Carole Divall

2nd Battalion (four companies) Villa Nova del Rey

This part of the battalion (the larger part) continues to operate as a provisional battalion with the 2/44th. Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton has received praise from General Robinson for the excellent training he has given the combined unit. There is certainly a feeling among the men that they will conduct themselves well in the forthcoming campaign, the start of which is eagerly anticipated now that there is green forage for the army’s horses.

There is some concern about the number of senior officers present with the  battalion, just Hamilton and Captain Chambers. The ten subalterns are keen, but overall have only limited experience, even though some of them have been commanding companies for two years. Nevertheless, the departure of Ensigns Madden and Flude to join the six companies in England is regretted since it further weakens the complement of officers.

Paymaster Wray has rejoined from leave.

A serjeant and 3 rank and file have been discharged to the Royal Veterans on the order of Lord Wellington.

2nd battalion (six companies) at Newcastle, on the march to Berwick

Although the six companies have a paper strength of 238 rank and file, only 36 are present, fit, with a further 8 present sick. There are 52 with the recruiting parties, 11 invalids awaiting discharge, 16 boys and 100 recruits at drill, including 10 volunteers from the West and North Yorkshire Militia. A further 30 recruits are still with the recruiting parties.

Two corporals, Warner and Gallagher, returned from Portugal, are to be discharged as no longer fit for service.

Major Bailey has finally joined the six companies, and has taken command.

!st battalion, Cannanore

After being on a charge for seven months, Lieutenant French has finally been found guilty and sentenced to be cashiered. His fellow officers know that he has no hope of receiving the King’s mercy. He has already been sentenced to be cashiered for duelling once before, and was saved only by a royal act of clemency. This time there will be no pardon.

The arrest of Captain Samuel Bircham has caused considerable surprise. Although few of the present complement of officers remember him as an enterprising serjeant at Toulon in 1793, most have heard the story of how he brought his company safely off Mount Faron after all the officers were wounded. Furthermore, he enjoys general, respect despite being commissioned from the ranks.

The main concern of the senior officers is the forthcoming inspection (early May), which has led to grumbling amongst the men who find themselves and their equipment being more rigorously scrutinised, to say nothing of the extra drill!

2nd Battalion, Vila Nova del Rey

The two battalions, 2/30th and 2/44th, are now functioning efficiently as a provisional battalion. The men of the 44th are reacting well to the command of the new (to them) staff officers, and it is expected that the combined battalion will perform effectively in the forthcoming campaign.

Only three men have died this month, and there seems to have been a marked improvement in the general health of the men under the care of the two assistant surgeons, Evans and Clarke.

Eleven men have been invalided to England; one man has joined the Royal Veterans; and one man has returned from prisoner of war. Sixteen men are still posted as missing, against the thirty-three posted missing during the retreat from Burgos.

General Frederick Robinson has replaced General Andrew Hay in command of the second brigade of the fifth division. He has been generally welcomed because he has shown great concern for the men’s diet. In particular, he has made sure they receive fresh bread as conducive to good health.

1st Battalion, Cannanore

There have been three deaths this month, including Sergeant Loseby. (Last month there were none.) Seven sergeants, two drummers and 107 men have been returned sick, present.

Thirteen men have been invalided to Europe from Poonamallee, including Sergeant John Mudd and Corporal William Arnott.

Lieutenant French remains under arrest.

Depot, Hull

The depot is in the process of being amalgamated with the six companies returned from Portugal, although recruiting activities will continue. Seven recruits have joined, and thirty-four are still with the recruiting companies, including thirteen at Cambridge and eight at Sleaford. These remain the most fertile recruiting grounds for the regiment.

 

2nd Battalion, Vila Nova del Rey

There have been ten deaths in the four companies still in Portugal, and the health of the men continues to give cause for concern. The death of Surgeon Hughes has left Assistant Surgeon John Evans with the task of caring for the 47 men in the regimental hospital, while a further 192 men are sick in the general hospitals. Paymaster Wray has also been sent to the rear for recovery of health. This leaves just 189 rank and file, with 20 serjeants and 9 drummers fit for duty at headquarters. The battalion is not alone in still suffering the effects of the retreat from Burgos and Madrid, however. Indeed, the 1st Foot Guards, who were unacclimatised when they joined the retreat, have buried over 400 men during the past two months.

Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton has taken the opportunity to enjoy a short period of leave in Lisbon, accompanied by his wife, who has been in the Peninsula since 1810. Captain Chambers is in temporary command of the battalion.

