924 
enemy’s line: a column of cavalry 
was perceived attempting to separate 
the two corps, but our field-pieces 
kept them at bay; they then at- 
tempted to turn the left of the 81st, 
but general Cole's brigade shewing 
themselves ‘at this critical moment, 
they inclined off further to their 
right, with the apparent view of 
turning our Jeft, whenever an op- 
portunity offered, but the 20th re- 
giment, which had just been landed 
on the beach, threw themselves un- 
perceived into a wood on the flank 
of this cavalry, opened their fire, 
and so dispersed them, that they 
never rallied again in that direction. 
While this attempt to turn our left 
flank so completely failed, his at- 
tempt to turn our right was rendered 
more completely abortive. ‘The 
light infantry, 78th and 81st, were, 
as I formerly mentioned, about 1000 
yards from the enemy, who were 
advancing at this time upon us in 
the most perfect order; the four- 
pounders, on the right of the 78th, 
fired about four rounds, one of 
which unhorsed an officer that ap- 
peared to command the regiment 
directly opposed to us, and whose 
superb saddle is now a regimental 
trophy, and to be sent to you by 
the quarter-master, who picked it 
up while we were otherwise em- 
ployed. Having now ascertained 
that colonel Kemp meant to fire a 
volley and then charge, J judged 
that the 78th could be guided by no 
better principle, and I prepared it 
accordingly. No rapture of enthu- 
siasm ever enjoyed by any mortal, 
could exceed my sensation at ob- 
serving, not only the firmness and 
determination, but the universal 
disposition to order, and implicit 
obedience to the different directions 
that were necessary, by the olflicers 
“ANNUAL REGISTER, 1806. 
and men of the battalion. My mind, 
though much engaged, was thereby 
made calm and tranguil, and [ con. 
fidently predicted the glory of the 
day. ‘The obvious ardour of indi- ¥ 
viduals, the enthusiasm of the whole, - 
inspired a decided confidence, while 
it produced a proud contempt for 
the foe they were about to combat, 
Under these most happy circum. 
stances, little exertion became ne. 
cessary on my part to guide the | 
machine, and accordingly, having 
permitted the enemy to advance 
about 200 yards nearer, with our 
arms at the shoulder, both corps 
threw in a heavy fire, and instantly 
afterwards advanced to the charge in 
double quick time. As soon as the 
smoke had completely dispersed, 
we could discern our enemy, with 
whom we expected to come in con- 
tact, distant about one ‘hundred and 
fifty yards, to. be retiring with 
the same speed that we advanced. 
With ashout of victory, and quick. 
ening our pace, we still endeavoured 
to close with them, but without 
success. About this time general 
Acland, who followed in rear to 
the 78th column, during the charge, 
observed to me that our flanks were 
exposed and unprotected, and de- 
sired a halt, when we found the 
78th to be in advance of the whole. 
army. ‘The light infantry upon our 
right, having had the good fortune 
to close with the regiment imme- 
diately opposite them, were delayed 
by the slaughter, nay, almost anni- 
hilation, of Buonaparte’s favourite 
corps.: Our halt had occasioned 
that of the enemy’s regiment op. 
posed to us, at a respectable dis 
tance, who appeared inclined to 
make another stand ; but, upon the 
light infantry, and 81st coming 
up again upon our flanks, we 
2 pushed 
\ 
