In the early part of the season the neighbouring heights of Altobispo were occupied weekly by the brigades of the division; but as the cold increased with the high winds, the pickets alone were appointed for this duty. Such was the inclemency of the weather, and natural advantages of this position, that it was scarcely thought that the enemy would attempt an attack. This opinion, however, was ill founded, as upon the night of the 11th of October an attempt was made by a strong party upon the advance, composed of 15 men of the Seventy-first, under Sergeant James Ross. Instead of flinching from an unequal contest, this small band, relying upon the strength of the position, and being, moreover, favoured by the darkness, which concealed its strength, maintained its ground, and forced the enemy to retire. The bravery of this party called forth high praise from Lieut.-General the Honourable Sir William Stewart, commanding the division, and at his request the soldiers composing it were all presented with medals.
On the 8th of November the division was again in motion, for the purpose of entering the French territory; and on the 9th of that month it bivouacked near the heights of Maya, where orders were received to march as light as possible. The heights were passed that night by moonlight for the purpose of joining the grand army; but the march over bad roads was so fatiguing that when the brigade arrived in position on the Nivelle it was not called upon to take an active part in the glorious proceedings of the rest of the army on the 10th of November, in forcing the French from their fortified position on that river.
After the battle of the Nivelle, the battalion marched in the direction of Cambo, on the Nive, where some smart skirmishing occurred, in which 2 men were killed, and 4 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 41 rank and file wounded. When the French crossed to the right bank, the Seventy-first occupied part of the town of Cambo.
The battalion remained in Cambo for nearly a month, and was here joined by a detachment of 4 sergeants and 82 rank and file, under the command of Lieut. Charles Henderson, from the second battalion, at this period stationed at Glasgow.
On the 9th of December the first battalion was engaged in the passage of the Nive. The left wing of the Seventy-first entered the river, supported by the fire of the right, and reached the opposite bank without experiencing any loss.
The enemy now retired within Bayonne, and the corps of Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill was established with its right on the Adour, the left above the Nive, and the centre at St. Pierre, across the high road to St. Jean Pied-de-Port.
In this disposition the second division, of which the Seventy-first formed part, was placed at St. Pierre. Marshal Soult, having completely failed in an attempt which he made against the left of the army, moved with his whole force against Sir Rowland Hill’s corps, with the expectation of overwhelming him before he could be supported.
The enemy came on with great boldness upon the 13th of December, and made vigorous efforts against the centre, which he repeatedly attacked; but at last, finding his most earnest endeavours fruitless, he drew off. In the action of this day the loss of the first battalion of the Seventy-first was very severe, having been placed close to the main road, against which the French made such formidable and repeated attacks.
Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell Mackenzie and Lieutenants William Campbell and Charles Henderson, together with 2 sergeants, 1 bugler, and 23 rank and file, were killed. Captains Robert Barclay and William Alexander Grant, and Lieutenants John McIntyre and William Torriano, with 37 rank and file, were wounded.
The following short, but highly expressive Division Order was issued by Lieut.-General the Honourable Sir William Stewart, K.B.