Names of officers of the Royal Fusiliers present at the battle of Albuhera.
The list of killed and wounded, containing about seven hundred officers and soldiers, proclaims with dreadful eloquence the sanguinary character of the contest in which the Royal Fusiliers were engaged. Their heroic conduct was subsequently rewarded with the privilege of bearing the word "Albuhera" inscribed on their colours. Major Blakeney was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy vacant by the death of Sir William Myers; Major Nooth was rewarded with the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the army, and Captain Despard (who succeeded to the command of the second battalion after the fall of Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeney), with that of major. A gold clasp was sent to the relatives of Sir William Myers; Lieutenant-Colonel Blakeney was rewarded with a gold clasp, and Major Nooth and Captain Despard with gold medals.
After the battle, the brigade was attached to the remains of the second division commanded by Major-General the Honourable William Stewart, whose estimation of the conduct of the Fusiliers is attested by the following letter.
"Almandrelejo, 26th May, 1811.
"Sir,
"As you have been so kind as to permit me to transmit to you the names of the officers of my division who commanded corps on the 16th instant, it may not be deemed irregular if, during the absence of Major-General Cole, I forward to you the names of the officers of the Fusilier Brigade who were similarly situated.
"The remains of that gallant corps having been attached to the second division, immediately after the action of Albuhera, and the major-general of the second division having been obliged to leave the field from a wound, I am induced to lay before you, for such favourable report on the subject as you may deem expedient to the Commander of the Forces, the enclosed returns which have been put in my possession by the officer now in command of the Fusilier Brigade, and who commanded the same in action, after the successive incapacity from wounds of his four senior officers. I am afraid lest by further delay the exertions of that brigade be not sufficiently known. From the circumstance of the Fusilier Brigade having been joined with my third brigade in the hard-fought defence of our centre position for above three hours, and from the severe loss sustained by the Fusiliers on the spot, and from the testimony of the surrounding allied army, I feel myself authorised in stating that the conduct of the Fusilier Brigade on the 16th instant was admirable, and such as effectually secured the victory of that day.
"It is a duty, moreover, which I owe to the brave soldiers under my temporary command, to report that the second division is indebted to the Royal Fusiliers for the recapture of a six pounder, and of a regimental colour of the third, or buffs, both of which had been lost in the too successful attack of the enemy's cavalry, on my first brigade, in the beginning of that day.
"I am, &c.
"William Stewart,
"Major-General.