Chapter IV: Part 4

Marshal Junot, Duke of Abrantes, advanced to the attack of the position, and commenced it on the British centre, where the 50th. regiment was posted, moving along the front gradually to the left, until the whole line became engaged. Notwithstanding the fire of the riflemen, the enemy advanced close to the 50th., and were checked and driven back only by the bayonets of that regiment. The second battalion of the 43rd. was likewise closely engaged with them, in the road leading into Vimiera, a part of that corps having been ordered into the churchyard to prevent them from penetrating into the town. On the right of the position they were repulsed by the bayonets of the 97th. regiment, successfully supported by the second battalion of the 52nd., which, by an advance in column, took the enemy in flank.

The attack upon the heights on the road to Lourinha was supported by a large body of cavalry, and was made with the usual impetuosity of French troops. They were received with steadiness by the brigade under Major-General Ferguson, consisting of the 36th., 40th., and 71st. regiments. These corps charged as soon as the enemy approached them, who gave way, and they continued to advance upon him, supported by the 82nd., one of the corps of Brigadier-General Nightingall’s brigade, which, as the ground extended, afterwards formed a part of the first line; by the 29th. regiment, and by Brigadier-General’s Bowes and Acland’s brigades; whilst Brigadier-General Craufurd’s brigade and the Portuguese troops, in two lines, proceeded along the heights on the left. In the advance of Major-General Ferguson’s brigade, six pieces of cannon were taken, with many prisoners, and vast numbers were killed and wounded.

An attempt was afterwards made by the French to recover a portion of their artillery, by attacking the 71st. and 82nd. regiments, which were halted in a valley in which the guns had been captured. The attempt failed, and the enemy were compelled again to retire with great loss.

Sir Arthur Wellesley especially noticed the following corps:—The Royal artillery, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Robe; the 20th. Dragoons, (since disbanded,) commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, who was killed; the 50th. regiment, commanded by Colonel Walker; the second battalion of the 95th. regiment, (rifles,) commanded by Major Travers; the fifth battalion 60th. regiment, commanded by Major Davy; the second battalion 43rd., commanded by Major Hull; the second battalion 52nd., commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Ross; the 97th. regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Lyon; the 36th., commanded by Colonel Burne; the 40th., commanded by Colonel Kemmis; the 71st., commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir Denis) Pack; and the 82nd. regiment, commanded by Major Eyre. The British commander, always chary of praise, paid a special tribute to the 36th. regiment.

Thirteen pieces of cannon, twenty-three ammunition waggons, with powder, shells, stores of all descriptions, and twenty thousand rounds of musket ammunition, were captured. General Beniere was wounded and taken prisoner, together with several officers. The defeat was signal, and not more than half the British army was actually engaged. The French casualties amounted to nearly two thousand killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.

In this action, George Clark, one of the pipers of the 71st. Highland Light Infantry, was wounded; and being unable to accompany his corps in the advance against the enemy, put his pipes in order, and struck up a favourite regimental air to the intense delight of his comrades.

Both Houses of Parliament voted their thanks to the British troops for this victory, and the word “VIMIERA” was authorized to be borne on the colours and appointments of the following regiments:—2nd., 5th., 6th., 9th., 20th., 29th., 32nd., 36th., 38th., 40th., 43rd., 45th., 50th., 52nd., 60th., 71st., 82nd., 91st., and Rifle Brigade.

Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Burrard arrived during the action, but did not assume the command: Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Dalrymple landed on the following day, and took command of the army. The force under Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore was also embarked during the negociation which subsequently took place, making the British forces to amount to thirty-two thousand men. This treaty, which was styled the “Convention of Cintra,” was signed on the 30th. of August, and by its provisions the French troops evacuated Portugal.

All the objects of the expedition having been effected, and the French forces embarked for France, the British army remained for some time at Lisbon and its vicinity. This convention excited great dissatisfaction in England, and a Court of Enquiry was assembled to investigate the circumstances attending it.

GOLD MEDAL FOR ROLEIA AND VIMIERA.

Although these battles were distinct actions only one medal was conferred, but it was granted to those who were present at either of them. On the obverse Britannia is represented seated on the globe; in her right hand extended a wreath of laurel, and in her left a palm branch; to her right the British lion, and on the left a shield charged with the crosses of the union banner. The reverse had a wreath of laurel, within which the name of the event was engraved, and the year, thus—Roleia and Vimiera, 1808. The name and rank of the officer were engraved on the edge. Further particulars regarding these medals will be given with the description of that for Talavera, of which an illustration has been made, and which is similar to that granted for the above and subsequent victories.

SIR JOHN MOORE’S CAMPAIGN.

Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Burrard received His Majesty’s commands to place a large portion of the army in Portugal under the orders of Sir John Moore, to be employed on a particular service, which was announced in a general order on the 8th. of October, 1808, and preparations were accordingly made for entering Spain. Upon arriving in that country the troops were directed to wear the white cockade, in addition to their own, as a compliment to the Spanish nation, and to use every means to maintain the good opinion entertained of them by that high-spirited people.

On the 27th. of October the division under the command of Lieutenant-General the Honourable John Hope, afterwards the Earl of Hopetoun, was put in motion, and after a short stay at Badajoz, resumed the march to Talavera de la Reyna. From this town the column proceeded to the Escurial, seven leagues to the north-west of Madrid, where it arrived and halted on the 22nd. of November. Intelligence was here received of the enemy’s movements, and a night march was made to the left by Avila and Peneranda, and finally to Alba de Tormes, where a junction was formed with a detachment from the army under Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore. The troops were shortly afterwards put in motion towards Valladolid, and subsequently to the left, to effect a junction with the division under Lieutenant-General Sir David Baird, which had landed at Corunna.

