Historical Record of the Fifty-Third, or the Shropshire Regiment of Foot / Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1755 and of its subsequent services to 1848

On the 14th of February, 1817, Lieut.-General Sir John Abercromby, G.C.B., died at Marseilles, in the south of France, at which place he had resided some time for the benefit of his health. The high military character and private virtues of this distinguished officer, with his attachment to, and the lively interest he took in every thing connected with, the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, occasioned his death to be much regretted. He was succeeded by Lieut.-General Rowland Lord Hill, G.C.B., from the ninety-fourth regiment.

Colonel Mawby commanded the regiment in cantonments at Trichinopoly; and in June the flank companies were detached, under the command of Major Giles, to join a flank battalion forming at Darwah, to serve with a division of the army under Colonel Pritzler, which was called to take the field in consequence of several native chiefs having prepared to wage war against the British power in India.

While the flank companies were in the field, the strength of the regiment was augmented by the detachment from the second battalion, and a number of volunteers from the eightieth regiment.

In 1818 the regiment sustained great loss from the cholera.

The flank companies were actively employed with the field force under Brigadier-General Pritzler, who reduced several fortified places to submission to the British authority, and among others the fort of Copaul Droog, the garrison of which place made a desperate defence. The excellent conduct of the troops employed in this service was made known in general orders dated the 22nd of June, 1819. The flank battalion led the assault of the place; and the conduct of Captain Cuppage, and Lieutenant Silver of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, was particularly noticed. Lieutenant Silver was wounded.

Leaving Trichinopoly in January, 1820, the regiment commenced its march for Bellary, a distance of about three hundred and ninety miles, under the orders of Colonel Mawby. The cholera broke out in the regiment on the march, and it lost a highly esteemed officer, Lieut.-Colonel Fehrszen, who had distinguished himself while serving with the second battalion in Spain and the south of France; he was buried with military honours at Salem. Lieutenant George FitzGerald, who had also served with reputation in the Peninsular War, died a few days afterwards, and was buried at Nimdydroog. While passing through the Mysore, the cholera disappeared; and on the 25th of February the regiment arrived at Bellary; having lost two officers and eighteen soldiers on the march.

Colonel Mawby having been promoted to the rank of major-general, the command of the regiment devolved on Lieut.-Colonel Mansel.

After halting at Bellary five months, the regiment commenced its march for Bangalore, where it arrived on the 1st of August. Lieutenant John Wilton, a gallant and meritorious officer, died on the 28th of August, much regretted.

The flank battalion, under Major Giles, had continued to perform much arduous and valuable service, under Brigadier-General Pritzler; but the necessity for its continuing in the field having ceased, the several companies marched to join their respective regiments. The companies of the FIFTY-THIRD arrived at head-quarters on the 30th of November. The gallant, zealous, and exemplary conduct of these companies, during the three years and a half which they had been employed on field service, was highly commended in orders. The regiment was at this period commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Edward Carey Fleming.

Major John Giles, who had commanded the flank battalion on field service with reputation, died on the 2nd of May, 1821, at Cannanore. Quarter-master Robert Blackie died soon afterwards; he had risen by merit from the ranks of the regiment, and had held the commission of quarter-master nineteen years: he was much respected in the regiment.

In May, 1822, the regiment quitted the Mysore, having first received the thanks of Lieut.-General Bowser, in division orders, for its exemplary conduct, and proceeded to Fort St. George, where it arrived on the 5th of June; having lost, on this march of two hundred miles, fifteen men by cholera. Major Wheeler Coultman also died on the 22nd of May.

The forty-first regiment arriving from England in July, the FIFTY-THIRD marched out of Fort St. George and encamped at a village on the Poonamallee Road, and were placed under orders for embarkation for England.

Seven hundred and fifty-six non-commissioned officers and soldiers volunteered to transfer their services to other corps, and to remain in India; twenty-one old soldiers were placed on the out-pension of Chelsea Hospital, and permitted to reside in India; and the regiment embarked from Madras on the 9th of March, 1823, after a service of eighteen years in India.[10] It landed at Gravesend on the 8th of July, and marched to Chatham, where it halted a few days, and afterwards proceeded to Hilsea barracks. It was subsequently removed to Weedon barracks, and active measures were adopted for recruiting its numbers.

