Chapter VI: Part 6

Although success had thus attended the British troops, further progress became extremely difficult, and somewhat doubtful. The position of the foe was extremely formidable. Seven redoubts, and many batteries, mounted with heavy cannon, occupied the most commanding ground within the lines, the whole of the works being defended by a numerous and well-organized artillery. As the season was too far advanced, the heat so violent, and the number of troops insufficient to admit of regular approaches, the only alternative was to attempt to carry the works by assault, and in aid of this design, some batteries were erected for the purpose of disabling the principal redoubt; a heavy fire was kept up by the British for two days, from twenty eighteen-pounders and eight mortars and howitzers. Their execution was great, and although answered at the commencement of each day by a far more numerous artillery, the nearest batteries were daily silenced, and every part of the position was considerably disturbed.

At dawn on the 26th. of August, the assault on Cornelis was made. To Colonel Gillespie, a gallant and experienced officer, the attack was entrusted. He had the infantry of the advance and the grenadiers of the line with him, and was supported by Colonel Gibbs, with the 59th. regiment and the fourth battalion of Bengal Volunteers. They were intended, if possible, to surprise the redoubt, No. 3, constructed beyond the Slokan, to endeavour to cross the bridge over that stream with the fugitives, and then to assault the redoubts within the lines, Colonel Gillespie attacking those to the left, and Colonel Gibbs to the right. Lieutenant-Colonel William Macleod, with six companies of the 69th., was directed to follow a path on the bank of the great river, and when the attack had commenced on the Slokan, to endeavour to possess himself of the left redoubt, No. 2. Major Tule, with the flank corps of the reserve, reinforced by two troops of cavalry, four guns of horse artillery, two companies of the 69th. and the grenadiers of the reserve, was to attack the corps at Campong Maylayo, on the west of the great river, and endeavour to cross the bridge at that post.

The remainder of the army, under Major-General (afterwards General Sir Frederick) Wetherall, was at the batteries, where a column under Colonel Wood, consisting of the 78th. regiment and the fifth volunteer battalion, was directed to advance against the enemy in front, and at a favourable moment, when aided by the other attacks, to force his way, if practicable, and open the position for the line. General Jansens was fully prepared for the conflict, and was in the redoubts when it commenced. After a long detour through a close and intricate country, Colonel Gillespie came on the enemy’s advance, routed it in an instant, and, under a heavy fire of grape and musketry, rapidly possessed himself of the advanced redoubt, No. 3. Passing the bridges with the fugitives, under a tremendous fire, he assaulted and carried with the bayonet the redoubt No. 4, after a very obstinate resistance. Here the two divisions of the columns separated. Colonel Gibbs turned to the right, and with the 59th. and a portion of the 78th., which had now forced their way in front, carried the redoubt No. 1. At the instant of its capture an explosion of the magazine occurred, which destroyed a number of officers and men who were crowded on its ramparts, which the foe had abandoned. The redoubt No. 2, against which Lieutenant-Colonel William Macleod’s (69th. Foot) attack was directed, was carried in equally gallant style, but that officer fell in the moment of victory. The front of the position being thus open, the assailants rushed in from every quarter.[45] The cavalry, towards the rear, and horse artillery forced a passage through the lines, the fort of Cornelis was carried, and the British were triumphant at every point. Nearly two thousand of the enemy were killed, and about five thousand prisoners were taken, including three general officers.

General Jansens, with about fifty horse, the remnant of his army of ten thousand men, escaped into the interior, where, having collected a small force, he made a feeble attempt at further resistance, which resulted in the surrender of himself and his troops in September, with the island of Java and its dependencies, to the British arms. This valuable island was annexed to the dominions of the British crown, but was restored to Holland at the termination of the war, by the treaty of Vienna, in 1814.[46]

The 14th., 59th., 69th., 78th., and 89th. regiments were present at the capture of Java.

MEDAL FOR JAVA.

The medal which was conferred for this success was the same as that granted for the Peninsula victories, and was similarly distributed. When the general silver medal was subsequently authorized for the several services specified at page 58, the word JAVA was inscribed on one of the bars, as was done for the capture of Martinique and Guadaloupe.

SIEGE OF CIUDAD RODRIGO.
JANUARY, 1812.

As soon as the troops had recovered from their sickness and fatigue, Viscount Wellington determined the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, which place was approached on the 8th. of January, 1812. It was not, however, regularly invested, for the light division only crossed on that day. The French garrison in the Francisco redoubt considered the affair merely as one of observation, and amused themselves with bowing and saluting the new comers. At night a party was formed from each regiment of the above division, under Lieutenant-Colonel John Colborne, of the 52nd., and the redoubt was stormed: the conduct of this officer, and of the detachment, was highly applauded in the official despatches.

Viscount Wellington, in the afternoon of the 14th. of January, opened fire from twenty-two pieces of ordnance in three batteries in the first parallel, and the British established themselves in the second parallel on the same night. Lieutenant-General Graham facilitated this measure by having surprised the enemy’s detachment in the convent of Santa Cruz, on the night of the 13th.; and Major-General the Honourable Charles Colville, in temporary command of the fourth division, had, on the night of the 14th., obtained possession of the convent of St. Francisco, and of the other fortified posts of the suburb. The latter service was gallantly performed by Lieutenant-Colonel Harcourt, with the 40th. regiment, which remained from that period in the suburb of St. Francisco, and materially assisted in the attack on that side of the place. The siege was prosecuted with such vigour, that on the 19th. of the same month, two practicable breaches having been made in the body of the place, the British commander resolved to carry it by storm.

