty’s arms has received the royal approbation, the Prince Regent
has been pleased to command, in the name and on behalf of His Majesty,
that the following regulations shall be adopted, in the grant and
circulation of such marks of distinction, namely,—

1st.—That one medal only shall be borne by each officer, recommended
for such distinction.

2nd.—That for the second and third events, which may be subsequently
commemorated in like manner, each individual recommended to bear the
distinction, shall carry a gold clasp attached to the ribbon to which
the medal is suspended, and inscribed with the name of the battle, or
siege, to which it relates.

3rd.—That upon a claim being admitted to a fourth mark of distinction,
a cross[57] shall be borne by each officer, with the names of the four
battles, or sieges, respectively inscribed thereupon; and to be worn
in substitution of the distinctions previously granted to such
individuals.

4th.—Upon each occasion of a similar nature, that may occur
subsequently to the grant of a cross, the clasp shall again be issued
to those who have a claim to the additional distinction, to be borne
on the ribbon to which the cross is suspended, in the same manner as
described in No. 2, of these regulations.

His Royal Highness is further pleased to command, in the name and on
behalf of his Majesty, that the distribution of medals, or badges, for
military services of distinguished merit, shall be regulated as
follows, namely,—

1st.—That no general, or other officer, shall be considered entitled
to receive them, unless he has been personally, and particularly
engaged upon those occasions of great importance and peculiar
brilliancy, in commemoration of which the Prince Regent, in the name
and on behalf of His Majesty, may be graciously pleased to bestow such
marks of distinction.

2nd.—That no officer shall be considered a candidate for the medal, or
badge, except under the special selection and report of the Commander
of the Forces upon the spot, as having merited the distinction by
conspicuous services.

3rd.—That the Commander of the Forces shall transmit to the
Commander-in-Chief, returns signed by himself, specifying the names
and ranks of those officers whom he shall have selected as
particularly deserving.

4th.—The Commander of the Forces, in making the selection, will
restrict his choice to the undermentioned ranks,[58] namely,—General
officers: Commanding officers of brigades; Commanding officers of
artillery, or engineers; Adjutant-General, and Quartermaster-General,
Deputies of Adjutant-General, and Quartermaster-General, having the
rank of field officers; Assistants-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General,
having the rank of field officers, and being at the head of the staff,
with a detached corps, or distinct division of the army; Military
Secretary, having the rank of field officer; Commanding officers of
battalions, or corps equivalent thereto; and officers who may have
succeeded to the actual command during the engagement, in consequence
of the death, or removal, of the original commanding officer.

The Prince Regent is therefore graciously pleased to command, in the
name and on behalf of His Majesty, that, in commemoration of the
brilliant victories obtained by His Majesty’s arms in the battles of
Roleia and Vimiera, Corunna, Talavera de la Reyna, Busaco, Barrosa,
Fuentes d’Onor, Albuhera, and Salamanca, and in the assaults and
captures of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, the officers of the army,
present on those occasions, shall enjoy the privilege of bearing
badges of distinction; and His Royal Highness having approved of the
crosses, medals, and clasps, which have been prepared, is pleased to
command that they shall be worn by the general officers, suspended by
a ribbon the colour of the sash, with a blue edge, round the neck; and
by the commanding officers of battalions, or corps equivalent thereto,
and officers who may have succeeded to the actual command during the
engagement, the chiefs of military departments, and their deputies and
assistants, (having the rank of field officers,) and such other
officers as may be specially recommended, attached by a ribbon of the
same description to the button-hole of their uniform.

The Prince Regent is also pleased to command, in the name and on the
behalf of His Majesty, that those badges which would have been
conferred upon the officers who have fallen at, or died since, the
above-named battles and sieges, shall, as a token of respect for their
memories, be transmitted to their respective families.

By command of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent.

FREDERICK, Commander-in-Chief.
H. TORRENS, Colonel and Military Secretary.”

AFFAIR OF CHATEAUGUAY.
26TH. OCTOBER, 1813.

This was one of the actions which occurred during the war between Great Britain and the United States. In the autumn of 1813, a great effort was made by the Americans for the invasion of Canada at different points. The expedition commenced with the advance of Major-General Hampton to the frontier, whilst Major-General Wilkinson, in co-operation, embarked with ten thousand men, on Lake Ontario, and proceeded in boats down the river St. Lawrence, with the intention of reaching Montreal. On the 8th. of October, Major-General Hampton occupied with a considerable force of regulars and militia, a position on the Chateauguay river, near the settlement of the Four Corners. The American army crossed the line of separation between Lower Canada and the United States early on the 21st. of that month, surprised a small party of Indians, and drove in a picket of militia, posted at the junction of the Ontard and Chateauguay rivers, where it encamped, and proceeded in establishing a road of communication with its last position, for the purpose of bringing forward its artillery. All arrangements having been completed on the 24th., the American General commenced on the following day his operations against the advanced posts of the British; at about eleven o’clock in the forenoon of the 26th. of October, his cavalry and light infantry were discovered advancing on both banks of the Chateauguay, by a detachment covering a working party of _habitans_ employed in felling timber, for the purpose of constructing _abattis_.