Five rank and file have joined from England, while a further 3 serjeants and 74 rank and file were left in Lisbon when the six companies sailed for England, and it is assumed that they will now march back to join the four companies.

The six companies are now in Portsmouth, waiting for marching orders. The companies themselves might best be described as skeleton units, the numbers ranging from 6 to 17 per company, with 10 officers, 10 serjeants and 3 drummers overall. They are in the process of discharging or transferring to garrison duties 20 men who have been identified as no longer fit for active service.

1st Battalion, Cannanore

Lieutenant John Winrow, who was found guilty at his court martial last month, is now serving his four months’ suspension from rank and pay. Lieutenant French still awaits his court martial.

There have been no deaths this month, during a period which is generally regarded as the healthiest and most comfortable for Europeans. There is a high level of sickness, however; 7 sergeants, 3 drummers and 105 rank and file with the battalion, and a further 17 rank and file at Poonamallee.

2 corporals have been reduced, and Stephen Cooke and John Keep appointed in their place. John Maskell has been promoted directly from the ranks to serjeant. News has also arrived that Serjeant William Martin, who remained in Madras when the battalion marched to Cannanore, has volunteered into East India Company service.

Depot, Hull

15 recruits, including 5 volunteers from the Wexford Militia, have joined at head quarters, while a further 18 recruits are still with the recruiting parties. The depot now has 77 recruits at drill.

There have been 4 desertions during the past month.

Now that the 6 companies are in England, it is expected that the depot will march to join them.

2nd Battalion, Vila Nova del Rey

The casualty rate within the battalion continues to be high, as the physical effects of a long campaign and a testing retreat are compounded by an outbreak of fever.  There have been sixteen deaths this month, including two long-serving sergeants,  McIlhatton and Murdagh. The battalion has been particularly shocked by the loss of their excellent surgeon, Hughes, on the 23td January.

The battalion, reduced to four companies, is now brigaded with the 2/44th. Such is the good feeling between the two units that there have been no organisational problems. Meanwhile, Captain Bamford, Lieutenants Daniell, Neville, Brisac, O’Halloran and Hughes, and Ensigns Flude, Madden, Beere, Travers, Tincombe and Poyntz have marched with 17 serjeants, 3 drummers and 65 rank and file to Lisbon for embarkation to England. A further 78 invalids have already been sent home.

The battalion was inspected by General Hay on the 25th December and received a good report.  The officers have been described as zealous, the NCOs praised for doing ‘their utmost to promote the discipline of the regiment’, while the men were found to be young, clean and healthy in appearance. They have been drilled according to the regulations, so that their movements and formations were made ‘with precision and a proper degree of celerity’. No complaints have been recorded. As for the regimental hospital, General Hay found it to be ‘in most excellent order’. The composition of the battalion is 303 English NCOs and other ranks, 310 Irish, 17 Scottish and 2 foreigners.

A new departure is for the inspection report to include details of general and regimental courts martial; 19 were recorded between 16th May and the 15th January, when the report was written up.

 

1st Battalion, Cannanore

Major General Wetherall inspected the battalion on the 18th January, and was fulsome in his praise of the officers of all ranks, describing them as attentive, zealous and able. The privates were ‘a fine body of men…obedient and respectful.’ The field exercises and manoeuvres were performed steadily and correctly, although time was wasted between the words of command and the execution of the movement. The General was concerned that 8 complaints had not been dealt with, and also by the high incidence of venereal disease. The composition of the battalion is 657 English NCOs and other ranks, 197 Irish, 19 Scottish, and 5 foreigners.

In the six  months since the previous inspection there have been 79 courts martial, a discrepancy between the two battalions which is not fully explained by their relative strength. It is generally acknowledged that discipline is more difficult to maintain in India.

Lieutenant John Winrow, who has been under arrest for several months, was finally brought to trial on the 24th December, when he was charged by Major Leach with ‘conduct highly unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentleman in coming to my house on the evening of the 8th instant, in company with Lieut. French, entering my bedroom, when I was at rest, and refusing to quit my house, when repeatedly required by me to do so, and demanding the letter I received from Lieut. French as an apology, and making use of expressions hurtful to my character, in the hearing of my messman, and in the presence of my native servants.’ The trial continued with several adjournments until 6th January, when the court found the prisoner guilty of conduct unbecoming…’ on account of his state of intoxication when he came to Major Leach’s house, his refusal to leave, and his demanding of Lieutenant French’s letter, but acquitted him of the other charges. He was sentenced to be suspended from rank and pay for four months.