The assault was made on the evening of Sunday, the 19th. of January, in five separate columns. Brigadier-General Pack, who was destined to make a false attack upon the southern face of the fort, converted it into a real one, his advance guard, under the command of Major Lynch, having followed the enemy’s troops from the advanced works into the _fausse-braye_, where all opposed to them were made prisoners.

Major Ridge, of the second battalion of the 5th. Fusilliers, having escaladed the _fausse-braye_ wall, stormed the breach in the body of the place, together with the 94th. regiment, (Scots Brigade,) commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell. These regiments not only effectually covered the advance from the trenches of Major-General Mac Kinnon’s brigade, by their first movements and operations, but preceded it in the attack.

Major-Generals Craufurd and Vandeleur, and the troops of the light division on the left, were likewise very forward on that side; and in less than half an hour from the time the attack commenced, the British troops were in possession of, and formed on the ramparts of the place, each body contiguous to the other. The enemy, having sustained a considerable loss in the contest then submitted.

The British casualties were severe, especially in officers of high rank and estimation. During the siege, and in the assault, nine officers and one hundred and sixty-nine men were killed, seventy officers and seven hundred and forty-eight men wounded; in all nine hundred and ninety-six. Major-General Mac Kinnon was blown up by the accidental explosion of one of the enemy’s expense magazines, close to the breach, after having gallantly and successfully led the troops under him to the attack. Major-Generals Craufurd and Vandeleur were wounded, the former severely, whilst leading on the light division to the storm; Lieutenant-Colonel Colborne, of the 52nd. Light Infantry,[47] who was severely wounded, and Major (afterwards Sir George) Napier, who led the storming party of the light division, also wounded on the top of the breach, and lost an arm. The garrison likewise sustained severe loss, and was reduced to one thousand seven hundred men.

Viscount Wellington specially praised the troops of the first, third, fourth, and light divisions, and Brigadier-General Pack’s brigade, by whom the siege was carried on. His lordship added:—“The conduct of all parts of the third division, in the operations which they performed with so much gallantry and exactness on the evening of the 19th., in the dark, affords the strongest proof of the abilities of Lieutenant-General Picton and Major-General Mac Kinnon by whom they were directed and led; and I beg particularly to draw your Lordship’s attention to the conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel O’Toole, 2nd. Caçadores, Major Ridge. 5th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, 94th., Major Manners, 74th., and of Major Grey, 5th. Foot, who has been twice wounded during this siege.

“It is but justice also to the third division to report, that the men who performed the sap belonged to the 45th., 74th., and 88th. regiments, under the command of Captain M‘Leod, of the Royal Engineers, and Captain Thompson, of the 74th., Lieutenant Beresford, of the 88th. (Connaught Rangers), and Lieutenant Metcalf, of the 45th. (Sherwood Foresters); and they distinguished themselves not less in the storm of the place than they had in the performance of their laborious duty during the siege.

“Although it did not fall to the lot of the troops of the first and fourth divisions to bring these operations to their successful close, they distinguished themselves throughout their progress, by the patience and perseverance with which they performed the labours of the siege. The brigade of Guards, under Major-General H. Campbell, was particularly distinguished in this respect.”

The British commander was advanced to the dignity of an Earl, with an annuity of two thousand pounds. Parliament voted its thanks to him and his gallant army. This success also gained for him, from the Spanish government, the title of Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo.

The 5th., 43rd., 45th., 52nd., 60th., 74th., 77th., 83rd., 88th., 94th. regiments, and Rifle Brigade, were engaged in the capture of Ciudad Rodrigo.

SIEGE OF BADAJOZ.
17TH. MARCH AND 6TH. APRIL, 1812.

The formidable fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo having been captured with such unlooked-for rapidity, astonished the French General, who had assembled an army of sixty thousand men for its relief, which now again returned to its winter quarters. As soon as the breaches were repaired, and the place put in a state of defence, the Earl of Wellington undertook, for the third time, the siege of Badajoz. The preparations for this service had been carried on with extraordinary secrecy, and were completed about the beginning of March, when the army broke up from its cantonments in the neighbourhood of Almeida, and, moving with the greatest rapidity, arrived before Badajoz on the 16th. of that month when the place was invested by the third, fourth, and light divisions. An advanced post, the Picurina, was taken by storm on the 25th., and on the following day two breaching batteries opened fire on the town.

On the 6th. of April three breaches were considered practicable, and orders were issued for the assault. It was determined to assault the castle of Badajoz by escalade. Accordingly the attack was made on the night of the 6th. of April, at ten o’clock. Major-General Kempt’s brigade[48] led, and he was wounded in crossing the River Rivillas, below the inundation. Notwithstanding this circumstance and the obstinate resistance of the enemy, the castle was carried by escalade, and the third division (known as the “Fighting Third”) established therein about half-past eleven. Meanwhile Major Wilson, of the 48th. regiment, carried the ravelin of St. Roque, with a detachment of two hundred men of the guard in the trenches, and, with the aid of Major Squire, of the Engineers, he established himself within that work.

The fourth and light divisions were not perceived by the enemy until they reached the covered way, and the advanced guards of the two divisions descended without difficulty into the ditch, protected by the fire of the parties stationed on the _glacis_ for that purpose. They advanced to the assault of the breaches, led by their gallant officers, with the utmost intrepidity; but such was the nature of the obstacles prepared by the garrison at the top and behind the breaches, and so determined the resistance, that the assailants could not establish themselves within the place. Many brave officers and soldiers were killed or wounded by explosions at the top of the breaches, and others who succeeded to them were compelled to give way. Repeated attempts were made till after twelve at night, when the Earl of Wellington, seeing that success was not to be attained, and that Lieutenant-General Picton was established in the castle, the fourth and light divisions were ordered to the ground on which they had first assembled for the attack.

