BATTLES OF ROLEIA AND VIMIERA. 17th. and 21st. August, 1808.

At this period the Peninsula was the centre of political interest. Portugal, deserted by her government, and Spain betrayed, the people of each of those countries rose in arms to recover the national independence. Dissensions had arisen in the royal family of Spain, occasioned by the sway of Manuel Godoy, who bore the title of the Prince of Peace. This minister was dismissed, but the court was unable to restore tranquillity. In this emergency the French Emperor was solicited to be umpire, and Napoleon eventually placed the crown of Spain on his brother Joseph, who was transferred from the throne of Naples. The Spaniards at once flew to arms, and the British government resolved to aid the Spanish and Portuguese patriots. A British army was accordingly ordered to proceed to the Peninsula under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley. After a favourable passage the troops destined for this service anchored in Mondego Bay, in the beginning of August, and a landing was effected in the vicinity of the village of Frejus. The division under Major-General (afterwards Sir Brent) Spencer, K.B., from Cadiz, consisting of about four thousand men, joined on the 8th. of August; and after a short halt, the army was put in motion to occupy a more forward position, where it remained for some days. Sir Arthur marched from Leiria on the 13th., and arrived at Alcobaça on the 19th., which place the enemy abandoned in the preceding night. The French, about four thousand in number, were posted at Roliça, or Roleia, (the latter mode of spelling having been inaccurately adopted from the despatch for the colours,) and Brilos was occupied by their advanced posts. The possession of this latter village being important to future operations, it was determined to occupy it, and as soon as the British infantry arrived upon the ground, a detachment, consisting of four companies of riflemen of the 60th. and 95th. regiments, was ordered to effect this duty. A trifling resistance was offered by a small picket of the enemy’s infantry and a few cavalry, after which they retired, being followed by a detachment of riflemen to the 75distance of three miles from Brilos. The riflemen were then attacked by a superior body of the enemy, who attempted to cut them off from the main body of the detachment to which they belonged. Large bodies of the enemy appeared on both the flanks of the detachment, which had advanced in support of the riflemen, and it was with difficulty that Major-General Spencer was enabled to effect a retreat to Obidos, which village it remained in possession of.

Two days afterwards was fought the Battle of Roleia, or Roliça. General Laborde continued in his position at this place, and Sir Arthur Wellesley determined to attack him in it on the morning of the 17th. of August. Roliça is situated on an eminence, having a plain in its front, at the end of a valley, which commences at Caldas, and is closed to the southwards by the mountains, which join the hills, forming a valley on the left, looking towards Caldas. In the centre of the valley, and about eight miles from Roliça, is the town and old Moorish fort of Obidos, from whence the enemy’s pickets had been driven on the 15th., and from that time he had posts in the hills on both sides of the valley, as well as in the plain in front of his army, which was posted on the heights in front of Roliça; its right resting upon the hills, its left upon an eminence, on which was a windmill, and the whole covering four or five passes into the mountains in his rear.

About seven o’clock in the morning the troops moved from Obidos. Brigadier-General Fane’s riflemen were immediately detached into the hills on the left of the valley, to keep up the communication between the centre and left columns, and to protect the march of the former along the valley; the enemy’s posts were successively driven in. Major-General Hill’s brigade moved on to attack the French left, and Brigadier-Generals Nightingall and Craufurd advanced with the artillery along the high road, until at length Nightingall’s formed in the plain immediately in the enemy’s front, supported by the light infantry companies, and the 45th. regiment of Brigadier-General Craufurd’s brigade; while the other two regiments of his brigade, the 50th. and 91st., were kept as a reserve in the rear.

