[241, June 1812]

CHAPTER XVI

APOLEON had withdrawn from Spain a considerable body of troops, including 10,000 of the Imperial Guard, but his generals had still in that country four times as many men as Wellington’s allied forces amounted to.[1]  Although the report that Soult had left Andalusia was erroneous, he had reinforced Drouet’s army, and that general was advancing against Sir Rowland with 21,000 men, of whom 3000 were first-rate cavalry.  Hill’s army was slightly stronger in numbers, though partly composed of Spanish and Portuguese troops, and he was weaker in horse by 1000 sabres.

The enemy having moved from the south, seemed inclined to bring on an action in this advanced position, and thus to divert Wellington’s operations towards Salamanca against Marmont, with whom Sault had no direct means of communication since the loss of the bridge at Almaraz.  Hill determined to fall back on the position of Albuera, and there to give battle.  The cavalry retired as the French advanced, and with them the 50th and the 92nd marched to Los Santos on the 16th, and the following evening the whole corps retired and halted behind Santa Martha at sunrise on the 18th June.  On the 19th they marched and took post in a wood :in front of the position of Albuera on the right bank of the stream of that name.  The village was defended by barricades in the street and loopholes in the houses, and the ridge by breastworks, every precaution being adopted by the prudence and military skill of Sir Rowland to strengthen his position.  Cavalry pickets were posted in front of the wood where the infantry were encamped, and the First Brigade, 50th, 71st, and 92nd were held in readiness to retard the enemy in front of the wood, and give time to the other brigades to take up their ground; but the French general was too strongly 1mpressed with the recollection of the dreadful battle of last year at Albuera to risk another attack on the same ground; while Hill, who had shown himself so daring at Arroyo and Almaraz, refrained from the temptation of a battle which promised him unbounded fame, “simply because he was uncertain whether Lord Wellington’s operations in Castile, then in full progress, would warrant one.” “His forbearance must be taken as a proof of the purest patriotism.”[2]

Thus things remained pretty quiet, though, with opposing armies in such close proximity, scenes of interest are sure often to occur.  One day some of the 92nd being on outpost duty with a troop of Light Dragoons, the horse of one of the troopers becoming restive (probably provoked by the intention of the rider to desert), he asked permission to take it to the front to quiet it.  On leaving [242, June 1812] the ranks Paddy said to his comrades, “Now by J——s, boys, I’ll show you something you never saw before”; then he began to thrash and spur his horse, always moving further to the front, his comrades chaffing him and his officer ordering him to desist; but he kept on spurring and swearing, till, having got about one hundred yards from the troop, he turned his horse’s head, galloped off towards the enemy, and gained the French lines before his enraged comrades could catch him.

The British Government had neglected to supply money for the needs of the army, and Wellington wrote in July, “I have never been in such distress as at present, and some serious misfortune must happen if the Government do not attend seriously to the subject and supply us regularly with money.”  “As it is, if we don’t find means to pay our bills for butcher’s meat, there will be an end to the war at once.” The pay of the muleteers was a year, and of the officers and soldiers six months, in arrear.  While at Albuera, however, the 92nd received a supply of necessaries, and pay up to the 24th of the preceding March.

Education was not neglected during their periods of rest, and here Corporal MacEwen, of the Grenadier Company, was appointed schoolmaster-sergeant.  No one was allowed to be absent from the camp, and, by Sir Rowland’s order, the roll was called by officers of companies four times by day and night at uncertain hours.  The men were also ordered to make huts with branches for protection from the sun.

For ten days the enemy gave them little trouble; but on the 30th June, as the First Brigade were busy with their breakfasts, the alarm was given, the kettles were emptied, and away they went to dispute the passage of a body of cavalry approaching the advance post; but after two hours the enemy retired, and the brigade returned to their camp and set about cooking dinner; but just as it was ready, a second alarm forced them to stand to their arms and double to the front, where, this time, a skirmish ensued, in which some of the cavalry lost their lives, but the Gordons only lost their dinners! That night officers and men remained accoutred.

Hill having no longer the same reasons for remaining on the defensive, assumed the offensive on the 1st of July.  Moving in one column, his army encamped at Santa Martha, and next day advanced in two columns; the left, in which was the 92nd, marched against the enemy at Villa Alba, where a combat of cavalry took place, the enemy retiring to a height, where skirmishing went on after the arrival of the First Brigade, who, when the enemy finally retired, waded the Guadacira and moved some miles along its bank.  In the evening they were proceeding to bivouac, when the enemy’s artillery cannonaded them from an opposite height; but after an [243, July 1812] exchange of shots and some manœuvring, the French withdrew, having wounded some of the Portuguese infantry and British artillerymen.  A 92nd officer relates how at Villa Alba the Highlanders admired the conduct, and regretted the fate, of a hussar of the King’s German Legion, who, being attacked by a powerful French dragoon, after a deal of dexterous sword play, killed him just as a second arrived to his assistance.  To it they went, cut and, thrust, till a third dragoon ran his sword through the gallant German, at the same moment that the point of the latter pierced his second antagonist.