Major-General Leith in the meantime had pushed forward Major-General Walker’s brigade on the left, supported by the 38th., under Lieutenant-Colonel Nugent, and the 15th. Portuguese regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Do Rego; and he had made a false attack upon the Pardaleras, with the 8th. Caçadores, under Major Hill. Major-General Walker forced the barrier on the road of Olivença and entered the covered way on the left of the bastion of St. Vicente, close to the Guadiana. There he descended into the ditch, and escaladed the face of that bastion.

This proceeding was supported by Lieutenant-General Leith, with the 38th., and the 15th. Portuguese regiment; and the British troops being thus established in the castle, which commanded all the works of and in the town; and the fourth and light divisions being formed again for the attack of the breaches, all resistance ceased. At daylight in the morning of the 7th. of April, the Governor, General Philippon, who had retired to Fort St. Christoval, surrendered, together with the whole garrison, which consisted of five thousand men at the commencement of the siege, of whom one thousand two hundred were killed or wounded during the operations, besides those lost in opposing the assault. About three thousand five hundred prisoners were captured, being all that survived of the gallant garrison.

The regiments present at the capture of Badajos, were the 4th., 5th., 7th., 23rd., 27th., 30th., 38th., 40th., 43rd., 44th., 45th., 48th., 52nd., 60th., 74th., 77th., 83rd., 88th., 94th., and Rifle Brigade.

This success cost the British and Portuguese the following heavy casualties:—Seventy-two officers, fifty-one sergeants, two drummers, and nine hundred and ten rank and file killed; three hundred and six officers, two hundred and sixteen sergeants, seventeen drummers, and three thousand two hundred and forty-eight rank and file wounded. No wonder that the Iron Duke wept, when he saw that the glory of the capture was purchased at such a price.

BATTLE OF SALAMANCA.
22ND. JULY, 1812.

On the 17th. of June, the forts at Salamanca were invested by the sixth division, and operations commenced by the light companies thereof, under Colonel Samuel Venables Hinde, of the 32nd. regiment. The remainder of the army was formed in order of battle on the heights of San Christoval, in front of Salamanca, from the 20th. to the 28th. of June, to meet Marshal Marmont, who advanced with forty thousand men to relieve the forts. They were attacked without success on the 23rd., and carried on the 27th. of June, by a party under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Daviss, of the 36th. regiment. Several skirmishes and changes of position occurred. The Earl of Wellington advanced in pursuit of the French Marshal, who, having received reinforcements, crossed the Douro, and the allies retired, skilfully manœuvring and taking up different positions in presence of the enemy, until the 21st., when they reached the ground they had formerly occupied, on the height of San Christoval.

Shortly after daylight on the 22nd. of July, detachments from both armies attempted to obtain possession of the more distant from the allied right of the two hills called Dos Arapiles. In this attempt the enemy succeeded, his detachment being the strongest; by which success the French position was materially strengthened, and they had in their power increased means of annoying that of their opponents.

The light troops of the seventh division, and the 4th. Caçadores, belonging to Major-General Pack’s brigade, were engaged in the morning with the enemy on the height of Nuestra Senora de la Pena, on which they maintained themselves throughout the day. The improved position of the French rendered it necessary for the Earl of Wellington to extend the right of his army _en potence_ to the heights behind the village of Arapiles, and to occupy it with light infantry; here the fourth division, under the command of Lieutenant-General the Honourable Lowry Cole, was placed.

A variety of evolutions and movements having been made by the French Marshal, he proceeded to carry out his plan about two o’clock in the afternoon; and under cover of a very heavy cannonade, which did but little injury, he extended his left, and moved forward his army, apparently with an intention to embrace, by the position of his troops, and by his fire, the British post on that of the two Arapiles, and thence to attack and break the line; or at all events to render difficult any movements to the right. This extension of the French line to their left, and its advance upon the allied right, gave the British commander an opportunity of attacking him, for which he had long been anxious. “The attack of the third division,” says Lord Londonderry, in his “Story of the Peninsula War,” “was not only the most spirited, but the most perfect thing of the kind that modern times have witnessed. Regardless alike of a charge of cavalry and of the murderous fire which the enemy’s batteries opened, on went these fearless warriors, horse and foot, without check or pause, until they won the ridge, and then the infantry giving their volley, and the cavalry falling on, sword in hand, the French were pierced, broken, and discomfited. So close indeed was the struggle, that in several instances the British colours were seen waving over the heads of the enemy’s battalions.”

The British General, in his despatch, observed that “Major-General the Honourable Edward Pakenham[49] formed the third division across the enemy’s flank, and overthrew everything opposed to him. These troops were supported in the most gallant style by the Portuguese cavalry, under Brigadier-General D’Urban, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hervey’s squadrons of the 14th., who successfully defended every attempt made by the enemy on the flank of the third division.”

In front the French were attacked by Brigadier-General Bradford’s brigade, the fourth and fifth divisions, and the cavalry under Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart., and were driven from one height to another. The cavalry made a most successful charge against a body of French infantry, which they overthrew, and cut to pieces. In this charge Major-General Le Marchant was killed. The sixth division, under Major-General Clinton, was ordered up at a critical period to relieve the fourth division, which had been heavily pressed, and the battle was soon restored to its former success.

