On the following morning, the battalion took post on a ridge commanding the communication of the right wing with the river Nive; this wing was in position with its right towards the Adour river, and its left at Ville Franche, and it was not attacked by the enemy on the 10th, 11th, or 12th of December; but on the 13th a number of French corps assailed the troops under Sir Rowland Hill with great spirit; when the Thirty-fourth maintained their important post during the day, with the loss of five men wounded. The enemy was repulsed with severe loss, and pursued to the camp in front of Bayonne: the brigade to which the Thirty-fourth belonged, followed the French until it arrived within musket shot of the works, and took post in a ravine, where it remained until night, when it was relieved by the third division.
The battalion earned another honorary distinction for its colours on this occasion, and the word “Nive” inscribed thereon by royal authority, commemorates its gallantry; Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley also received a third distinction.
1814
Leaving their cantonments at the village of St. Pierre, near Bayonne, the Thirty-fourth advanced, with the troops under Lieutenant-General Sir Rowland Hill, in the middle of February, 1814, when the French corps under General Harispe, were driven from Hellete, and afterwards forced from a position in front of Garris. The Thirty-fourth continued to follow the retreating enemy, and their gallant bearing on the 27th of February, was afterwards rewarded with the royal authority to bear the word “Orthes” on the regimental colours; Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley also received the usual honorary distinction conferred on commanding officers of battalions distinguishing themselves in action.
Pursuing the retreating enemy in the direction of Aire, the battalion took part in forcing the French to quit that town, where immense magazines were captured.
The Thirty-fourth were stationed at Aire several days, and afterwards took part in forcing the French back upon Toulouse. Two or three attempts to throw a bridge of boats across the Garonne were not attended with success; but the river was eventually passed, and the enemy driven from his positions on the 10th of April. On this occasion the troops under Sir Rowland Hill, in whose column the Thirty-fourth served, drove the enemy from his exterior works in the suburb, on the left of the Garonne, within the ancient wall. The Thirty-fourth, under Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley, took part in forcing the enemy from his redoubts, and from the houses which he occupied in force, and afterwards formed a lodgment in the ditch surrounding the suburb. The battalion had two men killed; Captain James H. Baker mortally wounded; one drummer, and ten rank and file wounded.
The enemy having quitted Toulouse, the Thirty-fourth moved through the town, and followed the retiring army some distance; but hostilities were soon afterwards terminated. Napoleon Bonaparte was forced to abdicate the imperial throne, and the Bourbon dynasty was restored to France.
Thus the gallant soldiers of the Thirty-fourth completed their career of victory and honor; and the British arms triumphed over the tyrannical power which had sprung out of the French revolution, and aimed at universal dominion.
The conquering arms of Britain had rescued nations from bondage, and restored to Europe the blessings of peace. The word “Peninsula” on the colours of the Thirty-fourth, commemorates the distinguished part the second battalion took in the achievement of these splendid results; and its commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Worsley, was afterwards honored with the dignity of Companion of the Order of the Bath.
The first battalion remained at Secunderabad until the 19th of June, 1814, when it commenced its march for the island and fortress of Seringapatam, where it arrived on the 10th of August, and relieved the first battalion of the Sixty-ninth Regiment.