afterwards disembarked and returned to its former quarters, from
whence it proceeded to Hastings and other places in that part of the
country.
[Sidenote: 1809]
In March, 1809, it again proceeded to Portsmouth, where eight troops,
of eighty-eight horses each, embarked on the 3rd and 4th of April,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Granby Calcraft, leaving
two troops at Blatchington, where the dépôt was established under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Watson.
The Fleet sailed on the 17th of April, and two days afterwards the
Doris transport was run down by the Bonne Citoyenne, in the Bay of
Biscay, and thirty troop horses and two officers' horses were lost.
Having landed at Lisbon on the 26th and 27th of April, the
THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS proceeded to Belem barracks, and were
formed in brigade with the Fourth Dragoons, under the command of
Brigadier-General Henry Fane. From Belem they proceeded on the
4th of May up the country, and on the 10th of that month occupied
quarters at Golegon and Torres Novas. On the 22nd the head-quarters
were at Thomar, and on the 11th of June they encamped on the
picturesque grounds near the banks of the Tagus at Abrantes, where
Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley had recently arrived from a
successful expedition on the Douro.
Towards the end of June the army advanced. The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS
left Abrantes on the 28th of that month, and, having entered Spain,
were encamped, on the 10th of July, at Plasencia. Advancing from
thence on the 18th of July, the army crossed the Tietar, and
proceeding along the romantic valley of the Tagus, formed two columns
on the 22nd, with the view of attacking the French posts at _Talavera
de la Reyna_. A body of Spanish troops came up with the enemy's
rear-guard near the village of Gamonal, when 2000 French dragoons
obliged the Spanish general to display his whole line of 15,000
infantry and 3000 cavalry; nor did the French horsemen attempt to
fall back until they perceived the scarlet uniforms of the British
cavalry on their right, when they retired; and the THIRD DRAGOON
GUARDS took a conspicuous part in the pursuit. They afterwards
crossed the Alberche to Cazalegas, and took post in front of the army
to sustain the Spanish corps.
The advance of a French force, commanded by Joseph Buonaparte, being
immediately followed by the defeat and precipitate retreat of the
Spaniards in front, the British commander took up a position,--his
right on _Talavera de la Reyna_, and his left on the steep hills
which bounded the woody plain; when the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS took
their station in rear of the left.
The action commenced on the 27th of July, and was renewed on
the following day. A great part of the Spanish army fled at the
commencement of the battle; the English, however, maintained their
ground, and many of the Spaniards were induced to return to their
posts. The several attacks were made with the usual impetuosity of
the French soldiers. The advancing columns were, however, met with a
firmness and constancy which confounded the assailants, and in every
instance the enemy was repulsed and driven back with loss. On the
28th the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS and Fourth Dragoons, having moved into
the plain to the left, advanced to charge a column of the enemy's
infantry, but the attack was countermanded, and the two regiments,
after supporting the charge of Major-General Anson's brigade, were
ordered to resume their former position. On this occasion Captain
Brice, of the regiment, was severely wounded by a cannon ball. At
length the enemy, repulsed in every attack by the British infantry,
and driven back with dreadful carnage, retired, leaving seventeen
pieces of cannon in possession of the English. The gallant bearing
of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS in this action procured them the royal
permission to bear the word TALAVERA on their standards.
Little advantage resulted from this splendid display of valour, the
enemy having so great a superiority of numbers that, at the time
the action took place, a French army, commanded by Marshal Soult,
was advancing upon the rear of the allies. Information having been
received that this force had entered Plasencia, Sir Arthur Wellesley,
leaving the greater part of the Spanish force at Talavera, proceeded
on the 3rd of August with the British troops to meet the advancing
enemy. The Spaniards, however, ascertained that a French force was
advancing on Talavera, and they instantly retired, leaving the
British sick and wounded to the mercy of the enemy. At the same time
Sir Arthur Wellesley ascertained that the force in his front was far
more numerous than he expected, and he found himself in a critical
situation.