The enemy’s right, reinforced by the troops which had fled from his left, and by those which had by this time retired from the Arapiles, still continued to resist; and while other corps were directed to turn the right, the sixth division,[50] supported by the third and fifth, attacked the front. It was dark before this point was carried by the sixth division, and the enemy then fled through the woods towards the Tormes. The pursuit was made by the first and light divisions, and Major-General William Anson’s brigade of the fourth division, and some squadrons of cavalry, under Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.; but the darkness of the night enabled many of the enemy to escape, and was unfortunately the cause of Sir Stapleton being wounded by one of the allied sentries. The same troops renewed the pursuit at break of day the next morning, with Major-Generals Bock’s and Anson’s brigades of cavalry, which had joined during the night. On coming up with the enemy’s rear-guard of cavalry and infantry near La Serna, they were at once attacked by the two brigades of dragoons; the French cavalry fled, leaving the infantry to their fate. The gallant charge made on the infantry by the heavy brigade of the King’s German Legion, under Major-General Bock, which was completely successful, was highly commended; the whole body of infantry, consisting of three battalions of the French first division, were made prisoners on this occasion.

Eleven pieces of cannon, several ammunition waggons, two eagles, and six colours were captured; one general, three colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, one hundred and thirty officers, and about seven thousand soldiers were taken prisoners. Marshal Marmont was badly wounded, and lost an arm; four general officers were killed, and several wounded.

The British loss was in all four thousand nine hundred and sixty-four killed and wounded. Major-General Le Marchant was killed; Field-Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B., Lieutenant-Generals Sir Stapleton Cotton-Leith, and the Honourable George Lowry Cole, and Major-General Victor Alten were amongst the wounded. The French loss was still more considerable.

This victory was followed by the surrender of Madrid to the allies, who entered that city on the 12th. of August, and were joyfully received by the inhabitants. The title of Marquis was conferred on the Earl of Wellington.

The following regiments took part in the victory of Salamanca: 5th Dragoon Guards, 3rd., 4th., 11th., 14th., and 16th. Light Dragoons; 1st., 2nd., 4th., 5th., 7th., 9th., 11th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 30th., 32nd., 36th., 38th., 40th., 43rd., 44th., 45th., 48th., 51st., 52nd., 53rd., 58th., 60th., 61st., 68th., 74th., 79th., 83rd., 88th., and 94th. Foot, and Rifle Brigade.

CAPTURE OF FORT DETROIT.
AUGUST, 1812.

The negotiations between the British Government and the United States of America, which had several times been broken off and renewed, ultimately terminated on the 18th of June, 1812, by the latter declaring war. Their first design was the conquest of Canada, and early in July the American commander, Brigadier-General Hull, invaded that country, by crossing the Detroit River on the 12th. of that month, with two thousand three hundred men, consisting of regular cavalry and infantry, and militia, with several field pieces; having driven in the militia towards Amherstsburg, he advanced to Sandwich, and afterwards approached the former place with a part of his army to the River Cunard, about five miles from the fort, where he was foiled in three attempts to cross that river, which cost him a considerable loss. The garrison of Amherstsburg at that time consisted of a subaltern’s detachment of the royal artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Troughton, a detachment of three hundred men of the 41st. regiment, under Captain Muir, and about the same number of militia, the whole commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Saint George, the district inspecting field officer of militia. Some skirmishes occurred between the troops under the latter officer, and the enemy upon the River Canard, which uniformly terminated in his being repulsed with loss. Major-General Isaac Brock detached a force down the River Thames, capable of acting in conjunction with the garrison of Amherstsburg offensively, but Captain Chambers who had been appointed to direct this detachment, experienced difficulties that frustrated the design; whereupon Colonel Proctor was ordered to assume the command, and his force was soon after increased with sixty men of the 41st. regiment. Meanwhile the most strenuous exertions were made; and voluntary offers of service were received from that portion of the embodied militia the most easily connected. The Attorney-General, John M‘Donell, Esq., acted as provincial aide-de-camp to Major-General Brock, and other gentlemen of the first character and influence evinced similar devotion.

A sufficiency of boats being collected at Long Point for the conveyance of three hundred men, the embarkation took place on the 8th. of August, and in five days the troops arrived at Amherstsburg. The judicious arrangement which had been adopted immediately upon the arrival of Colonel Proctor, of the 41st., compelled the Americans to retreat and take shelter under the guns of the fort; that officer commenced operations by sending strong detachments across the river, with a view of cutting off the enemy’s communications with his reserve. This produced two smart skirmishes on the 5th. and 9th. of August, in both of which the Americans suffered considerable loss; the British had only three killed and thirteen wounded, amongst the latter were Captain Muir and Lieutenant Sutherland, of the 41st. regiment. Batteries had likewise been commenced opposite Fort Detroit, for one eighteen-pounder, two twelve, and two five and a half-inch mortars all of which were opened on the evening of the 15th. of August, Brigadier-General Hull having been previously summoned to surrender, and though opposed by a well-directed fire from seven twenty-four pounders, such was their construction, under the able directions of Captain Dixon, of the royal engineers, that no injury was sustained therefrom.