In 1825 the regiment proceeded to Chatham, and afterwards to Portsmouth, where it was inspected and reviewed by its colonel, General Lord Hill, in May, 1826, and elicited his Lordship's approbation. It afterwards marched into Lancashire, and in October embarked at Liverpool for Ireland: it landed at Dublin, and marched from thence to Templemore.

Leaving Templemore in the spring of 1827, the regiment proceeded to Cork; and in the autumn the head-quarters were removed to Kilkenny.

In April, 1828, the regiment marched to Dublin; and in the spring of 1829 to Birr, where it was formed into six service and four reserve companies, preparatory to the former proceeding to a foreign station.

The service companies proceeded to Cork, where they embarked on the 2nd of November for Gibraltar, and arrived at that important fortress in December.

A pair of new colours bearing the words "Nieuport," "Tournay," "St. Lucia," "Talavera," "Salamanca," "Vittoria," "Pyrenees," "Nivelle," "Toulouse," and "Peninsula," having been received, the regiment was formed on parade on the 12th of January, 1830, under Lieut.-Colonel James Considine's command; the colours were consecrated by the Rev. J. S. Pering, the garrison Chaplain; they were then handed by the Lieut.-Governor, Sir George Don, to Mrs. Considine, who presented them to the regiment, with a suitable address. The day was concluded by a supper and ball, given by the officers of the regiment, to which the officers in garrison, and the principal inhabitants of the place, were invited. The soldiers were treated with a dinner and a hogshead of wine on the following day; and on the 14th, the serjeants were permitted to treat their friends to a supper and a dance in one of the large store-rooms, which was fitted up for the occasion.

The reserve companies remained in Ireland until May of this year, when they embarked at Dublin, for Liverpool.

In November, 1830, General Lord Hill, G.C.B., G.C.H., K.C., was removed to the Royal regiment of Horse Guards, and was succeeded in the colonelcy of the FIFTY-THIRD by Major-General Lord FitzRoy James Henry Somerset, K.C.B.

The service companies remained on duty at Gibraltar until March, 1834, when they proceeded to the island of Malta, where they remained during the year 1835; in October the depôt companies returned to Ireland.

In the summer of 1836 the service companies embarked at Malta for the Ionian Islands, and landed at Corfu in July.

After remaining nearly four years in the Ionian Islands, the service companies embarked at Corfu on the 28th of April, 1840, for England, and landed on the 9th of June at Plymouth, where they were joined by the depôt companies from Ireland.

The regiment remained at Plymouth until July, 1841, when it embarked for Scotland, and marching to Edinburgh, was stationed in the castle of that city during the year 1842.

In April, 1843, the regiment proceeded from Edinburgh to Ireland, and was stationed at Belfast until September, when it marched to Enniskillen.

The regiment marched from Enniskillen to Newry in January, 1844, and having been selected to proceed to India, the usual augmentation was made to its numbers. It proceeded to Manchester in July, and embarked at Liverpool for Bengal on the 20th of August under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Shakespear Phillips, arriving at Calcutta on the 30th of December following.

On the 22nd of January, 1845, the regiment proceeded from Chinsurah to Cawnpore, where it arrived on the 19th of March; in October it marched to Agra, and on the 19th of December to Delhi, where it arrived and encamped on the 28th of December, 1845.

During the brief period which elapsed between the 11th and 23rd of December, 1845, the valley of the Sutlej was the scene of active and interesting operations; the frontier of the Punjaub[11] (punj, five, and aub, waters) had been crossed by a numerous and well disciplined Sikh army; and the enemy had been repulsed in two sanguinary battles, at Moodkee on the 18th of December, and at Ferozeshah three days afterwards.

After these successes, it was determined by the Commander-in-Chief in India to rest the main body of the army until strong reinforcements arrived, when a grand attack was to be made on the Sikhs, who had employed the interval in strengthening the position they had taken up on the British side of the river Sutlej, the boundary of the Punjaub from India.

