212 CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GUNS AND CAVALRY. 
appalling odds. At Rheims!, to give one instance out of many, he turned 
the left flank of the Russians, under St. Priest with 8000 cavalry and 
30 Horse Artillery guns. But the allies retaliated in the most brilliant 
manner at the second battle of Fere Champenoise,* when 20,000 of 
their horsemen with 128 guns utterly defeated the corps of Marmont 
and Mortier, 22,000 strong, of whom 17,000 were infantry, and with 84 
guns. I think this is perhaps the most astonishing achievement of 
guns and cavalry which history records, for not a musket was fired on 
the allied side, and gunners and troopers worked entirely alone 
(applause). 
From India too may be gleaned splendid illustrations of the value of 
Horse Artillery and cavalry, of their powers in covering long distances, 
or carrying through gallant enterprises. India moreover, as I may re- 
mind you, has even a claim to be regarded as the birthplace of the 
former arm. However that may be, it is at any rate certain that we 
cannot anywhere find mention of brighter exploits than those of which 
our Indian Horse Artillery can boast, and I know my brother officers 
will bear out my assertion, that, when future historians may undertake 
- to collect the names, which have shed most lustre on our regiment, it 
is to the muster rolls of the Bengal Artillery that they will most 
frequently have to turn (loud applause). 
But in India we have not had to fight an European foe with our 
Horse Artillery, and I therefore resort this evening to one of the great 
battles of the Peninsular war for an illustration. There no doubt have 
been deeds accomplised on a larger scale, such as those I have mentioned 
from 1814, but nowhere was the danger more imminent, or the crisis 
sharper than at the battle of Albuera. 
It will be impossible I fear to analyse it very closely for the records 
on the subject are singularly baid. They did not publish official 
accounts in those days and the great authority, Napier, was an infantry 
soldier, and I think he has sometimes failed to do full justice to the 
cavalry and artillery. We know from the glowing pages, which tell 
the story of “the fatal hill,” “ with what a strength and majesty the 
British soldier fights.” ‘“ That astonishing infantry” surely deserved 
every word he said of them and more, but it is disappointing neverthe- 
less to find the equally gallant efforts of the 38rd and 4th Dragoon 
Guards, who with four guns of “D” troop held our right flank against 
the efforts of the powerful French cavalry, but comparatively briefly 
referred to (applause). 
Let us stay for a moment to see what they did; but 1 will only speak 
very generally of the operations except in so far as they affected the 
cavalry and Horse Artillery. 
Beresford on the 16th of May had taken up a position at Albuera to 
receive Soult who was marching to the relief of Badajoz. The Spani- 
ards were on his right, the English in the centre, the Portuguese on 
his left. The cavalry and Horse Artillery were extended along his 
front, their left appuyed on the village of Albuera. On the high 
1 March 15th, 1814. 
2 March 24th, 1814. 