From the banks of the Guadacira the battalion marched for two days through an enclosed country by Los Santos, and reached the town of Bienvenita at sunrise on the 5th.  An officer and a n.c.  officer with a spy-glass were posted in turn from each battalion of the brigade to look out from the steeple and report the approach of any body of troops.  As they entered Llerena on the 7th they were welcomed by the “Vivas” of the fair inmates of a suburban convent, who waved their handkerchiefs till the bonnets were lost to sight.  At Llerena the spy-glass on the steeple was again in use.  On the morning of the 8th, the troops were at the different alarm posts half an hour before dawn, and remained till it was completely daylight, when they were dismissed to cook; after which, Sir Rowland Hill, at the head of his whole corps, marched from Llerena to dislodge the enemy from the position he had taken up at Berlenga.  The infantry moved direct upon that place, preceded by the Spanish Horse, while the British cavalry went round to the left in hopes of turning the French right.  Six miles from Llerena the Spaniards drove in the enemy’s advanced pickets, the French retiring in extended order, and skirmishing very prettily till they joined their main body.  The 92nd, with the other infantry, continued to advance so as to arrive at a given point at the hour fixed for the British cavalry to attack.  As they approached the height on which the French left was drawn up, the latter retired over a deep ravine and took post at a bridge, while their right wing,.  seeing the left retiring, evacuated Berlenga and conformed to their movement.  Meanwhile the enemy’s artillery saluted each battalion as it took up its ground, which compliment was returned by the British; but the hopes of an engagement were disappointed by the non-arrival of the cavalry till the enemy had withdrawn beyond pursuit.  While the 92nd were forming, the parish priest came beside them to see the expected battle, but paid for his curiosity with his life, being killed by a stray shot.

At the close of this affair, which in the morning had promised more brilliant results, the troops entered Ber1enga, and in the evening bivouacked in its vicinity.  Next morning they retraced their [244, July 1812] steps to Llerena.  It was piping hot, for at that season the sun in Spain has almost tropical power, and not a drop of water was to be had except when a half-dried pond enabled the men to scoop out a mouthful of mud and water with the wooden quaichs which most of them carried; some who could not get even that refreshment were completely overpowered by the burning heat.  It may interest some to know how the quartering of a division in such a town as Llerena was performed.  The quartermaster-general preceded the troops, accompanied by the brigade-majors, the quartermasters of battalions, and a n.c.  officer and intelligent soldier from each company.  After marking off several houses for his general and staff, he split the rest of the town between the majors of brigades ; they, in their turn, provided for their generals and staff, and then made a wholesale division of streets among the quartermasters of regiments, who, after providing for their commanding officers and staff, retailed the remaining houses in equal proportion among the companies, so that when the regiment arrived the quartermaster had simply to tell each captain, “Here’s a certain number of houses for you.” Each battalion provided a subaltern to take charge of its own baggage on the march, each brigade a captain who took charge of the baggage of the brigade, and a field officer looked after the whole baggage of the division.[3] That of the lieutenant-general and his staff led the way, then that of the brigadier of the leading brigade and his staff, followed by that of the colonel of the leading battalion of the brigade and regimental staff, then that of the leading company of the battalion, and so on in regular succession.  At the close of the day’s march, each baggage officer reported to his superior up to the lieutenant-general.

Officers and men soon made themselves at home in their quarters, their comfort depending a good deal on the cordiality of their hosts, some of whom were surly, not without cause, suffering as they often did from the misconduct of their self-invited guests, both French and British.  But the soldiers, in addition to their beef and bread, had generally plenty of vegetables, fruit, and wine, and in the smaller towns and villages, where the battalion remained for a time, acquaintances were made, and sometimes romantic attachments were formed with the Spanish girls, whose natural ease and graceful manners made them equally at home both with officers and soldiers.  Little dances were arranged in the houses or in the open air, where the Highlanders learned the bolero and the waltz, while they initiated their partners in the mysteries of a foursome reel, or showed themselves in the sword dance to be as light-footed as the Spaniards in the fandango.  Parade was regularly formed at seven in the morning and at 6.30 in the evening.  Inspections in [245, July 1812] marching order by general officers frequently took place, the men having their blankets and greatcoats neatly rolled and folded, their dress and accoutrements “in the best possible order,” “ best hose and rosettes” being always particularly mentioned; and on great occasions their purses on; but these they never wore when marching or fighting, being left with the heavy baggage, or were strapped on the back of the knapsacks.  The batmen with the ten company mules, the mule for the entrenching tools, and the sergeants’ pannier mule, formed part of the parade.  Every Sunday, when stationary, the whole division invariably attended divine service.

