History And Campaigns Of The Rifle Brigade Vol. II (1800-1809)

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Text originally published in 1912 under the same title.

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Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

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HISTORY & CAMPAIGNS OF THE RIFLE BRIGADE

BY

COLONEL WILLOUGHBY VERNER

(LATE RIFLE BRIGADE)

Author of

The Military Life of H.R.H. George, Duke of Cambridge, &c.

PART II

1809-1813

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

DEDICATION. 11

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 12

MAPS AND PLANS. 21

XIII.—THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION, JULY-DECEMBER 1809 21

XIV.—NORTHERN PORTUGAL, TO ILLUSTRATE PASSAGE OF THE DOURO, MAY 1809 22

XV.—THE FORCED MARCH OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE ON TALAVERA, JULY 1809 23

XVI.—BATTLE OF BUSSACO, SHOWING GENERAL DISPOSITIONS OF THE OPPOSING FORCES ON THE MORNING OF 27 SEPTEMBER 1810 24

XVII.—BATTLE OF BUSSACO, 27 SEPTEMBER 1810, SHOWING NEY’S ATTACK ON THE LIGHT DIVISION 25

XVIII.—BATTLE OF BARROSA, 5 MARCH 1811 26

XIX.—BATTLE OF FUENTES DE OÑORO, 5 MAY 1811 27

XX.—SKETCH-MAP ILLUSTRATING OPERATIONS OF THE LIGHT DIVISION ON THE COA AND AGUEDA, 1810-1812 28

XXI.—S.W. ANDALUSIA, TO ILLUSTRATE CAMPAIGN OF BARROSA AND SIEGE OF TARIFA, 1811 29

XXII.—DEFENCE OF TARIFA, DECEMBER 1811—JANUARY 1812 30

XXIII.—ATTACK OF CIUDAD RODRIGO, 8-19 JANUARY 1812 31

XXIV.—ATTACK OF BADAJOZ, 17 MARCH-6 APRIL 1812 32

XXV.—COUNTRY NEAR SALAMANCA, TO ILLUSTRATE OPERATIONS IN JULY AND NOVEMBER 1812 AND IN MAY 1813 33

XXVI.—SKETCH-MAP TO ILLUSTRATE WELLINGTON’S ADVANCE FROM VALLADOLID TO THE FRENCH FRONTIER, JUNE 1813. INSET: BATTLE OF VITORIA, 21 JUNE 1813. 34

XXVII.—LISBON TO VALLADOLID, TO ILLUSTRATE CAMPAIGNS OF 1809 TO 1813. 35

XXVIII.—GENERAL MAP OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL 36

CHAPTER 1.—THE DEVELOPMENT OF RIFLE FIRE IN THE BRITISH ARMY, 1800-1815. 37

After Coruña—Making good the losses—Call for Volunteers—Wide popularity of the Rifle Corps—Raising the 3rd Battalion—The new Colonels-Commandant—The development of the cult of the rifle—Various rifle corps in the British Service—The West India Garrison—Foreign rifle corps in these islands—Their drafting into the 60th—Baron Hompesch and Prince Löwenstein raise new rifle corps—Dress of riflemen in the Continental armies at this period—Copied by British Army—Introduction of rifle companies into British Regiments of the Line—De Rolls Regiment—Bourbon and Ceylon Regiments—Rifle Companies in the East Indies—Chasseurs Britanniques—The Dutch Regiment of Rifles—The Black Brunswickers —The King’s German Legion—Its Light Battalions and Sharpshooters—The Portuguese Caçadores—Their armament and uniform—The armament of the various rifle corps—The manufacture and issue of Baker rifles 1803-1809. 37

CHAPTER II.—THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION, 1809. 47

The inception of the Expedition—Napoleon’s attempt to overawe Austria—Austrians invade Italy and Bavaria—Napoleon attacks Austria—British Government decides on an attack on Flushing—General strategy of the Campaign—Strength and composition of the British Force—The British Fleet and transports—Antagonism between our soldiers and sailors—The general topography of the Scheldt below Antwerp—The plan of Campaign—The Expedition sails—The 2nd Battalion 95th leaves Hythe—Strength and Composition—It embarks at Deal—The landing in Walcheren—French driven back—The affair of Humbley’s piquet—The advance on Flushing—Flushing invested—The British sailors take to skirmishing—Hope lands in South Beveland—Bat occupied—The landing in Kadsand abandoned—The Siege of Flushing—The French make a sortie—The Light Division arrives—Stewart’s Brigade lands in South Beveland—Rifleman Jackman’s exploit—The French cut the sea dykes and inundate Walcheren—Outbreak of sickness among British troops—The siege batteries open—Surrender of Flushing—The Riflemen in South Beveland—Serious sickness among troops—The French receive strong reinforcements—Chatham decides not to advance on Antwerp—Dissensions between Chatham and Strachan—Appalling increase of sickness—Evacuation of South Beveland—The Rifles re-embark and land at Deal—Great sickness at Hythe—Losses of the 95th—Withdrawal from Walcheren—Immense number of sick—Total Casualties in Army—Heavy death roll—Chief reasons for the failure—Anxiety caused to Napoleon—William Stewart’s notes and criticisms on the Expedition—Far-reaching effects of the Walcheren fever. 47

NOMINAL LIST OF OFFICERS OF THE 2ND BATTALION 95TH RIFLES WHO SERVED IN THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION, 1809. 64

CHAPTER III.—THE DOURO CAMPAIGN, 1809. 65

The situation in Portugal after Coruña—Sir John Cradock’s difficulties—Formation of the two Battalions of Detachments—The 95th supply the 1st Rifle Company—Sir Arthur Wellesley’s scheme for defence of Portugal—The Military situation in the Peninsula in the Spring of 1809—Wellesley organizes his force—His system of employing Riflemen as skirmishers discussed—The formation of the 1st Rifle Company —Wellesley advances from Coimbra—The French driven from the Heights of Grijo—Soult’s dispositions at Oporto—Wellesley forces the passage of the Douro—Losses in this operation—Wellesley calls attention in a G.O. to the activity and conduct of the 95th and mentions our Riflemen in Despatches—Pursuit of Soult—His line of retreat cut off—He in consequence destroys his artillery and baggage and retreats through the mountains—Wellesley pursues and drives him across the frontier—Comparison of Moore’s and Soult’s retreats. 65

CHAPTER IV.—THE CAMPAIGN OF TALAVERA AND THE FORCED MARCH OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE, 1809. 76

