This unexpected move was caused by an expedition of the French, under General Foy, for the capture of Bejer, a town about half-way between Salamanca and Corea, in order to ascertain if any large body was collected behind it, for the vivacity of Sir Rowland Hill troubled the French, on whom his successful enterprises had made a profound impression, so that his slightest change of quarters caused them to concentrate their troops, expecting one of his sudden blows. Also the enemy was aware that a large quantity of woollen cloth was in the possession of a manufacturer there, and, being badly off for clothing, they intended to seize it.

Sir Rowland Hill, on receiving notice of this intention, at once sent the First Brigade, then under command of Lieut.Colonel Cameron of the 92nd, to prevent it. The 71st and 6th Caçadores moved from Monte Hermosa to aid the inhabitants of Bejer, while the 50th and 92nd were pushed forward from Corea to Monte Hermosa. These movements convinced Foy that the rich prize would not be tamely given up, and he thought it prudent to retire.

The Gordons regretted their agreeable quarters at Corea, for Monte Hermosa was exclusively occupied by farmers, who in Spain do not generally reside on their farms; the streets were filthy and in bad repair, the houses had wooden shutters in place of glass in the windows, giving a choice between darkness and a draught, and were altogether rather comfortless. But if the farmers were slovenly in their habits, they had an example of the contrary in the Highlanders, whose commanding officer was most particular on that point; the streets were cleaned, and the main guard had orders to confine any man seen in the market not properly dressed with side arms—as an old soldier said, "If you had but ae button on your coat it bode to be bricht."

The battalion was practised constantly in light infantry drill, and the men were employed in taking down the feathers from their old bonnets, and in dressing them and putting them in good order for the new bonnets. "They will likewise wash and clean their heckle feathers, as it was not in the commanding officer's power to procure new ones for them. Every man

who has any knowledge of tailor work is to be employed with the clothing. The commanding officer expects that every man is now supplied with good gartering and rosettes."

Monte Hermosa, 21st January 1813.-Sergeant John M'Combie of the Grenadier Company is appointed to do duty and receive pay as quartermaster-sergeant until further orders, in the room of Quartermaster-sergeant Kenedy, promoted to a

commission.

On the 24th, the commanding officer was so well pleased with the schoolmaster-sergeant's report that, unless particularly ordered to the contrary, the scholars are excused morning parade every second day.

The following prices of necessaries may interest soldiers of the present time.

R.O., Monte Hermosa, January 1813.-Prices of articles furnished by Quartermaster MacFarlane, fixed by a board, the tradesmen's bills being produced-Shirts, 6s. 8d. each; black gaiters, 2s. 11d. a pair; grey trousers, 10s. 6d. a pair; shoe brushes, 2s. 3d. a pair; gartering, 3d. a yard; writing paper, 3s. 6d. a quire; a paper of ink-powder, 1s. 6d.; soap, 1s. 4d. a lb.; tobacco, 4s. 6d. a lb.; a razor, 10d. Hose tartan to be charged to officers commanding companies at 2s. 8d. a yard, and by them to the men at the rate of 2s. a pair.

On the 3rd of February the battalion was inspected by Sir Rowland Hill in their new clothing; knapsacks neatly packed, greatcoats and blankets well folded and rolled, canteens well cleaned, etc. The haversacks, being so bad, were not to be worn, and, as the feathers had not been put up, they paraded in "humble bonnets." The men to wear purses, but, as all had not got them, "the front rank men and the flanks of the rear ranks will be completed with purses."

At Monte Hermosa the officers and soldiers of the battalion received their share of prize-money for the captures at Arroyo dos Molinos, and also their pay up to the 24th of September last, the captains to retain a sufficient sum to provide their companies with vegetables. The men were now rich, and "officers commanding companies are to cause all the wine. houses in their cantonments to be shut up at eight o'clock,

patrols to clear the houses after that hour;" and the Alcalde issued a proclamation to prevent the inhabitants selling wine after that hour. Still, many a jovial evening was spent by the soldiers with their hosts and their wives and daughtersdancing, or singing in Spanish, English, and Gaelic. So the time passed, till the second week in February, when General Foy put a stop to their gay doings by making another dash at Bejer. Sir Rowland Hill, however, received timely notice, and ordered the brigade to advance. When the 71st and Caçadores occupied Bejer on the 12th of February, Foy was only a few miles from it, but on hearing of the British advance he again retired. To secure the place against future attacks, the 50th and Caçadores were thrown into Bejer as a permanent garrison; the 71st occupied the villages of Puerta de Banos and Candaleria, and the 92nd the town of Banos. The 60th Rifle Company were quartered in Herbas.

