Entered Corunna, and were stationed in the suburbs of St. Lucia. The fleet not yet arrived from Vigo.

Employed in sending the sick and women on board.

The French commenced a cannonade on our lines, but were forced to retire by the fire of our Artillery. This day an immense magazine of powder and arms was blown up by us, to prevent it falling into the hands of the enemy. Though four miles from Corunna, the shock was so great that it shattered every pane of glass in the town, and shook the earth and houses like an earthquake. A few men were killed by the explosion. (35)

At two in the afternoon, the long-looked-for fleet arrived. Great activity in embarking guns, horses, and ammunition. We this day took up a position about two miles from the town.

The enemy received a strong reinforcement, and took up a more forward position, and attacked our advanced guards, but were steadily opposed by our troops, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Mackenzie of the 5th, who was killed, and was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Napier, of the 92nd, who also lost his life. (36) Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholls of the 14th then took the command, who caused the enemy to retreat. Still the embarkation of what little stores remained was going on, and hundreds of beautiful horses shot on the beach, and hundreds of mules running about without owners. General orders given out to prepare for embarkation.

This evening I embarked a pipe of Malaga wine, in charge of Robert Murray, the paymaster's servant, and never saw it afterwards.

The enemy attacked us from the heights they occupied; our brigade was on the extreme left and partially engaged. The brigade of Lord William Bentick and Major-General Paget's division bore the brunt of the action. I met Sir John Moore galloping his horse out of Corunna, with all the ardour of a great commander, at two o'clock this day. He was killed in a short time afterwards.

Lieutenant Augustus M'Kenzie was the officer of the 71st left to keep a fire up to deceive the enemy during our embarkation, which took place at ten o'clock this night. The captains of the transports were ordered to hoist a lantern in the rigging of their mainmast, to announce their admission of the poor soldiers, and when complete to lower it; but they lowered the light before they had half their complement, so the people were bundled into whatever ships they could get alongside of, so that scarcely standing room was in some of them, while others were half empty.

I got on board a transport where parts of fourteen regiments were huddled together, and as soon as daylight appeared the French discovered our retreat, and the embarkation that took place under cover of the night. They brought their guns to bear on the shipping from the heights of St. Lucia. The masters of the transports immediately cut their cables, and in the confusion four transports ran aground and were abandoned. In one was Mr. Carey, a Commissary that we picked up at Buenos Ayres, and who had amassed during the campaign an immense sum of gold and silver. When making his way in a boat from one of the wrecked transports, a ball from one of the French guns pierced the boat's bottom, when poor Paddy Carey and his ill-got wealth went to the bottom of Corunna Bay.

In eight days we arrived at Spithead, (37) and were there transferred into other transports and sent round to Ramsgate, where we disembarked and marched to Ashford, in Kent, after being fully equipped, and being made a Regiment of Light Infantry.

From Ashford we marched to Brabourne Lees, a temporary wooden barracks, erected on a large common, and were brigaded with the 68th and 85th Light Infantry Regiments, under the command of Baron de Rottenburg.

We were well supplied by our landlord Don Pedro Gomez with good bread, beef and mutton, paying him well for the same - viz., about 4/6 per bullock, and 2/- per sheep. We sometimes got a little country wine from itinerant dealers from Cordova, who travelled vast distances before they could meet a customer. We had a captain's guard of Spanish dragoons. We also received three months' pay from the Spanish Government - a dollar per day. Through the whole of the country we traversed we scarcely met an inhabitant, except at distances, where large towns were traced out with streets of squares, with a wretched mud fort or perhaps a dismounted gun, and an unfortunate corporal with two men sent to keep the natives in awe. From this place Major Tolley and Captain Adamson made their escape to the River Paraguay, which falls into the Plate, and after innumerable hardships obtained a boat, hiding during the day and rowing all night, levying contributions of provisions on any house where no male person was to defend it, and arrived in safety at Monte Video. Captain Jones, encouraged by this success, formed a plan to follow their footsteps, but while waiting for an issue of pay, unguardedly made his intentions so public that the Spanish captain knew to the hour when he was to set out, with his servants in disguise as Creoles, and the route he was to proceed, and allowed him to proceed about six leagues, and in a wood secured them both and carried them prisoners to Cordova - there kept closely confined during our captivity.

About one league from St. Ignatia was another Quinta, where Captain Duncan M'Kenzie (then Paymaster M'Kenzie) and a few officers lived. Captain M'Kenzie's servant was a married man, and his wife a beautiful Irish girl. She was sent by her master rather late of an afternoon to St. Ignatia for change of a doubloon, which, on her receiving, was observed by two Creoles, who followed her, and midway between the two Quintas barbarously murdered her; but on discovering next day that she was a Catholic, their grief and remorse was beyond measure. Here I first saw the process of interment in Catholic countries. The grave is dug about ten feet deep, the body without a coffin laid in it, and quick lime thrown over it, then a layer of earth, which is beaten down with something like a pavior's mallet, until it is formed into a hard patie, and so on, layer succeeding layer, until the grave is filled up, which occupies the work of some days.

We lived here very comfortably until the month of August, when we were informed that we should soon be on our way to England; that the British Government had sent out a force of 10,000 men under a General Whitelock, who was obliged to surrender with his whole army to the Spaniards, and that one of the articles of capitulation was our release. We laughed at the idea, (16) as we took Buenos Ayres with about 1000 men, and could have marched over all Spanish America with 10,000. We provided ourselves with ponchos, a kind of blanket with a slit in the centre; by putting your head through it forms not an ungraceful kind of cloak. It is worn by all the natives; the better sort is made of cotton and makes a good quilt. It serves as a blanket at night; and out of a coarse cloth made of hair and wool we contrived to make a sort of tent that kept the dew of the night from us.

On arrival at Buenos Ayres we were marched along the river side and embarked in boats for Monte Video. We could observe that the fortifications of the town were much improved from the time we took it. On our arrival at Monte Video we were inspected by General Whitelock; and a motley crew we were, without arms, and mostly dressed in Nankeen jackets and trousers. One of the articles of capitulation was that Monte Video should be evacuated by every British subject on a certain day, and the confusion on that day was beyond description - hundreds of merchants who came with all sorts of merchandise from England lying on the beach with their goods and could not obtain a passage. The troops were, of course, provided for in the men-o'-war and transports. The writer of this was sent, on the day of evacuation, by Colonel Tolley, on shore to purchase articles for the Regiment, and brought a man with two thousand dollars on his back for the purpose; but the Spaniards, conceiving that it was plunder, detained us, and would probably have murdered us but for the interference of one of General Whitelock's staff, who explained to them our mission.

Marched towards Orthez, a large town. The French were encamped on the hills on the other side of the river. Our Brigade was ordered to the extreme right, and the main body, under General Beresford, forded on the left of the bridge. A battery placed at a church (where Marshal Soult was stationed) played shot and shells on us as we were fording, and we were opposed by a strong force on the bank. We, however, made our landing good, and drove them up the hill in good style. Next day followed up our victory through a delightful country on the road to Pau. We did not enter the town, but encamped close to it.

