On the 6th April, 1809, the battalion, 900 strong, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon, landed at Lisbon, and was immediately despatched to join the British army, then under the command of Sir John Cradock, at Coimbra. It was there brigaded with the 9th Regiment (1st Battalion), and placed under the command of Brigadier-General Alan Cameron.
CAMPAIGN OF THE DOURO
1809.
General Sir Arthur Wellesley, having superseded Sir John Cradock in the command of the army, advanced to the relief of Oporto, then occupied by the French. General Cameron’s brigade was placed in General Sherbrook’s division, and was actively engaged at the passage of the Douro and the attack on the French in Oporto.
On the 12th May, at the passage of the Douro, Captain Summerfield and the Light Company of the 83rd were amongst the foremost that crossed in the boats, and occupied the Seminary, and Captain Summerfield rendered himself conspicuous by his gallantry in climbing up and endeavouring to secure the iron gate of the building. The remainder of the regiment crossed at Villa Nova, and, having fought their way through the streets of Oporto, came upon the rear of the enemy as, with their artillery, they were moving out of the town.
At this moment the French were exposed to a flank fire from the troops which had occupied the Seminary, the 83rd and 9th at the same time pouring a volley into their rear. The greater part were killed and wounded, and the remainder dispersing, left their guns in possession of the victorious British.
In this affair the battalion had 14 men wounded.
The 2nd Battalion, 83rd, was one of the regiments employed in the pursuit of the French army to the frontiers of Spain; and on the 16th, a little after dark, after a harassing and stormy march, overtook the French rear-guard at Salamonde. The 9th and 83rd immediately attacked, and the French, the greater part of whom were cooking, and quite unprepared, were speedily driven from the position.
The battalion in this affair had 5 men wounded. The pursuit was continued on the 18th to Montalagne; but the whole army subsequently retiring to Abrantes, the 9th and 83rd went into quarters at Tancos, on the banks of the Tagus, about eight leagues from the former place. Here sickness prevailed to such an extent in the whole army, and especially in the 9th regiment, that that corps was obliged to be sent to Lisbon, and its place in General Cameron’s brigade was taken by the 61st Regiment, at Oropesa, on the subsequent advance of the army to Talavera.