While stationed at this post, an attempt was made, in February 1813, by the French, to surprise Bejar, then occupied by the fiftieth regiment. The Seventy-first were ordered forward to support, but previously to their arrival that brave regiment had driven back the enemy, and completely foiled his efforts.
2d bat.
On the 18th of March 1813, the second battalion of the Seventy-first embarked at Gravesend for North Britain, and arrived at Leith on the 23d of that month.
1st bat.
Upon the 5th of April the Seventy-first changed quarters with the fiftieth regiment, and continued to occupy Bejar until the 21st of May, at which period the army broke up from its winter cantonments for active operations. The battalion on its advance moved by Salamanca and Toro, and encamped at La Puebla on the 20th of June, the evening before the memorable battle of Vittoria.
Upon the morning of the 21st of June, the two armies being in position, the Seventy-first were ordered to ascend the heights of La Puebla, to support the Spanish forces under General Morillo. They accordingly advanced in open column, and having formed line, were immediately hotly engaged with the enemy, and upon this occasion suffered an irreparable loss in the fall of their Commanding Officer the Honorable Colonel Henry Cadogan, who fell mortally wounded while leading his men to the charge, and being unable to accompany the battalion, requested to be carried to a neighbouring eminence, from which he might take a last farewell of them and the field. In his dying moments he earnestly inquired if the French were beaten; and on being told by an officer of the regiment, who stood by supporting him, that they had given way at all points, he ejaculated, “God bless my brave countrymen” and immediately expired.[30]
While recording the deep sense of sorrow which the Seventy-first experienced in the demise of a commanding officer who had so often fought at their head, and whose devoted gallantry had so frequently called forth their admiration, it is but a meet tribute to the memory of that brave spirit to extract from the despatch of the Marquis of Wellington the following expressions of his lordship’s regret at his loss:
“And I am concerned to report that the Honorable Lieut.-Colonel Cadogan has died of a wound which he received. In him His Majesty has lost an officer of great zeal and tried gallantry, who had already acquired the respect and regard of the whole profession, and of whom it might be expected, that if he had lived he would have rendered the most important services to his country.”
After the fall of the Lieut.-Colonel, the Seventy-first continued advancing, and driving the enemy from the heights, until the force which was opposed to them became so unequal, and the loss of the battalion so severe, that it was obliged to retire upon the remainder of the brigade. In the performance of this arduous duty the battalion suffered very severely, having had one field officer, one captain, two lieutenants, six serjeants, one bugler, and seventy-eight rank and file killed; one field officer, three captains, seven lieutenants, thirteen serjeants, two buglers, and two hundred and fifty-five rank and file were wounded.