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

SAHAGUN, BENEVENTE, ETC.
DECEMBER, 1808, AND JANUARY, 1809.

The British commander ascertained that instead of a powerful army covering his advance, not a Spanish soldier was in his front, the enemy was at hand, and those Spanish armies with which he had been directed to co-operate, had been routed and dispersed; at the same time the winter had set in with unusual severity, and the troops were almost constantly marching through snow. Napoleon had three hundred thousand men in Spain, and to confront this host of veterans, Sir John Moore had not twenty-five thousand British troops, yet he boldly advanced and menaced the enemy’s lines.

Three leagues from the quarters of the Hussar brigade, consisting of the 7th., 10th., and 15th. Hussars, about eight hundred French dragoons were in cantonments at Sahagun, under Brigadier-General Debelle. About two o’clock on the morning of the 21st. December, the 15th., with Captain Thornhill and twelve soldiers of the 7th. Hussars, and Lieutenant-General Lord Paget (afterwards Marquis of Angelsey) at their head, moved along the left bank of the Cea, in order to intercept the retreat of the French dragoons from Sahagun. The 10th. marched straight to the town, while Lieutenant-General Lord Paget, with the 15th., endeavoured to turn it. The British hussars arrived in the vicinity of Sahagun before daylight; but a French patrol had given the alarm, and his lordship found the enemy formed within the town. The march had been performed with difficulty, the weather being extremely cold, and from deep snow on the ground, the road was so covered with ice in many places, that the men had to dismount and lead their horses. Between five and six o’clock the advance guard of the 15th. fell in with a French patrol, and took five prisoners, but in consequence of the extreme darkness the rest escaped, and galloping off to Sahagun, gave the alarm, thus preventing the surprise of the enemy. Upon approaching that place shortly before daylight, the French dragoons were discovered formed up beyond a rugged hollow way, which was unfavourable for cavalry, and as the 15th. came near the enemy withdrew towards a bridge on their left. In numbers the French were about two to one, but his lordship instantly charged, overthrew them, and captured nearly one hundred and fifty prisoners, including two lieutenant-colonels, and eleven other officers.

Lord Paget, and Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, of the 15th., each received a medal. The conduct of the hussars was commended by the British General, and the regiment was permitted to bear on its appointments the word SAHAGUN.

The attack by Lord Paget on a vastly superior force, so far as numbers were concerned, at Sahagun, in which the enemy were cut to pieces, occasioned Sir John Moore to issue the following order:—

“Head Quarters, Sahagun.

“The different attacks made by parties of cavalry upon those of the
enemy, on the march, have given them an opportunity to display a
spirit, and to assume a tone of superiority which does them credit,
and which the Commander of the Forces hopes will be supported on more
important occasions.

“The attacks conducted by Brigadier-General Stewart, with the 18th.
Hussars, when upon the Douro, and that by Lieutenant-General Lord
Paget upon the enemy’s cavalry at this place, are honourable to the
British cavalry.

“The Commander of the Forces begs that the Lieutenant-General and
Brigadier-General will accept his thanks for their services, and that
they will convey them to Brigadier-General Slade, and the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and men of the cavalry under their command,
for their conduct in the different affairs that have taken place.”

An order like this naturally made the infantry very desirous to emulate the cavalry, and the opportunity was shortly afterwards afforded. Arrangements had been made for attacking the enemy, but the approach of Napoleon, with an overwhelming force, rendered a retrograde movement necessary; and while the cavalry pickets were skirmishing with the French, the baggage, and several brigades of infantry withdrew. Christmas, with all its social customs was thus dawning, when the troops commenced their retreat. A heavy and continued fall of snow hid the ruts in the roads, caused by the passage of the guns. Officers lost their boots in these ruts, and were compelled to walk barefooted. Two days rest after the reserve had crossed the Esla, enabled measures to be taken to repair the sufferings from the bad roads, a supply of soles and heels having been furnished to each regiment; the officers and men had also the welcome issue of new blankets, and one hundred and fifty pairs of shoes were supplied to each regiment.

On the 24th. of December the hussars fell back to Cal; on the 25th. they arrived at Sahagun, and on quitting that place on the 26th., a considerable force of the enemy’s cavalry was seen on some high ground at Majorga. Lord Paget directed Colonel Leigh, of the 10th. Hussars, to dislodge them with two squadrons of his regiment, and the colonel instantly led one squadron forward, the other following in support. Arriving on the top of the hill, he paused a short time for the horses to recover their wind after the ascent, and was exposed to a heavy, but not destructive, fire; he afterwards gave the word “Charge,” and in five minutes the French were overthrown, many were killed, others wounded, and about a hundred taken prisoners. On this, and on all other occasions, the superiority of the British cavalry over the French horsemen, was proved to an extent beyond anything that had been anticipated. The British hussars set superior numbers at defiance, and their temerity was not, in any instance, punished by repulse or defeat.

Continuing the retreat, the cavalry arrived at Benevente on the 27th. of December; they had scarcely entered the town, when an alarm of the approach of a body of French troops was given, and the hussars turned out, but the enemy retired. The infantry continued their retreat on the following morning, but the cavalry remained in the town, with parties watching the fords on the Esla.

