On the following day the regiment went in pursuit of the remains of the French army, and on the 24th of June, fell in with the rear-guard at a pass about two leagues from Pampeluna, when two battalions of riflemen drove the French infantry through the pass, the horse artillery killed several men, and dismounted one of the two pieces of cannon brought off from Vittoria; at the same time the leading squadron of the Fourteenth, under Major Brotherton, charged and captured a tumbril.
The French withdrew into the passes of the Pyrenean mountains; the Fourteenth light dragoons followed the enemy, and on the 28th of June, a patrol of three men of the regiment, under Lieutenant Ward, penetrating to the village of Ostiz, found twenty-five French foot soldiers regularly armed and formed up at the village, who surrendered themselves prisoners of war.
Advancing further into the mountains, a patrol of six men of the regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Clavering, encountered, on the 1st of July, a body of infantry of the French rear-guard, on the road from Roncesvalles to St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, dispersed them, and took eighteen prisoners.
A strong body of French troops occupied the fruitful valley of Bastan, in the mountains, from whence they were driven by the troops under Sir Rowland Hill. The Fourteenth were attached to Lieut.-General Hill's division, and a squadron, under Major Brotherton, was engaged, on the 4th of July, with a body of the enemy near Almandoz. The allied army was established in positions in the mountains; the Fourteenth took the out-post duty in front of Maya, and also furnished posts of correspondence for several weeks. At length, the French army having been reinforced, re-organized, and placed under the command of Marshal Soult, advanced and commenced offensive operations. During the action of the 26th of July, the regiment was employed in carrying off the wounded from the pass of Maya, and received the thanks of Sir Rowland Hill. A squadron under Captain Milles was similarly employed on the 30th of July, when Sir Rowland Hill's post at Arestegui was attacked, and another squadron under Major Brotherton had a rencounter with the enemy.
The French having been repulsed, fell back in disorder, and were pursued to the confines of Spain. The Fourteenth formed the van of Sir Rowland Hill's division, and were engaged with the enemy in the valley of Bastan, on the 1st and 2nd of August: on the 5th the regiment took the out-post duty in front of Maya.
On the 10th of November the troops descended from the Pyrenees, and traversed the mountain passes by moonlight, until they arrived at the line of piquets, where they halted until the day dawned, when they transferred the seat of war to France, and taught the admirers of splendid but unprincipled aggressions, that the day of retribution had arrived. The Fourteenth light dragoons were attached to Sir Rowland Hill's division, and one squadron formed the advance-guard to Marshal Beresford's corps. The enemy's position on the Nivelle was forced, and the regiment was united at Espelette on the following day. The regimental baggage, which was attached to the second division, fell into the hands of a party of the enemy, in the rear of the pass of Maya, on which occasion the regiment had one troop serjeant-major and two private soldiers killed.
From the 15th of November to the 9th of December the regiment furnished the out-posts on the river Nive: it formed the advanced-guard to Sir Rowland Hill's corps at the passage of the Nive at the fords near Cambo, and the stream being deep, two men and two horses were drowned. On the 11th of December, a squadron, under Major Brotherton, encountered a body of the enemy in front of Mendionda, and captured a convoy of corn, wine, and salt, and made four men and horses of the escort prisoners. On the 13th the regiment was engaged with the French Light cavalry, under General Pierre Soult, (brother of Marshal Soult), at Hasparren, when Major Brotherton and Lieutenant Southwell were taken prisoners; also one serjeant and one private soldier wounded, and one taken prisoner.
The regiment took the out-post duty in front of Urt on the 14th of December; and was formed in brigade with the thirteenth light dragoons, under Colonel Vivian, who was succeeded, in the beginning of the following year, by Major-General Fane.
1814
After reposing a short period in quarters during very severe weather, the army resumed operations in the middle of February, 1814, and the Fourteenth light dragoons took the van in the advance against the enemy's left, which led to the actions at Hellette, Garris, and Sauveterre.