Shortly after the above gallant affair, the capture of the fortress of Huy by the confederates enabled the Commander-in-Chief to obtain the release of the brave corps which had been made prisoners at Tongres, and the following provision was made for that purpose; viz.:— 'The Governor, 900 men, and two Brigadier-Generals to remain prisoners of war, till the two regiments taken by the French at Tongres are released.' These terms were speedily complied with.
1704
Archduke Charles of Austria having been acknowledged as sovereign of Spain by a great part of Europe, was seconded in his efforts to establish his claim by a combined English and Dutch force, commanded by the Duke of Schomberg; and he was further encouraged in his undertaking by having Portugal for his ally. His object, was to enter Spain by the Portuguese frontiers, and the auxiliary force accordingly proceeded to Lisbon. The Queen Dowager's was one of the regiments selected for this service, and having embarked from Holland, the regiment landed at Lisbon on the 16th of March, 1704. The Duke of Schomberg was succeeded in his command by the Earl of Galway, who advanced with the army to the vicinity of Ciudad Rodrigo, but returned to Portugal for winter quarters.
1705
In the summer of 1705 the Queen Dowager's Regiment was engaged in the siege of Valencia de Alcantara, which place was taken by storm on the 8th of May. The regiment was also employed in the siege and capture of Albuquerque; and in the unsuccessful attack on Badajoz, in which the Earl of Galway lost his right hand by a cannon ball.
On the 31st of December, Catherine, Queen Dowager of England, with whose history the early services of this regiment were connected, and from whom its original title and distinctions (as already remarked) were derived, died at Lisbon. Her Majesty was Regent of Portugal during the summer, (the king her brother being with the army) and had proved herself firmly attached to the interests of Great Britain[21].
1706
In April, 1706, the regiment was engaged in the siege of Alcantara, in Spanish Estramadura, and on the 10th of that month distinguished itself in an attack on the enemy's post at the Convent of St. Francis; it was afterwards engaged in the siege and capture of Ciudad Rodrigo; and subsequently advanced with the army to Madrid.
This advance was in connexion with the operations of Charles, Earl of Peterborough, and of the combined English and Dutch fleets, the reduction of Barcelona, and the conquest of Catalonia and Valencia,—features important in history, which reflect the highest honour on the British arms.