Six hundred cavalry of the French imperial guard, commanded by General Lefebre Desnouettes, forded the river near the bridge, and drove back the videttes, when the British pickets, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Otway, (afterwards Lieutenant-General Sir Loftus William Otway,) major of the 18th. Hussars advanced, and repeatedly charging the enemy’s leading squadrons, kept the whole in check until Lieutenant-General Lord Paget and Brigadier-General the Honourable Charles Stewart (afterwards the Marquis of Londonderry) arrived. A detatchment of the 10th. Hussars, under Major Quentin, was engaged on this occasion, and evinced signal gallantry. Lord Paget hastened to bring up the regiment from the town: Brigadier-General Stewart placed himself at the head of the pickets, and the ground was obstinately disputed, many charges being made by both sides, the French veterans fighting in a manner worthy of their high reputation. The pickets were ordered to fall back gradually, and the squadrons were repeatedly mingled. Brigadier-General Stewart evinced great personal bravery, and while engaged with a French officer, his sword fell, when Lieutenant-Colonel Otway gave the general his own sword, and recovered the other from the ground. While the fight was taking place on the plain, the hussars formed at the edge of the town, and, on receiving the signal to advance, they galloped forward. The pickets, perceiving the 10th. advancing to support them, gave a loud cheer, and dashed at speed upon their numerous opponents. In an instant the French were broken and driven in great disorder towards the river, which they repassed with precipitation, leaving behind them about thirty men killed, twenty-five wounded, and seventy prisoners. General Lefebre Desnouttes was pursued by the hussars, and refusing to stop when overtaken, he was cut across the head, and made prisoner by Private Levi Grisdall.

On the 30th. of December the troops came up with the wretched remains of the army under the Marquis de la Romana; instead of these being of any assistance they impeded the march of the British, and exhausted the few resources left, the houses being filled by them.

The retreat presented many harrowing features. An eye-witness, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Cadell, of the 28th., which regiment formed part of the reserve, the post of honour in a retreat, states,—“On the arrival of the cavalry at Canberas, about midnight, the reserve immediately moved on, and arrived next morning, 1st. January, 1809, at Bembibre, just as the other division was marching off to Villa Franca. The scene of drunkenness that here presented itself was truly shameful. The stragglers from the preceding division so crowded every house, that there was hardly a place to be had for the wearied reserve. Crowds of half-naked and unfortunate peasants of Romana’s army, added to the confusion. On the 2nd., when Sir John Moore left Bembibre, with the reserve and the cavalry, for Villa Franca, Colonel Ross was left with that excellent regiment, the 20th., and a detachment of hussars, to cover the town, while officers were employed in endeavouring to collect the stragglers. A few were got away, but many were so tired and lame from sore feet, that they did not care if the French sabres and bayonets were at their breasts, so completely did most of them give themselves up to despair. The rear-guard was at length forced to retire and leave those unfortunate people to their fate. Some of these poor fellows, who had thought better of it, and were endeavouring to overtake their countrymen, were unmercifully sabred by the French cavalry, many of them in a defenceless state.”

In the same gallant veteran’s “Narrative of the Campaigns of the 28th. Regiment,” this striking incident occurs:—“The following occurrence had more effect in establishing the good conduct of the reserve than anything that had yet been done. We were formed into close column on the Bembibre side of the river, when our gallant chief, General Paget, in an excellent address, called the attention of the soldiers to the dreadful and disgraceful scene of yesterday, and the merciless conduct of the enemy’s cavalry had shewn to many of the stragglers. He told the men that they had become the rear-guard of the army, and upon their sober, steady, and good conduct the safety of the whole depended. Just as the general had finished his admirable and soldier-like address, and after all the orders had been given, and the necessary examples that had been made, two men of the reserve were found in the very act of shamefully plundering a house in the village, and ill-treating the inhabitants. The report was made, and the reserve was instantly formed in square; the culprits were brought out, the general being determined that an example should be made. They were ordered to be hanged upon a tree close to the village. Everything being prepared, the awful sentence was about to be carried into execution; the unfortunate men were in the act of being lifted up to the fatal branch, when a officer of the hussars rode into the square, and reported that the enemy were at that moment advancing. The general said he did not care if the whole French cavalry were coming up, that he would hang those men, who had been guilty of so shameful an outrage. At that instant a few distant shots were heard, and a second officer arrived at full speed with another report. The general then stopped the execution, and turning round to the reserve, said, ‘Soldiers! if you promise to behave well for the future, I will forgive those men; say yes, in an instant.’ ‘Yes!’ was said by every one. ‘Say it again,’ said the general. ‘Yes, yes,’ was again exclaimed by all. ‘Say it a third time,’ ‘Yes, yes, yes?’ and a cheer followed.[29] The men were forgiven, the square was reduced, and the 52nd. regiment, under Colonel Barclay, went through the village in double-quick time, and in the most beautiful manner took possession of the vineyards on the opposite side of the river, while the remainder of the reserve crossed the bridge under cover of the 95th., and formed on the hill behind the 52nd. By this time the enemy were close upon us, and attacked the 95th. in great force, the cavalry joining in the onset. They were terribly galled by the rifles as they advanced through the village. The 95th. then retired up the road to the right and left, the French being at the same time exposed to a murderous fire from the 52nd., in the vineyards, which completely checked them. The 52nd. then retired up the road, when the enemy were again most gallantly repulsed. The French in this affair lost the general officer commanding the advanced guard, and many men. A column of them was also severely handled by Captain Carthew’s guns, and stopped descending the hill on the other side of the river. This kept them quiet until the afternoon of the 5th. of January. Our gallant commander-in-chief was present during this affair, and wherever there was a shot fired was he always to be found. This was the first time the infantry had met the enemy.”

