In the General Orders issued by Lieut.-General Sir John Hope (afterwards Lord Hopetoun), congratulating the army upon the successful result of the Battle of Corunna, on the 16th of January, 1809, it is stated:—"On no occasion has the undaunted valour of British troops ever been more manifest. At the termination of a severe and harassing march, rendered necessary by the superiority which the enemy had acquired, and which had materially impaired the efficiency of the troops, many disadvantages were to be encountered. These have all been surmounted by the conduct of the troops themselves; and the enemy has been taught, that whatever advantages of position or of numbers he may possess, there is inherent in the British officers and soldiers a bravery that knows not how to yield—that no circumstances can appal—and that will ensure victory when it is to be obtained by the exertion of any human means."
HISTORICAL RECORD
OF
THE FOURTH,
OR THE
KING'S OWN, REGIMENT OF FOOT:
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF
THE FORMATION OF THE REGIMENT IN 1680,
AND OF
ITS SUBSEQUENT SERVICES
TO 1839.
ILLUSTRATED WITH PLATES.