Chapter V: Part 5

The rank and situations held by Officers, to render them eligible for the distinction of Medals, were, General Officers; Commanding Officers of Brigades; Commanding Officers of Artillery or Engineers; Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General; their Deputies having the rank of Field Officers, and their Assistants having the same rank, and being at the head of the Staff, with a detached corps or distinct division of the Army; Military Secretary, having the rank of Field Officers; Commanding Officers of Battalions, Corps equivalent thereto, and Officers who have succeeded to the actual command during the engagement, in consequence of the death or removal of the original Commanding Officer.

CAPTURE OF MARTINIQUE AND GUADALOUPE.
FEBRUARY, 1809, AND JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 1810.

In January, 1809, the armament which had been assembled at Carlile Bay, Barbadoes, under the command of Lieutenant-General (afterwards Sir George) Beckwith, commanding in the Leeward Islands, proceeded against Martinique, off which island, then in the possession of France, it arrived on the 30th. of January. The troops landed in two divisions. The first division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, consisting of between six and seven thousand men, and the second, numbering over three thousand men, under Major-General Frederick Maitland, landed near St. Luce and Point Solomon, in the afternoon of the 30th., without opposition, and notwithstanding the difficulties of the country, occupied a position on the banks of the Grande Lezarde River before daybreak on the 31st., after a night march of seven miles.

On the 1st. of February, the 7th. Royal Fusiliers, and the light companies of the brigade which were in advance, drove a body of the enemy from Morne Bruno to the heights of Surirey, where the enemy on the 2nd. of February made a determined stand. A sharp action ensued, in which British valour was conspicuously displayed, and the French were driven from their position with considerable loss. Batteries were subsequently erected, and the siege of Fort Bourbon was commenced with such vigour that the garrison surrendered on the 24th. of February. Amongst the trophies captured on this occasion were three eagles and several brass drums.

Having thus captured this valuable island, Lieutenant-General Beckwith congratulated the troops, and stated in his official despatch, that “the command of such an army will constitute the pride of my future life. To these brave troops, conducted by Generals of experience, and not to me, their King and Country owe the sovereignty of this important colony; and I trust that by a comparison of the force which has defended it, and the time in which it has fallen, the present reduction of Martinique will not be deemed eclipsed by any former expedition.”

The gold medal was conferred on the general and regimental commanding officers, according to the practice of the service at this period.

An expedition, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Beckwith, against Guadaloupe, the only island remaining to the French in the West Indies, was embarked in January, 1810. The expedition rendezvoused at Prince Rupert’s, Dominica; and on the morning of the 28th. of January, a landing was effected by the first division, at the Bay of St. Marie. The second division sailed on the 26th. of that month, and anchored at the Saints until the 29th., when it proceeded towards Guadaloupe, and menaced the enemy’s defences at the Three Rivers. A landing was effected near the village of Les Vieux Habitans during the night without opposition. The French appeared in force on some high open ground, when the 15th. Foot turned their right flank, the Royal West Indian Rangers the left, and the 13th. Light Infantry advanced against the front, and the enemy was speedily forced from his ground.

The 7th., 8th., 13th., 15th., 23rd., 25th., (flank companies,) 60th., 63rd., 90th. Foot, and 1st. West India regiment were engaged in this service.

Shortly afterwards the conquest of the island was completed, and the achievement reflected great credit on the troops employed. In general orders, dated 6th. February, it was announced that “The Commander of the Forces returns his thanks to the officers of all ranks, for their meritorious exertions, and to the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, for the cheerfulness with which they have undergone the fatigues of a march, difficult in its nature, through the strongest country in the world, and the spirit they have manifested on all occasions to close with the enemy.”

GUADALOUPE is now borne on the colours of the 15th., 63rd., 90th., and 1st. West India regiment; and medals were granted to the superior officers, both for the capture of that island and also of Martinique. The medal was like that for Talavera, already described. When the War Medal was issued, bars were inscribed with the names of these two islands.

BATTLE OF BUSACO.
SEPTEMBER 27TH., 1810.

The advance of Marshal Massena in the summer of 1810, was preceded by the proud but vain boast, that, in pursuance of the imperial orders, he would drive the English leopards into the sea, and plant the eagles on the tower of Lisbon. His first operations were attended with success. Ciudad Rodrigo surrendered to Marshal Ney on the 10th. of July. After the gallant but hazardous combat between the light division and the French advance on the 24th. of that month, they passed the Coa in overwhelming numbers, when the retrograde movement and concentration of the allies behind the Mondego immediately commenced. Almedia having surrendered on the 27th. of August, the allies were again withdrawn to their former positions. The French line of invasion was not finally indicated until the middle of September, when they commenced their advance into Portugal along the right bank of the Mondego. Lieutenant-General Viscount Wellington, notwithstanding their vastly superior numbers, determined to give them battle in the position of Busaco, a lofty and rugged sierra or mountain ridge, extending about eight miles in a northerly direction from the Mondego, and crossing their line of march.

On the night of the 26th. of September, the combined British and Portuguese armies assembled in line on the precipitous sierra, named after the village and convent of Busaco. The second (Lieutenant-General Hill’s) division occupied the extreme right, guarding the declivities towards the Mondego; next to it the fifth (Major-General Leith’s) division; then the third division, having the first (Lieutenant-General Sir Brent Spencer’s) division on its left, occupying the highest part of the ridge; then the light (Brigadier-General Craufurd’s) division at the convent of Busaco; and the fourth (the Honourable Major-General Cole’s) division on the extreme left. In front, within cannon-shot and in full view of the British position, was assembled Massena’s army, seventy thousand strong, occupying the opposite range of mountains. The day passed over peaceably, but during the evening and night, small parties of skirmishers, passing up the dark ravines, attempted to establish themselves close to the British line, and kept all upon the alert.