Major-General Brock having collected the force at his disposal during the 15th. of August in the neighbourhood of Sandwich, the embarkation commenced a little after daylight on the following morning, and by the able arrangements of Lieutenant Dewar, of the quartermaster-general’s department, the whole landed at Springwell, about three miles west of Detroit. The Indians, who in the meantime had effected a landing two miles below, moved forward and occupied the woods, about a mile and a half on the British left. The force which was instantly directed to march against the enemy, consisted of thirty royal artillery, two hundred and fifty of the 41st. regiment, fifty Royal Newfoundland regiment, four hundred militia, and about six hundred Indians, to which were attached three six-pounders, and two three-pounders. The troops afterwards advanced to within one mile of the fort, when an assault was determined upon. Brigadier-General Hull, however, prevented this movement, by proposing a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of preparing terms of capitulation. The American troops that surrendered consisted of two thousand five hundred men, and were divided into two troops of cavalry; one company of artillery regulars; the 4th. United States regiment; detachments of the 1st. and 3rd. United States regiment, volunteers; three regiments of the Ohio militia; and one regiment of the Michigan territory. Thirty-three pieces of brass and iron ordnance had already been secured. This capitulation was concluded at Detroit on the 16th. of August, 1812, and the 41st. foot bears the name of the fort on the regimental colour, likewise the 69th. its linked battalion. The medal granted for this service was similar to that authorized for the Peninsula; and on the war medal being issued a clasp was added commemorative of the foregoing events.

BATTLE OF VITTORIA.
21ST. JUNE, 1813.

On the night of the 19th. of June, 1813, the French troops, commanded by Joseph Buonaparte, having Marshal Jourdan as the Major-General of the army, took up a position in front of Vittoria, the left resting upon the heights which end at La Puebla de Arganzon, and extending thence across the valley of the Zadorra, in front of the village of Arinez. The Marquis of Wellington reconnoitred the enemy’s position on the 20th., with design of giving him battle on the following morning, if he should still remain in it, and accordingly on the 21st. of June ordered an attack to be made on three separate points—Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, with the second division, was to assail the French left at La Puebla; with Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham, with the first and fifth divisions, was to make a wide detour to the left, and crossing the Zadorra at Vittoria, to attack their right, and to cut off their retreat by the great road to Bayonne. The centre, consisting of the fourth and light divisions, (under Lord Wellington himself,) on the right, and the third and seventh, (under Lieutenant-General Lord Dalhousie,) on the left, was to pass the bridges in front, and attack as soon as the movements on the flanks should be executed. The troops moved from the camp on the Bayas at daybreak; and the operations of the day commenced by Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill obtaining possession of the heights of La Puebla. The enemy soon discovered the importance of these heights, and reinforced their troops to such an extent, that the Lieutenant-General was obliged to detach first the 71st. regiment and the light infantry battalion of Major-General Walker’s brigade, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Henry Cadogan, and successively other troops to the same point. The allies not only gained, but maintained possession of these important heights throughout their operations, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts made by the enemy to retake them. Lieutenant-Colonel Cadogan was here mortally wounded. The contest was thus at first chiefly on the extreme right and left, because, on account of the rugged nature of the ridges they had to pass, the left centre column, (third and seventh divisions,) did not reach the Zadorra until nearly one o’clock; the fourth and light divisions crossed the Zadorra immediately after Sir Rowland Hill had obtained possession of Subijana de Alava, the former at the bridge of Nanclares, and the latter at the bridge of Tres Puentes. The right brigade of the third division, followed by the seventh division, under the Earl of Dalhousie, then crossed the bridge of Mendoza, the other brigades of the third division fording higher up the river.

The seventh division and the centre brigade of the third division attacked the French right centre, in front of the villages of Margarita and Hermandad, and the Marquis of Wellington, seeing the hill in front of the village of Arinez weakly occupied by the enemy, ordered the right brigade of the third division, under Lieutenant-General Picton, in close columns of battalions across the front of both armies to that central point. The hill was carried immediately, and the French withdrew under cover of a cannonade from fifty pieces of artillery and a crowd of skirmishers, to the second range of heights, on which their reserve had been posted; they, however, still held Arinez on the great road leading to Vittoria. The brigade then advanced to the attack of the village of Arinez; the three right companies of the 74th., under Captain Mc Queen, with the companies of the 60th., immediately dashed forward and charged through it, drove out the enemy, and captured three guns; these companies were then halted under cover of some houses until the remainder of the regiment and brigade should come up, as the French were again advancing upon the post with increased numbers, keeping up a terrific fire of artillery and musketry. Finally they were driven back in confusion at the point of the bayonet.

By the capture of the village the great road was gained, and the French extreme left was turned, while they were hard pressed by Sir Rowland Hill’s attack on their front. They retreated on Vittoria, and the British continued the advance in admirable order, notwithstanding the difficulty of the ground. For six miles the action became a running fight and cannonade. When within a mile of Vittoria, the enemy made a stand, and the third division, being the foremost, bore the brunt of a heavy fire, until a hill on the French left was carried by the fourth division, which caused them to abandon the position.

Meanwhile Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham, with his divisions, had attacked the French right. The village of Gamarra Mayor was most gallantly stormed and carried by Brigadier-General Robinson’s brigade of the fifth division, which advanced in columns of battalions under a very heavy fire of artillery and musketry, without firing a shot, assisted by two guns of Major Lawson’s brigade of artillery. The French suffered severely, and three pieces of cannon were captured. Sir Thomas then proceeded to attack the village of Abechuco with the first division. These two villages were strongly occupied by the enemy as _têtes-de-pont_ to the bridges over the Zadorra at these places. During the operations at Abechuco, which was carried, the light battalions having charged and taken three guns and a howitzer on the bridge, the greatest efforts were made to recover Gamarra Mayor, which were gallantly repulsed by the troops of the fifth division, under Major-General Oswald. Two divisions of the French were in reserve on the heights upon the left of the Zadorra, and it was not possible to cross by the bridges until the troops, which had moved upon the centre and left, had driven them through Vittoria. The whole then co-operated in the pursuit, which was continued by all till after dark.