The battalion furnished its share of the pickets which guarded every approach to Llerena, and remained undisturbed (except by an alarm which kept them under arms the night of the 18th July) till the 20th, when they retired to Bienvenita in the morning, and, resuming their march the same evening, arrived at Zafra at sunrise on the 21st.  Here they remained till the 28th, when General Hill marched at midnight with the First and Second Brigades towards Villafranca, where his cavalry were stationed, and which was threatened by the French, who had been largely reinforced.  The battalion bivouacked at daylight in an olive grove near Villafranca, about three miles from the enemy, and expected an immediate trial of generalship between Hill and Drouet.  In the forenoon a brigade of French artillery astonished them by drawing up on a height opposite their bivouac and firing a royal salute, which the officers at the outposts ascertained was in honour of a victory they supposed to have been gained by Marmont over Wellington at Salamanca.  But Sir Rowland Hill immediately afterwards received an express with more authentic intelligence, and at once published the following Order:—

Villafranca, July 29th, 1812.—Captain Maxwell’s Brigade of Artillery will fire a salute of twenty-one guns at twelve o’clock, being in honour of the glorious and important victory gained over the enemy at Salamanca by the army under the immediate command of the Earl of Wellington on the 22nd instant.  An extra ration of wine or spirits is to be issued to the British and Portuguese troops to drink the Earl of Wellington’s health.

(Signed) J.  C.  ROOK,
            Asst.-Ad.-General. 

The announcement was received with cheers loud enough to satisfy the neighbouring French outposts of their mistake.  They did not await further proof, but retired before Hill, when he advanced and took possession of Fuentes-del-Maestre, where the 92nd bivouacked.

Next morning, however, the enemy attacked our cavalry in front of Villafranca, and the First Brigade was dispatched in haste [246, July 1812] to their assistance.  The day was spent in manœuvring under a broiling sun, marching and countermarching according to the movements of the enemy, but without bringing him to close quarters; in the evening the battalion went into cantonments at Villafranca.

During their marches the troops were accompanied by the wives and children of the n.c.  officers and soldiers, who received rations; and though they sometimes caused anxiety, both to their husbands and the commanding officer, were of great use in nursing the sick, washing the linen of the officers and men, etc., while their presence gave something of a homelike appearance to the camp or cantonments.  They generally had donkeys, which they rode, or which carried panniers with their children and possessions; they were capital foragers, were as full of esprit de corps as the men, and bore the fatigues of a campaign with the patient fortitude of their sex.  I knew well an old lady who used to tell with pride how, when a sudden order to march came while the linen of the men she washed for was in the tub, she took advantage of the fact that she was billeted on a wood merchant to make a roaring fire, and succeeded in giving every man his dry shirt as he stood on parade, emerging, like Wellington at Fuentes d’Onor, undefeated by the difficulties of the situation.  She gave brandy to the wounded in the ensuing engagement, made her husband’s breakfast before the fight of the next day, and ended her eventful life as the respected hostess of a hotel in Argyllshire.  Apropos of domestic life in the regiment is the story of a soldier who returned from picket duty just before they marched from Bienvenita, to find himself the father of twin boys; gazing at the helpless babes, and overwhelmed at the doubly increased responsibility, he exclaimed in accents of pathetic despair, “Gude preserve me, Betty Watt, what can I do wi’ them!”

R.O., July 23rd.—In future, when any officer has occasion to stop the allowance of spirits to any man (as a punishment), the circumstance to be always reported to the commanding officer for his concurrence.

The above Order was probably occasioned by a story of Captain Dugald Campbell (the handsome sergeant-major of 1799), a gallant officer who had been in every action with the regiment, but who was as “ drouthy “ as he was brave, and liked at least double allowance; at some bivouacs, however, no liquor was to be bought.  The stopped grog was supposed to be taken to the surgeon for the use of the patients, but Dugald, thinking himself as good a judge as a doctor of its disposal, applied it to assuage his own thirst.  On one occasion his company was in such good order that he had difficulty in finding any fault, but he pitched on a quiet young fellow, and stopped his spirits for having his belts dirty.  On the parade [247, July 1812] being dismissed the quiet young fellow marched straight up to Colonel Cameron, who, surprised at being approached in such an unusual manner, asked what he wanted.  “With your leave, sir, I want you to inspect me.” The Colonel asked what he meant, and the lad told him his grievance, saying that he did not so much mind losing his liquor as his character as a clean soldier.  The Colonel investigated the matter, and it was understood that “Dugald” had a very bad quarter of an hour with his stern chief.