The position of Busaco, although formidable from the steepness and rugged character of its face, was too extensive to be completely occupied by the twenty-five thousand British, and the same number of Portuguese troops, which formed the allied army, and there was an interval of about two miles between the left of the fifth and the right of the third division, which occupied the lowest and most accessible part of the position.

An hour before day, Lord Wellington went through the ranks on foot. He passed in comparative silence, for the English soldiers seldom indulge in those boisterous demonstrations of joy so common with the troops of other nations, and indeed rarely are known to hurrah, except when closing with the enemy; but wherever he was recognised, his presence was felt as the sure presage to another victory, to be gained by the men whom he had already led in so many fields of triumph. To be beaten when _he_ commanded, seemed, in the opinion of his soldiers (which is no bad criterion to judge by) next to impossible.

At six in the morning of the 27th. of September, two desperate attacks were commenced upon the British position, the one on the right, the other on the left of the highest point of the sierra. The assault upon the right was made by two divisions of the second corps, on that part of the sierra occupied by the third division of infantry. One division of French infantry arrived at the top of the ridge, when it was attacked in the most gallant manner by the 88th. Connaught Rangers, under the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Wallace, and the 45th., under the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Meade, and by the 8th. Portuguese regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas, directed by Major-General (afterwards Sir Thomas) Picton. These three corps advanced with the bayonet, and drove the enemy’s division from the advantageous ground it had obtained. The other division of the second corps attacked further on the right, by the road leading by St. Antonio di Cantaro, also in front of Major-General Picton’s division; but was repulsed before it could reach the top of the ridge, by the 74th. Highlanders, under the command of the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel French, and the brigade of Portuguese infantry, under Colonel Champelmond, directed by Colonel Henry Mac Kinnon; Major-General Leith also moved his left to support Major-General Picton, and aided in the defeat of the French in this post, by the third battalion of the Royals, and the first and second battalions of the 38th. regiment.

His Lordship stated in his despatch, that he never witnessed a more gallant attack than that made by the 38th., 45th., and 8th. Portuguese regiment, on the enemy’s division, which had reached the ridge of the sierra. Major William Smith, of the 45th., was killed.

Meanwhile, on the left, the enemy attacked with three divisions of infantry, of the sixth corps, that part of the sierra occupied by the left division, commanded by Brigadier-General Craufurd, and by the brigade of Portuguese infantry, under Brigadier-General (afterwards Sir Denis) Pack. “One division of infantry,” wrote Viscount Wellington, “only made any progress towards the top of the hill, and they were immediately charged with the bayonet by Brigadier-General Craufurd with the 43rd, 52nd.,[39] and 95th. regiments, and the 3rd. Caçadores, and driven down with immense loss.”

Besides these attacks, the light troops of the two armies were engaged throughout the 27th. The loss sustained by the enemy was immense, two thousand being killed upon the field of battle, with a corresponding amount of wounded. Captain Lord Fitz Roy Somerset, (the late Lord Raglan,) Aide-de-Camp to the British Commander; Captain the Marquis of Tweeddale, of the 1st. Foot Guards, Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General; Major Charles Napier, of the first battalion 50th., (severely;) and Captain George Napier, of the first battalion 52nd., were amongst the wounded.

BUSACO on the colours of the 1st., 5th., 9th., 38th., 43rd., 45th., 52nd., 74th., 83rd., 88th., and Rifle Brigade, commemorates this achievement.

There is a charming episode related by Sir William Napier, of the orphan girl, which belongs to this battle:—“Meanwhile an affecting incident, contrasting strongly with the savage character of the preceding events, added to the interest of the day. A poor orphan Portuguese girl, about seventeen years of age, and very handsome, was seen coming down the mountain, and driving an ass loaded with all her property, through the midst of the French army. She had abandoned her dwelling in obedience to the proclamation, and now passed over the field of battle with childish simplicity, totally unconscious of her perilous situation, and scarcely understanding which were the hostile and which the friendly troops, for no man on either side was so brutal as to molest her.”

On the following day there was some skirmishing on different points of the line, but the French, taught by experience to appreciate the strength of the position and the valour of its defenders, did not renew the assault. Towards evening their columns were seen in movement to their right, and their whole army was shortly on the march to turn the British left flank.

The allies then commenced their retreat, and before daylight on the 29th., the position of Busaco was evacuated, the divisions moving on their previously-arranged lines of retreat towards the lines of Torres Vedras. This stupendous line of entrenchments and fortifications, had by Viscount Wellington’s orders, been constructed, with admirable skill and immense labour, for the defence of Lisbon. The French general, who had followed the retreat through a wasted and deserted country, with the confident expectation that he was driving the British to their ships, found his progress arrested on the 10th. of October by this barrier, which he soon perceived to be impregnable, and which extended twenty-nine miles from the Tagus to the sea. Within the lines, supplies were abundant, and with the exception of some employment in strengthening the defensive works, amusements, exercises, and field sports of every attainable kind were the occupation of all ranks, who engaged in them as if no hostile interruption was to be apprehended. The allied army was at this time augmented by fresh regiments from England, and a sixth division of infantry added to it.

BATTLE OF BARROSA.
5TH. MARCH, 1811.

