BATTLE OF SALAMANCA. 22nd. July, 1812.
Reading edition
On the 17th. of June, the forts at Salamanca were invested by the sixth division, and operations commenced by the light companies thereof, under Colonel Samuel Venables Hinde, of the 32nd. regiment. The remainder of the army was formed in order of battle on the heights of San Christoval, in front of Salamanca, from the 20th. to the 28th. of June, to meet Marshal Marmont, who advanced with forty thousand men to relieve the forts. They were attacked without success on the 23rd., and carried on the 27th. of June, by a party under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Daviss, of the 36th. regiment. Several skirmishes and changes of position occurred. The Earl of Wellington advanced in pursuit of the French Marshal, who, having received reinforcements, crossed the Douro, and the allies retired, skilfully manœuvring and taking up different positions in presence of the enemy, until the 21st., when they reached the ground they had formerly occupied, on the height of San Christoval.
Shortly after daylight on the 22nd. of July, detachments from both armies attempted to obtain possession of the more distant from the allied right of the two hills called Dos Arapiles. In this attempt the enemy succeeded, his detachment being the strongest; by which success the French position was materially strengthened, and they had in their power increased means of annoying that of their opponents.
The light troops of the seventh division, and the 4th. Caçadores, belonging to Major-General Pack’s brigade, were engaged in the morning with the enemy on the height of Nuestra Senora de la Pena, on which they maintained themselves throughout the day. The improved position of the French rendered it necessary for the Earl of Wellington to extend the right of his army en potence to the heights behind the village of Arapiles, and to occupy it with light infantry; here the fourth division, under the command of Lieutenant-General the Honourable Lowry Cole, was placed.
A variety of evolutions and movements having been made 142by the French Marshal, he proceeded to carry out his plan about two o’clock in the afternoon; and under cover of a very heavy cannonade, which did but little injury, he extended his left, and moved forward his army, apparently with an intention to embrace, by the position of his troops, and by his fire, the British post on that of the two Arapiles, and thence to attack and break the line; or at all events to render difficult any movements to the right. This extension of the French line to their left, and its advance upon the allied right, gave the British commander an opportunity of attacking him, for which he had long been anxious. “The attack of the third division,” says Lord Londonderry, in his “Story of the Peninsula War,” “was not only the most spirited, but the most perfect thing of the kind that modern times have witnessed. Regardless alike of a charge of cavalry and of the murderous fire which the enemy’s batteries opened, on went these fearless warriors, horse and foot, without check or pause, until they won the ridge, and then the infantry giving their volley, and the cavalry falling on, sword in hand, the French were pierced, broken, and discomfited. So close indeed was the struggle, that in several instances the British colours were seen waving over the heads of the enemy’s battalions.”
The British General, in his despatch, observed that “Major-General the Honourable Edward Pakenham[49] formed the third division across the enemy’s flank, and overthrew everything opposed to him. These troops were supported in the most gallant style by the Portuguese cavalry, under Brigadier-General D’Urban, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hervey’s squadrons of the 14th., who successfully defended every attempt made by the enemy on the flank of the third division.”
In front the French were attacked by Brigadier-General Bradford’s brigade, the fourth and fifth divisions, and the cavalry under Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart., and were driven from one height to another. The cavalry made a most 143successful charge against a body of French infantry, which they overthrew, and cut to pieces. In this charge Major-General Le Marchant was killed. The sixth division, under Major-General Clinton, was ordered up at a critical period to relieve the fourth division, which had been heavily pressed, and the battle was soon restored to its former success.
The enemy’s right, reinforced by the troops which had fled from his left, and by those which had by this time retired from the Arapiles, still continued to resist; and while other corps were directed to turn the right, the sixth division,[50] supported by the third and fifth, attacked the front. It was dark before this point was carried by the sixth division, and the enemy then fled through the woods towards the Tormes. The pursuit was made by the first and light divisions, and Major-General William Anson’s brigade of the fourth division, and some squadrons of cavalry, under Lieutenant-General Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.; but the darkness of the night enabled many of the enemy to escape, and was unfortunately the cause of Sir Stapleton being wounded by one of the allied sentries. The same troops renewed the pursuit at break of day the next morning, with Major-Generals Bock’s and Anson’s brigades of cavalry, which had joined during the night. On coming up with the enemy’s rear-guard of cavalry and infantry near La Serna, they were at once attacked by the two brigades of dragoons; the French cavalry fled, leaving the infantry to their fate. The gallant charge made on the infantry by the heavy brigade of the King’s German Legion, under Major-General Bock, which was completely successful, was highly commended; the whole body of infantry, consisting of three battalions of the French first division, were made prisoners on this occasion.
Eleven pieces of cannon, several ammunition waggons, two eagles, and six colours were captured; one general, three colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, one hundred and thirty officers, and about seven thousand soldiers were taken prisoners. Marshal Marmont was badly wounded, and lost an arm; four general officers were killed, and several wounded.
The British loss was in all four thousand nine hundred and sixty-four killed and wounded. Major-General Le Marchant was killed; Field-Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B., Lieutenant-Generals Sir Stapleton Cotton-Leith, and the Honourable George Lowry Cole, and Major-General Victor Alten were amongst the wounded. The French loss was still more considerable.
This victory was followed by the surrender of Madrid to the allies, who entered that city on the 12th. of August, and were joyfully received by the inhabitants. The title of Marquis was conferred on the Earl of Wellington.
The following regiments took part in the victory of Salamanca: 5th Dragoon Guards, 3rd., 4th., 11th., 14th., and 16th. Light Dragoons; 1st., 2nd., 4th., 5th., 7th., 9th., 11th., 23rd., 24th., 27th., 30th., 32nd., 36th., 38th., 40th., 43rd., 44th., 45th., 48th., 51st., 52nd., 53rd., 58th., 60th., 61st., 68th., 74th., 79th., 83rd., 88th., and 94th. Foot, and Rifle Brigade.
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