Lieutenant-Colonel De Salaberry, who had the command of the advanced pickets, composed of the light infantry company of the Canadian Fencibles, and two companies of Voltigeurs, on the north side of the river, made so excellent a disposition of his small force, that he checked the advance of the principal column, led by Major-General Hampton in person, and accompanied by Brigadier-General Izard; whilst the American light brigade, under Colonel M‘Carty, was similarly repulsed in its progress on the south side of the river, by the spirited advance of the right flank company of the third battalion of the embodied militia, under Captain Daly, supported by Captain Bruyer’s company of Chateauguay Chasseurs. Captains Daly and Bruyer being wounded, (the former twice severely,) and their companies having sustained some loss, their position was immediately taken up by a flank company of the first battalion of embodied militia. The American troops rallied and repeatedly returned to the attack, but were foiled at all points by a handful of men, who by their determined bravery, maintained their position, and protected the working parties, who were enabled to continue their labours.

Nearly all the British troops having been pushed forward for the defence of Upper Canada, that of the lower province depended in a great degree on the valour and exertions of its incorporated battalions and its sedentary militia. This loyal and honourable line of conduct was persevered in by the Canadians.

It appeared by report of prisoners taken in the affair on the Chateauguay, that the American forces consisted of seven thousand infantry and two hundred cavalry, with ten field pieces. The British advance force, actually engaged, did not exceed three hundred, and the enemy suffered severely, not only from the British fire, but also from their own, some detached corps in the woods having fired upon each other.

Lieutentant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart., solicited from His Royal Highness the Prince Regent five pairs of colours for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth battalions of the embodied battalions of the Canadian militia, as a mark of royal approbation of their conduct.

A medal was granted for this service, which was similar to that authorized for the Peninsula actions, and it was afterwards commemorated by a bar, when the general war medal was distributed.

PASSAGE OF THE NIVELLE.
10TH. NOVEMBER, 1813.

After the fall of St. Sebastian, the hostile armies remained for some time inactive, or occupied only in strengthening their respective positions, and preparing for the further prosecution of the campaign. The troops, however, suffered severely from the inclemency of the weather. Exposed on the bleak summits of the Pyrenees, they gazed with intense longing on the beautiful plains of France, which lay stretched out beneath their feet; but the close neighbourhood of a watchful enemy rendered the greatest vigilance necessary, and the duties were severe.

Flushed with success the British troops ardently longed for further victories. This moment at length arrived. Early on the morning of the 7th. of October, the army, under favour of a dark and stormy sky, descended from the heights, crossed the Bidassoa, and with little opposition established itself on the French territory. The continued inclemency of the weather, and the badness of the roads, retarded the further advance of the army till the 10th. of November, when all preparations being completed, the columns moved down the passes of the Pyrenees in the most perfect silence, and lay down, each at its appointed station, to await the dawn of day to make their attack. This was commenced by the fourth division, which carried a strong redoubt in front of the village of Sarre, drove the enemy from that village, and continued its advance against the heights in its rear, exposed to the fire of entrenchments by which the position was secured. These, however, were successively abandoned as the division advanced, the enemy flying in great disorder, towards the bridges on the Nivelle; the garrison of one redoubt, which alone offered any resistance, being made prisoners. The other attacks were all equally successful; the enemy driven from the centre of his line, concentrated himself on the heights above St. Pé, whence he was dislodged by a flank movement of the third and seventh divisions on the left, in conjunction with the sixth division, which proceeded in the contrary direction. Marshal Soult at length withdrew the whole of his army, and resigned his position to the allies, who went into cantonments in advance of the Nivelle, where they enjoyed another interval of repose.

In the Marquis of Wellington’s official report occurred the following; after speaking of the handsome attack of the sixth division, he continued, “I likewise particularly observed the gallant conduct of the 51st. and 68th. regiments, under the command of Major Rice and Lieutenant-Colonel Hawkins, in Major-General Inglis’s brigade, in the attack of the heights above St. Pé, in the afternoon of the 10th.”

The 43rd. and 52nd. regiments added to their former renown on this occasion, especially in the storming of the Petite Rhune, and in the completion of the victory.

Considering the strength of the positions attacked, and the length of time (from daylight till dark) during which the troops were engaged, the loss, although severe, was not so great as might have been expected. Major-Generals Kempt and Byng were wounded. The enemy lost fifty guns, two thousand men, fifteen hundred prisoners, and large quantities of stores and ammunition.

The following regiments were engaged in this service:—the 2nd., 3rd., 5th., 6th., 11th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 28th., 31st., 32nd., 34th., 36th., 39th., 40th., 42nd., 43rd., 45th., 48th., 51st., 52nd., 53rd., 57th., 58th., 60th., 61st., 66th., 68th., 74th., 79th., 82nd., 83rd., 87th., 88th., 91st., 94th., and Rifle Brigade.

ACTION AT CHRYSTLER’S FARM.
11TH. NOVEMBER, 1813.