I in a few days took the coach for Portsmouth and embarked with several officers on their way to join their respective regiments. On landing at Lisbon I waited on Colonel Cadogan at the Ambassadors, Sir Chas. Stuart, where I received orders to proceed to join the Regiment, who were in winter quarters at Bejar in Spain. We remained here till the month of May, the men messing with the inhabitants in the most friendly way, and living as if they belonged to the family. Potatoes were more plentiful here than anywhere I have seen, with the exception of Ireland. It is a walled town, with a great cloth manufactory, which was forced to supply clothing for a French regiment annually, gratis.

We kept manoeuvring a few days and got into a village near the Garonne, when at twelve o'clock at night the Orderly Sergeant came round with orders to march in half an hour. We marched to the river, where the Engineers were employed in throwing over a pontoon bridge. We lay on the ground for about three hours, when it was discovered that three boats were found wanting, and they had to undo all they had done. We returned to our quarters at daylight. Next night we were better prepared, and crossed on the following morning, the cavalry leading their horses first, then some regiments of infantry, with the artillery. There was a thick mist, and the men actually appeared as walking on the water. We advanced into the country until nightfall, when we got a sudden order to retrace our steps. The French were strongly entrenched on the heights above Toulouse. When on April 10th, 1814, the British advanced towards the bridge, which was strongly fortified, with a few houses on our side of it, the passage of the canal below the town was warmly contested. The heights were taken and retaken several times. Our Regiment was but partially engaged on the plain towards the bridge. The French army kept possession of the town until the 12th, and then marched in the direction of Villa Franca. (62) Our Regiment, with Captain Maunsell's troop of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, were in the advance, and were the first to enter the town. Only one gentleman hoisted the white cocade as we passed through Toulouse.

This battle was fought on Easter Sunday, in which there was killed:-
BRITISH - 2 lieutenant-colonels, 6 captains, 5 lieutenants, 3 ensigns, 17 sergeants, 1 drummer, 278 rank and file, 55 horses - killed; 2 general staff, 3 lieutenant-colonels, 4 majors, 31 captains, 69 lieutenants, 22 ensigns, 3 staff, 86 sergeants, 11 drummers, 1564 rank and file, 54 horses - wounded; 1 captain, 2 ensigns, 14 rank and file, 1 horse - missing.

PORTUGUESE - 3 officers, 75 privates - killed; 23 officers, 37 sergeants, 4 drummers, 465 rank and file - wounded.

SPANISH - 12 officers, 193 privates - killed; 2 general staff, 2 colonels, 4 majors, 18 captains, 22 lieutenants, 30 ensigns, 5 staff, 1631 privates - wounded.

Making a total of 31 officers, 1 drummer, 17 sergeants, 546 privates, and 55 horses, killed; and 4 general staff, 2 colonels, 11 lieutenant-colonels, 8 majors, 49 captains, 91 lieutenant's, 52 ensigns, 8 staff, wounded; 35 subalterns (not included in above, rank not known); total, 260; 123 sergeants, 15 drummers, 3663 privates, 51 horses.

We followed the enemy to Villefranche, on the high road to Montpellier, and encamped about two leagues from the town. Soult with his army a league in front. After some negotiations Soult came to Toulouse and had a guard of honour ordered to attend him.

In this camp the brave Sir. Nathaniel Peacock received the reward of his services. A rumour spread about that Lieutenant-Colonel Napier of the 52nd was appointed to the command of the 71st. Sir Natt dressed himself in his best and visited all his acquaintances, proclaiming that he, for his exertions during the war, was at last rewarded with the Commission of Major-General, when lo and behold you, Colonel Napier arrived, and, sent for the adjutant and myself, to announce to us that he that day took command of the Regiment, and that Sir Natt was dismissed the service, together with Colonel M'Donald, 57th Regiment, a worthy old soldier, whose regiment was one day late for the battle of Orthez, having been sent to St. Jean de Luz to receive their clothing. Like all low tyrants in prosperity, Sir Natt became the most abject suppliant to those over whom he a few days before was a merciless master. He reaped the reward that a coward in battle and tyrant in quarters, I hope, will meet with, during the just and honourable administration of the rulers of the present British army, and long may they continue to uphold it.

When Soult was satisfied that Bonaparte had abdicated, he dismissed his army, and we were ordered into the City of Toulouse, where after sojourning for some time we got the route for Bordeaux. I proceeded down the Garonne in a boat with sick officers, women, baggage, etc. The scenery is the most enchanting I ever beheld. The first day we came as far as Agen; so rapid was the stream that we accomplished in two days what requires fourteen to work against it, with twelve men towing with all their might. The second day we arrived at Bordeaux. I went to the theatre, one of the most beautiful in France. It required nine days' march of the army from Toulouse to Bordeaux. Here I sold my Andalusian stallion (which bought in Lisbon from Quartermaster Smith, 14th Dragoons, for two hundred dollars) for twenty dollars, and gave a new English saddle and bridle with it.

From Bordeaux we were ordered to Blanchfort Camp, where after remaining some time we embarked in transports, and went down the Gironde and reimbarked on board His Majesty's ship ‘Bellisle' (74 guns). The whole of the Regiment was on board, and Captain Gordon's Company of the 50th. All the officers were crowded together in the gun-room. We sailed with a favourable wind and arrived in Cork in eight days - in June, 1814.

From Cork we marched to Mallow, where we remained ten days, and from thence got the route to Limerick, and remained until January, 1815, when we received orders to proceed to Cork and embark for America. We were put on board four transports and sailed out of the Cove four times, but were obliged to put back each time by contrary winds. At length news arrived of peace being concluded with America, (63) and we were ordered round by water to Carlingford, and thence to Dublin. On our arrival at Carlingford, with every expectation that our troubles were at an end, an order waited for us to proceed direct to the Downs. Two of our transports were taken from us and ordered to bring troops from America, and the entire regiment crowded into the remaining two, with scarcely standing room. Here we first learned of Bonaparte's escape from Elba.

Advanced towards the heights, where the enemy were posted, with four field pieces and about two thousand men. In our front lay a deep morass. Sailors from the ships dragged two six-pounders which were landed during the night, but the ground was so deep, and the enemy's guns playing upon us, that General Beresford ordered our guns to be abandoned, and gave the word ‘forward,' which was instantly obeyed. Charged the enemy, who took flight, abandoning their guns, waggons, etc. and proceeded towards the City. Our small army followed to the village of Reduction, where we arrived after nightfall.