During the hot weather the troops were, when practicable, cantoned in a town during the day, “but must invariably be out of the town at night.” “Staff officers to make themselves acquainted with all the roads so as to be able to conduct troops in whatever direction they may be ordered to march without going through the town.” Rice and barley were issued daily to the men for their use.

On August 16th, Brevet Major Ewen M’Pherson, 92nd, was appointed Town-Major of Lisbon.

At Villafranca the battalion remained for nearly a month, Hill having been directed to act on the defensive, but at the same time to prevent Drouet from succouring King Joseph.  The French outposts were close by, and five companies of infantry bivouacked every night two miles from the town, with Light Companies in advance, and cavalry in advance of them, their orders being not to engage in anything serious, but merely to give time to the troops in the town to turn out in case of attack.

One evening, when the right wing of the 92nd was on this duty, irregular firing was heard in their rear, the troops stood to their arms, and Colonel Cameron, who was in command, took every precaution, thinking the French had eluded the vigilance of the outposts; but an officer with some men being sent to obtain intelligence, it turned out that the disturbance was caused by the Spaniards firing off muskets to show their loyalty to King Ferdinand, and their joy on hearing that King Joseph Bonaparte had fled, and that the Marquis of Wellington (this title having been conferred on him after Salamanca) had entered Madrid in triumph on the 12th of August.  In consequence of Wellington’s successful movement on Madrid, Soult raised the blockade of Cadiz, and moved towards Grenada.  King Joseph had retreated to Valencia, and Hill received orders to follow and fight Drouet.

Accordingly, on the 28th of August, Sir Rowland’s Corps, including the 92nd, left Villafranca and advanced to Usagre, and next night bivouacked near Villa Garcia.  On the 30th the battalion proceeded to Maquilla, leaving Llerena to their right; on the 31st they entered El Campillo and spent the day in the houses, but bivouacked near it for the night.  The enemy were retreating, [248, Aug 1812] and on the 1st of September the troops had a very fatiguing march of fourteen hours over a parched, waterless country, under a scorching sun, and entered Zalamea, where they took possession of great stores of grain left behind by the French.  Here they met with a flattering reception from the inhabitants, and the wine casks of the town apologised to the thirsty soldiers for the want of wells in the country.  Marching by Quintana and La Hava, the battalion occupied Don Benito on the 4th and halted.  Here there were great festivities in honour of the raising of the siege of Cadiz, the town was illuminated, and the troops had a merry time.

I find in Regimental Orders about this time an expression of the commanding officer’s “mortification at the disgrace attached to the regiment from the desertion of Kelly of the 6th Company and Wellbank of the 2nd Company,” adding that “he does not dread a repetition of so infamous a crime.”

A pensioner of the 92nd used to tell of two men of such bad character that none of their comrades would speak to them, who finally deserted to the enemy.  Some time afterwards one of these men found himself in the front rank of a French battalion, within hail of the 92nd; for the French, not trusting the deserters they employed, were accustomed to place them in front, where, not daring to be taken, they were bound to fight.[4] It happened that the regiment had lately been served out with hose tartan; the deserter, in bravado, stuck on his bayonet the piece of red and white cloth which he still retained, and impudently waved it at his old corps.  The colonel’s attention being drawn to it, turning to the men he said—”Will some one send a pill with my compliments to cure that scoundrel’s impertinence!” Norman Stewart and another crack shot knelt and fired, the “pill” went home, and the deserter’s flag was lowered for ever.

Some men of the First Brigade had taken melons from the gardens, and “safe guards” were posted in the gardens and melon grounds near cantonments.

Colonel Cameron expected all his men to show an example of soldier-like bearing and good conduct, and considered the misbehaviour of even a few as a slur on the whole.  He was “much concerned” at the misconduct of some men of the 1st Company at Don Benito, and tells the battalion that a continuance of such behaviour will ensure their being sent “to the rear, or to Gibraltar.” He was a strict disciplinarian, and very particular that there should be no straggling or irregularity on the march, thereby ensuring the comfort of good soldiers and the character of the regiment, while the country people were encouraged by good treatment to bring in regular supplies.