The movement of the troops under Sir Thomas Graham, and their possession of Gamarra and Abechucho, intercepted the enemy’s retreat by the high road to France. They were then obliged to turn to the road towards Pampeluna, but were unable to hold any position for a sufficient length of time to allow the baggage and artillery to be drawn off. The whole, therefore, of the latter which had not been already captured by the troops, in their attack of the successive positions taken up by the French in their retreat from their first position on Arinez, and on the Zadorra, together with all their ammunition and baggage, fell into the hands of the British close to Vittoria. Only one gun and howitzer were carried off by the enemy.

Count Gazan, the Chief of the French Staff, in his report, shewed the state of destitution to which the officers were reduced.—“To such an extent are they stripped, that no one can account for what he has, or what is due to him. Several of the generals and officers have nothing in the world but the coats on their backs, and most of them are barefooted.” The French occupation of the Peninsula was virtually settled by this day’s success.

Although the nature of the ground did not admit of the cavalry regiments being generally engaged, they were kept close to the infantry to support them, and were most active in the pursuit. The court equipage of King Joseph was taken, and his carriage being taken, and his carriage being seized, he had barely time to escape on horseback. The defeat was the most complete that had been experienced in Spain.

Marshal Jourdan’s bâton[51] was taken, and sent to the Prince Regent, who in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, appointed the Marquis of Wellington a Field-Marshal. In a most flattering letter, the Prince Regent thus conferred the honour:—“You have sent me among the trophies of your unrivalled fame, the staff of a French Marshal, and I send you in return that of England.” This bâton was taken by the 87th., Royal Irish Fusiliers, under Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Viscount) Gough. The colours of the fourth battalion of the 100th. regiment were also among the trophies, and a hundred and forty-three brass guns were captured on the field.

Both armies were nearly equal in numbers, consisting of about seventy thousand men each. The French loss was stated by themselves at six thousand, and the casualties of the allies amounted to nearly five thousand men.

The following regiments were present at the battle of Yittoria:—The 3rd. and 5th. Dragoon Guards; 3rd., 4th., 14th., 15th., and 16th., Light Dragoons; 1st., 2nd., 4th., 5th., 6th., 7th., 9th., 20th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 28th., 31st., 34th., 38th., 39th., 40th., 43rd., 45th., 47th., 48th., 50th., 51st., 52nd., 53rd., 57th., 58th., 59th., 60th., 66th., 68th., 71st., 74th., 82nd., 83rd., 87th., 88th., 92nd., and Rifle Brigade.

ACTIONS OF THE PYRENEES.
28TH. JULY TO 2ND. AUGUST, 1813.

After the decisive battle of Vittoria, the British commander blockaded the fortress of Pampeluna, besieged St. Sebastian, and took up a position with the covering army in the Pyrenees. On the 17th. of July the blockade of Pampeluna was entrusted to the Spaniards. The whole frontier of the Pyrenees, from the pass of Roncesvalles to the mouth of the Bidassoa river, was now occupied by the second, seventh, and light divisions, with some Portuguese brigades in the front line; and by the third, fourth, and sixth divisions as supports, covering the blockade of Pampeluna, and the siege of St. Sebastian, then going on under Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham. The British army, after years of toil and conflict, procured liberty for the oppressed inhabitants of the Peninsula, had forced the intrusive monarch of Spain from his throne, and stood triumphant on the lofty pinnacles of the Pyrenees; but another mighty struggle was at hand, in which the innate valour and hardihood of British soldiers were about to be tested, and the French Army, having been re-organized by Marshal Soult, was pushed boldly forward to drive them from the mountains.

Marshal Soult having arrived at Bayonne on the 13th. of July, to command, as “Lieutenant of the Emperor,” the united French army of Spain, on the 25th. of that month attacked with about forty thousand men Major-General Byng’s post at Roncesvalles. Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir Lowry Cole moved up to his support with the fourth division, and these officers were enabled to maintain their post throughout the day; but the enemy having turned it in the afternoon, Sir Lowry deemed it advisable to withdraw during the night, and marched to the neighbourhood of Zubiri. A detachment of the 20th. evinced signal gallantry in its attacks on the head of a French column, but was forced back by superior numbers. The Marquis of Wellington stated in his despatch, that “in the actions which took place on this day, the 20th. regiment distinguished themselves.”

Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill’s position in the Puerto de Maya, at the head of the valley of Bastan, was also attacked by two divisions of the centre of the French army in the afternoon of the same day. The brunt of the action fell upon Major-Generals Pringle’s and Walker’s brigades in the second division, under the command of Lieutenant-General the Honourable William Stewart. These troops were at first compelled to give way, but having been supported by Major-General Barnes’s brigade of the seventh division, they regained that part of their post, which was the key of the whole, and would have enabled them to re-assume it, had circumstances permitted it.[52] Sir Rowland Hill, having been apprised of the necessity that Sir Lowry Cole should retire, considered it advisable to withdraw his troops also to Irurita, and the enemy did not advance on the following day beyond the Puerto de Maya.

During the seven hours these brave troops were engaged but little advantage was acquired by the French, notwithstanding the numerical superiority of the latter. All the regiments charged with the bayonet, and the conduct of the 82nd., which moved up with the brigade under Major-General Barnes, was particularly reported. Lieutenant-General the Honourable William Stewart was slightly wounded.