On the march through a country without stone or stick, I picked up a bleached horse skull, in order to make a pillow of it for the night, hoping every minute to halt; but after carrying it for about two miles, I was obliged to cast it away, and continue the march.The only human habitation that we met I made for, and found a horse tied to the door, which I took possession of and mounted, and as it is customary in South America, found the bedding of the owner under the saddle. When we came to the village, Lieutenant Le Estrange and myself got under the wall of a brick store and huddled together, the Spaniard's bed clothes making a comfortable shake down and the saddle doing us for a pillow, and were composing ourselves to rest, when some of our men went down to the River Chille (Rio Chuelo) to bring water. The Spaniards on the other side took the alarm, and opened a fire of guns and musquetry, which soon dislodged us and made us retreat two miles of a very dark night, scarcely knowing in what direction we were proceeding. In the action of this day a six-pounder carried away Captain (now Colonel) Le Blanc's leg, and the fleshy part of the thigh of Sergeant (now Adjutant) Anderson.

The army now advanced, and drove the enemy from their position on the river. (8) We set to and lashed three or four of the small craft together, and procured planks to make a gangway. All passed over and advanced towards Buenos Ayres. On our way we were met by the Alcalde and the Chief Civil officers of the city, who came out in their official robes with an offer to deliver up the city to the English. We marched into town and took possession of the castle and the barracks called Rangaris. [?]

In order to make our forces appear more formidable, we were ordered to take double distance in column on entering the town, but the Spaniards soon discovered our strength by the rations daily drawn. I was accosted one day by an inhabitant who enquired as to our numbers, which I exaggerated some hundreds, when he very pertinently asked ‘how were they fed, as rations were only issued for such a number.' I accounted for it as men in hospital, servants, etc., but it would not do, they knew to a man our strength.

To our surprise we found a number of English men and women; they were part of the crew and convicts of the transport ship ‘Sarah,' who rose on the captain and those who were faithful to him on their passage to Botany Bay. They murdered the captain and mate, and carried the ship into Buenos Ayres, where they sold her. Some of the female convicts were well married, and the male working at their different trades. One we found very useful, named Patrick Carey, and another, Smith, that General Beresford brought to England. The former man got into the Commissariat, and served with us at the Corunna retreat. He was drowned in the bay the morning we cut our cables on leaving it. The fellow that killed the captain by a blow of a hatchet as he came up the companion steps, and two females, were the only persons of the whole that followed the dissolute lives they were accustomed to lead in England.

After being some time in peaceable possession of the town, a man cleaning his firelock in one of the barrack rooms happened to stick his ramrod in the ground floor, which instantly disappeared. When searching for it we found that the whole range of the barracks was undermined from the other side of the street where there was a Convent of Friars.

On examination we found that they had been at work many days and had mined under the main street and had actually placed some barrels of gunpowder and would, if not so fortunately discovered, have blown us to atoms.

The day we entered the town the Viceroy, (9) with a detachment of Dragoons, left it, taking with him sixteen wagons loaded with doubloons and dollars, and took the road to Luchan. Captain Charles Graham, of the 71st, with his company and a few dragoons was dispatched after him, and succeeded in taking the whole, which he brought into town, and it was put on board the ‘Narcissus' frigate and sent to England with the dispatches by the Honourable Captain Dean (afterwards Lord Muskerry), of the 38th Regiment, Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier-General Beresford.

About this period the General received information that there was a likelihood of a rising of the people, under Pueridon, one of the municipality. Arms were secreted in the town, and nightly assemblies took place. Colonel Linears (10) a French officer on parole, collected great numbers at Colonia on the other side of the river.

We received the route for Deal, where we occupied the new barracks (not the Pavilion). The 18th Light Dragoons were in the cavalry barracks adjoining ours. In June I got leave of absence to go to London, and there spent some time with Lieutenant John Graham at the Nagg's Head in the Borough.

I received a letter from Colonel Pack recommending me to join the 88th as paymaster, and went to London for the purpose, but arrived too late, as General Beresford had appointed another to the situation.

The army disembarked from 1st August to 5th. We received four days rations of beef and biscuits, and marched over a very sandy country. Several of our men died of thirst and were buried where they fell.

On my arrival in the village I was directed to the Alcade's, and on enquiring for him, two mustachioed, whiskerified Hussars ran down from a left in the most menacing manner and enquired what I wanted. I took them for Frenchmen and thought it was all over with me, when to my great relief, on looking at their buttons, I found they belonged to the Catalonian Hussars. I got my guide to the next village, and by way of precaution sent him in to reconnoitre lest some of the enemy were in it, which proved not to be the case. On my way through the street two Spaniards seized the reins of my bridle on each side of my horse, and arrested me as a flying Frenchman. I protested that I was an Englishman (they never having seen one before), and that I was on my way to Salta for supplies for the British army, but all my protestations were vain. I opened my great coat and displayed my scarlet jacket as a proof, but no, it would not do. By this time the whole population were collected, and a council of war held whether I was to be hanged or shot. The former they preferred, as they considered a Frenchman unworthy of going out of the world by so honourable a death as shooting. I was in this hopeful pickle when a hoary-headed blacksmith made his way up to the crowd. His opinion seemed to have great weight with the populace, and a profound silence ensued while he was interrogating me as to my business in that remote part of the world, etc., etc. When I told him my story he shook his head, and turning to the people he said, ‘I believe the senor,' and as a further proof, laying hold of my sash, said, ‘The French don't wear things of this kind.' On this avowal of the sage I was immediately liberated and a guide provided to the next village. As usual I sent him in before, and there found a lieutenant of Morillo's Corps collecting provisions. I waited on him and told him I was going to Salta. He kindly sent a soldier with me, it being about two miles off, and invited me to dinner on my return. After loading two mules with tobacco and salt, I was preparing to return to my friendly lieutenant, when the church bells commenced ringing the alarm, and men, women and children all crowded to the square. Salta is built on a rock that was once fortified, the only remains of its former strength are the walls and an old gate. On the side next the great road leading to the City of Vittoria it is very steep. The cause of the alarm was the approach of about twenty French Dragoons who came round an angle of the rock, slowly moving on the road towards the town, which they supposed to be the advanced guard of a greater force. The old gate was barricaded with carts, etc., and I being the only military man in the town, and an Englishman to boot, they surrounded me begging for instructions how to defend the town. I was as much puzzled as themselves, and wished myself a thousand times in my camp among my friends; but as fortune still preserved me, the whole French force consisted in those we took for the advance guard of part of an army, and were some of the fugitives of the preceding battle making their way to a fort close by that the French still held possession of. Having loaded my mules I took leave of my Salta friends and returned to my Spanish officer, who waited dinner for me till five o'clock, though their usual hour is twelve. After making a hearty dinner on the kidneys of the sheep which he got killed for his men, he gave me a soldier as an escort, and night overtook us on the ground where the battle (51) was fought. There was only one solitary house, and it was filled with wounded French and English. This house was so full of wounded and attendants that I took up my quarters in the stable, across the door of which I stretched myself to guard the muleteer, in order that if he attempted to make his escape he should walk over my body. A thing very frequent among that class of people was decamping in the night, mules, baggage and all. On the return through the village of my worthy blacksmith, he exultingly proclaimed my return to the inhabitants as he had foretold, and took me to the priest's, where I was very kindly entertained. Next day about two o'clock I joined my Regiment in camp, and related my adventures to the Colonel, who I thought would crack his sides laughing at my adventure with the blacksmith, etc., and called all the officers to make me repeat it again. My worthy friend, little did I think that next day he would be numbered with the dead!