Wellington’s generals, like those under the illustrious Marlborough, did not often have the opportunity of fighting independent battles. What Wynendale was to Webb in Queen Anne’s reign, Almaraz was to Lord Hill, Albuhera to Lord Beresford, and Barrosa to Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham, (afterwards Lord Lynedoch,) who commanded the British forces in Cadiz at the above period. In consequence of Marshal Soult having proceeded into Estremadura, Marshal Victor was left to carry on the siege of Cadiz, and a combined attack on the rear of the blockading army at Chiclana was determined upon. Accordingly a British force of about three thousand men, under Lieutenant-General Graham, and a body of seven thousand troops, commanded by General Le Pena, were selected for this expedition. The forces having first proceeded to Gibraltar, afterwards disembarked at Algesiras, on the 23rd. of February, and being all united at Tarifa, marched thence on the 28th. of that month.

General Zayas pushed a strong body of Spanish troops across the river Santi Petri near the coast on the 1st. of March, threw a bridge over, and formed a _tête-de-pont_. This post was attacked by the enemy on the nights of the 3rd. and 4th. of March, who was repulsed, though the Spaniards sustained considerable loss. On the 5th. of March, 1811, Lieutenant-General Graham, and the army under his command, arrived on the low ridge of Barrosa, and gained a decisive victory over the French army, under Marshal Victor, composed of the two divisions of Generals Rufin and Laval.

The circumstances under which Lieutenant-General Graham found himself placed were such as compelled him to attack the very superior force, in point of numbers, of his opponents. The allied army, after a night march of sixteen hours from the camp near Veger, arrived on the morning of the 5th. at the low ridge of Barrosa, about four miles to the southward of the mouth of the Santi Petri river. This height extends inland about a mile and a half, continuing on the north the extensive heathy plain of Chiclana. A great pine-forest skirts the plain, and circles round the height at some distance, terminating down to Santi Petri, the intermediate space between the north side of the height and the forest being uneven and broken. A well-conducted and successful attack on the rear of the enemy’s lines near Santi Petri, by the vanguard of the Spaniards, under Brigadier-General Ladrizabel, opened the communication with the Isla de Leon, and Lieutenant-General Graham received General La Pena’s directions to move down from the position of Barrosa to that of the Torre de Bermeja, about half-way to the Santi Petri river, in order to secure the communication across the river, over which a bridge had been recently constructed. This latter position occupied a narrow woody ridge, the right on the sea cliff, the left falling down to the Almanza creek on the edge of the marsh. An easy communication between the western points of these two positions were kept up by a hard sandy beach. Lieutenant-General Graham, while on the march through the wood towards the Bermeja, received intelligence that the enemy had appeared in force on the plain of Chiclana, about fifty miles from Tarifa, and was advancing towards the heights of Barrosa.

This position being considered by the British general as the key to that of Santi Petri, he immediately countermarched in order to support the troops left for its defence, and the alacrity with which this manœuvre was executed, served as a favourable omen. It was, however, impossible in such intricate and difficult ground to preserve order in the columns, and time was never afforded to restore it entirely. Before the British could get quite disentangled from the wood, the troops on the Barrosa hill were seen returning from it, while the enemy’s left wing was rapidly ascending. His right wing at the same time stood on the plain, on the edge of the wood, within cannon-shot. A retreat in the face of such a foe, already within reach of the easy communication by the sea-beach, must have involved the whole allied army in all the danger of being attacked during the unavoidable confusion of the different corps arriving nearly at the same time on the narrow ridge of the Bermeja.

Lieutenant-General Graham relying on the heroism of British troops, and regardless of the number and position of the enemy, determined on an immediate attack. Major Duncan soon opened a powerful battery of ten guns in the centre. Brigadier-General Dilkes with the brigade of Guards, Lieutenant-Colonel Browne’s (of the 28th.) flank battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott’s two companies of the second Rifle corps, and Major Acheson with a part of the 67th. Foot, (separated from the regiment in the wood,) formed on the right. Colonel Wheatley’s brigade, with three companies of the Coldstream Guards, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, (separated likewise from his battalion in the wood,) and Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard’s flank battalion, formed on the left.

As soon as the infantry was thus hastily got together, the guns advanced to a more favourable position, and kept up a most destructive fire. The right wing proceeded to the attack of General Rufin’s division on the hill, while Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard’s battalion, and Lieutenant-Colonel Bushe’s detachment of the 20th. Portuguese, were warmly engaged with the enemy’s tirailleurs on the left.

General Laval’s division, notwithstanding the havoc made by Major Duncan’s battery, continued to advance in very imposing masses, opened his fire of musketry, and was only checked by that of the left wing. The left wing now advanced firing; a most determined charge by three companies of the Guards and the 87th. regiment, supported by all the remainder of the wing, decided the defeat of General Laval’s division. The eagle of the 8th. regiment of light infantry, which suffered immensely, and a howitzer, rewarded this charge, and remained in possession of Major Gough, (afterwards General Viscount Gough), of the 87th. regiment.[40] These attacks were zealously supported by Colonel Belson, with the 28th. foot, and Lieutenant-Colonel Prevost with a part of the 67th. regiment.

A reserve formed beyond the narrow valley, across which the enemy was closely pursued, next shared a similar fate, and was routed by the same means. Meanwhile the right wing was not less successful; the French, confident of success, met Brigadier-General Dilkes on the ascent of the hill, and the contest was sanguinary: but the undaunted perseverance of the brigade of Guards, of Lieutenant-Colonel Browne’s battalion, and Lieutenant-Colonel Norcott’s and Major Acheson’s detachment, overcame every obstacle, and General Rufin’s division was driven from the heights in confusion, leaving two pieces of cannon in the hands of the victors.

