Of whom fourteen are given as "supposed killed on July 25th." In the morning state of July 26th, 1813, are entered as "sent wounded to the rear "-Field officers, 2; captains, 1; subalterns, 9; staff, 0; sergeants, 5; rank and file, 261.

It appears that Major Macpherson and three other wounded officers and several men were able to remain with the battalion. The others went to Vittoria, Bilbao, and Santander, and this journey of several days by ox-carts must have been a trying one. The names are given in the return of twenty men as taken prisoners between the 25th and 27th, so that the battalion lost in killed, wounded, and missing about 367 officers and men.' *

Among the veterans who died at Maya was Private Norman Stewart, the best shot in the battalion, with which he had served in all its many fights. He was a favourite

* Cannon's "Historical Record" gives Ensign E. Kenedy killed, Lieut. A. Macdonald (died), and 17 officers wounded; but Captain Bevan is mentioned in the original return as died of wounds, 21st August. The other casualties given by Cannon are-34 rank and file killed, 268 wounded, and 22 missing. Ensign Ewen Kenedy had lately been promoted from quartermaster-sergeant. He belonged to Moy, in Lochaber, and was the support of a widowed mother, to whom he left considerable savings. Lieut. Alexander Macdonald was a son of Dalchoshnie. Most of the killed had sums of from £2 to £12, besides prize-money, at their credit, and the address of their heir is generally given.

with both his officers and comrades, a great character, and, as one of his old comrades said, "had not as much English as would put the pot on the fire." When an officer complimented him on his soldier-like behaviour in his first engagement, implying, however, that he had hardly expected it, Norman replied, "Cha'n'eil fhios de'n claidheamh a bhios 's an truaill gus an tairnear e" (it is not known what sword is in the scabbard till it is drawn). He did not like his first musket, because it kicked, and because it was a "widow," for its former owner had died; but when he got a good new one he called it his "wife," and woe betide the French skirmisher who came within reach of her kiss! *

Though Lieutenant Fyfe was wounded, his life was saved by the bullet striking his watch, which, however, he carried till he died at a good old age, near Fochabers.

An instance is recorded by an officer commanding a company, of the good feeling which has always prevailed between officers and men of the Gordon Highlanders. Fatigued in body by their tremendous exertions on the 25th, followed by a long night march, and distressed in mind by the loss of their comrades, they halted on a hillside near Irueta. All were without shelter, but in the course of the day his company erected a beautiful hut, and on their inviting him to enter, he found a neatly-made table groaning under a load of soup, beefsteaks, young potatoes, and a bottle of brandy. He was naturally much gratified by such a mark of attention at such a time," showing the dispositions of the men I had the honour to command."

* See page 310.

CHAPTER XX.

D'ERLON remained inactive at Maya on the 26th; but, stimulated by Soult, he advanced on the afternoon of the 27th by Elizondo, and in the evening the 92nd, with Hill's troops, retired. Each division of the allied army was ignorant of what had happened to the other; alarming reports were spread; the narrow glens and roads were blocked with the baggage, stores, and artillery of the Sixth and Seventh Divisions, which had preceded them, and by the fugitive families of the country people; so that when it got dark the troops were compelled to halt on one of the lower heights of the pass of Lanz. At daybreak on the 28th they resumed their march, and at noon halted near La Zarza. Thinking themselves secure of a rest for the night, the beef was boiling in the kettles, and officers and men were washing and shaving the four days' growth on their chins. All was going on quietly, when suddenly the bugles sounded the "Fall in!" In a moment the ground was covered with soup, the half-shaved soldiers stood laughing at each other in the ranks, and in ten minutes they were on the road to Pampeluna, near which the first battle of Sauroren was being fought, with great determination and loss on both sides. Here the French, 25,000 strong, under Soult, with great gallantry attacked Wellington in a strong position, which he successfully defended.