Positions of the French in May and June, 1809—The first inception of The Light Division—Wellesley’s advance from Portugal—Battle of Talavera—Share of the 1st Battalion of Detachments in the fight—The French attack repelled—The Light Brigade arrives on the battlefield too late after its famous forced march—Losses of the British in the Battle. — The 1st Battalion 95th Rifles embark for Portugal—Delays on the outward voyage—Arrival at Lisbon—March up country—Craufurd issues his famous Standing Orders for Marches—Resentment caused thereby—The daily march routine—Arrival at Naval Moral—Description of the country—The Light Brigade reaches Calzada—Urgent appeal from Wellesley—The Forced march—Oropesa—Arrival on Battlefield of Talavera—Actual distance covered critically examined—The strategic situation after Talavera—Soult, Ney and Mortier cut into the British line of communications—Cuesta retreats from Talavera—Wellesley’s retirement to Arzobispo—The Light Brigade guards the Tagus at Almaraz—Lack of rations—Dough-boy Hill and the Valley of Starvation—Outpost courtesies—The private signals of our Riflemen to the French—Craufurd’s increasing unpopularity—Withdrawal to Portugal—Campo Mayor—Winter quarters and winter sport—Great sickness among troops—Inception of the Lines of Torres Vedras. 76

THE FORCED MARCH. 82

CHAPTER V.—THE DEFENCE OF PORTUGAL, 1809-1810. 91

BARBA DEL PUERCO, 1810. 91

Military situation after Talavera—Spanish plans for carrying on the War—Wellington declines to co-operate—The defence of Portugal and Lisbon—The lines of advance open to the French—Distribution of the French Armies in the Peninsula—Wellington’s general dispositions to defend Portugal—Soult invades Andalucía—The Spaniards abandon Seville and fall back on Cadiz—British troops, including two Companies of the Rifles arrive at Cadiz—Craufurd marches from Campo Mayor and crosses the Tagus—Outpost lines on the Douro, the Agueda and the Dos Casas—The 1st King’s German Hussars join the Light Brigade—Craufurd’s system of outposts described—Barba del Puerco—O’Hare’s Company on piquet—Dispositions for the night—Attempted surprise by the French—A desperate defence—Beckwith arrives—Extracts from Regimental accounts of the affair—Craufurd’s Divisional Order on the fight—Wellington mentions it in Despatches and in letters—Sidney Beckwith: an ideal Commanding Officer—The expansion of The Light Brigade into The Light Division 91

BARBA DEL PUERCO. 97

CHAPTER VI.—THE LIGHT DIVISION. 102

The soul of a fighting Division—Wellington’s appreciation of the Light Division—His views of fighting the French—The weapon fashioned by Moore and developed by Craufurd—The Regiments of the Light Brigade—The Rifles, the 43rd Light Infantry and the 52nd Light Infantry—Their confidence in one another—The peculiar characteristics of each corps—Craufurd as a leader—His deserved unpopularity at first; the change that came—The men realize the reasons for and the advantages of, his stern rule—Craufurd and the Commissary—The unbounded confidence of the Light Division—Irrepressible cheeriness of Officers—High spirits and recklessness of the men—A very forward Rifleman—The component parts of the Division—The Chestnut Troop—The German Hussars—The British Light Dragoons; the Heavy Dragoons—The Caçadores—Martial appearance of the Light Division. 102

CHAPTER VII.—OPERATIONS ON THE COA, 1810. 110

Napoleon’s orders for the invasion of Portugal—Masséna invests Ciudad Rodrigo—The Light Division takes up the line of the Azava—Affair at Gallegos, 4 July—Fall of Ciudad Rodrigo—Skirmish near Barquilla—Disastrous charge of 14th Light Dragoons and death of Colonel Talbot—Severe criticisms on Craufurd—Wellington’s view of the matter—His censure on camp scribes—The Light Division holds the line of the Dos Casas and covers Almeida—Craufurd’s orders to withdraw west of the Coa—Ney advances in force, 21 July—Craufurd declines to retire—Ney’s attack on 24 July—Vigorous advance of French—Critical position of Craufurd—He falls back on the Coa—The Rifles and 43rd cover the retirement—Ney’s repeated attempts to storm the Bridge repulsed—Losses of the Rifles in the fight—Lieutenant M’Culloch’s adventures—Edward Costello’s escape—The Light Division falls back on Valverde—Criticisms on Craufurd’s management of the fight—Failure of Picton to support Craufurd—Unfortunate jealousies—Wellington’s high praise of the 43rd, 52nd and 95th—His implied censure of Craufurd. 110

CHAPTER VIII.—BATTLE OF BUSSACO, 1810. 124

The Light Division formed into two Brigades—Masséna advances—Almeida invested—Explosion of grand magazine—Surrender of fortress—Wellington retires on Celorico—Masséna’s feints—Wellington retires on Bussaco—The Light Division covers the retirement—Craufurd again waits too long—Masséna’s army concentrates in front of Bussaco—The position at Bussaco—Wellington’s general dispositions—The Battle—Reynier’s attacks on British right—Craufurd’s position on British left—Ney attacks—Advance of Loison’s Division up the heights—Overwhelming counter-attack by Craufurd—Marchand’s Division repulsed—Letter from Jonathan Leach describing battle—Losses of the French in the attacks—Oman’s and Chambers’ accounts of details of fight—Losses of the French—Losses of the Anglo-Portuguese—Masséna’s and Wellington’s estimates at the time. 124

CHAPTER IX.—THE LINES OF TORRES VEDRAS, 1810. 139

The day after Bussaco—Masséna endeavours to march round Wellington’s left flank—Wellington withdraws—The Light Division covers the retreat at Coimbra—The French sack Coimbra—Successive stands of the Light Division—Masséna first learns of the existence of the famous Lines—King John’s tomb at Batalha—Narrow escape of rearguard at Batalha—Trant’s Portuguese capture Masséna’s hospital at Coimbra—Sharp affair at Alemquer—Montbrun’s cavalry press Craufurd—The Light Division reaches Arruda—The Lines of Torres Vedras described—Wellington’s dispositions for their defence—The signal stations and telegraphs—Junot arrives at Sobral and is held up—Arrival of Masséna—Skirmish at the Serra de Agraça—The 3rd Battalion of the 95th Rifles receives its Baptism of Fire—The Sector held by the Light Division—Arrival of tents—Strengthening of the field defences—The French outpost line—Sad condition of Portuguese refugees—The French fall back from Arruda—The Light Division follows in pursuit—The French stand at Cartaxo—Wellington stops Craufurd’s attack—Craufurd’s speech to the men pace Leach—The French hold the Bridge at Santarem—Craufurd’s nocturnal escapade—Winter Cantonments at Vallé—British Naval Officers and French sentries—The 2nd Battalion during 1810—The 3rd Battalion in 1810. 139

THE LINES OF TORRES VEDRAS. 143

NOTES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE REGIMENT IN 1809-1810. 152