In less than an hour and a half from the commencement of the action, the enemy was in full retreat. The retiring division met, halted, and seemed inclined to form; but a new and more advanced position of the British artillery quickly dispersed it. The exhausted state of the troops rendered pursuit impossible, and a position was occupied on the eastern side of the hill. When the conflict had ceased, Lieutenant-General Graham remained on the field of battle; but the Spanish general, La Pena, who had looked on while this obstinate battle was fought, did not seize the favourable opportunity which the valour of the British troops had put into his hands, of striking a severe blow at the remains of the French army retreating in disorder. The inactivity of the Spaniards continuing, the British proceeded on the following day to Cadiz.

Among the prisoners were the General of Division Rufin, the General of Brigade Rousseau,[41] the latter being mortally wounded; the Chief of the Staff, General Bellegarde; an aidede-camp of Marshal Victor; the Colonel of the 8th. regiment and several other officers. The prisoners amounted to two general officers, one field officer, nine captains, eight subalterns, and four hundred and twenty rank and file. The enemy lost about three thousand men in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and six pieces of cannon were captured.

Both Houses of Parliament unanimously voted their thanks to Lieutenant-General Graham, and the officers and men under his command, for his victory.

The following corps were engaged in this battle:—2nd. Hussars, King’s German Legion; Loyal Artillery; Royal Engineers; 1st. Foot Guards, 2nd. battalion; Coldstream Guards, 2nd. battalion; 3rd. Foot Guards, 2nd. battalion; 9th. Foot, 1st. battalion, (flank companies;) 28th. Foot, 1st. battalion; 47th. Foot, 2nd battalion, (flank companies;) 67th. Foot, 2nd battalion; 82nd. Foot, 2nd. battalion, (flank companies;) 87th. Foot, 2nd. battalion; Rifle Brigade, 2nd. and 3rd. battalions; 20th. Portuguese Regiment; and one company of the Royal Staff Corps.

MEDAL FOR BARROSA.

The medal for this battle was similar to that granted for the victories commencing with Roleia, and the following Memorandum, dated Horse Guards, November, 1811, was published in the “London Gazette”:—

“The Prince Regent having been graciously pleased, in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, to command that, in commemoration of the brilliant victory obtained over the enemy by a division of His Majesty’s army, under the command of Lieutenant-General Graham, at Barrosa, on the 5th. of March, 1811, the undermentioned officers of the army, present upon that occasion, should enjoy the privilege of bearing a Medal, and His Royal Highness having approved of the medal which has been struck, is 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 and detachments, and the Chiefs of Military Departments, attached by a ribbon of the same colour to the button-hole of their uniform:—

Lieutenant-General Thomas Graham; Major-General William Thomas Dilkes; Colonel William Wheatley, 1st. Foot Guards; Lieutenant-Colonels Charles P. Belson, 28th. Foot, William Augustus Prevost, 67th. regiment, The Hon. T. Cranley Onslow, 3rd. Foot Guards, Andrew F. Barnard, 95th. Rifle regiment, John Macdonald, Deputy Adjutant-General, Edward Sebright, 1st. Foot Guards, John Frederick Brown, 28th. regiment, Amos Godsill Norcott, 95th. Rifle regiment, The Hon. Charles M. Cathcart, Deputy Quartermaster-General, Richard Bushe, 20th. Portuguese regiment, Alexander Duncan, Royal Artillery, and Hugh Gough, 87th. regiment; and Major A. F. Baron Bussche, 2nd. Light Dragoons, King’s German Legion.

By the command of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty.

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

BATTLE OF FUENTES D’ONOR.
5TH. MAY, 1811.

At this period the sixth division of the British army had invested Almeida, and a force of British and Portuguese, under Marshal Beresford, was employed in the Alentejo 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, 1811, 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 at that place on the 2nd. of May, and advanced towards the allied army, posted between that river and the Coa, in order to blockade Almeida, which place, it was ascertained, was but ill supplied with provisions for its garrison. Upon 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 position Viscount Wellington determined to receive the attack of the enemy.

The village of Fuentes d’Onor, (Fountain of Honor,) 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. Shortly after the enemy had formed on the ground, on the right of the Duas Casas, in the afternoon of the 3rd., they attacked the village with a large force, which was gallantly defended by Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, of the fifth battalion of the 60th. regiment, in command of the light infantry battalions, belonging to Major-General Picton’s division, supported by the light infantry battalion in Major-General Nightingall’s brigade, commanded by Major (afterwards Sir Robert) Dick, and the light infantry battalion in Major-General Howard’s brigade, commanded by Major Archibald M‘Donnell, of the 92nd. regiment, and the light infantry battalion of the King’s German Legion, commanded by Major Charles Aly, of the fifth battalion of the Line, and by the second battalion of the 83rd. regiment, under Major Henry William Carr.

These troops maintained their position, but the British commander seeing the repeated efforts which were made to obtain possession of the village, and being fully aware of the advantage the enemy would derive therefrom in their subsequent operations, the place was reinforced successively by the 71st., under the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Cadogan, and the 79th. under Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, and the 24th. under Major Chamberlaine. The former, at the head of the 71st., charged the French, and drove them from the part of the village of which they had obtained momentary possession. About this time Lieutenant-Colonel Williams was wounded, and the command devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, of the 79th. regiment. The contest continued until night, when the British Troops remained in possession of the whole. The light infantry battalions and the 83rd. regiments were subsequently withdrawn, leaving only the 71st. and 79th. regiments in the village, with the second battalion of the 24th to support them.

