The Anglo-Portuguese army finally took Badajoz at the third attempt on the 6th April 1812, and almost immediately there was a difference of opinion as to who had actually taken the place.  Obviously, looking at the whole picture, there can be little doubt that each of the four divisions involved in the events of the 6th April had a part to play.  However terrible the slaughter at the breaches, without the desperate efforts of the 4th and light divisions which held most of the garrison at the Santa Maria and Trinidad bastions it is unlikely that the two escalades would have had any hope of success.

Nevertheless, it was the escalades which enabled Wellington’s men to get into the town and thus the rivalry which quickly developed involved the claims of the 3rd division at the castle and the 5th division at the San Vincente bastion.

The 88th Regiment (3rd Division) escalading at the castle.

The 30th Regiment (5th Division) escalading at the San Vincente Bastion.

General Sir Thomas Picton

To be more specific, the rivalry between these two divisions had its origins in events at the Battle of Buçaco, eighteen months before, when both General Picton of the 3rd Division and General Leith of the 5th had claimed the honour of playing the crucial role on the right of the allied line. This rivalry had simmered between the two generals ever since.

General Sir James Leith

In order to resolve the question, “Who took Badajoz?” it is necessary to examine the case for each of the two escalades.

Focusing on the 3rd division first, the following points need to be considered:

•  the 3rd division had successfully escalated the castle before the fifth division had even set up their ladders at San Vincente;
• they were able to hold the castle against the garrison’s attempts to re-take it;
• according to Lamare, the engineer at Badajoz, the loss of the castle seriously affected the morale of the garrison;
• according to Captain McCarthy, serving as an engineer with the 3rd division, possession of the castle allowed the other divisions to enter the town.

The case for the fifth division includes the following facts:

• the 3rd division were not able to leave the castle because the French had posted a gun outside the only exit point;
• the governor, General Philippon, crossed the river to San Christobal only after the 5th division’s successful escalade;
• according to Captain Jones of the Engineers although the escalade of the castle made the fall of Badajoz ultimately inevitable, it had no immediate effect on the overall defence of the town, while the success of the fifth division brought French resistance to an end;
• once the fifth division were in the town, the other divisions could enter, the 4th and light at the breaches and the 3rd from the castle, where the gun was abandoned.

Perhaps part of the answer to the question depends upon what is meant by taking Badajoz.  There is no doubt that the 3rd division was the first to establish a foothold on the defences (the castle, which was to have been the final French point of resistance), while the 5th division was the first into the streets of Badajoz.  It is also unarguable that the allied possession of the castle would have led to the eventual fall of Badajoz.  But, as Jones pointed out, that fall came all the quicker because of the successful escalade of San Vincente.

I would be interested to hear your opinion on “Who took Badajoz?”

Wellington surveys the carnage after Badajoz has fallen

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San Christobal Fort, seen from the walls of Badajoz

This month has been dominated by one event, the taking of Badajoz.  The fifth division was initially engaged in a watching brief at San Christobal, across the river from the town.  On the 30^th March, however, it became known that Marshal Soult was advancing for the relief of Badajoz, so the division was withdrawn from the heights and brought into the forward line.  Soult’s advance left Lord Wellington with a difficult choice: he either abandoned the siege or risked an immediate assault.  He decided on the latter course, originally planned for the 5^th April, but when the engineers pointed out that the breaches could be made more practicable, the assault was postponed for twenty-four hours.

The fifth division joined the besiegers on the 5^th April.  In the original arrangements for the assault they were to “alarm the enemy” by attacking the Pardeleras outwork; but a note was then added that “if the circumstance should permit”, they were to attempt an escalade, either at the San Vincente bastion or at the curtain wall between the bastion and the bridge.

General Sir James Leith, 5th Division

General Leith always intended to make such an attack, but he was initially frustrated by the engineer attached to the division, who lost his way in the dark.  As a result the division were late reaching the point of attack.  To make matters worse, there were only twelve ladders, some of which proved unusable, while all of them were too short.  Nevertheless, while Spry’s Portuguese brigade undertook the planned diversion at the Pardeleras, and the Royals and the 9^th, in the first brigade, remained on guard, the second brigade under General Walker (4^th, 30^th and 44^th) plus the 38^th from the first brigade and two companies of Brunswickers undertook the escalade.

The assailants, climbing the ladders in order of regimental seniority, encountered all the difficulties incumbent upon an escalade: ladders thrown back, a hail of missiles and combustibles, and well-directed musket fire (the defenders were aided by intervals of clear moonlight).  They persevered, however, and once on the ramparts were formed by General Walker for an advance towards the breaches at the Santa Maria and Trinidad bastions.

Initially the advance was unopposed, but suddenly the flame of a port-fire was spotted and mistaken for the sign that a mine was about to be fired.  The resultant panic enabled the defenders to stand and then bayonet the assailants back to San Vincente.  Here, though, they were brought up short by the 38^th, who delivered a volley and then pursued the defenders with bayonets fixed.  The whole division, except the two battalions on guard, now made their way into the town, while General Leith sent a message to Wellington that the fifth division was in Badajoz.

Men of the 30th Regiment escalading the San Vincente bastion

The first men up the ladders, the storming party under Colonel Brooke of the 4^th, comprised the light companies of the three battalions from the second brigade, plus the light company of the 38^th and (probably) the Brunswickers, who are jägers (light infantry).  This party was probably the first into the town.  Certainly, two officers of the 4^th have described the eerie silence as they advanced along the streets of Badajoz, while some of the 30^th managed to open the Las Palmas gates, the main entry into the town.

