CATORj R.C.B., ROYAL ARTILLERY. 
XV 
Ten guns immediately opened a terrific fire against Victor’s column, which 
in less than two hours was in full retreat, leaving two generals with 400 prisoners, 
six guns, and a standard in the hands of the victors. 
The enemy however had inflicted great loss upon the little English band, no less 
than 50 officers, and 1193 men being killed and wounded. Gator, who had a horse 
shot under him, was among the latter; and for his conduct throughout the action 
he was mentioned by General Graham in his despatches to Lord Wellington. 
The Spaniards however not fulfilling their part of the movement, the whole force 
returned to Cadiz; and the expedition led to no result, save that of raising a very 
indignant feeling throughout England against the Spaniards on account of their 
alleged refusal to support our troops at Barrosa. 
Captain Cator returned to Cadiz, with General Graham’s troops after the battle 
of Barrosa, and remained there till the raising of the siege in 1812; when he 
received orders to take command of a battery, and march through Spain to Madrid 
there to join for the second time, the main army under Wellington. 
Immediately on his arrival at head-quarters. Captain Cator was again selected 
by Lord Wellington, to undertake the task of proceeding into Andalusia, and 
endeavour to purchase with all dispatch 700 horses and 300 mules; telling him to 
appoint an artillery officer to assist him. Captain Cator selected Lieut. Francis Warde 
for this purpose, and proceeded to traverse the whole district of Andalusia, riding 
post horses, going from place to place by night, and riding through the neighbouring 
district by day in search of animals. He continued to do this for six successive 
days and nights; during which period he purchased 573 horses, and 248 mules, 
which were collected at Seville; and all reached head-quarters within thirteen days 
of Captain Cator’s undertaking the duty. With his usual forethought he made 
arrangements for any further supply that might be required, which saved him 
another similar journey, for which he was destined on his return to head* 
quarters. * 
Lord Wellington was so manifestly satisfied with the manner in which Captain 
Cator had so efficiently executed his orders, that he mentioned him warmly in his 
despatches home; and at the same time wrote to the Master-General of the 
Ordnance, earnestly recommending Captain Cator for the earliest vacancy as 
2nd Captain of Horse Artillery. 
In this instance as on many occasions in after years, Captain Cator displayed 
that energy and determined resolution which so often enabled him to accomplish 
undertakings that to most other men would have appeared unattainable. At all 
times, whatever his employment, whether the pleasures of fox hunting, the toilsome 
duties of a campaign, or promoting the welfare of his friends; he ever entered into 
it with the same hearty energy and spirit. 
Captain Cator was next engaged at Osma in 1813, in which battle he served in 
the Horse Artillery, having been appointed Acting 2nd Captain of Major Bull’s 
Troop, Captain Norman Eamsay being in command during Major Bull’s temporary 
absence in England. 
He was engaged at Vittoria in the same troop, and the day following that 
battle, was placed in command owing to the misunderstanding which led to poor 
Norman Eamsay’s arrest, and which has become matter of history. 
Captain Cator continued in command of the troop during the pursuit of 
the French army, and with the covering army before St Sebastian, and served 
with it till the close of the war. At Tolosa, by the skilful manner in which 
he posted his guns, he drove a considerable portion of the enemy from the 
field; and was in consequence highly commended by Lord Lyndoch (General 
Graham) in his despatches to Lord Wellington. He was also engaged in the 
passage of the Bidassoa, August 1813, and afterwards against the attack on the 
same place, by the French, in the actions of the Nive and Nivelle (November 10), 