I now followed the army who were pursuing the French, and came to Vittoria weary and hungry. The houses were all barricaded and scarcely a soul in the street. I met a priest and begged a little bread from him. He shrugged up his shoulders and replied that he had none to-day, but that if I called tomorrow he would supply me. I pitched him to the D----l, (Devil? S.G.) and a little further on I encountered a man with a more generous mind, who gave me a little bread and wine. On the outside of town was all Joseph's private and the army's baggage, scattered in the greatest confusion, hundreds of coaches and wagons loaded, with money only a few days arrived from France, and above two hundred pieces of cannon. The whole of the 18th Light Dragoons and some of the Guards remained to plunder, for which conduct the promotion of the 18th was stopped for three years. Cases of claret and brandy casks with their heads stove in were in every direction. I got an empty claret bottle filled with brandy, and rode on after the army late in the evening. The country for miles was covered with upset ammunition wagons, guns, etc., etc., abandoned by the French. On the way overtook a drummer and private of the 39th Regiment, who had remained behind to plunder, and mounted them on two immense artillery mules belonging to the French armies. Night was fast approaching, and the whole country as far as the eye could reach was covered with the fires of the army. I made a fruitless effort to find out our brigade, and about twelve o'clock at night got into a church - horse, mules, and the two 39th men. They immediately set to breaking up the pews, and in a short time made a blazing fire. They had by some chance got a quarter of mutton, which they promised to give me part of, provided I shared my brandy bottle with them, which I readily agreed to, and whilst they were cooking and dividing their plunder put the horse's bridle over my arm and laid myself up against the altar and fell fast asleep, being weary and hungry, not having tasted food (with the exception of the little bread and wine in Vittoria) for upwards of thirty- six hours. Day soon broke, and I found Lord Hill's lodging and reported Colonel Cadogan's death to him. He sent Colonel Churchill with me to camp, and ordered Captain William Grant to the village I had left his corpse in, and had him buried in the garden of the Spaniard's house in the village.

We had killed in officers: - The Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Cadogan, Captain H. T. Hall, Lieutenant H. Fox, Lieutenant C. M'Kenzie, Lieutenant John Commeline, and Lieutenant C. T. Cox - killed; Lieutenant A. Duff, Lieutenant Loftus Richards, Lieutenant W. E. Lorrane, Colonel Cother, Captain Reed, Captain J. Pidgeon, Captain Wm. A. Grant, Lieutenant John M'Intyre, and Ensign Norman Campell - wounded.

Note. - The official list is as follows: - Killed - Lieutenant Colonel Hon. H. Cadogan, Captain Hall, Lieutenant C. M'Kenzie, Lieutenant Fox (wounded, since died), Lieutenant Cox (wounded and missing). Wounded - Brevet - Lieutenant-Colonel Cother, Captains Reed, Pidgeon, Grant, Lieutenants Duff, Richards, Torriano, M'Intyre, Campbell, Commeline; also 41 men killed and 260 wounded. The difference is that Commeline is given wounded not killed, and that the name Torriano appears instead of Lorrane. The army list shows that the former is the correct name, the error presumably comes from a slip in copying the name by Gavin or the scribe who worked after him.

We got up Channel past Portsmouth, when the wind changed, and we were obliged to put into Portsmouth. During this day a melancholy accident happened. The ship was so crowded that there was scarcely room on deck to contain the men. The day being fine, about twenty got upon some spare yards that were lashed outside the ship, but the cords by which they were lashed, being too slight for such a weight, gave way, and the whole were precipitated into the ocean. The day was calm and the sails were immediately backed, and hen coops and every portable thing that would float thrown overboard, but unfortunately ten perished. One poor fellow, John M'Comie, a good swimmer, attempted to take off his trousers in the water to save another, when he got entangled and sunk to rise no more. We visited the dockyard and works. Captain James Henderson and myself were deputed to order dinner at the ‘George Inn,' High Street, and among other good things found a turtle, for which they (the innkeepers) made us pay one guinea per head. Before dinner Colonel Reynal and Major L'Estrange joined us.

We remained at Deal two days; got fresh provisions for the men and sailed for Ostend, which we made in twelve hours. It was about ten at night when we got to the harbour, and at a certain state of the tide it is dangerous to enter. They have signals, well known to the English smugglers and fishermen, when to enter or when to remain outside the bar. We happened to arrive at the wrong time, and were obliged to remain outside till morning, when we landed and were ordered immediately to Ghent. We embarked on board boats in the evening and proceeded to Bruges, and stopped at the English Hotel, kept by Mr. Carpenter, formerly of Limerick.

Next day we proceeded to Ghent by the canal. We remained here a few days and then marched to Fresne (through Audenarde, etc.), where we remained two days. We were then ordered to Leuse, and were quartered with the 2nd Battalion of the Rifles.

The enemy began to retreat about seven in the evening. We followed them to Nivelles and took a great number of cannon. The road was actually blocked up with cannon and wagons deserted by the French.

We bivouacked this night outside the village, up to our knees in mud.

Our loss during the day was:- 3 officers killed, 7 wounded; 24 rank and file killed, 160 wounded; 3 missing - loss of 71st at Waterloo.

Officers killed and wounded:- Brevet-Major L'Estrange (Aide-de-Camp to General Pack), Lieutenant Elwes, Ensign Todd - killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Reynell, Major Jones, Captain Read, Captain Campbell, Captain Barallier, Lieutenant Lawe, Lieutenant ------- - ; - wounded. (65)

Nothing particular occurred until our arrival at Argenteuil, a beautiful village on the River Seine, where Lord Wellington received a dispatch from Marshall Blucher that he was in possession of St. Cloud. Long, as usual, was on the look out. He selected a superb mansion, where a Prussian major had a sentry placed to guard it as his quarters. Long instantly assumed a look of importance and ordered him to quit the premises as he wanted the house for his General. The sentry obeyed and left the house. Our army was bivouacked outside the town. The whole of the male population had fled to Paris and only the lady of the house and an old female were its inmates. In a moment Long had the heads off four ducks, and a piece of bacon on the fire. He demanded the key of the cellar, descended with his servant, and returned with between two and three dozen claret. The lady of the house got so alarmed that she left him all to himself and got shelter with some neighbours.

