"Meanwhile the right wing was not less successful; the enemy, confident of success, met General Dilkes on the ascent of the hill, and the contest was sanguinary: but the undaunted perseverance of the brigade of Guards, of Lieut.-Colonel Browne's battalion, and of Lieut.-Colonel Norcott's, and Major Acheson's detachment, overcame every obstacle, and General Rufin's division was driven from the heights in confusion, leaving two pieces of cannon.
"No expressions of mine could do justice to the conduct of the troops throughout. Nothing less than the almost unparalleled exertions of every officer, the invincible bravery of every soldier, and the most determined devotion to the honor of His Majesty's arms, in all, could have achieved this brilliant success, against such a formidable enemy so posted.
"In less than an hour and a half from the commencement of the action, the enemy was in full retreat. The retiring division met, halted, and seemed inclined to form; a new and more advanced position of our artillery quickly dispersed them.
"The exhausted state of the troops made pursuit impossible. A position was taken on the eastern side of the hill; and we were strengthened on our right by the return of the two Spanish battalions that had been attached before to my division, but which I had left on the hill, and which had been ordered to retire. These battalions (Walloon Guards and Ciudad Real) made every effort to come back in time, when it was known that we were engaged....
"When all have so distinguished themselves, it is scarcely possible to discriminate any as the most deserving of praise. Your Lordship will, however, observe how gloriously the brigade of Guards under Brigadier-General Dilkes, with the commanders of the battalions, Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable C. Onslow and Lieut.-Colonel Sebright (wounded), as well as the three separated companies under Lieut.-Colonel Jackson, maintained the high character of His Majesty's household troops. Lieut.-Colonel Browne, with his flank battalion, Lieut.-Colonel Norcott, and Major Acheson deserve equal praise.
"I must equally recommend to your Lordship's notice, Colonel Wheatly, with Colonel Belson, Lieut.-Colonel Prevost, and Major Gough, and the officers of the respective corps composing his brigade....
"The assistance I received from the unwearied exertions of Lieut.-Colonel Macdonald,[19] and the officers of the Adjutant-General's department, of Lieut.-Colonel the Honorable C. Cathcart, and the officers of the Quartermaster-General's Department, of Captain Birch and Captain Nicholas, and the officers of the Royal Engineers, of Captain Hope, and the officers of my Personal Staff, (all animating by their example,) will ever be most gratefully remembered....
"I cannot conclude this despatch without earnestly recommending to His Majesty's gracious notice for promotion, Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Browne, Major of the 28th foot, Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Norcott, Major of the 95th Rifle Regiment, Major Duncan, Royal Artillery, Major Gough of the 87th, Major the Honorable E. Acheson of the SIXTY-SEVENTH, and Captain Birch of the Royal Engineers, all in the command of corps or detachments on this memorable service; and I confidently trust that the bearer of this despatch, Captain Hope, (to whom I refer your Lordship for further details,) will be promoted, on being permitted to lay the Eagle at His Majesty's feet."
Such are the details of the battle of Barrosa, in which the enemy lost about three thousand men in killed, wounded, and prisoners, while that of the English amounted to 1243 killed and wounded.
The SIXTY-SEVENTH had Lieut.-Colonel Prevost, Captain Patrickson, Lieutenant W. Ronald, and Ensign Sutherland wounded; ten men of the regiment were killed; and one serjeant and thirty rank and file were wounded.