CHAPTER X.—THE CAMPAIGN OF BARROSA, 1811. 156

Position of French Northern Armies in 1810—Activity of Spanish guerrilleros against the French lines of communication—Some famous Brigand Chiefs—Deplorable results of guerrilla warfare—Terrible reprisals on both sides—Suchet’s operations in Catalonia; he captures Lerida and Tortosa—Soult’s operations in Andalucía—Sébastiani raids Murcia—Napoleon orders Soult to assist Masséna with Mortier’s Corps—Soult’s campaign in Estremadura; he captures Badajoz—Victor’s position at Cadiz—The Allies plan an attack on his rear—The landing at Algeciras and march to Tarifa—Night march on Casas Viejas—The flank march on Vejer—Fording the Laguna de la Jan da—The advance on Barrosa—Numbers of the contending forces—Description of the battlefield—The fight on the Almanza Creek—La Peña marches on the Isla and orders Graham to follow—Marshal Victor’s sudden appearance—Graham’s quick resolve to fight—Browne’s Flank Battalion attacks and is driven back—Norcott’s Riflemen cover the right attack—Major-General Dilkes’s Brigade advances—Capture of the Cerro and defeat of Ruffin’s Division—Barnard’s Riflemen cover the left attack—Brigadier-General Wheatley’s Brigade advances—Graham’s charge—Overthrow of Leval’s Division—Victor retires—La Peña’s fatal inaction—End of the battle—Losses of British and French—Losses of the Rifles—Trophies of the fight—Graham’s praise of Barnard and Norcott and of the Riflemen—Wellington’s approbation of Graham—La Peña’s reward—The results of the campaign—Incidents of the fight—The 3rd Battalion on rearguard—Notes on the topography of the battlefield—Popular error with regard to Barrosa Hill. 156

NOTE ON THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE BATTLEFIELD OF BARROSA. 175

CHAPTER XI.—MASSÉNA’S RETREAT, 1811. 177

Wellington’s anxieties and Masséna’s predicament—Life at Vallé—The Black Brunswickers and the Regimental dog—Junot withdraws from Santarem—The Light Division follows in pursuit—Terrible devastation wrought by French—Masséna’s Army in full retreat—Affair at Paialvo—Skirmish at Leiria—Riflemen mounted behind Royal Dragoons—Erskine succeeds Craufurd in command of the Light Division—The Fight at Pombal—Affair at Condeixa—The Combat of Redinha—Wellington’s praise of the Rifles—Outpost courtesies—Masséna abandons the Coimbra road—Fight at Casal Novo—A steady sturdy old Rifleman—A long running fight—Death of Major John Stewart—Marbot’s combat with a Rifle officer—Fight at Foz d’Aronce—Shortage of rations—Masséna abandons his transport—Wellington’s commendation of the Light Division’s work—A question of Military Education—Kincaid’s views—Losses of the Light Division—and other Divisions—Celorico occupied—Pursuit of Masséna up the Alva valley, Masséna’s flank move on Guarda—Affair at Freixeda—Death of the Adjutant, Lieutenant James Stewart—The Light Division and Cavalry move on Guarda—Loison retires on Sabugal—The Action of Sabugal—The Light Division crosses the river alone—A light in a fog—Beckwith’s Brigade heavily engaged—Drummond’s Brigade arrives—Picton’s Division crosses the river—Withdrawal of French—Beckwith’s fine conduct in the fight—Old Trousers—Wellington’s praise of Beckwith’s Brigade—Masséna retreats into Spain—The Light Division takes up its old outpost line on the Agueda. 177

FIGHT AT POMBAL—10 MARCH 1811. 180

COMBAT OF REDINHA—12 MARCH, 1811. 182

AFFAIR AT CONDEIXA—13 MARCH 1811. 185

ACTION OF CASAL NOVO—14 MARCH 1811. 185

FIGHT AT FOZ D’ARONCE—15 MARCH, 1811. 190

ACTION OF SABUGAL—3 APRIL, 1811. 198

CHAPTER XII.—FUENTES DE OÑORO, 1811. 205

Blockade of Almeida—Affair at the Bridge of Marialva—Masséna’s impending advance—Wellington decides to oppose him at Fuentes de Oñoro—Description of the village and position—Fuentes d’Onor versus Fuentes de Oñoro—Strength of the opposing Forces—Masséna crosses the Agueda—The Light Division driven hack—Wellington’s dispositions—The Light Division retires through Fuentes de Oñoro—Combat of 3 May—Masséna’s reconnaissance on the 4th—His plan of attack for the 5th—Wellington’s revised dispositions—Craufurd returns to the Army—Cordial welcome by the Light Division—Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro—The French cavalry seize Nave d’Haver—British driven out of Poço Velho—The 7th Division in retreat—Arrival of the Light Division—Riflemen hold the wood at Poço Velho—The Light Division covers the retreat of 7th Division—The French cavalry attempt to overwhelm the British right—Craufurd’s masterly retreat across open country—Splendid aid given by British cavalry—Norman Ramsay’s exploit—The Light Division joins Wellington’s new line—Renewed French attacks with infantry and cavalry driven off.—Masséna’s attack on Fuentes de Oñoro—Heavy fighting in the village—Final victory of the British—End of the Battle—Beckwith’s Brigade holds the village at nightfall—The Rifles and 9th Léger meet on the bridge—Interview with French officers—Losses in the Battle—Masséna withdraws behind the Agueda—The French destroy Almeida—Escape of General Brennier and his garrison—Masséna is superseded by Marmont—The Light Division once again on the Azava. 205

COMBAT OF FUENTES DE OÑORO—3 MAY, 1811. 208

BATTLE OF FUENTES DE OÑORO—5 MAY, 1811. 210

CHAPTER XIII.—ON THE PORTUGUESE FRONTIER, MAY—DECEMBER, 1811. 219

Soult’s attempt to relieve Badajoz. Battle of Albuera—Badajoz re-invested—Wellington raises the siege—Marmont reorganizes his Army—He marches on Badajoz—The Light Division on the Agueda—March to Alemtejo—Excessive heat—D’Erlon joins Soult—They join Marmont at Badajoz—Wellington’s position on the Caya—The Marshals reconnoitre the British position—and decide not to attack—The French armies disperse—Wellington orders disembarkation of his siege-train—The Army returns to Rodrigo—Barnard with 3rd Battalion Companies join the Light Division—Departure of Sidney Beckwith—Serious sickness on the Agueda—Outpost work and reconnaissance near Rodrigo—Marmont moves north on Rodrigo—Is joined by Dorsenne from Salamanca—Wellington stands at Fuente Guinaldo—Combat of El Bodon—A narrow escape—Craufurd’s obstinacy—Wellington’s greeting on his arrival—Accounts by Leach, Kincaid and Simmons of the episode—Wellington withdraws to position near Souto—Marmont again declines action and retires—The French go into winter quarters—New arrangement of the Light Division—Life of the Rifle officers in winter quarters—Hill’s raid into Estremadura—Surprise of Arroyo Molinos—Composition and distribution of the three Battalions of the 95th Rifles during the year 1811—The Hythe Tablet. 219

NOTE ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE REGIMENT IN 1811. 229

