Chapter III: Part 3

The armament sailed from Yarmouth on the 10th of May, and anchored off _Gottenburg_ on the 17th. The Swedes did not show any inclination to avail themselves of British assistance on shore, consequently the troops did not disembark, but during their stay were occasionally exercised in practising to land from launches and flat-bottomed boats.

The fleet sailed for England on the 3rd of July, with orders to rendezvous at Yarmouth. A vessel, with orders from England, however, changed the place of rendezvous to the Downs, where the fleet arrived on the 20th of July, and proceeded to Spithead. A draft of seventy rank and file was received from the second battalion.

Spain was at this period the centre of political interest. Portugal, deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the people of each rose in arms to recover the national independence. Dissensions had arisen in the royal family of Spain, occasioned by the sway of Emanuel Godoy, who bore the title of Prince of Peace. This minister was dismissed, but the Court was unable to restore tranquillity. In this emergency, the French Emperor was solicited to be umpire; and Napoleon ultimately seized the crown of Spain, which he placed on the head of his brother Joseph, who was transferred from the throne of Naples. Europe was indignant, and Spain furious, at this usurpation. The Spaniards flew to arms, and the British government resolved to aid the Spanish and Portuguese patriots; a British army accordingly proceeded to the Peninsula in June, 1808, the command of which was held by Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley.

On the 31st of July, having received on board a fresh supply of provisions and water, the first battalion sailed for Portugal, and on the 19th of August arrived in Mondego Bay. Marshal Junot and the French army having been defeated by the troops under Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, in the battles at _Roliça_ on the 17th, and _Vimiera_ on the 21st of August, sued for a cessation of hostilities.

The battalion landed at Maciera Bay on the 27th of August, and the convention of Cintra was signed on the 30th of that month, by which it was stipulated that the French should evacuate Portugal.

Portugal, being thus rescued from the presence of hostile troops, orders arrived from England for Lieut.-General Sir John Moore to take the chief command of a part of the army, which was to be employed in Spain; with a notification that a force from England, under the command of Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, was to land at Corunna, and co-operate with him. The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment was immediately put in motion towards the frontiers, and arrived at Portalegre on the 11th of October, 1808.

On the 26th of October, the first battalion, being placed in the division commanded by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope, moved from Portalegre, and on the 2nd of November entered Spain, at Badajoz; marching by Merida, Truxillo, and Talavera, it arrived at the Escurial on the 22nd of November, and halted.

The enemy having pressed forward to Valladolid and Tordesillas, thereby threatening to cut off Lieut.-General Sir John Hope’s communication with the army under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, who was then at Salamanca, the battalion marched from the Escurial, on the 27th of November, across the Guadarama mountains, and moving by Villa Castin and Avila, it arrived at Alva de Tormes on the 4th of December.

The battalion advanced from Alva de Tormes towards Tordesillas, on the 11th of December, and Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, learning that the French were moving upon him from the direction of Madrid, which had by this time surrendered, while another column was advancing from the direction of Burgos, moved to the left, to form a junction with Lieut.-General Sir David Baird, crossed the Douro at Toro, and arrived at Vallada on the 21st of December. On the 24th of that month, the battalion marched by Benevente, Astorga, and Villa Franca, arriving at Lugo on the 4th of January, 1809.

[Sidenote: 1809]

The troops took up a position in front of Lugo, on the 6th of January, 1809, and remained bivouacked, in order of battle, until the 8th, when they marched in the night, and arrived at _Corunna_ on the 11th. During these marches, in common with the rest of the army, the battalion suffered from fatigue and the severity of the weather.

On the 12th of January, the battalion was placed in position in front of _Corunna_; and on the 14th and 15th the women, sick men, and baggage, were embarked for England.

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.

Marshal Soult, Duke of Dalmatia, having taken up a position above the town of _Corunna_, made arrangements for attacking the British army as soon as the troops should commence their embarkation. The sick men, women, and baggage having been conveyed on board ship, preparations were made for embarking the troops on the 16th of January, 1809. The French instantly descended from the heights in three columns, and advanced about two o’clock to attack the British position in front of _Corunna_; a sanguinary action ensued, and before dark, the French were defeated in all their attacks. Lieut.-General Sir John Moore was killed; and the battle was scarcely ended, when, wrapped in a military cloak, his remains were interred in the citadel of Corunna, over which Marshal Soult, with the true feeling of a soldier, erected a monument.

This victory enabled the British troops to be embarked without further molestation. In this battle the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND was posted towards the left of the army, on the road leading to Betanzas, and throughout the day supported its former reputation.

The NINETY-SECOND, together with the rest of the army, had not only to lament the death of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, but also that of their own commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel Alexander Napier, who was killed at its head: the command therefore devolved on Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John Lamont, who was afterwards promoted lieut.-colonel in the regiment. Lieutenant Archibald McDonald was severely wounded on this occasion, and died shortly afterwards. Only two rank and file of the battalion were killed, and four wounded.

This army received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament, “for its distinguished discipline, firmness, and valour, in the battle of CORUNNA,” which were communicated to the regiment, with the following letter, addressed to the commanding officer by Lieut.-General Sir David Baird:—

“_Portsmouth, 30th January, 1809._

“SIR,

“In communicating to you 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_,
NINETY-SECOND _regiment_.”

The conduct of the battalion during the expedition, and its gallantry at the battle of Corunna, were rewarded by the Royal authority for the word “CORUNNA” to be borne on the regimental colour and appointments of the NINETY-SECOND, in common with the army employed under Lieut.-General Sir John Moore.[13]

On the 17th of January, the battalion embarked at Corunna, and on the 26th disembarked at Portsmouth, marching immediately for Weeley Barracks, where the several divisions arrived on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of February.

On the 16th of February, orders were issued that every exertion should be made to clothe and equip the regiment again for foreign service. The regiment received black painted canvas knapsacks, having the Sphinx and number on the back.

About this period, Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron joined from the second battalion, which continued in Ireland.

The first battalion marched on the 29th of June for Dover, where it arrived on the 6th and 7th of July, and was joined by two hundred and twenty rank and file from the second battalion.

During the summer of 1809 great preparations were made by the British Government for fitting out the most formidable armament that had, for a long time, issued from England. It consisted of an army of forty thousand men, commanded by Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham, and of thirty-nine ships of the line, thirty-six frigates, and numerous gun-boats, bomb-vessels, with other small craft, under Admiral Sir Richard Strachan. The object of the expedition was to gain 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.

On the 14th of July, the first battalion marched to Deal, and embarked in ships of war with other troops there assembled, under Lieut.-General the Earl of Chatham. The battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, was placed in Major-General Sir William Erskine’s brigade, and in the division commanded by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope. The NINETY-SECOND mustered forty-four serjeants, twenty drummers, and nine hundred and seventy-four rank and file.

The expedition sailed from the Downs on the 28th of July, and landed on the 1st of August on the Island of South Beveland, near Goes, and went into cantonments in that place and Capelle. Flushing surrendered on the 15th of August; but during the siege Marshal Bernadotte had arrived at Antwerp, put the place in a posture of defence, and removed the ships higher up the river. In consequence of these preparations, the reduction of Antwerp was deemed impracticable by a Council of War, and on the 1st of September the NINETY-SECOND embarked for England.

The battalion landed at Landguard Fort near Harwich, and proceeded to Woodbridge barracks. During the time it was in South Beveland, it suffered much from fever and ague, with other diseases peculiar to that place; consequently every attention was now paid to restore the men, and to render them again fit for service.

[Sidenote: 1810]

On the 11th of July, 1810, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND embarked at Landguard Fort, landed at Ramsgate, and arrived at Canterbury on the 20th of that month.

The battalion was shortly afterwards destined to proceed a second time to the Peninsula, and it embarked from Deal for Lisbon on the 24th of September. Since its embarkation at Corunna, in January, 1809, great events had occurred in Spain, and the French had obtained possession of Corunna, Bilboa, and all the important places on the northern coast of that country. Saragossa, after a gallant defence, had also fallen, and Marshal Soult having overrun Gallicia, marched into the northern provinces of Portugal, and obtained possession of Oporto. The small British force which had been left in Portugal, when Lieut.-General Sir John Moore advanced into Spain, was concentrated by Lieut.-General Sir John Cradock for the defence of Lisbon.

The British Government resolved to make another effort to save Portugal from invasion, and also to assist the Spaniards in their struggle for independence. Accordingly in April 1809, Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley was sent with reinforcements to Portugal, and was appointed to the command of the British army in the Peninsula. His first object was to dislodge Marshal Soult from Oporto. The famous passage of the Douro led to the fall of Oporto, and the French Marshal was compelled to retreat. The Spanish General Cuesta having been defeated, with great loss, by the division of the French army under Marshal Victor, Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley was obliged to desist from the pursuit of Marshal Soult.

In the beginning of July, the British army advanced into Spain, and a junction being effected with General Cuesta, the combined forces occupied a strong position at _Talavera_. Here they were attacked on the 27th and 28th of July, 1809, and the French army, commanded by Joseph Bonaparte in person, was defeated; for which victory Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley was raised to the peerage by the title of _Viscount Wellington_.

After this victory it was deemed necessary to make a retrograde movement on Badajoz, information having been received that Marshals Soult, Ney, and Victor had united their forces, and were advancing to fall on the rear of the allied army.

Viscount Wellington now became occupied with the defence of Portugal. The French armies in Spain had been reinforced during the winter of 1809-10 with troops from Germany, peace having been concluded between France and Austria; and in April, 1810, the Emperor Napoleon espoused the Archduchess Maria Louisa, daughter of the Emperor of Austria.

Spain having been reduced to French domination, Napoleon resolved to subjugate Portugal, and Marshal Massena, Prince of Essling, assumed the command of the “_Army of Portugal_” in May. Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida were captured by the French, who were, however, gallantly repulsed at the _Sierra de Busaco_ on the 27th of September, 1810, after which Viscount Wellington occupied the strong position of Torres Vedras, about thirty miles from Lisbon.

This was the state of affairs in the Peninsula when the NINETY-SECOND arrived in the Tagus. On the 8th of October, the battalion landed, and the necessary camp equipage, on taking the field, was immediately issued.

[Sidenote: 1811]

The NINETY-SECOND, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron, marched from Lisbon to join the army under Viscount Wellington, then in the fortified lines of Torres Vedras, and arrived at Cruzandera on the 15th of October, where the battalion remained until the 15th of November. At this period it was attached to the first division of the army, and was brigaded with the _fiftieth_ and _seventy-first_ regiments, under Major-General Howard.

Marshal Massena having abandoned his position in front of the British, and retired upon Santarem, the NINETY-SECOND advanced on the 15th of November, and occupied the village of Almostal on the 19th of November, moving on the 28th to Alcantrinha, the enemy occupying a strong position at Santarem, immediately in front of the British army.