These events were not known to the Marquis of Wellington until late in the night of the 25th. and 26th., whereupon his lordship adopted immediate measures to concentrate the army to the right, at the same time making provision for the siege of St. Sebastian, and for the blockade of Pampeluna.

The hill on the right of the fourth division, which was occupied on the 27th. of July by one battalion of the 4th. Portuguese regiment, and by the Spanish regiment of Pravia, was attacked; but these troops defended their ground and drove back the enemy. This height being important to the British position, the 40th. was ordered to reinforce it, and this corps, with the Spanish regiments of El Principe and Pravia, succeeded in holding it, despite the repeated efforts made during the 27th. and 28th. by the enemy to obtain possession. On the morning of the 28th. the sixth division joined, and it was ordered to form across the valley in rear of the fourth. Scarcely had they taken their position when they were attacked by a very large force; their front was however so well defended by the fire of their own light troops from the heights on their left, and by that from the heights occupied by the fourth division and Brigadier-General Campbell’s Portuguese brigade, that the foe was soon driven back with immense slaughter.

To extricate their troops from the difficulty in which they were placed, the enemy attacked the height on which the left of the fourth division stood, which was occupied by the 7th. Caçadores, and succeeding in obtaining a momentary possession. They were again attacked by this regiment, supported by Major-General Ross, at the head of his brigade of the fourth division, and were driven down with great loss.

Now the battle became general along the whole front of the heights occupied by the fourth division, and in every part was in favour of the allies, excepting where one battalion of the 10th. Portuguese regiment of Major-General Campbell’s brigade was posted. This battalion having been overpowered, and compelled to give way immediately on the right of Major-General Ross’s brigade, the French established themselves on the British line, and that general was obliged to withdraw from his post.

The 27th. and 48th. regiments were then ordered to charge, first that body which had established a footing on the height, and next the portion on the left. Both attacks succeeded, and the enemy was forced down with immense loss; and the sixth division having moved forward at the same time to a situation in the valley of Lanz, nearer to the left of the fourth, the attack upon that front entirely ceased, and was continued but faintly on other points of the line.

During this hard-fought action the following regiments were specially noticed by the Marquis of Wellington, who observed in his despatch:—“In the course of this contest the gallant fourth division, which has so frequently been distinguished in this army, surpassed their former good conduct. Every regiment charged with the bayonet,—the 40th., 7th., 20th., and 23rd., four different times. Their officers set them the example; and Major-General Ross had two horses killed under him. The Portuguese troops likewise behaved admirably, and I had every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of the Spanish regiments, El Principe and Pravia.”

As soon as it was ascertained that Lieutenant-Generals Sir Thomas Picton and Sir Lowry Cole had moved from Zubiri, that post not being considered tenable for the time during which it would have been necessary to wait therein, Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill received orders to march by Lanz upon Lizaso, and Lieutenant-General the Earl of Dalhousie from San Estevan to the same place, where both arrived on the 28th. of July, and the seventh division came to Marcalain.

Sir Rowland Hill was followed by the enemy’s force that had been in his front, and which ultimately endeavoured to turn the left of the allies by an attack on his corps. They reinforced with one division the troops that had been opposed to him, and during the night of the 29th. and 30th., occupied in strength the crest of the mountain on the British left of the Lanz, opposite to the sixth and seventh divisions, thus connecting their right in their position with the divisions detached for the attack of Sir Rowland Hill’s corps.

Wellington had resolved, however, to attack this position. The Earl of Dalhousie was ordered to possess himself of the top of the mountain in his front, thus turning the enemy’s right; and Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton was to cross the heights, so as to turn his left by the road to Roncesvalles. As soon as the effect of these movements on the flanks should become apparent, the front of the position was to be attacked. Major-General the Honourable Edward Pakenham, who had been sent to take the command of the sixth division on Major-General Pack being wounded, turned the village of Sorauren as soon as the Earl of Dalhousie had driven the foe from the mountain, by which that flank was defended. The sixth division and Major-General Byng’s brigade, which had relieved the fourth division on the left of the position on the road to Ostiz, at once attacked, and succeeded in carrying that village.

The front of the main position was likewise attacked by Lieutenant-General Sir Lowry Cole, with the 7th. Caçadores, supported by the 11th. Portuguese regiment, the 40th., and the battalion under Colonel Bingham, consisting of the 2nd. and 53rd. regiments. These combined operations compelled the enemy to abandon a position pronounced by the British commander to have been one of the strongest and most difficult of access that he had ever seen occupied by troops. In the retreat therefrom the French lost a great number of prisoners.

During the course of these operations, and as their success was observed, troops were detached to the support of Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, before whom the enemy appeared in his front late in the morning, and commenced at once an extended manœuvre upon his left flank which obliged him to withdraw from the height which he occupied behind the Lizaso to the next range; there, however, he maintained himself, and that general specially praised the 28th., 34th., and 60th. regiments.

At sunset the Marquis of Wellington having continued the pursuit of the enemy, after his retreat to Olague, found himself immediately in the rear of their attack upon Sir Rowland Hill, from whose front they withdrew in the night, and on the 31st. of July took up a strong position, with two divisions, to cover their rear in the pass of Donna Maria. This pass was attacked and carried by Sir Rowland Hill and the Earl of Dalhousie, notwithstanding a vigorous opposition, and the strength of the position. On this occasion Lieutenant-General the Honourable William Stewart was wounded. A very thick fog prevented that advantage being taken of the situation of the enemy, which otherwise might have been effected.