[249, Sept 1812] The retreat of Marshal Soult from Cadiz, and of the Count d’Erlon (Drouet) to join him, rendered Hill’s presence in Estremadura no longer necessary, and he was directed to move by Almaraz upon Toledo and Aranjuez, for the purpose of covering the capital while Wellington left it to lay siege to Burgos.  Accordingly, the battalion left Don Benito on the 13th of September, forded the Guadiana, and marched with the First Brigade to Majados, and, moving by Villa Macia, arrived at Truxillo on the 15th.  Here they halted till the 18th, when they bivouacked in the beautiful country near Jaraceijo, the place where they had remained concealed before the surprise of Almaraz.  On the 19th they proceeded through the Pass of Mirabete, crossed the Tagus by a pontoon bridge placed near the site of the one they had destroyed in May, and encamped in front of Almaraz.  The 50th being the rear battalion of the column of march this day, on crossing the bridge, Colonel Stewart halted and formed line fronting the tête-de-pont and Fort Napoleon, in the capture of which they had acted so conspicuous a part; the whole gave three times three cheers, the band all the time playing “God save the King”; they then followed the rest of the brigade, the band playing “The Downfall of Paris” and “The British Grenadiers.”

The line of march continued by Naval Moral, Calzada de Oropesa, and La Gartera, where they halted a day; marching at midnight on the 25th, they entered Talavera de la Reina next morning amidst the acclamation of the whole population, who had not forgotten the battle of Talavera in 1809, or the conduct of the British soldiers on that occasion; and Sir Rowland Hill’s desperate defence of the left of the position was spoken of by all with an admiration which was reflected on the troops now under his command.  It was therefore with considerable regret that they took leave of the warm-hearted Talaverians on the 27th, and marched through miles of vineyards, the grapes, ripe and delicious, overhanging the narrow roads in beautiful and inviting clusters.  These autumn marches were very different to the summer heat and arid plains of Estremadura, the peasants selling cheaply wine, peaches, plums and grapes, often giving fruit for nothing to the soldiers as they passed along, and at night the troops either lay in the village houses, or bivouacked round bright firwood fires; where groups might be seen listening to old Highland tales, singing Gaelic or English choruses, such as the Skye soldiers’ song[5]:

Tha mi’n duil, Thami’n duil                                                  “My desire, my desire,
Tha mi’n duil ri bhi tilleadh                                                  My desire is to return
Dh’ ionnsuidh Duthaich Mhic Leod                                     To the land of MacLeod,
Far am b’og bha mi mireadh.                                               Where in childhood I wandered”

 

[250, Sept 1812] Or—

“The wind blew the bonnie lassie’s plaidie awa’.”

Or a veteran of Egmont-op-Zee and Egypt would be heard reciting Corporal MacKinnon’s poems.  Nor were there wanting songs inspired by more recent adventures, notably one on Arroyo dos Molinos, to the tune of “Hey, Johnnie Cope,” in which the French General Gerard took the place of his English prototype.

On arrival at their next halt, Cebollio, the Highlanders had, however, rather a cool reception.  The reader may remember how in November 1808, when they entered Spain under Moore, some thoughtless people of the 71st had told the natives that the kilted men were cowards; this, like other scandalous tales, had spread further than the inventors of it intended, and had reached Cebollio, while the contradiction had failed to do so, and the villagers looked on them as men totally unworthy of notice; but the men could now talk Spanish, and they told the people that they were proud of their distinctive and honourable dress, while the 71st were even more anxious than themselves to remove the impression which they deeply regretted their thoughtlessness had created, so that the people were soon laughing heartily at their mistake, and the country was inundated with Highlanders proceeding by invitation to partake of the fruits of the surrounding vineyards.

Next day during the march they passed through five or six considerable towns, in each of which they were received with every demonstration of welcome, and at Torrejos, where they halted, Sir Rowland was received by the magistrates in their robes of office, and the town was illuminated in the evening.  At Toledo, where they arrived on the 29th September, the Governor, the magistrates, the famous guerilla chief El Medico, and many of the nobility and gentry, met them a mile from the gates, congratulating their general on the favourable state of affairs, and cordially welcoming the first British troops who had visited them.  When within the walls of this ancient city, they were received with enthusiasm; cheering crowds lined the streets, the balconies and windows were filled with ladies waving their handkerchiefs and throwing flowers as the soldiers passed, crying “Viva George III,” “Viva Wellington,” “Viva Hill,” “Viva Ferdinand VI!”  The troops halted in the principal square, where every house was decorated with flags and gaily coloured cloth; and in the evening the city was brilliantly illuminated.