When everything was put in order he came to camp and told Moorhead, Winterscale, (67) and myself that dinner would be on the table at five o'clock, which we punctually attended and made a superb meal. After the cloth was removed it was proposed to see if anything valuable could be discovered on the premises, but nothing met our eyes but a fine horse, saddle and bridle in the stable. It was agreed that as Moorhead was the only pedestrian of the party he was best entitled to it, he being too lazy to take one at Waterloo, where hundreds were for the taking. He accordingly had him removed to camp, and we, after a glorious night, went to sleep.

Next morning we made a good breakfast and sallied forth to the camp to see what was going on. The Engineers were laying a Pontoon bridge across the Seine. Lord Wellington was sitting on a beam of timber answering a dispatch from Marshal Blucher when, to our utter dismay, we saw our landlady approach him. We got into camp as soon as possible, in hopes that in the crowd she would not recognise us, and Moorhead set the horse at liberty, who scampered home quite delighted to get from among the red coats. Luckily for us it was curiosity that induced the lady to approach his Lordship, not to complain of Long and his companions.

A few days previous to this the Dutch recruits (11) we received at the Cape deserted to the enemy, and one of them was actually taken with the lighted match in his hands at one of their guns. He was sentenced to be shot by decree of a court martial. The Bishop of Buenos Ayres waited on General Beresford and offered two thousand dollars to save his life, but was refused, and he was accordingly shot next day.

The enemy advanced and took a small post in the suburbs, where the 71st had a sergeant's guard, and massacred Sergeant Kennedy (who was in charge) and the whole of the men he commanded. They then advanced by all the streets leading to the great square (where our small force was drawn up). Our position was commanded by the enemy, who occupied the tops of the houses and the great church, (12) it being completely secured by the parapets that surrounded the flat roofs. We were picked off at pleasure. At a gun near the church, three reliefs, in a short time, were killed or wounded. Lieutenant Mitchell and Ensign Lucas, 71st, were killed here, with Captain Kennet, Royal Engineers. The General, seeing further resistance was vain, went into the castle and hoisted a flag of truce: our small force was ordered in and the gates closed. After a conference between the General and an Aide-de-Camp of Linears, we surrendered to the greatest set of ragamuffins ever collected together.

Our loss was:-
Royal Engineers.-1 captain killed.

Royal Artillery. - 1 captain and 1 lieutenant wounded; 3 rank and file killed and wounded.

St. Helena Artillery. - 1 sergeant wounded; 9 rank and file killed, 13 wounded; drivers - 1 wounded.

71st. - 1 lieutenant and 1 ensign killed; 1 lieutenant-colonel and 1 ensign wounded; 1 sergeant killed and 5 wounded. (missing); 1 drummer killed; 24 rank and file killed and 67 wounded.

Royal Marines. - 1 captain and 1 sergeant wounded; 6 rank and file killed, 5 rank and file wounded, 8 rank and file missing.

St. Helena Regt. - 1 lieutenant wounded; 1 sergeant killed; 1 rank and file killed, 4 rank and file wounded, 1 rank and file missing.
General total, 144.

Died in Hospital. - 71st, 5; St. Helena Regiment 1; Marines, 1; Artillery, 3; total, 10.

NAMES OF OFFICERS KILLED
Captain Kennet, Royal Engineers.
Lieutenant Mitchell and Ensign Lucas, 71st Regiment

Wounded.
Captain Ogilvie and Captain M'Kenzie, Royal Artillery.
Lieutenant Sampson, St. Helena Regiment.
Lieutenant-Colonel Pack and Ensign Murray, 71st Regiment.
Lieutenant Cowsel, Royal Marines.

We were marched out of the castle between files of Spaniards and Creoles (the enemy having only one small regiment of regulars), and crowded into the Cabildo, or town house, amid the shouts of an infuriated rabble. The clergy and women vied with each other in kind acts to the prisoners. The writer and Colonel Pack were in the street surrounded by the mob, who were dragging the Colours of the 71st through the gutter, crying out for the head of an Englishman, when a worthy Spanish gentleman came up and rescued us from our perilous situation, took us to his house, and treated us most hospitably. We remained till next morning. The Spaniards acknowledged to have lost seven hundred men from the 10th to 12th August.

I ventured out, protected by a worthy priest, and was met by a contractor who supplied us with bread during the time we occupied the town. He, with the most unfeigned joy, clasped me in his arms and informed me he had searched among the dead, the hospitals, and prisons in vain for me and gave me up for lost. This good man's kindness continued during our stay in Buenos Ayres. He visited me daily, and the night previous to our being sent up the country brought me as much excellent biscuit as a huge black could carry, saying, ‘You have to travel some hundreds of miles, where nothing but beef without salt can be procured,' which proved to be the case. It proved of great service to me and my friends on the journey. Another instance of the Spanish friendship I can detail. After we were made prisoners the Spaniards formed a Corps of volunteer light horse, and copied the uniform of our 20th Light Dragoons. They were composed of gentlemen. One of them, Don Pedro Gasper, took a great fancy to me and offered to send me to a friend's house some miles in the country, but I preferred sharing the fate of my countrymen. Having no money for the march I offered him my watch for sale, but understanding me imperfectly he brought me a man who could speak a little English, who made my intentions known to him, when the good man thrust his hand in his pocket and threw out thirty or forty doubloons, and said, ‘When that is out you shall have as much more.' I declined the generous offer with heartfelt thanks.

COPY OF THE ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION

The British General having no further object for remaining in Buenos Ayres, and to avoid the unnecessary effusion of blood, and also the destruction of property of the inhabitants of this city, consents to deliver up the fort of Buenos Ayres to the Commander of His Most Catholic Majesty's forces on the following conditions:-

First. - The British troops to march out with all the honours of war, to be considered prisoners of war, but to be embarked as soon as possible on board the British transports now in the river, to be conveyed to England or the station they came from.

Second. - The British on their entrance into this place made many prisoners of war, which remained on their parole, and, as the number of officers is much greater on one side and of men on the other, it is agreed that the whole shall be exchanged for the whole. The English transports returning to their places of destination as Cartel, are to be guaranteed as such by the Spanish Government from capture on the voyage.

Third. Provisions, etc., will be furnished for the passage of the English troops according to the usual custom in like cases.

Fourth. - Such wounded of the British troops as cannot be removed on board of ships shall remain in the hospitals at Buenos Ayres, either under charge of Spanish or British surgeons, at the option of the British General, and shall be furnished with everything necessary, and on their recovery sent to Great Britain.

Fifth. - The property of all British subjects in Buenos Ayres to be respected.