Marshal Soult, unwilling to attack, followed the sorely-pressed army with unwonted caution. One night and two days brought the army from Villa Franca to Lugo. All the attacks of the advanced guard of the French upon the rear were repulsed. Notwithstanding this, however, the retreating troops became more and more harassed. When the two bullock cars, containing treasure to the amount of twenty-five thousand pounds, became immovable, the money had to be thrown over the precipice. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Cadell thus narrates the circumstance:—“On the morning of the 5th. (January, 1809,) the reserve left Nogales. We were detained at a bridge a little way on the road, covering the engineers, who were endeavouring to destroy it, but they did not succeed. The 28th. regiment was now the rear-guard of the reserve, and the flank companies, with a company of the 95th., formed the rear-guard of the regiment. The whole distance was a continued skirmish. About noon we came up with two cars laden with dollars; but the bullocks that drew them being completely exhausted, it was impossible to save the treasure. Under these circumstances Sir John Moore decided that the whole should be thrown down the mountain, most judiciously considering, that if the casks were broken, the men would make a rush for the money, which would have caused great confusion, and might have cost the lives of many. The rear-guard, therefore was halted; Lieutenant Bennet, of the light company, 28th. regiment, was placed over the money, with strict orders from Sir John Moore to shoot the first person who attempted to touch it.[30] It was then rolled over the precipice; the casks were soon broken by the rugged rocks, and the dollars falling out, rolled over the height—a sparkling cascade of silver. The French advanced guard coming up shortly after to the spot, were detained for a time picking up the few dollars that had been scattered on the road.”

BATTLE OF CORUNNA.
16TH. JANUARY, 1809.

Sir John Moore concentrated his army near Lugo, where he determined to give battle. About twelve o’clock in the morning of the 6th. of January, the French appeared on the opposite heights. The British soldiers, full of the national spirit, desired nothing better than to confront them. The troops were immediately under arms, but each looked at the other until evening set in, and it became evident that the day of battle was to be postponed. On the following morning the enemy at daybreak opened a cannonade, which was forthwith returned, and in the space of a few minutes the French fire was silenced. Towards sunset a French column commenced the ascent of the rising ground, and was met by a wing of the 76th.; this regiment gradually retired until joined by the 51st. In the latter Sir John Moore had served as an ensign, and he addressed them briefly, reminding them of that circumstance, and expressing his reliance on their gallantry. The speech, short as it was, produced its effect, and after a few discharges of musketry, they rushed onward with the bayonet, when the enemy was beaten back, leaving on the ground several killed and wounded.

At dark, when large fires illumined the heights, the British re-commenced their retreat, undiscovered by the French until daylight. But little was seen of the enemy until the army arrived at Corunna, where the leading brigades marched in during the afternoon of the 11th. of January, the adjacent villages and suburbs being occupied by the troops. The trying retreat was completed; but there was a disappointment to be experienced. No transports were there to receive the troops. In the evening the foe came up, and occupied a position on the other side of the river Mero. The battle-ground was not marked out until the 12th of January, and this was the range of hills round the village of Elvino, about a mile from Corunna, on which Sir John Moore resolved to place his army. Before the arrangements were completed, the French were observed moving along the opposite bank of the river. Nothing occurred until the 14th., when a fire of artillery was kept up for a short time. A terrible explosion occurred on that day; a magazine of four thousand barrels of gunpowder, which had been sent from England for the use of the Spaniards, being destroyed, to prevent its falling into the hands of the French. This caused quite a panic in both armies, and, although occurring three or four miles from Corunna, many of the windows in the town were broken.

Fine weather enabled the soldiers to dry their clothes, and to make themselves comparatively comfortable; and during the afternoon of the 14th. the whole fleet of transports, convoyed by numerous ships of war, appeared in sight. Some slight skirmishing occurred to the right on the 15th. During the afternoon and night of the 15th. the sick, wounded, women, and children were embarked, and on the following day the greater proportion of the artillery was placed on board, the ground not being adapted for that arm. Before going on board the cavalry had to destroy the remainder of their horses, and the sight was naturally most painful. All animals were left on the beach at Corunna;[31] but the wife of Sergeant Monday, the orderly-room clerk of the 28th regiment, is stated to have carried a lap-dog in a basket over her arm throughout the retreat, and brought it to England with her.

About one o’clock in the afternoon of the 16th. of January, the enemy, who had early that day received reinforcements, and who had placed some guns in front of the right and left of his line, was observed to be moving his troops towards his left flank, and forming various columns of attack at that extremity of the strong and commanding position which on the morning of the 15th. he had taken in the immediate front of the British. This indication of his intention was immediately succeeded by a rapid and determined attack upon Lieutenant-General Sir David. Baird’s division, which occupied the right of the position. The first effort of the enemy was met by the 42nd. regiment, and the brigade under Major-General Lord William Bentinck. The village on the right then became an object of obstinate contest. Lieutenant-General Sir David Baird was severely wounded, and shortly after Sir John Moore fell by a cannon-shot. The troops though not unacquainted with the irreparable loss they had sustained, were not dismayed, and by the most determined bravery, not only repelled every attempt of the enemy to gain ground, but actually forced him to retire, although fresh troops had been brought up in support of those originally engaged.