Reinforcements accordingly proceeded to the frontier, and the FIFTY-THIRD was one of the regiments ordered to join the Army of the Sutlej. The regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Shakespear Phillips, marched from Delhi on the 5th of January, 1846, and arrived at Kurnaul on the 10th of that month: two days afterwards the FIFTY-THIRD marched to join the portion of the army detached under the command of Major-General Sir Harry Smith, who was proceeding to the relief of Loodianah (celebrated for its manufacture of imitative Cashmere shawls), which was threatened by a force of twenty thousand Sikhs under the command of Runjoor Singh. The junction was effected on the 21st of January, on which day the regiment suffered severely from the heavy fire of the enemy's artillery on the march to Loodianah, sustaining a loss of thirty-six men killed. Major-General Sir Harry Smith, by a series of skilful movements, avoided a regular engagement, and effected his communication with Loodianah, but not without severe loss. On the 28th of January the Major-General determined to attack the Sikhs under Runjoor Singh in their strong position at Aliwal, and the result was a splendid victory. Runjoor Singh's camp, with all his baggage, ammunition, and stores, fell into the hands of the victors, and the left wing of the Sikh army was thus almost completely disorganised.

Her Majesty's FIFTY-THIRD, and the thirtieth native infantry, formed the third brigade, under Brigadier Wilson, and were opposed upon the left to the "Aieen" troops, called Avitabiles,[12] when the conflict was fiercely raging. The enemy, driven back on his left and centre, endeavoured to hold his right to cover the passage of the river, and strongly occupied the village of Bhoondree, which was carried by the FIFTY-THIRD at the point of the bayonet: the regiment then moved forward, in support of the thirtieth native infantry, by the right of the village.

After expressing his thanks to Lieut.-Colonel Phillips of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, Major-General Sir Harry Smith added in his official despatch:—

"I have only to report upon Her Majesty's FIFTY-THIRD, a young regiment, but veterans in daring gallantry and regularity; and Lieut.-Colonel Phillips's bravery and coolness attracted the attention of myself and every staff-officer I sent to him."

The casualties of the regiment were limited to three men killed and eight wounded.

Although the Sikh army was much disheartened at the sight of the numerous bodies which floated from the battle-field to the bridge of boats at Sobraon, yet in a few days they appeared as confident as ever of being able to retain their entrenched position, and to prevent the passage of the river.

On the 3rd of February the regiment marched from Aliwal, and joined the head-quarters of the Army of the Sutlej on the 8th of that month.

The heavy ordnance having arrived, the Commander-in-Chief resolved to storm the formidable entrenchments of the Sikhs at Sobraon, and finally expel them from the territory they had invaded. This was an undertaking of some magnitude. It was ascertained that the entrenchments were defended by thirty thousand of their bravest troops; besides being united by a good bridge to a reserve on the opposite bank of the river, on which was stationed a considerable camp, with artillery, which commanded and flanked their field-works on the British side of the Sutlej.

On the 10th of February the FIFTY-THIRD formed part of the attacking division, on the extreme left of the army, under the command of Major-General Sir Robert Dick. It had been intended that the cannonade should have commenced at daybreak, but the heavy mist, which hung over the field and river, rendered it necessary to delay operations until the sun's rays had cleared the atmosphere. Meanwhile, on the margin of the Sutlej, two brigades of Major-General Sir Robert Dick's division, under his personal command, stood ready to commence the assault against the extreme right of the Sikhs. His seventh brigade, in which was the tenth foot, reinforced by the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, and led by Brigadier Stacy, was to head the attack, supported at two hundred yards distance by the sixth brigade under Brigadier Wilkinson.

The part the FIFTY-THIRD sustained in the conflict cannot be better expressed than in the words of the despatch of the Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Hugh Gough:—

"At nine o'clock, Brigadier Stacy's brigade, supported on either flank by Captains Horseford's and Fordyce's batteries, and Lieut.-Colonel Lane's troop of horse artillery, moved to the attack in admirable order. The infantry and guns aided each other correlatively. The former marched steadily on in line, which they halted only to correct when necessary. The latter took up successive positions at the gallop, until at length they were within three hundred yards of the heavy batteries of the Sikhs; but notwithstanding the regularity and coolness, and scientific character of this assault, which Brigadier Wilkinson well supported, so hot was the fire of cannon, musketry, and zumboorucks kept up by the Khalsa troops, that it seemed for some moments impossible that the entrenchments could be won under it; but soon persevering gallantry triumphed, and the whole army had the satisfaction to see the gallant Brigadier Stacy's soldiers driving the Sikhs in confusion before them within the area of their encampment. The tenth foot, under Lieut.-Colonel Franks, now for the first time brought into serious contact with the enemy, greatly distinguished themselves. This regiment never fired a shot until it had got within the works of the enemy. The onset of Her Majesty's FIFTY-THIRD was as gallant and effective. The forty-third and fifty-ninth native infantry, brigaded with them, emulated both in cool determination."

