The sudden approach of the united armies of Marshals Soult and Suchet rendered a speedy retreat necessary, and the division accordingly retired from Ponte Duenna in the night of the 28th of October, moving to form a junction with the army of the Marquis of Wellington, who had now relinquished the siege of Burgos. Near Madrid, the division halted for a short period, when, being joined by the garrison of that city, the troops retired leisurely by the Guadarama Pass on Alba de Tormes. This town, the Seventy-first occupied from the 7th to the 13th of November, and during that period sustained a loss in action with the enemy of 1 sergeant and 6 rank and file killed; 1 bugler and 5 rank and file wounded.
The army having received orders to retire on Portugal, the battalion abandoned this post, arriving at Coria upon the 1st of December, where the retreat terminated. In this quarter, the Seventy-first continued until the 13th of December, at which time they were pushed forward to Puerto de Bannos, where they were joined by a draft of 150 men from the second battalion.
1813.
While stationed at this post, an attempt was made, in February, 1813, by the French, to surprise Bejar, then occupied by the Fiftieth regiment. The Seventy-first were ordered forward to support, but previously to their arrival that brave regiment had driven back the enemy and completely foiled his efforts.
2nd bat.
On the 18th of March, 1813, the second battalion of the Seventy-first embarked at Gravesend for North Britain, and arrived at Leith on the 23rd of that month.
1st bat.
Upon the 5th of April, the Seventy-first changed quarters with the Fiftieth regiment, and continued to occupy Bejar until the 21st of May, at which period the army broke up from its winter quarters for active operations. The battalion on its advance moved by Salamanca and Toro, and encamped at La Puebla on the 20th of June, the evening before the memorable battle of Vittoria.
Upon the morning of the 21st of June, the two armies being in position, the Seventy-first was ordered to ascend the heights of La Puebla, to support the Spanish forces under General Morillo. They accordingly advanced in open column, and having formed line, were immediately hotly engaged with the enemy, and upon this occasion suffered an irreparable loss in the fall of their Commanding Officer the Honourable Colonel Henry Cadogan, who fell mortally wounded while leading his men to the charge, and being unable to accompany the battalion, requested to be carried to a neighbouring eminence, from which he might take a last farewell of them and the field. In his dying moments, he earnestly inquired if the French were beaten, and on being told by an officer of the regiment who stood by supporting him, that they had given way at all points, he ejaculated, “God bless my brave countrymen,” and immediately expired.
While recording the deep sense of sorrow which the Seventy-first experienced in the loss of a commanding officer who had so often fought at their head, and whose devoted gallantry had so frequently called forth their admiration, it is but a meet tribute to the memory of that brave officer to extract from the despatch of the Marquis of Wellington the following expressions of his Lordship’s regret at his loss: