The loss of the 92nd on this occasion was four officers and seven rank and file wounded, and three rank and file killed, viz., Privates John Denoon, William MacDonald, and

Campbell, a large proportion of the total loss of the British and Portuguese troops, which amounted to only seven men killed, and sixty-four officers and men wounded, and Sir W. Erskine's A.D.C. taken prisoner.

The account of the action given above is exactly in accordance with General Hill's dispatch dated at Merida, October 30th, 1811. It is therefore remarkable that the 34th Regiment (which was in the right column, and whose active duties, admirably performed as they were, chanced to be required only in making prisoners of the troops already defeated by the left column) is the only one which bears Arroyo dos Molinos on its colours, an honour which was granted to them after the death of General Hill about 1840, in lieu of a distinction in dress of which they had been deprived, but which had no relation to this battle. The 92nd, without in any way questioning the good service done by the 34th, felt very strongly that the facts as reported in dispatches show that the 34th had not the same opportunity of distinguishing themselves on this occasion as fell to the lot of the 92nd (with the cavalry and 71st), and that to single out a regiment for so conspicuous an honour has the effect of making it appear to the army at large that the conduct of other corps engaged had been less distinguished, and this impression is naturally strengthened as time goes on and the circumstances. are forgotten. It seems, therefore, very desirable that the subject should be again brought forward by the colonels. of corps concerned, when no doubt the slight inconsiderately applying the point of his sword, compelled him to move forward as his prisoner.Sergeant Robertson. The Colonel of the French 34th had been preceded by his regiment when the First Brigade entered Arroyo. Rushing from his quarters he mounted his charger and galloped along one of the streets to join it. Colonel Cadogan of the 71st happened to meet him and tried to stop him by a blow of his sword, the Frenchman guarded and hit Cadogan on the head, but the head-dress saved him; the gallant French Colonel was, however, made a prisoner. He had on various occasions shown great kindness to British prisoners, and this conduct was repaid by the marked attention shown to him when himself a prisoner, and soon after his arrival in England he was allowed to go home to France.-Memoir of a 92nd officer.

cast on other troops who were at least equally engaged will be removed by granting them the same honour.*

The French seem, under all circumstances, to find some method of softening their fate, and are very ready in framing excuses for any disaster which may befall them. The officer of the Third Brigade, above alluded to, mentions that being on duty over some of the prisoners a few days after the battle, at the close of a day's march, a chapel was allotted to them for the night; and to see them taking possession of it, he would have thought they were still marching free and in arms, singing, "Grenadiers ici, Grenadiers ici; Voltigeurs là là, Voltigeurs là là;" the grenadiers running to the altar, the voltigeurs to the gallery. In ten minutes they were all at home-some playing cards, some singing, some dancing; now a man performing Punch behind a greatcoat with infinite drollery. Quieter men were occupied in repairing their clothes and shoes; while in another part of the church, a self-elected orator was addressing a group on their late capture. "Gentlemen," said he (in French, of course)," you are not dishonoured. We have been betrayed. That spy-that Spaniard- sold us." "How?" said a rough voice. "Who told you that?" "Sir," replied the orator, "you will permit me to know. I am a Parisian, and I understand war." This speech was highly applauded. "Yes; he is right. We have been sold by this villain of a spy. We should have beaten the British in a stand-up fight." Why, certainly," said the little Parisian. Just then the rations appeared, and all rushed to the door singing a chorus about "Bonne soupe, bonne soupe;" but some of the sergeants and older soldiers, decorated for service, were very sulky, and vented their anger in a sort of muttering, smothered swearing. They were all very fine soldierlike men.

The Gordons, when they discontinued the pursuit and the prisoners were collected, bivouacked, with the First Brigade and cavalry, in a wood at St Pedro, about six miles from Arroyo, where double allowance of soft bread and spirits was served out to them with their rations. They had not been long in camp when they became spectators of a most interesting scene. A party of twenty-three French dragoons was See Appendix.

observed moving fast across the plain towards Medellin ; immediately, a picket of seventeen British dragoons dashed down to intercept them; both parties were in view all the time the mêlée lasted, which was but a few minutes, when the enemy agreed to accompany our dragoons into camp, where they were received with three hearty cheers.

At three o'clock on the morning of the 29th they quitted St Pedro, and after a long march entered Merida, wet, weary, and hungry. The 30th was a rest-day; and all the horses, mules, and asses captured on the 28th were sold by auction in the market-place, and the produce, together with the money found in Gérard's military chest, was afterwards divided among the troops actually engaged that day.

Report by Lieut.-Colonel Stewart, 50th Foot, commanding left column of attack at Arroyo dos Molinos, addressed to Lieut.-Colonel Brooke, assistant-adjutant assistant-adjutant general, dated

Merida, 29th October 1811:

SIR,-In conformity to the orders I received, the village of Arroya de Moulina was attacked at half-past six o'clock yesterday morning by the 71st and 92nd Highlanders-the 50th Regiment being held in reserve. We were opposed by French cavalry and infantry; but our troops, behaving in their usual style of bravery and discipline, and using the bayonet only, soon cleared the town of the enemy. I distinctly saw the real gallantry, and in my humble opinion, the good military conduct of Lieut.-Colonels the Hon. H. Cadogan and J. Cameron, at the head of their respective corps. The latter officer was wounded early, but did not for a moment quit the command of his regiment until the affair was entirely concluded. The 71st have taken, and are in possession of, a flag which seems to be a colour of the 40th French Regiment of the Line.

(Signed) CHARLES STEWART,

Lieut.-Colonel 50th Regiment.

On the 31st they commenced their return journey, halting at Montejo; on November 1st they had a tramp of twenty-one miles to Campo Mayor. On the way they crossed a stream swollen by the late rains, which took the men up to the waist; then halted at midday to refresh, dancing themselves dry before rousing fires, which, with a bright sun and a stiff glass of grog, banished all traces of their ducking. In high spirits they