Splendid spectacles have generally their comic incident.  It was furnished here by a vendor of brandy, who went along the ranks bawling the excellence of his liquor.  Thinking Colonel Cameron a likely customer as he stood giving orders in front of his battalion in the square, he approached, roaring, “Aguardente, [251,  Sept 1812] Señior, aguardente,” holding out for admiration an enormous bottle.  Whack came the cane of the angry Highland chief, the big-bellied bottle was flying in a thousand pieces; and the spirit merchant bounded into the crowd, in terror lest his brains should follow his brandy, while a titter ran along the ranks.

On the 30th the battalion left Toledo (famous for the manufacture of sword blades), crossed the Tagus by the bridge under the walls, and bivouacked in a rich valley twelve miles up the river; on the 1st of October they occupied Aranjuez, a handsome town about twenty miles from Madrid, where, previous to the French invasion, the royal family resided for part of the year.  Officers and soldiers were permitted to see the apartments of the palace, and three officers at a time were allowed four days’ leave to Madrid.  During these campaigns, escorts were often sent to the rear with prisoners of war, or with sick and wounded, sometimes bringing back from the hospital men who had recovered, or ammunition, etc., on mules.  The muleteer is a great character, a jovial, wineloving, hardy fellow, sleeping in the open with his pack-saddle for a pillow, a favourite with all the countryside.  The peasants were often hospitable to the soldiers.  In the mountain districts the Spanish peasants wore sheepskin coats, woolly side out; and kept enormous wolf-dogs to guard their sheep.  In the plains they still tread out the corn with cattle or mares instead of threshing it.  They live frugally, and in the evening sit on stone benches in front of the cottages, singing and playing the guitar.  They are fond of dancing.  These escort duties were often pleasant excursions.  Sometimes officers and soldiers fell in love with the agreeable girls they met in their billets, and many romantic adventures or ridiculous situations ensued.  At times when the regiment had changed its quarters, the returning escort might lose its way and meet an enemy, as happened once when, on a sultry day, one of these parties arrived at the summit of a ridge where a grassy hollow invited a halt.  The wooded rocks which partly surrounded it offered shade to the tired soldiers, while a spring of cold water quenched their thirst.  Presently the glitter of helmets was seen at a corner of the winding road, up which a foraging party of French dragoons were advancing.  Not knowing which might be the stronger, the officer quickly moved his men and lay in ambush in the wood above, hoping the French would pass, and that he might then resume his march in peace; but the place was so tempting for a halt that the Frenchmen dismounted, watered their horses, and leaving them in charge of one or two of their number, the rest with the muleteers stretched themselves in the shade and proceeded to take a pull at the wine-skin.  They were few in number, and the Highland [252, Sept 1812] officer, having crept to where he could see their arrangements, formed the design of capturing them and their spoil.  He desired his little force to line the rocks above the unsuspecting marauders so as to cover them all.  As he approached the rocks, a piper who was with him (probably returning convalescent), not understanding that stratagem rather than strength was to be used, was about to blow the onset, when a fierce, if whispered, rebuke prevented his play from spoiling the game.  Then, as his men suddenly appeared with their firelocks presented at the astonished dragoons, the young officer called to them in their own tongue, “Surrender, or you are dead men!” Their carbines were on their saddles; there was nothing to be done, and they did it! The Highlanders had the satisfaction of rejoining their battalion with their prisoners, and the price of the horses and mules made a handsome lining to their sporrans.

These little adventures were not always, however, so much to their credit.  An old soldier used to relate with great glee how, being one of an escort on a long, hot, and dusty march, they halted and sat down to rest in the shade of some trees by the road, while their officer retired some little distance out of sight in the wood.  Soon there appeared coming up the road a procession of peasants leading asses and mule carts laden with grapes, corn, and wine, while a monk in his long robe and bare feet, carrying a cross, led the way.  The soldiers supposed he had been collecting tithes; and thinking they would like a share, jumped up, and without saying a word began to help themselves; then they heard a peculiar sound from the front, and looking round saw the monk on his knees calling down curses on their heads; on which a wild sort of young fellow named Sandy M’Intosh, reckless of the clerical anathemas, ran across the road, lifted his musket, which was not loaded, and pointed it at the poor monk, who, to their great amusement, sprang to his feet, threw down the cross, and, kilting his coats, ran away as fast as his legs could carry him.  Having taken their toll they let the carts go and were much relieved to find that the officer, who had probably been taking a nap, knew nothing of their performance.