Major-General Rowland (afterwards Viscount) Hill and Brigadier-General Nightingall advanced upon the enemy’s position, 76and at the same moment Brigadier-General Fane’s riflemen were in the hills on his right; the Portuguese infantry in a village upon his left; and Major-General Ferguson’s column was descending from the heights into the plain. From this situation the French retired by the passes into the mountains with the utmost regularity and celerity; and notwithstanding the rapid advance of the British infantry, the want of a sufficient body of cavalry was the cause of their suffering but little loss in the plain. It then became necessary to make a disposition to attack the formidable position which had been taken up. Brigadier-General Fane’s riflemen were already in the mountains on the enemy’s right, but no time was lost in attacking the different passes, as well as in supporting the riflemen, so as to ensure a complete victory.

The Portuguese infantry were ordered to move up a pass on the right of the whole; the light companies of Major-General Hill’s brigade, and the 5th. Fusiliers advanced up a pass next on the right; and the 29th. regiment, supported by the 9th. foot, under Brigadier-General Nightingall, a third pass; and the 45th. and 82nd. regiments, passes on the left. These were all difficult of access, and some of them were well defended, particularly that assailed by the 9th. and 29th. Foot; both regiments attacked with the greatest impetuosity, and reached the enemy before those whose assaults were to be made on their flanks; the defence was desperate, and it was in this attack that the greatest loss was sustained, Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable George A. F. Lake being killed at the head of his regiment, the 29th. Foot.

General Laborde was, however, driven from all the positions he had taken in the passes of the mountains, and the British troops were advanced in the plains on their tops. For a considerable length of time the 9th. and 29th. regiments alone were advanced to this point, with Brigadier-General Fane’s riflemen at a distance on the left; they were afterwards supported by the 5th., and by the light companies of Major-General Hill’s brigade, which had arrived on their right, and by the other troops ordered to ascend the mountains, the latter arriving by degrees. Here three most gallant attacks were made upon the 9th. and 29th. regiments, in all of which the enemy 77was repulsed; but he succeeded in effecting a retreat in good order, owing principally to Sir Arthur’s want of cavalry, and to the difficulty of bringing up the passes of the mountains with celerity a sufficient number of troops and of cannon, to support those who had first ascended. The French loss was nevertheless very great, and three pieces of cannon were captured.

Sir Arthur Wellesley, in his despatch, observed “that although we had such a superiority of numbers employed in the operations of this day, the troops actually engaged in the heat of the action were, from unavoidable circumstances, only the 5th., 9th., 29th., the riflemen of the 60th., and 95th., and the flank companies of Major-General Hill’s brigade, being a number by no means equal to that of the enemy: their conduct, therefore, deserves the highest commendation.”

Thus was the first victory in the Peninsula gained; and it afforded an omen of future successes, which was afterwards fully accomplished. The 5th., 6th., 9th., 29th., 32nd., 36th., 38th., 40th., 45th., 60th., 71st., 82nd., 91st., and Rifle Brigade, took part in this battle.

Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley did not pursue the enemy by the high-roads, but keeping to the right, near the sea, marched to Vimiera, to cover the landing of a brigade commanded by Major-General Anstruther, which was effected on the 20th. of August. The following morning was to be given up to the troops in order to prepare and repose themselves. Whilst the men were engaged in washing and cleaning their equipments, the approach of the enemy, was discovered at eight o’clock in the morning, and the brigades commanded by Major-General Ferguson, Brigadier-Generals Nightingall, Acland, and Bowes, proceeded across a valley from the heights on the west to those on the east of Vimiera.

Marshal Junot, Duke of Abrantes, advanced to the attack of the position, and commenced it on the British centre, where the 50th. regiment was posted, moving along the front gradually to the left, until the whole line became engaged. Notwithstanding the fire of the riflemen, the enemy advanced close to the 50th., and were checked and driven back only 78by the bayonets of that regiment. The second battalion of the 43rd. was likewise closely engaged with them, in the road leading into Vimiera, a part of that corps having been ordered into the churchyard to prevent them from penetrating into the town. On the right of the position they were repulsed by the bayonets of the 97th. regiment, successfully supported by the second battalion of the 52nd., which, by an advance in column, took the enemy in flank.