(Signed) Wm. CARR BERESFORD,
Santiago Conisidido Linears. (13)

Notwithstanding this capitulation, on the Spaniards hearing of a reinforcement arriving in the river from England, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Backhouse, (14) orders were issued to send the prisoners into the interior of the country. The men marched off to Tuckaman (15) Cordova, Mendoza, etc., and the General, Colonel Pack, Captain Arbuthnot (Aide de Camp), Captain Ogilvie (Royal Artillery), and Assistant-Surgeon Evans (71st Regiment) remained in Luxan, twelve leagues from Buenos Ayres - the officers to St. Antonia, Chappeles, Ronches, etc. The writer of this to St. Antonia. We passed through a beautiful plain covered with innumerable herds of wild horses and cattle.

Here we received the news of the murder of Captain Ogilvie on the 27th of November by a creole, when he and Colonel Pack were riding out. The Colonel had a most narrow escape, the murderer having thrown a lasso at him in which he got, entangled and would have shared the fate of his friend but for the opportune appearance of two men.

Marched to Lourinha and to Vimeira.

On the 19th and 20th halted, and were joined by Brigadier-General Anstruther's brigade of 2,400 men landed (21) at Maceira on the 19th. The writer was sent by Colonel Pack to receive camp equipage at Maceira on the 20th. On this night Sir Harry Burrard arrived and took the command of the army, but approving of Sir Arthur Wellesley's arrangement, did not assume it till after the battle next day.

Under arms at daylight, and advanced towards the enemy (about 8 o'clock a.m.), who were posted on the heights opposite us. (22)

Our Brigade was attacked by the French cavalry, which we charged and repulsed, taking six pieces of cannon. (23) They made an effort to retake their artillery, but were routed by the 71st, supported by the 82nd, taking the French General prisoner (General Brenier), by Corporal John M'Kay, 71st Regiment. When sent to the rear he offered M'Kay his gold watch, which he refused, and escorted him in safety to the rear. Next day the General, at an interview with Sir Arthur Wellesley, reported the high spirit of the corporal. His Excellency was pleased in that night's orders to appoint him Assistant Provost Marshal. He afterwards got a commission in a West India Regiment, where he died, and a gold medal from the Highland Society was given to him. The conduct of our Piper-Major (George Clarke) was worthy of the name of a Highlandman. In the charge where General Brenier was taken he received a musquet ball in the leg. Being unable to advance, he sat down on a rock and played the charge on the pipes to encourage his brave companions. He also got a gold medal from the Highland Society, and was held in high estimation in London, after being discharged from the list Regiment.

Officers killed, wounded, and missing of the 71st Regiment at the Battle of Vimeira on the 21st August, 1808: Captain Jones, slightly; Lieutenant J. D. Pratt, severely; Lieutenant Wm. Hartley, severely; Lieutenant Ralph Dudgeon, severely; Lieutenant A. S. M'Intyre, slightly; Ensign Wm. Campbell, slightly; Acting Adjutant M'Alpin, severely. (24)

N.B. - Mr. M'Alpin was not wounded by the enemy, but fell from a rock on which he was standing.

Advanced to Torres Vedras, where a line of demarcation was drawn, and the town was to be neutral ground during the negotiations carrying on at Cintra.

Tervere surrendered, the garrison (about 400 men) marched out and laid down their arms in front of our Regiment.

Marched to Middleburg (the capital of the Island), and from thence to attack Fort Ramekins, which was stormed and taken by detachments of the 36th and 71st, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Pack. Here Captain Pasley of the Engineers was dreadfully wounded.

The whole of the batteries opened against the town, and a division of gun boats and bomb vessels from the river. An incessant fire kept up the whole of the day, which was briskly returned by the town. This day another division of men-o'-war passed the town, commanded by Sir Richard Strachan. A gunboat stationed close in shore, in rear of our Regiment, was struck by a 32-pound shot, which sunk her and killed one man. Several parts of the town on fire. A cessation of firing took place from 8 till 10 o'clock. This night a detachment of our Regiment, and of the 36th and King's German Legion, (39) under the command of Colonel Pack, stormed a battery close to the walls of the town, and spiked the guns, taking about 40 prisoners. Our loss was:-

Killed: Wounded. Missing.
36th, .. .. 3 3 3
71st, .. .. 2 10 3
King's G. Legion, 12 24 4
Total, .. .. 17 37 10

Officers killed and wounded. - Lieutenant Macdonald, 71st, killed; 1 field officer, 36th, wounded; 1 subaltern, K.G.L., killed.

This night the French cut the Dyke and let the sea in upon us. Marks were put up next morning in different parts, with sentinels over them, to report hourly the increase of the water, which destroyed all the crops in our vicinity. We observed the Stad house Municipal Buildings = (Stadthuis) and two churches on fire from our rockets.

Marched to Tervere; the fever of the country had by this time attacked many of our men. Colonel Pack was appointed Commandant, and Lieutenant Clements, Town Major of this garrison. About this time Lord Chatham returned to England, and the command devolved upon Sir Eyre Coote. The men were now sending to hospital by scores. On the 8th our sick in Regimental Hospital were 437. Lieutenant-Colonel Pack and most of the officers were attacked and brought to death's door. Captain Sutherland died of it. Such demands were for surgeons and Peruvian Bark, i.e., Quinine, that England was nearly drained of it. Deaths were so frequent that a general order was issued to dig large pits and bury the men by night, in order that the sick and convalescent should not witness the removal of the dead.

I myself about this time found symptoms of the malady in my frame. I immediately took a large glass of Hollands Gin and walked round the ramparts, but still it was gaining round. I repeated the gin dose, which for the present kept it off, but I imbibed the disease and suffered dreadfully afterwards in Spain and Portugal.

In the latter end of November, orders were given to destroy the guns of Flushing and Tervere, and send on board the brass ones.

About eight days after leaving Monte Video, a most violent storm arose, which increased about midnight, when we discovered that the ‘Princesa' had sprung a leak. All hands were called on deck and the chain pumps manned, and lanterns hung in all parts of the rigging, and guns fired as signals of distress; but the night was so dark and the hurricane so violent that no assistance could be given to us. The cries of the women and sick, the rattling of the wind among the shrouds, was truly frightful, as we expected every moment to go to the bottom. When daylight appeared the wind abated, but the sea ran mountains high, and the Admiral, perceiving our colours half-mast high, bore down upon us and hailed. us. On hearing our condition he sent two carpenters aboard to inspect the ship, who pronounced that she could not swim for two hours more. By this time the water was up to the second (or Orlop) deck. On their return (the carpenters) to the ‘Lion,' the Admiral's ship, a signal was made for the Fleet to lie to and lower all their boats, and rendezvous round the ‘Princesa.' Providentially at this time the wind had quite abated, and the sea comparatively calm, and everything got ready to embark in the boats. The confusion, as may be expected, was very great. The writer and our surgeon (Pooler) were put on board a brig of war, then commanded by a Lieutenant Blaney (a great tyrant), and remained there for about eight days, when we were put on board the ‘Nelly,' our Headquarter ship, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell.

