Lieutenant-Colonel Carr had one horse, and Adjutant Swinburne two horses, shot under them, and in commemoration of the distinguished services of the battalion of the 83rd in this action, his Majesty has been graciously pleased to sanction the word “Salamanca” being inscribed on its colours and appointments.
The battalion was next employed in the investment of the “Retiro,” a fortified building at Madrid; at which two men of the battalion were wounded. It subsequently retired with the 3rd Division, when the whole of the army retreated from before Burgos.
CAMPAIGN OF VITTORIA
1813.
The next service which the battalion had the good fortune to be engaged in was the triumphant battle of Vittoria, on the 21st June, 1813, when the 83rd bore a prominent part and highly distinguished itself. On that occasion, Colville’s brigade being in front, the 83rd had the honour of leading the 3rd Division in its passage across the River Zadara; and the advance of the brigade against the enemy drew forth the especial approbation of Lord Wellington, who mentioned it in his despatch in the following terms:—
“Major-General the Hon. C. Colville’s brigade, of the 3rd Division, was seriously attacked in its advance by a very superior force, which it drove in, supported by General Inglis’s brigade of the 7th Division, under Colonel Grant, of the 82nd; these officers and the troops under their command distinguished themselves.”
Maxwell, an historian of the great duke’s life, also, in his description of this memorable victory, thus vividly recounts the advance of Colville’s brigade:—
“The subsequent advance of the allied columns against the enemy’s right centre was beautifully executed, as in echelon of regiments it crossed the hallowed ground on which tradition placed the chivalry of England when the Black Prince delivered battle to Henry the Bastard, and by a decisive victory replaced Don Pedro on the throne. As if animated by some glorious impulse, the battalions advanced not to combat, but to conquer; Colville’s brigade of the ‘Fighting Third’ led the attack, and the first enemy’s corps that confronted it was gallantly defeated. Pressing on with characteristic impetuosity, and without halting to correct the irregularity a recent and successful struggle had occasioned, the brigade encountered on the brow of the hill two lines of French infantry, regularly drawn up, and prepared to receive the assailants. For a moment the result was regarded with considerable apprehension, and means were adopted by Lord Wellington for sustaining the brigade, when (as that event seemed inevitable) it should be repulsed by the enemy; but valour overcame every disadvantage, and the perfect formation of the French could not withstand the dashing onset of the assailants; their rush was irresistible. On went the daring soldiers, sweeping before them the formidable array which, circumstanced as they were, appeared calculated to produce annihilation.”
The 83rd, moreover, had this day the good fortune to obtain particular commendation from General Colville himself; with the 94th it attacked and captured a battery of guns, and in an assault on a village, led by General Colville in person, the men of the 83rd rendered themselves so conspicuous by their daring valour, that he directed Adjutant Swinburne (who, with Lieutenants Hingston, Barry, C. O’Neill, and Volunteer Nugent, were also distinguishing themselves at that particular point) to take the names of a large number of them, to whom, after the action, he awarded a guinea apiece.
The casualties of the 83rd in this glorious victory were severe: 3 officers (Major Widrington, Lieutenants Lindsey and Bloxham), 4 sergeants, and 28 rank and file were killed; and 4 officers (Captain Venables, Lieutenants J. Smith, Baldwin, and Barry), with 6 sergeants and 68 rank and file, were wounded. Its gallant conduct in the battle was acknowledged by medals being awarded to its commanding officer, Colonel Carr, and to Major Hext. Volunteer Nugent also was appointed to an ensigncy in the battalion, and his Majesty was graciously pleased to permit the word “Vittoria” being inscribed on the colours and appointments of the 83rd, in commemoration of the distinguished service it rendered in that battle.