By W. W. Ravenhill, Esq. 199 
present at the brilliant campaign on the Nivelle and Nive, in 
which Wellington defeated Soult, and pressing that ‘“ Marshal 
Plunderer ” back, invaded France. 
The action, in which the Sixty-Second won honour, was on the 
10th of December.'. The British and allied army were divided by 
the River Nive. Soult, having command of a bridge above them, 
determined to crush one half of it, before the other half could cross. 
The attack was unexpected. When it began (9 a.m.) Lord 
Aylmer’s brigade were at St. Jean de Luz, six miles in the rear. 
. The Portugese were at this time in the front of the allies at this 
portion of the lines, The French drove them back on Robinson’s 
English brigade, which stood firm. A hot fight ensued in the 
hedges, the French pressing on with their wonted dash. But 
Robinson was obstinate, and he was joined by that grand hero 
Sir John Hope. There was no moving them then, but the French 
forces were increasmg. Ho for Aylmer’s brigade! They were 
there before they were expected. Six miles at the double, breathless 
but in at them. Well done Lord Aylmer! ‘Well done Guards! 
Well done Wiltshire Springers! The French were compelled to 
retire. Though in the thick of it apparently, and having to fight 
hard, the Wiltshiremen were lucky in casualties—four rank and file 
wounded. The second battalion remained at Bayonne till August, 
1814, and then returned to Ireland. 
For these services the regiment received medal and clasps. The 
words “Nive” and “Peninsula” were afterwards added to the 
colours in 1829. 
_ When Waterloo was fought the second battalion of the regiment 
was in Ireland, but afterwards went to Paris in July, 1815, to form 
a part of the army of oceupation; they were quartered at Mont 
Martre and Belleville. Here they remained till January, 1816, and 
then returned to Ireland. 
On their way a melancholy event happened. 
‘On the evening of the same day upon which the dreadful catastrophe | 
took place in the Bay of Tramore (where three hundred and sixty-three persons 
belonging to the Fifty-Ninth Regiment lost their lives on board the Sea Horse) 
_ an accident happened to a detachment of the Sixty-Second Regiment which had 
? Alison, xi. yol., 142. 
