The following regiments figure in the official casualty returns, but they have not as yet been authorized to assume the battle honour:

It will be remarked that, whereas the 13th Hussars, with the loss of one man wounded, has been awarded the distinction, the Gloucesters, which lost a total of 164 killed and wounded, has been denied it.

Almaraz, May 19, 1811.

Royal West Kent.
Highland Light Infantry.
Gordon Highlanders.

This battle honour is borne on the colours and appointments of the above regiments for their conduct in one of the many sharp little engagements under that brilliant tactician General, afterwards Viscount, Hill, who in his despatch calling special attention to the services of the 50th (West Kent) and 71st (Highland Light Infantry), added: "Nor can I avoid mentioning the steadiness of the 6th Portuguese Regiment and two companies of the 60th Rifles." Particular stress also was laid on the conduct of the 13th Hussars in capturing some of the enemy's guns. Neither the 13th Hussars nor the King's Royal Rifles have as yet been permitted to assume this distinction.

Casualties at the Action of Almaraz, May 19, 1811.

Arroyos dos Molinos, October 28, 1811.

This distinction is only to be found on the colours of the Border Regiment.

Like Almaraz, it was one of the many engagements fought by Hill's division single-handed, and it has always been a matter of keen jealousy—if such a word can be used—on the part of the other regiments present that they have been denied the privilege of inscribing this battle honour on their colours. Lord Hill in his despatch laid no especial stress on the conduct of the 34th; indeed, his highest praise was reserved for the two Highland regiments, the 71st and the 92nd. Hill's division consisted of:

The French occupied the town of Arroyos dos Molinos, when, to use Hill's own words, "The 71st and 92nd charged into the town with cheers, and drove the enemy out at the point of the bayonet." Wilson's brigade had been sent round to attack the enemy in the rear, and the 50th (West Kent) supporting the Highlanders, secured the prisoners, whilst the 28th (Gloucesters) and the 34th (Borderers) pursued the flying French until the arrival of the cavalry enabled them to follow up the enemy. One general and 35 other officers, with upwards of 1,000 men, were taken, our total casualties being but 65 of all ranks killed and wounded. On more than one occasion the Gordon Highlanders have applied to be permitted to assume this distinction, but whilst conceding the valuable part they played at Arroyos dos Molinos, the War Office have declined to accede to their request on the plea that the battle honour was conferred on the 34th in lieu of a particoloured pom-pom to their shako. As the present generation of soldiers apply the term "pom-pom" to a man-destroying weapon, and not to the ornament of infantry headgear, and as shakos have been relegated to museums, it might be fitting to reopen the vexed question of this battle honour.

Casualties of the Action of Arroyos dos Molinos, October 28, 1811.

Tarifa, December, 1811.

This distinction is borne on the colours of the North Lancashire Regiment and the Royal Irish Fusiliers, in recognition of their services in the gallant defence of the fortress of Tarifa in the month of December, 1811. General Skerrett in his despatch drew particular attention to the conduct of the companies of the Rifle Brigade which were also present. The casualty list which I append shows that this battle honour was earned without a great effusion of blood.

Casualties at Tarifa, December, 1811.

Ciudad Rodrigo, January, 1812.

This hardly-earned battle honour has been awarded to the

Northumberland Fusiliers.
Oxford Light Infantry.
Sherwood Foresters.
Middlesex Regiment.
King's Royal Rifles.
Highland Light Infantry.
Royal Irish Rifles.
Connaught Rangers.
Rifle Brigade.

It will be seen from a glance at the appended casualty returns that a great many other regiments were present during the operations connected with the siege and capture of this fortress from the French, notably the Coldstream and Scots Guards. The losses of the two Battalions of Guards and of the Northamptons were far heavier than those of some of the regiments to whom the distinction of this battle honour has been granted.

Casualties at the Siege and Capture of Ciudad Rodrigo.

Badajoz, March and April, 1812.

The losses incurred by the army under Wellington during the siege and at the assault of this fortress were most severe. The battle honour is borne by the

King's Own (Lancaster).
Northumberland Fusiliers.
Royal Fusiliers.
Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Inniskilling Fusiliers.
East Lancashire.
South Staffords.
South Lancashire.
Oxford Light Infantry.
Essex.
Sherwood Foresters.
Northamptons.
Middlesex.
King's Royal Rifles.
Highland Light Infantry.
Royal Irish Rifles.
Connaught Rangers.
Rifle Brigade.

In the year 1811 Wellington had made an unsuccessful attempt to seize Badajos, in which we suffered heavy loss. Now, with this fortress and Ciudad Rodrigo in his hands, the French were deprived of any rallying-point on the road to Madrid, and the English Commander-in-Chief at once opened a determined offensive campaign. The gallantry displayed by our men at the assault are graphically described by Napier and by many contemporary historians, French and English; it only remains for me to record the part played by each unit in the memorable siege.

Casualties at the Siege and Assault of Badajoz.

Salamanca, July 22, 1812.

This was the first battle on a large scale ever fought by Wellington, and its name is borne on the colours and appointments of the

5th Dragoon Guards.
3rd Hussars.
4th Hussars.
11th Hussars.
14th Hussars.
16th Lancers.
Royal Scots.
Queen's.
King's Own.
Northumberland Fusiliers.
Royal Fusiliers.
Norfolks.
Devons.
Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
South Wales Borderers.
Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Gloucesters.
Worcester.
East Lancashires.
Cornwall Light Infantry.
South Staffords.
South Lancashire.
Oxford Light Infantry.
Essex.
Sherwood Foresters.
Northamptons.
King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry).
Shropshire Light Infantry.
King's Royal Rifles.
Durham Light Infantry.
Highland Light Infantry.
Cameron Highlanders.
Royal Irish Rifles.
Connaught Rangers.
Rifle Brigade.