Lieutenants Winrow and French had actually been placed under arrest in August, but there were no proceedings against them and letters of apology led to their release.

 

Depot. Hull

Recruiting is continuing with reasonable success, 14 men and 9 boys having joined from the recruiting parties, and 2 boys have enlisted at headquarters. A further 23 recruits are with the recruiting parties.

Four officers, Captain Douglas, Lieutenants Skirrow and Kettlewell, and Ensign Darling have left the depot to embark for India.

2nd Battalion, Castelexos

The battalion is now safely back in Portugal, and on the way to winter quarters. However, on the 25th October they went into action with the rest of the fifth battalion at Villamuriel to prevent General Maucune bringing his division across the River Carrion. Had the French succeeded, the position of the whole allied army would have been seriously endangered, particularly as General Foy was in possession of nearby Palencia. Consequently, Lord Wellington depended on the division to hold the position.

Although the bridge at Villamuriel was successfully blown up (unlike the bridge at Palencia), the French eventually found a way across, using the fords which they finally located after much searching. The division was driven back through the village to the dry canal beyond. Here they  reformed, and in concert with the Galicians, successfully counter-attacked to drive the French back across the Carrion. The 2/30th and the 2/44th, acting together, cleared the village, in the process taking more prisoners than their own total numbers. During this advance they faced seventeen enemy guns.

There was a price to pay. Serjeant Keith and two rank and file were killed, while Serjeant Nightingale died of wounds the following day. Captain Hitchen, Lieutenants Andrews, Rumley and Brissac, Ensigns Madden and Tincombe, and twenty–five rank and file were wounded, while seventeen men (including a volunteer, Mr John Hughes) were posted missing. It is assumed that they are prisoners of the French.

There were a further  eight deaths during the retreat to Salamanca, where there was every expectation that a second battle would be fought. These hopes were disappointed on the 15th November when the retreat continued in desolate conditions: rain, which prevented the lighting of fire, mud to the knees, and no rations. During the next three days, a further four men were posted missing, and there were two deaths.

Sickness is now rife. Twelve rank and file are sick present, and eight officers, thirteen sergeants and three hundred and twenty-six rank and file are sick, absent. Two men have died since reaching the safety of Ciudad Rodrigo, which remains firmly in allied hands (as does Badajoz to the south).

Nevertheless, Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton, in command, is optimistic that a period of rest followed by some judicious military exercise will bring the battalion back to fitness ready for the next campaign.

1st battalion, Cannanore

This has been a quiet month, although there has been considerable sickness and seven deaths. Serjeant Illston and four corporals have been reduced. Three privates have been promoted to corporal, and Corporal Thomas Wells has been promoted to serjeant. John McGill is now drum major.

Lieutenants French and Winrow remain under arrest, the former for duelling and the latter for drunkenness.

Depot, Hull

Twelve men have joined at the depot, three of them invalids from the 2nd battalion, seven men for unlimited service and two boys, also for unlimited service. A further thirty-nine recruits are with the recruiting parties, including fifteen in Ireland, twelve at Cambridge and seven in Sleaford.

 

2nd Battalion, Villamuriel, Spain

The bridge at Villamuriel 

The battalion, as part of the 5^th division, remained on duty as the covering force for the siege of Burgos until the 21^st October, when Lord Wellington finally abandoned the siege and began a retreat towards Salamanca.

Before that, however, there was evidence to suggest that the French at Briviesca were preparing to probe the positions of the allied covering force. As a result the troops had to stand to arms from an hour before daybreak until the senior officers were satisfied there was no threat of a French attack. This daily experience was made all the more unpleasant by the uniformly wet weather.

On the 20^th October the enemy finally made a determined move against the allied positions under the command of General Maucune, and the 1^st and 5^th divisions had to be brought forward to drive the French out of Monasterio, which they achieved with some desultory fire.

Meanwhile in Burgos Lieutenant Neville was serving as an assistant engineer. On the 4^th October he was wounded during an assault on the outer line (which followed the explosion of a mine), and was lucky to survive, saving himself by grabbing the leg of Lieutenant Pitt R.E, who pulled him from the debris of the explosion..