Being too late to take part in the battle of the 28th, the 92nd halted near Lizasso and bivouacked, and next day advanced about a mile nearer to Pampeluna. Both armies rested on the 29th without firing a shot, while the wandering divisions on both sides were being brought into the line. Wellington had vindicated his position with 16,000 combatants; he had now, including the troops blockading Pampeluna, 50,000, of whom 20,000 were British. Hill occupied strong ground between Lizasso and Arestegui, and was well placed for retaking the offensive.

Soult had been reinforced by 18,000 men, but finding it impossible to penetrate to Pampeluna, he proposed to make such dispositions as might enable him to relieve San Sebastian. On the morning of the 30th July, Wellington attacked and drove back the enemy in the second battle of Sauroren; and Soult, seeing his retreat endangered, determined to prevent his flank being turned by crushing Hill's troops with superior numbers. For that purpose he took d'Erlon's Corps, the same troops who fought at Maya, and the division of cavalry in support, not less than 20,000 sabres and bayonets, Hill having barely half that number.

When Soult's attack became obvious, the 92nd, commanded by Major John MacPherson, moved with the First Brigade to line the brow of a ridge facing the plain on which the enemy was forming his columns; the Second Brigade was in support, and two brigades of Portuguese occupied a height on the right of the road. The 8th and Light Companies of the 92nd formed a guard to Sir Rowland Hill on a height to the left. A strong body of French infantry was pushed along the base of the hill with the view of turning Hill's left, and the First Brigade, screened by trees and brushwood, made a corresponding movement along the summit. When the French attempted to ascend at an easier part of the ridge, the 50th halted, the 71st extended in skirmishing order, and the 92nd was formed into two divisions; that on the right as a sort of movable column to support where required, while the left division was pushed along the hill top to watch the enemy on the left. One of the officers was sent down alone, with orders to give notice of the first appearance of the enemy. After advancing some way, their approach was announced to him by a rustling noise in the bushes, and he immediately gave the alarm; he was fired at, but escaped. As soon as the Highlanders arrived, they at once attacked the French Light Infantry, and drove them back with great loss. After this our men continued to skirmish in extended order, till a battalion of grenadiers issued from a wood on their left, and with drums beating and shouts of "Vive l'Empereur," advanced to the charge. The Highland skirmishers were at once called in. "We had four small companies, while the French were from

500 to 600 strong." Thinking it best to meet them half-way, Captain Seton, who commanded, stepped in front of his little corps and, with his bonnet in the left hand and his sword in the other, called, "Ninety-second, follow me!" After proceeding about twenty paces he fell to the rear, as is usual on such occasions, and gave the word "Charge."

"Our lads moved forward with great spirit to measure bayonets with their opponents. But from such an unequal

trial of strength we were most unexpectedly relieved by the 34th Regiment, who, coming in sight of us just as we were moving forward, gave three hearty cheers and joined us in our offensive movement. Being still superior in numbers, the enemy seemed for a little quite determined to wait our assault; but somehow, when we arrived within thirty paces, they wheeled about and retired, hotly pursued by our two little corps. Their loss was considerable; their commandant, a fine young man with two or three decorations, fell mortally wounded." *

The enemy, reinforced, again advanced. They were opposed with determined bravery, till increased numbers. enabled them to outflank Hill's left, and his troops were reluctantly obliged to retire about a mile from the ridge to some high rocks, from which they hurled defiance at the French below.

The Second Brigade and other troops were also hotly engaged, and the Highlanders, from their rocky fortress, admired the courage of some of the Portuguese troops, who, though forced to retire fighting to a height two miles in rear, on being reinforced by a brigade of their countrymen, in turn became the assailants, and drove the French down the ridge at the point of the bayonet. Hill, having been joined by Campbell and Morillo, again offered battle; but Soult, having gained his object by turning Hill's left and securing a line of retreat, declined it, and thus ended the serious operations in the combat of Buenza, though an irregular fire was kept up till sunset. The Highlanders could see the bonfires kindled at night by the garrison of Pampeluna, rejoicing in the hope of relief.