Major-General James Wilkinson, who had been instructed to co-operate with Major-General Hampton in the invasion of Lower Canada, and for the avowed purpose of taking up his winter quarters in Montreal, quitted Grenadier Island, on Lake Ontario, on the 30th October, 1813, with ten thousand men, in small craft and batteaux, and proceeded down the St. Lawrence. Having, on the 31st., halted a few miles below Gravelly Point, on the south side of the river, his position was on the following day reconnoitred, and subsequently cannonaded by a division of gunboats, under the command of Captain Mulcaster, of the Royal Navy. By keeping close to his own shore, the enemy arrived, on the 6th. of November, within six miles of the port of Prescott, which he endeavoured to pass unobserved during the night of the 7th.; but the attempt was frustrated by the vigilance of Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson, who commanded there, and the American Armada was compelled to sustain a heavy and destructive cannonade during the whole of that operation.

Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, having anticipated the possibility of the American government sending its whole concentrated force from Lake Ontario towards this territory, had ordered a corps of observation, consisting of the remains of the 49th. regiment, the second battalion of the 89th., and three companies of the Voltigeurs, with a division of gunboats, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Morrison, of the 89th., to follow the movements of Major-General Wilkinson’s army.

An attack was made at Chrystler’s Farm, on the 11th. of November, 1813, upon the corps of observation, by a portion of the American force, under Brigadier-General Boyd, amounting to nearly four thousand men, which resulted in the complete repulse and defeat of the enemy, with considerable loss, upwards of one hundred prisoners, with a field-piece, being captured; their total loss was estimated at eight hundred men. This action commenced about two o’clock in the afternoon, when the Americans, having moved forward from Chrystler’s point, attacked the advance, which gradually fell back to the position selected for the detachment to occupy, the right resting on the river, and the left on a pine wood, exhibiting a front of about seven hundred yards.

In consequence of the ground being open, the troops were thus disposed: the flank companies of the 49th. regiment, the detachment of the Canadian Fencibles, with one field-piece, under Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson on the right, a little advanced on the road; three companies of the 89th. regiment under Captain Barnes, with a gun formed in _echellon_, with the advance on its left supporting it. The 49th. and 89th. thrown more to the rear, with a gun, formed the main body and reserve, extending to the woods on the left, which were occupied by the Voltigeurs under Major Herriot, and the Indians under Lieutenant Anderson. At about half-past two the action became general, when the enemy endeavoured, by moving forward a brigade from his right, to turn the British left, but was repulsed by the 89th. forming _en potence_ with the 49th., and both corps moving forward, occasionally firing by platoons. His efforts were next directed against the right, and to repulse this movement, the 49th. took ground in that direction, in _echellon_, followed by the 89th.; when within half-musket-shot the line was formed under a heavy, but irregular fire from the Americans.

Orders were next given for the 49th. to charge the gun posted opposite, but it became necessary when within a short distance of it, to check this forward movement, in consequence of a charge from the American cavalry on the right, lest they should fall upon their rear; but they were received in so gallant a manner by the companies of the 89th., under Captain Barnes, and the well-directed fire from the artillery, that they quickly retreated, and by an immediate charge from three companies, one gun was captured.

About half-past four the Americans gave way at all points from an exceedingly strong position, endeavouring to cover the retreat by their light infantry, which were soon driven away by Lieutenant-Colonel Pearson. The detachment for the night occupied the ground from which the foe had been driven, and afterwards moved forward in pursuit.

This action was also rewarded by the usual medal, and consequently a bar, inscribed “CHRYSTLER’S FARM,” was authorized when the war medal was granted. The force engaged consisted of the Royal Artillery, 49th., the second battalion of the 89th. regiment; Canadian Fencibles, Canadian Voltigeurs, and Militia Artillery and Dragoons, and Indians.

No distinction has been granted for the colours, on account of either Chateauguay or Chrystler’s Farm.

PASSAGE OF THE NIVE.
9TH. TO 13TH. DECEMBER, 1813.

After the retreat of the French from the Nivelle, they occupied a position in front of Bayonne, which had, since the battle of Vittoria, been entrenched with great labour. The bad state of the roads, and the swelling of the rivulets from the fall of rain, had prevented the Marquis of Wellington from at once passing the Nive.[59] The state of the weather and roads at length enabled the British commander to collect the materials, and make preparations for forming the necessary bridges. The troops moved out of their cantonments on the 8th. of December, and Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, with the right of the army, crossed on the 9th. at, and in the neighbourhood of Cambo, Marshal Sir William Beresford supporting the operation by passing the sixth division, under Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton, at Ustaritz; both operations succeeded completely. The enemy were immediately driven from the right bank of the river, and retired towards Bayonne, by the great road of St. Jean Pied de Port. Those posted opposite Cambo were nearly intercepted by the sixth division, and one regiment, being driven from the road, was compelled to march across the country.

On the morning of the 10th. of December the enemy moved out of the entrenched camp with their whole army, with the exception only of that portion which occupied the works opposite to Sir Rowland Hill’s position, and drove in the pickets of the light division, when an action ensued, the brunt of which fell upon the first Portuguese brigade under Major-General Arch. Campbell, and upon Major-General Robinson’s brigade of the fifth division, which moved up in support.