The retreat began in the early hours of the 21^st. By the end of the following day the 5^th division was at Hornillos, and on the 23^rd they reached Cordovilla, along with a Galician force under General Castaños. (Thus the men were not tempted by the wine vats at Torquemada where the rest of the army disgraced itself with widespread drunkenness.) On the 24^th they crossed the Carrion at Palencia, and then marched on to Villamuriel, where they are now guarding the bridge, having left behind the Royals and one division of the Galicians to perform a similar duty at Palencia. They now await the arrival of the French…

The Roman bridge at Palencia 

News has arrived that 90 rank and file under the command of Lieutenant Theophilus O’Halloran, and accompanied by Ensigns Poyntz, Madden and Kelly and Mr Hughes, volunteer, are on the march from Lisbon and are expected to join at any time.  Ensigns Pratt and Beere have already joined from sick leave. There have been ten deaths this month, while since the beginning of the retreat eight men have been posted missing. Another man went missing on the 16^th October, although the circumstances are not clear.

1st Battalion, Cannanore, India

A section of the fort at Cannanore

The battalion continues to enjoy good health. The have been only three deaths this month (including Serjeant John Edwards) and very few men have been returned sick. It is generally agreed that Cannanore is a healthier posting than Madras.

There have been a large number of changes among the NCOs.  One serjeant and two corporals have been reduced, while a serjeant and a corporal have resigned. Three corporals have been made up to serjeant, and eight rank and file have been promoted to corporal.

Lieutenants Winrow and French remain under Lt Colonel Vaumorel’s arrest.

 

Depot, Hull

 

 The serjeant tells the recruits exactly how it is to be done!

Lieutenant Fullerton, previously recruiting in Sleaford, is now superintendent of the Derby sub-division. Lieutenants Skirrow and John Roe (1) have joined at headquarters.

The activities of the recruiting parties continue to bring in men and boys. Twenty men and five boys have joined at headquarters for unlimited service, while a further thirty-seven men are still with the recruiting parties, thirteen of them at Cambridge, and seven at Sleaford. Two men have returned from desertion.

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2^nd Battalion: Camp near Burgos

The 5^th division left Madrid at the end of August with the 1^st and 7^th divisions, and marched to Cuellar where they joined forces with the 6^th division.  The four divisions then marched north in pursuit of the Army of Portugal under General Clausel.

General Bertrand Clausel, commanded the French Army of Portugal

Near Valladolid there was hope of bring the French to battle, but the guns of the 5^th division, which were to have opened the action, were unaccountably delayed and the opportunity was lost.  The advance then made slow progress as Lord Wellington waited for the arrival of the Galician army under General Castaños.

General Francisco Javier Castanos, commanded the Galician Army

Once the Spanish arrived, the advance made rapid progress and caused the French to withdraw north of Burgos, leaving a garrison of 2,000 men in the citadel, which has now been invested.  Any hope the battalion, along with the other battalions of the 5^th division, may have had that they would have the chance to take an active part in the siege was disappointed when they and the 7^th division were designated as the covering force.

There have been twelve deaths during the past month, including Serjeant Rennick.  The sickness rate also remains high.  Over half the battalion are sick absent, although only two men have been returned sick present.  In addition three ensigns, Lockwood, Pratt and Beere, have been sent sick to the rear. However, Lieutenants Eagar and Freear have re-joined from sick leave.

Welcome news has arrived that a detachment of 78 men, including four experienced corporals, has landed in Lisbon under the command of Captain Richardson, and is on its way to join the battalion in Spain.  A lieutenant, three ensigns and a volunteer are also reported to be with the detachment.

Thomas Vipond, who has served with the battalion since its formation, has been appointed Drum Major.  Corporal Terence O’Neil has been demoted.

1^st Battalion: Cannanore

There is very little to report from India.  There have been five deaths this month, and one reduction (Corporal Dewick).

A Hindu temple at Poonamalee

Lieutenants French and Winrow remain under arrest, awaiting court martial proceedings. Lieutenant Winrow has been charged with drunkenness.  Captain Lynch has arrived from England but has leave to stay in Madras, while Lieutenant Ross has leave to remain at Poonamallee.

Depot: Hull

Four rank and file have joined at headquarters, 1 man has been received as a transfer, and one man has been discharged.  There are thirty-three recruits with the recruiting parties, twelve at Sleaford (which remains the most fertile recruiting ground), seven at the three other English stations, and eight in Ireland.

A recruiting sergeant in action.