Allusion was also made to the FIFTY-THIRD in the General Order of the 14th of February, by the Right Honorable the Governor-General of India, in which it was stated:—

"Her Majesty's tenth, FIFTY-THIRD, and eightieth regiments, with the thirty-third, forty-third, fifty-ninth, and sixty-third native infantry, moving at a firm and steady pace, never fired a shot till they had passed the barriers opposed to them, a forbearance much to be commended, and most worthy of constant imitation, to which may be attributed the success of their effort, and the small loss they sustained."

The first success was gallantly seconded by the remainder of the army, and by eleven o'clock, after a severe hand-to-hand conflict, the Battle of Sobraon was gained. A sudden rise of the Sutlej rendered the river hardly fordable, and added to the loss of the Sikhs' numbers of whom were drowned in attempting the passage. Sixty-seven pieces of cannon, upwards of two hundred camel-swivels (zumboorucks), numerous standards, and vast munitions of war were the trophies of the victory.

Captain Charles Edward Dawson Warren, and eight rank and file of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, were killed. Lieutenant-Colonel William George Gold, Captain Thomas Smart, Lieutenants John Chester, Anthony B. O. Stokes, Robert Nathaniel Clarke, and John Breton, Ensigns Henry Lucas and William Dunning (Adjutant) were wounded. Captain Smart and Lieutenant Clarke died in a few days of their wounds. Lieutenant Dunning, who was promoted after the battle, also died of his wound on the 6th of April following. One serjeant and one hundred and four rank and file were wounded.

Medals were struck for the victories of Aliwal and Sobraon, and were presented by the Government of India to the regiments present in those battles.

Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to authorize the FIFTY-THIRD regiment to bear on its colours and appointments the words "Aliwal" and "Sobraon," to commemorate its gallantry in those victories.

The Battle of Sobraon concluded a campaign of unexampled rapidity, and the youthful Sovereign of Lahore, Maha Rajah Dhuleep Singh, was compelled to wait upon the Right Honorable the Governor-General, Sir Henry Hardinge, and express contrition for the offences of his army for the unjust and unprovoked invasion of the British territories. The Maha Rajah was afterwards conducted to his capital by the British troops, who formally took possession of the citadel of Lahore. In less than two months, four important victories had been gained on a line of country about sixty miles in length, under most trying circumstances, over a great and warlike people, possessed of military skill of no common order, with all the appliances of war, which will ever render the campaign one of the most remarkable in the History of India, a campaign in which the Governor-General, Sir Henry (now Viscount) Hardinge, was present in the several actions, volunteering to act as second in command, that he might aid the admirable strategy of the Commander-in-chief General Sir Hugh (now Lord) Gough, by his presence and military experience.

The regiment marched from Sobraon on the 11th of February, forming part of the advance guard of the army proceeding to Lahore, where it arrived on the 13th of that month, and encamped outside its walls until the 22nd of March, when the regiment received orders to march for Umballa, which it commenced on the following day, arriving there and entering the cantonments on the 8th of April, 1846.

On the 15th of October, 1846, the regiment proceeded to Ferozepore, and arrived there on the 28th of that month.

The regiment remained in cantonments at Ferozepore during the year 1847.

On the 21st of February, 1848, the regiment returned to Lahore, where it was stationed in December, 1848, to which period this record of the services of the regiment is brought.

1848.

HISTORICAL RECORD

OF THE SERVICES OF THE

SECOND BATTALION

OF

THE FIFTY-THIRD,

OR

THE SHROPSHIRE REGIMENT OF FOOT.