The allied army did not exceed 47,000 men, and the greater part of
these were Spaniards: the British, owing to the neglect and apathy of
the Spanish authorities, had been some time without a regular supply
of provision, and the strength of the men was exhausted. In front
was Marshal Soult, with 53,000 men, in the rear was a French army
of about 40,000, on the right were impassable mountains, and on the
left the river Tagus. Under these circumstances the British commander
resolved not to attack the enemy, but to cross the bridge of
Arzobispo, and take up a defensive line behind the river. The bridge
was accordingly crossed on the 4th of August, and by two o'clock the
army was in position on the opposite banks. From Arzobispo the army
proceeded towards Deleytoza, the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS covering the
retreat, and on the evening of the 4th of August they joined the camp
near Truxillo. On the 10th they were again in motion, and having
arrived at Merida on the 20th they encamped on the banks of the
Guadiana on the 26th of that month, where they remained nine weeks.
Extraordinary fatigue, added to a want of food, had already reduced
the British troops to a very weak and unhealthy state, and whilst
in this condition they were attacked by a malignant fever, which
proved fatal to great numbers both of officers and men. The THIRD
DRAGOON GUARDS lost on this occasion one major, two captains, two
lieutenants, and many non-commissioned officers and private men.
The regiment was removed from the camp on the 28th of October, to
quarters in the town, and it subsequently retired into the valley
of the Mondego. During the winter the Spanish army was defeated,
captured, or dispersed. The British remained in Portugal, and their
commander was created Baron Douro and Viscount Wellington.
[Sidenote: 1810]
Before the opening of the following campaign the French army in
the Peninsula was considerably reinforced; fresh troops, flushed
with their recent German victories, were crowding into Spain, to
the amount of nearly 100,000 men; and in the spring of 1810 the
enemy's force in the Peninsula exceeded 300,000 men. The British
commander could no longer calculate upon offensive operations: he,
however, resolved to attempt the preservation of Portugal, and made
his admirable arrangements accordingly. The ground fixed upon for a
final stand was near Lisbon; but the troops continued in advance of
this position as long as possible. The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were in
motion on the 18th of February, 1810, and they arrived at Coimbra on
the 23rd; advancing from thence on the 29th of April, they reached
Mongauldo and Viseu on the 3rd of May, where a remount of thirty-five
men and thirty-three horses joined from England, under the command of
Captain Watts.
On the 13th of May Brigadier-General the Honourable G. de Grey was
appointed to the command of the brigade composed of the THIRD DRAGOON
GUARDS and Fourth Dragoons.
The French army designed to act against Portugal advanced, under the
command of Marshal Massena, Prince of Esling, who, meeting with no
force capable of resisting his numerous legions, soon took Ciudad
Rodrigo, and invested Almeida. Lord Wellington, having resolved
to retire, sent the cavalry forward to Freixedas, and, on the 28th
of July, the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS took post at Minncae, while the
infantry retired behind the Mondego, except the fourth division,
which remained at Guarda. The explosion of the magazine at Almeida
having decided the fate of that place, and accelerated the advance of
the enemy, Lord Wellington fixed his cavalry at Celerico, with posts
of observation at Guarda and Trancoso. The enemy advancing in force,
the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS, and other corps, retired on the 15th of
September, passed the Mondego, and on the 19th encamped on a plain
in front of Montagao. In the mean time a remount of twenty-three men
and forty-seven horses joined the regiment under Cornet Homewood.
The retreat was continued, and on the 23rd of September the regiment
arrived at Busaco, and encamped at Villa Nova, in rear of the main
body of the army.
The French army was marching upon Lisbon, and Marshal Massena vaunted
that he would drive the English into the sea, and the imperial eagles
should triumph in the capital of Portugal, when suddenly the rocks
of _Busaco_ were seen bristling with bayonets and streaming with
British colours. On the 27th of September the French attacked the
heights: ascending, with wonderful alacrity the mountain sides, they
stormed the position; but were repulsed and driven back with immense
slaughter. The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were in reserve in the rear, the
conflict being on the steep and rugged sides of rocks and mountains,
where cavalry could not engage. The enemy having failed in the
attack, endeavoured to turn the left flank of the position, when Lord
Wellington immediately retired. The inhabitants in the vicinity were
all required to quit their homes and proceed with their provisions
and movable property in front of the army, and the population (all
orders, sexes, and ages) retired like a cloud behind the lines of
Torres Vedras, where a series of works, connected with ranges of
rocks and mountains, formed something like a fortified citadel of
vast extent, which covered Lisbon.
