1709
The early part of the campaign of 1709 was also passed in defensive movements: the Royal Dragoons were encamped with the army on the banks of the Segré, and having forded that river in August, the town of Balaguer, situate at the foot of a hill on the banks of that stream and in a district of uncommon fertility, was captured; also Ager, a place twelve miles from Balaguer. After placing garrisons in these towns the army repassed the river, and the regiments went into cantonments.
1710
The campaign of 1710 was distinguished by more important events, the two claimants to the throne of Spain heading their armies in person. The enemy was first in the field, and commenced operations with the siege of Balaguer, but retired on the approach of the allied army. The Royal Dragoons were subsequently encamped on the banks of the Segré; and when King Charles joined the army, they were detached to meet his Majesty and to escort him to the camp.
After some manœuvring, Lieutenant-General Stanhope (afterwards Earl Stanhope), who commanded the British troops in Spain, being at the head of the leading column of the allied army on the march towards Alfaras, discovered, on the evening of the 27th of July, a body of the enemy's forces in front of the village of Almanara, and obtained the King's permission to attack them with the cavalry, of which the Royal Dragoons had the honour to form part.
The sun was declining from the horizon, and the shades of evening were gathering over the valleys of Catalonia, when the British commander led forward his warlike horsemen. Before him appeared twenty-two squadrons of Castilian cavalry, the pride and flower of the Spanish army, with King Philip's life guards on the right; a second line of the same numbers was seen in the rear, and nine battalions of infantry supported the cavalry. Against this force the gallant Stanhope advanced at the head of Harvey's horse (now second dragoon guards); his front line consisted of sixteen squadrons, with a reserve of six squadrons. The Spaniards came forward to meet their opponents in all the pomp of war, and a noble spectacle presented itself. The foaming squadrons dashed upon each other, but the contest was of short duration. The enemy's left soon gave way,—the Spanish life guards were routed with the loss of a standard and a pair of kettle drums,—their second line fled in confusion,—the infantry were seized with a panic; and Stanhope's troopers chased the fugitives from the field with great slaughter, following them among the rocks and dells until the darkness rendered it impossible to distinguish friends from foes.
The result of this cavalry action disconcerted the plans of the enemy; King Philip called in his detachments and retired; and the allied army moved forward in pursuit. After following the retiring army many days, sometimes crossing valleys, and at other times traversing wild but beautiful regions among rocks and mountains, and obtaining possession of numerous towns in Arragon, the Royal Dragoons overtook the enemy's rear-guard in the pass of Penalva, on the 15th of August, when a sharp skirmish ensued, and Lieut.-Colonel Colberg, who commanded the regiment, was wounded and taken prisoner.
Continuing the pursuit during the four succeeding days, the Royal Dragoons passed the Ebro with the leading column under Major-General Carpenter, and on the evening of the 19th of August the French and Spanish forces were discovered in order of battle on the right of Saragossa, a city pleasantly situated on the river Ebro, in a very plentiful country, abounding with every necessary for the support and convenience of life, and once the delight of Julius Cæsar, who erected a splendid palace there. Preparations were made to attack the enemy on the following day; the Royal Dragoons formed part of the cavalry of the left wing, commanded by Lieut.-General Stanhope, and were opposed to the enemy's right on the brow of a steep hill.
Early on the morning of the 20th of August a heavy cannonade commenced; and as the mountains re-echoed the sound, and the smoke, tinged with the rays of the sun, rose in curling clouds and formed a glittering dome over the opposing armies, King Charles and his suite galloped along the line, and his Majesty's presence infused a glowing ardour into the troops. About mid-day Lieut.-General Stanhope led the Royal Dragoons and other British horsemen on the left against their adversaries, and a sharp cavalry action ensued, in which the French troopers (being superior in numbers) had the advantage; but Stanhope's second line of cavalry repulsed the enemy. The British dragoons rallied, and returning to the charge, a sanguinary sword-fight took place at the foot of the hill; but six squadrons of Portuguese dragoons on the extreme left fled before the troops advancing against them, without waiting to be attacked. The battle extended along the front to the banks of the Ebro, and the Imperial, Dutch, and Palatine troops vied with the British in feats of gallantry. The Royals, Pepper's (now eighth) and Stanhope's dragoons, continuing the fight, gained some advantage; Harvey's horse signalized themselves; and four English battalions, commanded by Major-General Wade, being mixed with the cavalry of the left wing, behaved with remarkable intrepidity and heroism. The British infantry, throwing off their knapsacks, sprang up the acclivity and attacked their opponents sword in hand: finally, the enemy was driven from the field with prodigious slaughter, and the loss of six thousand prisoners, twenty-two pieces of cannon, seventy-two standards and colours, the ammunition, baggage, and plate of King Philip; and the city of Saragossa was captured, with its military stores of ammunition, provision and clothing. The Royal Dragoons passed the night in the fields near the town, and were thanked by King Charles for their distinguished gallantry.
After this victory the army once more advanced to Madrid, and King Charles made his public entry into the capital on the 28th of September; but the army of Portugal not advancing to sustain this forward movement, the most disastrous results followed. King Philip called to his aid troops from Estremadura,—reinforcements arrived from France,—the Castilian peasantry took arms in his behalf,—and the allied army was once more forced to retire.