CHAPTER XIV.—EASTERN AND SOUTHERN SPAIN, 1811-12: SIEGE OF TARIFA. 232

Review of Operations in Eastern Spain, 1811—The Spaniards re-lake Figueras—Suchet’s Operations in Catalonia—Siege of Tarragona—British expedition to assist defenders—A Detachment of the 3rd Battalion 95th Rifles accompanies it—Fall of Tarragona—The French re-capture Figueras—Blake embarks at Ayamonte for Murcia—Soult marches against him from Seville—Ballesteros follows Blake from Ayamonte and gains the serrania of Ronda—A Company of the 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles joins him—Napoleon’s fresh orders—Suchet defeats Blake—Fall of Murviedro—Failure of Montbrun and Soult to assist Suchet—Soult’s difficulties—Tarifa a base of operations—The British Garrison there—Description of the old fortress—Captain Charles Smith, R.E., organizes the defences—Victor’s force—He marches on Tarifa—British men-of-war hold up his siege-train—Desultory fighting outside Tarifa—Riflemen mounted on artillery chargers—The siege commences—The bombardment—The walls breached—Summons to surrender refused—Disposition of defenders to guard breach—The French attempt to storm the place—Repulse of the Storming columns—Miserable condition of the attackers—Victor abandons the siege and retires—Loss of the French siege-train—Heavy French casualties—Wellington’s opinion of the defensibility of Tarifa before and after the siege—His high approbation of the defenders—Napier’s dictum—General Order thanking Captain Jenkins’s Riflemen for their distinguished gallantry 232

CHAPTER XV.—STORM OF CIUDAD RODRIGO AND DEATH OF ROBERT CRAUFURD, 1812. 246

Wellington reorganizes his transport—His dispositions for the siege—Description of the Fortress—A mid-winter Campaign—The attack on the Renaud redoubt—Successful coup-de-main by Colborne—Losses of the Rifles—The French Captain’s lesson in English—The Light Division on trench-duty—The icy waters of the Agueda—The Garrison make a sortie—The British batteries open lire—Riflemen in the advanced saps—The Highland Company on trench-guard—The walls are breached—The Light Division ordered up—Wellington’s general plan of attack—His orders for the Storm—Craufurd issues his orders—Simmons and the ladders—The Light Division storm the Lesser Breach—Craufurd mortally wounded—The 3rd Division storm the Great Breach—Capture of the Fortress—The orgie of pillage and plunder—Order restored—The Rifles march out—An unrecognizable Corps—Losses of the Rifles—Total losses of the British and French—Captain Uniacke’s death—Craufurd’s last hours—His funeral—The tribute of the Light Division to his memory—Wellington’s testimony—A great trainer and leader of men. 246

CHAPTER XVI.—THE STORM OF BADAJOZ, 1812. 266

Napoleon’s fresh orders—Wellington decides to attack Badajoz—Distribution of Marmont’s and Soult’s Armies at this time—After the storm of Rodrigo—Military executions—March to Badajoz—Cant names of Divisions—Badajoz invested—Description of the fortress—Wellington’s plan of attack—Commencement of Siege—Fort Picurina stormed—The breaching batteries established—Riflemen’s duties during the Siege—The ramparts breached—Marmont’s and Soult’s movements—Philippon’s defensive measures—Wellington’s orders for the Storm—Anxiety of our men to storm the place—The first attack of the 3rd Division—The great attack on the breaches—Terrible slaughter—Death in many forms—The Light Division and 4th Division ordered to retire—Wellington orders a renewed attack—Escalade of the Castle by the 3rd Division—The 5th Division escalade the San Vincente Bastion—Capture of the Fortress—Losses of the various Divisions—Losses in the 95th Rifles—Sack of Badajoz—How Peter O’Hare died—A Lieut.-Colonel or cold meat—Harry Smith’s romantic adventure: and marriage—Wellington’s attack criticized by the men who made it—Badajoz revisited—Memories of the Storm—Napier’s splendid eulogy of the heroism of our men. 266

CHAPTER XVII.—CAMPAIGN OF SALAMANCA, 1812. 287

Reasons for the failure of the French to relieve Badajoz. Soult’s difficulties—Marmont’s raid into Northern Portugal—Wellington marches on Ciudad Rodrigo—Marmont retires on Salamanca—Wellington halts at Fuente Guinaldo—Baron Charles Alten appointed to command the Light Division—The Bridge of Almaraz—Wellington improves his communications—A satisfactory inspection—Distribution of the French at opening of the Campaign—Wellington advances—Marmont falls back, Salamanca occupied—Attack on the forts—Marmont threatens to attack—The forts are captured—Marmont withdraws across the Douro—Skirmish at Rueda—The famous wine vaults—Tragic death of Sir Arthur—Marmont reinforced—Wellington retires to Castrejon—Narrow escape of Lord Wellington—Hard swearing—Marmont tries to outflank the Allies—The famous parallel march near Salamanca—The Tormes recrossed—The morn of Salamanca—The Battle: Wellington’s dispositions—Description of ground—Marmont’s fatal flank march—Wellington’s counter-stroke. Pakenham’s gallant attack—Charge of the Heavy Cavalry—The French left overwhelmed—Desperate fight for the Greater Arapil—The French defeated everywhere—Foy covers the retreat—French losses—Losses of the Allies. 287

THE BATTLE OF SALAMANCA—22 JULY, 1812. 298

CHAPTER XVIII.—THE OCCUPATION OF MADRID AND RETREAT TO THE PORTUGUESE FRONTIER, 1812. 302

The retreat of the French after Salamanca—The Light Division in pursuit—Cavalry action at Garcia Hernandez—The Division reaches Olmedo—General Férey’s grave—Vindictive behaviour of the Spaniards—The Rifle officers re-inter Férey’s body—King Joseph advances from Madrid but hearing of Wellington’s victory, falls back—The Light Division drives Clausel northward across the Douro—It crosses the Guadarrama Mountains—The British Army enters Madrid—A shortage of pay—Impecuniosity of the Rifle officers—The Light Division forms part of the Madrid garrison—Soult’s troubles in Andalucía—He raises the blockade of Cadiz and retires on Seville—Skerrett advances on Seville—Soult falls back on Cordoba and Granada—British reach Seville—Two Companies of the 95th Rifles attack the bridge—Seville occupied—The Riflemen mentioned in despatches—Soult joins King Joseph and Suchet north of Alicante—Hill marches to Aranjuez to cover Madrid—King Joseph advances on Madrid—Soult attacks Hill—Skerrett defends bridge—Cadoux’s and Jenkins’s Companies sharply engaged and highly commended—Wellington marches north and attacks Burgos—Failure of repeated assaults—Souham advances with large force to raise the siege—Hill obliged to retire before King Joseph—Wellington raises siege of Burgos and falls back on Madrid—Hill leaves Madrid—He joins Wellington near Salamanca—King Joseph’s armies reach the Tormes—Soult crosses the river—Wellington takes up a new position—The Retreat on Portugal—Hardships and starvation—Combat near San Munoz—Wellington reaches Ciudad Rodrigo—Winter Quarters on the Azava—Wellington’s severe Circular on conduct of the retreat—Justifiable resentment of the Light Division—Spanish recruits—Issue of tents—The tente d’abri—Issue of light camp kettles—A suggestion of Craufurd’s—The Riflemen get a refit—New Green Jackets—Regimental transport—British reinforcements—Life in winter quarters—An officers’ mess—Private Theatricals—Letter from Charles Beckwith to William Napier—Strength of the Battalions and Depots of the Rifles during 1812—A Light Division Playbill. 302

