BATTLE OF SALAMANCA.
Extract of a memoir by sir Charles Dalbiac, who was one of Le Marchant’s brigade of heavy cavalry.
“Throughout these charges upon the enemy, the heavy brigade was unsupported by any other portion of the cavalry whatever; but was followed, as rapidly as it was possible for infantry to follow, by the third division which had so gloriously led the attack in the first instance and had so effectually turned the enemy’s extreme left.”
Extract from a memoir by colonel Money, who was one of general Anson’s brigade of light cavalry.
“The third division moved to the right, and the cavalry, Le Marchand’s and Anson’s, were ordered to charge as soon as the tirailleurs of the third division began to ascend the right flank of the hill.”—“The rapid movement of the cavalry which now began to gallop, and the third division pressing them (the French), they run into the wood, which separated them from the army; we (Anson’s light cavalry) charged them under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery from another height; near two thousand threw down their arms in different parts of the wood, and we continued our charge through the wood until our brigade came into an open plain of ploughed fields, where the dust was so great we could see nothing, and halted; when it cleared away, we found ourselves within three hundred yards of a large body of French infantry and artillery, formed on the declivity of a hill. A tremendous battle was heard on the other side, which prevented the enemy from perceiving us. At last they opened a fire of musketry and grape-shot, and we retired in good order and without any loss.”
Extract of a letter from sir Henry Watson, commanding the first regiment of Portuguese cavalry under general D’Urban.
“When Marmont, at the battle of Salamanca, advanced his left, lord Wellington ordered down the reserve, of which the first and tenth Portuguese cavalry and two squadrons of the British cavalry under captain Townsend, now lieutenant-colonel Townsend, formed a part under sir B. D’Urban. The cavalry was pushed forward in contiguous columns, and were protected from the enemy by a small rising ground, which, as soon as I had passed, I was ordered to wheel up, and charge the front in line. The enemy had formed a square, and gave us a volley as we advanced, the eleventh and fourteenth remained en potence. In this charge we completely succeeded, and the enemy appeared panic-struck, and made no attempt to prevent our cutting and thrusting at them in all directions until the moment I was about to withdraw; then a soldier, at not more than six or eight paces, levelled his musquet at me, and shot me through the shoulder, which knocked me off my horse, where I continued to lie till the whole of our infantry had passed over.”
Extract from a letter of colonel Townsend, 14th Dragoons.
“At the battle of Salamanca I perfectly recollect seeing D’Urban’s cavalry advance up the hill, and charge the French infantry. They were repulsed, and left Watson (now sir Henry), who led his regiment, the first Portuguese, badly wounded on the field.”—“I am almost positive the French were not in square, but in line, waiting to receive the attack of the leading brigade of the third division, which gallantly carried every thing before it.”