When night closed the French were still in great force in front of the British posts, on the ground from which they had driven the pickets. During the night they retired from Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope’s front, leaving small posts, which were immediately driven in. About three in the afternoon they again drove in that officer’s pickets, and attacked his posts, but were once more repulsed with considerable loss.

On the morning of the 12th. the attack was re-commenced by the enemy with the same want of success, the first division under Major-General Howard, having relieved the fifth division; the enemy discontinued it in the afternoon, and retired entirely within the entrenched camp on that night. After the 10th. the attack was never renewed on the posts of the light division.

It was not until the 12th. of December that the first division, under Major-General Howard, was engaged, when the guards conducted themselves with their usual spirit.

Having thus failed in all the attacks with their whole force upon the British left, the enemy withdrew into their entrenchments on the night of the 12th., and passed a large force through Bayonne; with which, on the morning of the 13th. of December, a most desperate attack was made upon the troops under Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill. In expectation of this the Marquis of Wellington had requested Marshal Sir William Beresford to reinforce the Lieutenant-General with the sixth division, which crossed the Nive at daylight on that morning; and a further reinforcement of the fourth division, with two brigades of the third, received orders to join Sir Rowland Hill. The troops under his immediate command had defeated the enemy with immense loss, before these succours arrived. Two guns and some prisoners were taken from the French, who, being beaten at all points, and having sustained considerable loss, were compelled to withdraw upon their entrenchment.

Soult’s objects were to gain the bridge of St. Pierre, to make himself master of the road to St. Jean Pied de Port, and to break through the position of the allies. For these purposes he put forth his whole strength, and was completely vanquished. Even before the sixth division arrived, Sir Rowland Hill had repulsed him with prodigious loss; and although he skilfully availed himself of a high ground in retreating, he could not stand against the famous charge of General Byng, and was entirely defeated. It was a battle fought and won by the corps of Sir Rowland Hill alone and unaided. At the instant of victory Lord Wellington came up, and in the ecstacy of the moment of triumph, caught him by the hand, and said, “Hill, the day is your own.”

The late Field-Marshal the Earl of Strafford, and Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, (then Major-General Byng,) highly distinguished himself in this action, wherein he led his troops, under a most galling fire, to the assault of a strong height occupied in great force by the enemy, and having himself ascended the hill first with the colour of the 31st. regiment of foot in his hand, he planted it upon the summit, and drove the enemy (far superior in numbers) down the ridge to the suburbs of St. Pierre, for which act he received the royal authority on the 4th. of July, 1815, to bear the following honourable augmentation, namely, “Over the arms of the family of Byng, in bend sinister, a representation of the colour of the 31st. regiment,” and the following crest, namely, “Out of a mural crown an arm embowed, grasping the colour of the aforesaid 31st. regiment, and, pendent from the wrist by a riband, the Gold Cross presented to him by His Majesty’s command, as a mark of his royal approbation of his distinguished services,” and in an escroll above, the word “Mouguerre,” being the name of a height near the hamlet of St. Pierre.

The following regiments took part in this action The 16th. Light Dragoons, 1st., 3rd., 4th., 9th., 11th., 28th., 31st., 32nd., 34th., 36th., 38th., 39th., 42nd., 43rd., 50th., 52nd., 57th., 59th., 60th., 61st., 62nd., 66th., 71st., 76th., 79th., 84th., 85th., 91st., and 92nd. Foot, and Rifle Brigade.

BATTLE OF ORTHES.
27TH. FEBRUARY, 1814.

Little rest was accorded to the Peninsula troops. The weather having improved, and the roads become passable, in the second week of February the Marquis of Wellington continued his victorious career. The sixth and light divisions were ordered to break up from the blockade of Bayonne, and General Don Manuel Freyre was directed to close up the cantonments of his corps towards Iran, and to be prepared to move when the left of the army should cross the Adour. Immediately after the passage of the Gave d’Oléron, by Sir Rowland Hill, at Villenave, on the 24th. of February, that general and Sir Henry Clinton moved towards Orthes, near which place the French army was assembled on the 25th., having destroyed all the bridges on the Gave de Pau.

At this period the third division of the British army was at the broken bridge of Berenx, five miles lower down the river, having the sixth and seventh divisions (then arrived under Marshal Beresford) on its left, while the remainder of the force was assembled in front of Orthes. On the 26th. the third division forded the river lower down, and a pontoon bridge was afterwards laid at Berenx, by which the fourth and sixth divisions crossed on the morning of the 27th., at which time the third division was already posted with skirmishers thrown out close upon the left centre of the French position. The sixth division was placed on the right between the third division and the river, and the light division on its left in rear as a reserve. During the whole morning there had been occasional skirmishing by the third division, but the real attack commenced at nine o’clock by the third and sixth divisions on the French left centre, and the fourth and seventh divisions on their right, which last was intended to be the principal point of attack; but it having been found, after three hours’ hard fighting, that the enemy were there too strongly posted, the Marquis of Wellington ordered an advance of the third and sixth divisions, with the 52nd. regiment, from the centre upon the left centre of the French position, which they carried and secured the victory;[60] meanwhile Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, with the second division, had crossed the river above Orthes, and nearly cut off the only line of retreat open to the enemy, who then retired from the field, but without confusion, and constantly resisting the advance. The allies followed, keeping up an incessant fire and cannonade, but lost many men, particularly of the third division, which was the most strongly opposed; this continued until the French nearly reached the Luy de Bearn river, when their retreat became a flight, and they effected their escape by the fords and one bridge, which they destroyed, having lost four thousand men and six guns. In this battle the Marquis of Wellington was wounded.[61]

