154 THE IRISH PEOPLE. 



second, and broke bath by the shock, making them 

 suffer immensely, taking a howitzer, killing the 

 colonel, and capturing the Eagle of Napoleon's 

 favourite 8th regiment. At Tarifa the 87th were 

 fiercely assailed by a French column ; but, says 

 Wellington, ' though comparatively a small number, 

 they made the enemy retire with disgrace infinitely 

 to the honour of our brave troops.' " 



With these deeds before him, the poet, Charles 

 Philips, having praised in verse the Irish generals, 

 Wellington, Hutchinson, Spencer, Cole, Beresford, 

 and Pack, addresses the colonel of the 87th: 



" And thou, brave, laughter-loving Doyle, 

 Pure symbol of thy native soil, 

 Long may'st thou lead thy hero band, 

 Guards of their Prince, and glories of their land." 



General Graham, who commanded at Barrosa, 

 wrote to Wellington : " A most determined charge 

 by three companies of Guards, and the 87th Regi- 

 ment, supported by the remainder of the left wing, 

 decided the fate of General Laval's Division. The 

 Eagle of the 8th Regiment of Infantry, ivliich 

 suffered immensely,* and a howitzer rewarded this 

 charge, and remained in possession of Major Gough 

 (who commanded the 87th), the animated charges 

 of the 87th were most conspicuous." Wellington 



* The context shows who inflicted the suffering. 