A short interval from war was ceded to Europe by the peace of Amiens, and during that period the First Consul of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, was secretly making hostile preparations for accomplishing his ambitious purposes; he assumed the position of a dictator to Europe, and when the British government refused to submit to his domination, he assembled an army for the invasion of England, that he might, by one mighty effort, destroy the power of the British people, who appeared as a barrier to his schemes of aggrandizement. The spirit of the nation was aroused by the menace of invasion; patriotic enthusiasm pervaded all ranks; and the "Army of Reserve Act" having been passed for raising men for home service by ballot, the FIFTY-THIRD regiment marched into Yorkshire to receive part of the men raised in that extensive county. The numbers received being considerable, a second battalion was added to the establishment in October, 1803, and was formed at Sunderland under the superintendence of Lieut.-Colonel Scrogs; it speedily mustered one thousand rank and file.

A number of the men, raised under the provision of the Army of Reserve Act, having voluntarily extended their services, they were added to the first battalion in February, 1804; the others, being only liable to serve in the United Kingdom, remained in the second battalion, which embarked from Whitehaven for Dublin, where it arrived on the 3rd of March, under the orders of Lieut.-Colonel Lightburn. In August it encamped on the Curragh of Kildare, and in September returned to Dublin.

The battalion was conspicuous for its good conduct while at Dublin; in July of this year it marched to Galway, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Bingham. The Commander-in-Chief in Ireland, Lieut.-General Lord Cathcart, proceeding with a body of troops to Hanover, he was so highly esteemed by the FIFTY-THIRD, that the men solicited their commanding officer to forward a memorial to head-quarters, requesting permission to extend their services to the Continent, and to accompany his Lordship. They were thanked for their spirited offer; but the circumstances of the service did not require their presence on the Continent at this period. During the winter the battalion marched to Limerick.

In March, 1806, the head-quarters were removed to Rathkeale: in April two hundred men proceeded to join the first battalion in India: they were followed by a further number of three hundred in October: as this detachment was proceeding to the Isle of Wight, one transport was boarded by a French privateer; the soldiers were without arms, otherwise they could have overpowered their enemies: Captain Classen and sixty-five men were taken to France, where the captain died.

During the winter of 1807 the limited-service men of the second battalion were transferred to a garrison battalion, which greatly reduced its numbers; the few remaining men marched to Dublin in January, 1807, embarked from thence for Liverpool, and afterward proceeded to Shrewsbury.

The second battalion proceeded from Shrewsbury to Weymouth, where it arrived in October, and was joined by a number of volunteers from the militia.

In the spring of 1808 the second battalion marched to Bletchington; in May was removed to Portsmouth, where it embarked for Ireland, and after landing at Cork, it proceeded from thence to Limerick, and in the autumn to Fermoy.

At this period the second battalion received orders to proceed from Ireland, to take part in the deliverance of the Peninsula from the power of Napoleon, Emperor of France, whose attempts to subvert the liberties of Europe were strenuously opposed by Great Britain. The battalion embarked at Cork on the 12th of March, landed in Portugal, at a small town opposite Lisbon, on the 6th of April; and proceeded up the river Tagus in boats a few days afterwards to Villa Franca, from whence it marched to Rio Mayor. The seventh Royal fusiliers, and the FIFTY-THIRD, were formed in brigade under Brigadier-General A. Campbell; and the officers and soldiers were highly gratified by the arrival of Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley to assume the command of the army.

The FIFTY-THIRD had the honor of taking part in the operations by which the French army under Marshal Soult was driven from Oporto: they were not engaged in forcing the passage of the Douro on the 12th of May; they had completed a short march and were going into billets at Cavalhos, when the order to advance arrived, and the soldiers evinced their ardour by cheerfully performing a long march at double quick time, and they were speedily across the river; but the action had ceased, and they went into quarters in the city of Oporto, after a march of twenty-eight miles.

After taking part in the pursuit of the French army through mountainous districts to the confines of Portugal, the FIFTY-THIRD retired to Oporto, where they halted one day; they afterwards proceeded to Coimbra, and in the early part of June to Abrantes.

Advancing into Spain, the FIFTY-THIRD shared in the operations which preceded the battle of Talavera, and suffered, in common with other corps, great privation from the want of supplies, the soldiers having no food, on many occasions, excepting corn gathered from the fields. In the action on the 28th of July, two companies of the FIFTY-THIRD particularly distinguished themselves: the other companies of the battalion were in reserve in the first instance; but they were brought forward, and assailing one of the enemy's columns of attack in flank, they greatly contributed to its discomfiture and overthrow, when thirteen pieces of artillery were captured. Sir Arthur Wellesley saw, from a hill at a short distance, the fighting at this part of the field, and sent twice to testify his approbation of the conduct of the brigade. The French were repulsed at all points; and the word "Talavera," on the colours of the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, commemorates the gallantry of the second battalion on this occasion: its loss was six soldiers killed; Major Kingscote, Captain Stawell, and twenty-nine rank and file wounded.