The regiments engaged at Orthes were the 14th. Light Dragoons, 5th., 6th., 7th., 11th., 20th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 28th., 31st., 32nd., 34th., 36th., 39th., 40th., 42nd., 45th., 48th., 50th., 51st., 52nd., 58th., 60th., 61st., 66th., 68th., 71st., 74th., 82nd., 83rd., 87th., 88th., 91st., 92nd., and 94th Foot, and the Rifle Brigade.[62]

BATTLE OF TOULOUSE.
10TH. APRIL, 1814.

This, the last general action of the Peninsula war, was fought on Easter Sunday, the 10th. of April, 1814. The town of Toulouse is surrounded on three sides by the Canal of Languedoc and the Garonne; on the left of that river, the suburb, which the enemy had fortified with strong field-works in front of the ancient wall, formed a good _tête-de-pont_. The city itself was only accessible from the south, and its strong though old-fashioned walls had been rendered more defensible by redoubts, and by an exterior line of entrenchments on a strong and rugged range of heights, about two miles in length beyond the canal. On the 28th. of March the enemy’s troops were driven within the suburbs of St. Cyprien, and several attempts were made to attack them by crossing the Garonne above Toulouse. Operations were, however, impeded by the floods and rapidity of the river, until the 3rd. of April, when the third, fourth, and sixth divisions, with three brigades of cavalry, under Marshal Beresford, passed over by a pontoon bridge fifteen miles below Toulouse; but the crossing of the remainder of the army was again impeded by the rising of the river, which caused the removal of the bridges, until the 8th., when the Marquis of Wellington crossed, and advanced within five miles of Toulouse; Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, with two divisions, remaining on the left bank.

The Marquis of Wellington then fixed his plan of attack on the French position, according to which, on the left of the Garonne, Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill was to menace the suburb of St. Cyprien, while on the right of the river the third and light divisions were to menace the northern front, driving the enemy’s outposts within the canal, from its junction with the Garonne to the commencement of the range of heights at the hill of Pugade. A Spanish division was to carry that hill, and the fourth and sixth divisions, under Marshal Beresford, to carry the heights beyond it. On the 10th. of April, at about six o’clock in the morning, the battle commenced, and the different columns advanced according to orders. The third division on the right, next the Garonne, drove in the outposts of the enemy for about three miles, as far as the bridge of Jumeaux on the canal; this bridge was defended by a strong palisade _tête-de-pont_, too high to be forced without ladders, and approachable only on open flat. Six companies of the 74th., (three under Brevet-Major Miller, and three under Captain McQueen,) were ordered to attack this work, which they did in the most gallant style; but it was commanded from the opposite side of the canal, and was impregnable without artillery; the attacking party was therefore compelled to retire, after sustaining severe loss. The French then occupied the work in great force, and the continued efforts of the whole brigade could not dispossess them. The attack upon this work was unfortunately ordered by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton, after the duty assigned to his division of driving in the outposts and menacing the enemy had been performed, although the impossibility of carrying the work without artillery had been represented.

Marshal Sir William Beresford crossed the Ers, formed his corps in three columns of lines in the village of Croix d’Orade, the fourth division leading, with which he immediately carried Mont Blanc. He then moved up the Ers in the same order, over most difficult ground, in a direction parallel to the enemy’s fortified position, and as soon as he reached the point at which he turned it, he formed his lines, and moved to the attack. The gallant efforts of Lieutenant-General Don Manuel Freyre upon the Pugade Hill did not meet with success, but they were highly applauded by the Marquis of Wellington. Meanwhile Marshal Sir William Beresford, with the fourth division under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Lowry Cole, and the sixth division under Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Clinton, attacked and carried the heights on the enemy’s right, and the redoubt which covered and protected that flank; and he lodged those troops on the same heights with the enemy, who were, however, still in possession of four redoubts, and of the entrenchments and fortified houses. The badness of the roads had induced the Marshal to leave his artillery in the village of Mont Blanc; some time elapsed before it could be brought up, and before Lieutenant-General Don Manuel Freyre’s corps could be re-formed and led again to the attack. As soon as this was effected the Marshal continued his movement along the ridge, and carried, with Major-General Pack’s brigade of the sixth division, the two principal redoubts and fortified houses in the French centre. The enemy made a desperate effort from the canal to regain these redoubts, but they were repulsed with considerable loss; and the sixth division continuing its movement along the ridge of the height, and the Spanish troops pursuing a corresponding movement upon the front, the French were driven from the two redoubts and entrenchments on the left, and the whole range of heights were gained by the British.