Finding himself foiled in every attempt to force the right of the position, the enemy endeavoured by numbers to turn it. A judicious and well-timed movement, which was made by Major-General the Honourable Edward Paget with the reserve, that corps having moved out of its cantonments to support the right of the army, by a vigorous attack defeated this intention. The Major-General, having pushed forward the 95th., (rifle corps,) and the first battalion of the 52nd. regiment, drove the foe before him, and in his rapid and judicious advance threatened the left of the enemy’s position. This circumstance, with the position of Lieutenant-General Fraser’s division, which was calculated to give still further security to the right of the line, induced the enemy to relax his efforts in that quarter. They were then, however, more forcibly directed towards the centre, where they were again successfully resisted by the brigade under Major-General Manningham, forming the left of Sir David Baird’s division, and a part of that under Major-General Leith.

Upon the left the enemy at first contented himself with an attack upon the pickets, which in general maintained their ground. Seeing, therefore, his efforts unavailing on the right and centre, he appeared determined to render the attack upon the left more serious, and succeeded in obtaining possession of the village through which the great road to Madrid passes, and which was situated in front of that part of the line. From this post he was soon expelled, with considerable loss, by a gallant attack of some companies of the second battalion of the 14th., regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolls. Before five in the evening, not only had every attack upon the British position been successfully repelled, but ground had been gained in all points, a more forward line being occupied than at the commencement of the action. Eventually the enemy confined his operations to a cannonade, and the fire of his light troops, with a view to draw off his other corps. At six o’clock the firing entirely ceased. The different brigades were re-assembled on the ground they occupied in the morning, and the pickets and advanced posts resumed their original stations.

The corps chiefly engaged were the brigades under Major-Generals Lord William Bentinck, Manningham, and Leith, and the brigade of guards under Major-General Warde, Major-General Hill, and Brigadier-General Catlin Crauford, with their brigades on the left of the position, ably supported their advanced posts. The brunt of the action fell upon the 4th., 42nd., 50th., and 81st. regiments, with parts of the brigades of guards, and the 28th. regiment.

About ten at night the troops quitted their position, and marched to their respective points of embarkation in the town and neighbourhood of Corunna. The pickets remained at their posts until five in the morning of the 17th., when they were withdrawn unperceived by the French. The embarkation proceed rapidly, and, with the exception of the brigades under Major-Generals Hill and Beresford, which were destined to remain on shore until the movements of the enemy should become manifest, the whole were afloat before daylight. The brigade of Major-General Beresford, which was alternately to form the rear-guard, occupied the land front of the town of Corunna, whilst that of Major-General Hill was stationed in reserve on the promontory behind the town.

Soon after eight o’clock in the morning of the 17th. of January, the French light troops moved towards the town, and almost immediately occupied the heights of St. Lucia, which command the harbour. Notwithstanding this circumstance, and the manifold defects of the place, there being no apprehension that the rear-guard could be forced, and the disposition of the Spaniards appearing to be good, the embarkation of Major-General Hill’s brigade was commenced and completed by three in the afternoon. Major-General Beresford withdrew his corps from the land front of the town soon after dark, which, with all the wounded that had not been previously moved, were embarked before one on the morning of the 18th.

Sir William Napier has thus described the British general’s death:—

“Sir John Moore, whilst earnestly watching the result of the fight about the village of Elvino, was struck on the left breast by a cannon-shot. The shock threw him from his horse with violence, but he rose again in a sitting posture, his countenance unchanged, and his stedfast eye still fixed upon the regiments engaged in his front, no sign betraying a sensation of pain. In a few moments, when he was satisfied that the troops were gaining ground, his countenance brightened, and he suffered himself to be taken to the rear. Being placed in a blanket for removal, an entanglement of the belt caused the hilt of his sword to enter the wound, and Captain Hardinge attempted to take it away altogether, but with martial pride the stricken man forbade the alleviation,—he would not part with his sword[32] in the field.”

Wrapped in a military cloak the warrior’s remains were consigned to their resting-place, by the officers of his staff, in the citadel of Corunna. The guns of the enemy paid his funeral honours, and Marshal Soult evinced the respect he bore to departed valour, by chivalrously raising a monument to his memory. It may be added that the soldiers of the 9th. Foot dug his grave on the rampart, and the well-known lines by the Rev. Charles Wolfe are as truthful as they are poetic. The several regiments, and their commanding officers, composing the army under Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore at Corunna, were as follows:—

7th. Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Vivian; 10th. Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Leigh; 15th. Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Grant; 18th. Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones; 3rd. Light Dragoons, (King’s German Legion,) Major Burgwesel; Artillery, Colonel Harding; Engineers, Major Fletcher; Waggon Train Detachment, Lieutenant-Colonel Langley; 1st. Foot Guards, first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Cocks, third battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Wheatley; 1st. Foot, third battalion, Major Muller; 2nd.,[33] first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Iremonger; 4th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Wynch; 5th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie; 6th., first battalion, Major Gordon; 9th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron; 14th., second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolls; 20th., Lieutenant-Colonel Ross; 23rd., second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Wyatt; 26th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell; 28th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Belson; 32nd., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Hinde; 36th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Burn; 38th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Charles Greville; 42nd., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling; 43rd., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Gifford, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Hull; 50th., first battalion, Major Charles James Napier;[34] 51st., Lieutenant-Colonel Darling; 52nd., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel John Ross; 59th., second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Fane; 60th., second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Codd, fifth battalion, Major Davy; 71st., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Denis Pack; 76th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Symes; 79th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron; 81st., second battalion, Major Williams; 82nd., Major M‘Donald; 91st., first battalion, Major Douglas; 92nd, first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Napier; 95th., (rifle regiment,) first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Wade; Staff Corps Detachment, Lieutenant-Colonel Nicolay; first light battalion King’s German Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel Leonhart, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Halkett.[35]

BATTLE OF TALAVERA DE LA REYNA.
27TH. AND 28TH. JULY, 1809.