During the 4th. of May the enemy reconnoitred the positions which the British had occupied on the Duas Casas river, and that night General Junot’s corps was moved from Almeida to the left of the position occupied by the sixth corps, opposite to Fuentes d’Onor. From the course of the reconnoissance it was considered that an attempt would be made to obtain possession of that place, and of the ground occupied by the troops behind the village, by crossing the Duas Casas at Poza Velho, and in the evening the seventh division, under Major-General Houstoun, was moved to the right, in order to protect, if possible, that passage.

On the morning of Sunday, the 5th. of May, the eighth corps appeared in two columns, with all the cavalry on the opposite side of the valley of the Duas Casas to Poza Velho; and as the sixth and ninth corps also made a movement to their left, the light division, which had been brought back from the neighbourhood of Almeida, was sent with the cavalry, under Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart., (afterwards Field-Marshal Viscount Combermere, G.C.B.) to support Major-General Houstoun, while the first and third divisions made a movement to their right, along the ridge between the Turon and Duas Casas rivers, corresponding to that of the sixth and ninth corps, on the right of the latter river.

Major-General Houstoun’s advanced guard, consisting of the 85th., under Major M‘Intosh, and the 2nd Portuguese Caçadores, under Lieutenant-Colonel Nixon, was attacked by the eighth corps, and compelled to retire, which was done in good order, although with some loss. The eighth corps being thus established in Poza Velho, the enemy’s cavalry turned the right of the seventh division between that place and Nave d’Aver, and charged.

The charge of the advanced guard of the French cavalry was met by two or three squadrons of the different regiments of British Dragoons, and the enemy was driven back, Colonel La Motte, of the 13th. Chasseurs, and some prisoners being taken. The main body was checked, and obliged to retire, by the fire of Major-General Houstoun’s division, the Chasseurs Britanniques and a detachment of the Duke of Brunswick’s Light Infantry behaving in the most steady manner. Notwithstanding the repulse of this charge, Viscount Wellington determined to concentrate his force towards the left, and to move the seventh light and the other two divisions, and the cavalry from Poza Velho towards Fuentes d’Onor. The former place and neighbourhood had been occupied in the hope of maintaining the communication across the Coa by Sabugal, as well as to provide for the blockade, which objects, it became obvious, were incompatible with each other, and that which was deemed the least important was abandoned; the light division was placed in reserve in the rear of the left of the first, and the seventh on some commanding ground beyond the Turon, which protected the right flank and rear of the first division, besides covering the communication with the Coa, and prevented that of the French with Almeida by the roads between the Turon and that river.

Upon this occasion the movement of the troops, although under very critical circumstances, was well conducted by Major-General Houstoun, Brigadier-General Craufurd, and Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton. The seventh division was covered in its passage of the Turon by the light, under Brigadier-General Craufurd, and this last, in its march to join the first division, by the British cavalry. The British position thus extended on the high ground from the Turon to the Duas Casas. The seventh division on the left of the former, covered the rear of the right; the first division, in two lines, was on the right; Colonel Ashworth’s brigade, in two lines, in the centre; and the third division, in two lines, on the left. The light division and British cavalry in reserve; and the village of Fuentes d’Onor in front of the left. Don Julian’s infantry joined the seventh division in Frenada, and he was sent with his cavalry to endeavour to interrupt the enemy’s communication with Ciudad Rodrigo. The efforts on the right part of the British position, after it was occupied as above described, were confined to a cannonade, and to some cavalry charges upon the advanced posts.

One of these was repulsed by the pickets of the first division, under Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, of the 3rd. regiment of Guards; but as they were falling back, they did not see the direction of another in sufficient time to oppose it, and the Lieutenant-Colonel was taken prisoner, many men were wounded and some captured, before a detachment of the British cavalry could move up to their support. The second battalion of the 42nd., under Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Blantyre, also repulsed a charge of the cavalry directed against them. They likewise attempted to push a body of light infantry down the ravine of the Turon to the right of the first division, which was repulsed by the light infantry of the Guards, under Lieutenant-Colonel Guise, aided by five companies of the 95th., under Captain O’Hara.

Throughout this day the enemy’s principal effort was again directed against Fuentes d’Onor, and notwithstanding that the whole of the sixth corps was at different periods employed to attack this village, the French were never able to gain more than a temporary possession. It was defended by the 24th., 71st., and 79th. regiments, under the command of Colonel Cameron; these troops were supported by the light infantry battalions in the third division, commanded by Major Woodgate; the light infantry battalions in the first division, commanded by Majors Dick, M‘Donnell, and Aly; the 6th. Portuguese Caçadores, commanded by Major Pinto; by the light companies in Colonel Champelmond’s Portuguese brigade, under Colonel Sutton; and those in Colonel Ashworth’s Portuguese brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Pynn; and by the pickets of the third division, under the command of the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Trench. Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron was severely wounded in the afternoon, and the command in the village devolved upon the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Cadogan.

In addition to the foregoing, the troops in Fuentes d’Onor were supported, when pressed by the enemy, by the 74th. regiment, under Major Russell Manners, and the 88th. Connaught Rangers, under Lieutenant-Colonel Wallace, belonging to Colonel Mac Kinnon’s brigade; on one of these occasions the 88th., with the 71st. and 79th., under the command of Colonel Mac Kinnon, charged the enemy, and drove them through the village.

This prolonged contest again lasted in this quarter until night, when the British still held their post, and from that time there was no fresh attempt made on any part of their position. Although the actions were partial, yet they were very severe, and the casualties were also. The enemy had a great superiority of force, and their loss was likewise great; they left four hundred killed in the village of Fuentes d’Onor.