The following officers were at the battle of Talavera, on the 27th and 28th of July, 1809:—

Lieut.-Colonel G. R. Bingham. Majors W. Thursby and N. Kingscote. Captains H. Parker, John Robinson, O. G. Fehrszen, and J. L. Stawell. Lieutenants J. B. Glew, Charles Ribs, F. H. Fuller, D. Beatty, P. Hovenden, and C. Williams. Ensigns Edward Barlow, George Langton, G. C. Goff, Joseph Nicholson, J. Christie, J. J. C. Harrison, H. Brown, and J. Devenish. Adjutant John Carss. Surgeon J. Sandall. Assistant-Surgeon J. Dunn. Quarter-Master—Blackie.

The immense superiority of numbers which the French were enabled to bring forward at this period, prevented those decisive results following the victory at Talavera which might have been anticipated: the army withdrew behind the Tagus, and subsequently occupied a position on the Guadiana river, where many soldiers, whose strength had been exhausted by long marches under a hot sun and a scanty supply of provisions, died. In the autumn the battalion went into quarters at Olivença, and in December commenced its march across the country to Guarda in Portugal, where it arrived on the 11th of January, 1810.

In the beginning of March, 1810, the second battalion was removed from Guarda to several pleasant villages in the valley of the Mondego, where the health of the men quickly improved. A numerous French army, under Marshal Massena, advanced and besieged Ciudad Rodrigo; and on the 1st of July the FIFTY-THIRD proceeded to the Coa river, to support the light division, observe the bridge of Castel Bom, and the ford of Juan Miguel. The enemy, having captured Ciudad Rodrigo, advanced in great force to invade Portugal; Lord Wellington, not having an army sufficiently numerous to oppose the French in the field, retired: the FIFTY-THIRD fell back from the Coa upon Guarda, and afterwards withdrew gradually before the enemy, until it arrived at the rugged rocks of Busaco, where the French legions found their advance impeded by a formidable line of British bayonets. The FIFTY-THIRD were detached a short distance to the left, to observe a small mountain road which came round that flank of the position, and during the action on the 27th of September their post was not attacked. The French, being unable to force the position, turned it by a flank movement; and the British retreated to the fortified lines of Torres Vedras, where they opposed a front of battle which the French did not venture to attack; but, after reconnoitring the lines fell back to Santarem, where they remained during the winter.

In Portugal the opposing armies confronted each other until the 5th of March, when the French, having lost many men, and being unable to procure provisions, made a sudden retreat towards the frontiers of Portugal. The FIFTY-THIRD followed the retreating enemy—several skirmishes occurred; and towards the end of March the battalion went into quarters at the hamlet of Romilioza, in the valley of the Mondego.

Again advancing on the 2nd of April, the battalion approached the river Coa on the following day, when the French were driven from the vicinity of Sabugal. Four days afterwards it proceeded to Castel Bom; and on the 9th of April covered a reconnoissance, made by Colonel Fletcher of the Royal Engineers, on the fortress of Almeida, which was invested two days afterwards, when the FIFTY-THIRD took post on the east side of the town. They afterwards moved to San Pedro, and furnished piquets before the fortress.

When Marshal Massena advanced to raise the blockade of Almeida, the FIFTY-THIRD quitted San Pedro and took their station in the position near Fuentes d'Onor. The attacks of the enemy on the 3rd of May were repulsed; on the 5th they were renewed, and the FIFTY-THIRD advanced to support the piquets, which were engaged among some stone fences to the left of the village. As it advanced, the battalion was exposed to the fire of a French battery, but did not sustain any loss: it took post at the foot of a hill, and supported the piquets until the action ceased: the French being repulsed, they afterwards retreated.

The FIFTY-THIRD resumed their post before Almeida; but the French garrison contrived to destroy the works and guns of the fortress, and to effect its escape during the night of the 11th of May.