The depot has received a circular instructing them the recruit men over 35 for limited service (seven years) only.

2^nd Battalion, north of Madrid

Although this has been a less strenuous month than the last, the battalion have still spent much of the time on the march.  Once it was obvious that General Clausel was continuing his retreat towards Burgos and that Joseph Bonaparte was abandoning Madrid, Lord Wellington decided to take six of his divisions, including the 5^th, to the Spanish capital.

Scenes of celebration as the civil population greeted Wellington.

The welcome they received from the citizens was unlike anything the men had previously experienced: the streets so crowded with people that it took two hours to get through them; offers of food and drink from all sides; deafening vivas; kisses from men, women and children.  The 5^th division then encamped in the Retiro Park, ready to attack the Retiro palaces, which were held by a small French force.  Two days after the triumphant entry, though, just as the attack was about to be launched, the French governor surrendered.  For the troops who had expected to be involved in the attack there was an unexpected reward.  The Retiro was well-packed with supplies.  Not surprisingly, the men of the battalion seemed to be unusually well supplied with tobacco, as well as suddenly acquiring new shoes and shirts.

The battalion spent a further two days in Madrid before withdrawing north to the Escorial.  Although many were reluctant to leave the pleasures of the city, it was generally agreed that this escape from the heat was some compensation.  Life, whether in Madrid or near the Escurial, would have been better with some money but none has been forthcoming.  Men and officers alike are now seriously in arrears of pay.

The monastery of San Lorenzo at El Escorial

The health of the battalion is not good.  Over three hundred men remain sick absent, many of them long-term invalids.  Corporal John Boyes, with a drummer and seven men, has been invalided to England, and it is expected that many more will follow.  There have been eight deaths, including two corporals (Looker, who was only appointed on the 25^th July, and Healyburton) and a sergeant (Matthews, who died on the 14^th August of the wounds he received at Salamanca).  As well as William Looker, Luke Lydon and John Taylor were appointed corporal on the 25^th July.  On the same day Drummers Bradshaw and Bamford were appointed private.

Captains Hitchen and Chambers have now re-joined the battalion.  Sadly, the battalion received news of the death of Ensign Carter, who died of sunstroke at Ciudad Rodrigo on the 23^rd July.  Two ensigns, Smyth and Campbell, have been promoted to lieutenant.  There are also two new ensigns, McDonald and Prendergast, who are still in England.

1^st battalion, Cannanore

The coastline at Cannanore

Two officers, Lieutenants French and Winrow, have been placed under arrest, while Lieutenant Sparkes has been promoted out of the regiment.  Lieutenant Nicholson’s leave has been extended indefinitely, and it is expected that he will return to England for recovery of health.

There have been five deaths this month, a similar figure to the last three months.  Thanks to the care the men receive from Surgeon Pearse, the battalion enjoys better health than many British battalions in India.

On the 25^th July John Mitchell, James Bowler and Charles Page were appointed corporal, and William Farrow was appointed drummer.  John Dowman has returned to the rank of sergeant from drum major.  On the 29^th Sergeant Waters was reduced, while on the 13^th August Corporal Marshall resigned.  He was replaced by John Boncer.  Private Thomas Ward was transported as a felon for seven years on the 31^st July.

Depot, Hull

Eight recruits have joined at the depot, while a further nineteen, nine of them at Sleaford, are still with the recruiting parties.  Another volunteer has joined from the West Yorkshire Militia.

Drill, drill, and more drill makes the perfect infantryman.

Private Gabbutt, who was returned as a deserter last month, re-joined with proof that his furlough had been extended.  Unfortunately, this information had not come to the attention of the commanding officer.  A sick certificate was received on the 25^th July for Private Hollings, who had also been returned as a deserter.  Private Gabbutt is now on the march to join the second battalion, along with 95 other men and four ensigns, under the command of Lieutenant O’Halloran.  Major Bailey is making his own way to Portugal to join the battalion.

2nd Battalion, Nave de Avila

The Salamanca forts finally surrendered on the 25th June, whereupon the Army of Portugal, which Marmont was bringing to their relief, retreated northwards towards the Duero. Wellington brought his army in pursuit and the 5th division eventually found itself posted opposite the French with only a stream in between. During this period there was some fraternizing as the men of both armies bathed together. Inevitably, each side threatened the other with a comprehensive defeat in the near future.