The following regiments were engaged at FUENTES D’ONOR:—14th. and 16th. Light Dragoons; the 24th., 42nd., 43rd., 45th., 52nd., 60th., 71st., 74th., 79th., 83rd., 85th., 88th., 92nd., and Rifle Brigade.

On the 8th. of May the enemy retired to the woods between Espeja, Gallegos, and Fuentes d’Onor, in which position the whole army was collected by the following day, with the exception of that part of the second corps which continued opposite Almeida; but during the night of the 9th. the whole broke up and retired across the Azava, covering their retreat by their numerous cavalry, and on the following day the whole crossed the Agueda, leaving Almeida to its fate.

MEDAL FOR BUSACO AND FUENTES D’ONOR.

The customary medal was granted for the above battles, the pattern being like that for the other actions in the Peninsula. The following letter from Viscount Wellington to the Earl of Liverpool, dated July 11th., 1811, gives his views regarding the distribution of medals:—

“I have had the honour of receiving your Lordship’s letter of the 22nd of June, in which your Lordships desires to have my opinion as to the restrictions which it may be expedient to put upon the grant of medals to British officers, for distinguished merit displayed upon such occasions as the battles of Vimeiro, Corunna, Talavera, and Barrosa.

“My opinion has always been, that the grant of a medal to an individual officer ought to have been founded originally, partly on the importance of the occasion or action which it was intended to commemorate, and partly on the share which the individual officer had had in the action to be commemorated; and that medals should have been granted for important actions only, and to those engaged in them in a conspicuous manner, whatever might be their rank in the service. It was decided, however, that medals should be granted on the same principle only, but following strictly the example of the grant of medals to the navy, notwithstanding that an action on shore is very different from an action at sea; and the merit of the different classes of individuals is likewise entirely different. At the same time, this principle was departed from in some of the grants made.

“If the principle adopted in the grant of medals to the navy is adhered to in the grant of medals to officers of the army, and that medals, to be granted to general officers, and Lieutenant-Colonels commanding regiments, on an occasion to be commemorated, because, on a similar occasion, they would be granted to Admirals and Captains of ships of the line, it is difficult to restrict the grant or make a selection of officers to whom they should be granted to commemorate the battles at Busaco and Fuentes d’Onor, if government determine that these actions should be commemorated in that manner. If, however, that principle is departed from, it is not difficult to make out a list of the names of officers already reported to your Lordship, who were at the head of corps or detachments upon these occasions, and who had a conspicuous share in the event which it is the intention of the government to commemorate in this manner. It is not probable, however, that the adoption of this principle will decrease the number of those to whom the honour would be granted; but, as I have already represented to your Lordship, I don’t think this important; that which is important in the establishment of the principle on which the grant of this honour should be made, is that every officer should feel that he shall receive the mark of distinction, if he should be in the place to distinguish himself, and should act in the manner to deserve to be distinguished, whatever may be his military rank. It may be contended for by me, that the officers of the British army don’t require an honour of this description to stimulate their exertions, and that the grant of the medal is therefore useless; but, however, those who contend for this principle must admit that a selection of those who have had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves in an action is a less objectionable mode of granting it than the grant of it by classes, whether the individuals composing those classes have distinguished themselves or not.

“I have now the honour to enclose lists of the names of the officers who, on the principle of selection, ought, in my opinion, to receive medals for the battles of Busaco and Fuentes d’Onor, if government think proper to distinguish these battles by medals. In respect to the battle of Albuhera, I was not there, and I am not able to give an opinion upon it. One brigade of the fourth division of infantry, however, was not in the action, nor Brigadier-General Madden’s brigade of cavalry. The brunt of the action was on the right; but some of the corps of infantry, I believe, and certainly General Otway’s brigade of cavalry, on the left, were not engaged. At all events, these troops were not engaged, as far as I understand, in a greater degree than the whole army were at Busaco, and every corps on the field at Fuentes d’ Onor.

“I mention these circumstances only to point out to your Lordship, that in every action on shore, however severe, there must be some to whose lot it does not fall to have an opportunity to distinguish themselves; and that the principle of selection, without reference to ranks, ought to be adopted in every instance of the grant of medals to the army.”

BATTLE OF ALBUHERA.
16TH. MAY, 1811.

Early in May the first siege of Badajoz was commenced by the British, and whilst the operations against that fortress were in progress, Marshal Soult quitted Seville, and advanced to its relief. The portion[42] of the allied army under Marshal Sir William Beresford, moved forward to meet him, and took up a position in front of Albuhera.

At nine o’clock in the morning of the 16th. of May, the enemy commenced his attack, and after a strong and gallant resistance by the Spanish troops, he gained the heights upon which they had been formed; meanwhile the division of the Honourable Major-General William Stewart had been moved up to support them, and that of Major-General Hamilton brought to the left of the Spanish line, and formed in contiguous close columns of battalions, to be available in any direction. The Portuguese brigade of cavalry, under Brigadier-General Otway, remained at some distance on the left, to check any attempt that might be made below the village.