The attack upon the heights on the road to Lourinha was supported by a large body of cavalry, and was made with the usual impetuosity of French troops. They were received with steadiness by the brigade under Major-General Ferguson, consisting of the 36th., 40th., and 71st. regiments. These corps charged as soon as the enemy approached them, who gave way, and they continued to advance upon him, supported by the 82nd., one of the corps of Brigadier-General Nightingall’s brigade, which, as the ground extended, afterwards formed a part of the first line; by the 29th. regiment, and by Brigadier-General’s Bowes and Acland’s brigades; whilst Brigadier-General Craufurd’s brigade and the Portuguese troops, in two lines, proceeded along the heights on the left. In the advance of Major-General Ferguson’s brigade, six pieces of cannon were taken, with many prisoners, and vast numbers were killed and wounded.

An attempt was afterwards made by the French to recover a portion of their artillery, by attacking the 71st. and 82nd. regiments, which were halted in a valley in which the guns had been captured. The attempt failed, and the enemy were compelled again to retire with great loss.

Sir Arthur Wellesley especially noticed the following corps:—The Royal artillery, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Robe; the 20th. Dragoons, (since disbanded,) commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, who was killed; the 50th. regiment, commanded by Colonel Walker; the second battalion of the 95th. regiment, (rifles,) commanded by Major Travers; the fifth battalion 60th. regiment, commanded by Major Davy; the second battalion 43rd., commanded by Major Hull; the second battalion 52nd., commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Ross; the 97th. regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel 79Lyon; the 36th., commanded by Colonel Burne; the 40th., commanded by Colonel Kemmis; the 71st., commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir Denis) Pack; and the 82nd. regiment, commanded by Major Eyre. The British commander, always chary of praise, paid a special tribute to the 36th. regiment.

Thirteen pieces of cannon, twenty-three ammunition waggons, with powder, shells, stores of all descriptions, and twenty thousand rounds of musket ammunition, were captured. General Beniere was wounded and taken prisoner, together with several officers. The defeat was signal, and not more than half the British army was actually engaged. The French casualties amounted to nearly two thousand killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.

In this action, George Clark, one of the pipers of the 71st. Highland Light Infantry, was wounded; and being unable to accompany his corps in the advance against the enemy, put his pipes in order, and struck up a favourite regimental air to the intense delight of his comrades.

Both Houses of Parliament voted their thanks to the British troops for this victory, and the word “Vimiera” was authorized to be borne on the colours and appointments of the following regiments:—2nd., 5th., 6th., 9th., 20th., 29th., 32nd., 36th., 38th., 40th., 43rd., 45th., 50th., 52nd., 60th., 71st., 82nd., 91st., and Rifle Brigade.

Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Burrard arrived during the action, but did not assume the command: Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Dalrymple landed on the following day, and took command of the army. The force under Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore was also embarked during the negociation which subsequently took place, making the British forces to amount to thirty-two thousand men. This treaty, which was styled the “Convention of Cintra,” was signed on the 30th. of August, and by its provisions the French troops evacuated Portugal.

All the objects of the expedition having been effected, and the French forces embarked for France, the British army remained for some time at Lisbon and its vicinity. This convention excited great dissatisfaction in England, and a Court of Enquiry was assembled to investigate the circumstances attending it.

80

Gold Medal for Roleia and Vimiera.

Although these battles were distinct actions only one medal was conferred, but it was granted to those who were present at either of them. On the obverse Britannia is represented seated on the globe; in her right hand extended a wreath of laurel, and in her left a palm branch; to her right the British lion, and on the left a shield charged with the crosses of the union banner. The reverse had a wreath of laurel, within which the name of the event was engraved, and the year, thus—Roleia and Vimiera, 1808. The name and rank of the officer were engraved on the edge. Further particulars regarding these medals will be given with the description of that for Talavera, of which an illustration has been made, and which is similar to that granted for the above and subsequent victories.