Meanwhile the Marquis of Wellington moved with Major-General Byng’s brigade and the fourth division, under Lieutenant-General Sir Lowry Cole, by the Pass of Velate upon Irurita, in order to turn the French position on Donna Maria. Major-General Byng (afterwards Earl of Strafford) intercepted in Elizondo a large convoy and captured several prisoners. The pursuit of the enemy was continued in the valley of the Bidassoa, and many prisoners and much baggage were taken; the latter General possessed himself of the valley of Bastan, and of the position on the Puerto de Maya, so that the British forces on the night of the 1st. of August, occupied nearly the same positions as on the 25th. of July.

The French troops having been considerably reinforced and re-equipped after their recent defeat, made a most formidable attempt on the 28th. to relieve the blockade of Pampeluna with the whole of their forces, excepting the reserve under General Villatte, which remained in front of the British corps on the great road from Irun. This attempt was however entirely frustrated by the operations of a part only of the allied army, and the enemy sustained a defeat, and suffered considerably both in officers and men. They sent off the guns to St. Jean de Pied de Port on the evening of the 28th. of July, which alone ensured their safety.

Again the fourth division was most highly spoken of—the British commander stating that it is impossible to describe its “enthusiastic bravery.”

On the morning of the 2nd. of August, the enemy still continued posted, with a force of two divisions, on the Puerto de Echalar, and nearly the entire army behind the Puerto, when the fourth, seventh, and light divisions advanced by the valley, of the Bidassoa to the frontier, it having been determined to dislodge them by a combined attack and movement of the three divisions. The seventh division having, however, crossed the mountains from Sumbilla, had necessarily preceded the arrival of the fourth, and Major-General Barnes’s brigade was therefore formed for the attack, and advanced, before the fourth and light divisions could co-operate, with a regularity and gallantry which the British commander “had seldom seen equalled, and actually drove the two divisions of the enemy, notwithstanding the resistance opposed to them, from those formidable heights.” This exploit was the admiration of all who witnessed it. Major-General Kempt’s brigade of the light division likewise forced a very considerable force from the rock forming the left of the Puerto. The enemy were now in their own territory, and the British troops awaited in the Pyrenees the capture of St. Sebastian and Pampeluna.

In these combats, which have been designated the “Battles of the Pyrenees,” the following regiments were engaged, namely: 2nd., 3rd., 6th., 7th., 11th., 20th, 23rd., 24th., 27th., 28th., 31st., 32nd., 34th., 36th., 39th., 40th., 42nd., 45th., 48th., 50th., 51st., 53rd., 57th., 58th., 60th., 61st., 66th., 68th., 71st., 74th., 79th., 82nd., 91st., and 92nd. Foot.

As may be readily conceived, the loss of the allies during these protracted encounters was great; they had forty-one officers and eight hundred and forty-seven men killed, and three hundred and twenty-eight officers and five thousand one hundred and seventy-two men wounded; many, however, were but slight cases.[53]

SIEGE OF ST. SEBASTIAN.
AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1813.

The allies having advanced to so great a distance from Portugal, that country was no longer used by the British as a place of arms, and the establishments there were consequently broken up. In conjunction with the ocean, the Western Pyrenees offered a fresh base of operations, and the capture of St. Sebastian became of primary importance.

One of the first objects was the reduction of the convent and redoubt of San Bartolomeo, which were battered by the artillery, and so far damaged, that on the 17th. of July, it was determined to storm these posts. The pickets of the 4th. Caçadores, and one hundred and fifty men of the 13th. Portuguese regiment, supported by three companies of the 9th., with a reserve of three companies of the Royals, formed on the right to attack the redoubt; two hundred men of the 5th. Caçadores, and two hundred of the 13th. Portuguese, supported by the 9th. regiment, formed on the left to attack the convent. At ten o’clock in the forenoon, the troops rushed from behind the hill overlooking the convent. Both the convent and the houses of the suburb were assaulted, and in the latter a fierce struggle ensued, but eventually the French were expelled with severe loss.

The capture of the convent facilitated the progress of the siege, and on the 24th. of July the breaches were deemed practicable, when the third battalion of the Royals was directed to storm the great breach, the 38th. regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, the lesser breach, and the 9th. under Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, supported the Royals, under Major Peter Fraser. At daybreak on the morning of the 25th. of July, the troops advanced to the attack with signal intrepidity; the cannon of the fortress played upon them in front; the ground was difficult to pass; and the volleys of musketry were incessant; at the same time showers of hand-grenades, shells, and large stones were poured down upon them; yet the attack was made with valour; and the defences round the breach had not been destroyed, and success was found to be impracticable. Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron and Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, of the 9th., distinguished themselves on this occasion, and the latter (afterwards General Lord Clyde,) who led the left wing of the Royals, was severely wounded. The loss sustained was severe, especially by the third battalion of the Royals, the leading one of Major-General Hay’s brigade, which, being on duty in the trenches, formed the column of attack.

During the contest in the mountains, before described, the siege was turned into a blockade; when the French, however, had been repulsed and driven back with severe loss, the siege was resumed, and was afterwards prosecuted with vigour. On the 26th. of August, the fire against the fort was opened, and Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham directed that an establishment should be formed on the island of Santa Clara, in the bay of St. Sebastian. At three o’clock on the morning of the 27th. of August, a hundred soldiers of the 9th. Foot, commanded by Captain Hector Cameron, sailed from Passages in boats to attack the island. As the boats approached the shore, a heavy fire was opened upon them, but a landing was effected, and the garrison made prisoners.