In his despatch, the Marquis of Wellington added,—“We did not gain this advantage, however, without severe loss, particularly in the brave sixth division. Lieutenant-Colonel Coghlan, of the 61st., an officer of great merit and promise, was unfortunately killed in the attack of the heights; Major-General Pack was wounded, but was enabled to remain in the field; and Colonel Douglas, of the 8th. Portuguese regiment, lost his leg, and I am afraid I shall be deprived for a considerable time of his assistance.”

“The 36th., 42nd., 79th., and 61st. regiments lost considerable numbers, and were highly distinguished throughout the day.

“The fourth division, although exposed on their march along the enemy’s front in a galling fire, were not so much engaged as the sixth division, and did not suffer so much; but they conducted themselves with their usual gallantry.”

After these operations the French withdrew behind the canal, and thus ended this hard-fought but unnecessary battle.[63]

The 5th. Dragoon Guards, 3rd. and 4th. Light Dragoons, 2nd., 5th., 7th., 11th., 20th., 23rd., 27th., 36th., 40th., 42nd., 43rd., 45th., 48th., 52nd., 53rd., 60th., 61st., 74th., 79th., 83rd., 87th., 88th., 91st., 94th., and Rifle Brigade were engaged at TOULOUSE.

During the night of the 11th. of April, the French troops evacuated Toulouse, and a white flag was hoisted. On the following day the Marquis of Wellington entered the city, amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants. In the course of the afternoon of the 12th. of April, intelligence was received of the abdication of Napoleon, and had not the express been delayed on the journey by the French police, the sacrifice of many valuable lives would have been prevented. A disbelief in the truth of this intelligence occasioned much unnecessary bloodshed at Bayonne, the garrison of which made a desperate sortie on the night of the 14th. of April, and Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope, (afterwards Earl of Hopetoun,) was taken prisoner. Major-General Andrew Hay was killed, and Major-General Stopford was wounded.

A treaty of peace was signed between Great Britain and France; May 30th., 1814, Louis the Eighteenth was restored to the throne of France; and Napoleon Bonaparte was permitted to reside at Elba, with the title of Emperor, the sovereignty of that island having been conceded to him by the allied powers.[64]

THE WATERLOO MEDAL, AND CAMPAIGN IN FLANDERS, 1815.

There was but a brief interval of peace after the battle of Toulouse. The triumphs of the Peninsula were not destined to give repose to Europe. Napoleon having learnt that at the Congress of Vienna it had been debated whether he should not be sent to St. Helena, (a measure opposed by the Duke of Wellington, and the idea relinquished,) and reckoning on the attachment of the French people, escaped from Elba, landed at Cannes, in Provence, on the 1st. of March, 1815, with a handful of men, and on the 20th. of that month entered Paris at the head of an army which had joined him on the road. Louis XVIII at once withdrew to Ghent, and Napoleon assumed his former dignity of Emperor of the French; the allied powers at once refused to acknowledge his sovereignty, and determined to effect his dethronement. Preparations for war commenced, troops were assembled in the Netherlands, and the regiments which had been engaged in America were, on their return, immediately forwarded to the seat of war.

Britain had no selfish end in view in this great struggle, but sent her sons to battle in support of the rights of nations, and to secure herself from a military despotism. To those readers who would study the events of this short but momentous campaign, no better guide can be recommended than Captain Siborne’s elaborate account,—the work of a life-time. In this last success, Wellington, like a graceful actor, took his leave of war, for this terminated his active military career. The right wing of the Duke’s army, in and about Ath, was commanded by Lord Hill; the left, near Braine le Comte and Nivelle, was under the Prince of Orange; the cavalry, under the Earl of Uxbridge, was quartered about Grammont, and the reserve was in proximity to Brussels and its neighbourhood.

ACTION AT QUATRE BRAS.
16TH. JUNE, 1815.

Napoleon left Paris on the 12th. of June, and endeavoured by one of those rapid marches for which he had been so celebrated, to interpose his forces between the British and Prussian armies, and then attack them in detail. Information of this movement arrived at Brussels during the evening of the 15th. of June, and the Duke of Wellington caused the troops to be prepared to march. Pursuing their way through the forest of Soignies, Genappe, and along the road towards Charleroi, after a march of twenty-two miles, they arrived on the 16th. of June, at some farm-houses denominated Les Quatre Bras, where the main road from Charleroi to Brussels is crossed by another from Nivelles to Namur, and which served as the British communication with the Prussians on the left. Here the second French corps, under Marshal Ney, was developing a serious attack against that position with very superior numbers.

The battle commenced by an attack on Perponcher’s Dutch-Belgian Brigade, which was commanded by the Prince of Orange. As fast as the British regiments arrived on the scene, they were formed and led into action. About two o’clock Picton’s division came up, with Pack’s brigade, and Best’s Hanoverians. Soon after, part of the Black Brunswickers, and some of the Nassau troops arrived, and about six in the evening the brigade of Sir Colin Halkett, consisting of the 30th., 33rd., 69th, and 73rd. regiments, with Kielmansegge’s Hanoverians came up.