Nearly at the commencement of the battle a heavy storm of rain came on, which with the smoke from the firing, rendered it impossible to discern anything distinctly. This, with the nature of the ground, had been extremely favourable to the attacking columns. The right brigade of Major-General Stewart’s division, under Lieutenant-Colonel Colborne, (now Field-Marshal Lord Seaton,) first came into action, and behaved in the most gallant manner, and, finding that the enemy’s column could not be shaken by fire, proceeded to attack it with the bayonet; while thus in the act of charging, a body of Polish lancers, which the thickness of the atmosphere and the nature of the ground had concealed, (and which was, besides, mistaken by those of the brigade when discovered for Spanish cavalry, and therefore not fired upon,) turned it, and being thus attacked unexpectedly in the rear, was unfortunately broken, and suffered immensely. The second battalion of the 31st. regiment, under the command of Major L’Estrange, alone held its ground against all the _colonnes en masse_, until the arrival of the third brigade under Major-General Hoghton. The conduct of this brigade was most conspicuously gallant, and that of the second brigade, under the Honourable Lieutenant-Colonel Abercromby, was not less so. Major-General Hoghton, cheering on his men to the charge, fell pierced with wounds.

Although the principal attack was on this point of the right a continual attempt was also made upon that part of the original front at the village and bridge, which were defended in the most gallant manner by Major-General Baron Alten, and the light infantry brigade of the German Legion, whose conduct, in every point of view, was reported as “conspicuously good.” The enemy’s cavalry, on his infantry attempting to force the right, had endeavoured to turn it; but the able manœuvres of Major-General the Honourable William Lumley, commanding the allied cavalry, though vastly inferior in point of numbers, foiled the design. Major-General the Honourable George Lowry Cole, seeing the attack, very judiciously brought up his left a little, marched in line to attack the enemy’s left, and arrived most opportunely to contribute, with the charges of the brigades of Major-General Stewart’s division, to force the enemy to abandon his situation, and retire precipitately, and to take refuge under his reserve. Here the Fusilier brigade, consisting of two battalions of the 7th. and one of the 23rd. Fusiliers, immortalized itself.[43] So numerous were the casualties, that Captain Stainforth’s company of the 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was commanded, at the close of the action, by Corporal Thomas Robinson. The enemy was pursued by the Allies to a considerable distance, and as far as it was considered prudent, with his immense superiority of cavalry, and Marshal Beresford contented himself with seeing him driven across the Albuhera.

Commencing at nine o’clock, the battle continued without interruption until two in the afternoon, when the enemy having been driven over the Albuhera, for the remainder of the day there was but cannonading and skirmishing.

It was observed during this sanguinary battle, that the British dead, particularly the 57th. regiment, were lying as they fought, in ranks, and every wound was in the front. This corps here gained the name of the _Die-hards_.

On this memorable day the loss was very severe, but the French casualties were still greater. About two thousand dead were left by them on the field, and nearly a thousand prisoners were taken. Five of their generals were killed and wounded. The British had Major-General Hoghton, thirty-three officers, thirty-three sergeants, four drummers, and nine hundred and seventeen rank and file killed.[44]

Amongst the instances of the defence and preservation of the colours, the following are remarkable, and more especially that of the 3rd., Buffs, for which a medal was struck. In the accounts of the time, Ensign Walsh, of the 3rd. Foot, was reported to have prevented the colour of the regiment from being taken by tearing, when the staff of the colour was broken by a cannon ball, the colour off and concealing it in his bosom. This statement misled the then Chancellor of the Exchequer when he moved a vote of thanks to the army, on the 7th. of June following, for its gallantry in this sanguinary battle. The honour, however, was due to Lieutenant Latham, who preserved the regimental colour from falling into the enemy’s hands in the following gallant manner:—While the Buffs were engaged with the French infantry, they were attacked in the rear by a large force of French and Polish cavalry. Ensign Thomas, who carried the second, or regimental colour, was called upon to surrender; but he replied that could only be with his life. He fell, mortally wounded, a victim to his bravery, and the colour was captured. The first, or the king’s colour, was carried by Ensign Walsh; the sergeants who protected it had fallen in its defence, and this officer was pursued by several Polish lancers. Lieutenant Latham saw the danger of the colour being borne in triumph from the field by the enemy; his soul was alive to the honour of his corps, and he ran forward to protect it. Ensign Walsh was surrounded, wounded, and taken prisoner; but Lieutenant Latham arrived at the spot in time to seize the colour, which he defended with heroic gallantry. Environed by a crowd of assailants, each emulous of the honour of its capture, and his body bleeding from wounds, Lieutenant Latham clung with energetic tenacity to his precious charge, defended himself with his sword, and refused to yield. A French hussar, seizing the flag-staff, and raising in his stirrups, aimed at the head of the gallant Latham a blow which failed in cutting him down, but which sadly mutilated him, severing one side of the face and nose. Although thus severely wounded, his resolute spirit did not shrink, but he sternly and vigorously continued to struggle with the French horsemen, and, as they endeavoured to drag the colour from him, he exclaimed, “I will surrender it only with my life.” A second sabre stroke severed his left arm and hand, in which he held the staff, from his body. He then dropped his sword, and, seizing the staff with his right hand, continued to struggle with his opponents until he was thrown down, trampled upon, and pierced with lances; but the number of his adversaries, impeded their efforts to destroy him, and that moment the British cavalry came up and the French troopers fled. Lieutenant Latham, although desperately wounded, was so intent on preserving the colour, that he exerted the little strength he had left to remove it from the staff and to conceal it under him. The Fusilier brigade advanced, and, by a gallant effort, changed the fortune of the day. Sergeant Gough, of the first battalion of the 7th. Royal Fusiliers, found the colour under Lieutenant Latham, who lay apparently dead. The colour, for which so desperate a struggle had been maintained, was restored to the Buffs, and the sergeant was rewarded with a commission, being, in consequence of his gallant conduct, appointed ensign in the 2nd. West India Regiment, on the 14th. of November, 1811. After lying some time on the ground in a state of insensibility, Lieutenant Latham revived and crawled towards the river, where he was found endeavouring to quench his thirst. He was removed to the convent, his wounds dressed, and the stump of his arm amputated: he ultimately recovered. Ensign Walsh escaped from the enemy soon after he had been made prisoner. When recovered of his wounds, he joined his regiment, and made known the circumstance of the colour having been thus preserved by Lieutenant Latham. The officers of the Buffs, with a readiness which reflected great honour on the corps, subscribed one hundred guineas for the purchase of a gold medal, on which the preservation of the colour by Lieutenant Latham was represented in high relief, with the motto, “I will surrender it only with my life.” Application was made to His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, by General Leigh, then Colonel of the 3rd. Foot, or the Buffs, for the royal authority for Lieutenant Latham to receive and wear the medal, which was granted, in a letter dated Horse Guards, 4th. January, 1813. The medal was presented to this gallant officer at Reading, on the 12th. of August following. An operation was performed in 1815, by the celebrated surgeon, Mr. Carpue, assisted by Assistant John Morrison, M.D., of the Buffs, to repair the mutilation of Captain Latham’s face, at the suggestion of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, who kindly defrayed the expense of the operation and cure. Captain Latham received, by authority of the royal warrant, a pension of one hundred pounds a year, in consequence of the loss of his left arm, and a further annual pension of seventy pounds on account of his other severe wounds. He continued to serve in the 3rd. regiment until the 20th. of April, 1820, when he exchanged to half-pay, receiving the regulated difference.

