Note 64 — HISTORICAL RECORD (continued 2)

This respected and lamented officer (Major-General Sir William Ponsonby), beloved by all who served with or under him, met his death in a manner which conferred upon it an interesting character. When the order was given for attacking the enemy, he led the three regiments forward with that noble ardour for which he had been distinguished in the campaigns in the Peninsula. Having cut through the first column, he proceeded where the Royals were so hotly engaged, and found himself outflanked by a regiment of Polish lancers in a newly-ploughed field, the ground of which was so soft that his horse became blown, and was unable to proceed. He was attended by only one aide-de-camp. At this instant the lancers were approaching him at full speed. His own death, he knew, was inevitable, but supposing his aide-de-camp might escape, he drew forth the picture of his lady and his watch, and was in the act of delivering them to his attendant to be conveyed to his family, when the enemy came up and they were both speared upon the spot.