COMBAT OF SAN MUNOZ ON THE HUEBRA, 17 OCTOBER. 311

STRENGTH OF THE BATTALIONS AND DEPOTS DURING 1812. 318

THE OCCUPATION OF MADRID, 1812. 320

CHAPTER XIX.—THE CAMPAIGN OF VITORIA, 1813. 321

General line held by French Armies during the winter of 1812-13—Guerrilla risings in the North—Distribution of the Spanish Armies—Value of British Seapower—Wellington’s famous plan of Campaign—Dispositions to oppose Wellington’s advance—Opening of the Campaign of 1813—General summary of Wellington’s advance to the Douro—Final composition of the Light Division—The advance to Salamanca—Light Dragoons and Ross’s guns engaged—The Douro crossed at Toro—King Joseph’s uncertainties—He falls back on the Pisuerga—Reille’s rearguard driven from the Hormaza—The Light Division cross the Ebro—A beautiful Country—Joseph’s stand at Pancorbo—Wellington turns his right flank—The French Armies cut off from the Coast—Wellington’s change of base—An outcome of British Sea-power—The Combat of San Millan—Vitoria and its surroundings—Joseph decides to stand and fight at Vitoria—Wellington’s orders for the attack—Battle of Vitoria—The Light Division cross the Zadorra—The 95th Rifles cover the advance of Picton’s Division—Capture of Ariñez—Lieut. Fitz Maurice takes the first French gun—The final advance—King Joseph’s flight—Enormous booty taken by the victors—The Pursuit—Successive stands by French rearguards—The Riflemen capture the last of the French guns—The pursuers halt outside Pamplona—Losses in the Battle—Retreat of King Joseph’s Army to the French Frontier—Wellington attempts to intercept Clausel’s retreat, but fails—Suchet’s operations in Eastern Spain during the Vitoria campaign. 321

THE COMBAT OF SAN MILLAN. 329

THE BATTLE OF VITORIA—21 JUNE 1813. 332

APPENDIX I.—THE LIGHT-ARMED MARKSMEN OF THE NORTH YORK MILITIA. 343

APPENDIX II.—THE TOMB OF THE FOUNDER OF THE RIFLE CORPS, MAJOR-GENERAL COOTE MANNINGHAM. 346

APPENDIX III.—THE FORCED MARCH ON TALAVERA. 348

APPENDIX IV.—SOME NOTES ON MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT CRAUFURD. 362

APPENDIX V.—SOME NOTES ON THE DIARIES, AUTOBIOGRAPHIES AND BOOKS UPON WHICH THIS HISTORY IS BASED. 368

REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 373

DEDICATION.

DEDICATED

TO

FIELD-MARSHAL

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS

THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT AND STRATHEARN

COLONEL-IN-CHIEF

OF

THE RIFLE BRIGADE

BY

HIS MOST OBEDIENT AND HUMBLE SERVANT

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

1.—FIELD MARSHAL THE MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON (photogravure)

(From a painting by Robert Home. Engraved by D. Weis.)

2.—THE BAKER RIFLE AND SWORD-BAYONET

3.—BRITISH OFFICER, 95TH REGIMENT, OR RIFLE CORPS, ABOUT 1811

(Enlarged facsimile of the plate in Goddard’s Military Costume of Europe, published 1812.)

4.—THE COMBAT OF THE COA, 24 JULY 1810

(From the sketch by J. P. Beadle.)

5.—PRIVATE RIFLEMAN, THE 95TH, OR RIFLE REGIMENT, ABOUT 1810

(Based on Goddard’s Military Costume of Europe, published 1812.)

6.—OFFICER, THE 95TH, OR RIFLE REGIMENT, ABOUT 1811

(From a watercolor sketch from life of Captain E. Kent, 95th Rifles, made by a brother officer during the Peninsular War.)

7.—TOMB OF THE FOUNDER OF THE RIFLE CORPS, MAJOR-GENERAL COOTE MANNINGHAM

(From a photograph by Major W. H. Davies, late 3rd Bn. R.B.)

8.—TROPHY OF ARMS AND EQUIPMENT OF RIFLEMEN ON TOMB OF THE FOUNDER

(From a photograph by Major W. H. Davies, late 3rd Bn. R.B.)

THE BAKER RIFLE AND SWORD-BAYONET.

Baker rifle with triangular bayonet, first issued to The Rifle Corps, 1800.

Total length with bayonet fixed, 5 ft. 4 in.

Baker rifle with flat-bladed sword bayonet, issued to The Rifle Corps about 1802.

Total length with sword fixed, 5 ft. 10 in.

Smooth-bore musket with triangular bayonet, used by the British army during 18th century and first half of 19th.

Total length with bayonet fixed, 6 ft. O in.

(TOP) Bayonet for musket, length 21 in.

(MIDDLE) Bayonet for rifle, length 21 in.

(BOTTOM) Sword-bayonet for rifle, length 27 in.

BRITISH OFFICER, 95th REGIMENT, OR RIFLE CORPS,

ABOUT 1811.

The 95th are the only Corps of British Riflemen.

(Enlarged facsimile of the plate in Goddard’s Military Costume of Europe, pubd. 1812.)

THE COMBAT OF THE COA.

24 JULY 1810.

The Last Stand made by the Rifle Corps and the 43rd Light Infantry to Cover the Retirement across the Bridge.

(From a sketch by J. P. Beadle.)

PRIVATE RIFLEMAN, THE 95th, OR RIFLE REGIMENT, ABOUT 1810.

(Based on Goddard’s Military Costume of Europe, pubd. 1812.)

OFFICER, THE 95th, OR RIFLE REGIMENT, ABOUT 1811.

(From a watercolour sketch from life of Captain E. Kent, 95th Rifles, made by a brother officer during the Peninsular War.)

TOMB OF THE FOUNDER OF THE RIFLE CORPS

MAJOR-GENERAL COOTE MANNINGHAM

(born 1766, died 1809)

AT LITTLE BOOKHAM, NEAR LEATHERHEAD, SURREY.

TROPHY OF RIFLEMEN’S ARMS AND EQUIPMENT

ON TOMB OF THE FOUNDER OF THE RIFLE CORPS.

KEY TO PLATE.

MAPS AND PLANS.

I-XII.—(See Part I).

XIII.—THE WALCHEREN EXPEDITION, JULY-DECEMBER 1809

XIV.—NORTHERN PORTUGAL, TO ILLUSTRATE PASSAGE OF THE DOURO, MAY 1809

XV.—THE FORCED MARCH OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE ON TALAVERA, JULY 1809

XVI.—BATTLE OF BUSSACO, SHOWING GENERAL DISPOSITIONS OF THE OPPOSING FORCES ON THE MORNING OF 27 SEPTEMBER 1810

XVII.—BATTLE OF BUSSACO, 27 SEPTEMBER 1810, SHOWING NEY’S ATTACK ON THE LIGHT DIVISION

XVIII.—BATTLE OF BARROSA, 5 MARCH 1811

XIX.—BATTLE OF FUENTES DE OÑORO, 5 MAY 1811

XX.—SKETCH-MAP ILLUSTRATING OPERATIONS OF THE LIGHT DIVISION ON THE COA AND AGUEDA, 1810-1812

XXI.—S.W. ANDALUSIA, TO ILLUSTRATE CAMPAIGN OF BARROSA AND SIEGE OF TARIFA, 1811

XXII.—DEFENCE OF TARIFA, DECEMBER 1811—JANUARY 1812

ROUGH SKETCH TO ILLUSTRATE THE SIEGE OF TARIFA, Dec. 1811–Jan. 1812.

