THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
409 
A glimpse of the retreat to Corunna. 
Corporal John Lomax, 7th Hussars, writes to his sister :—“ The Trench 
formed on the other side of the water: we brought two guns to bear on 
them with spiritual case shot, which laid some of them low, and made the 
others go over the hills which were close by/”— U.S. Magazine. 
Another reference to this affair :—“ The Trench formed again on the other 
side, and threatened a second attempt; but three pieces of horse artillery 
which now came up, were stationed near the bridge, and opened a fire upon 
them which did considerable execution,” &c.— Southey. 
And in describing the battle of Corunna, Southey says,—“ Our artillery 
was embarked, and the shrapnel shells which contributed so materially to the 
success at Yimiera were not used in this more perilous engagement,” &c. 
Talavera. In this stiff, defensive, two days battle, against more than 
double our numbers, “the artillery," the Duke reported “were of the 
greatest service." 
Napier says that, “ Eighty pieces of Trench artillery sent a tempest 
before the light troops. * * * The Spanish troops w r ere 
not in a state of discipline to attempt a manoeuvre," or ——•? Our losses 
were 6268, those of the Trench 7389, and 20 guns. 
In his “Defence of Portugal," Captain Elliot, R.A., says, “Eighteen 
pieces of cannon which Colonel Robe, of the Royal Artillery had formed in 
an oblique direction were brought to bear on the flank of the enemy's column, 
and occasioned great destruction by the fire of spherical case shot, or Colonel 
Shrapnel's shells, both as they advanced, and when they had retreated 
beyond the range of musketry." 
Jomini was kind enough to state that this battle at once restored the 
reputation of the British army ! 
After a lapse of two years Sir William Robe writes again, giving a 
summary of his experience, and shewing his confidence in the projectile by 
having recommended a larger proportion. 
His brief remarks on the passage of the Douro,-—a wide and rapid river,— 
in face of the enemy, are instructive and interesting. The operation, one 
of “consummate ability," should be studied in Sir Howard Douglas' work. 
The Trench lost on that occasion five hundred killed or wounded, five guns 
taken in the fight, and fifty in the arsenal. 
“The brave 3rd Regiment," now the Buffs, were ferried over and posted 
in a convent under our guns. 
Vezeu, Portugal, March 31,1810. 
“ I now write as an old friend, convinced of the efficacy of the weapon, 
when properly applied; and considering its character as established, wish 
that it may be used with as little deviation from its original simplicity as 
possible. 
“After Yimiera, a much larger proportion of the spherical case was recom¬ 
mended and allowed. 
“At Oporto we were situated so as clearly to discern their effect on the 
troops opposed to the brave 3rd Regiment, who acknowledged the service 
they received. 
“At Talavera, I happened to be immediately placed with the long 6-pr. 
[vol, v.] 55 