At the commencement of the year 1811, Lisbon was the point on which the interests of the British nation in foreign affairs were concentrated, and the question whether Portugal should remain independent, or become subject to France, was to be decided by the two great armies posted near Lisbon, the one for attack, the other for defence.

The difficulty of supplying his troops with necessaries in a devastated country, and the impracticability of forcing the fortified lines of Viscount Wellington, at Torres Vedras, at length compelled Marshal Massena to consult the safety of his army by a seasonable retreat.

During the night of the 5th of March, the enemy broke up from his position near Santarem, and retreated in the direction of Almeida. Viscount Wellington immediately pursued Marshal Massena by Thomar, Pombal, Redinha, and Espinhal, at each of which places some sharp affairs took place, honorable to the British arms, as well as at Sabugal on the 3rd of April, immediately after which the French continued their retreat into Spain.

The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment entered Spain on the 9th of April, and was cantoned in Albergaria, where a detachment of one lieutenant and forty-four rank and file joined from the second battalion, then in Ireland. At this period, the sixth division of the British army invested _Almeida_, and a force of British and Portuguese under Marshal Beresford was employed in the Alemtejo and Spanish Estremadura, which compelled the enemy to abandon Campo Mayor. _Olivenza_ was next besieged by Marshal Beresford, and retaken on the 15th of April, after which he broke ground before _Badajoz_.

Marshal Massena had reached Ciudad Rodrigo on the 25th of April, and, having concentrated his forces, crossed the Agueda on the 2nd of May, and advanced towards the allied army, posted between that river and the Coa, in order to relieve _Almeida_. On the approach of the French, the British light division and cavalry fell back upon _Fuentes d’Onor_, where three other divisions were posted, and in which Viscount Wellington determined to receive the attack of the enemy.

The village of _Fuentes d’Onor_ is situated on low ground, at the bottom of a ravine, with an old chapel and some buildings on a craggy eminence which overhang one end. In the afternoon of the 3rd of May, the enemy attacked the village with a very large force, and was repulsed with loss. On this occasion, the light company of the NINETY-SECOND distinguished itself. Lieutenant James Hill was wounded; nine rank and file were likewise wounded.

The main body of the British army was concentrated in the vicinity of Fuentes d’Onor in the course of the evening and following day. On the 5th of May, the enemy, very superior to the British in numbers, made an attack on the right of the allied position early in the morning, and also on the village, which he repeated during the day, and the action became general. Each of his attacks was successively repulsed, and towards the evening, the victory being decidedly in favour of the British, the French retired to their original position.

On this occasion, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, was stationed to the right of _Fuentes d’Onor_, covering a brigade of nine-pounders, and was exposed to a very heavy cannonade. The light company, and a subdivision of each of the others in its front, were warmly engaged throughout the day, and eminently distinguished themselves. Major Archibald McDonnell, who commanded them, was in consequence promoted to the brevet rank of Lieut.-Colonel. Major Peter Grant and Lieutenant Allan McNab were severely wounded; the latter died two days afterwards. The battalion had also seven rank and file killed and thirty-five wounded.

The NINETY-SECOND afterwards received the Royal Authority to bear the words “FUENTES D’ONOR” on the regimental colour and appointments, in commemoration of the gallantry displayed by the first battalion in that battle.

Both armies continued in their positions during the 6th and 7th of May without any particular occurrence, and on the morning of the 8th, the rear of the enemy’s columns was seen retreating on the road towards Ciudad Rodrigo. The NINETY-SECOND still remained bivouacked near Fuentes d’Onor.

The French crossed the Agueda and left _Almeida_ to its fate. That place was evacuated by General Brennier at midnight of the 10th of May, when the enemy blew up the works, and the greater part of the garrison succeeded in effecting its escape during the night.

On the 14th of May, the battalion returned to its former cantonments in Albergaria, where orders were received increasing its establishment to twelve hundred rank and file.

Marshal Beresford, in the meantime, was continuing the blockade of _Badajoz_; but receiving information that Marshal Soult was advancing from Seville to its relief, he raised the siege on the 15th of May, and having concentrated his force, marched to meet the enemy. On the following day, the battle of _Albuhera_ was fought, and the British gained a brilliant but hard-earned victory. In the night of the 17th, Marshal Soult left Badajoz to its fate, and commenced his retreat towards Seville.

Viscount Wellington now gave orders for _Badajoz_ to be again closely invested. To assist in these operations, the brigade, of which the NINETY-SECOND formed part, was appointed the first in the second division of the army, under Lieut.-General Rowland (afterwards Viscount) Hill, at this time in Spanish Estremadura, covering the siege of Badajoz.

The battalion, under Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, marched, on the 25th of May, from Albergaria for the Alemtejo, crossed the Tagus at Villa Velha, and the Guadiana above Badajoz, and joined the second division in front of Albuhera, on the 10th of June, about ten days after the second siege of Badajoz had been commenced. Its effective strength consisted of fifty-six serjeants, sixteen drummers, and eight hundred and twenty-five rank and file.

Marshal Marmont, with the French army of Portugal, having effected a junction with that of the south, under Marshal Soult, they advanced to relieve Badajoz; Viscount Wellington found it therefore necessary to relinquish the siege, and to withdraw the allied army across the Guadiana.