The evening that we escaped from the ‘Princesa' we saw her go to the bottom at about four miles off, so that if Providence had not been pleased to abate the wind nearly three hundred souls would have met a watery grave. Nothing particular happened on the passage, but the death of Lieutenant Thomas Murray, who was suffocated in his berth by leaving his leather stock on. He was a brave soldier and a worthy young man.

We saw no land during the passage, and arrived at the Cove of Cork on the 27th. December, after a passage of nearly seventeen weeks, in the latter part of which we suffered greatly for want of fresh water. The officers were on the allowance of a pint a day, and the men were obliged to suck this quantity through the touch hole of a musquet barrel from the scuttle butt.

When landed we marched to Middleton Barracks, where the men received a year's pay, reserving sufficient to purchase necessaries, etc.; but such a scene of drunkenness for eight days was never seen in the British or any other army. The barrack gates were closed only when drays from Cork were admitted with barrels of porter and hogsheads of whisky, and in some rooms they were actually ankle-deep in liquor. After some time we marched to the new barracks in Cork, and were completely equipped with arms and accoutrements, clothing, etc., which was sent from London by Colonel Pack, who joined us here. We were also presented with a new pair of colours (the old battalion colours having been captured at Buenos Ayres) by Sir John Floyd, who made the following speech on delivering them:

'SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT,

'I am directed to perform this honourable duty of presenting your new colours.

'Brave Seventy-first, the world is well acquainted with your gallant behaviour at the capture of Buenos Ayres in South America, under one of His Majesty's bravest Generals.

'It is well known that you defended your conquest with the utmost courage, good conduct and discipline, to the last extremity, when diminished to a handful, hopeless of succour, and destitute of provisions; you were overwhelmed by multitudes and reduced by the fortune of war to lose your liberty and your well-defended colours, but not your honour.

'Your honour, Seventy-first, in the field covered you with glory; your generous despair, calling on your General to suffer you to die with arms in your hands, proceeded from the generous spirit of British soldiers. Your behaviour in prosperity, your sufferings in captivity, and your faithful discharge of your duty to your King and Country, you who stand on parade in defiance of allurements held out to base desertion, endear you to the army and the country, and ensure the esteem of all true soldiers and worthy men, and must fill every one of you with honest martial pride.

'It has been my good fortune to have witnessed in a remote part of the world the early glory and gallant conduct of the 71st Regiment in the field, and it is with great satisfaction I meet you here with replenished and good arms in your hands, and stout hearts in your bosoms.

'Look, officers and soldiers, to the attainment of new honours and the acquirement of fresh fame.

'Officers, be friends and guardians to the brave fellows committed to your care.

'Soldiers, give your confidence to your officers; they have shared with you the chances of war; they have bravely bled along with you; preserve your Regiment's reputation for valor in the field, and regularity in quarters.

'I have the honour to present the Royal Colour. This is the King's Colour.

'I have the honour to present the Regimental Colour. This is the colour of the 71st Regiment.

'May victory for ever crown these colours.

N.B. - 96 of our men remained in South America. (17)

Marched towards Lisbon.

Proceeded to Mafra, a palace and convent.

Arrived in a plain near Belem; saw the tricolour flag hoisted at the castle.

Sent by the Commanding Officer to Cintra, to purchase a pipe of wine, and when brought to camp, the cart driver got so alarmed that he threw down the wine and scampered off without waiting for payment. It was given to Sergeant Urquhart to serve out to the men. (Memo. The wine merchant was never paid for it, and D. B. received the proceeds.)

We encamped after the embarkation of the French troops at Campo de Rico, till the 8th October, when an order was issued to place a large proportion of the army under the command of Sir John Moore, to be employed on a separate service in Spain.

Our Division was commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir John Hope, and consisted of the following regiments, viz.:-

Rifle Brigade - 2 companies.

36th, 71st, 92nd, and 5 companies. 60th - Brigadier-General Catlin Crawford.

2nd and 6th Regiments - Brigadier-General Ackland.

5th, 32nd, and 91st - Major-General Hill. (25)

This Division was ordered to go by the main road, through Badajos, Talavera de la Reyna, and by the great road to Madrid, the other roads being impassable for Artillery. (26)

Embarked at Deal with 600 of the regiment for Portugal under the command of Sir Nathaniel Levett Peacock on board the ‘Melpomene' and ‘San Fiorenzo' frigates. In six days we made the Tagus, and disembarked at Lisbon. Here we received our camp equipage, with mules, and a light cart to carry the weak men's packs, a camp kettle for every six men, and a bill hook. I now bought a mule for 80 dollars that proved very serviceable afterwards.

We marched the first day to Mafra, a palace and convent; we were quartered in the convent. Here witnessed the burial of one of the brotherhood, which was truly grand.

Marched from Lisbon by Sacavem and Santarem to Abrantes, where we remained a fortnight quartered in the old castle of the Marquis of Abrantes. From thence to Campo Mayor, a fortified frontier town of Portugal. Marched from thence and entered Badajos, a fortified Spanish town. Halted here for a few days.

We continued our march to the Escurial, a palace and monastry belonging to the King of Spain. This church and mausoleum, where the Royal family of Spain are buried, is the richest in the world. Halted here three days. Continued our march to Guadarama, a fortified pass in the mountains of that name, and strongly fortified by the Spaniards, and in their possession. Here information was received that the French army were on their march from Valladolid to prevent our junction with Sir John Moore, then at Salamanca. Next to Avila, which we entered by torchlight. Next night, we bivouacked in an olive wood. The frost was intense this night, so much so that the men's hair was frozen to the ground (the army then having long hair). Next day we were obliged to bury six pieces of cannon, the horses being unable to proceed from fatigue. (27) Arrived at Alba de Tormes, quartered here for a few days, and were inspected by Sir John Moore.

We were divided only by a small field from the enemy, the rains had so heavily fallen that we were knee deep in the mud. At length, as if by mutual consent, the opposing armies advanced to the attack, in the intervening apace, and man to man were opposed for about an hour. Major Reynall (now Sir Thomas, Major General), fought sword in hand with a French Grenadier and overcame him, and laid him stretched on the ground. A psalm-singing Methodist, John Rae, who was considered a useless burthen on the regiment, behaved in most gallant manner, and bayonetted half a dozen Frenchmen. (42) The Enemy were ultimately forced to retire with considerable loss.

We remained in the advance for a considerable time, up to our knees in mud. I contrived to get a turkey, which I boiled, and brought up to my worthy Colonel, with a canteen of rum. On arrival in the lines, knowing I had something, I was surrounded by the officers crying, ‘Gavin, Gavin, for God's sake give us a drop.' I shared as far as I could, still reserving the turkey, and some for my friend, to whom I made my way. After partaking of my poor mess and taking a tot of the rum, he pulled out a tin flask and said, ‘Gavin, I am not so badly off, for here is some brandy sent me by Sir Brent Spencer, and you take a go down of it.'