When the British Forces had returned to England, Corunna, Bilboa, and all the most important places on the northern coast of Spain, fell under the French sway. Saragossa was besieged a second time, and after a defence unequalled perhaps in modern military history, was compelled to capitulate. Marshal Soult quitted Gallicia, entered Portugal, and obtained an entrance into Oporto. In April, Lieutentant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, with another British army, disembarked at Lisbon, and advanced on Oporto.

Although no medal was granted for the passage of the Douro, on the 12th. of May, 1809, the exploit was a highly brilliant one. The British commander was desirous of passing the river to drive the French from Oporto; but the stream was deep, rapid, and more than three hundred yards in width, and ten thousand French veterans guarded the opposite shore. The passage was however effected in the following manner. A Portuguese barber had crossed the river in a skiff, and a British staff officer (Colonel Waters) aided by the barber and the prior of Amarante, traversed the stream and returned in half an hour with three large barges. Between ten and eleven o’clock an officer and twenty-five soldiers of the 3rd. Foot entered the first boat, crossed the stream unobserved, and took post in a large unfinished building on the banks of the river, designated the seminary, which was surrounded by a wall extending to the water on each side of it. In this manner a lodgment was made in the midst of the enemy’s army without being noticed. A second and a third boat followed, but scarcely had the men from the latter reached the shore, when a sudden burst of alarm was heard amidst the French troops, and a furious attack was made by their cavalry, infantry, and artillery, upon the seminary. The 3rd. Foot stood their ground bravely, and singly resisted the French legions until supported by the 48th. and 66th. British and 16th. Portuguese regiments. Meanwhile Lieutenant-General the Honourable Edward Paget had fallen dangerously wounded, and Major-General Hill commanded in the seminary. A fierce conflict of musketry was maintained, the French artillery played on the building, the British guns on the other side of the river opened their fire, and the struggle soon became violent. Meanwhile some citizens crossed the river with several large boats, additional forces were enabled to pass over, and ultimately the French were driven from Oporto with the loss of five hundred men killed and wounded, in addition to about seven hundred left in the hospitals.

The British commander subsequently pursued Marshal Soult’s army through the wild and mountainous districts of Portugal, but, in consequence of Marshal Victor having defeated General Cuesta, was compelled to resist from following Marshal Soult; and having formed a junction with the Spanish general, the combined forces proceeded along the valley of the Tagus, and took up a strong position at Talavera. The enemy, in the course of the 24th., 25th., and 26th., collected all his forces between Torrijos and Toledo, leaving but a small corps of two thousand men in that place. The united army consisted of the corps of Marshal Victor, of that of General Sebastiani, and of seven or eight thousand men, the guards of Joseph Bonaparte, and the garrison of Madrid; and it was commanded by him, aided by Marshals Jourdan and Victor, and General Sebastiani.

It became obvious that the enemy intended to try the result of a general action, for which the best position appeared to be in the neighbourhood of Talavera; and General Cuesta having taken up this position on the morning of the 27th., Lieutenant-General Sherbrooke was directed to retire with his corps to its station in the line, leaving Major-General M‘Kenzie with a division of infantry and a brigade of cavalry, as an advanced post in a wood on the right of the Alberche, which covered the left flank of the British.

The position taken up by the troops at Talavera extended rather more than two miles; the ground was open upon the left where the British army was stationed, and it was commanded by a height, on which was, in _echellon_ and in second line, a division of infantry, under the orders of Major-General Hill. Between this height and a range of mountains still further upon the left, there was a valley, which was not at first occupied, and it was commanded by the height before mentioned, whilst the mountain range appeared too distant to have any influence upon the expected action.

Spanish troops composed the right, which extended immediately in front of the town of Talavera down to the Tagus. This part of the ground was covered by olive trees, and was much intersected by banks and ditches. The high road leading from the bridge over the Alberche, was defended by a heavy battery in front of a church, which was occupied by Spanish infantry. All the avenues to the town were defended in a similar manner; the town was occupied, and the remainder of the Spanish infantry were formed in two lines behind the banks on the roads which led from the town and the right, to the left of the British position. In the centre, between the two armies, there was a commanding spot, on which a redoubt had been commenced, with some open ground in the rear. Here Brigadier-General Campbell was posted with a division of infantry, supported in his rear by Major-General Cotton’s brigade of dragoons, and some Spanish cavalry.

At about two o’clock on the 27th. of July the enemy appeared in strength on the left bank of the Alberche, and manifested an intention to attack Major-General M‘Kenzie’s division. The attack was made before they could be withdrawn, but the troops, consisting of Major-General M‘Kenzie’s and Colonel Donkin’s brigades, with Major-General Anson’s brigade of cavalry, and supported by Lieutenant-General Payne with the other four regiments of cavalry, in the plain between Talavera and the wood, withdrew in good order, but with some loss, particularly by the second battalion of the 87th., and the second battalion of the 31st. regiment in the wood.

In his despatch, Lieutenant-General the Right Honourable Sir Arthur Wellesley, K.B., stated, “Upon this occasion the steadiness and discipline of the 45th. regiment, and of the fifth battalion of the 60th., were conspicuous; and I had particular reason for being satisfied with the manner in which Major-General M‘Kenzie withdrew his advanced guard.”