The first range of defence extended about twenty miles; the second,
and principal range, was from six to ten miles in rear of the first,
and it extended about twenty-nine miles; and, at a considerable
distance in the rear of the second, was formed a third range of
defences: one flank was protected by a flotilla of gun-boats on the
Tagus, manned by British seamen; and the other flank by the sea.
Here Lord Wellington resolved to make a decisive stand. The French
commander was astounded when he discovered this formidable barrier,
against which his superior numbers could not prevail. After making
several reconnoissances, and skirmishing with the advanced posts,
he relinquished his design and commenced retiring upon Santarem,
when the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS advanced in pursuit, and succeeded in
capturing several prisoners.
[Sidenote: 1811]
After arriving at Santarem the enemy collected his means, called to
his aid additional forces, and prepared to make a mighty effort.
The British army was also augmented, and the defences increased.
At length the French army was so reduced from sickness and other
causes, that Marshal Massena was under the necessity of retreating,
and having destroyed a great quantity of stores and artillery,
which he could not remove, he retired on the night of the 5th of
March, 1811. The allied army moved forward in pursuit, harassing
and attacking the enemy's rear with varied success. The French were
guilty of the most enormous acts of barbarity and cruelty upon the
unfortunate Portuguese peasantry; and, when occasion offered, the
latter retaliated, so that the line of march presented a mingled
spectacle of horror, carnage, and devastation.[55]
On the 15th of March the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS had arrived at
Condeixa, from whence Captain E. R. Story, (now Lieut.-Colonel,)
of the regiment, was ordered to reconnoitre with his troop, and
ascertain if the enemy were in possession of Coimbra, and while
performing this service he fell in with a party of French dragoons,
and took six men and horses prisoners. Captain Story ascertained
that the Portuguese were in possession of Coimbra and of the bridge,
and that the enemy had retired up the left bank of the Mondego: the
troop then returned to head-quarters. On the following day the THIRD
DRAGOON GUARDS were despatched across the Tagus towards Badajoz,
which place had recently been taken by a division of the French
army, commanded by Marshal Soult. Continuing their route, they had
an encounter with the enemy near Badajoz on the 25th of March. The
French sustained considerable loss, but the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS had
only two men killed and one wounded. On the 1st of April they were
at Villa Vicosa, and on the 7th they crossed the river Guadiana at
Juramenha.
On the 16th of April the camp broke up from Santa Martha, on
which day the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS, after marching five leagues,
came up with a corps of French cavalry near _Los Santos_, and,
notwithstanding the disparity of numbers, immediately charged,
defeated, and pursued them above two leagues, taking nearly 200
prisoners: in this gallant affair the regiment sustained but trifling
loss.
On the 20th of the same month the regiment was again in motion, and
took post at Villa Franca. In the mean time Badajoz had been invested
by the allies, and Marshal Soult was advancing with a powerful
army, to the relief of the place. Marshal Beresford, who commanded
this portion of the allied army, resolved to take up a position at
_Albuhera_; when the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS proceeded by Almendralejo
to Santa Martha, and were at their post in the army when the French
attacked the allied forces on the morning of the 16th of May. In the
early part of the action the enemy gained considerable advantage: a
powerful effort was, however, made by the allies, and 'then was seen
with what a strength and majesty the British soldier fights.'[56] The
French, repulsed and driven back, relinquished the contest, leaving
thousands of their hostile legions stretched along the plain. The
allied army also sustained great loss, particularly the English
infantry. The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
Sir Granby Calcraft, contributed materially to the success of the
day: they lost one lieutenant, thirteen men, and twenty-one horses;
and His Majesty King William IV. was graciously pleased, on the 5th
of May, 1837, to grant permission to the regiment to bear on its
standards and appointments the word 'ALBUHERA,' in commemoration of
the gallantry displayed in that battle.