Inevitably the escalade and subsequent action on the ramparts caused heavy casualties for both the defenders and the assailants.  The 30^th suffered one officer and twenty-seven men killed, five officers and ninety-nine men wounded, some of whom are not expected to survive.

The death of Major Grey has caused great distress to the battalion.  He was popular among both officers and men, and with his wife’s support did much to sustain a family atmosphere in the battalion.  He died on the ramparts, bleeding to death before assistance could be procured.  The battalion has also lost Sergeants Achison and Tully, both of them well-respected and long-serving NCOs.

The most seriously wounded officers were Captain Chambers of the light company and Captain Hitchen of the grenadiers.  Along with Ensign Pratt they have been taken to Lisbon.  The other officer casualties were Lieutenants Neville and Baillie, both of whom volunteered to serve as engineers as they did at Ciudad Rodrigo.  They have already recovered from their wounds and are back on duty.

One casualty has caused particular concern.  Private Elijah Fletcher served with the regiment for many years, and with the second battalion from its establishment.  He was a sergeant for some time and, despite his demotion, was well-regarded by the officers.  He has left an orphan child, and the officers are already collected for the maintenance of this child.

A story is circulating in the battalion that Ensign Lockwood performed a gesture worthy of Sir Galahad when he rescued a nun during the mayhem in Badajoz and returned her to her family.  Lockwood himself, who is only eighteen, is said to be embarrassed by the attention his simple act of kindness is receiving.

As a result of the Badajoz casualties, Corporals McIlhatton and Hall have been promoted to sergeant, while privates Coy, Dawson, Gisborne, Wadsworth and Winn have been made corporal.  Corporal George Watts was reduced on the 8^th April for misbehaviour in Badajoz.

As well as the losses during the assault, there have also been five natural deaths this month, including Sergeants Metcalf and Brumish.  Very much regretted was the loss of Ensign Brooke, who died on the 24^th March of the injuries he suffered seventeen days earlier when he fell from his horse.

William Stevenson was transported as a felon on the 15^th April, having been found guilty of burglary and violence against a Portuguese householder.

The battalion is now under the command of Samuel Bamford, the senior captain, and is on the march north to Ciudad Rodrigo, which is believed to be under threat from Marshal Marmont.

First Battalion, Cannanore

A fine Indian batik

There has been more sickness than usual this month, among both officers and men, as the temperature has risen.  In these parts the temperatures can reach more than 90 degrees, and the accompanying high levels of humidity create a difficult environment for troops. Surgeon Pearce, however, seems to be coping well and there has been only one death, that of Sergeant Cherry on the 4^th April.

Many of the Irish soldiers have availed themselves of the ministrations of the Catholic priests in this area, which was originally settled by the Portuguese and still has a large Indian-Portuguese, Catholic community.

Depot, Hull

Musket drill, from a contemporary instruction manual.

There has been a pleasing influx of recruits, who will be much needed after the losses sustained at Badajoz.  One man for unlimited service, and nine men and six boys for unlimited service, as well as two volunteers from the militia, have all enlisted at headquarters.  There are a further thirty-three recruits with the recruiting parties.  Two men have joined from Portugal and are now considered fit for further service.

Lieutenant Pennefather is to take command of the recruiting party at Tuam, in place of Lieutenant John Roe (2), who is to join the 2^nd battalion.

General Graham

Having spent the winter months, whenever his military duties allowed, enjoying one of his favourite pursuits, hunting the fox, Graham was on the scene when Wellington reconnoitred Ciudad Rodrigo on the 7^th January.

He played no active part in the siege and assault, however.  As he wrote to his brother-in-law, Lord Cathcart on the 21^st January:

‘Charles [Cathcart’s son] will be in despair at having missed assisting at, or at least seeing, the assault of Ciudad Rodrigo.  This last was all I had, for instead of its being stormed by detachments employed in succession from their cantonments for 24 hours, Lord Wellington determined that the divisions on duty, and the next to come on, should make the attack as soon as the breach was practicable.’

Consequently, it was the 3^rd and light divisions, rather than Graham’s 1^st division, which had the glory of taking Ciudad Rodrigo.  Nevertheless, Wellington wrote to Lord Liverpool, the Prime Minister, on the 20^th January:

‘Lieut.-General Graham assisted me in superintending the conduct of the details of the siege, besides performing the duties of the General-Officer commanding the 1^st division, and I am much indebted to the suggestions and assistance I received from him for the success of this enterprise.’

Wellington’s next objective was Badajoz, but in order to keep the French uncertain of his intentions he sent the heavy guns to Badajoz while the rest of the army remained on the border of Leon.  Wellington himself finally left Frenada (his headquarters) on the 5^th March, by which time all but one of his divisions, the 5^th, along with Victor Alten’s cavalry and two independent Portuguese brigades, had marched south.  These remaining troops joined him during the next fortnight.

On the 10^th March Graham received a letter from Wellington, informing him that along with Lieutenant General Hill (whom Graham had first met as a young officer at Toulon in 1793) he was to be invested with the Order of the Bath.  Two days later Graham rode to Elvas to be knighted by Wellington in front of the senior officers of his division.

By the 16^th March the first of the investing troops were in position, and the siege began in earnest on the 17^th.  Graham, however, was placed in command of the larger of two covering forces, the other being under the command of General Hill.  Graham’s command comprised the 1^st, 6^th and 7^th divisions, and Slade and Le Marchant’s cavalry, 19,000 men in total.  His orders were to cross the Guadiana and advance in the direction of Seville by the main route, which would take him through Santa Marta and Villafranca.  At the same time Hill was to take possession of Merida.  Their joint objective was to drive two corps of Soult’s army, under Drouet d’Erlon and Daricau, away from Badajoz towards the Sierra Morena.