Compiled from various old Plans and from sketches and notes made during visits in 1911-1915.

The form-lines indicate the general run of the ground.

The dotted line A B shows where the Retiro Stream now runs to the sea through a tunnel.

XXIII.—ATTACK OF CIUDAD RODRIGO, 8-19 JANUARY 1812

ATTACK OF CIUDAD RODRIGO 8-19 JANUARY, 1812.

(From Jones’s Sieges).

XXIV.—ATTACK OF BADAJOZ, 17 MARCH-6 APRIL 1812

XXV.—COUNTRY NEAR SALAMANCA, TO ILLUSTRATE OPERATIONS IN JULY AND NOVEMBER 1812 AND IN MAY 1813

XXVI.—SKETCH-MAP TO ILLUSTRATE WELLINGTON’S ADVANCE FROM VALLADOLID TO THE FRENCH FRONTIER, JUNE 1813. INSET: BATTLE OF VITORIA, 21 JUNE 1813.

XXVII.—LISBON TO VALLADOLID, TO ILLUSTRATE CAMPAIGNS OF 1809 TO 1813.

XXVIII.—GENERAL MAP OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

CHAPTER 1.—THE DEVELOPMENT OF RIFLE FIRE IN THE BRITISH ARMY, 1800-1815.

After Coruña—Making good the losses—Call for Volunteers—Wide popularity of the Rifle Corps—Raising the 3rd Battalion—The new Colonels-Commandant—The development of the cult of the rifle—Various rifle corps in the British Service—The West India Garrison—Foreign rifle corps in these islands—Their drafting into the 60th—Baron Hompesch and Prince Löwenstein raise new rifle corps—Dress of riflemen in the Continental armies at this period—Copied by British Army—Introduction of rifle companies into British Regiments of the Line—De Rolls Regiment—Bourbon and Ceylon Regiments—Rifle Companies in the East Indies—Chasseurs Britanniques—The Dutch Regiment of Rifles—The Black Brunswickers —The King’s German Legion—Its Light Battalions and Sharpshooters—The Portuguese Caçadores—Their armament and uniform—The armament of the various rifle corps—The manufacture and issue of Baker rifles 1803-1809.

THE year 1809 as we have seen opened inauspiciously for England. True Sir John Moore had defeated Soult before Coruña, but his death and the subsequent hurried embarkation of his Force gave reasonable grounds for the public to view the whole business as one of defeat and disaster. Naturally enough in view of the fact that the English had left the country, Soult claimed the fight as a victory for the French arms and as such it is regarded by our neighbours to this day. The best reply to this lies in the fact that had Soult won the battle, the British Force would have been practically annihilated. As it was, he failed at every point of attack and withdrew sadly stricken to the position he had occupied in the morning and the British were able to carry out their re-embarkation with little or no molestation.

The horror and astonishment of the nation at seeing the terrible condition of the British soldiers on their return from this most trying campaign have been already mentioned. I will now follow out the story of the Rifle Regiment upon its return to its old quarters in Hythe barracks and show how the losses in the ranks were made good.

Orders were issued to complete both battalions to a strength of a thousand men each. The recruits were obtained almost entirely from the militia. Sir William Cope records how the regiment had already become so famous and so popular that not only were the deficiencies filled up in a very short time but more than a thousand volunteers presented themselves in excess of its requirements.

The following return shows the strength of the two battalions on 10 May 1809.

When it is recalled that practically all the regiments employed in the Coruña campaign were in need of recruits and that a call was made for 18,000 men, this extraordinary rush to one of the most junior regiments in our Army is at first sight remarkable. For in brief the demand for some 350 recruits was quickly responded to by close upon 1,300. But the conditions were wholly abnormal. Men desirous of joining the Infantry of our Army had of course a wide choice before them and as a general rule were guided in their selection by the alleged merits and attractions of various regiments. Still whatever corps they joined, Guards or Line, they donned the red coat. But in the Rifle Corps an entirely new picture of soldiering was held before them. The mere fact that it was the only Regiment of Rifles composed of men of British nationality at the time in our Army was naturally an enormous inducement, for this alone centred attention on it and its doings. It would be affectation to pretend for a moment that the British recruit in 1809 had any desire or wish, even had he the power, to enlist in one of the corps of foreign riflemen then in our service which were never seen, had hitherto had but few opportunities of distinguishing themselves, and were for the most part condemned to perpetual foreign service of a specially objectionable nature in the West Indies.

So much for the mere fact of The Rifles being at the time a unique corps. Although less than ten years had passed since they had been first raised, as all who have read the first portion of this book will have perceived, they had been extraordinarily fortunate in being included in almost every expedition of note and had almost as invariably distinguished themselves. Whether it was under Nelson at Copenhagen or at the storming of Monte Video under Auchmuty, with Wellesley in Portugal or under Moore at Coruña, their deeds were in everyone’s mouth. Lastly the general nature of their duties appealed to many daring youths who possibly had visions of opportunities of distinguishing themselves by individual action which would not occur to the ordinary steadfast British Infantryman manoeuvring in close order. Nor were our Riflemen at all inclined to hide their light and leading from public gaze. Officers, Non-commissioned officers and Private Riflemen alike used every means to attract good recruits. It is on record how parties of the Rifle Corps, the same men who had stormed at Monte Video, who had driven the French with such dash and determination from the rugged heights of Roliça and who had fought only recently so stubbornly at Coruña, swept through the quiet English country villages rousing the sleepy inhabitants with the brazen notes of their bugles and shouting, "Hurrah for the first in the field and the last out of it, the bloody fighting Ninety-fifth"{1} and similar elegant appeals to the martial ardour of the yokels. Of the host of recruits who were attracted to the corps the novelty of the Green Jacket alone accounted for not a few. Surtees who belonged to the 56th Pompadours says that after he had once seen a British Rifleman, he was not content until he got transferred to the 95th. Rifleman Harris, who was in the 66th, describes how when he saw the 95th Rifles he fell in love with their smart, dashing, and devil-may-care appearance and volunteered forthwith.{2} Edward Costello makes a similar admission. In numerous journals allusions will be found to this factor as having attracted recruits, both officers and men, to the regiment. In letters of this period and in many contemporary books it is interesting to note how The Rifle Corps or The Rifles had become accepted popular titles. Seldom is the regiment referred to as the 95th or Rifle Regiment (its strictly correct designation) but rather as The Rifle Corps and frequently the famous Rifle Corps,{3} whilst Moore (brother of Sir John) in his history of the Coruña campaign, alludes to it as the brave Rifle Corps. With such ideas widespread amongst those who sought to serve in our Army it is therefore not surprising that in the course of a very few days the call for 338 volunteers from the militia brought in no less than 1,282 recruits. The Authorities thereupon were compelled to close further recruiting for the Rifles and most wisely decided to form an additional or third battalion. Major and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel McLeod of the 1st Battalion was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel to command it. Very shortly afterwards he exchanged with Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Barnard whose name, as Sir W. Cope most truly says, is indelibly connected with the subsequent history of the regiment. Only two or three others of the promotions consequent on the formation of an additional battalion were given to the regiment, the services of those by whose valour and sufferings the regiment had obtained the fame which attracted these volunteers and to whose exertions in recruiting their great number was due, being with the usual injustice of the British Government to its Military defenders, ignored. General Sir David Dundas, then Commander-in-Chief of the Army, became Colonel-in-Chief on 31 August 1809 in place of Manningham and the Colonelcies of the three battalions were bestowed on Major-Generals Forbes Champagné, Sir Brent Spencer and the Hon. William Stewart. Thus was restored to the roll of the regiment the honoured name of its first Lieutenant-Colonel.{4}

