[184] Probably a year later Wellington would not have allowed the 29th and 97th, both old single battalion regiments sent home after Albuera, to depart, but would have worked them together as a “provisional battalion.” He expresses great regret in his private correspondence at losing two excellent units because they had fallen to about 250 men each.
[185] After Albuera, where they both suffered heavily, the 2nd was sent home, discharging its serviceable men into the 1st, which was the first connection with the sister-battalion that it had.
[186] Such figures are, however, occasionally found, e.g. the 1/4th at Bussaco, and the 1/43rd in September, 1811, had over 1000 of all ranks. So had the 1/42nd at Salamanca.
[187] These chanced to be the 1/43rd and the 2/38th respectively. The two Guards battalions were each just under 900 of all ranks at this time.
[188] 3rd Dragoon Guards, 1st and 4th Dragoons, 14th and 16th Light Dragoons, 1st Hussars, K.G.L.
[189] 13th Light Dragoons.
[190] 3rd, 4th, 5th Dragoon Guards; 1st, 3rd, and 4th Dragoons; 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th Light Dragoons; 1st and 2nd Heavy Dragoons, K.G.L.; 1st and 2nd Hussars, K.G.L.
[191] Tomkinson in his diary observes (p. 230) that the 11th Light Dragoons was not in such bad state as the other condemned regiments, but that their colonel was so senior that he stood in the way of the promotion of several more capable officers to command brigades—hence Wellington resolved to get him out of the country.
[192] Dispatches, vii. p. 58. To Lord Liverpool.
[193] 9th and 11th Light Dragoons, 4th Dragoon Guards, 2nd Hussars, K.G.L.