General Jean Baptiste Drouet d’Erlon

Nearing Santa Marta, Graham’s force encountered the outposts of Drouet’s force.  D’Urban, in command of the Portuguese cavalry, recorded in his journal how the French ‘marched in good order, however, and no occasion offered of making an impression upon them, so that they got clean off.’  Nevertheless, this encounter persuaded Drouet to withdraw to Villafranca.

Graham assumed that Drouet would now march southwards to Llerena, on the way to Seville.  He decided on a night march on the 18^th in order to catch the French unawares, but when the allied advance entered the town on the 19^th they found it deserted by the French.  Instead of marching south, Drouet had marched east to join Daricau.

The march itself proved memorable, even though its objective was not achieved.  Private Wheeler of the 51st, in a letter to his family, described how

‘As the greatest part of our march lay across fields, and over walls, hedges and ditches, we were tumbling about like drunken men.  Besides it rained all night, so that in the morning we looked more like navigators than soldiers…We dashed into the town exalting in the thought that we should surpize the frog eating rascals in their beds.  But we were deceived, there was not a Frenchman in the town.’

Graham now halted at Zafra, although he sent his cavalry forward to Usagre and Fuente Cantos.  On the 21^st, though, he received an intercepted dispatch from Drouet to Reymond, whose brigade had been cut off by the allied advance.  This instructed Reymond to advance to Llerena, whereupon Graham decided to send his infantry back to the town at the time when the French could be expected to reach it.

This meant another night march.  According to D’Urban

‘The March was made in the best possible order – the arrival exactly timed, – when just at the moment of branching off, and as the morning broke – something too like a Panic was occasioned at the Head of the 7^th and 1^st divisions by the appearance of a few French Dragoons and by the galloping back of some of the Staff and Orderlies.  A confused firing took place in Column! without object.  General disorder ensued, and half-an-hour’s delay was occasioned.  This aided the escape of the enemy…’

Wheeler described how, because it was

‘very dark this caused some confusion at the head of the Regiment which soon spread through the whole Division.  The Chasseurs [Britannique] followed us, and began firing, our paymaster and an Hospital Assistant who was in the rear of our Regt. received the fire of the Chasseures [sic].  The Hospl. Assistant was killed and our paymaster was severely wounded in the shoulder.  Add to this the barking of about 200 dogs, and you will be able to form some sort of a notion what kind of bother we were in.’

Graham was one of those who had to gallop to safety through this chaos.

On the 27^th Graham, who was now marching east, received another intercepted dispatch, this time from Reymond to Drouet, which made clear that the former was making for Fuente Ovejuna in order to join Drouet by a circuitous route.  Graham made another night march but the French were warned by local sympathisers and effected their departure before the allies arrived.  Reymond was then able to join forces with Drouet and Daricau.

Fresh orders from Wellington reached Graham on the 30^th.  These informed him that he should abandon the pursuit of Drouet and Daricau because Marshal Soult, to whose Army of the South they belonged, was concentrating his forces at Seville preparatory to marching for the relief of Badajoz.  This advance would leave Graham vulnerable to attack, so he was now to retire to Fuente de Maestre, Almendralejo and Villafranca, which he reached on the 2^nd April.

Marshal Soult

Soult was expected to be at Llerena by the 4th, before advancing on Albuera, which Graham occupied on the 5th.  At the same time Hill was ordered to march towards this position and combine his forces with Graham.  On the night of the 6^th, while Graham’s forces remained in position to resist a French advance, they could hear the roaring of the guns, and realised that Badajoz had been taken.

The fall of Badajoz sent Soult back to Andalusia.  Graham sent two of his cavalry brigades, under Sir Stapleton Cotton, in pursuit, and on the 11^th April they had a successful encounter with the French cavalry which constituted Drouet’s rear guard at Villa Garcia.

General Sir Stapleton Cotton

The following day Graham wrote to Wellington:

‘I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship the enclosed report of Sir Stapleton Cotton, giving details of a brilliant and successful attack against the enemy’s rear guard.  It must be unnecessary for me to call your Lordship’s attention to the distinguished ability with which the Lieut.-General planned and conducted this enterprise, so admirably seconded by the gallantry and judgement of Major-General Le Marchant and Lieut-Colonel Ponsonby, as well as the great exertion of the officers and men of the two brigades employed on this service.’

Lieutenant Tomkinson of the 16^th recorded in his diary how

‘We came down the hill in a trot, took [a] wall in line, and were in the act of charging when the 5^th Dragoon Guards came down on our right, charged, and completely upset the left flank of the enemy, and the 12^th, 14^th, and 16^th advancing at the same moment, the success was complete.  The view of the enemy from the top of the hill, the quickness of the advance on the enemy, with the spirit of the men in leaping the wall, and the charge immediately afterwards, was one of the finest things I ever saw…

‘We killed about 53 of the enemy in the charge from Villa Garcia of the 5^th Dragoon Guards, and in our pursuit to Llerena took one lieutenant-colonel, 17^th dragoons, two captains, one lieutenant. 132 rank and file, with the same proportion of horses.’

This was a satisfying conclusion to Graham’s command of the covering force.

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Badajoz seen across the River Guadiana

The battalion finally left Ciudad Rodrigo on the 28^th February, but their march did not take them towards Badajoz, as they had expected.  Instead, they found themselves proceeding in a quite different direction, although they were unaware of the purpose of following this route.  Some suggested that it was a ploy to deceive the enemy.