Accordingly, the second division, on the 16th of June, broke up from its bivouac in front of Albuhera, marched by Valverde, recrossed the Guadiana, and arrived at Torre do Mouro on the 20th of June, where the principal part of the British army was drawn up in position, with its right upon Elvas and the left on Campo Mayor. The division broke up from the bivouac at Torre do Mouro on the 21st of July, marched to Elvas, and on the following day went into quarters in Borba, from whence it marched on the 1st of September, arriving on the 3rd of that month at Portalegre.

Meanwhile the main body of the army, under Viscount Wellington, had crossed the Tagus and invested _Ciudad Rodrigo_. Towards the end of September, Marshal Marmont, having received large reinforcements, advanced to Ciudad Rodrigo, and, after a partial engagement at El Bodon on the 25th of September, Viscount Wellington withdrew his army to his former position on the Coa.

On the 7th of October, a draft of one hundred and ninety-nine rank and file was received from the second battalion.

The second battalion embarked at Belfast on the 10th of October, and arrived on the following day at Irvine in North Britain.

General Girard’s division of the fifth French corps having taken post at Caceres, Lieut.-General Rowland Hill determined to drive the enemy from thence, and on the approach of the British troops the French retired, halting at _Arroyo-del-Molinos_.

On the 22nd of October, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND marched from Portalegre to Codesiera; on the 23rd to Albuquerque; on the 24th to the Sierra de San Pedro; on the 25th to Aliseda; on the 26th to Malpartida; on the following day to Alcuesca, and bivouacked without fires about a league from _Arroyo-del-Molinos_. During the whole of this fatiguing march, the weather was extremely severe, with constant rain.

The British troops, under Lieut.-General Hill, marched about two o’clock in the morning of the 28th of October, towards _Arroyo-del-Molinos_, a village situated in a plain at the foot of a ridge of rocks rising in the form of a crescent, their approach being concealed by a thick mist with heavy rain. The French infantry were assembling outside the village to commence their march to Merida, the baggage was being loaded, and General Girard was waiting at his quarters for his horse, when suddenly the _seventy-first_ and NINETY-SECOND regiments charged into the village, capturing much baggage and many prisoners; at the same time the _twenty-eighth_ and _thirty-fourth_ regiments made a detour, supported by the _thirty-ninth_, to cut off the enemy’s retreat.

The French formed two squares and commenced retreating. The NINETY-SECOND attacked, and broke one of the enemy’s squares, which was formed on the other side of the village, and thereby completed his overthrow.

In this brilliant affair the enemy lost all his artillery and baggage; and several officers of rank and consideration, with about fourteen hundred men, were taken prisoners. General Brun and Colonel the Prince d’Aremberg were among the prisoners. The ninth and thirteenth light dragoons, and the second Hussars, King’s German Legion, also shared in the action.

The NINETY-SECOND had Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron, Captains Donald McDonald, John McPherson, and Robert Nugent Dunbar (Brevet-Major), wounded; three rank and file were killed and seven wounded.

at
ARROYO DEL MOLINOS
28^{TH} OCTOBER, 1811.

_Madeley Lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._]

In the evening the battalion marched to San Pedro, and on the 29th of October proceeded to Merida; on the 31st to Montejo; on the 1st of November to Campo Mayor; on the 3rd to Arronches; and arrived at Portalegre on the 4th of 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
good-will 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 2nd, and from His Royal Highness the 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.

Lieut.-General Hill marched from Portalegre on the 26th of December, and proceeded on the 29th to a bivouac about a league beyond La Nava, at which village about three hundred French infantry were discovered running to their arms upon the approach of the head of the British cavalry column. They, however, effected their escape to Merida, from which place they had been that morning detached, and acquainted General Dombrouski of the approach of the British troops.

On the 30th of December, the NINETY-SECOND and other British troops entered Merida, the French having retreated during the night, where they halted during the following day.

[Sidenote: 1812]

On the 1st of January, 1812, the British troops moved upon Almendralejos, beyond which, and close to the town, the enemy’s columns were formed, and seen immediately retreating to Azauchal. On the 3rd, Lieut.-General Hill matched his force to Villa Franca. A brigade of infantry, and the cavalry, were pushed forward to Fuentes del Maestre, where a smart affair took place, the enemy retreating upon Llerena with the loss of some prisoners.

Lieut.-General Hill’s division returned to Almendralejos on the 4th of January, and the NINETY-SECOND marched on the following day to Merida, where the troops went into quarters. The siege of _Ciudad Rodrigo_, which commenced on the 8th of January, being in a state of forwardness, it was expected that the French would make an effort to relieve the place. Lieut.-General Hill was therefore directed to throw a part of his force across the Tagus.

The troops accordingly marched on the 13th of January from Merida to La Nava; on the 14th to Zogalla; on the 15th to Albuquerque; on the 16th to Codesiera; on the 17th to Portalegre; on the 19th to Alpalhao; on the 20th to Niza; and on the following day they crossed the Tagus at Villa Velha; marched from thence to Sarnadas, and on the 22nd to Castello Branco. During this march intelligence was received of the storm and capture of _Ciudad Rodrigo_ by the British on the 19th of January.

On the 2nd of February, the NINETY-SECOND and other regiments under Lieut.-General Hill, were directed to return to Portalegre, where they arrived on the 5th of that month.

The strength of the first battalion at this period consisted of forty-three serjeants, sixteen drummers, and seven hundred and thirty rank and file. On the 4th of March the battalion marched to Alegrete, and on the following day to Albuquerque.

