"Heights above Echalar, half-past three o'clock,
2nd August, 1813.
"Division Order.—The Lieutenant-general has just been desired by Lord Wellington to say to the brigade under Major-General Barnes' command, that 'Their attack on the enemy is the most gallant, and the finest thing he ever witnessed.' These were the words of the Commander of the forces, and Lord Dalhousie feels the highest satisfaction in communicating them to Major-General Barnes, the officers, and men."
In his public despatch, the Marquis of Wellington observed:—"Major-General Barnes's brigade was formed for the attack, and advanced before the fourth and light divisions could co-operate, with a regularity and gallantry which I have seldom seen equalled, and actually drove the two divisions of the enemy, notwithstanding the resistance opposed to them, from those formidable heights. It is impossible that I can extol too highly the conduct of Major-General Barnes and these brave troops, which was the admiration of all who were witnesses of it."[36]
On this memorable occasion, of which every officer and soldier of the Sixth may be justly proud, the regiment had Captain William Brownlow, two serjeants, and thirteen rank and file killed; Major Guy Campbell, Lieutenants Everest, Tarleton, and Addison, four serjeants, and one hundred and thirty-six rank and file wounded. Majors Guy Campbell, Hugh Maurice Scott, and Henry Gomm were promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and the regiment was rewarded with the honour of bearing the word "Pyrenees" inscribed on its colours.
The Sixth were stationed several weeks in the lofty Pyrenean mountains: the corps at Roncesvalles and Maya stood in a most commanding situation, and the Marquis of Wellington resolved to place his left in an equally menacing position, by dispossessing the enemy of some strong ground on the right of the Bidassoa, the key of which was a steep mountain, called La Rhune. The attack was commenced on the 7th of October, and completely succeeded. A detachment of the Sixth, sent forward through the Puerto de Echalar, was partially engaged, and had Captain Shawe and one man killed; Captain Rogers, one serjeant, and five rank and file wounded.
In the attack of the enemy's position on the Nivelle, on the 10th of November, the Sixth were in the column under Marshal Sir William Beresford, which carried the redoubts on the left of the enemy's centre; advanced on the left of the river upon St. Pé; crossed the stream at that place, and drove a body of French from the heights beyond the village: in which service the regiment had one man killed and six wounded; and its gallant bearing was rewarded with the privilege of displaying the word "Nivelle" on its colours.
In the passage of the Nive, and the actions of the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th of December, the regiment co-operated, but was not brought into contact with the enemy; and the army afterwards went into quarters until the severity of the weather was abated.
1814