When the siege of Badajoz occasioned the advance of Marshal Marmont with the French army to Spanish Estremadura, the FIFTY-THIRD, and other corps left on the Agueda, made a corresponding movement, and joined the army under Lord Wellington in the Alemtejo. The French armies separating again, the FIFTY-THIRD returned, with the sixth division, of which they formed part, to the northern frontiers of Portugal. On the 11th of September the battalion crossed the Agueda river to the small village of Felicio Chico, to protect the inhabitants from the depredations of the garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo. A numerous French army advancing to throw a supply into that fortress, the FIFTY-THIRD withdrew across the river, and proceeded to Fuentes d'Onor; from whence they moved to the vicinity of Espejo. The French forces advancing, the allies, being much inferior in numbers, withdrew a few stages; the enemy soon retired again, and the FIFTY-THIRD went into village cantonments.

Major-General Campbell, being appointed to the staff of the army in India, took leave of the sixth division, in an order dated the 5th of November, and after expressing his thanks to the general officers commanding brigades, and officers commanding regiments, he adverted "to his feelings of regret at being about to separate from that brigade which it was so long his pride to command, and especially from the FIFTY-THIRD regiment, the only remaining corps of his original brigade, whose undaunted steadiness and gallantry, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Bingham, gained them the admiration of the army the first time they were under fire."

In January, 1812, when Lord Wellington besieged and captured Ciudad Rodrigo, the sixth division was at Penna Verde; but it advanced to the frontiers on the approach of the French army: when the enemy withdrew, the FIFTY-THIRD fell back to Grajal. They subsequently traversed the country to Elvas, and formed part of the covering army during the siege of Badajoz, which fortress was captured by storm on the 6th of April. After taking an active part in the operations of the covering army, the FIFTY-THIRD again marched northward, and halted at Castel de Vide on the 2nd of May.

The services of the second battalion in Portugal and Spain, had been equally meritorious with those of the first battalion in India. After returning from Spanish Estremadura, it reposed a short period in quarters: in May it moved forward to support the troops under Lieut.-General Hill in their attack on the French bridge at Almaraz, and afterwards returned to Castel de Vide.

In June the army passed the Agueda river and advanced to Salamanca, the French retiring upon Toro, but leaving a body of troops in two fortified convents. The FIFTY-THIRD were employed in the siege of these convents, and on the 18th of June Lieutenant J. H. Devenish was severely wounded in the trenches; he died on the 24th, and was buried in the church near the great square of the city. Marshal Marmont advancing to relieve the besieged convents, the regiment was twice removed from the siege to confront the French army; but the enemy did not hazard an attack. On the 23rd of June, when an unsuccessful attempt was made by the light infantry to capture the smaller convent by escalade, the regiment had three men killed; Lieutenant James Hamilton, and seven men, wounded. The progress of the siege was delayed by a scarcity of ammunition, but a supply was received. The smaller convent was captured by storm on the 27th of June; and the attack on the larger one had commenced, when the commandant surrendered.

Advancing from Salamanca the army proceeded to the banks of the Douro; but the French having been considerably reinforced, and having crossed that river, the allies fell back to the vicinity of Salamanca, where the two armies manœuvred on the 22nd of July, and the enemy, having weakened his centre in his attempt to turn the right flank of the allied army, Lord Wellington seized the favourable opportunity to commence the battle. The FIFTY-THIRD, with the other corps of the sixth division, supported the fourth division in its attack on the French army, and circumstances occurred which occasioned the regiment to be brought into action before the other corps of its division. The FIFTY-THIRD supported the twenty-third Portuguese regiment; and this corps giving way, the FIFTY-THIRD had to sustain the attack of a superior body of infantry supported by cavalry in front, at the same time they were exposed to the flank fire of the French posted on one of the hills called the Arapiles. The regiment withdrew from this unequal contest in good order, and forming square, resisted the charge of the French cavalry with great steadiness, thus affording an example of what can be effected by a small body of infantry, when charged by very superior numbers of cavalry. The officer at the head of the French dragoons having been wounded close to the bayonets of the square, and the success of the attack of the other regiments of the brigade to which the FIFTY-THIRD belonged becoming evident, the French cavalry retired, taking with them Captain Fehrszen and nine wounded men as prisoners. Lieut.-Colonel Bingham having been severely wounded, the command of the regiment devolved on Brevet Lieut.-Colonel John Mansel.