A contemporary view of Salamanca

When the French began to manoeuvre, in expectation of reinforcements from the Army of the North, the fifth division were brought back to Nave del Rey. Here they experienced the full heat of summer on the central Spanish plain. As a result, the men tended to sleep during the day and take their exercise at night.
With the arrival of the expected reinforcements, Marmont made another advance on Salamanca, and the allies were now the pursued. The 5th division were nearly taken by surprise while filling their water bottles in a stream, but General Leith steadied them and they were able to effect a retreat to the safety of higher ground. There then followed the strange spectacle of a parallel march as both armies raced for Salamanca. Marmont was closer to the Tormes and was able to cross it while the allies took up position on the higher ground.
On the 22nd July the 5th division lay to the right of the lesser Arapil (the greater being in French possession). There had been a violent storm during the night, but the day was hot. Time dragged, however. Everyone was ready for a battle, but Wellington was waiting for Marmont to make a mistake. This came when Marmont allowed his divisions to become separated as they marched before the allied positions.

The battlefield; a view from the greater arapil to the lesser.

This was Wellington’s opportunity. He rode to the 3rd division, on the far right of the allied position at Aldea Tejada, and gave the order for an attack on the leading French division. He then rode back to give orders to General Leith.
The 5th division had been under artillery fire for some time, although this had ceased when the division’s light companies had successfully skirmished against the enemy tirailleurs. Wellington now ordered Leith to take the division forward against the second French division.
Leith ordered the division forward, Greville’s brigade leading in line, followed by Pringle’s brigade (4th, 30th and 44th) a hundred yards back, and Spry’s Portuguese a further hundred yards behind. Bradford’s Portuguese from the 4th Division marched in support. The whole division advanced in perfect order.
The French, on the crest of the hill, had formed square. As soon as the first line closed on them Leith gave the order to fire and charge. For a moment everything was lost in smoke and confusion. The 3rd division were driving in Thomière’s division, and the fugitives from this attack brought panic and disorder to Maucune’s defence against the attack of the 5th division. Then Le Marchant’s heavy cavalry arrived to deliver the coup de grace. The survivors of the two French divisions fell back on Brennier’s division, spread the chaos further.
Only Sarrut’s division at this stage of the action was able to make a stand, but this enabled the French to regain some kind of order as the remaining three French divisions came up. They also achieved some momentary success when Pack’s Portuguese failed to take the greater Arapil, followed by a counter-attack which left the 4th division in disorder and put Greville’s brigade under pressure. Pringle’s brigade in support was able to cover them, however, while order was restored. Matters were then settled by the timely advance of the 6th division, who attacked the newly arrived forces of Ferey’s division. The 5th division then changed position to deliver a telling flank attack.
Ferey was killed, but his division served manfully as a rear guard for the retreating French forces. Further cover was provided by Foy’s division, who had never got into the battle.
With the French streaming from the battlefield, the men of the 5th division collapsed from exhaustion, except for those who still had the energy to raid the knapsacks of the French dead for provisions (the French being well supplied in this respect).
By four in the morning, however, the division was on the march in pursuit of the French, a pursuit which is still continuing.
Casualties taken by the 30th were surprisingly light, two men killed and Lieutenant Garvey, a serjeant and 22 men wounded. Two men were also posted missing on the 19th and 21st. It assumed they have been taken by the French.
The battalion is rejoicing in the success of Lieutenant Pratt, who came into possession of an eagle during the battle.

The eagle taken by Lieutenant Pratt of the 30th Regiment, courtesy of the Queen’s Lancashire Regimental Museum, Preston

There have been six natural deaths during the past month. Three corporals have been reduced, although Corporal James Gearon was then appointed to his previous rank of drummer. Two corporals joined from England at the beginning of the month in a detachment of nineteen men, and a further five men have just joined under the command of Lieutenant Henry Beere. Lieutenant Beere arrived yesterday to learn that his brother had been killed during the battle.
Francis Tincombe, who has been serving as a volunteer, has been commissioned into the regiment. Ensign Freear has joined from command, and Captains Hitchen and Chambers, both seriously wounded at Badajoz, are on their way to join. Lieutenant Eagar has been sent, sick, to the rear.

1st Battalion, Cannanore

The battalion has been strengthened by the arrival of five officers (Captain Fox, Lieutenant Ross and Ensigns Parry, Wedge and Atkinson), two serjeants and 65 men from Europe.