As the day advanced, the French appeared in larger numbers on the right of the Alberche, and it was apparent that they were advancing to a general attack upon the combined army. Major-General M‘Kenzie continued to fall back gradually upon the left, where he was placed in the second line, in the rear of the guards, Colonel Donkin being posted in the same situation further upon the left, in the rear of the King’s German Legion.

The enemy immediately commenced his attack in the dusk of the evening, by a cannonade upon the left of the allied position, and by an attempt with his cavalry to overthrow the Spanish infantry, posted, as before stated, on the right. This attempt entirely failed. Early in the night he pushed a division along the valley on the left of the height occupied by Major-General Hill, of which a momentary possession was obtained, but it was instantly regained by an attack with the bayonet. Another attempt was repeated during the night, but failed, and again at daylight in the morning of the 28th. of July, by two divisions of infantry, which was repulsed by Major-General Hill. In these different affairs the 29th., and the first battalion of the 48th. regiment, gained especial notice. Many brave officers and soldiers were lost in the defence of this important point, and Major-General Hill was slightly wounded.

A general attack by the enemy’s whole force was made about noon, upon the whole of that part of the position occupied by the British army. Sir Arthur, in consequence of the repeated attempts upon the height on his left by the valley, had placed there two brigades of British cavalry, supported in the rear by the Duc d’Albuquerque’s division of Spanish cavalry. The enemy then placed light infantry in the range of mountains on the left of the valley, which were opposed by a division of Spanish infantry, under Lieutenant-General De Bassecourt. The general attack began by the march of several columns of infantry into the valley, with a view to attack the height occupied by Major-General Hill. These columns were immediately charged by the 1st. German Light Dragoons and 23rd. Dragoons, under the command of Major-General Anson, directed by Lieutenant-General Payne, and supported by Brigadier-General Fane’s brigade of heavy cavalry; and although the 23rd. Dragoons suffered considerable loss, the charge had the effect of preventing the execution of that part of the enemy’s plan. At the same time he directed an attack upon Brigadier-General Alexander Campbell’s position in the centre of the combined armies, and on the right of the British. This attack was most successfully repulsed by Brigadier-General Campbell, supported by the king’s regiment of Spanish cavalry and two battalions Spanish infantry: the enemy’s cannon being taken by the Brigadier-General, who mentioned particularly the conduct of the 97th., the second battalion of the 7th., and the second battalion of the 53rd. regiment.

An attack was also made at the same time upon Lieutenant-General Sherbrooke’s division, which was on the left and centre of the first line of the British army. This attack was most gallantly repulsed by a charge with bayonets by the whole division; but the brigade of guards, on the right, having advanced too far, they were exposed on their left flank to the fire of the enemy’s battery, and of their retiring columns. The division was obliged to retire towards the original position, under cover of the second line of Major-General Cotton’s brigade of cavalry, which had been moved from the centre, and of the first battalion of the 48th. regiment. This regiment had also been moved from its original position on the heights, as soon as the advance of the guards was observed, and it was formed on the plain and advanced upon the enemy, covering the formation of Lieutenant-General Sherbrooke’s division.

Shortly after the repulse of this general attack, in which apparently all the enemy’s troops were employed, he commenced his retreat across the Alberche, which was conducted in the most regular order, and was effected during the night, leaving in the hands of the British twenty pieces of cannon, ammunition, tumbrils, and some prisoners.

The attacks were principally if not entirely directed against the British troops. The Spanish commander-in-chief, his officers, and troops, manifested every disposition to render assistance to their allies, and those of them who were engaged did their duty; but the ground which they occupied was so important, and its front at the same time so difficult, that Sir Arthur Wellesley did not think it proper to urge them to make any movement on the left of the enemy, while he was engaged with the troops more immediately under his command.

Such a prolonged action against more than double the number of the British could not be sustained without great loss of valuable officers and soldiers, but the casualties of the enemy were much larger. Entire brigades of French infantry were destroyed, and the battalions that retreated were much reduced in number. The French loss was estimated at ten thousand men. Generals Lapisse and Morlot were killed; Generals Sebastiani and Boulet were wounded.

Major-General M‘Kenzie, who had distinguished himself on the 27th., Brigadier-General Langwerth, of the King’s German Legion, and Brigade-Major Beckett, of the Coldstream Guards, were killed.

During a pause in the second day’s fight both armies went to the banks of the small stream, a tributary of the Tagus, for water, which flowed through a part of the battle-ground. The men approached each other and conversed like old acquaintances, even exchanging their canteens and wine-flasks. In the words of the author of “The Bivouac” (the Rev. W. H. Maxwell, Prebendary of Balla):—“All asperity of feeling seemed forgotten. To a stranger they would have appeared more like an allied force than men hot from a ferocious conflict, and only gathering strength and energy to re-commence it anew. But a still nobler rivalry for the time existed; the interval was employed in carrying off the wounded, who lay intermixed upon the hard-contested field; and, to the honour of both be it told, that each endeavoured to extricate the common sufferers, and remove their unfortunate friends and enemies without distinction. Suddenly the bugles sounded, the drums beat to arms; many of the rival soldiery shook hands and parted with expressions of mutual esteem, and in ten minutes’ after they were again at the bayonet’s point.”

The following regiments were specially noticed in the despatch:—The cavalry, particularly Major-General Anson’s brigade; the 29th regiment; first battalion of the 48th.; the second battalions of the 7th. and 53rd. regiments; the 97th.; the first battalion of detachments; the second battalion of the 31st.; the 45th.; and fifth battalion of the 60th. The advance of the brigade of guards was also highly commended.