On the second day of the march they came upon thirteen French deserters, who emerged from the woods to seek refuge with the Anglo-Portuguese.  These men claimed there were many more deserters hiding in the woods, trying to keep themselves safe from the guerrillas.  They also claimed that there was a lot of discontent among the French soldiers in Salamanca, mainly because they had not been paid for several months.

Eventually, it became clear that the division was marching south and by the 21^st they were at Campo Mayor, one march from Badajoz.  On the 22^nd they were on the right bank of the Guadiana with the three divisions that were besieging Badajoz (3^rd, 4^th and light) but were ordered to cross to the left bank.  This proved impossible until the 24^th, when the pontoon bridge which had been swept away by a sudden flood was finally repaired.  They have now invested San Christobal, the fort which overlooks the town, and which has twice resisted allied attempts to take it.

San Christobal Fort seen across the river from Badajoz

This month a sergeant and twelve rank and file have been invalided to England, while twenty-five men have joined the battalion from the depot.  There has been only one death, Stephen Adams on the 3^rd.

RSM Woods remains with the Portuguese army, and Sergeant Joseph Burrage (or Berridge) is acting RSM.  Thomas Kelly was promoted to corporal on the 7^th March.

Surgeon Hughes has re-joined the battalion.  Quartermaster Kingsley has received two months’ leave to return to England for recovery of health.  Ensign Brooke suffered a serious fall from his horse on the 7^th March and has still not fully recovered.

1^st Battalion, Cannanore

A Hindu temple, India

There was sadness in the battalion when news arrived that Quartermaster Poyntz died at Madras on the 28^th February.  Arthur Poyntz had a long career with the regiment, having seen service in Carolina during the American War of Independence.  He was promoted quartermaster from quartermaster sergeant in 1796.  Three of his sons have served with the regiment, Arthur, Samuel Robert who is with the 2^nd battalion in Spain, and James, who was with the 2^nd battalion as a volunteer and is now at the Royal Military College.

Lieutenants Richardson and Fettes have been given twelve months’ leave to return to Europe on private affairs.

A sergeant and twenty-three rank and file have been invalided to England and a further eight invalids are still at Poonamallee.  One man has deserted and there have been two deaths this month, Thomas Brown and James Clark.  Two corporals, Pear and Levis, have resigned and Luke Berry has been appointed corporal.

Depot, Hull

Drill, drill, and more drill makes for discipline on the battlefield

A man and a boy have joined at the depot, another man has returned from imprisonment in Lincoln, three men have joined from Portugal, having been invalided home, there have been two desertions, and one man awaits trial.

There are forty recruits with the recruiting parties.

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“In the intercourse with the Spanish authorities where it is not necessary to have the King’s Minister’s interference, much patience and perseverance are necessary.  Nothing is to be gained without firmness tempered with address that may appear flattering to them.”

General Graham

Graham himself had certainly displayed firmness and tact in his dealings with the Spanish but, good-tempered man that he was, even he could not stomach the libel which General La Peña, and his mouthpiece, General Lacy, had perpetrated against him.  (See article: Siege of Cadiz, part 6)

Graham embarked on board the Latona on the 2^nd July, accompanied by the many friends he had made in Cadiz, including Henry Wellesley, Wellington’s youngest brother.  (Henry’s “uniform support and friendly attentions in every way never can be over-rated”, he wrote in his journal.)  Early the following morning the Latona set sail for Lisbon.

There followed a frustrating voyage delayed by contrary winds, but on the 9^th July Graham finally landed at Belem, although the transports conveying his horses and mules, as well as a detachment of the 3/95^th and a dismounted cavalry squadron, were further delayed.  In the meantime, Graham wrote to Wellington, possibly anxious to make his presence in Portugal known.  He assured the commander-in-chief, “I shall be ready to set off at a moment’s notice, should your Lordships wish me to join” before the arrival of the transports.

In fact, there was little happening on the Spanish-Portuguese border, where most of the Anglo-Portuguese army was posted.  In a letter written on the 21^st, though, Wellington revealed to Graham that his next objective was French-held Ciudad Rodrigo.  Nevertheless, there would be a delay while the siege train was brought up the Douro.

Ciudad Rodrigo

On the same day Wellington wrote a letter to Lord Liverpool, the prime minister, which implicitly conveyed his trust in Graham.  Having outlined the previous situation, whereby the general officer in command at Cadiz reported directly to the secretary of state and received orders from Liverpool himself, he continued, “As long as there was in command at Cadiz an officer of the rank and character of General Graham I had no objection to this system.”  Now, though, he insisted that he must be an intermediary to all future communication.

Graham was able to spend a period of pleasant relaxation in Lisbon, exploring the environs of the city and visiting friends.  At the same time, as he confided to his nephew, Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Charles Cathcart, that he expected to be summoned to Portalegre, Wellington’s headquarters, and placed in command of the 1^st division.  This was disappointing because this division “is always I understand at head-quarters, but I came determined not to ask for anything, nor even make any observation.”  Nor was he optimistic about the situation in the Peninsula.  “In short, I never thought so ill of the affairs in the Peninsula as now, and indeed nothing can give a chance of going on but a total change of the military system in Spain, and their submitting to be under Lord Wellington, and our agreeing to pay them to a large amount.”

On the same day, the 27^th, Wellington wrote to Graham in a similar vein: “from all I see and hear, I am very apprehensive that the affairs of Spain are nearly irretrievable.  There is no money, and there are no means of getting any; and there are no disciplined troops.  Even if we should strike a fortunate blow, I fear that we should do them no good.”

Finally, on the 30^th July, Graham received a summons to join headquarters, as Wellington brought his army further north.  By the 8^th August he had joined Wellington at Sabugal, and three days later headquarters were established at Gallegos, not far from Ciudad Rodrigo.

