After the battle of Salamanca, in which Marmont was defeated by Wellington, the latter, hearing that Joseph Bonaparte was threatening his rear, turned upon him and pursued him to Madrid, which he entered 12 Aug. 1812. The French garrison surrendered, and 180 guns with 20,000 stand of arms were captured.
548. Victories up to Salamanca and Entry into Madrid, 1812. Obv. Head of Wellington l., bare. LIEUT. GEN. MARQUIS WELLINGTON K.B. &c. &c. MDCCCXII. T. WYON F. Rev. Column inscribed with names of victories, and ornamented with shields of England, Portugal, and Spain; around base, French arms and standard. ENTER'D MADRID AUGUST XII. P. W. F. Copper. Size 1·75. By T. and P. Wyon.[39]
The victories in the Peninsula were Vimiera, 21 Aug. 1808; Talavera, 26—28 July, 1809; Busaco, 27 Sep. 1810; Ciudad Rodrigo captured 19 Jan. 1812; Badajoz captured 7 Apr. 1812; and Salamanca, 22 July, 1812.
549. War with America: Action between "Wasp" and "Frolic," 1812. Obv. Bust of Capt. James Jones r., in naval uniform. JACOBUS JONES VIRTUS IN ARDUA TENDIT. FURST F. Rev. Engagement between the "Wasp" and "Frolic." VICTORIAM HOSTI MAJORI CELERRIME RAPUIT; in ex., INTER WASP NAV. AMERI. ET FROLIC NAV. ANG. DIE XVIII. OCT. MDCCCXII. FURST F. Silver. Size 2·55. By—Furst.
On 18 Oct. 1812, after a short resistance the British ship "Frolic," commanded by Capt. Whingates, surrendered to the American ship "Wasp," under the command of Capt. James Jones, to whom this medal in gold was awarded. Silver medals were presented to the other commissioned officers.
550. George (IV.) Prince of Wales, Regent, 1814. Head of Prince r., laur. GEORGIVS PRINCEPS WALLIÆ PATRIAM PRO PATRE REGENS. MDCCCXIIII; on arm, I. BARBER F. &c. No reverse. Silver-gilt. Size 2·75. Plaque by J. Barber.
On account of the ill-health of George III., the Prince of Wales was appointed Regent by a Bill passed 5 Feb. 1811.
551. Peace of Paris, 1814. Obv. Head of Britannia l., wearing crested helmet ornamented with lion and olive-wreath. BRITANNIA. J. MUDIE DT. Rev. Hercules facing, wearing lion's skin, trampling on French standard and resting on club. THE REPOSE OF HERCULES. MDCCCXIIII. DROZ F. MUDIE D. Silver. Size 1·6. By J. P. Droz.
The defeat and abdication of Napoleon was followed by the Peace of Paris, signed 23 Apr. and confirmed 30 May, 1814, between Louis XVIII. and the Allies, Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia.
552. The Waterloo Medal designed by Pistrucci. Obv. Jugate busts l., laur., of the Prince Regent, Francis II., Emperor of Austria, Alexander I., Emperor of Russia, and Frederick William III., King of Prussia; on either side, Justice l., and Hercules r., seated; above, the Sun in quadriga l., preceded by Castor and Pollux, and followed by Iris and Zephyrus; beneath, Night in Biga r.; before her, the Furies; behind her, the Fates, PISTRUCCI. Rev. Wellington and Blucher on horseback l., guided by Victory between them; Wellington gallops in advance, and Blucher rushes to his aid; above, Jupiter in quadriga, facing, hurling thunderbolt at giants arranged in circle, PISTRUCCI. Copper. Size 5·3. By B. Pistrucci.[40]