This victory gained over the French army, commanded by Joseph Buonaparte in person, occasioned great joy in England, and Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley was raised to the peerage, by the title of Viscount Wellington.

The following regiments were engaged at the battle of Talavera de la Reyna, on the 27th. and 28th. July, 1809:—

3rd. Dragoon Guards, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Granby Calcraft; 4th. Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Edward Somerset; 14th. Light Dragoons, Colonel Samuel Hawker; 16th. Light Dragoons, Major the Honourable Lincoln Stanhope; 23rd. Light Dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour; 1st. Light Dragoons, King’s German Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel Arentschild; Royal British Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Framingham, Royal German Artillery, Major Hartineau; the whole artillery being under Brigadier-General Howorth, Royal Engineers, Lieutenant-Colonel Fletcher; Royal Staff Corps, Major Dundas; Coldstream Guards, first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Hulse; 3rd. Guards, first battalion, Colonel the Honourable Edward Stopford; 3rd. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel Muter; 7th, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel, Sir William Myers, Bart.; 24th., second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Drummond; 29th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel White; 31st., second battalion, Major Watson; 40th., first battalion, Major Thornton; 45th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Guard; 48th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Donellan, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Duckworth; 53rd., second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Bingham; 60th., fifth battalion, Major Davy; 61st, first battalion, Colonel Saunders; 66th, second battalion, Captain Kelly; 83rd, second battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon; 87th., second battalion, Major Gough; 88th., first battalion, Major Vandeleur; 97th., first battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Lyon; first battalion of Detachments,[36] Lieutenant-Colonel Bunbury, 3rd. Foot; second battalion of Detachments, Lieutenant-Colonel Copson, 5th., Foot; first and second light and first line battalions King’s German Legion, Major Bodecker; second line battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Brauns; fifth line battalion, Captain Humelberg; seventh line battalion, Major Burger.

After this defeat the enemy continued to keep a rear-guard of ten thousand men on the heights on the left of the Alberche; the extreme fatigue of the troops, the want of provisions, and the number of wounded to be taken care of, prevented Viscount Wellington moving from this position. Brigadier-General Craufurd arrived with his brigade (first battalions of the 43rd., 52nd., and 95th,.)[37] on the 29th. of July, early in the morning, having marched fifty-two miles in twenty-six hours, a wonderful proof of the energy of British soldiers.

The Talavera Medal.
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GOLD MEDAL FOR TALAVERA.

In consequence of the victories gained in the Peninsula during 1808 and 1809, two gold medals were struck for presentation to such superior officers as had distinguished themselves in action; the same medals were afterwards conferred for military services in other portions of the world. No corps were returned in the list for medals, which had not been engaged. This, by the Duke of Wellington’s despatches, appears to have been the rule.

A notification appeared in the “London Gazette,” dated Horse Guards, 9th. September, 1810, stating that His Majesty had been graciously pleased to command that, in commemoration of the brilliant victories obtained by divisions of his Army over the enemy in the Battles of Roleia and Vimiera, also in the several instances where the cavalry had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves against the enemy in Spain, and in the battles of Corunna and Talavera de la Reyna, the Officers of the Army present on those occasions should enjoy the privilege of wearing a Medal, and His Majesty having approved of the Medal which had been struck, was pleased to command that it should be worn by the General Officers, suspended by a Ribbon of the colour of the Sash, with a blue edge, round the neck; and by the Commanding Officers of Corps, (not being of rank inferior to Lieutenant-Colonel,) and the Chiefs of Military Departments, attached by a ribbon of the same colour to the button-hole of their uniform. His Majesty was also pleased to command that the Medals which would have been conferred upon the Officers who had fallen at or died since the above-named actions, should, as a token of respect for their memories, be deposited with their respective families.

These medals were alike except in size. On the obverse, Britannia, wearing a helmet, is seated on the globe; in her right hand extended a wreath of laurel, and in her left a palm branch; to her right the British lion, and on the left a round shield charged with the crosses of the union banner. The reverse has a wreath of laurel, within which the name of the event and the year were engraved, thus—Roleia and Vimiera, 1808; or Corunna, 1809; or Talavera, 1809; or Nivelle, Nive, etc. The name and rank of the officer were engraved on the edge. The large medal, of the size of that granted for Maida, was for general officers; in full dress it was worn from the neck, to a crimson ribbon with blue edges. The small medal, (of which an illustration is given,) attached to the ribbon by a gold swivel, with a gold buckle above, was conferred on field and other officers.

At this period the rules and regulations regarding the issue of medals were, 1st.—Medals are only to be bestowed upon occasions of great importance or of peculiar brilliancy. 2nd.—Medals of a larger size are conferred upon General Officers, including Brigadiers, who wear them suspended by a ribbon round the neck.[38] Medals of a smaller size are bestowed upon Colonels, and Officers of the senior ranks. 3rd.—No General or other officer is considered to be entitled to receive a Medal, except he has been personally and particularly engaged upon the occasion, in commemoration of which this distinction is bestowed, and has been selected by the Commander of the Forces upon the spot, and has been reported by him to have merited the distinction, by very conspicuous services. 4th.—The Commander of the Forces (after he shall have been informed of the intention of Government to bestow medals) shall transmit to the Secretary of State for the War Department, and 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. 5th.—The Commander of the Forces, in making this selection of the most deserving Officers, will consider his choice restricted to the undermentioned ranks, as it is found to be absolutely necessary that some limitation should be put upon the grant of this honour.