Graham took the opportunity to reconnoitre the country around Ciudad Rodrigo during the following weeks, as the allies awaited some response from Marshal Marmont, in command of the now misnamed Army of Portugal.  There were rumours that Marmont was receiving reinforcements from the Army of the North and even suggestions that Napoleon himself was about to come to Spain.

Marshal Marmont

On the 28^th Graham wrote to his nephew that there was no expectation of an imminent French attack, although it was known that Marmont was on the move.  The following day, however, an intercepted letter from General Foy to General Girard claimed that Marmont was about to attack the Anglo-Portuguese with 40,000 men.

Until this point Graham had been “twiddling his thumbs” (so to speak) at headquarters, but on the 2^nd September he was finally put in command of the 1^st division, who were at Nave d’Aver and Fuentes de Oñoro.  Four days later Graham had established his headquarters at Nave d’Aver.  He now spent a week reconnoitring and visiting the troops under his command.

On the 22^nd he was given additional command of the 6^th division, Anson’s cavalry, MacMahon’s Portuguese brigade of infantry and Don Carlos de España’s troops, which together with the 1^st division constituted the left wing of the allied army.  Nor did Graham have to wait long to bring some of these troops into action.

Two days after taking up his new command,

“Between 6 and 7 a.m., two regiments of cavalry came by the Carpio and Espeja roads, pushing on at a trot with very little advanced guard.  We were then quite on the left, crossed back towards Carpio, when on their gaining the summit, and seeing that we had only the piquets, we were obliged to gallop off and cross the Azava into the wood.  General Anson had sent for a squadron, which went down the broad lane; the rest of the cavalry mounted and advanced across the open space, halting near where the lane comes up into it.  Four squadrons advanced very boldly through the wood without any precaution, and after some skirmishing, and at the moment of their formation, were charged by Capt. Hay with the 16th Light Dragoons – very weak from detachments to watch the other roads, and the absence of so many men sick.  This attack had complete success, the squadron of the Lanciers de Berg were completely broken, their chef d’escadron killed, and a captain wounded and taken with several men.  A company of Light Infantry was sent down into the wood, and as the enemy, after rallying, was advancing again, a volley was given with great effect, a number of men and horses being killed and wounded.  Three squadrons were charged again at that moment, and driven down to the Azava, and did not attempt anything more.” [Graham’s Journal]

The French were more successful at El Boden, however, where their attack on the 3^rd division led to an allied withdrawal.  On the 25^th Graham received orders to return to Nave d’Aver from his more forward position at Espeja.  There were further retrograde movements and by the 1st October his headquarters were at Lagiosa, between Celorico and Guarda.

On the 8^th he wrote to his nephew

“I think the French never meant anything more than to bully a little for the sake of the Moniteur, otherwise they would have played the real game from their right over the finest cavalry country possible, which by a night march from Ciudad Rodrigo they might have gained unperceived…”

Graham’s supposition proved justified.   There was no further French advance.  The 1811 campaign was over for the main Anglo-Portuguese army (although General Hill, a former protégé of Graham’s, was still to give the French a sharp lesson at Arroyo dos Moliños).

General Graham in later years

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Cuidad Rodrigo at dawn

The number of deaths remains relatively low compared with other units; this month there were six deaths, including Sergeant John Henry.  Corporal William Weafer was reduced to the ranks, while Corporals Charles Haughey and Joseph Harrison were promoted to sergeant and Thomas Ketlin, William Knoll, Thomas Vipond and William Smith, to corporal.  Haughey and Harrison are regarded as particularly promising NCO material, having already proved themselves exemplary in their performance as corporals.

The depleted officer strength of the battalion remains a problem.  Although there are twelve subalterns with the battalion, there are only two captains, Chambers and Hitchen of the light and Grenadier companies respectively.  Major Grey remains in command, as Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton has yet to return from England.  The remaining officers are sick, on command or with the 1^st battalion in India.

Captain, (later Major), Thomas Walker Chambers, Light Company, 30th Foot

The battalion has been working on repairing the fortifications damaged in the recent siege.  Not everyone has welcomed this work, however.  On the 26^th, when the rest of the battalion went into the trenches, several men found a small shed where they could skulk without detection.  They also lit a fire to keep themselves warm.  Unfortunately, the shed had been used as a temporary magazine and there was still some loose powder which quickly ignited.  Several men lost their clothes in the blast and were badly burned.

At least those who were prepared to work received some reward, a dollar a day for officers and 8d for the men.

On the 1^st February the 2^nd brigade of the 5^th division, to which the 30^th belong, were reviewed by General Leith.  Although the General is popular, certainly more popular than their brigadier, General Hay, and the review was a welcome change from repair work, the cold and rainy conditions made it an unpleasant experience.

The following day the 3^rd division marched into town and turned the 5^th division out of their quarters which caused a lot of resentment.  (There has been rivalry between the two divisions since the battle of Buçaco when both General Leith and General Picton claimed credit for the defeat of Reynier’s column.)  Fortunately, Picton’s division only stayed two days, whereupon the 5^th division returned to their quarters.

1st  Battalion, Cannanore

An early view of Cannanore

This is proving a healthy posting, with only one death this month.

Corporal Robert Cliff was reduced on the 9^th February.  Otherwise the complement of NCOs remains unchanged, although the three sergeants on their way to join from Poonamallee will be welcomed.

When the division left Madras the paymaster, adjutant, surgeon and assistant surgeon remained behind.  They are now also reported to be on their way to join.  Generally, the officer strength is satisfactory.  There are four vacant commissions and eight 1^st division officers are serving with the 2^nd battalion.  At this stage, with the 2^nd division on active service, there is no chance that they will be sent to India.  However, the 1^st division has a greater number of 2^nd division officers at Cannanore, so they still enjoy the advantage of the misplacements which have occurred since they sailed for India.