On the 18th of May the enemy retired, followed by part of the army,
and by the cavalry, under Major-General Lumley. On the 25th the
THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS and Fourth Dragoons were formed up in front of
_Usagre_, when three of the enemy's 'chosen regiments (the Fourth,
Twentieth, and Twenty-sixth) dashed through the town and formed
rapidly on the flank of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS and in front of the
Fourth Dragoons, themselves presenting two fronts. A charge of the
THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS was at this moment ordered on the right, and
a simultaneous movement of the Fourth Dragoons on the left.'[57]
Major Weston, who commanded the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS on that day
(Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Granby Calcraft having been left sick in the
rear) led the regiment forward with admirable gallantry. The charge
was irresistible. The French, notwithstanding their superiority of
numbers, were overthrown, pursued, many of them sabred, and one
lieutenant-colonel, two majors, and several other officers, with
ninety-six non-commissioned officers and men were made prisoners; a
great number of horses were also captured, the French dragoons having
dismounted to effect their escape across a ravine. In this brilliant
affair the regiment only lost four men; and, on the 27th of May, it
returned to Villa Franca, having been nearly without forage the two
preceding days.
Badajoz was again invested by the allies; and the enemy collected
another immense body of troops, and advanced to relieve the place;
when the siege was raised and the troops were withdrawn across the
Guadiana. The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS marched from Villa Franca on the
13th of June, crossed the Guadiana on the 17th, and encamped on the
small river Caya, near Campo Mayor. In July the establishment of that
part of the regiment which was on foreign service was reduced to six
troops, making a total of 495 rank and file; and the supernumerary
officers and men of the two transferred troops were sent to England.
On the 21st of July the regiment proceeded to Evora, from whence it
marched, on the 1st of August, crossed the Tagus at Villa Velha, and
proceeded by Castello Branco to Fondao, and subsequently to Alverça.
On the 4th of September it occupied Ansale and adjacents; on the
25th it advanced to Guinaldo, to support the piquets; and in the
night the whole retired to Quadrasages. On the 2nd of October it went
into quarters at Avelans de Bon; and on the 3rd of December occupied
Momento and Cea.
[Sidenote: 1812]
Lord Wellington having resolved to besiege _Ciudad Rodrigo_, the
THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were ordered to advance and cover the investing
army. They accordingly marched from Cea and Momento, on the 1st of
January, 1812, arrived at Santo Spirito on the 15th, and established
posts on the river Yeltes. _Ciudad Rodrigo_ was taken by storm on
the 19th; and for this distinguished service the Spanish Government
elevated the British commander to the rank of grandee of the first
class, with the title of Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The siege of _Badajoz_ was next undertaken. On the 27th of January
the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS marched for Freiz and Leomil, near the
Douro, and arrived there on the 7th of February. On the 18th they
were again in motion, and proceeding by Mysando de Corvo, and Thomar,
crossed the Tagus at Abrantes, and the Guadiana, near Olivenza,
and arrived at Rebeira on the 19th of March. Seven days afterwards
they were again on the march, forming part of a force under
Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham, destined to surprise a body of
French troops at _Llecena_: when the enemy, after some resistance,
retired to Azuaga, from whence they were driven on the 29th of March.
The regiment formed part of the army of observation under
Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham, and accompanied the movements
of this force until after the capture of _Badajoz_, when Lord
Wellington marched with the main body of the army towards Castile.
The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS were stationed at Villa Franca and Rebeira,
being formed in brigade with the First Royal Dragoons, under the
orders of Major-General Slade, and were attached to a separate
corps of the army, commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill:
subsequently the regiment advanced to Llera.
On the 11th of June the enemy's General, L'Allemand, advanced upon
_Llera_, with the 17th and 29th regiments of French dragoons.
