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by 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 BrigadierGeneral 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

Lyon; 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.

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.

SIR JOHN MOORE'S CAMPAIGN.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL Sir Harry Burrard received His Majesty's commands to place a large portion of the army in Portugal under the orders of Sir John Moore, to be employed on a particular service, which was announced in a general order on the 8th. of October, 1808, and preparations were accordingly made for entering Spain. Upon arriving in that country the troops were directed to wear the white cockade, in addition to their own, as a compliment to the Spanish nation, and to use every means to maintain the good opinion entertained of them by that high-spirited people.

On the 27th. of October the division under the command of Lieutenant-General the Honourable John Hope, afterwards the Earl of Hopetoun, was put in motion, and after a short stay at Badajoz, resumed the march to Talavera de la Reyna. From this town the column proceeded to the Escurial, seven leagues to the north-west of Madrid, where it arrived and

halted on the 22nd. of November. Intelligence was here received of the enemy's movements, and a night march was made to the left by Avila and Peneranda, and finally to Alba de Tormes, where a junction was formed with a detachment from the army under Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore. The troops were shortly afterwards put in motion towards Valladolid, and subsequently to the left, to effect a junction with the division under Lieutenant-General Sir David Baird, which had landed at Corunna.

Previously to this period, the Spanish armies under General Blake, near Bilboa on the left, General Castanos in the centre, and General Palafox lower down the Ebro on the right, had been completely defeated; and Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore consequently made arrangements for a retreat on Portugal by Ciudad Rodrigo; but it having been represented to him that Madrid held out against the French, he was induced to effect a junction with Lieutenant-General Sir David Baird, in order to make a diversion in favour of Madrid, by attacking Marshal Soult on the River Carion.

SAHAGUN, BENEVENTE, ETC.

DECEMBER, 1808, AND JANUARY, 1809.

THE British commander ascertained that instead of a powerful army covering his advance, not a Spanish soldier was in his front, the enemy was at hand, and those Spanish armies with which he had been directed to co-operate, had been routed and dispersed; at the same time the winter had set in with unusual severity, and the troops were almost constantly marching through snow. Napoleon had three hundred thousand men in Spain, and to confront this host of veterans, Sir John Moore had not twenty-five thousand British troops, yet he boldly advanced and menaced the enemy's lines.

Three leagues from the quarters of the Hussar brigade, consisting of the 7th., 10th., and 15th. Hussars, about eight hundred French dragoons were in cantonments at Sahagun, under Brigadier-General Debelle. About two o'clock on the

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morning of the 21st. December, the 15th., with Captain Thornhill and twelve soldiers of the 7th. Hussars, and LieutenantGeneral Lord Paget (afterwards Marquis of Angelsey) at their head, moved along the left bank of the Cea, in order to intercept the retreat of the French dragoons from Sahagun. The 10th. marched straight to the town, while Lieutenant-General Lord Paget, with the 15th., endeavoured to turn it. The British hussars arrived in the vicinity of Sahagun before daylight; but a French patrol had given the alarm, and his lordship found the enemy formed within the town. The march had been performed with difficulty, the weather being extremely cold, and from deep snow on the ground, the road was so covered with ice in many places, that the men had to dismount and lead their horses. Between five and six o'clock the advance guard of the 15th. fell in with a French patrol, and took five prisoners, but in consequence of the extreme darkness the rest escaped, and galloping off to Sahagun, gave the alarm, thus preventing the surprise of the enemy. Upon approaching that place shortly before daylight, the French dragoons were discovered formed up beyond a rugged hollow-way, which was unfavourable for cavalry, and as the 15th. came near the enemy withdrew towards a bridge on their left. In numbers the French were about two to one, but his lordship instantly charged, overthrew them, and captured nearly one hundred and fifty prisoners, including two lieutenant-colonels, and eleven other officers.

Lord Paget, and Lieutenant-Colonel Grant, of the 15th., each received a medal. The conduct of the hussars was commended by the British General, and the regiment was permitted to bear on its appointments the word SAHAGUN. The attack by Lord Paget on a vastly superior force, so far as numbers were concerned, at Sahagun, in which the enemy were cut to pieces, occasioned Sir John Moore to issue the following order :

"Head Quarters, Sahagun.

"The different attacks made by parties of cavalry upon those of the enemy, on the march, have given them an opportunity to display a spirit, and to assume a tone of superiority