Depot, Hull

The recruiting parties are continuing to perform their duties effectively and there are now thirty-one recruits “not yet joined”.

A typically cynical Cruickshank view of a Militia volunteer

One man has enlisted at headquarters, and four volunteers have been received from the (Tipperary and Wexford) militia.  One man re-joined from desertion.

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2^nd Battalion, Ciudad Rodrigo, January 1812

The cathedral at Ciudad Rodrigo. The marks on the stonework were made by roundshot.

The month started with the officers continuing their Christmas and New Year celebrations, so that for some of them early morning drill was a painful experience.  On the 3^rd January, however, the division received orders to march nearer to the Águeda, preparatory to the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.  Officers were invited to volunteer for engineering duties to make up for the shortage of trained engineers with the army and eleven officers from the battalion did so, accompanied by a large number of men who volunteered to serve as artificers.

After the successful assault on the 19^th the 5^th division was sent into the town to bring out the men of the 3^rd and light divisions who, having fought their way into the town, had found the wine vats and quickly got drunk.  The 5^th division was then given the task of clearing the breaches and the streets of the dead and wounded.  They are now engaged in making good the damage to the town and repairing the breaches against the risk of a French attack.

General “Black Bob” Crauford, in command of the light division, was seriously wounded during the siege.  He died yesterday, and today the 5^th division, with their arms reversed, were on duty along the route of his funeral procession.  At his own wish, he was buried in the lesser breach, where he received his wound.

Crauford’s memorial tablet (in English and Spanish) by the lesser breach where he was buried

The battalion took no casualties during the siege, despite the number of volunteers involved, but there have been eleven natural deaths during the past month.  A large number of invalids have returned to England, although most of these had been in the general hospitals.  Sergeant Jaye and three men serving with the battalion were among the invalids, however.

Sergeant Dan Ready has joined the battalion from recruiting duties in England.  He is a long-serving NCO whose experience will be welcome, particularly as there is a severe shortage of officers: only fifteen are actually with the battalion, and twelve of these are subalterns, most of them young and inexperienced.  A further fifteen have been returned absent without leave (although some of these are in England and others are known to be sick), seven are detached on staff duties in Portugal, and six are with the first battalion in India.  Should the battalion go into action in the near future, this shortage could cause problems.

1^st Battalion: Cannanore

The fort at Cannanore

The battalion continues to enjoy the more pleasant conditions of their new posting, although there is still a sizeable detachment at Poonamallee.  Unlike the junior battalion they are well-staffed with officers: twenty-five are with the battalion, three are at Poonamallee, and six are on detached staff duties.

There have been only two deaths this month.  Four corporals, Mulry, Malking, Burke and Duncan have resigned their rank, and have been replaced by Andrew Walker, Samuel Heaven, William Abbott, John McLean and Bartholomew Nevell.

Depot: Hull

Thirteen men and two boys have joined from the recruiting parties, as well as two volunteers from the Tipperary Militia.  There are a further fifteen recruits with the recruiting parties, seven of them at Tullamore.

Shipping off the needles, Isle of Wight

A large detachment consisting of two sergeants and sixty-four rank and file marched for the Isle of Wight on the 6^th January, accompanied by Lieutenant Skirrow and Ensigns Ross, Parry, Wedge and Atkinson.  They are to join the 1^st battalion in India.

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“Scotland For Ever”, by Lady Butler

One of the most iconic images of the Battle of Waterloo is the charge of the Scots Greys, as immortalised by Lady Butler.  Whatever the deficiencies of the painting in terms of reality, it has created an impression which is difficult to forget, not least because the charge of the Scots Greys was in fact part of the charge of the Union Brigade, comprised of the 1^st (Royal) Dragoons and 6^th (Inniskillings) as well as the Scots Greys. The Union Brigade routed d’Erlon’s corp, which had been threatening the allied left only moments before, then rode on to the Grand Battery, taking two eagles in the process.

This magnificent moment makes it little wonder that the deeds of the Household Brigade during their parallel advance are so easy to overlook.  Even the fate of the Union Brigade, overrun by French lancers, brings a tragic dimension to the achievements of the three regiments, English, Irish and Scottish.

Nevertheless, the Household Brigade (1^st and 2^nd Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards and 1^st Dragoon Guards) added a significant feature to the iconography of Waterloo, the only full-scale combat between British and French heavy cavalry throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, a combat which distantly echoes the knight-led battles of the Middle Ages, particularly as the French cuirassiers were armoured with breast and black plates.

At the start of the battle both the Household and the Union brigades were in position on either side of the Brussels-Charleroi road, the former on the right of the road, the latter on the left.  Even when hostilities commenced, at about 11 o’clock according to most accounts, they would have had little idea of what was happening, being at the foot of the reverse slope, in support of the infantry.

D’Erlon’s advance was supported by cavalry.  Dubois’ cuirassiers wheeled to the left, threatening La Haie Sainte and then riding down the Hanoverian battalion sent to support the King’s German Legion light battalion defending La Haie Sainte.  At this point Lord Uxbridge (later the Marquis of Anglesey), commander of the allied cavalry, sent both the Union and Household Brigades into action.  The Household Brigade advanced with the 1^st and 2^nd Life Guards and the 1^st Dragoon Guards in line, and the Horse Guards (Blues) in support as a reserve.  It is worth remembering, at this point, that the 1^st Dragoon Guards had not been on active service since 1793, and although the Life Guards and Blues had arrived in the Peninsula late in 1812 they had seen no real action as the momentum of the war moved towards the Pyrenees, terrain unsuitable for cavalry.