Considerable loss was sustained, but the repeated charges of the enemy were repulsed. About four o’clock His Royal Highness the Duke of Brunswick fell bravely fighting at the head of his troops, who were seized with a panic, and retired, pursued by the French cavalry, who were repulsed in their turn by the 92nd. In the Duke of Wellington’s account of this action the 28th., 42nd.,[65] 79th, and 92nd.[66] regiments were specially mentioned.

Speaking of one of the attacks of the French cavalry, Captain W. Siborne, in his “History of the War in France and Belgium in 1815,” observes, “If this cavalry attack had fallen so unexpectedly upon the 42nd. Highlanders, still less had it been anticipated by the 44th. regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Hamerton, perceiving that the lancers were rapidly advancing against his rear, and that any attempt to form square would be attended with imminent danger, instantly decided upon receiving them in line.... Never, perhaps, did British infantry display its characteristic coolness and steadiness more eminently than on this trying occasion. To have stood in a thin two-deep line, awaiting, and prepared to receive, the onset of hostile cavalry, would have been looked upon at least as a most hazardous experiment; but with its rear so suddenly menaced, and its flanks unsupported, to have instantly faced only one rank about, to have stood as if rooted to the ground, to have repulsed its assailants with so steady and well-directed a fire, that numbers of them were destroyed—this was a feat of arms which the oldest, or best-disciplined corps in the world might have in vain hoped to accomplish; yet most successfully and completely was this achieved by the gallant second battalion of the 44th. British regiment, under its brave commander’ Lieutenant-Colonel Hamerton.

“In this attack occurred one of those incidents which, in daring, equal any of the feats of ancient chivalry; which make the wildest fables of the deeds of the knights of old appear almost possible; which cause the bearing of an individual to stand out, at it were, in relief amidst the operations of the masses; and which, by their characteristic recklessness, almost invariably ensure at least a partial success. A French lancer gallantly charged at the colours, and severely wounded Ensign Christie, who carried one of them, by a thrust of his lance, which, entering the left eye, penetrated to the lower jaw. The Frenchman then endeavoured to seize the standard, but the brave Christie, notwithstanding the agony of his wound, with a presence of mind almost unequalled, flung himself upon it, not to save himself, but to preserve the honour of his regiment. As the colour fluttered in its fall, the Frenchman tore off a portion of the silk with the point of his lance; but he was not permitted to bear the fragment beyond the ranks. Both shot and bayoneted by the nearest of the soldiers of the 44th., he was borne to the earth, paying with his life for his display of unavailing bravery.”

Just before seven o’clock, Sir G. Cooke’s brigade of guards, came into action, after a forced march of 27 miles, drove the enemy back, and repulsed at all points the repeated and desperate charges of Kellerman’s cavalry, supported by a preponderance of artillery. As the British reinforcements arrived, Key’s furious attacks became feeble and fewer, and about sunset the conflict ceased, and the French retired upon the village of Frasnes. After a long march of nearly forty miles the British cavalry, and some artillery arrived, but too late at night to take any part in the battle.

The following is a list of the regiments engaged, and of their killed and wounded at Quatre Bras, a battle gained by the British infantry:—

┌───────────────────────────────┬──────────────────┬──────────────────┐ │ Regiments engaged. │ KILLED. │ WOUNDED. │ ├───────────────────────────────┼─────────┬────────┼─────────┬────────┤ │ „ │ │Non-com.│ │Non-com.│ │ │Officers.│Offi. & │Officers.│Offi. & │ │ │ │ Men. │ │ Men. │ ├───────────────────────────────┼─────────┼────────┼─────────┼────────┤ │Royal Artillery │ │ 9│ 2│ 17│ │1st. Foot Guards, 2nd. │ 2│ 23│ 4│ 256│ │ battalion │ │ │ │ │ │„ 3rd. „ │ 1│ 20│ 6│ 235│ │2nd. „ 2nd. │ │ │ │ │ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │3rd. „ 2nd. │ │ │ │ 7│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │30th. Regiment, 2nd. │ │ 5│ 2│ 28│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │33rd. „ │ 3│ 16│ 7│ 67│ │69th. „ 2nd. │ 1│ 37│ 4│ 110│ │ battalion │ │ │ │ │ │73rd. „ 2nd. │ │ 4│ 4│ 44│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │28th. „ 1st. │ │ 11│ 4│ 77│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │32nd. „ 1st. │ 1│ 21│ 21│ 153│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │79th. „ 1st. │ 1│ 28│ 16│ 258│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │95th. „ 1st. │ 1│ 8│ 4│ 51│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │1st. „ 3rd. │ 6│ 20│ 12│ 180│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │42nd. „ 1st. │ 3│ 42│ 15│ 228│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │44th. „ 2nd. │ 2│ 10│ 15│ 94│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ │92nd. „ 1st. │ 4│ 35│ 21│ 226│ │ „ │ │ │ │ │ ├───────────────────────────────┼─────────┼────────┼─────────┼────────┤ │ Total │ 25│ 289│ 137│ 2031│ └───────────────────────────────┴─────────┴────────┴─────────┴────────┘

Whilst Marshal Ney was attempting to force this position, the Emperor defeated the Prussians at St. Amand and Ligny. During the night Marshal Blucher, finding himself so weakened by the severity of the contest, and the fourth corps not having arrived, determined to fall back and concentrate his army upon Wavre.

