THEIK HEIGHT, FORM, AND STRENGTH. 157 



Irish. In some situations they are, perhaps, too 

 impetuous ; but if I know anything of the service, 

 this is a fault on the right side ; and what at the 

 moment was thought rashness and madness has 

 gained old England many a glorious victory." 



152. At the battle of Busaco, the 45th regiment 

 was on the very brink of being annihilated. The 

 Connacht Rangers rushed to their assistance, and 

 both precipitated themselves into the midst of a 

 French column composed of the 2nd, 4th, 36th, 

 regiments, and they completely overthrew them. 

 Wellington was looking on, he galloped up to the 

 88th, shook hands with its colonel, and said : 

 " Wallace, I never saw a more gallant charge than 

 that of your regiment." 



153. At Fuentes d'Onor the 24th, 71st, and 79th 

 regiments were pierced and overpowered by Drouet's 

 division, the 9th regiment of which had penetrated 

 even to a short distance of the British line, and 

 were about to debouch on its centre. The British 

 were worn out, their ammunition was gone, and 

 they were about to retire. Wellington came in 

 that dreadful hour, the most perilous of the whole 

 war, and the Connacht Rangers were let loose at 

 the French. They went in double quick time, were 

 cheered by the British troops, but they gave no 

 cheer in return ; and they were saluted by a heavy 