A few days after this attempt had been frustrated, Foy, thinking to gain his object by surprise, advanced again at the head of 3000 picked troops, with so much secrecy that one of the outlying pickets was nearly surrounded before its officers knew that the enemy was nearer than Salamanca. Driving in the pickets, the French were before the gates of Bejer in a few minutes, expecting an easy conquest of the place and the stores it contained. The attack was made with all the bravery characteristic of their nation, but the entrances were guarded with unflinching courage by the old 50th; and notwithstanding his superiority of numbers, Foy, after reiterated attempts, was unable to intrude himself into Bejer society, and retired with the loss of a hundred killed and wounded, his A.D.C. being amongst the latter. On the first notice of Foy's attack, Colonel Cameron, commanding the brigade, advanced the 92nd and four companies of the 71st, but they were too late to take part in the action. The 92nd were now cantoned in Banos, which town is situated in a narrow valley surrounded by rugged mountains, on the borders of the provinces of Leon and Estremadura. People resorted to it from all parts of Spain on account of its hot mineral springs, and the houses were furnished in a superior manner for the accommodation of

visitors, so the battalion found themselves in most comfortable quarters. In April a draft of forty-six N.-C. officers and men joined from the 2nd Battalion. The people of Banos were famous for their industry, and for their loyalty to their sovereign and the cause of Spain, and the Highlanders and inhabitants were soon on most friendly terms. An officer of the 92nd describes the pleasant situation in which "our merry blades" found themselves on entering Banos, " where in every house the nut-brown knee and weather-beaten countenance met with nothing but smiles and the most marked attention." "The longer we remained among them the more friendly did the townspeople become, till the soldiers and the inhabitants of each house messed together as one family, the former furnishing beef, bread, etc., and the latter pork, oil, and all sorts of vegetables." The spring is a glorious season in Spain, flowers and creepers surround the houses, and the people sit smoking and singing in the evening air. The dancing parties were started again, Highland games were practised, and all went happily till a sad event cast its gloom over the battalion.

"In the latter end of March, a military execution of a most afflicting description took place. The crime for which the unfortunate young man was condemned to die was desertion to the enemy, and attempting to stab the N.-C. officer who apprehended him. A little before the hour of execution, the regiment was drawn up so as to form three sides of a square, the other side was left open as the place of execution. The schoolmaster-sergeant accompanied the poor lad to the fatal spot, and all the way from the village read portions of Scripture. On their arrival at the point assigned them, the criminal joined very audibly in singing a few verses of a Psalm, and then, after spending a few minutes in prayer, the fatal cap was drawn over his eyes, and the provost-marshal with his party advanced from the rear to carry the sentence into effect. At this awfully affecting part of the scene the whole regiment, officers and men, knelt down, and, on behalf of him who then stood on the verge of eternity, offered up humble supplications to the throne of mercy. In a few

moments the party fired, and in an instant the world closed upon the culprit for ever."

The above is taken from the memoir of an officer of the regiment.

Although there was no sympathy with the crime of desertion to the enemy, there seems to have been an impression that the man was not at heart a traitor to his country, but had been led to the rash act by a love affair.

While at Banos the men who had enlisted in 1806 for seven years were given the opportunity of renewing their engagements. Men not above thirty-five years of age were allowed to enlist for life, and received sixteen guineas of bounty; those above thirty-five, for seven years only, and received eleven guineas. These were large sums in those days, sufficient to send a welcome help to the old folks at home, and leave enough to drink their healths in many a cup of Spanish wine. There seems to have been a charm about the constant variety and adventure characteristic of the Peninsular campaign, which appealed powerfully to manly natures and outweighed the occasional hardships and dangers; and most of those who could do so re-engaged for unlimited service, which also entitled them to a pension.

causes.

The delay in opening the new campaign arose from various At the close of the campaign of 1812, the cavalry and artillery had lost great numbers of horses, which had to be replaced. The clothing and accoutrements of the infantry had to be renewed; the heavy camp kettles of the soldiers had been exchanged for light ones carried by the men, and the mules now carried tents, which were of great advantage at halts, though they did not always arrive in time to be of use on rapid marches. Wellington had to wait till men, horses, money, and military stores could be brought from England; but these difficulties being removed, and having reorganised the Spanish troops at his disposal, he prepared to take the field with as fine an army as could be desired.

*

The relative strength of the contending forces was no

Regimental Return, 1st Battalion 92nd, Banos, March 24th, 1813"Private George Mackie shot by sentence of general Court-martial."