ACTION ON THE 17TH. OF JUNE.

This movement of the Prussian commander rendered a corresponding one necessary on the part of the British, who retired from the farm of Quatre Bras upon Genappe, and thence on Waterloo on the morning of the 17th., at ten o’clock. No effort was made by the enemy to pursue Marshal Blucher, neither was there any attempt to molest the march of the British to the rear, although made in the middle of the day, excepting by following with a large body of cavalry, brought from the French right, the cavalry under the Earl of Uxbridge, who had taken up a position to cover the retrograde movement. The rear of the infantry and artillery having proceeded some miles along the great road from Quatre Bras through Genappe, the cavalry were withdrawn by brigades in succession, each brigade re-forming as soon as it arrived at a suitable position in the rear of the column. The enemy’s cavalry advanced in great force; the main body of his army moved on Quatre Bras, and his advance guard began to press on the rear of the retiring troops. To check this movement, the 7th. hussars charged a corps of French lancers in the town of Genappe; the lancers, however, having their flanks secure, presented an almost impenetrable row of pikes, and they were enabled to repel the charge. The attack was repeated by the hussars, but without making any impression; the French cavalry pressing forward, passed the ground occupied by the 7th., when the 1st. Life Guards were directed by the Earl of Uxbridge to charge the French lancers. Wheeling about, the Life Guards advanced to the attack, which proved irresistible, and the lancers were pursued through the streets of Genappe. After this repulse the retreat was continued with cannonading and skirmishing, until the cavalry arrived at the position of Mont. St. Jean, in front of the forest of Soignies, and near to the village of Waterloo.

About five in the afternoon the allies had taken up their prescribed position, and during the wet and disagreeable night, violent showers having fallen during the afternoon, and the rain continuing throughout the night, accompanied by cold and strong gusts of wind, so frequently a prelude to the Duke’s victories, awaited the dawn of the memorable 18th. of June.

BATTLE OF WATERLOO.
18TH. JUNE, 1815.

The position which was taken up in front of Waterloo, crossed the high-roads from Charleroi and Nivelles, its right being thrown back to a ravine near Merke Braine, which was occupied; its left extended to a height above the hamlet of Ter la Haye, which was also occupied. In front of the right centre, and near the Nivelles road, the house and garden of Hougomont, which covered the return of that flank, was made available for defence, and in front of the left centre the farm of La Haye Sainte was put to a similar use. By the left a communication was maintained with Marshal Prince Blucher, at Wavre, through Ohain, who had promised that in case of an attack, he would advance in support, not with one or more corps, but with his whole army.

On a range of heights in front of the British, were collected during the night the whole of Napoleon’s army, with the exception of the third corps, under Marshal Grouchy, who had been detached to watch the movements of the Prussians. At about half-past ten on the morning of the 18th., a furious attack was made upon the post at Hougomont, occupied by a detachment from Major-General Byng’s brigade of Guards, which was in position in its rear, and it was for some time under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir James) Macdonell, and subsequently under Colonel Home. It was maintained throughout the day with the utmost gallantry by these brave troops, although repeated efforts of large bodies vainly endeavoured to obtain possession of the place.

“About one o’clock a cart of ammunition, which had been sent for early in the day, was brought into the farm-yard of Hougomont, and proved most seasonable. The men had only time to fill their pouches, when a discharge of artillery suddenly burst upon them, mingled with the shouts of a column rushing on to a fresh attack. A cloud of tirailleurs pushed through the wood and cornfields: they were aimed at with fatal certainty from the loopholes, windows, and summit of the building. But the enemy eventually compelled the few men that remained outside to withdraw into the chateau by the rear gate. In the meantime the French redoubled their efforts against it, and the fire of the immediate defenders of that point for a moment ceased. The gate was then forced. At this critical moment Macdonell rushed to the spot with the officers and men nearest at hand, and not only expelled the assailants, but re-closed the gate. The enemy, from their overwhelming numbers, again entered the yard, when the guards retired to the house, and kept up from the windows such a destructive fire, that the French were driven out, and the gate once more was closed.” Such is the description given by Colonel MacKinnon, in his valuable “Record of the Origin and Services of the Coldstream Guards.” Captain Siborne thus narrates the circumstances “The French, however, succeeded in forcing the gate; but the defenders betook themselves to the nearest cover, whence they poured a fire upon the intruders, and then rushing forward, a struggle ensued, which was distinguished by the most intrepid courage on both sides. At length Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, Captain Wyndham, Ensigns Gooch and Hervey, and Sergeant Graham, of the Coldstream Guards, by dint of great personal strength and exertions, combined with extraordinary bravery and perseverance, succeeded in closing the gate against their assailants. Those of the latter who had entered the courtyard fell a sacrifice to their undaunted and conspicuous gallantry.”