CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GUNS AND CAVALRY. 213 
ground above the village the four guns of “ D” troop!, R.H.A., under 
the command of Captain Lefebure were in action. 
The whole force under Beresford amounted to about 27,000 infantry, 
of whom only about 7500 however were British, 2000 cavalry, and 88 
guns. Against these Soult brought some 20,000 veteran infantry, 
4500 cavalry, and 52 guns, authorities differ as to the exact numbers 
but these are near the mark. Beresford had neglected to occupy a 
wooded hill on his right front between the Ferdia and Albuera rivers. 
Behind this hill Soult accordingly massed his heavy cavalry under 
Latour Maubourg, and his 5th Corps, while he made a feint of attacking 
the bridge leading across the stream to Albuera with the remainder. 
Between 8 and 9 o’clock Alten’s Light Infantry Brigade of the King’s 
German Legion, which was holding the village and bridge of Albuera, 
was assailed, and a sharp contest ensued. But it was soon evident that 
the real attack was to be on our right, for two-thirds of the French 
infantry were seen to counter-march to their left, while their light 
cavalry wheeled about too, and galloped rapidly up the left bank of the 
Albuera to join the remainder of their horse in an attempt to outflank 
and overwhelm our right. 
The Spaniards were ordered to change front to the right, the second 
division was moved to their support, while the Portuguese were carried 
to the centre, with the exception of one brigade which was sent to sup- 
port Alten. The 18th Light Dragoons were left above the bridge, but 
Lumley’s heavy brigade, consisting of the 3rd and 4th Dragoon Guards 
and the Horse Artillery battery, was hurried as fast as possible to the 
extreme right to cover our flank, which was much exposed, and was 
being threatened by heavy masses of French cavalry and artillery. 
The Spanish General was both obstinate and incapable, his troops failed 
to carry out the orders they had received as promptly as they should 
have done, and the French were upon them ere they had completed 
the necessary movements. In half-an-hour Beresford’s position was a 
desperate one, and defeat or victory hung in the balance till the very 
end of the battle. The complete story of that fight must be studied 
elsewhere. Itis enough to say now that the duties which were thrust on 
the cavalry and guns on the right, where some very hard fighting took 
place, were as arduous as perhaps fell to the lot of any of the troops. 
Again and again did Soult throw squadron after squadron upon them, 
and often were they all but overwhelmed. “D” troop was ridden 
through several times by the enemy’s horsemen and for a short period 
they gained possession of one of its guns. It was however soon 
recovered and Lumley was able to hold the inundation back until 
Hardinge’s inspiration saved the day, and the celebrated charge of the 
Fusiliers pushed Soult’s columns down “ the fatal hill” (applause). 
But before that crowning stroke, let me remind you that the fate of 
the day had already been snatched out of the fire by Lumley’s prompt- 
ness, and the courage and devotion of four of his heavy squadrons, who 
fell on the French Hussars and Polish Lancers in the moment of their 
triumph. Four of these regiments had suddenly caught Colborne’s Bri- 
1 Two guns had been left behind at Lisbon, and had not yet joined. 