Previously to this time, a large quantity of artillery stores and the battering train had been embarked at Lisbon for the Mediterranean (as it was then reported), but the vessels put into the Bay of Setuval; the whole being landed at Alcacer de Sal, and conveyed up the Alemtejo, soon appeared moving on the plains in front and to the right of Elvas, in one long and continued chain towards the Guadiana. The army now became aware that the third siege of _Badajoz_ was to be undertaken.

Lieut.-General Hill’s corps marched from Albuquerque on the 15th of March, and arrived at La Nava on the 16th;—proceeded on the following day to Merida, where some officers and men of the enemy were made prisoners. The division continued its march to Almendralejos on the 18th of March, where the NINETY-SECOND and other troops were stationed to cover the siege of Badajoz, before which ground had been broken on the previous day.

The division proceeded on the 21st of March from Almendralejos to Merida, and on the 26th advanced towards Medellin and Don Benito, from which places it forced the enemy to retire. Advices were here received, that the enemy, under Marshal Soult, was advancing to Llerena, with a view to relieve Badajoz, to the vicinity of which place the covering army was directed to retire.

On the 31st of March, the division proceeded towards Merida, where it arrived on the 2nd of April; it marched on the 5th to a position near Talavera Real. On the night of the 6th of April, Badajoz was assaulted and carried by the troops under the Earl of Wellington, Marshal Soult consequently retraced his steps towards Seville.

The battalion marched into quarters in Almendralejos on the 13th of April. A French force having made an irruption into the province of Beira, the Earl of Wellington, with the main body of the army, crossed the Tagus immediately after the fall of Badajoz.

On the 12th of May, the battalion marched from Almendralejos, and bivouacked near Merida; on the 13th near Arroyo-del-Molinos; on the 14th near Villa Mesias; on the 15th entered Truxillo, and marched again about midnight; on the 16th bivouacked near Jaraicejo, and on the following day proceeded to the mountains near Casas del Puerto.

On the 18th of May, the NINETY-SECOND marched at night to attack the enemy’s fortifications covering the bridge of _Almaraz_. The ruggedness of the footpath through the mountains, and the darkness of the night, presented serious obstacles to a rapid march; it was consequently daylight before the troops were formed in the Valle de Canas.

The fiftieth regiment and a wing of the seventy-first were formed in one column, and were destined to assault Fort Napoleon on the 19th of May; while the NINETY-SECOND under Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, and the other wing of the seventy-first, were formed in a second column, ready to support the attack on Fort Napoleon, or to carry the _tête-de-pont_ at the same moment, both columns being provided with scaling ladders.

Fort Napoleon was carried in gallant style by the column sent against it, the enemy flying from it towards the _tête-de-pont_; the NINETY-SECOND dashed forward and entered with him. The commandant of Fort Ragusa, on the opposite bank of the Tagus, being seized with a panic, had cut away the bridge of boats; many of his countrymen consequently were either drowned or made prisoners.

The attention of all was now directed to the passage of the river. Some of the NINETY-SECOND immediately leaped in, and swam to the opposite side, bringing the boats back with them.[14] Thus was the bridge secured, together with Fort Ragusa, which the enemy immediately abandoned.

The enemy attached great importance to his establishment at this place, which secured the only direct communication between his two armies, and its destruction had the effect of placing them several days’ march more distant from each other, and over mountainous roads hardly passable by artillery. The works and bridge at _Almaraz_ having been destroyed, and about five hundred prisoners secured, the troops returned to Jaraicejo.

To commemorate the gallantry of the NINETY-SECOND in the above enterprise, the Royal Authority was afterwards received for the word “ALMARAZ” to be borne on the Regimental Colour and Appointments.

On the 21st of May, the troops marched to Truxillo, where they halted for two days. At this period intelligence was received that the French had pressed forward towards Almendralejos.

On the 24th of May, the corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill marched to a bivouac near Villa Mesias; on the 25th proceeded to the vicinity of Rio del Agua; on the 26th to near San Pedro, and occupied quarters in Merida on the day following.

The NINETY-SECOND marched from Merida on the 5th of June, and went into quarters in Almendralejos. On the 12th of June it marched to Fuentes del Maestre, and on the following day proceeded to Puebla de Sancho Perez. The enemy having moved from Andalusia in some force, evinced an inclination to bring on an action in this advanced position, probably to divert the Earl of Wellington from his operations upon Salamanca, with which place Marshal Soult had no direct communication since the loss of the bridge of Almaraz, and every movement in advance threw him farther from co-operating with Marshal Marmont.

The battalion retired to Los Santos on the 16th of June; on the 17th to Santa Martha; and on the 18th to a wood in front of Albuhera, where all the infantry under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill were assembled; some field-works were immediately thrown up to strengthen the position, and enable the Earl of Wellington, without apprehension for the safety of that corps, to prosecute his attack upon the enemy’s forts at _Salamanca_, which were captured on the 27th of June.

On the 2nd of July, the battalion advanced to Santa Martha; on the 3rd it marched to a bivouac near Villa Alva, where the enemy brought up some guns, and cannonaded the troops; on the 4th it bivouacked near Feria; on the 5th near Bienvenida; on the 6th near Villa Garcia; and on the 7th it entered Llerena.

The NINETY-SECOND marched from Llerena, by Arlones, on the 8th of July to Berlenga, where some cannonading and a cavalry skirmish took place, after which the enemy retired, and the battalion returned on the following day to Llerena.