During the skirmish of the 16th the Colonel's horse was shot and, he asked me for mine, a small black mare, which I instantly gave him. In my valise behind was contained all my wealth, two shirts and about forty dollars. He being a heavy man, and the ground so deep that the small animal could not carry him above one hundred yards, but he, ever eager to get into the thick of the fight, jumped off and left my poor Rosinante stuck in the mud. The bullets were flying at the time as thick as hail. To advance and secure my treasure and horse seemed certain death, and without them was beggary. I chose the former and got off unhurt, with a trifle.

A cessation of firing took place, and a mutual agreement was entered into to bury the dead and carry, off the wounded. Lieutenant Lawe, of the 71st, and a French officer met in the field and shook hands, when the Frenchman gave him a welcome tot of rum from his canteen. We remained here for a few days, and then retired to the lines of Torres Vedras.

We were brigaded with the 50th and 92nd, under the command of Sir William Erskine, and quartered at the village of Sobreira. Here we suffered the greatest privations, although within seven leagues of Lisbon.

I here visited my old friend and benefactor, Sir Dennis Pack (now a Major-General in the Portugese service). He lived in a hut of sods with scarcely a bed of straw to rest on, but so devoted was he to his country that he appeared to be quite comfortable and cheerful; he received me with the warmest friendship.

On my leaving General Pack, a soldier of the 30th Regiment accosted me, and announced himself to be a son of Doctor M'Mahon, of Omaghrin, in the County of Tyrone, and my cousin. I had not seen him from his infancy, and then every prospect of happiness and affluence awaited him, but he made an imprudent match and was discarded by his father and obliged to enlist as a private soldier. He was afterwards sent to Belem Hospital, where he died. I paid the expenses of his wife and child to Ireland, and know not what has become of them.

Our privations were nothing in comparison to those of the French. They were reduced to live on mules and asses, and one day the officer of their picket got by some chance a bullock (our lines was divided from theirs by a deep ravine), and when in the act of killing him, he escaped to our picquet, and was most eagerly seized by our party. The Frenchmen were in such want that they followed the bullock into our lines, and begged a part of it, which Lieutenant John Graham, who commanded, generously gave them, and allowed them to depart, for which he was severely repremanded, (He was my most intimate friend.)

We pursued the French army until we got in front of Santarem. We there found them drawn up in line of battle in an olive wood. We were ordered to pile arms and wait for a signal gun from a Portugese train of artillery to advance. In front of our Regiment was a deep morass, over which was a narrow bridge, and at the head of which was a brigade of French guns, which commanded the passage completely. During our suspense waiting for the signal our brave Colonel Cadogan came up to me and asked ‘had I any rum in my canteen.' Thinking it was for himself, I answered in the affirmative. He then called out two of the most active men from each company to run a certain distance for a tot of my rum, and when that was finished another, and another; but I at length declared off, or he would have emptied my canteen. We remained till nightfall waiting for the signal, but by some mistake it was not fired, and we were marched to the village of (blank space in original), (44) when a most tremendous fall of rain commenced, which lasted for the whole night, and we were exposed in the open air to its pelting. Two other officers with myself got into a stable and were comparatively comfortable, when Colonel Stewart of the 50th came in and turned us out, crying ‘Seniores priores, 71st'. Next morning our Regiment was marched to the village of Alcanterina, where we were quartered in a convent, the nuns having been expelled by the French, who destroyed everything, and ransacked the church.

In this village I got an attack of fever and ague and was obliged to be sent to Lisbon, where I remained for six weeks, attended by Staff-Surgeon Hosack - at many times given over by him and other medical men. On my recovery Colonel Cadogan obtained leave for me to go to England the only request he ever asked from Lord Wellington, though his sister was married to his Lordship's brother, the present Lord Cowley. The Colonel was sent at the same time (45) with dispatches, after the battle of Fuentes de Honore.

Before daylight we were in motion, and in about three leagues reached Astorga, and expected to halt for the night, but the arrival of five thousand Spaniards of the Marquis de la Romana's army rendered this impossible. The confusion in the town beggars description. The motley groups of half naked half armed Spaniards, with the way-worn dispirited English, mules, bullock-waggons, artillery, etc., which crowded the streets rendered it quite impossible. The writer of this went to a Convent, which was converted into an hospital, and saw in the course of a few minutes no less than forty dead bodies carried out for interment. Astorga is a very ancient city, surrounded by a very thick wall with many towers, and a most beautiful town clock.

We left Astorga about three o'clock p.m. and marched to the small village of Combarros, where, with difficulty, I persuaded a man to sell me a miserable mulch cow, which we immediately slaughtered and fed upon.

Came in sight of Ostend at 3 o'clock. A favourable breeze sprung up and we got into Deal Downs on Christmas Eve.

Marched into Brabourne Lees and took up our old quarters.

A circumstance occurred this day that decided the fate of Sir Nathaniel Peacock. In the heat of the action he went about a mile to the rear in pretence of getting ammunition, which was getting scarce with the men. I was ordered by General Barnes to bring up a brigade of mules loaded with ball cartridge, when to my surprise I found Sir Natt licking away at the muleteers of another division, to bring them forward. On my informing him of his mistake, he replied he did not care a damn; he would take the first he met, when unluckily at that moment Lord Wellington and Lord Hill (59) came galloping up, and seeing a commander of a regiment that was engaged with the enemy, fighting with harmless muleteers, Lord Wellington asked him why he was not with his regiment, and pointed out where they were engaged. His excuse was that they wanted ammunition. He was ordered to join the conflict, which he did very reluctantly. By this time the 50th and 92nd were withdrawn to a hill out of range of shot, and General Barnes wounded, who commanded our brigade. As soon as the gallant Sir Natt heard it he set spurs to his horse and galloped off to the main body of the brigade and was soon out of danger. A bullet passed through part of his trousers without injuring him, but he made the surgeon return him among the wounded. It was a saying through the Regiment that it was not a mortal wound that a tailor could cure.

A strange presentiment of death occurred the day before the battle. Lieutenant James Henderson of our Regiment was within a few doors of my billet, and I called on him to take a walk to see Lieutenant Lawe, who was at some distance from us. I found him roasting a fowl and turning the spit himself. He seemed very low-spirited, but I got him out. We had to pass through a wood, and when we got about the middle of it he stopped of a sudden and said, ‘Gavin, I am not sick, yet I have a strange feel about me; I must go back to my billet.' I endeavoured to laugh him out of it, but it would not do. He went back, and early next day he was no more. He was a fine young man, and the delight of the Regiment. He was shot through the heart.

When the action was nearly over and only straggling shots from both parties, Lieutenant William Campbell and myself were standing looking over a quickset hedge at some French soldiers firing random shots, when a ball hit him in the forehead, and he never spoke more.

* Printed as ‘Mont-de-Mars-an grounded' in the 1921 printed version of William's book.