The French occupy a strong position—The three Battalions of Rifles ordered to dislodge them—The French fill a wood with skirmishers, but are driven out—A very stiff fight—Heavy losses—"Never saw Frenchmen so thick on the ground"—Towards evening is severely wounded—Rescued by his servant, Henry Short—Is moved into Tarbes—Brother Maud hears he is wounded and searches for him all night—Finds him and gets him a good billet—Battle of Toulouse—"Is much hurt at not being there."
Letter No. XXIII
To his Parents, from Tarbes, France, dated 27th March 1814
France a most delightful country—Detestation of the people for Buonaparte—Their faith in the British—Description of Soult's position at Tarbes—The eighteen companies of Rifle Men (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 95th) attack it and have some "fine rifle practice"—Is knocked over at close of fight—Holds a medical examination of himself, and finds his knee-pan is fractured—"Not for Chelsea yet"—Hopes to get well and have another fight with Johnny—"Our Boys got sadly mauled as usual."
Finished by Maud Simmons
Describes his brother George's wound and the life at Tarbes.
Journal—13th April-23rd July 1814
Is moved to Pau in a coach—Recovers and starts to rejoin—Marches to Toulouse—Goes to the theatre with his two brothers—Rejoins the 1st Battalion at Castel-sarrasin—Pleasant life amongst the French—End of the war—Orders to return to England—The Rifles give a ball—The Light Division bid farewell to their Portuguese comrades—Gets leave for England—Sails down the Garronne for Pauillac—Embarks on a transport—In collision—The voyage home—Lands at Portsmouth, takes the London coach, and arrives at the Old Slaughters Coffee House.
Journal—12th January-21st March 1814
1814 Jan. 12th