The battalion again marched from Llerena on the 20th of July to Bienvenida, and on the following day to Zafra. The enemy at this time moved to his right, and had a force near Fuentes del Maestre.

During the night of the 26th of July, the NINETY-SECOND marched towards Villa Franca, near which place the battalion bivouacked about daylight. The French were about a league in front at Fuentes del Maestre. Between nine and ten o’clock in the morning of the 29th of July, a brigade of French guns was drawn up on a height, in front of their position, and fired a royal salute. Many were the surmises as to the cause of this rejoicing, until some of the British officers ascertained at the outposts, that the salute was in honor of a victory supposed to have been gained by the French at _Salamanca_.

Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, however, received more authentic intelligence from the scene of action, and immediately afterwards issued the following order:—

“_Villa Franca, 29th July, 1812._

“Captain Maxwell’s brigade of artillery will fire a salute of
twenty-one guns at twelve o’clock, being in honor of the glorious
and important victory gained over the enemy at _Salamanca_, by
the army under the immediate command of the Earl of Wellington,
on the 22nd instant.

“An extra ration of wine or spirits is to be issued to the
British and Portuguese troops, to enable them to drink the Earl
of Wellington’s health.

(Signed) “J. C. ROOK,
“_Assistant Adjutant-General_.”

The troops were under arms, and after the salute, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill advanced; the enemy, however, did not await this proof that the victory was on the side of the Allies, but immediately retired, and Fuentes del Maestre was occupied by the British troops.

On the 1st of August, the battalion went into quarters in Villa Franca.

The allied army under the Marquis of Wellington, which title was conferred upon him after the victory of Salamanca, entered Madrid on the 12th of August, and was received with every demonstration of joy by the inhabitants. Marshal Soult, in consequence of this movement, raised the blockade of Cadiz, and abandoning Western Andalusia, moved towards Grenada.

Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s corps, of which the NINETY-SECOND formed part, advanced on the 28th of August to Usagre; on the 29th to Villa Garcia; on the 30th proceeded to the left to Maquilla; on the 31st to El Campillo; on the 1st of September the troops marched to Zalamea; on the 2nd to Quintana; on the 3rd to La Nava; and on the 4th to quarters in Don Benito.

On the 13th of September, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill crossed the Guadiana, and marched to Mojadas; on the 14th to Villa Mesias; and on the 15th to Truxillo, where the troops halted.

The troops resumed their march from Truxillo to a bivouac near Jaraicejo on the 19th of September, and on the day following crossed a pontoon bridge thrown over the Tagus, where that of the enemy formerly stood, and bivouacked near Almaraz; on the 21st the division proceeded to Naval Moral; on the 22nd marched to Calzada de Oropeza; on the 23rd to La Gartera, and there halted.

On the 26th of September, Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill’s division marched to Talavera de la Reinha; on the 27th to Cebolla; on the 28th to Torrijos; on the 29th to Toledo; on the 30th to a bivouac near Villa Mejor; and on the 1st of October to quarters in Aranjuez.

At this period, the Marquis of Wellington was engaged in the siege of the Castle of Burgos. Information was also received that Marshal Soult and King Joseph, with their united armies, were advancing from Valencia, and that their advanced guard was in the neighbourhood of Ocanna, and moving on Madrid.

In consequence of the necessity of raising the siege of the Castle of Burgos, and retreating, the NINETY-SECOND, and other corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, moved from Aranjuez on the 23rd of October, crossed the Tagus, and marched to Colominarde Orejo; on the 25th advanced to the bridge of Fuentes Duenna; on the 27th of October, the enemy appeared on the opposite bank of the river and reconnoitred. The troops under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill marched on the following day to Villa Conejos, and on the same evening crossed the Jarama at Puente Larga, and went into position; on the 29th they marched to a bivouac near Valle de Moro; on the 30th near Abavaca; and on the 31st to El Escurial. The Marquis of Wellington, with the main body of the army, was at this period returning from the neighbourhood of Burgos towards Salamanca.

The NINETY-SECOND marched to a bivouac near the village of Guadarama on the 1st of November; on the 2nd crossed the Guadarama mountains, and bivouacked at Villa Castine; on the 3rd at Blasco Sancho; on the 4th at Naveos Duenna; on the 5th at Canaracillo; on the 7th crossed the river at _Alba de Tormes_, and bivouacked. On the 8th of November, the battalion was ordered into the town of Alba de Tormes to defend it, the allied army being at this time concentrated between that place and Salamanca.

The French, under Joseph Buonaparte, appeared on the 10th of November in great force on the heights above, and close to _Alba de Tormes_; after reconnoitring the place, the enemy commenced a very hot cannonade from a numerous artillery; at the same time pushing forward his light troops close under the old walls of the town, his columns ready to advance at the first appearance of the British being staggered by the effects of his artillery and numerous sharpshooters.

No such opportunity occurred, and the enemy withdrew his guns, after firing upwards of fifteen hundred shot and shell in about three hours. Such was the steadiness of the brigade, that he could not venture on the assault of a place surrounded by an old Moorish wall, in a state of perfect ruin, assailable at all points, and without any other defence than the brave troops that lined it. A strong force was kept watching the motions of the allies, and the enemy’s light troops kept up a skirmish during the 11th, 12th, and 13th of November.

The NINETY-SECOND had eight rank and file killed; Lieutenant Andrew Will and thirty-three rank and file were wounded.