The Marquis of Anglesey on the general advance directing the brigades of Cavalry (Jones)

The commander of the Union Brigade was Lord Edward Somerset.  His later report succinctly summed up what happened when the brigade moved forward to encounter French cavalry charging uphill and threatening the allied centre:

General Lord Edward Somerset

‘On the first advance of a large body of French cuirassiers to the ridge of the position occupied by the British infantry on the right of the high road, the Household Brigade immediately advanced to charge them; and drove them down the hill in utmost confusion.  The brigade pursuing its advantage, attacked and routed a large body of infantry that was posted further to the rear, but at length having suffered considerable loss, and having come upon the enemy’s support it retired to rally and form.’

Not surprisingly, what happened was rather more complicated than this simple account suggests.  The fiercest opposition was encountered by the 1^st Life Guards, on the right of the brigade, and the Blues, who rode forward in support of them.  As a result they preserved better order than the 2^nd Life Guards and the Dragoon Guards who, having overcome their opponents and fired by the heat of battle, crossed the road and mixed with the Royals and the Inniskillings, joining their charge towards the Grand Battery.  Uxbridge ordered the sounding of halt and rally, but the troops were deaf to its command.  The situation was critical.  Uxbridge had no reserves because the Scots Greys had already outrun the rest of their brigade, while the 1^st Life Guards and the Blues were fully engaged in holding their own against the cuirassiers.  Nonetheless, these two units were able to retire in reasonable order when the French brought up two guns and more infantry, thus giving their surviving comrades a body to form upon, although it was a close call.  Somerset, who was in the rear of his retiring troops, lost his horse to cannon shot and was then urged to ‘Scramble through the hedge, you have not a moment to lose.’  He did so, on his hands and knees!

Early published accounts of the battle commended the conduct of the Household Brigade.

‘Lord Edward Somerset, with the invincible brigade of household troops, consisting of the life guards, royal horse guards, and 1^st dragoon guards, rushed forward against the mailed cavalry of the enemy, and swept the intruders from the ground they had so rashly ascended, driving them up the opposite heights back into their own line.’¹

‘Notwithstanding the weight and armour of the cuirassiers and the power of their horses, they proved altogether unable to withstand the shock of the heavy brigade, being literally rode down, both horse and man, while the strength of the British soldiers was no less pre-eminent when they mingled and fought hand-to-hand.’²

Indeed, one Life Guardsman reported in a letter home:

‘Until we came up with our heavy horses, and our superior weight of metal, nothing was done with the cuirassiers; unless one got now and then a cut at their faces, not one of them gave way; we therefore galloped at them, and fairly rode them down; when they were unhorsed, we cracked them like lobsters in their shells’.³

An officer in the 2^nd Life Guards summed up his impression of the battle:

‘About 11 A. M. the action commenced, and the Household Brigade of cavalry was soon ordered forward to charge the Cuirassiers of the Imperial Guard, which they did with great success.  A second charge left but few of them; but we in our turn have suffered much, for the heaviest fire, which was truly tremendous, was directed against the Household Brigade during the whole of the day, and it is astonishing how any of us escaped.’⁴

There were also some individual exploits which attracted attention.  Lieutenant Tathwell of the Blues actually managed to get his hands on an eagle, but his horse was shot before he could ride off with it and he was taken prisoner.  (He escaped and rejoined the following day.)   Captain Kelly of the Life Guards killed the colonel of the 1^st regiment of cuirassiers and kept his epaulettes as a trophy.  Most famous of all was Corporal Shaw, a famous pugilist and also an excellent horseman, who kept up the fight for most of the day, and was finally attacked by six horsemen.  He killed four of them but the remaining two overwhelmed him, and he died of his wounds of the battlefield.

Corporal Shaw of the Life Guards dealing destruction to all around him. (Jones)

‘Sir John Elley, who led the charge of the heavy brigade, was himself distinguished for personal prowess.  He was at one time surrounded by several of the cuirassiers; but being a tall and uncommonly powerful man, completely master of his sword and horse, he cut his way out, leaving several of his assailants on the ground, marked with wounds, indicating the unusual strength of the arm which inflicted them.’⁵

Colonel Elley was a particularly interesting example of the (somewhat limited) meritocracy that existed in the army of the time.  His origins were humble.  His father had owned an eating house, and young John was apprenticed to a tannery owner.  He enlisted as a trooper in the Blues in 1789 after the death of his master’s daughter, to whom he was engaged.  Seven years later he was a lieutenant in the same regiment, and by 1813 he had risen to the rank of colonel.  He ended his life as a lieutenant-general.

The losses the Household Brigade took in their combat with the cuirassiers meant they could play little further offensive part in the battle, although they provided valuable support to the infantry squares during the waves of French cavalry charges, and took part in the final advance against the retreating French.  They bivouacked on the battlefield at nine in the evening.

The final word on their conduct comes from an officer in the Blues.

‘Often, in the conflict of “La Belle Alliance”, did the Earl of Uxbridge turn his eye towards [the brigade], exclaiming, “Now for the honour of the Household Troops;” and as often was his Lordship solaced by the brightest effects of glory under his eye.’⁶

1. Captain Batty, An Historical Sketch of the Campaign of 1815 p.98
2. Lieutenant G.W. Picton, The Battle of Waterloo p.79
3. Picton p.226
4. Booth, The Battle of Waterloo p.72
5. Picton pp.80-1
6. Booth, p.29

]]> http://www.caroledivall.co.uk/the-household-brigade-at-waterloo/feed/ 2 http://www.caroledivall.co.uk/christmas-day-25th-december-1811/ http://www.caroledivall.co.uk/christmas-day-25th-december-1811/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:01:26 +0000 Carole Divall http://www.caroledivall.co.uk/?p=1875 2^nd battalion: Medais, Portugal

(nr. the Spanish border)

Typical of the rough country near the Portugese/Spanish border

There have been seven deaths this month, but the number of sick present has reduced from thirty-four to seven.  The number of sick absent remains high, however, and it is expected that many of these men will have to be invalided home.