The battalion remained at Aranjuez in peace and plenty for three weeks, waiting and hoping for news of the capture of Burgos, but a very different experience was before it.  In October the army under Sir Rowland Hill, consisting of five divisions of infantry and one of cavalry, with several divisions of Spanish infantry and cavalry-in all, about 40,000 men-were concentrating about Madrid.[6]  Soult, having reinforced himself from the armies of King Joseph and Suchet, was advancing with 60,000 [253, Oct 1812] men, including 8000 cavalry and 84 guns, to Sir Rowland’s headquarters at Aranjuez; his advanced guard approaching the cantonments on the 22nd October.  Wellington was before Burgos; but the French army near him, under Souham, was also powerfully reinforced, and now greatly outnumbered the Allies, especially in cavalry and artillery.

Hill began his movements in face of the enemy on the 23rd, on which day the 92nd marched with the First Brigade from Aranjuez, crossed the Tagus and halted at Colmanar de Orijo.  On the 25th the First Brigade was ordered to protect the bridge of boats at Fuente Duena, nine miles south-eastward of Madrid, where they shifted the boats to the right bank, and the destruction of other bridges along the line was also commenced.  On the morning of the 27th the enemy appeared on the opposite heights, and part of the First Brigade lined the bank of the Tagus, and kept up a smart fire across the stream, which is here narrower than below Aranjuez; but the shots were rather long, and little execution was done.  In a letter of Colonel Cameron to Sir John Hope he says—”The enemy’s cavalry began to make their appearance on the heights beyond the left bank in the most regular, cautious and beautiful manner I ever saw.  Towards evening they dashed down to the water’s edge, their skirmishers in the most superior style.” Another officer of the 92nd mentions that some of the men were enjoying a bathe, when they were warned of the rapid approach of the French cavalry.  One strong swimmer was on the opposite bank as the enemy came up, when, making a contemptuous gesture, he plunged in, and was striking out for his own side when an angry Frenchman galloped up, and deliberately levelled his carbine.  To shoot at an unarmed man was so entirely contrary to the custom of civilised warfare, that a groan or shout of indignation burst from the British who were lining the bank, and the dragoon, ashamed of himself, lowered his weapon and rode off.

At ten o’clock that night the First Brigade broke up from Fuente Duena without beat of drum, marched the whole night and till one o’clock next day, when they occupied the village of Villa Conijos; the same evening at seven o’clock they resumed their march, crossed the Taramo branch of the Tagus at Ponte Largo[7] at midnight; and at four o’clock on the morning of the 29th, took up their ground on a strong position, where they found [254, Oct 1812] the rest of Hill’s army concentrated, and where a fight was confidently expected.

The troops stood to their arms at daybreak, but as Soult did not attack, the men cooked and took what sleep they could get, so as to be ready for whatever might happen.  It seems that Val de Moro was the position in which Hill intended to fight, and to it his army began to remove on the night of the 29th.  “We were all in high spirits,” says Colonel Cameron, “and I most certainly think had Joseph and Soult come on, the contest would not have been long doubtful, but fate had determined otherwise; and to the deep mortification (as it is said) of Sir Rowland Hill, he was ordered late that night to proceed forthwith to endeavour to effect a junction with Lord Wellington, who was on his retreat from Burgos.”

Accordingly, next morning the 92nd passed close under the walls of Madrid, followed by the lamentations of the citizens.  Rain poured on the downcast and wearied soldiers, who had no tents to shelter them from the storm when they halted for the night on the road to the Escurial, which they reached on the 31st, and where they were quartered in the Palace.  On the 1st of November they got to the foot of the Guadarama Pass; and next morning had a stiff ascent of three hours, and descending the western slope at a quicker pace, bivouacked at Villa Custine as the sun set.  Passing by Blasco Sancho, Fontiveras, Numo Sancho, and Penaranda de Bracanista, they crossed the Guadarama, and proceeding by Buttaya, Trabancos, and Ventosa, passed through Alba de Tormes and encamped near it on the 7th, having effected a close communication with Wellington about Cantaravella.  The fields near their bivouac were still strewn with the wreck of the battle of Salamanca.[8]  “Joseph and Soult,” says Colonel Cameron, “followed us so closely that they did not take time to do much harm to Madrid.  They constantly hung on our rear, but did not venture to press on us in the way the Northern Army did on Lord Wellington; they, however, followed the same plan when we joined his lordship.”