We thus have the 95th Rifle Regiment for the first time at its maximum strength of three battalions. This it maintained throughout the Peninsular War and at Waterloo, but in 1818 on the general reduction after the withdrawal of the Army of Occupation from Paris the 3rd Battalion was disbanded. As will be seen the 3rd Battalion during the nine years of its existence took part in many of the most famous of the battles of the British Army and gloriously maintained the reputation of the Rifle Regiment.

But because the 95th Regiment was thus known as The Rifles, it would be incorrect to suppose that no other riflemen besides it and the 5th Battalion of the 60th existed in our Army at this period. True, it was the only Rifle Regiment, but as already pointed out in the first chapter of Part I of this book there were several corps of foreign riflemen existing in the British service before the first formation of the Rifle Corps. These almost without exception had been raised about the year 1794, for service in our West Indian possessions, which in those days loomed so largely in the estimation of the country and of our Military experts that at one time it was seriously considered whether we should not exchange Gibraltar for some of the Spanish West Indian Islands! The maintenance and defence of these islands was a matter of immense difficulty and perplexity to England as well as a great tax both in money and lives owing to the deadly nature of the climate. Fortescue describes how owing to this the guardianship of the islands had tended to fall more and more into the hands of black troops and of foreign mercenaries.

By the opening years of the Nineteenth Century most of these corps of foreign riflemen had been broken up owing to the perennial difficulty of obtaining recruits from the Continent to make good the terrible losses attendant on West Indian Service. One after another they had been drafted, or in Fortescue’s words they had been swallowed up by the 60th.{5} Thus, The York Rangers, a corps with riflemen clothed in green with red facings, had been drafted into the 2nd Battalion 60th. Waldstein’s Chasseurs, another corps similarly uniformed, had been drafted into the 4th Battalion 60th, whilst Löwenstein’s Chasseurs, a strong battalion clad in grey with green facings, and Hompesch’s Chasseurs wearing the same uniform as Waldstein’s Chasseurs and the York Rangers (now the well-known dress of the King’s Royal Rifles), had, as we have seen, gone to form the 5th Battalion 60th. Apparently advantage was taken of this infusion of riflemen into the 60th to establish rifle flank companies in the first four battalions between 1797 and 1799.{6} The 6th Battalion 60th, raised in 1799, had from its inception a rifle company, which according to Hamilton Smith’s drawings was dressed like the other defunct rifle corps.{7} Both Hompesch and Löwenstein after their respective corps had been drafted into the 60th proceeded to raise fresh rifle corps. In June 1798, Baron Ferdinand de Hompesch was gazetted to command A Regiment of Mounted Riflemen{8} whilst Löwenstein raised a battalion of riflemen in Germany a few months later.{9} Löwenstein’s Corps served under Sir Ralph Abercromby in Egypt in 1801 and was then about 500 strong.{10}

With regard to the usual dress of the riflemen in European armies at this period, the Jäger in the Prussian Army wore green jackets with red facings and grey or blue trowsers, such as were worn by the 5th Battalion 60th for the first few years of its existence, as well as by several of the other corps of foreigners, whereas the Tyrolese Jäger in the Austrian Service wore the grey uniform with green facings similar to Löwenstein’s.{11} But the all green uniform of the 95th Rifle Corps with black facings was equally well known on the Continent, and was especially common in the Russian Army, and in all probability Manningham and Stewart derived their inspiration for this style of clothing from what Stewart saw of them in the Austrian and Russian Armies when with the Archduke Charles and Suwarrow in 1798-99.

As the value of rifle fire to cover an attack became better appreciated, the custom of forming rifle companies was extended in our British regiments. In some instances the ordinary light company exchanged its muskets for rifles, in others a rifle company was formed in addition to the grenadier and light companies. Thus in the attack and capture of Martinique and Guadaloupe in 1810 by General George Beckwith, {12} rifle companies were much employed. How many of the British regiments had their flank companies armed with rifles it is difficult to ascertain, but Beckwith in his Despatches mentions the rifle company of the 1st Battalion of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers,{13} and later on those of the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the 60th.{14} The Royal York Rangers {15} and the Royal West India Rangers which were also with Beckwith each had two rifle companies. But there were many other Foreign corps in our pay at this period which had rifle companies. Thus both battalions of De Rolls’ Regiment (taken into our service in 1795 and disbanded in 1816) although dressed in scarlet had from their first formation rifle companies dressed in green.{16} The Bourbon regiment and the 1st Ceylon regiment likewise had rifle companies.{17}

In 1810, Auchmuty took Java and stormed the lines of Cornelis on 26 August 1811, a splendid exploit. Here only four British regiments were employed, the 1st Battalions 14th, 59th 69th and 78th Highlanders, and one and all had rifle companies, as well as light companies and grenadier companies of the usual type.{18}

It is not very hard to draw the inference from these and similar examples that during the first fifteen years of the Nineteenth Century, so far from the use of the rifle being confined to the 95th Rifle Corps and the 5th Battalion of the 60th, rifle companies were to be found almost everywhere where British troops were employed abroad, except in India.

Turning now nearer home we find the Dutch regiment of Rifles raised in 1799 and disbanded in 1802. This Corps was armed with rifles of Dutch manufacture. The Chasseurs Britanniques formed in 1794 which served in Egypt in 1801 and went out to the Peninsula in 18 11, was not a rifle corps, but was clothed in red and armed with muskets and boasted of a grenadier and a light Company.{19}

In 1809 the Duke of Brunswick Oël’s Jäger regiment popularly known as the Black Brunswickers which had a proportion of riflemen, joined the British service. They were a motley lot and could not always be trusted at the outposts. All the same the Corps contained many good shots and daring men, and Wellington made use of it by breaking it up and posting the rifle companies to do light infantry work with various brigades. By such means did he control their propensity to desert to the enemy. This Corps as well as the others here mentioned were taken into the service of the Crown and figured in the Annual Army Lists among the Infantry of the Line.

But besides these light infantry and rifle corps in the British Service there were several light infantry regiments, some of them armed with rifles, in the two foreign contingents which fought throughout the Peninsular War alongside of our Riflemen.

