Accordingly, on the 21st of June, the first battalion of the NINETY-SECOND regiment, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, quitted its encampment early in the morning, and moved to La Puebla, where it crossed the river Zadorra, and ascended the mountain behind the village, which the Spaniards named “Alturas de los Inglezes,” from an action fought there by the English in 1367, when Edward the Black Prince proceeded to Spain to assist Peter, King of Castile, to recover his throne.[15]
The memorable battle of Vittoria commenced by Lieut.-General Sir Rowland Hill obtaining possession of the heights of La Puebla, on which the enemy’s left rested. The enemy immediately sent a reinforcement of about seven thousand men, with some artillery to this point, and made several attempts to recover his lost ground, but was as frequently repulsed by the troops which were opposed to him; and by that means they covered the remainder of the second division, while filing across the Zadorra, and in its movement to attack the enemy in the village of Subijana de Alava. Each corps kept its ground with coolness and steadiness, until everything was prepared on the left, and the allied army advanced across the plain.
At this juncture, the NINETY-SECOND was again directed to advance, and drive the enemy from every post in its front, which duty it performed in its usual manner, and the French having given way at all points, the battalion continued a rapid pursuit along the Pampeluna road, until about midnight, when it was halted near Ganuz.
On this occasion, the French suffered a great loss of men, together with all their artillery, baggage, and stores. King Joseph, whose carriage and court-equipage being seized, had barely time to escape on horseback. The defeat was the most complete that the French had experienced in Spain.
The bâton of Marshal Jourdan was taken by the eighty-seventh regiment, and the Prince Regent, in the name and behalf of His Majesty, appointed the Marquis of Wellington a Field Marshal. In a most flattering letter, the Prince thus conferred the honor: “You have sent me among the trophies of your unrivalled fame, the staff of a French Marshal, and I send you in return that of England.”
In commemoration of the share the NINETY-SECOND bore in gaining this signal victory, the royal authority was afterwards received for the word “Vittoria,” to be inscribed on the regimental colour and appointments. A medal was also conferred on the commanding officer, Lieut.-Colonel John Cameron.
The NINETY-SECOND had four rank and file killed, and sixteen wounded.
On the 22nd of June, the allies followed the retreating enemy, on which day the NINETY-SECOND marched to about a league in front of Salvatierra, and encamped; on the 23rd proceeded to near Arbeniz; on the 24th to near Araquil; on the 25th to near Stormende; on the 26th to near Zuaza; and on the 27th marched to Orcayen, about three miles from Pampeluna, which latter place was afterwards invested.
The NINETY-SECOND marched to a wood near Lizasso on the 2nd of July; on the 3rd to Puerta Velate; on the 4th to Almandoz, where a skirmish took place, the enemy being in position between Beruete and Aniz. On the 5th, after some movements to turn the left of his position, he retreated, and the NINETY-SECOND bivouacked in front of Elizondo, halting there during the following day.
On the 7th of July, the enemy was seen in a strong position on the heights of Maya, and troops were sent across the Bidassoa to attack his right. The NINETY-SECOND marched through the village of Maya in the afternoon, and a good deal of fighting took place during the day, the light troops continuing to skirmish until dark, when the battalion bivouacked.