Major-General Slade moved forward with the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS and
Royal Dragoons, when the two regiments made a brilliant charge, and
defeated and pursued the enemy nearly three leagues. On arriving
within a short distance of _Maguilla_ the two British regiments
had an opportunity of making a second charge, which they executed
in gallant style, and having broken the enemy's first line, slew a
number of men, and took many others, with one of General L'Allemand's
aides-de-camp, prisoners. At length the enemy brought forward a
strong support; and the two regiments being eager in the pursuit,
each vying with the other which should most distinguish itself, were
attacked by the enemy, forced to relinquish a number of prisoners,
and to retire upon Llera. Major-General Slade concluded his despatch
with observing, 'Nothing could exceed the gallantry displayed by
the officers and men on this occasion. Colonel Sir Granby Calcraft
and Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton, commanding the two regiments,
particularly distinguished themselves, as well as all the officers
present. I beg particularly to report the conduct of Brigade-Major
Radcliffe, to whom I feel particularly indebted for his assistance on
this occasion.' The THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS had thirteen men killed; and
Lieutenant Homewood, sixty-seven men, and eighty-five horses were
taken by the enemy.
On the following day a detachment from the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS and
Royal Dragoons, consisting of about twenty men of each regiment,
commanded by Lieutenant Strenuitz (aide-de-camp to Sir William
Erskine) formed an ambush to intercept a strong foraging party of
the enemy's cavalry. The party of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS was
destined to commence the attack, and was placed, for that purpose,
under the command of troop-serjeant-major M'Clelland (who had
formerly distinguished himself); and the Royals formed the reserve.
The detachment came in contact with the French at a village near
_Belango_; the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS charged with all the spirit
and fire of Britons. The fury of the onset threw the enemy into
confusion; they at once gave way and fled in all directions, leaving
several officers and men, and a great number of horses, in the hands
of the victors. The success of this gallant affair enabled the
regiment to retrieve, by exchange with the enemy, the greatest part
of the loss sustained on the preceding day.
The French having considerable reinforcements at hand, Sir Rowland
Hill retired by Santa Martha to Albuhera, where the THIRD DRAGOON
GUARDS were joined by a remount from England, consisting of two
serjeants, forty-two private men, and sixty horses.
On the 1st of July the regiment had another opportunity of
signalizing itself in conflict. A strong body of French cavalry
having succeeded in driving in the Spanish out-posts, was
threatening the safety of the British camp at Albuhera, which was
covered by the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS, when a picquet of about twenty
men of the regiment, under the command of Captain E. R. Story,
who perceived the extreme danger of the camp and the necessity
of a check, stood the charge of the French squadrons; and having
ultimately received a reinforcement of a squadron of the regiment,
under Captain Watts, repulsed the attack, charged in turn, and
finally compelled the enemy to retreat, recovering, at the same
time, the prisoners which the French had taken in the first onset.
On this occasion Lieutenant Ellis, one serjeant, one trumpeter, and
two private men of the picquet, were killed; and Captain Watts, whose
squadron reinforced the picquet, was wounded. This important and
valuable service, performed at so critical a moment, occasioned an
order for every man of the THIRD DRAGOON GUARDS to be supplied with
an extra ration of rum; and the following brigade order was published
on the same day.
'Major-General Slade is most happy in the opportunity which the Third
Dragoon Guards have afforded him of thanking them for the gallantry
and steadiness with which they repulsed an attack made by the enemy's
cavalry this afternoon; particularly the picquet under the command
of Captain E. R. Story, and the supporting squadron, commanded by
Captain Watts. He requests those officers, with the officers and
men under their command, will be pleased to accept his grateful
acknowledgments.
'The Major-General particularly regrets the loss of Lieutenant Ellis,
who nobly fell at the head of his men: he has also to lament Captain
Watts being wounded, but he hopes not dangerously so, and that the
regiment will not be deprived of his services long.'
The camp at Albuhera broke up on the following day, and the troops
advanced upon the enemy, who retired upon Cordova. The THIRD DRAGOON
GUARDS proceeded by Los Santos to Llerena; and occupied Fuente del
Mastre on the 24th of July, on which day they were suddenly called
upon to make a flank movement with the view of gaining the rear of
two regiments of French dragoons and one of chasseurs, who had driven
in the Portuguese picquet, and were advancing upon _Villa Franca_.
The regiment passed through Los Santos, and, advancing at a quick
pace, soon reached Hinojosa; but the French had made a precipitate
retreat, and had quitted the town a short period before the Dragoon
Guards arrived.