At daylight on the morning of the 14th of November, the enemy’s cavalry were seen crossing the Tormes, about a league above the town, which was evacuated in the course of the day; the bridge blown up, and a small Spanish garrison left in the castle. This night the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked on the Arapiles, the whole army being there in position.

On the 15th of November, the enemy appeared in force about Mozarbes, and his numerous cavalry was observed moving to its left, upon the British line of communication with Ciudad Rodrigo. Towards evening the allied troops were directed to retire from the right, and the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked in a wood behind the Rio Valmuza; on the 16th near Matilla; and on the 17th behind the Rio Cuebra. During these days, the rear-guard was engaged in affairs with the enemy’s cavalry and light artillery. On the 18th the battalion bivouacked near Moraesverde; on the 19th marched to Zamarra; on the 20th to Robledo, and halted.

The weather had been very severe during the last few days, and the troops suffered much from its effects, being obliged several times in each day to wade through rivers, which had no existence at other seasons of the year.

The NINETY-SECOND marched to San Payo on the 28th of November; on the following day to Perales; and on the 30th to Casas de Don Gomez. On the 1st of December it went into winter quarters in Coria, where a detachment of two serjeants and thirty-six rank and file joined from the second battalion, which was at this period stationed in Scotland.

The strength of the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment now consisted of thirty-seven serjeants, fourteen drummers, and six hundred and forty-five rank and file.

[Sidenote: 1813]

On the 17th of January, 1813, the battalion marched from Coria to Montehermosa, and on the 13th of February it marched to Guejo, thence to Aldea Nueva, and on the 15th to Puerta de Bannos. This movement took place in consequence of the advance of a French force from Salamanca towards Bejar, into which place some troops were thrown, and the enemy, then close to the town, retired. He, however, returned with an increased force shortly afterwards, and in the night attempted to surprise the garrison of Bejar, consisting of the _fiftieth regiment_, and the _sixth Portugese Caçadores_, by which he was repulsed with loss. The first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment was put in motion to their support, and the same evening returned to its quarters in Bannos.

While stationed at Bannos in April, the NINETY-SECOND received a draft of forty-six men from the second battalion. The effective strength at this period consisted of forty-four serjeants, fifteen drummers, and eight hundred and seventeen rank and file.

On the 20th of May, the NINETY-SECOND marched from Bannos to Bejar; on the 21st to Valle de Fuentes; on the 24th to Fuenteroble; on the 25th to Calzadilla; and on the following day crossed the Tormes, above Salamanca, from which place the enemy retired with the loss of some men and artillery. On the 27th of May, the NINETY-SECOND, and other corps under Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill, passed the Marquis of Wellington in review-order, and marched to Orvado, where they halted.

The NINETY-SECOND marched on the 3rd of June from the camp at Orvado, crossed the Guarena, and encamped near Villa Buena; on the 4th the battalion crossed the Douro at Toro, and marched to Morales; on the 5th to Villa Sexmil; on the 6th to Mucientes, leaving Valladolid to the right; on the 7th to Duenas; on the 8th to Torre Quemada; on the 9th to Quintana del Ponte; on the 10th crossed the Pisuerga, and marched to Pedroza; on the 11th to Valbases; on the 12th to Celada del Camino; and on the 13th to Villa Ricos, on which morning, about daylight, the enemy blew up the Castle of Burgos, and retreated.

On the 14th of June, the battalion marched to Villa Toro; on the 15th to Villa Esquiar; on the 16th it crossed the Ebro, and marched to Pesquez; on the 17th it marched to Villa Mor; on the 18th to Boveano; on the 19th to Alcoide; and on the 20th to Robeo.

In the meantime, the French army, commanded by King Joseph, had taken up a position in the neighbourhood of _Vittoria_, where the Marquis of Wellington determined to attack the enemy.

Accordingly, on the 21st of June, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, quitted its encampment early in the morning, and moved to La Puebla, where it crossed the river Zadorra, and ascended the mountain behind the village, which the Spaniards named “_Alturas de los Inglezes_,” from an action fought there by the English in 1367, when Edward the Black Prince proceeded to Spain to assist Peter, King of Castile, to recover his throne.[15]

The memorable battle of _Vittoria_ commenced by Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill obtaining possession of the heights of _La Puebla_, on which the enemy’s left rested. The enemy immediately sent a reinforcement of about seven thousand men, with some artillery to this point, and made several attempts to recover his lost ground, but was as frequently repulsed by the troops which were opposed to him; and by that means they covered the remainder of the second division, while filing across the Zadorra, and in its movement to attack the enemy in the village of _Subijana de Alava_. Each corps kept its ground with coolness and steadiness, until everything was prepared on the left, and the allied army advanced across the plain.

At this juncture, the NINETY-SECOND was again directed to advance, and drive the enemy from every post in its front, which duty it performed in its usual manner, and the French having given way at all points, the battalion continued a rapid pursuit along the Pampeluna road, until about midnight, when it was halted near Ganuz.

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 being seized, had barely time to escape on horseback. The defeat was the most complete that the French had experienced in Spain.

The bâton of Marshal Jourdan was taken by the eighty-seventh regiment, and the Prince Regent, in the name and behalf of His Majesty, appointed the Marquis of Wellington a Field Marshal. In a most flattering letter, the Prince 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.”