Before sunset on the 8th November the First Brigade, supported by General Hamilton’s Portuguese, was ordered to occupy Alba de Tormes and to defend it to the last extremity.  An old castle commanded the bridge over the Tormes; a low dilapidated Moorish wall surrounded the town, which was divided into three districts, one of which was given to each British regiment (50th, 71st, 92nd), [255, Oct 1812] the Portuguese being distributed between them.  The streets were barricaded.  One wing of each battalion lined the walls, the several companies being told off to their respective posts, the other wing being held in reserve in the square, relieving each other at intervals day and night.  Colonel Cameron writes—”We did what we could to improve our situation during the short time left to us; I threw an old door across the place where the gate once had been, and barricaded it with sticks and stones.  We had not a single piece of ordnance.  Just as the clock of Alba struck two, the French columns moved to the attack, and from that time till night we sustained a hurricane of shot and shell from twenty pieces of cannon.  Their riflemen threw themselves into the ditches and ravines round the walls, but their masses never forsook the protection of their artillery, which was most dastardly for Soult with 10,000 men.”

Before the attack began a French officer of rank rode near to the walls to examine the position; several of the 92nd were about to fire at him, but Cameron, whose chivalrous nature shrank from taking such an advantage, forbade them to shoot.  It was Soult himself who was thus saved![9]

The pickets of General Long’s British cavalry were driven in on the 9th, and on the 10th their main body retired over the Tormes.  It was then the attack commenced.  The town was completely commanded from the heights; 8000 French infantry were repeatedly formed for the assault of the place; “but,” writes an officer of the 92nd, “notwithstanding the dreadful showers of shot and shell which plunged and danced in the streets in every direction, the bold and determined manner in which the soldiers who lined the walls did their duty, and the firmness of the officers commanding regiments, deterred them from making the attempt.”

While part of the 92nd were lining the wall on the 10th, and continually exchanging shots with the French skirmishers, who were firing briskly, Private Norman Stewart, who was an extraordinarily good shot, and who was separated by some little way from his comrades, placed his bonnet on a stone so as to look as if it was still on his head, which, however, he carried to a safe distance; and proceeded to fire at the enemy with his “brown bess,” which he lovingly called his “wife,” and if a Frenchman advanced nearer than he liked, would say, “Dia, mar dean thu ‘halt’ gheibh thu pog o m’bhean “ (“By G—d, if you’ll no’ halt, you’ll get a kiss o’ my ‘wife’”).  When the French retired [256, Oct 1812] Norman took up his bonnet, which was a hopeless wreck; he tried it on amidst the laughter of his comrades, which attracted the attention of Colonel Cameron, who scolded him for destroying his necessaries; but, hearing how it happened, gave him a kindly clap on the shoulder, saying in Gaelic that he would give him a new bonnet— “Aye, or two if you want them.”

There was a nunnery in the town much exposed to the fire, and the poor inmates were running in all directions seeking shelter, and invoking all the saints for protection.  The French having command of the road by which supplies should have come up, the men were badly off for bread; but discovering a store of wheat, they ground it between stones for supper, and next day they found flour and set the bakers to work.

From the 10th to the 14th the brigade held Alba, during which time the enemy manœuvred along the banks of the Tormes, as if desirous to cross and bring matters to an issue on that side.  An officer and a sergeant with a telescope were always on the castle to report the motions of the enemy, whose light troops kept up a skirmish the whole time; but such was the steadiness of the troops that he dared not venture to assault a place assailable at all points, and with no other defence than the brave soldiers of the First Brigade.

R.O., Alba de Tormes, November 12th, 1812.—The pibroch will never sound except when it is for the whole regiment to get under arms; when any portion of the regiment is ordered for duty and a pipe to sound, the first pipe will be the warning, and the second pipe for them to fall in.  The pibroch only will, and is to be, considered, as invariably when sounded, for every person off duty to turn out without a moment’s delay.

No.  2.—Captain MacPherson will have charge of the duties of the right wing, and Captain Seton those of the left wing; the commanding officer being occasionally out with both.

R.O., November 13th, 1812.—For the working party in front of the line, Lieutenant Winchester, For the lookout at the castle, Lieutenant Hobbs (to report any movement of the enemy).  The baggage to be loaded, and assemble in the square, agreeable to Brigade Orders.  For baggage guard, Lieutenant Ross.

The main army having gained sufficient distance, and the enemy having crossed the Tormes above Alba, the troops there were recalled on the 14th.  They withdrew in perfect order, blew up the bridge; and as the colonel says in his letter, “The last sentinel of the 92nd knocked the Frenchman opposite to him heels over head.”

During this trying and determined defence on the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th, the loss of the defenders was 100 in killed and [257, Oct 1812] wounded; the 92nd had 8 men killed, and Lieutenant Andrew Will and 33 n.c.  officers and men wounded, of whom 7 died of their wounds.