The first of these foreign contingents was the famous King’s German Legion raised in 1804 consisting largely of Hanoverians which numbered amongst its regiments the 1st and 2nd Light Battalions. These were dressed as riflemen in green jackets with black facings; the 1st Light Infantry wore grey trowsers and a head-dress similar to that worn by the 5th Battalion 60th. The 2nd Light Infantry wore black trowsers and the same head-dress as the 95th Rifles and, save that it did not wear the narrow white piping to cuffs and collar, was almost identical with it.{20} Both of these Light Battalions had a considerable number of men armed with rifles.{21}

Major Beamish in his History of the King’s German Legion is careful to describe the Jäger Battalions of the Legion as the 1st and 2nd Light Battalions and in his book gives good coloured illustrations of the officers of the various corps from which it will be seen that the King’s German Light Infantry were dressed somewhat like the 95th Rifles and even more like the riflemen of the 5th Battalion of the 60th.{22}

In addition to these two light Corps every line battalion of the King’s German Legion had in each company ten men armed with rifles, known as sharpshooters

The second of these foreign contingents was the Portuguese Army under General Beresford which at first contained six battalions of Caçadores, increased in 1811 to twelve.

There has been some doubt as to whether the Caçadores were armed with light muskets (known as fusils) or with rifles. Major J. Seixeira Botelho of the Portuguese Artillery who has devoted much study to the subject and to whom I am indebted for much of the information here given inclines to the belief that some of the caçador regiments had light muskets and some had rifles. It is of interest to note that Wellesley in June 1809 applied for 40,000 knapsacks and 2,000 rifles for Beresford’s Portuguese Army{23} then in course of formation. The paper strength of Beresford’s Infantry force at this time was 40,810 of which 4,620 were Caçadores. These caçador battalions although of a paper strength of 770 R. and F. were actually only about 550 strong.{24} Assuming that the 2,000 rifles were destined for these six battalions, it would give about 330 rifles to 220 muskets in each of them. This proportion is strikingly like that which is found in the Light Infantry Battalions of the King’s German Legion at the same period viz. 392 rifles to 253 muskets. Again it is always possible that some of the Caçadores, at any rate in the first years of their existence, were armed with rifles of Portuguese manufacture. That such weapons were in use among the Portuguese levies is proved by a letter of Wellesley’s written at the time of his advance to the Douro in which he says: The Portuguese riflemen, the students I believe behaved remarkably well.{25}

Again later on he orders the formation of an ammunition depot at Almeida (the frontier fortress) in view of the future operations of the army to comprise amongst other things 1,200,000 rounds of musket ammunition and 200,000 rounds of rifle ammunition.{26} Since in 1809 the number of muskets and of rifles carried by the British force in Wellesley’s command was in the proportion of about 14 to 1 it is probable that this abnormal provision of rifle ammunition at an advanced depot must have been based on the requirements of the Portuguese Caçadores as well.

Since two of the regiments of Portuguese Caçadores were embodied in the Light Division in 1810 and subsequently did such gallant service throughout the Peninsular campaigns, some description of them may be given here and more especially since little is known about them, their dress and their armament. To begin with their title of Caçadores (or Cazadores as it is sometimes spelt) is derived from the word cazar, to hunt, a cazador being a hunter or sportsman, the equivalent being the French chasseur and the German and Austrian Jäger. No little difficulty has been introduced by the popular belief, derived it is hard to say where, that every caçador, chasseur or Jäger was necessarily a rifleman Such however is now known to have not been the case in the times with which this history deals, still it requires much research to find out whether a particular corps styled "chasseurs or Light Infantry" were armed with smooth-bore muskets or rifles or a proportion of both.

The six caçador battalions were alike dressed in riflemen’s jackets of the peculiar brown shade known to artists as burnt umber and it is interesting to note that this shade of brown especially when much worn and exposed to sun and weather, is nothing more or less than the familiar khaki of today only of a somewhat darker hue.

In the Artillery Museum in Lisbon there are small models of soldiers dressed in the uniforms worn during the Peninsular War and among them is one of a private soldier of the 1st Caçadores in brown jacket and trowsers. The jacket is laced across the front with eight parallel stripes of black braid and there are three rows of silver buttons, very much as worn at one time by the Rifles. The regiments were all dressed alike save for the facings, the 1st caçador Regiment having blue cuffs and the 3rd, yellow cuffs and facings. Both had green light infantry wings on their shoulders. The shako was of the tall cylindrical pattern with a green tuft in front below which was the numeral of the corps in white metal and a plain bugle without tassels or bugle cords, of exactly the same pattern as is worn by the Rifle Brigade to this day in front of the astrachan rifle cap of the officers, but with the mouthpiece of the bugle to the right instead of on the left. The other caçador regiments were similarly dressed, the only difference being in the colour of their facings.

To these six, three regiments belonging to the Royal Lusitanian Legion were added, and in 1811 three more regiments were raised, bringing up to twelve the total number of regiments of Caçadores. According to Portuguese authorities all twelve were dressed in the same shade of brown. The three regiments of the Lusitanian Legion wore jackets of ivy green until they joined the Portuguese caçador regiments.

It may be asked how or by what means these numerous rifle corps were armed? As we have seen, upon the first raising of the Rifle Corps in 1800, a British weapon, the Baker rifle, was tried and selected. The various corps of foreign riflemen in our Army as well as the Rifle Companies of our British Volunteers both before this and for some years afterwards were armed with rifles of different patterns chiefly made on the Continent. It is not an easy matter to trace the source of firearms obtained by contract, but the following proves that prior to 1800 rifles were being obtained from abroad. On 20 May 1798, Mr. Crew had approved the pattern of a rifle barrel musket, of foreign fabric, and 2,000 stand of the same had been ordered to be procured for the volunteers.{27} Up to the year 1804 it had been the custom for the British Government to give out contracts to private firms of gunmakers to provide muskets or rifles. It was due to this that in 1800 a contract was given to Ezekiel Baker to arm the Rifle Corps. But in 1804 this was changed and an Assistant Inspector appointed at the Tower under whose supervision the Government commenced to manufacture its own small arms.{28} In the six years 1804-1809, about 13,000 rifles were thus made.{29} Of these over 2,000 went to arm the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Rifles raised in 1805 and 1809. The King’s German Legion and the Portuguese Caçadores{30} no doubt received their quota as did the rifle companies belonging to the various corps on active service abroad. It is also certain that a number were issued to British Militia Regiments and Corps of Volunteers{31} which had rifle companies at this period. In 1814 the Royal Denbigh Militia alone had 380 rifles and swords and no muskets or bayonets.{32} In the following year the Annual Inspection Returns show that the Royal West India Regiment had 254 rifles, 984 muskets and 10 fusees (sic) whilst the Royal York Rangers, also in the West Indies, had 202 rifles, 1,077 muskets and 36 fusils Other Corps had a smaller proportion of rifles, thus the 1st Ceylon Regiment had 60 and 1,018 muskets and the Bourbon Regiment 73 and 484 muskets.{33} In a Return of Arms in Store at the End of the War the Select Committee of Finance reported that at that time there were no less than 14,000 rifles in the Magazines of the Ordnance

I have gone into this matter of the rifle corps in