SIEGE OF CIUDAD RODRIGO. January, 1812.
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As soon as the troops had recovered from their sickness and fatigue, Viscount Wellington determined the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo, which place was approached on the 8th. of January, 1812. It was not, however, regularly invested, for the light division only crossed on that day. The French garrison in the Francisco redoubt considered the affair merely as one of observation, and amused themselves with bowing and saluting the new comers. At night a party was formed from each regiment of the above division, under Lieutenant-Colonel John Colborne, of the 52nd., and the redoubt was stormed: the conduct of this officer, and of the detachment, was highly applauded in the official despatches.
Viscount Wellington, in the afternoon of the 14th. of January, opened fire from twenty-two pieces of ordnance in three batteries in the first parallel, and the British established themselves in the second parallel on the same night. Lieutenant-General Graham facilitated this measure by having surprised the enemy’s detachment in the convent of Santa Cruz, on the night of the 13th.; and Major-General the 136Honourable Charles Colville, in temporary command of the fourth division, had, on the night of the 14th., obtained possession of the convent of St. Francisco, and of the other fortified posts of the suburb. The latter service was gallantly performed by Lieutenant-Colonel Harcourt, with the 40th. regiment, which remained from that period in the suburb of St. Francisco, and materially assisted in the attack on that side of the place. The siege was prosecuted with such vigour, that on the 19th. of the same month, two practicable breaches having been made in the body of the place, the British commander resolved to carry it by storm.
The assault was made on the evening of Sunday, the 19th. of January, in five separate columns. Brigadier-General Pack, who was destined to make a false attack upon the southern face of the fort, converted it into a real one, his advance guard, under the command of Major Lynch, having followed the enemy’s troops from the advanced works into the fausse-braye, where all opposed to them were made prisoners.
Major Ridge, of the second battalion of the 5th. Fusilliers, having escaladed the fausse-braye wall, stormed the breach in the body of the place, together with the 94th. regiment, (Scots Brigade,) commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell. These regiments not only effectually covered the advance from the trenches of Major-General Mac Kinnon’s brigade, by their first movements and operations, but preceded it in the attack.
Major-Generals Craufurd and Vandeleur, and the troops of the light division on the left, were likewise very forward on that side; and in less than half an hour from the time the attack commenced, the British troops were in possession of, and formed on the ramparts of the place, each body contiguous to the other. The enemy, having sustained a considerable loss in the contest then submitted.
The British casualties were severe, especially in officers of high rank and estimation. During the siege, and in the assault, nine officers and one hundred and sixty-nine men were killed, seventy officers and seven hundred and forty-eight men wounded; in all nine hundred and ninety-six. Major-General Mac Kinnon was blown up by the accidental 137explosion of one of the enemy’s expense magazines, close to the breach, after having gallantly and successfully led the troops under him to the attack. Major-Generals Craufurd and Vandeleur were wounded, the former severely, whilst leading on the light division to the storm; Lieutenant-Colonel Colborne, of the 52nd. Light Infantry,[47] who was severely wounded, and Major (afterwards Sir George) Napier, who led the storming party of the light division, also wounded on the top of the breach, and lost an arm. The garrison likewise sustained severe loss, and was reduced to one thousand seven hundred men.
Viscount Wellington specially praised the troops of the first, third, fourth, and light divisions, and Brigadier-General Pack’s brigade, by whom the siege was carried on. His lordship added:—“The conduct of all parts of the third division, in the operations which they performed with so much gallantry and exactness on the evening of the 19th., in the dark, affords the strongest proof of the abilities of Lieutenant-General Picton and Major-General Mac Kinnon by whom they were directed and led; and I beg particularly to draw your Lordship’s attention to the conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel O’Toole, 2nd. Caçadores, Major Ridge. 5th. Foot, Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, 94th., Major Manners, 74th., and of Major Grey, 5th. Foot, who has been twice wounded during this siege.
“It is but justice also to the third division to report, that the men who performed the sap belonged to the 45th., 74th., and 88th. regiments, under the command of Captain M‘Leod, of the Royal Engineers, and Captain Thompson, of the 74th., Lieutenant Beresford, of the 88th. (Connaught Rangers), and Lieutenant Metcalf, of the 45th. (Sherwood Foresters); and they distinguished themselves not less in the storm of the place than they had in the performance of their laborious duty during the siege.
“Although it did not fall to the lot of the troops of the first and fourth divisions to bring these operations to their successful close, they distinguished themselves throughout their progress, by the patience and perseverance with which they performed the labours of the siege. The brigade of Guards, under Major-General H. Campbell, was particularly distinguished in this respect.”
The British commander was advanced to the dignity of an Earl, with an annuity of two thousand pounds. Parliament voted its thanks to him and his gallant army. This success also gained for him, from the Spanish government, the title of Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The 5th., 43rd., 45th., 52nd., 60th., 74th., 77th., 83rd., 88th., 94th. regiments, and Rifle Brigade, were engaged in the capture of Ciudad Rodrigo.
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