San Angelo Fort, Cannanore

There have been seven natural deaths this month, including John Burns, who drowned. Daniel Hogan fatally shot himself, to the concern of the whole battalion. There is no doubt that life in India can have a detrimental effect on a man. A further example is Richard Hills, who is in the lunatic asylum in Madras.
Lieutenant Nicholson, who has suffered physically from the Indian climate, has been sent to the presidency for recovery of health.
Five men have been promoted to corporal, and two men to serjeant. One of the latter, Corporal John Swales, replaced the demoted Serjeant Ashfield.

Depot, Hull

There have officially been four losses, one man dead and three deserters. It is believed, however, that the three men returned as deserters, who are all volunteers from the West Yorkshire Militia, have overstayed their furlough. They are expected to rejoin.

New recruits drilling, by J A Atkinson, by kind permission of Philip Haythornthwaite

Twenty-nine rank and file have joined at the depot. A further nine have been received but have not yet been enlisted. Among the newcomers are four volunteers from the Carlow Militia. A further four men are with the recruiting parties.

2^nd battalion, Camp before Salamanca

A contemporary view of Salamanca

To deal with battalion matters first, Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton is now present with the battalion, as is Assistant Surgeon Evans, who has returned from treating the wounded at Badajoz.  Ensign Henry Beere has joined from the depot, having previously served with the Tipperary Militia.  Lieutenant Charles is now serving as aide-de-camp to Sir Robert Wilson, and Lieutenant Eades is attending a court martial in Lisbon.  In total, the battalion has one lieutenant colonel, one captain, ten lieutenants and three ensigns present, as well as four staff officers.  There is a notable absence of senior officers.

There have been two deaths this month, and two men invalided to England.  Corporal Edward Lane was promoted to sergeant on the 25^th May.

The half yearly casualty return, which was completed a week ago, indicates that there have been thirty-two natural deaths since the last return, twenty-nine killed (all at Badajoz), and 27 invalided to England.

The battalion has been on the march since the 5^th June, when they left their cantonments near Lamego for Trancoso, Freixedas and Castel Mendo.  This last was the culmination of a hard march up from the Coa across wild country.  They then marched to the Agueda via Poço Velha, Espeja and Carpio.  The fifth division joined with the fourth at the Agueda.  By the 12^th June they were near Ciudad Rodrigo.  They then marched for Salamanca, via San Muñoz.  Initially, there was no sign of the Army of Portugal, which had been based at Salamanca, but on the 16^th there were reports of cavalry skirmishes.  The battalion is now camped near Salamanca, having previously been posted on the Heights of San Christoval.  They were brought forward to counter a French advance on the 20^th June, when there was expectation of a battle.  However, although there was some fighting two days later, no battle has occurred.  Meanwhile, the sixth division is still trying to take the forts, in which Marshal Marmont (in command of the Army of Portugal) left a garrison when he abandoned the city.  The latest rumours suggest that an escalade has failed.

1^st Battalion, Cannanore

Natives in full costume

On the 25^th May Quartermaster Sergeant Nicholas Wilson was appointed Quartermaster in place of Arthur Poyntz, who died in February.  Sergeant Richard Bourke was appointed Quatermaster Sergeant.  Another new appointment was Corporal Luke Berry to Schoolmaster Sergeant.  Schoolmaster sergeants have been instituted this year for all battalions, their duty being to educate the children attached to the regiment, and any men who wish to become literate.  Also among the staff sergeants, Armourer Sergeant William Scott was reduced on the 27^th April.  As yet, no replacement has been appointed.  During the past month three privates have been appointed corporal, one corporal has been made sergeant, and one corporal has been reduced.

There have been six deaths this month.

Ensign Perry has been struck off the 1^st battalion, his commission having been cancelled.  In fact, Perry never joined any unit of the regiment.

Captain (Brevet Major) Thomas Williamson is waiting for a ship to take him to England.

Depot, Hull

The first military skill to be mastered is marching.

Sixty-two rank and file have joined this month.  Two are transfers, and sixty have come as volunteers from militia regiments: thirty-four from the Tipperary Militia, fourteen from the West Yorks Militia, ten from the Wexford Militia, one from the Cambridge Militia, and one from the Carlow Militia.  As trained men, they are particularly welcomed by the regiment.  One man has also rejoined from desertion, while two invalids from the second battalion are now at the depot.

There are twenty-three recruits with the recruiting parties, nineteen at Sleaford, four at Tullamore and one at Wakefield.