In commemoration of the share the NINETY-SECOND bore in gaining this signal victory, the royal authority was afterwards received for the word “VITTORIA,” to be inscribed on the regimental colour and appointments. A medal was also conferred on the commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron.

The NINETY-SECOND had four rank and file killed, and sixteen wounded.

On the 22nd of June, the allies followed the retreating enemy, on which day the NINETY-SECOND marched to about a league in front of Salvatierra, and encamped; on the 23rd proceeded to near Arbeniz; on the 24th to near Araquil; on the 25th to near Stormende; on the 26th to near Zuaza; and on the 27th marched to Orcayen, about three miles from _Pampeluna_, which latter place was afterwards invested.

The NINETY-SECOND marched to a wood near Lizasso on the 2nd of July; on the 3rd to Puerta Velate; on the 4th to _Almandoz_, where a skirmish took place, the enemy being in position between Beruete and Aniz. On the 5th, after some movements to turn the left of his position, he retreated, and the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked in front of Elizondo, halting there during the following day.

On the 7th of July, the enemy was seen in a strong position on the heights of _Maya_, and troops were sent across the Bidassoa to attack his right. The NINETY-SECOND marched through the village of Maya in the afternoon, and a good deal of fighting took place during the day, the light troops continuing to skirmish until dark, when the battalion bivouacked.

Advancing early in the morning of the 8th of July, the French retired from their _own_ frontier, which the pursuing troops occupied with three British cheers. The light troops continued the pursuit towards the village of Urdax.

On the 9th of July, the troops marched to the village of Maya. The siege of _St. Sebastian_ was undertaken, and the garrison of _Pampeluna_ was closely invested by the Spaniards at this period.

Upon Napoleon receiving the news of the defeat of the French at Vittoria, he immediately sent Marshal Soult to Spain, with the rank of “Lieutenant of the Emperor,” and the Marshal assumed the command of the army of Spain on the 12th of July. All his energies were directed to retrieve its disasters, and to drive the British across the Ebro.

On the 13th of July, the first brigade, at this period under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, of the NINETY-SECOND, marched to occupy the heights of _Maya_.

The effective strength of the battalion, under the command of Major James Mitchell, consisted of forty serjeants, fifteen drummers, and seven hundred and sixty-two rank and file, on the 25th of July, on which day the fiftieth regiment was stationed on the right of the brigade, to the left of a pass leading to the village of Maya, which was occupied by a piquet from the second brigade.

The NINETY-SECOND were stationed in the Maya Pass, to the right of the road leading from Urdax, and the seventy-first regiment still further to the left. The enemy collected a force of about fifteen thousand men behind some rocky ground in front of the British right, and with this overwhelming force drove in the light companies of the second brigade, gaining the high rock on the right of the allied position before the arrival of the second brigade from Maya, which was, therefore, compelled to retrace its steps towards the village, instead of falling back to its left on the first brigade.

Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, detached the fiftieth to the right the moment the action commenced. That regiment was severely engaged, and was forced to retire along the ridge; the right wing of the NINETY-SECOND, under Major John McPherson, was sent to its support, and for some time had to stand the whole brunt of the enemy’s column. The right wing of the seventy-first regiment was also brought up, but such was the advantage of the position the enemy had gained by separating the two brigades, and in a manner descending upon the Pass of Maya, while a fresh division was pushing up to it from the direction of Urdax, that the small body of troops received orders to retire to a high rock on the left of the position.

This movement was covered by the left wings of the seventy-first and NINETY-SECOND regiments, which, relieving each other with the utmost order and regularity, and disputing every inch of ground, left nothing for the enemy to boast of. The brigade continued to hold the rock until the arrival of Major-General Edward Barnes’s brigade, when a general charge was made, and every inch of ground recovered as far as the Maya Pass.

On this occasion the NINETY-SECOND was ordered by Lieut.-General the Honorable Sir William Stewart not to charge, the battalion having been hotly engaged for ten successive hours, and in want of ammunition. The NINETY-SECOND, however, for the first time disregarded an order, and not only charged, but led the charge.

During the whole of the action on the 25th of July, the conduct of the NINETY-SECOND was most noble and devoted; and in commemoration of which His Majesty was pleased to permit Lieut.-Colonel Cameron to bear on his shield the word “MAYA.” Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron and Major James Mitchell were both wounded at the head of the battalion, and the command devolved on Major John McPherson, who was also wounded, but did not leave the field. The other officers wounded were Captains George W. Holmes, Ronald McDonald, and Samuel Bevan, Lieutenants William Fyfe, Donald McPherson, John A. Durie, James John Chisholm, Robert Winchester, Donald McDonald, James Ker Ross, George Gordon, John Grant, and Alexander McDonald, (died) and Ensigns Thomas Mitchell and George Mitchell.

Ensign Ewen Kennedy was killed. The other casualties were thirty-four rank and file killed, and two hundred and sixty eight rank and file wounded; and twenty-two rank and file missing.

Major-General Sir William Napier, in his History of the Peninsular War, in narrating the action in the Pass of Maya, has alluded to the loss of the battalion, and its gallantry, in the following terms:—

“And that officer (Lieut.-Colonel Cameron) still holding the
Pass of Maya with the left wings of the seventy-first and
NINETY-SECOND regiments, brought their right wings and the
Portuguese guns into action, and thus maintained the fight; but
so dreadful was the slaughter, especially of the NINETY-SECOND,
that it is said the advancing enemy was actually stopped by the
heaped mass of dead and dying.”