Casualties at the Battle of Salamanca, July 22, 1812.

In actual numbers the two armies were evenly matched, Wellington having some 42,000 men against an equal number of the French. There were, however, nearly 15,000 Portuguese in the allied army, and no one could assert that they were the equal of 15,000 British. The victory was complete. Our casualties, though severe, were little more than half of those sustained by the French, who lost upwards of 8,000 killed and wounded, whilst twelve cannon and two eagles remained in our hands. The road was now open to Madrid, and on August 12 Wellington entered that capital in triumph.

In the month of October came a damper in the shape of a decided reverse at Burgos, and the winter was spent by Wellington in reorganizing his forces for the final struggle in the coming summer. The French were heavily engaged in Eastern Europe, and Napoleon was unable to spare large bodies of men for the war in Spain. The stars in their courses were fighting for Wellington.

Vittoria, June 21, 1813.

This victory, which gave Wellington his baton of Field-Marshal, is borne on the colours of the

3rd Dragoon Guards.
5th Dragoon Guards.
3rd Hussars.
4th Hussars.
13th Hussars.
14th Hussars.
15th Hussars.
16th Lancers.
Royal Scots.
Queen's.
Buffs.
King's Own.
Northumberland Fusiliers.
Royal Warwicks.
Norfolk.
Lancashire Fusiliers.
South Wales Borderers.
Royal Fusiliers.
Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Gloucesters.
East Lancashire.
East Surrey.
Border.
South Staffords.
Dorsets.
South Lancashire.
Oxford Light Infantry.
Sherwood Foresters.
Northamptons.
North Lancashire.
Royal Berkshires.
Royal West Kent.
King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry).
Shropshire Light Infantry.
Middlesex.
King's Royal Rifles.
Durham Light Infantry.
Highland Light Infantry.
Gordon Highlanders.
Royal Irish Rifles.
Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Connaught Rangers.
Rifle Brigade.

Casualties at Vittoria, June 21, 1813.

In this battle Wellington, for the first time, had a decided superiority in numbers, having close on 80,000 men opposed to but 62,000 of the French; but it must be conceded that the 20,000 Portuguese were by no means of the same value as 20,000 British infantry. The victory was undisputed. Practically the whole of the French artillery—no less than 143 guns, with 1,000 prisoners—fell into our hands, and upwards of a million in treasure was the booty. The personal effects of King Joseph and an immense quantity of material was also taken. Our casualties amounted to more than 4,000 killed and wounded; those of the French to upwards of 6,000.

Amongst the cavalry regiments which suffered losses at Vittoria, but which have not yet been authorized to assume the battle honour, are the 12th Lancers and 15th and 18th Hussars.[17]

Pyrenees, July 28 to August 2, 1813.

This battle honour was granted as a distinction commemorative of the three days' hard fighting in the Pyrenees between July 28 and August 1, 1813. It is borne by the following regiments:

14th Hussars.
Queen's.
Buffs.
Royal Fusiliers.
Royal Warwicks.
Lancashire Fusiliers.
Devons.
South Wales Borderers.
Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Gloucesters.
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
East Surrey.
Worcesters.
Border.
Cornwall Light Infantry.
South Lancashire.
Dorsets.
Oxford Light Infantry.
Royal Highlanders.
Sherwood Foresters.
Northamptons.
Royal Berkshire.
Royal West Kent.
King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry).
Middlesex.
Shropshire Light Infantry.
King's Royal Rifles.
Durham Light Infantry.
Highland Light Infantry.
Gordon Highlanders.
Cameron Highlanders.
Argyll Highlanders.
Rifle Brigade.

There were many reasons which compelled Wellington to refrain from prosecuting a vigorous pursuit after the decisive victory of Vittoria. The French were in possession of the two fortresses of Pampeluna and San Sebastian in the north, and they were far superior in numbers to the Allies in the south of the Peninsula. He pushed the enemy back slowly to the frontier, and at the same time he detached two of his own divisions, under Sir Thomas Graham, to reduce San Sebastian, whilst he entrusted the task of besieging Pampeluna to the Spaniards, resolving that, as soon as these two fortresses were in his possession, he would continue the work of expelling the French from the Peninsula. Emboldened by Lord Wellington's tactics, Soult turned and attacked the English at Roncesvalles and in the Maya Pass. At the latter engagement we were compelled to fall back, leaving some prisoners in the hands of the French; but reinforcements coming up, Wellington resumed the offensive, and by August 1 had once more driven the French to the north of the Pyrenees. The fighting during these few days was excessively severe, our casualties amounting to upwards of 4,000 of all ranks killed and wounded.

Casualties in the Actions in the Pyrenees, July 25 to August 2, 1813.

San Sebastian, August, 1813.

On July 18, 1817, the following regiments were permitted to assume the battle honour for their services at the siege and capture of this fortress:

Royal Scots.
King's Own (Lancaster).
Norfolks.
East Lancashire.
South Staffords.
North Lancashire.

Immediately after the Battle of Vittoria, Lord Wellington detached two divisions to besiege this fortress, the possession of which was a necessary prelude to his further pursuit of the French. Unfortunately, our army was ill-provided with material for a siege, and two months were spent before the place was taken. Our losses during the siege and in the two assaults were very severe, as the accompanying casualty returns prove:

Casualties at the Siege and Assault of San Sebastian, July and August, 1813.