After resisting the charge of the French cavalry, the FIFTY-THIRD again advanced, and were engaged in the attack of the last position occupied by the enemy on that memorable day. This was a desperate musketry action in the dark, and the difficulties of the ascent of the mountain gave the French division, under General Maucune, formed on the summit, a decided advantage. The FIFTY-THIRD were on the left of the sixth division on this occasion, and the British gallantly won their way upwards, and finally forced the enemy to make a precipitate retreat.

Colonel Napier has given the following spirited description of this last attack, in his History of the Peninsular War:—"Assisted by a brigade of the fourth division, the troops then rushed up, and in the darkness of the night the fire showed from afar how the battle went. On the side of the British a sheet of flame was seen, sometimes advancing with an even front, sometimes pricking forth in spear heads, now falling back in waving lines, and anon darting upwards in one vast pyramid, the apex of which often approached, yet never gained, the actual summit of the mountain; but the French musketry, rapid as lightning, sparkled along the brow of the height with unvarying fulness, and with what desperate effects, the dark gaps and changing shapes of the adverse fire showed too plainly. Yet, when Pakenham had again turned the enemy's left, and Foy's division had glided into the forest, Maucune's task was completed, the effulgent crest of the ridge became black and silent, and the French army vanished, as it were, into darkness."

The French army was overpowered and driven from the field with severe loss: and the Royal authority was afterwards given for the FIFTY-THIRD regiment to bear the word "Salamanca" on its colours, to commemorate the distinguished conduct of the second battalion on this memorable occasion: Lieut.-Colonel Bingham and Lieut.-Colonel Mansel received gold medals.

Nineteen men were killed. Captain A. K. Blackhall died of his wounds, much regretted; Lieut.-Colonel Bingham, Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Robertson, Captains O. G. Fehrszen, J. W. Poppleton, D. M'Dougall, and John Fernandez, Lieutenants J. B. Hunter, and Joseph Nicholson, Ensign Peter Bunworth, Adjutant John Carss, Volunteer Munro Morphet, and seventy-six men were wounded; nine men wounded and prisoners. Captain Fehrszen was taken prisoner, but was left by the enemy at Alba de Tormes. The total loss amounted to nearly half the soldiers under arms on this occasion.

The following officers were in the field, and escaped uninjured:—Lieut.-Colonel John Mansel. Lieutenants P. Hovenden, and John Fraser. Ensigns W. Harrison, W. Baxter, George Fitzgerald, Robert Hilliard, J. W. Moir, and Michael Nagle. Surgeon T. Sandell; Assistant-Surgeon Charles MacLean.

On the day after the battle, Major-General Hulse was nominated to command the fifth division, when the command of the brigade devolved on Lieut.-Colonel Mansel of the FIFTY-THIRD, and that of the second battalion of the regiment on Lieutenant Hovenden. In August Lieut.-Colonel Bingham was sufficiently recovered of his wounds to resume his duty, when he took the command of the brigade, and Lieut.-Colonel Mansel that of the second battalion of the regiment.

Advancing in pursuit of the enemy, the army entered the city of Valladolid amidst the rejoicings of the people. The FIFTY-THIRD were afterwards left, with the sixth division, at the small town of Cuellar, in the province of Segovia, while Lord Wellington advanced with the army to Madrid. General Clauzel returning with the re-organized French army, the sixth division withdrew to Arevalo. Lord Wellington returning from Madrid, the French again retreated, and the allied army advanced up the beautiful Pisuerga and Arlanzan valleys, turning the enemy's positions and forcing him to continue his retreat beyond Burgos. The FIFTY-THIRD were employed in the siege of the castle of Burgos, in which service they had four men killed, Ensign Nagle, one serjeant, and several men wounded. Lieutenant Fraser distinguished himself at the attack of one of the out-works. The concentration of the enemy's numerous forces having rendered a retrograde movement necessary, the FIFTY-THIRD shared in the fatigues, privations, and sufferings of the retreat from Burgos to the frontiers of Portugal, where they went into winter-quarters; they were removed from the sixth to the fourth division, and formed in brigade with the third battalion of the twenty-seventh, and the first battalions of the fortieth and forty-eighth regiments, under Major-General William Anson.