AND THE DVKES OF RICHMOND. 71 



Upon the very day of Lord March's arrival (July 

 12th), our troops, under Brigadier-General Crawford, 

 had suffered great loss in an action with the French 

 army near Almeida. During the wearisome opera- 

 tions that took place, the 13th Light Dragoons 

 received the honourable distinction of being told 

 off to watch the enemy's movements. When Lord 

 March heard of this he almost regretted the accept- 

 ance of the staff appointment, but was soon re- 

 conciled by one of his brother aides-de-camp telling 

 him that ere many days were passed Wellington 

 would be engaged, which prediction was verified 

 on the morning of the 27 th of July, when the French 

 made two desparate attacks upon the English position 

 at Busaco. The action lasted the whole day, and 

 resulted in the crushing repulse of the enemy, who 

 left nearly three thousand killed and wounded on the 

 battle-field. This being the first general action in 

 which Lord March was engaged, he was much gratified 

 to read in the Chiefs despatch to the Earl of Liver- 

 pool (dated Coimbra, September 30th), that " he was 

 particularly indebted to the officers of his personal 

 staff for the great assistance received from them 

 throughout the action." 



In a letter written by the Duke of Wellington to 

 Vice- Admiral the Hon. G. Berkeley (dated Celerico, 

 August 10th, 1810) his Grace, after acknowledging a 

 letter received from the Vice- Admiral, added, " I think 

 that Lord March can do without his helmet for a while." 