Thomas Chambers was promoted to corporal on the 25^th November, while Sergeant Thomas Kelly was reduced on the 13^th December.

Lieutenant Freer is now in command, Belem, while Surgeon Hennen has been promoted out of the regiment.  This is felt to be a sad loss.

After a short period in the Mondego valley, the 5^th division have been brought closer to the Spanish border and, although December is not a campaigning time of year, there are persistent rumours that Lord Wellington is preparing for action.  The general opinion is that Ciudad Rodrigo is the likely target.

The skyline of Ciudad Rodrigo at dawn

During this relatively quiet period there has been an opportunity to continue training the ensigns, for example by sending them to hear courts martial so that they will be familiar with court procedure.

Despite its being Christmas Day the battalion was paraded at 3am. This should have been followed at 10am by divine service for the brigade (4th, 30th, and 44th Foot) but the Padre was ill and the Brigadier, General Walker, decided on a general parade instead. He was less than pleased with what he saw and has decided that the brigade will in future drill at 8am every morning until further orders. This has spoilt everybody’s enjoyment of Christmas Day.

1^st battalion: Cannanore, India

A view of Cannanore, early 19th Century

Good news has arrived for the four officers found guilty of duelling, Lieutenants French, Jones, Harper and Carden, who have been under sentence of a court martial since June 1810.  They have been pardoned by the King, which in reality means they have been pardoned by the Prince Regent, who is less opposed to duelling than his father.  Ensign Herring, however, has had his sentence confirmed and has been cashiered for being drunk on duty.

The end of a career, Herring’s sentence that he be cashiered is confirmed.

There have been four deaths this month, and it is hoped that Cannanore will prove a healthier station than Madras.

On the 25^th November, Corporal John Jayes was promoted to sergeant, and Joseph Sheller and Alexander Wiley, to corporal.

Depot, Hull

Cruickshank’s cartoons of Militia Volunteers were never flattering!

One recruit, a boy, and five volunteers from the militia (Tipperary and Wexford) have joined since the last muster, and a further twenty are with the recruiting parties, fourteen of them at Sleaford.  Six men, returned invalids from the Peninsula, have been sent to York Hospital.  There has been one desertion from the depot.

Some satisfying news has just been received.  The exchange between Major Hamilton, which would have taken him to the West India Rangers, and Lieutenant Colonel Turner has been cancelled because the latter is not considered fit for active service.  Alexander Hamilton will now return to the 2^nd battalion as lieutenant colonel.

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This is the third of four articles about the Household Brigade.  The first three articles deal with the three regiments which made up the brigade, and next month the fourth will examine the part they played at Waterloo.

1st King’s Gragoon Guards, 1820

Like the Life Guards and the Horse Guards, the 1^st Dragoon Guards had their origins in the 17^th Century.  When James II came to the throne in 1685, the accession of a Catholic king was deeply unpopular in protestant Britain. The Duke of Monmouth, Charles II’s illegitimate son, played on this sentiment to launch a bid for the throne.  In response James raised a number of regiments, one of which was Lanier’s Regiment of Horse, named after its first colonel, but then renamed the Queen’s Regiment of Horse in honour of James’ wife, Mary of Modena.  The regiment’s first task was to escort Monmouth to London (and eventual execution) after his defeat at the Battle of Sedgemoor.

By a strange irony of history, the regiment’s first experience of active service was as part of William III’s expedition to Ireland in 1690 against a rebellion raised by the now dethroned James during which they saw action at the Battles of the Boyne and Aughrim.

In 1714 they became the King’s Own Regiment of Foot, in honour of the accession of George I.

They were part of Marlborough’s army during the War of Spanish Succession, earning their first battle honours at Blenheim (1704), Ramillies (1706) and Oudenarde (1708).  They were also present at the Battle of Malplaquet in 1709.

At Dettingen (the last battle commanded by a British king in person) in 1743 they stood their ground under prolonged French cannon fire and then engaged in a fierce hand to hand fight against a regiment of Gendarmes.

British governments have always regarded the army as a prime source for cuts when they need to save money, which was the situation in 1746.  Regiments of horse were more expensive than dragoons, so money could be saved by downgrading the King’s Own to dragoon status, a decision which was bitterly resented.  A compromise was eventually reached.  In 1751, along with several other regiments of horse, they became dragoon guards, and were given precedence over the existing dragoon regiments.

Their next continental expedition was during the Seven Years’ War when they twice saw action in 1760.  At Corbach their successful charge was said to have saved the British army, while at Warburg they took part  in another crucial charge, most famous for being the occasion when the Marquis of Granby lost his wig.  (There are  many pubs named the Marquis of Granby and the signs still denote the wigless marquis.)

John Manners, Marquis of Granby

Legend has it that the Marquis was given to setting up old soldiers with a pub of their own, hence the very large number of pubs named after him.

The 1^st Dragoon Guards took part in the first British expedition against the French revolutionary forces in 1793 and won a battle honour at Beaumont.  Thereafter they were on home service until 1815.  Brigaded with the Life-Guards and the Blues at Waterloo, they may well have felt that they had something to prove.

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