Ensign James Jackson carried the regimental colour of the 57th. at Albuhera. Soon after the action commenced, the officer with the king’s colour was severely wounded, and the colour fell to the ground, when Ensign Jackson immediately directed one of the non-commissioned officers to pick it up, and taking it from him, gave the regimental colour to the sergeant, which he retained until an officer was brought to take charge of it. The king’s colour, which Ensign Jackson carried, received thirty balls through it, and two others broke the pole and carried away the top. Nine balls passed through his clothes, of which four wounded—one through the body. During the greatest part of the battle the hostile lines were less than one hundred yards from each other. Brevet-Major James Jackson was placed on retired full pay as captain, 57th. regiment, on the 25th. of June, 1841, and was promoted to the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on the 28th. of November, 1854.

Marshal Soult retired after the battle to the ground he had been previously on, and during the night of the 17th. he commenced his retreat towards Seville, leaving Badajoz to its fate.

MEDAL FOR ALBUHERA.

The medal for the battle of Albuhera was the same as that conferred for other actions of this period, and of which an illustration is given for Talavera; but there appears also to have been one awarded by the Spanish monarch, for in a letter, dated Gonesse, 2nd. July, 1815, addressed to Marshal Lord Beresford, G.C.B., the Duke of Wellington wrote, “You should recommend for the Spanish medal for Albuhera, according to the rules laid down by the King of Spain, for the grant of it. I think it should be given only to those who were there, and actually engaged.” When the silver war medal was authorized, it is almost superfluous to state that a bar was granted for this victory.

CAPTURE OF JAVA.
AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1811.

The British government resolved to complete its dominion in the East, by the conquest of the island of Java, of which the Dutch had held undisturbed possession for more than one hundred years. The extent of the island,—six hundred and forty miles long, and about a hundred broad; the luxuriant and fertile character of the soil, the mountain districts yielding the vegetables and grain of Europe, and the plains the delicious fruits and other vegetable productions of the East in abundance, without the necessity of laborious tillage, and to so great an extent, as to occasion it to be sometimes called the granary of the East; rendered the island of Java a valuable acquisition to the United Provinces, and its principle city, Batavia, was the capital of the Dutch settlements in the East Indies. Holland having become a part of that empire which Napoleon was forming to prepare the way for universal dominion, it became necessary to deprive the Dutch of this large and fertile island.

Lord Minto, the Governor-General of India, planned the expedition, and in order to carry out his idea, gave orders for the collection of a number of troops at Madras. The squadron was placed under Rear-Admiral the Honourable Robert Stopford, and the land forces were commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty; whilst his lordship determined to accompany the armament.

A landing was effected on the 4th. of August, 1811, at Chillingching, within twelve miles east of Batavia, which was taken possession of on the 8th. of that month without opposition. The possession of Batavia was of the utmost importance. Although large storehouses of public property were burnt previous to the retreat of the enemy, and every effort made to destroy the remainder, some valuable granaries and other stores were preserved. During the night of the 8th. a feeble attempt was made by the enemy to cut off a small guard, which had been sent for the security of the place; but the troops of the advance had reinforced the party early in the evening, and the attack was repulsed. The advance under Colonel (afterwards Major-General Sir Robert Rollo) Gillespie occupied the city on the 9th. of August.

On the 10th. a sharp affair took place with the _élite_ of General Jansen’s army; the British had advanced from Batavia, and found three thousand select men of the Gallo-Batavian troops in a strong position at Weltervreeden, defended by _abattis_; this post was stormed and carried at the point of the bayonet by the troops under Colonel Gillespie, many of the enemy being killed, and their guns captured; the remainder retreated to the entrenched position at Cornelis, between the great river Jacatra and the deep aqueduct of Slokan, neither of which was fordable. In this affair the grenadier company of the 78th., and the detachment of the 89th. regiment, were particularly distinguished in charging and capturing their adversaries’ artillery. The British loss was trifling compared with that of their opponents, which was estimated at about five hundred men, with Brigadier-General Alberti dangerously wounded.